South Africa: President Ramaphosa concludes successful Paris visit

President Cyril Ramaphosa has concluded a successful visit to Paris, in France, where he participated in the Summit on the Financing of African Economies hosted by President Emmanuel Macron.

In a statement, the President said Summit leaders stated their ambition to act together and fight the great divergence occurring within and between countries.

The summit recognised the role of extensive immunisation against COVID-19 as [a] global public good and committed to ensure and accelerate equitable access in Africa to safe and affordable vaccines, treatments and diagnostics through the ACT-Accelerator and its COVAX facility, said the President in a statement on Tuesday.

The Summit, said the Presidency, called for a swift decision on and implementation of an unprecedented general allocation of the International Monetary Funds Special Drawing Rights (SDRs).

The SDRs are expected to amount to 650 billion US dollars, of which 33 billion US dollars will be used to increase reserve assets of African countries.

At the Summit, leaders expressed support for African national strategies on growth and jobs, and welcomed the ambition to develop an Alliance for Entrepreneurship in Africa, with a broad pan- African reach and strong business focus.

The Presidency said the alliance will help mobilise all partners ready to support, through financial and technical resources, the development of the private sector on the continent.

During the two-day visit, President Cyril Ramaphosa held bilateral talks with African Union Chairperson and Democratic Republic of Congo President Felix Tshisekedi; Angola President Joao Lourenco; Ivory Coast President Alassane Ouattara; Mozambique President Filipe Jacinto Nyusi; Senegal President Macky Sall; Rwanda President Paul Kagame, and Togos President Faure Gnassingbe to enhance South Africas diplomatic relations.

Ahead of the start of the Summit last night, President Ramaphosa and President Macron of the French Republic met for bilateral talks at the Elysee Palace.

State Visit

The leaders discussion, paved the way for the State Visit that President Macron will undertake to South Africa at the end of May 2021.

The leaders also discussed vaccine production and distribution, with President Ramaphosa emphasising the importance of the temporary waiver of the World Trade Organisation regulations on intellectual property, to enable Africa to expand its capability to produce vaccines that will combat COVID-19 and future pandemics.

In anticipation of the State visit, President Macron expressed interest to establish a partnership with South African vaccine - producing institutions, to enhance manufacturing capacity.

South Africa and France's relations spans across areas of cooperation in energy, education, science and technology, as well as trade and investment among others. The relations extend to the European Union, making South Africa a key trading partner.

Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Dr Naledi Pandor and Acting Minister in the Presidency, Khumbudzo Ntshavheni, accompanied President Ramaphosa. - SAnews.gov.za

This story has been published on: 2021-05-19. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article.
NPS students tackle key challenges of the Mobile CubeSat Network

Four Naval Postgraduate School (NPS) students, representing the Navy and Army, have each conducted thesis research to advance and address unique aspects of the Mobile CubeSat Command and Control (MC3) Network, a Department of Defense (DOD)-led ground station network providing common-use infrastructure for small satellite research.

Nearly 10 years old, the MC3 has become a multi-national network, and was conceived as a means to bring together organizations that have developed their own CubeSat programs with a single community-based approach that focuses on standard infrastructure that many across the government could utilize over time. NPS' Space Systems Academic Group was tapped to execute the construction, maintenance, and operation of the network given its strengths in CubeSat-related activities and its focus on hands-on military education.

The network has eight active sites, with a ninth under construction, located at military, educational and commercial institutions. The network enables a low-cost, fast-paced development environment in which satellite and ground infrastructure technology can be matured without the burden of potentially impacting high-value missions that are critical to national security.

The growth of the network and its capabilities are commensurate with the challenges presented by its expansion. The four students are looking to inverse the challenges of growth into capabilities with their respective thesis projects, which focused on autonomy within the systems, to integration of hardware and software.

"The students contributed polished, reasonably-scoped capabilities that strengthen the network," said Dr. Giovanni Minelli, NPS Space Systems Academic Group (SSAG) Faculty Research Associate. "Without our thesis students producing measurably useful deliverables, the small teams of faculty and staff researchers would not be able to give these new development efforts the attention they require given the work involved with keeping the network operational for our on-orbit users. The thesis work often leads to interesting follow-on work that can be picked up by a future student or can flow its way into other groups around the DoD."

U.S. Army Maj. Timothy Marczewski integrated a series of environmental sensors capable of monitoring a ground station's thermal, power, humidity, vibration, and even acoustic environments so that open source, near-real-time machine learning algorithms could be applied to determine a normal operating baseline. Any out-of-bounds readings would help forecast an imminent malfunction, thus allowing faster operator response and minimized downtime.

"It's a way of monitoring these geographically-dispersed ground stations autonomously," said Marczewski. "The goal here is predicting errors or faults that may cause a pass, referring to a satellite passing over where data communications between the ground station and that satellite does not happen, due to something that we did not identify before that pass happened."

Using the sensors, Marczewski looked at data set clusters for time of day and temperature within the ground station satellite dome to get an idea of what 'normal' looks like and allows users to see if normal conditions are drifting and address any potential errors.

Staying in the realm of autonomy, another student's thesis looked to develop software to autonomously characterize an antenna's sensitivity to receive signals from space. The sun produces a substantial amount of radio signals in the band range used by the MC3 stations. The developed algorithms can record the intensity of these readings, and when comparing them to a sun-free baseline, can extract the instantaneous antenna sensitivity. By repeating this process daily, degradation or sudden anomalies can be identified autonomously. These measurements are currently conducted manually, only once or twice per year when personnel are on site performing maintenance.

As important as the ground stations are to the MC3 network, the equipment in orbit can also make or break the efficacy of the overall network. U.S. Navy Lt. Allyson Claybaugh used her thesis to verify end-to-end compatibility between an MC3 ground station and the NPS-developed CubeSat's X-band Software-Defined Radio (SDR), a payload designed and constructed through previous thesis research. The testing pursued in her study aimed to find the required parameters, and associated software configurations, to achieve mission-ready interoperability between the payload SDR and commercial SDR receivers at the NPS MC3 ground station.

"X-band SDRs offer enticing features such as greater bandwidth, higher data rates, advanced modulation schemes and increased resiliency against environmental interference such as attenuation," noted Claybaugh. "A proven CubeSat form factor is leading to increasingly ambitious payloads and mission requirements, resulting in more data products and the subsequent need for higher space-to-ground data transmission rates. Through the MC3 X-band initiative and CubeSat project, the SSAG is developing infrastructure that responds to this emerging need of the small satellite community."

Instead of focusing on one aspect of the overall network, U.S. Navy Lt. Anastasia Novosyolovablatt is working to integrate hardware and software to simulate the entire communications path of an upcoming CubeSat mission. This communications path consists of ground software that operates the vehicle, the spacecraft itself with its communications system, and a payload currently undergoing development in New Zealand. The testbed, called FlatSatNet, is able to connect to the payload in New Zealand from NPS to afford the mission's software developers the chance to develop software interfaces before the flight payload is sent to NPS for integration into the satellite.

"This helps reduce risk for the mission and sets the precedent that concurrent development can occur across oceans to maximize collaboration between allied government small satellite programs," stated Minelli. "The FlatSatNet concept allows us to test the entire mission's communications architecture, including components developed internationally, before we launch the satellite into orbit."

As spaceflight missions have a degree of uncertainty to them, Minelli also noted the SSAG scopes projects so that the students are not dependent on the outcome of an experiment or mission that is beyond their control. This way, they ensure that these types of results are the "cherry on top" of an otherwise strong theoretical or experimental topic.

"I believe the hands-on, comprehensive, project-oriented education we are receiving in the Space Systems curriculum at NPS is one of the most top-notch space educations out there," added Claybaugh. "The support I've received from my thesis advisors, as well as instruction and interaction with experienced professors -- it's truly special and will set me up for my next tour, as well as the future career in the space field."

###

This story has been published on: 2021-05-19. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article.
Your browser does not support the video tag.
The Centre on Wednesday hiked the subsidy on diammonium phosphate (DAP) fertiliser by 140 per cent to protect the farmers from increase in price of fertilisers.

The subsidy on DAP fertiliser has been increased to Rs 1,200 per bag from Rs 500 per bag. The decision will cost the exchequer Rs 14,775 crore, in addition to the Rs 80,000 crore spent annually on fertiliser subsidy to farmers.

The decision was taken during a high-level meeting chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the issue of fertiliser prices.

"It was discussed that the price of fertilisers is undergoing an increase due to the rising prices of phosphoric acid, ammonia, etc internationally. PM stressed that farmers should get fertilisers at old rates despite the international rise in prices," the Prime Minister's Office said in a statement.

Also read: India Inc to the rescue! How Tata, RIL, Adani & others are helping fight Covid-19

Last year, the actual price of DAP was Rs 1,700 per bag. After Centre's subsidy of Rs 500 per bag, the companies were selling fertiliser to farmers for Rs 1,200 per bag.

"Recently, the international prices of phosphoric acid, ammonia, etc used in DAP have gone up by 60 per cent to 70 per cent. So the actual price of a DAP bag is now Rs 2,400, which could be sold by fertiliser companies at Rs 1,900 after considering a subsidy of Rs 500. With today's decision, farmers will continue to get a DAP bag for Rs 1,200," the statement said.

The government is committed to the welfare of farmers and will make all efforts to ensure that they do not have to face the brunt of price rise, the prime minister said during the meeting.

Earlier on Friday, the Centre had transferred Rs 20,667 crore to farmers' account under the PM-KISAN scheme. The decision to hike fertiliser subsidy comes at a time when the government is facing protests in Punjab and Haryana over the three farm related bills passed by the Parliament last year.

While the government claims that the new laws will liberalise farming in the country and increase farmers' income, farm groups, mainly from Punjab and Haryana, have been opposing them, claiming the laws would hurt farmers and benefit big corporates.

Also read: COVID patients can get vaccinated 3 months after recovery: Health Ministry
Anti-viral drug Remdesivir, which is being widely used in the country for treatment of COVID-19 patients, may be dropped from the recommended treatment protocol for the infection as there is no evidence of its effectiveness, a doctor from Delhi's top hospital said.

Although Remdesivir has been approved as an investigational drug for strict use under hospital conditions, it has seen a surge in demand amidst the second wave of COVID-19 pandemic. This has led to shortage of the drug, and its black marketing and hoarding. The Health Ministry had urged hospitals to use the drug judiciously and rationally.

"...there is no such evidence regarding Remdesivir that works in COVID-19 treatment. Medicines that do not have any activity to work, will have to be discontinued," Ganga Ram Hospital Chairperson Dr DS Rana told new agency ANI.

"All the experimental medicines, be plasma therapy (which is now discontinued) or Remdesivir, all of them may be dropped soon as there is no such evidence of its functioning," he added.

Also read: Maruti Suzuki, Zydus team up to start multi-speciality hospital in Ahmedabad's Sitapur

The World Health Organization (WHO) has also said that there is still no evidence to indicate that Remdesivir is beneficial in treating hospitalised coronavirus patients.

On Monday, the government revised the clinical guidance for COVID-19 treatment, dropping the off-label use of convalescent plasma as it was found non-beneficial in reducing the progression of severe COVID-19.

On use of plasma therapy, Dr Rana said, "We have seen in the last one year that giving plasma does not make any difference in the condition of the patient and other people. Also, it is not easily available. Plasma therapy was started on a scientific basis and has been discontinued on the basis of evidence."

India reported 2,67,334 new COVID-19 cases and 4,529 deaths due to the infection in the preceding 24 hours as of Wednesday.

Also read: Plasma therapy dropped as treatment against COVID-19 after govt panel finds it 'ineffective'
Americans, cutting across party and ideological divide, have rallied behind India to help the country in fight against the deadly second wave of the COVID-19 infection that has claimed thousands of lives in the last several weeks.

Not only scores of top American lawmakers from the two Democratic and the Republican parties but also the progressive; moderates and liberals, along with those from the Congressional Black Caucus and the Hispanics have played a key role in pushing the entire administration and the corporate world to mount one of the largest ever public-private American assistance partnerships to a foreign country.

President Joe Biden himself is taking a personal interest in this assistance effort, while the corporate sector led by US Chambers of Commerce along with US India Business Council and US India Strategic and Partnership Forum have brought together 40 top CEOs to create a global task force to help India in particular and other countries in general to help them in fight against COVID-19.

For the past several weeks, India has been struggling with a second wave of the pandemic. Hospitals in the country are reeling under a shortage of medical oxygen and beds.

India saw record 4,529 fatalities due to coronavirus in a single day pushing the COVID-19 death toll to 2,83,248, while 2,67,334 fresh infections were recorded taking the total tally of cases to 2,54,96,330, according to the Union Health Ministry data updated on Wednesday.

The government has been receiving international cooperation through COVID-19 relief medical supplies and equipment since April 27 from different countries and organisations.

The collective American aid could easily touch USD 1 billion by the end of this month, those tracking the assistance said, given the massive amount of money that the Indian Americans too have been raising for this.

This outpouring of support from the US, rarely seen in America except for the one reserved for Israel, comes along with an unprecedented outreach by India's top envoy in the US, Taranjit Singh Sandhu, who over the past few weeks have held a few hundred meeting, scores of whom have appeared on the social media as well.

"Only collectively, we can fight this unprecedented global challenge," Sandhu told PTI reflecting on the meetings that he has had over the past few weeks with corporate leaders, officials of the Biden administration, Congressmen and Senators and Indian Americans.

Meeting more than a 100 Congressmen and Senators, albeit virtually due to COVID-19 restrictions might be a record in itself for an ambassador in the US. He has had virtual meetings with more than two dozen top American CEOs, along with several governors, business groups and diaspora.

"India and the US have demonstrated the strength and depth of the bilateral partnership, by coming to each other's support, when it mattered the most -- last year and this year -- in our fight against the pandemic. India appreciates the support extended by the US Government, Congress, private sector and the American public in this regard," Sandhu said.

Lawmakers have written more than half a dozen letters to President Biden pushing for more assistance to India. All of them, irrespective of party and ideological affiliations, including many who have been critical of the Indian government in the past on various issues, have called for increased assistance to India.

"I think we've seen an incredible recognition of the need for the US to provide assistance to India from across the White House, Congress, the private sector, and the Indian diaspora. I've been pressing hard to expand on the assistance and efforts we've seen already, and I'll soon be introducing legislation to do exactly that," Indian American Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi told PTI.

Addressing the crisis in India is about saving lives there today but also defeating the coronavirus now before it mutates into even more dangerous variants in the future, he said.

"If we don't work with India and other nations to get this newest round of outbreaks under control, the new mutant variants of the disease could place millions more lives at stake in India, the United States, and across the world. This is truly a global crisis which will take global efforts to end from across the government, private, and non-profit sectors," Krishnamoorthi said.

"The United States must urgently respond to India's ghastly COVID-19 surge. A failure to do so will prove we failed to learn a vital lesson from the last year: we are only as safe as the sickest, most vulnerable among us. Technology entrepreneurs & innovators have stepped up in the absence of sufficient government intervention," Indian American Congressman Ro Khanna told PTI.

But nothing can match the might of the American government, he said.

"We must dramatically increase USAID's shipments of oxygen, ventilators, therapeutics, personal protective equipment, and other medical supplies to India, and expedite the transfer of AstraZeneca vaccines. But most importantly to prevent the next wave predicted for India, we must push the private sector to share with India and other developing countries the technology and know-how to beat the pandemic," Khanna said.

Among top American Senators who have come out in support of India include Dick Durbin, John Cornyn, Mark Warner, Bob Menendez, Elizabeth Warren, Bernie Sanders, Jeff Merkley, Ed Markey, Jim Risch, Dianne Feinstein, Chris Van Hollen, Cory Booker, Amy Klobuchar, Gary Peters.

"We are very heartened to see the urgent and meaningful collaboration of government and the corporate sector to help address the pandemic issues," Vivek Lall, Chief Executive for the General Atomics Global Corporation, told PTI.

"The US-India bilateral relationship enjoys strong, longstanding and bipartisan support," said Lall, is a Board Member of US India Business Council, reflecting on the outpouring of support from the US to India.

According to the US India Friendship Alliance of USISPF, the industry partners have so far committed 38,000 oxygen concentrators.

On Tuesday, 1,050 oxygen concentrators donated by IBM and Accenture reached India. And on Monday, more than 780 oxygen concentrators, over 1.8 million KN95 masks, and medicines & pharmaceutical supplies were unloaded from a FedEx Boeing 777F charter flight in New Delhi.

According to Punit Renjen, CEO of Deloittee, the Global Task Force is on track to ship another 20,000 oxygen concentrators to India this month and another 20,000 to 40,000 in June.

"We must all acknowledge the immensity of what's going on in India right now and it's our responsibility as members of the community to go help as much as we can," Arvind Krishna from IBM said during a global forum organised by the US Chambers of Commerce.

"Over 90 countries are dependent on India for the #vaccine today, which highlights the power of working together," said Julie Sweet, CEO of Accenture during the same forum.

"There isn't really a part of our individual American lives that isn't touched in some way by the deep partnership that we've had with India for decades," she added.

Also Read: Govt hikes DAP fertiliser subsidy by 140%, to spend additional Rs 14,775 crore

Also Read: India Inc to the rescue! How Tata, RIL, Adani & others are helping fight Covid-19

Also Read: Crypto in free fall: Bitcoin tanks 30% to $31,000, Ethereum loses 40%, Dogecoin down 45%
The "Construction in New Zealand - Key Trends and Opportunities to 2025 (H1 2021)" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.

New Zealand's construction industry recorded an annual average growth rate of 6.6% between 2016-2019. Following the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, however, the industry contracted by 7.3% in real terms in 2020. The lockdown restrictions imposed by the government in the first half of the year and the resultant economic uncertainty and weakness severely impacted activity in the industry. The downturn was further exacerbated by delays in project implementation and the re-allocation of part of the government's budget towards its management of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The construction industry is expected to recover in 2021, growing by 5.5% in real terms. To support both the wider economy and the construction industry, the government announced plans to fund large shovel-ready infrastructure projects in March 2020. Accordingly, in early April 2020, the government announced the formation of the Infrastructure Industry Reference Group (IIRG), comprising a group of industry leaders, and tasked them with identifying public, as well as private sector shovel-ready infrastructure projects with a value of NZD10 million (US$5.8 million) or above. As of the end of January 2021, the government has approved projects worth NZD4.7 billion (US$2.7 billion) for the IIRG.

The industry is expected to register an average annual growth of 3.5% between 2022 and 2025, supported by investments in residential, transport, institutional and renewable energy projects. As part of the COVID-19 Response and Recovery Fund (CRRF), in May 2020 the government allocated NZD3 billion (US$1.7 billion) to fund infrastructure projects across the country. In addition, growth will also be supported by an investment of NZD12 billion (US$7 billion) to build and upgrade road, rail, school and hospital projects under the New Zealand Upgrade Programme.

Story continues

This report provides detailed market analysis, information, and insights into New Zealand's construction industry, including:

New Zealand's construction industry's growth prospects by market, project type and construction activity

Critical insight into the impact of industry trends and issues, as well as an analysis of key risks and opportunities in New Zealand's construction industry

Analysis of the mega-project pipeline, focusing on development stages and participants, in addition to listings of major projects in the pipeline

Scope

This report provides a comprehensive analysis of the construction industry in New Zealand. It provides:

Historical (2016-2020) and forecast (2021-2025) valuations of the construction industry in New Zealand, featuring details of key growth drivers

Segmentation by sector (commercial, industrial, infrastructure, energy and utilities, institutional and residential) and by sub-sector

Analysis of the mega-project pipeline, including breakdowns by development stage across all sectors, and projected spending on projects in the existing pipeline

Listings of major projects, in addition to details of leading contractors and consultants

Key Topics Covered:

1. Executive Summary

2. Construction Industry: At-a-Glance

3. Context

3.1 Economic Performance

3.2 Political Environment and Policy

3.3 Demographics

3.4 COVID-19 Status

4. Construction Outlook

5. Key Industry Participants

5.1 Contractors

5.2 Consultants

6. Construction Market Data

For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/jzrfsk

About ResearchAndMarkets.com

ResearchAndMarkets.com is the world's leading source for international market research reports and market data. We provide you with the latest data on international and regional markets, key industries, the top companies, new products and the latest trends.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210519005361/en/

Contacts

ResearchAndMarkets.com

Laura Wood, Senior Press Manager

press@researchandmarkets.com



For E.S.T Office Hours Call 1-917-300-0470

For U.S./CAN Toll Free Call 1-800-526-8630

For GMT Office Hours Call +353-1-416-8900
One of the Largest Counties in Indiana Leverages Raves Mass Notification Solution to Confirm Vaccine Appointments and Ensure No Dose is Wasted

Rave Mobile Safety (Rave), the critical communication and collaboration platform customers count on when it matters most, today announced Hamilton County has used Rave Alert to power its vaccine rollout, ensuring available appointments are filled and no doses go to waste.

Hamilton County Emergency Management has leveraged the Rave mass notification system for various communications since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. When vaccine rollout began, officials realized that Rave Alert was an invaluable resource for filling open appointments, confirming availability and ultimately getting vaccinations to residents faster.

Partnering with Riverview Health, Hamilton County Emergency Management used Rave Alert to ask personnel if they would be interested and available to go to the hospital to receive a vaccination, should there be extra doses available. With a streamlined process that identified personnel available on standby, Riverview Health was able to successfully administer its full supply of vaccination doses within tight timeframes and with effective use of staff resources. Over 75% of people who were on the initial contact list used the system to receive a shot.

Given that success, Hamilton County Emergency Management partnered next with the Hamilton County Health Department, which had expanded its vaccination clinic to the county fairgrounds. This mass vaccination site was one of the busiest in the state. Using Rave Alert, officials were able to reallocate cancelled appointments and open those slots to the public. So far, 8-10% of appointments have been reopened every week, giving other residents the opportunity to book their shots and allowing the Health Department to fully distribute all vaccine dosages.

"Since weve started confirming vaccine appointments, weve been able to save time, effort and resources across the board," said Christian Walker, Emergency Preparedness Coordinator, Hamilton County Health Department. "Using Rave Alert, we are able to identify no shows accurately and effectively reschedule appointments to those waiting for vaccination. Weve been able to expedite vaccine distribution, and ultimately get shots to our residents faster."

Story continues

"Rave Alert has always been a tremendous tool for us when it comes to communicating important information," said Shane Booker, Executive Director, Hamilton County Emergency Management. "Now, its also become an important resource in helping our health department and local health system optimize vaccine management, not waste any dosages and protect our community from the virus sooner."

To learn more about how Raves solutions can help with the vaccine rollout, visit www.ravemobilesafety.com.

About Rave Mobile Safety

Rave Mobile Safety is the leading provider of critical communication and collaboration technology used to save lives, manage crisis incidents and increase resiliency. From major disasters and crisis events to everyday emergencies and operational incidents, the Rave platform enables critical data sharing, mass notification and emergency response coordination. Over 8,000 first responder, emergency management, 9-1-1, and federal, state and local agenciesas well as corporations, healthcare organizations, universities and schoolsall rely on Rave to prepare better, respond faster, recover quicker and mitigate anticipated critical incidents. Founded in 2004, Raves award-winning software solutions are backed by leading growth equity firm TCV. Let Rave enable you to do all you can todayTM to keep everyone safe. For more information, visit https://www.ravemobilesafety.com, read our company blog, and follow us on LinkedIn, Twitter, and Facebook.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210518005709/en/

Contacts

Jillian Saftel

rave@v2comms.com
MISSISSAUGA CANADA, Feb. 22, 2021 -- Travelers wait for a shuttle bus to a government-designated hotel at Toronto International Airport in Mississauga, Ontario, Canada, on Feb. 22, 2021. Starting from Monday, travelers arriving in Canada by air are required to take a COVID-19 molecular test before they exit the airport. They are also required to quarantine for three days at a government-designated hotel at their own expense until they get a result. (Photo by Zou Zheng/Xinhua via Getty) (Xinhua/Zou Zheng via Getty Images)

This content is not available due to your privacy preferences. Update your settings here to see it.

The federal government keeps pushing back against Ontario Premier Doug Ford's continued claim that the third wave of the COVID-19 pandemic was "fuelled almost entirely" by weak federal border measures.

"This [third] wave has been fuelled almost entirely by variants that passed too easily through our borders. Right now, we have people easily exploiting well-known loopholes that have been left in place," a tweet from the premier on Tuesday reads.

He went on to call on the federal government to require pre-departure COVID-19 testing for all domestic travellers, in addition to the pre-departure and arrival testing requirements already in place for international travellers.

This content is not available due to your privacy preferences. Update your settings here to see it.

Premier Doug Ford's COVID-19 transmission theory shut down

"The third wave of COVID-19 is a direct result of community transmission," a statement from Dominic LeBlanc, President of the Queens Privy Council for Canada and Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs reads.

"Ontario Public Health data demonstrates that less than one per cent of transmission is a result of international travel. Sound public health measures such as asymptomatic testing at essential work places, provincially mandated sick days, and increased vaccination focus in hot spots are all necessary to ending this wave."

At a press conference last week, Ford said he has sent four letters to the federal government called for stricter rules for individuals coming into Ontario, including hotel quarantine for travellers through land borders.

"Theres two things Justin Trudeau's responsible for, two things only throughout this whole pandemic," Ford said on May 13. "Make sure we have enough vaccines, and we saw what happened there, now were getting a few more vaccines, which is good And to make sure we secure the borders, and its just not happening."

"My riding is right over the airport and all I hear is those planes just constantly coming in. Every time I look up I think, how many more variants are coming in?"

Story continues

In his statement LeBlanc identified that 57.7 per cent of foreign nationals coming into Canada essential workers, such as health care and supply chain workers, 22 per cent are students, 14.6 per cent are coming for family reunification purposes and 5.9 per cent for immigration.

"If Ontario would like to see further restrictions, the provincial government needs to specify which of these groups they would wish to restrict further and make a request formally," LeBlanc states.

"We always welcome the opportunity to discuss how we can work together. We have provided Ontario with extra polymerase chain reaction (PCR) testing capabilities through the Safe Restart Agreement. Ontario is also within their jurisdiction to institute domestic travel quarantine."

Federal government data states that there has been a 96 per cent reduction in air traffic and a 90 per cent reduction in non-commercial land traffic into Canada, compared to pre-COVID-19 volumes. It has also been reported that under two per cent of international travellers are found to be positive with COVID-19.

In response to Ford's tweets on Tuesday, many Twitter users weren't so convinced that travel has fuelled the third wave of the pandemic, or that the premier needs federal action.

This content is not available due to your privacy preferences. Update your settings here to see it.

This content is not available due to your privacy preferences. Update your settings here to see it.

This content is not available due to your privacy preferences. Update your settings here to see it.

This content is not available due to your privacy preferences. Update your settings here to see it.
Welcome Guest! You Are Here:
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, May 19)  The World Bank said it will manage a trust fund that allows the Bangsamoro region to receive financial aid from foreign institutions for local development projects.

The Washington-based lender told a virtual event on Wednesday that it will monitor the Bangsamoro Normalization Trust Fund (BNTF) on behalf of the regional and national governments.

World Bank country director Ndiame Diop said the Australian government and the European Union have pledged amounts to support the development of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao (BARMM).

The BNTF is about funding transformation, transforming former combatants and their communities into productive elements of Bangsamoro society, Diop said in his opening remarks.

BARMM is the poorest region in the whole country," he said. "Financing and coordinating assistance for the rehabilitation, reconstruction, and development of Bangsamoro communities has good potential in contributing to peace and stability.

READ: The Bangsamoro Organic Law: Everything you need to know

Appointing the World Bank as fund manager is meant to provide transparency regarding fund usage, MILF panel chair and BARMM Education Minister Mohagher Iqbal said separately.

Bangsamoro Chief Minister Ahod Ebrahim added the region is grateful for the fresh aid.

The BNTF is among the agreements of the Philippine government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) since 2014. The former armed rebel group entered into a peace deal with the state, which led to the creation of BARMM.

The trust fund is meant to attract and mobilize international resources, but may also accept donations from local private firms provided there is no conflict of interest.

The state may also provide counterpart funding for the BNTF, according to the May 2016 agreement on the establishment of BNTF.

Other potential funding partners include the United Nations and the Asian Development Bank, as well as the governments of Canada, Japan, and the United Kingdom.
(CNN)  Google tried to make up for lost time at its annual developer conference this week by announcing a massive Android redesign and new features to help users work from home, shop and do more to protect their personal data.

After it canceled Google I/O last year due to the pandemic, the company kicked off a virtual version of the event on Tuesday. Google staffers wore masks and spread out to watch the keynote on the lawn of its Mountain View, California campus -- a big contrast to previous years when it packed thousands of attendees into an arena.

Here are a few of the biggest announcements so far from the event, which runs for several days.

Android 12 overhaul

Google showed off a new look for Android 12, the latest version of its mobile operating system. It features bigger buttons, a large clock on the homescreen that changes in size depending on how many notifications appear, and muted pastel colors.

Android 12 goes big on personalization: Users will be able to change the color palette and, when a wallpaper is selected, the system will determine which colors are dominant and complementary by adding shades to volume controls, widgets and other tools to complete the look.

Google says Android 12 will allow devices to be more responsive with better battery life, as the new software will put less strain on processors. Google also rolled out a series of productivity updates, including an option to hold the power button to call Google Assistant to make a phone call or ask for an article to be read out loud.

More focus on privacy

With rival Apple doubling down on privacy features, Google used Tuesday's event to talk up its own efforts.

The new software provides users with more transparency about the personal data accessed by various apps and ways to control it. A new Privacy Dashboard offers a look into permissions' settings and lets users revoke those permissions from the dashboard. And a new indicator tool will automatically turn on when an app is accessing your microphone or camera.

The company is also adding a feature that uses Google Assistant to warn users when their passwords have been compromised and help change them. Meanwhile, a new tool called Locked Folder in Google Photos allows users to add photos to a passcode-protected space and they won't show up as users scroll through Photos or other apps on a phone. (In a demo, Google showed someone keeping a photo of a new puppy a secret from their kids.) The feature will launch on Google Pixel smartphones first and other Android devices throughout the year.

Meeting our telecommuting needs

Perhaps in a nod to the new normal of telecommuting, Google unveiled new productivity tools to make working from home more seamless. The most notable is Smart Canvas, which allows services like Google Docs and Sheets to be more flexible and connected with the help of @-mentions, checklists, pageless formats and emoji reactions.

The future of wearables and AR

Google is resurrecting WearOS, its wearable platform for smartwatches, with the help of Samsung and the Tizen software platform.

In late 2019, Google announced plans to acquire wearable fitness tracker company Fitbit for $2.1 billion, but we hadn't heard much about the category since. Now the company is showing off its vision for the future of wearables, with deep Fitbit integration for tracking workouts and movement.

The company is also bringing more augmented reality tools to phones. With AR View via Google Maps, users can hover over restaurants, landmarks and get indoor directions, starting later this year. Users can also take a picture of a math problem to learn the result. Likewise, taking a photo of an item you see in the real world, such as a patio furniture set at a restaurant, will identify the brand and price so you could purchase it yourself.

Smart assistant gets smarter

Google teased a new natural language processing platform called LaMDA that helps artificial intelligence be more conversational. In a demo, Google showed what it would be like to have a conversation with inanimate objects for the sake of education, such as the planet Pluto or a paper airplane. The effort shows how Google continues to pour more resources into growing the intelligence and versatility of its smart assistant.

Avoiding painful memories

Finally, Google will make it easier to choose the content people want to look back on, allowing users to prevent photos of certain people or time periods that may be painful or unwelcome from showing up in Memories in Google Photos -- a sore spot for years on various platforms.

This story was first published on CNN.com Google unveils completely redesigned Android 12
(CNN)  Prince Harry has spoken about mental health in the trailer for an Apple TV+ documentary series with Oprah Winfrey, which aims to destigmatize the topic.

Harry and his wife, Meghan, Duchess of Sussex appear in the emotional trailer for "The Me You Can't See," which will be released Friday.

It also features appearances from celebrities including Lady Gaga, Glenn Close and DeMar DeRozan, who candidly and emotionally discuss their experiences of poor mental health.

"To make that decision to receive help is not a sign of weakness. In today's world, more than ever, it is a sign of strength," Harry tells Winfrey, with whom he co-created and executive produced the show.

The pair are shown talking about the stigma around discussing mental health, with them saying that those who experience problems are often labeled "crazy, lost it, can't keep it together."

Winfrey goes on to explore her own experiences, saying: "It's just something I accepted."

Footage of Harry at his mother Diana's funeral in 1997 is also included in the trailer, along with more clips of his wife, Meghan, and son, Archie.

The series, which will touch on Harry and Winfrey's "personal journeys and struggles" also "aims to destigmatize a highly misunderstood subject and give hope to viewers who learn that they are not alone" according to a statement on the Sussexes' Archewell website.

The series comes after Harry participated in several high profile interviews where he discussed his mental health.

Just days ago, the prince admitted he was caught in a cycle of "pain and suffering" in the British royal family and hinted that he is heavily critical of the way his father, Prince Charles, raised him, in a lengthy interview with actor Dax Shepard.

In a bombshell interview with Winfrey in March, Harry spoke about his own mental and emotional struggles. In the same interview, Meghan revealed that she contemplated suicide while pregnant with Archie.

And earlier this year, Harry said he stepped back from the royal family in 2020 because the British press was "destroying" his mental health.

In an interview in which he discussed the pressures of royal life and his move away from London, Harry told "The Late Late Show" host James Corden that he decided he needed to "get (his) family out of here" and that he preferred the depiction of royal life seen on Netflix show "The Crown" to the one published in newspapers.

"We all know what the British press can be like, and it was destroying my mental health," he said during the segment. "I was like, this is toxic. So I did what any husband and what any father would do."
(CNN)  When a friendship hits a stumbling block, how do you know whether to work on the relationship or let it go?

It can be tempting to let a friendship fade instead of facing conflict -- especially when life feels overwhelming in other ways -- because conflict is hard. But we are already facing a loneliness epidemic, and relationship repair carries further urgency in the face of biological evidence.

"It actually is a matter of life and death," wrote Lydia Denworth in her book, "Friendship: The Evolution, Biology, and Extraordinary Power of Life's Fundamental Bond." "It is carried in our DNA, in how we're wired. And that means friendship is not a choice or a luxury; it's a necessity that is critical to our ability to succeed and thrive."

If you've lost touch with good friends or drifted apart in the past year, it could be time to work through hurt feelings and misunderstandings. Think of this work as a form of relationship and self-care, because being stuck in conflict saps valuable energy.

Here are five ways to repair a friendship -- or leave it behind if it's toxic.

1. Reflect and write down the good

Before you face a difficult conversation with a friend, pause and reflect. "Think of a specific moment that this friendship has brought you joy or excitement," recommended Adam Smiley Poswolsky, author of "Friendship in the Age of Loneliness." Poswolsky suggested using that memory as inspiration to write down things you appreciate about a friend. He also encouraged sharing that list in conversation with the friend.

"Beginning the communication repair from a place of gratitude and positivity is going to make the conversation a lot more meaningful," he advised.

And no matter the outcome, the positive intention will remain. "Even if there is still tension and even if you still need to take a friendship pause, or even a long (or permanent) break from spending time together, that appreciation will go a long way to building empathy and mutual understanding," Poswolsky said.

2. Choose a different way to communicate

If repair efforts have not worked via your usual tech channels, try a different way to communicate. "People are thrilled to get mail that's not a catalog or a bill. Send more postcards, write more letters or send someone a book you think they would enjoy," Poswolsky recommended.

He also suggested a deeper letter writing approach: "Try writing letters to each other before you talk. In your letter, include why you think the relationship feels awkward -- and why you want to repair it."

This approach can help you gain empathy and improve communication skills. "You may realize your friend was going through something that you were not aware of. You'll begin the all-important practice of listening, before you even sit down to talk to each other," Poswolsky noted.

3. Give it time and try again

People differ in how they deal with conflict, so remember that you may need to give a friendship some breathing room before trying again.

Marisa Franco, a psychologist and friendship expert based in Washington, DC, noted that friendships may require time to settle back into normal post-conflict -- and that lingering uncomfortable feelings may require further attention.

"If it's still awkward, this might suggest that not everyone got to share their side and feel heard," Franco said.

Franco recommended an honest, affirming approach such as, "Hey! I have felt like things have been a bit off since we had conflict. I'd love to get things back on track since I really value your friendship. I wanted to open up the conversation to see if there's any more air we need to clear."

It's also important to remember that you can only do what you can do. "If the friend would rather not repair, then you can be proud of yourself for acting with integrity. Remember you're not in control of other people, but on your end, you did all you could," Franco said.

4. Shuffle the "friendship furniture"

One challenge in long-standing friendships is when we get stuck on the idea of how a relationship used to be. The reality is, we all change as our circumstances and priorities change.

If you have tried to fix a friendship and do not feel that things can go back to the way they were pre-conflict, Denworth suggested considering whether you can stay friends in a more casual way. "I call it shuffling the furniture in your social life," Denworth said. "Not all friendships last a lifetime, and that's OK. Evolutionary biologists have found that high-quality bonds require three things: they are long-lasting, positive and cooperative. You need all three."

5. Follow the red flags

Sometimes a friendship suffers due to a miscommunication, and sometimes the problems run much deeper.

Franco encouraged people not to let a single issue break up a friendship, which is something she sees in her practice. "Conflict is an opening to recalibrate and improve a friendship, and it conveys mutual investment. Don't give up on friendships because one issue has arisen," Franco said.

But Franco did advise being aware of red flags. "If you take a step back from the friendship and notice that it's doing more harm than good; for example, your friend isn't rooting for your success, bullies you, is inconsiderate, or you feel drained or misunderstood by them ... it might be time to end instead of mend," Franco suggested.

Evaluating the balance of harm versus good is crucial. "The science of friendship shows that ambivalent relationships are not great for our health. In other words, the good does not necessarily outweigh the bad if there's too much bad," Denworth said. "Be honest with yourself about the health of a friendship and don't stick with it just for old times' sake if it's otherwise hurting you."

When life feels hard, approaching awkward or painful conversations often falls to the bottom of our to-do lists. But human connection is crucial; it's time to embrace the awkward, be honest, listen and dive in.

This story was first published on CNN.com 5 ways to repair a friendship (or leave it behind if toxic)
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, May 18)  A conservation group called for urgent action on a blaze at the Marikina watershed, which has burned around ten hectares of land over the past month.

The Masungi Georeserve Foundation said several threatened species of trees and wildlife have been identified to be living in the watershed. These include 32 species of trees, 26 species of birds, two species of amphibians, and one volant mammal, or a mammal with land and aerial habitats.

"The Upper Marikina River Basin Protected Landscape has an estimate of around 20% of forest cover left despite its protected status," Masungi Georeserve Foundation Trustee and Advocacy Officer Billie Dumaliang told CNN Philippines. The watershed is located around the georeserve.

The group first discovered the fire upon noticing ashfall in April. After some time, it observed that the burning was "consistent" and being done "part by part."

Although Dumaliang's team had been attempting to contain the blaze through fire lines and fire breaks it had earlier placed near the area, as well as by dispatching park rangers, she said the burning could signal a bigger attack on the protected area.

Some 30 men linked to a private entity have reportedly been seen in the watershed area. Dumaliang's group said the private entity has been expanding resort development and construction in the reserve despite lack of permits.

Dumaliang added the Department of Environment and Natural Resources has since informed them that it has instructed its provincial officer to file cases against the private entity. However, she raised that ideally, the case should have come with a cease and desist order since construction work is still ongoing.

"Enforcement on the ground is key to protecting our all-important watershed," Dumaliang said.

CNN Philippines has reached to the DENR office in Rizal and Calabarzon for comment.

This story will be updated.
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, May 18)  The Philippines filed yet another diplomatic protest against China, this time against the East Asian giant's "unilateral" imposition of a fishing ban in the South China Sea.

"China's annual fishing moratorium extends far beyond China's legitimate maritime entitlements under UNCLOS and is without basis under international law. China cannot legally impose nor legally enforce such a moratorium in the West Philippine Sea," The Department of Foreign Affairs said in a statement on Tuesday.

The fishing ban - in effect from May 1 to August 16 - covers "waters north of 12 degrees north latitude" in the hotly contested waters.

"These waters include areas over which the Philippines exercises sovereignty, sovereign rights, and jurisdiction," the DFA stressed.

Manila said Beijing violated Article 56 of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Seas (UNCLOS) in imposing the fishing ban. The provision guarantees a State's sovereign rights over living resources of its exclusive economic zone.

The UNCLOS provision was also invoked in legitimizing Manila's claims in the West Philippine Sea in its historic 2016 arbitral ruling victory over Beijing. China has refused to recognize that landmark decision.

The Philippines strongly urged China to "desist from any action and activity that infringes on Philippine sovereignty, sovereign rights, and jurisdiction, in contravention of international law."

DFA Executive Director for Strategic Communications Ivy Banzon-Abalos also raised China's new Coast Guard law, which effectively grants the Chinese Coast Guard authority to use force in what Beijing considers its maritime jurisdiction.

"This can curtail and put at risk the legitimate rights of Filipino fishermen to fish in Philippine territorial waters and EEZ (exclusive economic zone)," she said.

The controversial law authorizes the Chinese Coast Guard to fire on foreign vessels, allows them to demolish foreign structures built on Chinese-claimed reefs and islands, and to set up exclusion zones to keep foreign vessels out.

RELATED: Envoy: No need to overinterpret China's new Coast Guard law; no 'strong measure' vs. fishermen

For the past three months, the DFA has filed numerous diplomatic protests against China due to the presence of Chinese militia vessels in the West Philippine Sea.

In his national address last April 20, President Rodrigo Duterte admitted violence may erupt if the Philippines continues to assert its rights in areas being claimed by China in the West Philippine Sea despite being well within the country's exclusive economic zone.

RELATED: Duterte: No way we can get back West PH Sea without any bloodshed

CNN Philippines correspondent Tristan Nodalo contributed to this report.
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, May 19)  The simultaneous vaccination of essential workers and indigent Filipinos will only be carried out for now in areas with high COVID-19 cases while waiting for the vaccine supply to stabilize, a health official said on Wednesday.

Health Undersecretary Myrna Cabotaje said the expansion of the vaccination priority list will be implemented in Metro Manila, Bulacan, Cavite, Laguna, Rizal, Pampanga, Batangas, Metro Cebu, and Metro Davao, collectively known as NCR+8, for now.

"Hinahabol natin ang volumes ng vaccine. Iko-concentrate natin sa tinatawag nating geographic areas kung saan nandoon ang surge ng cases. Ang A4 and A5 sa NCR+8 lang muna," she said in a media briefing.

[Translation: We are waiting for the volume of vaccines. We will concentrate on geographic areas where there are surges. The rollout for A4 and A4 will be done in NCR+8 for now.]

The A4 group covers essential workers, frontliners in national government offices, and uniformed personnel, while the A5 cluster includes the indigent sector.

There is no definite date yet when the vaccination for these two groups will start. Cabotaje said the "general direction" is to launch it next week, but it will depend on the preparedness of local governments to take on the gargantuan task of vaccinating 12 million people in the A4 group and 16 million in the A5 cluster.

Vaccine czar Carlito Galvez Jr. suggested on Monday to open the the COVID-19 vaccination to the workers and the poor to ensure that no vaccines go to waste.

Vaccines from COVAX can only be used by A1 (healthcare workers), A2 (seniors), A3 (people with comorbidities), and A5 groups. Doses procured by the government will be used by A1 to A4 groups.

Major military and police camps will be used as vaccination sites for the A4 and A5 groups with the assistance of local government units.
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, May 19) -- Overseas Filipino workers who got infected with COVID-19 in India will receive cash assistance once they recover and return to the Philippines, the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration said.

Kapag tapos na ang travel ban at silay recovered, then we can repatriate them, receive them here, at bigyan na sila ng kaukulang assistance, cash assistance, pag dating nila, said OWWA Administrator Hans Cacdac in an interview with CNN Philippines Newsroom Ngayon.

[Translation: Once the travel ban is lifted and they have already recovered, then we can repatriate them, receive them here, and give them the assistance they need, like cash assistance.]

However, Cacdac failed to mention the exact amount the repatriated OFWs will receive.

Although theres no exact figure on how many Filipinos in India were infected with the coronavirus, Cacdac assured that the Philippine embassy is closely monitoring their situation.

Wala pa akong bilang sa ngayon ng mismong eksaktong napadapuan ng COVID. But rest assured, yung mga nadapuan ng COVID doon ay minamanmanan ng ating embahada. At ang health authorities siyempre will take over and ensure na maka-recover ang mga kababayan natin, he said.

[Translation: I dont have the exact figures of those who got infected with COVID. But rest assured that those who were infected are being closely monitored by the embassy. Of course, the health authorities will take over and ensure that our fellow Filipinos will recover.]

Two Filipinos have already died of COVID-19 in the South Asian country, while the Philippines has recorded 12 cases of the "double mutant" variant first detected in India.

India has been experiencing a surge in COVID-19 infections and deaths. According to CNN, it has recorded 4,529 new deaths on Wednesday, the highest daily death toll the country has seen since the pandemic started. It has also logged 267,334 new COVID-19 infections, bringing the nationwide tally to 25,496,330.

With the threat of the COVID-19 variant from India, the Philippines has expanded a travel ban to include Pakistan, Nepal, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, the United Arab Emirates, and Oman until May 31.
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, May 19)  The Department of Health will implement a policy in which the local governments will not announce in advance the brand of COVID-19 doses they will roll out in vaccination sites, Undersecretary Myrna Cabotaje announced on Wednesday.

"What we're going to enforce now is brand agnostic," Cabotaje told CNN Philippines' The Source.

"Dapat sasabihin lang you go [to the vaccination site] and whatever vaccine that will be available, you get it," she said. "So hindi na i-a-announce na we are now going to give Pfizer, we are now going to give Sinovac, we are now going to give AstraZeneca," she added.

[Translation: What they will only tell those set to be vaccinated is whatever vaccine is available, you get it. It will not be announced anymore that we are now going to give Pfizer, or Sinovac, or AstraZeneca.]

Cabotaje added: "Come to the vaccination [site] and then whatever vaccines you will get there, then you have the jab. If they do not like the vaccines that are given during that time, then they go to the end of the line."

She explained this is to avoid incidents similar to what the local governments of Manila and Paranaque dealt with early this week. Crowds trooped to inoculation sites in those cities where Pfizer-made vaccines are being offered.

Cabotaje said separately only healthcare workers were given the "right of first refusal" when there were only two brands available -- Sinovac and AstraZeneca -- at the start of their immunization in March.

"Ang binigyan lang natin ng right of first refusal ang A1, ang mga health workers kasi these are the vulnerable groups," Cabotaje said in a briefing.

[Translation: The A1 priority group or the health workers were the only ones given the right of first refusal since these are the vulnerable groups.]

In February, Food and Drug Administration Director General Eric Domingo said Sinovac's CoronaVac is not recommended for medical workers exposed to COVID-19 patients because it has a low efficacy rate of 50.4% for this group, based on a clinical trial in Brazil.

The Inter-Agency Task Force later approved the recommendation of the National Immunization Technical Advisory Group or NITAG and the Department of Health's Technical Advisory Group (TAG) to allow the use of Sinovac's vaccine on healthcare workers.

Both NITAG and TAG agreed health workers should be given the chance to decide for themselves whether they want to take CoronaVac, which was the first vaccine brand that was rolled out in the country.

Only a day after this pronouncement, the Department of the Interior and Local Government ordered local government units to stop announcing vaccine brands to be used in jab sites to beat "brand preference."

"The best vaccine is the one that is available; therefore in order to overcome brand preference, LGUs should not announce the brand of vaccine to be used in vaccination centers," DILG Secretary Eduardo M. Ano was quoted in a statement on Thursday.

Ano said this move is necessary as the Philippines is "racing against time" to reach herd immunity.

"Given that every single day of delay increases the risk of covid transmission or infection, it is imperative the people get vaccinated immediately using the available vaccine," he added.

According to the DILG, the brand of the dose will be disclosed to vaccinees on-site before inoculation.

The DILG official stressed that all vaccines have emergency use authorization, ensuring their safety. He added that all of the doses available "prevent hospitalization or critical illness from COVID."

This was mirrored by the DOH in a separate statement issued on Thursday.

"DOH reiterated that all COVID-19 vaccines issued with Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) by the Philippine Food and Drug Administration (FDA) are safe and effective," it said. "Before a vaccine can be issued with an EUA, it has to undergo rigorous evaluation processes involving the Department of Science and Technology, FDA, and various vaccine expert groups."

The Health Department also noted that the decision to not announce vaccine brands in advance "will not take away the right of individuals to be informed of the vaccine they are taking, as the vaccination process entails on-site vaccine education, proper recording using vaccination cards, and monitoring for Adverse Events Following Immunization."
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, May 19) President Rodrigo Duterte and Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga reaffirmed their commitment to strengthen the two countries' ties during a phone call on Wednesday  where the two leaders discussed a range of topics, including the COVID-19 pandemic and maritime issues.

In a statement, Malacanang said Duterte had an "engaging and productive" 20-minute telephone conversation with Suga. The President thanked the Prime Minister for Japan's assistance amid the global health crisis.

"The President thanked Japan for its generous COVID-19 assistance to the Philippines," the Palace said. "Prime Minister Suga, for his part, recognized and expressed support for the Philippine government's efforts to address the pandemic."

The two leaders also discussed the 2016 Hague ruling that recognized the Philippines' rights in areas within its exclusive economic zone  a landmark ruling that Beijing has repeatedly refused to acknowledge.

Suga had "expressed concern over developments in the East and South China Seas," according to the Palace statement.

"Both leaders agreed to work closely to ensure security and stability in the region under the rule of law," it added.

Duterte and Suga also expressed intent to ramp up cooperation in the Sulu and Celebes Seas "to secure the area against piracy, terrorism, and other transnational crimes."

Other matter the two leaders discussed were the Bangsamoro region's transition process, the Philippine government's Build, Build, Build program, and developments in neighboring nation Myanmar.

"Both leaders expressed concern over developments in Myanmar and agreed to work closely together to support efforts to improve the situation in the country," the Palace said.

Suga originally planned to visit the Philippines in April, but he called off the trip due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, May 19)  A lawmaker is against requiring COVID-19 vaccination for Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) beneficiaries claiming their cash aid.

Hindi dapat ginagawang suhol ang mga bakunang dapat naman talaga ay libre at pangmalawakan. Hindi dapat pinagbabantaan ang madla, said Sen. Risa Hontiveros in a statement on Wednesday.

[Translation: Vaccines that should be free and widely available to begin with shouldnt be used as bribes. The people should not be threatened like this.]

Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque earlier proposed including inoculation against the contagious disease among the conditions for 4Ps recipients prior to getting their financial assistance.

https://cnnphilippines.com/news/2021/5/18/Roque-suggestion-4Ps-condition-vaccination.html

He said if that will be made a condition, more people will get vaccinated especially among the poor.

Roque made the suggestion in relation to vaccine hesitancy, noting how this is a major challenge for their communication efforts regarding vaccination. He also pointed to Duterte's call for the vaccination of uniformed personnel and poor families as soon as possible.

Indigent individuals belong to the A5 priority sector in the national vaccination program.

Kaunting galang at respeto naman sa mga mahihirap. Walang kundisyon sa 4Ps law na kailangan vaccinated ang recipients, reiterated Hontiveros.

[Translation: Please give the poor a bit of respect. The 4Ps law does not state as a condition that recipients must be vaccinated.]

She also lamented how many others were prioritized and were put atop of vaccinee lists despite previous statements on the poor being a priority in the governments vaccine drive.

Roque said his suggestion may also apply to future provision of financial assistance, mentioning the proposed Bayanihan 3 aid program.

He emphasized that vaccination will remain voluntary, but will be made a condition to receive aid.
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, May 19) - The Philippine Hospital Association (PHA) is sounding the alarm on the alleged failure of the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) to pay hospitals their COVID-19 claims since the onset of health crisis.

During Wednesday's hearing of the Senate Committee on Economic Affairs, PHA president Dr. Jaime Almora said the "huge amount of unpaid claims for COVID-19 reimbursements dating back to the start of the pandemic" is among the major concerns hospitals face at present.

"This is now causing severe financial distress for private hospitals as well as government hospitals," said the PHA chief, adding one hospital's unsettled claims even ballooned to 1.2 billion.

Almora questioned why the state insurer pays out non-COVID claims, but not reimbursements related to the highly contagious disease. That is "the biggest problem because we are not given a reason why," he said.

Almora also told the committee his group met with PhilHealth president and chief executive officer Atty. Dante Gierran in early April to discuss this matter. Days later, the state insurer came up with Circular 2021-004, which establishes the debit-credit payment method (DCPM) which only covered NCR Plus along with the provinces of Pampanga and Batangas.

Private hospitals in these areas were made to apply to the DCPM similar to the interim reimbursement mechanism (IRM), Almora said. He explained that while the IRM involves advanced payments, the DCPM is "considered a partial payment for reconciliation."

"The hospitals were surprised why they have to apply and why they have to sign an undertaking. It is like a borrower who cannot pay and asking the one who lend him the money that he will be the one to do an undertaking," Almora said.

This discouraged many hospitals from applying for the payment mechanism, he added.

"We had another meeting. Inexplain naman nila [They explained]: never mind the undertaking, just apply, forget the wording. Pero somehow may pakonti naman [But somehow, a bit (of the claims) were paid.] In the NCR, may mga [there are] hospitals who applied and received some amount which they consider small," Almora said.

Committee chair Sen. Imee Marcos said PhilHealth will be asked to explain in the next hearings.

"You are the frontliners and this is how you are being treated by government in terms of government support in terms of funding. This is totally unacceptable, Doctor. And we must look into this and get results," said Sen. Kiko Pangilinan, addressing Almora.

The Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases eventually ordered PhilHealth to cover hospital claim payments in all areas with high and critical risk of COVID-19.

President Rodrigo Duterte earlier directed the state insurer to ramp up its reimbursement of valid claims, as hospitals grappled with rising patient admissions amid the raging pandemic.
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, May 19)  Kabang's memory will live on forever, and in the form of a work of art.

The late hero dog's official Facebook page said her remains will be laid in a vault that will then be placed under a statue made by Davao artist Kublai Millan. The news was also reposted by Kabang's veterinarian, Dr. Anton Lim.

"The local government of Zamboanga City is still looking for a fitting site to honor it's local canine hero, said the Kabang The Hero Dog Facebook account. "The memorial will be our country's first!"

The Kabang team said one of Kabang's fans who is based in the United States donated the funds for the memorial. Zamboanga City officials are still looking for a site to erect the statue.

Before Kabang was laid to rest, the team said it prepared a negative impression plaster with the canine's iconic facial features, as well as her paw prints.

The UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine in California, where Kabang received treatment, also paid tribute to its late patient.

The institution said apart from surgical facial procedures, Kabang needed treatment for a heartworm disease and a type of infectious cancer. She stayed in the facility for nearly eight months.

"She was a courageous and loving dog," the veterinary medical teaching hospital added.

Dr. Lim announced Kabang died on May 17. Kabang was known and praised for saving two children - her owner's daughter and niece - from being hit by a motorcycle in Zamboanga City in December 2011, losing her snout and upper jaw in the process.

When her feat became viral, netizens from all over the world started to raise funds to help Kabang's treatment in the US.
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, May 19)  The government is eyeing to vaccinate 100,000 to 200,000 people per day when the vaccine supply becomes stable to achieve herd immunity by November in Metro Manila and eight other areas identified as "focus areas," Health Undersecretary Myrna Cabotaje said on Wednesday.

"We are looking at 100,000 per day and we can go as high as [200,000]. We are targeting three to four million next month...when the supply is steady," Cabotaje told CNN Philippines' The Source when asked how the herd immunity can be reached in the so-called focus areas.

Cabotaje, who is also chairperson of the National Vaccination Operations Center, said a stable supply translates to 10 million doses per month.

The government is aiming to "achieve herd immunity by November 27, 2021" in the National Capital Region along with Bulacan, Cavite, Laguna, Rizal, Pampanga, Batangas, Metro Cebu, and Metro Davao, according to vaccine czar Carlito Galvez Jr.

Malacanang has said these areas are considered COVID-19 hotspots, so they will be given the bulk of the incoming vaccine supply.

The Philippines has so far received 7.7 million doses of Pfizer, Sinovac, AstraZeneca, and Sputnik V COVID-19 vaccine, of which 3.1 million have been administered nationwide, Galvez said on Monday.

Cabotaje said 500,000 more Sinovac doses will arrive on Thursday (May 20), adding that about 10 million doses are expected to be delivered in June.
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, May 19) Vice President Leni Robredo has received her first COVID-19 vaccine shot.

She announced this on her Facebook page on Wednesday shortly after she was inoculated with the AstraZeneca-made vaccine.

Robredo revealed she got vaccinated in Quezon City together with some members of her staff at the Office of the Vice President.

She said they belong to the A3 priority group comprising persons with comorbidities.

Done with my 1st dose of the vaccine," the Vice President shared. "Now being monitored. Everything has been seamless.

Robredo joins the list of government officials  part of the priority sector  to get inoculated against the coronavirus.

Earlier this month, President Rodrigo Duterte also received his first dose of the Sinopharm vaccine.
(CNN)  A Florida judge facing discipline for allegedly missing work and having court staff drive him to events, do his online shopping and perform other personal errands has resigned from the bench, according to the Florida Judicial Qualifications Commission.

The Commission opened an inquiry into Miami-Dade Circuit Judge Martin Zilber after getting a complaint last September about his behavior, according to the findings and recommendation of discipline posted on the Florida Supreme Court website.

The commission found "clear and convincing evidence" that Zilber engaged in the "intemperate treatment or misuse of court staff" and had excessive absences.

Zilber did not contest the inquiry's findings and "took immediate responsibility for his conduct," according to an April 8 stipulation document.

His attorney had no comment on Tuesday because the case is still pending.

Zilber took 'immediate responsibility'

Zilber accepted the discipline, including a public reprimand, a 60-day suspension without pay and a $30,000 fine, as well as additional training and letters of apology to his current and former judicial assistant and bailiff.

But, the Florida Supreme Court rejected the proposed sanctions and called for a full hearing, so it could decide on the appropriate punishment.

His former judicial assistant, Dixidela Dent, filed a motion on April 16, outlining her allegations of mistreatment by Zilber, and called for the case to be referred to the Florida Bar for a grievance hearing.

The commission said Zilber asked court staff to perform a number of tasks for him that were outside of their job descriptions -- including personal online shopping, registering his car at the Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles and traveling to Miami Beach during work hours to pick up tickets for an art event.

It said that Zilber asked his judicial assistant to assemble a scrapbook of his personal and professional achievements and asked her and his bailiff to drive him to appointments.

The inquiry also found that Zilber sometimes required his judicial assistant, who was pregnant, to wheel his chair up several floors and then lift it onto the dais in his courtroom before hearings. He made other arrangements when her concerns were brought to his attention.

Court staff aren't personal assistants

Zilber said he only asked his staff to do these things and did not require it, but recognized that the requests could be seen as orders because of his authority over his staff, the commission said.

It wrote that judicial assistants and other court staff are "vital to the efficient and orderly operation of the judicial system."

"They are not personal assistants funded by the taxpayers to take on chores for their judges. Adding personal errands and favors to the workloads of these already burdened employees is not only improper, it can create further delays or interruptions in the efficient administration of the courts," the findings said.

The commission also found that Zilber was absent from the courthouse on 51 workdays between January 21, 2019, and March 13, 2020, without notifying the court administration. This is on top of 16 court holidays and 25 days of approved leave.

Zilber testified that he did attend to work-related matters and said he was working remotely on some of those days in 2019, according to the commission.

It said Zilber also took a weeklong vacation in Malibu, California, in August without making a leave request because he was working remotely during the Covid-19 pandemic.

The commission said that he had his judicial assistant reschedule hearings and dockets for that week to another time.

The Florida Judicial Qualifications Commission moved to dismiss the charges against Zilber following his resignation, which it said took effect on Friday.

This story was first published on CNN.com, "Florida judge resigns after allegedly missing work and making court staff run personal errands."
(CNN)  A happy accident has resulted in the Solar Orbiter mission spying eruptions from the sun. These eruptions, called coronal mass ejections, blast out solar particles across the solar system and have the potential to disrupt technology if they reach Earth.

These eruptions were detected by multiple instruments on the spacecraft during a close flyby of the sun, which is called a perihelion, on February 10. This flyby brought the spacecraft within 46.5 million miles of the sun -- that's half the distance between the massive star and Earth.

This is the first time the orbiter has witnessed such eruptions.

The mission, which launched in February 2020, is a collaboration between NASA and the European Space Agency. Although Solar Orbiter's main scientific agenda doesn't begin until November -- to study the sun's north and south poles -- it has already made close passes by the sun that captured the closest images ever taken of our star and revealed "campfires" near its surface.

Currently the spacecraft is in its cruise phase, which allows for calibration of some of the 10 instruments aboard. During the cruise phase, four of its instruments are up and running and have been since launch. The February flyby presented mission teams with an opportunity to conduct observations and test out some of their instruments.

Once the scientific mission begins in earnest, all 10 instruments will work together to create joint observations of our sun.

This flyby was unique in that the spacecraft was actually behind the sun from the perspective of Earth, causing a lag in data transfer rates. This delayed the data's delivery to mission scientists, so some of it is still being analyzed.

The mission team wasn't expecting Solar Orbiter to record any data as it passed behind the sun and looped back around in orbit on the other side, so capturing these eruptions was a happy accident.

So far, the data tells an interesting tale. During the flyby, three of the spacecraft's instruments all registered a pair of coronal mass ejections. These tools included the Extreme Ultraviolet Imager (EUI), the Heliospheric Imager (SoloHI) and the Metis coronagraph.

Meanwhile, other spacecraft like ESA's Proba-2 and the ESA/NASA Solar and Heliospheric Observatory both witnessed these events from the Earth-facing side of the sun. A NASA mission called STEREO-A also spied the event from a different perspective.

The instruments on Solar Orbiter, as well as data collected by the other missions, shows a sudden eruption of particles from the sun, occurring in tandem with a visibly bright burst.

Tracking space weather

Understanding coronal mass ejections is key to decoding space weather, which is activity from the sun that can cause impacts on Earth. These can affect astronauts on the space station in low-Earth orbit, as well as satellites that support global communications. The more researchers learn about these eruptions, the better they can track and anticipate solar activity.

While NASA spacecraft have been observing coronal mass ejections for years, Solar Orbiter offers the best look yet.

"We've realized in the last 25 years that there's a lot that happens to a (Coronal Mass Ejection) between the surface of the Sun and Earth," said Robin Colaninno, principal investigator for SoloHI at the US Naval Research Laboratory in Washington, DC, in a statement. "We're hoping to get much better resolution images of all of these outflows by being closer to the Sun."

Solar Orbiter is the first mission that will provide images of the sun's north and south poles. Having a visual understanding of the sun's poles is important because it can provide more insight about the sun's powerful magnetic field and how it affects Earth.

Solar Orbiter's instruments can capture observations of the sun's corona (which is its atmosphere), the poles and the solar disk. The tools can also measure the sun's magnetic fields and solar wind, or the energized stream of particles emitted by the sun that reach across our solar system.

Understanding the sun's magnetic field and solar wind are key, because they contribute to space weather. The sun's magnetic field is so massive that it stretches beyond Pluto, providing a pathway for solar wind to travel directly across the solar system.

The mission will work in tandem with NASA's Parker Solar Probe, which is currently orbiting the sun on a seven-year mission and just completed its fourth close approach of the star. It launched in August 2018 and will eventually come within 4 million miles of the sun -- the closest a spacecraft has ever flown by our star.

The Parker probe is "tracing the flow of energy that heats and accelerates the sun's corona and solar wind; determining the structure and dynamics of the plasma and magnetic fields at the sources of the solar wind; and exploring mechanisms that accelerate and transport energetic particles," according to NASA.

Together, the missions can help unlock the mysteries of the sun and provide more data to researchers than either could accomplish on its own. Parker can sample particles coming off the sun up close, while Solar Orbiter will fly farther back to capture more encompassing observations and provide broader context.

This story was first published on CNN.com Solar Orbiter mission spots eruption from the sun
(CNN)  Police in the UK will carry out excavation work at a cafe linked to infamous serial killer Fred West after reports of "possible evidence" that a body is buried there.

Forensic archaeologists called in to the Clean Plate cafe in Gloucester, southwestern England, have confirmed "there are a number of structural anomalies within the cellar that warrant further exploration," according to Gloucestershire Constabulary in a statement published Monday.

The property is linked to the disappearance of Mary Bastholm, who was 15 when she went missing in 1968.

Her disappearance has been connected to West, who along with his wife, Rose, sexually abused and killed a succession of young women. The couple's crimes spanned decades and they buried the bodies of their victims at their home in Gloucester.

In 1995 Rose West was given 10 life sentences and pronounced Britain's most prolific female serial killer. Her husband, Fred, confessed then hanged himself in jail.

Fred West denied any involvement in Mary's disappearance, and "no evidence was found at the time to support arresting Fred West in connection with Mary Bastholm," said police.

Excavation work at the cafe will take several weeks and aims to establish if there are human remains present, said police.

Both Mary and Fred West were known to frequent the cafe, said detective chief inspector John Turner in an interview with local media Tuesday.

A production company filming a documentary at the cafe provided police with a photo showing what appears to be blue material buried in a void in the toilet area of the cellar, said Turner.

The blue material is significant because Mary was wearing a blue coat, a blue and white dress and had a blue bag when she went missing, Turner added.

"The analysis from our experts and the material provided by the production company means there is enough evidence to justify excavation work beginning," said Turner in the police statement.

He hailed the "quiet dignity" of Mary's family.

"They [Mary's family] understand it is possible we won't find human remains but they also know that we will do everything we can to establish if Mary is buried at this location," said Turner.

Mary's family issued a statement via the police, which read: "We are extremely happy Gloucestershire Constabulary is continuing to try and search for Mary and this gives us a chance to potentially put her at rest after all these years."

Fred West reportedly confessed to killing Mary to his son, Stephen, but her body was not found at the Wests' home, according to the PA media news agency.
(CNN)  The State Department said Tuesday that it will now grant US citizenship to children born abroad to parents who used artificial reproductive technology, including surrogacy, notifying Congress and diplomatic posts of the change to longstanding policy.

The decision allows same-sex and heterosexual couples to transfer US citizenship to their baby, as long as one parent is a US citizen, the child has a genetic or gestational tie to one of the parents and they meet all other requirements of the Immigration and Nationality Act, or INA. Previous policy had dictated that the child must have a genetic or gestational tie to the US citizen parent.

State Department spokesman Ned Price said in a statement that the "updated interpretation and application of the INA takes into account the realities of modern families and advances in [artificial reproductive technology] from when the Act was first enacted in 1952."

The State Department said it could not predict the number of families who will benefit from the updated interpretation of the immigration law and did not have publicly available data on previously denied applications to have birthright citizenship recognized "due to the previous interpretation and application of the law."

Effective immediately

The policy change, which is effective immediately, "will be retroactively applied to anyone who feels that they have a change in circumstance due to the change," according to a State Department official.

That will smooth the path for a number of same-sex couples who sued the Department after their children were denied birthright citizenship because they were considered "born out of wedlock" and ineligible.

The policy on assisted reproductive technology determined that, "a child born abroad to a surrogate, whose genetic parents are a U.S. citizen father and anonymous egg donor, is considered for citizenship purposes to be a person born out of wedlock." Critics said the policy unduly targeted LGBTQ families, some of whom brought lawsuits that the Trump administration fought.

The State Department official said that the new policy doesn't require legal changes and is, instead, a reinterpretation of application of the 1952 law to reflect modern realities.

"The INA was written in 1952 and considerations about reproductive technology, and thinking about the composition of modern families, was just not something that went into the thought making of people writing that law," the official said. "So the Secretary has approved an updated application ... that is going to allow a number of married couples, most of you who are using [artificial reproductive technology] to transmit citizenship to their children, and we are excited about that."

Requirements for children born to unmarried parents remains the same, the official said. In his statement, Price said that the State Department will "remain vigilant to the risks of citizenship fraud, exploitation, and abuse."

This story was first published on CNN.com, "US reverses longstanding policy on citizenship for babies born overseas using reproductive technology."
Prosecutor seeks 6 years behind bars for leader of new socialism movement

 RAPSI, Vladimir Burnov

10:27 19/05/2021

MOSCOW, May 19 (RAPSI)  A prosecutor demanded 6 years behind bars for the leader of the movement For New Socialism Nikolay Platoshkin charged with aiding and abetting mass riots and distribution of misleading information, RAPSI was told on Wednesday in the Gagarinsky District Court of Moscow.

The defendant is under house arrest now.

Platoshkin is a Russian diplomat, political analyst and historian, head of diplomacy and international affairs department of the Moscow Humanitarian University, leader of the movement For New Socialism.




The Nagol is Back! VTOs guide to this years Nagol, plus where to stay and play in south, central and north Pentecost.
Google seeks to terminate legal protection of Russian companys trademark

 RAPSI, Vladimir Burnov

12:18 19/05/2021

MOSCOW, May 19 (RAPSI)  Google LLC has filed a lawsuit against Intra Service Company seeking the early termination of its trademark due to the the failure to use it, according to Russias Intellectual Property Court (IP Court).

The American company seeks termination of "Intra services company" trademark, in which the last two words are unprotected elements, in relation to the services including advertising and business management, as well as scientific and technological services.

In May 2012, the Russian Federal Service for Intellectual Property (Rospatent) registered this trademark as owned by Intra Service Company LLC. However, Googles subsidiary Jigsaw introduced the Intra app in October 2018.

The court suspended the application until June 16 due to paperwork irregularities.

As noted by the court, Google failed to attach to its application certain documents, among them those confirming the facts on which the American company bases its claims, and those confirming the payment of the state fee.

Intra Service Company carries out a complex of works on the repair and maintenance of equipment and pipelines at the enterprises of the fuel and energy complex. The company is the only Russian entity that provides a full range of repair services without stopping production of enterprises.
Tamil Nadu: Fisheries minister meets kin of 9 missing fishermen

May 19,2021 | Source: Daily Thanthi Next

Tamil Nadu Fisheries Minister Anitha R Radhakrishnan on Tuesday visited the families of nine fishermen who went missing while fishing off the Kochi coast due to Cyclone Tauktae. The fishermen, all belonging to Samnathanpettaiin Nagapattinam district, ventured into the sea from Kochi on April 29 and while returning in the early hours of May 14, were caught in the storm and went missing. The Coast Guard and Indian Navy are engaged in search operations, and all possible efforts are being made to trace them, the minister said. The minister also handed over Rs 50,000 to each family as financial assistance from the DMK party funds.

 2021, Daily Thanthi.
Bangladesh: Climate-displaced people raise their voices for support

May 19,2021 | Source: Climate Home News

In the next few decades Bangladesh is likely to lose more than 10 percent of its land to the sea, and 18 million people could lose their livelihoods and homes. As a result, many families must relocate from coastal areas. While some people have means to resettle elsewhere, the most vulnerable have nowhere to go and must live where they can, often on public land along the roads atop Bangladeshs many embankments. Cheno Ara Begum, a 45-year-old, single mother of three from the southeast coast of Bangladesh, describes how her family has been living after losing her husband and being displaced several times: We have lived in a thatched hut alongside the embankment for five years. We regularly deal with open defecation in Kucha or raw latrines covered with polythene and face difficulties collecting safe drinking water. Around 1,000 people are living around the Raichata village, but no one has a hygienic latrine. Since 2012, Young Power in Social Action (YPSA) has used rights-based approaches to support climate-displaced people inside Bangladesh. They recognise that existing government programs do not meet climate-displaced peoples needs, often because local and national governments do not fully understand the challenges they face or how to support them. The national program for landless peoples, the Ashrayan or cluster village Project, builds communal living spaces that have limitations, as most people are relocated to isolated areas without access to basic needs and support, explained Mohammad Shahjahan of YPSA. Relocated people lose their dignity, traditional or native lifestyle, occupation, and cultural and social harmony. They face social stigma as outsiders in their new communities and are preyed upon by local criminals. In short, this is not a sustainable solution for landless households.



YPSAs efforts entered a new phase two years ago with support from the Climate Justice Resilience Fund (CJRF). YPSA started a comprehensive program including community organising, advocacy, and community-driven planned relocation and resettlement. Part of YPSAs holistic approach is organising climate-displaced people into Community Teams and empowering them to advocate for what they need to support themselves and their families. This community organising has succeeded in connecting climate-displaced people to government support programs they had previously been unable to access. For example, in the upazila, or administrative region, of Banskhali in the Chittagong coastal area, people who face hardship due to a natural disaster qualify for local government cash assistance. The YPSA Community Team in Banskhali helped seventy climate-displaced people get information about this resource and apply for funds that help cover food and other living expenses. One of the most difficult challenges facing the Bangladesh government  and where YPSAs innovative efforts play a key role  is proactively relocating the increasing number of people who are or will be displaced as a result of the climate crisis in the coming years. YPSAs comprehensive model of community-driven relocation includes everything from providing land and shelter to ensuring access to clean water, skills training, and start-up capital to build a new life. YPSA also supports people to integrate into the receiving community. They facilitate meetings for relocating families with service providers, local authorities, and members of the host community.



While the number of families YPSA has resettled through this community-based, planned relocation process is small in comparison to the need, the people they resettle are able to build a new life where they are placed. By building an holistic model for relocation and resettlement of climate-displaced households, YPSA offers an alternative to top-down, ineffective, and often unjust relocation policies and programs. YPSAs success demonstrates that grassroots, rights-based approaches can work for the complex challenge of climate-forced displacement, and their advocacy encourages local, national, and international governing bodies to dedicated resources to these bottom-up efforts. Through our community organising, we are forcing the government to address this issue and take responsibility. At the same time, we are advocating with like-minded networks and organisations at the international level to hold the wealthy nations that contribute most to climate change accountable to the people and regions this crisis hits the hardest. This challenge wont be solved immediately, but YPSA will continue until climate-displaced people have the focus and resources they deserve, Shahjahan stated.

 2021 Climate Home News Ltd.
Tamil Nadu: Fish prices in Chennai to go up further

by P Oppili

May 19,2021 | Source: The Times of India

Fish prices in Chennai are set to go up further as aqua-culturists in Andhra are unable to despatch their produce to the city. Since the fishing ban kicked in, city residents were dependent on the Rohu, Katla and Mrigal varieties  all raised on private farms in Nellore in Andhra Pradesh and brought to Chennai by road. Now, with Covid-19 cases in the city rising, lorry drivers from AP are refusing to operate vehicles to Chennai, resulting in prices of fish going up at the markets at Vaanagaram, Pattalam, Chintadripet and Kaavankarai near Red Hills. The citys requirements are mainly met by the catch coming to the harbour. But, since the beginning of the lockdown that has kept fishermen indoors, fresh water fish raised on farms in the neighbouring state have sustained the city. That too has dried up now. Shankar, a vendor at the Pattalam market, said arrivals from Andhra Pradesh had reduced since the lockdown was declared. A trader at Vaanagaram, the largest market where both wholesale and retail trade occur, said the average of 50 lorry-loads of fish arriving daily had dropped to just 10 since last week. Kannan Pasupathiraj, proprietor of Chennai-based Fresh Fish, said that when marine fish were available in the market, those sourced from farms in the neighbouring market used to retail at between Rs 100 a kg and Rs 150 a kg. Now they are being sold at Rs 250 a kg, he added.

 2021 Bennett, Coleman & Co. Ltd.
State Duma passes bill on sanctions for disclosure of data of law enforcement officers

 duma.gov.ru

14:32 19/05/2021

MOSCOW, May 19 (RAPSI)  The State Duma adopted a bill on severe punishment for disclosure of information on safety measures taken in relation to law enforcement and supervisory bodies officials and their relatives in the third and final reading on Wednesday.

The bill stipulates such sanctions as fines of up to 200,000 rubles (about $3,000), community service for up to 480 hours, detention for up to 4 months or restriction of liberty for up to 2 years.

Amendments are proposed to the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation.




Close Get email notifications on {{subject}} daily!

Your notification has been saved.

There was a problem saving your notification.

{{description}}

Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items.
NASA's Webb to study how massive stars' blasts of radiation influence their environments

In a nearby stellar nursery called the Orion Nebula, young, massive stars are blasting far-ultraviolet light at the cloud of dust and gas from which they were born. This intense flood of radiation is violently disrupting the cloud by breaking apart molecules, ionizing atoms and molecules by stripping their electrons, and heating the gas and dust. An international team using NASA's James Webb Space Telescope, which is scheduled to launch in October, will study a portion of the radiated cloud called the Orion Bar to learn more about the influence massive stars have on their environments, and even on the formation of our own solar system.

"The fact that massive stars shape the structure of galaxies through their explosions as supernovas has been known for a long time. But what people have discovered more recently is that massive stars also influence their environments not only as supernovas, but through their winds and radiation during their lives," said one of the team's principal investigators, Olivier Berne, a research scientist at the French National Centre for Scientific Research in Toulouse.

Why the Orion Bar?

While it might sound like a Friday-night watering hole, the Orion Bar is actually a ridge-like feature of gas and dust within the spectacular Orion Nebula. A little more than 1,300 light-years away, this nebula is the nearest region of massive star formation to the Sun. The Orion Bar is sculpted by the intense radiation from nearby, hot, young stars, and at first glance appears to be shaped like a bar. It is a "photodissociation region," or PDR, where ultraviolet light from young, massive stars creates a mostly neutral, but warm, area of gas and dust between the fully ionized gas surrounding the massive stars and the clouds in which they are born. This ultraviolet radiation strongly influences the gas chemistry of these regions and acts as the most important source of heat.

PDRs occur where interstellar gas is dense and cold enough to remain neutral, but not dense enough to prevent the penetration of far-ultraviolet light from massive stars. Emissions from these regions provide a unique tool to study the physical and chemical processes that are important for most of the mass between and around stars. The processes of radiation and cloud disruption drive the evolution of interstellar matter in our galaxy and throughout the universe from the early era of vigorous star formation to the present day.

"The Orion Bar is probably the prototype of a PDR," explained Els Peeters, another of the team's principal investigators. Peeters is a professor at the University of Western Ontario and a member of the SETI Institute. "It's been studied extensively, so it's well characterized. It's very close by, and it's really seen edge on. That means you can probe the different transition regions. And since it's close by, this transition from one region to another is spatially distinct if you have a telescope with high spatial resolution."

The Orion Bar is representative of what scientists think were the harsh physical conditions of PDRs in the universe billions of years ago. "We believe that at this time, you had 'Orion Nebulas' everywhere in the universe, in many galaxies," said Berne. "We think that it can be representative of the physical conditions in terms of the ultraviolet radiation field in what are called 'starburst galaxies,' which dominate the era of star formation, when the universe was about half its current age."

The formation of planetary systems in interstellar regions irradiated by massive young stars remains an open question. Detailed observations would allow astronomers to understand the impact of the ultraviolet radiation on the mass and composition of newly formed stars and planets.

In particular, studies of meteorites suggest that the solar system formed in a region similar to the Orion Nebula. Observing the Orion Bar is a way to understand our past. It serves as a model to learn about the very early stages of the formation of the solar system.

Like a Layer Cake in Space

PDRs were long thought to be homogenous regions of warm gas and dust. Now scientists know they are greatly stratified, like a layer cake. In reality, the Orion Bar is not really a "bar" at all. Instead, it contains a lot of structure and four distinct zones. These are:

The molecular zone, a cold and dense region where the gas is in the form of molecules and where stars could form; The dissociation front, where the molecules break apart into atoms as the temperature rises; The ionization front, where the gas is stripped of electrons, becoming ionized, as the temperature increases dramatically; The fully ionized flow of gas into a region of atomic, ionized hydrogen.

"With Webb, we will be able to separate and study the different regions' physical conditions, which are completely different," said Emilie Habart, another of the team's principal investigators. Habart is a scientist with the French Institute of Space Astrophysics and a senior lecturer at Paris-Saclay University. "We will study the passage from very hot regions to very cold ones. This is the first time we will be able to do that."

The phenomenon of these zones is much like what happens with heat from a fireplace. As you move away from the fire, the temperature drops. Similarly, the radiation field changes with distance from a massive star. In the same way, the composition of the material changes at different distances from that star. With Webb, scientists for the first time will resolve each individual region within that layered structure in the infrared and characterize it completely.

Paving the Way for Future Observations

These observations will be part of the Director's Discretionary-Early Release Science program, which provides observing time to selected projects early in the telescope's mission. This program allows the astronomical community to quickly learn how best to use Webb's capabilities, while also yielding robust science.

One goal of the Orion Bar work is to identify the characteristics that will serve as a "template" for future studies of more distant PDRs. At greater distances, the different zones might blur together. Information from the Orion Bar will be useful for interpreting that data. The Orion Bar observations will be available to the wider science community very soon after their collection.

"Most of the light that we receive from very distant galaxies is coming from 'Orion Nebulas' situated in these galaxies," explained Berne. "So it makes a lot of sense to observe in great detail the Orion Nebula that is near us in order to then understand the emissions coming from these very distant galaxies that contain many Orion-like regions in them."

Only Possible with Webb

With its location in space, infrared capability, sensitivity, and spatial resolution, Webb provides a unique opportunity to study the Orion Bar. The team will probe this region using Webb's cameras and spectrographs.

"It's really the first time that we have such good wavelength coverage and angular resolution," said Berne. "We're very interested in spectroscopy because that's where you see all the 'fingerprints' that give you the detailed information on the physical conditions. But we also want the images to see the structure and organization of matter. When you combine the spectroscopy and the imaging in this unique infrared range, you get all the information you need to do the science we're interested in."

###

The study includes a core team of 20 members but also a large, international, interdisciplinary team of more than 100 scientists from 18 countries. The group includes astronomers, physicists, chemists, theoreticians, and experimentalists.

The James Webb Space Telescope will be the world's premier space science observatory when it launches in 2021. Webb will solve mysteries in our solar system, look beyond to distant worlds around other stars, and probe the mysterious structures and origins of our universe and our place in it. Webb is an international program led by NASA with its partners, ESA (European Space Agency) and the Canadian Space Agency.

For more information about Webb, visit http://www. nasa. gov/ webb .

Ann Jenkins / Christine Pulliam

Space Telescope Science Institute, Baltimore, Maryland

jenkins@stsci.edu / cpulliam@stsci.edu

Laura Betz

NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center, Greenbelt, Md.

laura.e.betz@nasa.gov

This story has been published on: 2021-05-19. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article.
[1]

Bibi and Gantz! End this unnecessary and pointless war!

We, residents of the Gaza Border Region, call on you to end our ongoing suffering and the inferno that you have unleashed on the people in the Gaza Strip.

This is not our war!

Sending Gaza back to the Stone Age - not in our name and not on our behalf.

To see (too many) Israelis celebrating the shedding of Gazan children blood - not in our name, not for our security.

You are not Guardians of the Walls. You continue to raise the walls of hate and despair.

Do what you should have done years ago - enter into negotiations with the enemy and reach long-term agreements.

It is possible. There is a need for real political desire. There is a need for determination and courage - the leaders - to break the old paradigms and to change direction. The ship is sinking and drowning all of us in a sea of deep and endless violence.

Signed:

Gaza Border Region residents who can no longer contain this ongoing nightmare - happening on both sides of the border.

We send out a call to all organizations and people who identify with our message to join us and distribute this call far and wide.

http://www.othervoice.org/

o o

[2]

The storm which Netanyahu unleashed

Adam Keller, May 12, 2021

Yesterday morning (Tuesday) we woke up with the news of twenty one Palestinians killed in Gaza, nine of them minors, and two Israeli women killed in Ashkelon (one of them; it later turned out, was a migrant worker from India, and since then, the death toll on both sides more than doubled). Then came the email which I was expecting. Noa Levy of Hadash sent out an urgent call for emergency protests in Tel Aviv and Jerusalem, A second message, from the Forum of Israeli and Palestinian Bereaved Families and Combatants for Peace, endorsed the Hadash call and added a Haifa protest venue initiated by the Haifa Women for Women Center. The government is playing with fire - all of us get burned! In a desperate attempt to cling to power, Netanyahu is dragging us into war, into killing and suffering and pain for both peoples. Stop the escalation! Cease the fire! Stop the expulsion of families from Sheikh Jarrah, stop the police rampage in East Jerusalem. There can be no peace and no quiet as long as the West Bank lives under occupation and Gaza suffers a suffocating siege. The solution: an end to the occupation, an end to the siege of Gaza, and the establishment of a Palestinian state alongside Israel, with East Jerusalem as its capital. We all deserve to live in freedom and security. The time to act is now!

And so, there were several hours of frantic work at the computer and phone, spreading the message by Facebook and Whatsapp to all who waited for such a call on such a day. And then taking the bus to Tel Aviv. The Kugel Boulevard, main Holon thoroughfare on which all buses to Tel Aviv travel, had its completely normal daily bustle. On King George Street in Tel Aviv there were already several hundred people gathered outside the Likud Party headquarters. Among them familiar faces, the determined minority of Israelis who always show up on such days, as in 2014 and 2009.. Stop the fire, stop the bloodshed! chanted several hundred throats. And On both sides of the border / Children want to live! and Sheikh Jarrah, dont despair / We will end the occupation yet! and also Gaza, Gaza, dont despair / We will end the siege yet! and Netanyahu, Netanyahu / The Dock at the Hague waits for you!.

Dispersal, and a vague feeling of frustration. But what more could we have done? Perhaps we would have felt more satisfied to be violently dispersed and spend the night in detention - but here, unlike other locations, the police did not interfere with the demonstration. There were only two bored police officers watching from the side. Our favorite vegan eatery was nearby, so we went in. Everything was just like any other evening out in downtown Tel Aviv, it felt a bit strange to have life as usual while terrible things happen elsewhere.

The air raid alarms wailed just after we paid our bill and started walking. We went into a nearby big pharmacy. The pharmacy staff were quietly efficient  Over here, turn left, the basement stairs are there. About a hundred people  staff and clients and everyone who happened to be on the street  crowded in. Even in the basement, we could clearly hear the explosions in the sky. Are these the missiles themselves, or the interceptors? wondered an old woman. Another old woman said Dont worry, dear, if this goes on we will all learn to know which is which.

After a quarter of an hour we thought it was over and everybody emerged and started again down the street  and then the air raid siren sounded again. This time we went into the basement of a private house with very friendly young people who offered to let us stay the night. You can stay here, no need to risk going out again, we have spare beds.

I must say that up to that point it still felt like a bit of a game. I realize now that we shared the arrogant illusion of most Israelis that the Iron Dome missiles were giving us virtually complete protection. But as we were huddling in the second basement of the evening, the phone rang: Are you OK? Good to hear your voice, I heard of the burned bus in Holon, I was so worried! I am in Tel Aviv, what bus is that? A quick look at the news websites showed the Kugel Boulevard where we had passed just three hours before. It was a war zone, flames and scattered debris everywhere, and the skeleton of a completely burned bus in the middle. It was reported that the driver heard the alarm, stopped the bus and told everybody to run just a minute before the bus was hit.

Perhaps we should have taken the young peoples offer and stayed the night with them. Getting back home was a long and weary experience. The main roads were blocked by the police, and we saw ambulances and fire trucks rushing forward. The bus from Tel Aviv let us off a long way from home and there were no taxis to be had in the whole of Holon, so there was a very long and weary trudging through dark empty streets.

At home I had a whatsapp exchange with an old friend. Stay alert, this night is not yet over she wrote. The government is sure to order a strong retaliation for this attack on Tel Aviv, and the Palestinians will want to retaliate for the retaliation. She was completely right. After 3.00 PM there was a very long series of alarms, one after the other. The explosions were more vague and seemed a long distance off. This time they were aiming at the Ben Gurion Airport.

One of the missiles had fallen on a hut in Lod (Lydda), and killed a fifty year old man and his teen daughter. It later turned out that they were Arabs, that they had lived in an unrecognized neighborhood where no building permits are issued, and that this prevented them from building a more solid structure which could have saved their lives.

And so here we are, with the conflict escalating and the death toll rising ever more steeply. And I should recapitulate, at least briefly, how we got to this.

Last Friday  just five days ago, though it seems like an eternity  public attention in Israel was totally riveted to the complicated dance of party politics. Prime Minister Netanyahu, facing three serious corruption charges at the Jerusalem District Court, had just failed in his efforts to form a new cabinet. The mandate passed to the oppositional Block of Change, whose leaders embarked on delicate negotiations aimed at forming a very heterogeneous government coalition comprising right-wing. left-wing and center parties, which have virtually nothing in common except the wish to see the last of Netanyahu. We had very mixed feelings about it, especially since the intended new Prime Minister Naftali Bennet is, if anything, more right-wing than Netanyahu. Still, the new government would have very strong mechanisms of mutual veto in place that would prevent Bennet from doing too much harm  though the same would also prevent the new government from doing much good, either. And this government would be the very first in Israeli history to rely on an Arab party for its parliamentary majority (other than the Rabin Government in 1995, whose tenure was cut short by the PM being assassinated).

Anyway, there were very concrete plans to have the new cabinet ready for parliamentary approval by Tuesday, May 11 (yesterday). The anti-corruption demonstrators who have been demonstrating every week outside the Prime Ministers residence were joking about when the movers will arrive to take away the Netanyahu family furniture. But Netanyahu had other irons in the fire.

First, there was the planned expulsion of hundreds of Palestinians from their homes in the Sheikh Jarach neighborhood of East Jerusalem. Dozens of them were due to be expelled within days and extreme right settlers were going to enter into their vacated homes. Protests in Sheikh Jarach and elsewhere in East Jerusalem met brutal police repression. Then, protests spread to the Haram A Sharif (Temple Mount) compound, and so did the police repression. Police started to shoot rubber bullets directly into demonstrators faces, causing them to lose eyes  at least two of them losing both eyes and becoming blind for the rest of their lives. Footage of the police breaking into the Al-Aqsa Mosque, Islams third holiest site and a place considered even by secular Palestinians as a major part of their national heritage, spread widely through the social networks, escalating the protests. And then there was the plan to have thousands of radical young settlers hold the provocative Dance of the Flags right through the Damascus Gate and the Muslim Quarter of the Old City of Jerusalem, chanting their habitual racist slogans. The police and government reiterated hour after hour that the Dance of the Flags would take place as scheduled. And it was then that Hamas in Gaza threatened to retaliate for the attack on the Palestinians of Jerusalem, and the government declared that it would not bend to the ultimatums of terrorists. And at the very last moment the Dance was cancelled  but it was too late. At 6.00 PM the salvo of seven Hamas rockets at the outskirts of Jerusalem  which in fact caused no casualties or damage, but which precipitated the Israeli deadly retaliation on Gaza. .

And now, a bit more than 48 hours later, here we are, in the midst of an escalating war, the Israeli Air Force destroying high rise buildings in Gaza and proudly announcing the elimination of senior Hamas activists  but unable to hinder the Palestinians ability to go on shooting rockets. And relations between Jews and Arabs, fellow citizens of Israel, have descended to unprecedented depths of inter-communal violence. In Lod, the police declared a night curfew to stop the rampaging Arabs but Arab inhabitants refuse to abide and are involved in violent confrontations with police around a local mosque. And in Bat Yam and Tiberias, mobs of extreme right Jews are assaulting random Arabs and smashing up Arab-owned shops. And repeated again and again in the media is the governments total refusal to make a ceasefire. No, no, no ceasefire  we must teach Hamas a lesson!

Of course no ceasefire. Why should Netanyahu want a ceasefire? Every day in which the shooting continues is one more day of keeping that dreaded movers truck away from the Prime Ministers Residence, one more day of keeping power in his own hands. If there was concrete proof that Netanyahu did it all consciously and deliberately, it would make up criminal charges far more serious than those he is facing at the District Court of Jerusalem. But any such evidence is probably classified Top Secret and would only be published fifty years from now. So, we cant prove that he did it deliberately, though there can be little doubt about it. We can only end the war and immediately afterwards get rid of him.

Perhaps what is happening now will shake President Biden out of the attitude of keeping a low profile on |Israel and the Palestinians? After all, all this mess had fallen on his desk with quite a loud clatter

(Author: Adam Keller is the spokesman for Gush Shalom)

via Gush Shalom for educational and non commercial use
Success! An email has been sent to with a link to confirm list signup.
Seguin, Texas (78155)

Today

Mostly cloudy early, then sunshine for the afternoon. Hot and humid. High 94F. Winds S at 10 to 15 mph..

Tonight

A few passing clouds. Low 73F. Winds S at 10 to 15 mph.
Garment and textile companies want their workers vaccinated against Covid-19 on a priority basis, and said they could buy the vaccine directly from the suppliers.

Vu Duc Giang, chairman of the Vietnam Textile and Apparel Association (VITAS), said a proposal sent to the Government for the purpose is meant to speed up progress in "achieving community immunity and help enterprises stabilize production."

The worsening pandemic situation in the industrial zones is a big concern for enterprises and their workers, he added.

The number of infected workers was 466 as of Monday, including 369 in the northern province of Bac Giang, according to the Vietnam General Confederation of Labor.

Bac Giang on Tuesday decided to shut down four industrial parks, Van Trung, Quang Chau, Dinh Tram in Viet Yen District, and Song Khe  Noi Hoang in Yen Dung District.

Nguyen Van Thoi, chairman of apparel manufacturer TNG Investment and Trading JSC, which employs over 16,000 workers in Thai Nguyen Province, said the company has earmarked funds to buy vaccines for its workers and wants the government to connect it with suppliers.

It has also strengthened Covid prevention measures by ensuring social distancing in its factory in Thai Nguyen and telling employees coming from the two severely affected provinces of Bac Giang and Bac Ninh to temporarily stay at home.

The chief of a textile firm in Hung Yen Province, who sought anonymity, said the government should accept funding from other sources to buy the vaccines.

Textile and garment exports rose 9 percent year-on-year to over US$9.5 billion in the first four months of 2021, according to the Ministry of Industry and Trade, which attributed the rise to the revival in some main export markets and free trade agreements.

Vietnam has nearly 400 industrial parks, 30 border gate economic zones and 20 coastal economic zones, which employ nearly four million workers.
The decision to launch the probe was made 20 days after receiving a petition from the American Honey Producers Association and the Sioux Honey Association.

The duties proposed on Vietnamese honey exporters range from 47.56 percent to 138.23 percent, according to the Trade Remedies Authority of Vietnam.

The investigation will take 12 months and can be extended for another six months. It will cover data from October 1, 2020 to March 31, 2021.

The DOC has issued an anti-dumping questionnaire for producers exporting raw honey to the U.S. The firms have 30 days to respond.

The Trade Remedies Authority of Vietnam has recommended that the exporters cooperate and provide information sought in the questionnaire.

"Any action deemed uncooperative can result in the imposition of the highest anti-dumping duties on Vietnamese exporters," it stressed.

It is the first time that Vietnamese honey products are being investigated for trade remedies by the U.S.

Vietnamese honey will be unable to compete with products from other countries in the U.S. market if the proposed anti-dumping duties are imposed, according to the Vietnam Beekeepers Association.

Vietnam has nearly 40,000 beekeeping households and hundreds of honey processing firms and exporters. The U.S. accounts for 90 percent of Vietnams honey exports, according to the General Department of Vietnam Customs.

Data from U.S. customs shows Vietnam accounted for 25.8 percent of its total honey exports in 2020 at 50,700 tons.
Police bust an event gathering over 100 people at the Da Nang office of HCMC-based Vietnam Link Group JSC. Photo by VnExpress/Nam Giap.

The Da Nang office of a HCMC company has been fined VND30 million ($1,300) for violating Covid-19 regulations on mass gatherings.

Vietnam Link Group JSC in Hai Chau District organized an event to promote its products on May 11, gathering more than 100 customers and staff.

But gatherings of more than five people in public and outside of offices and schools were prohibited as the city's fight to contain the pandemic.

Beauty salons, bars and pubs, dance clubs, karaoke and massage parlors, gaming cafes, and gyms were shut, pedestrians-only streets were cordoned off and night markets, festivals, cultural, religious, artistic, and sporting events, and swimming in beaches were prohibited.

Also on May 11 Hai Chau District also fined a poolroom run by man called Nguyen Tuan Anh, 36, VND15 million for remaining open.

Since May 5 the district alone has slapped fines of VND180 million for 53 violations.

Nationwide, authorities have collected VND554 million in 272 cases.

Since the latest Covid wave began in Vietnam on April 27, Da Nang has reported 144 cases out of the countrys 1,503 in 28 cities and provinces.
Dong Thap Province will collaborate with the Transport Ministry to build two expressways to shave two hours of the commute from Ho Chi Minh City.

Built over the next five years, one will connect with an existing national highway and the other with an expressway, said Tran Tri Quang, deputy chairman of Dong Thap.

My An  Cao Lanh Expressway will run 26 kilometers (16 miles) from an intersection with Highway N2, part of Vietnam's north-south highway, to Cao Lanh Bridge that crosses the Tien River, a branch of the Mekong, to connect Dong Thap's Lap Vo District and Cao Lanh Town.

As approved by the government, the expressway will cost VND5 trillion ($216 million), with investment coming from South Korean official development assistance.

Cao Lanh Bridge that will link to the My An  Cao Lanh Expressway in Dong Thap Province. Photo by VnExpress/Hoang Nam.

The other expressway, An Huu  Cao Lanh, will span 28 kilometers to connect with HCMC  Trung Luong  My Thuan Expressway, currently the only expressway between HCMC and the Mekong Delta.

An Huu  Cao Lanh has been proposed at VND5.7 trillion.

The Ministry of Transport has listed it among public projects for the 2021-2025 period and is waiting for the parliament to approve the investment plan.

With the two expressways open to traffic, the commute between HCMC and Dong Thap Province would be cut from four hours to just two.

According to provincial authorities, the two projects do not only serve Dong Thap but also other Mekong Delta localities, like Kien Giang, An Giang and Can Tho by allowing for alternatives to National Highway 1A.

For now, highways 1A and 50 are the only routes that connect HCMC with the entire Mekong Delta, home to Can Tho and 12 provinces with over 17 million residents.

The delta is one of Vietnam's most important economic zones, contributing 17.7 percent of the entire nation's GDP.

In 2019, the region contributed 54 percent of rice, 70 percent of seafood and 60 percent of fruit output for the whole country.

Lawmakers and officials have been saying the lack of infrastructural connectivity between Ho Chi Minh City and numerous Mekong Delta provinces was proving a development bottleneck for the region.
The new cases were recorded in Hanoi, the northern provinces of Bac Giang, Bac Ninh, Phu Tho, Hung Yen and Vinh Phuc and the central city of Da Nang.

Of these, 61 cases in Bac Giang are related to clusters at three industrial parks Quang Chau, Van Trung, and Dinh Tram in Viet Yen District, and 38 cases in Bac Ninh stemmed from contact with two previously confirmed patients.

Seven new patients confirmed in Da Nang had come into contact with existing cases and were already in quarantine.

Hanoi's five new cases are all also related to previously confirmed patients and outbreaks.

The four new cases in Phu Tho and Hung Yen were also detected in quarantine facilities.

The case in Vinh Phuc is that of a man who flew from Da Nang to Hanoi's Noi Bai Airport on Vietnam Airlines flight VN160 on April 29.

One imported case was also recorded Sunday night, that of a woman from Hanoi's Soc Son District who has been quarantined in the central province of Khanh Hoa after landing May 14 at the Cam Ranh International Airport from Japan.

Since the new Covid-19 wave broke out on April 27, Vietnam has reported 1,321 community transmissions in 27 cities and provinces.

The country has recorded a total of 4,359 Covid-19 cases to date, including 2,668 recoveries and 37 deaths.
An ambulance is seen at a residential area in HCMC's District 7 that has been isolated on May 18 after a woman there tested coronavirus positive. Photo by VnExpress/Dinh Van.

A HCMC man is among 30 new Covid-19 patients recorded in Vietnam Wednesday morning, raising the nation's infection tally in the new coronavirus wave to 1,503.

The northern province of Bac Ninh recorded 16 cases who are linked to two hotspots and have been isolated.

Its neighbor Bac Giang Province recorded 10 cases, with nine linked to the cluster at Van Trung Industrial Park in Viet Yen District and the other having had contact with a Covid-19 patient.

In the nearby Lang Son Province, two cases recorded are workers at Quang Chau Industrial Park, another Covid-19 cluster in Bac Giang, and the other case has had contact with a Covid-19 patient.

The case in HCMC is a 35-year-old man residing in Thu Duc Ciy and working at an auditing company in District 3.

His test results arrived positive within Tuesday after he came for a health check at Vinmec Hospital for suffering fever, coughing and sore throat. It is still not clear where he got the virus from but one of his female colleagues who traveled to northern Hai Phong City from April 24 and May 5 has tested positive once.

With him confirmed, HCMC has recorded the second Covid-19 case ever since the new wave hit Vietnam on April 27.

So far in the new wave, Vietnam has recorded 1,503 cases in 28 cities and provinces.

Over one million of the nation's 96-million population has been vaccinated against the new coronavirus.
India is experiencing an alarming increase in COVID-19 cases and deaths, and the United States has come to the aid of its partner. Not only have the two countries worked together on global health issues for seven decades, Indias generosity to the United States in the early days of the pandemic when hospitals in this country were strained is remembered and appreciated.

In its surge of support to combat the COVID-19 crisis in India, the U.S. government has provided more than $100 million in assistance to date. At a press briefing on May 11, State Department Spokesperson Ned Price announced six airlifts were deployed to India in the course of six days:

Among the supplies included in those airlifts: 20,000 courses of remdesivir, nearly 1,500 oxygen cylinders, 550 mobile oxygen concentrators, 1 million rapid diagnostic tests, nearly 2.5 million N-95 masks, a large-scale deployable oxygen concentration system, pulse oximeters, and I could go onIn addition, USAID immediately allocated funding to purchase locally an additional 1,000 mobile oxygen concentrators.

To maximize collaboration, the United States is also working closely with individual donors, the private sector, and NGOs. Spokesperson Price highlighted that the private sector has committed to donating another $400 million in assistance to India so far  a move, he said, the U.S. government is terrifically gratified to see.

To support the global response to end the pandemic, White House COVID-19 Response Team Senior Adviser Andrew Slavitt said that the United States is also looking at options to share safe and effective vaccines with other countries as they become available.

The Biden-Harris Administration believes strongly in intellectual property protections, but in service of ending this pandemic, the United States is also supporting a waiver of IP protections for COVID-19 Vaccines under the World Trade Organization.

The United States stands in solidarity with India as it battles this recent wave of COVID-19 cases and will continue to work closely with Indian officials and health experts to identify and respond to emerging trends in this ongoing crisis.

As Spokesperson Price has said, the U.S. commitment to come to Indias aid reflects President Bidens commitment for the United States to continue to be a leader when it comes to humanitarian relief and a leader when it comes to global public health.
Anti-vaxxers find new target to spread doubt about vaccine safety

Anti-vaxxers are spreading a conspiracy theory on social media claiming that SM-102 is not safe for human use. Many of the social media posts and videos feature the US biochemical manufacturing company Cayman Chemical which sells SM-102 as a research chemical. On the product description page for the companys SM-102, chloroform is listed as part of the formulation, a solution in chloroform.

This is being latched onto by anti-vaxxers but as is pointed out by interviews with scientists in Newsweek, this is ingenuous and easily misinterpreted. Just because this company says it sells its SM-102 product "for research use only, not for human or veterinary use" does not imply that the SM-102 Moderna uses is not safe. Furthermore, chloroform is not listed among the ingredients of the Moderna vaccine.

Al Edwards, impact lead for the pharmacy research division at the University of Reading, told Newsweek "A seller can label something as not for human consumption or use in medicines just because they don't want the product to be used in that way; the business does not want to certify that it's safe for human use." Adding "Peanuts sold for bird seed often are labelled in this way. That doesn't mean peanuts are hazardous to humans."

Full debunking
People visit a finance-themed museum in southwest China's Chongqing, May 18, 2021. A finance-themed museum opened to public on Tuesday in Chongqing. (Xinhua/Wang Quanchao)

CHONGQING, May 18 (Xinhua) -- A finance-themed museum opened on Tuesday in southwest China's Chongqing Municipality.

The three-story museum covers an area of more than 3,000 square meters and features a variety of themes including financial culture, financial history and financial education.

Construction began in June last year and was completed this month.

It is the first museum of its kind in Chongqing. It currently houses more than 700 exhibits. Enditem

3

1

[ Editor: GSY ]
The upcoming China International Consumer Products Expo in Hainan will be a new opportunity for Switzerland to attract more Chinese consumers purchasing quality luxury products without going abroad, Swiss Ambassador to China Bernardino Regazzoni said on Thursday.

"We made efforts to bring all these goods to the Hainan expo, as the broadest possible example of all what Switzerland produces in quality luxury goods," Regazzoni said in an exclusive interview prior to the opening of the expo. Switzerland is the event's only guest country of honor.

Noting that there is a growing trend of purchasing luxury goods in China, especially in Hainan, Regazzoni sees the expo as a good opportunity for Switzerland as his country is a global leader in consumer and luxury goods.

The event will be the first international expo to be held in Hainan since China last June released a master plan to build the island province into a globally influential and high-level free trade port (FTP) by the middle of the century.

"It's a big honor to be the guest country of honor at the first edition of the expo," said Regazzoni, noting that Hainan's full vision of building an FTP will, in the long term, attract more Swiss companies to make investments and start joint ventures.

There are many Swiss companies already established in China. In Hainan, Swiss investors are not only tapping into the duty-free sector, but also the pharmaceutical industry, Regazzoni added.

He noted that the presence of Swiss companies in China, which has lasted for many decades, is about producing in China for the Chinese market.

Speaking of Swiss-China relations, Regazzoni said that bilateral bonds have been pioneering in a pragmatic way as the two countries established diplomatic relations as early as 71 years ago, as well as a free-trade agreement and an innovative strategic partnership.

In 1950, Switzerland became one of the first Western nations to recognize and establish diplomatic relations with the then newly founded People's Republic of China. Both have since enjoyed long-term exchanges and cooperation, yielding remarkable fruits.

These pioneering moves highlight the history of bilateral relations, which the Swiss ambassador expects to deepen. He also expressed hopes for building dialogues that are more open and sincere toward each side.

[ Editor: WXL ]
Workers transport anti-epidemic material supplies donated by the Chinese government at Wattay International Airport in Vientiane, Laos, May 10, 2021. (Xinhua/Zhang Jianhua)

BEIJING, May 18 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Xi Jinping has been calling for building a global community of health for all as the still-rampaging COVID-19 highlights the urgency for humanity to fight as one when facing such a health crisis that recognizes no border and pities no race.

Since the begining of the pandemic, China has been carrying out global cooperation to tackle the common challenge, providing medical supplies and vaccines to other countries and regions and sharing experience in virus prevention and treating patients.

In March 2020, Xi first proposed the concept of building a global community of health for all in a message to French President Emmanuel Macron.

Xi said in the message that China is willing to make concerted efforts with France to enhance international cooperation in epidemic prevention and control, support the United Nations (UN) and the World Health Organization to play a core role in improving global public health governance, and build a global community of health for all.

Indonesian President Joko Widodo (L) receives his second injection of the COVID-19 vaccine developed by China's biopharmaceutical company Sinovac Biotech at the Presidential Palace in Jakarta, Indonesia, Jan. 27, 2021. (Muchlis Jr/Presidential Press Bureau/Handout via Xinhua)

To put the proposal into practice, China has been taking the lead in participating in global efforts to meet challenges brought by the pandemic.

In a phone conversation with his Indonesian counterpart, Joko Widodo, in April 2020, Xi noted that the coronavirus disease has broken out in multiple countries and regions.

China will uphold the vision of building a community with a shared future for mankind, share its experience and provide as much support as it can for the global battle against COVID-19, and work with other countries to promote the development of global public health and build a global community of health for all, he said.

When addressing the opening of the 73rd session of the World Health Assembly via video link in May 2020, Xi announced concrete measures to boost the global fight against COVID-19.

In his speech, Xi said, "China will provide 2 billion U.S. dollars over two years to help with COVID-19 response and with economic and social development in affected countries, especially developing countries."

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

China will work with the UN to set up a global humanitarian response depot and hub in China, ensure the operation of anti-epidemic supply chains and foster "green corridors" for fast-track transportation and customs clearance, he said.

"COVID-19 vaccine development and deployment in China, when available, will be made a global public good," said the president.

One year after making the promise, China has been unswervingly walking its talk to ensure vaccine accessibility and affordability in developing countries.

According to official data released earlier this month, China has provided vaccine assistance to more than 80 countries, and exported vaccines to more than 50 countries.

In a telephone conversation with Dominican Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit in January, Xi said China will continue providing assistance and support for developing countries, and striving to make vaccines public goods that are accessible and affordable to people in all countries.

China stands ready to increase vaccine cooperation, cement international solidarity against COVID-19, and promote the building of a global community of health for all, Xi said in a telephone conversation with his Egyptian counterpart, Abdel-Fattah al-Sisi, in February.

A health worker displays a dose of Sinopharm COVID-19 vaccine during a vaccination campaign in the West Bank city of Ramallah, on April 1, 2021. (Photo by Nidal Eshtayeh/Xinhua)

When delivering a keynote speech via video at the opening ceremony of the Boao Forum for Asia Annual Conference 2021 in April, Xi reiterated his vision for creating a future of health and security with solidarity and cooperation.

"We must put people and their lives above anything else, scale up information sharing and collective efforts, and enhance public health and medical cooperation," he said.

For this purpose, international cooperation should be bolstered on the research and development, production and distribution of vaccines, so that everyone in the world can access and afford the vaccines they need, said the Chinese president.

In his phone conversation with German Chancellor Angela Merkel in April, Xi said vaccines are used to prevent diseases and save lives, while stressing that China opposes the politicization of vaccines or "vaccine nationalism," and stands ready to work with Germany and the international community as a whole to promote fair and reasonable vaccine distribution, support and help developing countries to obtain vaccines, and contribute to humankind's common fight against the pandemic for an early victory. 

[ Editor: SRQ ]
Photo taken on May 11, 2021 shows the International Grand Bazaar in Urumqi, northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. As a key sightseeing and shopping destination in Xinjiang, the bazaar is welcome by tourists as well as locals. The bazaar stages the commercial prosperity of the Silk Road and embodies the ethnic characteristics and regional cultures. (Xinyuan Wang/Guangming Picture)

5

1

[ Editor: WXY ]
Ihor Klymenko, Head of the National Police of Ukraine

The decentralization is not just about increasing the powers of the local self-governments. It is also an exceptional opportunity to form a single security space at the local level. And here is an important moment of establishing cooperation between the police and the joint territorial communities. There are projects, the effectiveness of which depends on the interaction of these two parties. And today I will tell about three of them the most important.

Video surveillance systems  reliable monitoring of law and order

In the context of the single security space strategy, it is important to form an extensive video surveillance system. The police now have an access to nearly 31,000 CCTV cameras. The largest number of them is in the city of Kyiv  6,750, and the smallest is in the Luhansk region  327.

Why is this necessary?

Because thanks to the video surveillance systems, we have already managed to solve more than a third of crimes. And almost every offense is investigated using video from the surveillance cameras. The cameras with a video analytics system are especially valuable for the police. There are more than 3,300 of them in Ukraine. With their help you can quickly find a wanted car or person.

Therefore, with an extensive video surveillance network, the police will be able to more quickly detect crimes and work on prevention. Therefore, it is important that the local authorities take care of the safety of the residents by supporting the regional programs that provide for the installation of the video surveillance systems.

For each community  a policeman

One of the priority areas of the police and community security cooperation is the "Community Police Officer" Project implementation (abbreviated  CPO). This is a policeman whose slogan is "I'm here". He does not just serve in the territory under his jurisdiction. He lives in this joint territorial community, is a part of this community, he knows its residents and is guided by their needs.

Currently, 450 community police officers work in 19 regions of the country. They serve 279 territorial communities with a population of over 4 million citizens.

By the end of the year, we plan to complete training and send about 500 more police officers to the communities, covering up to 10 million residents of the joint territorial communities with a police presence.

Over the past two years, we have opened more than 530 police stations, in which are located the CPOs and district police officers. To understand the dynamics, three years ago there were only 4 police stations in Ukraine.

For children  a quality safe environment

The focus of the police is on the issues related to the child safety. Since the beginning of the year, more than 1,200,000 crimes committed against children and more than 1,400 criminal offenses committed by children have been registered. And for each of these figures there is a fate of a child. The story that led to these situations

Of course, the police make every effort to protect children. And in the work of the National Police, we have introduced two communication platforms:

 the first of them is "Children! Police! Community!".

Why is it important?

Because in the practice of implementing the "Community Police Officer" Project we see that the community is ready to cooperate. And together we will be able to build an effective safe environment for our children at the local level.

 the second platform is "Safe School".

The police regularly hold meetings with the students and teaching staff in the educational institutions. They are told not only about their rights but also about their responsibilities. First of all we try to give children the understanding that in case of a problem they always have someone to turn to for help.

But I think we need to work harder to protect children. That's why I initiated the reformatting of the juvenile prevention unit, the so-called children's police officers. We are currently at the stage of selecting a new staff who will receive additional training from our international partners.

We learn to communicate with children in one language in order to recognize trouble before it manifests itself.

Because our goal is not to register and solve crimes with the participation of children, but understanding and solving problems that in the future may turn into serious criminal histories.

And I am convinced that if the police, the responsible state authorities, the local self-government, and the educational bodies unite their efforts, we will be able to overcome the problem of juvenile delinquency and ensure protection of the children's rights.

These three top areas are not all joint police and community projects that we hope to implement in the near future. Each of them is important, because they are the bricks from which we build a single security space in the state, where everyone will feel protected.
The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) and Lviv City Council signed an agreement to provide the city with EUR 22 million as part of a pilot program to support Ukrainian municipalities, Lviv City Council's press service said on Wednesday.

"Today we are signing an agreement on the participation of Lviv in a pilot project jointly with the EU and the EBRD. This is a program to support Ukrainian municipalities as part of an extraordinary EU solidarity package. The city will receive a loan, the funds of which will be used to stabilize the operation of our largest utilities that suffered losses during coronavirus pandemic," the City Council's press service said, citing First Deputy Mayor of Lviv Andriy Moskalenko.

According to the statement, Lviv will receive EUR 22 million at 2.1% per annum. The EBRD is ready to provide a EUR 10 million loan to key utilities in Lviv and is ready to provide another EUR 12 million, depending on the needs of the city.

In particular, they plan to use the loan funds to ensure liquidity and the needs for working capital of the following communal enterprise Lvivelektrotrans, Lvivavtodor, Lvivteploenergo, Lvivvodokanal and Zelene Misto (Green City).
Fujifilm India announced that FUJIFILM Corporation has introduced X-ray solutions augmented with qXR, Qure.ais computed aided radiology software application designed with deep-learning Artificial Intelligence (AI) technology. According to Qure.ai, the AI will analyze X-ray images to detect abnormal findings within seconds. Fujifilms portable X-ray FDR Xair system are equipped with a new image processing box called Expansion Unit EX-Mobile enabling to connect with qXR software. It will assist clinicians and technicians by flagging abnormal findings at the point-of-care.

Qures peer-reviewed and proven chest X-ray interpretation technology, qXR can detect suspected abnormalities indicative of COVID-19, tuberculosis, lung cancer, misplaced catheters and multiple other radiological findings allowing for further review and confirmatory testing. The technology has been extensively trained on a global dataset and can be used for both adult as well as pediatric images.

Another significant advancement is that the combination of EX-Mobile with Fujifilms portable X-ray FDR Xair system will bring the benefit of Qures AI technology not only to hospitals, but also regions which are geographically distant from the cities and emergency critical care. Furthermore, it will respond to the rapidly increasing global demand for support for effective lung procedures at medical sites, especially during the disease outbreaks.

Koji Wada, General Manager, Medical Division, Fujifilm India, said, Fujifilm and Qures technology will deliver a support tool to assist the care providers for accurate diagnosis faster. With the help of Technology and special examination we can diagnose the disease while it is asymptomatic, with no signs or symptoms. The earlier detection of disease may lead to more cures or longer survival. Our partnership with Qure will support the expansion of Tuberculosis(TB) screening in India, and also other developing countries where there is limited access to such health service. We believe theres tremendous potential in this partnership.

Prashant Warier, CEO and Co-Founder, Qure.ai, said, We are delighted to partner with Fujifilm to improve quality of care by accelerating patient triage, diagnostics and treatment. Qure.ais CE- certified and WHO endorsed technology will elevate patient care and reduce radiologists workload across healthcare institutions.

Fujifilm customers will be able to select one of the clinical packages available with qXR including:

 qXR-COVID-19 which helps to monitor change of lung density.

 qXR-Lung Nodule that enables early detection of metastatic lung cancer by automated pulmonary nodule detection.

 qXR-TB helps reduce the waiting time for confirmatory tests for diseases like Tuberculosis.

 qXR-Critical Care can detect misplaced catheters and tubes which are commonly used in critical care settings for monitoring body functions and administering medications.
The Ukrainian government at the Wednesday meeting on re-elected for up to one year five incumbent members of the supervisory board of Naftogaz Ukrainy, who have resigned since May 14 due to the conflict over the change of the board's chair, Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal said.

"Thanks to the Supervisory Board for the constructive and government decision to continue its work, ensuring the stable operation of the largest state-owned company," the head of government said in his Telegram channel.

He separately thanked Naftogaz Supervisory Board's Chairperson Clare Spottiswoode, who during her speech at the Cabinet of Ministers noted the importance of teamwork for better transformation of the company.

The prime minister said the government plans to hold an absolutely transparent competition for the positions of members of the supervisory board and for the position of chairperson of the board.

"The government remains committed to further reform of corporate governance according to the best world standards, where not only rights and obligations, but also responsibility for work are clearly defined," Shmyhal said.

In turn, Spottiswoode said at the meeting that the members of the supervisory board had accepted a proposal for reappointment for up to a year on the terms of previous contracts and on the basis of a roadmap that they presented to the government last week.

"We will carefully consider any good ideas and changes in the implementation of our roadmap that the head of the board proposes to us. In assessing these ideas, we will be guided by the fact that they make sense for Naftogaz, for the country and are achievable. We are mindful of the company's contribution to finances of the country," the chairperson of the supervisory board said.

In addition to her, two more independent members of the supervisory board were re-elected, namely, Bruno Lescois (France) and Ludo van der Heyden (Belgium), as well as two representatives of the government, Natalia Boiko and Yulia Kovaliv. Since March 2020, the Supervisory Board also includes Robert Bensch (the United States), as a representative of the state of Ukraine, but he was not allowed to attend the meetings due to a possible conflict of interests.
Prosecutor of Kyiv: Damage of at least of UAH 43 mln in cases of embezzlement of capital's budget established

The prosecutor's office of Kyiv notified nine former and current employees of municipal enterprises of the capital of suspicion of embezzlement of budget funds, in cases in which suspicions have already been presented, the damage to the budget exceeds UAH 43 million, prosecutor of Kyiv Oleh Kiper said.

In an interview with the Interfax-Ukraine agency, the prosecutor of the capital said that there are 11 suspects in criminal proceedings on the facts of embezzlement of budget funds, nine of whom are current and former employees of public utilities.

"So, according to the results of searches in the office of the Spetszhytlofond municipal enterprise (housing fund), the suspicion was reported to three persons - the deputy director of the enterprise, the former deputy of the same enterprise, as well as the director of the contracting company. They are suspected of embezzling UAH 10.5 million, which were allocated from the city budget for the construction and reconstruction of engineering networks," the prosecutor of the capital said.

In this context, he continued: "Seven persons were informed of suspicion of embezzlement in the Department of Social Policy of Kyiv City State Administration. Three current officials of the said department are among the suspects, including the deputy head, as well as four former employees, whose actions caused UAH 13.5 million in damage during the procurement of medical supplies."

Another suspicion, according to Kiper, concerns tax evasion for the use of communal land.

"The suspicion was reported to the director of a private company, whose actions inflicted damage to the capital's budget in the amount of UAH 19.5 million," the capital's prosecutor added.

Answering the question about the whole amount of damage of all investigated cases of embezzlement of the budget, the prosecutor of Kyiv said: "Under those proceedings in which the suspicion has already been reported, we are talking about the damage of more than UAH 43 million. The total amount on all proceedings is many times more."

According to Kiper, in some criminal proceedings it is not about direct damage to the capital's budget, but about abuses by the capital's officials when issuing permits, as well as illegal extortions from entrepreneurs.

The capital's prosecutor added that the investigative actions in these proceedings are still ongoing.
Legislation violations in rent payment for land revealed in Kyiv State Administration for total amount of more than UAH 100 mln

As a result of the searches conducted in the department of land resources of Kyiv City State Administration, employees of the State Fiscal Service (SFS) exposed the fact of tax evasion on an especially large scale by a number of enterprises, the press service of the State Fiscal Service said on Wednesday.

"It was established that the director of one of the enterprises, from 2013 to the present, used land plots without registration of title documents for them, did not pay rent for communal property. Such actions entailed grave consequences to public interests in the form of non-receipt of funds for rent in the amount of more than UAH 19 million," the message says.

It notes that when submitting a declaration of payment of land tax and rent for the use of communal property, for the period 2017-2018, the defendant deliberately underestimated the area and the normative monetary value of the land plot.

"The director of the said company has been put on the wanted list on the facts of these offenses. Now the head of the said enterprise is hiding from the pretrial investigation bodies. Measures are being taken to establish the whereabouts of the wanted person," the SFS reports.

They clarify that, as part of the pretrial investigation, the possible involvement of officials of Kyiv City State Administration in committing offenses that entailed grave consequences to the interests of the territorial community of the city of Kyiv in the form of "groundlessly not received (lost) funds of rent for the actual use of land plots by officials of enterprises in Kyiv" is being studied.

As reported, as a result of the searches, cadastral files of land plots located in Kyiv were found and seized, indicating a violation of legislation in the field of paying rent for land for a total of more than UAH 100 million.

"According to these facts, 11 criminal proceedings were entered into the Single Register of Pretrial Investigations for committing criminal offenses in the area of abuse of power or official position," the fiscal service said.

As reported, last week the State Fiscal Service conducted searches in the department of land resources of Kyiv City State Administration.

It was noted that according to the available information, the director of one of the capital's enterprises did not conclude a lease agreement for a land plot administered by Kyiv City State Administration. It is about tax evasion in the amount of about UAH 20 million.
MP Andriy Aksionov, elected in the midterm elections in constituency No. 50, has taken the oath in the Verkhovna Rada.

During the plenary session, representatives of the opposition blocked the rostrum and accompanied the process of taking the oath by Aksionov with shouts of "Disgrace" (Hanba), an Interfax-Ukraine correspondent reported.

Before that, first deputy chairman of the Verkhovna Rada Ruslan Stefanchuk had gathered the leaders of parliamentary factions and groups for a short meeting on this matter, after which he said that he had clarified with the parliamentary staff the day before whether there were any legal grounds that would prevent Aksionov from taking an oath.

In view of the absence of those, Stefanchuk gave the floor to Akionov. At the same time, given the blocking of the parliamentary rostrum by members of opposition factions and some non-factional deputies, the first deputy speaker suggested that the new parliamentarian take the oath from the seat.

In addition, Deputy Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada Olena Kondratiuk turned to the Security Service of Ukraine with a request to provide an official clarification about the possible existence of Aksionov's citizenship of the Russian Federation.

As reported, on March 28, 2021, midterm elections to the Verkhovna Rada were held in single-mandate constituencies No. 50 in Donetsk region and No. 87 in Ivano-Frankivsk region, in which 32 candidates took part.

According to the results of electronic processing of 100% of the protocols, representative of the political party Order Andriy Aksionov won in the 50th constituency, gaining 65.46% of the votes.

At the same time, representative of Ukraine to the Trilateral Contact Group on the settlement of the situation in Donbas, Denys Kazansky, noted on his Facebook page that Aksionov in 2014, being the village head of Dobropillia, allegedly contributed to the organization of a "referendum" on the self-determination of the "Donetsk People's Republic".

In support of this, a video dated May 12, 2014 was published in the internet, where "DPR fans" from neighboring towns thank Aksionov for organizing a "referendum."

Later, first deputy chairman of the parliament Stefanchuk said that the CEC and the Rada would have to react if the Security Service of Ukraine confirms information about Aksionov's citizenship of the Russian Federation, as well as the fact of his involvement in organizing a "referendum" in Dobropillia on the self-determination of the "Donetsk People's Republic."

Also, according to Kazansky, Aksionov has dual citizenship - of Ukraine and the Russian Federation, which is confirmed by information from the database of the Federal Tax Service of the Russian Federation.

In addition, in May 2018, the prosecutor's office of Donetsk region, together with the SBU in Donetsk and Luhansk regions, informed Aksionov of suspicion of official forgery (Part 1 of Article 366 of the Criminal Code), forgery and the use of documents (Part 4 of Article 358 of the Criminal Code), misappropriation, embezzlement of property or taking possession of it through abuse of office (Part 2, 3, Article 191 of the Criminal Code).

According to the investigation, Aksionov committed such actions with the aim of illegally visiting the temporarily occupied Autonomous Republic of Crimea. On January 29, 2019, Kramatorsk City Court chose for Aksionov night house arrest for two months as a preventive measure.
Ukrainians, who come to Poland to work will have the opportunity to receive the COVID-19 vaccine from Johnson & Johnson at border checkpoints with Ukraine, Polish Radio reports with reference to the Wirtualna portal.

"It will be like a filter that protects the country from the introduction of coronavirus from the outside. Right now, we register several infected people at our testing points near the border with Ukraine every day. People who come to work in Poland must also be vaccinated, which will strengthen our protection," the media outlet quoted head of the medical center CM Medyk in Rzeszow, one of the organizers of the vaccination campaign in Pidkarpattia Stanyslav Mazur.

According to him, Ukrainians who come to Poland will be offered a vaccine from Johnson & Johnson. The use of a single-dose drug will avoid possible complications when organizing the administration of the second dose.

"We have received many signals from employers that they want such vaccinations. Companies that hire foreigners for construction sites, for seasonal work, fear an outbreak of coronavirus, which will subsequently block work," Mazur explained.
President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky held the meeting with Prime Minister of the Republic of Estonia Kaja Kallas, during which the parties signed a statement on Estonia's readiness to support Ukraine's upcoming accession to the EU.

According to the presidential press service on Wednesday, the head of the Ukrainian state expressed gratitude to the Estonian side for the continued support of the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine, in particular in the context of Estonia's non-permanent membership in the UN Security Council in 2020-2021.

"I know that yesterday you were in Donbas, in particular at the Stanytsia Luhanska checkpoint and the Schastia checkpoint. I thank you for this, both from myself and from all citizens of Ukraine. It is important for me that the leaders of other countries come and see with their own eyes the situation in Donbas, see our attitude to the citizens living in the territory controlled by the Ukrainian government," Zelensky said.

He also thanked Estonia for the constant assistance in the medical rehabilitation of Ukrainian military personnel and for the allocation of financial assistance in the amount of EUR 500,000 for humanitarian purposes in Donetsk and Luhansk regions.

In addition, the President of Ukraine noted the readiness of the Estonian side to join cooperation in the framework of the Crimean Platform summit in Kyiv on August 23, 2021.

The interlocutors paid special attention to the priority steps of Ukraine towards deepening relations with the European Union.

The head of state pointed out the strategic goal of Ukraine, which is to acquire full membership in the EU, and expressed gratitude to Estonia for traditionally active support in the implementation of this ambitious task.

Following the talks, the President of Ukraine and the Prime Minister of the Republic of Estonia signed the joint statement on priority areas of bilateral cooperation. The document separately fixes Estonia's readiness to support Ukraine's future accession to the EU and its willingness to assist our country in achieving the membership criteria.

"Ukraine is always in the heart of the Estonian people. And we always try our best to support Ukraine within all possible platforms - the European Union, NATO, the UN," Kaja Kallas said.

As reported, the Prime Minister of Estonia is in Ukraine on a three-day visit.
The Verkhovna Rada Committee on Public Health, Medical Assistance and Medical Insurance has supported the candidacy of Deputy Health Minister, Chief Sanitary Doctor of Ukraine Viktor Liashko for the post of Health Minister.

This decision was made by the committee's members at the Wednesday meeting.
Latvia has handed over certificates for receiving humanitarian aid to residents of Donetsk region who have suffered from the armed aggression of the Russian Federation.

"It is so important today that my country, Latvia, helps Ukraine in this difficult time [...] Latvia has always helped Ukraine [...] And we will continue to be a good friend for you, good advisor when you need our help. You can always rely and count on us," Speaker of the Saeima of the Republic of Latvia Inara Murniece said during the transfer of humanitarian aid on Wednesday in Kramatorsk, Donetsk region.

As Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada Dmytro Razumkov noted, Ukraine constantly feels the support of Latvia in the struggle for territorial integrity, independence and the return of Ukrainian territories. "This is assistance at the PACE level, this is joint work within the framework of Baltic+, this is assistance to our servicemen who have been injured and are undergoing rehabilitation in Latvia, and much more that can be talked about for hours," he said.

As the Interfax-Ukraine correspondent reports, the Central City Hospital of Toretsk, the military-civil administration of Avdiyivka and the Christian mission of mercy Kovcheh received the certificates.

As reported, Razumkov and Murniece are visiting Donetsk region on Wednesday with a working trip. Murniece is in Ukraine on a four-day official visit.
KYIV. May 19 (Interfax-Ukraine)  Some 45% of Ukrainians believe that Ukrainian businessman and MP Viktor Medvedchuk should incur criminal punishment and serve the maximum term stipulated by Ukrainian legislation for the crimes of which he is accused, without the possibility of appealing the sentence.

This is evidenced by the data of the sociological survey "Assessment of the latest news and events. The attitude of the Ukrainian society to the development of the situation around the Viktor Medvedchuk case," presented at Interfax-Ukraine by the Ukrainian Institute for the Future (UIF) analytical center.

According to the survey, 23% of respondents believe that Medvedchuk should receive the maximum criminal punishment and become a valuable exchange fund for Ukrainian patriots, 20% are sure that he should be deprived of his Ukrainian citizenship and deported to Russia, 7% believe that he should be acquitted and restored in all his rights and only 5% are sure that he should receive a suspended sentence if the Russian leadership makes concessions.

At the same time, 24% of respondents were undecided about their position regarding Medvedchuk on this issue.

At the same time, 40% of respondents believe that Medvedchuk's trial will turn into a circus, 15% are sure that the trial will be long, and its result will be an acquittal, 14% believe that as a result of a long trial, Medvedchuk will receive a suspended sentence and according to 8% of respondents, the trial will be long, but with a real sentence as a result. Only 6% believe that the trial will be quick  with a real or suspended sentence, or with an acquittal. Some 17% of respondents were undecided.

In addition, 67% of respondents believe that the measure of restraint in the form of house arrest for Medvedchuk does not correspond to the severity of the suspicion of high treason, 29% believe that it is more likely not to correspond, 11% believe that it does, 17% of respondents are sure that Medvedchuk should have been released from the courtroom and 17% were undecided.

Also, 44% believe that a criminal case should be initiated against Medvedchuk's wife Oksana Marchenko, 29% disagree with this and 24% could not decide.

At the same time, 33% of surveyed Ukrainians consider Medvedchuk a politician who hates everything Ukrainian and dreams of Ukraine becoming part of Russia, 25% consider him a businessman for whom politics is money, 16% see him as a traitor to Ukraine's interests and a professional Russian spy.

At the same time, 9% of the respondents admitted that they consider Medvedchuk a professional and pragmatic politician and lawyer, who has his own vision of the vector for the development of a successful Ukraine, 2% called him a patriot of Ukraine, and 15% could not decide on an unambiguous position on this issue.

The sociological survey was conducted from May 15 to May 17 using the online survey method with a structured questionnaire. The sample was 1,200 respondents throughout Ukraine, with the exception of the temporarily occupied territories of Donetsk and Luhansk regions and Crimea. The statistical error with a probability of 0.95% does not exceed 3.5%.
The bilateral trade in the first 10 months of last year hit US$ 10.34 billion, a year-on-year rise of 17.98 percent, according to Dr. Vu Thuy Trang, Director of the Centre for Russian and CIS Studies at the Institute for European Studies under the Vietnam Academy of Social Sciences.

The seminar, which brought together more than 20 Vietnamese and Russian scholars, looked into trade and investment cooperation outcomes between the two countries since the free trade agreement between Vietnam and the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) came into force in October 2016.

The participants also pointed out limitations and proposed solutions and recommendations for boosting the ties.

Many said Vietnams export revenue to the EAEU has still remained modest as compared with their potential.

Vietnam has signed an array of FTAs with countries worldwide and posted marked economic growth, they said, noting that there are ample room for Vietnam and Russia to step up their economic and trade links.
The World Bank has priced a $2.5 billion 5-year Sustainable Development Bond maturing in July 2026,attracting more than 75 orders and an order book reaching over $3.1 billion with strong demand from central banks and official institutions.



Investors included those integrating Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) criteria in their investment process, as well as those seeking to achieve positive impact through the selection of issuers, like the World Bank, that incorporate climate action and sustainability throughout their operations.



BofA Securities, Citi, J.P. Morgan, and Nomura are the lead managers for the transaction. The bond will be listed on the Luxembourg Stock Exchange.



Against a market tightening backdrop, the bond priced at a spread vs. the reference US Treasury of +13.55 basis points, resulting in an equivalent annual yield of 0.963%.



We are grateful to the investors in todays issue, and all who support the World Banks mission through the purchase of its bonds, said Jingdong Hua, Vice President and Treasurer, World Bank. Their investment leverages World Bank shareholders capital to mobilize financing in support of sustainable development to achieve positive environmental and social impact, including critical COVID-19 response projects and programs.



On this transaction, the World Bank demonstrated once again its strong sponsorship from the global investor base, particularly central banks and official institutions. In a difficult market backdrop, they succeeded in securing over 60% of support from this investor segment. This US dollar benchmark rounds off an incredible series of seven-dollar financings for a total of $40 billion from the funding team over the fiscal year, said Adrien de Naurois, Managing Director & Head of EMEA Investment Grade Syndicate, BofA Securities.  TradeArabia News Service


Chairing the event, Chairman of the Party Central Committees Commission for External Relations Le Hoai Trung informed the Cambodian side on the key content of the congress's documents and stressed that the congress affirmed Vietnams policy on staying steadfast in creatively applying and developing the Marxism-Leninism and Ho Chi Minh's thought to serve the goal of national independence and socialism. The congress has also set forth the nations development goals toward 2025 and 2030 and its vision toward 2045.

Chairman of the Party Central Committees Commission for External Relations Trung stated that Vietnam consistently implements the foreign policy of independence, self-reliance, multilateralisation, and diversification of external relations.

Vietnam proactively and actively works for comprehensive and extensive global integration as well as to maintain a peaceful and stable environment and constantly improve its international position and prestige, the official added.

He underscored that the Vietnamese Party and State always attach great importance and give top priority to the good neighbourliness, traditional friendship, and comprehensive, long-term, and sustainable cooperation between Vietnam and Cambodia.

Co-chairing the conference, head of the CPP central committees commission for external relations Prak Sokhon expressed his delight at the success of the congress and his belief that under the CPVs leadership, Vietnamese people will reap more fruitful outcomes in building and protecting the nation.

The official, who is also Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, thanked Vietnam for its significant assistance for Cambodia in the past and his nations current response to COVID-19.

Acknowledging the development of the Vietnam  Cambodia ties, the two sides pledged to continue promoting bilateral engagements between the two parties and countries across fields, particularly in COVID-19 prevention and control.

They said they will work together to effectively implement the countries high-level agreements and vowed to do their utmost to protect and foster the Vietnam  Cambodia relations.
Aus4Innovation is a development assistance programme that aims to strengthen Vietnams innovation system and help shape Vietnams innovation agenda in science and technology.

With the approved fund, total budget for the programme will reach AUD13.45 million, according to the announcement released by the Australian Embassy in Vietnam on May 18.

The additional funding will be used for activities within the programme while implementing initiatives to adapt to the post-COVID-19 economic recovery and prepare for the later phase of the programme until 2025.

Speaking at a meeting with the Vietnamese Minister of Science and Technology, Australian Ambassador to Vietnam, Robyn Mudie said I am delighted that, four years since Australia and Vietnam established an innovative partnership, the Aus4Innovation programme has brought about many concrete and meaningful results, creating a positive impact on the lives of the Vietnamese people.

She also emphasised that the increase of investment in innovation with a fund of AUD3.5 million has reaffirmed Australia's commitment to promoting the strategic partnership with Vietnam with priorities given to knowledge and innovation.

Vietnamese Minister of Science and Technology Huynh Thanh Dat said that Vietnam appreciates the Australian Government's support through the Aus4Innovation programme and is also pleased to see what the programme has achieved as well as its influence on Vietnam's innovation ecosystem.

He noted that Vietnam will continue to work closely with Australia to ensure the success of the transitional phase, and looks forward to the broader impact of second phase of the programme.
With more than 12,000 respondents, it is one of the most extensive surveys about living and working abroad, sharing insight into expat life in 59 destinations.

The survey offers in-depth information on expats satisfaction with the quality of life, ease of settling in, working life, personal finance, and the cost of living in their respective country of residence. Additionally, the respondents shared about how they have been experiencing the COVID-19 pandemic and how it has impacted their lives.

Vietnam also does well in the Working Abroad Index (9th), with the vast majority of expats (86%) expressing overall job satisfaction.

Vietnam is also highly appreciated for its beautiful beaches, delicious food and fascinating culture, making it a great place for anyone looking for new experiences.

According to the Expat Insider 2021 survey, Taiwan (China), Mexico, Costa Rica, Malaysia, Portugal, New Zealand, Australia, Ecuador and Canada are also on the list of the best destinations for expats worldwide: all of them attract expats with their ease of settling in and good personal finances.
Former Federal Reserve Chairman Janet Yellen speaks during a panel discussion at the American Economic Association/Allied Social Science Association (ASSA) (Photo : REUTERS/Christopher Aluka Berry/File Photo)

U.S. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen tried to sell President Joe Biden's $2.2 trillion corporate tax hike and infrastructure plans to the U.S. Chamber of Commerce on Tuesday, saying that the proposals will improve the profitability and competitiveness of American corporations.



Yellen told a Chamber online conference that the "American Jobs Plan" infrastructure investments would have a direct payoff to the American people, create jobs and simply "return the corporate tax rate toward historical norms."



Advertisement

"We are confident that the investments and tax proposals in the Jobs Plan, taken as a package, will enhance the net profitability of our corporations and improve their global competitiveness. We hope that business leaders will see it this way and support the Jobs Plan," she said.



Yellen is taking her pitch for Biden's tax and spending plans directly to an organization that is deeply opposed to raising the corporate tax rate, which was cut to 21% from 35% by the Trump administration and Republicans in Congress in 2017. Biden is proposing to raise the rate to 28%, while negotiating a global minimum corporate tax with major economies.



CHAMBER NOT PERSUADED



Chamber CEO Suzanne Clark said after Yellen's remarks that tax hikes would erect a barrier to economic recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic.



"The data and the evidence are clear, the proposed tax increases would greatly disadvantage U.S. businesses and harm American workers," said Clark, who took over leadership of the influential business lobby group in March.



"The administration is right to champion infrastructure, and we want to be there with them to do that, but there are other ways to finance it," she added.



The Chamber has favored more traditional means of infrastructure financing, such as increased fuel taxes and other user fees.



Biden's proposal goes well beyond traditional infrastructure such as roads and bridges and proposes to invest in broadband networks, research and development, modernized schools and expanded child care to bring more women into the workforce.



Yellen said that the package will "make up for lost time" in investing in renewable energy technologies and protecting against cyber threats.



"The transition to a greener economy will provide a multi-decade boost to the economy, creating jobs along the way as the private sector participates in the development of new technologies, new investments, and the new products that will drive the global economic transformation."



Yellen also said Biden's American Families Plan will enhance education from early childhood to community college to help build a competitive workforce and fight childhood poverty. The plan would be financed by increases in tax rates for the wealthiest Americans and higher capital gains taxes for those earning more than $1 million a year.



She also said that in the areas of trade and investment, the Biden administration will fight for a level playing field and "confront adversaries who take advantage by ignoring or abusing rules and norms of behavior".


Silhouettes of mobile users are seen next to a screen projection of Instagram logo in this picture illustration (Photo : REUTERS/Dado Ruvic/Illustration/File Photo)

A group of Democratic U.S. lawmakers on Tuesday urged Facebook Inc to drop plans for a version of photo-sharing app Instagram for children younger than 13, saying the social media company had failed to "make meaningful commitments to protecting kids online."



Senators Ed Markey and Richard Blumenthal and Representatives Kathy Castor and Lori Trahan said Facebook had not addressed their concerns. Facebook told the lawmakers in an April 26 letter made public on Tuesday that it does not have a set timeline for the version, but expects development will "take many months."



Advertisement

"Facebook has a clear record of failing to protect children on its platforms," the lawmakers said in a joint statement. "When it comes to putting people before profits, Facebook has forfeited the benefit of the doubt, and we strongly urge Facebook to abandon its plans to launch a version of Instagram for kids."



Last week, a group of 40 state attorneys general also urged Facebook Chief Executive Mark Zuckerberg to abandon those plans.



A Facebook spokesman said Tuesday "as every parent knows, kids are already online. We want to improve this situation by delivering experiences that give parents visibility and control over what their kids are doing."



The company said previously it will not show ads in any Instagram version for people under 13.



The letter from the state attorneys general cited 2019 media reports that Facebook's Messenger Kids app, intended for kids between the ages of six and 12, "contained a significant design flaw that allowed children to circumvent restrictions on online interactions and join group chats with strangers that were not previously approved by the children's parents."



Last month, the Campaign for a Commercial-Free Childhood also called on Zuckerberg not to create a kids version, saying it would put them at "great risk."


Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte speaks during the arrival ceremony for the first COVID-19 vaccines to arrive (Photo : REUTERS/Eloisa Lopez)

President Rodrigo Duterte said on Tuesday the Philippines would not waver in defence of its interests in the South China Sea, even though he had barred his ministers from talking about the situation there in public.



China's maritime conduct has been a constant problem for Duterte but he has refrained from criticising Beijing and instead praised its leadership, hoping to secure investment.



Advertisement

But after weeks of rebukes of China by his ministers over the presence of hundreds of fishing vessels in the Philippines' Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), he told his ministers on Monday they must refrain from discussing the matter.



"If we talk, we talk but just among us," he said in a televised address.



On Tuesday, he said his order should not be construed as weakness and that maritime patrols must continue.



"Our agencies have been directed to do what they must and should to protect and defend our nation's interest," Duterte said in a statement. "We will not waver in our position."



Beijing claims almost the entire South China Sea and has built military installations equipped with missiles on reefs in disputed areas, including within the Philippine EEZ, alongside a constant presence of coastguard and fishing vessels.



Duterte's defence and foreign ministers and his legal adviser have taken strong positions lately on what they have called a "swarming and threatening" presence of Chinese vessels they believes are manned by militias.



China's embassy in Manila has denied the presence of militias. It did not respond to requests for comment on Monday and Tuesday.



The gag order could lessen tensions at the rhetorical level, said Aaron Jed Rabena of the Asia-Pacific Pathways to Progress, a Manila-based think tank.



"It could be that President Duterte has realised that it's high time for his administration to speak with one voice given the mixed signals...which show a government that is incoherent," Rabena said.



The same day Duterte announced the gag order, the foreign ministry filed another diplomatic protest against China over the annual summer fishing ban Beijing imposed in the South China Sea from May 1 to August 16, saying it was "a violation of Philippines' sovereignty and sovereign rights".



"And with the new Chinese coast guard law, it effectively grants Chinese coastguard freedom and authority to use force within what it considers its maritime jurisdiction," Foreign Ministry official Marie Yvette Banzon-Abalos said.



Abalos was referring to a law that China passed in January that allowed its coast guard to fire on foreign vessels.



She said this put at risk the legitimate right of Filipino fishermen to fish in Philippine territory and the exclusive economic zone.


Israel's Iron Dome anti-missile system fires to intercept a rocket launched from the Gaza Strip towards Israel, as seen from Ashkelon, southern Israel (Photo : REUTERS/Ammar Awad)

Israel and Gaza militants vowed to keep fighting after U.S. President Joe Biden urged Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to seek a "de-escalation" on Wednesday on the path to a ceasefire in the 10-day conflict.



An Egyptian security source said the two sides had agreed in principle to a ceasefire after help from mediators, although details were still being negotiated in secret amid public denials of a deal to prevent it from collapsing.



Advertisement

Palestinian health officials said that since fighting began on May 10, 228 people had been killed in aerial bombardments that have worsened an already dire humanitarian situation in Gaza.



Israeli authorities put the death toll at 12 in Israel, where repeated rocket attacks have caused panic and sent people rushing into shelters.



Regional and U.S.-led diplomatic efforts to secure a ceasefire have intensified but so far failed. Cross-border fire continued unabated after Biden's latest call for calm, and Gaza's Islamist rulers Hamas and other militants vowed defiance.



Netanyahu has repeatedly hailed what he has described as support from the United States, Israel's main ally, for a right to self-defence in battling attacks from Gaza, home to two million Palestinians.



But Biden put the Israeli leader on notice in a telephone call that it was time to lower the intensity of the conflict.



"The two leaders had a detailed discussion on the state of events in Gaza, Israel's progress in degrading the capabilities of Hamas and other terrorist elements, and ongoing diplomatic efforts by regional governments and the United States," White House spokeswoman Karine Jean-Pierre told reporters.



"The president conveyed to the prime minister that he expected a significant de-escalation today on the path to a ceasefire."



'QUIET AND SECURITY'



In a statement released soon after her comments, Netanyahu said: "I am determined to continue this operation until its objective is achieved - to restore quiet and security to you, the citizens of Israel."



Netanyahu had earlier told a meeting with foreign envoys to Israel that "it is not possible to set a timeframe" for the operations, Israeli media reported.



In response to Biden's de-escalation call, Hamas spokesman Hazem Qassam said those who sought to restore calm must "compel Israel to end its aggression in Jerusalem and its bombardment of Gaza".



Once that happened, Qassam said, "there can be room to talk about arrangements to restore calm".



The leader of Islamic Jihad, another Gaza militant group, said political talks "remain at a standstill".



"The only path towards freedom (is) to protect Jerusalem and people," said Islamic Jihad chief Ziad Al-Nakhala.



With Gaza rocket fire continuing into Wednesday night, a 72-year-old man was moderately injured when a rocket struck his house in the southern Israeli city of Sderot, medics said.



In Gaza, the sounds of explosions roared at nightfall with heavy bombardments reported in the enclave's centre and south.



Hamas began firing rockets on May 10 in retaliation for what it said were Israeli rights abuses against Palestinians in Jerusalem during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan.



The rocket attacks followed Israeli security police clashes with worshippers at al-Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem and a court case by Israeli settlers to evict Palestinians from a neighbourhood in Israeli-annexed East Jerusalem.



In a 25-minute attack overnight into Wednesday, Israel bombarded targets including what its military said were tunnels in southern Gaza used by Hamas.



Some 50 rockets were fired from the enclave, the Israeli military said, with sirens sounding in the coastal city of Ashdod, south of Tel Aviv, and other areas.



Around 4,000 rockets have been fired from Gaza since May 10, most of which have been intercepted by missile defences, the Israeli military said. Some 600 fell in Gaza, it said.



CRATERS AND RUBBLE



Nearly 450 buildings in densely populated Gaza have been destroyed or badly damaged, including six hospitals and nine primary-care health centres, and more than 52,000 Palestinians have been displaced, the U.N. humanitarian agency said.



"Whoever wants to learn about the humanity of the (Israelis) should come to the Gaza Strip and look at the houses that got destroyed on top of those who lived in them," said university lecturer Ahmed al-Astal, standing by the rubble of his house in Khan Younis in southern Gaza.



The hostilities are the most serious between Hamas and Israel in years, and, in a departure from previous Gaza conflicts, have helped fuel street violence in Israeli cities between Jews and Arabs.



The conflict has also spilled over to the Israel-Lebanon frontier and stoked violence in the occupied West Bank.



Four rockets were launched towards Israel from Lebanon on Wednesday, the third such incident since the Gaza conflict began, the military said. There was no claim of responsibility.



In the West Bank, Israeli troops shot dead a Palestinian woman who the military said had fired a rifle at troops and civilians. At least 21 Palestinians have been killed in clashes with Israeli troops or other incidents in the West Bank since May 10, Palestinian officials said.



Gaza medical officials say the Palestinian death toll includes 65 children, and that more than 1,600 people have been wounded since the fighting began. Israeli authorities say the death toll in Israel includes two children.


Focusing on Al-Khalifa District in Sayeda Zeinab, Al-Hattaba district down by the citadel, and Al-Imam Al-Shafii district, Al-Ibrashys participatory conservation initiative puts all community stake holders in one proper sentence

As Egypt celebrates her women, Ahram Online shed the light on some successful models and the men behind them

A born community leader and educator, Gamila Sabry remains an inspiring figure of women's empowerment in Egypt

While Egypt yet strives for women's right to proper education, let alone higher education, Ahram Online celebrates the woman behind the founding of Cairo University

In 2015, Egypt bid farewell to one of her dearest social activists and women's rights poineers, Aziza Hussein
As the world watches yet another eviction of Palestinians from their homes for Israeli settlers, Ahram Online shares photos of Jerusalem before the occupation, circa 1925

At the premises of the Cairo Opera House, the walls were adorned with marvellous architectural gems

Ahram Online remembers the opening of the Suez Canal on 17 November 1869

On 21 March 1956, Egypt celebrated it's first National Mothers day

This edition of Cairo Photo Week (March 11-20) came with many happy surprises, one is the re-opening of Rawabet art space, and the other is bringing Gaza to the heart of Cairo
From 12- 18 June 2021, Cairo hosts the annual International Festival for Drums and Traditional Arts.

This morning, the whole village of Tunis  located in the Fayoum governorate  attended the funeral of Evelyne Porret, who was known as the lady of Tunis village.

Fayoum Tourism Authority announced on Tuesday the death of Evelyne Porret, known as 'The lady of Tunis Village.' The ...

The Garagous pottery factory will resume its iconic pottery production and development project without the masters of the trade, sadly

Ahead of her singing the night away in Egypt this week, Ahram Online talked to Ghalia Benali about her tribute to Umm Kalthoum, her joint album in the footsteps of Rumi and her latest Film of My Egypt
Work is progressing to provide finance that keep pace with the emerging needs of Bahraini micro-entrepreneurs and to avoid the negative repercussions of the Covid-19 pandemic on their projects, said Ebdaa Microfinance CEO Dr Khaled Al Ghazzawi.

Ebdaa Microfinance will work through its new name to boost its marketing identity and its presence in the field of providing easy financing without guarantees for Bahrainis who wish to develop their existing projects or launch new projects that contribute to diversifying sources of income and support economic growth in line with Bahrains Vision 2030, Dr Al Ghazzawi said.

We trust that Bahrain will be one of the first countries around the world to reopen its economy again due to the rapid vaccination process. We believe that it is our duty to be ready to assume our national responsibility and play our role in contributing to the efforts of the government to restore the economic sector in Bahrain to the path of rapid growth. Our team will remain committed to the highest standards of quality in providing service, actively following up on clients financing needs and guiding them in the field of developing their projects, Dr Al Ghazzawi concluded.

Ebdaa Microfinance was established under the title of Bank in the Kingdom of Bahrain in 2009 as the first specialised entity for microfinance with a capital of $5 million. It focuses on supporting the realisation of Bahrains Vision 2030 by helping people to engage in new and innovative economic projects.

Since its inception, the bank has succeeded in disbursing more than 16,300 micro-loans to Bahraini entrepreneurs, totalling nearly BD19.4 million ($51.46 million), of which about 63% were directed to Bahraini women and men under the age of 45 years.-- TradeArabia News Service
This year, trees have been brought down and much green space was lost, however, Egypt remains in possession of a great history of plants  reminders that our identity is one of green, water, and beauty

Founder of 'Description of Alexandria' (2013), is where the young Alexandrian artist beholds documentation of the cultural and architectural heritage of Alexandria

As Egyptians celebrate the holy month of Ramadan, our traditions of hymnody captivate the heart and speak the secrets of love and the creator

In her book, Riham Arram publishes rare documents that tell what life was like during the khedival period

After missing the joy of Ramadan last year due to restrictions imposed at the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, Egyptians have a target this year to reclaim the brilliance of the holy month
Egypt will start to produce its first 2 million doses of the Chinese Sinovac coronavirus vaccine in June, Health Minister Hala Zayed said Sunday, under agreements Egypt signed with China last month.

This is part of 40 million Sinovav doses scheduled to be produced in the first year according to the agreements, Zayed told a press conference at the Egyptian Holding Company for Biological Products and Vaccines (VACSERA).

The minister said Egypt will receive the first shipment of the Sinovac material required for producing the final product on 18 May.

The local end-product will then undergo assessment by the Egyptian Drug Authority (EDA) for few weeks before they become available.

VACSERA and the Sinovac biopharmaceutical company signed two agreements on 21 April to manufacture the vaccine so as to cover the countrys vaccination needs and also allow Egypt to export excess doses to Africa.

As per the first agreement, Sinovac will provide VACSERA the know-how and technical assistance for manufacturing the COVID-19 vaccine in Egypt.

The second agreement stipulates that Sinovac gives VACSERA the license to manufacture, re-pack and pack the COVID-19 vaccine in VACSERA facilities.

The vaccine will be produced in the VACSERA factories.

Zayed said the locally produced Sinovac vaccine will be dubbed Sinovac-Vacsera and will have the Made in Egypt label.

She noted that it will later be fully manufactured in Egypt after implementing the agreement on transferring the manufacturing technology.

Like the Chinese Sinopharm vaccine, Sinovac is an inactivated virus vaccine, Zayed said.

Egypt received its first Sinopharm shipment late last year consisting of 50,000 doses. This was the first vaccine Egypt could obtain before it received the AstraZeneca late in January.

Egypt has so far received hundreds of thousands of both vaccines and is scheduled to receive millions of doses through the COVID-19 Vaccines Global Access (COVAX) and Sinopharm over the coming weeks.

Zayed said Egypt expects a large shipment of doses on Monday but did not reveal the vaccine name.

This comes few days after Zayed said Egypt will receive a total of 4.9 million doses this month, including 500,000 Sinopharm doses.

The minister said the ministry will allocate vehicles and vaccination facilities to expand the vaccination campaign nationwide.

She also noted that vaccination teams will station around pension service offices so as to administer the vaccine to the elderly.

Zayed said she will inspect the new Fair Zone vaccination centre after the Muslims Eid Al-Fitr, which is designed to vaccine 10,000-15,000 citizens per day.

Zayed added the ministry called on the governors to allocate similar big centres in their governorates, noting that a similar centre will soon be inaugurated in Giza.

The minister reassured citizens that the coronavirus situation in Egypt is stable despite the slightly increasing cases, reiterating that there are enough places in hospitals for coronavirus patients.

Zayed said a slight increase in the coronavirus cases is expected during the coming period due to some citizens non-adherence to the precautionary measures during Ramadan and before the Eid.

She also noted that the coronavirus situation in Upper Egypt, which had reportedly worsened over the past month, is significantly improving.

She also affirmed that the country has not recognized other coronavirus variants as relevant examinations are being carried out.

Short link:


US Special Envoy for the Horn of Africa Jeffrey Feltman said in a meeting with Ethiopian officials on Monday that his country is committed to helping Egypt, Sudan and Ethiopia find a win-win outcome under the AU-led Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) negotiations, Ethiopian Minister of Water, Irrigation and Energy Seleshi Bekele said in a statement.

This is the fourth stop for Feltman  after Egypt, Sudan and Eritrea  in a tour to discuss the GERD and regional issues after assuming his position in the region last week.

Gedion Asfaw, a member of the Ethiopian GERD negotiating group who attended the discussion, told Ethiopian News Agency (ENA) that the US special envoy was told that Ethiopia would move forward with the second filling of the dam this rainy season.

Asfaw claimed that the filling would be carried out according to the direction set by the experts of all three countries, and that Ethiopia was committed to consolidating the tripartite negotiations mediated by the African Union.

Regarding the role of observers, the Ethiopian team told the Special Envoy that observers are expected to provide support to the three countries but not intervene to violate the rights of any of them.

Tensions have mounted in the past weeks after the latest trilateral round of talks in Kinshasa earlier in April failed to produce an agreement to re-launch the deadlocked negotiations.

Ethiopias rejection of several proposals by Egypt and Sudan on the negotiation mechanism, which includes an international quartet mediation, led to the collapse of the Kinshasa talks.

Last year, several rounds of AU-sponsored talks, under the chairmanship of South Africa, failed to break the deadlock among the three countries, as Addis Ababa refused to sign any legally binding agreement.

The three countries have resorted to diplomacy in the past weeks, briefing regional and international counterparts on their stances and the developments in the latest deadlock in negotiations.

The efforts come as Ethiopia remains unwavering in moving forward with the second filling of the dam  set to take place in July  despite the objections of Egypt and Sudan over the execution of such a move in the absence of a legally binding deal.

The second filling aims to collect around 18.4 bcm of Blue Nile water, up from the 4.9 bcm secured during the first filling last year.

Short link:


Arab League Secretary General Ahmed Aboul Gheit denounced the Israeli shelling on the Gaza Strip where 21 Palestinians including nine children were killed.

Aboul Gheit termed the shelling as erratic and irresponsible.

He blamed Israel for escalating the situation, urging the international community to immediately halt the Israeli aggression in Quds and Gaza.

Meanwhile, an official source at the AL general secretariat said that a meeting of the Arab foreign ministers is to be held today via video conference to discuss the repercussions of the situation in Quds.

Short link:


The Arab League formed on Tuesday a seven-member ministerial committee tasked with lobbying permanent members of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) and other influential states to take steps to halt Israeli aggression in East Jerusalem.

The committee is comprised of ministers from Egypt, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, Palestine, Qatar, and Morocco, as well as the Arab League (AL) secretary-general and the Arab member of the UNSC, the Arab League said in a communique following an extraordinary meeting at the level of foreign ministers in the wake of Israeli assaults in East Jerusalem.

The decision comes in the wake of Israels continued attacks on Al-Aqsa mosque, the planned eviction of Arab residents in Jerusalems Sheikh Jarrah neighbourhood, and the bombing of Gaza.

Israeli police have injured hundreds of unarmed Palestinians during the crackdown in several parts of East Jerusalem by using rubber bullets and stun grenades.

Israel also launched a bombing campaign in Gaza on Tuesday, named Operation Guardians of the Walls, which has left at least 50 Palestinians dead and dozens more injured.

Israel says its military campaign against Gaza comes in response to rockets fired by Hamas from the strip, which have killed at least five Israelis.

Hamas said it fired rockets against Israeli cities as a retaliatory move over the Israeli assaults against worshippers and protesters in Al-Aqsa.

The Arab League has also urged the International Criminal Court (ICC) to proceed with its planned probe into Israeli war crimes and crimes against humanity against unarmed Palestinian people.

These crimes and violations include displacing Palestinian people from their homes in Sheikh Jarrah and other occupied Palestinian territories.

The statement said these acts committed by Israel represent a flagrant violation of the UN resolutions, international law and the international humanitarian law.

The league affirmed that it holds Israel in its capacity as the occupying power responsible for the consequences of its crimes and actions.

The statement said these acts committed by Israel represent a flagrant violation of the UN resolutions, the international law and the international humanitarian law.

The Arab League also calls on the United Nations and the relevant international organisations, including the Security Council, to shoulder their legal, moral and humanitarian responsibilities in this issue.

This includes immediately stopping Israeli aggression, providing security for the Palestinian people, preserving their right to freedom of worship and maintaining security and stability in the region and the world, the statement explained.

The Arab League voiced its full solidarity with the Palestinian people and their resistance in Jerusalem against the systematic Israeli aggression that aims to Judaize Jerusalem city and distort is Arab identity.

The Israeli aggression seeks to displace the Arab people of Palestine, alter the legal and historic status in the city and its Islamic and Christian sanctities, including Al-Aqsa Mosque, the statement added.

The league reiterates the centrality of the Palestinian cause to the whole Arab world and that the occupied East Jerusalem city, the capital of the state of Palestine, is an inseparable part of the Palestinian territory occupied since 1967.

Short link:


The United States has urged on Friday the resumption of African Union (AU) mediated negotiations between Egypt, Ethiopia and Sudan over the disputed Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD).

According to a press release, the US State Department said that Egypt and Sudans worries over water security, the safety and the operation of the dam can be reconciled with Ethiopias development needs through substantive and results-oriented negotiations among the parties under the leadership of the AU, which must resume urgently.

We believe that the 2015 Declaration of Principles signed by the parties and the July 2020 statement by the AU Bureau are important foundations for these negotiations, and [that] the US is committed to providing political and technical support to facilitate a successful outcome, the statement read.

The statement by the US State Department comes as US Special Envoy for the Horn of Africa, Jeffrey Feltman, concluded his first visit to the region after traveling to Egypt, Eritrea, Sudan and Ethiopia from May 4 to May 13.

The Horn of Africa is at an inflection point, and the decisions that are made in the weeks and months ahead will have significant implications for the people of the region as well as for U.S. interests, it read.

The visit by the US envoy to the region comes as tensions have mounted in the past weeks after the latest trilateral round of talks in Kinshasa, earlier in April, failed to produce an agreement to re-launch the deadlocked negotiations.

Ethiopias rejection of several proposals by Egypt and Sudan on the negotiation mechanism, which includes an international quartet mediation, has led to the collapse of the Kinshasa talks.

The three countries have resorted to diplomacy in the past weeks, briefing regional and international counterparts on their stances and developments on the latest deadlock in negotiations.

The efforts come as Ethiopia remains unwavering on forging ahead with the second filling of the dam  set to take place in July  despite the objections of Egypt and Sudan over the execution of such a move in the absence of a legally binding deal.

The second filling aims to collect around 18.4 bcm of Blue Nile water, up from the 4.9 bcm secured during the first filling last year.



Short link:


Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi and the Head of Sudans ruling council Abdel Fattah al-Burhan have affirmed their adhesion to a legally binding deal on the filling and operations of the disputed Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) amid a stretching deadlock in negotiations with Ethiopia over the dam.

According to a Presidency statement on Sunday, both leaders, who are in Paris for a Sudan-focused conference, met to discuss GERD and other regional issues, where they affirmed consensus on the primary importance of the water issue for both nations as a national security issue.

The Paris Conference hosted by French President Emmanuel Macron aims to rally support for the Sudanese government in the transition that followed the 2019 toppling of autocrat Omar al-Bashir.

Khartoum hopes it can secure pledges to pay off arrears owed to the International Monetary Fund and further relief on external debt.

El-Sisi told Al-Burhan said Egypt will contribute in international initiative to settle Sudans debts through the utilization of Egypts quota at the global lender for doubtful debts to be settled.

Al-Burhan stressed reliance on Egypts role in backing Sudanese efforts for debt write-off and rescheduling, and benefitting from the Egyptian expertise in economic reforms.

The meeting also saw an exchange of the latest regional developments of common interest, including the Sudanese-Ethiopian border crisis and other crisis in the region.

Both leaders have agreed to continue intensive consultations and coordination in the coming period to achieve common interests for both countries.

Short link:


Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi stressed to French counterpart Emmanuel Macron Cairos firm position on the urgent necessity of the cessation of violence in Palestine, as Israeli aggression against Gaza stretches for an eighth day.

According to a statement by the Egyptian presidency, El-Sisi affirmed to Macron at Paris Elysee the necessity of reaching a fair and comprehensive solution that guarantees the rights of Palestinian people and the establishment of an independent state in accordance with international resolutions.

The statement said Macron expressed appreciation of Egypts efforts in the growing crisis, as both leaders mulled means to revive the peace process amid the latest developments.

It also saw discussions on several regional crises, mainly in the east Mediterranean, Libya, and Syria.

El-Sisi said that political solutions for Libya and Syria were the only means to preserve the territorial integrity and the safety of their national institutions to provide the security baseline to combat terrorist organisations and to halt attempts to infiltrate other countries in the region.

Both leaders also discussed the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) crisis, where El-Sisi stressed adhesion to water rights through a fair and legally binding deal on the filling and operation of the dam.

Such an accord would achieve the common interests for all involved parties, El-Sisi said, stressing that Cairo would not accept harm to its water interests.

Search Keywords:

Short link:


Egypts Health Minister Hala Zayed announced on Monday that the government will soon start vaccinating all prisoners in Egyptian prisons against COVID-19 across the country soon.

In a meeting headed by Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly to follow up on the situation of the coronavirus in Egypt, Zayed also revealed that the health ministry made an agreement with the chairman of the Federation of Egyptian Industries to allocate a number of centres to become vaccination points for workers in industrial complexes across the country.

She also added there was a plan to send vehicles as vaccinations points near pension disbursement centres near banks or post offices in order to target senior citizens.

Zayed stated that within days, the pharmaceutical raw material needed to manufacture 2 million doses of the Sinovac coronavirus vaccine in Egypt, in addition to 500,000 doses of the Sinopharm vaccine, will arrive in Cairo.

In early June, Egypt will receive a new shipment of 1.9 million doses of an unspecified vaccine from COVAX in addition to 2 million doses of the Sinovac vaccine, the minister said during the meeting.

Last week, Egypt received 1.7 million doses of the Oxford AstraZeneca vaccine from COVAX in addition to 500,000 doses of the Sinopharm vaccine.

During the meeting, Zayed revealed that there were plans to manufacture the AstraZeneca vaccine in Egypt in the upcoming period in Vacsera factories in October.

Madbouly announced during the meeting that according to the directive of President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi, the Tahya Misr Fund was delegated to collect contributions and donations from banks and companies in order to acquire vaccines from abroad.

He also revealed the government allocated nearly EGP 2 billion to the fund to acquire coronavirus vaccines.

Short link:


US President Joe Biden told Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu during a phone call on Monday that the US is engaged with Egypt and other partners in support of an Israel-Gaza ceasefire, the White House said in a statement.

According to the statement, Biden did not ask Natanyahu during the call for an immediate halt of Israeli aggression against Gaza.

Israeli airstrikes on the Gaza Strip have killed more than 200 Palestinians, including many children and women, in the last eight days.

Israel says its airstrikes against the Gaza Strip are a response to rockets fired by Palestinian groups from the strip against Israeli cities.

Hamas and other Palestinian factions in the Gaza Strip have fired barrages of rockets against Israeli cities in retaliation for Israeli assaults against Palestinians in East Jerusalem and attacks on Al-Aqsa Mosque.

The president reiterated his firm support for Israels right to defend itself against indiscriminate rocket attacks, the statement said.

Biden also welcomed efforts to address intercommunal violence and to bring calm to Jerusalem, the statement added.

The US president encouraged Israel to make every effort to ensure the protection of innocent civilians.

The Palestinian health ministry in Gaza said on Monday that the number of killed Palestinians due to Israeli aggression has risen to 212, including 61 children, 36 women, and 16 elderly.

The number of injured Palestinians also rose to 1,400, according to the ministry, including 400 children and 270 women.

Since the confrontation between Israel and Palestinians broke out in the last two weeks, Egypt has taken several political and diplomatic moves seeking de-escalation.

Last week, an Egyptian delegation was sent to Tel Aviv to mediate an immediate ceasefire, however, the mediation efforts failed due to Israeli intransigence.

President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi reiterated on Sunday the need to halt all acts of violence and killing in the Gaza Strip amid escalating Israeli-Palestinian fighting, saying calm must return very urgently.

El-Sisi, who is currently in a visit to Paris, told France 24 that we are exerting efforts and hope always exists that all [parties involved will] move to end this conflict.

Egypt is engaged in extensive talks with the Palestinian and Israeli sides to reach a ceasefire in the Palestinian territories, Foreign Ministry Spokesman Ahmed Hafez told Al-Jazeera Arabic news channel on Saturday

Egypt on Monday also announced it has allocated 11 hospitals nationwide to receive Palestinians injured due to the Israeli bombing of Gaza and sent 65 tons of medical aid to Gaza.

Short link:


Thomson Reuters, a leading provider of business information services, has collaborated with the Dubai Financial Services Authority (DFSA)to develop a digital learning portal to enable professionals to access a high level of regulatory and compliance training.



The collaborative project is one of the first for a financial services regulator and affirms the DFSAs reputation as an innovative regulator.



The portal will offer employees at DFSA-authorised firms, such as senior executives, money laundering reporting and compliance officers access to training courses on compliance and business conduct to help them meet their annual continuing professional development obligations.



Thomson Reuters has already developed five training courses, and all are available in Arabic and English. These initial courses will cover the following regulatory topics:



 Anti-Money Laundering and Counter Terrorist Financing;

 Sanctions;

 Information Security and Cyber Risk Awareness;

 Data Privacy; and

 Code of Conduct (Ethics)





Peter Smith, Managing Director, Head of Strategy, Policy and Risk, DFSA said: Our role in maintaining DFSAs reputation as a leading global financial centre requires rigorous monitoring of regulatory standards for more than 500 authorised firms located within this financial free zone. Our work with Thomson Reuters, for the development of this digital learning portal, is an effective and efficient means of providing access to training that can assist DFSA authorised firms to maintain staff competence and expertise.



Hamed Halawani, Head of Risk, Mena, Thomson Reuters, said: A well-functioning financial services industry is crucial to supporting other industries and, consequently, economic growth. Our collaboration with the DFSA enables us to contribute our expertise in regulatory and compliance training to an organization that maintains the highest industry standards, and we are proud to work on this pioneering project.



Registration to the digital learning portal starts on May 19.  TradeArabia News Service
France's president said on Monday he would work with Egypt's president and Jordan's king on a concrete proposal for a ceasefire and a possible path to discussions between Israel and the Palestinians.

"For me there needs to be a process for a ceasefire as quickly as possible and construction of a possible path to discussions between the different protagonists," Macron said at a news conference in Paris.

"In the coming days we have decided to have a discussion with President (Abdel-Fattah) El-Sisi and the King of Jordan to be able together to see how we make a concrete proposal," he said without elaborating.

Macron also said he would bring up the bombing by Israeli warplanes of a building that housed media outlets in Gaza when he speaks to Israel's prime minister in the next day or two.

Macron's remarks came on the sidelines of an international conference Paris hosted to support Sudan during its transitional period.

The Egyptian president attended the conference and also held bilateral talks with Macron at the Elysee.

El-Sisi stressed to Macron Cairos firm position on the urgent necessity of the cessation of violence in Palestine.

According to a statement by the Egyptian presidency, El-Sisi affirmed the necessity of reaching a fair and comprehensive solution that guarantees the rights of Palestinian people and the establishment of an independent state in accordance with international resolutions.

The statement said Macron expressed appreciation of Egypts efforts in the growing crisis, as both leaders mulled means to revive the peace process amid the latest developments.

Last week, an Egyptian delegation was sent to Tel Aviv to mediate an immediate ceasefire, however, the mediation efforts failed due to Israeli intransigence.

The number of Palestinians killed due to recent Israeli aggression has risen to 212, including 61 children, 36 women, and 16 elderly, the Palestinian health ministry in Gaza said on Monday.

The number of injured Palestinians also rose to 1,400, according to the ministry, including 400 children and 270 women.

Short link:


The leaders of Egypt, Jordan, and France held a trilateral summit in Paris on Tuesday to discuss means to reach a ceasefire between Israel and Palestinians as Israeli assault on the besieged Gaza Strip continues for the 9th day in a row.

On Monday, France's President Emmanuel Macron said he would work with Egypt's President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi, and Jordan's King Abdullah II on a concrete proposal for a ceasefire and a possible path to discussions between Israel and Palestinians.

El-Sisi is in a visit to France, where he attended a conference in Paris on Sudan's transition on Monday, while King Abdullah took part in the summit via video conference.

Since the beginning of Israeli aggression against Palestinians in the Gaza Strip, Egypt has been mediating in an attempt to reach a ceasefire.

An Egyptian delegation, which met with officials from Tel Aviv and Hamas last week, had proposed a ceasefire, but the proposal was rejected by Israel.

The three countries  Egypt, Jordan, and France  along with Germany formed in February 2020 a quartet group, dubbed the Munich Committee, with the aim of reviving the halted peace negotiations.

The Munich Committee has so far held four meetings, the latest of which was hosted by Cairo in February, where the foreign ministers of the four countries forged 11 provisions detailed in a joint statement outlining the endeavours to revive the peace process.

Short link:


Portuguese Prime Minister Antonio Costa hailed during a meeting in Paris with Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi on Tuesday Egypt's efforts to prevent illegal migration across its coasts and welcoming refugees, Presidential Spokesman Bassam Rady said.

Costa, whose country is currently chairing the Council of the European Union, praised Egypt for hosting millions of refugees and granting them full rights while not asking for support from the international community in return.

El-Sisi in April told German newspaper Die Welt that Egypt is currently hosting six million refugees and has stopped illegal migration through its coasts to Europe since 2016.

The president added that Egypt does not ask for anything in return from Europe and is not planning to exploit the issue politically or economically.

El-Sisi is on an official visit to Paris to attend an international conference to support Sudan during its transitional period. He also held bilateral talks with Macron at the Elysee.

During his meeting with El-Sisi, Costa affirmed Portugal's keenness to enhance cooperative and friendship relations with Egypt and to support Egyptian efforts in achieving comprehensive economic development, the statement read.

El-Sisi hailed efforts made by Portugal, as the current president of the Council of the European Union, to support African causes.

The president also praised the firm coordination between the two countries on regional and international issues of mutual concern.

El-Sisi highlighted the importance of continuing and enhancing regular and periodical coordination mechanisms between the two countries.

El-Sisi and Costa also discussed developments of the regional situation in light of the serious challenges facing the Middle East, the statement said. They agreed on continuing coordination in this regard.

They also discussed enhancing bilateral relations in several fields, especially tourism and trade, added the statement.

Short link:


Egypt's President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi announced on Tuesday the allocation of $500 million as part of an Egyptian initiative for the reconstruction of the Gaza Strip, the presidency said in a statement.

Israeli airstrikes on the Gaza Strip have killed more than 200 Palestinians, including many children and women in the last eight days. The airstrikes destroyed tens of buildings, leaving hundreds of Palestinians homeless.

As per the presidential directives issued during the trilateral summit with France and Jordan in Paris, specialised Egyptian companies will be involved in the reconstruction process.

The Egyptian initiative will include training young Palestinian cadres in developmental programmes in order to become acquainted with the latest developments in management, leadership, and technology.

The training programmes will be provided by the country's National Training Academy (NTA) in partnership with major international institutions, the NTA said in a statement on Tuesday.

The NTA said five full grants will be allocated for Palestinians in the Executive Presidential Leadership Program.

It also will offer an online training program for 200 Palestinian trainees on leadership and management, the statement added.

Founded in 2017 as per a presidential decree, the academy's Board of Trustees is chaired by President El-Sisi.

The board involves 11 members, including Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly, Planning and Economic Development Minister Hala El-Said, and Director of the General Intelligence Service Abbas Kamel.

Egyptian authorities on Sunday opened the Rafah border crossing with the Gaza Strip and received a number of injured Palestinians due to the recent Israeli aggression.

On Monday, Health Minister Hala Zayed announced dispatching 65 tons of medicines and medical supplies worth EGP 14 million to aid Gaza.

Egypt also allocated 11 hospitals nationwide to receive injured Palestinians from Gaza.

Short link:


Egypt's President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi has called for intensifying international efforts to urge Israel to cease the current escalation with the Palestinian factions in the West Bank and the Gaza Strip.

President El-Sisi said that the establishment of the Palestinian state per international legitimacy resolutions is the only way to end the long-standing violence in Palestinian territories.

"There is no way to end the vicious circle of the long-standing violence and the flare-up of the situation in the Palestinian territories except by finding a just and comprehensive solution to the Palestinian cause that leads to the establishment of a Palestinian state," El-Sisi stressed.

El-Sisi's remarks came during a trilateral summit, held on Tuesday, with France's President Emmanuel Macron and Jordan's King Abdullah II to discuss the means to de-escalate the flare-up in the besieged Gaza Strip.

Israeli airstrikes, which erupted on 10th May in the Gaza Strip, have killed more than 200 Palestinians, including many children and women as well as injuring over 1400.

The Egyptian president warned about the consequences of the attempts to shift the demographic situation in Jerusalem saying "these attempts require an immediate cessation."

The recent flare-up was sparked after Israel turned the holy Al-Aqsa compound to a battlefield as part of its crackdown on Palestinians in East Jerusalem to implement its years-long plans to evict Palestinian families from the Sheikh Jarrah district in East Jerusalem as well as annex more parts of the Palestinian territories.

Palestinian factions in Gaza, in retaliation to the crackdown, have fired a wave of rockets towards Israel, killing nearly 10 people.

Egypt, the president said, will continue to do its best to stop the current mutual escalation via intensifying contacts with all concerned international parties, and with both the Palestinian and Israeli parties.

He voiced, during the summit, Egypt's support for all international efforts meant to end the current tension, restore stability and limit bloodshed and losses.

He called for intensifying international efforts to urge Israel to cease the current escalation with the Palestinian factions in the West Bank and the Gaza Strip to allow for the restoration of calm, and provide various international forms of support and aid to the Palestinians.

El-Sisi has announced the allocation of $500 million as part of an Egyptian initiative for the reconstruction of the Gaza Strip.

The airstrikes have destroyed tens of buildings and infrastructures in the enclave, leaving hundreds of Palestinians homeless.

On Sunday, Egyptian authorities opened the Rafah border crossing with the Gaza Strip and received several Palestinians wounded in the recent Israeli aggression.

It also allocated 11 hospitals nationwide to receive injured Palestinians from Gaza, in addition to dispatching 65 tons of medicine and medical supplies worth EGP 14 million to aid Gaza.

Short link:


Egypt's Al-Azhar and Coptic Orthodox church have praised and supported the recent initiative that announced President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi to allocate $500 million for the reconstruction of the Gaza Strip, after the latest Israeli aggression.

As per the presidential directives issued during the trilateral summit with France and Jordan in Paris earlier today, specialised Egyptian companies will be involved in the reconstruction process.

The Head of Egypts Al-Azhar Ahmed El-Tayyeb said the step reflects that the Palestinian cause is a priority for Egyptians and Arabs.

It is also an affirmation of Egypts support of the legitimate and fair Palestinian cause, and the Palestinians rights in establishing an independent state with Jerusalem as the capital, he added.

Pope Tawadros II, the Pope of Egypt's Coptic Orthodox Church, said the initiative demonstrates the country's "historical role" in supporting the Arab people.

The initiative gained nationwide support through several people and institutions.

The Egyptian Coordinations Committee of Partys Youth Leaders and Politicians (CPYP) said "Egypt proves every day through its absolute support for the Palestinian cause that it is the regional balance that favours truth and justice."

The initiative underscores that the Palestinian issue for Egypt is part of its national security's fundamentals, the CPYP added.

It also proves that the Palestinian issue as a just, human cause tops Egypt's priorities, it added.

Mostaqbal Watan (Future of the Homeland) Party, which holds the majority of Egypt's parliament seats, expressed its support for the presidents initiatives.

Federation of Egyptian Industries and the General Federation of Chambers of Commerce have also expressed their support to El-Sisi saying in a statement that they will be ready to support the initiatives via the federations capabilities.

Israeli airstrikes on the Gaza Strip have killed more than 200 Palestinians, including many children and women, and have injured more than 1,400 in the last eight days.

The airstrikes destroyed tens of buildings, leaving hundreds of Palestinians homeless.

The Egyptian initiative will include training young Palestinian cadres in developmental programmes in order to become acquainted with the latest developments in management, leadership and technology.

The training programmes will be provided by the country's National Training Academy (NTA) in partnership with major international institutions, the NTA said in a statement on Tuesday.

Short link:


Egypt's Tahya Misr Fund said on Tuesday it will open up donations at all Egyptian banks, hours after President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi announced an allocation of $500 million as part of an Egyptian initiative for the reconstruction of the Gaza Strip after the latest Israeli aggression.

The fund established bank account 037037-Gaza Reconstruction at the banks to receive donations from locally and abroad.

It said it will send a humanitarian aid convoy to Palestines Gaza Strip to help in securing subsistence and medical needs amid ongoing Israeli aggression

The convoy, called Partnering Up for Humanity, will include 100 containers, according to the fund.

Short link:


No agreement has been reached over a ceasefire starting Thursday between Palestines Hamas and Israel as a deadly aggression against the Gaza Strip entered its second week with mediation efforts to no avail.

According to an official statement, Hamas political bureau member Ezzat al-Rashq refuted what he claimed were Israeli media reports on the groups agreement of a ceasefire on Thursday.

No agreement or specific timings have been reached for the ceasefire, Al-Rashq said, stressing that efforts by mediators were serious and persistent.

The statements by the Hamas official came after several Israeli media outlets said Egypt has proposed a ceasefire initiative between Israel and Hamas that enters into force at 6 am on Thursday.

There has been no official confirmation by Israeli officials on the ceasefire talks, yet a senior Israeli official told Haaretz that a ceasefire is expected on Thursday if any unexpected developments do not occur.

There is no decisive result and there wont be one, the official said.

A diplomatic source familiar with Egypts mediation efforts told The Times of Israel that talks were still ongoing and no such agreement has been reached.

The contradictory reports on the proposed ceasefire came hours after an Egyptian official said Cairo is engaged in intensive talks with the Palestinian and Israeli sides and all the active parties in order to reach a ceasefire agreement.

In an interview with BBC Radio 4, Egypts Ambassador to the UK Tareq Adel said the Egyptian government warned of the repercussions of the recent escalation of violence between the Palestinians and Israelis following the Israeli escalations in East Jerusalem and Sheikh Jarrah neighborhood during the holy fasting month of Ramadan.

The ambassador urged all active partners, including the UK and the US, to play a role in reaching a ceasefire agreement.

He said that the ceasefire is a top priority for Egypt in light of the increased number of civilians killed in Palestinian territories and Israel.

This is at least the second attempt by Egypt to mediate a ceasefire as escalations mounted in the strip since last week.

An Egyptian delegation - sent to Israel in an attempt to broker an immediate ceasefire in Gaza - left late Thursday after Israel rejected Cairo's mediation efforts for the ceasefire.

Sources told Al-Arabiya TV at the time that the Egyptian delegation left Tel Aviv, late on Thursday, in objection over an expanded Israeli military operation.

The sources said that the Egyptian delegation has proposed to Israel a one-year truce that is to be monitored and coordinated by Cairo.

The same delegation had met with Hamas officials in the Gaza Strip first then crossed into Israel by land.

Some 217 people were killed in Gaza, with an injury toll climbing up to 1,500 after Israel stepped up aggression since last week.

The death toll in Israel stood at 12, with at least 300 wounded.

The fighting which began last week, has been deemed the most serious since 2014 after Hamas fired rockets at Jerusalem and Tel Aviv in retaliation for hostilities by Israeli police against Palestinian protesters near Al-Aqsa Mosque.

Short link:


Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas expressed appreciation for an initiative by Egypt to provide $500 million for Gaza strip reconstruction efforts after Israeli air strikes.

According to the state-run Palestinian news agency Wafa, Abbas said that Egypts national and historic position reflects its role in the Arab world in supporting the Palestinian people and defending their rights until the establishment of its independent state with East Jerusalem as the capital.

He added that Egypt remains a strong supporter and defender of Palestines immutable and historic rights, including the Islamic and Christian holy sites.

Earlier on Tuesday, Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi announced the allocation of $500 million as part of an Egyptian initiative for the reconstruction of the Gaza Strip.

Israeli airstrikes on the Gaza Strip have killed more than 200 Palestinians in the last eight days, including many women and children. The airstrikes also destroyed tens of buildings, leaving hundreds of Palestinians homeless.

As per the presidential directives issued during the trilateral summit with France and Jordan in Paris, specialised Egyptian companies will be involved in the reconstruction process.

The Egyptian initiative will include training young Palestinian cadres in development programmes that will acquaint them with the latest developments in management, leadership, and technology.

Short link:


In an attempt to avoid censorship on social media platforms, young Arabs have resorted to making posts in the Arabic language without the use of dots, a form of Arabic writing not used since the 7th century.

These users are attempting to circumvent the algorithm of some social media outlets, which have been reportedly censoring posts supporting the Palestinian cause or condemning the recent Israeli actions in East Jerusalem and Gaza.

Tensions came to a head two weeks ago in East Jerusalem when Palestinians protested the planned evictions by Israeli authorities of Palestinian residents in the citys Sheikh Jarrah neighbourhood in favour of Jewish settlers. Shortly after, Israeli forces raided Al-Aqsa Mosque in East Jerusalem, which is considered the third holiest site in Islam.

Many social media users took to platforms like Instagram and Facebook to spread awareness about Sheikh Jarrah.

Supermodel Bella Hadid, an American of Palestinian origin, published a series of posts to millions of her followers about Sheikh Jarrah residents struggle and the injustice faced by Palestinians. Many followed suit, but shortly after, hashtags including terms like Aqsa were restricted on Facebook.

Facebook said that hashtags including Al-Aqsa had been mistakenly restricted, and that restriction had been lifted.

Many Facebook users in Egypt and other Arab countries reported that their comments and posts had been removed, and some users said their accounts had been suspended for 24 hours due to their pro-Palestinian or anti-Israeli posts.

On Instagram, posts, stories and livestreaming from Sheikh Jarrah and Al-Aqsa Mosque disappeared, which the company blamed on a technical bug.

Sites pledge to censor misinformation on behalf of Israel

Shortly after the escalations in East Jerusalem, Israeli Defence Minister Benny Gantz held a zoom meeting with executives from Facebook and TikTok, where he urged them to remove misinformation and content inciting to violence from their sites.

In an unprecedent public move by a defence minister, he asked them to proactively remove undesirable content and respond quickly to appeals from the Israeli cyber bureau.

From their side, the executives expressed their commitment to quickly prevent incitement on their social networks.

On the same day, Palestinian ambassador to London Husam Zomlot met Facebook's director of Public Policy for MENA Ebele Okobi to issue an official complaint about the censorship of Palestinian content on the platforms owned by Facebook Inc.

Zomlot stated that there was no monitoring or removal of Israeli incitement on Facebook, particularly in Hebrew-language posts.

On Sunday, the Palestinian embassy in the UK received a letter of intent from Facebook to resolve serious issues following an official complaint by the mission.

Creative measures

In the middle ages, Arab poet and grammarian Abu al-Aswad al-Duali, dubbed the Father of Arabic grammar, incorporation the use of dots in the Arabic alphabet to make it easier for non-Arabs to read the Holy Quran.

For native Arabic speakers, it is not much of a challenge to read pre-medieval, dot-less Arabic, and there are currently a number of websites and apps that turn modern Arabic text into this archaic form.

A simple test using Old Arabic on Google Translate reveals that the algorithm fails to recognise most undotted words.

Besides using Old Arabic to get around the algorithm, some users have resorted to review bombing the mobile apps for Facebook, i.e. flooding the app store page with negative reviews as a way of expressing grievance.

On the Android store, the ratings for the Facebook app have dropped to 2.9 out of 5 stars.

Many reviewers who gave the popular app a one-star review over the past few days have Arab or Muslim usernames.

Some reviewers mentioned technical reasons like bugs in the recent updates for the Facebook app, while others complained of privacy issues and that the app eavesdrops on users for sake of advertising.

Others explicitly cited political censorship.

There has been a notable crackdown on any opinion that is contrary to a certain body, said one reviewer.

I don't feel free to write what I want when it comes to defending the weak and disarmed Palestinians or expressing my discontent with some of the Israeli actions, I am banned, said another.

On Apples app store, the Facebook app went from 2.6 to a 1.7 rating on Tuesday.

You support Israel, and we support Palestine, we may not be able to physically defend Palestine, but we can speak, raise awareness, exert pressure until the days come when Palestinian families can sleep safely in their home, we will never forget, said one reviewer on the Apple app store.

Another way users are protesting Facebooks policies towards the supporters of the Palestinian cause is to spam posts by its founder and CEO Mark Zuckerberg with hashtags including #Save_Sheikh_Jarrah and #Palestine_Under_Attack.

On 14 May, Zuckerberg published a personal photo for him while surfing, where he restricted comments on his profile.

Short link:


As part of its efforts to enhance the knowledge of financial management for citizens and residents in Abu Dhabi, the Authority of Social Contribution  Maan has launched the second cohort of its Ghaya financial literacy programme.

Set to begin on June 7, the three-month virtual course which will be taught in Arabic, will focus on a range of key topics and educate the participants on making vital financial decisions, the importance of managing and saving their money and how to invest wisely.

Registration for the programme is now open and will close on May 27.

By empowering the participants with important financial knowledge that will help in their everyday lives, the Ghaya programme will help address an important social priority that has been identified by the Abu Dhabi Department of Community Development through its Quality of Life survey.

To deliver the course, Maan has partnered with Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM) Academy and The London Institute of Banking & Finance (LIBF).

As educational partners, ADGM Academy in partnership with LIBF have developed the curriculum content and will continue to contribute to the delivery of the programme. As well as applicants from the public, partners - the Social Support Authority (SSA), Dar Zayed for Family Care and Social Care and Minors Affairs Foundation will also select and provide beneficiaries to participate in the programme.

During the 12 weeks of the practical and theory-based course, participants will learn how to manage their finances more efficiently, understand the basics of money matters and explore different investment options.

The programme will also be personalised and relevant to those living in Abu Dhabi with the initiatives impact being measured to ensure it addresses the key social issue and educates the participants to become more financially literate, dependent and confident with money.

Following the completion of the course, participants will be able to apply the key learnings to their own finances as well as take on the responsibility of informing members of their family and the community on the importance of managing money and helping create positive attitudes towards financial literacy.

The Ghaya programme is also part of Maans commitment to foster community engagement, creating volunteering opportunities for Abu Dhabis community to make a difference. The specialised volunteers, which will come from the public as well as member banks of UAE Banks Federation (UBF) will be trained by LIBF to deliver the course content that is easy to understand.

Following completion of the programme, the successful participants who excel in the programme will obtain a certification in Financial Literacy awarded by LIBF. In addition, the specialised volunteers will also receive digital LIBF Trainer badges.

The latest cohort of the Ghaya programme will aim to build on the success of the inaugural cohort in which 60 UAE Nationals became the first graduates in March.

According to a survey completed by participants that took part in the first cohort, every person praised the Ghaya programme and now consider themselves as either intermediate or advanced in terms of financial literacy knowledge after studying the 12-week course.

Salama Al Ameemi, Director General of Maan, said: At Maan, we are committed to create a better tomorrow for Abu Dhabi residents and citizens which is why we are thrilled to launch the second cohort of the Ghaya programme in what is a vital initiative that will empower the community with the necessary financial knowledge that will help change their daily lives.

No matter what your age is, gaining a strong understanding of financial literacy is important for everyone. It is not just about knowing how to save, budget or invest wisely but learning how to successfully implement them into our everyday lives. We realise topics of this genre can be complex and therefore we have collaborated with a number of leading organisations who are experts in this field to deliver this unique programme, which has been carefully developed to ensure that it is effective and simple to understand so that it can make a meaningful difference.

By taking the participants on a learning journey, they will be able to be more confident in making informed financial decisions and be more responsible in managing their money and planning and investing for the future, which will help reduce stress and improve their wellbeing.

Furthermore, these partnerships are imperative in making a lasting impact in Abu Dhabi and contribute towards the economic growth and prosperity of Abu Dhabi. I encourage as many Arabic-speaking individuals as possible to apply for the second cohort and play their part in making a positive impact to only their lives but to others as well.

Maysa Al Nowais, Director of Community Engagement at Maan, said: The Ghaya programme would not be possible without the support of specialised volunteers who give up their time and energy to make a difference in society.

As pioneers, they form a key component in the delivery of this programme and by working closely with our valued partners at UAE Banks Federation, ADGM Academy and The London Institute of Banking and Finance, they have an instrumental role in sparking that change for the better when it comes to teaching financial literacy. We look forward to seeing them inspire the participants by imparting their expert financial knowledge and helping promote goodwill and drive a behavioural change.

To inspire more people to take part and improve their financial knowledge, Maan plans to deliver the Ghaya programme in both English and Arabic languages in the future.
President Abdel Fattah El Sisi praised the constructive partnership between Egypt and the International Monetary Fund, which led to the successful implementation of the countrys comprehensive economic reform program.

During a meeting he held Tuesday in the French capital, Paris, with Managing Director of the IMF Kristalina Georgieva, he voiced keenness to continue cooperation with the international financial institution, given what this partnership represents in terms of providing a positive image of of the Egyptian economy to investors and international financial markets.

According to presidential spokesman Bassam Radi, the meeting took up the fruitful cooperation between Egypt and the IMF over the past years.

In his talks with the IMF chief on the sidelines of his participation at the Summit on Financing African Economies in Paris, president Sisi lauded the great role played by the Egyptian people in the success of the reform efforts thanks to their awareness of the importance of all measures taken to shore up the national economy and improve Egypt's credit rating, noting that the reforms have helped the Egyptian economy to withstand the impact of the coronavirus pandemic and even achieve positive growth despite all challenges.

For her part, the IMF managing director affirmed that the Fund looks forward to continuing its outstanding cooperation with Egypt, which she described as a success story and a model to be followed, praising the Egyptian economic performance despite the pandemic, as well as the economic and structural targets it has achieved within the framework of the economic reform program. She also lauded the resilience and ability of the Egyptian economy to overcome the negative effects of the pandemic and become one of the fastest growing economies in the world, noting the present improvement in its overall indicators as well as the implementation of giant national investment projects and the gradual rebound seen by the tourism sector.

She expressed keenness to highlight the successes made by Egypt and spotlight its reforms and economic and development achievements, as well as its successful partnership with the Fund as a model to be followed by other countries.

Short link:


Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi urged the international community to provide necessary support to African states on Tuesday, amid considerations over equity in facing the coronavirus pandemic.

In a speech during the Paris-hosted Summit on the Financing of African Economies, El-Sisi said that African states saw an unprecedented acceleration in economic growth prior to the pandemic, making them a hub for cross-border investments.

He said that the financial support provided to Africa was lower than required, adding that poor access to coronavirus vaccines by African citizens is exacerbating economic and social problems incurred during the pandemic.

El-Sisi said that economic development achieved by Africa in recent years is being threatened by the repercussions of the pandemic, which has slashed its source of foreign currency and led to enormous pressures on liquidity to Africa.



He praised international initiatives intended to aid affected economies, including the debt service suspension initiative (DSSI), debt rescheduling and the International Monetary Funds (IMF) special drawing rights.

El-Sisi joined a call by African states to reallocate some of these IMF rights that are currently unused in order to identify funding mechanisms that would help low and middle-income African states to provide vaccines and restore growth rates.

He said that Egypt has been obliged to deal with financial difficulties incurred during the pandemic at a time when it has been working on its own economic reform program, which includes restraining public expenditure and controlling the budget deficit.

He said the early implementation of the program with the IMF has helped bolster the flexibility of the economy and allowed the government to take effective measures, including expansionary financial policies amid the pandemics repercussions.

However, Egypt continues to face renewed challenges imposed by the pandemic, like other African states. Therefore, international cooperation to provide necessary mechanisms and instruments to support African states in the current critical situation is the optimal way to overcome the adversity and return to economic development, he said.

The summit, which included two sessions with a focus on external financing, loans and the development of the private sector, and reforms and infrastructure, was attended by some 30 heads-of-state and leaders of international organizations.

Participants during the summit agreed on the importance of developing a shared vision to support Africa during the pandemic, including utilizing resources from the private sector and initiatives on maximizing confessional financing to the continent through international development institutions and donors.

They also agreed on the urgency of manufacturing medical technologies related to the pandemic, including vaccines and tests, as well as their fair distribution in Africa.

Short link:


Egypt's Ministry of Foreign Affairs has demanded a clarification from the Lebanese ambassador to Cauro regarding "offensive statements" by the country's Foreign Affairs Minister Charbel Wehbe of Lebanon's caretaker government towards "the brotherly Arab states and peoples in the Gulf."

On Monday, Wehbe suggested during TV statement that Arab Gulf states were behind the rise of the extremist group in Iraq and Syria, before apologising a day after for his remarks.

In response, the Saudi foreign ministry strongly condemned in a statement Wehbe for what it deemed as "insulting" remarks and lack of "consistency"with the simplest diplomatic norms,"

The Kingdom also summoned the Lebanese ambassador to Riyadh on Tuesday in light of Wehbe's remarks.

Meanwhile, the Arab League (AL) Secretary-General Ahmed Abul Gheit was reported by Egypt's state-run news agency MENA as describing the Lebanese top diplomat's remarks as "not appropriate diplomatically."



MENA said an official source at the AL quoted Abul Gheit saying that statements by senior Arab officials should reflect feelings of fraternity and mutual respect among the Arab peoples.

Short link:


Egypt's President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi discussed on Wednesday with the French Minister of Economy and Finance

Bruno Le Maire

the prospects for maximising France's investments in Egypt, as well as efforts to expand the activities of some of its existing ventures.

The Egyptian president held the talks with Le Maire at his residence in Paris, according to Presidential Spokesperson Bassam Rady,

El-Sisi, who has been on a visit to France since Sunday upon an invitation from French President Emmanuel Macron, took part in the Paris Conference to support the Sudanese transition and a summit on financing African economies that were held on 17 and 18 May, respectively.

El-Sisi also held a trilateral summit with Macron and the King of Jordan Abdullah II to discuss means to reach a ceasfire in the Palestinian territories.

The Egyptian president expressed during his meeting with Le Maire his appreciation for the efforts of the French economy and finance ministry in the field of strengthening economic and trade relations between the two countries, the statement said.

In this regard, El-Sisi reviewed the investment incentives associated with the developing business climate in Egypt, in addition to the huge investment opportunities for the French business sector in Egyptian national projects, especially in the transport, energy, water, and health sectors.

France has sizable investments in Egypt, with about 160 French companies operating in the Egyptian market in various fields, Rady noted in previous TV statements.

According to the French Chamber of Commerce in Egypt, the volume of French investments in Egypt exceeds 5 billion Euros, while the volume of trade exchange between the two countries reaches 3 billion Euros annually.

El-Sisi, the statement adds, stressed the importance of localising industry and the transfer of technology in all joint ventures with the French side.

Meanwhile, the French minister affirmed his country's interest in strengthening joint cooperation between the two countries with the aim of providing advanced technology to Cairo in all fields, in addition to encouraging French companies to work and invest in Egypt within the framework of contributing to the advancement of the comprehensive development process underway.

Le Maire stressed that French interest in expanding investments in Egypt comes in light of the positive economic developments that the country has been recently witnessing, including creating an attractive environment for foreign direct investments, taking serious steps forward to facilitate government procedures and licenses related to investment, and encouraging the private sector to participate in many projects.

Short link:


President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi said Wednesday Egypt's stance is steadfast as regards the need to reach a binding and comprehensive legal agreement on the filling and operation of the Ethiopian Dam.

During a meeting here with Senegalese President Macky Sall in Paris, the two presidents agreed on the need to continue to coordinate bilaterally in order to resolve the issue and avoid its negative impact on security and stability of the entire region, Presidency Spokesman Bassam Rady said.

El-Sisi is on a visit to France upon an invitation from French President Emmanuel Macron to take part in the Paris Conference to support the Sudanese transition and a summit on financing African economies.

The Egyptian president praised close relations between the two countries especially that Senegal is an important country in West Africa, the spokesman added.



Egypt is ready to enhance bilateral cooperation in the various fields particularly trade and investment, developing the infrastructure and providing technical support and training, El-Sisi added.



The Senegalese president hailed the continued development in bilateral relations and expressed deep appreciation of Egypt and the Egyptian people and leadership.

Egypt plays key role in reaching comprehensive development and protecting peace and security in Africa, Macky Sall said.



The two leaders tackled a number of African files in light of Senegal's chairmanship of the African Union in 2022, he said, adding that they have agreed to continue with coordination and consultation and coordination on the latest developments in these files.

Short link:


The Arab League Parliament has convened an extraordinary meeting in Cairo to express solidarity with the Palestinians and condemn Israeli strikes on the Gaza Strip.

Those in attendance at the meeting Wednesday wore traditional Palestinian black-and-white scarves in a sign of support.

The Arab League Secretary-General Ahmed Aboul Gheit said: "The truth is becoming crystal clear now with all its ugliness and hideousness: we are before a colonizing people that lives under an apartheid state and an occupation government that systematically practices ethnic cleansing.''

Others also criticized Israel, with Arab Parliament Speaker Adel Al-Asoumi accusing Israel of "war crimes and of full-fledged crimes against humanity.''

In a televised speech, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas addressed Arab delegates, calling Jerusalem "the essence of the Palestinian national identity.''

He said: 'Without it, there will be no peace, no security, no stability and no agreement.

Short link:


A high-level Egyptian delegation made a visit to Ramallah city in the central West Bank amid Israeli aggression on the Gaza Strip, highlighting Egypt's efforts to bring about a ceasefire, Al-Arabiyah reported on Wednesday citing sources as saying.

The delegation met with prominent Palestinian officials and conveyed a message from the Egyptian leadership underscoring the countrys efforts to affect an Israel-Gaza ceasefire, the sources said.

The delegation affirmed Cairos readiness to support Palestine in various fields, according to the sources.

It discussed with officials the reconstruction process as well as efforts to facilitate the transfer of inured Palestinians through the Rafah border crossing.

This comes a day after Egypt's President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi announced the allocation of $500 million as part of an Egyptian initiative for the reconstruction of the strip.

As per the presidential directives issued during the trilateral summit with France and Jordan in Paris, specialised Egyptian companies will be involved in the reconstruction process.

Egypt on Monday also announced it has allocated 11 hospitals nationwide to receive Palestinians injured due to the Israeli bombing of Gaza and sent 65 tons of medical aid to Gaza.

Israeli airstrikes on the Gaza Strip have killed more than 200 Palestinians, including many women and children in the last eight days. The attacks destroyed tens of buildings, leaving hundreds of Palestinians homeless.

Last week, an Egyptian delegation was sent to Tel Aviv to mediate an immediate ceasefire. However, the mediation efforts failed due to Israeli intransigence.

El-Sisi reiterated on Sunday the need to halt all acts of violence and killing in the Gaza Strip amid escalating Israeli-Palestinian fighting, saying calm must return very urgently.

El-Sisi, who in a visit to Paris, told France 24 that we are exerting efforts and hope always exists that all [parties involved will] move to end this conflict.

Short link:


Children are exposed to images of violence almost every day, whether through the media or in real life. Consumption of violent imagery can take a harmful toll on a child's mental and emotional well-being, research shows. Parents, especially those with young children, may be asking themselves how to talk about violence with their kids.

Here are four articles from The Conversation U.S. that offer insight into how to have hard conversations with children about violence.

1. Teach children to be resilient

Vanessa LoBlue, an assistant professor of psychology at Rutgers University-Newark, writes about ways parents can foster a supportive environment to help children develop resilience in stressful situations.

Genuinely listening to children talk about how they feel not only shows care and acceptance for the child, but it also helps them validate and contextualize their feelings, LoBlue writes. Allowing children some autonomy to solve their problems on their own - even if they fail - can help them practice resilience.

"Helping children build resilience is particularly critical now, as Americans face particular turbulence in daily life," LoBlue writes. "Parents, too, need to guard their mental health in order to provide kids with crucial support: Building resilience isn't just kid stuff."

2. Teach kids to think critically about systemic inequality

Perhaps no profession has been under as much public scrutiny lately as that of the police officer. In less than a month's span in spring 2021, there were at least three high-profile fatal police shootings that claimed the lives of young people: 13-year-old Adam Toledo in Chicago; 20-year-old Daunte Wright in Brooklyn Center, Minnesota; and 16-year-old Ma'Khia Bryant in Columbus, Ohio.

Not only do such experiences shape how children come to view the police, but those perceptions are formed at an early age, writes Adam Fine, a criminology and criminal justice professor, and Kathleen Padilla, a graduate student of criminology and criminal justice, both at Arizona State University.

"These perceptions don't just affect individual kids; they affect society too," Fine and Padilla write, noting that negative perceptions of police can dissuade young people of color from pursuing careers in law enforcement. "As the nation is engaging in critical discussions about the future of policing, part of that introspection should focus on why the pipeline of youth of color entering law enforcement is almost entirely shut off."

3. Validate how your child feels

Children are, unfortunately, very familiar with violence. In today's schools, students have active shooter drills and engage in anti-violence movements like March for Our Lives. Kyle Greenwalt, associate director of teacher preparation and associate professor of education at Michigan State University, and five other scholars offer suggestions about how to talk to students about the Jan. 6, 2021 Capitol riot.

Engaging students in discussions around past and current violent events can allow them to express and process what they feel in a safe environment, writes Greenwalt's co-author, Kei Kawashima-Ginsberg, director of the Center for Information & Research on Civic Learning and Engagement at Tufts University. "Do not dehumanize any student because of their opinion - but teach them to always consider the intent and impact of their response."

4. Know what your child is being exposed to

The internet is rife with violent imagery, leaving many children vulnerable to psychological harm. Daniel J. Flannery, director of the Begun Center for Violence Prevention Research and Education at Case Western Reserve University, describes how exposure to violence can lead to higher risk of depression, anger and anxiety.

"Parents have an important role to play," Flannery writes. "Knowing where their children are, what they are doing and with whom are some of the best ways to help support children. That improves their ability to cope with what is going on in the world around them."

Short link:


Skyhorse Publishing told The Associated Press on Monday that it will have "Philip Roth: The Biography'' available in paperback June 15, and hopes to have the e-book and audio editions ready by Wednesday.

Bailey's 900-page biography was begun in 2012 and written with the participation of Roth, who died in 2018. Released in early April by W.W. Norton & Company, ``Philip Roth'' received mostly positive reviews, although critics for The New York Times and The New Republic found Bailey too indulgent of Roth's behavior towards women. The book reached the Times bestseller list among others.

But two weeks after publication, reports from the Los Angeles Times, the New Orleans Times-Picayune and The AP among others featured extensive, on-the-record quotes from former students of Bailey while he was a middle-grade teacher in New Orleans in the 1990s. The students alleged a pattern of inappropriate behavior while he was a teacher, and that he later pursued sexual relationships. Two former students and book publishing executive Valentina Rice have alleged he assaulted them. Rice's account first appeared in The New York Times and was confirmed by Rice to the AP.

Norton initially paused the book's printing and promotion, then withdrew it altogether, along with a Bailey memoir released in 2014, ``The Splendid Things We Planned.'' As of Monday morning, hardcover copies of ``Philip Roth'' were still available on Amazon.com and Barnes and Noble.com.

Financial terms for the Skyhorse deal were not disclosed. Bailey, who has written acclaimed biographies of the authors John Cheever and Richard Yates, has denied any wrongdoing.

Bailey has been widely condemned, but not everyone agreed with Norton's decision. PEN America CEO Suzanne Nossel issued a statement at the time worrying that by Norton's standard, ``thousands of books by bigots, misogynists and miscreants . . . could be removed from circulation.'' The Nation columnist Katha Pollitt thought Bailey complicit in Roth's view of women, but believed that ``readers should have the chance to buy the book and come to their own conclusions.``

For book industry watchers, the Skyhorse announcement was not a major surprise. Last year, Skyhorse published Woody Allen's memoir ``Apropos of Nothing'' after it was pulled by Hachette Book Group, where employees staged a walkout in protest. Allen's daughter Dylan Farrow has alleged he molested her when she was 7, an allegation Allen has denied.

More recently, Skyhorse reached a two-book deal with the author, columnist and radio host Garrison Keillor, dropped by Minnesota Public Radio and The Washington Post in 2017-18 over harassment allegations. The books include the memoir ``That Time of Year,'' a late fall release in which Keillor is expected to address the allegations.

Skyhorse books are distributed by Simon & Schuster, which has been involved with numerous controversial works recently. They are the publisher of an upcoming memoir by former Vice President Mike Pence and the distributor of Sen. Josh Hawley's ``The Tyranny of Big Tech,'' which Simon & Schuster declined to publish after Hawley's support for the Jan. 6 rally in Washington that led to the siege of the US Capitol by supporters of then-President Donald Trump.

Distributors are not involved in editorial decision making, though last month Simon & Schuster took the rare step of declining to distribute a memoir _ to be published this fall by Post Hill Press _ by a Louisville police officer who fired at Breonna Taylor after being shot during the deadly raid on Taylor's apartment.

On Monday, a Simon & Schuster spokesman declined comment on the Roth biography. Simon & Schuster CEO Jonathan Karp has said he considered the decision on the Post Hill Press book an outlier and that Simon & Schuster had no plans to withdraw from other works its distribution clients acquire.
.

Chad's transitional military council will not negotiate with rebels, who have said that they are open to talks, spokesman Azem Bermendao Agouna said on Sunday

"Faced with this situation that is putting Chad in peril, it is not the time for mediation or negotiations with "outlaws", he said.

Short link:


The global magnesium oxide market is forecast to grow at 5% CAGR throughout the forecast period from 2021 to 2031.

Increasing research and development activities conducted to study application of dead burned magnesia and fused magnesia is one of the key factors driving the market, finds ESOMAR-certified consulting firm Future Market Insights in a study.

Surging government investment in agricultural and industrial sector will boost the market. Rising demand of magnesium oxide in development of refractory linings of furnace in iron and steel industry will positively influence the market growth.

According to the European Commission (EC), the European Union (EU), 1.3% to the EU-27's Gross Domestic Product (GDP) was contributed by agriculture. With soaring industrialization and development in the field of agriculture, high growth in magnesium oxide market is on the card.

"High acid neutralising capabilities of magnesium oxide has made it popular as lime alternative in waste treatment facilities, thus elevating the magnesium market growth," remarks an FMI analyst.

The US is the dominant market for magnesium oxide in North America. Growth in the US will be driven by rising adoption of magnesium oxide in biomedical applications and rapid advancement in manufacturing sector and industrial infrastructure.

Europe is expected to showcase positive growth trajectory during the forecast period. Surging demand from agricultural sector and consistently evolving industrial domain will create growth opportunities.

China dominates the magnesium oxide market in the Asia pacific on the back of booming industrial sector and soaring demand for dead burned magnesia.

India is offering lucrative growth opportunities for magnesium oxide market. With establishment of modern industries and manufacturing units coupled with increasing use of magnesium oxide in refractories and agricultural sector, market sales are expected to skyrocket during the forecast period.

Rising demand of magnesium oxide for filtration of heavy metals in wastewater treatment drives the market growth.

PROMINENT DRIVERS

Increasing use of magnesium oxide in fertiliser manufacturing and other agro-based applications is driving the magnesium oxide market sales.

Introduction of magnesium oxide in waste water management process is further fuelling the market demand.

Surging use of magnesium oxide in manufacturing aluminum-magnesium alloys for various aerospace and automotive based applications will magnify the market growth.

KEY RESTRAINTS

Processing of magnesium oxide is a tedious, complex and costly affair restricting the market growth.

Magnesium oxide production requires special set of expensive lab equipments and highly skilled operator for handling purposes. High cost of lab set-up and lack of skilled operator restricts the market growth.

Stringent environmental rules and regulations imposed due to toxic nature of magnesium oxide fumes restrain the market growth.

COMPETITIVE LANDSCAPE

Leading players profiled by FMI operating in magnesium oxide market include Grecian Magnesite S.A., Ube Industries Ltd., Magnezit Group Europe GmbH, Kuma, Xinyang Mineral Group, Israel Chemical Ltd, Manyezit Sanayi A., MagnesitaRefratarios S.A., Robert Half International AG, Premier Magnesia LLC, Martin Marietta Inc.

According to FMI, leading players are emphasising on developing new products using modern technologies to survive in the competitive market. For instance, a whole new range of Caustic Calcined Magnesia, Magnesium Carbonate, Dunite, was launched by Grecian Magnesite S.A.in recent years. Recently new variety of Magnesium Oxysulphate Whisker, MOS-HIGE was launched by Ube Industries Ltd. -- TradeArabia News Service
Continued international support for Sudan is critical as the country undergoes a historic political and economic transformation, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres told a major investment conference in Paris on Monday.

We have a responsibility to help Sudan consolidate its democratic transition. Rebuild its economy. And deliver sustainable peace and development for all its diverse society, he said in a video message broadcast by the UN media center.

The conference, organized by French President Emmanuel Macron, aimed to encourage private investors to return to Sudan as it continues to emerge from three decades of isolation and rebuild its shattered economy.

The secretary-general said the conference is part of the ongoing efforts to bring Sudan back into the international community.

He commended those countries which have assisted Sudan in clearing its arrears with the international financial institutions, adding that generous donor support will be needed for achieving debt relief under the HPIC scheme.

Continued support from Sudans friends and partners is critical, he said.

If financial assistance and investments are not forthcoming, the continued dire economic situation could severely affect Sudan's transition, with negative consequences for peace and stability in the country, the region and beyond.

Guterres stressed that Sudan needs investment and a sustained commitment towards rebuilding, including from the private sector, while regaining eligibility for funding from international financial institutions is an important foundation for the countrys economic revival.

Sudan is undergoing a historic political and economic transformation, he said. I call on donors and businesses to make a bold investment in Sudans peaceful and sustainable future."

Short link:


Ethiopian soldiers interrogated patients at a hospital in the country's war-hit Tigray region twice this week in an apparent search for enemy fighters, two doctors told AFP Wednesday.

The incidents occurred Sunday and Monday in the city of Axum, disrupting treatment and prompting some patients to flee, said the doctors, who spoke to AFP on condition of anonymity for safety reasons.

The soldiers removed bandages and intravenous fluids from some patients, entered and contaminated an operating room and pointed their guns at doctors and nurses who objected, one doctor said.

"Our staff are so frightened that we are not able to do our treatment activities," he said.

Medical charity Doctors Without Borders, which is supporting the Axum hospital, confirmed in a statement that soldiers arrived Sunday and Monday and "went ward by ward looking for patients, intimidating caretakers and threatening health staff".

The group, known by its French acronym MSF, said it was "very concerned about the frequent violations of the neutrality of the medical mission by armed groups" in Tigray.

Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed sent troops into Tigray last November to detain and disarm leaders of the region's once dominant ruling party, the Tigray People's Liberation Front (TPLF).

He said the move came in response to TPLF attacks on federal army camps.

Though he vowed the conflict would be brief, more than six months later fighting continues and world leaders are warning of a potential humanitarian catastrophe.

The soldiers in Axum appeared to be looking for pro-TPLF fighters, the doctors said, adding that they did not take any patients away with them.

"If they see any wounded patient, they go to that patient and ask, 'Are you a soldier with TPLF?'" one doctor said.

The Axum hospital was featured in a recent report by CNN, and the doctors said they suspected that is why it was targeted.

The head of a military command post in Tigray and a spokeswoman for the region's interim administration did not immediately respond to requests for comment Wednesday.

*This story was edited by Ahram Online.

Short link:


The Arab League (AL) on Tuesday called on the international community to put an immediate limit on "Israeli aggression and the forcible displacement of the Palestinians in East Jerusalem."

In a statement, the AL urged the international society to take its responsibilities and stand firmly against these actions.

It also demanded international protection for the Palestinian people by ending the occupation.

It strongly condemned the displacing of the families in Sheikh Jarrah, a predominantly Palestinian neighborhood in East Jerusalem.

The Israeli practices will "deepen the occupation, expand the establishment of settlements, and destroy all potentials of achieving peace," according to the statement.

Short link:


Since Ramadan  the Islamic holy month of fasting began, Israel took several steps to make the lives of Palestinians harder than they already are. None of them are unprecedented, but the religious factor has clearly increased both the Palestinians' pain and the intensity of the conflict.

This includes planning to evict the Palestinians from their homes in eastern Jerusalems Sheikh Jarrah neighbourhood, launching an aggressive crackdown on ordinary Palestinian citizens and protesters as well as stopping Muslims from entering the Al-Aqsa mosque compound.

The crisis spread to the Gaza Strip. Gaza is ruled by the armed Islamist Hamas movement that fought against Israel several times during the past decade. Gazan factions fired rockets towards Israel and the latters army responded by launching airstrikes on the coastal enclave.

Tensions at the West Bank and Jerusalem have continuously resulted in a similar crackdown by Israeli troops on the people of Gaza or even aerial, military operations.

But the Palestinians, hundreds of whom were injured due to Israeli violence, can hardly act beyond protesting in the meantime.

As Joel Beinin  a Stanford Emeritus Professor of Middle Eastern history  puts it, there is no leadership to sustain a popular movement of that sort, doubting the eruption of a new Palestinian uprising (Intifada) as those that took place in 1987 and 2000 respectively. Beinin added that whatever may happen would be sporadic or motivated by individuals or small groups.

Beinin said that its not clear if he [Netanyahu] can get away with that," addressing that "Israels Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has an interest in escalating tensions in Gaza to distract attention from his political/legal problems.

Ramadan began on 13 April, and Palestinians have complained about Israels decision to put barriers outside Damascus Gate to prevent them from breaking their fast on its steps and entering Jerusalems Old City since then. This is related to a cultural tradition: thousands of Palestinians gather at this area following night-time prayers too.

Israel eventually decided to remove the barriers after Palestinians protested against its decision on 25 April. The cost, however was too high. About 100 Palestinians were injured and 50 others were arrested, as according to the Palestinian Red Crescent. Furthermore, several Israeli attacks on Palestinians were recorded, including an assault by Israeli youth on a driver who stopped to express anger because of their anti-Arab slogans.

But the Palestinian protests did not stop after the end of the Damascus Gate crisis. Their focus turned to the eviction of many Palestinian families from their homes in Sheikh Jarrah.

An Israeli court informed around 75 Palestinian families that they should leave their homes in Sheikh Jarrah before 2 May, which Israel delayed as it is busy dealing with Palestinian protests.

The Israeli authorities are counting on the 1950 and 1970 laws that legitimise the process of taking Palestinian properties in East Jerusalem built before 1948 and transferring its ownership to Israelis.

But Palestinians, international rights and humanitarian institutions and even left-wing Israeli groups believe these types of laws serve as Israel's tool of discriminating against Palestinians.

On 22nd April, Jordans Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi visited the West Bank and gave documents to the Palestinian Authority in Ramallah that prove that the ministry of development, that built these houses, had in 1956 finalised lease agreements for homes in Sheikh Jarrah. Jordan also says the UN agency for Palestinian refugees (UNRWA) has certified all contracts.

UNRWA itself has decided to publicly speak about the issue. According to publicly available information released by UN OCHA, nearly a thousand Palestinians - almost half of whom are children - are at risk of forced eviction across East Jerusalem. In many cases in East Jerusalem, including in Sheikh Jarrah, the forced eviction of Palestinians is occurring within the context of Israeli settlement construction and expansion, [which is] illegal under international humanitarian law, the organisation said on Monday.

On the same day, Hamas warned Israel to withdraw its soldiers from Al-Aqsa and Sheikh Jarrah until 1500 GMT. Afterwards, the Gazan factions launched rockets towards Israel.

But the Israeli response was brutal. Israel started a number of aerial offensives on the coastal enclave. Palestinian media reports say that more than 30 people, including nine children, lost their lives. While more than 100 people were found wounded.

The numbers will likely grow in the coming hours, for the airstrikes remain ongoing.

Nadia Naser-Najjab, a scholar of Palestinian studies at Exeter University, explained that Israel deliberately wants to inhibit the lives of all Palestinians.

For example, they [Israeli forces] might block the road for two hours through establishing checkpoints, and then allow people to go with no clear reason. This happened to me when I was studying at Birzeit University, she noted.

Naser-Najjab stated that Israels settlement activities have intensified after the 1967 war, increasing with a rate of 120 percent after Oslo accords. This has been part of the judaisation process for Jerusalem.

Israel doesnt want a partnership with the Palestinians. It uses COVID-19 as a justification for stopping the Palestinians from entering Al-Aqsa, while allowing the Israelis to dig under the mosque. The settlers are armed and they count on the support of the army to evict Palestinians from their homes. They [settlers] know the Palestinian families by name and [they know] who is the owner of each piece of land. Israel also closed all Palestinian organisations in Jerusalem, she added.

Yet, she believed that the operations of Palestinian groups, such as Hamas, against Israel gives a justification for Israel to do more violence and oppressive acts. Although Israel resorts to violence "all the time", Naser-Najjab pointed out, popular and non-violent resistance is more sustainable because it attracts wider international support and solidarity.

When people decide to make an uprising, it is very hard to know when it will end, she concluded, although stating that the Palestinian leadership is no longer involved in arranging protests and politically benefiting from them as it used to do so during the intifadas.

Short link:


President Joe Biden expressed support for a cease-fire between Israel and Gaza's Hamas rulers in a call to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, but he stopped short of demanding an immediate stop to the eight days of Israeli airstrikes and Palestinian resistance factions' rocket barrages that have killed more than 200 people, most of them Palestinian.

Biden's carefully worded statement, in a White House readout Monday of his second known call to Netanyahu in three days as the attacks pounded on, came with the administration under pressure to respond more forcefully despite its determination to wrench the U.S. foreign policy focus away from Middle East conflicts.

Biden's comments on a cease-fire were open-ended, and similar to previous administration statements of support in principle for a cease-fire. That's in contrast to demands from dozens of Democratic lawmakers and others for an immediate halt by both sides. But the readout of the call to the Israeli leader showed increased White House concern about the air and rocket attacks - including Israeli airstrikes aimed at weakening Hamas - while sticking to forceful support for Israel.

The U.S. leader ``encouraged Israel to make every effort to ensure the protection of innocent civilians,'' the White House said in its readout.

An administration official familiar with the call said the decision to express support and not explicitly demand a cease-fire was intentional. While Biden and top aides are concerned about the mounting bloodshed and loss of innocent life, the decision not to demand an immediate halt to hostilities reflects White House determination to support Israel's right to defend itself from Hamas, the official said, speaking on condition of anonymity to discuss the private deliberations.

Netanyahu told Israeli security officials late Monday that Israel would ``continue to strike terror targets'' in Gaza ``as long as necessary in order to return calm and security to all Israeli citizens.''

As the worst Israeli-Palestinian fighting since 2014 raged, the Biden administration has limited its public criticisms to Hamas and has declined to send a top-level envoy to the region. It also had declined to press Israel publicly and directly to wind down its latest military operation in the Gaza Strip, a six-mile by 25-mile territory that is home to more than 2 million people. Cease-fire mediation by Egypt and others has shown no sign of progress.

Separately, the United States, Israel's top ally, blocked for a third time Monday what would have been a unanimous statement by the 15-nation U.N. Security Council expressing ``grave concern'' over the intensifying Israeli-Palestinian conflict and the loss of civilian lives. The final U.S. rejection killed the Security Council statement, at least for now.

White House press secretary Jen Psaki and national security adviser Jake Sullivan said the United States was focusing instead on ``quiet, intensive diplomacy.''

Biden has been determined to wrench U.S. foreign policy away from Middle East and Central Asia conflicts, including withdrawing U.S. troops from Afghanistan and ending support for a Saudi-led war in Yemen, to focus on other policy priorities. Internationally for the U.S., that means confronting climate change and dealing with the rise of China, among other objectives.

That shift carries risks, including weathering flaring violence as the United States steps back from hotspots.

Secretary of State Antony Blinken, speaking in Denmark on the first stop of an unrelated tour of Nordic countries, said Monday the United States was ready to spring in to help if Israel and Hamas signal interest in ending hostilities - but that the U.S. wasn't demanding that they do so.

``Ultimately it is up to the parties to make clear that they want to pursue a cease-fire,'' Blinken said. He described U.S. contacts to support an end to the fighting, including the calls he was making midair between his Nordic stops.

Blinken defended the U.S. handling of the decades-old Israeli-Palestinian conflict as America works to push for climate-accord deals, withdraw troops from Afghanistan, and turn U.S. attention to what Biden sees as the nation's most pressing foreign policy priorities.

It's ``a big world and we do have responsibilities,`` he said.

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer on Monday joined dozens of Democratic lawmakers - and one Republican, and independent Sen. Bernie Sanders - in calling for the cease-fire by both sides. A prominent Democrat, Rep. Adam Schiff, the House intelligence committee chairman, pressed the U.S. over the weekend to get more involved.

Progressive Democrats have been more outspoken in demanding pressure on Israel _ and Republicans and conservative Democrats comparatively quiet, for a politically fraught U.S. issue like support for Israel - as the death toll has mounted.

Rep. Cori Bush, a Missouri Democrat, linked Palestinian issues to those of Black Americans.

``We oppose our money going to fund militarized policing, occupation, and systems of violent oppression and trauma,'' Bush tweeted.

But Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky, took the Senate floor on Monday to assail lawmakers for including Israel in their demands for a cease-fire.

``To say that both sides, both sides need to de-escalate downplays the responsibility terrorists have for initiating the conflict in the first place and suggests Israelis are not entitled to defend themselves against ongoing rocket barrages,'' McConnell said.

In a shot at Democrats, McConnell said, ``The United States needs to stand foursquare behind our ally, and President Biden must remain strong against the growing voices within his own party that create false equivalence between terrorist aggressors and a responsible state defending itself.''

Sen. Rick Scott, R-Fla., led 19 Republican senators releasing a resolution supporting Israel's side of the fighting. They plan to try to introduce the legislation next week.

Blinken also said Monday he had asked Israel for any evidence for its claim that Hamas was operating in a Gaza office building housing The Associated Press and Al Jazeera news bureaus that was destroyed in an Israeli airstrike over the weekend. But he said that he personally had ``not seen any information provided.''

*This story was edited by Ahram Online

Short link:


Palestinians started a nationwide general strike on Tuesday in order to protest the continuous Israeli bombardment of the besieged Gaza Strip, according to Palestine News and Info Agency (WAFA).

All economic, commercial, and educational establishments in the occupied West Bank, including East Jerusalem, Gaza, and Palestinian villages and towns in Israel closed their doors as part of the nationwide strike, WAFA stated.

As Israeli aerial and artillery attacks on the Gaza Strip continue for the ninth day in a row, more than 200 Palestinians, including 61 children, have been killed and over 1,300 others were wounded in the besieged country.

Tuesday's nationwide Palestinian general strike, the first such strike since the six-month long Palestinian general strike against the British mandate in 1936, is also being held in response to settler mob violence against Palestinians, the forcible expulsion of Palestinians from the Sheikh Jarrah neighbourhood, and days of assaults against the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound, according to WAFA.

Palestinian political parties, unions, syndicates, and popular movements published statements backing the call for the general strike, urging their members and all Palestinians to take part in it, WAFA added.

In the last two weeks, Palestinians inside Israel (also known as 1948 Arabs) have joined in protests against Israeli aggression in East Jerusalem and the Gaza Strip. Israel has mobilised its security forces to crackdown on Palestinian protesters in mixed israeli cities such as Lod (El-Led) and others.

Meanwhile, Israel killed more than 20 Palestinians and injured hundreds in a crackdown on protests in the West Bank.

The call for the general strike has been supported by the Arab High Follow-up Committee, which called for the approximately 1.6 million Palestinian citizens living in Israel to observe the strike, as Palestinians in refugee camps and worldwide are also expected to take part in peaceful protests in condemnation of Israeli aggression, according to WAFA.

The Fatah Central Committee has also called on Palestinians to adhere to the strike, describing it as a day of rage, and the world to confront the Israeli occupation authorities attempts to ignite a religious conflict through forced expulsions in Jerusalem.

The Palestinian national and Islamic coalition also released a statement in support of the strike, which will see Palestinians everywhere embodying their national unity under the Palestinian flag, WAFA stated.

The Gaza Electricity Distribution Companys (GEDCO) spokesperson warned on Monday that a total blackout could take place within days in the Gaza Strip if no new fuel is brought in to power the last remaining turbine at Gazas power plant.

Mohamed Thabeth, spokesperson for GEDCO, said that the currently available quantities of fuel can help them generate electricity for two or three days maximum.

Thabeth has called on Israel to open the Karam Abu Salem border crossing in order to allow the entry of fuel into the strip.

GEDCO said that their preliminary estimate of losses due to the Israeli assault on Gaza has reached $8 million.

Short link:


The UN Security Council was to hold an emergency meeting Tuesday amid a diplomatic push to end the devastating conflict between Israel and Gaza's armed groups that has killed more than 220 people, most of them Palestinians.

Israel maintained its heaviest-ever daily rate of bombardment of the blockaded enclave overnight, sending a fireball and a black plume of smoke into the sky following one heavy strike, an AFP journalist reported.

Despite growing calls for an end to the violence, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said late Monday that Israel would 'continue striking at the terrorist targets'.

Israel launched its air campaign on the Gaza Strip on May 10 after the enclave's rulers, the Islamist group Hamas, fired a barrage of rockets in response to unrest in Israeli-annexed east Jerusalem.

Israeli air strikes have killed 213 Palestinians, including 61 children, and wounded more than 1,400 people in Gaza, according to the Hamas-run health ministry.

Palestinian militants have fired around 3,350 rockets toward Israel that have killed 10 people, including a child, Israeli authorities said.

Air raid sirens again wailed in southern Israel through the morning, sending families fleeing into bomb shelters.

The Security Council session, the fourth since the conflict escalated, was called after the United States, a key Israel ally, blocked adoption of a joint statement calling for a halt to the violence on Monday for the third time in a week.

US President Joe Biden, having resisted joining other world leaders and much of his own Democratic party in calling for an immediate end to hostilities, told Netanyahu Monday night he backs a ceasefire, but stopped short of demanding a truce.

Covid test lab hit

Israel's overnight barrage again set the night sky over the densely populated coastal enclave ablaze as multiple strikes crashed into buildings in Gaza City shortly after midnight.

"They destroyed our house but I don't know why they targeted us,' said Nazmi al-Dahdouh, 70, of western Gaza City, adding he was now homeless after "a terrifying, violent night".

The Israeli army said on Tuesday it had struck dozens of 'targets' inside Gaza since midnight, while Palestinian militants had fired 70 rockets, dozens of which were intercepted by air defences.

A strike late Monday knocked out Gaza's only Covid-19 testing laboratory, the health ministry said. The Qatari Red Crescent said a strike damaged one of its offices in the enclave.

The rate of positive coronavirus tests in Gaza has been among the highest in the world, at 28 percent.

Hospitals in the poverty-stricken territory, which has been under Israeli blockade for almost 15 years, have been overwhelmed by patients.

Israeli fire has cratered roads and battered crucial infrastructure, causing blackouts and prompting the electricity authority to warn Monday it only had enough fuel left to provide power for another two to three days.

The UN on Tuesday praised Israel's decision to open the Kerem Shalom crossing so humanitarian goods could enter Gaza.

Israeli authorities told AFP there was no immediate timeframe for the re-opening.

The conflict risks precipitating a humanitarian disaster, with the UN saying nearly 40,000 Palestinians have been displaced and 2,500 have lost their homes.

Fighter jets hit what the Israeli military dubs the 'metro', its term for Hamas's underground tunnels, which Israel has previously acknowledged run in part through civilian areas.

Rockets have meanwhile also been fired at Israel from Lebanon, where protests against Israel's Gaza campaign have been held in the border area. The Israeli army said the six rockets did not reach its territory.

Day of anger strike

Palestinians across the West Bank and in east Jerusalem were Tuesday largely adhering to a general strike called in support of those under bombardment in Gaza.

Palestinian president Mahmud Abbas's Fatah movement has called for a "day of anger" and strike, a call echoed in Arab and ethnically mixed towns inside Israel.

All non-essential Palestinian businesses were closed in West Bank cities and east Jerusalem, with large demonstrators planned for the afternoon, including at the flashpoint Damascus Gate entrance to the Old City.

'We are here to raise our voice and stand with the people in Gaza who are being bombed,' Ramallah protester Aya Dabour told AFP.

Israel's army said it had 'neutralised' an assailant attempting to attack soldiers in Hebron on Tuesday. The Palestinian health ministry confirmed the man's death.

Even as Security Council ceasefire efforts have faltered, Biden's national security adviser Jake Sullivan said he had spoken to his Israeli counterpart and the Egyptian government -- a key intermediary on Monday, saying that Washington was engaged in 'quiet, intensive diplomacy'.

The French and Egyptian presidents, Emmanuel Macron and Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, are pushing for a ceasefire deal. Another channel has been opened, via the UN, with the help of Qatar and Egypt.

The military conflict was sparked after clashes broke out at Jerusalem's flashpoint Al-Aqsa mosque compound ,one of Islam's holiest sites after Israeli forces clashed with worshippers on May 7.

This followed a crackdown against protests over planned evictions of Palestinians in the Sheikh Jarrah neighbourhood of east Jerusalem.

Israel has been trying to contain violence between Jews and Israeli Arabs, as well as unrest in the occupied West Bank, where Palestinian authorities say Israeli forces have killed 21 Palestinians since May 10.

Short link:


Israel said it had closed a crossing into Gaza shortly after opening it Tuesday to allow in humanitarian goods, after mortars were fired at the area as aid trucks passed through.

Israel had opened the Kerem Shalom crossing to allow in "trucks carrying civil aid donated by international aid organisations to the Gaza Strip," said COGAT, the Israeli military branch responsible for civil affairs in the Palestinian territories.

"After a firing of mortar bombs towards the Kerem Shalom Crossing... it has been decided to stop the entry of the rest of the trucks," the COGAT statement said.

Short link:


Two Thai workers were killed in southern Israel by rocket fire from Gaza on Tuesday, police said, raising to 12 the death toll in Israel since the conflict broke out.

"In the last wave of rockets that landed in the Eshkol region, two people were killed," police spokesman Micky Rosenfeld said, identifying the dead as workers from Thailand.

A week ago, a Thai national was wounded by another rocket fired from Gaza, and a farm labourer from Thailand was killed in the 2004 Israel-Gaza war.

Magen David Adom, Israel's equivalent of the Red Cross, said seven other foreign workers were wounded by shrapnel in the latest attack, one of them seriously.

They were all taken to Soroka hospital in the southern town of Beersheba.

According to the United Hatzalah volunteer rescue service, the Gaza rocket hit a packaging factory near the border.

Short link:


TunisAir announced Tuesday it has resumed flights to Libya, becoming the first foreign carrier to fly the route for seven years in the wake of UN-sponsored peace efforts.

Its planes landed Monday in both the capital Tripoli and Benghazi, Libya's second city, the company said, adding that the event was celebrated with hoses firing water arches on arrival.

It has scheduled three flights a week to Tripoli and two to Benghazi in eastern Libya.

The Libya Observer tweeted that the first plane landed at Mitiga airport used to serve the capital.

TunisAir was also the last foreign airline to suspend flights to Libya in August 2014 because of insecurity.

International flights, to Tunisia, Turkey and Egypt, have been operated by Libyan companies, which do not have access to European airspace.

Oil-rich Libya has been torn by conflict since the toppling and killing of dictator Moamer Kadhafi a decade ago.

In October 2020, rival groups signed a truce, setting in motion a UN-led process that saw a new transitional government installed.

The new executive is charged with organising national elections set for December 2021.

Short link:


Aveva, a global leader in industrial software, announced that Henkel, a global consumer goods and industrial chemicals manufacturer, has implemented Aveva digital solutions to help accelerate sustainability within its supply chain.

By integrating Aveva System Platform, Aveva Historian and Aveva Manufacturing Execution System, Henkel is monitoring and minimising energy consumption saving 8 million ($9.78 million) YOY in 2020 and working towards its target of becoming three times more energy efficient by 2030.

With sustainability at the heart of its strategy, Henkels Laundry & Home Care business unit wanted to reduce energy consumption and align with ISO 50001 standards at all its production sites. Using Aveva software installed by EMP Etteplan GmbH, the team was able to successfully optimise collection, use and communication of energy consumption and emissions data across its supply chain. As a result, the team has improved supply-chain resource efficiency of on-site production by 5-6% annually.

When we started implementing Aveva digital solutions in 2013, we were already achieving a 3% year-on-year energy saving on every tonne of product produced. By the time we had completed the implementation, we were seeing a clear increase in energy efficiency. For example, Aveva-based Environmental Management System (EMS) has reduced Henkels energy consumption (kWh/t) year-on-year by up to 16% in 2020 against a business-as-usual operation. To put this into perspective, the energy saved is equivalent to the capacity needed to support the three million inhabitants of two European capital cities, Amsterdam and Vienna, commented Wolfgang Weber, Corporate Director, Digital Transformation & Engineering Laundry & Home Care, Henkel.

Using Technology to Deliver Sustainable Outcomes across the Board Avevas flexible solution enabled Henkels Laundry & Home Care business unit to address all the information system architecture requirements needed to realise these emissions savings.

The project took less than 18 months to start delivering audited benefits and included the energy monitoring solution using Aveva System Platform and Aveva Historian.

With many organisations today focused on driving sustainable business practices, Aveva has made positive strides towards this universal call to action by developing technology solutions that are contributing towards effectively reducing industrial organisations environmental footprints. Digital technologies play a vital role in realising sustainable ambitions and Aveva is primed to support our customers globally in taking charge of their sustainability objectives, commented Kim Custeau, Senior Vice President APM and MES, Aveva.

Our offerings are enabling our customers to integrate legacy solutions seamlessly, providing advanced analytics that drive sustainable decision-making through actionable insights. Our aim is to continue to work with world leaders like Henkel, where our business goals are technologically advanced and aligned to support the global sustainability agenda, Custeau continued.

In terms of our vision for the future, Aveva software will continue to provide the technology that Henkel Laundry & Home Care needs to achieve its goals, said Dr Dirk Holbach, Corporate Senior Vice President, Global Supply Chain Laundry & Home Care, Henkel.

Sustainability and efficient use of resources is firmly anchored in Henkels corporate values  and this isnt something recent. We were one of the first companies to start publishing an annual sustainability report thirty years ago and today we have our sights set firmly on our long-term sustainability goals and are proud that our commitment has recently been recognised by the World Economic Forum (WEF) designating several of our factories as sustainability lighthouses. -- TradeArabia News Service
A top American diplomat arrived Tuesday in Libya's capital, marking the first visit by a senior US official since the UN backed election of an interim government in February.

Acting Assistant Secretary of State for Near Eastern Affairs Joey Hood affirmed the US's full support of Libya's transitional authorities and urged an end to foreign military intervention in the North African country.

Libya's government of national unity is expected to enforce a cease-fire agreement signed in October and lead the country into general elections in December 2021.

`Today's meetings demonstrate the commitment of the US government and our strong diplomatic support for the progress the Libyan people have made towards an inclusive negotiated political solution,' Hood said at a joint news conference with Libya's Foreign Minister Najla al-Manqoush.

Along with US Ambassador to Libya Richard Norland, Hood met with Libya's Prime Minister Abdul Hamid Dbeibah and Mohammad Younes Menfi, head of Libya's Presidential Council.

`We urged the US to help us pressure all concerned parties to meet their obligations, respect UN resolutions and support the cease-fire,'' said Manqoush.

Libya has been mired in chaos since a NATO-backed uprising toppled longtime dictator Moammar Gadhafi in 2011. The uprising divided the oil-rich country between a government in the capital, Tripoli, and authorities based in the country's east that is backed by Egypt and the United Arab Emirates.

In April 2019, the Libyan National Army's (LNA) commander Khalifa Hafter and his forces launched an offensive to try and capture Tripoli. His 14-month-long campaign collapsed after Turkey stepped up its military support of the UN backed government with hundreds of troops and thousands of Syrian mercenaries.

An October cease-fire agreement that included a demand that all foreign fighters and mercenaries leave Libya within 90 days led to a deal on the transitional government and December elections.

In a report obtained by The Associated Press last week, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres complained there has been no reduction of foreign fighters or their activities in Libya and that a UN imposed arms embargo continues to be breached.

The UN estimated in December there were at least 20,000 foreign fighters and mercenaries in Libya, including Syrians, Russians, Sudanese and Chadians. But at an informal council meeting in late April, speakers said there were more than 20,000, including 13,000 Syrians and 11,000 Sudanese, according to diplomats.

`The goal of the US is a sovereign, stable, unified Libya with no foreign interference and a state that is capable of combatting terrorism,' said Hood.

Hood said the US hopes that Libyans reach an agreement soon on the constitutional mechanism of the upcoming elections.

He added that America is willing to re-open its embassy in Libya but that the process would take time and require `a lot of logistics.'

`We are not waiting for that; we will be visiting frequently and we will be inviting her excellency to Washington,' he said in reference to Manqoush.

The US suspended embassy operations in Libya in 2014 as fighting between Libyan factions neared its embassy in Tripoli. The US diplomatic mission to Libya is now located in safer Tunis, Tunisia.

In recent months, several European governments, including France and Greece, reopened their embassies in Tripoli after years of closure as an act of support of the newly-elected transitional authorities.

*This story was edited by Ahram Online.

Short link:


The Palestinian Health Ministry says a Palestinian protester was killed and dozens more were wounded when gunshots rang out at a large demonstration in the occupied West Bank.

The Health Ministry identified the deceased as 25-year-old Muhammad Hamid. It says 46 others were wounded, including 16 with bullet wounds. It says four of them are in serious condition.

Hundreds of protesters had gathered on the outskirts of Ramallah, where the Palestinian Authority is headquartered, to protest against Israel's actions in Gaza and Jerusalem. They burned tires and hurled stones at the Israeli troops, who fired tear gas at them.

At one point, seven shots rang out, but it was unclear where they came from. Israeli soldiers on a hillside opposite the protest could be seen taking cover behind mounds of sandbags.

Israel has recently started a crackdown against Palestinian protesters in Jerusalem, which was followed by an aerial campaign on Gaza Strip.

A general strike on Tuesday was observed by Palestinians in Israel and the occupied territories.

*This story was edited by Ahram Online.

Short link:


A strike launched from Gaza killed two Thai workers in southern Israel on Tuesday, police said, hours after Israeli airstrikes toppled a six-story building in the Palestinian territory that housed bookstores and educational centers.

With Israel's aerial campaign on Gaza showing no sign of abating and truce efforts apparently stalled, Palestinians across Israel and the occupied territories went on strike in a rare collective action against Israel's policies.

Israel maintains its crackdown on Palestinians on the outskirts of the West Bank city of Ramallah. Troops fired tear gas canisters at hundreds of Palestinian protesters.

One protester was killed and 46 others wounded _ including 16 by live fire _ in clashes with Israeli troops, according to the Palestinian Health Ministry. The Israeli army said two soldiers were wounded by gunshots to the leg.

Muhammad Barakeh, one of the organizers of the strike, said Palestinians are expressing a ``collective position'' against Israel's ``aggression'' in Gaza and Jerusalem, as well as the ``brutal repression'' by police across Israel. Israel blames the war on Hamas and accuses it of inciting violence across the region.

Since Israel's offensive on Gaza began last week, the Israeli military has launched hundreds of airstrikes it says are targeting Hamas' militant infrastructure.

Israel continued its airstrikes into Gaza, leaving behind a massive mound of rebar and concrete slabs in its attack on the six-story building with centers used by the Islamic University and other colleges. Desks, office chairs, books and computer wires could be seen in the debris. Residents sifted through the rubble, searching for their belongings.

Israel warned the building's residents ahead of time, sending them fleeing into the predawn darkness, and there were no reports of casualties.

``The whole street started running, then destruction, an earthquake,'' said Jamal Herzallah, a resident of the area. ``This whole area was shaking.''

Since 2012, Hamed al-Ijla had run a training center in the building, teaching first aid, hospital management and other skills to thousands of students.

When the war is over, ``I will set up a tent across the street and resume work,'' he said.

Heavy fighting broke out May 10 when Gaza's militant Hamas rulers fired long-range rockets toward Jerusalem in support of Palestinian protests against Israel's heavy-handed policing of the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound, a flashpoint site sacred to Muslims, and the threatened eviction of dozens of Palestinian families by Israeli settlers.

At least 213 Palestinians have been killed in airstrikes since, including 61 children and 36 women, with more than 1,440 people wounded, according to the Gaza Health Ministry.

Hamas and Islamic Jihad say at least 20 of their fighters have been killed in the fighting, while Israel says the number is at least 160.

Israel's campaign on Gaza is the most intense since its 2014 offensive on the coastal enclave.

Egyptian mediators are trying to negotiate a cease-fire.

But the U.S. has stopped short of demanding an immediate stop to the hostilities and Israel has so far vowed to press on.

In the meantime, Israeli settlers continue to attack Palestinian civilians and protesters, chanting anti-Palestinian slogans such as "death to Arabs".

As the fighting drags on, medical supplies, fuel and water are running low in Gaza, which is home to more than 2 million Palestinians and has been under an Israeli blockade since Hamas seized power from rival Palestinian forces in 2007. Nearly 47,000 Palestinians have fled their homes.

Israeli attacks have damaged at least 18 hospitals and clinics and entirely destroyed one health facility, the World Health Organization said in a new report. Nearly half of all essential drugs in the territory have run out.

Essential supplies and aid have only trickled in during the fighting, some from Egypt through the Rafah crossing point it controls and some from Israel when it briefly opened the territory's main commercial crossing Tuesday. Israel shut its crossing after only a few hours after a mortar attack.

The WHO said the bombing of key roads, including those leading to the main Shifa Hospital, has hindered the movement of ambulances and supply vehicles in Gaza, which was already struggling to cope with a coronavirus outbreak.

Israel has vowed to press on with its operations, and the United States signaled it would not pressure the two sides for a cease-fire even as President Joe Biden said he supported one.

``We will continue to operate as long as necessary in order to return calm and security to all Israeli citizens,'' Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Monday.

The Biden administration has declined so far to publicly criticize Israel's part in the fighting or send a top-level envoy to the region and has blocked a proposed U.N. Security Council statement calling for an end to the crisis.

Among the buildings that Israeli airstrikes have leveled was the one housing The Associated Press Gaza office and those of other media outlets.

Netanyahu alleged that Hamas military intelligence was operating inside the building. U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said Tuesday that Israel had given the U.S. information about the bombing.

Blinken, speaking from Iceland, declined to characterize the material received. Israel has not publicly provided any evidence of its claim.

AP President Gary Pruitt reiterated the organization's call for an independent investigation into the attack.

``As we have said, we have no indication of a Hamas presence in the building, nor were we warned of any such possible presence before the airstrike,'' he said in a statement. ``We do not know what the Israeli evidence shows, and we want to know.''

*This story was edited by Ahram Online.

Short link:


Palestinians across the West Bank and in east Jerusalem mobilised Tuesday for protests and a general strike that shuttered non-essential businesses, in support of those under bombardment in Gaza.

Palestinian president Mahmud Abbas's Fatah movement had called for a 'day of anger', a call echoed in Arab and ethnically mixed towns inside Israel.

'We are here to raise our voice and stand with the people in Gaza who are being bombed,' Ramallah protester Aya Dabour told AFP.

An AFP reporter heard bursts of gunfire as thousands of Palestinian protesters faced Israeli troops north of Ramallah, with one soldier being carried away from the scene after an apparent leg injury.

The army said 'a report was received regarding a shooting' in Ramallah district.

Tensions again flared in east Jerusalem's flashpoint Sheikh Jarrah neighbourhood, where Palestinian protesters faced off against police, ahead of a planned demonstration at the Damascus Gate entrance to the Old City, where hostilities have also surged in recent weeks.

Israel's army said it had 'neutralised' an assailant attempting to attack soldiers in the West Bank city of Hebron on Tuesday. The Palestinian health ministry confirmed the man's death.

The military conflict was sparked after clashes broke out at Jerusalem's flashpoint Al-Aqsa mosque compound , one of Islam's holiest sites after Israeli forces clashed with stone-throwing Palestinians on May 7.

This followed a crackdown against protests over planned evictions of Palestinians in the Sheikh Jarrah neighbourhood of east Jerusalem.

Israel has been trying to contain violence between Jews and Israeli Arabs, as well as unrest in the occupied West Bank, where Palestinian authorities say Israeli forces have killed 21 Palestinians since May 10.

Short link:


European Union foreign ministers debated Tuesday how to use the 27-nation bloc's political clout to help diplomatic efforts to end Israel's crackdown against the Palestinians in Jerusalem and aerial offensive on Gaza Strip.

The EU has been united in its calls for a cease-fire and the need for a political solution to end the latest conflict _ now in its second week _ but the nations are divided over how best to help. No firm decisions involving threats of sanctions or other measures are likely from the ministers' videoconference.

At least 212 Palestinians have been killed in heavy airstrikes so far, including 61 children, and over 1,400 people wounded, Gaza's Health Ministry said.

Israel carried out a wave of airstrikes on what it said were militant targets in Gaza, leveling a six-story building in downtown Gaza City, and Palestinian militants fired dozens of rockets into Israel early Tuesday, the latest in the fourth war between the two sides.

The EU is the biggest donor of aid to the Palestinians but holds little influence over the militant group Hamas or the state of Israel, despite having some trade arrangements that are favorable to the Israelis.

Before the meeting, EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell tweeted that he had an exchange with U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken on how the United States and the bloc ``can jointly contribute to end violence'' and to reduce tensions.

``Looking beyond, we also need longer term initiatives to break the dynamics of conflict and revive the prospect of a peaceful future for all,'' wrote Borrell, who is chairing the meeting.

German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas stressed that ``Israel of course has the right to defend itself'' against rocket fire from Hamas.

``With its rocket terror, Hamas has deliberately escalated a situation that was already extremely tense, with terrible consequences for Israelis and for its own civilian population in Gaza,'' he said.

``The weapons must finally fall silent,'' Maas said. He emphasized the role of the international diplomatic Quartet, in which the EU is represented by its new Middle East peace envoy Sven Koopmans, and said ``we are in favor of further expanding his mediation efforts.''

The Quartet's other three members are the United Nations, the U.S. and Russia.

Maas said the EU needs to look beyond ending the current violence and at how to prevent a repeat. ``The EU must play a role here, in political and humanitarian terms,'' he said, adding that he would press Tuesday for better humanitarian supply lines into Gaza.

``We must use our relationships with both sides to encourage confidence-building steps that could lead to calming the situation both inside Israel and in the West Bank,'' he added. ``Only that way will it be possible to talk again about a lasting solution to the Middle East conflict.''

*This story was edited by Ahram Online.

Short link:


Saudi Arabia on Tuesday summoned Lebanon's ambassador to the kingdom to protest "insulting" remarks by his country's foreign minister, who appeared to blame Gulf states for the rise of the Islamic State group.

Saudi Arabia seems to have taken a step back from its former ally, angered by the influence of Lebanese Shia movement Hezbollah, which is backed by Riyadh's rival Tehran.

Lebanon's outgoing foreign minister Charbel Wehbe stoked fresh tensions on Monday when he suggested during a televised debate that Gulf states were behind the rise of the extremist group in Iraq and Syria.

He made the comment during a verbal duel with a Saudi guest on the show, who blamed Lebanon's President Michel Aoun for "handing over" his country to Hezbollah.

In a statement, the Saudi foreign ministry strongly condemned Wehbe's "insulting" remarks, saying they were "inconsistent with the simplest diplomatic norms".

The ministry "summoned the Lebanese ambassador to express the kingdom's rejection and denunciation" of his comments, said the statement released by the official Saudi Press Agency.

The ambassador was handed an official "letter of protest", the statement added.

Wehbe apologised Tuesday for his remarks, saying he did not mean to offend "brotherly Arab countries".

Faced with a crippling economic crisis, Lebanon's government also moved swiftly to distance itself from the remarks that angered Riyadh, once a key financial backer of Beirut.

Aoun said the remarks were Wehbe's "personal opinion" and did not reflect the position of the state, as he lauded the "brotherly" ties with Saudi Arabia and the Gulf.

Lebanon's outgoing premier Hassan Diab said he had sought an explanation from Wehbe, adding that his country was keen to maintain the "best relations" with Saudi Arabia and the Gulf.

Saad Hariri, the prime minister-designate who owes much of his family fortune to Saudi backing, also slammed Wehbe, saying his remarks were "not in accordance with diplomatic norms".

Last month, Saudi Arabia announced it was suspending fruit and vegetable imports from Lebanon, saying shipments were being used for drug smuggling and accusing Beirut of inaction.

The decision was a blow to Lebanon, which is facing its worst economic crisis since the 1975-1990 civil war.

Short link:


Five people protesting on the Lebanon-Israel border against air strikes in Gaza were wounded Tuesday by tear gas cannisters and smoke bombs fired by Israeli forces, Lebanese state media said.

"A number of demonstrators climbed a concrete border fence, raised Hezbollah flags and banners, and threw stones," the official National News Agency reported.

"Israeli forces fired tear gas and smoke bombs, leaving five people wounded."

NNA did not say if those injured were Lebanese citizens or Palestinian refugees.

Since last week, a series of protests along Lebanon's frontier have been held against Israel's air campaign on Gaza, a densely populated Palestinian enclave.

That air assault has killed 213 Palestinians, according to Gaza's health ministry, while 12 have been killed on the Israeli side by thousands of rockets fired at the Jewish state from inside Gaza.

A Lebanese demonstrator was killed by Israeli fire on Friday after he tried to cross the border fence into northern Israel.

Several others have been wounded in similar incidents over the past week which came amid heightened tensions along the border.

On Monday, the Israeli army said it launched artillery fire towards Lebanon in response to rocket fire from the neighbouring country that failed to hit the Jewish state.

The Lebanese army on Tuesday said that 10 shells and seven flare bombs had been fired by Israel into south Lebanon in response to the rocket attack -- which no group has yet claimed.

The Lebanese army said it seized seven rocket launchers -- six unloaded and one still carrying a rocket -- outside the southern village of al-Habariyya as part of a probe into who is responsible for the rocket fire.

Last Thursday, three rockets were also fired from southern Lebanon near the Palestinian refugee camp of Rashidiyeh toward Israel. Israel's army said those rockets landed in the sea.

Hezbollah, Israel's arch nemesis, has yet to comment on either Thursday's or Monday's rocket attack but sources close to the powerful Iran-backed Shia movement deny any link.

Short link:


Secretary of State Antony Blinken and his envoy reached out to Palestinian and regional Arab leaders Tuesday on a ninth day of Israeli airstrikes on Gaza Strip, while some House Democrats split on whether to step up pressure for a cease-fire and for more forceful U.S. diplomacy to end the fighting.

Democrats on the House Foreign Affairs Committee weighed _ but on Tuesday shelved _ writing President Joe Biden to demand that he delay a pending $735 million sale of precision-guided missiles to Israel. Dozens of progressive and mainstream Democratic lawmakers have called for a cease-fire between Israel and Gaza's Hamas militants, and some Democrats are demanding Biden push harder for an end for Israel's aerial campaign on the coastal enclave.

Committee member Rep. Joaquin Castro, D-Texas, was among Democrats seeking a harder line, saying he has ``serious concerns about the timing of this weapons sale, the message it will send to Israel and the world about the urgency of a cease fire.'' He said late Monday that the Biden administration ``must use every diplomatic tool to de-escalate this conflict and bring about peace.''

Committee chairman Rep. Gregory Meeks, D-N.Y. said the lawmakers expect an administration briefing Wednesday on the crisis. House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer on Tuesday acknowledged the difference between a growing number of progressive Democrats and the Biden administration on the U.S. approach to the conflict, but played it down.

``Every Democrat, and I think every Republican, wants to minimize the exposure of both sides in Gaza and in Israel,'' Hoyer told reporters. ``There's a difference about how that can be done.''

``All of us are very concerned about the violence that is occurring,'' Hoyer said, and stressed support for Biden's efforts.

Tuesday's U.S. consultations with Arab leaders on the conflict came as the death toll rose to at least 213 Palestinians and 12 people in Israel. Efforts by Egypt and others to mediate a truce have been made.

Biden has spoken out strongly on Israel's right to defend itself from Hamas rockets, and refrained from publicly criticizing Israel, or pressing it to wrap up what Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has indicated could be extended military strikes aimed at weakening Hamas in Gaza.

Biden in a call to Netanyahu on Monday expressed support for a cease-fire. He did not join in the calls by some of his party's lawmakers and by many foreign governments to demand one, however.

Administration officials are defending Biden's decision to avoid racheting up public pressure on Israel for its role in the fighting. The U.S. this week killed a proposed U.N. Security Council statement that would have expressed concern for civilian deaths and raised the issue of a cease-fire.

``The president has been doing this long enough...to know sometimes diplomacy has to happen behind the scenes,'' White House press secretary Jen Psaki told reporters Tuesday, as Biden headed to a Ford electric vehicle site in Michigan to promote a green infrastructure plan. Pressure on the White House to do more in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict dogged the trip.

Democrats this week scrutinized the latest in what are normally routine arms sales to Israel as the death toll mounted. The current sale deals with JDAM precision-guided missiles.

Congress typically has 15 days after notification of such a sale to raise objections, although presidents can cite national security interests in allowing arms deals to go forward.

The U.S. is Israel's top ally, and Israel historically has been the top recipient of U.S. foreign aid, according to the Congressional Research Service, part of what gives the United States more of whatever leverage international leaders have over Israel's decision-making. Most of what the congressional researchers say is the more than $140 billion in U.S. aid to Israel over the years has been military, including for Israel's missile-defense system

Blinken, working the phone on an unrelated overseas trip focusing on Russia and Nordic countries, spoke with foreign ministers of Morocco and Bahrain, two Arab countries that recently have moved to normalize relations with Israel. US envoy Hady Amr in Israel spoke with Palestinian National Authority President Mahmoud Abbas.

Blinken defended to reporters accompanying him the U.S. decision to block what would have been a unanimous U.N. Security Council statement on the fighting and its civilian toll, and the overall U.S. approach to the conflict.

``Our goal remains to bring the current cycle of violence to an end'' and then return to a process in which a lasting peace can be forged, the U.S. diplomat said.

Meanwhile, European Union foreign ministers were meeting Tuesday to discuss how to use the 27-nation bloc's political clout to help diplomatic efforts to end Israel's offensive on Gaza. The EU has been united in its calls for a cease-fire and the need for a political solution to end the latest conflict, but the nations are divided over how best to help.

Netanyahu told Israeli security officials late Monday that Israel would ``continue to strike terror targets'' in Gaza ``as long as necessary in order to return calm and security to all Israeli citizens.''

*This story was edited by Ahram Online.

Short link:


Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu says Palestinian militants have been dealt ``unexpected blows'' in more than a week of Israeli bombardments in the Gaza Strip.

Netanyahu's office released a video of the prime minister speaking in front of an F-16 fighter jet at an air force base in southern Israel on Tuesday.

``I have no doubt that we set them back many years,'' Netanyahu said. ``I am sure that all our enemies around us see the price we have levied for the aggression against us, and I am sure they will learn the lesson.''

Short link:


The Palestinian envoy to the United Nations, Riyad Mansour, on Tuesday pleaded with the world body to gather more humanitarian aid for Gaza amid intense Israeli bombing, as the Security Council held its fourth meeting on the conflict without issuing a statement.

A convoy of international aid trucks that started rolling into Gaza through a border crossing from Israel, Kerem Shalom, was quickly halted Tuesday when Israel shuttered it again, citing a mortar attack on the area.

"I asked the UN to issue an emergency call for humanitarian assistance to the Palestinian people in the Gaza Strip immediately," Mansour told a press conference at UN headquarters in New York.

"We cannot continue to live under this aggressive apartheid regime. This occupation has to end. We need to have the independence of our state with east Jerusalem as its capital where we can live with dignity and freedom."

The UN Security Council meanwhile held its fourth emergency meeting in just over a week on the crisis, but no declaration was issued, and the talks lasted less than an hour.

"We do not judge that a public pronouncement right now will help de-escalate," US envoy Linda Thomas-Greenfield said during the closed-door meeting, according to a diplomat.

"With regard to further Security Council action, we must assess if any given action or statement will advance prospects for ending the violence."

Several diplomats told AFP that China, Tunisia and Norway -- the three countries pushing for action in the Council -- did not send other members a new proposed statement ahead of the talks.

'Time to break silence'

The United States had rejected three prior drafts calling for an end to the fighting, which has killed 213 Palestinians, including 61 children, and wounded more than 1,400 people in Gaza, according to the health ministry in Gaza.

The death toll on the Israeli side rose to 12 when a volley of rockets Hamas fired at the southern Eshkol region killed two Thai nationals working in a factory and wounded several others, police said.

Mansour said it was "shameful" that the Council had not expressed "a unified position calling for the end of this aggression."

Sofiane Mimouni, chair of the Arab Group at the UN, told reporters: "We are disappointed to see the Security Council unable to pronounce itself on the grave and serious situation."

For Thomas-Greenfield, "our focus has been and will continue to be on an intensive diplomatic engagement to bring this violence to an end," rejecting criticism of Washington's stance.

Her Irish counterpart, Geraldine Byrne Nason, issued a scathing statement after the Council meeting.

"Conflict is raging, resulting in utterly devastating humanitarian impact. The Security Council has yet to utter a single word publicly," the Irish envoy said.

"Council members have a collective responsibility for international peace and Security. It is high time the Council steps up, breaks its silence and speaks out."

Short link:


Heavy metal vapors unexpectedly found in comets throughout our Solar System -- and beyond

A new study by a Belgian team using data from the European Southern Observatory's Very Large Telescope (ESO's VLT) has shown that iron and nickel exist in the atmospheres of comets throughout our Solar System, even those far from the Sun. A separate study by a Polish team, who also used ESO data, reported that nickel vapour is also present in the icy interstellar comet 2I/Borisov. This is the first time heavy metals, usually associated with hot environments, have been found in the cold atmospheres of distant comets.

"It was a big surprise to detect iron and nickel atoms in the atmosphere of all the comets we have observed in the last two decades, about 20 of them, and even in ones far from the Sun in the cold space environment," says Jean Manfroid from the University of Liege, Belgium, who lead the new study on Solar System comets published today in Nature.

Astronomers know that heavy metals exist in comets' dusty and rocky interiors. But, because solid metals don't usually "sublimate" (become gaseous) at low temperatures, they did not expect to find them in the atmospheres of cold comets that travel far from the Sun. Nickel and iron vapours have now even been detected in comets observed at more than 480 million kilometres from the Sun, more than three times the Earth-Sun distance.

The Belgian team found iron and nickel in comets' atmospheres in approximately equal amounts. Material in our Solar System, for example that found in the Sun and in meteorites, usually contains about ten times more iron than nickel. This new result therefore has implications for astronomers' understanding of the early Solar System, though the team is still decoding what these are.

"Comets formed around 4.6 billion years ago, in the very young Solar System, and haven't changed since that time. In that sense, they're like fossils for astronomers," says study co-author Emmanuel Jehin, also from the University of Liege.

While the Belgian team has been studying these "fossil" objects with ESO's VLT for nearly 20 years, they had not spotted the presence of nickel and iron in their atmospheres until now. "This discovery went under the radar for many years," Jehin says.

The team used data from the Ultraviolet and Visual Echelle Spectrograph (UVES - https:/ / www. eso. org/ public/ teles-instr/ paranal-observatory/ vlt/ vlt-instr/ uves/ ) instrument on ESO's VLT, which uses a technique called spectroscopy , to analyse the atmospheres of comets at different distances from the Sun. This technique allows astronomers to reveal the chemical makeup of cosmic objects: each chemical element leaves a unique signature -- a set of lines -- in the spectrum of the light from the objects.

The Belgian team had spotted weak, unidentified spectral lines in their UVES data and on closer inspection noticed that they were signalling the presence of neutral atoms of iron and nickel. A reason why the heavy elements were difficult to identify is that they exist in very small amounts: the team estimates that for each 100 kg of water in the comets' atmospheres there is only 1 g of iron, and about the same amount of nickel.

"Usually there is 10 times more iron than nickel, and in those comet atmospheres we found about the same quantity for both elements. We came to the conclusion they might come from a special kind of material on the surface of the comet nucleus, sublimating at a rather low temperature and releasing iron and nickel in about the same proportions," explains Damien Hutsemekers, also a member of the Belgian team from the University of Liege.

Although the team aren't sure yet what material this might be, advances in astronomy -- such as the Mid-infrared ELT Imager and Spectrograph (METIS - https:/ / elt. eso. org/ instrument/ METIS/ ) on ESO's upcoming Extremely Large Telescope (ELT - https:/ / elt. eso. org/ ) -- will allow researchers to confirm the source of the iron and nickel atoms found in the atmospheres of these comets.

The Belgian team hope their study will pave the way for future research. "Now people will search for those lines in their archival data from other telescopes," Jehin says. "We think this will also trigger new work on the subject."

Interstellar heavy metals

Another remarkable study published today in Nature shows that heavy metals are also present in the atmosphere of the interstellar comet 2I/Borisov. A team in Poland observed this object, the first alien comet to visit our Solar System, using the X-shooter spectrograph on ESO's VLT when the comet flew by about a year and a half ago. They found that 2I/Borisov's cold atmosphere contains gaseous nickel.

"At first we had a hard time believing that atomic nickel could really be present in 2I/Borisov that far from the Sun. It took numerous tests and checks before we could finally convince ourselves," says study author Piotr Guzik from the Jagiellonian University in Poland. The finding is surprising because, before the two studies published today, gases with heavy metal atoms had only been observed in hot environments, such as in the atmospheres of ultra-hot exoplanets or evaporating comets that passed too close to the Sun. 2I/Borisov was observed when it was some 300 million kilometres away from the Sun, or about twice the Earth-Sun distance.

Studying interstellar bodies in detail is fundamental to science because they carry invaluable information about the alien planetary systems they originate from. "All of a sudden we understood that gaseous nickel is present in cometary atmospheres in other corners of the Galaxy," says co-author Micha? Drahus, also from the Jagiellonian University.

The Polish and Belgian studies show that 2I/Borisov and Solar System comets have even more in common than previously thought. "Now imagine that our Solar System's comets have their true analogues in other planetary systems -- how cool is that?," Drahus concludes.

###

More information

This research was presented in two papers to appear in Nature.

The team that carried out the study "Iron and nickel atoms in cometary atmospheres even far from the Sun" is composed of J. Manfroid, D. Hutsemekers & E. Jehin (STAR Institute, University of Liege, Belgium).

The team that carried out the study "Gaseous atomic nickel in the coma of interstellar comet 2I/Borisov" ([https:/ / doi. org/ ] - https:/ / doi. org/ 10. 1038/ s41586-021-03485-4 [10.1038/s41586-021-03485-4] - https:/ / doi. org/ 10. 1038/ s41586-021-03485-4 ) is composed of Piotr Guzik and Micha? Drahus (Astronomical Observatory, Jagiellonian University, Krakow, Poland).

ESO is the foremost intergovernmental astronomy organisation in Europe and the world's most productive ground-based astronomical observatory by far. It has 16 Member States: Austria, Belgium, the Czech Republic, Denmark, France, Finland, Germany, Ireland, Italy, the Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and the United Kingdom, along with the host state of Chile and with Australia as a Strategic Partner. ESO carries out an ambitious programme focused on the design, construction and operation of powerful ground-based observing facilities enabling astronomers to make important scientific discoveries. ESO also plays a leading role in promoting and organising cooperation in astronomical research. ESO operates three unique world-class observing sites in Chile: La Silla, Paranal and Chajnantor. At Paranal, ESO operates the Very Large Telescope and its world-leading Very Large Telescope Interferometer as well as two survey telescopes, VISTA working in the infrared and the visible-light VLT Survey Telescope. Also at Paranal ESO will host and operate the Cherenkov Telescope Array South, the world's largest and most sensitive gamma-ray observatory. ESO is also a major partner in two facilities on Chajnantor, APEX and ALMA, the largest astronomical project in existence. And on Cerro Armazones, close to Paranal, ESO is building the 39-metre Extremely Large Telescope, the ELT, which will become "the world's biggest eye on the sky".

Links

* Research papers:

* Nature, Manfroid et al. - https:/ / www. eso. org/ public/ archives/ releases/ sciencepapers/ eso2108/ eso2108a. pdf

* Nature, Guzik and Drahus - https:/ / www. eso. org/ public/ archives/ releases/ sciencepapers/ eso2108/ eso2108b. pdf

* Photos of the VLT - http://www. eso. org/ public/ images/ archive/ category/ paranal/

* For journalists: subscribe to receive our releases under embargo in your language - https:/ / www. eso. org/ public/ outreach/ pressmedia/ #epodpress_form

* For scientists: got a story? Pitch your research - http://eso. org/ sci/ publications/ announcements/ sciann17277. html

Contacts

Jean Manfroid

STAR Institute, University of Liege

Liege, Belgium

Tel: +32 4 366 97 25

Email: jmanfroid@gmail.com

Damien Hutsemekers

STAR Institute, University of Liege

Liege, Belgium

Email: D.Hutsemekers@uliege.be

Emmanuel Jehin

STAR Institute, University of Liege

Liege, Belgium

Tel: +32 470 850 172

Email: ejehin@uliege.be

Piotr Guzik

Astronomical Observatory, Jagiellonian University

Krakow, Poland

Tel: +48-126-238-627

Cell: +48-791-223-196

Email: piotr.guzik@doctoral.uj.edu.pl

Micha? Drahus

Astronomical Observatory, Jagiellonian University

Krakow, Poland

Tel: +48-126-238-627

Cell: +48-578-221-628

Email: drahus@oa.uj.edu.pl

Barbara Ferreira

ESO Media Manager

Garching bei Munchen, Germany

Tel: +49 89 3200 6670

Cell: +49 151 241 664 00

Email: press@eso.org

This story has been published on: 2021-05-19. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article.
Al Namal Group has awarded iWorld Connect, a leading ICT Solutions and Services company in Bahrain, the upgrade and support of their SAP Business One ERP System.

Al-Namal Group of Companies has diversified business in real estate, property development and management, construction, health and hospitality sectors.

To support the business growth, Al-Namal Group was looking for a partner having local presence with SAP experts in Bahrain to upgrade their existing ERP system and assist different divisions to deploy best international practices to improve operational efficiency.

iWorld Connect team demonstrated thorough understanding of the industry and Al-Namal Groups business activities which made iWorld Connect a perfect fit. This contract will guarantee Al-Namal Group a smooth progress into its digitalisation journey and a highly available platform to support its business. -- TradeArabia News Service
Israeli airstrikes killed at least six people across the Gaza Strip and destroyed the home of a large extended family early on Wednesday. The military said it widened its strikes on militant targets to the south amid continuing rocket fire from the Hamas-ruled territory.

Residents surveyed the piles of bricks, concrete and other debris that had once been the home of 40 members of al-Astal family. They said a warning missile struck the building in the southern town of Khan Younis five minutes before the airstrike, allowing everyone to escape.

The Israeli military said it struck militant targets around the towns of Khan Younis and Rafah, with 52 aircraft hitting 40 underground targets over a period of 25 minutes. Gaza's Health Ministry said a woman was killed and eight people were wounded in those strikes.

Hamas-run Al-Aqsa radio said one of its reporters was killed in an airstrike in Gaza City. Doctors at the Shifa hospital said his was among five bodies brought in early Wednesday. The fatalities included two people killed when warning missiles crashed into their apartment.

The latest strikes came as diplomatic efforts aimed at a cease-fire gathered strength and Gaza's infrastructure, already weakened by a 14-year Israeli blockade, rapidly deteriorated.

Search Keywords:

Short link:


Kurdish authorities in northeastern Syria on Wednesday reversed a decision to raise fuel prices following protests and clashes that left two people dead, a war monitor said.

Following a meeting, the Kurdish administration said it will rescind the price hikes the largest to affect the region in years "to satisfy the will of the people."

"Old prices will be used until a new decision is issued," authorities said in a statement.

The Kurdish administration which controls large swathes of northeastern Syria on Monday set new prices that double and in some cases triple the cost of fuel.

In response, hundreds of people took to the streets in the city of Qamishli and other areas, calling on the authorities to reverse the decision.

Clashes broke out on Tuesday when protesters and gunmen stormed a base in the town of Shadadi belonging to Kurdish security forces, said the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights.

One protester was killed and five others were wounded in the exchange of fire, the Britain-based monitor said.

Damascus loyalists in the city of Hassakeh parts of which are controlled by government forces attacked a position held by Kurdish security forces, according to the Observatory.

The Kurdish forces responded with live fire, killing one protester, the monitor said.

The Kurds control some of Syria's largest oil and gas fields but authorities are not producing enough petrol and other refined products to meet demand.

Petrol, heating fuel and cooking gas have all been in short supply in recent months and motorists have grown used to waiting in long queues to fill up

Short link:


Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Wednesday that Israel's aerial bombing campaign on the Gaza Strip was aimed at deterring Hamas, but did not rule out conquering the enclave's Islamist rulers.

'There are only two ways that you can deal with them (Hamas): You can either conquer them, and that's always an open possibility, or you can deter them, and we are engaged right now in forceful deterrence, but I have to say we don't rule out anything,' Netanyahu told a group a foreign ambassadors in Tel Aviv.

Israeli airstrikes on Gaza has killed 219 and injured 1,530 Palestinians since Israel started its attacks on the strip 10 days ago, according to the Gaza health ministry.

The airstrikes and heavy shelling of the densely populated strip has also destroyed tens of commercial and residential towers, leaving hundreds of Palestinians homeless.

Meanwhile, Hamas and other Palestinian factions continued to fire rockets from Gaza toward Israeli cities and settlements in retaliation to Israeli attacks on Palestinians and Al-Aqsa Mosque in occupied East Jerusalem. The Palestinian rocket attacks have left 12 dead and tens injured.

Israel has rejected all regional and international efforts to broker a ceasefire.

Short link:


A Palestinian was killed and at least 10 others were wounded in Beit Hanoun in northern Gaza on Wednesday afternoon in relentless Israeli artillery bombardment of the besieged Gaza Strip, according to the Palestinian news agency WAFA.

Witnesses told WAFA that civilian houses and infrastructure in the town are still being subjected to artillery fire and aerial bombardment, which have intensified.

Meanwhile, Israel continues to pound Beit Lahia, Gaza city, and Jabaliya with airstrikes, and naval and artillery bombardment, according to the Palestinian news agency.

The Palestinian Health Ministry said the overall death toll in Gaza since the latest onslaught began reached 221 and raised the injuries toll to some 1,700 .

Short link:


A French government spokesman says ``very intense discussions'' are underway with the United States about a United Nations Security Council resolution that has been proposed by France in coordination with Egypt and Jordan.

The proposed resolution aims at ending hostilities between Israel and Palestinian factions in the Gaza Strip.

The United States has blocked the U.N.'s most powerful body from issuing a press statement calling for a halt to the violence, insisting that it would not help diplomatic efforts to end the conflict.

French President Emmanuel Macron and Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sissi held talks in Paris earlier this week on the issue and they had a meeting on Tuesday with Jordan's King Abdullah II via video conference.

In a joint statement, France, Egypt and Jordan said they ``called on the parties to immediately agree on a ceasefire.''

They also said they will work with the U.N. and other partners to ensure humanitarian help for the population of Gaza.

Search Keywords:

Short link:


German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas says he hopes to fly to Israel for talks Thursday with Israelis and Palestinians on the conflict in Gaza.

Asked to confirm Israeli media reports about such a trip, Maas told journalists in Berlin that "I can't tell you 100%, because of course we coordinate such a trip with those to whom we're travelling.''

He said that coordination hadn't been completed yet.

"But yes, my plan is to fly to Israel tonight and hold talks in Jerusalem and Ramallah," said Maas.

Earlier, Germany's top diplomat had ruled out talking to the Palestinian group Hamas that controls Gaza.

"After the events of recent days there is no reason to talk directly with Hamas,'' he said.

"Those are terrorist attacks that are being carried out by Hamas in Israel and which in my view completely rule out talking without intermediaries, directly to Hamas.''

Israeli airstrikes on Gaza has killed 221 and injured 1,700 Palestinians since Israel started its attacks on the strip 12 days ago, according to the Gaza health ministry.

The airstrikes and heavy shelling of the densely populated strip has also destroyed tens of commercial and residential towers, leaving hundreds of Palestinians homeless.

Meanwhile, Hamas and other Palestinian factions continued to fire rockets from Gaza toward Israeli cities and settlements in retaliation to Israeli attacks on Palestinians and Al-Aqsa Mosque in occupied East Jerusalem. The Palestinian rocket attacks have left 12 dead and tens injured.

Israel has rejected all regional and international efforts to broker a ceasefire.

Short link:


Militants in Lebanon fired a barrage of rockets into northern Israel on Wednesday, threatening to open up a new front in fighting, as U.S. President Joe Biden publicly pressed Israel to wind down its aerial campaign on Gaza Strip.

The rocket attack drew Israeli artillery fire in response but apparently did not cause any injuries.

No one immediately claimed responsibility for the attack, and Hezbollah, which fought a monthlong war against Israel in 2006, has stayed out of the fighting for now.

Israel considers Hezbollah to be its most formidable threat, and has threatened widespread destruction in Lebanon if war were to erupt.

The rocket attack came at a time of growing international pressure on Israel to halt its Gaza offensive, which has left over 200 people dead and caused heavy destruction.

Biden told Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu ``that he expected a significant de-escalation today on the path to a ceasefire,'' the White House said. Biden had previously avoided pressing Israel more directly and publicly for a cease-fire. But pressure has been ramping up on him to intervene more forcefully as other diplomatic efforts also gather strength.

Egyptian negotiators also were working to halt the fighting.

Earlier in the day, the Israeli military said it was widening its strikes on militant targets in the Palestinian territory's south to blunt continuing rocket fire from Hamas and Netanyahu said he was not ruling out further escalation. At least nine people were killed in the Gaza Strip on Wednesday.

The current round of Israel's campaign on Gaza began May 10 when Hamas fired long-range rockets toward Jerusalem after days of an Israeli crackdown on Palestinian protesters at the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound, a flashpoint site sacred to Muslims.

Heavy-handed police tactics at the compound and the threatened eviction of dozens of Palestinian families by Israeli settlers had inflamed tensions.

Since then, Israel has pounded Gaza with hundreds of airstrikes it says are targeting Hamas' militant infrastructure, and Hamas and other militant groups embedded in residential areas have fired more than 3,700 rockets at Israeli cities, with hundreds falling short and most of the rest intercepted.

At least 227 Palestinians have been killed, including 64 children and 38 women, with 1,620 people wounded, according to the Gaza Health Ministry.

Hamas and Islamic Jihad say at least 20 of their fighters have been killed, while Israel says the number is at least 130. Some 58,000 Palestinians have fled their homes.

Twelve people in Israel have been killed.

Wednesday's rocket barrage was the third from Lebanon over the past week.

The Israeli military said it identified four rockets fired from Lebanon into northern Israel. There were no immediate reports of injuries. One landed in an open area, two landed in the sea, and one was intercepted by aerial defenses. Residents of the city of Shfaram, east of Haifa, said one rocket landed near the town.

The rockets are widely believed to be fired by Palestinian factions based in south Lebanon.

In the Gaza Strip, one of the Israeli airstrikes destroyed the home of an extended family.

Residents surveyed the piles of bricks, concrete and other debris that had once been the home of 40 members of al-Astal family in the southern Gaza town of Khan Younis. They said a warning missile struck the building five minutes before the airstrike, allowing everyone to escape.

Ahmed al-Astal, a university professor, described a scene of panic, with men, women and children racing out of the building. Some of the women didn't even have time to cover their hair with Muslim headscarves, he said.

``We had just gotten down to the street, breathless, when the devastating bombardment came,'' he said. ``They left nothing but destruction, the children's cries filling the street. ... This is happening, and there is no one to help us. We ask God to help us.''

The Israeli military said it struck a militant tunnel network around the towns of Khan Younis and Rafah, with 52 aircraft hitting 40 underground targets.

Among the nine people killed Wednesday was a reporter for Hamas-run Al-Aqsa radio and two people who died when warning missiles crashed into their apartment.

Military officials, meanwhile, said a mysterious explosion that killed eight members of a Palestinian family on the first day of the fighting was caused by a misfired rocket from Gaza. ``This wasn't an Israeli attack,`` said Lt. Col. Jonathan Conricus, a military spokesman.

Since the fighting began, Gaza's infrastructure, already weakened by a 14-year blockade, has rapidly deteriorated. Medical supplies, water and fuel for electricity are running low in the territory, on which Israel imposed the blockade after the Islamic militant group Hamas seized power in 2007.

Israeli attacks have damaged at least 18 hospitals and clinics and destroyed one health facility, the World Health Organization said. Nearly half of all essential drugs have run out.

The Gaza Health Ministry said it had salvaged coronavirus vaccines after shrapnel from an Israeli airstrike damaged the territory's only testing facility, which also administered hundreds of vaccines. The operations were relocated to another clinic.

Dr. Majdi Dhair, head of preventive medicine at the ministry, said the territory was already struggling to recover from a coronavirus wave that hit in February, with more than 4,200 active cases. At least 986 people have died from COVID-19 in Gaza, which only has enough supplies to vaccinate some 55,000 people out of a population of 2 million.

Among the buildings leveled by Israeli airstrikes was one housing The Associated Press' Gaza office and those of other media outlets.

Netanyahu alleged that Hamas military intelligence was operating in the building. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said Tuesday that Israel had given the U.S. information about the bombing, without elaborating.

The AP has called for an independent investigation. The news organization's president, Gary Pruitt, has said the AP had no indication Hamas was present in the building and that ``this is something we check as best we can.''

Israel's campaig on Gaza, the worst since its last one in 2014, has ignited protests around the world and inspired Palestinians in Israel and the occupied territories to call a general strike Tuesday.

It was a rare collective action that spanned boundaries central to decades of failed peace efforts. Israel captured the West Bank, east Jerusalem and Gaza in the 1967 Mideast war, territories the Palestinians want for their future state.

*This story was edited by Ahram Online.

Short link:


President Joe Biden called for `significant de-escalation' from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Wednesday after 10 days of Israel's aerial campaign on Gaza Strip.

It was Biden's toughest public pressure so far on the US ally, with the president asking Netanyahu in a telephone call to move toward `the path to a cease-fire,' according to a White House statement on their conversation.

But Netanyahu says that he is ``determined to continue this operation until its aim is met,'' despite Biden's call for a de-escalation.

In a statement from his office Wednesday, Netanyahu said that he ``greatly appreciates the support of the American president,'' but said Israel will push ahead ``to return the calm and security to you, citizens of Israel.''

Pressure has been mounting Biden, too, to do more as the death toll in Israel's aerial offensive on Gaza has topped 200.

*This story was edited by Ahram Online.

Short link:


The United States said Wednesday it would not support a United Nations Security Council draft resolution proposed by France calling for an Israeli-Palestinian ceasefire, saying it could undermine efforts to de-escalate the crisis.

"We've been clear and consistent that we are focused on intensive diplomatic efforts underway to bring an end to the violence and that we will not support actions that we believe undermine efforts to de-escalate," a US spokesperson at the UN told AFP.

The remarks indicated that Washington was ready to veto the French proposal if it came to a vote.

French President Emmanuel Macron and his Egyptian counterpart Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, who was in Paris for summits on Africa, agreed on the resolution in a video conference with Jordan's King Abdullah II, according to a statement late Tuesday.

The Security Council has failed to adopt a simple declaration on the conflict, with the United States, a staunch Israel ally, vetoing three prior statement drafts proposed by China, Norway and Tunisia which called for an end to the fighting.

Raising diplomatic pressure on the US, France had proposed a "short and simple" resolution calling for a halt to hostilities and access for humanitarian aid.

US President Joe Biden on Wednesday told Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu that he expects "significant de-escalation" during the day.

Deafening air strikes and rocket fire once more shook Gaza in the conflict that has, since May 10, claimed

Since Israel's aerial campaign on Gaza Strip began on 10 May, 219 Palestinian were killed, according to the Gaza health ministry. Israel's police says 12 people were killed in Israel.

"The president conveyed to the prime minister that he expected a significant de-escalation today on the path to a ceasefire," the White House said after a fourth phone call in a little over a week.

*This story was edited by Ahram Online.

Short link:


The leader the Palestinian Islamic Jihad group says militant factions in Gaza went into the latest battle with Israel knowing it will be ``costly but also knowing that it is the only road to freedom and to protect Jerusalem.''

Ziad Nakhaleh said in a televised speech from Beirut on Wednesday that neither nuclear weapons, warplanes nor peace agreements with some Arab states could bring Israelis security and peace.

He added that militant groups in Gaza have ``made miracles that you can see with your own eyes and you live them every moment when you run to shelters.''

Nakhaleh was referring to thousands of missiles and rockets that Gaza militants have fired toward Israel.

Nakhaleh said that after Israel's moves that threatened the eviction of dozens of Palestinian families by Israeli settlers in east Jerusalem, ``we were in front of two choices, to surrender and to give them everything or fight them over everything.''

*This story was edited by Ahram Online.

Short link:


Bahrain Car Parks Company, a leading parking provider in the Kingdom of Bahrain, has announced the signing of an exclusive service agreement with The Benefit Company, which will enable customers to pay for parking using BenefitPay.

Commenting on the agreement, the Chief Executive of Bahrain Car Parks Company, Tariq Aljowder said: This collaboration comes in line with our strategy to digitise parking services and transform our customers experience into a seamless journey. We look forward to rolling out payments through BenefitPay across all our owned and managed locations very soon.

Benefits Chief Executive, Abdulwahed AlJanahi, added: Our strategic partnership with Bahrain Car Parks Company is a solid example of how these collaborations allows us to become enablers within the ecosystem to deliver secure and diverse payment technologies for the omnichannel generation. With more convenient options available to pay for parking, we are creating a hassle-free parking experience.

Established in October 1981, Bahrain Car Park Company, is a public company listed on Bahrain Bourse since March 2006. The company operates in the commercial and professional services sector and specialises in parking management systems and property leasing.-- TradeArabia News Service
A deal is "shaping up" to bring the United States back into the nuclear deal with Iran, negotiators said Wednesday, citing headway in efforts to break the impasse.

"We've made good progress," Enrique Mora, the European Union official who chaired the talks between Russia, China, Germany, France, Britain and Iran, said in a tweet following the talks.

"An agreement is shaping up," he said, adding that there were still things that needed to be worked out.

Indirect negotiations between Washington and Tehran have been going on in the Austrian capital since early April, with the other five countries that are signatories to the deal acting as intermediaries.

"Both on the nuclear side and on the sanctions side, we are now beginning to see the contours of what the final deal could look like. This is different from last time we broke," senior diplomats from the E3 comprising France, Germany and Britain, said in a statement.

"However, success is not guaranteed. There are still some very difficult issues ahead. We do not underestimate the challenges that lay before us," they added.

Iran has also said the talks are on the right track.

The various sides are due to meet again in the Austrian capital early next week.

Meanwhile Iranian representatives are holding separate talks with the International Atomic Energy Agency in Vienna on extending a three-month deal that expires this week on the agency's inspections of Iranian nuclear facilities.

The goal is to find a way back to the accord known by its acronym JCPOA, which former US president Donald Trump walked away from and which his successor Joe Biden wants to revive.

For that to happen, the United States and Iran must agree on the lifting of the sanctions reinstated by Trump and on Tehran's commitment to follow the terms of the deal.

Once Trump walked away from the agreement, the Islamic republic started to abandon the constraints on its production of nuclear material.

Diplomats are hoping to get the US back on board before Iranian presidential elections on June 18.

Short link:


Pro-Palestinian protesters marched to the heavily guarded U.S. Embassy in Indonesia's capital on Tuesday to demand an end to Israeli airstrikes in the Gaza Strip.

Waving Indonesian and Palestinian flags and signs that read ``Free Palestine,'' several hundred demonstrators gathered along a major street in Jakarta that runs outside the embassy.

More than 1,000 police were deployed around the compound, which is blocked off by concrete road separators.

Indonesia, the world's most populous Muslim majority nation, does not have formal diplomatic relations with Israel and there is not an Israeli Embassy in the country.

One group of protesters, organized by the United Indonesian Muslim Student Action group, chanted `God is Great' and `Freedom for Palestine' as they marched. Their banners and placards slammed the airstrikes in Gaza and denounced America's staunch support of Israel.

Another group, organized by the Confederation of Indonesian Trade Unions, held a similar rally a few hundred meters (yards) from the embassy. They yelled ``Save Palestinians'' as they marched through downtown Jakarta to the United Nations mission.

Similar protests organized by union workers were held at the same time Tuesday in other Indonesian cities, including in Surabaya, Bandung, Yogyakarta, Makassar and Riau.

Authorities warned protests to maintain social distance during the demonstrations to prevent the spread of the coronavirus.

Indonesia has long been a strong supporter of Palestinians and President Joko Widodo has condemned the airstrikes.

`Israel aggression must be put to a stop,' he wrote Sunday on Twitter.

In a joint statement released late Sunday, Widodo, Malaysia's Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin and Brunei's Sultan Hasanal Bolkiah called for a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas and de-escalation of the situation.

The three leaders of Muslim-majority nations in Southeast Asia also urged the United Nations Security Council to act urgently to guarantee the safety and protection of Palestinian civilians. They also called for an emergency UN General Assembly to come up with a resolution to end `the atrocities against the Palestinian people.'

Israel has said it will press on for now with its attacks against Hamas, the militant group that rules Gaza, and the U.S. signaled it would not pressure the two sides for a cease-fire even as President Joe Biden said he supported one.

At least 212 Palestinians have been killed in the week of airstrikes, including 61 children and 36 women, with more than 1,400 people wounded, according to the Gaza Health Ministry.

Ten people in Israel, including a 5-year-old boy and a soldier, have been killed in the ongoing rocket attacks launched from civilian areas in Gaza toward areas in Israel.

Short link:


The German government said Wednesday it is banning three groups close to Hezbollah, the Lebanese movement that opposes Israel, against the backdrop of the current military escalation in the Middle East.

Interior Minister Horst Seehofer "has banned three groups that are financing the terrorist organisation Hezbollah," his spokesman wrote in a tweet.

"Whoever supports terror will not be safe in Germany,They will find no refuge in our country."

The interior ministry said that searches were currently under way in a number of different regional states in Germany.

According to German media reports, the operations had been carried in the states of Hamburg, Bremen, Hesse, Lower Saxony, North Rhine-Westphalia and Schleswig-Holstein.

Hezbollah is designated a terrorist group by Israel and much of the West.

Founded in the 1980s to fight Israeli occupation of southern Lebanon, it has grown into Iran's main regional proxy with operatives in Syria, Iraq and Yemen.

The only Lebanese faction to have kept its weapons after the 1975-90 civil war, Hezbollah now has a more powerful arsenal than the Lebanese national army.

Israel's deadly Gaza offensive has many eyes trained on the Lebanese border for a Hezbollah reaction, but observers argue the Iran-backed movement is unlikely to risk an all-out conflict.

Incidents at the border in recent days have raised the temperature but, with Lebanon already on its knees amid a deep political and economic crisis, the Shiite group seems intent on refraining from an escalation.

In face of the renewed violence in the region, German authorities are concerned about a rise in anti-Semitism.

A pro-Palestinian demonstration in Berlin resulted in clashes and arrests.

Last week, Israeli flags were burned in front of synagogues in Bonn and Muenster.

"Our democracy will not tolerate anti-Semitic demonstrations," the spokesman for Angela Merkel had said at the time.

Short link:


France has proposed a resolution at the United Nations Security Council, in coordination with Egypt and Jordan, calling for a ceasefire in the Israel-Gaza conflict, the president's office said late Tuesday.

French President Emmanuel Macron and his Egyptian counterpart Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, who is in Paris for summits on Africa, agreed on the resolution in a video conference with Jordan's King Abdullah II, the statement said.

"The three countries agreed on three simple elements: The shooting must stop, the time has come for a ceasefire and the UN Security Council must take up the issue," the Elysee Palace said.

France, which has been calling for a rapid ceasefire for several days, said it supports mediation led by Egypt.

Macron had on Monday underlined the importance of Egyptian mediation after talks in Paris with Sisi, a key French ally.

The Security Council has failed to adopt a simple declaration on the conflict, with the United States, a staunch Israel ally, having rejected three prior statement drafts proposed by China, Norway and Tunisia which called for an end to the fighting.

China's UN ambassador Zhang Jun said that, during a closed-door meeting, members 'heard the proposal made by our French colleague in the Council and for China, definitely, we are supportive to all effort facilitating the ending of the crisis and the coming back of peace in the Middle East'.

On Tuesday evening, several member countries of the Security Council told AFP they had not yet received the French text, which one diplomatic source said would be "short and simple'.

In addition to a call for a "cessation of hostilities', it would ask for "humanitarian access for the people in need', one diplomat said on condition of anonymity.

*This article was edited by Ahram Online

Short link:


Desperate residents of a Myanmar town hit by clashes between the military and an anti-junta defence force pleaded for help Wednesday as the UN warned the fighting may have forced thousands to flee.

Government forces used artillery to flush out rebels from the western town of Mindat after fighting broke out on May 12, a spokesman for a local insurgent group said, and later cut off its water supply.

One resident who did not want to be named told AFP that most of those who had been trapped in the town by the fighting had now fled, but those left behind faced a grim struggle for basic supplies.

"All the people rely on a government pipe for their water supply in these conditions we have to stop washing if we want to be able to cook," the resident told AFP.

The fighting around Mindat between the Chinland Defence Force and the Myanmar military has likely displaced "thousands" of civilians, the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs said Tuesday.

"Access by humanitarian partners to the people fleeing violence or those still in their homes is challenging due to insecurity," it said, adding it had received reports civilians had been killed in the fighting.

"We have been constantly helping the people from the town to relocate to the remote villages," another resident told AFP.

"They need a safe zone recognised by international organisations like the UN."

Myanmar has been in uproar since the military ousted civilian leader Aung San Suu Kyi in a February 1 coup, triggering a massive uprising which authorities have sought to quell with lethal force.

Some in the anti-junta movement have set up local militias armed with homemade weapons to protect their towns from security forces which have killed more than 800 people according to a local monitoring group.

A CDF spokesman, who declined to be named, told AFP that fighters had set fire to several army trucks, destroying them, and ambushed reinforcement troops during the fighting in Mindat.

Photos released later by the group purported to show weapons and trucks seized from the military in an ambush.

With mobile data blocked across the country, details about the fighting have been slow to come out, and on-the-ground verification is made harder as locals are fearful of retaliation.

Short link:


Spain's north African enclave of Ceuta awoke to a humanitarian crisis on Wednesday after thousands of migrants who crossed over from Morocco spent the night sleeping where they could find shelter.

Exhausted by either scaling a double-wide border fence or swimming in the Mediterranean, some migrants spent the night in an overcrowded warehouse under the gaze of Spanish police.

More than 8,000 people crossed into Spanish territory during the previous two days, with many risking their lives by swimming around a breakwater to reach a beach on the European side.

Spain's Interior Ministry said that it had returned roughly half of the migrants, but there were many unaccompanied minors which Spanish law says must be taken into care by authorities.

Many shopkeepers kept their stores shuttered, while local schools in the city of 85,000 reported that attendance dropped by 60%.

While Morocco was tightening controls of a border after two days of allowing crossings, Spanish authorities increased their criticism of counterparts in Rabat.

``This is an act of defiance,'' Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez told Spain's Parliament, a day after he visited Ceuta. ``The lack of border control by Morocco is not a show of disrespect of Spain, but rather for the European Union.''

Foreign Minister Arancha Gonzalez Laya also increased her tone on Wednesday, saying for the first time in public that Spain believes Morocco loosened its border control to retaliate for Spain having given medical assistance to the head of the Western Sahara liberation movement, a disputed territory to Morocco's south.

``It tears our hearts out to see our neighbors sending children, even babies. (because) they reject a humanitarian gesture on our part,'' Gonzalez Laya told Spanish public radio.

Short link:


Turkey rejected as 'absolutely unacceptable' accusations by the US that President Recep Tayyip Erdogan made 'anti-Semitic' remarks in his criticism of Israeli strikes in Gaza, his top press aide said Wednesday.

The latest tensions could further sour the relationship between two NATO allies Turkey and the United States.

'The US statement about our President Erdogan's remarks on the Israeli violence against Palestinian civilians is absolutely unacceptable,' Erdogan's press aide Fahrettin Altun tweeted.

The US State Department on Tuesday sharply criticised Erdogan for what it called 'anti-Semitic' remarks, urging him and other Turkish leaders to refrain from incendiary comments, 'which could incite further violence'.

'The United States strongly condemns President Erdogan's recent anti-Semitic comments regarding the Jewish people and finds them reprehensible,' State Department spokesman Ned Price said in a statement.

Erdogan, whose political roots are in Islamism, has championed the Palestinian cause during his 18-year rule.

He has accused Israel of "terrorism" against the Palestinians.

Earlier this week he called them 'murderers, to the point that they kill children'.

Altun slammed the charge of anti-Semitism targeting the president as 'appalling'.

'It is a cowardly statement to divert the international attention away from Israel's crimes against humanity,' he commented.

The foreign ministry also rejected 'unfair accusations' Wednesday, urging the United States to try and stop 'Israel's attacks happening before the eyes of the entire world'.

Erdogan had spent the past few months trying to mend relations with Washington and reaching out to other Western allies after a year of sharp disputes.

But he lashed out at US President Joe Biden for his diplomatic support for Israel and his reported approval of a new arms shipment to Tel Aviv.

Erdogan has been waging a diplomatic campaign to impose sanctions and other punishments on Israel for a military offensive that has claimed the lives of at least 219 Palestinians in Gaza since May 10.

Short link:


Top diplomats from the United States and Russia are set to square off in Iceland for their first face-to-face encounter that comes as ties between the nations have deteriorated sharply in recent months.

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Russia's longtime Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov plan to talk in person on Wednesday on the sidelines of an Arctic Council meeting in the Icelandic capital of Reykjavik, a city with deep history in U.S.-Russian relations.

The meeting is set to take place just as the Biden administration plans to announce new sanctions on Russia over a controversial European pipeline. The administration is expected to hit eight Russian companies and vessels with penalties for their involvement in the Nord Stream 2 pipeline, while sparing two German entities from similar penalties, according to congressional aides and the German government.

Even before Wednesday's talks _ that are ostensibly to prepare for a summit between President Joe Biden and Russian leader Vladimir Putin next month _ the two diplomats laid down near diametrically opposed positions for the meeting, previewing what is likely to be a difficult and contentious exchange.

This follows a spate of tit-for-tat diplomatic expulsions as U.S.-Russian relations threaten a return to Cold War lows. The nuclear powers are at odds on myriad issues including Ukraine, the Arctic, Russia's treatment of opposition figure Alexey Navalny and accusations of cyber malfeasance, including claims that Russia-based hackers were responsible for a ransomware attack on a key U.S. pipeline.

``It would be our preference to have a more stable and more predictable relationship with Russia,'' Blinken said Tuesday. ``At the same time, we've been very clear that if Russia chooses to take reckless or aggressive actions that target our interests or those of our allies and partners, we'll respond. Not for purposes of seeking conflict or escalating but because such challenges cannot be allowed to go forward with impunity.''

Blinken also tweeted Tuesday U.S. condemnation of Russia's 2014 annexation of Crimea from Ukraine. ``We condemn Russia's abuses in Crimea, especially on May 18 as we reflect on the 77th anniversary of Stalin's deportation of countless Crimean Tatars from their native peninsula,'' he posted.

Perhaps anticipating Blinken's position and the expected sanctions announcement, Lavrov had offered a prebuttal at a news conference Monday in Moscow.

``Apparently, a (U.S.) decision was made to promote stable, predictable relations with Russia,`` he said. ``However, if this includes constant and predictable sanctions, that's not what we need. Our attitude toward the U.S. includes the hope that normalized relations will be based on specific actions rather than words of which we have heard too many.''

Blinken said his meeting with Lavrov would be an important opportunity to test the proposition that the U.S. and Russia can work collaboratively on certain issues, like climate change, the Mideast, Iran and North Korea, despite bitter disagreements on others. The meeting comes as much of the world is focused on Israel's crackdown on the West Bank and Jerusalem and military campaign on Gaza Strip.

Blinken noted that despite the vitriol, the U.S. and Russia had agreed early in the Biden administration to a five-year extension of a key arms control pact that President Donald Trump had declined to renew before he left office. Trump left a decidedly mixed legacy on Russia that included a personal friendly relationship with Putin, while his administration still imposed sanctions and other punitive measures.

Lavrov said Moscow would determine its own ``red lines'' and emphasized that in the sphere of strategic stability, it's going to insist on putting both offensive and defensive, nuclear and non-nuclear weapons on the negotiation table.

Another, more immediate area of disagreement in Reykjavik, the site of the famous 1986 summit between President Ronald Reagan and Russian leader Mikhail Gorbachev, is the Arctic, where Russia has been expanding its military presence and pursuing policies to expand its influence to the alarm of the Americans.

Blinken rejected Russian calls to resume a military component of the Arctic Council and expressed concerns about Russia's increasing military activity in the region known as the ``high North.'' On Wednesday in successive meetings with foreign ministers from other Nordic Council members, Blinken repeatedly referred to the importance of ``continuing to maintain this region as one of peaceful cooperation.''

``We have concerns about some of the recent military activities in the Arctic,'' he said. ``That Increases the dangers of accidents and miscalculations and undermines the shared goal of a peaceful and sustainable future for the region.''

Blinken also took Russia to task for proposing new navigational regulations for the region and decried Lavrov for comments in which he dismissed such criticism because the Arctic ``is our territory, our land.''

``We have to proceed all of us, including Russia, based on the rules, based on norms, based on the commitments that we've each made and also avoid statements that undercut those,'' Blinken said.

In his comments Monday, Lavrov noted the grievances about Russia's military activities in the Arctic. ``It has long been common knowledge that this is our territory, our land. We are in charge of keeping the Arctic coast safe. Everything Russia is doing there is absolutely legal,'' he said.

Moscow and Washington are also embroiled in a bitter dispute over the status of their respective embassies and consulates after the diplomatic expulsions. Russia has given the U.S. until Aug. 1 to get rid of all non-American staff at its diplomatic missions, something the U.S. says will make it nearly impossible for its facilities to function.

*This story was edited by Ahram Online.

Short link:


The Ministry of International Cooperation held on Sunday a multi-stakeholder platform (MSP) titled Egypt as an Energy Hub: Reforms and Prospects in the Petroleum and Gas Sector.

The meeting was held in the presence of Minister of Petroleum and Mineral Resources Tarek El-Molla, and officials from major foreign and private companies operating in Egypt, including Apache Egypt, TAQA Arabia, Schlumberger, and SAP.

This is in addition to multilateral and bilateral development partners such as the World Bank Group (WBG), International Finance Corporation (IFC), the African Development Bank (AfDB), and the Germany Embassy, among others.

This comes as part of a series of interactive meetings organised by the Ministry of International Cooperation within the framework of the MSP.

The platform aims to create interaction and integration between government entities, multilateral and bilateral development partners, private sector, and civil society to implement Egypts 2030 Vision.

During the meeting, Minister of International Cooperation Rania Al-Mashat affirmed that the MSP aims to shed light on the economic sectors that have undergone radical reforms over the past years, which has contributed to enhanced economic development and opened new horizons for private sector participation.

She pointed out that the petroleum sector is one of the most critical sectors, as the government of Egypt announced its intention to transform the country into a regional energy center that would further enhance its leadership across many fields.

The ministry aims to achieve this through several steps, namely exploring opportunities for cooperation in projects that the Ministry of Petroleum and Mineral Resources offers to international partners, highlighting areas that allow for private sector participation; identifying areas of participation in the short, medium, and long term; and creating integration between various multilateral and bilateral development partners, said Al-Mashat.

Al-Mashat emphasised that although the petroleum sector acquired only 5 percent of the total ongoing development cooperation portfolio of the Ministry of International Cooperation, the story of development and reforms implemented over the years is a story that needs to be told.

This is a story that reflects the commitment of the government of Egypt in moving forward with development plans and reforms across sectors, despite the circumstances posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, Al-Mashat explained.

On his side, Minister El-Molla expressed that the petroleum sector continues to implement its integrated vision for the development and modernisation of the oil, gas, and mining sectors.

He added that the overall aim is to unlock the potential within the framework of the countrys 2030 vision for sustainable development and increase investment as a result of the positive economic reform programme implemented by the government.

El-Molla elaborated that Egypts petroleum modernisation plan consists of 3 strategic pillars: energy security, financial sustainability, and sector governance.

These pillars have contributed and led to many successes, such as signing 98 agreements with international companies that aim to drill for oil and gas worth $16 billion. The new strategy has lured in new international entities to work in the Egyptian petroleum sector, and this reflects confidence in the sector, according to El-Molla.

He pointed out that this sector has progressed from 11 percent negative growth in 2015 to 25 percent positive growth in 2020.

This came about via Egypts achievement of self-sufficiency in gas, and in providing a surplus for exporting; through the expansion of the liquefied natural gas process in Damietta and Edku situated on the Mediterranean Coast, and the establishment of the Gas Regulatory Authority to regulate activities of the gas market, he explained.

This has allowed for the entry and participation of private companies in the Egyptian gas system and in paying 80 percent of the dues of foreign companies operating in the country, according to El-Molla.

El-Molla indicated that the oil and gas sector amounted to 24 percent of Egypts GDP in FY2019/2020, and the sectors total investments from FY2014/2015 to FY2019/2020 amounted to $74 billion.

The minister also noted that 6 million more homes were added to the 11.8 million homes that have natural gas, explaining that the refining industry is witnessing the implementation of a plan to develop and modernise old refineries and establish new refineries that comply with European standards and specifications.

This has contributed to reducing gasoline and diesel imports by 35% and the overall goal is to achieve self-sufficiency in petroleum products by 2023, said the minister.

Marina Wes  the World Banks country director for Egypt, Yemen, and Djibouti  said that the way policy reform has helped leverage private sector engagement leaves her optimistic about the potential progress in Egypt going forward.

The reforms outlined today were challenging to implement, yet Egypt was successful in its executional framework, leading to a sustainable development of the oil sectors value chain, she added.

She explained that the improvement of petroleum and gas production promotes economic and social development by contributing to economic growth and job creation.

Moreover, the sustainable development of the sector is important for the promotion of affordable and clean energy by adopting sustainable production practices and infrastructure, according to Wes.

David Chi, vice president of Apache Corporation and General Manager for Apache Egypt, said that the company has been Egypts partner for 25 years, investing over $20 billion in the country.

He added that Egypt is in a great place in terms of resources, location, and leadership, which makes it a regional hub for foreign investments in the energy sector.

In 2020, the Ministry of International Cooperation secured $9.8 billion in development financing; of which $6.7 billion were secured for financing sovereign projects and $3.1 billion for the private sector.

Short link:


Saipem, an Italian multinational oilfield services company, has been awarded the extension of two important contracts for onshore drilling activities in Saudi Arabia for a duration of five and 10 years, respectively.



The company also received a new contract in Colombia for a duration of four years. The total of orders acquired by the onshore drilling division since the beginning of 2021 thus exceeds $250 million.



With these acquisitions, Saipem consolidates its long-standing and solid relationships with some of its main customers, a Saipem statement said.



These extensions of existing contracts are a positive sign of a gradual resumption of activities following the Covid-19 pandemic, it added.  TradeArabia News Service






With the purpose of stimulating the economy and solving the chronic congestion in the capital, Egypt announced the establishment of the New Administrative City (NAC) in East Cairo.

In an exclusive interview, Ahram Online discussed with the President of the University of Hertfordshire (UH)  hosted by the Global Academic Foundation in Egypt  Vincent Emery, the role the private sector plays in Egypts development and why the university opted for the NAC to be the location of its Egyptian headquarters.

Emery also revealed that the Global Academic Foundations investments in Egypt have amounted to EGP 1.6 billion, with an expectation that they will reach around EGP 6 or 7 billion to expand its building footprint and facilities in the future.

Ahram Online: How do you assess the investment climate in Egypt, particularly pertaining to higher education?



Vincent Emery: Currently, Egypt is embracing remarkable development in the education sector, which has prompted many large institutions to invest in all aspects of education  technological, technical, professional, and others. Also, Egypt has recently witnessed a surge in the number of private and international universities, driven by investment in the Egyptian education sector, especially in the NAC, which has greatly contributed to the development of the university and pre-university sectors in an unprecedented way.



The foundations investments in the NAC, which were implemented in cooperation with the UH in the United Kingdom, were consistent with Egypt's strategy and vision for 2030 and pertinent to developing education. The new law that the Egyptian Parliament passed stipulates and stresses on the importance of establishing new foreign universities branches in Egypt to improve the education quality; therefore, the UH saw the law as an ideal opportunity to introduce its foreign education experience to Egypts students.



Furthermore, endeavours are being made by Egypt to become a destination for investments in the field of higher education in the region, which will, in turn, contribute to making the NAC a centre for education and a hub for scientific research in the Middle East.

For instance, new laws were issued recently to reform undergraduate and post-graduate studies at local universities. The government also signed numerous educational protocols that led to a breakthrough in higher education investments, which is manifested through the number of international branches that have already opened in the NAC.

AO: What are the motives that encouraged you to establish a branch of the UH in Egypt? And why did you select the NAC in particular?

VE: Undoubtedly, Egypt has recently made exceptional strides in the educational sector, and this is an important factor that paved the way for foreign universities to consider inaugurating their new branches in Egypt, especially in the NAC.

The recent laws have, in fact, created a positive atmosphere that spurred us to take part in improving the Egyptian higher education sector. Also, our participation comes in line with Egypts initiative to transform the NAC into an educational hub, as well as elevating higher education in Egypt to be on a par with other top universities globally.



Egypt has also recently disclosed its intention to revolutionise its educational system by bringing international experiences home. Therefore, the country has been building new public, private, non-profit, and foreign universities.

As a result, the UH decided to invest actively in Egypt, as it believes that the ranking and reputation of Egypts higher education sector will increase steadily in the coming years. The UH is also convinced that the Egyptian labour market will benefit immensely from the new disciplines that the university will introduce and the new fully equipped generation that it will graduate.



The NAC was chosen for many reasons, it is a city that was built with state-of-the-art infrastructure and conforms to the ideal of a smart city. This will have a major impact on our success in providing a distinguished educational experience.

All of these factors contribute to the UH philosophy in providing both traditional and unique specialisations such that we can keep pace with the demands of the Egyptian labour market and create cadres of graduates that suit the requirements of the regional and local markets.



We certainly take pride in being part of Egypts Vision 2030, with the ambitious development plan set to herald a new educational era in Egypt. Inaugurating branches of international universities in Egypt meets the Egyptian governments aspiration to transform the NAC into a global educational hub that attracts students locally, regionally, and internationally.



It is noteworthy that the NAC is set to be the regional educational hub, rolling out some dynamic and prestigious schools and universities, which will help deliver the country's ambitious vision of establishing and developing an integrated educational system.

AO: How do you see the efforts exerted by Egypt regarding the expansion of investments in human capital, including the education and health sectors?

VE: Egypt has embarked on a development journey across all levels, including its health sector reform. Different measures were adopted in addressing the pandemic. In addition to its ongoing Economic Transformation Program, which has been credited with accelerating government spending on the health sector.

In accordance with the Egyptian initiative to improve human capital, UH-GAFs strategy aims at providing an education that marries the theoretical and academic with the practical in order to keep abreast with the needs and developments in industry, as well as proffer opportunities that cater to its needs.

Moreover, the university enables its students to strike an impressive balance between skills and academic knowledge tailored to the needs of the job markets needs. This balance is attained through some unique educational models and distinguished programs.

In fact, the UHs investments are primarily directed to contribute to reshaping the higher education system in accordance with the Egyptian government s vision to enhance education norms. The UHs strategy aims to graduate a competent, innovative, and entrepreneurial generation that can fill the gaps in the labour market, as well as satisfy the needs of the new industrial and technological sectors in the Egyptian and global markets.

AO: What is the total investment that you intend to pump into Egypt through establishing the UH branch?

VE: The Global Academic Foundation has a clear vision to be one of the largest entities in the Middle East, which hosts several specialised foreign branches in different advanced disciplines that suit the labour market. Therefore, the Foundation is hosting the UH on a 50-acre site in the NAC and has launched multiple faculties to add genuine value to the educational system and entrepreneurship in Egypt. To date, our Investment has amounted EGP 1.6 billion, with an expectation that it will reach around EGP 6 or 7 billion, as we are looking forward to expanding our building footprint and facilities in the future.

AO: From your perspective, how can Egypt improve the education sector, especially since this is a key objective of the UN Sustainable Development Goals agenda?

VE: Unquestionably, Egypt is on the right track when it comes to educational sustainability. Allocating significant amounts of land dedicated to the establishment of higher education institutions in the NAC in general will eventually alter the dominant educational concepts, as Egypt is taking steadfast steps towards establishing smart infrastructure that will uphold future educational mega projects.



Additionally, signing mutual agreements between universities and other educational entities in Egypt and beyond will create cooperative bonds and expand the horizons of students as they pursue their studies. Needless to say, increasing the number of foreign branches will catalyse the competitiveness of the higher education sector in Egypt and ultimately contribute to increasing the international ranking of Egyptian higher education.

Short link:


The African Development Bank Group (AfDB) and the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) inked on Monday a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to prop up sustainable private-sector development in Africa.

The EBRD said the MoU is expected to catalyse new sources of financing to help bridge the $2.5 trillion annual financing gap for development in Africa, adding that the gap requires development finance institutions to work in partnership.

Under this partnership, the AfDB and EBRD will focus on climate change, green and resilient infrastructure and the development of capital markets.

They will also work to improve business environments, bolster the real economy, and mobilise private-sector investment.

The coronavirus is threatening progress made towards the UN Sustainable Development Goals and exacerbating the debt vulnerability of many African countries, said the EBRD, adding that sustainable private-sector development will be key to recovery and prosperity across the continent.

The new partnership agreement between our two institutions will pave the way for us to do more together, especially in supporting the growth of Africas private sector. The impact of Covid-19 on government resources is huge and we need to mobilise more private resources to help African countries build back stronger, said Akinwumi Adesina, president of the AfDB.

EBRD President Odile Renaud-Basso said the pandemic crisis has made the need for better and closer collective action more urgent.

Over the years, collaboration between the EBRD and the AfDB has grown from strength to strength in the region. This partnership will allow our institutions to do even more to promote sustainable private-sector development in North Africa, Renaud-Basso explained.

In April, the EBRD and AfDB signed a $114 million financing package for the construction of the largest private solar plant in Egypt during the EBRD president's first official visit to the country and the Mediterranean region.

This new partnership will enable the involved parties to strengthen their potential for joint projects and activities, unlocking investment opportunities in economies where both organisations operate.

EBRD is positive on Egypts economy in 2021 and beyond thanks to the countrys economic reform programme and its robust macroeconomic performance, EBRDs president told Ahram Online in an interview published in April.

Short link:


Africa needs additional financing for an adequate COVID-19 response at around $285 billion through 2025, $135 billion of which is for low-income countries, said Managing Director of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) Kristalina Georgieva.

Georgieva made her statements during the press conference held on Tuesday at the conclusion of the Paris Summit on the financing of African Economies.

She added that the cost of restoring the pre-pandemic economic growth levels in the continent will be roughly twice as much.

Africa needs to grow faster than the world  at 7 to 10 percent  and to secure a fair shot against the virus for everyone in order to meet the aspirations of its youthful populations and become more prosperous and more secure, especially amid the severe impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, according to Georgieva.

Last year, the pandemic-caused recession shrank the GDP of the continent by 1.9 percent  the worst performance on record. This year, we project global growth at 6 percent, but only half that  3.2 percent  for Africa. This is a dangerous divergence, said Georgieva.

On vaccines, Georgieva expounded that the IMF could target vaccinating at least 40 percent of the population of all countries by the end of 2021, and at least 60 percent by mid-2022, adding that for a cost of $50 billion, faster vaccination can result in a higher global output of $9 trillion between now and 2025.

This would require, among other priority actions, the donation of 500 million vaccine courses in 2021 from countries with excess supply, and it requires boosting vaccine production capacity by 1 billion doses in early 2022, Georgieva illustrated.

Moreover, bilateral and multilateral development financing  including grants and concessional loans  ought to increase, according to Georgieva.

With respect to the finances the IMF extended to African countries over 2020, Georgieva mentioned that the fund has swiftly ramped up its financing for the continent, providing 13 times its average annual lending to sub-Saharan Africa.

She added that the IMF is working with its membership to do much more.

We have received support to increase access limits so we can scale up our zero-interest lending capacity through the Poverty Reduction and Growth Trust. Our membership backs an unprecedented new allocation of Special Drawing Rights of $650 billion  by far the largest in our history. Once approved, which we intend to achieve by the end of August, it will directly and immediately make about $33 billion available to our African members. It will boost their reserves and liquidity without adding to their debt burden, Georgieva explained.

Meanwhile, Georgieva said that the crisis is an opportunity for transformational domestic reforms that increase domestic revenue, improve public services, and strengthen governance in Africa, adding that digitalisation can improve tax administration, revenue collection, and the quality of public spending.

With radical transparency, Africa can tap into new sources of finance  such as carbon offsets  according to Georgieva.

Furthermore, reforms of international taxation can also support Africas growth, according to Georgieva

For a long time, we have been in favour of minimum corporate tax rates to reduce the race to the bottom and tax avoidance, and we strongly support an international agreement on digital tax; something France has been a leading voice for. It is important to secure fair distribution of tax revenues, so they can contribute to closing Africas financial gap, said Georgieva.

Short link:


Egyptian Petroleum Minister Tarek El-Molla discussed with a delegation of Baker Hughes Company means to boost cooperation in the field of designing and implementing oil projects and manufacturing equipment in addition to exchanging expertise and transferring modern technology via holding joint workshops.

In statements on Wednesday, El-Molla said that the international energy industry witnesses major changes in light of the global tendency towards eco-friendly green power within the framework of decreasing carbon emissions to maintain the environment.



El-Mollah said that the coming period will witness major increase in the activities and investments in the petroleum sector in light of the clear interest of the foreign companies working in Egypt to expand their activities to increase discoveries and production.



Meanwhile, the deputy president of Baker Hughes Company lauded the efforts exerted by Egypt and its pioneering role in establishing East Mediterranean Gas Forum.

Short link:


At the start of Ramadan, the Muslim holy month of fasting, Israel put up barriers outside Damascus Gate to prevent Palestinians from breaking their fast on the steps where thousands traditionally gather after the sunset prayer. However, it later removed the barriers.

In addition to ongoing acts of violence committed by both Israeli settlers and security forces against the Palestinians, which has resulted in the injury of hundreds, Israel plans to evict Palestinian families from the Sheikh Jarrah neighbourhood in East Jerusalem.

Ahram Online is taking this occasion to share rare photos of the city from before the formation of the state of Israel.

These photos of Jerusalem were taken around 1925 by renowned photographers Lehnert and Landrock, who first started their photography business in 1924. They were among the very few sources of visual documentation in the Middle East during this period, taking photos all over Egypt, Tunisia, Algeria and Palestine. These photos remain among the valuable sources of intangible heritage today.

All copyright of the following photos are reserved to Lenhert & Landrock- Dr. E. Lambelet.

The collection includes the historic icons of Jerusalem:

The Temple Mount

The Temple Mount is set on a hill in Jerusalem, holding religious sites including the Western Wall, the Dome of the Rock and Al-Aqsa Mosque.

This site is sacred in Judaism, Christianity and Islam, for it is believed to be where Abraham offered his son as a sacrifice to God.

It is also considered the third holiest site in Islam after Mecca and Medina in Saudi Arabia, for it is where Muslims believe the Prophet Muhammad ascended to heaven.

Christians also consider the site significant to their faith: from the church of Nativity where Jesus was born, to the site of his crucifixion, and the location of the tomb of the Virgin Mary.

Dome of the Rock

In 691 AD, the Dome of the Rock, a Muslim shrine, was built on the Temple Mount by Caliph Abd al-Malik. It is the oldest surviving Islamic building and was constructed at the very site where Muslims believe Muhammad ascended to heaven.

Western Wall (Wailing Wall)

The Western Wall is a surviving section of the wall of the second Jewish Temple. It is located on the western side of the Temple Mount and is sometimes referred to as the Wailing Wall because many Jews pray and weep at the site of the destroyed temple.

Church of the Holy Sepulchre

The Church of the Holy Sepulchre, built in 335 AD, is the site where Jesus is said to have been crucified and where his resurrection took place.

Jerusalem has consistently been one of the key focal points of the 70-year Palestinian-Israeli conflict.

Israel occupied East Jerusalem after the 1967 war, and had captured West Jerusalem 19 years earlier during the 1948 Arab-Israeli war. The Palestinians want the eastern part of the city as the capital of their future state, and had boycotted then-US President Donald Trump when he declared that the US recognises the entirety of Jerusalem as the capital of Israel.

During his four-year term, Trump said Jerusalem would remain Israels undivided capital and moved the US embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem. This was an unprecedented development in the history of the conflict. Israeli settlers regularly storm Al-Aqsa Compound in Jerusalem, while strict limitations are imposed by Israeli security forces on Palestinians who wish to enter it.

Short link:


The Cervantes Institute in Alexandria, in cooperation with the Camera Club of the Alexandria Atelier, is organising a competition to photograph the mosques and shrines of Andalusian sheikhs who lived and died in Alexandria.

##

These places include the mosques of Abu El-Abbas El-Morsy, Sidi Yakout El-Aarsh, Abu Bakr El-Tartushi, Mohamed El-Shatby, and Sidi Gaber El-Ansari. Participants in the competition must submit photos of these places located in separate areas in Alexandria.

It is noteworthy that there is a jury committee to select the winning photos in addition to the best photo to be displayed in an online exhibition.

The prestigious jury committee is composed of Javier Ruiz Sierra, director of the Cervantes Institutes in Egypt; Ibrahim Abdel-Moneim Salama, professor of History and Islamic Civilisation at the Faculty of Arts in Alexandria University; together with Director of the Camera Club at Alexandria Atelier Mohamed Fawzy Ali and Safaa Ragab, secretary of the jury from Cervantes Institute in Alexandria.

The competition is open to anyone over the age of 18 who is a fan of photography.

Each participant has the right to participate with a maximum of three photos. Works are submitted in JPG format, a maximum of 2 MB, and contain no marks or signatures.

The deadline for receiving works is midnight on 20 May 2021.

The best photo award is a grant to learn Spanish at the Cervantes Institute in Alexandria until 31 August 2021.

This competition comes within a series of cultural activities organised by the Cervantes Institute in Alexandria, during which it seeks to shed light on Andalusian history.

Short link:


ZERO1  operating in collaboration with Out of the Circle  the US Embassy in Cairo, and Medrar for Contemporary Art announced an open call for participants in Creative Impact Lab Cairo, a five-week online creative exchange that utilises community-driven digital and new media art projects to address womens empowerment.

The artists are requested to submit their projects by 30 May at the latest, while the exchange will take place during the five weeks within June and July 2021.

The initiative's website reveals that the lab consists of five activity phases:

- Artist Talk: a presentation by an American artist introducing the participants and the public to their creative practice.

- Workshops: a workshop series led by the American artist, which leverages their specific area of expertise. In parallel, the topic of womens empowerment is explored by applying frameworks from the arts, social entrepreneurship, and community engagement.

- Project Development: Participants prototype artworks that apply workshop skills to address womens empowerment.

- Panel Review and Virtual Exhibition: the lab culminates in a public panel review wherein Egyptian and US experts provide feedback on participant project prototypes. Projects are revealed to a wider public audience at a virtual exhibition opening.

- Sustainability Meetings: the US artist and participants discuss how their artworks might develop beyond the lab.

The website adds that participation in the lab is free of charge and those who participate fully will receive a stipend.

The lab is tailored for Egyptian residents who have a strong interest in technology, new media and/or digital art, and possible experience in the arts (though experience is not a must).

While the applicants should be over 18 years old  with no age limit beyond that  the organisers particularly welcome youths aged 18-35, women, and people with disabilities.

To apply, follow this link.

To read more, please visit ZERO1 website or send your inquiries to Maya Holm at [email protected]

Creative Impact Lab Cairo 2021 is a ZERO1 international exchange supported by the US Embassy in Cairo and hosted by Medrar.

The lab is organised in partnership with Out of the Circle, an outreach partner in ZERO1. Out of the Circle is an arts organisation based in Cairo, Egypt, catering to the MENA regions digital and new media art scene.

ZERO1 is a San Francisco-based non-profit arts organisation that addresses complex social challenges by producing community driven emerging media and digital art projects.

Medrar for Contemporary Art is a non-profit collective, hosting festivals, workshops, and events to stimulate the scene; providing a collaborative space for media artists; and documenting and disseminating audio-visual content on the contemporary art movement in Egypt.

For more arts and culture news and updates, follow Ahram Online Arts and Culture on Twitter at @AhramOnlineArts and on Facebook at Ahram Online: Arts & Culture

Short link:


Egypt reported its highest daily record of COVID-19 infections since January at the weekend, exceeding some 1,200 cases. Experts say that the country is climbing the curve of its third coronavirus wave and is expected to witness the peak starting next week.

Ashraf Al-Fiki, a clinical research expert and former fellow of the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA), believes the peak will come on 25 May. Islam Anan, an epidemiology lecturer at Misr International University in Cairo, said the infection numbers could reach 1,400 cases daily during the peak.

Egypts daily infections are expected to step up during next week, and the third waves peak will continue until June. The daily figures are expected to stay steady for two weeks, and then the curve of infections will start to descend, signalling the end of the peak. The third wave should recede by the end of June and beginning of July, Anan told Al-Ahram Weekly.

In order to limit the spread of infection and reduce the number of cases during the last week of Ramadan and the Eid Al-Fitr holiday, the government imposed two-week precautionary measures from 6 to 21 May that included the early closure of cafes, shops, and restaurants, in addition to shutting public beaches and parks.

The measures are subject to renewal or cancellation in a cabinet decision at the end of the period, Prime Minister Mustafa Madbouli said.

Al-Fiki said that although the decision came two weeks late and was not conclusive, overall it is a step in the right direction.

Anan agreed that the measures are useful. On the one hand, they are aimed at reducing infections and most importantly the number of deaths, and on the other hand, they are aimed at raising awareness, he said.

He said that the measures had caused some people to ask why shops were closed early and parks shut during the holidays, creating awareness of the increased infections. This can now also be seen in the increased turnout for vaccines, he commented.

Two weeks ago, Health Minister Hala Zayed urged the public to register online for the vaccine and not fear being inoculated even though some have been reluctant to have the vaccine.

Anan said the ministrys vaccination website had recorded around 25,000 daily requests, and now had 80,000 to 85,000 registrations daily. Two million Egyptians have registered online to receive the vaccine and are now on the waiting list, he said.

According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), as of 11 May a total of 1,371,976 vaccine doses had been administered in Egypt in a campaign that started in January and uses the Sinopharm and AstraZeneca vaccines.

The Health Ministry has recently turned Cairos International Exhibition Centre in Nasr City district into a mega vaccination centre that can accommodate 10,000 people daily. The centre is currently operational along with 399 other vaccination units nationwide.

Last week, Egypt received 1.7 million doses of the AstraZeneca and 500,000 doses of the Chinese Sinopharm vaccines to increase its stock to nearly four million doses.

On Monday, Madbouli said that the Long Live Egypt Fund would collect contributions from banks, companies, or other bodies, in addition to what the state treasury has arranged, for the purchase of vaccines. The government has allocated about LE2 billion to the Fund thus far, he said.

Zayed said on the same day that the ministry would start vaccinating prisoners against the coronavirus, adding that it had been agreed with the Federation of Egyptian Industries to set up centres at which workers in industrial complexes would be provided with vaccines.

She said the ministry would provide vaccines to pensioners, and starting next month mobile clinics will be stationed at pension-payment locations nationwide, including bank branches and post offices.

Over the next few days, it is expected that the raw materials to manufacture two million doses of the Chinese Sinovac vaccine will arrive, the health minister said on Monday, referring to a deal between state-owned vaccine producer VACSERA and the Chinese manufacturer to locally produce two million doses in Egypt by July and 40 million doses by the end of 2021.

Coordination is ongoing in an effort to locally manufacture the AstraZeneca vaccine at VACSERAs factories in 6 October city, Zayed noted.

Anan said that the vaccine is the first line of defence against COVID-19 infection. In Egypt, the effects of the vaccine will fully come to light with the fourth wave of the virus, Anan said, expecting that this would be weaker than its predecessors.

The successful experience of home isolation that had occurred on a large scale during the third wave and the greater access to medicine had increased awareness of when and if home-isolation patients should go to hospital.

The fourth wave would take place when a larger segment of the Egyptian population has been inoculated, he said.

We have examples from several countries that have vaccinated 20 per cent of their populations and have seen an 80 per cent decrease in the number of deaths, while those who have inoculated from 35 to 50 per cent of their populations have seen a 90 per cent drop, Anan said.

*A version of this article appears in print in the 20 May, 2021 edition of Al-Ahram Weekly

Short link:


The ramifications of the meeting between diplomatic delegations from Turkey and Egypt in Cairo on 5 and 6 May  the first such meeting since 2013  continue to intrigue analysts.

At the end of the two days of political consultations Cairo and Ankara said they had agreed to evaluate the outcome of the talks and determine the next steps.

In a joint statement the two countries said discussions were frank and in-depth and addressed bilateral issues as well as a number of regional issues, in particular the situation in Syria and Iraq, and the need to achieve peace and security in the East Mediterranean region. Turkish sources told Al-Shark news website the reconciliation talks also covered Turkeys relationship with the Muslim Brotherhood.

Turkey has invited a delegation from Cairo to visit Ankara to continue discussions though no date has been announced.

While no official statements have been made by Cairo on the results of the two-day normalization talks, Turkeys President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu both commented publicly.

Speaking after Friday prayers in Istanbul on 7 May, Erdogan said the Egyptian people and the Turkish nation have a unity based on history and that, as friends, we strive to restore our historical unity with the Egyptian people.

The following day, Turkeys foreign minister said that he could soon meet face to face with his Egyptian counterpart. Speaking at a joint news conference with Palestinian Foreign Minister Riad Al-Maliki, Cavusoglu said the two days of talks this week led by the deputy foreign ministers of Turkey and Egypt were held in a positive atmosphere and the two sides discussed bilateral issues, along with regional developments.

According to Cavusoglu, neither side set preconditions for further meetings.

Mohamed Megahed Al-Zayat, political analyst with the Egyptian Centre for Political Studies, told Abu Dhabi-based Sky News Arabia that Erdogans and Cavusoglus comments on the talks in Cairo could be understood in different ways. He argued that while Erdogans emphasis on restoring historical unity with the Egyptian people rather than the Egyptian regime does not point to a restoration of full diplomatic relations between the two countries anytime soon, Cavusoglus are more encouraging, and his insistence neither side set preconditions suggests he wants the consultations to continue.

Al-Zayat believes any normalisation of relations between Egypt and Turkey will take time. There is a general Turkish policy aimed at improving relations with Egypt, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates after years of deterioration which led to Turkeys isolation in the Arab world, he said, adding that Cairo and Riyadh are likely to be consulting closely over on how to respond to Ankaras overtures.

Cavusoglu paid a fence-mending visit to Saudi Arabia on 10 and 11 May and met with his Saudi counterpart, Prince Faisal bin Farhan. The visit came after Erdogan and Saudi King Salman bin Abdelaziz spoke on the phone for the first time since the 2018 murder of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi in Istanbul.

Following his meetings in Saudi Arabia, Cavusoglu told reporters dialogue between Turkey and Saudi Arabia will continue. Bin Farhan refrained from commenting.

Saudi political analyst Mubarak Al-Ati told Al-Hurra channel that there is clearly a degree of coordination between Cairo and Riyadh over their responses to Turkish offers of reconciliation. Egypt and Saudi Arabia are adopting a disciplined and reserved openness towards Turkey, he said. Saudi Arabia closely followed the consultations between Egyptian officials and Turkish diplomats and wants, like Cairo, to ensure Ankara is serious about reconciliation before making concrete moves in this direction.

He believes that Saudi Arabia is waiting to see how talks between Egypt and Turkey develop, and that any progress on the Egyptian front will automatically lead to a progress on the Saudi front.

MP Mustafa Bakri told Al-Ahram Weekly that differences over the status of the Muslim Brotherhood and Turkish-sponsored mercenaries in Libya mean talks aiming at reconciliation will progress very slowly. Turkey opposes labelling the Muslim Brotherhood as a terrorist organisation and insists Turkish forces in Libya are there because of a bilateral agreement with the Libyan government, he said.

Turkish political analyst Mahmoud Alloush told Sky News Arabia that in order to facilitate a rapprochement with Cairo the Turkish authorities had issued directives to halt criticism of Egypts President Abdel-Fattah Al-Sisi on the Brotherhood-affiliated and Istanbul-based Al-Watan, Al-Sharq and Mikameleen channels. He also noted that Turkey and Egypt now both support the new government in Libya, effectively placing them on the same side.

Cavusoglu told Turkish broadcaster Haber Turk that in the past, Egypt and Turkey were on opposing sides in Libya but right now we dont see Libya as an area of competition with Egypt or any other country.

Alloush argued that Turkey is aware of Libyas strategic importance to Egypts national security and that Turkeys presence in Libya right now does not constitute a threat to Egypt. He added that Cairo should understand that Turkey has its own strategic interests in Libya.

Turkey is unlikely to end its military presence in Libya in the absence of economic guarantees, says Bakri: Turkish businessmen want to link the withdrawal of Turkish forces from Libya to the protection of their Libyan investments.

According to some press reports from Turkey, Erdogan is unsure of Cairos willingness to meet his own demands, such as siding with Turkey in its disputes with Greece and Cyprus over gas reserves in the Eastern Mediterranean, in exchange for ending his support for the Muslim Brotherhood.

While Al-Zayat thinks the issue of Turkey ending its support for the Brotherhood in return for Egypt relinquishing its alliance with Greece and Cyprus is likely to have been discussed during the 5-6 May consultations in Cairo, Egypt takes the position that it is up to Turkey to move to improve its relations with Greece and Cyprus as a step towards resolving current rivalries between the three countries.

Cavusoglu has stated explicitly that Ankara is willing to sign a deal with Cairo over maritime boundaries in the Eastern Mediterranean and that Egypt will profit from this.

Al-Zayat believes Ankara has reached a point when it must decide whether or not it wants to improve its relations with influential Arab states: It is facing a choice between these countries and the Muslim Brotherhood and I believe, at the end of the day, that Ankara will conclude its interests with Egypt and Saudi Arabia are much profitable than its links with the Muslim Brotherhood.

*A version of this article appears in print in the 20 May, 2021 edition of Al-Ahram Weekly

Short link:


US and African Union (AU) efforts to drag tripartite talks on the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) back on track have failed. Negotiations remain deadlocked, with Egypt and Sudan insisting on a legally-binding agreement before any second filling and Ethiopia adamant that it will go ahead with the filling with or without an agreement when the flood season starts in July.

The regional visit of US Special Envoy for the Horn of Africa Jeffrey Feltman conspicuously failed to push things along.

Feltman underlined the importance of an urgent resumption of the talks under the auspices of the AU, said a diplomat speaking on condition of anonymity. What was not mentioned was the reason talks had failed in the past or how to prevent them from failing again. Addis Ababas intransigence to conclude a legally binding agreement was not referenced.

Following Feltmans visit to the region, Washington underlined its commitment to providing political and technical support to facilitate a successful outcome of negotiations.

We believe that the 2015 Declaration of Principles signed by the parties and the July 2020 statement by the AU Bureau are important foundations for these negotiations, read the media note issued by the US Department of State.

Feltmans 4 to 13 May tour took him to Egypt, Sudan, Eritrea, and Ethiopia and aimed to revive negotiations and reach an agreement acceptable to Egypt, Sudan, and Ethiopia. The newly-appointed US envoy said he would return to the region soon to continue his diplomatic efforts.

Hani Raslan, an expert on Nile issues at Al-Ahram Centre for Political and Strategic Studies, detects a significant shift in the Biden administrations position on the dam, from indifference/keeping a distance, to active engagement, and puts the administrations new found willingness to listen to Cairo and Khartoums concerns and push for an agreement down to Cairos consistent refusal to accept any encroachment on its rights to Nile water.

Any settlement will require Cairo to hold firm on its position. It will need a strict time limit, measured in days, to be set, and for Egypt and Sudan to continue to cooperate closely.

As a part of international efforts to relaunch the negotiations Felix Tshisekedi, chairperson of the AU and President of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), visited Egypt and Sudan last week.

He arrived with a proposal from Addis Ababa to resume negotiations on the second filling and settle all other pending matters later. President Abdel-Fattah Al-Sisi made it clear during his meeting with Tshisekedi that Egypt refused to compromise its water security.

In Sudan Tshisekedi held talks with General Abdel-Fattah Al-Burhan, head of Sudans ruling Sovereign Council, and Foreign Minister Mariam Al-Sadiq Al-Mahdi. Al-Mahdi rejected any unilateral steps by Ethiopia to start a second filling in July.

Cairo and Khartoum both insisted on a legally binding deal that preserves their water rights and saves the region from further tensions and instability before a second filling can commence.

Abbas Sharaki, a professor of geology and water resources at Cairo University, says the Ethiopian proposal was in essence an attempt to get Egypt and Sudan to give a second filling the green light, thereby changing the situation on the ground, while deferring the ongoing dispute to negotiations that might as well last forever. He also pointed out that once the second filling is complete the option of taking military action against the dam will be off the table given the impact any breach will have on Sudan.

The Feltman and Tshisekedi visits came as tensions continued to mount after the latest trilateral round of talks in Kinshasa failed early last month.

Ethiopia has rejected several proposals by Egypt and Sudan on the negotiation mechanism and the role of mediators, including a suggestion to form an international quartet of the AU, US, EU and the UN to arbitrate the dispute.

Last year several rounds of AU-sponsored talks, under the chairmanship of South Africa, failed to break the deadlock among the three countries, with Addis Ababa continuing to refuse a legally binding agreement.

Last summer Ethiopia went ahead with a first filling of the dam despite the absence of a deal with Egypt and Sudan. The second filling aims to raise the amount of water stored in the dams reservoir to 18.4 bcm, from the 4.9 bcm secured during the first filling.

In September 2020 the Trump administration cut $100 million in aid to Ethiopia after Addis Ababa failed to come to an agreement over GERD. The Biden administration reversed the cut earlier this year.

*A version of this article appears in print in the 20 May, 2021 edition of Al-Ahram Weekly

Short link:


Hitachi ABB Power Grids, a global technology leader, will be an official partner of Swedish pavilion at the World Expo 2020 in Dubai.

The World Expo in Dubai, in which more than 190 countries participate, will be the single largest export and investment promotion initiative from the Swedish govern-ment in the coming years.

The Swedish pavilion will be located in the exhibition's sustainability section and will be built of wood. In the pavilion, an estimated one million visitors from all over the world will be inspired by Swedish innovation, culture and knowledge that contribute to a more sustainable world. The exhibition runs from October 2021 to March 2022.

As an official partner in the Swedish pavilion, Hitachi ABB Power Grids will work to drive international collaboration, promote the image of Sweden as an innovative knowledge nation and encourage the export of sustainable Swedish technology.

The purpose is to contribute to the positioning of Sweden as an innovative and competitive knowledge nation where Hitachi ABB Power Grids has been developing cutting-edge technology for over 120 years.

And where it continues to contribute to the electrification of society, nationally as well as globally, to enable the green ener-gy transition and contribute to the UN's sustainability goals.

"The Expo 2020 world exhibition in Dubai gives Sweden a unique opportunity to highlight our innovative, smart and sustainable companies and solutions. The pur-pose of our presence on-site is to increase Swedish exports from different parts of Sweden to different parts of the world. Hitachi ABB Power Grids is a brilliant exam-ple of this, and I highly value its participation as an official partner in the Swedish pavilion," remarked Anna Hallberg, the Minister of Foreign Trade.

"The green energy transition is happening here and now we see a great opportunity to meet customers and partners from around the world in the Swedish pavilion to showcase world-class Swedish technology together with other companies," said Johan Soderstrom, Regional Manager for Europe, Middle East and Africa at Hitachi ABB Power Grids.

"We are proud of joining the Swedish pavilion as official partner at the World Expo 2020 in Dubai. Being a global leader in power grids, Hitachi ABB Power Grids will take this opportunity to showcase the worlds best ideas and solutions for achieving sustainable development and protecting the environment," said Dr Mostafa AlGuezeri, Managing Director of Hitachi ABB Power Grids in the UAE, Gulf, Near East and Pakistan.

"The Expo is a great opportunity for us to show the world how to face the challenge of growing energy demand while minimizing environmental impact for a sustainable future," he stated.

"We are making the smart cities of the future a reality, as the worlds energy markets are going through an unprecedented transformation. This is key as the need for innovative energy solutions is increasing significantly and they will play a key role in achieving the ambitious decarbonization targets set by countries around the world," he added.-TradeArabia News Service
The UN General Assembly is set to hold a meeting on 20 May to discuss the ongoing crisis in the Middle East, according to Ambassador Maged Abdel-Fattah, the Arab League representative to the UN.

Speaking to Al-Ahram Weekly by phone from New York on Monday, Abdel-Fattah said the Arab organisation had decided to pursue wider international support for the need for a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas in the Gaza Strip.

He added that the UN Security Council had failed to demand an immediate ceasefire because the US had opposed the motion.

The UN Security Council has held three sessions on the situation in the Middle East over recent weeks. The first two were closed sessions, in which the US rebuffed calls for an immediate ceasefire in the Gaza conflict. An open session, which convened on Sunday morning, also ended with no position, not even a press statement, again because of the position of the US, Abdel-Fattah said.

As the Weekly went to press, the council was due to convene again. Abdel-Fattah was not hopeful about a press statement coming out of the meeting, however, despite the very slight change in the position of the US that had moved from fully supporting the Israeli attacks on Gaza in self-defence to offering some support to the ceasefire.

US President Joe Biden has spoken with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu twice since the beginning of the attack against Gaza over a week ago. In the second call on Monday, arguably the bloodiest day of the Israeli assault on the already devastated Gaza Strip, Biden told Netanyahu that he supported a ceasefire.

This is not enough to bring about a ceasefire to end the current crisis and what the Arab Group [at the UN] is trying to do here in New York is to push further and harder for a clear international position that calls for an immediate ceasefire, Abdel-Fattah said.

According to Abdel-Fattah, the lobbying of the Arab Group at the UN is coordinated with the intensive work of the Arab League and leading Arab capitals. He added that Arab League Secretary-General Ahmed Abul-Gheit, and leading Arab capitals, especially Cairo and Jordan, with their close proximity and involvement in the Palestinian issue, were particularly involved.

Other leading Arab and Muslim capitals, including Riyadh, the initiator of the Arab Peace Initiative, and Ankara, with Turkey being the current chair of the UN General Assembly, are also hard at work in pursuit of a ceasefire.

According to Abdel-Fattah, the participation of the foreign ministers of Egypt, Jordan, Tunisia, the current Arab member of the UN Security Council, and Algeria, the current chair of the Arab Group in New York, at the Sunday UN Security Council meeting that was held via videoconference and at subsequent ministerial meetings of both the Arab League and the Organisation of the Islamic Conference (OIC) last week and this week had sent a clear message to the international organisation on the need to work towards a ceasefire and a resumption of the political process to break the cycle of violence.

The Arab and Muslim countries would put across the same message during the upcoming UN General Assembly meeting, Abdel-Fattah said. He added that several Arab and Islamic foreign ministers were likely to take part in the meeting, which would be held in person at UN headquarters in New York.

The world cannot sit by and watch while the crisis continues, and the world has to realise that a ceasefire has to be followed as soon as politically possible by a process of serious peace talks, he said.

Israel knows that there is no military solution to the problem. However, Netanyahu, who is keeping his eyes on internal political battles, is determined to maintain the status of Israel as the ultimate deterrent power, Abdel-Fattah argued.

This, he added, is why we need to get the world to put enough pressure on Netanyahu to come round to a ceasefire.

Instead, however, the US administration has green-lighted a [high-precision ammunition] arms deal to Israel in the midst of the current situation, Abdel-Fattah said.

I think it is very important for the US to reach out to the leading regional capitals who are involved in trying to secure a ceasefire to get a good sense of what can be done to spare the entire region from a situation that is out of control, he said. I think this kind of talks should take place at the leadership level.

On Sunday, the US State Department said that US Secretary of State Antony Blinken had discussed the situation in the Middle East with the foreign ministers of Qatar, Egypt, Saudi Arabia and the UAE.

On Monday, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said that Russia was willing to organise and host a meeting of the Middle East Quartet, the four Arab states with peace treaties with Israel, Saudi Arabia and the Palestinians and Israelis in the pursuit of a ceasefire and a political process.

According to Abdel-Fattah, direct talks among leading and regional players are essential. Ultimately, he argued, Israel will not succumb to the UN and nor will it allow any UN intervention, either in the situation on the ground or in the political process.

This is why we need active international diplomacy, Abdel-Fattah stated.

A political process is promptly needed, and any political process that does not offer an answer that the Palestinians will accept on Jerusalem will not go very far, he said.

The failure to provide a satisfactory answer to the question of Jerusalem had defeated the work of former US president Bill Clinton, when he failed to secure a deal between the Palestinians and Israelis in the talks he held with former Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat and former Israeli prime minister Ehud Barak at Camp David in 2000.

But we have to start somewhere; we have to secure a ceasefire and launch a political process, Abdel-Fattah said.

*A version of this article appears in print in the 20 May, 2021 edition of Al-Ahram Weekly.

Short link:


The war on Gaza rages on. Yet, already important consequences are clear  not only for the Israeli-Palestinian struggle, but also for the strategic scene in the Middle East as a whole.

Seven consequences merit particular attention.

One  Hamas was the party that determined the timing of the war. Of course, the events in Jerusalem put political and emotional pressure on Hamas to act. But by using its rockets against targets in Israel, Hamas was fully aware that the Israeli response would be massive. Yet, Hamas took the decision. This is the first time in several decades that a Palestinian group has decided on the timing of a war with Israel.

Two  Hamas has powerfully demonstrated its success over the past few years in building a rocket arsenal that is able to reach into the depths of Israel, result in Israeli losses, and significantly disrupt life in the largest urban centres. This is a key change in the power-dynamics of the struggle between the two sides.

This change in power-dynamics is not merely between Israel and Hamas, but instead is between Israel and the alliance comprising Iran, Hizbullah, Syria and Hamas. It has been conspicuous to some observers for some time. I wrote an essay about it in the US magazine Foreign Affairs exactly a year ago, for example. I mention this not to boast of foresight, but instead to emphasise that this change is one of the most consequential in the Middle East strategic scene over the past two decades.

Three  This change means losses and disruptions that Israel has not endured since the mid-1970s. That is, the entire current generation of Israeli leaders is now seeing a type of threat  and tension and apprehension inside Israel  that they have never known in their active lives before. This will impact on the Israeli collective psyche.

Four  This will have consequences on Israeli politics. Some observers focus on Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahus urgent need for something he can market as a victory over Hamas. What is more lasting will be the impact on the Israeli armed forces, which are, after all, the most important institution in the state of Israel.

This also has further implications, because a crucial aspect of the narrative of Israeli success  from global positioning to international trade, including in the lucrative industry of arms sales and in the commercial side of the intelligence and security world  is anchored on the image of the Israel army and its apparatus. The consequences of a notable success for Hamas will thus go far and wide.

Five  There are imminent changes in Palestinian politics. The Palestinian elections have now been postponed, a decision by the Palestinian Authority (PA) in the West Bank that has antagonised wide sections of the Palestinian community. Hamas was always expected to perform well in the elections. Its success in this war will give it political momentum, not only in Gaza but also in the West Bank. This will be a turning point in Palestinian politics, particularly in the period after current Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas.

Six  Hamass success has major implications for Middle Eastern geo-politics. If the smallest component in the Iran, Hizbullah, Syria and Hamas alliance has managed to score a notable success in a war with Israel, then it is conceivable that the alliance as a whole could achieve victory over Israel in a coming confrontation.

Seven  This will inevitably lead to reassessments in the Israeli strategic calculus, something that indeed must take place. It will also lead to new assessments by international actors with major interests in and influence on the region, mainly the US and Russia.

*A version of this article appears in print in the 20 May, 2021 edition of Al-Ahram Weekly

Short link:


When Israeli settlers attacked Palestinian families in an attempt to evict them from their homes in Sheikh Jarrah, East Jerusalem earlier this month, this was the culmination of weeks of tension. No strong reaction to the Palestinian families sit-in was noticed from Arab capitals. As Israeli soldiers started attacking Palestinians praying in Al-Aqsa mosque in the last few days of the Holy month of Ramadan, however, calls for calm started to trickle down.

Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates quickly condemned Israels plans to evict Palestinians from their homes. The cliched statements mirrored others from almost every Arab capital. Countries who recently started normalising relations with Israel found themselves in an awkward position, since at the beginning they had expected that the Jerusalem protests would die away. They didnt, and protests erupted in cities inside Israel, from Lod to Al- Ramlah, where Palestinian citizens protested government discrimination, then rockets were launched from Gaza targeting Israeli cities, including the capital Tel Aviv.

Fast developing war in occupied Palestine posed the first real test to the wave of normalisation deals signed by Gulf and Arab countries last year, just before former US president Donald Trump left office. The UAE, Bahrain, Morocco and Sudan signed agreements with the Jewish state for what is called the Abraham Accords. The agreements were brokered by Trumps adviser and son-in-law Jared Kushner.

But as Trump and Kushner are now out of the picture, and the new US administration under President Joe Biden is not in love with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, the circumstances are different. Nonetheless, Bidens White House supports the deals.

With Israeli air raids demolishing buildings in Gaza and killing dozens of Palestinians, many of them women and children, however, the Abrahamist countries stepped up rhetorical condemnation. Social media posts on some accounts from the Gulf continued to criticise Hamas while others just showed sympathy with the Palestinians.

Foreign Affairs adviser to Emirati President and veteran diplomat Anwar Gargash tweeted: The Emirates stands with Palestinian rights, with the end of the Israeli occupation, with the two-state solution and with an independent Palestinian state with East Jerusalem as its capital. This is a historic and principled position that does not budge. How sad it is to exploit Palestinian peoples suffering for improper self-interests, how saddening such insults in the context of the endless Arab and regional civil war of words.

He was referring to a campaign of disinformation accusing the UAE of siding with Israel against Palestinians. The Muslim Brotherhood and their affiliates never miss any opportunity to attack the UAE for its firm stance against political Islam. A fabricated story on the internet claimed an Emirati female pilot was taking part in bombing Gaza, which forced the named Emirati women to deny the claim in a passionately sympathetic voice message showing solidarity with Palestinians being attacked by Israel.

A small Israeli financial newspaper posted a story on its website claiming that the UAE told Hamas that Emirati investments in the Gaza Strip comes with the necessary conditions of calm. The story was widely shared on social media by those accounts known for attacking the UAE. Al-Ahram Weekly tried to verify the story but couldnt prove it to be true.

Summing up the mood of the Gulf states that signed peace agreements with Israel, BBC security analyst Frank Gardner wrote, most Arab governments in the Gulf have little love for Hamas, a violent militant group backed by Iran that has so far fired well over 1000 rockets and missiles indiscriminately at Israeli towns. But the sympathies of those countriesArab populations lie firmly with the Palestinians. If there was some reluctance amongst them to accept the newfound friendship with Israel after so many decades of antipathy then recent events will have only deepened their skepticism.

On the Israeli side, Netanyahu feels the coldness from the Gulf capitals he has been trying to visit since March. As Vali Nasr of the School of Advanced International Studies at Johns Hopkins University tweeted, Israels entire strategy with the Abraham Accords was based on the argument that the Palestinian issue was no longer relevant. Now thanks to a series of Israeli mistakes it is back in force.

Yet nobody expects the train of normalisation to stop forever, and the current situation could be just a speed bump as one European analyst put it. New entrants to the peace camp might just slow a bit, come closer to the formal but cold peace Egypt and Jordan had with Israel for decades, a UK academic who has worked in the Gulf told the Weekly. His view is echoed by Abdulkhaleq Abdulla, a political scientist at the Emirates University in Abu Dhabi. He told some Western media outlets that there is not enough popular criticism to make the government change its stance on Israel, which has opened the door to tourism and commercial opportunities. He told the American radio station NPR: This decision is a long-term decision and strategic thinking. And this escalation, and as awkward as it feels for the UAE and the other Abrahamic border countries, I dont think is going to have a profound impact.

Now, Saudi Arabia and the UAE are fully involved in Egypt-led diplomatic efforts to reach a truce and stop Israeli attacks on Gaza and its plans to evict Palestinians from Sheikh Jarrah. The ultimate goal of such efforts is to restart genuine peace negotiations between Israelis and Palestinians based on two-state solution.

*A version of this article appears in print in the 20 May, 2021 edition of Al-Ahram Weekly

Short link:


As the Israeli attack on Gaza continues for the second week running, regional and international powers are seeking to bring the violence to an end.

Egypt has been moving in several directions, embarking on its traditional role of mediating between the Palestinian resistance and Israel. In addition to focusing on resolving the Jerusalem crisis, which was the catalyst for the eruption of war, Egypt stepped up its efforts to send humanitarian aid to the Palestinian territories and opened the Rafah crossing to receive the injured.

Cairo has also intensified its communications with regional and international powers in the framework of moves by the United Nations Security Council (UNSC), the US and the Quartet on the Middle East.

One source that has been kept up with the Egyptian security delegation mediating between Israel and Hamas since the third day of the war said on Thursday that the delegation is exerting enormous efforts to reach a ceasefire. The source hinted that the Israeli position is rigid, especially in relation to the issues of Jerusalem and Hamass military capabilities.

The source didnt go into the details of the negotiations, saying only that the talks did advance from time to time.

The Egyptian delegation is also meeting with international envoys, the source added, pointing out that it is possible the issue will be resolved by the end of the week. He also added that the situation is extremely complicated, however. Until the time of writing it was unclear whether the two parties would reach a written, long-term ceasefire or calm will simply reign following a termination of military operations.

The scenario is still unclear, especially since Israel is weighing the two options and their repercussions against each other. Cairo and Washington are seeking to work on the future resumption of negotiations between Israel and the Palestinian Authority (PA). According to the source, this will depend on reaching a long-term ceasefire as well as a number of other political considerations, some of which make it difficult to achieve.

It is more likely, he added, that the warring parties will reach an indefinite truce based on the current negotiations.

Egypt fears the situation on the ground will be further complicated, especially after Israel announced it is targeting the figureheads of the Palestinian resistance. Israel has its eyes on Mohamed Al-Deif, the chief of staff of and supreme military commander of the Ezzeddin Al-Qassam Brigades, the military wing of Hamas. Deif had openly threatened Israel following incidents that took place in Jerusalems Sheikh Jarrah neighbourhood.

Despite mediation efforts, the Chief of General Staff of the Israeli army Aviv Kochavi said Deif and Yehia Al-Senwar, the leader of Hamas in the Gaza Strip, were on his list of targets. Israeli forces also raided the houses of Al-Sinwar and his deputy Khalil Al-Hayya.

Egypt is coordinating with Arab parties, including Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Jordan in the hope of de-escalation. This is the first time Cairo and Doha have coordinated on such level. Qatari Foreign Minister Mohamed Bin Abdel-Rahman Al-Thani called his Egyptian counterpart Sameh Shoukri, and the two officials agreed on the need to continue to work to reach an immediate ceasefire. They also agreed on the resumption of bilateral, regional and international coordination to achieve the interests of the Palestinian people.

Cairo is also communicating with Hamas leaders residing in Qatar, including Ismail Haniyeh, the head of Hamass political bureau, who released a statement from Doha that the Cairo calls were about the latest political and field developments in Gaza, Jerusalem and the rest of the Palestinian territories.

General Mohamed Ibrahim, deputy director of the Egyptian Centre for Strategic Studies, who headed the Egyptian delegation of mediators during previous wars between Hamas and Israel, said that this is a very complex issue, and Egypt is trying to move amid a raging war that knows no boundaries and whose destructive events are rapidly escalating in an unprecedented manner in terms of their dimensions and repercussions on the ground compared to the previous three wars of 2009, 2012 and 2014.

Ibrahim added that Egypt has embarked on extensive efforts from the beginning of the flare-up of the Jerusalem events on 7 May, identifying its position based on two principles: the rejection of the fait accompli policy Israel is trying to impose on the Palestinians, particularly in Jerusalem; and the Palestinian cause being a basis for regional stability. The Egyptian principle has it that the on and off repercussions are not the cause, but rather the effect of not resolving the issue in a fair manner, with Israel refusing to give Palestinians their legitimate rights.

Egypt launched an effort to resolve the crisis immediately after the incidents of Sheikh Jarrah and the Israeli forces raiding the Al-Aqsa Mosque, even before the situation deteriorated between Israel and the Gaza Strip, Ibrahim said. The Egyptian Foreign Ministry released a statement on 7 May articulating Cairos position. The Israeli ambassador in Cairo was called on 9 May, before the bloody events of Gaza, to take a hard-hitting message to her government about the principles Egypt adopts regarding the crisis, he added.

On 11 May, channels of communication were opened between Egyptian officials and Israeli and Palestinian leaders to put an end to the war, before the UNSC stepped in to work on de-escalation. Egypt submitted a strong statement during its participation in the UNSC session, Ibrahim stated.

Egypt actively participated in the emergency foreign ministers meeting of the Arab League and that of the Organisation of the Islamic Conference, in addition to the phone calls between Shoukri and foreign ministers and officials in Jordan, Saudi Arabia and Qatar as well as US Secretary of State Antony Blinken.

Blinken stressed the need for all parties to de-escalate tensions, read a statement released by the Egyptian Foreign Ministry. Shoukri also called his Israeli counterpart Gabi Ashkenazi on 12 May, saying it was imperative to stop Israeli aggressions and resume negotiations in the nearest time possible.

In addition, on 14 May President Abdel-Fattah Al-Sisi gave his orders that the Rafah crossing should be opened and urgent aid sent to the Palestinians. During his visit to France this week to meet with President Emmanuel Macron, Al-Sisi added the Palestinian crisis to the discussions agenda.

Sinai-based sources from the Egyptian Ministry of Health said the ministry is prepared to receive the injured and has readied 45 ambulances, dispatching additional medical staff from all over the country to hospitals in Arish, Bir Al-Abd and Ismailia.

A Palestinian source in the Gaza Strip also said that Palestinian medical staff have been delivering the injured to the Egyptian medical staff at the crossing since Sunday. The Egyptian staff are not permitted to access the Strip in the light of the hazardous security situation, the source said, adding that the eastern part of the Strip, near the crossing, is suffering heavy Israeli shelling.

Cairo will also work on passing international aid to the Strip through the crossing, sources said.

*A version of this article appears in print in the 20 May, 2021 edition of Al-Ahram Weekly

Short link:


Military confrontations continue for the eighth consecutive day in the Gaza Strip, where Israeli crimes have impacted broad sectors and had crushing economic and social consequences. This, in addition to a dire humanitarian crisis worsening with every airstrike.

This constant wave of aggression, the most ferocious since Israels 2014 war on Gaza, began when Israel attempted to evict several Palestinian families from their homes in the Sheikh Jarrah neighbourhood in the holy city. This was followed by repeated raids of the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound which injured hundreds of Palestinians. Al-Qassam Brigades, Hamass military wing, responded by firing rockets into Jerusalem, and in response Israel launched a military operation in the Gaza Strip that has killed dozens and injured hundreds. It has also involved deliberate large-scale infrastructure destruction impacting all aspects of life for Palestinians.

According to official figures by the Palestinian government, by Sunday Israel had carried out 1,200 air raids focusing on residential homes and buildings as well as government offices, roads, electricity grids, water and sewage networks. The onslaught killed some 200 people, including 52 children and 31 women, and injured 1,225 (mostly women and children).

Israels offensive on Gaza has left immense material losses and the damage to infrastructure and Palestinian homes is estimated at $177.5 million. More than 770 residential units were seriously or completely destroyed, while 4,976 units suffered moderate or partial damage due to constant shelling. Meanwhile, 97 apartment highrises and homes were flattened, as well as 32 media offices, and dozens of institutions and NGOs. Some 65 government offices and public buildings including police and security headquarters and service facilities were also bombarded. Some 36 schools and several medical facilities and first-aid clinics were also seriously damaged.

Israeli bombardment also targeted factories which in turn damaged streets and infrastructure including power generators. Israel carried out unprecedented revenge raids on Gaza by targeting specific areas with dozens of airstrikes. The bombing significantly changed the landscape in Gaza; not a single tall building remains standing, the streets are covered in rubble, and the only letters left on buildings spell devastation.

Hello. This is Israeli intelligence. You have 30 minutes to evacuate the building. This kind of brief phone call turns the lives of Gazans upside down. In just a few seconds, the residents of four large residential buildings have to process the fact that in less than 30 minutes they will be homeless. During that half hour, they must also decide which memories and keepsakes to save as they flee their home. They have to think where they and their children will spend the night, according to one Palestinian woman who once lived in the Hanadi residential tower in western Gaza City, the first to be bombed by Israel.

Two airstrikes were enough to topple the 15-storey building and make destitute more than 70 families living there. Luck ran out for residents at three other residential towers: Al-Jawhara, Al-Shorouq and Al-Jalaa, which were also bombed, making more than 190 families homeless. The offices of several media outlets located in these buildings were also demolished, including the office of the Associated Press.

The horror of receiving that warning phone call before your home is pummelled pales in comparison to two massacres that were carried out in Al-Shati refugee camp in the west of Gaza City and Al-Wahda Street at the city centre. There, Israel bombed residential buildings without warning, killing and injuring scores of people. At Al-Shati camp, the Abou Hattab family lost eleven of its members, mostly women and children, when their home was bombed. Four missiles targeted two families at the home, where one family had fled from the bombardment of Al-Shajaaya neighbourhood east of the city to take refuge with their relatives. Israel killed both.

Mohamed Al-Hadidi lost his entire family of four, except for one infant whom he found by sheer coincidence when he was identifying the bodies of his wife and children. Al-Hadidi said the bombing was ferocious and at a harmless target. He thanked God that one of his children had survived and is seen in social media clips kneeling in gratitude.

Although Israel said its goal was to assassinate an official in Hamass military wing, none of the victims were Hamas officials or members of any other Palestinian faction.

The massacre at Al-Shati refugee camp was not the bloodiest, however. On Sunday morning, Israeli jets rained missiles on Al-Wahda Street demolishing multi-storey buildings and killing 43 Palestinians, mostly from the same family. Dozens more are missing under the rubble. The Palestinian Ministry of Health said Israel annihilated ten Palestinian families from public records after it killed every single member of those families, leaving one or two alive at most.

The Israeli escalation has compounded existing problems in the Gaza Strip. The Ministry of Health announced serious shortages in medical supplies and ICU capacity, which prevents it from receiving the injured who pour in after each Israeli airstrike. Egypt quickly sent ambulances to Gaza to transport the injured to hospital. Youssef Abul-Reesh, undersecretary of health in Gaza, said, Israel destroyed the main roads leading to Al-Shifa Hospital in Gaza City, the largest medical compound. It also targeted ambulances trying to reach the injured in areas under attack.

Palestinians are also worried that this escalation will worsen the current, second wave of the Covid-19 pandemic in Gaza because vaccinations and testing have mostly stopped. This means that the Gaza Strip will likely be hit by a third wave of the pandemic after the dust has settled.

What is even more disconcerting is that tens of thousands of Palestinians fled to schools and UNRWA locations in Gaza to escape heavy bombing on the borders of the Gaza Strip. According to a UN statement, more than 38,000 Gazans fled to UNRWA schools to escape Israeli air raids or because they lost their homes in the shelling. UNRWA said its medical facilities provide first aid services but only operate in areas where it is safe. The UN agency is also facing budget and funding shortages which will directly limit its ability to provide services for the victims of Israels war.

Journalists reporting on the news, what is more, have now become part of the news. Many local, Arab and international media outlets lost their offices after they were bombed by Israel. Others find themselves in a dilemma because traffic and transportation have stopped, and Internet services are no longer available in many areas in Gaza because of Israeli shelling.

Journalists were not only military targets, but the Israeli army also used them in a misinformation campaign when it told several international outlets that a ground attack on Gaza would begin. The purpose of this misleading leak was to convince Palestinian factions in Gaza to send their fighters to the border to defend the alleged invasion so that Israel could kill them en masse. The plan failed. Now, many foreign media outlets are demanding an inquiry into how they were used as part of the Israeli armys military plan.

*A version of this article appears in print in the 20 May, 2021 edition of Al-Ahram Weekly

Search Keywords:

Short link:


During its standoff with the Lebanese Shia militant group Hizbullah in 2006, Israel responded with an all-out war beginning with a blockade and an intense aerial bombing campaign. The campaign was later developed into a military blueprint called the Dahiya Doctrine, a strategy of asymmetric warfare.

The Doctrine was named after the Dahiya neighbourhood of Beirut, where the headquarters of Hizbullah was entirely razed by the Israeli air force using two-thousand-pound bombs and other heavy ordnance. It was outlined by Israeli chief of staff Gadi Eizenkot, head of the northern command in 2006, who said it encompassed the destruction of the civilian infrastructure of regimes deemed to be hostile to Israel.

The sinister strategy was later used in Gaza during confrontations with Hamas after the Islamist group seized control of the Strip in 2007, causing wholesale killing, mostly of defenceless civilians, and the wanton destruction of the homes and property of hundreds of thousands of people.

Israels military commanders have since boasted that its lethal aerial campaigns, which have become a cornerstone of their defence strategy, have preserved Israels qualitative military edge and helped it to maintain military superiority over its neighbours.

However, the latest brutal Israeli onslaught on Gaza might be a victory that could on the contrary show that the myth of Israels military superiority and the illusion of its political success is coming to an end.

The confrontations erupted on 10 May amid escalating tensions that began with spontaneous grassroots protests over the expulsion of Palestinian families in East Jerusalem and harassment by Jewish extremists and Israeli police of Muslims praying at the Al-Aqsa Mosque.

This angered Palestinians in Gaza, which has been under an Israeli land, air and sea blockade siege since 2005 when Israel withdrew from the Strip. Palestinian militant groups began firing rockets into Israel, and Israel responded by disproportionally hitting targets in the territory.

Over more than a week, the flare-up has widened as Hamas and other Palestinian groups have fired rockets and Israel has expanded its aerial campaign. Its sophisticated warplanes, helicopters and drones have carried out more indiscriminate attacks aiming to punish Gaza residents and not just the missile launchers.

In one incident, an Israeli airstrike on Saturday killed at least 10 members of an extended family in a refugee camp in Gaza where hundreds of thousands of residents are descended from Palestinians who fled their homes in what is now Israel during the 1948 Arab-Israeli War.

The strike came hours before another Israeli air assault that levelled a prominent high-rise building in Gaza City that housed international media outlets including the US Associated Press and the Qatari Aljazeera.

As of the time of writing, nearly 200 people have been killed in Gaza, including 60 children, according to local reports, and thousands more have been wounded. At least 10 people have been reported dead in Israel.

By resorting to the Dahiya Doctrine, Israel wants to inflict immense destruction, not distinguishing between civilian and military targets. Israeli proponents of the strategy justify its use as being intended to inflict severe damage on their opponents infrastructure and civilian centres in order to achieve deterrence and avoid getting dragged into wars of attrition.

They also see the Doctrine as responding to the complex demands of Israels asymmetric engagements with non-state actors, which use missile attacks on Israel to offset its military superiority and achieve political victories.

The strategy is coupled with a sophisticated air-defence system that Israel has built up to intercept rockets fired by its adversaries and to help prevent conflicts from escalating. However, Israels Iron Dome, often touted as one of the worlds most-effective interceptor systems, has failed thus far to provide adequate security to Israeli built-up areas.

While some of the rockets fired from Gaza have failed to reach their targets, a large proportion of them have landed in Israeli towns and installations and have inflicted a number of deaths and considerable damage.

But Israels strategy of attacking Hamas, turning into a full-scale war, has failed to silence the Gaza rocket launchers. Instead, clashes between Palestinians and Israeli soldiers in the West Bank have added to the febrile atmosphere, as Israelis and Palestinians have found themselves mired in violence in Israeli cities with mixed Jewish-Arab populations that were supposed to be exemplars of coexistence.

The introduction of Israels punitive airstrikes on Gaza, with all the devastation that these have incurred, as well as the rising tensions with the rest of the Palestinians have transformed the Israel agenda and left the Palestinians with no political horizon for a just and viable peace.

Broadly speaking, wars commence and conclude with formal declarations, truces and treaties. The parties often start thinking about the post-conflict terms when the guns fall silent.

But there are good reasons to believe that once the current flames die down, hopes held out that Israel will become a responsible stakeholder and engage in a peaceful settlement with the Palestinians will be dashed.

Moreover, the devastating Israeli strategy seems to be designed to give the Israeli government the freedom to cancel a peaceful solution entirely and to continue to pursue its policy of annexation in the West Bank in order to block the creation of an independent Palestinian state.

For 12 years, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who is seeking a new term in office, has done everything he can to stall the peace talks with the Palestinians. Netanyahu and the Israeli political establishment have ramped up Israels settlement activities in the West Bank, laying the ground for a Greater Israel.

Emboldened by former US president Donald Trumps green light to annexation in his so-called Deal of the Century on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, Netanyahu has worked hard to extend Israeli law to the West Bank and to exercise its sovereignty over the Occupied Palestinian Territories.

Last years Abraham Accords establishing diplomatic relations with the four Arab states of the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Morocco and Sudan seem to have bolstered Netanyahus anti-peace stance further and dashed hopes that Israel would give up land it occupied in the 1967 War for peace.

A two-state outcome to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, which has had wide international support as the only path for the Palestinians and Israelis to live in peace, has now become a distant prospect and consequently a death rattle for regional stability.

This introduces horrific alternatives.

With Israels scorched-earth strategy in Gaza, the imposition of an apartheid system on the West Bank Bantustan, and Jewish supremacy over the Arab community within Israel itself, the Arab-Israeli conflict had arrived at a critical juncture in Middle Eastern history.

Being bent on creating a state that is self-described as Jewish, Israel has become hooked on its extremists methods and seems determined to continue on its historic project to draw up its final borders and control the lives and futures of some eight million Palestinian Arabs.

In reality, this shows that Israels only remaining option is to expel the Palestinians from both Israel and the West Bank through annexations, ethnic cleansing and mass population transfers.

Yet, even if one accepts this conclusion, transfers such as those that preceded the creation of Israel in 1948 have no merit, as Israels deterrence strategies such as the Dahiya Doctrine and the Iron Dome are falling apart under a few thousand homemade projectiles.

Wherever the Palestinians are transferred to in the neighbouring countries they will be able to continue to produce rockets and to fire them on Israel across the border, forcing it to live in constant fear and in the shadow of perpetual wars.

Israel may be the most powerful state in the Middle East in terms of sophisticated military force, capabilities, training, equipment and nuclear weapons, which could make it militarily unassailable.

But the recent escalation has surprised Israel, showing it that pursuing its mowing the grass strategy to try to cut back harmful weeds in its surroundings is not working and that in the long run it cannot solve its existential problems.

Israels arrogance of power has always been dangerous, but its recent horrific cycle of hostilities, going largely uncondemned by the international community, is now making it even more arrogant and insecure and therefore even more perilous.

*A version of this article appears in print in the 20 May, 2021 edition of Al-Ahram Weekly

Short link:


It was the ancient Greek historian Herodotus who said that Egypt is the gift of the Nile, an observation that is as true today as it was when he visited the country some 2,500 years ago.

One of the things that struck Herodotus most when he visited Egypt sometime in the 440s BCE was its rich agricultural land, a clear contrast to the generally poor and stony soil of Greece on the other side of the Mediterranean.



But Herodotus noticed much more about ancient Egypt than just its fertile soil and abundant water from the River Nile. In his famous Histories, possibly the first extended work of history ever written, he devotes a whole book to a description of Egypt and its people, producing an account that is as much a work of geography or ethnography as of history.

He includes a fair chunk of ancient Egyptian history, mostly about periods before the 26th-Dynasty pharaoh Psamtik III was defeated by the Persian king Cambyses at Pelusium in 525 BCE causing the country to fall under Persian rule.



The result is the earliest and probably the most comprehensive external view of ancient Egypt that has come down to us, providing much firsthand information about the country and its people in the mid-5th century BCE. The account would perhaps have been even more valuable had Herodotus, or a writer like him, somehow managed to visit ancient Egypt a thousand years before when the New Kingdom pharaohs were on the throne.

But the fact that he did so only during the Late Period in ancient Egypts history when it had fallen under Persian control is itself a reminder of the extraordinary antiquity and continuity of the countrys civilisation.



Herodotus lived during one of the most important periods of ancient Greek history and was a contemporary of writers and philosophers who are still revered today. Yet, he was a mere boy by ancient Egyptian standards. As he remarks in his account of the country, ancient Egypt was widely believed in ancient times to be the oldest civilisation in the world.

Its recorded history and its monuments, including the Great Pyramids at Giza, a visit to which Herodotus describes, were older than anything in the history of the ancient Greeks and were considerably older than the works of Homer or the story of the war between Greece and Troy.



This leads Herodotus to venture remarks that are still debated today. He points to the extraordinary self-containment of ancient Egyptian civilisation, for example, with the ancient Egyptians believing that their civilisation was self-created and owed nothing to African, Mediterranean, or Asian influences. They were fully aware of neighbouring civilisations, fighting wars against the Hittites in Asia Minor, quarrelling with Assyrian kings in what is now northern Iraq, and conquering much of what is now Sudan, but they did not believe they owed them anything that mattered.



Herodotus also says that ancient Greece had learned a lot from ancient Egypt, taking over much of ancient Egyptian religion, some aspects of ancient Egyptian statecraft, and a good deal of technological and mathematical, though perhaps not philosophical, thinking.

Perhaps it was this that led the British historian Martin Bernal to argue in his book Black Athena some years ago that the contributions of ancient Egyptian civilisation to ancient Greece had been overlooked in later ages or had possibly even been deliberately suppressed by writers wanting to give a wholly European character to ancient Greek civilisation.



Whether or not Bernal was right about this, Herodotus is certainly explicit about the debts that ancient Greece owed to ancient Egypt. He says, for example, that the ancient Greek pantheon of gods originally came from Egypt, with the Greeks simply giving the gods different names.



He says that the Greeks had adopted many of the practices of ancient Egyptian religion, including divination. They had taken over the ancient Egyptian calendar, and they stood in awe of ancient Egyptian exploits in engineering, the building of the Great Pyramids at Giza most obviously, but also the Nile to Red Sea Canal begun by the ancient Egyptian pharaoh Necho II and completed by the Persian king Darius the Great, and the temple complexes at Thebes.



Herodotus claims to have travelled widely in Egypt, as far south as Aswan, where he reports on border fortifications, and as far north as parts of the Delta and Lake Mareotis outside Alexandria. The city itself was of course founded later during the conquests of Alexander the Great in 331 BCE. During his travels, he says he discussed aspects of ancient Egyptian history and religion with temple priests and was given information that he is tempted to sort into fact and fiction.



The priests claim to be quite certain of dates, Herodotus comments  they are discussing the ancient Egyptian king lists  as they have always kept a careful written record of the passage of time. Even so, sometimes even Herodotus, credulous by modern standards, can suspect they are elaborating native tales for foreign consumption. He must have made an easy target, probably appearing slightly lost despite his insistent questioning and always communicating through interpreters.



Anyone may believe these Egyptian tales, if he is sufficiently credulous, Herodotus says  he is recounting what the priests had to say about royal family life  but I am keeping to the plan of my book, which is to record the traditions of the various nations just as I heard them related to me.



PLUTARCHS LIVES

A later visitor to ancient Egypt, this time in the late 1st century CE, was Plutarch, another ancient Greek historian, who is thought to have spent time in the country as part of a tour of the Eastern Mediterranean.



Perhaps he was in search of material for his famous life of Mark Antony, one of his parallel lives of famous figures from ancient Greek and Roman history. This recounts the story of the Roman general Antony, who, in Plutarchs telling, threw away the chance to control the entire Roman world as a result of his love for the Egyptian queen Cleopatra.



On the whole, Plutarch condemns Antony for his irresponsibility, finding few redeeming qualities. He did not have the excuse of youth, he sternly points out, as Antony had been married twice before he met Cleopatra. Weak and suggestible where it most mattered, he allowed himself to be manipulated by Cleopatra, who inevitably betrayed him.



At first sight, Antony and Cleopatra make an unlikely pair, but perhaps this is one important source of their later appeal, as they have of course been immortalised not only in one of Shakespeares greatest plays, but also in a string of other works in European and other traditions. There is a famous verse drama by the Egyptian poet Ahmed Shawqi entitled the Death of Cleopatra that was influenced by both Plutarch and Shakespeare.



What do we learn about ancient Egypt from Plutarchs life of Antony? What first catches the eye is the emphasis on the countrys wealth, making it a magnet not only for potential Roman conquerors but also for a whole range of other foreign adventurers. While Plutarch does not admire Cleopatra, implying that her love for Antony was fraudulent, he has to admit that she was remarkably successful in keeping her throne and country intact, despite the envious glances of formidable foreign enemies.



Having outwitted the Roman general Julius Caesar, who had come to Egypt in pursuit of a former rival, and having also successfully removed local competitors to the countrys throne, Cleopatra identified in Antony a possible way of retaining Egypts independence. For that to happen, it was necessary not only to impress Antony, but also to ensnare him, and the best way of doing that was to identify and play upon his weaknesses.



In order to do so, Plutarch says, Cleopatra played a range of parts and appeared in a multitude of guises, altering her behaviour to suit Antonys moods and her own underlying purposes and using techniques ranging from cajolery to blackmail to get her way. In this, she was helped by Antonys native dullness and her own subtlety and quick-wittedness, necessary in order to survive.



She was, as many have pointed out, a kind of feminist figure, if by this it is meant that having reluctantly recognised the brute strength of Roman power she had to find indirect ways of combatting it, even if this could paradoxically mean falling in love with not one but two Roman generals. Julius Caesar and Mark Antony had both originally come to Egypt with the idea of looting the country very much in mind.



In his account of Cleopatra, Plutarch includes some marvelous set pieces as well as much psychological observation, later exploited by Shakespeare in his very different account of the relationship between the two lovers. Broadly speaking, whereas Plutarch is tempted to write Antony off as deluded and Cleopatra as false, Shakespeare sees them both as ennobled by their relationship, with the world well lost in the pursuit of higher aims.



Among the set pieces, there is Plutarchs account of Cleopatras first meeting with Antony at Cydnus in Asia Minor, where she appeared in a barge with a poop of gold, its purple sails billowing in the wind, while her rowers caressed the water with oars of silver which dipped in time to the music of flutes.



There is the moment when, as Antonys nemesis Octavius is building his forces in Rome, Antony gathers a huge multitude in the arena in Alexandria and had two thrones of gold, one for himself and one for Cleopatra, placed on a dais of silver [and] proclaimed Cleopatra queen of Egypt, Cyprus, Libya, and Syria and then proclaimed his own sons by Cleopatra to be kings of kings.



Commenting on Cleopatra, perhaps with characteristic misogyny, Plutarch says that she was very much aware of Antonys divided loyalties, so she pretended to be consumed with the most passionate love for Antony whenever Antony came near her, she would fix her eyes on him with a look of rapture, and whenever he left she would appear to languish and be on the verge of collapse.



There is the moment, the night before the final battle with Roman forces laying siege to Alexandria, when about the hour of midnight, when all was hushed and a mood of dejection and fear brooded over the whole city, a marvelous sound of music was heard, which seemed to come from a consort of instruments of every kind and voices chanting in harmony. The god Dionysus, Plutarch says, with whom Antony claimed kinship was abandoning him.



While there is perhaps little directly about Egypt in Plutarchs account of Antony, such nuggets tell us much about how the relationship between Antony and Cleopatra was remembered in the later Mediterranean world.

*A version of this article appears in print in the 29 April, 2021 edition of Al-Ahram Weekly

Short link:


Method for exploration of social networks to derive location of employees. Targeting content to network enabled devices based upon stored profiles. System and method for inferring social influence networks from transitional data. Method of handling digital contents in a social network. Obtaining social relationship type of network subjects.

Each of these statements is the name of a patent accompanied by a technological drawing. Presented side by side, the patents fill the walls of a side room of the Factory space in Cairo. Titled Sociality, this award-winning project was created by Paolo Cirio (Italy), an artist who examined over 20 thousand socially informative technology documents in order to shed light on contemporary mechanisms of social control.

Cirios work strikes us with countless complex technological systems created in order to foster addiction, opinion formation, deceptions, and profiling. This is the world we live in; this is the reality of bigotry and deceit imposed upon societies through the technological tools which, while aiming to support our lives, also deprive us of many freedoms and use our very existence against us.

Sociality has been exhibited across Europe, Asia, Canada and US, and made its entry to Egypt and the region during the third round of the media art festival Cairotronica (26 April-1 May), themed Data Fiction. The festivals first round took place in 2016 under a theme Only Connect, followed by its 2018 edition titled A Future of Possibilities. Dedicated to its continuity and expansion of media art in Cairo, Egypt and the region, Cairotronicas third round was planned for 2020 but was postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

While Sociality unveils the vehicles of social control and intellectual property exploitation, pointing up surveillance and social manipulation, the topic studied by Cirio is but one in a large assortment of conceptual contributions by over 45 artists from 22 countries displaying exhibitions and installations at the Factory space and the Tahrir Cultural Centre (TCC).

Given the large hall of the Factory space, the venue turned to a large platform gathering the many media artists whose voices were expressed through installations, video and sound works, computer screens, projections and other tools communicating data and its role in our postmodern world.

For its part, the Tahrir Cultural Centre (operating under the American University) created more intimate spaces across its numerous galleries, where the works provided a direct dialogue with attendees.

One of the remarkable projects was Morphecore by a Japanese artist, programmer, designer, DJ, VJ, and composer Daito Manabe. In it, the short lecture-performance analyses the relation between brain and the body, where the digital technology allowed the artist to reconstruct body movement by decoding information in the brain and sending back impulses to the computer-designed cloned dancer, yet this time all external factors such as gravity or physical limitations are removed from the equation. The viewer sees the cloned dancer unrestrained, moving in weightlessness (Zero Gravity) while freely using his limbs that bend in all directions.

Another hall of TCC captivated our attention with work by internationally renowned speculative architect and director Liam Young (Austria/USA). His film Planet City showcases an imaginary city inhabited by the entire population of earth following centuries of colonisation, globalisation and the neverending depletion of resources. With the city consisting of a series of tall buildings or rather prisons of the population that we do not see, this utopian reality is encapsulated in a critical architecture of tomorrow that is more terrifying and weighty than it is hopeful. What is left is to create ones own reality, a dream of the future, one that Young leaves to be judged by the Planet Citys viewer.

Young was also among the artists who held an online live talk presenting his work and philosophy, pointing to the future which is closer than we think and of which we should take charge against dim socio-political and economic histories.

With all artist talks and online discussions taking place at TCC, we could be close to names such as Paolo Cirio, who spoke about Economies of Human Behavior in relation to his work at the Factory space; Lauren Lee McCarthy, an LA-based artist also interested in examining social relationships in the midst of surveillance, automation, and algorithmic living; among other speakers, alongside Ars Electronica (an Austrian cultural, educational and scientific institute active in the field of new media art), animation film screenings and a performance by Quantum Noize.

It is not possible to go deeper into all the creative propositions hosted by both venues. Suffice to say that in the midst of such an overwhelming amount of data, the subjects that came to the surface at both the Factory space and TCC were all drawn from our recent history combined with technological advancement.

Issues tackled themes such as extremism and violence (Its All In My Head by Etinosa Yvonne, Nigeria), technological waste (Core Dump by Francois Knoetze, South Africa) and digital waste (Lucidum by Haifa Ouerfelli, Tunisia), gene editing (Breeding the Super Generation by Lana Kurdi, Syria/Egypt), propaganda using modern social media platforms (Fake News by Jeroen van Loon, The Netherlands), and dozens other audio and/or visual installations. This technological realm also unveils the emotional rewiring of humans (Swiping Compressed Filtered Love by Marie-Eve Levasseur, Canada/Germany), body modification (Muscle Memory by Miriam Coretta Schulte and Svenja Simone Schulte, Germany/Switzerland) and memory alteration (No Memory Available by Mariem Hidri, Tunisia).

Cairotronica is the brainchild of Haytham Nawar, its founding director, and also one its curatorial team members, as well as the Chairman of the Department of Arts at the American University in Cairo. The team also includes Ghalia Elsrakbi (co-founder and artistic director), Nada Bakr (managing director) and Ahmed Al-Laithy (in charge of partnerships and strategies).

I come from a fine art background and I have always been interested in experimentation and fascinated by media and technology. As a young person I could see that there are no platforms where creators working in media art could exhibit their work, Nawar says, explaining how he recognised the need for platforms that would showcase and support the media artists in Egypt and the region, and their work.

Combining art with digital technology, Cairotronica is an extremely rare opportunity to present media art in many forms to Egyptian audiences. The meanings it carries and its impact go far beyond just an exhibition, installations or a few art talks. Cairotronica serves as a fundamental space for mediation and negotiation between postmodern society, the scientific data flow system and technologically developed reality. As such, the festival is a platform for contemporary artists to showcase all aspects of tactical media while redefining and publicly sharing creative views on advanced technological knowledge. As Nawar explains the theme Data Fiction is related to everything that surrounds us: encoding, programming, fake news, leaking data, data used and manipulated by countries in politics, the economy, etc.

To artists, Cairotronica is an opportunity for the region to present and exchange ideas, to shed light on their work and thoughts; for the audience it is an invitation to contemplate the intangible tangibility of digital technology, in order to gain a birds eye view of the whole technological web that dominates our lives: from the artificial intelligence, interfaces, virtual worlds, to data manipulation, hacktivism and the many biases that surround us.

With many topics on the table, Cairotronica is undeniably an invitation to reassess our technologically stimulated addictions, perceptions and priorities placed on us by new technologies and the postmodern expectations of social development. For the region we live in, where media art does not receive sufficient representation, the festival brings us closer to the thoughts shared by Egyptian, regional and international artists who today, more than ever before, shed a critical light on technology.

It is interesting to notice that while the most recent technological advances are the daily bread of a young generation immersed in hundreds of applications and tech gadgets, at the same time they are critical of the life they live. It is this generation represented by many of Cairotronicas media artists who already question the impact that technology they abide by (they know no other life) has on their lives and futures.

It is a very critical generation. They are very brave and do not hide their observations. Technology gives them tools to dig deeper. A lot of works presented in the Cairotronica show their criticism of societies, regimes, systems, etc. Technology helps artists to openly formulate their concerns. This is a very healthy phenomenon, Nawar comments.

In every round, Cairotronica explores different venues such as halls belonging to the Ministry of Culture, Zawya art house cinema, Cimateque, in addition to collaborating with the universities where some of the workshops were held. For the third round Nawar decided to target Downtown Cairo and its uniquely diverse community.

We always cooperate with many institutions. This creates important dynamics as we bring together academics with practitioners, technicians with artists, etc. With the entry of the festival to the Factory space and TCC this year, a new scope of audiences is addressed, Nawar clarifies, adding that one of the strategies of Cairotronica is to move to Downtown for better accessibility to many social circles inhabiting the area.

He points to the Factory space that can attract local crowds and everyday people wandering around the area. That is not the case with the TCC, which is trying to break free of the historical boundaries capitalising on an elitist community.

With TCC, the crowd starts changing and we could see it with people attending this years Cairotronica. We had many returning attendees; however there has also been a large number of new faces, many just curious to visit the location. It is important not to forget that the TCC premises create an amazing cultural and historical background for presenting art.

A few visits on social media reveal that Cairotronicas installations were promoted by the young generation using many of the same technological tools (such as cell phones and social media platforms) that the artists talk about in their works. As such the technology discussed by Cairotronica became a tool used by viewers to promote it.

I was happily surprised to find some documentation posted by the attendees on social media including TikTok, Nawar notes, speaking about the TikTok users whose followers count in the tens of thousands as they post short videos from the exhibition.

While the festival has folded, this is not where Cairotronica ends. As Nawar explains, Cairotronica is in the process of transitioning into a year-round platform providing ongoing programmes, workshops, residencies, exchange programmes as well as fellowships, among other activities spanning 12 months. Being also on the advisory board of Ars Electronica, Nawar can initiate numerous creative exchanges between local and international artists. As for the festival itself, Nawar chairs the curatorial team in charge of scouting the international scene in order to invite the artists, while the open call aims to give a chance to many other creators to submit their works.

Many of the upcoming events will continue taking place at the TCC. As the Managing Director of the Tahrir Cultural Centre and Campus, Tarek Atia explains, We are trying to be a home to some of the most interesting and largest festivals year round, and Cairotronica fits our strategy perfectly. It is probably one of the most cutting-edge festivals in our region and I think its a perfect fit. For a week, we witness very sophisticated exhibits, performances, talks, which at the same time are conceptually very accessible.

Atia points to the fact that topics tackled by the artists participating in Cairotronica address everybodys life and, because it is presented as an art form, its sort of open to interpretation; it is very welcoming.

Cairotronica is also the perfect way for the Tahrir Cultural Centre to introduce itself to new audiences. It is not the first time that we have had a tech-oriented art show. This one is really accessible to younger audiences. We had a lot of university students coming. My hope is that those visitors will keep returning to Cairotronica events as well as other events taking place in the venue year-round.

Atia adds that he finds the whole project extremely interesting on a personal level. As a director of TCC with a media background, constantly experimenting in my career with digital media and cutting edge technology, I find the event extremely relevant. The questions raised by Cairotronica, I think, everybody needs to be thinking about. It is an exhibition that puts a lot of things into perspective, gets our minds working, and triggers thoughts on many issues.

For his part Nawar reveals that the upcoming event will take place shortly after Eid. The TCC will host some of the post-festival activities including the upcoming Algorithmic Perfumery, on 25 May.

Created by Frederik Duerink (The Netherlands), this multi-award-winning installation comes in the form of advanced machinery that creates a unique scent made and compounded on-site, based on a questionnaire incorporating the sociological, psychological and cultural inquiry of the participant. One-of-a-kind perfumes for every human is yet to attract many audiences eager to walk home with their very own personalised scent.



*A version of this article appears in print in the 6 May, 2021 edition of Al-Ahram Weekly

Short link:


Comes in May, and the word is chest diseases among the science community, as World Asthma Day is celebrated each year on 5 May to raise awareness of asthma worldwide.

According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), asthma is globally recognised as of major public health importance.

Understandably, the problem escalated due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Dr. Adel Khattab, professor of Chest Diseases at Ain Shams University and a member of the Supreme Committee for Viruses, tells Ahram Online more about the threat of severe uncontrolled asthma  type 2 inflammation.

It comes in the summer season, when air pollution increases along with the high temperature and humidity and the spread of dust, all of which lead to provoking severe uncontrolled asthma attacks in some patients.

During these attacks, the airways become swollen and inflamed, and the muscles around the airways contract, causing a narrowing of the bronchi, Khattab says.

Khattab lists the symptoms associated with the seizure as follows:

Severe shortness of breath.

Chest contractions or pain.

Sleep disturbance due to shortness of breath.

A whistling sound when breathing in or exhaling.

Frequent cough accompanied by a runny nose and sneezing, especially when infected with a viral infection in the respiratory system.

Khattab elaborates more on the statistics that emphasises the extent of the problem globally.

Asthma is a global health problem that affects about 350 million people around the world.

Global statistics indicate that more than 50 percent of asthma patients suffer from severe uncontrolled asthma.

In Egypt, WHO estimates that 8.2 percent of children 2-12 years old suffer from Ashma. Another study in 2018 by Dr. Hisham Taaraf estimated that 6.7percent of the population suffers from Athma.

As for local statistics, although they are few, they indicate that the percentage of lack of control in asthma in the region may exceed 41 percent for asthma patients, he adds.

Khattab says that the effects of severe uncontrolled asthma reach far beyond its health effects, and gives the following examples:

40 percent of people with severe uncontrolled asthma report that it limits their activities. 55 percent confirmed that severe uncontrolled asthma had a negative effect on their relationships with their spouses and friends. 54 percent of people with severe uncontrolled asthma said they had depression, he says.

According to the WHO, severe uncontrolled asthma is defined as a chronic disease of the airways of the lungs resulting from inflammation and narrowing of the respiratory passages, which blocks the flow of air into the airways, leading to spasms of shortness of breath and wheezing in the chest, accompanied by coughing after exposure to inhalation of substances that provoke allergic reactions or irritation of the respiratory system.

These attacks vary in severity and frequency from one person to another, and it is one of the most common diseases among children.

They often come at an early age, specifically in childhood, where the first appearance of symptoms is at the age of five years.

The treatments available now do not give a complete cure for asthma, but rather offer control like many other diseases, such as diabetes, high blood pressure, and others.

Khattab added that despite the availability of multiple treatments, severe uncontrolled asthma still has a major impact on the personal and professional lives of the patients and their caregivers.

People with severe uncontrolled asthma, despite taking the appropriate treatments for each condition, still have breathing difficulties and an exacerbation of severe asthma. It includes treatments by means of sprays and treatments taken by mouth or injection that extend their effect to the general state of inflammation present in the body with the aim of achieving control of the disease, Khattab explains.

And last but not least, this daily burden of unpredictability of disease symptoms greatly affects the quality of life of patients with chronic asthma and all aspects of their social life, whether at work, university or school.

Therefore, the patient must abide by the treatment course until there is considerable control. If this happens, the asthma patient can live a better, normal, life like any other person, he concludes.

Short link:


Antibiotics have always been a fundamental pillar of healthcare. Nevertheless, the world has acknowledged in recent years the impact of over-prescription of antibiotics which has led to numerous problems, such as antimicrobial resistance and the spread of superbugs.

Ahram Online sheds light on a number of agreements with public and private sector hospitals that were launched to continue offering medical educational programmes and raising healthcare providers' awareness about the importance of curbing the overuse of antibiotics.

"Providing medical education to medical staff in 22 private and government hospitals, most notably the National Cancer Institute, the International Medical Centre, El-Demerdash Hospital, Ain Shams University Hospital, Cairo University Hospital, comes in light of the increasing threat posed by the overuse of antibiotics, which increases the development of drug-resistant infections, reducing the effectiveness of infection-fighting drugs in many critical cases, such as organ transplantation and chemotherapy for cancer patients, as well as major surgeries," Dr Ihab Thabet, consultant of chest diseases at Abbasiya Hospital, told Ahram Online.

The training, which is sponsored by the private sector's pharmaceutical Merck Sharp and Dohme (MSD), will run for two years and will be provided for more than 1,000 doctors in the form of online and face-to-face lectures on the importance of antimicrobial supervision.

"The majority of antibiotic use around the world is unnecessary or inappropriate. Regarding Covid-19, there is no scientific evidence that the excessive use of antibiotics can protect against the virus," said Thabet.

"Therefore, antibiotics must not be used in prevention or treatment, especially without consulting the doctor following up on the case," he added.

Thabet pointed out that a study was conducted to monitor trends in antimicrobial resistance in three Egyptian hospitals specialising in healthcare in 2015 and 2016, namely Ain Shams University, El-Demerdash, and Dar El-Fouad hospitals.

The World Health Organisation (WHO) pointed out that the overuse of antibiotics will cause 10 million annual deaths by 2050.

Dr. Abdel-Moeti Hussein, professor of surgery at Cairo University, explained the concept of antimicrobial resistance, which occurs when the bacteria acquires protective properties, rendering some antibiotics ineffective against a certain infection.

Many mistakes and misconceptions contribute to this problem. A patients failure to comply with the prescribed course of treatment may result in bacterial infection recurrence. Just because the symptoms of an illness have disappeared does not mean that all germs have been killed.

"On another note, even doctors make mistakes, one of which is giving patients a lot of antibiotics after operations, when they should be only given during or before the surgery, he emphasised.

As part of its efforts to raise awareness against the misuse of antibiotics, MSD Egypt launches an awareness campaign on social media every year on the sidelines of the World Week to raise awareness about antimicrobial resistance. This year, the company decided to expand the scope of awareness to include the dangerous impact of antibiotics in light of the outbreak of the coronavirus.

The initiative comes in conjunction with the "One Health" approach announced by the WHO to design and implement programmes, policies, legislation, and research to achieve the best results in the field of public health. Combating antibiotic resistance is among the areas covered by this approach.

In the same context, the WHO indicated that the misuse of antimicrobial drugs could cause an increase in the rates of antibiotic resistance in animals and an increase in the number of deaths, noting the importance of issuing clear data on the consumption of antibiotics in food-producing animals.

"Antibiotics impacted health and mortality at a certain time, it literally saved humanity. We now say that cardiovascular diseases and cancer are top causes of deaths worldwide, but in the past people just died in scores due to bacterial infections.

"Nevertheless we have to understand that respecting antibiotics means using them wisely," Dr Reda Kamel, professor of rhinology at Cairo University, said.

WHO reports annually that the health and economic consequences of antibiotic resistance are large and costly, which makes it a serious threat to the health of society, and therefore it is imperative that all governments and their institutions cooperate to confront it.

Short link:


Lufthansa, SWISS, Austrian Airlines, Brussels Airlines and Eurowings are continuing to offer flexible rebooking options. If passengers want to rebook their trip, they do not even have to decide immediately on a new travel date or destination.



Since the end of August, all fares of the Lufthansa Group Airlines can be rebooked without a rebooking fee. This fare offer was valid for both new and rebooking until the end of May. Now the offer is being extended again: all airline fares can still be rebooked free of charge as often as desired until July 31, 2021, if the rebooking is also made before that date.



After that, another rebooking is possible free of charge. The newly booked flight can be booked within the entire ticket validity up to one year in the future. Customers can also change their itinerary as they wish, depending on availability, and, for example, fly from Munich to New York instead of Frankfurt to Rio de Janeiro.



Passengers who would like to postpone their original trip but cannot yet decide on a new date and destination have the option of initially cancelling their booking without committing to a new travel date. The customer's ticket remains in the system as a credit until they decide to make a new reservation and thus redeem it. The new booking must then only be made by August 31, 2021. Departure date in this case only has to be next year, by July 31, 2022.



Lufthansa Group Airlines had already made it possible for its customers to rebook their tickets without a fee last year. The waiver of the rebooking fee applies worldwide for all new bookings in all fares on short, medium and long-haul routes. This enables flexible travel planning for all Lufthansa Group Airlines customers.



However, additional costs may arise for rebookings if, for example, the original booking class is no longer available when rebooking to a different date or to a different destination.  TradeArabia News Service
It is a late sunny Sunday morning on Al-Muez Street. Mahmoud El-Nouby is moving fast around the small entrance of the Khedr El-Attar Academy for Spices to attend to a group of customers who are standing by to get their spices mixed.

He asks the clients very specific questions like whether they wish to add extra clover to their seven-spice blend, whether they wish to have a small bag of white pepper for their meat broth, whether they wish to have the nutmeg reduced in their all-spice blend, and if they need their anise blend for digestive or relaxing purposes.

Getting the blend right and giving the right details is essential to our business; this is not a supermarket or a grocery store where people get their spices in sealed packages; this is a place that specializes in the art of spices, said Mahmoud El-Nouby, a senior store attendant at the Khedr El-Attar Academy for Spices.

Basically, one of the older spice stores in old Cairo, this place started in the mid-1940s with a limited selection of spices that all houses would need back then: cumin, pepper, anise, ginger, and cinnamon.

There was always a bigger diversity and there was always a wide range of herbs, not just spices, that are used for healing purposes in a sense, but those spices were the essentials of the Egyptian kitchen as one would say, El-Nouby said.

With the passing of years, the Khedr El-Attar store, along with the spices business in general, clicked in a wider portfolio, especially with the drinks side of the world of spices and herbs. Particularly on demand then were the Dombeya Arabica, spices of flowering plants that provide the base for Moughat, a very popular thick warm drink that many middle- and lower-class Egyptian families used to serve for baby showers.

Theres also the Orchis, a genus of the orchid family that serves as a base for Sahlab, a very popular warm drink for cold winter days and nights. These plants come from across the two continents of Egypt: Asia and Africa, essentially.

Like many others on the spice market in Old Cairo, El-Nouby likes to recall the famous tale of Egypt being one of the first countries to have known the import of spices from India and other countries since the times of the pharaohs. He accepts, however, that what spice stores offer relate more to what is in demand rather than to what the shops could get.

For example, one of the things that got very popular during the past 20 years is the so called Seven-Spice blend. This is just a mix of a range of spices, including nutmeg, cumin, cinnamon, and other things, he argued.

The mix really varies from one store to the other. Not just in terms of the list of spices included, but also in terms of the portions of each of the spices and the way the spices are prepared from the roots or leaves of the plants, he added.

In some cases, El-Nouby argued, the seven-spice blend could be less than seven or more than seven. If one buys from a supermarket, it will probably be seven, but the less expensive spices will be the dominating ingredient of the mix. If one buys from a spices store, then it is customized really, he added.

El-Nouby explained, we ask our clients if, for example, they suffer from insomnia, so we add more nutmeg and we may also put a strong slash of anise; if a client said that her husband is getting older, we cut down on the nutmeg and anise and favour a range of paprika.

Spices and herbs are all about personal taste and health condition, and in a store of spices there is a lot of room for mixing things with different portions, he added.

According to El-Nouby, the increasing number of cooking programmes that are aired on several TV channels have inspired so many people to explore a lot more with spices. Actually, he added, that trying to pick up diverse recipes from international cuisines, especially from online cooking websites, has also contributed to the interest of clients to explore.

For example, we have for years and years made mixes to help marinating chicken and meat; but with the TV chefs, these blends became a lot more popular, El-Nouby said. He watches some of these programmes at times to be prepared for the new orders of his clients.

El-Nouby said that during the past 10 years, there has been a lot more demand for spices required to make Chinese, Indian, and Italian recipes.

These have included oregano and dried basil; the Chinese five-spice blend and garam masala. Saffron, he added, has also been in demand, as dishes from the Persian and Kashmiri cuisines were becoming more popular.

Of course, the popularity of any spice or herb is always related to the price. Saffron, for example, is really very expensive; we sell it in grams, not in quarter kilos or kilos. Cardamom is also very expensive, but not like Saffron, he said.

As a great deal of the spices are actually imported, El-Nouby said that the market has seen shoppers reducing their purchases as of late 2016 in the wake of the devaluation. Some items, he added, got scrapped off the shopping list of many people.

Then we step in to offer alternatives that are not as expansive that could provide the same taste or have the same effect, he said. This is why people like to come to the store and discuss their shopping lists with us, he added.

Not every single salesman at the Khedr El-Attar Academy of Spices, or any other spice store for that matter, is well versed enough to offer advice. This is only natural because it takes a few years for a newcomer to learn the secrets of spices and to be allowed into the secret recipes of the blends of spices and herbs, El-Nouby said.

It was around the summer of 1974 that El-Nouby arrived, as a teenager, to Cairo, coming from Aswan to pursue a job with the Khedr El-Attar  still, then, not an entitled academy for spices and herbs. His father was already selling spices at a very small scale during the 1950s and 1960s. At the time, he, like many others, would carry a little bag of diverse inexpensive spices and walk around the city to sell his products at small quantities for each shopper, he recalled.

Around the 1970s, there were fewer and fewer peddlers. The sales of spices and herbs was becoming a higher profile business, especially in the case of stores that started to introduce dried fruits, a particularity of Ramadan. Again, the selection was not as wide as it has become today.

But Ramadan was always a very popular shopping season for spices, herbs, and dried fruits. It still is the highest season for our work. People would always come  perhaps now more for spices than for the range of dried fruits, but at least they would get the local variety of dates, he said.

A spice store is something that every house, no matter the socio-economic range, would find something to get from; it is an essential shopping destination, ElNouby said. No wonder that Naguib Mahfouz featured an owner of a spice store as a leading character in his trilogy, he added.

Indeed, on the old-fashioned wooden walls of the store, there is the famous black and white picture of actor Yehiya Shahine playing Mahfouzs famous El-Sayed Ahmed Abdel-Gawad.

It is almost Sunday noon, there are more shoppers coming in for their Ramadan purchases with the holy month coming round the corner. El-Nouby has to go help one of the new salesmen find some moringa. It helps control the blood glucose level  and with the advent of Ramadan, it becomes a staple for many people who worry about the excessive intake of Kounafa and Qattayef; Ramadan Karim, he said.

According to Mahmoud El-Attar, a third-generation heir of the owners of this expanding family business, herbal solutions are gaining a lot more ground almost every single day.

Yes, it is true that we still get most of our demand for the food spices and the basic herbal medication options by those who are associated with herbal traditions, but it is also true that we are finding a growing interest in herbal solutions in new spaces, including younger and quite well-off people who are developing this interest, El-Attar said.

He added that the newer and more modern stores that are now available in the zones of upscale residential communities has been successful in luring the interest of some new clientele.

The business model was updated to serve profit interests, but it also helped give the concept of herbal solutions a bigger space.

And according to Sherif Hassan, a business development consultant, devaluation has been a factor as well on all levels, really, he said.

Sherif argued that after the devaluation of the Egyptian pound in the autumn of 2016, some people who were in the habit of buying their packaged spices off the shelf at the big supermarkets opted to a more economic range at the traditional spice stores. There has certainly been a hype, he said, at all the stores of spices and herbs on Al-Muez street.

A growing sector of herbal solutions in the wake of devaluation, Hassan argued, has been body and hair care. With the increasing prices of otherwise imported body and hair care products; many opted to inspect more basic and more natural solutions.

The results, as well as the prices impressed some and encouraged more to give natural products and mixes a chance; it has really been picking up well, Hassan said.

It is not all very new that people come to a spice/herbal store for organic beauty products; this has been there for a very long time, he said. Spice/herbal stores were and will always be essentially about culinary products, but they are also about organic medicine and organic beauty products, he added.

Short link:


The mummies of ancient Egyptian Queen Hatshepsut and her stepson King Thutmose III will be part of the Pharaohs' Royal Parade on 3 April.

The remains of the two royals are among 22 mummies that will be transferred during the parade from their current place at the Egyptian Museum in Tahrir to their final exhibition destination at the National Museum of Egyptian Civilisation (NMEC) in Fustat.

Queen Hatshepsut, whose name means Foremost of Noble Ladies, was the daughter of King Thutmose I.

Hatshepsuts achievements as a powerful queen and then as a ruling pharaoh have made her one of the most famous figures in ancient Egyptian history.

She was married to her half-brother, Thutmose II, and became Egypts regent, a monarch in all but name. For several years, she ruled the country on behalf of her stepson.

In ancient Egypt, a woman could not become pharaoh; however, Hatshepsut, as the daughter of one pharaoh and the wife of another, claimed the purest of royal bloodlines and soon declared herself pharaoh.

Her mummy was discovered in 1903 in tomb number KV 60 in the Valley of the Kings in Luxor.

Her stepson king Thutmose III was too young when he took the throne after the death of his father.

King Thutmose III hence he began his reign as monarch in name only. His stepmother Hatshepsut served as his regent for several years, and then declared herself pharaoh, relegating the young Thutmose III to the role of junior king.

For the next two decades, the young monarch grew into what would become his eventual role as one of the great warrior pharaohs of the New Kingdom. After her death, he launched a series of military campaigns that solidified Egypts position as one of the regions superpowers. His battle at Megiddo is considered a model of military strategy.

The mummy of the king was discovered in the Deir El-Bahari Cache (TT 320), west of Luxor in 1881.

Short link:


Al-Imam Al- Shafei Mausoleum, one of the most important Islamic monuments in Egypt, was inaugurated Sunday after a restoration process that lasted for almost five years.

The mausoleum was inaugurated by Minister of Tourism and Antiquities Khaled El-Enany, accompanied by Minister of Endowment Mokhtar Gomaa Cairo Governor Khaled Abdel Aal and US Ambassador to Egypt Jonathan Cohen.

In statements, El-Anani said the mausoleum does not only embody Egypts commitment to preserve its heritage for the future generations but it is also a new tourist attraction to be visited along with its neighbouring Al-Imam al-Shafii mosque inaugurated in November.

The mausoleum is one of the most important Islamic monuments in Egypt because it has an ambitious wooden dome considered the largest in Egypt, he said. It is also one of the few remaining Ayyubid buildings and includes rare examples of Ayyubid stucco decoration and woodwork.

Ambassador Cohen said the United States was pleased to support the conservation of the Al-Shafii Mausoleum through the Ambassadors Fund for Cultural Preservation.

"This project is part of our $100 million investment, over the past 25 years, to preserve, restore, and protect more than 85 cultural heritage and religious sites throughout Egypt," Cohen added.

The aim of the 2016-2021 conservation project was to remedy a number of manifestations of damage, Hisham Samir, assistant antiquities minister said.

May al-Ibrashy, Director of al-Imam al-Shafi'i Conservation Project explains that In the course of the conservation project, new elements uncovered varied in scale and meaning.

The conservation project of 2016  2021 was implemented by Megawra, within the framework of Athar Lina, an initiative it runs in partnership with the Built Environment Collective.

Standing in the heart of the southern cemetery of al-Qarafa, the mausoleum of Al-Imam Al-Shafii celebrates the renowned scholar and founder of one of the four Sunni schools of Islamic jurisprudence.

Although Muhammad ibn Idris Al-Shafii only spent four years in Egypt, it is here, in the family graveyard of his colleague Abd Allah ibn Abd al-Hakam, that he was laid to rest in 204 AH | 820 CE.

Short link:


A month after the Pharaohs Golden Parade, the foliage-adorned iron gate of the Egyptian Museum in Tahrir has been re-erected to its original location to once again decorate the museums facade.

The gate was dismantled almost three months ago and replaced with a new temporary modern one that stayed until the completion of the Golden Parade and the departure of the royal mummies to their permanent exhibition at the National Museum of Egyptian Civilisation.

Sabah Abdel-Razek, Director of the Egyptian Museum in Tahrir explains that the original gate was dismantled to preserve it and facilitate the departure of the mummies through the new gate as

previous studies had revealed that the distance between the two sides of the gate was too narrow, making it difficult for the parade to pass through.

The outer gate of the museum had been restored last year for the first time since it was damaged in 2011.

Short link:


Spain

A group of migrants sit outside a holding centre for migrants the Spanish North African enclave of Melilla, Spain, Tuesday May 18, 2021.AP



Spain

A group of migrants walk wrapped in thermal blankets at a holding centre for migrants in the Spanish North African enclave of Melilla, Spain, Tuesday May 18, 2021. AP



Spain

A man is taken on a stretcher by members of emergency team and Spanish Army in the border of Morocco and Spain, at the Spanish enclave of Ceuta, on Tuesday, May 18, 2021. AP



Spain

A man is helped by members of the Spanish Army as he arrives with others swimming at the Spanish enclave of Ceuta, on Tuesday, May 18, 2021. AP


It is the first such strike since the six-month long Palestinian general strike against the British mandate in 1936, is also being held in response to settler mob violence against Palestinians
The Pharaohs Golden Parade, the magnificent display organised by Egypt that glorified the ancient historical past of the country, was an apt reminder of the importance of historical culture for modern nation-states.

The historical past forms a fundamental aspect of our current national identities. Egypt is a nation based on a rich and multifaceted historical identity embracing all historical periods. Greece is also the inheritor of ancient Greek culture and has a multiple modern identity. Historical culture is not an abstract notion, but is one that is intricately linked to modern nation-states, their self-perception and their collective ideals.

Egypt and Greece could create a cultural alliance that would help to safeguard their rich heritage and restore emblematic ancient works of art to their rightful owners. They could form a Forum for the Repatriation of Stolen Antiquities that would actively push for the return of antiquities, and most emphatically of those having great symbolic value for modern Egypt and Greece. The proposed forum could initially focus on the repatriation of the Rosetta Stone for Egypt and the Parthenon Marbles for Greece.

The Rosetta Stone is a stele inscribed with three versions of a decree issued in 196 BCE in Memphis, Egypt, during the Ptolemaic Dynasty. The top and middle texts are in ancient Egyptian in the hieroglyphic and Demotic scripts, respectively, while the bottom text is in ancient Greek.

The Rosetta Stone was the key for the decipherment of ancient Egyptian scripts. Discovered in 1799 during the Napoleonic campaign in Egypt, it was then removed by the British to London after the defeat of France. Since 1802, the Rosetta Stone has been on display in the British Museum. Egypt has repeatedly raised the issue of the repatriation of the Rosetta Stone. Calls for its return to Egypt were made in July 2003 by Zahi Hawass, Egypts leading archaeologist and then secretary-general of Supreme Council of Antiquities. Hawass rightly commented that the Rosetta Stone was not just an ancient artefact, but rather was the icon of our Egyptian identity.

The Parthenon Marbles are a collection of classical Greek marble sculptures that originally formed part of the temple of the Parthenon and other buildings on the Acropolis in Athens, such as the Erechtheum and the Temple of Athena Nike. The Parthenon pieces are magnificent works of art made under the supervision of the architect and sculptor Phidias and his workshop. The Marbles were violently detached from the Parthenon and stolen in the same period that the Rosetta Stone was also stolen, in the early 19th century, by agents of the Earl of Elgin. The famous Romantic poet Lord Byron acutely likened the extraction of the artefacts to looting and theft.

The collection is now on display in the British Museum in London. For years, the British have declined the repatriation of the Parthenon Marbles under the pretext that Greece did not have proper museum facilities. Ironically, documents released under the UK Freedom of Information Act have since revealed that the Parthenon Marbles have not been at all safe in London, having suffered from damaging accidents, theft and acts of vandalism. The New Acropolis Museum in Athens, on the other hand, is considered to be one of the most advanced globally and is equipped with state-of-the-art technology and facilities for the protection and preservation of exhibits.

Of course, there are many other ancient Greek and Egyptian artefacts currently in museums around the world, but it is essential that Egypt and Greece focus their energies on these two cases, especially as in both the British Museum is implicated. In response to repatriation efforts, various museums back in 2002 issued a joint statement declaring that objects acquired in earlier times must be viewed in the light of different sensitivities and values reflective of that earlier era. Using vague expressions of cultural relativism and a still-present colonialist mindset, these museums have declined the repatriation of stolen antiquities to their rightful owners, the modern nations that are the inheritors of the ancient past.

The Rosetta Stone and the Parthenon Marbles are not just historical artefacts but are symbols of the national identity of Egypt and Greece. The repatriation of the Rosetta Stone and the Parthenon Marbles is not only morally, but also legally, justified. Egypt and Greece could coordinate their efforts and put pressure on the British government to intervene and ensure the return of these ancient works of art to their rightful owners.

In the 21st century of dynamic and confident nation-states there is no place for museum colonialism and similar ideological remnants of an unjust past.

*The writer is a lecturer in geopolitics at the University of Athens.

*A version of this article appears in print in the 6 May, 2021 edition of Al-Ahram Weekly

Short link:


Reaching the highest office in the land meant that US President Joe Biden accumulated political bills that piled up during his election campaign. Many of those bills are now owed to socialist powers in the US, galvanising Bidens image as the saviour of the nation. They represent an unholy alliance with left-leaning politicians who are staunch proponents of socialism in the United States.

Roughly 650 billionaires in America saw their net worth increase by more than $1 trillion in the same exact period [of the Covid-19 pandemic] And theyre now worth more than $4 trillion, Biden said in a speech to the US Congress recently.

During a speech marking the passing of 100 days of his presidency, Biden stressed the rising number of billionaires and corporations in the country that according to him are not paying their tax dues by funneling profits to offshore tax havens such as the Cayman Islands. He said that some companies that had earned billions had ended up paying zero taxes through an intricate web of tax-evasion techniques.

The folks at the top arent bad guys. I get in trouble in my party when I say wealthy Americans are just as patriotic as poor folks. Ive found no distinction, Biden said in his speech.

Yet, the new US president must be the first in the history of the US who has had to defend the existence of billionaires in his country, which was founded on the tenets of the free-market and capitalism. He has to do so in a way that does not anger his left-wing base or campaign donors. Nearly 230 American billionaires donated to his campaign against former president Donald Trump, according to the US Forbes magazine.

Bidens socialist base includes former Democratic Party presidential nominee Bernie Sanders and Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, both of whom are hardcore socialists. Along with an assortment of other Biden supporters during his campaign, these professed socialists have spoken of little other during their political careers except hunting the rich and redistributing their wealth. They usually play on the feelings of the impoverished or the unemployed by providing them with an enemy, in this case rich businessmen blamed as the cause of their misery.

It is bizarre that even the president of an avowedly communist country such as Chinas Xi Jinping has never complained of the growing number of billionaires in his country, which, according to a BBC statistic in April 2021, has reached 695 compared to 724 in the US. The Chinese capital Beijing now has the highest number of billionaires, with 100 billionaires, surpassing New Yorks 99.

China altered its failing communist economic model in the 1980s and turned it into a simulation of a free-market economy while maintaining the tight grip of the government on its billionaires and even having many of them become members of the ruling Communist Party. The Chinese thus did not achieve the success they have seen by following former chairman Mao Zedongs Marxist Red Book, which led to nothing but failures. Instead, they followed the path of capitalism to economic success.

The leftist rhetoric in the US is not much different from what it has been across the world. It is usually focused on the urban myth that the rich and successful have acquired their wealth by twisted methods and that their wealth is ill-gotten, while the poor have paid the price for that success. However, this idea, unless there is some major corruption involved, is a complete fallacy. The US is an example of a country where the poor can become rich if they are successful in creating a flourishing business and maintaining it through creativity and expansion.

Yet, the current trend in the US, once the citadel of capitalism, is following a socialist ideology and is being propagated by media anchors, celebrities, university scholars and even politicians. A recent poll has shown that four out of every ten Americans would prefer to be ruled by socialist laws and that 55 per cent of these are women. While these polls can be misleading, the numbers are alarming in a country considered to be in the vanguard of international capitalism.

The foundation and success of the US, especially in the 20th century, was based on following the tenets of free-market capitalism, and the world has been thankful for its success since it catapulted the global economy into economic development not witnessed before in history. The global consumerism that followed the globalisation policies after World War II, one of the main criticisms of socialists, was the cause of the massive development seen in societies worldwide, all thanks to capitalism.

A poor student in an African country is now able to talk online to a rich man in Western Europe and exchange ideas on a laptop. That could not have happened except for the massive industrial development made possible by free-market capitalism. At no other time in history has the world experienced such communication and such standards of living, even in impoverished countries, and this has been facilitated by Western and US industrialists and entrepreneurs who managed to change the world in a couple of centuries.

In the US, there is a fascination with the socialism in place in some European countries such as Sweden because of the high standard of living that Swedish citizens enjoy. But most of the proponents of such fascination neglect the fact that Sweden is a European country with a free economy but also with extremely high taxes to fund its high standards of services and healthcare provided by the state to its citizens.

The fact that Sweden is also a country of 10.3 million has facilitated the distribution of wealth garnered by high taxes on a much smaller population, and this in itself provides the answers to many questions. The case of the US is very different, as it has a population of nearly 330 million. In 2016, over 1.18 legal immigrants were admitted by the US, while almost half a million more find their way in illegally. There are some 11 million undocumented immigrants in the US, according to several estimates, in other words more than the entire population of Sweden.

Regardless of how wealthy a country is or how robust its economy, it cannot withstand these numbers of illegal immigrants on an annual basis, especially during an economic crisis. The fact that some politicians are demanding that everyone should have their fair share of the countrys wealth and healthcare based on socialist ideals is ludicrous.

Each country has its own budget that is distributed depending on its needs, capabilities and population on the areas of health, education, energy, defence and so on. If the number of new-born citizens and illegal immigrants exceeds annual growth in GDP, then the country is in trouble regardless of its wealth. The government will have to scrap social programmes or downsize them to meet the growing population, and such is the case with the US or with any other country that has no control over its borders or the increase in its population.

The world owes a debt of gratitude to capitalism and to its founder Adam Smith and to other economists who paved the way to the economic development of which we are now reaping the fruits, despite periods of economic stagnation and occasional hardship. Such development could never have occurred under a communist or a socialist ideology, which carries the seeds of failure within it.

Examples of such failure extend from the former Soviet Union and its satellite Eastern European countries to the dozens of countries in Asia, South America and Africa that have tried such recipes, all the way to socialisms latest victim of Venezuela. The question that should be asked of communists and socialists is how many more countries will have to fail and how many more generations and lives will have to go to waste before they realise that these ideologies do not work and that they will certainly not work in the US.

Biden above all should be the first to acknowledge that.

*The writer is a political analyst and author of Egypts Arab Spring: The Long and Winding Road to Democracy.

*A version of this article appears in print in the 6 May, 2021 edition of Al-Ahram Weekly

Short link:


On 16 January, Chair of the Palestinian Authority (PA) Mahmoud Abbas issued a presidential decree calling for general and presidential elections in the Occupied West Bank, Gaza, and East Jerusalem on 22 May and 31 July this year, respectively.

According to the same decree, Palestinians everywhere, in the Diaspora as well as in the whole of Palestine, were to elect their representatives to the 700-member Palestinian National Council (PNC) a month after the holding of the presidential elections.

The call for the elections was warmly received worldwide and among the Palestinians. The only dissenting voice among Palestinian organisations was that of the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP).

Egypt, for its part, took the decree very seriously, hoping that these elections, once held, would assist in ending the eight-year division between the PA and Hamas. Furthermore, they would pave the way for a peaceful and democratic transfer of power, badly needed in the PA, and make room for younger leaders to emerge and hold the reins of power in a changing world and regional landscape.

Cairo hosted two rounds of talks under the heading of the Palestinian National Dialogue, one in February and the second in March this year. The purpose was to make sure that all Palestinian organisations and the PA agreed on the modalities and conditions for holding the decreed elections.

Judging from the results of the two rounds, we can safely say that all was set for opening a new chapter in Palestinian politics after the elections and the election of a national-unity government that would have led to reinvigorated political legitimacy capable of meeting the demands of new realities on the ground. If there was agreement on one thing, it was on the recognition that the present Palestinian leadership and a divided Palestine, torn between the Occupied West Bank and the Gaza Strip, are no longer tenable. This status quo must change in the best interests of the Palestinians.

But to the dismay of Palestinians, Arabs and the world at large, the chair of the PA announced on 29 April that he had decided to postpone the elections, sine die, on the pretext that the Israeli government had not allowed elections in East Jerusalem.

The decision was received with consternation and opposition from all Palestinian organisations. Hamas expressed its regret and called the decision a betrayal of the agreements already sealed to hold the elections and form a national-unity government. It added that both the PA and Fatah, the largest Palestinian political organisation, would be held responsible for any adverse consequences that could take place because of the postponement of the elections. It went on to say that it was inadmissible that the destiny of the Palestinians and what it termed the popular consensus should be held hostage to the agenda of a particular Palestinian faction, meaning Fatah.

Egypt, at the time this article was written, that is to say 48 hours after the postponement decision, had not reacted officially to the news. Frustration with the PA and its chairman would be an understatement, however. Cairo had been looking forward to the elections and their results as a turning point in Palestinian politics that could lead to an elected Palestinian government that would embody a new popular and political legitimacy capable of speaking on behalf and in the name of all of Palestine, a sine qua non in dealing with a new US administration that has expressed its support for the two-state solution after a four-year hiatus in which the previous administration of former president Donald Trump almost scuttled the idea altogether.

Egypt believes that the time has come for a renewal of Palestinian politics and of the Palestinian national leadership. The trust and confidence in the present one and in other leaders of various Palestinian organisations have almost withered away. To host other rounds of the Palestinian National Dialogue would be an exercise in futility, to say the least.

The current Palestinian leadership has wasted the chance to allow for the emergence of younger Palestinian leaders that will be more capable and more effective in addressing the world and in dealing with a new set of Israeli leaders in the post-Netanyahu era. Theirs should be a leadership of the future and not a leadership anchored in the past.

The reason for postponing the elections is that there are new realities on the ground in Palestine that the PA refuses to admit or acknowledge. The consensus among Palestinian observers is that Fatah was not assured of coming out the winner. With three competing electoral lists, the chances were that Hamas could carry a majority of the votes across all of Palestine. Palestinian voters were divided among three Fatah electoral lists, Fatah proper, the Future list led by Nasser Al-Kidwa, a close relative of the late Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat and the Independence list led by the dissident Mohamed Dahlan.

Postponing the elections will not change this equation. On the contrary, if Abbas has any moral authority left, he has probably squandered it with his regrettable decision. Even his legacy within the Palestinian National Movement has been tarnished.

The US reaction to the decision by Abbas has been quite muted and has reflected the low priority the Biden administration gives to the Palestinian question, and, for that matter, to the peace process in the Middle East. Jalina Porter, principal deputy spokesperson of the US State Department, had this to say in her press briefing on 30 April: Obviously, the exercise of democratic elections matter for the Palestinian people, and it is a matter for them to determine their leadership as well.

We also encourage all parties to remain calm in the process.

As for European reactions, four governments, those of France, Italy, Spain and Germany, released a joint statement regretting the postponement of the Palestinian elections, and there was a separate statement by the British government. The European Union expressed its regret at the decision announced by Abbas. EU High Representative for Foreign Policy Josep Borrell released a statement calling on all the parties to agree on a new date for holding the elections and requesting the Israeli government to allow Palestinians in East Jerusalem to participate in them.

He added that the European Union has always stressed its support for credible, comprehensive and transparent elections in Palestine.

The statement emphasised the fact that the EU believes that it is necessary for the Palestinians to develop strong democratic institutions that are accountable and are based on the respect for human rights on the way towards the two-state solution. I could not agree more. It called on all Palestinian parties to resume efforts to build on the successful talks among various Palestinian organisations and fix a new date for Palestinian elections without delay.

This would be questionable, at least in the short term. Resuming talks under present circumstances would lack credibility.

*The writer is former assistant foreign minister.

*A version of this article appears in print in the 6 May, 2021 edition of Al-Ahram Weekly

Short link:


The Left has been on retreat despite the difficult economic conditions from before the pandemic and exacerbated by it. And yet ideas such as the expansionist role of the state in the economy, have been rising since the financial crisis and are here to stay for some time because of the consequences of the pandemic. And interestingly were seeing in different European countries working class districts voting for centre-right parties.



Fears of the far-right sweeping Europe have proven exaggerated. Yet, there is no denying that the liberal values upon which the European project was founded seventy years ago, have been weakened, and that nationalism and nativism are now key features of European politics.



On the other hand, green, highly liberal parties are doing well in big cities in rich countries, while almost not existing elsewhere.



Which leaves the centre-right - in power in Germany and France, yet facing serious prospects of losing elections this year and next in these most influential of European countries.



Three phenomena could shed needed light.



One: ideology is becoming irrelevant. This is not surprising given the shocking descent that the 2008 financial crisis has revealed in modern capitalism, and the caricatural leaderships that the left has come up with since then, particularly in different countries where the left traditionally inspired and led.



Two: fear and anger rule supreme. This is also not surprising. The financial crisis and its aftermaths, which were with us right until the onslaught of the pandemic, have imposed pains on major sections of most European societies, and increased uncertainty about the future. The pandemic added anxiety, and after over a year of lockdowns, pent up frustrations.



Three: fear, anger, anxiety, and frustration, as always, are leading people to seek the comfortable and familiar. This is why conservatism, in its various garbs, is on the rise in Europe.



More importantly the comfortable and familiar manifest in many people looking for a folk-type of leader - one who is neither grand nor great, but who adopts popular culture and ideas, seems to embody national traditions and psyche, and whos able to connect with the largest sections of voters. Seems is the key word here, because in these circumstances street-smartness, intelligent rhetoric, and mastering the popular imagination are crucial ingredients of success. Boris Johnson, Matteo Salvini, and Isabel Diaz Ayuso are but examples of that type of leader.



These phenomena create a serious problem for the European project. They deprive it of leadership, for this new corps of leaders do not represent the values upon which the European Union was built, and they will not champion them. At the same time, the European Commission (the Unions administrative body) can neither impose its will on member-states of the Union nor does it have the legitimacy of direct representation from the people.



This creates a vacuum at the top of the European Union, which since its early days, in the 1950s and until now, has always been a top down project. That is, a class of leaders, ruling in generally promising, at least not difficult economic conditions, putting momentum behind ideals about what Europe ought to be. At the beginning these ideals centred on ensuring peace in the continent (following the rivers of blood of the Second World War); and with time and success, the ideal evolved into an ultimate objective of political union in the whole of Europe.



The presence of Angela Merkel veiled the impending problem of vacuum at the top. Europes biggest economy and now the weightiest country politically, was the perfect champion of the European project and ideals. But with Merkel leaving, Germany will likely undergo a period of soul-searching and experimentation with ideas different from those of the past fifteen years.



France will likely not fill the void in the immediate future  partly because it has a presidential election next year, partly because it is still adjusting to its new positioning within Europe as an important, but far from being the most important, member of the club.



With Germany looking inward, and perhaps questioning some of the commitments it has undertaken towards the European project in the past years (especially since the financial crisis), and with France still looking for a real role, there is a risk that the void at the top will allow anger, fear and frustration to simmer.



This could lead to a division in Europe between countries that, because of their richness and global competitiveness, truly uphold liberal values, and countries where the simmering negative feelings get exacerbated by the challenging socio-economic conditions, and gradually we see them move towards Illiberalism.



This will be a colossal challenge for the European project  and a loss for the world, for Europe remains the natural home and best hope of true liberalism at a moment of immense geo-political tumult and global social change.

Search Keywords:

Short link:


ITIC has partnered with ATM to host its first face-to-face Tourism Investment Summit on May 19. The in-person summit will be held in Dubai and will be followed by a virtual summit on May 27. The theme will be Invest-Rebuild-Restart the tourism industry in the Middle East.

The Middle East is standing out as the region offering the most exciting tourism prospects following the Covid-19 vaccination campaigns that have been successfully rolled out.

Taleb Rifai, Chairman of ITIC and former Secretary-General of UNWTO, stated: We are delighted to host in partnership with ATM our face-to-face Tourism Investment Summit after 18 months and to regroup industry leaders to discuss the investment opportunities, challenges, issues and the way forward for the future."

For his part Ibrahim Ayoub, ITICs Group CEO, expressed his confidence that the vaccination campaigns will contribute to the rapid restart of international flights. Dubai has already set the example of the successful reopening of its airspace and country to foreign visitors. We expect that other countries especially in the Middle East which have properly managed the Covid-19 pandemic, to follow, he added. Their resilience needs to be commended.

These two ITIC summits aim at providing industry leaders with the latest trends and opportunities so that they can position themselves among the first movers to reap the advantages of the post-Covid-19 recovery in the Middle East region.

Industry decision-makers such as Paul Griffiths, CEO of Dubai Airports; Nicolas Mayer, Global Tourism Leader of PWC; Scott Livermore, Chief Economist of Oxford Economics, Middle East; Nayef Al-Fayez, Minister of Tourism and Antiquities, Jordan; Marwan Bin Jassim Al Sarkal, Executive Chairman Sharjah Investment and Development Authority; Raki Phillips, CEO Ras Al Khaimah Tourism Development Authority; Saleh Mohamed Al Geziry, Director General, Ajman Tourism Development Department; Bastien Blanc, Managing Director, IHG Hotels & Resorts KSA; Marc Descrozaille, COO, Accor Hotels, India, Middle East & Africa; Dinky Puri, CEO Eagle Wing Group; Dr. Taleb Rifai, Chairman of ITIC and former Secretary-General of UNWTO and Gerald Lawless, Director ITIC and WTTC Ambassador just to name a few, will share their much sought-after insights during the in-person summit on May 19 at the ATM Global Stage.

The summit will be moderated by Sameer Hashmi of BBC World News and Manus Cranny of Bloomberg. - TradeArabia News Service
Although the COVID-19 pandemic has hit some communities, countries, and regions much harder than others, it also has reminded us that our fates are intertwined. There will be more pathogens with pandemic potential in the future, but whether they inflict such catastrophic costs will be entirely up to us.

GENEVA  As special envoys on COVID-19 for the director-general of the World Health Organization, we have witnessed firsthand the intensity of the suffering caused by the pandemic, especially in poorer communities. This profound tragedy has been evolving before our eyes and still is nowhere near its end.

In our experience, the first priority in responding to an infectious disease is to save lives and protect the health and well-being of current and future generations. At the same time, we are increasingly concerned by the tremendous social and economic damage that COVID-19 has wrought. With people everywhere struggling to preserve their livelihoods under the constant threat of the coronavirus, it has become clear that this pandemic is more than a health emergency. It has become a global whole-of-society crisis.

In this context, one of our greatest fears is that after decades of improvement, future generations prospects have suddenly plummeted. Some regions are experiencing a reversal of gains achieved in the past 20 years. Achievements such as higher employment, expanded essential services, and better education (particularly for girls) are at risk. So are improvements in infrastructure, water and sanitation, disease control, political stability, and governance institutions.

This loss of momentum toward the international communitys Sustainable Development Goals for 2030 will have far-reaching costs, most of which will be borne by the most vulnerable. Consider the vaccine rollout. Through extraordinary global scientific cooperation, the international community has created an Access to COVID-19 Tools Accelerator (ACT-A) to facilitate the sharing of technology, and the COVID-19 Vaccine Global Access (COVAX) facility to deliver vaccines equitably and efficiently around the world.

But while hundreds of millions of vaccine doses have been administered globally, there are deep disparities. In high-income countries, vaccine supplies are sufficient to provide for around one in four people, on average; in low-income countries, this figure drops to one in 500. At this point, it should go without saying that no one will be safe until we have made these cutting-edge technologies available to everyone. The longer we delay, the greater the risk that dangerous new variants will emerge.

SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, is certainly not the last contagious pathogen that humanity will face. But it could be the last one that inflicts such exorbitant costs. Whether the next pandemic can be prevented is up to us all. Success will depend on commitments from all countries to implement the International Health Regulations, the WHOs legal framework establishing how they should prepare for and respond to the cross-border transmission of pathogens and other health emergencies.

Beyond following through on these existing measures, world leaders should take six additional steps. First, we must dramatically scale up investment in global preparedness, so that we can spot the next potential pandemic as early as possible. There is now ample evidence of what works well, and we have gained hard-earned experience in getting the necessary systems to function as they should, everywhere. All countries should commit to sharing relevant information rapidly and ensuring its reliability.

Second, we must do more to prevent pathogens from moving to humans from animals and the environment. That means appreciating the risks of crossover transmission and adopting a One Health mindset that reflects awareness of biological interdependencies and our shared obligation to protect fragile ecosystems.

Third, we need to ensure that all countries can respond rapidly when the alarm bells start to ring. There is an urgent demand for more investment in local, national, and regional health systems, particularly those that currently lack the capacity for prompt detection and response.

Fourth, public officials need to demonstrate enlightened leadership by committing to, and engaging in, constructive international cooperation, without which the world will always be at risk. As WHO envoys, we are encouraged by the call from 26 heads of state and government, the president of the European Council, and WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus for an international treaty on pandemic preparedness. This effort can provide a solid foundation for high-level coordination between governments. Ideally, it would result in a new compact designed to complement the International Health Regulations and drive a simultaneous upgrade in all national systems that need it.

Fifth, we must intensify international cooperation to develop and deliver the vaccines, diagnostics, and treatments that are necessary for achieving universal health coverage. That means building on initiatives like the ACT-A to establish a permanent forward-looking mechanism for ensuring equitable access to critical health technologies for all who need them.

Lastly, and above all, there is an urgent need to reset the response to this crisis. Everyone needs to recommit to supporting a singular and cohesive strategy that is built on equity and fairness, driven by a single-minded focus to end the pandemic as quickly as possible, and in keeping with the WHOs mantra: solidarity, science, and solutions.

As special envoys for COVID-19, we will continue to support countries and communities as they confront this crisis. The task now is to prevent and mitigate as much of the damage as we can, which will require concerted action within and across countries to implement the right public-health policies and build capacity wherever it is falling short. Sustaining these efforts will be critical, because it will be many months  even years  before vaccines against current and future variants of the virus are accessible to everyone.

We urge everyone to do their part to help prevent, prepare for, and manage the next outbreak. Above all, we call on todays leaders to muster the solidarity needed to work together for the common good. What leaders decide to do now will have implications for everyone living today  and tomorrow.

This commentary is co-authored by: John Nkengasong, Director of the African Centres for Disease Control and Prevention; Mirta Roses, former WHO regional director of the Americas; and Samba Sow, Director-General of the Center for Vaccine Development in Mali.

Short link:


Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has threatened that the military operation he happily launched in Gaza would take time. But diplomatic efforts led by Egypt and other key regional powers  Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and Qatar  as well as Europe and the United States will probably result in a ceasefire sooner rather than later.

Hardly any country is buying the official Israeli rhetoric aimed at justifying the bloody war in Gaza that entered its second week on Monday, resulting in the death of over 200 Palestinians and 11 Israelis. Nearly half the Palestinians killed were women and children.

No sane mind can justify such bloodshed, destruction and heavy human losses. The scenes of tall buildings falling like sand dunes following heavy bombardment by advanced Israeli military jets provided by the United States government, is only one example of Israels reckless behaviour, which the whole world can see live on television screens with astonishment and disbelief.

With every war Israel has launched against Gaza since its official pull out of the heavily crowded, besieged Strip in 2005, the Jewish state has made no gains. If anything, it has sustained heavier losses in terms of its reputation as a country with no respect for basic human rights or human lives.

Stop the racist occupation has become a common rally call in dozens of demonstrations all across the world, including the United States, demanding an immediate end of Israels military attack on Gaza. The protesters worldwide are aware that the suffering is not limited to Gaza, but exists in every Palestinian city falling under occupation, topped with occupied East Jerusalem, which witnessed the trigger for the ongoing cycle of war.

In a common practice that has only escalated with the rise of right-wing governments in Israel, Jewish settlers, protected by the Israeli army, violently attacked residents of the Sheikh Jarrah neighbourhood in East Jerusalem to forcibly evict 20 Palestinian families from their homes. Extremist Knesset members, whom Netanyahu is seeking to include in yet another failed attempt to form a solid government to run Israel, raided Al-Aqsa Mosque, adding fuel to fire by disregarding the holy nature of the Muslim month of Ramadan, and preventing thousands of worshippers from performing their prayers.

The Biden administration adhered to Washingtons classic, official line, defending Israel whether it was right or wrong during the first days of the conflict: Israel has the right to defend itself. However, Israels madness in conducting the war, indiscriminately killing civilians and even targeting journalists, including major US media organisations such as the Associated Press, slowly changed the US view, even if that was taking place behind closed doors and in diplomatic contacts.

What has been significant, however, is the clear change in traditional US politics providing blind support to Israel. Late on Sunday, Senator Jon Ossoff, a Democrat from Georgia, and 27 other senators called for an immediate ceasefire to prevent further loss of life.

Bidens initial statement that Israel has a right to defend itself invited a rebuke from Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez of New York, who said blanket statements like Bidens dehumanise Palestinians and imply the US will look the other way at human rights violations. Vocal liberals have criticised the White House for placating Israel and ignoring human rights as violence mounts, as well as loudly criticising Biden for not openly opposing Israels planned evictions of Palestinian families from the Al-Sheikh Jarrah neighbourhood in occupied East Jerusalem.

The Israeli bombardment has forced 38,000 people to seek sanctuary in dozens of UN schools in Gaza, the United Nations said. Gaza now faces power failures at least 16 hours a day, while damage to a desalination plant has threatened some 250,000 peoples access to drinking water, the United Nations added.

Israels airstrikes have also stopped all Covid-19 vaccinations and virus testing in the Palestinian enclave and raised the risk of viral contagion as civilians cram into shelters for safety, UN officials said.

On Sunday, US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken, held a series of phone calls with counterparts in Egypt, Saudi Arabia and Qatar about the need to calm tensions in Israel and the West Bank and Gaza. Blinken added, we agreed we must continue our ongoing outreach to halt the current violence and lamentable loss of life from the crisis.

In his conversation with Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukri, Blinken reiterated his call on all parties to de-escalate tensions and bring a halt to the violence, which has claimed the lives of Israeli and Palestinian civilians, including children, the State Department said in another statement.

Qatars foreign minister also had a phone call on Sunday with Shoukri, in which they reviewed bilateral cooperation relations and developments in Palestine. The Egyptian Foreign Ministry said in a statement that the two ministers agreed on the importance of working to reach an immediate ceasefire between the two sides, and they also agreed to continue coordination in the bilateral framework, as well as in regional and international ones, regarding what is in the interest of the Palestinian people and reaching a ceasefire.

The intense diplomatic efforts by Egypt also included a visit by a high-level security delegation to Gaza amid a series of moves aimed at supporting the Palestinian people, and pushing Israel to stop its war and lethal targeting of Palestinian leaders in Gaza. Egypt was clear in stating that Israels failure to restrain itself would influence the positive relations the two countries have maintained over the past few years.

President Abdel-Fattah Al-Sisi urged a return to calm and an end to violence and killing. He also declared that all Egyptian hospitals were open to receive Palestinians who suffered injuries in the ongoing war, and ordered the opening of the Rafah crossing between Egypt and Gaza.

Egyptian ambulances have been stationed along the border in order to help transfer Palestinian victims to hospitals. During the Friday prayers, popular anger was evident as the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar and other key religious figures praised the steadfastness of the Palestinian people and condemned Israels aggression.

The worldwide condemnation of Israels latest war against Palestinians should also be a clear warning to Israel that the latest initiatives made by Netanyahu to normalise relations with several Arab countries are not going to change realities on the ground. Even in Arab countries that have lately normalised relations with Israel, or those that signed peace treaties such as Egypt and Jordan, there have been loud and clear calls on concerned governments to reconsider their openness in dealing with the Jewish state. Palestinian blood and basic rights are clear red lines, and Egypt, as well as Arab countries and supporters of human rights worldwide, will not compromise them or act blind.

The war against Gaza has also resulted in an unprecedented wave of confrontations between Palestinians living in mixed cities with Israeli Jewish citizens, reaching the brink of a civil war. That and demonstrations across the occupied West Bank have made analysts wonder whether Palestinians are on the verge of a major uprising, the third since the late 1980s.

On Sunday, an umbrella organisation for Arab leaders in Israel appealed to the international community to help protect Palestinian citizens of Israel from violent attacks and human rights violations by both state and private actors. The group added, Palestinian citizens, collectively, are afraid for their lives.

The Israeli war against Palestinians in Gaza, East Jerusalem and the West Bank must stop now, and Israel has to deal with the fact that it has no blank check to kill Palestinians.

Netanyahu is obviously seeking a victory to mobilise Israelis and allow him to stay indefinitely in office. Yet, with every Palestinian child or innocent civilian being killed in this war, the Israeli premier is edging closer not just to losing his most favourite post, but possibly to facing charges of war crimes in international courts as well. As for the majority of world opinion, watching the killings live on television, there is no doubt which is the party to blame.

*A version of this article appears in print in the 20 May, 2021 edition of Al-Ahram Weekly

Short link:


On Wednesday, I was in the midst of my weekly Zoom chat with readers of this column when the discussion was hacked and ended by a pro-Israel group playing loud songs in Hebrew. I had been speaking with Omar Shakir of Human Rights Watch on how the current violence unfolding in Israel and the occupied territories validated the charge that Israel was guilty of the crimes of apartheid and persecution of Palestinians.

Apparently someone didnt want the discussion to continue. Nor did they want to learn the lessons this conflict is teaching us about past failures in US and Israeli policies. But for those with eyes to see and ears to hear there are lessons to be learned from the tragic events unfolding in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Let me list some of them:

After signing normalisation agreements with several Arab countries, many Israelis and their supporters in the West foolishly believed the conflict was over  not so. To be clear, Israels problem has always been its refusal to accept the rights of the Palestinian people. The Israelis may have assumed that with normalisation agreements in their pocket, the US in their corner and the Palestinian polity in disarray, they were now free to impose their will. But, as they have done so often in the past, the Israelis underestimated the resolve of the people they oppress.

The lesson learned is that the continued repression of Palestinian rights is not sustainable. With both Netanyahu and his opponents negotiating with some of Israels Arab parties in order to form a governing coalition, Israeli pundits mused that Palestinian citizens of Israel had matured and no longer cared about or identified with the Palestinian nation  not so. If anything, the demonstrations engulfing Israeli cities in response to the planned evictions from Sheikh Jarrah, the police assault on the Haram Al-Sharif, and the bombing of Gaza made it clear that many Palestinian citizens of Israel see themselves as part of an indivisible Palestinian people.

When Human Rights Watch issued its report charging Israel with the crimes of apartheid and persecution of Palestinians, liberal critics in the US said it went too far and certainly shouldnt have included Israeli policy with regard to its Palestinian Arab citizens  not so.

The ethnic cleansing of Sheikh Jarrah for demographic reasons, the poverty and unemployment of Palestinians resulting from the closure of Jerusalem, the economic, social and political inequality faced by Palestinian citizens of Israel, the discriminatory behaviour of Israeli police on display in Jerusalem and Israeli cities, and the Jewish extremist chants of death to Arabs  all made it clear that Israel is an ethno-nationalist state that preferences one group (Jews) at the expense of another (Palestinians). That is apartheid, and Israel must address this reality if it is to have social peace.

The Biden administration sought to avoid direct engagement in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. They tried to make do with statements opposing settlements and annexation and stating their belief in the equal worth of Israeli and Palestinian lives. At the same time, they pledged unwavering support for Israel and rejected conditioning US aid to Israeli behaviour, failing to recognise that these statements were in conflict.

When Israel announced evictions and settlement expansion in and around Jerusalem, the administration made do with expressions of deep concern. But those were repeatedly dismissed by Israel. As long as the US doesnt hold Israel accountable for its actions and doesnt insist that a price should be paid for bad behaviour, Israel will continue to act with impunity and dismiss US concerns.

Supporters of Israel insist that there is bipartisan support for Israeli actions, pointing to letters of support from a majority of Members of Congress as evidence. This is dangerous wishful thinking. While it is true that supporters of Israel continue to hold the Hill, they are losing ground all around the Hill  especially among Democrats. Dozens of Democratic Senators and Representatives have been sharply critical of Israeli actions and the timid response of the Biden administration; many are calling for conditioning US aid to Israel. They are reflecting dramatic changes in the attitudes of American voters to Israel and its policies.

A majority of Democrats now oppose settlements, want the US to pressure Israel to change its policies, and support tying US aid to Israel to its treatment of the Palestinian people. This is mainly due to shifts in attitudes of Blacks and Latinos, young people and educated women  core voter groups for Democrats. If the Democratic establishment continues to ignore these changes, they do so at some political risk.

So here we are, once again, in the midst of a war that will leave many dead, many more suffering and, in the end, resolve nothing. There are lessons to be learned from this conflict, but we must have eyes to see and ears to hear. Supporters of Israel can try to ignore or silence criticism, but reality itself cannot be ignored or silenced.

*The writer is president of the Arab American Institute.

*A version of this article appears in print in the 20 May, 2021 edition of Al-Ahram Weekly

Short link:


Last September, former US president Donald Trump hosted in great pomp the signing of the first Abraham Accord between the United Arab Emirates and Israel. The accords were meant to herald a new era of peace. It was unprecedented for a Gulf country to sign a peace treaty with Israel. The Emirates became the third Arab country to reach such a deal after Egypt in 1979 and Jordan in 1994.

On the same occasion, Bahrain signed a Declaration of Principle to the effect that it would soon follow in the footsteps of the UAE. A few weeks later, it became the second Gulf country to sign a peace treaty with Israel. In the following months, another two Arab countries made similar moves and signed their own peace treaties with Israel, namely Morocco and Sudan.

The underlying premise was that these treaties would facilitate the resolution of the Palestinian question. Many doubted that this would be the case, but a few clung to the faintest of hopes that this premise could come true. It goes without saying that the four treaties did not follow the Arab Peace Plan, which states that diplomatic relations between the Arab countries and Israel will only come after the establishment of a state of Palestine as an independent and sovereign state with East Jerusalem as its capital.

A few months later, and despite the illusionary peace between the Arabs and the Israelis, the Palestinian question has come to haunt everyone from the Arab countries that have reached peace accords with Israel to the new US administration that succeeded Trump. The administration of new US President Joe Biden, a Democrat, has made no secret of the fact that peace in the Middle East is not on the list of its strategic priorities in its approach to the region. The overriding objective has been to negotiate the return of both Iran and the United States to the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), the nuclear agreement with Iran.

However, the Palestinian question, as is usually the case, has nevertheless erupted, this time at one of the holiest places in Islam, the Al-Aqsa Mosque, and in East Jerusalem in the wake of the Israeli eviction of some Palestinian families. On 10 May, a major military confrontation took place between Hamas and the Israeli army in Gaza. At the time this article was written, no truce was in sight, although Egypt and some Arab countries, with the support of the Biden administration, have been pushing the two warring parties to halt the fighting.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, operating in a caretaker capacity and at the end of his political career and facing the prospect of being put on trial, stressed on 15 May that the Israeli offensive against Hamas would continue until its objectives were met. Never mind that there were no clear-cut objectives laid down before the Israeli people before the offensive started. An undeclared objective is the reinstatement of Netanyahu as king of Israel once more. However, times have changed.

The Palestinian Resistance Movement (Hamas) despite the Israeli siege of the Gaza Strip from 2007 onwards has proved resilient and capable of developing missiles that can reach deep inside Israel. Unlike previous military confrontations between the two in 2008-2009 and 2014, the present conflict has seen running battles on the streets of some Israeli cities between Jews and Arabs who remained in what had previously been Palestine after 1948. The Israelis have talked of a civil war, and to this should be added the fact that Israel is facing a serious governance crisis.

After four elections in the country in the span of two years, it has still been difficult for Israel to form a government that can enjoy a parliamentary majority. There is talk of the Israelis heading towards a fifth general election. Some believe that the end game of Netanyahu is to push for a fifth election with a military victory against Hamas behind him, meaning that he could win comfortably and be in a position to form a government with a solid majority in the Knesset, the Israeli parliament.

Egypt has been pushing hard with both the Israelis and the Hamas leaders to stop the shooting and to start talking. However, the Israelis are not in a listening mode, particularly since the US administration has not put enough pressure on them to accept a truce. It has sent Deputy Assistant Secretary of State Hadi Amr, in charge of Palestinian and Israeli relations at the US State Department, to meet with Israeli and Palestinian officials and to try to work out a ceasefire agreement to restore calm, according to a spokesperson.

Principal Deputy Spokesperson at the State Department Jalina Porter said last Friday that the United States was actively engaging Egypt as well as other regional partners to work towards achieving a sustainable calm in the region. For its part, Egypt wants more than calm this time around, because it believes that in the absence of a negotiated political resolution of the Palestinian question it is only a question of time before the next round of devastating fighting will erupt.

Biden has talked by telephone with both Palestinian Authority (PS) President Mahmoud Abbas and Netanyahu. He has called for an immediate cessation of hostilities and reaffirmed the US commitment to the two-state solution. The three leaders have expressed their shared desire for Jerusalem to be a place of peaceful coexistence for people of all faiths and backgrounds.

Biden also reiterated his support for steps to enable the Palestinian people to enjoy the dignity, security, freedom and economic opportunity that they deserve. In his conversation with Abbas, Biden underscored his strong commitment to a negotiated two-state solution as the best path to reach a just and lasting resolution of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

Once a truce is achieved, the challenge will be how to translate such positions in concrete terms into reality on the ground. It will need strong American will to get involved in the peace negotiations and to lead the Palestinians and the Israelis to a negotiated solution of the Palestinian-Israeli conflict. The future will tell whether the Biden administration is ready to expend political capital in this regard.

Meanwhile, the United Nations Security Council, chaired by China, failed to adopt a declaration on the situation in Gaza when it met in an emergency meeting on Sunday. According to the Chinese, the American delegation did not agree to the statement. This failure on the part of the council, despite the warning of UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres that the military offensive in Gaza could widen on the regional level, sends the wrong signal to the Israelis, namely that the US administration is not yet determined to push seriously for a ceasefire, notwithstanding claims made by senior officials to the contrary.

*The writer is former assistant foreign minister.

*A version of this article appears in print in the 20 May, 2021 edition of Al-Ahram Weekly

Short link:


The riotous mob that laid siege to the U.S. Capitol on Wednesday was the product of the destructive forces that President Donald Trump has been stirring for years, culminating in the disruption of a democratic ritual that would formally end his unconstitutional bid to stay in power.

The scene that unfolded  pushing through police barricades, breaking windows, then occupying seats of power  was one that Americans are accustomed to watching in distant lands with authoritarian regimes.

But the violence, which included gunshots fired in the Capitol, one death, and an armed occupation of the Senate floor, was born from the man who swore an oath to protect the very democratic traditions that rioters tried to undo in his name.

The rioters chose to storm the Capitol, a building symbolic as a citadel of democracy, and stirred echoes of the the angst and blood of the Civil War era. Only this time it was instigated by a duly elected president unwilling to honor the foundational creed of a peaceful transfer of power.

This is an attempted coup detat incited by the President of the United States, said presidential historian Michael Beschloss. We are in an unprecedented moment when a president who is willing to conspire with mobs to bring down his own government. This is totally against the idea of democracy for which the nation has stood for over two centuries.

The certification of the Electoral College votes that formalizes President-elect Joe Bidens victory, a Constitutionally enshrined ceremony typically designed to show American democracys strength, was disrupted within hours of Trumps incendiary demand for action in a speech to his supporters, as he implored them to fight to stop the steal of the election and march on the Capitol.

After this, were going to walk down  and Ill be there with you  were going to walk down, were going to walk down to the Capitol, Trump said, and were going to cheer on our brave senators and congressmen and women, and were probably not going to be cheering so much for some of them.

As his presidency enters its final days, Trumps speech was a valedictory that seethed with anger, and roused those who took it as a call to insurrection. Rioters overran and overmatched Capitol security forces, breaking windows, stealing mementos and mocking the institution with photos showing them in seats of power.

One in the mob seized House Speaker Nancy Pelosis dais, another her office. A sea of red Make America Great Again hats stormed through Statuary Hall, a part of the Capitol familiar to tourists. One man carried a Confederate flag under the same rotunda where Abraham Lincoln  and, just last year, the congressman and civil rights hero John Lewis  had lain in state. A noose was photographed not far from the Capitols west front.

And the inauguration stand where Biden will put his hand on a Bible in two weeks was used by U.S. Capitol Police to fire pepper spray into the violent crowd.

Few escaped Trumps rage  not even his most loyal lieutenant, Vice President Mike Pence, who had, for once, said he could not honor the presidents wishes that he overturn the electoral vote count because there was no legal authority for him to do so.

At his rally on the Ellipse, Trump said he would be very disappointed in his vice president, who a short time later had to be whisked to safety by the Secret Service when the Capitols barriers were breached.

But the groundwork for the violence was laid far before the rally, which also included a call from the presidents personal attorney, Rudy Giuliani, for a trial by combat to settle accusations of election fraud.

Trump, who has long shied away from committing to a peaceful transfer of power, spent the better part of 2020 declaring that the election was rigged while making baseless accusations of widespread voter fraud that numerous federal courts and his former attorney general said did not exist.

The president was enabled by dozens of his fellow Republicans, who said they were willing to object to the count, a maneuver they knew would delay but not change the outcome.

Even when it became clear he had lost the election, Trump refused to acknowledge reality, insisting repeatedly that he had won in a landslide. He lost to Biden by 7 million votes.

But his supporters were more than willing to accept his effort to subvert the verdict of voters.

Just weeks ago, he tweeted: Big protest in D.C. on January 6th. Be there, will be wild! And even after the siege began, and members of his own party  including some trapped in the Capitol and hiding for their lives  begged him to forcibly condemn the act of domestic terrorism, Trump refused.

He spent most of the afternoon in his private dining room off the Oval Office, watching the violence in Washington on a large, mounted television, though most of his attention was fixated on Pences disloyalty.

He reluctantly taped a video in which he called for peace and told the rioters to go home, but he bracketed his request with further false claims of election fraud and told the insurrectionists: We love you. Youre very special.

In a tweet, rather than directly criticizing the mob, he offered an apologia for them. These are the things and events that happen when a sacred landslide election victory is so unceremoniously & viciously stripped away from great patriots who have been badly & unfairly treated for so long. And he encouraged them to remember the day as though it would someday be seen as a celebration rather than a riot.

The post was later removed by Twitter.

His words were a remarkable contrast to the man who defeated him and one who came before him.

At their best, the words of a president can inspire. At their worst, they can incite, said Biden in an address to the nation from Delaware. The work of the moment and the work of the next four years must be the restoration of democracy and the recovery of respect for the rule of law, and the renewal of a politics thats about solving problems  not stoking the flames of hate and chaos. He implored Trump to step up. Trump did not.

George W. Bush, the most recent Republican president, declared that the Insurrection could do grave damage to our nation and reputation.

The violent assault on the Capitol  and disruption of a Constitutionally-mandated meeting of Congress  was undertaken by people whose passions have been inflamed by falsehoods and false hopes, Bush said.

Trump has long been slow to condemn violent extremism, refusing to denounce white supremacists, cheering armed protesters at the Michigan state capitol last spring and telling the far right Proud Boys to Stand back and stand by.

The U.S. Capitol was breached in 1814, when the British attacked it and set it on fire during the War of 1812, according to the U.S. Capitol Historical Society. And the moment of internal strife, one fueled by the president, can only be reminiscent of the Civil War, according to presidential historian Julian Zelizer.

This is an attack on the government, said Zelizer, who teaches at Princeton University The president has been stoking divisions and he called for this protest, he called for this chaos. We have never been here before.

Short link:


The Biden administration was quick to breathe new life into the last remaining treaty limiting US and Russian nuclear weapons. The going will be slower when it turns to other arms control problems that are either festering or emerging as potential triggers of an international arms race.

China is modernizing its arsenal of nuclear weapons and has shown no interest in negotiating limits. North Korea is at or near the point of being able to threaten the US homeland with a nuclear missile strike. Russia has begun deploying new, exotic weapons, including nuclear-capable devices designed to evade the best of American missile defenses. Iran is seen as the biggest missile threat in the Mideast.

Each of those problems is a priority for President Joe Biden, but he acted on Russia first, reflecting the urgency of extending the treaty even as Biden seeks to take a tougher line with Russian President Vladimir Putin in response to issues like the arrest of opposition figure Alexei Navalny and Russia's alleged involvement in a massive cyber espionage campaign against the US government.

In announcing that Biden and Putin agreed in a phone call Tuesday that they would extend by five years the New START treaty _ which would otherwise have expired next week _ the White House alluded vaguely to broader challenges with Moscow. It said the leaders ``also agreed to explore strategic stability discussions on a range of arms control and emerging security issues.''

New START, negotiated while Biden served as vice president, limits the United States and Russia to 1,550 deployed nuclear warheads on strategic weapons like submarines, bomber aircraft and land-based intercontinental ballistic missiles. The limits took effect in February 2018 and would expire in February 2021 unless the parties agreed to extend the deal for up to five years.

Both houses of the Russian parliament voted unanimously Wednesday for the treaty extension. Speaking to the World Economic Forum's virtual meeting, Putin hailed the extension as ``a step in the right direction,'' but he also warned of rising global rivalries and threats of new conflicts.

The pact's extension doesn't require approval by the US Congress. It is expected to be validated by an exchange of diplomatic notes. Then the question will be: How does international arms control proceed, given the tense state of US-Russia relations, the rise of China and the other sources of uncertainty?

Although Russia is America's most willing partner, arms control may no longer be addressed solely by Moscow and Washington, whose nuclear arsenals were largely the only ones that counted during the Cold War. In that period, US war planners viewed China's relatively small nuclear force as a subset of Russia's rather than as a major threat in its own right. Space and cyber weapons were distant problems but are now in the forefront.

``The big-picture question is whether what we're seeing with the extension of New START is a last breath put into the dying body of arms control, or whether this is genuinely the start of a re-invigoration of arms control efforts,'' says Mark Bell, an assistant professor at the University of Minnesota who specializes in nuclear weapons issues. ``The landscape for arms control is not a particularly optimistic one moving forward.''

The hope among arms control advocates is that Biden's decision to accept Russia's offer of a five-year extension of New START will set the stage for broader talks on steps to lessen the risk of war between the world's two biggest nuclear powers.

Biden knew that extending New START would be welcomed by America's NATO partners, who had opposed the Trump administration's withdrawal from other arms control deals.

``I don't see the treaty's extension as the end, but the beginning of an effort to further strengthen international nuclear arms control,'' NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg said last week. ``So agreements that cover more weapons and also include more nations like China should be on the agenda in the future.''

But China has been unwilling, and there is little evidence that Moscow is ready to address what some consider the most worrisome numerical imbalance in US-Russian nuclear forces _ Moscow's non-strategic nuclear weapons, such as sea- and air-launched nuclear cruise missiles. These are not limited by New START.

The Russians see a different problem _ unconstrained American missile defenses and other US systems they view as dangerous and destabilizing.

Robert Soofer, who was the top nuclear policy official at the Pentagon during the Trump administration, says Biden squandered negotiating leverage when he agreed to a five-year extension of New START without pressing Moscow for commitments on related issues.

``There's no reason for them to negotiate because they're good for five years,'' Soofer said. ``They got what they want.''

From the Russian point of view, adding five years to the life of New START offers time to deal with what its ambassador to Washington, Anatoly Antonov, has described as a ``serious crisis'' in arms control.

In a Jan. 12 statement, Antonov laid out Moscow's arms control priorities, starting with US missile defenses, which the Russians see as an attempt to undermine the strategic value of their nuclear arsenal. They say it is a reason they developed a hypersonic glide vehicle, known as the Avangard, that can be carried aboard the Sarmat intercontinental ballistic missile and maneuver to evade defenses.

Some critics of US reliance on nuclear weapons say missile defense must be open to negotiation.

``The unconstrained pursuit of missile defense has encouraged Russia to develop multiple new types of nuclear options to attack the United States and pushed China to expand and improve its nuclear arsenal,'' says Laura Grego, co-director of the global security program at the Union of Concerned Scientists. ``This dynamic must change because it is a roadblock to achieving meaningful nuclear arms reductions.''

The US has refused to agree to any limits on its missile defenses, which it says are meant to protect the United States from long-range missile attacks by North Korea _ not as a defense against Russia.

Soofer says he sees little prospect of movement soon on that and other US-Russian arms disputes.

``This is going to be the beginning of a very long, drawn out negotiation,'' he said.

Short link:


Russia will attempt to insert itself into a faltering Afghanistan peace process Thursday when it hosts a conference that has drawn high-level delegations from the Taliban and Afghan government -- as well as representation from Washington, Pakistan and China.

The United States is supposed to complete a withdrawal of all its troops from Afghanistan by May 1 as part of a deal with the Taliban -- a deadline President Joe Biden said Wednesday would be "tough" to meet.

That deal also saw the insurgents agree to peace talks with the administration of President Ashraf Ghani, but they have made little progress since starting in Qatar in September, and with the withdrawal deadline looming Afghanistan's future is as uncertain as ever.

Washington wants to jump-start the peace process and get the Taliban and Afghan government to agree to some form of power-sharing.

Moscow has also endorsed the idea of an interim administration, but this has been fiercely rejected by the government, namely Ghani, who repeated Tuesday that the only way to transfer power should be via elections.

Here follows some questions and answers about Thursday's Moscow meeting:

What Is The Point Of It?

Sayed Naser Mosawi, a Kabul-based analyst, said the Moscow conference is largely a curtain-raiser for an even bigger gathering to be held in Turkey next month.

In Doha, the Americans and the Taliban seemed to be "dictating the rules as they wished", but a change of venue would probably prove more fruitful, he added.

"This conference will be a new opportunity for both the Taliban and the government to express and perhaps review their stances on otherwise sensitive issues," he said.

Kabul's ambassador to the UAE also said recently that peace talks should not be held in one location as the Taliban had become too "comfortable" in Qatar since opening an office there in 2013.

"We want the Taliban to get out of their comfort zone," said Javid Ahmad.

Who Is Attending?

The Taliban and Afghan government delegations are basically the same as those involved in the Qatar talks, with a few additions.

The insurgents are led by Taliban co-founder and deputy leader Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar, while the government side is headed by former chief executive Abdullah Abdullah.

Pakistan -- which holds the most outside influence over the Taliban -- is represented by retired veteran diplomat Mohammed Sadiq, while the US is sending long-time special Afghan envoy Zalmay Khalizaid.

What Is The Current Situation?

Major urban centres in Afghanistan are in the grip of a bloody terror campaign in the form of attacks targeting politicians, civil servants, academics, rights activists and journalists.

The Taliban routinely deny responsibility, but the government says the insurgents are definitely to blame -- either directly, or by using proxies.

Spring traditionally heralds a resumption in more orthodox fighting in rural areas, where the Taliban already hold sway over vast areas.

Will The May 1 Withdrawal Deadline Be Met?

Biden said Wednesday it was possible to meet the deadline, but that it would be "tough", adding it "was not a very solidly negotiated deal" that former president Donald Trump worked out.

"I'm in the process of making that decision now as to when they'll leave," he said in a TV interview.

The Taliban -- who have largely stuck to a promise not to attack US or other foreign troops since the deal was struck -- say the date is inflexible.

Analysts suggest some sort of face-saving compromise will result, with Washington saying it has met its obligations while at the same time leaving some US experts attached to Afghan forces in advisory roles.

A complete withdrawal of US troops -- particularly given the vital air cover provided to Afghan ground forces -- will further loosen Kabul's tenuous grip on the countryside.

Short link:


Sisi reiterates Egypt's steadfast stance on GERD in meeting with Senegalese president



MENA, Wednesday 19 May 2021



The Egyptian president praised close relations between the two countries especially that Senegal is an important country in West Africa



President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi said Wednesday Egypt's stance is steadfast as regards the need to reach a binding and comprehensive legal agreement on the filling and operation of the Ethiopian Dam.



During a meeting here with Senegalese President Macky Sall in Paris, the two presidents agreed on the need to continue to coordinate bilaterally in order to resolve the issue and avoid its negative impact on security and stability of the entire region, Presidency Spokesman Bassam Rady said.



El-Sisi is on a visit to France upon an invitation from French President Emmanuel Macron to take part in the Paris Conference to support the Sudanese transition and a summit on financing African economies.



The Egyptian president praised close relations between the two countries especially that Senegal is an important country in West Africa, the spokesman added.



Egypt is ready to enhance bilateral cooperation in the various fields particularly trade and investment, developing the infrastructure and providing technical support and training, El-Sisi added.



The Senegalese president hailed the continued development in bilateral relations and expressed deep appreciation of Egypt and the Egyptian people and leadership.



Egypt plays key role in reaching comprehensive development and protecting peace and security in Africa, Macky Sall said.



The two leaders tackled a number of African files in light of Senegal's chairmanship of the African Union in 2022, he said, adding that they have agreed to continue with coordination and consultation and coordination on the latest developments in these files.



https://english.ahram.org.eg/News/411452.aspx
This year, trees have been brought down and much green space was lost, however, Egypt remains in possession of a great history of plants  reminders that our identity is one of green, water, and beauty

Founder of 'Description of Alexandria' (2013), is where the young Alexandrian artist beholds documentation of the cultural and architectural heritage of Alexandria

As Egyptians celebrate the holy month of Ramadan, our traditions of hymnody captivate the heart and speak the secrets of love and the creator

In her book, Riham Arram publishes rare documents that tell what life was like during the khedival period

After missing the joy of Ramadan last year due to restrictions imposed at the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, Egyptians have a target this year to reclaim the brilliance of the holy month

Across the country, instances of urban heritage plunder are being reported at alarming rates. A myriad of complex factors seem to conspire to bring down what is left of our cities as we know them

Ahram Online launches a series of articles on Egyptian minds that deciphered the intangible heritage of ancient Egypt

In the early 20th century, Egypt's women had a prominent place in publications, pioneering women's issues and rights in print

In 1892, when the world was still debating women's rights, Egyptian women's voice was loud, clear, and quite popular it seems

Imam Al-Shafii (767-820 AD) was the founder of the eponymous Shafii school of Islamic jurisprudence, one of the four dominant schools in Sunni Islam

Ibrahim ibn Adham ibn Mansour ibn Gaber Al-Agli, born in Balakh, Afghanistan and known as Al-Tamimi, was one of the pillars ...

Born in Kufa in Iraq in 669 AD, Abu Hanifa is the first of the four imams

Mapping the city conqueror is only for the brave

As Egypt promotes the trail of the Holy Family as a major tourist experience, Ahram Online republishes an account of stops and cities where the Virgin Mary, Joseph and Jesus found safety and shelter in the country

Heritage walks are usually pleasant, but walking with Mohamed Gohar, the founder of the heritage map of Alexandria, part of his project Description of Alexandria, was a real treat

Ahram Online launches a series of walks in Historic Cairo

Sham El-Nessim has been celebrated by Egyptians since ancient times, regardless of religious background or social status. Ahram Online republishes this short history of the holiday

The bridge is set to pass right in front of the Basilica church in Heliopolis, a Type A heritage site where building anything that blocks the view is prohibited

As the world watches yet another eviction of Palestinians from their homes for Israeli settlers, Ahram Online shares photos of Jerusalem before the occupation, circa 1925

At the premises of the Cairo Opera House, the walls were adorned with marvellous architectural gems

Ahram Online remembers the opening of the Suez Canal on 17 November 1869

On 21 March 1956, Egypt celebrated it's first National Mothers day

This edition of Cairo Photo Week (March 11-20) came with many happy surprises, one is the re-opening of Rawabet art space, and the other is bringing Gaza to the heart of Cairo

In 1933, Lotfia El-Nadi became the first woman in the Middle East to fly

Focusing on Al-Khalifa District in Sayeda Zeinab, Al-Hattaba district down by the citadel, and Al-Imam Al-Shafii district, Al-Ibrashys participatory conservation initiative puts all community stake holders in one proper sentence

As Egypt celebrates her women, Ahram Online shed the light on some successful models and the men behind them

A born community leader and educator, Gamila Sabry remains an inspiring figure of women's empowerment in Egypt

While Egypt yet strives for women's right to proper education, let alone higher education, Ahram Online celebrates the woman behind the founding of Cairo University

In 2015, Egypt bid farewell to one of her dearest social activists and women's rights poineers, Aziza Hussein

A pioneer in Egypt's social development field, Marie Assaad has tackled contentious issues with a gentle but unyielding resolve

From 12- 18 June 2021, Cairo hosts the annual International Festival for Drums and Traditional Arts.

This morning, the whole village of Tunis  located in the Fayoum governorate  attended the funeral of Evelyne Porret, who was known as the lady of Tunis village.

Fayoum Tourism Authority announced on Tuesday the death of Evelyne Porret, known as 'The lady of Tunis Village.' The ...

The Garagous pottery factory will resume its iconic pottery production and development project without the masters of the trade, sadly

Ahead of her singing the night away in Egypt this week, Ahram Online talked to Ghalia Benali about her tribute to Umm Kalthoum, her joint album in the footsteps of Rumi and her latest Film of My Egypt
A few weeks ago, in a medical center located many kilometers from the Spanish capital, a cardiology team from Madrids Gregorio Maranon Hospital was working against the clock to secure a precious gift. The heart of a child  who weighed a little more than three kilograms  had stopped beating, and his parents had agreed to donate it so that another child might live. The recipient was one-month-old Naiara, a premature baby who had been taken to intensive care 24 hours earlier for intubation. Her doctors were running out of options.

The surgery became a medical milestone: it was the worlds first heart transplant on a baby aged under one performed using a heart that had stopped and incompatible blood types between donor and recipient.

But the scientific repercussions of the operation were far from the teams minds at that moment, says Juan Manuel Gil, the head of childrens cardiac surgery at the Madrid hospital. Its the last thing you think about, he explains. You have a baby in a precarious situation, and the only thing you see is a guardian angel giving you a chance, and you get to work thinking We have to make it out of this one.

In Spain we are lucky because of the generosity of people and families as well as the work of the National Transplant Organization Juan Manuel Gil, the head of childrens cardiac surgery at the Gregorio Maranon

And they did. Naiara, who is now two months old, has been transferred out of intensive care and is recovering. Shes doing all right, the prognosis is good, says the surgeon. Three years ago, this would have been impossible.

In 2018, Gregorio Maranon Hospital launched a program for heart transplants on children with incompatible blood types. But as Gil notes, there have been very few cases of donations in the conditions they were facing. Transplants from donors with stopped hearts of abdominal organs, such as livers and kidneys, were first performed around a decade ago, and the first one involving an adult heart in Spain took place last year at Puerta de Hierro Hospital in Majadahonda (Madrid).

Baby Naiara after the transplant. HOSPITAL GREGORIO MARANNO

There are always very few transplants for the number of recipients, says Gil. In Spain we are lucky because of the generosity of people and families as well as the work of the National Transplant Organization.

For nearly three decades, Spain has been the world leader in this field. In 2019 the country led the way once again for transplants (5,449) and for donations (48.9 donors for every million inhabitants). Even so, people who need a new heart spend the longest time on a waiting list.

And little children are the most likely to die [for lack of one], adds Gil. Infants under one year of age are particularly vulnerable, and even more so those under one month of age.

In the last five years, the Gregorio Maranon Hospital has performed 41 transplants on children  seven in 2020, despite the pandemic  and in 35% of cases the patients were under one year of age. Fortunately very few children die, but the children on our waiting list have few chances of receiving a heart, adds Gil. Thats why increasing the number of donors in the most vulnerable age groups is so important.

Until recently, says this expert, nobody would even consider grafting a heart that had stopped beating several minutes earlier. In a conventional extraction, what we call brain death, the surgeon finds a beating heart, checks that it is in good condition, stops it, extracts it, packs it in ice and brings it to the hospital.

But when the heart has already stopped, it first needs to be recovered with a machine similar to what we use in conventional surgeries [ECMO, or extracorporeal life support], and once the heart is beating and confirmed as valid, the protocol is the same.

In Naiaras case, the team flew to the hospital where the donor had passed away to obtain the tiny prune-sized heart and bring it back to Madrid, adding a degree of difficulty to the process. Jose Angel Zamorano, a perfusionist who handles the heart-lung machine during surgeries, says that his job is to be the heart and the lungs of the child during the graft procedure.

Naiara in the hospital room in the Gregorio Maranon Hospital where she is recovering. H. Gregorio Maranon

According to the hospital statement, the donors heart had to be recovered twice, not once. And the whole extracorporeal life support machine had to be adapted for such a small patient.

It was not the first time that doctors at the Madrid hospital had helped save Naiara. Even before she was born, physicians in a different part of Spain where her mother lives had detected heart problems. Theyre the ones who sent her to Gregorio Maranon, a national reference point for congenital heart problems in children.

Doctors opted for an early delivery and the newborn was stabilized while her organs grew to a sufficient size to consider the possibility of a heart transplant. We told the parents that the chances were very slim, since there are very few donors of that age, said Manuela Camino, another hospital official in charge of childrens heart transplants. But thanks to the incredible generosity of other parents, the chance arrived.

It was just in time, when Naiaras condition had taken a turn for the worse. Without that heart, her chances of survival would have been very small, noted Camino.

Now that Naiara has turned two months old, she weighs 3.2 kilos  and shes getting bigger every day.

English version by Susana Urra.
As Saudi Arabia forges ahead with Vision 2030, with tourism earmarked as a key economic driver, tourism and travel leaders from the Kingdom convened at the ATM 2021 Saudi Arabia Tourism Summit on the Global Stage on May 17 to discuss the strategys positive repercussions for the country, its people, investors and millions of global travellers.

Addressing a capacity crowd at the in-person ATM 2021 were Fahd Hamidaddin, CEO, Saudi Tourism Authority, Majed Alnefaie, Acting CEO of Seera, Captain Ibrahim Koshy, CEO, Saudi Arabian Airlines (SAUDIA), and Dr Afnan Al Shuaiby, Founder and CEO of FNN International and Chair of the Arab International Womens Forum.

The audience heard how Saudi Arabia is preparing to reopen its borders for foreign tourists imminently, and it is well on its way to realising its ambition for attracting 100 million tourists per year by 2030.

Fahd Hamidaddin, CEO of Saudi Tourism Authority, discussed the Kingdoms response to the coronavirus pandemic, having just opened up to international tourism in September 2019: While the travel and tourism sector was paralysed globally, Saudi Arabia kept moving. Although the priority was to save lives, we were also committed to protecting livelihoods and saving jobs through our successful domestic tourism campaign, which resulted in a 33 per cent increase in spending, hotel occupancy was at 50 per cent, and the number of Destination Marketing Companies (DMCs) within the Kingdom increased from 17 to 93.

The domestic market strength was underscored in 2020 and Q1 2021, with Saudia operating its 28 domestic airports at close to 80 per cent of its 2019 levels, and demand exceeding capacity at times. The numbers are expected to pick up even further with the recent resumption of international travel for residents and citizens and the operation of the new King Abdulaziz International Airport (KAIA) as a true regional hub."

Discussing the outlook for Saudia, CEO Captain Ibrahim Koshy said: There are many things taking place in Saudi Arabia that will accelerate a return to profit for the airline. We will come out much leaner and stronger as a business, with expected profitability in 2024, if not earlier, as the potential market for the Kingdom continues to grow at a fast pace. We may also see aircraft orders this year to meet that expected demand in capacity.

The second session of the ATM Saudi Arabia Tourism Summit on the ATM Global Stage explored the giga-project effect, from developments that preserve and promote the Kingdoms heritage, culture and natural assets to theme parks, futuristic cities in the desert and luxury resorts with a strong focus on sustainability.

This was a great opportunity for panellists to reveal how the country is setting new global industry benchmarks and for the travel trade industry to meet the business leaders playing a pivotal role in delivering Vision 2030 by spearheading ambitious projects that will set Saudi Arabia apart as a destination like no other, said Danielle Curtis, Exhibition Director ME, Arabian Travel Market,

The ATM 2021 Saudi Arabia Tourism Summit continues next week (May 24) during ATM Virtual. With the long-term tourism outlook in Saudi Arabia more bullish than ever, hotel industry heavyweights will discuss the vast potential for new and innovative hospitality concepts that keep pace with this demand and fast-changing guest demographics, now and in the future. - TradeArabia News Service
The dramatic arrival of thousands of irregular migrants from Morocco on Spanish shores has put the government of Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez on high alert. The Socialist Party (PSOE) leader canceled a trip to Paris on Tuesday and flew down to Ceuta, after having stated earlier in the day that territorial integrity would be defended after more than 7,000 people swam to the North African Spanish city from Morocco between Monday and Tuesday.

Speaking today at a news conference in La Moncloa prime ministerial palace, Sanchez opened the door to using any means necessary to guarantee the security of the countrys borders, as well as promising that the integrity of Spains territory was not at risk.

Sanchez did not play down the severity of what he described as an unheard of crisis in Ceuta, and which also affected Spains other North African city of Melilla, albeit to a much lesser extent. But he did refrain from directly attacking Morocco, instead calling for the country to resolve the crisis like good neighbors out of respect for territorial integrity.

A Civil Guard diver rescues a baby from the water off the shore of Ceuta on Tuesday. Guardia Civil

The territorial integrity of the borders of Ceuta and Melilla, he said, which are also EU borders, will be defended at all moments by the Spanish government, under any circumstance and with all of the necessary measures. His tone suggested that this was a much more serious incident than the many immigration crises that Spain has had to deal with over recent years.

Thousands of people began to illegally arrive in Ceuta on Monday, swimming from the neighboring city of Fnideq, which is on the border of the breakwater that demarks the exclave city from Morocco. Other migrants used rudimentary swimming boards to make it to Spain from the Moroccan city, also known as Castillejos, and which is home to around 7,000 people.

The migrants entered via Tarajal beach and the area of Benzu. One person died in the crossing. Moroccan authorities made no effort to stop the wave of arrivals and the Moroccan government remained silent on the issue on Monday.

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez speaks to the press on Tuesday. Andrea Comas

The situation in North Africa comes after weeks of rising tensions between Morocco and Spain. The diplomatic row began in April when Moroccan intelligence services found out that Brahim Gali, the 73-year-old founder of the Popular Front for the Liberation of Saguia el-Hamra and Rio de Oro (Polisario Front), had been admitted under a false name to a hospital in the Spanish city of Logrono when he was suffering from Covid-19. The Polisario Front is a liberation movement by the Sahrawi people and is outlawed in the parts of Western Sahara under Moroccan control.

Spanish Interior Minister Fernando Grande-Marlaska defended the move, requested by Algeria, for strictly humanitarian reasons. The Moroccan Foreign Affairs Ministry, however, lambasted the decision, calling it an affront to the spirit of association and good neighborliness, and threatened Spain with reprisals.

Speaking on the state broadcaster TVE on Tuesday morning, Grande-Marlaska said that the migrants are people who entered Spain illegally. We must prevent or else return these people due to their illegal entry.

The Spanish government was on Tuesday unwilling to publicly speak about the causes of the crisis, and refused to link Moroccos actions to the situation involving Brahim Gali. But the fact that this key ally, to which Sanchez has paid special attention, is allowing thousands of young men and adolescents to swim into Ceuta has the executive deeply concerned.

Since Monday, Sanchez has been engaging in all kinds of diplomatic maneuvers to pressure Morocco and convince them to stem the wave of immigrants that were surrounding the border fence in Ceuta on Tuesday and threatening to breach it at any moment. The prime minister also spoke to the European Unions High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Josep Borrell, as well as the European Council president, Charles Michel.

The president of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, voiced her solidarity with Spain on Tuesday in a message posted on Twitter. Europe expresses its solidarity with Ceuta and Spain, she wrote. We need common European solutions to manage migration.

Sanchez also spoke with the Spanish king, Felipe VI, and with opposition Popular Party (PP) leader Pablo Casado, a reflection of the severity of the crisis. Via a statement from the PP, Casado adopted a measured tone and avoided criticizing Sanchez directly for the chain of events. The PP called on the prime minister to normalize the situation and guarantee territorial integrity. The conservative party is in power in Ceuta, and its premier, Juan Jesus Vivas, is in permanent contact with Casado and has also spoken to Sanchez.

There is particular concern in La Moncloa over the actions of the far-right Vox party, which is the third-largest group in the Congress of Deputies and has also made great gains in recent years in regional and local administrations. The group is using the images of the migrants to share messages speaking about an invasion and accompanied by other xenophobic claims.

A migrant is comforted by a member of the Spanish Red Cross in Ceuta on Tuesday. Bernat Armangue / AP

In response, government spokesperson Maria Jesus Montero said that the executive wants to convey a clear and resounding message against xenophobic messages that criminalize immigrants. The last thing we need to do is fan flames of hate and fear. We are calling for responsible behavior.

For his part, Grande-Marlaska explained on Tuesday that Spain is rapidly moving to return some of the immigrants who entered Ceuta, but the situation was far from under control and the images that were being broadcast on Spanish television on Monday and Tuesday had the Cabinet very concerned.

Sources from the Spanish government  a coalition of the PSOE and junior partner Unidas Podemos  explained on Tuesday that Morocco is going through a very difficult economic situation due to the pandemic, something that has prompted more migrant arrivals from the country in the Canary Islands in recent months, for example. But this latest crisis in Ceuta  which has a population of just under 85,000 people  was completely unexpected.

Before the founder of the Podemos party, Pablo Iglesias, left his role as deputy prime minister  subsequently leaving politics altogether  the left-wing politician had called for a referendum on the issue of Western Sahara. These words did not go down well in Morocco, but the situation was soon smoothed over by a different approach from the PSOE members of the coalition government.

Links to Gaza

However, the situation soon spun out of control once the country took the decision to take in the leader of the Polisario Front. That said, the imbalance between a humanitarian decision to treat someone who was sick and allowing thousands of youngsters to risk their lives at sea is also of great concern to the Spanish government, which on Tuesday was opting to avoid publicly linking the two incidents.

The ongoing crisis in Gaza could also have had an effect, government sources said, because the decision by Morocco to establish relations with Israel in exchange for the United States recognizing the formers sovereignty over Western Sahara is controversial at home at a time when Israel is bombing the Gaza Strip  something that is causing anger among the Moroccan population.

Whatever the case, the strongest hypothesis as to why this has happened is linked to Brahim Gali. On Tuesday, the Spanish government was trusting that international pressure, in particular from the EU, would see Morocco shift course. But if not, Sanchez made clear that he would do whatever is needed to protect the border.

Spain summons Moroccan ambassador The ambassador to Morocco in Spain, Karima Benyaich (pictured), said on Tuesday that there are actions that have consequences when it comes to relationships between countries, and they must be accepted.



This could be interpreted as a veiled reference to Spain offering humanitarian treatment to Brahim Gali and her countrys possible response by allowing thousands of migrants to swim for Spanish shores. Benyaich was summoned by the Spanish foreign minister on Tuesday in the wake of the crisis in Ceuta.



Speaking to the Europa Press news agency, the ambassador insisted that there are attitudes that cant be accepted adding that relations between neighboring countries must be based on mutual trust, which has to be worked on and nourished.



English version by Simon Hunter.
The irregular entry of nearly 8,000 migrants from Morocco into the Spanish North African city of Ceuta on Monday and Tuesday has sparked an unprecedented migratory crisis on the border. Never before has such a large number of immigrants arrived in such a short time.

Spanish prime minister, Pedro Sanchez, canceled a trip to Paris on Tuesday to travel to Ceuta and Spains other exclave city, Melilla, where 86 people managed to jump the border fence in the early hours of Tuesday morning. Of the 8,000 people who had arrived in Ceuta since Monday, either swimming or using makeshift flotation devices, nearly half have been sent back to Morocco, according to the Interior Ministry, which has not given more details about the expulsion procedures employed.

The unprecedented crisis in Ceuta has left many unanswered questions, ranging from the reasons why the Moroccan authorities let so many people breach the border  apparently a diplomatic punishment  to the way in which the thousands of people, including hundreds of minors, will now be taken care of.

What is happening in Ceuta? Rumors began to spread in Morocco on Sunday night that the local authorities were taking a lax attitude to border control. As a result, in the early hours of Monday morning hundreds of people approached the jetties that separate the North African country from the Spanish city to cross them by sea or on foot. The Moroccan gendarmerie displayed an unusual passivity, according to Spanish security forces.

By Tuesday afternoon, 8,000 immigrants had arrived in Ceuta, most of them Moroccan but also some sub-Saharans. Dozens continued to arrive throughout the day. Most were young men but there were also entire families and around 1,500 minors, some of whom were very young according to the Ceuta government.

What sparked the incident? The apparent motive was Spains decision to admit Brahim Gali, 73, into the country for medical treatment while he was suffering from Covid-19. Gali is the founder of the Popular Front for the Liberation of Saguia el-Hamra and Rio de Oro (Polisario Front), a liberation movement for the Sahrawi people that is outlawed in the parts of Western Sahara under Moroccan control. He was admitted under a false name to a hospital in the Spanish city of Logrono. This move angered Morocco. But compounding the situation was Donald Trumps recognition in December of last year of Moroccan sovereignty over Western Sahara. This prompted Rabat to exercise unprecedented pressure on Spain and the European Union so that they abandoned the comfort zone of the United Nations over the disputed territory, in the words of Moroccan authorities, and they followed in Trumps footsteps.

Migrants trying to reach Ceuta by sea on Tuesday. Mohamed Siali / EL PAIS

What has been the Spanish governments position? The government has responded by trying to resolve the crisis, which has sparked widespread alarm within the executive  a coalition of the Socialist Party (PSOE) and junior partner Unidas Podemos. The prime minister held a press conference on Tuesday at which he spoke about the need to defend the territorial integrity of Spain. He stepped up the governments diplomatic activity and in particular focused on the European Union in search of support. Sanchez deployed the army in Ceuta on Monday and made a series of calls on Tuesday, including to Spains King Felipe VI and the leader of the main opposition Popular Party (PP) Pablo Casado.

What is Morocco saying? The Moroccan government has kept quiet about what has happened. The only statement from one of the countrys officials so far came from its ambassador in Spain, Karima Benyaich, who said that there are acts that have consequences and that have to be accepted before she was recalled for consultations by Rabat.

What will happen to the migrants? The Interior Ministry is focusing on expelling as many as possible as quickly as possible. While Morocco permitted them to cross the border headed to Ceuta, it is also accepting the migrants back into its territory. On Monday and Tuesday, around 4,000 people were sent back to the North African country, according to Interior Ministry sources.

According to news agency Efe, as well as a number of police sources who have spoken to EL PAIS, these expulsions were, in many cases, carried out without the proper formalities and on a collective basis. The lawyers association in Ceuta has confirmed that its attorneys were only mobilized at 2pm on Tuesday, despite the fact that the expulsions began on Monday. According to sources from the association, the lawyers were called to open cases related to the expulsions in accordance with the parts of the Immigration Law that relate to irregular entry into Spain and guarantee a minimum legal coverage.

The Interior Ministry, however, has until now refused to give details about the procedures being used to expel the migrants and has only clarified that they are refusals at the border, a euphemism for irregular expulsions or express deportations.

What will happen to the minors? They should not be returned to Morocco under Spanish law and their interests as minors should take precedence. Interior Ministry Fernando Grande-Marlaska stated on Tuesday that no youngsters had been sent back across the border. Police sources added that if any minor has returned to Morocco, it is because they requested to be let through.

With less than 19 square kilometers of territory, how will Ceuta cope? The Ceuta government and the central governments delegation in the North African city has set up spaces to deal with the migrants  in particular the minors but also the adults that are still in the city. The approximately 1,500 minors who crossed the breakwater were in a warehouse in Tarajal on Tuesday afternoon. All shelters in the city are completely overwhelmed. Red Cross sources said that there were no figures for the number of people who were assisted on arrival  many of the migrants were exhausted after swimming ashore  nor how many people were sent to hospital. Many sources on the ground spoke about a situation of mayhem.

Has this situation ever been seen before? This is the first time that such a large number of migrants has crossed the Spanish borders in an irregular manner. Not even the crisis in the Canary Islands in 2006, nor during the summer of 2018, have so many people arrived all at once. The last record was seen in November 2020, when around 2,200 people came ashore in Arguineguin, in the Canary Islands, over the space of just two days.

With reporting by Francisco Peregil, Carlos E. Cue, Laura J. Varo and Guillermo Abril.

English version by Simon Hunter.
Restrictions have been eased in many parts of Spain thanks to improved indicators. Endika Portillo / Europa Press

Spains fourth coronavirus wave has had a much smaller impact on public health than earlier surges of the pandemic, new figures show. There are improved numbers in infections, deaths and hospitalization rates, partly thanks to the rising pace of vaccination. And a long-awaited decision has been made regarding under-60s who had a first dose of the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine but did not know if and when they would receive a second shot.

On Wednesday, the cumulative 14-day incidence rate was 147.54 cases per 100,000 people, marking the first time since March 30 that this indicator has dropped below 150, and putting Spain in the medium-risk scenario according to the Health Ministrys traffic-light system.

Although a few territories are still at an extreme-risk level of more than 250 cases per 100,000, such as the Basque Country (279.76) and the exclave city of Melilla in North Africa (261.84), the national average suggests that the vaccination drive and the growing number of people who have recovered from Covid-19 are containing virus transmission.

According to the latest Health Ministry report, 38.6% of the population has already received at least one vaccine dose, representing 15.5 million people. The 40-to-49 age group will start to receive doses in June according to central authorities, whose goal is to have around 70% of the adult population immunized by mid-August. Meanwhile, 3,619,848 coronavirus cases have been confirmed, although seroprevalence studies suggest this figure is probably a lot higher.

Malvarrosa beach in Valencia on Sunday. Monica Torres / EPS

Right now there are three areas of Spain in the low-risk category, defined as fewer than 50 cases per 100,000: the exclave city of Ceuta (15.44), the Valencia region (29.58) and the Balearic Islands (45.32). A few other regions are just over that threshold: Murcia (60.81), Asturias (69.30) and Extremadura (78.29). As for Madrid, it fell just short of the extreme-risk scenario, coming in at 249.95 cases per 100,000, a slight rise from Monday (239.34).

The lower incidence is also having a positive effect on hospitals, where 18.03% of intensive care beds are now occupied by Covid-19 patients, compared with 22.4% a month ago. This number varies widely from region to region, however: it is 37.48% in Madrid and 3.77% in the Valencia region.

Another 70 fatalities were reported on Tuesday, up from Friday (58). The official death toll from the pandemic in Spain is now 79,502, although the real number is higher because thousands of people died during the first wave in 2020 without getting tested.

AstraZeneca vaccines

Vaccination at Madrid's Wanda Metropolitano stadium. Samuel Sanchez

Approximately 1.5 million people under 60 years of age who already received a dose of AstraZeneca will get the vaccine made by Pfizer-BioNTech for their second shot, although the Health Ministry is considering whether to let recipients choose which of the two manufacturers they prefer.

The decision follows a long meeting of the Public Health Committee, which analyzed the results of a study by the Carlos III Health Institute on the effects of combining both vaccine brands on a group of volunteers. Based on these results, the Institute concluded that using the Pfizer vaccine for the second shot is safe.

According to an official statement, everyone will receive their second dose in the coming days. The note adds that the committee analyzed the possibility that people wishing to receive a second dose of AstraZeneca, instead of switching to Pfizer, might be allowed to do so given the extraordinary circumstances. The committee will continue to debate the matter further, said the Health Ministry.

The recommendation comes after the Spanish Health Ministry suspended the use of AstraZeneca on people under 60 due to associations with rare cases of blood clots. This decision, made on April 7, left 1.5 million people in limbo, mostly essential workers such as police officers, teachers, emergency personnel and some healthcare workers.

Some Spanish regions, including Madrid and Andalusia, have been defending the use of AstraZeneca for the second dose, reflecting recommendations by the European Medicines Agency (EMA) as well as 17 Spanish medical and scientific associations. Elsewhere in Europe, Germany and France have already opted for a second dose of Pfizer, while a recent study in the United Kingdom suggests that mixing vaccines increases the risk of mild to moderate side effects.

Spanish authorities opted to conduct their own study, which meant delaying the administration of the second dose beyond the 12 weeks recommended by the manufacturer for the AstraZeneca vaccine. The results show a high immune response and mild side effects similar to those produced by a double dose of AstraZeneca. But the Phase II trial cannot determine the probability of rare effects such as blood clots, as this requires an analysis of real-life vaccine administration on millions of people.

English version by Susana Urra.
The old saying there is nothing more cowardly than money has curiously become a genuine archeological treasure trove and an inexhaustible source of knowledge for experts.

A recent article, Calatrava la Viejas hidden coins. Secret treasures of the past, co-authored by the archeologist Manuel Retuerce Velasco of the department of Pre-History, Archeology and Ancient History at Madrids Complutense University, and by Miguel Hervas Herrera of the specialized consultancy Baraka, details the discovery over the past few decades of four stashes of coins at a site in modern-day Carrion de Calatrava, in Spains Ciudad Real province, which were presumably hidden by their owners against the imminent threat of conflict.

Two of them pertain to the age of the Muslim emirs in Spain in the ninth century. The fortified town of Calatrava la Vieja was for four centuries the most notable point between Toledo and Cordoba, and it sat on the frontier between Christian and Muslim territories. The other two troves date from the 13th century.

The article penned by Retuerce and Hervas explains: As a result of the fear sown by men with their frequent warlike actions, at times of insecurity it was normal and logical for the assets of any member of the community to be hidden. Until the danger had passed, people would frequently attempt to hide their money and belongings at a predetermined place relatively close to where they lived.

A hoard of 29 restored coins dating from the late 12th century to 1264. Manuel Retuerce Velasco

From 1960 when the first discovery was made by chance, until 2010 when the latest hoard of coins was uncovered, archeologists have been gaining greater knowledge of day-to-day life in the ancient walled city of Calatrava la Vieja, which was estimated to have a population of around 4,000 people up to the end of the 13th century. From there it started to fall into progressive decline as its strategic and military importance ebbed when the front line of the war between Christians and Muslims in Spain was pushed further south during the final stages of the Reconquest.

In 1960, 24 years before archeological digs began in Carrion de Calatrava, a farmer stumbled upon a stash of over 100 coins dating back to the ninth century in what would have been the eastern edge of the city. However, researchers have little information about the discovery because almost all of the coins were sold by their finder. There is also scant information about the container they were kept in, which is the key for researchers to determine why troves were hidden. Only five of the coins were donated to the National Archeological Museum in Madrid.

Two coins minted during the reign of Alfonso VIII found in Calatrava la Vieja. Manuel Retuerce Velasco

The second find came about in 1995 during construction work near a septic tank around 100 meters southeast of a shrine near the first site. The discovery contained 400 grams of silver coins from the reigns of all of the Umayyad Emirs of al-Andalus [the Muslim-ruled area of the Iberian peninsula], from Abd al-Rahman I to Abd Allah; a few fragments of Frankish coins, two coins from other Islamic dynasties and two small pieces of silver jewelry.

It is believed that this hoard belonged to someone who hid their wealth to keep it from enemies descending on the city. The chronology of the coins covers more than 100 years, from the late 700s to 891 or 892 during the reign of Emir Abd Allah (888-912), who was the grandfather of the future Caliph of Cordoba Abd al-Rahman III. This find is on display at the Provincial Museum of Ciudad Real.

Coins from the reign of Alfonso X, dating from the late 12th century to 1264. Manuel Retuerce Velasco

But not all of the discoveries in the area were accidental. In 2004, while archeologists were working beyond the walls of the ancient town, north of its imposing alcazar fortress, they found 71 coins dating from the reign of Alfonso VIII in what they believe was the floor of a suburban dwelling. Because of its characteristics  with fragments of cloth used to cover them and the low value of the coins  the experts think the stash could have been hidden in a beam in the roof that fell to the floor when the house collapsed. The find is dated to between 1212 and 1217 and the monetary value of the coins represents approximately a months wages at the time.

The last find, uncovered in 2010 just eight meters from the previous one, is very similar. The only difference is that the archeologists are absolutely certain as to how this trove of 29 coins was hidden. They were minted between the end of the 12th century and 1264, the later ones during the reign of Alfonso X of Castile as a result of his war against the Emirate of Granada.

This hoard was found wrapped in cloth on what would have been the floor of a 13th-century dwelling. It was hidden between the timbers of one of the beams in the roof of the room, says Retuerce. Perhaps these coins were hidden in that spot and remained there forever: as nobody ever recovered them, once the house was abandoned and later fell apart, when the walls and ceiling collapsed, they fell to the floor.

The four troves of Calatrava la Vieja are a clear example of how movable fortunes were hidden in secret places, concludes Retuerce. These places were only known to the fearful or presaging owner of the property and to people who were close confidants. When the danger had passed and the attackers had dispersed, only they or members of their family would try to return to recover the hidden loot. The unfortunate truth is that on many occasions none of the people who knew its whereabouts would survive an attack, nobody would return for the secret stash and it would remain in the same place for centuries and centuries

English version by Rob Train.
KYODO NEWS - May 19, 2021 - 21:06 | World, All, Coronavirus

North Korea has been reluctant to accept vaccination monitoring by a U.N.-backed COVAX facility, blurring the outlook for when the country can receive novel coronavirus vaccines through the platform, diplomatic sources said Wednesday.

North Korea has cut off traffic of people to and from its neighbors since early 2020, amid concern that the virus, first detected in China's Wuhan in late 2019, could intrude into the nation. It is unlikely to reopen its borders in the near future, observers say.

Pyongyang claims no infection cases have been confirmed at home, but it has been seeking help from the COVAX facility, which has been aiming to provide COVID-19 vaccines to developing countries.

Although North Korea was expected to receive 1.7 million doses of vaccine produced by Britain's AstraZeneca Plc by the end of May, the plan has been postponed to later this year as the nation has been unwilling to follow the instructions by the COVAX program.

The COVAX initiative has asked vaccine receivers to accept those engaged in monitoring whether vaccinations have been carried out in an appropriate manner there, but North Korea has not allowed even its own citizens to enter the country.

In addition, Pyongyang has not presented a detailed plan on how to promote vaccinations in the nation, one of the sources said.

North Korea has been apparently waiting for the COVAX facility to provide vaccines without monitoring, the diplomatic source in Beijing said.

Skepticism lingers that there is no infection in North Korea, but the country has been implementing drastic measures to curb the virus, such as restricting transportation, probably preventing it from spreading in the capital Pyongyang.

If the situation worsens, North Korea is likely to receive vaccines from China, known as Pyongyang's closest and most influential political and economic ally.
KYODO NEWS - May 19, 2021 - 23:22 | All, World

Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga and Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte on Wednesday agreed to closely cooperate in maintaining regional peace and stability amid China's growing maritime assertiveness.

During their 20-minute phone talks, Suga pledged to provide 20 billion yen in financial support to the Philippine government for COVID-19 control measures, including assistance for developing a cold-chain distribution network for vaccines, according to the Japanese Foreign Ministry.

Suga expressed his opposition to any unilateral attempts to change the status quo in the East and South China seas while sharing "grave concerns" over recent developments in China, including the implementation of a new law in February that allows its coast guard to use weapons against ships it views as intruding into its territory.

The two leaders also agreed to continue to work together to improve the situation in Myanmar, where the crackdown on protesters following a February military coup continues.

Suga was scheduled to visit the Philippines earlier this month, but canceled the trip due to a surge in coronavirus infections in Japan.
KYODO NEWS - May 19, 2021 - 06:17 | All, World

Army Gen. Paul LaCamera, nominated to become the commander of U.S. forces in South Korea, vowed on Tuesday to work toward improving the soured relationship between Japan and South Korea in the face of North Korea's nuclear and ballistic missile threats.

"We need to continue to look for multilateral or trilateral training operations to bring them together," the current commander of the U.S. Army Pacific said at his confirmation hearing before the Senate Armed Services Committee, referring to Tokyo and Seoul.

LaCamera also said in a written statement that "the effect of military cooperation between Japan and South Korea has a unique deterrent effect all its own."

"If confirmed, I will pursue collaboration and cooperation within the military domain between these important allies, to foster stability in the region and enhance deterrence against the DPRK," he added, using the acronym of North Korea's formal name, the Democratic People's Republic of Korea.

Areas of mutual interest that would enhance security for allies include humanitarian and disaster relief efforts, ballistic missile defense and anti-submarine warfare, LaCamera said.

The administration of President Joe Biden has been working to revitalize relationships with longstanding U.S. allies, which the previous administration under Donald Trump was seen to have belittled by using a go-it-alone approach.

Trump showed little concern about Japan-South Korea ties, which deteriorated during his four-year tenure over wartime compensation and other issues. The Biden administration has been working to improve communication between the two countries.

LaCamera, meanwhile, warned that North Korea continues building its nuclear program and its leader Kim Jong Un may use nuclear weapons if he feels "the regime's existence is threatened and on the verge of being eliminated."

"The regime may be setting conditions to escalate tensions through a range of actions, which could be nuclear weapons or ICBM testing to extract political concessions or sanctions relief," he said in the written statement.

North Korea has not tested any intercontinental ballistic missiles or nuclear devices since 2017. In March this year, North Korea fired what appeared to be two short-range ballistic missiles into the Sea of Japan, the first such launch during Biden's presidency.

The Biden administration has said it plans to pursue a "practical" approach toward ridding Pyongyang of its nuclear weapons and will not focus on striking a grand bargain as sought by Trump through his unprecedented summit diplomacy with Kim.

Although the details remain unclear, experts view the Biden policy as signaling a pursuit of incremental deals toward denuclearization.
New Delhi:

The Gujarat High Court on Friday allowed former Gondal MLA and murder convict Jayrajsinh Jadeja to enter the state to campaign for his wife and BJP candidate Geetaba Jadeja.

Jayrajsinh Jadeja and two aides were sentenced to life imprisonment in August this year for the 2004 murder of a political rival, Nilesh Raiyani, in Rajkot.

The Supreme Court granted him bail on the condition that he would not enter the state until the hearing on his appeal was over, and he would approach the HC if he wanted a relaxation of this condition.

A division bench of Justices Akil Kureshi and Biren Vaishnav on Friday allowed his application seeking permission to enter and stay in Gujarat till December 17 to campaign for his wife who is a BJP candidate from Gondal.

Jadeja also said that he needed to make arrangements for his nephews wedding on December 9, which is expected to be attended by around 5,000 guests.

Further, he wanted to return to pay salaries to the labourers working on his farm who, he said, had not been paid since he was asked to leave the state.

Jadeja was acquitted by the Rajkot sessions court in 2010, but the high court reversed the judgement. As a BJP leader, he represented Gondal in the Assembly thrice. He was last elected from the seat in 2012.
New Delhi:

Chinese handset brand Xiaomi on Thursday launched its most affordable Made in India smartphone, Redmi 5A. Dubbed as Desh Ka Smartphone, the Redmi 5A is likely to be pitched against the likes of Nokia 2 and Moto C Plus of the same price category. Heres how Redmi 5A competes against Nokia 2 and Moto C plus on various aspects.

Yes! looks matter. Check out the design and display:

Similar to its predecessor Redmi 4A, the Redmi 5A comes with a 5-inch HD display with a resolution of 294 ppi. The smartphone comes with an eye protection mode and wears a metallic body design.

On the other hand, Nokia 2 also comes with a similar 5-inch LTPS HD (1280720 pixels) display but has a protection of Corning Gorilla Glass 3. The Moto C Plus also packs a 5-inch HD display but the Gorilla Glass protection is missing from the smartphone.

A must have feature, the Camera:

Xiaomi is never short on packing features even in its budget smartphones. It has continued this legacy with Redmi 5A as well. The smartphone bundles a 13-megapixel rear camera with f/2.2 aperture with LED flash along with a 5-megapixel front camera with f/2.0 aperture.

Nokia 2 takes a beating in the camera department. The phone has a lower 8-megapixel rear camera without the LED flash. The smartphone also features a 5-megapixel front-facing camera.

The Moto C Plus also comes with an 8-megapixel rear camera with no LED flash. The smartphone disappoints even more with just 2-megapixel front camera.

Pricing and availability, because money matters:

Xiaomi has launched Redmi 5A at a price starting from Rs 4,999 for 2GB/16GB variant and Rs 6,999 for the 3GB/32GB version.

But the base price of Rs 4,999 will be applicable for the first 5 million customers only. Thereafter, the 3GB variant will be available for Rs 5,999. Reliance Jio is offering an enticing cashback offer on the Redmi 5A. Under the Better to Offer, consumers will get a cashback of Rs 1000, which will bring the effective price of the 2GB variant to Rs 4,999 from Rs 5,999, while the 3GB version will cost Rs 5,999 instead of Rs 6,999.

The smartphone will be available for sale from December 7 exclusively on Flipkart and Mi Official website. Customers can also purchase the handset from Mis retail stores.

Nokia 2 and Moto C Plus carry the same price tag at Rs 6,999. While the Nokia 2 is available at all major retail stores across India, the Moto C Plus is a Flipkart exclusive phone.

Lets get into the mature guys stuff:

Battery: This time Nokia beats Xiaomi with its long lasting 4,100mAh battery as compared to Redmi 5As 3,000mAh battery. The Moto C Plus is slightly behind Nokia 2 when it comes to power, but still offers better standby talk time than Redmi 5A with a 4,000mAh battery.

RAM and Storage: Redmi 5A has two variants of Internal Storage - 16GB and 32GB. It can be expanded upto 128GB with mirco-SD card. The phone is powered by Qualcomm Snapdragon 425 SoC.

As compared to Redmi 5A, Nokia 2 comes with an outdated entry-level Qualcomm Snapdragon 425 SoC paired with an only variant of 1GB RAM and 8GB Internal Storage.

Moto C Plus does slightly better than Nokia 2 and is powered by a 1.35GHz quad-core MediaTek MT6737 SoC processor. The phone is available in only one variant of 2GB of RAM and 16GB of internal storage.

Software and connectivity: Redmi 5A runs Xiaomis own MIUI 9 out of the box. The Nokia 2 and Moto C Plus run the same stock Android 7.1.1 Nougat out of the box.

All the three handsets offer dual-SIM support, and high speed 4G VoLTE internet connectivity.
Seoul:

Two days after North Korea test-launched its most powerful missile to date, a clearer picture is emerging of Pyongyang's impressive technological achievement -- and what still remains before it can legitimately threaten the continental United States.

Many questions remain, but there's broad agreement from government and outside analyses that the huge Hwasong-15 intercontinental ballistic missile represents a significant step forward, putting the North very close to its goal of a viable arsenal of nuclear-tipped long-range missiles -- maybe as early as the middle of next year.

The two-stage liquid-fuel missile fired on Wednesday is potentially capable of striking targets as far as 13,000 km, which would put Washington within reach, South Korea's Defence Ministry said in a report to lawmakers on Friday.

It's also considerably larger than North Korea's previous ICBM, the Hwasong-14, and designed to deliver larger warheads, the ministry said.

That would seem to confirm the North's boast after the launch that the Hwasong-15 can carry "super-large heavy nuclear warheads."

Michael Elleman, an analyst at the International Institute for Strategic Studies, said it appears that the Hwasong-15 can deliver a 1,000-kg payload to any point on the US mainland.

North Korea, which has so far conducted six nuclear tests, has almost certainly developed a nuclear warhead that weighs less than 700 kg, if not one considerably lighter, Elleman wrote on the 38 North website.

Read more: Four terrorists killed, 16 injured in Peshawar Agricultural University attack

North Korea said the missile on Wednesday reached an apogee of 4,475 km and flew 950 km, splashing down close to Japan after being launched from a site near Pyongyang on a high trajectory to avoid other countries; that flight data was similar to what was announced by South Korea's military.

It's still not clear how close the missile is to being combat ready. The Defence Ministry told lawmakers that further review is needed to determine whether the missile's warhead can survive atmospheric re-entry, accurately hit a target and detonate properly.

South Korean President Moon Jae-in shared his country's assessment with President Donald Trump in a telephone conversation on Friday night.

The leaders reaffirmed their commitment to strengthen pressure and sanctions on Pyongyang to discourage its nuclear ambitions, Seoul's presidential office said on Friday.

North Korea has described its new ICBM as "significantly more" powerful than the Hwasong-14, which the North flight tested twice in July.

Photos and video of the launch released by the North's state media on Thursday confirm the Hwasong-15 is an entirely different beast.

After initially assessing the missile as a modified version of the Hwasong-14 following Wednesday's launch, South Korea's military now says the Hwasong-15 is considerably larger and potentially capable of carrying bigger payloads.

The Hwasong-15 is longer than the Hwasong-14 by 2 meters (6.56 feet) and also thicker, particularly its second stage, which is 80 centimetres (2.62 feet) wider than Hwasong-14's second stage, Seoul's Defence Ministry said.

Hwasong-15's 9-axle transport vehicle, which the North also revealed for the first time, was also 2 metres (6.56 feet) longer than the 8-axle truck the North used to carry the Hwasong-14s.

The Hwasong-15's first stage is powered by a pair of engines that were also used in the single-engine first stages of the Hwasong-14, the ministry said. It was still working to analyse the construction of the second stage.

It's possible that the missile has been designed to carry simple decoys, or other counter measures, to confuse the US missile defence system, Elleman wrote.

He added that "if low confidence in the missile's reliability is acceptable, two or three test firings over the next four to six months may be all that is required before Kim Jong Un declares the Hwasong-15 combat ready."

For all the Latest World News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps.
After holding it in digital format in 2020 due to the coronavirus pandemic, the Global Airport Leaders Forum (GALF) will be staged for the eighth time at the Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC) from May 24 to 26.

As a co-located event of the 20th edition of Airport Show, the worlds largest airport industry B2B event, the much-anticipated aviation industry gathering will see 50-plus speakers addressing the participants, both physically and virtually.

Talking virtually will be Saif Al Suwaidi, Director-General of the UAEs General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) and Major General Khalifa Ibrahim Al Saleis, CEO of Security Industry Regulatory Agency (SIRA) that was set up in 2016 to provide Dubai with the highest levels of safety and security.

The collocated show will take place across 12,000-sq-m of exhibition space with participants expected from at least 90 countries despite global travel restrictions as global aviation moves back to normalcy. Other co-located events include ATC Forum and Airport Security along with new conferences focusing on Airport Passengers Experience and Airport Digital Transformation.

Taking place under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, President of Dubai Civil Aviation Authority, Chairman of Dubai Airports and Chairman and Chief Executive of Emirates Airline and Group, this will be the largest hybrid gathering of airport industry players after the Covid-19 pandemic extensively impacted the entire aviation industry.

Daniyal Qureshi, Group Exhibitions Director at Reed Exhibitions Middle East, organisers of the Airport Show, said GALF-2021 will help airports and other aviation industry players in understanding and preparing for enhancing safety, widening efciency and improving profitability.

Participating from the Airports Council International (ACI), the trade association of the worlds airports whose members operate 1,933 airports in 183 countries, will be Stefano Baronci, Director General at Asia-Pacific, Dimitri Coll, Vice President of Airport Customer Experience, and Gary Leung, Manager for Security and Facilitation at Asia-Pacific.

For the first time since the UAE became the fourth Arab country to normalise relations with Israel, senior officials from Israel Airports Authority will participate at the event, as well as conduct a workshop titled Preparing for the Cybersecurity Challenge exclusively for attendees.

Amongst the confirmed speakers highlighting the challenges and future technologies in Air Traffic Control are Ismaeil Al Balooshi, Assistant Director-General Aviation Safety Affairs at GCAA; David Shomar, Vice President of Civil Security at SAAB: Ryyan Waddah Tarabzoni, CEO of Saudi Air Navigation; Jan Klas, CEO of ANS Czech Republic; Yahya Abdalla AlHammadi, CEO, GAL ANS and Andrew P. Fiamingo, COO, Indra.

Apart from GDRFA, SIRA, ACI and Israel Airports Authority, key security experts speaking at the Airport Security conference include Zack Zainal, Senior Vice President, Emirates Group Security; Fahmi Jabri, General Manager, Honeywell Commercial Security Middle East, Turkey & Africa; Sudarshan Avadhany, Head of Sales Government Solutions in Middle East, Rohde & Schwarz; Ayman A. M Aboabah, Vice President Operations, Riyadh Airport and Johnnie Muller, Senior Vice President Security Services & Crisis Response, Copenhagen Airport, amongst others.

With a strong digital element added to the conference this year, several North American aviation experts will also be able to join their peers on the stage for the first time at the conference, giving it the largest global speakers line-up ever, including Syed Mohammed Mehdi, A.A.E. Chief Strategy & Innovation Officer, San Antonio International Airport; Tara Mulrooney, Vice President Technology, Edmonton International Airport; Mark Thorpe, CEO, Ontario International Airport; Api Appulingam, PE Deputy Director of Aviation, Capital Development Philadelphia International and Northeast Philadelphia Airports; Paul A. Brown, CEO, Jackson Municipal Airport Authority (JMAA); Ann B. Richart AAE, Director of Aeronautics, Nebraska Department of Transportation and Jeffrey Miller, Airport Director, Laredo International Airport, USA. - TradeArabia News Service
New Delhi :

Former US President Barack Obama, who is on a three-country visit, will address a town hall for the Obama Foundation on Friday in Delhi.

He is also likely to meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi, though, the timing of the meeting between the two leaders was not clear.

Barack Obama, who is visiting India for the first time after demitting office in January, will interact with nearly 300 young leaders from across the country during his town hall address.

I will be conducting a town hall with young leaders of India who can share with me some of the works they are trying to do to make communities better and also answer questions on how Obama Foundation can help, Obama wrote on his Facebook wall.

The town hall address of the former US president Obama, which is scheduled to be held at 3:45 PM, will be live streamed at Obama.org.

The bilateral ties between India and US rose to a new high during Obama administration.

Obama had also been the chief guest of Indias Republic Day celebrations in 2015.

Prime Minister Modi had called Barack a good friend and co-hosted his monthly radio show Mann Ki Baat with him.

Obama is on a three-nation tour which also includes France and China. Earlier on on Thursday, Obama had paid a visit to Chinese President Xi Jinping, who recently hosted US President Donald Trump.

For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps.
New Delhi:

Questioning the process to elect party president, Shehzad Poonawalla, Congress secretary of Maharashtra unit, on Wednesday dubbed it "rigged", saying that the elections are fixed.

While talking to ANI, Poonawalla said that the upcoming Congress president election is a selection and not an election. He said it is a sham election process.

The grand old party secretary said Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi must first resign from his post. Poonawalla said he would also contest the election if it was conducted in a "genuine" manner.

I think there should be only one ticket in one family, be it Shehzad Poonawalla or Rahul Gandhi, he said.

I think there should be only one ticket in one family, be it Shehzad Poonawalla or Rahul Gandhi: Shehzad Poonawalla,Maharashtra Congress Secretary pic.twitter.com/wZebbU7S8T  ANI (@ANI) November 30, 2017

Poonawalla further said: I have information that the people who are going to vote for party president are fixed, its rigged.

He said he took courage to speak out and would face criticism for it.

I have got info that the delegates who are going to vote for the party president elections are fixed, its rigged. They have been appointed for their loyalty. Yes It takes courage to speak out, there will be all kinds of attacks against me,but I have facts: Shehzad Poonawalla pic.twitter.com/On13hqIteP  ANI (@ANI) November 30, 2017

Yes It takes courage to speak out, there will be all kinds of attacks against me, but I have facts, Poonawalla said.

For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps.
New Delhi:

The Delhi High Court on Friday dismissed the plea of controversial businessman Moin Akhtar Qureshi against his arrest by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in a money laundering case.

A bench of Justices Vipin Sanghi and P S Teji agreed with the EDs contention that there was no illegality in his arrest and that a petition of habeas corpus was not maintainable.

A habeas corpus plea is a petition which is filed to ensure that a person under arrest is brought before a court which will determine whether the detention is legal.

The Centre and the ED had opposed the plea, saying questioning of his arrest was an abuse of the legal process, claiming there were serious charges of hawala transactions against him.

The government had also refuted Qureshis allegations that he was unauthorisedly detained by the ED in the money laundering case, saying he was arrested under statutory provisions of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act and remanded to ED custody by a competent trial court.

Qureshi was arrested on August 25 and sent to ED custody by the trial court the next day for thorough probe in the case against him and others. He is presently in judicial custody.

The agency had claimed that the witnesses have confirmed in their statements that they have delivered crores of rupees for Qureshi and his associates through his employees and one of the witnesses has stated that nearly Rs 1.75 crore have been exported by the accused from him and his friend in lieu of the help provided to him in a CBI case.

Qureshi has been questioned several times in the past by ED which is probing his role following the registration of two FIRs under the PMLA, it had said.

The earlier PMLA case against Qureshi was lodged by the ED in 2015, based on an I-T prosecution complaint, ED had said.

For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps.
Jaipur:

Going beyond the Dalit-Muslim combination, Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) chief Mayawati on Friday sought the support of the members of the other backward classes (OBCs) and asked them to side with her party to get rid of exploitation and fight against the BJP.

She projected the BJP as an anti-OBC party, while claiming that the Mandal Commissions recommendations were implemented for OBC reservation because of the BSP.

Mayawati said her party had launched an agitation to get the recommendations of the Mandal Commission implemented for the OBC reservation during the Congress governments rule, while pointing out that the Congress regime had not implemented them and lost the polls in 1989.

Subsequently, the V P Singh government had implemented the recommendations, as per the BSPs demand, she added.

The BJP is trying to create an impression in the country that the BSP is against OBC reservation, but the fact is that the BSP played an important role in getting the recommendations of the Mandal Commission implemented for the OBC reservation, Mayawati said at a meeting here of BSP workers from Rajasthan and Odisha.

She said the concept of reservations was introduced only because of Bhimrao Ambedkar, while alleging that the BJP and certain other parties were trying to put an end to it.

The BSP chief alleged that the major works of important ministries in the central and state governments, especially where the BJP was in power, were being outsourced to private companies.

There is no reservation in the private sector. The governments are trying to weaken the reservation system in the country. The former NDA government, led by Atal Bihari Vajpayee, had tried to review the Constitution, so that in the name of review, reservation could be abolished. But we had strongly opposed this and hence, it did not happen, she said.

Mayawati said along with the Dalits, Muslims and other religious minorities and tribals, the members of the OBC communities were also exploited and that they all needed to get united against the BJP.

All the communities need to stay alert against the BJP, which is carrying out its Hindutva agenda through the RSS, she said.

The former Uttar Pradesh chief minister said no Dalit, minority or OBC leader of the BJP could do any good for their respective communities, even if they were given any post in the party or made the chief minister, prime minister or president.

Therefore, all these communities need to unite and come into the BSP-fold, so that they can prosper, she said.

For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps.
New Delhi:

The Delhi High Court on Friday asked the Election Commission of India (ECI) whether the Sasikala-TTV Dhinakaran faction of AIADMK can use the hat symbol to file nominations for the upcoming by-poll to the R K Nagar assembly constituency in Tamil Nadu.

Justice S P Garg asked the poll panels lawyer to take instructions and inform the court on this aspect at 2.30 pm on Friday.

The hat symbol was given to the Sasikala-T T V Dhinakaran group by the ECI in March this year after it had frozen the use of the two-leaves symbol, to which a group led by Tamil Nadu Chief Minister E K Palaniswami and O Panneerselvam had also laid claim.

The Palaniswami-Panneerselvam faction had at the same time been granted the electric pole symbol.

However, on November 23 the poll panel ruled in favour of Palaniswami-Panneerselvam faction by allotting the two-leaves symbol to them.

The Sasikala-T T V Dhinakaran faction in its plea has also challenged the November 23 order of the ECI, besides seeking interim directions permitting it to use the hat symbol to file nominations.

However, the other faction contended before the court today that only the returning officer (RO) can decide whether the Sasikala faction can use the hat symbol. PTI

For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps.
New Delhi :

At least 9 people including students were killed and 37 others injured after four burqa-clad Taliban terrorists stormed the hostel of Agriculture Training Institute in Pakistans northwestern city of Peshawar on Friday morning.

Security forces have gunned down all the terrorists but a clearance operation was still underway.

Military helicopters were seen hovering over the area and all roads leading to Peshwar University has been closed for the traffic, reported Dawn News.

Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) of Pakistan said that two soldiers were also injured in the attack and shifted to the Combined Military Hospital for treatment.

Hospital authorities said nine persons mostly students were killed in the attack. Thirty-two people were also injured in the attack.

According to the local media reports, at least four armed assailants targeted the hostel of the Agricultural Directorate located in front of the Peshawar Agriculture University.

Security officials said that militants clad in burqa used an auto rickshaw to reach the building. The media reported that two explosions were also heard from inside of the building.

Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan has claimed the responsibilty of the attack.

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Governor Iqbal Zafar Jhagra condemned the attack and said, "This action is against our religion. It proves that those who do such things really are terrorists."

The attack at Peshawar Agriculture University came on a day when Pakistan celebrates Eid Miladun Nabi.

For all the Latest World News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps.
New Delhi:

Finance Minister Arun Jaitley, on Friday, said the Goods and Services Tax (GST) has made doing business easier for traders by expanding the market place and reducing tax compliance burden.

He further said that the two structural reforms, GST and demonetization, will benefit the economy in the medium and long-term.

"GST has made doing business and trade very easy. The market size for every trader has grown. Now whole country is his market," Jaitley said while responding to questions regarding the second quarter economic growth estimates.

Reversing a five-quarter slide in Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth, the economy bounced back from a three-year low to expand by 6.3 per cent in July-September as manufacturing revved up and businesses adjusted to the new GST tax regime.

The economic growth rate had slipped to three-year low of 5.7 per cent in the first quarter of 2017-18 financial year.

The minister said GST has also reduced the compliance burden on traders as under the new regime a trader is not required to file multiple tax returns.

The tax rates too are being rationalised and a trader will no more be required to confront inspectors, he added.

Jaitley further said that impact of demonetisation of high value currency notes of Rs 500 and Rs 1000 in November last year was limited to one or two quarters.

Also Read| GST rollout by July 1, nobody had any business not to be ready, all states barring J&K and Kerala have approved SGST: FM Jaitley

The impact of GST was limited to one quarter, mainly because of de-stocking by corporates.

"The GST impact was only for one quarter mainly because of destocking. That was our assessment. The GDP figures indicate that. Structural reforms benefit in the medium and long term. Both these steps will benefit the economy," Jaitley said.

Also Read: Finance Minister Arun Jaitley to answer queries about Union Budget on Twitter

For all the Latest Business News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps.
New Delhi:

The Supreme Court, on Friday, sought the responses of the government and the Election Commission on a PIL seeking to restrain convicted politicians from running and holding posts in political parties.

A bench comprising Chief Justice Dipak Misra and Justices A M Khanwilkar and D Y Chandrachud agreed to examine the validity and contours of Section 29A of the Representation of the People Act, 1951.

Registration of associations and bodies as political parties with the Election Commission are dealt under this section.

Senior advocate Siddharth Luthra, appearing for lawyer Ashwini Kumar Upadhyay who has filed the PIL on the issue, said convicted politicians are barred under the law from contesting elections but they can still run a political party and hold posts in them, besides deciding as to who will become a lawmaker.

The plea has sought directions to the Centre and the Election Commission of India to frame guidelines to decriminalise the electoral system and ensure inner-party democracy as proposed by the National Commission to Review the Working of the Constitution (NCRWC).

The petition has named several top political leaders who have been convicted or have charges framed against them and were holding the highest political posts and "wielding political power."

Also Read: SC dismisses another plea in judges' bribery case, slaps fine of Rs 25 lakh on the petitioner

It claimed that now even a person who has been convicted for heinous crimes like murder, rape, smuggling, money laundering, loot, sedition, or dacoity can form a political party and become its president.

It also said that proliferation of political parties has become a major concern as Section 29A of the Act allows a small group of people to form a party by making a very simple declaration.

For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps.
Somnath:

BJP chief Amit Shah, on Saturday, said his party's victory in the Uttar Pradesh mayoral polls was nothing compared to what was going to happen in Gujarat on December 18, when the state Assembly election results would be declared.

"In the Uttar Pradesh municipal corporation election, the Congress did not win a single seat. On the other hand, the BJP flag has soared higher under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and UP Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath," he said, while addressing an election rally at Somnath in Gir Somnath district.

The BJP bagged 14 of the 16 mayoral seats in Uttar Pradesh.

"The Congress has been shouting for the last three months that 'Congress aave chhe' (Congress is coming in Gujarat), while today, the people of Uttar Pradesh said 'Congress jae chhe' (Congress is going)," he said.

"The Congress' loss is such that the BJP won all the municipal corporation seats even in Congress vice president Rahul baba's Amethi constituency," he said, adding, "Whatever has happened in Uttar Pradesh today is nothing compared to what is going to happen in Gujarat on December 18. After the vote counting on December 18, the BJP will emerge victorious and form the government with 150 seats."

Shah attacked the Congress over the GDP data, saying that its leaders had fallen silent after the new GDP figures were announced on Friday.

"Three months back, the GDP had come down due to some effects of the GST, and the entire Congress leadership started appearing on TV, shouting that an economic slowdown had descended on the country. Yesterday, a new GDP figure says it is 6.3 and the Congress leaders have fallen silent. The Uttar Pradesh results today have made them even more silent," he said.

Shah also attacked the opposition party, saying it was contesting the Gujarat polls on the agenda of "casteism and dynastic rule, while the BJP is fighting on the basis of development".

"The Congress will never win if it tries to contest on the agenda of development," he said, adding that since 1995, when the BJP came to power in Gujarat, 19,000 villages got 24 -hour electricity and there were very few incidents of curfew.

He said the government helped solve the water problems of the Saurashtra region and accused the Congress of stalling the Narmada Yojana "for 50 years after the then prime minister Jawaharlal Nehru had laid its foundation stone".

"Rahul baba, you ask us what did we do? I would like to ask you as to what did you do to Gujarat and its people? Why did your party not allow the Narmada Yojana to be completed for 50 years? But instead of replying, you will ask questions on why is there so much unemployment in Gujarat," he said.

Also Read: After Uttar Pradesh civic poll win, Yogi Adityanath asks Rahul Gandhi to remain grounded



Shah added that 13,672 people from Amethi, Gandhi's Lok Sabha constituency, were working in Gujarat and that they would take out a rally to tell the people about the real condition of Amethi.

"Even after 70 years of independence, there is no collector's office in Amethi and he comes to teach us development," he said.
Chennai:

Cyclone Ockhi intensified into a severe cyclonic storm and moved to the Arabian Sea on Friday even as the Navy rescued eight fishermen caught in choppy waters and intensified search for 30 others missing.

Rains, which left eight persons dead including four each in Tamil Nadu and Kerala yesterday, continued to lash parts of the two states.

A Defence spokesperson said that 13 boats with 38 crew from Kerala and one boat from Tamil Nadu with four persons onbard were missing. A Navy aircraft rescued eight of them.

The fishermen were found floating in water by Advance Light Helicopter, the spokesperson said.

The weather department said Kanyakumari, Tuticorin and Tirunelveli districts in Tamil Nadu received rains for the third day today though the cyclone threat mitigated as the system, lying 70 kms south of Kanyakumari yesterday, moved to the Arabian sea.

Ockhi cyclone intensified into severe cyclone and lies at about 110 km northeast of Minicoy (island) and it is likely to cross Lakshadweep arch during the next 24 hours, the India Meteorological Department said in a bulletin this morning.

Gale winds speed reaching 110-120 kmph gusting to 130 kmph were very likely over and around Lakshadweep during next 24 hours. Squally wind conditions would prevail along and off Kerala and Karnataka coast.

It forecast rainfall at most places with heavy to very heavy at a few places and isolated extremely heavy falls (more than 20 cm) over Lakshadweep area during next 24 hours.

Rainfall at many places with heavy rainfall at isolated places were very likely over Kerala during next 24 hours.

With rains continuing to hit normal life in south Tamil Nadu, a holiday was declared for schools and colleges in five districts, including Kanyakumari, which bore the brunt yesterday.

The Thamirabharani river in Tirunelveli district was in spate in view of copious rains.

Rains also hit several other parts of the state, including Chennai and its surroundings since last night, following which holiday was declared for schools in Chennai, Kancheepuram and parts of Tiruvallu district as also some other districts.

Search operations for several missing fishermen, who had put out to sea from the coast in Kerlal and Tamil Nadu, resumed this morning with Navy deploying a Dornier and an Advanced light helicopter (ALH) with divers.

Five Kanyakumari district fishermen did not return to the shores after they put out to sea two days ago, police said.

Navy, which had on Thursday sent a Seaking helicopter for the search operations, this morning deployed a Dornier and an ALH with divers, Southern Naval Command spokesperson Commander Sreedhar Warrier told PTI.

Five ships had been sent to the southern Kerala coast Thursday by the Navy after reports emerged that several fishermen who had put out to sea in choppy waters were yet to return.

Besides, two ships with relief materials are on standby at Lakshadweep for humanitarian assistance.

A Kochi report said five Navy ships and four vessels from the Coast Guard have been deployed for search and rescue operations to locate missing fishermen.

All the ships have been directed to be positioned along and off Kerala Coast and additional Dornier sorties will be undertaken on Friday.

For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps.
Marriott Hotel Al Jaddaf in downtown Dubai has appointed Raj Devas as Director of Sales, leading the hotel Sales and Marketing team and overseeing the property's sales efforts.

Devas adds Marriott Al Jaddaf to his already successful portfolio of internationally renowned hotels, with 17 years of experience in the hospitality industry. Devas has worked for numerous hospitality brands in France, Bora Bora, and the UAE, bringing a wealth of international experience and industry knowledge to his current role.

In 2013, Devas embarked on his journey with Marriott International managing Starwood Hotels Paris Cluster as Account Director. In his time managing the cluster, Devas achieved 120 per cent of the target in 2014, becoming the top performer in sales for the year.

Following his ongoing success with the hotel group, in 2017 he led the Sales and Marketing team at Renaissance Paris La Defense Hotel in France. Under Devas' leadership, the 330-roomed property achieved a 6.2 per cent increase in RevPAR index while the total revenue increased by 10 per cent over the set annual budget.

After relocating to the UAE and prior to joining the Marriott Al Jaddaf, Devas was appointed as the Director of Sales of Marriott Al Forsan in Abu Dhabi in February 2019. Playing a pivotal role at Marriott Al Forsan, Devas developed and implemented effective sales strategies, and created successful annual strategic plans which ensured the hotels continuous progress.

Under Devas' guidance and supervision, the hotels RevPAR index increased by 12 per cent and the total revenue increased by 5 per cent in comparison to their annual budget. Observing his ongoing successes, Devas was titled Top Performer in Sales by Marriotts annual Presidents Circle Awards (EMEA) in 2019.

When discussing the appointment, Richard Bleakley, Multi-property General Manager at Marriott Al Jaddaf, said: "We are pleased to announce Raj Devas as Director of Sales, continuing his successful career at Marriott Al Jaddaf. Having been an exceptional employee with Marriott International since 2013 we have no doubt that Raj will lead his team with the dedication and passion he has become synonymous with, ensuring targets are surpassed." - TradeArabia News Service
New Delhi:

South Korea said that the most powerful missile that North Korea tested this week is potentially capable of striking targets as far as 13,000 kilometres, which would put Washington within reach.

Two days after North Korea test- launched its most powerful missile to date, a clearer picture is emerging of Pyongyang's impressive technological achievement -- and what still remains before it can legitimately threaten the continental United States.

Many questions remain, but there's broad agreement from government and outside analyses that the huge Hwasong-15 intercontinental ballistic missile represents a significant step forward, putting the North very close to its goal of a viable arsenal of nuclear-tipped long-range missiles - maybe as early as the middle of 2018.

It's also considerably larger than North Korea's previous ICBM, the Hwasong-14, and designed to deliver larger warheads, the ministry said.

That would seem to confirm the North's boast after the launch that the Hwasong-15 can carry "super- large heavy nuclear warheads." Michael Elleman, an analyst at the International Institute for Strategic Studies, said it appears that the Hwasong-15 can deliver a 1,000-kg payload to any point on the US mainland.

ALSO READ: Donald Trump pledges 'major sanctions' on North Korea after latest missile launch

North Korea, which has so far conducted six nuclear tests, has almost certainly developed a nuclear warhead that weighs less than 700 kg, if not one considerably lighter, Elleman wrote on Friday on the 38 North website.

North Korea said the missile on Wednesday reached an apogee of 4,475 km and flew 950 km, splashing down close to Japan after being launched from a site near Pyongyang on a high trajectory to avoid other countries; that flight data was similar to what was announced by South Korea's military.

It's still not clear how close the missile is to being combat ready. The Defence Ministry told lawmakers that further review is needed to determine whether the missile's warhead can survive atmospheric re-entry, accurately hit a target and detonate properly.

READ: China expresses grave concern over North Korea missile test, reiterates dialogue

South Korean President Moon Jae-in shared his country's assessment with President Donald Trump in a telephone conversation. The leaders reaffirmed their commitment to strengthen pressure and sanctions on Pyongyang to discourage its nuclear ambitions, Seoul's presidential office said.

North Korea has described its new ICBM as "significantly more" powerful than the Hwasong-14, which the North flight tested twice in July. Photos and video of the launch released by the North's state media on Thursday confirm the Hwasong-15 is an entirely different beast.

After initially assessing the missile as a modified version of the Hwasong-14 following Wednesday's launch, South Korea's military now says the Hwasong-15 is considerably larger and potentially capable of carrying bigger payloads.

The Hwasong-15 is longer than the Hwasong-14 by 2 meters (6.56 feet) and also thicker, particularly its second stage, which is 80 centimetres (2.62 feet) wider than Hwasong-14's second stage, Seoul's Defence Ministry said.

Hwasong-15's 9-axle transport vehicle, which the North also revealed for the first time, was also 2 metres (6.56 feet) longer than the 8-axle truck the North used to carry the Hwasong-14s.

The Hwasong-15's first stage is powered by a pair of engines that were also used in the single-engine first stages of the Hwasong-14, the ministry said.

It was still working to analyse the construction of the second stage. It's possible that the missile has been designed to carry simple decoys, or other countermeasures, to confuse the US missile defence system, Elleman wrote.

He added that "if low confidence in the missile's reliability is acceptable, two or three test firings over the next four to six months may be all that is required before Kim Jong Un declares the Hwasong-15 combat ready.

With PTI inputs

For all the Latest World News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps.
Having spent a week in home isolation, coronavirus-positive Rima Pandeys oxygen level dropped to below 70 on May 15. Worried, Pandeys family started to make calls to book a bed at a hospital in Kathmandu. With most hospitals full, the family of the 63-year-old went through the list of beds at various hospitals provided by the Ministry of Health and Population in its daily Covid-19 tally update.

We called Bhaktapur Hospital asking if we could take our mother to the hospital. They told us that they had no available beds even though the list stated it had, says Raunak Pandey, Rimas son. We even tried using our influence, but we couldnt find a bed anywhere.

Desperate for a hospital bed, the Pandey family airlifted Rima to Biratnagar where she is undergoing treatment.

Rima is one of many who have had to fly out of Kathmandu due to the lack of beds at hospitals in the valley. Some have even been airlifted to hospitals in Pokhara and Jhapa due to it.

But, the Ministry of Health and Population says every day that there are beds available in Kathmandu. According to the ministry, there are 19 Covid-19 specific hospitals in Kathmandu. They had 750 normal beds, 221 ICU beds and 69 ventilators available for the patients as of Monday, May 17.

Looking at the notice, many families, like the Pandeys, call hospitals looking for beds. But, most of them get the same answer that the hospital is full.

Differences and difficulties

File: The new building of Bir Hospital

While the ministry says hospitals have beds, the hospital officials say that they do not. One hospital official even goes on to say that the information provided by the ministry was wrong.

For example, according to the ministrys data as of Monday, Bhaktapur Hospital has 83 normal beds, six ICU beds and eight ventilators. There were currently 48 patients being treated in their normal ward, six in the ICU and one was kept on the ventilator. Looking at the data provided by the ministry, there should have been 35 vacant beds and seven ventilators.

But, officials at Bhaktapur Hospitals say that the information is incomplete as they do not have separate beds for ventilator and that the ventilator machines are used for patients who are critical in the ICU itself.

Theyve said we have eight ventilators, but we only have six out of which three are being used for patients in the ICU. I dont know where the ministry got its data from, but its worrying not only for us but also for families of people suffering from Covid-19, says Dr Sumitra Gautam, adding even though they have additional ventilators, they do not have enough beds in the hospitals ICU to bring it to use.

The state of Civil Service Hospital is also similar. According to the data released by the Health Ministry, the hospital has 70 normal beds, 24 ICU beds and three ventilators which housed 68, 14 and one patients respectively as of Monday. But, the hospitals information officer Dr Suman Babu Marahatta says that the information provided by the Health Ministry is wrong and they have no room for more Covid-19 patients.

We only have 21 beds in the HDU, 15 in the ICU and three ventilators. All of them are currently occupied, says Dr Marahatta.

Causes of the differences and concerns

File: Ministry of Health

According to hospitals, the Health Ministry collects its data every day around 11 am but publishes it online only after 5 pm. That is one of the problems the hospitals see as the occupancy of the hospitals can change drastically in the six hours time it takes for the data to become public.

For example, on Monday, around 11 am, there were a few beds empty at Bir Hospital. But, by the time the data was put to the public, those beds had already been occupied.

Another problem for the confusion is that the Health Ministry treats ICUs and ventilators separately even though at most hospitals, a ventilator is installed at a bed in the ICU itself.

At the APF Hospital, the governments data said on Monday afternoon that it had 20 beds in the ICU and had the capacity to put nine people on ventilator support. But, the hospital said that the nine ventilators were included in the 20 ICU beds (11 without ventilators and nine with ventilators).

Dr Pravin Nepal from the hospital says the problem has occurred due to the ministrys inability to collect and disseminate the data properly.

People who are responsible for data collection and distribution should be a bit more aware of the situation at hospitals. You cant be giving out incorrect information at such a delicate time. People need to understand things in detail before distributing information, says Dr Nepal.

The same problem has plagued Bir Hospital too. The ministrys information stated that it had 10 ICU beds and 10 ventilators. But, According to Dr Achyut Karki, the hospital had 10 ICU beds, all of which have ventilators.

We dont have 10 separate ventilators, he says. When the ICU is full, so are the ventilators.

The director at Sukraraj Tropical and Infectious Disease Hospital, Teku, Dr Sagar Rajbhandari says the lack of coordination between hospital personnel and government officials is the reason for the confusion.

He says that it is wrong for the government to put out wrong information about empty beds at hospitals even though they are adjusting patients on corridors and some even on the floor.

The data are confusing people who are desperate for hospitals to look after their loved ones. The ministry itself needs to first understand the situation before putting out data. Now is not the time to confuse people, he says, adding that the hospital is getting hundreds of phone calls every day asking if they have ICU beds.

They tell us were lying. But, we arent. People can come to check for themselves how were treating patients, says Dr Rajbhandari.
Congress

House advances cybersecurity bills in wake of pipeline company hack

The House Homeland Security Committee on Tuesday advanced multiple bills focused on bills focused on cybersecurity and pipeline security in the wake of the ransomware attack against Colonial Pipeline and the release of President Joe Biden's cybersecurity executive order.

Included in the tranche of bills passed by the committee is the "Pipeline Security Act" which codifies the Transportation Safety Administration's role in securing the country's natural gas and oil infrastructure. The bill, which has been previously introduced but failed to gain traction in past years, was re-introduced following the disruptive cyberattack on a key East Coast pipeline.

Sen. Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.), chairwoman of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation, sent a letter to Department of Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas following the incident highlighting issues with TSA's oversight of pipeline infrastructure. The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, one of several entities Cantwell noted have "key roles" in the issue, has explicitly pushed lawmakers in the past to expand its own authorities over natural gas pipelines.

Colonial Pipeline's CEO Joseph Blount confirmed the company paid a $4.4 million ransom to Darkside following the compromise, according to multiple news reports. Blount defend his company's actions as being the "right thing to do" for the country, in an interview with the Wall Street Journal.

The House panel also passed the "State and Local Cybersecurity Improvement Act," introduced by Rep. Yvette Clarke (D-N.Y.), which would authorize a $500 million grant program to assist state, local, tribal and territorial governments harden their networks. That funding would be in addition to $650 million the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency received through the American Rescue Plan Act, which CISA officials say will help them staff teams to assist local governments across the country.

The panel advanced bills to authorize CISA to assist critical infrastructure owners and operators with mitigation strategies as well as establish a "National Cyber Exercise" program within the agency to promote resiliency assessments of critical infrastructure against attacks.

A bill by committee ranking member Rep. John Katko (R-N.Y.) would permit DHS to research risks to the United States' supply chain. Two other bills, also passed on Tuesday, are aimed at strengthening DHS' human trafficking prevention efforts as well as the agency's medical countermeasures in the event of disaster.
Some 'kind engineers' who have gravitated to government contracting

I was in touch recently with my old friend Dan Levenson, the long-time Department of Health and Human Services contracting officer who went through the revolving door -- not into a traditional big government contractor but to become CEO of the non-traditional tech startup Agile 6. I wanted to find out whether there had been any new entrants in the last year or so into the non-traditional contractor space.

Levenson kindly reminded me that with the pandemic he hasnt been out and about meeting new folks so much. But just before the pandemic the Digital Services Coalition, the advocacy group for non-traditional contractors that he now heads, had for the first time since the group started invited a number of companies to join the original cohort. One of them was Kind Systems -- a firm Levenson said did a larger proportion of their business with commercial firms than any member of the group.

Levenson introduced me to John Phamvan, the CEO of the firm, which now has 11 employees. Phamvan had worked for several small dotcom startups over time, starting in college. He gradually moved into team lead positions; one of them did the digital work for Hot Rodder magazine. But I've always stayed fairly technical and have not gone too long without writing code, he said.

An important reason for me to go into startups was that they offered me a chance to change the world, Phamvan said. While he was in the startup world, he and some colleagues established a Slack channel called kind engineers to distinguish themselves as people who were not doormats, but courteous and respectful. He worried that the bro culture of startups is not a particularly good way of building sustainable products or companies, since startups often treat their employees and teams as expendable.

Phamvan got exposed to government contracting through a friend he had worked with at earlier startups who was doing a stint at the U.S. Digital Service and who urged him to consider bringing startup skills into the government by doing some work as a government contractor. This friend introduced Phamvan to the leadership of Agile 6, the non-traditional startup that also had formed the Digital Services Coalition as an advocacy group for non-traditional contractors. The Agile 6 people mentored him, answered a lot of his questions, and gave him opportunities to bid for government work under BPAs they held, especially working on design challenges, the new procurement technique where vendors prepare prototypes rather than lengthy proposals.

It took Phamvan two years to get his first paying government work. His major government job right now is participating in Medicare modernization, alongside his commercial work. He is also proud of work the company has done for the Smithsonian. We have gotten to bring our toolbox to a storied institution, he said. Being able to take my technical and product toolbox and apply them to make social impact appealed to me. Some of those working for Kind Systems started out on the kind engineers Slack channel and he persuaded them to join the company from the startups where they had been.

Phamvan still looks fondly on his startup work. It can lead to some really good outcomes and can be really fun. By contrast, government contracting is slow and steady, but ultimately, one knows that you're doing this work for the people and often for the most vulnerable people.

I had a bad preconceived stereotype about government employees, he said. But with my own eyes I see that everyone is trying to do their best and improve. But government needs to have better processes.

Kind Systems business is now about half commercial and half federal. But the commercial business has pivoted in a government direction -- working on apps for regulatory compliance, for example.

More than some of the others from non-traditional contractors I have spoken with over time, Phamvan spoke more about the ability of government contracting work to support his family. He told me that government business is starting to look more sustainable economically thanks to different funding vehicles with higher ceilings and higher rates comparable to commercial rates, depending on the BPA.

It is perhaps a sign of the evolution of this space that more normal people and not just heroes will consider it.
(Adds response from Canadian National)

May 18 (Reuters) - Billionaire hedge fund manager Chris Hohn on Tuesday urged Canadian National Railway to abandon its $33.6 billion bid for Kansas City Southern unless the Canadian railroad operator changed its agreement to drop a key feature that could invite more regulatory scrutiny.

Hohn's TCI Fund Management, which has a 2.93% stake in Canadian National (CN), said the company should not go ahead with its plan to create a voting trust structure for the takeover.

"CN regularly engages with and welcomes constructive input from its shareholders. CN's board believes its pro-competitive combination with Kansas City Southern is in the best interest of CN's shareholders," a spokesperson for CN in a statement.

CN and Canadian Pacific Railway are seeking to buy U.S. railroad Kansas City Southern to create a North American railway spanning the United States, Mexico and Canada.

Kansas City last week accepted CN's $33.6 billion acquisition offer, upending a $29 billion deal with Canadian Pacific.

"We think it is negligent and hugely irresponsible for the CN board to commit C$2 billion of shareholders' money on whether the STB will approve the voting trust for the CN-KCS transaction," TCI said in a letter to CN Chairman Robert Pace.

The C$2 billion stems from the $700 million breakup fee CN would pay Canadian Pacific for upending their deal, and the $1 billion it would pay Kansas City if the U.S. Surface Transportation Board (STB) shoots down the voting trust.

A voting trust is a temporary ringfenced structure that CN would use to hold Kansas City after the deal closes without exercising control over it, until the STB approves or rejects the acquisition.

TCI is also the largest shareholder of Canadian Pacific with an 8.38% stake, according to Refinitiv data.

"It is now clear that CN should abandon its pursuit of KCS unless the merger agreement is amended such that it is not conditional on a voting trust being approved," TCI added.

TCI said it believes the STB reviewing CN's bid under the new rules makes approval for the deal uncertain. (Reporting by Sanjana Shivdas in Bengaluru; Editing by Shounak Dasgupta)
Michael L. Lapeyrouse, Winchester Thurber to assume new executive leadership positions

MOBILE, Ala., May 19, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- The American Equity Underwriters, Inc. (AEU, an Amwins Company), the leading provider of workers' compensation insurance for waterfront employers and program administrator for American Longshore Mutual Association Ltd. (ALMA), announced Adele S. Hapworth will succeed Michael L. Lapeyrouse as the company's Chief Executive Officer, effective June 1, 2021. Lapeyrouse will assume the role of Chairman for AEU.

Amwins Group, Inc. is the largest independent wholesale distributor of specialty insurance products in the United States, dedicated to serving retail insurance agents by providing property and casualty products, specialty group benefit products, and administrative services. Based in Charlotte, N.C., the company operates through more than 125 offices globally and handles premium placements in excess of $22 billion annually. To learn more, visit www.amwins.com. (PRNewsfoto/Amwins Group, Inc.)

As CEO, Hapworth will continue to build upon AEU's foundation of serving ALMA members through transparency, creativity and innovation.

Hapworth joined AEU in 2007 and has served in leadership roles including Director of Product Development, Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer.

"Adele has been instrumental in the success of every major strategic initiative at AEU over the past 14 years," said Lapeyrouse. "She has the operational knowledge and visionary mindset to lead AEU into its next chapter."

Lapeyrouse, who has served as President and CEO of AEU since its inception in 1993, was responsible for founding ALMA in 1997. As Chairman of AEU, he will continue to work closely with the AEU executive leadership team on key operational matters and strategic initiatives. He will remain in his role as President of ALMA and continue serving on ALMA's Board of Directors.

Under Lapeyrouse's leadership, AEU has grown to serve more than 1,400 waterfront employers with nearly $3 billion in payroll. Based in Mobile, Ala., AEU employs 138 individuals across the U.S. and has twice been named one of the Best Companies to Work For in Alabama.

"The growth and success AEU has experienced under Mike's leadership is extraordinary," said Hapworth. "I'm humbled to have the responsibility of driving the vision and culture of service that Mike so passionately created. I look forward to working together with him and our entire team on the exciting opportunities that lie ahead."

Story continues

In addition to Hapworth's transition to CEO, H. Winchester Thurber, IV will join the executive leadership team of AEU in the newly created role of Chief Commercial Officer. Thurber joined AEU in 2012 to drive business development initiatives for AEU and brings decades of leadership experience in the maritime industry to this new role.

"Winchester's decades of experience building relationships with waterfront employers gives him a unique perspective on what our customers truly value," said Hapworth. "His leadership and perspective will be instrumental as we continue to differentiate ourselves further."

About The American Equity Underwriters, Inc. (AEU)

The American Equity Underwriters, Inc. (AEU), an Amwins Company, serves as program administrator for American Longshore Mutual Association Ltd., a group self-insurance fund authorized by the U.S. Department of Labor for waterfront employers in all 50 states under the United States Longshore and Harbor Workers' Compensation Act. Based in Mobile, Ala., AEU provides best-in-class services including claims handling, loss control, longshore consulting and other support. For more information, call (866) 238-8754 or visit amequity.com. Follow AEU on Facebook and LinkedIn.

About Amwins Group, Inc.

Amwins Group, Inc. is the largest independent wholesale distributor of specialty insurance products in the United States, dedicated to serving retail insurance agents by providing property and casualty products, specialty group benefit products, and administrative services. Based in Charlotte, N.C., the company operates through more than 155 offices globally and handles premium placements in excess of $24 billion annually. To learn more, visit www.amwins.com.

Cision

View original content to download multimedia:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/adele-s-hapworth-appointed-chief-executive-officer-of-the-american-equity-underwriters-inc-301294817.html

SOURCE AmWINS Group, Inc.
NEW YORK, May 18, 2021 /PRNewswire/ --

Technavio has announced its latest market research report titled Agricultural Lubricants Market by Type and Geography - Forecast and Analysis 2021-2025

The global agricultural lubricants market is expected to grow by USD 657.45 million, according to Technavio. This marks a significant market slow down due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic in the first half of 2020. However, healthy growth is expected to continue throughout the forecast period, and the market is expected to grow at a CAGR of almost 5%.

For the Right Perspective & Competitive Insights. Make confident decisions using our benchmarks and analysis.

Download Free Sample Report

Read the 120-page report with TOC on "Agricultural Lubricants Market Analysis Report by Type (Mineral oil-based lubricants, Synthetic-based lubricants, and Bio-based lubricants) and Geography (APAC, Europe, North America, South America, and MEA), and the Segment Forecasts,2021-2025". Gain competitive intelligence about market leaders. Track key industry opportunities, trends, and threats. Information on marketing, brand, strategy and market development, sales and supply functions.

https://www.technavio.com/report/report/agricultural-lubricants-market-industry-analysis

The agricultural lubricants market is driven by the high adoption of agricultural machines. In addition, the increasing demand for high-quality lubricants is anticipated to boost the growth of the Agricultural Lubricants Market.

Buy 1 Technavio report and get the second for 50% off. Buy 2 Technavio reports and get the third for free.

View market snapshot before purchasing

Major Five Agricultural Lubricants Companies:

BP Plc

Chevron Corp.

CONDAT group

Exxon Mobil Corp.

FUCHS PETROLUB SE

Register for a free trial today and gain instant access to 17,000+ market research reports.

Technavio's SUBSCRIPTION platform

Agricultural Lubricants Market Type Outlook (Revenue, USD mn, 2020-2025)

Mineral oil-based lubricants - size and forecast 2020-2025

Synthetic-based lubricants - size and forecast 2020-2025

Bio-based lubricants - size and forecast 2020-2025

Agricultural Lubricants Market Geography Outlook (Revenue, USD mn, 2020-2025)

Story continues

APAC - size and forecast 2020-2025

Europe - size and forecast 2020-2025

North America - size and forecast 2020-2025

South America - size and forecast 2020-2025

MEA - size and forecast 2020-2025

Are you a start-up willing to make it big in the business?

Grab an exclusive Report

Related Reports on Materials Include:

Agricultural Rollers Market by Product and Geography - Forecast and Analysis 2021-2025: The agricultural rollers market has the potential to grow by USD 285.80 million during 2021-2025, and the market's growth momentum will accelerate at a CAGR of 1.46%. To get extensive research insights: Download Our Exclusive Sample Report

Agricultural Mowers Market by Product and Geography - Forecast and Analysis 2021-2025: The agricultural mowers market size has the potential to grow by USD 425.00 million during 2021-2025, and the market's growth momentum will accelerate at a CAGR of 5.02%. To get extensive research insights: Download Our Exclusive Sample Report

Agricultural Harvester Market by Product and Geography - Forecast and Analysis 2021-2025: The agricultural harvester market size has the potential to grow by USD 17.83 billion during 2021-2025, and the market's growth momentum will accelerate during the forecast period. To get extensive research insights: Download Our Exclusive Sample Report

About Technavio

Technavio is a leading global technology research and advisory company. Their research and analysis focuses on emerging market trends and provides actionable insights to help businesses identify market opportunities and develop effective strategies to optimize their market positions.

With over 500 specialized analysts, Technavio's report library consists of more than 17,000 reports and counting, covering 800 technologies, spanning across 50 countries. Their client base consists of enterprises of all sizes, including more than 100 Fortune 500 companies. This growing client base relies on Technavio's comprehensive coverage, extensive research, and actionable market insights to identify opportunities in existing and potential markets and assess their competitive positions within changing market scenarios.

Contacts

Technavio Research

Jesse Maida

Media & Marketing Executive

US: +1 844 364 1100

UK: +44 203 893 3200

Email: media@technavio.com

Website: www.technavio.com/

Report: https://www.technavio.com/report/agricultural-lubricants-market-industry-analysis

Technavio (PRNewsfoto/Technavio)

Cision

View original content to download multimedia:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/agricultural-lubricants-market-covid-19-focused-report--evolving-opportunities-with-condat-group-and-exxon-mobil-corp--technavio-301294409.html

SOURCE Technavio
Kahn Swick & Foti, LLC ("KSF") and KSF partner, former Attorney General of Louisiana, Charles C. Foti, Jr., remind investors that they have until July 16, 2021 to file lead plaintiff applications in a securities class action lawsuit against ContextLogic Inc. (NasdaqGS: WISH), if they purchased the Companys shares between December 16, 2020 through May 12, 2021, inclusive (the "Class Period") and/or pursuant to the Companys December 2020 initial public offering. This action is pending in the United States District Court for the Northern District of California.

What You May Do

If you purchased shares of ContextLogic and would like to discuss your legal rights and how this case might affect you and your right to recover for your economic loss, you may, without obligation or cost to you, contact KSF Managing Partner Lewis Kahn toll-free at 1-877-515-1850 or via email (lewis.kahn@ksfcounsel.com), or visit https://www.ksfcounsel.com/cases/nasdaqgs-wish/ to learn more. If you wish to serve as a lead plaintiff in this class action, you must petition the Court by July 16, 2021.

About the Lawsuit

ContextLogic and certain of its executives are charged with failing to disclose material information during the Class Period and/or in the Registration Statement and Prospectus issued in conjunction with the initial public offering, violating federal securities laws.

On May 12, 2021, the Company announced its 1Q21 financial results for the interim period ended March 31, 2021, disclosing a decrease in monthly active users ("MAUs") of an additional 7% from the previous period to just 101 million and a decrease in forward sales guidance for 2Q21 of just $715 million to $730 million, coming in significantly less than the $759 million the market had been led to expect and far less than the guidance of $735 to $750 million provided for 1Q21.

On this news, shares of ContextLogic plummeted 29%, or $3.36 per share, to close at $8.11 per share on May 13, 2021, on unusually high trading volume.

Story continues

The case is Boehning v. ContextLogic Inc., No. 21-cv-03671.

About Kahn Swick & Foti, LLC

KSF, whose partners include former Louisiana Attorney General Charles C. Foti, Jr., is one of the nations premier boutique securities litigation law firms. KSF serves a variety of clients  including public institutional investors, hedge funds, money managers and retail investors  in seeking to recover investment losses due to corporate fraud and malfeasance by publicly traded companies. KSF has offices in New York, California and Louisiana.

To learn more about KSF, you may visit www.ksfcounsel.com.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210518006221/en/

Contacts

Lewis Kahn, Managing Partner

lewis.kahn@ksfcounsel.com

1-877-515-1850
New appointees further strengthen Fanplayr's global and financial connections

PALO ALTO, Calif., May 19, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Fanplayr , a leading customer experience personalization platform, announces the appointment of 3 new members to its board of directors.

New Fanplayr board members (left to right): Johannes Risseeuw, Rosemary Hartnett, V. Paul Unruh

V. Paul Unruh is a seasoned financial expert and was formerly Director and Chairman of the Audit Committee for NortonLifeLock formerly Director and Chairman of the Audit Committee at Nexant (2000  2021, acquired by Resource Innovations). He also serves as a Senior Advisor and member of LP Advisory Board of TeleSoft Partners. Other prior directorships include Heidrick & Struggles (2005-2017), Aconex 2011-2018 and Move Inc 2003-2014. Earlier Paul worked at Bechtel from 1978 to 2003, where he retired as vice chairman and member of the three-person senior management group. During his tenure at Bechtel, he also served as chief financial officer, controller and treasurer.

Johannes Risseeuw has served as Executive Chairman for Damstra Technologies since 2017 which is one of the first companies globally to deploy a technology platform for enterprise protection & safety (EPP). He was previously the Vice President Mergers & Acquisitions, Asia Pacific at Shell. Johannes has also served as the Chief Investment Officer of Questus Energy from 2016-2017, and as the Chief Operating Officer at Skilled Group Limited from 2011-2015.

Rosemary Harnett currently serves as a Non-Executive Director at Arena REIT and is the Chair and an independent Director of ISPT, and a Director of International Property Funds Management (IPFM). Prior directorships include Aconex 2015-2018, and Wallara Australia Limited 2014-2017. Rosemary was previously Chief Executive Officer of Housing Choices, one of Australia's leading registered housing associations.

"We are pleased that these particular leaders have joined Fanplayr's Board of Directors," said Simon Yencken, Founder and CEO of Fanplayr . "Each of them brings a wealth of experience to strengthen our foundations in finance, technology, mergers, and operating with relevance on a global scale."

Story continues

Fanplayr has made significant announcements in the past 6 months, including successfully receiving a U.S. patent for Segmentation as a Service, adding Product Recommendations and SMS Messaging to its product line, and now the appointment of three new Board members. Yencken says the movement to a digital-first economy and the ability of Fanplayr to operate as a global company have reinforced Fanplayr's growth and development. "The appointments of Ms. Hartnett, Mr. Unruh, and Mr. Risseeuw will help to ensure continued momentum for Fanplayr," says Yencken.

About Fanplayr

Fanplayr is a leading customer experience personalization platform, using first party behavioral data and patented segmentation, machine learning and AI to enable businesses to increase conversion rates and revenue, collect more leads, and retarget visitors with personalized recommendations during and after the online experience. Fanplayr is headquartered in Palo Alto, California with offices in Milan, London, Stockholm, Hamburg, Amsterdam, UAE, Mexico, Brazil, Buenos Aires, Melbourne and Tokyo, see: http://www.fanplayr.com

*LOGO: https://www.Send2Press.com/300dpi/21-0519s2p-fanplayr-300dpi.jpg

This release was issued through Send2Press, a unit of Neotrope. For more information, visit Send2Press Newswire at https://www.Send2Press.com

Cision

View original content to download multimedia:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/fanplayr-announces-the-appointment-of-three-new-board-members-301294622.html

SOURCE Fanplayr
UAE's Etihad Airways and Saudi flag carrier, Saudia, have announced a new reciprocal loyalty agreement, expanding on the existing codeshare deal between the two airlines.

Members of the Etihad Guest and ALFURSAN programmes can now earn and redeem miles on flights across both carriers networks. Loyalty programme members from both airlines will also be able to earn Tier Miles and Tier Segments, helping them progress to the next tier level faster. In addition, members will be able to earn miles on Etihad and Saudia codeshare flights.

Terry Daly, Executive Director Guest Experience, Brand & Marketing, Etihad Airways, said: As the aviation industry begins to restart and guests return to the skies, this partnership strengthens the airlines commitment to growing inbound business and tourism in their respective markets. It complements Etihads existing codeshare agreement with Saudia and opens more destinations for Etihad Guest members to earn and spend their miles through travel.

Khalid Al-Bassam, Chief Commercial Officer, Saudia, commented: We are pleased to strengthen our partnership with Etihad through this latest agreement, which further builds on our shared history of successful collaboration. By offering our guests more opportunities to earn miles we are bringing greater value, flexibility and convenience to their travel experience, which will help fuel growth in demand and contribute to our goal of enhancing the Kingdoms aviation and tourism sectors.

The partners are also re-launching their codeshare cooperation beyond each others hubs. Under this extensive commercial partnership, which has seen more than 110,000 passenger journeys facilitated over the past two years, Saudia has added its SV code to 15 destinations on the Etihad network in Saudi Arabia, Asia, the US and Europe. In addition, Etihad has added its EY code to Saudia destinations in the Kingdom and Pakistan. This facilitates growth and recovery for both airlines, provides greater choice, convenience and flexibility for guests and freight customers, and further strengthens the ties between the two nations.

In other areas of cooperation, Etihad Airways Engineering has been collaborating with Saudia since 2016 at its MRO (Maintenance, Repair and Operations) facility in Abu Dhabi.

Etihad has been operating to Saudi Arabia since 2004, and prior to Covid pandemic, were operating up to 77 weekly flights between Abu Dhabi and Riyadh, Dammam, Jeddah and Madinah.

The airline is presently operating direct flights to Riyadh, Dammam and Jeddah and guests transiting through Abu Dhabi from the Kingdom have access to Etihads USA pre-clearance, the only United States Customs and Border Protection facility in the Middle East. This allows passengers bound for the United States to process all immigration, customs and agriculture inspections in Abu Dhabi before they board they board their flight to Chicago, New York or Washington D.C.

Etihad remains committed to the Saudi Arabian market and looks forward to increasing service levels as and when current border and travel restrictions are eased. - TradeArabia News Service
The IEA made headlines today when it suggested that there should be no new oil and gas investments after 2021... If that were to happen - with a supply crunch already looming - the oil traders at OPC Markets would have a great time.

Chart of the Week

- U.S. residential energy consumption declined by 4% in 2020, despite people spending more time at home during the pandemic.

- Relatively warmer weather reduced heating needs during winter months, offsetting the 2 percent increase in electricity sales.

- Space-heating and water-heating are usually the most energy-intensive uses in the average U.S. home.

Market Movers

- BP (NYSE: BP) is in advanced talks to sell its 28% stake in a North Sea oil field.

- Natural gas stocks rose in concert with prices following new weather forecasts showing hotter-than-average temperatures later this month. Nymex natural gas was up more than 5% on Monday. Coal stocks also rose on the news.

- Gran Tierra Energy (TSX: GTE) announced that it was shutting some of its oil wells in Colombia due to unrest.

Tuesday, May 18, 2021

Oil prices took a breather Tuesday morning, but Brent is once again testing $70 per barrel, with expectations of improved demand on the heels of widespread vaccinations in the U.S.

IEA: No new fossil fuel exploration. The IEA is out with a landmark report on a pathway to net-zero emissions by 2050. Among the many important points in the 200-plus-page report is the call to end fossil fuel exploration. [N]o exploration for new resources is required, the agency said. It also listed a series of restrictive policies that are necessary, including phasing out sales of the internal combustion engine and bans on new natural gas hookups in buildings. The conclusion is a dramatic shift in tone.

Supply crisis coming? The steep cuts to capex and the increasingly stringent climate policy have forced the oil majors to lower their growth plans. Some analysts warn that this could set the market up for a supply crunch in the coming years.

Story continues

India demand takes 500,000-bpd hit in May. Indias oil demand could be off by as much as 500,000 bpd for the month of May, according to Reuters. The negative effects from the Covid-19 spike are expected to extend into June.

Gas industry faces an existential threat from renewables. The Wall Street Journal details the gas industrys looming decline from renewables. Im hellbent on not becoming the next Blockbuster Video, said Vistra (NYSE: VST) Chief Executive Curt Morgan. Im not going to sit back and watch this legacy business dwindle and not participate. Vistra owns 36 gas-fired power plants but said it will not build anymore, instead it will invest $1 billion in solar and batteries.

Central banks step up climate scrutiny. A coalition of 90 central banks from around the world  the Central Banks and Supervisors Network for Greening the Financial System  is scheduled to meet next month at a major conference to address risks from climate change.

Gasoline shortages ease. Over 1,000 retail gasoline stations were resupplied over the weekend, easing the shortages from the Colonial Pipeline outage.

Iran planning oil export boost. Iran is preparing to boost production and exports of crude oil as talks on the nuclear deal with the United States continue to progress, government officials said.

OPEC+ production rising by 1 mb/d. OPECs oil exports have jumped by 1 million barrels per day (bpd) so far in May, while the OPEC+ group started easing the production cuts by 350,000 bpd this month.

Spain to end fossil fuel production. Spains parliament voted in favor of a new climate law that commits the country to cut emissions 23% by 2030, compared with 1990 levels. The law also bands coal, natural gas, and oil production by 2042, and outlaws new permits immediately.

Shell says Nigerian assets not compatible with energy transition. Royal Dutch Shell (NYSE: RDS.A) acknowledged that its operations in Nigeria are incompatible with its green transition. The balance of risks and rewards associated with our onshore portfolio is no longer compatible with our strategic ambitions, CEO Ben van Beurden told investors. We cannot solve community problems in the Niger Delta. Shell has been selling off assets in Nigeria incrementally in the past decade, so a full retreat would be an obvious end point, Bloomberg said.

Related Video: Iraq Eyes Exxon Stake and New OPEC Status

Offshore wind turbines require 63,000 pounds of copper. Renewablesand especially offshore windare set to drive a surge in copper demand that will push prices even higher, as the amount of copper required per wind turbine is staggering, at 63,000 pounds.

Activist investors get another boost against ExxonMobil. Glass Lewis & Co. agreed with investor activist Engine No. 1 in its quest to revamp the board of ExxonMobil (NYSE: XOM), another boost for the effort.

Washington States most aggressive climate policy. Washington State just enacted the most aggressive climate policy in the nation, a cap-and-trade system that would take emissions down close to zero by 2050. Utilities need to be carbon neutral by 2030. The law covers more of the economy (70% of overall emissions) than most other state policies.

UK seeks G-7 deal to end fossil fuel subsidies. The UK is helping the G-7 move close to an agreement to phase out fossil fuel subsidies.

Oil industry gets a partial win at Supreme Court. The U.S. Supreme Court gave the oil industry a partial win in a highly-anticipated court case. The City of Baltimore has sued 20 international oil companies seeking damages related to climate change, and the Supreme Court decided that the case should be heard in federal court, which the oil industry views as more favorable terrain. The case now goes back to federal court.

Shell wins backing from shareholders. Royal Dutch Shell (NYSE: RDS.A) won backing from shareholders in a non-binding vote on its green transition plans, with 88% of shareholders voting in favor.

Shale comeback would be disastrous for oil. Experts are now warning that OPEC+ could see its efforts thwarted by a chief rival: U.S. shale. According to the Oxford Institute for Energy Studies, rising oil prices could allow for a significant return of U.S. shale to the market in 2022, potentially upsetting the delicate rebalancing of the global oil market.

By Josh Owens for Oilprice.com

More Top Reads From Oilprice.com:

Read this article on OilPrice.com
Celebrating entrepreneurs and innovators by sharing their stories

TORONTO, May 19, 2021 /CNW/ - Lexicon Financial Group of Raymond James Investment Counsel, announced today the launch of "Before the Business", an initiative dedicated to sharing stories of Canadian entrepreneurs.

Lexicon Financial Group of Raymond James Investment Counsel Logo (CNW Group/Raymond James Investment Counsel)

"Small businesses are the backbone of the economy and many have been negatively impacted by the pandemic. According to a recent survey by the Canadian Federation of Independent Business (CFIB), more than 200,000 Canadian small businesses could shut their doors permanently," said Craig Swistun, Associate Portfolio Manager and Founder of Lexicon Financial Group.

Recent research conducted by Maru/Matchbox on behalf of the Canadian Federation of Independent Business (CFIB) and Google Canada revealed that a sizeable number of small business owners say their online presence and online selling has been key to surviving through the pandemic. Moreover, connecting with their customers online is the top focus for small businesses in 2021 along with paying down debt and improving their websites.

"Before the Business" aims to help connect interesting and unique businesses to a broader audience by telling the story of what inspired them to start the businesstheir origin story. "We believe that sharing stories builds deeper, more meaningful connections between customers and the businesses they choose to support," says Swistun. The stories are published online at www.beforethebusiness.com. The group is also producing a print version for limited distribution.

"Each May, Raymond James and its affiliates celebrate RJ Cares Month which encourages giving back to our local community," says Wayne Hendry, Client Experience Manager at Lexicon Financial Group. "We want to give back by helping small businesses tell their stories and hope that it encourages consumers to celebrate and share details of these businesses that are important to them in their own community."

Story continues

This collection of businesses was curated from referrals by friends, colleagues, and clients. There is no cost to any of the participating business, other than the time they've taken to share their story.

About Lexicon Financial Group

Lexicon Financial Group at Raymond James Investment Counsel was established in 2020 around the values and views of Craig Swistun, Associate Portfolio Manager. He believes, then and now, that building long-term relationships with families and foundations is the first step towards achieving superior results. Lost in the jargon of our industry are real investment challenges requiring real solutions. By changing the way we speak and think about investments, we change the vocabulary -- the lexicon. We take time to learn why an investment is being made before presenting a recommendation.

About Raymond James

Raymond James Investment Counsel is a subsidiary of Raymond James, a leading North American independent full service investment dealer offering an extensive range of professional investment services and products, including private wealth management services, financial and estate planning services, portfolio management, insurance, trust services, equity research, investment banking and institutional sales and trading. Through its network of more than 8,300 financial/investment advisors and portfolio managers across Canada, the United States and key international centres, Raymond James manages more than US$1.09 trillion in client assets under administration. The firm also has over 76 research analysts covering more than 1,100 companies in Canada, the United States, and internationally.

Source Links

https://globalnews.ca/news/7590374/small-businesses-closure-canada-covid-19/

https://www.cfib-fcei.ca/en/media/news-releases/year-after-first-lockdown-finding-customers-online-tops-list-small-business

The opinions expressed are those of Craig Swistun and not necessarily those of Raymond James Investment Counsel Ltd. It is furnished on the basis and understanding that Raymond James Investment Counsel Ltd. is to be under no liability whatsoever in respect thereof. It is for information purposes only and is not to be construed as an offer or solicitation for the sale or purchase of securities. Raymond James Investment Counsel Ltd. is not responsible for the availability or content of these external sites, nor does Raymond James Investment Counsel Ltd endorse, warrant or guarantee the products, services or information described or offered at these other Internet sites. Users cannot assume that the external sites will abide by the same Privacy Policy which Raymond James Investment Counsel Ltd adheres to.

SOURCE Raymond James Investment Counsel

Cision

View original content to download multimedia: http://www.newswire.ca/en/releases/archive/May2021/19/c0367.html
DUBLIN (Reuters) - It will take several years for the global aviation industry to recover to 2019 capacity levels as airlines have retired aircraft and made critical staff redundant, the head of the global airline industry body IATA said on Wednesday.

"The ability for the industry to recover to the 2019 levels of capacity quickly is now impossible," IATA Director General Willie Walsh told an Irish parliamentary committee.

"The reason I say that is ... we have seen a lot of aircraft have been returned. So therefore the aircraft are not available. A lot of critical staff, unfortunately, have been made redundant."

(Reporting by Conor Humphries; Editing by Kevin Liffey)
U.S. West Texas Intermediate and international-benchmark Brent crude oil futures are trading lower late in the session on Tuesday as traders try to claw back heavy mid-session losses. Prices plunged earlier in the session from a two-month high, sliding nearly 2%, after the BBC said the United States and Iran have made progress on reviving a deal restricting Irans nuclear weapons development, that could release more barrels into the market.

At 19:57 GMT, July WTI crude oil futures are trading $65.59, down $0.69 or -1.04% and July Brent crude oil is at $68.80, down $0.66 or -0.95%.

Prices tumbled after the media, cited Russian ambassador to the UN Mikhail Ulyanov as saying significant progress had been made, but the losses were capped after he said on Twitter that negotiators need more time to finalize an agreement.

Trader read the initial report as bearish because the U.S. lifting of sanctions on Iran, could boost oil shipments, adding to global supply.

That could put significant amount of crude oil on the market, which is why we are steadily drifting lower now, said Bob Yawger, director of energy futures at Mizuho.

Traders Await American Petroleum Institute Weekly Inventories Report

Also weighing on the market, analysts forecast U.S. crude inventories to have risen by 1.6 million barrels last week, according to a Reuters poll ahead of weekly reports from the American Petroleum Institute (API) at 20:30 GMT, and the government on Wednesday at 14:30 GMT.

Last week, oil prices rose after the API reported a draw in crude oil inventories of 2.533 million barrels for the week ending May 7. Analysts had predicted a draw of 2.817 million barrels for the week.

The API also reported a build in gasoline inventories of 5.640 million barrels for the week ending May 7. Analysts had expected a 600,000 barrel draw for the week. Distillate stocks saw a decrease in inventories last week of 872,000 barrels for the week.

For a look at all of todays economic events, check out our economic calendar.

Story continues

This article was originally posted on FX Empire

More From FXEMPIRE:
ORION CORPORATION

STOCK EXCHANGE RELEASE / MAJOR SHAREHOLDER ANNOUNCEMENTS

19 MAY 2021 at 15.00 EEST



Orion Corporation: Disclosure Under Chapter 9 Section 10 of the Securities Market Act (BlackRock, Inc.)

Orion Corporation has received a disclosure under Chapter 9, Section 5 of the Securities Market Act, according to which the total number of Orion shares owned directly, indirectly or through financial instruments by BlackRock, Inc. and its funds increased on 18 May 2021 above five (5) per cent of Orion Corporations total shares.

Total positions of BlackRock, Inc. and its funds subject to notification:

% of shares and voting rights

(total of point A) % of shares and voting rights through financial instruments

(total of point B) Total of both in % (points A + B) Total number of shares and voting rights of issuer Resulting situation on the date on which threshold was crossed or reached 5.00% shares







Below 5% voting rights 0.00% shares







Below 5% voting rights 5.00% shares







Below 5% voting rights 141,134,278 shares







806,883,011 voting rights Position of previous notification (if applicable) Below 5% shares







Below 5% voting rights Below 5% shares







Below 5% voting rights Below 5% shares







Below 5% voting rights

Notified details of the resulting situation on the date on which the threshold was crossed:

Point A: Shares and voting rights:

Class/type of shares

ISIN code Number of shares and voting rights % of shares and voting rights Direct (SMA 9:5) Indirect (SMA 9:6 and 9:7) Direct (SMA 9:5) Indirect (SMA 9:6 and 9:7) FI0009014377 7,061,365 shares







Below 5% voting rights 5.00% shares







Below 5% voting rights POINT A SUBTOTAL 7,061,365 shares







Below 5% voting rights 5.00% shares







Below 5% voting rights

Point B: Financial instruments according to SMA 9:6a:

Type of financial instrument Expiration date Exercise / Conversion Period Physical or cash settlement Number of shares and voting rights % of shares and voting rights CFD N/A N/A Cash 6,661 shares







Below 5% voting rights 0.00% shares







Below 5% voting rights POINT B SUBTOTAL 6,661 shares







Below 5% voting rights 0.00% shares







Below 5% voting rights

Orion Corporation

Story continues

Timo Lappalainen



President and CEO Olli Huotari



SVP, Corporate Functions



Contact person:

Tuukka Hirvonen, Investor Relations, Orion Corporation

tel. +358 10 426 2721

Publisher:

Orion Corporation

Communications

Orionintie 1A, FI-02200 Espoo, Finland

http://www.orion.fi/en

http://www.twitter.com/OrionCorpIR

Orion is a globally operating Finnish pharmaceutical company  a builder of well-being. Orion develops, manufactures and markets human and veterinary pharmaceuticals and active pharmaceutical ingredients. The company is continuously developing new drugs and treatment methods. The core therapy areas of Orion's pharmaceutical R&D are neurological disorders, oncology and respiratory diseases for which Orion develops inhaled pulmonary medication. Orion's net sales in 2020 amounted to EUR 1,078 million and the company had about 3,300 employees at the end of the year. Orion's A and B shares are listed on Nasdaq Helsinki.




(Bloomberg) -- U.K. Prime Minister Boris Johnson is pushing to get a trade deal with Australia over the line, amid warnings from farmers that cheaper imports could put them out of business.

Johnson is preparing to offer Australia tariff-free access to U.K. food markets as talks continue within the government over the deal, The Times newspaper reported Wednesday.

That is despite concerns from Britains National Farmers Union that many farms would face ruin if they have to compete with zero-tariff imports of beef and lamb. Johnsons office declined to comment on the report, saying negotiations were ongoing.

Britain and Australia agreed the bulk of a free-trade agreement in April and have signaled they want to conclude the pact by the G-7 summit in June.

Any agreement will include protection for the agriculture industry and wont undercut U.K. farmers, Johnsons spokesman Max Blain told reporters Tuesday.

Read More: U.K., Australia Seal Most of Trade Deal in Boost for Johnson (1)

National Farmers Union President Minette Batters said in a statement that the government must recognize that opening up zero tariff trade on all imports of products such as beef and lamb means British farming, working to its current high standards, will struggle to compete.

Will it watch family farms go out of business when they are unable to compete? she added.

Environment Secretary George Eustice told Sky News there was a balance to be struck between your commercial interests and your desire to open up new markets.

Post-Brexit Target

A trade deal with Australia is one of the governments key post-Brexit targets, alongside ongoing negotiations with the U.S. and New Zealand. A deal between the U.K. and Australia is expected to boost Britains GDP by 0.02% over 15 years, according to a British government assessment.

Australian Trade Minister Dan Tehan on Wednesday said the nations were making good progress in their FTA negotiations.

We are now meeting every week in a sprint to have an in-principle agreement by the end of June, Tehan said in an emailed statement sent in response to a request for comment. He declined to comment on the details of the negotiations.

Story continues

Eustice said his department is considering ways to protect sensitive sectors during the negotiations, such as having tariff-rate quotas on certain goods. International Trade Secretary Liz Truss is said to favor a zero-tariff, zero-quota deal similar to Britains accord with the EU, according to a report in the Financial Times.

The Department for International Trade said in a statement that a deal would be a step toward joining the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership, or CPTPP, an 11-country pact including Singapore, Malaysia and Japan, which would allow U.K. farmers even greater access to growing consumer markets in Asia.

Separately, the U.K. government said it will soon start talks to improve upon the roll-over post-Brexit trade deals it signed with Canada and Mexico.

(Updates with Australian trade ministers comments in 10th, 11th paragraphs)

More stories like this are available on bloomberg.com

Subscribe now to stay ahead with the most trusted business news source.

2021 Bloomberg L.P.
WASHINGTON, May 19 (Reuters) - The Biden administration will waive sanctions on the company behind Russia's Nord Stream 2 pipeline to Europe and its chief executive, with the U.S. State Department set to deliver its report as early as Wednesday, a source told Reuters on Wednesday.

The department's review, required by Congress, concludes that Nord Stream 2 AG and CEO Matthias Warnig, an ally of Russian President Vladimir Putin, engaged in sanctionable activity but that it was in the U.S. national interests to waive the sanctions, the source said. (Reporting by Andrea Shalal; writing by Susan Heavey; Editing by Louise Heavens)
Utah House Bill 335: "Investment Fees Amendments" passed with no dissenting votes in either the House or Senate and signed by Governor Spencer Cox March 17, took effect May 5, 2021

Assure, pioneering provider of comprehensive, cost-effective private investment structuring and management services, will champion corresponding legislation to support the entrepreneurial ecosystem in states throughout the U.S.

Assure today expressed thanks to the Utah Legislature and Governor Spencer Cox for their strong support of Utah entrepreneurs and investors. During the 2021 Utah legislative session, the Utah House and Senate passed House Bill 335: Investment Fees Amendments, without a single dissenting vote in either chamber. The legislation, which removes all state Blue Sky filing fees for investment deals of $500,000 and under, was signed by Governor Cox on March 21, and became effective on May 5, 2021.

Assure is the creator and leading global provider of affordable investment entities--most notably "special purpose vehicles" (SPVs), investment entities that enable investors to pool their resources to invest in startup companies. Since the time of its launch in 2012, Assure has transformed the venture investment landscape by radically reducing the cost and time required to establish and manage an SPV ("special purpose vehicle") investment entity.

Assures groundbreaking solutions have greatly simplified capital raising, reduced the cost of setting up and managing an SPV investment entity by 90-95 percent, and shortened the time from months to days. In the process, Assure has helped to greatly expand and democratize the venture ecosystem.

"It is central to Assures mission to empower a new generation of entrepreneurs and investors, including individuals from historically disadvantaged communities, to get involved and find support in the worlds most dynamic and rewarding industry--entrepreneurship," said Jeremy Neilson, co-founder and CEO of Assure. "Bureaucratic fees often have the unintended consequence of preventing investment into talented founders who are still building their networks. Filing fees that dissuade investors from supporting a startup company have a negative effect on job creation and prevent promising entrepreneurs from participating in the American dream of building and growing a business. We are committed to changing that."

Story continues

Assures leadership team determined that removing Blue Sky fees was an ideal place to begin removing these barriers to help create more seats at the table of economic opportunity. Such fees have a disproportionate impact on minorities and other historically underserved individuals. Prior to the advent of Assure, deal sizes often needed to be in multiple millions of dollars in order to justify structuring and administrative costs.

By radically reducing time, cost and complexity, Assure has reduced the economically justifiable deal size down to $50,000. Removing Blue Sky and other fees can help bring economically feasible deal sizes down to $10,000-20,000, further expanding opportunity for many individuals without access to large funding networks.

In recent years, the U.S. federal government has tried to lessen the burden on early-stage founders and investors, removing fees and increasing the number of investors who can participate in a deal from 99 to 250. Unfortunately, most states have retained legacy policies from when all investment entities raised large pools of capital and Blue Sky fees were a tiny percentage of the raise. Today, SPVs are being used as the vehicle to help companies grow to the point where venture capital funds, hedge funds and even mutual funds show interest and become a viable option. Todays SPVs are a tiny fraction of the size of their larger fund counterparts, resulting in a disproportionate percentage of the capital going to paying state filing fees. The average Assure SPV Blue Sky fee is $1200, but can be over $5000. Blue Sky fees are single-handedly stopping many startups from receiving needed capital.

House Bill 335 received excellent support at all levels of the legislative process. Rep. Adam Robertson (R-District 63, Provo) led the successful effort for the bill in the House as chief sponsor, with key support from co-sponsor Rep. Travis Seegmiller (R-District 62, St. George) and Rep. Jefferson Moss (R-District 2, Saratoga Springs). Sen. Curt Bramble (R-District 18, Utah & Wasatch Counties) led the effort in the Senate. Jackie Rogers, General Counsel for the Utah Legislature, drafted the bill. Thomas Young, Senior Economist for the State of Utah, provided the fiscal analysis for the legislation.

House Bill 335 passed the House with a vote of 70-0, with five members not in attendance. The bill passed the Senate with a vote of 27-0, with two members not in attendance.

"Small business is foundational to Utahs economy, and entrepreneurship is particularly vital," said Rep. Robertson. "It was an honor to support founders and investors across Utah by removing the fees that can be a barrier to promising early-stage deals obtaining the life blood of capital."

"It was a pleasure to sign a bill that makes it easier for Utah company founders and investors to participate in our states vibrant entrepreneurial economy," said Utah Governor Spencer Cox. "Utah has a legacy of leading out with innovative private-public collaboration, and this legislation builds on this tradition. I look forward to seeing the future impact of many new entrepreneurs in our communities and our economy."

In the years ahead, Assure plans to be an active presence in private-public legislative collaborations In Utah, throughout the U.S. and internationally.

About Assure

Assure is the pioneering, industry-leading provider of comprehensive structuring and administrative services for the syndicate and venture investment community. The company offers professional, high-quality services and innovative software that streamlines setting up, closing and managing back-office fund administration for angel and private asset investing. Assures experience and volume significantly outpaces other fund administrators. The companys approach, which allows clients to structure and close deals faster, cheaper and with more transparency, helped pave the way for the ascendance of the "super angels," special purpose vehicles, micro VCs and syndicates. The company has worked with more than 1,300 clients, including AngelList, Republic, EquityZen, Forge, EquityBee, Learn Capital, Backstage Capital and LAUNCH, structuring and closing more than 6,100 deals with over $6.5 billion in assets under administration. Assure offers a full suite of services, including special purpose vehicle administration, fund accounting and fund taxes, cryptocurrency fund administration, Exempt Reporting Advisor (ERA) services, KYC/AML services, and 506(c) accreditation. For more information about Assure, visit www.assure.co.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210519005671/en/

Contacts

Kimball Thomson

Assure Public Relations

kimball@powertoinspire.com
RTHK: Gaza clashes continue despite fresh truce hopes

Israel and Gaza militants vowed to keep fighting after US President Joe Biden urged Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to seek a "de-escalation" on Wednesday on the path to a ceasefire in the 10-day-old conflict.

An Egyptian security source said the two sides had agreed in principle to a ceasefire after help from mediators, although details were still being negotiated in secret.

A senior Hamas official, Moussa Abu Marzouk, also said late on Wednesday in an interview with Lebanon's al-Mayadeen TV that he expected Israel and the Gaza militants to reach a ceasefire "within a day or two", ending the cross-border violence.

Since the fighting began on May 10, Palestinian health officials say 228 people have been killed in aerial bombardments that have worsened Gaza's already dire humanitarian situation.

Israeli authorities put the death toll at 12 in Israel, where repeated rocket attacks have caused panic and sent people rushing into shelters.

Regional and US-led diplomatic efforts to secure a ceasefire have intensified but so far failed. Cross-border fire continued unabated after Biden's latest call for calm, and Gaza's Islamist rulers Hamas and other militants vowed defiance.

Netanyahu has repeatedly hailed what he has described as support from the United States, Israel's main ally, for a right to self-defence in battling attacks from Gaza, home to two million Palestinians.

But Biden put the Israeli leader on notice in a telephone call that it was time to lower the intensity of the conflict.

"The two leaders had a detailed discussion on the state of events in Gaza, Israel's progress in degrading the capabilities of Hamas and other terrorist elements, and ongoing diplomatic efforts by regional governments and the United States," White House spokeswoman Karine Jean-Pierre told reporters.

"The president conveyed to the prime minister that he expected a significant de-escalation today on the path to a ceasefire."

But at the United Nations, the US mission said it would not support a French push for a Security Council resolution, saying it believed such actions would "undermine efforts to de-escalate" violence. (Reuters)

This story has been published on: 2021-05-19. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article.
Swiss-Belhotel International has announced the opening of its new 4-star hotel, Swiss-Belsuites Admiral Juffair, in Bahrain.

The Swiss-Belsuites brand is part of the top hospitality groups portfolio of 16 extraordinary brands and is being introduced for the first time in Bahrain, where the Swiss-Belhotel International has a strong presence operating two other hotels.

The beautiful 4-star property in the lively settings of Juffair has been conceptualised to redefine the local urban hotel scene with its spirited spin on cosmopolitan living, said the statement from hospitality group.

Juffairs mix of culture and high-energy atmosphere makes it the ideal setting for the debut of Swiss-Belsuites Admiral Juffair, it added.

The stunning Swiss-Belsuites Admiral Juffair was inaugurated today (May 19) by Zayed Rashid Al Zayani, the Minister of Industry, Commerce and Tourism for Bahrain in the presence of Reza Bader, Chairman, HRR Properties, Hussain Bader, Chief Executive Officer of HRR Properties, Fatima Jaffar Mansoor Al Sairafi, the Deputy CEO of Bahrain Tourism and Exhibitions Authority (BTEA), Laurent A. Voivenel, Senior VP (Operations & Development) EMEA & India and Senior Vice President (Group Human Resources & Talent Development) Swiss-Belhotel International and Alban Dutemple, Cluster General Manager for multiple properties in Bahrain, Swiss-Belhotel International.

Commenting on the opening, Bader said: "We are glad to partner with a reputed global hospitality group like Swiss-Belhotel International."

"We are confident Swiss-Belsuites Admiral Juffairs unmatched location in the heart of Juffair on the street adjoining the popular American Alley (Al Shabab Avenue) opposite the American Naval Base, its unique brand proposition and best-in-class facilities will make it a popular choice in Bahrain," he stated.

On the Bahrain launch, Chairman and President Gavin M. Faull said: "It is a key market for us, and we are delighted to expand our footprint in the kingdom with a strong business partner like HRR Properties. The upscale Swiss-Belsuites Admiral Juffair is a fantastic addition to the hospitality landscape in Bahrain and we believe international travellers and locals alike will be drawn to the hotel and its fresh concept built around their lifestyle."

"The opening is testament to the enduring confidence our partners have in our world-class brands. As the industry gears towards recovery in 2021 and beyond our continued expansion will pave the way for robust growth," he stated.

Voivenel said: "Travelling lifestyles are evolving and the Swiss-Belsuites Admiral Juffair blends flexibility with home comforts and style making it the ideal choice for both short and extended stays."

"Offering more space to work and relax with the desired amenities, it allows guests to enjoy moments they can call their own at an affordable price point and speaks to the needs of modern travellers," he noted.

Whether travelling for business or leisure, the Swiss-Belsuites Admiral Juffairs central location is ideal for exploring the bustling neighbourhood and the city beyond, he added. Featuring 174 stylish and spacious suites equipped with top-notch facilities, this modern hotel lies merely 11 km from the Bahrain International Airport. "It is designed for guests who seek functional spaces, luxe amenities and unforgettable experiences to take home. Decorated in calming blues inspired by the tranquility of the Arabian Gulf, its generously appointed rooms are an expression of warmth and comfort," remarked Voivenel. "Guests will feel a sense of place the moment they walk through the doors of the Swiss-Belsuites Admiral Juffair. Being in a vibrant neighbourhood, the hotel suite is well surrounded by some of the citys most sought-after attractions situated within walking distance including the leading business hubs, shopping malls, places of worship and well-known restaurants / bars,' he noted. Promising an indulgent gastronomic journey, are superb dining outlets at the Swiss-Belsuites Admiral Juffair which include an international all-day dining restaurant LATITUDE 26, a trendy lounge MYSTERIA and an eclectic tea lounge TEA & CO with connected work/play spaces as well as fabulous in-room dining menu, he added.

Voivenel said the new Juffair property was ideal to convene small private gatherings or business events with a meeting room boasting the latest equipment, exceptional catering, convenient location and attentive Swiss and Arabian service.
A Colorado man arrested in the death of his wife who disappeared last year has been charged with first-degree murder and tampering with a human body, as well as other evidence in the case
Help India!



It needs to be said that Indian Muslims do not need to prove their loyalty to India. Despite the humiliations, vilification and hate campaigns, Indian Muslims contributed to the ongoing fight against coronavirus.

Md Asif Khan, TwoCircles.net

Support TwoCircles



India has been massively hit by the second wave of coronavirus. At present, India is seeing more than 400,000 Covid-19 cases and 4000 deaths per day. Health infrastructure has collapsed and people are dying due to a shortage of oxygen and paucity of ICU beds and ventilators in the countrys hospitals. Bodies are piling up outside crematoriums and people are afraid to touch the dead bodies of their family members.

In such a horrific situation when everyone is suffering and trying to fight the coronavirus, millions of Indian Muslims have to fight against 2 viruses simultaneously  one is the coronavirus and another is the communal virus spread by Hindu Nationalists.

In the last year, since the Covid-19 pandemic took over the country, things havent changed for Indian Muslims. Last year when India was hit by the first wave of Covid-19, Muslims in India were blamed and accused of being the sole spreaders of the virus. Members of the socio-religious organization Tablighi Jamaat were criminalized, hate campaigns were broadcast by Indian media against Muslims and in this way an entire community was dehumanized. Due to this hate-filled propaganda ran by sections of the Indian media and supporters of BJP and Modi, Muslims in India faced violence, harassment in the formal of taunts and were discriminated against.

Even after one year, things are the same for Indian Muslims amid the second wave of the coronavirus.

Recently, Tejsavi Surya, a BJP parliamentarian from South Bengaluru, communalized the virus by using anti-Muslim dog whistles. Tejasvi Surya claimed to unearth an alleged scam in the allocation of hospital beds for Covid patients. He alleged that there is a scam going on in Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) War Room, a call centre which is managed by BJP ruled Bangalore Municipal Corporation.

Tejasvi Surya and two other MLAs raided the war room to unearth an alleged bed allocation scam. BBMP has 205 employees, but Surya cherry-picked only 17 names out of 205 and read out those names in the presence of people and cameras, surprisingly all those 17 names belong to the Muslim community. Those 2 MLAs who accompanied him go on to ask if the War Room was a madrasa (an Islamic religious school) or a Haj House. Soon afterwards, the 17 Muslims were suspended and later detained by police. A list of their names started circulating on social media with the claim that these 17 terrorists are responsible for the death of Hindu patients in Bangalore. Sarfaraz Khan, who is the Joint Commissioner of Bangalore Municipal Corporation was blamed for it.

Reports said that the terminated Muslim employees received many threatening call and messages on their WhatsApp and social media. However, the terminated Muslim employees were later released by the Police, given a clean chit and reinstated after massive outrage.

In another incident a few weeks ago, a BJP leader objected to the presence of a Muslim volunteer at a crematorium in Gujarat.

These kinds of incidents are enough to expose the Narendra Modi governments prejudices and biases against Indian Muslims. Last year also, Muslims in India were blamed for spreading the virus in the county, and many members of Tablighi Jamaat were arrested, many poor Muslims were attacked by a mob on the streets, and many poor Muslim vendors had to face an economic boycott.

Last year BJP leaders gave communal statements against Muslims. The BJP government directly blamed Muslims for the pandemic. This year, the same Modi government and BJP leaders endorsed the Kumbh Mela, a Hindu religious congregation that was attended by millions of devotees, which has been accused of being a super spreader event.

When India was reporting thousands of Covid cases per day in March and April 2021, the BJP govt was publishing front-page ads in a newspaper about Kumbh Mela.

While the Kumbh Mela event has drawn flak from sections of the media. However, the reaction to the event has been different compared with the Tablighi Jamaat event last year. The members of Tablighi Jamaat were traced by the government and police. They faced legal actions, however, no such response was seen with the Kumbh attendees. It is impossible to track back those millions of people, and the government also hasnt shown any such interest leave alone taking legal action against them. This attitude of the BJP government is enough to prove that Muslims were targeted systematically last year.

It needs to be said that Indian Muslims do not need to prove their loyalty to India. Despite the humiliations, vilification and hate campaigns, Indian Muslims contributed to the fight against coronavirus. Last year, when millions of migrant workers were forced to come on the streets due to lockdown, the members of the Muslim community helped them by distributing food, water and other basic amenities.

This year when India is again battling against the deadly virus, the Indian Muslims can be seen fighting at the forefront. To illustrate this, many mosques in India have been converted into Covid-19 care centres, Muslim NGOs are providing free Oxygen cylinders and medicine to Covid-19 patients in a different part of the country. In several parts of the country, many Muslim volunteers have been working at crematoriums for weeks and months. In this situation when even family members of the deceased Covid patients are refusing to touch their dead bodies, Indian Muslims are performing the funeral of Hindus.

In Maharashtra, four Muslim volunteers cremated more than 800 Hindu dead bodies since the beginning of the pandemic.

A team of volunteers from Tablighi Jamaat have conducted over 500 Covid-19 funerals in Tirupati. Despite all these humanitarian acts by the Muslims in India, Hindu Nationalists and Modi supporters are still trying their best to defame them.

The most important question that remains to be asked is that India will eventually overcome coronavirus in future, but how will India overcome this communal virus?

Md Asif Khan is a social activist. He tweets at @imMAK02
Colorado Politics senior political reporter

Joey Bunch is the senior correspondent and deputy managing editor of Colorado Politics. His 32-year career includes the last 16 in Colorado. He was part of the Denver Post team that won the Pulitzer Prize in 2013 and he is a two-time finalist.
The House on Friday advanced a bill seeking to tighten background checks on firearms sales, the first of a trio of bill introduced in the aftermath of the mass shooting in Boulder to be eligible for a final vote in one of the chambers of the state legislature.
Alan Gottlieb is editor of public education watchdog boardhawk.org, where this commentary originally appeared and is available online. Gottlieb covered Denver Public Schools for the Denver Post in the mid-1990s, worked as an education program officer for The Piton Foundation, and co-founded Education News Colorado and Chalkbeat.
A Gazette investigation shows an increasing number of soldiers, including wounded combat veterans, are being kicked out of the service for misconduct, often with no benefits, as the Army downsizes after a decade of war.
Colorado is leading the nation for its rate of new coronavirus cases per 100,000 people. The data show the state is seeing 145 new cases per 100,000 people on average over seven days. Alabama has the second highest rate of cases followed by Maine and Minnesota.
A protester who declined to give her name gives a speech during a protest in front of the El Paso County Courthouse in downtown Colorado Springs on Oct. 6, 2020. The protest was against the Colorado Springs Police Department over the treatment of several protesters who were arrested earlier this year following a demonstration outside the home of a police officer.
Copyright 1995 - . All rights reserved. The content (including but not limited to text, photo, multimedia information, etc) published in this site belongs to China Daily Information Co (CDIC). Without written authorization from CDIC, such content shall not be republished or used in any form. Note: Browsers with 1024*768 or higher resolution are suggested for this site.

0108263 License for publishing multimedia online



Registration Number: 130349 Registration Number: 130349
FILE - This Jan. 18, 2015, file photo shows a sign at the entrance to Camp Amache, the site of a former World War II-era Japanese-American internment camp in Granada, Colo. A University of Denver team is using a drone to create a 3D reconstruction of the camp in southern Colorado. The Amache effort is part of a growing movement to identify and preserve historical sites connected to people of color in the U.S. (AP Photo/Russell Contreras, File)
You have permission to edit this article.

Edit Close
NASA runs on data

Data is at the heart of everything NASA does, whether its pandemic response or landing rovers on Mars, according to Ron Thompson, the space agencys chief data officer and deputy digital transformation officer.

Speaking at a May 12 session of Pure Storages Accelerate Digital conference, Thompson said data is key in todays increasingly hyper-connected world and is at the core of NASAs digital transformation efforts.

NASA mission and program leaders have met over the past nine months to establish and build support for enterprisewide capabilities that will advance everything the agency does, he said. One goal of the transformation is to use data to accelerate NASA technologies time to market by 25% in the next three to five years.

This is something that is absolutely quantifiable, it is understandable across all of our domains at NASA, and absolutely we have the buy-in not only from the senior leadership, but from the rank-and-file as well, Thompson said.

Most recently, datas usefulness has proved itself in two headline-making events: COVID-19 and the landing of the Perseverance rover on Mars.

Early in the pandemic, NASA leaders, like many public-sector leaders, realized they needed data to make decisions about when to close centers. Thompson and other members of the Federal CDO Council met to determine, for instance, how the government should define COVID cases or the number of beds in a hospital. Then they determined how they would study longitudinal data over time and share data among agencies.

We made a decision based on data we actually stood up and visualized for our key decision-makers to move our agency out into a virtual space, Thompson said.

In a mission more specific to NASA, data powered Perseverances Feb. 18 landing on Mars. The autonomous robotic vehicle landed on its own using artificial intelligence and continues to learn about the Red Planet through AI. Its just one example of the possibilities that AI and machine learning hold, Thompson said.

That area in artificial intelligence and machine learning is one that were just scratching the surface on, he said. Robotic process automation is another. Thats a more mature area, and were very excited about that because we can elevate what our talent is using right now -- manual processes -- and really look at bringing in robotic process automation to automate and eliminate the human out of the routine task and elevate them to more cerebral work that we need to do.

Another new technology Thompson is excited about is digital twins. In the past, he said, NASA engineers would design empirical models, build them and put them in a wind tunnel. It was a continuous cycle of building, testing and revising. But through an aspect of digital transformation called model-based everything, the agency can build and test digital twins before assembling a physical aircraft.

Before you cut any metal, you have a digital twin in the cloud, Thompson said. We can tie in cloud-based offerings and analytics  before we actually make a physical model of a particular aircraft, a wing or an element of an aircraft, he said. Were absolutely able to test, validate and verify before [building] anything.

The biggest challenge to all these changes is not in technology, but culture, Thompson said. To make the most of the technology, NASA must first get employee support for using it.

I believe there are many advances in technology that we could bring to bear today, but the largest hurdle is doing something differently than we have done in the past, he said.
With the terror-financing watchdog Financial Action task Force (FATF) set to review Pakistans counter-terror financing regime in about a month, Prime Minister (PM) Imran Khans administration has put up measures in place to ensure such offences are investigated by specialised agencies, reports Hindustan Times.

The FATF will be holding its plenary from 21-25 June. In the previous plenary meeting of the FATF which was held in bygone February, Pakistan had been retained on the grey list. The FATF had then called on the Islamic Republic to complete an action plan to counter terror financing before June.

Then, Pakistan had asserted that it had largely addressed 24 of the 27 items in the action plan. However, FATFs president Marcus Pleyer had pointed out the remaining deficiencies were all serious.

The FATF had specifically asked Pakistan to show that terror financing investigations and prosecutions were targeting UN-designated terrorists and their proxies, that prosecutions were resulting in effective and dissuasive sanctions, and that targeted financial sanctions against UN-designated terrorists and their proxies were being effectively implemented.

Meanwhile, it should be noted that Prime Minister (PM) Borish Johnsons administration in the United Kingdom (UK) had recently included Pakistan in its list of high-risk nations for terror financing and money laundering.
Controversy over Delhi Chief Minister's assertion of the presence of a new Singapore strain. In a series of tweet and statements, Singapore has rubbished the claims made by Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal of the new strain. In a bid to do damage control and prevent diplomatic fallout from Arvind Kejriwals tweet on Singapore variant of the novel coronavirus, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Wednesday said that the Delhi Chief Minister does not speak for India. The strong reactions from the Central government came a day after Aam Aadmi Party leader Kejriwal urged the Centre to ban flights to Singapore, stating that a dangerous variant of coronavirus was circulating in the city-state.
United Nations, May 19 (PTI) India said on Wednesday that problems of terrorism and instability faced by Africa, like the rest of the world, are a reminder to the UN Security Council why epicentres of radicalisation must not be allowed to operate with impunity.

Addressing a UN Security Council open debate on Peace and Security in Africa: addressing root causes of conflict while promoting post-pandemic recovery in Africa under China's Presidency of the 15-member Council, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said the initiative for an open debate on peace and security in Africa that addresses root causes of conflict while promoting post-pandemic recovery is a timely one.

'Like the rest of the world, Africa too faces problems of terrorism and instability. It is a reminder to this Council why epicentres of radicalisation must not be allowed to operate with impunity,' Jaishankar said.

'India's support to Africa is expressed through our peacekeeping presence in South Sudan, Somalia, Abeyi, Western Sahara and Democratic Republic of Congo, Jaishankar said, adding that India endorses the call of the Secretary General for a mandate under Chapter VII to support African counter-terrorism operations with sustained financing, including through assessed contributions.

Jaishankar underlined the strong and deep solidarity between India and Africa, saying it reflects the bonding of the Global South.

While New Delhis close collaboration is expressed through the India-Africa Forum Summit, in the G77 and the Non-Aligned Movement, Jaishankar said the close ties are more evident in the United Nations itself than elsewhere. He termed as regretful Africa's exclusion from the permanent membership of the Security Council.

'It is a matter of continuing regret for us that the voice of Africa is not given its proper due in its most pivotal institution. Our support for the Common African Position, as stated in the Ezulwini Consensus and the Sirte Declaration, is sincere and unambiguous,' he said, underlining the need for the issue of reformed multilateralism to be given utmost priority.

Story continues

The African Union Committee of Ten Heads of State and Government (C-10) is a Committee setup by the African Union (AU) with mandate to advocate and canvass the African Common Position on UN Security Council reform.

The African Common Position, also known as Ezulwini Consensus and the Sirte Declaration, is named after a valley in Swaziland where the agreement was made by African Leaders in 2005, before it was adopted at an Extraordinary Session of the Executive Council of the African Union in Addis Ababa.

The Consensus underscores Africas goal to be fully represented in all decision making organs of the UN particularly the Security Council. It consists of the claim of two additional seats in the category of the non-permanent members and two seats in the category of permanent members with same rights, privileges and obligations accorded to the current permanent members of UNSC, including the right to veto, according to the African Parliamentary Alliance for UN Reforms website. PTI YAS ZH ZH
MCCH Plans to Open New Renovated Lab Department

By West Kentucky Star Staff

MURRAY - Murray-Calloway County Hospital recently renovated a new Clinical Laboratory Department on the first floor of the North Tower. The new Lab area will provide additional space for offices and storage, and a larger lab area giving staff the ability todo more tests efficiently. This gives our physicians the timeliest information to aid them in the diagnosis and treatment of their patients, which is crucial to the patients plan of care. Approximately 70% of medical decisions are based on lab results.The Laboratory consists of Chemistry, Hematology, Blood Bank, Microbiology, and Pathology Departments all staffed with dedicated employees utilizing the most up-to-date instrumentation available to provide the most accurate and timely results.Murray-Calloway County Hospital is a 152-licensed bed medical center located at 803 Poplar Street in Murray, Kentucky. The hospital has been serving the medical and health care needs of the Western Kentucky area for over 100 years.Murray Hospital specializes in such major areas as womens services, surgery, cancer, orthopedics, neurology, psychiatric services, emergency services and more. Murray-Calloway County Hospital is accredited by the Joint Commission on the Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations, the nations oldest and largest hospital accreditation agency.
40% of US Adults Now Fully Vaccinated

By West Kentucky Star Staff

WASHINGTON DC - The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said Friday that 166 million people have received at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine, including more than 62 percent of the nation's adults.About 133 million people have been fully vaccinated by Johnson & Johnsons single-dose vaccine or the two-dose series made by Pfizer and Moderna.However, the daily average of national doses continues to fall steadily. As of Friday, an average of 1.5 million doses are being administered daily, compared with 1.8 million a week ago and 3.4 million in April.This spring, President Biden set a goal of July 4 to reach the 70 percent "herd immunity" level, but at the current rate the CDC estimates that level won't be reached before August 27.Kentucky has given at least one dose to 46 percent of its residents, ranking it 29th in the nation. More than 38 percent of Kentucky residents are now fully vaccinated.Illinois ranks 18th at 54 percent. Tennessee ranks 45th in the nation with 38.9 percent getting at least one dose.Vermont continues to have the highest percentage of its population getting vaccinations at 70 percent. Hawaii and Massachusetts are next at 66 percent.Eight states are now over 60 percent with at least one shot administered, and 21 are over 50 percent.On the Net:
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

View Results
Thank you for reading!

Please purchase a subscription to read our premium content. If you have a subscription, please log in or sign up for an account on our website to continue.
JAKARTA, May 19 -- As of May 18, the Chinese rescue fleet, which arrived in Indonesia in early May to assist in the recovery of Indonesia's wrecked submarine, has completed the first-phrase survey task and achieved initial results.

The Chinese rescue fleet participating in the salvage operations consists of three vessels, i.e., the ocean salvage/rescue ship Yongxingdao (Hull 863) and the ocean-going salvage tug Nantuo 195 attached to a naval rescue ship flotilla under the PLA Southern Theater Command and the scientific research vessel Explorer 2 sent by the Institute of Deep-Sea Science and Engineering (IDSSE) under the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS).

During the salvage operations, Chinas manned submersible Deepsea Warrior aboard the on-duty scientific research vessel Explorer 2 completed 13 dives of survey task, basically figured out the underwater state of the wrecked submarine, collected a large number of pictures and video data, and salvaged the submarine's life raft and other light components.

Zhang Weijia, the liaison officer of the vessel Explorer 2, said that the Chinese side has handed over all the survey data, underwater pictures, videos, and salvaged items to the Indonesian military in a timely and safe manner without reservation, under the premise of excellent pandemic prevention and control work.

At the same time, in order to conduct exchanges more effectively, multiple parties involved in the operations, including the Indonesian military, the Chinese military, the Chinese Embassy and consulate in Indonesia, and the Explorer 2 scientific research team, have established an online communication mechanism under the coordination of the Chinese Embassy in Indonesia. All parties involved hold video conferences regularly to conduct efficient and transparent communication on related technical issues in the salvage process.

Chen Yongjing, defense attache of the Chinese Embassy in Indonesia, stated this is a major humanitarian resccue operation jointly carried out by China and Indonesia, it is of great significance to consolidating and deepening the comprehensive strategic partnership between the two countries and promoting mutual trust, mutual assistance and cooperation between the two militaries.

Facing the world-class problem of deep-sea salvage, relevant departments and task vessels of China and Indonesia have maintained close communication and collaboration, achieving phased results of the underwater surveytask, Chen added.

At present, the Chinese naval ships have started the salvage operation after underwater survey.
by Mathias Hariyadi

A Sumatran school expelled a 17-year-old student for releasing a video in which she "humiliated" Palestinians. An investigation opened against a cleaner in West Nusa Tenggara for a similar reason. The misperception of a "war" between Christians and Muslims in the violence in Palestine. Maximum government and army alert.

Jakarta (AsiaNews) - In Indonesia, the controversy is raging around the story involving a high school student, expelled from the school in Bengkulu (island of Sumatra) for having published a video on the popular social network TikTok which "humiliates" Palestine and its people.

Activists and exponents of civil society say the decision falls within the framework of a worrying social phenomenon, the result of a growing "authoritarian" drift of institutions - including educational ones - towards young people.

Following a resolution signed by the school administration, the police and the local military command in Bengkulu on 17 May, the student received an official note certifying her expulsion from the institute. The process reached the final act, despite the young woman - known only by the initials MS  having expressed remorse and apologized for the gesture made.

According to the accusation, the girl allegedly promoted hatred of the Palestinian people and fomented racial discrimination against Muslims. In her defence MS said the video had an ironic purpose and was intended to mock the recent violence between Israel and Hamas and other terrorist groups in the Gaza Strip. The previous day, a cleaner called HL from West Nusa Tenggara Province (NTB) was indicted by the police for spreading a video message in which he attacks and blames Palestine.

In Indonesia, any confrontation between Israelis and Palestinians has always been seen in the past - and incorrectly - as a religious and racial issue between Muslims and Christians. Several groups, especially among the radical Islamic movements, have launched initiatives and fundraisers to support the cause and the Palestinian people.

A government office in Karanganyar, in central Java, has also joined the initiative, but there are also spontaneous initiatives by private citizens who collect money in public parks or open spaces. President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo also spoke on the violence, expressing the hope that the conflict could end soon after speaking with the Turkish counterpart Recep Tayyip Erdogan and the leaders of Singapore and Malaysia.

Addressing his fellow citizens, former intelligence chief and retired army general AM Hendropriyono recalled that the clash between Israelis and Palestinians is not a religious issue between Christian Muslims. "These are territorial claims between Palestinian Arabs and Jewish [settlers]." He said.

And the Israel-Palestinian conflict "is none of our business". Right now a directive is circulating among the military which calls for the ethnic-religious question to be dissolved around the conflict in Palestine these days.
Biden Approves $735 Million in Arms Sales to Israel

May 18, 2021 (EIRNS)President Joe Biden signed off on a $735 million arms sale to Israel, thus eliminating the biggest potential pressure point to get Israel to agree to a ceasefire in their mass bombardment of Gaza. The decision to approve the sale was already made on May 5, prior to the beginning of the current conflict, but was signed only Monday, May 17. Biden approved it despite opposition from some Democrats. The sale includes Joint Direct Attack Munitions, so they will replace the weapons the Israelis have been deploying against Hamas.

Commenting on the report, Democratic Congresswoman Ilhan Omar said the sale should not be completed while crimes against humanity are being committed with our backing. It would be appalling for the Biden Administration to go through with $735 million in precision-guided weaponry to Netanyahu without any strings attached in the wake of escalating violence and attacks on civilians, she said in a statement. She added the obvious: If this goes through, this will be seen as a green light for continued escalation and will undercut any attempts at brokering a ceasefire.

Meanwhile, Biden spoke with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, during which, according to the official statement by the White House, The two leaders discussed progress in Israels military operations against Hamas and other terrorist groups in Gaza. The President expressed his support for a ceasefire.

The obvious bottom line is that Biden will support a ceasefire when Netanyahu says he is ready, when he has made more progress in killing Palestinians.

The body count has reached 212, according to the Palestinian Health Ministry on May 17, including 61 children, 35 women, and 16 elderly people.

Warning that the conflict threatens to expand to the entire region, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov conveyed that,

Obviously, the conflict poses a danger in the event of its uncontrolled growth and continuation, as many countries have quite difficult relations.... And the regional security system is quite fragile in general ... it is highly important to prevent the events from being transformed into a forceful scenario. Therefore, a very energetic effort is being made by the Quartet ... to stop the exchange of strikes.

The Middle East Quartet of international mediators are the United States, Russia, European Union and United Nations.

A day of rage was declared on the West Bank, with the Palestinian ruling faction, Fatah, calling for confrontations with Israeli security forces. Monday evening, armed men marched through the streets of Ramallah in preparation for the day of rage.

Now the conflict threatens to spread to Lebanon, as it is reported that at least two missiles were fired yesterday from Tyre city in southern Lebanon towards Jewish settlements, according to the Lebanese TV network Al Jadeed, reported TASS yesterday. It is not yet clear whether they crossed the border. On May 13, five missiles were fired from the area of Qlaileh towards the settlements of Nahariya and Shlomi. Two of them landed in Lebanon and three fell into the sea.

The threat of civil war between Israeli Arabs and Israeli Jews continues to grow. The former declared a nationwide general strike on May 18 to protest Israels military campaign on Gaza and recent tensions within the country. It was initiated by the Arab High Follow-Up Committee, led by former Knesset member Mohammad Barakeh, and focused mainly on Israeli attacks on Palestinians in the Al-Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem and the eviction of several Palestinian families from their homes in the Sheikh Jarrah neighborhood in East Jerusalem by Israeli settlers. The strike was almost uniformly joined by Palestinians.
Gaza in Dire Humanitarian Crisis, with Hospitals Destroyed, Hunger Looming, COVID Inoculations Ended

May 18, 2021 (EIRNS)As a result of Israels bombing rampage, the 2 million inhabitants of the Gaza Strip are suffering a dire humanitarian crisis. As World Health Organization Director Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus warned in his May 17 press conference, the bombings violate international humanitarian law, which demands that hospitals, clinics, schools, and healthcare infrastructure be protected. Instead, more than 18 hospitals have been completely or partially destroyed, healthcare professionals killed, COVID testing and vaccinations halted, and people are herded into crowded shelters that facilitate transmission of disease. Doctors Without Borders (MSF) reported that its clinic in Gaza, a trauma and burns treatment center, had been damaged by bombings, leaving its sterilization room unusable. Offices of the Red Crescent organization, part of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement, were also severely damaged by bombings yesterday.

Because of damage to its building, Gazas al-Rimal clinic, the only central laboratory able to perform immunizations, virus screenings, and telemedicine services, has ceased operation. So far, the New York Times reported today, only 1.9% of Gazas population have been vaccinated against COVIDcompared to 60% in Israel. The UN Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) in Gaza as well as the regional WHO representative warn that violence could fuel a surge in the pandemic. The situation, Dr. Tedros warned, creates a health risk for the world as a whole.

Hunger and lack of basic services are exacerbating the situation. The UN News website reported that, before the current crisis, two-thirds of Gazas people were already suffering from food insecurity. Some 53% of the population live in poverty, and the unemployment rate stands at 43%. As of yesterday, there were 58,000 displaced persons, 47,000 of whom were seeking refuge in 58 shelters located in schools run by UNRWA, and another 2,500 homeless.

World Food Program (WFP) representatives are deployed in Gaza to provide food or cash e-vouchers to allow people to buy food, as the bombing rampage goes on. There is fear that the closure of crossings from Israel will lead to commodity shortages and increased food prices. Corinne Fleischer, WFP regional director for the Middle East and North Africa, put it this way: People in Gaza have already been living on the edge, and many families struggle to put food on the table. Their situation has deteriorated even further over the past year due to COVID-19 pandemic restrictions. The majority of the population cannot withstand further shocks and the current situation could unleash a crisis that could spill into the entire region.


A growing number of U.S. school systems are removing mask requirements for students. But some public health experts and parents are concerned that it is too soon to lift the rules.

In Florida, the head of a school system recently announced she would agree to remove a mask requirement that had been in place since September. The decision came after a long, angry fight over mask requirements.

But the school board chair in Santa Rosa County, Wei Ueberschaer, said she believed the requirement should remain until the end of the school year.

Parents shouted insults at her. Communist! Democrat!, they said. Moments later, the school board voted to end the mask requirement for all children.

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) announced last week that vaccinated Americans do not need to wear masks. But it is still unclear if that is the right decision for children in school. Most children have not yet been vaccinated.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recently approved Pfizers COVID-19 vaccine for children as young as 12. It is unlikely, however, that many young children will be vaccinated before the end of the school year.

CDC information shows that infection rates among American children ages 14-17 are now higher than for all Americans. The rates among children 6-13 are also rising.

When asked about children wearing masks at school, the CDC director, Dr. Rochelle Walensky, said the agency would soon announce new guidelines for schools, businesses and other areas.

The discussions about school rules have been emotional and highly divisive around the country. In some cases, police were called to meetings. School leaders have been caught between anti-mask parents and teachers' unions.

School systems have changed decisions on the issue several times. Many see a continued need to protect children who are not vaccinated against COVID-19. Others argue that masks make children uncomfortable and the requirements limit personal freedom.

The mask is a personal choice, and I wore it at the beginning, but I just decided that it wasnt about the mask anymore, said Cynthia Licharowicz. She is a parent in Milton, Florida, who opposes the requirement.

So, I decided to take it off, and I wanted my child to have the same choice, she added.

The arguments show the state of communities 14 months after the pandemic began to spread in the U.S.

Some U.S. schools remain closed to stop infections. Others, from Alabama in the south to Wyoming in the west, decided to end student mask requirements. When the new school year starts in September, many more schools will likely end their requirements.

In Arkansas, mask requirements will be illegal at the end of the summer. South Carolina recently ended its mask requirements for students, leaving the decision to individual communities.

Many parents in schools where masks are no longer required are worried.

I dont see any harm in wearing masks, and there is potential harm in not wearing a mask, said Christie Black.

She is the mother of two young school-age children in Mesa, Arizona. She did not understand the decision made by her communitys schools to end the requirement.

Evidence from earlier in the pandemic found children less likely than older people to be infected with the coronavirus and less likely to become seriously ill from COVID-19.

Black continues to send her two children to school with masks, but says they remove the masks as soon as they see other children without them.

It just feels like were more concerned with our own freedom and rights than doing whats best for the most vulnerable, she said.

Back in Santa Rosa, Florida, Jennifer Hensley, a Santa Rosa County parent and public school teacher, was the only member of the public at the meeting who spoke in favor of keeping the mask requirement. She said she was worried about the health of teachers and of her 15-year-old daughter, who has an autoimmune disease.

Another parent, Hailei Smead, a mother of three students, runs a Facebook group called Santa Rosa County Parents SPEAK UP. It was created in September to stop mask requirements and has nearly 900 registered members.

Its not societys job to protect every other individual, Smead said. Its your own job to protect yourself and your family.

I strongly recommend the use of face masks, especially for those who are not fully vaccinated, school leader Ueberschaer said before the vote. She was rewarded with insults from some parents.

It truly does make me feel sad that face masks have morphed from a virus-prevention strategy to a political statement, she said.

Im Susan Shand.

The Associated Press reported this story. Susan Shand adapted it for Learning English. Bryan Lynn was the editor.

Quiz - More US Schools Remove Student Mask Requirement Start the Quiz to find out Start Quiz

_______________________________________________________________

Words in This Story

mask  n. a covering for the face or part of the face: especially related to preventing the spread of disease

divisive  adj. causing disagreements between people

uncomfortable  adj. not feeling comfortable or pleasant

vulnerable  n. able to be easily hurt, influenced or attacked

autoimmune  adj. relating to a condition in which a persons antibodies attack substances naturally found in the body

recommend  v. to suggest that something should be done

morph  v. to gradually change from one thing to another

We want to hear from you. Write to us in the Comments Section, and visit our Facebook page.
by Melani Manel Perera

The Sri Lankan government marked Victory Day yesterday, the day when, on 18 May 2009, three decades of civil war came to an end. For the people of northern and north-eastern Sri Lanka, it was instead a day of remembrance for the victims of the war.

Colombo (Asia News)  On 18 May 2009, Sri Lankas civil war came to an end. Since then, the Sri Lankan government has celebrated the event as Victory Day.

In northern and north-eastern Sri Lanka, that same day is marked as a day of remembrance for the victims of war. The local Catholic bishops commemorated the anniversary last night. For the occasion, other Christian groups and civil society organisations organised ceremonies and discussions via zoom.

To highlight the anniversary, Bishops Justin Gnanapragasam of Jaffna, Emmanuel Fernando of Mannar, Noel Emmanuel of Trincomalee, and Joseph Ponniah of Batticaloa signed an open letter providing guidelines for all those who wished to commemorate war victims in the current COVID-19 situation.

In their message, the bishops note that parish priests, religious communities, and leaders of religious institutions should ring the Angelus at 6 pm and call the faithful to pray. They should also ask believers to lit a special oil lamp or candle, observe two minutes of silence, and perform a silent prayer for those who were killed, mutilated or suffered in other ways.

Mentioning the 18 May commemoration, which is also 12th anniversary of the Mullivaikal genocide, the north-eastern bishops said that, as survivors and witnesses of the last phase of the war and the previous decades mourn their dead, they are entitled to remember and take part in the process of redress rather than remain passive.

The prelates go on to urge Tamils in in the north and east to mark 18 May as a day of remembrance and prayer. Let us remember and pray for all those who lost their lives as a result of long decades of war and unrest in Sri Lanka. Let us join those seeking justice for the crimes that were committed, the bishops said.

On social media, Father Mawulis, parish priest at St Mary's Church, said that 18 May is a day full of pain for Tamil people. [. . .] a day when the voice of the people was silenced in the Tamils struggle for their rights. Even today, Tamil people live helplessly without their siblings, children and spouses.

Bishop Gnanapragasam of Jaffna and several priests observed together two minutes of silence. Bringing various torches, they lit a large torch to remember the dead, recited a silent prayer, and rang a bell for the repose of those who died.

Anthony Jesudasan, a Tamil human rights activist in Negombo, took part in the memorial ceremony held in northern Sri Lanka via zoom.

The current government, he told AsiaNews, has been unable to meet the demands of mothers who for four years have been trying to find out what happened to those who went missing during the war.

This government has no programme for transitional justice or reconciliation. We therefore call on the government and those responsible to pay attention to this and to bring justice to those who suffered as a result of the war.

The Christian Solidarity Movement (CSM, a multi-Christian movement, held a commemoration online last night, from 6.00 pm to 6.45 pm, with the participation of its members and other people concerned about the victims of Sri Lankas civil war.

Participants at the CSM-sponsored event observed a moment of silence, lit lamps and candles, and listened to a CSM members, a female journalist, speak about the bitter experience of war. The Gospel was read during the meeting. A priest gave his reflections and sang a hymn. Intercessions were offered and the Lords prayer was recited.

We have come because we thirst for justice, said Mahinda Namal. We Christians have a part to play. In the days of justice, let us ask God to give us strength.

Speaking to AsiaNews, CSM coordinator Sister Rasika Peiris expressed the desire to be one with our people in the north and the east, commemorating the Mullivaikkal genocide. To this end, let us join hands to remember those who were killed in the final phase of the war.

In taking a stand in favour of the oppressed, she added, we believe we can be a powerful force to make people aware of the root causes of the conflict, and thus find a political solution to build together a reconciled pluri-national Sri Lanka.

The bishops of the Church of Ceylon, the National Christian Council of Sri Lanka (NCCSL), the Christian Solidarity Movement (CSM), and the National Peace Council (NPC) issued statements yesterday giving their fullest support to the call by the bishops of the Diocese of Jaffna to remember those who died during the war.
by Vladimir Rozanskij

In the city of Dmani, a quarrel has turned into a brawl and struggle between the Christian and Muslim communities. The city is on the road between Armenia and Azerbaijan. The intervention of the Mufti of Eastern Georgia and the representative of the Patriarchate of Georgia was decisive. Inter-ethnic struggles, a legacy of the Soviet past.

Moscow (AsiaNews) - For more than two days in the city of Dmanisi has been the epicentre of ethnic-religious clashes. The conflict is concentrated above all in the Kvemo Kartli district with clashes between Georgian citizens, Svans [an ethnic group from Svanezia, north-east of the country] and Azeris.

Large police forces have been deployed in the city, where Interior Minister Vakhtang Gomelauri also went three days ago, isolating the territory in an attempt to restore public order.

There are several injured and numerous arrests. Anti-government opposition, along with human rights organizations, criticize the government for its delayed intervention.

The city was rocked by hurled insults and screams in various languages and from the windows of the houses, sounds of sudden beatings. In addition to the three ethnic groups, the clashes are also provoked by mutual accusations and offenses on a religious basis, between Christians and Muslims.

It all started with a simple street fight. On May 16, a shop owner refused to give beer on credit to a group of young people. They rushed at him, and returned with sticks, clubs and hoes. As the surveillance cameras show, one even wielded a mechanical mallet.

The attackers began to destroy the shop windows and shelves. Another group came to the shopkeeper's rescue, and the clashes spread throughout the neighbourhood, always with the use of improvised weapons, "like a sudden snowfall", according to the testimonies of bystanders speaking to Ekho Kavkaza.

In the evening the Georgian media spread the information that the young people were of Svans ethnicity and the shopkeeper an Azerbaijani. The Azeris call the Svans eco-migrants, as they were allegedly transferred to Dmanisi, a city of traditional Azerbaijani ethnicity, by the Soviet authorities more than 30 years ago, due to the ecological catastrophes in Svanezia.

One witness explained that the Georgians came "to the rescue of our Svans friends ... against these Muslims who throw stones at us". Local authorities have given the impression that they are letting the groups sort it out themselves, intervening only in the late evening.

Even before the police, representatives of the Orthodox and Muslim clergy intervened. Yesterday, May 18, the mufti of eastern Georgia, Etibar Eminov, and the head of the communications office of the patriarchate of Georgia, the protoierej Andrija Dzhagmaidze, showed up in the square in Kvemo Kartli. Together with them was one of the leaders of the government majority, the deputy Sozar Subari. With some difficulty, they managed to persuade the main contenders to suspend hostilities and exchange a handshake.

Commentators observe that the street clashes in Dmanisi are "an overflow of the Soviet past", when these hostilities were hardly regulated by the economic and social plans of the central government. Dmanisi is one of the most populous cities in Georgia (over half a million inhabitants). In addition to the three main ethnic groups, there are also minorities of Armenians and Greeks, and thousands of refugees from Abkhazia, a region that is the scene of armed conflicts with the Russians.

The eco-migration of the Svans took place from 1987, to the end of the Soviet period, after some extraordinary snowfalls had caused avalanches and landslides, overwhelming homes and causing dozens of deaths. The migration continued until the dissolution of the Soviet regime. Since then, the area has been considered a very difficult criminal territory to manage. The road that leads to Armenia and Azerbaijian passed through it, which was later destroyed by the conflict in Nagorno Karabakh, and which we now want to restore; on it the attacks of brigands were very frequent.

No government has so far managed to regain control of the region, and recent conflicts between Armenians and Azeris have isolated the area even further. Even from these peripheral skirmishes it is evident the great tension that runs through the whole post-Soviet world of the Caucasus, with its many ethnic groups and its difficult past.
FILE - In this Feb. 8, 2021 file photo, a man receives his Sinopharm COVID-19 vaccine from a medical staffer at Guru Nanak Darbar temple in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. The United Arab Emirates says it will offer booster shots to those who received the Chinese state-backed Sinopharm vaccine six months after vaccination. The announcement Tuesday, May 18, 2021, comes after some in the UAE received a third shot amid concerns of a low antibody response from the vaccine.
Copyright 2021 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.
Disclosure: Texas A&M University; Steve Adler, a former Texas Tribune board chair; Texas AFT; and the Texas State Teachers Association have been financial supporters of The Texas Tribune, a nonprofit, nonpartisan news organization that is funded in part by donations from members, foundations and corporate sponsors. Financial supporters play no role in the Tribune's journalism. Find a complete list of them here.
Unfortunately, our website is currently unavailable in your country. We are engaged on the issue and committed to looking at options that support our full range of digital offerings to your market. We continue to identify technical compliance solutions that will provide all readers with our award-winning journalism.
Credit: Unsplash/CC0 Public Domain

A new study published in the Journal of Clinical Oncology reports findings on Huntsman at Home, a cancer hospital-at-home model operated by Huntsman Cancer Institute (HCI) at the University of Utah (U of U). The study analyzed aspects of Huntsman at Home acute caremeaning a level of care that is generally provided in an inpatient hospital setting.

In the 30 days after study entry, Huntsman at Home participants had 55% fewer hospitalizations, 45% fewer emergency department visits, and shorter hospital stays by one day. They also had 47% lower health care costs during the same 30-day period as compared with patients who did not participate in Huntsman at Home.

Kathleen Mooney, Ph.D., RN, Huntsman at Home research director and distinguished professor of nursing at the U of U, led the study, along with a team of nine other investigators. Their evaluation adds to the existing evidence of a reduction in costs and unplanned health care visits among Huntsman at Home participants.

Launched in 2018, Huntsman at Home was one of the first programs in the United States to provide acute cancer care at home. The service combines HCI research and clinical expertise for in-person care, remote patient and caregiver support, and acute-level clinical care provided by nurse practitioners. Huntsman at Home has a variety of home-based services that range from symptom management to acute medical, post-surgical, palliative, and end-of-life care. The publication examines factors related to acute care admissions to Huntsman at Home on health care utilization and costs.

"Acute cancer care in the home had not previously been evaluated," says Mooney. "We sought to create a model that extended the compassionate care of HCI to provide services in a patient's home that otherwise might require urgent or emergency care or a longer hospitalization to resolve. Yet we also knew it had to be sustainable and would require new insurance reimbursement models. Therefore, we evaluated our Huntsman at Home program on health care utilization and costs to determine the value added by the acute care model."

The Huntsman at Home team is led by HCI nurse practitioners working in conjunction with HCI oncologists and is operated in partnership with Community Nursing Services, a home health and hospice agency that provides the program with registered nurses, social workers, and physical therapists. Huntsman at Home was initially offered to patients who lived within a 20-mile radius of HCI's flagship cancer hospital in Salt Lake City.

"We found that emergency department visits and hospitalizations were approximately cut in half for patients who participated in Huntsman at Home," Mooney says.

Mooney and her team plan further studies to evaluate other aspects of Huntsman at Home. They are currently examining patient and family caregiver satisfaction, and potential reductions in symptom severity and caregiving burden.

In alignment with HCI's focus on meeting the needs of rural residents in its catchment areaa geographic region that spans 17% of the continental United States and includes all of Utah, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, and Wyomingthe team also plans to determine whether the model can improve care for patients who live far from a major medical center.

"Huntsman at Home is expanding to three rural counties in southeastern Utah, areas that require a two- to four-hour drive for patients to come to HCI," Mooney says. This will be the first expansion of the Huntsman at Home service area. The HCI cancer care team will partner with local providers and community organizations to provide care through a combination of in-person, remote monitoring, and telehealth approaches. "This important expansion exemplifies HCI's commitment to serve cancer patients where they live," says Mooney.

More information: Kathi Mooney et al, Evaluation of Oncology Hospital at Home: Unplanned Health Care Utilization and Costs in the Huntsman at Home Real-World Trial, Journal of Clinical Oncology (2021). Journal information: Journal of Clinical Oncology Kathi Mooney et al, Evaluation of Oncology Hospital at Home: Unplanned Health Care Utilization and Costs in the Huntsman at Home Real-World Trial,(2021). DOI: 10.1200/JCO.20.03609

Provided by Huntsman Cancer Institute
Shanghai (Gasgoo)- For the first four months of 2021, four Japanese automakersToyota, Honda, Nissan, and Mazdaall recorded double-digit growth in China sales mainly due to the low base for the year-ago period.



In terms of April sales, Toyota, Honda, and Nissan's China businesses still recorded year-on-year growth, while the rates were much smaller than that of the previous month. Mazda was the only one that faced decrease.

Toyota still outperformed the other three companies by both Apr. and Jan.-Apr. China sales. It sold 160,300 new vehicles in the world's largest auto market last month, posting a year-on-year growth of 12.2%, which were 51.5 percentage points lower than that in March.



Levin; photo credit: GAC Toyota



According to the wholesales given by GAC Toyota, the joint venture between GAC Group and Toyota sold 73,900 new vehicles last month, logging a 16% growth from the year-ago period. The wholesale volumes of the all-new Camry, the Levin, and the Wildlander amounted to 17,234 units, 20,770 units, and 10,777 units respectively.

The sales volume of FAW-Toyota is not yet known.

At the Auto Shanghai 2021, Toyota revealed that it planned to introduce to China over 30 electrified models under both Toyota and Lexus brands by 2025, including BEVs, PHEVs, HEVs, and FCVs, encouraged by China's goal of achieving carbon neutrality by 2060.

Honda announced its China deliveries leapt 31.7% from a year earlier in April, versus 150.2% hike in its March sales. Of those, 64,500 units and 84,923 units were contributed by GAC Honda and Dongfeng Honda respectively, representing year-on-year growth of 10.4% and 54.3%.



CR-V; photo credit: Dongfeng Honda



There were six models, namely the Accord, the Vezel, the Breeze, the CR-V, the Civic, and the XR-V, whose deliveries all surpassed 10,000 units in April. Notably, more than 20,000 consumers in China took delivery of the CR-V last month.

Moreover, a total of 22,114 Honda's vehicles armed with the hybrid powertrain system Sport Hybrid were handed over to consumers in the country last month.

In the Jan.-Apr. period, Honda saw its China retail sales shoot up 60.9% to 539,654 units. GAC Honda scored a 40% remarkable growth by retailing 244,610 vehicles, while Dongfeng Honda posted an increase of up to 83.6% with a delivery volume of 295,044 units.

Nissan's China sales amounted to 128,297 units last month, ticking up 4.4% from a year earlier, compared to the 78% increase in March sales volume.

The PV business unit of Dongfeng Motor Company Limited (DFL) sold 101,762 new vehicles in April, posting a 4.5% year-over-year increase. To be specific, the sales of Nissan-branded models edged up 3.9% to 96,036 units, for the fourth month in a row showing year-over-year rise.



Seventh-generation Altima; photo credit: Dongfeng Nissan



With sales volumes of 12,035 units and 45,725 units, both the seventh-generation Altima and the Sylphy series achieved highest-ever monthly sales for the month of April. The sales of Nissan-branded SUVs totaled 32,535 units last month, including 14,336 X-Trails and 14,033 Qashqais.

Of the vehicles sold by Dongfeng Nissan, 5,726 units were from Venucia brand, a year-on-year growth of 14.4%.

Retailing 15,230 vehicles in April, Mazda's China business recorded a 10.9% downward movement from the year-ago period, versus the 44.5% surge in the March volume.

Changan Mazda delivered 10,305 vehicles last month, still logging a 2.8% growth. Thus, the monthly decrease entirely stemmed from the plunge in FAW-Mazda sales, which tumbled 30.3% year on year to 4,925 units.



Mazda3 Axela; photo credit: Changan Mazda



With 6,706 vehicles delivered, the Mazda3 Axela was still the best-selling model in April. In the meantime, the deliveries of the Mazda6 Atenza and the Mazda CX-4 reached 2,719 units and 2,206 units respectively.
A neural stem cell and its progeny are seen under high-resolution imagery of their cell membranes in research at the University of Oregon. The stem cell is the large cell shown near the center with progeny from previous divisions, like grapes in a cluster, trailing to the left. The image is shown in false color. Credit: University of Oregon

High-resolution imaging of fruit flies at the University of Oregon has captured mechanical motions that stem cells use to make neurons, the cells that make up the brain.

These motions coordinate cell division with differentiation, where newly born cells become neurons. Differentiation is essential for building the brain circuitry in complex organisms that underlies human cognition and emotions, said Ken Prehoda, a professor in the UO's Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry.

Prehoda was principal investigator of a project published online May 18 in the journal Cell Reports.

Drosophila fly brains have some 100,000 neurons, while human brains have more than 50 billion. Developmental research in Drosophila often leads to advances in human medicine.

The discovery, Prehoda said, suggests that the mechanical process is vital to understanding brain development and, potentially, for regenerating neurons and their connections following injuries.

"To make so many neurons, the developing brain acts like a factory with individual stem cell 'machines' continually producing neurons," Prehoda said. "We discovered that stem cells have more in common with real machines on a factory floor than previously appreciated in that they undergo a mechanical cycle when producing each neuron."

In the project, Bryce LaFoya, a postdoctoral researcher in the UO's Institute of Molecular Biology, used spinning-disk confocal microscopy to examine fruit fly brains with their stem cell membranes embedded with fluorescent markers. That unveiled the membrane dynamics of neural stem cells and their progeny at high resolution, revealing the mechanical cycle as each neuron was produced.

To make neurons, Prehoda said, neural stem cells must place special molecules, proteins called fate determinants, into one of two daughter cells that result from division. How that was done had been unclear despite many previous studies of physical interactions in which fate determinants are involved.

In a 2019 study in the journal eLife, Prehoda and Krystal Oon, a graduate student in the Institute of Molecular Biology, reported that proteins undergo movements along the membrane, but what drove the movement was known.

"Mechanical forces within the cell segregate components that are responsible for cellular identity after division," LaFoya said. "After the cell divides in two, because of these forces, one cell will remain a stem cell while the other will go on to become a neuron."

The cellular-scale mechanical forces revealed in the imagery were so strong that surrounding cell membranes became highly distorted before returning to normal, Prehoda added. Understanding the process from beginning to end, he said, could have implications for regenerative therapies.

"Our results indicate that the neuroblast membrane plays a role in polarity initiation and maintenance," LaFoya and Prehoda wrote in their conclusion, describing the process that the neural stem cells use to make neurons.

Explore further Zebrafish brain shows that new neurons are formed in the brain in a coordinated manner

More information: Bryce LaFoya et al, Actin-dependent membrane polarization reveals the mechanical nature of the neuroblast polarity cycle, Cell Reports (2021). Journal information: Cell Reports , eLife Bryce LaFoya et al, Actin-dependent membrane polarization reveals the mechanical nature of the neuroblast polarity cycle,(2021). DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2021.109146
Credit: Pixabay/CC0 Public Domain

Steps to ensure safety and mitigate the spread of COVID-19 have had some unintended consequences on the management of chronic conditions such as high blood pressure, a leading cause of heart disease and health disparities in the United States. COVID-19 has disproportionately affected people from different racial and ethnic groups, those who are from under-resourced populations and communities that face historic or systemic disadvantages. Discussions and research are ongoing to address what many experts label as long-existing inequities in the U.S. health system, according to information published today in the Journal of the American Heart Association.

"Media coverage has examined how and why COVID-19 is disproportionately impacting communities of color to some degree. However, it is critical that we continue to examine and explain the degree to which the pandemic has widened the divide among race/ethnic and class groups in the U.S. and exposed the systemic and institutional cracks in our health care system in terms of health care equity for people who are under-represented and populations that face disadvantages," said Adam Bress, Pharm.D., M.S., lead author of the paper, an associate professor of population health science in the Division of Health System Innovation and Research at the University of Utah School of Medicine in Salt Lake City and an investigator at the VA Salt Lake City Health Care System. "COVID-19 has also reminded us that when we design interventions, it is important to consider health equity from the beginning rather than as an afterthought."

A panel of frontline clinicians, researchers and leaders from diverse backgrounds recently convened virtually at the 4th Annual University of Utah Translational Hypertension Symposium to discuss how the pandemic has worsened inequities in blood pressure control and to highlight the environmental and socioeconomic factors contributing to disparities within the health care system, as well as strategies to help close the gap going forward.

The group also discussed the latest research on trends in hypertension care and effective ways to improve outcomes, and this study reflects a comparison on hypertension statistics before and during the COVID-19 pandemic outlined in previously published research.

One large nationwide study of over 50,000 adults indicated the number of people maintaining healthy blood pressure levels had been declining even prior to the pandemic, with lack of health insurance and access to health care being key factors. High blood pressure in this study was defined as greater than 140/90 mm Hg (the current American Heart Association guidelines define high blood pressure as 130/80 mm Hg). The research showed that from 2017-2018, only 22% of uninsured people in the study had healthy blood pressure levels, compared to 40-46% of the people who had some form of health insurance. Additionally, among the people who had not seen a health care professional in the previous year, only 8% had their blood pressure under control, compared to 47% of those who reported seeing a health care professional. The results also indicated Black adults were 12% less likely to have healthy blood pressure levels compared to white adults.

One nationally representative audit of practices in the U.S. shows that during the second quarter of 2020, new health care visits for the purpose of managing high blood pressure, both in-person and virtual, decreased by 39% compared to the same quarter in 2018 and 2019. A dangerous decrease in hospitalizations due to heart attacks, strokes and heart failure since COVID-19 was noted in another study of hospitalizations, yet it also found a 20% increase in out-of-hospital deaths during the same time period.

The COVID-19 pandemic caused a substantial shift in health care for hypertensionfrom in-person office visits to primarily virtual appointments. As the number of virtual health care appointments increased substantially since March 2020, many patients did not have access to validated home blood pressure monitors to regularly check their blood pressure. The lack of access to devices needed to monitor blood pressure, as well as the lack of internet access and/or inadequate or limited digital literacy to participate in virtual appointments posed significant barriers.

Additional obstacles to achieving healthy blood pressure levels are the challenges of adherence to medication regimens and lifestyle modifications. Lack of access to healthy foods or health care facilities, along with the costs of medications and, in some cases, a lack of understanding of the importance of medication, can all have a negative impact on hypertension.

Research shows health care professionals may also have biases, some based upon personal beliefs and/or stereotypes, leading to a difference in quality of care and clinical inertia. One study determined clinicians' biases about their perceptions of medical agreeableness or acceptance of medication recommendations among Black patients versus white patients potentially had a negative effect on which treatment options were offered and/or implemented. Clinical inertiaclinicians' failure to initiate or intensify antihypertensive therapy when blood pressure goals are unmetcan also result in high rates of inadequate blood pressure control.

The researchers note another concerning trend is a patient's distrust of the health care system, fueled by years of institutional racism, historical atrocities in medical care and research such as the Tuskegee study of syphilis in Black men, and inadequate representation of people from diverse racial and ethnic groups in clinical trials and as health care professionals. Community-based interventions can help to foster patient trust and improve health care access. One trial highlighted was the highly successful BARBER trial, where barbershops in predominantly Black neighborhoods in Los Angeles encouraged people 1) to meet with pharmacists embedded in the BARBER shops regularly to discuss and manage their blood pressure, or 2) promoted healthy lifestyle choices with routine care by a physician. At six months, people who participated in the pharmacist-led intervention achieved a 21.6 mm Hg greater reduction in systolic blood pressure and had a 51.9% greater increase in blood pressure control compared to those who did not receive any intervention. At 12 months, the results were sustained.

There is also a low proportion of medical school students, researchers and participants in health care research who are from diverse racial and ethnic groups, particularly from under-represented and under-resourced communities. One analysis found that among all blood pressure trials registered in the U.S. at ClinicalTrials.gov, only 5.4% had enrolled exclusively Black adults. This suggests there are few interventions and therapies being studied and designed specifically for Black adults with hypertension.

"Too often, individuals are blamed for their health care conditions, without considering the multiple levels of social factors and context that contribute to persistent and pervasive health inequities" added Bress. "Health inequities are a social justice issue. We need to be more direct and honest about the reasons for health disparities today and commit to structural solutions to begin to address them. These factors include historic structural and interpersonal racism; the different lived experiences for people of color and other groups facing disadvantages; the unacceptably low levels of public investment in public health, universal health care, and science; and the long-term effects of unequal access to affordable and high-quality health care among many others. We need to ensure that these meaningful conversations and changes in policy, research, health care and education persist after the COVID-19 pandemic in order for there to be sustained progress in achieving greater health equity."
The virus that caused COVID-19 likely does not integrate its genetic material into the human genome, research says. Although throughout human history there have been viruses capable of integrating their genetic material into human genes, this new study found that the COVID-19 virus, which is known to scientists as SARS-CoV-2, lacks the molecular machinery to integrate its RNA into human DNA. "Our work does not support the claim that SARS-CoV-2 fuses or integrates into human genomes," says Purdue scientist and co-lead author Majid Kazemian, pictured here. Credit: Rebecca McElhoe

The virus that causes COVID-19, which scientists refer to as SARS-CoV-2, likely does not integrate its genetic material into the genes of humans, according to a study published in the Journal of Virology.

A separate study recently reported the virus's genetic material was found to have integrated into human DNA in cells in petri dishes. But the scientists conducting the newer research now say that result was most likely caused by genetic artifacts in the testing.

Majid Kazemian, a Purdue University assistant professor of biochemistry and computer science and one of the three co-lead authors on the research study, said that this finding has two important implications.

"Relatively little is known about why some individuals persistently test positive for the virus even long after clearing the infection. This is important because it's not clear whether such individuals have been re-infected or whether they continue to be infectious to others. So-called 'human genome invasion' by SARS-CoV-2 has been suggested as an explanation for this observation, but our data do not support this case.

"If the virus was able to integrate its genetic material into the human genome, that could have meant that any other mRNA could do the same. But because we have shown that this is not supported by current data, this should allay any concerns about the safety of mRNA vaccines, he said."

It is possible for the genetic material of some viruses to be incorporated into the DNA of humans and other animals, resulting in what scientists call "chimeric events." Human DNA contains approximately 100,000 pieces of DNA from viruses that our species have accumulated over millions of years of evolution. In total, this lost-and-found DNA from viruses makes up a bit less than 10% of the genetic material in our cells.

Recent scientific journal articles have claimed that the SARS-CoV-2 virus can also cause these chimeric events. Even before this new research team conducted experiments showing this was not the case, the researchers suspected it was unlikely, said Dr. Ben Afzali, an Earl Stadtman Investigator of the National Institutes of Health's National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases and a co-lead author on the study.

"While an earlier study suggested that, in cells infected with SARS-CoV-2, genetic material from the virus copied and pasted itself into human DNA, our group thought this seemed unlikely," Afzali said. "SARS-CoV-2, like HIV, has its genetic material in the form of RNA but, unlike HIV, does not have the machinery to convert the RNA into DNA. SARS-CoV-2 is unlikely to paste itself into the genome and coronaviruses, in general, does not go near human DNA. As our study shows, we find it highly improbable that SARS-CoV-2 could integrate into the human genome."

Christiane Wobus, associate professor of microbiology and immunology at the University of Michigan Medical School, also a co-lead author on the study, said that although the collective understanding of RNA viruses is that integration of SARS-CoV-2 into the human genome would be very unlikely, it was important to examine the question.

"Unexpected findings in sciencewhen confirmed independentlylead to paradigm shifts and propel fields forward. Therefore, it is good to be open-minded and examine unexpected results carefully, which I believe we did in our study," she said. "However, we did not find conclusive evidence for SARS-CoV-2 integration, but instead showed that during the RNA sequencing methodology, chimeras are produced at a very low level as an artifact of the laboratory technique."

To examine the proposed integration event, the researchers developed a novel technique in which they extracted the genetic material from infected cells and then amplified or reproduced the genetic material 30-fold. If there were chimeric events in the host cell DNA, these bits of genetic material from SARS-CoV-2 should also increase 30 times. The data did not show this.

"We found the frequency of host-virus chimeric events was, in fact, not greater than background noise," Kazemian said. "When we enriched the SARS-CoV-2 sequences from the bulk RNA of infected cells, we found that the chimeric events are, in all likelihood, artifacts. Our work does not support the claim that SARS-CoV-2 fuses or integrates into human genomes."

Explore further Follow the latest news on the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak
In this Friday, June 5, 2020 file photo, people cycle during a demonstration in front of the ancient Colosseum in Rome. The European Union on Wednesday, May 19, 2021 took a step toward relaxing tourism travel for visitors from outside the bloc, with EU ambassadors agreeing on measures to allow fully vaccinated visitors in. They also agreed on easing the criteria for nations to be considered a safe country, from which all tourists can travel. Up to now, that list included only seven nations. Credit: AP Photo/Andrew Medichini, File

European Union citizens can start packing for summer vacations in the bloc's 27 nations without having to worry about quarantines: they soon should be able to travel freely across the EU.

European Union legislators and member countries found a compromise Thursday for launching COVID-19 certificates before the height of the summer holiday season, a move aimed at boosting travel and tourism following the restrictions of the coronavirus pandemic.

The various players managed to reconcile their differences during another round of discussions, paving the way for the trans-border travel passes to be introduced. Officials said the system should be up and running by July 1.

"This agreement is the first step to get the Schengen Area back on track," European Parliament rapporteur Juan Fernando Lopez Aguilar said, referring to Europe's passport-free travel zone. "It will make all the difference, and it won't be repeating the nightmare of Summer 2020."

The European Commission said the certificates will be issued in digital format and designed to be shown either on smartphones or paper. It guaranteed that "a very high level of data protection will be ensured."

When it proposed the certificate plan in March, the executive commission said the documents would be given to EU residents who can prove they have been vaccinated, as well as those who tested negative for the virus or had proof they recovered from COVID-19.

In this Friday, Feb. 28, 2020 file photo, a gondolier looks at his smartphone as he waits for clients in Venice, Italy. The European Union on Wednesday, May 19, 2021 took a step toward relaxing tourism travel for visitors from outside the bloc, with EU ambassadors agreeing on measures to allow fully vaccinated visitors in. They also agreed on easing the criteria for nations to be considered a safe country, from which all tourists can travel. Up to now, that list included only seven nations. Credit: AP Photo/Francisco Seco, File

EU lawmakers and nations agreed on that, but the European Parliament insisted that COVID-19 certificates should be enough to allow EU citizens to move about freely in all member countries, and that governments shouldn't be allowed to impose extra restrictions on certificate-holders, such as quarantines and more tests.

Since border controls are a national responsibility, EU member nations were not ready to relinquish their prerogatives. Another roadblock was the price of tests, as lawmakers insisted the tests should be free of charge,

Under the compromise sealed Thursday, the European Commission said it would allocate 100 million euros in EU funds ($122 million) for the purchase of virus tests compatible with the certificates.

"This should particularly benefit persons who cross borders daily or frequently to go to work or school, visit close relatives, seek medical care, or to take care of loved ones," the parliament said.

Negotiators agreed that, if necessary, additional funding should be mobilized, subject to approval by the budgetary authorities.

In this Saturday, May 1, 2021 file photo, people in the reopened Szechenyi bath in Budapest, Hungary. The European Union on Wednesday, May 19, 2021 took a step toward relaxing tourism travel for visitors from outside the bloc, with EU ambassadors agreeing on measures to allow fully vaccinated visitors in. They also agreed on easing the criteria for nations to be considered a safe country, from which all tourists can travel. Up to now, that list included only seven nations. Credit: AP Photo/Laszlo Balogh, File

As for the extra travel requirements that EU members might be tempted to introduce, the 27 nations agreed "they shall refrain" from imposing additional restrictions "unless they are necessary and proportionate to safeguard public health."

The proposal should now go to member states for formal adoption and to the European Parliament for ratification during its next plenary session in June. The EU's executive branch has already started working on the initiative's technical aspects with EU countries.

"Work still remains," European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said. "At EU level, the system will be ready in the next few days. It is now crucial that all member states press ahead with the roll-out of their national systems to ensure that the system can be up and running as soon as possible. This is what EU citizens rightly expect."

All vaccines authorized by the European Medicines Agencycurrently, that's the ones made by Pfizer-BioNTech, Moderna, AstraZeneca and Johnson & Johnson - will be automatically recognized. National governments will be allowed to include other vaccines which haven't received EU market authorization.

Under the provisional agreement, the certificate regulation would be in place for 12 months.

Explore further Follow the latest news on the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak

 2021 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.
Credit: Pixabay/CC0 Public Domain

The endocrine system is strongly involved in SARS-Cov-2 infectionso much so that evidence of an 'endocrine phenotype' of COVID-19 has emerged, according to a statement by the European Society of Endocrinology (ESE) published in the journal Endocrine in April 2021. Leading endocrinology researchers looked into the evidence that has accumulated over the past year since the pandemic emerged, and consistently found evidence for links across a variety of endocrine conditions. This statement constitutes an update of a March 2020 statement that was of the earliest and most read pieces delineating the involvement of the endocrine system in COVID-19.

Dr. Manel Puig from the Universitat Autonoma de Barcelona in Spain and first author on the statement said "the evidence is clear. The effect on hormones cannot be ignored in the context of COVID-19". He added "we need to be aware of the endocrine consequences of COVID-19 for patients with a known endocrine condition such as diabetes, obesity or adrenal insufficiency, but also for people without a known condition. Vitamin D insufficiency for example is very common, and the knowledge that this condition has emerged frequently in the hospitalized COVID-19 population and may negatively impact outcomes should not be taken lightly".

Dr. Puig, together with Profs Marazuela, Yildiz and Giustina based in Madrid, Ankara and Milan looked at the available evidence with respect to COVID-19 across a number of endocrine conditions and related factors: diabetes, obesity, nutrition, hypocalcemia, vitamin D insufficiency, vertebral fractures, adrenal insufficiency, as well as pituitary/thyroid issues and sex hormones.

Diabetes has emerged as one of the most frequent comorbidities associated with severity and mortality of COVID-19, according to a rapidly increasing amount of published data on the incidence of COVID-19 in patients over the last year. Mortality in type 1 or type 2 diabetes has consistently increased during the year of pandemicand evidence is emerging that a bidirectional relationship between diabetes and COVID-19 may exist, both in terms of worsening existing conditions and new onset of diabetes.

The researchers identified similar trends for patients with obesity. Obesity increases susceptibility to SARS-CoV-2 and the risk for COVID-19 adverse outcomes. They posit that nutritional management is important both for patients with obesity or undernourishment in order to limit their increased susceptibility and severity of infection. Vitamin D, calcium and bone are other areas showing a growing body of evidence that better monitoring and solutions for patients are needed in the context of COVID-19.

With regard to vaccination, the statement concludes that available evidence suggests COVID-19 vaccination should not be handled differently in patients with stable endocrine diseases. However, patients with adrenal insufficiency may need adjusted glucocorticoid treatment to address side effects such as fever. The authors suggest data from the field should be collected in an international database in order to form firm conclusions on this matter. They also present a decalogue for endocrinologists and patients with endocrine and metabolic conditions in the conclusions of the statement.

This knowledge highlights the important role endocrinologists will need to play in future research on COVID-19 and other global health issues.

Explore further Coronavirus damages the endocrine system

More information: M. Puig-Domingo et al, COVID-19 and endocrine and metabolic diseases. An updated statement from the European Society of Endocrinology, Endocrine (2021). M. Puig-Domingo et al, COVID-19 and endocrine and metabolic diseases. An updated statement from the European Society of Endocrinology,(2021). DOI: 10.1007/s12020-021-02734-w

Provided by European Society of Endocrinology
WHO's chief scientist Soumya Swaminathan says the world is not doing enough to ensure equal access to vaccines and drugs.

Two decades ago, Soumya Swaminathan watched her HIV-infected patients suffer often horrific and unnecessary deaths. There was a treatment for their disease, but they simply could not afford it.

The World Health Organization's chief scientist told AFP the inequalities in accessing COVID-19 vaccines today hark back to the late 1990s, when she helplessly watched HIV patients in India wither away when drugs were saving lives in the West.

Effective treatments for HIV were first produced in the mid-1990s, but they carried a prohibitively high price tag of over $10,000 per patient per year.

It would take nearly a decade before they became available to poorer populations.

"I had patients that I was watching die... horrible prolonged deaths, when treatments were already available in the West," Swaminathan said in a recent interview.

"I lost so many patients and children were orphaned. Those images still haunt me."

'Morally, ethically wrong'

The Indian paediatrician and clinical scientist, who today is one of the top WHO officials leading global efforts to coordinate the pandemic response, said it was disappointing that the world was repeating past mistakes.

"You have to learn from history, but we don't seem to," she said.

To date, only 0.3 percent of Covid vaccine doses have been administered in the world's poorest countries, which are home to nearly 10 percent of the global population.

To date, only 0.3 percent of COVID vaccine doses have been administered in the world's poorest countries, which are home to nearly 10 percent of the global population.

"That is very difficult to witness, and it is morally and ethically wrong," Swaminathan said.

The glaring unevenness in vaccine access comes despite a concerted effort to address the historical inequities.

The WHO and others have created Covax, a global vaccine-sharing programme, but it remains severely underfunded and has faced significant supply shortages, delaying efforts to roll out vaccines in poorer countries.

Still, Swaminathan said she believed Covax was slowly making a difference and hoped it would eventually be "a success story."

The persisting inequities have meanwhile been an added frustration as Swaminathan and her team have battled to understand COVID-19 and to provide the information needed to rein it in.

'Extremely difficult'

The first months of the pandemic were "extremely difficult," the 62-year-old acknowledged.

As the WHO's chief scientist, she said she felt "an enormous sense of responsibility".

Swaminathan believes Covax is slowly making a difference and hoped it would eventually be a "success story"

In addition there is the personal strain for Swaminathan, who moved on her own to Geneva for the job, leaving behind her husband, grown children and the rest of her family in India, which is now in the grip of an explosive outbreak.

"At the back of your mind you're worrying about family," she said, adding she was particularly concerned for the wellbeing of her elderly parents.

Her father, the famous geneticist M. S. Swaminathan known for his role leading India's Green Revolution, is 95, while her mother, renowned educationalist Mina Swaminathan, is 88.

Swaminathan, who usually starts her day before 7:00 am and works until late in the evening, said she had strived to "maintain a work-life balance" to avoid burn-out.

'World not doing enough'

Long daily walks near her home on the outskirts of Geneva, through lush and pristine greenery, are part of her routine.

"Nature has been therapeutic for me," she said.

That therapy has been welcome as her team worked tirelessly to keep up with and communicate the constantly-evolving science around COVID-19.

"We were building the ship and sailing it, as they say, and that is always stressful," she said.

One of the biggest frustrations, Swaminathan said, has been pushback from a large "anti-science movement"

"There are days when you feel terribly depressed and sad and upset," she admitted, "especially when you see the images of people impacted around the world, the healthcare workers who have died, my own colleagues and classmates whom I've lost."

One of the biggest frustrations, Swaminathan said, has been constant pushback from a large "anti-science movement".

"There are not only sceptics, but there are people who wilfully plant conspiracy theories," she said.

She added that it has been tough fighting misinformation while striving to provide science-backed guidance on the virus and its spread.

"We haven't always gotten it right the first time," Swaminathan said. "Unfortunately, when you are dealing with a new virus and a new epidemic, you don't know everything on day one.

"But that's the way science evolves."

As for what we have learned from the pandemic, Swaminathan said the biggest lesson is the need to ensure equal access to life-saving vaccines and drugs.

"We need to address this," she said. "The world is clearly not doing enough."

Explore further Follow the latest news on the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak

 2021 AFP
There's some reassuring news for women with multiple sclerosis (MS): Having the neurological disease won't affect health outcomes if breast cancer strikes.

"Although multiple sclerosis and its complications remain the most common cause of death in people with MS, cancer is the second or third most common cause of death," noted study lead author Dr. Ruth Ann Marrie, of the University of Manitoba in Winnipeg, Canada.

"Our study looked at whether survival rates for women after a breast cancer diagnosis were different for those with MS and those without it," said Marrie, whose team published the findings May 19 in the journal Neurology.

The study included nearly 800 women with both breast cancer and MS, and more than 3,100 women with breast cancer but not MS.

The Canadian researchers tracked how many women died within 10 years of their breast cancer diagnosis, either from any cause, or from any type of cancer.

After they adjusted for factors such as age at time of cancer diagnosis and the length of the diagnosis period, the study authors found that the rate of death from any cause was 28% higher for women with MS than for those without MS.

But when the authors focused only on cancer deaths, there was no difference between women with MS and those without MS.

"It is reassuring that MS does not appear to increase risk of death from the cancer itself," said Dr. Asaff Harel, a neurologist at Lenox Hill Hospital in New York City who wasn't involved with the new report.

"The increase in death rate from 'any other cause' could be due to a number of reasons that may not be due to breast cancer itself or its treatment," he added. "This may also be consistent with the slight decrease in life expectancy that exists with MS."

Marrie and Harel agreed that more research is needed.

"Because our study looked at women only in Canada, future studies are needed to confirm these findings in women in other countries, and identify the factors specifically related to MS that are associated with worse outcomes," Marrie said in a journal news release.

The authors noted that a limitation of their study was that they did not have information about patients' race or ethnicity, factors that are associated with different breast cancer survival rates.

The study was supported by the MS Society of Canada.

Explore further More targeted cancer prevention and early detection strategies needed in breast cancer survivorship

More information: The American Academy of Family Physicians has more on The American Academy of Family Physicians has more on multiple sclerosis Ruth Ann Marrie et al, Breast Cancer Survival in Multiple Sclerosis: A Matched Cohort Study, Neurology (2021). DOI: 10.1212/WNL.0000000000012127 Journal information: Neurology

 2021 HealthDay. All rights reserved.
Analyzing parental and then subsequent teen use of cannabis can provide important information in terms of intervention. Credit: Esteban Lopez on Unsplash.

Turns out the old adage, "monkey see, monkey do," does ring trueeven when it comes to cannabis use. However, when cannabis use involves youth it's see, think, then do, says a team of UBC Okanagan researchers.

The team found that kids who grow up in homes where parents consume cannabis will more than likely use it themselves. Parental influence on the use of cannabis is important to study as it can help with the development of effective prevention programs, explains Maya Pilin, a doctoral psychology student in the Irving K. Barber Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences.

"Adolescence is a critical period in which drug and alcohol experimentation takes place and when cannabis use is often initiated," says Pilin. "Parents are perhaps the most influential socializing agent for children and early adolescents."

Pilin says it has long been assumed that parental use of cannabis contributes to higher levels of adolescent use. However, while there has been research about parental use of alcohol and whether their children drink, there is less known about pathways to cannabis use.

"What we found mirrors closely what has been found in past research with alcohol usethat parental use influences adolescents' use as well," she says.

For their research, the team used data from a survey of almost 700 students in Grades 7 to 9, which is when previous studies demonstrate that cannabis use increases dramatically. Each year over a three-year period, the students were asked if one or both of their parents used cannabis, if so, how frequently and whether they also use it. As the students aged, their cannabis use began and increased.

This data was collected before cannabis was decriminalized in Canada in 2017.

"We wanted to try and explain, how parental use, while their kids were in Grade 7, would be associated with their kids' use by ninth grade," says Dr. Sarah Dow-Fleisner, a researcher with the School of Social Work. "We hypothesized that early parental use would impact how teens think about cannabis use, in particular whether parental use early in adolescence would be associated with more positive expectations and perceptions of cannabis use by Grade 8, and whether that would lead to an increased chance of using cannabis by Grade 9. What we thought is exactly what we found."

UBCO Psychology Professor Dr. Marvin Krank funded the research and collected the data for the study in collaboration with Okanagan valley school districts.

"This work is an important extension of previous studies about how parents influence their children's cannabis use in subtle ways," he says. "Children of parents who use cannabis have more associations and positive thoughts that quickly come to mind in response to cues associated with cannabis use. Such quick and automatic thinking influences their choices often without their awareness."

Analyzing parental and then subsequent teen use of cannabis can provide important information in terms of intervention. Effective interventions need to consider the way youth think about cannabis use and how that has been shaped by parents, says Pilin.

Understanding the reasons for early cannabis use is essential to developing effective prevention programs in these formative years, explains Dr. Dow-Fleisner, as early use of cannabis is associated with harmful effects on mental and social developmental outcomes. It also increases the chance of experimentation with other drugs and greatly increases the risk of being diagnosed with a substance-use disorder in adulthood.

"What is important is that we do see across the literature that parent use and experiences with cannabis in early adolescence are linked with cannabis use later in adolescence, and part of this relationship has to do with the way teens think about cannabis," she adds. "It helps us think about ways to intervene and prevent cannabis useour interventions must address how youth think about substance use based on their familial and personal experiences."

More information: Maya A.Pilin et al. Automatic cognitions as mediators of parental influence on adolescent cannabis use. Addictive Behaviors (2021). Maya A.Pilin et al. Automatic cognitions as mediators of parental influence on adolescent cannabis use.(2021). doi.org/10.1016/j.addbeh.2020.106728
Credit: Pixabay/CC0 Public Domain

New research published in Anaesthesia (a journal of the Association of Anaesthetists) shows the huge pressure that anaesthesia and critical care staff in the UK have been under throughout the winter wave of COVID-19, as the number of newly admitted infected patients surged and most planned surgeries, including a substantial number of critical cancer operations, were canceled.

"These findings have important implications for understanding what has happened during the COVID-19 pandemic, planning recovery and building a system that will better respond to future waves or new epidemics," explains co-author Professor Tim Cook, Consultant in Anaesthesia and Intensive Care Medicine, Royal United Hospitals Bath NHS Foundation Trust, Bath, UK, and Honorary Professor, School of Medicine, University of Bristol, UK.

Between October 2020 and January 2021, the authors conducted three national surveys to track anaesthetic, surgical and critical care activity during the second COVID-19 pandemic wave in the UKthe first round as the November 2020 lockdown was being implemented, the second in December 2020 as restrictions were lifted, and the final survey in February 2021 just after the peak of the new year surge caused by the new Kent (UK) variant of SARS-CoV-2.

They surveyed all NHS hospitals where surgery is undertaken. Response rates, by round, were 64%, 56% and 51%. The surveys showed increasing systemic pressure on anaesthetic and peri-operative services due to the need to support critical care pandemic demands.

There was evidence of significant stress in the system in October and this increased in December 2020 including redeployment of one in six doctors from anaesthesia to critical care, and by December approximately half of critical care units were expanded so much that planned surgery could not be safely undertaken. During this period, almost one in five operating theaters were closed but many hospitals were able to displace surgery to other locations. Overall surgery rates fell by around one quarter compared with similar periods in previous years.

The situation then deteriorated dramatically during the peak of the second surge (January 2021), with responses showing that the system was close to breaking point. Almost half of all operating theaters were closed and those that were open were often running at close to half normal activity. Hospitals were less able to relocate activity to other locations, due to lack of staff.

"The impact on surgery was in part due to a lack of space in which to operate as operating theaters were used as expanded ICUs. But the most important factor was lack of anaesthetists to deliver care as they were redeployed to critical care. In the January peak, almost one in three anaesthetic doctors were unavailable for anaesthetic work as redeployments more than doubled the critical care workforce," explains Prof Cook. "All but a quarter of critical care units were expanded to the extent that planned surgery could not be safely undertaken. As a result, surgical activity fell massively, with all types of surgery affected. There was important regional variation and in hard-pressed regions, pediatric and non-cancer surgery fell to 12-20% of normal activity and even cancer surgery, usually considered an urgent priority, fell to below half of normal activity."

As long as the UK's exit from lockdown restrictions continues and vaccination rates keep COVID-19 infections low, a rapid decompression is likely to occur whereby critical care units quickly decrease their capacity and the rest of the health system resumes elective and other surgical care. However, tackling the surgical backlog requires working at well above normal capacity for several years and even returning to normality is likely to be challenging. Co-author Dr. Emira Kursumovic says: "Our data illustrate very clearly that anaesthetistsand in all probability other healthcare providers working in operating theatershave been central in the critical care response to the pandemic, and that they will have been similarly impacted. These staff have had an increased workload and intensity, decreased leave, and psychological burdens including moral injury. The physical and psychological needs of the workforce must be considered in planning recovery of non-COVID healthcare services."

The authors add: "The surveys illustrate the pressure points in the current system. These include space and, most particularly, staff. The fact that critical care expansion requires redeployment of substantial numbers of anaesthetists is likely to have important implications for at least the next year, as critical care services work flexibly to address fluctuations in demand and expand as necessary. This in turn will have important implications for addressing surgical waiting lists. Expansion of both space and the anaesthetic workforce are likely to be inevitable requirements."

Dr. Mike Nathanson, president of the Association of Anaesthetists, said: "These important surveys demonstrate the pressure anaesthetists and anaesthetic departments were under during the pandemic surges. The impact on the mental and physical wellbeing of our colleagues is still being felt. The impact on the health of the nation, in terms of the expanding waiting lists for investigations and surgery, is a huge concern. Workforce shortages and the inability for many of our trainee anaesthetists to progress their careers due to the lack of suitable jobs will accentuate this backlog, even without any further surges."

Professor Ravi Mahajan, president of the Royal College of Anaesthetists, which funded the surveys, said: "These findings confirm the central role anaesthetists played during the pandemic, treating critically ill patients with and without COVID. It is clear that the success of any recovery will hinge on having the right staff, in the right place, at the right time."

He adds: "In the rush to reduce the backlog, however, we must not forget the enormous physical and psychological toll that working in the pandemic has had on anaesthetists. Any attempt to go too fast risks staff cutting back on hours or leaving the profession altogether, jeopardizing the sustainability of the NHS. It is vital that we take onboard the lessons from the past year, so we are able to identify areas for improvement, plan a sustainable NHS recovery and respond more effectively to future pandemics."

More information: E. Kursumovic et al, The impact of COVID19 on anaesthesia and critical care services in the UK: a serial service evaluation*, Anaesthesia (2021). Journal information: Anaesthesia E. Kursumovic et al, The impact of COVID19 on anaesthesia and critical care services in the UK: a serial service evaluation*,(2021). DOI: 10.1111/anae.15512

Provided by AAGBI
Credit: Pixabay/CC0 Public Domain

With more than 120 million U.S. residents fully vaccinated and eager to visit book stores and restaurants again, some businesses may require people to show vaccine credentials to prove that they have received their shots. The issue has ignited a political controversy, leading researchers to wonder: Has the phrase "vaccine passports" become politicized?

The answer, according to a survey by researchers from Northeastern, Harvard, Northwestern, and Rutgers, is no.

A passport is documentation that proves a person has been fully immunized against SARS-CoV-2, the coronavirus that causes COVID-19. Some of the credentials come in the form of a wallet-size card handed out by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, others can be pulled up on a phone as an app.

Whether to adopt vaccine passports is not widely agreed upon by business owners, politicians, or the public. Researchers sought to find just how large the divide was over the issue. They were surprised to learn that the public was not as split over the term "vaccine passports" as they had expected.

"We thought that there might be a very sizable difference in attitudes among respondents, but in reality we did not find a very substantial difference," says David Lazer, university distinguished professor of political science and computer sciences at Northeastern and one of the researchers who conducted the study.

Nearly 13,000 U.S. residents were asked in an online survey whether or not they supported businesses requiring proof of vaccination. Specifically, should businesses be required or allowed to require that customers show proof that they have been immunized against the coronavirus.

The goal of the questioning was twofold: to find out how much of a difference it made for respondents when the government requires the implementation of vaccine passports, and whether the term "vaccine passport" itself made a difference in how a person views the documents.

Whether or not "vaccine passport" was included in the question, respondents were equally unenthusiastic about the idea that customers be required to provide proof of vaccination before entering a business, regardless of whether businesses are forced to require the documents, or allowed to choose whether to do so.

The study found that fewer than 30 percent of respondents supported businesses requiring customers to show a vaccine passport, regardless of whether establishments are forced to do so.

The highest support (29 percent) came from respondents who believe that businesses should be allowed to require vaccines, whether or not the term "vaccine passports" is explicitly mentioned. The lowest support (25 percent) was for requiring that businesses mandate vaccines, but without explicitly mentioning passports.

The four-point percentage difference was small, but meaningful, Lazer says.

"There's a bit higher support for allowing rather than forcing businesses."

The findings could explain why the governors of some states with a larger number of residents who oppose getting vaccinated have taken recent action to ban establishments from turning away customers who can't or won't provide proof that they have had their shots, Lazer says. "It's a way they can appease their base by saying, 'we don't want vaccine passports,'" he says.

"In Florida, your personal choice regarding vaccinations will be protected and no business or government entity will be able to deny you services based on your decision," Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis said earlier this month, when he signed a bill banning vaccine passports, a catch-all phrase for immunization credentials.

Similar steps have been taken by the governors of Texas and Utah.

But some businesses, including airlines, are requiring customers to show documentation that they have been inoculated. They're just not using the phrase "vaccine passports."

Delta Air Lines CEO Ed Bastian said in an April interview with Yahoo! Finance "We don't call it a vaccine passport. It carries too many connotations."

Bastian said Delta is "more focused on a credential, travel credential, if you will, to indicate that you've been vaccinated and or tested based on the regulatory requirements." United Airlines, another major U.S. carrier, has a similar approach.

Cruise ship companies such as Royal Caribbean require proof of COVID-19 immunization for customers 18 years of age and older, either in the form of a CDC card or documentation from a doctor who administered the doses.

Without a uniform vaccination standard, it will be difficult for companies to turn people away now that the CDC has relaxed mask requirements for vaccinated individuals, Northeastern's Lazer predicts.

"If we don't have a system of proving that you're vaccinated, then something like policies where you want people to wear masks become very difficult to enforce," he says.

The federal government will not mandate passports for businesses or events, Anthony Fauci, chief medical adviser for President Biden, said in an April interview. "I doubt that the federal government will be the main mover of a vaccine passport concept," he said.

Instead, the White House has said that it would defer to private companies if they wanted to implement some type of vaccine passport system to require individuals to provide proof that they are inoculated.

Northeastern's Lazer says the survey shows no consistent pattern across demographic groups with respect to the term "vaccine passport" itself. Some groups are more supportive when the term is explicitly mentioned, while others are more supportive when it is not.

"This suggests that the name is not an important limitation on public support for mandatory proof of vaccination," researchers wrote.

Men were more supportive than women, especially when characterized as optional and explicitly labeled as vaccine passports. Democrats were far more in favor than Republicans or independents, especially when the question indicates that businesses would be allowed to require passports rather than mandated to require them.

Republicans and independents were least supportive when policies were characterized as a requirement for businesses.

Now that most of the U.S. population that wanted their doses have received them, Lazer foresees nationwide vaccination efforts shifting to people who are either having difficulty getting their shots or are reluctant but not outright opposed.

"That's going to be a slog," he says.

There will also likely be policy discussions among school districts about whether to require vaccinations before children return to school in the fall. That may set up a battle with mothers, who, prior research has shown, remain largely opposed to inoculating their children.
Professor Christine Jenkins said mortality rates have halved as a result of clinical trials that have led to better management of COVID-19 pneumonia and respiratory failure. Credit: Shutterstock

How we now treat COVID-19 pneumonia compared to 12 months ago makes a significant difference to survival.

Since the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic, researchers have made significant advancements in effectively managing COVID-19 induced pneumonia.

"When the COVID-19 outbreak first occurred, we were seeing catastrophic outcomes in patients who were admitted to hospital with rapidly progressive pneumonia. Unfortunately, the treatments that were used empiricallyinitiallywere not effective, and really had no modifying effect on the evolution of COVID-19 pneumonia," said Conjoint Professor at UNSW Medicine & Health Christine Jenkins.

Professor Jenkins, who is Head of the Respiratory Group at the George Institute for Global Health, explained most people at that time died from respiratory failure. No matter what strategy was implemented, it was not possible to get enough oxygen into the individual's system and maintain it.

"That's because when people developed severe pneumonia from COVID-19, their lungs become filled with fluid and inflammatory cells, and some blood vessels developed clots, so the oxygeneven when it was driven in by mechanical ventilationjust couldn't get through that inflammatory process. The membranes in the lung were very swollen, so people died from respiratory failure.

"That's what we saw initially in Wuhan, China, and subsequently around the world. Various different approaches were tried, for instance, to intubate people early in the process and to maintain mechanical ventilation. But what evolved from that was a very rapid understanding that the lungs were extremely vulnerable at this time and if you ventilated too early, you ran into problems with hospital-acquired damage. So we really had to wait for clinical trials," said Professor Jenkins.

What we now know about managing COVID-19 pneumonia

Similar to the speed at which vaccines have been produced for SARSCoV2, Professor Jenkins said it was quite remarkable how quickly researchers were able to produce data that informed the medical community about the best management of COVID-19 pneumonia.

"We had the experience of knowing that early intubation was not a good idea. So, from that point of view, we learned that administering oxygen, minimizing invasive ventilation until it was clearly necessary, and offering supportive care for whatever else was evolving, were key features of managing therapy for COVID-19 patients in intensive care and in the period leading up to intensive care admission.

"Renal failure, clotting and a number of other problems usually arose and they complicated the evolution of the disease as well, particularly for people with underlying heart disease and lung disease. The clinical trials informed us and gave us evidence for particular treatments that could be offered to people with severe COVID-19 pneumonia that made a difference. In fact, they made a very significant difference to their survival," explained Professor Jenkins.

According to Professor Jenkins, mortality rates have halved as a result of clinical trials that have led to better management of COVID-19 pneumonia and respiratory failure. During the initial stages of the pandemic, Professor Jenkins explained those admitted to hospital in Wuhan had a 50 percent chance of survival. However, patients who now require hospital admission have around an 80 percent chance of survival.

"Even if you require intensive care admission, you still have a 60 percent chance of surviving. The outlook is much better for people who develop COVID-19 that require hospital admission compared to earlier in the pandemic."

Professor Jenkins said anti-inflammatory treatment has shown to be crucial in improving positive outcomes in COVID-19 pneumonia and respiratory failure, specifically, dexamethasone. Dexamethasone is an affordable glucocorticosteroid (a class of steroid hormone) that is widely available.

"This was a crucial element that suddenly gave everybody a leg up in terms of the possibility of improved survival. That combined with what has been learnt about supplemental oxygen, respiratory support, and the risks that contributed to a greater likelihood of a worse outcome being managed more effectively has really been the key contributor to reduced mortality rates from COVID-19. It is still a truly devastating disease in circumstances where these treatments cannot be offered or are not received in time," said Professor Jenkins.

Lung disease and COVID-19 pneumonia

Professor Jenkins said early in the pandemicparticularly in the Northern Hemispherepeople with underlying lung disease such as asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) were advised to stay at home and isolate as they were more susceptible to SARSCoV2. However, studies have since revealed people with asthma were not more likely to be admitted to hospital.

"Surprisingly, individuals with asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)  a very serious underlying lung disease and very prone to infectionswere not over-represented in the early data. But if individuals were sick enough to be admitted to hospital with COVID-19, they were more likely to require ICU admission, which suggested you were at more risk of having complications like respiratory failure, because your airways or lungs weren't healthy in the first instance. However, people with asthma were not more likely to die from SARSCoV2, even if they were admitted to ICU," said Professor Jenkins.

Professor Jenkins said her colleagues in the UK are currently examining a corticosteroid treatment used for asthma and COPD, which may have an effect of reducing the propensity to SARS-CoV-2 infection. This treatment is yet to be tested in a large clinical trial.

"Inhaled corticosteroids (ICS) which are the daily preventer medications taken by people with asthma, down-regulates the ACE-2 receptor that the virus uses to gain access to the cells in the airways. In-vitro studies showed that ICS reduced the replication of SARS-CoV-2 in airway epithelial cells.

"People with asthma do not seem to be any more vulnerable to getting COVID-19 than others and this may be one reasonif they are taking their preventer medications regularly. We've yet to find that out. But it will be a very important piece of work, which will definitely be undertaken in the next six to 12 months."

Explore further Follow the latest news on the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak
From left, Honofre Chargualaf, Daniel Mesa, Duane Calvo, and Jesse Mendiola were the speakers during the 2021 Drug Court Month Education Outreach panel discussion Tuesday at the District Court of Guam.

Photo courtesy of the District Court of Guam
Interior augments US support to Palau with $300,000 for recovery from Typhoon Surigae
MTN South Africa has announced a $2 million (R28 million) partnership with the International Finance Corporation (IFC)  a member of the World Bank Group  to expand its Mobile Money (MoMo) business in South Africa.

The partnership will target unbanked and underbanked people in South Africa through the creation of a network of MoMo agents in the country.

IFC and MTN South Africa seek to recruit 10,000 Mobile Money Agents in 2021 to increase access to affordable financial services in underserved communities, MTN stated.

MTN will identify, recruit, enroll, train, and supervise the new MoMo agents and assist any dormant MoMo agents by giving them support where they struggle to get off the ground.

In addition, a team of trade development representatives will be created and trained by MTN South Africa and the IFC to manage a portfolio of MoMo agents, support them in growing their business, and managing compliance regulations like Anti Money Laundering and Know Your Customer.

The aim is to have viable stand-alone businesses that can increase transactional activity for the agents and increase awareness of MoMo value-add services, MTN said.

MTN said there would be a particular focus on ensuring female owned businesses were empowered and involved in the financial sector through this programme.

Improving financial inclusion

MTN mobile financial services chief officer Felix Kamenga said that the IFC has assisted with funding and advisory services in several other fintech operations in Africa.

This partnership provides the opportunity to bridge the digital divide and broaden financial inclusion in South Africa, stated Kamenga.

IFC country manager for South Africa Adamou Labara said digital technologies are helping businesses connect with customers and supplier and increasing access to lending and payment systems.

Mobile money is a perfect example of this and is needed now, more than ever, to help small businesses to grow and to reach communities where access to financial services is low, said Labara.

MTN MoMo was initially designed to facilitate the transfer of cash between mobile users, but now also includes access to loans, insurance, remittances, and payments.
Zulzi is a South African success story. Started in 2013 as an ecommerce platform to sell books and electronics, it has grown into an online powerhouse which supports the Checkers Sixty60 service.

Over the last few years Zulzi has delivered groceries of over R400 million and is now processing over 1,500 orders daily.

The company was founded by Vutlharhi Donald Valoyi eight years ago with the plan to improve the speed at which online shopping packages are delivered.

In 2015, they started to deliver books and electronics to students within an hour. The response from the market was exceptional with a rapidly growing user base.

Valoyi knew he was onto something big and it was time to expand.

Michael Netshipise joined Zulzi as chief technology officer and helped to make the dream of delivering everything in your area within an hour a reality.

Netshipise developed a platform which made it possible to order groceries, liquor, and pharmaceuticals and get it within 60 minutes.

The momentum continued and after reaching a turnover of R700,000 per month, Zulzi decided to raise R1 million from IDF Capital to support their future plans.

Their exceptional growth grabbed the attention of major retailers in South Africa, and they received calls from many retailers who wanted to partner to improve their online shopping experience.

Valoyi said the appetite that was shown by Checkers, who had no legacy systems at the time, was very appealing to them.

We started to chat to them when they realised that we could build world class systems that address some of their complex problems, said Valoyi.

One of the new features was the ability to replace products that are missing in real time  a big challenge in an online grocery space.

Zulzi proceeded to build a customer facing app, the engine that controls the catalogue of all their products, and a dashboard to manage the orders, users, and store managers.

The product was a tremendous success. People loved the service, and it quickly became the leader in the online grocery market.

Sixty60 has been a huge success and an example of what we can do when we work together, Valoyi said.

Big corporations must be more flexible and be open to work with startups and allow them freedom to continue to grow.

His advice to other big corporates is simple  give startups access to money and they will solve your problems of access to creativity and talent.

On the back of the successful Sixty60 project Zulzi raised R30,000,000 shortly before the Covid-19 pandemic hit. This gave them adequate funding to execute their future plans.

Zulzis is now planning to further revolutionise the South African ecommerce market.

We are planning to pioneer the quick ecommerce space in South Africa where you can get your products delivered to your door in 30 minutes or less, said Valoyi.

We want to take quick deliveries to the next level, and simultaneously work on making it more affordable.

They are now strengthening their relationships with established fast-moving consumer goods retailers and improve access to small local companies.

These smaller companies can distribute their products using Zulzis dark stores and have access to the technology the company has built.

As part of the drive for better and faster ecommerce, the company is planning to launch the new Zulzi 2.0 in the coming days.

Now read: Fierce battle between Woolworths and Checkers goes online
Communications and Digital Technologies Minister, Stella Ndabeni-Abrahams, has announced that R27 billion has been pledged by operators and vendors to usher in 5G fibre technologies in South Africa.

The Minister said this when she tabled the departments budget vote during a mini plenary of the National Assembly on Tuesday.

We believe that partnerships and collaborations are key to taking our sector to greater heights.

I am therefore pleased to announce that R27 billion is being pledged collectively by the operators and vendors to expand the 4G network, and to deploy the 5G and fibre technologies in South Africa, which has been tested by some operators, she said.

The announcement comes not long after mobile giant MTN launched 100 5G sites around the country, including in Johannesburg, Cape Town, Bloemfontein and Gqeberha.

Ndabeni-Abrahams said the network expansion is also extending to rural and underserved areas, which will benefit communities and create jobs.

As such, I hope that the licensing of the Wholesale Open Access Network (WOAN) and the High-Demand Spectrum will complement these rollout plans.

In line with governments vision of connecting 80% of public buildings by 2024, our entities will connect 6687 sites across the country.

Spectrum to be release by end of March 2022

As per the Presidents announcement during the State of the Nation Address earlier this year, the Communications and Digital Technologies Department commenced with the analogue switch-off in March this year.

To date, government has switched off a total of 32 sites in the three priority provinces.

This represents 40% of the planned sites in the three priority provinces of the Free State, Northern Cape and North West.

The analogue switch-off process is targeting to release the much-needed 700MHz and 800MHZ digital dividend spectrum.

The spectrum will be released in a phased provincial manner across the country towards our goal of end of March 2022.

This process, combined with the digital-to-digital migration, will make available a total of 168MHz spectrum in each of the provinces, the Minister said.

The department is working with the TV broadcasting industry to ensure that the target of March 2022 is realised.

This will allow spectrum availability for IMT(International Mobile Telecommunications) services on broadband, which ICASA is in the process of licensing.

The remaining five provinces will have a voucher-system model. We are looking forward to the effective partnership with the industry and support when we begin to roll out the voucher system towards realising a successful migration process.

We call upon everyone across the country to rally behind us when we pave the way for a better South Africa for ourselves and the future generation, Ndabeni-Abrahams said.
There are few things more frustrating than trying to connect to the Internet wirelessly, only to be met with problems.

This is why South African ISP Home-Connect has launched an app that helps its customers identify and solve Wi-Fi issues quickly and easily  without having to call customer support.

The Home-Connect diagnostic app provides insight into any residential network to which it is connected  no matter the model of router or modem used in the customers home.

The issues that it diagnoses range from interference-related problems to device-specific issues, with the most common issues including:

Poor connection to the Wi-Fi router inside the home.

2.4GHz Wi-Fi channel congestion.

High router usage  which means slower speeds are caused by increased download/upload volumes.

During April 2021, 30% of Home-Connect customers used the app  and 86% of these customers were able to fix their connectivity issues without contacting a customer support agent.

Additionally, those who do contact customer support had a wealth of information they could supply to the agent to narrow down the possible issues.

Get Home-Connect fibre

Home-Connect is a popular South African ISP which continues to grow thanks to its great prices, fast speeds, and high customer satisfaction.

With a customer app that allows a user to manage the account for Service Changes, Moving Addresses, Invoices, push notifications, and with many more features available, in addition to tools like the Home-Connect diagnostic app and also contribute to Home-Connect being one of the top ISPs in South Africa on the MyBroadband South African ISP rankings.

Home-Connect offers fibre products both for the home and business users, with speeds ranging from 10Mbps to 200Mbps.

Click here to find the right fibre package for your needs.
A new airline, Skylink Airways, has been established with the aim of filling the vacuum left by South African Airways (SAA).

AeroTime Hub reported that Skylink Airways was founded by South African entrepreneur Clarence Andrea Steyn.

Steyn told Aero Telegraph he has received backing from Russian and South African investors and has started hiring former SAA staff.

The company is advertising various positions on LinkedIn, including pilots, cabin crew, ground crew, marketing, and administrative personnel.

Skylink Airways is planning to become the first Sukhoi Superjet 100 operator in Africa with bases in Cape Town and Johannesburg.

The Sukhoi Superjet 100 was designed by Russian aircraft company Sukhoi Civil Aircraft and made its first commercial flight on 21 April 2011.

The new airline will reportedly have close ties with Sukhoi with special headquarters in Moscow.

Skylink Airways is planning to launch operations in September 2022 with routes in South Africa and to neighbouring countries.

While it sounds like an interesting development in the South African aviation industry, very little is known about the company or its founder.

The LinkedIn advertisement for positions at Skylink Airways is unprofessional and there is no publicly available information about the company.

Aviation expert Guy Leitch has also raised questions about Skylink Airways plans and business model.

Speaking to ENCA, Leitch said the company is flying under the radar and not much is known about their launch plans.

It is not easy to start a new airline, especially not with the model seen from Skylink Airways, Leitch said.

Skylink Airways is planning to use a blended model where it owns 5 aircraft and leases 5 other aircraft, including Embraer E190s and Sukhoi Superjet 100s.

Leitch said the Sukhoi Superjet 100 is problematic. Most airlines around the world have stopped flying them because of a lack of spare parts, maintenance, and factory support.

The Sukhoi Superjet 100 (SSJ100) made its maiden flight on 19 May 2008 and its first commercial flight on 21 April 2011.

By May 2018, 127 of these aircraft were in service. Sales, however, have dropped sharply in recent years.

Sukhoi delivered only three SSJ100s in the first half of 2019 and its financial results show a sevenfold drop in aircraft sales revenue.

Only 12 jets were delivered in 2020 to Rossiya Airlines, Azimuth Airlines, and Red Wings Airlines.

It has never caught on and is now overtaken by better products from Embraer and Airbus, he said.

He added that the model proposed by Skylink Airways does not make sense.

They are talking about stepping into the gap left by SAA, but they are not going to be able to do that with small aircraft like the SSJ100, Leitch said.

The Sukhoi Superjet 100 typically seats 87 to 98 passengers, which Leitch said was not large enough for long haul flights.

He said it is possible that Skylink Airways could plan to be a virtual airline using another airlines license  like Lift  but initial indications are that this is not the case.

Guy Leitch interview
A lusty round of huzzahs to Rianda House for organizing Saturdays Rally4Rianda. Lest we mistake it for a one-off event, lets remember this is an ongoing campaign to raise $140,000 for Rianda House. The first $70,000 collected through June 30 will be matched dollar for dollar, so give what you can and double the impact of your donation. Go to riandahouse.org for details.

***

The Saint Helena Forums virtual event with the Martha Graham Dance Company sounds absolutely fascinating. Graham used insights from the developing field of psychology to explore themes that were far afield from those traditionally featured in classical ballet. The bewildered reviews were often withering, but today Graham is recognized as a visionary genius. Register at shforum.org and join the forum at 5:30 p.m. Wednesday, May 26.

***
It was my turn to host a luncheon for two friends who are far more accomplished cooks than I am. After a brief panic attack, I invited them to join me at the St. Helena Farmers Market where we could browse and then head back to my house to prepare lunch based on our purchases. It was such a success that I am already planning a repeat session!

As we unpacked our bags, I poured some wine (always a good start) and put out a plate of Southern Cheese Straws from Napa Belle Bakery. Instant hit. Then I opened the incredible truffle cheese from Monaco Truffle Company, added a few crackers and the amazing Sicilian Pesto from Chef Andrea and we were feeling mighty happy.

My friend purchased some beautiful light yellow mushrooms from Far West Fungi. She couldnt remember what they were, I thought possibly oyster mushrooms, but Im sure Barry will know. We intended to saute the mushrooms, but they were so delicately delicious raw that we decided a sprinkle of fresh parsley and a splash of Meyer lemon juice would be perfect. It was the ideal transition to our main dish.
1858  Report of a possible drunk driver on Silverado Trail. Police stopped the car and determined the driver was not drunk.

1922  A St. Helena man had been receiving weird calls and texts from someone demanding money. At one point the caller mentioned his familys name and address. Police took a report.

1935  Following a traffic stop at Main/Grayson, police arrested a 25-year-old Phoenix, Arizona man on suspicion of DUI.

2249  Police responded to a loud party on Grayson Avenue. The music was turned off.

2304  A woman reported her mother missing from the downtown area. Shed last been seen heading to the public restroom on Money Way. Police performed an extensive search and found the woman near Adams/Main.

Sunday, May 16

0056  An officer cited a driver for making an illegal U-turn on Main Street.

0149  Following a traffic stop at Main/Elmhurst, police cited a driver for not having a license in their possession.

0808  Police received a complaint about power tools running nonstop near Tainter Street.
It is more than a shame that the Adams Street hotel dispute continues to create deep divisions in our community. The truth is that Adams Street and Library Lane can accommodate both civic uses and a small hotel. As council was advised, someone who would develop Adams would . . . feel they have to create an impact for the community, not on the community in the sense of creating jobs, making philanthropic contributions, bringing arts, knowledge. . . Situated as it is, our biggest asset is the puzzle piece that can be the catalyst for many creative options for St. Helenas future. Sensible development can actually increase city assets, sustainability and cultural opportunities, not deplete them. Take Farmstead Lodgings commitment for example, to purple pipe, which is beyond a nominal step toward our water security. Add to that additional revenue and funds earmarked for housing.
The agency says the $38 million is needed for an initial 30-day period to respond to a variety of immediate needs in Gaza including food, health care, psychological services, and water and sanitation. It also includes emergency needs in the West Bank, including east Jerusalem, for health care, shelter, education, security and protection.



BEIRUT  The leader the Palestinian Islamic Jihad group says militant factions in Gaza went into the latest battle with Israel knowing it will be costly but also knowing that it is the only road to freedom and to protect Jerusalem.

Ziad Nakhaleh said in a televised speech from Beirut on Wednesday that neither nuclear weapons, warplanes nor peace agreements with some Arab states could bring Israelis security and peace.

He added that militant groups in Gaza have made miracles that you can see with your own eyes and you live them every moment when you run to shelters.

Nakhaleh was referring to thousands of missiles and rockets that Gaza militants have fired toward Israel.
HEMET, Calif. (AP)  A woman was fatally shot and four other people were wounded during a fight in a Southern California neighborhood, authorities said Wednesday.

The violence erupted Tuesday evening in the Riverside County city of Hemet. No one was immediately arrested and the motive remained unknown, police said.

Dispatchers began receiving calls about a group of females fighting just before 6 p.m. and then calls reporting gunfire. The number of people involved was estimated at six to eight.

Officers found three adults with gunshot wounds at the scene and a Hemet hospital reported two more gunshot victims had made their way there.

One of the victims at the scene was a 27-year-old woman who had been shot in the head and died after being flown to a county trauma center, police said.

Her name and those of the other victims were withheld.

A male victim found at the scene with serious gunshot wounds to a leg and his back was also taken to the trauma center. The third victim at the scene was taken to the Hemet hospital for treatment of a wound to his arm.

There were no further details about the other two victims, but no other deaths were expected, police said.
Its not a given that were going to survive," said Laurie Thomas, executive director of the Golden Gate Restaurant Association and owner of two popular restaurants. "Were all digging out from so much the past 15 months.

With a lack of specifics from the state on the June 15 reopening, she fears restaurants will be allowed to return to full capacity only with vaccinated customers, leaving their staff to become the new ID police expected to check vaccination cards  a role she and others said they can't handle.

Several witnesses expressed frustration with the state's changing shutdown rules or lack of information on assistance programs, though Greg Dulan, owner of Dulans Soul Food Kitchen in Los Angeles County, said the state-funded Great Plates food delivery program saved his business during the pandemic.

Health officials abrupt shutdown orders gave restaurant owners no time to ramp down employment or distribute food, beverages and other supplies they had just acquired, witnesses said at the hearing.

In hindsight, the state lacked evidence to back up its decision to close outdoor dining and that rationale was not effectively communicated, said Marin County Public Health Officer Dr. Matt Willis, though he said the evidence of virus transmissions during indoor dining was much more clear.
OAKLAND, Calif. (AP)  At least two shooters opened fire on a party bus driving on a San Francisco Bay Area freeway early Tuesday, killing two women and wounding at least five others, authorities said.

The passengers were celebrating a womans 21st birthday when the bus was attacked around 12:20 a.m. on Interstate 580 as it was returning to Oakland from San Francisco, the East Bay Times reported.

At least two shooters in another vehicle began firing at the bus, then followed it off the freeway and continued shooting at it on city streets, authorities said. About 70 rounds were fired at the party bus.

Based on preliminary investigation, it does not appear this shooting was a random event, according to the California Highway Patrol, which is investigating along with Oakland police.

The Alameda County Coroners Bureau said one woman died on the bus and the other at a hospital. One of them was a 19-year-old Stockton resident, relatives told the newspaper.
Yet, America's two-party system strongly incentivizes trying to keep politicos and their voters in the fold. Sen. Lindsey Graham of South Carolina, who a few months ago said he was done with Trump, recently put the GOP situation succinctly: "If you look at a political analysis, there's no way this party is going to stay together without President Trump and his supporters. There is no construct where the party can be successful without him."

Moreover, there is a brute sociological fact: Issues that resonate with a slice of the electorate, even if they offend the majority, tend to get picked up by one party or the other. In the 1990s, the GOP sidelined Patrick Buchanan and his America First platform, which featured criticism of excessive immigration, minorities and free trade. Trump campaigned on these very same themes, which neither party wanted to champion.

This is why, as Sundquist observed, "[s]ince the founding of the Republic, except for a few brief intervals, the American political system has been based on competition between two major parties." (Which is to say nothing of the various policies that entrench the two-party system.)
According to information released by the American company Raytheon on May 18, 2021, The government of Romania signed an agreement with the U.S. Navy to purchase the Raytheon Missiles & Defense, a Raytheon Technologies business, Naval Strike Missile Coastal Defense System, or NSM CDS.

Follow Navy Recognition on Google News at this link

The NSM CDS is a high-performance ground-based Coastal Defence system. (Picture source Kongsberg)

NSM, a long-range precision missile that strikes heavily defended land and sea targets, will arm Romania with a 5th-generation anti-ship and land-attack cruise missile. As a key part of the CDS, the vehicle-launched NSM has a range greater than 100 nautical miles, flies at low altitudes, and uses advanced seeker and target identification technology.



The NSM (Naval Strike Missile) was primarily designed to be used as an anti-ship, but it can be also used as a land-attack missile. The missile was developed to meet the requirements of the Royal Norwegian Navy to arm warships. The production of the NSM began in June 2007 and the missile is now in service in Malaysia, Norway, Poland, and the United States, and will be entered into service with Canada and Germany. When installed on ships, NSMs can be deck-mounted in packs of one, two, three, four, or six launchers. Total installation weight, including electronics and cabling, is 3,900 kg for four launchers, 7,700 kg for eight launchers, and 12,000 kg for 12 launchers

The NSM missile will weigh slightly more than 400 kg (880 lb) and have a range of more than 185 km (100 nm). It has a 125 kg HE (High Explosive) warhead. The missile, using GPS-aided mid-course guidance with a dual-band imaging infrared (IIR) seeker, detects and discriminates the targets.



The NSM CDS (Coastal Defense System) has unique features with a net-centric architecture that enables multiple simultaneous engagements and over the horizon (OTH) targeting. These capabilities, combined with the unique NSM target recognition, shape a highly potent and vast SSM system for the future. The system can be closely integrated and adapted to a countrys adjacent weapons and command and control systems. This expands the defended area and enhances the total fighting capability of the force.



An NSM coastal battery consists of three missile launch vehicles, one battery command vehicle, three combat command vehicles, one mobile communication center, one mobile radar vehicle with TRS-15C radar, one transport and loading vehicle, and one mobile workshop vehicle. Each MLV carries 4 missiles and can be connected to the CCV by optical fiber or radio up to 10 km (6.2 mi) away; up to 6 launchers with 24 missiles can be netted together at once.
The Republic of Armenia (RA) Human Rights Defenders fact-finding work in Gegharkunik and Syunik Provinces have confirmed that on May 12 and 13, the Azerbaijani armed forces, being illegally in the RA sovereign territory, have threatened shepherds, the RA border residents, with weapons. Armenias Human Rights Defender (Ombudsman) Arman Tatoyan wrote about this on Facebook.

In the early morning of May 12, in Syunik, in the area from the RA Sev Lake region to the village of Verishen in the Goris community, the Azerbaijani armed forces approached the village shepherd grazing animals, threatened him, and demandedwith a showing of weaponto leave his cattle barn and pasture.

The fact-finding work of the Human Rights Defender showed that the barn of the shepherd of Verishen is located in the area of pasture constantly used by the residents of Akner, Verishen, and a number of other villages, at a depth from Sev Lake to Verishen civil settlement, and Sev Lake itself is in the RA territory.

In Gegharkunik, on the pasturesat the areas of the hills (cattle barns)near the village of Verin Shorzha in the RA Vardenis community, on May 12, about 10 Azerbaijani armed servicemen approached the shepherd of the village of Verin Shorzha and threatened himwith showing a weaponspeaking to him in Armenian, too.

On the same day, when 6 shepherds from Vardenis and Ayrk villages were grazing their large and small cattle near the water basin near the same pasture in the RA territory, several dozen Azerbaijani armed servicemen approached them, threatened them with weapons, and gave them 5 minutes to leave; otherwise, they threatened to capture him.

On May 13, about 50 Azerbaijani servicemen similarly threatenedwith weaponthe shepherd of Verin Shorzha village, and demanded that he leave; otherwise, threatening to kill or capture him.

In addition to the noted, on May 12, a shepherd from the village of Kut in Geghamasar went to a cattle barn on his hillside near the village and found armed Azerbaijani servicemenabout 50.

During the visit of the Human Rights Defender, it was found out that the pastures are provided to people on a lease with the documents of the local authorities; that is, it is about illegal deprivation of rights on a legal basis.

According to the shepherds, they can longer use the pastures. Moreover, in the village of Kut, for example, residents said they were forced to stop sending animals to the mountains.

The issue is that the Azerbaijani military is physically present in the pastures that are legally owned by the people present, and in some cases it is impossible to use them because they are under Azerbaijani target.

At the same time, the shepherds have informed that they could not even approach the pastures, as in the event of such an attempt, the Azerbaijani military open fire; this also applies to grass.

These circumstances mentioned by the pastors were confirmed by other evidence obtained by the Human Rights Defender, such as pasture use documents, local studies, relevant photographs, etc.

The RA Human Rights Defenders fact-finding activities on May 12 and 13, 2021 prove that the Azerbaijani military, being armed, have committed criminal acts against the border residentsthreatening to kill them or capture unarmed civilians, illegally demanding to leave the pastures and the cattle barns of the hills of the shepherds belonging to them by legal documents provided by the RA competent authorities.

The Azerbaijani armed forces have violated the internationally recognized rights of the RA border residents and enshrined in the RA Constitutionto life, physical and mental inviolability, property, and other vital rights. Moreover, they were wearing masks when communicating with civilians.

It is obvious that in order to protect the RA border residents from such illegal actions, a security zone should be established around Gegharkunik and Syunik along all sections of the border with Azerbaijan.

The issue is that such actions are not single. The fact-finding work of the Human Rights Defender in recent months has registered other cases of the Azerbaijani militarys violation of the rights of the shepherds who are RA border residents.

PS. This photo shows an example of a pasture being under the target of Azerbaijan," the Human Rights Defender of Armenia added.
Within the framework of meetings with area specialists, Armenias second President Robert Kocharyan on Tuesday met with representatives of health care, reported the office of the second president.

During the meeting, some of the questions referred to the border situation in Syunik and Gegharkunik Provinces, and Armenia's petitioning to the CSTO for help.

"You [Armenian authorities] have brought, put your position deep within, Azerbaijan has advanced, you are shouting all over the world: Let Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan come, drive Azerbaijan back. Where are you? Why did it turn out that everyone within the CSTO has better relations with Azerbaijanwhich is not a CSTO member statethan with Armenia? Should they answer this simple question or not? Why should Belarus, Kazakhstan, and other countries have better relations with Azerbaijan? Now you turn to them. Why should they protect you? You do not stand on the border, you do not defend your border, you petition to the CSTO and present it to the people as heroism that I petitioned to the CSTO. Then? One of the main functions of the stateensuring securityis just turning into a joke," said Kocharyan.

And with respect to the possible developments in the border crisis and the events unrolling in Syunik Province, the second President said: "Nothing is being done to strengthen the country's borders. If you have a border, you must defend [it] with your armed forces. That's why you need to understand where your positions are. During this period, our armed forces had to be given the opportunity to deploy troops with appropriate density on that border.

I believe, first of all, they will demand from us to demarcate the borders and will force to recognize those borders. They will constantly force to sign something. These are broken people, and I am sure that there will be no resistance.

Our major problem at the moment is the complete lack of new resources to resist.
Bright Armenia Party leader: Acting premier will not be able to get 60% of votes

Armenia acting PM: There are people in media who are more like "killers" than journalists

Ex-President Kocharyan: 2009-2018 I did not agree with Armenia authorities on many issues

Armenia has new millionaires

Armenia President visits Russia embassy, meets with ambassador

Artsakh search continues Friday for remains of Armenian soldiers killed in war

Armenia ruling party election offices heads being paid by provincial halls?

Armenia emergency ministry preparing for a new cooperation with USAID

US, Turkey top defense officials discuss regional issues

95 new cases of COVID-19 confirmed in Armenia

G7 leaders pledge to share 1bn doses of coronavirus vaccine with world

Armenia snap parliamentary elections online voting starts

Trump tells Biden to give Putin his warmest regards

Newspaper: Pashinyan is both Armenia acting PM and not

Newspaper: Why is Armenia arms dealer released from custody?

National Geographic officially announces 5th ocean

Armenia MP candidate is detained

Armenia Prosecutor General receives OSCE/ODIHR election observation mission's delegation

France's Macron intends to discuss situation in Nagorno-Karabakh with Turkish counterpart

Armenia 3rd President on Nikol Pashinyan: People look at him and say 'greetings, son of a b**ch'

US Department of Commerce intends to impose sanctions against Armenia's Armenal aluminum foil producer/exporter

Armenia 1st President recalls his "remedial secession" formula for Nagorno-Karabakh conflict settlement

"I Have the Honor" bloc to Armenian authorities: Let them try to use force or threaten anyone

Armenia 2nd President: Everything that makes us Armenian has been destroyed over past three years

Azerbaijan continues obscene farce, "investigation" into case of another 26 Armenian POWs is over

Ex-governor presents situation in Armenia's Syunik Province

Armenia 3rd President doesn't know why Nikol Pashinyan hasn't signed the pro-Armenian document he's talking about

Armenia's Pashinyan: If I'm guilty, execute me, and I'll submit

Armenia acting PM holds march with twice as many security and police officers in Vanadzor (PHOTO)

Armenia acting MOD attaches importance to transparency of procurement and supplies in Armed Forces

Remains of 4 more Armenian servicemen found and removed from Artsakh's Jrakan region

Enigmatic incident takes places in Yerevan, semi-decayed body of man found under bridge

Philip Reeker: Azerbaijani Armed Forces need to return to positions of May 11

Armenia opposition party leader says he's ready to form coalition with all forces, except for ruling party

Armenia MOD: Azerbaijani side opens fire at military posts in border section of Gegharkunik Province

Head of Armenia's Mission to OSCE: Goals of OSCE and CSTO serve as ground for their cooperation

Azerbaijan shares documents on 8 Armenian POWs, COVID-19 in Armenia, Jun 19 digest

Azerbaijanis open gunfire at military posts in Armenia's Gegharkunik Province for nearly 30 minutes

Armenia acting justice minister expresses gratitude to US for supporting government's reforms agenda

Philip Reeker: US will continue to press for the return of Armenian POWs and detainees

Armenia 1st President: Russian peacekeepers won't leave Nagorno-Karabakh after 5 years

Catholicos of All Armenians receives newly appointed Ambassador of Kazakhstan

Armenia Parliament Speaker also attending ruling party's campaign meeting in Odzun (PHOTO)

Zakharova: Russia makes essential contributions to post-war demining in Nagorno-Karabakh

160,000,000 children are involved in child labor around the world

Dollar loses value in Armenia

Biden, Johnson underscore close ties between US and UK

Armenia attorney general forwards video recording of ex-FM's sensational statement to National Security Service

Ex-President Kocharyan: Armenia must stand on its feet to conduct effective negotiations on Nagorno-Karabakh

Armenia 2nd President: Border with Azerbaijan needs to be constructed as soon as possible

Armenia 1st President proposes to acting PM to publicize recording of their conversation about Karabakh

Armenia President congratulates Portuguese counterpart on National Day of Portugal

Iranian Ambassador to Armenia acting minister: Iran has already developed roadmap and timetable for joint programs

People are brought in vans to Lori Province village for meeting with Armenia acting premier

Karabakh rescue squad searching for remains of deceased servicemen in Fizuli and Jabrayil

Karabakh President appoints new chief of staff

Armenia 1st President doesn't rule out formation of coalition with Robert Kocharyan and Serzh Sargsyan after elections

Armenia former President Kocharyan: Only way to work with external partners is being straightforward, honest

Acting US Assistant Secretary of State for European and Eurasian Affairs visits Armenian Genocide Memorial

Armenia 1st President: If we Armenians miss this moment as well, very bad things will happen

"I have the honor" bloc is in Armenias Syunik (PHOTOS)

Horsemen lead Armenia acting PM Pashinyan motorcade in Lori Province village

Armenia 2nd President Kocharyan: I have reasonable doubts that Shushi was deliberately handed over

Azerbaijan provides documents on 6 captured Armenia soldiers health condition

Police apprehend 16 ARF youths near Armenia government building

Ex-President Kocharyan on acting PM idea to exchange son for Armenian captives in Azerbaijan: Primitive stupidity

Armenia acting premier receives acting US assistant secretary of state

ARF youth close off downtown Yerevan street

Yerevan police forcibly apprehend protesting ARF members

Armenia acting PM in Lori Province, he is accompanied by State Protection Service head (PHOTOS)

ARF of Armenia presents facts about high treason

Permit documents can now be submitted online at Armenia border checkpoints

76 new cases of COVID-19 confirmed in Armenia

World oil prices dropping

Armenia interim government holding Cabinet meeting

Daily Express: Brussels angry over upcoming Biden-Putin meeting

Newspaper: Bright Armenia Party leader gives acting US deputy secretary of state sanctions list on Azeri authorities

American billionaires pay little income tax

Most livable city for 2021 is announced

Newspaper: Artsakh President makes controversial decision

WTO countries agree to intensify negotiations on easing access to coronavirus vaccines

Armenia Ombudsman: Trials against Armenian POWs continue in Azerbaijan with gross violations of international law

Ankara hopes Erdogan and Biden find common ground

Acting US Assistant Secretary for European and Eurasian Affairs Philip Reeker arrives in Yerevan

Candidate for Armenia PM: Heads of headquarters of Democratic Party are apprehended

More on COVID-19 and tense election campaign in Armenia, June 9 digest

Members of European Parliament call on Yerevan and Baku to start exchanging information for demining

Members of Armenian opposition Adekvad Union post posters reading "Antinikol" near government building

France says it will do everything it can to ensure Amazon is subject to minimum global tax

UN warns of likelihood of mass deaths from hunger and disease in Myanmar

Beijing accuses Washington of paranoid mania

Stanislav Zas: There are still risks of escalation of the situation on the Armenian-Azerbaijani border

Trump supports Nigerian government decision to block Twitter access

Erdogan announces visit to Shushi with his family

Armenia ruling party MP Hamazasp Danielyan drops mandate

Armenia ex-president shares promised record about acting PM

Armenia acting PM ends campaign meeting in Gyumri with march, accompanied by many security officers

"Armenia" bloc holding rally in Yerevan

Opposition Bright Armenia Party leader inviting Nikol Pashinyan to a debate

Nagorno-Karabakh issue discussed within the scope of Russian-Turkish consultations in Moscow
Over the past eight days of hostilities, Turkey has stepped up its anti-Israel rhetoric. Rhetoric against Israel and Jews has reached such heights that the United States has condemned the Turkish president for anti-Semitic comments. While the US is working to end the Hamas war against Israel, Turkey is fanning the flames, the Jerusalem Post reported.

"Among the recent statements include a demand by Turkey to separate Jerusalem from Israel. Since 2020 when Turkey turned Hagia Sophia into a mosque, the Turkish religious and political leadership of the AKP Party, which supports Hamas, has sought to liberate Al-Aqsa and claims it will take over Jerusalem. The latest comments by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan were to demand a separate arrangement for Jerusalem.

Turkey then condemned Austria for supporting Israel and flying the Israeli flag. Erdogan claimed that Austria was trying to make Muslims pay for the Jews they subjected to genocide. In short, the argument was that Austria was somehow punishing Muslims for the Holocaust. Ankara then called Israel a terror state. In the past, its president compared Israel to Nazi Germany in 2019. At the time, the pro-Turkey stance of the Trump administration and its State Department members, some of whom were pro-Turkey, didnt condemn the comments. Todays US administration is different and Ankara doesnt get the green light to host Hamas and bash Israel as much as it used to.

Among the other comments of Turkeys president was to call on the world to stop the aggression on al-Quds, a reference to Jerusalem. He argued that if the world did not stop Israel, then this brutal mentality would harm others tomorrow. The comments by the leadership of the AKP are also represented in far-right media in Turkey. Yena Safak, a newspaper that caters to the populist right in the country and is close to the regime, argued for Turkey to lead an Islamic alliance to attack Israel.

The alliance would include Turkey, Iran, Qatar, Malaysia and Pakistan, countries that either back Hamas or are close to the Muslim Brotherhood. Ankara had consulted with Tehran last week about how to confront Israel, and Turkey has called on the pope and others to encourage sanctions against the Jewish state. Compared to Turkeys rhetoric against Israel, Irans rhetoric has been relatively muted.

Turkey has become one of the most anti-Israel states in the world and its constant anti-Israel rhetoric, fed through its state-controlled media that run the most outlandish articles about Israel, fuels antisemitism in Turkey and abroad. At many antisemitic rallies in Europe, Turkish flags can be seen," the authors noted.
Acting Prime Minister of Armenia Nikol Pashinyan chaired a meeting devoted to the macroeconomic and fiscal framework of the draft medium-term expenditures program for 2022-2024.

Before discussing the agenda, Nikol Pashinyan referred to the border situation in Syunik and Gegharkunik Marzes of Armenia, noting:

The Ministry of Defense provides daily information to the public at large. The border situation is stable, but tense. I should stress on the other hand that the current situation is unacceptable to us. Our position is unequivocal: Azerbaijani troops must leave the sovereign territory of the Republic of Armenia. Our armed forces are conducting tactical movements, but our position is that the situation has to be settled peacefully through diplomatic means. This is our approach and primary goal.

You know that we have applied to the Collective Security Treaty Organization with a request to activate specific mechanisms. In particular, you may know that there is a protocol on the procedure for CSTO response to crisis situations, and we will act in accordance with that protocol. To this end, we will continue our consultations within the CSTO framework. The process may not be going as fast as we would like, but there are collective security mechanisms in place, and we continue to work consistently to make them operational.

We will also continue our diplomatic efforts to provide the international community with full information about the situation in a bid to step up international pressure on Azerbaijan. Indeed, we will continue to work with our strategic partner, the Russian Federation. You also know that I have asked the Russian President for support, and consultations in this direction will continue.

In general, I think that Azerbaijans actions are destructive. They are taking steps to heighten tensions in the region. In our estimation, they are trying to disrupt the further implementation of the joint statements issued on November 9, 2020 and January 11, 2021. Let me remind you that the statement of January 11 referred to the opening of regional communications and the facilitation of cargo transportations.

I wish to stress that the Republic of Armenia is interested in unblocking regional communications as we consider it an important economic priority. But I would also like to stress once again that Armenia has never discussed and will not discuss anything under the logic of a transport corridor. We are talking about the opening of communications in the region.

In general, we have the impression that the trilateral commission, headed by the deputy prime ministers of Russia, Armenia, and Azerbaijan, has carried out quite effective and constructive work, and now we have to think of implementing the results of that work. In this regard, it is strange to see provocations at this stage.

Let me stress once again: the opening of regional communications is not only acceptable for the Republic of Armenia, but it is also an important priority for us, since under the agreements reached, Armenia is supposed to get railway links with the Islamic Republic of Iran and the Russian Federation, while Azerbaijan shall enjoy a railway communication with Nakhichevan. I mean cargo freights.

In the event of a general settlement of the situation, it will be possible to discuss the issue of passenger traffic on these routes as well. But we have to distinguish between the following: yes, the opening of communications is important for us. We signed the January 11 statement because it was in our best interest. We will work consistently to open communications in the region. But why am I talking about this? Because I feel that there is an attempt in public discourse to equate this with talking about the so-called corridors? The Republic of Armenia has never discussed and will not discuss anything under the logic of corridors. I wish to emphasize that this is the essence of the issue and we will be guided by this logic.

As for the border situation, our position is unambiguous: Azerbaijani troops must leave the sovereign territory of Armenia. I wish to stress that any talk about demarcation and delimitation is irrelevant in this case, and Armenia will continue to make diplomatic efforts to resolve the issue. This does not mean at all that our armed forces are inactive: they are conducting tactical operations, though our priority task is not to let the situation get out of control.
The chief liar has led it to point where Aliyev is forcing him to affirm the agreement over the ultimatums in writing, and we Armenians, by allowing the chief liar to sit in his chair, have deprived ourselves of an election. This is what former Ambassador of Armenia to the Vatican Mikayel Minasyan wrote on his Telegram channel and posted a photo of the statement offering demarcation of the borders between Armenia and Azerbaijan which, according to him will be released in the next few days.

This is the document that I had written about on Facebook.

1. These are the first provisions stated on the first page of the agreed document.

2. There is also an encrypted part (not counting the verbal agreements between Nikol [acting Prime Minister of Armenia Nikol Pashinyan] and Aliyev [President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev]).

3. Nikol has agreed to everything, but hasnt signed it yet.

4. He has set forth three preconditions for signing: pullout Azerbaijani troops from Armenia before the elections and return at least a few prisoners of war, and write the statements on the transfer of 6 villages in a way that will be as unclear as possible so that it will be easy for him to get re-elected.

Ara Aivazian [acting Foreign Minister of Armenia] has refused to have anything to do with this document, noting that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is against this.

The only way to avoid this is to get rid of Nikol as quickly as possible. This will continue so long as he remains in power, Minasyan added.
Europe set to open doors to vaccinated travellers

Major European cities such as Paris are hoping for a summer influx of vaccinated travellers. File photo: AP

European Union countries agreed on Wednesday to ease Covid-19 travel restrictions on non-EU visitors ahead of the summer tourist season, a move that could open the bloc's door to all Britons and to vaccinated Americans.



Ambassadors from the 27 EU countries approved a European Commission proposal from May 3 to loosen the criteria to determine "safe" countries and to let in fully vaccinated tourists from elsewhere, EU sources said.



They are expected to set a new list this week or early next week. Based on data from the European Centre for Disease Control and Prevention, Britain and a number of other countries would meet the new criteria.



The United States would not, although Americans with proof of vaccination would be welcomed.



One EU diplomat said cases of the Indian variant in Britain would need to be taken into account, although individual EU countries are already setting their own policies. Portugal lifted a four-month travel ban on British tourists on Monday.



Under current restrictions, people from only seven countries, including Australia, Israel and Singapore, can enter the EU on holiday, regardless of whether they have been vaccinated.



Individual countries can and will still be able to choose to demand a negative Covid-19 test or a period of quarantine.



The current main criterion is that there should be no more than 25 new Covid-19 cases per 100,000 people in the previous 14 days. The trend should be stable or decreasing and there should be a sufficient number of tests, which would need to show a minimum percentage of negative tests. Variants of concern can be taken into account.



The Commission proposed raising the case rate to 100. The EU ambassadors opted instead for 75. For inoculated people to gain access, they would need to have received an EU-approved vaccine, with those with a World Health Organisation emergency listing being considered.



Children should also be able to travel with vaccinated parents. (Reuters)
When the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention announced last week that fully vaccinated people could ditch their masks, many Americans - and some public-health experts - wondered whether the recommendations were too broad.

"We're missing a critical step, and that step is fully vaccinated people around other fully vaccinated people in large or small groups," Leana Wen, the former health commissioner of Baltimore, told Insider. "That should be safe, but now we're going from 'you can only dine indoors with a few people' to 'everybody can take off their masks because we're not checking their vaccination status.'"

The CDC's recent guidance says that fully vaccinated Americans can take off their masks indoors and outdoors at gatherings of any size - even with unvaccinated people present. The exceptions to that rule include healthcare settings, homeless shelters, public transportation, and airports. Private companies such as stores and airlines are also be free to enforce mask rules as they see fit.

But for people who want a more tailored way to gauge their personal risk, experts highlight two circumstances in which masks are still a good idea for vaccinated people. The first is if new daily cases start to rise at all in your local community. The second is a low level of vaccination in your area - one significantly below the current national average of 37%.

But even in the absence of these red flags, experts noted, the CDC is not mandating that anyone to go maskless.

"It doesn't mean that you have to take your mask off," Anne Rimoin, an epidemiology professor at the University of California, Los Angeles, told Insider. "It means that you can take your mask off."

Story continues

She added: "If you are still feeling vulnerable, if you're somebody who has a compromised immune system, if you are in an area when you're still higher transmission, then the conservative thing to do would be to continue to wear a mask in situations where you're going to be around people where you don't know what their vaccination status is."

Any increase in cases could be a reason to mask up

A nurse administers a COVID-19 test at a site in Suffolk County, New York, on December 18, 2020. John Paraskevas/Newsday via Getty Images

The more real-life data researchers get about the US's authorized vaccines, the more the shots seem to work well against variants and reduce transmission. So Rimoin said the new CDC guidelines simply underscore "how confident we are in these vaccines and the ability of these vaccines to really protect people."

President Joe Biden announced on Monday that US coronavirus cases are declining in all 50 states for the first time since the pandemic started. It's another indicator that vaccines are stopping the virus from spreading.

But it also means that any increase in cases in your local area should be concerning at this point, according to Lisa Lee, an epidemiologist at Virginia Tech.

"If we get an uptick, we're going to have to consider what is happening because we have a lot of people vaccinated and we should not be seeing more infections," Lee told Insider. "We should continue to see less."

If cases start rising in your community, she said, that's a good reason to consider putting a mask on - especially when indoors around other people.

"In a place like rural Colorado that happens to be a hotspot, people have to think carefully," Lee said. "Even vaccinated folks need to really be careful and think about whether that's a risk they're willing to take."

Is your area's vaccination rate below the national average?

The Disneyland COVID-19 vaccination site in Anaheim, California. Mario Tama/Getty Images

Around 37% of the total US population is fully vaccinated so far. Vaccinated people living in communities that are significantly below that threshold might consider keeping their masks on for now, Lee said.

"When we say the United States has nearly 50% of people fully vaccinated now, that's great, but that doesn't mean anything for a particular place," Lee said, referring to the roughly 47% of US adults who are fully vaccinated. "We really do need to think carefully about our own situation and our own community."

It's safer to remove your mask, for instance, in McKinley County, New Mexico, or Essex County, New York, where more than half the population is fully vaccinated, than in Warren County, Virginia, or Hancock County, Georgia, where just 3% of residents are fully vaccinated.

A woman adjusts her face mask. Getty Images

Those who want to exercise maximum caution could wait to remove their masks until at least 75% of their community is vaccinated, Lee added. That's likely the threshold at which an area has reached herd immunity - the point beyond which the virus can't easily pass from person to person.

Reaching herd immunity would also make it far less likely that the US would suddenly see a new, more contagious or deadly variant emerge. (The virus can't mutate if it isn't spreading.)

"We want to get out of this cycle of chasing the variants with vaccines," Lee said. "A way we're going to get out ahead of it is by ensuring that we get 75% to 85% of the population vaccinated. So we've got to work on that. We cannot give up."

Until then, though, the threat of new variants means there's always a chance the CDC might need to reinstate mask guidelines.

"We have to watch for variants that might evade the efficacy of the vaccine," Lee said. "If we see those, we're going to have to be flexible enough to agree that, OK, maybe it is time for a few weeks or months of masks again."

Read the original article on Business Insider
John Swinney, left, and Nicola Sturgeon will make a decision this week - Pool/Getty Images Europe

Almost 200,000 Scots face seeing lockdown restrictions reimposed within days after virus cases in two Covid hotspots continued to surge.

John Swinney, the deputy first minister, said an appropriate response to rising case numbers in East Renfrewshire and Midlothian would be unveiled this week, increasing the prospect of the areas joining Glasgow in Level 3.

In East Renfrewshire, home to around 95,000 people, the case rate per 100,000 rose to 94.2 on Tuesday, from 86.9, while in Midlothian, where around 92,000 people live, it increased to 57.3 from 55.2. The threshold for entering Level 2 is nominally 50 cases per 100,000 residents.

I am concerned, Linda Bauld, professor of public health at the University of Edinburgh, said. Those areas are well, well above the threshold in terms of cases, and probably test positivity as well, for Level 2.

If you were just looking at it from a data driven perspective, you would probably say that they do need to be in Level 3.

This content is not available due to your privacy preferences. Update your settings here to see it.

Public health officials are also concerned at a rise in cases in heavily-populated South Lanarkshire, which remains just below the 50 per 100,000 threshold, with rises in west and central Scotland driven by the more transmissible Indian variant.

Any move back into Level 3 would prove devastating for hospitality businesses in particular, which have only been allowed to serve alcohol indoors since Monday. Hugs and indoor visits to others' homes are among the other freedoms allowed in Level 2 but restricted in higher tiers.

However, cases have continued to fall in Moray, the only part of Scotland other than Glasgow that is currently Level 3, leaving it with harsher restrictions than council areas with more cases.

In an attempt to get a grip of the outbreak in Glasgow, it was announced that door-to-door testing will begin while coronavirus tests will be sent to 32,000 homes.

The rate in the country's largest city rose again yesterday to 104.6 cases per 100,000, meaning it is likely the city will remain in Level 3 for at least another week when Nicola Sturgeon announces the results of a review this week.

Story continues

This content is not available due to your privacy preferences. Update your settings here to see it.

Despite mounting concern over Glasgow, residents in Covid hotspots have complained of being unable to book vaccine appointments because they are registered with a GP surgery in a different postcode.

The local health board has told people living in affected postcodes they are eligible for an early jab, but some are being told that they will need to register with a local GP in order to get one - a process which is particularly difficult because of the pandemic and can take weeks.

One woman, who lives in the Covid-struck G42 postcode but is registered with a practice in G13, said she is "weary of trying to register locally" because it would mean cutting ties with her existing doctor.

Another person complained of not being able "to get straight information" from NHS helplines on how to resolve the issue, while others claim they have received letters inviting people who no longer live there for vaccine appointments.

Sir John Curtice, the UKs leading pollster, became the latest figure to speak out over problems arranging vaccine appointments.

This content is not available due to your privacy preferences. Update your settings here to see it.

The 67-year-old said he had waited more than 14 weeks for his second dose and that staff manning a helpline had been unable to resolve the issue despite three weeks of calls.

He said: "The problem seems to be that the helpline is unable to solve the problem that it identifies."

Jason Leitch, Scotlands National Clinical Director, said he was "sorry" Sir John had gone through three weeks of confusion without success, but claimed there was "no difference clinically" between a 12-week and 14-week wait.

He said: "I don't think it's fair to say the helpline is not working. I think it's fair to say there are some people for who the helpline isn't working as quickly as it should and we're trying to correct that as much as we can."

Across Scotland, there were 268 new coronavirus cases announced on Tuesday, although there have been no new deaths in five days. There were 70 people in hospital with recently confirmed Covid-19, up two, with four patients in intensive care, up one.

Speaking at Holyrood, Mr Swinney said: In the course of the last few days, there has been a significant expansion of the testing programme and capacity within the communities most directly affected by the increase in cases. This has also been supported by an expansion of the vaccination programme

The First Minister committed to reviewing this situation again at the end of this week. This will include a review of any further areas where concerns emerge, and the formulation of an appropriate response to any such developments.
Curtis "50 Cent" Jackson is ready to seize "Love & Hip Hop" star Teairra Maris assets as part of a $37,000 judgment the singer owes the rapper following an alleged revenge porn lawsuit in 2019.

Lawyers for Jackson filed legal documents in a Los Angeles Superior Court saying Mari, whose real name is Teairra Mari Thomas, failed to pay some $30,000 in attorney fees Jackson racked up defending himself against claims the "Power" co-creator engaged in "revenge porn" when he reposted a graphic video of Mari that was allegedly leaked by her ex-boyfriend Akbar Abdul-Ahad.

The newly filed documents, obtained by Radar Online, reportedly reveal an additional $4,492 was added to the judgment after Mari was sanctioned in the case. The outstanding obligation has also accrued interest to the tune of $2,597.80.

50 CENT MOVES FROM NEW YORK TO HOUSTON MONTHS AFTER TAX RANT

FOR LIFE STAR 50 CENT ON WHY SHOWS PRISON ROLE IS PROBABLY THE LAST TIME HELL PLAY THIS KIND OF GUY

Jacksons lawyers reportedly filed a writ of execution against Mari and are actively searching for answers regarding her income and finances to recoup the loss.

If granted by the court, the writ of execution could allow law enforcement to begin a transfer of real property, assets or money to the filing party as a result of the judgment.

CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR OUR ENTERTAINMENT NEWSLETTER

Lawyers for Jackson and Mari did not respond to Fox News request for comment.
Queens and The Wonder Years reboot are set to head to your small screen real soon

ABC is dropping first looks at two of its new series, and its jam-packed with a handful of our favorites in Hollywood.

Queens and The Wonder Years reboot are set to head to your small screen this fall. The network released the anticipated trailers for both of the star-studded shows on Tuesday.

The Queens teaser trailer features the four leads of the new series, wrapping their heads around their first performance in 20 years. The series backstory is about the Nasty B*tches, a hip-hop group from the 90s that has lost it but is trying to regain its sizzle. The four ladies, now in their 40s, hope to recapture their glory days.

As reported by theGrio, the series features very familiar faces.

Twenty years ago, Brianna, played by Eve, was Professor Sex  one-fourth of the Nasty B*tches  rapping about money, sex, and her all-around glamorous lifestyle. Today, Brianna is a proud wife and mother of five in a stained sweatsuit who barely has a second to breathe, the show is described.

Brandy plays Naomi, who goes by the stage name Xplicit Lyrics and the brains behind the group. But after being sure she would hit it big as a solo act, Naomi is reduced to playing music in dive bars. When the group does get back together, she comes in contact with her one true love, who was swept away by a rival bandmate. She also longs to build a relationship with her daughter.

Naturi Naughton stars in the series as Jill, who is a founding member and known as Da Thrill. Her current life as a married Catholic living in Montana seems perfect, but past secrets haunt her, per Deadline.

Nadine Velazquez appears as Valeria aka Butter Pecan, a fourth member of the group who was added by the groups manager for her star quality.

Queens Image: ABC

Also premiering on ABC soon is Lee Daniels The Wonder Years reboot.

The new show is a remake of the original award-winning series of the same name. The coming of age story will follow a Black middle-class family in Montgomery, Alabama in the late 1960s. The series is told from the point of view of 12-year-old Dean.

Story continues

As reported by Shadow and Act, the series stars Don Cheadle, who will narrate the series as adult Dean Williams, Elisha EJ Williams as Dean Williams, Saycon Sengbloh as Lillian Williams, Laura Kariuki as Kim Williams and Dule Hill as Bill Williams.

As reported by theGrio: The original series that ran from 1986-1993 starred Fred Savage as Kevin Arnold, an angsty, middle-class adolescent growing up in the suburbs in the 1960s. It earned a Peabody Award and an Emmy for Best Comedy after its first season. Savage is set to executive produce the series as well as direct the pilot.

The series is listed as coming soon.

Additional reporting by Cortney Wills

Have you subscribed to theGrios podcast Dear Culture? Download our newest episodes now!

TheGrio is now on Apple TV, Amazon Fire, and Roku. Download theGrio today!

The post ABC drops teaser trailers for Wonder Years reboot, Queens appeared first on TheGrio.
May 18Demarcus Mazone was surrounded by his family, friends and teammates Tuesday afternoon as he committed to continue his playing career at Denmark Technical College.

Mazone, a senior at Aiken High School, will play basketball at the college, located about 43 miles southeast of Aiken in Bamberg County.

The college is a historically Black two-year technical college, and its basketball team competes as part of the National Junior College Athletic Association, the sports organization for two-year colleges and technical schools.

Mazone, who's 6-foot-6 and weighs 190 pounds, averaged 9 points and 10 rebounds at Aiken High and was named All-Region this past season. He's a versatile player, who said he plays wing, forward and center. Mazone said he chose Denmark Tech because "I went there and it felt like home to me."

"For the basketball part, I feel like I can do a lot there," Mazone said.

Darris Jackson, the boys' basketball coach at Aiken High, said he was extremely proud of Mazone.

"He's a kid that's improved tremendously each year he's been here," Jackson said of Mazone. "He's been a pleasure to coach. He's done absolutely everything we've asked him to. He leads by example."

Jackson was also extremely complimentary of Mazone's character and his effort in the classroom.

"(Mazone's) obviously a heck of a basketball player, but he's a better person," Jackson said. "He's one of the better people I've coached here. He's a kid that really fought, clawed and worked each day to get better to have an opportunity to play at the college level. He made significant improvements in the classroom as well. I'm even more proud of the work he's done in school over the last two years."

Aiken High principal Dr. Jason Holt was on hand for the festivities and said he couldn't be more excited for Mazone's future.

"This is a big deal in the life of a young man that has made some great decisions and we get to celebrate today," Holt said.
Shanghai (Gasgoo)- Geely Technology Group and Farasis Energy, a Chinese developer and supplier of lithium-ion battery technologies, struck a deal on May 17 to build a joint venture dedicated to battery-related businesses, according to Farasis Energy.



Geely Technology Group, Farasis Energy signing agreement; photo credit: Farasis Energy



Under the agreement, the new joint venture will involve a registered capital of 1 billion yuan ($155.577 million), 65% of which are subscribed by Geely Technology.

The business scope of the joint venture will extends to cover the R&D, the manufacturing, and the sales of electric vehicle (EV)-related energy storage and management systems, like the lithium-ion battery and module system, the battery module management system, and EV charging system, and other products related to lithium-ion batteries. Besides, the joint venture will also work on researching, developing, producing, and selling cathode & anode materials of lithium-ion batteries, electrolyte, and membrane separators.

Before Farasis Energy acquiring the entire equity interest in the joint venture, Geely Technology will play a major role in the joint ventures daily operations and management, while Farasis Energy will lead such businesses as technology R&D and market expansion. Moreover, Geely Technology will assist the battery supplier with the validation and the application of batteries in the vehicles of Geely Technology and Geely Commercial Vehicles Group.

The two companies formed a strategic partnership in December 2020, attempting to set up a joint venture for manufacturing power batteries. The combined capacity of the joint venture and Farasis Energy is expected to reach 120 GWh, of which at least 20GWh will be ready this year.

The joint venture newly announced is part of the strategic cooperation both parties agreed last year, according to a person briefed on the matter.
Airbnb said rental bookings jumped 52% in the first quarter from the same quarter last year. Yuriko Nakao/Getty Image

Some Airbnb customers are complaining about what they say are excessive fees and rules for rentals.

Social-media posts showed some fees totaling more than the nightly rate of the rental itself.

Airbnb has seen surging demand for rentals as travel begins to pick up again.

Sign up for the 10 Things in Tech daily newsletter.

Airbnb is trending on Twitter this week as social-media users complain about what they say are excessive fees and rules for listings on the rental site.

"We gotta stop airbnb," one person tweeted, including a screenshot of the fee breakdown for a two-night rental: $198 for the room itself, $413.95 total.

The tweet garnered more than 200,000 likes, and other Airbnb customers began chiming in with their own experiences and jokes lamenting issues ranging from intrusive hosts to the company's impact on local housing prices.

"AirBnb and Uber trippin. We back to yellow cabs and hotels this summer. They not gonna fee us to death," one person tweeted.

"I spend the first 30 minutes every time searching for cameras whenever I go to one," another tweeted.

"Hotels don't bug you about anything. AirBnB hosts are insane," another person said.

This content is not available due to your privacy preferences. Update your settings here to see it.

Airbnb responded in a blog post explaining its fee structure, saying that hosts set nightly rates and cleaning fees, that the company typically charged a service fee of about 14%, and that local governments often charged taxes (similar to other hospitality businesses).

Airbnb has long positioned itself as a low-cost alternative to hotels. But a surge in demand as travel picks up again - the company reported a 52% year-over-year surge in gross bookings last quarter - could be contributing to an increase in prices for Airbnb rentals as well. The company has also raised its service fee several times.

Many of the complaints, however, concerned taxes and cleaning fees that aren't displayed to people while they're browsing listings.

For years, Airbnb didn't collect lodging and other taxes on behalf of its hosts, operating in a legal gray area and aggressively fighting local officials' efforts to tax Airbnb listings like hotel rooms, most likely causing cities to lose out on significant tax revenues as hosts may not have paid those taxes on their own.

Story continues

As regulators have sought to crack down, Airbnb has entered into "voluntary" agreements with many local governments, promising to collect taxes on behalf of hosts, which is why customers may have seen higher taxes on more listings over the years.

While Airbnb said in its blog post that it has generated $3.4 billion in taxes in the past seven years, Bloomberg reported last year that some governments believed they might be still missing out on 75% of the lodging taxes they're owed.

But cleaning fees and house rules are set by hosts, so customer complaints along those lines reflect another tension Airbnb has encountered as it grows: striking the right balance between allowing hosts to express their individuality and ensuring a consistent and high-quality experience for guests at scale.

Airbnb, originally founded as AirBed&Breakfast, markets itself as a way to connect guests with unique local hosts and experiences. But as it has grown, it has had to wrestle with more instances of scam and low-quality listings, as well as guests trashing listings and hosting illicit parties, some of which have turned deadly.

"You want things to be professional in terms of the quality of the stay, you want to have standards ... but will Airbnb lose its soul in the process?" Dennis Schaal, the executive editor at the travel industry news and research site Skift, previously told Insider.

At the same time, Airbnb's increasing popularity has attracted hordes of corporate real-estate owners and professional property managers to its platform, many of whom own or operate dozens of listings within the same city. Skift reported in March that, according to the analytics site AirDNA, just 5% of hosts own or operate nearly a third of all Airbnb listings, reflecting the massive power wielded by corporate and professional hosts.

That shift has most likely been driving up rent and housing prices in neighborhoods with Airbnb listings, according to multiple research studies in recent years.

That impact has complicated Airbnb's attempts to portray its hosts as local residents offering a spare room to budget-conscious travelers, rather than wealthy out-of-towners and corporate landlords, as one Twitter user alluded.

This content is not available due to your privacy preferences. Update your settings here to see it.

In many of Airbnb's largest markets, especially in Europe, state and local officials are weighing new regulations on Airbnb, The Information reported last week, which could lead to even higher fees for customers.

Read the original article on Business Insider
An industry group representing Canadian airlines is urging the federal government to release a travel restart plan as the European Union takes a step towards reopening its borders to fully vaccinated visitors.

On Wednesday, EU ambassadors agreed to ease criteria needed for countries to be considered COVID-safe and to allow fully vaccinated tourists into Europe. The move is the first major step towards relaxing travel restrictions that have been in place in the region throughout the COVID-19 pandemic.

The National Airline Council of Canada (NACC), which represents Air Canada, WestJet, Air Transat and Jazz Aviation, released a statement on Wednesday calling on the federal government to release a travel restart plan as Canada's vaccination rollout ramps up.

"Today's announcement in Europe demonstrates that the EU continues to take a science-based approach to the development of its aviation and travel restart policy," NACC president Mike McNaney said in a statement.

"We need a similar and clear plan from the federal government outlining our path forward as vaccination rollout in Canada continues to aggressively move forward... We must get moving now on behalf of the hundreds of thousands of Canadians in every region of the country whose livelihoods depend on travel and tourism."

Ottawa introduced mandatory hotel quarantine for travellers coming to Canada by air in February. Non-essential travellers coming into the country are required to take a COVID-19 test when they arrive, before leaving the airport. They are then required to go to a quarantine hotel, at their own expense, until their test result is returned, for up to three days.

Earlier this month, Air Canada's chief executive officer Michael Rousseau called on the federal government to eliminate the mandatory hotel quarantine and implement a reopening plan that will allow international travel to and from Canada.

"It is time to develop and communicate a reopening plan for international travel to and from Canada. After 14 months of restrictions, Canadians who we know are eager to travel want and deserve clear guidelines," Rousseau said.

Story continues

Business groups are also pushing the government to detail its plans for reopening. In an open letter published Tuesday, leaders from 61 industry groups urged Prime Minister Justin Trudeau to work closely with premiers to develop a clear and consistent plan for reopening communities, schools and businesses.

"A clear and predictable plan for a gradual and safe return to a more normal life would instill public confidence while demonstrating concern for the physical, mental and economic health of Canadians," the letter said.

With files from The Associated Press.

Alicja Siekierska is a senior reporter at Yahoo Finance Canada. Follow her on Twitter @alicjawithaj.

Download the Yahoo Finance app, available for Apple and Android.
May 19With more than enough COVID-19 vaccine now available in Alaska and less demand for it statewide, vaccinating all those who want a shot has become easier  but the number of doses being wasted has been increasing in recent weeks too, state health officials say.

Data provided by the state showed that as of May 12, 7,688 vaccine doses, or about 1.38% of doses the state received so far, had to be thrown out.

That's more than twice as many wasted vaccine doses as was reported less than a month earlier. As of April 20, there had been a total of 2,956 wasted doses, representing just 0.57% of the total doses the state had received since vaccines first became available in December.

State health officials say some of that waste is inevitable  and that it's part of a new vaccination strategy.

"The idea is to not miss opportunities" to vaccinate "and to be OK with wastage," said Matt Bobo, immunization program manager with the Alaska Department of Health and Social Services, during a recent call with reporters.

He said the new messaging was shared with providers in April and was echoed by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in May.

The approach marks a shift from earlier in the pandemic, when providers were asked to avoid wasting even a single dose of a vaccine in limited supply.

"As we get further along, we're going to expect increased wastage," said Dr. Anne Zink, Alaska's chief medical officer, during the same call.

Partly this is because the currently available COVID-19 vaccines have relatively short windows of time between when vials are thawed and opened, and when they expire, she said.

"For example, when I was in Hyder, there were two more people who needed to get vaccinated," she said. "So that meant I needed to open another (vial of) Pfizer, which meant that there would be four additional doses" since each vial contains six doses.

Once a vial of Pfizer vaccine is opened, the remaining four doses is usable for only about six hours.

Story continues

"So do you leave two people there who can't be vaccinated to save those four doses? Or do you potentially waste four doses, and move on?" she said.

In that particular case, Zink said she was able to find a home for those four doses within those six hours. But the experience highlights the increasing likelihood of wasting some vaccine in order to vaccinate a few people at a time, particularly in small, remote communities like Hyder.

Barbara Norton, a certified nurse midwife who practices at Geneva Woods Birth Center in Anchorage, first heard the messaging that the priority was getting more Alaskans vaccinated  even in cases where that would mean some vaccine was wasted  during a state-run Zoom call for vaccine providers in April. (The clinic has given 1,000 COVID-19 vaccine shots so far.)

"The state was realizing that many of the people who wanted vaccine had already gotten the shot, and that it would be acceptable to waste some vaccine in the service of getting shots in arms," Norton said in an interview Tuesday.

She said it wasn't an easy shift to make.

"For the last six months, we've been asked to stretch this resource," she said. "It makes sense, but it's hard."

Norton said that so far, Geneva Woods hasn't had to waste any vaccine, even though they were given permission to do so.

"I feel pretty good about that," she said.
In darkened tunnels once stuffed with weapons, there are now hundreds of blue barrels filled with anchovies resting in litres of brine, a surreal repurposing of Albania's Cold War past.

Murals, statues, architectural oddities and historical relics greet visitors to Fish City, a complex snuggled into gentle hills in Labinot-Fushe 60 kilometres (40 miles) south of the capital Tirana.

Jim Morrison and Winston Churchill rub shoulders, the stretched face of a Salvador Dali masterpiece is lovingly recreated alongside Pablo Picasso's Guernica.

Before reaching any of that, Marlon Brando and Al Pacino in full Godfather mode have to be negotiated.

The sprawling complex also houses a daycare, a children's playground, cinema, fine-dining restaurant and a 50-metre tower called "chicken island".

Somewhere in all of this, there is a seafood processing plant employing some 1,500 people, most of them women who shell shrimp and fillet anchovies at incredible speed before ramming them into boxes, jars and bags for export.

- One million weapons -

The company, Rozafa, exported 32 million euros ($38 million) of seafood last year, a major turnaround for a site that just six years ago stood derelict.

"In these places, there was nothing but ruins, it looked like Hiroshima after the bomb," says owner Gjergj Luca, who built his city on the ruins of the base, but preserved the tunnels.

They were constructed by communist dictator Enver Hoxha whose paranoia led him to isolate the country even from communist comrades in Moscow, Beijing and the former Yugoslavia.

He built up an unrivalled hoard of weaponry that stood idle for years in thousands of tunnels and bunkers following his death in 1985.

During a rebellion more than a decade later, crowds ransacked arms dumps across the country, getting their hands on roughly one million weapons, from machine guns and cannons to armoured vehicles.

Some of Hoxha's tunnels and bunkers have since been transformed into cafes, shelters for homeless people, warehouses and most imaginatively, Fish City.

Story continues

The complex is now redolent of 19th century utopian socialist projects in Britain and France, with Luca saying it is his "dream" to serve the community, not only with jobs but also with access to art and history.

"My dreams and my work have been transformed into a state of mind, a desire and a motivation for all of us," says Luca, a former actor and son of Albanian screen legend Ndrek Luca, whose picture hangs alongside Pacino and Brando.

- 'City of Kalashnikovs' -

Business is going well for Luca, whose firm is the main employer in the area, paying the women roughly 20 euros a day for their work, the average salary for Albania.

He is working on transforming another military installation in the nearby town of Gramsh -- formerly known as the "city of Kalashnikovs" -- into another fish plant.

"Today we don't need weapons to fight. Jobs and a better economic and social life is our real fight," he says.

These complexes bind together Albania's past and present, with the walls of the old barracks at Gramsh bearing communist slogans like "One hand on the pickaxe, the other on the rifle" or "Workers go from victory to victory".

The Labinot-Fushe tunnels hark back to an even more distant era with a giant, gaudy sculpture of medieval national hero Skanderbeg sitting atop one of the entrances.

"You don't know where you're going in and where you're going out," laughs anchovy packer Vjollca Kaculli, neatly encapsulating the Fish City experience.

bme-jxb/yad
Lawmakers in Russia have moved a step closer toward prohibiting members of extremist organizations from taking office, drawing fierce backlash from supporters of Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny, who have suggested the legislation is a way to prevent them from running in the upcoming parliamentary election.

The lower house of parliament on Tuesday approved the measure, with 293 voting in favor of the draft legislation while 45 were opposed, according to Deutsche Welle. The move comes ahead of a June trial, set to determine whether Navalnys network of regional offices and his Anti-Corruption Foundation belong on the nations list of terrorist and extremist organizations.

If passed, the bill could upend parliamentary campaigns already announced by activists like Lyubol Sobol, who condemned the law as an unconstitutional attempt to bar her from running in the September. Sobol, who is currently under house arrest, was one of dozens of demonstrators jailed amid protests sparked by Navalnys arrest earlier this year.

The 44-year-old activist was taken into custody on Jan. 17 upon his return from Germany. He spent five months recovering from a nerve agent poisoning he and his followers have blamed on President Vladimir Putins government. Navalny initially fell ill in August during a flight from the Siberian city of Tomsk back to Moscow, prompting an emergency landing.

Russian officials have repeatedly denied any involvement in the poisoning.

In February, a Russian court sentenced Navalny to more than two years behind bars, ruling that his stay in Germany violated terms of parole for a fraud case he has long maintained was politically motivated.

They can adopt a whole bunch of laws, but Smart Voting will still work, his Anti-Corruption Foundation said in a tweet.

Smart Voting, an initiative pioneered by Navalny, calls for voters to cast their ballots for the candidates most likely to defeat opponents with Kremlin ties.
(Bloomberg) -- Advanced Micro Devices Inc. unveiled a $4 billion stock buyback plan, its first repurchase authorization since 2001, underscoring the chipmakers confidence in the future of its business.

The buyback will be funded by cash from operations, the company said Wednesday in a statement. The program, equal to about 4% of AMDs market value, has no termination date.

Our strong financial results and growing cash generation enable us to invest in the business and begin returning capital to our shareholders, Chief Executive Officer Lisa Su said in the statement.

AMD shares rose as much as 3.4% on the announcement, erasing earlier losses. Under Sus tenure the companys market value has surged to more than $90 billion from about $2 billion in 2014, the year she was named CEO. Su has shaken up the computer processor maker, returning it to profitability by delivering new products that are taking market share from Intel Corp.

AMDs stock rose 2.8% at $76.49 at 1:18 p.m. in New York. The shares have declined about 16% this year, following three consecutive years with gains of more than 70%. The company said it repurchased $77 million of stock in its previous buyback plan two decades ago.

More stories like this are available on bloomberg.com

Subscribe now to stay ahead with the most trusted business news source.

2021 Bloomberg L.P.
New York Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez is spearheading a largely symbolic push to block the Biden administration from selling hundreds of millions of dollars worth of bomb kits to Israel amid mounting pressure for the U.S. to reprimand the allied nation over its aggressive military offensive against Palestinians in Gaza.

Ocasio-Cortez, with backing from fellow progressive Democratic Reps. Rashida Tlaib of Michigan and Mark Pocan of Wisconsin, introduced a resolution Wednesday that would block the planned $735 million sale of Boeing-produced Joint Direct Attack Munitions kits, which can convert regular bombs into precision-guided missiles.

The resolution is unlikely to succeed, as House Democratic leaders rejected a separate attempt to block the sale Tuesday. Moreover, due to convoluted notification protocols, Congress only has until Thursday to derail the arms deal.

But Ocasio-Cortez suggested the resolution could be a starting point for debate on why the U.S. provides copious military aid to Israel with few strings attached.

For decades, the U.S. has sold billions of dollars in weaponry to Israel without ever requiring them to respect basic Palestinian rights. In so doing, we have directly contributed to the death, displacement and disenfranchisement of millions, Ocasio-Cortez said. At a time when so many, including President Biden, support a ceasefire, we should not be sending direct attack weaponry to Prime Minister Netanyahu to prolong this violence.

As of Wednesday, health officials in Gaza estimate that Israeli airstrikes have killed at least 217 Palestinians, including 63 children, as part of an increasingly volatile conflict that started last week. At least 12 Israelis have also been killed in the clash, which erupted after Hamas militants in Gaza fired rockets at Jerusalem last Monday in retaliation for an Israeli campaign to evict Palestinian residents from contested parts of the city.

After refraining from putting pressure on Israel for days, President Biden on Monday told Netanyahu that he supports international and bipartisan calls for a ceasefire. On Wednesday, Biden told Netanyahu in another phone call that he expected Israel to immediately pursue a significant deescalation of the conflict, according to the White House.

Story continues

But Netanyahu defiantly rejected Bidens demand. I am determined to continue this operation, Netanyahu said in a Facebook message after his call with Biden.

Tlaib, the only member of Congress of Palestinian descent who has family in the West Bank, said the Biden administration would send a dangerous message by allowing the $735 million arms sale to go through.

Approving this sale now, while failing to even try to use it as leverage for a ceasefire, sends a clear message to the world  the U.S. is not interested in peace, and does not care about the human rights and lives of Palestinians, Tlaib said. Its that simple.
A contingent of progressive House Democrats, headlined by Reps. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.) and Rashida Tlaib (D-Mich.), will introduce a resolution seeking to block a United States-proposed $735 million sale of bombs to Israel, Jewish Currents reports. The news comes after Democrats on the House Foreign Affairs Committee backed away from requesting the White House delay the arms sale.

Ocasio-Cortez appeared to confirm the plan in a Wednesday tweet outlining why she believes the U.S. should not be aiding Israel militarily during its ongoing conflict with Hamas, which has involved the Israeli Defense Forces carrying out air raids in Gaza that have killed more than 200 Palestinians in retaliation for rocket strikes on Israel.

This content is not available due to your privacy preferences. Update your settings here to see it.

It's unlikely the resolution will pass the House, but Jewish Currents notes it could still "set up an unprecedented debate" in the lower chamber about the U.S.-Israel relationship. Read more at Jewish Currents.

More stories from theweek.com

Joe Manchin calls increasingly likely GOP filibuster of Jan. 6 commission 'so disheartening'

Angelina Jolie stands perfectly still, unshowered, covered in bees for World Bee Day

Justice Department leaders to meet with reporters after more revelations of Trump DOJ surveilling journalists


Associated Press

Japan's relations with Taiwan are nongovernmental and practical and are based on Tokyo's recognition of China as the sole legitimate government, a top Japanese official said Friday, following Beijing's protest over a recent reference to the island as a country. As China flexes its muscle in the Taiwan Strait and the Asia-Pacific region, the issue of Taiwan is a sensitive topic, especially as Japan, the United States and other democracies develop closer ties with the self-ruled island that Beijing regards as a renegade territory to be united by force if necessary. Chief Cabinet Secretary Katsunobu Kato told a regular news conference Friday that Japan's position is to maintain working relations with Taiwan at the nongovernment level, in line with the 1972 Japan-China Communique, when Tokyo switched the diplomatic recognition from Taiwan to China.
WASHINGTON  The Biden administration has decided to waive sanctions against the company overseeing the construction of Russia's Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline to Germany, despite bipartisan opposition in Congress and appeals from Eastern European governments.

Republican lawmakers immediately accused the administration of handing Russian President Vladimir Putin a major political victory. Democrats urged the White House to reconsider, and the Kremlin called the news a "positive signal."

The State Department announced the decision in a report to Congress. The move was first reported by Axios.

Secretary of State Antony Blinken opted to waive sanctions against the Russian-owned company behind the pipeline, Nord Stream 2 AG, as well as its German CEO, Matthias Warnig, and other corporate officers, because sanctions "would negatively impact U.S. relations with Germany, the EU and other European allies and partners," said the State Department report, which was obtained by NBC News.

Warnig, a longtime ally of Putin's, is a former East German Stasi intelligence officer who has served on the supervisory boards of major Russian companies.

The State Department report said "close cooperation" with Germany, the European Union and other European countries will be critical for U.S. efforts to tackle the Covid-19 pandemic, promote a global economic recovery, fight climate change and address other challenges, including countering "malign behavior by Russia and China."

Sen. Bob Menendez, D-N.J., chairman of the Foreign Relations Committee, denounced the decision in a scathing statement.

"I am opposed to the decision by the Biden administration to waive sanctions on NS2 AG and Matthias Warnig. I urge the administration to rip off the Band-Aid, lift these waivers and move forward with the congressionally mandated sanctions," Menendez said.

"The administration has said that the pipeline is a bad idea and that it is a Russian malign influence project. I share that sentiment, but fail to see how today's decision will advance U.S. efforts to counter Russian aggression in Europe," he said.

Story continues

Menendez asked, "What does the administration now expect from Germany after having made this significant concession to exercise the waiver?" He said the decision "has created uncertainty in many corners of Europe and I expect to hear very soon from the administration on its plans moving forward."

Sen. Jeanne Shaheen, D-N.H., expressed "disappointment."

"Completion of this pipeline poses a threat to U.S. security interests and the stability of our partners in the region. The administration should uphold its commitment to Congress. Every option available to prevent its completion should be utilized," Shaheen said in a statement.

Although several European governments and members of both parties in Congress strongly oppose the project, German Chancellor Angela Merkel's government had quietly lobbied the administration not to impose sanctions that would block the completion of the pipeline, which runs under the Baltic Sea to Germany.

The Biden administration sought to balance the need to counter Russia with its desire to repair relations with Germany, which were badly strained during the Trump administration. But critics said that the administration had failed to fulfill its vows to stand up to Moscow and that the move would give Putin valuable leverage over Ukraine and other Eastern European states.

"It demonstrates that ultimately standing up to Russia was of less importance," said John Herbst, a retired career diplomat who was U.S. ambassador to Ukraine. "It really undercuts Biden's 'I'm-tough-on-Russia' stance.'"

Herbst said that there is still time to change course and that a political backlash among Democrats on Capitol Hill could alter the White House's calculations.

Some career diplomats opposed the decision, but the White House overruled their objections, two sources familiar with the discussions said.

Russia currently has to transport natural gas through Ukraine to Europe. The controversial Nord Stream 2 pipeline would bypass Ukraine, depriving it of transit revenues and making it potentially more vulnerable to Russian aggression, Herbst and other opponents of the project say.

In the report to Congress issued Wednesday, which was required under recently passed legislation, the State Department had to list entities that are involved in the Nord Stream 2 project that merit sanctions. The State Department told Congress that it will sanction eight ships that are supporting the pipeline's construction.

The report acknowledged that the company running the project, Nord Stream 2 AG, and its CEO, Warnig, are involved in sanctionable work. But it said the administration had decided to waive enforcing the sanctions on the Russian-owned company, Warnig and other corporate officers.

The decision means vessels working on the pipeline could be penalized but not the company that contracted them to do the work, Nord Stream 2 AG, which is owned by the Russian state oil giant Gazprom and is based in Switzerland.

The decisions "demonstrate the Administration's commitment to energy security in Europe, consistent with the President's pledge to rebuild relationships with our allies and partners in Europe," Blinken said in a statement. He added that the administration would continue to oppose the completion of the pipeline: "Our opposition to the Nord Stream 2 pipeline is unwavering."

Blinken met with his Russian counterpart, Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, in Iceland on Wednesday.

The Russia-to-Germany pipeline has been a source of tension between Washington and Berlin for years. Merkel argues that it is a purely commercial matter that should not be subject to geopolitics or linked to human rights concerns.

Nord Stream 2 would double the shipments of Russian natural gas to Germany, providing German industry with inexpensive energy as the country makes a transition from coal and nuclear energy to renewable sources.

The pipeline is more than 90 percent complete, and opponents argued that failing to act quickly would allow it to be completed.

Poland and Ukraine have appealed publicly and privately to the Biden administration in recent months to act promptly to stop the pipeline.

"We continue to count on the United States to take decisive action to stop the construction of the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline; it is still not too late," the Polish Embassy in Washington said in an email Wednesday.

"Many countries perceive Nord Stream 2 as a project visibly marked by geopolitics, aiming to strengthen the position of Russia as a major gas supplier to Europe and to undermine Ukraine and the entire region's energy security," it said.

Opinion in Germany is mixed, and federal elections in September could see a new government shift the country's policy on Nord Stream 2. The Green party is ahead of Merkel's Christian Democratic Union in polls, and its leader, Annalena Baerbock, has said Germany should reject the project given sanctions the E.U. imposed on Russia over its actions in Ukraine.

"This pipeline contradicts our sanctions, so it cannot go in place," Baerbock said May 6 from Berlin at a virtual event organized by the Atlantic Council think tank's Europe Center. "It cannot start."

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said initial reports about the sanctions decision were a "positive signal" if they turned out to be true.

Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov said waiving sanctions would create "a chance for a gradual transition toward the normalization of our bilateral ties," the news agency TASS reported.

Republican lawmakers pounced on the decision, accusing the administration of showing weakness, defying Congress and failing to live up to its tough rhetoric about Russia.

"Stunning. In defiance of U.S. law, Biden is actively helping Putin build his pipeline," tweeted Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas. "Objectively speaking, the Biden administration is shaping up to be the most pro-Russia administration of the modern era."

This content is not available due to your privacy preferences. Update your settings here to see it.

Cruz has sought to block confirmation of Biden administration nominees to State Department posts because of the delay in implementing sanctions on companies working on Nord Stream 2.

Sen. Ben Sasse, R-Neb., a member of the Intelligence Committee who was critical of former President Donald Trump's approach to Russia, said the Biden administration has made a "strategic mistake."

"Two months ago, President Biden called Putin a 'killer,' but today he's planning to give Putin, his regime and his cronies massive strategic leverage in Europe. You can't pretend to be a Russia hawk but then just roll over," Sasse said.
(Bloomberg) --

A 31% plunge in the morning. A 33% surge in the afternoon.

Such was the wild ride Bitcoin took investors on Wednesday, lopping off billions in value before comments from some prominent proponents helped propel it on a torrid rebound.

The extreme price swings in an asset known for its turbulence caused outages on major crypto exchanges and dominated chatter on Wall Street. The tumult elicited a tweet from Elon Musk that implied Tesla Inc. wasnt among the sellers, while Cathie Wood said her monitors flashed a capitulation that put the digital token on sale. Justin Sun, a tech entrepreneur who founded the cryptocurrency platform Tron, tweeted that he bought $152 million in Bitcoin for around $37,000 a coin.

Read More: Worlds Top Crypto Platforms Disrupted as Bitcoin, Ether Tumble

Down to within a whisker of $30,000 just after 9 a.m. in New York, the coin pared its loss to 7% and periodically topped $40,000 again in the afternoon. It resumed declines into the next session and was trading around $35,500 as of 8:57 a.m. in Hong Kong on Thursday.

Ether, the second-biggest coin, sank more than 40% Wednesday before cutting that nearly in half, and ended down 26%. It was down as much as 15% on Thursday.

The history of these assets has been littered with aggressive rallies and sickening selloffs, said Stephane Ouellette, chief executive and co-founder of FRNT Financial.

Rarely do they happen in a single session. The volatility dominated Wall Street on a day when stocks and commodities were also under pressure and the Federal Reserve was set to release minutes from its latest meeting. Frantic selling sparked outages on some of the biggest exchanges, from Coinbase Global Inc. to Binance. #Cryptotrading was trending on Twitter, where critics and fans alike were in a tither over the rout.

Tesla CEO Musk touched off the wild moves last week. Bitcoin plunged when he announced the carmaker wouldnt take it as a payment, but then reversed when he said the company had no plans to sell its corporate crypto holdings. He seemed to imply in a tweet Wednesday that Tesla is not selling into the rout.

Story continues

Volatility erupted in crypto-land last week when Musk retracted plans to accept Bitcoin for his companys cars. Selling resumed over the weekend when the mercurial CEO seemed to suggest Tesla might want to sell its corporate holdings, but reversed after he tweeted that the carmaker had no plans to do so. A statement on the Peoples Bank of Chinas WeChat on Tuesday reiterating that digital tokens cant be used as a form of payment added to the selloff.

While all were proximate causes for the rout, nothing could explain the frantic rout Wednesday morning, when the coin dropped thousands of dollars in price in a matter of minutes. Selling gave way to more selling as investors lured into crypto in search of a quick buck bolted for the exits. The selling accelerated when Bitcoin fell below its average price for the past 200 days.

Chart-watchers pointed to key technical indicators as the coin sold off. Bitcoin bounced off the $30,000 level and many are waiting to see if it can break back above its 200-day moving average line. If it doesnt, it could potentially retest Wednesdays lows.

Cryptocurrency-linked stocks also dropped, with shares of Coinbase falling near 13% at one point and Marathon Digital Holdings Inc. slumping as much as 16%.

Bitcoin had embarked on a multi-month rally following Teslas February announcement, soaring to its $64,870 peak, in large part due to the companys embrace.

Wiped Out

At the time, Teslas acceptance was hailed as a watershed moment for the coin, with many in the crypto world seeing it as yet another step in its evolution.

All thats been wiped out following Musks head-spinning tweets.

Realistically, it is not the first time Elon Musks tweets have been erratic and, frankly, wrong, said Ulrik Lykke, executive director at crypto hedge fund ARK36. The crypto markets are extremely emotionally driven and their participants are prone to overreacting to events they perceive as negative.

(Updates prices.)

More stories like this are available on bloomberg.com

Subscribe now to stay ahead with the most trusted business news source.

2021 Bloomberg L.P.
May 19Newcomer Daryl Bodenschatz will join incumbents Galen George, Deborah Petrunak and Keith Rager on the ballot this November for the Forest Hills School Board election, according to Cambria County's unofficial results.

There are four seats up for grabs.

The Summerhill Borough resident beat current member Daniel Russell and challenger John Saksa for the sole Region 1 position in the district.

Bodenschatz, along with all other candidates in the race, cross-filed for Tuesday's primary. He took 54.6% on the Democratic ticket and 58.5% on the Republican ballot.

"In a three-way race to get 50% of the vote, that's pretty good," he said.

He added that he's excited to move on to the general election and is "looking forward to serving the people of Forest Hills."

Bodenschatz also thanked his team for the support during the primary and said he was "humbled" by the experience.

In Region 2, longtime school director Petrunak and George, the current board president, kept their seats as well.

George took the top votes on Democratic and Republican tickets  32.4% and 38.9%, respectively  with Petrunak close behind, collecting 33.4% of the Democratic and 25% of the Republican votes.

"It's nice that people gave us the vote of confidence," Petrunak said.

She's excited to move on and noted that "there's still a lot of stuff" she and her fellow members are looking to do in the district.

The two board members won against Thomas Blanchetti and Matthew Koeck.

Blanchetti nearly topped Petrunak on the Republican ticket, but lost the ballot spot by roughly 3%.

Current member Rager will also keep his seat, having landed 64% of the Democratic votes and 71.6% on the Republican side.

He beat out challenger Jesse Scott.
- By GF Value





The stock of Calavo Growers (NAS:CVGW, 30-year Financials) is estimated to be fairly valued, 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 $74.35 per share and the market cap of $1.3 billion, Calavo Growers stock gives every indication of being fairly valued. GF Value for Calavo Growers is shown in the chart below.





Calavo Growers Stock Gives Every Indication Of Being Fairly Valued

Because Calavo Growers is fairly valued, the long-term return of its stock is likely to be close to the rate of its business growth.

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

Since investing in companies with low financial strength could result in permanent capital loss, investors must carefully review a company's financial strength before deciding whether to buy shares. Looking at the cash-to-debt ratio and interest coverage can give a good initial perspective on the company's financial strength. Calavo Growers has a cash-to-debt ratio of 0.08, which ranks worse than 83% of the companies in the industry of Consumer Packaged Goods. Based on this, GuruFocus ranks Calavo Growers's financial strength as 5 out of 10, suggesting fair balance sheet. This is the debt and cash of Calavo Growers over the past years:

Calavo Growers Stock Gives Every Indication Of Being Fairly Valued

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. Calavo Growers has been profitable 8 years over the past 10 years. During the past 12 months, the company had revenues of $1 billion and loss of $0.43 a share. Its operating margin of -0.12% worse than 76% of the companies in the industry of Consumer Packaged Goods. Overall, GuruFocus ranks Calavo Growers's profitability as fair. This is the revenue and net income of Calavo Growers over the past years:

Story continues

Calavo Growers Stock Gives Every Indication Of Being Fairly Valued

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 Calavo Growers is -0.6%, which ranks in the middle range of the companies in the industry of Consumer Packaged Goods. The 3-year average EBITDA growth rate is -58.5%, which ranks in the bottom 10% of the companies in the industry of Consumer Packaged Goods.

Another way to look at the profitability of a company is to compare its return on invested capital and the weighted cost of capital. 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. We want to have the return on invested capital higher than the weighted cost of capital. For the past 12 months, Calavo Growers's return on invested capital is -0.23, and its cost of capital is 7.12. The historical ROIC vs WACC comparison of Calavo Growers is shown below:

Calavo Growers Stock Gives Every Indication Of Being Fairly Valued

In summary, Calavo Growers (NAS:CVGW, 30-year Financials) stock gives every indication of being fairly valued. The company's financial condition is fair and its profitability is fair. Its growth ranks in the bottom 10% of the companies in the industry of Consumer Packaged Goods. To learn more about Calavo Growers 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.


OTTAWA (Reuters) - Canada reiterated to the United States that it plans to go ahead with a digital services tax if need be, a move that would hit giants like Alphabet Inc's Google and Facebook Inc, Trade Minister Mary Ng said on Tuesday.

Ng told reporters she made the remarks in bilateral talks with U.S. Trade Representative Katherine Tai, who on Monday had expressed concern about the plan. Canada said last November it intended to impose a tax on corporations providing digital services from 2022.

Ottawa said the levy would stay in place until major nations come up with a coordinated approach on taxing digital giants.

(Reporting by David Ljunggren; Editing by Christopher Cushing)
Gov. Roy Cooper wanted a special prosecutor to take over the investigation into the fatal shooting of Andrew Brown by sheriffs deputies in Elizabeth City.

But the district attorney for Pasquotank County, Andrew Womble, made that impossible Tuesday when he closed the state investigation into Browns death with no charges against the deputies who killed him.

Im elected by the people of the First District to do exactly this job, Womble told reporters in a news conference Tuesday. A special prosecutor, or outside counsel, is not accountable to the people of this judicial district.

I am.

Brown, 43, died on April 21 when he tried to drive away from deputies serving arrest and search warrants for drug charges against Brown.

Despite a judges ruling that only the Brown family and their attorneys could view body-camera footage, Womble showed the videos to reporters during the news conference Tuesday.

Following the news conference, Cooper called on federal officials to continue investigating Browns death. The FBI confirmed on April 27 that the agency is overseeing a civil rights investigation into the fatal shooting.

Public confidence would have been better served with a special prosecutor and by quickly making public the incident footage, Cooper told The News & Observer on Tuesday afternoon in a written statement. Our state should pass specific laws to increase transparency, conference and accountability in the justice system.

The Democratic governor didnt mention Womble, a Republican, by name in his call for a special prosecutor. His call echoes the recommendation of a task force the governor created last summer to ensure there was racial equity in North Carolinas criminal justice system.

Governors task force

Cooper created the North Carolina Task Force on Racial Equity in Criminal Justice after the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis. Floyd died on May 25, 2020, while under arrest. Officer Derek Chauvin knelt on Floyds neck for 9 minutes and 29 seconds while holding him to the ground.

Story continues

Floyds death caused a public outcry for racial justice and police accountability throughout the United States.

Raleigh wasnt spared from protests, some of which turned into long, late-night riots.

That led state leaders to look for answers.

In December, the task force released 166 pages of recommendations to the governor to bring racial equity to the criminal justice system.

One of the recommendations included creating legislation that would require a special prosecutor to take over any investigations of officers for using force across the state.

North Carolina lawmakers are in session and just ended their bill-filing period without drafting legislation to make that happen. However budget-related bills are still being filed and the recommendation includes increasing funding for special prosecutors to be used, which means the bill could still be introduced.

No request from Womble

Browns killing happened one day after a jury found Chauvin guilty on all counts in Floyds death.

Protesters have marched in the streets of Elizabeth City since Browns death.

North Carolina laws allow only the district attorney of the judicial district where a use-of-force incident happened to call for a special prosecutor.

The special prosecutor could come from a neighboring district, be appointed by the NC Conference of District Attorneys or come from the state attorney generals staff.

Laura Brewer, spokeswoman for Attorney General Josh Stein, said Stein made the option of using his staff available to Womble, but the district attorney did not take him up on the offer.

Stein co-led Coopers task force for racial equity and helped create the recommendation for a special prosecutor to take over these cases.

Brewer said that without Womble making the request, Stein couldnt send another prosecutor in.

There is no way for us to override a DA, Brewer said.

For more North Carolina government and politics news, listen to the Under the Dome politics podcast from The News & Observer and the NC Insider. You can find it on Pandora, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, iHeartRadio, Amazon Music, Megaphone or wherever you get your podcasts.

Under the Dome

With the start of the new year and a new legislative session, The News & Observer has launched a new Under the Dome podcast. Were unpacking legislation and issues that matter to keep you updated on whats happening in North Carolina politics twice a week on Monday and Friday mornings. Check us out here and sign up for our weekly Under the Dome newsletter for more political news.
Smoke rises after Israeli army carried out attacks over buildings in Rafah, Gaza on May 18 - Anadolu

US President Joe Bidens call for a ceasefire between Israel and Palestinian militants appeared to go unheeded on Tuesday as the Israeli military said it would continue striking Gaza.

As international calls for a truce grow, analysts say the key to a ceasefire lies in finding a formula that enables both Israel and Hamas  the militant group that controls Gaza  to claim victory.

After a week of fighting which has now far killed 213 Palestinians in Gaza and 12 people in Israel  President Biden expressed support for a ceasefire during his second phone call with Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu in three days on Monday.

Mr Biden encouraged Israel to make every effort to ensure the protection of innocent civilians, the White House said in a carefully worded statement on Monday evening, that came after Democrats pressured the president to respond more forcefully after he expressed support for Israels right to self-defence on Saturday.

On Tuesday though the Israeli military said it was continuing operations, according to a list of targets in Gaza for the coming 24 hours. "The IDF (Israel Defence Forces) is not talking about a ceasefire. We're focussed on the firing," Israeli military spokesman Hidai Zilberman told Army Radio.

But Israel also announced it would open its main border crossing with Gaza to allow the passage of essential humanitarian aid on Tuesday, which the United Nations hailed as a positive development.

The Kerem Shalom crossing has been closed since last Sunday, restricting the flow of medical supplies and other lifesaving equipment.

An important part of previous ceasefire agreements has been Israel easing its blockade on the Palestinian enclave in return for Hamas halting rocket fire from Gaza.

But reaching a ceasefire this time will be complicated by Hamas demands that Israel halt moves to evict Palestinians from the East Jerusalem of Sheikh Jarrah and keep away from Al Aqsa mosque, two grievances which sparked the latest conflict.

Story continues

The East Jerusalem mosque is both the third holiest site in Islam and also the holiest site in Judaism, revered as the site of the destoryed temples. Under a delicate status quo Al-Aqsa is administered by Jordans religious endowment, but recently Jewish religious groups have challenged restrictions restricting them from praying at the site.

Reaching a ceasefire is about how each side can claim a win, said Hugh Lovatt, a Middle East analyst at the European Council on Foreign Relations.

For Hamas theyll want to say, Weve defended Palestinian rights in Jerusalem, he said. For Israel theyll want to show theyve set Hamas military capabilities back a number of years.

The Israeli military has been highlighting its efforts to degrade Hamas military capability, releasing statistics on the Hamas facilities it says it has destroyed and the number of militants it says it has killed. Its this Israeli doctrine of mowing the lawn, said Mr Lovatt, adding that it did not represent a long-term solution to the conflict.

The IDF feels that it has already degraded Hamas enough to consider a ceasefire, said Michael A Horowitz, an Israeli security analyst with Le Beck International. But Mr Netanyahu and Israels political leadership is still searching for an elusive feeling of We won, he said.

I think what the Israeli political leadership want mostly, is several days of low rocket attacks, in parallel to continued high IDF strikes, he said.

Meanwhile diplomatic pressure is mounting to halt the fighting.

The United Nations Security Council was scheduled to hold an emergency meeting on the conflict on Tuesday. The body failed to publish a public statement on Sunday, with the US the sole member not to give support to it.

Frances President Emmanuel Macron was scheduled to meet his Egyptian counterpart Abdel Fattah al-Sisi and Jordan's King Abdullah II on Tuesday to discuss ways to seek a ceasefire.
BEIJING (Reuters) - China released the first images taken by its Martian rover, Zhurong, on the red planet, state television reported on Wednesday.

China's uncrewed spacecraft Tianwen-1 landed on the surface of Mars on Saturday. The rover Zhurong will study the planet's surface soil and atmosphere, and look for signs of ancient life.

(Reporting by Lusha Zhang and Ryan Woo; Editing by Andrew Heavens)
High schools in the Clovis Unified School District are hosting Military signing events, recognizing a total of 51 students joining the armed services.

Video Transcript

DALE YURONG: Finally tonight, all five high schools in the Clovis Unified School District are hosting military signing events recognizing a total of 51 students joining the Armed Services.

- Cougars, congratulations, and thanks for answering the call.

[APPLAUSE]

MARGOT KIM: Action news was there today as four students delivered an oath of enlistment. This marks the first ever military signing day for Clovis High School. One student we spoke with chose to serve in the Coast Guard. She says it was the perfect route for a future career in marine science.

SARAH VANNOY: Well, my mom's a little bit nervous, but my entire family was super supportive and super happy. And again, my counselors and everybody around me, I mean, they set all this up together, and it's just been amazing for me.

MARGOT KIM: Each student was presented with a T-shirt representing their branch of service, thanks to the Clovis Veterans Memorial District.
On the plains of eastern Colombia, an age-old conflict between man and beast plays out near-daily. Jaguars attack cattle. Farmers retaliate with shotguns.

But rancher Jorge Barragan has declared a unilateral truce with the carnivorous cats.

He has taken a liking to the largest feline of the Americas, and says he does not mind sacrificing a few head of cattle to do his part to conserve the deadly hunters that have captured his imagination.

About ten years ago, Barragan decided to sacrifice part of his family farm, La Aurora, to the savanna that provides shelter and food for jaguars he says are "worth more alive than dead."

The family has long banned hunting of wild animals -- jaguar food -- on the property.

Now 61, Barragan seeks the cats out rather than dreading a sighting.

He spends a large part of his day combing through footage on hidden cameras dotted across the farm, which has also become a nature reserve, in Colombia's eastern Casanare department.

In the pictures, he encounters old feline friends and discovers new ones.

But it is not always a happy coexistence.

- Doing the opposite -

The cats, which can weigh 100 kilograms (220 pounds) and measure some two meters (six feet) in length, frequently cross Barragan's property.

And sometimes the cattle fall victim -- as many as 100 per year at a loss of some $300 per head.

Barragan says he makes up the losses, at least partly, through visits by scientists and tourists hoping to catch a glimpse of one of the majestic spotted cats.

In 2018, the farm drew some 160 visitors per month, at $30 per person per night, but this revenue stream has all but run dry during the coronavirus pandemic.

The jaguar is listed as "near threatened" by the International Union for Conservation of Nature.

Population numbers are decreasing, with farming, residential and commercial development among the main threats.

"Jaguar-livestock conflict is a serious threat to jaguar survival," states the IUCN. "There are few areas within Jaguar range that can be considered safe" for the cats.

Story continues

For Barragan, "a culture was created of killing the feline to stop the problem" of livestock losses.

"But we are doing the opposite," he told AFP, proudly.

The rancher said he inherited a deep respect for Nature from his father.

But his love affair with the jaguar began when he saw a photo of one of the majestic predators in 2009, taken on a hidden camera a student had left on the farm.

"We knew that we had (jaguars) in the savanna, but I was very moved when I saw that first photo."

- Range has halved -

Twelve years later, Barragan has given names to many of the animals that visit the farm, each sporting their own unique coat pattern.

"He has managed to identify 54 individual jaguars," said Samantha Rincon, of the Panthera foundation dedicated to feline conservation.

According to Panthera, about 55 other Colombian farms are now following in La Aurora's footsteps, seeking to better coexist with the jaguars they used to regard as the enemy.

Measures include introducing more spirited steers to defend the rest of the herd in the event of an attack, halting deforestation and putting a stop to hunting jaguar prey such as capybaras.

"By taking away the jaguar's habitat, by eliminating its prey, obviously it will go in search of domestic animals" for food, Rincon told AFP.

Outside the confines of La Aurora, the picture is very different, with vast plantations of rice and oil palm competing with jaguars for territory.

Panthera says there are some 15,000 of the cats left in Colombia, and about 170,000 in the Americas as a whole.

The species once stretched from the southern United States to northern Argentina, but its range has since been halved, and it is extinct in several countries.

Climate change is taking its toll, too.

In 2016, a strong drought killed off large numbers of capybara, giant rodents that form a large part of the jaguar diet.

Barragan said he would love to see more farmers commit to protecting the felines.

"Finding a cat on a cattle farm always produces a certain fear... but our experience shows that we can coexist with the jaguar," he said.

jss/dl/lv/ll/lda/mlr/to
Vietnam fosters cooperation with

Vietnam fosters cooperation with EAEU to ensure food security

Vietnam attended an international workshop held by the Eurasian Peoples' Assembly (APE) on May 18 along with representatives of over 20 countries, international and regional organisations.

Vietnamese Charge d'Affaires to Russia Nguyen Quynh Mai (first from right) (Photo: VNA)

The event, in both in-person and online forms, put forth proposals on the building of a more sustainable food security and prepared content of an agenda towards the 2021 UN Food System Summit slated for this September.

Addressing the workshop, Vietnamese Charge d'Affaires to Russia Nguyen Quynh Mai reiterated the urgency of ensuring food security at present, saying that food wastefulness may reduce food supply and worsen hunger amid COVID-19.

She spoke highly of the role of the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) in setting up conditions for sustainable development in the post-Soviet era, adding that as a partner of the EAEU, Vietnam has enjoyed economic growth and always attached importance to ensuring food security, thereby raising peoples living standards.

Speaking from Hanoi, President of the Vietnam Union of Friendship Organisations Nguyen Phuong Nga said against the backdrop of COVID-19, Vietnam attaches importance to cooperation with the EAEU in ensuring food security to offset and prevent hunger around the world.

The signing of the EAEU-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement has created a new momentum for development across all fields between the sides, she noted.

At the event, delegates discussed measures for a safer and more equitable food system in Eurasia and Africa, agreeing that international cooperation will help countries develop sustainably, as well as overcome hunger and poverty.

APE General Secretary Dr Andrey Belyanov highly valued Vietnamese delegates cooperation in the holding of the workshop in particular and the implementation of initiatives and projects of the APE at large.

He also voiced his belief in the huge potential for cooperation between the APE and Vietnam in the coming time.

Source: NDO
BOGOTA (Reuters) - Colombia's Vice President Marta Lucia Ramirez has been appointed as the Andean country's new minister of foreign affairs, President Ivan Duque said on Wednesday, following the resignation of Claudia Blum.

Ramirez will maintain her position as vice president while assuming the new role.

"Marta Lucia ... is a woman with a great track record in politics and in the private sector, a woman who has performed roles such as the minister of trade, minister of defense, senator and vice president," Duque said.

In her role as minister of foreign affairs, Ramirez will focus on strengthening Colombia's bilateral relations across the world, among other tasks, Duque said.

Blum's resignation late last week followed that of former Finance Minister Alberto Carrasquilla earlier this month after widespread protests against a now-cancelled tax reform.

(Reporting by Oliver Griffin; Editing by Cynthia Osterman)
Relentless rain has triggered deadly flash flooding and a state of emergency across Louisiana.

Gov. John Bel Edwards declared the state of emergency Monday as rounds of intense rain, thunderstorms and isolated tornadoes threatened the southwestern part of the state.

Significant flooding has been reported across Louisiana from Baton Rouge to Lake Charles. Photo and videos shared online showed local streets turned into rivers, forcing drivers to abandon their cars while others traveled by boat.

Edwards has urged caution and said now is the time for residents to be aware of the changing weather conditions.

Water rescues and other emergency actions have been necessary this afternoon as heavy rainfall fell across Southwest Louisiana, he said in a statement. We are only a few weeks away from the start of hurricane season, but this threat is the latest in a string of recent weather threats that remind us of the importance of preparedness and staying informed.

Officials said there have already been four weather-related deaths, and the National Weather Service in New Orleans confirmed an EF0 tornado touched down in Jefferson Parish.

This content is not available due to your privacy preferences. Update your settings here to see it.

Since Monday, parts of Louisiana have seen upward of 13 inches of rain in the past 24 hours  and forecasts show more is on the way with the risk of excessive rainfall through Thursday.

As the weather threat continues this week, I implore Louisianans to monitor their local weather forecasts and follow all instructions from local leaders, Edwards said.

A Flash Flood Watch remains in effect for the southern Louisiana region through noon Wednesday, according to weather officials.

Photos and video depict the damage the heavy rain and floods have caused so far. Here are scenes from across the state:

This content is not available due to your privacy preferences. Update your settings here to see it.

This content is not available due to your privacy preferences. Update your settings here to see it.

This content is not available due to your privacy preferences. Update your settings here to see it.

This content is not available due to your privacy preferences. Update your settings here to see it.

In an update, the National Weather Service in New Orleans said storms are expected to become more numerous Tuesday evening with heavy rain possible.

Officer enters home with gun, Louisiana cops say. It was fake  and so was her badge

Story continues

Hard hat of missing Seacor Power crewmember washes up 600 miles away, officials say

Odor leads to gas cans stashed in hotel during fuel shortage, Louisiana officials say

Georgia singer ascends to the Top 3 on American Idol with show-stopping performance
May 19NEW LONDON  Wherever the president goes, demonstrators typically follow.

President Joe Biden's visit to the U.S. Coast Guard Academy on Wednesday brought together a diverse group of demonstrators, protesters and some regular folks attempting to get publicity for their messages.

Peace activists arrived at McKinley Park near the Coast Guard Academy entrance hours ahead of Biden's 10:30 a.m. arrival, to call for reductions in military spending and an end to nuclear weapons. A large contingent of people condemning Israel and Biden also were at the park, protesting what they claim are human rights violations against Palestinians happening amid the recent explosion of violence in Israel and Gaza.

The gathering was peaceful and mostly contained to a small grassy area on the outskirts of McKinley Park.

Representatives from the Connecticut Chapter of the American Muslims for Palestine and Students for Justice in Palestine waved Palestinian flags and led chants that included "Free, free Palestine! Occupation is a crime!"

The crowd of nearly 100 people joined in.

"This is not about religion. It's not about politics. It's a humanitarian issue," said Bazila Munir, 21, of South Windsor. "President Biden has not condemned the actions of Israel, saying that Israel has a right to self-defense, but killing children in their homes and displacing innocent families isn't self-defense."

RELATED MEDIA

More than 200 people have died  mostly Palestinians  in the ongoing exchange of rocket fire and airstrikes between Israel and Hamas.

Mahmoud Mansour, imam of the Islamic Center of New London, said, "We as American citizens have a responsibility to demand the end to the human rights violations."

Mansour joined with others to call for an end to U.S. aid to Israel as a starting point, and for a U.N. Security Council resolution to say, "We need to stop the slaughter immediately."

Story continues

"He's not doing that. I don't understand what he's waiting for. How many people have to die before he says stop this business? Israel, they have the green light," Mansour said.

Biden this week spoke with Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, and in a statement afterward reiterated his "firm support for Israel's right to defend itself against indiscriminate attacks." Biden also expressed his support for a cease-fire.

Shelly Altman of New Haven, the chairman of Jewish Voice for Peace New Haven, said the argument used consistently is "Israel has a right to defend itself."

"You hear that over and over again," she said. "Israel is a heavily militarized state supported by the United States. They're using that military strength to oppress and murder Palestinians. This is not defense. We need to stop giving aid to Israel at all. Israel acts with impunity... "

Altman, who is Jewish, said the people in the crowd criticizing the U.S. policies are not antisemitic.

"To call it antisemitic to criticize what they're doing right now, creating a catastrophe in Gaza ... is absolutely crazy," Altman said. "But what Israel is doing is fanning the flames of antisemitism worldwide."

Joanne Sheehan of Norwich joined members of the War Resisters League and Coalition for the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons in a call to reduce military spending.

"Our organization believes war is a crime against humanity," Sheehan said. "I believe that deeply. We need to be calling for a cease-fire. (Israeli) bombs are paid for by us."

She said the country needs to shift its funding away from the military, sign a treaty for the prohibition of nuclear weapons and shift funding toward building communities and addressing things like infrastructure, poverty, racism and militarism.

g.smith@theday.com
MADRID (Reuters) - Spanish researchers set out on Wednesday to settle the dispute over the true origins of Christopher Columbus after various theories in the past decades claimed the explorer hailed from Portugal or Spain, rather than Italy, as most scholars agree.

"There is no doubt on our part (about his Italian origin), but we can provide objective data that can ... close a series of existing theories," Jose Antonio Lorente, lead scientist of the DNA study at the University of Granada, told a video news conference.

Historians believe Columbus was born in Genoa in 1451.

The university hosted a meeting of proponents of alternative theories about Columbus' birthplace, that include Spain's Valencia, Espinosa de Henares, Galicia and Mallorca, Portugal's Alentejo region and a few other places.

"I hope (with this research) we will come to the conclusion that unites us in our common objective, which is to demonstrate that Columbus was a Spanish nobleman and not a Genoese sailor," said Alfonso Sanz, an amateur history researcher and author, who says Columbus was born in Espinosa de Henares in central Spain.

The results of the final stage of DNA research on tiny samples of what scientists believe are the remains of Columbus, his son Fernando and his brother Diego, will be analysed independently by laboratories in Europe and the Americas, and should be published in October.

The first samples were collected in 2004-2005 and the DNA analysis will now resume after a 16-year hiatus due to technology challenges, which meant too much of the precious sample material would be wasted in exchange for too little data.

"Our team agreed on an ethical approach ... wait for a technological development that has now happened," said Lorente.

Columbus died in Valladolid in Spain in 1506, but wished to be buried on the island of Hispaniola that is today shared by the Dominican Republic and Haiti. His remains were taken there in 1542, then moved to Cuba in 1795 and then to Seville in 1898.

(Reporting by Michael Susin, Elena Rodriguez, editing by Andrei Khalip, John Stonestreet and Lisa Shumaker)
Bronze statue of Tom Sawyer and Huckleberry Finn in Hannibal, Mo.

On more than one occasion Ive used the N-word in public, when speaking to a group of strangers. Each time, I was standing in a federal court addressing a jury and quoting a defendants own words at his trial. While I always warned the jury at the outset of the trial that I would be repeating direct quotations that included offensive words, I never worried doing so would jeopardize my job or brand me a racist.

This is how things worked when I was a federal prosecutor. Because no one with a lick of common sense would think that quoting a racial epithet in this context meant I advocated the bigotry that word carries when it is launched as an insult from a passing car at an African American walking home from the grocery store.

When used as an insult directed at someone, the N-word is reprehensible. It isnt just a slur; it conjures a shameful time in American history when it was intertwined with violence and legal discrimination designed to keep an entire race down. But there is a difference between using the word as a slur and repeating it as a quotation, using it as a historical reference or including it in the arts.

Quoting cruel word brings firestorms

Unfortunately, over the past several decades, nuance has been replaced with sledgehammer politics. And on issues of race, common sense has often been replaced by an insanity that has its genesis in the guilt many white Americans feel for the unforgivable horrors perpetrated by other white Americans against African Americans. Human slavery, lynching, a Constitution that referred to slaves as three-fifths of a person and segregation enforced by Jim Crow laws come to mind.

At the risk of perpetuating a cliche, as a Jew, feeling guilty is in my blood. That said, I find it difficult to feel guilt for something over which I had no control. I can recognize the immorality of others actions, condemn their occurrence and work to compensate for an unfairness that gave people with one skin color an ongoing advantage over people with a different skin color. But misplaced guilt felt by many white Americans has spurred them to irrationality in an effort to absolve themselves of a sin they did not commit.

Story continues

Monuments to lynching victims across the United States at the National Memorial for Peace and Justice in Montgomery, Ala., on April 23, 2018.

A top aide to a Washington, D.C., mayor was forced to resign after using the word niggardly when describing how to manage a budget. The word means stingy, and it has no racial overtone. That was 1999, and it was a precursor to the woke movement that now hunts and destroys anyone who makes a comment that can be blow-dried and teased into a perceived racial slur, even though it was not the intention behind the statement.

Last month, a Houston high school English teacher was placed on administrative leave after announcing a writing assignment that asked students to consider how one word can have a dramatically different meaning and effect depending on the background and intention of the user. Instead of using the N-word, the teacher used the real word  because the assignment related to a specific word and not its neutered stand-in.

Despite the teachable context, all hell broke loose. In a local TV news story, student Karina Rodgerson reacted with: It was just really shocking  it was there on the board, as though the chalked word ran the risk of coming to life, leaping from the blackboard and performing a lynching in class.

Recently, during a professors virtual office hours, a Rutgers Law School student quoted from a 1993 case in which the N-word was included as part of the legal opinion. What followed were angry accusations, petitions to ban use of the word (even in quotations from published legal decisions), a racial healing session and a series of agonizing apologies.

And last year, the chair of Central Michigan Universitys Journalism Department was fired for reading a direct quotation from a published court case in which part of the evidence of the case was a statement that included the N-word.

Elaine Chao: Asian Americans deserve respect, not insults and worse

Im not going to argue that because some Black people refer to others with the N-word that its OK for everyone to use it in all circumstances. I get that minorities can affectionately call one another a name that legitimately draws condemnation when used by someone outside the circle. Ive often thought thats how they take the sting out of the insult  by repurposing it with a different meaning.

Still, some measure of rationality must apply. The reason one Black person can call another Black person the N-word is because the intention behind the word is not hurtful. We should apply the same reasoning when someone who is not Black uses the word. Words should not be more powerful than the intention of the person speaking them.

Current American sensitivities limit teaching of Mark Twains masterpiece The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn. It is often excluded from classrooms and libraries because the non-euphemized version of the N-word appears over 200 times in the text as a historically accurate epithet used in the mid-19th century South.

Gregory Peck and Brock Peters in a scene from the 1962 film "To Kill a Mockingbird."

Even if we were willing to ban Huckleberry Finn, To Kill a Mockingbird, Of Mice and Men and other treasured pieces of classic literature because they include the N-word, what about modern literature, plays and movies that depict slavery or racial bigotry? Must they be sanitized of the language that exposes the brutality of racism, or risk boycotts that silence a call for racial justice because the sound of the cry is not pretty?

The crusade to blast the N-word out of literature, music, legal opinions, newspapers, public discussion and off the face of the planet is a misplaced effort to undo years of systemic racism. It wont work. And there is a danger in whitewashing the vestiges of colonial racism so we no longer feel the discomfort that comes with an unvarnished view. It is the uneasiness  the recognition of what was, what lingers and what could be again  that keeps us vigilant and helps us avoid repeating our mistakes.

Use language that conveys the pain

Dont tell me: Youre not Black, so sit this conversation out. I wont. When social norms are set exclusively by those in the echo chamber, they lose their tether to rational thinking. Something is not objectively offensive just because it offends someone. And demanding that we all cow our behavior to the most hypersensitive among us leaves people fearful that they will unintentionally cross a blurred line  and resentful that they must agonize over every word to avoid being pushed down the Racists Only trap door.

I recently binge-watched Netflixs Grace and Frankie. There is an episode that focuses on anti-gay protests at a gay community theater. The protesters carry signs that refer to fags, and the protest leader uses a far more graphic slur to insult one of the main characters.

Racism in America: On Brown v. Board anniversary, white Americans must still wrestle with legacy of racism

Being a G in the LGBT acronym, I momentarily considered being outraged. But after a seconds reflection, I realized that the writers, producers and actors are not homophobes. Instead, they were commendably spotlighting anti-gay discrimination in a real way  a way that made viewers understand the pain it brings.

When I pitched this column to my editor, I told her I wanted to use the actual N-word rather than a made-up word that was designed to invoke the real word in a prettier package. She replied with a hard no. That probably saved me from public cancellation.

But it should not be this way. Exterminating a single word will not reduce the real threat to the Black community that comes from voter suppression laws, police misconduct and a rising white supremacy movement. Lets ditch the hysteria over a word and work for real change.

Michael J. Stern, a member of USA TODAY's Board of Contributors, was a federal prosecutor for 25 years in Detroit and Los Angeles. Follow him on Twitter: @MichaelJStern1

You can read diverse opinions from our Board of Contributors and other writers on the Opinion front page, on Twitter @usatodayopinion and in our daily Opinion newsletter. To respond to a column, submit a comment to letters@usatoday.com.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Banishing N-word won't reduce racism or real threats to Black community
For 25-year-old Tim Henry, part of returning to work in his downtown Orlando office also means getting to have Tin & Tacos quatro cheese taco and a meatless taco for lunch.

Within the past few months, I started going to the office again, and thats really been when I started eating downtown, the Orlando software developer said during a recent Friday lunch inside the restaurant. Im definitely glad to be back at Tin & Taco.

Henry, who is fully vaccinated, said he eats out for lunch maybe once a week and that his job is a hybrid of working from home and in a nearby downtown building.

Some office workers might not return to the central business district anytime soon as companies continue to allow employees to work remotely, potentially stalling the recovery of lunchtime sales from the coronavirus pandemic.

The Tin & Taco locations lunchtime numbers are still about 15% off from 2019, even as its nighttime business has increased, owner Robert Bair said.

I dont know whats going to happen anymore ever, Bair said. This whole thing has just been a huge mystery.

The office vacancy rate downtown was at 15.7% in the first quarter of this year, according to a report from real estate and investment management firm JLL.

In April, Red Lobster CEO Kim Lopdrup said his company was looking to sublet up to 52,744 square feet of its 91,000-square-foot headquarters in downtowns CNL Center Tower 1. The move came as more than 80% of employees said in surveys they would be willing to give up dedicated workspaces so they could work from home more than once per week.

Many employees tell us they like not having to commute and that they enjoy being able to have lunch with their families, Lopdrup said at the time.

The Orlando Sentinel left its downtown office last year, before opening a much smaller space at the University of Central Floridas downtown campus this year for journalists who decide to go into the newsroom.

But city employees will be required to return to work at City Hall on June 1, said Cassandra Lafser, a spokeswoman for Mayor Buddy Dyer.

Story continues

Several restaurants permanently shut their doors downtown during the COVID-19 pandemic, including the 4 Rivers Smokehouse in City Hall, Church Streets Ceviche Tapas Bar and Restaurant, and Wahlburgers at Church Street and Orange Avenue.

Filling restaurant spaces has been difficult as demand from restaurant operators for downtown space has been scarce during the pandemic, said Vice President Jean-Paul JP Beaulieu of Bishop Beale Duncan. He is the retail leasing agent for several downtown properties.

But Beaulieu added that all signs are pointing to demand growing throughout the rest of the year and well into 2022.

I am slowly seeing movement from restaurant operators downtown like Thrive Cocktail Lounge & Eatery, the recently announced Huey Magoos location on Orange Ave. and Ootoya Sushi in Thornton Park, he said in an email.

Beaulieu said the rollout and availability of the coronavirus vaccine should alleviate the concerns of employees about returning to the office. As more employees come back in the next few months, demand for lunchtime options will increase simultaneously, he said.

I believe a very small percentage of employees will actually opt to continue to work from home, as people are social beings and most desire the daily interaction with co-workers/clients and overall sense of normalcy, Beaulieu said.

Elsewhere downtown, Hamburger Marys lunch business is still only about half of what it was before the pandemic, said John Paonessa, who owns the Church Street restaurant with Mike Rogier.

The smaller lunch sales come at the same time Hamburger Marys has to routinely turn people away from their evening drag shows as they voluntarily limit the events to 65% capacity, Paonessa said. That restraint is set to end in June, and Paonessa is also hopeful new construction in the area could help offset lost business from office workers who have gone remote.

Also in June, Exploria Stadium will be open for full capacity at Orlando City and Pride soccer matches.

Paonessa sees positives ahead, especially for the fall and into next year.

Im really optimistic for what lies ahead for all of us downtown, with the venues coming back and all of the pent-up demand for what downtown Orlando offers, he said.

For Henry, who said he has worked downtown for about five years, the lunch crowd also doesnt yet look like what it was before the pandemic even as it has improved.

The crowds are definitely a bit lighter than they were back then, Henry said. It seems like its starting to pick up again, though.

afuller@orlandosentinel.com
In bright-colored chalk, Kansas Citians wrote the names and ages of several dead children onto the concrete rim around the fountain in Mill Creek Park.

They were honoring those reportedly killed in Gaza amid the latest round of violence marking the Israel-Palestinian conflict. Roughly 75 people gathered for a vigil there on Tuesday evening, lighting candles in remembrance, amid a show of support for Kansas Citys Palestinian community as the violence overseas continues.

Some came bearing signs with messages supporting the liberation of Palestinians. Many chanted Free, free Palestine. Others shared stories of a personal connection to the land.

These are not numbers. These are not statistics, said Sara Jo, a U.S. citizen of Palestinian descent who spoke to the crowd. These numbers are human.

The fighting has so far killed at least 213 Palestinians and 12 people in Israel, The Associated Press reported Tuesday. Meanwhile, officials with President Joe Bidens administration have been pressuring Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and other top Israeli officials to wind down the bombardment of Gaza as the death toll has risen.

Among those attending Kansas Citys Tuesday vigil was Azizah Mahdi, a mother of four young children who lives in Lees Summit. She has family living in the West Bank, but says any Palestinian is my family.

Mahdi said her own children are coming to understand the history of the conflict more through the recent news. The family visited there seven years ago, she recalled, and because they are American were privileged enough to visit the holy sites some of their family born and raised there have never seen.

As part of the vigil, attendees were given a list with the names of the children killed in recent days. Mahdis son, Aows, looked it over, finding a 7-year-old. He wrote it down on the fountains north side.

He was trying to choose kids with ages that are close to him, Mahdi said.

The vigil was the second such display supporting Palestine in Kansas City in the space of a week after a rally Saturday drew an estimated 200 people. Others have recently been held in major cities across the country, some bringing crowds in the hundreds or thousands, including in Los Angeles, Chicago and Boston.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.
(Bloomberg) -- A top Apple Inc. executive tasked with defending the App Store in a monopoly lawsuit by Epic Games Inc. found himself having to answer Tuesday for a spate of other alleged antitrust fouls by the worlds most valuable company.

During Phil Schillers cross-examination in a trial in Oakland, California, Apples former global marketing chief was confronted about several instances in which the company has locked in users and made it difficult for them to switch away from its devices.

Katherine Forrest, a lawyer for Epic, pointed out that Schiller emailed his colleagues a 2016 news article titled iMessage is the glue that keeps me stuck to the iPhone, which explained that Apples messaging platform is a reason people dont switch to Android devices.

She also quizzed Schiller on the idea that users cant easily move music and video purchased on Apple services to Googles Android. She went further, indicating that Apples iCloud Keychain service for storing passwords on Apple devices cant synchronize with Android devices. Her point: Apple doesnt just lock in developers with its App Store rules, it also locks in consumers, limiting their ability to switch to competitors.

In response, Schiller said many users subscribe to video and music streaming services and can input their passwords into a new device manually. He also suggested that users could use third-party password managers.

Read More: Epic-Apple Trial Hangs Over Some 50,000 Games on App Store

Epics lawyer also sought to show U.S. District Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers, who will decide the App Store case without a jury, that Apple has been in antitrust cross-hairs before.

In 2012, the U.S. Justice Department brought a price-fixing case against Apple over the cost of eBooks on the iPad and iPhones built-in book reading app. Apple ended up settling for $450 million, but was required to have a government appointed monitor interview executives and review the companys policies. Schiller said he wasnt involved in the case, but Forrest said the monitor tried in vain for a year and a half to get permission to interview Schiller.

Story continues

Another point of contention was Apples announcement in November of a new program to reduce App Store fees from 30% to 15% for developers who generate under $1 million per year in revenue. Schiller couched it as an initiative to help small businesses during the Covid-19, but acknowledged under questioning that the company was also pivoting in response to worldwide scrutiny over App Store practices.

In an attempt to demonstrate that Apple favors its in own apps in search results on the App Store -- another type of anticompetitive behavior -- Forrest showed an exhibit of Apple Music and Apple News appearing on the top of search result rankings instead of third-party apps.

Schiller had an answer for that too: Search algorithms look at dozens of different variables, including which apps users already have on their devices.

More stories like this are available on bloomberg.com

Subscribe now to stay ahead with the most trusted business news source.

2021 Bloomberg L.P.
Ethiopian soldiers interrogated patients at a hospital in the country's war-hit Tigray region twice this week in an apparent search for enemy fighters, two doctors told AFP Wednesday.

The incidents occurred Sunday and Monday in the city of Axum, disrupting treatment and prompting some patients to flee, said the doctors, who spoke to AFP on condition of anonymity for safety reasons.

The soldiers removed bandages and intravenous fluids from some patients, entered and contaminated an operating room and pointed their guns at doctors and nurses who objected, one doctor said.

"Our staff are so frightened that we are not able to do our treatment activities," he said.

Medical charity Doctors Without Borders, which is supporting the Axum hospital, confirmed in a statement that soldiers arrived Sunday and Monday and "went ward by ward looking for patients, intimidating caretakers and threatening health staff".

The group, known by its French acronym MSF, said it was "very concerned about the frequent violations of the neutrality of the medical mission by armed groups" in Tigray.

Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed, winner of the 2019 Nobel Peace Prize, sent troops into Tigray last November to detain and disarm leaders of the region's once dominant ruling party, the Tigray People's Liberation Front (TPLF).

He said the move came in response to TPLF attacks on federal army camps.

Though he vowed the conflict would be brief, more than six months later fighting continues and world leaders are warning of a potential humanitarian catastrophe.

The soldiers in Axum appeared to be looking for pro-TPLF fighters, the doctors said, adding that they did not take any patients away with them.

"If they see any wounded patient, they go to that patient and ask, 'Are you a soldier with TPLF?'" one doctor said.

The Axum hospital was featured in a recent report by CNN, and the doctors said they suspected that is why it was targeted.

The head of a military command post in Tigray and a spokeswoman for the region's interim administration did not immediately respond to requests for comment Wednesday.

rcb/np/jv
BRUSSELS (Reuters) -European Union leaders will urge Britain to respect the rights of their citizens after reports about travellers being detained at UK borders amid confusion over post-Brexit visa requirements, according to the draft of an EU summit statement.

There have been several media reports this month about EU citizens being detained, some for several days, at immigration centres in Britain after being denied entry.

With the end of freedom of movement following Britain's exit from the bloc, EU citizens seeking entry to work or study are now subject to different rules. British and EU citizens still enjoy reciprocal visa-free travel for recreational purposes.

"The European Council calls on the UK to respect the principle of non-discrimination among member states and the rights of EU citizens," said the draft for a summit of the EU's 27 leaders next week, a copy of which was seen by Reuters.

Speaking in Rome, Italian Foreign Minister Luigi Di Maio said 12 Italians had recently been refused entry to Britain and detained ahead of their repatriation.

He told parliament such treatment was "disproportionate" and said Italy's deputy foreign minister would go to London next week to discuss the situation with immigration officials. He also urged Britain to do more to raise awareness in the EU of new visa requirements.

"The British authorities undertook to... consider the possibility that, in future similar cases, they could let people enter British territory on bail until the time of their repatriation flight," Di Maio said.

'SERIOUS IMPEDIMENTS'

Dacian Ciolos, president of the European Parliament's main liberal group, wrote to the European Commission last week to raise concerns about detention measures that posed "serious impediments" to relations between the EU and Britain.

"The detention of often young and low-risk EU citizens arriving in the UK for summer jobs and not being yet fully aware of new entry conditions is not in line with... the spirit of good cooperation that we would expect," Ciolos wrote.

Story continues

Britain's Home Office (interior ministry) said that while international travel is disrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic, it would aim to grant immigration bail to those who have been refused entry into the country rather than detain them.

"We have updated our guidance to clarify that overseas nationals, including EU citizens, who have been refused entry to the UK and are awaiting removal should be granted immigration bail, where appropriate," a Home Office spokeswoman said.

(Reporting by John Chalmers; Additional reporting by Crispian Balmer in Rome and by Andrew MacAskill in LondonEditing by Gareth Jones)
Vaccinated Americans will soon be able to travel to Europe with ease.

The European Union on Wednesday agreed on a proposal to relax COVID-19 travel restrictions for travelers visiting from outside its 27 countries, welcoming vaccinated Americans and a number of other nations, including the U.K., ahead of the summer vacations, according to the Associated Press. A date for when borders will reopen, however, has not yet been set.

The EU agreed to ease the guidelines for countries it deems "safe," calling on advice from the European Center for Disease Prevention and Control, adding more nations to its list allowing tourists and non-citizens to enter. Currently, only those traveling from Israel, Australia and Singapore are allowed to travel to the EU for leisure and vaccination is not a requirement.

VACCINATED AMERICANS COULD SOON TRAVEL TO EUROPE WITHOUT QUARANTINE

Strict rules were imposed to combat the spread of COVID-19 last year, however, with the widespread distribution of vaccines globally, the EU is now recommending that states ease some of those restrictions for those who have been inoculated.

CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR OUR LIFESTYLE NEWSLETTER

Few countries in Europe have lifted COVID-19 related restrictions. Greece is allowing travelers from the U.S., U.K., and Israel to resume travel. And Italy announced vaccinated travelers would be welcomed back to the country by mid-May.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Cliff Richard with the winner of the 1968 Eurovision Song Contest, Spain's Massiel, with her song's composers Manuel De La Calva and Ramon Arcusa (Roger Bamber/ANL/Rex)

The Eurovision Song Contest remains a stalwart of the TV calendar. But what exactly is the point of this springtime extravaganza of international kitsch and how did we get here?

The idea for Eurovision was first proposed by Italian TV writer Sergio Pugliese, who worked for the countrys state broadcaster RAI in the early 1950s.

Modelled on Italys Sanremo Music Festival  inaugurated in 1951 and held in Liguria every year since  the contest was intended to serve as a bonding exercise in the difficult post-war years, bringing European neighbours together in the spirit of harmless fun while testing the capabilities of live broadcast television to the limit.

Puglieses suggestion was picked up and approved by Marcel Bezencon, president of the European Broadcasting Union, in January 1955, who developed the concept with the bodys international members, including the BBC, at a General Assembly gathering at Romes Palazzo Corsini on 19 October 1955  a date to live in infamy.

The first Eurovision Song Contest was duly staged seven months later in Lugano, Switzerland, on 24 May 1956, with Swiss entry Lys Assia winning for her song Refrain.

The name Eurovision was coined by a Brit, Evening Standard journalist George Campey, who referred to the Lugano contest as the Eurovision Grand Prix in his coverage of the event.

That first tournament consisted of just seven competing nations, compared with 43 this year. The competitions rules have become ever-more convoluted as new entrants were added over the years, with the breakup of the USSR in the early 1990s in particular contributing to the swelling as a wealth of nations freshly-liberated from the Eastern Bloc sought their turn in the limelight.

Contestants were initially expected to sing in their native languages but the stipulation was gradually relaxed, culminating in ABBAs 1974 win for Waterloo, the Swedish disco titans singing entirely in English.

Britain first competed in the second contest of 1957, represented by Patricia Bredin, with memorable entrants to follow including Matt Monro, Sandie Shaw, Lulu, Brotherhood of Man, Bucks Fizz, Katrina and the Waves and, of course, Sir Cliff Richard (twice).

Story continues

Roger Bamber/ANL/Rex

A Guardian vox pop of 1968 asked one member of the public how she felt about the UKs prospects for the forthcoming competition and received the deliciously patriotic answer: Cliff Richard can always show these continentals a thing or two. Hes very sexy-looking when he jumps around, and hes also a very good ambassador.

A chance for countries to put their best foot forward on the international stage, Eurovision may be cheesy but it has certainly succeeded in its original aim: for one night a year, a continent puts aside its political differences to enjoy the spectacle of pan-European pop preposterousness.

Read More

This is how Eurovisions voting system works
The claim: A 1962 image predicted life in 2022

During the coronavirus pandemic, social distancing and face masks became commonplace. Some social media users say an image published nearly 60 years ago bears a striking resemblance to those public health guidelines.

The image, which circulated on Twitter last year, was published in a recent Facebook post from The Italian American Page. The post features an artist's rendering of people riding alone in futuristic and dome-like enclosed vehicles.

"In 1962 an Italian magazine did a story about what the world would look like in 2022,"says the May 13 post, which has more than 600 shares.

The decades-old image, however, did not predict life in 2022. The depiction traces back to an Italian news story about the future of transportation in cities.

USA TODAY reached out to The Italian American Page for comment.

Image does not specify a year

The image posted on Facebook was printed in the Dec. 16, 1962, edition of La Domenica del Corriere (Sunday Courier), a now-defunct Italian weekly newspaper. The image was created by Italian illustrator and comics artist Walter Molino, as other independent fact-checking organizations have pointed out.

The illustration shows the Singoletta, a single-passenger vehicle that Molino envisioned as a way to reduce traffic in big cities of the future.

Will cities be like this? Here's how the traffic problem in cities could be reduced, if not solved completely," says a caption in the bottom right-hand corner of the image. "Instead of the current bulky cars, we have Singolettas, small single-seater cars that occupy a minimum surface area. Walter Molino imagines the street view here if the new solution was adopted on a large scale.

The Singoletta, a motorized four-wheeled scooter, was envisioned to be something akin to a cross between the two-wheeled Segway Personal Transporter and the Smart car, according to the newspaper.

La Domenica del Corriere described the Singoletta as a potential vehicle of the future, but USA TODAY did not find any indication that it was predicted as something to be used specifically in 2022.

Story continues

Our rating: Partly false

The claim that an image from 1962 predicted life in 2022 is PARTLY FALSE, based on our research. The photo was printed in an edition of La Domenica del Corriere and depicted an illustrator's vision for future transportation. It didn't claim to show life specifically in 2022.

Our fact-checking sources:

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

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

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Fact check: 1962 image did not predict life in 2022
As the Gaza crisis has raged on, the most serious clashes in years between Palestinian demonstrators and the Israeli military in the West Bank have broken out.

Why it matters: Israel is concerned that further escalation in the West Bank could turn into a third intifada. The Second Intifada, or Palestinian uprising against Israel, lasted from 2000 to 2005 and left about 1,000 Israelis and over 3,000 Palestinians dead.

Get market news worthy of your time with Axios Markets. Subscribe for free.

Driving the news: Thousands of Palestinian protesters clashed with Israeli soldiers on Tuesday in several locations in the West Bank.

At least four Palestinians were killed on Tuesday and 15 since the clashes began, Palestinian health officials say.

Hamas leaders in Gaza and in exile have called on the Palestinian public to join the demonstrations in an apparent attempt to boost the group's standing in the West Bank.

While fueled by the events in Gaza, the latest escalation is also part of a decades-long resistance to Israels occupation in the West Bank.

In most cases, the protesters have thrown stones and burned tires, but there were reports on Tuesday of shots fired at Israeli soldiers. Israeli troops fired tear gas, rubber-coated bullets, and in some cases live ammunition.

In one case in Ramallah, the Al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigade  the military wing of Fatah  was responsible for the shooting, Lebanese media reported.

Armed militiaman associated with the group  the largest militia in the West Bank  have been repeatedly spotted in the West Bank in recent days.

What to watch: The militia group had been inactive for more than a decade, during which time many of its members joined the Palestinian Authority security forces or got jobs in civilian government ministries.

A reemergence of this militia could lead to a serious escalation in the West Bank.

Go deeper: Palestinians strike across occupied territories, Israel in show of unity

More from Axios: Sign up to get the latest market trends with Axios Markets. Subscribe for free
NASHVILLE, Tenn.  A federal judge dismissed a lawsuit filed against Metro Nashville Public Schools and a teacher last fall over a controversial assignment taught at a Tennessee elementary school about keeping Black slaves under control.

A Nashville, Tennessee, family filed the lawsuit on behalf of their son, referred to as "John Doe," who has autism.

The assignment, called "Let's Make a Slave," was given to a fourth-grade class at Waverly Belmont Elementary School in February 2020 and focused on a Willie Lynch speech said to have been given in the 1700s by a West Indian plantation owner to white Virginia colonists about how to control their slaves.

The family claimed the wild graphic and inappropriate content caused physical and emotional harm to their child, who was in fourth grade at the time.

U.S. District Judge Aleta Trauger dismissed the case Monday, saying there isnt evidence of actionable harassment or that the school district was deliberately indifferent to complaints of racial discrimination or harassment.

But Trauger did acknowledge the lesson "may have been ill-advised and developmentally inappropriate for the age group," according to court documents.

Mock slave auctions, racist lessons: How US history class often traumatizes, dehumanizes Black students

'Wild graphic and inappropriate': Metro Schools employee alleges she was demoted after complaining about slavery assignment

The lawsuit claimed that the student suffered repeated acts of racial harassment by adults and peers. In addition, the lawsuit claimed the school district had knowledge of the harassment, including teasing by the student's classmates, and the racially hostile educational environment but were indifferent to the circumstances.

The complaint alleges that the lesson predictably spilled onto the playground  and that the other students joked about the Black History lesson, telling Doe, You are my slave,'" Trauger wrote in her ruling. But the complaint didn't "suggest how frequently or for what length of time this teasing occurred."

Story continues

Legal precedent set by the Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals that the federal judge cited in the ruling requires such teasing be "systematic" or "pervasive" in order to be deemed harassment. It also is required to "[mean] something more than just juvenile behavior among students, even behavior that is antagonistic, non-consensual, and crass."

Doe's family argued the student, who is Black, was repeatedly terrified and thought his family could be broken apart, separated, or set on fire, according to the original lawsuit. He was afraid that he could be sold as a slave. The boy's mother learned of the lesson when she found the assignment in his backpack.

The assignment led to outrage, including calls from community and city leaders asking for stronger oversight and policies for the district  which serves nearly 70% Black and brown children.

A student-teacher from Vanderbilt University led the lesson under the supervision of the teacher, Andrew Herman, and was dismissed from Metro Nashville Public Schools following the incident. Herman was also placed on administrative leave at the time but has since returned to employment by the district.

These actions by the district, the judge's ruling states, show that it was not indifferent and did not ignore Doe's concerns.

We appreciate the courts finding that the district acted reasonably in addressing the unsanctioned actions by a student-teacher in providing that lesson," Sean Braisted, spokesperson for Metro Nashville Public Schools, said in a statement Tuesday. "As a district, we will continue to work with teachers to provide approved lessons and professional development necessary to educate students on difficult and complex historical and current events in the appropriate way.

Related: Tennesseans tackle tough subjects like slavery, segregation in the classroom using local context, living history

More: Critical race theory isn't taught in Tennessee schools. Here's what is being taught about race.

At the time, the district did characterize the content of the assignment as "not age-appropriate or within the scope of sequence for the fourth grade class" though.

The judge echoed the district and even acknowledged that the lesson might have been "especially inappropriate" for Doe, a student with a known disability but ruled that the educational content did not constitute "harassment on the basis of race."

"The court also accepts that the entire incident was extremely traumatic for a sensitive child with autism," Trauger wrote. "While the lesson in question may well have been especially inappropriate for John Doe as a student with a known disability, and even developmentally inappropriate for all fourth graders, that does not mean that its educational content constituted actionable harassment on the basis of race."

Justin Gilbert, a Chattanooga-based attorney who specializes in education-related cases and represented the student's family, declined to comment on the judge's ruling Tuesday because he is representing similar cases in court at this time.

Less than a month after filing the lawsuit on behalf of Doe, his mother, referred to as Jane Doe in court documents to protect the identity of her child, filed another lawsuit alleging she was demoted from her position with the district after filing the first lawsuit on behalf of her son.

The employee alleged that she was fired from her position in Metro School's central office and was then passed over for a new position.

In the second lawsuit, filed in federal court in November, Doe claimed her previous job position was eliminated and she was demoted back to a classroom teaching position  and only then because she is tenured  in retaliation for speaking out and filing the first lawsuit over the assignment and the harm her son suffered.

The ruling comes as educators and lawmakers alike debate how topics like slavery, race, and racism is taught in Tennessee schools.

Earlier this month, lawmakers banned the teaching of critical race theory in public schools.

The bill, which awaits Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee's signature, threatens to withhold funding from public schools that teach that the United States is fundamentally racist or sexist or that individuals are "inherently privileged, racist, sexist, or oppressive" because of their race or sex, among other provisions.

Educators have since argued that teaching history  which can often include talking about race and racism  will only become more difficult.

The Tennessee Department of Education has said it isn't aware of any schools currently teaching the themes in question in the bill nor has the department received any complaints about schools doing so.

Instead, incidents of lessons gone wrong  like the one cited in this lawsuit  and calls for more anti-racism or implicit bias training for educators have been common across the state in recent years.

Follow Meghan Mangrum on Twitter @memangrum.

This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Lawsuit over 'Let's Make a Slave' school assignment dismissed by judge
Vice President Kamala Harris delivers remarks to the Asian Pacific American Heritage Month Unity Summit. (Kent Nishimura / Los Angeles Times)

Americans of Asian and Pacific Island heritage voted in unprecedented numbers to help Vice President Kamala Harris become the first Indian American in national office, and to push Democrats over the top in decisive races in Georgia and elsewhere that gave the party control of the Senate.

But even with one of their own at the pinnacle of power, many of the activists who helped turn out that vote say their diverse communities are still not getting the attention they deserve from either party, especially given the heightened fears of pandemic-driven discrimination and violence that drove many to the polls to oust former President Trump.

National progressives and national Democrats havent really fully reconciled with what we saw in this election, Varun Nikore, executive director of the progressive AAPI Victory Alliance, said in advance of a unity conference Wednesday evening featuring Harris.

What they saw last fall was fairly astounding in the world of politics, an increase in Asian Americans' turnout of 39% from 2016, more than for any other racial group, with two-thirds of their votes going to President Biden and Harris, according to estimates from Catalist, a Democratic data firm. The increase was even higher in pivotal swing states, including Georgia, where the Asian American vote jumped 84%, and Nevada, where it increased 65%, according to TargetSmart, another Democratic group.

For decades, both parties have coveted the votes and donations of the small but growing constituency of Asian Americans. Republicans early on figured they had an edge, given many Asian Americans' entrepreneurialism and conservative values. Yet their party's anti-immigrant stands of recent years turned off some voters, and Trump's immigration crackdown and racist rhetoric  calling the coronavirus the "China virus" and "kung flu"  exacerbated the alienation. Democrats have benefited.

Republicans aren't out of contention. In California last fall, Asian Americans' votes increased by 64%, which helped two Korean American Republicans, Michelle Steel and Young Kim, buck the anti-Trump tide in the state and take back Democratic-held U.S. House seats anchored in Orange County.

Story continues

Nikore and other progressive Asian Americans see this as a key moment, saying that younger activists are moving to the left. While Trump, who emboldened white supremacists and painted immigrants as criminals, was the motivating force for many, there is belief among some Asian Americans that the activism will endure.

Its on us to force the hands of national Democrats, to make sure were on as equal a playing field as anyone else, Nikore said.

Jane Hong, a historian at Occidental College who has written about politics, race and evangelism, said, More Asian Americans are voting, but many more are mobilized.

They were quick to hold the Biden administration to account. Asian American Sens. Mazie Hirono of Hawaii and Tammy Duckworth of Illinois, both Democrats, criticized the president in March for failing to include an Asian American or Pacific Islander in his Cabinet, though Katherine Tai is the U.S. trade representative, a position considered Cabinet-level.

Such frustrations underscore a broader feeling of invisibility that many in the community describe. A poll released last week found that 42% of Americans could not name a prominent Asian American. Among those who offered a name, 11% picked Jackie Chan, who lives in Hong Kong, and 9% chose Bruce Lee, who died in 1973, according to the survey, which was commissioned by the nonprofit group Leading Asian Americans to Unite for Change.

Harris, whose mother was from India  her father is from Jamaica  was named by only 2% of respondents. She is far more identified by her Black heritage. Hong said the diverse backgrounds of many Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders underscore the difficulty in building a coalition around their group identity.

People use that term as a descriptor, she said. But its a project in the making.

Many Asian Americans are in West Coast states, but currently two major cities in the east, New York and Boston, have Asian Americans  Andrew Yang and Michelle Wu, respectively  vying for the lead in mayoral campaigns, reflecting the increase in Asian American candidates who have run for office since Trump was elected.

Asian Americans' issues are both the same as other Americans' and particular to their group. The disruptions of the COVID-19 pandemic have elevated concerns of small-business owners, including immigrants from Asia. Deadly attacks against spa workers of Asian descent in the Atlanta area and Sikhs in Indianapolis brought belated attention to the increase in discrimination and violence long faced by Asian Americans  prompting Congress to give final approval this week to a measure aimed at protecting Asians from hate crimes.

In her remarks Wednesday night, Harris spoke about the toll of the pandemic  including the increase in hate crimes and the "viciousness of it all"  and said it offered an opportunity to rethink how people treat one another and how to reshape the economy to better help workers.

We have an opportunity now to turn that pain into action, to turn that pain, that righteous anger because of the injustice of it ... into power," she said.

Wu, a progressive who first won an at-large seat on Boston's City Council after working for Democratic Sen. Elizabeth Warrens 2012 Senate campaign, said she has seen a rapid change in her city. Acting Mayor Kim Janey became the first woman and the first Black person to hold the job when she was appointed to replace Marty Walsh, who became Bidens Labor secretary. When Wu was first elected in 2013, she was one of only two women of color on the otherwise white and male 13-member council; by 2019, a majority of members were women and people of color.

Wu said that she spoke in Mandarin, Spanish and English in videos announcing her candidacy for mayor, and that her campaign has distributed literature in Vietnamese, Cape Verdean Creole and Haitian Creole. Asian Americans make up about 10% of Boston's population, so she will need to build a coalition to win in a city where people of color are a majority.

She said Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders have been a bit more fragmented at times, but the recent attacks have pushed them to speak out in a unified way.

Nikore said the political parties have failed to gather useful polling information on Asian Americans and to invest in building on their 2020 turnout gains  for example, by compiling data to gauge what concerns differentiate Korean American voters, say, from those of Indian, Thai or Japanese descent. Asian Americans made up about 4% of the U.S. electorate in 2020, but the variety of languages and cultures makes such investments expensive.

Republicans' victories in Orange County last fall showed a pathway for some party candidates.

Sam Oh, the lead strategist for Steel and Kim, said reaching voters in their own languages and understanding their cultures are essential. He cited his Korean-born parents: They came here and they were small-business owners and they didnt participate in the electoral process. They were just trying to make ends meet and that was their priority.

Last year, when the state mandated more liberal mail-in voting in response to the pandemic, the barrier to vote was at an all-time low for people, especially for people who werent accustomed to voting, Oh said.

Steels campaign focused heavily on her districts large Vietnamese American community, reaching voters in their native language through mail, phone calls, radio and television ads, digital ads, text messages and door knocking. She spoke about her parents escape from North Korea, to connect with the Vietnamese Americans' experience and opposition to communist rule.

Kim criticized Trump for his references to "kung flu." Steel and Kim significantly outperformed Trump's vote in their districts.

Its so important to have people who understand these communities, who understand their stories and how policies impact their lives, represent them in Congress, Oh said, whether youre Democrat or Republican.

This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
A 10-year-old Florida boy slammed his local school board during a public meeting last week, calling the districts mask mandate unfair to kids during an emergency session on reopening guidelines.

The boy, later identified as John, begins by describing himself as a student at Felix A. Williams Elementary school in Martin County.

"Please make masks optional today," he said. "It would be so awesome to end the school year on a really happy note like that."

Following his remarks, the board voted 4-1 to keep masks mandatory for only the 12 remaining days of the current school year. Masks will become optional for summer school students beginning June 1.

AS US REOPENS, CAMPUSES TIGHTEN RESTRICTIONS FOR VIRUS

In two minutes and 43 seconds, John makes an appeal to the board to end the mandate, claiming that an unmasked teacher has repeatedly ordered him and other students to keep their masks on when they attempt to drink water outside.

"She had her mask down the entire time while she was yelling at us, which makes me and all my friends very mad," he said. "This happens a lot, and it seems unfair teachers take their masks off while they yell at us kids and that we need to pull ours up. I asked my mom if there is a word for this, and she said there is: hypocrisy."

He said extended mask-wearing gave him headaches and made him feel "claustrophobic," and argued that masks often stick to his face in the Florida heat, causing him anxiety and stress.

"All of this seems unfair, and it doesnt make sense," the boy told board members. "I miss seeing people's faces. I miss the way things used to be. I'm scared they'll never go back to normal. Breathing freely doesnt seem like something we should have to ask any other people for permission for."

UTAH MOM BLASTS SCHOOL DISTRICT OVER MASK MANDATE: 'I HAD ENOUGH'

The board meeting last week was an emergency session to review the districts COVID-19 protocols, according to the Martin County Schools website.

Story continues

The district announced in April that it will return to full in-person learning beginning in the fall.

A district spokeswoman told Fox News Tuesday that Martin County Schools had been among the first to reopen for in-person learning last August with measures in place to protect the health and safety of students and staff.

CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP

She also sent a graphic detailing the districts reopening guidelines, which recommend vaccines for staff and students over 12, staying home when sick, maintaining clean hand hygiene and optional mask-wearing, among other suggestions.

"Effective June 1, 2021, masks will be optional for all students and staff," she said in a statement. "Although they are part of our risk mitigation strategies, vaccinations are not mandatory."
She was already beyond child-bearing age, but Qelbinur Sedik says Chinese authorities still forcibly sterilised her, part of what she describes as a systematic campaign to suppress births of Uyghurs and other minorities in the tense Xinjiang region.

In 2019, Sedik -- then aged 50 -- says she begged authorities to spare her from being fitted with the compulsory IUD, as previous attempts resulted in severe pain and bleeding.

So community workers gave her no choice but to be sterilised at a clinic in her home city of Urumqi, under threat of police action if she refused.

Upon returning home, she says she bled non-stop for several days.

"Why would they extend this to women aged over 50, who've gone through menopause and have no way of giving birth?" she told AFP from Holland, where she is seeking asylum.

Sedik, who still suffers from chronic pain and abnormal bleeding, is an ethnic Uzbek, one of the Turkic Muslim ethnic groups that live in Xinjiang.

In the northwest territory, official data shows birth rates have nearly halved between 2017 and 2019 -- the steepest drop of all Chinese provinces and regions in that time and the most extreme globally since 1950, according to an analysis by the Australian Strategic Policy Institute (ASPI).

After reaching Europe, Sedik said she was still in shock.

"I couldn't get out of bed for five months. I couldn't fall asleep. My daughter saw me crying every day," she recalls.

For decades, Xinjiang had some of China's highest birth rates, which led to rapid growth in the Uyghur population. Today, it is home to around 12 million mostly Muslim Uyghurs who make up half the population.

Large numbers of "illegal" births occurred outside strict birth limits -- a maximum of three children for minorities in rural areas -- as authorities seemingly turned a blind eye.

Now, the pendulum has swung the other way as Beijing seeks to exert control over what it views as unruly minorities in a strategic border region.

Story continues

Scholars and rights advocates say ramped-up birth control policies since 2017 -- including arbitrary quotas for sterilisation and IUD insertion, and imprisonment for having too many children -- are part of a deliberate, state-backed attempt to suppress ethnic minority births in Xinjiang.

These measures coincided with a mass internment campaign that has swept up an estimated one million Uyghurs and other minorities, which Beijing says is to eradicate Islamic extremism in the region after a spate of inter-ethnic violence and attacks.

In contrast, Beijing is encouraging the predominantly Han Chinese population nationwide to have more children to stave off a looming demographic crisis.

A growing number of Western parliaments -- and the US government -- have declared China's repression of minorities in Xinjiang "genocide", an accusation rights advocates say is supported by a growing body of evidence.

- Shrinking population -

Population growth has now dropped to zero -- and even below zero -- in some minority-heavy Xinjiang counties, according to government data cited by German researcher Adrian Zenz in a 2020 report.

The same report found that sterilisations in Xinjiang jumped from 3,214 in 2014 to over 60,000 in 2018, while the region accounted for 80 percent of newly-inserted IUDs nationwide that year.

In Uyghur-majority Kashgar and Hotan prefectures, natural population growth plunged by 70 and 75 percent in 2017-18, according to yearly Social Economic and Development reports published by the local government.

A similar trend occurred in other parts of southern Xinjiang. In 2018-19, Kizilsu prefecture's natural population growth slowed 44 percent, while that of Qiemo county decreased 45 percent, according to official statistics.

Kizilsu's 2019 health budget planned to administer "long-term contraception" to over 103,300 married women of childbearing age.

The ASPI report said these policies disproportionately target minority populations, "reducing birth rates in southern Xinjiang to targets that are among the lowest in the world".

For the first time, Xinjiang's latest statistical yearbook for 2020 was missing key population data -- a sign of its sensitivity.

Suppressing population growth would be "highly compatible with the broader goals of the Chinese Communist Party in Xinjiang", said Zenz, senior fellow at the Victims of Communism Memorial Foundation in Washington.

"It's very much about control over minorities," he added.

Beijing has repeatedly accused Zenz of fabricating anti-China disinformation and backed defamation lawsuits against him.

- 'Willing' sterilisation -

China does acknowledge falling birth rates in Xinjiang since 2017.

At a January briefing, a Xinjiang government spokesperson attributed this to regional economic development and changing social norms, suggesting better education has led people to delay marriage.

And research by a government think tank said minority women now "willingly receive tubal ligation and IUD implantation surgery".

The Xinjiang Development Research Centre study argued this was because women had "avoided being trapped by religious extremism into becoming fertility tools".

The Xinjiang government did not respond to an AFP fax for comment.

But independent researchers fear grim factors are discouraging -- and preventing -- minorities from having children.

"Endemic family separation" via mass internment plays a huge role in suppressing births and "disruption in marriage patterns" among Uyghurs, according to Darren Byler, an anthropologist at the University of Colorado.

"Uyghur social reproduction itself has been deeply damaged" since young people are separated from families who would normally help in choosing marriage partners, he told AFP.

The government campaign may have wider ramifications: A key criteria of proving genocide under the UN Convention is determining "genocidal intent" behind actions.

Byler warned that link is increasingly clear.

"The unparalleled drop in demographic growth in Xinjiang confirms that Uyghurs and other groups are the target of a genocide-in-the-making," he added.

lxc/apj/rbu/lb
President Biden declared in his inaugural Congressional address that his administration will spend upwards of $2 trillion to upgrade Americas roads, public transit and broadband. He would cover the tab by raising taxes on the highest earners, a prospect Republicans are adamantly opposed to. One way to help break the stalemate on funding could be through a little-known immigration program: the EB-5 visa  referred to as the investor visa.

The EB-5 was created in 1990 to spur foreign investment in the United States. Under the original terms, immigrant investors who placed $1 million in a U.S. business that led to the creation or preservation of at least 10 jobs could qualify for legal permanent residency. If the projects were based in rural or high unemployment regions  targeted employment areas (TEAs)  investors only had to pony up $500,000.

Uptake was slow at first, so in 1992 Congress passed a bill creating regional centers, which allow investors to pool their money to invest in projects. The program grew exponentially when bank loans dried up in the aftermath of the Great Recession. There are almost 700 regional centers across the country and, during the past decade, demand for the EB-5 has frequently outstripped the 10,000 annual cap of visas.

The visa has created tens of thousands of jobs, but it has also been plagued by scandal. A major development project in Vermont funded with EB-5 money turned out to be a Ponzi scheme. Even when the foreign cash was invested in reputable projects, most of that funding didnt land in high-poverty rural areas. Perhaps the most infamous example is how the Related Companies tapped the EB-5 for more than $1 billion in funding for the Hudson Yards development in New York City. Foreign investors only had to put $500,000 into the project because a creatively gerrymandered TEA cut through Central Park to encompass public housing complexes in Harlem.

These stories spurred the federal government to make changes in late 2019. TEAs can no longer be fashioned in such a lopsided manner, and investors now have to invest more money to qualify. Even with those reforms, the visa could soon disappear entirely. Authorization for the EB-5 regional centers lasts only through June 30, and it is far from clear that Congress will pass legislation to renew it.

Story continues

What would make more sense than scrapping the program is reconfiguring it so the benefits accrue directly to the federal government. EB-5 applicants  a number of whom are Latin American investors relocating to South Florida  put money into refurbishing hotels not because they expect to see much of a return on their investment but because it can lead to a green card. Thats a perk the federal government is bestowing. Now that the Biden administration is serious about breaking ground on projects, it makes sense for the government to directly tap the cheap foreign financing it incentivizes through our immigration policies.

The government could sweeten the terms for investors who give to its infrastructure initiatives. The minimum investment could be lower. Applicants could receive a return on only half of their investment, allowing the government access to funds they wouldnt have to pay back. Because so many of the EB-5 investors are Chinese nationals and each country faces visa caps every year, Chinese applicants are looking at wait times for a green card that can stretch beyond a decade. The federal government could stipulate that people who invest in federal infrastructure projects would receive lawful permanent residency in a more-expedited fashion. And they could raise the number of available visas above the 10,000 a year threshold, so as to potentially access more capital.

Fashioning the program in this manner would make it a more explicit cash-for-visa enterprise. That could raise hackles on Capitol Hill, which would have to approve these changes. Still, the consequences of decrepit roads and bridges, poorly financed mass transit and aging drinking water and wastewater systems are mounting. Reforming the EB-5 could be part of funding a much needed and costly infrastructure upgrade.

Alexandra Starr, a journalist who writes on immigration and Latin America, is the author of a Council on Foreign Relations Special Report about Latino immigrant Entrepreneurship.
France is pushing a resolution at the UN Security Council calling for a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip, which it plans to bring for a vote in the coming days if the fighting continues, a French source tells Axios.

Why it matters: The move surprised the Biden administration, which has blocked three previous Security Council statements on Gaza. The French could use the draft resolution to get the U.S. to apply more pressure on Israel to stop its military operation.

Stay on top of the latest market trends and economic insights with Axios Markets. Subscribe for free

Driving the news: France circulated a draft to several members of the council on Tuesday. The move was coordinated with Egypt and Jordan following a summit between French President Emmanuel Macron, Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi and King Abdullah II of Jordan.

The draft resolution is based on public statements in support of a ceasefire made by the Biden administration in recent days, according to the French source, in order to make it more difficult for the U.S. to veto a resolution that's based on its own policy.

Israel lobbied the U.S. to block three previous draft statements on Gaza at the council. While it did so, the administration has begun sending signals that it wants Israel to end its operation soon.

What's next: To block the resolution, the U.S. would have to use its veto power. That's something the Biden administration, which has pledged to strengthen multilateralism, will be reluctant to do.

Go deeper: Biden backs Gaza ceasefire for first time in call with Netanyahu

More from Axios: Sign up to get the latest market trends with Axios Markets. Subscribe for free
May 19The boys are almost back, and when they arrive next week, they'll be looking for you.

Literally.

With the opening game for the Santa Fe Fuego just two weeks away, the city's professional baseball team is in dire need of the public's help with housing the players for the 2021 Pecos League season.

The club is asking people to open their homes and allow players to live rent-free for two months.

"The housing thing is always hard, but the pandemic has made it even worse," said Fuego general manager Yvonne Encinias.

This isn't the first rodeo for Encinias. The team's GM since its earliest days in the league, she has searched high and low for places to take in her players. Some families can only accommodate one, others as many as four or five.

"Really, all we're asking is for someone to provide a roof, a place to do laundry and a space to prep food," she said. "What happens after that is up to the players and the host families."

Since most players in the Pecos League make just a few hundred dollars a month, it's anticipated that the situations will be rent-free.

To help bring the players and their billets closer together, the Fuego have organized a meet-and-greet for potential host families. It will be the night of May 26 at Fort Marcy Ballpark.

From 6 to 7:30 p.m., the team will grill some hot dogs, provide drinks and provide sort of a one-stop shop for homeowners to meet the players and break the ice.

The team's players are scheduled to arrive in Santa Fe on Monday, with the first day of preseason workouts the following morning at Fort Marcy Ballpark. With a roster limit of 22 and as many as 30 players expected to report for what's being referred to as spring training, not everyone who will attend the May 26 event will be around for the June 2 season opener at Roswell.

The Fuego will have a public meet-and-greet on the eve of the season opener. Fans are invited to attend a free event at 4 p.m. June 1 at Fort Marcy Ballpark, an event at which team uniforms will be handed out and fans will be given a chance to visit with players who make the final roster.

Story continues

The Pecos League is attempting to resurrect its summer season after shutting things down during the pandemic in 2020. The league suspended operations before last season began, but created an abbreviated four-team league at a private complex not far from the league's headquarters in Houston.

Fuego manager Bill Rogan was initially part of last year's plans, and Pecos League President Andrew Dunn retained his services to be Santa Fe's manager this summer. Encinias said he will be among those at next week's host family meet-and-greet.

Any home that hosts a player gets two season passes to Fuego home games as well as discounts on merchandise sold at the ballpark.

Encinias encouraged anyone interested in the team's billeting program to reach out to her via the team's various social media platforms.

NOTES

The Fuego came into existence in 2012 and this would have been their 10th full season in the Pecos League were it not for last season's COVID-19 shutdown. They haven't had a winning season since finishing 31-30 three years ago and haven't made the playoffs since 2016. ... The Fuego have opened every season at home. That will change this year when they open with two straight road games against Roswell. ... The Pecos League's balance is what keeps most teams optimistic for a title run. The league has never had a repeat champion and seven different teams have won the league title the last seven years, starting with Santa Fe's memorable 2014 championship team. Tucson won last year's four-team Houston season, and Alpine won it all in 2019. ... The league will operate with two divisions and 14 teams. The six-team Pacific Division is made up entirely of teams in California while the eight-team Mountain Division has the Fuego, Roswell and White Sands as the only teams from New Mexico. The newest club is the Colorado Springs SnowSox, whose only appearance at Fort Marcy Ballpark will be July 14-15.
Shortages of food, water, fuel and medicine are growing more dire in Gaza, and further fighting will make them dramatically worse, Matthias Schmale, the Gaza director for the UN Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) told Axios in a Zoom interview on Tuesday evening.

The state of play: The most urgent problem is the displacement of Palestinians, including the around 50,000 who left their homes near the border with Israel, fearing a ground invasion, and are now taking shelter in 60 UNRWA schools.

Get market news worthy of your time with Axios Markets. Subscribe for free.

Parents here are mainly worried for the security of their children. People here say that they sleep in the same room with their children so that if they die in an airstrike they will be together. This is what I hear from people. They are terrified and traumatized."

Matthias Schmale, UNRWA

When the Israeli operation in Gaza started, most markets had food and other supplies for one week, Schmale says. With border crossings now almost completely closed, shortages at grocery stores began to be reported on Tuesday.

Fuel shortages were also reported Tuesday, and the Gaza power plant has sufficient fuel for only six hours per day. Israel allowed five trucks with fuel to enter Gaza in order to resupply UNRWA and other UN agencies.

Many parts of the Gaza Strip have insufficient supplies of clean water because of the destruction of infrastructure by Israeli airstrikes and because a desalinization plant was damaged, Schmale says.

Schmale was briefed by a Gaza Ministry of Health official who told him hospitals were stretched to their limits. If the fighting continues, medical care will collapse, and if the border remains closed, they will run out of medicine, Schmale was told.

There's no distinction between military and civilian areas in Gaza, Schmale says. Hamas fires rockets from residential areas, and Israel  in targeting Hamas  strikes areas that are often densely packed with civilians.

Story continues

The UNRWA official said the Israeli military contacted him several days ago while he was visiting the al-Shifa Hospital in Gaza City warning him not to leave the hospital because an airstrike would take place imminently nearby.

The movements of UN staff in Gaza are severely limited due to the fighting, and each move must be constantly coordinated with both Hamas and the Israeli military, Schmale says.

He has worked in many conflict zones around the world but never witnessed eight days of constant rocket fire and airstrikes.

We dont have a bomb shelter here, just the blue UN flag on the roof," he said.

Like this article? Get more from Axios and subscribe to Axios Markets for free.
May 19The Georgia Bureau of Investigation is probing an officer-involved shooting that happened in Bartow County, Georgia, according to a news release.

Just before 9 p.m. Tuesday, deputies responded to the 100 block of Mountain View Road SE in Acworth, Georgia, in search of an armed man living on the property.

When deputies arrived, they located 39-year-old Justin Ray Green in the backyard of the property, "intoxicated and discharging a firearm," the release states.

Both Green and deputies exchanged gunfire during the incident until Green reportedly ran into the wooded area behind the property and was unable to be located, deputies said.

Green, considered to be armed and dangerous, is wanted on multiple misdemeanor and felony warrants that include aggravated assault on a law enforcement officer, possession of a firearm during the commission of a crime and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.

The GBI asks anyone with information about his whereabouts to call 911. Tips can be submitted by calling 1-800-597-TIPS(8477).
By Joseph Nasr

BERLIN (Reuters) - When a teacher told Syrian mother Um Wajih that her 9-year-old son's German had deteriorated during his Berlin school's six-week shutdown, she was saddened but not surprised.

"Wajih had picked up German fast, and we were very proud of him," said the 25-year-old mother of two.

"I knew that without practice he would forget what he had learned but I couldn't help him."

Her son now faces another year in a 'welcome class' for migrant children until his German is good enough to join native peers at a school in Berlin's poor neighbourhood of Neukoelln.

School closures - which in Germany have amounted to around 30 weeks since March last year compared to just 11 in France - have further widened the educational gap between migrant and native pupils in Germany, amongst the highest in the industrialised world.

Even before the pandemic the drop-out rate among migrants stood at 18.2%, almost three times the national average.

Closing that gap is crucial, otherwise it risks derailing Germany's efforts to integrate more than two million people who applied for asylum in the past seven years, mainly from Syria, Iraq and Afghanistan, experts say.

German language skills and maintaining them - are critical.

"The biggest impact of the pandemic on integration is the sudden lack of contact with Germans," said Thomas Liebig of the OECD, a Paris-based grouping of industrialised countries. "Most migrant children don't speak German at home so contact with natives is crucial."

More than 50% of pupils born in Germany to migrant parents don't speak German at home, the highest rate in the 37-member OECD and compared with 35% in France. The figure rises to 85% among pupils not born in Germany.

Migrant parents who may lack academic and German language skills have sometimes struggled to help children with home schooling and to catch up on lost learning. They have also had to contend with more frequent school closures as they often live in poorer areas with higher COVID-19 infection rates.

Story continues

Chancellor Angela Merkel's government and the leaders of Germany's 16 states, which run local education policy, chose to close schools during each of the three coronavirus waves while keeping factories open to protect the economy.

"The pandemic amplified migrants' problems," said Muna Naddaf, who leads an advice project for migrant mothers run by the Evangelical Church's charitable arm Diakonie in Neukoelln.

"They suddenly had to deal with more bureaucracy like administering coronavirus tests on their child or arranging a vaccination appointment. There is a lot of confusion. We've had people ask us if it is true that drinking fresh ginger tea protects against the virus and if vaccination causes infertility."

Naddaf connected Um Wajih with Noor Zayed, an Arab-German mother and mentor, who advised her on how to keep her son and daughter active and stimulated during lockdowns.

Long-running flaws in Germany's education system like weak digital infrastructure that hampered online teaching and short school days which left parents having to pick up the slack, compounded the problems for migrants.

'LOST GENERATION'

Only 45% of the 40,000 schools in Germany had fast internet before the pandemic, according to the Teachers Union, and schools are open until 1.30 pm compared with at least until 3.30 pm in France.

Schools in poorer neighbourhoods more likely lacked digital infrastructure and parents couldn't afford laptops or after-school care.

Between 2000 and 2013 Germany had managed to halve migrant school dropouts to about 10% by boosting language assistance in nurseries and schools. But drop-outs have crept up in recent years as more pupils from countries with lower educational standards like Syria, Afghanistan, Iraq, and Sudan joined German classrooms.

The Teachers Union says that 20% of the 10.9 million pupils in Germany need additional tutoring to successfully complete this school year and the total number of drop-outs is expected to double to more than 100,000.

"The educational gap between migrants and natives will grow," said Prof. Axel Pluennecke of the Cologne Institute for Economic Research. "We are going to need massive investments in education after the pandemic, including targeted tutoring, to avoid a lost generation of pupils."

(Additional reporting by John Irish in Paris; Editing by Alexandra Hudson)
U.S. Rep. Thomas Massie speaks at a second amendment rally outside the Kentucky State Capitol building in Frankfort, Ky. on Friday. Jan. 31, 2020.

Two Republican congressmen fear "hyper-politicization" will mean unfair treatment for some of the suspects in the Jan. 6 riot at the U.S. Capitol.

Rep. Thomas Massie, the Republican congressman who represents Northern Kentucky, and Rep. Chip Roy, a Texas Republican, outlined their concerns in a May 13 letter to Attorney General Merrick Garland.

"Those that damaged property and assaulted police officers on January 6th should rightfully face justice," Massie and Roy wrote in the joint letter. "However, the public outcry and hyper-politicization of the events on January 6th may incentivize prosecutors to use overly aggressive tactics, overcharge, and abuse the power of the federal government in order to satisfy favored political groups."

On the day of the riot, the threat posed by the crowd concerned Massie enough that he grabbed his gun and barricaded himself and a few staffers in his office in the Capitol complex.

Read more: How the mystery man in the Carhartt cap was identified as a Kentuckian

More than 400 people across the country face federal charges for the attack on the Capitol following a pro-Trump rally on Jan. 6.

In the letter, Massie and Roy said they had "reports" federal prosecutors can't make plea deals without permission from "political appointees" at the Department of Justice. The letter doesn't cite the reports or name the political appointees.

The Enquirer reached out to Roy, Massie and the DOJ seeking clarification.

Mr. Roys office has spoken with attorneys handling these cases and we cant comment any further than that, said John Kennedy, Massie's spokesman, in a statement.

Messages to Roy and the DOJ on Monday weren't immediately returned Monday morning.

So far, federal prosecutors have reached one plea deal. Jon Ryan Schaffer, of Indiana, pleaded guilty to felony counts of obstruction of an official proceeding, and entering and remaining in a restricted building or grounds with a deadly or dangerous weapon. Schaffer is a member of the Oath Keepers, which the FBI described as a paramilitary organization.

Story continues

Related: FBI arrests another man in Louisville in connection with deadly U.S. Capitol riot

Prosecutors say Schaffer, armed with bear spray and wearing a tactical vest, put himself at the front of a crowd that pushed past four Capitol Police officers into the building.

Prosecutors have offered plea deals to more defendants, the New York Times, Associated Press and other agencies have reported.

Massie and Roy also questioned some of the tactics of federal agents in the arrests and raids of suspects related to the Jan. 6 riots.

"There are disturbing reports of heavily armed teams of federal agents bursting into family homes to arrest individuals with no history or likelihood of violence, and even one report of federal agents raiding the wrong home," Massie and Roy wrote.

Massie and Roy didn't cite any more examples. The one incident related to raiding the wrong home might refer to a raid on the home of a woman in Homer, Alaska. FBI agents briefly handcuffed the woman and told them they were looking for Nancy Pelosi's laptop, the Associated Press reported. The woman claimed they had the wrong house and person. News reports have been unable to confirm whether authorities targeted the right person.

Massie and Roy asked for Garland to brief Congress by May 30 on the approval of plea agreements and use of force in raids surrounding the Jan. 6 riot.

"Please give this matter your immediate attention," they wrote. "We look forward to hearing from you."

Read the full letter below:

Roy DOJ Ltr Capitol Events 05.13.21 by Scott Wartman on Scribd

This content is not available due to your privacy preferences. Update your settings here to see it.

This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Capitol riot: Rep. Thomas Massie warns of prosecutorial overreach
(Bloomberg) -- Scott Stringer, the New York City Comptroller who is running for mayor, criticized hedge fund managers Ken Griffin and Dan Loeb for contributing to political committees that support his opponents in the race, accusing the billionaire money managers of trying to privatize public education.

Griffin, the founder of Citadel, and Loeb, founder of Third Point LLC, each gave $500,000 to independent political action committees known as super PACs that support Eric Adams and Andrew Yang, two of Stringers opponents in the upcoming June 22 Democratic primary for mayor. Griffin and Loeb have donated millions in campaign contributions to expand charter schools and to the schools themselves, while Stringer is backed by New York Citys main teachers union.

Theyre not satisfied with just owning one candidate  they want two, Stringer said. And the one candidate that they dont own is me. And Im going to have the resources and the support to take them on.

Loeb has clashed for years with Randi Weingarten, former head of the city union, the United Federation of Teachers, whos now the president of the national American Federation of Teachers. Loeb supports charter schools, which are privately run but publicly funded. Charter supporters say the schools offer a better alternative to struggling public schools, especially for poor students.

But charter schools are also usually not unionized. Unions say the schools dont enroll students from the poorest families or those with special needs, cherry picking students who are likely to be easier to teach while draining funds from public coffers.

Yang spokesperson Eric Soufer said Stringers attack of the campaign for receiving the help of billionaires with a pro-charter school agenda is a sign of desperation. Hes made a career of taking money from anyone and everyone, including Wilbur Ross and other Republicans, Soufer said.

Adams spokesperson Evan Theis said, The campaign has nothing to do with those committees and it would be inappropriate for us to comment on them. Super PACs are permitted to operate as long as they do not act in coordination with official political campaigns.

Story continues

Loeb is a primary backer of the Success Academy Charter Schools in New York, and Griffin, whose charity donated $10 million to Success Academy in 2018, has long been an opponent of the teachers union in Chicago, where Citadel is headquartered.

For this election, Loeb, Griffin, and fellow hedge fund titans Stanley Druckenmiller and Paul Tudor Jones each gave $500,000 to an Adams-supporting Super PAC, Strong Leadership NYC Inc., set up by Jenny Sedlis, executive director of StudentsFirstNY, a charter school backer. Loeb and Griffin each also gave $500,000 to Yang via another private fundraising group, Comeback PAC.

Read More: Four Hedge Fund Titans Each Give $500,000 to PAC for Adams

Meanwhile, the AFT and UFT have set up their own Super PAC for Stringer, called NY4Kids Inc., seeding it with $1.5 million.

Representatives for Loeb and Griffin didnt immediately respond to a request for comment.

More stories like this are available on bloomberg.com

Subscribe now to stay ahead with the most trusted business news source.

2021 Bloomberg L.P.
The St. Louis lawyer who brandished a firearm at Black Lives Matter protesters last year has officially entered the 2022 race for Missouris open Senate seat.

Mark McCloskey tweeted he will have a huge announcement on Fox News host Tucker Carlsons show Tuesday evening, but his Senate campaign website went live hours before the appearance.

Mark has never before run for political office, but he has now answered the call of public duty and is running for the United States Senate from Missouri to fill the seat of retiring Sen. Roy Blunt, his website says.

Mark is a Conservative outsider who will bring backbone and guts to the US Senate to continue fighting for President Trumps agenda.

McCloskey officially filed a campaign committee with the Federal Election Commission Tuesday. The first-time candidate joins the Republican primary race with former Missouri Gov. Eric Greitens and Missouri Attorney General Eric Schmitt, both of whom announced their bids on the same cable channel.

McCloskey, 64, and his wife, Patricia McCloskey, became conservative celebrities last year after they pointed firearms at Black Lives Matter protesters that had entered their private road in St. Louis. They were headed toward then-St. Louis Mayor Lyda Krewsons house.

The couple were charged with a class E felony for unlawful use of a weapon after the incident, but Missouri Gov. Mike Parson has already promised to pardon them if they are found guilty in the still-pending case.

The couple appeared at last years Republican National Convention after then-President Donald Trump asked Parson to intervene in their case.

When Carlson introduced McCloskey Tuesday evening, he referred to him as a former Democrat who had his views changed by the 2020 incident. McCloskey said he has always been a Republican and that the description of him as a former Democrat was a fake news slur, which elicited laughter from the Fox News host.

Voters in Missouri do not actually register with a political party, but McCloskey has given to candidates of both parties in the past, including former Missouri Democratic Sen. Claire McCaskill and former Democratic Missouri Rep. Russ Carnahan, according to FEC records.

Story continues

During the interview, McCloskey referred to the concept systemic racism as a lie and claimed after President Joe Bidens administration took office theres been a wholesale slaughter of our civil liberties.

McCloskey has previously engaged in conspiracy-mongering about the 2020 presidential election, claiming on Twitter three days after Jan. 6 Capitol riot that Trump won the legitimate vote.

He sparked chatter about a potential Senate run last month with a speaking appearance at the Jackson County Republican Committees annual dinner, an event which also featured Schmitt and Greitens.

In his speech, McCloskey claimed he and his wife were warned that a mob would murder them and burn their house down when they held a second protest outside their home, an account vigorously denied by organizers and contradicted by contemporary press reports that described the rally as peaceful.

In a three and half-minute campaign launch video posted Tuesday evening, McCloskey ominously declares, Mark my words. The mob is coming for all of us. The ad juxtaposes footage of McCloskey walking down a dilapidated urban street with footage of him working on a tractor in idyllic rural setting.

McCaskill derided McCloskeys expected campaign announcement on Twitter Tuesday morning.

The new Republican Party in my state. The only qualification you need to run for US Senate is to wave a gun around at Black people, said McCaskill, who represented Missouri for two Senate terms and now serves as an analyst for MSNBC.

McCloskey and Greitens, who battled felony charges in 2018 before his resignation, were both charged by the same prosecutor, St. Louis Circuit Attorney Kim Gardner, who has become a favorite target of Missouris political right.

McCloskey has been represented in his his case by Al Watkins, the same lawyer who represented the ex-husband of Greitens alleged victim and who distributed the audio containing the allegations against Greitens to the media.

The Stars Jonathan Shorman contributed to this report.
Be'er Sheva, Southern Israel  As the international community ramped up pressure for a cease-fire deal, senior Hamas officials laid out their conditions on Wednesday for a truce with Israel to end the current cycle of bloodshed in the Mideast. But as Israel's leader stressed that the airstrikes on Gaza would continue until Hamas stops firing rockets, the militant group's terms seemed unlikely to bring a breakthrough.

As the fighting continued for a 10th day, officials in Gaza said 227 people had been killed by the intense Israeli airstrikes, including 64 children. In Israel, 12 people have been killed by the ongoing barrage of rocket fire from Hamas, including two children.

The airstrikes continued in Gaza overnight, with the Israeli military saying it had attacked dozens of underground Hamas targets. Hamas and its allies continued firing rockets from Gaza at Israel, launching at least 50 early on Wednesday, 10 of which fell short, the Israeli military said.

Hamas officials confirmed the group's negotiating position to CBS News on Wednesday, saying it would only stop launching rockets at Israel if two conditions were met, both pertaining to Jerusalem: That Israeli forces and police agree to never again enter the al-Aqsa mosque, as they did earlier this month, and that Palestinians living in the Sheikh Jarrah neighborhood in disputed east Jerusalem not be evicted by Jewish settlers from homes their families have lived in since the 1950s.

A Palestinian demonstrator holds a Hamas flag as he runs during a protest over cross-border violence between Palestinian militants in Gaza and the Israeli military, in Hebron, in the Israeli-occupied West Bank on May 18, 2021. / Credit: MUSSA ISSA QAWASMA/REUTERS

Israel's military would not comment on any plans for a cease-fire on Wednesday, but Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu made it clear that his military's work was not over.

"With every passing day we are striking at more of the terrorist organizations' capabilities, targeting more senior commanders, toppling more terrorist buildings and hitting more weaponry stockpiles," he said, before adding that he was "determined to continue this operation until its objective is achieved: to restore quiet and security to you, citizens of Israel."

Story continues

Netanyahu also thanked Israel's allies, and the U.S. in particular, for supporting the country's right to self-defense.

But Washington also appeared to be ratcheting up the pressure on Israel, with President Biden telling Netanyahu in a phone call on Wednesday morning that he "expected a significant de-escalation today on the path to a cease-fire," according to a description of the call from the White House.

The United Nations Security Council has been blocked by the United States thus far from issuing a unanimous statement calling for an immediate cease-fire, as the U.N. Secretary-General has done personally.

On Wednesday, Security Council member France said it would propose a new resolution, along with Israel's neighbors Jordan and Egypt, calling for a cease-fire and a renewed push for a two-state solution  the establishment of an independent state of Palestine alongside Israel  to address the underlying cause of conflict.

Israel's Ambassador to the U.S. and U.N. Gilad Erdan said the U.N. should "condemn strongly the launching of missiles and rockets at our civilians and they should back Israel's efforts to degrade and dismantle the Hamas terror machine," but he told CBS News' Pamela Falk, "unfortunately, as we know, this is not what will happen."

On the conflict with Hamas, Erdan said, "They are looking for a cease-fire, but we are looking for a cure and not a Band-Aid."

Meanwhile, Palestinians in Israel and the occupied West Bank have taken to the streets in the biggest protests seen in years to denounce the Israel for its military assault on the densely-populated Gaza Strip.

Many Palestinian businesses remained closed on Tuesday as an organized strike coincided with the so-called "day of rage" protests. Four protesters were shot and killed during clashes with Israeli forces.

"We are trying to give one message that we are one people, one country, one land for the whole Palestinians," protester Maisoon Ali, 55, told CBS News at a demonstration in Ramallah, in the West Bank.

But the violence showed no signs of yielding. In the southern Israeli city of Be'er Sheva, near Gaza, alarms sounded again on Wednesday to warn of a new salvo of rockets incoming from the tiny Palestinian enclave.

Resident Liav, 40, told CBS News he wasn't worried.

"We've lived here a long time. We're used to this kind of trouble. Civilians here in Israel need to do what they do best: protect themselves and let [the Israeli military] win."

One of the big questions that remained unanswered on Wednesday was what the Israeli government would deem a win.

Billy Porter reveals he's HIV positive

New York AG launches criminal probe into Trump Organization

Netanyahu says Israel will continue strikes despite U.S. and global calls for ceasefire
Arlington, Virginia  While they were stuck at home last year during the pandemic, Virginia high school seniors Sithiya Reshmee and Farah Bahr decided to start a candy company  even though they knew nothing about making candy.

"Our first batch of chocolate covered strawberries, it was not good," said Bahr.

The two learned by trial and error.

"We watched a lot of TikTok videos on how to package," said Reshmee. "So TikTok, thank you so much for that."

"It helped us a lot," Bahr added.

Virginia high school seniors Farah Bahr and Sithiya Reshmee learned how to make candy to sell during the pandemic. / Credit: CBS News

The pair didn't just need something to do, they needed money because their parents lost jobs during the pandemic.

"I was definitely thinking about saving up for college," Bahr said. "My parents, they pay for too much."

Fast forward a year and their business, F&R Sweets, is the bomb. The cocoa bomb, that is. It's one of their best-sellers.

"We had this huge order and we only had one, like, mold to make it with. And it was like an order for 50 cocoa bombs and we stayed up till like 1 a.m. making these cocoa bombs," Reshmee said.

They pulled it off, even though they had school and homework.

"I feel accomplished in a way for an 18-year-old. And that's like really big. I feel like I made my parents really proud," Reshmee said.

They each earned enough money to help their families, which may be the sweetest part of it all.

Virginia high school seniors Sithiya Reshmee and Farah Bahr started making and selling candy after their parents lost their jobs during the pandemic. / Credit: Handout

2 high school students turn candy making into sweet success

Actor Charles Grodin has died at 86

Millions risk losing homes when eviction moratorium ends
The two leading candidates to succeed Angela Merkel are presenting a distinct choice about Germany's role in the world, between pragmatic continuity and a more assertive stance, particularly with regard to China and Russia.

Merkel's conservatives with their candidate Armin Laschet, 60, and the Greens' challenger, Annalena Baerbock, 40, are neck-and-neck in the polls four months before a general election that will mark the end of the veteran chancellor's era.

Both have limited experience in global politics.

Laschet was a member of the European Parliament in the early 2000s and now leads Germany's most populous state. Baerbock served as the assistant to a Green MEP from 2005 to 2008 and holds a degree in international law from the London School of Economics.

Both have voiced their alignment with the United States and their commitment to Europe and NATO.

But when it comes to issues concerning major powers China and Russia, the two sharply differ.

Analysts note that while Laschet is largely seen as the continuity candidate likely to keep to Merkel's diplomatic line, Baerbock may well bring a change in tone when it comes to issues surrounding Beijing and Moscow.

- Pragmatic approach -

Presenting his diplomatic strategy on Wednesday, Laschet called for a pragmatic approach to Russia, which he said could be seen as a "partner" in certain contexts.

"But on the other hand, where international rules are violated, Russia must also be shown where the line is," he said.

He described China as a "partner, competitor and rival", highlighting both "economic relations that are of great relevance to us" and differences when it comes to "human and societal questions".

This stance puts him in line with Merkel, who has always argued that it was possible to find common interests and keep doing business with Russia and China while also voicing differences on issues like human rights.

Story continues

Merkel has for example stuck by the controversial 10-billion-euro ($11-billion) Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline from Russia to Germany, despite escalating rows with Moscow over issues including its annexation of Crimea or the poisoning of opposition figure Alexei Navalny.

Laschet has said the government "is following the right course" on Nord Stream.

But Baerbock wants the pipeline scrapped, saying it undermines sanctions against Russia and poses an environmental threat.

More generally, in an interview with the Frankfurter Allgemeine daily in April, Baerbock said she was in favour of a "different approach to authoritarian regimes".

"Baerbock takes a clearly critical stance towards autocrats, whether in the Kremlin or in Beijing," Thorsten Benner, director of the Global Public Policy Institute think tank, told AFP.

- Competing systems -

On China, Laschet would also be broadly expected to keep to the course of Merkel, who was at the forefront of negotiating an investment deal between Beijing and the EU at the end of 2020 and has been ramping up business ties with China for some years.

In an interview with the Frankfurter Allgemeine, Laschet said it was "not acceptable what is happening with Uyghurs in China".

"Nevertheless, we have business relationships, scientific relationships, technological relationships," he added.

Baerbock has come out more strongly over China's treatment of the Uyghur minority.

While she acknowledged that "it's not human rights on one side and economic interests on this side", she said Europe can decline to purchase any goods made in regions where violations are being committed, for instance in Xinjiang.

She charged in April that the EU had "not sufficiently addressed the issue of forced labour in relation to the oppressed Uyghur minority" in relation to the EU-China investment deal.

Rights groups say up to one million Uyghurs and people from other mostly Muslim groups are detained in internment camps in the northwest Xinjiang region of China.

Baerbock has also warned against Chinese tech companies such as Huawei harvesting data in Europe.

Giving a hint of how she planned to push through her stance against international players, Baerbock said in an interview with media group RND: "It's not enough to bang on the table.

"One needs a clear position, and one's own compass, in order to fully exploit the entire spectrum of diplomacy -- dialogue, incentives and toughness."

mat-fec/mfp/bp
May 18Howard County schools Superintendent Michael Martirano on Monday announced the system is once again increasing capacity for its in-person high school graduation ceremonies at Merriweather Post Pavilion starting in less than two weeks.

Martirano wrote in the release that the Gov. Larry Hogan's state orders last week lifting capacity restrictions on outdoor venues allow the school system, in conjunction with Merriweather, to allow more family members and friends of graduates to attend. Now, each graduate will receive six tickets for guests.

Originally, when planning began earlier this spring, graduates were going to be given only two tickets. Then, last week, as the county's coronavirus numbers showed vast improvement, the number was doubled to four.

Another change is where guests may sit. Before, guests were only allowed to sit on the lawn at Merriweather, but after the new guidance, guests can sit in the pavilion or on the lawn. Merriweather Post Pavilion in Columbia, which has a large lawn space behind its covered seating, has a capacity of around 19,000.

The easing of restrictions, according to Martirano, is due in part to the county's high vaccination rate and quickly improving coronavirus metrics. The virus's presence in Howard County is lower than at nearly any time during the pandemic. Howard, which boasts the highest rate in the state at 61.7% of all residents (adults and children) at least partially vaccinated, has a weekly positivity rate of 1.21% and has had only 80 COVID-19 cases in the past seven days  both of which are lower than at any point since last spring  according to the Maryland Department of Health on Tuesday.

Last spring, after the coronavirus first shuttered school buildings, the topic of graduations was an important one for many in the community  especially for parents with seniors in the Class of 2020. The system decided to cancel the in-person events and instead streamed prerecorded ceremonies.

Story continues

Graduations for the 12 public high schools  as well as Cedar Lane School  will be on a staggered schedule between May 28 and June 4. They will also be streamed online and broadcast on television (Channel 42 on Verizon and Channel 95 on Comcast).

Here is the 2021 graduation schedule:

 Cedar Lane School*  10 a.m. May 28

 Wilde Lake  3 p.m. May 28

 Mt. Hebron  11 a.m. June 1

 Oakland Mills  3 p.m. June 1

 Atholton  7 p.m. June 1

 Marriotts Ridge  11 a.m. June 2

 Centennial  3 p.m. June 2

 Howard  7 p.m. June 2

 Reservoir  11 a.m. June 3

 Glenelg  3 p.m. June 3

 Long Reach  7 p.m. June 3

 Hammond  11 a.m. June 4

 River Hill  3 p.m. June 4

*Cedar Lane School's graduation will be on school grounds in Fulton, not at Merriweather. Homewood Center students will graduate with their home schools.
The recall of Mats Hummels to the heart of the Germany defence will strengthen their back four at the Euro 2020 finals, based on his impressive performances this season for Borussia Dortmund.

Two years after both Hummels, 32, and Thomas Mueller, 31, were axed by Joachim Loew from the Germany squad, the pair have been recalled for the European Championship due to current form.

"I'm glad to be back @dfb_team. I'm really up for a new chapter," Hummels posted on Instagram Wednesday.

Just as he had for his club, the centre-back can lend experience to a youthful German defence.

He has excelled in recent weeks to help Dortmund lift the German Cup and qualify for the Champions League by winning their last six Bundesliga games.

Hummels' ability to deliver accurate long-range passes from the back can quickly turn defence into attack.

He will bring a calming influence to a Germany defence drained of confidence by a 6-0 thrashing in Spain and shock home defeat to North Macedonia this season.

The five goals Hummels has scored in the 2020/21 Bundesliga is his best single-season haul in a decade - the same figure he scored in Dortmund's 2010/11 title-winning campaign under Jurgen Klopp.

He can be lethal in the air but can also tuck chances away having played as a striker earlier in his career.

He scored twice in a man-of-the-match performance in Dortmund's 2-0 win at Arminia Bielefeld last October, a week after his headed goal sealed a 3-0 win over Schalke in the Ruhr derby.

He turns 33 in December and has compensated for any loss in pace by anticipating where the ball will go and ensuring he is a step ahead of his opponent.

He was a cornerstone of the Germany team which won the 2014 World Cup in Brazil.

It was Hummels' bullet header at the Maracana in Rio de Janeiro which sealed a nervy 1-0 win over France in the quarter-finals.

Hummels had made 70 appearances for Germany and scored five goals before Loew's decision to axe him, Mueller and Jerome Boateng in March 2019.

Story continues

The trio bore the brunt of Loew's sweeping changes after the disastrous 2018 World Cup campaign when Germany finished last in their group.

Hummels, like most of his team-mates, played poorly in Russia and missed several headed chances in the 2-0 defeat to South Korea which confirmed the Germans' exit.

Hummels came through the Bayern Munich youth academy, but rose to prominence at Dortmund, where he flourished under then coach Klopp.

He was an integral player in a swashbuckling young Dortmund team which won back-to-back Bundesliga titles and thrashed Bayern in the 2012 German Cup final.

He anchored the Dortmund defence in a 2-1 defeat to Bayern Munich in the 2013 Champions League final at Wembley.

In 2016, Hummels joined Bayern in a deal worth 35 million euros ($42 million), winning three straight Bundesliga titles alongside his Germany centre-back partner Boateng.

However, Hummels' days were numbered when Bayern signed French World Cup winner Lucas Hernandez in March 2019 for a club record 80 million euros.

With Hernandez's France team-mate Benjamin Pavard also signed for 35 million euros, Hummels returned to Dortmund for 2019/20.

ryj/dmc
After organizers announced a "full-scale return" last month, IFA 2021 in Berlin has been canceled as physical live event due to COVID-19 health concerns. Last year, it was held in a limited way, but coronavirus infection figures in Germany and elsewhere are much higher now than they were at this time last year.

"Ultimately, several key global health metrics did not move as fast in the right direction as had been hoped for," IFA stated in a press release. "This in turn is adding uncertainty for the companies that were committed or interested in coming to Berlin, as well as media and visitors." Organizers also cited uncertainties about vaccination rates and new COVID-19 variants appearing around the world.

It was surprising when organizers announced that IFA 2021 would take place at all, let alone as a full-scale event. At that point in mid-April, coronavirus cases in Germany were near a peak of over 20,000 new infections per day on average, compared to 3,000 new cases in 2020 at the same time.

The news raises question about the viability of MWC 2021 in Barcelona. A number of companies including Oracle, Sony, Nokia and Ericsson had already dropped out in March, and Samsung recently said it wouldn't attend either. On top of all that, the US embassy told attendees that they wouldn't be allowed entry into the country unless they meet very specific requirements or have already obtained special permission from the Government of Spain. The event is still set to take place starting on June 28th  for now.
Former Post Office subpostmaster Janet Skinner, centre, celebrating outside the Royal Courts of Justice after having her conviction overturned by the Court of Appeal - Yui Mok/PA

The inquiry into the Post Office scandal has been given powers to compel witnesses, the business minister has announced.

Conservative MP Paul Scully told the Commons that the inquiry into the Horizon scandal, which is being led by retired High Court judge Sir Wyn Williams, will be given the extra powers in order to get to the bottom of this appalling affair".

Mr Scully confirmed that it was with the agreement of Boris Johnson, the Prime Minister, that he would now convert the inquiry to a statutory footing on June 1 2021, with the report due in Autumn 2022, as opposed to this summer.

He said: "Together, these changes will give Sir Wyn the powers and the time he needs to conduct an in-depth analysis of the decision-making processes that led to the Horizon scandal.

"He will be able to compel organisations to provide documents and witnesses to give evidence under oath if necessary."

Mr Scully promised MPs that "nothing is off the table", as he insisted that the Government want to make sure that we get justice and we get those answers for people, and that includes the role of government.

It comes as Paula Vennells, who ran the Post Office between 2012 and 2019, confirmed she would appear as a witness regarding what is considered the UK's biggest miscarriage of justice, which saw subpostmasters accused of stealing money due to problems with its Horizon IT system.

Ms Vennells said in a statement: "It is beyond doubt there are serious and unanswered questions as to the manner in which subpostmasters were wrongly prosecuted.

Ms Vennells, the former Post Office boss, said she would now 'focus fully on working with the ongoing Government Inquiry' into the Horizon scandal - Post Office/PA

"All those involved in any way have a duty to those subpostmasters and their families, who were innocent victims, to ensure that this can never happen again."

Meanwhile, Darren Jones, chairman of the business, energy and industrial strategy committee, said: The Post Office-Horizon scandal has seen subpostmasters and postal workers suffer grievously and be victim of an appalling miscarriage of justice. Its vital those affected receive proper compensation, that those who were responsible are held accountable, and, finally, that lessons are learned to ensure that something like this can never happen again.

Story continues

Seema Malhotra, the shadow business minister, said: "The Post Office is a government-owned company that has been found to be at fault, it's vital the Government act to improve the corporate structure of the Post Office to prevent this kind of thing ever happening again.

"It should never have been allowed to develop into the scandal it is but all we can do now is to ensure that we get to the truth, and that those wrongly convicted get justice and lessons are learned."

Nick Read, chief executive of the Post Office, said the company would "cooperate fully" with Sir Wyn.
BEIJING (AP)  Israels Embassy in China is protesting what it describes as blatant antisemitism on a program run by the overseas channel of state broadcaster CCTV discussing the ongoing violence in Gaza and elsewhere.

In a tweet, the embassy said we have hoped that the times of the Jews controlling the world conspiracy theories were over, unfortunately antisemitism has shown its ugly face again.

We are appalled to see blatant antisemitism expressed in an official Chinese media outlet," the tweet said.

On the Tuesday CGTN broadcast, host Zheng Junfeng questioned whether U.S. support for Israel was truly based on shared democratic values, saying some people believe that U.S. pro-Israeli policy is traceable to the influence of wealthy Jews in the U.S. and the Jewish lobby on U.S. foreign policy makers.

Jews dominate finance and and internet sectors, Zheng says, speaking in English. So do they have the powerful lobbies some say? Possible.

Zheng then accused the U.S.  Chinas top geopolitical rival  of using Israel as a beachhead in the Middle East and a as proxy in its campaign to defeat pan-Arabism.

Spokesperson Erez Katz Volovelsky said Wednesday the embassy had nothing to add to its tweet and had so far received no reply from CGTN, which CCTV operates for foreign audiences, similar to Russias RT.

There was no immediate comment from CCTV and Foreign Ministry spokesperson Zhao Lijian said he was not aware of the situation."

China has repeatedly stated its position on the Palestine-Israel situation," Zhao told reporters at a daily briefing.

China has long been a strong backer of the Palestinian cause and in recent days the Foreign Ministry has castigated the U.S. for blocking a statement in the United Nations Security Council condemning the violence.

Yet, since establishing formal diplomatic relations with Israel in 1992, Beijing has nurtured close economic, technological and military ties, including the purchase of early model Israeli drones.

Judaism is not one of China's officially recognized religions and stereotypes about Jews as shrewd businesspeople and market manipulators are common among the Chinese public.
An Italian judge on Wednesday dropped the case against a German captain arrested for forcibly docking her ship with migrants on board, the NGO that operates the vessel said.

Carola Rackete was arrested in June 2019 after guiding the Sea-Watch 3 rescue boat into port on the Italian island of Lampedusa, knocking a coastguard boat out of the way to land more than 40 migrants who were blocked at sea for over two weeks.

She acted in defiance of a veto imposed by then-interior minister Matteo Salvini, leader of the far-right League party, under a "closed ports" policy designed to stem the flow of illegal migration onto Italy's shores.

A judge overturned the arrest three days later, saying Rackete had acted to save lives. The decision was later upheld by Italy's high court, although the underlying case was still pending.

On Wednesday, that case against Rackete -- who became a left-wing hero for her actions -- was finally shelved, a Sea Watch Italy spokesman told AFP.

Prosecutors in Agrigento, Sicily, had already declared she acted out of necessity with a duty to bring the migrants on her ship to safety.

"With the dropping of the investigation into Carola Rackete, the judge in Agrigento has recognised the need to save human lives," one of her lawyers, Salvatore Tesoriero, told the Adnkronos news agency.

Italy is a prime entry point for Europe-bound migrants with more than 13,000 landing on its shores this year alone, according to Interior Minister Luciana Lamorgese.

Most are from Libya, followed by Tunisia, she told a parliamentary hearing Wednesday, a day ahead of a visit to Tunis with EU home affairs commissioner Ylva Johansson.

The stretch of water between Sicily and North Africa is also one of the world's deadliest migration routes.

Salvini himself faces trial in September in Palermo for kidnapping and abuse of office for refusing to allow dozens of migrants off the Open Arms rescue ship for six days in August 2019.

aa-ar/ams/bp
A man who tweeted insults at a Japanese reality TV star after her suicide was fined $12,000 on Wednesday after his comments had sparked concern over cyberbullying.

The civil lawsuit for defamation was filed by the mother of Hana Kimura, a cast member of the Netflix show "Terrace House", who took her life a year ago aged 22.

A lawyer representing Kimura's mother Kyoko Kimura told AFP that the court had ordered the man -- whose name has not been publicly revealed -- to pay 1.29 million yen.

"I am truly grateful that the court recognised it was an act of serious slander," Kyoko Kimura told reporters after the proceedings, which the man did not attend.

"What I truly had in my mind was that I wanted the individual to face what he had done. There was absolutely no display of that. And that was unfortunate."

The man had tweeted at Kimura's account shortly after her death, "Everyone is happy thanks to your death. Thank you," Japanese media reports said.

"The show got cancelled because of your suicide. Who do you think you are, causing trouble until the end? Go to hell," he wrote.

Kimura, a pink-haired professional wrestler, was a fan favourite on the internationally popular show in which six young people share a home while looking for love.

But she was targeted by a torrent of abuse online.

The show was cancelled after Kimura's death, which also prompted Japanese ministers and lawmakers to move to tackle cyberbullying.

In March, a different man was fined 9,000 yen over online abuse directed at Kimura, without the case going to trial.

He had sent online messages to the wrestler saying "You have such an awful personality. Is your life worth living?" and "Hey, hey. When will you die?"

A third man has also reportedly been fined over cyberbullying Kimura.

nf/kaf/lb
JetBlue CEO Robin Hayes joins "CBS This Morning" to discuss the state of the travel industry as many Americans start to fly again.

Video Transcript

GAYLE KING: We're going to begin with breaking news, because just in time for summer tourism, the European Union will reopen its borders to fully vaccinated visitors. Did you hear that part? Fully vaccinated visitors. And those from COVID safe countries. The US Travel industry already is seeing a big, big jump in passengers. April bookings were up 11% over April of 2019, and many people want to fly internationally. They are ready to go.

This morning, JetBlue announces it will soon fly to London for the very first time. So starting today, you can book trips between New York's JFK airport and London's Heathrow and Gatwick airports. Flights begin in August, so start packing your bags. First on "CBS This Morning," JetBlue CEO, there he is, Robin Hayes joins us from the airline's hangar at JFK Robin, good to have you back. Nice to see you, sir.

ROBIN HAYES: Great to see you again, Gayle. Thanks for having me.

GAYLE KING: Well, you're making people very excited about your new flight plans. And it's coming as there is a lot of talk about surging prices, but I heard you say, Robin Hayes, that JetBlue is going to figure out a way to lower the prices. How can you do that? And what does that mean exactly?

ROBIN HAYES: Well, now what we do best, is we fly to places that have really high fares and we find a way of lowering them, and that's what we're doing today. As anyone knows who's flown across the Atlantic over the last few years, the airlines charge extremely high fares, particularly for business class. And really have been gouging people for a very long time. So as of today, we're announcing that we are going to put that right, just as we've been doing for over 20 years in the US. And we've announced new fares in both our core and our business class, our new Mint experience, which we think will reduce fares by up to about 50% over what people have been paying in the past.

Story continues

GAYLE KING: Well, Robin, can you, when you say put that right, I love your accent. Could you give us some numbers so we know what we're talking about exactly? I've heard, you know, you can get a fare about $700 round trip, $800 round trip. What does that mean for you guys?

ROBIN HAYES: Sure, so sure. When we launched Mint on JFK-LAX back in 2014, we started fares at $599. We're announcing today a new fare in our Mint cabin, a newly reimagined Mint cabin, so individual suites for everyone, at $1,979 round trip, and that includes all taxes and all charges. That's under $1,000 each way for a lie flat, private suite experience with free live TV, free Wi-Fi and all the other things people are used to from JetBlue.

LEVAR BURTON: Robin, LeVar Burton here. Why is international travel so important to the airline industry right now?

ROBIN HAYES: Well, you know, US airlines have seen a big bounce back in the domestic market. We've seen that really be very strong since late February, early March. There's a lot of pent up demand for international travel. It's harder, because there are more restrictions that governments have put in place around COVID. But as those restrictions ease through vaccination requirements or testing requirements, that pent up demand will book. And so we're actually expecting an extremely strong summer here with our new flights to London.

ANTHONY MASON: Robin, it's Anthony Mason. What percentage of your domestic flight travel is back? And when do you expect it to be back to pre-pandemic levels?

ROBIN HAYES: We actually expect this summer, the peak summer to be flying capacity very similar to what we were flying in the summer 2019. So I think that talks to how quickly things have rebounded here in the US. Now we got to get more international markets open, we got to do it safely, but we've got to give people a chance to travel, visiting friends and family, people they haven't seen for a very long time, and you know, we're looking forward to that happening over the next few months. And news from the EU today is very, very helpful in that regard.

GAYLE KING: Robin, do you happen to know what percentage of your crew, the flight attendants and the pilots, are vaccinated? Delta just announced they're going to make the requirement for their new employees. Do you plan to do the same? And what do you know about the vaccination records of your team?

ROBIN HAYES: Yeah, so you know, the majority of our crew members have been vaccinated. We are strongly encouraging it. We're not mandating it at this point. It is likely that some countries will require operating crew, so pilots and in-flight crew members to be vaccinated in the future. We don't know that yet, it's still very early. But we are strongly encouraging the vaccine for all of our people.

ANTHONY MASON: Robin Hayes, thank you very much for being with us this morning. We appreciate it. Stay flying out there.
May 19Johnstown airport leaders are looking for a new manager after Chad Gontkovic's "abrupt" resignation.

Gontkovic had been airport manager for about 15 months and is leaving due to a promotion in the Pennsylvania Air National Guard, members of the Johnstown-Cambria County Airport Authority said after Tuesday's meeting.

"We hate to see Chad go, but this is the best for Chad," personnel committee Chairman Jack Babich said.

The committee is preparing to launch a "full-blown" search for a manager, Babich said.

In the interim, some authority members may be asked to step in to help assistant manager Heather Tomasko and maintenance supervisor Josh Keyser, Babich said.

Authority Chairman Rick McQuaide does not expect any hiccups in transition.

"Our current staff can handle day-to-day operations without fail," McQuaide said. "Heather and Josh are fully trained in the positions. We are fully confident that we won't skip a beat during this process."

Authority member David Kalina said Tomasko and Keyser have already demonstrated their leadership ability during an emergency training exercise Saturday at the airport.

Reached after the meeting, Gontkovic said recent training and work with the Air National Guard led to his decision to step down from the airport role.

"I got a little more clarity on what the next two to three years of my life is going to look like," he said.

Gontkovic took the $75,000-a-year position in February 2020, two months after former manager Thomas Keyes resigned.

Randy Griffith is a multimedia reporter for The Tribune-Democrat. He can be reached at 532-5057. Follow him on Twitter @PhotoGriffer57.
By Svea Herbst-Bayliss

BOSTON (Reuters) - JPMorgan Chase has hired veteran banker Darren Novak from UBS to lead its shareholder activism defense efforts in Europe, the Middle East and Africa, three people familiar with the matter said.

He will be based in London, said the sources who asked not to be identified because the matter is private.

JPMorgan declined to comment and Novak did not respond to a request for comment.

Novak joined UBS in 2017 and moved to the London office from New York in 2019. He was UBS' Global Co-Head of Activist Defense. Before that he worked as a defense banker at Houlihan Lokey.

This is the most recent change in the activism defense ranks at JPMorgan after the bank hired Alfredo Porretti earlier this year to head its activism defense efforts in North America.

JPMorgan restructured its shareholder advisory business several months ago with David Freedman, a veteran dealmaker, who was tapped to lead the global shareholder engagement and M&A capital markets group.

Kirshlen Moodley, who headed the practice in Europe, Middle East and Africa for JPMorgan, left the bank in late 2020.

Activism defense has become a major franchise for investment banks, as hedge funds such as Elliott Management, Starboard Value and Third Point push for changes at companies.

Novak had been global Co-Head of Activist Defense at UBS with Aneliya Crawford, a former partner at law firm Schulte Roth & Zabel, who was hired by UBS in January.

(Reporting by Svea Herbst-Bayliss; editing by Emelia Sithole-Matarise)
Get essential education news and commentary delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up here for The 74s daily newsletter.

When a Florida elementary school principal was caught on video spanking a 6-year-old girl with a wooden paddle last month, it sparked national outrage and a criminal investigation. But for those who believed the principal should face arrest, a state prosecutors memo stung like a slap to the face.

Florida is one of 19 states in the country that allows corporal punishment in schools, but its prohibited in Hendry County, where the little girl was beaten, and state law requires educators to follow local rules. That was not enough, however, for state prosecutors to hold Principal Melissa Carter responsible for any wrongdoing. In a three-page memo outlining their decision not to pursue charges, they instead questioned the credibility of the girls mother, an undocumented immigrant who filmed the campus incident and shared it with local television station WINK. Officials concluded the mother consented to the beating and at no point spoke up to raise any objection.

That the prohibition in her own school district did not protect the Florida first-grader from being hit is just one example of how corporal punishment persists even in places where the practice is explicitly outlawed. About a dozen school districts in states where corporal punishment is banned reported using it on students more than 300 times during the 2017-18 school year, according to an analysis by The 74 of the most recent civil rights data from the U.S. Department of Education. And in Louisiana, a state where paddling is permitted except on students with disabilities, data show that special education students were hit nearly 100 times in 2017-18. Years of data have shown that students of color and those with disabilities are disproportionately subjected to corporal punishment, a practice that goes on despite a substantial body of research showing its harmful effects on youth development.

Story continues

To state Sen. Annette Taddeo, a Democrat who has worked for several years to ban corporal punishment in Florida schools, the Hendry County video is proof that physical punishment continues under the radar in her state. Yet without a statewide ban, she said its very, very difficult for prosecutors to have a case when educators dole out corporal punishment to students in violation of local rules.

This is a major problem when, even in areas where supposedly its not supposed to happen, its still happening, Taddeo told The 74. When the school boards say We dont want this in our counties, we as parents think OK, that takes care of it. It does not.





Districts in six states and the District of Columbia reported instances of corporal punishment in 2017-18 despite laws prohibiting its use. Of them, Chicago Public Schools accounted for the lions share, with children in the nations third-largest school district struck 226 times in school that year.

In a statement, Chicago Public Schools spokesman James Gherardi didnt refute the numbers but said that officials have worked in recent years to better prevent instances of abuse and hold accountable any adult who has harmed students, as well as those who have fallen short of their duty to keep students safe. He said the district reports all corporal punishment allegations to the U.S. Department of Education. Since 2019, all educators who face such accusations are immediately removed from the classroom and thoroughly investigated.

In September, the Chicago district agreed to pay $400,000 in court settlements after lawsuits accused educators of using physical force on two children with disabilities. Both educators were charged with felony aggravated battery. At the time, the students attorney said the incidents are part of a district culture where children with disabilities are routinely subjected to physical and emotional abuse at school.

Nationally, educators used corporal punishment on K-12 students nearly 100,000 times during the 2017-18 school year, according to the federal Civil Rights Data Collection. While educators use of corporal punishment has declined significantly in recent years, the practice remains prevelant almost exclusively in southern states where it is allowed. Mississippi was the national leader, with educators there subjecting students to corporal punishment nearly 28,000 times in one year.

The national numbers are likely a significant undercount, said Miriam Rollin, a director at the National Center for Youth Law. Every school district in the country self-reports its data to the federal government and theyve long been accused of underreporting data on the use of restraint and seclusion and other forms of harsh discipline. The same is likely true with corporal punishment, she said.

Its barbaric

Corporal punishment is generally defined as using physical pain through hitting, paddling, spanking or other forms of physical force as a means of discipline. Florida law defines the practice as the moderate use of physical force to maintain school rules. Meanwhile, one report defines it as violent school discipline through means that are generally assaultive acts.

Related: The Right Way to Spank a Child? WSJ Op-Ed Sparks Debate Over Corporal Punishment

In Louisiana, where educators are generally allowed to strike students, state and federal data show that children with disabilities continue to be subjected to corporal punishment despite a 2017 state law that banned its use on youth with special needs. In fact, state data show that Louisiana educators continued to use corporal punishment on children with disabilities as recently as last year.

Ted Beasley, the Louisiana Department of Education spokesman, said he was aware that districts continue to subject children with disabilities to corporal punishment despite the ban. But ultimately, its up to the very school districts that use physical discipline to investigate instances of improper corporal punishment, he said in an email. He said that parents could file formal complaints with the department if they believe their children were subjected to corporal punishment in violation of federal special education law that affords students with disabilities additional protections, but none have taken that step.

The 74 reached out to more than a dozen Louisiana districts that reported multiple instances of corporal punishment on children with disabilities since the statewide ban went into effect, but most didnt respond or declined requests for comment. A few offered explanations.

Data show that children with disabilities were subjected to corporal punishment at Caddo Parish Public Schools in Shreveport during both the 2017-18 and 2019-20 school years. Mary Nash-Wood, the district spokeswoman, acknowledged that some school leaders fought tooth and nail against a corporal punishment ban and that two educators faced unspecified disciplinary action for administering impermissible corporal punishment on students with disabilities in violation of state law.

She said the district has since banned the use of corporal punishment on all students, including those without disabilities, and has trained educators to use restorative justice and recognize the effects of childhood trauma. The effort required extensive work to change a mindset around corporal punishment and discipline to focus on why a child may be acting out rather than moving to punishment, she said in an email.

The Vernon Parish School District in Leesville reported 21 instances of corporal punishment on children with disabilities during the 2017-18 and 2019-20 school years, according to the state and federal data. But Assistant Superintendent Mike Kay denied that any of the instances ran afoul of the state law. Instead, he said that the students were classified as needing special education services in the months after they were hit in school, but that distinction wasnt apparent in the data.

Meanwhile in Florida, where individual districts are allowed to craft their own corporal punishment policies, the practice is used almost exclusively in the states rural, northernmost counties. During the 2017-18 school year, 19 of the states countywide school districts reported using physical punishment on kids more than 1,800 times.

But Taddeo, the state senator, suspects the practice persists elsewhere. On several occasions, the states decentralized approach has allowed educators to avoid criminal charges after hitting kids in violation of local rules, she said. In 2014, for example, a teachers aide in Broward County was arrested and accused of hitting a 10-year-old boy with autism for misbehaving in class. District policy prohibits corporal punishment in Broward County schools and an education committee found probable cause of alleged battery, yet her only punishment was a letter of reprimand, according to the Miami Herald.

Criminal charges against the aide were ultimately dropped and prosecutors wrote that they could not in good faith disregard state law permitting corporal punishment in schools despite the local rules. Five years later, the same teachers aide faced accusations that she cursed at and belittled children with disabilities.

Its against the law to impose corporal punishment on your cat or your dog or your horse, but you can do it to a little child. So it needs to end. Its barbaric and it opens the door to abuse. Brent Probinsky, Florida attorney

The most recent incident in Hendry County offers another example, said Bacardi Jackson, a managing attorney at the Southern Poverty Law Center. Though prosecutors concluded that the young girls mother consented to the paddling, that detail should be irrelevant in Hendry County where local rules prohibit educators from hitting kids, she said.

The principal should have known the law that applies to her own school, she said. The bottom line for us is this was illegal, it should not have happened to this girl.

Florida attorney Brent Probinsky

Attorney Brent Probinsky, who represents the girls mother, maintains that the paddling amounted to felony aggravated battery but prosecutors flawed legal analysis let Hendry County educators off the hook for what he called a very brutal and savage punishment. Hendry County school district officials declined to comment.

It would be an aggravated battery if you hit an adult with that paddle [and] the fact that she hit a little first-grader makes it even worse, Probinsky said, adding that the practice should be banned from schools in Florida and nationwide. Its against the law to impose corporal punishment on prisoners. Its against the law to impose corporal punishment on children in youth detention facilities. Its against the law to impose corporal punishment on your cat or your dog or your horse, but you can do it to a little child. So it needs to end. Its barbaric and it opens the door to abuse.

For Rollin of the National Center for Youth Law, the mere fact that the principal had a wooden paddle on hand in a county that bans corporal punishment raises additional red flags.

Clearly it was going on beyond the one incident caught on video, she said. You dont just happen to have a paddle laying around the office when youve never used it before.

A good ol fashioned spanking

To its detractors, corporal punishment in schools is an antiquated and damaging vestige of the past. And in many parts of the country, it is. New Jersey became the first state to ban the practice in schools  in 1867  and all but 19 have since followed suit, most recently New Mexico in 2011.

Today, a considerable body of research suggests the practice can lead to significant and lifelong harms. National groups including the American Academy of Pediatrics and the American Psychological Association have urged educators and parents to refrain from relying on corporal punishment, arguing that it does not bring about improvements in student behavior, but instead could cause emotional, behavioral and academic problems. Among them is a 2017 study in the peer-reviewed Journal of Pediatrics, which found that children who are spanked are far more likely to abuse intimate partners later in life.

In the 1970s, about 4 percent of U.S. students received corporal punishment at school while less than 1 percent of youth were subjected to the practice in recent years. During that time, lawmakers have increasingly put limits on its use.Even in states where the practice remains legal, school districts have imposed their own bans and in Mississippi, the state which outranks all others in striking students, lawmakers prohibited educators from spanking children with disabilities in 2019. In fact, 96 percent of public schools in the U.S. dont use corporal punishment to discipline kids, according to a 2019 report by the Southern Poverty Law Center. That students in just 4 percent of schools can still get hit in class makes it feel even more unfair, Jackson said.

Theres a firm belief among most of our folks that kids, when they get out of line, theres a direct connection between the rear end and the brain. Ted Roush, Suwannee County school district superintendent

But holdouts remain, and several offered passionate rebuttals to critics who hope to do away with physical discipline in schools. Among them is Ted Roush, the superintendent of the Suwannee County school district in northern Florida. His 6,000-student district was among Floridas most frequent users of corporal punishment in 2017-18, with 230 instances recorded in the federal data. Roush said that people in more conservative and rural regions of the Bible Belt like Suwannee County are a little more old school in the way they address issues. By giving students a couple of swats with a paddle, he said that educators avoid more severe disciplinary actions like suspensions that remove children from classrooms and away from learning.

Students do respond to a good ol fashioned spanking, especially when theyre younger, he said, adding that on some occasions parents drive down to the school to swat misbehaving children themselves.

Suwannee County Schools Superintendent Ted Roush

Theres a firm belief among most of our folks that kids, when they get out of line, theres a direct connection between the rear end and the brain, he said.

Louisiana state Rep. Danny McCormick, a Republican, offered a similar perspective. He said he supports a 2017 state law that bans corporal punishment on children with disabilities because Kids with special needs have a different mindset than kids without special needs, so to speak. But when state lawmakers failed to ban the practice outright earlier this year by a 48-49 vote, he was among the legislators who blocked the bill.

A Louisiana native, McCormick said he was subjected to corporal punishment on a few occasions at school when he was growing up during a time when physical discipline was just common practice, no big deal. But such punishment was always administered with love, he said, and had a positive effect on him.

He cited parental rights as being central to his opposition of a statewide corporal punishment ban if the parent gives permission for the school to do it.

The parents, I support them making the decisions about how their child is disciplined at school, he added.

Vestiges of slavery

While students of color and those with disabilities are disproporionately subjected to corporal punishment at school compared to their white and nondisabled classmates, one recent report suggests that the roots of corporal pushment in southern schools run deep  with ties to lynching.

The report, published this year in the journal Social Problems, found that in places where lynching was once routine, schools are more likely to rely on corporal punishment today  especially against Black students. The South has a distinct history of racialized violence for social control purposes, researchers noted, where the whipping of enslaved Black Americans wasnt merely a form of punishment but an explicitly racialized socialization strategy intended to impose upon the slaves that they were slaves. Researchers theorized that the legacy of lynching in southern states may increase the likelihood of violent school discipline, especially toward Black youth  a reality that could be the result of explicit and implicit biases.

To Jackson of the Southern Poverty Law Center, corporal punishment in schools is clearly one of the many vestiges of slavery.

As is lynching itself a vestige of slavery, so too is beating and whipping people, she said. Corporal punishment is used in schools on students who educators believe are either less than deserving of grace or people who you believe need to be controlled, people who you believe need to be kept in line as opposed to being nurtured or educated.

Though previous federal efforts have failed to ban corporal punishment in schools and the U.S. Supreme Court upheld the practice in 1977, Rollin, of the National Center for Youth Law, said the Biden administration could combat its continued use through the Education Departments Office for Civil Rights. Given corporal punishments disparate impact on students of color and those with disabilities, she urged the office to investigate districts for discrimination.

Related: Secretary King Tells Governors, School Chiefs Time to End Corporal Punishment for Good

In Louisiana, state Sen. Franklin Foil, a Republican, recognizes that some in his state continue to support corporal punishment in classrooms. So when he proposed legislation to regulate its use in 2017, he focused on children with disabilities after parents with negative experiences brought the issue to his attention. It was a smart political strategy. While his bill passed, legislation to ban the practice outright failed, albeit by a much larger margin, 34 in favor to 61 against, than the same effort earlier this month. Though he supports a complete ban, he acknowledges it faces steep obstacles, including from school administrators who believe that state lawmakers should stay out of their business.

Foil said he wasnt aware that Louisiana children with disabilities continued to be subjected to corporal punishment in violation of the law he spearheaded until The 74 brought the data to his attention.

As research on the deleterious effects of corporal punishment builds, Jackson believes that even more educators will turn away from the practice altogether. Soon, she hopes itll become nothing more than a passage in the history books.

Theres a reason we dont go to the Colosseum and watch lions ripping people open, she said. At some point, we have to evolve.
(Changes dateline)

By Ahmed Hagagy

KUWAIT (Reuters) - Hundreds of Kuwaitis demonstrated on Wednesday in support of Palestinians and burned an Israeli flag to protest at the bombardment of Gaza after authorities allowed the rally to proceed despite coronavirus restrictions.

Protesters, who were only granted access to a main square on foot to limit numbers, chanted "Death to Israel" and held banners rejecting normalisation accords struck by the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain to forge ties with Israel.

"We send a message to our friends in GCC (Gulf Cooperation Council) countries that any normalisation with the Zionists will not help. It helps the killer against the Palestinian people," said 43-year-old Osama al-Zaid, a Kuwaiti political activist.

Israeli aerial bombardments of Gaza have killed 227 people in the 10-day conflict while rocket attacks by militant group Hamas have killed 12 people in Israel.

Hamas began firing rockets on May 10 in retaliation for what it said were Israeli rights abuses against Palestinians in Jerusalem and following Israeli police clashes with worshippers at Al-Aqsa Mosque.

"Palestine and Al-Aqsa are in our hearts. We absolutely refuse it (normalisation)," said 30-year-old Kuwaiti employee Zahraa Habeeb.

Other protesters, who included dozens of expatriates, chanted slogans calling for rocket attacks on Tel Aviv.

In neighbouring states such as the UAE, some citizens have criticised Hamas for provoking Israeli air strikes.

Kuwait, which launched a relief campaign for Palestinians this week, prevented a similar rally, citing COVID-19 concerns.

Protests are rare in the Gulf region, where governments keep a lid on dissent and political parties are not allowed. Qatar has also permitted a pro-Palestinian protest.

Gulf states have condemned what they called flagrant Israeli violations of Palestinian rights and called for a halt to hostilities.

(Reporting by Ahmed Hagagy; Editing by Ghaida Ghantous and Giles Elgood)
Hypothetical harm is not a basis for a lawsuit, the countys filing said.

The county of Los Angeles has fired back at the widow of Kobe Bryant after she posted documents online of the lawsuit she filed against the LA County Sheriffs Department. Her complaint targets the four deputies who shared photos of the grim scene in Calabasas where her NBA icon husband and 13-year-old daughter Gianna Bryant, as well as seven others, died in a helicopter crash last January.

As theGRIO reported, Vanessa Bryant is suing the county for negligence and invasion of privacy after several sheriffs deputies took graphic photos of the crash scene and the victims and shared the images with others. In March, Bryant posted the legal documents on her Instagram in which she identifies the cops who allegedly shared the photos. Joey Cruz, Rafael Mejia, Michael Russell, and Raul Versales are the deputies named.

Kobe Bryant and Vanessa Laine Bryant attend Tribeca Shorts: Animated Shorts curated by Whoopi Goldberg during the 2017 Tribeca Film Festival at SVA Theatre on April 22, 2017 in New York City. (Photo by Nicholas Hunt/Getty Images for Tribeca Film Festival)

Read More: Vanessa Bryant reveals Natalia missed Kobe induction ceremony for prom

Bryants lawsuit alleges that between 25 and 100 photos were spread through text and phone sharing within two days of the crash. In response, the county suggested in a new court filing this week that Bryant is going too far with her fishing expedition in search of information that will support her case, USA Today reports.

This straightforward case, with undisputed facts, has turned into a fishing expedition that is taking first responders away from their jobs  and subjecting them to public harassment and threats, said a filing submitted in federal court by attorneys for the county. Defendants are eager to have their day in Court and put an end to this.

Bryants lawsuit seeks to make an example of the deputies who shared graphic photos of the victims remains without any legitimate governmental purpose. She has asked the court to extend the cutoff date for the discovery of evidence in the case, as she wants to conduct witness depositions, according to the report. The current deadline is August but Bryant wants it pushed back to February.

Story continues

Basketball player Kobe Bryant and wife Vanessa at the official after party for the 2004 World Music Awards, September 15, 2005 at Body English in the Hard Rock Hotel in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Frank Micelotta/Getty Images)

Plaintiff has dedicated countless hours to meaningless discovery disputes and posting recklessly about the Defendants on social mediaall while taking the position that her 50 depositions cannot begin until she has every single document in the Countys possession, the countys filing stated. That is not diligence. There is no basis for modifying the scheduling order.

The county said only government personnel and one friend saw the photographs in question.

Read More: Vanessa Bryant asks judge to dismiss mothers financial support lawsuit

Bryant knows that only one non-governmental individual saw accident site photographs depicting human remains, the countys filing states. Because of how (Bryant) phrased her interrogatories, responses include names of first responders who took accident site photographs not depicting human remains and those who shared accident site photographs with other personnel and agencies (like NTSB) for official purposes. Plaintiff knows there has been no public dissemination.

This content is not available due to your privacy preferences. Update your settings here to see it.

Bryants attorneys have noted that at least 18 sheriff and fire employees took, shared and/or possessed photos at the scene of the crash, while 66 county employees have useful information about the misconduct, according to the report.

The accident was now close to 1.5 years ago, and there has been no public dissemination of the photos, the countys filing said. Hypothetical harm is not a basis for a lawsuit. Nor is it a basis for `no stone left unturned discovery against public entities and first responders.

Bryant is seeking damages for mental anguish and emotional distress. Her claim documents that the National Transportation Safety Board and county coroners office were the only parties authorized to take photos of the scene. The deputies had no investigative purpose to take the photos and did so for their own personal purposes, according to the suit.

theGRIOs Matthew Allen and Biba Adams contributed to this report.

Have you subscribed to theGrios Dear Culture podcast? Download our newest episodes now!

TheGrio is now on Apple TV, Amazon Fire and Roku. Download theGrio.com today!

The post LA County accuses Vanessa Bryant of being on fishing expedition appeared first on TheGrio.
The attorneys say Kobe Bryants widow is on a fishing expedition to make deputies accused of inappropriately photographing the crash scene look bad. Vanessa Bryant says she wants to hold them accountable.

Video Transcript

- Vanessa Bryant is suing LA County and federal court for negligence and invasion of privacy. She says sheriff's deputies and county fire personnel improperly shared graphic photos from the helicopter crash that killed her husband, her daughter, and seven others last year. The lawsuit says one of the deputies took as many as 100 photos with his cell phone, including images of the remains of Kobe and his daughter, Gianna.

It says those pictures were then sent to other deputies, and that one deputy walked into a bar in Norwalk and showed the photos to the bartender and to others. Now, in a new court filing, attorneys for the county say Bryant has gone too far with her legal claims.

They write this-- "this straightforward case with undisputed facts has turned into a fishing expedition that is taking first responders away from their jobs-- and subjecting them to harassment and threats. Defendants are eager to have their day in court and put an end to this."

Now, back in March, Bryant amended her lawsuit and named four of the deputies who she says shared the photos. She highlighted their names with a red pen and posted some of the documents to her Instagram. Attorneys for the County accused Bryant of just wanting to punish the deputies and make an example out of them to the community. KTLA legal analyst Alison Triessl agrees. She says that is her goal.

ALISON TRIESSL: Vanessa Bryant has an unlimited amount of money. So it's not a question of settlement for her; it's a question of, I want these officers to be held accountable. I want them to be punished, and I want the world to know what these specific officers have done to my family.

- Lawyers for LA County say none of the photos were disseminated publicly that only-- that the only people who saw them were government personnel and one friend of a deputy. But Vanessa Bryant sees it differently. Her lawyers say the misconduct is much worse than they first thought.

They now believe 66 County employees knew about the improper photos. And they say 18 sheriff's deputies and firefighters either took, shared, or possessed images from the crash scene, which they shouldn't have done. Her lawyers want another six months to depose witnesses, including Sheriff Alex Villanueva. Attorneys for the county want the judge to deny that extension.
By Frank Phiri

LILONGWE (Reuters) - Malawi on Wednesday destroyed 19,610 doses of AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccines that expired 18 days after arriving, despite assurances from the African Union (AU) and World Health Organisation (WHO) that the vaccines were safe until mid-July.

A batch of 102,000 vaccines arrived on March 26, under an initiative by the AU and WHO, and they expired on April 13, leaving less than three weeks for them to be used. Malawi managed to deploy about 80 percent of them by that time.

John Nkengasong, director of the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC), part of the AU, told a news conference late last month that the shots could be used until July 13, based on a further analysis conducted by manufacturers the Serum Institute of India (SII).

He and the WHO also urged African countries not to waste vaccines donated to them.

However, the Malawian government said it would not give expired vaccines to its citizens.

"We are destroying (them) because, as government policy... no expired vaccine has ever been used," said Health Minister Khumbize Chaponda, at Kamuzu Central Hospital in the administrative capital Lilongwe.

She then threw the shots, which were wrapped in red plastic bags, into an incinerator, causing a cloud of dark smoke to billow from its chimney.

"On behalf of the government I assure all Malawians that no one will be given an expired COVID vaccine," she said.

A CDC Africa official declined to comment.

SII did not immediately respond to a request for comment. India's drug regulator in March allowed the SII-produced AstraZeneca vaccine to be used for up to nine months from its manufacture date, as opposed to the earlier six months.

South Sudan has set aside 59,000 doses supplied by the AU and is not using them because of the same expiration issue.

Malawi's health ministry said the country had administered 335,232 vaccine doses as of May 18, and recorded 34,231 COVID infections and 1,153 deaths.

African countries have struggled to secure enough COVID-19 vaccines to roll out mass immunisation. Many rely on handouts from global vaccine scheme COVAX, which is co-led by the WHO and partners including the Gavi vaccines alliance.

(Editing by Tim Cocks, Alexandra Hudson)
A 48-year-old man has been charged with numerous crimes, including assault, for threatening women with a gun this month at parking garages in downtown Kansas City, prosecutors said Wednesday.

Alf Cheffen, of Kansas City, was charged Tuesday with multiple felonies, including third-degree assault and unlawful use of a weapon, according to the Jackson County Prosecutors Office.

The first incident occurred on May 9, when a woman reported to police that an armed man stopped her as she was crossing through the parking garage at Barney Allis Plaza. She had been heading to get groceries at the time.

The man did not point the gun at her but held it by his stomach, she told officers. After she said she was calling police, the man slapped her in the face, knocking her to the ground, according to charging documents. The man then walked away.

Another woman reported to police that on the same day, she was followed through the parking garage next to Cosentinos Market. Once in her car, a man knocked on her window with a handgun. She thought he was trying to rob her, but she was able to drive away.

The suspect in that case appeared to be the same from the Barney Allis Plaza case, detectives said.

Four days later, a woman told police she was on her way to a gym when she was stopped by an armed man in the parking garage at 1261 Main St. He allegedly told her: Dont worry Im not going to rape you; Im only going to jerk off.

The woman was able to get away after a car approached.

Detectives said they were able to track Cheffens alleged movements through the citys surveillance cameras. Investigators went to City Union Mission, whose staff recognized Cheffen and said he previously had been a guest at the homeless shelter.

Police released a bulletin with a photograph of the suspect. Five tips identified the man as Cheffen, police said. One of the women identified him in a photo lineup, according to charging documents.

Detectives noted that Cheffen has a prior conviction of armed robbery in Kansas.

Cheffen was also charged with harassment and unlawful possession of a firearm. He did not yet have an attorney listed in court records who could be reached for comment.
Police tracked the incident to Torromeo quarry where a family admitted to holding a gender reveal party (CBS Boston)

A man in Kingston, near Massachusetts, has been charged after he allegedly detonated 80 pounds of explosives as part of a gender reveal that was heard across two states.

Anthony Spinelli was booked after an alleged stunt to reveal the gender of his unborn child rattled residents homes in New Hampshire and Massachusetts.

Last month, police in Kingston received reports of a loud explosion and tracked the incident to Torromeo quarry where people admitted to holding a gender reveal party, NBC10 Boston reported.

Around 80 pounds (36 kilograms) of Tannerite, an explosive sold over the counter for firearms practice, had been detonated, police said.

The family purportedly said they thought the quarry would be the safest place to blow up the explosive.

Authorities allege that Mr Spinelli "caused public alarm with the antics, with nearby residents having reported rattling and even alleging property damage due to the nearby explosion.

We heard this god-awful blast, Sara Taglieri, who lives in a home near the quarry, previously told NBC10 Boston.

She added: It knocked pictures off our walls  Im all up for silliness and what not, but that was extreme.

CBS Boston reported that officials found there had been no property damage caused by the incident.

It wasnt immediately known if Mr Spinelli had legal representation to speak on his behalf.

While no one was injured this time around, the social media phenomenon has been known to have gone dangerously awry in the past, leading to deadly incidents and even wildfires.

As recently as February, an expectant father in New York died after an explosive prop being built for a gender reveal party accidentally detonated.

In September 2020, a smoke-generating pyrotechnic device intended for a gender reveal ignited a wildfire in Southern California, burning down acres of land.

Additional reporting by the Associated Press
May 18COLUMBUS  A bipartisan group of Ohio legislators introduced a new bill Tuesday that aims to keep nonviolent offenders who cannot afford to pay bail out of custody during pretrials.

Sponsors of Senate Bill 182 believe it will improve the inequities within the Ohio criminal justice system and provide more opportunities for Ohioans to have a fair day in court.

"Our society needs for its citizens to be contributors through their work, the taxes they pay, through their parenting and through their contributions to community life," said Ohio Supreme Court Chief Justice Maureen O'Connor. "But those needs of society go unfulfilled when defendants who are not a danger to society go to jail for the very simple reason that they cannot make bail."

State Rep. Tom West, D-Canton, leader of the Ohio Legislative Black Caucus, said he believed the bill will improve racial inequities along with the financial inequities that are the main focus.

"The proposal before us is a balanced, measured approach that ensures our bail system is not based on an individual's ability to pay or skin color," West said. "Instead, the bill will ensure a path to release for most people who do not pose a flight risk or a threat to others, regardless of their wealth, race or their ethnicity."

The bill also takes aim at ensuring that potentially dangerous individuals do not take advantage of the proposed changes to the bail system.

"Every individual who commits an offense should face justice and be given their day in court. Some of those individuals pose a threat to flight or to other individuals through threats of violence or otherwise," said state Sen. Rob McColley, R-Napoleon, the lead sponsor of the bill and the state senator for Putnam and Van Wert counties. "This bill strengthens the proposed provisions. This bill emphasizes the pretrial detention sections of the Ohio Revised Code, which would require the court to go through a set of circumstances and determine whether that risk is posed and would require that individual to serve time in jail prior to their trial."

The coalition of sponsors said they believe improving the bail system is just the first step, and continued improvements to the criminal justice system should be taken up by the state legislature on other issues such as abolishing the death penalty and reducing the number of incarcerated people.
MEXICO CITY (AP)  There are two ways of remembering the Spanish siege of Tenochtitlan, the Aztec capital now known as Mexico City: as the painful birth of modern Mexico, or the start of centuries of virtual enslavement.

The world-changing battle started on May 22, 1521, and lasted for months until the city finally fell to the conquistadores on Aug. 13. It was one of the few times an organized Indigenous army under local command fought European colonizers to a standstill for months, and the final defeat helped set the template for much of the conquest and colonization that came afterward.

The fall of Tenochtitlan opened the modern history of the West, said historian Salvador Rueda, director of the citys Chapultepec Museum.

One way of remembering the event is symbolized by a plaque that stands in the citys Plaza of Three Cultures honoring Indigenous Mexico, Spanish colonialism and the modern mixed-race Mexico that resulted from the conquest.

The three cultures are represented by three buildings: a ruined Aztec temple, a Spanish colonial church built atop the ruins and a modern government office building constructed in the 1960s. It was neither a triumph nor a defeat. It was the painful birth of the Mestizo (mixed-race) Mexico today, the plaque reads.

That sentiment, preached by the government since the 1920s  that Mexico is a non-racial, non-racist, unified nation where everyone is mixed-race, bearing the blood of both conquerors and conquered  has aged about as well as the 1960s office building.

It is largely roped off because shards of its marble facing regularly shear off and come crashing to the ground, and Indigenous or dark-skinned Mexicans continue to face discrimination by their lighter-skinned countrymen.

A much more enduring and perhaps accurate message is found a few blocks away on the wall of the tiny church of Tequipeuhcan, a place whose very name in the Aztecs Nahuatl language sums it all up.

Tequipeuhcan: The place where slavery began. Here the Emperor Cuauhtemotzin was taken prisoner on the afternoon of Aug. 13, 1521, reads the plaque on the church wall.

Story continues

Mexico Citys current mayor, Claudia Sheinbaum, put it this way: The fall of Mexico-Tenochtitlan started a tale of epidemics, abuses and 300 years of colonial rule in Mexico.

That was to become the rule throughout the hemisphere over the next three centuries. Colonizers stole the land from indigenous peoples and made them work it, extracting the wealth for the benefit of the colonizers.

The Spaniards seemed so convinced this model worked well that (Cortes' lieutenant Pedro) de Alvarado was set to go launch an invasion of China from the port of Acapulco when he got tied up in another battle in west Mexico and died, said David M. Carballo, professor of archaeology, anthropology, and Latin American studies at Boston University and author of the book Collision of Worlds.

He said the conquest of Mexico truly made the world globalized, as it connected the transatlantic to transpacific world and all the habited continents. That kicked off what we now call globalization.

Cortes and his 900 Spaniards  plus thousands of allies from Indigenous groups oppressed by the Aztecs  started the siege on May 22, 1521. They had entered Mexico City in 1520, but had been chased out with great losses a few months later, leaving most of their plundered gold behind.

But the Spaniards were uniquely prepared for a war of conquest. They had spent much of the preceding seven centuries fighting wars to reconquer Spain from the Moors. Amazingly, they were even able to bring their experience with naval warfare in the Mediterranean to bear in the battle for the Aztec capital, located in a high-mountain valley more than 7,000 feet above sea level and hundreds of miles from the sea.

Tenochtitlan was completely surrounded by a shallow lake crossed by narrow causeways, so the Spaniards built attack ships known as bergantines  something akin to floating battle platforms  to fight the Aztecs in their canoes.

It bogged down into a brutal, monthslong series of battles for control of the elevated earthen causeways that led into the city.

The campaign was never a predetermined defeat for the Aztecs. They scored a number of victories, took scores of Spaniards prisoner and even used captured Spanish weapons against the conquistadores.

At one point they took about 60 captured Spaniards and sacrificed them one by one  probably by tearing their still-beating hearts from their chests  on battlements or temple platforms in full view of the rest of the Spanish. Even the conquistadores admitted the effect was terrifying.

But the Spaniards were able to draw on their experience of sieges during the recently concluded Christian Reconquista of Muslim Spain. They cut off supplies of fresh water and food for the city. Just as importantly, the bulk of their troops were Indigenous allies tired of paying tribute under Aztec domination.

The most powerful weapon in their arsenal was not their horses, dogs of war or primitive muskets. It was not even the deceit they used to capture the Aztec Emperor Moctezuma  who died in 1520  or later, the Inca Emperor Atahualpa. The Europeans most effective weapon was smallpox.

During Cortes brief stay in Mexico City in 1520, the Aztecs had begun to be infected with smallpox, purportedly carried by an African slave the Spaniards had brought with them.

Carlo Viesca, a medical historian at Mexicos National Autonomous University, said at least 150,000 of the citys 300,000 inhabitants probably died before the Spaniards were able to reenter the city, and when they did, he quoted one Spaniard as saying, We were walking on corpses.

In the end, Viesca says, Cuauhtemoc  the last Aztec emperor  had few troops with the strength left to fight.

Medical anthropologist Sandra Guevara noted that smallpox assumed a form so virulent among Indigenous people not previously exposed to it  and with no immunological defenses against it  that even those who survived were probably blinded or developed gangrene in their feet, noses and mouths.

By the time the city fell, there were so many corpses the Spaniards couldnt occupy the city fully for months. The only way to get rid of the stench was to demolish the Aztec houses to bury the dead in the rubble.

Cuitlahuac, a respected leader who succeeded Moctezuma and preceded Cuauhtemoc, died of smallpox in late 1520, before the siege began.

If Cuitlahuac had not died, the history of Mexico would have been different, Guevara said.

Emperor Cuauhtemoc  Cuauhtemotzin to the Aztecs  took over and fought on and skillfully led the Aztec resistance in the 1521 siege.

But in August, chased to the eastern edge of the city, he either surrendered or was captured. He was tortured, because the Spanish wanted to find the gold they had briefly looted but had to abandon in 1520. Stoic to the end, Cuauhtemoc purportedly handed the Spaniards a dagger and asked them to kill him.

He remains a figure so tragic yet revered that Mexicans have been encouraged for centuries to repeat his futile self-sacrifice. When six lightly armed army cadets were surrounded by U.S. troops at a hilltop military academy in Mexico City during the 1847 invasion, rather than surrender, they reportedly flung themselves to their deaths from the parapets. They too remain national heroes.

The failed battle to defend Tenochtitlan set the template for the ultimate futility of indigenous groups trying to fight Europeans with huge standing armies, fixed positions and sieges. Apart from some fights between Spanish and Inca armies during Francisco Pizarros 1536 conquest of Peru, Indigenous resistance in the Americas  and much of the world  would largely be reduced to guerrilla tactics, periodic raids and retreats into remote or difficult-to-access areas.

Some of the last armed Indigenous resistance  both in Mexico and the United States  would not be defeated until the early 1900s.
Like millions of Americans, I, too, was relieved and encouraged by the verdict in the Derek Chauvin trial. But I also know this: One moment does not a movement make. If we fail to seize this opportunity to reshape policing and rebuild the publics trust, the conviction in George Floyds killing will become a squandered footnote in history.

Thats why President Biden should to convene a national commission on policing  and soon.

While campaigning after Floyds death last year, Biden pledged to establish a commission within his first 100 days in office. But earlier this month he shelved the idea, opting instead to focus on the George Floyd Justice in Policing Act, which passed the House, but faces opposition in the Senate. The administration said some reform groups, as well as police unions, had expressed little enthusiasm for a commission, perhaps believing that such a panel would produce yet another report destined to gather dust.

I respectfully disagree.

Floyds death and its aftermath have focused the nations attention on the shortcomings of American policing more sharply than ever before. Emotions are raw. Expectations are high. And the stakes are huge. Given such dynamics, we need the White House to take the lead in this national conversation on issues that have been painfully divisive for so long.

Biden is well-positioned to drive a collaborative effort toward reform. As Barack Obamas vice president, he cemented his credibility among civil-rights leaders, and the support of Black leaders and voters helped propel him to victory in 2020. He also has longstanding ties to law enforcement, forged during decades of public-safety leadership in the Senate. Such dual influences make him an ideal healer-in-chief, capable of leading a national effort to bridge divides on one of the most profound challenges of our time.

President Trump, faced with the largest demonstrations in history following the deaths of Floyd, Breonna Taylor and others, established a policing commission last year, but it was not as comprehensive and inclusive as groups such as the Major Cities Chiefs Association had endorsed. The lack of diverse perspectives prompted a lawsuit, and a federal judge concluded that the Trump commission violated the Federal Advisory Committee Act by failing to have a fairly balanced advisory board and by holding closed meetings without advance public notice. The ruling required the prominent inclusion of a disclaimer in the Trump commission report.

Story continues

But not all commissions are created equal. And while most are fraught with politics, Biden has an opportunity to convene a bipartisan, balanced and comprehensive review of policing and the criminal justice system that we desperately need.

Some may view such panels as places where conflicting values necessitate compromises that produce measly, watered-down ideas. But I serve on the Council on Criminal Justice Task Force on Policing, and Ive seen whats possible. Our group includes two police chiefs, a sheriff, a pioneer in the Black Lives Matter movement, two community members who lost loved ones to police violence, a researcher and others.

It cant get much more diverse than that, yet we are coming to consensus on a host of aggressive recommendations. These include banning not just chokeholds, but all neck restraints; requiring officers not just to intervene when witnessing a peer using excessive force but to report all manner of misconduct; restricting both no-knock and quick-knock warrants; emphasizing de-escalation over implicit bias training; and creating a national, searchable database of decertified officers.

The task forces findings and recommendations will help reduce unnecessary use of force and biased policing while increasing accountability for officers and agencies. But a presidential commission could go much further, defining strategies to combat the rise in violent crime, including gun crime, and charting a path for the future of law enforcement in America.

In his recent address to Congress, Biden rightly recognized that the vast majority of officers serve our communities with honor. He also spoke about the urgency of passing the Violence Against Women Act, and of police reform, evoking Floyds death as he noted that, We have all seen the knee of injustice on the neck of Black Americans.

I assure you that many leaders in law enforcement want to see reform passed. But even if negotiations on the Hill produce a compromise that leads to approval of the law that bears George Floyds name, the critical need for a comprehensive look at law enforcement and our criminal justice system will remain.

With the anniversary of Floyds death looming, lets give this profound challenge the full attention it deserves.

Art Acevedo is Miamis chief of police, president of the Major Cities Chiefs Association and a member of the Council on Criminal Justice Task Force on Policing.
DETROIT  Gov. Gretchen Whitmer would need to notify legislative leaders when leaving the state if a new GOP bill  with clear political motivations  becomes law.

The measure, proposed by Sen. Tom Barrett, R-Charlotte, comes as Republicans ridicule Whitmer over a controversial trip to Florida to visit her ailing father. Critics blasted the trip, arguing it was hypocritical given state travel advice during a pandemic, and asked the governor to give more details about her travel.

Under the bill, the governor would need to notify the Senate majority and minority leaders, along with the House speaker and House minority leader. The notification must be in writing, indicate the expected length of the trip and state who will serve as acting governor.

Lt. Gov. Garlin Gilchrist is first in line to be acting governor when Whitmer is out of state.

Gov. Gretchen Whitmer speaks at a press conference on Thursday, Nov. 19, 2020.

More on Whitmer's travel:

Bobby Leddy, Whitmer's press secretary, said the Legislature should stop taking political potshots and wasting time.

"It would behoove the Legislature to read the Michigan Constitution, which clearly outlines a process to ensure that there is always an acting governor available to continue the functions of the state in case of an emergency," Leddy aid.

"If the Legislature wants to waste their time playing games, thats their own decision, but Governor Whitmer is going to remain focused on ending this pandemic and putting Michigan back to work.

Whitmer has defended the trip, saying she needed to help her father.

"When you're the governor of Michigan, you're always on the clock, but it doesn't mean that you're not also a daughter who shows up when a family member needs her," Whitmer said in a news conference recently.

"This flight was not a gift. This flight was not paid for at taxpayer expense. And it was, I don't know that there's anything more to add. When a family member of mine needs a little help though, I'm going to show up, just like when we have a crisis here, we're going to work 24/7 to keep the people of the state safe."

Story continues

Details of Whitmer's March trip to Florida

Whitmer traveled to Florida in March to visit her father but refused to release details of the trip for weeks. The governor's staff had cited security concerns; in the fall, state and federal officials arrested a group of men accused of plotting to kidnap the governor.

Late last week though, Whitmer chief of staff JoAnne Huls said a nonprofit corporation initially created to pay for Whitmer's inauguration spent $27,521 for the entire flight. Whitmer used her own money to pay $855 for her seat, spokeswoman Tiffany Brown said.

But Federal Aviation Administration records indicate the company that owns the plane she used does not have the authority to provide charter flights. Instead, it operates under a broader set of federal regulations that have fewer safety and training regulations.

An agency spokesperson confirmed the FAA was reviewing the matter.

More: Public relations experts explain why stories about governor's Florida trip won't go away

Republicans argue the flight is evidence that Whitmer has a different set of rules for herself and administration officials than those for other state residents. They point to restrictions instituted very early in the pandemic that prevented families from seeing loved ones in nursing homes or from holding funerals.

Whitmer and other state officials have touted the need for vaccinations, noting immunization is the key to returning to normalcy. But the governor was not fully vaccinated when she made the trip.

Tricia Foster, the governor's chief operating officer, and Health Department Director Elizabeth Hertel also traveled out of state recently, despite recent Michigan guidance discouraging nonessential travel.

The governor also defended their travel.

In addition to the Florida trip, Whitmer has traveled to Washington, D.C., twice this year. She attended the inauguration of President Joe Biden with her daughter and visited Michigan's National Guard troops sent to the U.S. Capitol after the Jan. 6 insurrection.

Contact Dave Boucher at dboucher@freepress.com or 313-938-4591. Follow him on Twitter @Dave_Boucher1.

This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Michigan GOP bill targets Gretchen Whitmer's out-of-state travel plans
HOPKINTON, Mass.  A Massachusetts medical examiners office has ruled that Mikayla Miller, a Black teenager whose body was found near her home in a Boston suburb last month, died by suicide.

On Tuesday, the Hopkinton Town Clerks Office received notification from the medical examiners office and issued Millers death certificate, which listed her death as "asphyxia by hanging" and the manner of death as suicide.

Miller, 16, was found dead April 18 in a wooded area by a jogger roughly a mile from her home in Hopkinton. The Middlesex County District Attorney's Office had said the death was not suspicious.

But a social media campaign and Millers mother, Calvina Strothers, and a Boston activist group, Violence in Boston, differed. They said Miller was jumped by five teens the night before her body was found.

They also claim Middlesex District Attorney Marian Ryans office is not conducting a thorough investigation. They have called for Ryans resignation.

What happened to Mikayla Miller?

Ryan, in a news conference on May 4, denied accusations that her office was not investigating the case. She said investigators had questioned several witnesses, including the teens who were allegedly involved in a fight with Miller on April 17.

Ryan said Miller got into a fight with one teenage boy and one teenage girl. Ryan also said all five teens who were present that night were not in the area where Millers body was found, based on witness, video and electronic evidence.

During a rally that drew several hundred people on May 6 in downtown Hopkinton, Stothers said: "Given everything that has transpired over the past few weeks, I want to make sure that I am clear about my goals in all of this: It's to have full transparency and get justice for my daughter."

What is languishing? Alonely?: A mental health glossary to explain what you're feeling

'Justice for Mikayla': Mikayla Miller's mom thanks crowd for support at Hopkinton rally

Story continues

Another rally is scheduled for Friday at the district attorneys Lowell office.

Violence in Boston says independent autopsy results will be released

Strothers could not be reached for comment. Monica Cannon-Grant, of Violence in Boston, also could not be immediately reached.

However, on Tuesday, in an online talk show called Java With Jimmy, Cannon-Grant said an independent autopsy has been completed and she said she planned to release its results on Thursday.

Cannon-Grant also claimed Ryans office leaked information to a news source about criminal charges filed last year against Strothers for allegedly striking Miller. Cannon-Grant said the charges are expected to be dropped in July.

GoFundMe established for investigation: Mikayla Miller investigation fundraiser originally sought $40,000; $50,000-plus

Timeline: Mikayla Miller death investigation

Ryan, in a statement on Tuesday, said her office has spoken to the attorney of Millers family about the ruling, but did not say what that conversation entailed.

This ruling addresses the manner and means of Mikaylas death, Ryan said. However, our investigation into the events surrounding Mikaylas death remains active and ongoing. We will continue to explore every investigative angle necessary as we do that work, and intend to issue a complete and thorough report at the conclusion of the investigation.

We will continue to be in contact with Mikaylas familys representatives moving forward and we are asking for continued patience as we perform this critically important work.

If you or someone you know may be struggling with suicidal thoughts, you can call the U.S. National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 800-273-TALK (8255) any time day or night, or chat online.

Crisis Text Line also provides free, 24/7, confidential support via text message to people in crisis when they dial 741741.

The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention has resources to help if you need to find support for yourself or a loved one.

Follow Norman Miller on Twitter @Norman_MillerMW.

This article originally appeared on MetroWest Daily News: Mikayla Miller death: Medical examiner says Black teen died by suicide
Facebook/Luzerne County Sheriff

A hospital bed confession from a man charged with killing two Pennsylvania women has led investigators to call him a person of interest in a third case: the disappearance of a young woman in Michigan in 2005.

And now, a prosecutor says the trail of death linked to Harold Haulman may lead overseas.

Haulman is currently incarcerated, having confessed to the brutal murders of two young women in 2018 and 2020. During an interrogation in early January, he mentioned a new name, Ashley Parlier, and indicated that he knows where her body is, authorities said.

Investigators in Michigan are now dusting off the cold case of the 21-year-old who vanished after storming out of her home during an argument with her parents over an apparent pregnancy.

Haulman first came to the attention of law enforcement in 2020, after Erica Shultz sister reported her missing, according to court records obtained by the Times Leader. FBI investigators used cellphone records and a dating website where Haulman and Shultz had met to show that Haulman had turned up unexpectedly on the 26-year-olds doorstep and then convinced her to go on a walk in the woods. The last messages sent from his phone to hers, District Attorney Stephanie Salavantis said at a December 2020 press conference, were surprise and knock-knock.

After the FBI zeroed in on Haulman, he began acting erraticallyskipping out on an FBI interview and then resurfacing days later, when he tried to kill himself with a box cutter on a railroad track. As investigators interviewed Haulman in his hospital room, he allegedly confessed to killing Shultz with a mallet and a knife, and then used Google Maps to show investigators where he had left her body, the Daily Item reported.

Authorities say Haulman also confessed to the killing of another woman, 25-year-old Tianna Philips, who had been missing since 2018. According to court records obtained by the Times Leader, when investigators interviewed his wife, Anne Haulman, she told law enforcement officers that Haulman confessed to her about Philips murderand even drove her to the area where he said Philips body was hidden and showed her a black garbage bag filled with human remains. The couple later disposed of the body in a dumpster in a nearby theater, police say.

Story continues

In the interview in early January, Haulman made a spontaneous reference to Parlier, asking if the charge for her murder would be combined with Philips and Shultzs, as he wanted to avoid a trial.

Parliers sister, Nicole Campen, told WNEP that her sister went missing after storming out of the house following an argument with their parents, who had noticed she looked pregnant. While Camden says she doesnt know if her sister knew Haulman, police say he lived in the same county as Parliers family from 2002 to 2005.

There are also marked similarities between Parlier and Shultz. A Facebook post from a desperate family member describes Shultz as a low-functioning person on the autism spectrum who wasnt able to drive. According to Parliers sister, Parlier had the mental function of about a 12- to 14-year-old. If you were nice to her, she just assumed you were a nice person, said Camden. She didnt really get that there could be evil.

Luzerne County Deputy District Attorney Dan Zola said there may be other victims as far away as Europe. According to the Daily Item, Zola said Haulman was convicted of a murder in Germany in the 90s. If these situations dont match the definition of what a serial killer is, then nothing does, the prosecutor said.

Read more at The Daily Beast.

Get our top stories in your inbox every day. Sign up now!

Daily Beast Membership: Beast Inside goes deeper on the stories that matter to you. Learn more.
An 18-month-old child died after he was found underneath home furniture Monday, and police in an Ohio town have charged the boys parents.

Police were sent to a residential area around 5 p.m. Monday after reports of a naked person out on the sidewalk. Calls released by police revealed a school bus driver saw the naked person while on his route.

Im only calling because we have a busload of kids out in that area, a school official said in a 911 call.

When officers met the naked woman, 24-year-old Mary Guarendi-Walker, she said her son was murdered at her home, police say.

Officers entered the home through a window and found the boy, Kevin Walker Jr., unconscious underneath several large pieces of furniture, according to police. The baby was taken to an area hospital, where he was pronounced dead, police say.

Police said Tuesday they believe the death was a domestic-related incident involving the boys mom assaulting him with the furniture. Kevin died due to severe head and body trauma, police said.

Mary Guarendi-Walker was charged with first-degree murder, and the boys dad, 29-year-old Kevin Walker Sr., was charged with obstructing justice.

The boys father told officers the child was asleep at the home when he knew he was under the furniture, according to The Canton Repository.

Frustrated dad kills his crying baby  then goes to sleep, Pennsylvania official says

Mommy did it, stabbed 5-year-old girl told her grandma, Pennsylvania police say

I just killed my son. Dad tells 911 he beat 5-year-old in Ohio with baseball bat

3-year-old stabbed by neighbor as he waits for school bus with siblings, Ohio cops say
Once one of the states with the highest number of untested sexual assault kits, North Carolina has now cleared over half of its backlog of more than 16,000 cases, resulting in at least 40 arrests related to at least 58 assaults.

Attorney General Josh Stein said the cost of outsourcing sexual assault kits is increasing drastically and is asking the state legislature for $9 million to fund the outsourcing of all the remaining kits. An initial $6 million was allocated over two years to clear the backlog

The price for the lab to test a kit has increased from roughly $700 to $1,245.

The state is making good progress on testing these kits and we are solving old cases and locking up dangerous people, but we have to keep going, Stein said. We know for sure that when we test these old kits we can solve cases  and we cannot let up until we fully eliminate the backlog.

Stein said there were several reasons the backlog developed. Law enforcement didnt send the kits to the lab, the lab didnt have the technology it does today, the legislature didnt fund the testing of the rape kits, the state didnt know how many kits were untested, and local district attorneys didnt reach out to law enforcement to move the backlog.

In North Carolina, 268 law enforcement agencies have all of their kits in the pipeline for testing, or have completely eliminated their backlogs, Stein said in a press conference Tuesday. The Fayetteville Police Department has completely eliminated its backlog, Stein said. It secured its own grants and has made 62 arrests as a result of its work on cold cases.

The Durham Police Department, responsible for a city with a population size comparable to Fayettevilles, had tested 270 of its backlog of more than 1,700 sexual assault kits as of February 2021, resulting in 13 people being charged in 17 cases. Durham also secured its own grants, which total more than $1.5 million.

The Raleigh Police Department has outsourced 332 sexual assault kits out of its backlog of 912. According to a presentation shown during a Wake County Public Safety Committee meeting, 580 kits still have to be outsourced.

Story continues

Preparing sexual assault kits can take hours and involve a thorough, invasive physical examination and an interview.

We owe it to them (survivors) to test their kits, Stein said.

In late 2017, the NC Department of Justice conducted an inventory of sexual assault kits with all the states law enforcement agencies. The audit found a backlog of more than 15,000 untested kits at the time.

To ensure backlogs do not build up in the future, the state legislature enacted the Survivor Act in 2019.

The law requires law enforcement agencies to submit sexual assault kits to a lab within 45 days. It also requires law enforcement agencies to review cases and prioritize them based on the potential to investigate them and the likelihood of getting a hit in the national database.

As part of the Survivor Act, law enforcement agencies are sending in more sexual assault kits. From 2018-19 to 2019-20, the number of kits sent in has increased from 821 to 1,853, a news release from Steins office said.

To the victims, we want them to know we care about what happened to them and that we will do everything in our power to develop justice for them, he said. To the rapists and criminals, no matter how long ago you committed your crime, we will not stop coming for you.

DNA to prove innocence

Christine Mumma is the director of the NC Center on Actual Innocence, which works to investigate claims of wrongful convictions. She said Tuesday that even though improvements in DNA collection and testing are now being framed as something Stein and state lawmakers have pushed for to help victims of sexual assault, the changes to evidence rules actually started because of her efforts a decade ago to exonerate wrongfully convicted people.

Her group and others like it have since been able to use DNA to prove the innocence of a number of North Carolinians who were wrongfully convicted of serious crimes like rape and murder.

This is exactly what happened in Henry Brown and Leon McCollums case, Mumma said. (The state) said the evidence wasnt there. But it was.

Brown and McCollum are two intellectually disabled Black men from Robeson County who local law enforcement coerced into falsely confessing to the rape and murder of a young girl there in 1983, when they were teenagers.

DNA evidence would eventually prove  once it was tested decades later  that a different man actually committed the crime. They were set free in 2014 and last week won a $75 million verdict in court in a lawsuit against two investigators from the State Bureau of Investigation.

A jury awarded them $13 million in damages plus $1 million for every year they wrongfully spent in prison, The N&O reported, on top of another $9 million that the Robeson County Sheriffs Office agreed to pay in a settlement.
By Hyonhee Shin

SEOUL (Reuters) - North Korean defectors and activists urged Joe Biden to ramp up pressure on North Korea over human rights as South Korean President Moon Jae-in headed to Washington on Wednesday for his first summit with the U.S. president.

Moon is scheduled to arrive in Washington on Thursday for a four-day stay, which will include a series of summits with Biden and congressional leaders, as well as a visit to SK Innovation's battery plant in Georgia.

Moon wants to use the summit to highlight the urgency of returning to long-stalled denuclearisation talks between the United States and North Korea, which has weighed on inter-Korean ties.

In what critics called an effort to improve relations with the North, Moon's government this year introduced a law banning defectors and activists from launching anti-Pyongyang leaflets into the reclusive country.

Activists and defectors called for Biden to swiftly appoint a special envoy on North Korean human rights and to stand up for their freedom of speech in South Korea.

"We have evidence that North Koreans are waiting for those leaflets to get to them, and that the North Korean regime is in fear of loose leaflets getting to the people," said Park Sang-hak, who was investigated by police last week on charges of breaching the ban.

Activists had for decades sent the leaflets, alongside food, medicine, $1 bills, mini radios and USB sticks containing South Korean news and dramas, to raise awareness among ordinary North Koreans over what they call the regime's tyranny and human rights.

Pyongyang has long denounced the practice, and urged Moon to stop it or face the "worst phase" of relations.

Shin Hee-seok, a legal analyst at the Seoul-based Transitional Justice Working Group, called for Biden to raise the issue with Moon and at the United Nations, which he said would send a strong message to North Korean leader Kim Jong Un.

"It'd be very helpful if the Biden administration actually comes out and says that such measures are not really helpful for inter-Korean negotiations," Shin said. "Perhaps it might actually provide a very strong impetus for the Moon government to reconsider many of its policies as well."

($1 = 1,126.7400 won)

(Reporting by Hyonhee Shin; Additional reporting by David Brunnstrom in Washington; Editing by Lincoln Feast.)
An Illinois man is accused of tying a woman to heavy equipment and sexually assaulting her at his job, officials say.

Ryan Storm, 20, was arrested Wednesday on kidnapping and multiple sexual assault charges, according to the Lake County Sheriffs Office.

About 2 a.m. Wednesday, a 911 caller told investigators they received a strange call from Storm and went to his workplace in Lake Barrington to check on him. When the caller entered the business, they saw Storm running out the back door and a naked woman bound to equipment, officials say.

Officials didnt release the exact location, but the area includes industrial-type buildings and other businesses.

Storm held the woman against her will, tied her down and sexually assaulted her, officials say. The 20-year-old woman was taken to a hospital.

Deputies and police dogs searched for Storm for several hours and later learned he was trying to avoid arrest in Fox River Grove.

A Fox River Grove police officer found Storm running along a road in the village and arrested him, officials say.

I firmly believe that the victims life was saved because of the gut feeling the caller had, and the caller taking the further step of checking on the situation in the middle of the night, Lake County Sheriff John Idleburg said in a statement. That, in conjunction with terrific law-enforcement collaboration, saved the victims life and allowed us to take the offender into custody.

Storm of Palatine was charged with kidnapping, aggravated sexual assault, sexual assault, sexual abuse and unlawful restraint.

Convicted man kills himself in federal court after verdict, North Dakota officials say
The hack that shuttered a sprawling oil and gas pipeline system from Texas to New Jersey exposed major flaws in North and South Carolinas energy infrastructure and regulation, experts say.

Colonial Pipeline shut down May 7 after Eastern European criminals took hold of its business information systems. After round-the-clock efforts, the company slowly began restarting operations on May 12. It could take another two weeks before the pipeline is fully operational.

The pipeline serves nearly 70% of the oil and gas for the Carolinas. If the shut down had continued for more than a week, energy experts estimated that the impact on the local economies of the two states could have been devastating. Panic buying began to cause problems in both states within days of the pipeline closure.

At the height of their shortages, at least 71% of stations in North Carolina and 54% in South Carolina were out of gasoline, quickly affecting small-scale transportation needs. Newspaper deliveries were interrupted, one Sun News staff member reported that Lowes Home Improvement couldnt deliver a new appliance and government officials in both states begged people to avoid nonessential travel and not hoard gasoline.

Five experts in the fields of cybersecurity, civil engineering, energy economics and the psychology of panic buying spoke with a reporter about why the Carolinas oil and gas infrastructure and federal regulatory policy are particularly vulnerable to major shutdowns and what can be done in the future to mitigate their effects.

What happened

When Colonial Pipeline shut down its 5,500 mile system, it was a precautionary measure. The computers that control the pipelines operations itself had not been affected, the company said.

Doing that meant no new fuel was coming out of one of Americas largest oil and gas transporters for five full days. Experts said that because of the nations reliance on just-in-time delivery  getting goods to their destination right when they are needed and having few, if any, back up supplies  meant the Southeast could quickly run low on fuel.

Story continues

Some fuel began flowing May 10, but the Colonial Pipeline didnt begin its full restart of operations until May 12. Charlotte-based Wells Fargo economist Mark Vitner said a true gasoline shortage would not have begun unless the pipeline shuttered for at least a week or more.

Had the pipeline shut down gone on much longer, the Carolinas would have run dangerously low on gasoline and eventually other kinds of oil and gas like diesel and jet fuel. In preparation for such an eventuality, American Airlines added a stop to a normally-direct flight between Charlotte and Honolulu, Hawaii to conserve fuel.

Yuche Chen, a civil engineering professor at the University of South Carolina, said it could be before Memorial Day before the Carolinas see a full recovery from the pipeline shut down because the two states are so far up the pipeline.

The pipeline is like a highway, Chen said. If there is an accident on a highway, once the blockage is removed, its not really instant relief. It takes time to get those vehicles to go through.

Its really very complicated and a very huge system, he said. It really takes time for them to slowly move all the gas through the pipeline.

Before the Carolinas reached a critical point for flying, though, tourism would have seen a steep decline in both states, experts said. They are heavily served by drive-markets, visitors who come from both near and far by car rather than flying. There were some limited effects on local economies, ride-hailing services like Uber and Lyft as well as delivery services struggled to weather the run on gasoline, Vitner said.

Profit vs. protecting critical infrastructure

The Carolinas dont have much in the way of oil and gas refineries, experts said. The growth of major pipeline systems has made it cheaper to coalesce these industries in one or two places, like Houston, where the Colonial Pipeline starts.

Just a few companies operate these pipeline systems, and its rare to have more than one Colonial Pipeline-size system serving a single region. Pipelines are expensive to build, Vitner said, so it hasnt made financial sense to have secondary pipelines  redundancies  in the event of catastrophes like the Colonial hack.

Nevertheless, if you think this is going to happen on a regular basis, then you prepare for it, said Bob Cox, a cybersecurity policy expert at USC. It seems in this case, it wasnt something that was anticipated to be a problem. Now we know it can be a problem. Then the question is, how do you prepare for it?

A cheaper option, Cox said, is that companies could expand tank farms, where fuel goes before being trucked to gas stations, or build more of them.

Chen, the civil engineering professor, said what happened to Colonial Pipeline is just one of many examples of the problems with Americas aging infrastructure. The nation received a C- rating in the most recent infrastructure report card by the American Society of Civil Engineers.

Concerns about failing bridges and dams are more obvious examples of the nations infrastructure problems, but now the nation must contend with beefing up its online firewalls as well.

Hacking is still a relatively new issue for businesses and governments. But it is becoming more common every day, said Chin-Tser Huang, a USC computer science professor who specializes in cybersecurity.

One of the most common forms of hacking is ransomware, cybersecurity experts say, where hackers lock computer systems and demand money in exchange for an electronic key to be able to access those systems again.

Regulation in that area is sparse, experts said.

The banking system, for example, has to go through stress tests to ensure it doesnt collapse in the onset of adverse events, Vitner said. We may see that the companies that are involved in critical infrastructure in the US may have to pass certain stress tests, such as having backup computers that can be switched to if a company is hacked.

As our lives become more online, there are increasingly expanded ways for hackers to get in, Cox said.

One of the big lessons is to isolate the business computers from the pipeline management, which is actually a tricky challenge to do, Cox said. But there are people doing work on how to create servers that are firewalled sufficiently while still allowing business operations to move effectively.

Maintaining cybersecurity infrastructure can be extremely expensive. The lack of regulation from government bodies also leaves the companies that run some of the most important parts of the nations infrastructure to their own devices when deciding whether the cost of cybersecurity is worth the risk.

In some cases, all hackers might need to take down an entire business is one computer that hasnt been updated recently. Cox compares what happened with Colonial Pipeline to the SolarWinds hack, which compromised government agencies, including the Treasury and Commerce departments, via a virus hiding inside a software update.

There might be best practices for maintaining security of your business operations, but thats always going to come at a cost, Cox said. Thats a very difficult area for the government to regulate  to say that you have to maintain your payroll software up to date, for example, as a function of doing business because youre a pipeline operator.

Infrastructure companies are much more experienced in handling natural disasters, like hurricanes, but their effects tend to be isolated to much smaller areas than what we saw with the Colonial Pipeline shutdown, experts said.

The February winter storm that shuttered oil and gas plants across Texas was one of the countrys biggest tests yet when it comes to how isolated energy production has become. Those plants make up 31% of the nations refining capacity. Fears of gasoline shortages spread across the U.S.

Refineries got back online quickly enough to prevent a shortage from happening, and tank farms had enough supply to keep the Southeast running, experts said.

The Colonial Pipeline restarted even faster than many of those Texas refineries. So why did the Carolinas start running out of gasoline?

Panic buying.

We dont have any surge capacity to get gasoline from the tank farms to the gasoline stations, said Vitner, the Wells Fargo economist. I cant imagine that these tank farms are running dry. I dont think that happened. There wasnt enough time for that.

How to stop panic-buying, if at all

Hoarding gasoline, a highly flammable substance, is extremely dangerous. One South Carolina woman experienced this personally when tanks of gasoline in her trunk exploded during a police chase, causing her to catch on fire.

The woman was one of many panic buyers around the Carolinas who raced to gas stations last week for fear of running out of gasoline. Yet, if it werent for panic buying, neither state would have seen a run on gasoline. The states never ran out of diesel or jet fuel, which comes from the Colonial Pipeline system just like gasoline.

Fuel was still flowing to gas stations. Everyday drivers just kept bleeding them dry faster than trucks could deliver. The U.S. also has a nationwide shortage of truck drivers, making it harder to get fuel from tank farms to gas stations.

Some stations around the Carolinas put in $25-$50 caps on fuel purchases. They wanted to stave off running out completely and ensure people who really needed it could at least get some gas.

Rationing like this is common during hurricanes or other events that might create gasoline shortages, and the infrastructure for quickly implementing purchasing caps exists, experts said. The problem was that not enough gas stations were controlling fuel sales, leading to widespread outages of fuel supplies in high-traffic areas.

People engage in panic buying because of anticipated regret, they fear realizing down the line that they made the wrong decision, USC psychology professor Doug Weddell said.

People in general are risk averse, Weddell said. They dont want to get caught making the wrong decision ... You dont want to be sitting there afterwards going, If only I had bought extra gasoline I wouldnt be stuck on the side of the road right now.

Its hard to fight back against these fears, even for those who know better, and all it takes to create a surge of panic buyers is a few people breaking.

You find herd mentality, in crisis situations Weddell said. If I see a whole bunch of people there at the gas station, I want to conform  What do they know that I dont know?

The best fix to stop panic buying would be a government mandate, said Vitner, the Wells Fargo economist. Relying on an entire group of people to self-regulate and think logically in a crisis is a recipe for disaster, Weddell said. It wouldnt even take an act of the legislature to do it. Mandating a cap on fuel purchases, for example, falls under the existing emergency powers available to the governor of North Carolina. And in the past, the South Carolina governors office reduced speed limits around the state in the wake of a gas shortage to help conserve fuel.

If you knew that you could only get 12 gallons of gas, you might make you think twice about whether or not you wanted to line up for it, Vitner said.

Renewable energy

Theres one potential major fix already on the way, and the Carolinas state and local governments could directly help it along.

Renewable energy.

All five of the experts interviewed for this story agreed that the best way to handle a future cyberattack like this is to expand the options for energy usage in the region. Right now, the Carolinas  and the U.S. as a whole  still rely heavily on fossil fuels for energy consumption, particularly when it comes to cars.

The growth in renewable energy and electric cars could serve as a stopgap in the future in the case of oil and gas pipeline issues. No need to rush to the pump if the car doesnt run on gas. And theres already growing sentiment that the nation needs to invest in renewable energy to stop climate change.

Thats another form of redundancy, just having alternative forms of energy, so that one source of energy is not your major challenge, Cox said. Thats not going to happen quickly, but the smart actors in that space are thinking long term about that.

Power plants could be better served as well. If a hurricane or cyberattack knocks out a natural gas power plant, windmills or solar panels could still operate once the weather clears. As a whole, diversifying the regions energy production could reduce reliance on individual sources, experts said. Losing one wouldnt cripple the whole region.

Federal agencies and energy producers have had their eye on South Carolinas Grand Strand for years as a place to build a massive wind farm. North Myrtle Beach has supported expanding wind energy in the region for more than a decade now. In 2010, the first wind turbine to be connected to the states power grid was built on the citys Oceanfront Park.

North Carolina in 2018 ranked third in the nation for the growth of solar energy production. It also ranked 10th in the nation in electric vehicle charging stations. Yet, North Carolinas legislature has often opposed offshore wind power by trying to impose temporary bans on building wind farms or adding more regulatory hurdles.

Lack of government support has been one of the biggest problems standing in the way of renewable energys growth, experts said.

The Biden administration wants to change that with its American Rescue Plan, which would provide billions for building solar farms and wind turbines. Both North and South Carolina could also take steps in that direction, experts said, by providing more tax breaks for companies who want to expand their green energy footprint, as has been done in Texas, one of the biggest green energy producers in the world, and California.

A lot of the innovations we see developing in that space are due to state-level incentives, not due to federal incentives, Cox said. The smart states are trying to use it as a way to lure high-tech jobs, high-paying manufacturers, jobs and technology.

The State, This Week

Want to know whats going on in the Grand Strand? The Upstate? The Lowcountry? Our newest South Carolina newsletter will bring you some of the best highlights of our statewide coverage. The newsletter is delivered straight to your inbox every Friday afternoon. Subscribe up here.
May 19When Newburyport and Manchester Essex girls lacrosse last met in the 2019 Division 2 North Final, the Clippers got off to a hot start only to watch the Hornets steadily come back and eventually earn the win.

For a while it looked like deja vu all over again, only this time the Clippers made sure things ended differently this time.

Newburyport scored the first five goals of the game only to see Manchester Essex battle back to tie the game with six straight goals in the second and third frames. In the end, it was Newburyport that made one final run, putting together four straight goals in the third and fourth quarters to pull away for a 15-11 win at Hyland Field.

"It was great to have a good, competitive game today," said Newburyport coach Catherine Batchelder, whose team remains unbeaten at 4-0 on the season. "[Manchester Essex] plays a backer zone and it gave us trouble at times, but in the third and especially the fourth quarter we were able to put some people in positions to get through it."

Despite the loss, Manchester Essex head coach Nan Gorton could only praise her team's effort.

"That was the best game we've played all year against a very good team," said the head coach of Hornets, who fell to 1-3 with the loss. "You take away some of the jitters early on and we were right with them the entire way. I thought we played well on both ends of the field, they just had one more push than we did late."

Lily Athanas scored for Manchester Essex on a re-start with five minutes to play in the third quarter, its sixth straight goal to turn a 7-1 deficit into a 7-7 tie.

The visiting Clippers, however, controlled play the rest of the way.

Lily Pons put home a pass from Samantha King to give Newburyport an 8-7 lead after three. The visitors took that momentum into the fourth quarter as goals from King, Rita Cahalane and Pons, coming just 64 seconds apart, gave them a commanding, 11-7 lead with just over nine minutes to play.

Story continues

The Clippers started to pull away thanks to some adjustments made on the draw. Manchester Essex, which became the first team to come within 12 goals of Newburyport this season, got back into the game with its work on draw controls, but Newburyport won seven of eight draws in the third and fourth quarters and then converted their possessions to pull away.

"We had a lot of trouble on the draw in the second and third quarters but made some nice adjustments in the fourth," Batchelder said. "It came down to a couple of bounces our way which makes a big difference in a tight game."

King added three more fourth quarter goals to help build a lead as big as 15-9 before Gianna Huet found the net for Manchester Essex twice in the last minute to cap the scoring at 15-11.

King led the way for the Clippers with four goals, all in the final frame, and two assists. Emily Fuller had three goals while Liberty Palermino had a pair to help pace Newburyport early on. The Clippers also got offensive help from Anna Affolter (goal, six assists), Pons (two goals) and Izzy Rosa (goal, two assists), among others.

Huet led the Hornets with five goals and an assist. Athanas had four goals and an assist while Mercedes O'Neil scored twice.

Newburyport travels to Lynnfield on Friday at 4:45 p.m., while Manchester Essex returns to action on Monday at home against Georgetown at 4 p.m.

Newburyport 15, Manchester 11

Goals: Sam King 4, Emily Fuller 3, Liberty Palermino 2, Lily Pons 2, Anna Affolter, Izzy Rosa, Olivia McDonald, Rita Cahalane

Assists: Affolter 6, King 2, Rosa 2, McDonald

Saves: Erin Osinski 5

Newburyport (4-0): 5 2 1 7  15

Manchester (1-3): 0 3 4 4  11
DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP)  The ongoing bloodshed in the Gaza Strip has unleashed a chorus of voices across Gulf Arab states that are fiercely critical of Israel and emphatically supportive of Palestinians.

The vocal opposition to Israel, expressed in street protests, on social media and in newspaper columns, comes just months after pacts were signed to establish ties with Israel  and complicates government efforts to rally Arab citizens around full-throttle acceptance of the deals.

Analysts said the conflict will also set back Israeli efforts to secure more normalization deals with other Arab states, like Saudi Arabia.

The criticism has not only put Arab governments that signed the diplomatic accords with Israel in a difficult position with their citizens, it also affirms that the Palestinian cause continues to resonate deeply with people across the Middle East.

No matter what your national priorities are at the moment or regional priorities are at the moment, when stuff like this happens, the Palestinian issue comes back and hits you, Emirati political analyst Abdulkhaleq Abdulla said.

Still, the open calls for Palestinian rights and condemnation of Israel voiced by countless Gulf Arab citizens have largely mirrored official statements from their governments, all of which have condemned the violence in some form. Some have gone further, and Abdulla said hed hoped the United Arab Emirates' most recent statement calling on all parties to cease fighting had been bolder and named Israel as the aggressor.

In speaking out, Gulf citizens are challenging the official narratives around normalization with Israel.

In Bahrain, civil society groups signed a letter urging the government to expel the Israeli ambassador. In Kuwait, protesters held two rallies and are demanding permission to hold more. In Qatar, the government allowed hundreds to protest over the weekend as Hamas top leader delivered a speech. In the UAE, some have openly donned the black-and-white checkered Palestinian keffiyeh on Instagram while others have tweeted under hashtags supportive of Palestinians.

Story continues

Last year, the UAE became the first Arab country in over two decades to establish ties with Israel, after Egypt and Jordan in 1979 and 1994, respectively. It was a brazen move that bypassed the Palestinians, who slammed it as treason and a stab in the back.

The UAE's move paved the way for three other countries  Bahrain, Sudan and Morocco  to announce similar pacts with Israel in rapid succession.

Immediately after the UAE formalized ties with Israel in September, a tsunami of state propaganda framed it as a new era of peace, religious tolerance and security for the region.

Among the general Emirati public, there was little to no visible pushback from citizens when their government announced ties with Israel. Fiery nationalistic figures on Twitter with tens of thousands of followers aggressively cheered the pact, and throughout the current conflict have both defended ties with Israel and made posts mocking Palestinian protesters.

But unlike in Western democracies, a lack of protest in the Gulf does not mean acceptance. In the UAE, political parties are banned and political expression is heavily suppressed.

The show of support that we saw during the early days of normalization, I think it represents something deeper in Emirati society ... and that is that the vast majority support their government, Abdulla said. It was a show of support for the government rather than a show of support for normalization as such.

Mira Al-Hussein, an Emirati PhD candidate at Cambridge University, said Emiratis feel taken care of and valued by their government, which provides citizens with strong social safety nets.

But that doesnt mean we feel comfortable by whats happening around us, she said.

She changed her Twitter handle in support of Palestinians since the fighting broke out, and has used the platform to slam Israel's policies and highlight the atrocities of the war.

You dont sign papers and expect a human catastrophe to go away, she said of the accord with Israel.

Over the years, there have been changes to school curricula across Gulf Arab states to replace pan-Arab and pan-Islamic ideals with a nationalistic identity that unites people around the flag.

The UAE has been trying to mold public discourse around nationalism and a rejection of youth or Islamic movements, said Kristin Smith Diwan, a scholar at the Arab Gulf States Institute in Washington.

I think the relation with Israel was seen as a way to even cement that further. I dont know how thats going to work now, she said.

Al-Hussein said her younger brother, who is in his 20's, never studied the Arab-Israeli conflict in school. But he just learned about it today from social media," she said.

For millions of Arabs, social media is the only space where limited freedom of expression is possible. Since the war began, users have been flooded by images of dead Palestinian children being pulled from the rubble of Israeli airstrikes in Gaza.

These platforms have also been awash with images of Israeli security forces firing stun grenades and tear gas at worshippers and protesters in Al-Aqsa mosque in Jerusalem, of Palestinian families fighting eviction from their homes and of deadly protests across the occupied West Bank.

At least 217 Palestinians have been killed in Gaza, including 61 children and 36 women. More than 1,440 people have been wounded. Twelve people in Israel, including a young boy and a soldier, have been killed in Hamas rocket attacks.

Bader al-Saif, a Kuwait University professor, said the sheer un-proportionality of the conflict has pushed many people to speak out across the Gulf.

For Israelis to feel secure, they need to feel that they are accepted, al-Saif said. That feeling of acceptance cannot be complete without them dealing with the Palestinian issue.

U.K.-based Saudi scholar Madawi Al-Rasheed, a fierce critic of the Saudi government, said despite the kingdom's widespread crackdown on activists  most of whom are steadfast supporters of Palestinian rights  the outrage expressed by many online reveals the gap between the cautious push by the Saudi leadership to inch closer to Israel and public sentiment in the streets.

It shows that despite several years of adopting a normalization discourse in official Saudi media, the pulse of the people is actually not diverted from the Palestinian cause, she said.

___

Follow Aya Batrawy on twitter at https://twitter.com/ayaelb
Former US President Barack Obama speaks during a drive-in campaign rally for President Joe Biden at Northwestern High School on October 31, 2020 in Flint, Michigan. Drew Angerer/Getty Images

A former Navy pilot said pilots training off the US coast saw UFOs every day.

The sightings are being investigated by a Department of Defense special task force.

Former President Barack Obama joked of his own curiosity about aliens and said sightings are real.

See more stories on Insider's business page.

Former President Barack Obama joked that he was told there was no secret lab testing alien samples when he took office in 2008 but acknowledged that footage of unidentified aircraft was real.

During an interview on"The Late Late Show with James Corden," Obama was asked to weigh in on reports of UFOs.

"When it comes to aliens, there are some things I just can't tell you on air," Obama joked.

This content is not available due to your privacy preferences. Update your settings here to see it.

A former US Navy pilot told CBS's 60 Minutes earlier this week that pilots training off the US coast sighted UFOs - also known as Unidentified Aerial Phenomena (UAP) - nearly every day.

Videos of the incidents were declassified in 2019 and the Department of Defense launched a special task force to investigate them last August. A report on the sightings is expected in June.

The former president said he asked about the topic when he became president.

"I was like all right, is there the lab somewhere where we're keeping the alien specimens and spaceship? And you know, they did a little bit of research and the answer was no," he joked.

Obama confirmed that there's footage and records of unidentified objects in the skies.

"We don't know exactly what they are, we can't explain how they moved, their trajectory. They did not have an easily explainable pattern. And so, you know, I think that people still take seriously trying to investigate and figure out what that is. But I have nothing to report to you today, " Obama said.

Read the original article on Business Insider
(Bloomberg) -- A wave of strong oil buying by processors in China and Japan -- underpinned by one mega-refiners massive spree -- has lifted spot premiums in Asias physical market, adding to signs of rising global demand.

Spot premiums for crude grades favored by Chinese and Japanese refiners, such as Russias ESPO and Qatars Al-Shaheen, have surged to multi-month highs, according to traders who asked not to be identified. Dubai crudes prompt timespreads went deeper into backwardation -- a bullish market indicator -- with the differential more than doubling from last week.

Oil processors and traders are weighing mixed signals from Asias market as the coronavirus pandemic leaves an uneven imprint. While key crude importer India has been hit hard by a brutal Covid-19 wave, other nations, especially China, have continued to do well. Those signs of progress add to evidence of recoveries in Europe and U.S. demand, underpinning gains in futures markets.

On Tuesday, Chinas Rongsheng Petrochemical Co. purchased 12 million barrels of Middle Eastern varieties from Abu Dhabi, Oman and Iraq -- the biggest volume in about seven months. The purchases come after the Chinese government announced on new tax on imports of three oil-related items from next month, a move expected to spur Chinese buying of heavy crudes.

Russias Surgutneftegas PJSC sold multiple cargoes of ESPO crude for July loading at premiums that are at the highest since December, data compiled by Bloomberg show. Japanese oil companies also picked up at least five cargoes of Qatars Al-Shaheen crude at the widest premiums so far this year.

Spot buying activities for mostly July cargoes are likely to remain active throughout this week, with a flurry of import tenders for Middle Eastern crude issued by Japans Fuji Oil Co., Thailands PTT Pcl and Indian Oil Corp. that are due later this week.

More stories like this are available on bloomberg.com

Subscribe now to stay ahead with the most trusted business news source.

2021 Bloomberg L.P.
It's graduation season !

President Joe Biden challenged the U.S. Coast Guard Academys graduating class on Wednesday to go out and be the future in a rapidly changing world. We need you badly  thats not hyperbole, he said to 240 grads in his first commencement address as commander-in-chief.

While Biden was looking to the future, New York courts were looking back. Today marks an escalation in the investigation of former President Donald Trump, as the state has joined forces with leaders of a long-running criminal investigation of Trump in Manhattan.

It's Mabinty, with your guide to Washington and the world. Today we're talking Trump, Capitol riot, Israel and a controversial new Texas abortion law.

Want this news roundup in your inbox every night? Sign up for OnPolitics newsletter here.

Not good news for Trump

New York State Attorney General Letitia James joined forces with Manhattan District Attorney Cyrus Vance, leader of a long-running criminal investigation into Donald Trump and his family business interests, escalating the potential legal jeopardy facing the former president and his associates.

What does this mean? The implications of a criminal investigation into Trump and those in his close orbit have gained particular salience because Trump now lacks any immunity he enjoyed while president. The former president cannot pardon his former aides and close allies, a power he used to protect associates who were pursued in previous criminal investigations.

The New York attorney general's action brings additional firepower to bear in a tax and bank fraud inquiry that potentially threatens Trump's business and political viability.

How did Trump react? In a lengthy written statement, Trump cast the attorney general's announcement as political warfare.

"There is nothing more corrupt than an investigation that is in desperate search of a crime," Trump said. "But, make no mistake, that is exactly what is happening here...The Attorney General of New York literally campaigned on prosecuting Donald Trump even before she knew anything about me."

Story continues

Is this the end of the Capitol riot bipartisan commission?

In yesterday's OnPolitics, I wrote about House Republican Leader Kevin McCarthy's opposition to a bipartisan commission to study the Jan. 6 riot at the U.S. Capitol.

Add Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell to the club.

The bill creating the panel could die in the Senate after McConnell announced Wednesday his objections to the measure, calling it "slanted and unbalanced." One of McConnell's concerns is that the Democratic chairman would control staff hiring.

McConnell's opposition could be enough to torpedo the commission, seen by Democrats as necessary to independently examine the insurrection by a pro-Trump mob on Jan. 6 that left five dead and 140 police officers injured.

While McConnell's opposition could weigh heavily within the GOP caucus, several GOP Senators wish to see the commission proceed, meaning Democrats could reach the necessary 60 votes.

What else is going on?

Hope you get to take a walk this week Mabinty

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: New York attorney general investigation Trump Organization
DUBLIN (Reuters) -Pfizer is to begin producing a key ingredient for its COVID-19 vaccine at an Irish facility for the first time, the U.S. drugmaker said in a statement on Wednesday.

An existing Pfizer facility at Grange Castle in Dublin will produce "mRNA drug substance" with output to begin by the end of the year, the statement said.

Setting up production will cost $40 million and will employ 75 people, it said.

"Given the extensive technical transfer process, on-site development, equipment installation and regulatory approvals needed for the site, we expect it will be brought onto the network by the end of 2021."

Irish Prime Minister Micheal Martin welcomed the development in a Twitter post as "great news... that puts Ireland at the heart of the EU's fight against the pandemic".

(Reporting by Conor Humphries, editing by Louise Heavens and Emelia Sithole-Matarise)
A Texas police officer accused of sexually assaulting a 19-year-old woman has been arrested, officials say.

The El Paso Police Department announced the arrest Tuesday of Abderrazak Boukhatmi, a 34-year-old who has been with the department for two years. He has been charged with sexual assault.

Officials say he forced a 19-year-old woman to perform oral sex on him Sunday night in an apartment complexs pool restroom. Boukhatmi was working in an off-duty capacity at the apartment.

Boukhatmi will be booked in the El Paso County Detention Facility on a $45,000 bond, police say.

Chief Greg Allen wants to assure the public that such an abhorrently shameful act by an individual within the ranks of the police department is intolerable and will be investigated swiftly and thoroughly, police said in a statement. Boukhatmi was relieved of duty and placed on administrative leave.

Boukhatmi was hired in July 2019 and was earning $48,512 annually, KTSM reported.

Registered sex offender assaults mom, kidnaps her 14-year-old daughter, Texas cops say

Teacher accused of molesting 8-year-old told her to keep it our secret, Texas cops say
U.S. President Joe Biden will speak Wednesday morning at the U.S. Coast Guard Academys commencement in New London, marking his first commencement address as president to a service academy.

The ceremony, which is closed to the public, is expected to take place outdoors on Cadet Memorial Field around 11 a.m. However, New London police said in an email Monday that members of the community are allowed to assemble in three locations: McKinley Park located at the corner of Williams Street and Crystal Avenue, the grass area on Williams Street just after the overpass and the grass parcel across the street from the academys main gate. But no one will be permitted to gather past the main gate.

For safety and security purposes, anyone who assembles in those designated areas must not wear full masks/face covering items or bring sticks or posts of any sort, even if they are attached to a sign, police said. Bags and backpacks are not allowed, and unless a permit is filed with the city, amplified noise devices are also banned.

The department warned that parking where signs prohibit doing so will result is tickets and towing, and Riverside Park will be closed to the public beginning at 5 a.m. until later in the day at their discretion.

The academy noted the number of guests attending the event will be greatly reduced due to COVID-19 restrictions, and mitigation strategies will be in place.

We are honored to host the Commander-in-Chief as we celebrate the accomplishments of the Class of 2021, the future leaders of the U.S. Coast Guard, said Academy Superintendent Rear Adm. Bill Kelly in a statement. It will be a memorable event for our community, as well as a great opportunity to showcase the Academy and the city of New London on a national stage.

The academys commencement regularly brings top national leaders to Connecticut, as presidents and vice presidents traditionally rotate the speeches at the service academies for the Coast Guard, the U.S. Navy in Annapolis, Md.; Air Force in Colorado Springs, and Army at West Point, N.Y.

Biden spoke to the academy graduates in New London eight years ago as vice president, and President Barack Obama addressed them in 2011 and 2015. In 2017, President Donald Trump spoke at the graduation, followed by Vice President Mike Pence in 2018. Last year the academy held a virtual ceremony, where a number of officials shared remarks as well as actors Gary Sinise and Kevin Costner.

Amanda Blanco can be reached at ablanco@courant.com.
Prince Charles follows in the footsteps of his father during a visit at the Harland & Wolff shipyard - Samir Hussein - Pool/Wire Image

The Duke of Edinburghs visit to the Harland & Wolff shipyard in 1977 came at a time of great political turmoil, with tensions erupting on the streets and widespread violence.

When the Prince of Wales followed in his fathers footsteps in Belfast on Tuesday, he faced potential risks of a rather different kind.

In a sign of the times, health and safety measures meant that as he walked under the yard's towering cranes, unlike his father, Prince Charles was obliged to don a hard hat and hi-vis vest.

The Prince, 72, met workers at the historic shipyard as he embarked on a two-day visit to Northern Ireland with the Duchess of Cornwall.

The Duke of Edinburgh at Harland and Wolff during a Silver Jubilee visit in August 1977 - Pacemaker

He earlier paid tribute to the "inspiring" efforts of youth workers to bring about reconciliation in the province.

We must never underestimate the risk - and of course the cost - of holding to peaceful ways, and how much determination and courage is actually necessary, he said.

Whenever I visit this part of the world, I never cease to be profoundly moved by the work that is being done to heal the pain of the past, to bring understanding and reconciliation in the present, and to build hope for the future.

At the shipyard, the Prince commented on the size of the cranes that famously dominate the skyline as he chatted to employees who represent the third and fourth generations of their families to work there.

Showing an interest in the future of the business, he was shown automatic-welding machinery before unveiling a plaque to mark Harland & Wolffs 160th anniversary.

Prince - Samir Hussein

The Prince was also presented with a photograph of his late father visiting the shipyard in 1977, during a short tour to mark the Queens Silver Jubilee.

He said in a brief speech: "I'm old enough to remember the days when there were an awful lot of people working here, so it's been such a pleasure to talk to those of you who have been working here for 40 or 45 years. it's always been such an amazing family company, so many of you have followed your grandfathers and fathers, uncles and so on.

Story continues

He described the new activity and opportunities as really encouraging and said he hoped it might inspire more young people to become apprentices and understand the importance of manufacturing.

"We owe all of you an enormous debt of gratitude for your skills and ingenuity, which are so remarkable, he added. Well done all of you and thank you for all the hard work you put in."

The royal couple had earlier met historians at Belfast City Hall - Samir Hussein

Earlier, both Prince Charles and the Duchess were told about the rich and varied history of Belfast as they arrived in the city.

Welcomed to Belfast City Hall by Lord Mayor Frank McCoubrey, they viewed a mural by local artist John Like, painted for the Festival of Britain in 1950, before viewing a copy of a John Conor painting depicting the State Opening of Stormont in 1921.

While the Prince discussed the centenary of Northern Ireland with local historians, the Duchess heard about Belfast's ambition to become a Unesco City of Music and was introduced to the women's steering group behind the bid.

Camilla, wearing an emerald green Rifle's coat dress and matching face mask designed by Fiona Claire, discussed issues around domestic violence with the women.

The couple also met with a number of youth workers at the headquarters of the Education Authority in Belfast city centre, hearing about how they help young people living in deprived areas.

In a speech, the Prince hailed the "tireless work" being done to bring about reconciliation and paid tribute to their dedication and commitment to peaceful co-existence.

The Duchess later tried her hand at the traditional craft of silversmithing during a visit to the workshop of Cara Murphy in the Co Down village of Hillsborough, causing Mrs Murphy to comment that it could be a new career.

Mrs Murphy is a renowned silversmith who created the Grand National trophy.
Dallas  Tensions are rising nationwide between landlords and tenants. Despite a federal moratorium, landlords have filed more than 342,000 evictions during the pandemic, according to Princeton University's Eviction Lab.

More than 34,000 have been filed in the Dallas-Fort Worth area alone.

Those facing eviction have a final chance to stay in their homes by making their case to a judge.

Jasmin Zuniga brought her 3-month-old daughter, Delilah, to court. "I wasn't paying my whole rent completely and that's when the late fees started," she told the judge.

Jasmin Zuniga and her young daughter appear in eviction court. / Credit: CBS News

Her hearing lasted seven minutes. When it's over, Zuniga is allowed to stay in the apartment after Mark Melton, a tax-attorney-turned-eviction-expert, agreed to pay the landlord $1,100 in back rent. Melton is working eviction cases for free in the small Dallas County courtroom.

Zuniga said the last few months have been "stressful, especially with a newborn."

"Staying up all night and then worrying about how am I going to have the rent money. There's nowhere to go," she said.

Kimberly Johnson, a mother of four, was also at court to fight her eviction after her cashier job hours were cut in half. Despite paying back the rent in full, the landlord still filed the eviction.

"You're not looking for handouts and you work and you do what you gotta do. You teach your kids to do the same thing, to have responsibilities. You are not trying to get on the phone and tell people that you need help. This whole thing is just overwhelming," Johnson said, crying outside of court.

Kimberly Johnson faced eviction after her work hours were cut during the pandemic. / Credit: CBS News

Melton added: "Everyone is nervous. The people that I talk to are just scared to death about what's going to happen to them, their families."

Texas has more than $1 billion in funding for rental assistance. More than 130,000 people have applied for the funds and over 16,000 have been approved. But so far, just over $112 million  less than 10% of the funds  has been dispersed to tenants in need, according to the Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs.

Story continues

"If those checks never come, they will be foreclosed on," said Ian Mattingly, the president of the Apartment Association of Greater Dallas.

Mattingly believes the economy will fully recover, but it will take time. "Undoubtedly, the economy is recovering. But equally undoubtedly, it's going to take a long time to make up the roughly $54 billion in unpaid rental funds. And some of the debts that have been racked up by property owners mirror the amount of debt that's been racked up by renters," he said.

Melton and close to 200 attorneys have helped more than 7,000 tenants avoid eviction. Last year they started Dallas Evictions 2020, a group of pro bono attorneys providing eviction assistance during the pandemic. Through donations, the group has helped families pay back rent and hire legal representation.

Mark Melton works pro bono to help tenants facing eviction in the Dallas area. / Credit: CBS News

The work is endless and overwhelming  a feeling Melton knows all too well. He was evicted from his home when he was 21.

"When I get these phone calls, all these people and, you know, they're going through that right now, like it takes me back to that place. And it's just I can't say no," he said.

Melton said he plans to keep the group's efforts going.

If you want to help Dallas Evictions 2020, you can visit their GoFundMe page.

Israeli prime minister rebuffs Biden's call to de-escalate

NYC reopens after more than a year of restrictions

Dancers seek to rid ballet of Asian stereotypes
Travel & Outdoors



McAllen, Texas - Puerto Vallarta Flights Begin June 10



Starting June 10th, three flights from McAllen, Texas to Puerto Vallarta and Guadalajara, Jalisco will open on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays; return flights are on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Sundays from both cities to McAllen. Puerto Vallarta, Mexico - More excellent news adds to the optimism that Puerto Vallarta will have a great summer season. As of June 10, this beach destination adds a new air connection, this time from McAllen, Texas, with an Aeromar airline flight that will be available three days a week.



In the border city, the director of aviation in McAllen, Texas, Elizabeth Suarez, announced the two new flights that will be offered from that point to Guadalajara and Puerto Vallarta.



Three flights from McAllen to Puerto Vallarta and Guadalajara will open on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays; return flights are on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Sundays from both cities in Jalisco to McAllen.



In this regard, the acting director of the Puerto Vallarta Tourism Promotion and Advertising Trust, Luis Villasenor commented that this is a magnificent opportunity to attract tourists from an important metropolitan border area, which allows it to attract both Texans and residents of Reynosa, who usually have a strong purchasing power due to the large number of industries that are established in that region.



Located in Hidalgo County, Texas, the city of McAllen borders Reynosa, Tamaulipas, and has a population of 140,000. There are numerous multinational companies in that region, which boosts its economy, as well as the thousands of Mexicans who each year go shopping or arrive at the 'McAllen-Miller' airport.



It is appropriate to mention that the Reynosa-McAllen metropolitan area, with a population of 1,647,351 inhabitants, is the third most populated transnational metropolitan area between the border of the United States and Mexico, after Ciudad Juarez and Tijuana; likewise, the Reynosa-RAo Bravo metropolitan area is the twenty-third most populous city in the country.



"Puerto Vallarta is a highly desired destination by Texans, and this new Aeromar frequency will allow us to reach the inhabitants of the south of the state, who are also looking for beach options in Mexico, now we can offer you the most Mexican beach destination with multiple natural attractions, outdoor activities, jungle and ocean tours, succulent gastronomy, nightlife, and compliance with preventive biosafety protocols," said the director of the Trust.



In addition to this, the flight opens the opportunity for the inhabitants of Puerto Vallarta and the Banderas Bay region to visit the border city, famous for its shopping centers, outlets and businesses in general, in a shopping weekend with access to the attractions of an American city with Tex-Mex flair.



Flight Itineraries:



From McAllen to Puerto Vallarta, flights leave on Tuesdays and Saturdays at 10:00 am and arrive at 2:40 pm; on Thursdays they leave at 9:00 am and arrive at 1:40 pm. From this beach destination to the South Texas city, flights depart on Tuesdays at 3:10 pm and arrive at 7:15 pm. On Thursdays and Sundays flights depart at 2:10 pm and arrives at 6:15 pm.



From McAllen to Guadalajara, flights depart Tuesdays and Saturdays at 9:00 am and arrive at 11:30 am; on Thursdays it leaves at 9:00 am and arrives at 11:30 am. Flights from the capital of the state of Jalisco to McAllen leave on Tuesdays at 4:45 pm and arrive at 7:15 pm. On Thursdays and Sundays, flights depart at 3:45 pm and arrives at 6:15 pm



According to



Puerto Vallarta Tourism Trust press release translated and edited by Maria Francesca for BanderasNews.com. - More excellent news adds to the optimism that Puerto Vallarta will have a great summer season. As of June 10, this beach destination adds a new air connection, this time from McAllen, Texas, with an Aeromar airline flight that will be available three days a week.In the border city, the director of aviation in McAllen, Texas, Elizabeth Suarez, announced the two new flights that will be offered from that point to Guadalajara and Puerto Vallarta.Three flights from McAllen to Puerto Vallarta and Guadalajara will open on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays; return flights are on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Sundays from both cities in Jalisco to McAllen.In this regard, the acting director of the Puerto Vallarta Tourism Promotion and Advertising Trust, Luis Villasenor commented that this is a magnificent opportunity to attract tourists from an important metropolitan border area, which allows it to attract both Texans and residents of Reynosa, who usually have a strong purchasing power due to the large number of industries that are established in that region.Located in Hidalgo County, Texas, the city of McAllen borders Reynosa, Tamaulipas, and has a population of 140,000. There are numerous multinational companies in that region, which boosts its economy, as well as the thousands of Mexicans who each year go shopping or arrive at the 'McAllen-Miller' airport.It is appropriate to mention that the Reynosa-McAllen metropolitan area, with a population of 1,647,351 inhabitants, is the third most populated transnational metropolitan area between the border of the United States and Mexico, after Ciudad Juarez and Tijuana; likewise, the Reynosa-RAo Bravo metropolitan area is the twenty-third most populous city in the country."Puerto Vallarta is a highly desired destination by Texans, and this new Aeromar frequency will allow us to reach the inhabitants of the south of the state, who are also looking for beach options in Mexico, now we can offer you the most Mexican beach destination with multiple natural attractions, outdoor activities, jungle and ocean tours, succulent gastronomy, nightlife, and compliance with preventive biosafety protocols," said the director of the Trust.In addition to this, the flight opens the opportunity for the inhabitants of Puerto Vallarta and the Banderas Bay region to visit the border city, famous for its shopping centers, outlets and businesses in general, in a shopping weekend with access to the attractions of an American city with Tex-Mex flair.From McAllen to Puerto Vallarta, flights leave on Tuesdays and Saturdays at 10:00 am and arrive at 2:40 pm; on Thursdays they leave at 9:00 am and arrive at 1:40 pm. From this beach destination to the South Texas city, flights depart on Tuesdays at 3:10 pm and arrive at 7:15 pm. On Thursdays and Sundays flights depart at 2:10 pm and arrives at 6:15 pm.From McAllen to Guadalajara, flights depart Tuesdays and Saturdays at 9:00 am and arrive at 11:30 am; on Thursdays it leaves at 9:00 am and arrives at 11:30 am. Flights from the capital of the state of Jalisco to McAllen leave on Tuesdays at 4:45 pm and arrive at 7:15 pm. On Thursdays and Sundays, flights depart at 3:45 pm and arrives at 6:15 pmAccording to valleycentral.com, the website of a local news station in McAllen, Texas, tickets for flights to Guadalajara start at $99 USD one way, and $109 one way to Puerto Vallarta.



Site Map  Print this Page  Email Us  Top


Jovan Garvi

Danielle Nolen sat in her living room, looking glamorous in a baby blue robe and trying to preserve her new regal hairstyle as her family decorated the backyard in black and gold in anticipation of her grand appearance.

Her grandmother began fanning her to keep her from sweating off her makeup as the day grew more humid. Once everything was in place outside, the women in her family made their way back to the living room, where they helped her into her emerald gown. As her mother made the final adjustments and zipped the back of the gown, we all sat back in amazement at how radiant she looked in her ensemble.

We then gathered family and friends in front of Danielles home to await her appearance. The DJ cued up her favorite song. A wicker chair awaited her on the porch, but it might as well have been a throne.

Two women help a young girl put on an emerald dress.

This is what a Chicago-style prom send-off looks like in action. While not exclusive to Chicago, these prom send-offs have become a rite of passage for many Black girls in which their communities celebrate the girls as they take what will be one of many symbolic steps on their journey toward womanhood. For Black girls on the west and south sides of Chicago, prom send-off represents a tradition that goes back  as far as I can tell  at least to the 1990s.

A matter of tradition

As a researcher of Black girlhood, I interviewed and attended prom send-offs for both Danielle Nolen, 20, who attended prom in 2019, and Tonayvia Turner, 19, who attended prom in 2020 amid COVID-19 restrictions. My purpose was to learn more about what these occasions represent  both for the girls and for their communities. In my research, I didnt find much  if anything  that discussed the kinds of prom send-offs that I observed in Chicago. Below are four ways that these events are distinct from regular prom dates.

1. They celebrate Black girlhood

In a society that elevates white or Eurocentric beauty standards over others, prom send-offs put the focus on Black girls beauty and style based on their own standards. The prom send-offs also afford Black girls an opportunity to partake in a sort of pageantry, such as balls held for debutantes, that is often inaccessible to middle- or working-class families, such as the ones who reside on the west and south sides of Chicago.

Story continues

Also, research has shown that Black girls are more likely to be seen as less in need of support, nurturing, protection and comfort than other girls  a process known as adultification. It is within this context that Danielle says prom send-offs represent a welcome change of pace for us (Black girls) to be catered to. Tonayvia also emphasized the importance for Black girls to have a shared experience and the feelings of being cared for.

A young girl wearing an emerald dress prepares for prom with her family.

2. They take elaborate planning

Prom send-offs on the west and south sides of Chicago are not small, intimate prom send-offs where parents take pictures of their child with a date. The ones Ive seen are more elaborate productions. Some girls start planning a year out. Both Danielle and Tonayvia, for instance, said they began planning for their prom send-offs as soon as they became high school seniors.

It takes much organizing to gather the resources needed to pull off a magical presentation. In a prior job as a youth program coordinator, I saw many Black girls who sought employment solely to pay for the expenses associated with going to prom  everything from buying a dress to renting a car or limo.

3. Theyre community affairs

Black girls and their families organize prom send-offs as a thank you to the members of their village  old and young alike.

I have seen people from all aspects of the prom-goers life attend prom send-offs  everyone from teachers and mentors to fellow church members and co-workers. Even after Danielle was chauffeured to the formal prom dance, I stayed behind with her family to enjoy a cookout and line dancing.

4. They support Black businesses

For their prom send-offs, Black girls are intentional about using the services of Black entrepreneurs in their community  from beauticians and photographers to caterers and DJs.

They often rely on word-of-mouth recommendations in their networks to solicit goods and services from Black-owned businesses. For example, in one Chicago neighborhood, Donyell Wynn, owner of Fashionably Unpredictable, is highly sought after for making custom prom gowns.

Prom send-offs are sacred and celebrate Black life in the face of ongoing grief and loss. They extend care and love to create a memorable and enjoyable experience for their communities for years to come.

[Get the best of The Conversation, every weekend. Sign up for our weekly newsletter.]

This article is republished from The Conversation, a nonprofit news site dedicated to sharing ideas from academic experts. It was written by: Aja D. Reynolds, Wayne State University.

Read more:



Aja D. Reynolds receives funding from Spencer Foundation and Schultz Family Foundation.
Architect Gio Ponti understood the hard truth about clients. [Its] the person without whom one cannot produce architecture, and with whom one cannot produce it either, he once quipped, quoting a friend. But in Anala and Armando Planchart, the Italian star found an anomaly: patrons willing to let him build a house that he poetically described as a large butterfly alighted on the hilltop. Completed in 1957, Villa Planchart, perched on a rise as he imagined, overlooking Caracas, is a Gesamtkunstwerk of Pontis innovative ideas for lighting, tableware, and, of course, furniture.

Jason Schmidt

Courtesy of Molteni&C

Simplicity in production, simplicity of assembly and disassembly, simplicity of packaging is how photographer and curator Salvatore Licitrathe maestro of Taschens new book Gio Pontiexplains his grandfathers postwar aesthetic. Proof is the Round chair that Ponti used at Villa Planchart. It comprised just eight parts: a soap barshaped seat and back, two plywood uprights, and four metal legs.

In 1957 the design, which Ponti also deployed in a contemporaneous Caracas residence, Villa Arreaza, was officially unveiled at the Milan Triennale, where it was dressed in Vipla, an economical faux leather. Most important, it was shown disassembled, underscoring Pontis belief in technical coherence that is resolved in a stylistic coherence.

Istituto Italiano di Cultura C.M.Lerici_Stoccolma Gio Ponti Archives

Soon the Italian-made chairproduced in those days by Cassinastarred in a slew of Ponti projects: the Italian Cultural Institute in Stockholm (1958), Alitalias New York offices (1960) and its passenger terminal in Milan (1960), and Sorrentos fabulously sea-blue Hotel Parco dei Principi (1964). When production stopped in the mid-1960s, prices for originals skyrocketedan example clad in ivory vinyl fetched more than $80,000 at Phillips last year. But nearly 70 years later, Molteni&C, which has worked with Gio Ponti Archives since 2012, is reissuing the endlessly adaptable seat, which Licitra, who oversees the archives, calls inexpensive and elegant, simple and sophisticated, authoritative and youthful. molteni.it

Originally Appeared on Architectural Digest
Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Michael Regan recused himself from five cases involving the agency in April after ethics officials found that his prior role at the North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality could pose conflicts, an EPA official told McClatchy.

Under Regan, North Carolinas environmental agency took sides in a series of lawsuits between states and outside groups and the Trump administration over air and water quality standards. Several of those cases are on hold as the Biden administration determines its policy positions, but many of them remain unresolved.

After an initial review conducted before Regan took office, an EPA ethics official found he holds no financial conflicts of interests involving business before the agency.

But the official also made an impartiality determination that Regan should recuse himself on the very same specific party matters I worked on personally and substantially while employed with the NC DEQ, the administrator wrote in an internal memo to the agencys inspector general and general counsel on April 27.

Regans recusal was first uncovered through a Freedom of Information request by E&E News.

One case involves North Carolinas decision to join California in opposing the Navigable Waters Protection Rule, a policy of the Trump administration that limited the Clean Water Act by removing federal pollution standards on wetlands and streams.

In May 2020, North Carolina was one of 17 states that filed a lawsuit challenging the Trump administration policy, a lawsuit helmed by then-California Attorney General Xavier Becerra, now the Biden administrations secretary of Health and Human Services.

Regan and N.C. Attorney General Josh Stein initially filed comments opposing the rule, saying it used arbitrary distinctions to lift protections from wetlands and streams.

This historic rollback of protections will result in a significant loss of natural resources and it is not based on science and runs counter to decades of EPA policy, Regan said in a prepared statement when the May 2020 lawsuit was filed.

Story continues

The other four matters revolve around actions taken by North Carolinas agency as the Trump administration moved to modify enforcement of the Clean Air Act.

In one case, environmental organizations challenged a waiver granted to North Carolina by the Trump administration that eased penalties for excess emissions from plant startups and shutdowns. In another, Trumps EPA determined that Haywood County had met agency ambient air quality standards for sulfur dioxide.

Given my previous role at the NC DEQ, I am recusing myself, Regan wrote. If any other specific party matters arise at EPA, in which I participated personally and substantially while at NC DEQ, I understand that I must recuse myself from participating in those particular matters.

News & Observer staff writer Adam Wagner contributed to this report.

For more North Carolina government and politics news, listen to the Under the Dome politics podcast from The News & Observer and the NC Insider. You can find it on Pandora, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, iHeartRadio, Amazon Music, Megaphone or wherever you get your podcasts.

Under the Dome

With the start of the new year and a new legislative session, The News & Observer has launched a new Under the Dome podcast. Were unpacking legislation and issues that matter to keep you updated on whats happening in North Carolina politics twice a week on Monday and Friday mornings. Check us out here and sign up for our weekly Under the Dome newsletter for more political news.
The closure of the U.S.-Canada border to non-essential travel due to COVID-19 will be extended once again, according to a report by CTV News.

The closure was set to expire Friday, May 21, but has been extended another month and is now set to last until June 21, according to CTV.

It would mark the 14th such extension, since the two countries originally agreed to close the border March 21, 2020, in an effort to slow the spread of COVID-19.

Canadian Minister of Public Safety Bill Blair and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security had not yet tweeted about the extension as of Tuesday afternoon, as they have with previous extensions of the border closure.

Minister Blair is in regular contact with his American counterparts about issues relating to our shared border, James Cudmore, the director of communications for the minister of public safety, in a statement to CTVNews.ca when asked about the status of the situation on. Until the conditions on both sides of the border change very substantively, the measures at our borders will remain intact.

The news comes despite reports last week that Canadian officials were beginning to talk about what it would take to reopen the border.

According to a Bloomberg story Friday, May 14, the Canadian government had internal discussions about reopening the border with the U.S., even though Canada remains well behind American vaccination efforts. Citing three unnamed sources, the story said Canadian senior officials began to talk about options of how to open the border.

U.S.-Canada border reopening soon? Trudeau says there is hope for a better summer

In the end, its a political decision, and at what point does the Canadian side  and its the Canadian side at this point thats the slowpoke  decide that theyre ready to receive and what categories of people that theyll open up to, Michael Kergin, a former Canadian ambassador to the U.S., told Bloomberg. A staged reopening would be the logical approach.

Story continues

One item Canadian officials appear to be considering, according to Bloomberg, was a two-track system for vaccinated and unvaccinated travelers, possibly including quarantine for the those who have not yet been vaccinated.

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on Tuesday, May 11, seemed guardedly optimistic for the future, when he told Canadian media that there is hope for a slightly better summer, according to a story from Travel Pulse Canada.

The continued sticking point? Vaccination.

Trudeau said hed like to see travel restrictions between the two countries continue until at least 75% of Canadians have initiated vaccination, the story said. He added that he would like to see improved community transmission rates.

According to CTVs vaccination tracker, Canada has administered more than 19 million vaccination doses, and 46.25% of the countrys residents have received at least one dose. But only 1.4 million Canadian residents have received a second dose, meaning approximately 3.77% of the country is fully vaccinated  ranking 91st among nations.

For comparison, the tracker lists the U.S. as having administered 274 million doses, meaning 47.19% of its population has initiated vaccination and 37.03% of residents are fully vaccinated  13th among nations.

Sharing vaccine across border

The Canadian Public Health Agency confirmed to the CTV in another story Tuesday that Canadian residents will now be allowed to head to the United States for a COVID-19 vaccine without having to quarantine when they return.

To be eligible for the exemption from quarantine, Canadians would need a note from a licensed healthcare provider in Canada that the vaccination was medically necessary as well as written proof from a licensed U.S. vaccine provider.

However, CTV also reported that being allowed to cross the border for a vaccination was not a free pass to go shopping or for other activities before returning to Canada.

The move could possibly make Whatcom County Fire District 5 Chief Christopher Carletons efforts to start a cross-border vaccination effort in Point Roberts even more likely.

The chief last week sent a second round of letters to lawmakers on both sides of the border, urging them to consider a proposal of using Point Roberts unique position on the tip of the Tsawwassen Peninsula to use a surplus of doses on the American side of the border to help Canadian vaccination efforts.

It should not matter to any of us where you come from, what nationality you are or where you get vaccinated, Carleton wrote in the latest batch of letters. This is not a partisan issue; it is a life issue. Every person who is vaccinated makes their community safer; every effort to make communities safer makes our shared world safer.

Carleton cited examples of several other similar efforts already in place along different portions of the border.

COVID numbers update

As of Tuesday, the United States continues to have the highest number of COVID cases in the world with more than 32.9 million confirmed cases and 587,000 related deaths, according to the John Hopkins University COVID-19 dashboard. Canada, meanwhile, was 22nd overall with more than 1.3 million cases and 24,000 related deaths.

The U.S. is the third-most populated country in the world with more than 331 million residents, according to worldometers.info, while Canada is No. 39 with more than 37 million residents.

According to the British Columbia COVID-19 dashboard on Monday, May 17, the province has seen 139,664 total cases during the pandemic and 1,648 confirmed deaths  an increase of 19,624 cases and 110 deaths since the last border extension was announced April 20. With a population of approximately 5.1 million, British Columbia has seen an infection rate of 384.8 cases and 2.2 deaths per 100,000 residents since April 20.

The Washington State Department of Health, meanwhile, reported 390,630 confirmed cases and 5,640 related deaths on Monday  an increase of 30,820 cases and 246 deaths since April 19. With a population of approximately 7.5 million, the state has averaged 410.9 cases and 3.3 deaths per 100,000 residents since April 19.

Washington state reports administering 6,337,924 vaccine doses, or approximately 0.85 doses per resident, while British Columbia reports administering 2,528,398 doses, or approximately 0.50 per resident.

Washington state reports that 37.54% of the states population is fully vaccinated. Meanwhile CTVs vaccination tracker reports that 130,023 second doses have been administered in British Columbia, which represents approximately 2.5% of the provinces population.
State trooper Kory York with his foot on Ronald Greenes shoulder after he was taken into custody on 10 May 2019 (AP)

After two years, the police body camera footage of the deadly arrest of Ronald Greene by Louisiana state troopers has been released after authorities previously refused to make it public.

Obtained by the Associated Press, the footage shows the moments leading up to his death on a dark roadside outside of Monroe, following a high-speed chase.

Mr Greene is stunned, punched and dragged by his ankle cuffs as he apologises for leading officers on the chase.

Im your brother! Im scared! Im scared! Mr Greene, who is Black and was unarmed, can be heard telling the white troopers. Before he even gets out of his car he is repeatedly jolted with a stun gun.

The 2019 arrest is now the subject of a civil rights investigation, and the decision to not release the footage until now led to accusations of a cover-up.

Officials repeatedly rebuffed requests to release the footage and details regarding Mr Greenes death. The initial story from state troopers was that he died on impact after crashing into a tree during the chase.

Later, State Police released a one-page statement acknowledging that Mr Greene had struggled with troopers and died on his way to the hospital, but did not go into any detail about the altercation.

Now, the 46 minutes of footage released shows one trooper wrestling Mr Greene to the ground, putting him in a chokehold, and punching him in the face. Another trooper can be heard calling him a stupid motherf*****.

As he cries out Im sorry! another trooper shocks him again with the stun gun and warns him he will do it again if you dont put your f****** hands behind your back!

One trooper briefly drags him across the ground facedown after his legs have been shackled and his hands cuffed behind his back. He is then left lying on his front for nine minutes, moaning.

The troopers then use sanitiser wipes to remove his blood from their hands and faces, with one heard saying: I hope this guy aint got f****** Aids.

Several minutes pass without Mr Greene on camera before he appears limp and unresponsive, bleeding from his head and face, before being put on an ambulance gurney and cuffed to the siderail.

Story continues

There were six troopers at the scene of the arrest, but not all had their body cameras on and the microphone cuts out at times making it unclear what is happening when Mr Greene is offscreen.

Mr Greenes mother, Mona Hardin, said on Wednesday: They murdered him. It was set out, it was planned.

He didnt have a chance. Ronnie didnt have a chance. He wasnt going to live to tell about it."

Lee Merritt, an attorney for the Greene family, said that the footage had some of the same hallmarks as the George Floyd video, including the length of it, the sheer brutality of it and said that Mr Greene was apologising in an attempt to surrender.

A spokesperson for the Louisiana State Police declined to comment to the Associated Press due to the federal investigation.

An administrative investigation was not opened until 474 days after Mr Greenes death, with officials initially arguing that the use of force was justified. One described it as awful, but lawful.

Mr Greenes family has filed a federal wrongful-death lawsuit alleging troopers brutalised him, and left him beaten, bloodied, and in cardiac arrest before covering up the cause of death.

They released graphic photographs of his body on a gurney, showing deep bruises and cuts on his face and head.

In the incident on 10 May 2019, Mr Greene failed to pull over for a traffic violation and led police on a chase at speeds of over 115mph through rural highways.

Trooper Dakota DeMoss warned over the radio: We got to do something. Hes going to kill somebody.

When the chase ends Mr DeMoss and Master Trooper Chris Hollingsworth rush towards the vehicle. Mr Greene can be heard in the footage repeating: OK, OK, Im sorry.

After being shocked in the vehicle, Mr Greene is wrestled to the ground as he exits the SUV. Mr Hollingsworth strikes him multiple times. Trooper Kory York then dragged him by the leg shackles after he is cuffed.

Mr York was suspended without pay for 50 hours for the dragging and for improperly deactivating his body camera. He told investigators the device was beeping loudly and his mind was on other things.

In a separate recording obtained by the Associated Press, Mr Hollingsworth can be heard telling a colleague at the office that he beat the ever-living f*** out of Mr Greene.

Choked him and everything else trying to get him under control, the trooper is heard saying. He was spitting blood everywhere, and all of a sudden he just went limp.

Mr Hollingsworth later died in a single-vehicle highway crash that happened hours after he learned he would be fired for his part in the incident.

Mr DeMoss, meanwhile, was arrested in connection with a separate police pursuit last year in which he and two other troopers allegedly used excessive force while handcuffing a motorist.

It is still unclear exactly what caused Mr Greenes death.

Union Parish Coroner Renee Smith told the Associated Press in 2020 that his death was ruled accidental and attributed to cardiac arrest, though his file, written before her time in office, said it was due to a car crash and there was no mention of a struggle with police.

A separate medical report says that Mr Greene was dead on arrival at the hospital. A doctor noted at the time that a police account that he had died after crashing into a tree did not add up given the two stun gun prongs in his back.

With reporting by the Associated Press
(Bloomberg) -- Thailand-based Sri Trang Agro-Industry Pcl, the worlds top rubber producer, expects no surplus of the commodity this year as demand recovers, and supply is hit by a shortage of tappers and fungal disease.

Since this is the year of recovery for tires and autos, demand will rise while supply stays stable, so prices should be on an uptrend, as long as there are no more disruptions to the global economy, Veerasith Sinchareonkul, executive director, said in an interview. In the past, supply grew at a faster pace than demand, but this year supply grows much more slowly.

Rubber demand will expand 5%-7% in 2021, while supply growth will be flat to 2%, Veerasith said. Rising demand for car tires as a result of a recovery in auto sales and travel is the key driver for prices as 80% of supply is used for tire manufacturing. Demand for rubber gloves is expected to continue to expand after the pandemic as emerging economies widen peoples access to health care and the population ages, he said.

More comments from the interview:

A shortage of tappers caused by the pandemic, and fungal disease that attacked trees in producing countries like Indonesia, will continue to cut output this year.Concerns about a rubber shortage in Europe and the U.S. largely stem from logistics issues with shipping and a container shortage.Therere no signs of rubber shortages in China, the worlds largest consumer, but any indications that there may be will have a significant impact on prices.Read More: Rubber Scarcity Creates New Headache for Beleaguered Automakers

More stories like this are available on bloomberg.com

Subscribe now to stay ahead with the most trusted business news source.

2021 Bloomberg L.P.
(Bloomberg) -- Russian metals giant United Co. Rusal International PJSC plans to split off its higher-carbon assets, leaving a business focused on the fast-growing green aluminum market.

Rusal, along with other producers such as Alcoa Inc. and Rio Tinto Group, is driving the development of so-called green aluminum, with automakers and other consumers charged a premium for metal with a smaller carbon footprint. Under Rusals plan, its management has proposed changing the name of the company to AL+ as it seeks to become a key player in that potentially lucrative market.

Rusal would focus on reinforcing its position as a leading producer of low-carbon aluminum and the new company would concentrate on the development of the domestic market and its growth potential, the company said Wednesday in a statement.

READ: Russian Metals Giant Ups Ante in Race for Greenest Aluminum

The plan comes as Europe, Rusals main export market, prepares to implement a carbon border tax thats expected to affect Russian companies. Last month, Rusals parent En+ Group International PJSC said the company had produced aluminum with the lowest carbon footprint as the race for cleaner sources of the metal intensifies.

AL+ will include Rusals newest smelters -- Khakas and Boguchansky -- as well the Taishet project, international alumina and mining facilities and some other assets. The Russian plants work on hydro-power. AL+ will produce about 2.8 million tons of aluminum a year and its management will focus on net-zero carbon projects and the promotion of low-carbon aluminum brand Allow, En+ Chairman Gregory Barker said by email.

Producers who use lower carbon-emitting power generation are starting to brand their output as green aluminum, even though its the same metal thats been marketed for years. At the same time, Rusal and other companies are exploring ways of further reducing emissions or finding technologies that dont emit any carbon dioxide. Aluminum accounts for an estimated 1% of greenhouse gas emissions by the industrial sector.

Story continues

Nornickel Stake

Rusals almost 28% stake in MMC Norilsk Nickel PJSC will remain in AL+ as it is party to the Russian miners shareholder accord and Nornickel dividends are important for the companys investment program, Rusal said.

The new company will house assets including the Bratsk and Irkutsk aluminum smelters, as well the Achinsk alumina refinery and Russian mining assets. It will produce 1.8 million tons per year and overhaul existing facilities to make them less polluting, Barker said. Both businesses will be self-sufficient and able to service their respective debt, according to En+.

En+s board of directors suggested that in the interests of Rusal shareholders it would be better for the higher-carbon business to be listed on the Moscow Exchange. Its shares should be allocated to current Rusal owners on a pro-rata basis, it said. Still, no final decision has been taken and Rusal will study all potential options for the deal. The split would also require regulatory approval.

The U.S. Office of Foreign Assets Control has been informed of the proposed asset split and will be kept updated, En+ said. Rusal and En+ emerged from the U.S. sanctions in early 2019 following an accord with the OFAC, which curbed the influence of controlling shareholder Oleg Deripaska.

Rusal shares declined 4.4% as of 5:10 p.m. in Moscow trading.

(Updates with En+ Chairman comments in sixth paragraph, OFAC being informed in penultimate)

More stories like this are available on bloomberg.com

Subscribe now to stay ahead with the most trusted business news source.

2021 Bloomberg L.P.
"The enemy shall not pass," exclaims commander Ivan Glushchenko, standing in the glistening white snow that surrounds an ultra-modern Russian military base in the heart of the Arctic, the site of Moscow's stand-off with NATO.

The growing accessibility of natural resources and navigation routes in this rapidly thawing region has attracted global competition, and Moscow's interests clash with those of several other countries, including the United States.

These tensions are likely to resurface in Reykjavik Wednesday at a ministerial meeting of the Arctic Council -- comprising Russia, the United States, Canada, Norway, Denmark, Sweden, Finland and Iceland.

Ahead of the meeting, where Russia will assume the rotating chairmanship, AFP journalists visited Russia's "Arctic Trefoil", its northernmost military base located on the remote Franz Josef Land archipelago in the Arctic Ocean.

On the island of Alexandra Land, inhabited only by military personnel and covered by permafrost, Russian forces are stationed in a clover-shaped complex painted in the colours of the Russian flag: white, blue and red.

Built on the ruins of an old Soviet site, the complex now covers more than 14,000 square metres (150,000 square feet) and is capable of sustaining itself independently for over a year.

The base is equipped with necessities such as an electric power station, and water purification and heating systems. It also has a clinic, gym, cinema, sauna and even a church.

- 'Like a space station' -

All the facilities are linked by heated tunnels, allowing the 150 or so servicemen to avoid the harsh weather outside, where temperatures can drop to a chilling -42 degrees Celsius (-43 degrees Fahrenheit).

"This complex is like a space station, the only difference being that it is not in orbit but in the Arctic desert," says General Igor Churkin, one of the commanders of Russia's Northern Fleet that occupies the base.

Story continues

Despite the strong winds and brutal weather conditions, the base also has a giant airfield. It was from there that two MiG-31 fighter jets, one of the fastest aircraft in the world, completed a flight over the North Pole in March, a first for the Russian navy.

The base also boasts a Bastion coastal defence system with a range of 360 kilometres (220 miles). It has demonstrated its reliability in the extreme weather conditions of the Arctic, says commander Balabek Eminov.

As Moscow seeks to assert its influence in the Arctic, military disputes have intensified in recent years, with both Russian and NATO forces carrying out manoeuvres to display their ambitions.

Glushchenko, one of the base's officers, says his men spotted a Norwegian reconnaissance plane earlier that week.

Although it passed without violating the border, the Russian forces sent one of their aircraft to "accompany" it for a few hours.

- 'Provocative' actions -

US and NATO forces are conducting manoeuvres in the Arctic with increasing regularity, according to Alexander Moiseyev, the commander of the Northern Fleet.

"We had not seen this since the end of the Second World War," he says, speaking from aboard a nuclear battlecruiser in the port of Severomorsk, a closed city on Russia's Arctic coast and the base of the Northern Fleet.

He denounces Washington's "provocative" actions in the region, such as its strategic bomber flights close to Russian borders, and the deployment of US ships to the Barents Sea and off the coast of NATO member Norway.

Russia has also bolstered its military presence in recent years, in particular by deploying its state-of-the-art S-400 air defence systems to the region.

As ice cover in the Arctic decreases, Russia is also hoping to gain economic influence and make use of the Northern Sea Route shipping channel to export oil and gas to overseas markets.

Russia has invested heavily to develop the route, which cuts the journey to Asian ports by 15 days compared with using the traditional Suez Canal route.

Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov on Monday warned other countries of staking claims in the Artic.

"This is our land and our waters," he stressed.

Lavrov is expected to hold his first face-to-face meeting with US counterpart Antony Blinken on the sidelines of the Arctic Council summit at a time of spiralling tensions between Moscow and Washington.

But for the soldiers stationed at the "Arctic Trefoil" invasions are so far limited to the appearance of polar bears. Officer Sergei Murzayev says he has seen three in his two-and-a-half years there.

pop-acl/jj
DUSHANBE (Reuters) -Russia said on Wednesday it had offered to help mediate demarcation negotiations after Armenia accused Azerbaijan of a border incursion.

Armenia has accused Azerbaijan of sending troops across the border last week, highlighting the fragility of a Russian-brokered ceasefire that halted six weeks of fighting between ethnic Armenian and Azeri forces last year.

Azerbaijan has denied crossing the frontier and said its forces only defended their side. But Armenia said on Friday that Azerbaijan had failed to fulfil a promise to withdraw troops that had crossed the border.

"Russia has offered first of all to provide assistance with the delimitation and demarcation of the border," Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov told reporters during a visit to Tajikistan.

He said Moscow had proposed setting up a joint Armenian-Azeri commission, with Russia possibly participating as a consultant or mediator.

Russian President Vladimir Putin later held separate calls with his Azeri counterpart Ilham Aliyev and Armenian acting Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan.

Putin said Moscow would assist Azerbaijan and Armenia in reaching an agreement, according to a readout of the talks published by the Kremlin.

Armen Grigoryan, secretary of the Armenian government's security council, said demarcation work could not start until Azeri troops had left Armenian territory, TASS news agency reported.

However, Armenia's defence ministry said talks between the Armenian and Azeri defence officials were underway, the Interfax news agency reported.

"In the absence of a peaceful settlement within a reasonable timeframe - in the event that Azerbaijan's military does not return to its original positions without any preconditions - the Armenian armed forces have the right to resolve the issue by other means, including by force," the ministry said.

Moscow helped secure a ceasefire in November after Azeri troops drove ethnic Armenians out of territory they had controlled since the 1990s in and around the Nagorno-Karabakh region.

Russia, which has a military base in Armenia, sent peacekeepers to the area last year to help enforce the ceasefire. It has strong ties and a mutual defence pact with Armenia but is also friendly with Azerbaijan.

(Reporting by Nazarali Pirnazarov, additional reporting by Vladimir Soldatkin; Writing by Gabrielle Tetrault-Farber; Editing by Tom Balmforth, Andrew Cawthorne, Gareth Jones and Giles Elgood)
Ryanair has won a rare victory in its battle against state aid payments to rival airlines.

Europes General Court on Wednesday (May 19) annulled support given to KLM of the Netherlands, and Portugals TAP.

It said the European Commission hadnt provided sufficient reasoning to support approving the payments.

Though the Luxembourg-based court said the annulments would be suspended pending new decisions by the Commission.

Ryanair will be able to challenge those decisions at the same court if it isnt satisfied.

The EU last year cleared a bailout for KLM valued at $4.15 billion.

TAP got a loan worth around a third of that sum.

In a statement Wednesday, Ryanair said the aid was contrary to European law, and put back the process of liberalizing air transport.

The same court has, however, previously backed aid for carriers including SAS, Finnair and KLMs partner, Air France.

Now the European Commission says it will study the rulings before deciding its next steps.
May 18HIGH POINT  The Salvation Army of High Point will host its first Field of Flags to honor men and women in active military service, veterans and emergency first responders on Independence Day.

Beginning this week, community members are invited to sponsor an American flag to be placed on the field at The Salvation Army Citadel Corps in honor or memory of a family member or friend. Flags will be on display July 4 for the community to view and to pay tribute to those in High Point and surrounding communities who made and continue to make the ultimate sacrifice. Captains Lars-Otto and Ingrid Ljungholm said it is planned to become an annual event.

"One of our goals when we moved to the Piedmont Triad was to find ways to increase support for our men and women in uniform," Ljungholm said. "We believe that this first Field of Flags event will be a great way for us to more intentionally support, celebrate and recognize all those who keep us safe."

Flag sponsorships are $35-$40 each and can be reserved now through June 14.

On Sunday, July 4, a special service will be held at 3 p.m. at the Field of Flags. The service will include music, a short program and the sounding of taps.

Local business owners can also sponsor the Field of Flags for $500, which will include their company logo on the field entrance banner, a special recognition sign for employees/patrons and acknowledgement during the service.

The Salvation Army currently serves around 500 veterans annually through William Booth Gardens Senior Living Facility, child care at The Salvation Army Boys & Girls Club and primarily through emergency rent, utility, clothing and food assistance. Proceeds from the Field of Flags will help The Salvation Army increase assistance to local veterans, military families and emergency first responders.

For more information on sponsoring a flag, please call 336-881-5400 or visit www.tsahighpoint.org.
MINNEAPOLIS (AP)  Miguel Sano was in a deep slump, and a trip to the injured list included work on his timing at the plate.

Looks as if he might be rounding into form now.

Sano homered three times, Jorge Polanco hit a game-ending RBI single and the Minnesota Twins beat Yermin Mercedes and the Chicago White Sox 5-4 on Tuesday night.

I dont want to say something wrong, but I feel good, Sano said. I (am) still working (on) what Ive been doing. I got my plan. I go out there, try to swing at a good pitch, pitch that I like and try to put the ball in play. Thats what Ive been doing.

Mercedes was the center of attention once again, one day after he hit a controversial homer in the ninth inning of Chicagos 16-4 victory. Twins reliever Tyler Duffey was ejected for throwing behind Mercedes in the seventh, and that seemed to spark the slumping Twins.

Sanos two-run drive off Aaron Bummer (0-2) with one out in the eighth tied it at 4. With two out and runners on second and third in the ninth, Polanco singled to right against Liam Hendriks.

The Twins had dropped two in a row, including an ugly 16-4 loss to AL Central-leading Chicago on Monday night. Taylor Rogers (1-2) got three outs for the win.

That was an awesome win for our whole group, said manager Rocco Baldelli, who watched the end of the game in the teams batting cages after he was ejected. It was a good view from where Im sitting.

Jake Lamb and Yasmani Grandal homered for the White Sox, who had won three of four. Lance Lynn pitched six innings of two-run ball.

I thought everything went pretty smooth besides two pitches to Sano, Lynn said. For the most part, just pitching, changing speeds. It just didnt work out for us in the end there.

Mercedes had Minnesotas attention after he connected Monday night, driving a 3-0 pitch from infielder Willians Astudillo deep to center in the ninth. White Sox manager Tony La Russa said Mercedes made a mistake, and the Hall of Fame skipper apologized to the Twins.

Story continues

With one out in the seventh Tuesday night and the White Sox up 4-2, Mercedes came to the plate and Duffey threw the first pitch of the at-bat behind the sluggers legs. Duffey and Baldelli then were ejected by plate umpire Jim Reynolds.

It wasnt obvious to me, La Russa said. The guy threw a sinker. It didnt look good. So, I wasnt that suspicious. Im suspicious if somebody throws at somebodys head. Then Im suspicious. I dont have a problem with how the Twins handled that.

SANOS STREAK

Sano was hitting .111 with two homers in 45 at-bats when he went on the injured list on April 23 with a right hamstring strain. He returned on May 5 and is hitting .243 with four homers in 10 games since then.

He has the superhuman strength and ability to really change games, Baldelli said. Theres not many people that have had a type of ballgame like this. Coming on the heels of some of the games that hes had, we know that this is part of who he is and what hes capable of on a regular basis and he just, he continually had great swings.

BIG DEBUT

Bailey Ober pitched four innings for the Twins in his major league debut after Michael Pineda was scratched with an abscess in his inner thigh. The 6-foot-9 Ober was charged with four runs and five hits.

TRAINERS ROOM

White Sox: 1B Jose Abreu missed his second straight game with left ankle inflammation. Chicago hopes he can return on Friday against the New York Yankees.

Twins: Max Kepler returned to the lineup after missing Mondays game with a hamstring injury. ... Baldelli said C Mitch Garver was still sore after taking a foul ball off his right knee in Mondays game. Garver has a contusion but was available to play. ... RHP Kenta Maeda skipped his bullpen session as he deals with groin tightness, but Baldelli said he could still factor into the rotation at some point this week.

UP NEXT

RHP Lucas Giolito (2-4, 4.97 ERA) starts the Wednesday afternoon series finale for Chicago, while Minnesota will start RHP Matt Shoemaker (2-4, 6.62 ERA).

___

More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports
EXCLUSIVE: Sen. Ron Johnson and 20 Republican senators on Tuesday urged President Biden restore a Trump-era executive order modeled after bipartisan legislation requiring federal agencies to post guidance documents in a searchable database, warning that since the measure was revoked, a number of federal agencies have taken "highly concerning" steps to "eliminate public access."

"The Public Access to Guidance EO implemented bipartisan, common sense transparency measures requiring agencies to create a single, searchable, indexed database of all guidance documents on the agency website," Johnson, R-Wis., and his GOP colleagues wrote.

JOHNSON ACCUSES MAYORKAS OF BEING IN STATE OF DENIAL OVER BORDER CRISIS

The Republican senators said Biden, upon revoking the order, said it "was necessary to provide Federal agencies the flexibility to use robust regulatory action to address national priorities."

"Your administration provided no context to explain how a website providing public access to government documents could be harmful," they wrote.

"Since February, a number of federal agencies have taken steps to eliminate public access to guidance documents in order to comply with your directive," they wrote. "We believe these actions run counter to the principles of an open, transparent government and the rule of law."

The senators said that "at least ten Federal agencies have now deleted the websites for the public to access agency guidance documents."

"These actions are highly concerning," they wrote. "In the past, efforts to promote a more open and transparent government have been bipartisan, and we see no reason why they should not be today."

A spokesperson from the White House Office of Management and Budget on Tuesday told Fox News that agencies have not been told to take down any such databases or public information.

"This Administration is committed to transparency, and agencies have not been told to take down databases or other public information," the spokesperson told Fox News. "In fact, this earlier order was revoked because it imposed unnecessary bureaucratic hurdles that made it harder for agencies to get information out to the public fast."

Story continues

The executive order was fashioned in the Trump administration after bipartisan legislation, the Guidance Out of Darkness Act, also known as the GOOD Act, which was approved by voice vote by the Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs during the last two sessions of Congress.

Vice President Kamala Harris, in 2018, during her time in the Senate, voted to support the bipartisan legislation, and the House of Representatives also passed a companion bill by voice vote.

"The revocation of an executive order with such widespread and long-standing bipartisan supportincluding the support of Vice President Harrisseems inconsistent with your stated desire for compromise and to reach across the aisle, and work together," the senators wrote in February, when they first expressed concern on the move to revoke the executive order.

CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP

Joining Johnson in sending the letter were Republican Sens. James Lankford, Rob Portman, Richard Burr, Joni Ernst, John Cornyn, Thom Tillis, Kevin Cramer, Ted Cruz, Marsha Blackburn, John Barrasso, Pat Toomey, Bill Hagerty, Mike Lee, Cynthia Lummis, Mitt Romney, Mike Braun, Roger Marshall, Deb Fischer, Rand Paul, and Lindsey Graham.

The White House did not immediately respond to Fox News request for comment.
A group of teenage boys playing mobile game. (PHOTO: Getty Images)

SINGAPORE  A 19-year-old man who met another person during Phase 1 of Singapore's reopening to play the online game Mobile Legends at a multi-storey carpark was charged in court on Wednesday (19 May).

Dave Darren Savuryrajoo was handed five charges for breaching COVID-19 regulations in April and June last year.

He is said to have left his residence at Choa Chu Kang to meet a female individual at Hougang for her birthday on 13 June last year.

On 14 June last year, he is alleged to have failed to wear a mask over his nose and mouth at the multi-storey carpark, at Block 567A Hougang Street 51, at 4.23am. He is also said to have met another person to play Mobile Legends at the same carpark.

Earlier in April, when the circuit breaker was still in force, Dave is said to have met another person outside of his residence to drink beer, at about 9.45pm on 10 April.

Court records indicate that Dave intends to plead guilty on 30 June.

Singapore imposed a partial lockdown, known as the circuit breaker, from 7 April to 1 June last year. During this time, individuals were only allowed to leave their residence for essential purposes.

During Singapore's Phase 1 reopening, imposed from 2 to 18 June, individuals were only allowed to leave home for essential activities as well.

For breaching COVID-19 regulations, Dave faces a jail term of up to six months and/or a fine of up to $10,000 if convicted.

More Singapore news:

Stay in the know on-the-go: Join Yahoo Singapore's Telegram channel at http://t.me/YahooSingapore

Other Singapore stories:

COVID: Singapore vaccination extended to 12-15 age group, dosing interval now 6-8 weeks

COVID: Singapore to advise use of face masks with good filtration capability
Humza Yousaf arriving at Bute House for the cabinet reshuffle on Wednesday - Andrew Milligan/PA

A senior SNP minister has been accused of promoting open defiance of the rule of law after he claimed it was his role to delegitimise UK Government policies he sees as unjust.

Humza Yousaf, who was on Wednesday promoted to health secretary after a tenure in charge of Scotland's justice system, defended his support of crowds in Glasgow who forced the release of two Indian immigrants from Home Office custody.

There was an eight hour stand-off on Thursday last week after officials took two men into the back of an immigration enforcement van.

Hundreds of people surrounded the vehicle following a raid in Glasgows Southside, preventing it from leaving, and the men were eventually released.

One of two men are released from the back of an Immigration Enforcement van - Andrew Milligan/PA

Mr Yousaf spoke out in favour of the protesters, saying the Home Offices so-called hostile environment strategy was not welcome here.

Speaking to Holyrood Magazines Politically Speaking podcast, Mr Yousaf was asked whether it was his place, as the then justice secretary, to delegitimise the UK rule of law.

He replied: Yes, actually. I think people look to me for ensuring that I, and the Scottish Government, are the voices of justice.

For me, there is no justice in forcible removal and a dawn raid asylum and immigration policy that is designed to create a hostile environment by its very definition.

This content is not available due to your privacy preferences. Update your settings here to see it.

So just because something may be within the UK Governments rule of law doesnt stop me from protesting.

He added that he did not support illegal activity from protestors and denied this had taken place, despite coronavirus regulations restricting mass gatherings remaining in force.

He said: Other than peaceful protest, nobody engaged in illegal activity and ultimately, the police resolved it through legal means, through powers that they had.

The Home Office has defended its operation, arguing it was tackling illegal immigration and the harm it causes.

Murdo Fraser, the Tory MSP, described Mr Yousafs comments as absolutely appalling and said it was just as well Mr Yousaf was no longer in charge of justice.

He added: How can we expect citizens to respect the rule of law when a government minister is promoting open defiance?
Understand: the U.S. is complicit, reads an Instagram post. The United States provides $3.8 billion in military aid to Israel every year. Created by So You Want to Talk About, an Instagram account promoting progressive politics with 2.7 million followers, the post urges people to take action for Palestinians through petitions and donations.

Its part of the dramatic rise in a wave of social media activism that has gravitated toward informing and organizing young people around the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. As the deadly violence continues to escalate in the Middle East, social media in real time has illustrated the shifting perceptions of young people.

Historically, the U.S. has provided billions of dollars in aid to Israel, mostly in the form of military assistance, defending such support as critical for an underdog facing powerful enemies. Now, young left-leaning Americans are increasingly using social media to urge more support and aid for Palestinians, framing it as a human rights issue that echoes the antiracism movement from this past year.

A member of the Palestinian Civil Defense walks amid the rubble of a building in Gaza City. (Mahmud Hams/AFP via Getty Images)

I think its going to be very clear soon that being progressive means youre on the side of Palestinian freedom, said Maya Edery, a 28-year-old New Yorker who works for the pro-Palestinian organization Jewish Voice for Peace.

As violence escalates  deadly clashes have killed at least 213 Palestinians, including 61 children, and 12 people in Israel  social media posts about the conflict have become increasingly popular.

This violence against Palestinian protesters is literal ethnic cleansing, said Zahra Hashimee, known as @muslimthicc, to her 3 million TikTok followers. And this ethnic cleansing is being funded by your U.S. tax dollars. She then urged her followers to support H.R. 2590, a bill that would prevent Israel from using U.S. funding to detain or abuse Palestinian children or violate international humanitarian laws.

With last summers antiracism protests came a surge in online activism thats extended to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Last year, Instagram users flooded the site with black squares in support of Black lives, and it became common to share infographics on Instagram Stories or post TikTok videos of a protest. Now, #freepalestine has over 2 billion views on TikTok, while #standwithisrael has 28.9 million.

Story continues

Once social media came around, the whole game changed, said Mitchell Plitnik, president of ReThinking Foreign Policy, a nonprofit.

A pro-Palestinian demonstrator in South Africa on Tuesday protests the Israeli airstrikes on Gaza. (Rajesh Jantilal/AFP via Getty Images)

In addition to organizing, social media allows Americans to witness firsthand whats happening on the ground through the eyes of Palestinians and Israelis, Plitnik said. Graphic footage  such as a TikTok video showing two Palestinians slapping two Orthodox Jewish teens on a train  can quickly go viral.

But that sort of online activism has its drawbacks. Misinformation is rampant  there are rabbit holes of falsehoods, said Plitnik. Plus, complex issues like the decades-long history of Israeli-Palestinian conflict can be oversimplified into memes.

One viral video investigated by the New York Times was shared by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahus spokesman, who claimed it showed Palestinians firing rockets at Israeli civilians. In reality, it was a 2018 video of an attack in Syria or Libya.

Some Palestinian activists allege that social media companies censor or remove their posts or accounts about the conflict, though Instagram and Twitter have blamed technical glitches.

Young people are also susceptible to peer pressure to post online about issues to prove that they are engaged. Ive heard from folks in their teens and 20s that your friends will basically come after you and accuse you of being callous, uninterested, said Kat Rosenfield, a contributor to the current-affairs website the Spectator. Most people sharing these things could not point to Israel on a map.

Were creating our own meme-ified version of fake news, said Rosenfield. On social media, nuanced topics like the Israeli-Palestinian conflict are reduced to shallow, facile content rather than seriously explaining the issues, she said. However, she acknowledged that the posts can be an entry point for people who are driven to more deeply research an issue.

Pro-Palestinian demonstrators in Lahore, Pakistan. (Arif Ali/AFP via Getty Images)

But for some, the Israeli-Palestinian conflict is that clear-cut. When were talking about Israeli violence against Palestinians, its not complex at all, said Omar Zahzah, a pro-Palestinian organizer from California. Ultimately its a cause about total freedom, justice and equality for all people."

The progressive perspectives of young Americans on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict also illustrate the generational split among Americans on the issue.

Democrats views on Israel have changed remarkably in the last 10 to 20 years, said Rashid Khalidi, a Columbia University professor of Middle Eastern, South Asian and African studies. He said hes struck by how much change theres been among younger people on the issue in the past couple of decades.

More and more younger Americans ... have grown up with a very different view of what theyre seeing of Israel-Palestine, Plitnik said. Theyve grown up with social media, and even before that, views of Israel as a strong, powerful state [and of] Palestinians as powerless people.

While some of that change may relate to social medias role in showing Americans whats happening on the ground, younger generations also dont necessarily view Israel as an endangered state. Nor is the trauma of the Holocaust as close to young people as it has been to previous generations.

For instance, Edery, who is Jewish and frequently traveled to Israel when she was younger, said that while her views evolved in college, some members of her family are still very Zionist.

Pro-Palestinian protesters in Las Vegas. (Bridget Bennett/AFP via Getty Images)

According to a Pew Research survey conducted in 2020, young American Jews are less emotionally attached to Israel than older generations. Half of Jewish adults under the age of 30 described themselves as very or somewhat emotionally attached to Israel, while two-thirds of Jews 65 and older consider themselves very or somewhat emotionally attached to Israel.

According to Plitnik, a significant political sea change was the 2020 defeat of Eliot Engel, an influential pro-Israel congressman from New York, at the hands of Rep. Jamaal Bowman. Bowmans position on Palestinian issues was measured to avoid alienating Jewish voters, but Plitnik believes that as more young Americans vote, its likely that the idea that supporting Israel is a safe political position will change.

Khalidi believes that, in the future, conditional aid will be a litmus test for where Americans fall on Israeli-Palestinian issues. That includes Democratic Minnesota Rep. Betty McCollums H.R. 2590, the bill supported by Hashimee, the activist popular on TikTok. Currently, it has 20 co-sponsors.

But thats still a far cry from the three-fourths of Congress members who signed a letter in April calling for U.S. aid to Israel to be funded without conditions. Reducing funding or adding conditions on security assistance would be detrimental to Israels ability to defend itself against all threats, the letter reads.

Rep. Betty McCollum, D-Minn. (Sarah Silbiger/Getty Images)

Americans havent historically made voting decisions solely based on candidates stances on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, but Plitnik said hell be watching the progress of McCollums bill as well as whether the issue arises at all in the 2022 midterm elections.

For young Americans, the conversation has evolved to a straightforward human rights issue, according to Plitnik.

Its a great shift, he said, a very important one.

____

Read more from Yahoo News:
MADRID (Reuters) -Spain's high court has served Western Sahara independence leader Brahim Ghali with a June 1 summons for a preliminary hearing in a war crimes case against him, a court document seen by Reuters on Wednesday showed.

The summons is the first step toward a potential trial of the Polisario Front leader, whose admittance to a Spanish hospital for treatment last month has angered Morocco.

Ghali declined to sign the summons, the document added.

A source close to the judicial investigation said he might fail to attend as he might be holding an Algerian diplomatic passport, potentially giving him immunity.

News of the summons comes a day after thousands of migrants flocked from Morocco into Spain's north African enclave of Ceuta.

Late on Tuesday, Morocco's minister of state for human rights, El Mustapha Ramid, suggested Rabat had been justified in relaxing border controls there over Ghali's hospitalisation, though Moroccan police tightened security markedly around the enclave on Wednesday

Western Sahara is a disputed territory held by Morocco since the mid-1970s, for which the Algeria-backed Polisario Front has been fighting to secure independence since then. Prior to that it was under Spanish control.

Ghali and other leaders of the group are accused by human rights groups and Western Sahara individuals of genocide, murder, terrorism, torture and disappearances, the document said.

Spain agreed to allow Ghali's hospitalisation in Logrono, northern Spain, as a "humanitarian gesture".

Before this week's border crisis, Moroccan authorities had warned Spain of repercussions over Ghali's presence in Spain under a false Algerian passport and an assumed name.

Morocco had in recent years worked with Spain, its biggest trading partner, to crack down on migrant flows into Ceuta and another Spanish enclave, Melilla, as well as across the Strait of Gibraltar.

(Reporting by Inti Landauro and Ahmed El Jechtimi; editing by Andrei Khalip and John Stonestreet)
MADRID (Reuters) - Spain will allow people under age 60 who have received a first dose of AstraZeneca Plc's COVID-19 vaccine to receive their second inoculation either with the AstraZeneca drug or with Pfizer Inc's vaccine, Health Minister Carolina Darias said on Wednesday.

"It is an exception due to the extraordinary circumstances," Darias told a news conference.

Until now, those who had received their first dose of the AstraZeneca vaccine were in limbo because the government suspended that vaccine in March, for people under 60, due to blood-clot concerns.

The new policy will affect about 1.5 million Spaniards who have already received their first AstraZeneca dose.

A study by the government's Carlos III Health Institute found that giving a dose of the vaccine developed by Pfizer and BioNTech SE to people who already received a first shot of the AstraZeneca vaccine was safe and effective.

Graphic: COVID-19 global vaccination tracker: https://graphics.reuters.com/world-coronavirus-tracker-and-maps/vaccination-rollout-and-access/

(Reporting by Belen Carreno in Madrid; Editing by Matthew Lewis)
By Jon Nazca and Belen Carreno

CEUTA/MADRID (Reuters) -Spain's government pleaded with mainland regions on Wednesday to relieve crammed reception centres for minors in the North African enclave of Ceuta where some 1,500 children and teenagers crossed this week from Morocco.

A source familiar with the talks said the Social Rights Ministry had held an emergency meeting on the issue where it asked regional authorities to accept hundreds of unaccompanied minors who had arrived before the latest surge.

"The regions have shown solidarity with the migration crisis and are positive about the proposal," the source told Reuters, expecting an agreement in coming days even though centres in regions such as Andalusia or the Canary Islands were already overcrowded.

Reuters TV footage showed hundreds of newly-arrived teenagers being processed at a Ceuta warehouse where Red Cross officials gave out food and drink.

In some of the most dramatic moments since the surge in migrant arrivals began on Monday, Reuters TV showed a boy appearing to be 13 to 14 years old swimming to Ceuta's beach with a dozen empty plastic bottles tied to his body as floatation devices.

He then tried to climb the parapet before being seized by soldiers who, gently but firmly, accompanied the crying boy through the gate to the security zone between the two countries. It was not immediately clear what happened later. Deporting minors is illegal in Spain.

Hundreds of migrants still braved tightened security to try to force their way into Ceuta on Wednesday, as Spain pressed on with expulsions of thousands who swam around or climbed over the border fence in the past two days.

Spanish police divers have rescued several small children from the water during the crossing and soldiers deployed at the border could be seen helping youngsters to climb ashore.

Of the thousands of migrants still in Ceuta, many were children, some as young as seven or nine, some without families, said Spain's Social Rights Minister Ione Belarre.

Story continues

"We are working to address the issue of children who have come alone," she told broadcaster TVE. "Many of them did not know the consequences of crossing the border. And many of them want to go back. So we are working to make that possible."

Meanwhile, Santiago Abascal, the leader of the anti-immigrant far-right VOX party who visited Ceuta on Wednesday, accused Morocco of "launching minors like battering rams" against Spanish borders.

(Writing by Andrei Khalip;Editing by Andrew Cawthorne and Bill Berkrot)
(Adds dropped letter in headline)

TAIPEI (Reuters) - Taiwan raised its COVID-19 alert level for the whole island on Wednesday as domestic cases continued to rise, but will get 400,000 more AstraZeneca Plc COVID-19 vaccine doses from the COVAX global sharing programme.

Taiwan has reported more than 1,000 new infections during the past week or so, leading to new curbs in the capital, Taipei, and shocking a population that had become accustomed to life carrying on almost normally.

Announcing another 267 local infections, up from 240 on Tuesday, Health Minister Chen Shih-chung said that although the across Taiwan.

There was no need to order a full lockdown for now, and people should not worry too much, he added.

"At present medical capacity is sufficient, so please don't worry," Chen added.

The new curbs for Taiwan restrict personal gatherings and close entertainment venues, steps already in effect in Taipei since the weekend.

In a boost for Taiwan's fight against the pandemic, Chen said more than 410,000 vaccine doses from COVAX would arrive Wednesday afternoon, which he described as "very valuable" and would be prioritised for front-line health care workers.

It has only received a little more than 300,000 doses to date, all from AstraZeneca. More than two-thirds of those have been distributed.

Taiwan has said it expected to get more than 1 million AstraZeneca shots via COVAX in total.

Taiwan has ordered 20 million doses, mostly from AstraZeneca but also from Moderna Inc, though global shortages have curtailed supplies.

In a statement on Wednesday, Taiwan's Centres for Disease Control said after a virtual workshop on vaccines on Tuesday with the top U.S., British, Japanese and Australian diplomats in Taipei that vaccines must be fairly distributed.

"Fair access to effective vaccines is the ultimate means to curb the global COVID-19 pandemic. We look forward to more effective and sufficient vaccine development and marketing, and call on all countries to work together to end the COVID-19 pandemic," it said.

Story continues

Taiwan is mobilising its diplomats to try to speed up access to more vaccines, and is in talks with the United States for a share of the COVID-19 shots President Joe Biden plans to send abroad.

Brent Christensen, the de facto U.S. ambassador to Taiwan, said at the same event that "talking about COVID-19 vaccines can be a sensitive subject", according to a copy of his remarks published by his office.

"We recognise that each country and region is at different stages in their COVID-19 vaccination programmes," the remarks said. "Unfortunately, many still face difficulties gaining access to vaccines."

Taiwan has reported 2,533 cases since the pandemic began, including 14 deaths.

(Reporting by Ben Blanchard and Yimou Lee. Editing by Gerry Doyle)
A Midlands teenager was killed in an overnight shooting, according to the Kershaw County Sheriffs Office.

Kershaw County Coroner David West identified 19-year-old Dante Atkins as the person who was shot, the sheriffs office said in a news release.

At about 2 a.m., Atkins body was found at a home 2400 block of Baron Dekalb Road, according to the release. Thats in Camden, near the intersection with John G. Richards Road and Lake Wateree.

Atkins lived in a home on Baron Dekalb Road, according to the release.

No other injuries were reported by the sheriffs office.

The sheriffs office, the coroner, and the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division are investigating the homicide.

There is no word on a shooter, or shooters, or a motive for the gunfire. No arrests have been reported by the sheriffs office.

There was no word if the shooting is considered an isolated incident or an ongoing threat, but it remains under investigation by the sheriffs office and SLED.

Anyone with information on the shooting is asked to call the sheriffs office at 803-425-1512, or CrimeStoppers at 888-CRIME-SC or submit an online tip.

This is a developing story, check back for updates.
Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee (R) signed a bill into law Tuesday that includes an amendment to keep health care providers from prescribing hormone treatment for transgender minors who haven't yet hit puberty, according to the state's General Assembly.

Why it matters: Tennessee is now the second state to pass legislation that aims to restrict transition-related or gender-affirming care for trans minors, as a record number of state bills targeting trans youth have been introduced across the U.S.

Stay on top of the latest market trends and economic insights with Axios Markets. Subscribe for free

Driving the news: In Arkansas, the only state to totally bar gender-affirming care for trans children  which can include hormones and puberty blockers  Republican Gov. Asa Hutchinson (R) unsuccessfully vetoed the bill.

He told Axios he saw it as "the most extreme law in the country." The Arkansas bill bans hormone treatments, surgery and puberty blockers.

Yes, but: The key difference between the bill in Tennessee and Arkansas is that no prepubertal minors receive hormone therapy for gender dysphoria, Chase Strangio, ACLU deputy director for transgender justice, told Axios.

"It unnecessarily codifies the standards of care but does not strip anyone of care," he said of the Tennessee bill.

What they're saying: "I think that all of these efforts are counter to the stance of the entire public health community and the needs that we know transgender children have if we want to give them the same opportunities to thrive," Gillian Branstetter, a spokesperson for the National Women's Law Center, said.

Where it stands: More than 100 bills targeting trans people  with roughly 90 measures focused on trans minors  have been brought by predominately Republican state lawmakers this year, per ACLU data.

At least nine bills focused on health care have failed so far, with the latest failing to move forward in Alabama's legislature on Monday.

Go deeper: Doctors fear next steps if states ban care for trans youth

Editor's note: This article has been updated with comment from the ACLU.

Like this article? Get more from Axios and subscribe to Axios Markets for free.
In this Wednesday, March 17, 2021, file photo, Texas Gov Greg Abbott speaks during a news conference about migrant children detentions, in Dallas. Associated Press/LM Otero

Texas Gov. Greg Abbott signed into law Wednesday a restrictive abortion ban.

The law bans abortions after six weeks and does not include exceptions for rape or incest.

The legislation will take effect in September 2021.

See more stories on Insider's business page.

Texas Gov. Greg Abbott signed into law Wednesday a restrictive abortion law that bans abortion after six weeks of gestation with no exception for rape or incest.

The law does, however, contain an exception for medical emergencies.

The new legislation also allows Texas citizens to sue abortion providers or anyone who helped someone obtain an abortion after a fetal heartbeat was detected for up to $10,000 for every abortion performed, even if the individual had no connection to the person who obtained the abortion.

The law was signed one day after the US Supreme Court said it planned to take up a case involving a restrictive abortion law in Mississippi.

The new law takes effect on September 1, according to Click2Houston.

In a video posted to Facebook, Abbott said lawmakers "worked together on a bipartisan basis to pass a bill that I'm about to sign that ensures that the life of every unborn child who has a heartbeat will be saved from the ravages of abortion," according to the report.

There were 53,565 recorded abortions for Texas residents in 2020, according to Texas Health and Human Services.

When asked about the lack of exceptions for rape or incest, the legislation's Senate sponsor Sen. Bryan Hughes told CNN that law enforcement should hold the perpetrators accountable but should refrain from hurting the fetus.

"Let's harshly punish the rapist, but we don't, we don't punish the unborn child," Hughes said.

Drucilla Tigner, the policy and advocacy strategist at the ACLU in Texas, told the Austin-American Statesman that the new regulations violate federal law.

"Not only does this ban violate more than half a century of Supreme Court case law, it paves the way for anti-choice extremists to use our court system to go after anyone who performs abortions or considers supporting a person that has one," Tigner said. "But make no mistake, abortion is both legal in Texas and supported by the majority of Texans. The governor's swipe of a pen can't change the Constitution."

Read the original article on Business Insider
Texas Gov. Greg Abbott (R) on Wednesday signed into law a bill that bans abortions as early as six weeks and before many people know they are pregnant, the Texas Tribune reports.

Why it matters: Senate Bill 8 lets almost anyone  including people with no connection to the person getting the abortion  sue abortion providers who look to perform the procedure after the time limit.

Get market news worthy of your time with Axios Markets. Subscribe for free.

The bill bans abortion after a fetal heartbeat is detected, which can be as early as six weeks, and it does not provide an exception for rape or incest.

When asked about the lack of exceptions for rape and incest, Texas state Sen. Bryan Hughes, the bill's sponsor in the Senate, told CNN: "Let's do everything we can to hold people accountable who do something like that, to protect women from that. ... Let's harshly punish the rapist, but we don't, we don't punish the unborn child."

The big picture: Other states have passed so-called "heartbeat" bills, but they have been mostly blocked by federal courts, per the Texas Tribune.

What he's saying: "Our creator endowed us with the right to life and yet millions of children lose their right to life every year because of abortion," Abbott said.

"In Texas, we work to save those lives. And that's exactly what the Texas legislature did this session."

Worth noting: The move comes days after the Supreme Court announced it would hear a challenge on a Mississippi law that looks to ban abortions after 15 weeks of pregnancy. The case could potentially challenge Roe v. Wade and ban abortions altogether.

What to watch: The law will take effect starting September, per the Tribune.

Like this article? Get more from Axios and subscribe to Axios Markets for free.
A Thai woman was punched and robbed in San Francisco on Tuesday morning.



What happened: The victim, identified as Mantakarn, was heading to work at a restaurant in Chinatown when someone attacked her for her phone.



The incident reportedly occurred on a train between the 16th St. and Civic Center stations of the Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART).

The attacker allegedly said, Give me your phone, b*tch!

Mantakarn was punched in the face and then robbed of her device.

Two bystanders reportedly helped her after the incident.



About the victim: Mantakarn, who works at two different restaurants, was described as a very hard worker, according to ABC7 News anchor Dion Lim.



She is aware of the rise in anti-Asian violence and even tries to look like a boy to deter possible attackers.

In an update, Lim said the daughter of Vicha Ratanapakdee  the 84-year-old Thai man shoved to his death earlier this year  has expressed intent to help Mantakarn.

A GoFundMe page for Mantakarn is underway.



The suspect remains at large and BART is reportedly looking at surveillance cameras for more information.



Featured Images via Dion Lim

Enjoy this content? Read more from NextShark!

Comedian Called Racist After Saying Everyone at the Oscars Watching to See If Parasite Cast Coughs

83% of English-Speaking Asian Americans Willing to Get COVID-19 Vaccine

MasterChef Australia Contestant: Why Greeting Asians With Ni Hao Ma is Racist

Taiwan's Pokemon Go Grandpa Stopped From Hunting After Earthquake Alarm Glitch Hits His 72 Phones
May 18A Holland man admitted Tuesday in federal court to making plans to kill a rabbi and members of a Toledo-area synagogue as he idealized a mass shooting a Pittsburgh congregation.

Damon Joseph, 23, also known as Abdullah Ali Yusuf, pleaded guilty in U.S. District Court in Toledo to attempting to provide resources to a terrorist organization and attempting commit a hate crime. He admitted to virtually recruiting and supporting ISIS, but also for plotting to kill as many members of the Jewish faith.

A third, related charge will be dismissed at sentencing.

With the plea agreement, the government is recommending Joseph be sentenced to 20 years in prison. He could have faced life in federal prison on the hate-crime offense alone.

From the 15-page plea agreement, Michelle Baeppler, an assistant U.S. attorney, outlined Tuesday the evidence that would have been presented had the case gone to trial.

Joseph's posts on social media caught federal investigators' attention. Out of several photos of knives and guns he had posted, one had been originally distributed by ISIS' media wing.

Around September, 2018, Joseph began communicating with an undercover agent and he expressed his support for ISIS, Ms. Baeppler said.

Advertisement

Joseph told the agent he "wanted to do his part to support jihad," or the fight against enemies of Islam. He also expressed support for "martyrdom operations" and stated, "What must be done, must be done."

During online conversations with the undercover agent that October, Joseph said he could "see himself doing a coordinated shooting" and fantasized an attack like the one Oct. 27, 2018 at the Tree of Life Synagogue in Pittsburgh that killed 11.

"They wouldn't even expect in my area. I'm fantasizing but I seriously could see myself doing something similar to that," Joseph told the undercover agent, Ms. Baeppler said Tuesday.

Joseph coordinated more specifics of his plan to ensure the "most casualties possible."

Story continues

"I know in the Qur'an, it says do not attack a place of worship. My opinion is the Jews are evil and they get what's coming to them. I don't feel bad at all, considering what they're doing in Palestine," Joseph wrote to the undercover agent.

While federal prosecutors have not named the targeted synagogue, Joseph identified two in the Toledo area that could potentially be attacked. Ms. Baeppler said Joseph could have targeted both. He researched dates of services and even pulled photos of the places of worship.

Joseph later met with an undercover agent who purported to offer help during the attack. The undercover agent was instructed to obtain firearms, specifically AR-15 and AK-47 rifles, Glock handguns, and ammunition. Joseph intended to store them at his residence, which he shared with his grandmother.

Joseph met with the undercover agent and took a bag containing two rifles. He was then arrested in December, 2018.

After the prosecutor reviewed the facts of the case on Tuesday, Judge Zouhary asked Joseph were he gained knowledge of weapons.

"I had no actual experience with firearms. It was more off the internet and stuff like that," Joseph said.

Joseph will be sentenced Sept. 14.

First Published May 18, 2021, 3:17pm
Good morning and welcome to your weekday morning roundup of the top stories you need to know.

For more daily and weekly briefings, sign up for our newsletters here.

What's going on today:

That's all for now. See you tomorrow.

Read the original article on Business Insider
Migrants tried to cross from Morocco into the Spanish enclave of Ceuta on Wednesday after a record 8,000 people poured over the border this week, escalating tensions between Rabat and Madrid.

Some tried to swim across to beaches patrolled by police after the unprecedented wave of arrivals earlier this week.

Spain's Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez has vowed to "restore order" in Ceuta, and on Wednesday accused Morocco of "disrespect" after the influx.

Some 5,600 migrants had already been sent back, Madrid said, but that did not stop more from trying to make the risky crossing Wednesday.

A handful of people, mostly Moroccan, swam to reach the Spanish side, their slow progress carefully watched by dozens of soldiers deployed along the beach with riot shields and batons, according to an AFP correspondent at the scene.

It was not clear how many managed to cross, but those who did make it to shore were immediately picked up by soldiers and escorted to medics offering help, although few appeared to need it.

They were then frog-marched back to the border fence and sent home.

Although the swim from African to European territory is barely 200 metres (650 feet), many tried to push beyond the nearest beach to avoid the waiting troops.

Near the border fence, hundreds of people had massed on the neighbouring Moroccan beach, but the crowd was broken up and turned back to the town of Fnideq.

"There is very little work in Morocco," said Othman, a 24-year-old barber from the northern city of Tetouan as he waited to be returned to Morocco from Ceuta.

"There is work for us in Spain," he added.

- 'Protecting Europe's borders' -

The influx comes against the backdrop of increased tensions with Morocco over Spain's decision to provide medical treatment for the leader of the Polisario Front. The head of the Western Sahara independence movement has been seriously ill with Covid-19.

The row revived the issue of migration into the EU, but the Vice President of the European Commission, Margaritis Schinas, said Wednesday the continent "won't be intimidated by anyone".

Story continues

There have been "a few attempts by third countries... over the past 15 months" to leverage the migrant issue, he said on Spanish radio.

But Europe would "not be a victim of these tactics", he added.

"Ceuta is Europe, this border is a European border and what happens there is not a problem for Madrid, but a problem for all" Europeans."

France's Europe Minister Clement Beaune said Paris supported Spain "because entering Spanish territory was entering in Europe, so protecting Spain's borders is protecting Europe's borders."

The record numbers of migrant arrivals have sent diplomatic tensions soaring between Madrid and Rabat, prompting fighting words from Sanchez on Wednesday.

"This is an act of defiance," he told parliament, a day after visiting Ceuta.

"The lack of border control by Morocco is not a show of disrespect of Spain, but rather of the European Union."

- 'Steep price' -

Analysts said it was clear Morocco had turned a blind eye to the human tide surging into Ceuta to put diplomatic pressure on Spain to recognise its sovereignty over Western Sahara.

Most of the migrants crossed into Ceuta largely unimpeded by Moroccan security forces on Monday, but by Tuesday morning, Rabat had deployed reinforcements at the Fnideq border crossing.

In the early hours of Wednesday, police on the Moroccan side of the border blocked dozens of youths from crossing over, who responded by throwing rocks.

To reach Ceuta, the migrants swam or simply walked at low tide from Moroccan beaches a few kilometres to the south. Some used inflatable swimming rings and rubber dinghies.

But one man drowned making the attempt, Spanish officials said.

The crisis comes after Madrid allowed Polisario Front leader Brahim Ghali to fly to northern Spain in mid-April to be treated for Covid-19, angering Rabat.

The Front has fought for the independence of Western Sahara, a former Spanish colony mainly under Moroccan control.

Morocco's minister of state for human rights, Mustapha Ramid, said Wednesday it was "clear" Spain had favoured its ties with the Polisario and Algeria over those with Morocco by hosting Ghali.

"Spain must also know that the price for discrediting Morocco is steep," he added in a Facebook post.

Morocco's authorities have long wanted Spain to acknowledge their authority over Western Sahara, as Washington did in December under former president Donald Trump.

Spain maintains that a solution to the issue can only come from a United Nations-brokered agreement.

During a radio interview on Wednesday, Spanish Foreign Minister Arancha Gonzalez Laya said Madrid "could not" change its position because Spain "respects international law".

burs-ds/jv/dl
WASHINGTON  Former President Donald Trump tore into New York Attorney General Letitia James and other prosecutors Wednesday after James' office said it is pursuing a criminal investigation of the Trump Organization.

Trump attacked James, who announced the criminal inquiry Tuesday, and other officials in a long statement that said: "There is nothing more corrupt than an investigation that is in desperate search of a crime.

"But, make no mistake, that is exactly what is happening here," he said. "The Attorney General of New York literally campaigned on prosecuting Donald Trump even before she knew anything about me."

Trump said the prosecutors' investigations are simply "a continuation of the greatest political Witch Hunt in the history of the United States."

"Working in conjunction with Washington, these Democrats want to silence and cancel millions of voters because they don't want 'Trump' to run again," he said.

Trump said lawmakers failed to stop him in Washington, so they turned the issues over to New York investigators "to do their dirty work."

The statement, however, did not address the subject of the investigation, which stems from allegations made by his former attorney Michael Cohen, who claimed when he testified to Congress in 2019 that Trump had deliberately inflated the worth of his assets in official documents.

Trump referred to Cohen without using his name, saying he was "a lying, discredited low life" who was sentenced to three years in prison, even though he was released to home confinement in July.

James' spokesperson, Fabien Levy, said Tuesday that the investigation is "no longer purely civil in nature," adding, "We are now actively investigating the Trump Organization in a criminal capacity, along with the Manhattan DA."

An official familiar with the investigation said it had developed some evidence suggesting a possible crime, so two lawyers from the office will work on the matter with the Manhattan district attorney's office.

James has been at the forefront of legal action against Trump's family business.

Her yearslong probe into Trump's charitable foundation led to its dissolution in 2018. More recently, her investigation of whether Trump's business had inflated the value of its assets for the purposes of tax breaks and loans came to a head in October when Eric Trump, the president's son and an executive at his business, sat for a pre-election deposition.
By Katanga Johnson

(Reuters) -Former U.S. President Donald Trump on Wednesday attacked New York state's attorney general for launching a criminal probe of his family business, saying he was "being unfairly attacked and abused."

"There is nothing more corrupt than an investigation that is in desperate search of a crime," Trump said in a statement, adding that "we will overcome" any attempt at prosecution.

The office of New York Attorney General Letitia James, which has been investigating whether the New York City-based Trump Organization falsely reported property values to secure loans and obtain economic and tax benefits, said on Tuesday its probe was no longer purely civil.

"We are now actively investigating the Trump Organization in a criminal capacity, along with the Manhattan DA," Fabien Levy, a spokesman for James, said in a statement, using the abbreviation for "district attorney."

Trump on Wednesday assailed the investigation as politically motivated.

"The attorney general of New York literally campaigned on prosecuting Donald Trump even before she knew anything about me," the Republican former president said. James is a Democrat.

Manhattan District Attorney Cyrus Vance has been investigating Trumps pre-presidency business dealings for more than two years.

Vances office has said in court filings it was investigating "possibly extensive and protracted criminal conduct" at the Trump Organization, including tax and insurance fraud and falsification of business records.

Separately, the New York Times reported late on Wednesday that the office of the New York Attorney General had been criminally investigating Allen Weisselberg, the CFO of the Trump Organization, for months over tax issues, and had notified the company about it in a January letter.

The investigators have examined whether taxes were paid on fringe benefits that Trump gave him, including cars and tens of thousands of dollars in private school tuition for at least one of Weisselberg's grandchildren, according to the newspaper.

(Reporting by Katanga Johnson; additional reporting by Kanishka Singh; Editing by Tim Ahmann, Jonathan Oatis and Michael Perry)
LONDON (Reuters) - British Prime Minister Boris Johnson acknowledged on Wednesday his "own huge debt" to nurses working in the health service after he was asked about a nurse who tended to him last year but has since decided to quit.

A nurse who looked after Johnson in a hospital intensive care ward as he battled COVID-19 is leaving her job, with a newspaper saying on Tuesday she had become fed up with his government's treatment of healthcare workers.

"I think the whole house (of parliament) acknowledges our collective debt to the nurses of the NHS (National Health Service) and I certainly acknowledge my own huge personal debt and that's why of all the professions in this country ... in very, very tough times, we have asked the public sector pay review board to look at an increase in pay for nurses," he told parliament.

(Reporting by Alistair Smout, writing by Elizabeth Piper; editing by William James)
Unbounce, a Vancouver startup best known for helping marketers create automated landing pages, added a new wrinkle this morning when it announced it has acquired Snazzy.ai, an early-stage automated copywriting startup. The two companies did not share the terms.

Unbounce Chief Strategy Officer Tamara Grominsky says that her company focuses on helping customers convert their customers into sales, and with Snazzy, it gets some pretty nifty technology based on GPT-3 artificial intelligence technology.

"We're focused right now on building conversion intelligence software that will allow marketers to work with machines to really unlock their true conversion potential [...] and we saw a huge opportunity with Snazzy to focus particularly on the content creation and copy creation space to help us accelerate that strategy," Grominsky explained.

She points out that the product is really aimed at the marketing generalist charged with overseeing landing pages, and who is responsible for a range of tasks including writing copy. "The average Unbounce customer isn't a specialized copywriter, so they don't spend [their work] day writing copy. They're what we would consider a marketing generalist or really someone who's responsible for a wide range of marketing responsibilities," she said.

Snazzy co-founder Chris Frantz says the tech is really about getting people started, and then they can tweak the results as needed. "The hardest part has always been to get that first line, that first page, the first couple of words in -- and we eliminate that entirely. That might not always result in amazing copy, but on the plus side you can always click the button again and give it another try," he said.

Frantz says that with so much competition in the space, he and his co-founder felt they could build a market much faster as part of a larger and broader marketing platform solution like Unbounce.

Story continues

"I love Tamara's vision for the future of Unbounce. I think she has a very ambitious vision. She sold me on that very early on in the process. At the same time, there was a lot of competition in the space, and to have a key differentiator with a company like Unbounce, which has a decade of marketing experience and a lot of trust within this community, I think it's a very powerful wedge that we can use to further grow our audience," Frantz said.

The tool lets you write a range of copy, from landing pages to Google ad copy. The company launched in alpha last October and already had 30,000 customers, which Grominsky says Unbounce hopes to convert into customers. The good news for those customers is that the company plans to leave Snazzy as a standalone product, while incorporating the tech into the platform in ways that make sense in the coming year.
US President Joe Biden's administration on Wednesday waived sanctions against Nord Stream 2, the Russian-controlled builder of a Russia-Germany gas pipeline, which Washington has called a geopolitical security risk.

Secretary of State Antony Blinken said in a letter to Congress that waiving the original sanctions mandated by Congress for Swiss-based Nord Stream 2 AG, and its chief executive Matthias Warnig, "is in the national interests of the United States."

The move defused rising tensions between Washington and Berlin over the project, which Germany and other European countries see as crucial to securing long-term energy supplies to the region.

Germany had rejected the looming imposition of sanctions as interference in its domestic affairs.

Earlier Wednesday, Germany's foreign minister Heiko Maas welcomed the expected move as a conciliatory step.

"We understand the decisions that have been taken in Washington as taking into account the really extraordinarily good relationship that have been built with the Biden administration," Maas said.

The State Department did approve sanctions on several vessels and smaller companies and organizations involved in building and administering the pipeline.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitri Peskov also welcomed the expected move, saying: "It's better than reading announcements of new sanctions, it would certainly be positive."

But the move was strongly criticized by Republican Senator Jim Risch, who called the waiver "a gift to (Vladimir) Putin that will only weaken the United States' leverage in the lead up to the impending Biden-Putin summit."

"The administration is prioritizing perceived German and Russian interests over those of our allies in Central, Eastern, and Northern Europe," Risch said in a statement.

pmh/jm
US President Joe Biden's administration on Wednesday waived sanctions against Nord Stream 2, the Russian-controlled builder of a Russia-Germany gas pipeline, which Washington has called a geopolitical security risk.

Secretary of State Antony Blinken said in a letter to Congress that waiving the original sanctions mandated by Congress for Swiss-based Nord Stream 2 AG, and its chief executive Matthias Warnig, "is in the national interests of the United States."

The move defused tensions between Washington and Berlin over the $12-billion project, which Germany and other European countries see as crucial to securing long-term energy supplies to the region.

Germany had rejected the looming imposition of sanctions as interference in its domestic affairs.

In a statement Blinken said the Biden administration nonetheless remains committed to its position against Nord Stream 2.

"We will continue to oppose the completion of this project, which would weaken European energy security and that of Ukraine and Eastern flank NATO and EU countries," he said.

"Our position is in line with our commitment to strengthen our transatlantic relationships as a matter of national security."

The 745-mile (1,200-kilometer) pipeline, which is more than 95 percent complete, will run beneath the Baltic Sea and double Russian natural gas shipments to Germany, Europe's largest economy.

Russian giant Gazprom has a majority stake in the project, working alongside an international consortium that includes Germany's Wintershall and Uniper groups, Dutch-British giant Shell, France's Engie and Austria's OMV.

Gazprom also controls Nord Stream 2 AG whose chief executive, Warnig, is reportedly close to Russian President Vladimir Putin.

- 'Extraordinarily good relationship -

Wednesday's ruling was a significant reversal of Washington's earlier stance.

In 2020 the possibility of US sanctions held up pipeline-laying operations for nearly one year.

Story continues

Work resumed in December under the ongoing sanctions threat. In March Blinken said in Brussels that the pipeline would undermine Europe's interests and energy security goals.

The Nord Stream 2 project "is a bad idea. Bad for Europe, bad for the United States," he said at the time, threatening sanctions against "any entity involved" in the project.

Earlier Wednesday, Germany's foreign minister Heiko Maas welcomed the expected move as a conciliatory step.

"We understand the decisions that have been taken in Washington as taking into account the really extraordinarily good relationship that have been built with the Biden administration," Maas said.

The State Department did approve sanctions on several vessels and smaller companies and organizations involved in building and administering the pipeline.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitri Peskov welcomed the expected move, saying: "It's better than reading announcements of new sanctions. It would certainly be positive."

But the move was strongly criticized by Republican Senator Jim Risch, who called the waiver "a gift to Putin that will only weaken the United States' leverage in the lead up to the impending Biden-Putin summit."

"The administration is prioritizing perceived German and Russian interests over those of our allies in Central, Eastern and Northern Europe," Risch said in a statement.

The project has long been in the crosshairs of the United States, particularly by the administration of former president Donald Trump, which promoted US gas and openly criticized European countries for buying energy from Russia.

Russian neighbors Poland, Ukraine and the Baltic states also fiercely opposed the pipeline, fearing it would increase Moscow's political leverage in regional politics.

The new pipeline follows the route of the original Nord Stream 1 pipeline, which began operations in 2011.

pmh/bfm
- By GF Value





The stock of USA Compression Partners LP (NYSE:USAC, 30-year Financials) is estimated to be fairly valued, 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 $15.52 per share and the market cap of $1.5 billion, USA Compression Partners LP stock gives every indication of being fairly valued. GF Value for USA Compression Partners LP is shown in the chart below.





USA Compression Partners LP Stock Appears To Be Fairly Valued

Because USA Compression Partners LP is fairly valued, the long-term return of its stock is likely to be close to the rate of its business growth, which averaged 15.7% over the past three years and is estimated to grow 3.62% annually over the next three to 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. USA Compression Partners LP has a cash-to-debt ratio of 0.00, which is in the bottom 10% of the companies in Oil & Gas industry. GuruFocus ranks the overall financial strength of USA Compression Partners LP at 3 out of 10, which indicates that the financial strength of USA Compression Partners LP is poor. This is the debt and cash of USA Compression Partners LP over the past years:

Story continues

USA Compression Partners LP Stock Appears To Be Fairly Valued

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. USA Compression Partners LP has been profitable 3 years over the past 10 years. During the past 12 months, the company had revenues of $646.2 million and loss of $0.42 a share. Its operating margin of 22.93% better than 85% of the companies in Oil & Gas industry. Overall, GuruFocus ranks USA Compression Partners LP's profitability as fair. This is the revenue and net income of USA Compression Partners LP over the past years:

USA Compression Partners LP Stock Appears To Be Fairly Valued

Growth is probably one of the most important factors in the valuation of a company. GuruFocus' research has found that growth is closely correlated with the long-term performance of a company's stock. If a company's business is growing, the company usually creates value for its shareholders, especially if the growth is profitable. Likewise, if a company's revenue and earnings are declining, the value of the company will decrease. USA Compression Partners LP's 3-year average revenue growth rate is better than 83% of the companies in Oil & Gas industry. USA Compression Partners LP's 3-year average EBITDA growth rate is -14.6%, which ranks worse than 68% of the companies in Oil & Gas 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, USA Compression Partners LP's ROIC was 4.49, while its WACC came in at 10.51. The historical ROIC vs WACC comparison of USA Compression Partners LP is shown below:

USA Compression Partners LP Stock Appears To Be Fairly Valued

In conclusion, the stock of USA Compression Partners LP (NYSE:USAC, 30-year Financials) is believed to be fairly valued. The company's financial condition is poor and its profitability is fair. Its growth ranks worse than 68% of the companies in Oil & Gas industry. To learn more about USA Compression Partners LP 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.


The Washington Football Team continues to add to the roster, claiming defensive back Chris Miller off waivers from the Arizona Cardinals on Tuesday.

The Cardinals released Miller on Monday after they signed cornerback Tae Hayes.

Originally an undrafted free agent out of Baylor in 2020, Miller spent time with both the Seattle Seahawks and Tennessee Titans last year before signing with Arizona in December and being placed on the practice squad.

During his college career, Miller recorded 177 tackles, including four for loss and three forced fumbles for the Bears.

Miller, at 6-foot-0, 191 pounds, can play both cornerback and free safety. One issue with Miller is his speed. He posted a 4.61 time in the 40-yard dash at the 2020 NFL combine.

Miller is a physical corner, which Washington likes. He faces an uphill battle to make the roster in WFTs retooled secondary that has added William Jackson III, Darryl Roberts, Darrick Forrest and Bobby McCain this offseason.
May 18WATERFORD  Jen Smith, children's librarian, has been leading outdoor storytimes at the Waterford Public Library.

"It's just so nice to be able to do this safely together," she said Tuesday.

Smith uses a microphone and large-scale books to make sure everyone can see and hear from a distance. "It's amazing to just see everyone's faces," she said.

The library had been holding virtual activities through the coronavirus pandemic and started holding small socially distanced events in March. For a full schedule and registration, visit waterfordct.org/library.
The young widow of an ageing Japanese real estate mogul was charged Wednesday with murdering the self-described "Don Juan" just months into their marriage, a court official said.

Kosuke Nozaki, who boasted in his autobiography of spending millions of dollars on young, beautiful women, died in 2018 of acute poisoning aged 77.

His widow Saki Sudo, now 25, allegedly killed Nozaki by making him take a large amount of an unspecified stimulant. Some reports said it had been mixed into a drink, as no needle marks were found on his body.

A spokesman at the Wakayama District Court confirmed Sudo had been indicted on charges of murder and violation of the Stimulants Control Act.

Local media said prosecutors would rely on evidence from Sudo's phone that showed she had searched for information about stimulants and how to make a murder look less suspicious.

Nozaki, who ran a real estate business, liquor sales company and money-lending enterprise, claimed in his best-selling autobiography that he had spent three billion yen ($27.5 million) on wooing 4,000 women.

"The reason I make money is to date attractive women," he wrote in the 2016 book titled "Don Juan of Kishu", after the region in western Japan where he lived.

"I have no interest in cars or houses. Instead, I have a boundless desire to have sex with beautiful women," he said in the book, which also included chapters on how to seduce college students and cabin crew.

Nozaki built his fortune from nothing, selling everything from metal scraps to condoms to liquor, according to the website of the book's publisher.

In his will, he said he wanted to donate 1.3 billion yen to the city of Tanabe in Wakayama prefecture, where he had lived.

But because half of his estate goes to his widow under civil law, the city had been in talks with Sudo about splitting the money, the Sankei Shimbun reported.

In a column, Nozaki wrote for the Gendai Business website in 2018 -- months before his death -- he said he was "confident of becoming happy" by marrying Sudo, even though people had warned him she was probably after his money.

hih/sah/jfx
TOKYO -- Japan plans to boost defense spending without worrying about sticking to its long-standing limit of 1% of gross domestic product, Defense Minister Nobuo Kishi told Nikkei on Wednesday.

The country looks to beef up its defenses around the Senkaku Islands amid repeated incursions by China's now quasi-military coast guard, as well as address the emerging areas of space and cyber defense.

"We must increase our defense capabilities at a radically different pace than in the past," Kishi said.

"We will properly allocate the funding we need to protect our nation" without worrying about comparing it to GDP, he said.

The decision comes a month after Japan pledged to "bolster its own national defense capabilities to further strengthen the alliance and regional security" in a joint statement with the U.S. after their April summit.

The document was the first joint leaders' statement by the two countries to mention Taiwan in 52 years, stressing "the importance of peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait."

Taiwan sits just 170 km from the Japan-administered Senkakus, which are claimed by China as the Diaoyu, and a Taiwan Strait conflict could engulf the island chain.

Since the 1990s, the only year that Japan's defense spending exceeded 1% of GDP was fiscal 2010, when GDP plummeted after the global financial crisis. The country's defense budget has grown for nine straight years through fiscal 2021 but has remained below 1% of GDP.

That could change in fiscal 2021 if GDP drops again amid the coronavirus pandemic. Spending for fiscal 2020 came to 0.997% of fiscal 2020 GDP based on preliminary data announced Tuesday, and the budget for fiscal 2021 rose 0.5% to 5.34 trillion yen.

Intentionally crossing the 1% line would mark a turning point for Japan's security policy, and is likely to draw pushback from China.
NORFOLK  Less than two weeks ago, we observed Memorial Day  a day set aside for remembrance of those who have given the ultimate sacrifice of their lives for the freedom we as Americans enjoy today. While some choose to say happy Memorial Day, it is far from that as we reflect solemnly, 
We have used your information to see if you have a subscription with us, but did not find one. Please use the button below to verify an existing account or to purchase a new subscription.
God what a piece of shit

Reply

Thread

Link

Alexa play Good 4 u by Olivia Rodrigo

Reply

Thread

Link

I wonder if Sofia had been plotting this whole time, especially since she's known both of them

Reply

Thread

Link





sofia queen

Reply

Thread

Link

Messy messy messy.

Reply

Thread

Link

yikes. he'll do her dirty too to get with the next one, hope she's prepared

Reply

Thread

Link

I was gonna say, shes not going to be the last one/wife

Reply

Parent

Thread



Link

i thought that said hope she's pregnant and i'm like damn this isn't enough drama??

Reply

Parent

Thread



Link

Why are people so messy and quick to move on

Reply

Thread

Link

the mess we deserve



i wonder what the rush to get married was....

Reply

Thread

Link

These COVID weddings are not gonna last...

Reply

Thread

Link

He loves having a pretty brunette on his arm

Reply

Thread

Link

Break up via text just makes me think of Burger dumping Carrie on the post-it note!

Anyway, Ilovemess.gif

Reply

Thread

Link

Justin Hartley is soooo messy. If he was a woman he would have already been exposed for his messy ways. I remember when he was married to Lindsay (Teresa) from Passions.

Reply

Thread

Link

Holy shit this is wife #3 and he's not even 45?

Reply

Parent

Thread



Link

lol yep and if I remember correctly, the first marriage was a shotgun marriage

Reply

Parent

Thread



Link

And they say women are obsessed with weddings...

Reply

Parent

Thread



Link

Hes truly just as messy in real life as a Crane male would be, smh

Reply

Parent

Thread

Expand

Link

He has been exposed, and lost a lot of female fans (which were really all he ever had to begin with). Any media story that pops up about him, Instagram is filled with comments about how much he sucks and how they're all rooting for Chrishell.

Reply

Parent

Thread



Link

i randomly googled "angry desi uncle" and watched a video about this guy and why he made that face lol

Reply

Parent

Thread



Link
It's a good video <3



John Oliver did a good segment on his show too and I'm glad he spoke up about it.

Reply

Thread

Link

John's segment was amazing.

Reply

Parent

Thread



Link

when he started on the topic a small part of me was worried he'd go all 'both sides' (which is crazy because he never pulls that shit) so it was a relief he got real with it

Reply

Parent

Thread



Link

It's so frustrating that the original upload apparently got deleted by YouTube 

Reply

Parent

Thread



Link





#freepalestine our (us) president has been a mess with this we are truly in a dying empire

Reply

Thread

Link

The fact he authorized a huge arms deal yesterday and then today praised Rashida for her strength and said he hoped her family in the West Bank would remain safe??? Psycho shit.

Reply

Parent

Thread



Link

legit psycho shit! why can't these old fuckers just retire and go be rich somewhere? why does he insist on creating as much human misery as possible on his way out of this life? i'm just so upset because we are fighting each other and even if we all agreed, we'd still have to fight the fuckers in office who aren't going to do anything!



(end rant, sorry, just feeling helpless)

Reply

Parent

Thread



Link

Did you watch Rashidas speech on the House floor? She couldnt even get through the whole thing she was almost sobbing! Biden is such a POS. I DO NOT want to hear anyone here defending his ass. Fuck him!

Reply

Parent

Thread

Expand

Link

he couldn't even get her name right! he kept referring to her as "rashid"

Reply

Parent

Thread



Link

Completely psychotic

Reply

Parent

Thread



Link

He has always been trash but refusing to stop funding a genocide truly does take it over the top. But as per usual, Liberals are more than happy to keep their mouths shut but if this were Trump they wouldnt shut up about it. Just like they did with the kids in cages.



And do not get me started on AIPACs digital ads with Rep. Omars face next to missiles attacking her. But since Biden, Harris, Pelosi and others LOVE that blood money they wont say shit. Truly despicable and disgusting behavior.



Im just glad Rashida called him out. Her speech on the floor about this had me sobbing. Bidens response to her during his speech today made me want to break things. What an asshole.

Reply

Parent

Thread

Expand

Link

I am disgusted at Europe for supporting apartheid. Not surprised, since we were okay with Ukraine being attacked, but still disgusted.

Reply

Thread

Link

It's incredibly upsetting but I do think that the narrative has changed a bit.



Not where I live, though. My country (the Czech Republic) is so far up Isreal's ass it's ridiculous. The pro-Palestinian (or even the "both sides") discourse is almost non-existent here. It's like an alternative reality, I swear.





Reply

Parent

Thread



Link

Me spis prekvapuje jak malo informaci je u nas k dispozici... A kdyz uz je neco ve vetsich zpravach, tak se mluvi o konfliktu, kde Izrael bombarduje Palestinu kvuli teroristum, ale o okupaci ani slovo.



Edited at 2021-05-19 02:36 am (UTC)

Reply

Parent

Thread

Expand

Link

Germany ain't shit. All that is being reported on is the sufferings of Israelis or antisemitism in Germany, yet there are no reports on Palestine. It's all very one-sided.

The politicians are also quite clearly siding with the Israeli government, it's sickening.

Reply

Parent

Thread



Link

Oh my god theres a video on her Instagram and its like her neighbor is literally trying to lock her out of her home.



Someone she knows! . Hes like if I dont do it someone else will...and your point Jacob???

Reply

Thread

Link

Her claims are not unfounded!!! So much getting deleted.



I'm not seeing any zionism on my feeds but I know I'm in a self designed bubble.





Reply

Thread

Link

I've seen a few people saying their accounts are being locked temporarily for 'liking too much stuff' or something that's clearly about them liking pro-Palestinian posts, but I've not known people to get stuff deleted.



That sucks.

Reply

Parent

Thread



Link

Khaled Beydouns instagram was locked out for a couple days because of his Pro-Palestine posts.



Its disgusting.

Reply

Parent

Thread



Link

a girl that was live tweeting from gaza got locked too yesterday after being reported for "hate speech"

Reply

Parent

Thread



Link

same. I'm not seeing it but my algorithm has adjusted to my likes I think

Reply

Parent

Thread



Link

yup a lot of my friends have been locked out of their accounts or their posts have been shadow banned



Edited at 2021-05-19 12:55 am (UTC)

Reply

Parent

Thread



Link

Seriously - the wording of the post title is kind of condescending tbh. Ive seen this shit happening first hand - posts deleted (including my own), accounts shadow banned and suspended, and its not okay. Palestinians and other Arabs have a long history of being silenced, gaslighted, and minimized in the West and this shit is fucking exhausting. Many many folks have deeply internalized a colonial mindset and it shows.

Reply

Parent

Thread



Link

There's a dinosaur comic I follow had a comic post about it deleted by instagram

Reply

Thread

Link

Ive had several posts either hidden or deleted by instagram. They think they can silence us by doing that but the reality is that my existence as a Palestinian is enough to spread the truth about whats happening to my people. I will not be quiet. I want every little Palestinian boy and girl growing up to be able to achieve their dreams and aspirations the same way I was able to. I want their futures not to be a life of trauma, death, being treated like second class citizens etc I will continue to spread awareness until my people are free.



Also I know this is very very random but I hope Bella Hadid is okay. She was posting A LOT on her instagram about Palestine and ever since Israel targeted her on twitter she hasnt posted anything.



Edited at 2021-05-18 11:53 pm (UTC)

Reply

Thread

Link

Been thinking the same about Bella. A lot of folks here were dismissive of concern for her in the other post, but many of us with Palestinian ties know or are related to at least one person killed by targeted assassinations. My family absolutely has some stories.



Wishing you, your family, and loved ones the best.

Reply

Parent

Thread



Link

Thank you. Yes some people dont get it. They think because shes a celebrity, shes immune to the attacks that Palestinians endure. My family especially on my moms side has so many stories. My moms side of the family is very well known in that region (Palestine and then Lebanon because they became refugees) so they were prone to many assassination attacks. Anytime something like this happens, she tells me the stories that her family has endured.



Wishing your family and loved ones the best as well 

Reply

Parent

Thread



Link







Isreal's Justice Minister met with Facebook and Tiktok to discuss the spread of "misinformation" and asked them to delete posts.





Here's an article, these SM companies are not hiding their bias.



https://www.newsweek.com/israels-justice-minister-asks-tiktok-facebook-remove-posts-inciting-violence-against-country-1591548







The same thing was done on May 5th for National Day of Awareness for Missing and Murdered Native Women and Girls. Both Instagram posts and stories were deleted by IG and when they were confronted about it they said there was an "error" which has been fixed.





Edited at 2021-05-18 11:54 pm (UTC) There's no "claims" about it posts are being deleted and hidden on both Tiktok and IG. I've seen and talked to a lot of people on IG who say their posts and stories are not being seen. My stories normally get between 1-2k views but when I talk about Palestine barely 200 people see them.Isreal's Justice Minister met with Facebook and Tiktok to discuss the spread of "misinformation" and asked them to delete posts.Here's an article, these SM companies are not hiding their bias.The same thing was done on May 5th for National Day of Awareness for Missing and Murdered Native Women and Girls. Both Instagram posts and stories were deleted by IG and when they were confronted about it they said there was an "error" which has been fixed.

Reply

Thread

Link

My stories aren't being seen at all anymore. Usually I get 10-20 views on my small personal and private account but today I got 1 view then nothing.



This is horrifying and very telling.

Reply

Parent

Thread



Link

They're honestly not hiding it anymore.

Reply

Parent

Thread

Expand

Link

I don't follow many people (maybe 100-130?) so it was VERY obvious the other day when the people whose stories I normally view were pushed to the back of my queue on the front page while making political posts. Suddenly I had to scroll to the end

Reply

Parent

Thread

Expand

Link

"- Saying she has been contacted by people scared of retaliation for her if she posts about it"



Mhmm yep! I've mentioned before that Penelope Cruz and Javier Bardem did a free palestine statements years ago were met with inside the industry backlash and had to make an apology statement.



I heard people say that a few other musicians also had delete tweets saying



I have been curious to see if celebs now have been getting pressure to not speak. Mhmm yep! I've mentioned before that Penelope Cruz and Javier Bardem did a free palestine statements years ago were met with inside the industry backlash and had to make an apology statement.I heard people say that a few other musicians also had delete tweets saying #freepalestine I have been curious to see if celebs now have been getting pressure to not speak.

Reply

Thread

Link

Maybe.

And idk if it's just me but I haven't seen that much support for palestinians/posts about what's going on on social media. And when I see one, it's like G*l G*dot's post "it breaks my heart blah blah ~conflict~ blah blah peace".

Reply

Parent

Thread



Link

Compared to the past I've def seen more #freepalestine tweets from celebs.

Reply

Parent

Thread



Link

Good for her for speaking up! I am not surprised tho, didn't instagram delete Bella and Gigi's father passport or something like that? Such an innocent post and they took it down.

Reply

Thread

Link

Yupp, I remember that, I also remembered people tried to cast doubt that she cant post passports on stories, hence its deletion. 

Reply

Parent

Thread



Link

just got an AIPAC promoted-post/ad/thing on my FB feed. I reported it. miss me with that nonsense, buncha Evangelicals supporting Israel to bring on the Second Coming.

Reply

Thread

Link

that's awesome



eta: this type of censorship on social media is gross but it's also extremely selective and imo intentional

I've reported posts saying that *TW: sexual assault* they hope I get raped like my ancestors did during the genocide, I've seen posts saying POW's from my home country deserve to die and rot in hell etc and those would never get deleted. maybe 1/20 comments like that which I reported would get deleted. Very interesting what IG especially deems as "against their rules", twitter seems slightly better about it but I'm not on there, so I could be totally wrong



anyways.

it may not be surprising but it still sucks. I really hope more people online with large platforms especially speak out (on the right side) about this



Edited at 2021-05-19 12:41 am (UTC)

Reply

Thread

Link

Shes right, Ive noticed tweets and accounts getting deleted and suspended, and even on tumblr, the tags have gotten purged or hidden.

Reply

Thread

Link

this is 100% true. i follow bella hadid and usually her stories and pushed to the front of my feed but i have to scroll to find hers. i thought she stopped posting because of israel's social media calling her out but she was just hidden.



Edited at 2021-05-19 12:54 am (UTC)

Reply

Thread

Link

You can see this censorship on Twitter right now too. If you type in something in the search field, you get keyword suggestions and suggested users, but the second you type in bella, it all goes blank.

Reply

Parent

Thread



Link

a quarter of a million people protested for Palestine just in one city alone and not a peep from any major news network https://t.co/LTyRRJopsC  anna/ #SaveSheikhJarrah (@bademjanbitch) May 18, 2021



yup, the fact that they're doing their damnedest to ignore these protests is so blatant yup, the fact that they're doing their damnedest to ignore these protests is so blatant

Reply

Thread

Link

It's been insane to see the censorship in real time, like there have been massive prostest everywhere, if it weren't for social media you would never know.





Reply

Parent

Thread



Link

I've seen pro-Palestine as well as awareness for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women posts get hidden for at least half a day.





meanwhile, on the Youtube "Top News:" how the Iron Dome works!



nothing about the protests like in Detroit in the US, Puerto Rico at their Capitol, even in France in defiance of the ban

Reply

Parent

Thread



Link
 this is a beautiful tribute. May his name and life be remembered and celebrated

Reply

Thread

Link

Oh, what a lovely thing to do. He was such a talent.

Reply

Thread

Link

I am so sad the way everything ended for him. So much mental illness he suffered from.

Reply

Thread

Link

That's really sweet.

Reply

Thread

Link

I don't tend to believe in an afterlife but I hope whatever form his energy is now is pleased by this. He was a gentle soul who wanted to make people happy with his music.

Reply

Thread

Link

This is lovely. I really admire the work his parents have been doing to end mental health stigma.



RIP Tim 

Reply

Thread

Link

It's good to see how his parents are doing something that brings more help and awareness to mental health issues. I always get so sad when I remember he's gone. I loved True so much.





Reply

Thread

Link

Thats so very sweet 

Reply

Thread

Link

That's a sweet tribute.



I love Globen, I think it's my favorite arena

Reply

Thread

Link

I went once for a concert a few years ago and I loved it. Being a tourist, I went on the Skyview which was super fun!

Reply

Parent

Thread



Link

Im not crying!!  this was a beautiful tribute.

Reply

Thread

Link

this is very sweet!

Reply

Thread

Link

I live like an hours walk away and this is how I find this out?

Reply

Thread

Link

So lovely 

Reply

Thread

Link

This is such a wonderful tribute. His passing was disturbing to hear about when it happened. He had output that was always worth the listen. I say as someone who wasn't really a fan of electronic dance music at the time of the its mainstream resurgence in the early 2010s but for me he definitely captured that era and I now look back on it fondly. Music aside, he also just seemed like a nice, gentle-natured person who wanted to be good.





Reply

Thread

Link

You Make Me is one of my fav songs ever

Reply

Thread

Link
Four refineries on the U.S. Gulf Coast have reduced their processing rates because of heavy rains and flooding in East Texas and Louisiana. The severe weather conditions are forecast to continue this week, Reuters reports.

Among the refineries that suffered slowdowns was Totals Port Arthur facility, which has a daily processing capacity of 225,500 barrels of crude oil and which suffered a brief power outage at the start of this week.

Another was Motivas 630,000-bpd refinery in Port Arthur, which was hit by a transformer blowout on Monday, Reuters noted.

A unit of Valero Energys Port Arthur processing facility suffered an outage, too, at the beginning of this week, according to data from Genscape that Reuters cited. The refinery has a capacity of 335,000 barrels of crude daily.

The fourth refinery that is partially shutting down is Exxons Baton Rouge facility in Louisiana, but, according to unnamed Reuters sources, the shutdown is for planned maintenance of a distillation unit and has nothing to do with the weather.

The heavy rains and flooding come ahead of hurricane season in June, with forecasts pointing towards above average storm activity this year. Colorado State University said in its annual forecast that it expected 17 named storms this seasoneight hurricanes and four major hurricanes.

That compares to an average of 12.1 named storms per season between 1981 and 2010, and 6.4 named hurricanes per season, of which 2.7 major ones.

We anticipate an above-average probability for major hurricanes making landfall along the continental United States coastline and in the Caribbean, CSU forecasters said.

Gulf Coast refineries were in February battered by the cold spell that rose to notoriety as the Texas Freeze, which took out power plants, oilfields, and refineries as equipment froze and power outages spread far and wide.

By Charles Kennedy for Oilprice.com

More Top Reads From Oilprice.com:
The Q1 2021 haul is 178% up on Q1 2020 and is also higher than total business done during all of 2017  when average lithium and cobalt prices were substantially higher than today.

Total battery capacity of EVs sold during the month increased 139% year on year to over 22 GWh, according to Adamas Intelligence, which tracks demand for EV batteries by chemistry, cell supplier and capacity in over 100 countries. Tesla was number one in terms of battery capacity deployed accounting for almost 1 out of every 3 MWh deployed in March (including hybrids).

In order to produce the most accurate data, the monthly battery capacity deployed numbers in the MINING.COM EV Metal Index do not include cars leaving assembly lines, those on dealership lots or in the wholesale supply chain only end-user registered vehicles.

Nickel use declines as LFP batteries gain market share

Cobalt and nickel deployment more than doubled compared to the same month last year, but on a per vehicle basis use of these cathode materials is trending down. Related: Oil Markets Will Face A Supply Crisis Before Demand Peaks

Adamas says the global sales weighted average amounts of nickel per vehicle (including hybrids) fell by 8% year on year on the back of strong sales of BEVs powered by LFP (lithium-iron-phosphate) cells such as the Tesla Model 3 made and sold in China and exported to Europe and the BYD Han EV, among others.

LFP-equipped cars are making inroads globally and a number of Chinese automakers are targeting western markets with LFP-equipped vehicles. From a fraction before the made-in-China Model 3 launched, the technology has now reached 15.7% market share based on Q1 2021 battery capacity deployed. Adamas data shows the LFP Model 3 on its own captured 7.2% of the global electric car market.

While Volkswagen has said LFP would be its go-to battery for its entry level models, BYD confirmed last month that it is going all-in on LFP batteries, scrapping NCM (nickel, cobalt, manganese) technology from its model line-up entirely.

High nickel content in NCM cathodes improves energy density, but BYD and other LFP battery manufacturers have been closing the gap in terms of range and charging performance.

Lithium rally has legs, cobalt and nickel prices decline

Average cobalt use in March was up an anemic 2% year on year and contrasts with a 122% jump in total tonnage deployed of the metal, which provides thermal stability for high nickel batteries.

Average nickel sulfate prices fell by more than 10% in March from February while cobalt used in the battery supply chains, according to Benchmark Mineral Intelligence also declined but the priciest cathode material held above $60,000 a tonne  from a low of $30,000 a tonne in December 2019.

Average lithium use was up 12% year over year while total material deployed was up a stunning 94% month on month. Lithium prices continued to recover, topping $10,000 in March for the first time since August 2019.

As a percentage of the overall index value, lithium represents 26%, up from a low of 20% in August last year.

By Mining.com

More Top Reads From Oilprice.com:
To say that 2020 was a record-breaking year for renewable energy investment would be an extreme understatement. Clean energy went gangbusters last year as the spread of the novel coronavirus took a major bite out of oil demand, caused a record oil price crash, and ultimately catalyzed the global clean energy transition. In fact, the global renewable energy industry grew faster last year than it has since 1999 thanks to a huge spike in demand from both the public and the private sectors. Renewable energy installation, including wind farms and solar power projects, increased by a whopping 45 percent compared to the year before. Wind power capacity alone grew twofold in 2020, while solar energys growth rate increased by nearly 50% more than pre-pandemic levels.

Now, however, the pendulum seems to be swinging the other way as the massive upswing in renewable energy adoption slows back down. Two prominent exchange-traded funds which feature clean energies as the focus of their portfolios, Invesco Solar ETF (TAN) and the Invesco WilderHill Clean Energy ETF (PBW), are down 30% and 26% respectively so far over the course of this year. (Last year TAN increased by almost 234% and PBW rose more than 202%). But long-term investors see this as a normal correction that will not take the wind out of renewable energys sails.

Invescos head of ETFs and indexed strategies for the Americas John Hoffman told CNBC that this bump in the road is only natural and shouldnt scare off investors. When you think about the transformation to clean energy, we think about it over decades, not days, Hoffman was quoted by CNBCs ETF Edge. The trend to cleaner energy, solar power, water resources, greener buildings, these are long-term themes here  that were seeing play out.

Because the market for renewable energy is global, there is enormous potential for growth, says Hoffman. With almost 100 ETFs tied to environmental, social, and governance themes now available to U.S. investors, momentum is picking up in this space, CNBC underlines. Whats more, renewable energy and other clean technologies (such as electric vehicles, the sector that notably jettisoned Elon Musk to the very top of the Forbes rich list, albeit briefly and intermittently) is one of the most promising sectors for post-pandemic recovery and jobs growth according to a whole swath of studies.

Indeed, according to the International Energy Agency (IEA), the breakneck pace of growth set last year was not an anomaly, but likely has established a standard growth rate going forward. The IEA has pushed the IEA to revise its previous renewable energy forecasts, increasing its projections by approximately 25% on the heels of 2020s renewable revolution, which saw key players including the United States and China increase their renewable energy adoption much faster than expected.

Related: Oil Prices Tumble As Crude Inventories Rise



The IEA cheered on this unexpected development, with executive director Fatih Birol stating that around the world, governments must build on this promising momentum with policy-making designed to encourage greater investment in solar and wind, in the additional grid infrastructure they will require, and in other key renewable technologies such as hydropower, bioenergy and geothermal. Birol further underlined the importance of the continuation of this trend, going on to say that a massive expansion of clean electricity is essential to giving the world a chance of achieving its net zero goals.

The worlds two largest economies are now rushing headlong into the clean energy transition. As China continues to pledge huge reductions in carbon emissions and make good on promises to launch the worlds largest carbon trading scheme, and the United States rejoins the Paris climate accord and gets serious about tackling climate change under the new presidential administration, the prognosis is bright for the renewables market.

By Haley Zaremba for Oilprice.com

More Top Reads From Oilprice.com:
The Biden administration will make available $20 billion to bolster cybersecurity defenses at the state, local, and tribal government levels, the White House said in a press release.

Governors, mayors, and legislators have embraced ambitious energy system modernization goals that have already driven significant private investment into grid upgrades, clean electricity, and U.S. cybersecurity, the release noted.

The $20 billion will be distributed as energy system modernization grants aimed at supporting critical infrastructure  additional grid resilience, clean electricity, and cybersecurity efforts  and spur early action by state and local governments that creates a favorable environment for increased private investment, creating jobs, reducing pollution, and boosting security.

Last week, President Biden signed an executive order for strengthening cybersecurity defenses by enhancing the protection of federal networks and improving information-sharing between the government and the private sector. The order came in the wake of the ransomware attack that shut down the Colonial Pipeline networkthe largest pipeline infrastructure in the United States and the conduit for the supply of almost half of gasoline and diesel that the East Coast consumes.

In the release of the executive order, however, the White House noted that the federal government is not the only stakeholders with the means and motivation to strengthen the cybersecurity of various systems.

Much of our domestic critical infrastructure is owned and operated by the private sector, and those private sector companies make their own determination regarding cybersecurity investments, the White House said.

We encourage private sector companies to follow the Federal governments lead and take ambitious measures to augment and align cybersecurity investments with the goal of minimizing future incidents.

The 2.5-million-barrel-daily Colonial network was out of commission for less than a week, but the outage still caused widespread shortages of fuels in much of the East Coast as drivers stocked up on gasoline and diesel despite calls from experts to resist panic-buying. Earlier this week, there were more than 10,000 gas stations closed due to fuel shortages. As of the end of the day yesterday, the number had fallen below 10,000 but was still pretty high, according to GasBuddy data.

By Irina Slav for Oilprice.com

More Top Reads From Oilprice.com:
Major Indian state-held refiners plan to cut back on spot crude purchases later this year, expecting that the U.S. sanctions on Irans oil could be lifted by the end of 2021.

Indias refiners halted imports from Iran several months after the previous U.S. Administration slapped sanctions on the Islamic Republics oil industry and withdrew from the so-called nuclear deal in 2018.

The Biden Administration has been indirectly talking to Iran for a few weeks in Vienna in rounds of talks with the remaining partners of the nuclear agreement, to see if the U.S. and Iran could reach an agreement on returning to the deal.

There has been some progress in the talks, but not a major breakthrough, despite an earlier BBC suggestion that important agreement news was expected on Wednesday.

I didnt say there was a breakthrough at the Vienna talks on #JCPOA. I said that significant progress have been achieved, in my view. That is true. But unresolved issues still remain and the negotiators need more time and efforts to finalise an agreement on restoration of JCPOA, Mikhail Ulyanov, Representative of Russia to International Organizations in Vienna, who leads the Russian delegation at the talks, clarified after the initial news tanked oil prices.

At any rate, major state-run refiners in the worlds third-largest oil importer, India, will be making room for a potential legitimate return of Iranian oil to the international market, officials at the refiners told Reuters this week.

The biggest refiner Indian Oil Corporation, as well as Bharat Petroleum Corporation, Hindustan Petroleum Corporation, and Mangalore Refinery and Petrochemicals, plan to reduce spot crude buying and buy Iranian oil, if the sanctions are lifted and the price is right, officials at those companies told Reuters.

Before the U.S. sanctions cut off India as a major market of Iranian oil, India was the second-largest crude market for Iran after China. While India has complied with the U.S. sanctions and stopped purchases of crude from the Islamic Republic, China has not.

Meanwhile, Iran is preparing to boost production and exports of crude oil as talks on the nuclear deal with the United States continue to progress, government officials said earlier this month, as quoted by Bloomberg.

By Charles Kennedy for Oilprice.com

More Top Reads From Oilprice.com:
Russias gas giant Gazprom believes that natural gas has a bright future with demand growing and gas having a larger share of energy consumption than renewables and other low-carbon sources.

Gas demand will continue to grow in a stable manner in the long term, Gazproms deputy chief executive Oleg Aksyutin said at an online press conference on Tuesday.

Natural gas will meet 39 percent of additional global energy demand between 2020 and 2040, compared to 34 percent of new demand met by renewables, Gazprom said in the presentation accompanying the briefing today.

The share of natural gas in the global energy consumption is set to increase from 24 percent now to around 27 percent by 2040, according to Gazprom.

Our strategy is boosting gas supplies, Aksyutin said at the briefing, as carried by Reuters.

Gazproms presentation also showed that the company sees its pipeline gas deliveries to Europe via Nord Stream and Turkish Stream as having a lower carbon footprint than liquefied natural gas (LNG) supplies to Europe from Qatar, Algeria, and the United States. According to Gazprom, the liquefaction, shipping, and regasification of the LNG adds more carbon footprint to the gas deliveries than pipeline transportation.

Earlier this year, Elena Burmistrova, Deputy Chairman of Gazproms Management Committee and Director General of Gazprom Export, said that Gazprom believes that pipeline natural gas could be compatible with the global climate goals of greenhouse gas reduction and Europes commitment to net-zero emissions by 2050.

But Europe, the key market for Gazproms pipeline natural gas, has recently started to see natural gas not as a solution but as a problem in the EU climate goals to become a net-zero emissions bloc by 2050.

Gazprom is currently developing strategic scenarios for the long term through 2050, Aksyutin said at the briefing on Tuesday, noting that a low-carbon development scenario will also be considered. The development strategy is expected to be completed by May 2022.

By Tsvetana Paraskova for Oilprice.com

More Top Reads From Oilprice.com:
Saudi Arabias sovereign wealth fund, the Public Investment Fund (PIF), has sold all the 51 million shares it held in Canadas oil producer Suncor Energy, regulatory filings showed this week, with those shares currently worth the equivalent of US$1.2 billion.

According to a regulatory filing about the funds holdings to the Security and Exchange Commission (SEC), the Saudi sovereign wealth fund no longer holds any shares in one of Canadas largest oil producers and key oil sands producer, Suncor.

Instead, the Saudi fund, chaired by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, built positions in companies in the video games industry. The crown prince is a fan of video games and new technologies.

As of Wednesday, the stake in Suncor previously held by PIF51 million shareswas worth C$1.4 billion at a share price of C$27.70, or the stake is now worth nearly US$1.2 billion.

The Saudi fund built its stake in Suncor last year just after oil prices and markets crashed and dragged the share prices of many oil companies down to multi-year lows. Back then, PIF built a 2-percent stake in Suncor, as well as a 2.6-percent in Canadian Natural Resources. The stake in Suncor had made PIF the 14th largest shareholder in the company, according to data compiled by Bloomberg at the time. The stake in Canadian Natural Resources made the Saudi fund its eighth-biggest shareholder in the first half of 2020, Bloombergs data showed.

While Saudi Arabias wealth fund was building a stake in Canadian oil companies last year, Norways Government Pension Fund Global, the worlds largest sovereign fund, decided in May 2020 to exclude Canadian Natural Resources, Cenovus Energy, Suncor Energy, and Imperial Oil over unacceptable greenhouse gas emissions.

The Saudi fund, currently with US$400 billion assets under management, targets to raise its assets under management to US$1.07 trillion by 2025 and invest 21 percent of its assets in new and growth sectors. If the Saudi fund reaches the US$1.07 trillion assets by 2025, it would be one of the largest sovereign wealth funds in the world. Currently, Norways Government Pension Fund Global, the so-called oil fund, is the biggest sovereign wealth fund in the world, with a total market value of US$1.22 trillion in 2020.

By Tsvetana Paraskova for Oilprice.com

More Top Reads From Oilprice.com:
Banks will soon adopt only the National Identification card as the primary source of documentation for banking transactions.



This follows discussions between the banks, represented by the Ghana Association of Bankers, the National Identification Authority and the Bank of Ghana.



The discussion is said to have reached an advanced stage and a roadmap on when the decision will take effect will be crafted shortly.



Chief Executive of the Ghana Association of Bankers, John Awuah told Joy Business the banks will soon communicate to customers about the usage of only the National ID card as the primary source of documentation for banking transactions.



Discussions are presently ongoing and Im sure in a short while, customers will get information from banks on how to use the national ID as a primary source of identification for banking transactions.



With the recent debate ongoing over the national ID and others, we want a system where for a period, we can be using a parallel system; well be using what we have now and national ID at the same time, he said.



But when that period is over, then the law says only the National ID becomes the primary document or card for inputting information of customers in banking transactions, Mr. Awuah added.



Country moves gradually towards using National ID for all transactions



The country is presently moving gradually towards using the National ID for all transactions.



Vice President, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia said plans are underway to ensure that all Ghanaians with SIM cards re-register them using the National Identification card by middle of this year.



According to him, this is part of plans to rid the countrys cyberspace of fraud.



Speaking at the 5th Ghana CEO Summit which is underway in Accra, the Vice President noted that any individual who fails to take part in the exercise risks losing his or her SIM card.



I expect that the Minister for Communications and Digitalization [Ursula Owusu Ekuful] will soon announce the date for registration of the SIM card. Maybe by the end of June or beginning of July this year, everybody will have to register their SIM with a National ID number.







Source: myjoyonline,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.

Featured Video
Fidelity Bank Ghana, one of the top Banks in Ghana, has over the years initiated strategic projects with key industry stakeholders to support the growth and development of the financial and capital markets in Ghana. The Bank has teams that specialize in a number of strategically important sectors that support Ghanas real economy. They recognize that achieving sustained economic growth requires strong partnerships with critically important market stakeholders, if they are to realize lasting positive changes.



One of their key markets of focus is the countrys financial and capital markets.

Fidelitys commitment to support Ghanas economic growth led to the establishment in 2017 of a specialized unit to develop tailor made solutions to assist the private and public sectors to take advantage of the nations vibrant financial and capital markets. This successful setup has quickly become a sound model for the market, providing a suitable framework for other participants to build out new and important business lines to further support the growth of our markets.



Commenting on Fidelitys contribution to Ghanas financial and capital markets, Sam Aidoo, Deputy Managing Director of Fidelity Bank, stated that: Fidelity Bank is committed to partnering with both private and public institutions in creating more marketable offerings in a bid to attract sustainable international and increasingly important, local financing for development projects in the country. The successful issuance of the recent US$3.025 billion Eurobond by the government of Ghana is proof of the enormous financing opportunities that are available to the government and businesses in the financial and capital markets space. Mr. Aidoo further commented that this recent Eurobond issuance not only marked the first time a zero-coupon bond denominated in USD had been issued by an Emerging Market Nation but more importantly that its success is largely attributed to the fact that more than half of the new money raised in this novel tranche came from the local Ghanaian investor base. He added that this result was due to the strong collaboration between Fidelity Bank and other local financial institutions.



Over the years, the Bank has spearheaded a number of innovations and market developments in Ghanas financial and capital markets that have resulted in substantial financial gains for the country. Some of these development projects are in the energy and construction sectors, as well as international financial transactions like the aforementioned US$3.025 billion Eurobond issuance.



On international transactions, Fidelity Bank was the first local bank to manage the logistics for a Eurobond issuance for Ghana. Prior to 2018, leading any aspect of a countrys access to global financial markets was deemed the preserve of only multinational banks in developed countries. Following Fidelitys success as the logistics bank for the 2018 Eurobond issuance, the status quo has changed and other local banks have had the opportunity to contribute to Ghanas Eurobond issuances. For the past four consecutive years, Fidelity Bank has assisted the public sector by working with Joint Lead Managers and other local banks to ensure successful Eurobond issuances.



On the local front, Fidelity Bank continues to add value to Ghanas future economic growth potential. In July 2017, the Bank was appointed as Joint Lead Manager for the GHC 10 billion E.S.L.A. Plc Bond Programme under which cedi-denominated medium to long-term amortizing bonds were issued. Over GHS 7 billion has been raised since the launch of the Programme and its success created the financing solution blueprint for other cedi-denominated bond issuances.

In order to deepen local market participation, in 2018, Fidelity Bank was made Joint Bookrunner for the public sectors medium to long term bonds. This bold move resulted in an increase in local participation from 34.57% in December 2017 to 72.10% as at March 2021, largely driven by the efforts of Fidelity Bank and its partners.



Additionally, to lead innovation in the local financial market, Fidelity Bank in December 2018 executed the first ever cross-currency total return swap of approximately USD 40 million with Societe Generale and Frontclear. Hitherto, cross-currency swap transactions were not pursued by industry players due to the myriad of challenges that confront parties when executing cross-border transactions. The successful execution of this transaction clearly showcased to the international community and to local players that with the right structuring, cross-currency transactions can be executed in frontier markets like Ghana.



Future Outlook



According to Fidelitys Divisional Director of Financial and Capital Markets, Prince Thomas Essilfie Fidelity Bank is looking to broaden its product offerings in domestic financial and capital markets by partnering with the public and private sector, retail and institutional investors, and domestic banks to foster overall economic development. He further noted that The Bank believes that its financing solutions and product offerings will deepen the knowledge of the domestic banking space and further contribute to the capacity development of the domestic financial and capital markets.

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.

Featured Video
The Ghana Health Service (GHS) says those who took the first jab of the AstraZeneca vaccines between March 1 and 9,2021 will have to go for the second jab from Wednesday, May 19, at the designated centres in 43 districts.



Dr Patrick Kuma-Aboagye, the Director-General of the GHS, announced this at a media briefing in Accra on Tuesday, to update the public on the second phase of the COVID-19 vaccination programme.



He said although 852,047 people were vaccinated and captured into the GHS database during the first phase, only 360,000 qualified for the second dose.



The second phase of the vaccination exercise is expected to take place from Wednesday, May 19 to May 26, 2021.



They included frontline health workers, persons with underlying health conditions, frontline security personnel, media practitioners and those who are 60 years and above, as well as members of the Executive, Legislature and Judiciary.



Dr Kuma-Aboagye explained that those who took the first dose should go to the vaccination centres with their unique COVID-19 Vaccination Card, but those whose cards are missing could still go there with any of the national ID cards, to facilitate easy searching of their names on the database.



He said the GHS had already sent text messages to those who were due for the second dose, and had specified the vaccination centre and the date one could visit the centre.



He said after taking the second dose, one's COVID-19 Card would be replaced with a new one, which has enhanced features such as a hologram and QR Code on it to aid validation.



So far, he said, the GHS had dispatched all the logistics to the designated centres while vaccinators and field officers had undergone refresher training to improve service delivery.



The GHS, he said, had also prepared infographic data of the vaccination centres of the 26 districts in the Greater Accra Region,19 districts in the Ashanti Region and two districts in the Central Region to enhance tracing of the vaccination centres.



The GHS Boss said the AstraZeneca vaccines could provide 76 per cent protection, therefore, it was important to continue wearing nose masks and observing the COVID-19 safety protocols even after the second dose.



He noted that the side effects experienced upon taken the first jab would still be felt, adding that it takes three weeks for the full immunity of the vaccine to take effect in the body.



Dr Kuma-Aboagye announced that government was still engaging in bilateral discussions to secure more vaccines even though Ghana would get more vaccines under the African Union COVAX Facility, which is free.



He said at the moment the country had 16,000 doses of the Russian Sputnik V vaccines and expecting 300,000 more soon.



The GHS Boss said all the necessary measures had been put in place to prevent the vaccines from going waste as 580 doses went waste during the first phase.



Ghana took delivery of 350,000 AstraZeneca vaccines on Friday, May 7 from DR Congo's 1.7 million leftovers and expected to expire on June 24.



As at May 15, 2021, Ghana's COVID-19 active cases stood at 1,325 declining from 8,000 cases witnessed during the peak period of the second wave of infections in February, this year.



So far, 93,456 cumulative cases had been recorded, with 91,384 recoveries/discharges, representing 97.4 per cent recovery and 771 deaths.









Source: graphiconline.com









Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority.

Featured Video
DCOP Opare Addo claims he is still at post as Ashanti Regional Security Liaison Officer.



The latest information contradicts earlier claims by Major General Francis Adu Amanfo (Rtd.), the acting National Security Coordinator that DCOP Opare Addo's contract had expired.



Earlier, alleged members of the pro-NPP vigilante group, Delta Force, had tried to handcuff DCOP Opare Addo and dragged him out of office.





Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCOP) Ayensu Opare Addo says he is still the Ashanti Regional Security Liaison Officer and that he has not been formally removed from office.



I have not been removed as the regional security liaison officer, DCOP Ayensu Opare Addo told Joy News monitored by GhanaWeb on Tuesday 18 May.



According to him, President Nana Akufo-Addo himself asked him to go back to the office and work, for, he is not ready to replace him with any other officer.



DCOP Ayensu Opare Addo was handcuffed by the incumbent NPPs militia, the Delta Force, and dragged out of office.



He stated in an earlier interview that they hit him with an AK 47 assault rifle and followed him to the toilet when he needed to use it. He told the media that he suffers pain in his right leg.



I went to the office the next [after the incident] but I am not in Kumasi now. I must be seen in the office because His Excellency the President when I went to his office, he told me to go and work because he wasnt bringing anybody there. At the time, he said I should go and work and Ill hear from him and that is exactly what I am going to do, DCOP Opare Addo explained his next move.



I wanted to see him [the President] on Friday, but he was very busy; I understood him, he was travelling on Sunday so he had to do a lot of things himself and I never bothered him with the issue there.



I saw him when I heard that there were rumours that Budu Koomson and the other guys [of the notorious Delta Force militia] I mentioned were trying to impose somebody on me at the time. I called Budu Koomson himself and told him about this and Ill talk about that later, DCOP Opare Addo said.



When asked if the alleged Delta Force members identified themselves as true national security officers, DCOP Opare Addo said he knew four of them  Mustapha, Mohammed Seidu, Kerry and Attah, but the leader of the group mentioned his name as Robert  I never knew him.



DCOP Opare Addo explained that he could link the people to the vigilante group Delta Force because the leadership of the Delta Force were with them, that is Mohammed Seidu and the other guys were all members of the Delta Force.



When asked if he had cross-checked with the National Security Secretariat that he was indeed needed in Accra as the Delta Force allegedly claimed, DCOP Opare Addo said: Its not my job. The case is with the police now, so, it is the police of the Ashanti Region who should investigate this issue and I shouldnt want to drag myself into the issue at all.



The latest account by DCOP Opare Addo contradicts that of Major General Francis Adu Amanfo (Rtd.), the acting National Security Coordinator, who claims that Opare Addo had no locus to be in office as the security liaison officer because his contract had expired.



He told journalists in Accra on Tuesday, May 18, that DCOP Opare Addos contract was not renewed due to non-performance and criminal activities.



He had no locus to be in the office because a new officer had been appointed and he should have handed over to the officer and he says he wont hand over. So that is why a team was sent from Accra to go and mitigate and facilitate the handing and taking over process, Major General Francis Adu Amanfo (Rtd.) added.



Do you know what? The bottom line of all of this is that Opare Addo had a contract with National Security and for four years he was the regional liaison for the National Security. His term of the contract has expired. It was not renewed because of non-performance and his own criminal activities.



His contract expired, and it was not renewed. I understand that it wasnt renewed because of non-performance and his own criminal activities.



Major General Adu Amanfo (Rtd.) stated further that the account narrated by DCOP Opare Addo does not reflect the true happenings on the ground.



He [Opare Addo] rather called for police reinforcement and got the team that had gone to mitigate the issues arrested and handcuffed, [but] not him Opare Addo. It was the team members from Accra that were handcuffed. He [Opare Addo] rather called the Regional Police Commander to come, and they came and arrested the team we had sent from Accra, Major General Adu Amanfo explained.



Major General Adu Amanfo (Rtd.) added that a committee has been instituted to probe the vicious allegations raised by the embattled Regional Security Coordinator for Ashanti.



When asked for further clarity on his claims of criminality against DCOP Opare Addo, the acting National Security Coordinator said those issues are under investigation.



I will say most of these things are vicious, and I say so because I am very experienced in the military. I have served 37 years, being an Ambassador to Liberia, Mali, so I have seen it all. Most of these allegations are vicious, so we need to investigate them before I can make any serious statement. These issues are being investigated.





Source: ghanaweb.com









Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority.

Featured Video
The Ministry of Energy has refuted claims made in a Facebook post by Hon. Edward Bawa, in reaction to an earlier press briefing by the Energy Minister, Hon. Dr Matthew Opoku Prempeh, and which was earlier carried by ghanaweb.com.



Hon. Bawas Facebook post read Hon. Dr Prempeh, I challenge you to publish all the 40 PPAs you claimed have been cancelled and the 3 renegotiated PPAs from Take or Pay to Take and Pay. These lies must stop.



In a rebuttal, the Public Relations Officer of the Ministry, Mr. Kwasi Obeng-Fosu, strongly refuted the claims ascribed to the Minister by Hon. Bawa and described them as assertions of his own creation.



He clarified that the Minister stated that during the power crisis under the tenure of former President Mahama, government entered into over 40 Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs) to address the power generation issue that had led to the crisis. What this government has done, he added, is to negotiate a deferral of the rollout of three of these contracts, which means a saving of a total of $1.426bn that would otherwise have been paid to the 3 relevant power producers under the take or pay agreements.



This is what the Minister said. Renegotiating the start date of a contract is not the same as renegotiating the core terms of the contract, he said.



Mr Obeng-Fosu explained that under the Take or Pay contracts the previous government entered into, government was to pay for the total power generated by the companies, whether or not they were used by the nation, as opposed to a Take and Pay system whereby you pay for what you consume, and explained further that these onerous clauses were agreed to by the then government because of the desperate situation of the time.



However, he stated that governments position, going forward, was that all new PPAs would be accepted only on a Take and Pay basis, as would the current ones when they expire and are due for renewal.



The PRO admonished the lawmaker for not being accurate with the facts and seeking to misrepresent the Ministers submissions, adding further that what the Minister said was a matter of public record and was available for review by anyone who so desired.

Source: King Edward Ambrose Washman Addo/Peacefmonline.com/Ghana









Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority.

Featured Video
Roads and Highways Minister, Kwasi Amoako Attah has warned contractors to desist from engaging in shoddy work or risk paying more for maintaining the roads.



He said the ministry has introduced a new road concept known as the Output and Performance-Based Contract (OPBRC) aimed at increasing the efficiency and effectiveness of road asset management and maintenance.



Mr Amoako-Attah gave the warning at the groundbreaking ceremony of the feeder roads component of the European Union Ghana Agricultural Programme at Kpongu in the Wa municipality of the Upper West Region.



One major challenge faced by farmers in the Upper West Region is post-harvest loss. Several thousands of tons of farm produce go to waste at farms due to the bumpy and deplorable roads in the region.



As a result, farmers are unable to cart their produce from the farms to their homes or market centres.



However, with the introduction of the productive investments component, one of 3 projects under the European Union Ghana agriculture programme, several communities and farmers who hitherto faced the challenge would have their roads fixed.



Under the project a total of 670.2 KM length of feeder and farm access roads will be constructed and rehabilitated in 8 of the 11 administrative districts and municipalities in the region.



The roads to be rehabilitated also include selected roads leading to the Black Volta, existing dams and boreholes for the main purposes of irrigation activities.



Kwasi Amoako-Attah disclosed that the concept is already been piloted in other parts of the country specifically on selected feeder roads and farm access roads in the Atebubu-Amantim district.



In traditional road construction and maintenance contracts, the contractor is not responsible for the design but only execution of the works within the contract period and one year defects liability or maintenance period.



This method of contracting puts the responsibility of the quality of the roads during the construction period under the contractor. The more durable the road is constructed, the less maintenance the contractor undertakes, he added.



However, under OPBRC, the contractor designs and constructs the roads as well as maintains the roads over a minimum of five years.



European Union (EU) Ambassador to Ghana, Diana Accouncia in a speech read on her behalf by the Deputy head of mission and head of the political section, Pieter Smidt Van Gelder stated that the European Union is committed to supporting the socio-economic transformation of Ghana, in particular the northern regions.



The project will unlock new economic opportunities in the upper west region, diminish transport cost, thus increasing the trade of agricultural products and ultimately increase farmers and household incomes, she said.



The contractors for the projects are Ghanaian companies and they have a duration of 42 months to complete the road projects.



Managing director of Attacky, Kwame Atta Acheampong on whose project site the minister broke the grounds for work to begin pledged to not only finish the project on the stipulated time but will ensure that the work is of quality.

Source: adomnews









Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority.

Featured Video
The Director of Legal Affairs of the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC), Mr Abraham Amaliba who was representing the Member of Parliament for Assin North in the parliamentary election petition pending at the Cape Coast High Court has abandoned the case.



The means the respondent, who is the Member of Parliament (MP) for Assin North, Mr James Gyakye Quayson would have to look for a new counsel to represent him in the case.



The petitioner in the case is seeking to annul the MP's election.



The case has been adjourned to June 1, 2021.



Mr Abraham Amaliba informed the court of his decision to recuse himself from the case on Tuesday, May 18, 2021.



Mr Amaliba had earlier put in an objection, which sought to have the presiding judge, Justice Kwasi Boakye, recuse himself from the case.



He had accused Justice Boakye of being biased and having a predetermined judgment.



At last Wednesday's hearing (May 12, 2021), Mr Amaliba who was the lead counsel for the MP contended that the judge must put the case on hold due to what he described as the likelihood of bias.





According to him, the presiding judge had already determined the case during the hearing of the injunction when he held that Mr Gyakye should have renounced his Canadian citizenship at the time of nominations and not during the actual voting.



Mr Amaliba said the judge had said something in relation to Article 94(2), which states that a person seeking to be an MP should be a Ghanaian.





He argued that Justice Boakye had asked him if he thought that the constitutional directive ought not to be obeyed by any person seeking to be MP even before filing to contest the election.



Mr Amaliba asserted that, that question by the judge was indicative that he had a predetermined judgment.



He therefore raised the objection but Justice Boakye, however, overruled the objection and said there had not been any instances of bias in the course of the case.



Mr Amaliba did not appeal the ruling nor appealed to the Chief Justice for the removal of the judge.



Related: Assin North Parliamentary seat: Petitioner fails to remove judge



Tuesday's sitting



On Tuesday, May 19, when the case came up for hearing, he announced his decision to recuse himself from the case.



Election petition



Mr Quayson polled 17,498 votes as against 14,793 by the New Patriotic Party's (NPP's) Ms Abena Durowaa Mensah, in the December 7, 2020 parliamentary election.



On December 30, 2020, a resident of Assin North, Mr Michael Ankomah-Nimfah, filed a parliamentary election petition at the Cape Coast High Court challenging the eligibility of Mr Quayson to be a Member of Parliament (MP).



He contended that the MP was not eligible on the basis that at the time he (Quayson) filed his nomination to contest as a parliamentary candidate, he was still a citizen of Canada.



Such an act, he argued, was against the express provision of Article 94 (2) (a) of the 1992 Constitution and Section 9(2) of the Representation of the People Act 1992 (PNDCL 284).



Among other reliefs, the applicant wants the Cape Coast High Court to declare the nomination filed by Mr Quayson illegal, void and of no legal effect.



He also seeks a declaration that the decision by the EC to clear Mr Quayson to contest as a parliamentary candidate was illegal, void and of no legal effect.



Another relief the applicant seeks is an order restraining Mr Quayson from holding himself out as the MP-elect for Assin North and another order cancelling the parliamentary election that took place in Assin North on December 7, 2020.



Injunction



On January 6, this year, Justice Boakye issued an interlocutory injunction against Mr Quayson restraining him from holding himself as the MP-elect until the final determination of the election petition.



This effectively barred the MP from being sworn in.



Mr Quayson showed up in Parliament the same day to vote in the election to select the Speaker of Parliament, and for him (Quayson) to be sworn into office as MP.



The Clerk of Parliament initially refused to allow him to take part in the election, but the NDC parliamentary leadership argued that Mr Quayson had not been served with the court order and was, therefore, not aware of any injunction restraining him from holding himself out as MP-elect.



After many arguments, the Clerk of Parliament allowed Mr Quayson to vote and also to be sworn into office, with a caution that he (Quayson) would bear the consequences of that action.



The Cape Coast High Court has overruled an objection by lawyers for the National Democratic Congress Member of Parliament for Assin North, Mr James Gyakye Quayson, seeking to have the presiding judge, Justice Kwasi Boakye, recuse himself from the case which seeks to annul the MP's election.













Source: graphiconline.com









Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority.

Featured Video
The Proprietor of Miracle Education Academy, Mr. John Tetteh, has revealed that the final year student who was found hanging in the schools dining hall left a chilling note before she allegedly killed herself.



He said the late Leticia Kyere Pinaman said in her final written words that, she was fed up with life  hence, the reason for committing suicide.



Mr John Tetteh told NEAT FMs morning show Ghana Montie that he personally sighted the note Leticia Kyere Pinaman left behind.



I know her handwriting, and I read the note, he told host Kwesi Aboagye.



She said her family and friends should be sad because she was fed up with life.



The school owner, however, described Leticia Kyere Pinaman as a very studious person in school until her unfortunate death.



However, the family of the deceased suspect their ward was killed and hanged, contrary to what the Proprietor of the school said.

Source: King Edward Ambrose Washman Addo/Peacefmonline.com/Ghana









Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority.

Featured Video
The Minister of Works and Housing, Mr Francis Asenso-Boakye, has disclosed that construction will begin in December on a new project to end the perennial flooding of the Odaw River Basin in Accra.



He said the government was currently in the process of recruiting consultants and contractors to execute the project which will be funded by a $200million World Bank loan.



According to the Minister, the floods are caused by structural problems which would be solved by the Greater Accra Resilient and Integrated Development Project.



He said: "A big part of the problem here (Odawna) is structural and it requires some huge construction and re-engineering which I have indicated to you that government has secured funding for that project called the Greater Accra Resilient and Integrated Development Project which seeks to address the flood issues associated with the Odaw River Basin.



"So, that one is ongoing, currently we are in the process of hiring consultants and contractors and per the plan, by December towards early next year construction will start".



He said the project aims to improve access to flood risk management, solid waste management, basic infrastructure and services in the targeted communities within the Odaw River Basin.



Mr Asenso-Boakye also stated that in the interim, the government was currently dredging the Odaw ahead of the rainy season.



He made this known after a meeting with the Member of Parliament for Klottey Korle, Dr Zanetor Agyeman-Rawlings, the Executives of the Odawna Garages Association and the Assemblyman for the area, Mr Kendrick Kinnah.



In an interview with the media after a tour of some areas surrounding the Odaw, Dr Agyeman-Rawlings commended the Minister for committing to dredge the Odaw.



"At this point, the timeliness of the intervention is important because if the main structural intervention is next year, then we need an early intervention with regards to the dredging before the rains begin and I glad the Minister indicated that will be done urgently because there are 2,000 people that work in the Odawna Garages and their livelihoods are affected every time it rains," she said.



Dr Agyeman-Rawlings also appealed to all Ghanaians and waste disposal companies to desist from dumping waste in drains.



She also expressed gratitude to the Minister for taking time out of his schedule to visit the area for first-hand information.









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.

Featured Video
French President Emmanuel Macron has said hell visit Rwanda at the end of May to "establish a new page in relations".



His visit would be the second by a French president since Rwanda's 1994 genocide - after former President Nicolas Sarkozy's visit in 2010.



Speaking at the end of the Paris summit on financing Africa, Mr Macron said his visit would be of "remembrance, politics, economicsand the future".



We also have agreed with President Kagame to write a new page in relations and do development projects Mr Macron said.



In March, a French report concluded that France bore "serious and overwhelming" responsibilities linked to the Rwandan genocide, but cleared it of complicity.



President Paul Kagame on Monday told French broadcaster France 24 that the report was "a big step forward... maybe not [to] forget [the past] but forgive it, and be able to move forward".



Relations between the two countries were frozen from 2006 to 2009 after French judges issued warrants to arrest Mr Kagame's close allies.



This was in relation to the shooting of a plane that was carrying Burundi and Rwanda presidents in April 1994 - the event that triggered the genocide.



Rwandan authorities have been accusing French authorities of a role in the 1994 genocide and harbouring the perpetrators.

Source: BBC









Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority.

Featured Video
Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia says Ghanaians will have to re-register their sim cards with the Ghana Card beginning July or lose them.



According to him, the move is part of efforts to digitize the economy for enhanced accountability and economic growth.



I expect that the minister for communication and Digitalization will soon announce that we will all from the end of June or maybe beginning of July this year everybody will have to register their sim with a national ID otherwise we lose that sim.



This will give us identity for a real momo transaction then take away issues of Fraud from Sim box or through momo so we can discard all of that, Dr. Bawumia said at the 5th CEO Summit in Accra, where he was guest of honor.



The exercise is to add to the countrys central database with unique IDs. The process of registration can be done on ones phone and does not require a visit to a Telco outlet.



The Ghana Card is used to validate a persons identity at airports, borders, police check posts and while booking tickets. The emerging Ghana railway travel may require a person to carry their Ghana Card especially if e-tickets are introduced.



Currently, there are more than 40 million mobile phone users in Ghana.















Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority.

Featured Video
Update: 19-05-2021 | 12:20:31

Security Investigation Agency of Provincial Police has issued a decision to prosecute the accused Tran Danh Tuong (24 years old, from Binh Thuan province) for the act of "Organizing illegal stay in Vietnam".

According to the investigation, on April 15, through acquaintances on social networks, Tuong drove a car to An Suong intersection (District 12, Ho Chi Minh City) to pick up 3 persons having Chinese nationality to his house in Quarter 4, Tuong Binh Hiep Ward, Thu Dau Mot City and stayed here. Although he knew these three people illegally entering Vietnam, Tuong arranged for them to live in his house and prepare daily meals for them.

On April 19, police of Tuong Binh Hiep ward conducted an administrative inspection of Tuong's house and discovered three Chinese people without identification documents. The functional forces took these three people to quarantine in accordance with regulations on COVID-19 prevention and control.

As working with the police, Tuong confessed that he had agreed the suggestion of an unknown man on social network to pick up and provide accommodation for 3 Chinese people for 3 days and would be paid VND 2 million/day. In order not to be suspected by his neighbors, Tuong told the three Chinese people to stay upstairs only. Tuong provided meals and drinking water directly for these people every day.

According to the investigation result, Tuong knew that it was illegal to let 3 Chinese nationals enter his home, but due to fear of quarantine and not being paid, Tuong did not report these people to the police.

The authorities deported the 3 Chinese people who entered the country illegally in accordance with the law.

Reported by Khanh Thuy - Translated by Ngoc Huynh
The Public Relations Officer (PRO) for the Greater Accra Regional Police Command, Deputy Superintendent of Police, Effia Tenge has disclosed that most often, the work of the Police is disrupted by interference from influential people such as media personalities and politicians.



She told Nana Romeo on Accra100.5FMs mid-morning show, Ayekoo Ayekoo on Tuesday, 18 May 2021 that most offenders have the habit of seeking the assistance of these influential people to help them escape punishment when they are caught.



Especially citing Okada riders, Mrs Tenge noted that most often these Okada riders run errands for these people who tend to interfere in the prosecution process.



If they are caught, let the law work. The interferences from all angles, be it political, be it wherever, from people in authority...it affects our work so let's be guided, she noted.



She, therefore, urged motorists to make sure they have all their documents valid and comply with road rules.





Source: classfmonline.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.

Featured Video
Some members of the public have called on transport unions to be clear on the percentage increment of transport fares.



It seems every union wants to determine its increment individually and this is very worrying, some public transport users told the Ghana News Agency in an interview and pleaded for a single percentage increment that cuts for all.



Ms Faustina Nyarko, a Pupil Teacher, said the increments were not in uniformity as it had been done always.



She observed that the inconsistency was creating problems for passengers and drivers and appealed to stakeholders to intervene in time.



Mr Ahmmed Ayittey, a Trader, said despite the misunderstanding regarding the increment, he would stick to paying the old price until the Ghana Private Road Transport Union (GPRTU) announced any increment.



He said the government needed to intervene in the matter to provide a roadmap for the increment for the driver unions and commended the GPRTU for coming out boldly to stop the unjustified increment by some transport operators.



Mrs Joyce Nkansah, a Food Vendor, said government must regulate fuel prices in the country, saying, the increment in fuel prices was becoming burdensome for the public.



She said an increment in fuel prices brought about an increment in everything including food prices, making life unbearable for the ordinary Ghanaian.



Mr Michael Sowah, a Civil Servant, said the Unions should hold on with the supposed increment of transport fares.



He said Covid-19 had affected the finances of the public already, so increasing fares would seem insensitive on the part of the Unions to the plight of the public.



Mr Sowah called on government to put in place measures to help in the countrys economic recovery from the pandemic.



The Ghana Private Road Transport Union (GPRTU) has urged commuters to disregard the 20 percent increment in fares announced by other private transport Unions.



The increment, according to the Unions had become necessary due to the increase in fuel price.

Source: GNA









Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority.

Featured Video
British High Commissioner to Nigeria,Catriona Laing has said that her country would have been struggling if they had only one of Nigeria's problems. Announcing that the UK government would deny visas to Nigerians who incite violence and want to disrupt 2023 elections, Laing said the ideal candidates for the 2023 Nigerian presidential elections should be youths with females as the Vice Presidential candidates.



Vanguard reported that the British envoy who said this in Port Harcourt on her maiden visit to Rivers State, also cautioned Governor Nyesom Wike and Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi to cement their legacies on a positive note by ensuring peaceful 2023 elections in Rivers State.



She said;

I do have some sympathy for Nigeria because if we as UK have one of these problems your country is having today, we will be struggling. Here, you deal with everything, from insurgency to kidnapping, to piracy off the Gulf of Guinea and you dont have such a large army and police force for a country of this size.



The only way you turn this thing around is that government has to build the trust of its people, to have the people working with the government to deal with criminality. Thats how successful anti-criminal operations work.



People willingly report those committing crime, working with police to identify criminals, same with the military on the insurgency situation. Its only when the community is on the side of the police and security services that they can turn around the situation.



2023 is not alright. What happens in the elections is very crucial, not just for Nigeria, but Africa to the world. You (Nigeria) are a large democracy.



It doesnt have to be a perfect election. There would be problems, but we want it to be better than the last one. We want it to be secure, peaceful, the process should be run well, and you need to get people to register.



My ideal candidates would be two younger presidential candidates, both with female vice presidential candidates.



It is essential that theres a peaceful election in Rivers State. Its going to be a crucial part of his (Wike) legacy, how the election goes in this state. Weve been saying the same thing to Amaechi.



Another thing we will be doing is to remind people that if people do incite violence or act violently, we will be prepared to deny them visas to the UK. We will make that statement clear and say it over again.

Source: lindaikeji's Blog









Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority.

Featured Video
International donors gathering at a summit in Paris On Tuesday pledged to mobilize more than 100 billion dollars to help boost Africa's economy amid the crisis unleashed by the pandemic.



Together with the International Monetary Fund (IMF), the countries can mobilize some 100 billion dollars, French President Emmanuel Macron said on the sidelines of the summit he convened.



"Growth and stability in Africa means growth and stability in Europe," said IMF chief Kristalina Georgieva.



The proportion of people in Africa who have received the vaccine is among the lowest worldwide, said Macron, who estimated that the continent would need funding of 285 billion dollars through to 2025.



Additionally, he argued that producers should forgo the patents to coronavirus vaccines, so that production of supplies for Africa can be ramped up.



Senegalese President Macky Sall noted that this was a joint responsibility for the whole world: If vaccines aren't delivered everywhere, more variants will arise, once again threatening the world.

The problem in Africa, Macron said, is not just a health one, but also one of economic and social emergencies.



Countries on the continent need at least 285 billion dollars by 2025, he argued. Macron had already promised on Monday to erase 5 billion dollars worth of bilateral aid to Sudan.



The trick in the coming weeks will be to convince other rich countries, like the United States, to devote the necessary resources to Africa, he said.

Macron had invited heads of state and government and the leaders of international organizations to attend the meeting at the Grand Palais Ephemere, a temporary exhibition hall near the Eiffel Tower. Some joined by video link.



Participants included European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen and EU Council President Charles Michel.



"We have to go back to the strong development Africa had before Covid," Georgieva said. For the IMF, that also means extraordinary action, she said.



She said the IMF's special drawing rights would be transferred from wealthy countries to Africa, in order to reach the sum of 100 billion dollars.



Special drawing rights are a type of reserve currency created by the IMF. In March, Georgieva proposed increasing the organization's financial reserves by 650 billion dollars.



"We are committed to allowing the richest countries to redistribute their special drawing rights to the poorest countries, especially in Africa, so that the 33 billion of today becomes 100 billion," Macron said.



Special drawing rights are less important to wealthy countries, with sufficient foreign reserves and access to capital markets. However, for poorer countries, these can free up funds for other purposes, such as fighting the pandemic.



Africa has been hit very hard by the pandemic, particularly the economy, said the president of the Democratic Republic of Congo, Felix Tshisekedi.

The task now is to revive the economy, which means investing in infrastructure, for example, he said.

Source: GNA









Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority.

Featured Video
The Chairperson of the Electoral Commission, Madam Jean Mensa, has outlined that an exceedingly disturbing challenge in the 2020 Election was the violence in 4 centres, which led to the death of 7 citizens.



She made this known in her speech during the assessment of the 2020 election with the IPAC on Tuesday, May 18 at the Alisa Hotel in Accra.



An exceedingly disturbing challenge was the violence in 4 centres, which led to the death of 7 citizens of our dear country. Though the violence was not widespread, one life lost is a life too, she said.



She said there is the tendency for fingers to be pointed at the Electoral Commission when security is not the core mandate of the Electoral Commission.



I use this occasion to clarify that the Electoral Commission is not responsible for Election security. The entire electoral process and its success rests on our shoulders but our mandate as entrenched in the Constitution does not include security. We collaborate and partner with our security agencies in their quest to carry out their responsibility of ensuring peace, law, and order at all centres throughout the country.



We need to define clearly without a shadow of doubt whose responsibility it is to guarantee security on Election day and to place that responsibility on their shoulders. Additionally, we need to provide laws to ensure that the perpetuators of the violence are dealt with decisively.



I take this opportunity to call upon the Police Service and the National Elections Task Force to speed up their investigations and bring the culprits to book. The families of the victims, the citizens of Ghana, and the international community, are waiting for justice to be done.





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.

Featured Video
Kwesi Pratt Jnr. has applauded the government for cracking the whip on members of her own New Patriotic Party (NPP) involved in illegal mining.



Mr. Pratt gave the government a thumbs up after hearing about the burning of some excavators allegedly belonging to NPP's National Women's Organizer, Kate Gyamfua.



About fourteen (14) excavators were set on fire by the soldiers deployed to ensure no person engages in galamsey (illegal mining).



The illegal miners have been causing destruction to Ghana's river bodies and forest reserve, and as a matter of urgency, the President deployed 200 soldiers under firm instruction to remove all persons and machines from the mining areas.



Kate Gyamfua reportedly fell a victim for allegedly being involved in galamsey.



Discussing the Military's action on Peace FM's 'Kokrokoo', Kwesi Pratt clapped for the President and the Lands and Natural Resources Minister, Samuel Abu Jinapor saying, ''at first, it was very difficult for a machine belonging to a party guru to be seized but today, whether you're a party guru - NDC, NPP or whoever - if you're doing galamsey, we will deal with you according to the law. It's a good move''.







Source: Ameyaw Adu Gyamfi/Peacefmonline.com/Ghana









Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority.

Featured Video
The Minority leader, Haruna Iddris, has lashed out at the Vice President, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia over his recent comments about SIM card re-registration in Ghana. Dr. Bawumia, while speaking at the 5th Ghana CEO Summit in Accra, said in June 2021, all mobile phone users in the country would be expected to re-register their SIM cards or risk having their phone numbers deactivated.



According to Haruna Iddrisu, undertaking a SIM re-registration exercise will not solve the issue of Mobile Money fraud as expected by Dr. Bawumia.



He said the Vice President is ill-informed, inept and highly naive, with that assumption. The solution to the challenges of fraud within the electronic money ecosystem goes beyond SIM registration, he said. We hold the view that the mandatory re-registration of SIMS provides no substantial benefit in the fight against electronic money fraud, and will face practical challenges such as inbound travellers who require a SIM card without a national ID, he added.



Haruna Iddrisu, in explaining why he believes the plan as announced by Dr. Bawumia is impracticable, said the suggestion that only the Ghana card would be accepted as an identification document for the exercise will mean that many Ghanaians will be left out since they do not have the card, while others who registered for the card are yet to receive them.



The number of issued cards is only a pale shadow of the eligible population. The reality is that there have been only 17 million registrations done of the Ghana Card. This represents 55% of our population. An even smaller proportion of the population has actually received their cards. It needs no saying therefore, that there are practical difficulties associated with the card as it is facing systemic and operational difficulties in its rollout, Haruna Iddrisu said.



Again, he argued that attacks on mobile money vendors are more of a bigger challenge that needs to be addressed and that cannot be tackled by re-registration of SIM.



He also made a case about the poor timing of the exercise especially in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, adding that the government needs to be transparent and ensure full disclosure if the exercise is expected to be undertaken. If the Vice President really desires simple solutions, he should consider instructing the BoG and the NCA to set key performance indicators for the mobile network operators (MNPs) about electronic money fraud and with consequences for breaches.



The Vice President should urge subtly or overtly the MNOs to invest  proportionate to market share in advanced cybersecurity systems including additional personnel. These have been known to achieve monumental success stories in other jurisdictions with similar ecosystems.



Haruna Iddrisu expressed his conviction that a re-registration exercise will achieve very little and impose unnecessary burden on the citizenry.

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.

Featured Video
Former Central Regional Minister, Kwamena Duncan, has urged the Minister of Lands and Natural Resources and Defence Minister, Samuel Abu Jinapor and Dominic Nitiwul to continue their fight against galamsey.



The two Ministers have pledged commitment to end the galamsey menace and have sanctioned a joint Military team of the Ghana Armed Forces, Ghana Navy and the Ghana Air Force to remove all illegal miners.



As part of the Military operation, excavators belonging to the illegal miners are set on fire to stop them from operating as well as deter other prospective illegal miners.



Speaking on Peace FM's 'Kokrokoo', Kwamena Duncan backed the Ministers' action and urged them not to be intimidated by any person or party.



He advised them to concentrate on their mission to reclaim the country's water bodies and forest reserves.



''My prayer is that Abu Jinapor, Minister of Defence, Nitiwul and National Security Minister; they should not be intimidated. They should not be intimidated at all," he said.





Source: Ameyaw Adu Gyamfi/Peacefmonline.com/Ghana









Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority.

Featured Video
A popular film director in Iran, Babak Khorranmdin, 47, has reportedly been murdered by his family in an honour killing row over not getting married.

Khorranmdin's body parts were discovered in a suitcase and bins outside his parents' home in Iran following an 'honour killing' for not getting married.

Babak Khorranmdin, who is a London-based film director, was sedated and cut into pieces, and his body parts were discovered in bins and a suitcase on Sunday, May 16 after he returned from living in London, iranwire.com reported.



His father confessed to the killing after he and his wife were arrested in Ekbatan, west Tehran, according to Rokna news agency.



His father reportedly said: Because of the disputes we had, I sedated him this morning (Sunday) by giving him anaesthetics, then stabbed him to death. Then I dismembered his body and threw it in the nearest trash can on the street with my wife."



Tehrans Police Station found evidence of the murder whilst searching the family home, it was reported.



Since the news broke, tributes from friends who knew Mr Khorramdin through his work and studies in UK cinema have been pouring in.



He moved to London a year after graduating from the Faculty of Fine Arts of the University of Tehran in 2009 with a master's degree in cinema.



He studied film in the capital and had returned to Iran to teach the subject to his country folk when he was killed.



According to Iran International TV, the honour killing "has shocked the country".



Iran International TV Middle East Analyst and Editor Jason Brodsky said: I think the horrific death of Babak Khorramdin is only the latest example of a long pattern of domestic violence that we have seen in Iran.



"It follows the tragic death of Ali Fazeli Monfared, who was killed by family members after they found out he was gay. That is not to mention the case last year of Romina Ashfrafi, a 14-year-old girl who was beheaded by her father in an honour killing.



Despite a child protection law being passed in 2020 in Iran, honour killings and domestic violence continue more broadly, and this is an area the international community needs to address with Iran.













Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority.

Featured Video
Choosing a hotel near the Sathorn and Silom areas of Bangkok puts you in a prime location whether youre visiting the city for business or pleasure.

Convenience for Business Travelers

The Sathorn and Silom areas of the city are home to most of the international businesses in Thailand. Theyre also the center of the financial district of the city. Business people who choose a hotel near Sathorn and Silom can avoid the notorious traffic of Bangkok and walk or enjoy a short ride to their meetings.

The area is also home to plenty of excellent restaurants where you can entertain clients, colleagues, and suppliers. You can even schedule a corporate dinner or cocktail party aboard one of the large dinner cruise yachts on the nearby Chao Phraya River at the foot of Silom Road.

Many of the hotels in the area cater specifically to the business traveler. They offer plenty of event and meeting rooms, provide car and limousine services, and have complete business centers.

Business people from out of town and away from their families can visit the local Silom Night Market to pick up souvenirs and handicrafts of Thailand to bring home to their children and spouses.

Plenty of Sights to See for Tourists

Tourists and visitors in the city for the first time can take advantage of the rapid transit systems from their hotel near Sathorn and Silom, or they can explore the city streets right around their hotel.

Bangkok is a city that expensed outwards from the merchant districts all along the river, so the Sathorn and Silom areas are some of the oldest neighborhoods in the city. There are some worthwhile sights to see right around your hotel.

Lumpini Park is just at the top of both Sathorn and Silom Roads. This is the oldest city park in Bangkok and has wide paths to stroll along, mature overhanging trees, and a lake where you can rent a swan-shaped paddleboat. Its also the site of street vendors selling the famously delicious and world-renown street food of Bangkok.

With Lumpini Park, famous temples, a snake farm, and all the sights to see along the river, its no wonder that hotels near Sathorn and Silom are popular with visitors who are in town to see what Bangkok has to offer.

Easy Access to All Areas of the City

The confluence of three major systems of transportation around your hotel near Sathorn and Silom means youre able to reach all the scenic areas of the city without having to venture into Bangkoks traffic.

The BTS Skytrain and the MTR are the two primary rapid transit systems in Bangkok. They both provide affordable, air-conditioned, and quick access to all the major tourist and shopping areas. The water taxis that transport people up and down the Chao Phraya River are the third popular transit system and perhaps the most scenic.

Booking a hotel near Sathorn and Silom enables you to travel all around the city and quickly return to your hotel at the end of the day in total comfort.

Photos and Web Content by Primal Co., Ltd.
Monash University researchers have developed a new 3D antimicrobial surface that can reduce bacteria build-up on medical equipment, like urinary catheters. Credit: Monash University

Monash University researchers have engineered new antimicrobial surfaces that can significantly reduce the formation of bacteria on medical instruments, such as urinary catheters, and reduce the risk of patient infection while in hospital.

This world-first study demonstrates the potential for 3D engineered surfaces in preventing the initial formation of microcolonies of Escherichiacoli (E.coli), Klebsiellapneumoniae and Pseudomonas aeruginosathe three most common urinary tract bacterial infections (UTIs) associated with catheters.

The study team, led by Dr. Victor Cadarso, from Monash University's Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering and the Center to Impact AMR, engineered surfaces with smooth, 3D micro features, instead of the traditional sharp cross-sectional ones, to reduce the potential for harmful bacteria to attach on these surfaces in large numbers.

The tested surfaces demonstrated reduction in both attachment of bacteria and biofilm formation. One of the surfaces, P01, presented excellent properties against E.coli, K.pneumoniae, and P. aeruginosa with 55 percent, 69 percent and 68 percent less bacterial cells attached, and 53 percent, 77 percent and 66 percent less microcolonies being formed, respectively.

Urinary tract infections (UTIs), associated with urinary catheters, are the most common type of healthcare-associated infections. They have been identified by the World Health Organization (WHO) as an urgent global health threat.

Approximately one in five of hospitalized patients globally are administered urinary catheters during their hospital stay. It is estimated that 13,000 people across the world die each year from UTIs, and a further 700,000 die from associated antimicrobial resistance infections because of the resistance of superbugs to antibiotics and current sterilization methods.

The study was published in the international journal ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces. Researchers from Monash University's Department of Microbiology were also involved and part of the work was done at the Melbourne Center for Nanofabrication.

"Using E.coli as an example, we found bacterial cells that form on surfaces do so mostly on the sharp corners. By removing these sharp features, the bacteria can no longer colonize the surface as effectively. This same effect has been demonstrated for the two other pathogens in this study," said Sara Ghavamian, from the Monash Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, who created these surfaces.

"High-touch surfaces within hospitals, such as catheters and ventilators, are a significant source of microbial spread and healthcare-associated infections.

"Infection control through physically altering the micro architecture of these surfaces, rather than the traditional use of chemical agents, is not only a more durable approach but also an effective strategy for combating antimicrobial resistance."

The bacterial colonization of surfaces takes place over time. Once bacteria attach to a surface, a series of cellular responses are triggered. After this initial phase, including a few rounds of cell division by this bacteria, microcolonies of hundreds of bacterial cells are formed.

After successful colonization, the bacteria form a biofilma large population of bacteria in a 'secreted cellular matrix' that binds together and protects the cells from antibiotics and the immune system. This might create a superbug that can cause long-term health implications for patients.

Researchers demonstrated that their 3D engineered microtopographies with varying heights and smooth curved cross-sections can simultaneously deter both the initial attachment and the formation of biofilms for three clinically relevant bacteria.

Through an extensive screening process, researchers identified that the sharp corners of the vertical side walls within the conventional micropatterned surfaces gifted bacteria with perfect hiding spots to shelter themselves against the flow of fluids which could wash them away.

The researchers hypothesize that by smoothing out these corners, the bacteria would be left with nowhere to hide.

"After equivalent incubation periods with the same bacteria, we discovered that while the micropatterned surfaces were indeed successful in reducing the number of microcolonies formed they, problematically, increased the number of attached bacteria compared with traditional micro-flat surfaces," Sara said.

"Opposite the conventional sharp micropatterned surfaces, our smooth design demonstrated a simultaneous decrease in both the number of bacterial attachment and microcolony formation compared to the standard flat surfaces.

"Developing strategies to prevent the bacterial colonization of surfaces, such as catheters, without requiring antimicrobial drugs or chemicals is critical to stop biofilm formation and the potential spread of harmful diseases."

Explore further New insights into biofilm formation could lead to better therapies, but mysteries remain

More information: Sara Ghavamian et al, Three-Dimensional Micropatterning Deters Early Bacterial Adherence and Can Eliminate Colonization, ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces (2021). Journal information: ACS Applied Materials and Interfaces Sara Ghavamian et al, Three-Dimensional Micropatterning Deters Early Bacterial Adherence and Can Eliminate Colonization,(2021). DOI: 10.1021/acsami.1c01902
This Feb. 25, 2019 photo provided by the Galapagos National Park shows a hammerhead shark nursery which was recently discovered in Santa Cruz, Galapagos Islands, Ecuador. The International Union for the Conservation of Nature lists hammerhead sharks as endangered species that have suffered sharply declining numbers in recent years around the world. Credit: Galapagos National Park Photo via AP, File

Roughly a sixth of the planet's land and freshwater area now lies within protected or conservation areas, according to a United Nations report released Wednesday.

Next comes the hard part. The world needs to ensure that those regions are actually effectively managed to stabilize the climate and to curb biodiversity loss while also increasing the total area of protected places, scientists say.

"Protected and conserved areas play a crucial role in tackling biodiversity loss," said Neville Ash, director of the U.N. Environment Programme World Conservation Monitoring Centre, which produced the report. But simply drawing lines on a map isn't enough. Conservation areas "need to be effectively managed and equitably governed," he said.

The " Protected Planet " report also found that about 8% of coastal and ocean waters are within protected areas.

"There has been a substantial increase in the protection of marine ecosystems in the past decade. But the protection of land areas hasn't increased as much in that time," said Stuart Pimm, an ecologist at Duke University, who was not involved in the report.

"What we really need to know about is the quality of the protected areasnot just the quantity of square miles," Pimm added.

In this Tuesday, Feb. 23, 2021 file photo, journalists and scientists document the release of an Andean condor into the wild by Bolivian veterinarians, on the outskirts of Choquekhota, Bolivia. Two endangered Bolivian condors were released after recovering from a fall in February, as part of a project run by a state conservation program for the Andean condor. Credit: AP Photo/Juan Karita, File

In this Wednesday, July 29, 2020 file photo, elephants cross the road in the Kruger National Park, South Africa. Animals have had the country's world-famous wildlife parks to themselves because of lockdown rules that barred international tourists and made it illegal for South Africans to travel between provinces for vacations. Credit: AP Photo/Shiraaz Mohamed, File

In this Feb. 4, 2017 file photo, a group of women from the "hargila army" walk to attend an awareness meeting on protecting the Greater Adjutant Stork in Dadara village, west of Gauhati, India. For decades the big and awkward looking carnivore and scavenging bird was the object of revulsion in its home in northeast India until a group of women took it upon themselves to save the endangered bird. Credit: AP Photo/Anupam Nath, File

In this Tuesday, April 16, 2019 file photo, Maria Coelho da Fonseca Machado Moraes, nicknamed Dona Graca, delivers young trees that she raised, to the ONG Golden Lion Tamarin Association in Silva Jardim, Brazil. She collaborates with a nonprofit group called Save the Golden Lion Tamarin, which works to protect and restore the forest habitat of the endangered namesake monkey. Credit: AP Photo/Leo Correa, File

This June 30, 2017 remote camera image released by the U.S. Forest Service shows a female gray wolf and her mate with a pup born in 2017 in the wilds of Lassen National Forest in Northern California, A California judge has upheld protection for gray wolves under the state's Endangered Species Act, rejecting a challenge from ranchers and farmers. The judge in San Diego ruled Monday, Jan. 28, 2019 that California was right when it listed wolves as endangered in 2014. Credit: U.S. Forest Service via AP, File

"It is nowhere near enough," said Charles Barber, senior biodiversity advisor for the World Resources Institute, who was not involved in the report. "We need to conserve half of the Earth if we are going to maintain the basic biological operating system'" of the planet.

Several scientific and environmental groups are now calling for 30% or 50% of the planet to be protected. Earlier this month, President Joe Biden set a goal of conserving at least 30% of U.S. lands and waters by 2030.

"There's plenty of scientific evidence that protected areas are the cornerstone of biodiversity protection and climate stabilization," said Eric Dinerstein, a conservation biologist at RESOLVE, a nonprofit group.

"Humanity is heading for an environmental cliffso we have to do a U-turn," he said. "We know that the creation of more protected areas is absolutely vital. The questions are: How much, where, and how fast?"

Explore further World meets protected areas target, quality needs improving

 2021 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.
Great knot flock, including one individual carrying the satellite transmitter, at Raoping, Guangdong, China in April 2017. Credit: Ginny Chan

Tracking migratory birds that carry tiny satellite transmitters in featherlight 'backpacks," can teach us a lot about change in the environment. It may also point at possibilities to avoid loss of biodiversity. That is an important message in the Ph.D.-thesis that Ying Chi Chan, a Ph.D. candidate of the University of Groningen, based at the Royal NIOZ (Netherlands Institute for Sea Research), defends on May 28th 2021. "Bar-tailed godwits with transmitters on their backs, directed us to an important area along the coast of the Yellow Sea at Dafeng-Dongtai-Rudong, where many birds roost and feed. Showing the importance of this area for migratory birds led to a halt of intended land-claim in the tidal zone of the Yellow Sea," Chan says.

Explorative birds are more successful

Chan and colleagues followed red knots, great knots and bar-tailed godwits with satellite transmitters for three years. Moreover, after catching the birds and before fitting them with the transmitters, the team performed simple 'personality tests' on the great knots. That way, they were able to see whether an individual bird was of the 'explorative' type or of the more 'conservative' type. Chan: "We saw that these different personalities led to very different strategies for coping with change in their environment. When the availability of shells for these birds changed, the more explorative individuals were able to deal with this better than the conservative birds. The explorative individuals left areas with poor prey quality sooner, to look for better places to feed. They also arrived earlier in their breeding areas in the Eastern Russian Arctic and thus had better odds for successfully raising chicks. This was supported by the fact that they stayed longer in the breeding area. When knots lose their eggs or chicks, they usually leave the breeding area shortly after."

Ying Chi Chan releasing tagged great knots in Roebuck Bay, northwest Australia. Credit: Ginny Chan

Recognition as UN World Heritage site

With their research, Chan and colleagues were the first to map the exact migration routes of great and red knots along the East Asian-Australasian Flyway. Previously, it was assumed that knots use only one or two stops on their way from the wintering grounds to the breeding area in the Arctic. Chan, however, discovered that the knots use multiple stopover sites in between. "Mapping the migration routes and the important feeding sites is crucial for understanding the ecology of these birds," Chan says. "It is also essential to support evidence-based conservation. For example, showing how bar-tailed godwits used a particular area in the Yellow Sea to fuel up, has led to its recognition as World Heritage site by the UN."

Having completed her work on waders, Chan will start working as a post-doc in Switzerland, doing research on the dispersal of red kites and little owls at the Swiss Ornithological institute in Sempach.

Explore further Yellow Sea a narrowing bottleneck for migratory birds

Provided by Royal Netherlands Institute for Sea Research
A Taiwan vole, closely related to the creeping vole described in the study. Credit: Lai Wagtail / Flickr (CC BY-NC-ND 2.0)

Open up Scott Roy's Twitter bio and you'll see a simple but revealing sentence: "The more I learn the more I'm confused." Now the rest of the scientific world can share in his confusion. The San Francisco State University associate professor of biology's most recent research, published earlier this month in one of the scientific world's most prestigious journals, catalogues a strange and confounding system of genes in a tiny rodent that scientists have ignored for decades.

"This is basically the weirdest sex chromosome system known to science," Roy said. "Nobody ordered this." But he's serving it anyway.

The owner of those chromosomes is the creeping vole, a burrowing rodent native to the Pacific Northwest. Scientists have known since the '60s that the species had some odd genes: Their number of X and Y chromosomes (bundles of DNA that play a large role in determining sex) is off from what's expected in male and female mammals.

That finding caught Roy's eye when presented by a guest speaker at a San Francisco State seminar, and he realized that modern technology might be able to shed new light on the mysteries hiding in the voles' DNA. After working with collaborators to disentangle the voles' genetic historyresulting in one of the most completely sequenced mammal genomes that exists, according to Roythe story only got stranger.

The team found that the X and Y chromosomes had fused somewhere in the rodents' past, and that the X chromosome in males started looking and acting like a Y chromosome. The numbers of X chromosomes in male and female voles changed too, along with smaller pieces of DNA getting swapped between them. The researchers published their results in Science on May 7.

Drastic genetic changes like these are exceptionally rare: The way genes determine sex in mammals has stayed mostly the same for about 180 million years, Roy explains. "Mammals, with few exceptions, are kind of boring," he said. "Previously we would have thought something like this is impossible."

So how did the genes of this unassuming rodent end up so jumbled? It's not an easy question to answer, especially since evolution is bound to produce some strangeness simply by chance. Roy, however, is determined to figure out the "why." He suspects that what the team found in the vole's genome is something like the aftermath of an evolutionary battle for dominance between the X and Y chromosome.

The research couldn't have happened, Roy says, without collaborations with Oregon fish and wildlife biologists who had a creeping vole sample sitting in a lab freezer. He also teamed up with a group from Oklahoma State University when the two groups started chatting about creeping vole DNA sequences that were posted on the internetand both realized they were working on the same question.

Another key was working at a teaching-focused institution. Roy says he has the time to develop ideas with colleagues and students at SF State, and he can do research where he doesn't quite know what he'll find. "This is a great example of non-hypothesis-based biology," Roy explained. "The hypothesis was, 'This system is interesting. I bet if you looked into it some more, there'd be other interesting things.'"

It won't be the last time Roy's lab goes out on a limb. He and his collaborators plan to look into the genomes of other species related to the voles to chart the evolutionary path that led to this strange system. He'll also continue DNA sequencing curiosities across the tree of life.

"These bizarre systems give us a handhold to start to understand why the more common systems are the way they are and why our biology works as it does," he explained. By delving into the weirdest that nature has to offer, maybe we can come to understand ourselves better, too.

Explore further Frog with six sex chromosomes provides clues to evolution of complex XY systems

More information: Matthew B. Couger et al, Sex chromosome transformation and the origin of a male-specific X chromosome in the creeping vole, Science (2021). Journal information: Science Matthew B. Couger et al, Sex chromosome transformation and the origin of a male-specific X chromosome in the creeping vole,(2021). DOI: 10.1126/science.abg7019
This illustration shows the variation in body morphology in cichlid fishes in Lake Malawi. The body of water in Southern Africa, home to between 800 and 1,000 species of the colorful fish often seen in aquariums in the U.S. is huge and deep, holding 7% of the world's available freshwater. However, 10% of its cichlid species are believed to be endangered by overfishing for food. Credit: Jay Stauffer Jr./Penn State

CT scanningwhich combines a series of X-ray images taken from different angles around an organism and uses computer processing to create cross-sectional images of its bones, is providing new insight into an old initiative to characterize fishes in Africa's Lake Malawi.

The process, demonstrated in a new study using the high-resolution X-ray computer system in Penn State's Center for Quantitative X-Ray Imaging, is important because it will lead to the identification and management of more of the fish species in Africa's second largest lake, according to lead researcher Jay Stauffer Jr., distinguished professor of ichthyology in the College of Agricultural Sciences.

"Before they can effectively manage fish populations, they have to know what is there," he said.

Regarded by scientists as the most vibrant and diverse body of water in the world, Lake Malawi is home to between 800 and 1,000 species of colorful fish called cichlids; however, the lake is overfished by humans for food. As a result, about 10% of those species are believed to be endangered.

Located between Malawi, Tanzania and Mozambique, Lake Malawi is immense. It covers an area of more than 11,000 square miles and holds 7% of the world's available surface freshwaterby comparison, appreciably more than Lake Erie.

"About half the species in the lake still haven't been described," said Stauffer, who has characterized, or discovered, more than 60 cichlid species himself. Since 1983, he has visited Lake Malawi for extended periods annually, collecting cichlid specimens while scuba diving.

After preservation, those specimens have been housed in the Penn State Fish Museum at Rock Springs, and approximately 35,000 are scheduled to be transferred to the National Research Institute of South Africa this year after COVID-19 restrictions are lifted. In the recent study, Stauffer and colleagues performed CT scans on selected specimens in the collection.

High-resolution CT scans and photographs of herbivorous cichlids, with key characters emphasized by arrows, such as strong jaws, small close-set teeth, straight-line mouth, deeply set teeth, comb-like triple crown teeth and widely spaced conical teeth. Credit: Jay Stauffer Jr., Penn State

The entire head of each fish was scanned, and the researchers focused on the "morphology"analyzing the shape and profiles of the skulls and the structure and arrangement of teeth on the pharyngeal jaws and the oral jaws. This helps to determine a species' specialization to capitalize on certain food sources and to compete with other species.

"We chose species to scan that we knew had different feeding repertoires, and then we wanted to compare their head morphology with their species' feeding specializations to determine the relationships between morphology and behaviors," Stauffer said. "The purpose of this research was to show how observed behavioral traits of shallow-water species can be linked with morphological attributes using data collected from selected cichlids. Such associations can be used to predict behavior of deep-water or rare species, based on head morphology."

In findings recently published in Ecology and Evolution, the researchers reported that high-resolution CT scanning will enable scientists to infer life history and behavioral characteristics of rare or extinct fishes from a detailed examination of morphology and linkages between morphology and behavior observed in surviving species.

Stauffer and other scientists will use CT scanning as they continue to identify cichlids in Lake Malawi. The technology is nondestructive, he explained, so they can collect data from specimens in museum collections.

"High-resolution computed tomography permits us to view the internal morphology and examine areas that would otherwise be destroyed by dissection," he said. "It will be a great help to me because I'm going over there and spending four to six weeks a year at the institute, identifying fishes that are in its museum."

Many of those older museum specimens are surprising him, noted Stauffer, who is 70 and has no plans to retire. "I'm finding a lot of species I've never seen before in more than 30 years of diving in Malawi. I think they're probably extinct. I'd like to describe these species, and the CT scans will help me to make accurate guesses about what their behavior was in the lake."

Adrianus Konings, ichthyologist, photographer, and founder and publisher of Cichlid Press in El Paso, Texas; and Joshua Wisor, doctoral degree student in wildlife and fisheries science, contributed to this research.

Explore further How did 500 species of a fish form in a lake? Dramatically different body clocks

More information: Adrianus F. Konings et al. Microcomputed tomography used to link head morphology and observed feeding behavior in cichlids of Lake Malawi. Ecology and Evolution. First published: 30 March 2021 Journal information: Ecology and Evolution Adrianus F. Konings et al. Microcomputed tomography used to link head morphology and observed feeding behavior in cichlids of Lake Malawi.. First published: 30 March 2021 doi.org/10.1002/ece3.7359
This photograph of lightning sprites was taken from Czech Republic in August 2017 and it was the first time that an event of this type left its signature simultaneously in satellite data. Two of ESAs Swarm satellites registered perturbations in their magnetic field data as they passed over Poland. The distance between the ground tracks of the satellites and the centre of the storm was about 500 km. The event caused fluctuations in the scalar magnetic field with amplitudes reaching 0.2 nT. Now a scientific paper has been published about using Swarm to help provide evidence of links between transient luminous events and magnetic-field fluctuations in the upper ionosphere. Credit: M. Popek

We are all familiar with the bolts of lightning that accompany heavy storms. While these flashes originate in storm clouds and strike downwards, a much more elusive type forms higher up in the atmosphere and shoots up towards space. So, what are the chances of somebody taking photographs of these rarely seen, brief 'transient luminous events' at the exact same time as a satellite orbits directly above with the event leaving its signature in the satellite's data?

The likelihood of this happening might seem pretty remote, but, remarkably, an observer for the Czech Institute of Atmospheric Physics who is also an avid 'lightning hunter' has taken photographs of these transient luminous events that not only coincide with measurements taken by ESA's Swarm satellite mission, but also with recordings taken from the ground.

This extraordinary three-way coincidence is leading to better insight into how this type of lightning propagates into space. In addition, these new findings could potentially improve scientific models of the ionized part of Earth's upper atmospherethe ionosphere.

Transient luminous events are optical phenomena that occur high up in the atmosphere and they are linked to electrical activity in underlying thunderstorms. They are very brief, lasting from less than a millisecond to two seconds, and rarely seen from the ground. They are usually only captured by sensitive photographic equipment and, because they emit weak light, photographs can only be taken at night.

Sprites and presides filmed in the countryside near Nydek in the Czech Republic. Although ESAs Swarm mission did not record this particular event, the video shows how quick these transient luminous events are. Remarkably, during similar events, photographs have been taken from the ground at the exact same time as the event was recorded in the Swarm missions data, leading to better insight into how this type of lightning propagates into space. Credit: M. Popek

There are several different types of transient luminous events such as sprites, jets and elves, each with their own characteristics.

Sprites, for example are large electrical discharges that occur at an altitude of around 5090 km, above large thunderstorm systems. They appear as large, but weak flashes of red and usually happen at the same time as the cloud-to-ground lightning we all know.

Scientists have long been interested in understanding if lightning propagating to higher in the ionosphere can cause fluctuations in Earth's magnetic field. The ionosphere is very active part of the atmosphere, responding to the energy it absorbs from the Sun. Gases in the ionosphere are excited by solar radiation to form ions, which have an electrical charge.

A paper, published recently in Geophysical Research Letters, describes how scientists from research centers in Poland used magnetic field data from ESA's constellation of Swarm satellites, lightning observations from the Geostationary Lightning Mapper and from the ground-based World Extremely Low Frequency Radiolocation Array (WERA) to provide evidence of links between transient luminous events and magnetic-field fluctuations in the upper ionosphere.

Swarm is ESA's first Earth observation constellation of satellites. The three identical satellites are launched together on one rocket. Two satellites orbit almost side-by-side at the same altitude  initially at about 460 km, descending to around 300 km over the lifetime of the mission. The third satellite is in a higher orbit of 530 km and at a slightly different inclination. The satellites orbits drift, resulting in the upper satellite crossing the path of the lower two at an angle of 90 in the third year of operations. The different orbits along with satellites various instruments optimise the sampling in space and time, distinguishing between the effects of different sources and strengths of magnetism. Credit: ESA/AOES Medialab

Ewa Slominska, from a small company cooperating with Poland's Space Research Centre, explained, "Lightning can generate ultralow frequency fluctuations that leak into the upper ionosphere. This means that some lightning bolts are so powerful that they trigger disturbances in Earth's magnetic field and propagate hundreds of kilometers upwards from the thunderstorm, reaching the altitude of Swarm's orbit.

"Although Swarm's main goal is to measure slow changes in the magnetic field, it is apparent that the mission can also detect fast fluctuations in the field. However, Swarm can only do this if one of the satellites is in close proximity to the active thunderstorm and if the lightning is strong enough."

Janusz Mlynarczyk, from AGH University of Science and Technology in Krakow, added, "Using the three stations of the WERA system, we are able to locate powerful atmospheric discharges that occur anywhere on Earth and reconstruct their most important physical parameters. This is possible because of a very low attenuation of Extremely Low Frequency (ELF) electromagnetic waves that these discharges generate.

"Powerful ELF waves can even propagate around the world a few times and still be visible in our recordings. Such powerful sources include sprite-associated discharges. The accumulated electrostatic energy released and observed by Swarm was close to 120 GJ, which is equivalent to the energy released in the detonation of 29 tons of TNT.

Sprites and presides observed in the countryside near Nydek. Although ESAs Swarm mission did not record this particular event, the photo, taken by Martin Popek, shows how breathtaking these transient luminous events (TLEs) are. Martin first captured TLEs on 22 May 2011 and has since observed 3781 events  most of which were in 2017. The average number of TLEs per active storm is 9.87 and 11.28 per observation night. More images can be found on Martins webpage. Credit: M. Popek

"Although we know that every lightning strike carries a lot of energy, it is clear that this class of lightning is much more powerful. A single bolt of ordinary lightning, which is invisible to Swarm's instruments, carries enough energy to charge 20 electric cars, but the energy produced by a transient luminous event would be enough to charge more than 800 vehicles."

A remarkable aspect to all of this is that one of the scientific team members, Martin Popek, is passionate about capturing sprites, jets and elves on camera. His photographs are proving a very valuable to the team's research as they have coincided with measurements taken by Swarm and by the ground array.

ESA's Swarm mission scientist, Roger Haagmans, commented, "It's astonishing that Martin manages to capture such fleeting events on camera, but what's really remarkable is that his dedication to this kind of photography has coincided with measurements from our Swarm mission. His photos add another dimension to the research and we are certainly reaping the benefits of his commitment to hanging outside in the cold and dark!"

Explore further Lightning and subvisible discharges produce molecules that clean the atmosphere

More information: M. Strumik et al, Experimental Evidence of a Link Between Lightning and Magnetic Field Fluctuations in the Upper Ionosphere Observed by Swarm, Geophysical Research Letters (2021). Journal information: Geophysical Research Letters M. Strumik et al, Experimental Evidence of a Link Between Lightning and Magnetic Field Fluctuations in the Upper Ionosphere Observed by Swarm,(2021). DOI: 10.1029/2020GL091507
Location of Nutrient Expert-Rice trial sites in the Terai and mid-hills regions of Nepal. Credit:  Amgain Lal Prasad

Rice farmers in Nepal are chronically falling short of their potential productivity. Poor rice yields are persistent across the Teraia lowland region lying south of the outer foothills of the Himalayas that extends through southern Nepal into northern Indiaand existing decision support systems are failing to provide the precision required.

To date, farmers in the area have lacked the knowledge and support they need to properly plan nutrient applications for their crops. Current nutrient recommendation systems only provide "blanket" prescriptions that fail to consider the large variability that occurs across their rice-growing landscapes. Nepal's rice yield gapsthe difference between actual and attainable yieldsare widening as soil fertility declines, which represents a major threat to the sustainability of these smallholder farms.

A team of researchers, headed by Dr. Lal Prasad Amgain, Far Western University, Nepal, along with Dr. Jagdish Timsina, Global Evergreening Alliance, Melbourne, Australia, looked at reversing this trend through the implementation of a flexible nutrient recommendation system that can adapt to the unique conditions faced by individual smallholder farmers.

Published in the Journal of Plant Nutrition, the article describes the impact of a 4-year study conducted across the Terai and the central mid-hill regions of Nepal. The basis for study is a broadly field-tested digital tool called Nutrient Expert (NE).

This software-based system leads individual farmers, or farm advisors, through a step-by-step decision-making process that describes how best to apply nutrients to their rice fields. Prior to its introduction into Nepal, NE Rice has been successfully implemented in India, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, as well as in China. The tool has been proven effective in a variety of smallholder cropping systems.

"Soil nutrient supply often varies greatly between neighboring fields," explains Dr. Sudarshan Dutta, co-author of the study and Scientist at the African Plant Nutrition Institute (APNI). "This study adds innovation to the process of fertilizer application through the use of a tailored, scientifically robust approach."

During the study, NE-based recommendations increased yields by over 2 t/ha compared to the status quo of farmers applying fertilizer based on either informal knowledge or generalized recommendations.

Given that the size of the yield gap for rice in Nepal is estimated at 3 t/ha, the NE approach shows great potential for contributing to the country's nutrient security goals if adopted on a wider scale. The economics of the approach also proved attractive as NE was capable of doubling rice crop profitability if compared to the generalized recommendations.

"Nutrient Expert gives farmer's the confidence that they are using nutrients in the right way," explains Dr. Kaushik Majumdar, APNI Director General, and co-author of the study. "The tool also provides farmers with a clear plan on how to best match the timing of their applications with the periods of peak nutrient demand, which is a critical step to ensuring fertilizers are used most effectively."

With these positive results in hand, researchers are looking to expand the effort through additional research on rice and other cereals.

"On-farm demonstrations provide the evidence that farmers, farm advisors, and other stakeholders need to pave the way for expanded adoption of the NE-based nutrient recommendations across Nepal," concluded Dr. Dutta.

More information: Lal Prasad Amgain et al, Nutrient expert rice - an alternative fertilizer recommendation strategy to improve productivity, profitability and nutrient use efficiency of rice in Nepal, Journal of Plant Nutrition (2021). Lal Prasad Amgain et al, Nutrient expert rice - an alternative fertilizer recommendation strategy to improve productivity, profitability and nutrient use efficiency of rice in Nepal,(2021). DOI: 10.1080/01904167.2021.1889590

Provided by African Plant Nutrition Institute
Credit: CC0 Public Domain

As vaccinations and relaxed health guidelines make returning to the office a reality for more companies, there seems to be a disconnect between managers and their workers over remote work.

A good example of this is a recent op-ed written by the CEO of a Washington, D.C., magazine that suggested workers could lose benefits like health care if they insist on continuing to work remotely as the COVID-19 pandemic recedes. The staff reacted by refusing to publish for a day.

While the CEO later apologized, she isn't alone in appearing to bungle the transition back to the office after over a year in which tens of millions of employees were forced to work from home. A recent survey of full-time corporate or government employees found that two-thirds say their employers either have not communicated a post-pandemic office strategy or have only vaguely done so.

As workforce scholars, we are interested in teasing out how workers are dealing with this situation. Our recent research found that this failure to communicate clearly is hurting morale, culture and retention.

Workers relocating

We first began investigating workers' pandemic experiences in July 2020 as shelter-in-place orders shuttered offices and remote work was widespread. At the time, we wanted to know how workers were using their newfound freedom to potentially work virtually from anywhere.

We analyzed a dataset that a business and technology newsletter attained from surveying its 585,000 active readers. It asked them whether they planned to relocate during the next six months and to share their story about why and where from and to.

After a review, we had just under 3,000 responses, including 1,361 people who were planning to relocate or had recently done so. We systematically coded these responses to understand their motives and, based on distances moved, the degree of ongoing remote-work policy they would likely need.

We found that a segment of these employees would require a full remote-work arrangement based on the distance moved from their office, and another portion would face a longer commute. Woven throughout this was the explicit or implicit expectation of some degree of ongoing remote work among many of the workers who moved during the pandemic.

In other words, many of these workers were moving on the assumptionor promisethat they'd be able to keep working remotely at least some of the time after the pandemic ended. Or they seemed willing to quit if their employer didn't oblige.

We wanted to see how these expectations were being met as the pandemic started to wind down in March 2021. So we searched online communities in Reddit to see what workers were saying. One forum proved particularly useful. A member asked, "Has your employer made remote work permanent yet or is it still in the air?" and went on to share his own experience. This post generated 101 responses with a good amount of detail on what their respective individual companies were doing.

While this qualitative data is only a small sample that is not necessarily representative of the U.S. population at large, these posts allowed us to delve into a richer understanding of how workers feel, which a simple stat can't provide.

We found a disconnect between workers and management that starts with but goes beyond the issue of the remote-work policy itself. Broadly speaking, we found three recurring themes in these anonymous posts.

1. Broken remote-work promises

Others have also found that people are taking advantage of pandemic-related remote work to relocate to a city at a distance large enough that it would require partial or full-time remote work after people return to the office.

A recent survey by consulting firm PwC found that almost a quarter of workers were considering or planning to move more than 50 miles from one of their employer's main offices. The survey also found 12% have already made such a move during the pandemic without getting a new job.

Our early findings suggested some workers would quit their current job rather than give up their new location if required by their employer, and we saw this actually start to occur in March.

One worker planned a move from Phoenix to Tulsa with her fiance to get a bigger place with cheaper rent after her company went remote. She later had to leave her job for the move, even though "they told me they would allow me to work from home, then said never mind about it."

Another worker indicated the promise to work remotely was only implicit, but he still had his hopes up when leaders "gassed us up for months saying we'd likely be able to keep working from home and come in occasionally" and then changed their minds and demanded employees return to the office once vaccinated.

One of authors explains the research.

2. Confused remote-work policies

Another constant refrain we read in the worker comments was disappointment in their company's remote-ccwork policyor lack thereof.

Whether workers said they were staying remote for now, returning to the office or still unsure, we found that nearly a quarter of the people in our sample said their leaders were not giving them meaningful explanations of what was driving the policy. Even worse, the explanations sometimes felt confusing or insulting.

One worker complained that the manager "wanted butts in seats because we couldn't be trusted to [work from home] even though we'd been doing it since last March," adding: "I'm giving my notice on Monday."

Another, whose company issued a two-week timeline for all to return to the office, griped: "Our leadership felt people weren't as productive at home. While as a company we've hit most of our goals for the year.  Makes no sense."

After a long period of office shutterings, it stands to reason workers would need time to readjust to office life, a point expressed in recent survey results. Employers that quickly flip the switch in calling workers back and do so with poor clarifying rationale risk appearing tone-deaf.

It suggests a lack of trust in productivity at a time when many workers report putting in more effort than ever and being strained by the increased digital intensity of their jobthat is, the growing number of online meetings and chats.

And even when companies said they wouldn't require a return to the office, workers still faulted them for their motives, which many employees described as financially motivated.

"We are going hybrid," one worker wrote. "I personally don't think the company is doing it for us.  I think they realized how efficient and how much money they are saving."

Only a small minority of workers in our sample said their company asked for input on what employees actually want from a future remote work policy. Given that leaders are rightly concerned about company culture, we believe they are missing a key opportunity to engage with workers on the issue and show their policy rationales aren't only about dollars and cents.

3. Corporate culture "BS'

Management gurus such as Peter Drucker and other scholars have found that corporate culture is very important to binding together workers in an organization, especially in times of stress.

A company's culture is essentially its values and beliefs shared among its members. That's harder to foster when everyone is working remotely.

That's likely why corporate human resource executives rank maintaining organizational culture as their top workforce priority for 2021.

But many of the forum posts we reviewed suggested that employer efforts to do that during the pandemic by orchestrating team outings and other get-togethers were actually pushing workers away, and that this type of "culture building" was not welcome.

One worker's company "had everyone come into the office for an outdoor luncheon a week ago," according to a post, adding: "Idiots."

Surveys have found that what workers want most from management, on the issue of corporate culture, are more remote-work resources, updated policies on flexibility and more communication from leadership.

As another worker put it, "I can tell you, most people really don't give 2 flips about 'company culture' and think it's BS."

Explore further Amazon to bring workers back to offices by fall

This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.
Early online support for the Boogaloos, one of the groups implicated in the January 2021 attack on the United States Capitol, followed the same mathematical pattern as ISIS, despite the stark ideological, geographical and cultural differences between their forms of extremism. Credit: Neil Johnson/GW

Early online support for the Boogaloos, one of the groups implicated in the January 2021 attack on the United States Capitol, followed the same mathematical pattern as ISIS, despite the stark ideological, geographical and cultural differences between their forms of extremism. That's the conclusion of a new study published today by researchers at the George Washington University.

"This study helps provide a better understanding of the emergence of extremist movements in the U.S. and worldwide," Neil Johnson, a professor of physics at GW, said. "By identifying hidden common patterns in what seem to be completely unrelated movements, topped with a rigorous mathematical description of how they develop, our findings could help social media platforms disrupt the growth of such extremist groups," Johnson, who is also a researcher at the GW Institute for Data, Democracy & Politics, added.

The study, published in the journal Scientific Reports, compares the growth of the Boogaloos, a U.S.-based extremist group, to online support for ISIS, a militant, terrorist organization based in the Middle East. The Boogaloos are a loosely organized, pro-gun-rights movement preparing for civil war in the U.S. By contrast, ISIS adheres to a specific ideology, a radicalized form of Islam, and is responsible for terrorist attacks across the globe.

Johnson and his team collected data by observing public online communities on social media platforms for both the Boogaloos and ISIS. They found that the evolution of both movements follows a single shockwave mathematical equation.

The findings suggest the need for specific policies aimed at limiting the growth of such extremist movements. The researchers point out that online extremism can lead to real world violence, such as the attack on the U.S. Capitol, an attack that included members of the Boogaloo movement and other U.S. extremist groups.

Social media platforms have been struggling to control the growth of online extremism, according to Johnson. They often use a combination of content moderation and active promotion of users who are providing counter messaging. The researchers point out the limitations in both approaches and suggest that new strategies are needed to combat this growing threat.

"One key aspect we identified is how these extremist groups assemble and combine into communities, a quality we call their 'collective chemistry'," Yonatan Lupu, an associate professor of political science at GW and co-author on the paper, said. "Despite the sociological and ideological differences in these groups, they share a similar collective chemistry in terms of how communities grow. This knowledge is key to identifying how to slow them down or even prevent them from forming in the first place."

The paper, "Hidden order across online extremist movements can be disrupted by nudging collective chemistry," appeared May 19 in Scientific Reports.

Explore further Research shows the need to address the root cause of far-right extremism

More information: Hidden order across online extremist movements can be disrupted by nudging collective chemistry, Scientific Reports (2021). Journal information: Scientific Reports Hidden order across online extremist movements can be disrupted by nudging collective chemistry,(2021). DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-89349-3
Sudan's Higher Committee for Health Emergencies on Tuesday decided to suspend study at all universities and schools for one month to contain the spread of COVID-19.

"It has been decided to suspend study at all universities and schools for one month starting from the date of the decision," said the committee in a statement.

The committee also decided to prevent the entry of all passengers arriving directly from India or via other countries, through all crossings, who were in India during the past 14 days, it added.

The committee further decided to reduce the number of workers at different institutions, and ban social gatherings or other public activities at halls and clubs, as well as whatever may increase the risk of the pandemic's spread, the statement said.

The committee warned of an expected fast spread of COVID-19, saying "the number of infected people may exceed 100,000 cases during the first and second week of June."

According to the Sudanese health ministry's statistics issued on Tuesday, Sudan has so far reported a total of 34,707 COVID-19 cases, including 1,116 deaths.

(ANI/Xinhua)
Credit: Asociacion RUVID

Guillem Perez Jorda and Salvador Pardo Gordo, researchers from the Department of Prehistory, Archaeology and Ancient History of the University of Valencia, sign an article in the Journal of Archaeological Science Reports that looks into the arrival of fruit crops to the Iberian Peninsula by studying archaeobotanical remains. It is estimated that the cultivation of these species began in the current Valencian Community about 3,000 years ago, coinciding with significant social and economic development.

In places like Fonteta (Guardamar del Segura), Barranc de Beniteixir (Piles), Pena Negra (Crevillent) or L'Alt de Benimaquia (Denia), it has been possible to date the cultivation of fruit trees such as grapes (Vinis vinifera), olive trees (Olea europaea) or the pomegranate (Punica granatum), among others, about 3,000 years ago. This new form of agriculture allowed the economic and cultural exchange of the peoples of the eastern peninsula with others of eastern origin who founded colonies on these coasts, such as the Phoenicians.

"Although in the second millennium BC there were already signs of this exchange between Iberia and peoples of the Western Mediterranean, it was not until the first millennium when the model of agriculture based on fruit trees prospered and established itself in the Iberian Peninsula," says Guillem Perez. The first evidences of the cultivation of fruit trees are materials recovered in Huelva (IX-VIII BC). However, it is not until the VIII-VII centuries BC when these crops are established in the eastern peninsula.

Guillem Perez, a researcher of excellence at the University of Valencia, explains that the arrival of these new crops implied a change in the farmers' relationship with the land. Until then they only grew plants with an annual cycle and an immediate yield (cereals, legumes, etc.), but now they invest in crops that take several years to enter production, which requires control over land ownership.

The change in the agricultural model is part of the transformation of these communities, towards more complex societies that end up adopting an urban model and developing for the first time a commercial agriculture in which fruit trees and their derivatives such as wine were the most outstanding products.

The adoption of these new crops occurred at a different rate in the different areas of the Iberian Peninsula and the current Valencian Country was an area in which the cultivation of fruit trees had a greater development, with a clear commercial orientation, when exporting these products to other areas of the peninsula.

Explore further Study reveals the nutritional properties of oil from Medes Islands wild olive trees

More information: Guillem Perez-Jorda et al, Fruits arriving to the west. Introduction of cultivated fruits in the Iberian Peninsula, Journal of Archaeological Science: Reports (2020). Journal information: Journal of Archaeological Science Guillem Perez-Jorda et al, Fruits arriving to the west. Introduction of cultivated fruits in the Iberian Peninsula,(2020). DOI: 10.1016/j.jasrep.2020.102683
Credit: CC0 Public Domain

The different personalities of global leaders have influenced their reaction to the coronavirus pandemic, a new study shows.

Academics have used text analysis to infer the "big five" personality traitsopenness to experience, conscientiousness, extraversion, agreeableness, and neuroticism or emotional stabilityof each leader based on their speeches and statements.

Experts found leaders who were more "open" were most reluctant to implement closures or provide income support. Leaders who were more "agreeable" were quickest to introduce income support.

The study indicates having higher levels of neuroticism, that is, a trait associated with the experience of emotions such as sadness or anxiety, could make a leader more risk averse and indecisive, and this could hinder and slow the introduction of policies. Being more conscientious may have led leaders to be quicker to introduce protectivebut not more stringentpolicies.

Researchers found no clear evidence that individual personality traits predicted the speed of a leader's response to the pandemic.

The study, published in the Journal of Elections, Public Opinion & Parties, was conducted by Professor Dan Stevens, Dr. Laszlo Horvath and Lauren Brown from the University of Exeter. .

Researchers selected 26 leaders in May 2020, from Australia, Austria, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Denmark, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, India, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Luxembourg, Mexico, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Peru, Scotland, South Africa, South Korea, Spain, UK, and the U.S.. They captured their rhetoric through comments and language from press conferences, speeches and statements, interviews, forums with the public, or parliamentary questions, and compared this to the scale of severity of policies introduced to combat the pandemic.

They found most leaders had the personality trait of being more open and conscientious than other people in common, but there were differences in extraversion, neuroticism and agreeableness. On a range of personality traits, however, Donald Trump was an outlier. There was relatively small variation in leadership traits across the other leaders, making more nuanced analysis across gender or partisanship difficult.

Professor Stevens said: "The terrible events of the past year offer unique potential to examine the psychology and effects of leadership. The crisis has been worldwide, allowing us to make global comparisons. Leaders have generally felt compelled to talk about the crisis regularly, providing a large amount of rhetoric from different people on the same issue at the same time.

"We wanted to examine the extent to which the stringency and the speed of a country's policy responses to a crisis are associated with the personality traits of its leader. We foundacross different countrieswho we elect has an effect on policy responses independent of constraints such as party."

Dr. Horvath said: "Even though COVID-19 has presented leaders with essentially identical repertoires of potential policy responses, we found their stringency and speed of response has been influenced by more factors such as the political party they belong to.

"This shows who we elect, even in a situation where different countries face a similar crisis, can have an impact on the response."

Explore further Personality traits affect shelter at home compliance
The catchment area of Bhote Koshi River lies in the bordering region between Nepal and China. Credit: Luc Illien/GFZ

Water in the high-mountain regions has many faces. Frozen in the ground, it is like a cement foundation that keeps slopes stable. Glacial ice and snow supply the rivers and thus the foothills with water for drinking and agriculture during the melt season. Intense downpours with flash floods and landslides, on the other hand, pose a life-threatening risk to people in the valleys. The subsoil with its ability to store water therefore plays an existential role in mountainous regions.

But how can we determine how empty or full the soil reservoir is in areas that are difficult to access? Researchers at the German Research Centre for Geosciences (GFZ), together with colleagues from Nepal, have now demonstrated an elegant method to track groundwater dynamics in high mountains: They use seismic waves, such as those generated by ground vibrations, which they record with highly sensitive instruments. Similar to medical ultrasound, they exploit the fact that the waves propagate differently in different subsurface conditions. The researchers led by Luc Illien, Christoph Sens-Schonfelder and Christoff Andermann from GFZ report on this in the journal AGU Advances.

Seismic waves well-known from earthquakes. After a rupture in the subsurface, they propagate rapidly and unleash destructive forces. However, there are also much smaller waves caused, for example, by trucks, streetcars orin the mountainsby falling rock. The ground is actually vibrating all the time. In geoscience, this is referred to as "seismic noise." What has to be laboriously extracted from the measured data of seismometers in earthquake detection turns out to be a valuable source of information when looking into the subsurface. This is because seismic waves propagate differently in the water-saturated zone than in the unsaturated zone, also called vadose zone.

Luc Illien, a Ph.D. student at GFZ, and his colleagues used two Nepalese seismic stations at 1,200 and 2,300 meters above sea level. Luc Illien says: "The Nepalese Himalayas provide vital water resources to a large part of the population of South Asia. Most of this water drains through mountain groundwater reservoirs that we can poorly delineate." The study area comprised the catchment area of a small tributary to the Bothe Koshi, a border river between China and Nepal. Using several weather stations and level gauges, the team collected data, sometimes every minute, over three monsoon seasons. From this, they established a groundwater model that they could compare with the seismic records. The result: runoff to the Bothe Koshi is fed mainly from the deep aquifer. In the dry season, little water flows down the valley. In the monsoon, levels rise, but two distinct phases can be identified. First, it rains without increasing the discharge, but later a clear correlation between rainfall and river level becomes apparent. Christoff Andermann, co-author of the study, explains, "The first rainfall initially replenishes reservoirs in the soil near the surface. Once the soil is saturated with water, the deep groundwater reservoir, which is directly linked to the rivers, fills up. An increase in groundwater is then immediately reflected in rising river water levels."

The comparison with the data from seismometers showed that the saturation of the vadose zone can be well deduced from the seismic noise. "Only by merging the hydrological observations with the seismic measurements we could analyze the function of the vadose zone as a link between precipitation and groundwater reservoir," says Christoph Sens-Schonfelder. First author Luc Illien: "Understanding how the reservoir fills and drains is crucial for assessing its sustainability. From this, we can not only make predictions for runoff, but also warn of increased risk of landslides and flash floods."

For example, if the soil is already saturated with water, rainfall will run off more superficially and can carry away slopes. Climate change is exacerbating the situation by contributing to changes in large-scale weather patterns and destabilizing the mountain environment. GFZ Scientific Director Niels Hovius, who contributed to the study, says: "Our work in Nepal and its results show how important it is to monitor numerous influencing factors. These include groundwater storage, changes in land use, land cover and precipitation regimes. Capturing and anticipating such changes will help us better predict the future of freshwater resources and mountain landscapes, especially as glaciers continue to melt."

Explore further Tracing water from river to aquifer

More information: L. Illien et al: Subsurface Moisture Regulates Himalayan Groundwater Storage and Discharge. AGU Advances agupubs.onlinelibrary.wiley.co  10.1029/2021AV000398 Journal information: AGU Advances L. Illien et al: Subsurface Moisture Regulates Himalayan Groundwater Storage and Discharge.
Mandibles of various lizard species identified in the fossil material from the Guadeloupe Islands. Credit: Bochaton, et al., 2021. Science Advances.

In recent years, the evidence of human impacts on Earth's systems has caused researchers to call for recognition of a new epoch, the Anthropocene, in which human activity is a major driver of climate and ecosystem change. However, despite growing evidence of the impacts of human societies, the extent of biodiversity loss in recent centuries is still poorly understood.

A new study led by Dr. Corentin Bochaton and Professor Nicole Boivin of the Max Planck Institute for the Science of Human History in Jena, Germany, reveals far greater extinctions among the snakes and lizards of Guadeloupe following European colonization than previously believed. Partnering with colleagues from Center National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS), Museum National d'Histoire Naturelle (MNHN), Institut de Recherche pour le Developpement (IRD) and the Institut National de Recherche pour l'Agriculture, l'Alimentation et l'Environnement (INRAE), the team studied an extraordinary 43,000 individual bone remains from fossil and archaeological assemblages on six islands, ultimately revealing that 50% to 70% of Guadeloupe's squamate species went extinct after the arrival of European colonialists.

This enormous loss of biodiversity stands in stark contrast to the pre-colonial record, which shows that Indigenous populations co-existed with the islands' snakes and lizards for thousands of years. In fact, the biodiversity of Guadeloupe's snakes and lizards actually increased during the long history of Indigenous habitation, with no recorded extinctions and the introduction of two new lizard species.

"The long-term data from Guadeloupe are concerning," notes Professor Boivin, Director of the Department of Archaeology at the MPI in Jena. "Snakes and lizards persisted through a broad range of climatic, environmental and human-induced changes on Guadeloupe over thousands of years. They do not appear to be sensitive animals. Yet in the last few hundred years, their diversity has plummeted."

The excavation of Blanchard Cave on Marie-Galante Island. Fossil remains from the site were investigated as part of the study. Credit: Arnaud Lenoble

The new paper underscores the potential of archaeological and fossil records to provide information that is highly relevant in the modern world.

"Our research strongly advocates for the study of past biodiversity to address current conservation issues and for the study of less charismatic animals like reptiles, which are an essential part of tropical ecosystems," says Bochaton.

The use of fossil data from Guadeloupe allowed the team to closely examine the dynamics of the extinctions, revealing links between species' body size, habitat preference, and risk of extinction. Medium-sized, terrestrial species sustained the greatest losses, implicating recently introduced mammalian predators such as mongooses and cats as primary drivers in Guadeloupe's reptile extinctions.

The extinction trends also highlight the impacts of a shift to intensive colonial agriculture. The destruction and fragmentation of habitats, combined with the degradation of soil and decimation of insect populations, placed enormous pressure on Guadeloupe's snake and lizard species.

The mongoose was introduced by colonists to the islands of Guadeloupe in the 1880s as a method of controlling rats and snakes. It has had a detrimental effect on snake and lizard biodiversity. Credit: Omkar Vinchu from Pexels

"In recent years, recognition of early human impacts has led to a kind of acceptance of humans as this inherently destructive species," says Professor Boivin. "Yet the Guadeloupe data clearly show that Indigenous lifeways were supportive of snake and lizard biodiversity, whereas European ones were not. This provides us with important information for future management and sustainability initiatives, and calls into question some of the ways conservationists deal with Indigenous communities globally."

The researchers hope that more of such studies will help managers and conservationists create realistic, data-driven strategies for mediating societal impacts on ecosystems.

"Archaeology budgets all around the world are under threat," observes Professor Boivin. "But without our past, we move forward blindly. Study of the past, present and future must be intertwined."

Explore further Beads made of boa bones identified in lesser Antilles

More information: C. Bochaton el al., "Large-scale reptile extinctions following European colonization of the Guadeloupe Islands," Science Advances (2021). Journal information: Science Advances C. Bochaton el al., "Large-scale reptile extinctions following European colonization of the Guadeloupe Islands,"(2021). advances.sciencemag.org/lookup  .1126/sciadv.abg2111
The detection of the heavy metals iron (Fe) and nickel (Ni) in the fuzzy atmosphere of a comet are illustrated in this image, which features the spectrum of light of C/2016 R2 (PANSTARRS) on the top left superimposed to a real image of the comet taken with the SPECULOOS telescope at ESO's Paranal Observatory. Each white peak in the spectrum represents a different element, with those for iron and nickel indicated by blue and orange dashes, respectively. Spectra like these are possible thanks to the UVES instrument on ESO's VLT, a high-resolution spectrograph that spreads the line so much they can be individually identified. In addition, UVES remains sensitive down to wavelengths of 300nm. Most of the important iron and nickel lines appear at wavelengths of around 350nm, meaning that the capabilities of UVES were essential in making this discovery. Credit: ESO/L. Calcada, SPECULOOS Team/E. Jehin, Manfroid et al.

A new study by a Belgian team using data from the European Southern Observatory's Very Large Telescope (ESO's VLT) has shown that iron and nickel exist in the atmospheres of comets throughout our Solar System, even those far from the Sun. A separate study by a Polish team, who also used ESO data, reported that nickel vapor is also present in the icy interstellar comet 2I/Borisov. This is the first time heavy metals, usually associated with hot environments, have been found in the cold atmospheres of distant comets.

"It was a big surprise to detect iron and nickel atoms in the atmosphere of all the comets we have observed in the last two decades, about 20 of them, and even in ones far from the Sun in the cold space environment," says Jean Manfroid from the University of Liege, Belgium, who lead the new study on Solar System comets published today in Nature.

Astronomers know that heavy metals exist in comets' dusty and rocky interiors. But, because solid metals don't usually "sublimate" (become gaseous) at low temperatures, they did not expect to find them in the atmospheres of cold comets that travel far from the Sun. Nickel and iron vapors have now even been detected in comets observed at more than 480 million kilometers from the Sun, more than three times the Earth-Sun distance.

The Belgian team found iron and nickel in comets' atmospheres in approximately equal amounts. Material in our Solar System, for example that found in the Sun and in meteorites, usually contains about ten times more iron than nickel. This new result therefore has implications for astronomers' understanding of the early Solar System, though the team is still decoding what these are.

"Comets formed around 4.6 billion years ago, in the very young Solar System, and haven't changed since that time. In that sense, they're like fossils for astronomers," says study co-author Emmanuel Jehin, also from the University of Liege.

While the Belgian team has been studying these "fossil" objects with ESO's VLT for nearly 20 years, they had not spotted the presence of nickel and iron in their atmospheres until now. "This discovery went under the radar for many years," Jehin says.

The team used data from the Ultraviolet and Visual Echelle Spectrograph (UVES) instrument on ESO's VLT, which uses a technique called spectroscopy , to analyze the atmospheres of comets at different distances from the Sun. This technique allows astronomers to reveal the chemical makeup of cosmic objects: each chemical element leaves a unique signaturea set of linesin the spectrum of the light from the objects.

The Belgian team had spotted weak, unidentified spectral lines in their UVES data and on closer inspection noticed that they were signaling the presence of neutral atoms of iron and nickel. A reason why the heavy elements were difficult to identify is that they exist in very small amounts: the team estimates that for each 100 kg of water in the comets' atmospheres there is only 1 g of iron, and about the same amount of nickel.

"Usually there is 10 times more iron than nickel, and in those comet atmospheres we found about the same quantity for both elements. We came to the conclusion they might come from a special kind of material on the surface of the comet nucleus, sublimating at a rather low temperature and releasing iron and nickel in about the same proportions," explains Damien Hutsemekers, also a member of the Belgian team from the University of Liege.

Although the team aren't sure yet what material this might be, advances in astronomysuch as the Mid-infrared ELT Imager and Spectrograph (METIS) on ESO's upcoming Extremely Large Telescope (ELT)will allow researchers to confirm the source of the iron and nickel atoms found in the atmospheres of these comets.

The Belgian team hope their study will pave the way for future research. "Now people will search for those lines in their archival data from other telescopes," Jehin says. "We think this will also trigger new work on the subject."

Emission lines from gaseous atomic nickel in the near-ultraviolet spectrum of 2I/Borisov. Credit: ESO/P.Guzik/M.Drahus

Interstellar heavy metals

Another remarkable study published today in Nature shows that heavy metals are also present in the atmosphere of the interstellar comet 2I/Borisov. A team in Poland observed this object, the first alien comet to visit our Solar System, using the X-shooter spectrograph on ESO's VLT when the comet flew by about a year and a half ago. They found that 2I/Borisov's cold atmosphere contains gaseous nickel.

"At first we had a hard time believing that atomic nickel could really be present in 2I/Borisov that far from the Sun. It took numerous tests and checks before we could finally convince ourselves," says study author Piotr Guzik from the Jagiellonian University in Poland. The finding is surprising because, before the two studies published today, gases with heavy metal atoms had only been observed in hot environments, such as in the atmospheres of ultra-hot exoplanets or evaporating comets that passed too close to the Sun. 2I/Borisov was observed when it was some 300 million kilometers away from the Sun, or about twice the Earth-Sun distance.

Studying interstellar bodies in detail is fundamental to science because they carry invaluable information about the alien planetary systems they originate from. "All of a sudden we understood that gaseous nickel is present in cometary atmospheres in other corners of the Galaxy," says co-author Micha? Drahus, also from the Jagiellonian University.

The Polish and Belgian studies show that 2I/Borisov and Solar System comets have even more in common than previously thought. "Now imagine that our Solar System's comets have their true analogues in other planetary systemshow cool is that?," Drahus concludes.

Explore further First interstellar comet may be the most pristine ever found

More information: Gaseous atomic nickel in the coma of interstellar comet 2I/Borisov, Nature (2021). Gaseous atomic nickel in the coma of interstellar comet 2I/Borisov,(2021). DOI: 10.1038/s41586-021-03485-4 Iron and nickel atoms in cometary atmospheres even far from the Sun, Nature (2021). DOI: 10.1038/s41586-021-03435-0 Journal information: Nature
Credit: Kletr/Shutterstock

We humans tend to regard incest as deeply disturbing. It's a strong social taboo, and it's underpinned by sound biological reasoning. Mixing genes with a non-relative is beneficial because it increases genetic diversity, while genetic defects often occur in the offspring of related parents.

We'd expect to see the same attitude extend to animals, who may lack a social distaste for incest but are, in the end, subject to the same biological pressures to produce the fittest offspringwhich we assume means breeding with an unrelated mate.

But our recent study has called this assumption into question. We reviewed 40 years of scholarship on animal mate selection, and found that animals don't tend to differentiate between relatives and non-relatives when choosing a mate.

This may seem surprising or unsettling, but evolutionary theorists have pointed out for decades that inbreeding is not always badand that in some cases, for instance where mate choice is limited, it might even be beneficial.

Selecting a mate

Animals account for a variety of factors when choosing a mate. One of them is their degree of relatedness, but animals are also interested in the resources the partner can provide, and whether they carry desirable genes.

Choosing an unrelated mate is attractive, seeing as it increases the genetic diversity of the resultant offspring. Mating with a relative, on the other hand, increases the likelihood that parents will pass rare genetic diseases to their offspring.

This happens because half of the offspring's genes come from each parent. Usually, if a parent carries a gene for a rare genetic disease, the other parent will carry the healthy version of that gene, which is then expressed in their offspring. But when parents are related, there's a higher chance that both parents will carry the same unhealthy genes, which the offspring must then inherit.

So there are strong reasons for animals to avoid mating with a relativebut are there any situations where inbreeding might actually be beneficial?

Mating with a relative

One obvious scenario in which animals mate with their relatives is when there's just no other option. If animals are compelled to pass on their genes, you'd expect they'd prefer to produce offspring with a relative than to not reproduce at all.

But there could also be a more counter-intuitive reason behind some animal inbreeding. As Richard Dawkins set out in "The Selfish Gene," animals want to pass on as many of their genes as possible. From this perspective, the more genes an animal passes on to the next generation, the better they do.

Mating with a relative can be a great way to do this. Because so many genes are shared between relatives, a higher proportion of both of their genes will be passed on to the next generation if they do matea win for their genetic legacy.

Animals who avoid inbreeding also have to expend energy to do so, including when they learn how to distinguish relatives from unrelated individuals. Saving energy is sometimes crucial for an animal's survivaland by extension the survival of their genesso learning to avoid inbreeding may not always be the best strategy for some animals.

Measuring inbreeding

Theoretical scientists have used mathematical modeling to predict how animals should behave in different scenarios, weighing up the costs and benefits of their actions.

When applied to inbreeding, the costs include the risk of passing on rare genetic diseases or defects, while the benefits include passing on genes more efficientlyas well as increasing mating opportunities. Even when accounting for other factors such as habitats and population size, the models have concluded that tolerating inbreeding is the most successful strategy for animals to employ.

This hypothesis has been experimentally tested in a wide variety of animal species, from mammals down to the fruit fly. In these experiments, animals are given the option to mate with a relative or an unrelated individual, with researchers looking out for a trend or bias.

These studies also account for another dimension to mate selection. While animals choose who they copulate with, they also have some control over the subsequent fertilization. Males can influence the sperm they allocate to females, while females that mate with more than one partner can influence whether sperm from related or unrelated males fertilizes their eggs. This has been observed in a wide range of animals, from insects to mammals.

Over the past 40 years, these choicesmate selection both before and after matinghave been observed in 139 individual studies of 88 different species. But we've always missed the big picture of whether animals generally tend to avoid mating with their relatives.

Reviewing the literature

Our study provides that picture, finding no evidence that animals differentiate between related and unrelated individuals when given a choice of mate. Not all species have been studied for inbreeding, but our study did include a broad range of speciesfrom snails and spiders to fish, birds, rodents and other mammals.

This finding was consistent for males and females and across a range of experimental conditions. Inbreeding avoidance occurred in just 17% of the 139 studies we reviewed. It seems the evolutionary theorists were right.

It's important to note that the experiments we reviewed were conducted in controlled laboratory settings. Animals living in the wild face very different challenges and conditions to those living under laboratory conditionswhich could influence how they choose a mate.

Today's animal conservation efforts aim to boost the population size of endangered species, mating unrelated individuals in order to increase the species' genetic diversity. A famous example is China's giant panda, which has proven difficult to encourage to mate.

Our study suggests that conservation efforts shouldn't focus solely on mating unrelated individuals. Given a choice, animals may well opt to mate with a relative. And while this would be bad news for genetic diversity, it would at least produce a new generation.

Explore further Mating with relatives? Not a big deal in nature

This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.
Credit: Pixabay/CC0 Public Domain

When starting a vaccine program, scientists generally have anecdotal understanding of the disease they're aiming to target. When COVID-19 surfaced over a year ago, there were so many unknowns about the fast-moving virus that scientists had to act quickly and rely on new methods and techniques just to even begin understanding the basics of the disease.

Scientists at Janssen Research & Development, developers of the Johnson & Johnson-Janssen COVID-19 vaccine, leveraged real-world data and, working with MIT researchers, applied artificial intelligence and machine learning to help guide the company's research efforts into a potential vaccine.

"Data science and machine learning can be used to augment scientific understanding of a disease," says Najat Khan, chief data science officer and global head of strategy and operations for Janssen Research & Development. "For COVID-19, these tools became even more important because our knowledge was rather limited. There was no hypothesis at the time. We were developing an unbiased understanding of the disease based on real-world data using sophisticated AI/ML algorithms."

In preparing for clinical studies of Janssen's lead vaccine candidate, Khan put out a call for collaborators on predictive modeling efforts to partner with her data science team to identify key locations to set up trial sites. Through Regina Barzilay, the MIT School of Engineering Distinguished Professor for AI and Health, faculty lead of AI for MIT's Abdul Latif Jameel Clinic for Machine Learning in Health, and a member of Janssen's scientific advisory board, Khan connected with Dimitris Bertsimas, the Boeing Leaders for Global Operations Professor of Management at MIT, who had developed a leading machine learning model that tracks COVID-19 spread in communities and predicts patient outcomes, and brought him on as the primary technical partner on the project.

DELPHI

When the World Health Organization declared COVID-19 a pandemic in March 2020 and forced much of the world into lockdown, Bertsimas, who is also the faculty lead of entrepreneurship for the Jameel Clinic, brought his group of 25-plus doctoral and master's students together to discuss how they could use their collective skills in machine learning and optimization to create new tools to aid the world in combating the spread of the disease.

The group started tracking their efforts on the COVIDAnalytics platform, where their models are generating accurate real-time insight into the pandemic. One of the group's first projects was charting the progression of COVID-19 with an epidemiological model they developed named DELPHI, which predicts state-by-state infection and mortality rates based upon each state's policy decision.

DELPHI is based on the standard SEIR model, a compartmental model that simplifies the mathematical modeling of infectious diseases by dividing populations in four categories: susceptible, exposed, infectious, and recovered. The ordering of the labels is intentional to show the flow patterns between the compartments. DELPHI expands on this model with a system that looks at 11 possible states of being to account for realistic effects of the pandemic, such comparing the length of time those who recovered from COVID-19 spent in the hospital versus those who died.

"The model has some values that are hardwired, such as how long a person stays in the hospital, but we went deeper to account for the nonlinear change of infection rates, which we found were not constant and varied over different periods and locations," says Bertsimas. "This gave us more modeling flexibility, which led the model to make more accurate predictions."

A key innovation of the model is capturing the behaviors of people related to measures put into place during the pandemic, such as lockdowns, mask-wearing, and social distancing, and the impact these had on infection rates.

"By June or July, we were able to augment the model with these data. The model then became even more accurate," says Bertsimas. "We also considered different scenarios for how various governments might respond with policy decisions, from implementing serious restrictions to no restrictions at all, and compared them to what we were seeing happening in the world. This gave us the ability to make a spectrum of predictions. One of the advantages of the DELPHI model is that it makes predictions on 120 countries and all 50 U.S. states on a daily basis."

A vaccine for today's pandemic

Being able to determine where COVID-19 is likely to spike next proved to be critical to the success of Janssen's clinical trials, which were "event-based"meaning that "we figure out efficacy based on how many 'events' are in our study population, events such as becoming sick with COVID-19," explains Khan.

"To run a trial like this, which is very, very large, it's important to go to hot spots where we anticipate the disease transmission to be high so that you can accumulate those events quickly. If you can, then you can run the trial faster, bring the vaccine to market more quickly, and also, most importantly, have a very rich dataset where you can make statistically sound analysis."

Bertsimas assembled a core group of researchers to work with him on the project, including two doctoral students from MIT's Operations Research Center, where he is a faculty member: Michael Li, who led implementation efforts, and Omar Skali Lami. Other members included Hamza Tazi MBN '20, a former master of business analytics student, and Ali Haddad, a data research scientist at Dynamic Ideas LLC.

The MIT team began collaborating with Khan and her team last May to forecast where the next surge in cases might happen. Their goal was to identify COVID-19 hot spots where Janssen could conduct clinical trials and recruit participants who were most likely to get exposed to the virus.

With clinical trials due to start last September, the teams had to immediately hit the ground running and make predictions four months in advance of when the trials would actually take place. "We started meeting daily with the Janssen team. I'm not exaggeratingwe met on a daily basis  sometimes over the weekend, and sometimes more than once a day," says Bertsimas.

To understand how the virus was moving around the world, data scientists at Janssen continuously monitored and scouted data sources across the world. The team built a global surveillance dashboard that pulled in data at a country, state, and even county level based on data availability, on case numbers, hospitalizations, and mortality and testing rates.

The DELPHI model integrated these data, with additional information about local policies and behaviors, such as whether people were being compliant with mask-wearing, and was making daily predictions in the 300-400 range. "We were getting constant feedback from the Janssen team which helped to improve the quality of the model. The model eventually became quite central to the clinical trial process," says Bertsimas.

Remarkably, the vast majority of Janssen's clinical trial sites that DELPHI predicted to be COVID-19 hot spots ultimately had extremely high number of cases, including in South Africa and Brazil, where new variants of the virus had surfaced by the time the trials began. According to Khan, high incidence rates typically indicate variant involvement.

"All of the predictions the model made are publicly available, so one can go back and see how accurate the model really is. It held its own. To this day, DELPHI is one of the most accurate models the scientific community has produced," says Bertsimas.

"As a result of this model, we were able to have a highly data-rich package at the time of submission of our vaccine candidate," says Khan. "We are one of the few trials that had clinical data in South Africa and Brazil. That became critical because we were able to develop a vaccine that became relevant for today's needs, today's world, and today's pandemic, which consists of so many variants, unfortunately."

Khan points out that the DELPHI model was further evolved with diversity in mind, taking into account biological risk factors, patient demographics, and other characteristics. "COVID-19 impacts people in different ways, so it was important to go to areas where we were able to recruit participants from different races, ethnic groups, and genders. Due to this effort, we had one of the most diverse COVID-19 trials that's been run to date," she says. "If you start with the right data, unbiased, and go to the right places, we can actually change a lot of the paradigms that are limiting us today."

In April, the MIT and Janssen R&D Data Science team were jointly recognized by the Institute for Operations Research and the Management Sciences (INFORMS) as the winner of the 2021 Innovative Applications in Analytics Award for their innovative and highly impactful work on COVID-19. Building on this success, the teams are continuing their collaboration to apply their data-driven approach and technical rigor in tackling other infectious diseases. "This was not a partnership in name only. Our teams really came together in this and continue to work together on various data science efforts across the pipeline," says Khan. The team further appreciates the role of investigators on the ground, who contributed to site selection in combination with the model.

"It was a very satisfying experience," concurs Bertsimas. "I'm proud to have contributed to this effort and help the world in the fight against the pandemic."

This story is republished courtesy of MIT News (web.mit.edu/newsoffice/), a popular site that covers news about MIT research, innovation and teaching.
The Orion Bar is a diagonal, ridge-like feature of gas and dust in the lower left quadrant of this image of the Orion Nebula. Sculpted by the intense radiation from nearby hot, young stars, the Orion Bar at first glance appears to be shaped like a bar. It is probably prototypical of a photodissociation region, or PDR. Credit: NASA, ESA, Massimo Robberto (STScI, ESA), Hubble Space Telescope Orion Treasury Project Team/Alyssa Pagan (STScI)

In a nearby stellar nursery called the Orion Nebula, young, massive stars are blasting far-ultraviolet light at the cloud of dust and gas from which they were born. This intense flood of radiation is violently disrupting the cloud by breaking apart molecules, ionizing atoms and molecules by stripping their electrons, and heating the gas and dust. An international team using NASA's James Webb Space Telescope, which is scheduled to launch in October, will study a portion of the radiated cloud called the Orion Bar to learn more about the influence massive stars have on their environments, and even on the formation of our own solar system.

"The fact that massive stars shape the structure of galaxies through their explosions as supernovas has been known for a long time. But what people have discovered more recently is that massive stars also influence their environments not only as supernovas, but through their winds and radiation during their lives," said one of the team's principal investigators, Olivier Berne, a research scientist at the French National Centre for Scientific Research in Toulouse.

Why the Orion Bar?

While it might sound like a Friday-night watering hole, the Orion Bar is actually a ridge-like feature of gas and dust within the spectacular Orion Nebula. A little more than 1,300 light-years away, this nebula is the nearest region of massive star formation to the Sun. The Orion Bar is sculpted by the intense radiation from nearby, hot, young stars, and at first glance appears to be shaped like a bar. It is a "photodissociation region," or PDR, where ultraviolet light from young, massive stars creates a mostly neutral, but warm, area of gas and dust between the fully ionized gas surrounding the massive stars and the clouds in which they are born. This ultraviolet radiation strongly influences the gas chemistry of these regions and acts as the most important source of heat.

PDRs occur where interstellar gas is dense and cold enough to remain neutral, but not dense enough to prevent the penetration of far-ultraviolet light from massive stars. Emissions from these regions provide a unique tool to study the physical and chemical processes that are important for most of the mass between and around stars. The processes of radiation and cloud disruption drive the evolution of interstellar matter in our galaxy and throughout the universe from the early era of vigorous star formation to the present day.

"The Orion Bar is probably the prototype of a PDR," explained Els Peeters, another of the team's principal investigators. Peeters is a professor at the University of Western Ontario and a member of the SETI Institute. "It's been studied extensively, so it's well characterized. It's very close by, and it's really seen edge on. That means you can probe the different transition regions. And since it's close by, this transition from one region to another is spatially distinct if you have a telescope with high spatial resolution."

The Orion Bar is representative of what scientists think were the harsh physical conditions of PDRs in the universe billions of years ago. "We believe that at this time, you had 'Orion Nebulas' everywhere in the universe, in many galaxies," said Berne. "We think that it can be representative of the physical conditions in terms of the ultraviolet radiation field in what are called 'starburst galaxies,' which dominate the era of star formation, when the universe was about half its current age."

The formation of planetary systems in interstellar regions irradiated by massive young stars remains an open question. Detailed observations would allow astronomers to understand the impact of the ultraviolet radiation on the mass and composition of newly formed stars and planets.

In particular, studies of meteorites suggest that the solar system formed in a region similar to the Orion Nebula. Observing the Orion Bar is a way to understand our past. It serves as a model to learn about the very early stages of the formation of the solar system.

This graphic depicts the stratified nature of a photodissociation region (PDR) such as the Orion Bar. Once thought to be homogenous areas of warm gas and dust, PDRs are now known to contain complex structure and four distinct zones. The box at the left shows a portion of the Orion Bar within the Orion Nebula. The box at the top right illustrates a massive star-forming region whose blasts of ultraviolet radiation are affecting a PDR. The box at the bottom right zooms in on a PDR to depict its four, distinct zones: 1) the molecular zone, a cold and dense region where the gas is in the form of molecules and where stars could form; 2) the dissociation front, where the molecules break apart into atoms as the temperature rises; 3) the ionization front, where the gas is stripped of electrons, becoming ionized, as the temperature increases dramatically; and 4) the fully ionized flow of gas into a region of atomic, ionized hydrogen. For the first time, Webb will be able to separate and study these different zones' physical conditions. Credit: NASA, ESA, CSA, Jason Champion (CNRS), Pam Jeffries (STScI), PDRs4ALL ERS Team

Like a Layer Cake in Space

PDRs were long thought to be homogenous regions of warm gas and dust. Now scientists know they are greatly stratified, like a layer cake. In reality, the Orion Bar is not really a "bar" at all. Instead, it contains a lot of structure and four distinct zones. These are:

The molecular zone, a cold and dense region where the gas is in the form of molecules and where stars could form;

The dissociation front, where the molecules break apart into atoms as the temperature rises;

The ionization front, where the gas is stripped of electrons, becoming ionized, as the temperature increases dramatically;

The fully ionized flow of gas into a region of atomic, ionized hydrogen.

"With Webb, we will be able to separate and study the different regions' physical conditions, which are completely different," said Emilie Habart, another of the team's principal investigators. Habart is a scientist with the French Institute of Space Astrophysics and a senior lecturer at Paris-Saclay University. "We will study the passage from very hot regions to very cold ones. This is the first time we will be able to do that."

The phenomenon of these zones is much like what happens with heat from a fireplace. As you move away from the fire, the temperature drops. Similarly, the radiation field changes with distance from a massive star. In the same way, the composition of the material changes at different distances from that star. With Webb, scientists for the first time will resolve each individual region within that layered structure in the infrared and characterize it completely.

Paving the Way for Future Observations

These observations will be part of the Director's Discretionary-Early Release Science program, which provides observing time to selected projects early in the telescope's mission. This program allows the astronomical community to quickly learn how best to use Webb's capabilities, while also yielding robust science.

One goal of the Orion Bar work is to identify the characteristics that will serve as a template for future studies of more distant PDRs. At greater distances, the different zones might blur together. Information from the Orion Bar will be useful for interpreting that data. The Orion Bar observations will be available to the wider science community very soon after their collection.

"Most of the light that we receive from very distant galaxies is coming from 'Orion Nebulas' situated in these galaxies," explained Berne. "So it makes a lot of sense to observe in great detail the Orion Nebula that is near us in order to then understand the emissions coming from these very distant galaxies that contain many Orion-like regions in them."

Only Possible with Webb

With its location in space, infrared capability, sensitivity, and spatial resolution, Webb provides a unique opportunity to study the Orion Bar. The team will probe this region using Webb's cameras and spectrographs.

"It's really the first time that we have such good wavelength coverage and angular resolution," said Berne. "We're very interested in spectroscopy because that's where you see all the 'fingerprints' that give you the detailed information on the physical conditions. But we also want the images to see the structure and organization of matter. When you combine the spectroscopy and the imaging in this unique infrared range, you get all the information you need to do the science we're interested in."
A screenshot of a "nature is healing" meme shared on social media.

A giant rubber duck floating on the Thames. Dinosaurs exploring Times Square. Lime scooters at the bottom of a pond.

The "nature is healing" jokes that circulated widely on social media last year amid COVID-19 lockdowns have been called the pandemic's best meme. And they are the subject of a newly published paper that grew out of a Virginia Commonwealth University class.

In "The bad environmentalism of 'nature is healing' memes," published in the journal Cultural Geographies, Kai Bosworth, Ph.D., an assistant professor of international studies in the School of World Studies in the College of Humanities and Sciences, writes that the memes were an extension of ideas put forward in Nicole Seymour's 2018 book, "Bad Environmentalism: Irony and Irreverence in the Ecological Age," that argues in favor of a "low environmental culture" that employs humor and irony in educating about climate change and environmentalism.

"Implicitly critical of nefarious arguments that the death-dealing pandemic would provide a 'pause for nature' and thus that 'humans were the real virus," the formal and easily reproduced 'nature is healing' genre subverts conventional understandings of 'the natural' as well as the naturalization of social order and political economy," Bosworth writes. "In particular, I extend Seymour's argumentand pop cultural studies of the environmentby parsing five modes through which the 'nature is healing' genre plays ironically on differing understandings of the natural. These are the out-of-place in nature; nature out-of-place; drawing attention to a naturalized social order; naturalizing social transformation; and absurdity in the natural world."

The project originated in Bosworth's fall 2020 class Nature/Culture/Justice, which examines the origins and development of "environment" and "nature" as cultural phenomenon, with special attention paid to global environmental justice, race, class, gender and sexuality. Toward the end of the course, Bosworth asked his students to bring in something that made them laugh and that is connected to the environment, the natural world or climate change, in conjunction with a reading from Seymour.

"I find that such an exercise is pedagogically really compelling, asmuch like "environmentalism" writ largeour courses concerning climate change can make one feel depressed or powerless," he said. "Internet memeseasily reproducible images that convey humor via circulation and participationare the language through which many young people today interpret political events, so many of the submissions were in that format."

This spring, Bosworth hired three students from the classMargaret Brooks, Mable Henry and Thomas Muradazas research assistants. They helped compile, sift and categorize hundreds of memes from Twitter, Reddit and Instagram that served as the basis for the study.

"Though I'm not totally out of touch yet, it was helpful to have some young people to decipher some of the more obscure cultural references in some of these memes, too," Bosworth said.

Brookswho graduated this month with a degree in interdisciplinary studies with a concentration in international studies, environmental studies and sociologysaid she enjoyed working on the project because it was timely and because it explores the important questions of what we consider to be "nature" or "natural."

"These feelings that 'things just need to get back to normal' aren't new or unique to our time or place in history, and I think working on the project allowed me to explore how neoliberal environmentalism, which has historically been white, elite and exclusionary, has shaped modern discourse around preserving a 'natural state' and how this is perpetuating issues like the COVID-19 pandemic, eco-fascism, and environmental racism," Brooks said. "Memes are a great vehicle to understand these phenomena because they're more accessible, ubiquitous, re-creatable and easily distributed than theory or policy. Plus, we had a good laugh every day of research and collaboration."

When people think about environmentalism, Bosworth said, they often associate it with emotions like piety, humorlessness, chauvinism, gloominess, earnestness or sentimentality. A broader range of emotionssuch as joywill be needed, he said, to build a durable movement for social and environmental justice.

"Our research on 'nature is returning' memes extends Nicole Seymour's examination of such transgressive 'bad environmentalisms' by looking at ecological humor in the digital realm," Bosworth said. "The 'nature is healing' memes poke fun at the overly-sentimental images of swans and dolphins supposedly returning to Italian rivers (or whatever), while implicitly criticizing an incorrect and deeply cruel interpretation of the COVID-19 pandemic as 'earth healing itself' demonstrating that 'humans are the real virus." [And] 'nature is healing' memes riff on this sentimentality by displaying seemingly 'unnatural' returns: animals in weird urban spots, trash and waste in nature, the return of a transformed social life, and so on."

He added that the format was also flexible, with people using the memes to criticize the return of "natural" political events, such as the policing of Black Lives Matter protests or their alienation from available electoral choices around the world.

And the meme genre fell within the tradition of camp, which has long been used by queer movements to critique the supposed "naturalness" of gender norms, he said.

"In doing so, I argue that such low humor could thus evidence an emotional register more inclusive of queer, Black, feminist, and/or Indigenous parodies of conventional environmentalist performance," he said.

The memes, he said, also are an example of digital participatory media that can provide an alternative narrative to popular culture, where TV and movies often portray environmentalists at the villains.

"I have a lot of hope in the capacities of young peoplelike these studentsto deeply challenge the assumptions of scholars, policymakers and the public to fight for the kinds of radical social and political transformation necessary to yield better ecological futures, what the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change calls 'rapid, far-reaching and unprecedented changes in all aspects of society,'" he said.

Explore further Depression memes may be a coping mechanism for people with mental illness

More information: Kai Bosworth, The bad environmentalism of 'nature is healing' memes, cultural geographies (2021). Kai Bosworth, The bad environmentalism of 'nature is healing' memes,(2021). DOI: 10.1177/14744740211012007
Credit: CC0 Public Domain

Russia has put up for sale one of its space modules, which in 2018 returned a Russian and two Americans from the International Space Station (ISS).

"Descent module No. 738 of the Soyuz MS-08 mission is available on the Glavcosmos web portal for purchase," read a statement issued late Tuesday by Glavkosmos, a subsidiary of Russia's Roscosmos space agency.

"This lander can become an excellent exhibition showpiece for any public or private exhibition dedicated to aerospace," the statement added.

Glavcosmos spokesman Yevgeny Kolomiyev told AFP that the price of the descent module was not being publically disclosed because it was a "trade secret" and that prospective buyers would need to submit requests through the agency's website.

The Soyuz MS-08 spacecraft in March 2018 sent cosmonaut Oleg Artemyev and NASA astronauts Andrew Feustel and Richard Arnold to the ISS.

In October the same year, its decent module, which is up for grabs, returned Artemyev, Faustale and Arnold to Earth landing in Kazakhstan.

Glavcosmos director Dmitry Loskutov told the RIA Novosti news agency he did not rule out in the future selling "other shuttles, once their mission is completed".

Moscow is seeking to boost its embattled space programme, which has stagnated since the collapse of the Soviet Union and has been facing stiff competition from US-based tech billionaire Elon Musk's company SpaceX.

Russia said earlier this month it would send an actress and a director into space to make the first feature film in the cosmos and also deliver an eccentric Japanese billionaire to the ISS.

Russia's space industry has suffered a number of setbacks in recent years, from corruption scandals to lost spacecraft to an aborted take-off during a manned mission in 2018.

Moscow and Beijing unveiled plans in March for the construction of a joint lunar space station.

The ISS is expected to be retired before the end of the decade, raising questions about future cooperation between Russia and the West in space.

Explore further Russia to send film crew, Japanese billionaire to space

 2021 AFP
The Indian military has launched search and rescue operations at sea for people missing after the storm hit.

The death toll from a major cyclone that slammed into coronavirus-ravaged India jumped to at least 84 on Wednesday, as the navy searched for 65 people still missing and authorities scrambled to restore power to the worst-hit regions.

Cyclone Tauktae, which pummelled the western coast late Monday and left a trail of destruction, has added to the country's woes as it suffered a record number of COVID-19 deaths.

The cyclonic storm was the latest in what experts say is a growing number of ever-bigger storms in the Arabian Sea because of climate change warming its waters.

The defence ministry said Wednesday that Navy ships had rescued more than 600 people after waves up to eight metres (26 feet) high hammered offshore oil installations.

But 22 bodies were also recovered while planes and helicopters were still searching for 65 workers missing from one of several support vessels that slipped its moorings in the storm and sank.

M.K. Jha, head of the Naval Western Command, said that the sea was so rough that they could not board life rafts.

Those rescued have "hope in their eyes but certainly, they are distressed... they have been battered by the sea conditions for multiple hours," Jha told the NDTV news channel.

Even before the cyclone made landfall in Gujarat state with gusts up to 185 kilometres (115 miles) per hour, associated heavy rains and strong winds killed around 20 people in western and southern India.

The deadly cyclone killed more than 30 people, damaged property and disrupted power supply on India's western coast.

Gujarat officials said Wednesday that the death toll in the state after the storm had risen to 42, with many killed by collapsing houses or walls and more fatalities expected as they accessed the scale of the damage.

Those killed included a child crushed by a collapsing wall, an 80-year-old woman killed by a falling pole and a teenage girl by a crumbling roof.

"I have never experienced such intensity in my life," said a hotel owner in the town of Bhavnagar where the winds smashed windows on the seafront and sent trees and power lines toppling.

More than 16,500 houses were damaged, 40,000 trees were uprooted and engineers were working to restore power to hundreds of thousands of people on Wednesday.

More than 15 percent of the total yearly production of salt in GujaratIndia's biggest producer of the mineralwas either washed away or unable to be harvested due to flooding, the Indian Salt Manufacturers Association told AFP.

At least a dozen blackbucks classified as endangered in India as well as an unknown number of birds including egrets and herons that nest around human habitation have died, Gujarat's chief wildlife warden, Shyamal Tikadar, told AFP.

Chief forests conservator D.T. Vasavada added that his department would survey the affected wildlife after uprooted and fallen trees were cleared.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi tweeted after a survey of the damage in Gujarat, his home state, that his government was "working closely with all the states affected by the cyclone".

He announced financial aid for the state as well as for the families of the victims and those injured.

Cyclone Tauktae caused widespread damage on India's western coast.

COVID-19 crisis

Although the cyclone was one of the fiercest in decades, better forecasting than in previous disasters meant that 200,000 people in danger zonesincluding hundreds of COVID-19 patientswere moved to safety.

The deadly weather system hit as India's healthcare system struggled with a coronavirus surge that in the past 24 hours killed a record 4,529 people.

"This is one of the most powerful cyclones we've faced in India for decades, and after weeks of chaos and devastating loss of life caused by COVID-19, it could not have come at a worse time," said Santanu Chakraborty of the charity Save the Children.

"Thousands of children and their families have lost their homes and their livelihoods, and the damage caused to roads and infrastructure will put even more pressure on local administrations already struggling to cope with the fallout from the pandemic."

The Arabian Sea previously experienced fewer severe cyclones than the Bay of Bengal but rising water temperatures because of global warming was changing that, Roxy Mathew Koll from the Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology told AFP.

 2021 AFP
What factors matter in sexual attraction for men and women of different ages? Credit: Beth Baker, PLOS, 2021 (CC-BY 4.0, creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/)

When it comes to sexual attraction, women rate age, education, intelligence, income, trust, and emotion connection higher than men who put a greater priority on attractiveness and physical build says new research from QUT.

The importance of such characteristics does change with age though, with both men and women looking for the personality traits of openness and trust as they get older. Sex Differences in Sexual Attraction for Aesthetics, Resources and Personality Across Age has just been published by international journal PLOS ONE.

QUT behavioural economist Dr. Stephen Whyte says the study explored how male and female sexual attractiveness preference changes across age, using data collected from more than 7,000 people aged between 18 and 65 who participated in a national online Australian Sex Survey in 2016.

"Sexual attraction is a key driver of human mate choice and reproduction. Our results indicate distinct variations within sex at key life stages which is consistent with theories of selection pressure," Dr. Whyte said.

"Micro level decision making on sex, reproduction and relationship formation influences a wide variety of macro trends and social norms, including gender roles and equity, labour market dynamics, fertility rates, wider sexual liberalism, politics, religion and the broader institution of marriage.

"Numerous scientific disciplines have long demonstrated the human preference for attractive mates and the ability to quickly identify attractiveness in others reflect a preference to reproduce what are considered good genes. And while both sexes prefer a physically attractive mate or potential partner, males have been shown to report stronger such preferences for attractiveness.

"Females are more selective about other characteristics because their time for reproduction is more limited so they can't risk choosing poorly.

"However, most studies on sexual attractiveness rely on limited age distribution skewed to the younger population. We have taken data from a much larger age range to judge how the pattern of sexual preferences may differ with age."

Dr. Whyte said their analysis was based on participant responses to nine different versions of the same question format about the level of attraction individuals expect in the aesthetic, resource, and personality characteristics of potential mates.

"We asked participants to rate the importance of nine characteristics associated with sexual attractionage, attractiveness, physical build/features, intelligence, education, income, trust. Openness and emotional connection," he said.

"Firstly, we found males regard both attractiveness and physical build as more important characteristics for sexual attraction relative to all other traits compared to women.

"Both sexes, meanwhile, regard income as the least important factor but females do place a higher importance than men on education and intelligence although men regard openness as slightly more important that the females surveyed.

"It is as men and women age their preferences come closer together, with both sexes placing greater importance on openness and trust while the relative importance of emotional connection is as important for males and females across all age groups.

"Interestingly, for both men and women across the years of peak fertility and income earnings (18-50 years) participants who stated extremely high preference for one trait, likely stated extremely high preference for multiple traits."
These 12,000-year-old stickleback bones were found in Finnmark by researchers from the Norwegian Geological Survey (NGU). They were well enough preserved that biologists could identify the species -- and learn something about evolution. Credit: Anders Romundset, NGU / NTNU

The last ice age ended almost 12,000 years ago in Norway. The land rebounded slowly as the weight of the ice disappeared and the land uplift caused many bays to become narrower and form lakes.

Fish became trapped in these lakes.

Sticklebacks managed to adapt when saltwater became freshwater, and they can still be found in today's coastal lakes along the Norwegian coast.

Saltwater gradually changed to brackish water and later to freshwater. This environmental change naturally led to a total replacement of the animal and plant life.

The exception is the tiny stickleback, which successfully adapted as saltwater became freshwater and can still be found in today's coastal lakes along the Norwegian coast. How in the world did this little fish manage to adapt to such big changes, even in several places at the same time?

The 12 000-year-old bones of three-spine stickleback can give us some answers.

The three-spine stickleback is found in freshwater lakes, in saltwater marine environments and in brackish water, a mixture of the two. Although the fish belong to the same species, they look a little different depending on where they are found.

Since so many lakes were cut off from the sea, we know that sticklebacks adapted to the environmental changes in multiple places simultaneously. Yet the changes happened independently of each other, without any interbreeding, which pointed to a genetic reason behind the phenomenon.

Three-spine sticklebacks are therefore well suited for the study of what biologists call 'parallel evolution'evolutionary changes that occur in parallel but independently of one another.

"Usually we only have access to present-day sticklebacks. We compare groups from freshwater and marine habitats and assume that fish from the sea today are genetically comparable to the marine fish that adapted to freshwater in earlier times," says Andrew Foote, an associate professor from the Norwegian University of Science and Technology's (NTNU) University Museum and Bangor University in Wales.

Through some interdisciplinary collaboration, researchers gained access to 12 000-year-old bones from two sticklebacks in today's Hammerfest municipality.

These ancient artifacts can certainly provide a useful basis for study. But sticklebacks that live in marine environments today have also evolved since those times, so they might not be quite the same as the ones that adapted to freshwater at the end of the ice age. This makes studying them tricky for biologists.

"Although these bones belong to fish that died over ten thousand years ago, when most of Scandinavia was covered by ice, they contain fragments of DNA that we can study. The genes give us insight into the early stages of the transition from saltwater to freshwater," says Foote.

The results of the international cooperative effort were recently presented in the journal Current Biology. Experts in geology, ancient DNA and genetic evolution collaborated to compare present-day and ancient threespine sticklebacks.

Foote teamed up with professor and geneticist Tom Gilbert from the University of Copenhagen. They had access to a state-of-the-art laboratory for the study of ancient DNA and used newly developed methods to sequence the genomes of the 12 000-year-old sticklebacks.

"Research on threespine sticklebacks over the last 20 years has provided key insights into the genetic basis of parallel adaptation. We've found that adaptation can proceed via newly arising mutations, but often involves reusing an already existing genetic variation that spreads among populations," says Dr. Felicity Jones at the Max Planck Society's Friedrich Miescher Laboratory in Tubingen, Germany.

Populations are groups of animals of the same species that are geographically more or less separated from other groups of the same species.

"It's really striking that we could detect variants known to be adaptive to freshwater in one single marine colonizer by overcoming all the challenges related to sequencing ancient DNA. This conclusively demonstrates that freshwater-adaptive genetic variants were present in the stickleback populations that colonized freshwater lakes from the sea thousands of years ago," says doctoral student and lead author Melanie Kirch, who is also from the Friedrich Miescher laboratory.

This proves that gene variants that enable sticklebacks to live in freshwater already existed in stickleback populations in the ocean several thousand years ago. These marine fish could thus colonize the freshwater lakes that arose.

But Kirch also points out that the results show that parallel evolution has some limitations. "Even when the colonizing ancestor carried genetic variants known to be adaptive in freshwater, these variants aren't always present in the contemporary population. This tells us that even beneficial freshwater-adaptive variants can be lost during the evolutionary process of adaptation, likely by random chancea process known as 'genetic drift,'" she says.

This ancient DNA has provided a window into the past and has enabled researchers to study the genetic makeup of the ancestors of today's fish. Researchers can thus track adaptations that have taken place over several thousand years that also help them understand more of the evolutionary process.

In this way, they can create better models and gain new insight into factors that affect the direction, speed and molecular basis behind evolution in nature.

The sticklebacks were found by Norwegian geologists who actually studied the land uplift that has taken place along the Norwegian coastline since the ice retreated from Scandinavia.

Geologists stumbled across the fish bones in several sediment samples taken from lakes along the coast. Sediments are materials that sink to the lake bottom over the years and are deposited in layers according to age, unless someone or something disturbs the order of the layers. In the more-or-less untouched lakes studied, the sediment layers show traces of the transition from a marine environment to a freshwater environment.

The fish bones washed out of the sediment samples were amazingly well preserved.

Carbon dating can help geologists reconstruct how sea levels have changed over time, but this time the technique was also useful in another way.

"The fish bones we washed out of the sediment samples were amazingly well preserved. We could immediately identify them as originating from threespine sticklebacks," says researcher Anders Romundset at the Norwegian Geological Survey.

They determined the age by carbon dating plant material that was found in the same layers as the bones. The analysis also showed that these particular fish had lived in brackish water, which indicates that the lake was close to becoming disconnected from the sea.

Since the bones were found in a transition period between marine and freshwater habitat, the genes showed both genetic variations associated with an adaptation to the sea, as well as some genes that clearly showed an adaptation to freshwater.

Explore further Ancient fish DNA provides a window back in time

More information: Melanie Kirch et al, Ancient and modern stickleback genomes reveal the demographic constraints on adaptation, Current Biology (2021). Journal information: Current Biology Melanie Kirch et al, Ancient and modern stickleback genomes reveal the demographic constraints on adaptation,(2021). DOI: 10.1016/j.cub.2021.02.027
Artists impression of the orbital debris problem. Credit: UC3M

According to the latest numbers from the ESA's Space Debris Office (SDO), there are roughly 6,900 artificial satellites in orbit. The situation is going to become exponentially crowded in the coming years, thanks to the many telecommunications, internet, and small satellites that are expected to be launched. This creates all kinds of worries for collision risks and space debris, not to mention environmental concerns.

For this reason, engineers, designers, and satellite manufacturers are looking for ways to redesign their satellites. Enter Max Justice, a cybersecurity expert, former Marine, and "Cyber Farmer" who spent many years working in the space industry. Currently, he is working towards a new type of satellite that is made out of mycelium fibers. This tough, heat-resistant, and environmentally friendly material could trigger a revolution in the booming satellite industry.

As it stands, one of the biggest concerns with satellites is the risk of collision they pose once they become defunct. Until such time that their orbit decays and they burn up in the atmosphere, satellites are likely to collide with each other and produce small pieces of space debris. To mitigate this, and prevent the exponential rise of debris in orbit (aka. Kessler Syndrome), satellite manufacturers are investigating ways to deorbit them quicker.

However, this overlooks another hazard, which is the way satellites that re-enter our atmosphere will leave traces of aluminum particles and other toxic residues behind. These particles will float in the upper atmosphere for many years and could create another source of environmental problems. Max Justice believes that mycelium fungus could address both of these hazards when used to manufacture satellite chassis.

Basically, mycelium fibers are a protein-rich, multi-celled material extracted from the root structure of fungi that grow into macro-structuresthe most well-known being mushrooms. As these structures grow, the mycelia release enzymes that convert sugars or plant waste into usable nutrients, which allows them to create extensive networks in whatever substrate they occupyusually soil.

When dried, mycelium fibers are lightweight, extremely tough, and have tensile strength comparable to that of silk. Because of this, mycelium is one of many organic fibers that are being investigated for the sake of building materials and manufacturing. For instance, multiple designers are investigating mycelium as an inexpensive, durable, and non-toxic means for building eco-friendly housing, insulation, and plastics.

Examples include architecture and design firms Evocative and The Living, which have been using mycelium for years to create materials and finished products. In the construction industry, mycelium has also been shown to have applications for removing harmful chemicals in building waste. When paired with 3D printing, mycelium can also be used to fabricate chairs and other pieces of furniture.

Other applications include "mushroom paper," surfboards, "mushroom leather, "mushroom shoes," bacon, and even coffins that turn human remains into compost. When actor Luke Perry passed away in 2019, his daughter indicated that he was interred in a "mushroom suit." As Justice told Universe Today via email, this natural fiber occupies an important place in the revolution currently taking place in manufacturing and materials:

"People are realizing every day how mushrooms (in particular, mycelium) can be used as a replacement for bacon (as well as pork, cow, and chicken), leather (and they're finding it's stronger), shoes, hats, clothes, as building/construction materials such as bricks, soundproofing, fire retardant insulation, as well as packing materials, furniture, bolts of threads, handbags, pet food, the sky is the limit. There are even several mycologists and other scientists working with mycelium to eat oil and plastic. It's pretty amazing."

But what about commercial space, another industry that is undergoing a seismic shift in terms of purpose and practices? This is where Justice's efforts are ultimately directed, and which were inspired by research that is currently being conducted by Sumitomo Forestry and Kyoto University in Japan. Under the direction of Takao Doi, a former JAXA astronaut and a professor of Aerospace Engineering at the University of Kyoto, this collaborative effort seeks to build the first "wooden satellites."

The idea is to use layers of cellulose fiber (wood) that are highly resistant to temperature changes and direct sunlight. "We are very concerned with the fact that all the satellites which re-enter the Earth's atmosphere burn and create tiny alumina particles which will float in the upper atmosphere for many years," said Doi in a recent interview with the BBC. "Eventually, it will affect the environment of the Earth."

But as Justice indicated, mycelium is not only a stronger and more flexible material than wood is, it's also much more renewable and sustainable as a resource. And that's just the tip of the iceberg, as he explained:

"Depending on the type of mycelium used, it can be more flexible than wood and/or stronger than wood, it's lighter than wood, and naturally much more fire-retardant. I even took a propane torch to one of my mycelium blocks for over 5 minutes and all it did was smoke.

"Mycelium is very light in weight, it naturally floats on water, it can withstand the cold of space where we don't have to worry about cold welding, and we can add in fine strains of metal material which is used to transmit almost any type of signal. As you can see, there are numerous reasons why mycelium is quite suitable for our satellites in space, on land, and in the air on its way to space.

Of course, there's also the all-important issue of space debris, which is projected to become a severe hazard to satellites and spacecraft in low earth orbit (LEO) in the coming years. According to the SDO, more than 560 break-ups, explosions, collisions, or anomalous events that resulted in fragmentation have taken place since the launch of the first artificial satellite in 1957 (Sputnik 1). With the proliferation of small satellites and the mega-constellations that are (or soon will be) deployed, the risk of collision rises considerably.

This could result in a phenomenon known as "Kessler syndrome," in which collisions and breakups lead to more collisions and more still, and so on. For decades, space agencies and astronomers have feared this prospect and have been looking for mitigation measures to prevent and clean up "space junk." As Justice indicated, materials like mycelium fibers would constitute a mitigation measure at the production end.

"Well, space debris is space debris," he said. "And when flying around at 26,875 km (16,700 mph), it can still ruin someone's day. Because mycelium has such strong bonds and is what some consider fire-proof, it will take a lot of energy in space to break it apart, which is actually a good thing because it is the small pieces of space junk that are the real killer."

Given the advantages and the ways in which mycelium has caught on with several different industries, one has to wonder why the space sector is lagging behind in the adoption of this material. While there are some examplesfor instance, Mars City Design (MCD) is exploring the use of mycelium to create habitats for Marsthere currently isn't a similar effort to develop mycelium satellites.

As it stands, Justice describes himself as an "army of one when it comes to making mycelium-based satellites." The operation, known as Setas Mushrooms located in Falling Waters, West Virginia, specializes in growing and delivering fresh, fully organic edible mushrooms. In addition, they grow and deliver 0.45, 2.25, and 4.5 kg (1, 5, and 10 lbs) blocks of mycelium, which typically take less than two months to create and can be grown into any required shape. Said Justice:

"I've been working in the space industry (predominately with the NGO [Natiopnal Reconnaissance Office], NGA [National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency], and NASA) for over 15 years and no one else is doing this or talking about it. Until they meet me, then people are blown away about the uses for mycelium. I'd love to see NASA, other government agencies, or the private sector, like SpaceX, Bigelow, ISISpace, Visioneering, or many others, get interested in this low-cost, lightweight, fire-retardant, and highly sustainable product."

Why Space Debris Mitigation is needed. Credit: ESA

At present, there are about 4,000 functioning satellites in orbit, with new ones being added all the time. SpaceX began launching batches of its Starlink broadband internet satellites in May of 2019, starting with batches of 60 a few times a month. Since March of 2021, they are averaging about 300 a month and now have a constellation of 1,443 satelliteswith plans for a megaconstellation of 12,000.

Meanwhile, multinational e-commerce giant Amazon has plans of its own for a constellation of 3,236 broadband satellites. Since 2012, Viasat and Hughes (a subsidiary of EchoStar) have also offered broadband internet services through their telecom satellite constellations. With internet access expected to reach 8.73 billion people worldwide by 2050 (that's 90% of the global population), there is considerable growth (no pun) to be had in this sector.

Explore further Fungus as a sound absorber
Soy kit entrepreneurs participate in training organized by the Agriculture Diversification Activity in Lilongwe, Malawi. Credit: Maggie Mzungu

Women's ability to work as entrepreneurs can help alleviate poverty and malnutrition in developing countries. As local governments and development organizations aim to encourage business opportunities, it's important to identify projects suited for women's lives in rural households.

The soy kit, which includes common household items such as a pot, spoon, thermometer, and cheesecloth, enables entrepreneurs to create value-added products from soy in small-scale household settings. The kit has potential to improve the economic conditions of Malawi women in a sustainable way, a University of Illinois study concludes.

"The larger issue is about adding value to agricultural products in the developing world as a means of raising incomes," says Pete Goldsmith, director of the Soybean Innovation Lab (SIL) at Illinois and corresponding author on the study, published in Food and Nutrition Bulletin.

"Women are often the ones taking care of children and elders, and holding the household unit together, so if they have access to more money and better nutrition that's a critical component for improving the standard of living in developing countries," he explains.

"Not all agricultural technologies are consistent with women's skill sets, time constraints, and complementary resources. A food-based business such as the soy kit appears to be appropriate for women entrepreneurs but we had to test it to learn if that held up in practice," Goldsmith says.

Malnutrition Matters, a Canadian non-government organization (NGO), developed the soy kit. The USAID-funded Feed the Future Malawi Agriculture Diversification Activity distributed the kit to more than 200 households over a period of 18 months. The SIL researchers assisted with the rollout and helped train the women in bookkeeping so they could collect data on the project's economic feasibility.

The women entrepreneurs use the kit to process the soybeans and extract milk, from which they can make products such as flavored beverages, yogurt, cheese, and ice cream. The process also yields a co-product, okara, a high-protein pulp used for animal feed or as an ingredient in baking or food preparation.

The soy kit is a viable alternative to the soy cow, a popular technology widely implemented throughout Africa. The soy cow also extracts milk from soybeans to create value-added products. While it does so well, it is an expensive piece of equipment that produces large quantities of milk, requiring dedicated space, electricity, and access to refrigeration, Goldsmith explains.

The soy kit is a much more nimble tool, appropriate for individual households and easily adapted to local markets.

"The products have a shelf life for a couple hours, and you only make as much as you think you can sell. You don't need cold storage such as a refrigerator or freezer. You can put the products in sachets with some ice and take them to sell at fairs and by the roadside," Goldsmith says.

"The women know what people like, how to price the products, and where to find their customers. The project can leverage women's intrinsic knowledge of the marketplace," he notes.

Goldsmith and co-author Chungman Kim, an undergraduate student in the Department of Agricultural and Consumer Economics (ACE) who worked on the research for an independent study project, collected and analyzed the women's bookkeeping data to track the economics of using the kit. To learn more about undergraduate student research opportunities, visit the College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences website.

The Canadian soy kit costs about $200, but entrepreneurs can assemble a similar kit with locally sourced materials for about $80. The women may already have some of the items, and they can use them for other purposes, adding to the kit's versatility. Even if the women had to take out a small loan to acquire the kit without donor assistance, it would quickly pay off, Goldsmith says.

He and Kim calculated the income generation from the soy kit, estimating gross margins after subtracting production costs such as soybean, water, flavorings, sachets, and plastic bags. There are no capital investments in addition to the kit itself, since the women work from their own home, and the project requires no special storage or cooling facilities. The researchers found gross margins averaged 56%, and implicit wagesa means to estimate the value of laborequaled $2 per hour.

While that is a significant amount in rural Malawi, it doesn't mean the women can work eight hours a day at this wage. They need to adapt their production level to marketplace demands and time constraints. Still, the soy kit provides a good source of income that aligns with the greater goals of alleviating poverty and malnutrition in Malawi, Goldsmith concludes.

SIL is a USAID-funded initiative comprising an international team of soybean researchers, currently operating at 120 locations in 26 countries.

"We provide technical support to development organizations addressing poverty and malnutrition. We can serve as the technical backstop, helping to determine appropriate ways to solve problems. This is what SIL and the University of Illinois do really well," Goldsmith explains.

He also credits Maggie Mzungu, Charity Kambani, and Elizabeth Venable of the Feed the Future Malawi Agriculture Diversification Activity with helping to roll out the soy kit project and collect data on the ground in Malawi.

Explore further Soybean Innovation Lab provides knowledge that assists soybean production in Africa

More information: Chungmann Kim et al, The Economics of the Soy Kit as an Appropriate Household Technology for Food Entrepreneurs, Food and Nutrition Bulletin (2021). Chungmann Kim et al, The Economics of the Soy Kit as an Appropriate Household Technology for Food Entrepreneurs,(2021). DOI: 10.1177/0379572120981183
Jemma Wadham beneath the ice at the entrance of the Finsterwalderbreen in Svalbard, in the Norwegian High Arctic. Credit: Jon Ove Hagen

"We are sleepwalking into a catastrophe for humanity. We need to take notice right now. It is already happening. This is not a wait-and-see situation anymore," says Professor Jemma Wadham. She has recently published "Ice Rivers" a fascinating story about the state of the glaciers in a warming climate, and a personal memoir.

The catastrophe Wadham is seeing unfold is the rapid melting and demise of our planet's glaciers. A demise that will cause global humanitarian crises, if not halted: 70 per cent of fresh water on Earth is locked up in glaciers. As glaciers melt, due to normal seasonal variations, they supply water to millions of people in the high mountains. But this source will slowly diminish as glaciers shrink irrevocably due to global warming, says Wadham.

Mountain glaciers and the Greenland and Antarctic Ice Sheets are melting at accelerating rates and in some cases exceeding what most alarming predictions could foresee. But this will have impacts beyond rising sea levels, involving shifts in ocean food webs, fisheries, and potentially the release of the potent greenhouse gas methane from the guts of ice sheets, all with impacts on Earth's carbon cycle.

Jemma Wadham is one of the world's foremost experts in glaciology, the scientific study of everything ice. She has spent 25 years researching the majestic but dwindling ice coversfrom glaciers in fiords of Svalbard archipelago in Arctic Norway, to Antarctic giants.

An urgency brought upon by illness

Many high profile scientific publications resulted from this dangerous labor, informing the scientific community of the state of the natural world facing global warming.

But it was a growth in her brain that provided an added sense of urgency for Wadham, and a need to communicate her knowledge to a much broader audience: In 2018, while on her way home from fieldwork in South America, she blacked out feeling excruciating pain in her head. Emergency surgery revealed a benign cyst, the size of a tangerine, which was removed from her head. Even though the growth was non-cancerous, it was life-threatening. When faced with their mortality, people often adjust and focus on their perspectives.

Jemma Wadham's focus turned to communicate cutting edge science to the public with a deeply felt personal hope that it would inform good decisions to be made for our planet's future.

"Every fraction of degree which we manage to not warm the atmosphere can make a difference for our glaciers and the benefits they provide to us," she says.

Wadham decided to write a book of memoirs, "Ice Rivers," a personal and passionate recollection of her own life and relationship with glaciers, released by Penguin on May 6th. The manuscript took only seven weeks to draft and is both an inspiring, humorous, and ambitious book.

Jemma Wadham at Kvalya close to the Arctic scientific hub in Troms, Norway. Credit: Private/Jemma Wadham.

'I was fascinated by ice'

About her decision to do her Ph.D. on Svalbard, Wadham writes: "I remember some family members being rather suspicious when I announced that I would be embarking on a three-year doctorate on glaciers: 'Why on Earth would you want to be stuck in the freezing Arctic on top of a block of ice? You hate the cold!' (Fair pointI do.) 'And is that really a fitting career path for a woman, among all those men?' Yet to become a glaciologist was almost an instinctive choice to meI loved the wilderness and freely roaming mountains, I was fascinated by ice, and my ambitions to date had been to become a farmer, an agricultural mechanic or a forest rangernone of which had gone down very well. My school had refused me work experience in the sixth form because they didn't regard farming as a respectable career for a girl; while other pupils swanned off to swanky offices in London, I'd simply stayed at home, a misfit with limited prospects. When the University of Bristol offered me a Ph.D. place to study glaciers in the High Arctic, I was elatedmaybe there was hope for me after all."

Jemma Wadham is currently the director at the renowned Cabot Institute for the Environment at the University of Bristol and adjunct professor at CAG Centre for Arctic Gas Hydrate, Environment and Climate. But she has always been fascinated by "what lay 'North" and is soon shifting her main focus from the UK to become a full-time professor at CAGE's home institution, UiT the Arctic University of Norway in Troms.

New frontiers in the Arctic

She fell in love with the mountainous island of Kvalya during visits to the Arctic city of Troms over many years, but her primary motivation is yet again to push the frontiers of our understanding of the glaciers.

"In 2015, we found that rivers issuing from the margin of the Greenland ice sheet were supersaturated with the gas. High concentrations have also been found in other glacier rivers, a subglacial lake in West Antarctica and even the dirty layers of ice cores. In deep parts of ice sheets, we worry that methane might be stored in its solid form, methane hydrate. As climate change thins ice sheets, this could be released as gas."

"The jury is still out on whether glacier methane is a whiff of something small or something world-changing for our climate, but, regardless, we need to find out if we are going to halt global warming."

Explore further Life in the deep freeze: The revolution that changed our view of glaciers forever

Provided by UiT The Arctic University of Norway
Close Up of The Allen Coral Atlas Platform Showing Bleaching in New Caledonia on 5/29/21. Credit: Allen Coral Atlas

The current prognosis for our world's coral reefs is bleak. With ever warming, more polluted and acidic oceans, models predict that 70% to 90% of coral reefs will be lost by 2050. To date, there has not been a global system in place to monitor coral reefs under the stresses that may lead to their deaths. But scientists now have a tool to monitor the global health of coral reefs, bringing new hope to conservation efforts.

Today, the Allen Coral Atlas released the world's first, real-time, satellite-based global coral reef bleaching monitoring system. Combined with the Atlas' reef extent and composition maps, scheduled for completion in July, the full suite of mapping and monitoring tools of the Allen Coral Atlas Monitoring System provides a comprehensive and unprecedented picture of changes to coral reefs over time, giving scientists, decision and policymakers and the reef management community critically important information urgently needed for rapid response and conservation.

"Our ability to monitor changes in coral reef conditions has always been a clear but challenging requirement to drive decisions on where to apply our best restorative and protective strategies," said Professor Greg Asner, managing director of the Allen Coral Atlas, and director of Arizona State University's (ASU) Center for Global Discovery and Conservation Science. "The new Atlas Monitoring System is a major step in our effort to bring eyes to the reef at a global scale and yet with extraordinary detail needed for progressive reef interventions."

The satellite eyes on the world's reefs detect variations in reef brightness by using high-resolution satellite imagery powered by an advanced algorithm indicating whether reefs are under stress or resilient to marine heatwaves. Researchers, conservationists, policy-makers and others who use the monitoring system platform can observe where corals are bleaching throughout the world, ranging from no bleaching to severe.

Allen Coral Atlas Platform Showing Bleaching in New Caledonia on 5/29/21. Credit: Allen Coral Atlas

"This monitoring capability will help us to see, for the first time, where and to what extent coral bleaching is likely to be occurring as well as where it isn't bleaching so we can identify resilient reefs," commented Paulina Gerstner, program director for the Allen Coral Atlas. "The system is the outcome of years of effort involving our ecologists, remote sensing scientists, software engineers and many others."

ASU's Center for Global Discovery and Conservation Science successfully piloted a beta version of the Atlas Monitoring System in Hawaii during the 2019 Pacific Ocean heatwave. The beta version revealed bleaching "hotspots'' spread across the Hawai`ian Islands that went undetected by more traditional field-based methods. This provided greater context for understanding the progression of coral bleaching and helped to target mitigation efforts to reduce secondary stressors on threatened corals. Studies have shown that if secondary stressors are reduced before, during and after bleaching events, corals are more likely to survive.

The beta version also allowed Asner and his team to identify hardier heat-resistant coral species for use in future coral reef restoration efforts. As ocean warming events are more likely to become much more frequent due to climate change, the Atlas' ability to provide full coverage of coral disturbance in real-time will play a key role in helping conservation scientists and policy-makers to better identify declining species and scale-up restoration efforts where they are needed.

"It's important for people to understand that this is just the first global version of our monitoring system. We intend to improve and expand it to include a broader range of impacts on reefs such as land-sea pollutants and sediments," said Asner. "This first, truly global reef monitoring system is simply a drop in the bucket for what is to come."

Explore further Location and extent of coral reefs mapped worldwide using advanced AI
Capturing bees. Credit: Emily May

During a 15-year study of wild bees visiting blueberry fields during their blooming season, researchers caught an unexpected glimpse of how extreme weather events can impact bee populations highlighting the need for more long-term studies, says a Michigan State University researcher.

"There are few bee studies in the U.S. that have sampled bees for many years at the same location," said Rufus Isaacs, a professor in the Department of Entomology within the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources, "There are even fewer that use the same methods over more than a decade."

The research was published May 8 in the journal Agriculture, Ecosystems and Environment.

Isaacs worked with Kelsey Graham, a former postdoctoral researcher who is now with the U.S. Department of Agriculture-Agricultural Research Service. Graham collected bees during the last sampling period and combined data from two former MSU students into the analysis.

During the study, bees were sampled during three separate periods in May and June during 2004-2006, 2013-2014 and 2017-2018. The bees were collected using brightly colored bowls full of soapy water located at 15 farms across southwest Michigan. Different bee species are active at different times of the year, nest in different places (in the ground or in the stems of plants) and have different host plants.

This study looked at a specific slice of the bees who were active during May-June and visited blueberry bushes while they were blooming. To the researchers' surprise, the very warm spring and hot summer of 2012 provided a unique opportunity to see how bee populations responded and recovered to the extreme weather event in subsequent years.

"The very advanced spring in 2012 was so unique, and flowers were open when the frosts came in April and May" Isaacs said. "This wasn't what we were trying to study but this helps explain the patterns we found."

The study captured 162 species or 35% of the bee species in Michigan from 2004-2018. The team saw a 61% decline in the number of bees between the first and second sampling periods, because of extreme warm temperatures in spring 2012. The freeze damaged flowers bees need for food. Some bee species recovered, but others such as the blueberry specialist bee, Andrena carolina, displayed a dramatic decline and slow recovery in the third sampling period.

"We also looked at the use of pesticides and found that the environmental affects had a bigger impact on the bee population," Isaacs said. "We were fortunate to combine the work of three separate projects for this analysis. If you only look at the short periods of time, you might come to different conclusions, but long-term over multiple samples we can see the bigger trends."

This study highlights the need to develop programs that monitor wild bees across the United States since they are important to food systems. "Our data will contribute to the national efforts to understand how to protect these beautiful and essential insects," Isaacs said.

More information: Kelsey K. Graham et al, Resampling of wild bees across fifteen years reveals variable species declines and recoveries after extreme weather, Agriculture, Ecosystems & Environment (2021). Kelsey K. Graham et al, Resampling of wild bees across fifteen years reveals variable species declines and recoveries after extreme weather,(2021). DOI: 10.1016/j.agee.2021.107470
B:2020 20210519 16:51:00  :B:2020

:B:2020

Wafangdian Bearing Company Limited Announcement of



Resolution of 2020 annual shareholders meeting







The Company, all the members of the Board of Directors,hereby guarantee the truth, accuracy and

completeness of the information disclosure, no any false records, misleading statements and major missing

contents.







I. Important notes



a. The notification of the meeting has announced on the Securities Times, Hongkong Commercial

Daily and the http//www.cninfo.com.cn published on April 27, 2021.



b. No rejection proposals situation occurred during the meeting.



c. No adding and change of the proposals situation occurred during the meeting.



II. Information of the meeting



1) Time



a):On-site meeting:14:30 P.M ,May19,2021



b): Internet polling: The specific time for online voting through the trading system of the Shenzhen

Stock Exchange is 9:159:25, 9:3011:30 a.m. and 1:00-3:00 p.m on May 19, 2021; The specific time

for online voting through the shenzhen stock exchange's Internet voting system is 9:15-15:00 on May 19,

2021.



2) On-site meeting Place: 1004 meeting room at ZWZ Group headquarter



3) Way of meeting: on-site votes plus network polling



4) Convener: Board of directors of Wafangdian Bearing Co., Ltd.



5) Preside: Mr. Liu Jun



6) Holding of the meeting abides by the Company Law, Regulation of Listing of Stock and the

Articles of Association of the Company.



III. Attendance information



1) 2 shareholders (proxy) attended the meeting on behalf of 323,300,000 shares, which take

80.31% of the total voting shares. Of which 1 internal capital shareholder (proxy) attended the meeting on

behalf of 244,000,000 shares which take 60.61% of the total voting shares. 1 foreign capital shareholders

(proxy) attended the meeting on behalf of 79,300,000 shares, which take 19.70% of the total voting

shares





General instruction for the minority shareholders: 0 minority shareholders attend the meeting by

spot or network via trading system of Shenzhen Stock Exchange and internet poll system of Shenzhen

Stock Exchange with 0 shares.



a: 2 shareholders (proxy) attended the spot meeting on behalf of 323,300,000shares, which take

80.31% of the total voting shares.



b: 0 shareholders (proxy) vote through network trading system of Shenzhen Stock Exchange and

internet poll system of Shenzhen Stock Exchange on behalf of 0 shares.



2) Several directors, supervisors and top management as well as lawyer attend the meeting.



IV. Discussion of the proposal and the information of voting



(1)To deliberate the proposal on Election of the Director



The result of voting: 323,300,000 shares affirmative (Spot voting 323,300,000 shares affirmative

and internet polling 0 shares affirmative), which take 100% of the valid voting right held by the

shareholders who attended the meeting; 0 share opposed; 0 share waived.



244,000,000 internal capital shares affirmative, which takes 100% of the valid voting right held by

all the internal capital shareholders who attended the meeting; 0 share opposed;0 share waived.

79,300,000 foreign capital shares affirmative, which take 100% of the valid voting right held by all foreign

capital shareholders who attended the meeting,0 share opposed ; 0 share waived.



The minority shareholders (in addition to the company's directors, supervisors and senior

management personnel and other shareholders, alone or together hold more than 5% of the company's

shareholders) voting for: 0 share agree ;0 share opposed;0 share waived.



Voting result: approved.



(2)To deliberate Directors Report of 2020



The result of voting: 323,300,000 shares affirmative (Spot voting 323,300,000 shares affirmative

and internet polling 0 shares affirmative), which take 100% of the valid voting right held by the

shareholders who attended the meeting; 0 share opposed; 0 share waived.



244,000,000 internal capital shares affirmative, which takes 100% of the valid voting right held by

all the internal capital shareholders who attended the meeting; 0 share opposed;0 share waived.

79,300,000 foreign capital shares affirmative, which take 100% of the valid voting right held by all foreign

capital shareholders who attended the meeting,0 share opposed ; 0 share waived.



The minority shareholders (in addition to the company's directors, supervisors and senior

management personnel and other shareholders, alone or together hold more than 5% of the company's





shareholders) voting for: 0 share agree ;0 share opposed;0 share waived.



Voting result: approved.



(3) To deliberate Report of Supervisory Committee of 2020



The result of voting: 323,300,000 shares affirmative (Spot voting 323,300,000 shares affirmative

and internet polling 0 shares affirmative), which take 100% of the valid voting right held by the

shareholders who attended the meeting; 0 share opposed; 0 share waived.



244,000,000 internal capital shares affirmative, which takes 100% of the valid voting right held by

all the internal capital shareholders who attended the meeting; 0 share opposed;0 share waived.

79,300,000 foreign capital shares affirmative, which take 100% of the valid voting right held by all foreign

capital shareholders who attended the meeting,0 share opposed ; 0 share waived.



The minority shareholders (in addition to the company's directors, supervisors and senior

management personnel and other shareholders, alone or together hold more than 5% of the company's

shareholders) voting for: 0 share agree ;0 share opposed;0 share waived.



Voting result: approved.



(4) To deliberate Profit Distribution Plan of 2020;



The result of voting: 323,300,000 shares affirmative (Spot voting 323,300,000 shares affirmative

and internet polling 0 shares affirmative), which take 100% of the valid voting right held by the

shareholders who attended the meeting; 0 share opposed; 0 share waived.



244,000,000 internal capital shares affirmative, which takes 100% of the valid voting right held by

all the internal capital shareholders who attended the meeting; 0 share opposed;0 share waived.

79,300,000 foreign capital shares affirmative, which take 100% of the valid voting right held by all foreign

capital shareholders who attended the meeting,0 share opposed ; 0 share waived.



The minority shareholders (in addition to the company's directors, supervisors and senior

management personnel and other shareholders, alone or together hold more than 5% of the company's

shareholders) voting for: 0 share agree ;0 share opposed;0 share waived.



Voting result: approved.



(5)To deliberate Final Account Report (Audited) of 2020



The result of voting: 323,300,000 shares affirmative (Spot voting 323,300,000 shares affirmative

and internet polling 0 shares affirmative), which take 100% of the valid voting right held by the

shareholders who attended the meeting; 0 share opposed; 0 share waived.



244,000,000 internal capital shares affirmative, which takes 100% of the valid voting right held by





all the internal capital shareholders who attended the meeting; 0 share opposed;0 share waived.

79,300,000 foreign capital shares affirmative, which take 100% of the valid voting right held by all foreign

capital shareholders who attended the meeting,0 share opposed ; 0 share waived.



The minority shareholders (in addition to the company's directors, supervisors and senior

management personnel and other shareholders, alone or together hold more than 5% of the company's

shareholders) voting for: 0 share agree ;0 share opposed;0 share waived.



Voting result: approved.



(6)To deliberate Financial Budget of 2021



The result of voting: 323,300,000 shares affirmative (Spot voting 323,300,000 shares affirmative

and internet polling 0 shares affirmative), which take 100% of the valid voting right held by the

shareholders who attended the meeting; 0 share opposed; 0 share waived.



244,000,000 internal capital shares affirmative, which takes 100% of the valid voting right held by

all the internal capital shareholders who attended the meeting; 0 share opposed;0 share waived.

79,300,000 foreign capital shares affirmative, which take 100% of the valid voting right held by all foreign

capital shareholders who attended the meeting,0 share opposed ; 0 share waived.



The minority shareholders (in addition to the company's directors, supervisors and senior

management personnel and other shareholders, alone or together hold more than 5% of the company's

shareholders) voting for: 0 share agree ;0 share opposed;0 share waived.



Voting result: approved.



(7)To deliberate Annual Report 2020 and its Summary



The result of voting: 323,300,000 shares affirmative (Spot voting 323,300,000 shares affirmative

and internet polling 0 shares affirmative), which take 100% of the valid voting right held by the

shareholders who attended the meeting; 0 share opposed; 0 share waived.



244,000,000 internal capital shares affirmative, which takes 100% of the valid voting right held by

all the internal capital shareholders who attended the meeting; 0 share opposed;0 share waived.

79,300,000 foreign capital shares affirmative, which take 100% of the valid voting right held by all foreign

capital shareholders who attended the meeting,0 share opposed ; 0 share waived.



The minority shareholders (in addition to the company's directors, supervisors and senior

management personnel and other shareholders, alone or together hold more than 5% of the company's

shareholders) voting for: 0 share agree ;0 share opposed;0 share waived.



Voting result: approved.





(8)To deliberate About the company 2021 daily related party transactions estimated motion



The first shareholder of WBC is ZWZ Group, who held 244,000,000 internal capital shares abided

all the terms in accordent requirement all the items.The voting results of other shareholders:



79,300,000 shares affirmative(Spot voting 79,300,000 shares affirmative and internet polling 0

share affirmative), which take the 100% of the voting right held by non-associated shareholders who

attended the meeting, 0 share objected; 0 share waived.



The minority shareholders (in addition to the company's directors, supervisors and senior

management personnel and other shareholders, alone or together hold more than 5% of the company's

shareholders) voting for: 0 share agree; 0 share objected; 0 shares abstained.



The result of voting: approved.



(9) To deliberate on the proposal on the Proposed Renewal of Accounting Firm



The result of voting: 323,300,000 shares affirmative (Spot voting 323,300,000 shares affirmative

and internet polling 0 shares affirmative), which take 100% of the valid voting right held by the

shareholders who attended the meeting; 0 share opposed; 0 share waived.



244,000,000 internal capital shares affirmative, which takes 100% of the valid voting right held by

all the internal capital shareholders who attended the meeting; 0 share opposed;0 share waived.

79,300,000 foreign capital shares affirmative, which take 100% of the valid voting right held by all foreign

capital shareholders who attended the meeting,0 share opposed ; 0 share waived.



The minority shareholders (in addition to the company's directors, supervisors and senior

management personnel and other shareholders, alone or together hold more than 5% of the company's

shareholders) voting for: 0 share agree ;0 share opposed;0 share waived.



Voting result: approved.



(10) To deliberate on the proposal on Provision of Assets Impairment





The result of voting: 323,300,000 shares affirmative (Spot voting 323,300,000 shares affirmative



and internet polling 0 shares affirmative), which take 100% of the valid voting right held by the

shareholders who attended the meeting; 0 share opposed; 0 share waived.



244,000,000 internal capital shares affirmative, which takes 100% of the valid voting right held by

all the internal capital shareholders who attended the meeting; 0 share opposed;0 share waived.

79,300,000 foreign capital shares affirmative, which take 100% of the valid voting right held by all foreign

capital shareholders who attended the meeting,0 share opposed ; 0 share waived.



The minority shareholders (in addition to the company's directors, supervisors and senior





management personnel and other shareholders, alone or together hold more than 5% of the company's

shareholders) voting for: 0 share agree ;0 share opposed;0 share waived.



Voting result: approved.



(11) To deliberate on the proposal on adjust the Business Scope of the Company





The result of voting: 323,300,000 shares affirmative (Spot voting 323,300,000 shares affirmative



and internet polling 0 shares affirmative), which take 100% of the valid voting right held by the

shareholders who attended the meeting; 0 share opposed; 0 share waived.



244,000,000 internal capital shares affirmative, which takes 100% of the valid voting right held by

all the internal capital shareholders who attended the meeting; 0 share opposed;0 share waived.

79,300,000 foreign capital shares affirmative, which take 100% of the valid voting right held by all foreign

capital shareholders who attended the meeting,0 share opposed ; 0 share waived.



The minority shareholders (in addition to the company's directors, supervisors and senior

management personnel and other shareholders, alone or together hold more than 5% of the company's

shareholders) voting for: 0 share agree ;0 share opposed;0 share waived.



Voting result: approved.



(12) To deliberate on the proposal on Amend the Article of Association





The result of voting: 323,300,000 shares affirmative (Spot voting 323,300,000 shares affirmative



and internet polling 0 shares affirmative), which take 100% of the valid voting right held by the

shareholders who attended the meeting; 0 share opposed; 0 share waived.



244,000,000 internal capital shares affirmative, which takes 100% of the valid voting right held by

all the internal capital shareholders who attended the meeting; 0 share opposed;0 share waived.

79,300,000 foreign capital shares affirmative, which take 100% of the valid voting right held by all foreign

capital shareholders who attended the meeting,0 share opposed ; 0 share waived.



The minority shareholders (in addition to the company's directors, supervisors and senior

management personnel and other shareholders, alone or together hold more than 5% of the company's

shareholders) voting for: 0 share agree ;0 share opposed;0 share waived.



Voting result: approved.



(13) To deliberate on the proposal on Election of the Independent Director





The result of voting: 323,300,000 shares affirmative (Spot voting 323,300,000 shares affirmative



and internet polling 0 shares affirmative), which take 100% of the valid voting right held by the

shareholders who attended the meeting; 0 share opposed; 0 share waived.





244,000,000 internal capital shares affirmative, which takes 100% of the valid voting right held by

all the internal capital shareholders who attended the meeting; 0 share opposed;0 share waived.

79,300,000 foreign capital shares affirmative, which take 100% of the valid voting right held by all foreign

capital shareholders who attended the meeting,0 share opposed ; 0 share waived.



The minority shareholders (in addition to the company's directors, supervisors and senior

management personnel and other shareholders, alone or together hold more than 5% of the company's

shareholders) voting for: 0 share agree ;0 share opposed;0 share waived.



Voting result: approved.



V. Legal advices showed by lawyer



1) Name of the law office: Dalian Huaxia law office



2) Lawyer: Mrs. Bao Jingxin, Mrs.Liu Cuimei



3) Conclusion: The holding and convening of the shareholders meeting conforms to the relative

laws, rules and the Article of Association. The qualification of people who attended the meeting is legal

and valid. The voting procedure is legal and valid. The resolution of the meeting is legal and valid.



VI. Reference document



1) Resolution of 2020 annual Shareholders meeting



2) Law opinions report



3) Other documents required by SZSE.







Wafangdian Bearing Co. Ltd



Board of Directors



May19, 2021





 Wafangdian Bearing Company Limited Announcement ofResolution of 2020 annual shareholders meetingThe Company, all the members of the Board of Directors,hereby guarantee the truth, accuracy andcompleteness of the information disclosure, no any false records, misleading statements and major missingcontents.I. Important notesa. The notification of the meeting has announced on the Securities Times, Hongkong CommercialDaily and the http//www.cninfo.com.cn published on April 27, 2021.b. No rejection proposals situation occurred during the meeting.c. No adding and change of the proposals situation occurred during the meeting.II. Information of the meeting1) Timea):On-site meeting:14:30 P.M ,May19,2021b): Internet polling: The specific time for online voting through the trading system of the ShenzhenStock Exchange is 9:159:25, 9:3011:30 a.m. and 1:00-3:00 p.m on May 19, 2021; The specific timefor online voting through the shenzhen stock exchange's Internet voting system is 9:15-15:00 on May 19,2021.2) On-site meeting Place: 1004 meeting room at ZWZ Group headquarter3) Way of meeting: on-site votes plus network polling4) Convener: Board of directors of Wafangdian Bearing Co., Ltd.5) Preside: Mr. Liu Jun6) Holding of the meeting abides by the Company Law, Regulation of Listing of Stock and theArticles of Association of the Company.III. Attendance information1) 2 shareholders (proxy) attended the meeting on behalf of 323,300,000 shares, which take80.31% of the total voting shares. Of which 1 internal capital shareholder (proxy) attended the meeting onbehalf of 244,000,000 shares which take 60.61% of the total voting shares. 1 foreign capital shareholders(proxy) attended the meeting on behalf of 79,300,000 shares, which take 19.70% of the total votingsharesGeneral instruction for the minority shareholders: 0 minority shareholders attend the meeting byspot or network via trading system of Shenzhen Stock Exchange and internet poll system of ShenzhenStock Exchange with 0 shares.a: 2 shareholders (proxy) attended the spot meeting on behalf of 323,300,000shares, which take80.31% of the total voting shares.b: 0 shareholders (proxy) vote through network trading system of Shenzhen Stock Exchange andinternet poll system of Shenzhen Stock Exchange on behalf of 0 shares.2) Several directors, supervisors and top management as well as lawyer attend the meeting.IV. Discussion of the proposal and the information of voting(1)To deliberate the proposal on Election of the DirectorThe result of voting: 323,300,000 shares affirmative (Spot voting 323,300,000 shares affirmativeand internet polling 0 shares affirmative), which take 100% of the valid voting right held by theshareholders who attended the meeting; 0 share opposed; 0 share waived.244,000,000 internal capital shares affirmative, which takes 100% of the valid voting right held byall the internal capital shareholders who attended the meeting; 0 share opposed;0 share waived.79,300,000 foreign capital shares affirmative, which take 100% of the valid voting right held by all foreigncapital shareholders who attended the meeting,0 share opposed ; 0 share waived.The minority shareholders (in addition to the company's directors, supervisors and seniormanagement personnel and other shareholders, alone or together hold more than 5% of the company'sshareholders) voting for: 0 share agree ;0 share opposed;0 share waived.Voting result: approved.(2)To deliberate Directors Report of 2020The result of voting: 323,300,000 shares affirmative (Spot voting 323,300,000 shares affirmativeand internet polling 0 shares affirmative), which take 100% of the valid voting right held by theshareholders who attended the meeting; 0 share opposed; 0 share waived.244,000,000 internal capital shares affirmative, which takes 100% of the valid voting right held byall the internal capital shareholders who attended the meeting; 0 share opposed;0 share waived.79,300,000 foreign capital shares affirmative, which take 100% of the valid voting right held by all foreigncapital shareholders who attended the meeting,0 share opposed ; 0 share waived.The minority shareholders (in addition to the company's directors, supervisors and seniormanagement personnel and other shareholders, alone or together hold more than 5% of the company'sshareholders) voting for: 0 share agree ;0 share opposed;0 share waived.Voting result: approved.(3) To deliberate Report of Supervisory Committee of 2020The result of voting: 323,300,000 shares affirmative (Spot voting 323,300,000 shares affirmativeand internet polling 0 shares affirmative), which take 100% of the valid voting right held by theshareholders who attended the meeting; 0 share opposed; 0 share waived.244,000,000 internal capital shares affirmative, which takes 100% of the valid voting right held byall the internal capital shareholders who attended the meeting; 0 share opposed;0 share waived.79,300,000 foreign capital shares affirmative, which take 100% of the valid voting right held by all foreigncapital shareholders who attended the meeting,0 share opposed ; 0 share waived.The minority shareholders (in addition to the company's directors, supervisors and seniormanagement personnel and other shareholders, alone or together hold more than 5% of the company'sshareholders) voting for: 0 share agree ;0 share opposed;0 share waived.Voting result: approved.(4) To deliberate Profit Distribution Plan of 2020;The result of voting: 323,300,000 shares affirmative (Spot voting 323,300,000 shares affirmativeand internet polling 0 shares affirmative), which take 100% of the valid voting right held by theshareholders who attended the meeting; 0 share opposed; 0 share waived.244,000,000 internal capital shares affirmative, which takes 100% of the valid voting right held byall the internal capital shareholders who attended the meeting; 0 share opposed;0 share waived.79,300,000 foreign capital shares affirmative, which take 100% of the valid voting right held by all foreigncapital shareholders who attended the meeting,0 share opposed ; 0 share waived.The minority shareholders (in addition to the company's directors, supervisors and seniormanagement personnel and other shareholders, alone or together hold more than 5% of the company'sshareholders) voting for: 0 share agree ;0 share opposed;0 share waived.Voting result: approved.(5)To deliberate Final Account Report (Audited) of 2020The result of voting: 323,300,000 shares affirmative (Spot voting 323,300,000 shares affirmativeand internet polling 0 shares affirmative), which take 100% of the valid voting right held by theshareholders who attended the meeting; 0 share opposed; 0 share waived.244,000,000 internal capital shares affirmative, which takes 100% of the valid voting right held byall the internal capital shareholders who attended the meeting; 0 share opposed;0 share waived.79,300,000 foreign capital shares affirmative, which take 100% of the valid voting right held by all foreigncapital shareholders who attended the meeting,0 share opposed ; 0 share waived.The minority shareholders (in addition to the company's directors, supervisors and seniormanagement personnel and other shareholders, alone or together hold more than 5% of the company'sshareholders) voting for: 0 share agree ;0 share opposed;0 share waived.Voting result: approved.(6)To deliberate Financial Budget of 2021The result of voting: 323,300,000 shares affirmative (Spot voting 323,300,000 shares affirmativeand internet polling 0 shares affirmative), which take 100% of the valid voting right held by theshareholders who attended the meeting; 0 share opposed; 0 share waived.244,000,000 internal capital shares affirmative, which takes 100% of the valid voting right held byall the internal capital shareholders who attended the meeting; 0 share opposed;0 share waived.79,300,000 foreign capital shares affirmative, which take 100% of the valid voting right held by all foreigncapital shareholders who attended the meeting,0 share opposed ; 0 share waived.The minority shareholders (in addition to the company's directors, supervisors and seniormanagement personnel and other shareholders, alone or together hold more than 5% of the company'sshareholders) voting for: 0 share agree ;0 share opposed;0 share waived.Voting result: approved.(7)To deliberate Annual Report 2020 and its SummaryThe result of voting: 323,300,000 shares affirmative (Spot voting 323,300,000 shares affirmativeand internet polling 0 shares affirmative), which take 100% of the valid voting right held by theshareholders who attended the meeting; 0 share opposed; 0 share waived.244,000,000 internal capital shares affirmative, which takes 100% of the valid voting right held byall the internal capital shareholders who attended the meeting; 0 share opposed;0 share waived.79,300,000 foreign capital shares affirmative, which take 100% of the valid voting right held by all foreigncapital shareholders who attended the meeting,0 share opposed ; 0 share waived.The minority shareholders (in addition to the company's directors, supervisors and seniormanagement personnel and other shareholders, alone or together hold more than 5% of the company'sshareholders) voting for: 0 share agree ;0 share opposed;0 share waived.Voting result: approved.(8)To deliberate About the company 2021 daily related party transactions estimated motionThe first shareholder of WBC is ZWZ Group, who held 244,000,000 internal capital shares abidedall the terms in accordent requirement all the items.The voting results of other shareholders:79,300,000 shares affirmative(Spot voting 79,300,000 shares affirmative and internet polling 0share affirmative), which take the 100% of the voting right held by non-associated shareholders whoattended the meeting, 0 share objected; 0 share waived.The minority shareholders (in addition to the company's directors, supervisors and seniormanagement personnel and other shareholders, alone or together hold more than 5% of the company'sshareholders) voting for: 0 share agree; 0 share objected; 0 shares abstained.The result of voting: approved.(9) To deliberate on the proposal on the Proposed Renewal of Accounting FirmThe result of voting: 323,300,000 shares affirmative (Spot voting 323,300,000 shares affirmativeand internet polling 0 shares affirmative), which take 100% of the valid voting right held by theshareholders who attended the meeting; 0 share opposed; 0 share waived.244,000,000 internal capital shares affirmative, which takes 100% of the valid voting right held byall the internal capital shareholders who attended the meeting; 0 share opposed;0 share waived.79,300,000 foreign capital shares affirmative, which take 100% of the valid voting right held by all foreigncapital shareholders who attended the meeting,0 share opposed ; 0 share waived.The minority shareholders (in addition to the company's directors, supervisors and seniormanagement personnel and other shareholders, alone or together hold more than 5% of the company'sshareholders) voting for: 0 share agree ;0 share opposed;0 share waived.Voting result: approved.(10) To deliberate on the proposal on Provision of Assets ImpairmentThe result of voting: 323,300,000 shares affirmative (Spot voting 323,300,000 shares affirmativeand internet polling 0 shares affirmative), which take 100% of the valid voting right held by theshareholders who attended the meeting; 0 share opposed; 0 share waived.244,000,000 internal capital shares affirmative, which takes 100% of the valid voting right held byall the internal capital shareholders who attended the meeting; 0 share opposed;0 share waived.79,300,000 foreign capital shares affirmative, which take 100% of the valid voting right held by all foreigncapital shareholders who attended the meeting,0 share opposed ; 0 share waived.The minority shareholders (in addition to the company's directors, supervisors and seniormanagement personnel and other shareholders, alone or together hold more than 5% of the company'sshareholders) voting for: 0 share agree ;0 share opposed;0 share waived.Voting result: approved.(11) To deliberate on the proposal on adjust the Business Scope of the CompanyThe result of voting: 323,300,000 shares affirmative (Spot voting 323,300,000 shares affirmativeand internet polling 0 shares affirmative), which take 100% of the valid voting right held by theshareholders who attended the meeting; 0 share opposed; 0 share waived.244,000,000 internal capital shares affirmative, which takes 100% of the valid voting right held byall the internal capital shareholders who attended the meeting; 0 share opposed;0 share waived.79,300,000 foreign capital shares affirmative, which take 100% of the valid voting right held by all foreigncapital shareholders who attended the meeting,0 share opposed ; 0 share waived.The minority shareholders (in addition to the company's directors, supervisors and seniormanagement personnel and other shareholders, alone or together hold more than 5% of the company'sshareholders) voting for: 0 share agree ;0 share opposed;0 share waived.Voting result: approved.(12) To deliberate on the proposal on Amend the Article of AssociationThe result of voting: 323,300,000 shares affirmative (Spot voting 323,300,000 shares affirmativeand internet polling 0 shares affirmative), which take 100% of the valid voting right held by theshareholders who attended the meeting; 0 share opposed; 0 share waived.244,000,000 internal capital shares affirmative, which takes 100% of the valid voting right held byall the internal capital shareholders who attended the meeting; 0 share opposed;0 share waived.79,300,000 foreign capital shares affirmative, which take 100% of the valid voting right held by all foreigncapital shareholders who attended the meeting,0 share opposed ; 0 share waived.The minority shareholders (in addition to the company's directors, supervisors and seniormanagement personnel and other shareholders, alone or together hold more than 5% of the company'sshareholders) voting for: 0 share agree ;0 share opposed;0 share waived.Voting result: approved.(13) To deliberate on the proposal on Election of the Independent DirectorThe result of voting: 323,300,000 shares affirmative (Spot voting 323,300,000 shares affirmativeand internet polling 0 shares affirmative), which take 100% of the valid voting right held by theshareholders who attended the meeting; 0 share opposed; 0 share waived.244,000,000 internal capital shares affirmative, which takes 100% of the valid voting right held byall the internal capital shareholders who attended the meeting; 0 share opposed;0 share waived.79,300,000 foreign capital shares affirmative, which take 100% of the valid voting right held by all foreigncapital shareholders who attended the meeting,0 share opposed ; 0 share waived.The minority shareholders (in addition to the company's directors, supervisors and seniormanagement personnel and other shareholders, alone or together hold more than 5% of the company'sshareholders) voting for: 0 share agree ;0 share opposed;0 share waived.Voting result: approved.V. Legal advices showed by lawyer1) Name of the law office: Dalian Huaxia law office2) Lawyer: Mrs. Bao Jingxin, Mrs.Liu Cuimei3) Conclusion: The holding and convening of the shareholders meeting conforms to the relativelaws, rules and the Article of Association. The qualification of people who attended the meeting is legaland valid. The voting procedure is legal and valid. The resolution of the meeting is legal and valid.VI. Reference document1) Resolution of 2020 annual Shareholders meeting2) Law opinions report3) Other documents required by SZSE.Wafangdian Bearing Co. LtdBoard of DirectorsMay19, 2021
Greece, which is heavily reliant on tourism, has already lifted quarantine restrictions for the U.S., Britain, Israel, and other non-EU countries as negotiations between governments and EU lawmakers to introduce COVID-19 certificates aimed at facilitating travel across the region this summer continue. A deal is required by end of the month to ensure the system will be up and running by the end of June.
The airline said it cut its core cash-burn rate to $6 million a day in April and now expects to lose between $1 million and $3 million a day in the April-through-June quarter. That is $1 million better than a previous forecast. It expects to reach break-even in June, excluding debt service, capital spending and some other costs.
" " Daniel Humm, chef at the world-renowned Eleven Madison Park in New York City, stunned many when he announced he was reopening the three-Michelin-starred restaurant in June with a plant-based- only menu. Sebastian Nevols

In a move that surprised many, Daniel Humm, chef of New York City's Eleven Madison Park, announced he's changing the restaurant's menu to one that is all plant-based. The three-Michelin starred restaurant, considered one of the best in the world, is also thought to have enormous influence on what happens in the restaurant industry.

Ruth Reichl, the former editor of Gourmet magazine, told The New York Times that she believed Humm's decision could have potential to shape the future of the American restaurant scene similar to how Alice Waters and Chez Panisse in Berkeley, California, forged the farm-to-table movement in the late '70s.

So what sparked this change and is the U.S. at the tipping point of a veganism movement?

Advertisement

Where's the Beef?

Why Eleven Madison Park and why now? Humm's announcement came after the restaurant has been shuttered for more than a year because of the COVID-19 pandemic. The move might seem risky for a restaurant made famous by its lavender honey duck and butter poached lobster. But Humm said in a statement on the restaurant website that the new plant-based menu "[will] not use any animal products  every dish is made from vegetables, both from the earth and the sea, as well as fruits, legumes, fungi, grains and so much more."

The change seems to have been inspired by Humm's work with Rethink Food, a nonprofit that provided food for New Yorkers over the last 15 months and helped keep some of his staff employed during the pandemic. But the refocus also is Humm's way of making less of an impact on the environment.

"We have always operated with sensitivity to the impact we have on our surroundings, but it was becoming ever clearer that the current food system is simply not sustainable, in so many ways," the statement says.

While Eleven Madison Park may be one of the most prominent restaurants to go totally vegan, it's not the only one in this plant-powered luxury dining movement. Several days after Humm's announcement, Michelin-starred Din Tai Fung said it too plans to add five plant-based dumpling dishes to all of its 13 U.S. restaurants to meet demand for fine dining vegan options.

Another influential chef, San Francisco's Dominique Crenn, already removed all meat from her restaurants in 2019. Crenn, who is the only woman in the U.S. to earn three Michelin stars, still serves fish in her restaurants, but meat is off the menu.

"Meat is insanely complicated  both within the food system and the environment as a whole  and, honestly, it felt easier to just remove it from the menus all together," Crenn said in the 2019 announcement. "Local and sustainable fish and vegetables are just as, if not more, versatile  and delicious."

" " Dominique Crenn, the only female chef in the U.S. to earn three Michelin stars, decided to remove all meat from her restaurants' menus in 2019, though her menus still include seafood. Daniel Zuchnik/Getty Images for NYCWFF

Advertisement

Removing Beef Is a Bold Move

Lizzy Freier, senior research manager at Technomic, Inc., a foodservice industry research firm, tracks menu trends in the restaurant industry. She says it's always hard to tell how decisions like these will impact the foodservice industry as a whole.

"What we do know is that younger consumers especially have been pushing for more sustainable actions from restaurants, and offering vegan fare is definitely a step in that direction," Freier says via email. "However, because so few consumers do actually identify themselves as vegan (2 percent), this is a bold move for sure. It will be interesting to see how the rest of the industry reacts."

However, Freier acknowledges that 42 percent of consumers eat vegetarian/vegan fare once a week compared to just 34 percent of consumers who said the same in 2018, according to Technomic's Center of the Plate: Seafood & Vegetarian Consumer Trend Report. "As plant-forward ingredients continue to move into the mainstream, consumers are likely to be more accepting of new vegan proteins, including vegan eggs, ribs, hot dogs, breakfast sausages, pizza toppings and 'pigless' bacon," she says.

Most vegans, vegetarians and even pescatarians are already familiar with myriad ways to use plants to replace beef in their foods. Ingredients like cashews, almonds, oats, mushrooms, cauliflower and jackfruit are all adaptable vegan and vegetarian options.

Freier says restaurant operators are working with suppliers and manufacturers to add these plant-based proteins to their menus. She says she thinks one of the most interesting to look out for on mainstream restaurant menus could be the banana blossom. "It's a Southeast Asian flower that blooms on the end of banana clusters," she says. "Its chunky, flaky texture makes it an appealing substitute for fish."

" " Michelin-starred Din Tai Fung is famous for its dumplings and recently announced it is expanding its menu to include five vegan offerings. South China Morning Post/South China Morning Post via Getty Images

Advertisement

Sustainability Is the Reason

While it's hard to say what the impact of Michelin-starred restaurants like Eleven Madison Park, Din Tai Fung and Atelier Crenn could be on other restaurants, what does seem certain is their reason behind the decision; it's about sustainability as well as supporting the vegan lifestyle.

And it's not just restaurants that are 86ing meat. In a move that stunned a lot of fans, the editors of Epicurious, Conde Nast's flagship food magazine, announced April 26, 2021, it would no longer publish new beef recipes, articles or newsletters. The decision, the editors said in an online statement, isn't anti-beef, it's pro-planet.

"We know that some people might assume that this decision signals some sort of vendetta against cows  or the people who eat them. But this decision was not made because we hate hamburgers (we don't!). Instead, our shift is solely about sustainability, about not giving airtime to one of the world's worst climate offenders," the Epicurious statement says.

Of course, it will take a lot more than tweaking a few menus and one editorial mission to make a dent in the way we eat, but these could be major first steps toward taking veganism mainstream.

" " Dishes like this gnocchi with artichokes and herbs that made Eleven Madison Park famous are off the menu. For now, its plant-based items only. The Washington Post/Contributor/Getty Images

Now That's Crazy According to the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, 15 percent of greenhouse gas emissions globally come from raising livestock; 61 percent of those emissions are from beef.
Its interesting, she said. Youve got these two long-standing brands that grew up providing services and evolving services over time. Now were in a new world  whether you want to call in post-pandemic or mid-pandemic or something else. Its a new world. And this is the time to do things in a different way. Im glad the Y is seeing the opportunity to bring in perspective and leadership that can do things in a different way.
Palestinian resistance is one of the most just causes in the world. The latest round started April 12th when Israeli occupiers began their latest attempt to restrict Muslims in Jerusalem, an effort to Judaicize the city.

This is not a conflict or a border dispute or a tribal or religious issue but rather the modus operandi of the settler-colonial system.

Bombing civilian neighborhoods, shooting unarmed protesters, and lying is characteristic of all European colonial power encounters with indigenous.

This was true in South Africa under apartheid and in the U.S. after Spanish and British colonization, and it is true in Palestine under Jewish Zionist colonization.

The colonizer-colonized dynamic explains why illegal Israeli settlements keep encroaching on Palestinian land, why the Jewish National Law (2018) affirmed that Jews have the right to self-determination, but Palestinians do not, and why Israel welcomes Jews anywhere in the world to settle in Israel, but denies Palestinians the right to return to their own lands.
Update: 19-05-2021 | 16:20:36

State President Nguyen Xuan Phuc on May 19 offered incense and flowers to late President Ho Chi Minh at Ho Chi Minh Museum in Ho Chi Minh City as the country is celebrating the late leaders 131st birthday (May 19), and 110 years since he left Nha Rong Wharf, starting his journey to search for ways to save the nation.

State President Nguyen Xuan Phuc offers incense to late President Ho Chi Minh

President Phuc also offered incense to late President Ton Duc Thang, one of the pioneers in the workers movement and proletarian revolution in Vietnam. Like Ho Chi Minh, Ton Duc Thang dedicated his whole life for the revolutionary cause of the Vietnamese people.

The State leader visited a photo exhibition on President Ho Chi Minh in cinematography.

The same day, Phuc and Ho Chi Minh City leaders offered flowers at President Ho Chi Minh Statute Park on Nguyen Hue Street, District 1.

Ho Chi Minh, real name Nguyen Sinh Cung and also known as Nguyen Tat Thanh, Nguyen Ai Quoc, was born into a family of patriotic Confucian scholars in Nam Dan district, in the central province of Nghe An, on May 19, 1890.

The nation was then under the yoke of French colonialists, so as a child and youth, Thanh witnessed the suffering of his compatriots and the movement against the aggressors. He developed a strong will to expel the colonialists, secure the country's independence and bring about freedom and happiness for the people.

In 1911, at age 21, he decided to leave his homeland for France to learn about western countries.

In Sai Gon he found employment as a kitchen assistant on the French passenger liner Amiral Latouche-Treville. He received an employee card under a new name, Van Ba.

From 1912 to 1917, he travelled in many countries in Asia, Europe, the Americas and Africa where he lived among the working class. He sympathised profoundly with their misery as well as their aspirations. He realised early that the Vietnamese people's struggle for national liberation was part of a common struggle around the world.

At the end of 1917, he returned to France to continue activities for the movement of overseas Vietnamese and French workers.

In 1919, under the name of Nguyen Ai Quoc, and on behalf of patriotic Indochinese nationals in France, he sent a petition to the Versailles Conference, calling for freedom for the Indochinese people and colonised peoples in general.

President Ho Chi Minh led the country to success in its struggle for national independence. On September 2, 1945, he read the Declaration of Independence, proclaiming to the world the foundation of the Democratic Republic of Vietnam, now the Socialist Republic of Vietnam./.

VNA
The sprawling Palmer House in the Loop is accepting reservations beginning June 17 through Hiltons website, which also includes a message that mentions the reopening date. In an email to the Tribune the hotel declined to confirm the reopening date, saying only that Hilton was committed to working toward welcoming guests back, subject to business levels and applicable government regulations.
It also would deprive the government of money to spend, which fiscal conservatives especially ought to like (not that the federal government seems to worry much about balancing income with outgo, but state and local governments sure have to).

Thats why both Democrats and Republicans in the General Assembly ought to figure out a way to join together to have Virginia offer its own vaccine tax credit. If youre keeping political score, and we know some of you are, three of the four states we mentioned earlier have Republican governors. The mayor of Lancaster, California is also a Republican. Fishwick  a Democrat  appears to have had this idea first but it is Republican politicians across the country who are taking the lead in implementing incentives for vaccinations.

There are details to be worked out, of course. If wed had a vaccination tax credit in place from the beginning, the Department of Health could have given us the equivalent of a W-2 form to file with our taxes. Or we could just make a copy of our vaccination cards. Whatever. Like we said, a detail.

What might this cost? The census shows Virginias population is 8,631,393. The census further estimates that 78.2% of Virginias population is 18 and older  so thats 6,749,749 adults.
The battle for high-powered silicon between the video-gaming and cryptocurrency worlds spilled into the open on Tuesday, as chipmaker Nvidia intervened to prevent its most popular graphics cards being used for crypto mining.

The move was designed to ease an acute shortage facing video gamers and highlights the booming demand from cryptocurrency enthusiasts as prices spiked this year.

Nvidia said it was deliberately limiting the capabilities of its most popular video gaming cards to make them less useful for performing the calculations needed to validate transactions on the ethereum network.

Known as mining, this involves solving a complex problem in return for fractions of a token  something that has become increasingly attractive as prices of ether, the tokens used on the network, have soared.



Nvidias graphics processing units, or GPUs, were first designed to handle the demands of rendering video images in real time, a challenge given the large amount of data that needs to be processed simultaneously. The same technology has since been adapted to become the workhouse of artificial intelligence, one of the most data-intensive computing tasks, as well as crypto mining.

Despite leading to a surge in growth and profits, the crypto demand has created a problem for Nvidia because many of the most-dedicated video gamers who long made up its core customer base have been unable to buy the newest graphics cards.

Nvidias earnings have also become increasingly tied to the huge swings in cryptocurrency markets, resulting in a boom and bust when crypto price fell back from their last spike in 2018.

Limiting the use of graphics cards could also help push more crypto aficionados into buying a new family of chips that Nvidia launched earlier this year, known as Cryptocurrency Mining Processors.

Video gaming cards can be more easily adapted for mining ether than bitcoin, with the ethereum network accounting for about 90 per cent of crypto rewards that can be won using repurposed GPUs, according to Nvidia.

Nvidia faces a challenge in preventing crypto miners from using its gaming cards without pushing them away from GPUs altogether, said Patrick Moorhead, an analyst at Moor Insights & Strategy. Its handling of the shortfall so far suggests it has struck the right balance, he added.



Toms Hardware guide, which recently put different graphics cards through their paces, judged Nvidias RTX 3080 and 3090 the best by quite a large margin for mining tokens on ethereum. The price of the tokens soared nearly sixfold since the start of the year before a recent pull back, putting a total value of nearly $400bn on the total supply of the currency, or half that of bitcoin.

The company first acted earlier this year to limit the capacity of one of its cards, the RTX 3060. On Tuesday it said it was also limiting the latest 3080 and 3070 cards, which are aimed at the most serious gamers, as well as the latest version of the 3060.



Financial Times
CALmatters is a public interest journalism venture committed to explaining how California's state Capitol works and why it matters. Dan Walters has been a journalist for nearly 60 years, spending all but a few of those years working for California newspapers.
Thank you for reading!

Please log in, or sign up for a new account and purchase a subscription to continue reading.
" " TOMbags are totally reusable garbage bags that you don't have to toss in the landfill with your trash. TOMbags

Quick. Think about how many times your family takes out the trash each week. Two times? Three times? Now, multiply that number by 52 and you'll see why sustainability focused companies are keen to reduce the number of plastic garbage bags we fill with trash  and toss in the landfill  every day.

One such company is the Sydney, Australia-based TOMbag. Co-founded by Sasha Pestano, TOMbag provides an alternative to the single-use plastic and resource-heavy bio-plastic trash bags on the market. Sure, you've already bid farewell to plastic straws and water bottles, but have you considered the 100 or more bags you're literally tossing in the trash each year?

Advertisement

Pestano says Australians alone throw away an estimated 5 billion plastic bags per year, and the estimates in the U.S. are far higher. A November 2020 MRI Simmons/Statistica.com consumer survey estimated that around 53.6 million people in the U.S. used an average of 25 or more garbage bags a month. Reusable bags could make a huge difference.

TOMbags are made from recycled plastic, requiring no new materials. The bags are easy to clean in the laundry, though Pestano recommends replacing the bags every year. This could effectively reduce the per person, per annum usage to a respectable one.

But before you rush out to order a TOMbag (and they do ship outside of Australia), check with your local waste management company to see if it's OK to forgo the plastic bag and throw trash directly into the bin. We posed the question to waste management companies in California, Illinois and Maryland, and were told they all require bags; you could even face a fine if you leave the garbage bin for pickup full of loose trash. It's especially relevant in areas where containers are lifted and dumped by hand into the garbage trucks, rather than being flawlessly flipped by a machine each time.

That said, customers in states like Ohio, Texas and California have bought TOMbags, three states that aren't usually on the same page regarding sustainability regulations. Given that reusable trash bags are new to the U.S., many municipalities may not have a clear stance on the issue, so do your research before purchasing.

However, if your municipality allows it (or you just want to risk it), there are a few tips to know to make going bag-free a little easier. First, consider separating dry and wet waste. Many of the wet items you throw away are probably food waste, which can be composted or put in the garbage disposal instead. If you have to throw away something wet (coffee grounds, for example,) wrap it in something dry, like newspaper, before tossing it in the reusable bag.

When emptying the TOMbag into your primary pickup bin, consider lining the bin with newspaper or cardboard. That'll keep the bin cleaner and make it easier for your pickup crew to empty it.

Now That's Awesome Once your TOMbag has, well, lived its life, you can send it back via TerraCycle's Zero Waste Box system. Then TerraCycle will turn it into plastic granules to be repurposed and transformed into new products.
" " Israel's Iron Dome missile defense system (left) intercepts rockets fired by Hamas toward southern Israel in the northern Gaza Strip May 14, 2021. ANAS BABA/AFP via Getty Images

When Israel's Iron Dome missile defense system was unveiled in 2011, it was cutting-edge stuff, a state-of-the-art-of-war tool that virtually plucked incoming short-range rockets from the air before they could inflict any damage on their intended targets.

If the Iron Dome, 10 years later, is no longer the world's undisputed state-of-the-art missile defense system  America has, among others, the bigger THAAD (terminal high-altitude area defense) and Patriot systems, Israel boasts David's Sling, and there are others  it's still way up there, especially for shorter-range threats. It's become the most-used, most-combat tested and, as many suggest, most effective missile defense system in the world. Ever.

More than that, as the latest outbreak of violence between Israel and Palestine has shown  the militant group Hamas fired thousands of short-range missiles at Israeli positions beginning May 10, 2021  the Iron Dome has proven itself absolutely indispensable.

Advertisement

How the Iron Dome Works

The American defense company Raytheon, in cooperation with Israeli-owned defense contractor Rafael Advanced Defense Systems, builds the Iron Dome system. Here's how Raytheon describes the weapon:

Iron Dome detects, assesses and intercepts a variety of shorter-range targets such as rockets, artillery and mortars. It is effective day or night and in all weather conditions including low clouds, rain, dust storms and fog. It features a first-of-its-kind multi-mission launcher designed to fire a variety of interceptor missiles.

And here's Rafael's take:

IRON DOME Is a multi-purpose combat proven system that detects, assesses and intercepts incoming artillery such as: C-RAM [counter-rocket, artillery and mortar], Cruise Missiles, Precise Guided Missiles (PGM), UAVs [unmanned aerial vehicles, or drones], Air Breathing Threats (ABTs) and dense salvos.

Iron Dome consists of three main parts. A sophisticated radar that detects incoming threats. A control system developed by Israeli firm mPrest that takes the information from the radar, instantly analyzes it and computes next steps. And the mobile "firing units," each of which contains 20 Tamir rockets that intercept the incoming fire. Israel employs several of these batteries, which cover roughly 60 square miles (155 square kilometers) each and reportedly cost $10 million apiece.

What makes Iron Dome so effective is its ability to quickly detect what is a real threat (say, a rocket headed toward the heart of a city, a military base or a deployment of troops) and what isn't (say, a flock of birds or a rocket that is on trajectory to cause no harm), and then fire the Tamir interceptor rockets as needed.

According to Raytheon, Iron Dome is designed to detect threats from about 2.5 to 43.5 miles (4 to 70 kilometers) away. It does this, too, as Hamas often fires dozens and dozens of rockets at once ... in addition to mortar, other artillery and even drones.

" " Israel's Iron Dome defense system includes mobile "firing units," like this one launching a missile to intercept a rocket from the Gaza Strip May 17, 2021. Each mobile unit contains 20 Tamir rockets. AHMAD GHARABLI/AFP via Getty Images

Advertisement

Command and Control

"Arguably, one of the most impressive elements of this system is its command and control," says Ian Williams, a fellow in the International Security Program at the Washington-based think tank Center for Strategic & International Studies, and the deputy director of CSIS's Missile Defense Project. "These rockets move in very quickly. The engagement timeline, [when] you have to establish control and engage, is very short. It's seconds to minutes. And, also, it's not like these [rockets] come in in ones and twos. They come in in 10s and 20s and 30s or more."

The Tamir rockets, which travel at subsonic speeds (maybe a couple hundred miles per hour), are not guided by human hands. But they are equipped with all sorts of onboard sensors, including things like GPS and electro-optical sensors, and steering fins so that they can automatically adjust their paths en route to track down their prey. Their "fuze blast warheads" explode near the incoming targets (they're not designed to actually hit them, though it happens), destroying them in-air. "The idea is it will detonate the warhead," Williams says. "It doesn't obliterate the rocket completely. It kind of neuters it."

It's not always clean. Fragments from the airborne explosions sometimes cause damage as they return to Earth. But Iron Dome's record is impressive. Rafael claims a success rate of better than 90 percent.

" " Citizens take cover as Israel's Iron Dome defense system intercepts a rocket launched from the Gaza Strip, May 11, 2021. This type of psychological impact is considered a success by Hamas. JACK GUEZ/AFP via Getty Images

Advertisement

What the Iron Dome Doesn't Do

If Hamas or another of Israel's enemies were ever to launch a more potent missile, say a ballistic missile, Iron Dome is not equipped to handle that. Those missiles are bigger and faster, with longer and steeper trajectories. Iron Dome is specifically for shorter-range threats.

As many incoming missiles as Iron Dome can negate, there's some question, too, about its limits. But as long as someone is willing to sell (or give) Israel's enemies ammunition  Iran is a source  the rockets will be a threat and a resolution to the long-simmering conflict seems remote.

Hamas, considered a terrorist organization by many nations (including the United States), may see some long-term advantage in continuing its bombardments, too, despite the Iron Dome. Even though the rockets aren't particularly powerful, and even though maybe only 10 percent get through, that can be dozens, maybe even hundreds of threats Israel has to dodge over an extended conflict.

"The damage is cumulative," Williams says. "It's the volume of them that is the concern, certainly. The destruction of life in general. And just the psychological impact.

"If you read Hamas' and some of the Iranians' remarks and propaganda, they'll talk about the effects of it. They'll say, 'Oh we sent 3 million Israelis scurrying to their bomb shelters.' It's that kind of effect."

Whatever shortcomings it may have, though, the Iron Dome is undoubtedly successful at exactly what it was built to do.

NOW THAT'S INTERESTING Raytheon and Rafael are teaming up to bring an Iron Dome production facility to the U.S. And Raytheon, which supplies most of the components for Israel's Tamir rocket, is building a U.S. version of the Tamir, dubbed SkyHunter, for use at home and abroad by the U.S. and its allies. Some have suggested that the U.S. deploy its own Iron Dome in places in the Middle East, too, to protect its troops.
Shortly after I turned 18 in December of 1979, I marched myself down to the local firehouse down the street in Llanerch, Pa., and registered as a Democrat. In those days, nothing was done online, and it was a solemn moment when I signed the application and became a full member of civic society.

About 11 months later, I cast my first vote. It was for Ronald Reagan.

Pretty much every vote thereafter was cast for Republicans, but I remained a Democrat because I assumed it was part of my DNA and heritage. Party is good for slogans and lawn signs and talking points, but candidates are the ones who matter.

Or at least, used to matter.

In 2016, after 37 years of being a Democrat, I officially changed my registration to Republican so I could vote for John Kasich in the Pennsylvania primary. I remained a registered Republican for about three years, voting for Trump and Republican senatorial and congressional candidates until I became an Independent in 2019. There was just too much vitriol from both sides, and neither side wanted to own their guilt.
Too, the quality and commitment of the instructional staff, administrative leadership, support staff and parental involvement are imperatives for the best outcomes involving our children. When health issues such as COVID-19 hit our communities, those with lesser resources are particularly vulnerable to negative consequences.

Some of us have been around long enough to know that without federal intervention and assistance in some of our states, justice delayed is justice denied. Doing the right thing is always a matter of godliness, fairness, principles and truth.

Unfortunately, race is a major factor when it comes to politics. However, look at the composition of the 1954 Supreme Court when Justice Marshall successfully argued his case for the families. Let us examine the challenges of the 2020 presidential elections in the states of Arizona, Pennsylvania and Georgia. Elected officials stood for truth, democracy and principles, irrespective of race and demographics.

In spite of the efforts to suppress the voting rights of African American, Asian, Latino and other groups of important people, I have the audacity to believe that the conscience of those who fear God and respect His Commandments, will prevail in doing that which is Godly.
 Idaho delays scheduled execution for terminally ill condemned man to allow for commutation hearing | Main | "The Origins of the Superpredator: The Child Study Movement to Today" 

May 19, 2021

OG progressive prosecutor Larry Krasner wins big in Philadelphia DA primary

This week's primary election for Philadelphia District Attorney was reasonably seen as a kind of referendum on the progressive prosecutor movement. (See this AP piece, headlined "Prosecutors reelection pits reform against rising gun crime.") Larry Krasner is seeking a second term after pushing a wide array of criminal justice reforms during his first three years in office; former assistant DA Carlos Vega had the backing of the city's police as he sought to dislodge Krasner during the Democratic primary.

Some polling seemed to suggest this could be a close race, but tonight it appears that DA Krasner has secured the Democratic nomination by a wide margin (and thus all-but-certain re-election in a deep blue city). As of this writing (around midnight), this election website reports, with over 80% of the divisions reports, Krasner has roughly 65% of the vote to Vega's 35%.

UPDATE: This piece from The Intercept, headlined "Philadelphia District Attorney Larry Krasner Trounces Police-Backed Primary Challenger," provides lots of context, and I found these passages notable as DA Krasner considers his plans for the coming years:

Since his election in 2017, Krasner has become a symbol of the burgeoning movement to elect reform-minded prosecutors. Krasner has been kind of a model, said Scott Roberts, senior director of criminal justice campaigns at Color of Change, a racial justice group that supported several such prosecutors bids and endorsed Krasner. I cant tell you how many potential DA candidates I have talked to who lead with, Im going to be the Larry Krasner of fill-in-the-blank city. But Krasners election and the reforms he enacted as soon as he took office also sparked a fierce backlash  making him a national target for law enforcement groups and prominent Republicans. Former President Donald Trump, for example, claimed in 2019 that prosecutors in Philadelphia and Chicago have decided not prosecute many criminals who pose a threat to public safety. Krasners reelection bid came as an increase in gun violence in many U.S. cities  including Philadelphia  and calls to reduce the scope of policing prompted a return to tough-on-crime rhetoric and rebuke of reformist efforts. But other reform-oriented DAs in cities with considerable gun violence  like Chicagos Kim Foxx and St. Louiss Kim Gardner  recently won reelection bids despite sometimes vicious attacks on them. According to a recent poll by Data for Progress, many of the reforms Krasner enacted remain popular with voters in Pennsylvania. Sixty-four percent of people surveyed expressed support for limitations to the use of cash bail, 60 percent were in favor of the decriminalization of drug possession, 75 percent favored sentence reductions for good behavior, and 68 percent supported terminating probation when supervision is no longer needed. Just this week, a Philadelphia City Council committee advanced a measure outlining procedures for a new police oversight board that will go to a full council vote later this week  the result of years of organizing by local activists who have pushed to create a body with power and funding to hold police accountable for misconduct, with renewed energy after police met protests last summer with brute force. With all the noise that goes on, the attacks, what have you, we know that the agenda is still very popular, said Roberts. People want to see these prosecutors offices being focused on bringing down incarceration rates, and holding police accountable. And theyre actually looking for other solutions for violence, theyre not willing to buy into the narrative that they hear from police unions and conservative politicians.

May 19, 2021 at 12:02 AM | Permalink

Comments

Post a comment
3D-printed small toy figurines, a syringe and vial labelled "coronavirus disease (COVID-19) vaccine" are seen in front of India flag in this illustration

By Rupam Jain, Neha Arora and Krishna N. Das

NEW DELHI (Reuters) - India is unlikely to resume major exports of COVID-19 vaccines until at least October as it diverts shots for domestic use, three government sources said, a longer-than-expected delay set to worsen supply shortages from the global COVAX initiative.

The Serum Institute of India (SII), the world's biggest vaccine maker producing the AstraZeneca vaccine, responded by saying that it hoped to restart deliveries to COVAX and other countries by the end of this year.

"We would like to reiterate that we have never exported vaccines at the cost of the people of India and remain committed to do everything we can in the support of the vaccination drive in the country," SII said in a statement.

Battling the world's biggest jump in coronavirus infections, India halted vaccine exports a month ago after donating or selling more than 66 million doses. The move has left countries including Bangladesh, Nepal, Sri Lanka and many in Africa scrambling for alternate supplies.

The World Health Organization, which co-leads COVAX, on Monday called on vaccine makers outside India to advance supplies to the programme given the shortfall from the South Asian country.

The sources, who spoke to Reuters on the condition of anonymity as they were not authorised to talk to media on the subject, said India's vaccination drive will now take priority as its tally of coronavirus infections crosses 25 million and daily death toll hits a record high.

"We don't have to officially convey to all countries as we are not obligated to do," one of the sources said about the decision to hold back exports. "It was internally discussed and some countries were asked not to expect export commitments given the current Indian situation."

The source did not name the countries told about the delay.

The other two sources said the exact timing for resuming exports could change depending on how soon India is able to control the second wave of cases that has overwhelmed the health system.

Story continues

India's Ministry of External Affairs, which is coordinating and overseeing all vaccine exports, did not respond to a request for comment on the matter.

'TRULY DREADFUL WAVE'

SII had previously expected shipments to restart from June.

Asked about the October timeline, COVAX co-lead GAVI told Reuters at least 140 million doses it had expected from the Serum Institute by the end of May will now remain in India.

"As India confronts a truly dreadful wave of the pandemic, Indian vaccine production, including the 140 million vaccine doses initially destined for COVAX, have been committed to protecting its own citizens," a GAVI spokeswoman said in an email.

"We offer the government of India our full support in their effort to bring the virus under control and stand ready to help in any way we can."

COVAX has a deal with SII to deliver 1.1 billion doses of either the AstraZeneca or Novavax shots.

The head of UNICEF on Monday asked G7 countries to donate supplies to COVAX as an emergency measure to address a severe shortfall caused by disruptions to Indian vaccine exports.

UNICEF, which is helping supply COVID-19 vaccines through COVAX, estimates the supply shortfall at about 190 million by the end of June.

U.S. President Joe Biden said on Monday his country would export at least 20 million doses of the Pfizer/BioNTech, Moderna and Johnson & Johnson shots, on top of 60 million AstraZeneca doses he had already planned to give to other countries.

Biden's move came as WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus warned the world has reached a situation of "vaccine apartheid", calling on wealthier nations and vaccine producers to increase vaccine sharing.

(Reporting by Rupam Jain, Neha Arora, Krishna N. Das; Additional reporting by Sanjeev Miglani; Editing by Lincoln Feast and Raissa Kasolowsky)
Trains between Chicago and destinations in central and southern Illinois will return to full schedules July 19. That includes trains to St. Louis on the Lincoln service, which had been reduced to two round-trips daily; to Carbondale on the Illini and Saluki lines, which had been reduced to one round-trip daily; and to Macomb and Quincy on the Illinois Zephyr and Carl Sandberg lines, which had been reduced to one daily round-trip.
UNITED NATIONS  The United States opposes a draft U.N. Security Council resolution calling for a cease-fire in the conflict between Israel and Gazas Hamas rulers. The U.S. says it could interfere with the Biden administrations efforts to end the hostilities.
DETROIT  The archbishop of Detroit says face masks are no longer mandatory inside Roman Catholic churches in southeastern Michigan for people who have been vaccinated against the coronavirus.
GAZA CITY, Gaza Strip (AP)  Palestinians across Israel and the occupied territories went on strike in a rare collective protest Tuesday as Israeli missiles toppled a building in Gaza and militants in the Hamas-ruled territory fired dozens of rockets that killed two people.
De Witt said he spoke with the contractor for the lawns Tuesday afternoon. The contractor wants to see it looks nice and doesnt want to do it for free.

And I dont blame him, De Witt said.

Support Local Journalism Your membership makes our reporting possible. {{featured_button_text}}

The townships account is managed by First Security Bank, De Witt said. He also said the bank does not have Lillie as clerk in the financial records. Any payments also have to be verified by two trustees.

Along with no payments, a yearly budget has not been submitted. Gill said the office has sent three notices to Lillie and has not heard anything back. The budget was due in March.

The 2021 budget ending in June lists the fund balance at $27,961.

It raises more questions than answers, De Witt said.

According to the Iowa Code, De Witt said the county is required to take over the township until the problems are resolved.

We dont want to take over the township if we dont have to but Im starting to think we wont have a choice, he said. Were obviously going to have to find new trustees and figure out what the issue is with the current clerk.

De Witt said he has not been able to contact Lillie.
EXPLAINER: Why has the price of Bitcoin been falling?
WOODBINE, Ga. (AP)  The family of a Georgia woman killed by gunfire as sheriffs deputies executed a search warrant questioned Wednesday the way officers carried out the operation.

Latoya James, 37, was fatally shot on May 4 after Camden County deputies with a drug-related search warrant forced entry into a home at 4:51 a.m. that day. A man inside the house, Varshawn Lamont Brown, also was shot and hospitalized for his injuries.

The Georgia Bureau of Investigation is investigating, as is customary for shootings by law enforcement officers in the state. Two days after the shooting, the agency released body camera video that showed deputies announcing themselves at the home's darkened door, then immediately forcing their way inside.

Multiple gunshots are fired within seconds of the deputies entering the house. The deputy wearing the body camera was carrying a shield that obstructed much of the video. It doesn't show who opened fire, and neither James nor Brown can be seen in the three-minute clip.

This is the case of an unarmed Black woman being shot during a botched or a bogus search warrant, Malik Shabazz, an attorney for James' family, told reporters Wednesday at a news conference in Woodbine near the Georgia-Florida line.
Newman said Sanchez's settlement included mandatory training for jails and prisons and a policy that women in labor are to be taken to the hospital.

Currently, inmates cannot bring newborns back to their permanent facility and are not allowed visitors during their hospital stay. Newborn children are placed in the community based on a pregnancy plan, according to the bills fiscal note.

The bill would require the state's health department to institute a policy by 2022 that allows newborns to remain with their families for those who are in custody.

The Colorado Department of Corrections is not allowed to restrain inmates during labor and delivery, with an exception for wrist restraints if they pose an immediate and serious risk of harm to themselves or others, or pose a substantial escape risk, according to the fiscal note.

The bill would also require that the department and private prisons submit annual records about the use of restraints on pregnant women in their facilities and the number of births in their custody to the Legislature.

This is a health equity issue. But its also a health issue for all women in the state and all pregnant people in this state, Democratic Rep. Leslie Herod, one of the bills sponsors, said of the legislation.
BATON ROUGE, La. (AP)  After two votes and a slew of rewrites, a wide-ranging effort to restructure Louisiana's hunting and fishing licenses and boost fees charged on recreational and commercial license-holders won backing from the state House on Tuesday.

The Department of Wildlife and Fisheries is pushing the measure by Republican Rep. Tony Bacala to help raise millions more annually for the agency and fill some of its budget gaps. The proposal was initially estimated to raise more than $20 million a year, according to a nonpartisan financial analysis. But lawmakers made several changes on the House floor that would lessen the money raised.

The House initially voted 68-28 for the bill, but it needed 70 votes to pass. Fee increases require a two-thirds vote in the 105-member chamber. After Bacala agreed to a series of amendments that stripped out some fee hikes and lengthened the phase-in period for the changes, the chamber reversed course and approved the bill in a 79-20 vote. It heads next to the Senate for debate.
"Trump was trying to deport victims of domestic violence... and we cannot have a world where they are afraid to walk into a courthouse or afraid to seek help, Krasner said.

Vegas plans had included bringing federal law enforcement partners to the table to press what he says are a small number of people responsible for gun crimes. Vega, 64, wanted to create an earn and learn approach to supervision, where each benchmark a person earns would knock time off of his or her probation or parole.

The Fraternal Order of Police, Lodge 5 in Philadelphia had sunk more money and effort into unseating Krasner than perhaps any political race in recent memory, said Lodge President John McNesby. The group backed Vega and hammered home messaging that blamed rising homicides and gun violence on Krasner. On a recent sunny afternoon, McNesby handed out soft serve cones after parking a Mr. Softee ice cream truck in front of the district attorneys office with the message that Krasner is soft on crime.

Meanwhile, the Philadelphia chapters of the Guardian Civic League and Club Valiants  fraternal organizations representing Black and Latino police and firefighters  had endorsed Krasner for another term. The groups last year had fought with the larger police union and the local firefighters union over endorsements of former President Donald Trump, who they said supported racists and did not represent them.

Copyright 2021 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.

Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0
If I am a high school superintendent and we end up with some kind of outbreak, all my high schoolers are eligible for the vaccine, so this resolution ... the way its worded, would mean that my high schoolers would not be eligible for remote instruction because they were eligible for the vaccine, so even if it was a close contact ... because theyre eligible for the vaccine, they would not be eligible for remote learning? Leak asked.
Meanwhile, two separate questions seek to limit a governors emergency disaster declarations and put more power in the hands of lawmakers.

Republican lawmakers across the country are reeling in emergency powers that governors wielded during the COVID-19 pandemic, and Pennsylvania is in the unique position of being the first to take the question to voters.

Pennsylvania's questions, penned by Republican lawmakers, ask voters to end a declaration after 21 days and to give lawmakers the sole authority to extend it or end it at any time with a simple majority vote.

Current law allows a governor to issue an emergency declaration for up to 90 days and extend it without limit. The constitution requires a two-thirds majority vote by lawmakers to end the declaration.

Results for these amendments were still being tabulated early Wednesday morning.

Wolf, a Democrat, and his emergency disaster director have called the proposals reckless, political and a threat to a functioning society if it prevents a fast and wide-ranging response to increasingly complicated disasters.
I met with the governor's chief of staff several times, but not with the governor directly, added Wahls.

For them, it was another session of missed opportunities, such as the lack of legislative action to help the state recover from the health, educational and economic impact of the pandemic.

Throughout the session, Prichard and Wahls hammered Republicans for their lack of attention to the pandemic and the toll it has taken  and still is taking  on Iowans. Since the Legislature gaveled in Jan. 11, about 1,800 Iowans have died of COVID-19 related causes, he said.

Support Local Journalism Your membership makes our reporting possible. {{featured_button_text}}

What did this administration do? It played politics with the pandemic, Prichard said as representatives instead debated a ban on local governments, including schools, enforcing mask mandates.

Reynolds signed the ban on face mask mandates into law immediately after adjournment, making it state law by the start of the school day on Thursday.

A measure to ban school districts, cities and counties from enacting face mask requirements that go farther than the states policy was approved in the 11th hour Wednesday night.
Six men have been sentenced in federal court for their involvement in a Mexican drug-trafficking organization that did its business out of a South Omaha restaurant.

Authorities arrested eight men in July 2019 who they say were involved in a Mexican drug-trafficking organization out of El Catrin Restaurant at 6500 Railroad Ave.

In November 2017, the FBI began investigating a suspected drug-trafficking ring operating at the restaurant. From Nov. 1, 2017, to July 17, 2019, El Catrin, while operating as a restaurant with a bar, also served as a property where narcotics distribution occurred, according to a press release from acting U.S. Attorney Jan Sharp.

Several FBI confidential sources made numerous buys of cocaine from employees of El Catrin, according to the press release.

Ismael Zambrano-Tirado Sr., 48, was sentenced Monday to two years in prison followed by a one-year term of supervised release.

Santiago Garcia-Sanchez was sentenced Jan. 27, 2020, to three years and 10 months on each of his three counts of cocaine distribution, concurrent, to be followed by three years supervised release for each count.
The bill also calls for investments in what Reynolds called foundational priorities, many of them the same as the Democratic ideals Jacoby mentioned  child care, workforce housing, ending federal income tax deductibility and protecting COVID-19 relief payments from taxation.

Meanwhile, the Republican-majority Senate approved a $1 billion education budget, which represents a $24 million increase over the previous year. But Senate Democrats lamented the lack of any increase for the states public universities: the University of Iowa, Iowa State University and the University of Northern Iowa.

The public universities are three of the biggest economic engines in this state, Sen. Eric Giddens, D-Cedar Falls, said during debate. It were going to jump-start the Iowa economy, part of the answer is to attract and retain talent to this state.  The Legislature needs to step up.

Democrats proposed for the regents schools a 3.1 percent funding increase, which Democrats said matches the budgeted increase for community colleges and the same amount proposed by Reynolds. That proposed amendment was voted down by Senate Republicans.

HF 868 passed on a party-line 28-17 vote and returned it to the House, which concurred 54-35.

Also Tuesday, the House and Senate:
Then we reached a point where it was either we had to go and get the tractor, or it was probably going to be in such a horrific condition that we would not be able to bring it back, Vicars said. And so we were tossing ideas around, and I said, You know, we dont have the funds right now. We would have to do some kind of fundraising event to help collect some funds to do this. I said let me just put it out there on GoFundMe and see what happens. 

Vicars said Frerichs read an editorial about the project and called her to express his interest in funding the project in honor of his wife, Julia, who died in 2016. Julias first time sitting on a tractor was at the Frerichs family farm.

Vicars said it was because of Frerichs love for his wife and desire to do something in her memory that the Friends of Homestead was able to collect the majority of the funds needed to get the tractor.

Somehow, it connected for him, Vicars said. So what for us had been kind of a historical story, a preservation story about this tractor and the fact that it had spent years on this homestead in Alaska, and it became to some extent a love story.


Yankton Press & Dakotan. May 18. 2021.

Editorial: A Sudden Change In Mask Guidelines

As were all now realizing, shifting our lives from pandemic mode to something approaching a post-pandemic level is not as simple as turning a light back on in a darkened room.

A good example of this currently is the slate of changes proposed last week by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) regarding mask guidelines. The CDC is now declaring that people who are fully vaccinated no longer have to wear masks in indoor or outdoor settings.

That seems straightforward enough, but it has a lot of ramifications.

To say that the mask announcement came as a surprise appears to be an understatement. According to the Politico news website, the White House itself was given very little notice about the change in guidelines. There was also apparently very little warning or coordination with federal or state health officials, especially those who have been working with mask mandates and similar regulations to varying degrees.
KYIV, Ukraine (AP)  Thirteen people remained in detention in Belarus Wednesday after a popular news site was raided and blocked by authorities, according to the Belarusian Association of Journalists.
Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell said he will oppose legislation to create a commission on the deadly Jan. 6 insurrection at the U.S. Capitol, dealing its chances a major blow.
Pay Dirt is Slates new money advice column. Have a question? Send it to Athena and Elizabeth here. (Its anonymous!)

Dear Pay Dirt,

My partner is admittedly bad with money. Due to the pandemic, hes been out of work for a while and has been living off savings. I know he has debt, which hes looking to clear with some inheritance, but he wont tell me how this debt accrued. He was recently the victim of a scam that I tried to warn him about, but his desire to get out of his current situation overrode his best judgment, and he shut down my advice. Now hes a few thousand dollars down and devastated. We had talked about moving in together, but I recently also lost my job, and my trust in him and hope for our future have been shaken. He is an excellent partner in all other respectssupportive, loving, and exceptionally kind. How can I rebuild a more positive relationship around money with him? Is it wise to even consider moving in together?

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

Mistakes Happen

Dear Mistakes Happen,

Having debt is not a moral failing. It can be the result of bad decision-making, and thats something that you have to pragmatically consider. If your partner is bad with money, it means that he lacks a particular skill set that he can probably acquire. There are nonprofits that work specifically to help people out of debt, and I think its reasonable to suggest to your partner that he get some third-party help on this front. He doesnt have to deal with it by himself.

In the meantime, I think you have to be very honest with each other about what your financial situations are and how you see this playing out in the future. How does your partner plan to handle his debt? How do you plan to find a new job? These are issues you could be facing as a long-term couple anyway, and issues that a lot of long-term committed couples face unexpectedly. Look at this as a kind of blessing in disguise: Navigating these issues is incredibly tough, but you have an opportunity to do it upfront while youre still thinking about whether you want a future together. If you can figure out how to manage this, it bodes well for your long-term prospects.

Advertisement

Advertisement

That said, I think its hard to deal with several big decisions at once, and Id hold off on moving in together until you have some of this worked out. And by worked out, I dont mean youve solved the problem, but that you both have a plan to get to a place that makes you both comfortable. Cohabitating for the first time is exciting but also puts a lot of pressure on the relationship. If you can, wait until you feel good about your mutual financial struggles and your plans to address them before signing a lease with him.

Dear Pay Dirt,

My husband and I are DINKs with separate accounts. We put the same percentage of our paychecks toward family expenses like rent, food, savings, etc. For whats left, we each consider it our play money. Recently, my husband started making about three times what he used to make. We rearranged our bill structure for the sake of fairness, but now that he has more play money, hes spending most of it on marijuana and fireworks (both legal in our state). I was thinking he could put money back (with my unequal contributions) for a nice cruise or something, but no, hed rather get baked and launch mortar shells. This is inappropriate and unreasonable for a 50-year-old man, right? Do I have the right to try to steer him toward more reasonable ways of spending his play money?

Advertisement

Advertisement

Fireworks at 4:20

Dear Fireworks at 4:20,

I think if youve mutually decided that what you do with your discretionary spending is an independent choice you make, your husband is pretty much allowed to spend it on pot and explosives. It seems like you dont have any prior agreement to put your extra money toward something youre saving up for, so Im not sure you can change the terms because you dont like how your husband is spending his share. Would it make you feel better if he were spending it on something you think is more age-appropriate, but you still cant relate to? (First edition books, NFTs, obscure vinyl records?)

Advertisement

As is often the case, I dont think your discomfort is really with your husbands spending by itself. You ask if this is appropriate behavior for a 50-year-old man, and that seems to be whats really bothering you. Your columnist is in her mid-40s and knows many 50-year-old men for whom fireworks and weedhow do I put this?spark joy. But if you think this is a sign of something biggersay, a lack of maturity on his part or a misalignment of your mutual interestsyou should have a conversation about it. There are probably things you would enjoy doing together that would be equally fun for your husband and you could both contribute financially. Start there.

Advertisement

Get the Pay Dirt Newsletter Money advice from Athena and Elizabeth, delivered weekly. We encountered an issue signing you up. Please try again. Please enable javascript to use form. Email address: Send me updates about Slate special offers. By signing up, you agree to our Privacy Policy and Terms Sign Up Thanks for signing up! You can manage your newsletter subscriptions at any time.

Dear Pay Dirt,

My mother is single, in her mid-50s, and currently living with my grandmother who is in her 80s and (knock on wood!) in great health. A few years back, my mothers mental health took a rapid downward turn, which spurred erratic and irresponsible behavior including gambling, stealing money from family members, and losing track of her taxes and bills. She had debt collectors contacting her daily. She lost the successful business she had built from the ground up, her home, and every bit of her money. Eventually she turned to suicide. Thankfully, her attempts were not successful, and shes been able to take control of her emotions and has gotten back in most peoples good graces, even mine.

Advertisement

Mainly due to the gambling, she is in serious debt trouble. Because of this, she thinks she cant take a real job. She spends most days watching TV and hanging out with my grandma. The few jobs she has heldpart-time child care and cookingwere paid under the table. With what little shes made, she isnt saving a dollar toward the future. She often goes out to eat and (pre-COVID) to movies. When my grandmother passes (hopefully in many years, but still), she will lose the rental and be homeless. My husband and I have good jobs, but we also have a mortgage and a child. We have a 700-square-foot house. Ive told her that her financial status fills me with anxiety and dread, since I know I will be forced to take her in and/or pay for her needs. She swears shes never going to be my problem. I am feeling more and more resentful about a future that hasnt occurred yet. Am I wrong to be angry? Should I just accept my financial fate?

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

Mama Drama

Dear Mama Drama,

Your anger is understandable because you didnt ask for this situation. You have your own life, anxieties, and stressful expenses, yet your mother keeps behaving as if her money troubles are not your burden, when surely she knows they are.

But you have two problems: One is that your mother has some mental health issues, and it seems like theyre not being addressed. Shes an addict whos been suicidal before, and on top of that she seems unmotivated to do anything, which may indicate that shes depressed. And if so, it makes sense that shes going to do things like go out to eat and go to movies instead of save, because those are short-term distractions from her bigger problems. The second problem is that she seems to believe (and you seem to believe too) that her debt is preventing her from working, which I have to confess, I dont quite understand. If she has debt, its true that someone could garnish her wages, but that generally only happens as a last resort. Every debt collector has an incentive to work with people in debt. Theyd rather get a fraction of what your mother owes than nothing. If shes taking money under the table, shes probably afraid of the IRS, and thats unfortunate because the IRS gets a bad rap for no good reason. They are the most willing to work with people who want to pay and cant. Im sure all of this scares the daylights out of your mother, but its not an excuse for her not to work if she can.

Advertisement

So I think you can do two things here that would be helpful to both of you: get her counseling for the mental health issues she has, which will better equip her to face the reality of her debt, and help her make those first few phone calls to negotiate the debt down. It will give herand youconfidence that these problems are not insoluble and that you have a path forward that wont bankrupt either of you and will allow her to return to real work.

Dear Pay Dirt,

The disruption and the upending of the journalism landscape has me in a pickle: My favorite writer has a new gig. They now write a column under the banner of a respected large brand. The new writing is very good, and there are subscribe here links to pay for the excellent content. However, the writer also has a Substack newsletter. Now there are two potentially conflicting subscriptionsdirectly supporting the artist, or supporting the media behemoth and hoping it trickle-downs credit where the credit is due. Who should get my money?

Advertisement

Pay Up

Dear Pay Up,

Are you a friend of mine? I ask because I have a Substack and also write for media outlets, including this one. I also have many conflicting thoughts about this, because Im the former editor in chief of an under-resourced newspaper owned by an erstwhile senior White House adviser, and I teach a journalism graduate school class about media innovation, where we talk about these conflicts routinely.

Advertisement

So I think the answer depends on what you really want to support. Substack is great for niche experts (such as Bill Bishop, whose China Substack is one of its most successful) and people who write commentary. But Substack is not, for the most part, offering an alternative to the journalism that news organizations produce. Some of the reasons for this are technical: Investigative journalism is expensive, and the journalists need legal indemnification. But Substack is great for opinion writing.

Advertisement

In my experience, there is no trickle-down effect in news organizations in terms of salary. When your columnist was in her 20s, the only way to get a decent raise was to take a job at another organization, and thats still largely the case. Your subscription is probably not going to get your favorite writer a raise, though it might allow the organization to hire someone else whose writing you like. Substack revenues go directly to the writer. But the media behemoths do things that, at least right now, Substack cant possibly doand theyre crucial to the continued health of our democracy. We need people who do reporting to tell us whats really going on and to hold powerful people accountable. So theres value in supporting the behemoths even aside from your favorite writer.

Advertisement

Advertisement

Elizabeth

More Pay Dirt

I have a high-earning job but struggle with depression. I need to live with other people just for the social pressure of needing to shower. I own a three-bedroom, two-bath condo in the heart of downtown. One bedroom is my office. Yuli, who lives in the guest bedroom, came to me because a friend of a friend knew they were homeless, and I needed a roommate. We lived together for three years in harmony. I asked Yuli a third of what a roomshare goes for in our city because they are clean, a good cook, and understand when to press me to get me out of my head or to leave me alone.

Advertisement

Recently, my younger sister got tossed in the streets after her boyfriend bailed on rent. Her options are move home, where she hates our stepfather, move in the suburban hell with our sister and her babies, or stay with me. I offered to put her up free for six months on an air mattress in my room. She declined because she deserves her own space and wants my office. I start work at 5 a.m., and my sister is notoriously hard to wake up. The living room wouldnt work because my sister is a slob and it is the only communal space in the condo. My sister wants me to kick out Yuli for her. She says I owe her because I am her family, she is technically homeless, and Yuli is on a month-to-month lease with me. She says if she goes home, our stepfather will abuse hermeaning they will fight like cats and dogs. Our lives growing up were not easy and left scars, but am I wrong for not throwing Yuli under the bus for my sister? My sister makes me want to break out in hives, but she is my baby sister.
Earlier this year, UNCChapel Hills Hussman School of Journalism and Media announced that it had extended acclaimed journalist Nikole Hannah-Jones a position as its Knight chair in race and investigative journalism. Like other (though not all) Knight chairs at journalism schools around the country, this was to be a tenured position. On Wednesday, the website NC Policy Watch reported that the yearslong conservative war against Hannah-Jonespredicated chiefly on her leadership of the New York Times controversial 1619 Projectseemed to have succeeded in robbing her of tenure, along with all the job stability and protections for academic freedom that status entails.

Advertisement

This was a job with Nikole Hannah-Jones2003 alum of the Hussman School and recent winner of both the 2020 Pulitzer Prize for commentary and a MacArthur Genius Grantwritten all over it. But Policy Watch reported that, as the result of an apparent compromise between the universitys chancellor (who supported her appointment) and the board of trustees, Hannah-Jones will start in July but not with tenure. Shes been offered, instead, a five-year term, with a tenure review to take place at the end of that time. To other professors looking on, this was clearly chilling. Thats literally saying theyll tenure her if she behaves appropriately at UNC, rather than tenure her based upon her record as reviewed by peers, colleagues, academic supervisors, etc., noted journalism professor Michael Socolow on Twitter.

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

This isnt just a slight against Hannah-Jones personallythough that it most certainly is. The decision is a pointed demonstration of the UNCChapel Hill board of trustees control over the universitys faculty. The board has final say over who gets tenure, but usually rubber-stamps faculty decisions. In this case, the committee appointed to the taskaccording to Susan King, dean of the journalism school, in comments to Policy Watchreviewed Hannah-Jones package of tenure materials enthusiastically and supported the appointment fully. At UNCChapel Hill, previous Knight chairs have been appointed with tenure, and by all accounts, faculty expected this one to be no exception. Its disappointing, its not what we wanted, and I am afraid it will have a chilling effect, King said. Hussman School faculty, Hannah-Jones future colleagues, issued an outraged statement on Wednesday in which they called themselves stunned and described the failure to offer Hannah-Jones tenure as an act of unfairly mov[ing] the goalposts.

Advertisement

An anonymous trustee told Policy Watch that they could sum up the rationale behind the decision in one word: Politics. The word points to a much larger fight going on in the state around public higher education. Policy Watchs previous reporting on the Hannah-Jones situation found that since her appointment was announced in April of this year, officials at the university had been getting pressure from conservative groups to rescind it. Calling Hannah-Jones inflammatory and a firebrand activist, an unsigned editorial from one such group declared: UNC has once again reared its liberal head.

Advertisement

As Policy Watch pointed out, some of these conservative groups had financial ties to powerful GOP activists who have, in recent years, been appointed by the state legislature to the board of governors. The board of governors, the group that oversees the states public universities, was, to be clear, not the organization that forced the decision to amend the terms of Hannah-Jones position; that was the board of trustees at UNCChapel Hill. But the whole situation may have been the indirect result of a forbidding climate created by the board of governors, which seems to be finding new ways to exert control over what happens on individual campuses.

Advertisement

The board has been, for the past decade, on a right-wing mission. A trio of reporters at the Chronicle of Higher Education opened a September 2020 investigative piece about the rightward turn in public-college governance with the story of North Carolina. In 2010, Republicans took both chambers of North Carolinas General Assembly. Among other GOP agenda items, the legislators committed themselves to electing new members of the board of governors, thereby creating a governing board for the states university system that would lean far-right Republican. Over the past decade, the reporters wrote, even moderate board members and administrators, themselves loyal Republicans were purged or quit. New members, the three found through public-records requests, displayed standard-issue right-wing animus toward the supposed liberalism of higher education, writing emails to one another that described students as snowflakes, and cheering one another on in facing the dragon when dealing with left-leaning faculty members.

Advertisement

Advertisement

The state-level boards rightward turn has had consequences at Chapel Hill, even as the student body has increasingly pushed for racial equity and reckoning. 2015 saw the board-provoked shuttering of the universitys Center on Poverty, Work, and Opportunity, which was led by Gene Nichol, a law professor and outspoken critic of Republican politicians. (He was the dragon in question.) Also in 2015, the universitys board of trustees, when petitioned by students to rename the campuss Saunders Hall (which once honored alumnus and KKK leader William L. Saunders), agreedbut with the application of conditions that amounted to a clumsy compromise. They would rename the building Carolina Hall, not Hurston Hall, after Zora Neale Hurston, as students had wanted. They also put a 16-year moratorium on any further renaming decisions, a decree that saved the board from any further such fights, which might bring scrutiny from the board of governors. Finally, in 2020, a judge overturned the bizarre decision the board of governors made, after secret negotiations, to give the statue known as Silent Sam, toppled by students and activists in 2018, to the Sons of Confederate Veterans group, along with a $2.5 million trust earmarked to support the statues maintenance. Hannah-Jones tenure is, it seems, the latest casualty of this broader war.

Advertisement

Advertisement

The UNCChapel Hill board of trustees will hold a meeting on Thursday where, Policy Watch reports, the status of Hannah-Jones position may be a topic of discussion. Will the trustees change their minds on the decision, after seeing the outrage the Policy Watch reporting has inspired? As Alberto Cairo, a fellow Knight chair appointed at the University of Miami, described the decision on Twitter, this is just the latest skirmish in a reactionary, authoritarian, anti-intellectual uprising  at war with academia. Im pulling my contributions, tweeted Cynthia Greenlee, a historian and graduate of the Hussman School. Way to treat an alum.
Kramers estimate added another 30 million doses to the number of Johnson & Johnson doses that remain on hold because of regulatory concerns about the contamination at the plant. Federal officials had previously estimated that the equivalent of about 70 million doses of that vaccine  most of them destined for domestic use  could not be released until further tests are conducted for purity. The federal government has paid Emergent more than $271 million but U.S. regulators have not released a single dose of vaccine manufactured at Emergents plant for use by the American public.
Karen Hinton has spent most of her career as a communications strategist for politicians. Shes known New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo forever, having worked as his press secretary back when he was running President Bill Clintons Department of Housing and Urban Development. Cuomo has even called her part of my second family. The governor is now facing allegations that hes long fostered a toxic work environment, one that was especially hostile to women. Hes spent the last few weeks deflecting calls to resign, but a couple efforts have sprung up to try to hold him accountable: The state assembly is pushing forward on an impeachment investigation, and Cuomos own attorney general is looking into the allegations. Hinton has her own story of a past encounter with Cuomo that deeply affected herone she never told until recently, as other women came forward with theirs. On Wednesdays episode of What Next, I spoke with Hinton about her past associations with Cuomo, the accusations (including her own), and the way the governor wields power. Our conversation has been edited and condensed for clarity.

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

Mary Harris: At this point, there are more than 10 women, I believe, whove come forward and accused the governor of acting inappropriately toward them, doing everything from reaching under their blouse to asking about boyfriends. But Cuomos still in office. Do you worry hes going to get away with this?

Karen Hinton: Yes, I worry about it. Bill Clinton got away with it. I mean, he was impeached, but he now has one of the highest favorability ratings of sitting presidents. Former President Donald Trump also sidestepped the allegations against him.

If you were advising Cuomo right now, what would you be telling him?

I would tell him to resign.

It sounds like he doesnt really want that advice.

Advertisement

Absolutely not. He wants to ride it out, stick it out. Hes done that throughout his career, and hes following that path again.

You described a woman you worked with at HUD who told you she drew a curtain over her face when she came to work, and lifted it when she came home. It sounds like you had a similar feeling.

Yes. Most of the time I left angry and came back still angry. But I pushed through it. There were many things he did then and has done as governor that I value and I think are extremely vital, but that doesnt mean I excuse the other behavior. And thats why I have said what Ive said and written what Ive written, especially after I heard Charlotte Bennetts story [about alleged incidents of sexual harassment by Cuomo]. When she told that story, I was justI mean, I could believe it, but I was shocked. I never thought he would be that bold. Thats why I decided to talk to the Washington Post about my own experience.

Advertisement

Advertisement

I was doing some media work for Cuomo in 2000. I had left HUD, but he hired me as a consultant. He was out in California and did an event with the mayor of Los Angeles about a housing project. He asked me to get him some coverage. So thats what I did, with a bigger group of people who worked at HUD. We were all staying in the same hotel in L.A. The evening after the event, he called me and said, Why dont you come up to my room and lets talk about the press coverage and just catch up, because I had been away from Washington for almost a year by that point. When I traveled with him before, we did do meetings in his room. Sometimes it would just be me, but sometimes it would be with other people. That was normal.

Advertisement

I went up to his room but the door was open, wasnt locked. I walked in and the lights were dim. I thought that was strange because why would you dim the lights? He was sitting on a couch, I sat across from him on another couch, and we talked about the event. We knew each other well, but we talked about my marriage and at some point I thought we were talking too much personal stuff, and I was a little uncomfortable with the damn lights. I decided it was time to go. I stand up and he comes over and embraces me. I thought it was a bit too intimate, so I removed myself from the embrace

Advertisement

Advertisement

And youve said he was aroused as well.

Yes. He pulled me back and I just said, OK, this is not what I ever thought would happen I walked out and that was the end of it. We never talked about it. It never came up. I later told my second husband about it and I told a friend.

I was working for a PR firm in San Diego, so I had to keep my contacts in D.C., and I kept working with him. And I just didnt know what that incident was about: Was this a sexual advance, or did he just want to say no, no, we cant do this, and push me back himself? That way he had more control over me and what I would do going forward. Did he want to use it as a way to control me? Yes, hed done that before. Hed done that with other women. That was common.

Advertisement

What do you mean when you say that?

There was the flirting. There was a young staffer, very attractive, and Cuomo went through a period of time flirting with her. I saw it, others saw it, she began to feel like he cares for me, hes in love with me. Because of this, she ended a relationship with a man who had worked for Cuomo. This man, though, had left that job without Andrews permission, and Andrew was mad at him for leaving. So this was Andrews way of payback: Im going to flirt with your girlfriend just to make you angry because you left me. You abandoned me. That was typical.

Advertisement

How would you know that he was flirting with this girl as a way to get back at the boyfriend?

Advertisement

We eventually figured it out because we didnt think he would have any kind of relationship with her other than the flirtingit was about power and control. I had seen him do that with other women. He would give compliments, to me, to other women, about what we were wearing, how we looked, if we didnt have on the right makeup or enough of it. He might say, Oh, youre looking rough today. He would do these compliments and criticisms back and forth in order to keep you in the fold.

It sounds like youre saying that what you experienced with Cuomo was on another level of the messed-up gender dynamics in Washington. Is that how you would put it?

Absolutely. If you have a scale of 1 to 10, he was an 11. At some point, if you stay at it for a long time, you either have to leave or you have to enable him. And thats where he is now with his staff in the governors office.

Subscribe to What Next on Apple Podcasts

Get more news from Mary Harris every weekday.
This week, Politico reported that Florida Rep. Val Demings is planning to challenge Marco Rubio for his Senate seat in 2022. The 64-year-old Demings boasts an impressive resume and rose to national prominence during her three terms in the House, including from her role as the only non-lawyer on the House impeachment committee. Slate spoke with Sharon Wright Austin, a professor of political science at the University of Florida, and Aubrey Jewett, a professor of political science at the University of Central Florida, to learn what Demings needs to win in a Republican-controlled state. This interview has been condensed and edited for clarity.

Advertisement

What has been Demingss role in Floridas political landscape?

Jewett: She was very well known here in Central Florida, worked her way up through a career in law enforcement, and became the first Black female police chief of the Orlando Police Department. And, of course, she went on to run for a seat in Congress, and has won and been re-elected. If you look at her biography, she came up from a tough family background, in terms of economics. And so, shes really worked hard and has had a record of accomplishment in public service, the police department, and now in Congress.

Advertisement

Advertisement

Austin: [Her law enforcement role] was significant in the sense that there are not very many female chiefs of police, and there are even a smaller number of Black women serving as chiefs of police.  Shes a very outspoken congresswoman during the brief time that shes been there. Her name was mentioned as a possible running mate for Joe Biden before Kamala Harris was chosen, and she also has been mentioned as a possible gubernatorial candidate. Its obvious that her future is very bright.

Advertisement

How has her law enforcement position impacted the perception of her in Florida?

Jewett: I think her identity as a black woman [and] her career spent as the chief law enforcement officer for the city of Orlando have influenced her views quite a bit. And I think that has been a positive for her, politically.

Austin: There is a segment of Democratic voters who believe in defunding the police with all of the negative footage that youve seen about George Floyd, and Ahmaud Arbery in Georgia, and the other racialized crimes that have taken place in the nation. I think thats going to be something that some of her opponents might look at, her connection to the police as a former police chief, and think of that as a negative. But on the other hand, there are some people who understand the importance of the police. And despite what youve seen with Floyd and those types of racialized crimes, I think a significant number of people understand that the police are necessary, and they dont want to defund the police, and they dont agree with progressives who believe in those things. Those voters will probably look at her and see a law-and-order candidate. So really, it all depends on how her campaign portrays her police background.

Advertisement

Advertisement

Can Demings defeat Rubio?

Jewett: If Demings makes it to the general, shes got a shot. Florida is still fairly equally divided by party registration. And Demings does have a compelling personal story. I think she would also straddle more to the moderate wing of the Democratic Party and would certainly be able to give Rubio a battle. One might argue that shes got one of the better chances of Democrats running.

Austin: Shes going to be fighting a very uphill battle running against Rubio because its difficult to defeat an incumbent, first of all, and its difficult to defeat a U.S. Senate candidate because they tend to have a lot more name recognition and a lot more funds. Rubio has the support of the Republican Party. He hasnt done anything to make anybody angry, so hes going to get endorsements from Republicans. Unlike some other members of Congress who voted for Donald Trumps impeachment and offended people, Rubio has been just very allegiant to the party. But when Andrew Gillum ran for governor in 2018, no one expected him to have a realistic chance of even getting out of the primary, and he only lost by about 0.4 percent of the vote.

Advertisement

Advertisement

Its possible that she could put together the type of campaign that could really give him a competitive race. And it is possible that she could win. She has a popular approval rating in the state of Florida. She has a lot of people who have been asking her to run for higher office. She can get support from a broad array of voters across the state. I think that she could run a really good campaign.

What does she need to defeat Rubio?

Austin: Shes going to need money, and a lot of support from the Democratic Party in terms of resources. Shes going to need to have a very organized campaign because shes going to have to get volunteers to go knock on doors to mobilize peopleespecially to mobilize people on college campuses. Thats what Gillum was successful at doing.

Advertisement

I would say that the greatest obstacle is the lack of funding, because youre running against an incumbent who has a well-funded campaign, whos made a lot of connections and gotten a lot of donors over the years. Thats the main problem, and then also some Black women have said that theyve not gotten enough support from their political party.

Advertisement

This month, the Republican-controlled Florida legislature passed new voting restrictions similar to those passed in Georgia, and additional regulations have meant that 900,000 former felons in the state have yet to be enfranchised after their rights were restored in 2018. What role could these changes play in the 2022 campaign?

Jewett: Thats been a bit of a disappointment for progressives in the state [over felon voting rights], because they were hoping that they would be able to mobilize many former felons, get them to register, and get them turned out to vote. I think what Democrats have to do is just work within the confines of the new law [which requires former felons to pay all outstanding fines and fees before having their voting rights restored]. Theyll have to try to get more felons eligible by helping them pay off their debts, or by getting those debts waived.

Advertisement

On this new election reform bill, I will say that we dont 100 percent know which of the changes are going to be upheld in court.  When I look at these changes, I dont see a voting apocalypse, but it does put some hurdles up that may disproportionately impact minority and poor voters.

Advertisement

Advertisement

Austin: If its a close election it could really make a difference if people who are former felonsif theyre not able to vote, that could hurt her campaign. But then again, it could also hurt Rubios campaign, because we dont know that these people are Democratswe just assumed that they are.

There was talk of Demings running for Florida governor instead. Why do you think she chose the Senate?

Advertisement

Jewett: I expect that the two major decision points were, one, Which of these jobs could I have the most impact and be an effective leader: governor or Senate? Two, because its politics, Im sure another part of it was, Where do I think I have the best chance to win? Nobody wants to get into a race if they think theyre going to lose. They want to get in because they think they have a path to victory

As of this moment, I might agree that her skill set seems like it might be a better sell for a Senate race. Gov. Ron DeSantiss poll numbers have come back up over 50 percent after dropping during the pandemic, and hes always been fairly popular with the Republican base and the Trump base, and hes been getting a lot of national publicity. So the governors race might have been the tougher race right now.

Advertisement

Advertisement

Austin: I think that shes running for the Senate because shes been in the House and because she knows that most of the major decisions are made in the Senate. I think that that might have been something that might have influenced her, or she probably has been frustrated as a member of the House, where you can only do so much. There really is a need for the Democratsfor either partyto have a majority in the Senate, because if you have the Senate majority, then that really can determine whether or not laws are passed.

Also, it would benefit who whoever the Democratic candidate is in 2024whether it be Biden running for re-election or Harris or someone elsebecause Florida is a very important state, and if theres a Democratic senator replacing Rubio, that person would then be in a position to campaign for whomever the Democratic candidate is and maybe even tip the scales of Florida in favor of the Democrat.
Earths orbit is becoming something of a teenagers bedroom: Theres junk scattered about and no real plan to clean it up any time soon. The critical difference? The consequences of space junk go well beyond pests attracted by crumbs or the odor of unwashed laundry.

For decades, experts have been warning about the rise of space junk in Earths orbit. In the Space Age, there have been thousands of rocket and satellite launches, and not everything that goes up into orbit comes back down. (And as the Chinese space program recently reminded us, falling debris can also be concerning if improperly handled.) Now, thousands of dead satellites and thousands more small pieces of junk remain circling Earthall of which pose a significant threat to space infrastructure and could inadvertently take down satellite arrays if poorly managed.

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

Recently the problem has been getting worse.

The @Space_Station has maneuvered 3 times in 2020 to avoid debris. In the last 2 weeks, there have been 3 high concern potential conjunctions. Debris is getting worse! Time for Congress to provide @CommerceGov with the $15 mil requested by @POTUS for the Office of Space Commerce.  Jim Bridenstine (@JimBridenstine) September 22, 2020

Even objects just centimeters in size pose grave threats given the speed of objects maintaining orbit and the difficulty in tracking smaller pieces of junk. What was likely a speck of paint chipped multiple layers of the ISSs Cupola window back in 2016. It turns out that pretty much anything can be dangerous if it smacks into you at approximately 17,150 miles per hour.

Advertisement

Efforts to properly dispose of rockets and orbiterslike lowering the perigee (basically the point closest to Earth) of objects orbits through propulsion burns to allow for controlled burn-up upon atmospheric re-entrycould help to mitigate the growth of space junk. But very few actors have worked toward cleaning up existing junk. In fact, to date no space organization has successfully captured and disposed of an uncooperative object in orbit (that is, one in an unstable rotation). Current methods of orbital capture usually require intense control of both the capturer and the target object.

Advertisement

Thankfully, the European Space Agency is trying to establish a new scientific precedent with its ClearSpace-1 Mission. The missionformally announced in late 2020 in collaboration with ClearSpace SAwill launch in 2025 in an attempt to use an experimental capture system to remove a Vega Secondary Payload Adapter still in orbit from a 2013 mission. To that end, the ClearSpace start-up has recently founded a U.K. subsidiary to oversee the mission.

Advertisement

This is not the ESAs first attempt to clean up space junk. It also funded the 2018 RemoveDEBRIS test of a net apparatus, but it didnt actually clean up real space junk due to property rights under international law that states anything sent into orbit remains the property of the nation who launched it. The new effort is working to clean-up existing space debris, and since the ESA owns some space junk the ClearSpace-1 mission has the legal authority to do so. However, it is a relatively small and easy target to start the ESAs efforts, as the VSPA is nothing compared with the double-decker bus-sized Envisat which the ESA lost contact with in 2012.

Advertisement

Recently, private industry has undertaken missions to tackle space junk, but in fairly limited ways. In March, the Japanese-U.K aerospace company Astroscale launched ELSA-d, whose mission is to track a dummy satellite and eventually dispose of it. NEO-01, launched by Shenzen startup Origin Space in late April, intends to capture space junk via net and burn it through use of its propulsion system. ELSA-d, while great in theory, uses a magnetic system that could not be deployed on current junkonly to remove future satellites outfitted with the magnetic docking system from orbit. And NEO-01s net technology would be used predominantly for space mining operationsnot orbital cleanup.

Advertisement

Decluttering space will require much more. So, space organizationsboth commercial and nationalneed to join efforts to finally clean up their proverbial room of orbit. At the national level, major contributors to existing space junk like Russia, the United States, and China need to do more work including waste disposal missions of their own. Especially given the millions of dollars these projects will cost, international collaboration is a must. This collaboration must also include new diplomatic agreements banning the intentional detonation of satellites and other objects in orbitsomething both China and India have done in the past. These in-orbit explosions only multiply the number of pieces of space junk that existing satellite arrays must contend with.

At the corporate level, governments need to introduce market incentives for companies to clean up and minimize their contributions to space junk as well. This could take the form of financial responsibility for satellite accidents or annual fees for orbital use. Simply put, companies are not concerned with the costs their satellites impose upon space as a common resource. Without these incentives and renewed interest from international leaders in space exploration, space junk will continue to fester.

Future Tense is a partnership of Slate, New America, and Arizona State University that examines emerging technologies, public policy, and society.
When the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recently announced new guidelines that fully vaccinated individuals could now go unmasked indoors, I wanted to rejoice. After 14 months of masking, following rules, and waiting for a vaccine, its understandable that so many people would be happy about this news. Im happy for my friends back in the U.S. (Although Im a U.S. citizen and hope to visit home sooner rather than later, I currently live in Germany.) But I cant allow myself to get too excited, because I have chronic cancer.

Advertisement

In 2017, I was diagnosed with chronic lymphocytic leukemia. I was shockedthis was a disease that largely affects the elderly, and I was in my mid-30s and healthy. But I quickly learned that, to stay healthy, I would need to take extra precautions. I started wiping down my seat on airplanes and wearing a mask in crowded spaces long before it was cool. With those precautions, I continued to live a normal life until COVID-19 came along.

Advertisement

Advertisement

When the pandemic hit, I was terrified. For the first two months, I stayed home, only stepping outside with a neighbor and her dog. But eventually I had to traverse the city for a blood test. And the results were what I expected: I was due for treatment. And so, last summer, I spent three days a week taking public transit for treatment and follow-up blood tests. My oncologist encouraged me to wear a KN95 mask, and I did so diligently. But when it came to making other decisions about my safety, I was left to assess my own risk.

Advertisement

This is because the messaging around the virus in most countries has catered to the healthy among us. Those of us with chronic illness, and particularly cancer, have been told to simply stay at home, even during periods when transmission rates were low. The underlying message? Our lives dont count. Even now, there are few statistics to guide us in our decision-making, because we are not included in most research.

As my treatment began working and I started to feel well again, I was stuck in a constant state of fear and limbo. While in the before times I might have jumped on a plane with a weeks worth of medication, now I was left to perform complex risk assessments: Would it be safe to spend a couple of days in a friends apartment for the holidays if we both got tested? If I needed to go back home to the U.S. to visit my mother, would there be a safer way to do so? Should I yell at the guy on the train who removed his mask to make a phone call? Honestly, its been exhausting.

Advertisement

Advertisement

And so, for people like me, the CDCs latest announcement is bittersweet. The risks of COVID-19 for us are just so much higher: Not only are we more likely to catch the virus, because of our weakened immune systems, were also more likely to get seriously ill, be hospitalized, or die. Unfortunately, some of us are also less likely to mount a robust response to the vaccine, leaving us less or completely unprotected if we go without masks.

As Ive been tweeting about my concerns, some fully vaccinated people have been asking why they should have to continue masking, when theyre unlikely to pose a threat to my health. After all, the latest data shows that those vaccinated with the Pfizer/BioNTech or Moderna vaccinethe two most common shots in the United Statesare unlikely to transmit the virus to others. While thats great news, its not the whole picture.

Advertisement

First of all, we know that in the United States (and elsewhere), a large number of people have scoffed at mask mandates, with some even acting violently toward others. There are also plenty of individuals who refuse to get vaccinated. Together, those behaviors suggest that there are some unvaccinated people who will take the CDCs guidelines as a free pass to stop masking, putting the health of immune-compromised people (and children) at direct risk.

Advertisement

So, the logic goes, I should simply wear a mask myself. I plan to, but there are a couple of flaws with this line of thinking: We know that masks dont confer 100 percent protection, particularly to the wearer. Furthermore, with most businesses and workplaces not requiring proof of vaccination, this argument would mean that I would have to mask indefinitely.

Advertisement

Notably, a large number of epidemiologists seem to disagree with the CDC, with many expressing that they had expected masking to continue until herd immunity was reached. I worry that the CDCs decision was prompted by political and economic concerns, which have been at the forefront of the U.S. strategy to return to normal.

Here in Germany, where things are progressing a bit more slowly, were still required to wear masks indoors, and more specifically, we must wear KN95 or medical masksnot those cute but often useless cloth ones. I feel a bit safer here than I would in the U.S., and yet I worry that the CDCs global reach will have undue influence elsewhere, where other vaccineswhich may not confer the same level of protection as the mRNA vaccinesare in common use or vaccine supplies are too low to reach herd immunity.

Advertisement

So what should be done? I believe that public health authorities should consider the potential effect of behavioral guidance on vulnerable populations from the start. For one thing, we dont have statistics on how many people in the U.S. are actually immune-compromised, but given the fact that roughly 39.5 percent of Americans will be diagnosed with cancer in their lifetimes and that there are plenty of other conditions that affect the immune system, we very well might be the majority. At the very least, the unhealthy make up a healthy minority.

A strong democratic society should seek to protect its most vulnerable. And that protection shouldnt mean relegating us to our homes forever or forcing us to live our lives inside a bubble. Many people with cancer and other chronic conditions can increasingly lead full and fulfilling livesbut not if theyre constantly left to dodge unvaccinated anti-maskers. Thats why a strong public health strategy should operate on the principle of solidarity and recommendor better yet requirethat masks be worn until herd immunity is reached.

Future Tense is a partnership of Slate, New America, and Arizona State University that examines emerging technologies, public policy, and society.
Kosice Zoo welcomes a prickly new creature

The first North American porcupine and a few rare great hornbills become members of the animal family in Kosice.

Font size: A - | A +

The Kosice Zoo has welcomed a baby porcupine, a first in Slovakia. The cub named Hugo was born in April, the TASR newswire reported.

"The porcupine has very similar characteristics to a hystrix but is actually much closer to the guinea pig family," said zoologist Patrik Pastorek, as quoted by TASR. "Its quills are smooth with hooks at the ends. The porcupine also differs from a hystrix because it does not dig burrows. On the other hand, it has great skills when it comes to climbing."

Porcupines tend to be loners and look for shelter and food in trees. Their food includes buds, leaves, bark and flowers. Similar to guinea pigs, porcupines are born well developed with open eyes and fur. They weigh between 3.5 to 7 kilograms as adults and pregnancy lasts approximately 210 days, TASR reported.

Female porcupines give birth to one, rarely two offspring. The father of the porcupine in the Kosice Zoo comes from the zoo in Olomouc, while the mother was brought in from Miskovec in Hungary.

New hornbills also welcomed

Apart from the baby porcupine, the zoo is luring visitors with another new rare breed.

The Visayan Hornbill comes from the Philippines and is one of the most endangered species of hornbill in the world. The bird lives in untouched rain forests that are often ruined by people. That is one of the reasons why one of the species has gone extinct, TASR reported.

"You can distinguish between the female and male bird at first glance," said Pastorek, as quoted by TASR. "While females are all black, the males have a white and cream-colored head, along with the bottom part of their body. What's interesting about this bird breed is that besides fruit, it also eats ants."

A few new hornbills were brought to the Kosice Zoo from Prague. The Kosice Zoo is the only one to have this species.

19. May 2021 at 11:38 | Compiled by Spectator staff
Ageing will be costly for Slovakia, experts call for timely reforms

Expenses for pensions, health fees and caretakers will rise at one of the fastest rates in the EU.

Font size: A - | A +

Slovakia is expected to have the largest ageing-related expenses in the entire EU by 2070, analysts from the Institute of Financial Policy concluded based on current information from the European Commission on ageing populations.

Expenses for pensions, health care, caretaking and schooling will rise from 18.3 percent of the gross GDP in 2019 to 29.1 percent of the GDP in 2070, the analysts stated, as quoted by the TASR newswire. A wave of new reforms will inevitably be needed for public finances to shoulder the costs.

Pension expenses will rise the most

19. May 2021 at 11:33 | Compiled by Spectator staff
People receiving the Covid vaccine jab will receive a bilingual certificate

The certificates will be available also to people who have been already vaccinated.

Font size: A - | A +

Starting on Saturday, May 22, everybody receiving the Covid vaccine jab will receive a bilingual certificate.

Moreover, those who have already been vaccinated will be able to download the certificate from Korona.gov.sk from next Monday, May 24. There should be link on the website where they can fill in an email address to which a confirmation will be sent. Confirmations should be available for both the first and second jabs, Health Minister Vladimir Lengvarsky (OLaNO nominee) said.

These certificates are temporary and will be replaced with digital green passes, which will be issued starting June 26.

The decision comes after a discussion about vaccination certificates in Slovakia. As The Slovak Spectator reported earlier, the current documents people receive in vaccination centres are not the same, and some do not even have a stamp from the vaccination centre or a QR code. Moreover, they are in Slovak only, meaning that they cannot be accepted abroad.

The Foreign Affairs Ministry has been pointing out this problem since late December 2020, when vaccination against Covid started in Slovakia, as the ministry's state secretary (or deputy minister) Martin Klus said during a talk show broadcast by Radio Expres. He added that they were already asking at the time for the issuing of documents in at least two languages.

19. May 2021 at 11:26 (modified at 19. May 2021 at 13:43) | Compiled by Spectator staff
Ryanair will operate two new flights from Slovakia

Its summer schedule in Slovakia includes 55 flights per week across 21 routes.

Irish low-cost carrier Ryanair will launch two new flights from Slovakia. Both will depart from Kosice airport, one heading to Warsaw Modlin and the other to Liverpool.

The flights to Warsaw Modlin will operate three times per week, and those to Liverpool twice a week.

Both will be available from June.

Bratislava airport plans flights to several new destinations Read more

As vaccination roll-out programmes continue in the coming months, air traffic is set to soar and we are delighted to announce our expanded Summer 2021 schedule from Slovakia, with two new ones from Kosice to Warsaw Modlin and to Liverpool, Ryanairs Commercial Director Jason McGuiness said.

Its summer schedule in Slovakia includes 55 departing flights per week across 21 routes. These include flights from Bratislava airport to popular holiday destinations in Spain, Greece and Bulgaria.

Flights from Bratislava and Kosice Ryanairs Bratislava Summer 21 schedule delivers: 44 departing flights per week

17 routes

Flights to holiday hotspots such as Palma, Malta, Corfu and Malaga

City breaks to popular European destinations including London, Milan and Brussels. Ryanairs Kosice Summer 21 schedule delivers: 11 departing flights per week

4 routes

Two new routes to Liverpool (2pw) and Warsaw Modlin (3pw)

City breaks to popular European destinations including London and Prague.

19. May 2021 at 11:29 | Compiled by Spectator staff
Everybody can now receive the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines

The ministry has scrapped the age limits entirely.

Font size: A - | A +

Our paywall policy: The Slovak Spectator has decided to make all the articles on the special measures, statistics and basic information about the coronavirus available to everyone. If you appreciate our work and would like to support good journalism, please buy our subscription. We believe this is an issue where accurate and fact-based information is important for people to cope.

The registration website for vaccination now offers the vaccines by Moderna and Pfizer/BioNTech to all age categories.

Until now, these vaccines had been only available to the age group 35+, with Pfizer/BioNTech also administered to people aged 16 and 17, while people younger than 35 but older than 18 were supposed to be administered the AstraZeneca vaccines. However, the Health Ministry suspended the administration of the first AstraZeneca shots, referring to a lack in supplies.

Those waiting for the second AstraZeneca shot should receive it, the ministry has promised.

Currently, there are 215,000 people in the waiting room for the Covid vaccine jab, and the biggest interest is in the Bratislava Region.

The Health Ministry is working on a system where it will be possible to choose the vaccine, including the unregistered Sputnik V. This should be put into operation on June 1.

Read more about vaccination in Slovakia:

19. May 2021 at 11:28 | Compiled by Spectator staff
Situation keeps improving, two districts placed in yellow tier

There should be some changes to the alert tier system again.

Font size: A - | A +

Two districts will be moved to the yellow tier of the Covid automat warning system next Monday, May 24, resulting in even more relaxed anti-pandemic measures. The change concerns the districts of Hlohovec and Topolcany.

Our paywall policy: The Slovak Spectator has decided to make all the articles on the special measures, statistics and basic information about the coronavirus available to everyone. If you appreciate our work and would like to support good journalism, please buy our subscription. We believe this is an issue where accurate and fact-based information is important for people to cope.

Another 17 districts will be in the orange tier, 47 in the light red tier and 11 in the red tier. Two districts, Myjava and Sobrance, will remain in the dark red tier.

The epidemiological situation is meanwhile improving, with the number of patients using artificial lung ventilation dropping below 100. About half of the hospital beds for Covid patients are now occupied, according to Matej Misik, head of the Institute for Health Analyses (which runs under the Health Ministry).

The map of districts from May 24, 2021. (Source: Health Ministry)

Covid automat to change

Respirators will not be obligatory in some districts. Cabinet approves new Covid alert system Read more

Speaking to journalists on May 19, Economy Minister Richard Sulik (SaS) said that the Covid automat alert system will soon change again. It was changed only last week.

The Health Ministry hosted a meeting on May 18, where the representatives of coalition parties and health experts discussed the potential changes, Health Minister Vladimir Lengvarsky (OLaNO nominee) said.

The changes should bring more liberties to people who have been vaccinated, he said, without revealing more details.

Vaccination improves

Nearly 1.5 million people have received at least the first vaccine shot, and nearly 700,000 have been administered the second jab as of May 18.

The most vaccinated people are in the age group 70-80 years, accounting for 64 percent. Of the population that is entitled to the vaccination, 30 percent have been vaccinated.

The rate of vaccinated people (based on their resident address). (Source: Health Ministry)

The most vaccinated people are in the districts of Bratislava, Banska Bystrica, Kosice, Presov and Zvolen.

Around 200,000 people are currently waiting for their vaccination appointment in the virtual waiting room.

Tiers of districts starting May 24 Districts at Warning Level 3 (dark red) Myjava  Sobrance Districts at Warning Level 2 (red) Banska Stiavnica  Bardejov  Brezno  Krupina  Kysucke Nove Mesto  Presov  Revuca  Ruzomberok  Sabinov  Skalica  Turcianske Teplice Districts at Warning Level 1 (light red) Banovce nad Bebravou  Banska Bystrica  Bytca  Cadca  Detva  Dolny Kubin  Galanta  Gelnica  Humenne  Ilava  Kezmarok  Komarno  Kosice I-IV  Kosice-okolie  Levice  Levoca  Lucenec  Malacky  Martin  Medzilaborce  Michalovce  Namestovo  Nove Mesto nad Vahom  Pezinok  Piestany  Poltar  Poprad  Povazska Bystrica  Puchov  Rimavska Sobota  Senica  Snina  Spisska Nova Ves  Stara Lubovna  Stropkov  Svidnik  Trebisov  Trencin  Trnava  Tvrdosin  Velky Krtis  Vranov nad Toplou  Zilina  Zvolen Districts at Alert Level 2 (orange) Bratislava I-V  Dunajska Streda  Liptovsky Mikulas  Nitra  Nove Zamky  Partizanske  Prievidza  Roznava  Sala  Senec  Zarnovica  Ziar nad Hronom  Zlate Moravce Districts at Alert Level 1 (yellow) Hlohovec  Topolcany

Read more about the coronavirus developments in Slovakia:

19. May 2021 at 16:43 | Compiled by Spectator staff
Did you know the Chicago Film Society will loan you one of its old projectors? Not only that, it will also deliver it to your home and show you how to operate the thing.
Temporary vaccination certificates to be issued from Saturday. Nick Cave is expected to attend the Pohoda summer festival in 2022.

Font size: A - | A +

This is your overview of news from Slovakia on Wednesday, May 19, 2021. Learn more about politics, business, and other notable events of the day in Slovakia in less than five minutes. This service is free-of-charge for our readers. If you want to support us, become a subscriber and get access to more detailed news and interesting feature stories from Slovakia. Thank you.

Vaccination certificates to be issued starting this weekend

Illustrative stock photo (Source: TASR)

The Health Ministry has confirmed that everybody who gets the Covid vaccine jab from this Saturday on will receive a uniform certificate in two languages.

Those who have already been vaccinated can ask for a certificate from the following Monday (May 24) on Korona.gov.sk. The ministry plans to add a feature that will send the confirmation directly to a persons email.

This should solve the problem with the different vaccine confirmations, which several media outlets reported earlier this week. The solution is temporary, as the certificates should be substituted with digital green passes in late June.

Meanwhile, the Health Ministry scrapped the age limits for the vaccines by Pfizer/BioNTech and Moderna completely. This means that the former vaccine can now be administered to anybody aged 16+, and the latter to everybody aged 18+ who registers for the appointment.

New map of districts, new alert system

The map of districts from May 24, 2021. (Source: Health Ministry)

The situation seems to be improving in most Slovak districts.

From Monday, May 24, the first two districts will be placed in the yellow tier, while another 17 districts will be in the orange tier, 47 in the light red tier and 11 in the red tier. Two districts will remain in the dark red tier.

The Health Ministry has praised the speed of vaccination, too. About 30 percent of people older than 16 have been vaccinated so far, according to the statistics, and another 200,000 are registered and waiting for an appointment.

Vaccinated people will enjoy more benefits in the future, Health Minister Vladimir Lengvarsky (OLaNO nominee) said when talking about new adjustments to the Covid automat alert system.

The last big changes to the system were made last week.

More Covid and vaccine developments

246 out of 5,836 PCR tests carried out on May 18 came back positive (4.22 percent) and of 56,846 antigen tests, 180 were positive (0.32 percent). 14 more people died of Covid, increasing the total number to 12,262.

out of 5,836 PCR tests carried out on May 18 came back positive (4.22 percent) and of 56,846 antigen tests, were positive (0.32 percent). more people died of Covid, increasing the total number to 12,262. The cabinet gave a green light to some economic mobility measures related to the state of emergency to fight Covid-19. This includes the organisation of production and services, the securing health care and transport, the organisation of postal services, the use of state material reserves, the securing of broadcasting time to inform the public about the crisis situation and related measures, and ensuring that this information is available in sign language.

related to the state of emergency to fight Covid-19. This includes the organisation of production and services, the securing health care and transport, the organisation of postal services, the use of state material reserves, the securing of broadcasting time to inform the public about the crisis situation and related measures, and ensuring that this information is available in sign language. The cabinet approved the deferral of the already postponed due date for insurance premiums for the self-employed and employers, from late June 2021 to September 20, 2021-September 30, 2023. The decision concerns the pandemic months of 2020 and 2021.

Budget expenditures bring another coalition dispute

Finance Minister Igor Matovic (Source: TASR)

The discussions about increasing the state budget expenditures by 3.4 billion have ignited another dispute in the coalition.

Although the draft amendment was approved by the cabinet, the parliamentary discussion about it had to be postponed. The coalition party Freedom and Solidarity (SaS) wants to use this time to discuss the proposal so that the expenditures do not have to be raised too much.

Finance Minister Igor Matovic (OLaNO) was critical of this approach and has accused his coalition partner of taking hostages. He even presented some proposals to reduce the financial assistance, submitted by SaS.

The party responded by saying that instead of constructive dialogue, the finance minister is searching for an enemy again and called some of his claims misleading.

Picture of the day

The Kosice Zoo has welcomed a baby porcupine, a first in Slovakia: the cub named Hugo who was born in April. The zoo also cares for a rare species of hornbill.

Feature story for today

The cancellation of the national emergency brought an end to the ban on travelling abroad for holidays. People intending to spend their holidays in foreign countries should check the conditions before entering their final destination. The Slovak Spectator has put together rules for entering a selection of countries, both in Europe and overseas.

Ban on holidays abroad has been lifted. Problems may still occur Read more

In other news

The Media Freedom Rapid Response, which is monitoring, tracking and responding to violations of media freedom across Europe, pointed to a recent attempt of the Russian sovereign wealth fund to threaten the Dennik N daily with legal action over an article on the Sputnik V vaccine.

President Zuzana Caputova signed the draft introducing the permanent short-time model , kurzarbeit, into law.

into law. The prosecutor of the Special Prosecutors Office filed charges with the Specialised Criminal Court against two people detained during the Judas police operation : former head of the counterintelligence unit of the Slovak Information Service (SIS) intelligence agency Peter Gasparovic and ex-police officer Ladislav Vican.

with the Specialised Criminal Court against two people detained during the : former head of the counterintelligence unit of the Slovak Information Service (SIS) intelligence agency Peter Gasparovic and ex-police officer Ladislav Vican. Irish low-cost carrier Ryanair will launch two new flights from Slovakia. Both will depart from Kosice airport, one heading to Warsaw Modlin and the other to Liverpool.

will launch from Slovakia. Both will depart from Kosice airport, one heading to Warsaw Modlin and the other to Liverpool. Slovenske Elektrarne is the only Slovak company on Europes Climate Leaders list published by the Financial Times. It managed to reduce its core emissions by 6.9 percent between the years 2014 and 2019, aligned with revenue growth.

is the only Slovak company on Europes Climate Leaders list published by the Financial Times. It managed to reduce its core emissions by 6.9 percent between the years 2014 and 2019, aligned with revenue growth. Slovakia will have four more protected areas from June 1 : Hradna Dolina, Rimava, Temesska Skala and Kulhan. Zahradska will be declared a nature reserve, and Brezovska Dolina will become a natural monument.

: Hradna Dolina, Rimava, Temesska Skala and Kulhan. Zahradska will be declared a nature reserve, and Brezovska Dolina will become a natural monument. Australian musician Nick Cave will be attending the Pohoda summer festival in 2022. He will be accompanied by The Bad Seeds band.

More on Spectator.sk today

Ageing will be costly for Slovakia, experts call for timely reforms Read more

Making the connections between work and life Read more

If you have suggestions on how this news overview can be improved, you can reach us at editorial@spectator.sk.

19. May 2021 at 17:47 | Radka Minarechova
Netflix, Inc., headquartered in Los Gatos, California, declined to comment.

The Facebook page says it operated by the Thai companies that produce the series and license it to Netflix.

The outcry highlights Chinas unusual mix of nationalism and pervasive censorship.

The ruling party increasingly demands global companies conform in public to Beijing's political positions, including on websites abroad that the ruling party's internet filters block most people in China from seeing.

Facebook can be seen in China only by people with virtual private network software used to evade the filters.

Those filters block access to Netflix and most other foreign entertainment and news outlets, but Girl from Nowhere can be seen in China on bilibili.com, which allows users to upload their own videos. It doesnt appear on other services that show movies and TV series approved by Chinese censors.

It wasnt clear how many people have watched Girl from Nowhere, but Douban.com, a website where users leave reviews, says more than 60,000 people have commented on the first season and 30,000 on the second. The average rating is unusually high at 8.4 points out of 10.
People are familiar with terms such as bots and trolls and that they generate messages for social media, emails and other forums to disseminate false information and a large proportion of the information we get on social media platforms is generated by such sources. However, Lawler said, its difficult for people to recognize those messages and they are amplified by sharing.

There are studies that show political content, and COVID-19 content, is generated by bots and not actually by people. And, because of human nature, misinformation and disinformation is more likely to be spread and shared than truthful information.

I think the point to keep in mind is not all of that has been accidental or just honest mistakes, he said. Some of this, in fact, a large portion of it has been intentionally disseminated in order to sow confusion and mistrust among Western cultures about the pandemic, and about the vaccines themselves.

He said research has shown that much of this disinformation has come from Russia, intelligence agencies with ties to Russia and countries like China and Iran that have a vested interest or see themselves as competitors with the U.S. and the West to undermine not only the response to the pandemic, but democratic ideals.
When a friends house burned down last year, a group of four Gering teenagers took it upon themselves to fundraise to help out his family. After getting their Spanish teacher, Caitlin Whitfield, involved, they managed to raise $500 for the family.

The good deed sparked a drive for the group to continue finding ways to help others, and thus, El Barrio was born.

We raised the money to help him and give it to him, sophomore Cerelia Barrios said. Then we just liked the feeling that it gave us. So, then we realized, we can do that for more people.

Barrios, along with fellow sophomores Monae Castro-Saenz, Raven Zwetzig and Dilan Lopez, are the main members of the club. El Barrio is Spanish for The Neighborhood. Whitfield said that in Spanish, it can often have a negative connotation, but they hope to change that around.

I feel like that word has a bad rep that goes along with it  like, the hood. People think of that as the ghetto areas in this town, she said. But I think for me, I live in El Barrio in Scottsbluff, and I think thats where the beauty lies. (Theres) a lot of culture and a lot of awesome people, so (its about) bringing awareness to that and celebrating it.
Throughout the pandemic, Sanchez shared how the fundraising and research for MPS has been held up, so the Sanchez family wants to help. They are not alone in their efforts, collaborating with a family in New York and one in Colorado to raise money to further research efforts.

Walk with Reina for a Cure will take place along the Monument Valley Pathway behind the Pavilion and Riverside Discovery Center on Sunday, May 23. The route will take participants along the trail underneath the bridge.

Panhandle Auto will have a water donation station, which will mark the halfway point of the walk. Participants can turn around and return to the Pavilion or continue to the YMCA before turning around. Josephs sister will be at the fundraiser with volunteers to help with registration.

Reina said participants are welcomed to wear costumes and dress up for the event. Participants are also invited to wear purple to show support for the MPS.

Participants will be asked to provide contact information so the Sanchez family can send out thank you letters.

Sanchez said it would mean a lot to them for the community to support them.
"Trump was trying to deport victims of domestic violence... and we cannot have a world where they are afraid to walk into a courthouse or afraid to seek help, Krasner said.

Vegas plans had included bringing federal law enforcement partners to the table to press what he says are a small number of people responsible for gun crimes. Vega, 64, wanted to create an earn and learn approach to supervision, where each benchmark a person earns would knock time off of his or her probation or parole.

The Fraternal Order of Police, Lodge 5 in Philadelphia had sunk more money and effort into unseating Krasner than perhaps any political race in recent memory, said Lodge President John McNesby. The group backed Vega and hammered home messaging that blamed rising homicides and gun violence on Krasner. On a recent sunny afternoon, McNesby handed out soft serve cones after parking a Mr. Softee ice cream truck in front of the district attorneys office with the message that Krasner is soft on crime.

Meanwhile, the Philadelphia chapters of the Guardian Civic League and Club Valiants  fraternal organizations representing Black and Latino police and firefighters  had endorsed Krasner for another term. The groups last year had fought with the larger police union and the local firefighters union over endorsements of former President Donald Trump, who they said supported racists and did not represent them.

Copyright 2021 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.

Submit Your News We're always interested in hearing about news in our community. Let us know what's going on! Go to form
SUGAR LAND, Texas (AP)  A Texas man accused of torturing and killing four kittens had worked as a geometry teacher at a Houston-area high school before his arrest, the school district said.

Graham Reid, 29, of Sugar Land, faces four counts of felony cruelty to non-livestock animals. He was arrested in late April, and the Fort Bend Independent School District said this week that Reid is "no longer employed with the district."

An arrest warrant says Reid told investigators he "felt powerful" when he tortured his four cats, ranging in age from 4 months to 1 year. The cats were all beaten to death, the Houston Chronicle reported.

Reid was arrested April 28 and is next due in court June 14. His attorney, David Hunter, declined to comment on the case.

Submit Your News We're always interested in hearing about news in our community. Let us know what's going on! Go to form
LINCOLN  Neither side blinked Tuesday when Nebraska lawmakers played a game of political chicken over a proposal to let teachers and other school staff deal physically with violent and disruptive students.

The resulting collision killed plans to train teachers about other, nonviolent ways to address behavior problems in students.

It also killed programs to train school staff to recognize mental health crises among students and to provide college scholarships for youths who spend time in the states juvenile offender institutions.

State Sen. Lynne Walz of Fremont, who chairs the Education Committee, pleaded with colleagues to back those programs, in addition to supporting more than $12 million in college scholarships for Nebraska students, by advancing Legislative Bill 529.

Its time to stop playing games, she said. I ask you to focus on the goal of the bill and that is to provide scholarships to your kids.

But the bill fell five votes short of the 33 needed for a filibuster-ending motion, meaning that it is done for the year. The measure would have redistributed the portion of state lottery funds designated for education, adding some new programs while continuing to put the bulk of the money into college scholarships.
Since Democrats gained control of the presidency and Congress, the Middle East has been returning to previous behavior. Mullahs have ramped up their heated sermons against Israel and vile labeling of Jews, reminiscent of a not-too-distant past in Nazi Germany. Anti-Semitism is also rising in Europe.

All the U.S. does is issue tepid statements. Secretary of State Anthony Blinken said, While we urge de-escalation on all sides, we also recognize Israels legitimate right to defend itself, to defend its people and its territory.

This is meaningless if policies dont follow.

The Taliban is in the process of retaking Afghanistan as U.S. troops withdraw. It clearly sees this sign as an invitation to return to the days of mandatory burqas for women, denying females jobs, education and other freedoms they have recently enjoyed. A re-established base for al-Qaeda may soon follow.

Another sign taken seriously by enemies of Israel and the West is the Biden administrations determination to re-enter nuclear talks with Iran, a country whose religious and political leaders have refused to stop their enrichment of uranium and have not been deterred in their determination to eradicate Israel. Bargains with the devil do not end well. See Dr. Faust and the Munich Agreement for examples.
The story of the Access Hollywood tapes, in which Trump boasted about grabbing women by their privates, also ended in a puff of smoke. Supporters and foes alike thought this could end Trumps chances of winning the election. It turned out that many regular people who listened to Trumps vulgar monologue heard mainly locker room talk. As much as I disliked Trump, that was my impression.

How naive it now seems to think that these revelations would have derailed either of these mens presidencies.

Partisans trying to scuttle the 2018 nomination of Brett Kavanaugh to the U.S. Supreme Court jumped on charges of sexual assault dating back to his high school days. I found Christine Blasey Fords account that he and another student jumped on her during a drunken party to be plausible.

But what were the details, really? These were high school kids. According to Fords testimony, when the second student tried piling on the bed, they all fell off and she left the room. I can understand a woman fuming about that show of disrespect, but if this was a horrendous crime, why did she wait 36 years to go public with it?
We realize many of you are disappointed in our program for allowing this to happen on our watch, and for not doing more to promote a safe environment for all in our industry, the Cicerone Certification Program said in its post. We feel and share your disappointment. Looking to the long-term, we will use what we learn to take corrective action internally, make amends with our community, and incorporate feedback. It is our hope and anticipation to set a much better example for everyone within our sphere of influence.
You must be logged in to react.

Click any reaction to login.

Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0
School districts are currently developing an online learning program to be implemented upon the Texas Legislature's approval.
The current COVID-19 fuss has caused adverse effects on the business industry. However, as businesses transform seamlessly to accommodate changes caused by the pandemic, the e-commerce industry has experienced a boom for a niche of products. Even in a marketplace platform such as Amazon, sellers have noticed at least 8 products that customers frequently add to their carts.

Buying Trends in 2021

Industry influencers often determine buying trends, and the current customer behavior is fast shifting towards trending products. Thankfully, social media has a hand in promoting buying trends for most products in 2020 and 2021.

8 Amazon Items That Are Flying Off The Shelves

With thousands of products today, some people rely on social media recommendations and reviews that back bestsellers in the online market. In this regard, let us explore 8 Amazon Items you can feel confident purchasing this spring.

1. Little Green Machine
40th anniversary feature announced

In 1981, R.Y. and Eileen Lackey Sharpe founded the Hiddenite Center to enhance the lives of community residents. The center is constructing a Steps to 40 exhibit wall celebrating art, music, dance, storytelling, theater, lifelong learning, heritage, people, culture, school performances, artists-in-residence in schools, partnerships with other nonprofits and the Sharpe Family dream that has been, and continues to be, the mission of the Hiddenite Arts & Heritage Center.

As part of our 40th Anniversary Celebration, we invite friends, artists, visitors, and community citizens to be a part of our Steps to 40. The Lucas Mansion staircase of 40 steps from the ground floor up to third floor will become our 40 Year Exhibit Wall featuring text and photo panels submitted by you. Each step will represent a year from 1981 through 2021, stated Executive Director Donna Latham. Think of the experiences you have enjoyed or participated in throughout the centers 40 years of events, classes, and programs and submit your memory with perhaps a photo and/or a brief story or paragraph describing the positive impact the Center has made on your life through the arts and heritage programming offered at the Hiddenite Center over the past 40 years.
The federal COVID-19 relief bill Congress passed in March would provide Wisconsin more than $1 billion in new, temporary savings if Medicaid is expanded. That additional money would be for two years, but is on top of $635 million the state would save over two years due to a higher federal reimbursement through Medicaid expansion.

According to a 2018 report by the state fiscal bureau, Wisconsin would have received an additional $2.8 billion in savings between 2013 and 2019 under full Medicaid expansion.

State Sen. Jon Erpenbach, a Democrat from West Point, said Wisconsin shouldnt pass up the $1 billion in federal money.

If we dont take it now, I highly doubt that opportunity will ever come again, Erpenbach said.

Under Evers bill, $850 million would go toward a wide array of projects and other needs while $150 million would go into a state savings account.

The projects to be funded include $200 million to pay for broadband expansion; $100 million to help replace lead service lines for private users of public water systems; $100 million for road and other infrastructure improvement; and $50 million for a loan to a cooperative to buy the Verso Paper Mill in Wisconsin Rapids and $15 million for a cooperative to buy the Park Falls Pulp and Paper Mill in Park Falls.
Americans should start getting screened for colon cancer earlier  at age 45 instead of waiting until they're 50, according to guidelines released Tuesday.

The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force said it's time for the change because colorectal cancer increasingly is appearing in younger adults.

Colorectal cancer is one of the nation's leading cancer killers, claiming about 50,000 lives a year. Overall, cases and deaths have inched down in recent years, thanks in part to screening tests that can spot tumors early, or even prevent them by removing precancerous growths.

Colorectal cancer is most common in older adults, and the task force has long recommended that people ages 50 to 75 get screened. But the rate of new cases before age 50 has been rising since the early 2000s. So the new guidelines say adults at average risk of colorectal cancer should be screened from ages 45 to 75.

The decision, published in the Journal of the American Medical Association, means most insurance plans would have to cover the checks with no copay. The change brings the task force in line with the American Cancer Society, which lowered its recommended screening age to 45 in 2018.
I survived so that I could tell the story. Thats what Im here for, he said. Im the vessel, and emotionally that was sufficient  until it wasnt. Until I got married (in 2017). Now Im trying to have a family; now its not just me. Its time to grow up and move on because shame is destructive  and if not dealt with, it can destroy everything in its path.
We welcome the $7.2 billion in relief for Virginia and are pleased the Biden Administration has listened to our calls to give states, localities, and tribes significant flexibility in determining how best to use these emergency funds, the senators in a written statement. These funds will allow the Commonwealth and localities to recover from the economic harm of COVID, promote public health, invest in broadband, make up for lost revenue and address many of the other impacts of the pandemic. We will keep working with the Commonwealth and local governments to ensure Virginians receive this much-needed relief.
Company representatives are inviting area landowners to a virtual open house at AppalachianPower.com/WashingtonCounty to learn more about the project and provide feedback to the project team by Friday, June 11.

Landowners should expect to receive a packet in the mail that includes additional project details and a comment card they can return by mail with their feedback, the release states.

If approved, construction would begin in the fall of 2023 and conclude in fall 2024.

The project is in addition to the South Abingdon Extension, which received approval in 2017. It consisted of lines that crossed Interstate 81 and passed near the Virginia Highlands Airport, connecting an existing line between Saltville and Kingsport and the substation at Vances Mill.

George Porter, an Appalachian Power spokesman, said the South Abingdon Extension was completed in 2019. It was in service in late 2019, according to an Appalachian Power timeline.

Appalachian Power began studying the Abingdon and Washington County grid after the region was affected by severe winter weather in 2013. The company expected about $50 million in projects near Abingdon.

Be the first to know Get local news delivered to your inbox! Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy.
The ex-wife of a man shot and killed by a Bristol, Virginia, police officer who was charged with murder earlier this month is suing the officer in federal court.

Johnathan R. Brown, 31, of Piney Flats, Tennessee, has already been indicted by a grand jury on charges of murder, use of a firearm in the commission of a felony and shooting into an occupied vehicle.

Last Wednesday, attorney Timothy Hudson filed a suit in U.S. District Court in Abingdon on behalf of Ashley Brooke Kohler, administrator of the estate of Jonathen Blake Kohler, who died March 30. The suit asks a jury to determine a monetary amount to be awarded to the estate for the benefit of Kohlers two children.

The Kohlers are divorced, according to Hudson.

Shortly before 4:30 a.m. March 30, the Bristol Virginia Police Department received a 911 call reporting shots fired from a person staying at the Rodeway Inn on Euclid Avenue near Gate City Highway. When officers arrived, they encountered Kohler, who was seated in the drivers seat of a red 1994 Ford Mustang, according to a statement released by the Virginia State Police.
The 27th annual Manhattan Wine Auction will put 225 lots and 750 individual bottles of the grape-based alcohol up for bid this weekend to raise money for the Manhattan Beach Education Foundation.
Julian said hes skeptical that the state will reach the 70% goal before June 30, and he he wouldnt be totally surprised if Inslee changes the plan.

Support Local Journalism Your membership makes our reporting possible. {{featured_button_text}}

At this point, its a wait and see attitude, he said. I am feeling a lot better. I think things are moving forward and as each week goes by, were doing better as an industry and community.

Quality journalism doesn't happen without your help Support local news coverage and the people who report it by subscribing to The Daily News.

The move to Phase 3 increased indoor capacity to 50% for all currently permitted industries and activities, including restaurants, gyms, movie theaters and religious services.

Kelso Longview Chamber of Commerce President Bill Marcum said Tuesday the changes are very positive for business, not only increasing occupancy under Phase 3 but having a plan going forward.

Up until now theres been no plan past Phase 3, Marcum said. Theres a light at the end of the tunnel. We finally have a light we can shoot for.

The June 30 reopening date gives businesses time to plan for fully reopening by hiring staff and ordering product, Marcum said. Businesses gearing up statewide will likely strain vendors supplying products but they have a month to figure things out, he said.
Law enforcement officials have completed their investigation into a Cowlitz County Sherriff's Office deputy who fired his gun during an April attempted arrest in Longview.

The report was handed to the Cowlitz County Prosecuting Attorney's office Tuesday to decide whether or not to file charges against the officer, according to Kelso Capt. Rich Fletcher.

Deputy Cory Robinson fired a single shot April 20 after police say Christopher Michael Wright, 33, rammed his vehicle into county and state patrol cars in Longview. No one was injured, according to the Kelso Police Department.

Cowlitz County Sheriff Brad Thurman said Robinson returned to active duty May 11. A previous report stated Robinson, who has worked for the sheriff's office for 14 years, was placed on leave during the investigation.

Support Local Journalism Your membership makes our reporting possible. {{featured_button_text}}

I-5 car chase suspect arrested Thursday, Cowlitz County deputy who fired shot at vehicle Tuesday identified Wright again tried to flee on foot, but was taken into custody by Longview Police on suspicion of third-degree assault, making or having burglary tools, third-degree driving with a suspended license, resisting arrest, obstructing a public servant and possession of a stolen vehicle, as the car he was driving Thursday had been stolen from Kelso in the previous 12 hours.

County deputies tried to pull Wright over for reckless driving on I-5 near Kalama, according to previous reports. Wright wouldn't stop and led officers on a chase through Longview.

Wright fled on foot when his vehicle was blocked. He was arrested two days later after an off-duty Kelso officer spotted Wright driving west on Ocean Beach Highway April 22 and called the station for officers to pursue him.
Our goal is that our students and community can get involved, just because this year with COVID theres definitely been a need, Donaldson said.

Ruhter said the teams decided that even if they only got a handful of cans, it would be worth it, but so far at least a couple thousand pounds of donations have rolled in. The students also set up partnerships with local businesses like Grocery Outlet and Rise and Shine, a local spin studio, whose owner is raffling off prizes if clients bring items to their spin class.

The students plan the entire thing, Donaldson said, which helps give them life skills and shows them that for all the inter-school competition, in the grand scheme of things, a Longview family is a Longview family.

+2 'Plenty of food' as Cowlitz County food banks report drop in demand as pandemic relief boosts supply People trickled through the Kelso Faith Center Church picking up jars of jelly and other food items stacked on tables spaced six feet apart Thursday.

Ruhter said the event shows students how their actions have an impact outside the halls of the schools, and to realize civic participation is the only way were going to get through something like this pandemic.

Everything that were doing is trying to get students to realize what it takes to be be an individual with a voice who steps up and says my community is my community and no one else will help it if I dont get involved, Ruhter said. Sometimes I think they dont see all that theyre capable of.

Quality journalism doesn't happen without your help Support local news coverage and the people who report it by subscribing to The Daily News.

Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0

Want to see more like this? Get our local education coverage delivered directly to your inbox. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy.
Cowlitz and Wahkiakum counties are offering COVID-19 vaccines at several mobile clinics.

Cowlitz County Health and Human Services, Child and Adolescent Clinic and the Ethnic Support Council will hold a mobile clinic Saturday at Wallace Elementary School.

Moderna vaccine will be available from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the school cafeteria for those 18 and older without an appointment. Second doses will be provided at the same location June 19. Language assistance will be available at the site.

COVID-19 vaccination is free of charge for everyone. Health insurance and ID are not required. Those getting vaccinated dont have to provide a Social Security number or other documents to get the shot.

Anyone with questions can call the Ethnic Support Council at 360-431-1662 or 360-636-2791 for Spanish.

The county health department is focusing on offering mobile clinics after closing its vaccination site at the county Event Center Sunday, according to a press release.

Support Local Journalism Your membership makes our reporting possible. {{featured_button_text}}

About 11,000 doses of the Pfizer vaccine were administered at the site from Feb. 24 to May 16.
ATLANTA (AP)  Georgia's governor on Wednesday appointed a panel to determine whether a sheriff accused of violating the civil rights of several people in his custody should be suspended pending the outcome of federal charges.

A federal grand jury last month indicted Clayton County Sheriff Victor Hill. The indictment accuses the sheriff of repeatedly ordering detainees to be put in a restraint chair for hours even though they posed no threat and had complied with deputies. The indictment alleges the restraint chairs were improperly used as punishment.

Hill has said the prosecution is politically motivated.

One of his lawyers, Drew Findling, has called the case against Hill nonsensical but said Wednesday that since the panel is provided for by law, his client doesn't see its appointment negatively.

A federal magistrate judge authorized Hill's release on bond.

Georgia law allows the governor to convene a review commission made up of two sheriffs and the state attorney general to investigate and recommend whether a sheriff facing criminal or ethics charges should be suspended pending the outcome.
SEATTLE (AP)  Washington Gov. Jay Inslee on Tuesday signed one of the nations most ambitious packages of police accountability legislation, prompted by last years outcry for racial justice following the deaths of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor and other Black people at the hands of police.

The dozen bills Inslee signed include outright bans on police use of chokeholds, neck restraints and no-knock warrants such as the one that helped lead to Taylor's killing in Louisville, Kentucky.

They require officers to intervene if their colleagues engage in excessive force  a demand inspired by the officers who stood by while Minneapolis officer Derek Chauvin pressed a knee to Floyd's neck for more than nine minutes.

The bills also create an independent office to review the use of deadly force by police, make it easier to decertify police for bad acts, and require officers to use reasonable care, including exhausting de-escalation tactics, in carrying out their duties. The use of tear gas and car chases are restricted and it's easier to sue officers when they inflict injury.

As of noon today, we will have the best, most comprehensive, most transparent, most effective police accountability laws in the United States, Inslee, a Democrat, said before signing the bills.
Along with the barrier of Libberton not being under 18 on the date the legislation became law, he also did not have adoption paperwork finalized before age 18, another requirement. Luce said this is common; families do not realize they need to do more paperwork, or have been told by agencies abroad or in the U.S. that everything is set.
The nature of the Moderna and Pfizer vaccines reassured us: They are engineered to trigger the bodys own defenses. They are not a weak form of the disease like some vaccines of the past. The fact that my daughter Anastasia, a biomedical cancer researcher in Seattle, is an avid proponent of the vaccine also was encouraging.

We got vaccinated for ourselves, but we also did it for other members of our family and the public. We dont want to be unwitting spreaders of a disease that can lurk undetected in an infected person. We want to patronize restaurants and movie theaters again and see those businesses flourish. We want to see our friends and not worry about making them or ourselves sick.

The pandemic has brought out a strain of selfishness and defiance in the American character. Many scream, What about my rights? What gives the government authority to order us around? Why should I be ordered to get a shot? Not inappropriate questions, but the emphasis on them has made swaths of the public forget our obligations as citizens to  as President Kennedy put it  ask what you can do for America. Our question today should be: What can I do to help our country whip this scourge?
Irelands health system struggled to restore computers and treat patients Tuesday, four days after it shut down its entire information technology system in response to a ransomware attack.

Thousands of diagnostic appointments, cancer treatment clinics and surgeries have been cancelled or delayed since Friday's cyberattack. Authorities said hundreds of people were assigned to get crippled systems back online, but it could be weeks before the public health service will return to normal.

Irish Prime Minister Micheal Martin said the attack was a heinous one that targeted patients and the Irish public. The chief clinical officer of Ireland's Health Service Executive, Colm Henry, said the intrusion was having a profound impact on our ability to deliver care and that disruptions would undoubtedly mount in the coming days and weeks.

More than 2,000 patient-facing IT systems were affected, and around 80,000 devices were linked to such systems throughout the health service, Henry told Irish broadcaster RTE. Authorities are prioritizing the recovery of systems involved in patient diagnostics, such as radiology, radiotherapy and maternity and newborn services.

Thats what our experts are focusing on this week, with external help, to ensure those services are not reliant on the manual exchange of information, he said.

Don't miss: India saw the highest number of ransomware attacks in 2021: Report

Ransomware attacks are typically carried out by criminal hackers who scramble data, paralyzing victims networks, and demand a large payment to decrypt the information. Irish officials say a ransom was demanded but they will not pay it.

Conti, a Russian-speaking ransomware group, was demanding $20 million, according to the ransom negotiation page on its darknet site viewed by The Associated Press. The gang threatened Monday to start publishing and selling your private information very soon, if it did not receive the money.

The government will not be paying any money, Justice Minister Heather Humphreys told RTE. We will not be blackmailed.

The Irish Association for Emergency Medicine urged people not to turn up at hospital emergency rooms unless they had a genuinely urgent need. The association said electronic ordering of blood tests, X-rays and scans was unavailable and clinicians had no access to previous X-rays or scan results.

Many hospital telephone systems also were not working because they are carried on computer networks, it added. The attack has also shut down the system used to pay health care workers.

Patients have expressed frustration at the attack, describing it as another torment thrown into the already difficult struggle accessing health care during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Read more: Ireland confirms its health system faced a second cyber attack

Eimear Cregg, 38, a primary school teacher who is receiving treatment for breast cancer, had her radiation therapy briefly postponed while doctors sought to restore her records so they could treat her properly.

This is a very cruel thing to do to vulnerable people, Cregg told The Associated Press. Were fighting every day as it is, and this was just another curve ball that wasnt needed.

Ireland's publicly funded health care system, the Health Service Executive, said in a statement late Monday that there were serious concerns about the implications for patient care arising from the very limited access to diagnostics, lab services and historical patient records.

The health service said it was working methodically to assess and restore its computer systems.

The Ireland attack comes as ransomware gangs persist in identifying big game targets in search of lucrative payouts and data that can help them identify new victims - and even determine the amount of cyber-insurance coverage they carry.

Operations of four Asian affiliates of the Paris-based insurance company AXA were hit in recent days by by ransomware attacks: in Thailand, Malaysia, Hong Kong and the Philippines. The attackers claimed to have stolen 3 terabytes of data, including medical records, customer IDs and privileged communications with hospitals and doctors.

The hackers threatened to leak documents within 10 days if AXA does not pay an unspecified ransom.

Also read: Ransomware gangs disrupted by response to Colonial Pipeline hack

AXA said this month that it would stop writing cyber-insurance policies in France that reimburse customers for extortion payments made to ransomware criminals, saying the practice encourages more such attacks.

In a new case, ransomware took down IT systems across five hospitals south of Auckland, New Zealand, forcing staff to cancel some elective surgeries preventing doctors from accessing clinical records, authorities said.

Ransomware attacks have surged in the past year, though there may be a dip following the worst attack to date on U.S. critical infrastructure. A nearly week-long shutdown of the Colonial Pipeline, which supplies the east coast with 45% of its petroleum products, led U.S. President Joe Biden to vow retaliation.

That prompted the moderator of one of the most popular darknet criminal forums, XSS, to disavow ransomware syndicates and to ban them from recruiting and conducting other business on the forum. But experts say its typical for criminals to lay low when law enforcement scrutiny gets acute.

Ransomware reached epidemic levels last year as the criminals, who enjoy safe harbor in former Soviet states, increasingly turned to double extortion, stealing sensitive data before activating the encryption software that paralyzes networks  and threatening to dump it online if they dont get paid.
A new Sandia National Laboratories software application, called Quest, can help utility companies and corporate project developers assess how much money adding an energy storage system will save. Energy storage systems capture energy from renewable sources, such as solar panels, and save it for later. Credit: Randy Montoya

Utility companies and corporate project developers now have help assessing how much money adding an energy storage system will save them thanks to new Sandia National Laboratories software.

The software, called Quest, can also be used by energy researchers to evaluate different energy storage scenarios and model the potential of new solutions. Energy storage systems are important for capturing energy when it is produced and saving it for when it is needed.

Many renewable energy sources, such as solar panels and wind turbines, don't produce electricity all day, every day. Energy storage systems, including lithium-ion-battery-based designs and pumped-storage hydropower, can increase the stability, reliability and resiliency of the power grid.

"We're providing an easy-to-use, open-source software suite that people can use to do their own energy storage analysis," said Babu Chalamala, the manager of Sandia's energy storage research program. "They could be small utilities or co-ops, vertically integrated utility companies or a project developer who wants to use energy storage. They can take this application suite and evaluate for the needs of their particular project. Does energy storage make sense? And, if so, what is the cost-benefit analysis? Quest can help with all those things."

Imre Gyuk, who directs the Energy Storage Program at the Department of Energy's Office of Electricity, agrees with Chalamala.

"In our cutting-edge storage installations, we start by modeling the business case with Quest," said Gyuk. "If the results look promising to us and our project partners, we go ahead with the venture. After completion, we monitor the system using Quest for guidance and to optimize benefits."

Tools for electricity users, producers

The software suite currently has two principal tools: a behind-the-meter analysis tool for businesses or civil infrastructure, such as schools and hospitals and a market-analysis tool to help utility companies assess how much revenue an energy storage system would generate.

With the behind-the-meter analysis tool, business owners or city project managers can estimate how much money an energy storage system will save them when combined with solar panels or other power generators, said Tu Nguyen, a Sandia electrical engineer who led the development of the optimization algorithms underpinning Quest.

First, the consumer inputs their location and the rate structure they pay. Frequently, electric utilities charge more per kilowatt-hour during certain times of the day when demand is high. By reducing their electricity usage during peak times, energy storage provides big savings for savvy customers on their electrical bills. The consumer can also input the kind of renewable power system they have or want to install, Nguyen said.

Credit: Sandia National Laboratories

"For example, a homeowner or a warehouse manager who knows nothing about energy storage but wants to install it for their rooftop solar panels, can use Quest's streamlined process to learn how much money the energy storage system would save them over a year," said Nguyen.

The market-analysis tool looks at the other side of the equation. It was designed to provide small utility companies how much revenue an energy storage system would generate by providing services to enhance the grid stability and reliability. The tool has historical data for the seven energy markets in North America, including the Electric Reliability Council of Texas and the California Independent System Operator, each with different market conditions.

The Sandia team also provides support to help new users learn how to run the software in the form of webinars, tutorials and even developing new tools to answer different questions.

"Quest provides a very easy way to get at least a first estimate of the potential of the revenue, or cost savings, an energy storage system can generate," said Rodrigo Trevizan, an electrical engineer on the project. His goal is to add new tools and capabilities to Quest to make it more flexible and useful.

Expanding Quest to answer new questions

In partnership with PNM, New Mexico's largest electricity provider, the Quest team is working to develop software tools to help vertically integrated utility companies assess the different paths for achieving reliable 100% carbon-free electricity by 2045. A vertically integrated utility company both generates electricity and transmits and sells it to customers.

The Quest team just began investigating the costs and benefits of adding energy storage to the New Mexico grid in comparison with transmission-infrastructure expansion to better transport power from renewable energy power plants to cities, said Nguyen. Once the new tools have been developed and tested, they will be added to Quest for any utility company or energy researcher to use.

The Sandia team is also developing new tools to tackle different grid questions, said Nguyen and Ray Byrne, the manager overseeing the development of a suite of open-source software applications. One tool will help with resilient microgrids. A selection tool will help consumers compare different kinds of energy storage technologies depending on their locations and applications. They are also working on a cost-analysis tool and a tool for comparing different battery technologies as they age.

Long term, Sandia would like to include a distribution-modeling tool to quantify how energy storage can help increase the amount of solar power the grid can safely handle before the control systems need to be upgraded, Byrne said.

Since Quest is open-source, other software developers are welcome to use the framework to develop new tools or applications to answer other energy storage questions, Nguyen added.

"Quest is a useful application suite for a lot of utilities, a kind of tool that isn't really available commercially," said Chalamala. "We are providing an application suite with the best foundational capabilities that can hopefully set the stage for further development in this area. If there are any other applications people need to develop, they can build off Quest to develop them."

Explore further Definitive valuation guide for pumped storage hydropower

More information: To learn more about the open-source energy-storage analysis software suite, or to download Quest, visit the Quest website. https://www.sandia.gov/ess-ssl/tools/quest/?utm_source=newsrelease
Tanker trucks are parked near the entrance of Colonial Pipeline Company Wednesday, May 12, 2021, in Charlotte, N.C. The operator of the nation's largest fuel pipeline has confirmed it paid $4.4 million to a gang of hackers who broke into its computer systems. That's according to a report from the Wall Street Journal. Colonial Pipeline's CEO Joseph Blount told the Journal that he authorized the payment after the ransomware attack because the company didn't know the extent of the damage. Credit: AP Photo/Chris Carlson

The operator of the nation's largest fuel pipeline confirmed it paid $4.4 million to a gang of hackers who broke into its computer systems.

Colonial Pipeline said Wednesday that after it learned of the May 7 ransomware attack, the company took its pipeline system offline and needed to do everything in its power to restart it quickly and safely, and made the decision then to pay the ransom.

"This decision was not made lightly," but it was one that had to be made, a company spokesman said. "Tens of millions of Americans rely on Colonial  hospitals, emergency medical services, law enforcement agencies, fire departments, airports, truck drivers and the traveling public."

Colonial Pipeline's CEO, Joseph Blount, told The Wall Street Journal he authorized the payment because the company didn't know the extent of the damage and wasn't sure how long it would take to bring the pipeline's systems back.

The FBI discourages making ransom payments to ransomware attackers, because paying encourages criminal networks around the globe who have hit thousands of businesses and health care systems in the U.S. in the past year alone. But many victims of ransomware attacks, where hackers demand large sums of money to decrypt stolen data or to prevent it from being leaked online, opt to pay.

"I know that's a highly controversial decision," Blount told the Journal. "But it was the right thing to do for the country."

Blount said Colonial paid the ransom in consultation with experts who previously dealt with the group behind the attacks, DarkSide, which rents out its ransomware to partners to carry out the actual attacks.

Multiple sources had confirmed to The Associated Press that Colonial Pipeline had paid the criminals who committed the cyberattack a ransom of nearly $5 million in cryptocurrency for the software decryption key required to unscramble their data network.

A ransom payment of 75 Bitcoin was paid the day after the criminals locked up Colonial's corporate network, according to Tom Robinson, co-founder of the cryptocurrency-tracking firm Elliptic. Prior to Robinson's blog post, two people briefed on the case had confirmed the payment amount to AP.

Blount told the Journal the attack was discovered around 5:30 a.m. on May 7. It took Colonial about an hour to shut down the pipeline, which has 260 delivery points across 13 states and Washington, D.C., Blount said. That helped prevent the infection from potentially migrating to the pipeline's operational controls. But there are lingering issues. Blount said Colonial is still unable to bill customers following an outage of that system.

The pipeline system delivers about 45% of the gasoline consumed on the East Coast, and Colonial, which is based in Alpharetta, Georgia, halted fuel supplies for nearly a week. That led to panic-buying and shortages at gas stations from Washington, D.C. to Florida.

Colonial restarted its pipeline a week ago, but it took time to resume a full delivery schedule, and the panic-buying led to gasoline shortages. More than 9,500 gas stations were out of fuel on Wednesday, including half of the gas stations in D.C. and 40% of stations in North Carolina, according to Gasbuddy.com, which tracks fuel prices and station outages.

Explore further Colonial Pipeline paid hackers nearly $5 million in ransom

 2021 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.
Credit: CC0 Public Domain

Australia's parliament is considering legislation to give new powers to the Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission (ACIC) and the Australian Federal Police. These powers will allow them to modify online data, monitor network activity, and take over online accounts in some circumstances.

Last week, in a submission to parliament regarding the proposed powers, ACIC made an inaccurate and concerning claim about privacy and information security. ACIC claimed "there is no legitimate reason for a law-abiding member of the community to own or use an encrypted communication platform."

Encrypted communication platforms, including WhatsApp, Signal, Facetime and iMessage, are in common use, allowing users to send messages that can only be read by the intended recipients. There are many legitimate reasons law-abiding people may use them. And surveillance systems, no matter how well-intentioned, may have negative effects and be used for different purposes or by different people than those they were designed for.

How surveillance can go wrong

Surveillance systems often produce unintended effects.

In 1849, the authorities at Tasmania's Port Arthur penal colony built the Separate Prison, intended as a humane and enlightened method of imprisonment. Based on the ideas of Jeremy Bentham's Panopticon, the design emphasized constant surveillance and psychological control rather than corporal punishment. However, many inmates suffered serious psychological problems resulting from the lack of normal communication with others.

From 2006 onwards, Facebook developed a privacy-invading apparatus intended to facilitate making money through targeted advertising. Facebook's system has since been abused by Cambridge Analytica and others for political manipulation, with disastrous consequences for some democracies.

In 2018, Australia's parliament passed the Telecommunications and Other Legislation Amendment (Assistance and Access) Act, with the ostensible purpose of helping police to catch terrorists, pedophiles and other serious criminals. The act gave the Australian Federal Police powers to "add, copy, delete or alter" material on computers. These powers were used the following year to raid the Australian Broadcasting Corporation in connection with a story on alleged war crimes in Afghanistan.

These examples demonstrate two facts about security and surveillance. First, surveillance may be used by people of any moral character. Second, a surveillance mechanism may be used by different people, or may achieve a completely different effect, from its original design.

We therefore need to consider what avoiding, undermining or even outlawing the use of encrypted platforms would mean for law-abiding members of the community.

Encryption limits the power of security agencies

There are already laws that decide who is allowed to listen to communications taking place over a telecommunications network. While such communications are generally protected, law enforcement and national security agencies can be authorized to intercept them.

However, where communications are encrypted, agencies will not automatically be able to retrieve the content of the conversations they intercept. The Telecommunications and Other Legislation Amendment (Assistance and Access) Act 2018 was passed to enable agencies to get assistance to try to maintain their ability to get access to the (unencrypted) content of communications. For example, they can ask that one or more forms of electronic protection be removed.

There are also federal, state and territory laws that can require people to assist law enforcement and national security agencies in accessing (unencrypted) data. There are also numerous proposals to clarify these laws, extend state powers and even to prevent the use of encryption in certain circumstances.

More surveillance power is not always better

While people may hold different views on particular proposals about state powers and encryption, there are some things on which we should all be able to agree.

First, facts matter. If the ACIC is wrong about lawful uses of encryption, its assertion should be withdrawn or discounted.

Second, people need both security and privacy. In fact, privacy can facilitate security (the more people know about you, the easier it is to trick you, track you and/or harm you).

Third, law enforcement and national security agencies need some surveillance powers to do their jobs. Most of the time, this contributes to the social good of public safety.

Fourth, more is not necessarily better when it comes to surveillance powers. We must ask what purpose the powers serve, whether they are reasonably necessary for achieving that purpose, whether they are likely to achieve the purpose, what negative consequences might result, and whether the powers are proportionate.

Lawful use of encrypted communication is common

We can only develop good policy in this area if we have the facts on lawful uses of encryption.

There are many good reasons for law-abiding citizens to use end-to-end encrypted communication platforms. Parents may send photos or videos of their children to trusted friends or relatives, but prefer not to share them with third parties. The explosion of telehealth during the COVID-19 pandemic has led many patients to clarify that they do not want their consultation with their doctor to be shared with an intermediary such as Facebook or Google (or Huawei or WeChat).

Even the New South Wales iVote online voting systemhardly a standout example of excessive security given that it contained a defect that potentially allowed vote manipulation to take placeadvertises the use of end-to-end encryption to protect the privacy of votes in transit. The necessity of privacy to protect a citizen's right to vote without coercion is one of the oldest examples of legal privacy requirements.

Undermining encryption will hurt legitimate users

As law-abiding citizens do have legitimate reasons to rely on end-to-end encryption, we should develop laws and policies around government surveillance accordingly. Any legislation that undermines information security across the board will have an impact on lawful users as well as criminals.

There will likely be significant disagreement in the community about where to go from there. But we have to get the facts right first.

We should not consider legislation to deliberately undermine the communications security of all individuals without acknowledging the potential harm this could cause to law-abiding citizens.

Explore further Australia passes cyber snooping laws with global implications

This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.
Credit: CC0 Public Domain

Get ready for a lot of new changes to most of your Google experiences.

On Tuesday, Google hosted its annual keynote kicking off the I/O developers conference. The tech giant uses the keynote to highlight new features launching on Google services including Photos, Maps, Shopping and others.

"The last year has put a lot into perspective," wrote Sundar Pichai, CEO of Google and parent company Alphabet, in a blog post Tuesday. "At Google, it's also given renewed purpose to our mission to organize the world's information and make it universally accessible and useful."

While the keynote provided glimpses and far-out technologies arriving soon, we also saw features that could deliver a more immediate impact to Google users' daily lives. Here's a breakdown:

Get a better view of busy locations

Want to take a trip somewhere, but not sure if the location you're visiting might get crowded (something likely to happen as we emerge like cicadas from post-COVID isolation)? Google Maps will soon show you areas that appear busier than usual, represented by moving dotted lines surrounding an area. Ideal for if you want to avoid crowds.

Google AI as dermatologist

If you've ever encountered a weird rash, or a new mole pops up on your body, you might soon receive an assist from Google on a diagnosis. The company is working on an AI-powered dermatology tool they hope to launch as a pilot this year capable of recognizing nail, skin and hair issues.

To use the tool, you take a picture of the issue in question, then answer questions about your skin type, how long you've had the problem and add related symptoms. Google's AI model will then provide a list of possible matching conditions that you can then research further, or consult with a doctor.

"To make sure we're building for everyone, our model accounts for factors like age, sex, race and skin typesfrom pale skin that does not tan to brown skin that rarely burns," reads a post co-authored by Peggy Bui, M.D., a product manager for Google Health, and Yuan Liu, Ph.D., technical lead on the project.

Shopping by screenshot?

Let's say you see a cool product online and you grab a screenshot of it. Google Photos will allow users to search that screenshot with Lens and shop for any related items. During a demo of the tool, an image of Golden State Warriors star Stephen Curry was shown, with options to search for the pair of shoes he was wearing for shopping purposes.

Never mind your TV remote

Your Android phone will soon be able to work as a TV remote if you are an owner of one of the more than 80 million Android TV OS devices including Google TV. "If your home is like mine, your remote is missing 50% of the time," said Sameer Samat, vice president of product management for Android & Google Play. "To keep movie night on track, we are building TV remote features directly into your phone.

When the feature rolls out later this year, you will be able to use voice search or type with phone keyboard, making it easier to enter passwords.

Watch out for better smartwatch features

It may be easier to choose your next Android smartwatch, as Google and Samsung plan to combine their Wear OS and Tizen operating systems into a unified platform, the companies announced. The collaboration should provide improved performance and longer battery life, they say.

"We are bringing the best of these Galaxy Watch capabilities together with Google on a single platform unifying the ecosystem for customers and developers," said Patrick Chomet, head of Samsung Mobile's customer experience office.

The next Samsung Galaxy Watch will include the ability to use the Play store, Google Maps and other apps, he said.

The Google-Samsung collaboration yields other benefits, Sameer said. "We can do things like run the heart rate sensor continuously letting you better track your activity during the day and your sleep overnight, while giving you plenty of battery to spare for the next day.

Explore further Google teams with Samsung for wearables platform

(c)2021 USA Today

Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
The tail of a JetBlue Airways Airbus A321 is shown as the plane prepares to take off from Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport, Tuesday, Jan. 19, 2021, in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. JetBlue is announcing details around its first flights to London. The airline says it will start flying between New York's JFK Airport and London's Heathrow in mid-August, and add flights to London's Gatwick Airport in September. Credit: AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee

JetBlue Airways said Wednesday it will start transatlantic service late this summer, competing against bigger rivals on the lucrative route between New York and London.

The New York-based airline said it will start daily flights between JFK and Heathrow airports on Aug. 11, and add daily trips from JFK to London's second-biggest airport, Gatwick, on Sept. 29. It plans to add Boston-London flights next year.

JetBlue wanted to start the flights earlier than mid-August but was delayed, partly by the process of proving to regulators that it could operate long over-water flights safely. The late launch means JetBlue will miss most of the peak summer travel vacation season. However, travel between the United States and the United Kingdom is still restricted because of the coronavirus pandemic, and it's not clear when restrictions will be eased.

"Given that the U.K. remains closed, we didn't feel a ton of pressure to open earlier in the summer," JetBlue President Joanna Geraghty said in an interview. "This gives us a couple more months. We are pretty optimistic that by then things will be ready to go."

Before the pandemic, New York-London was among the most lucrative and highly competitive airline routes on the globe. It was popular with high-fare corporate travelers moving between two great financial hubs.

JetBlue believes it can undercut other airlines on price by using fuel-efficient and smaller, single-aisle Airbus jets with 117 economy seats and 24 lie-flat seats in a premium service that it calls Mint.

JetBlue said fares will start at $599 and 329 in economy and $1,979 and 999 in Mint. The latter is several hundred dollars cheaper than mid-August business-class fares displayed on Google Flights for rivals such as American Airlines, British Airways and Icelandair.

New entrants frequently offer deals when they start on new routes. Sometimes the bargains go away quickly.

JetBlue wants to offer more flights but found it difficult to break into Heathrow, where takeoff and landing slots are hard to get. The daily JFK-Heathrow flight will arrive in London after 10 a.m., which is later than many business travelers like.

"The times are not what we would have preferred," Geraghty said, "but we also think they are times that are very workable for a large number of customers."

JetBlue is looking next at expanding into continental Europe, where it would run into more competition from American, Delta and United. Among the cities being considered are Paris and Amsterdam, Geraghty said.

Explore further JetBlue is the latest airline to retreat from blocking seats

 2021 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.
A visual representation of some robots and a formed 'molecule'. Credit: Cicerone et al.

Research focusing on swarm robotics typically uses theoretical approaches to describe robotic systems in an abstract way. A theoretical model that is often used in robotics studies is OBLOT, an approach that represents robots as simple systems, all identical, without a memory and unable to communicate with each other.

Researchers at University of L'Aquila and University of Perugia in Italy recently created MOBLOT, an extension of the OBLOT model that can be applied to a broader range of swarm robotics systems. This new model, presented at the 20th International Conference on Autonomous Agents and Multiagent Systems (AAMAS 2021), is inspired by the ways in which atoms naturally arrange themselves to form matter.

"MOBLOT is a new model in the context of theoretical swarm robotics," Alfredo Navarra, one of the researchers who carried out the study, told TechXplore. "The acronym stands for Molecular OBLivious robOTs, since the inspiration comes from nature: Like atoms combining themselves to form molecules, in MOBLOT, simple (and very weak) robots can move to form more complex computational units (which are also called molecules in the model), having an extent and different capabilities with respect to robots."

Once formed, molecular robots can arrange themselves into any shape based on specific compositional properties, forming a robotic "matter." After forming a given shape, if presented with other inputs or stimuli, the molecules can automatically rearrange (i.e., self-reconfigure) their positions to change this shape.

"Basically, we were looking for a model inspired by nature that is sufficiently general to govern the behavior of robot swarms, composable into more powerful entities (i.e., the molecules)," Navarra explained. "Our end goal is to model a robotic matter that can change shape algorithmically. So far, no such a theoretical model has been considered."

A visual representation of 'molecules' arranged to form a specific kind of matter. Credit: Cicerone et al.

MOBLOT is a general theoretical model that could be used in other studies focusing on swarm robotics. However, it was originally designed with "weak" robots in mind, those with very limited capabilities (e.g., without a memory or that cannot communicate with each other). Navarra and his colleagues specifically focused on "weak" robotic systems because they hoped that their model and the algorithms associated with it would be applicable to a large variety of existing, emerging and newly developed robots.

"The main characteristic that makes it unique concerns the ability of the robots to combine themselves into molecules (a structured subset of robots) that, once formed, acquire new capabilities," Navarra said. "A molecule is in fact considered as a unique entity with a specific extent and motion properties. This aims to 'add some power' to the model, i.e., there are some tasks that are unsolvable if no molecules are formed."

Compared to the OBLOT model and other swarm robotics approaches, the MOBLOT model can be applied across a broader range of scenarios in which the symmetry of a robot swarm formation is broken. Essentially, the model formalizes the behavior of very simple robots that can aggregate to form more complex robotic structures (the "molecules"), which in turn may form different kinds of final compounds (the "matter").

In a series of preliminary tests, Navarra and his colleagues showed that by representing robots as units forming molecules, MOBLOT could help to solve the so-called matter formation problem. In the future, the model could potentially also be used to explore other scientific and robotics problems.

In addition, this new theoretical model could inspire other teams to develop robots with compositional characteristics that resemble those of the robotic systems it describes. Navarra and his colleagues would like to explore this possibility further by initiating collaborations with other engineers and roboticists. Meanwhile, they also plan to expand on their model by considering the different environments that robots might navigate in.

"So far, MOBLOT concerns robots moving on the Euclidean plane," Navarra explained. "In this continuous environment, the robots are assumed to be able to execute accurate movements in any direction and by any amount, even by infinitesimally small amounts. However, for robots with weak mechanical capabilities, it may not be possible to execute such intricate movements with precision; thus, we are currently investigating the consequences of letting robots move in a grid-based terrain, where the movements are restricted only along grid lines and only to a neighboring grid point in each step."

Explore further Researchers develop a robotic guide dog to assist blind individuals

More information: MOBLOT: Molecular Oblivious Robots. Proceedings of the 20th International Conference on Autonomous Agents and Multiagent Systems (AMAAS 2021) (2021). MOBLOT: Molecular Oblivious Robots.(2021). dl.acm.org/doi/abs/10.5555/3463952.3463998

 2021 Science X Network
The two biggest Golden Isles Chamber of Commerce fundraisers of the year, Chamber Experience and Business & Bites, have been combined into one event for the first time. And it wont be the last.
Judge Steve Smith, who presides over the 361st District Court and is the countys administrative judge, said Tuesday that because of the separation of powers, Abbotts order does not impact the courts. He said the Brazos County Courthouse will keep its mask rules and other safety protocols for now, with changes possibly made at some point in the coming months.

Our intention is to get back to normal as soon as we can as consistent with the safety of the jurors and litigants in our courts  but for the time being, we will continue to require jurors to wear masks both at voir dire [the jury selection process] and during jury trials, Smith said.

Over the weekend, the CDC said it still recommends the use of masks and distancing measures in schools through the end of the current school year.

Last week, federal health officials authorized the use of the Pfizer vaccine for 12 to 15 year olds in the U.S. Additionally, Pfizer announced May 4 that it would seek emergency approval in September to vaccinate children ages 2 to 11.

Last Thursday was the first College Station council meeting in about a year that allowed members of the public to choose between attending in-person or virtually. Early in the pandemic, the city switched to a virtual-only format.
Demonstrators were marching to the home of then-Mayor Lyda Krewson amid nationwide protests after police killed George Floyd in Minneapolis. The protesters ventured onto a private street that includes the McCloskey mansion. The couple, both of them attorneys in their early 60s, said they felt threatened after protesters broke down an iron gate and ignored a No Trespassing sign. Protest leaders denied damaging the gate and said the march was peaceful.
To make them pay their fair share, we desperately need a stronger IRS. But the billionaire wealth defense industry has teamed up with Republicans in Congress to demonize and defund the tax authorities on the beat.

Since 2010, the IRS has lost roughly 18,000 full-time positions, primarily due to Republican budget cuts. With these cuts, it has lost the expertise required to follow the money and unravel the complex tax dodges that have proliferated in recent years.

Now, the priorities of the IRS totally are misdirected. You are four-times more likely to get audited if you use the Earned Income Credit  a tax break for working families  than if youre a billionaire using a Grantor Retained Annuity Trust.

This is why the tax gap between the amount owed and the amount collected has expanded so dramatically. IRS commissioner Charles Rettig told Congress in April that the gap may be as large as $1 trillion a year.

To pay for his investment program, President Biden has proposed restoring higher corporate and individual tax rates and taxing millionaire income on capital gains at the same rate as wages. Thats good.
Richwood, TX (77531)

Today

A mix of clouds and sun. High 89F. Winds S at 10 to 15 mph..

Tonight

Clear to partly cloudy. Low 77F. Winds S at 10 to 15 mph.
According to Smith, Blue Ridge Towers is currently working with the FCC and the State Historic Preservation Office on the potential impacts of the tower location. He said some of the work was ongoing and not yet completed, which led to the decision to delay action.

While a review process from the federal agencies is still ongoing, Smith held firm that the current proposed location of the tower was likely the best. He also questioned how much impact the tower would have on the parks viewshed.

Support Local Journalism Your subscription makes our reporting possible. {{featured_button_text}}

Power lines, the water tower in Westlake and Grand Home Furnishings can be seen from the park, Smith said. Adding a 160-foot monopine tower that resembles an evergreen tree clustered in 12 acres of forest was pretty much a natural fit, he said.

Westlake needs the tower, the county needs the tower, and there is no way to make it invisible so you have to find a way to lessen the impact and thats how we got to where we are, Smith said.

The proposed tower in Westlake has gone through several revisions since it was first introduced nearly two years ago. The tower has been moved farther back on the 12-acre lot behind Grand Home Furnishings. Its size was also reduced from an original height of 199 feet to the currently proposed 160 feet to reduce its view from the park.
A Hall County District Court jury on Tuesday found Antoine Johnson of Lincoln guilty on six of eight charges in the May 2020 shooting of Gary Zierke III in Grand Island.

Zierke, also of Lincoln, was found with a single gunshot wound to his head near the intersection of Sycamore and Oklahoma streets at 12:20 a.m. May 28. Zierke, 31 at the time, survived the shooting. The Nebraska State Patrol arrested Johnson following an 18-hour search between Aurora and Henderson.

The jury found Johnson guilty of criminal attempt of murder in the second degree, first-degree assault, discharge of a firearm in certain cities and counties and three counts of use of a deadly weapon to commit a felony.

He was determined to be not guilty of kidnapping and one count of use of a deadly weapon to commit a felony. He had been accused of kidnapping Ricardo Aguilar.

Johnson, 34, will be sentenced by Judge John Marsh at 10 a.m. July 21.

Two charges against Johnson had been dismissed  robbery and one count of use of a deadly weapon to commit a felony.

The trial began on May 10. The jury, which received the case late Monday afternoon, returned with a verdict Tuesday afternoon.
The white settlers brought a hatred for the big predators that was deeply ingrained in their minds. These Europeans had killed off most of the predators in their lands years before sailing to America. Thus, when the new settlers arrived in America, they were not used to the lions, bears and wolves that roamed their new home. Often what people fear they also hate, and so wish to destroy it.

Early in colonial times, bounties were established to eliminate the predators.

It worked all too well, and by the 1850s cougars were becoming scarce east of the Mississippi River, Vierk writes. The deer were also being hunted almost to extermination for the European markets that were hungry for deer skins. Since the cougars favorite meal was deer, they struggled to survive.

By 1900, cougars were believed to be gone from all the states east of the Mississippi except for a small population in south Florida.

The same held true for the prairie states. Now cougars could only be found in the western states where they could hide out better from the relentless persecution by the white man with his traps, guns and dogs, Vierk writes.
BURWELL  Uniting with the Founding Fathers in recognizing the primacy of the citizenrys right to bear arms to defend their freedom from tyranny, according to a city press release, the Burwell City Council members voted unanimously on May 11 in favor of a resolution proclaiming Burwell a Second Amendment Sanctuary City.

More than half of Nebraskas counties have adopted similar resolutions, according to the release, and on April 13 Gov. Pete Ricketts designated the state of Nebraska itself a Second Amendment Sanctuary State.

Declaring sanctuary status of a locality originally was conceived to thwart the efforts of federal law enforcement to apprehend illegal immigrants with local officials subverting immigration laws by refusing to cooperate with arresting agencies. This tactic has been employed across the United States as an extrajudicial tool to render laws moot that they view as discriminatory and unjust. By contrast, the Second Amendment Sanctuary movement seeks to preserve freedoms enshrined in the Constitution, with the individual citizens right to arm themselves seen as the last bulwark against loss of liberty.
LINCOLN  Central City High School English teacher Taylor Lenz recently was honored by a statewide English teachers organization.

Lenz is the recipient of this years Nebraska Language Arts Council Nebraska Language Arts/English Student Teacher of the Year Award and Gerry Cox Memorial Student Teacher of the Year.

Lenz, in her first year of teaching, accepted the award May 7 at the Nebraska State Capitol Rotunda, along with other NELAC award honorees. She was presented a framed, signed certificate of recognition and an engraved plaque, as well as a $500 award on behalf of the late Gerry Cox Memorial Fund. The monetary award is to help new teachers as they transition into their new career.

The award was presented by Ann Quinlan of Lincoln, national National Council Teachers of English representative. Clark Kolterman, NELAC awards chair, announced the award. In addition to the May 7 Language Arts Honors Day presentation at the Capitol, Lenz was recognized at an August 2020 luncheon as well the annual Plum Creek Literacy Festival Teachers Day at Concordia (Neb.) University.

We are very excited to honor Taylor, as she exemplifies all the positives of a young high school language arts educator and know she will well represent this honor and award, Kolterman said.
McKenzie has made it clear that without any bases in neighboring countries, it will require far more aircraft to keep watch over Afghanistan because they will have to fly for four hours to six hours from other U.S. military installations in the Middle East. The flight distance severely limits the amount of time the aircraft can spend in the air over Afghanistan.

Military leaders are grappling with how best to carry out President Joe Bidens order to withdraw all American troops from Afghanistan by September while still providing support to the Afghan forces and monitoring the threat that prompted the U.S. invasion of the country after the attacks of Sept. 11, 2001.

Commanders have said they will monitor threats from over the horizon, to ensure that terrorists cannot again use Afghanistan as a base to launch attacks against the U.S. But they have acknowledged that the U.S. does not yet have any agreements for basing or overflights from any of the neighboring countries.

McKenzie said he is confident the U.S. will get the access it needs. But as yet, there are no firm solutions or decisions.

At the same time, Pentagon leaders and Congress members have expressed concerns that once the U.S. leaves, the Afghan government and its military will be quickly overrun by the Taliban.
In the past, we have always gone back to taking a soft approach, said Commissioner Jack Sikes. We have only just warned them and thats it. With this, we arent telling them anything other than what the law tells us anyway.

Interestingly enough, NIRMA (the countys insurance carrier) recently had information on this very topic in their newsletter, Lyons told the board members. Turns out, if we dont enforce these codes, the county is liable and if we dont do anything, NIRMA wont insure us (in the event of an accident, injury, etc.). For an example, for a long time, York County allowed burning in ditches and we are breaking the law when we allow people to do this. All law enforcement officers are required to enforce this statute. And all counties (which are members) are being put on notice that (NIRMA) wont ensure us if we dont enforce. We have to take measures to clean up and enforce or we will be liable if something happens.
Omaha Sen. Megan Hunt called Murman's bill a zombie "that keeps getting killed and coming back to life" and indicated she was willing to kill the underlying piece of legislation.

Lincoln Sen. Matt Hansen accused Murman and Groene of blackmailing Walz to accept the amendment with the promise.

"They have threatened to filibuster and kill the scholarships if their amendment didn't get adopted," Hansen said.

Meanwhile, backers of Murman's plan said they wouldn't support LB529 without his amendment being in place.

Groene, who previously sponsored legislation allowing teachers to physically restrain students, lobbed his own accusation, saying the scholarships were being held up by "a radical group of anarchists" in the Legislature.

The North Platte senator said he had kept his word during negotiations and alleged others had broken their promises.

Near the end of debate, Walz implored lawmakers to consider the 13,000 students who receive money to go to college through the lottery funds.

"We have so many people depending on this, depending on you to make a decision," she said. "It's time to stop playing the games. We have to continue to focus on what's important."
Bahena Rivera also admitted that he got out of his car and ran to catch up with her, and became angry and fought with her after she threatened to call police, Klaver said. Bahena Rivera said the next thing he remembered was driving his Malibu with her bloody body in the trunk, which he then carried over his shoulder and hid underneath stalks in a cornfield, the prosecutor said.
It's just not workable, said Sen. Julie Slama, of Peru.

But Sen. Ray Aguilar, of Grand Island, said he's spoken with workers who are still fearful about working in plants and want protections in place for one more year, as the bill would have mandated.

Sen. Matt Hansen, of Lincoln, said it's too early to celebrate the end of the pandemic and assume that the workers will be safe.

The place we are at is tenuous, he said.

An estimated 7,382 Nebraska meatpacking workers have tested positive since the pandemic began, 256 have been hospitalized and 28 have died. Early in the pandemic, several Nebraska meatpacking towns were considered coronavirus hotspots. Ricketts and other governors said cases were spiking because workers lived together in close quarters.

Sen. Steve Erdman, of Bayard, said meatpacking plants instituted pandemic safety protections voluntarily, including temperature checks, masks for employees and metal dividers between line workers.

We have missed the mark when we think government is the answer to everything, he said.
The Texas Legislature wrapped up this years lawmaking session on Sunday. Although members of the House and Senate touted wins for both Republicans and Democrats, tensions are rising between the legislative bodies amid criticism from Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick. What would you grade this years legislative session?

You voted:
The best bang for your buck! This option enables you to purchase online 24/7 access and receive the Sunday, Tuesday & Thursday print edition at no additional cost * Print edition only available in our carrier delivery area. Allow up to 72 hours for delivery of your print edition to begin. Print edition not available for Day Pass option.
MOUND CITY  Authorities are investigating after a suspect on the scene of a fire Tuesday night shot off a gun in the direction of a sheriff's deputy and injured a female in custody.

Illinois State Police officials were dispatched at 10 p.m. Tuesday at the request of the Pulaski County Sheriff's Department to investigate the shooting.

The shooting occurred in the 700 block of Pearl Street in Mound City.

In the wake of a fire at a residence earlier in the evening, a Pulaski County sheriff's deputy was conducting an investigation at the scene, according to an ISP news release.

Support Local Journalism Your membership makes our reporting possible. {{featured_button_text}}

A brief physical altercation with several individuals and the deputy occurred when they attempted to obstruct the investigation, authorities said.

The deputy eventually detained a female, placing her in the back seat of his squad car. While the deputy was taking a second individual into custody, an unknown suspect shot in the direction of the deputy, the release stated.

The female detained in the back seat of the squad car was struck by gunfire. She was transported to a regional hospital where she was treated and released. The deputy and the second suspect he was taking into custody were uninjured in the incident, police said.
Whitten, who graduated earlier this month with a political science degree, said the recent presidential campaign and the incidents at the Capitol following President Bidens inauguration weighed on the students minds as the wrote their letters.

As I was writing my paper, I really thought about how difficult the current political climate is and what Joe Biden can do to navigate that, Whitten said.

Shaw said some of the students found the exercise more difficult than they first imagined.

I think they were really intrigued by the challenge of this moment and trying to figure out what the American president should do during this very difficult time, he said. I think the basic tone was, President Biden, you face a really, really big challenge.

All of the students, Shaw said, included discussions on climate change, racial relations and the sense of polarization across the country currently.

They were saying how important it is for the president to try to bring the country together, past the notion of Red America and Blue America into a single, united country again, he explained. Many of them made a point of saying that we are not in a good place and it is important for you to lead us to a better place.
Like the common thread of adult exploitation, there can be threats to send the photos or videos to family or friends. There may be a demand for money, but often the pressure is for more, and increasingly explicit, material. Sometimes the predators will claim, wrongly, that the victims will get in trouble for sharing the images.

A teen trapped

I remember just lying in bed in silence and just thinking. I felt like God was so disappointed in me, and I didnt know what to do. I wouldnt get home until late at night and then Id have to send him all these pictures. And as Im doing this, he would be like, No this isnt right. This one is blurry. or You didnt do this right, you werent doing it right, you gotta do it again, she said. Thats where being a slave to him comes in, because I had to make sure I complied and I sent him all this because, one, maybe tomorrow Ill get a break. Ill get a day off tomorrow if I just do all these right. I never wanted to send them or give him what he wanted, but I wanted my freedom, I guess. So I figured the only way to do that is if I do it right, but nothing was ever right.
HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP)  Pittsburgh Mayor Bill Peduto lost his bid for re-election Tuesday to Ed Gainey, a five-term state representative, as the city took a big step toward electing its first Black chief executive.

Peduto, a Democrat, had been seeking a third term against three primary challengers but instead called to congratulate Gainey, Wishing him well in a tweet late Tuesday.

Gainey was all but assured a victory in November in the heavily Democratic city. He had consistently made the campaign about equality for Black and poor residents, and accused Peduto of failing to ensure equity in policing, housing and other areas. At one point, he called Pittsburgh a tale of two cities.

One person can't change a city. A city is changed when we all come together to improve the quality of life for everybody, Gainey told supporters late Tuesday.

Statewide, Pennsylvania voters were given the opportunity to limit a governor's emergency authority  more than a year after Gov. Tom Wolf's pandemic restrictions drew fierce backlash among legislative Republicans  in an otherwise quiet off-year primary election that also included balloting for an open seat on the state's highest court.
James disclosure of a widening investigation is not necessarily an indication that she is planning to bring criminal charges. In New York, if that were to happen, the state attorney general can do so through a county district attorney, like Vance, or with a referral from Gov. Andrew Cuomo or a state agency.

James civil investigation and Vances criminal probe had overlapped in some areas, including examining whether Trump or his businesses manipulated the value of assets  inflating them in some cases and minimizing them in others  to gain favorable loan terms and tax benefits.

Vances investigation also included a look at hush-money payments paid to women on Trumps behalf and the propriety of tax write-offs the Trump Organization claimed on millions of dollars in consulting fees it paid, including money that went to Trumps daughter, Ivanka.

Vances office hasnt publicly said what it is investigating, citing grand jury secrecy rules, but some details have come out during a legal battle to get access to Trump's tax records, which it finally obtained in February.
South Africa: Over one million students eligible for NSFAS funding

The National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) says a total of 1 263 671 students have been assessed as eligible for funding.

NSFAS Board Chairperson Ernest Khosa said the number of eligible students for 2021 funding includes 712 428 first time entry students and 551 243 continuing students, with 323 445 from Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) colleges and 940 226 universities.

Khosa was addressing the media, following an oversight visit by the Portfolio Committee on Higher Education, Science and Technology at the schemes head office in Cape Town on Tuesday.

He said that NSFAS Board requested to meet the committee to introduce itself following its appointment on 1 January 2021. The board also wanted to share its strategy to turnaround the organisation and to pledge its commitment of cooperating with the committee, as an oversight structure of Parliament.

Khosa highlighted that despite the operational challenges experienced by the scheme when it was converted into a fully bursary fund from being a provider of student loans in 2018, the scheme continued to grow and has contributed to changing the lives of many South Africans.

To illustrate, in 2017, there were 254 826 students funded and 40 564 graduates were produced. In 2018 these number grew by 84% leading to 361 449 students funded, and 59 249 graduates were produced, Khosa said.

While noting these achievements, Khosa said there continues to be challenges that the organisation faces, which ultimately impact on the student experience.

These include, amongst others:

Student funding shortages;

Student centred model  delays in funding decisions, appeals processing, disbursements; weak queries resolution mechanism; policy issues such as the N+ 2 rule, absentee parents, postgraduate funding, student accommodation etc.;

Organisational structure that is not aligned to student centred model, lack of consequence management, lack institutional performance management;

Negative audit outcomes; and

Systems that are not fully responsive to the core business of the organisation.

Strategies to address challenges

Khosa said during the meeting with the committee, the board shared its strategies to address amongst other issues, the continuous challenges facing the organisation.

On the student funding, he said the scheme will support the work of Higher Education and Training (DHET) in assessing funding mechanisms.

The board is also developing a fund-raising strategy.

On student cantered model, we have commissioned an application system and process that will make real time funding eligibility decisions; appeals will be immediate for new students and for continuing students a new appeal portal will be introduced in the second semester which will assist in timely decision making.

The board, working with the DHET is exploring some funding policy issues. The board has initiated the process of reviewing the organisational structure to align to the student-cantered model. This work is expected to be completed within three months, Khosa said.  SAnews.gov.za

This story has been published on: 2021-05-19. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article.
Shepherd's Men to Run, Ruck and Swim in Four States, Seven Cities Over Seven Days to Honor Post-9/11 Veterans

Annual run raises funds and awareness for PTSD and TBI Treatment at Atlanta-based Shepherd Center



NEWS PROVIDED BY

Shepherd's Men

May 19, 2021



ATLANTA, May 19, 2021 /Christian Newswire/ -- The Shepherd's Men, a 10-member team of active duty, medically retired and honorably discharged servicemen and civilian patriots dedicated to raising funds and awareness for the Atlanta-based Shepherd Center's SHARE Military Initiative, will kick off their seventh annual Shepherd's Men Run in Arlington, Va. at the U.S. Marine Corps War Memorial (Iwo Jima Memorial) on May 24. The seven days, May 24-31will be filled with running, rucking and swimming in Baltimore, Maryland; Arlington and Lynchburg, Virginia; Mt. Juliet and Chattanooga, Tennessee; and Athens and Atlanta, Georgia.



The Shepherd's Men Run is a seven-day, seven-city physical challenge during which each member of the Shepherd's Men team will run, ruck and swim every day, totaling over 1,000 miles collectively, while wearing 22-pound flak vests with armor plates to honor the lives of the 22 veterans who commit suicide in the United States each day. The gear simulates what U.S. military troops wear during battle and represents the physical, mental and emotional burden veterans cope with while readjusting to civilian life. During the Mt. Juliet, TN movement, the team will carry 83 pounds in a rucksack, and march 15.3 miles, to honor the life of Country Music Icon and longtime Shepherd's Men supporter, Charlie Daniels.





Shepherd's Men run through Johnson City, TN Cemetery on a 22km run to honor veterans, wearing 22-lb weights to represent 22 U.S. veterans' deaths by suicides every day. Left to right: 1st Sgt Walt Marques, USMC Ret, James Peterson (US Army and SHARE Alum) and Co-founder of Shepherd's Men Travis Ellis



"We run for our brothers and sisters who lost their lives, for our brothers and sisters who are still fighting long after leaving the battlefield and for our brothers and sisters who have not yet returned home," says Travis Ellis, Shepherd's Men co-founder. "We will not rest until the number of lives lost every day to suicide goes from 22 to 0. Our veterans deserve to live meaningful, gratifying lives with their families after their courageous service to our country."



The 2021 Shepherd's Men Run route is as follows:

May 23  Baltimore, Md. (5k only)

May 24  Arlington, Va.

May 25, 26  Lynchburg, Va.

May 27  Mt. Juliet, Tenn.

May 28, 29  Chattanooga, Tenn.

May 30, 31  Athens, Ga.

May 31  Atlanta, Ga.

*Detailed run routes for each city are available upon request.



The annual run is the Shepherd's Men's primary fundraising effort for the SHARE Military Initiative at The Shepherd Center in Atlanta. SHARE is a comprehensive rehabilitation program that focuses on assessment and treatment for veterans of the Iraq and Afghanistan wars who suffer from traumatic brain injury (TBI) and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The team's 2021 goal is to raise $1.2 million by hosting fundraisers during their journey and, in turn, fully fund one year's operating budget for SHARE.



"It is our desire to shine light on the condition of those struggling in our veteran communitymany of whom suffer in silence, isolating themselves from family, friends and the community," said Ellis. "For many of our veterans, their struggles, without proper care, often lead to broken families, addiction and unfortunately loss of life. That's why we are committed to raising awareness and funds to provide life-saving resources to sustain the SHARE Military Initiative at Shepherd Center."



About Shepherd's Men

Shepherd's Men is an organization comprised of dedicated patriots committed to creating advocacy and opportunity for our nation's heroes who have been affected by the hidden injuries of war. They serve our noble warriors by means of outreach, empowerment and the funding of treatment. It is their belief that victory in combat is achieved on two fronts  on the field and in the mind. Shepherd's Men is raising funds and awareness for the SHARE Military Initiative at Shepherd Center in Atlanta. This comprehensive rehabilitation program focuses on assessment and treatment for veterans of the Iraq and Afghanistan wars who suffer from traumatic brain injury and post-traumatic stress disorders. For more information, please visit www.shepherdsmen.com. For more information on the SHARE Military Initiative, click here. #SHARETheBurden22



About the Shepherd Center

Shepherd Center, located in Atlanta, Georgia, is a private, not-for-profit hospital specializing in medical treatment, research and rehabilitation for people with spinal cord injury, brain injury, multiple sclerosis, spine and chronic pain, and other neuromuscular conditions. Founded in 1975, Shepherd Center is ranked by U.S. News & World Report among the top 10 rehabilitation hospitals in the nation. In its more than four decades, Shepherd Center has grown from a six-bed rehabilitation unit to a world-renowned, 152-bed hospital that treats more than 935 inpatients, 541 day program patients and more than 7,300 outpatients each year. For more information, visit Shepherd Center online at www.shepherdcenter.org.



SOURCE Shepherd's Men



CONTACT: Sheryl R. Sellaway, 404-695-5564, Sheryl@righteouspragency.com


Bidens relationship with Netanyahu could be further complicated for the president by a shifting tide on Israel among some congressional Democrats. Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez of New York has called Israel an apartheid state, and Rep. Ilhan Omar of Minnesota has labeled Israeli airstrikes terrorism. Biden, during a visit to a Michigan on Tuesday, had an animated conversation about the ongoing fighting with Rep. Rashida Tlaib, who has family in the West Bank. Tlaib told Biden that his administration must do far more to protect Palestinian lives, according to a person familiar with their conversation,
The officers, in uniform, continued to follow Lua while telling him to drop it and show your hands, according to prosecutors. Lua never responded to the officers.

Another two officers, also in uniform, arrived in a squad car in the area of the 1500 block of South Lawndale Avenue and got out of the car with their weapons drawn, prosecutors said. Lua walked toward the officers while they ordered him to stop and remove his hands from his pocket.

Lua then removed a handgun from his pocket and began firing at the officers, prosecutors said. Three of the officers returned fire. One officer was hit in the hand and the other, in the hip and shoulder. Lua was shot in the leg.

The officers were taken to Mount Sinai Hospital, and were released the same day. Lua was taken to Stroger Hospital, where he was still being treated Tuesday.

One officer needs to see a hand specialist, and the other needs assistance walking, prosecutors said.

Willis noted the two police officers were shot multiple times, but said he has not been able to hear the defenses case for mitigation because of Luas condition.

The individual appears to be going through some sort of mental health crisis, Willis said.

The judge also set $100,000 bail for a charge of violation of bail bond in a separate case against Lua.

Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0
SPRINGFIELD  The Illinois State Board of Education unanimously passed a resolution Wednesday calling on all public schools to return to in-person learning during the upcoming school year.

The resolution doesnt institute any mandates or requirements for Illinois schools to follow, but shows unified support from ISBE for an upcoming decision by State Superintendent Carmen Ayala.

In a weekly blog posted to the ISBE website, Ayala said she plans to make the mandate official at the conclusion of the current academic year, meaning the change will not take effect until next school year.

Once Ayala issues an official declaration, all public schools will be required to return to in-person learning for the 2021-2022 academic year with no exceptions. Only students who are both unvaccinated and under a quarantine order from the Illinois Department of Health will be eligible to continue remote learning.

A spokeswoman for ISBE said they expect the bulk of the population eligible for remote learning at the start of the school year to be under 12 years old.

We encourage families to use the summer months to ensure that eligible children get vaccinated, she said. The vaccines are safe, effective, and proven to protect you from getting sick.
The county will receive $471,800 to go toward the completion of the Orangeburg County Library project.

This is all done in a way to save taxpayers money, and were going after grant funding to help defray the costs of these projects, and basically this is close to a million dollars that weve been able to receive in grant funding, Young said.

Young thanked USDA and the countys congressional delegation for spearheading the work to get the funding approved.

Support Local Journalism Your membership makes our reporting possible. {{featured_button_text}}

Also during the meeting:

 Council approved a motion to enter a contract with Intelligent Lifecycle Solutions for the collection and disposal of e-waste. The company will charge 30 cents per pound to dispose of the waste at the Orangeburg County Landfill.

 Council approved a resolution to apply for funding from the S.C. Department of Transportation for the Cross County Connection for fiscal year 2022.

 Council approved third reading of a zoning request from John Anderson to rezone property located at 118 Caribbean Court in Vance from the residential general district to the forest agricultural district. Anderson is seeking to establish a campground/RV park.
Blackouts have become more common in California as utility companies will often intentionally turn off the power when it gets too windy in the dry summer months to prevent toppled powerlines from starting wildfires  like the one that killed 85 people and mostly destroyed the town of Paradise in 2018.

But the blackouts in August were the first in nearly 20 years because of an energy shortage, putting California's quest to have 100% of its energy come from renewable sources under more scrutiny.

This summer will be an important test for the state, said Assemblyman Chris Holden, a Democrat from Pasadena and chair of the Assembly Utilities and Energy Committee. California is at the vanguard of renewable energy policy. The nation and the world are watching to see how we integrate renewables but also that we can ensure reliability while doing so.

California's plan to survive the summer includes buying power from places that are not clean resources," Marybel Batjer, president of the California Public Utilities Commission, told lawmakers on Tuesday. She did not say what those sources were, but she said regulators chose to buy them because they wanted to do everything they could to prevent blackouts this summer out of health and safety concerns.
NEW YORK (AP)  Even by Bitcoin's standards, Wednesday was pretty wild.

The price of the famously volatile digital currency fell nearly 30% at one point after the China Banking Association warned member banks of the risks associated with digital currencies. The decline narrowed to below 10% in the afternoon, but Bitcoin had still lost about $70 billion in market value in 24 hours.

Bitcoin has lost about 38% of its value since April 13 when it hit a high of more than $64,800, according to Coindesk. The China warning was just the latest headwind: Before Wednesday, Tesla's decision to not accept the digital currency as payment for cars  after it said it would  and murmurings in Washington about tighter regulation of digital currencies had put pressure on Bitcoin. The price is still up about 31% in 2021 and nearly 300% from a year ago.

Heres a look at Bitcoin and digital currencies in general:



HOW BITCOIN WORKS
No one claimed responsibility for the attack, and Hezbollah, which fought a monthlong war against Israel in 2006, has stayed out of the fighting for now. The rockets were widely believed to be fired by Palestinian factions based in south Lebanon.

But they cannot operate without Hezbollahs tacit consent, and the barrage appears to be carefully calibrated to send a political message that the group, which has tens of thousands of missiles, could join the battle at any time. Israel considers Hezbollah to be its most formidable threat and has threatened widespread destruction in Lebanon if war were to erupt.

In Gaza, one of the Israeli airstrikes destroyed the home of an extended family.

Residents surveyed the piles of bricks, concrete and other debris that had once been the home of 40 members of al-Astal family in the southern Gaza town of Khan Younis. They said a warning missile struck the building five minutes before the airstrike, allowing everyone to escape.

Ahmed al-Astal, a university professor, described a scene of panic, with men, women and children racing out of the building.
During that time, I had the opportunity to travel throughout Israel, including Palestinian territories, and surrounding Arab countries. Of note, we deployed shortly after Benjamin Netanyahu was first elected prime minister. Based on Netanyahus known conservatism, this caused a great deal of violence and acts of terror by the Palestinians.

Regardless, I had the chance to speak with average people from the different sides and form my opinions about the conflict. I deployed to the MFO mission neutral to all sides. I had previously deployed to Kuwait twice and had listened to a number of anti-Israel voices. I left the MFO mission knowing that, despite minor imperfections, Israel was the good guy America should support in the dispute with the Palestinians.

The first thing I noticed was that Israel was the kind of free, equal and Democratic nation like America, while the other side was opposite. After the Israeli War of Independence (1948-49), Jews from throughout the Middle East were expelled by Arabs and resettled in Israel. Jews are virtually non-existent within the Palestinian areas beyond fortified Jewish settlements.
This subscription will allow existing subscribers of The World to access all of our online content, including the E-Editions area.

NOTE: To claim your access to the site, you will need to enter the Last Name and First Name that is tied to your subscription in this format: SMITH, JOHN

If you need help with exactly how your specific name needs be entered, please email us at admin@countrymedia.net or call us at 1-541 266 6047.
We're always interested in hearing about news in our community.

Let us know what's going on!

Submit Here
During one brief opening, UNRWA was able to bring in five fuel trucks, enough to help it run its facilities for a few weeks. But other trucks of food and medicine could not enter, reportedly prevented by ongoing shelling. Two days ago, Egypt sent in a supply convoy that included medical supplies and fuel, but that fuel is expected to run out Thursday.
State-and-regional

alert top story

Wyoming rocks: Ancient mammal trackway discovered

Anton Wroblewski, Department of Geology and Geophysics at the University of Utah A reconstruction of the brown-bear-sized mammals (Coryphodon) that made thousands of tracks in a 58-million-year-old, brackish water lagoon in what is now southern Wyoming. Jay Chapman, University of Wyoming From left, University of Wyoming students Shane Scoggin, Adam Trzinski and Jessie Shields are part of new research investigating crustal melting in western North America. Here, they examine igneous rocks in the Snake Range of Nevada.

The oldest mammal footprints ever found along a beach  dated to about 58 million years ago  have been identified in south-central Wyoming rock.

Because the tracks are from two different species and move across 1,000 yards, they are also the most diverse and largest accumulation of Paleocene mammal tracks in the world.

The discovery is documented in the journal Scientific Reports by authors Anton Wroblewski, an adjunct associate professor in the Department of Geology and Geophysics at the University of Utah, and Bonnie Gulas-Wroblewski, of the Texas A&M Natural Resources Institute.

The research is interesting because it records behavior, said Rob Thomas, a Regents professor of Geology at the University of Montana Western in Dillon.

When we find skeletal remains, we commonly dont get to understand behavior and paleoecological relationships of animals, he wrote in an email. Knowing that early Cenozoic mammals liked the beach shows they are not all that different from humans.

Anton Wroblewski, Department of Geology and Geophysics at the University of Utah A section of the 58-million-year-old tracksite demonstrating near-vertical tilting of the originally horizontal bedding with three separate trackways made by five-toed mammals walking in parallel.

Seaway

The footprints date to when Wyoming had beachfront property. At the time, a vast area stretching from an ancient Gulf of Mexico to the Arctic Ocean was covered by the Western Interior Seaway, which flooded much of what is now Montana and Wyoming.

In 2019 Wroblewski discovered the prints, fossilized in what is now Carbon County.

Paleontologists have been working in this area for 30 years, but theyve been looking for bones, leaf fossils and pollen, so they didnt notice footprints or trackways, Wroblewski said in a press release. When I found them, it was late afternoon and the setting sun hit them at just the right angle to make them visible on the tilted slabs of sandstone. At first, I couldnt believe what I was seeing; I had walked by this outcrop for years without noticing them. Once I saw the first few, I followed out the ridge of sandstone and realized they were part of a much larger, more extensive trackway.

The area where the prints were found is known as the Hanna Formation, one of the worlds largest saucer-like depressions, called an intracratonic depression.

Anton Wroblewski, Department of Geology and Geophysics at the University of Utah Anton Wroblewski points to an underprint made 58 million years ago by a heavy mammal (likely Coryphodon) walking on the deltaic deposits above. Underprints form when sediment is displaced downward by footsteps from heavy animals.

Mammals

One set of tracks are fairly large, five-toed footprints  about the size of a modern-day grizzly. Another set were medium-sized four-toed prints. The Wroblewskis say the five-toed prints were made by Coryphodon, a type of semiaquatic Pantodont, similar to a hippopotamus.

The four-toed prints are similar to artiodactyls and tapiroids. Artiodactyls are cloven-hoofed animals that include contemporary species like deer and elk. Tapiroids are related to modern-day tapirs, plant eaters with a short trunk-like nose. Yet the prints did not match anything in the current fossil record.

The scientists said these tracks represent the first-known prints of mammals using marine habitats, about 9.4 million years earlier than previously thought. They are also the first Paleocene mammal tracks found in the United States and only the fourth in the world. Two sets of tracks were previously found in Canada and one in Svalbard, Norway, according to the researchers.

Trace fossils like footprints record interactions between organisms and their environments, providing information that body fossils alone cannot, Anton said. In this case, trace fossils show that large-bodied mammals were regularly using marine environments only 8 million years after non-avian dinosaurs went extinct.

The date of the footprints was estimated using plant and pollen fossils found in the rock.

The tracks led to and crossed an area which also held traces of prehistoric marine mollusks and worms, as well as sea anemones, indicating the area was once a shallow tidal lagoon or bay, according to the university press release.

The authors speculate prehistoric mammals gathered by the sea for similar reasons as todays mammals, such as crossing to migrate, protection from predators and biting insects, and to find salt, which would have been limited in prehistoric North American tropical forests.

Jay Chapman, University of Wyoming University of Wyoming student Cody Pridmore, who is part of new research investigating crustal melting in western North America, examines igneous rocks in the Coyote Mountains of Arizona.

Rock on

Another recently published research paper reveals greater insights to an even earlier time in Wyomings geologic past  the Laramide orogeny when extensive mountain building took place about 80 million to 50 million years ago.

The uplifting created the Black Hills in South Dakota and Bighorn Mountains in Wyoming, as well as the Beartooth Mountains and Rocky Mountain Front in Montana, to name a few. The mountains rose as one part of the earths crust slid under another  known as subduction.

During this mountain-building process a belt of igneous rock stretching 2,000 miles  all the way from British Columbia to Sonora, Mexico  was formed. Igneous rocks are created when molten rock, like magma from a volcano, solidifies.

Geoscientists usually associate long belts of igneous rocks with chains of volcanoes at subduction zones, like Mount Shasta, Mount Hood, Mount St. Helens and Mount Rainer, said Jay Chapman, an assistant professor in University of Wyomings Department of Geology and Geophysics, in a press release. What makes this finding so interesting and mysterious is that this belt of igneous rocks is located much farther inland, away from the edge of the continent, and doesnt contain any evidence for producing volcanoes. In fact, all of the melting to generate the igneous rocks originally took place deep underground, five to 10 miles beneath the surface.

Chapman is lead author of a paper titled The North American Cordilleran Anatectic Belt. The research is the result of a special course taught by Chapman and Simone Runyon, an assistant professor in UWs Department of Geology and Geophysics. Runyon, six UW graduate students and one undergraduate student who took part in the course, are co-authors.

The Wyoming researchers have several hypotheses about what caused the rocks to melt. One is that water infiltrated the deep crust.

The geochemistry of these rocks indicates that melting may have occurred at relatively low temperatures, below 800 degrees Celsius (1,472 degrees Fahrenheit), said Jessie Shields, a Ph.D. student at UW from Minneapolis, Minn. That is still very hot, but not hot enough to produce very large volumes of magma. Water lowers the melting point of rocks, similar to how salt lowers the melting point of ice, and could increase the amount of magma generated.

For comparison, magma produced by Mount Kilauea in Hawaii reaches a temperature of 1,830 to 2,200 degrees (1,000 to 1,200 Celsius).

The water part is the most speculative, provocative part of this study, Chapman said. The idea is this water was provided from beneath rather than the surface.

Although originally identified in the 1980s, prior to the recent UW research the belt of rock had rarely been considered as a whole, Chapman said.

Because it had been so long, some academic geologists had forgotten about it, he said. So this is an update of some classic work.

Thomas, of the University of Montana Western, said the igneous activity during the Laramide orogeny was caused by a transition from subduction to extension of the lithosphere  the rigid outer layer of the earth.

Connecting up these various areas of magmatic activity may very well be too simplistic, he said.

Interestingly, the rocks are older in the middle and younger at both ends.

That age variation hadnt been put together before, Chapman said. Its a little bit of a mystery why there is an age variation.
A lot of this is a conversation Wyoming hasnt yet had, she said.

The child care providers who spoke to the Star-Tribune said the plan sounds positive, but not if it leaves them paying the difference.

Lisa Alvarado runs a day care program from her home and said the $15 an hour minimum would be a bump for her single employee, who now makes the state average for child care workers, about $11 an hour. Alvarado said she knows her employee would benefit, but she cant afford to offer a $4 hourly raise.

Another provider who did not want their name published worried such a federal requirement would force them to raise prices on parents.

Steinhoff also worries that without adequate federal support, the initiative could harm the majority of small businesses that make up the states child care system.

Support Local Journalism Your membership makes our reporting possible. {{featured_button_text}}

She said shes comforted by another element of Bidens plan: a promise to align child care costs with individual income.

A fact sheet outline of that plan reads for the most hard-pressed working families, child care costs for their young children would be fully covered, and those earning 1.5 times the state median wage wont pay more than 7% of their annual salary on child care for children under 5 years.
A Cheyenne prosecutor has been publicly censured after the Wyoming Supreme Court found he allowed testimony he knew to be false to be presented in a 2020 hearing.

David Singleton, a senior assistant district attorney in Laramie County, will have to pay around $800 in fees to the bar, but faces no other discipline besides the public reprimand.

According to a release from the Bar on Wednesday, Singleton knew a law enforcement officers testimony during a July 2020 preliminary hearing got some of the facts of the case wrong, but did not object to it at the time. The case centered around hemp plants found in a Laramie County barn, which testing showed were below the THC content that would make them illegal in the state.

Support Local Journalism Your membership makes our reporting possible. {{featured_button_text}}

The court found at that hearing that there wasnt enough evidence to pursue the charges of cultivating, possessing, and intending to deliver marijuana.

The Board of Professional Responsibility found Wednesday that Singleton had knowingly violated his obligation of candor to the court by not correcting the officers testimony and by further muddying the record during a later questioning.

The officer, according to the order of public censure, gave false information overstating the THC content found in plants in the case.
The House and the Senate have the ability to say yea or nay when it comes to war. But since World War II, they have effectively given up that ability to really make that determination. Theyve really turned a lot of power and authority that the Congress had over to the president, he told the Star-Tribune in 2020.

How will he be successful this time around?

It takes time. Folks dont win the first elections they (run), Miller said.

He plans to make a greater effort to fundraise and to talk to the press more than in previous campaigns. Miller does not plan to fund a campaign from small donors, however.

Im not gonna sit around and take advantage of the folks who donate smaller sums just because of the hate thats out there for Liz Cheney, he said. She needs to go out for different reasons than hate. She needs to go for not representing us.
The total number of coronavirus cases in Wyoming grew by 57 on Wednesday, with the number of confirmed cases rising by 43 and the number of probable cases rising by 14, according to the Wyoming Department of Healths daily update.

Additionally, 22 new coronavirus recoveries were announced: 16 confirmed and six probable.

Numbers to know

Active cases: 317 (524 including probable cases)

Hospitalized patients: 39 (not yet updated from Monday)

Deaths: 713 (one announced this week, six announced this month)

Total vaccine doses received: 443,975 (215,475 Pfizer, 201,900 Moderna, 26,600 Johnson & Johnson)

First vaccine doses given: 181,327

Second vaccine doses given: 160,022

One-time vaccine doses given: 11,815

Are we trending up or down?

The states 14-day average in confirmed cases is 52.6 per day. That number is up 4.4 from a month ago.
Tobagonians are being urged not to show up at the health centres to request Covid-19 vaccines as vaccinations are being done by appointment only on the island.

Speaking at yesterdays Covid-19 news conference in Tobago, general manager of primary care at the Tobago Regional Health Authority (TRHA) Dr Roxanne Mitchell said some people descended on health centres on Wednesday, demanding to be vaccinated on a walk-in basis.
Do you have a news tip?

Want to share good news story, or do you have information that should see the light of day? Then we want to hear from you.

More here
The New York attorney general who recently ran for office campaigned without knowing me, stating we will join with law enforcement and other attorneys general across this nation in removing this president from office. I never met her, Trump said. All its been is a big investigation in Washington and New York and anyplace else that can investigate.
Two weeks ago, Belize police Senior Supt Henry Jemmott was shot through the head with his service weapon in San Pedro, an offshore tourist paradise.

Held for the killing was 32-year-old Jasmine Hartin, a glamorous Canadian.
The popular nautical-themed Foothills-area bar-restaurant Finis Landing is opening a sister restaurant in Oro Valley.

The Landing at 8195 N. Oracle Road will share most of Finis menu and vibe, but owners Scott Mencke and Doug Fini Finical decided to give the restaurant its own identity.

We didnt feel like Finis Landing, there should be more than one of them, Mencke said.

Mencke and Finical have been working on the Oro Valley location since last spring, when Chuys closed. They bought the building and began a complete build-out of the space after discovering that the layout was untenable for their design.

We decided to gut the entire place and threw out all of our ideas and started fresh with a blank slate, he said, putting the overall cost at $600,000 with the building purchase. At the point that we did that, we had already burned months.

Mencke said they hoped to open early this year and then pushed the date back to March, but they faced setbacks from contractors who were playing catchup on projects that were delayed because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Paycheck advance apps let users borrow a small amount of their expected earnings, usually in exchange for a small fee, and repay it on their next payday.

It seems like an attractive offer if you need extra cash between paychecks, and millions of users have accepted it. While its possible to use these apps without harming your finances, some consumer advocates say they can lead to a cycle of debt.

If youre thinking of using a paycheck advance app, heres what to know before you download.

FEES FRAMED AS TIPS

When Jose Polanco uses the Earnin app to borrow from his upcoming paycheck, the app asks him if he wants to leave a tip.

The New York school administrator says he gives the app $8 for the $100 he usually borrows. He says hes persuaded by the message the app displays that leaving a bigger tip helps pay for users who cant afford to tip at all.

Optional tips are a common way these apps reframe fees. While usually not required, theyre frequently encouraged.

Earnin CEO Ram Palaniappan says tips let the user decide what the service is worth to them rather than requiring a fee they may not be able to afford.
Public and private entities may set stricter masking requirements. The state of Arizona dropped its mandatory requirements in late March.

Travis Miller said he is waiting for the Pima County Health Department to weigh in before he stops requiring employees and customers at his seven Tucson restaurants to wear masks.

The Health Department (is) who actually governs my business. They can pull my permit, said Miller, who with his brother William owns four Serial Grillers restaurants. From a business standpoint and as a business owner, were still governed by the Pima County Health Department, and I wouldnt want to be penalized.

The Millers have required employees and customers to wear masks since the beginning of the pandemic in March 2020 at Serial Grillers and their other restaurants  Boulevard BBQ and Fixins and Toro Loco Tacos y Burros. The brothers also own Craft A Modern Drinkery at 4603 E. Speedway, where they are opening Transplant, a Detroit-style pizzeria, this summer.

Miller, who expressed concerns back in March that the state was moving too fast when it eliminated capacity limits at restaurants, echoed a similar concern about easing mask mandates.
Matias later retracted her confession.

Both were indicted on charges of conspiracy, possession and transportation of marijuana for sale.

At the arraignment, the prosecutor said he had real concern about one attorney representing both in a case where there are obviously competing defenses.

But Abrams dismissed those concerns, saying they essentially had a common defense agreement and had signed a waiver of potential conflict after being advised of their rights. Bolick said the trial judge made no further inquiries.

Both were convicted, with Duffy sentenced to three concurrent prison terms, the longest of which is six years.

Bolick said that conviction cannot stand.

Representation of multiple criminal defendants by the same attorney sometimes may be strategically warranted, but it raises conflict of interest risks, he wrote.

The justice also said the Sixth Amendment right to legal counsel  and a conflict-free legal counsel  can be waived.
Ducey now has 60 days to make his choice.

Merit process

The issue of political representation is significant as the commission, in sending nominations to the governor, is constitutionally limited to no more than 60% from any one party. In including the two independents and one Libertarian, panel members came as close as they could, at 57%.

Before 1974, all justices and judges were chosen by direct election, like politicians.

A constitutional amendment approved that year set up a merit selection process whereby applicants for the Supreme Court, Court of Appeals and Pima and Maricopa counties courts are reviewed by special screening panels. Those panels must send the governor at least three names from which he must choose. Since that time the system has been expanded to include Pinal and Coconino counties.

Judges stand for election on a retain-or-reject basis. If anyone is turned out of office, something that has rarely happened, the process of filling that vacancy starts over again.

Duceys court
Criminal suspects making their first appearance in Tucson City Court are now doing so live on YouTube, the courts administrator said.

The court recently began livestreaming initial appearance hearings in a bid to expand remote access that began in response to the coronavirus pandemic.

Until now, public access to such hearings required going to the Pima County jail in person to view a video link to the proceedings, Tucson City Court administrator Eric Silverberg said in a news release.

The change required a major upgrade to the courts remote technology, Silverberg said.

First appearance hearings are held 365 days a year, twice a day at 9 a.m. and 8 p.m. to comply with a legal requirement that any defendant being held in custody be seen by a judicial officer within 24 hours of arrest.

At the hearings, criminal suspects are advised of the charges against them, their right to an attorney, their release conditions, and their next hearing date.

The video appearances will not be recorded, but audio recordings will be available by contacting the court.
Prosecutors had alleged that Moore, 17 at the time of the shooting, was a Gangster Disciples gang member who mistook Dennis and two friends for rival gang members. Moore had been traveling with others in two separate cars when they spotted the three men on the porch, prosecutors alleged.
About 30 former students, by then in their mid-40s, showed up to the unearthing, some with children in tow. They were delighted to read letters theyd written themselves and to see how much theyd grown in 25 years.

Barnett thinks this time around, the capsule is even more important.

The psychology of education in COVID time has been different from anything I have ever known as an educator, she said. The lack of connection that we suffered through COVID was so hard. I think its going to mean much more to them.

High school senior Michael Jansky made a playlist to put in the capsule, with input from his classmates. He put in a QR code to access the music digitally. Music is especially influential for teenagers, he says, and he thinks it will remind them what that time in their lives was like.

Deciding what to put in the capsule and writing the essay inspired him to do some reflecting on his life and this past year.

It is important to know where youre at, he says. Just reflecting at the time is important, just so you know what youve achieved up to this point, and it gives you a good idea of what you will do in the future.
METAIRIE, La. (AP)  A Louisiana man had a chunk of his nose bitten off by a man he bought a drink for, authorities said.

Bryan Thayer, 34, told The Times-Picayune/The New Orleans Advocate that he finished a shift at the Metairie bar he owns and stopped by another bar just before 5 a.m. on May 8.

He and a friend bought a drink for a man later identified as Andrew Nierman, according to the Jefferson Parish Sheriffs Office.

The drink spilled on Nierman, but Thayer told the news outlet that he and his friend bought him another. He said the 32-year-old Neirman walked away but came back a few moments later and threatened Thayer.

He grabbed my head and took a chunk out of my nose, Thayer said.

Authorities said Nierman ran from the bar and got into a vehicle. Thayer, bleeding profusely, got the attention of a nearby deputy.

The deputy stopped Nierman, who said, I was just accosted by him, so I bit him in the face, according to an incident report.
ATLANTA (AP)  Ashley and Albert Debelbot were sitting in the same courtroom where, more than a decade earlier, they were convicted of murdering their newborn daughter. The district attorney walked over and apologized.

Thats when it sunk in for Ashley, 37, that they were free of the charges that lingered even after their convictions were overturned last year: To have the DA walk over to me and reach out his hand and apologize, in that moment I was like, This is happening.

The Debelbots brought baby McKenzy home two days after her birth in May 2008. Roughly 12 hours later, theyve said, they awoke in the middle of the night, noticed a bump on her forehead and rushed back to the hospital. McKenzy died hours later. Her parents were arrested the next day.

The couples lawyers say the babys injuries occurred naturally and her parents are victims of a rush to judgment that cost them 12 years. The original prosecutor remains convinced of their guilt.

The case was overturned not because of new evidence but because of statements the prosecutor made at trial.
When you go to see your health care provider, who do you want them to be protecting -- your welfare or theirs? she said.

Cathi Herrod, president of the Center for Arizona Policy, a conservative group that backed the state legislation, said the law will be valuable even if women are free to give another reason for seeking an abortion.

Doctors will be on notice, women will be on notice that you dont secure an abortion simply because theres a diagnosis of a nonterminal genetic condition, she said.

Michael New, an abortion opponent who teaches social research at Catholic University of America, said the laws are a good strategy for the anti-abortion movement even if their enforceability is questionable.

If these laws are upheld, that would create a precedent that would increase the likelihood that other types of protective pro-life laws would be upheld, he said via email.

He also suggested the laws could help shape public opinion, drawing attention to the high percentage of abortions in cases of a Down syndrome diagnosis.
This kind of unchecked use of US military financing has, in recent years, pushed Israel in the direction of abandoning the two-state solution, in which Palestinians would eventually have their own country in what are now Israeli-occupied territories. In the last two decades alone, Israel has significantly eroded the viability of the two-state solution by more than doubling its settler population in the West Bank  the territory that would comprise the bulk of a future Palestinian state. Thats why, if the United States is serious about brokering a peace deal between Israelis and Palestinians, it must begin putting conditions on the aid it provides in order to ensure that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahus expansionary government stops going down the dangerous path of de facto annexation of Palestinian land.

To be sure, Israel is not the only party in this deadly conflict that has committed atrocities. While the Israeli government has indiscriminately bombed residential buildings, schools, and hospitals, the Islamist militant group Hamas continues to also commit war crimes against Israelis. The violent extremists Hamas recruits must be held accountable for their attacks and human rights abuses. The United States should remain steadfast in ensuring that Israel has the capacity to defend itself against any real threats, be they the rockets fired by Hamas or Irans threat to wipe out the Jewish state.
FRISCO, Colo. (AP)  A former Colorado county coroner and his wife pled not guilty to charges of tampering with a human body Monday.

Shannon Kent, the former coroner for Lake County, and his wife, Staci Kent, were arrested in February after police said they found a badly decaying body in one of their private funeral homes in Silverthorne west of Denver, the Summit Daily News reported.

Authorities later identified the body as that of 42-year-old Victor Akubuo of California, who died in a car crash in July.

Akubuos family had retained the Kents' funeral services in August 2020, according to a statement from the Park County Coroners Office, which took custody of the body following its discovery.

According to a tip to the district attorney's office from an individual who hoped to purchase the funeral home, Shannon Kent said that he was meant to ship the body to Nigeria but couldnt because of COVID-19 restrictions at the time.

Investigators found that the body was obviously in various stages of decay."
Earlier in 2018, Lewis made about $300,000 in transfers from his campaign account to his bank account for his farm, according to court documents. These actions are not part of the plea. Lewis, a chief legislative author of Republican redistricting plans during the 2010s, repaid his campaign account and sent $65,000 in funds to the state Republican Party as he had reported on state campaign finance reports.

While Lewis' criminal conduct was both serious and willful, neither the defendants campaign nor any financial institution suffered a loss, he admitted his wrongdoing before an indictment was presented to a grand jury, and he accepted responsibility for his actions by pleading guilty and resigning" his House seat, the prosecutors wrote Tuesday in recommending probation. The U.S. Justice Department's public integrity office was involved in the case.

Lewis' attorneys described their client as a man trying to save his fourth-generation family farm after damage from two hurricanes, while being diagnosed with thyroid cancer and seeing legislative responsibilities expand, particularly with redistricting litigation.
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP)  A federal judge has dismissed a lawsuit filed last fall against the Metro Nashville Public Schools and a teacher over an elementary school assignment called Lets Make a Slave.

The Nashville Tennessean reports the lesson was given to a fourth grade class at an elementary school, Waverly Belmont, in February 2020. It focused on a 1700s speech given by plantation owner to white Virginia colonists on how to keep their Black slaves under control.

The family of the student, referred to as John Doe, said in the suit that the wild graphic and inappropriate lesson caused physical and emotional harm to their child, who is Black and has autism. The student said he was afraid he could be sold as a slave or that his family could be separated, according to the newspaper.

In the lawsuit, the family said the school district was indifferent to repeated acts of racial harassment directed toward the student by peers and adults.

U.S. District Judge Aleta Trauger dismissed the case on Monday.
The officers went to the complex in Champaign shortly after 3 a.m. in response to a report about a domestic disturbance and encountered the armed suspect, police said. An exchange of gunfire followed in which both officers and the suspect were shot.
BUFFALO, N.Y. (AP)  A woman heard shouting at police to Bring Nancy Pelosi out" to be hanged during the attack on the U.S. Capitol is among those charged in a new round of arrests announced Wednesday by federal officials.

Theyre criminals. They need to hang... Bring her out, Pauline Bauer of Kane, Pennsylvania, is heard shouting on body camera footage, according to a criminal complaint charging her with obstructing Congress and disorderly conduct.

In the series of complaints announced Wednesday, Bauer is charged with the most serious counts from among two Pennsylvania residents and five from upstate New York charged with being part of a mob of former President Donald Trumps supporters who pushed past police officers and broke through windows and doors on Jan. 6.

More than 400 people have been charged so far in the siege.

A witness told authorities Bauer's husband recently revealed that his wife had entered the Capitol building but said she had not been violent, according to the complaint. The witness said Bauer's increasingly political rhetoric over the past year had been driving business away from the restaurant Bauer runs with her husband.
So were starting that conversation, he said Wednesday at a news conference in Pottstown. You cant just flick a switch and make the change. But the voters have spoken, and were going to do what I think the voters expect us to do and make the best of it.

Wolf had strongly opposed the amendments, saying in January that Republicans were injecting partisan politics into emergency disaster response in a thinly veiled power grab. Just last week, he warned that the provisions were a threat to a functioning society that must respond to increasingly complicated disasters.

He struck a more conciliatory tone on Wednesday.

Theres no question that I opposed this. I said that many times in many different ways, Wolf said. But the voters have spoken, and Pennsylvania wants to change the rules. And I think its incumbent upon us to the best we possibly can to make those rules work.

Republicans accused Wolf of fear-mongering and had history on their side: The last time voters rejected a ballot question was in 1993, according to information provided by the state.
Champaign officers have been equipped with body cameras since 2017, and those cameras are supposed to be activated when an officer responds to service calls or is engaged in any law enforcement-related encounter, according to the departments website.

The department didnt immediately reply to Associated Press requests for further information about the shootout, including what the officers' body cameras captured.

Cobb said Oberheim joined the police force in Champaign in 2008. Before that, he spent seven years on Decaturs police force. Champaign is 125 miles (200 kilometers) southwest of Chicago,

His only intention was to serve, protect and help provide care before he was senselessly fired upon and killed, the chief said.

Monticello Schools Superintendent Vic Zimmerman said in a statement that Oberheim had four daughters, including three who attend the district's schools, and that he was very involved in their lives.

"Our thoughts and prayers are with his family during this difficult time, Zimmerman said.

The News-Gazette reported that days earlier Cobb said he feared that a shooting involving police could happen because the city of about 85,000 has been dealing with an increase in gun violence.
Sutherland was originally booked on charges of third-degree assault and battery, a misdemeanor. His parents had placed him at Palmetto Behavioral Health, a mental health and substance abuse center, citing his schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. Officials said they were called to investigate a fight at the center and arrested Sutherland as a result.

Wilson has yet to say whether she intends to prosecute the case, though she promised to do due diligence and bring justice to both the Sutherland family and to any suspects in this investigation.

Because the state law enforcement division did not release an opinion on whether "unlawful conduct" caused Sutherland's death, Wilson is now seeking renowned expert advice and opinion regarding force in a detention setting," as well as a second opinion on the pathologist's findings in the autopsy, she said. The local coroner has not released a specific cause of Sutherlands death.

Two deputies involved in the case, Lindsay Fickett and Brian Houle, have been fired, Charleston County Sheriff Kristin Graziano said Monday. Also Monday, protesters in Charleston called for Wilson to charge the deputies with murder or recuse herself from the case, news outlets reported.
The arrest of a Connecticut high school student accused of posting racist comments about a Black classmate on social media is being supported by civil rights advocates, but free speech groups are calling it an unusual move by police that raises First Amendment issues.

A 16-year-old student in a classroom at Fairfield Warde High School allegedly took a photo of a Black classmate and posted it on Snapchat on May 7 with a caption that included a racial slur and racist comments. The teen who made the post is white, according to the Black student's mother.

Police in Fairfield, Connecticut, arrested the student on a state hate crime charge of ridicule on account of creed, religion, color, denomination, nationality or race. The misdemeanor dating back to 1917 has been called an unconstitutional infringement on free speech rights by the American Civil Liberties Union of Connecticut and some law school professors.

Police did not identify the student who was arrested because of juvenile offender laws. The student also was charged with breach of peace.

While it is common for students to be disciplined by school officials for such comments, police and civil rights advocates said it is unusual for students to be arrested for what they say on social media if it does not involve threats, incitement or a pattern of harassment.
In 1935, T.E. Lawrence, also known as Lawrence of Arabia, died in Dorset, England, six days after being injured in a motorcycle crash.

In 1943, in his second wartime address to the U.S. Congress, British Prime Minister Winston Churchill pledged his countrys full support in the fight against Japan; that evening, Churchill met with President Franklin D. Roosevelt at the White House, where the two leaders agreed on May 1, 1944 as the date for the D-Day invasion of France (the operation ended up being launched more than a month later).

In 1981, five British soldiers were killed by an Irish Republican Army land mine in County Armagh (AR-mah), Northern Ireland.

In 1993, the Clinton White House set off a political storm by abruptly firing the entire staff of its travel office; five of the seven staffers were later reinstated and assigned to other duties.

In 1994, former first lady Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis died in New York at age 64.

In 2003, WorldCom Inc. agreed to pay investors $500 million to settle civil fraud charges.

In 2019, Game of Thrones aired its 73rd and final episode on HBO, with a record-setting number of viewers.
SANTA FE, Texas (AP)  A memorial honoring the 10 people who were killed during a shooting at a Texas high school in 2018 was unveiled on Tuesday, the third anniversary of the deadly incident.

On May 18, 2018, eight students and two teachers were killed at Santa Fe High School, when another student opened fire inside the campus about 55 miles (88 kilometers) southeast of Houston. Thirteen other people were wounded in the shooting.

The memorial, called the Unfillable Chair, is comprised of an aluminum chair that stands 8 feet (2.44 meters) tall, with the empty seat being 4 feet (1.22 meters) wide by 3 feet (0.91 meters) deep. The names of the victims are displayed on the front of the chair.

The empty chairs exaggerated height re-enforces the concept that the chair will never be filled and will sit in commemoration of those lost too soon, according to a foundation of current and former students as well as parents and community members behind the memorial.

The chair was designed by a group of five current and former students.
As part of the plea bargain agreement reached in March the men accepted a single charge of providing logistical support to an illegal armed group. Charges for a more serious offense of providing military training were dropped as part of their collaboration.

None of the men participated in the failed raid, having abandoned the secret camps in northern Colombia where the rebels were gathering, in some cases months before it was launched. Testimony from other Venezuelan deserters, one of whom was arrested transporting a weapon and a large number of cellular phones, nonetheless placed each of the men in leadership positions of the plot alongside Goudreau and the plots ringleader, retired Venezuelan Army Gen. Cliver Alcala.

A fourth defendant in the Colombian investigation, Yacsy Alvarez, is fighting charges that she helped smuggle weapons to the volunteer army. She has accused Colombian authorities of being in constant contact with Alcala.

Alvarez served as Goudreaus translator during his visits to Colombia and the two opened an affiliate of his small Florida security firm Silvercorp, in mid-2019. It listed its address at an upscale hotel in Barranquilla, according to Colombian public records.
Police, who were called to the apartment after neighbors reported sounds of a struggle, found Ramirez intoxicated and covered in blood inside the apartment and the two victims dead. Gortarez had been stabbed 18 times and her daughter suffered 15 stab wounds, in addition to evidence that she had been sexually assaulted by Ramirez before she died. Neither victim died immediately, records indicate.

Ramirez was convicted in 1990 on two counts of first-degree murder and sentenced to death after the judge did not find mitigating circumstances that offset the aggravating circumstances of multiple murders committed in a heinous, cruel or depraved manner.

Jones was convicted in connection with the death of his girlfriends 4-year-old daughter, who was pronounced dead on arrival at a Tucson hospital early on the morning of May 2, 1994. Court documents said the cause of death was determined to be a small bowel laceration due to blunt abdominal trauma. The girl also had injuries to her left scalp and her vagina and was found to have internal and external bruising.

Witnesses said they saw the girl in Jones care in the hours before her death, and some said they saw him beat her that afternoon.
At one point, police said, she said she was unsure how she got the injury. She provided three addresses where the shooting may have taken place, but officers had not located a crime scene at any of them as of Wednesday morning. They were: 26th Street and Lawndale Avenue; 28th Street and Albany Avenue; and 23rd Street and Homan Avenue, police said.
Fann did not immediately comment but sent a tweet saying the media was given the county's letter before she was. She has said the audit is an effort to address concerns raised by many Trump supporters who worry the election was not conducted fairly and to find out whether the Legislature should change election laws.

Fann's accusations touched a nerve with county officials, who have grown increasingly exasperated with the audit. They said they won't appear in the Senate on Tuesday, as requested by Fann, to answer questions, and would not give in to Fann's demands for the county's internet routers, which county officials say would compromise sensitive data unrelated to elections.

Fann has also demanded an administrative password for vote-counting machines, but county officials say those are maintained by the system's manufacturer, Dominion Voting Systems Inc., which says it will only give such access to certified election vendors. None of the firms involved in the audit is certified.

On Monday, county Republicans threatened to sue if senators or auditors accuse them of breaking the law. And they implored elected officials who have doubts about the audit to stop keeping their criticisms to themselves.
Were being very conservative in both revenue projections but also on ongoing spending, he said.

Scarpinato also said the state is counting on more than $200 million a year in new sales tax revenues once Arizonans get to start wagering on professional and college sports. The state also is benefiting from a relatively new levy that Arizonans are paying when they purchase items online.

He insisted that while the state has gotten about $4 billion in federal cash due to COVID-19, it is not building that into the budget. Instead, that money is being used for one-time expenses, he said.

But the budget does contain things that would be expected to continue once the federal money runs out.

For example, the plan calls for putting $1 billion in federal dollars into expanding child care for the needy. That should wipe out the current wait list of people seeking state help. It leaves the question, however, of what happens to child care for those people once the federal cash is used up.

All of this is crucial because the tax cuts in the deal are effectively permanent: Because of constitutional constraints, it would take a two-thirds vote of the House and Senate, politically nearly impossible, to rescind them once they are in place if tax collections collapse.
Money sources still not known

One question that neither Fann nor Petersen asked of Logan is where he is getting the money to conduct the review.

Logan has long since acknowledged the audit is costing more than the $150,000 authorized by the Senate. And outside interests tied to efforts to discredit the election results have been engaged in fundraising efforts.

One site claims it already has raised more than $1.7 million toward its $2.8 million goal. That site is operated by The America Project, started by millionaire Patrick Byrne, who has said it was a fraudulent election.

Fann told Capitol Media Services on Tuesday she does not know who is providing the extra cash. They have told me I will get a list at the end of the audit, she said, adding that once she gets it, she will make it public.

Much else discussed Tuesday was already known, such as the refusal of county officials to provide Senate auditors with the password for the highest-level access to the vote tallying machines.
We cannot cooperate in various fields such as security and trade and at the same time accept a stab in the back, the lawmaker said. In the past, Morocco stated clearly that it was against the independence of Catalonia. ... We expect Spain to behave in a positive way.

It was unclear if Ghali, who is reportedly in a hospital in northern Spain recovering from COVID-19, will appear before a judge in Madrid on June 1 to testify on a 2019 lawsuit accusing him of tortures and an old genocide probe reopened this week at the request of an association of Saharawi campaigners against the Polisario Front.

European officials supported Spain with a harsh message for Morocco in a crisis that had echoes of the dispute the EU had with Turkey over the Syrian refuge crisis five years ago.

Nobody can blackmail the European Union, European Commission Vice President Margaritis Schinas told Spanish National Radio.

Many of those who decided to leave their homes have been left without work since the border was closed because of the pandemic, hurting the local economy that depends on the flow of goods, often carried by hand, from one side to the other.
OPINION: "No, I am not and we are not 'over sensitive.' Anti-Semitism is real, hurtful and malicious. Sometimes it is subtle, sometimes flagrant. It affects more of us than anyone would want to admit," writes Rabbi Emeritus Robert Eisen.
OKLAHOMA CITY (AP)  A search warrant affidavit alleging repeated instances of unwanted sexual advances by a former Oklahoma County judge has been made public after two attorneys making accusations said it took them a long time to come forward because they feared for their careers.

The search warrant, which does not identify the women, was made public Monday on the allegations of sexual misconduct against now-resigned Oklahoma County District Judge Timothy Henderson.

The Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation was asked to investigate at the request of District Attorney David Prater after two of his prosecutors and a female defense attorney accused the judge of sexual misconduct.

Henderson, 62, resigned in March.

The affidavit cites interviews with two female attorneys, one of whom said the unwanted approaches started in 2016. At one point, according to the affidavit, Henderson called her to his office, "shut the door, turned her around, kissed her and put her hand on his erect penis (over the clothes).
Former Tulsa Mayor Kathy Taylor has been named interim dean of the University of Tulsas Collins College of Business, effective July 1, the university announced Wednesday.

As TU continues its national search for the next permanent dean with the assistance of Korn Ferry consultants, Taylor will provide leadership to the college with a focus on student success and the key initiatives outlined in the university strategic plan, TU said in a news release.

Kathy has a consistent record of transformational change, and she has proven leadership in both the public and private sectors, said TU President-elect Brad Carson in a statement.

Throughout her career in business, law and public service, she has been a tireless advocate for education and entrepreneurship as well as diversity, equity and inclusion, all of which position her well to serve as our interim dean. I am certain our students will be the greatest beneficiaries of Kathys wealth of knowledge and extensive connections in business and industry.

TU is truly THE University of Tulsa. With my unwavering commitment to Tulsa, the people and the business community, I am truly honored to lead the Collins College of Business, Taylor said in a statement.
Brown was born in Oklahoma and said she lived in Tulsa for a while as a child. Her paternal grandmother was born in Boley. Her father is a Baptist minister in Tulsa.

Brown hasnt seen all of the race massacre documentaries, but she suggested that, in general, the intent of the documentary filmmakers has been to uncover this piece of history so people can understand what happened during the massacre  and what led up to it  so that it becomes part of the conversation in our countrys history.

So the goal would be to dive back in history and try to figure out what happened, and then report the truth in the films so that mass audiences can understand this period in history when racial massacres occurred, she said.

The Tulsa World screened advance previews of the History Channels documentary (a film in 10 acts) and the PBS documentary. The search for mass graves at Oaklawn Cemetery is a common denominator. The late Dr. Clyde Snow, a forensic anthropologist, said this in the PBS documentary: The objectives of our investigations are to put our findings in the historical records, so that the revisionists cant come along in a generation or two and say this never happened. Its hard for a revisionist to argue with a skull with a gunshot wound in the head.
The appreciation of beer goes beyond learning the terminology, but thats a good place to begin. Of course, as with most fields of study, there is vastly more lingo and information that could be addressed, but below are enough terms and definitions to get you started. We also settle down with beer expert, Shawn Connelly, to get practical tips for deciphering those terms to help you find what you like.

Connelly has worked in the world of beer for more than 16 years. He started as a home brewer, but that evolved into working for Big Muddy Brewing in Murphysboro, Illinois. He moved into distribution, then retail, and finally judging beer and writing about it.

Beer talk 101

First things first: All beer is either an ale or a lager. The key differences between the two are the type of yeast used and fermentation temperature. Lager, which employs cold fermentation, is generally refreshing and crisp. Brewed cold, it is also served cold. Light, lower-calorie beers lead the pack in the U.S. They are the most sold by volume and sales since Prohibition, says Connelly.

Ales employ different yeasts and are brewed and served at temperatures slightly warmer than lagers. The optimum temperature to serve an ale is typically around 50 degrees. Not all ales, such as India pale ale, are obvious from their names. Stouts, porters and sour beers are also examples of ales.

Craft beers can also be seasonal beers, either to celebrate a specific season or created with seasonal ingredients. Forage beers and farm beers, which utilize local ingredients, are often seasonal.

So, what is a hop?

Hops are flower clusters from the female vines of the hop plant, which is a relative of hemp. Hops are commonly used in beer brewing to add flavor, aroma and bitterness, but also as a preservative. When a beer is described as hoppy, that indicates a greater use of hops, to increase bitterness. India pale ales are almost always defined by hops, with bitterness being the attraction for those who like these beers. Add words such as imperial or double to your IPA, and youll find that these have more alcohol with added hops to keep them balanced, though they wont necessarily have more hop flavor.

Not all beers have hops, and hops are not the only way to make beer bitter. However, they are extremely common, in varying levels of intensity. Fortunately, for those who dont fancy hops, an Internet search will turn up a nice range of hop-free beer options.

And how does yeast determine flavor?

Yeast is another flavor component that can make a big difference. Connelly relates, The vast majority of brewers use very well-defined yeast cultures developed in labs. Each yeast is very specific to a style of beer and what results are desired. He also notes that yeast is one of the many things that contributes to why Scratch Brewing Company in Ava, Illinois, is so remarkable. Their yeast is homegrown. So that makes them unique, even without talking about the other ingredients.

The menu of beer (and their meaning)

Though there are two main types of beer, there are many different styles within each of these two categories. Heres a quick guide to several varieties:

Lagers

Pale lager: These beers are light-bodied, pale to golden and designed to be refreshing and approachable, though they are not usually very complex in their flavor profile.

Pilsner: Also commonly spelled Pilsener or abbreviated to Pils, this beer was created in what is now the Czech Republic. Refreshing with an alcohol content on the low end of the range, European pilsner is the archetypical beer most of the popular pale lagers in the U.S. are loosely designed to mimic, according to Connelly.

Bock beer: A strong, malty, sweet, dark amber lager of Germanic origin that dates back to the Middle Ages, bocks were traditionally associated with spring. They were made in the fall and stored over the winter. Higher in alcohol than pilsners, they are made for sipping.

Ales

IPA: India pale ale is a category of pale ale often higher in alcohol thats known for the heavy use of hops, which makes this beer bitter. The name is thought to have originated when the beer was shipped to occupying British troops in India when it was discovered that the hops preserved the beer during the long voyage. There is now an American IPA, which is brewed with even more hops than the English version.

Porter: An ale with a slightly burnt taste, porters dark color comes from roasted barley. British in origin, porters were originally brewed over wood-fired boilers which caramelized the barley. Today, porters are known for a flavor thats low in hops with smoky, chocolate and toffee notes.

Stout: Stout is made with heavily roasted black patent malt. It has a dark color, almost black in the glass, with a pale, creamy foam, rich mouthfeel and toasted flavor. Other types of stouts include oatmeal, which, as its name indicates, adds oats to the recipe, milk stout, which includes lactose, and imperial stout, which has the highest alcohol content.

Brown ale: Lighter than porter or stout, brown ale was born in England and has become popular among craft brewers. It tends to have a strong malt flavor, but a relatively mild bitterness and hop flavor. Different types include English brown, American brown and nut brown ales.

Sour ale: These beers are intentionally brewed to be tart with sourness provided, in most cases, by wild yeasts or bacteria, though occasionally by the addition of tart fruits. The lactic and acetic acids in these beers give them a lot of character and complex flavor.

Decoding the label

ABV: This abbreviation stands for alcohol by volume and tells you how much of a punch a beer packs. The ABV of beer generally ranges between 3% and 13%. A session beer never exceeds 5% ABV.

IBU: International bitter units, or IBUs, will be displayed on some craft beers to indicate how hoppy they are. An American pale ale may be in the low- to mid-40s. IPAs start in the mid-40s and can push the limits of 100 IBUs or more. Any beer style that isnt defined by hop content wont list IBUs.

How to explore the world of beer

Some people think that if its not a pale lager, like Budweiser, its not really beer, Connelly notes. These beers are designed to be inoffensive and easy to drink. Nothing wrong with that, but there is a lot more out there, even without leaving lagers behind.

In fact, Connelly recommends that, if youre just beginning to explore, simply choose a more full-bodied beer, rather than jumping to something too extreme. You dont want to shock your palate, he advises. If you drink Bud, try New Belgium Fat Tire or a Sam Adams Boston lager. Both of these are more full-flavored and accessible, without taking you to the bitter hit of an IPA.

Beer drinking is very individualized, Connelly emphasizes. Some types are very much acquired tastes. No one is going to like every beer. You need to dial in to what you like. There are a lot of sources of information, from friends to your local retailer. Beer Advocate and the Beer Connoisseur are two reliable places to find reviews, as well as the website ratebeer.com and the Untappd app.

Appearance isnt everything

With beer, appearance may be deceiving. Connelly notes, Because Guinness is dark, people perceive it as being heavy, but its not. In fact, it has a lower ABV than many lagers. That said, the different color does signal a different flavor profile. Its also good to remember that higher alcohol doesnt necessarily mean better beer. You can hide a lot of flaws with alcohol, Connelly warns. A nice session beer, with a low ABV, can be more flavorful and complex than a beer with more alcohol. Creating that complexity is difficult, however, so it will most likely be found in a craft beer.

These days, craft beer can be for anyone

Craft beers are more widely available these days and they are worth exploring. Some breweries, like Scratch, which specializes in farmhouse and foraged beer, offer flights of beer. Others sell half-pours, so you can make comparisons. Start with the lightest beer and move to beers with higher ABVs.

Different ingredients, including different water sources, make a difference in taste, which adds to the fun of exploring craft beers. Connelly relates, Scratch Brewing, in many ways, pioneered using what is around you. They are very innovative, but others are following their example.

In other words, there are more options than ever now for those who wish to explore beer. The key is finding what you like.
Police said a rear occupant of the SUV was making gang signs and then began shooting. Bartoli said it wasnt clear whether the shooter was a man or woman, and no description of the shooter was available. Investigators werent sure how many people were in the SUV at the time, she said.
Monroe wrote in his motion that even if the court would not have permitted him to question Hamilton on the pending charges, he could have asked whether the government had promised him anything for his testimony in Keplers trial.

But prosecutors have pushed back on the claim that the information about Hamilton would have benefited Kepler.

Had Kepler challenged (Hamiltons) testimony as motivated by his fear of prosecution for events that allegedly took place in February and March 2020, that questioning would have opened the door to introduction of (Hamiltons) consistent testimony at the four prior trials, all of which predated the alleged conduct, Assistant U.S. Attorney Leena Alam wrote in a court filing.

The two federal prosecutors involved in Keplers case claimed in a reply brief that they were unaware of the allegations against Hamilton by the state.

Still, even if the allegations had been shared with Keplers defense, prosecutors say it would not have been able to use that information to impeach his testimony at trial, citing local court rules.

A party may only impeach a witnesss character for truthfulness with evidence of a criminal conviction, according to prosecutors.
Prosecutors claimed that Ortner falsely claimed to others that he was a member of either the Cherokee Nation or the Pawnee Nation.

However, law enforcement failed to turn up any evidence that Ortner was a citizen of any federally recognized tribe.

Trial testimony revealed that government investigators discovered feathers and various parts of bald and golden eagles, including heads, talons and entire wings, during a search of his residence.

Prosecutors alleged that Ortner gave eagle feathers to the victim to gain her trust and the trust of her family.

Witnesses testified that he later threatened to embarrass the victim and her tribe unless she said the sexual assault did not happen, according to court documents.

Ortner faces not less than 10 years behind bars and up to life in prison on the conviction for traveling out of state to engage in criminal sexual activity.

He also faces up to 15 years in prison for sexually abusing a child in Indian Country and up to two years in prison for abusive sexual contact in Indian Country.

Two misdemeanor counts of illegally possessing parts of a bald or golden eagle each carry up to one year in prison upon conviction.
An inmate serving life in prison without parole in the 1995 beating death of a fellow inmate has been charged in federal court with the same crime in another case brought on by the U.S. Supreme Courts McGirt ruling.

A grand jury charged Kevin Boyd White, 62, in Tulsa federal court on Monday with one count of first-degree murder in Indian Country in connection with the beating death of Donald Iwanski, 28, according to court records.

The indictment alleges that White repeatedly beat Iwanski with a metal pipe on Feb. 4, 1995.

Tulsa World archives indicate that White and Iwanski were both inmates at the Northeast Oklahoma Correctional Center in Vinita at the time. White reportedly was mad at Iwanski because he owed him money.

Iwanski was serving a 10-year prison term for Sequoyah County bogus check and grand larceny convictions when he was attacked while sleeping in his dormitory bed.

At the time, White was serving a 20-year prison term after being convicted in Oklahoma County of assault and battery with a dangerous weapon.

The most recent charge follows Whites filing of court papers in Craig County District Court in an effort to have his state conviction overturned based on the McGirt precedent.
In September, members of the Wisconsin National Guard 54th Civil Support Team went to the couples home to collect more suspected ricin, including two samples from a dresser drawer and one from beneath the dresser. The samples were sent to the FBI for testing and also were found to be ricin.

An FBI scientist later explained to Dane County Sheriffs Detective Coy Bethel that ricin can be present in the home without exposing its inhabitants to a lethal dose if the amount is small enough.

Adams former husband, identified in Oklahoma divorce court records as Alexander Adams, told Bethel in January, under an agreement that gave him immunity for his statements, that Kore Adams had admitted to him that the white powder found in their neighbors home was the result of her trying to poison their neighbors.

He said he and his wife did not get along with their neighbors and that his wife had the makings of ricin as early as 2012 when they lived near Portland, Oregon.

(Alexander Adams) said that Adams told him that she was brewing ricin for use against their enemies, the complaint states. He said he told his wife to take it away and that he didnt see it again.
The leaders of the Tulsa Regional Chamber and the Public Service Company of Oklahoma have come out in support of Tulsa Public Schools upcoming bond proposal.

On Tuesday morning, PSO Chief Operating Officer Peggy Simmons and Tulsa Regional Chamber Chairwoman Rose Washington gave their endorsements at the launch of Building Opportunities, a formal campaign in support of the districts June 8 bond election.

Along with funds for building improvements, new buses, library books and security improvements, the four-part $414 million bond package includes $11.5 million for lab upgrades and science, technology, engineering and mathematics programming across the district, which Simmons touted as one of the reasons for her support.

Strengthening STEM programming at all TPS schools and providing state of the art education technology is necessary, Simmons said. We need employees who are ready to enter the workforce, and that all starts with a strong public education.

Speaking on behalf of the Tulsa Regional Chambers Board of Directors, Washington said the decision to back the bond proposal was made in an effort to support future generations of Tulsans.
Housing Solutions, a local nonprofit focused on reducing homelessness, is currently using the Wyndham Hotel building as a temporary hotel for individuals experiencing homelessness. The Hotel to Housing program provides transitional services to its clients with the goal of finding them permanent housing and employment.

Becky Gligo, executive director of Housing Solutions, said Wednesday that the organization has extended its lease with the hotel owner through July. There are no plans to extend the lease beyond then, Gligo said.

We are planning on exiting the property at the end of July, she said.

Since opening in the Hotel to Housing in March, 283 people have been housed in the hotel building. Of those, about 80 have been placed in permanent housing or a positive destination, Gligo said.

We literally have people here who their family that they have been estranged from found out they were here and they have reconciled and gone to live with family, which is just as good of an outcome as far as were concerned, if not better, Gligo said.

Extending the lease for two more months will give Housing Solutions more time to connect more people to stable housing, Gligo said.
Little stores and shanties are being opened up for business ... selling everything from fresh meat to ice cream cones.

Tulsa Daily World

June 6, 1921

The embers had barely cooled before Black Tulsans began rebuilding Greenwood Avenue. Amid the rubble of their beloved Black Wall Street, they found ways to keep going, just as they always had.

Black Wall Street rose again  and fell again  and for more than half the past century has been trying to figure out its place in a world so much different than the one in which Greenwood flourished.

Dwain Midget, a son of Greenwood and Black north Tulsa, has for more than 30 years been one of the citys top development officers. He says the Black Wall Street and Greenwood Avenue are not necessarily geographically intertwined.

Black Wall Street is to be honored, he said. Its to have continual recognition and acknowledgement in history. But we will never have that Black Wall Street on Greenwood again.

To me, you remember it, and then you make a new Black Wall Street, he said.

Midget thinks the new Black Wall Street could be north of Pine Street on Peoria Avenue. An active business area is becoming more entrenched, he said, and housing is improving, especially in the Lacy Park neighborhood.

All of that, Midget said, began with planning 30 years ago.

Things are happening, he said. Theyre too incremental, but thats because ... of systemic, institutionalized racism that has to be overcome. It can still be done, and its being done, just not fast enough.

As segments in a timeline, the 10 decades since 1921 roughly mark stages in the life of a place and maybe even a dream.

Greenwood, says Tulsa historian, author and lecturer Hannibal Johnson, is a mindset as much or more as it is a place.

Its psychological, he said. Its aspirational.

1921-31: Recovery

Defying efforts to keep them from rebuilding, Black Tulsans erected buildings at night to evade enforcement of a fire code passed by the city commission expressly to pressure them to sell. They also pulled cash from unsuspected reserves or found credit to put up new brick buildings that complied with that code.

By the end of July 1921, the Tulsa World reported, several Black owners, including Charles M. Goodwin and Vernon A.M.E. Church, had obtained building permits.

Ten days later the Tulsa Tribune said 65 wood structures and several brick ones had been completed or were under construction.

Tulsas 1922 city directory shows more than 80 businesses with North Greenwood Avenue addresses. In 1926, five years after it was burned to the ground, the 100 block of North Greenwood alone was home to more than 50 enterprises of just about every description.

Perhaps the crowning moment occurred in 1925, when Tulsa hosted the National Negro Business Leagues annual convention.

1931-1941: Good bad times

The 1930s were tough for most Americans, and Black Americans were certainly no exception. Yet somehow Greenwood managed to grow and even prosper.

By the end of the decade, the neighborhood was nearing its peak in terms of population and business activity.

But that success was largely built on a segregation that forced more and more Black Tulsans into the confines of a neighborhood with little room to grow, and created a ready-made customer base for the little shops lining Greenwood Avenue and the neighboring streets.

That would change dramatically in the decades ahead.

1941-1951: Peak years

By one count, the Greenwood District counted almost 180 businesses and more than 1,400 residences in 1942.

Data compiled by researcher Amanda Coleman in the late 1990s indicates Greenwood continued to grow through the war years to the end of the decade.

But in 1948, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled unconstitutional the race restrictive title covenants that effectively segregated housing in many American cities, including Tulsa. That was good for Black Tulsans, but not so good for Greenwood.

1951-1961 Hollowing out

The Dreamland Theater closed in 1952. Now an iconic symbol of Black Wall Street at its height, the Dreamland became one of the first casualties of the social, political and economic forces conspiring against Greenwood.

As early as 1917, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled cities and states could not segregate housing based on race. But that was wired around through title covenants that prohibited the transfer of property to non-whites.

When the title covenants were thrown out, African Americans were free to move out.

Red-lining and other obstacles remained, to be sure, but U.S. Census data shows clearly how Black Tulsans spilled out of the old boundaries  Detroit to the old Midland Valley railroad tracks  into adjoining neighborhoods.

1961-1971 Bottoming out

By 1960, the city of Tulsa classified half of the Greenwood Districts housing stock as dilapidated. Five years later, to the dismay of many Greenwood residents, it initiated an urban renewal project that some might argue has never really ended.

The project originally encompassed only the northern portion of the Greenwood neighborhood but was soon extended to the inner dispersal loop, a total of 309 acres.

1971-1981 Urban renewal

Midget says community leaders such as Homer Johnson and later Julius Pegues and Ralph McIntosh did their best to blunt urban renewal.

Johnson, for one, predicted urban renewal would result in Black Tulsans losing ownership of the fading ribbon along Greenwood Avenue. The northern half of the 309-acre project was successfully redeveloped as Heritage Hills, but the southern half attracted little interest and zero investment.

1981-1991 False promise

Formed in 1938, the Greenwood Chamber of Commerce found new purpose during the urban renewal era: saving what remained of Deep Greenwood.

By 1981, the only business remaining in the 100 block of North Greenwood was the Oklahoma Eagle. Three other businesses  a diner, a small grocery and an upholstery shop  held on six blocks north, between Haskell Place and Independence, but would soon be gone.

In 1980, the Greenwood Chamber received a $1.6 million grant to renovate the 11 remaining buildings in Deep Greenwood. It would be three more years, though, and a host of headaches before work began. The renovations would not be completed until 1985.

Despite much fanfare, the Greenwood Centre, as it was then called, landed on the commercial real estate market with a thud. Tenants were so scarce the city had to kick in $1.6 million to avoid a default.

Concurrently, the wheels fell off a deal to develop housing, hotels and commercial space on 90 acres north of the IDL. With no other prospects and the economy in a swoon, the city committed $6.5 million to build the University Center at Tulsa  now Oklahoma State University-Tulsa  on the same tract.

Adjoining it, ground was broken in 1985 for the Greenwood Cultural Center.

1991-2001 Reawakening

By 1991, Deep Greenwood was again home to a handful of businesses. But with no adjoining population base, most of them were struggling and the complex depended largely on government offices to stay open.

Arguably, Greenwood now extended as far north as Turley and west into Gilcrease Hills, and a business district was coalescing around Pine Street and Peoria Avenue.

In 1997, legislation creating a commission to examine the 1921 Race Massacre earned Greenwood an international celebrity that would only grow over the next two decades.

2001-2011: Encroachment

Renewed investment in downtown Tulsa brought more interest and money to the old Greenwood, but also what many Black Tulsans regarded as unwanted encroachment.

Construction of ONEOK Field in the historic district quashed the Greenwood Chamber of Commerces plans for a mixed use development on a portion of the site and led to extension of the adjoining Arts District onto Greenwood turf.

2011-2021: Centennial

Redevelopment of Tulsas inner city, Black Tulsans fierce sense of ownership and the approaching 100th anniversary of the 1921 massacre have brought to the surface disagreements both old and new.

Tenants of the Greenwood Centre  the 11-building complex comprising the 100 block of North Greenwood  continued to complain about the buildings management.

The Greenwood Chamber, the Centres manager, says its doing the best it can given limited revenue and aging facilities.

Meanwhile, across Archer, new apartments and retail space are about to open  as is the Greenwood Rising History Center.

That the new construction is largely owned by non-Blacks rankles some but is fine with others who figure the increased traffic will help everyone.

The decade began with the opening of John Hope Franklin Reconciliation Park two blocks west of Greenwood. Itll end with a once-in-a-hundred-years test of that concept.

Be the first to know Get local news delivered to your inbox! Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy.
One of the last known survivors of the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre told national lawmakers Wednesday that, 100 years later, she can still smell the smoke and hear the screams from the night her family fled Tulsa and invading white mobs.

I was awakened by my family. My parents and five siblings were there. I was told we had to leave, and that was it, said 107-year-old Viola Fletcher.

I have lived through the massacre every day.  I will never forget.

Fletcher, of Bartlesville, was in Washington, D.C., for a House Judiciary Subcommittee hearing discussing the massacres legacy and the possibility of compensation for survivors and descendants.

She was joined for the hearing by the two other last known massacre survivors. Fletchers brother, Hughes Van Ellis, 100, of Aurora, Colorado, was there in person. Tulsan Lessie Randle, 106, testified virtually.

The trio are among the plaintiffs in a recently filed state lawsuit seeking reparations for the massacre.

By the grace of God, I am still here, said Randle, who read a statement to the committee. I have survived to tell this story. I believe that I am still here to share it with you. Please give me, my family and my community some justice.
OKLAHOMA CITY  The Oklahoma Purple Heart on Tuesday was awarded to Tulsa Police Officer Aurash Zarkeshan and the late Tulsa Police Sgt. Craig Johnson.

The honor is awarded by the governor to public safety members who suffer life-threatening injuries or death while performing their duties.

Johnson died June 30 after he and Zarkeshan were shot during a June 29 traffic stop in east Tulsa.

Johnsons widow, Kristi, accepted the honor on behalf of her late husband.

Our family appreciates Craig being honored and we are humbled by the ongoing show of support, Kristi Johnson said in a statement.

Zarkeshan accepted the honor in person.

I am honored and speechless, Zarkeshan said. I just dont really know what to say. I am speechless.

He said his recovery is going well.

Gov. Kevin Stitt thanked the recipients for laying their lives on the line for their fellow Oklahomans.

He said he recognized that receiving the award cant begin to fill the void in the hearts of Johnsons survivors.
Another speaker, Johannes Favi, said he came from the West African country of Benin in 2013 on a visitor visa, and was in the process of applying for a green card sponsored by his U.S. citizen wife. But immigration agents held him in custody in Kentucky in 2019, the AP reported, in connection with a 2015 financial crime to which he pleaded guilty. He said he was snatched from his family for almost a year, and missed the birth of his second child.
Three of the 17 cases were fully immunized with the Moderna vaccine, according to the OSDH news release, and two were partially vaccinated. So 12 of the 17 individuals were completely unvaccinated. All 17 began experiencing symptoms from April 16-27.

Dr. Gitanjali Pai, the states Chief Medical Officer, said that India strain was officially classified as a variant of concern on May 10 by the World Health Organization.

From what we currently know, vaccination should still provide some protection against the B.1.617 variant, especially against severe illness  which underscores the need for Oklahomans to get the vaccine as soon as possible, Pai said in a statement.

State Epidemiologist Jolianne Stone said Oklahomas contact tracing and efforts to learn more details about the exposures are ongoing.

Stone said the cluster is indicative of why any person who exhibits symptoms should be tested  whether vaccinated or not  to track the diseases spread so the state can adjust how it is handling the pandemic if necessary.

As we begin our return to normalcy across the nation, variants of any kind present the biggest threat to maintaining the decreases weve seen in community spread of the virus, Stone said.
I dont want to give the impression that (House Democrats) dont believe we should have a savings account, said Minority Leader Emily Virgin, D-Norman. We do. (We) called for $300 million. But when people are paying their taxes to the state, I dont think theyre asking us to stow away in a savings account. They want us to address the needs of the state.

Both sides talked somewhat at cross purposes, with Republicans  chiefly Budget Committee Chairman Kevin Wallace, R-Depew  arguing that the state needs a large reserve but that the economy justifies a tax cut.

Democrats, on the other hand, complained about keeping too much in reserve while fretting that those tax cuts are going to cause a return to the budget failures of the last decade.

The rate cuts are one-quarter of a percentage point for all individual income tax bands and from 6% to 4% for business income.
This helps explain why Hamas can claim that Israel is starving Palestinians with its tight control of the Gaza border, yet also devote money and resources to build imprecise rockets and missiles to launch at Israel every few years. It also explains why Hamas hides its weapons and ammunition in schools and mosques. Most militaries try to protect civilians. Hamas actively exploits them.

This is a fact that appears to be lost on the International Criminal Court, for which the escalation of violence raises the prospect of possible war crimes.

By contrast, it is a fact very much on the mind of Israels most important ally. Asked about the disparity in casualties of Israelis and the Palestinians, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said on Wednesday: There is first a very clear and absolute distinction between a terrorist organization, Hamas, that is indiscriminately raining down rockets  in fact, targeting civilians  and Israels response defending itself that is targeting the terrorists who are raining down rockets on Israel.
Toyota Motor Vietnam and the Ministry of Industry and Trade have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) on cooperation to provide assistance for the automobile supporting industry in the Southeast Asian country.

The cooperation will be implemented in 2021 and 2022.

In accordance with the agreement, both sides will focus on improving the capacity of domestic enterprises operating in the automobile supporting industry and strengthening their linkages with car assemblers.

The two sides will also work to find potential suppliers, connect with businesses operating in Vietnam, share experience in supplier development, build supply chains, improve the capabilities of domestic suppliers, and assist in human resource training.

The lack of connection between Vietnamese enterprises and foreign-invested firms will affect both long- and short-term production development and economic growth, said Pham Tuan Anh, deputy head of the Vietnam Industry Agency under the trade ministry.

"Developing supporting industries, strengthening linkage between domestic and FDI enterprises with long-term development strategies, and establishing domestic supply chains are among the core issues for sustainable growth in Vietnam," Anh continued.

President of Toyota Motor Vietnam Hiroyuki Ueda stated that Vietnam's supporting industry has an advantage in quality human resources and low labor cost.

However, the industry still faces such difficulties as limited supply capacity, small production output, and lack of quality domestic materials.

Vietnamese companies still have limited experience and production management capacity, so the cost of spare part production in Vietnam is two to three times higher than in other countries in the region, Ueda elaborated.

Toyota has implemented policies to assist supporting industry enterprises in Vietnam over the past years, helping increase localization rates.

The company currently has 46 suppliers, including six from Vietnam, with its total number of localized products exceeding 720.

Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam!
Educator Nguyen Thuy Anh is well known for running the 'Reading with Your Children' club and was recently named among Forbes' 20 most influential Vietnamese women.

However, she has led a mostly silent journey of nurturing and spreading the love for mother tongue among overseas Vietnamese communities for nearly two decades.

Mothers worry

I lived for 17 years in Russia with an intention to settle down in mind," Anh recalled.

"As a mother living far from my homeland, I was afraid that my children would grow up not knowing Vietnamese or unable to talk about their feelings with us in the pure, rich Vietnamese language.

"I was even reluctant to send them to a local kindergarten as I wanted them to speak their mother tongue well first."

She brought up her kids in a Vietnamese-centric environment by talking, singing lullabies, and reading stories in Vietnamese.

I even wrote them poems, said Anh.

It was the time when I wrote many poems for children which were inspired by Vietnamese folklore.

"As years have passed, I have noticed that overseas Vietnamese children are interested in those kinds of poems because they are fun, rhythmic and memorable, she added.

Having experimented with different approaches for teaching Vietnamese, Anh was inspired to develop her own method based on creating momentum via interactive activities.

According to Anh, children are driven by curiosity when learning Vietnamese.

It is also essential to build a small community in which they feel belonging and happy.

Even when coming back to Vietnam, Anh kept thinking about returning to Russia to do something that spreads Vietnamese.

It was a destiny that she was connected with Le Xuan Lam, principal of a Vietnamese-teaching school named Lac Long Quan in Warsaw, Poland, who shared the common love for their mother tongue.

In 2012, Anh was invited to Poland to train the schools teachers in her method of teaching Vietnamese.

Vietnamese language camps

There are various challenges posed to teachers of Vietnamese overseas as most of them are volunteers, holding no certificate in teaching the language.

They do the job simply because of their love for children and their mother tongue.

That year, Anh discussed with Lam the idea of holding a Vietnamese-learning summer camp named 'Play with Vietnamese' with a curriculum she had designed.

The move was to set up a Vietnamese-speaking community for its participants, the first step being to help children get interested in the language naturally.

Only 30 children signed up at first," Anh recounted.

"However, it was a huge surprise when some 80 people, adults included, showed up at the camp opening day.

"We invited more than 20 participants, aged from 15 to 17, to be volunteers in charge of younger ones."

Many activities took place including interactive theater, games, story-telling contests, and talks with artists.

Although participants Vietnamese-speaking levels were not the same, they helped one another to speak up and deliver their ideas completely in Vietnamese.

Anh said parents were moved seeing their children excitedly using Vietnamese songs with their friends.

After the summer camp, group discussions still continued, creating a moving moment among the second Vietnamese generation in Poland.

The question 'Why do I need to learn Vietnamese?' they kept asking their parents was then answered, according to the educator.

The first camps success helped 'Play with Vietnamese' attract sponsorships from organizations and individuals of the local Vietnamese community to sustain its activities in Poland.

Overseas Vietnamese children learn how to spell Vietnamese words at the 'Play with Vietnamese' summer camp in Warsaw, Poland. Photo courtesy of Nguyen Thuy Anh

In 2017, Anh started a brand-new project called 'Stuttgart School of Wizardry' in Stuttgart, Germany.

It is actually a Vietnamese language fall camp held during the fall break and Halloween with learning lessons integrated into role-playing adventure games.

Open to all family members, the camp created and nurtured the bonding not only among campers but also with the Vietnamese culture and language.

There were craft workshops in which children learned how to make hand-made toys and stuffed animals from Vietnamese-speaking teachers," Anh said.

"By listening to instructions and collaborating with each other, they absorbed Vietnamese words naturally and easily.

"It was how we created a proactive learning environment for children."

After three consecutive years of organizing the Vietnamese language camp in Stuttgart, Anh planned to duplicate the model in Russia where she had lived for 17 years.

However, the COVID-19 pandemic postponed it indefinitely.

'Hello Vietnamese!' book collection As the pandemic hinders in-person meetings, Anh spends time writing books. Her work  a collection of six books named 'Hello Vietnamese!'  meets all standards set by Vietnams Ministry of Education and Training on teaching the language overseas. Vietnamese children living in foreign countries approach Vietnamese as their second language," she said. "Meanwhile, most of their parents and grandparents can speak Vietnamese fluently. Therefore, Anh always tries to call for the participation of adults in all activities to naturally introduce children to a Vietnamese-speaking community.

As Anh sees it, overseas Vietnamese children start loving and talking about their motherland emotionally and proudly after participating in Vietnamese language camps. "There is a participant who hangs a big S resembling the map of Vietnam on her bedroom wall after returning from a camp," she recalled. "On it, she sticks postcards of locations she and her families visited in Vietnam. "Next to it, she adds some other dots for Hoang Sa (Paracel) and Truong Sa (Spratly) archipelagoes."

Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam!
Curiosity has led Tran Thanh Van, 33, to become a pioneer in improvisational theater in Ho Chi Minh City.

She hopes to popularize this form of drama, as she believes in the many positive values it brings along.

Van received a Fulbright scholarship, a U.S. sponsorship in education, to pursue her higher education in New York.

She graduated with a masters degree in media.

However, Van did not go through with this career, but switched to education of drama to the public.

She believes that improv theater can bring more to the world.

Passion

Her overseas study began in 2017. She was then a well-known YouTuber  a person who produces a lot of video clips that attract a large number of viewers.

Van Possible was her YouTube channel, which had thousands of followers.

Opting for an in-depth program in media seemed to aid her social media career.

However, a friend who worked as an emcee at the Ho Chi Minh City Television made a recommendation once the woman had finished her two-year masters program.

Why dont you try improvisation theater? It might suit you, the friend said.

Van took that into consideration and her first impression was that improv acting could be a challenge.

By definition, improvisation means acting without a plan or a script. Artists simply go with the flow.

Van wondered how that could be possible considering the countless feasibilities of scenarios on stage.

Without a plan, how can they be in sync? she asked herself.

Hooked by this idea, the new graduate decided to linger one more year in the U.S. to delve into this art form.

New York is an expensive city, so fending for herself financially was no mean feat.

Interestingly, Van applied to two top schools in improv theater at the same time.

Each school has its unique approach to training, so I wanted to learn everything to fully understand this kind of drama, she said.

To cover her tuition, Van landed a part-time job and applied to work at a theater for free in exchange for study hours.

Her evening shift at the theater started at 5:00 pm and lasted until midnight.

The Vietnamese woman worked in both the ticket booth and the housekeeping department.

Also, it took her two hours every day to commute.

I even got assaulted on the way home," she said.

"This bad guy had his knife against my neck.

"Another attacked me when he was drunk.

I worked late, but it was satisfactory because I was allowed a one-hour break every day to watch live improv acting.

To her, improvisation pulls people closer together with frank and funny stories.

Actors and actresses tried to play their roles without a pre-conceived plot," she said.

"The audience and the artists explored the flow of the story together every single moment.

That is the beauty of improv theater."

Van was the only foreign member in her class, yet she was praised for her unique sincerity in acting.

When you are neither good at their language nor their culture, the only thing that could set you off is being calm and as sincere as possible, she explained.

Improv theater means acting out your most honest thoughts and truest emotions.

The pioneer

In August 2020, Van had to leave New York due to the impact of COVID -19. Her study was switched to an online platform.

Due to the time zone difference, the study hours for Van started at 5:00 am, but she made it.

Improv theater changed me a lot," she said.

"I felt happier, more loving, and more caring.

"So I want to share it."

In December 2020, she opened a class hoping to bring this art form to interested individuals.

After merely 12 hours of Facebook advertising, she got two classes with a total of 32 registrations.

Her first intake has passed level one of improvisation and is moving on to level two.

Students who were as far away as Hoc Mon District, 20 kilometers from downtown Ho Chi Minh City, or Binh Duong Province, some 60 kilometers away, still made it punctually.

A novel art form in Vietnam, Van is almost a pioneer at this moment.

She felt fortunate to have lived right in its homeland, the U.S., where she could blend in with the language and culture.

As a teacher, Van tries to make her lessons understandable to the Vietnamese mindset and language.

Thinh Tran Binh Sinh, a 28-year-old designer, is a new member in Vans class.

Ive only been here a short time, but Ive learnt a lot, he said.

Due to the nature of his profession, Sinh did not have enough social interaction and opportunities to voice his opinions.

This class gave him the chance to speak his mind without being judged. He learned to listen and got his voice heard.

After a few months, I was more confident and flexible in my communication," he added.

"In my daily life, I listen to and respect others viewpoints better."

Besides its positive influence on communication skills, improvisation helps those who suffer from trauma feel at ease as they have a safe environment for sharing their stories.

Other interpersonal skills will improve over time as well.

Improvisers will refrain from overtalking in a conversation and will listen before they speak, instead of reacting to whatever people say.

I believe everybody has a soul of goodness and beauty," Van said.

"If they get a place to be themselves, then nobody will get criticized."

During her undergraduate years, Van majored in international relations.

She was often selected as the Vietnam representative in international student exchange programs and public speaking contests as well as overseas conferences.

After college graduation, she had a job in marketing for journalism and the music industry.

She was also a YouTuber and a bilingual emcee.

Besides her acting classes, she runs a podcast called Tam Ly Oi (Hello, Psychology), which attracts a lot of young listeners.

Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam!
Hundreds of sailors were immunized on a recent weekday at the roughly 1,600-acre naval station in Lake County, about 30 miles north of downtown Chicago. The vaccines were administered in a red brick building typically used for technical training, and the line of uniformed men and women awaiting their shots snaked outside and spilled out onto the manicured lawn of the naval station, with Lake Michigan in the backdrop.
The Indian Navy mounted a massive air and sea rescue mission on Tuesday for 79 oil workers and crew whose barge sank in heavy seas following a powerful cyclone that tore up the west coast killing at least 29 people.

Around 182 of those on board the barge, which sank off the coast of Mumbai, were rescued from the huge waves, the navy said.

Cyclone Tauktae, the most powerful storm to batter the west coast in two decades, ripped out power pylons, trees and caused house collapses killing at least 29 people, authorities said.

It has piled pressure on Indian authorities as they grapple with a massive rise in coronavirus infections and deaths as well as a shortage of beds and oxygen in hospitals.

"This is one of the most challenging search and rescue operations I have seen in the last four decades," Murlidhar Sadashiv Pawar, Deputy Chief of Naval Staff, told Reuters partner ANI on Tuesday.

A member of the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) uses a megaphone to appeal to residents to move to safer place ahead of Cyclone Tauktae in Veraval in the western state of Gujarat, India, May 17, 2021. Photo: Reuters

Navy spokesman Vivek Madhwal said waves reached 20 to 25 feet amid poor visibility. Three more barges were adrift near the Gujarat coast but rescue operations were underway.

The storm made landfall in Gujarat state late on Monday and was expected to weaken overnight into Wednesday, the Indian Meteorological Department said.

"... weather conditions are expected to return to normal by tomorrow (Wednesday)," Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani said.

He said 160 state roads had been destroyed, 40,000 trees uprooted and several houses damaged by the cyclone.

People attempt to remove uprooted trees from the entrance of a residential building after strong winds caused by Cyclone Tauktae, in Mumbai, India, May 18, 2021.Photo: Reuters

Barge sinks

Navy spokesman Madhwal said five ships backed by surveillance aircraft were scouring the site of the sinking of the barge "P305" in the Bombay High oilfield, where the country's biggest offshore oil rigs are located.

On Monday, the crew sent an SOS that the ship had lost control as the cyclone roared past Mumbai. Naval ships were sent to the area and on Tuesday, as the barge started sinking, many of the crew were rescued from the sea.

A crane lifts a fallen tree after strong winds caused by Cyclone Tauktae, in Mumbai, India, May 18, 2021. Photo: Reuters

The oilfields are around 70 km (45 miles) southwest of Mumbai. The barges are deployed by Afcons Infrastructure Limited, a construction and engineering company based in Mumbai, and were engaged in contract work awarded by Oil and Natural Gas Corp (ONGC), India's top exploration company.

"P305 had a full complement of safety equipment including life jackets and life rafts for all persons on board. We believe all personnel safely evacuated before the vessel sank," Afcons said in a statement late on Tuesday.

Members of the Indian Navy transport a person to receive medical attention after a rescue from a sunken barge in the Arabian Sea in the aftermath of cyclone Tauktae's landfall, at naval air station INS Shikra in Mumbai, May 18, 2021. Indian Navy/Handout via Reuters

The storm caused damage to several of the vessels deployed, the company said, adding that every effort was being made to rescue the missing personnel.

ONGC said in a statement it was extending help to the navy and coastguard in the rescue effort.

A member of the Indian Navy helps a man to walk after he was rescued by Indian Navy personnel from a sunken barge in the Arabian Sea after cyclone Tauktae's landfall, at naval air station INS Shikra in Mumbai, May 18, 2021. Indian Navy/Handout via Reuters

More than 200,000 people were evacuated from their homes in Gujarat before the arrival of Tauktae, which packed gusts of up to 210 kph (130 mph).

No damage was reported at refineries in Gujarat or at sea ports located in the storms path. Operations at Indias largest private port, Mundra, have resumed, a port official said.

People salvage their belongings from a damaged house after cyclone Tauktae hit, in Navabandar village, in the western state of Gujarat, India, May 18, 2021. Photo: Reuters

A woman carrying eggs walks past a damaged commercial building after Cyclone Tauktae hit, in Kodinar, in the western state of Gujarat, India, May 18, 2021. Photo: Reuters
A four-year-old child suffered a serious brain injury after he was attacked by a knife-wielding 18-year-old boy, who was allegedly high on meth, at his home in Ho Chi Minh City last weekend.

A source close to Tuoi Tre (Youth) newspaper confirmed on Tuesday that police in Binh Chanh District had arrested Truong Duc Hanh, 18, who hails from northern Ha Nam Province.

At around 7:00 pm on Sunday, Hanh, who showed signs of being high on crystal meth, carried a knife and rushed into a house in Le Minh Xuan Commune, Binh Chanh District.

A four-year-old boy named V. was attacked by Hanh as he was playing inside the house.

Local residents then joined hands to apprehend Hanh and brought the victim to the hospital for emergency treatment.

He was later transferred to Cho Ray Hospital in District 5.

According to doctors, the patient was still conscious when he arrived at the institution.

He was traumatized and had a slash wound about 10 centimeters long on his forehead.

The wound caused a piece of his frontal bone to pierce into his brain, thus the patient had to undergo surgery.

The boy was prescribed high doses of antibiotics to prevent infection following the procedure.

He is now in stable conditions.

V. lives with his grandparents as his mother is working far away from home.

Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam!
Recent rumors that authorities in Ho Chi Minh City request people to not leave homes between 10:00 pm and 5:00 am the next day are false, the municipal deputy chairman Duong Anh Duc says.

On Tuesday evening, an announcement titled 'New direction from the Peoples Committee of Ho Chi Minh City' that included several restrictions on travel, public gatherings, transportation, education, and business activities was circulated on social media.

The ban on traveling outside between 10:00 pm and 5:00 am the next day was also among those mentioned in the list.

Ho Chi Minh City deputy chairman Duong Anh Duc immediately refuted the rumors later on the same evening, according to the Ho Chi Minh City Press Center.

Duc affirmed the municipal authorities did not issue any direction like the rumored announcement.

Giving the same refutation as Ducs, the Department of Information and Communications of Ho Chi Minh City said it will coordinate with relevant functional forces to inspect and strictly handle the act of spreading false and fabricated information, affecting the citys COVID-19 prevention and control.

Vietnam has so far reported 4,543 patients, including 30 local cases announced on Wednesday morning.

Recoveries have reached 2,687 while 37 virus-related deaths have been reported.

The Southeast Asian country has confirmed 1,503 domestic cases in 28 provinces and cities since April 27, when it began to deal with a fourth wave following around a month of no known community transmission, according to the health ministrys data.

Ho Chi Minh City has registered two cases in this round.

Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam!
Here are todays leading news stories:

COVID-19 Updates

-- The Vietnamese Ministry of Health announced an additional 31 COVID-19 cases, including 30 community infections in Bac Ninh, Bac Giang, Lang Son, and Ho Chi Minh City, on Wednesday morning, raising the national tally to 4,543 patients with 2,687 recoveries and 37 virus-related deaths.

-- The Ho Chi Minh City Center for Disease Control announced on Tuesday night it was looking for passengers who had boarded the same flight VN1179 on May 5 from northern Hai Phong City to Ho Chi Minh City as a woman who tested positive for COVID-19 on Tuesday.

-- According to the Ministry of Health, Vietnam will get 31 million COVID-19 vaccine doses manufactured by Pfizer-BioNTech this year.

-- On Tuesday, a woman living in Ho Chi Minh Citys District 7, who works with patient No. 4,514 at Deloitte Vietnam Company in District 3, was found infected with the novel coronavirus, according to the municipal Center for Disease Control.

-- Authorities in Ho Chi Minh City quashed a false rumor on Tuesday evening about the execution of curfew hours from 10:00 pm to 5:00 am in the city.

-- Police in Ho Chi Minh City brought three Chinese men suspected of entering Vietnam illegally to a centralized quarantine zone after finding them staying at an apartment in District 4 on Tuesday.

-- Authorities in northern Hai Phong have asked all residents to avoid going outside and leaving their homes after 10:00 pm every day and limited public gatherings to 10 people after a new COVID-19 cluster was recently detected in the city.

Society

-- Police in Ho Chi Minh City arrested four transgender women on Tuesday for stealing phones and properties from foreigners.

-- Military officers in Quang Tri Province in central Vietnam have finished moving a 250-kilogram unexploded bomb away from the Thach Han River.

-- Police officers in Ho Chi Minh City seized nearly 700 kilograms of chemicals used to increase snail weight and over 1.8 metric tons of doused snails from a wholesale facility in District 8 on Tuesday morning.

Business

-- E-mart, South Korea's largest retailer, revealed through a public disclosure on Monday that its board of directors had decided to sell off a 100 percent stake in E-mart Vietnam Co. to Truong Hai Auto Corporation (THACO) Group, according to the Korea Times.

-- A company in Da Nang has been fined VND30 million (US$1,296) for going against authorities order to suspend operations due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Politics

-- Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Nguyen Quoc Dung, head of ASEAN SOM of Vietnam, represented the country in the 27th ASEAN-China Senior Officials' Consultation (ACSOC) via videoconferencing on Tuesday morning.

Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam!
A COVID-19 patient in Ho Chi Minh City has been found carrying a coronavirus variant that is in circulation in northern Vietnam and taking a toll on India, where hundreds of thousands of cases have been announced daily over the past weeks.

Genome sequencing results showed that 35-year-old N.Q.N., who was confirmed by the Ministry of Health as a coronavirus case in Ho Chi Minh City on Wednesday, had been infected with the double mutant Indian variant, the municipal Center for Disease Control said on the same day.

The Indian variant is believed to be more transmissible  the characteristic of the UK mutant  and to lessen the efficacy of COVID-19 jabs  typical of the South African mutation. This explains its double mutant label.

The mutated strain is in circulation in northern Vietnam, where epicenters of the ongoing fourth wave of infections are located.

The mutant has been raging in India, which recorded 267,334 new cases and 4,529 deaths on Wednesday alone.

The South Asian nation has reported hundreds of thousands of cases daily for the last few weeks.

Several variants have circulated in Vietnam, with the Indian, UK, and South African mutations capturing the most attention, said Tran Dac Phu, a former senior official from the health ministry.

The Indian mutant is the most contagious, Phu added.

N. first tested positive for the coronavirus at Vinmec Central Park International Hospital in Binh Thanh District on Monday after having a fever, cough, and sore throat, a Thu Duc City Medical Center spokesperson told Tuoi Tre (Youth) newspaper on Tuesday morning.

The patient, who lives in Block A1 of Sunview Town Apartment Buildings in Hiep Binh Phuoc Ward, Thu Duc City, which is under Ho Chi Minh City, retested positive for COVID-19 at the Ho Chi Minh City Hospital for Tropical Diseases on Tuesday afternoon, said Dr. Dinh Thi Hai Yen from the municipal Center for Disease Control.

One of his co-workers tested positive on Tuesday, the municipal Department of Health said.

She lives in District 7, Ho Chi Minh City and works in the same place as N. in District 3, according to an epidemiological investigation.

Both work on the same eight-member team from Deloitte Vietnam who help build an accounting platform at Grove Group at 129 Pasteur Street, Vo Thi Sau Ward, District 3.

The woman came to Hai Phong in northern Vietnam on April 24 and returned to Ho Chi Minh City on May 5, according to an epidemiological investigation.

The health ministry also logged this case on Wednesday.

Health experts reckoned that she had transmitted the virus to N., citing clinical signs, epidemiological data, and test results.

But they have yet to pinpoint her primary source of infection.

Health authorities have fumigated and sealed off locations related to these two cases while proceeding with contact tracing.

Vietnam is battling a fourth wave that broke out on April 27.

The country has registered 1,648 domestic infections, including 175 patients announced on Wednesday, in 28 provinces and cities since that date.

Bac Giang Province is on top of the table with 605 patients, followed by Bac Ninh Province with 353, and Hanoi with 257. All three places are situated in the northern part of the country.

Ho Chi Minh City has recorded only three cases in this round.

Public health professionals have repeatedly said that this wave is particularly serious as transmission has been found in hospitals, the community, and major industrial zones at the same time.

Vietnam detected 910 domestic cases in the third wave from January 28 to March 25, 106 community cases in the first wave from January 23 to April 16, 2020, and 554 in the second from July 25 to December 1, 2020, according to the health ministrys data.

Vietnam has reported a total of 4,690 local and imported infections as of Wednesday night.

Recoveries have reached 2,687 while 37 virus-related deaths have been reported.

Most of the fatalities had suffered critical pre-existing medical conditions.

Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam!
A co-worker of a Ho Chi Minh City coronavirus patient who was confirmed by the Ministry of Health on Wednesday morning tested positive for the pathogen on Tuesday, according to the municipal Department of Health.

The coronavirus patient, 35-year-old N.Q.N. of Deloitte Vietnam, first tested positive for the coronavirus at Vinmec Central Park International Hospital in Binh Thanh District on Monday after having a fever, cough, and sore throat, a Thu Duc City Medical Center spokesperson told Tuoi Tre (Youth) newspaper on Tuesday morning.

N., who lives in Block A1 of Sunview Town Apartment Buildings in Hiep Binh Phuoc Ward, Thu Duc City, which is under Ho Chi Minh City, retested positive for COVID-19 at the Ho Chi Minh City Hospital for Tropical Diseases on Tuesday afternoon, said Dr. Dinh Thi Hai Yen from the municipal Center for Disease Control.

The Ministry of Health recorded him as patient No. 4,514 on Wednesday morning.

One of his co-workers tested positive on Tuesday, the Department of Health said.

She lives in District 7, Ho Chi Minh City and works in the same place as N. in District 3.

The woman came to Hai Phong in northern Vietnam on April 24 and returned to Ho Chi Minh City on May 5, according to an epidemiological investigation. The health ministry has not logged this case as of Wednesday morning.

Health workers have sectioned off related sites, disinfected them, and proceeded with contact tracing.

They have tested over 10,000 people in association with N. and his co-worker, with their results still pending.

Vietnam has so far reported 4,543 patients, including 30 local cases announced on Wednesday morning.

Recoveries have reached 2,687 while 37 virus-related deaths have been reported.

The Southeast Asian country has confirmed 1,503 domestic cases in 28 provinces and cities since April 27, when it began to deal with a fourth wave following around a month of no known community transmission, according to the health ministrys data.

Ho Chi Minh City has registered two cases, except for N.s co-worker, in this round.

Vietnam had administered more than one million coronavirus vaccine shots, mostly to medical staff and other frontline workers, by 6:00 pm on Tuesday, the health ministry said in a report on Wednesday morning.

Almost 29,000 have received two injections.

Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam!
A 250-kilogram bomb discovered by a fisherman in central Vietnams Quang Tri Province was salvaged from the local Thach Han River by military officers on Tuesday.

In an attempt that took over three hours, the unexploded bomb disposal unit under the Quang Tri Military High Command, in cooperation with experts from the local Golden West Humanitarian Foundation, a U.S.-based nonprofit working on removal of unexploded ordnance (UXO), managed to pull the bomb out of the Thach Han river section in Quang Tri Town.

The bomb is identified as one of the MK 82 variety, made and used by U.S. forces during the war in Vietnam. It weighs about 250 kilograms, stretching 1.5 meters long and 27 centimeters wide.

The sunken bomb was tied to a buoy, then dragged to the shore by experts before being safely disposed of in a depot.

The ordnance was first detected by Tran Van Mua, a fisherman from Quang Tri Town, while he was cruising on the Thach Han River.

Quang Tri was considered the most heavily contaminated with unexploded ordnance in Vietnam following the war with the U.S., according to nonprofit entity Mines Advisory Group.

Wartime bombs and landmines have killed more than 3,430 local people and injured 5,100 others in Quang Tri after the war ended, national radio Voice of Vietnam reported.

The province is working to clear about 3,000 hectares of land each year to become the first Vietnamese locality to be safe from UXO accidents by 2025.

It aims to mobilize US$10-12 million annually from foreign non-governmental organizations to address UXO issues.

Soldiers pull out a heavyweight bomb from the Thach Han River in Quang Tri Province, Vietnam. Video: Quoc Nam / Tuoi Tre

Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam!
The Ho Chi Minh City Department of Transport has proposed the construction of a new overhead road, estimated to cost about US$1.3 billion, as part of a series of gigantic projects to establish a north-south link in the citys road network.

The elevated route is a new proposal, not included in the previous planning of the five elevated routes in Ho Chi Minh City.

The idea was mapped out by Ho Chi Minh City Infrastructure Investment Joint Stock Company and studied by the municipal transport department to ensure its harmony with the master plan on communication and transport in the city, which was approved by the prime minister, before being put forward to the municipal Peoples Committee.

The new elevated road will begin from the intersection of Cong Hoa and Truong Chinh Streets and run along Bui Thi Xuan Street, Alley No. 656 on Cach Mang Thang Tam Street, Bac Hai Street, Ly Thai To Street, Nguyen Van Cu Street, and Ong Lon Canal, before ending at Nguyen Van Linh Street.

The route will be 14.1 kilometers long and 30 meters wide.

The elevated parts will have four lanes with a total width of 16 meters.

The total investment for the project is estimated at VND30 trillion ($1.3 billion).

The new overhead road is meant to combine with the planned elevated roads No. 1, 2 and 3 to make a north-south axial link in the inner city.

This route will also connect with Ring Road No. 2 to link the inner city with the citys suburbs and the northern area of the metropolis -- including Tan Binh, Tan Phu, Binh Tan, Go Vap Districts and District 12 and the Tan Son Nhat Airport zone -- with the downtown area.

The Ho Chi Minh City transport department proposed to the municipal Peoples Committee that the new project be built in the build-operate-transfer (BOT) model, considering the financial hardship of the city government.

Through the Peoples Committee, the transport department also wants the citys planning and investment department to call for investments in the project.

Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam!
The administration in northern Bac Giang Province has requested the Vietnam General Confederation of Labor administer a relief package benefiting over 51,000 factory workers affected by the COVID-19 outbreak in local industrial zones.

A total of 51,042 factory workers of 54 companies have been either furloughed or isolated due to the recent COVID-19 cases found in the province, the majority from Van Trung, Quang Chau and Dinh Tram Industrial Zones, Nguyen Van Canh, president of the Bac Giang Confederation of Labor, said during a meeting between Bac Giang officials and the Vietnam General Confederation of Labor on Monday.

Canh urges the Vietnam General Confederation of Labor to formulate a relief scheme for workers and teachers affected by the epidemic.

As Canh sees it, Bac Giang is reporting a steep rise in daily cases, while the high concentration of workers in industrial zones poses even more risk of transmission.

The province is scrambling to roll out mass testing, but it is facing resistance from many workers at risk, Canh added.

During these tough times, Bac Giang must prioritize outbreak prevention while also organizing the national election, which would select legislators for Vietnams 14th National Assembly, on May 23, the provincial confederation's president pointed out.

The province has prepared plans to give voting access to factory workers who cannot afford to take leave on May 23, as well as some 40,000 workers who register as temporary residents.

Members of the Bac Giang Confederation of Labor receive a subsidy of VND200 million (US$8,700) to be delivered to workers affected by COVID-19 from the Vietnam General Confederation of Labor in a meeting in Bac Giang Province, May 17, 2021. Photo: H.Q. / Tuoi Tre

During the meeting, Ngo Duy Hieu, deputy president of the Vietnam General Confederation of Labor, affirmed that workers' health is inextricably linked to the economys well-being.

For that reason, grassroots-level labor unions must devise solutions to take care of workers' health during the upcoming election.

Hieu also promised a forthcoming policy to support workers on a large scale.

On behalf of the Vietnam General Confederation of Labor, Hieu handed a subsidy of VND200 million ($8,700) over to Bac Giang authorities which shall be administered to local workers affected by COVID-19.

Vietnam has logged 1,539 domestic coronavirus infections in 28 provinces and cities since April 27, when a fourth wave broke out after the country had spent roughly a month detecting no community transmission, according to the health ministrys data.

Bac Giang recorded 527 of the cases.

Van Trung Industrial Park was identified as one of the outbreak clusters of the province, with 152 patients being found among almost 100,000 workers.

About 300 police officers were seconded on Monday from Hanoi to Bac Giang for help with COVID-19 prevention and control.

Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam!
Police officers have detained four transgender women following allegations of targeting theft ploys at foreigners in Ho Chi Minh City.

The four, namely Nguyen Minh Tu, 34, Le Thanh Duong, 26, and Nguyen Huu Chanh and Nguyen Minh Tri, whose ages are not specified, were arrested on Tuesday, confirmed the citys criminal police the same day.

Duong and Tu were caught around 3:00 pm on Saturday while trying to steal from Korean expatriate Hwang Paeno on Ly Tu Trong Street in District 1, according to police officers.

The duo later admitted that they frequented the streets of the southern city to approach foreigners and make a pass at them, before stealing their valuables when they were distracted.

After investigation, police managed to arrest the remaining two members when they were attempting to sell the stolen items.

Exhibits seized from the four transgender women. Photo courtesy of Ho Chi Minh City Public Security Department

All four criminals are registered as male on their IDs but they have undergone gender-affirming surgeries.

They are now identified as women, according to the police force.

They are found with many criminal records of thievery, police officers added.

In theory, Vietnam allows transgender people aged 18 and more to change their given name and gender once they have undergone gender-affirming surgeries, as prescribed in a revision to the Civil Code that came into effect in 2017.

However, a bill to enforce that law has still not been passed, which has put the rights of trans people to correct their legal gender on identification papers -- a detail that decides their access to welfare and medical support -- on hold.

Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam!
Historically, Republican candidates have been real Republicans  Republicans who dont want government interference, Wood said. There are very strong opinions on either end of the issue. I know that neither side would compromise. This just exemplifies that our government is broken and made up of extremes instead of made up of in the middle. Thats where most people in Illinois come from, the middle.
Rachel Choi, Ravi Chand, Mary Duong

ABC and Screen Australia have announced first recipients in The Kaleidoscope Project, which gives emerging Culturally and Linguistically Diverse filmmakers mentoring opportunities.

Lara Kose, Mary Duong, Rachel Choi, Taku Mbudzi and Ravi Chand will create a standalone film that reflects and captures the experience of young Australians from a CaLD person living in Australia today. The films will premiere on ABC ME and iview in March 2022 as part of Harmony Day.

Amanda Isdale, ABC Executive Producer says, The ABC is thrilled to be supporting these talented creators to deliver their compelling, nuanced and unique stories to ABC audiences. These exciting films explore themes familiar to young Culturally and Linguistically Diverse people  identity, belonging, expectations, sense of agency and connection to culture  with heart, humour and authenticity. By helping to showcase and amplify the stories of these filmmakers, we hope our audience will relate, connect and be thoroughly entertained!

Jenevieve Chang, Development Executive at Screen Australia says, Each of these beautiful stories offer up a truth that is incredibly specific to the experience of displacement and at the same time, they are able to heal that chasm through the universal power of love, family and friendship. Representation is more than skin deep, and were committed to celebrating the creativity of storytellers who reflect the cultural richness of children and young people in Australia today. We look forward to bringing these stories to the screen in partnership with the ABC.

Vivs Silly Mango, a film by creators Mary Duong and Rachel Choi, offers an honest and playful insight into growing up as young people from migrant or refugee backgrounds in Brisbane through the perspectives of three Asian pre-teens  Viv, Esther, and Nikki  as they navigate the meaning of family and friendship in their discovery of riot grrrl music and most importantly, themselves.

Gugu naGogo, created by Taku Mbudzi, explores intergenerational and cultural relationships and struggles between daughter, mother, and grandmother, through the eyes of Gugu, a 12-year-old budding astronomer living in a small Australian town, far removed from Zimbabwe, where her Gogo lives.

Creator Ravi Chand draws on his experiences with Namaste Yoga, about Shiv, a 12-year-old Indian-Australian boy who hates being Indian. Shiv struggles with internalised oppression, whereas his 8-year-old sister Kaali is proud of her culture and immerses herself in it. Shiv experiences his culture being taken, commercialised and taught back to him, and learns to reclaim his culture on his own terms through his practice and connection with the true essence of yoga.

Yaz Queens, created by Lara Kose, explores the relationship dynamics between 10-year-old Yaz and her father after eight years of living apart in different countries, and how their cultural differences play a role in their struggle to relate, but ultimately, how their shared love of music helps bridge that divide and brings them closer together.

Related
10 has now confirmed Australian Survivor: Brains v Brawn as its competition battleground for 2021, with castaways pooled from all walks of life.

The Endemol Shine Australia series is staged in Cloncurry, north west Queensland with returning host Jonathan LaPaglia. This follows on from the postponed season due in late 2020 in Fiji, which was yet to confirm its theme. A Brains v Brawn v Beauty theme was first introduced in Survivor US in Cagayan, Philippines, in 2013.

It will screen later this year.

The Brains are outstanding in their chosen field and theres much more to them than meets the eye. Dismissing them as simply book smart is the quickest way to get blindsided.

Careful strategists, they know when to bide their time and are strongest when their backs are against the wall.

Think Brawn are all muscle, no hustle? Think again. These castaways may be the doers in their professions but as we all know in this game, physical strength can only get you so far. With a laser like mental focus, theyll do what it takes to get their way. The smiling assassins who like to win, they know keeping friends close and enemies closer is the only way to be the last one standing.

Related
This week Back Roads is heading into silo country, taking a journey through Victorias Wimmera.

Host Heather Ewart visits towns that could not sound more Australian if they tried, Rupanyup and Minyip (where Flying Doctors was filmed).

Heather meets the hard-working and humble people of this part of Australia, who have made their homes on the wide-open plains.

Rupanyup has been enjoying a steady stream of tourists thanks to its massive silos in town, which were painted by a Russian street artist for the Wimmera Mallees silo art trail. Like all the small communities dotted through the Wimmera, Rup as the town is affectionately known, is trying to keep the momentum going and attract more people to move there.

With so much chickpea and lentil grown there locals have re-branded Rupanyup, a town with pulse. Savvy locals are creating their own opportunities with pulses.

Heather meets Bec Dunlop, who runs a cafe on wheels using the local lentils and chickpeas in her dishes. Bec bought her caravan for $750 and renovated the whole thing with help from her dad and local tradies.

Sudath Pathirana works for Wimmera Grain Company, which was started by locals 30 years ago. Sudath is from Sri Lanka and was a fashion designer there, designing knitwear for brands like Nike and Adidas. He moved to Rup with his wife Sarah, and they are raising their two children in the small town.

Sarah is now also working at the silos, after a career in food and wine. Sarah whips up a batch of meringue made from aquafaba, which is the water left over when you soak or cook legumes such as chickpeas. Aquafaba is huge in the vegan world, because it can be used as a direct replacement for egg whites in some dishes.

8pm tonight on ABC.

Related
Id be inclined to watch James Nesbitt in just about anything he did, so it doesnt take much to lure me to Bloodlands when I see Jed Mercurio (Line of Duty, Bodyguard) is a producer.

In truth this 4 part Irish police drama is written by actor-writer Chris Brandon (Red Rock, Clash of Futures) and takes place in Belfast.

Nesbitt plays Detective Tom Brannick, a single dad whose wife was killed two decades ago by the IRA. Daughter Izzy ( Lola Petticrew) is a university, a student of attractive lecturer Tori (Lisa Dwan), who takes an interest in her fathers case.

But its the case that is of most interest here to Tom and his partner Detective Niamh (Charlene McKenna). When an abandoned car is hauled from the local river it triggers a hunt for owner and ex-IRA man Pat Keenan (Peter Ballance), who has long links to organised crime. it isnt long before they realise he has been kidnapped.

It may be 2021, but wrinkly blokes like Tom have long memories to the worst of Irish terrorism. He doesnt subscribe to the theory of Chief Superintendent Jackie Twomey (Lorcan Cranitch) that the past should stay buried.

Dont go down any other roads, you dont know where they lead, he is told.

Tom is convinced whoever is behind the kidnapping is linked to a mysterious crime figure code-named Goliath, and may have answers about the death of his wife.

Its hard to avoid that the series festers old wounds and Tom imparts considerable backstory about the days of the IRA before peace was reached in 1998. Theres also no avoiding the grey, glum setting of the story, with characters rugging up and sometimes battling the elements.

But thankfully James Nesbitt is here to drive the story, amply matched by Charlene McKenna who brings a more contemporary perspective to this very cold case. The supporting cast is full of character actors with gnarly, windswept faces.

While it doesnt match Mercurios famed scripts, Chris Brandon nevertheless writes to some sexy cliffhangers. Id have preferred a little more focus on the present than the past, but not having lived through any of this first-hand it is dramatically and politically interesting to equate old and new values in Ireland.

Bloodlands premieres 9:40pm Wednesday May 26 on SBS.

Related
Cast members of Ms. Fishers Modern Murder Mysteries attended its premiere screening last night at the art deco Sun Theatre in Yarraville.

In attendance were stars Geraldine Hakewill and Joel Jackson plus Catherine McClements, Greg Stone, Toby Truslove, Louisa Mignone and Michala Banas, joined by Every Cloud producers Fiona Eagger and Deb Cox, and even author Kerry Greenwood (Miss Fishers Murder Mysteries). There were even fans in attendance from interstate.

This season debuts on Acorn TV as its first Australian production.

Seasoned performer Catherine McClements spoke to the increase in local productions and striking a balance between the art and the work.

Theres Culture and our attempt to help our country look at its history, (to) understand itself. And then theres the Business. Were all trying to make a living, bringing up kids, buy houses, go out. So the two have to exist side by side and with the influx of the American products, its very good for the business. But its not so good for the culture.So in a way, whats happening with Ms. Fisher is its incredibly good for culture. Its enjoyable, its looking at us and what we were like. Its almost like revisionist history, looking at who we were, what we could be, she said.

Were all working on American shows, on some English and Australian shows, and thats true of the crews as well. Working on the Australian shows is the most enjoyable. It sort of feeds the the soul and its why we sort of got into it.

But at the same time, my son is 15 and he eats a lot!

Monday June 7 on Acorn TV.

Related
Tonight on You Cant Ask That eight amputees all have remarkable stories to share about perception and embracing a new version of themselves  the challenges theyve faced and what theyve gained through their limb loss.

The You Cant Ask That format confronts prejudice and discrimination and offers real insight into the lives of everyday Australians.

Korina Valentine is a young mum of two, who one day assumed she was sick with the common flu, but her condition quickly deteriorated, and she found herself in hospital battling Sepsis. I was heavily sedated. My husband had to make those awful decisions for me. He had to sign the consent  I woke up and it was done.

Korina woke up with no arms or feet  a quadruple amputee.

Amputation can have many common causes, including cancer, vascular disease, trauma injuries, infection, birth deficiencies and Diabetes. More than 8,000 lower limb amputations are performed each year in Australia, according to Limbs For Life. Thats about one every hour.

Lovable larrikin Brendan Clark, a mechanic from Coonamble, recounts how he was attacked by two pig hunting dogs that jumped off a ute while he was working and ripped one of his arms off.

Think of the worst thing you can imagine, and then times it by 10  the worst part was having the tongue lick over the raw flesh. Having that rough tongue grind up raw meat and licking the blood. And then hearing the bones crunch.

The life-changing events that led to the eight people in this episode becoming amputees are all incredibly different; however, they share many similar experiences. From being stared at in the street, to strangers calling them an inspiration.

The people in this episode all have remarkable stories to share about perception and embracing a new version of themselves  the challenges faced and what theyve gained through their limb loss.

Production credits: You Cant Ask That is an ABC Production. Series Director and Producer: Kirk Docker, Series Producer: Josh Schmidt, Executive Producer: Frances ORiordan and Head of Entertainment: Nicholas Hayden.

9pm tonight on ABC.

Related
By Dave Larsen

The Rev. William P. Anderson, Presbyterian minister and professor emeritus in the University of Dayton Department of Religious Studies, died May 7. He was 85.

Anderson taught religious studies and ethics on campus from 1968 to 1998. He was a founder and professor in the College of Arts and Sciences Core program, where he taught alongside his humanities and social sciences colleagues. After his retirement, he stayed on for several years as the Core Programs director. He most recently worked for 16 years as pastor of Community Presbyterian Church USA in Lac du Flambeau, Wisconsin.

As a protestant minister working at a Catholic university, Anderson would often say how closely the concepts of God, community and service taught by the Marianist brothers aligned with his own theology.

Sandra Yocum, University professor of faith and culture, said what she remembers most is Andersons smile  sometimes as a sign of kindness and concern, and sometimes out of amusement that we all tend to take ourselves a little too seriously in our work as theologians.

Andersons broad knowledge of Christian history was evident in his publication, A Journey Through Christian Theology. His sense of humor was evident in another book, The Cartoon Gospel of John: A Serious Commentary with Visual Parables, with illustrations by Richard L. Diessen. In 2015, he published And the Final Answer Is , described as a modest book of brief essays, poetry and homilies.

Yocum said the intention of the latter book  to encourage, inspire and challenge the reader to explore their understanding of religious faith and, in particular, the Christian faith  also described his intention as a UD professor.

He sought to encourage and inspire his students to embrace their lives as they were in the light of religious faith, particularly Christianity, with all the challenges that entailed, she said.

Sr. Angela Ann Zukowski, MHSH, said her Zehler Hall office was a few doors down from Andersons when she first came to the University in 1979.

I remember that Dr. Anderson always had his door open to receive colleagues and students with a warm smile, said Zukowski, director of the Universitys Institute for Pastoral Initiatives. He constantly was interested in what we were engaged in, both encouraging us and giving clues for how to advance an idea or project. During our weekly faculty meetings, he never ceased to animate the conversation with alternative perspectives or directions. He challenged us all along the way. Our meetings were never dull when Dr. Anderson was present.

Zukowski said Anderson introduced students to the meaning and value of interfaith dialogue. He was a persistent teacher, never ceasing to invite students to a higher level of critical thinking and conversation, she said.

Born Feb. 22, 1936, in Ridgefield, New Jersey, Anderson grew up in Queens, New York, where he played streetball with the likes of future New York Yankees great Whitey Ford. The son of a Catholic father and a Presbyterian mother, Anderson received degrees from Bloomfield College and Princeton Theological Seminary, where he earned a doctorate in theology. He was ordained as a Presbyterian minister in 1964.

Anderson is survived by his wife of 64 years, Carolyn, longtime administrative assistant in the School of Business Administration, and family members including daughter Janice 92 and sons Bill Jr. 89 and Kevin 93. His daughter-in-law, Michelle Tedford 94, is editor of University of Dayton magazine.

A private service was held May 13. A public memorial will be planned for a later date. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Community Presbyterian Church of Lac du Flambeau, 643 Old Abe Road, Lac du Flambeau, WI 54538.
In particular, Ferguson noted the ordinance would exclude from the online database any police shootings in which no officers were subject to administrative discipline. Thats likely to be a serious problem for police reform advocates who have long criticized the way shootings by officers have been investigated and adjudicated.
By Center for International Programs

The University of Dayton is the first university to sign onto the ethical and fair trade learning commitments sponsored by the Community-Based Global Learning Collaborative.

These commitments reflect a human rights-based approach to global and local community engagement that centers the perspectives, leadership, representation and meaningful engagement of impacted populations and those who are most vulnerable, said Shelley Inglis, executive director of UDs Human Rights Center.

UD President Eric Spina formally signed the agreement on May 18, 2021.

Sarah Brightfield, a senior civil engineering major with a minor in sustainability, noted, The commitment to Community-Based Global Learning is an opportunity to build a more equitable and inclusive community worldwide. She knows firsthand the challenge after participating in a semester at Griffith University in Australia and being part of the sustainable travel group in the SEE 401 Capstone course.

While several individuals and campus centers across the nation and world have signed onto the Collaborative Commitments, none has done so at the university level with support from the president. It is often challenging for entire higher education institutions to organize around the commitments, said Eric Hartman, executive director of the Center for Peace and Global Citizenship at Haverford College and co-founder of the collaborative. UD, with its existing efforts to clarify ethical purchasing, identify connections between the UN Sustainable Development Goals and institutional practices, and its commitments to sustainability, human rights, and community engagement all drawing on the strengths of its Catholic and Marianist traditions  now becomes a leader in these commitments.

These ethical practices call on UD to develop partnerships with community organizations, universities and service providers that reflect:

Common purposes

Leadership from those who are most affected

Protections for members of vulnerable populations

Participation opportunities among those who are most affected

Consciousness and evaluation efforts regarding theories of change

Ethical representation

Intentional environmental and economic impacts and transparency

Critical visioning of how we move toward more just, inclusive, sustainable communities and global community

According to Inglis, (The commitments) demand that we work ourselves toward a more just and sustainable future where our systems and institutions no longer create structural vulnerabilities and inequities. Zach Dewit, who graduated in May with a degree in international business management and minors in French and sustainability, focused on sustainable travel in the SEE 401 Capstone course. He sees the practical application of these commitments to UD: As a university that is committed to sustainability, ensuring that the environmental impacts of study abroad are considered should always be a step in the decision-making process when creating new study abroad opportunities. I am glad to see this become an integral part of the University of Daytons study abroad programs, and I am excited to see how it benefits students and faculty in the future.

UDs involvement with the Collaborative spans several years and extends across campus. Since 2019, Kelly Trail, director of education abroad, has been a member of the Collaborative Steering Committee and serves on the Knowledge Mobilization and Advocacy subcommittee. In May 2019, campus representatives from the School of Engineering (The ETHOS Center), the Fitz Center, the Human Rights Center, the Center for Social Concern, and the Center for International Programs organized the Midwest Institute: Community Partnerships and Global Learning for Human Rights in partnership with the Collaborative. The Institute focused on ethical engagement using the UNs Sustainable Development Goals and Human Rights as a framework. This two-and-a-half day workshop included UD colleagues, participants from community organizations, such as Catholic Social Services and Welcome Dayton, and other universities, like Indiana University, Michigan State University, The Ohio State University and Kent State University.

In 2019, engineering faculty and staff authored a chapter, Forming Engineers for the Common Good in Diverse Pedagogical Practices in Experiential Learning, which details how The ETHOS Center integrates the Fair Trade Learning Framework into their community partnership and student immersion work. The Fair Trade Learning Framework preceded and guides the foundation of the Collaboratives commitment.

Nathan Mansour, an electrical engineering major who participated in an ETHOS immersion in Dayton, commented, My hope is that by aligning ourselves with these commitments, UD will begin to translate its fervor for the common good into concrete action and radical generosity. I hope that UD will develop and promote programs that integrate UD students into the greater Dayton area, center the voices of the local community, and prioritize humility.

The introduction to the commitments states, we recognize that several of these commitments are challenging. But we see the importance of them and commit to working with other network members to achieve them in our context and beyond. Through efforts led by the Center for International Programs, in partnership with offices and centers across campus, UD will develop a plan for holding itself accountable to these commitments. This will require critical self-reflection into current and new practices and projects. Ultimately, this work will advance UDs commitment to the common good as we strive to educate students to learn, lead and serve in the world.
Kristina DeMichele 13 recalls the encouraging voice of her former counselor from UD, often reminding her of her own resilience and strength with a simple question: Whats the evidence?

The rain poured incessantly as I splashed my way down the street toward Sofra Bakery and Cafe. The little space was overflowing with people, adding to the overwhelm I felt. My friend Pam walked in and gave me a warm hug. We found a table and sat down. She gave me a compassionate look, sighed and said, So, Kristina. Tell me what happened.

I recalled the meeting with my managers the month before.

You have three months to prove to us that youre worthy of your job title, they had said to me. Regardless of whether this statement was a true reflection of my skill level or not, I knew in my gut that  no matter how hard I worked  I would need to find a new job by the end of the year.

Regardless of whether this statement was a true reflection of my skill level or not, I knew in my gut that  no matter how hard I worked  I would need to find a new job by the end of the year.

My parents handled the news with empathy and expressed confidence in me. I was terrified, however, to tell anyone else.

The what-ifs began to claim space in my head:

What if people start to think of my work differently?

What if people wont think Im cool anymore if Im not working in food media?

What if I cant find another job?

The shame escalated to where I struggled to get out of bed every morning. Id go outside to the harbor on my lunch breaks and cry  the rise and sudden crash of the ocean waves mimicking the way my grief would well up and then release through my tears.

Two weeks later, a friendly but pointed voice piped into my thoughts: Whats the evidence that you cant find a new job that youll love just as much, if not more? I recognized the voice as that of my former counselor from UD, Rebecca Cook. She guided me throughout my college career, often reminding me of my own resilience and strength with a simple question: Whats the evidence?

She guided me throughout my college career, often reminding me of my own resilience and strength with a simple question: Whats the evidence?

The truth was that I had no evidence that I wasnt capable of finding a job. A little door opened, a way for me to walk toward what was coming.

I confided in friends, mentors and trusted colleagues. Many expressed a willingness to help me network. My former UD professors told me stories of how they, and their friends, experienced similar situations. A mentor, a highly respected editor, frankly stated, Its time, Kristina. The universe is telling you to move on. You can, and you will.

Its time, Kristina. The universe is telling you to move on. You can, and you will.

I wrote Pam Willis, owner of Pammys restaurant in Cambridge, Massachusetts, whom I had met at a panel discussion on women who own restaurants in the Boston area. At the discussion, I learned she had been following me on Instagram. We formed a warm camaraderie, and I made it a point to catch up with her whenever Id stop in for dinner. I wanted to stay involved in the food industry and thought she could have some advice for me.

Wow, Pam sighed, shook her head and took a bite of her falafel. Well, I think you can still be a part of the food industry in other ways besides your full-time job. Heck, I was an actress and jewelry maker before I became a restaurant owner.

Our conversation helped me voice my strengths and weaknesses, and I realized I had far more career options than I once thought. Toward the end of our time together, she said, You should meet my friend Lydia. Shes knows many food writers in the area. I think shed be a good connection.

I contacted Lydia; we planned to meet for coffee. That November day at work, my managers confirmed that my time at the company was definitely ending. I felt gutted. But I pulled it together as I walked into the Harvard Square Starbucks that evening.

Lydia told me about her connections to the food industry. She also mentioned she worked for Harvard Magazine. We are looking, she said, for a digital content strategist  someone to manage our social media, email newsletters and web content. Would that be of interest to you?

As her words sunk in, I said, Yes. Actually, thats the exact combination of my skills and experience. How can I apply?

I was called into Harvard Magazines office to formally interview with the staff. On the day before my last day at work, I received the job offer from Harvard.

I moved on  with joy.
UDRIs new ED brings leadership skills, experience at all organizational levels

By Pamela Gregg, Communication Administrator, 937-229-3268

DAYTON, Ohio - The University of Dayton Research Institutes new executive director, Sukh Sidhu, joined UDRI in the fall of 1992 as a postdoctoral researcherthe lowest of the low among research positions, he said. But the fact that he has grown his career through the ranks to executive director is a testament to the entrepreneurial climate UDRI provides its employees, Sidhu added, and its an environment hes intent on preserving, even as the Research Institute continues to grow in size, research scope and location.

"UDRI has always fostered employee development by allowing employees to pursue the work that fits their talents and that interests them. Its a unique business model that has proven highly successful for our employees and our organization, which is based entirely on sponsored research programs, Sidhu said.

Since its formation at the University of Dayton in 1956, the Research Institute has grown from $1 million in annual revenue to $170 million in 2020, and from a handful of researchers on campus to 730 professional researchers, technicians and administrative staff in Dayton and at Wright-Patterson, Eglin (Florida) and Robins (Georgia) Air Force bases.

Regardless of how much we grow, its important to recognize that our people are our most important asset. If we treat them fairly, treat them with respect, and provide the opportunities and support necessary for them to advance their careers, then weve set the framework for our success as an organization.

As a researcher, Sidhu was promoted to distinguished research scientist, group leader and division head, keeping his focus on developing technologies to reduce pollution created during energy generation, reduce energy consumption, and advance green energy technologies. He simultaneously taught undergraduate and graduate courses in these same areas in UDs School of Engineering and College of Arts and Sciences.

Sidhu was promoted to Director of Business Development in 2016 and in 2019 to Director of Research and Development, where he was responsible for leading and growing sponsored programs in addition to developing new business. During his career at UDRI, Sidhu led successful proposals with ceilings totaling more than $800 million.

Early on Sukh demonstrated a knack for developing mutually beneficial partnerships with other talented researchers to pursue and successfully execute increasingly larger programs, which led to progressively greater responsibilities, said John Leland, vice president for research at UD.

As a director, Sukh has done an outstanding job of pulling together multi-divisional teams whose experts in various technologies have allowed us to pursue significantly larger and more complex programs and in new areas of business. Im confident well see an increasing number of collaborative programs and new technology growth under his direction.

Leland also said Sidhus leadership strengths and experience were key factors in his selection to serve as executive director. I cant imagine anyone better qualified to lead an organization than someone who has worked at every level within it.

Sidhu is a member of the American Institute of Chemical Engineers, the American Chemical Society, the Combustion Institute and the Sigma Xi Research Society. He holds a doctoral degree in chemical engineering from the University of Illinois, Chicago.

May 18, 2021
Police have arrested a man in Leeds on suspicion of committing war crimes during Sierra Leone's civil war more than 20 years ago.

The 42-year-old was arrested on 18 May as part of an ongoing investigation into allegations relating to atrocities that occurred during the conflict between 1994 and 2000, the Metropolitan Police said.

The man, whose identity has not been released, was taken to a police station in Leeds and later released under investigation. Officers also carried out a search of a property in the city.

The civil war in Sierra Leone broke out in 1991 when the Revolutionary United Front (RUF) began a campaign against President Joseph Momoh.

The RUF captured towns near the southern border with Liberia, aided by the special forces of Charles Taylor's National Patriotic Front of Liberia.

According to Action Aid, a third of the West African country's population was displaced, with tens of thousands killed during the 11-year conflict from 1991 until 2002.

In 2012, former Liberian president Taylor was jailed for 50 years for war crimes.

Taylor was found guilty of aiding rebels who committed atrocities during Sierra Leone's civil war.

He was found guilty of 11 crimes and Judge Richard Lussick said at the time that the ex-warlord was responsible for "some of the most heinous crimes in human history".

Taylor maintained his innocence, saying he only made contact with the rebels to urge them to stop fighting, but it was confirmed two years later that he would serve his full sentence and was transferred to a prison in the UK.

The conviction made him the first former head of state to be found guilty of war crimes since the Second World War.
Tom "Jabracada" Hall Wins $109 PKO Afterparty Event For $46,241

May 19 2021 Matthew Pitt

The PokerStars SCOOP Afterparty is drawing to a close and players from the United Kingdom and Ireland hope to sign off with a bang. Tom "Jabracada" Hall managed to do exactly that by taking down the $109 NLHE PKO Party Saver.

Some 4,602 players bought in and created a $460,200 prize pool Half that sum went onto the heads of each entrant with the top 655 finishers sharing the remaining 50 per cent.

With bounty payments included, nobody at the eight-handed final table took home less than $4,290 for their efforts. That is the sum "j0z089" collected after crashing out in eighth.

Croatia's "scarpezi" was the next to bow out; they padded their bankroll with $4,938. Irish star "KumoZing" followed the Croatian to the rail, doing so with $7,171 in tow before "shortyno03" from Bosnia and Herzegovina got their hands on $10,825, the first five-figure haul of the evening.

Lex Not Live II Heads to PokerStars on May 18-23

A combined prize worth $14,446 made its way to fourth place finisher "ayhan_fb1907" before UK-based Greek star Alexios "[email protected]@" Zervos saw his tournament end in a third-place finish worth $18,437.

Hall and "LURE1965" fought it out heads-up for he title. Both locked up almost $28,000 from the main prize pool, but the bounties were huge by the stage. So significant that Hall's bounty haul was $18,253 when he defeated his final opponent. This resulted in Hall walking away with $46,241, leaving LURE1965 to bank a $32,228 consolation prize.

SCOOP Afterparty 56-H: $109 NLHE 8-Max PKO Party Saver Final Table Results

Place Player Country Prize Bounties Total Prize 1 Tom "Jabracada" Hall United Kingdom $27,988 $18,253 $46,241 2 LURE1965 Russia $27,984 $4,244 $32,228 3 Alexios "[email protected]@" Zervos United Kingdom $16,393 $2,044 $18,437 4 ayhan_fb1907 Germany $11,591 $2,855 $14,446 5 shortyno03 Bosnia & Herzegovina $8,196 $2,629 $10,825 6 KumoZing Ireland $5,795 $1,376 $7,171 7 scarpezi Croatia $4,098 $840 $4,938 8 j0z089 Slovakia $2,897 $1,393 $4,290

BOOOOOM92 Bags $132K Score

Hall's victory was impressive, as was the $46,241 prize he collected, but "BOOOOOM92" managed to blow that sum out of the water thanks to a deep run in another Afterparty event.

SCOOP Afterparty 52-M was the $530 NLHE 8-Max 2nd Chance Main Event, which had $1.5 million guaranteed. $1,820,000 was paid out, however, after 3,640 players turned out in force.

Each of the eight finalists won at least $24,381. Three Union Jacks were present and correct at the final table, although two busted out early on.

PokerStars LIVE at the Hippodrome Set For Grand Reopening

Stephen "woody1234321" Woodhead was the final table's first casualty, therefore, winning $24,381. Fellow Brit "DuTTiFruTTi9" was eliminated one place later and scooped $34,203.

Players continued falling by the wayside and BOOOOOM92 eventually found themselves three-handed and guaranteed more than $130,000. The victory was not meant to be and they busted in third for $132,471.

SCOOP Afterparty 52-M: $530 NLHE 8-Max 2nd Chance Main Event Final Table Results
EU ambassadors have backed plans to allow vaccinated UK holidaymakers to visit the bloc this summer.

They recommended at a meeting on Wednesday that rules should be changed to allow non-essential visits into the EU by people who have had two doses of a coronavirus vaccine, a spokeswoman for the Portuguese presidency of the EU Council said.

The policy will need to be signed off by ministers of member states.

People in England are able to use an NHS app to display proof of their vaccination status.

A separate decision on whether to add the UK and other countries to the EUs safe list will be made on Friday.

(PA Graphics)

Travellers from locations on the list are permitted to enter the bloc even if they are not vaccinated, but are generally required to show evidence of a recent negative test.

There are currently only eight countries on the list, including Australia, New Zealand, South Korea and Israel.

Portugal and Greece are among the EU countries that have broken ranks by already welcoming UK tourists, but the addition of the UK to the safe list would boost the chances of a major summer getaway.

UK holidaymakers are currently prohibited from visiting several EU countries, including Spain, due to its ban on inbound leisure visits from outside the EU and Schengen Area.

Meanwhile, Health Secretary Matt Hancock will lead a Downing Street press conference later with the Government facing calls for clarity over its position in relation to overseas leisure travel after ministers appeared to contradict themselves.

A sign directs passengers to a testing centre at Heathrow Airport (PA)

With a new traffic light system brought in on Monday to allow some foreign holidays to resume again after months of coronavirus lockdown, Boris Johnson stressed countries on the amber list are not somewhere where you should be going on holiday.

Mr Johnsons official spokesman, during a briefing with reporters on Tuesday, said holidays and leisure travel should still be restricted to the limited number of countries deemed safe by ministers, such as Portugal, which is the only major viable tourist destination on the quarantine-free green list.

Story continues

But two Cabinet ministers appeared to offer a different reading of the rules, with Environment Secretary George Eustice telling broadcasters people could go to amber-listed countries as long as they observed quarantine rules on their return.

Environment Secretary George Eustice (PA)

Welsh Secretary Simon Hart, speaking after Mr Johnsons comments on the matter, told Times Radio the public should ask themselves whether a trip to a country on the amber list is essential, before conceding that some people might think a holiday is essential.

Despite the presence of a green list comprising 12 countries and territories, health minister Lord Bethell told peers he considers all foreign travel to be dangerous and urged Britons to holiday at home this summer.

Education minister Gillian Keegan told Sky News: As with many of these things we have had throughout the pandemic, this has been about relying on the great British public to be sensible and follow the guidance we have put in place and taking their own decisions really.

But, no, we wouldnt advise going on holiday to the amber list countries.

Ms Keegan said there would probably be an announcement a week or two before the next stage of the lifting of lockdown restrictions on June 21 about expanding the list of green countries.

Mr Johnson could face pressure to clarify the situation when he takes Prime Ministers Questions on Wednesday.

Welsh First Minister Mark Drakeford said last week it is his strong advice that people should stay at home and enjoy all that Wales has to offer this year.

George Morgan-Grenville, founder and chief executive of travel company Red Savannah, said the industry is facing a disaster and cannot understand why it has to bear the brunt of so much confused and mixed messaging from ministers.

He told BBC Radio 4s Today programme: There are 10,000 lorries every day coming into this country through British ports, and those drivers are only required to take a lateral flow test.

So the idea that people not going on holiday is going to shut out every virus is nonsensical.

The criticism came amid reports thousands of people had headed for destinations such as France, Greece, Spain and the United States  none of which are on the green list  with more than 150 flights reported to have departed on Monday when travel rules were relaxed in Britain as part of a further phase of lockdown easing.

Non-essential travel from Northern Ireland to the Common Travel Area  which consists of the UK, Republic of Ireland, Channel Islands and Isle of Man  will be allowed from May 24.
Authorities said the drive-by shooting was gang related, but Cardenas said there was no reason to believe the boy was affiliated with a gang, saying I mean he was a young boy, Jesus. I wish things couldve been different. For me, it tears me up. Theres always an urgency of how to stop this. Sometimes, you get deflated because its tough. You think about how you could do more. More here.
Immigrant retention in New Brunswick results from Biznet and Citizen Database

Author: Philip Leonard, Ted McDonald, Pablo Miah

Year: 2019

Category: Population Dynamics and Immigration

How many immigrants typically land in New Brunswick? And how many stay?

In an effort to boost the population and economy of New Brunswick, the provincial government has invested many resources in attracting and retaining immigrants. One such initiative is the Provincial Nomination Program (PNP), which accelerates the immigration and Permanent Resident application process for skilled workers and immigrants (and their family members) with experience in business.

In this report, researchers from the New Brunswick Institute for Research, Data and Training (NB-IRDT) use linked data from BizNet and the Citizen Database to investigate the number of landings (2001-2017) and retention rates (2005-2017) of immigrations in New Brunswick, focusing in particular on immigrants who arrived through the PNP.

Results show that the number of Provincial Nominees has been steadily rising since 2005, reaching over 950 a year in 2017. Meanwhile, of the Nominees in New Brunswick long enough to receive a Medicare number, 75% remain in province one year later; 60% remain 3 years later, and less than 50% remain 5 years later. Report findings indicate that New Brunswick retains approximately 64% of targeted immigrants through the PNP.

Findings also show that the largest number of Provincial Nominees has consistently come from China, though the number from the Philippines has been increasing rapidly since 2016. Immigrants from the Philippines also have the highest retention rates.

Future updates to the Citizen Database and BizNet datasets will make it possible to analyze retention rates of applicants through the Atlantic Immigration Pilot as well.
The last time Armenians went to the polls, in 2018, they were voting optimistically. Following Nikol Pashinyans successful toppling of the old regime via street protests, voters gave him an overwhelming mandate for what promised to be a future of growing prosperity, rule of law and a defeat of corruption, and reducing the countrys dependence on Russia. Now, though, the picture is far more pessimistic, Eurasianet writes.

Voters will head to the polls on June 20, in snap elections called amid a political crisis stemming from the countrys defeat in last years war with Azerbaijan. This time, the country is in survival mode and national security is dominating the campaign. The opposition is making promises that it will better be able to stand up for Armenias interests, while Pashinyan and his ruling party are on the defensive and forced to make excuses for the defeat in the war last year.

The disastrous outcome of the war is the weakest point of the incumbent prime minister and his political opponents will exploit it, said Benyamin Poghosyan, head of the Yerevan think tank Center for Political and Economic Strategic Studies.

The former ruling Republican Party of Armenia, which Pashinyan ousted in 2018, is back and is in an alliance led by Artur Vanetsyan, a former head of the National Security Service under Pashinyan who then turned against his former boss. The coalitions goal is to liberate this country from the capitulant power that serves the interests of Turkey and Azerbaijan, Eduard Sharmazanov, a senior party member, told reporters on May 18.

Also running is Robert Kocharyan, a former president of Armenia, in an alliance with the nationalist Armenian Revolutionary Federation  Dashnaktsutyun. A government that represents defeat cannot be an effective negotiator, Kocharyan told a May 9 rally in Yerevan. It is impossible to negotiate with the enemy if you move on all fours, if you are on your knees.

But the opposition contenders have not explained what they would do differently, and their message has been a personality-driven one focused solely on removing Pashinyan.

Calling Pashinyan a traitor and using the word capitulation, this is really not resonating for two reasons, said Richard Giragosian, head of another think tank, the Regional Studies Center. One, there is a deep understanding in the society that Pashinyan had no choice but to accept the Russia-imposed ceasefire. And yes, there is an absence of accountability [from Pashinyan] but this kind of criticism from the opposition is a little bit over the top. The second reason is perhaps more important: The opposition has failed to ever explain what, if anything, they would have done differently. The opposition doesnt offer a credible alternative, Giragosian told Eurasianet.

All of the contenders  including Pashinyan and his Civil Contract party  have been promising to regain control of the parts of Nagorno-Karabakh [Azerbaijan's] that Armenians lost [liberated by the Azerbaijani army] in the war last year. But while some opposition forces hinted at the need to regain that territory through military means, they have more recently moderated that message to emphasize that they would rely solely on political and diplomatic tools.

There is a possibility to return both Shushi [Shusha] and Hadrut [the two main cities liberated by Azerbaijan], but for this we need negotiations, which the current authorities are incapable of conducting, Vanetsyan told reporters on May 9, the day Armenians celebrate the Soviet victory in World War II, the taking of Shushi in 1992, and the Armenian armed forces.

The same day, Gagik Tsaurukyan, the head of the Prosperous Armenia Party  which is also contesting the elections and which is currently the largest opposition bloc in parliament  expressed hope to re-occuly Shusha.

The bellicose rhetoric of restarting war was laughable, it doesnt resonate with anyone, Giragosian said. Especially given the prisoners who are still to be returned, the high cost of life  theres no appetite now for war. The newly moderate discourse is the result of the initial negative reaction to their more militant stance  retaking Shushi, etc.  they corrected it into a more nuanced, public version since then.

Pashinyans message about Karabakh also has been that he will regain by diplomatic means the territories that were lost, and he is relying on the notion of remedial secession. That is the idea that Nagorno-Karabakh  ruled since the 1990s by a self-proclaimed government  might gain international recognition, a hope that Giragosian called absurd.

One common theme among all the contenders is the need to strengthen relations with Russia, Armenias ally and the co-signer of the November 10 ceasefire statement that ended last years war.

Almost all political forces are calling for strengthening strategic alliance with Russia  even Pashinyan, despite the fact that he came to power on promises to restore Armenian sovereignty, blaming the former authorities for being too weak with Russia, Poghosyan said. A 2,000-strong Russian peacekeeping mission now provides security in the parts of Nagorno-Karabakh that Armenians retained control of last year, but their mandate expires in 2025 and its extension can be unilaterally vetoed by Azerbaijan.

All [opposition groups] say that Russian troops should stay in Karabakh after 2025 as the only guarantee of preventing massacres and the deportation of Armenians, Poghosyan added. However, no one says how Armenia can guarantee this and what will happen if Russians leave.

The opposition message on Russia is not always consistent: Following an apparent border demarcation problems in mid-May, Pashinyan appealed to the Collective Security Treaty Organization, the Russia-led political-military bloc that obliges member states to protect one another from external attack. As a result, he has come under attack from many opposition figures for his inability to solve the crisis on his own. Why do you expect Russia to drop everything and do your job for you? asked Vazgen Saghatelyan, a member of Kocharyans alliance, during a May 17 debate on public television. We can expect Russias help but not to do our jobs for us.

Joining the campaign against Pashinyan is even the prime ministers former mentor, Levon Ter-Petrossian, the first president of post-Soviet Armenia. Ter-Petrossian had been known for his relatively moderate stance with respect to Azerbaijan, more in favor of concessions to Baku than the hardliners like Kocharyan who replaced him. But for this campaign he proposed an alliance with Kocharyan and another ex-president, Serzh Sargsyan, which he said was probably the only way to avoid new disasters. It is the duty of all Armenians to realize that the reproduction of Pashinyans regime is much more dangerous for Armenia and Artsakh [an alternate Armenian name for Karabakh] than even the possible or supposed threats coming from Azerbaijan and Turkey, he said in a March 25 statement.

The two other former presidents rejected his proposal and Ter-Petrossian is now running alone with his Armenian National Congress party. If Pashinyan or Kocharyan win, he said on May 16, the world will not understand how the Armenian people elected a leader that has brought the country to ruin.
In connection with the situation on the Armenian-Azerbaijani border, information pressure on Russia is growing in the Armenian information field. Inspired by signals of support from France and the United States, the Armenian authorities launched an information attack on Moscow.

So, one of the mouthpieces of the Armenian Telegram segment, who returned to the ranks of Pashinyan's loyal supporters after a short flirtation with the opposition, the channel

@ Bagramyan26 writes: "The CSTO continues to prove its uselessness. Armenia officially applied to the CSTO for help a few days ago. The organization first said that it had not received an appeal yet, and then they received it, but said that it takes 3 days to get an answer ... does not rush to make an assessment in connection with the invasion of Azerbaijani forces into the territory of Armenia and clearly does not want to interfere in the Armenian-Azerbaijani relations.However, the CSTO faces a difficult choice: the organization either proves that it, as a military alliance, is capable of at least something in the region, or once again shows his military-political impotence. "

Or, for example, the site "First Information", which also stands out for its loyalty to the regime of Nikol Pashinyan, notes: "If the world should help Armenia in solving important issues, and then the Armenian statehood and state policy will continue to serve this to resolve Russian issues, then this help has no practical meaning for the world. "

As Vestnik Kavkaza has already noted (see Corridor to Nakhchivan: Yerevan is revolting, Moscow and Baku are losing patience), notorious pro-Western nationalists from Sasna Tsrer, ideological followers of Garegin Nzhdeh, from the first days of the notorious "Zangezur crisis" began to actively oppose Russia and, of course, for Pashinyan.

Meanwhile, Secretary of the Armenian Security Council Armen Grigoryan claims that the potential and capabilities of the Armenian army after the defeat in Karabakh "have been largely restored." If we are talking about the amnesty for thousands of deserters, which was recently signed by President Armen Sarkissian, then Grigoryan's words about "restoring potential" make sense. A big question, however, why does Armenia need to restore anything at all, if the "NKR defense army" fought against Azerbaijan, as the official Armenian propaganda claims, all 44 days? The question is, of course, rhetorical.

Simultaneously with the bravado of "Soros member" Armen Grigoryan, the Ministry of Defense in Armenia reports that all supply routes for the Azerbaijani military, who allegedly invaded the territory of Armenia, are blocked. They say that even when Azerbaijan tries to organize supplies for its troops, the Armenian army stops it. Also, the Armenian military department continues to assert that the Azerbaijani servicemen are surrounded from all sides and are under the full [fire] control of the Armenian army.

In connection with these statements, questions arise. So, if 200-250 soldiers of the Azerbaijani army ended up in the Armenian encirclement without supply routes, and Armenia completely controls the situation, then why are Yerevan's annoying appeals to the CSTO needed? What is the purpose of anti-Russian hysteria in the Armenian media, as well as attempts to discredit the pro-Russian military bloc? Is this not a continuation of the traditional policy of discrediting the CSTO Pashinyan, who at one time gave instructions to arrest the current CSTO Secretary General Yuri Khachaturov? Finally, if the Armenians only have to wait for the Azerbaijani soldiers who were left without provisions to pray for a corridor to get out of the encirclement, then why do Nikol Pashinyan need daily calls to world and regional capitals? Ilham Aliyev, for example, has not called anyone so far, and calls for a calm dialogue. Just like Moscow, which called on Sergei Lavrov not to whip up emotions.

Today, the information policy of Yerevan, as in the period of the Second Karabakh War, is inadequate to the current situation. How not to recall the stories about the "Jebrail Cauldron" or "Hell's Gorge", which the Armenian propaganda machine, together with the Gabrelyan mass media, fed its citizens throughout the 44-day war. As a result, when the Azerbaijani special forces were already climbing the steep slopes of Shushi, the Armenian population still firmly believed that Hadrut was under Armenian control. Today, the same methods of information warfare are in use.
Before 2020, Russia was the leading gas exporter to Turkey with a market share around 33%. Few were those who predicted any sudden alterations to this order of things. Even though Azerbaijan ramping up exports to Turkey with TANAPs commissioning had been long time on the agenda and given the political proximity between the two its utility was never really debated, the annual aggregates would still keep Gazprom comfortably in pole position, having both BlueStream and TurkStream to avail itself with. Yet, tanking oil and gas prices have pushed Russia aside last year. Having shrugged off last years travails, Gazprom is now intent on retaking the No. 1 spot in Turkey.

According to Oil Price, Russian pipeline gas exports to Turkey plummeted in the first half of 2020, reaching only 4.7 BCm (having garnered half of it January 2020 alone). Not without soul-searching, Gazprom stated that the massive demand drop was due to COVID-19 curbing Turkeys gas needs and spot LNG imports becoming more profitable than piped gas. The thing is that the Russian firms pricing formula is based on a European products basket, priced in with a 6-9 month lag so that in times of sudden price drops front-month Russian terms might very well become less attractive than spot LNG deliveries. This year, however, has brought about a complete reversal of Gazproms Turkish fortunes - in January-April 2021, Gazproms export tally to Turkey totalled 10.34 BCm, i.e. more than in the first nine months of 2020.

In the same manner that the multi-month pricing lag has made Gazprom piped deliveries sub-commercial in 2020, buying Russian gas now makes perfectly good commercial sense. The lagged pricing peg is calculating Gazproms monthly gas prices using the product prices of late summer/early autumn 2020 - when almost all the Northern Hemisphere struggled with the shattering impact of COVIDs second wave  as their basis. Turkish gas importers understand this and have been expectedly front-loading their H1 2021 supplies, wary that the gradual increase of oil-indexed prices might coincide with expensive LNG quotes.

The Russian pipeline vs LNG competition might have been much more edgy than it actually is right now. LNG flows, however, were first disrupted by the January cold snap in Asia and later with export issues in several countries  the lack of volumes from Australia, Malaysia, Indonesia and Nigeria was partially mended by US LNG (though this has shrunk whatever was available for European buyers). Thus, after prices for LNG landed in Turkey fell to 5.5 USD/MMbtu in March 2021, the normal assumption would be that they stay more or less flat throughout the spring/summer season. The exact opposite happened, landed prices started their incessant increase and by mid-May have surpassed 9 USD/MMbtu. This is the highest Turkish LNG import prices have been since November 2018 and, in all likelihood, they are still some way off from being capped.

Gazprom was partially aided by the expiry of the 2001 Azeri-Turkish supply deal. The contract, up until its lapse Turkeys longest standing, stipulated deliveries of 6.6 BCm per year sourced from the Shah Deniz field. Whilst the intergovernmental contract was signed very early on, the actual movements of gas molecules only started in 2007 and for more than 10 years supplies via the South Caucasus Pipeline boiled down to these volumes. This was then boosted in 2018 when the commissioning of Shah Denizs 2nd phase and the subsequent launch of TANAP allowed for another 6 BCm per year to be contracted. Turkeys national gas company BOTAS and the Azerbaijan Gas Supply Co., the institutional avatar of Shah Deniz stakeholders, have been holding negotiations for quite some time, however, could not find common ground on pricing issues despite the overall brotherly relations between Ankara and Baku.

It needs to be pointed out that not only the Shah Deniz contract is to run out this year, Gazproms agreements for the purchase of 8 BCm are to expire this December, too. Of this exactly half, i.e. 4 BCm per year, falls on the state-owned BOTAS whilst the other half has private gas buyers (such as Kalyon, Enerco, AKSA or Gama) participating. In total the Russian piped gas exporter has contracts to the amount of 16 BCm/year with Turkish partners, i.e. the aggregate take-or-pay commitments are the same as the throughput capacity of BlueStream. According to media reports, Gazprom has been renegotiating the terms and conditions of its long-term supply contracts. Whilst details on the progress made by the sides remains scarce, it might very well happen that the future contracts will be shorter as Turkey would prefer to maintain as much flexibility as it could get.

As promising as Gazproms export numbers into Turkey look right now, the big challenge will be to maintain these volumes in the second half of 2021. First of all, technical issues might hinder Russias export drive into Turkey. Tthe BlueStream pipeline will be undergoing maintenance for 15 days up until May 27, 2021 and if last years story is to repeat itself, it might happen that the maintenance will be used to cover up for the non-utilization of the pipeline. Almost right after BlueStream comes back onstream, the 15.75 BCm per year TurkStream pipeline will be down for another session of pipeline maintenance in June-July 2021. Beyond technicalities, gas prices will be a key determining factor  the farther out the pricing, the higher the prices as the relative market normalization of 2021 translates into costlier product basket formulae.
Israels Iron Dome anti-missile system has been the object of lavish praise in Western media outlets over the past week, as the Israeli military bombards Gaza and uses the system to shoot down rockets fired by Palestinian armed groups into Israeli territory. Middle East Eye reports that since the conflict began last week, Palestinian armed groups have fired at least 2,800 rockets into Israel, at the time of publication. These are largely unguided systems with many rockets not intercepted by the Iron Dome landing in open areas away from urban structures. These barrages have, nevertheless, caused casualties, with Israel reporting 10 deaths so far in the conflict. With the exception of a soldier killed by an anti-tank missile near Israels border with Gaza, all of the fatalities are believed to have been caused by rockets. Advocates of the anti-missile system say that without it, the Israeli death toll would have been much higher.

How does the Iron Dome work?

The Iron Dome is an anti-missile defence system that works by using anti-missile missiles and radar technology. To summarise the interception process, the radar picks up an incoming object, such as a rocket; that information is processed and fed to a missile battery, which uses information about the speed and trajectory of the objects flight path to hone in on and intercept it by detonating its payload close to the object, thereby destroying it.

Other variables, such as atmospheric conditions and weather patterns, are also taken into account before the missiles are launched. In that sense, the Iron Dome is similar to other anti-missile systems, such as the US-made Patriot system and the Russian-made S-400. They differ in terms of range and the type of objects they can bring down. While the Iron Dome can pick up on incoming threats between four and 70km away, the S-400 has a range of up to 400km but its starting range is much higher, at 40km. The Iron Dome is therefore specialised for shorter range threats on both land and sea.

Who makes the Iron Dome?

The anti-missile system was developed by the Israeli arms manufacturer Rafael, which markets the Iron Dome as a cost-effective interceptor with all weather capability. Rafael is one Israels leading arms manufacturers and works closely with the Israeli Ministry of Defence, producing other military systems, such as surveillance tools and anti-tank weapons. While it is developed within Israel, the US has been a key backer of the Iron Dome programme. In 2011, former US President Barack Obama provided Israel with more than $200m to produce batteries for the system.

What is the interception rate for the Iron Dome?

Israel claims the interception rate for the Iron Dome is around 90 percent, while some experts have put that figure closer to 80 percent. If we take the 2,800 rockets mentioned above as a reference, that would mean up to 560 rockets are still getting through. At this point, the quality of the rocket and the accuracy of its targeting become a factor. As many rockets fired from Gaza are unguided, most cause minimal damage, but as the Israeli fatalities confirm, that is not the case universally.

However, not all researchers believe Israel is being upfront with its data on the Iron Domes success in combat. Following the 2014 Gaza War, MIT scientist Theodore Postol suggested the actual rate of successful interception for the Iron Dome could have been as low as five percent. Postol explained that in most cases credited as successful interception, the systems Tamir missiles had impacted the incoming objects but not destroyed the payload they carried. The academic instead credited advanced warning systems for getting Israelis away from the path of rockets.

Does operating the system come with risks?

Former Israeli soldiers launched a class action lawsuit against the Israeli Ministry of Defence in April 2021 claiming that they had cancer because of their time spent operating the Iron Dome. The troops had given the system the nickname the toaster and compared exposure to the systems radars to radiation exposure found inside a microwave. Former Iron Dome operator Jonathan Haimovich said: "When you're near a radar you're literally feeling your body boiling from the inside out if you try to imagine what happens to food when it is in the microwave, it is like that. You feel the heat coming in waves. At least 10 soldiers in their 20s and 30s blame their cancer diagnosis on their service operating the Iron Dome system. Israeli officials reject any link between the system and the cases of cancer.

Does anyone else operate the Iron Dome?

A number of Israels new allies in the Middle East and beyond are interested in incorporating the Iron Dome into their own air defence networks. Washington has bought a limited number of systems for use within the US, and Azerbaijan announced its intent to buy the system in 2016 and again in 2021 - but it is unclear whether any transfers of weaponry have actually taken place. Baku was recently involved in a conflict with Armenia over the Nagorno-Karabakh region, during which Israeli arms were used. In 2017, Middle East Eye reported that the UAE was considering a purchase of the system after it had caught the interest of Emirati officials because of its deployment against rocket attacks from Gaza. I would be interested in hearing how it did in Gaza recently. I read the press commentary on its performance but would be interested to hear more specifically," the UAEs ambassador to the US, Yousef al-Otaiba, said in a leaked email, referring to the anti-missile system.
Iran is preparing to ramp up global oil sales as talks to lift U.S. sanctions show signs of progress. But even if a deal is struck, the flow of additional crude into the market may be gradual, Bloomberg reports. State-controlled National Iranian Oil Co. has been priming oil fields -- and customer relationships -- so it can increase exports if an accord is clinched, officials said. Under the most optimistic estimates, the country could return to pre-sanctions production of almost 4 million barrels a day in as little as three months. It could also tap a flotillas worth of oil thats hoarded away in storage.

But there are many hurdles to overcome. Any agreement must fully dismantle the gamut of U.S. barriers on trade, shipping and insurance involving Iranian entities. Even then buyers may still be reluctant, according to Mohammad Ali Khatibi, a former official at NIOC. Our return may be a gradual process rather than swift and sudden -- it cant happen overnight, Khatibi, also Irans former OPEC envoy, said in an interview. Thats partly due to the coronavirus pandemic having significantly hurt demand, he said.

The pace of Irans comeback may prove critical for the oil market. While fuel consumption is on the rebound as governments distribute vaccines and major economies reopen, it remains depressed by lockdowns and new virus outbreaks. Extra Iranian supplies would impose a burden on other members of OPEC+, which has toiled for more than a year to clear a glut built up as the pandemic spread.

Within Reach

U.S. and Iranian diplomats, currently negotiating via intermediary governments in Vienna, have signaled that an agreement is within reach. If successful, the negotiations could reactivate a 2015 international nuclear accord that Donald Trump withdrew the U.S. from three years later. That would require Iran to once again accept limits on its atomic activities, in return for the lifting of an array of tough sanctions imposed by the former president. Tehran has already taken advantage of a less hostile climate since President Joe Biden came to power in January. It is reviving petroleum sales, sending more crude to emboldened Chinese buyers. Irans production has climbed almost 20% this year to 2.4 million barrels a day, according to data compiled by Bloomberg, though most of that oil is still used domestically. Even if the sanctions are not removed, depending on their ability to sell oil in the gray market, they will increase their production further, said Sara Vakhshouri, president of consultancy SVB Energy International LLC in Washington.

Maintaining Wells

Engineers at NIOC have been rotating crude production between different fields to maintain sufficient reservoir pressure, according to officials at the company, who asked not to be identified. The procedure is crucial for keeping up output levels. Gas injections at older oil fields in the south of the country are playing a similar role, SVBs Vakhshouri said. If theres a deal with the U.S., the Islamic Republic could increase production to almost 4 million barrels a day in three to six months, according to Iman Nasseri, managing director for the Middle East at consultant FGE, who has decades of experience covering the region and worked in Iran. Others expect a slower pace. It would take 12 to 15 months after the lifting of sanctions to increase production to 3.8 million barrels a day, Reza Padidar, head of the energy commission of the Tehran Chamber of Commerce, said in an interview. Some work required to restore capacity at fields, such as removing and servicing blocked bore-hole pumps, can take as long as one month per well, he said.

Difficult Talks

With Tehran and Washington still haggling to secure the best terms, a deal may take much more time. If recent confrontations in the Persian Gulf between U.S. and Iranian naval vessels escalate, it might slip away altogether. Talks could also be affected by next months elections in Iran, after which President Hassan Rouhani is stepping down. While Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has so far endorsed the negotiations, Rouhanis successor may take a harder stance against the U.S. Even if sanctions are removed, Iran faces other problems. Many refiners sign annual contracts at the start of the year, leaving little room for Tehran to strike its own long-term supply agreements for the time being, Khatibi said. Our biggest concern is limitations imposed on our customers and their fear of buying oil from Iran, he said. As we draw closer to the end of the year, well see more term contracts happen.

Trumps sanctions suffocated Irans relationships with traditional customers including India, China, South Korea, Japan and Turkey to a greater extent than previous trade restrictions, said Padidar of the Tehran Chamber of Commerce. For Wall Street banks like JPMorgan Chase & Co. and trading houses such as Vitol Group, the oil market is recovering fast enough to comfortably absorb additional Iranian barrels. Pent-up demand for travel stands to propel consumption higher in the second half. There is space for oil from Iran to return, said Mike Muller, head of Asia for Vitol Group, the worlds largest independent oil trader. It wont come back in one big bang.
While many had expected U.S. President Biden to follow a softer foreign policy and marginalize hawkish politicians in the White House, it seems that Biden pursues a more aggressive approach. Head of the Azerbaijan Institute for Democracy and Human Rights Ahmad Shahidov says that the United States exercises double standards in the world extensively in his interview to Tehran Times.

- Could you update us about the last developments in Azerbaijan-Armenia relations?

- Certain tensions remain between Azerbaijan and Armenia after the historic peace agreement of November 10, 2020. The two main issues have caused tension between the parties. The Azerbaijani side demands a map of mines in the liberated territories from Armenia, but officially Yerevan refuses to provide these maps.

The problem is that over the past six months, about 50 Azerbaijani servicemen and civilians have been killed by landmines in those areas. Azerbaijan has also appealed to international organizations on this issue, but, unfortunately, there is no positive result yet.

The second issue is related to military saboteurs detained on the Azerbaijani side. After the November 10 agreement, a group of Armenian saboteurs attacked Azerbaijani military positions and killed Azerbaijani border guards. Reacting to this, the Azerbaijani army carried out anti-terrorist operations, and those terrorist saboteurs were neutralized. At present, they are expected to be tried under Azerbaijani law. Azerbaijan considers them terrorists, while Armenia calls them prisoners of war and demands their return from Baku. These two issues cause tensions between the parties.

- Do you predict a long-run peace in the region? What factors threaten the peace and stability there?

- Of course, the November 10 agreement serves to establish long-term peace in the region. Azerbaijan is ready for this and fully complies with the terms of the agreement. There are certain revanchist forces in Armenia that are threatening Azerbaijan with a new war. There is still calm in the region, but it is too early to say that long-term peace will be fully established. First, refugees must return to their homes, coexist in the region, and infrastructure restored. We are at the beginning of a long and difficult path to peace.

- How do you see U.S. position and policy when it comes to the Azerbaijan-Armenia dispute? Do you see any change in U.S. policies?

- U.S. policy consists of double standards. Not only on the Karabakh issue but also on other conflicts in the world, Washington's position is aimed at ensuring its own interests. The United States is one of the co-chairs of the OSCE Minsk Group in resolving the Azerbaijani-Armenian conflict. But over the last 30 years, we have not seen a serious Washington mediation mission. During the 44-day war, the Biden administration also made statements in support of the occupation, which rightly deepened distrust of the United States in Azerbaijan.

Joe Biden's statement about the Armenian genocide is also a method of pressure and blackmail against Turkey. This issue has been used as a threat for years, and this year the mask of Washington was finally torn, and we have seen the real America. Unlike previous presidents, Joe Biden pursues a more aggressive and predatory policy. This is not only the case with Turkey. We also see this predatory policy against Russia, China, Iran, and other countries. The goal is to restore U.S. global leadership. But it is too late. America is no longer a world leader.

- How do you evaluate Iran-Azerbaijan's economic ties? Is there any development after Tehran declared that it is ready to contribute to the reconstruction of Karabakh?

- Iran-Azerbaijan relations continue to develop. In the 44-day war, official Tehran's position was also fair, and the Islamic Republic of Iran officially supported the territorial integrity of Azerbaijan. This was what we expected from Iran. Economic relations between the two countries continue. Even last week, when Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev visited the liberated Jabrayil and Zangilan regions, he called the Azerbaijani-Iranian border a friendly border. During the official visit of Iranian Foreign Minister Javad Zarif to Baku, Iranian companies' participation in the reconstruction work in Karabakh was also discussed. I think that Iran should take more active initiatives in this regard. Iran has extensive experience in this field, and there is a need to apply these practices in Karabakh as well.

- What is your take of the Chinese Belt and Road initiative? Would it consolidate the ties between regional players?

- China's "Belt and Road Initiative" project is a global project that will benefit all countries in the region. The countries of the South Caucasus also play a key role in the implementation of this project. This project worries the imperialist circles of the West. Because with the realization of this project, the importance of China in the world is growing, while the importance of the United States and the West is seriously declining. The winners of this project will also be Iran, Azerbaijan, Turkey, Georgia, and other countries. I think that this project will change not only the economic weight of the world but also its geopolitical shape as a whole.
Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov held a telephone conversation with Secretary-General of the Cooperation Council of Turkic-Speaking States (Turkic Council) Baghdad Amreyev on May 18, 2021, the Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry said.



The sides exchanged views on Azerbaijan's cooperation with the Turkic Council, as well as the upcoming meetings and events of the organization.



Preparatory meetings for the Summit of the Turkic Council member states to be held in autumn 2021, including the gathering of the senior representatives committee and a meeting of foreign ministers, were discussed.



The sides also discussed issues of further development of the organization.
President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev and President of the Russian Federation Vladimir Putin held phone talks on May 19, Trend reports referring to the Azerbaijani presidential press-service.

Leaders exchanged views on key aspects of the bilateral agenda. The President of Azerbaijan expressed his sincere gratitude for the supply of Russian vaccines against coronavirus. They expressed their mutual interest in deepening mutually beneficial cooperation in all areas, specifying that intensive contacts between governments, relevant ministries and departments will contribute to the achievement of this goal.
During a recent phone conversation, German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas and US Secretary of State Antony Blinken discussed a range of issues, including Russia, Europe's energy policy, as well as the situation in the Middle East, the German Federal Foreign Office said on Wednesday.

"FM @HeikoMaas discussed with @SecBlinken that de-escalation in the #MiddleEast is key priority at the moment. We will both continue to use our diplomatic channels to this end. Other topics included transatlantic cooperation, Russia, and European energy policy", the foreign office wrote on Twitter.

The officials spoke on Tuesday. Following their conversation, the U.S. Department of State said that Maas and Blinken discussed the importance of transatlantic cooperation, as well as troop withdrawal from Afghanistan, among other things.
What I hope people get out of the ceremony is an appreciation for why it is as important today as it was in the past to honor and support those who serve in our Armed Forces, Castellvi said. The challenges we face today, from a return of great-power competition, to the continuing threats of regional rogue states and violent extremist groups, requires a strong community that inspires and supports the best and brightest of our young men and woman to follow the calling of military service.
The SWIFT international payment system has confirmed to the Central Bank that it will work in Russia as usual and there is no risk that the country will be disconnected from the system, First Deputy Chairman of the Central Bank Olga Skorobogatova, speaking in the State Duma, the lower house of the parliament.

"We are in constant and direct contact with SWIFT, both with the headquarters and the Moscow office. They confirmed it to us that SWIFT will work as usual, without any problems, and we do not see any risks at the moment," TASS cited her nas saying.

Skorobogatova noted that even if Russia is disconnected from SWIFT, interbank transfers can be transferred to the Russian counterpart - the Financial Message Transfer System (FMS).
The Egyptian government said on Wednesday that it had reached a deal on the supply of the Russian COVID-19 vaccine Sputnik V to the country, Sputnik reports.

"An agreement was reached with the supplier company for doses of the Russian Sputnik V vaccine. Deliveries will be carried out sequentially until the end of the year. Also, a vaccine supply agreement was reached with Johnson & Johnson," the government said in a statement.

In late April, the Russian Direct Investment Fund (RDIF) and Egypt's drugmaker Minapharm agreed to produce over 40 million doses of Sputnik V per year, with production set to start in the third quarter of 2021.

Russia's Sputnik V is the world's first registered coronavirus vaccine. It has been authorised for emergency use in 66 countries with a total population of over 3.2 billion people. The efficacy of the drug stands at 97.6%, based on the latest analysis of data from 3.8 million vaccinated Russians.
The U.S. State Department has published the travel advisories, according to which U.S. citizens should not travel either to Armenia or Azerbaijan due to COVID-19.

"Do not travel to Armenia/Azerbaijan due to COVID-19. Some areas have increased risk," the statement reads.

"The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has issued a Level 4 Travel Health Notice for Armenia and Azerbaijan due to COVID-19, indicating a very high level of COVID-19 in the country. There are restrictions in place affecting U.S. citizen entry into Armenia and Azerbaijan," it says.



Casualties continue to occur following intensive fighting in the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict that occurred in the fall 2020.

Separately, the recommendations for both countries mentioned the zone of responsibility of the Russian peacekeepers in Azerbaijan and the liberated Azerbaijani regions. U.S. citizens are not advised to travel there because of "recent hostilities" (which apparently means the Second Karabakh War) and "casualties that continue to occur", as people are regularly killed by mines planted by the Armenian occupation forces.

"The U.S. government is unable to provide emergency services to U.S. citizens in and around Nagorno-Karabakh as access is restricted. Visit our website for Travel to High-Risk Areas," the statement reads.



"Exercise caution on roads near Armenias border with Azerbaijan. Be aware that some portions of the road may cross international boundaries without notice. Roads may be controlled by checkpoints or closed to travelers without notice," they added.

The U.S. visitors are recommended to "prepare a contingency plan for emergency situations."

Recommendations for both countries are mirrored, except for one point: American citizens are invited to reconsider their trip to Azerbaijan due to "terrorism concerns", in particular, a call was made to avoid traveling along the border with Iran. Conventionally, one can see here a connection with the Saturday incident, when a group of criminals, crossing the border from Iran to Azerbaijan, shot dead two Azerbaijani border guards - but the real logic is different.



Due to the Armenian diaspora lobby, the United States has stayed on the side of Armenia in the post-war settlement in the South Caucasus. Synchronous coronavirus restrictions are just an excuse to declare the Republic of Azerbaijan a state with a terrorist threat. This is done out of the blue, because there have been no terrorist attacks in Azerbaijan for a very long time (with the exception of military strikes by the Armenian army during the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict), the security situation on the republic is stable, and anyone who comes to Azerbaijan person can can prove it for themselves.

Thus, Washington has once again confirmed that it is more interested in putting pressure on one of the parties and supporting the other.

However, by doing so, Washington is actually moving away from the region, simultaneously urging its citizens not to travel to the South Caucasus and attacking Azerbaijan politically.
The Gamaleya National Research Center for Epidemiology and Microbiology has confirmed the quality of the Sputnik V vaccine produced by Belgrades Torlak Institute of Virology, Vaccines and Sera during a trial, and approved the production of the Russian preparation in that Serbian institution, Serbian Minister of Innovation and Technological Development, head of an intergovernmental Serbian-Russian cooperation committee Nenad Popovic informed on Wednesday, TASS reports.

Serbia will become the first country in Europe to produce Sputnik V, the ministers press service noted.

"The Gamaleya Institute has confirmed that the vaccines produced at Torlak comply with the prescribed quality standard. Today we received this confirmation from our Russian partners and got the approval to begin production. This is big news for Serbia. Our country will again become a powerhouse in vaccine production, which now is the same as having the most powerful weapon to protect the security of your citizens," the press service quoted the minister as saying.

According to the minister, a significant volume of the substances for the production of both doses of the Sputnik V jab will arrive in Belgrade from Russia in the next two weeks. "Very soon Serbia will have enough vaccines to fully cover its internal requirements," he emphasized, noting that Serbia intends to supply surplus doses to its neighbors in the region and countries in Europe as aid.

In his turn, Director of the Gamaleya Center Alexander Gintsburg thanked the minister for the confidence the Serbian people and leadership have in the Sputnik V vaccine, stressing that currently its efficacy of over 94% is the highest confirmed worldwide.
The Hamas movement that controls the Gaza Strip denies reports about its presumed readiness for ceasefire with Israel, the Dunya Al Watan news portal said, citing Izzat al-Rishq, a Hamas political bureau member.

"No agreement has been reached. There have been no exact timeframe for the ceasefire as well," he said. "Mediator efforts and contacts continue without cease."

An official source in Cairo said on Tuesday that Egypt had put forward a proposal for Israelis and Palestinians to cease fire starting from 06:00 local time on Thursday, May 20. "Cairo has put forward a proposal to cease fire from 06:00 local time (coincides with Moscow time) on Thursday, May 20, in coordination with the U.S. administration. We are waiting for the Palestinian factions and the government of Israel to respond, and expect military operations to be stopped at the end of this week," TASS cited the source as saying.

According to the official, an Egyptian delegation on security matters was to depart to Tel Aviv for talks with Israeli colleagues. Contacts with the Palestinian side are maintained as well, but no visit to Gaza has been scheduled so far due to ongoing air strikes.

According to Al Arabiya, the United States and the European Union, as well as Palestinian factions, support Egypts ceasefire initiative. Israel, however, has not yet responded to the proposal.

The TV channel reported that an Israeli delegation has been invited to Cairo for consultations on the ceasefire initiative.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov will meet with U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken in Reykjavik on May 19, following the official program of the Arctic Councils ministerial meeting, U.S. Department of State Spokesperson Ned Price said.

"Secretary Blinken will have an opportunity to meet with Russian Foreign Minister Lavrov tomorrow night on the margins of the Arctic Council. The bilateral meeting will take place after the evening's final Arctic Council event and will provide an opportunity to test the proposition of whether we can achieve a relationship with Moscow that is more stable and predictable," he said.

Earlier, the U.S. Department of State said Blinken planned to discuss bilateral relations and Russias Nord Stream 2 pipeline project during talks with his Russian counterpart.

The ministerial meeting of the Arctic Council will take place in the capital of Iceland on May 19-20. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov sand U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken, who arrived to Iceland late on Monday, are expected to attend. During the event in Reykjavik, Russia will assume the rotating Arctic Council presidency for 2021-2023.

The Arctic Council comprises Denmark, Iceland, Canada, Norway, Russia, the United States, Finland and Sweden. 12 non-Arctic countries, including the United Kingdom, Germany, India, China and France, have the observer status.
Moscow is closely monitoring the developments in the Palestinian-Israeli conflict, it is extremely concerned about the situation, Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov told journalists on Wednesday, TASS reports.

"We are very closely monitoring the developments. We share extreme concerns with the world," Peskov said. "The Russian side is making initiatives that are within its powers, our territory is offered as a venue for direct contacts, efforts [are made] within the framework of the Quartet," he reiterated.

"Of course, we are now urging the parties to the conflict - Israel and Palestine - to exercise restraint, and we believe that all parties must be utterly cautious in their statements in order not to add fuel to the fire," Peskov went on to say.

He noted that terrorist attacks do happen in the Middle East, but at a ceremony to receive credentials from foreign ambassadors on Tuesday, President Vladimir Putin spoke about terrorist activity across the globe in general. According to him, manifestations of terrorist activity can be seen all too often.

"We are speaking about terrorist activity in different countries of the globe. Our security services are working to thwart such intentions, the plotting of terrorist attacks," he specified.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov proposed on Moscow's mediation of the Armenian-Azerbaijani border demarcation talks through the effort of a special joint commission.

"In line with a preliminary agreement between the sides, the Russian Federation offered its assistance to start and conduct delimitation, demarcation of the border, as it came up with an initiative to create a special joint Armenian-Azerbaijani commission, in which Russia could take part as a consultant or a mediator," Lavrov said at a press conference.

"We presume that all such incidents should be resolved exclusively by peaceful, negotiated means. As a long-term solution, we see the launch of the delimitation of the Azerbaijani-Armenian border with its subsequent demarcation. The Russian Federation is ready to continue in every possible way to contribute to the consistent normalization of the situation in the South Caucasus," the Russian Foreign Ministry said.

During the telephone conversation with National Security Adviser to the President of the United States Jake Sullivan yesterday, Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev stressed the delimitation of the border with Armenia must be conducted in accordance with the trilateral Karabakh statement, noting that Azerbaijan is "committed to ensuring peace and stability in the region." Aliyev noted that Armenia's inadequate response to border tensions and attempts to internationalize the issue could lead to increased tensions in the region, and stressed the importance of peacefully resolving all disputes within the negotiation process.

Yerevan has not yet reacted to the proposal of Moscow and Baku.
The Russian parliament's lower house unanimously decided on Wednesday to denounce the Open Skies Treaty during a plenary session.

The house's international affairs committee also unanimously upheld the withdrawal from the treaty on Tuesday.

On May 11, Russian President Vladimir Putin submitted a bill to the State Duma on denouncing the Treaty on Open Skies.

On January 15, the Russian Foreign Ministry announced that Russia was launching domestic procedures to withdraw from the Treaty on Open Skies, justifying this step by a lack of progress in removing obstacles in order for the treaty to remain effective after Washington pulled out of it in November 2020. In April, the U.S. Department of State announced that US authorities have not yet made a decision to return to the treaty. Washington has blamed Moscow for years for selectively implementing the Treaty on Open Skies and violating a number of its provisions. Russia, in turn, has expressed grievances related to Washingtons implementation of the treaty.

The Open Skies Treaty, signed in 1992, allows member states flying over each other's territories to observe military activity and regulates the conduct of such flights.
Signs are mounting that Iran and the US will find their way to agreeing a revival of the 2015 nuclear deal before the Iranian presidential election in mid-June, IntelIiNews reports.

US and Iranian negotiators are aiming for a final round of talks in Vienna next week on the terms for Washingtons re-entry into the nuclear deal (or Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, the JCPOA), according to Irans chief negotiator and deputy foreign minister, Abbas Araghchi.

I think good headway has been made with the talks over the past two weeks. A few key issues have remained, and they need further consideration, and decisions should be made about those issues in the capitals, Araghchi was on May 19 cited as saying by the Guardian. Similar comments from Araghchi were reported by Iran's Fars News Agency.

The delegations, which have this week been meeting in Vienna in a fourth round of talksalthough the US and Iran are not meeting face to face but are instead relying on shuttle diplomacy conducted by remaining major power JCPOA signatorieshave reportedly agreed to return to national capitals to receive final instructions on red lines before a definitive round of talks.
The large reproductions, with classical music playing in the background, create an immersive experience. Producer Martin Biallas chose a top 40 of sacred choir music to get the visitors in the right festive mood. It should be noted the music is not from Michelangelos era, because Biallas said, the music of that era sounded very plain and not at all festive, so he chose music from 200-300 years later.
The U.S. militarys withdrawal from Afghanistan is up to 20% complete with a little less than four months left in the effort, the Pentagon announced Tuesday.

U.S. forces have shipped out approximately 115 C-17 loads of equipment out of the country, turned over more than 5,000 pieces of equipment to the Defense Logistics Agency to be destroyed, and officially handed over five facilities to the Afghan Ministry of Defense, U.S. Central Command said in a statement.

"U.S. Central Command estimates that we have completed between 13-20% of the entire retrograde process," the Hill cited the weekly release as saying.

The U.S. military has been extracting itself from Afghanistan since May 1 after President Biden in April ordered all troops to be out of the country by Sept. 11. Prior to the order, roughly 2,500 service members were in Afghanistan.
As a result of the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic, the rental market in HCMC has plummeted, pushing many landlords into difficulties as tenants have left, leaving empty spaces in their wake and no takers.

With retail spaces finding it hard to attract tenants, landlords are banking on foreign investors expanding chains  SGT Photo: Thanh Tao

Since the beginning of the year, the supply of rental spaces has grown slowly under the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic, along with the closing down of stores.

In order to attract tenants, many landlords have offered discounts of up to 50%, but have been met with little or no response.

Many landlords said that no matter how much of a discount they offer, no one is interested in renting as very few dare to open up a business at this time.

Expert analysis at Savills shows that due to the pandemics impact, retail space has recorded no new supply in the first quarter and remains at 1.5 million square meters, unchanged from the last quarter.

The slow progression of future supply of rental place is evident as in out of 11 completed projects with 159,000 m2, only three are expected to be put into operation in 2021. This is due to stores shutting down as a result of the impact of Covid-19.

Meanwhile, the capacity of commercial areas continues to decline. By the end of the first quarter, the average capacity was at 93%, down 1 percentage point by quarter and 2 points by year. Shopping malls in outer areas also witnessed a decrease of 1 point by quarter.

Tu Thi Hong An, commercial leasing director at Savills Vietnam, assessed that the effects of Covid-19 have seriously hindered the real estate market, especially retail units. Many businesses had to shut down, return property or shrink their business.

The retail segment in HCMC is receiving a lot of foreign investment, documenting new openings by a number of chain brands pertaining to the food, fashion and accessories industries. This shows that international brands still see potential in Vietnams market.

In early March, Uniqlo opened its fourth store, with a width of over 2,000 square meters at Van Hanh Mall (District 10) and Decathlon has also opened its second store at Thao Dien Mega Mall (Thu Duc City).

Moreover, international brands ranging from middle to high-end such as Balenciaga and Tiffany & Co are also planning on entering the Vietnamese market.

The expert emphasized that total retail sales will increase when more e-commerce and international brands enter Vietnams market. However, food industries and non-CBD areas are still facing many difficulties.

The expanding wave of foreign brands is giving hope to the retail industry. At shopping centers, the trend of tenants mainly pertaining to fashion and accessories will continue in the coming period in non-CBD areas. In addition, the food industry and convenience stores are expected to continue expanding toward development in densely populated areas, said An.

Many real estate experts believe that it will take a while for the market to recover its momentum.

As such, both businesses and landlords have been forced to find coping measures, such as re-evaluating the retail market and finding new business opportunities.

Expired contracts see difficulties finding new customers In the context of retail operations encountering difficulties in non-CBD areas, landlords have actively sought out ways to support tenants such as rent-free incentives throughout the construction phase or offering discounts of up to 40% within the first 2-3 months for new transactions.

SGT

Taxing rental apartments: lessors and lessees will face difficulties Imposing tax on the leasing of apartments and business premises is not a new idea, but the method of taxation remains controversial.
Santelli expressed concern that those who are not vaccinated and are opposed to mask-wearing in general may just stop wearing their masks, despite still being required to do so by the state. She also suggested that some customers might assume anyone who continues to wear a mask is not vaccinated and judge them  or not want to receive services from them.
At 8 am May 16, Hai Phong, a 12th grader at a Hanoi high school was sitting in front of his laptop, checking the internet, camera and headphone, waiting for his turn to be interviewed for admission to the Hanoi University of Science and Technology.
Various activities have been held by overseas Vietnamese over the past few days to celebrate the 131st birth anniversary of late President Ho Chi Minh (May 19, 1890 - 2021).

Representatives of the Vietnamese community in Mozambique offer incense to President Ho Chi Minh at the embassy's headquarters in Maputo on May 18 (Photo: VNA)

In Mozambique, Vietnamese Ambassador Le Huy Hoang, staff of the Vietnamese Embassy, representatives of the Movitel telecoms company and other Vietnamese businesses, along with many Vietnamese working in Maputo city attended a ceremony in commemoration of the late leader at the embassys headquarters on May 18.

Hoang highlighted the key milestones in President Ho Chi Minhs revolutionary career as well as his enormous dedications to the country and the liberation movements in Africa and around the world.

The diplomat called on the Vietnamese community to make unceasing efforts to study and follow the Presidents moral example and contribute to the Vietnam - Mozambique relations.

He also informed the expatriates about the situation in the homeland, the success of the 13th National Party Congress, and the preparations for the elections of deputies to the 15th National Assembly and all-level Peoples Councils on May 23.

Given complex COVID-19 developments in Mozambique, Hoang appealed to the community to adopt the disease prevention and control measures regulated by local authorities while staying united to weather difficulties.

A flower-laying ceremony was also held on Ho Chi Minh Avenue to pay tribute to the leader, who passed away in 1969.

In 1977, Samora Machel, the first president of the Peoples Republic of Mozambique, now the Republic of Mozambique, named an over-1km-long road in Maputo capital Ho Chi Minh to express the Mozambican peoples respect and admiration for the Vietnamese leader.

In Hong Kong, the Party cells of the Consulate General and other representative agencies of Vietnam on May 18 visited the Tai Kwun relic site, which included Victoria Prison where Ho Chi Minh was detained from June 1931 to January 1933, during the time of his revolutionary activities in the special administrative region of China.

The activity aimed to help participants learn more about the leaders life and career while staying in Hong Kong, where the Communist Party of Vietnam was established in 1930, to conduct revolutionary activities./. VNA
President Ho Chi Minhs vision and his important role in struggles for independence of African countries and their fight against racism has been highlighted in radio programme The Taylor Report hosted by Phil Taylor,

which often discusses topics related to war and peace.

President Ho Chi Minhs vision and his important role in struggles for independence of African countries is highlighted in radio programme The Taylor Report hosted by Phil Taylor. (Illustrative image. -- VNA file photo)



President Ho Chi Minhs chronicles about dire circumstances experienced by coloured people in all parts of the world, especially in the US, were also reviewed in the programme.



According to Taylor, after reading the book entitled "The Black Race by Ho Chi Minh and Selected Works on Systemic Racism written by Prof. Nguyen Dai Trang, President of the Canada-ASEAN Initiatives, he was extremely surprised to learn that the Vietnamese President had been to Boston, New York, Madagascar, and Paris  experiences that helped Uncle Ho to recognise connections between colonialism and racism.



The information in the book is really valuable and new materials for many Western researchers who want to understand more about the great leader, Taylor said.



The book "The Black Race by Ho Chi Minh and Selected Works on Systemic Racism made debut in Canada in February with the English and Vietnamese versions.

The book entitled "The Black Race by Ho Chi Minh and Selected Works on Systemic Racism written by Prof. Nguyen Dai Trang. -- Photo: VNA

Trang, who has spent more than 25 years on collecting, studying, and writing about President Ho Chi Minh, told the Vietnam News Agencys reporter that The Black Race was written in French by Ho Chi Minh in 1925, and its Russian version was published in the former Soviet Union (now Russia) in 1928.



Only few people have a chance to read it, Trang said, and not many readers have known about his considerable influence on national liberation movements in Africa, as well as movements protesting against wars and seeking equality for people of African descent in the US.



This has encouraged Trang to gather 20 articles by Ho Chi Minh, including 12 from The Black Race and seven others written in the 1922 - 1924 and 1963 - 1966 periods, in this book.



The book has attracted the attention of Canadian scholars in the context of challenges related to racism in the country, where diversity and inclusion are supposed to be the foundation of national identity, she said.

VNA
Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Nguyen Quoc Dung, head of Vietnams ASEAN SOM, has suggested ASEAN and China prioritise coordination in fighting COVID-19 and spurring sustainable recovery.

Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Nguyen Quoc Dung, head of Vietnams ASEAN SOM (Photo: VNA)

In his remarks on behalf of ASEAN at the 27th ASEAN-China Senior Officials Consultation (ACSOC), held via video conference on May 18, Dung said despite a raft of challenges caused by the pandemic, the two sides have made efforts to maintain and promote their cooperation momentum, thus reaping significant achievements over the past time.

He also proposed the ten-member grouping and China work together so as to effectively cope with emerging challenges.

The official emphasised the significance of boosting trade and investment, cooperating in sub-regional development and narrowing development gaps via mechanisms, including the Mekong-Lancang Cooperation.

He expressed a hope that the sides will actively contribute to ensuring an environment of peace, security, stability and rule of law, exercise self-restraint and settle disputes and differences peacefully.

Dung proposed ASEAN and China continue their close coordination to fully and effectively implement the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea (DOC) and strive to build an effective Code of Conduct in the East Sea (COC) in line with international law, including the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (1982 UNCLOS).

China reiterated the importance it attaches to ASEAN, its wish to elevate the bilateral ties to a new height, and its support for ASEANs centrality in East Asia.

In response, ASEAN applauded Chinas contributions to the bilateral cooperation across spheres.



The two sides consented to further their coordination in COVID-19 prevention and control.

China pledged to supply COVID-19 vaccine to countries, including ASEAN member nations, in a fair manner, and join hands with ASEAN in realising the ASEAN Comprehensive Recovery Framework.

The 27th ASEAN-China Senior Officials Consultation (ACSOC) was held via video conference on May 18.







The two sides shared the view that despite the impact of the pandemic, ASEAN - China cooperation has been maintained and expanded, with two-way trade jumping 32.9 percent. ASEAN accounted for 15 percent of Chinas trade revenue, making them become leading trade partners of each other over the past year.

The two sides agreed to coordinate to successfully organise activities marking the 30th anniversary of ASEAN-China dialogue relations, thus creating a new impulse for their cooperation in all fields.

They concurred to strengthen partnership in the COVID-19 fight, ramp up efforts for recovery, boost trade and investment links through the effective implementation of the ASEAN-China Free Trade Agreement (ACFTA), promote trade liberalisation, and press ahead with digital technology and digital economy.

ASEAN countries welcomed Chinas early ratification of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) last March, which, they said, demonstrates Chinas strong commitment to free and open multilateral trade.

ASEAN and China agreed to soon resume negotiations disrupted by COVID-19 to soon reach the COC.

The countries also discussed other regional and international issues of shared concern.

They consented to organise the Special ASEAN-China Ministers Meeting in early June./. VNA
In a pandemic-altered season that forced experimentation in performances and platforms, the Waco Civic Theatre will close out its spring with a live production and a twist.

The production is the Matthew Barber romance Fireflies, scheduled for Thursday through Sunday at the theater. The twist is a second cast that will take the play to local assisted living centers.

WCT director Eric Shephard said the twin casts are part of an effort to expand the theaters audience as it begins to return to live performances. Both casts are vaccinated and perform without masks, but with distancing between stage and audiences.

The romance focuses on Eleanor (Laura Meier-Marx/AliceAnne Brunn), a retired school teacher in a small Texas town, who may have been a teacher of most of their residents at one time or another. Enter a repairman named Abel (Kevin King/Win Emmons III) who offers to fix the hole in her roof. The two bump heads at first, but start to warm toward each other, enough to trigger alarm bells for Eleanors chatty friend Grace (Cathy Hawes/Wanda Gunther). As Eleanor dithers on whether she should be open to change in her life, the towns policeman Eugene (Tyler Christensen/Micah Key) provides some important information about Abel.
On April 27, 2020, Webb saw Dr. John McClanahan, complaining of headaches and shoulder pain after a work-related fall. The doctor ordered a CT scan of Webb's head and an MRI and X-ray of his shoulder.

"Upon reviewing the results, for the first time, Plaintiff Larry Webb was told by Dr. McClanahan that the CT scan showed lesions on Plaintiff Larry Webb's brain," according to the suit. "The lesions resulted from a disease process known as metastatic cancer with a primary tumor site in the right lung."

After further testing, Webb was told for the first time on May 1, 2020, that he had metastatic primary lung cancer in his right lung that had spread to his brain and other parts of his body, the suit states.

"Again, the point of origin for the primary tumor was the same location as that scanned and reviewed in May of 2019 by Dr. Boehm and further reviewed for monitoring and evaluation by Dr. Guerra," according to the lawsuit.

As a result of the diagnosis, Webb, who had driven commercial trucks for 40 years, could no longer work as a truck driver, the suit states. An oncologist told him he had six months or less to live without chemotherapy and 12 to 18 months with treatment.

"Plaintiff Larry Webb has completed radiation therapy on his brain tumor and other aggressive treatment options," the suit states. "Yet, his health is failing and his prognosis is likely fatal from the belated cancer diagnosis. Had his cancer been discovered timely, under the proper treatment and evaluation provided for under the applicable standard of care, Plaintiff Larry Webb had a manageable and treatable medical disease process that would, more likely than not, have not proved fatal."

Sign up for our Crime & Courts newsletter Get the latest in local public safety news with this weekly email. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy.
Federal authorities have arrested a suspect in a 2018 shooting at the H-E-B at 3801 N. 19th Street that left a Waco teenager critically injured.

Juan Carlos Fabela, who was 18 at the time of the shooting, was arrested in Dallas on Tuesday after investigators received an anonymous tip that Fabela had returned to Texas after fleeing to Mexico.

According to previous reports, Fabela was accused of shooting Christian Palacios, 18, in the head during an attempted robbery on June 20, 2018, in the parking lot of the supermarket. Witnesses said Fabela was with two other men, and they fled the area in a light-colored vehicle.

Waco police had said Palacios was found in a black BMW sedan and was transported to Baylor Scott & White Hillcrest Medical Center with life-threatening injuries.
Waco ISD Chief of Staff Kyle DeBeer said in a statement after Nelson's death Saturday that he was committed to seeing that every student get the best education possible.

Working with Dr. Nelson, I saw firsthand his belief in the transformative power of education and his commitment in making that opportunity available to every child," DeBeer said in the statement. "He believed that education (and particularly the support of an incredible teacher) altered the course of his life, and he felt a responsibility to pay it forward by opening those same doors for the next generation.

"He was a storyteller with a personality that could fill a room and the power to inspire. He knew that it took the community to transform a students life, and he cared deeply and personally about the members of the team he assembled to join him in that work. Tonight, there are so many  not just in Waco but across the state  who mourn his passing.

Former Waco ISD board member Norman Manning, who served 12 years as District 1 trustee, said Nelson made a difference in the community with his positive, encouraging spirit.

Dr. Nelson loved his students. He was student-oriented and he wanted his students to be successful. He loved his teachers, too, and he wanted them to be successful. He supported his teachers, Manning said.
The woman ran to Henrys car, thinking she could run Jaramillo over, it said. Henry forcibly pushed her over to the passenger seat. The child was in the back seat. Henry got out of the tan Saturn briefly before Jaramillo yelled for her to get back inside and they took off, taking the boy to school, court documents state. Jaramillo had a cut on his middle finger, it said.
It would take a book  or at least a series of columns  to chart even a smattering of the fascinating aspects of this complex social process. But one question deserves to be answered first: Will the legalization effort succeed? I think the answer is yes.

Theres no doubt that legalization faces challenges from prohibitions put in place during the Nixon and Reagan administrations. But the combination of medicalized research and cultural mainstreaming is potent. The advocates are for the most part white, well-educated and well-off. And they are using science to make a persuasive case that the old arguments against psychedelics are obsolete, grounded as they were in a fundamental fear of the experience of altered consciousness.

Start with the medicalization approach, which represents a stark contrast to the way psychedelics entered American awareness in the 1960s. In that period, the attraction of psychedelics was primarily their capacity to expand consciousness. Think of Tom Wolfes classic The Electric Kool-Aid Acid Test. But todays psychedelic activists  although they may themselves be motivated by something similar  focus their public message on the therapeutic use of psychedelics. Psychedelics are depicted as medicines capable of bringing healing, particularly for hard-to-treat conditions like severe depression, PTSD and schizophrenia.
He didnt have to talk very hard, Jay said.

Jay and Lucinda made several friends through their jobs and the organizations they worked with in Wahoo. Jay was a Boy Scout leader for many years and Lucinda was connected to many groups through her job at city hall.

I met a lot of people in the community and worked with a variety of community organizations, she said.

Lucinda described Wahoo as a great place to raise a family.

What always impressed me was knowing high school graduates who go out into the world and come back (to Wahoo) to raise their family, she said.

Jay and Lucinda have seen Wahoo grow in the nearly 40 years they have lived in the community.

There are so many things happening in Wahoo now, Lucinda said.

There are many things and people Jay and Lucinda will miss now that they have moved to Wyoming. But they know they will be back for many visits, and expect several of their friends to travel west to see them as well.

We are right on the way to Yellowstone, Jay said.
The Ground Breaking: An American City and Its Search for Justice, by Scott Ellsworth (Dutton)

No one really knows what 19-year-old Dick Rowland did or said to Sarah Page in Tulsa, Oklahoma, when he rode the elevator she operated to the fourth floor of the Drexel Building, the nearest place to Rowlands shoeshine stand where a Black person could use the washroom. But the 17-year-old Page screamed, Rowland ran and police were called. Page declined to press charges but police arrested Rowland the next day anyway.

Soon, a white mob showed up at the jail, bent on administering their brand of justice through a rope hung from a tree.

But Blacks from Greenwood rushed to defend Rowland and that was enough to trigger a flash flood of falsehoods, chiefly, that Blacks were planning an uprising.

As Scott Ellsworth notes in his book The Ground Breaking: An American City and its Search for Justice, radio had not yet come to Tulsa and in the absence of facts, fiction took over. Within hours, white Tulsans by the thousands were mobilizing to exterminate Greenwood.

And that night, they did, killing, looting and burning to the ground stores, hotels, churches, houses  everything in the Black community.
Blankets and laundry dangled from the railings of the schools balcony, as women looked down into a yard where children were playing and men sat chatting. No one wore a mask or could do any social distancing in the cramped quarters.

The Gaza Strips health infrastructure was already collapsing before this latest war, said Adnan Abu Hasna, a media adviser for UNRWA, the U.N. agency that provides vital assistance to the 75% of the enclaves population who are refugees. Its frightening, he said.

The sector has been battered by three previous wars between Israel and Gazas Hamas rulers. In each round of fighting, hospitals and clinics were damaged or destroyed, and medical personnel killed. And after each, authorities had to slowly rebuild, hampered by the blockade imposed by Israel and Egypt since Hamas took power in 2007.

Other turmoil also weighed on the system. More than two years of weekly Friday Palestinian protests at the border with Israel against the blockade produced a constant stream of casualties from Israeli fire  more than 35,000 injured, many with lifelong disabilities and around 100 still awaiting reconstructive surgery and amputations.

Now health facilities are struggling to handle both the casualties of war and the everyday needs of Gazas 2 million people.
EVANSDALE  An examination of finances by the state auditors office questions gifts the city made to charities and a retiring employee.

A report released May 11 shows the Iowa auditors office investigated Evansdales policies and procedures from July 1, 2019, through June 30, 2020. During that fiscal year the city donated $2,500 to Operation Threshold and $2,500 to the Boys and Girls Clubs of the Cedar Valley, both in Waterloo.

Staff with governmental bodies are not allowed to make gifts to private, nonprofit corporations under the Iowa Constitution, according to the report. Auditors cited the questionable disbursements of city funds may not meet the definition of serving a public purpose.

But the City Council and City Clerk DeAnne Kobliska believe the donations do serve a public purpose. This year the council approved a resolution to continue to donate funds to the Waterloo organizations because of the citys status as a low-to-moderate income community.

The council, even though they will receive an audit comment, has continued to support these programs as they believe it is important to our community and it does fit the communitys public purpose, Kobliska said.

Support Local Journalism Your membership makes our reporting possible. {{featured_button_text}}
WATERLOO  The Five Sullivan Brothers Convention Center is now the Waterloo Convention Center.

The name change was unanimously approved Monday by the City Council. It includes naming the plaza surrounding the center Sullivan Brothers Plaza. Convention center management company Spectra said it would market the facility with the full name Waterloo Convention Center at the Sullivan Brothers Plaza on marketing materials, logos and social media sites.

Spectra said the new name provides easier recognition of the location. Mayor Quentin Hart said he spoke with the Sullivan family about the change. The five Sullivan brothers from Waterloo died in November 1942 when the ship USS Juneau sunk off Guadalcanal during World War II.

Waterloo resident David Dreyer suggested the name change should go on the November ballot. He said lifelong Waterloo residents should decide the matter rather than City Council members.
DES MOINES  House Democrats unanimously supported a wide-ranging Republican tax plan at the committee level because House File 893 included at least 10 platforms of the Iowa Democratic Party, Rep. Dave Jacoby, D-Coralville, said Tuesday.

But when Jacoby and fellow Democrats later saw the deal struck by the Republican majorities in the House and Senate, they didnt like it nearly as much.

Democrats objected to the trade-off called for in the compromise, Senate File 619. In it, Republicans are promising the state would take over from local property taxes the funding of mental health services at the same time they would phase out state payments to local governments that were promised as part of a bipartisan commercial and industrial property tax reduction in 2013.

My mom made it clear to me you cant make a promise and not do everything you can to keep that promise, Jacoby said about ending the backfill aid to local governments. That move will result in a $153 million increase in property taxes, Democrats said.

Approved 64-28 with nine Democratic votes, SF 619 goes to Gov. Kim Reynolds, who is eager to sign it.
WATERLOO  More city employees are now authorized to issue fireworks citations throughout the year, the Waterloo City Council decided unanimously Monday.

The ordinance passed Monday gives any officials with authority to document violations and issue citations  such as code enforcement, building and fire inspectors  the ability to issue fireworks citations. They will add to the existing efforts of the Waterloo Police Department in responding to complaints and issuing citations. The change was first discussed at a May 3 work session when introduced by Councilman Dave Boesen.

A previous part of city code was removed that only allowed fireworks citations to be issued when sales are allowed, near the Fourth of July and New Years. Citations can now be issued any time of the year to people who violate regulations.

Anyone who gets a fireworks citation will be fined at least $375, according to the ordinance.
Kyrin and his family, of Kansas City, Missouri, were in Hammond to visit relatives for the weekend, and a hotel camera caught the boy running from the Best Western Hotel on 179th Street just west of Cline Avenue shortly after noon Saturday. Kyrins great-aunt, Patricia Duckworth, said Monday that Kyrin and his grandmother were in the room together Saturday when the grandmother dozed off for a bit. Kyrin left their room, first to the front of the hotel, she said.
Q: Are the scooters that Waterloo is proposing for the street or for the sidewalk?

A: The company Bird, which is proposing the addition of the electric scooters, says on its website that it encourages users to ride them on the street. People would park them on the sidewalk when finished riding.

Q: Everyone was wearing a mask at the Waterloo City Council meeting except for Margaret Klein. Why is that?

A: The citys former mask mandate left enforcement up to Mayor Quentin Hart. Klein did not wear a mask and was never publicly asked during the meeting to wear her mask. The mayor suspended the mandate May 13 after the CDC issued new guidance on masks.

Q: You had a story about a car wash proposal on San Marnan Drive Theyve been moving earth at that location and getting ready to build for three weeks. Why is your story so late?

A: Developers can begin work with approved permits before final development agreements are approved by the Waterloo City Council. The development agreements include more detailed information about the overall project, while permits often relate to specific parts of the project.
For more information, contact Rod Lindquist at (320) 493-9900.

Bucks set

promotions

WATERLOO -- The Waterloo Bucks announced a promotional schedule for their 36-game season: Baseball bingo, Sundays; Buck night, including discounted food and drink, Mondays; and Claws & Paw, bring your dog to a game for $1 on June 22, July 14, Aug. 4 and 11, with proceeds to benefit the Cedar Bend Humane Society.

On Thursdays is all-you-can-drink for $20 for two hours; soda, water and beer 2-for-1, Fridays; and fireworks after the game, Saturdays.

For more information, go to northwoodsleague.com/waterloo-bucks.

West High

presents 'Puffs'

WATERLOO  The West High speech and theater department presents: "Puffs, or Seven Increasingly Eventful Years at a Certain School of Magic and Magic," directed by William Dawson and assisted by Cristen Overton.

For seven years a certain boy wizard went to a certain Wizard School and conquered evil. This, however, is not his story. This is the story of the Puffs, who just happened to be here, too. A tale for anyone who has never been destined to save the world.

The show will be performed at West High School in the Kersenbrock Auditorium at 7 p.m. May 20, 21 and 22. The event is free and open to the public. A free-will donation is encouraged.

Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0
Kimberly was five and had just started kindergarten in the Congo when she became ill and was diagnosed with meningitis. Her father told me that they sat for days in the emergency room and at the hospital with her. She was in a coma, and when she woke up, she could no longer hear. She stopped talking, too, Bird explained.

Deafness is the most common after-effect of meningitis, according to the National Deaf Childrens Society. Meningitis is caused by a virus, bacterial or fungal infection. Approximately one in 10 children who have meningitis develop sensorineural hearing loss and become permanently deaf because of the illness.

Audiologists tested Kimberlys hearing, and her deafness was so profound that she was unable to detect sound at all. If a child loses hearing after meningitis, the Meningitis Research Foundation says, there is risk of excess bone growth or ossification in the cochlea within weeks of the illness. The cochlea is the hearing part of the inner ear connected to the auditory nerve. Ossification can make it difficult to surgically insert electrodes into the cochlea for cochlear impacts.

Support Local Journalism Your membership makes our reporting possible. {{featured_button_text}}

In the meantime, the Nsakala family immigrated to the United States in 2019 and settled in Waterloo. Both Cathy and Moise work at Tyson Foods.
Today is Tuesday, May 18, 2021. Let's get caught up.

These headlines are in the news this morning: President Biden expressed support for a cease-fire and raised the rising civilian death toll with Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu; an associate of Rep. Matt Gaetz pleads guilty to sex trafficking charges; and "That '70s Show" star Danny Masterson in court today on rape charges.

Read on for these stories, other top headlines, celebrity birthdays and more.

TOP STORIES

Biden raises cease-fire, civilian toll in call to Netanyahu

President Joe Biden expressed support for a cease-fire between Israel and Gaza's militant Hamas rulers in a call to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, but he stopped short of demanding an immediate stop to the eight days of Israeli airstrikes and Hamas rocket barrages that have killed more than 200 people, most of them Palestinian.
His most recent return to prison stemmed from a March 2019 arrest, in which he was allegedly high on crack and crashed into a Davenport yard while trying to flee from police. It was at least his fifth arrest for operating while intoxicated since 2007. In 2014, officers used a stun gun and pepper spray to subdue him after he crashed his car while on cocaine. In 2011, he allegedly caused an accident involving multiple semi-trailers and cars when he drove the wrong way on Interstate 80 while intoxicated. In another incident that year, he drove 90 mph while high through a residential area where children were playing, with his SUVs engine later exploding.
House Minority Leader Todd Prichard, D-Charles City, has filed complaints with the Iowa House Ethics Committee alleging representatives of two Washington-based groups violated Iowas lobbying and ethics laws.

His complaints are based on a video featuring the director of Heritage for America, a lobbying and grassroots organizing groups, saying three provisions of Senate File 413, and election changes signed into law in March were directly written by the group.

The ethics complaints allege Jessica Anderson of Heritage Action of America and Hans von Spakovsky of the Heritage Foundation violated Iowa law by failing to register as a lobbyist and failing to declare (for/against) on a bill.

$300 MILLION: The Great Iowa Treasure Hunt has returned $300 million in unclaimed property to past and present Iowans since its creation in 1983, according to State Treasurer Michael Fitzgerald.

The purpose of the Great Iowa Treasure Hunt is to reunite people with valuable funds and keepsakes they may have lost or forgotten, but its more than that, said Fitzgerald. Its about the stories and meaning behind returning these funds that make it worth it.
White Nose Syndrome in Western Canada

The following report is linked with information published in Descent (245), since which time the protocols have been updated. For further details download the pdf released in November 2016

White Nose Syndrome is a devastating disease that is destroying bat populations in North America and expanding its range at an alarming rate. The outbreak originated on the east coast of the USA and has not (yet) crossed the Rocky Mountains to gain the west coast of either the USA or Canada.



In an attempt to control the possible spread of the causative fungal spores, for some years US cavers have adopted a rigorous regime of decontaminating all clothing and equipment used underground. Following suit, Western Canada has also introduced its own controls to protect its bat populations. If you are caving in the region, whether as a local or visitor from the USA or Europe (where the fungus is extant in colonies of bats), please download the pdf released on 15 June 2015, then read and pay attention to the information provided.



Though Descent content normally stays within the printed pages of the magazine, in support of the BatCaver programme, which was established to foster cooperation between cavers and bat researchers by subsidising caving trips that place detectors in caves across British Columbia and Alberta, the Descent article that appeared in issue (245) also appears here:

Keep Canada clean

White Nose Syndrome and its effect on bats in the USA has featured frequently in Descent, for example in issue (239). The causative fungus has not yet spread to Western Canada  and Adrian Duncan would like to keep it that way.

WHITE NOSE SYNDROME and its effect on bats in the USA has featured frequently in Descent, for example in issue (239). The causative fungus has not yet spread to Western Canada  and Adrian Duncan would like to keep it that way.



White Nose Syndrome (WNS) in bats is caused by a fungal infection and it continues to be viewed as the single greatest threat to bat populations in North America in general and Canada in particular. Thus far, WNS has been confined to eastern parts of North America, although it is spreading at an alarming rate. In affected areas, 80 to 90 per cent of some bat populations have died, with numbers in the many millions of animals. This has had a devastating effect on agriculture, since the bats are no longer performing their pest-reduction role.



A specific concern arises from the fact that the fungus which causes this condition, Pseudogymnoascus destructans, has been confirmed as present in various parts of Europe and the UK. One school of thought is that the fungus may have affected susceptible European species in times long gone, leaving recovered populations as potential carriers. Its likely that many of British Columbias unusually diverse bat populations would be eradicated in a similar fashion to those of the eastern USA if WNS were to cross the Rocky Mountains.



Although being only one of a number of vectors through which the fungus may be spread, cavers are undoubtedly potentially involved in transporting the spores. Using brand-new and hence uncontaminated gear is, of course, the best preventive measure. However, such an extravagance may not always be practicable and, recognising this, in an effort to limit the spread when a caver visits a presently unaffected area, the BC Speleological Federation has joined with the Alberta Speleological Society in adopting a Western Canada WNS transmission prevention protocol.



The protocol includes steps which can be taken by visiting cavers in decontaminating their used gear prior to visiting Canada and especially Western Canada. Among other measures, this protocol suggests that gear should be immersed in hot water. The standards continue to evolve as further studies are undertaken, but the one currently endorsed by the National Speleological Society in the USA is full immersion of gear for at least twenty minutes in water at a minimum of 60C. These figures have been adopted by Western Canadian caving organisations.



For items which are not amenable to total immersion, a range of disinfection measures are suggested. Whichever route you take, its essential to avoid recontamination once your gear has been thoroughly cleaned: dont throw clean gear back into your dirty old caving bag!



Any British or European cavers planning to visit Canada will continue to be made very welcome  theres no shortage of exciting projects! However, please would potential visitors specifically ask their Canadian contacts to supply them with the latest information on this very important issue. Since the standards are very much in their evolutionary stage, further changes can be expected and it is therefore critical that visitors should check every time before caving in Canada.



Details of the protocol, with additional information concerning the background to and known spread of WNS, is hosted on the Wild Places website at: http://tinyurl.com/WNS-in-Canada. The living document is subject to revision and was prepared by a committee of British Columbian biologists, caving organisations and other interested parties.
This shop uses cookies and other technologies to operate the shopping basket and improve the usability of the Wild Places Publishing website. Continued use of this site indicates your acceptance of our privacy and cookies policy, and our terms and conditions. We do not set advertising cookies. For more information about cookies see our FAQ.

close
Caving and CRoW

External links will open in a new window

The CRoW debate

UPDATE



ON 24 July 2014 Wild Places Publishing was asked to host an Opinion prepared by a QC which considered aspects of the Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000 (CRoW), which came into force in 2005, and its interpretation relating to caving. The document was placed online at the same time as the following Introduction with its links to background information and other resources. On 31 July another request was made, this time to host a An Alternative View discussing points raised in the QC's Opinion. It should be noted that neither of these documents represent BCA policy; a BCA meeting was held on 16 August 2014 and work towards a formal policy is reported to be proceeding.



All cavers should carefully consider these documents and the arguments presented through the pages of Descent (see below).



Introduction



CRoW and how it has been interpreted by authorities such as Natural England and Natural Resources Wales has been covered widely in Descent  in particular, see Descent (235) for an analysis of caves on CRoW land in Northern England, Descent (237) for a closer look at what rights the act actually confers and how it is being interpreted, and Descent (238) for an authoritative letter rounding up the discussion points. The status and arguments for change were published by a BCA Working Party as a Report and Appendix.



Those interested in delving further into the matter should consult the original CRoW ACT 2000 (but note that some aspects are due to or have been updated from the original, under 2006 legislation, and are marked as such in this linked document). The law has been placed into lay language by both Natural England (this page links to several useful documents examining aspects of the law, including maps of open access land, restrictions under the Act, and your rights relating to access and activities specifically banned by the law) and Natural Resources Wales (which still uses the former Countryside Council for Wales documentation). The fact that part of these documents as written are interpretations is an important point, as these web pages explain how the two organisations apply the law and this is, of course, the matter relating to caving under current discussion.



This is a vast arena of documentation and discussion. For those seeking a short overview, CCW produced a pdf covering frequently asked questions. A document prepared by the Yorkshire Dales National Park covers the same ground in greater detail via links.



Much of the argument to exclude caving as a right comes from interpretation of the CRoW wording 'open-air recreation', where Natural England and Natural Resources Wales consider that this does not including caving beyond sight of open sky. Obviously, whatever cavers decide they wish to see happen, this would be moot without a legal framework to challenge this interpretation. A legal opinion was sought by three independent cavers, resulting in an Opinion by Dinah Rose QC released on 24 July and hosted here on the Descent website; the document may be downloaded from the link above, and is reproduced below.



All cavers should consider these documents as essential reading. In the end, it will be up to you to decide the best course for the future of British caving, in the sense of whether and how to present Natural England and Natural Resources Wales with a compelling argument that would establish caving access on CRoW land as a right, or to remain with the status quo. The problem is that with any possible increase in access by right, there come the issues of continued landowner relationships (where whatever happens, the landowner will continue to control the right to dig) and conservation. Your opinions are being sought by BCA via your regional caving councils, in advance of a meeting in mid-August 2014, so please take the time to consider all angles and feed back your thoughts.





Opinion on CRoW and Caving

IN THE MATTER OF:

MEMBERS OF THE BRITISH CAVING ASSOCIATION

AND

THE APPLICATION OF THE COUNTRYSIDE AND RIGHTS OF WAY ACT 2000 TO CAVING

_____________________

OPINION

_____________________

1. I am asked to advise members of the British Caving Association whether the right of public access to the countryside for the purposes of open-air recreation, which is provided under the Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000 (CROW), applies where access is being sought for the purpose of recreational caving.



Summary of conclusions



2. In summary, for the reasons set out below, in my view:





a. Cave systems that are situated in an area consisting predominantly of mountain, moor, heath or down which has been identified as open country on a map produced by the appropriate authority are properly to be regarded as forming part of that open country, to which the right of access under CROW applies;





b. Caving is clearly a recreation;





c. The more difficult question is whether caving is an open-air recreation. The statutory term is undefined, and its scope is not entirely clear. It could be read narrowly as applying only to recreational activities taking place in a location which is open to the sky: this appears to be how Natural England has read it. Such a definition would exclude most caving. However, I consider that the better view, which accords with the purpose of CROW, is that caving should be regarded as an open-air recreation. The intention of the legislation is to permit access to the countryside, for the purposes of the recreations that may be carried out in such areas. Open-air in this context is best read in the sense of outdoor (ie., not within a building). Excluding caving from the definition on the ground that caves are underground tunnels would lead to arbitrary distinctions. Some caves include shafts which are open to the sky. Caving as an activity is closely analogous to climbing, abseiling and canyoning, all of which are unquestionably covered by CROW. There is no good policy reason for permitting access to a cave entrance or open shaft, but not to an underground passage; or for permitting climbing and similar activities on access land, but not caving.



3. Accordingly, I consider that the right of access granted under CROW should properly be read as applicable to access to land for the purpose of recreational caving.



Caving



4. The activity of caving or potholing with which this opinion is concerned has been defined in my instructions as being normally an act of progression through passages in rock which usually have a roof of rock, but which may include large entrances or shafts which are open to the sky. Deaths Head Hole, for example, has an entrance shaft open to the sky which is 80m deep. The passages may be natural, or may be abandoned mines. Some natural caves have entrances which have been dug out or enlarged. Some caves have structures, which may include gates or other barriers (such as a lid), at their entrances, through which cavers pass to enter the cave system.



5. Caving may include abseiling, climbing, scrambling, walking and crawling, frequently through water.



6. Caves are normally found in limestone. The geographical areas in England and Wales which contain the most significant cave systems are Derbyshire (the Peak District), Lancashire, the Yorkshire Dales, the Mendip Hills in Somerset, and South Wales.



The statutory framework



7. CROWs preamble describes its purpose, as far as is material, in the following terms:





An Act to make new provision for public access to the countryside.



8. Part I of CROW is headed Access to the Countryside, and Chapter 1 establishes a new statutory right of access to certain types of land.



9. Section 2(1) of CROW provides:





Any person is entitled by virtue of this subsection to enter and remain on any access land for the purposes of open-air recreation.



10. The central issues with which this opinion is concerned are thus the meaning of access land and the meaning of open-air recreation.



Access land



11. Access land is defined by section 1(1). It includes any land which:





a. Is shown as open country on a map in conclusive form issued by the appropriate countryside body for the purposes of Part 1 of the Act;





b. Is shown on such a map as registered common land;





c. Is registered common land in any area outside Inner London for which no such map relating to registered common land has been issued;





d. Is situated more than 600m above sea level for which no such map relating to open country has been issued; or





e. Is dedicated for the Purposes of Part 1 under section 16 (a provision which entitles a landowner to dedicate land as access land);



but does not include excepted land or land treated by section 15(1) as accessible to the public apart from CROW.



12. I am instructed that in England, there are some caves which are on registered common land, and some which are on dedicated land (including land belonging to the Forestry Commission), but that the great majority of English caves lie on land which has been identified in the appropriate maps as open country. I am told that there is no equivalent analysis for Wales.



13. Open country is defined at section 1(2) as meaning land which:





a. appears to the appropriate countryside body to consist wholly or predominantly of mountain, moor, heath or down, and





b. is not registered common land or coastal margin.



14. The appropriate countryside body is defined in the same section as Natural England (in relation to England) and the Natural Resources Body for Wales, in relation to Wales.



15. By paragraph 2 of Schedule 1 to CROW, land covered by buildings or the curtilage of such land is excepted land, excluded from the definition of access land set out above.



16. By paragraph 14 of Schedule 1, a building includes any structure or erection, but does not include any fence or wall, or anything which is a means of access as defined by section 34 of CROW.



17. By section 34, a means of access includes:





a. any wall, fence or hedge bounding the land, with or without a gate, stile or other works for regulating passage through the opening;





b. any stairs or steps for enabling persons to enter on the land or part of the land; or





c. any bridge, stepping stone or other works for crossing a watercourse, ditch or bog on the land or adjoining the boundary of the land.



Open-air recreation



18. In stark contrast to the elaborate definition of access land summarised above, CROW does not define the term open-air recreation.



19. My instructions have carefully tracked the legislative history of the use of this term. It appears originally to have derived from the Access to Mountains Act 1939, which was never brought into force. It was then included in section 5 of the National Parks and Access to the Countryside Act 1949 (the 1949 Act).



20. Section 5(2) of the 1949 Act defines areas to be designated as national parks as those extensive tracts of country in England to which it appears to Natural England that by reason of (a) their natural beauty, and (b) the opportunities they afford for open-air recreation, having regard both to their character and to their position in relation to centres of population, it is especially desirable that the necessary measures shall be taken .



21. There is no definition of the term open-air recreation in this earlier legislation.



22. The 1949 Act was, however, preceded by the report of a committee, known as the Hobhouse Report. That Report uses the term open-air recreation (also without defining it). It also includes an Appendix which discusses the proposed national parks. In relation to the Peak District, it states:





While the many caves and potholes provide ample scope for exploration, climbers who prefer the upper air may spend long days on the gritstone crags.



23. The same Appendix states, in relation to the Yorkshire Dales:





Beneath its surface is a widely-famed underworld of potholes and caves, such as Gaping Gill, Alum Pot and Stump Cross Caverns.



24. This material provides some support for the notion that the phrase open-air recreation was originally envisaged as encompassing caving, just as it included climbing, walking and other similar activities.



Principles of statutory construction



25. The function of a court when construing legislation is to interpret it in accordance with the intention of Parliament. Key principles include the following:





a. Legislation should be interpreted in accordance with its language and purpose;





b. Language is to be interpreted in the context of the rest of the legislation, and in the broader context of the policy which the Act was intended to pursue. Courts should strain to avoid an interpretation that tends to undermine the overall purpose of the legislation;





c. An interpretation which leads to an arbitrary or absurd result should be avoided.



Open Country



26. As set out above the category of open country is the most important form of access land on which cave systems are situated. As I understand it, for most of the relevant areas, there are caves which simply fall within an area designated as open country on a relevant map. There are, however, at least two instances (Eldon Pot in Derbyshire, and Marble Steps in Yorkshire) in which the cave entrance has been excluded (for unknown reasons) from the area identified as open country on the map. In those cases, the requirements of section 1(1) would not be met, and the cave entrance would not be situated in open country as defined in the legislation.



27. However, in cases where the cave entrance and cave system falls within the area identified as open country on the map, there is no reason under the legislation to regard the cave as not being situated on access land.



28. Natural England has suggested in email correspondence with Tim Allen of the BCA that caves systems might not properly be regarded as being covered by the CROW maps of mountain, moor, heath, down or registered common land (MMHDC), because the content of the maps is driven by what is on the surface of the land as opposed to what is underneath it, and caves by definition are not MMHDC.



29. I consider this to be a bad argument in law. The relevant question under CROW which determines whether a particular piece of land is to be defined as open country is whether it is shown as open country on the appropriate map. It will be so shown if it appears to Natural England to consist predominantly of MMHDC. Features within the area shown on the map which do not themselves consist of MMHDC are nevertheless open country if they are in an area which predominantly consists of such features, and are accordingly marked on the map as open country.



Open-air recreation



30. Natural England have stated in the same email correspondence that they consider the term open-air recreation to be different from, and narrower than, outdoor recreation. They consider caves which are enclosed from the air to fall outside this definition. They accept, however, that some large open caves on the side of mountains would fall within the definition in CROW.



31. There is a superficial attraction to this approach, based narrowly on the language of the legislation. However, in my view, more considered appreciation of the context and history of the term, and the overall statutory purpose, leads to the conclusion that Natural Englands construction is incorrect.



32. The Oxford English Dictionary defines open-air as meaning:





Unconfined atmosphere, hence the unconfined space outside buildings, usually more or less exposed to the weather.



33. The Collins Dictionary defines the term slightly differently, as follows:





the place or space where the air is unenclosed; the outdoors.



34. Both of these definitions, on analysis, contain two somewhat different strands of meaning: (1) outdoors  ie., outside a building; and (2) the place where air is unconfined, and open to the weather.



35. The term must be read in its proper context, and in accordance with the purpose of the legislation. The definition of access land contained in CROW, as set out above, specifically excludes land within a building. CROW, like the 1949 Act in which the term previously appeared, is clearly concerned with enabling access to the countryside to promote the enjoyment by members of the public of healthy, outdoor activities. The Hobhouse Report, considered above, lends support to this approach. It is of some significance that the authors of that Report appear to have considered that caving was a form of open-air recreation, in the sense that it was an outdoor activity which was frequently carried out in the areas to be designated as National Parks.



36. Overall, in my view, the context and purpose of the legislation support the interpretation of open-air as meaning, essentially, outdoor or outside a building, rather than being concerned with the unconstrained air open to the sky.



37. It is easy to see why Parliament was not intending to permit the public to access buildings. It is much harder to see why it should have been concerned to permit access only to locations with a view of the sky, or unconstrained air. Caving is an activity of the same kind as climbing, abseiling, scrambling, canyoning and walking, all of which are obviously intended to be included within CROW. There does not appear to be any policy reason for excluding caving from the scope of the Act.



38. It is harder still to see why Parliament should have intended, as Natural England apparently believe, to include within the scope of CROW caves which are open to the sky, on the side of mountains, or with open shafts, but to exclude cave systems with underground passages. The distinction is unprincipled. It tends to undermine the policy of the Act, by placing an arbitrary restraint on some forms of caving but not on others.



39. Caving clearly takes place out of doors, in the sense of being outside a building. The exclusion of means of access such as gates from the definition of buildings under CROW itself makes this clear.



40. Put shortly, the interpretation of open-air in CROW as meaning open to the sky rather than outdoor is in my view too technical and narrow, and does not accord with the policy of the act, or lead to a rational outcome.



Conclusion



41. The matter is not entirely free from doubt, since the term open-air is undefined, and may carry different shades of meaning. However, I conclude, for the reasons set out above, that the better view is that caving is a form of open-air recreation for the purposes of CROW, and that cavers are permitted to enter and remain on access land shown as such on the relevant maps, including cave systems falling within those areas, for the purpose of recreational caving.



DINAH ROSE QC

Blackstone Chambers

23 July 2014







An Alternative View

IN THE MATTER OF THE APPLICATION OF THE COUNTRYSIDE AND RIGHTS OF WAY ACT 2000 TO CAVING

AN ALTERNATIVE VIEW

1. Dinah Rose QC (Counsel) has provided an opinion to certain individual members of the British Caving Association (BCA) on the application of the Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000 (CROW) to caving. In considering this opinion, the adversarial nature of English law must always be borne in mind. In every case to come before a judge (or jury in criminal cases), there are two parties with opposing views, and those parties must seek to establish the truth of their case or their interpretation of the law. It is for the judge to decide which party has done that. Thus English law is, in essence, a contest between two opposing sides, and at the end of the day, only side will emerge the winner, but in many cases, both sides will field QCs to argue their view of the law.



A QCs opinion is therefore just what it says, it is an opinion. In this case, Counsel was briefed by a group of individuals, some of whom have a particular view and who have been pressing that view for some time. It therefore comes as no surprise to find that Counsels opinion accords with that of those who provided the brief. However, it is demonstrably the case that certain matters do not appear to have formed part of Counsels brief or, if included, were not given sufficient weight and, in addition, there are other areas where a different construction of the words used will enable a different conclusion to be reached. Unless something has been referred to in Counsels opinion, it is impossible to tell whether it has been considered or not, therefore this analysis can only concern itself with the statements that have been made.



This report has been prepared by Linda Wilson (retired solicitor, non-practising), at the request of David Judson (Convenor of the BCAs Legal & Insurance Committee), after detailed discussion with him, and is being presented jointly with him.



2. In section 2.1 of her Summary of Conclusions, Counsel states:





Cave systems that are situated in an area consisting predominantly of mountain, moor, heath or down which has been identified as open country on a map produced by the appropriate authority are properly to be regarded as forming part of that open country, to which the right of access under CROW applies;





However, it is clear that cave systems cannot be defined as being any of these four elements of the countryside, therefore they cannot be said to have formed part of the original legislative intention. Whilst a cave or part of a cave might lie beneath mountain, moor, heath or down, it does not consist of any of these and is, in fact, a wholly separate entity to which wholly separate considerations apply.



3. Counsel then considers the recreational nature of caving and whether caving is an open-air recreation. As she admits, the term is not defined in the Act and further admits that its scope is not entirely clearly. But, as Counsel notes, a narrow reading of the term would exclude caving and she is of the opinion that this does not accord with the purpose of CROW.



The fundamental problem with this opinion is that it presupposes CROW was intended to cover caves. From the opinion that has been given, the brief to Counsel does not appear to have made any reference to the deliberations of the National Caving Association (NCA), the national body for caving at the time of the prior consultations, or if such reference was made, then insufficient weight has been given to the submission. Counsels opinion does not reflect the advice and input at the time from the national body, which was against the inclusion of caves in the legislation. The matter was discussed extensively by the NCA when legislation was proposed and the consensus then was that caves should not be included within the ambit of CROW for reasons of conservation, safety and landowner relations. NCA lobbied against any application of CROW to caving, and this is reflected in the fact that the Act refers solely to open-air recreation.



It should also be noted that in this context, open-air can equally be read in the sense of being the opposite of two common antonyms, namely enclosed and confined, and caves are both.



4. Counsel says that:





Excluding caving from the definition on the ground that caves are underground tunnels would lead to arbitrary distinctions.



Including caves within the ambit of CROW will lead to other, equally, arbitrary distinctions, of the type that Counsel is clearly seeking to avoid. Cave systems are not constrained by surface boundaries. They can lie beneath land in a variety of different ownerships, and an entrance on CROW land can lead to a cave system that is not under CROW land. Therefore by allowing access under CROW, access is, de facto, being allowed to land not covered by CROW and that was never intended to be covered by CROW. In addition, that cave systems have not been mapped as part of the statutory process of defining access land (the fact that they may have been mapped in other contexts by cavers is not relevant when considering the statutory framework of the Act) and therefore they cannot form part of access land. This is the view held by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA).



There is a further material point that needs to be considered in this context. CROW gives greater protection to landowners in the event of a personal injury claim, but no such protection is afforded to other landowners whose cave systems would be accessible without restriction and such landowners would be at risk of an action without being able to rely on the protections CROW confers, despite the fact that it would be CROW that had facilitated access to their land. This is an important matter of public policy that Counsels opinion wholly fails to address. As Counsel states on the principles of statutory construction: An interpretation which leads to an arbitrary or absurd result should be avoided.



5. Counsel says that:





There is no good policy reason for permitting access to a cave entrance or open shaft, but not to an underground passage; or for permitting climbing and similar activities on access land, but not caving.



Counsel has either failed to recognise, or was not briefed on the fact that there are wholly different conservation considerations that apply to cave sites that do not apply to any of the other activities mentioned in this paragraph. Many cave systems contain fragile formations and deposits, and access systems have been put in place for a variety of different reasons, such as the need to protect the cave, and also for reasons of public safety. Many caves are designated as Sites of Special Scientific Interest and even in some cases as Ancient Monuments, and both the site designations and the lists of Potentially Damaging Operations are different for underground and over-ground sites, therefore the two cannot simply be regarded as one and the same.



If caving was intended to be covered by CROW, then it can just as easily be argued that this would have been made explicit in the Act, as it is in Scotland, where the situation is wholly different and there caves are explicitly within the ambit of the relevant Act. The Land Reform (Scotland) Act 2003 states, in Section 1(6) Access rights are exercisable above and below (as well as on) the surface of the land. If CROW had been intended to apply to caves in England and Wales, then the way was open for the inclusion of simple wording of this type to have been used. Scotland has far fewer caves and at the time the legislation was enacted, no restricted access systems, therefore wholly different policy considerations applied.



In England and Wales there is a perfectly good policy reason for restricting access to a cave system even though the entrance area remains accessible. In a large number of cases, the conservation (and safety) considerations do not necessarily come into play until the caver has gone beyond the open air. For these reasons, cave systems were never intended to be subject to the provisions of CROW.



6. Counsel concludes the section headed Summary of Conclusions by saying:





the right of access granted under CROW should properly be read as applicable to access to land for the purpose of recreational caving.



For the reasons stated above, it is clear that Counsels opinion has not properly considered the whole legislative context, in particular the contrast between the law in Scotland and in England & Wales, and the views expressed at the time on behalf of the national body. Nor has it addressed the problems of the mapping of cave systems in the context of CROW or taken any account of the fact that rights granted on one area of land could lead to unauthorised access in another area, for which reasons, DEFRA has stated unambiguously that in their view, caving is not covered by CROW. Nor have the conservation or safety reasons as expressed in the consultation process by the then national body been considered as a reason why caving was not explicitly included in the Act.



7. In the section headed The Statutory Framework, Counsel acknowledges that the central issues with which her opinion is concerned are the meaning of access land and the meaning of open-air recreation and refers to the fact that access land includes land which is shown as open country on a map in conclusive form issued by the appropriate countryside body for the purposes of Part 1 of the Act.



Whilst some caves entrances are shown on such maps, the caves themselves are not. These maps do not extend to any areas underground, nor do they show the cave system in relation to any overlying land, therefore in the absence of a specific statement to include the underground, such as the one in the Land Reform (Scotland) Act, any argument for their inclusion has to be open to serious doubt, as caves cannot be said to meet this definition of access land.



Also in this section, Counsel refers to the Hobhouse Report, which preceded the National Parks and Access to the Countryside Act 1949, making mention of caving within the context of open air recreation, and this is used as an argument in favour of seeking to include caves within the ambit of CROW. However, this argument does not take account of the fact that at the time of the Hobhouse Report, there were few, if any, caves covered by the sort of access agreements that are common today, and little recognition of the need to restrict access for the purposes of both conservation and public safety. Thus the Hobhouse Report and its mention of caving needs to be read in their then context, and it needs to be understood that this context had changed greatly in the 50 years that led up to the enactment of CROW.



8. In the section headed Open Country, Counsel says that:





There are, however, at least two instances (Eldon Pot in Derbyshire, and Marble Steps in Yorkshire) in which the cave entrance has been excluded (for unknown reasons) from the area identified as open country on the map. In those cases, the requirements of section 1(1) would not be met, and the cave entrance would not be situated in open country as defined in the legislation.



As has been demonstrated above, the national body for caving considered and lobbied against the idea of access rights applying to cave systems, therefore when the maps were being drawn, some cave entrances that were large enough to have been marked on the maps were excluded. This was not for unknown reasons, although it appears that the reasons were unknown to Counsel. The exclusion of these entrances provides a clear indication of the original legislative intention to exclude caves from the definition of open country. If that was not the intention then there would be no reason for the exclusion of these two entrances.



Also in this section, Counsel turns again to the question of mapped land and disagrees with an opinion offered by Natural England and DEFRA that caves systems cannot be regarded as being covered by the CROW maps of mountain, moor, heath, down because the content of the maps is driven by what is on the surface of the land as opposed to what is underneath it. Counsel considers this argument to be wrong in law and prefers to consider caves as being within the definition of open country if they are in an area which predominantly consists of such features. Again, by adopting such an approach Counsel is failing to take account of fact that other features such as rock crags are shown on the relevant maps, whereas as demonstrated above, cave system, are not shown on the maps, as the maps in question do not extend below the surface of the ground and therefore cannot reasonably be brought within this definition.



In the section headed Open-air Recreation, Counsel seeks to set differing dictionary definitions into the context of the Hobhouse Report, referred to above, however, as already stated, the Hobhouse Report was written some 50 years before CROW was enacted. The need to conserve and protect certain caves had not at that time received much, if any, consideration, whereas CROW was enacted against a very different conservation ethos and legislative background, in particular The Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981.



Counsel returns again to the seeming illogicality of excluding caves from the ambit of CROW but the intention of Parliament can be seen in a completely different light when it is understood that at the time, the national body for caving was not lobbying for the inclusion of caves within the ambit of CROW, and that quite to the contrary, its view then was that caves should be excluded from it.



Counsel cannot understand why Parliament should have sought to





include within the scope of CROW caves which are open to the sky, on the side of mountains, or with open shafts, but to exclude cave systems with underground passages. The distinction is unprincipled. It tends to undermine the policy of the Act, by placing an arbitrary restraint on some forms of caving but not on others.



The exclusion of Eldon Hole and Marble Steps demonstrates that Parliament did intend to exclude such large open entrances from the Act. It is simply the case that not all such large, open entrances ended up being marked, most likely because they were not marked in such a way as to be picked up by the draftsmen when the maps were drawn. All Natural England have done in the cited correspondence is to acknowledge, with some obvious and evident reluctance, that the Act could possibly be read in such a way.



The alternative view of enclosed and confined has been put forward above, as has an explanation for why Parliament did not intend to include caves within CROW, and it will be seen that taken in this context, the interpretation is neither too technical nor too narrow, nor is it in any way irrational.





9. In the section headed Conclusion Counsel admits that:





The matter is not entirely free from doubt, since the term open-air is undefined, and may carry different shades of meaning.





It is clear from this that, as ever in English law, there is more than one way of interpreting an Act of Parliament. As has been demonstrated above, there are alternative meanings that Counsel has not considered, and reasons for the exclusion of caves from the legislation that do not appear to have formed part of Counsels brief. However, as both Natural England and DEFRA have stated throughout the correspondence, the final and only arbiter is in fact a court of law.



David Judson (Convenor, Legal and Insurance Committee of the British Caving Association)

Linda Wilson (retired, non-practising solicitor)

31 July 2014
The district court argued that Garbutt collected the evidence when he was in Sheltons office when he stopped by to see her or dropping something off in her office. But, the court of appeals stated that Garbutt searched his co-workers offices more often than not, very early in the morning before they arrived to the office.
Caving films online

The following links have been prepared as a service to cavers, drawing on reviews and reports in Descent. Each link will open a new window presenting films, documentaries and lectures on the subject of caving.



If you know of other high-quality films or collections that you think should be featured here, please drop us a link via e-mail.

Independent film-makers

A playlist of Sid Perou's superb films, arranged by date





A collection of films by Antonia and Andy Freem





Caver Keith's Video Channel





A superb archive of historic and more modern films, preserved for the caving community





Paul Taylor's collection of caving films and clips





Talks and lectures

A superb set of talks at the Royal Geographical Society in December 2017, given as part of a celebration of fifty years of British cave exploration and science





Since 2012 the National Speleological Society in the USA has recorded Luminary Talks at its annual conventions





Caves in 3D



Hidden Earth video salon



The Hidden Earth Video Archive is your starting point. Links are below for entries to the video salon competition at Hidden Earth 2018.



Down and Dirty in Craig a Ffynnon by Antonia and Andy Freem (winner)



The Oreo Dream by Josh White (delegate vote winner)



Ogof Ffynnon Ddu: The Trident by Adrian Turner (merit for technical filming)



World of Caving by Keith Edward (merit for original music)



Seeking Darkness by Tom Booth (distinction for cinematography)



Keiths Cavers in the Search for the Missing Potholer by Keith Edwards



Honey Creek Cave by Pete Glanvill



Three Years of Exploration in Ogof Marros by Antonia and Andy Freem





Thailand rescue films and documentaries

One of the better films about the 2018 rescue, released by NewsAsia soon after the incident





An hour-long documentary published on 17 July 2018





Forty-minute news documentary in the 20/20 series from ABC





BBC's 23-minute documentary, broadcast on 15 July 2018




News 2012

Caving news received too late for inclusion in Descent ...

External links will open in a new window.

Second congress circular

The second circular for the forthcoming 2013 International Congress of Speleology, to be held in the Czech Republic, has been released. This is an event that all cavers of any experience will enjoy, so head for the congress website to download a copy and find out the latest details. Descent (229).

Serious problem in Nettle Pot

Jenny Potts, for DCA, has issued a warning that there are serious problems with carbon dioxide in Nettle Pot. A warning has been hung from the bolts under the lid and cavers are advised that they should stay away until the problem has been investigated and dealt with. Descent (228).

Starless River dates

The Starless River mobile caving shop will be at the following locations during October and November 2012:

6-7 October: South Wales

13-14 October: Dales

20-21 October: Mendip

26-29 October: SUICRO, Co. Leitrim

3-4 November: South Wales

10-11 November: CHECC, Mendip

17-18 November: Peak

Descent issues for sale

Ralph Johnson has a set of Descent from issue (20) onwards to sell in aid of Derbyshire CRO. E-mail Ralph [link removed] for further details. Descent (228).

DCRO is sixty

In May 1952 some fifty or so cavers met at the George Hotel in Castleton and agreed to form the Derbyshire CRO. Initially, this was a fairly loose organisation relying on a card index callout system operated by the police and using club equipment, supplemented by some very basic kit owned by the Mountain Rescue Committee, kept in a doctors loft in Castleton. A handful of minor but successful rescues in the 1950s was followed by the stupendous but unsuccessful 1959 attempt to rescue Neil Moss from Peak Cavern.

After this, the organisation was overhauled, reorganised and gradually grew into the DCRO of today, operating from its new base at Buxton fire station. In its sixty years DCRO has so far been called out on 356 occasions, going to the aid of over four hundred people and nearly fifty animals.

Past and present team members and friends of the organisation will be celebrating its Diamond Jubilee in Hope at the end of September. If anyone with past connections with DCRO would like to attend please contact Clare Harley for details. Descent (227).

Manhattan Connection

Saturday 14 July saw the first through-trip from Boundary Pot to Wretched Rabbit in Ease Gill Caverns, joining Hiroshima and Nagasaki via the aptly named, newly opened Manhattan Connection. Sam Allshorn and Mike Cooper report that the link requires further work to make it safe, as it is currently very unstable. Descent (227).

Collecting in caves

An interesting new document has been published by Natural England under the title of Managing Geological Specimen Collecting: Caves. As might be expected, this has a conservation-rich approach; copies of the pdf may be downloaded from Natural England. Descent (227).

Missing caver

John Radburn has requested help to highlight a missing member of Lincoln CC, Jakub Gladski (known as Jay). John writes that 2012 started well with a superb trip down Lathkill Head Cave in the Peak District and the group returned to Lincolnshire in jubilant mood. However, the next day, 2 January, Jakub picked up his caving gear from John and disappeared; a few days later his gear and wallet were found in his car in Skegness. Though there have been two unconfirmed sightings, he has not been heard from since.

Jakub is 31 years old and described to be of stocky build, 5ft 10in tall, with hazel/brown eyes with a moustache and short dark brown hair  more details are available online via the Missing People website (the photo was taken during the Lathkill trip). There is concern for his safety and Jakub is urged to make contact by phone or e-mail through the organisation's confidential service. Descent (226).

CHECC

The dates and venue for the annual CHECC event have been confirmed as 9-11 November 2012 at Yoxter, near Priddy on Mendip. Descent (226).

The 16th International Congress

An International Congress of Speleology is held every four years; the next will be in Brno in the Czech Republic from 21 to 28 July 2013.

The congress will, just as its forerunners, be organised around talks and workshops, films and competitions, but with a strong element of pre- and post-congress camps and caving excursions during the week-long event. Czech cavers and diggers are among the most motivated and best in the world; in this region you may experience a range of caves from stunningly easy but impressive tourist sites to some harder trips that might challenge even the best. The Moravian karst, the largest caving region in the country and near to Brno, contains more than 1,200 known caves and these are definitely not to be missed. State-of-the-art conference facilities have been booked in the centre of Brno.

Bear in mind that the Czech karst is readily accessible from the UK, being only a little further than driving to the south of France. Whether you are looking for a great caving experience or simply wish to spend some time in this historic karst area, you should not pass up this opportunity. The organising committee has prepared the first circular, downloadable here, or head for the congress website for further information.

Cambrian's conference

A conference organised by the Cambrian Caving Council at Penderyn Community Centre was announced in Descent (225). Apart from the date of Saturday 26 May, no further details were available as the issue went to print, but these have now been released. The cost is 5 for the day, a subsidised price, but space is limited so it is essential to prebook your place by e-mail. Topics in the programme include first aid and self rescue, cave life, access and coinservation, basic underground photography and surveying, and the geology and hydrology of Welsh caves. The Sunday will see some additional underground workshops included in the price. Descent (225).

Hidden Earth 2012

The dates and venue for the annual Hidden Earth national caving conference have been finalised and the event will take place over the weekend of 21-23 September at Thomas Whitham Sixth Form in Burnley. Descent (225).

Lost rack

Karl Martin reports a rack lost in Swinsto Hole's Long Crawl on 17 March. E-mail him direct if you find it ... (Descent 225)

Nettle and JH

Jenny Potts for DCA has posted notices concerning Nettle Pot and JH.

At Nettle, Martyn Grayson reports that the two pull-throughs are no longer operative: the steel karabiners on one have worn through to almost half their thickness and the second has jammed (though a fixed rope has been installed to gain access to a dig). Both will be replaced as soon as possible using a cable and ring system.

New handlines are being placed on the two traverses in JH's Cartgate as part of the BCA investigation into how handlines survive use underground (see Descent 224); the placement is not DCA's responsiblity to maintain as fixed aids. Enquiries should be directed to Roy Rodgers and further information on the scheme may be found on the BCA website. (Descent 225)

Gaping Gill on TV

The Great British Countryside is a new series of television programmes being shown on BBC1, starting on 16 February 2012. The second of these, to be transmitted in 23 February, features the Craven PC meet at Gaping Gill. (Descent 224)

DistoX1

Kevin Dixon is constructing a limited production of DistoX1 boards for the Disto A3; cave surveyors will know this is a specialised piece of electronic surveying kit. Kevin has located some of the obsolete parts to make 100 boards which should be ready to ship around March or April; this is likely to be the final production of this board (price is not yet determined). Anyone interested should contact Kevin by e-mail. (Descent 224)

Cambrian conference

The Cambrian Caving Council is organising a conference at Penderyn Community Centre on Saturday 26 May 2012. Sessions will include photography, geology, cave life, surveying, conservation and dealing with emergencies, with training aimed at both newcomers and experienced cavers as an integral theme. (Descent 224)

New dates

The dates for the postponed event reported on p5 of Descent (224) have been finalised. The Cave Technology Symposium will now be held in the Priddy, Mendip area over the weekend of 9-10 June, thus changing from the former one-day event to two days, with practical demonstrations on the Saturday and more formal presentations on the Sunday. Admission is free for BCRA members or 3 for non-members for either or both days. For further information e-mail Mike Bedford (BedfordMD [at] aol.com). (Descent 224)

Bat numbers

The report on White Nose Syndrome on p7 of Descent (224) can be updated with a new estimate for the number of bat deaths that have occurred in North America since the outbreak in the winter of 2006. The US Fish and Wildlife Service now places the fatalities at between 5.7 and 6.7 million (not including the current winter), upgrading this from the prior 2009 total of 1 million.

The revision was used as part of a submission that obtained $4m of funds for federal research in 2012. Some cavers suggest that the total loss estimate is high, as 6.5m would represent the total loss of Little Brown bats, whereas the population still fights on. (Descent 224)
News 2015-17



Caving news received too late for inclusion in Descent ...

External links will open in a new window.



Remapping Gaping Gill

ON 3 October Kevin Dixon is speaking in the Peak Lecture Theatre in Sheffield Hallam University: Going Underground! The remapping of Gaping Gill. His was a four-year project to resurvey the system, as reported in Descent (xxx), and here he will detail the discoveries and results. The lecture is from 6.30pm to 8pm; doors open at 6pm (book in advance  tickets cost 3 on the door). For further information click here. (257)



Lost Pantin

LOST at Lost Johns' car park on Leck Fell on 10 December 2016: Pantin, D-ring and two karabiners. E-mail: p.c.halliwell [at] hull.ac.uk if found (direct link removed to reduce spam). (254)



CRO Challenge

THREE members of the Cave Rescue Organisation are taking part in the MRT Spine Challenge in January 2017, this being a 108 mile trek in sixty hours from Edale to Hawes. They are raising money for the CRO and are seeking help from cavers who use the Dales, or who might like their club to support the CRO by sponsoring the attempt through JustGiving (opens new window). The CRO is receiving nearly 100 call outs above and below ground for 2016, and we need your help. Those taking part in the challenge are: Heather Eastwood, Graham Hughes and Andy Jackson. Thank you for your support.

Report: Andy Ive



Address correction

THE web address to check on ordering a copy of the NPC Journal is incorrect, being one letter mis-typed. The correct address is, logically enough, www.northernpennineclub.org.uk. (Descent 247)



Robinson Pot

ROBINSON Pot in the Yorkshire Dales is subject to an access agreement under which only three permits a year were originally issued; this was later raised to five and the permits were allocated by ballot. CNCC negotiations have now increased this to eight per year and the ballot system will cease. Apply for a permit via the CNCC website. (Descent 246)

Aldermaston Chamber

ROGER Gosling of South Gloucestershire Mines Research Group is interested in Aldermaston Chamber in Mangle Hole on Mendip  more specifically, in some mud formations present when the chamber was discovered by Aldermaston Mountaineering and Caving Club. These have since been destroyed or otherwise natural causes have removed them, but does any caver have a photograph of what used to be there? Make contact via Descent. (Descent 246)

Charterhouse and G.B.

THE parking place used to visit Charterhouse Cave and G.B. Cave on Mendip has changed. Instead of parking in front of the farmhouse, park behind the house using the right-hand fork on the entrance drive. (Descent 246)

Wilderness Lecture

THE Wilderness Lecture by Gina Moseley scheduled for 4 November and reported in Descent (244) has been switched with another speaker. Gina's talk about an expedition to north-east Greenland will now take place on 27 February 2016. (Descent 246)





Fracking details

ON 19 August Mark Lumley supplied information on new fracking proposals:



Released yesterday, the preliminary overtures of the latest PEDL licensing round includes a large number of new proposed licence areas for unconventional gas extraction in Somerset.



Target areas include ST35, running from Weston-super-Mare to Banwell and incorporating Loxton, Hutton, Bleadon Hill, Cross etc. and much of Western Mendip. Areas around Frome are also included as well as large swathes of the Somerset coast, significant areas of the Forest of Dean and the Wye valley from Ross-on-Wye down to Chepstow.



A consultation is taking place with regard to environmentally sensitive areas protected by the habitats directive. If cavers wishto highlight any reasons why fracking might not be a good idea in these areas they, or their representatives or MPs, have until 29 Sept to put their case. (Descent 246)





Porth warning update

AN update to the warning concerning release of water from Ystradfellte reservoir was released in mid-August:



'A new Cone Valve has now been installed and this now needs to be tested to enable Welsh Water to have clarity on the amount of water that can be released at any one time. This test will take place on Tuesday 25 August. The test will be at a range of valve positions and the quantity of water being released could be significant. In order to ensure the safety of all users, it will be necessary to Close Access to Porth yr Ogof for that one day.



'As we do not know what quantity of water is being released or how the river will react to this, it is strongly recommended that the Mellte Gorge is not used on this day.'



Officers from the Cambrian Caving Council will be present at Porth yr Ogof to give warning on the ground. (Descent 245)





Porth yr Ogof warning

The following statement has been released by Welsh Water:



Dwr Cymru Welsh Water is carrying out essential investment works at Ystradfellte reservoir and dam. Between June and October, we may occasionally need to release some additional water from the dam, which could see an increase in river levels. We do not expect the levels to increase significantly but would ask that people undertaking any recreational activities in the local river and caves bear this in mind when planning their activities. Dwr Cymru Welsh Water does not accept any liability in respect of any of these activities. These activities are carried out entirely at the individual's own risk.



Ystradfelle reservoir feeds directly into the Afon Dringarth which is a tributary of the Mellte, hence the notification for Porth yr Ogof. In respect of PyO bear in mind that airspace at the resurgence is minimal even in low water conditions, and a sudden release from the reservoir would make exiting the cave via the resurgence (e.g. a through-trip) difficult or impossible if such a release occurred while a party was in the cave and unaware.



Similar warnings would be appropriate for anyone canyoning in the Mellte or even swimming in the various plunge pools. Note also that the right-of-way footpath from Sgwd yr Eira to Clyn-Gwyn actually crosses the Mellte by fording along the lip of the Sgwd Isaf Clun Gwyn waterfall and a suddenly rising water level would make this extremely dangerous. (Descent 244)





Petzl headlamp found

JUST too late to be included in the Lost and Found section of Calcified Ads, Bernice Ferguson sent the news that a yellow Petzl headlamp and battery pack was found on 13 July on the moor near Thistle and Runscar Caves. If you think it is yours, make contact by e-mail: bernicedorothy [at] btinternet.com or tel: 01765 620317. (Descent 245)





New Wookey Hole tunnel

ON 22 May an announcement reached the media: the day before the management at Wookey Hole showcave had begun work blasting a new tunnel into Wookey 20, to extend the chambers accessible to the public.

The original tourist cave extended only as far as Chamber 3, until in 1979 a tunnel was driven into Chamber 9. The new, 70m long access tunnel is being driven using a single blast per night, made after the bats have flown. This latest phase of expansion will cost the management an estimated 2m to 3m, with a further 1m to develop the site. The first blast removed 8 tonnes of rock and the company estimates that it will take a month to reach Chamber 20. (Descent 244)





Farewell John Beck

We regret to report that John Beck, Descent's Peak District correspondent, died on 31 January following a long battle with cancer. John was a long-time supporter of the magazine, his knowledge encyclopedic and his dedication to the sport of caving legendary. That his loss was sudden is shown by a note he included in Descent (242), written shortly before he entered hospital and in which he mentioned his impending treatment and, typically, offering his ongoing dig to anyone interested. His loss will be severely felt throughout the caving community. (Descent 242)
What happens after I place an order?

When you place your order with card payment you will receive an e-mail saying that the order is being processed; the e-mail will go to your registered (invoice) address as confirmation that your order has been received, with an invoice attached to a second e-mail. Your order has not been accepted until it is marked as despatched, when you will receive a third e-mail. Although this normally happens very quickly, please remember we are a small team and may not be able to despatch goods immediately (for example, if we are away caving).

I would like some help on using the website. Where may I find this?

We have tried to make finding information and ordering as easy as possible, so if you find something confusing do please let us know so that we can improve things (at least, as far as the software will allow us to). In the meantime, you may find our Website Guide of help as it is a step-by-step document on setting up an account and placing an order (clicking this link will open an Acrobat pdf file in a new window).



Please note: this was prepared for a previous version of the software and some details may differ; time has thus far prevented us updating this guide.

I'm having problems at the payment stage.

We're obviously sorry if you are having problems. The commonest (though still rare) problem for a rejection is a mismatch between your address and postcode as entered. All the instances we have learned of have been solved by checking that you have used the correct registered address (we are not in control of this stage as it is a Barclaycard anti-fraud measure). Please ensure you have an exact match ... more information about rejected payments appears in the Payment FAQ.

Why are there drop-down boxes for all the products?

Most pages have one set of options, to choose where your order will be posted to. This enables us to change the price according to delivery costs, because all our prices include delivery. Other option boxes are required on the subscription pages so that you can select how long you wish your subscription to run for and which issue to start with.

I chose the wrong drop-down box ...

Don't worry - you can go back and change your selection at any point up until you place the order. After that, of course, we will have received your order so you should let us know about the problem so that we can help to correct things. It is important that the drop-down box you select in the options matches the delivery address you choose during checkout, or else the price you paid could be incorrect. If so, we will have no option but to reject your mismatched order, such as paying for a UK subscription but asking that it be delivered to an international address.

What is 'My Invoice Address'?

When you first register you should enter your own details - these should match those for your credit card, if you intend to pay this way. This is your Invoice Address (the e-mail address you enter in the Personal Information section is where your order confirmation and invoice will be sent, even if your goods or subscription are posted elsewhere). Please note that if your Invoice Address does not match the address your card is registered to, the transaction will be declined.

What is the difference between the Invoice and Delivery addresses?

When you register, you will enter your own details and give this a memorable name (the default is My Home Address, but you can change this to anything you wish). This Invoice Address MUST be the address your credit or debit card is registered to and it is where the order confirmation is sent by e-mail (if this address does not match your card, your bank will reject the payment).



However, you can create as many Delivery Addresses that you require  these are addresses where you wish your order(s) to be sent, perhaps your workplace or a gift subscription for a friend. You will have a chance to select one of these during checkout.

How do I know if an item is in stock?

Web pages will initially show items as 'Unavailable - until you choose your options', but after choosing where it should be posted (and for subscriptions, some other options), the notice will change to green and show 'In Stock'. Out-of-stock items will be labelled as Unavailable or simply Out of Stock (for example, early back issues of Descent).

How do I obtain an invoice or receipt?

When you put through an order you will receive an e-mail confirmation with an attached pdf invoice. Note that this stage represents an acknowledgement of receipt of your order; it is not accepted until we report that the payment has been processed and the goods are marked for delivery.

I need a VAT receipt - how can I get one?

Wild Places Publishing is VAT registered and all prices on this website include VAT, where relevant.



Please remember that in the UK books and magazines are zero-rated for VAT (so very, very few of our items for sale have any VAT component). If you need a VAT receipt for one of these 'non-publication' items, please ask and we will send you one.

The address showing during checkout is the wrong one!

If you have more than one address in your account, it is possible that the 'wrong' one might appear as the Delivery or Invoice address on the checkout page. Links and/or a checkbox are available during checkout to display more options. By default, your first registered address will appear. Use the link below this to make other addresses appear (so that you can change your selection) or to add a new address.

Why do you want my phone number?

Adding a phone number to your account is optional, but doing so may help both you and us.



Every now and then we need to check some detail in an order, quite often concerning an address, and if we do not have an early reply to an email and cannot phone you, this could result in a delay in posting your order. We don't share your details with any other company, other than when required to complete your order (such as for a courier, which always requires a phone number).



Please note that an increasing number of countries require a telephone number to be written on the outside of parcels, without which delivery will either not be attempted or no second attempt will be made. Wild Places has had packages returned from European destinations because they lacked a phone number (in particular, from Belgium). If you are ordering for a non-UK address, please add a phone number to your registration.

I want to send a gift to someone  can you arrange that?

Yes. This is a similar situation to having goods delivered to your work address. Set up the address you wish to use for a gift, perhaps a subscription renewal, in Your Account and select a different Delivery address to the Invoice address (usually your home address and e-mail) during checkout. If you would like a note inserted with the present, add your request to the comments box during checkout, or send us an email.

I want my gift to be a surprise. Is that a problem?

That shouldn't be a problem. The email confirmation and invoice will go to the email address you entered during registration. Simply make sure that you select your address for the Invoice and that for the lucky gift recipient for the Delivery address. Our standard address slip shows our return address, so if you wish this hidden please tell us at the same time as placing the order.

I would like to divide my order between two addresses  is that possible?

Yes, we can do this. Customers sometimes like to have the first issue of a gift subscription sent to your own address, so that you have something to give in person, and the remainder to the recipient. Or perhaps you need a binder sent to you, but the magazine subscription (which will start later) to someone else. While we at Wild Places are flexible, the software is not! Use the comments box during checkout to add your notes and instructions, or contact us direct to ask for advice. We'll try to help.

May I purchase multiple subscriptions?
Is online payment safe?





Yes. Our online transactions are handled by Barclaycard through a secure gateway which encrypts your card details. These are not released to Wild Places Publishing and we do not at any time hold your sensitive card information. Barclaycard is an established service provider and handles a third of all UK credit and debit card transactions. You will see a Powered by Barclaycard symbol when you pay using a credit or debit card. Your payment will go through a Visa Secure (formerly called 3D-Secure) authorisation stage before it is accepted. In addition, this website is regularly 'swept' by a security company for any signs of malware, and verified accordingly.

We also use the services of SharkGate, a different company that runs additional security features, protecting us and you from malware and other attacks. As they say, 'SharkGate is the worlds pioneering Cyber Security solution designed exclusively to protect websites against hackers' and it is very, very good at its job.





We also use the services of SharkGate, a different company that runs additional security features, protecting us and you from malware and other attacks. As they say, 'SharkGate is the worlds pioneering Cyber Security solution designed exclusively to protect websites against hackers' and it is very, very good at its job. A separate page contains more information about the security features on this website.

Which cards are accepted?

Our payment system is Powered by Barclaycard and this authorises Visa, MasterCard and Maestro cards. Selecting the Visa or MasterCard option at checkout permits use of either a credit or debit card on the next screen; Maestro is a debit card. We do not accept payment by American Express. Whichever card you use, you will be required to pass a Visa Secure check before the transaction is completed.





What is Visa Secure?

Visa Secure is an additional layer of security provided by credit and debit card companies when paying for goods online (it was formerly called 3D-Secure before Visa rebranded it in 2019). On our website the final stage before the transaction can be completed is a Visa Secure or MasterCard SecureCode stage (or other security measure), as appropriate for your card. Please note that you must also use the address registered to your card for your Invoice Address, or else the transaction will be refused by your bank.





How does the system work?

Our software works just like any other site. Here's what happens when you make a payment: You register your address in My Account; this is used later by Barclaycard, which will check your main address (as used for the Invoice) against the address and postcode at the bank that you have your credit or debit card registered with You go through checkout and you will reach a Barclaycard screen (you are on their software now) where you input your card details. Check that everything is correct (some data will be picked up from the information you entered in My Account) Barclaycard sends these details to your bank, which checks the address and postcode against all the other details, then returns a report saying all is okay or, just occasionally, that something does not match Barclaycard then accepts or rejects the payment based on the report from your bank If the payment failed, read the next FAQs for possible causes ... the most likely reason is a mistake in your postcode, so please double check this!

How do I know I paid?

The final page of the checkout process asks you to choose a payment card or that you are sending a cheque. If you pay using a card, you will receive an e-mail with an invoice attached: this confirms you successfully paid (and when your subscription details are entered or your order is despatched, you will receive another e-mail). If you choose to send a cheque, when this is received by us you will also be e-mailed with an invoice and confirmation of your order.



There is one additional important point. When you create an account, this is tied to your e-mail address. If you later change your e-mail (but leave your old e-mail address in your account), you will not receive any e-mail confirmation ... because there is no valid address to send it to. If you lack a confirmation or copy of a receipt, please check the account e-mail you have registered with. You are able to change this yourself in your account.

I clicked on the payment button but it said 'error'!

We hear of a very few instances where, when you click on the payment method (the 'Visa' button, or one of the other buttons), an error occurs. This appears to be a glitch with your browser or computer memory or somesuch and, hopefully, logging off and closing your browser then going back in again will clear it. This is not likely to be a problem with the shop software (but nothing is perfect!).

Barclaycard rejected my payment ... what should I do?

Transactions can fail due to a glitch or, far more likely, falling foul of settings intended to keep your details and payment safe from fraud. There are several possible reasons so please run through these checks before trying again: Your Invoice Address (that is, your personal details) must exactly match the address your card is registered to, in particular your postcode (this has nothing to do with where the goods will be delivered to, which might be a different address). If the details do not match, your card issuing bank will reject the payment. This is nothing to do with our shop software, but everything to do with Barclaycard's checks with your bank to keep your details safe. Virtually every payment problem we are aware of has been solved by checking that the address details are as registered (for some examples of how this has gone wrong, see the next FAQ). Is your Invoice Address correctly selected? If you entered a different address for delivery, check that you have them the right way round (or else the security check will match your card details against the wrong address). If you fail to correctly answer the security question correctly (the one where you type in a number from the back of your card) for Visa Secure, your transaction will always fail. Please check your name is entered correctly in this final stage. If you registered your name as Joseph Bloggs, this will automatically be picked up by Barclaycard and filled in for you. But, if the name on your credit card is J. Bloggs ... You get the idea. Please check the details in this final screen for 3D-Secure and ensure they match your card. We have come across a number of instances where everything appears to be correct, but the payment is still rejected. If Barclaycard says 'rejected', it is actually reporting a rejection by your bank; this seems to occur only with cards registered with a non-UK bank, and a phone call to your bank may clear up the problem with any anti-fraud measures in place. And if all else fails, we can try to help if you give us a call, but please bear with us: what we can see or do about anything in the Barclaycard section of software is very limited as it is not controlled by us. We can try to sort out an alternative method of payment, for example, or at least offer advice.

Can I see some examples of why payments fail?

Of course. These examples come from real instances, though of course the names are changed: The entered address was 1 Something Street with a postcode of AA1 1AA, but the bank's registered card address (and address shown on the Royal Mail website for this postcode) was for Flat 1 Something Street The entered postcode was AA11 1AA, which did not match 1 Something Street ... Because the postcode was wrongly typed. This appears to be the biggest single failure point that we see Although the address and postcode were correctly entered, it was a business address and a business name appeared on the first line of the bank's registered details. Yes, the card (a personal one, not a company one) and address matched, but the postcode check failed against that first line. It ought to have worked, but it was the issuing bank that flagged up the mismatch and caused the problem (it was only solved by our customer contacting the issuing bank, which helped him in the end as it explained errors that person was experiencing on other websites as well)

I only see prices in pounds  what about my currency?

We are British-based and display prices in our own currency, pounds sterling (GBP: ). This does not prevent you from using your credit or debit card from anywhere in the world; your issuing bank will use the current exchange rate to charge you in your local currency and this will show on your statement.

Can I pay using my Maestro card?

Maestro is a debit card issued by MasterCard International. Its use online has been growing in Europe and Barclaycard (our authorising bank) states that all Maestro cards in the UK and many other European countries, including France, Ireland and Spain, have been activated for internet shopping. In some other countries selected banks only have enabled Maestro cards for online use; contact your issuing bank for further details.



The following notes on using a Maestro card online are based on information issued by Barclaycard (and therefore apply to this site, but in all cases of doubt please refer to your issuing bank):



The card itself, besides the card number, cardholders name and expiry date, may also carry the bank account number. Do not use your bank account number when checking out; the card number must be used. The data displayed on the card depends on the issuing bank and the country of origin. The card number can be between 13 and 19 digits and is structured as follows: 1111 3333 5555 7777 0 (in Belgium the number is always 17 digits).



Important: To be able to use Maestro for online commerce, you need a secure means of authentication, provided by your bank and based on SecureCode/Visa Secure technology (the same as for all MasterCard and Visa cards). If you cannot authenticate yourself during processing a Maestro transaction, the transaction will be refused. For more information on the authentication possibilities or on the activation of your card to pay online with Maestro, please contact your bank.

May I still pay by cheque?

Yes, of course. For many years the only way of subscribing to Descent was by sending a cheque in the post and, despite common preconceptions, a lot of people still prefer to subscribe that way. You will be offered the choice of paying by cheque or making an electronic payment at the end of the checkout process, so you still have that option. All the details you will need to fill in your cheque will be provided (and emailed) at that final stage. Please note that cheques must be in pounds sterling (GBP) and drawn on a UK bank.



If you elect to pay by cheque this may reserve an item with limited stock, such as a second-hand book of which there is only one, while your cheque is awaited. This will be reserved for ten days, after which it will be placed back on open sale if your cheque is not received.

May I pay by postal order?

Yes, postal orders are perfectly acceptable, if they are issued by a UK post office. We regret we cannot accept postal orders issued in other countries or currencies other than pounds sterling. You will find details of where to post your payment on the contact page. Alternatively, add a note to your order that you will send a postal order when you go through checkout and use the 'Pay by cheque' option. Please make the postal order payable to Wild Places Publishing.

Must I go through checkout?

If you prefer to send a cheque or postal order with your order instead of going through the checkout process, that's fine. Make your cheque payable to Wild Places Publishing and see the contact page for our address.



If what you wish to buy is a second-hand book, we may only have one copy so please contact us so that we can reserve it (for a maximum of ten days please). Other than that, we need your address to post the goods to and details of your order (if this includes a subscription, don't forget to tell us which issue to start with). In essence, just tell us what you want to have happen and post us the details, but please include a phone number and e-mail in case we need to contact you with any queries.

I would like to make a non-standard payment
Publication policy

Wild Places Publishing has a policy of addressing environmental concerns to the best of its ability. It makes every attempt to conserve resources by using paper logged and manufactured from sustainable sources in a manner that conforms to the laws of the country of origin.

The plates used for printing are manufactured as chemical-free, and the paper and vegetable-based inks used to publish Descent and our books are fully recyclable. Our printer, Cambrian, has a strong policy of minimising waste and is committed to environmental best practices both before and after production. The servers hosting this website are energy efficient and the company offsets carbon emissions through the support of renewable energy via green partnerships.



Wild Places supports the Artists' Bill of Rights. Just as Wild Places Publishing respects its authors, photographers, surveyors and illustrators who supply material for publication, we ask those submitting any such material to ask permission from the copyright holder (if it is not their own) before sending it to Wild Places. Note also that you should not supply personal details of any individual without their consent, which includes naming them in a photograph where their inclusion is incidental (as opposed to inclusion of a character for journalistic reasons).



Further notes concerning copyright of material submitted appear within our Guidelines for submission. In particular, note that any copyright-related claim made to Wild Places Publishing will be passed on to the person submitting the material, as this is the source of our permission to reproduce it. All material submitted is subject to editing.



We welcome feedback from our readers as part of the caving community and also ask that they respect all parties by requesting permission before reproducing any part of Descent either in print or online. Please contact us in the first instance.
Your Security Matters ...



Security is a massively important factor on any website and we at Wild Places Publishing would like to tell you more about the measures that we use to protect you and your information when you visit our site and place an order.The first thing to notice is the

padlock

that appears in your browser, right at the start of the address. This goes with the address itself, which starts with https (the 's' indicates a secure site). With this designation, you know that all the data that flows between your computer and this site, and vice versa, is encrypted; nobody can read the scrambled data while it is in transit.To use the website, we ask that you acknowledge that we may use

cookies

register

password

Barclaycard

3D Secure

Data Protection Act

Content Delivery Network

. These are small files placed on your computer that help to make the website function - you can delete these as you wish, or block them using your browser's settings, but this may prevent some aspects of the site working correctly. Cookies are used to ensure that things like your shopping basket work properly and avoid some messages from repeatedly appearing (like the one asking you to accept cookies). Wild Places does not place advertising cookies on your computer.You are invited towith the site; indeed, you must do so to place an order, because at minimum we will need your address to post your order to and, if you use a card for payment, the merchant banks will use this information as part of their checks against possible fraud. Yourfor your account is encrypted and we at Wild Places have no means of reading this: you are able to reset your password if you forget it, but as part of the security measures we cannot (literally, cannot) tell you anything about it or do this for you.When you make a payment, this is handled bywith all the security layers that this implies. Your card details are entered into software that is authorised by Barclaycard and at no time are these visible to Wild Places or stored by us. You may be asked to go through a(or equivalent) stage while making payment; this is entirely controlled by Barclaycard, which uses encrypted technology to check your card details against records with your own bank (note: this does not have to be a Barclays bank; it and your card can be linked with any facility of your choice). This is an anti-fraud step that protects the use of your card. In addition, Wild Places has to comply with regular security checks on the website.We are registered with the Information Commissioner's Office under the2018, which controls what information we are allowed to store and how it may be used. We do not release your details to any other company, other than to supply any order you make (such as the services of Royal Mail) or send emails (which necessarily require that these pass through computers owned by other companies).To help speed up delivery of pages to your computer, we use the services of athat assembles pages ready to send as required. The goal of a CDN is to increase security and enhance the performance of the website, both benefiting you. The CDN includes a daily security report for us to respond to, plus 'intelligent threat protection' against any malicious code (malware), stopping this before it can cause any damage.Finally, as well as anti-virus software installed on the computers hosting our website, we employ the services of

SharkGate

, a Cyber Security company that places a very strong firewall between the website and the world wide web as a protection against any attempt to insert malware into the website. As they say: 'SharkGate is the worlds pioneering Cyber Security solution designed exclusively to protect websites against hackers' and it is very, very good at its job. This effectively helps to protect you while you visit our website, and your information in your account.In short, we do our best to ensure that your data is secure; our site is kept very secure indeed, which protects both us and you. For more information please also see our FAQs and Privacy Policy
When does Descent come out?

Descent is normally published on the first Saturday of alternate months: February, April, June, August, October and December. Copies are posted to subscribers and sent to caving shops and outlets during the preceding week.



Occasionally, publication may be delayed by a week, if the schedule clashes with other commitments (such as a caving expedition).

If I subscribe, what will be my first issue?

When you place your order, you will have the option of starting with the current or next issue (or renewing an existing subscription, in which case it will continue from your old one).



In fact, if you wish to backdate your new subscription to an earlier edition so that you can keep your set complete or begin at the start of the year (for example), you should place your order as normal and write a note in the comments box during checkout  we are flexible in dealing with such requests. Essentially, a subscription runs for a minimum of six issues and you can start this with any edition (making it a good way to obtain a sect of back issues, as well!).

Can I send a gift subscription to someone else?

Yes, of course. You will still need to create an account for yourself, so that your payment card provider knows you are the correct person using the card, but you can then add another address for the subscription delivery.



If you would like to have something to give as an indication of an imminent subscription present, you might wish to print off one of our 'gift files'. There's more information here.

Can I take out two or more subscriptions to Descent as presents?

We'll be delighted if you do and of course you can! Ordering two or more subscriptions is just like ordering multiple binders, but there is one difficulty. The software imposes a limit of your own plus one extra address to post anything to, goods or subscriptions (which is fine for sending a present, for example, or having your issue delivered to a different address to that registered to your credit card). For multiple subscription orders, please put each through separately to avoid any confusion over delivery addresses. If you wish, contact us direct and we can help.

Can the first issue of a gift subscription be delivered to me?

Yes, it can. This is not an uncommon request when someone wants to give the first issue in person, but have the rest of the subscription sent direct. Order the subscription as normal for your friend, but write your request and instructions in the comments box during checkout (you can always contact us to ask about specifics ...).

I used to subscribe but I've missed an issue or more.

If you wish to receive the missing issues, choose to 'Renew' your subscription when ordering (using the drop-down box options) and these will be sent to you. If you have already purchased these in a shop, even though you are renewing you can choose to continue from the current or next issue (using the options will trigger sending either of these issues). In the end, as with all 'unusual' situations, if you tell us what you want, we will do our best to help. You can contact us direct or make use of the comments box during checkout.



Please take care with choosing options; if you are intending to renew but select 'New: start with current issue' you might be sent another copy of the edition you already have.

I am moving house  how should I change my address?

The important point is that your online address is not stored in the same database that is used to post your issue of Descent. Updating My Account details will not redirect your subscription. You need to contact us direct, by email, post or phone, with your new address. Bear in mind that address slips are printed well ahead of Descent being posted, so if you are too close to publication date your copy will still go to your old address.

I do not live in the UK  how long will Descent take to arrive?

Though airmail should be much quicker, the British post office states that economy mail (surface mail) may take up to six weeks to be delivered to North America, eight weeks for South America, Africa and Asia, and twelve weeks for Australasia. Western Europe is up to two weeks and Eastern Europe five weeks. With regret, we cannot therefore accept claims for non-delivery until these times have expired (but in the end, we will ensure you receive your issue!). You have the choice of taking out an airmail or economy mail subscription when placing your order.

I'm moving abroad  what will happen to my subscription?

You obviously need to tell us your new address, which you should do by e-mail, phone or post (changing details in Your Account will not update the mailing details for your subscription. Depending on your move, an additional payment to cover increased postage costs may be required (or a reduction of remaining issues in your subscription to cover the increased costs). Make contact and we can take it from there.

What is my subscriber number?

When you subscribe you are allocated a subscriber number. You won't see this appear on the website, because it relates to the subscriber database used to keep track of printing the address labels and posting out issues; it's a totally separate database to the online one where you place your orders. This is also the reason why you need to tell us direct if you change your address, because updating your online details will not change where your issue is sent. Your subscriber number is printed on every mailing slip, but it's really there to help us at the Descent end of things: you don't need to know or remember it.

I'm still confused. How do I take out a subscription?
Terms and conditions

Inevitably, there has to be some small print ... Sorry about that!

Overview

This Overview provides a background to the Wild Places Publishing website. References are made to our original site, now used as an Information resource, and the newer Shop portion.

Wild Places Publishing maintains this website and does its best to keep the information as up to date as possible. Please report any problems. Please also remember that caving is a niche sport and, likewise, time is limited for undertaking updates while preparing editions of Descent. Periodically, therefore, updates may take a while, depending on whether we are away caving or just too busy working on the next issue ... We will try to respond quickly to your requests and suggestions for updates to the site, but please bear with us.

Please also read these terms carefully before you start to use the site. By using our site, you accept these terms and that you agree to abide by them. If you do not agree to these terms of use, please refrain from using our site. Using our website, including placing an order on our site (or by mail), indicates that you accept all terms and conditions and our Privacy Policy.

More information may be found in the Privacy Policy and Delivery documents and these form part of these terms and conditions.

Remember that we are here to help. If you have a query or a problem with your order, do not hesitate to contact us.

The website and cookies

In 2012 European law relating to the use of cookies came into force. Cookies are small files placed on your computer which are used to help our website function. On first using this website you were asked to accept the use of cookies. For more information see the Privacy Policy.

Reliance on information posted and disclaimer

The pages on our site are provided for general information purposes only and their content does not claim to be or constitute legal or other professional advice and shall not be relied upon as such.

We do not accept any responsibility for any loss which may arise from accessing or reliance on the information on this site and, to the fullest extent permitted by English law, we exclude all liability for loss or damages direct or indirect arising from use of this site.

Information about us

The Wild Places Publishing website (wildplaces.co.uk) is maintained by Wild Places Publishing.

Our VAT number is GB 713 4152 70.

We are registered with the Data Commissioner's Office under the Data Protection Act 2018.

Accessing our site

We reserve the right to withdraw or amend our website service without notice (see below). We will not be liable if for any reason our site is unavailable at any time or for any period.

Intellectual property rights and copyright

This site is copyright  Wild Places Publishing. The content of Descent is variously either or both the copyright of the author(s) and Wild Places Publishing; the layout of Descent is copyright Wild Places Publishing. Please respect these copyrights and, if you wish to reproduce anything from Descent or any of our other publications, please ask for permission first.

We are the owner or the licensee of all intellectual property rights in our site, and in the material published on it. All such rights are reserved. You may not reuse or republish any part of the materials published on our site or in our printed publications, including but not restricted to Descent magazine, for any purpose, whether editorial, personal or commercial, without obtaining a license in writing to do so from us.



All registered trademarks acknowledged. No claims are made to any trademark, which may be used in our text online or in print solely for reference and identification purposes.

Our site changes regularly

We aim to update our site regularly, and may change the content at any time. If the need arises, we may suspend access to our site, or close it indefinitely. Any of the material on our site may be out of date at any given time, and although we will normally attempt to keep all information current, we are under no obligation to update such material.

Our contract with you

Once you have submitted an order, you will receive an e-mail acknowledging receipt of that order with a unique reference number. Your contract with us is not established until we accept that order, as indicated by a later e-mail noting that the order has been despatched or that your subscription details have been entered.



Of course, like everybody else, we are not perfect and mistakes can happen. If they do, we will attempt to put them right. Please note, however, that if a price is incorrect (or you have chosen an incorrect price based on a wrongly selected postal destination), we will have no option but to reject your order and refund any payment made. Such an error could arise from a genuine mistake in pricing or from a software glitch showing an incorrect price and E&OE will apply.



Because this website displays prices including postage, the price shown changes according to where the goods will be delivered. It is your responsibility to match the destination chosen on the product page with the delivery address, to ensure the correct price is paid. We will reject any order where these are mismatched, for example paying a UK subscription rate with an international address for delivery.

Our liability

The material displayed on our site is provided without any guarantees, conditions or warranties as to its accuracy. To the fullest extent permitted by law, we, and any third parties connected to us, hereby expressly exclude:

All conditions, warranties and other terms which might otherwise be implied by statute, common law or the law of equity.

Any liability for any direct, indirect or consequential loss or damage incurred by any user in connection with our site or in connection with the use, inability to use, or results of the use of our site, any websites linked to it and any materials posted on it, including, without limitation any liability for:

loss of income or revenue;

loss of business;

loss of profits or contracts;

loss of anticipated savings;

loss of data;

loss of goodwill;

wasted management or office time; and





for any other loss or damage of any kind, however arising and whether caused by tort (including negligence), breach of contract or otherwise, even if foreseeable, provided that this condition shall not prevent claims for loss of or damage to your tangible property or any other claims for direct financial loss that are not excluded by any of the categories set out above.

This does not affect our liability for death or personal injury arising from our negligence, nor our liability for fraudulent misrepresentation or misrepresentation as to a fundamental matter, nor any other liability which cannot be excluded or limited under applicable law.

Cancellations and returns

Under the UKs Consumer Contracts Regulations 2013, any cancellation of an order must be made in writing within 14 days of receiving the goods. The customer should contact Wild Places Publishing for information on how to return items and the customer must cover the cost of returning any goods (other than in cases of faults or incorrect supply). Items must be returned in their original condition within 14 days of cancellation: it is your responsibility to take care of the goods while in your possession and ensure they are well packaged for return, including retaining proof of postage. They remain your responsibility while in transit. Refunds will be made within 14 days of receiving the returned goods.



Our prices include the cost of postage/delivery. This is not the same as 'free postage', as can be seen by the different prices displayed when choosing a postal destination. If a refund is made for goods returned by agreement, this may have the cost of our original delivery to you deducted.



Please note that under the Consumer Contracts Regulations, we are not obliged to receive returns or make a refund for magazines already supplied. Descent is despatched direct from the printer and address details are supplied well in advance of the publication date; we cannot accept cancellations for issues already booked for despatch as these cannot be recalled. In similar fashion, we cannot accept cancellation of part or all of a subscription with a corresponding refund for issues yet to be supplied, if an issue is already committed to despatch. In general, where a subscription is partially filled, to cover our costs of refunding a part payment as well as covering any possible order in progress, this may result in the refund having the value of one issue deducted, at our discretion.

Proof of posting is retained for all goods despatched and losses are extremely rare. However, Royal Mail, our main carrier, restricts the time permitted to make a claim for non-delivered items and we are unable to accept claims for non-delivery after six weeks from the order being despatched to a UK address. Similar restrictions, with possible variation in times, apply to overseas destinations.



If your order is to a non-UK address and is subject to import duties or taxes, these must be borne by you. Note that some countries apply brokerage fees and/or customs duties or other fees that may apply to your purchase, whether based on the nature of the goods or their value, but we cannot advise on this: it is the buyer's responsibility to check any such factors before purchase. Non-delivery because of a refusal to accept additional required payment will not be accepted as a reason for return or refund of any item.



We reserve the right to charge for redelivery of goods that are returned to us as undeliverable using the address or other information supplied by you, or are not collected from the post office (or other carrier) by the customer. If you marked your order with an instruction to deliver to a neighbour, to leave it in a 'safe' place or other similar instructions, any loss due to this instruction being followed is your responsibility unless it can be shown by you that Royal Mail behaved unreasonably. As an example, if you request that an order is left in your porch or with a neighbour 'at no. 27' and it is subsequently missing from the porch or the neighbour denies having taken the order in, we cannot be held responsible for having followed your instructions in so marking your package.

Information about you and your visits to our site

We process and store information about you in accordance with our Privacy Policy. By using our site, you consent to such processing and you warrant that all data provided by you is accurate.

Viruses, hacking and other offences

You must not misuse our site by knowingly introducing viruses, trojans, worms, logic bombs or other material which is malicious or technologically harmful. You must not attempt to gain unauthorised access to our site, the server on which our site is stored or any server, computer or database connected to our site. You must not attack our site via a denial-of-service attack or a distributed denial-of service attack.

By breaching this provision, you would commit a criminal offence under the Computer Misuse Act 1990. We will report any such breach to the relevant law enforcement authorities and we will cooperate with those authorities by disclosing your identity to them. In the event of such a breach, your right to use our site will cease immediately.

We will not be liable for any loss or damage caused by a distributed denial-of-service attack, viruses or other technologically harmful material that may infect your computer equipment, computer programs, data or other proprietary material due to your use of our site or to your downloading of any material posted on it, or on any website linked to it or from it.

Links from our site

Where our site contains links to other sites and resources provided by third parties, these links are provided for your information only and are provided under EU law as a right without recourse to the copyright holder. We have no control over the contents of those sites or resources, and accept no responsibility for them or for any loss or damage that may arise from your use of them. When accessing a site via our website we advise you check their terms of use and privacy policies to ensure compliance and determine how they may use your information. You specifically accept that any links to third party websites will be used at your own risk and that we have supplied these for information only.

Jurisdiction and applicable law

The English and Welsh courts will have non-exclusive jurisdiction over any claim arising from, or related to, a visit to our site.

These terms of use and any dispute or claim arising out of or in connection with them or their subject matter or formation (including non-contractual disputes or claims) shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the law of England and Wales.

Variations

We may revise these terms of use at any time by amending this page. You should check this page from time to time to take notice of any changes we make, as they are binding on you. Some of the provisions contained in these terms of use may also be superseded by changes in the Privacy Policy.

Your concerns

If you have any concerns about material which appears on our site, please contact us by e-mail, phone or post.

Thank you for visiting our site.

Contacting us

If you have any questions about these terms and conditions, the website or your dealings with this site, please contact us at:

Wild Places Publishing

PO Box 100

Abergavenny

NP7 9WY

UK



wildplaces.co.uk

+44 (0)1873 737707

e-mail

This document was last updated on 10 December 2021
Tratman Award Citations

Past winners and commended publications





Tratman Award, 2019

The prestigious Tratman Award (in memory of E.K. Tratman, who died in 1978) is awarded annually for a caving-related, paper-based publication, to recognise excellence and encourage future improvement. It is one of the UKs premier national caving awards, but is open to authors and publishers from Britain and Ireland.

First awarded for the publications of 1979, the Tratman Award was administered by the Ghar Parau Foundation when the foundation was a sub-charity of BCRA, but since 2019 (presenting the awards of 2018) when the foundation became an independent charity it has been directly awarded by BCRA. The judges are independent of the association and look for not only a high standard of writing and information content, but also factors such as the publications layout, print quality, binding and availability. The current award covers the publications of 2019 and was judged by Joe Duxbury, Ric Halliwell, Chris Howes, Alan Jeffreys and Martin Mills.

A very wide range of material was considered, including club newsletters and journals (and articles within them) as well as books. Many club publications have morphed into high-class productions at what seems to be an accelerating pace, which is excellent to see, and indeed one such is singled out this year. In future years, although this has always been within the judging criteria, additional attention will be paid to improvements in periodicals  that is, maintaining a high standard is important, but increasing the quality of the writing, layout and production will come under additional scrutiny.

The judges produced a long list, which became a shortlist and was then whittled down to those receiving a commendation, discussing and arguing merits along the way that gained and lost entries from the list. This finally produced the following titles, all of which are commended (an honour in itself), presented here in order of author or editor.

The Archaeology of Underground Mines and Quarries in England

Covering a specialist subject, John Barnatts work  published by Historic England  offers very thorough explanations of how, why, when and where underground minerals and stone were extracted. The lists of references are comprehensive, and the production values and information content remain high on every page (see Descent 267).

Irish Speleology (24)



Appearing in the commended listing yet again, Irish Speleology under the editorship of Peter Barry and Alasdair Kennedy, has continued to maintain its outstanding level of excellence with issue (24). The blend of exploration, overviews, archaeology, geology and other sciences ensures that the content will appeal to a wide readership, with the design, reproduction and binding all demonstrating a high quality. (Descent 271)



The Earth Beneath My Feet



An exquisitely unusual publication by artist and writer Annie Farrer with cave diver John Cordingley, The Earth Beneath My Feet was published within the Stories in Stone community project with a donation from each copy going to cave rescue. This is primarily an art-based presentation that is intended to encourage readers to see details in the land that they might otherwise have passed over. (Descent 268)

SWCC Newsletter (136)

The newsletter from South Wales CC is more akin to a perfect-bound journal and is well presented. It covers a wide range of subject matter, from home-turf explorations to expeditions plus intelligible science, all liberally spread with photos and surveys that are printed and displayed to great effect. This title has gone from strength to strength under the editorship of Elaine and Bob Hall and is a credit to the authors, editors and club, demonstrating what is attainable by a focused group. (Descent 272)

Underland

Robert Macfarlanes Underland is an unusual offering, with thoughtful writing and imaginative descriptions of his explorations, which are many and varied. Cavers will readily recognise character types and are able to follow up Macfarlanes ideas using useful chapter notes and a bibliography. While not being written for cavers, it is nevertheless very suitable for a caving readership. (Descent 269)

Caves of Mid-West Ireland

In this latest guidebook to Irish caves  expanded by reason of area as well as sites  editor Graham Mullan, on behalf of the University of Bristol SS, has taken the publication to an extremely high level of presentation and quality of content. The amount of work involved must have been extreme, and it shows. (Descent 271)

The Caves of Northumberland

That a new caving guide is produced is excellent, but Chris Scaife has gone one step further in researching and publishing a guide to a new area, documenting the sites within it in fine detail, making them more readily accessible to other cavers. (Descent 268)

Bumbling in the Dark

Bryan Scoff Schofields posthumous collection of reminiscences, brought to the printed page after editing by Dave Ryall and financed by his club, the Bradford PC, forms not only a tribute to this noted cave diver but also reflects his quirky sense of humour. Bumbling in the Dark offers a superb read and will be an inspiration to future cavers. (Descent 269)

The winning publication is chosen from within the list of commended titles and for 2019 two received much discussion as to which would take the prize. SWCC Newsletter and Caves of Mid-West Ireland were both strong contenders, but in the end the unanimous vote went to Graham Mullan on behalf of the team producing Caves of Mid-West Ireland. Mention must also be made here for his involvement with the UBSS Proceedings, a long-term, highly praised and superbly produced academic title devoted to caves and their archaeology and exploration, which itself might have otherwise challenged the other commendations.

Congratulations to Graham and the UBSS for the award, which is also recognised with a hand-crafted trophy made annually by artist Ceris Jones. In a normal year the Tratman Award announcement and presentation would take place during the Hidden Earth conference (which has been cancelled because of restrictions imposed by the Covid-19pandemic); the presentation will now happen at a future date yet to be decided.

It remains to thank everyone who made suggestions for publications to be considered, Ceris for creating the trophy, BCRA for supporting the project and the judges for their time and input. In this we single out Ric Halliwell, who has helped to judge the award on twelve occasions, but has stepped down following the conclusion of the 2019 round.



Chris Howes, on behalf of the judges



Tratman Award, 2018

The prestigious Tratman Award is given annually to an author for a caving-related, paper-based publication in memory of E.K. Tratman, who died in 1978, to recognise excellence and encourage future improvement  it is considered one of the UKs premier national awards. The Tratman Award is judged by a team of independent cavers  for 2018 these were: Joe Duxbury, Ric Halliwell, Alan Jeffreys and Martin Mills, with additional input from other cavers.

The judging takes into account not only the standard of writing and the information presented to cavers, but also factors such as the publications layout, print quality, binding and other factors. This produced a shortlist:

Karst of Ireland



David Drew for Karst of Ireland  a magnificent, scholarly work that, although it is not directly useful to sport cavers, is essential for a wider understanding of karst (see Descent 267).

The Tham Luang Cave Rescue  a personal account



Martin Ellis for his coverage of The Tham Luang Cave Rescue  a personal account in the Shepton Mallet CC Journal Series 13, (9), one of two shortlisted entries on the subject this year. Martin comes at the incident from a fresh perspective, and delivers a thorough and authoritative account of what happened behind the scenes.

'In Search of Wadiland'



Tom Foord for his article In Search of Wadiland in Descent (265) for December 2018 (a second part appeared in 2019). His well-illustrated, informative narrative leads the reader clearly through the story of expedition caving in Austria and imparts the excitement of exploration.

'Mission Impossible'



Chris Howes for Mission Impossible in Descent (263) for August 2018 (the following issues carried three more articles as continuations of the story), this being a very early, encompassing and widely praised timeline of the Tham Luang rescue in Thailand, written as it unfolded.

Skocjanske jame 1920-1940

Trevor Shaw, who is no stranger to the Tratman Award, for Skocjanske jame 1920-1940  a well-researched beautifully produced and eminently readable historical coverage of this Slovene cave (Descent 262).

WINNER

Any author achieving a commendation here should be justifiably proud. Of these, the judges deliberated for many hours over which should be declared the winner, in the end the unanimous decision going to Tom Foord, the result being announced at Hidden Earth in September 2019. Congratulations to Tom, who won a specially crafted trophy made by Ceris Jones that he will retain as a reminder of his achievement.

Alan L. Jeffreys, on behalf of the judges





Tratman Award, 2017

The prestigious Tratman Award is given annually to a caving-related, paper-based publication in memory of E.K. Tratman, who died in 1978, to recognise excellence and encourage future improvement. It is administered by the Ghar Parau Foundation, and is considered one of the UKs premier national awards. It is judged by a team of independent cavers  for 2017 these were: Joe Duxbury, Ric Halliwell, Martin Mills and Alan Jeffreys.

2017 turned out to be a superbly fruitful year for caving publications, providing the judges with an almost impossible task of choosing between several top class publications, any one of which, in a lean year, would have qualified as a winner. Despite increasing use of online electronic publishing (not qualifying for this Award), the publication of actual books, with all the inferred artistic layout work, editorial input and quality of production, remains a satisfying, long-term, flexible archive of knowledge and expertise.

The following were short listed and considered by the judges in 2017:

Caves and Karst of the Yorkshire Dales 2

Packed with essential information and written by a group of leading experts in the field, this volume achieves a good balance between science and readability and was viewed by the judges as a fine example of a textbook for everyone. Edited by Tony Waltham and Dave Lowe, the layout is clean and attractive. A worthy contender. Commended.

Northern Caves. The Three Counties System and the North-West

The expansion of this latest version of the essential Yorkshire Dales caving guidebook by Sam Allshorn and Paul Swire demonstrates that much thought has gone into the presentation of data, the use of italics to signify departures from main routes being a particularly good idea. There is also a great improvement in the location maps and surveys shown. All told, high production values throughout. Commended.

The Darkness Beckons (3rd revised Edition)

A sumptuous successor to previous editions, this volume by Martyn Farr expands its narrative to include world cave diving as well as operations and developments in the UK. A wealth of superb illustrations supports a well-researched text, which is laid out in an attractive, readable style. A magnificent piece of work which will remain a definitive history of cave diving for many years to come. Commended.

William Boyd Dawkins & The Victorian Science of Cave Hunting

This is a fascinating text, opening a window onto the burgeoning science  and politics  of cave palaeontology in the mid-19th Century. Written by Mark White of Durham University, it is well researched, attractively published and a much needed addition to the history of speleology in the UK. A worthy contender for the Tratman Award. Commended.

Adventures Underground

This book sets out to document Yorkshire explorations over the last 60 years. Authors Dave Haigh and John Cordingley have produced an almost perfect text, tracing a path between technical jargon and popular writing resulting in a work which will appeal to all sections of the community. Lavishly illustrated, thoroughly researched and beautifully published, this volume will long remain the standard for how to communicate the appeal of caving in writing.

TSG Journal (19)

The Technical Speleological Group in Derbyshire produce sporadic reports in the form of a journal, and issue 19 truly overshadows all previous productions. Packed with 205 pages of up to the minute information, this journal is full colour throughout. Editor Phil Wolstenholme is commended for an excellent example of what clubs can produce. Commended.

Irish Speleology (23)

Consistently an excellent example of what can be achieved in the world of regular journals, this latest issue, carrying no illustrations, is a compilation by editor Peter Barry of historical references to Irish caves from 1680 to 1893. It demonstrates what careful, thorough research can produce, is properly indexed and all in all, continues the very high standard set by the Speleological Union of Ireland. Commended.

Also noted:

Chelsea Spelaeological Society Newsletter Vol. 59

Successive editors of this monthly newsletter are to be commended for the attractive layout introduced by Mark Lumley in 2009, which has been developing ever since. The embellishment with colour from the July-Sept issue heralds even more improvement and sets an enviable standard to be envied by other clubs.

WINNER

The winner for 2017 was very hard to select. Not only the extremely high standards, but the sheer quantity of publications rendered choice acutely difficult, and it should be emphasised that being short-listed this year is a specific recognition of publishing excellence. The Award was ultimately given to Adventures Underground by D. Haigh and J. Cordingley for a truly outstanding piece of work which, it was thought, would probably attract many people into the sport as did its predecessor Underground Adventure (1952). A very fine example to stimulate future authors. Winner.

It is noted above that to be short-listed for this award is, in itself, a mark of excellence and your work should be considered a prestigious achievement in its own right. While there can only be one winner, in effect, all the authors and editors have to be congratulated on the very high standards achieved.

Judges for 2018: Joe Duxbury, Ric Halliwell, Martin Mills and Alan Jeffreys.

Alan L. Jeffreys, on behalf of the judges





Tratman Award, 2016

The prestigious Tratman Award is given annually to a caving-related paper-based publication in memory of E.K. Tratman, who died in 1978, to recognise excellence and encourage future improvement. It is administered by the Ghar Parau Foundation. It both recognises excellence and encourages future improvement, and is considered one of the UKs premier national awards. It is judged by a team of independent cavers. For 2016 these were Joe Duxbury, Ric Halliwell, Chris Howes, Alan Jeffreys, Martin Mills.



The 2016 awards saw a departure from the established norm, in that there was no announcement made prior to the presentation at Hidden Earth in September. Only then did the authors learn of the commendations and the eventual winner, which received a superb statuette of a caver bookend created by Ceris Jones.

Of interest is that from within the wide range of publications and articles considered by the judges for 2016, a significant number of authors and journals have previously been commended or won the award.



The final shortlist was:



The Castleton Mines

A finely researched and published work about the areas mines, some of which intersect caves, by Jim Rieuwerts and Phil Wolstenholme. The subtitle A descriptive and visual history indicates the content of this extremely attractive production.



Red Rose Cave and Pothole Club Journal (11)

This is a journal packed with the results of digs and extensions in and around the Yorkshire Dales (as well as details of the clubs activities, including the extensive conservation work its members undertake), with high-quality production standards.

Irish Speleology (22)

Editors Peter Barry and Alasdair Kennedy were commended for their work on Irish Speleology (21) published in 2013, and again gather plaudits for the depth and quality of this latest journal with wide-ranging topics and excellent research.

A Spiders Thread of Shining Silver

A compilation of Mike Boons writings, in particular reprinting his classic and scarce Down to a Sunless Sea, by Andy Chapman  a welcome addition to most cavers libraries, making Mikes authored pieces (with comments) accessible to all.

Underground Archaeology

Tratman Award winner in 2015 Marion Dowd again features in these listings, with another title concerned with Irish archaeology. Underground Archaeology is an incredibly important work in that it gathers all (!) known instances of finds in the country within categories as a one-stop shop for checking existing records.

Special mention also goes to the second part of the series of books on Meghalaya, India, edited by Thomas Arbenz. As with part one, published in 2012, Cave Pearls of Meghalaya is a superb compilation of text, surveys and photographs; this latest publication covers the expeditions from 2005 to 2009.



The winner for 2016 was difficult to determine, given the high standards involved, with the Red Rose Journal coming out on top. The award follows in the footsteps of the clubs 2010 commendation for the previous journal, and this latest publication is a very worthy winner and many congratulations go to the club and editor Ray Duffy.



Tratman Award, 2015

The Tratman Award has been awarded annually since 1979 to a caving-related paper-based publication in memory of E.K. Tratman, who died in 1978. It covers books, journals and articles published in a calendar year and is administered by the Ghar Parau Foundation, but judged by independent cavers; for 2015 these were Joe Duxbury, Ric Halliwell, Chris Howes, Alan Jeffreys and Martin Mills (though other opinions were also sought). From an initial shortlist (to which titles were added and subtracted) the judges argued the strong and weak points of each title, taking into account the standard of printing and binding as well as the inclusion of an index where appropriate, the layout and the quality of writing. In alphabetical order of author, the final shortlist was:



Michael Adams: One Man One Pan

A wonderful, personal tale of exploring caves in China over the course of two early expeditions



Peter S. Burr: Mines and Minerals of the Mendip Hills

In a two-volume set, an incredible amount of research is packed into a thousand pages that is already the definitive work on the subject



Ralph Crane and Lisa Fletcher: Cave. Nature and culture

Cave is unusual in that it succeeds in crossing divides, merging legend and fact, science and art  any caver willing to be challenged with new ideas will enjoy this book



Marion Dowd: The Archaeology of Caves in Ireland

Marions impressive work on caves and archaeology in Ireland is extensive, interestingly written, beautifully presented and well indexed: a superb publication



Elaine Hill and Adrian Hall (comps): Northern Sump Index 2015

A description of index hardly does justice to this invaluable resource from the Cave Diving Group; the amalgamated surveys at the rear were especially appreciated



Dewi Lloyd (ed): NPC Journal 2015

After a 28-year break, this latest Northern Pennine Club journal brings a host of quality material to readers, providing a finely presented and valuable archive of exploration in the Dales



Duncan Price: Underwater Potholer

Simply a damn good read from this cave diver and explorer, written on a personal level



Michael Shaw, David Poyner and Robert Evans: Aerial Ropeways of Shropshire

Another high-quality account from the Shropshire Caving and Mining Club; while the title might suggest a dry, obscure publication, it is eminently readable by any enthusiast



Trevor Shaw and Alenka Cuk: Slovene Karst and Caves in the Past

Past winners of the Tratman Award, Trevor and Alenka have broadened the appeal of cave history, making the text more accessible to a wider Slovene readership



After much discussion, made vastly more difficult by the high number of excellent publications considered, the Tratman Award for 2015 goes to Marion Dowd for The Archaeology of Caves in Ireland. Congratulations are due for her outstanding work from which the sun shines to quote one judge, who also suggested that it should act as a model for similar regional books in Ireland, the UK  and indeed Europe, a sentiment backed by the other judges. The remaining works are all highly commended, in itself a prestigious achievement. The award is a piece of original artwork by Mark Gonzo Lumley, which will be presented at EuroSpeleo 2016.



Chris Howes, on behalf of the judges





Tratman Award, 2014

The Tratman Award has been awarded annually since 1979 to a caving-related paper-based publication in memory of E.K. Tratman, who died in 1978. It covers books, journals and articles published in a calendar year and is administered by the Ghar Parau Foundation, but judged by independent cavers; for 2014 these were Joe Duxbury, Ric Halliwell, Chris Howes, Alan Jeffreys and Martin Mills (though other opinions were also sought).

An initial shortlist was drawn up, after which discussion ensued. Aside from the obvious value of being written well, other elements that affected the judges decision included the quality of photographs and diagrams, inclusion of an index where relevant and the printing and binding. The shortlist was reduced to the following books and journals (presented here in author order):

Editors Peter Barry and Alasdair Kennedy for issue (21) of Irish Speleology, another superbly produced and impressive volume in the series.

Mining in Cornwall and Devon by Roger Burt and others, a readable volume packed with research and analysis, accompanied by a CD carrying yet more data.

Matt Ewles and Gary Douthwaite for editing The Journal of York CC & North York Moors CC (2), raising the bar even higher than for their previous commendation for the first issue.

The proceedings of NAMHOs 2011 conference, 50 Years of Mine Exploration edited by Kelvin Lake and David Poyner and published in 2014 as a packed volume worth waiting for.

Caves of the Democratic Republic of the Congo by Jean Shaw, published as part of the excellent caving atlas series by Michael Laumanns and a thoroughly researched history and gazetteer of what is known in the country.

John Wilmut, Chris Proctor and David Jean for Exploring the Limestones of South Devon published by the William Pengelly CST, nicely produced as a walking guide to the area.

Mark Wright and Robbie Shone for Gouffre Berger, a beautifully presented volume  even with a slipcase available  covering this classic caves history as well as a modern description, backed up with sumptuous photography.

The final decision was unanimous, granting the 2014 Tratman Award to Mark Wright and Robbie Shone for Gouffre Berger with many congratulations for their fine production. The remaining works are highly commended, each a prestigious achievement on its own. The award is a piece of original artwork by Mark Gonzo Lumley, which was presented at the Hidden Earth 2015 conference.



Chris Howes, on behalf of the judges

Tratman Award 2013

The Tratman Award has been awarded annually since 1979 to a caving-related paper-based publication in memory of E.K. Tratman, who died in 1978. It covers books, journals and articles published in a calendar year and is administered by the Ghar Parau Foundation, but judged by three independent cavers; for 2013 these were Joe Duxbury, Alan Jeffreys and Martin Mills (though other opinions were also sought).

As usual, a great deal of discussion ensued around a short list of titles that grew longer before becoming shorter. It is worth mentioning Thomas Arbenz editing and publication of Cave Pearls of Meghalaya, given its links to UK expeditions, but although it is of a superb standard it lies outside the scope of the Tratman Award. The final shortlist was winnowed to the following, here presented in author order:

Tim Allen and Frank Pearson, for the linked articles A Midge-infested, draughtless no-hoper ... and We should have gone to Aygill in Descent (230), which the judges picked out as particularly evocative of digging.

Peter Barry and Alasdair Kennedy (eds) of Irish Speleology (20), which clearly presents not only solid information, but also maps and surveys with a range of highly interesting topics  an almost perfect example of what a journal should be.

Martyn Farr for the attractive Classic Darksite Diving, covering cave diving sites in Britain and Europe and data-packed with locations and details on how to safely undertake dives.

Dave Gill for Bottoming the Berger  on Ladders in Descent (235), an article which brought an element of speleohistory to the fore in an engaging and entertaining manner.

Alan Gray, Rob Taviner and Richard Witcombe for their work compiling Mendip Underground, a monumental task to have been completed work on a regional guidebook to such a high standard.

Jim Rieuwerts for Adventurers in the Lead Trade, not forgetting the photography of Phil Wolstenholme that made this well-researched volume so highly visual.

Tony Waltham and David Lowe for Caves and Karst of the Yorkshire Dales, another in-depth title that will become a standard reference for the area.

The final decision went unanimously to the comprehensive and attractive Mendip Underground. Congratulations therefore go to Alan, Rob and Richard, who we are sure would wish to also note the involvement of a huge number of other cavers in checking details of references and cave descriptions, and producing surveys and photographs, with (once again) Mark Gonzo Lumleys fine touch in layout. The remaining entries above are highly commended, a prestigious result on its own. The award is a piece of original artwork by Gonzo, which was presented at the Hidden Earth 2014 conference.

Chris Howes, on behalf of the judges

Tratman Award 2012

The Tratman Award is presented to the author of the best caving-related publication of the year, being judged by independent cavers who make their recommendations to the Ghar Parau Foundation, which funds the award. The judges for 2012 were Ric Halliwell, Chris Howes, Alan Jeffreys and Martin Mills, who also sought opinion from a wider readership and, with four judges available, where required were able to exclude themselves from discussing any title causing a conflict of interest.

A wide range of books and journals was considered, creating a shortlist that was whittled down to six for further discussion. These were:

Derek Hawkins Bath Stone Quarries, a fine photographic record of this complex of mines, oft visited by cavers and mining enthusiasts alike.

The Cave Radio & Electronics Group Journal, in recognition of the long-running specialist nature of this publication (the current issue is no. 80), being maintained at a high standard and a credit to the production team.

Tim Allen for his series of articles on the Three Counties breakthrough published in Descent issues (224) and (225), bringing the accurate story to cavers in a complete and timely fashion.

Earth Colours by Marie Clarke, Neville Gregory and Alan Gray. Another fine hardback book from the Mendip Cave Registry and Archive stable, it is packed with information and photographs concerning ochre mining on Mendip.

Phil Hendys series of caving features in the Mendip Times, a free local publication; these have placed caving in front of the public in a good light for the past five years.

Slovene Caves & Karst Pictured 15451914 by Trevor Shaw and Alenka Cuk, a softback book concentrating on the regions photographs and illustrations, many of which are accompanied by biographies.

To choose a winner proved incredibly difficult, in particular being a close call between Earth Colours and Slovene Caves & Karst. In the end, the judges came down in favour of Slovene Caves & Karst, given its sheer quality of research, readable content and fine presentation.

Congratulations therefore go to Trevor and Alenka; this is not the first collaboration we have seen from this pair, and we trust it will not be the last. All the shortlisted authors also receive our congratulations for their commendations and should note the prestige conferred: to attain a shortlisting is in itself an achievement. The award is a piece of original artwork by Mark Gonzo Lumley, which was presented at the Hidden Earth 2013 conference.

Chris Howes, on behalf of the judges

Tratman Award 2011

The Tratman Award is presented to the author of the best caving-related publication of the year, being judged by three independent cavers who make a recommendation for the award to the Ghar Parau Foundation, which funds the award. The judges for 2011 were Ric Halliwell, Chris Howes and Martin Mills, who also sought opinion from a wider readership.

Both books and club journals were considered and a shortlist was produced for further discussion. In alphabetical order of author or editor, the titles were:

Caves of the Peak District by Iain Barker and John Beck  an excellent guidebook published by DCA. The publication year was printed as 2010, but the volume was not released until too late for consideration in 2010, so  as the rules permit  it was shortlisted in 2011.

Decades in the Dark, edited by Alan Jeffreys and subtitled 50 years of Scottish caving, covers the history of the Grampian SG from 1961 to 2011.

Sheffield University SS 50th anniversary journal 1961-2011, a club history with similar coverage, edited by Rob Middleton.

Shuttleworth Pot into Witches Cave II, edited by Pete Monk and published by CNCC, being a comprehensive and timely documentation of the caves exploration (a factor that the judges felt that other caves would benefit from).

Aspects of the History of Slovene Karst 1545-2008 by Trevor Shaw, a fine piece of research immaculately presented to the reader, just as we would expect from this author. It is also dated 2010 but was not available for consideration until 2011.

After much deliberation, from among these commended publications the judges unanimously decided that the 2011 Tratman Award should go to Decades in the Dark. In reaching their decision, the judges noted that it contains a high volume of material written specifically for the publication (rather than only reprinting past articles), it is liberally scattered with photographs and the text is interesting and readable (this publication is far more than a chronology).

Congratulations therefore go to Alan Goon Jeffreys and his team from the Grampian SG. All entries in the shortlist should note the prestige that is conferred here, though there can only be one winner. The award itself is a piece of original artwork by Mark Gonzo Lumley, which was presented at Hidden Earth 2012.

Chris Howes, on behalf of the judges

Tratman Award 2010

For the 2010 award the rules were rewritten and clarified (the rules appear below) and judging reverted to a requirement for three independent cavers to make recommendations to the Ghar Parau committee for ratification. For 2010 these judges were Chris Howes, Alan Jeffreys and Martin Mills.

The judges considered a wide range of publications, including both books and club journals. From among the many the final shortlist became: Matienzo, edited by Juan Corrin and Peter Smith, this being an amazingly packed book devoted to the exploration of this area of Spain and including maps and data on CD-ROM, Is That So?, compiled and edited by Rob Taviner in support of the Mendip Cave Registry and Archive, Wookey Hole by Jim Hanwell, Duncan Price and Richard Witcombe, being both a superb book as well as a club-based publication, and the Red Rose CPC Journal (10) edited by Paul Swire.

It is worth noting that although the latter journal bears a 2009 imprint, its publication was delayed until 2010 and thus it was eligible for consideration this year. It is an excellent example of a general rise in production quality of club journals, both in design and printing, which the judges noted across the board and which we hope will continue.

All these titles are therefore commended but the final decision was, it must be stressed, an extremely difficult and close one to make with Matienzo and Wookey Hole competing for the award. Thankfully, as there was no award made in 2009, the Ghar Parau Foundation committee offered to support two prizes in 2010, so both editorial teams accepted awards at Hidden Earth in September, on behalf of the many cavers who had input into the respective projects. Congratulations go to all involved. The award itself is a framed piece of original artwork by Mark 'Gonzo' Lumley depicting the respective books.

Chris Howes, on behalf of the judges
Republicans oppose a commission to investigate the January 6th attempt to overthrow Congress. They say they are undecided if it was really an insurrection or just a protest. Did they not see it in real time? They were locked in the basement cowering in fear while the traitors screamed hang Pence! Republicans have to make up their minds if they honor the Constitution and rule of law or a twice impeached, one-term liar.
Description

Northern Caves

In one sense, caving guidebooks are the lifeblood of British caving; they detail sites and tell us where to go, how to gain access, even where lesser caves are found that we think are worth digging. The caves of northern England were covered by a set of three guides, long out of print and out of date. Now, in September 2017, we see the publication of a new guidebook: Northern Caves. The Three Counties System and the North-West (thus, roughly speaking, replacing the old volume 3).

This is a major undertaking that has consumed a decade of the authors' lives, producing a thick, finely produced and printed softback with a laminated cover and sewn pages for strength; it runs to 472 pages, including 21 new maps and 33 surveys (three of them double-pages). Every caver who visits the north will wish to have a copy and Wild Places is proud to stock the guide. As is usual on this site, the price includes postage.

Also enjoy a free caving-related, laminated bookmark with your book order, while stocks last.
The shop's peaceful color palette and textured, tasteful decor complement the brand's California cool meets elegant European clothing.

Plus, Sant & Abel and CW Stockwell host a pop-up to celebrate their very pink PJ collab, Codex Beauty Labs makes cheeky socks to promote its vegan skincare, and Airstream x Pottery Barn release their second wanderlust-inspired collection.

Rails opens a brick-and-mortar in Hayes Valley, plaid-shirt aficionados rejoice. (Courtesy of Rails) L.A. lifestyle brand Rails finally traveled north and christened its first Bay Area boutique. With a minimalist color palette, wood detailing and vintage fabrics, the 1,600-square-foot space is the perfect backdrop for the label's effortless essentials. The men's and women's staples, including the brand's signature plaid shirts with an incredible hand-feel, are a sublime blend of laid-back SoCal cool and refined European style. We're thinking founder/creative director/Cal Berkeley alum Jeff Abrams probably wants an excuse to regularly visit his old stomping grounds...and who can blame him? ICYMI: Rail's moved into the former home of longtime resident Dish, which shuttered during the pandemic (boo) but opened a new spot in Oakland (yay!). // Rails, 541 Hayes St. (Hayes Valley), railsclothing.com

Think pink and up your pajama game with Sant and Abel x CW Stockwell. (Courtesy of Sant and Abel/CW Stockwell) What happens when a storied 115-year-old California wallpaper company (CW Stockwell) gets in bed with a luxe sleepwear brand (Sant and Abel)? Pink Martinique banana leaf pajamas, of course. Available in several styles for women, men and kids, the PJs are based on a much lovedand much imitatedwallpaper pattern designed by CWS in 1942. To celebrate the beautiful blush collab, the partners are popping up on Thursday, May 20th (10am to 4pm) at the new Evars Collective furniture showroom in San Carlos. Not only can you scoop up the PJs but you'll be able to shop an assortment of CW Stockwell pillows. FYI: Evars Collective is normally open only to the trade, so get a peek while you can. We're making a beeline for the night shirt and the champers. // Pajamas are $65 to $198; shop the May 20th pop-up at Evars Collective, 1600 El Camino Real (San Carlos), or online at santandabel.com.

Codex Beauty Labs educates folks on the benefits of sustainable skincare with...statement socks. (Courtesy of Codex Beauty Labs) Silicon Valley's Codex Beauty Labs decided to have a little fun and celebrate its new #InformedNotInfluenced campaign with a really good pair of unise) athleisure socksembroidered with "Talk nerdy to me." There's also a white tee with the INI hashtag. The limited-edition organic-cotton merch is meant to help inform consumers about the benefits of, and science behind, CBL's pioneering, plant-based biotech products. Along with the socks (to be worn scrunched, obvi), we're psyched to try the bestselling Bia Facial Oil and Bia Skin Superfood. We're confident that CEO/founder Dr. Barbara Paldus, who has a Ph.D. from Stanford, knows her science. // The socks are $11 and the tee is $26. Shop online at codexbeauty.com.
Poised at the top of Nob Hill, the iconic Intercontinental Mark Hopkins Hotel is a piece of San Francisco history with classical architecture, stellar views, and the familiar sounds of cable cars passing the grand entrance.

The place feels designed for photo ops, which makes it a particularly popular destination for couples looking to get married in classic SF style.

(Sarah Dawson Photography)

For every wedding at the Mark Hopkins, a team of expert local vendors comes together to create an intimate, luxurious experience inspired by the city.

"One of the best reasons to love San Francisco is its value of inclusivity," says Christine Eng, the wedding coordinator also known as the WeddEng Boss. "I look to diversity and appreciate the richness of different backgrounds in all talents, from the florist to the candy maker to the stationer," she says.

When considering just where exactly to hold the rehearsal dinner, ceremony or reception, couples will first ride the elevator up to the Mark Hopkins' 18th floor, which is home to two luxury suites with nearly 100 years of SF stories to tell. The penthouse is dressed in rich mahogany and antique furnishings and has views of downtown and the bay. Across the way is the California suite, which has a soft, romantic allure thanks to its ornate architecture and marble fireplace, beautiful furnishings, and sunset light coming through arched windows that overlook the Golden Gate Bridge.

(Sarah Dawson Photography)

If you prefer to say "I do" outside, the terrace in the opulent Mark Hopkins suite is the ideal location for small alfresco nuptials. Only the simplest of garlands are needed to enhance this space where the SF skyline doubles as decor and provides the perfect backdrop for live painter Talia Koval to capture your special moment.



For larger celebrations, the Room of the Dons is a posh setting with 26-foot ceilings, a towering arched window draped in silk brocade, and vibrant murals depicting scenes of early California including one of Queen Calafia and her Amazons set against a gold leaf sky. The Peacock Court ballroom, with its intricate plasterwork ceiling and crystal sconces, sets a magical stage for dinner and dancing.

Of course, much of the wedding magic is in the details, and the Mark Hopkins offers turnkey service with the help of acclaimed local artisans, photographers, florists, and more. Here vibrant yellow florals with hints of mint leaves (taking a sunny note from Pantone's vibrant yellow color of the year, Illuminating) were designed by Verde SF. A macaron tower created by Artisan Macaron added a sense of fun and whimsy to the rich, historic space. Craft cocktails using hand-squeezed lemonade from Gourmonade set a fresh, light tone for the celebration.

When it comes time to dine, guests will be seated at thoughtfully set tables with classic flatware and traditional silver Mark Hopkins base plates, with the option of name cards penned in classic calligraphy script. Dinner, made with locally sourced ingredients, is curated and prepared by Mark Hopkins' executive chef Chad Bayless.

Once the vows have been exchanged and party favors given out, sumptuous suites await the newlyweds.





Venue: Intercontinental Mark Hopkins, @weddingsatthemark

Wedding Coordinator: Christine Eng, WeddEng Boss, @weddengboss

Photographer: Sarah Dawson Photography, @sarahdawsonphotographer

Florist: Monica Lomas, Verde SF, @verdesf

Macaron cake: Chef Alex Trouan of Artisan Macaron, @artisanmacaron

Linens: Napa Valley Linens, @napavalleylinens

Stationer: Praneetha Malipeddu, Design by Pran, @designbypran

Calligrapher: Tiffany Padilla, Handlettered by Tiffany, @handletteredbytiffany

Cookies: Mariko Nobori, Short Streets Sweets, @shortstreetsweets

Desserts: Raylina Joseph Allen, Candy Queen, @candyqueen_est2009

Chocolatier: Recchiuti Confections, @recchiuticonfections

Lemonade: Vicktor Stevenson, Gourmonade, @gourmonade

Live Artist: Talia Koval, @taliakovalart

Models: Ricky Ohlssen (@rjohlssen) and Gabriel Januario (@gabrieljanuar)

Stylist: Rachel Kludjian, @rkludjian

Hair and Makeup: Jasmine Chan, Beauty by Jasmine, @beautybyjasminechan

Jeweler: Elaine Abesames, Elaine & Co, @elaineandco

Shoes: Jimmy Choo, @jimmychoounionsquare

Seamstress: Cindy Ma, Sunny Dry Cleaners

Car: Michelle Turner, @mcurach
Getty Images

En espanol | The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued a warning to Americans with pacemakers and other implanted medical devices about magnets in cellphones and smartwatches that could cause the devices to malfunction.

Though the agency stressed that the risk to patients is low, it said there is potential for the phones or watches to cause pacemakers  the small defibrillators implanted in the chest that keep the heart at a normal rhythm  to switch to magnet mode and thus be unable to detect and adjust irregular heartbeats. The implantable medical devices are equipped with a magnet mode to temporarily halt normal operations when exposed to a magnet to allow for tests such as MRI scans to be safely conducted. When a pacemaker stops functioning and can't, say, deliver shocks to the heart when in distress, the FDA warned, the patient could experience dizziness, lose consciousness or even die.


Reports 23.0 Metres of 2.31% Cu from Final RC Drilling Results

Ontario, May 19, 2021 AEST (ABN Newswire) - White Metal Resources Corp. ( CVE:WHM ) ( FRA:CGK1 ) ( OTCMKTS:TNMLF ) is pleased report that it has received the final batch of assay results from the remaining 15 reverse circulation ("RC") drill holes from its January-February 2021 drilling program (28 drill holes totalling 3,226 m) (Table 1*).The Company previously announced results from 13 drill holes (see Company news releases 23 March 2021 and 8 April 2021). All drill holes from the current program targeted the area of the historical Okohongo Cu-Ag Deposit ("Okohongo"). The 95% owned Taranis Copper-Silver Project (the "Project" or "Property"), which includes the historical Okohongo Copper-Silver Deposit, is located in northwestern Namibia and is defined by Exclusive Prospecting Licence ("EPL") 7071, covering about 19,850 hectares.Michael Stares, President & CEO of the Company stated, "We see again that the RC drill holes from Okohongo are confirming the historical results and we look forward to completing a current NI 43-101 mineral resource estimate and technical report very soon. Strong copper and silver prices have given this project a robust valuation and we look forward to receiving our Property renewal in the coming months. We will be working aggressively to maximise the value of our Namibian copper projects, while maintaining our focus on our flagship property, the Tower Stock Gold Property, located in northwestern Ontario, Canada."The recently completed RC drilling program (OK20-P series holes) on the Property was aimed at twinning, as close as possible and as reflected in Table 2*, many of the RC drill holes that were used to calculate the 2011 historical mineral resource estimate, but did include some newly located holes.There were no significant intersections in drill hole OK20-P013 and drill holes OK20-P09, -010, -015, and -016 did not intersect visible copper mineralization and were therefore not sampled. Intervals shown in Table 2* are not true widths but rather, refer to the RC chip sample intervals that were assayed.Now that the Company has received all the results from the recently completed drilling program it will begin the process of updating the historical mineral resources from the Okohongo Cu-Ag Deposit to a current National Instrument 43-101 ("NI 43-101") mineral resource estimate and technical report.The historical Okohongo Cu-Ag Deposit has been outlined by historical and current drilling which shows that it extends for 600+ metres in strike length, 400 metres down-dip, and is open in all directions (see INV Metals news release dated August 3, 2011). The Okohongo, situated within the Kaoko Belt of northwest Namibia about 700 km northwest of Windhoek, is hosted by metasedimentary stratigraphy and is considered to be analogous with the stratiform sediment-hosted Central African Copperbelt deposits of Zambia and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. This deposit contains historical Inferred Mineral Resources of 10.2 million tonnes grading 1.12% Cu and 17.75 g/t Ag, using a 0.3% Cu cut-off (Table 3*; INV Metals Inc. NI 43-101 Technical Report, Effective Date March 31, 2011).The Company is treating the tonnages and grades reported in Table 3* as historical mineral resources. The Inferred mineral resource estimate reported in Table 3* for the Okohongo Copper-Silver Deposit was prepared by qualified authors in 2011, conforming to CIM Definition Standards on Mineral Resources and Mineral Reserves as outlined in National Instrument 43-101, Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects at the time of disclosure. A qualified person has not done sufficient work to classify the historical estimates as current mineral resources or mineral reserves and the Company is not treating the historical estimates as current mineral resources or mineral reserves. Investors are cautioned that the historical estimates do not mean or imply that economic deposits exist on the Property. The Company has not undertaken any independent investigation of the historical estimates or other information contained in this news release nor has it independently analyzed the results of the previous exploration work in order to verify the accuracy of the information. The Company believes that this historical estimate and other information contained in this news release are relevant to continuing exploration on the Property.Sample AnalysisRC chip samples were sent to the Activation Laboratories Ltd. ("Actlabs") preparation lab in Windhoek, Namibia and once prepared were sent to Actlabs in Ancaster, Ontario, Canada for analyses. The samples were first analysed with 4-Acid "Near Total" Digestion (1F2) with ICP-OES finish for Ag, Cu and a suite of 33 other elements. Subsequently, samples with Ag greater than 100 ppm (above Ag upper detection limit) were analysed with Fire Assay Gravimetric (8-Ag) and Cu greater than 10,000 ppm (above Cu upper detection limit) were analysed with sodium peroxide fusion with ICP-OES finish (8-Peroxide ICP). A Quality Control/Quality Assurance ("QA/QC") program consisting of the regular insertion of Certified Reference Material copper-silver standards and blanks into the sample stream by the Company was in place as was the industry standard internal QA/QC practices used by Actlabs.Qualified PersonTechnical information in this news release has been reviewed and approved by Dr. Scott Jobin-Bevans (P.Geo.), Vice President Exploration and a Director of White Metal, who is a Qualified Person under the definitions established by the NI 43-101.*To view tables and figures, please visit:About White Metal Resources Corp

White Metal Resources Corp. (CVE:WHM) (FRA:CGK1) is a junior exploration company exploring in Canada and southern Africa. For more information about the Company please visit www.whitemetalres.com.


CEO Update to Shareholders

Melbourne, May 19, 2021 AEST (ABN Newswire) - Nova Minerals Ltd ( ASX:NVA ) ( FRA:QM3 ) ( OTCMKTS:NVAAF ) had another year of tremendous growth in 2020. We started the year with a 2.5Moz resource at the Korbel Main deposit, and with all drill holes up to December 2020, increased the resource to 4.7Moz (ASX 7 April 2021). Korbel Main remains wide open for further resource upside. As such, our drilling programs at Korbel Main this year are focused on ongoing infill and extensional drilling to continue to increase the global resource, as well as prove-up the resource to the measured and indicated categories. In addition to Korbel Main, we have additional drilling planned on other targets within the Korbel Valley, including Isabella, You Beauty, and Cathedral. It is our goal to provide the next global resource update for Korbel later this year.An interim scoping study is currently underway and on track for delivery in July 2021. This study will be based on the current 4.7Moz resource at Korbel Main. The conceptual process flow sheet as reported (ASX 5 May 2021) marks a major milestone in delivering a key input towards the completion of this study. The study is intended to provide a 'snap-shot in time' to demonstrate a potentially viable pathway to production while acting as a stepping stone towards a PFS, which will commence forthwith.Unlocking the significant resource upside potential across the greater Estelle Gold Project area is a top priority in 2021. To realize this potential, the highly ranked RPM prospect is being advanced towards resource delineation. RPM is drill ready and we expect to mobilise the rig in coming weeks to commence drilling with the view to complete a Maiden Resource Estimate to be reported later in 2021. This will add serious depth to the project with the potential of significantly increasing the global resource inventory, possibly opening up a second deposit for resource development. Over 20 km of highly prospective mineralized strike length separate Korbel and RPM, and is paved with 15 other known prospects and numerous, unnamed gold showings throughout. Geological mapping and sampling teams are waiting to hit the ground in coming months to begin advancing these prospects with the aim of creating further drill targets. Exciting times lie ahead as we continue our mission to unlock the district's gold endowment.We are currently establishing an on-site sample prep-lab facility with construction nearing completion. The first samples are expected to be processed through the lab and shipped out in coming weeks. The prep-lab will provide significant savings due to an owner-operator cost structure, as well as significantly reduced freight costs, with samples being 1/10th the original weight. A drastic improvement in turnaround times for assay results has been a key motivator in establishing our on-site prep-lab. As we await the commissioning of the on-site prep-lab, we have temporarily started to ship out samples from the ongoing 2021 drilling program to the commercial lab. We expect these assay results to be returned over the coming weeks and will report said results to the market as they become available. Geologically, some of these samples are looking very promising, showing encouraging gold grade indicators in terms mineralogy and high vein densities.It is full steam ahead for Nova as we continue to explore what we believe to be a world-class resource while advancing down our fast-track path towards production. By implementing our dual exploration and development strategy, we seek to maximise our ability to create value for shareholders through both resource growth and project development.In addition, we have kicked off our environmental studies, which include wetlands, fisheries, hydrology and geochemistry studies as we navigate the approval process in line with the Company's objective of fast tracking Korbel to production.RotorX, 9.9% owned by Nova, continues to sell helicopter kits and parts for the Phoenix A600 Turbo, an advanced, high quality, two-seat helicopter, with a range of 170 miles. Orders can be placed online and by contacting RotorX directly. The team, based in Chandler, Arizona, is now 20 strong. Current and projected earnings are looking very promising.As of April 2021, Rotor X is developing an electric version of the Phoenix A600 helicopter and hybrid versions of the Transporter A and B, which are autonomous flying vehicles designed to carry payload at range. RotorX aims to revolutionise the electric air taxi industry, by developing vehicles that outperform competition in reliability, performance, maintainability and cost.The relevant patents will be filed imminently.For more information, please visit www.rotorxaircraft.com2021 Focus Highlights- 4.7 Million Ounce Interim Gold Resource at Korbel alone- Strong safety and environmental performance with proactive implementation of COVID-19 "test, trace, isolate" policies- Phase 2 metallurgical test work including bulk sample ore sorting studies- Continued Exploration Success with priority targets set on the Estelle Gold Property to increase ounces significantly- Convergence of Blocks A and B into one zone- Korbel Main- Korbel Main drill results establish high-grade domains- Strong indications for Blocks C, D, Connex and Isabella to converge into the Korbel Main deposit- Pad 6 south-east extension high-grade feeder system continues along strike.- Extensive Diamond and RC drill program underway- RPM Expands the Resource Drilling Footprint for 2021 with RPM1 and RPM2- Exceptional Phase 1 Ore Sorting Results - Bulk ore sorting alone demonstrated a 25% upgrade of 0.25g/t feed grade with a sorter reject waste grade of 0.06g/t.- Interim scoping study well advanced for Korbel- Jade North, LLC appointed to advance Environmental work program and provide Permitting guidance at Nova's 4.7Moz Korbel Main deposit in Alaska- Nova has retained Environmental and Permitting Specialists Ed Fogels and Bob Loeffler, Principals at Jade North, to build on Nova's ESG commitments o Engaged Future Proof Consulting to assist with our sustainability reporting.- Baseline environmental field studies and permit pathway commenced as pointed out- Resource update and explorationo Drill results forthcomingo Further Korbel main resource update to followo RPM maiden resource drill program maiden resource estimate to followo Geochemical sampling and mapping programs across claims Priority on Shoeshine, Stoney, T5, Train 20 miles of strike length with numerous unnamed colour anomalies to be investigated- Economic and permitting:o Baseline Environmental surveys and commence permittingo Economic assessment Pit Optimisation Mine Design and Infrastructure Optimal Engineering design Trade off studies Economic Estimation- Investment in Torian Resources Ltd ( ASX:TNR ) holding includes 12.99% interest in TNR- 9.9% interest on RotorX aircraft manufacturing who have grown in leaps and bounds with news to come on their electric version of the Phoenix A600 helicopter. Concurrently, hybrid versions of the Transporter A and B, which are autonomous flying vehicles designed to carry payload at range, are being built.- Established a strong team in Snow Lake Resourceso New York IPO on trackWe have aggressive exploration programs planned at the Estelle Gold Project to both expand the existing deposit areas and identify new targets. We recently expanded our land holdings by staking additional claims to capture some of this highly prospective new ground, expanding the claim block to 324 Km2. The geological fundamentals indicate that the Estelle Gold Project contains considerable upside potential which will be demonstrated by the results of our ongoing aggressive work programs in the coming year and beyond. To be clear, our prime objective is to be the next low-cost gold producer in Alaska while growing gold resources through continued development of known prospects and further discoveries.This is a transformational time for Nova Minerals with an interest in two company-making assets moving forward at the same time, with crucial minerals in long term bull markets. Both Gold and Lithium hold significant near-term upside and further value creation over the long term. I am committed to delivering on our objectives, meeting your expectations, maintaining open communication and delivering on our value creation strategy.Although it has been a slow start to news flow in 2021, it is full steam ahead and we are only getting started at the Estelle Gold Project.About Nova Minerals Ltd

Nova Minerals Limited (ASX:NVA) (FRA:QM3) (OTCMKTS:NVAAF) is a dynamic explorer and developer of its flagship Estelle Gold district in the Tintina gold belt. Nova's strategy is to substantially increase the current 4.7Moz resource on the Korbel prospect. Subsequently to continue to lock in value through moving Korbel towards production whilst increasing the resource base across the pipeline of targets within the Estelle gold district. Nova Minerals also holds strategic investments in Snow Lake Resources Ltd (Thompson Brothers Lithium Project), Torian Resources Ltd (ASX:TNR) and RotorX Aircraft Manufacturing Co.
Liu Wudai is an inheritor of China's intangible court-style, cloth shoe-making heritage. The handmade shoes craft inherited by Liu boasts a history of over one hundred years.

To inherit and promote the craft, he has built a self-funded museum on cloth shoe culture. Liu has collected over 1,200 pairs of shoes from different periods and ethnicities in his shoe museum, along with embroidered shoes and clogs, and various cobbling tools.

Making shoes by hand is both a craft and culture, Liu said. He set up the shoe museum in 2016 to help more people understand the tradition. In order to better inherit the craft, Liu constantly improves his skills.

Today, Liu has developed more than 20 kinds of products with an annual output of more than 200,000 pairs. They are very popular in Beijing, Shanghai and Guangzhou. Some have been exported to South Korea, Russia and other countries.
WENN Celebrity

The 'Lonely Guy' actor remembers his late co-star in a tribute post, describing the latter as 'one of the funniest people' he'd ever met following news of his passing.

May 19, 2021

AceShowbiz - Steve Martin and Albert Brooks are leading tributes to Charles Grodin following news of the actor's death on Tuesday (18May21).

Grodin lost his battle with cancer at his home in Connecticut and Martin, his co-star in 1984 comedy "The Lonely Guy", was quick to offer his respects.

"So sad to hear. One of the funniest people I ever met...," he tweeted, while Brooks called Grodin a "brilliant comedy actor," adding, "I had the wonderful experience of working with him in my first feature Real Life and he was amazing. Rest In Peace, Chuck."

"I loved Charles Grodin so much," tweeted Kathy Griffin. "He would bust my b**ls and give me so much s**t in a way that left me no choice but to giggle with glee. Never mean spirited, just quick and brilliant."

She also posted a video clip of Grodin calling Fox News anchor Sean Hannity a "fascist."

There were also social media tributes from Paul Reiser, Billy Eichner, Eric Stonestreet, Patton Oswalt, Marc Maron, and Rob Schneider, who tweeted, "In my opinion, the funniest performance ever given by an Actor in a Hollywood movie was Charles Grodin in 'The Heartbreak Kid!' He once told me that 'If you like that movie too much, I worry about you.' Clearly Charles spent too much time in therapy. Thank you for ALL the LAUGHS!"

Meanwhile, "Frozen" star Josh Gad added, "No, not #CharlesGrodin. Rest In Peace Legend. Thank you for every gift you gave us, especially the masterpiece that is Midnight Run."
WENN/Brengola-Diena Celebrity

The High Flying Birds.star reveals he often gets mistaken for his estranged brother and former Oasis bandmate Liam Gallagher by fans but he never corrects them.

May 19, 2021

AceShowbiz - Noel Gallagher frequently gets mistaken for brother Liam by fans asking for pictures.

The former Oasis rocker has revealed he is often called Liam by selfie-seeking followers, but he never corrects them, despite being at loggerheads with the "Wonderwall" group's former frontman since their demise in 2009.

Appearing on Matt Morgan's "Funny How" podcast, Noel said, "I humour most people. I get f**king people going: 'Can I get a picture Liam?' I go 'Yeah, yeah, yeah, no problem, oh mad for it.' I don't stamp my feet and go: 'Stop calling me that.' "

Meanwhile, although the feuding brothers are no longer talking, the pair have been listed as executive producers on the upcoming feature-length documentary about their iconic Knebworth shows.

The chart-topping band played to 250,000 fans across two days in August 1996, and their record-breaking shows are now poised to be turned into a film, directed by Jake Scott and released later this year (21).

Speaking about the project, Jake said, "It's a story driven entirely by the music, a rock and roll experience, told in the moment, like a visual stream of consciousness that is built around the extensive archive footage from the event. No on-camera interviews or unnecessary celebrity recollections."

The announcement of the Knebworth shows prompted four per cent of the population to apply for tickets and almost 25 years later, the gigs remain a milestone for rock 'n' roll in Britain.

The documentary is being produced by RSA Films.
Instagram TV

The 'Aquaman' actor is set to roam the United States to meet influential people leading the way in their respective fields for an upcoming docu-series.

May 19, 2021

AceShowbiz - Jason Momoa is hitting the road for a new TV docuseries.

The "Aquaman" star will travel across the U.S. in "On the Roam" to seek out various people, including musicians, athletes, craftsmen, and motorcycle fabricators, who are leading the way in their respective fields and making a difference in their industry, reports People.com.

In addition to hosting, Momoa will serve as an executive producer on the show, which will air on U.S. network Discovery.

A statement released by the actor reads, "On the Roam is an endless quest for me to discover extraordinary people and places. I'm thrilled to be collaborating with Discovery on this journey."

Nancy Daniels, Chief Brand Officer for Discovery & Factual, adds, "We are so thrilled to welcome Jason to the Discovery family! He brings such fresh curiosity and has a magnetic pull to those who've become masters of their craft."

"This is a series about finding your personal inspiration through exploration and immersing yourself in other people's passions and processes. I'm incredibly excited for viewers to follow Jason's quest and learn with him along the way."

A premiere date has yet to be announced.

Jason Momoa previously revealed he asked Metallica's bassist Robert Trujillo to teach him how to play guitar.

"When I'm with Robert it's like we both came out of the same cave. We're the spitting image, and I absolutely adore him and his son and his family, they're amazing," the actor gushed.
Instagram Music

T.J. Osborne and his bandmate John are scheduled to headline the upcoming annual music event this summer in an effort to raise money to support the LGBTQ community.

May 19, 2021

AceShowbiz - Brothers Osborne are to headline the 2021 Concert for Love and Acceptance this June (21).

The siblings lead the line-up for the annual event, which supports the LGBTQ community with proceeds going to GLAAD, MusiCares, and Nashville's Oasis Center.

T.J. Osborne came out as gay earlier this year, with Brothers Osborne later releasing the tune "Younger Me" in a bid to help anyone else going through a similar experience.

Brooke Eden, Harper Grae, Chris Housman, Kristin Chenoweth, LoCash, Kathy Mattea, Rissi Palmer, Gretchen Peters, Tenille Townes, Walker County, and Chase Wright are also on the bill for the 30 June concert, which will be streamed online on CMT's Facebook and YouTube channels.

The concert is produced by bosses at Ty Herndon's charitable organisation the Foundation for Love & Acceptance, which he founded in 2015, and CMT (Country Music Television), with Herndon also set to host alongside CMT's Cody Alan. "This event comes from my heart, and I hope it continues to resonate with people all around the world as we spread a message of acceptance for all people and work toward a world where only love remains," Herndon said in a press release.

Brothers Osborne recently called out Republican politicians for shutting down plans to honor T.J. as a trailblazer for becoming the only openly-gay artist currently signed to a major country label in a genre typically known for its conservatism.

Kacey Musgraves also slammed the politicians, "Massively disappointed in TN House Republicans for blocking my friend @TJOsborne for being honored because HE'S GAY (sic)!?"
China urges U.S. to shoulder due responsibility on Palestine-Israel conflict

Xinhua) 08:17, May 19, 2021

BEIJING, May 18 (Xinhua) -- China on Tuesday urged the United States to shoulder its due responsibility on the Palestine-Israel conflict and support the UN Security Council (UNSC) to play its due role in promoting the easing of the situation, rebuilding trust and political settlement.

The United States on Sunday blocked attempts for the third time at the UNSC to pass a joint resolution condemning the violent escalation of the Palestine-Israel conflict, and U.S. media reported on Monday that the Biden administration greenlighted the sale of 735 million U.S. dollars worth of precision-guided weapons to Israel.

Foreign Ministry spokesperson Zhao Lijian told a daily news briefing that during an emergency open meeting on Sunday, the majority of UNSC members called for an immediate ceasefire and preventing a full-blown crisis; all required protecting civilians and avoiding more casualties; all sticked to a political settlement and called on Palestine and Israel to resume peace talks on the basis of the "two-state solution" at an early date; all believed that the Security Council should speak in a unanimous voice, advance the peace talks process in a just manner and work for the peaceful coexistence of Palestine and Israel.

"However, instead of actively preventing the Palestinian-Israeli conflict, the United States is prepared to add fuel to the fire," Zhao said, adding that the United States has fallen into unprecedented isolation in the UNSC and stands completely on the opposite side of human conscience and morality.

The international community is deeply disappointed with what the United States has done in the Palestine-Israel conflict, the spokesperson said, adding that people cannot help but ask, is this the American human rights and values diplomacy that the U.S. government flaunts? Why does the United States pay no attention to the human rights of the Palestinian people when it talks about defending the human rights of Muslims?

"The United States only cares about its own interests; maybe it is just using human rights as a cover. The Security Council has been unable to take action on the Palestine-Israel conflict because of the U.S. opposition. Is this what the United States calls rules-based international order?" Zhao added.

"In the face of the increasing loss of innocent civilian lives as a result of the conflict, the United States should shoulder its due responsibility, take a just position and join the majority of the international community in supporting the Security Council in playing its due role in easing the situation, rebuilding trust and achieving a political settlement," Zhao said.

(Web editor: Shi Xi, Du Mingming)
Celebrations for International Museum Day 2021 (IMD) began on Tuesday at the Capital Museum of China in Beijing, the main venue for this year's IMD events in China.

The opening ceremony of International Museum Day 2021 is held at the Capital Museum of China in Beijing on May 18, 2021. [Photo courtesy of the Capital Museum of China]

In keeping with this year's IMD theme, "The Future of Museums: Recovery and Reimagine," Chinese museums called for innovative ways to think, explore, and put forward new plans on how to deal with challenges facing society, the economy, and the environment. The museum representatives also put a focus on how they could adjust and improve their own functions and future direction in the context of a fast-changing world.

During Tuesday's opening, Hu Heping, Chinese minister of culture and tourism, and Chen Jining, mayor of Beijing, jointly opened a new exhibition titled "Eternal Treasures of Ten Thousand Years  An exhibition on China's achievements in cultural heritage preservation."

A series of activities such as the "Museum's 5G New Life," "Golden Microphone Award Winners Interacting at Museums," and the TV program "China's National Treasure Competition" also kicked off the opening.

Deputy Minister of Culture and Tourism, Li Qun, announced at the opening that China's museum industry has made remarkable achievements. By the end of 2020, there were 5,788 registered museums throughout the country, including 1,224 first-grade, second-grade, and third-grade national museums. This demonstrates modern museum system with rich variety spread across diverse topics has largely been formed, Li said.

In 2020, even when facing challenges brought by the COVID-19 epidemic, Chinese museums still managed to launch over 29,000 exhibitions and around 225,000 activities, receiving 540 million visitors and millions of online audiences, Li added.

Alberto Garlandini, president of the International Council of Museum (ICOM), sent a video congratulating those at the event. He also used the occasion to reaffirm the long-term and successful cooperation between the ICOM and the Chinese museum community, and called on museums around the world to join hands to build a bridge between peoples and cultures of all countries and promote the development of cultural diversity.

Attendees at the International Museum Day 2021 opening ceremony in Beijing, held at the Capital Museum of China on May 18, 2021. [Photo courtesy of the Capital Museum of China]

Winners of the "Most Innovative Museums 2021" and the 18th "Top Ten National Museum Exhibitions (2020)" were also announced at the opening ceremony. Tuesday also witnessed a theme forum about IMD and also held at the Capital Museum, which discussed the development of museums in the new era, as well as a "Museum Night" event featuring exhibitions, dramas, Peking Opera performances, and dances.

To mark IMD 2021, museums across China will hold various events, including notable exhibitions, academic seminars, workshops, conferences, public experience events, and cultural heritage promotion activities.
Instagram Celebrity

Rachelle Jenks has accused the 'Whatever You Like' rapper and his wife of drugging and sexually assaulting her in Sin City in 2010, but police is forced to close it due to the state's statute of limitations.

May 19, 2021

AceShowbiz - Las Vegas police bosses have closed a sexual assault case against rapper T.I. and his wife, because it falls outside the state's statute of limitations.

Rachelle Jenks claimed she was drugged and sexually assaulted by the couple in Sin City in 2010, but the complaint was only filed earlier this month (May 2021), leaving cops unable to do anything.

It's one of several drugging and sexual assault allegations made against the couple. Police in Los Angeles are investigating claims a woman made against the couple about an alleged incident in 2005.

According to a new police report obtained by TMZ, the accuser claims she met the rapper and his wife at a club, and accepted a drink from Tiny (Tameka Cottle), who invited her back to the pair's hotel room along with two other women.

She was eventually left alone with T.I. and Tiny, took a shower with them and rubbed oil on the rap star as they watched a porn film.

The woman claims she felt sick, went to the bathroom to throw up, and blacked out. She woke up the next morning with a sore vagina and a burning sensation.

On reports of the couple being investigated, their lawyer Steve Sadow has previously issued a statement. "The Harrises have not spoken to or been contacted by the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD), the Las Vegas Police Department (LVPD) or, indeed, any member of law enforcement from any other jurisdiction in the country," he said.

"Even assuming the story in the Daily Beast is close to accurate, it appears the LAPD 'accuser' has chosen once again to remain anonymous, thereby preventing us from being in a position to disprove or refute her allegations - or even examine them," Steve continued. "Meanwhile, although we now appear for the first time to have the name of an 'accuser' who supposedly filed a police report with LVPD, we have absolutely zero details about her or her claim."
Instagram/WENN/Avalon Celebrity

When gushing over the 'Kissing Booth' actor, the daughter of Cindy Crawford admits that being able to be with someone she trusts has really opened her eyes to 'the possibilities of love.'

May 19, 2021

AceShowbiz - Kaia Gerber has opened up more about her romantic relationship with Jacob Elordi. In a new interview, the daughter of Cindy Crawford has raved over the benefit of having a "safe, steady relationship" with her boyfriend.

Gracing the June/July cover of Vogue magazine, the 19-year-old beauty talked in her profile story about her relationship with "The Kissing Booth" actor. She told the outlet, "Being able to be with someone I trust, where we don't want anything from each other, having a safe, steady relationship like that, has really opened my eyes to the possibilities of love."

Kaia went on to note that having a healthy relationship with her beau made her understand how to be loved "without conditions." On the subject of love and lust, the model further shared her thought by stating, "Lust is touching other people or wanting them, but love is really seeing someone."

Elsewhere in the interview, Kaia explained that Jacob has been helping her to prepare her upcoming acting debut in season 10 of "American Horror Story". Gushing over her 23-year-old actor boyfriend, she said, "He's a great person for me to go to because he's gone to drama school and has years of experience that I don't have. So I'm like, 'Oh, I'm definitely going to be using you as a resource.' "

When promoting her featured piece, Kaia shared her cover shot on Instagram. Along with it, she wrote, "I can't help but get emotional over this one, my first solo american vogue cover. I feel like I'm holding little Kaia and telling her that she will have a voice one day, reminding her not to grow up too fast."

"The last four years have given me so much to be grateful for, but they have also taught me so many lessons - some harder to learn than others. there have been many moments were I felt like my body and face were being used to interpret who I am," she continued. "finally feeling free of that and continuing to learn as I grow."

Kaia and Jacob first sparked dating rumors when they were spotted dining out together at Nobu in Malibu in September 2020. Though the twosome showed no PDA at the time, a source spilled to E! News that "Jacob definitely has interest in dating Kaia."

The lovebirds has since made their relationship Instagram official. In November that same year, the couple showed off their coordinated Halloween costumes. The model was seen wearing Priscilla Presley, while the "Euphoria" actor dressed up as Elvis Presley.
WENN/Instagram/Adriana M. Barraza Celebrity

In his book 'Can I Say: Living Large, Cheating Death, and Drums, Drums, Drums', the Blink-182 drummer admits that he 'really wanted to see Kim' when his marriage with Shanna Moakler was on the rocks.

May 19, 2021

AceShowbiz - Travis Barker didn't shy away from expressing his admiration for Kim Kardashian in his 2015 autobiography. In his book called "Can I Say: Living Large, Cheating Death, and Drums, Drums, Drums", the Blink-182 drummer could not help but gush over the "f**king hot" reality star.

The 45-year-old, who is now dating Kim's older sister Kourtney Kardashian, first revealed that he met the SKIMS founder in Amsterdam when she was working for Paris Hilton. "She was working as Paris's closet girl. She would grab Paris's bags, put them in the closet, unpack them, put everything where Paris could find it," he began.

"We all checked into our hotel and then rented bicycles and rode all over Amsterdam - that's what you do there. It was me, Lil Chris, my drum tech Daniel, Paris, and Kim. We all got high as a kite at a coffee shop," the father of two added. "Then we rode over to the Absinthe Bar, and then the red-light district... I was having a blast and was happy to let the world know it. I kept on secretly checking out Kim, telling Lil Chris, 'I don't care if she's the closet girl, she's f**king hot.' "

Travis mentioned that at that time, his marriage to Shanna Moakler was on the rocks. "Our relationship was just as toxic as ever, and we had the same argument over and over," he divulged. "If I was with her, I wanted us to stay home with the kids. Then we'd fight, and Shanna would go out and party, so I'd go out too."

Noting that he started talking with Kim during his "time off" with Shanna, Travis explained, "We had stayed in touch after Amsterdam, and she did some modeling for [my brand] Famous. I hired Estevan Oriol to shoot a whole ad campaign of her in bathing suits. Kim's [sex] tape had come out and she had broken up with Ray J." He continued, "She wanted to do a reality show, because she thought her family was interesting. And obviously she was right. I respected her hustle."

"I wanted to be nothing but a gentleman to her," the musician confessed about their dynamic in another chapter. "Shanna and I started talking to each other again, and we reunited one more time, but I really wanted to see Kim. (Shanna caught wind of what was going on. She poured a drink on Kim at a party thrown by Carmen Electra. I felt terrible.) Kim and I never touched each other. It just wasn't meant to be."

Travis said he eventually moved out of the house he shared with Shanna. The pair, who married in October 2004, divorced in February 2008. As for Kim, she wed Kanye West in 2014 but filed for divorce from him in February this year.
Can soil help solve our climate problem?

Chemical & Engineering News

Scientists, governments and corporations worldwide are racing against the clock to fight climate change, and part of the solution might be in our soil. By adding carbon from the atmosphere to depleted soil, farmers can both increase their yields and reduce emissions. A cover story in Chemical & Engineering News, the weekly newsmagazine of the American Chemical Society, explores what it would take to get this new practice off the ground.

Historically, agricultural soil has provided crops with the nutrients needed to grow, write Senior Editors Melody Bomgardner and Britt Erickson. Today, most soil is considered degraded, leading farmers to rely on fertilizer, irrigation and pesticides, all of which are costly. Scientific advancements in agriculture have shown that adding organic matter, like decaying plants and microbes, to soil can sequester carbon emissions and replenish soil nutrients, which benefits the farmer and the environment. Companies are also offering incentives to farmers who adopt sustainable practices, such as offering marketable carbon credits to those who help offset greenhouse gas emissions by utilizing techniques like low-till farming and planting cover crops.

Although these agricultural practices show great promise, experts say science needs to verify carbon sequestrations impact on greenhouse gas emissions. Companies and environmental groups alike have developed standards and methods to measure the impact of agricultural practices that earn carbon credits, and new technologies utilizing machine learning and artificial intelligence will help with these efforts. Governments are also looking to play a role in encouraging sustainable agriculture as a means to fight climate change, with the U.S. Congress considering legislation that would allow the U.S. Department of Agriculture to participate in carbon markets and set standards at the federal level. The European Union is also promoting carbon farming to its member states and will launch a carbon market later this year. While experts caution that carbon farming will not replace pollution regulations, the financial incentives and other benefits make it a strong model to follow.
TEHAMA COUNTY, Calif. - About 50 pounds of marijuana and four firearms were found during a search in Cottonwood for illegal marijuana growing, the Tehama County District Attorneys office said.

On Tuesday, the Tehama County District Attorney Bureau of Investigations and Tehama County Department of Environmental Health searched a residence in the 18000 block of Bowman Road in Cottonwood.

At the location, investigators found three greenhouses with a total of 1,730 marijuana plants.

They also found $4000 in cash and four firearms, including an AK-47 which is illegal in California law. 39-year-old Remigo Jimenez, 39-year-old Leon Carbajal and 20-year-old Leon Cipriano were arrested on drug and weapon charges.

The three people were booked into the Tehama County Jail.
HEMET, Calif. (AP)  Authorities say a woman was fatally shot and four other people were wounded during a fight in a Southern California neighborhood.

The violence erupted Tuesday evening in the Riverside County city of Hemet.

Police say no one has been arrested and the motive is unknown. Police say 911 operators received calls about a group of females fighting and then reports of gunfire.

Officers found three adults with gunshot wounds at the scene and a hospital reported two more victims had made their way there.

A 27-year-old woman died at a trauma center.

Police say there was no immediate evidence the shooting was gang-related.
(CNN) -- The US has reached a "landmark day" in the Covid-19 pandemic as 60% of American adults have gotten at least one dose of a coronavirus vaccine, the director of the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said.

In addition, more than 3.5 million people ages 12 to 17 have received their first dose, Dr. Rochelle Walensky said.

And more people of color are getting vaccinated -- marking "encouraging national trends," said White House Covid-19 Response Team senior adviser Dr. Marcella Nunez-Smith.

In the past two weeks, 51% of those vaccinated in the US were people of color. That's higher than the 40% of the general population these groups represent.

"We recognize ZIP code is a stronger predictor of health," Nunez-Smith said. Meeting people where they are and bringing vaccines to communities seem to be working, she said.

Black, Latino and Native American communities have been hit particularly hard by Covid-19. And some in those groups were hesitant about getting vaccinated due to medical mistreatment in the past.

But efforts to protect minority communities appear to be paying off. From all the federal vaccination sites run by the Federal Emergency Management Agency, about 60% of shots have been given to people of color, Nunez-Smith said.

And about 70% of shots administered through the federal government's community health centers have been given to people of color, she said.

But the need to vaccinate more Americans to help stop the virus from resurging in the future is far from met.

"We need to continue to ensure vaccination coverage is uniform across the country," Walensky said Tuesday.

"This will require us to meet people where they are, to listen to their concerns, and to help people make informed decision about vaccination."

Rules on masks in some places are shifting

While the news of increased vaccinations marks a positive step toward reaching herd immunity, many are grappling with the CDC's latest guidance on face masks.

Several days after the CDC said fully vaccinated Americans can -- for the most part -- ditch their masks, more places are changing their mask policies -- or scrapping them altogether.

CVS pharmacy and Target said they will no longer require fully vaccinated guests to wear masks inside their stores unless mandated by local leaders, joining other businesses that have dropped mask mandates for those who have gotten their shots.

"Face coverings will continue to be strongly recommended for guests and team members who are not fully vaccinated," Target said in a statement. Unvaccinated CVS customers are asked to continue masking up.

Delaware Gov. John Carney announced Tuesday the state will do away with its mask mandate and eliminate social distancing requirements at 8 a.m. Friday.

"Unvaccinated Delawareans should continue to wear masks to reduce their risk of contracting and spreading COVID-19," Carney's announcement read.

The order continues to require mask wearing on public transit, in schools, health care facilities and state-owned buildings and facilities. Carney's announcement did urge those ineligible for a vaccine to continue wearing masks, including children over 2 years old.

Washington, DC, Mayor Muriel Bowser said fully vaccinated people won't be required to wear masks anymore in many locations, with exceptions for schools, health care facilities and transportation hubs.

"If you're not vaccinated or not yet fully vaccinated, we need you to continue to protect yourselves," Bowser said Monday.

And starting Wednesday, New York will adopt the CDC guidelines and not require masks or social distancing for fully vaccinated people, Gov. Andrew Cuomo said.

But experts are worried about the rapid changes and say that without verification systems, parts of the country are now having to rely on an honor system to ensure unvaccinated Americans are masking up -- a system that some say does not work.

"I say this respectfully to the CDC, but we really need to get back to a point where it's encouraging (people) to get vaccinated and more of that focus rather than celebrating our newfound freedoms," Mayor Quinton Lucas of Kansas City, Missouri, said.

"Because the honor system just ain't working here, I don't think it's going to work in a lot of parts in this country,"

Now, local officials are worried about how to move forward, Lucas said.

"It creates these sort of challenges where, how does the store clerk check it? How does our health department actually enforce any rule at all? So, while I respect many of the jurisdictions that are trying to, I think, really have adherence to the CDC (guidance), it's a challenge for us," the mayor said.

Some state and local leaders hold onto masks

Other leaders have not been as quick to ditch mask requirements.

While Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan announced the end of a statewide mask mandate last week, Baltimore city health officials announced a local mandate would remain in place until at least 65% of adults in Baltimore have received at least one Covid-19 vaccine dose.

In New Jersey, Gov. Phil Murphy signed an order Monday eliminating a mask requirement for outdoor public spaces but kept a masking requirement for indoor public spaces and workplaces.

"Outdoor environments pose a lesser risk of transmission of the virus than indoor settings, and lifting the indoor mask mandate at this time could lead to a rise in transmission among those not yet fully vaccinated, including children who are either not yet eligible or who have just recently become eligible," Murphy said in a statement.

"As we approach our vaccination target in the coming weeks, we expect to be able to safely lift the indoor mask requirement soon," he added.

California plans to keep its mask mandate for indoor activities in place for another month, officials said. The state's face covering rule will be dropped for fully vaccinated residents on June 15, Health and Human Services Secretary Dr. Mark Ghaly announced.

"This four-week period will give Californians time to prepare for this change, while we continue the relentless focus on delivering vaccines, particularly to underserved communities and those that were hard hit throughout this pandemic," Ghaly said.

Lagging vaccinations in rural areas could prolong the pandemic, CDC says

Rural Americans have an increased risk of hospitalization and death from Covid-19, yet vaccination rates in these areas lags behind cities.

And that could delay the end of this pandemic, according to a new CDC report published Tuesday.

In September, the rate of Covid-19 in rural counties surpassed the rate of Covid-19 in urban counties.

But only about 39% of those in rural counties had been vaccinated through April, compared with about 46% through April, according to the CDC's Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report.

About 60 million Americans -- one-fifth of the US population -- live in rural counties.

And if the low vaccination rate holds, it could hamper the entire country's efforts to control Covid-19, the CDC report said.

The CDC is recommending public health leaders collaborate with doctors and local influencers in rural areas to address vaccine hesitancy, ensure vaccine access and encourage more people to get a Covid-19 vaccine.

The effort to get shots into arms continues

One expert said she expects about 20% to 25% of Americans won't want to get a vaccine -- but says she hasn't given up on all of them yet.

"There's still a ground game that is being played, it's about going door to door, it's about getting trusted community leaders," emergency physician Dr. Megan Ranney said.

For example, if people are directly offered a vaccine, they will often agree to get the shot, she said.

"If we do that, we will get a significant percentage of those folks who have not yet been vaccinated," Ranney added.

The CDC is also asking businesses to help support workers to get vaccinated, Walensky said earlier this week.

"We are really asking the businesses to work with their workers to make sure that they have the paid time off to get themselves vaccinated so they can be safe," Walensky said.

Expert: Pandemic won't end in US until it ends globally

Meanwhile, President Joe Biden said Monday his administration would share millions more doses of Covid-19 vaccines with other countries -- in addition to the 60 million doses of the AstraZeneca vaccine he has already committed to sharing by July 4.

The President said that the US would share at least 20 million doses of Covid-19 vaccines by the end of next month, totaling 80 million doses that are set to be sent abroad.

The additional 20 million doses will include Moderna, Pfizer and Johnson & Johnson vaccines as well as AstraZeneca, which has to be approved by federal regulators before being shipped overseas. That effort is underway.

"What they've announced today is really important," Dr. Tom Frieden, a former CDC director, told CNN on Monday. "This pandemic will not be over for the US until it's over globally."

Biden said the announcement was the latest effort by his administration to ramp up efforts abroad and work with other world leaders to end the pandemic and said he expected to announce progress on beating the pandemic overseas at the G7 summit in June.

Correction: An earlier version of this article gave the wrong number for people ages 12 to 17 who have received their first vaccine dose. The CDC corrected its data to say more than 3.5 million got a dose.

The-CNN-Wire

 &  2021 Cable News Network, Inc., a WarnerMedia Company. All rights reserved.
CHICO, Calif. - Frustrated parents now have the green light to start circulating petitions to recall four out of the five Chico Unified School District board members.

This recall effort comes not just from students being stuck in the AM/PM model for the entire school year, but also from the board wants to change the classroom curriculum in the future.

What has gone on has just really put an impact on the future generation," said Kimberly Snyder, co-chair of Chico Parents for In-Person Learning.

The board approved a return to full-time school in the fall, but it comes too little too late for these parents.

"They say a lot of things, said Snyder. So them saying that they are going to open up in the fall, it doesn't mean anything to me."

Dr. Kathleen Kaiser, one of the four board members they are trying to recall, said it just was not logical to make the change during the school year.

Reopening would have meant that 2,000 elementary kids would have changed with their classrooms and teachers and we had what? Only five weeks of school to go," said Kaiser.

The district is also in the early stages of changing how math will be taught in classrooms and making adjustments to the reading curriculum.

Kaiser told Action News Now this direction for change is coming from the state.

If the state says it has to happen then it has to happen, said Kaiser. There is no rational reason to believe that the state would put out something that would disadvantage our students.

Snyder wants parents to be a part of these conversations, and still see four new board members that she believes will fight for her kids.

RELATED: Parents and students rally for in-person learning at Shasta Elementary

I will pull my kids out of school before they have to learn those sort of things that the school boards are implementing, Snyder told Action News Now.

The initiative is four separate petitions for each of the four board members.

If they get enough signatures, the county will hold a special election.

Our early estimate is it would cost at least $475,000 to do a recall, said Keaton Denlay, manager for Butte County Elections. The school district would be paying for it.

The price tag does not worry Snyder.

"I think that that's a bargain, our tax dollars well spent, said Snyder. I would pay anything to get our kid's lives back to normal and help the ones that are suffering."

Snyder added that todays recall signing by Shasta Elementary School was just the first of many more to come.

They will have until Oct. 12, 2021, to reach just under 11,000 signatures per petition.

They are shooting for 14,000 supporters.

I think that we are going to do it, said Snyder. Deep down in my heart, I have been fighting for so long for the kids that are suffering and the parents that are suffering.
MAGALIA, Calif. - A man who was determined to be on Post Release Community Supervision (PRCS) was arrested after sheriff deputies saw him sleeping in a parked vehicle, Butte County Sheriffs Office said.

Deputies in the area of Grinnell Court in Magalia contacted Micah Metzker, 37, and searched his vehicle on May 9.

In the search, deputies found two handguns, firearm parts, ammunition, narcotics paraphernalia and heroin, and was place under arrest without incident.

Deputies searched the residence of Metzker at the 6000 block of Guildford Circle in Magalia under the terms and conditions of his PRCS.

Four AR-15 rifle lower receivers and ammunition were found along with evidence that indicated Metzker was manufacturing firearms.

Metzker was booked into the Butte County Jail for multiple charges.
LOS ANGELES (AP)  Five more California counties will move to less restrictive tiers because of improving COVID-19 conditions and no counties regressed.

The state Department of Public Health said Tuesday that Orange, Santa Cruz, Santa Clara and Amador counties are moving from the orange, or moderate, tier to the yellow, or minimal, tier.

Tehama County is improving from the red, substantial, tier to orange.

The moves will put 13 counties in yellow, 35 in orange and 10 in red.

No counties are in the purple, or substantial, tier.

This shift to the orange tier allows more businesses to reopen and some that are already open to increase capacity.

The data requirements to qualify for the orange tier include a case rate of 1-3.9 cases per 100,000 residents with a test positivity rate of 2  4.9% or less and 2.2  5.2% health equity metric.
Good morning, North State. Here's what you need to know to start your day on May 19.

Suspected multi-county serial killer faces life in prison

A suspected northern California serial killer will be back in court today. Prosecutors say Blinston murdered three women in the span of two months last year. Those women include Sandra George, Vicky Cline and Loreen Severs. Prosecutors said he also tried to kill the husband of one of the victims if convicted Blinston could face life in prison. We are watching another case set for court today for further arraignment and the chance for Carlos Hill to submit his plea. Hill is facing three counts of manslaughter. Prosecutors said Hill was a part of this illegal street racing crash that saw the death of two men and a 2-year-old girl. Hill first appeared in court on May 5 but did not enter a plea. He is expected to give one today as the court resolves a conflict of interest in his case

California readies to prevent blackouts, but threats remain

Top energy regulators say we are better off than last year but summer blackouts are still expected. The state's top regulators said they added 35-hundred megawatts of capacity to the state's power grid. Just one megawatt is meant to power hundreds of homes. Even with these upgrades, leaders at the state systems operator said summer blackouts will be nearly unavoidable with the forecast of extreme heat.

CAL FIRE puts out Kelly Ridge burn overnight

Butte County CAL FIRE stopping house fire in its tracks. CAL FIRE said it happened here on kokanee drive in the kelly ridge community. The information officer on duty says no one was in the home when the fire broke out at about 9:30 last night. Crews held the burn to the upper story room where it started. There is no further danger to the community this morning.

About 60% of American adults have had at least one dose of Covid-19 vaccine, including more people of color

The CDC out with major vaccination numbers. The agency reported that 60% of American adults received at least one shot of the COVID-19 vaccine. Of Americans aged 12 to 17, the CDC said 3.5 million now have at least one shot.
CoinDCX, India's largest and safest cryptocurrency exchange, has launched a digital campaign titled #BitcoinLiyaKya on all social media platforms to bring new users onboard. The campaign employs a humorous story-telling approach to introduce cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin as the latest must-have investment for Indian investors. It aims to appeal to not just the millennial & Gen-Z populations that have taken a liking to the crypto space but also the boomer generation that may have had apprehensions in venturing into this relatively new asset space. The #BitcoinLiyaKya campaign is currently live on YouTube, Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram and Twitter handles, and is already trending.

With a special focus on Bitcoin in this campaign, CoinDCX is incentivizing new users with Rs 100 worth of free bitcoin through voucher code "CoinDCX Go". Additionally, a few lucky users stand a chance to each win a portfolio of 1 Bitcoin.

Speaking on the purpose and timing of this campaign, Ramalingam Subramanian, Head of Brand and Communication, CoinDCX said, "with the #BitcoinLiyaKya campaign, we aim the viewers to consider Bitcoin as an investment class asset. We want people of India to consider investing 1 to 5% of their portfolio in crypto-assets such as Bitcoin. I think the millennials are digital savvy, they will be benefiting the most by investing in this digital gold. "

He added, "at CoinDCX, we have been empowering investors in making safe & secure investments in popular crypto-assets like Bitcoin since our inception in 2018. Our CoinDCX Go app has been launched to facilitate the same purpose, and it has already crossed 1 million downloads in just five months. We aim to onboard new investors by leveraging the virtues of the simple, safe and compliant crypto ecosystem through this campaign and march towards building a larger investor community".

Creating a pre-loaded portfolio on CoinDCX Go is simple and hassle-free. One only needs to install the CoinDCX Go app, signup and add the voucher code "CoinDCX Go". However, users must hold the portfolio for a month to unlock it and make at least one purchase.
One of the leading integrated creative and digital marketing solutions in Mumbai, Kolkata and among other cities, Digital Refresh Networks wins the digital mandate for one of the foremost pharmacies, Emami Frank Ross. The account was won following a multi-agency pitch and will be looked after by the agencys Kolkata team. The mandate includes handling the overall planning and execution on the digital, creative and marketing front. With an experience of a decade in the digital marketing industry, Digital Refresh Networks has worked with some of the leading brands and businesses across FMCG, consumer goods, automobile, E-commerce, lifestyle, health and other sectors.

Commenting on the association, Mr. Sabyasachi Mukherjee, Sr. General Manager - Procurement (Pvt. Label, Pharma & FMCG) at Emami Frank Ross says, With the ongoing challenging scenario, we at Emami Frank Ross aim towards reaching maximum individuals to support them with relevant medications at any given hour. As we now work with Digital Refresh Networks, we are sure that the agencys expertise in the field of digital marketing will further enhance and support the brand to not only maintain but leverage its reach overall. We look forward to having a productive and long-term collaboration with the agency.

Mr. Barin Mukherjee, Co-Founder & CEO, Digital Refresh Networks says, We are honoured to come on board as the digital agency for Emami Frank Ross. As we all go through a taxing time, we do understand the relevance and importance for every brand to leverage their business through relevant digital shout-outs. We are set with our team of professionals to offer our expertise to the brand and aim to create and drive an Omni channel strategy. We look forward to not just supporting the brand but also contributing to the society at large.
At a time when the need for access to trustworthy information is critical, Google is announcing a slew of investments to support Indias large and diverse news industry. Among these investments is the launch of Google News Showcase in India, the Internet giants new online experience and licensing program.

Google News Showcase is rolling out in India with 30 news publishers, including national, regional and local news organisations like The Hindu Group, HT Digital Streams Ltd, Indian Express Group, ABP LIVE, India TV, NDTV, Zee News, Amar Ujala, Deccan Herald, Punjab Kesari, The Telegraph India, IANS (Indo Asian News Service) and ANI. This was announced in a Google blog yesterday (May 18, 2020).

This builds on News Showcase deals signed by 700 news publications in more than a dozen countries, including Germany, Brazil, Canada, France, Japan, the UK, Australia, Czechia, Italy and Argentina, more than 90% of them representing local or community news  with discussions underway in several other countries.

Sundar Pichai, CEO of Google and Alphabet, in a blog in October 2020 had announced, Im proud to announce Google is building on our long-term support with an initial $1 billion investment in partnerships with news publishers and the future of news.

This financial commitment  our biggest to date  will pay publishers to create and curate high-quality content for a different kind of online news experience...News Showcase builds on our existing news licensing program, which is already paying publishers for quality journalism, and other news-related efforts like Subscribe with Google, Web Stories and audio news...Both News Showcase and our financial investment  which will extend beyond the initial three years  are focused on contributing to the overall sustainability of our news partners around the world, Pichai added.

The Google blog goes on to state, Content from our Indian publisher partners in English and Hindi will begin to appear in dedicated News Showcase panels in Google News and on Discover. Were committed to launching in additional Indic languages this year and well continue to incorporate more languages in the future. As part of our licensing agreements with publishers, we're also paying participating news organizations to give readers access to a limited amount of paywalled content. This feature means readers will have the opportunity to read more of a publishers articles than they would otherwise be able to, while deepening readers relationships with publishers and encouraging them to subscribe.

Industry Speak

Sanjay Sindhwani, CEO, The Indian Express Online Media Services: We believe that Googles News Showcase will allow publishers to better curate their content and its presentation, while at the same time its a significant first step by Google towards creating a sustainable, mutually beneficial environment for both Google and independent journalism to thrive.

ABP spokesperson: Swipeable Google Showcase panels will go a long way in deepening readers relationships with publishers and will surely encourage users to subscribe to relevant news sources of their choice. The newly launched interest-based panels will allow publishers to offer a variety of credible content in one card and enhance reader experience significantly.
QNu Labs, a quantum resilience company (Worlds fourth and Indias first company to build a deployable Quantum-Safe Security product) has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham (Amrita University), for further research, education and development of quantum-based security and computing technologies in India. The MoU will see joint efforts towards advancing the study and exploring potential commercial applications of quantum safe internet technologies. At the outset, around 15 faculties, researchers and post-graduate students from Kollam and Bangalore campuses are set to be benefited by this association which will then expand to include various batches of graduate program students. The MoU will also entail workshops and seminars, training sessions, a quantum security research and development center and electives of quantum security technologies offered as part of the M.Tech curriculum.

This collaborative agreement will be focused on notably classical security analysis of QKD (Quantum Key Distribution), analysis of randomness, PQC (Post Quantum Cryptography), research in optics and simulation to broaden the scope of learning and a commitment to foster awareness of the benefits of quantum communication technology for quantum safe internet and telecommunications network security.

Commenting on the tie up, Mr. Sunil Gupta, Co-Founder and CEO at QNu Labs said A robust collaboration between the academia and industry will augur well for our developing economy, enabling innovation and growth in the education system while bringing research capabilities to the industry projects. Partnership between Amrita and QNu is one such step in augmenting capabilities in India in the quantum communication and security area. We expect to leverage the expertise of Amrita college faculty and students for our products.

QNu Labs being a product development company has a significant amount of research work that is required in its products. Amrita and QNu will collaborate on the research work required. The larger goal as a part of the MoU will be to foster a strong collaboration between industry and academia and drive interest for quantum technologies.

Mr. Vivek Shenoy, CTO at QNu Labs said: Quantum technology is a field that requires intense collaboration between academia and industry, to convert the promise of physics into viable products. The collaboration between Amrita and QNu will pave the way for such efforts and products that can be useful in everyday life.

Dr. P. Venkat Rangan, Vice Chancellor of Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham said As quantum computing continues to make advancements in qubit technologies, scaling architectures, algorithms, applications, software tools, and more, it simultaneously fuels the urgency for a major transition in cryptography across the internet as we know it today. We are very pleased to be working with a pioneer in the field of quantum cryptology in India, to develop secure communications solutions for a number of industries such as healthcare, finance and banking as well as government and military institutions.

Dr. Krishnashree Achuthan, Director of Cybersecurity Research Center at Amrita said Cyber-attacks and security breaches put millions of people across the world at risk for having their sensitive information in the wrong hands. The research programs at Amrita strive to keep a healthy balance between theory and experiment. We see that the focus of quantum technologies R&D now is mostly on quantum hardware, but it is time to put more effort into quantum software for a successful quantum future. The faculty members and researchers from our cybersecurity research center will work with QNu Labs and its customers to analyze potential applications of quantum security technologies.
There has been a phenomenal rise in the number of companies that started selling on Amazon throughout the lockdown. Most refer to themselves as a digital company, but Mihir Joshi, Co-founder, 1702 Digital, begs to differ.

In the rush to bring profitability sooner, many new brands make the decision to display their products on virtual marketplaces such as Amazon. But there are a number of pitfalls youll have to face because of this decision, especially when it comes to building your name among your audience. Now you might wonder, But the world is looking to shop on Amazon, so where else would I go? Thats fair, but there are a number of factors you might not have considered while making the decision to add your brand to the never-ending portfolio on the online marketplace.

Selling On Amazon - Pros and Cons

Pro: Everyone Is On Amazon

The virtual marketplace has rapidly wedged itself in the consumers psyche, becoming synonymous with the concept of online shopping, despite fierce competition. According to website analytics & competitive traffic intelligence platform SImilarweb, it ranks first in the E-Commerce and Shopping category in India. Amazon boasts of 288.70 million monthly visitors, who explore a minimum of 7 pages on average.

Con: Consumers Look Purely For Product, Not For Brand

You might argue that if a consumer wants a pair of Nike sneakers, thats what theyll type on the platform. To that I say, if your product is about the same as Versace, Apple and Nike, then this article clearly isnt for you. Its those brands that arent as established in an oversaturated market that have to look out. Consumers shopping on Amazon mainly look for a product on the platform, never the brand. Additionally, a majority of them consider price to be a major factor while making their purchase decision. In fact, if you ask most of the people around you for the brand of product they purchased from the platform, 8 out of 10 times theyll draw a blank. Your brand has the best value on its own platform, not someone elses. As a matter of fact, even Nike withdrew its product range from Amazon in 2019, now averaging 10 million users on their own website.

Pro: If Youre Open To A Buyout Or Looking For Investments, The Short-Term Growth Can Work In Your Favour

The undeniable fact is that selling on Amazon gets you high exposure to a varied audience. In fact, Amazon now has over 10 million Prime users in India, and this number is only growing. Apart from being the ideal platform to conduct testing for your product, you can also use this platform to augment your brand value in the eyes of investors. According to UK consulting firm Hahnbeck, there are a number of companies in recent years that raised money to obtain niche Amazon businesses. These buyers aim to build those brands sales and profits by backing them with greater financial and technical resources. So, if you are open to the possibility of a buyout for your brand, the relatively short-term growth you get from the platform can prove to be of advantage, displaying your strength among the competition. This display of prowess also helps when your brand is looking for Series A and Series B investments.

Con: The Internal Threat Is Way Worse Than Any Outside Competitor

For all the exposure that the platform provides, theres a lot you, as a brand, dont get to access. The most important among that is your customers data. Because technically, its not your customer, its Amazons. So, not only do you not have access to your customer base, youre also handing all data about your star product to this online marketplace, on a silver platter. Amazon has roughly 400 private-label brands for 243,000 products and is constantly on the prowl to see where they can grow further. The better a product sells on the platform, the closer Amazon gets towards recreating and launching a similar product from their label. The company has shown a penchant for launching products that barely avoid patent infringement and cost significantly less than its competitors. For a marketplace where cost of the product is an important factor for most customers, this is a sly move. We experienced it too, when AmazonBasics slowly started replacing Duracell in our basic necessities like batteries, extension cords and cables that cost 30% less than our usual choices.

So, How Could You Transform Into An Independent Digital Company?

As Phillip Kotler said, If youre not a brand, youre a commodity. On Amazon, you are the equivalent of a seller at a weekly village bazaar; unless someone recognises you, no one will notice if youre not there. You need to carve out your identity, and reinforce it among your audience at regular intervals. Some of the ways you can go about this are as follows:

Strengthen Your Brands Visual Identity:

In a sea of similar products, you need to do everything you can to set yourself apart. And one the best ways to accomplish this is through your visual identity. Although the total value of your product isnt determined by its presentation, this is the first (and sometimes only) chance you have to win over a customer. From innovative boxes to custom packaging complete with personalised thank you notes, every little thing helps create and nurture your brands identity. In fact, aesthetic elements are a major contributor in establishing brand recognition and growing brand awareness.

Use Emails To Your Advantage

Amazon wont part with customer data by any stretch, so you need to get creative in connecting with your audience. While you may have to be a bit sneaky in collecting the email list, it gives you a direct link to your customers, who you can guide to your own website. Emails also have the advantage of getting your customer away from the noise of all other competitors so they can concentrate solely on your brand.

Be Present Outside Of Amazon

This is the most important part. You cant expect to be treated as an independent digital first company if you dont have an independent platform of your own. The eventual goal of every digital enterprise should be to become a direct-to-consumer (DTC) venture. With a little elbow grease and good advertising, if you have a good product, people will come and find you. Just remember that they should come find you in your house, not Amazons.

Reward Customers For Buying From Your Website

Most consumers only care about something if they see potential benefits for themselves in the bargain. Amazon is a carefully curated marketplace, and your customers need to be incentivised to let go of the convenience they get there and come to you instead. Giveaways, discount offers, extended warranties, samples  anything and everything is on the table. Once you hook the consumer in with these additional benefits, you can start customising their feed, sending personalised messaging and more to make sure they stay on your site.

In conclusion, Amazon is a quick way to reach your potential customers and see how your product performs among others in its category. If your goal is to boost your cash flow through speedy sales, being on this platform will do the trick. But for long-term growth and profitability, you need to do much, much more. Amplifying your brand equity and creating a loyal following is the only way to become a regular part of your consumers life, so that you can be called a Digital Company in your own right.
Yellophant Digital, an alliance of Merge Infinity Global, won the integrated digital mandate for Mumbais authentic Turkish and Lebanese Baklava brand, Mezaya. The mandate includes managing and amplifying the brands 360-degree digital marketing duties, including creative strategy, SEO, SEM, ORM, media spends, website maintenance and social media marketing across digital platforms.

Commenting on this Shazia and Raies, Co-Founders, Mezaya said, After scouting across various agencies, we have now found the right ROI-driven agency that understands Mezayas long-term vision and can justify the spends meticulously. Baklavas are something that is new to the audience and we are thrilled to collaborate with Preksha and her team. Yellophant Digital has been brilliant in terms of providing solutions to brand challenges. Mezaya is really excited about this collaboration with Yellophant Digital and looks forward to seeing the brands overall performance and increasing ROI in the forthcoming days."

Preksha Seth, Co-founder, Yellophant Digital, said, We are excited and delighted to have Mezaya on board. We Indians live for desserts and they are something that has always been a part of our day-to-day consumption. With the rise of craving for desserts, we look forward to strategizing and managing the brands digital marketing duties and introducing this Mediterranean delight to our Indian audience on a creative platter. Our extensive experience of collaborating with F&B establishments comes in handy at this point. Being an ROI-driven agency, we plan to execute ideas that yield significant results in a brief time.
Ranchers have a resource on the NDMC website that addresses a number of common drought condition questions on one map, in one place, including some map layers and management information specific to the Great Plains.
HELENA, Mont.  Springtime in Montana is arguably the most beautiful time of year. Weather starts to become more consistent around the month of May, signaling crops to start emerging and grass to start greening. The month of May, every other year, is also the ending of the Montana Legislative Session. For producer Joe Dooling, that means his wife Julie, who serves in the Montana House of Representatives, is relieved of her political duties just in time for the spring rush to begin at Cedar Creek Land and Livestock.

During a dry year like this one, the Doolings were especially thankful when their federally-guaranteed water was turned on May 1. The water, which is sourced from Canyon Ferry Dam, is provided by the Helena Valley Irrigation District and runs through the Doolings eight pivots, under which they grow malt barley and alfalfa. Joe was happy to report on May 6 that both of his crops are off to a good start so far this year.

The barley looks really good. It has popped up really well. I had to irrigate it up because it is so dry, which I dont like to do, but it worked out alright, Joe said.

Mays warm temperatures early on in the month have also been really good for Joes alfalfa crop.

The alfalfa looks amazing. Because of the early heat, I bet we already got four inches of growth, he added.

With their crops off to the races, so to speak, Joe and Julie were able to turn their attention to their cows. The Doolings raise predominantly Black Angus cattle, but Julie also has a handful of White Galloway, a stocky breed of cattle noted for their white body, which is contrasted by their black nose and ears. In addition to raising calves that bring pounds across the scale in the fall, Julies White Galloway cattle make for good herd markers, too.
The Chinese mainland on Monday reported four new locally transmitted COVID-19 cases in Liaoning Province, the National Health Commission said in its daily report on Tuesday.

The same day also saw 18 new imported cases on the mainland. Of them, six were reported in Shaanxi, four in Shanghai, two in Sichuan and one each in Heilongjiang, Zhejiang, Fujian, Shandong, Hunan and Guangdong.

One new suspected case arriving from outside the mainland was reported in Shanghai. No new deaths related to COVID-19 were reported on Monday.

A total of 5,876 imported cases had been reported on the mainland by the end of Monday. Among them, 5,616 had been discharged from hospitals following recovery, and 260 remained hospitalized. No deaths had been reported among the imported cases.

The total number of confirmed COVID-19 cases on the mainland reached 90,894 by Monday, including 295 patients still receiving treatment, two of whom were in severe condition.

A total of 85,963 patients had been discharged following recovery on the mainland, and 4,636 had died as a result of the virus.

There was one suspected COVID-19 case on the mainland on Monday.

Twenty asymptomatic cases were newly reported, of which 18 arrived from outside the mainland and two were reported in Anhui. There were a total of 349 asymptomatic cases, of whom 332 were imported, under medical observation on Monday.

By the end of Monday, 11,825 confirmed COVID-19 cases, including 210 deaths, had been reported in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (SAR), while 50 cases had been reported in the Macao SAR, and 2,017 cases, including 12 deaths, had been reported in Taiwan.

A total of 11,531 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 1,123 had been discharged in Taiwan.
Hurricane season is on the horizon, and theres already something to watch in the Atlantic.

The National Hurricane Center on Wednesday identified an area in the central Atlantic that it is watching. It now has a medium chance of development through the end of the week (thats up from a low chance this morning).

Forecasters said an area of low pressure is expected to develop a few hundred miles northeast of Bermuda tomorrow.

It is forecast to head to the southwest, which would take it over warmer water, and theres a chance it could take on some tropical characteristics before it turns back to the northeast over the weekend.

The hurricane center was liking its chances more and more as of Wednesday night. Forecasters said the system will likely become a short-lived subtropical cyclone late Friday and into the weekend near and to the northeast of Bermuda.

The hurricane center raised the chances of development to 60 percent over the next five days (up from 30 percent earlier today).

Conditions are expected to become more hostile for development by Monday.

The first name on the 2021 Atlantic storm name list, by the way, is Ana.

The Atlantic hurricane season officially starts on June 1, but there have been pre-season storms every year for the past six years.

There are no other areas to watch in the Atlantic right now.

NOAA is scheduled to release its Atlantic hurricane season outlook on Thursday. Other early-season forecasts have suggested it could be another busy summer for tropical storms.
A restored vintage Greyhound bus that is part of the Freedom Rides Museum collection in Montgomery will visit the Central Branch of the Birmingham Public Library on Wednesday, May 19, as part of the 60th Anniversary of the Freedom Rides commemoration.

The stop at the Birmingham library is part of a tour called Retracing the Journey. Passing the Torch. The tour is recreating the route of the historic Freedom Ride that started in Tennessee and made its way to Birmingham and Montgomery in May 1961.

The bus will visit Ardmore, Tenn., and Birmingham before returning to the Freedom Rides Museum on Thursday, May 20.

The Freedom Rides started as a movement to prove that the South was not desegregating public transportation and amenities in interstate travel, including restrooms and bus terminals following the Supreme Courts 1960 decision in Boynton v. Virginia.

In 1958, Selma native and Howard University Law student Bruce Boynton was arrested in Richmond, Va. and received a trespassing conviction for refusing to leave a whites-only section of a bus station restaurant. The arrest sparked a series of events that would ultimately result in the overturning of Jim Crow laws across the South.

Boynton and his lawyer, Thurgood Marshall, went to court to challenge the trespassing charges and segregation prohibitions. The case, Boynton v. Virginia, went to the Supreme Court, which ruled in 1960 that federal prohibitions barring segregation on interstate buses also applied to bus stations and other interstate travel facilities.

The decision spurred the Freedom Rides movement the following year. The Freedom Riders were a group of Black and white student activists who rode buses throughout the South to determine whether the law was being applied. Freedom Riders were attacked and arrested in Southern states including Alabama, where one of their buses was infamously burned in Anniston.

Alabama Media GroupAlabama Media Group

Fred Shuttlesworth, left, with Freedom Riders John Lewis, Catherine Burks Brooks and Lucretia Collins in the waiting area of the Greyhound station in Birmingham, Alabama, in 1961.(The Birmingham News/Alabama Media Group)

A plaque in downtown Birmingham commemorates May 14, 1961, when Freedom Riders were brutally beaten. (Photo by Greg Garrison/AL.com)

Bernard Lafayette, John Lewis, and other Freedom Riders at the Greyhound station in Birmingham, Alabama. (The Birmingham News)Alabama Media Group

2020 saw the loss of four towering civil rights leaders. Bruce Boynton, John Lewis and C.T. Vivian, who were original Freedom Riders, as well as Rev. Joseph Lowery, who was a key organizer of the Montgomery Bus Boycott in the 1950s.

On Wednesday, May 19, original Freedom Riders Catherine Burks Brooks and Rev. Clyde Carter will be on site to accompany the immersive exhibit. The public will be allowed to enter the bus at 3 p.m. The program will begin at 5 p.m.

Interior of vintage restored Freedom Rides Museum greyhound bus (Credit: Jamie Martin)

Exhibition visitors will have the opportunity to board the vintage Greyhound bus and be immersed in some of the sounds, stories and songs of the Freedom Rides. Food trucks will also be on site in the Central Library parking lot. The Birmingham Public Librarys Archives Department will also feature an exhibit of photos and documents associated with the Freedom Rides, and will have a variety of circulating materials (books and DVDs) available for check-out.

On May 20, the bus will arrive to the Freedom Rides Museum at 10:23 a.m. Freedom Riders will be available for book signings after the program in the museum.

Related:

Participate in change, Freedom Rider says on 60th anniversary of Freedom Rides

John Lewis movie Freedom Ride to film in Alabama
Actor Drew Barrymore opened up this week about working with disgraced filmmaker Woody Allen in a candid interview with Allens adopted daughter, Dylan Farrow, who has accused her father of sexually abusing her as a child.

On Mondays episode of The Drew Barrymore Show, the host and her guest discussed Allen v. Farrow, HBOs four-part docuseries reexamining writer Dylan Farrows long-held claim that the director molested her.

Allen has repeatedly denied the allegation and denounced the HBO investigation, which includes powerful interviews with Dylan Farrow, her mother, Mia Farrow, and more, as well as court documents, home videos and excerpts from Allens work that overwhelmingly paint the Oscar winner as a sexual predator.

I want to say, first out of the gate ... that I would like to explain myself, said Barrymore, who starred in Allens 1996 romantic comedy, Everyone Says I Love You. This is not about me, but I wanted to have this type of candor. I worked with Woody Allen ... and there was no higher career calling card than to work with Woody Allen.

And then I had children, and it changed me, because I realized that I was one of the people who was basically gaslit into not looking at a narrative beyond what I was being told, she said. And I see whats happening in the industry now, and that is because of you making that brave choice. So thank you for that.

While listening to Barrymore, Dylan Farrow blinked back tears. Despite her accusation  which dates back to 1992, when she was 7 years old  many prominent stars have continued to appear in Allens films over the years. (Though several have since spoken out against him and vowed never to work with him again.)

Thank you, Dylan Farrow said. Hearing what you just said, Im trying not to cry right now. It is just so meaningful because its easy for me to say, Of course you shouldnt work with him. Hes a jerk. Hes a monster. But I find it incredibly brave and incredibly generous that you would say to me that my story and what I went through was important enough to you to reconsider that.

Investigative journalist Ronan Farrow and tech executive Fletcher Previn also contributed to the HBO program on their sisters behalf  a gesture that stunned Dylan Farrow while the series was in development.

When my mom agreed to be interviewed, I was really, really shocked, Dylan Farrow told Barrymore. And when Ronan agreed, I was even more shocked. And then Fletcher agreed, and I was ... picking my jaw up off the floor.

Gradually, more and more of my siblings signed on, and a few of them didnt, and Ive spoken to them about that too, and I respect that decision as well. ... But there was communication, and interestingly, the documentary has led to greater communication between us as a result.

When asked by Barrymore why she hadnt expected her family to participate, she explained that she and her loved ones wouldnt talk about [the alleged abuse] to each other even in private, so the idea of them addressing it publicly was absolutely incomprehensible.

The actor and author, whose next young adult fantasy novel is slated for release in 2022, also addressed disturbing, never-before-seen footage from the docuseries of her 7-year-old self describing a moment during which Allen allegedly touched her privates.

Dylan Farrow said she was initially hesitant to surrender the personal video to acclaimed documentarians Kirby Dick and Amy Ziering, who eventually persuaded her to let them show it in Allen v. Farrow.

I watched the entire thing as though I was watching someone else, Dylan Farrow said. Just a little girl who looked kind of like me, who sounded kind of like me. And I just completely dissociated from it. ... And a week went by ... and it just hit me. Everything from the tape punched me right in the face.

And I was sobbing uncontrollably for a couple of days ... about what I saw and trying to mentally reconcile the fact that that little girl on the tape was me, and she was talking about something that happened to me. And it was overwhelming. Its very difficult, sometimes, to know that that part of me is such a dark, painful place.

Like Barrymore, Dylan Farrow added that becoming a mother had given her new purpose and perspective that had helped her process some of her trauma  trauma that she doesnt want to pass down to her own daughter.

Being a parent has given me a clarity of being able to step outside of all the craziness in my brain and examine myself as, who do I want this person to be that my little girl is going to see, looking up to for her entire life.

I want her to think, My mom was a fighter. And I want her to think, My mom never gave up. And my mom didnt let crappy people bring her down. She stood up to people. She stood up for the things that she believed in, the things she thought was right. And I want to be that person too.

___

(c)2021 the Los Angeles Times

Visit the Los Angeles Times at www.latimes.com

Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
Friends is back. Or should we say the friends are back -- all six of them -- for HBO Maxs hotly anticipated reunion.

Warner Bros. recently announced the date of the TV special that will reunite all six stars from the hit sitcom, including Alabama native Courteney Cox. Friends: The Reunion make its streaming debut May 27 on HBO Max.

The special originally was set to air in 2020, but filming was delayed during the coronavirus pandemic.

The program features Friends stars Cox, Jennifer Aniston, Lisa Kudrow, Matt LeBlanc, Matthew Perry and David Schwimmer, plus special guests to discuss everything from their casting process to whether or not Ross and Rachel were really on a break. A Variety report said, Sources close to the project told Variety last year that each of the six stars would receive at least $2.5 million for participating in the special.

Celebrity guests are set to join the former cast members as they reflect, including Lady Gaga, Justin Bieber, Reese Witherspoon, Kit Harington, BTS, Mindy Kaling, Tom Selleck, David Beckham, Cindy Crawford and Elliott Gould.

Similar to HBO Maxs Fresh Prince of Bel-Air reunion, the cast gathers on set to reminisce about the show millions watched and adored when it originally aired on NBC.

Friends was one of the highest-rated shows on TV during its 10-season run on NBC, 1994-2004. The series provided a breakthrough role for Cox, who was born and raised in Birmingham, and cemented her fame as an actress. Her character, Monica Geller, was a neat-freak chef who could be bossy, obsessive, anxious, wacky, kind and caring -- sometimes all at once.

You see the stars in Monicas apartment, Joey and Chandlers place across the hall, Central Perk and on a stage during a Q&A with host James Corden.

This kind of thing doesnt happen every year, or even every 10, or 15 years, Cox, 56, said via Instagram. I feel so blessed to have had a chance to reunite with my Friends...and it was better than ever.

It was an incredible time, Cox says during the trailer. We became best friends.

In November 2020, Cox re-created one of her most famous scenes from Friends in a Thanksgiving video on Instagram, dancing with a turkey on her head. Since Im the symbol of Thanksgiving, here you go, she said. I hope it makes you happy.

She earned a 1995 Peoples Choice Award for her work on Friends, in the category of Favorite Performer in a New Television Program. As part of the Friends cast, she also received a 1996 award from the Screen Actors Guild, for Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series.
A tall, bushy privet has grown up between the seat and steering wheel of the rusted, old Oliver tractor, which is parked right where Elvin Hill left it nearly 50 years ago.

Something broke on it and he was fixing it and he stopped for lunch and he had a massive heart attack and passed away, Hills great-grandson, Justin Hill, explains to a visitor to his farm. And they just never moved it.

Decades later, the tree has gotten so big that the tractor is solidly anchored to the dirt that four generations of the Hill family have farmed here in Eastaboga, an unincorporated community that straddles the border of Talladega and Calhoun Counties in east-central Alabama.

Thats why the younger Hill chose that image of the tractor and the tree as the logo for his Eastaboga Bee Company, the wildflower honey business he started 10 years ago.

It is a reminder of what this farmland means to him and his family.

Everybodys got a honeybee for a logo, Hill says. I was trying to think of something that would represent the family farm, and I looked up and saw this.

And much like that tree, Hills once-fledging honey business has grown from a little sideline hobby into a large-scale operation, with about 500 hives of honeybees and a list of customers that includes some of the top chefs and restaurateurs in Alabama, who swear by his product.

Justins honey is always really consistent, Adam Evans, the executive chef and co-owner of Birminghams James Beard Award-nominated Automatic Seafood and Oysters, says. Its really clean. Its not different from batch to batch. You can tell he takes really good care of his bees and takes pride in what he does.

[To read more good news about Alabama, sign up for our This is Alabama Newsletter.]

Justin Hill, the founder and owner of Eastaboga Bee Company, sits among the hives in his bee fields in rural Calhoun County, Ala.(Bob Carlton/bcarlton@al.com)

From cows to bees

As an only child growing up on a 250-acre farm, Hill started helping his father, Danny Hill, tend to his cattle at an early age.

Oh yeah, it was child labor, free labor, he says, laughing. Its funny, I tell people if you grew up on a farm, at 4 oclock (in the afternoon), you start looking for a feed bucket somewhere.

After graduating from Ohatchee High School, Hill commuted to Gadsden State Community College and then Jacksonville State University, where he graduated with a major in mathematics.

Hill never left the farm, though. He started raising quarter horses as a teenager, and later, he got into honeybees, initially as just a hobby.

I met a couple of different beekeepers, he says. They helped. I read a lot of books, and then I made a ton of mistakes.

The more he learned, the more he wanted to know.

What about honeybees fascinated him?

Oh, gosh, so many things, he says. The way the honeybees communicate, how they go about their daily business, what makes them go to this flower as opposed to that flower? Just learning about that is a lot of fun.

After he experimented for a few years, a lightbulb went off in his head -- It was a dim one, I can assure you, he deadpans -- and he decided he could do this for a living.

It just seemed like there was an opportunity there, he says. Ive always been very curious about making that a livelihood.

Hill launched his business in 2011, and he named it Eastaboga Bee Company in honor of the little community that is his home.

And because he liked the way the name rolled off his tongue: EAST-uh-BO-guh.

It helps me when salespeople call me and they cant pronounce Eastaboga, he says. I just tell them Im not interested. If you cant pronounce the name of my company correctly, I dont want to do business with you.

Eastaboga Bee Company wildflower honey is available at the Market at Pepper Place in Birmingham, Ala., on select Saturdays.(Bob Carlton/bcarlton@al.com)

A one-man operation

Although Hill does hire a few part-time employees, finding people who want to work around bees has proven difficult, he says.

We typically work them hard enough that they dont stay too long, he says. Theyll go find something else to do. Its not like we dont pay them well, either.

Most, he says, never get used to the idea of getting stung -- an occupational hazard that Hill has learned to live with over the years. He says hes been stung thousands of times.

You dont really plan on it, but its the nature of the business, he says. Sometimes, you can go all week and not get stung at all. And then sometimes, it seems like every time you turn around, youre getting stung.

So, even though its a relatively large operation, Eastaboga Bee Company is essentially a one-man enterprise.

Hill manages all the hives, extracts and bottles the honey, makes the deliveries, and then, on Saturday mornings, drives to Birmingham to work his tent at the Market at Pepper Place. (His mother, Tonya Hill, works the Downtown Market in Anniston.)

In addition to his wildflower honey, Hill also uses the beeswax  the wax secreted by the worker bees to build their honeycombs -- to make leather creams, wood polishes and lip balms, which he also sells at the markets.

At the market, he enjoys interacting with everyday folks and talking to them about the wonders of honey.

It (is) a whole different group of people than I (am) used to being around, he says. Its nice to meet people and tell them about farming.

The Eastaboga Burnt Honey Cake, which is made with wildflower honey from Eastaboga Bee Company, has been a hit since it debuted on the menu at Bottega restaurant in Birmingham, Ala., in late March 2021.(Photo by Ferrell Carter; used with permission from the Stitt Restaurant Group)

Meeting Frank Stitt

A little more than six years ago, Hill met and befriended James Beard Award-winning Birmingham chef Frank Stitt at a vendors meeting for the Pepper Place farmers market.

Ignorance really is bliss, Hill remembers. I didnt know who the heck he was, but hes on the (Market at Pepper Place) board, so he stood up and told us who he was and said that he owned three restaurants.

I said, Well, if he owns three restaurants, he probably needs some honey. So, I asked him, and thats how it started.

Stitt also remembers that meeting well.

So, Justin said, Im a honey man in Eastaboga, he says. I said, Wow, thats interesting; how many hives (have) you got? And he said ever how many hundreds he has, and I said, Gosh, I would love to buy some from you.

He brought it, and I loved his honey, Stitt adds. Hes a wonderful character, and we have developed a friendship besides just a professional relationship.

Stitt uses Eastaboga Bee Company honey at all his restaurants -- Highlands Bar and Grill, Chez Fonfon, Bottega and Bottega Cafe -- and uses it in everything from pizza dough and vinaigrettes to lemonade and ice cream.

Hills honey is the also star of Bottegas latest signature dessert, the 10-layer Eastaboga Burnt Honey Cake, which became an immediate hit after it debuted on the menu in late March.

Pastry chef Mark Christie developed the cake using a recipe that Stitt discovered in Michelle Polzines Baking at the 20th Century Cafe cookbook.

Justin Hill and his Plott Hound dog, Jake, have been faithful companions for nine years. While Justin is used to getting stung by his honey bees, Jake is "not a big fan," his owner says.(Bob Carlton/bcarlton@al.com)

Always learning

Other chefs and brewers around the state have come up with all sorts of creative ways to incorporate Hills honey in their recipes.

Back Forty Beer Company in Birmingham features Hills Eastaboga honey in their Truck Stop Honey Brown Ale; Alabama Peanut Co. makes their Sweet Heat Honey Mustard boiled peanuts with it; Johnnys Restaurant in Homewood uses it in a honey-chipotle sauce; and Pizzeria GM in West Homewood includes it in a honey-balsamic drizzle they serve on their summer Chilton County peach pizza.

Their creativity motivates Hill.

Its the thing that gets you through the day sometimes, when you dont want to work anymore, he says. But then you start thinking about all the cool things people do with your honey, and you just push on through.

Some of the other restaurants around the state that use his honey include SpringHouse in Alexander City; Odette in Florence; Dyrons Lowcountry in Mountain Brook; SoHo Social in Homewood; Alabama Biscuit Company in Cahaba Heights; Acre and the Amsterdam Cafe in Auburn; Bettola, Big Spoon Creamery, Cafe Dupont, Cayo Coco and Hero Doughnuts in Birmingham; and Big Bad Breakfast locations around the state.

Evans, the Automatic Seafood and Oysters chef, features Hills honey in the restaurants yeast rolls with Eastaboga honey butter.

Wherever honey is required on the menu, he says, we are using it.

As impressed as he is with the quality and the consistency of the honey Hill produces, Evans is just as inspired by his thirst for knowledge.

Hes actually a genius if you start talking to him and start thinking about all the stuff he knows and what all he can do, Evans says. Its pretty incredible.

Hes always trying to learn something more about what hes doing and apply that to beekeeping, Evans adds. So, Ive got a ton of respect for him, and Ive got a ton of respect for what he does and for his product.

And hes not done learning.

At 35, Hill has gone back to school and is working on a masters degree in business administration from Harvard University. Hes taking most of his courses online but will return to campus in Cambridge in the fall, he says.

I honestly dont think you ever stop learning, he says. I think youre a fool if you do.

For more information about Eastaboga Bee Company, go here.

READ MORE:

The story behind these glorious Alabama grits

A classic Alabama dish returns in all its glory

Meet the Cullman farmer who supplies Alabamas top restaurants

The sweet story of Millie Ray and her famous orange rolls
A Cullman County resident had a grisly discovery when one of her dogs didnt come in when she got home last Thursday. Beretta, a four-month-old female Belgian malinois, had been decapitated and dismembered, said owner Crystal Eubanks.

Eubanks said she left her County Road 813 home in the Spring Hill community at 7 a.m. last Thursday and Beretta was in the pen with three of her German Shepherds. When she got home around 9 that night, she said she fed her two shepherds that were in the house and called for the ones outside to come in. When the other dogs came in through a ramp that leads from the pen into the house, Beretta was not with them. Usually shes first in line, said Eubanks.

It was also unusual for the puppy to not respond when Eubanks called her. She cared solely for me, she said.

Thinking maybe the dog had gotten stuck somewhere, Eubanks went to look for her. In the dark, she said she noticed the dog lying in the pen.

It was dark, so I couldnt see her clearly, but I saw bones sticking out, said Eubanks. She could see the dog wasnt breathing and called a friend to come over. At first, she was concerned that Beretta had been attacked by the other dogs, but they had no marks or blood on them.

The friend confirmed that the puppy was not a victim of a dog attack. The dogs head and right leg had been cut off. He said it was a clean cut, she said. The head and leg have not been found. Her friend took the rest of the body to be buried, she said.

Beretta had been a Mothers Day gift to Eubanks, whod planned on eventually including the dog in her breeding program. Shed gotten the puppy from Tennessee at the end of April, and the two had bonded. She was my baby, said Eubanks.

Now Eubanks wants to know who would do this to an animal and is concerned that the person responsible could do even worse things.

I think about how many kids live around me, she said. Im afraid if they can go after a dog, the kids could be next.

She thinks the person was familiar with her family and their patterns. They knew when none of us were home, she said.

She believes whoever killed the puppy took it off the property, killed her and then returned it to the pen. She said a search of the property didnt turn up any evidence of the dog being killed there. There was no blood on my property, she said.

She also suspects that the killer may have drugged the dogs that were also in the pen with Beretta. One suffered an stomach upset after the incident, but Eubanks said her vet said that could also be a result of stress.

She reported the incident to the Cullman County Sheriffs Office the next day and on Monday, Cullman County Animal Control came out to investigate. Animal Control Director Dwain Floyd said without any evidence, the incident would be considered a cold case. He said hes only had one other incident in his career that was somewhat similar, and in that case, it turned out the animal had been attacked by other dogs.

Eubanks cant think of anyone who would have targeted her or her husband Jonathan, a National Guardsman and volunteer firefighter, but said shes not taking any chances with her family or remaining dogs. Security cameras have been installed and the dogs are staying inside. They only go out when I go out, she said.

___

(c)2021 The Cullman Times (Cullman, Ala.)

Visit The Cullman Times (Cullman, Ala.) at www.cullmantimes.com

Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
Marshall County investigators can now see the face of a headless body that has gone unidentified for almost a quarter century.

This morning authorities in Guntersville presented a DNA analysis which aims to reconstruct the features of a man who has gone unidentified since his body was found in a creek bed off Eagle Rock Road in Union Grove, north of Arab, on April 15, 1997.

Investigators hope it will be a crucial step in not only identifying the man, but finding out who killed him.

If we can identify the victim, we feel like thats the key, Marshall County Sheriff Phil Sims said at a news conference.

Chief Investigator Keith Wilson said he wasnt even with the sheriffs department on the day when the body was discovered by a young boy. The decomposed body had its head and hands sawed off and its feet gnawed off by animals. The man also had his heart and spleen removed, leading investigators to believe the two organs may have had evidence.

Marshall County Sheriff Phil Sims speaks at a news conference in Guntersville, Ala., Wednesday, May 19, 2021, in front of a computer analysis of a body found in 1997. (William Thornton / wthornton@al.com)

Forensics revealed the cause of death as sharp edge trauma.

There is no way of knowing how long the man had been dead, but investigators believe it was placed in the ditch, which was occasionally prone to flooding and not within sight of any houses. It is the oldest cold case for sheriffs investigators, Sims said, and the only one with an unidentified victim.

Investigators used DNA from the beginning of the case, but nothing materialized, leading them to believe the man may have been missing but unreported. Genealogical DNA research revealed the man may have had distant relatives in Virginia, Texas and South Alabama, but investigations turned up little.

But how to identify a body without a head and facial features? Authorities turned to Parabon NanoLabs, a Reston, Va., firm that uses DNA sequencing and analysis to predict the physical appearance and ancestry of the victim.

Based on its Snapshot analysis, the company believes the man was between the ages of 20 and 28, of North European ancestry, with a light to fair complexion, blue eyes, brownish blond hair and a few freckles. It even provided a computer sketch to help in identifying the man.

Its gotten us to a place where we can maybe see some progress, Sims said of the analysis, which cost less than $12,000.

We want justice for the victim first, Wilson said. But were hoping to find out his identity and what happened to him for his family. This way, we can piece it together in reverse.
This is an opinion column.

Imagine.

Imagine if our lawmakers convened in Montgomery each January and asked themselves: How do we make life better for Alabamians?

Not just squeaky-wheelers in their district who have them on speed-dial and whine each time the wind shifts. Or a Confederate monument gets nicked.

Not just deep-pocketed buddies or contributors wholl get rich(er) under some new law.

Not just extremists who seek to do little more than screw Democrats/Republicans/Birmingham (choose one).

Imagine if they asked themselves:

How do we better educate our children, especially those who only by fate find themselves in our poorest rural and urban school districts?

How do we help more Alabamians live healthier by finally addressing the chasm of disparities in healthcare and quality of living weve too long ignored?

How do we ensure more Alabama babies live to see their first birthday, especially our Black and Brown babies, who die at twice the rate of white babies largely because too many of their expectant mothers cannot afford quality prenatal care?

How can we ensure our justice system is, well, more just?

How do we ensure Alabama is a magnet for economic innovation and economic growth instead of acting like your whacked-out cousin who offends everyone at the family reunion and making anyone considering locating their business here side-eye us like, well, were the whacked-out cousin who offends everyone at the family reunion?

Imagine if they gathered at the state Capitol each year, looked each other in the eye, and asked themselves: How do we finally stop being dead last (or close to it) in everything?

How do we do it with intentionality? With civility and respect?

Im still imagining.

Midnight struck on the 2021 legislative session earlier this week. I wish I could write were a whole lot better off than we were before it began, but that would be a lie.

Lawmakers expended time they cant get back, and bags of our money, jawing over stuff that became deflated balloons on the statehouse floor: Over building prisons rather than making them more humane; over gambling and a lottery Alabamians may never get to vote for; over an ill-conceived bill affecting medical treatment for transgender youth based on little science and even less humanity or common sense.

And the not-so-benign neglect of Medicaid expansion by Republicans and the Governor once again leave hundreds of thousands of working Alabamians dangling on the precipice of a medical tragedy because they cannot afford adequate healthcare.

So, after the mandated 30 days of mudslinging known as the annual legislative session, were, at best, somewhat better.

Somewhat better because lawmakers finally pulled us out of the Neanderthal age on medical marijuana and made at least some forms of it legal, as it already is in 36 other states.

Somewhat better because lawmakers significantly boosted pre-K funding, promising more access to broadband and other education essentials to those too long left behind.

Somewhat better because the age to buy tobacco products was raised from 19 to 21 (although nicotine-craving teens will still find a way).

Somewhat better because we may now lure qualified math and science teachers from others states with higher pay.

Somewhat better because law enforcement is slight less able to fleece low-income, Black and Brown citizens with property seizures for minuscule, non-violent drug offenses.

Somewhat better because our youngest students were granted a two-year reprieve from being held back if theyre not reading at grade level by third grade. (Now, lets ensure next falls first graders hit the mark in Spring 2022.)

Somewhat better because our kids can enjoy yoga at school. Finally.

Somewhat better because law enforcement agencies must now longer preserve evidence in sexual assaults and may now issue citations for some misdemeanors rather than expend time and resources taking alleged offenders into custody.

Somewhat better, too, because owners of barbershops, hair and nail salons, whose businesses are a critical thread in many communities, may soon operate mobile shops, offering a new means of expansion and serving customers with disabilities access to self-care.

Okay, a lot better we may know have wine delivered to our home!

Overall, were somewhat better, no doubt. Imagine, though, how much better we could be.

Should be.

A voice for whats right and wrong in Birmingham, Alabama (and beyond), Roys column appears in The Birmingham News and AL.com, as well as in the Huntsville Times, the Mobile Register. Reach him at rjohnson@al.com and follow him at twitter.com/roysj
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu says that he is determined to continue this operation until its aim is met, despite U.S. President Joe Bidens call for a de-escalation of hostilities in Gaza.

In a statement from the his office Wednesday, Netanyahu said that he greatly appreciates the support of the American president, but said Israel will push ahead to return the calm and security to you, citizens of Israel.

Earlier, Biden called for significant de-escalation by days end from Netanyahu after 10 days of heavy fighting between Israel and Hamas in Gaza.

THIS IS A BREAKING NEWS UPDATE. APs earlier story follows below.

GAZA CITY, Gaza Strip (AP)  Militants in Lebanon fired a barrage of rockets into northern Israel on Wednesday, threatening to open up a new front in fighting, as U.S. President Joe Biden publicly pressed Israel to wind down an offensive in the Gaza Strip.

The rocket attack, which drew Israeli artillery fire in response but apparently did not cause any injuries, raised the possibility of dragging Israel into renewed conflict with the powerful Lebanese militant group Hezbollah to its north  as it continues to battle Hamas militants along its southern frontier.

No one immediately claimed responsibility for the attack, and Hezbollah, which fought a monthlong war against Israel in 2006, has stayed out of the fighting for now.

But the barrage appears to be carefully calibrated to send a political message that the group, which has tens of thousands of missiles, could join the battle at any time. Israel considers Hezbollah to be its most formidable threat, and has threatened widespread destruction in Lebanon if war were to erupt.

The rocket attack came at a time of growing international pressure on Israel to halt its Gaza offensive, which has left over 200 people dead and caused heavy destruction.

Biden told Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu that he expected a significant de-escalation today on the path to a ceasefire, the White House said. Biden had previously avoided pressing Israel more directly and publicly for a cease-fire. But pressure has been ramping up on him to intervene more forcefully as other diplomatic efforts also gather strength.

Egyptian negotiators also were working to halt the fighting, and an Egyptian diplomat said that some of the countrys top officials are waiting for Israels response to a cease-fire offer. The diplomat spoke on the condition of anonymity in line with regulations. Meanwhile, German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas said he hoped to fly to Israel for talks Thursday with Israelis and Palestinians.

But it was unclear if or how quickly those efforts would yield results.

Earlier in the day, the Israeli military said it was widening its strikes on militant targets in the Palestinian territorys south to blunt continuing rocket fire from Hamas and Netanyahu said he was not ruling out further escalation. At least nine people were killed in the Gaza Strip on Wednesday.

The current round of fighting between Israel and Hamas began May 10 when the militant group fired long-range rockets toward Jerusalem after days of clashes between Palestinian protesters and Israeli police at the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound, a flashpoint site sacred to Jews and Muslims. Heavy-handed police tactics at the compound and the threatened eviction of dozens of Palestinian families by Jewish settlers had inflamed tensions.

Since then, Israel has pounded Gaza with hundreds of airstrikes it says are targeting Hamas militant infrastructure, and Hamas and other militant groups embedded in residential areas have fired more than 3,700 rockets at Israeli cities, with hundreds falling short and most of the rest intercepted.

At least 227 Palestinians have been killed, including 64 children and 38 women, with 1,620 people wounded, according to the Gaza Health Ministry, which does not break the numbers down into fighters and civilians. Hamas and Islamic Jihad say at least 20 of their fighters have been killed, while Israel says the number is at least 130. Some 58,000 Palestinians have fled their homes.

Twelve people in Israel, including a 5-year-old boy and a soldier, have been killed.

Wednesdays rocket barrage was the third from Lebanon over the past week.

The Israeli military said it identified four rockets fired from Lebanon into northern Israel. There were no immediate reports of injuries. One landed in an open area, two landed in the sea, and one was intercepted by aerial defenses. Residents of the city of Shfaram, east of Haifa, said one rocket landed near the town.

The rockets are widely believed to be fired by Palestinian factions based in south Lebanon.

In the Gaza Strip, one of the Israeli airstrikes destroyed the home of an extended family.

Residents surveyed the piles of bricks, concrete and other debris that had once been the home of 40 members of al-Astal family in the southern Gaza town of Khan Younis. They said a warning missile struck the building five minutes before the airstrike, allowing everyone to escape.

Ahmed al-Astal, a university professor, described a scene of panic, with men, women and children racing out of the building. Some of the women didnt even have time to cover their hair with Muslim headscarves, he said.

We had just gotten down to the street, breathless, when the devastating bombardment came, he said. They left nothing but destruction, the childrens cries filling the street. ... This is happening, and there is no one to help us. We ask God to help us.

The Israeli military said it struck a militant tunnel network around the towns of Khan Younis and Rafah, with 52 aircraft hitting 40 underground targets.

Among the nine people killed Wednesday was a reporter for Hamas-run Al-Aqsa radio and two people who died when warning missiles crashed into their apartment.

Military officials, meanwhile, said a mysterious explosion that killed eight members of a Palestinian family on the first day of the fighting was caused by a misfired rocket from Gaza. This wasnt an Israeli attack, said Lt. Col. Jonathan Conricus, a military spokesman.

Since the fighting began, Gazas infrastructure, already weakened by a 14-year blockade, has rapidly deteriorated. Medical supplies, water and fuel for electricity are running low in the territory, on which Israel and Egypt imposed the blockade after the Islamic militant group Hamas seized power in 2007.

Israeli attacks have damaged at least 18 hospitals and clinics and destroyed one health facility, the World Health Organization said. Nearly half of all essential drugs have run out.

The Gaza Health Ministry said it had salvaged coronavirus vaccines after shrapnel from an Israeli airstrike damaged the territorys only testing facility, which also administered hundreds of vaccines. The operations were relocated to another clinic.

Dr. Majdi Dhair, head of preventive medicine at the ministry, said the territory was already struggling to recover from a coronavirus wave that hit in February, with more than 4,200 active cases. At least 986 people have died from COVID-19 in Gaza, which only has enough supplies to vaccinate some 55,000 people out of a population of 2 million.

Among the buildings leveled by Israeli airstrikes was one housing The Associated Press Gaza office and those of other media outlets.

Netanyahu alleged that Hamas military intelligence was operating in the building. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said Tuesday that Israel had given the U.S. information about the bombing, without elaborating.

The AP has called for an independent investigation. The news organizations president, Gary Pruitt, has said the AP had no indication Hamas was present in the building and that this is something we check as best we can.

The fighting, the worst since a 2014 war between Israel and Hamas, has ignited protests around the world and inspired Palestinians in Israel and the occupied territories to call a general strike Tuesday. It was a rare collective action that spanned boundaries central to decades of failed peace efforts. Israel captured the West Bank, east Jerusalem and Gaza in the 1967 Mideast war, territories the Palestinians want for their future state.
A proposed quick reaction force within the D.C. National Guard to protect the Capitol is emerging as a top partisan dividing line for the $1.9 billion security spending bill set for a House vote Thursday.

Top Republicans on both the House and Senate Armed Services committees have come out against the provision, which is aimed at augmenting the defensive response of the Capitol Police.

Security of the Capitol Complex must remain the responsibility of federal civilian law enforcement, Rep. Mike D. Rogers, R-Ala., and Sen. James M. Inhofe, R-Okla., said in a joint statement.

The supplemental spending bill would allocate $200 million to creation of the rapid response team.

We cannot and should not militarize the security of the Capitol Complex, said Inhofe and Rogers. Further, Congress has held precisely no hearings to examine the creation of a Quick Reaction Force to weigh costs, benefits, and fundamental questions about its nature and responsibilities.

The Armed Services Committee Republicans also pointed to an erosion of readiness during what they called an over-long deployment to Capitol Hill for Guard troops.

The National Guard, which was activated on Jan. 6 and will remain around the Capitol through May 23 to assist Capitol Police, would receive a separate $520.9 million to pay for costs associated with staging troops in and around the building.

As the Capitol was under siege by violent insurrectionists and Capitol Police were overpowered by the mobs on Jan. 6, it took more than three hours for D.C. National Guard troops to be approved for deployment to the Capitol.

Maj. Gen. William Walker, who led the D.C. Guard on Jan. 6 and testified about the delays of his troops, is now the House sergeant-at-arms, the top security official in that chamber.

Inhofe and Rogers opposition to the quick reaction force comes after House Republicans spoke out against the proposal Tuesday at a House Rules Committee hearing, saying Democrats are moving forward without Republican input and without agreement on the costs of security needs.

Republican opposition to the bill will likely stall its consideration in the evenly divided Senate, where at least 10 GOP lawmakers are needed to advance legislation.



(Jennifer Shutt contributed to this report.)

___

(c)2021 CQ Roll Call

Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC
A rare wild Siberian tiger was successfully released back into the wild in northeast China's Heilongjiang Province on Tuesday, according to a Xinhua reporter at the scene.

The male tiger was captured in April after straying into a village, and following an evaluation that showed it had no diseases or abnormal behaviors, experts decided to return it to the wild as soon as possible.

This is the first time that China has rescued a wild Siberian tiger and released it into its natural habitat, said Liu Dan, a wildlife expert and chief engineer of the China Hengdaohezi Feline Breeding Center.

Experts decided to release the animal into the Changbai Mountain area, taking into considering the forest coverage, the distance from villages and the availability of prey.

The National Forestry and Grassland Administration has urged efforts to eliminate threats to wild tigers in the province, including conducting patrols and improving awareness among villagers.

Researchers will continue monitoring and studying the tiger's health status and genetic information, as well as its chances of surviving in the wild, the administration said.

The wild tiger strayed into a village in Heilongjiang on April 23, injuring a local resident. It was captured and transferred to the animal breeding center for assessment. It was found to be a male, two to three years old and weighing approximately 225 kg.

Siberian tigers, also known as Amur or Manchurian tigers, mainly inhabit eastern Russia, northeast China, and the northern part of the Korean Peninsula. The species are on the national first-class protection list in China.
Annistons school board on Tuesday voted to pink-slip more than a dozen teachers and teachers aides, then in a separate vote approved roughly $20,000 in one-time bonuses to administrators.

One member of the board said the bonus vote took the school system in the wrong direction.

This board has been concerned over the last several years about top-heaviness, said board member Joan Frazier. We are already spending more on salary for the top level positions, this year, more than we spent the previous year.

The board met Tuesday at Anniston Middle School in its regular monthly meeting (two days earlier than usual because of high school graduation Thursday) to discuss business as the school year ends. Among the changes was a plan to end the employment of seven teachers and seven teachers aides.

Its typical for schools to fire some non-tenured teachers at years end, sometimes with a plan to hire them again if the next school years budget permits. Hill said more could have been let go if the school system hadnt seen a large number of retirements over the past school year, about 15 in all. Many people in the school system have attributed the high rate of retirement to the stresses of the pandemic.

The board also voted to approve one-time supplemental pay, taken from federal pandemic assistance funds, for the citys acting nutrition program director and staff in the human resources office, among others. Hill, after the meeting, said the bonuses amounted to about $20,000 and were for additional duties those offices were taking on.

Were still in cleanup mode, Hill said, referring to the systems financial and management troubles in recent years. He said members of the staff had taken on additional duties in working to fix those problems.

Frazier said she was a little shocked that the system was letting go of teachers aides. She said the schools needed them. And she asked why staff were offered supplemental pay when teachers havent received the same.

We havent rewarded any of those teachers, she said. We havent rewarded any of those people who are in the schools.

Hill said the school system hopes to create more teaching positions next year with some of the funds gained from cutting teachers aides. He said he agreed that teachers deserved a bonus, though the school system is limited in how it can use federal aid.

Im not going to go to teachers and tell them something they want to hear just so theyll be comfortable, and it not be true, he said.

The board voted unanimously for the teacher and teachers aide cuts. It passed the supplemental pay with Frazier as the only dissenting vote.

I guarantee the employees of this system are hearing her and theyre hearing the rest of the board as well, said Angela Morgan, a representative for the Alabama Education Association. She said teachers are looking for some sort of recognition from the board for the work theyve done during the pandemic.

Closure of Tenth Street Elementary

Hill said only one of the teachers terminated Tuesday was from Tenth Street Elementary, the school the board plans to close this year. Its still unclear how the remaining teachers  and students  will be divided among the systems remaining elementary schools. Anniston is still monitored by federal courts for its compliance with court-ordered desegregation, and Hill on Tuesday said the system is waiting for court approval of a staffing and zoning plan.

The school closure comes as attendance at Anniston schools continues to decline. There are about 1,800 students in the system, compared with 2,400 a decade ago.

That drop includes the students lost early in the pandemic, when school officials estimate that about 5 percent of the student body never checked in for at-home schooling and, in effect, vanished.

Hill said Tuesday that the school system has since found five or six of those students, but administrators believe the rest are likely from families that moved out of the city.

Capitol & statewide reporter Tim Lockette: 256-294-4193. On Twitter @TLockette_Star.

___

(c)2021 The Anniston Star (Anniston, Ala.)

Visit The Anniston Star (Anniston, Ala.) at www.annistonstar.com

Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
Birmingham third-grader Kaitlynn Grady had one question Wednesday morning: Why did those people shoot me?

Its a question no parent should ever have to answer.

It just kinda broke me down again, said Katrina Grady, Kaitlynns mother. She asked my husband. She didnt say it to me because she knows how easily I cry.

The 8-year-old West End Academy student and her family were caught in a drive-by shooting on Warrior Road Tuesday night when Grady, described by police as a Good Samaritan, stopped to help motorists she thought had wrecked on the sidewalk. A certified nursing assistant for 20 years, Grady said its something she has always done.

I always help people and I want my babies to be the same way,' Grady said. Its something I normally do. Its in my blood to help others.

Kaitlynn Grady, 8, (right) was shot in a drive-by Tuesday, May 18, 2021. Pictured here with Good Samaritan mom, Katrina Grady, her husband Corteze Sewell, and 5-year-old sister Khalia Sewell. (Contributed)

The family, which also includes husband Corteze Sewell and 5-year-old Khalia Sewell, were on their way home from visiting Gradys mother in Fairfield Tuesday night when they stopped at a Warrior Road gas station just before 9:30 p.m.

While there, they heard gunfire close by. We were looking and dodging then, Grady said. That was the first time.

They left and were heading home when, just a couple of blocks away, they came upon a small, red car that was on the curb with all the airbags deployed.

I told my husband, Stop the car and let me make sure theyre OK,' Grady said. I dont want somebody to be there bleeding and not get help. I want to do what I can for them until the right people get there.

She got out of her familys vehicle and walked up to the car but noticed nobody was inside.

They had already run from the scene,' she said.

An 8-year-old girl was seriously wounded in a shooting Tuesday, May 18, 2021, on Birmingham's Warrior Road.

As she looked into the vehicle, neighbor residents told her the red car had been shot up. Then they started yelling, Yall get down. There goes the truck again,' Grady said.

Gunfire rang out again.

I had to duck and fall. My back is killing me,' Grady said. Im going to be honest with you, it sounded like machine guns. There were rifles and pistols out there.

Her husband and daughters were still in the vehicle. The backseat window was down, and Kaitlynn was struck by the bullets. She was shot in the arm and had head injuries from shrapnel, police said.

My little baby (Khalia) said, Mommy, they shot my sister. They tried to kill my sister,' Grady said. I looked and honestly the one that got shot didnt even know she got shot, which was a good thing because I didnt want her to panic. She just said her fingers were hurting.

It broke my heart. I had to calm her down,' Grady said. She saw the blood but didnt know where it was coming from.

Shes brave,' she said. She was walking with a wound in her head and a wound in her arm. What scared her was seeing a lot of blood.

Birmingham police Sgt. Rod Mauldin said the preliminary investigation suggests that two vehicles - the red car and another - were involved in a running gun battle.

The second vehicle, which has not yet been identified, apparently shot up the red vehicle and circled back around, opening fire again but this time striking the Good Samaritans vehicle and injuring Kaitlynn.

Authorities have not announced any arrests in the case.

Two other gunshot victims showed up at Baptist Medical Center Princeton. Their role in the incident has not yet been disclosed.

Khalia is traumatized,' she said. She was the one screaming and letting me know that her sister was shot. Shes more worried about her sister than anything. Shes like the little sister that is really the big sister.

Sewell grabbed the girls out of the vehicle and ran to a nearby home, where the residents let them inside.

She had already called the police and they were there in like two to three minutes because they had already heard it on Shot Spotter,' Grady said.

Kaitlynn was rushed to Childrens of Alabama. Police initially said her injuries were life-threatening, but later learned she was going to be OK. They are hoping she will be released from the hospital on Thursday.

Thankful that her daughter and the rest of her family are alive, Grady said shes not sure she will be able to keep helping out others in that type of situation.

She said it would have to be in a safe, well-lit place for her to do it again.

I have second thoughts now,' she said. And that hurts me, but the crime rate is so high right now.

I dont think I need to stop anymore. And would anybody else do the same for me? I dont know,' Grady said. I dont want to risk my life doing that again.
A Gadsden man was arrested by Etowah County Sheriffs Office deputies after he allegedly sexually abused a girl for five years.

Darrel Robert Hartman, 60, was charged with sex abuse of a child less than 12 and first-degree sodomy, according to Etowah County Jail records.

He allegedly sexually abused an 8-year-old girl until she was 13, investigators told WBRC.

Hartman was in the jail for 18 minutes Sunday after posting $150,000 bond, records showed.

Under a judges order for Hartmans bond terms, he cant have contact with the victim or her family, cannot have any unsupervised contact with anyone under 18 years old and cannot leave Alabama without written permission, according to court records.
An 8-year-old girl was rushed to the hospital late Tuesday night after she was wounded by gunfire on Birminghams west side.

Police initially said the girls injuries were life-threatening, but later said she is expected to be OK. She was shot in the arm, and suffered injuries to her head by shrapnel. Her mother on Wednesday spoke with AL.com.

The shooting happened just after 9:30 p.m. at 1412 Warrior Road. The girl is being treated at Childrens of Alabama.

The girl was in a vehicle with her mother, father and sister when they came upon a crashed vehicle near the intersection of Warrior Road and Avenue N. The car was partially on the sidewalk with the airbags deployed.

The mother, police said, is a nurse so she told her husband to stop and see if anyone was injured. When the mother got out of the vehicle, police believe, gunfire erupted from another vehicle driving by and the little girl was struck.

Sgt. Rod Mauldin said the preliminary investigation suggests that two vehicles - the red car and another - were involved in a running gun battle. The second vehicle, which has not yet been identified, apparently shot up the red vehicle and circled back around, opening fire again but this time striking the Good Samaritans vehicle and injuring her daughter.

Police said they did not find anyone in the wrecked red vehicle when they arrived. It had bullet holes in it, but they didnt know if those holes were put there before the drive-by that injured the child, or during the gunfire that injured the child.

Mauldin said two people showed up at Baptist Medical Center Princeton with gunshot wounds. Detectives are trying to determine whether the two shootings are linked.

Anyone with information is asked to call Birmingham detectives at 205-254-1764 or Crime Stoppers at 205-254-7777.
A Hamilton man died in a two-car crash late Tuesday night.

Senior Trooper Gregory Corble of ALEA said the incident happened at around 11:20 p.m. Tuesday seven miles north of Sulligent on Lamar County 35.

Arthur Webb, 81, was killed when the 2007 Chevrolet Cobalt he was driving left the roadway and crashed into a tree. Webbs vehicle then overturned and struck an unoccupied 2008 Honda Civic in a private driveway.

He was pronounced deceased at the scene.

Troopers with the Alabama Law Enforcement Agencys (ALEA) Highway Patrol Division continue to investigate.
Authorities have released the name of a man shot to death in a South East Lake neighborhood midday Monday.

Birmingham police on Tuesday evening identified the victim as Tavarius Hampton. He was 25.

The shooting happened at 12:27 p.m. Monday in the 7800 block of Sixth Avenue South. Officers arrived to find Hampton critically injured and asked for a rush on the medics. Hampton was taken to the hospital where he was later pronounced dead.

Sgt. Rod Mauldin said the preliminary investigation suggests that the victim was seen leaving a bag on the porch of a residence when he was approached by the occupants of the home. He said he did not know what was in the bag.

It is reported both men approached the subject and gunfire was exchanged, fatally wounding the subject,' Mauldin said. Both suspects were detained and questioned by detectives.

Birmingham police are investigating a fatal shooting that happened Monday, May 17, 2021, in the 7800 block of Sixth Avenue South.

Police said officers found multiple weapons in the street. As of Tuesday evening, no arrests had been announced.

The killing is Birminghams 46th homicide so far this year. Of those, three have been ruled justifiable and therefore arent deemed criminal. In all of Jefferson County there have been 89 homicides including the 46 in Birmingham.

Anyone with information is asked to call Birmingham homicide detectives at 205-254-1764 or Crime Stoppers at 205-254-7777.
A Childersburg woman was sentenced to federal prison this week in a wire fraud scheme in which she embezzled more than $500,000 from her former employer.

U.S. District Judge Annemarie Axon sentenced Tonya Bird Swain, 43, to two years in federal prison followed by three years of supervised release for wire fraud. Swain was also ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $532,724.48 to the victim, according to a joint statement by Northern District of Alabama U.S. Attorney Prim F. Escalona, and FBI Special Agent in Charge Johnnie Sharp, Jr.

Swain pleaded guilty to the charges in January.

According to the plea agreement, Swain embezzled over $500,000 from her former employer, Recycle USA. Swain was employed as the controller and/or accounts manager. She was responsible for ordering, receiving, and disbursing cash for company operations, and for making accounting entries in QuickBooks.

On multiple occasions between 2015 and 2017, Swain ordered funds to be delivered via Loomis to Recycle USA. Swain manipulated QuickBooks entries and did not put all the cash in the vault, but instead kept the cash and used it to pay personal expenses.

This defendant violated the trust bestowed upon her by her employer, Escalona said. This sentence sends a message that such schemes to defraud will result in federal prosecution and prison time.

The FBI investigated the case, which Assistant U.S. Attorney Robin Beardsley Mark prosecuted.

Swain violated her employers trust when she defrauded them and went to great lengths to conceal her criminal activity, Sharp said. This behavior is a serious federal crime and simply wont be tolerated.
A Mobile woman who smashed the window of a police car during a protest has been convicted.

Tia Pugh, 22, was charged after a May 31, 2020 protest in downtown Mobile over the death of George Floyd. Protestors were attempting to make their way onto the I-10 ramp, which was blocked off by Mobile Police Department officials.

Floyd was brought up multiple times during the trial by George Armstrong, one of Pughs lawyers. Armstrong said that May 31 ended up being the most important day of her life.

Pugh admitted to [breaking the window] and doing it on purpose, but this case is more than that, Armstrong said.

Pugh was charged under the Civil Obedience Act, created during the civil rights movement of the 1960s. Her case is one of the cases to go to court after former President Trump and Attorney General Bill Barr called for a crackdown following last summers wave of protests.

Pugh had no comment as she walked out of the United States District Courthouse after her verdict. She comes back for sentencing on Aug. 19 at 1:30 p.m. pic.twitter.com/3AizF0hRHB  Tandra  (@tandratbh) May 19, 2021

Armstrong argued earlier this year that the law was born out of a racist backlash to the civil rights movement and gives prosecutors too much discretion to charge almost anyone engaged in a heated confrontation with police during a public demonstration, according to Politico.

Pughs actions, Armstrong said, did not meet the criteria for being a federal crime because Pugh was acting alone when she smashed the window.

Video taken by an AL.com reporter was referenced several times during the trial, along with footage from local TV affiliate, WKRG.

Another point that was argued about during the trial besides whether or not the protest was considered peaceful or otherwise was if Pughs actions disrupted interstate traffic.

The prosecution brought up an affidavit from FBI Special Agent Paul Roche about the impacts the May protest had on downtown traffic. In the affidavit, Roche said that the protesters presence on the Water Street on-ramp forced the MPD to close both the on-ramp to Westbound I-10 from Water Street and Exit 26B Eastbound for safety reasons.

Due to the closure, commercial vehicles transporting hazardous materials to take a 19.5 mile detour. The prosecution also brought up how one protestor who was laying down in the middle of the road forced a Family Dollar 18-wheeler truck to stop in the middle of the road.

The issue of whether or not somebody was in the police vehicle at the time of the window smashing was also a point of contention.

Armstrong pointed out how the police report said that only the owner of the police cruiser was near it at the time and nobody was in it, but when witnesses were questioned about whether or not somebody was inside of it, nobody could give a definitive answer.

If somebody else was in the car, it wouldve been in the report, Armstrong said. The FBI didnt bother to ask.

Opening statements in Pughs trial began around 2 p.m. Monday, after a failed attempt to get her trial moved to September. Armstrong attempted to argue that the statute used in her case was born out of a racist backlash to the civil rights movement.

Pugh did not take the stand in her on defense during the trial.
The Alabama Surface Mining Commission says pollution entering two creeks in Tuscaloosa County is not enough to warrant shutting down a nearby coal mine.

There are definitely situations that call for immediate cessations of operations, ASMC Executive Director Kathy Love said in an email to AL.com. This situation, however, did not warrant the punitive severity of an immediate cessation order.

The commission, charged with regulating mining operations in Alabama, issued a notice of violations to Warrior Met Coal on May 7, after inspections determined a waste pond at the companys Mine No. 7 was responsible for discolored, inky black water that has been observed since late April in Texas and Davis Creeks, which flow into the Black Warrior River.

Environmental group Black Warrior Riverkeeper called on the state commission to force the mine to stop discharging until they can fix a leaking waste pond that is sending fine particles of coal waste into the creeks.

However, the states mining regulators say that is not necessary. Love said the pollution was the result of a maintenance issue at the mine, releasing coal fines tiny, dust-like particles of coal and other material -- into the creek.

Shutting down mine operations would not have prevented continuation or stopped occurrence of the coal fines leak, Love said.

Love said Warrior could still face penalties from the ASMC as well as the Alabama Department of Environmental Management over the pollution in the creeks, but that state mining rules require operators be given time to fix the violations before penalties are assessed.

In this case, the mine was required to begin dredging out the leaking waste pond and perform other smaller fixes within three days, which it did. Now the mine must install a fabric liner and rock rubble in the leaking pond within 30 days of the notice of violations  May 7  and conduct daily water monitoring of the creeks for 90 days.

Then, depending on the type of violation and abatement actions, fines can, and usually are, subsequently assessed by the State, Love said. These fines are in addition to any penalties also assessed by ADEM.

Nelson Brooke at Black Warrior Riverkeeper said the actions have not been fast enough to protect the waterways.

The agencies responsible should have already swiftly shut this thing down, Brooke said Tuesday.

Brooke said water samples he took on May 12 and sent to a private lab showed not only extremely high levels of dissolved solids, but also high conductivity, and the presence of heavy metals like iron, manganese, lead, and zinc. He said the samples also showed levels of e Coli bacteria that exceed Alabamas water quality standards.

The mine discharges into an unnamed tributary to Texas Creek, which flows into Davis Creek in Tuscaloosa County before entering the Black Warrior River near Holt Lake.

Love said the mining commission sent inspectors to the site almost every day since the pollution was reported in late April.

While the mining commission regulates mining activity, ADEM is responsible for administering the federal Clean Water Act in Alabama. Mines and other industrial operations must apply for permits with ADEM to discharge pollutants into state waterways. The permit holder, in this case Warrior Met Coal, can face fines or in the extreme revocation of their permit for releasing excess pollution into the rivers.

ADEM collected water samples of the creeks on April 27 that showed the mine had exceeded its permit limits on total suspended solids in the creek.

ADEM is actively reviewing the Met Coal information and data obtained as a result of the inspection and will take appropriate enforcement action, ADEM External Affairs Chief Lynn Battle said in an email to AL.com last week.

The deadline for Warrior Met Coal to meet the mining commissions requirements on making changes at the mine, including adding a fabric liner to catch coal fines, is June 15.

Warrior Met Coal was formed in 2016 during the bankruptcy of Walter Energy to repay creditors of the former mining company.

The company released a statement last week saying: We are continuing to work with ASMC on a plan to ensure the continued water quality of sampling locations and immediate downstream areas in our communities. Warrior Met Coal remains committed to high standards for water quality, as reflected by the companys track record of a 99.8% water quality compliance rate and positive record of reclamation and release of previously used lands.

Warrior Met Coal is also dealing with a labor strike as about 1,100 union workers walked out last month to protest the companys labor practices.
This is an opinion column.

Prior to this past week, most Americans had no idea which members of Congress were part of Republican leadership in the House of Representatives. They do know that Rep. Liz Cheney (R-WY) publicly called former President Donald Trump a liar, and her colleagues booted her from her leadership post as a result.

At first, I couldnt understand why someone as politically savvy as Cheney would commit political suicide. As it turns out, shes constructed a viable, albeit difficult, path to replace House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) in the next election cycle.

Barring political implosion, Republicans have an inside track to win the majority in the House of Representatives in 2022. Since 1946, the sitting presidents party has lost, on average, 27 House seats in midterm elections.

Right now, Democrats hold 219 seats. Republicans hold 212. Of the four vacancies, one was held by a Republican and three by Democrats. So lets call it a 222-213 Democratic majority. Thats obviously not a comfortable position for Democrats heading into the midterm elections.

If Republicans underperform and only pick up 20 seats, then they would hold a 233-202 majority.

As excited as the GOP should be about the opportunity, any new Republican majority doesnt go through tattoo-Trump-on-your-face districts.

For example, Republicans can despise Pelosi all they want, but shes in a D+37 seat according to the Cook Political Reports partisan value index. In other words, her congressional seat is 37 points more Democratic than the nation as a whole. Republicans would sooner overturn the 2020 presidential election than knock off Pelosi.

Ann Kirkpatrick (D-AZ) and Tom OHalleran (D-AZ), on the other hand, hold R+1 and R+2 seats respectively. To pick up those seats, Republicans need to be competitive in the general election with Arizona swing voters we decided against Trump in the last election.

All politics are local. The dynamics in competitive districts which award majorities in the U.S. House and Senate are much more complicated than partisan strongholds where the primary is effectively the election. Running the Im with Trump campaign playbook isnt going to do the trick.

Cheney understands that reality even if she represents a state thats R+25. She knows that a Republican majority in 2022 means plenty of new members who are perfectly willing to let Trump remain in the past.

Its no secret that, until recently, Kevin McCarthy and Liz Cheney appeared to be the most likely candidates to serve as speaker of the House for a new Republican majority. McCarthy tied his fortunes to Trump. Cheney explicitly rejected him.

While it might seem like McCarthy has emerged victorious, Cheneys path to the speakers office is actually stronger than it was before she lost her leadership post.

Republican and Democratic leadership positions are elected by members from the respective parties. The speaker is elected by the entire House of Representatives.

Democrats cant stand Trump or his acolytes in Congress. Lets assume that all 202 of them are willing to vote for someone other than McCarthy knowing that a Democrat isnt going to be speaker. Cheney would need 16 more votes. Count the 10 Republicans who voted to impeach Trump. Add in swing-district Republicans who need an affirmative vote that declares their independence. Cheney might even pick up a few conservative Republicans who see her as a superior policy advocate to McCarthy.

Of course, Cheney must first survive a Trumpist primary challenger in Wyoming. To her advantage, the GOP primary in Wyoming only requires a plurality to advance. If more than one MAGA challenger is in the race, shes in great shape. If she survives, shell be a force to reckon with.

Its a bold gambit, but it makes a lot more sense than a political tactician like Cheney crafting a large spectacle without a purpose. Its also a chance to break the hyperpartisan stranglehold that most Americans have grown tired of enduring. Besides, ousted House Republican conference chairs also have a habit of sticking around. Just ask John Boehner.

Cameron Smith is CEO of the Triptych Foundation, a 501(c)(3) non-profit. The Triptych Foundation promotes a virtuous society through investments in socially impactful media and business. He was recently executive director of the Republican Policy Committee in the United States House of Representatives. You can reach him at cameron@smithstrategies.org.
The Yangtze River Delta Region Children and Adolescents' Mental Health Enhance Alliance was established at Shanghai-based Xinhua Hospital on Sunday.

Sixty-three hospitals and some teachers in charge of students' mental health from educational authorities at city- and district-levels became inaugural members of the alliance with a joint goal to provide early detection and intervention for children who undergo psychological difficulties and improve the overall mental health levels of individuals aged below 18.

Zhang Jinsong, director of the clinical psychology department at Xinhua Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, said that there is a rising need for psychological health support for minors over the past few years, but there are currently fewer than 20 psychiatrists specializing in children's mental problems in Shanghai.

Within the alliance, experts from the children's psychology department at Xinhua Hospital and the children and adolescents department from the Shanghai Mental Health Center have teamed up to design mental health intervention plans for children from kindergarten, primary schools and middle schools.

"We'll hold seminars, workshops and lectures online and offline to more than 100 frontline doctors within the alliance every month to enrich their experience of screening and treating children with mental challenges," said Zhang, who added that most member hospitals treat adult cases but lack experience in dealing with juveniles.

She said that the teachers in the alliance will be requested to pass on the skills to those in charge of students' psychological health in schools.

"Also, there will be guidebooks for the teachers to help children recognize and understand their own emotions and deal with various situations, such as conflicts between peers, academic pressure, conflicts with parents, and public emergencies, in appropriate and positive ways," Zhang said.

The alliance will also offer offline and online lectures regarding juvenile mental health to students and parents, according to Zhang.

Experts said that the COVID-19 pandemic is behind the rise of psychological health problems among minors.

Two research projects conducted by Xinhua Hospital have shown that children suffering from attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, or ADHD, experienced a deterioration in emotional state, more conflicts with parents and an worsening in the ability to focus, said Zhang.
The Southern Way (lots of sugar)

The Yankee Way (no sugar or sweetener)

The Arnold Palmer (lemonade added)

Plantation Iced Tea (with fruit)

Half sweet and half unsweet mixed together.

Unsweet with a no calorie sweetener.

With fruit garnishment such as a lemon or lime.

I drink my iced tea in different way than listed here.

I don't drink iced tea.

Vote

View Results
Stacker compared the minimum wage in each state and Washington D.C. to the cost of living, referring to the Massachusetts Institute of Technology's Living Wage Calculator. Click for more.
WASHINGTON (AP)  Secretary of State Antony Blinken and his envoy reached out to Palestinian and regional Arab leaders Tuesday on a ninth day of Israeli airstrikes and Hamas rockets, while some House Democrats split on whether to step up pressure for a cease-fire and for more forceful U.S. diplomacy to end the fighting.

Democrats on the House Foreign Affairs Committee weighed  but on Tuesday shelved  writing President Joe Biden to demand that he delay a pending $735 million sale of precision-guided missiles to Israel. Dozens of progressive and mainstream Democratic lawmakers have called for a cease-fire between Israel and Gaza's Hamas militants, and some Democrats are demanding Biden push harder for an end to fighting.

Committee member Rep. Joaquin Castro, D-Texas, was among Democrats seeking a harder line, saying he has "serious concerns about the timing of this weapons sale, the message it will send to Israel and the world about the urgency of a cease fire." He said late Monday that the Biden administration "must use every diplomatic tool to de-escalate this conflict and bring about peace."

Committee chairman Rep. Gregory Meeks, D-N.Y. said the lawmakers expect an administration briefing Wednesday on the crisis. House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer on Tuesday acknowledged the difference between a growing number of progressive Democrats and the Biden administration on the U.S. approach to the conflict, but played it down.

"Every Democrat, and I think every Republican, wants to minimize the exposure of both sides in Gaza and in Israel," Hoyer told reporters. "There's a difference about how that can be done."

"All of us are very concerned about the violence that is occurring," Hoyer said, and stressed support for Biden's efforts.

Tuesday's U.S. consultations with Arab leaders on the conflict came as the death toll rose to at least 213 Palestinians and 12 people in Israel. Efforts by Egypt and others to mediate a truce have stalled.

Biden has spoken out strongly on Israel's right to defend itself from Hamas rockets, and refrained from publicly criticizing Israel, or pressing it to wrap up what Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has indicated could be extended military strikes aimed at weakening Hamas in Gaza.

Biden in a call to Netanyahu on Monday expressed support for a cease-fire. He did not join in the calls by some of his party's lawmakers and by many foreign governments to demand one, however.

Administration officials are defending Biden's decision to avoid racheting up public pressure on Israel for its role in the fighting. The U.S. this week killed a proposed U.N. Security Council statement that would have expressed concern for civilian deaths and raised the issue of a cease-fire.

"The president has been doing this long enough...to know sometimes diplomacy has to happen behind the scenes," White House press secretary Jen Psaki told reporters Tuesday, as Biden headed to a Ford electric vehicle site in Michigan to promote a green infrastructure plan. Pressure on the White House to do more in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict dogged the trip.

Democrats this week scrutinized the latest in what are normally routine arms sales to Israel as the death toll mounted. The current sale deals with JDAM precision-guided missiles.

Congress typically has 15 days after notification of such a sale to raise objections, although presidents can cite national security interests in allowing arms deals to go forward.

The U.S. is Israel's top ally, and Israel historically has been the top recipient of U.S. foreign aid, according to the Congressional Research Service, part of what gives the United States more of whatever leverage international leaders have over Israel's decision-making. Most of what the congressional researchers say is the more than $140 billion in U.S. aid to Israel over the years has been military, including for Israel's missile-defense system

Blinken, working the phone on an unrelated overseas trip focusing on Russia and Nordic countries, spoke with foreign ministers of Morocco and Bahrain, two Arab countries that recently have moved to normalize relations with Israel. US envoy Hady Amr in Israel spoke with Palestinian National Authority President Mahmoud Abbas.

Blinken defended to reporters accompanying him the U.S. decision to block what would have been a unanimous U.N. Security Council statement on the fighting and its civilian toll, and the overall U.S. approach to the conflict.

"Our goal remains to bring the current cycle of violence to an end" and then return to a process in which a lasting peace can be forged, the U.S. diplomat said.

Meanwhile, European Union foreign ministers were meeting Tuesday to discuss how to use the 27-nation bloc's political clout to help diplomatic efforts to end the fighting between the Israeli armed forces and Palestinian militants. The EU has been united in its calls for a cease-fire and the need for a political solution to end the latest conflict, but the nations are divided over how best to help.

Netanyahu told Israeli security officials late Monday that Israel would "continue to strike terror targets" in Gaza "as long as necessary in order to return calm and security to all Israeli citizens."

___

Knickmeyer reported from Oklahoma City, Lee from Copenhagen, Denmark, and Lederer from New York. Associated Press writers Lisa Mascaro, Alan Fram, Aamer Madhani, Padmananda Rama and Joshua Boak in Washington contributed.
ATLANTA  A U.S. government report finds rural counties are behind urban counties in their COVID-19 vaccination efforts, a gap that could slow the fight against the coronavirus.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported Tuesday that 39% of adults in rural counties had received at least one shot compared to 46% in urban counties as of April 10. The rural lag holds up in women, men and both younger and older adults.

Polling suggests rural Americans are more likely than others to say they'll avoid vaccination. The CDC report says rural Americans may have more trouble traveling to distant vaccination sites.

Early in the pandemic, the coronavirus hit large cities. By September, it spread throughout the country and case rates in rural areas eventually surpassed urban centers. Some research suggests rural Americans may be more vulnerable to serious infection and death from COVID-19.

The CDC says public health departments should work with doctors, pharmacies, faith groups and employers in rural areas to address the gap in coverage.

___

THE VIRUS OUTBREAK:

 Clinic helps long-haul patients in London neighborhoods where COVID-19 hit hard

 India reports record day of virus deaths as cases of infection level off

 Virus testing strategies, opinions vary widely in US schools

 Follow more of AP's pandemic coverage at https://apnews.com/hub/coronavirus-pandemic and https://apnews.com/hub/coronavirus-vaccine

___

HERE'S WHAT ELSE IS HAPPENING:

WASHINGTON  Federal health officials are releasing $3 billion to help states cope with rising substance abuse and mental health impacts of the coronavirus pandemic.

The money approved by Congress in President Joe Biden's coronavirus relief bill will be equally divided between the Community Mental Health Services Block Grant and the Substance Abuse Prevention and Treatment Block Grant, roughly tripling the federal commitment to the programs, officials say.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recently reported 90,000 overdose deaths for the 12-month period ending last September, which represents 20,000 additional lives lost compared with the same period a year earlier.

Reported episodes of anxiety and depression were up sharply last year, and more people experienced suicidal thoughts. But there was a drop in the use of mental health and substance abuse treatment. Although people are using mental health services again, it hasn't returned to pre-pandemic levels.

The money will be distributed through the federal Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration.

___

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates  The United Arab Emirates says it will offer booster shots six months after vaccination for those who received the Chinese state-backed Sinopharm shot.

The announcement Tuesday comes after some in the UAE received a third shot amid concerns of a low antibody response from the vaccine.

Last month, China's top disease control official, in a rare acknowledgement, said current vaccines offer low protection against the coronavirus.

China has distributed hundreds of millions of doses of domestically made vaccines abroad and is relying on them for its own mass immunization campaign. The state-owned company has not publicly published peer-reviewed data on the final stage clinical trial research and been criticized for a lack of transparency.

The UAE initially said the vaccine was 86% effective in the first public release of information on the shot's efficacy. But in the time since, it has offered no study data to support its figures.

___

NEW DELHI  The Serum Institute of India says it hopes to start delivering coronavirus vaccine doses to the U.N. backed effort known as COVAX and to other countries by the end of the year, which will significantly set back global efforts to immunize people against COVID-19.

In March, India's Serum Institute, the world's biggest vaccine maker and the main supplier of COVID-19 vaccine doses to COVAX, said it was postponing all exports of coronavirus vaccines to deal with the explosive surge of cases on the subcontinent. At the time, the World Health Organization and Gavi announced the delay would affect about 90 million doses of COVID-19 vaccines, but they expected deliveries to resume by June.

"SII has delivered more than 200 million doses," the company said in a statement posted to its Twitter account. It says in the past few days, there's been "intense discussion" on the decision of the Indian government and vaccine manufacturers about the possible export of vaccines.

"We continue to scale up and prioritize India," the company says. "We also hope to start delivering to COVAX and other countries by the end of the year."

___

GENEVA  More than 60 countries want the World Trade Organization member states to temporarily ease protections on the know-how behind vaccines, medicine and tests for the coronavirus.

They are appealing to approximately 140 other members to step forward "as soon as possible" to flesh out a text for the proposal. The 62 WTO member states -- mostly developing countries -- have rallied around a proposal first made by India and South Africa that garnered some support from the Biden administration when it comes to vaccines.

A joint statement from the countries says they'll "soon" present a revised proposal on the issue that aims to get coronavirus help to the neediest people -- whether in rich or poor countries.

The 62 states also pledged flexibility on the issue to "ensure swift outcomes" that would suit a majority of WTO member states. However, the WTO operates by consensus -- meaning any single country could block the proposal. Some have expressed strong opposition.

Wealthy countries with strong pharmaceutical industries say such a temporary "intellectual property waiver" could have a long-lasting impacting innovation and would take months to carry out -- rendering it ineffective against urgent supply shortages faced in many countries. They say a better solution would be immediate donations of vaccines from rich countries that have extra doses.

Proponents insist capacity to scale up production of vaccines exists, but the protections under WTO rules prevent it.

___

NICOSIA, Cyprus  Cyprus' health minister says private doctors can administer the AstraZeneca shot against COVID-19 to anyone over age 20 to expedite its vaccination program.

Constantinos Ioannou says the government's online vaccination appointment program will re-open for all ages so anyone who missed out the first time around can make the arrangement.

So far, 45.2% of its 875,000 population has received at least one shot and 15.5% have completed their vaccination. Ioannou says the government's target to vaccinate two-thirds of the population by the end of June remains on track.

___

BUCHAREST  All students in Bucharest can return to school on Wednesday after the capital's coronavirus infection rate fell below one per 1,000 residents, officials announced Tuesday.

Before new restrictions were implemented in late March, Romania was facing rising coronavirus infections forcing many schools to operate a hybrid learning system of online lessons and some physical attendance.

If a child tests positive for the coronavirus after schools reopen Wednesday, classes will be moved online with the approval of the authorities.

This week, Romania recorded less than 400 daily coronavirus infections, its lowest daily rate since last July.

Romania's government is aiming to fully vaccinate 5 million of its 19 million people by June 1. So far, 7 million doses have been administered but only 3 million people are fully vaccinated.

___

WASHINGTON  The nation's top infectious disease expert is acknowledging "confusion" after the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention last week said fully vaccinated people don't need to wear masks in most instances, even indoors.

Dr. Anthony Fauci tells ABC News, "The problem and the issue is that we don't have any way of knowing who is vaccinated and who's not vaccinated."

He says it is "reasonable and understandable" that some businesses and localities are maintaining mask requirements because they can't be sure of an individual's vaccination history. But he says it's important to note those measures protect the unvaccinated from each other, and vaccines provide a high level of protection for those who have gotten them.

Fauci says children who are not vaccinated  including children under 12 who won't be eligible for vaccines for months  should continue to wear masks indoors. But he says that recommendation could change as the CDC conducts more research and more Americans get shots.

___

BERLIN  Health officials say they have quarantined the residents of two high-rise buildings in the western German town of Velbert after several people tested positive with the coronavirus variant first detected to India.

Officials from the county of Mettmann said "there are currently several infections with the Indian virus variant in Velbert."

They said several families who were in close touch with each other were affected and that everyone was being tested. Local broadcaster WDR reported about 200 people in the two buildings were affected. They have been quarantined, are getting tested and the Red Cross is providing food and other help.

So far, the COVID-19 variant that was first detected in India has not been found a lot in Germany, but is said to be more contagious than other variants currently more prevalent in Germany.

___

TAIPEI, Taiwan  Taiwan reported 240 cases of domestically transmitted cases of COVID-19 and two new deaths Tuesday.

It was lower than Monday's 333 cases but continues to be the island's worst outbreak of the pandemic, with more than 1,000 cases discovered in about a week. Now, more than 600,000 people are in medical isolation for two weeks, as the island seeks to stop transmission of the virus.

Island-wide, schools will be shut for two weeks starting Wednesday, the minister of education said on Tuesday at a daily news briefing.

The island has recorded 14 deaths and 2,260 cases in total and has been lauded for its success in curbing the spread of the virus despite close ties with China, where COVID-19 first emerged in late 2019.

President Tsai Ing-wen spoke about the island's handling of the current outbreak during a visit to the Central Epidemic Command Center Tuesday morning.

She assured people vaccines purchased abroad will arrive and that domestic development of a vaccine was progressing.

And she said several quarantine centers were being added to care for patients with mild or no symptoms. "We will continue to strengthen our medical capacity."

___

NEW DELHI  India's total virus cases since the pandemic began swept past 25 million as the country registered more than 260,000 new cases and a record 4,329 fatalities in the last 24 hours.

The numbers reported Tuesday follow a trend of falling cases after infections dipped below 300,000 for the first time in weeks a day earlier.

Active cases in the country also decreased by more than 165,000 on Tuesday  the biggest dip in weeks. But deaths have continued to rise and hospitals are still swamped by patients.

India has recorded nearly 280,000 virus deaths since the pandemic began. Both the number of deaths and total reported cases are thought to be vast undercounts.

The government on Monday announced that 17 new labs will help track variants, boosting India's genome sequencing abilities as concern grows over a potentially worrisome variant first detected here. The variant may spread more easily but the country has lagged behind in doing the testing needed to track it and understand it better.

The variant first identified in India has prompted global concern  most notably in Britain, where it has more than doubled in a week, defying a sharp nationwide downward trend in infections.

___

HARTFORD, Conn.  As some states set plans to a pandemic $300 weekly supplemental unemployment benefit as a way to encourage people to find work, Connecticut is offering a much different incentive  a $1,000 signing bonus for taking a job.

Starting May 24, up to 10,000 people in Connecticut considered to have been unemployed for the "long-term" will be able to sign up for the program with the state Department of Labor. Ultimately, they would be paid the bonus after spending eight weeks in their new full-time job.

Connecticut Gov. Ned Lamont said Monday that the state will also retain the $300 benefit before some people are still afraid to work because of the coronavirus.

___

WASHINGTON  The Biden Administration is putting a fresh wave of funding toward its stated goal of making a serious dent in homelessness across the country.

Despite a wave of public support and a nationwide eviction moratorium, Housing Secretary Marcia Fudge said as many of 580,000 people experienced homelessness in the middle of the pandemic.

Fudge, who heads the Department of Housing and Urban Development, said Monday that an extra $5 billion would be allocated toward keeping families off the streets. That's in addition to the $5 billion in funds for preventing homelessness previously announced as part of the American Rescue Plan.

The aid will come in the form of 17,000 emergency housing vouchers that will be distributed to housing authorities across the country. Fudge said the vouchers were expected to help provide shelter for up to 130,000 people and called the new money, "an important milestone in our effort to end homelessness in the United States."

___
Anna Istre, a second grade teacher at Lake Charles Charter Academy, had two very unusual starts to her career. She graduated McNeese State University and began teaching right before the March 2020 COVID-19 shutdowns and then began again with the difficulties of the storm ridden 2020-2021 sch
Robin Baudoin rode out Hurricane Laura inside a bathroom at her home at 2046 Louise St. in Sulphur. She said she could hear her roof being torn off during the storm and her chimney being slammed in the courtyard.
HOUMA, La. (AP)  A guard at a Louisiana jail has been fired and arrested after authorities said she conspired with inmates to bring drugs and other contraband into the facility.
Albert Einstein once wrote that the definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting a different result. Once again, Hamas and Islamic Jihad have been acting in a reckless, excessive fashion, firing at least hundreds of rockets a day at Israel civilians, using metro tunnels, trying to kill Jews and overwhelm Israel, which has been dependent on effective technology to survive, by using the Israel Iron Dome anti-missile system, the network of connected batteries and radar that fire at rockets. Israel had to respond to overcome the threat, attacking the underground tunnels where the Hamas weapons are stored.

Many of the rockets are advanced long-range missiles, now able to target every city in Israel, and therefore the fighting has included the whole of Israel and the occupied territories. There are two immediate issues: where did the profusion of heavy rockets come from, and how, if the Palestinians are short of money with a supposedly impoverished population of two million and a poor infrastructure, were they paid for?

No doubt some of the rockets are made in Gaza, but most came from Iran, which transports them into the Gaza Strip by smuggling tunnels along the Egyptian border and by sea, even though an internationally approved naval blockade is in place. Iran has probably helped the Hamas plan to attack Israel by sea with a submergible naval weapon. In general, Iran has two objectives: it funded the terror coming from Gaza, and it also wants to overcome the success of the Abraham Accords, which are a stepping-stone to Jewish-Arab peace and unite a number of Arab countries against the threat of Iran.

The Hamas rockets are aimed at indiscriminate killing of Jews, hitting people, homes, businesses, places of worship. A number of factors, as well as myths, have been the excuse for the Hamas invasion. In reality, the rockets of Hamas are the latest of the wars, the so-called "cycles of violence," that Palestinians have waged against Israel and Jews for nearly 75 years. The U.N. General Assembly, on November 29, 1947, had adopted Resolution 181, the Partition Resolution, that divided the area of the Palestinian Mandate into a Jewish and an Arab state, while Jerusalem would remain under international control administered by the U.N. The Arabs refused to accept the compromise.

After some Arab assaults on Jewish settlements, the first Arab-Israeli war occurred in 1948 when five Arab countries invaded territory of the State of Israel that was founded on May 14, 1948, intending to destroy it. The secretary of the Arab League, Azzam Pasha, declared, "This will be a war of extermination and a momentous massacre which will be spoken of like the Mongolian massacres and the Crusades."

It is interesting to compare two fundamental statements. The Arab League Declaration on the Invasion of Palestine, May 15, 1948, stated, incorrectly, that Palestine has been an independent country since its separation from the Ottoman Empire but that the manifestations of this independence had been suppressed. Palestine, it states, is an Arab country situated in the heart of the Arab countries and attached to the Arab world by various ties, spiritual, historical, and strategic. The Arab countries have concerned themselves with the problem of Palestine and have raised it to the international level.

In contrast, the Israeli Proclamation of Independence issued in Tel Aviv on May 14, 1948, declared, "The state of Israel will uphold the full social and political equality of all its citizens without distinction of race, creed, or sex[.] ... In the midst of wanton aggression, we call upon the Arab inhabitants of the State of Israel to turn to the way of peace and play their part in the development of the state. We offer peace and amity to all neighboring states and their peoples."

A number of factors may be considered in assessing responsibility. One is the issue of possible eviction of six Palestinian families from the neighborhood of Sheikh Jarrah. A Supreme Court ruling on the issue was due on Monday, May 10 but was postponed because of Arab pressure. The issue is part of a broader one: that Israeli law allows Jews to reclaim land in East Jerusalem that was owned by Jews before 1948. Another similar issue is that a number of Arab families in the Silwan neighborhoods are facing home demolition to make way for a tourist site.

A difficult factor has been emotional reactions after perceived, or invented, threats to the Al-Aqsa Mosque, on a number of occasions, ostensibly by protests against Israeli police officers and authorities entered the mosque on April 13, when it refused the request to suspend broadcasting prayers while the Israeli president was delivering a speech. It was followed by a police raid on May 7. A third issue was the decision of the police to close the plaza opposite the Damascus Gate to prevent large crowds.

Most important is the intra-Palestinian rivalry between Hamas, governing in Gaza, and the Fatah movement, headed by Mahmoud Abbas, who governs the West Bank. Hamas has become more ambitious and more reckless. Hamas wants Palestinians to believe that it, not the Palestinian Authority, is defending the Al-Aqsa Mosque and leading the struggle to liberate Palestinians. It has encouraged clashes between Arab and Jewish citizens in Israeli cities.

A fourth problem was caused by the cancelation by Abbas of elections, the first for sixteen years, to be held on May 22, 2021, in the West Bank. The concern was that Hamas would beat Fatah and thus dominate the West Bank as well as Gaza.

These problems and longstanding historical grievances exist. But they are not a justification for Hamas's missile and drone attacks against Israeli civilians. As usual, Israel is blamed by some for responding to attacks. This explains the new controversy over the Israeli bombing of Jala Tower, the building in Gaza housing the Associated Press and Al Jazeera, the Qatar-based television network, but it is almost certain that Hamas maintained some kind of military presence there, and therefore the building was a legitimate target. In 2014, the journalist Matti Freidman had reported on the presence of Hamas in the building.

The reason for the Hamas hostilities is the controversy over the territorial area. Mandatory Palestine was a political unit produced by the great powers after World War I, the product of international law and British colonial power. The crucial fact is that Palestine was not a geographical or political entity. The British mandate was silent on Palestinians. The myth pervades that Palestinians were and are a population attached to the Middle East area for all eternity.

The exodus of Palestinians from Israel in 1948, about 600,000, is seen by pro-Palestinian activists as the Nakba, the catastrophe, when Palestinians became victims. Forgotten in the myth is that 900,000 Jews were chased from their homes in Arab countries.

Also rarely mentioned among the various myths is that Israeli Arabs, Palestinians who stayed when Israel was formed in 1948, have full citizenship rights. The 1.8 million Arab Israelis are descended from the 160,000 who remained in the area in 1948. They vote and receive the same social benefits as Jews, though some discrimination exists in housing and in public services. Arabs serve as Supreme Court justices, Cabinet ministers, and ambassadors. Twelve are in the present Knesset. Most Palestinians speak fluent Hebrew, and all do not have to serve the obligatory two years of national military service, except for the Druze.

Israel, like all countries, is not blameless in its activities, but it has tried to de-escalate tensions. The reality is that it is confronted by Hamas that has built the extraordinary web of underground terror tunnels, many linked to playgrounds, hospitals, and mosques. Hamas is guilty of a double-crime against humanity, using its own Palestinian civilians to kill Israeli civilians and cause maximum civilian casualties. Its actions are malevolent not only for engaging in its enthusiasm for the killing of Jews, but also for believing that every death of a Palestinian will evoke international sympathy. The international community should reject the false equivalence and recognize, as has secretary of state Antony Blinken, that there is a clear and absolute distinction between a terrorist organization, Hamas indiscriminately stopping at nothing in efforts to kill Jews, and the State of Israel responding to those attacks.

Image via Max Pixel.

To comment, you can find the MeWe post for this article here.
After the corporate media firestorm following the events at Capitol Hill on January 6th, Missouri senator Josh Hawley had a wake-up call. His publisher, Simon & Schuster, dropped his book, The Tyranny of Big Tech. They blamed him for taking part in a disturbing, deadly insurrection, and decided to punish him accordingly.

Within days, Hawleys book had a new publisher. Conservative house Regnery Publishing is dedicated to building strong minds and fostering rigorous debate. It saw value in the hefty topic which Hawley has taken on for the majority of his career: reigning in big tech monopolies.

This book is a crash course in the history of monopolies and corporate liberalism which led to the rise of big tech. From the birth of the railway industry to the current state of online censorship, Hawley offers readers the information they need to take back control of their privacy and communications.

Big Tech corporations have already paid numerous fines for violating antitrust laws across the globe. They are constantly under investigation for suppressing information and potentially did so to sway the 2020 election. Facebook and Twitter are especially noted for suppressing important information in the last Presidential election regarding Joe Bidens involvement in his sons potentially illegal business dealings with Ukraine.

Facebook actively censored the story and Twitter went even further. It disconnected users ability to retweet, link, or DM the story. Only after the election, in December, did federal prosecutors confirm that Bidens son was under investigation for the alleged crimes.

Hawley lays out factual evidence of privacy abuses by the major online corporate monopolies, some from the beginning of their creation. From day one, Google was designed to follow users online movements and collect data. With this came the tech boom that led to the rise of Amazon, Facebook, and Twitter. These companies used data mining, like Google, to surveillance unsuspecting individuals who created accounts. They were basically giant computers made to watch our every move, despite hosting some privacy functions for users.

Hawley writes about a whistleblower from Facebook who reported that the social media site was not only working to spy on its users but even conducted experiments on them to see if they could control individuals moods by manipulating what was shown on their feeds.

These experiments dated back to 2012 and concluded that Facebook did possess the ability to alter moods. The company continued to perform these kinds of experiments without the consent of those utilizing their platform.

The Tyranny of Big Tech goes on to explore concerns about social media and other tech giants role in making their platforms as addictive as possible. Social media itself was enhanced and improved over the years, but these tweaks in the systems have been specially designed to keep users checking their devices as often as possible to keep them engaged online for maximum periods of time. YouTubes autoplay function, Facebooks tagging system for photos, notifications, likes, and so on are all designed to be as addictive as possible.

A direct decline in attention spans has been measured not only in adults but especially children. With schools moving from paper and pencils to laptops, concerns over screen time and the role big tech plays in the rise of teen depression, suicide, and sleep deprivation is highly alarming. Hawley discusses this as a concerned father who recognizes the need to limit the screen time in his household.

The main points in this book all circle around the issues of corporate monopolies -- which have intruded on individual liberties.

The problem lies in the fact that so many people cannot, or will not, challenge these companies. Officials have allowed these corporate giants to use the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) against the Department of Justice to further their own agenda of elitism. Big tech and big government are highly connected and have led to manipulation of individuals and information to normalize cancel culture and other political attacks on anyone who speaks up or speaks out.

Josh Hawley offers a list of actions that can be taken to break up big tech which allow our systems to serve us instead of making us bow down to them. First and foremost, how individuals and families consider tech and utilize it is at the heart of taking on big tech. Neighborhood and community efforts to re-engage people in real life activities with real life connections can also allow us to balance the tyranny wrought by big tech.

Going further, Hawley suggests revisions to the infamous Section 230 which protects these tech giants. If revised, redefining social media platforms as publishers will hold them accountable for censoring factual information and political bias. There is also a suggestion to end the FTC -- which has little to no regulation and is easily corrupted -- and give oversight of anti-trust laws to the Department of Justice.

All in all, The Tyranny of Big Tech goes through the complex history of big tech and corporate liberalism -- which is highly tied to the political issues of today. It is a crucial resource in todays fight for freedom and liberty over elitism and control.

Jessica is a homeschooling mother of four, author of The Golden Rule, Walk Your Path, and The Magic of Nature, and her work has been featured by The New American, The Epoch Times, Evie Magazine, American Thinker, and many more.

Image: Regnery Publishing

To comment, you can find the MeWe post for this article here.
The lead headline in the May 18 New York Times was bad enough, declaring that "BIDEN / BACKS A CEASE-FIRE."

What must have been a source of glee to Hamas, however, was this sub-head: "He Avoids Placing Blame  Israel Vows to Keep Hitting Hamas Targets."

And so, the inhuman strategy perpetrated by Hamas, placing in harm's way the residents of Gaza, has paid great propaganda dividends to the perpetrators of the current round of "Mideast violence."

The president of the United States, grudgingly acknowledging Israel's right to defend against Hamas aggression, is incapable of finding the words to blame Hamas for its renewed aggression against the Jewish state  aggression spokesmen for Hamas say will not end until Israel capitulates to terms set by Hamas.

The Times story noted, some nine paragraphs down, that Biden had not demanded an "'immediate'" ceasefire. Given his refusal to place blame on the aggressive party, given denunciations of Israel from Biden's Democrat colleagues, can there be any doubt that Biden will follow the totalitarian-minded Democrats and pressure Israel to relinquish its right to effective self-defense?

Apologists for the radical left claim that they apply social justice concerns to "the plight of the Palestinians." But clearly, such concerns accept undemocratic rule, not only for the residents of Gaza, but for the Palestinians ruled by Mahmoud Abbas, whose term in office expired well over a decade ago. As for Gaza, is there freedom of speech in the Strip? Is political dissent permitted? Do the residents support aggressive war conducted by the ruling party that transforms the civilians into human shields? Indeed, are radical Democrats at all concerned by such transformation? Apparently not. We have yet to hear Hamas condemned by Democrats for its strategic use of its people in its aggression against Israel.

And President Joe Biden cannot find the words to blame Hamas for placing the lives of Gazans in peril to make propaganda points to those quite receptive to anti-Semitic propaganda, in Europe, and among U.S. leftists.

Current media accounts fail, however, to take note of the curious difficulty in the Democrat party to stand shoulder to shoulder with the Jewish state. Yes, President Truman recognized the establishment of Israel, May 14, 1948  but he also accepted the arms embargo placed on Israel, as well as Arab belligerents, demanded by the anti-Israel Department of State, led by the anti-Israel Secretary George C. Marshall. The Arabs had access to British arms, and Israel had to get weaponry from Czechoslovakia, scrounge around elsewhere in Europe, and be satisfied with whatever it could "illegally" obtain from the U.S.

In March 1957, Israel withdrew from Sinai, with assurances from President Eisenhower that U.N. forces would make sure that the peninsula was demilitarized. In May 1967, Egypt's President Nasser ordered the U.N. force out of Sinai and resumed blocking the Suez Canal, and the administration of President Lyndon B. Johnson claimed that it was unable to find the Eisenhower guarantee. The June 1967 round of conflict followed  but with Egypt (and the Arab world) committed to continued belligerency against Israel.

(The recitation of events set forth here is based on personal memory, as the life of this writer has been more than coterminous with the existence, thus far, of Israel; I was eight years old when five Arab armies invaded the Jewish state, May 15, 1948, and became politically aware of the Arab-Israel War October 1956, when Israel [then allied with Great Britain and France] sought to end infiltration from Egypt of irregular fedayeen, causing havoc to Israeli lives and property. In 1956, Egypt held Gaza, and Jordan held the West Bank  and there was no demand for a Palestinian state. State Department documents from the late 1948 period, and on into 1949, declared acceptance of Jordanian rule over the West Bank.)

The truth is, it was not until President Nixon, and the October 1973 round of fighting between Israel and Egypt and Syria, that America became Israel's most significant arms supplier. And Mr. Nixon most assuredly was not a Democrat. Freedom-lovers the world over must hope today's Republicans will stand steadfast with the Jewish state as did Richard Nixon, October 1973, and that such standing requires the GOP to be actively vigilant against the totalitarian-minded Democrats, whose anti-democratic bias extends to their support of Hamas in its campaign of aggression against democratic Israel.

Hamas will not be defeated, thoroughly, until people of good conscience place blame, unequivocally and solely, upon this ruthless, blood-lusting group for all deaths consequent to its murderous aggression against Israel. But the unthinkable thought is that the totalitarian-minded Democrats do not want to see Hamas defeated.

Image: Adam Jones via Flickr (cropped).

To comment, you can find the MeWe post for this article here.
Make no mistake about it. President Joe Biden bears significant responsibility for the current raging hostilities between Israel and Hamas.

Hamas is Iran's terrorist arm in Gaza. It is Iran that supplies the wherewithal that Hamas is using in its missile strikes against Israeli civilian targets. Iran, and by extension Hamas, has been encouraged to act boldly against Israel by the demonstrated weakness of Biden and his administration. When Biden backed off President Trump's hard-line, the Iranian leadership smelled that appeasement. And why not? Biden is currently viewed as an extension of the Obama presidency. Indeed, the Harris/Biden administration is filled with Obama retreads whose idea of a Mideast strategy was to elevated Iran to the position of being a local hegemon.

And like anyone else, Iran can see that the Democratic Party has an anti-Semitic contingent in it with representatives Ilhan Omar (D-Minn.), Rashida Tlaib (D-Mich.), and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.) being most prominent. Democrat leadership as exemplified by President Biden to House leader Nancy Pelosi has been reluctant to criticize the anti-Semitic impulses in their party. This can only lead one to believe that the Democrats are in general accord with them.

There are also two specific actions by Biden that demonstrate he's an appeaser of Islamic terror. Soon after he was installed in office, Biden restored U.S. financial aid ($235 million) to the Palestinian National Authority which President Trump had cut off in 2018. He did this even though the PNA, through its Palestinian Authority Martyr's Fund, provides money to the families of Palestinians killed or captured for their terrorist activities in Israel. If this is not encouraging terrorism, what is? And needless to say, some of this U.S. aid money inevitably seeps over to Hamas.

Second, Biden is determined to resurrect Obama's deal with Iran on its nuclear weapons program. This is despite the fact that the Iranian regime remains in violation of the agreement signed by Obama, and it continues to support its terror network in the Middle East. Given enough time, the historic and groundbreaking Abraham Accords fashioned by President Trump will be undone by the ineptness of the Biden administration. Many observers say it is already happening.

Whether he meant to or not, Biden has given Iran the green light to act boldly, and by doing so, he bears a degree of responsibility for the war going on between Hamas and Israel. Weakness and appeasement have always invited aggression, and it always will.

Image: Nehemia Gershuni.

To comment, you can find the MeWe post for this article here.
Joe Biden's been "wrong on nearly every major foreign policy and national security issue over the past four decades," as Bob Gates wrote in his memoir, so here we go again.

This time, he sanctioned the wrong country, giving Vladimir Putin a pass on his energy pipeline to Europe, while sanctioning America's pipeline from Canada. Only bad guys get sanctions, see, so guess who Biden's bad guy is.

According to Axios:

The Biden administration will waive sanctions on the corporate entity and CEO overseeing the construction of Russia's Nord Stream 2 pipeline into Germany, according to two sources briefed on the decision. Why it matters: The decision indicates the Biden administration is not willing to compromise its relationship with Germany over this pipeline, and it underscores the difficulties President Biden faces in matching actions to rhetoric on a tougher approach to Russia. Driving the news: The State Department will imminently send its mandatory 90-day report to Congress listing entities involved in Nord Stream 2 that deserve sanctions. Sources familiar with the drafting of the report tell Axios the State Department plans to call for sanctions against a handful of Russian ships.

As Axios noted:

This planned move seems at odds with Secretary of State Antony Blinken's statement, made during his confirmation hearing: "I am determined to do whatever we can to prevent that completion" of Nord Stream 2.

Number one, I doubt it was planned, given the New York Times' reporting on senile Joe's foggy decision-making style, with its long ditherings punctuated by flashes of furious impulse.

More to the point, it's inchoate as foreign policy goes.

Axios believes that the idea is to keep our ally Germany, a country that squelched its own nuclear power industry with the idea of "going green," and then found itself in Putin's palm for its bona fide energy needs, happy.

Biden's call is also going to make Putin happy, snickering to himself that Biden is powerless to stop his plan to get Germany on Russia's string for energy. Axios notes that Putin has a history of cutting off energy to countries that don't play ball with it on other issues, as has done on numerous occasions to Ukraine. What Putin did to Ukraine with its energy shutoffs, it will now be empowered to do to Germany, too.

And by empowering Russia as an energy petro-tyrant with America's critical ally in Germany, it certainly brings up questions as to what Putin, through his still-world class intelligence agencies, might have on Biden, given the grotesque dribs and drabs of corruption involving foreigners just in his son Hunter's abandoned laptop. Hunter's laptop could be the tip of an iceberg based on all the evidence out there of House Biden corruption.

It's certainly been noticed in Congress.

A week after Russian hackers shut down a U.S. pipeline, President Biden lifted sanctions on a Russian pipeline.



What does Vladimir Putin have on President Biden??  Jim Banks (@RepJimBanks) May 18, 2021

Here's a third thing: it certainly makes Iran happy, too, given that Biden's favor to Putin signals that he's getting Russia on his good side in order to lay the groundwork for restarting the hideous Iran deal. That empowers both Iran and Russia (historic allies) at the expense of America, Israel, and the decent Arab states in the region.

Geopolitics aside, it's not gone unnoticed that as Biden waves through Russia's pipeline project with Germany, he's squelched America's pipeline project with Canada, which, like the Nord Stream project, has been years in the planning and making. Some 10,000 jobs are expected to be lost with this one, with Joe telling the workers to go get work capping wells, installing Chinese-made solar panels made with slave labor, or learning to code.

This comes at a time when Biden's greenie nonsense against America is causing it to lose its pre-eminence as an energy exporter, and making America, too, like Germany, now dependent on foreign petro-tyrants for its energy needs, all in the name of going green. As Biden shuts down America's pipelines from its good ally Canada (which has zero history of cutting off energy to its neighbors over foreign policy disputes), it gives the green light to Putin to go ahead.

This comes at a bad time. A critical U.S. pipeline was subject to a ransomware attack by dark-web thieves, possibly Russian gangsters, who got away with it. They were last heard from planning more attacks.

The U.S., meanwhile, has lost its potential leverage over neighbors as an energy-exporter, should it want to do that, by Biden's war on energy-producers, shutting down not just the Keystone XL pipeline with Canada, but drilling on federal lands. The Axios piece talks of Biden retaining "leverage" with Germany by retaining the threat of sanctions, as if he were some great strategic thinker, but this is bee ess in light of Biden's self-disarmament of America's own energy leverage in his pipeline shutdowns. What a master strategic thinker!

Call it an America-last, Putin-first foreign policy. The Russians must be laughing. Bob Gates, despite what he's said recently, must be nodding ruefully, too. Pipeline for thee, but not for me  what a winner this clown in the White House has come up with.

Image: Screen shot from a camera aimed at a television set during a network broadcast, filtered with FotoSketcher.
Democrats are in a panic.

Their already bleak prospects of retaining the House and Senate come 2022 just got bleaker now that a top internal pollster for the Democrats has found that Republican voters remain tightly unified around President Trump while Democrat voters are drifting away.

According to the Washington Examiner:

Republican voters are united behind former President Donald Trump and enthusiastic about putting a check on President Joe Biden in 2022 as GOP infighting in Washington fails to translate outside the Beltway. That is the conclusion of a fresh survey from veteran Democratic pollster Stan Greenberg, who measured Republican voters' fidelity to Trump and their intensity as it relates to participation in next year's midterm elections. Greenberg discovered that three-quarters of the Republican electorate takes its cues from Trump and GOP voters overall are, by 11 percentage points, more interested in 2022 than Democrats. The data defy initial assumptions that Trump's dominance over party affairs post-presidency, and headline-grabbing disagreements about this among prominent Republicans in Washington, would be a drag on GOP prospects in the next round of federal elections. Greenberg says the dynamic could sink Democrats running in key contests for the House, Senate, and governorship  in several states. In a memorandum outlining the poll's findings, Greenberg wrote that his team was "surprised by how much Donald Trump's loyalist party is totally consolidated at this early point in its 2022 voting and how engaged it is."

Oh, he's surprised, all right. And more to the point, Democrats must be running for the toilet.

It's not surprising at all to the rest of us, given that the 2020 election was nakedly stolen from President Trump, the entire establishment continues to brush it off as "baseless" if not conspiracy theories, and assorted pols and media enablers have since taken to trying to cancel anyone who cries foul. Liz Cheney, who sought to literally bar any Republican from running for office who thought the election was stolen, is Exhibit A. Combine it with the usurping Biden administration's fast, sharp move to the left, governing as if it has a mandate when it most certainly does not, shutting out all conservative representation as he governs by executive order, and calls himself Mr. Unity, and of course, the Republican voters are going to be rallying around Trump, energized to get some kind of do-over. People who've been this aggrieved, this silenced, and this lacking in any representation pretty well are naturally going to want some kind of correction as they watch the entire country fall into the hands of rabid leftists and rapidly go downhill.

Trump may not be perfect, as Ted Noel outlines in his personal argument, but he remains an unpredictable and hard-hitting fighter. That seems about right for the times, given the circles Democrats are running around Republicans, attempting to drug them into thinking nothing is amiss, and raping them in their odious radical left-wing governance, which includes purging the military of Republicans, firing cops for First Amendment offenses, rigging the elections to disenfranchise their opposition, and engaging in corruption that can be achieved only in a one-party state.

They can't cheat if there are too many of us, as the saying goes. That might just explain why Republicans continue to rally around Trump, even as the press would have us think he's a washout.

Let's see how big those coming Trump rallies are.

Image: Michael Candelori via Flickr, CC BY 2.0

To comment, you can find the MeWe post for this article here.
Biden's Pentagon is headed by defense secretary Lloyd Austin, a swamp creature and rabid leftist. As Austin made clear with his first act on the job, when he stood the military down for 60 days, his primary goal isn't Americans' defense. Instead, it's to purge "extremism" from the military  although he never gets around to defining that term. To further this goal, Austin appointed Bishop Garrison, a Critical Race Theory fanatic, to conduct his purge. Under Garrison's aegis, the plan is to use a third party to spy on troops, an action that clearly violates the Constitution.

To those who think of the Pentagon as a bastion of American values, please disabuse yourselves. It's staffed with people who graduated from college within the last 30 years (they're woke), those who survived the Obama purges (also woke), and political operatives who have marinated in D.C.'s fetid swamp for decades (super-woke).

Even by those standards, a man named Bishop Garrison is a piece of leftist work: he's a fervent supporter of Critical Race Theory, which is bad. What's worse is his view of Trump and anyone who supported him, which means 75 million or more Americans. To him, they are (that is, we are) all racists:

In July 2019, Garrison tweeted of Trump: "He's dragging a lot of bad actors (misogynist, extremists, other racists) out into the light, normalizing their actions. If you support the President, you support that. There is no more 'but I'm not like that' talk."

The fact that Trump's administration did more for Black welfare than any president in American history other than Abraham Lincoln, and the fact that Blacks' economic well-being has collapsed under Biden, has eluded Garrison. He's a hate-filled, race-obsessed ideologue, and nothing will deter him.

As of last week, Garrison  hate-filled racism and all  effectively became the most powerful man in the military. That's because Secretary Austin appointed Garrison as the head of the Pentagon's brand new "Counter Extremism" task force. And again, remember that no one is defining "extremism." While you and I, when we think of extremists, envision Muslim fanatics who want another 9/11, Garrison considers all Trump-supporters extremists.

That's why an approving paragraph in an Intercept report is so frightening. To refresh your recollection, the Intercept is the publication that became so woke that it squeezed out its founder, Glenn Greenwald. Even though he's a leftist, he believes in the principles articulated in the Bill of Rights  and, peculiarly for a leftist, fears big government. The Intercept summarizes the program Garrison has put together to purge "extremism" from the U.S. military:

An extremism steering committee led by Bishop Garrison, a senior adviser to the secretary of defense, is currently designing the social media screening pilot program, which will "continuously" monitor military personnel for "concerning behaviors," according to a Pentagon briefing in late March. Although in the past the military has balked at surveilling service members for extremist political views due to First Amendment protections, the pilot program will rely on a private surveillance firm in order to circumvent First Amendment restrictions on government monitoring, according to a senior Pentagon official. Though the firm has not yet been selected, the current front runner is Babel Street, a company that sells powerful surveillance tools including social media monitoring software. (Emphasis mine.)

Last I heard  and this was from a pre-Biden version of America  the United States government doesn't get to circumvent the limitations the Constitution places upon it by outsourcing forbidden activity to hired third parties. If it can do that, the Constitution becomes a nullity.

The Democrats have long been colluding with the tech tyrants to censor speech. In theory, the tech tyrants are acting independently of the government. In fact, though, as we saw with the 2020 election, the tech companies, which control almost the entire system of communication in America, are systematically censoring true speech that could hurt the Democrat party (e.g., information about the revelations on Hunter Biden's computer) and promoting false speech that could help the Democrat party (e.g., claims that Biden is mentally competent or Kamala Harris is intelligent). The government ought to have swooped in and blocked this monopoly on speech, but it didn't. Under Biden, it's doubling down on the monopolies' censorship.

The alliance between the Democrats and Big Tech is an unofficial alliance that's nevertheless obviously unconstitutional. What the Pentagon is proposing is an official alliance to contract out unconstitutional activity directly for the government's benefit. This idea should never get off the ground, but, again, in Biden's America, nothing's the same as before, and the Constitution is a fragile instrument.

Image: The Pentagon by Touch of Light. CC BY-SA 4.0.

To comment, you can find the MeWe post for this article here.
Dr. Anthony Fauci ought to be the punch line of many jokes by now, and if he were a Trump loyalist, he would be. Only because the corporate media refuse to mock him can he appear in public without catcalls and derision as his lot in life.

Yesterday, he blatantly contradicted what he told Senator Rand Paul under oath in testimony last March: yes, wearing a mask indoors after being vaccinated is just theatre ("I didnt want to look like I was giving mixed signals, but being a fully vaccinated person, the chances of my getting infected in an indoor setting is extremely low."):

Dr. Fauci admits his wearing masks indoors despite being vaccinated was based on imagery, not science:



"I didnt want to look like I was giving mixed signals but being a fully vaccinated person, the chances of my getting infected in an indoor setting is extremely low." pic.twitter.com/UdJdhHvoR0  Tom Elliott (@tomselliott) May 18, 2021

The big problem is that two months ago, Dr. Fauci testified the exact opposite under oath to Dr. Rand Paul (a doctor who actually treats people medically):

.@RandPaul evicerates Dr. Fauci over the theater of requiring Americans already immune from Covid to continue wearing masks.



Faucis ultimate rebuttal: I totally disagree with you pic.twitter.com/Ea0utSRUAb  Tom Elliott (@tomselliott) March 18, 2021

Sen. Paul is not amused:

ICYMI today I joined @marthamaccallum on Fox News to discuss Dr. Fauci and the new CDC guidelines. pic.twitter.com/zBj5HBZCA3  Senator Rand Paul (@RandPaul) May 18, 2021

Photo credit: Twitter video screen grab.
What sort of goals would make it worthwhile to hang out with a convicted child sex offender if you are a megalomaniac billionaire? The curious case of the relationship between Jeffrey Epstein and Bill Gates just got curiouser. Anonymous sources, denials, millions of dollars in donations, and claims of lies surround a 2013 visit of Bill Gates and Jeffrey Epstein to the Strasbourg home of the then-chairman of Norway's Nobel Committee, which awards the Peace Prize. The visit was uncovered by Norwegian business daily DN, whose sister publication describes in English the visit and its denial:

Former Nobel Committee chair Thorbjrn Jagland denied having met Jeffrey Epstein when asked by the current chairperson. An investigation by Norwegian business newspaper DN reveals Jagland hosted Epstein and Bill Gates in his Strasbourg residence in 2013.

These uncredited photos via the U.K. Daily Mail allegedly show Epstein and Gates together in Strasbourg and reveal that Jagland, a career politician who was at the time serving as secretary general of the Council of Europe as well as chair of the Norwegian Nobel Committee, lived in a spectacular home in Strasbourg. While E.U. positions pay very well, and even though he held two jobs, this house looks suspiciously lavish to me:

It might be worth noting that the first Nobel Peace Prize awarded after Jagland assumed the chair of the Norwegian Nobel Committee (whose five members are appointed by that nation's parliament, where Jagland has previously served, including as a prime minister) was to Barack Obama  shortly after his inauguration as POTUS, before he had accomplished anything remotely worthy of the honor.

Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation representatives adamantly deny that Gates was campaigning to receive the Nobel Peace Prize:

In an email to DailyMail.com on Tuesday morning, a Gates Foundation spokesperson said that Gates never actively pursued a Nobel Peace Prize. 'While a Nobel Prize would certainly be a great honor, it is false to state that Bill Gates was 'obsessed' with the honor, set it as a goal, or campaigned for it in any way. 'If Epstein had a plan or motivation to insert himself into any processes related to any awards or honors on behalf of Gates, neither Gates nor anyone he works with was aware of his intentions and they would have rejected any offers for assistance.' The spokesperson added: 'Multiple high-profile people suggested that Bill Gates meet with Epstein because he made claims of being able to bring billions of dollars into philanthropy based on his status as an agent and advisor to wealthy individuals with respect to their giving strategies. 'Given the prospect of helping catalyze significant increases in charitable giving, Gates met with Epstein and others multiple times to discuss philanthropy and the work of his foundation. 'Although Epstein pursued Gates aggressively, Gates had absolutely no business partnership or personal friendship with Epstein. Gates never socialized with Epstein or attended parties with him. 'It's become clear that Epstein misrepresented the nature of his meetings with Gates while also working to insert himself behind-the-scenes without Gates's knowledge. Bill Gates regrets ever meeting with Epstein and recognizes it was an error in judgement to do so.'

But others, remaining anonymous, contradict this claim:

A source told The Daily Beast on Monday: 'We were aware of things that were potential reputational risks for the foundation and the co-chairs, Bill and Melinda. 'Even back then, people knew this guy wasn't squeaky clean,' the person said, referring to Epstein. 'He thought that Jeffrey would be able to help him, that he would know the right people, or some kind of way to massage things, so he could get the Nobel Peace Prize. 'I think he was ultimately disappointed it didn't work out.'

Bill Gates's Bond villainlike proposal to block the sun with atmospheric particles is enough to convince me that the man is a megalomaniac. Even with no factual basis at hand, I would be inclined to believe that a man with everything he wants that money could buy would crave honors like the Peace Prize.

Ever since the pending divorce of Bill and Melinda Gates became public, we have learned surprising and disturbing things about the relationship between Gates and Epstein. The fact that the relationship began after Epstein's conviction for child sex means that there is no innocent interpretation. Gates knew about the man he was accompanying to various venues.

DN claims that philanthropy resulted from the 2013 Strasbourg meeting:

The Norwegian Business Daily (DN) has spoken to a number of sources familiar with the meeting in Strasbourg, and has reviewed documentation that ties Epstein to the meeting. According to the sources, Gates and his assistants were already present when the representatives of IPI arrived. Epstein, who knew Gates, was the person who introduced the billionaire to IPI. The meeting, in which IPI introduced Gates to a polio eradication project, was to be very fruitful. Later the same year, Gates' foundation granted IPI 2.5 million dollars. Since then, an addition 6 million dollars has followed, according to the foundation. The most recent grant was earlier this year, an additional 250,000 dollars. (snip) Last fall, DN published a number of articles on the connections between Epstein's Norwegian contacts and IPI. The Norwegian Auditor General has since then opened an investigation into the relationship between the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the think tank. IPI, which has received grants surpassing 130 million Norwegian kroner, has several connections to Epstein. During the last year, DN has asked Jagland a number of questions regarding his association with Epstein. "There was no connection, of a financial or any other nature, to the Council of Europe. Any other Norwegian connections, which I understand the article will be about, I have no knowledge of," he wrote in an email November 11, 2019. After several inquiries this last week regarding new information about the encounter, Jagland confirmed that Gates and Epstein attended an official meeting at his residence in March 2013. According to him, Gates and Epstein arrived together.

The measured pace at which revelations about Bill Gates seem to be appearing, even as divorce lawyers for the couple begin their work, suggests that more news is coming that will cast a pall on the reputation of the plutocrat with delusions of running the world.

To comment, you can find the MeWe post for this article here.
South Asian nations, with the largest number of poor people in the world, are now in the midst of the second wave of COVID-19 pandemic that is infecting and killing thousands of people on a daily basis.



Hospitals have been overwhelmed, with growing number of COVID-19 patients breathing their last amid a lack of oxygen, ventilators and hospital beds.

These nations have been forced to impose lockdowns and strict quarantine orders to prevent the resurgence of virus variants that have paralyzed their health systems. The worst-hit nations like Nepal and India have called for international support.

Against this backdrop, China has taken initiative under the broader framework of anti-COVID cooperation to combat the pandemic and attain post-COVID-19 economic recovery.

On April 27, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi hosted a video conference on this subject with his counterparts from Nepal, Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Pakistan and Sri Lanka. It was part of a multilateral virtual dialogue China has been organizing since July 2020.

China's commitment to promoting vaccine cooperation with five South Asian nations is a praiseworthy step towards eradicating the pandemic. It has rolled out its vaccines globally as part of its commitment to making them a public good.

The WHO recently added China's Sinopharm vaccine into the COVAX program, which will ensure more people in many least developed and poor nations get access to a vaccine.

The virtual conference was also fruitful in terms of the commitment to establish multiple regional structures, including a China-South Asia emergency supplies reserve and a China-South Asia poverty reduction and development cooperation center, aiming to exchange experiences and good practices in poverty reduction with other countries.

Moreover, a China-South Asia forum on rural e-commerce poverty reduction cooperation is set to be held as a new platform for poverty reduction in the third quarter of this year. These mechanisms are expected to be inclusive, transparent, sustainable and demand-driven, and, in particular will extend a helping hand to India to control the raging virus.

These regional structures are vital in promoting collective action to contain a resurgent virus and repair a battered economy based on the principle of equity and justice. Fair distribution of vaccines will also diminish the trend of "vaccine nationalism" and ensure its access to poor and least developed countries.

The collaboration between South Asian countries is expected to gather steam with the help of the world's second largest economy due to its necessary resources and management skills to develop and operate relative mechanisms.

Viruses know no border and nationalities. The COVID-19 pandemic has become a common enemy of humankind. The fight against it cannot be successful unless all countries and regions join hands by rising above their own interest. China's initiative is important at this critical moment.

Ritu Raj Subedi is the Deputy Executive Editor of The Rising Nepal.

Opinion articles reflect the views of their authors only, not necessarily those of China.org.cn.

If you would like to contribute, please contact us at opinion@china.org.cn.
Eliot L. Engel was a Bronx congressman, elected in 1988. He served from 1989 until 2021. A literal liberal Democrat, he was a reliable supporter of Israel. In his last term, he rose to be chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, 2019 to 2021. As chairman, he was in a position to contain the rabid anti-Israel ramblings of the new, totalitarian-minded Democrat leftists.

The Wall Street Journal, in a May 18 news report, informed readers that Rep. Gregory W. Meeks, the Democrat who succeeded Mr. Engel as chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, "told Committee Democrats Monday evening (May 17) that we would consider sending a letter to the administration this week urging a delay on the sale of $735 million in weapons to Israel until lawmakers can review the sale, according to two people familiar with the matter."

(The report continued, "Republicans have pressed Mr. Biden to take a more firm stance in defense of Israel.")

Had Mr. Engel not been defeated in a Democrat primary by Mr. J. Bowman, a radical leftist in the mold of Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Mr. Meeks would not now be chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee, and there would not no thought, at the time of the attack on Israel form the Gaza-based Hamas, of threatening the target of the Hamas attack with a cut-off in military sales.

In googling Mr. Meeks to learn when he was elected to Congress  in 1998  the Wikipedia reference to this Queens, N.Y. Democrat revealed that he boycotted the address to a joint session of Congress, given by Israel's Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu, urging Congress not to support the Obama policy of deference to Iran. Clearly, Mr. Meeks signaled six years ago his willingness to take a hard-line against the Jewish state.

Please consider: what message does Chairman Meeks send to Hamas  and to his president  by putting the brakes on weapons sale to Israel, as she is under vicious assault from Hamas, the terrorist organization that is committed to her destruction? Only a fool would agree that this is merely an even-handed approach to lower civilian casualties  in Gaza, where Hamas intentionally places civilians in harm's way, hoping civilian deaths will impose pressure on Israel to forgo its right to self-defense and accept ceasefire terms demanded by Hamas, in furtherance of its goal to resume aggression against Israel at a later date, resulting in the demise of the Jewish state.

Let it be made clear: Israel is defending herself to prevent further Jewish civilian deaths that are the intentional aim of the war crimes policies of Hamas. That Chairman Meeks refuses to recognize this reality must mean, as he is no fool, that he is willing to accept the unending war of Hamas against Israel, until the Israeli government follows the observation of Shylock in The Merchant of Venice  "sufferance is the badge of my tribe."

One can imagine the new chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee calling for a slowdown in arms manufacture in World War II America, lest civilians in Germany be killed in bombing missions of the (then) U.S. Army Air Force.

Hamas has made it clear that it will not cease its goal of eradicating the Jewish state by any means necessary. Gregory Meeks has indicated that he will use the power of his new office to see that Israel's hands are tied behind its back, to absorb Hamas aggression and aggression from all parties intent on terminating the existence of the Jewish state.

The Wall Street Journal May 18 report also quoted Ismail Haniyeh, the "political leader" of Hamas, declaring in a May 17 interview that "[Hamas] would only accept solution that 'rises to the sacrifices put forward by the Palestinian people.'" The truth is that the irrational enmity of Hamas against Israel has imposed those sacrifices, which will not come to a halt until the unconditional defeat of this terror organization.

The spirit of freedom among the American people at large must unite with the spirit of freedom of the people of Israel to put paid to the anti-Semitic aims of radical anti-Israel sources like Hamas  and those, outside the zone of conflict, who would provide immoral support to the anti-Semites hoping to shred Israel's banner, the Magen Dovid.

Image: NBC News via YouTube.

To comment, you can find the MeWe post for this article here.
Changes in how we organize society happen over decades and across generations. Looking back, we can see shifts in our attitudes that signal movements that find their full expression many years later. If we miss these signals, we risk traveling down dangerous paths.

In the Spring of 1995, I found myself sitting in an upper-division sociology class at California State University, Los Angeles. For reasons I have never understood, students in the history department who had completed their upper-division courses were required to sit in on several sociology department classes. Looking back two and a half decades, I realize that it was a glimpse of what the equity movement would be.

A newly minted professor was leading a discussion of the text when a woman raised her hand and asked a question. "That is a good question," the professor responded. "Please look at page (whatever) and read the first paragraph for the class, and we can discuss it."

"No," the woman said.

The professor, taken aback, tried again. "The question you raise is a good question, and we can begin to understand it from the text, so please read the paragraph out loud and we can discuss it."

"No."

After a moment of silence, the professor began again. "It would be helpful..." before being interrupted by another student.

"Stop embarrassing her. She can't read. Why don't you just leave her alone?"

The other two history students and I looked at each other and then at the professor. She fiddled with her notes for a few seconds, then read the referenced paragraph herself.

CSULA was a "commuter college" serving a large proportion of students who worked full-time jobs and attended classes at night or worked nights to attend classes that were offered only in the daytime. Most students were not the demographic associated with the typical university student, and many had families and other obligations.

At this level, the question is not "how did this happen?" Rather, it's "why did this happen?" There had to be many professors and a handful of administrators who knew this woman was illiterate and could not possibly master the course work, yet she was progressing through the system.

It did not occur to me then, but this was an early expression of the equity movement, in which people are entitled to an outcome irrespective of their abilities or accomplishments. This woman was entitled to a college education regardless of her abilities or efforts, and, in the end, she would have a diploma that was of the same value as any other diploma from the same institution.

In all likelihood, this social science student finished her remaining year or so and received her degree before going to work for the largest employer in Los Angeles County, which is Los Angeles County. I imagine she is getting ready to retire as a dedicated and productive civil servant within the Department of Social Services. If she could hide her illiteracy through their junior year of college, she could hide just about anything within a labyrinthine monument to mediocrity like the L.A. County government.

Going back to that moment in 1995, at many different levels, many people had to believe she deserved to be at CSULA and that she deserved to work her way through the system without actually doing the work. They had to believe she deserved the outcome she desired without regard for her efforts or abilities. This is the distillation of the equity movement.

Equity, in its classical definition, is that which is possessed by right or earned through service. Was it this student's right to possess a college degree? No  otherwise, everyone would have a college degree. Had she earned it by working through the curricula? Highly doubtful, because she lacked the ability to read. The answer must be related to a different definition of equity.

The modern call for equity is based upon a quality of victimhood  namely, that some people are entitled to the property and privileges of other people because of historical wrongs to which the perceived victims' only modern connection is skin color. Thomas Sowell describes this as the Quest for Cosmic Justice  that we can correct the wrongs of the past by committing wrongs in the present.

Conferring wealth, privileges, and opportunities upon some at the expense of others based upon some perceived status of victimhood will not bring us closer to reconciliation. It will not teach that college junior, who is now a senior citizen, to read. The equity movement will not teach a new generation how to be good, decent, and honest people. It will only lead to higher levels of resentment and mediocrity.

Chris Boland can be contacted at cboland7@outlook.com.

Image: College lecture hall (cropped) by Nikolay Georgiev from Pixabay.
The Fourth of July is near, but is there anything left to celebrate? Last month, I took down the American flag that I have been flying since 2000 in the front corner of my yard. I did so because I am convinced that the vast left-wing conspiracy in America and its friends in Communist China successfully used a secret weapon (the Wuhan Flu) against the world in 2019 and stole the U.S. election of 2020 while the world was watching. The audacity of it all must have made Obama smile.

Now I feel so conned and sad. I have four children and three grandchildren. The America I have known for most of my life made me proud and gave me hope for the future. The events of the last five years have dashed that pride and filled me with despair about the future. I am not happy about the America I am leaving to my children and grandchildren.

I was raised to believe in freedom and democracy. I was raised believing that the USA was what Lincoln called "the last best hope of mankind." In 2020, I began to see clearly that I have been conned. The wonderful checks and balances built into our Constitution failed to protect us from enemies at home and abroad. Our reporters suppressed the truth in 2020 and enabled the coup that no one wants to acknowledge.

A vast left-wing conspiracy runs things now, and its members are running them badly. Our government no longer serves us; it rules us. While Trump was president, the vast left-wing coalition in America accused him of cozying up with Putin and Russia. Meanwhile, they were really cozying up with China. When the Democrats feared Trump's re-election in the run-up to 2020, I strongly suspect they made a Faustian bargain with the Chinese. In other words, I suspect they made a deal with the devil.

The president earns $400,000 a year plus expenses. It has been widely reported that the Bidens are earning millions from China through sweetheart deals arranged by Hunter Biden among others. If that is true, ask yourself which country is dearer to Biden's greedy heart. While you're at it, ask yourself why any American politician should be getting any funds from foreign governments.

I haven't had anyone from the left really challenge me on my suspicions. One member of the left challenged me to prove my assertions. I cannot prove them because the left controls virtually all the agencies equipped for such investigations. When nineteen states attempted to challenge unconstitutional changes to voting in 2020, for example, the Supreme Court, in a breathtaking display of cowardice, declined to hear the case.

We cannot count on the Republicans to help us resist the left-wing takeover, because they too have gone over to the dark side. Biden and his gangsters assure us that everything is fine and dandy. They control the airwaves. In my heart of hearts, however, I think I am voicing what many Americans are thinking. What's left to celebrate this Fourth of July?

Image: Torn U.S. Flag. Origin unknown.

To comment, you can find the MeWe post for this article here.

Correction: 2029 corrected to 2019
The left is on insane overdrive over the news that the Supreme Court is going to look at Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization, a major abortion case from Mississippi. The law intends to stop abortions after 15 weeks with limited exceptions.

Frankly, we have not seen so much madness from the left since Israel decided to defend itself this week.

To say the least, Roe v. Wade should be revisited. It was written in 1973, before technology allowed us to listen to a heart beating in the mother's womb.

First, the opinion did not settle anything. On the contrary, it turned every judicial appointment into a mad debate about a "woman's reproductive rights." It was abortion that gave us "Borking," the disgraceful tactics used against Judge Robert Bork by the Democrats in 1987. They tried and failed with the appointments that followed because our side was better prepared for the "Borking."

Second, it was an abuse of judicial power. It's up to the states and the voters to decide something like abortion. The Mississippi law simply gives the state the power to stop abortions after 15 weeks. It's 12 weeks in Ireland and something similar in most countries.

Most of all, Roe v. Wade should be scrapped because of what it has done to the U.S. Senate and political discourse. Remember the left during Justice Brett Kavanaugh's hearings? Back in 2005, David Brooks was right on target about the damage that it had done to the country:

Justice Harry Blackmun did more inadvertent damage to our democracy than any other 20th-century American. When he and his Supreme Court colleagues issued the Roe v. Wade decision, they set off a cycle of political viciousness and counter-viciousness that has poisoned public life ever since, and now threatens to destroy the Senate as we know it. When Blackmun wrote the Roe decision, it took the abortion issue out of the legislatures and put it into the courts. If it had remained in the legislatures, we would have seen a series of state-by-state compromises reflecting the views of the centrist majority that's always existed on this issue. These legislative compromises wouldn't have pleased everyone, but would have been regarded as legitimate. Instead, Blackmun and his concurring colleagues invented a right to abortion, and imposed a solution more extreme than the policies of just about any other comparable nation.

Let's hope the Supreme Court recognizes that the states have the right to regulate abortion. Watch the movie Unplanned, and you will see that an abortion center is not exactly a beauty salon where ladies go to change their look.

What will happen? The Court will rule in favor of Mississippi, and future judicial appointments will be elegant again.

PS: You can listen to my show (Canto Talk).

Image: suparna sinha.

To comment, you can find the MeWe post for this article here.




Have any questions? Please give us a call at 907-561-7737
(Image source from: cnbc.com)

India reported 2,67,334 new cases of coronavirus in the country in the last 24 hours and the new cases have been slowly sliding down. But the death tally is completely alarming. 4529 people passed away in the country in the last 24 hours as per the reports from the Union Health Ministry. 3,89,851 people recovered and discharged from the hospital in the last 24 hours. The total number of coronavirus cases reached 2,54,96,330 and the total number of discharges stands at 2,19,86,363. The death tally reached 2,83,248 and there are 32,26,719 active cases for coronavirus in India. The total number of Indians who received vaccination are at 18,58,09,302.

Tamil Nadu continues to be the most impacted state due to coronavirus. The Indian government said that more than 200 districts witnessed a huge decline in the number of new cases for coronavirus. There is a decline in the new cases by 13 percent in India in a week but the infections continued to be the highest in the country along with the death tally which is the highest. BJP MLA Gotam Lal Meena passed away due to coronavirus today in a private hospital in Udaipur. The government of Telangana extended the lockdown in the country till May 30th and all the restrictions will continue as announced earlier. There would be relaxations between 6 AM and 10 AM on a regular basis.

The government of Karnataka announced a coronavirus relief package of Rs 1250 crores immediately. The total number of samples tested for coronavirus in India are said to be 32,03,01,177 till date and the samples tested yesterday are 20,08,296.
Andover, MA (01810)

Today

Cloudy. High 66F. Winds SE at 5 to 10 mph..

Tonight

Cloudy skies with periods of rain late. Low around 55F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 90%.
Android 12 basically wants to replace your car keys. Google has announced Android 12 during Google I/O, along with a number of changes it will bring. Some of those changes concern Android Auto as well.

First and foremost, Google announced that Android Auto spread to 100 million cars. That said, some new features are coming along with Android 12. If you have Android Auto in your car, youll probably want to reason.

Android 12 will act as a virtual car key for some Android Auto cars

The most exciting news is that your phone may even be able to start your car. Well, youll need to have a right combination of a smartphone and a car in order to do that. Not everything will be supported.

Advertisement

Google said that its working with carmakers, such as BMW, in order to transform your phone into a virtual car key. That way, youd not only be able to unlock it with your phone, but start it as well.

This would enable you to share access to your car with friends and family, if needed. Google said that the feature will land on its own Pixel phones, and Samsung devices first. It will start rolling out in the fall.

Whats interesting is that some combinations of phones and cars will use ultra-wideband technology, so you wont even have to pull your phone out of your pocket. NFC will work fine as well, if ultra-wideband ends up being out of the question.

Advertisement

BMW and Ford were named by Google

Google called out BMW and Ford, so not all Android Auto cars will support it, at least not from the get-go. Were sure that more and more car manufacturers will add support for the feature, though.

Needless to say, this feature would enable you to leave your car keys at home, basically. That would mean one less thing to carry around with you, and many people would probably be up for that.

We can already pay with our phones, and some of us even unlock our houses using our phones. Down the road, we may not even need keys at all.
Anniston, AL (36206)

Today

Scattered thunderstorms during the morning becoming more widespread this afternoon. High 83F. Winds W at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 60%..

Tonight

Scattered thunderstorms. Low near 70F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 60%.
Purchase an online subscription to our website for $7.99 a month with automatic renewal. Each online subscription gives you full access to all of our newspaper websites and mobile applications. To cancel you may contact Customer Service @ 256-235-9253 or email JPAYNE@ANNISTONSTAR.COM



For a limited time, for NEW SUBSCRIBERS ONLY a NEW ANNUAL SUBSCRIPTION is just $59.99 for the first year. Existing customers do not qualify for the specials!



After the first year, well automatically renew your subscription to continue your access at the regular price of $69.99 per year. Please note *Your Subscription will Automatically Renew unless you contact Customer Service To Cancel*


As U.S. President Joe Biden and his Secretary of State Anthony Blinken attempt to rebrand post-Donald Trump America through new policies and narratives at home and abroad, the topic of "human rights" has become, once again, a focal point of Washington's propaganda. China should welcome this discussion and join it robustly.



A dark history

From what pedestal does the U.S. preach and point? Which president in American history had clean hands? Which president did not preside over a nation with systemic abuse of its own people, especially the poor, women and minorities? Which have avoided war and aggression?

The U.S. came into being through genocide against Native Americans, shady deals with despots that more than doubled the nation's size, aggressive wars against Mexico and Spain, and invasions and suppressions as the U.S. went global at the end of the 19th century, reaching further from its shores, including into the Pacific, with violent takeovers of the Philippines and a number of strategically located islands that fueled increasing instability in Asia, stimulating in no small part Japan's aggressive responses.

It is part of the U.S. political imaginary to forget the past, largely, with each new administration, to remember only in a cursory way the mistakes that others made without fully taking responsibility for them. This allows the U.S. to perpetually renew itself, to turn the pages of history without ever actually reading or understanding what has been done, how one page leads to another, and how so many of the pages say largely the same things.

For example, Trump excoriated his predecessors, George W. Bush and Barack Obama, for their crimes in international affairs, from the former's invasion of Iraq under false pretenses (which included bald-faced lies with fake "intelligence" to the UN Security Council that directly sparked ongoing human rights travesties throughout the Middle East), to the latter's continued drone wars and disastrous meddling in Libya, Syria, Ukraine and beyond.

Then Trump proceeded to write his own place in history. He doubled down on the U.S. prison in Guantanamo, a site of torture, and not only promoted people previously involved with Bush's torture policies, but explicitly promoted torture and said the U.S. should have done worse.

He also ordered the assassination via drone of Iranian general Qasem Soleimani, who was then visiting Iraq, killing several Iraqi leaders in the same attack. While he justified it as preventing violence, there are credible accounts of him admitting privately that he did it to appease conservatives in the Senate who were then considering his fate in his first impeachment trial. The trial, it should be recalled, centered on whether his own meddling in Ukraine was self-serving and not merely for the national good.

A UN special rapporteur on extrajudicial, summary or arbitrary executions concluded in a report to the UN Human Rights Council that Trump's action was exceptionally inappropriate and likely a war crime.

But this was not the only disturbing thing done by Trump. One must also recall his heavy hand against Latin American migrants, including separating parents and children; his anti-Muslim travel restrictions; his dog-whistle tactics that tacitly encouraged white supremacists and fueled racial injustice against African Americans; his racist rants and trade war against China that prompted an incredible wave of anti-Asian violence in the U.S. and beyond; and his complete mishandling of the COVID-19 epidemic that left more than half a million Americans dead, with millions more diminished by the illness and its social and economic effectsthe costs of which are still beyond anyone's capacity to compute.

And while it might seem gratuitous, one might add that Trump's crimes against humanity included quitting the Paris Agreement and convincing many Americans that climate change is not a real problem, at the very least not one for which they have any responsibility, despite the fact that the U.S. has by far the highest emissions per capita in the world.

One also can point to Trump abandoning the World Health Organization in the middle of the pandemic, undermining the global capacity to deal with the disease, as well as his decision to advance unilateral sanctions against Iran and others, contrary to international agreements and law, and to refuse to relax them for humanitarian reasons during the worst days of the outbreak, leading to even more misery and death.

Even if Biden has not yet committed any comparably great sins in this particular iteration of his public life (though he was part of gross actions during the Obama years and his long tenure in the Senate), he continues the tradition of turning the page while also continuing American hegemony and interventionism.

In his first 100 days, he ordered airstrikes in Syria, meddled in Ukraine to the point of provoking a new war, continued Trump's anti-China actions by undermining the one-China policy globally, pushed a "China containment" strategy for the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue, or Quad, between Australia, India, Japan and the U.S., continued Trump's anti-China trade policies, and accused China of "genocide" in Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Regiondespite the State Department's own research team concluding that no genocide had taken place.

Positive and negative rights

I wrote in a previous issue of this magazine that China's accomplishment of "raising hundreds of millions out of poverty and eradicating extreme poverty altogether has not been achieved by any other political system or country in human history, and arguably demonstrates an unequalled contribution to human rights." I believe this is a basic truth, made even more remarkable by the fact that China did so without the benefits of imperial exploitation or hegemony, and that these accomplishments make many in the West deeply uncomfortable, driving their attacks on China's human rights record, hoping to distract us from their own transgressions, past and present.

Generally, human rights are conceptualized in two distinct ways, positive and negative. Positive rights empower the state to work against systemic and historic injustices. While this can benefit many people and produce a type of social progress nationally, it can also lead to conflicts with those who benefited from those injustices as well as those who wish to separate themselves from the nation and its development.

Admittedly, it can also lead to government overreach as the comparable limits on private and individual rights are sometimes unfairly steamrolled by overly aggressive and sometimes unjust local authorities. This problem is not unique to China. Rather, it is a common concern everywhere.

Negative rights, by contrast, limit the state and instead promote individual rights and those of civil society. While there are in fact tremendous benefits associated with this approach, one might also argue that negative rights find their expression in making private property rights sacrosanct, and this in fact perpetuates inequality and limits true democracy.

In many respects, the U.S. considers itself a champion of negative rights, and conversely, China considers itself a champion of positive rights. To some extent, it might be said both countries could learn from each other and make greater contributions to human rights at home and abroad.

However, China has already implemented in the course of its development a great number of critical lessons drawn from its own experience and what it learned from others. In addition to creating real security and welfare for its citizens, it has made significant advances in the battle against corruption, promoted the rule of law, and largely limited its international conflicts to those directly related to border security and sovereignty issues and reciprocating to conflicts instigated by others. In short, China has achieved many advances for both positive and negative rights in both its domestic and foreign affairs.

By contrast, we have not seen the same type of progress from America. The wreckage of the Trump years attests to this, as does the continuation of the Trump cult in American politics and its potential resurgence in the coming years. This suggests that American history has not yet turned the page, but is still chasing its tail.

And while Biden has made some important corrections with respect to some of the worst aspects of Trump's policies, he remains complicit in others. This insight is not lost on many in the world, including America's allies. It also likely explains why most in the world, according to a recent international poll, conducted by Latana in partnership with the Alliance of Democracies, view the U.S. as the greatest threat to global democracy, and by extension, peace and development.

The author is professor of politics at the East China Normal University in Shanghai.
Talladega, AL (35160)

Today

Scattered thunderstorms during the morning becoming more widespread this afternoon. High 83F. Winds WSW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 70%..

Tonight

Scattered thunderstorms early, then mainly cloudy overnight with thunderstorms likely. Low 69F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 60%.
When Washington announced its support to waive intellectual property protocols for COVID-19 vaccines, it sparked a highly charged row.



Critics, led by the pharmaceutical industry, claimed that removing intellectual property (IP) would sow confusion between the public-private partnership and undermine future innovation. Their argument, in a nutshell, is that IP protocols protect the profit motive; without which, the industry would suffer and development would grind to a halt. Responding to the US decision, German Chancellor Angela Merkel made this very argument. "The protection of intellectual property is a source of innovation and it must remain so in the future," she said.

On the other side of the debate, head of the World Health Organization Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus hailed Washington's decision as a "monumental moment in the fight against COVID-19". Meanwhile, the head of the World Trade Organization Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala urged members to start negotiations as soon as possible. "The world is watching and people are dying," she added.

Vaccines as global public goods

At the center of the ongoing row remains a question over whether COVID vaccines should be treated as a commercial product or as global public goods.

The idea of vaccines as global public goods began to receive attention following the 73rd World Health Assembly last year. During the summit, several world leaders including Chinese President Xi Jinping, called for future coronavirus vaccines to be treated as a global public good. Soon after, the World Health Organization launched the COVID-19 Technology Access Pool (C-TAP). Issuing an urgent "Solidarity Call to Action", the WHO called on pharmaceutical companies to pool their knowledge, intellectual property, and data in order to realize equitable global access to vaccines. One year later and C-TAP has gone largely unused as vaccine makers have refused to share their knowledge.

Wealthy countries, able to take on the risks of purchasing undeveloped products, bought-up almost the entire supply of COVID vaccines. In some cases, countries secured enough shots to vaccinate their citizens many times over. Poorer nations meanwhile struggled to secure doses for even their frontline healthcare workers.

"There remains a shocking imbalance in the global distribution of vaccines," WHO chief Dr. Tedros told a news conference last month. "On average in high-income countries, almost one in four people have received a COVID-19 vaccine. In low-income countries, it's one in more than 500," he added.

Currently, only 1 percent of coronavirus vaccines are going to low-income countries, and projections show much of the world's population may not be vaccinated until 2024. South African President Cyril Ramaphosa warned recently that if wealthy nations continue to snap up COVID-19 shots while people in poor countries died waiting for them, it would amount to "vaccine apartheid".

Given the severity of this situation, the United Nations issued an urgent call for COVID vaccines to become a global public good. Announcing the launch of "Only Together" a global campaign dedicated to advancing fair and equitable access to COVID vaccines  Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said, "Only together can we end this pandemic and recover."

More than 360 NGOs and global health groups have since joined the call for pharmaceutical companies to share their vaccine know-how with the world. But, as voices in support of an IP waiver have grown, so too have the objections of critics.

Vaccines as private cash cows

In the United States, the pharmaceutical industry dispatched an army of lobbyists to rally against the waiver. During the first three months of this year, the industry reportedly spent a record-breaking $92 million lobbying the federal government. The Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America (PhRMA), whose members include AstraZeneca, Pfizer, and Johnson & Johnson, plowed $8.7 million into the lobbying effort.

In the grand scheme of things, such figures are small change when compared to the revenues generated by an industry with a stranglehold over one of the world's most desperately needed commodities. Pfizer, for example, reported $3.5 billion in revenue from sales of their vaccine in just the first three months of this year alone.

Corporate insiders and those on the pharmaceutical payroll have made a string of claims as to why sharing COVID vaccine technology would be a bad idea.

First, they invoked the sacrosanctity of intellectual property. Critics claimed that any change to the TRIPS framework would significantly damage the pharmaceutical industry and undermine future innovation. Amid a surge in new coronavirus cases and a growing vaccine gulf between rich and poor nations, the narrative shifted somewhat.

Lobbyists now argue that sharing COVID vaccine technology will not actually lead to an increased vaccine supply. The ongoing bottleneck, they say, is not because of limited access to the technology; instead, it is the result of a scarcity of raw materials. According to this view, waving patent protections would set off a worldwide race for raw materials, and would therefore do "more harm than good".

"Currently, infrastructure is not the bottleneck for us manufacturing faster," Pfizer CEO Alber Bourla wrote on LinkedIn. "The restriction is the scarcity of highly specialized raw materials needed to produce our vaccine."

Some in the U.S. have attempted to frame the debate through the lens of big-power rivalry. In the weeks leading up to Washington's decision, the Financial Times reported that vaccine makers lobbied officials against supporting the waiver as it would "risk handing novel technology to China and Russia". The narrative has since been amplified by a small faction of the GOP who are now calling on the Biden administration to withdraw U.S. support for the waiver.

"Waiving IP protections under this proposal runs counter to long-standing American values," wrote Republican Senator Steve Daines. "Moreover [it] provides for a technological windfall for adversaries such as China and Russia" he added.

Solidarity call to action

The landmark proposal, submitted to the WTO by India and South Africa in October, now has the support of more than 120 governments. Efforts to expand vaccine production are being stonewalled by a small number of notably wealthy and well-vaccinated countries. At the last round of virtual WTO talks in April, countries including the U.S., Canada, the UK, Australia, and the European Union blocked the waiver.

Health campaigners, including Doctors Without Borders (MSF), called on those blocking the waiver to immediately reverse their obstructive tactics. "Countries must stop obstructing and show the leadership required to deliver on the 'global solidarity' they have so often declared during this pandemic," said MSF International President Dr. Christos Christou.

The call for global solidarity comes at a pivotal moment in the fight against COVID-19.

In India, which has now become the global epicenter of a deadly new COVID variant, over 400,000 new cases are being identified each day. People are dying in ambulance bays and car parks while awaiting beds and oxygen. Meanwhile, bodies are being dumped in the holy Ganges River as morgues and crematoriums struggle to keep up with demand. A report from The Lancet warned that the country could surpass 1 million COVID deaths by August 1.

The new mutant strain, which notably shows signs of increased transmissibility, was recently declared by the WHO to be a "variant of concern". As reports of the new variant spreading around the world increase, India's problem is fast becoming a global problem. The issue remains that the longer the virus is in circulation, the greater the chances are that it will mutate. And with each new mutation, the risk of a new vaccine-resistant strain appearing, steadily increases. This must not be allowed to happen.

According to a devastating new study published last week, the pandemic was entirely "preventable". The members of the Independent Panel for Pandemic Preparedness and Response found that "failures in leadership" allowed the pandemic to trigger a catastrophic human and socioeconomic crisis.

Leaders must own up to their failures and recognize that they must now do all they can to bring the pandemic to an end as quickly as possible. Stopping the developing world from producing generic versions of the vaccines will not only prolong the pandemic, it could quite literally return the world right back to square one.

Jamie Leigh Wright is a columnist for China Focus.


Thank you for reading! On your next view you will be asked to log in to your subscriber account or create an account and subscribepurchase a subscription to continue reading.
Made In Chelsea star Louise Thompson has revealed she is pregnant.

The reality star shared the news in a post on Instagram featuring a photo of her partner Ryan Libbey and a pregnancy scan.

The announcement comes after Thompson revealed earlier this year she had suffered a miscarriage.

To view this content, you'll need to update your privacy settings. Please click here to do so.

Writing on Instagram on Tuesday, she said she would be lying if I said its been an easy ride but the truth is I think poor Ryan has found it even harder than I have.

She added: Im definitely lucky to have such a sensitive partner and I feel safe in the knowledge that you are going to be the best dad in the world.

Now weve reached this hopeful milestone i am really pleased to be able to share our lovely news with you all.

I want to try to relax a smidge and to be able to enjoy the journey as Im informed it will be over in a flash.

Thompson appealed for her social media followers to give her advice on coping with pregnancy.

(Anthony Devlin/PA)

Hormones are a thing of absolute madness and pregnancy coupled with ulcerative colitis has been a major killjoy and particularly anxiety inducing, she said.

Whos experienced it? Ive always been a firm believer that women are superhuman for what they put up with and now I have even more reason to stand by that.

Libbey joined the cast of Made In Chelsea in 2016 when the series was filming in the south of France.

The couple got engaged in 2018 after he proposed during a hiking trip in Los Angeles.
Health Secretary Matt Hancock has been warned there could be unrest in Bolton if the Government brings in local lockdowns to contain the Indian variant.

David Greenhalgh, Conservative leader at Bolton Council, told BBC Radio 4s Today programme: Weve been there before and they dont work  not in a dense conurbation like Greater Manchester.

This happened before, the spread increased because people travelled 50 yards across the county boundary to access hospitality that they cant in their own area.

Asked if he had told Mr Hancock there would be civil unrest, he said: I do think there is a danger of unrest.

There is a great deal of resentment. Bolton was we were disproportionately affected really since July last year.

Even when our rates were coming down, we still remained in lockdown when other areas rates were higher than ours, so there was a build up of resentment.

(PA Graphics)

The people of Bolton have a great spirit and they come together when times are difficult.

But this would be a very, very difficult situation to manage I believe  if we went into a lockdown that we have personal experience of as a town, which did not work.

Mr Greenhalgh said there was no sign yet that cases were coming under control in Bolton, adding that our cases are still rising.

To view this content, you'll need to update your privacy settings. Please click here to do so.

He continued: I think that was, to be honest, expected. We are putting all the measures in that we can at the moment.

We have community spread, theres no doubt about that, and were holding back a variant that would appear  although the evidence is still being gathered  to be a little bit more transmissible, easily transmissible.

The majority of our cases are in very much our younger age groups  primary school, secondary school and in their 20s.

We still havent got an increase in hospitalisation and severe illness, which is hugely welcome, those figures still remain low.

People queuing for Covid vaccinations in Bolton (Danny Lawson/PA)

Were doing everything we can. The Government has sent in surge vaccinations, surge testing Were doing everything we can, but I think the next two weeks we will still see our cases rising.

Figures for the seven days to May 14 show that Bolton continues to have the highest rate of new Covid cases per 100,000 people in England.

It had 867 new cases in the seven days  the equivalent of 301.5 cases per 100,000 people.

This is up from 150.2 in the seven days to May 7.

Blackburn with Darwen in Lancashire had the second highest rate, up from 86.2 to 131.6, with 197 new cases.

Bedford had the third highest, up from 64.6 to 128.1, with 222 new cases.

Bolton had the biggest week-on-week rise of any area in England, up from 150.2 to 301.5.
Britons are set to rein in their spending despite building up 180 billion of savings in lockdown, according to new figures that cast doubt on hopes for a consumer-led rebound in the UK economy.

Nearly six in 10 (58%) households say their spending will either remain the same or drop in the coming months, a poll by Ipsos Mori has revealed.

The research  commissioned by a consumer insight panel led by Nationwide Building Society  signals consumers will be reluctant to dip into their savings pots, which could dampen expectations for a roaring economic recovery this year.

The Bank of England recently hiked its outlook for UK growth to 7.25% in 2021  the best year of growth since 1941  but this was largely on the back of a surge in pent-up consumer demand.

It has estimated that households are sitting on 180 billion of extra savings since the first lockdown.

The survey found that more than half of those polled are already spending less, or considering spending less as a result of Covid-19, with 45% saving more and three-quarters wanting to put more by to protect themselves against risk and uncertainty.

Nationwide  whose consumer insight panel also includes the likes of supermarket Asda, B&Q owner Kingfisher and consumer group Which?  said forecasts that Britain will see a return to rampant consumerism after the pandemic could be wide of the mark.

Ipsos said the findings showed more people disagree with the live for today mantra than agreeing for the first time since 1999.

Joe Garner, chief executive of Nationwide, said: The pandemic has acted as a reset button to a long-term culture of consumer hedonism.

Lockdown has had a reversing effect on how we see our money  from a means to spend to a means of protecting ourselves against uncertainty and focussing on whats important.

Ben Page, chief executive of Ipsos Mori, added: The public are not yet ready for a Roaring Twenties moment: prudence on saving and spending prevails and hedonist tendencies are at a 20-year low.
The vice president of the European Commission and the UKs Brexit minister have been invited to address a Northern Ireland Assembly committee.

Members of Stormonts Executive Office oversight committee agreed on Wednesday to invite Maros Sefcovic and Lord Frost to address them.

Committee chairman Colin McGrath said they are being asked to give evidence on the impact of Brexit and the Northern Ireland Protocol.

Colin McGrath said he has been concerned by rhetoric from the UK Government (NIAssembly/PA)

The Protocol divides opinion in Northern Ireland where the largest party, the DUP, is urging that it be scrapped.

Unionists and loyalists regard the rules of the Protocol, which includes additional checks on goods arriving at ports from Great Britain, as a border down the Irish Sea.

Anger at what is regarded as separation from the rest of the United Kingdom has sparked protests by loyalists across Northern Ireland.

Some of the protests descended into violence and attacks on police earlier this year, although more recent demonstrations have been peaceful.

Loyalist protesters during further unrest on Lanark Way in Belfast in April (Niall Carson/PA)

Mr McGrath said the ongoing negotiations between the European Commission and the UK Government will have a significant impact on Northern Irelands economy and political stability.

It is crucial, therefore, that those involved at the most senior level engage with the Northern Ireland Assembly Committee responsible for these matters, he said.

It is particularly important for those who continue to use Northern Ireland as a pawn to advance political grudges to sit down and front up with our committee.

I have been deeply concerned about the rising rhetoric from the British Government over the course of the last number of weeks. Those who co-authored the Protocol cannot now distance themselves from its outworking.

There are practical issues that need to be resolved, that means constructive engagement from both London and Brussels, but fundamentally the Protocol offers Northern Ireland a competitive advantage that we are not using to the benefit of local people and businesses.
Confusion abounds after a health minister appeared to contradict official advice over travel following the relaxing of restrictions by saying all international trips were dangerous.

People in England, Scotland and Wales are able to travel overseas on holiday to a limited number of destinations after restrictions were eased.

There are green, amber and red lists for international travel, but politicians have offered differing advice over where the public are permitted to travel abroad.

Here the PA news agency answers 12 key questions for holidaymakers:

A small number of locations are on the green list for leisure travel (Rui Vieira/PA)

 What is the confusion coming from Whitehall?

Prime Minister Boris Johnsons official spokesman, during a briefing with reporters on Tuesday, said leisure travel should still be restricted to the limited number of countries deemed safe by ministers, such as Portugal, which feature on the quarantine-free green list.

But two Cabinet ministers appeared to offer a different reading of the rules, with Environment Secretary George Eustice telling broadcasters people could go to amber-listed countries as long as they observed quarantine rules on their return.

Welsh Secretary Simon Hart, speaking after Mr Johnsons comments on the matter, told Times Radio the public should ask themselves whether a trip to a country on the amber list was essential before conceding that some people might think a holiday is essential.

Further complicating matters, health minister Lord Bethell told peers he considered all foreign travel to be dangerous and urged Britons to holiday at home this summer.

 What are the lists and why are they important?

The Government has brought in a risk-based traffic light system with red, amber and green ratings for countries around the world. The ratings determine the quarantine and coronavirus testing requirements people face when returning home from Monday May 17, when the ban on overseas leisure travel was lifted.

 What is special about about the green list?

Travellers returning from a country or territory on that list will not need to quarantine, and will only be required to take one post-arrival coronavirus test.

 Sounds good. What locations are on it?

It consists of Portugal, Gibraltar, Israel, Australia, New Zealand, Singapore, Brunei, Iceland and the Faroe Islands, plus several small remote islands which are British Overseas Territories.

 So I can go on holiday to anywhere on that list?

Entry to Australia, which is on the green list, is severely restricted (Bob Martin for SailGP/PA)

Not quite. Australia, New Zealand, Singapore, Brunei and the Faroe Islands have severely restricted entry criteria.

 Then where can I go?

Portugal is welcoming UK tourists who have had a recent negative test, have recovered from the virus and therefore have antibodies, or had both doses of a vaccine.

Gibraltar will not require UK visitors to be tested or vaccinated, whereas Israel will initially reopen its border on May 23 only to groups of foreign tourists who have had both jabs.

None of these destinations will require arrivals to quarantine.

 What about the amber list?

To view this content, you'll need to update your privacy settings. Please click here to do so.

That covers many popular holiday destinations such as Spain, France, Italy and Greece.

Transport Secretary Grant Shapps said you should not be travelling to these places right now.

On Sunday, Health Secretary Matt Hancock told Times Radio people should not travel to places on the amber or red lists unless its absolutely necessary, and certainly not for holiday purposes.

The PM has also stressed countries on the amber list were not somewhere where you should be going on holiday.

 What if I go against that guidance?

People returning from amber countries must take two post-arrival tests.

They are also required to self-isolate at home for 10 days, although they can reduce that time if they take an additional negative test on day five.

 How about the red list?

Those returning from a red list country must stay in a quarantine hotel for 11 nights at a cost of 1,750.

 Will the lists change?

The lists will be amended every three weeks, but Boris Johnson said on Friday he did not expect new countries to be added to the green tier very rapidly.

 What about vaccine passports?

Mr Shapps confirmed that people in England will be able to demonstrate they have had both doses of a vaccine through the NHS app.

The Welsh Government said vaccination status certificates will be available from Monday May 24 for people in Wales who have had both doses and need to urgently travel to a country that requires proof of having been vaccinated.

 Can people living across the UK go on a foreign holiday?

Scotlands travel rules are aligned with those in England, and the same traffic light system came into place on Monday, but officials have urged people to be cautious.

Non-essential travel from Northern Ireland to the Common Travel Area, which consists of the UK, Republic of Ireland, Channel Islands and Isle of Man, is now also allowed.

While Wales allowed international travel from Monday in alignment with Englands traffic light system, the Welsh Governments concerns about reimporting the virus mean it is advising people not to travel abroad during 2021.
Yes, it's the only way to get anything done

Yes, the filibuster is outdated

No, Senate tradition should not be thrown out

No, we need bipartisanship

I don't know

Vote

View Results
Online Access for Print Subscribers. Do you have a print subscription with the Argus-Press? If yes, then click here to enjoy complimentary access to our Online Content!
Chinese-built port in Kenya's Lamu to spur regional trade: officials

CGTN) 08:27, May 19, 2021

Kenya's Lamu seaport built by a Chinese firm that is set to be launched on Thursday will pave way for seamless movement of goods in the greater Horn of Africa region, officials said Tuesday. /Xinhua

Kenya's Lamu seaport built by a Chinese firm that is set to be launched on Thursday will pave way for seamless movement of goods in the greater Horn of Africa region, officials said Tuesday.

The first phase of the Lamu port project consisting of three berths, constructed by the China Communications Construction Company, is located in the coastal county of Lamu in northeast Kenya.

Rashid Salim, acting managing director of Kenya Ports Authority (KPA), said the ultra-modern port that is part of Lamu Port-South Sudan-Ethiopia Transport Corridor is ready for major shipping operations.

"The new port has a huge potential for business since it sits right in the middle of major shipping routes for global trade," Salim told Xinhua during a recent interview.

President Uhuru Kenyatta is expected to receive the first large cargo ship to dock at the completed Lamu port's Berth One on Thursday amid a quest to elevate Kenya's status as a regional transport and logistics hub.

Salim said that operationalization of Lamu port, which is a Vision 2030 flagship project in the country, will transform regional economies through increased trade, integration and connectivity.

He said that Kenya's second commercial seaport will facilitate the transportation of bulk cargo to landlocked South Sudan and Ethiopia besides stimulating the growth of the local manufacturing sector.

KPA has already dispatched crucial equipment like cranes, tag boats, trailers, forklifts and rail chains to Lamu port to support cargo transfer from large vessels to trucks for transportation to the mainland, said Salim.

He clarified there will be no competition or duplication of roles between Lamu port and the country's Mombasa port since each will be serving a different trade route.

Salim said that Lamu port will have the capacity to handle large vessels from international shipping lines that ply the Indian Ocean, the Mediterranean Sea, and the Red Sea.

He said that state agencies were working on modalities of rolling out fiscal incentives to international shipping lines keen on utilizing the Lamu port.

Abdullahi Samatar, general manager of Lamu port, said it is expected to attract bulk cargo transport business from Ethiopia and South Sudan, generate new jobs, and spur the growth of local start-ups.

Samatar said the Lamu seaport can handle large vessels with a carrying capacity ranging from 12,000 to 18,000 twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs).

Samatar said the port will also open up the vast northern Kenyan region for investments in key sectors like livestock, tourism, and fisheries.

Omudho Awitta, board chairman of Kenya Railways Corporation, said that operationalization of Lamu port will be accompanied by the construction of an oil refinery, a modern railway line, and resort cities in northern Kenyan counties of Isiolo and Turkana.

(Web editor: Guo Wenrui, Du Mingming)
Dave Ramsey is Americas trusted voice on money and business. Hes authored four New York Times best-selling books: Financial Peace, More Than Enough, The Total Money Makeover and EntreLeadership. The Dave Ramsey Show is heard by more than 6 million listeners each week on more than 500 radio stations. Follow Dave on Twitter at @DaveRamsey and on the Web at daveramsey.com.
Support local journalism

Now, more than ever, the world needs trustworthy reportingbut good journalism isnt free. Please support us by making a contribution.
Tauktae, characterised as an extremely severe cyclonic storm on Monday, has now weakened into a

Tauktae triggered heavy rains in many parts along its way from the Saurashtra coast to North Gujarat. (Photo: File/PTI)

Ahmedabad: As many as 13 people were killed in Gujarat as cyclone Tauktae pummelled parts of the state and left behind a trail of destruction along the coast, uprooting electric poles, trees and damaging thousands of houses and roads, officials said on Tuesday.

In what was one of the worst cyclones faced by the state, Tauktae triggered heavy rains in many parts along its way from the Saurashtra coast to North Gujarat with as many as 46 talukas receiving over 100 mm of downpour, while 12 of them recorded 150 mm to 175 mm of rains.

Tauktae, characterised as an extremely severe cyclonic storm on Monday, has now weakened into a "cyclonic storm" and will gradually become a "deep depression" as it moves northwards, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) said.

Even as Tauktae's intensity weakened, it left behind a trail of destruction with as many as 13 people losing their lives in different parts of Gujarat, including Bhavnagar, Rajkot, Patan, Amreli and Valsad, officials said.

Over 16,000 houses were damaged, more than 40,000 trees and over 70,000 electric poles uprooted, while 5,951 villages faced total power blackout due to the cyclonic storm in Gujarat, Chief Minister Vijay Rupani said.

In his media briefing, Rupani said officially the death toll due to the cyclone stood at 13.

A woman died when an electric pole fell on her while she was sleeping in Patan town late Monday night amid strong wind, an official from Patan A-division police station said.

A woman and her daughter were killed when the wall of their house collapsed at Badeli village in Palitana taluka of Bhavnagar, a local administration official said.

In another incident, a girl died after the roof of her house collapsed on four members of the family at Rajula in Amreli district on Monday night, police said.

In Sanand town of Ahmedabad district, an unidentified man in his 30s and a woman, believed to be his relative, died on the spot when a live wire got dislodged from the pole and fell on them near a complex on Sanand-Bavla road, said police.

A woman and her teenage daughter died after coming in contact with a live electricity wire in Nadiad town of Kheda district. The deceased were identified as Taraben Bhil (35) and her daughter Asha (16), said Nadiad town police.

Government officials did not provide the details of the other five deaths.

The landfall process of the eye of the extremely severe cyclonic storm Tauktae, which hit the Gujarat coast in the Saurashtra region between Diu and Una, ended around midnight on Monday, the IMD said.

The remnant of the weather system is very likely to move north-eastwards across Rajasthan to west Uttar Pradesh during May 19 and 20, said the Ministry of Home Ministry in its advisory.

As of Tuesday evening, the cyclonic storm lay centred over Saurashtra, around 35km west of Ahmedabad, 80km east- northeast of Surendranagar, and 120 km south-southeast of Deesa, with the wind intensity now reduced to 60-70 kmph gusting to 80 kmph, the IMD said.

The IMD said districts such as Amreli, Bhavnagar, Navsari, Valsad, Sabarkantha, among others in Gujarat, and Daman and Dadra and Nagar Haveli in the neighbouring Union Territory as well as Sabarkantha, were likely to receive heavy to very heavy rainfall.

The cyclone completed the landfall in Gujarat at 1:30 am on Tuesday, Additional Chief Secretary (Revenue) Pankaj Kumar said, adding districts of Amreli, Gir Somnath, Junagadh, Porbandar, Rajkot, Bhavnagar, and Botad in Saurashtra were the worst affected by the natural disaster.

Rupani told reporters that 5,951 villages suffered blackout and work was underway to restore power supply in 3,850 of them.

Around 70,000 electric poles fell and four 220-KV sub stations were yet to restart out of five that suffered damage due to the storm, the chief minister said.

He said 68 out of 165 66-KV sub stations were also damaged and later made functional.

Rupani said out of 425 COVID-19 hospitals located in the affected areas, 122 suffered power blackout, out of which electricity supply in 83 was restored, and 39 others were working on backup arrangements.

Rupani assured people that loss caused to standing crops, mango and coconut farms, as well as houses and cattle will be compensated by the government, and a survey will be immediately undertaken for the purpose.

Due to the cyclone, the state received widespread rainfall, with 96 talukas receiving more than one inch of downpour, Rupani informed.

As many as 46 talukas received around 4 inch rainfall, and 12 around 6 to 7 inch rainfall. Ten talukas received more than five inch downpour, the chief minister said.

The cyclone poured very heavy rains at all places where it passed from as well as adjoining areas.

Many areas of Ahmedabad city were inundated with knee-deep water following incessant downpour since afternoon as Tauktae passed northward along the district's periphery.

The Indian Coast Guard (ICG) on Tuesday rescued eight fishermen onboard a fishing boat that drifted into the sea off the coast of Veraval harbour due to the cyclone, officials said.

Besides, two Coast Guard Chetak helicopters, operating from the CG airbase at the Union Territory of Daman, rescued eight crew members of the stranded ship 'Gal Constructor' from the sea off the Satpati coast (in neighbouring Maharashtra) amidst very rough and inclement weather conditions, a release said.

The intensity of the wind has gradually reduced but "looking at its movement, we need to take extreme precaution till night," Additional Chief Secretary Kumar told reporters. (Revenue) Pankaj Kumar.

A major cyclone in Gujarat on June 9, 1998, had brought widespread death and destruction in its wake, particularly in the port town of Kandla.

While official figures had then put the death toll at 1,173, adding 1,774 went missing, media reports, eyewitness and volunteer accounts suggested this was grossly an understatement.
Services for Mabel McCrackin McGee, 92, of Tyler were held Tuesday, June 8, 2021 at 2 p.m. at Stewart Family Funeral Home Chapel in Tyler and Rev. Brandy Stevens officiated. Burial followed at Goodgame Cemetery near Athens under the direction of Stewart Family Funeral Home. Mabel McGee passe


remaining of

Thank you for reading! On your next view you will be asked to log in to your subscriber account or create an account and subscribepurchase a subscription to continue reading.
SUV

The base motor develops 170 PS (168 horsepower) and 420 Nm (310 pound-feet) from 2.0 liters of displacement, which isnt too shabby considering that American customers get 310 pound-feet of torque from the 2.3-liter EcoBoost. At the other end of the spectrum, fancier trim levels such as the Wildtrak flaunt 213 PS (210 horsepower) and 500 Nm (369 pound-feet). If those figures are somewhat familiar, thats because the bi-turbo engine was launched a few years ago by the Ranger Raptor off-road pickup.Both mills are connected to the 10R80 automatic transmission, which is the 10-speed SelectShift offered in the U.S. as well. The all-new Bronco shares the ladder-frame architecture with the next-gen Ranger, but the off-roadmakes do with the 10R60 variant that features a lower torque rating.Priced from 1,048,088 New Taiwan dollars or $37,480 at current exchange rates, the Ranger for this part of the world features no fewer than seven airbags, a Cargo Management system, and rear privacy glass. The CoPilot360 suite of safety nannies and driver-assist systems is also offered, making the American pickup one of the safest mid-sized trucks in Taiwan.Capable of towing 3.5 tons (7,716 pounds) when properly equipped, the Ranger offers payload capacities of between 1,000 and 1,135 kilograms (2,205 and 2,502 pounds). The minimum ground clearance of 232 millimeters (9.1 inches) is complemented by a wading depth of 800 millimeters (31.5 inches). Furthermore, the electronic locking rear differential helps the Ranger tackle difficult off-road trails in conjunction with the two-speed transfer case.Not long now, the T6 platform will be retired in favor of the all-new Ranger launching next year. And on this occasion, the Ranger Raptor will finally be available stateside as the mid-sized sibling of the F-150 Raptor.
The new models are available at dealerships starting this month with three engine choices. All come with updated and firmer WP suspension, made so by improving the oil circulation, and new MAXXIS MaxxEnduro tires designed to be more puncture-resistant.The suspension system relies on 48 mm upside-down front forks and a PDS shock absorber that provide 300 mm (11.8 in) and 310 mm (12.2 in) of travel, respectively. Changes made to the PDS shock are supposed to prove better resistance to bottoming out, while the O ring that comes with it should be less prone to damage.Aside from these significant improvements, some of the bikes also received additional tweaks. The 250 EXC TPI, for instance, was gifted with revised 13:52 gearing, while the top of the range KTM 300 EXC TPI is even more hard-enduro oriented.As usual when revising some lineup for a new model year, KTM also slapped onto the EXC some visual upgrades. Like with other bikes it makes, the company wanted an even stronger connection with the motorsport world, and in this case, it went for the addition of blue hues on the body and seat and the displaying of special graphics and race plastics. The telltale orange were used to seeing on KTM two-wheelers is, of course, abundantly featured.As said, there are three versions of the EXC bikes, powered by two-stroke and four-stroke engines with displacements of 150cc, 250cc, and 300cc. Prices for the new range have not been announced, but finding a dealer and asking the question might clear that up depending on your region.
Throughout 2019, various U.S. Navy personnel saw, recorded, and reported UAPs (unidentified aerial phenomena) in military airspace. As the second video at the bottom of the page will show, these UAPs (or UFOs, as regular people call them) were strange objects that resembled no military or civilian aircraft, traveling at high speeds and, more than once, in ways that defied the laws of physics. They also had the ability to appear and disappear at whim.The videos were made public when the files were declassified and will be included in the Congress debriefing of next month. They also made the subject of a 60 Minutes report, which included first-person accounts from some parties directly involved.Christopher Mellon, who worked as Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Intelligence in the Clinton and Bush administrations, tells CNBCs Shepard Smith (video below) that the very existence of these videos is proof of a massive intelligence failure on the part of the United States. The issue of whether these UAPs were alien or not aside, having them fly unperturbed and in military airspace, no less, is alarming.After spending hundreds of billions of dollars for so many years, and believing our airspace to be secure, in fact, weve had vehicles operating restricted military airspace with impunity on a recurring and sustained basis for many years, Mellon says.He concedes that some of these UAPs behaved in unnatural, unexplained ways but adds that some could have been aircraft deployed by other countries. It doesnt even matter whether they came from space or China; they should not have been there.Asked what the next step should be for the U.S., Mellon replied with overcome our self-inflicted ignorance, and start collecting data. And no, disclosing all data pertaining to these UAPs sightings to the public is not an alternative due to certain security risks.
* Username

This is the name that will be displayed next to your photo for comments, blog posts, and more. Choose wisely!
Copyright  2020 by Mountain Times Publications. Digital or printed dissemination of this content without prior written consent is a violation of federal law and may be subject to legal action.
Delaware State University announced this week that it will cancel more than $730,000 in student debt for recent graduates who struggled financially during the pandemic.

The big picture: DSU  an historically Black university  used stimulus funds it received from President Biden's American Rescue Plan. The Education Department updated guidance in March allowing institutions to use that money for different needs, including cancelling some student debt, Forbes reports.

Over 220 students were eligible to receive that aid and they each received approximately $3,200 in relief.

What they're saying: "Too many graduates across the country will leave their schools burdened by debt, making it difficult for them to rent an apartment, cover moving costs, or otherwise prepare for their new careers or graduate school," said Antonio Boyle, a vice president for the university.
The Israeli security cabinet on Sunday decided to continue the Gaza operation, according to military plans. Israeli officials said a cease-fire is not on the table right now.

Why it matters: There was a growing feeling within the military and senior defense establishment ahead of the cabinet meeting that Israel should start moving toward ending the operation.

Driving the news: Senior officials and cabinet members who are closely involved in the Gaza operation told Axios before the meeting that military achievements against Hamas so far, along with growing international pressure against civilian casualties and the degrading humanitarian situation in Gaza warrant a gradual move to cease-fire talks.

But the cabinet barely discussed a cease-fire when it convened. It agreed to reconvene if Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Benny Gantz decide to move in that direction.

The latest: The UN Security council had a virtual meeting on Sunday to discuss the Gaza crisis. The foreign ministers of the 27 E.U. member states will also have a virtual meeting on the matter on Tuesday.

What's happening: The Gaza ministry of health announced Sunday that 181 Palestinians were killed in the operation  83 of them were women and children. More than 1200 Palestinians were wounded.

Hamas has continued to fire rockets towards Israeli cities. The Israeli military said more than 3,000 rockets were launched from Gaza since the beginning of the escalation.

Behind the scenes: Israeli officials say the air campaign in Gaza has already achieved most of its goals, and the next step in broadening the operation is a ground invasion, which nobody in the government wants to do.

The humanitarian situation in Gaza was also deteriorating including almost no electricity supply. Gaza hospitals are having difficulty dealing with the number of wounded people.

State of play: Israeli officials also say the Biden administration is increasingly urging Israel  gently for now  to consider ending the operation.

President Biden and Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin, who spoke to their counterparts Netanyahu and Gantz yesterday, hinted at this direction, the Israeli officials said.

The Pentagon said in a statement on Saturday that in the call with Gantz, Austin shared his view on the need to restore calm in Gaza.

U.S. envoy Hady Amr met with Gantz in Tel Aviv Sunday, and said the Biden administration was ready to help in restoring calm, Israeli officials said.

What they're saying: Netanyahu said in a statement after the cabinet meeting that the Gaza operation will continue and will take time. He added that Israel has the backing of the Biden administration and other Western governments.

Where it stands: Palestinian foreign minister Riyad Al-Maliki told the UN Security Council that Israel is committing war crimes in Gaza.

He stressed that foreign leaders saying that Israel has a right to self-defense emboldens it to kill Palestinian families in their sleep. Israel is killing Palestinians in Gaza one by one, Al-Maliki said.

Israeli ambassador to the UN Gilad Erdan, who spoke after Al-Maliki, called on the security council to condemn Hamas for its rocket attacks. Israel is using rockets to protect children, Hamas is using children to protect its rockets, Erdan said.

Whats next: Israeli officials said they think it is highly likely that cease-fire talks will begin within days, despite the cabinet's decision.
Companies are increasingly chasing next-gen consumers: America's youth.

What's new: Fidelity today said 13- to 17-year-olds can trade stocks using an account in teens' full control once it's opened by a guardian. It's an industry first  and other brokers could follow.

Why it matters: Kids are a lucrative market given how much younger they are developing online habits (something the pandemic has only made worse).

What they're saying: "It's basically hook 'em as young as you can, period," says Jim Steyer, founder of Common Sense Media, a children's advocacy group that's called for more regulations on this front.

"They market to kids and teens because a) you hook them at a young age and b) you get their parents."

It's happening across a slew of industries.

Media companies like Netflix and ViacomCBS are pouring millions of dollars into content for kids. The New York Times is testing kid-friendly digital subscriptions.

like Netflix and ViacomCBS are pouring millions of dollars into content for kids. The New York Times is testing kid-friendly digital subscriptions. 44 state attorneys general urged Facebook to drop plans for a version of Instagram for those under 13. (It already has the controversial Messenger Kids.)

One toy retailer now "lets kids as young as 3 years old shop for gifts ... without requiring further signoff from an adult," the Wall Street Journal reported this week.

The big picture: For decades, there's been caution around what is too dangerous to be marketed to kids (think cigarettes and toy guns). But the line between what should and shouldn't be off-limits is getting blurrier.

What to watch: Big Tech's reputation for getting kids onto its platforms is the source of bipartisan ire. One concern: These companies have fallen short on privacy for adult users  the same will happen for children.

"Unfortunately, when it comes to putting children ahead of their profits, Big Tech always fails," Sen. Ed Markey (D-Mass.) said at a congressional hearing on children's online privacy today.

Of note: Fidelity says there are guardrails to ensure trading teens  who can't trade on margin  are supervised.
The Biden administration will waive sanctions on the corporate entity and CEO overseeing the construction of Russias Nord Stream 2 pipeline into Germany, according to two sources briefed on the decision.

Why it matters: The decision indicates the Biden administration is not willing to compromise its relationship with Germany over this pipeline, and it underscores the difficulties President Biden faces in matching actions to rhetoric on a tougher approach to Russia.

Driving the news: The State Department will imminently send its mandatory 90-day report to Congress listing entities involved in Nord Stream 2 that deserve sanctions. Sources familiar with the drafting of the report tell Axios the State Department plans to call for sanctions against a handful of Russian ships.

The State Department will also acknowledge that the corporate entity in charge of the project (Nord Stream 2 AG) and its CEO (Putin crony and former East German intelligence officer Matthias Warnig) are engaged in sanctionable activities.

However, the State Department will waive the applications of those sanctions, citing U.S. national interests.

This planned move seems at odds with Secretary of State Antony Blinken's statement, made during his confirmation hearing: "I am determined to do whatever we can to prevent that completion" of Nord Stream 2.

Between the lines: This planned move also sets up a bizarre situation in which the Biden administration will be sanctioning ships involved in the building of Nord Stream 2 but refusing to sanction the actual company in charge of the project.

Sources close to the situation say that top Biden officials have determined that the only way to potentially stop the project  which is 95% complete  is to sanction the German end users of the gas.

And the Biden administration is not willing to rupture its relationship with Germany over Nord Stream 2.

The big picture: As Axios has previously reported, the completion of Nord Stream 2 would be a huge geopolitical win for Putin and give him substantial new leverage in Europe.

Russian gas currently has to pass through Ukraine on its way to Europe. Bypassing Ukraine with a direct pipeline to Germany is an opportunity for Russia to advance its goal of isolating its former client state, now a fledgling democracy, from Western Europe.

Russia has a long track record of cutting critical supplies to its neighbors during disputes, including cutting off gas to Ukraine.

The pipeline could be finished by the summer without a major intervention to stop it.

A State Department spokesperson told Axios the Biden administration had made clear that companies participating in Nord Stream 2 could face sanctions and would "continue to underscore U.S. strong, bipartisan opposition to this Russian malign influence project."

"The Biden administration has been clear that the Nord Stream 2 pipeline is a Russian geopolitical project that threatens European energy security and that of Ukraine and eastern flank NATO allies and partners," the spokesperson said.

The State Department spokesperson would not confirm the waivers or any details about the imminent report.

Administration sources contend any waivers applied to sanctions could be removed at any time.
The FBI is investigating what it describes as a massive scheme to illegally finance Sen. Susan Collins' 2020 re-election bid, Axios has learned.

What's happening: A recently unsealed search warrant application shows the FBI believes a Hawaii defense contractor illegally funneled $150,000 to a pro-Collins super PAC and reimbursed donations to Collins' campaign. There's no indication that Collins or her team were aware of any of it.

Collins helped the contractor at issue, then called Navatek and since renamed the Martin Defense Group, secure an $8 million Navy contract before most of the donations took place.

Former Navatek CEO Martin Kao was indicted last year for allegedly bilking the federal government of millions in coronavirus relief loans.

What they're saying: "The Collins for Senator Campaign had absolutely no knowledge of anything alleged in the warrant," Collins spokesperson Annie Clark told Axios in an emailed statement.

The big picture: Federal prosecutors say Kao used a shell company to funnel $150,000 in Navatek funds to a pro-Collins super PAC called 1820 PAC.

According to the FBI, Kao and his wife set up a sham LLC called the Society for Young Women Scientists and Engineers. Navatek then wrote the LLC a $150,000 check, investigators say, which was passed on to the super PAC.

Government contractors are barred from donating to federal political committees, and investigators suspect the donations were attempts to evade that prohibition.

Investigators say bank records also show that Kao illegally reimbursed family members who donated to Collins' campaign and that Navatek reimbursed some of Kao's colleagues for their contributions.

That's known as a "straw" donation, and it's prohibited by law. The Collins campaign's fundraising solicitations also require donors to certify that they are in fact donating their own funds.

The allegedly reimbursed donations came in clusters, according to federal contribution records, between June and September 2019, and amounted to less than 0.2% of the Collins campaign's total fundraising.

The warrant application quotes an email exchange between Kao, who had just maxed out to Collins' campaign, and the senator's Maine finance director: "If you have friends or family members that would be willing to donate please dont hesitate to send them my way," the Collins staffer wrote.

Read the search warrant application:

Editor's note: This story has been updated with comments from Collins' spokesperson.
As the Gaza crisis has raged on, the most serious clashes in years between Palestinian demonstrators and the Israeli military in the West Bank have broken out.

Why it matters: Israel is concerned that further escalation in the West Bank could turn into a third intifada. The Second Intifada, or Palestinian uprising against Israel, lasted from 2000 to 2005 and left about 1,000 Israelis and over 3,000 Palestinians dead.

Driving the news: Thousands of Palestinian protesters clashed with Israeli soldiers on Tuesday in several locations in the West Bank.

At least four Palestinians were killed on Tuesday and 15 since the clashes began, Palestinian health officials say.

Hamas leaders in Gaza and in exile have called on the Palestinian public to join the demonstrations in an apparent attempt to boost the group's standing in the West Bank.

While fueled by the events in Gaza, the latest escalation is also part of a decades-long resistance to Israels occupation in the West Bank.

In most cases, the protesters have thrown stones and burned tires, but there were reports on Tuesday of shots fired at Israeli soldiers. Israeli troops fired tear gas, rubber-coated bullets, and in some cases live ammunition.

In one case in Ramallah, the Al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigade  the military wing of Fatah  was responsible for the shooting, Lebanese media reported.

Armed militiaman associated with the group  the largest militia in the West Bank  have been repeatedly spotted in the West Bank in recent days.

What to watch: The militia group had been inactive for more than a decade, during which time many of its members joined the Palestinian Authority security forces or got jobs in civilian government ministries.

A reemergence of this militia could lead to a serious escalation in the West Bank.

Go deeper: Palestinians strike across occupied territories, Israel in show of unity
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said Moscow has proposed that the two sides set up a commission on the delimitation and demarcation of the Armenian-Azerbaijani border and expressed readiness to participate in its activities as a consultant or mediator.

Russian President Vladimir Putin discussed the idea with his Azerbaijani counterpart Ilham Aliyev in a phone call reported later in the day.

The Russian side will continue its mediation efforts and consultative support aimed at achieving an agreement between Armenia and Azerbaijan on the launch of a process of delimitation and demarcation of their state border, the Kremlin said in a statement on the conversation.

The secretary of Armenias Security Council, Armen Grigorian, confirmed the Russian proposal, saying that it was formally conveyed to Yerevan on Tuesday.

In response to it, the Armenian side has stressed the need for the withdrawal of Azerbaijani forces from Armenias sovereign territory before the launch of such work, Grigorian told the Armenpress news agency. Only after that would conditions be created for such discussions.

Prime Minister Nikol Pashinian made similar comments on the issue at a meeting in Yerevan before talking to Putin by phone in the evening. Pashinians office said the two men agreed on the ways and methodology of resolving the crisis. It did not elaborate.

Armenia maintains that Azerbaijani troops advanced several kilometers into its Syunik and Gegharkunik provinces last week. Azerbaijan denies that, saying its forces simply took up new positions on the Azerbaijani side of the frontier.

Yerevan has condemned the Azerbaijani troop movements as a violation of its territorial integrity and asked Russia and the Russian-led Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) for military support.

Lavrov did not comment on the possibility of such aid when he spoke in Tajikistans capital Dushanbe ahead of a meeting of the foreign ministers of the CSTO member states. He told reporters that they already discussed the Armenian-Azerbaijani border standoff and the request of our Armenian colleagues at an informal meeting held late on Tuesday.

Russian military officials participated in a series of Armenian-Azerbaijani negotiations held on the border last week.

According to the Armenian Defense Ministry, the talks did not resume as planned on Wednesday afternoon because Azerbaijani military officials did not show up.

In another statement issued in the morning, the ministry said it still hopes for a negotiated solution to the dispute. It again warned that if this does not happen within a reasonable timeframe Yerevan will reserve the right to remove the Azerbaijani troops from Armenian territory by force.

Defense Minister Vagharshak Harutiunian likewise warned of unpredictable consequences of the standoff when he spoke with his Russian counterpart Sergei Shoigu by phone on Monday. By contrast, Lavrov seemed to downplay the gravity of the border crisis, saying in Moscow that he sees no need to whip up emotions on this issue.
The department described the coronavirus pandemic as the main reason for the separate travel advisories released by it on Tuesday. It said the U.S. Centers for Disease Control has issued travel health notices indicating a very high level of COVID-19 in both South Caucasus countries.

The daily number of officially confirmed coronavirus cases in Armenia has fallen significantly for the last three weeks. The Armenian Ministry of Health reported on Wednesday morning that 229 more people have tested positive for COVID-19 in the past day, sharply down from over 1,000 single-day case repeatedly registered in the first half of April.

Exercise caution on roads near Armenias border with Azerbaijan, read one of the travel advisories. Be aware that some portions of the road may cross international boundaries without notice. Roads may be controlled by checkpoints or closed to travelers without notice.

The State Department issued the same warning to U.S. citizens who are currently in Azerbaijan. It also cited a longstanding risk presented by terrorist groups, who continue plotting possible attacks in Azerbaijan.

Both statements warned Americans against travelling to Nagorno-Karabakh and surrounding territories due to recent hostilities. Casualties continue to occur following intensive fighting in the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict that occurred in the fall 2020, they explained.

Armenia and Azerbaijan have been locked in a border standoff over the past week, with Yerevan accusing Azerbaijani forces of advancing several kilometers into Armenian territory. The Armenian military warned on Tuesday that it could use force to drive them out if the dispute is not resolved peacefully soon.

U.S. National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan expressed concern over the border tensions on Monday in separate phone calls with Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinian and Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev. Sullivan said afterwards that both leaders are committed to a peaceful resolution of border tensions through dialogue.

The State Department earlier urged Baku to immediately pull back all forces.
The mission will assess to what extent the elections are held in line with international obligations and standards for democratic elections, the OSCEs Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) said in a statement.

The mission head, Eoghan Murphy, told reporters that the ODIHR plans to deploy 11 election experts and 24 long-term observers in Armenia in the coming days and weeks.

Murphy said it will also ask OSCE member states to send 250 short-term observers who will monitor voting and ballot counting at polling stations across the country. Both he and the ODIHR statement cautioned that their arrival could be hampered by the coronavirus pandemic.

This remains dependent on developments in connection with the COVID-19 pandemic, including health concerns, travel and border restrictions across the OSCE region, and related regulations within Armenia, said the statement.

The OSCE/ODIHR has traditionally deployed the largest international vote-monitoring missions in Armenia. Their findings have been crucial for the international legitimacy of Armenian elections.

The chief of the Armenian governments staff, Arsen Torosian, and the chairman of the Central Election Commission, Tigran Mukuchian, discussed preparations for the upcoming elections with Yerevan-based foreign diplomats on Tuesday.

Torosian assured the diplomats that the government will do its best to ensure that the vote is free and fair. According to a government statement, he also touched upon the pandemics possible impact on its conduct.

The snap elections are supposed to end a serious political crisis triggered by Armenias defeat in last years war in Nagorno-Karabakh.
Kocharian and retired Generals Seyran Ohanian and Yuri Khachaturov were charged in 2018 with the overthrow of the constitutional order.

In a March 26 ruling, the Constitutional Court declared the accusation unconstitutional, saying that there was no such article in the former Armenian Criminal Code, which was in force in 2008, and that the current code cannot be used retroactively against the defendants.

In response to that ruling, Prosecutor-General Artur Davtian asked the Constitutional Court to also declare unconstitutional legal provisions that do not allow his office to alter the coup accusations. He insisted that Kocharian, Ohanian and Khachaturov must still be prosecuted for what they did in March 2008 because their actions contained elements not allowed by the Criminal Code.

Other prosecutors said, meanwhile, that the coup trial of the three men should be suspended, rather than discontinued altogether, pending a Constitutional Court verdict on the appeal. A lower court judge presiding over the trial dismissed their arguments and threw out the coup charges on April 6.

The Office of the Prosecutor-General said on Wednesday that Davtians appeal has also been rejected. In a statement, it said the high court ruled that the chief prosecutor was not even allowed to challenge the constitutionality of legal provisions relating to an ongoing criminal case.

Davtians office denounced the courts arbitrary decision, saying that it contradicts the Armenian constitution.

Kocharian, who ruled Armenia from 1998-2008, is continuing to stand trial on separate charges of bribe-taking which he also rejects as politically motivated.

The 66-year-old ex-president leads a newly formed opposition alliance which is expected to be a major contender in snap parliamentary elections scheduled for June 20.
PHOENIX (3TV/CBS 5) - Arizona's drought has lawmakers looking into drawing water from the Mississippi River to be used here in the desert.

"This kind of project would be looking 20 years down the road," said Republican Rep. Tim Dunn from Yuma.

Dunn sponsored House Concurrent Memorial 2004, which got bipartisan support in the Arizona legislature, and urges Congress to study a plan for a pipeline that would take water out of the Mississippi River near Davenport, Iowa.

"A pipeline that follows the interstate across the United States and would be pumped up into the Green River which would flow into the Colorado River system, ultimately into Lake Mead," Dunn said. "And that would be distributed by the seven basin states."

Neither the cost of the pipeline or the cost of studying the idea is known. But those who support the measure say it would be beneficial for both ends of the pipeline since the Mississippi River is known to flood.

"Stop the flooding on the east coast, put that water in a pipeline and deliver it to the west coast where we have a drought," Dunn said.

But some environmental groups like the Sierra Club say this is a bad plan. "You would have environmental impacts on the Mississippi side," said Sandy Bahr, President of the Sierra Club Grand Canyon Chapter.

Bahr says that's because the flooding along the Mississippi Delta is part of the area's ecosystem, and also fertilizes the land along the river for farming.

"And then on our end, whenever you introduce a different type of water you have all types of potential for introducing invasive species, different water chemistry. You know the list goes on," Bahr said.

Instead, Bahr says we should conserve the water we already have. "We need to think about what is sustainable in the Sonoran Desert. What kind of growth and development. What kind of agriculture."

And while the Arizona legislature supports the idea, the concurrent memorial passed here only calls for communication with state and federal officials. It's still unclear if the project or the study will get any traction in Washington.
TEMPE, AZ (3TV/CBS 5)  The two Tempe siblings who were murdered over the weekend, allegedly by their mother, were known to the Department of Child Safety, the agency said in a statement Tuesday afternoon.

Yui Inoue, 40, is facing two charges of first-degree murder in the deaths of her 9-year-old daughter, Mia, and her 7-year-old son, Kai.

According to DCS, there was a report more than two months ago that alleged Inoue neglected her little boy. According to the report, Inoue had taken Kai, but nobody knew where they were. Police found them behind a convenience store. DCS says Inoue was taken to a psychiatric hospital and Kai was returned to his father.

During the interview, the DCS investigator did not observe any visible signs of abuse or neglect on the children, according to the statement DCS released Tuesday. The children reported they felt safe with their parents. The investigation did not find evidence to remove the children from the home.

The investigation was still open, according to DCS.

On Saturday, Inoue drove herself to a Tempe police station and told officers that she had heard voices telling her to kill her children. Police went to the familys home where they found Mia and Kai dead. Investigators say it looked like Inoue had tried to hide their bodies.

Police say officers were at the Inoue home Friday night in response to a reported domestic situation, but Mia and Kai were safe in bed when the officers left.
$4 million bond first approved in the 5J District since 1948; Jessica Dougherty elected to school board
Atlantic-Pratt Energy Celebrates Its 100 Year Anniversary of Supporting South Shore Residents by Giving Back to Charities Selected by Their Customers
Danny Masterson accuser testifies about alleged violent rape: When I came to, he was on top of me
As a way to pay tribute to those who died from COVID-19 over the past year, American Fabrication owner Kevin Russell and his employees built a
A major industrial property that has sat idle for years in the heart of Bakersfield is coming back to life to refine used cooking oil, rendere
Bluefield, WV (24701)

Today

Rain showers in the morning with thunderstorms developing for the afternoon. High 73F. Winds W at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 90%. Locally heavy rainfall possible..

Tonight

Scattered thunderstorms this evening becoming more widespread overnight. Low 63F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 70%.
Baby Seals Popping Up Around Washington / Oregon Coast - Caution Advised

Published 05/16/21 at 6:55 PM PDT

By Oregon Coast Beach Connection staff

(Oregon Coast)  Little baby harbor seals are showing up all over the Oregon coast and its time again for Oregon officials to issue the warning: stay away from baby seals.

Seaside Aquariums Tiffany Boothe said they are currently monitoring three different pups in their area, which includes parts of the south Washington coast down through Rockaway Beach.

Seal pups are popping up left and right, Boothe said. If you come across a seal pup on the beach be sure to give it plenty of space to rest and if there are not signs already posted give us a call (503) 738-6211.

What numbers do you call if you find a stranded seal pup? Oregon State Police non-emergency numbers are good but make sure you do not use 911. On the north Oregon coast and southern Washington coast, call the Seaside Aquarium at 503-738-6211. The Marine Mammal Hotline at 1.800.452.7888 is best for the southern Oregon coast, or all of the state if you cannot remember the other numbers. On the northern Washington coast, the greater West Coast Marine Mammal Stranding Network line at 1.866.767.6114 is your best bet.

For State Police on the northern half of Oregon: 800-442-0776. For the southern half (below Reedsport): 800-442-2068.

Oregon and Washington typically see harbor seals born throughout spring and into late summer, while California may see pups early as February, Boothe said. These young animals use time on land to regulate body temperature and rest while their mothers hunt nearby. However, the mother may not return if humans are too close. Thus, wildlife experts suggest giving seal pups plenty of space, observe them from a distanced and while they are absolutely adorable do not touch.

Boothe said 99% of the time their mothers are close. They go by smell, so if a human approaches not only can it scare off the momma but the smell left by a human on her baby may spook her as well. A pup may stay in place for a few days, with the mother showing up at night to feed the baby.

There have been some outrageous instances of humans interfering in the past. Seaside Aquariums Keith Chandler told Oregon Coast Beach Connection there was one incident where he had to enter a hotel room and retrieve a baby seal the occupants had put in bathtub water.

Simpson Reef / Cape Arago - photo courtesy Oregon's Adventure Coast

Female seals birth annually after an eleven-month gestation and utilize familiar coastal shores or estuary areas with easy access to water to have their pups, Boothe said. New seals can immediately swim but stay close and ride on their mothers back while they mature.

As tempting as it is to even watch these from afar, perhaps a few hundred feet away, its still not a good idea because it may spook the mom. However, there are places on the southern Oregon coast where you can watch them safely at a distance, where it wont disturb the parent.

Even into early summer seals can be seen with their young in places like Shore Acres State Park. Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (ODFW) said that area offers several trails that skirt the bluffs along the shoreline, thus giving you opportunities to see them as well as other wildlife.

Be careful not to get too close to the bluffs when looking for wildlife - falling can be dangerous and deadly, ODFW said.

Rocky areas like this on the south Oregon coast are excellent for checking out nesting seabirds, harbor seals, and sea lions. ODFW suggested to keep a watch from Cape Arago State Park, where many seals and sea lions use Simpsons Reef and the Shell Island area, seen from the park.

Now is a great time to visit the lookout at Simpsons Reef, which offers a great view of these animals, ODFW said. MORE PHOTOS BELOW

Oregon Coast Hotels in this area - South Coast Hotels - Where to eat - Maps - Virtual Tours





MORE PHOTOS BELOW













Photos below courtesy Seaside Aquarium















More About Oregon Coast hotels, lodging.....

More About Oregon Coast Restaurants, Dining.....



Coastal Spotlight



LATEST Related Oregon Coast Articles

Back to Oregon Coast

Contact Advertise on BeachConnection.net

All Content, unless otherwise attributed, copyright BeachConnection.net Unauthorized use or publication is not permitted
Curiosities of Manzanita: What You Haven't Seen on N. Oregon Coast

Published 05/17/21 at 7:55 PM PDT

By Oregon Coast Beach Connection staff

(Manzanita, Oregon)  At Manzanita there's a constant looming, even overwhelming presence. First peoples here thought of it as a god, and maybe there's some amount of truth to that. Neahkahnie Mountain is this north Oregon coast town's most massive feature, its centerpiece, and there are chunks of it and nearby Cape Falcon that are chock full of striking finds you probably haven't noticed before. (Above: mysterious tip of Neahkahnie)

From legends of Sir Francis Drake and mysterious objects found here, possible treasure, to even the purported existence of a pirate bar lurking around one dangerous corner, the intrigue and wowing sights abound.

One intriguing secret can be seen from a distance every day, however, but few probably notice. In fact, many regulars to the sleepy Oregon coast hotspot likely don't even see it at all.

If you look closely at the end of Neahkahnie Mountain's farthest edge you'll see a mysterious arch. But you have to look close. When you do, you'll notice it looks a lot like some ruin of an ancient cathedral, or perhaps a Roman structure from antiquity.

It's a fascinating little chunk of rock; a feature that can send the imagination into overdrive. Yet it does not appear to have a name. Other very secret structures nearby do, such as Pulpit Rock or Cube Rock (which can be seen by wandering up to the bluff that overlooks Short Sand Beach at Oswald West State Park, just north of Manzanita).

This engaging feature is quite a ways away from even the closest points to Neahkahnie Mountain, and in order to see it clearly you have to use some zoom optics. It completely disappears behind the tip of Neahkahnie after you get closer to the mountain.





This shot was taken at night, which makes the ocean look like a surreal mist, giving the arch more of a vibe of a creepy castle.



You can't see the arch from any other angle, either.





The photo above is of the other side of that tip of the headland, and the arch is not visible.

However, stand in this ruddy, untamed and certainly dangerous spot and look to the right and you'll see another arch with a similar look. It too is craggy and surreal, and somehow resembling some sort of ancient ruin. It's ancient alright: geologically that rock is about 16 million years old or so.



Cube Rock

Right about here are the trails heading up to the top of Neahkahnie Mountain, or you can hike a longer trail downwards to Short Sand (otherwise known as Smuggler's Cove). Yet walk just a little to the north without heading down the trail and you'll encounter the giant chasm known as the Devil's Cauldron. Also from here and another nearby trail descending down a bit you can fully see Cube Rock as well as the jagged, pointed spires of Pulpit Rock.

Then there is that which you can never see from just a regular visit to this part of the north Oregon coast. An aerial photo of this area just south of Cape Falcon shows some of the intriguing geology of the place and its numerous features, hidden from view from the average visitor. Bundles of large, cavernous sea caves dot the headland here.

Below is the other arch, with the tip of Cape Falcon (the northern border of Short Sands Beach) jutting out just beyond the ragged shape.

Hotels in Manzanita, Wheeler - Where to eat - Manzanita, Wheeler Maps and Virtual Tours





MORE PHOTOS BELOW













More About Oregon Coast hotels, lodging.....

More About Oregon Coast Restaurants, Dining.....



Coastal Spotlight



LATEST Related Oregon Coast Articles

'Barnacle Bill' Seal Makes a Splash Around Oregon Coast for Two Weeks

One elephant seal had a few public adventures and even got the name Barnacle Bill. Sciences

Extra Caution Around N. Oregon Coast's Haystack Rock Due to Nesting | Cannon ...

Officials in Cannon Beach are asking for extra caution around Haystack Rock because of a pair of black oystercatchers

4th of July Fireworks Return to Central Oregon Coast's Lincoln City

Not just the big fireworks at Taft coming back but also the show over Devil's Lake on July 3

One elephant seal had a few public adventures and even got the name Barnacle Bill. SciencesOfficials in Cannon Beach are asking for extra caution around Haystack Rock because of a pair of black oystercatchersNot just the big fireworks at Taft coming back but also the show over Devil's Lake on July 3

Back to Oregon Coast

Contact Advertise on BeachConnection.net

All Content, unless otherwise attributed, copyright BeachConnection.net Unauthorized use or publication is not permitted
Seasonal Surprises of Rockaway Beach: N. Oregon Coast Storms to Changing Sands

Published 05/14/21 at 7:35 PM PDT

By Oregon Coast Beach Connection staff





(Rockaway Beach, Oregon)  All up and down the Oregon coast, there is always something captivating happening along the beaches  and Rockaway Beach is definitely no exception. In September and October, as those glorious Second Summer conditions hit their full stride, the weather doesnt just cooperate, it captivates. As winter arrives, those cloudy skies at sunset for some reason have a different color scheme to them, staying that way through winter most of the time. Sand levels rise and fall throughout the year, revealing old treasures or adding new ones in the way they change this beach.

Its a year-round wonder, and even more of a smack in the eye if you pay attention to some of the details. (Case in point: the photo above shows Twin Rocks getting ravaged by a storm)

About 20 minutes south of Manzanita, 35 minutes south of Cannon Beach and about ten minutes north of Tillamook, Rockaway Beach sits spread out over seven miles of exquisite and pristine sands.





Many of the best sights happened not during the day, but after dark. Lake Lytle is pictured here, with its brand new dock seen in fall of 2012. A fog hovering in the area caught and reflected various light sources and created this otherworldly moment.





A similar alien scene happened while photographing the famed Twin Rocks at night in the middle of one September.

Sometimes, as darkness begins to fall, other visual treats of Rockaway Beach come to light. The ocean takes on a whole new hue, and a moving fog above it all looks like a gigantic ghost.

The streams cutting through the dunes in Rockaway Beach have their own secrets. While many know of the wreck of the Emily G. Reed that shows up sometimes when winter sand levels get lowered enough. It's a rare treat. Few know some pieces of it lie in one of the creeks heading out to sea.





Another example of Rockaway Beach during one of those early fall storms  taken from the main access in the middle of town. Further proof this little north Oregon coast town is visually delicious no matter the weather.

Over to the jetties, at the very northern end of Rockaway Beach  the area known as Manhattan Beach. This borders the southern jetty of the Nehalem Bay. It's here where you can watch the town light up just after dark and cast quite the glow across the sea and landscape.





This area is where those effects of sand levels became especially apparent. Normally, the jetty looks like this  above. The tide come quite a ways in, sometimes dangerously so.





But even in early October  as seen here  sand levels stayed so high they kept the tide away this deep into the fall season. This scene shows a kind of low tide situation: an extreme low tide. But it's not. It's simply the sand keeping the water much farther out.

Rockaway Beach, like the rest of the Oregon coast, eventually enters the fall season, so erosion then takes this wild phenomena away. Yet it also gives, sometimes copiously. Above, you see the wreck of the Emily G. Reed, usually only appearing for a brief two weeks or so if enough sand gets scoured away after a series of storms.

It's all proof you should hit these beaches after storms and you'll find a myriad of other scintillating stuff from the natural world. If nothing else, you'll see the landscape changed again.

Hotels in Rockaway Beach - Where to eat - Rockaway Beach Maps and Virtual Tours





MORE PHOTOS BELOW













Rockaway Beach in spring

More About Oregon Coast hotels, lodging.....

More About Oregon Coast Restaurants, Dining.....



Coastal Spotlight



LATEST Related Oregon Coast Articles

Back to Oregon Coast

Contact Advertise on BeachConnection.net

All Content, unless otherwise attributed, copyright BeachConnection.net Unauthorized use or publication is not permitted
South Oregon Coast Shipwrecks At A Glance: There Are Hundreds

Published 05/16/21 at 5:25 AM PDT

By Oregon Coast Beach Connection staff

(Coos Bay, Oregon)  If you dig further into Oregon coast shipwreck history you start to notice something unnerving: theres an overwhelming number of them. There are far more than youre ready to think about, and not just in terms of the human losses but especially the sheer magnitude of the work involved. (Above: wreck of the Olson, Coos Bay, courtesy Seaside Aquarium's Tiffany Boothe)

Case in point: James Gibbs book Shipwrecks of the Pacific Coast is widely regarded as the go-to book on shipwrecks around here. But it barely touches the surface when it comes to the south coast. It features some 15 shipwrecks in that region, but one major count back in 1974 by the Coos Bay World newspaper had upwards of 115. Thats only the ships completely lost to sea and not counting the wrecks that were reclaimed in some way. Youre looking at nearly 300 ships in that category  for the southern coast alone.

North Bend historian Victor C. West and an earlier historian, Robert Rittenhouse, had documented all this by that time, looking at the California border up through to Florence.

The first documented shipwreck along the entire Oregon coast was the Sea Otter in 1808, crashing at what later became Reedsport. The first in the Coos Bay area was the Captain Lincoln in 1852, which was hit by a storm and carried past its destination of Port Orford until it reached the north spit around Horsfall Beach. It actually crossed two years in doing so: it set out from San Francisco in late 1851 and wrecked on January 2. Oregon Coast's First Documented Shipwreck? Sea Otter in 1808 at Reedsport

Both these wrecks had the men camping out near where they made landfall, actually becoming the first settlements of Americans / Europeans in those spots, even if they were shortlived.

The Chansey followed in 1854 around Coos Bay, the Quadratus in 1856 and the Jackson, New World and the Cyclops over the next two years.

In 1883, the Tacoma made an especially big impression when it wrecked near Winchester Bay. The steamer hit the rocks hard  all due to a faulty compass. With one lifeboat taken by the angry surf, a second was eventually launched into the heavy breakers with the captain and a few men in an effort to get help. A small band of ships tried but failed to get hold of the Tacoma, and officials gave up. The public outcry was enormous back on land at Gardiner, and the captain wound up going back himself for another try to rescue more men from the slowly-disintegrating metal vessel.

Captain Kortz only managed to rescue two more. However, one group of locals not part of any lifesaving crew went rogue and attempted rescue themselves, and to the cheers of many watching they succeeded in snagging just about all crew members. They made trip after trip aboard an oar-driven boat, and as the last group made it in, a set of enormous waves knocked the boat skyward, launching all into the water. A few of them did not make it.

Off Port Orford, the brig T.W. Lucas lost control and started leaking in October of 1894. Launching distress flares, another ship managed to rescue the crew, and the ship went down slowly somewhere off the coastline.

Near Gold Beach in 1920, the Joan de Arc smashed into pieces. Parts of it reportedly made it into some building constructs. The Mary Hume from the '70s is still visible in town.



Czarina: courtesy Coos History Museum



One of the worst of the bunch was the Czarina in the early 20th century, off Coos Bay, where men clung desperately to a mast in miserable conditions, one by one dropping off into the sea. A local man watched his son die from shore. Coos Bay's Czarina Shipwreck a Heart-wrenching Oregon Coast Tale

The J.A. Chanslor in 1919 saw some of the worst loss of life. Wrecking off Cape Blanco, some 38 people died.

One of the luckiest shipwrecks was the passenger liner Congress, which caught fire near Coos Bay in 1916. A bar dredge enabled all of the 264 people to walk off the ship safely.

In 1944, the George L. Olson went down around Coos Bay, and the wreck on the beach disappeared beneath the sands and from the public imagination. In the early 2000s, it re-emerged suddenly, and it took historians awhile to figure out what it was. Coos Bay's Mystery Shipwreck of 2008, Forgotten S. Oregon Coast History

The 90s, of course, saw the extremely high-profile wreck of the New Carissa at Coos Bay. It was the first major shipwreck in Oregon covered by news helicopters and live feeds from vans near the beach, enabling the public to see the wild action of officials trying to blow the ship in two and failing for a time. Then, the public got to watch half of it drift away and the attention turned to Waldport where that chunk crash-landed.

All this is simply a sampling: look for more on these in the future at Oregon Coast Beach Connection. MORE PHOTOS BELOW

South Coast Hotels - Where to eat - Maps - Virtual Tours





MORE PHOTOS BELOW













SS Camden: Unknown History: Two Ships That Were Torpedoed by Japanese Off South Oregon Coast



George Olson in the early 2000s, courtesy Steven Grieff / Coos History Museum

More About Oregon Coast hotels, lodging.....

More About Oregon Coast Restaurants, Dining.....



Coastal Spotlight



LATEST Related Oregon Coast Articles

Back to Oregon Coast

Contact Advertise on BeachConnection.net

All Content, unless otherwise attributed, copyright BeachConnection.net Unauthorized use or publication is not permitted
100 Years Ago, S. Oregon Coast Tourism Was Rough, Wild; Barely-Paved Roads

Published 05/18/21 at 5:55 PM PDT

By Oregon Coast Beach Connection staff

(Port Orford, Oregon)  It's spring of 1924 along the southern Oregon coast and the region is buzzing with excitement over what's about to happen: Highway 101 is slowly being completed there. Reading newspaper reports at the time is somewhat like watching it all happen, slowly, bit by bit, as it unfolded 100 years ago. South coast towns and businesses are gearing up for the big boost of tourism, and it's fascinating to look at what they planned  and how many of those bits and pieces are now gone. (Photo: Cape Arago decades ago, courtesy Coos History Museum)

The travel industry was really just getting started then. Gold Beach did not have the bridge yet  and wouldn't for years to come. Bandon was a hive of new construction activity. Coos Bay was still called Marshfield at the time. Most of all, large chunks of Highway 101 were not even completed, such as around Brookings or Reedsport, but what had just been completed was sending locals into a joyful spin as it was about to mean major tourist dollars.

One big surprise: technically, there was not really a Highway 101 yet. It was all called the Roosevelt Highway, although when construction first was started in 1921 it was called the Roosevelt Military Highway. 101 changed named a few times over the decades, actually. Not long after this it was called the Oregon Beach Highway, and in the 30s it was called the Oregon Coast Highway  which stuck for many decades. Other incarnations and marketing names have popped up since.

In 1924, there were parts of the south Oregon coast highway that were paved and semi-paved, meaning there was a good gravel layout to the roads and that they were usable in most kinds of weather. Some parts were still referred to as the old road, according to these various newspaper pieces, such as the section from Brookings to Crescent City, or small parts of that stretch between Coos Bay and Brookings. The actual paved sections were fine in any weather, but the gravel parts and the old road sections were summertime-only endeavors.



Port Orford in the '40s, courtesy Oregon State Archives

As one report from the Coos Bay World put it: At present the highway is not being advertised extensively as it will be when finished. Curry County interests believe that until the new road is built through its entire length in Curry and Coos, it is not advisable to urge visitors to come.

However, the Roseburg-Coos Bay Highway had been completed and folks were starting to come out in their newfangled automobiles. Yet the bigger rushes of tourists were still coming from California.

Major preparations for a flood of tourists were happening in Bandon. A large dance hall had just been completed, spearheaded by developer J.A. Kronenberg, and he was set upon building a natatorium (a heated saltwater bath house). This place with the giant swimming pool would have large balconies around it, and it was constructed with a massive rock in one section  largely because the rock stood in the way of construction so it was incorporated into the building.



The Wecoma Baths was completed in June of 1925 and joined the ranks of other large natatoriums built around the same time at Seaside, Rockaway Beach and Newport. The Bayocean one had been completed years before but by now that sprawling resort in Tillamook County was in serious decline.

Bandon's Wecoma Baths burned in the great fire of 1936. The giant pool was used by skateboarders until the 70s, according to the Bandon History Museum.

The town was especially proud of its recently-paved streets in 1924.

Kroenenberg also initiated a rush of building cottages to serve the incoming visitor invasions. At this point, camping in tents on or near the beach was still a major way of spending the night on the Oregon coast, but real buildings were starting to replace that quickly. He created a wave of cottages that were 15 x 18 feet, which came equipped with a stove, water, cooking utensils and a bed  everything but the bedding itself. There were lots of them planted on the ocean bluffs overlooking places like Face Rock, and then another wave of construction brought more that sat a bit higher and farther back, this time including two rooms.

Marshfield and North Bend had quite a selection of motor parks and other lodgings around this time. See Auto Camps to Motor Lodges and Motels on Oregon Coast | History Part 2

Little Langlois had only recently changed its name from Dairyville. Curry County tourism officials were loudly touting the camping possibilities around there and Port Orford, but no hotel action. Nearby, the Cape Sebastian State Scenic Corridor had not been designated yet, but officials talked about the smooth drive there at that moment in time and bragged about the immense views found at what is currently the viewpoint not far from Meyers Creek Beach.

Back then, Port Orford was still the oldest little town of that area, but tourism articles back then noted none of the towns in Curry County were incorporated yet and still had no city governments.

Gold Beach was known for its recently-tapered off gold mining industry, but some thought this would still become a large money-maker in the near future. It never happened, but it left a few oddball remnants on and near the beaches.

The southern Oregon coast back 100 years differed vastly from that of today, but one thing steadfastly remains the same: it's still much more remote and unpopulated than other parts of the coastline. Full Southern Coast MORE PHOTOS BELOW

South Coast Hotels - Where to eat - Maps - Virtual Tours





MORE PHOTOS BELOW















Courtesy City of Bandon





Aerial of Port Orford, 1993 (ODFW)

Courtesy Oregon State Archives

More About Oregon Coast hotels, lodging.....

More About Oregon Coast Restaurants, Dining.....



Coastal Spotlight



LATEST Related Oregon Coast Articles

Back to Oregon Coast

Contact Advertise on BeachConnection.net

All Content, unless otherwise attributed, copyright BeachConnection.net Unauthorized use or publication is not permitted
It won't take you long to warm to Zack Snyder's Army of the Dead. All it took for me was the sight of a zombie Elvis impersonator.

Equal parts hysterical and deadly, the bloody-mouthed, jumpsuit-wearing King in the opening credits is the perfect touch to a joyously violent film that takes a vanilla heist flick and sets it inside a Las Vegas that has suffered a zombie apocalypse. The song playing over those credits is, of course, Viva Las Vegas.

Snyder is in many ways returning to his undead roots  before Justice League" and 300 he remade Dawn of the Dead  but this time he's added to zombie lore while adding some social commentary along with his trademark gleefully over-the-top violence.

The plot stitches old and new ideas yet somehow feels fresh: In the near-future, Las Vegas is a walled-off zone given over to the undead, which really isn't too far off from what it is. The government plans to use a tactical nuclear weapon to wipe them out, once and for all.

But a group of former military heroes are persuaded to get into the city and steal $200 million from a casino vault before the city is vaporized. Try not to get nuked or murdered by the undead, they are warned.

The group is led by a mountain of man named Scott Ward, played by Guardians of the Galaxys Dave Bautista. Despite being a war hero, he's flipping burgers for a living and needs little coaxing. He then assembles a team of oddballs that includes Tig Notaro as a helicopter pilot and Matthias Schweighofer as a safecracker, both providing comic relief.

Well probably die," Ward says. "Some of us at least.

The group needs to sneak into the city and that's when the script by Snyder, Shay Hatten and Joby Harold gets sly. They rely on a smuggling coyote to skulk into a walled-off American city, one of several moments that lift the material. Sean Spicer and Donna Brazile debating immigration on TV is another. And the use of temperature guns to check if zombie-fication is happening is a prescient nod to the pandemic Snyder could not have known was coming.

The Vegas that the group enters is a freaky funhouse that the filmmakers have filled with 2,500 plastic skeletons. The zombies wear an alarming amount of rhinestones and ripped clothing. But they're awfully fun to mow down (remember, kids, always aim for the head). Here the film makes lively nods to Escape from New York, The Matrix, Aliens and Planet of the Apes.

In addition to the zombie Elvis impersonator, there's a zombie bride still wearing her veil and a zombie horse, but the Zack Snyder Hall of Fame Cool Deal is a zombie tiger. And it is glorious. (The filmmakers even visited Carole Baskins Big Cat Rescue of then-future Tiger King fame to make their computer critter more believable.)

To this world, Snyder has added a kind of zombie hierarchy. There are mindless Shamblers  think the target-practice Walking Dead zombies  and there are Alphas, led by a king and queen, who can think, love, hunt, mourn and presumably whip up organic recipes for human flesh. These are the ones you want to avoid. (Snyder in the film's prologue indicates the top Alpha was a creation of Area 51.) And there seem to be hints of robotic zombies. Sleep well, kids!

There is a perverse joy to watching growling zombies on a casino floor, doing parkour on the roulette tables, and then watching bullets whizz through their brains with a burst of blood. They die in so many ways beyond head-kills: knife through skull, being burst between two armored doors, decapitated with a garrote.

Snyder, who also shot the film, is in a winking mood here  The Cranberries' Zombie is featured and Culture Club's Do You Really Want to Hurt Me plays in an elevator after a huge bloody scene. Also look for playful references to Medusa, the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse, Apocalypse Now, Sodom and Gomorrah, Joseph Campbell and Richard Wagner. Zombie flicks have never felt more intellectual.

Expertly paced and with top-notch special effects, Army of the Dead is a popcorn zombie movie for our time. Long live the undead.

Army of the Dead, a Netflix release, is rated R for some sexual content, gore, language throughout, graphic nudity and strong bloody violence. Running time: 148 minutes. Three and a half stars out of four.

___

MPAA definition of R: Restricted. Under 17 requires accompanying parent or adult guardian.

___

Online: https://www.netflix.com/title/81046394

___

Mark Kennedy is at http://twitter.com/KennedyTwits
Hamshire-Fannett seemed to bear the brunt Mondays downpour, which resulted in severe flooding  just the first in a series of storms expected to continue largely through the week.

The region saw anywhere from 16 to 18 inches of rainfall, according to the National Weather Service Lake Charles meteorologist Roger Erickson, and left many residents like Julie Meadows with 6 inches of water inside her home.

Meadows home sits just northwest of Interstate 10, and even after some of the water receded, it still surrounded her home late Tuesday morning.

It isnt lost on Meadows, who has lived in Fannett her entire life, that it rains a lot and can sometimes flood. But she said the last three flooding events  Tropical Storms Harvey and Imelda and Monday  are the worst shes experienced.

I had to be rescued during Imelda and lost my car, Meadows said. I had more flooding during Imelda than during Harvey.

Related: SE Texas flooding resources, updates

Meadows and her neighbor saved all of her furniture Monday by stacking it on risers just before the water entered her home.

A drainage ditch sits just behind Meadows property, and it runs behind most of the properties on the street until reaching I-10. But on Monday, some 16 inches of rain in 12 hours overwhelmed the 505 ditch that services Meadows neighborhood, along with other ditches and detention basins in the region, said Drainage District 6 Engineer Doug Canat.

He said there already was too much rain for the detention basins in neighborhoods like Green Acres, which are designed for 13 inches of rainfall in 24 hours, let alone for the small 505 ditch in Meadows neighborhood.

It was a much bigger storm than the system can handle, Canant said. (Ditch 505) cannot handle that type of rain.

Canant added there are plans in place, pending FEMA approval, for another detention basin. But in the meantime, district workers took advantage of Tuesdays break in the rain to clear debris from ditches and culverts and empty all 30 detention basins.

Related: Hardin Co. prepares for another round of flooding

But the problem was not confined to Meadows neighborhood.

Lisa Brown and her brother, who live southeast of I-10 off Texas 365, on Tuesday afternoon could be seen wading through still-shin-high water to move belongings from her home into her car.

Like Meadows, Brown said Harvey, Imelda and Monday were the worst flooding events she remembers seeing in the more than two decades shes lived in the area.

But Brown isnt taking any chances riding out the rest of this weeks rain in her home. Instead, she will be staying in Hardin County as widespread showers and thunderstorms return over.

Jefferson County is forecast to receive anywhere from 8 to 10 more inches of rain, with the potential for locally-higher amounts as high as 20 inches. Those predictions, combined with the 5 to 6 inches Beaumont already received and the 6 to 12 inches that fell in Port Arthur on Monday, led to a flash flood watch issued Tuesday and set to last until 7 p.m. on Thursday.

Its important to keep in mind while we are looking at this that there are definitely going to be some locally-higher amounts, NWS meteorologist Donald Jones said in a Tuesday morning briefing. Our rainfall forecasts do not account for those extremely-high rainfall values. Nobody couldve predicted 16 inches in one day in an individual location.

Related: Southeast Texas seeks resilience as disasters mount

The heavy rain, inundation of Hamshire and Fannett and forward-looking forecast led Jefferson County Judge Jeff Branick on Tuesday afternoon to issue a disaster declaration after receiving a weather briefing.

During a Tuesday morning meeting of the county commissioners, he said he already was expecting to issue the declaration. At that time, he also told the commissioners court that he expected the countys emergency operations center to be activated by Wednesday morning. Shortly after, county officials began asking residents to self-report damages to homes and businesses.

But Tuesdays break in the rain also gave them an opportunity to give out sandbags and remind residents to be smart should the floodwaters come.

Turn around, dont drown. I was watching the weather channel earlier this morning, and 2 feet of water is guaranteed to displace every passenger vehicle and start to carry it away, Branick said. Dont try to drive through those low-water areas. Find a way around or stay home. Well try to keep the public informed of what weve learned.

With still some level of uncertainty over the next few days, several Jefferson County school districts announced on Tuesday that they would pivot to virtual learning. Hamshire-Fannett, Beaumont and Port Arthur ISDs will be learning virtually on Wednesday.

Related: Next round of rain, thunderstorms expected today

jorge.ramos@beaumontenterprise.com

twitter.com/byjorgeramos
With a sunny break Tuesday from torrential rain that hammered much of Hardin County on Monday, businesses and homeowners made preparations for another round of storms expected starting Tuesday evening.

We didnt get any flooding, but the dance academy downtown did, Jack Favors said as he filled sand bags at a site set up by county officials. They got flooded yesterday morning, and if more rain comes  I am trying to prepare that place a little better.

Favors said his daughter attends classes at the academy and his wife volunteers there.

They are having a recital coming up and if it is all flooded, they cant really get in there to practice, he said.

According to the National Weather Service, which has extended a flash flood warning through Thursday, there is an 80% chance of heavy rain Wednesday, going up to 90% Thursday.

Related: SE Texas flooding resources and updates

Some businesses, like Furnish It in Lumberton, had some minor leaks Monday but arent taking any chances.

Dean White, who works for the local furniture store, filled half a dozen bags of sand to prepare the building.

They got some minor leaks into the building, it came in a little bit, he told The Enterprise. This is just preparatory just in case.

The rain Monday didnt stop a handful of customers from stopping in that day, White said, but the rain didnt let up.

It was a white wall of rain that didnt stop all day that I can remember, he said.

But White and other residents are more concerned about rising waters after the rain has stopped than the rain itself.

Related: State releases $8.5M for Harvey recovery in Hardin Co.

According to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers on Tuesday afternoon, BA Steinhagen Lake  locally known as Dam B  was just above its normal water level and already releasing more than 40,000 cubic feet of water per second.

When water is released from the dam, which is located between Jasper and Woodville, it threatens thousands of homes, including that of Randy Barton.

I was at the lake yesterday and the lake is full, Barton told The Enterprise. I mean it was almost at its bank. So I anticipate them turning water loose out of Dam B here in the next day or two, and that comes to us.

Barton said water is already starting to back up into his yard, something that gives his family pause ever since Tropical Storm Harvey swamped his house with 5 ft. of water 2017.

It took us two years to get everything rebuilt, he said. Weve lived down there for 20 years and it has never done that. So we get nervous whenever it starts backing up into the back yard.

The dam was constructed in the 1950s in order to assist the Sam Rayburn Reservoir in providing flood control to Southeast Texas, among other goals.

Related: Spring showers inundate SE Texas

The Sam Rayburn Reservoir already was 7 feet above its normal water level. That left the reservoir just about 2.5 feet below the top of its flood elevation. However, as of Tuesday afternoon water was not yet being released.

Water released by the Sam Rayburn Dam runs into Dam B, which ultimately runs further downstream.

Heavy rain and flash flooding threats remain through Thursday, with a strong chance of rain expected through Friday. By Sunday, warm temperatures and sunny conditions should return.

While sandbags are one way of preparing, Hardin County Judge Wayne McDaniel is reminding residents who havent already to sign up for the Southeast Texas Alerting Network.

The system uses text messages, e-mail or phone messages to provide important information to residents during a disaster.

If you are not already registered to receive these alerts, I recommend that you do so, or if you are only registered for voice alerts, I recommend that you also register for text/email alerts, he said in a Facebook post.

Registration can be completed at www.thestan.com/register.

Related: Next round of rain, thunderstorms expected later today

Staff writer Kaitlin Bain contributed to this report.

isaac.windes@hearstnp.com

twitter.com/isaacdwindes
WINNIE  Hundreds of Southeast Texans have expressed interest in suing the Texas Department of Transportation for knowingly flooding their properties during Tropical Storms Harvey and Imelda.

And last month, a judge in Beaumont agreed to allow a Jefferson County case to be combined with one each from Chambers and Liberty counties to do just that in federal court.

A TxDOT spokeswoman said the agency does not comment on pending litigation.

But Burns Charest LLP partner Daniel Charest said he thinks the residents have a pretty clear case.

At issue is whether the state owes just compensation to property owners on the north side of Interstate 10 for an easement the state appears to already have taken out on their property, he said.

Related: Chambers Co. residents sue state for flooding

The seemingly de facto flowage easement, he said, allows the state to use impacted residents property as a detention pond during heavy rainfall events.

He said his team has uncovered documents showing that the state knew that a barrier wall it was building on I-10 in Southeast Texas largely would keep flood waters on one side of the interstate, leaving the lanes on the other side available for counter flow to-and-from Houston in an emergency situation.

The government says, Yeah, we flooded you and Yeah, we built that dam, but We dont want to pay you, he told dozens of residents gathered in Winnie last week to hear about potentially joining a class action lawsuit against TxDOT.

The suit would join a singular case brought by the DeVillier family in Chambers County regarding the same issue.

At this time, Charest and a team of lawyers working on the cases are meeting with residents who might be interested in joining through a series of meetings like the one in Winnie last week. During that meeting, he laid out the case, what residents might need to do and then answered questions on a number of related issues, such as whether receiving insurance reimbursement for Harvey or Imelda flood damage would hurt the case and if the state was likely to fix the problem.

Top hits: Get Beaumont Enterprise stories sent directly to your inbox

Residents who sign on to the case are then working with case managers to detail all that was lost during the two storms.

Charest said, even though this will be argued as a class-action lawsuit, each individual resident would have a separate claim because each person lost such unique property  from exotic deer to rice dryers and many things in between.

While lawyers hope to recover the cost of damages and compensation for the apparent easement that allows the state to flood the property, its unlikely the actual design of the barrier will be changed, said Attorney Charles Irvine.

In fact, should TxDOT agree to change the barrier, the residents overall case would be weakened.

For the government to take an easement, the associated cost of taking said easement should give greater value to society writ large.

The harder they push back about fixing it, the better your argument is that they did it for a public purpose, he said.

Related: In Winnie, shock and waiting: Rebuild and wait on the next one

However, the attorneys said a group of researchers are working together to study how the barrier affected flood-prone areas and if there are other alternatives.

The deadline for residents to join the case is Sept. 19  two years after Imeldas floodwaters allegedly were blocked by the barrier wall and flooded residents on the north side of I-10.

Charest said he anticipates having additional gatherings in the days leading up to that deadline. After that deadline, residents largely lose their right to sue on the issue, regardless of the number of times they may flood in the coming years.

Its important to get the word out because the government is more than happy to flood you and not do anything, he said.

kaitlin.bain@beaumontenterprise.com

twitter.com/KaitlinBain
While rainfall totals could rise another 5 to 10 inches overnight Tuesday, with up to 20 inches possible at some locations, county officials also were watching river and lake levels when determining how best to keep residents safe.

Right now, both lake levels are pretty high, and the rivers and tributaries are swollen, Jasper County Judge Mark Allen said on Tuesday. His county already saw about 13 inches of rain on Monday - flooding homes and businesses and washing out roads.

When this occurs, the (U.S. Army) Corps of Engineers tries to balance out the outflow to prevent substantial flooding downstream while also trying to provide relief to the rivers and tributaries to prevent them from becoming too backed up, which causes increased upstream flooding. Weve seen instances where it was controlled and there was no need to evacuate, he continued. However, in some cases, the Corps has no choice but to increase the outflow to protect the structural integrity of the dam systems.

As of early Tuesday evening, he hadnt yet called a voluntary evacuation and the Corps appears to be handling the water load.

However, swift water rescue crews arrived Tuesday, and the county was waiting for the arrival of a contingent of Texas National Guard that also will be involved in any necessary search-and-rescue operations.

Related: Next round of rain, thunderstorms expected later today

Heres a list of resources and other vital information gathered from across the region:

Hardin County

Disaster declaration: No

Evacuation: No

River levels:

Pine Island Bayou near Sour Lake was just over 26 feet as of Tuesday afternoon, which puts the bayou above minor flood stage. The bayou is expected to crest just over 28.5 feet around Friday afternoon and slowly recede through the weekend. At that level, moderate lowland flooding is possible, and water could cover roads in Bevil Oaks.

Village Creek near Kountze appeared to be running just over 18 feet -- slightly above NWS predictions -- on Tuesday afternoon. The creek currently is forecast to peak just under 20 feet on Saturday afternoon. At that level, water could begin to flow over the bridge on Farm Road 418 as well as several other locations. Roads in Village Creek State Park also could begin to see water.

Sand bags:

R&B 1 - 1290 Hwy 327 West, Silsbee (409) 385-5501

R&B 2 - 1315 North Pine Street, Kountze (409) 246-3972

R&B 3 - 13745 FM 787, Saratoga (936) 274-5411

R&B 4 - 100 Southland Drive, Lumberton (409) 755-4584

ESD 2 - (Lumberton Fire Station #2) 8890 Keith Road, Lumberton

ESD 5 - (Pinewood Fire Station) 333 Commercial Dr, Sour Lake

Jasper County

Disaster declaration: Yes, signed Monday

Evacuation: No

River levels:

The Neches River at Evadale was sitting at nearly 19 feet -- still well within the "minor" flood range -- as of Tuesday afternoon. However, starting Wednesday afternoon, the river was expected to make a significant jump to nearly 21 feet, which would put it in the moderate flood risk category. At that level, the NWS expects to see moderate lowland flooding and water across some roads near the river.

BA Steinhagen Lake - locally known as Dam B -- was just above its normal water level and already releasing more than 40,000 cubic feet of water per second.

The Sam Rayburn Reservoir already was 7 feet above its normal water level. That left the reservoir just about 2.5 feet below the top of its flood elevation. However, as of Tuesday afternoon water was not yet being released.

Sand bags:

County barn on Farm Road 1004 in Buna

Evadale Fire Station.

Jefferson County

Disaster declaration: Yes, signed Tuesday

Evacuation: No

Schools:

Port Arthur, Beaumont and Hamshire-Fannett ISDs will conduct virtual school on Wednesday.

Lamar State College Port Arthur will close campus Wednesday, and employees will work remotely from home. It's expected to reopen as usual at 7:30 a.m. Thursday.

River levels:

The Neches River at Saltwater Barrier was just over 6 feet, or moderate flood stage. At that level, according to the National Weather Service, water is about 2 feet over portions of Four Oaks Ranch Road. The NWS graph does not yet show a crest for the river, but it's expected to hit nearly 11 feet by late Sunday afternoon. At that level, area residents are expected to see major flooding along the river including in Northwest Orange County from Lake View to Saltwater Barrier with several homes and camps flooded. Flooding also would occur along the river in Beaumont.

The gauge on the Neches River at Beaumont was not giving a reading on Tuesday afternoon, but it was predicted to already be above minor flood stage, which occurs at 4 feet. The NWS also doesn't give an expected crest for this section, but it also is expected to reach nearly 11 feet by late Sunday afternoon. At that time, major flooding is expected at Colliers Ferry Park and around the Beaumont Country club. Residential roads off Pine Street also could be impassable, and some water could reach homes in that area and Northeast Beaumont.

Sand bags:

Precinct 1: 20205 W. Hwy 90, China

Precinct 2: 7759 Viterbo Rd., Nederland and 12880 Farm Road 365, Labelle

Precinct 3: Hwy 124, Hamshire

Precinct 4: 7780 Boyt Rd., Cheek

Newton County

Disaster declaration: Yes, signed Tuesday

Evacuation: Voluntary based on the forecast rainfall and likely emergency release of water from the Toledo Bend Dam by the Sabine River Authority, "which is expected to result in flooding that has the great potential of causing severe bodily injury or the loss of human life in the low-lying areas of the Sabine River corridor in Newton County.

River levels:

The Sabine River at Deweyville was well into the moderate flood level as of late Tuesday afternoon. The NWS does not show an expected crest for the river yet, but it's not shown to be expected to rise much above 27 feet through the weekend. At that level, the weather service expects widespread moderate lowland flooding. Some homes closest to the river could see flooding.

After a significant dip on Monday afternoon, the Sabine River near Bon Wier was back up to moderate flood stage on Tuesday afternoon. The river is expected to crest at about 35 feet on Thursday evening, according to the NWS. At that point, secondary roads in the Merryville and Bon Wier areas would be closed.

The Toledo Bend reservoir had 11 gates open 1 foot, each.

Orange County

Disaster declaration: No

Evacuation: Recommended for residents in the Lake View area, including Four Oaks, Ranch Road, Loving Acres and Connelly Road, along with other low-lying areas along the Neches River have been encouraged to evacuate

School districts: West Orange CISD is closed for the remainder of the week

River levels:

The Sabine River at Orange was the least swollen body of water as of Tuesday afternoon. The river was not at flood stage and was expected to only barely reach action levels of 3.5 feet through the weekend.

Sand bags:

Precinct 1 Maintenance barn located on North Hwy 87 at North Teal

11897 State Hwy 62 in Mauriceville directly across from Market Basket on Hwy 62

Precinct 3 County Maintenance barn located on 2502 West Roundbunch Rd.

Precinct 4 County Maintenance barn located on 375 Claiborne St.

Tyler County

Disaster declaration: Yes

Evacuation: No

River levels:

The Neches River at Town Bluff was well into moderate flood stage on Tuesday afternoon, but it'd already started to come down. The river was running at nearly 77 feet, which could cause flooding in the Mont Neches, Barlow Lake and Sheffields Ferry communities.

Misc.
Sahir Sampeali (left), a representative of Lore Bersaudara district residents in Poso regency, presents an open letter to Indonesian President Joko Widodo to Poso Council Speaker Sesi K.D. Mapeda in Central Sulawesi, Indonesia, May 17, 2021.

Villagers are urging Indonesias leader to visit the restive Poso region in Central Sulawesi province as a sign of his commitment to resolving security problems there after pro-Islamic State militants killed four farmers in the latest violence there last week.

More than a dozen people representing residents of Lore Bersaudara, a district of Poso regency, submitted an open letter to President Joko Jokowi Widodo on Monday through the local legislative council.

Their letter expressed frustration at the authorities failure to root out the Eastern Indonesia Mujahideen (MIT), a pro-Islamic State militant group which government officials have blamed for two large deadly attacks in a six-month span, but which is said to number less than a dozen fighters.

For 22 years the people of Poso have endured dark times because of the lack of security and inadequate protection from the state for the people of Poso, the villagers said in the letter, a copy of which BenarNews obtained.

We respectfully call on the honorable President of the Republic of Indonesia to immediately resolve the security problems in Poso thoroughly, the letter said.

Muslim-Christian violence in Poso erupted in 1999, leaving thousands dead from both communities. The sectarian fighting ended with the signing of a peace accord in 2001, but sporadic violence has rocked the region after MIT emerged in 2010.

The letter also demanded that the government provide compensation and economic support for Poso residents who have been unable work because of security threats.

Poso Council Speaker Sesi K.D. Mapeda promised to relay the villagers demands to the central government.

The letter follows a May 11 attack when suspected MIT militants killed four farmers in Posos Kalemago village  the first presumed attack by the group targeting civilians in more than five months, police said. One of the victims was decapitated.

What happened to our brothers in Kalemago village recently is a tragedy for all Poso residents, Sesi told reporters.

On Tuesday, the Witness and Victim Protection Agency (LPSK) gave 15 million rupiah (U.S. $1,000) to survivors of the farmers  identified as Paulus Papa, Luka Lese Puyu, Simon Susah and Marten Solong.

LPSK deputy chairman Edwin Partogi Pasaribu said the agency was ready to provide protection at the request of victims and witnesses.

Previously, MIT members allegedly killed four villagers in a Christian community in nearby Sigi regency on Nov. 28, 2020.

That attack was the deadliest one against civilians mounted by MIT fighters to date.

Jokowi did not visit Central Sulawesi after the November attack but condemned it soon after as an inhuman and uncivilized act, as he called on authorities to wipe out those militants once and for all.

Poso has long been a hotbed of MIT activity  a group now reduced to nine fighters, according to Indonesian officials who have mounted joint military and police manhunts over the past several years to wipe out the group.

In its latest effort to elude police, MIT has split into two groups, authorities said. Police and the military launched an operation codenamed Madago Raya to take down the militants, Central Sulawesi police spokesman Didik Supranoto said.

One group led by Ali Kalora is active in Sigi regency, while the other under the leadership of a militant named Qatar operates in Poso, Didik said.

This is based on witness reports and facts gathered by investigators on the ground, Didik told reporters, adding that authorities did not know what weapons were in MITs arsenal.

We cannot clearly specify the weapons and ammunition owned by the two groups. What is certain is that they are still armed, Didik said.

He called on locals to remain calm and go about their activities as usual, saying task-force members would provide security.

And when members the public see any suspicious person, they must immediately report to the authorities. The TNI and police are committed to providing security to the community, Didik said using an abbreviation for the armed forces.

Meanwhile, Mohammad Mahfud MD, Indonesias coordinating minister for political, legal and security affairs, condemned the recent killings and vowed to crush MIT.

The government is determined to eliminate these terrorists, to completely eradicate the acts of violence carried out by terrorist groups, both in Papua and the Eastern Indonesia Mujahideen terrorists in Poso, Mahfud MD told reporters on Wednesday, referring as well to separatist insurgents in the far-eastern Papua region.

He said MIT was increasingly under siege, without providing details.

Didik said provincial police had formed three teams consisting of Madago Raya task-force members to hunt down the MIT militants who have pledged allegiance to the Islamic State (IS) group.

One team is tasked with pursuing the MIT members in their jungle hideouts while a second team is to focus on preventing their escape in border areas. The third team is deployed in villages to provide security.

We hope that with this strategy, we can successfully capture MIT, Didik said.

Desperate

MIT has survived in the mountains and jungles of Poso despite being hunted by police and military forces since 2015.

It is one of two pro-IS groups operating in Indonesia, the worlds most populous Muslim-majority country. The other is Jemaah Ansharut Daulah (JAD), which authorities have blamed for most terror attacks in the archipelago nation during the past five years.

MIT militants may have resorted to killing out of desperation as supplies were drying up or to show that they still exist, said Sidney Jones, director of the Jakarta-based Institute for Policy Analysis of Conflict (IPAC).

They may have tried to get supplies including food, she said.

Jones said MIT militants had eluded capture because security forces were not adequately trained for jungle operations.

They can move from one place to another without getting caught, she said.

Tria Dianti contributed to this report from Jakarta.
Medical workers from the Ministry of Health wear personal protective equipment as they bury a person who died of COVID-19 at a Muslim cemetery in Gombak, Selangor, Malaysia, May 19, 2021.

At least two Malaysian states badly hit by COVID-19 are moving to acquire vaccines on their own to speed up the pace of inoculations, as the daily number of new infections nationwide skyrocketed past 6,000 on Wednesday, with some people calling for a complete nationwide lockdown.

Selangors state government said it was acquiring 2.5 million doses of vaccines days after Sarawak state said it was purchasing 1 million jabs for its residents.

While the state government encouraged people to get the free vaccines provided by the federal government, many industry players had approached the [Selangor] government stating that they could not wait, claiming that to date, only 3.3 percent of the state population has been vaccinated, Siti Mariah Mahmud, Selangors Public Health, Unity, Women and Family Development Committee chairwoman, said at a press conference on Wednesday.

This progress is too slow for a state that contributed 20 percent to the national gross domestic product (GDP). We started with wanting to purchase 2.5 million doses, but we are willing to purchase more if we need it.

Malaysia Health Director General Noor Hisham said in a separate statement that the COVID-19 situation in the Klang Valley  Selangor, Kuala Lumpur and Putrajaya  is dire with 79 percent of total intensive care unit beds in public hospitals in these states allocated for COVID-19 cases.

Total COVID-19 ICU admissions (including suspected/probable) in Selangor and Kuala Lumpur and Putrajaya has increased by 94 percent compared to two weeks ago. The health care system in Klang Valley is under tremendous pressure, he wrote on Facebook Wednesday evening.

Frontliners are drained and fatigued. Help us, so that we are still able to help you if and when the time comes. Stay at home if you have no urgent matters outside and comply with the SOPs, he said, referring to COVID-19 standard operating procedures.

Malaysia on Wednesday reported a daily record of 6,075 new COVID-19 cases, taking the cumulative caseload to more than 480,000. The previous national high was 5,728 cases on Jan. 30.

Health Ministry data showed that Selangor continued to record the highest number of new infections, with 2,251 on Wednesday.

Malaysia also reported 46 virus-related deaths on Wednesday, with Selangor state recording 19 of those deaths  the highest among states.

On Monday, Health Minister Adham Baba had said the ministry was considering imposing a total lockdown in Selangor should the state government fail to bring down the number of daily COVID-19 cases.

Selangors Siti Mariah said that the states business community said it would rather pay for COVID-19 vaccines than suspend its manufacturing and other operations during a total lockdown, because that would entail a greater loss.

The states vaccination program would not be free, she said.

Selangors vaccination program would administer jabs to the manufacturing sector, big corporations and small businesses, the state official said.

Siti Mariah did not say which vaccines Selangor would acquire, although Malaysia has so far approved COVID-19 vaccines from Sinovac, Pfizer and AstraZeneca. The country has removed AstraZenecas jabs from its national immunization program, saying that only those who wanted to be inoculated with it need be administered that jab.

The Selangor official acknowledged that vaccines from one of three approved manufacturers would be available to her state only after the companies delivered their agreed-upon consignments to the federal government.

As of Tuesday, more than 2 million COVID-19 doses had been distributed nationwide, with more than 1.2 million people having been administered the first dose and close to 800,000 fully inoculated, according to government data.

So far, only 42 percent of the countrys 33 million population  or 10.2 million people  has registered for the immunization program, with a majority of them in Selangor.

Stricter measures needed

A prominent industry group rejected the idea of a total lockdown, saying a similar effort in March 2020 had a damaging impact on the economy.

Son Thian Lai, president of the Federation of Malaysian Manufacturers, said the government should institute strict health protocols to reduce new infections instead of shutting down all sectors.

While the industry understands the need for stricter measures to be implemented, the industry is not in favor of a total lockdown such as [is] being called for [in] Selangor  because it will cost irreparable damage to our economy, he said in a statement on Wednesday.

Meanwhile, Sarawak, too, wants to go ahead with its own COVID-19 vaccination program, to expedite the process.

Sarawak Chief Minister Abang Johari Openg said on Wednesday that Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin greenlighted the purchase of 1 million Sinovac doses for the state, which will be bought in two equal phases.

Johari said Sarawaks vaccination program would be free, but he did not say how much the state would pay for the vaccines.

While Sarawak, a federal government ally, got approval for its vaccination program, Selangor, which is governed by the opposition, is facing some pushback.

Khairy Jamaluddin, federal minister in charge of the National COVID-19 Vaccination Program (PICK), said he did not want people to think he was preventing Selangors initiative, but reminded the state that the national immunization program was free.

Vaccines are controlled items, Khairy said, adding they could not be bought for import without the required purchasing documents.

PICK is currently the only program, the vaccines [used] are recognized by the NPRA [National Pharmaceutical Regulatory Agency], he said at a press conference.

[T]he others I do not know where they are [sourced] from or when they will arrive or how much they have to pay, but PICK is the only national program we have for now and it is given for free via vaccines distribution centers.

In addition, even if Selangor acquires vaccines approved by NPRA, bookings placed by the federal government would be prioritized by the manufacturers. He did not mention Sarawaks Sinovac order and whether it would have equal priority as federal orders.

While I cant stop people from registering with the Selangor vaccination program, what I can assure you is that we probably can get [the supply] quicker but if you still want to pay money and get it later, then it is your decision. I dont want to be seen as blocking [the initiative], he said.
The seal of The United States Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) is seen at the agencys headquarters in Washington, May 14, 2021.

The U.S. government will hand over nearly $5 million to dozens of Thai laborers who had worked at a pineapple plantation in Hawaii, as part of money recovered from a lawsuit over alleged workplace abuses, officials announced late Tuesday.

In 2015, a federal court in Hawaii awarded more than $8.1 million to 54 Thai nationals who had worked at Maui Pineapple Ltd., in a lawsuit brought by the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission under the nations labor trafficking laws.

The court found that the Thai workers were subjected to physical violence  such as being thrown against the wall, and grabbed and punched in the face  ruling that Maui Pineapple and other defendants were liable for discrimination over national origin and race, the EEOC said in a news release.

After working in cooperation with the U.S. Department of Justice and the Treasury Department to recover $4.8 million to satisfy part of the judgment, the EEOC will now be distributing the money to the 54 Thai workers who were victims of abuse while working at Maui Pineapple, the EEOC said.

The EEOC enforces federal laws prohibiting employment discrimination. Protecting vulnerable workers, including immigrant workers, is one of six national priorities identified by the agency.

Justice has been achieved, but the length of time its taken for the compensation to arrive is an indictment to the slow nature of justice in legal systems across the world, Andy Hall, a labor rights specialist and advocate for migrants workers in Southeast Asia, said Wednesday as he reacted to the announcement by the U.S. agency.

Charlotte A. Burrows, the EEOCs chair, lauded the workers who had told the agency their stories to help build the case against Maui Pineapple, which is now called Maui Land & Pineapple Co., and other agricultural produce firms.

I am grateful to the workers who had the courage to come forward, the dedicated staff in our Los Angeles District Office who sought justice on their behalf, and our partners across the federal government who worked with the EEOC to ensure monetary relief for the victims Burrows said in a statement.

6 farms sued

The federal courts ruling in 2015 said that Maui Pineapple had constantly threatened to deport the Thai workers, among other abuses, according to the EEOC.

They were forced to live in substandard housing infested with rats, scorpions and bugs. Some were provided insufficient or malfunctioning toilet facilities, the EEOC said about the courts ruling six years ago.

The Thai workers regularly received inadequate food, and some fainted in the fields. Working conditions were so oppressive that some Thai workers felt that they were treated more like prisoners and slaves.

Rosa Viramontes, director of the EEOCs Los Angeles office, said the agency would continue to strive to eradicate national origin and race discrimination in employment.

The EEOC had initially filed suit in the U.S. District Court for Hawaii against farm labor contractor Global Horizons and six farms in the state on behalf of several hundred Thai farmworkers. The EEOC had named the farms in Hawaii as defendants, saying they were joint employers with the labor contractor, and liable due to the acts committed by Global Horizons.

One of the farms, Del Monte Fresh Produce, settled for $1.2 million in November 2013. A year later, U.S. District Judge Leslie E. Kobayashi in Hawaii approved settlements between EEOC and four other Hawaii farms totaling $2.4 million for about 500 Thai farmworkers.

That left Global Horizons and the Maui Pineapple Company as the only defendants remaining in the case. In 2015, the district court entered a default judgment against them, awarding 54 Thai workers $8.1 million in compensation.

EEOC said it would strive to collect the remaining $3.3 million awarded the 54 workers.

The EEOC will continue its efforts to collect on the rest of the judgment, the agency said.

Representatives of the Maui Land & Pineapple Company, based in Kapalua, Hawaii, did not immediately respond to a BenarNews request for comment on Wednesday.

Mordechai Orian, the former president of Global Horizon, whose company shuttered 14 years ago, described the federal courts ruling as absurd and crazy, according to a report by the Associated Press.

They had beautiful housing. No complaints. What discrimination can (there) be against people that you bring to Hawaii from Thailand and give them (a) better life? he said.

Pimuk Rakkanam in Bangkok contributed to this report.
A bomb squad member inspects a house after it was hit by a rocket fired from the Gaza Strip, in Sderot, Israel, May 19, 2021.

Updated at 6:32 p.m. ET on 2021-05-21

A Hamas rocket attack on an agricultural estate near the Gaza Strip killed two Thai nationals and injured eight others who were treated in an Israeli hospital, Thailands government said Wednesday.

The rocket strike in Moshav Ohad occurred amid heavy fighting that broke out earlier this month between Israel and Palestinian forces, and which has shown no sign of letting up. Thais are among at least tens of thousands of migrants from Southeast Asian countries who work in the Jewish State.

The deaths of two Thai labors in Israel and the injuries of eight from the Hamas attack in Moshav Ohad near the Gaza Strip on May 18, 2021, inflicted the worst casualties among Thai labors since the beginning of Israeli-Palestinian conflicts, Thai Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesman Tanee Sangrat told reporters.

Thailands labor ministry identified the dead workers as Weerawat Karanborirak, 44, of Petchabun province, and Sikarin Sangamram, 24, of Buriram province.

In addition, the two seriously injured and six others with minor injuries received treatment at Soroka Hospital in Beer Sheva. Some had improved and were released home, Tanee said without providing details.

Magen David Adom (The Red Shield of David), an Israeli national emergency medical, disaster, ambulance and blood-bank service, reported that paramedics and emergency medical technicians rushed to the scene of a mortar attack on Tuesday to provide aid to 10 injured workers. It said the two Thais died from their injuries.

Upon arriving at the scene, paramedic Omer Biton and others encountered a storage building on fire, where a mortar had struck, and injured people around the structure, Magen David Adom said on its website.

We immediately began to triage and assess the severity of the injured, Biton said. One was in critical condition, three were in severe condition and five in moderate to mild condition. We provided medical treatment and began to evacuate them to the hospitals in ambulances and in one of MDAs Medevac helicopters.

Close to 19,000 Thais were registered in April as working in Israel, according to the Thai Ministry of Labor. The Thai Embassy in Tel Aviv said about 4,000 live or work within 100 km (62 miles) of the Gaza Strip.

A Thai agricultural worker who asked not to be named over privacy concerns told BenarNews that he wished his employer would move the staff to central Israel, away from the Gaza Strip.

There were Thais who died in Moshav Ohad about 14 km (8.7 miles) from Moshav Talmei Yosef. We have about 200 here, working in cultivation areas, the worker said.

We have to look at the sky  to see if there are incoming rockets, he said. The employer lets us stop working only when rockets land near us and lets us hide in bunkers.

The worker said that he and the others, who are paid a daily wage, could face deductions if they could not work because of the ongoing fighting.

Thai embassy officials came and took care of the injured, but cannot offer much help to other laborers. We want the embassy to deal with the employer to move us far from the war to the central region, he said.

In Bangkok, Labor Minister Suchart Chomklin said authorities rushed to assist the victims and their families after Tuesdays rocket attack near the Gaza Strip.

The prime minister sent condolences to the families of the dead and conveyed concerns to the injured, and ordered concerned parties to assist them with compensation, Suchart said in a Facebook post on Wednesday.

Thailands foreign-workers fund commits 80,000 baht (U.S. $2,550) for basic aid and funeral cost to the dead while those injured receive up to 30,000 baht ($956) for hospitalization bills.

The labor ministry said Israels National Insurance Institute had a program offering monthly compensation to those injured by the bombings and the widows and children of those killed.

Meanwhile, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu vowed to press ahead with military operations in the Gaza Strip despite calls from international leaders to end the fighting that has left hundreds dead, mostly on the Palestinian side.

With every passing day we are striking at more of the terrorist organizations capabilities, targeting more senior commanders, toppling more terrorist buildings and hitting more weaponry stockpiles, Netanyahu said in a statement Wednesday. I am determined to continue this operation until its objective is achieved: to restore quiet and security to you, citizens of Israel.

As of Wednesday, at least 217 Palestinians and 12 Israelis had died as a result of the fighting, Agence France-Presse reported. As many as 63 children were among the Palestinians who were killed.

An Israeli employer inspects rocket debris in Moshav Talmei Yosef near the Gaza Strip, May 16, 2021. [Photo courtesy of a Thai labor group]

On May 15, the Thai Embassy in Tel Aviv issued a statement calling on the warring sides to show restraint.

Thailand is deeply concerned by the ongoing violence in Israel and Palestine and strongly urges all parties concerned to exercise utmost restraint and refrain from any provocative actions that could escalate the situation and cause further casualties of innocent civilians and damages to heritage sites, the statement said. Thailand also expresses its condolences and sympathies to those who have been affected by the violence.

Earlier last week, the embassy began offering online guidance for citizens to remain safe.

Also last week, the Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs noted that 29,473 Filipinos have been working in Israel, the state-run Philippines News Agency (PNA) reported.

So far, our embassy in Israel has not received any report of Filipino casualties. The embassy is in touch with Filipino organizations and networks; shelters are there to provide refuge, including for Filipino workers, the department said in a statement.

The Philippine Embassy in Tel Aviv, meanwhile, issued its own statement advising Filipinos to avoid going to the West Bank and areas in Jerusalem, PNA reported.

CORRECTION: An earlier version wrongly credited the Thai Ministry of Labor for the photograph taken in Moshav Talmei Yosef.


This effort will raise donations to help Central Oregons creative artists  musicians, visual artists, performers and creative workers  by offering grants and a platform to bring attention to the talent that needs help to continue thriving in this community throughout the pandemic and beyond.

More Info
If you'd like to leave a comment (or a tip or a question) about this story with the editors, please email us

We also welcome letters to the editor for publication; you can do that by filling out our letters form and submitting it to the newsroom.
Copyright 2021 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu says that he is determined to continue this operation until its aim is met, despite U.S. President Joe Bidens call for a de-escalation of hostilities in Gaza
Community News Editor / Librarian

Jeannie Maschino is community news editor and librarian for The Berkshire Eagle. She has worked for the newspaper in various capacities since 1982 and joined the newsroom in 1989. She can be reached at jmaschino@berkshireeagle.com.
Every visit to China is a pleasant surprise: Interview with youth leader of Sri Lankan political party

Xinhua) 08:53, May 19, 2021

"I've been very pleasantly surprised at the development each time I visited China, " said Mayantha Dissanayake, a youth political leader of Sri Lanka, adding Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era leads China into a new era.

(Web editor: Shi Xi, Du Mingming)
Francesca Paris is The Eagle's data and public records reporter. She was previously the North Adams reporter. A California native and Williams College alumna, she has worked at NPR in Washington, D.C. and WBUR in Boston. Find her on Twitter at @fparises.
Scott Stafford can be reached at sstafford@berkshireeagle.com or at 413-629-4517.
Amanda Burke covers Pittsfield City Hall for The Berkshire Eagle. An Ithaca, New York native, she previously worked at The Herald News of Fall River and the Fitchburg Sentinel & Enterprise. Find her on Twitter at @amandaburkec.
Massachusetts Gov. Charlie Baker speaks mONDAY during a news conference about changes on COVID-19 restrictions in Boston. Baker said that all remaining COVID-19 restrictions will be lifted in Massachusetts on Memorial Day weekend.
Pasquotank County, N.C. District Attorney Andrew Womble said the sheriff's deputies who fired at Andrew Brown Jr., killing him at his Elizabeth City home, were justified in shooting, deeming that the 42-year-old mans actions endangered officers at the scene.

Womble said body camera footage shows Brown, who was unarmed, ignored the deputies commands and proceeded to drive toward them, making the car a threat in their perception.



At a Tuesday morning press conference, Womble said that none of the officers will be charged in Browns death.



Mr. Browns death, while tragic, was justified because Mr. Browns actions caused three deputies with the Pasquotank County Sheriff's Office to reasonably believe it was necessary to use deadly force to protect themselves and others," said Womble referring to his determination of the probe conducted by the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation. He later noted that the deputies' actions were fully supported under the law.

RELATED: What We Know So Far About The Police Shooting Of Andrew Brown



Brown was shot and killed by deputies while they executed a search warrant on drug charges on April 21. Witnesses say Brown was driving away at the time and deputies fired several rounds, killing him.



A video released by Womble at the press conference apparently shows Brown attempting to leave the house where his car was parked and turn away from the officers while they yell for him to stop. Womble said the first shots were fired as Brown drives toward them, they continue as he tries to drive away. He crashed into a tree in a nearby yard after losing control of the vehicle. None of the deputies were injured.



Lawyers for Brown's family expressed disappointement and frustration over the decision not to pursue charges against the officers.



"To say this shooting was justified, despite the known facts, is both an insult and a slap in the face to Andrews family, the Elizabeth City community, and to rational people everywhere," said attorneys Ben Crump, Bakari Sellers, Harry Daniels, and Chantel Cherry-Lassiter in a joint statement. "Not only was the car moving away from officers, but four of them did not fire their weapons - clearly they did not feel that their lives were endangered. And the bottom line is that Andrew was killed by a shot to the back of the head. Interestingly, none of these issues were appropriately addressed in todays press conference."



Womble said that although the video was shown at the press conference, it would not be released to the public and said that the courts would have to determine if that could happen. Pasquotank County Superior Court Judge Jeff Foster decided last month that body camera video would not be publicly released, however it could still be released after a state investigation was complete.

Seven deputies were reportedly placed on administrative leave. The three involved in the shooting remain on leave while four others who were at the scene were reinstated when Pasquotank County Sheriff Tommy Wooten determined that they did not fire their weapons, according to Norfolk, Va., newspaper the Virginian-Pilot.

An independent autopsy determined that Brown was struck by bullets five times out of the 14 shots that were fired including once in the back of the head. His family, which had been shown a part of the video weeks ago, has maintained that he was not a threat and that he did not drive his car toward them.



Womble, however, has said in court that Brown drove his car toward the deputies and struck them twice before shots were fired. But that does not seem apparent in the video shown at Tuesdays press conference.



Browns shooting took place in the shadow of the Derek Chauvin trial in Minneapolis. A day prior, he had been convicted on all counts in the death of George Floyd a year ago. Demonstrations through the community calling for justice for Brown continued for days after the shooting and his family has called what took place an execution.



Womble said at the news conference that he has not spoken with the family about his determination. "Our original discussions immediately after this occurred with Mr. Brown's attorneys did not go well," he said.



A second meeting with the family was attempted, but their attorneys were not present.



"Obviously, any party that is represented by counsel I have to be very careful in dealing with attorneys before I deal with parties, said Womble. I was unable to do so, and at this point the relationship is just constrained to the point that I did not speak with them. I'd be happy to talk with them at length after this is over.




The family of Andrew Brown Jr., who was shot and killed April 21 by Pasquotank County, N.C., sheriffs deputies are calling upon the U.S. Justice Department to get involved in the case after the local prosecutor decided to not charge the officers in the shooting.



District Attorney Andrew Womble announced on Tuesday (May 18) that the officers who attempted to execute a search warrant on drug charges were justified in opening fire at Brown, 42, because he placed them in danger when he attempted to escape in his car.



Video footage shown by Womble from four body cameras worn by the deputies shows the moment Brown, who was unarmed, was shot at his home in Elizabeth City, N.C. He said Brown ignored their commands to stop and proceeded to drive toward the deputies, making the vehicle a threat in their perception.



RELATED: Andrew Brown Police Shooting Death Was Justified D.A. Says



But lawyers representing Browns family blasted Wombles decision saying that Brown never was any threat to the officers, and argued that he was trying to move away from the deputies rather than trying to strike them.



In a joint statement released late Tuesday, the lawyers, Ben Crump, Bakari Sellers, Harry Daniels, and Chantel Cherry-Lassiter, insisted the Justice Department should become involved.



We demand that the court release the full video and State Bureau of Investigation report that will help shed some much needed daylight on this case and bring a small measure of justice to this family and this community, the statement readw. Because we certainly got neither transparency nor justice today. We request that the Federal Department of Justice intervene immediately.



Hours after Wombles announcement, protesters took to the streets of Elizabeth City, expressing their frustrations with what was for them another diversion from justice for a Black man killed by law enforcement.
Rebel

Danielle Mone' Truitt as Rebel Knight. REBEL is an Oakland detective who's solved more homicides in the last three years than any detective on the force.
Allen County-Scottsville High School honored its Class of 2021 graduates with a signing ceremony on Wednesday, May 19, 2021. The ceremony, normally reserved only for student athletes, was held for all college-bound grads, military cadets and those going into the workforce.

Close

Grace Ramey Photojournalist Follow Grace Ramey Close Get email notifications on {{subject}} daily! Your notification has been saved. There was a problem saving your notification. {{description}} Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items. Save Manage followed notifications Close Followed notifications Please log in to use this feature Log In Don't have an account? Sign Up Today
ACCESSIBILITY

Report an Issue

Accessibility Enhanced Pages

BGSU offers alternative versions of all of its pages for our users. You can select the high-contrast version below to persist throughout your BGSU website experience. Accessibility Information

Toggle High Contrast

Events

To individuals with disabilities, please indicate if you need special services, assistance or appropriate modifications to fully participate in events by contacting Accessibility Services, access@bgsu.edu, 419-372-8495. Please notify us prior to the event.

Title IX Administrative Contact information

Complaints or notice of alleged policy violations, or inquiries about or concerns regarding Title IX (sexual harassment) and procedures, may be made internally to: Lakeshia Dowlen, Title IX Coordinator, Office of Title IX, 207 Hayes Hall, Bowling Green, Ohio 43403, 419-372-8476. Inquiries may be made externally to: Office for Civil Rights (OCR) U.S. Department of Education 400 Maryland Avenue, SW Washington, D.C. 20202-1100 Customer Service Hotline #: (800) 421-3481 OCR@ed.gov



Title IX Deputy Coordinators

See It. Hear It. Report It.

Misconduct occurring on or off campus, Sexual assault or sexual harassment or, a behavior of concern you would like to bring to the attention of the Office of the Dean of Students.

Report an Incident
The final frontier is just the first step for Anthony Laurio, a Class of 2021 Bowling Green State University graduate, as he prepares to enter the newest branch of the Armed Forces, the U.S. Space Force (USSF).

This month, Laurio will be commissioned as the first BGSU USSF second lieutenant by Air Force ROTC Detachment 620.

Growing up, Id always been interested in space, Laurio said. Last year, we found out there was a possibility to join the Space Force, so I decided to go for it. Next thing I know, I was getting picked up. Its really great to get in on the ground floor of a brand new military branch; thats very rare.

On Dec. 20, 2019, Air Force Space Command was redesignated as the USSF, establishing the seventh branch of the Armed Forces under the Department of the Air Force  the first new service branch in 72 years. The USSF is a military service that organizes, trains and equips space forces in order to protect the United States and its allies in space and to provide space capabilities to the joint force.

After graduating from Vermillion High School in 2018, Laurio initially chose BGSU because of the College Credit Plus Program transferring credits from his high school. He was uncertain about going the military route through college, but it turned out to be a hugely beneficial decision. Hearing about two positions for the Space Force, he applied to both. While he was not accepted to the first position he applied for, his commander, Lt. Col. David Garon, surprised him with the news about the second position.

We were at our morning physical training meeting and we had found out what our jobs were going to be, Laurio said. And my commander was like OK, were all done, and started walking away. He stopped and went Oh, I forgot: Laurio, youre going to be in the Space Force! It was kind of surreal and everyone got excited to find out I was going to be the first out of BGSU; its absolutely incredible. Im very humbled to be selected for this.

Laurio earned a Bachelor of Science in software engineering in the Department of Computer Science in the College of Arts and Sciences. His skills will find their place as a developmental engineer, specializing in computer systems at Los Angeles Air Force Base in California. He will be helping the Space Force to acquire and develop new computer systems.
They have responded to a crisis in North Africa, served multiple deployments in Afghanistan, done duty in a military police unit, worked as a truck mechanic, answered the call to protect the heart of the nation's government following the riot in Washington D.C., served as a door gunner on a Blackhawk helicopter in a Middle East hot zone, and trained to conduct the disposal of explosive ordinances.

After functioning with all of the stress, pressure, tension, dangers and the high-alert life in the U.S. military, attending Bowling Green State University should be a breeze  right?

If you've never been to college and you are not familiar with the environment, there are a lot of things to navigate, said Brady Clayton, 25, who served four years in the U.S. Marines after graduating from Perrysburg High School and before enrolling at BGSU. You come from the military, where a lot of your life is very structured and then you walk onto campus where it is quite a bit different, and you are responsible for creating the structure. It is a big change.

Clayton, who graduated this spring with a Bachelor of Science in management and technology, is currently interviewing for a position as a project manager for a solar farm in South Florida.

Clayton said the BGSU Office of Nontraditional and Military Student Services (NTMSS) was instrumental in guiding him as he worked through the new challenges he faced coming to campus after being deployed around the globe.

The office was a tremendous help, right from the time I was getting out of the service, he said. I had never even applied to college before, so I didn't know what was going on, but they walked me through the whole process.
Spearfish, SD (57783)

Today

Mostly sunny and windy. Much cooler. High 74F. Winds WNW at 20 to 30 mph..

Tonight

Clear skies. Low 52F. Winds SSE at 5 to 10 mph.
LEWISTON - On Wednesday, May 19, 2021, Happy Day Restaurants in Lewiston was announced as one of six Idaho businesses to be honored as Idaho Small Business of the Month for May 2021.

U.S. Senator Jim Risch (R-Idaho), senior member and former chairman of the Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship, announced the selection.

The decision to highlight a small business from each of Idahos six geographic regions comes in conjunction with the Support Local Gems initiative, set to take place on Friday, May 21st. The businesses will be recognized for their contributions to their respective regions in the Congressional Record of the U.S. Senate.

TLC for Tots in Nampa is a childcare and preschool learning center owned by Dave and Elizabeth Fetzer. Throughout the pandemic, the Fetzers have kept TLC for Tots open to the community by implementing daily temperature checks for students and teachers, requiring masks throughout the day, and conducting daily cleanings throughout the facility. Abracadabra's in Twin Falls is a breakfast-style bistro owned by brothers Josh and Jonathan Swain and Nikki Bourne. In the early days of the pandemic, Abracadabras adapted its supply chain to provide wholesale products like bacon, eggs, flour, and sanitizing products in bulk to local residents. Sandpiper Restaurant in Pocatello has been a community mainstay since 1975. In response to the effects of COVID-19, Sandpiper owners Rod and Kathleen Russell partnered with the Idaho State Police to offer free meals to truck drivers stretched thin by disrupted supply chains. Great Harvest in Idaho Falls, owned by Tiffani and John Van Orman, is known for its vast selection of artisan breads and sweets. The bakery regularly donates money and baked goods to school fundraisers, church gatherings, and local charitable causes. Even through the pandemic, the bakery has maintained its charitable operations, donating food to the local school district to support Idaho Falls families. Mountain Madness Soap in Coeur d'Alene is a specialty handmade soap and bath products company that began as a hobby and has since blossomed into a local success. Owners Jennifer and Andy Morsell kept Mountain Madness open throughout the pandemic by implementing health and safety measures to protect employees and customers, and have supported the Coeur dAlene business community by buying materials from locally-owned businesses. Happy Day Restaurants in Lewiston is an Idaho-based restaurant holding company thats served up high-quality food since owners Bruce and Joy Finch opened their first restaurant in 1969. With over a dozen restaurants, Happy Day Restaurants takes pride in supplying food to wildland firefighters each fire season and offering generous discounts to local veterans. Even during the pandemic, the business has not wavered in its service.

Each of these small businesses has adapted to the challenges caused by COVID-19, said Risch. Their ingenuity and commitment to providing relief to the community during these challenging times is nothing short of admirable.

Congratulations to the owners and employees of TLC for Tots, Abracadabras, Sandpiper, Great Harvest, Mountain Madness Soap, and Happy Day Restaurants on being selected as Idaho Small Businesses of the Month for May 2021, Risch continued. You all exemplify what it means to be one of Idahos local gems, and I look forward to your continued growth and success.
POCATELLO - A road rage incident on Tuesday involved shots being fired on Interstate 15 near Pocatello. A Utah man was arrested and charged in connection with the incident. Idaho State Police say there were no serious injuries.

According to an ISP release, witnesses say the driver of white GMC Sierra pickup traveling northbound on Interstate 15 came up quickly behind a Toyota Matrix sedan being driven by a Pocatello man. When the pickup driver came upon the slower moving sedan, he fired approximately nine rounds from the pickup toward the driver of the Toyota. One round struck the victim's vehicle, breaking the driver's window and going through the ballcap the driver was wearing. The victim suffered only minor injuries from the breaking glass of his window.

The suspect continued driving north on I-15 where witnesses say he came quickly upon the driver of another pickup and reportedly displayed a firearm at that driver, also a man from Pocatello. That driver was able to follow the suspect's vehicle, call 911, and report to dispatchers the suspect's location.

The suspect was located in his vehicle near the Fort Hall Casino. His vehicle was found with bullet holes through the windshield. 22-year-old Christian Heskett, of West Jordan, Utah, was found in possession of a rifle and two handguns. He was taken into custody without incident and charged with Aggravated Battery by use of a Deadly Weapon.

The suspect was booked into the Bannock County Jail and police continue to investigate.
MOSCOW - On Tuesday, May 11, the Idaho Commerce announced the latest recipients of two Idaho Global Entrepreneurial Mission Grants.

The council awarded the University of Idaho with a grant in the amount of $206,624 to assist industry partner, Hempitecture Inc. with research and development on their natural fiber insulation product called HempWool. The project team will conduct insulation, fire resistance and thermal conductivity tests. This cooperative effort will advance HempWool, as a pioneering sustainable product in the building industry.

This innovation means exciting changes to the building industry in Idaho and beyond, Idaho Department of Commerce Director Tom Kealey, said. We are excited to see this public-private partnership between Hempitecture Inc. and the University of Idaho.

The Council also approved funding in the amount of $125,522 to Boise State University for research and development in the advancement of a new coating technology for fiber optics and sensors in harsh environments. BSU will work together with industry partner, Fiberguide, a Molex company, on the development of metal-coated Fiber Bragg Grating (FBG) for the aerospace, energy, oil and gas industries.

This new coating approach leverages our world class research strengths within our Idaho universities, Kealey said. The commercialization potential from this public private partnership will enhance Idaho companies and customers globally.

IGEM funds are awarded to Idaho public research universities to partner with industry leaders on research projects geared toward commercialization. This fiscal year, the IGEM Council has awarded $820,240 for research on innovations that benefit Idaho and beyond.
OLYMPIA - The Washington State Fire Marshals Office is joining fire service agencies around the state in recognizing Home Fire Sprinkler Week.

The furnishings in your home can now burn faster and hotter than ever before. This is primarily due to the use of more synthetic materials in home furnishings and more open interior spaces. A fire in your home can grow quickly and become deadly in two minutes or less.

Home fire sprinkler systems respond quickly when a fire starts and begin spraying water on the fire while its still small. Only the sprinkler head closest to the fire will activate, spraying water on the fire and not the rest of the home. A single fire sprinkler head activation can control or put out a fire with 1/10th of the water that would be used by fire department hoses. This keeps heat, flames, toxic gases, and smoke from spreading rapidly throughout your home and gives your family the time to get outside safely.

Home fire sprinklers can be installed in new or existing homes. If you are remodeling or building a new home, just ask your contractor or builder to install home fire sprinklers.

For more information about Home Fire Sprinklers: https://www.wsp.wa.gov/fire-sprinklers/
The Southern Alps stretch along the length of the South Island of New Zealand. They are filled with craggy peaks, alpine meadows, glacial lakes and river crossings.

For Claire Lewinski, it was a chance to spend two months with her life stripped down to what she could carry in her backpack, a reprieve from the bright lights, blinding screens and the chaos of everyday life in Bozeman, Montana, where she was recovering from a traumatic brain injury.

In the winter of 2018, Lewinski, who is from McCall, Idaho, was a Montana State University student studying chemical engineering. She was going to school and working at Haven when she suffered a series of three concussions in four months.

The first was a car crash in November. But it wasnt until she ran into a bathroom shelf in the middle of a Tuesday afternoon in February that she said severe symptoms began.

After taking some time to recover, she went in March to celebrate with friends at a local bar. After realizing it wasnt the best place for a concussed person to be, she left. In an altercation with a drunk acquaintance, she was punched in the face  her third concussion.

Getting to the Southern Alps

It was the car crash and her first concussion that initially jolted her into committing to hike the Southern Alps, Lewinski said in a phone interview from New Zealand, where shes living now. A through-hike had been on her bucket list since she was a little girl.

I didnt think my head injury would be as damaging as it was, she said. I had to stop going to school, had to stop working, and I questioned my ability to do the hike.

Some of the first symptoms of Lewinskis brain injury were headaches and vestibular issues. Her vision didnt line up with her ears, causing each step she took to bounce, she said.

She also experienced aphasia, a language disorder, and she struggled to remember a lot of the words used in her chemical engineering classes. She had a hard time learning and would often read a page only to forget what it said.

I was overwhelmed by light and noise and emotions. I couldnt process emotions the same way I used to, she said. I would cry at everything. The sun felt nice and I would cry. I couldnt think the same way. I lost my personality. I existed as my brain could function.

Lewinski completed the spring semester of 2019 and began working again that summer to save up money for a New Zealand trip. But when she went back to school for the fall semester of 2019, she said she suffered a relapse. She experienced chronic fatigue and depression.

With a brain injury, theres a shortened battery of energy, she said.

Everyone has 10 spoons of energy they have for a day. For a normal person, youre whole morning routine is one spoon but for me it was like I got dressed and thats a spoon. If I took a shower that was a spoon and making food was another spoon, she said.

Lewinski decided to drop out in fall 2019.

But she was still committed to her New Zealand trip. After working with a cognitive and a physical therapist, they signed off on her backpacking trip with the support of a friend who went with her.

Hiking is really stripping your life to the bare necessities. You get up, you eat and then you walk for the entire day and its actually really healthy for the brain, she said. It was a simple life.

Lewinski said before through-hiking the Southern Alps, the longest backpacking trip she had done was three days.

It was incredible. I havent done anything like that before, she said.  Going from a three-day trip to two months was quite a big step.

The months backpacking removed a lot of the stress of everyday life and allowed her to focus on healing, she said.

Coming off the trail

Lewinksi said she still isnt completely recovered. She has to monitor her energy, certain lights or too much screen time still trigger headaches and background noises make it hard to focus on conversations.

I still think differently, she said. I would say thats one of the hardest parts because you lose yourself in a head injury and I dont think Ive felt stable in who I am in the years since that car accident.

Lewinski spent early 2020 on the Southern Alps trail and had planned to return to the United States shortly after completing the backpacking trip.

The day after I finished hiking, they declared a national lockdown for COVID, she said.

When New Zealand lifted its national lockdown in June 2020, COVID-19 was still circulating widely in the U.S. Lewinski decided to remain in a town north of Auckland and continued staying with a family who a friend had connected her to during the lockdown.

Although she said shes now built a community there, it was difficult at first to be on the other side of the world from everyone she knew while navigating life with a brain injury.

Its been hard because no one knows you and you dont know yourself and you dont have anyone there to confirm who you were before, she said. Its been an interesting identity-forming journey.

In the past year, Lewinski began slowly working again, eventually landing a full-time construction job. But she realized shortly after that she craved more mental stimulation. She signed up for a writing course and began working on a book.

Her book, I Need a Walk, is scheduled to be published in August. The pre-order campaign runs until the end of May.

Its another step on my healing journey, Lewinski said.  I did not hear about the concussion community until I was in it or understand what head injuries meant. It impacts your whole identity and your whole reality shifts. Im really excited to put that perspective in the world.
Watch the latest video at FoxNews.com By Bill O'Reilly There is no question that this verbal shootout at Hofstra University on Long Island is vital for President Obama. If he has another shaky performance the odds are he will lose the election. Let me back that up with some polling. According to the Rasmussen daily tracking poll, among likely voters, Mitt Romney now leads the President by two points. Also Gallup daily tracking has Romney up by four points, the largest lead the Governor has had in that poll. And the swing states are also trending toward Governor Romney. In New Hampshire, now a tie in the Suffolk poll; in Iowa according to the ARG poll it's also a tie. And in Pennsylvania, Quinnipiac says President Obama leads by four but he was up by 12 about three weeks ago. So you can see that all over the U.S.A., Mitt Romney is surging while the President is having problems. Thus, thus, tonight's debate takes on a huge importance as does its town hall format. There will be about 13 questions asked by the regular folks who were selected by the Gallup agency. The moderator CNN correspondent Candy Crowley will then ask follow-up questions. The candidates will have about six minutes to address each situation. Questions can be anything but they have been vetted. Miss Crowley knows what the questions are. Apparently nobody else does, we hope that's the case anyway. President Obama will most likely try to convince voters that Mitt Romney is simply blowing smoke. That he has no problem-solving capability. That's what I expect Barack Obama to do tonight, simply turn every question into this quote, "So what's Governor Romney going to do? He hasn't told us." Like Joe Biden the President will try to diminish the Governor. Romney should be prepared for that. And he should begin unfolding some specific plans to deal with the economy, and the chaos overseas. If Romney does not get more precise this evening, he will likely lose the debate. But even if the Governor stalemates the President, he wins. Barack Obama has to dominate the town hall or we may be looking at a new president. And that's "The Memo." - You can catch Bill O'Reilly's "Talking Points Memo" weeknights at 8 and 11 p.m. ET on the Fox News Channel and any time on foxnews.com/oreilly. Send your comments to: oreilly@foxnews.com. Transcript Show Name: O'Reilly Factor
Watch the latest video at FoxNews.com By Bill O'Reilly There were three central themes Tuesday night in Las Vegas. No. 1, Mitt Romney and Rick Perry don't like each other. No. 2, all the Republican candidates don't like Herman Cain's 999 tax plan. And no. 3, Anderson Cooper lost control at a key moment in the debate. Let's take them one by one. You may remember that Gov. Rick Perry lost some support when he told Americans that he opposes a border fence with Mexico and supports paying in-state college tuition for illegal aliens. Mr. Perry knows that hurt him, so Tuesday night he tried to turn things around by going after Mitt Romney on the illegal immigrant issue. (BEGIN VIDEO CLIP) RICK PERRY, GOP PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: Mitt, you lose all of your standing from my perspective because you hired illegals in your home and you knew about it for a year. And the idea that you stand here before us and talk about that you're strong on immigration is on its face the height of hypocrisy. ANDERSON COOPER, CNN ANCHOR: Gov. Romney? MITT ROMNEY, GOP PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: Rick, I don't think I have ever hired an illegal in my life and so I'm afraid -- I'm looking forward to finding your facts on that because that just doesn't PERRY: I'll tell you what the facts are. ROMNEY: Rick, again, Rick. PERRY: You had the - your newspaper, the newspaper. ROMNEY: I'm speaking. I'm speaking, I'm speaking. You get 30 seconds. This is the way the rules work here. I get 60 seconds. PERRY: Well, no but the American people want the truth. ROMNEY: And then you get 30 seconds to respond, right? Anderson. (END VIDEO CLIP) Before things got to that point, CNN's Anderson Cooper, the moderator, should have stepped in and allowed Romney to respond to Perry without interruption. Now, I understand that bickering is good television, but in a presidential debate there has to be a central authority or noise wins. It's not like a cable news program where sometimes you have to let the guests fly. Perry accused Romney of hypocrisy. Cooper should have provided Romney a moment to respond without chaos. When Romney finally did respond, he said this. (BEGIN VIDEO CLIP) ROMNEY: It's been a tough couple of debates for Rick, and I understand that, and so you're going to get -- you're going to get testy. You wrote an op-ed in the newspaper saying you're open to amnesty, that's no. 1. No. 2, we hired a lawn -- a lawn company to mow our lawn, and they had illegal immigrants that were working there. And when that was pointed out to us, we let them go, and we went to them and said PERRY: A year later? ROMNEY: You have a problem with allowing someone to finish speaking. And I suggest that if you want to become president of the United States you've got to let both people speak so, first, let me speak. (END VIDEO CLIP) The facts are these. After learning that his lawn mowing company in Massachusetts was using illegal labor, Gov. Romney told them not to hire illegals. They agreed, so he kept them on. Then they hired illegals again, so he fired them. The whole thing played out over a year. The Boston Globe broke the story. You can decide whether the issue has any relevance. Next up in the barrel is Herman Cain, who was pounded over his 999 tax proposal. (BEGIN VIDEO CLIP) PERRY: Go to New Hampshire where they don't have a sales tax, and you're fixing to give them one. They are not interested in 999. What they are interested in is flatter and fair. MICHELE BACHMANN, GOP PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: If we give Congress a nine percent sales tax, how long will it take a liberal president and a liberal Congress to run that up to maybe 90 percent? Who knows? RICK SANTORUM, GOP PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: The fact of the matter is, I mean, reports are now out that 84 percent of Americans would pay more taxes under his plan. RON PAUL, GOP PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: The worst part about it is it's regressive. A lot of people aren't paying any taxes, and I like that. I don't think that we should even things up by raising taxes. So it is a regressive tax. So it's very, very dangerous. ROMNEY: Will the people of Nevada not have to pay Nevada sales tax and in addition pay the nine percent tax? (END VIDEO CLIP) They would. The feds can't dictate what the states charge in sales tax, so the two have to be added together. For example, here in New York City the combined sales tax would be nearly 18 percent; even more on gas and other fuel. As for low-income folks, they would indeed pay a bit more. Before it was cut, the Social Security payroll tax was 6.2 percent. Cain would knock that out completely, along with the 1.5 percent Medicare tax. So low-income folks would pay about 1.3 percent more to the feds if the 9 percent individual flat tax was passed into law because that would be on everybody. Also, a 9 percent sales tax would hurt things like the fast food industry, clothing and non-essential items. Maybe the lower income tax rate would mitigate that, but in a weak economy 999 would be a gamble. However, Herman Cain is all-in. (BEGIN VIDEO CLIP) HERMAN CAIN, GOP PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: It is a jobs plan. It is revenue neutral. It does not raise taxes on those that are making the least. All of those are simply not true. The reason that my plan -- the reason that our plan is being attacked so much is because lobbyists, accountants, politicians, they don't want to throw out the current tax code and put in something that's simple and fair. They want to continue to be able to manipulate the American people with a 10 million word mess. Unfortunately, none of my distinguished colleagues who have attacked me up here tonight understand the plan. (END VIDEO CLIP) "Talking Points" understands it and wants the tax code revised, but 999 can be improved upon. It is a good start however. For the record, Cain would also knock out most tax deductions, leaving in only charitable contributions. The 18.4 percent federal gasoline tax would also be kept by Cain, along with taxes on booze, tobacco, guns, phone service and some other stuff. As always, you can decide the worthiness of Cain's plan. The debate Tuesday night was the liveliest yet -- a good thing -- and marks Rick Perry's return to the fray. The Texas governor took a bold, fresh approach, and it will be interesting to see if the folks will respond to it in a positive or negative way. The polls should provide an indication later this week. Mitt Romney maintained his status as the guy to beat, taking the heat and dishing back. Herman Cain lost some momentum, but that's to be expected. The guy was on fire for two weeks. Nobody could maintain that. The other candidates are the other candidates. We respect them, but they are long-shots with the primaries closing in. In order to compete in the presidential arena the candidates need big money, and that flows only to those who are perceived to have a good chance to win the nomination. Money, not lack of spirit, will narrow down the contest. And that's "The Memo." Pinheads & Patriots Four-year-old Cole, who lives on Long Island, received some bad news recently. (BEGIN VIDEO CLIP) HERMAN CAIN, GOP PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: So it will replace the corporate income tax, the personal income tax, the capital gains tax. UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Cole, we have to watch this Republican debate. We have to watch it. COLE: No! UNIDENTIFIED MALE: We have to. It's important. COLE: No! (END VIDEO CLIP) Can a 4-year-old be a pinhead? Yes, but in this case, not necessarily. You make the call on little Cole.  You can catch Bill O'Reilly's "Talking Points Memo" and "Pinheads & Patriots" weeknights at 8 and 11 p.m. ET on the Fox News Channel and any time on foxnews.com/oreilly. Send your comments to: oreilly@foxnews.com. Transcript Show Name: O'Reilly Factor
By Bill O'Reilly Like him or not, you have to accept that Donald Trump is now setting the political agenda in the USA. Think about that. Could anyone have predicted that Mr. Trump, a celebrity, would be driving the political discourse nine months before the presidential primaries? Stripping away all the BS, Trump's message is simple: America is in decline, we are not the country we used to be, and it is the fault of President Obama and the Democratic Party. That's it. That's his main theme. The beauty is everybody can understand it. The country's going downhill. It is a simple but powerful message. However, some in the Republican Party see danger ahead because Donald Trump is so bombastic. GOP intellectual Charles Krauthammer put it this way: (BEGIN VIDEO CLIP) CHARLES KRAUTHAMMER, CONSERVATIVE COLUMNIST: Trump is the Al Sharpton of the Republican Party: provocateur and clown, unserious. I think he's going to harm the party if he runs, for the same reason that Sharpton harmed the Democrats. (END VIDEO CLIP) After hearing that, Donald Trump picked up the phone and called Krauthammer: (BEGIN VIDEO CLIP) KRAUTHAMMER: When my secretary told me, I put on a helmet and a flak jacket as I answered the phone. I expected a tirade, which he would have had every right to do given what I have been saying about him. In fact, he was courteous, but very calm, and he made his case rather than sort of attacking everything I said about him. He simply made his case: "I'm a serious businessman, I'm a serious man and I'm a serious candidate." (END VIDEO CLIP) Charles wrote a column before that phone call that Trump is not a serious candidate and will not win the Republican nomination. "Talking Points" believes that like Patrick Buchanan, who won the New Hampshire primary in 1996, Donald Trump can have an impact on the primary vote. His populist message will appeal to Americans fed up with phony politicians, and there is no Republican candidate who will go after President Obama as hard as Trump will. That also has an appeal to some conservatives. So there is no question that Donald Trump has emerged as a political force in the country. He's eclipsing most of the Republican establishment candidates and injecting unbridled passion, and perhaps chaos, into the upcoming campaign. And that's "The Memo." Pinheads & Patriots Last week I got some flak for saying stuff like this: (BEGIN VIDEO CLIP) BILL O'REILLY: For America, we don't recognize this. We don't have royalty in this country. MARTHA MACCALLUM, FOX NEWS ANCHOR: Let me ask you this. How... O'REILLY: People like you try to foist it upon us. MACCALLUM: I'm not foisting anything upon anybody. But let me ask you this. If you heard that, you know, the royal family, that it was over, right, that they were not going to be supported anymore. O'REILLY: Yes. MACCALLUM: There's no more monarchy in Great Britain. It's over. O'REILLY: Yes. MACCALLUM: Would that dishearten you at all? O'REILLY: Only if Manchester United lost that night, all right? I couldn't care less about these dopey people in the carriage. (END VIDEO CLIP) So am I, your pal -- remember, I'm your pal -- a pinhead or a patriot for that assessment? Please vote on BillOReilly.com. Now, on Friday we brought you Reese Witherspoon: (BEGIN VIDEO CLIP) REESE WITHERSPOON, ACTRESS: I got to take a picture with Obama, and I'm pretty sure we're kind of like good friends. Because I, you know, like he waved at me, and he kind of winked, and my friend was like, "Oh my god, he winked at you." And then he hugged me and said, "Hi, Reese," and I was like, "Yes, I'm into it." (END VIDEO CLIP) Ms. Witherspoon is in that elephant movie. Sixty-four percent of you felt she was a pinhead for that and 36 percent patriotic.  You can catch Bill O'Reilly's "Talking Points Memo" and "Pinheads & Patriots" weeknights at 8 and 11 p.m. ET on the Fox News Channel and any time on foxnews.com/oreilly. Send your comments to: oreilly@foxnews.com. Transcript Show Name: O'Reilly Factor
Artificial Intelligence technology layer provides medics with diagnostic assistance by automatically interpreting X-rays in a few seconds

Fujifilm India has announced that FUJIFILM Corporation has introduced X-ray solutions augmented with qXR, Qure.ais computed aided radiology software application designed with deep-learning Artificial Intelligence (AI) technology.

According to Mumbai based Qure.ai, the AI will analyze X-ray images to detect abnormal findings within seconds. Fujifilms portable X-ray FDR Xair system are equipped with a new image processing box called Expansion Unit EX-Mobile enabling to connect with qXR software. It will assist clinicians and technicians by flagging abnormal findings at the point-of-care.

Qures peer-reviewed and proven chest X-ray interpretation technology, qXR can detect suspected abnormalities indicative of COVID-19, tuberculosis, lung cancer, misplaced catheters and multiple other radiological findings allowing for further review and confirmatory testing. The technology has been extensively trained on a global dataset and can be used for both adult as well as pediatric images.

Another significant advancement is that the combination of EX-Mobile with Fujifilms portable X-ray FDR Xair system will bring the benefit of Qures AI technology not only to hospitals, but also regions which are geographically distant from the cities and emergency critical care.

Furthermore, it will respond to the rapidly increasing global demand for support for effective lung procedures at medical sites, especially during the disease outbreaks.
When the vaccines are shipping globally, hackers use the weak links within the supply-chain units to further cripple the pharmaceutical industry

On the partly sunny, overcast day of June 27th, 2017, a mother of two reached her office in New Jersey, to read - "All networks and services are down. Do NOT turn on your computers. Remove all laptops from docking stations and keep them turned off. *No Exceptions*" - a handwritten sign in front of the glass doors greeted her. She proceeded to her desk to find her colleagues locked out of their systems, watching videos or playing candy crush on their cell phones. Every computer screen flashed a warning note in glowing letters: "Ooops, your important files are encrypted. We guarantee that you can recover all your files safely and easily. All you need to do is submit the payment ." Three years since this incident that is now famous as the NotPetya ransomware attack, Merck is currently staring at a loss of at least $1.3 billion. A data breach costs an average of $5.20 million in this sector. Add $370,000 more if the breach happens through a third party. However, the impact goes beyond the financial repercussions in this sector -- when drug research, production, supply, or sale stalls, lives are at stake.

Has this industry learned from past errors?

Case in point, in September 2020, Gavi, Vaccine Alliance's Cold Chain Equipment Optimization Platform, received an email from Haier Biomedical - "the world's only complete cold chain provider" - requesting familiar quotations. In the email, there were regular-looking HTML attachments that asked the recipient to enter specific credentials. Unfortunately, this was a spear-phishing campaign sent to select executives in sales, procurement, information technology, and finance. According to IBM X-Force's evaluation, this attack, spanning over six countries, was to harvest credentials to gain future unauthorized access to corporate networks and sensitive information.

In search of the path of least resistance, cyber attackers have recently hit gold by targeting the vast (and expanding) network of third-party suppliers, contractors, and vendors. The supply chain of pharmaceutical companies is a treasure trove of intellectual property, PHI, sensitive research, and a lot more. According to The 2020 State of Cybersecurity Report, a closer look at the sources of cyberattacks reveals 40% of security breaches were indirect, as threat actors target the supply chain ecosystem as the weakest link. This statistic remains relatively constant across industries.

What is the solution?

While most pharmaceutical businesses have been cautious about their cybersecurity posture, they are still not exempt from being one of the most targeted sectors of all. Upping cyber risks originating from a third or nth party starts with mapping their respective digital footprint. For the entire digital footprint of a third-party, a non-intrusive, outside-in risk assessment should be performed including the following:

Email Security: for DNS settings that identify and avoid incoming phishing/fraudulent emails

for DNS settings that identify and avoid incoming phishing/fraudulent emails DNS Security: for common unsecured configurations and vulnerabilities

for common unsecured configurations and vulnerabilities Application Security: for misconfigurations and vulnerabilities

for misconfigurations and vulnerabilities Network Security: for misconfigurations and vulnerabilities

for misconfigurations and vulnerabilities System Security: for insecure configuration

for insecure configuration Breach Exposure: for identification of inadvertent/intentional exposure of potentially sensitive information through a data breach of your vendor organization

for identification of inadvertent/intentional exposure of potentially sensitive information through a data breach of your vendor organization Compromised Systems: to detect systems and applications involved in malicious and/or unusual activity

to detect systems and applications involved in malicious and/or unusual activity Cyber Reputation: to identify threats that may damage an organization's brand reputation and eventually affect its revenue

An organization has an average of 5800 third-party vendors. In order to streamline their cybersecurity assessments, a standard operating procedure should be defined. Organizations should categorize their vendors into three tiers based on their size and the level of critical data access available to them. In descending order of cyber risks, Tier 1 vendors cybersecurity should be assessed in real-time, followed by Tier 2 vendors that should be assessed daily, and Tier 3 vendors should undergo weekly assessments.

Assuming that basic security practices of vendor inventory and certification are in place, the next step in third-party risk management for enterprises is to use digital business risk quantification to their advantage. Such platforms continuously run automated scans to monitor the real-time cyber risk posture of all their businesss critical third parties. To simplify the procedure, they can use a consistent risk metric such as their breach likelihood. Risks posed by an enterprises third party web are denoted as

Critical: Root-level compromise of servers or infrastructure devices with devastating consequences. High: Elevated privileges and significant data loss, or downtime, indicating high priority remediation Medium: Exploitation provides limited access but should not be ignored. Low: Very little impact and low priority security alarms. Informational: Security gaps that do not need immediate remediation.

The pharmaceutical industry is currently fighting a war with an invisible enemy. Cybercriminals are launching enterprise-level to nation-state espionage attacks leveraging both traditional and sophisticated means. Despite declaring a truce in the early phases of the pandemic, cyber attacks crippled this sector by targeting e-records through globally coordinated ransomware attacks. Later, during the vaccine research, CozyBear, Lazarus, APT29, Stone Panda, etc., have been notorious for targeting Asian pharmaceutical companies to pilfer Intellectual Property. Now, when the vaccines are shipping globally, hackers use the weak links within the supply-chain units to further cripple the pharmaceutical industry.

So with no signs of a slow down, businesses are undoubtedly leading efforts to shore up defenses to get ahead of the inevitable next attack. But much still needs to be done in relation to a business third party vendors and ecosystem which is akin to a friendly dark web. Friendly, since it knows an enterprise intimately and (often) has unfettered access to proprietary information. The dark web, because knowingly or unknowingly, an organizations third-party ecosystem can become a source of data leaks, exposures, and breaches. In order to be confident of the cybersecurity standards of third-party contractors in any business, one-time self-proclaimed questionnaire-based promise statements are not sufficient. In the words of James Harrington, author of The Innovation Systems Cycle, Measurement - of cyber risks - the first step that leads to control and eventually to improvement - can be a respite from the vicious cycle of breach and repeat.

Saket Bajoria, Vice President, Product Management & Customer Success, Americas, Safe Security, US
The Prism Awards has made the final selection for this year's 10 young professionals who have joined the 2021 panel of senior judges through the Young Voices initiative.

The Prism Young Voices initiative is aimed at giving young mavens in the industry the opportunity to apply and expand their knowledge in the field.Inaugurated in 2017, the Prism Young Voices initiative focuses on empowering and exposing young, zestful public relations and communication enthusiast through mentorship from industry leaders whilst also giving them an opportunity to be adjudicators on the Prism Awards panel. The young voices are given the opportunity to engage in various discussions and forums, which guide their decision-making process and add to their experience.The selection process was rigorously focused on choosing entrants who offer a different, but still relevant perspective on components of the industry. The official top 10 finalists are Bulelani Ngcauzele, Lebone Masombuka, Nqobile Hlubi, Bonolo Makena, Nompumelelo Mjikeliso, Yenzi Khuzwayo, Zimkhitha Nanto, Thando Xaba, Ntokozo Kalako Nwabisa and Nicole Picksley.The Public Relations Institute of Southern Africa (Prisa), the professional body of public relations and communication in southern Africa, has been persistent in enthusiastically endorsing the awards over the years. This deems the awards as pivotal in the industry, which magnifies the importance of the Prism Awards and its subsidiary programme, the Young Voices initiative, while denoting their relevance in the field.We are elated to have the 10 finalists join the 2021 Prism Awards and enthusiastically welcome them on this journey. The youth continue to be an integral part of growth and future proofing the public relations and communications industry, says Palesa Madumo, Prism Awards 2021 convenor.Follow this years Prism Young voices journey on Twitter @YoungVoices2021 #PRISMAwards21.The Prism Awards will take place virtually on 4 June 2021. For more information visit Prism-Awards.co.za
State of affairs addresses are not only hosted by and for local government. The South African potato industry recently hosted its very own State of the Potato Industry Address (Sopia), giving an overview of this vital sector and commodity.

Image by Author/ Dr Brylyne Chitsunge and Willie Jacobs.

Potatoes SA campaign to unpack position of potatoes during pandemic Called #WhenHopeWhispers, the campaign aims to highlight the indomitable spirit and contributions of various stakeholders from the potato industry before culminating in an inaugural State of the Potato Industry Address on 5 May 2021...

Female powerhouses praise potatoes

Image by Author/ Thabi Nkosi, agricultural economist of African Green Alpha.

The humble spud and Covid-19

This inaugural Potatoes South Africa (PSA) event was presented as a hybrid affair on 5 May 2021. A breakfast was hosted for media and industry role-players at the Woodhill Residential Estate and Country Club in Pretoria, which was also streamed live.Themed #WhenHopeWhispers, the initiative aimed to give a voice to the role-players (producers, distributors, informal and formal traders, and consumers) that continuously move the potato industry forward.Dr Brylyne Chitsunge, commercial farmer and Pan-African Parliaments (PAP) ambassador for food security in Africa, highlighted the role of the potato in ensuring food and nutrition security in South Africa.Dr Chitsunge said, as a crop that is relatively easy to propagate and has such high nutritional value, it is a crucial crop for small-scale and commercial farmers to produce. As a female farmer, she also emphasised the important role that women can play in driving food security in SA.The second guest speaker of the event was another female powerhouse  Thabi Nkosi, agricultural economist of African Green Alpha. She gave an overview of the production of potatoes in the country and emphasised that potatoes have the potential to become an even bigger commodity, such as maize.Although potatoes are the worlds fourth most significant food crop after maize, wheat and rice, its health benefits and ability to ensure food security means that the industry needs to expand even further, said Nkosi.Willie Jacobs, CEO of PSA, delivered the official SOPIA speech and discussed the impact that Covid-19 has had on the industry, and how potatoes could contribute to recovering from the pandemic.According to Jacobs, despite the chaos brought about by Covid-19, South African potato producers planted on approximately 51,000 hectares, produced a total crop of 2,6 million tons and delivered 263 million 10 kg bags of potatoes during 2020.Jacobs also emphasised how the humble spud could contribute to stronger immune systems and improve the nations resilience to the virus. Potatoes contain some vital nutrients such as potassium. In fact, they have more potassium than most fruit and vegetables. A 150 g serving of boiled or baked potato, with the skin on, will provide 710 mg of potassium.This little gem from the soil is also rich in other crucial immune-boosting nutrients, such as vitamins B6 and B9 (folate), copper, iron, magnesium, and zinc. It also contains other important minerals, including calcium, iodine, phosphorous and manganese.The industry is looking forward to next years SOPIA where role-players will hopefully have the opportunity of networking and convening face to face.For more information, contact PSA at 012 349 1906 or www.potatoes.co.za
Commodity trader and miner Glencore plans to restart operations at Mutanda - the world's biggest cobalt mine that also produces large amounts of copper - in the Democratic Republic of Congo next year, a source with direct knowledge of the matter told Reuters.

The logo of commodities trader Glencore is pictured in front of the company's headquarters in Baar, Switzerland, September 30, 2015. Reuters/Arnd Wiegmann/File Photo

Glencore, one of the world's largest copper producers and leading cobalt producer, said in February that the process to resume production at Mutanda was underway, but did not give a specific date.Copper is a vital material for the power and construction industries and it also features heavily in the raw materials mix for energy transition. Cobalt hydroxide is a key material for the fast-growing electric vehicle sector.With copper at record highs above $10,000 a tonne and cobalt metal up almost 40% to around $45,000 a tonne since the start of 2021, market focus has turned to Mutanda -- a facility that has been on care and maintenance since November 2019.Restarted output from Mutanda could help ease shortages in the copper and cobalt markets that analysts are expecting for next year, potentially capping further price gains.Mutanda produced 103,200 tonnes of copper and 25,100 tonnes of cobalt hydroxide in 2019 compared with 199,000 tonnes and 27,300 tonnes respectively in 2018. It has five copper production lines and three cobalt hydroxide lines.It is not known how many lines could be restarted over the next 12 months.The process of recruiting workers for the operation is ongoing, one source familiar with the matter said.Glencore's contribution to global copper supplies last year was nearly 1.3 million tonnes in a market estimated at around 24 million tonnes, while for cobalt the number was 27,400 tonnes or nearly 20% of the global total.Glencore chief executive, Ivan Glasenberg, decided in August 2019 to suspend Mutanda. He said falling cobalt prices, increased costs, and higher taxes had dented the mine's economic viability.However, since then significantly higher cobalt prices have made costs and taxes less of an issue.
Digital/ATL Art Director

Remuneration: MarketRelated Location: Cape Town Job level: JuniorMid Job policy: Employment Equity position Type: Permanent Reference: #DigADAckVEE Company: ninety9cents

Job description

Working in a team under the leadership of a Group Head and Creative Director to conceptualise and execute campaigns based on both client and internal briefs.

Present work imaginatively and confidently to clients and senior creatives.

Be skilled in design and conceptualisation.

Maintain exceptionally high standards for execution and attention to detail.

Collaborate and communicate well with the team and other departments.

Have an eternally positive disposition especially when the going gets rough

At least three years experience as an art director in a large/integrated Advertising Agency

At least three years previous experience in a high-volume environment

Demonstrated experience with social media design across various social media platforms

Strong skills in design software such as InDesign, Photoshop, Illustrator and After Effects non-negotiable

Figma will be a bonus

Knowledge of the digital landscape, specifically social platforms and its relevant features (Instagram, Facebook, Tiktok, etc) as well as ecommerce platforms

Has experience in basic animation/motion graphics and video editing

Understanding of UI/UX digital marketing best practices would be a bonus

Experience in digital and experiential advertising advantageous

Strong interpersonal skills; a team player, persuasive negotiator, positive and innovative thinker

Maintain high standards for execution and attention to detail

Highly motivated and a high level of initiative; ability to work independently, in support of the agencys creative goals and the clients business objectives

Requirements

Relevant tertiary qualification

Able to multi-task, work to tight deadlines, and follow agency process

Refined design aesthetic and meticulous eye for detail

Has an interest in fashion, culture and other lifestyle trends

Work ethic: Should be able to describe oneself as Committed, reliable, curious, self-motivated, flexible, adaptable, team player"

Flexible to work outside of normal working hours (overtime if and when required)

Prior experience on Workbook advantageous but not essential

Other: Drivers license with own vehicle

We are looking for a passionate digital and ATL art director with retail client experience, someone with the skill set to capture promotional excitement and breakthrough designs for multiple media platforms such as web banners, newsletters, social media and website elements. The successful applicant will be tasked to carry visual and conceptual skills from initial brief to final artwork.Our ideal candidate must have a keen eye for little and big details, work extremely well under pressure with quick deadlines, high work volume and demanding pitches. We want someone who is resourceful, a self-starter and a conceptual thinker. If you are all of the above and then some, have great communication skills, exceptional lay-out skills; know a thing or two about Art Direction in an Agency environment and plays well with others  we want to see your portfolio.Kindly attach your CV and portfolio - PDF/behance/web portfolio. If you have not received a response to your application within two weeks, please consider your application as unsuccessful. Applications from EE candidates will be considered with preference in compliance with the EE Act. Posted on 19 May 10:52
MW Digital Art Director

Remuneration: MarketRelated Location: Cape Town Job level: JuniorMid Job policy: Employment Equity position Type: Permanent Reference: #AckDigAD Company: ninety9cents

Job description

At least three years experience as an art director in a large/integrated Advertising Agency

At least three years previous experience in a high-volume environment

Demonstrated experience with social media design across various social media platforms

Strong skills in design software such as InDesign, Photoshop, Illustrator and After Effects non-negotiable

Figma will be a bonus

Knowledge of the digital landscape, specifically social platforms and its relevant features (Instagram, Facebook, Tiktok, etc) as well as ecommerce platforms

Has experience in basic animation/motion graphics & video editing

Experience in digital and experiential advertising advantageous

Strong interpersonal skills; a team player, persuasive negotiator, positive and innovative thinker

Maintain high standards for execution and attention to detail

Highly motivated and a high level of initiative; ability to work independently, in support of the agencys creative goals and the clients business objectives

Requirements

Relevant tertiary qualification

Able to multi-task, work to tight deadlines, and follow agency process

Refined design aesthetic and meticulous eye for detail

Has an interest in fashion, culture and other lifestyle trends

Work ethic: Should be able to describe oneself as Committed, reliable, curious, self-motivated, flexible, adaptable, team player"

Flexible to work outside of normal working hours (overtime if and when required)

Prior experience on Workbook advantageous but not essential

Other: Drivers license with own vehicle

Our Cape Town office is looking for awith a focus on retail advertising to join our Creative Team on one of our retail fashion clients.We are looking for a passionate Art Director with retail client experience, someone with the skill set to capture promotional excitement and breakthrough designs for a national retail fashion client. The successful applicant will be tasked to carry visual and conceptual skills from initial brief to final artwork.Our ideal candidate must have a keen eye for little and big details, work extremely well under pressure with quick deadlines, high work volume and demanding pitches. We want someone who is resourceful, a self-starter and a conceptual thinker. If you are all of the above and then some, have great communication skills, exceptional lay-out skills; know a thing or two about art direction in an agency environment and plays well with others  we want to see your portfolioInterested candidates must please submit a concise CV, link to Behance/Wixsite portfolio and salary expectation via our HR Platform. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted. Should you not hear from us within three weeks after submitting your application, please assume that your application has been unsuccessful. We remain committed to the principles of employment equity. Posted on 19 May 12:39
Junior ATL Art Director

Remuneration: MarketRelated Location: Cape Town Job level: Junior Job policy: Employment Equity position Type: Permanent Reference: #AckATLAD Company: ninety9cents

Job description

Working in a team under the leadership of a Group Head and Creative Director to conceptualise and execute campaigns based on both client and internal briefs.

Present work imaginatively and confidently to clients and senior creatives.

Be skilled in design and conceptualisation.

Maintain exceptionally high standards for execution and attention to detail.

Collaborate and communicate well with the team and other departments.

Have an eternally positive disposition especially when the going gets rough.

Relevant tertiary qualification

At least one years experience as an art director in a large/integrated Advertising Agency

At least one years previous experience in a high-volume environment

Demonstrated experience with social media design across various social media platform

Proficient in Adobe Creative Suite (InDesign and Photoshop) and After Effects

Knowledge of the digital landscape, specifically social platforms and its relevant features (Instagram, Facebook, Tiktok, etc) as well as ecommerce platform

Has experience in basic animation/motion graphics & video editing  will be a bonus, but not essential

Understanding of UI/UX digital marketing best practices  will be a bonus, but not essential

Experience in digital and experiential advertising advantageous

Strong interpersonal skills; a team player, persuasive negotiator, positive and innovative thinker

Maintain high standards for execution and attention to detail

Highly motivated and a high level of initiative; ability to work independently, in support of the agencys creative goals and the clients business objectives.

Able to multi-task, work to tight deadlines, and follow agency process

Refined design aesthetic and meticulous eye for detail

Has an interest in fashion, culture and other lifestyle trends

Work ethic: Should be able to describe oneself as Committed, reliable, curious, self-motivated, flexible, adaptable, team player"

Flexible to work outside of normal working hours (overtime if and when required)

Prior experience on Workbook will be advantageous, but not essential

Other: Drivers license with own vehicle

Our ideal candidate will join one of our larger creative teams looking after one of South Africas most-loved retail fashion brands crafting digital designs for multiple media platforms such as web banners, newsletters, social media and website elements.We are looking for an ambitious, drivento join our growing creative team. Our ideal candidate will have an eye for detail; love trends and have a passion for fashion, lifestyle and beauty.We are looking for a passionate Art Director with retail client experience, someone with the skill set to capture promotional excitement and breakthrough designs for a national retail fashion client. The successful applicant will be tasked to carry visual and conceptual skills from initial brief to final artwork.Our ideal candidate must have a keen eye for little and big details, work extremely well under pressure with quick deadlines, high work volume and demanding pitches. We want someone who is resourceful, a self-starter and a conceptual thinker. If you are all of the above and then some, have great communication skills, exceptional lay-out skills; know a thing or two about Art Direction in an Agency environment and plays well with others  we want to see your portfolio.Interested candidates must please submit a concise CV, link to Behance/Wixsite portfolio and salary expectation via our HR Platform. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted. Should you not hear from us within three weeks after submitting your application, please assume that your application has been unsuccessful. We remain committed to the principles of employment equity. Posted on 19 May 14:25
Johannesburg

Are you looking for a new opportunity in a world class technology environment? If so, a German Manufacturing business based in Midrand is looking for a Senior Java...
Leading fashion and lifestyle retailer TFG shared its strategy to revolutionise the omnichannel experience and transform into Africa's leading high-tech omnichannel retailer. "We are laying the foundations to become the largest, most reliable and most profitable e-commerce destination on the continent; via a simplified, customer-centric approach, aimed at maximising group scale, minimising duplication and cost, and leveraging our incredible assets," shared newly appointed co-chief omni officer Claude Hanan. The announcement came as part of the retailer's 2021 financial year-end presentation.
The U.S. Supreme Court unanimously protected Americans' Fourth Amendment rights against President Joe Biden's Administration in a new ruling, a report says.

The Blaze reported that the Supreme Court "unanimously sides against the Biden admin" in so far as the Fourth Amendment rights are concerned when it comes to the warrantless search of a person's home. The Blaze pointed out that the Supreme Court rejected the argument of Biden's Administration when it voted 9-0 on the case Caniglia v. Strom on Monday.

According to The Blaze, Biden's Administration urged the court to uphold the warrantless search done by local police on Edward Caniglia as legal. The police had used the 1973 "community caretaking exception" on the Fourth Amendment for warrant requirement as basis for confiscating the firearms in the home of Edward Caniglia in Rhode Island.

The 1973 Supreme Court case on "community caretaking functions" involved police officers confiscating a gun located in an impounded car even without warrant. However, the Supreme Court through one of its judges, Justice Clarence Thomas, pointed out in a majority opinion on the case that the "community caretaking functions" are limited to public places only and do not include private residences in its scope.

"What is reasonable for vehicles is different from what is reasonable for homes. Cady acknowledged as much, and this Court has repeatedly 'declined to expand the scope of...exceptions to the warrant requirement to permit warrantless entry into the home,'" Thomas said.

The Supreme Court said that the "unanimous decision" on the Caniglia v. Strom case was a reminder that "there is in fact no place like home."

"The Supreme Court released its opinion in Caniglia v. Strom, which unanimously held that a lower court's extension of Cady v. Dombrowski's 'community caretaking' exception into the home defied the logic and holding of Cady, as well as, violated the Fourth Amendment's warrant requirement," the SCOTUS Blog said.

"With the court's unanimity in Caniglia, the home remains the most sacred space under the Fourth Amendment; its sanctity literally houses its privilege. Sans warrant, exigency or consent, governmental search and seizure within it is unconstitutional," it stressed.

Caniglia, as per the SCOTUS Blog, had an argument with his wife in 2015 that led to him offering her one of his unloaded guns in an appeal to "put him out of his misery." The wife threatened to call 911 before leaving Caniglia to sleep in a nearby hotel overnight. When she returned, she called the police with a request to have her husband undergo a wellness check. Caniglia agreed to undergo the psychiatric evaluation with the police only after the officers agreed they will not take his guns.

However, the police deceived the couple for after Caniglia left, they entered their home and took the guns along with the ammunition. Caniglia then sued the officers who violated his Fourth Amendment rights but the 1st Circuit Court sided with the police on the basis of the 1973 "community caretaking" case.

A petition for a writ of certiorari was filed in August 10, 2020 on the case and discussions in the Supreme Court began in March 24 prior to the final opinion on the case being released on Monday.
In response to a lawsuit brought by past and current LGBT students seeking to rescind religious schools' exemptions from the Title IX discrimination law, a leading association of more than 180 Protestant colleges and universities has come to their defense.

In an effort to dispose of federal funds for university students who attend religious institutions that support biblical belief in marriage, gender and sexuality, the Council of Christian Colleges and Universities (CCCU) has tabled a motion to interfere in a lawsuit against the U.S. Department of Education, reports Christian Post.

The suit in question was filed on behalf of 33 previous and present LGBT students who felt discriminated against on 25 religious' campuses throughout the country, in March by an advocacy group called Religious Exemption Accountability Project (REAP).

Title IX of the Civil Rights Act prohibits discrimination on the basis of sex in education. Religious institutions that adhere to biblical definitions of marriage and sexuality may seek a religious exemption to allow them to follow their scriptural beliefs regarding sexuality.

The lawsuit aims to prevent students at faith-based institutions who adhere to conventional sexuality and gender beliefs from obtaining federal financial aid such as tuition grants, student loans, and other government aid.

The action is "frivolous" comments the CCCU.

The Washington, D.C.-based council claimed that "faith-based higher education has always been an essential element of the diversity of higher education in the United States - many of the first colleges and universities in the country were religious - and it is crucial that students continue to be given the opportunity to choose and access the college of their choice in a diverse educational landscape."

The majority of the plaintiffs in the complaint are past or current CCCU students. CCCU is an advocacy group with approximately 140 member schools in the United States, many of which hold to "sincerely held biblical beliefs, which include specific religious convictions around human sexuality and gender."

LGBT student clubs may not receive official university recognition, transgender students may not be placed in dorm rooms that correspond to their gender identification, and restrictions against same-sex sexual relationships may follow from policies based on those views.

Those schools, according to CCCU, are "transparent about their policies and behavior guidelines, which students voluntarily agree to when they choose to attend the institution." Many of CCCU's institutions have "core religious tenets that conflict with the Plaintiffs' understanding of Title IX."

"Campuses work hard to ensure that potential students understand their institution and its religious identity and want to be a part of that community," says the CCCU statement.

The removal of Title IX's religious exemption, according to CCCU's motion to intervene, represents an "existential threat to religious higher education." Furthermore, it states that it "will deprive religious colleges of the oxygen that gives them life by forbidding them, on pain of losing federal assistance for their students, from teaching and expecting adherence to their core religious beliefs."

CCCU's motion notes that as current concepts of sexuality and gender deviate, sometimes drastically, from the religious values that motivate every element of Christian campus life, the Title IX religious exemption has proved crucial to CCCU's member universities.

The motion to intervene also argues that the Biden administration is opposed to upholding Title IX religious exemptions and said the rights of religious colleges "will go unrepresented and, thus, unprotected."

"There is ample evidence that the current administration will not only fail to make the points necessary to defend Title IX's religious exemptions as applied to sexual and gender minorities, but it may also instead be openly hostile to them," it added.

Current and former students from Bob Jones University, Liberty University, Baylor University, Cedarville University, and Brigham Young University are among those represented in the REAP complaint.

According to REAP's website, "REAP's lawsuit asserts the constitutional and basic human rights of LGBTQ+ students, seeking to end the sexual, physical and psychological abuses perpetrated under the religious exemption to Title IX at thousands of federally funded schools, colleges and universities across America,"

The complaint alleged that such regulations at Christian schools resulted in the mistreatment and bullying of LGBT pupils. The CCCU, on the other hand, has refuted such allegations.

"While this lawsuit presents frivolous legal claims, the CCCU takes reports of student experience seriously," the CCCU said.

"We are committed to learning, growing, and deepening our understanding of how we can provide and strengthen support for all students on Christian college and university campuses, as CCCU institutions should be places where all students feel safe, supported, and welcome. We know the college experience can be stressful, and even more so for LGBTQ students who are working to understand how their sexual orientation or gender identity intersects with their personal faith."

In April, the Alliance Defending Freedom, a national religious liberty advocacy legal organization, filed a request to assist in the lawsuit on behalf of students at Corban University in Oregon, William Jessup University in California, and Phoenix Seminary in Arizona, in order to safeguard the universities' religious exemptions from Title IX.

In a statement, ADF Senior Counsel and Vice President of U.S. Litigation David Cortman stated, "This lawsuit [filed by REAP] wants the federal government to tell Christian schools, 'To continue accepting students who have federal financial aid, all you have to do is to start acting contrary to your own beliefs.' That's neither reasonable nor constitutional,"

CCCU claims that its member colleges can only "further their religious missions if they are able to teach and adhere to their doctrines without interference from the government."

"... [This litigation] threatens to suffocate religious higher education in America. For these reasons, combined with the fact that only religious colleges can fully understand the importance of the exemption and the current Administration's open hostility to the arguments necessary to fully defend the Title IX religious' exemption, CCCU is entitled to intervene as of right," as per CCCU's appeal.
HODEIDA, YEMEN  Ayesh Atta arranges rings of long, light yellow Jasmine flowers into necklaces to give to the protesters and passers-by of his Mina Street flower shop in the coastal city of Hodeida. In the past, the 34-year-old Ayesh preserved the flowers in an icebox to sell in distant markets for Eid al-Fitr at a substantial profit. Now, despite desperately needing money, hes decided to distribute the Jasmine necklaces for free to people who have taken to the streets in front of his shop in solidarity with the people of Palestine.

The Jasmine necklaces were one of the dozens of items adorning massive demonstrations in the streets of most major Yemeni cities in solidarity with the Occupied Palestinian Territories. Waving Palestinian and Yemeni flags, banners, and photos of resistance leaders, and hoisting Kalashnikovs in the air, demonstrators didnt seem deterred by the armed drones and military aircraft of the Saudi-led Coalition that hovered over the massive crowds.

The recent Israeli aggression against Palestinians in Jerusalem, the occupied West Bank, and Gaza came at the end of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan and in the wake of Israels forced expulsion of dozens of Palestinians from their homes in the Jerusalem neighborhood of Sheikh Jarrah. The timing of the move has agitated the Yemeni public, who share a strong sense of solidarity and kinship with the Palestinians on religious grounds and through a shared sense of brotherhood borne of having to endure violence and oppression with little support from the international community.

United Yemenis take the streets in solidarity

In Yemens capital city of Sanaa, hundreds of thousands of residents from the suburbs and neighboring towns gathered at Bab al-Yemen, the citys main square, carrying Palestinian flags and holding banners encouraging Hamas to continue its campaign of pressure against Israel. In Hodeida, hundreds of thousands of protesters took to the streets despite the ever-present threat of incoming artillery shells, snipers bullets, and Saudi warplanes hovering above.

The demonstrations, organized by the Ansar Allah (Houthis), also took place in Sanaa Province in northern Yemen, where hundreds of thousands rallied. Ibb, al-Jawf, Reimah, Dhamar, Amran, the northwest province of Hajjah, the central province of alMahweet, and Taiz overlooking the strait of Bab al-Mandab (which was closed in the 1973 war between Egypt and Israel by Yemeni forces supportive to Egyptian forces) also saw large mobilizations of protesters.

The protests drew crowds from across Yemens social and political divides. Military field commanders in the Yemeni missile force joined with the Left Party members alongside dozens of Palestinians, including representatives from Hamas.

Heroic retaliation

Many Yemenis see the Palestinian protests, as well as the barrages of Hamas rockets into Israel, as heroic retaliation on a par with their own resistance against the heavily armed Saudi-led Coalition. We shouldnt let Palestinians drink from the same cup [as we do]. So any Yemeni military intervention against Israel will make me happy and give me hope of an eventual victory, Ayesh said in the wake of Ansar Allahs announcement that Yemen is ready to provide military support to the Palestinian resistance.

Abdul Malik al-Houthi, the movements leader, announced Ansar Allahs stance on May 11:

We [Houthis] are making necessary preparations according to developments, meaning that a military intervention depends on current developments in all of Palestine Today in Palestine we [stand ready] to fight alongside you side by side and shoulder to shoulder with everything we have.

Admitting that Ansar Allah is closely coordinating with the Palestinian resistance, he also announced a fundraising campaign to gather donations for Palestinian people. The campaign has reportedly already been quite successful in gathering voluntary donations despite the dire humanitarian situation and economic crisis that plagues the country.

The move is not without precedent: three years ago, al-Houthi told Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah that 10,000 Yemeni fighters would unite with Hezbollah against Israel if it launched a war in Lebanon or Palestine. Thousands of Yemeni fighters have reportedly already been trained to fight on the border of the occupied Palestinian territories. In March 2020, al-Houthi announced an initiative to release five Saudi prisoners of war, including a fighter pilot, if Saudi Arabia agreed to free a number of Hamas members detained since April 2019. Hamas welcomed the initiative, saying, We highly appreciate the sympathy and brotherly spirit with Palestinians and the support for their resilience and resistance.

Hoping to turn the tide

Ansar Allah, which has enjoyed extraordinary grassroots success in staving off the wholesale invasion of their country by the U.S.-backed Saudi military, is eager to export their resistance mentality and battlefield knowledge to Palestine. They see the Palestinian struggle as part of a broader campaign to violate the sanctity of Muslims around the world and hope to turn the tide by supporting the Palestinian resistance to Israel through transfer of battlefield know-how, specifically the use of ballistic missiles and armed drones, to fight a highly-advanced enemy equipped with the latest Western weapons. Ansar Allah was able to leverage these neo-guerrilla tactics to inflict a painful toll on the Saudi-led Coalition and, many experts believe, force them to the negotiating table.

The Yemeni army, loyal to Ansar Allah, has reportedly now developed its arsenal of ballistic missiles and drones to a point where they are capable of hitting targets inside of Israel. At a military exhibition last March, Ansar Allah inaugurated new winged missile systems with a range of 2,000 kilometers, putting Israel well within striking distance. Of the missile systems unveiled at the exhibition was the Quds 2, named after the Arabic word for the city of Jerusalem.

Ansar Allahs threats should not be taken lightly; the group is known to strike sensitive targets without hesitation. Some of the newly unveiled missile systems were used to successfully strike Saudi Arabias state-owned Aramco oil facilities in Ras Tanura, an oil terminal in the far northeast of the Kingdom, far from Ansar Allahs seat of power in western Yemen.

Other home-brewed Ansar Allah missile systems, such as the Borkan 3, have been successful in accurately striking targets deep inside Saudi and United Arab Emirates territory, putting Israel well within reach of multiple types of Ansar Allah missiles. The Borkan is a modified Scud and was used for a strike on the King Khalid International Airport near Riyadh, more than 800 km from Yemens northern border. The missile was able to evade U.S. Patriot missile air-defense systems.

Now is the time

Signs of an imminent Israeli attack on Yemen seem closer than ever, according to statements by Israeli officials as reported by MintPress in January. Many Yemeni military experts who spoke with MintPress say that there is an increasing feeling within Ansar Allah that they should not wait for Israel to surprise them and that, if preemptive measures must be taken, now is the time to strike  both because of Israels ongoing violence against Palestinians and because the move could provide Ansar Allah much-needed support from the Arab world for its resistance against Israeli aggression, especially in light of the spate of highly unpopular normalization efforts between Israel and Arab governments.

The Ayesh family once ran a commercial horticulture operation cultivating jasmine in western Hodeida before it was partially destroyed by a Saudi double airstrike. He says the aggression against Palestinians should remind the world of the aggression that Yemenis have faced for years with support for the Saudis from the United States and Israel. On Friday, a number of civilians were killed in a Saudi airstrike on civilians preparing to protest Israels violence in Gaza.

To Ayesh and many Yemenis, it makes no difference if it happens in Gaza or in northern Yemen  both are subjected to constant bombing of populated areas with Western weapons and with little international media coverage.

Feature photo | Ansar Allah supporters hold weapons as they chant slogans during a protest against Israeli attacks on Palestinians in Gaza, in Sanaa, Yemen, May 17, 2021. Hani Mohammed | AP

Ahmed AbdulKareem is a Yemeni journalist based in Sanaa. He covers the war in Yemen for MintPress News as well as local Yemeni media.
(Support Free Thought) -

On Monday, disgraced former Seminole County tax collector Joel Greenberg, 37, pleaded guilty to a half-dozen charges including sex trafficking of a child. In his plea, he agreed to cooperate with federal investigators to give them information on others involved in the scheme which could include Republican congressman, Matt Gaetz, according to reports.

Greenberg has been under fire since last June when he was arrested on federal stalking charges. He allegedly stalked opponents, and made fake social media accounts in order to start rumors about his political opponent and paint the victim as a white supremacist.

At the time of the alleged crimes, ranging from March to November 2017, Greenberg knowingly recruited and solicited a minor to engage in sex acts, according to the indictment. The victim was between 14 and 17 years old, according to the federal indictment.

At the time, Greenberg denied any and all wrongdoing. What a difference a year makes.

We absolutely deny the allegations, Vincent Citro, Greenbergs defense attorney said at the time. The government will not be able to prove its case. We look forward to prevailing at trial.

On Friday, however, Greenberg admitted to authorities that he sexually trafficked a child under the age of 18 for he and his colleagues. He also admitted to providing the girl with illegal substances, according to the plea deal.

Greenberg was involved in what are sometimes referred to as sugar daddy relationships where he paid women for sex, but attempted to disguise the payments as school related expenses or other living expenses, the plea agreement stated. One of the individuals who Greenberg paid for commercial sex acts was a minor under the age of 18 for part of the time when Greenberg paid her to engage in commercial sex acts with him and others.

Though Greenbergs plea deal doesnt name the other colleagues who took part in the child sex trafficking, Greenbergs deal is contingent upon him cooperating fully with the investigation and prosecution of other persons and requires him to testify fully and truthfully before any federal court proceeding or federal grand jury in connection with the charges in this case and other matters.

Not only was this public official engaging in the trafficking of children for sex, he also pleaded guilty to federal charges of identity theft, stalking, wire fraud, and conspiracy to bribe a public official. He faces a minimum sentence of 12 years for the charges. However, it could be reduced after he rolls over on his fellow politicians who took part in the child sex trafficking.

As Law and Crime reports:

Securing Greenbergs cooperation has been widely viewed as a turning point for investigators in the Justice Department who have reportedly been investigating whether Gaetz also violated federal sex trafficking laws and had sex with the same minor girl. The probe has reportedly focused on whether the minor girl and other women were paid to travel and have sex with Gaetz and his cohorts in the Bahamas and whether the purpose of the trip was to illegally influence the congressman. Following the proceedings, Greenbergs attorney, who last month insinuated that an agreement between his client and prosecutors could be very damaging to Gaetz, indicated that Greenberg would provide investigators with any information they sought about the GOP lawmaker.

Bare bones plea agreement by Greenberg, but count 1, to which he pleads, is the sex trafficking of minors count. If their regular wingman relationship is as Greenberg claims & many Floridians attest, its a flat blueprint for charging Gaetz with same crime, a 10-year mandatory [minimum], former U.S. Attorney Harry Litman tweeted.

Gaetz flatly denies all the allegations and claims they are politically motivated. According to a spokesperson for Gaetz, Greenberg has no evidence to tie him to the case.

Politics aside, Greenberg, who was an elected official, admitted to these crimes and deserves to be held accountable.

It was included in the description of his elected position to be the final call on all taxes paid in Seminole County. Before he was arrested last year, while in his position as tax collector, Greenberg could walk into any business in his jurisdiction and order it closed for non-payment of taxes. He could order cars be booted and homes sold at auction.

He then used taxpayer funds from this job to bribe officials, stalk his victims, and sex traffic a child. This is a man who would have fit right in with the Jeffery Epstein click and likely would have been first in line on the plane to pedophile island.

What this case illustrates is the fact that child predators exist in every level of government, from the Prime Minister to the police officer, these predators often seek out position of authority as it grants them access to tools others do not have to carry out their sick desires.

Sadly, instead of addressing the problem of child sex trafficking among the politically elite, this case will be used by partisan hacks to make the other party look bad.
Facebook has taken down the Jerusalem Prayer Team (JPT) page, which was founded in 2002 and has over 75 million followers.

According to Michael "Mike" Evans Jr., who has been leading thousands to pray for Israel amid the conflict with Hamas, the FB page has been a target of radical Islamists.

"There was an organized attempt by radical Islamic organizations to achieve this objective. They posted over a million comments on our site, and then had people contact Facebook saying that they never posted to the site. That was a complete scam and fraud. It was a very clever, deceptive plan by Islamic radicals," he told CBN News.

The blow came in the heat of an ongoing war in Gaza between Israel and Hamas and other Islamic factions.

Evans has been leading tens of thousands of people in daily prayer for Israel and the present Middle East turmoil.

There were two types of assault, CBN noted.

The first step was to launch a direct effort to get the page removed from the internet.

Many postings on Facebook and YouTube urged people to report the JPT Facebook page to Facebook and put pressure on the social network to ban JPT"s page from its platform.

The second assault came in the form of a misinformation campaign claiming that Facebook established the JPT Page amid the present crisis and is pushing people to like it even if they do not want to.

Several videos with thousands of views, as well as Twitter posts, lauded the takedown of the JPT Facebook page.

The Jordanian hacker Ahmed Sale, dubbed "Bani Hashem Electronic Sagr," was reportedly able to shut down the "Jerusalem Prayer Team," a Facebook group with 76 million users supporting the Zionist movement.

One post stated: #Congratulations to all viewers. "This Jerusalem prayer Team of Yahodi (Jewish) page has been disabled/removed successfully from facebook."

In addition, a YouTube video questions JPT"s big Facebook following, implying that the number of likes was falsified.

According to JPT, they have requested that Facebook reinstate their page.

Facebook said that the process was "Complete" and that "These Pages were deleted by our system due to being not Policy Compliant. Sadly, we can't review appeals at this time due to a shortage in reviewers caused by the Coronavirus (Covid-19) outbreak. Since you are unable to access the Page, this means that the appealing is no longer an option. There"s no further action that we can take for these Pages. Please consider this decision final."

JPT hopes that this is merely a scripted response and not an official decision. The website still states that it is being reviewed.

CBN News has also contacted Facebook about the incident and inquired as to why the page was removed.

"Facebook got caught with its pants down," Evans said. "Facebook has been accused of being biased towards conservative media sources. This is a prime example of bias on steroids. It's, in my opinion, cyber terrorism based upon racism."

"I've contacted Senator friends, such as Lindsey Graham and Ted Cruz, my dear friend, former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, Jared Kushner, and dozens of other political leaders to assist me with this fraudulent scheme to damage our good work."

Evans flew to Israel this week to host a televised program at the Friends of Zion Museum media center in Jerusalem.

Several notable guests will make appearances on the televised program.

Actors Jon Voight and Pat Boone, Pastor Robert Jeffress, Pastor Jack Graham, Franklin Graham, Gov. Mike Huckabee, Paula White-Cain, former US Ambassador to Israel David Friedman, and others are among the participants.

"The event that I"m hosting in Jerusalem will be released to the global media to counter the lies at are being told about the war. Israel is indeed winning the war, but Israel is also losing the media war through secular leftist media that is believing the lies of radical Islam."

Evans headed to the Gaza border to see firsthand the war in which Hamas and other Islamic factions have launched roughly 4,000 rockets into southern and central Israel, as well as Tel Aviv and Jerusalem.


Borsa Italiana non ha responsabilita per il contenuto del sito a cui sta per accedere e non ha responsabilita per le informazioni contenute.

Accedendo a questo link, Borsa Italiana non intende sollecitare acquisti o offerte in alcun paese da parte di nessuno.

Sarai automaticamente diretto al link in cinque secondi.
We're always interested in hearing about news in our community. Let us know what's going on!

Submit Here
To build joint strength, solidarity for global fight against COVID-19

09:00, May 19, 2021 By He Yin ( People's Daily

A foreign student of Huaiyin Institute of Technology, Huai'an, east China's Jiangsu province is vaccinated at a mobile vaccination point, April 21, 2021. (People's Daily Online/Wang Hao)

When addressing the opening ceremony of the 73rd World Health Assembly on May 18, 2020, Chinese President Xi Jinping announced five major proposals of China to advance global anti-pandemic cooperation, calling on the global community to come together and work as one to build a global community of health for all.

His remarks reinforced the confidence of the world in achieving a final victory over the virus and exerted important positive impacts on advancing global anti-pandemic cooperation.

Over the past year, China has stayed committed to its philosophy of building a community with a shared future for mankind, actively implemented relevant initiatives, and been determined to work with the rest of the world to fight the pandemic.

Practices prove that to enhance solidarity and cooperation, and build a global community of health for all is the right path that leads to a victory over COVID-19.

It's still remembered that it was at a critical moment for mankind's fight against the virus that the 73rd World Health Assembly was convened. At that time, a few western countries were politicizing the virus and stigmatizing other countries. They put irresponsible blames on the World Health Organization (WHO) and undermined international cooperation in the fight against COVID-19.

At invitation, President Xi delivered a speech at the conference, and proposed to do everything possible for COVID-19 control and treatment. He said the WHO should lead the global response, and greater support must be provided for Africa. He also stressed to strengthen global governance in the area of public health, restore economic and social development, and strengthen international cooperation.

Sharing its epidemic control experiences at the conference, China has build joint strength and charted the course in global pandemic response, which fully showcased the country's sense of responsibility.

A year on, the philosophy of building a global community of health for all is even more impressive, and has become a volunteer choice for a number of countries.

The Chinese proposal to build a global community of health for all has demonstrated its value in the global fight against COVID-19, said Egyptian virologist Magdy Badran.

China's good faith is injecting strong confidence into the world in overcoming the virus. China is the first country to promise that COVID-19 vaccine would be made a global public product and make it a reality. It has worked actively with other G20 members to implement the Debt Service Suspension Initiative for the poorest countries. The Africa CDC headquarters aided by China has also started construction.

China's actions have effectively assisted global efforts in pandemic control and won positive evaluation from parties concerned. The country is providing vaccines for over 100 countries and international organizations, and conducting technology transfer and production cooperation with more than 10 developing countries including Egypt and the United Arab Emirates.

Recently, China's Sinopharm COVID-19 vaccine has been validated for emergency use by the WHO, and will soon join the COVID-19 Vaccines Global Access, or COVAX. "For many countries, Chinese vaccines were the only accessible ones," said Nature magazine in an recent article.

As the pandemic is still rampant around the world, solidarity and cooperation remain the most urgent task. So far, there have been 160 million confirmed COVID-19 cases and over 3.36 million deaths globally, and some countries are even trapped in "protracted wars."

Still, a few countries are worshipping vaccine nationalism and hoarding vaccines, which has posed severe threats against international cooperation on pandemic control. WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus recently stressed again the global cooperation is the only choice to end the pandemic.

"Mankind is a community with a shared future. Solidarity and cooperation is our most powerful weapon for defeating the virus," said President Xi.

As the 74th World Health Assembly approaches, all parties concerned shall join global cooperation and work together to protect the lives and health of the people of all countries. China, as it always has, will sincerely work with other countries and make new contributions to the building of a global community of health for all.

(Web editor: Hongyu, Du Mingming)
Former Vice President Mike Pence holds President Biden responsible for the present Middle East turmoil.

In an op-ed for the conservative publication National Review, Pence noted the progress toward Middle East peace gained during his tenure as vice president while criticizing Biden's policies.

"Israel is enduring the worst outbreak of violence in at least seven years," he said. "A direct result of the weakness shown by the Biden administration from its first day in office. Many Americans witnessing the recent bloodshed in Israel are perplexed by how quickly violence erupted after years of calm."

"The answer is that President Biden and congressional Democrats have abandoned unambiguous support for our ally Israel, emboldened our enemies, and turned their back on the policy that yielded historic peace deals in the Middle East," he argued.

The former vice president also referred to the Middle East peace treaties made by the Trump administration.

Back in September, Trump mediated while Israel negotiated peace treaties with the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain.

Former President Trump, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and UAE Deputy Supreme Commander Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed were present during the negotiation.

"This historic diplomatic breakthrough will advance peace in the Middle East region and is a testament to the bold diplomacy and vision of the three leaders and the courage of the United Arab Emirates and Israel to chart a new path that will unlock the great potential in the region," read a joint statement tweeted by Trump back then.

Pence noted that the "groundbreaking peace accords happened not in spite of America's support for Israel, but because of it. Other nations knew where America stood with absolute certainty."

"They knew America would respond forcefully if our citizens or allies were threatened. As a result, they responded rationally by pursuing peace and harmony," he continued.

Pence criticized Biden for reinstating more than $200 million funding to Palestinians and removing the Iran-backed Houthis off the list of designated terrorist groups while simultaneously attempting to re-establish the nuclear agreement with Iran's extremist leadership.

The former vice president claims that "President Biden has emboldened anti-Semitic terrorist groups such as Hamas by shunning Israeli leaders and restoring more than $200 million in aid to the Palestinians that had been canceled by the Trump-Pence administration."

"He unilaterally took the Iranian-backed Houthis off the list of designated terrorist organizations. And worst of all, he has announced his intention to rejoin the Iran nuclear deal, destabilizing the entire region," he added.

Pence next addressed the topic of Hamas, emphasizing his adamant opposition to any comparison between Israel and the terrorist organization.

"Every tepid statement uttered by the Biden-Harris administration is built on a false equivalency between Israel and Hamas," he said. "One is a sovereign nation with a legitimate government and a trusted ally. The other is an internationally recognized terrorist organization that has fired more than 3,000 rockets at Jewish families and businesses in the past week. There is no moral equivalency between Israel and the terrorist group Hamas."

Pence closed his piece by pleading with readers to pray for peace and unity.

"Americans should pray for the peace of Jerusalem and stand without apology for our most cherished ally, Israel until the violence is quelled and Israel's security is restored," he concluded.
To fight cultural Christianity, megachurch pastor Jonathan Stockstill has launched his first book, "The Real Jesus, Challenging What You Know About the Greatest Person Who Ever Lived."

Stockstill, presently Lead Pastor of the Bethany Church in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, was a Pastor's son and a ministry leader since age 17. Since 2011, through his efforts, five new Church Campuses have been established around Louisia. He also founded Bethany College and helped establish 3400 new Churches globally in collaboration with the Surge Project.

As he helped expand the church around the globe, he informed the Christian Post that he had written his new book "put the person of Jesus Christ back in the center of what it means to be a Christian."

"People commonly confuse their church attendance, spiritual habits and good deeds as a sufficient substitute for their own faith in and relationship with Jesus," he explained, "he added, emphasizing how he critiques religious rituals in his book.

Stockstill went on to say that his hope for "The Real Jesus" is that it will allow readers to see Jesus as He truly is and understand what it means to be a disciple.

In addition to being a preacher, the father of four is a renowned musician who has released more than ten albums. He wrote nearly 100 songs by the time he was 30.

In an edited transcript of his interview with The Christian Post, Stockstill discusses the distinctions between cultural Christianity and the biblical command to follow Christ.

When asked why he wrote The Real Jesus, he listed three reasons: restoring the person of Jesus Christ to the center of what it means to be a Christian, his personal encounter with God in October of 2007 that transformed his life permanently, and Jesus' command that says "if you love me, you will obey my commands."

"This book is all about the man, the model, and the message of Jesus Christ," he said.

On Western society's version of Jesus, he said that "the idea of Christianity has become a to-do list for many" whereas "Jesus just desires to know each of more intimately."

On why worshipping God is beneficial to a believer's relationship with Him, Stockstill pointed out that there are several occasions in the Bible when praise preceded a significant breakthrough.

"A Jesus-centered mentality has changed how I lead worship. When I lead in worship, I focus all my attention on Jesus. His presence follows," he added.

For those who don't not believe in real-life encounters with Jesus, he said that "it's human nature to doubt and play the 'what if' game. However, Jesus Himself said, 'Blessed are those who believe without seeing me.'"

He believes that intentionality is the key to building a" real, raw and relevant relationship" with God.

"We can't hear His voice unless we're close to Him and have removed ourselves from the things of this life. Until we are disciplined enough to create space for God, it's crazy to think that we'll know Him fully," he said.

Stockstill further said that being a follower of Christ implies that he receives all that God's Word promises through Him. He promised them that as His sons and daughters, they would never be abandoned since they are one with Him.
What's Included

With a Digital Only subscription, you'll receive unlimited access to our website and e-edition. Our digital products are available 24/7 and are accessible anywhere, anytime.

If you have any questions or need further assistance, please call our customer service team at 814-368-3173 or email nfinnerty@oleantimesherald.com.
WASHINGTON (AP)  President Joe Biden and House Republicans alike are revising history when asserting that the new administration set records in U.S. job creation  either the best ever or among the worst, depending on the vantage point. The truth is in between.

While jobs are steadily being added as the nation digs out from the coronavirus pandemic, the pace is far from being No. 1 among presidents, as Biden describes it. But neither is it the worst in decades, as Rep. Elise Stefanik, the newly elected no. 3 leader of House Republicans, asserted twice in recent days.

A look at the claims:

BIDEN: As a result of our prompt action to roll out the vaccine and boost the economy, weve gone from stagnation to an economy that is growing faster than it has in nearly 40 years. Weve gone from anemic job creation to a record of creation for more  for a new administration. None has ever created this many jobs in this timeframe.  remarks Monday.

THE FACTS: Not so fast.

He has created the most jobs in his first three months than any other president  about 1.5 million  but thats partly because the U.S. population is larger than in the past. When calculated as a percentage of the workforce, job growth under President Jimmy Carter increased more quickly from February through April 1977 than the same three months this year.

Since the late 1970s, the U.S. population has grown by more than 100 million people. In ignoring that, Biden picked up on a trait of his predecessor, Donald Trump, who bragged that the U.S. had the largest workforce ever under his presidency and glossed over the simple fact that there are far more people.

It's true, though, that the economy is growing rapidly  it expanded at a 6.4% annual rate in the first three months of the year  and is expected to grow this year at the fastest pace since 1984.

Bidens $1.9 trillion rescue package contributed to the vigorous growth but much of the expansion reflects a broader bounce-back from the unusually sharp pandemic recession, the deepest downturn since the 1930s. Even before Biden's package, for example, the International Monetary Fund was projecting U.S. growth of over 5% for this year.

Biden is also ignoring a disappointing jobs report for April, when just 266,000 jobs were gained, far fewer than expected. At that pace, it would take more than two years to regain the 8 million jobs that are still lost to the pandemic.



STEFANIK: In just over 100 days, we have an economic crisis ... we see the worst jobs report in over 20 years. Unemployment is up.  remarks Friday after being elected to the No. 3 House GOP leadership post that had belonged to Rep. Liz Cheney, who was stripped of the post after criticizing former President Donald Trump.

THE FACTS: Stefanik, R-N.Y., is way off in asserting that last month's job report was the worst in decades. It actually showed job gains, just not as many as were expected. And her suggestion that Biden's first 100 days produced an economic crisis is baseless.

In April 2020, the country lost 20.5 million jobs after much of the economy shuttered due to the coronavirus pandemic. That was by far the worst monthly loss on record.

In last months report, economists had predicted that about 1 million jobs would be added, compared with the actual 266,000 figure. Oxford Economics, a forecasting firm, called the miss in predictions for April one of the largest on record.

Thats clearly not the same as being the worst jobs report, as she put it. In fact, companies have added jobs for four straight months, according to the Labor Department.

Nor is it an economic crisis that the unemployment rate ticked up last month from 6% to 6.1%. Aprils increase is a sign that resumption of U.S. hiring has encouraged some Americans to look for jobs and seek a return to the workforce.

Most economists actually expect job growth to strengthen as more vaccinations are administered and trillions in government aid spread through the economy.



EDITOR'S NOTE  A look at the veracity of claims by political figures.



Find AP Fact Checks at http://apnews.com/APFactCheck

Follow @APFactCheck on Twitter: https://twitter.com/APFactCheck
WASHINGTON (AP)  Republicans trying to drive a wedge between Democrats and chip away at President Joe Bidens support are zeroing in on the violence in the Middle East, laying blame on his administration and aiming to make his liberal critics the face of the party heading into the midterm elections.

GOP Sens. Ted Cruz of Texas and Tom Cotton of Arkansas, both potential White House hopefuls in 2024, have focused in particular on Democratic Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez of New York and other progressives for criticizing Israel amid an escalating volley of missiles and airstrikes in Hamas-controlled Gaza that has killed hundreds of civilians over the last week.

The approach represents a new strategy for Republicans who have struggled to land consistent and effective criticism of Biden and his fellow Democrats during the opening months of his presidency. In focusing on the fighting in Gaza, the GOP is aiming to demonstrate staunch support for Israel, an issue of deep importance to many in the party's base. At the same time, Republicans are hoping to draw a contrast with Democrats and leave them appearing divided.

Cruz on Tuesday accused Ocasio-Cortez and other hard-left Democrats of regularly engaging in hateful antisemitic and anti-Israel rhetoric, and what theyre saying right now sounds more like theyre acting as press secretaries for Hamas terrorists than as members of the United States Congress defending American national security and the security of our allies.

The violence in the Middle East is unfolding at a time when Democratic views on key foreign policy issues are shifting.

Beyond Ocasio-Cortez, who has called Israel an apartheid state," and Democratic Rep. Ilhan Omar of Minnesota, who has labeled Israeli airstrikes terrorism, moderate Democrats have notably grown more willing to question Israeli policy, reflecting the changing views of the party's voters.

A Pew Research Center poll from 2018 showed a widening partisan gap in Middle East sympathies, with an overwhelming percentage of Republicans  79%  saying they sympathized more with Israel than Palestinians, versus just 6% who said they sympathized more with Palestinians. Among Democrats, 27% said they sympathized more with Israel, while 25% sympathized more with the Palestinians.

It was a dramatic change from 2001, when 50% of Republicans and 38% of Democrats sympathized more with Israel.

So far, Biden has taken a careful approach to the crisis, publicly expressing support for a cease-fire while privately encouraging Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and other top Israeli officials to wind down the bombardment of Gaza as the Israeli and Palestinian death tolls have mounted.

While he faced pressure from his left to take a more aggressive stance  including from Democrats on the House Foreign Affairs Committee, who sought to delay a $735 million arms sale to Israel  that pressure appeared to have subsided somewhat Tuesday. Among those who declined to criticize Biden were Sen. Bob Menendez, D-N.J., the chair of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, who said the administration was conducting robust behind-the-scenes diplomacy.

I trust their diplomacy will yield effective results, Menendez said.

The divisions have nonetheless caused headaches. In Nevada, the state partys treasurer resigned after its chairperson released a statement that accused the U.S. of too long turn(ing) a blind eye to injustice and violence committed by the Israeli government, the Las Vegas Review-Journal reported.

I have been taking a stand my entire life to stand with the people of Israel to live in peace and to be free of the constant and ongoing terrorism practiced by those who seek its destruction and the annihilation of the Jewish people, Howard Beckerman reportedly wrote in a letter to state party leaders.

Former Sen. Heidi Heitkamp, D-N.D., a moderate, said progressives calling for a tougher line against Israel are by far a minority voice in the Democratic Party.

Republicans are trying to exploit a minority position expressed by a minority number of Democrats, she said.

Rep. Josh Gottheimer, D-N.J., another moderate, said strong support for Israel remains the position of an overwhelming number of Democrats and called it shocking that some have been calling Israel a terrorist nation.

I find that particularly appalling," he said. In normal times," he added, their comments might have led to a censure resolution, but that's not happening because Democrats dont want to give more attention to the bomb throwers here in Congress.

Still, with the 2022 midterms well over a year away and the U.S. beginning to emerge from the pandemic, the long-term political implications of the violence are unclear. GOP pollster Glen Bolger noted that foreign policy issues rarely sway voters, especially so long before an election.

While Republicans have tried to paint Democrats as out of the mainstream, there are likely to be 20 more examples of things Republicans will be able to point to and say, Theyre too extreme, including domestic issues that voters tend to care more about, he said.

But David Winston, a pollster who advises congressional GOP leaders, said that with Democrats thin House and Senate majorities, their disagreements on this issue could potentially stop the policies their own president wants to put in place. It raises the question, Can you effectively govern?

Still, Winston argued the issue wasnt an effective one to use to attack Democrats, especially when it comes to gaining support from independents who are pivotal to winning congressional control and tend to care less about partisan finger-pointing than solutions.

They want to know how youre dealing with it, how youre going to make this work, he said.

Republicans, meanwhile, have tried to present a united front, echoing Trump's campaign trail attacks that Democrats hate Jews and have become the "anti-Israel party.

On Monday, more than a dozen GOP senators announced a resolution "reaffirming the United States unwavering commitment to our ally Israel and its right to take whatever means are necessary to stop the murder of its citizens and foreign nationals residing in Israel.

And Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., took to the Senate floor to call on Biden to remain strong against the growing voices within his own party that create false equivalence between terrorist aggressors and a responsible state defending itself.

The hand-wringing calls for a cease-fire are tantamount to Hamas propaganda. Both sides are not the same in this conflict, no matter what the Democrats naively imply, echoed Cotton.

Former Vice President Mike Pence, another Republican eyeing a presidential run in 2024, also focused on the issue, recording a video and penning an op-ed in the conservative National Review in which he blamed Biden for the violence, calling it "a direct result of the weakness shown by the Biden administration from its first day in office.

The fighting is the most intense since a 2014 war between Israel and Hamas. At least 213 Palestinians have been killed in airstrikes, including 61 children, according to the Gaza Health Ministry, and 12 people in Israel, including a 5-year-old boy, have been killed.

Rep. Brad Schneider, D-Ill., a moderate who voiced his support for Israel on the House floor last week, deflected questions Tuesday about whether Republicans could use progressives criticism to characterize Democrats as extremists.

The majority of Democrats in Congress and across the country continue to support Israel as a strong ally, he said. Schneider said Israel benefits when we have bipartisan support for Israel, and neither party is trying to use Israel as a wedge against the other party.



Associated Press writers Hannah Fingerhut, Steven Sloan and Lisa Mascaro in Washington contributed to this report.
Now that most young adults are eligible to get vaccinated in Manitoba, Assiniboine Community College officials are trying to incentivize students to get the shot through their new Armed for Fall contest.

Advertisement Advertise With Us

Now that most young adults are eligible to get vaccinated in Manitoba, Assiniboine Community College officials are trying to incentivize students to get the shot through their new "Armed for Fall" contest.

Any ACC student who has received at least their first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine by Sept. 6 can enter themselves into a draw to win a variety of prizes, according to a Tuesday news release from the college.

The contests grand prize is valued at a maximum of $4,000, which will be given to one lucky winner to cover tuition and course-related fees for their 2021-22 academic year.

Runner-up prizes include five $100 campus bookstore gift cards and 10 college swag packages. The draw for these prizes is set to take place on Sept. 20.

Tuesdays news release also specified that ACC officials adopted this idea from their fellow educators at the University of Lethbridge, who debuted their "Its Worth a Shot" campaign recently.

"Vaccines are an incredibly important response to our global fight against COVID-19," ACC president Mark Frison said in Tuesdays release. "We feel a pronounced responsibility to do our part as an organization to encourage vaccine uptake across Manitoba, and particularly among students."

Frison later told the Sun over the phone that facilitating vaccine uptake among the local student population is a high priority for ACC officials, since they want to be able to offer more in-person instruction next year instead of increasingly relying on remote learning.

After all, ACC prides itself on providing a hands-on approach to courses involving the trades, agriculture and nursing, which all require an in-person component.

"While Assiniboine has been one of the most face-to-face institutions in the country during this time, theres a real appetite among prospective students for even more face-to-face," Frison said.

"We had a number of deferrals last year for folks who wanted to wait for something more traditional  so vaccine uptake is the key variable to getting us closer to that."

ACC Students Association president Ashley Fordyce also endorsed the Armed for Fall contest on Tuesday, mentioning that it could help herald the return of in-person extra-curricular events next year.

"This effort requires all of us, and I truly believe that students can band together to make a difference at Assiniboine, and in Manitoba as a whole," she said in Tuesdays release.

Frison clarified that the ratio of in-person to remote learning at ACC has fluctuated throughout the last eight months.

At the start of the school year, the ACC president said that the school was trying to maintain a 60-40 split in terms of on-campus activity versus remote learning for a lot of its courses.

However, once the province was plunged into code red on Nov. 12, Frison said the ACC administration had to adapt to the increasingly strict public health restrictions, which meant some programs were only 20 per cent in-person and 80 per cent remote.

Right now, Frison said the administration is looking to establish another 60-40 split for the beginning of the 2021-22 school year.

"For us, the key variable there is the two metres of physical distancing," he said. "If the two metres of physical distancing cant be relaxed, then there just isnt enough physical space to get back to a traditional experience."

In this light, Frison hopes that the Armed for Fall contest does its job of convincing undecided students to get vaccinated in a timely manner, since that could bring the school one step closer to re-establishing some sense of normalcy in September.

"The best-case scenario, obviously, would be that the public health environment would be safe enough to allow the relaxing of those physical distancing provisions, with some other health and safety provisions overlaid," he said. "That would allow for a more traditional face-to-face experience in classrooms, shops and labs  something that students are anxious for."

Anyone interested in learning more about ACCs Armed for Fall contest can get that information by visiting assiniboine.net/ArmedForFall.

 kdarbyson@brandonsun.com

 Twitter: @KyleDarbyson
The City of Lubbock in Texas is at the center of a lawsuit filed by Planned Parenthood after the city declared itself a "sanctuary city for the unborn" through an ordinance that bans abortion. The ordinance, which vilifies abortion at all stages of pregnancy as "an act of murder," was passed with a vote of 62% in favor and 38% against.

According to the Washington Post, proponents of the "sanctuary city for the unborn" measure believed that "we fear God, view the intentional shedding of the blood of unborn children to be an inconceivably wicked action, and we believe that we all have a responsibility to protect the lives of the smallest and most vulnerable humans among us." Lubbock's Republican Sen. Charles Perry was among the signatories in a letter demanding that the measure be passed. The ordinance is set to go into effect on June 1.

Now, Planned Parenthood of Greater Texas Surgical Health Services is fighting back, filing a lawsuit in federal court on Monday against the city of Lubbock, Texas, the Christian Post reported.

According to the lawsuit, the "sanctuary city for the unborn" ordinance is "unconstitutional" because the measure "imposes substantial liability on anyone who procures, performs, aids, or abets an abortion in Lubbock, be it a doctor, nurse, relative, friend, or stranger."

Planned Parenthood claims that the ordinance prevents abortion providers from rendering their services in Lubbock and will "seriously impede access to abortion." The abortion provider claimed that the measure also "violates the constitutional right to abortion" and impedes their "mission to provide comprehensive reproductive health care" to women.

City officials responded to the Planned Parenthood lawsuit, promising to "vigorously defend this ordinance" in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Texas, Lubbock Division. The Lubbock ordinance that ensures a "sanctuary city for the unborn" bans abortions in most cases, except when the mother's life is in danger. It also gives any private citizen of Texas or a family member of a woman who had an abortion to sue the abortion provider or any individual who assisted in the process, Reuters reported.

Up to five abortion-related bills were approved by Texas legislature, including SB 8 or the Texas Heartbeat Act, which according to CBS News is on its way to Texas Governor Greg Abbott's desk for signature. While heartbeat bills have been passed in more than 10 other states, Texas' measure is unique as it does not allow a state or local government entity to enforce it. Instead, private citizens are given the right to file a case against abortion providers themselves, except the women who have the abortion.

"It is very encouraging that with the Texas Heartbeat Bill, you've seen Republicans and Democrats come together on this issue with bipartisan support," Texas Values' Jonathan Saenz commented. "If a heartbeat is detected, human life should be protected."

Lubbock's decision to become the nation's largest sanctuary city for the unborn was praised by many, one of whom is the evangelist Franklin Graham. The Reverend, who leads Samaritan's Purse, noted that the Texas city's decision is important considering the number of babies killed via abortion.

"Abortion is the number one killer. If it were anything else, we would be declaring a state of emergency, calling a press conference, or locking down. Thank you Lubbock and other cities that are taking this step to be a sanctuary for life. Let's support them, and let's work to defend life," Graham said in a Facebook post thanking Lubbock for the decision.
Residents in and around Wawanesa shouldnt be alarmed if they see crews working on the Souris River in town today.

Advertisement Advertise With Us

Residents in and around Wawanesa shouldnt be alarmed if they see crews working on the Souris River in town today.

Thats because energy company Enbridge is conducting an emergency response drill over the course of the day in the part of the river close to where Noton Crescent meets George Street.

The companys senior adviser of communication, David Coll, told the Sun by phone from the companys Calgary offices on Tuesday that the company has to carry out these drills every so often as a regulatory condition of operating the Line 3 replacement pipeline.

"Its an exercise to test our emergency response preparedness," he said. "This is something we do on a frequent basis all across North America, wherever we operate."

Line 3 was built in the 1960s, carrying oil from Edmonton to Superior, Wis. Much of the pipeline has or is being replaced with a new, larger-diameter pipe.

Anishinabe groups in Minnesota have protested the construction of the replacement, saying it violates their treaty rights and endangers their traditional territory, while Enbridge insists that the plans have been well studied and there is little risk of oil spills.

Coll said there will be a command centre and staging area set up in Wawanesa, along with a small boat in the water dragging around a containment boom to simulate efforts to contain an oil spill.

He made it clear that no harmful substances will be put in the river as part of the simulation.

"Theres no risk to the environment, public or waterways," Coll said. "Its really an essential safety-focused exercise."

To comply with public health orders, there will be six crews comprised of five people each so that proper physical distancing will occur. Each of the pods will communicate by radio and will cycle through different stations to get the full experience.

"During the exercise, residents can expect to see emergency response vehicles and personnel including trucks, booms and other equipment deployed to the scene," Coll said.

According to Coll, residents of Wawanesa should have received prior notice of the drills. He thanked the Oakland/Wawanesa Fire Department for door-knocking in nearby areas to get the word out ahead of time. Residents are asked to stay away during the drill for their safety and the safety of those conducting exercises.

"We want to thank them for their understanding," Coll said. "If they do come into contact with our personnel that are on site, (they) should follow their directions and respect any barriers marking the working area. Thats really just for the safety of the community as well as our personnel."

 cslark@brandonsun.com

 Twitter: @ColinSlark
The provincial government has closed Highway 5 between Carberry and Glenboro due to the nearby fire in the training area at CFB Shilo.

Advertisement Advertise With Us

The provincial government has closed Highway 5 between Carberry and Glenboro due to the nearby fire in the training area at CFB Shilo.

A fire bulletin put out by the province advises hikers to avoid the Spirit Sands Trails in the Carberry desert.

This satellite map shows the area that the fire near CFB Shilo has burned and how the fire has been spreading. (Submitted)

Hikers should avoid the area entirely during the current situation and should not ignore closed trail signs.

The fire is estimated to be at 3,600 hectares.

CFB Shilo put out its own update on the fire at 1 p.m. this afternoon saying that 15,000 hectares have been burned so far.

The fire department at the base, Manitoba Conservation, the Wawanesa Fire Department and the Carberry Fire Department are tackling the blaze together.

Extreme dry conditions, heat and high winds are complicating efforts to bring the fire under control.

A special air quality statement is still in effect for much of Westman because of the Shilo fire and another fire northeast of Dauphin.

People in areas affected by smoke are advised to limit outdoor activity and to turn off furnaces and air conditioning units that might draw smoke indoors.

Those suffering from COVID-19 symptoms may be especially sensitive to smoke.

 The Brandon Sun
A parliamentary inquiry will investigate how to regulate cryptocurrencies such as bitcoin, as part of a push to strengthen the local fintech sector and encourage financial innovation.

While some money managers say bitcoin is becoming a more mainstream financial asset, the countrys biggest banks remain deeply hesitant towards the fast-growing sector, in part because the lack of regulation makes it high risk.

A fintech inquiry will investigate how to regulate cryptocurrencies like bitcoin. Credit:Bloomberg

How crypto assets could be regulated, as is starting to occur in some countries overseas, will be explored by the Senates select committee on Australia as a technology and financial centre, chaired by NSW Liberal Senator Andrew Bragg.

An issues paper on Wednesday said the committee would look at the policy and legal backdrop facing cryptocurrencies in Australia compared with the approaches being taken in Canada, Singapore, the United Kingdom and the European Union.
Technology stocks and the big banks drove the Australian sharemarket higher as investors clawed back a sizable chunk of Wednesdays $41 billion decline.

The ASX 200 finished 1.3 per cent ahead at 7019.6 on Thursday and edged back in front for the week following its nosedive the previous session. Wall Street finished lower, but the release of US Fed reserve minutes fuelled a late-session recovery that swung the momentum in favour of the local bourse.

The ASX 200 added 1.3 per cent on Thursday. Credit:Michel O'Sullivan

EY partner and investment banking veteran Duncan Hogg said April jobs figures also appeared suitably soft for equities markets.

The unemployment rate dropped from 5.7 per cent to 5.5 per cent even after 31,000 decline in jobs for the month due to a fall in workforce participation. This perhaps eased investor fears that the RBA will need to intervene to cool off inflation brought on by a red-hot economy.

I think the market saw the jobless rate as a positive, given the dynamic in that the rate is low but there is still some softness there, Mr Hogg said.

It also does highlight that well do import quite a bit of highly skilled labour into Australia, which could weigh on peoples minds from an investment perspective going forward.

Commonwealth Bank led gains for the major lenders and added the most points to the index for the session, rising 3.2 per cent to a new record high close of $98.40.

Westpac was up 1.4 per cent, NAB 1.6 per cent, and ANZ gained 2 per cent.

Afterpay led the tech sector higher with a 7.7 per cent gain to $93.10.

Altium rose 6.6 per cent to $26.20, Xero gained 4.1 per cent to $122.12, Appen added another 4.9 per cent to $13.84, and Nermap was 5.1 per cent ahead at $1.74.

Nuix was the outlier, dropping 6.8 per cent to $3.41.

The mining titans BHP, Rio Tinto and Fortescue metals cooled off as iron ore prices softened with inflationary fears in America, a stronger US dollar and higher bond yields.

In overnight trade, the US Federal Reserve gave its first clue that it could begin to wind back its bond-buying program, flagging a potentially uncomfortable rise in inflation.

Australias listed travel agents were hammered after Qantas said it would cut the front-end commissions it pays them for selling tickets on its international flight from 5 per cent to 1 per cent.

Flight Centre fell 2.4 per cent to $14.93, Webjet was down 0.9 per cent to $4.66, and Helloworld was down 3.2 per cent to $1.65.

Qantas - which announced it would shed several hundred more jobs and impose a two-year wage freeze on staff to help recover from a $16b revenue hole - gained $3.5 per cent to $4.68.
Melbourne Fringe has welcomed as a game changer a new $1m fund from the Victorian government to commission new work for the festival.

Fringe CEO Simon Abrahams said the annual $250,000 for the next four years, to be announced in Thursdays state budget, would go directly to supporting the creation of new work by Victorias extraordinary independent artists.

Melbourne Fringe director Simon Abrahams with artist Nick Barlow, who performed for the 2020 festival Credit:Eddie Jim

It comes as the Fringe expands outside its traditional spring season, opening the Fringe Common Rooms at Trades Hall as a year-round venue, which will host artists who want to rehearse or develop work and stage regular events including live music, comedy, cabaret and dance parties.

Abrahams said he hoped to leverage the windfall and bring in another $1million from philanthropy, so the Fringe can remove the barriers that stand in the way of getting new work off the ground.
Good afternoon and thanks for reading our live coverage. Im Broede Carmody and Im signing off for the day.

If youre just joining us over the evening commute, here are some of todays top stories:

My colleague Michaela Whitbourn will be back on deck from 6.30am tomorrow morning. Have a lovely evening.
It is a bit like the difference between a Big Mac and a slow-cooked lamb. The MCG is like a juicy Big Mac, its instant gratification, its whos going to win in the next three hours. Whereas the library, as Paul Keating said, will do you slowly, its a delicious slow-cooked dish. In the audience were two former premiers, Ted Baillieu and John Brumby, library board member Maxine McKew (the former ABC journalist turned Labor MP), cricket journalist and author Gideon Haigh, who plays in Wylies South Yarra cricket team, and Naomi Robson, the former host of Today Tonight who now runs the media training firm Managing Your Message. When Wylie and Kate Torney, the chief executive he hired, undertook a charm offensive around town he was told by a friend that, Yes, she has charm and you are offensive. What is next? As foreshadowed by CBD, deputy president Christine Christian is set to replace Wylie if approved by the state cabinet. Wylie has been linked with making a play for Tabcorp, but if that doesnt work out there was one suggestion of a bold new vision: Wylie could take over the board of troubled Cricket Australia.

Loading Opera fight Tuesday nights opening night of Melbourne Operas Macbeth at Her Majestys Theatre went without a hitch. The surtitles worked perfectly (hello Opera Australia!) and, unlike rehearsals, no one got injured in the climactic sword fight. In attendance were former Midday Show host Mike Walsh, who now owns a string of theatres including Her Majestys Theatre, philanthropist Alastair Jackson, former host of 3MBS opera show, and Melbourne University professor of music Kerry Murphy. MOs patron-in-chief Lady Primrose Potter who personally sponsored the production, was front and centre, networking furiously as always. In contrast, the newest board member, Anastasia Fai Kogan, the Russian-born wife of online retail giant Ruslan Kogan, attended the performance but didnt make it to the after-party at the nearby Athenaeum Theatre.

The Melbourne Business School MBA who runs a digital production agency (and also has a Bachelor of Music), joined the board in July, as CBD revealed, when chair Michael Flemming realised the urgent need for the company to get their head around this internet thing. She had an immediate impact: the company has teamed up with the Melbourne Digital Concert Hall to stream its post-pandemic productions, and is about to boldly cross new frontiers with a virtual reality stream of Macbeth. Filmmaker Bruce Beresford, who directed the production, was relieved the production had no obvious problems (unlike Opera Australias production of Aida a fortnight before, MO managed to get its surtitles to work). And nobody got whacked in the fight scene. During rehearsals, one cast member injured a hand thanks to a wayward steel broadsword. Beresford made the wise decision to switch to aluminium swords: not authentic for 11th century Scotland, but much more likely to limit the nights casualties to those ordained by Shakespeares plot. Loading

Feds in agreement Recall the experience when Brighton MP James Newbury hosted a parliamentary event for Chanel Contos, the prominent consent education advocate? Liberal, Greens and independent MPs attended, but a miffed Labor caucus decided to boycott the event in favour of their own. Now an unlikely coalition of Federal MPs has clubbed together for a similar event on Thursday. Liberal MP Dave Sharma along with Labor frontbencher Kristina Keneally and Greens Senator Sarah Hanson-Young have invited their parliamentary colleagues to participate in an online forum with Contos discussing prevention and the prevalence of sexual assault. They do things differently in Canberra. The London-based 23-year-old trailblazer sparked a national reckoning with sexual consent by launching a schools sexual assault petition in March, revealing her own story of sexual assault when she was 13, and then started a petition encouraging other school students to share their own experiences with assault and consent. No doubt it might make for some uncomfortable  but important  listening for some Coalition members who still blanch at mentions of former Liberal staffer turned change agent Brittany Higgins, who was allegedly raped in Parliament and is now campaigning for better treatment of women in politics.

Pollie property boom Queensland MP Ross Vasta is the latest member of the federal political crowd to jump in on an east coast property boom. A one-time Italian restaurant owner and company director, the Liberal National has purchased an investment property in the upmarket suburb of Carina in Brisbane. In doing so, hes added to what is one of the more extensive of the political property portfolios. Vasta already owns a family home in Brisbanes Carindale, and investment properties in Manly in the same city as well as another property in Brisbanes CBD, which he controls with his wife Fang. The pair also own another investment property in Melbourne that is held through a superannuation trust. And in the same week, Victorias Andrews government unveiled a slew of new property taxes including a lift in land tax on investment properties  no doubt Vasta has some thoughts on the issue. But hes got good company among his Liberal National colleagues to toss around ideas on property investment. Fellow Queenslander Peter Dutton also made some changes to his own, rather extensive property portfolio this week. The Defence Minister nabbed $6 million offloading a beach house in Queenslands Palm Beach to a trio of Victorian developers including Michael Ferraro. And its been a busy year in property for the political heavyweight who moved from Home Affairs to Defence in the March reshuffle. He sold his family home in Camp Mountain outside Brisbane in March 2020, and upgraded to a hobby form in Dayboro  in the centre of his electorate of Dickson  in August of the same year. In addition, he still owns on Moreton Island, Spring Hill and a shopping centre in Townsville held in a family trust.
School children from across NSW walked into the Legislative Council on Wednesday for a date with the Education Minister.

They sat down with Sarah Mitchell before the inaugural Ministers Student Council to discuss an agenda that included mobile phones in schools, consent education, improving equity and resources for low-socioeconomic schools, and behaviour management.

NSW Education Minister Sarah Mitchell listens to members of the Ministers Student Council inside the Legislative Council on Wednesday. Credit:Kate Geraghty

The newly formed council, also known as DOVES (Department of Student Voices in Education and Schools), comprises 24 students  three from each of the eight regions across NSW to reflect the diversity of the state.

Nirvana Prasad, 16, from Girraween High School in western Sydney wants to foster more kindness in schooling through peer support groups.
Phone records and Australian Federal Police documents will be examined in the weeks before the defamation trial brought by Victoria Cross recipient Ben Roberts-Smith, as lawyers attempt to gather more information about potential contact with witnesses.

Mr Roberts-Smith, 42, is suing The Sydney Morning Herald, The Age and The Canberra Times over a series of stories published in 2018, which he says are defamatory because they portray him as someone who broke the moral and legal rules of military engagement and committed murder.

Suing for defamation: Ben Roberts-Smith pictured in 2015. Credit:Nikki Short

An estimated eight-week trial will start in the Federal Court in Sydney on June 7.

During a brief procedural mention on Wednesday, a registrar said Optus and Telstra have produced documents to the court after a subpoena was issued at the request of the media defendants.
The Prime Minister says the Queensland government has a list of questions from him regarding the proposed Toowoomba international quarantine facility, but they remain unanswered.

Scott Morrison also said the nearby Wellcamp Airport had not been used for international passenger planes and claimed the Toowoomba community did not support the quarantine proposal.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison speaking in Caboolture, north of Brisbane, on Tuesday. Credit:Dominic Lorrimer

They [the state government] wont tell us how much it costs, they wont tell us whether theyre going to run the facility, they wont tell us whether it will be in addition to bringing Australians home, so supplementing what has already been done, or is [it] to replace it, Mr Morrison told ABC Radio Brisbane on Tuesday afternoon.

These are the things weve been asking for ages.
The implications of the Supreme Court's decision to hear a controversial Mississippi abortion case that challenges Roe v. Wade are already being felt. Americans who are likely considering having an abortion but do not have access to abortion clinics in conservative states are taking to the internet to learn about the possibilities of self-induced abortion.

Internet search giant Google has found that searches for self-induced abortions have surged in the past day, when the Supreme Court announced it would decide if states can prohibit abortions after 15 weeks of pregnancy.

Data reviewed from Google Trends show an increase in searches for a number of abortion-related keywords in the U.S., specifically in states where access to abortion is challenging, or will be prohibited after the Supreme Court's decision, Forbes reported.

Such terms that saw a major spike in searches included abortion medication "misoprostol," which became popular in the state of Mississippi for the first time this year, and "medical abortion" which met Google's "breakout category," as the search term grew by over 5,000%.

These two search terms were the most popular in states such as Mississippi, Idaho, Arizona, Alabama, and Louisiana, which are also states where abortion accessibility is most difficult.

The term "self-induced abortion" also saw an increase in interest, specifically in Idaho. Americans were also looking to know more about plants that were linked to inducing miscarriages, such as red raspberry leaf that saw a 450% increase in searches, St. John's Wort that saw a 400% increase, Mugwort with a 200% increase, and black cohosh, which was also fell into a breakout category. These terms were most searched for in the states of Alaska, Utah, West Virginia and Arkansas.

According to the report, the terms "abortion pills online Amazon" had a 500% increase nationwide, but the data did not specify which states were searching for them the most. Google found a pattern in the recent year that showed an increase search for terms related to self-induced abortion such as "how to have a miscarriage," "self-induced abortion" and "home abortion" in states that do not provide easy access to abortion clinics. These terms were often found to be searched the most in Oklahoma, Mississippi and Louisiana.

On Monday, the conservative-leaning U.S. Supreme Court announced that it would agree to hear a case that would have grave implications on Roe v. Wade. The case involves a Misssippi measure that aims to prohibit abortions past the 15th week of pregnancy, about two months earlier than what Roe v. Wade allows. The Supreme Court is set to hear the case in their next term that begins in October and may announce a decision in spring or early summer next year.

"The Mississippi Legislature enacted this law consistent with the will of its constituents to promote women's health and preserve the dignity and sanctity of life," Republican attorney general for Mississippi Lynn Fitch said in a statement. "I remain committed to advocating for women and defending Mississippi's legal right to protect the unborn."
A 94-year-old NSW woman who went missing in South Brisbane on Wednesday has been found.

Fay Anthon went missing after she was last seen at a Crown Street residence in Holland Park West between 10am and 11am.

She was described as Caucasian, about 150 centimetres tall, of a slim build with grey hair.

Police said Ms Anthon was originally from NSW and might be seeking a way home.

On Wednesday afternoon, police said Ms Anthon had been located safe and well.
New data published by The Age and Sydney Morning Herald suggests about a third of Australians are hesitant about getting a COVID-19 vaccine. Thats a worry for all Australians, because eventually Australia will have to reopen its border to the world.

International travel, international tourists, and international students make Australia a better and more prosperous nation. Thousands of Australians are stranded overseas, at risk of being infected, and desperate to get back home.

Mass vaccination hubs, such as the one in the Melbourne Exhibition Building, are a key part of the program to protect Australians from COVID-19. Credit:Getty

Reopening the border relies on so-called herd immunity, which is achieved when a sufficient majority of the population is vaccinated so that the virus can no longer spread easily. But high levels of vaccine hesitancy make it virtually impossible to achieve herd immunity.

The federal government needs to do three things to inspire confidence in the vaccination program and to tackle vaccine hesitancy. Firstly, it has to lift its game. The vaccination rollout has so far been a train wreck.
The accused was not a credible witness and his explanation about the cannabis butter and what he did with it ... was far-fetched and fanciful, she said. She also found his evidence describing the Maxwell family as being unruly in the cafe that morning as not being supported by CCTV footage or evidence by the waitress working that day. Nathan Sharp outside court after the verdict. Credit:Heather McNeill Prosecutor Peter Gillett said the family had been heavily impacted, although he recognised the evidence suggested the offending was isolated and stupid. It really was a case of perhaps Mr Sharp making a poor decision, he said.

Its his entitlement to defend the charges, but it indicates ... a lack of remorse. Loading Mr Sharps lawyer Shash Nigam said Bada Bing cafe was a small, family-run business and his client had no intent to sell the cannabis brownies. He has suffered what can only be described as ... punishment in the sense that this has been in the media since hes been charged, he said. He also argued the prosecutors costs, which Mr Sharp must now pay, be reduced from the initial amount of $25,000, however Magistrate Dias found them reasonable.

Magistrate Dias said the public placed a level of trust in cafe owners to provide suitable food. The public should be able to attend a food establishment and not be served food containing drugs, but I accept you didnt have any intent to sell the cannabis brownies, she said. Mr Sharp, who has no prior record, was granted a spent conviction. Outside court he thanked his customers for their support and said he would be appealing the decision. The familys morning

Ms Hoysted and her husband ordered egg meals and coffee at the Woodlands cafe around 10am, while the children had milkshakes and brownies  which she helped finish as they played. Ms Hoysted ate nearly an entire brownie, as did Emily, 5, while her three-year-old son ate around one-third. Michael Maxwell and Sharon Hoysted leaving Perth Magistrates Court during the trial in February. Credit:Nine News Perth It was very relaxed, the kids were being good, Michael and I were reading the paper, she said. In the car on the way home, I noticed Tom was very tired, Emily was very relaxed in the car too. Shortly after arriving home, Ms Hoysted recalled hearing Emily make a blood-curdling scream, before her husband, Michael Maxwell, said they needed to go to the hospital because the child was having problems with her vision.

I panicked, she said. Michael doesnt often say we need to go to hospital or the doctor, especially for the kids, so when he said that I was really concerned. Ms Hoysted recalled while at Perth Childrens Hospital she began to feel paranoid and not normal, and was transferred to Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital. I honestly thought I was going mad, she said. She said she completely freaked out when she saw a mannequin in the hospital before assuming four security guards were there to take her away to a psychiatric hospital. After sleeping for a couple of hours, Ms Hoysted felt better. She gave a urine sample which tested positive for cannabis, which prompted hospital staff to suggest the rest of her family also be tested.

Her two children tested positive, while Mr Maxwell, who did not eat any brownie, tested negative. The police investigation WA Police investigated the incident as an unlawful wounding case and retrieved CCTV from the cafe on March 8, initially thinking someone not employed at the cafe had planted the brownie as a prank. Detective senior constable Ian Knapgate told the court Mr Sharp only became a suspect after he received a phone call from him later that day. He explained that hed already spoken to his wife about it and that hed received some cannabis butter a few months before and had made some brownies and one of them must have fallen off the fridge or the freezer and got mixed up with the ones they sell, he said.

Loading I told him to get legal advice and come in on Monday. In a formal police interview three days later, however, Mr Sharp refused to answer any questions. Police then attended the Maxwell family home, seized the brownie the father had bought afterward and tested it. Defence lawyer Tom Percy unsuccessfully objected to the phone call between Mr Sharp and police being admitted as evidence as Mr Sharp was not cautioned beforehand.
The results of the first tracking survey from the Resolve Political Monitor has found measures from the federal budget were generally well received, and didnt have any impact on the governments electoral chances.

It has also found Prime Minister Scott Morrisons rhetoric on the pandemic and keeping the borders shut is working for him. Closed borders are very popular, while a lot of Australians are not keen on being vaccinated against COVID-19.

On this episode of Please Explain, Tory Maguire is joined by chief political correspondent David Crowe and Resolve Strategic director Jim Reed to unpack the latest results from the Resolve Political Monitor.

Our supporters power our newsrooms and are critical for the sustainability of news coverage.
Labors foreign affairs spokeswoman Penny Wong has insisted she is not declaring an end to bipartisanship on China despite delivering a scathing speech accusing Prime Minister Scott Morrison of deliberately encouraging anxiety about a conflict with Beijing.

In her strongest comments yet on how the government has handled its relationship with China, Senator Wong said Mr Morrison and other senior members of his government were only concerned about securing a domestic political advantage in their public comments about the Asian superpower.

Senator Penny Wong during the launch of Peter Hartchers book, Red Zone: Chinas Challenge and Australias Future, at Old Parliament House on Wednesday. Credit:Alex Ellinghausen

But Senator Wong also declared China was flouting international law in the South China Sea and escalating its grey zone attacks throughout the region, saying the country under President Xi Jinping was demonstrably different from that which we have all seen in our lifetimes.

In her speech on Wednesday launching The Sydney Morning Heralds international editor Peter Hartchers new book, Red Zone, Senator Wong said Mr Morrisons political opportunism on foreign policy was unprecedented in Australian history.
We need to move beyond what Asia analyst Richard Maude calls the two fatalisms that so often characterise the China debate. First, the idea that Chinas rise is inevitable and immune to accountability, and we need to just get used to it. Second, that conflict is inevitable and we need to just get used to that. Loading Three weeks ago, on April 27, when Australians picked up the paper or turned on the radio, they heard the public servant responsible for our domestic security, Mike Pezzullo, beating the drums of war and claiming Australia must be prepared to send off, yet again, our warriors to fight. Pezzullos headline came days after Defence Minister Peter Dutton talked up the likelihood of war over Taiwan. Then Coalition MP George Christensen piled on, posting on Facebook that war is coming. It would take childlike naivety to think these interventions were a coincidence, or to think the Morrison government wasnt deliberately encouraging anxiety about conflict. But it would represent a monumental and catastrophic failure of leadership to see that anxiety realised. And not least for the 24 million people who live in Taiwan, and who deserve more than being discussed as a chess piece. Its Beijing that benefits from other countries thinking war is inevitable. As Natasha Kassam and Mark Harrison have warned, it allows the threat of war itself to be used as a political tactic.

Loading The people most responsible for keeping Australians safe were instead talking tough for political purposes  and providing Beijing with the leverage that comes with a sense of inevitability about crisis, conflict and war. It is worth remembering that the Biden-Harris Administration is very deliberately sticking to its policy of strategic ambiguity as the best way to maintain the status quo, while consolidating its diplomacy across the region to promote peace and security. On what basis is the Australian government sprinting ahead of that longstanding US position? The first job of national leaders is the safety of citizens. Leaders do not make us safe by beating the drums of war with China. Especially when they have presided over eight long years of disastrous failures to deliver the enhanced military, security and diplomatic capability that our strategic circumstances really do require. Large procurements  including Future Submarines, the largest in Australian history  are at least a decade behind schedule and well over budget. Australians dont want their leaders to bow to coercion. But neither do they expect their leaders to recklessly beat the drums of war. We need more strategy, less politics. Talk less, do more.

Managing Australias interests in our most complex strategic environment since World War II requires more than rhetoric. It demands a clear, confident and consistent assertion of who we are and our place in the region and the world. It was a prime minister in Australias Liberal government who thought President Xi would turn China into a democracy. It was this government that wanted an extradition deal with China  because it completely failed to understand the Chinese legal system. And now it is this government that beats drums of war. Naive one day, belligerent the next. There are two priorities. First, we need to manage our bilateral relationship with China in regional terms, and to be a more engaged regional partner. We need to contribute to what I have called a settling point between the United States and China. The stakes are too high for the great powers not to determine ways to reduce the risk of miscalculation. We want the great powers to avoid provocation, use high-level diplomacy to make clear their red lines on core national security interests; to compete as a matter of course in trade, investment, technology, foreign policy and human rights; and find space to co-operate where there is mutual benefit  especially on climate change and the pandemic.

Loading A Labor government would apply Australian diplomacy and statecraft to the outcome the nation, region and world need: a settling point on agreeable terms between our principal ally and our largest trading partner. We should also add more value to the alliance by being a partner of choice to other countries in the region. In part that means discouraging a dynamic of loyalty tests. As former Labor foreign affairs minister Gareth Evans has said: No state can afford to have its economy held ransom to a Washington loyalty test and none can afford to have its security held ransom to a Beijing loyalty test. We need to find and be consistent about points of potential co-operation with China. That includes climate change  one of the biggest issues for our region. Whether its cuts to development assistance or to our diplomatic capability, Australian soft power has been diminished precisely at the time we need it maximised.

Loading The second priority is better equipping our community, our Parliament and our democracy to deal with these challenges. With rising authoritarianism around the world, more than ever we need to invest in the health of our democracy and live up to our values at home. We know that political parties can be vectors for foreign interference, which is why Labor banned accepting foreign donations two years before the government finally banned them by law. We also wont be properly equipped until the government delivers a real cyber-security policy  one that treats our democratic institutions as critical infrastructure and protects against cyber-enabled foreign interference. But we also need more than laws . One suggestion put to me is to better fund Chinese language broadcasting on SBS and the ABC, so there is a greater plurality of Chinese media voices in this country. We need greater China literacy and Asia capability in Australia to inform and integrate our policy settings. And Chinese-Australians who have experienced rising racism and suspicion need greater leadership and protection. We dont have to submit to the two fatalisms  and its not in our interests to do so.
Queensland Health Minister Yvette DAth has asked the board of one of the states hospital and health services to argue why it should not be sacked over concerns about financial management.

Ms DAth issued a show cause notice to the North West Hospital and Health Service board.

Queensland Health Minister Yvette DAth has issued a show cause notice to the North West Hospital and Health Service board. Credit:Getty Images

She said concerns were raised around governance and financial management at the health service, which covers areas including Mount Isa and Cloncurry.

The action I have taken today asks the board to show cause as to why they should not be dismissed and an administrator appointed, she said.
This will be Victoria today as the State plunges into a crippling 24-hour strike.

Power cuts. No gas. All trams and trains at a standstill.

Take over request to Monk

First published in The Age on May 20, 1969

Tramway workers march towards the Commonwealth Industrial Court, supported by other striking workers, in support of Clarrie OShea. Credit:The Age Archvies

Other services hit include meat deliveries, and some private transport. But airline schedules will not be affected.

About a quarter of a million workers  including hotel and restaurant employees  from at least 27 trade unions have stopped work.

They are protesting at the continuing imprisonment of tramways union secretary Clarence OShea  gaoled on Thursday for contempt of the Commonwealth Industrial Court.

The ACTU has been asked to take control of the dispute which has caused two paralysing strikes in less than a week.
The Australian government, Olympic Committee and business sponsors face a tense 10 months grappling with the public and political backlash to the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics as calls grow for a diplomatic and commercial boycott of the Games.

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, one of the United States most powerful politicians, on Wednesday became the highest-profile figure to call for a diplomatic and commercial boycott, following a rising outcry from human rights groups and a global push by members of the Inter-Parliamentary Alliance on China.

Exile Tibetans use the Olympic Rings as a prop as they hold a street protest against the holding of 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing Credit:AP

We cannot proceed as if nothing is wrong about the Olympics going to China, Pelosi told a House of Representatives hearing on Wednesday following years of reports of human rights abuse in Xinjiang and the erosion of democracy in Hong Kong.

Pelosi said athletes should be allowed to compete, but hit out at Olympic corporate sponsors who look the other way on Chinas abuses out of concern for their bottom line. The Democrat House leader said heads of state should not attend the February Games.
Beijing: China has protested against the latest passage by a US Navy ship through the Taiwan Strait, calling it a provocation that undermined peace and stability in the region.

The US Navys 7th Fleet said that the guided missile destroyer USS Curtis Wilbur conducted a routine Taiwan Strait transit on Tuesday in accordance with international law. The passage demonstrates the US commitment to a free and open Indo-Pacific.

The United States military will continue to fly, sail, and operate anywhere international law allows, the Navy said in a statement.

A US Navy guided missile destroyer in the Taiwan Strait, December 30, 2020. Credit:AP

While the strait is in international waters, China claims self-governing Taiwan as its own territory and regards the US Navys presence in the area as a show of support for the islands democratic government.
Atheist author and professor Robert Dawkins was met with intense criticism when he declared that an unborn child who has Down syndrome or other "serious" disabilities should be aborted, saying that it would be a "wise and sensible" decision.

A tweet from 2014 by the "God Delusion" author was unearthed, in which he argued with a woman who was pregnant with a baby who had Down syndrome, writing, "Abort it and try again. It would be immoral to bring into the world if you have the choice."

Dawkins was confronted by RTE radio host Brendan O'Connor, who himself has a child who is afflicted with Down syndrome. The host asked, "You are speaking to someone who did bring someone like that into the world...why is it immoral not to abort it?"

Backtracking a little bit, the atheist said his 2014 tweet was "probably putting it a bit too strongly." Dawkins theorized that "the amount of suffering in the world probably does not go down, probably does go up, compared to having another child who doesn't have Down syndrome."

When pressed for evidence about the rate of suffering when bringing a child with Down syndrome versus bringing in a normal, healthy child, Dawkins backtracked and said he doesn't "know it for certain" but believes it is "plausible." He admitted, "I have no direct evidence."

Dawkins, who claims to know about the levels of happiness a parent with a child who has Down syndrome feels, admitted that he did not "intimately" know anyone who has the disease. He backtracked on his "immoral" statement and argued instead that it would be "wise and sensible" to abort babies with Down syndrome.

The atheist professor and author faced backlash on social media following the interview, with several Twitter users airing their displeasure over his comments while praising O'Connor's composure while speaking to Dawkins. Twitter user Aidan Gallagher wrote, "In one sentence Dawkins single handedly created more suffering in the world than the entire population of people with Down Syndrome. I can only pity him."

Joseph Johnson took to Twitter to react to Dawkins' controversial statements, saying, "There are plenty of neurotypical rapists and murders in this world. I have to think they've brought more suffering into the world than children with Down's Syndrome have."

The Christian Post reported that Right To Life UK spokesperson Catherine Robinson criticized Dawkins and his comments, calling him "horrific" for using his platform to "[display] such blatant disregard for the facts of life for people with Down's syndrome and other disabilities who, like all humans, are capable of living full and enriching lives."

"The evidence shows that children with Down's syndrome and their families are just as capable of happiness and fulfillment as the rest of society," Robinson argued in defense of families who have made the decision to raise children with Down syndrome. "It is sad that professor Dawkins cannot or will not acknowledge this."

Last month, the American Humanist Association (AHA) stripped Dawkins of his "Humanist of the Year" honor for repeatedly "demeaning marginalized groups under 'the guise of scientific discourse,'" Forbes reported.
Paris: Air France-KLM flew a biofuel-powered Airbus A350 from Paris to Montreal, demonstrating the airlines readiness to adopt low-emissions fuel despite deep industry divisions over the pace of its adoption.

Air France flight 342 took off from Charles de Gaulle airport on Tuesday (Wednesday AEST) with a 16 per cent mix of sustainable aviation fuel in its fuel tanks, produced in France by Total from used cooking oil.

Air France-KLM preparing its first long-haul flight with sustainable aviation fuel. Credit:AP

The flight signalled a shared ambition to decarbonise air transportation and to develop a SAF supply chain in France, the companies said in a joint statement with airport operator ADP .

Jet fuel produced from biomass or synthetically from renewable power has the potential to slash carbon emissions, albeit at a heavy cost by comparison to the price of kerosene.
London: Princess Beatrice, the granddaughter of Britains Queen Elizabeth who married Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi last year, is expecting a baby, Buckingham Palace said.

The baby, the first for Beatrice, the eldest daughter of Prince Andrew and Sarah, Duchess of York, and her property developer husband, is due to be born in the northern autumn.

Princess Beatrice and her then-fiance Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi, pictured in 2019. Credit:PA

The Queen has been informed and both families are delighted with the news, the Palace said in a statement.

The princess, the ninth in line to the throne, and her husband wed at Windsor Castle in July in a scaled-down private ceremony that took place without the usual pomp and fanfare that royal weddings usually attract because of COVID-19 restrictions.
Israels Iron Dome is a mobile defence system designed to take out short-range rockets fired up to 70 kilometres away, no matter the weather. It was brought in a decade ago with US funding help  a big-tech solution to the low-tech rockets built by Hamas in the streets and tunnels of Gaza, and one part of Israels sweeping security apparatus of surveillance drones and checkpoints that monitor the 2 million Palestinians blockaded inside Gaza.

The lights split apart the night sky over Israel and Gaza  rockets and answering interceptor missiles exploding overhead in a shower of sparks, like alien warships doing battle. The violence between Israel and Palestine is now the worst seen in years  air strikes from Israeli warplanes have killed hundreds of Palestinians in densely populated Gaza, while a barrage of rockets fired by Gazas militant group Hamas is testing Israels Iron Dome missile defence shield.

No. The dome is actually a roving group of batteries or equipment units  radars, computers and missile packs  on wheels. Radars listen for incoming rockets nearby and feed that data to the computers to analyse the rockets trajectory and model. If theyre headed for uninhabited land, the AI wont recommend taking a shot. But if a rocket is on course for people or property, then an interceptor missile will be fired to explode just in front of it, taking it out in the fireball. The units, including the interceptors, are moved around to cover more ground and keep their location secret.

Does it work? And has it changed the conflict?

Yes, and yes. Israel and the local companies who designed the dome claim its 90 per cent effective. While experts put that success rate at about 80 per cent, its still considered the most advanced low-range rocket shield in the world. The dome has largely lifted the shadow of Hamas rocket strikes from Israeli life as the conflict over the occupied territories stretches on. But it has not stopped Israel launching air strikes of its own on Gazas captive population.

In the current violence, people have been killed on both sides, including children. But, with fewer strikes making it through Israeli air space, Israels death toll is much lower. The number of Israelis killed and wounded would be far higher if it had not been for the Iron Dome system, said Lieutenant-Colonel Jonathan Conricus, an Israeli military spokesman.

What if you fire lots of rockets at once?
Washington: The US House of Representatives voted to create an independent commission to probe the deadly January 6 attack on the Capitol by supporters of former President Donald Trump, as a significant number of Republicans defied party leaders attempts to block it.

Over the past two days, House Republican Leader Kevin McCarthy and Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell worked to kill a bipartisan bill to establish the commission to investigate the violence that left five dead.

House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer.

The House voted 252-175 to approve the commission, which was styled after the September 11, 2001 panel that probed attacks on the United States. The bill now goes to the Senate where its future was unclear.

The solid number of Republicans voting for the independent investigation -- 35 out of 211 -- signalled some cracks in the partys defence of Trump on a key vote.
on Wednesday said it has donated Rs 1 crore to the State Authority from its CSR funds to fight the current pandemic.

Managing Director and CEO B Ramesh Babu handed over a demand draft to minister of electricity, prohibition and excise, government, Senthil Balaji, it said in a release.

The bank has also donated ten ambulances 2 for use in the plains and 8 for use in hilly regions to the Government of at a cost of Rs 1.77 crore. The bank has donated Rs 3.29 crore so far during the second wave of COVID-19 under Corporate Social Responsibility, it said.

* * * * * * Zaggle makes a foray into neo-banking space *



Fintech company Zaggle on Wednesday announced its entry into the neo-banking space through its group company ZikZuk.

It will address major challenges faced by SMEs, Zaggle said. The first product that is being launched is the Founders Card a credit card for SME owners under its group company ZikZuk.

The company is aiming to clock in a revenue of Rs 250 cr in the first one year of business, it said in a release.

(Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
The US government has removed a regulation proposed by former president Donald Trumps administration that sought to narrow the definition of specialty occupation under the H-1B visa regime. The change comes as a relief for Indian information technology firms, which are among the largest users of such visas.

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has formally vacated a regulation that would have redefined the H-1B specialty occupation, restricted off site placement of H-1B employees, and otherwise increased employer compliance obligations. The vacatur follows a federal court ruling that set aside the regulation because the agency did not have good cause to bypass notice and comment rulemaking, in violation of the Administrative Procedures Act, explained immigration law firm Fragomen.

On Tuesday, the legal immigration agency of the US, the US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), said the DHS issued a final rule that removes an interim final rule (IFR) issued in October 2020, which has since been vacated by a federal district court, from the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR).

The US Department of Labor IFR changed the manner in which it calculates prevailing wage rates and adjusted the prevailing wage percentiles for some levels of H-1B visa applicants.

The H-1B visas allow highly skilled foreign workers to travel to the US. It was in the eye of a storm since Trumps presidential campaign in 2016. As part of his Make America Great Again campaign his administration proposed several changes to the programme in order to restrict foreign workers from entering the US.





ALSO READ: Ahead of jobs miss, some Fed officials edged towards 'taper' debate

The DHS IFR concurrently made a number of changes to the H-1B visa programme, including revisions to the regulatory definitions of specialty occupation and the employer-employee relationship and reductions to the validity period for H-1B workers employed at third-party job sites from three years to one year, the industry body National Association of Software and Services (Nasscom) explained last year.



On December 1, 2020, the US District Court for the Northern District of California issued an order blocking two IFRs proposed by the DHS and labor department to restrict the ability of US to hire foreign-born employees on H-1B visas.

The DHS IFR was set to come into effect December 7, 2020, but did not, as a result of this ruling. The labor IFR is no longer in effect.

At the time, Nasscom had welcomed the courts decision and said it clearly recognises the importance of the high skill visa programs to the United States; and that the IFRs issued previously did not hold legal statute.

The reinstatement of status quo only confirms what a California litigation had achieved. For instance, many IT jobs were challenged as it was being said that they do not qualify as specialty occupation. But this, among other things, is now being formally put to rest, said Poorvi Chothani, founder and managing partner, LawQuest.

The labor department had also delayed a regulation that would raise prevailing H-1B and other visa wages from May 14, 2021, to November 14, 2022.

By reinstating the prior regulatory language, DHS is putting to rest the Trump-era regulation. However, the Biden administration may propose its own regulatory changes to the H-1B program in the future, said Fragomen in a note.
has won an order from the Rail to build a nine-kilometre underground stretch with four stations for an estimated cost of Rs 1,999 crore.

The project is part of the phase 2/corridor 3 of the Chennai and falls between Venugopal Nagar and Kellys Station, the company said on Wednesday without revealing the order value.

A source at the company said the project is for Rs 1,999 crore.

The work involves construction of the nine-kilometre twin bored tunnels, totalling 18 kilometres, from Venugopal Nagar to Kellys Station. The work has to be completed in four years.

It also involves construction of the diaphragm walls of the station box and entry/exit structures of the Madhavaram Milk Colony, Murari Hospital, Ayanavaram and Purasaiwakkam High Road stations, including launching and retrieval shafts as required at these stations.

Raman Kapil, vice-president and head of metros & tunnels business unit at Tata Projects, said they have received the letter of acceptance from the Chennai authorities.

Tata Project is also executing underground metro projects in Mumbai and Pune, and has completed Lucknow Metro's underground section.

operates through its four strategic business groups -- industrial systems, core infra, urban infra and services unit.

The company undertakes turnkey projects for power generation companies, power transmission and distribution systems, fully integrated rail and metro systems, commercial buildings and airports, and chemical plants, among others.

(Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
TCS, Indias largest IT services company, has an employee base of 488,649 and it is managing them remotely during the coronavirus pandemic. The company had an attrition rate of 7.2 per cent, one of the lowest in the industry.

The companys Annual Report for FY21 gives a glimpse of how the company is engaging with employees and getting new ones from campuses remotely.

The company retains talent by reskilling employees, incentivising them to stay on. The company has a programme called Elevate that links learning and careers. Over 138,000 associates have been on-boarded to this program.

As all its centres closed due to pandemic and employees worked at home, the company had a net hire of 40,185. More than 368,000 students from over 3,100 colleges attended the NQT. conducted around 100,000 virtual interviews pivoted the TCS NQT platform to a complete virtual mode.

A digital online onboarding model helped TCS to integrate associates hired across the globe. Its workforce includes 154 nationalities across 46 countries.

Milind Lakkad, CHRO of TCS, said in the report said that the companys sustained investments in talent development are paying off. Our talent development infrastructure is helping us align our planning with emerging customer requirements. So we are fulfilling most of the open positions requiring new technology skills using inhouse groomed candidates, and dont rely too much on lateral recruits, he said.

Lakkad added that more important than acquiring new talent is retaining the existing talent that the company has invested in, and groomed over the years. We continue to be the industry leader in talent retention, with our IT services attrition rate falling to an all-time low of 7.2 per cent this year, he said in the report.

TCS while giving an industry review said that the global market for IT services continues to be a highly fragmented one, with even the largest provider having a mid-single digit market share. TCS is among the largest IT services providers globally, with a market share of 1.6 per cent, and has significantly outperformed the market, growing at twice the rate of market growth over the last decade. This may be attributed to market share gains resulting from TCS customer-centric strategy and organization structure, focused investments in building superior capabilities, better execution resulting greater customer satisfaction, and steadily expanding participation in customers growth and transformation spends, said the Annual Report.

The report also highlighted that the global technology spends declined 3.2 per cent to about $1.4 trillion in 2020. Within that, IT services spending declined more, down 3.9 per cent, while Business Process Management declined by 2.4%. While the spending showed a decline on a full year basis, technology was center-stage in enterprises response to the pandemic-related lockdowns and thereafter. After the initial contraction due to dislocations, the need for business continuity, operational resilience and the switch to digital transactions drove strong demand for IT services over the rest of the year.
IT major on Wednesday said it expects to have access to about one lakh doses of COVID-19 vaccines for its employees and their families, beginning early June.

The Bengaluru-based company said it has partnered with top-tier hospitals and a tech-enabled online-to-offline delivery platform - which specialises in primary care and urgent response services - to provide COVID-19 vaccination support to its India-based employees.

"As part of this partnership, beginning early June, subject to availability, expects to have access to a total of 1,00,000 doses of three vaccines Covishield, Covaxin and Sputnik V -- as the first tranche for the exclusive use of our employees and their dependents (spouse and children)," said in a statement.

The objective is to ensure vaccination for all its employees at the earliest, it added.

"Given the severity of the second wave of the pandemic, the importance of vaccination cannot be emphasised enough...Vaccination services will be provided free of charge and will be administered both at our campuses and at partner hospitals around the country," it said.

While Wipro did not name the partner hospitals, it said these organisations together have a presence in over 140 locations across the country.

As India reels under the impact of the deadly second wave of coronavirus infections, several states had witnessed a shortage of medical oxygen, beds and other resources. Organisations across the spectrum have come forward to support the relief efforts.

Efforts to ramp up vaccination are also underway. India has so far administered over 18 crore jabs to eligible beneficiaries.

E-commerce major Amazon said its US business is sending critical medical equipment worth over USD 5 million to support hospitals and other COVID care facilities across India.

It said critical life-saving equipment, including 82 anaesthesia ventilators, 1238 BiPAP machines and 60 ventilators have already reached India, and the medical equipment will be given to Amazon's on-the-ground community partners such as the American India Foundation, ACT Grants and Swasth, who will distribute to verified hospitals and non-profit organisations across the country.

Additionally, Amazon is donating transportation services to the American non-profit organisation - India Association of Western Washington - and working to support the US Chamber of Commerce Foundation and other US non-profit organisations to help get medical supplies to India.

Software major SAP said a consignment (worth about Rs 10 crore) from SAP Germany consisting of ventilators, respiratory humidifiers and the full-face mask was handed over to Karnataka's Department of Health on May 18.

SAP is working with the district collector of Rural Bengaluru to strengthen the healthcare and public health systems in 4 taluks. The company has also been mobilising 50 Oxygen Concentrators for four taluk Hospitals.

Further, it has created make-shift hospitals, which would extend critical care unit with 100 beds, in Doddaballapura. In collaboration with partner hospitals and hotels, a COVID Care Centre will go live soon.

SAP employees and their immediate eligible families will have access to vaccination at the SAP Labs India campus once the vaccination supplies begin.

SAP Labs India colleagues are also volunteering for the Karnataka Government's COVID War Room and contributing to creating applications to help run the war rooms. Its teams also supporting the Indo German Chamber of Commerce (IGCC) and its 4,500 members by leveraging SAP Jam to build a marketplace to exchange COVID resources among member companies, a statement said.

Hewlett Packard Enterprise (HPE) said it has worked with Apollo Hospitals to set up 45 isolation beds across Bengaluru, Chennai, Delhi-NCR and Mumbai.

HPE is also in the process of setting up an 80-bed isolation centre that will include critical care facilities in Bengaluru and Chennai. These centres will entail converting large hotels into COVID-19 care facilities equipped with oxygen beds and limited Intensive Care Units and will be staffed around the clock by doctors, nurses and paramedics.

The company has procured oxygen concentrators and is working to get these deployed through paramedic staff to employees across Bengaluru, Chennai, Gurugram and Mumbai.

Mitron TV, a homegrown short-format video app, said it has got on board the National President of Indian Medical Association (IMA) J A Jayalal to address questions related to COVID-19.

DesignTech Systems said it has launched a free augmented reality-based app for COVID-19 patients and families to set up an oxygen cylinder at home. The app - available for Android and iOS devices - will provide detailed visual step-by-step instructions to install and administer the oxygen.

Robin Hood Army (RHA) has started a WhatsApp-based service to help senior citizens easily seek support and get connected to a volunteer who can help them with the vaccination process. The WhatsApp chat-bot also guides volunteers who want to come forward to join RHA, share surplus food or volunteer with the senior patrol.

CloseAPP - a hyperlocal social app created by Roposo founder Mayank Bhangadia and Harsha Chhabra - has been launched to help people across the nation connect with one another within their location and get medical help in real-time.

The app helps users post their requirements on the app and also learn about the availability of plasma, oxygen, ICU beds, vaccines and ventilators around their location.

(Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
The Central government has approved setting up 22 new All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) so far under Pradhan Mantri Swasthya Suraksha Yojana (PMSSY) out of which six are already fully functional, informed the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare on Wednesday.

The ministry said out of the total 22 new AIIMS, six at Bhopal, Bhubaneswar, Jodhpur, Patna, Raipur and Rishikesh are already fully functional and in another seven AIIMS, OPD facility and classes have started while only classes have started in five more institutes.

The ministry also said that these have admirably responded to the challenge of the second wave by expanding bed capacities for treatment for moderate and severe COVID patients. "Starting from the second week of April 2021, more than 1,300 oxygen beds and about 530 ICU beds, dedicated for COVID treatment, have been added in these Institutions and the current availability of oxygen and ICU beds available for people is about 1,900 and 900 respectively," it said.

According to the health ministry, COVID treatment facilities have been started from at Raebareli and Gorakhpur during April-May, 2021 which has helped the State of Uttar Pradesh to proactively serve patients of remote districts like Fatehpur, Barabanki, Kaushambi, Pratapgarh, Sultanpur, Ambedkar Nagar, Basti, Sant Kabir Nagar, Maharajganj, Kushinagar, Deoria, Ballia, Mau and Azamgarh.

Currently, there are 1,925non-ICU oxygen beds and 908 ICU beds including ventilator are available in dedicated COVID beds in 12 new AIIMS.

"AIIMS Bhubaneswar has 295 non-ICU oxygen beds and 62 ICU beds including ventilator, AIIMS Bhopal 300 non-ICU oxygen beds and 200 ICU beds including ventilator, AIIMS Jodhpur has 120 non-ICU oxygen beds and 190 ICU beds including ventilator, AIIMS Patna 330 non-ICU oxygen beds and 60 ICU beds including ventilator, AIIMS Raipur 406 non-ICU oxygen beds and 81 ICU beds including ventilator, AIIMS Rishikesh non-150 ICU oxygen beds and 250 ICU beds including ventilator, AIIMS Mangalagiri 90 non-ICU oxygen beds and 10 ICU beds including ventilator, AIIMS Nagpur 125 non-ICU oxygen beds and 10 ICU beds including ventilator, AIIMS Raebareli 30 non-ICU oxygen beds and 20 ICU beds including ventilator, AIIMS Bathinda 45 non-ICU oxygen beds and 25 ICU beds including ventilator, AIIMS Bibinagar and AIIMS Gorakhpur only have 24 and 10 non-ICU oxygen beds respectively," the ministry said.

The ministry further said that the capacities of these new AIIMS to handle COVID cases are being reinforced by the government by way of allocations of additional equipment such as ventilators, oxygen concentrators, oxygen cylinders, besides other consumables such as N-95 masks, PPE kits and essential drugs which includes Favipiravir, Remdesivir and Tocilizumab.

The new regional AIIMS also delivered other critical non-COVID health services to COVID patients such as those requiring dialysis or those with serious heart ailments, pregnant women, and pediatric cases.

"AIIMS Raipur alone treated a total of 9664 COVID patients from March 2021 till May 17, 2021. The Institute has provided care to 362 COVID-positive women, helped 223 of them to have safe deliveries. Paediatric Care was provided to 402 COVID children. 898 COVID patients with severe heart ailments availed treatment while 272 patients were aided in their dialysis session," it said.

The ministry said the country is currently witnessing cases of mucormycosis being reported from different States.

"The condition is generally seen in people with a weakened immune system and those with Diabetes. Diabetes being a co-morbidity for COVID, the treatment of which requires use of steroids that modulates the body's immune response, the treatment for this rare infection is very complex," it said.

However, even for this condition, effective and high-quality treatment is being offered by the AIIMS at Raipur, Jodhpur, Patna, Rishikesh, Bhubaneswar and Bhopal, besides some others which are not yet fully functional, read the release.

PMSSY scheme was announced in August 2003 to address imbalances in the availability of tertiary care hospitals and improve medical education in the country.

(Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
The AAP on Wednesday alleged that the BJP and its government were more concerned about their image abroad than the children in India after the saffron party accused Delhi Chief Minister of serious violation of constitutional propriety with his remarks on Covid strain in

The two parties sparred after called the Indian envoy and conveyed to him its strong objections to the unfounded assertions by Kejriwal and External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar ticked off the Delhi chief minister, saying he does not speak for India and irresponsible comments from those who should know better can damage long-standing partnerships.

In his controversial tweet, Kejriwal had on Tuesday called for cancelling all air services with with immediate effect, saying a new strain of found there could reach Delhi and was very dangerous for children.

Meddling in foreign policy matters which is as per the Constitution of India is not a state subject amounts to serious violation of constitutional propriety, BJP spokesperson Gaurav Bhatia said.

He charged Kejriwal with seeking political mileage at the cost of India's image with his irresponsible tweet and said the Delhi chief minister keeps making hue and cry over one issue or another so that nobody questions him on his all-round failure in dealing with the Covid-19 pandemic in the city.

Kejriwal has presented his toolkit of spreading confusion and anarchy and seems to be competing with the Congress in propagating lies and destabilizing the country, Bhatia charged.

The fielded Deputy Chief Minister and Health Minister Satyendar Jain to defend Kejriwal.





ALSO READ: UP: Covid outlier or data fudger?

Vaccines would be available for the adults as well as children in the country, had our foreign ministry shown same swiftness in procuring vaccines from other countries, with which it has reacted to Kejriwal's statement, Sisodia said.

He said the BJP-led government needs to prioritise children, instead of playing politics and fixing its image abroad.

Jain too claimed there was a different strain of spreading in Singapore.

There are many strains of in India at present... Their presence is ascertained through genome sequencing. It is a different strain (in Singapore) indeed. Whether it is from Singapore, Delhi, America or London, what's important is that the strains are different, he told reporters.

Sisodia said, Kejriwal talked of Singapore strain and the children. The issue is not Singapore but safety of our children, he said.

ALSO READ: Covid vaccination to be deferred by 3 months after recovery: Centre

The deputy chief minister further alleged that the Centre had failed to act when scientists and doctors alerted about the London strain of COVID which has now led to large number of deaths in India. Chief Minister rightly notified two facts to the public- firstly, the development of new strain in Singapore and secondly how this strain might affect children and India needed to be careful, Sisodia said.

However, instead of preparing or taking any action on this important input, the Central government has shown condemnable behaviour by playing cheap politics of blame and lies, he alleged.

The Delhi unit of BJP slammed Sisodia saying he was indulging in melodrama to save Kejriwal from embarassment The denial by Singapore government has left CM shamed before the world and today tried to give the issue a melodramatic turn to save him from further embarrassment in Delhi, Delhi BJP spokesperson Praveen Shankar Kapoor said.

Sisodia, however, lashed out at the BJP for ridiculing Kejriwal.



ALSO READ: UK 'increasingly confident' that vaccines work against variant from India

It only indicates that party and and its central government are more worried about Singapore and how Singapore views us.They will not bring vaccines for children but worry about Singapore, he said.

Bhatia alleged the AAP government believes in the PPP model of publicity, cheap politics and panic as Kejriwal did not even try to verify before posting his controversial tweet.

In its statement, the Singapore foreign ministry said there is no Singapore variant and that the strain prevalent in many of the COVID-19 cases in recent weeks is the B.1.617.2 variant.

MEA Spokesperson Arindam Bagchi said the Indian High Commissioner conveyed to the Singapore government that the Delhi chief minister had no competence to comment on COVID variants.

After Kejriwal's tweet, Aviation Minister Hardeep Puri had reminded him that all international flights have been stopped since March 2020 and there isn't even an air bubble arrangement with Singapore.

Only a few flights are being operated between the two countries under Vande Bharat Mission to bring stranded Indians back, he added.

We are still keeping an eye on the situation. All precautions are being taken, Puri had noted.

(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.)
India on Wednesday reported a net reduction of 127,046 in active cases to take its count to 3,226,719. Indias share of global active cases now stands at 19.68 per cent (one in 5). The country is second among the most affected countries by active cases. On Wednesday, it added 267,334 cases to take its total caseload to 25,496,330. And, with 4,529 new fatalities, its Covid-19 reached 283,248, or 1.11 per cent of total confirmed infections.

Dear Reader,

Business Standard has always strived hard to provide up-to-date information and commentary on developments that are of interest to you and have wider political and economic implications for the country and the world. Your encouragement and constant feedback on how to improve our offering have only made our resolve and commitment to these ideals stronger. Even during these difficult times arising out of Covid-19, we continue to remain committed to keeping you informed and updated with credible news, authoritative views and incisive commentary on topical issues of relevance.

We, however, have a request.



As we battle the economic impact of the pandemic, we need your support even more, so that we can continue to offer you more quality content. Our subscription model has seen an encouraging response from many of you, who have subscribed to our online content. More subscription to our online content can only help us achieve the goals of offering you even better and more relevant content. We believe in free, fair and credible journalism. Your support through more subscriptions can help us practise the journalism to which we are committed.



Support quality journalism and subscribe to Business Standard.



Digital Editor
The government on Wednesday conveyed to the Indian High Commissioner its strong objection to Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal''s comments about a " variant" of COVID-19, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said.

MEA Spokesperson Arindam Bagchi said the Indian High Commissioner conveyed to the government that the Delhi chief minister has no competence to comment on COVID variants.

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said the Delhi Chief Minister does not speak for India.

"Singapore Government called in our High Commissioner today to convey strong objection to Delhi CM''s tweet on "Singapore variant". High Commissioner clarified that Delhi CM had no competence to pronounce on Covid variants or civil aviation policy," Bagchi tweeted.

Kejriwal on Tuesday called for cancelling all air services with Singapore with immediate effect, saying a strain of found in that country could reach Delhi in the form of a third wave.





ALSO READ: Stop flights from Singapore over new virus strain: Kejriwal requests Centre

"The new form of in Singapore is said to be very dangerous for children. It could reach Delhi in the form of a third wave. My appeal to the Central government: 1. Cancel all air services with Singapore with immediate effect 2. Work on vaccine alternatives for children on a priority basis," Kejriwal had said in a tweet in Hindi.

In its reaction, the Singapore health ministry said there was is no truth in the claim.

In a series of tweets on Wednesday, Jaishankar said Singapore and India have been solid partners in combating the pandemic and appreciated the country''s role as a logistics hub and oxygen supplier.

"Their gesture of deploying military aircraft to help us speaks of our exceptional relationship," Jaishankar said.

"However, irresponsible comments from those who should know better can damage long-standing partnerships. So, let me clarify- Delhi CM does not speak for India," he said.
A PIL to set aside the permission granted by the Drugs Controller General of India to Bharat Biotech for conducting the phase II/III clinical trial of its Covaxin COVID-19 vaccine on the 2-18 age group was heard on Wednesday by the which sought the Centre's stand.

A bench of Chief Justice D N Patel and Justice Jyoti Singh issued notice to the Centre and Bharat Biotech seeking their stand by July 15 on the petition.

The court declined to pass any interim order staying the permission, granted on May 12, for clinical trials as sought by the petitioner, Sanjeev Kumar.

The trial will be conducted on 525 healthy volunteers.

In the trial, the vaccine will be given by intramuscular route in two doses at day 0 and day 28.

Covaxin, which has been indigenously developed by Bharat Biotech in collaboration with the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), is being used on adults in India's ongoing COVID-19 vaccination drive.

(Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
A sessions court in Goa on Wednesday said it will pronounce the verdict in the on May 21.

The former Tehelka editor-in-chief is accused of



sexually assaulting a female colleague inside the elevator of



a luxury hotel in Goa in 2013.

The additional district court was to pronounce the



verdict on April 27 but judge Kshama Joshi had adjourned the



verdict to May 12. On May 12, it was further adjourned to May 19.

The court had earlier said the adjournment was due to lack of staff due to the coronavirus pandemic.

The Goa police registered an FIR against Tejpal in



November 2013 following which he was arrested.

Tejpal has been out on bail since May 2014. The Goa crime branch had filed a charge sheet against Tejpal.

He faced trial under IPC sections 341 (wrongful



restraint), 342 (wrongful confinement), 354 (assault or



criminal force with intent to outrage modesty), 354-A (sexual



harassment), 354-B (assault or use of criminal force to woman



with intent to disrobe), 376(2)(f) (person in position of



authority over women, committing rape) and 376(2)k) (rape by



person in position of control).

He had earlier moved the Bombay High Court, seeking a



stay on the framing of charges against him, but his petition



was dismissed.

(Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
The Union government has ordered an inquiry into the incident at Oil and Natural Gas Corporations Western Offshore site, off the Mumbai shore that led to at least 26 confirmed deaths. Fifty-five persons went missing and scores of others were stranded.

Though a committee with Amitabh Kumar, director general of shipping, SCL Das, directorate general of hydrocarbons and Nazil Jafri Shayin, joint secretary in the ministry of defence would look into the lapses that led to the incident, the question being raised is why so many persons were still at sea despite forecast of Tauktae.

The incident involved three construction barges of Afcons working on an project in the and one drilling rig owned by the PSU major deployed for exploration and production purposes. An spokesperson said the barges and the drilling rig were moved to safer locations as was the normal protocol, following the Indian Meteorological Departments warning of but there was a change in both the severity and the path of It, however, looks unlikely that a proper plan had been placed or else the emergency could have been averted.

This is not the first time that an incident at ONGCs offshore field has led to demand of fixing responsibility. A major fire accident occurred on Mumbai High North (MHN) processing platform at 4.05 p.m. on July 27, 2005 leading to death of 11 and rescuing of 362 persons. The accident took place when ONGC's multi-purpose support vessel Samudra Suraksha under Shipping Corporation of India (SCI) operation, was engaged in a medical evacuation operation. The MSV lost control, drifted, and collided with the platform causing a major fire which also engulfed the MSV.

The committee of officials formed on Wednesday would inquire into the sequence of events leading to the stranding and drifting of the vessels and whether the warnings issued by the Meteorological Department and other statutory authorities were adequately considered and acted upon. The committee would also look into whether the standard operating producers for securing the vessels and dealing with the disaster were followed. It would also be recommending measures for preventing such actions in future.

According to the Indian Navy, 186 people have been rescued from Barge P305. INS Kochi returned to Mumbai with survivors /BNV. Naval tugs towed ONGCs Sagar Bhushan rig and support station with 38 persons onboard

The cyclone hit off the coast of Mumbai in the early hours of May 17 where ONGCs major production installations and drilling rigs are located. The wind speed rose to nearly150-180 Km/hr with six to eight metre high waves. There was both an increase in the wind speed and the low pressure which increased the severity of the cyclone, said an spokesperson. He said the vessels usually move to safer locations and do not go to the coast.

An Offshore Defence Advisory Group and Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre coordinated the rescue operations. The anchors of Barge Papaa305 gave away due the cyclone, and the vessel started drifting. For the rescue operation, INS Kochi and INS Kolkata- two ships of Indian Navy and one Tug Boat of Afcons, one Offshore Supply vessel of ONGC, Coast Guard vessel ICG Samarth had to be pressed into service. Three more ONGC OSVs and two Multipurpose Support Vessels were mobilized.

Anchors of another barge Support Station-3 also gave away and it started drifting North-West. Barge Gal Constructor started drifting at Colaba Point with water ingress in the engine room. Coast Guard vessel ICG Samrat and Mumbai Port Trust vessel Water Lily came for its rescue and support. Barges are flat boats that usually carry equipment or other material for carrying out various activities including drilling operations. They belonged to Afcons. A spokesperson of Afcons did not respond to queries

ONGCs Sagar Bhushan deployed for exploration in the western offshore also lost its anchors and started drifting north. Weather forecast systems are available with the vessels. There were around 20-22 barges in that area and they all were asked to move to safer locations but the cyclone moved 70-km eastwards which became unsafe, said an ONGC official adding that their own platform closes down.
Villagers in Maharashtra's Trimbakeshwar, about 50 km from Nashik city, would promptly approach Anusaya Dolas, a health worker, if they ever fell ill. An accredited social health activist (ASHA), she had, over the years, painstakingly earned the trust of villagers, she told IndiaSpend over the phone in April 2021. But nowadays, the same people run away as soon as they see her coming. "They run out from back doors of homes or tell their children to make excuses and say that nobody is at home," Dolas said, ruefully. This mistrust is a result of the COVID-19 vaccination drive, as villagers feel the vaccine has side-effects and can even result in death, Dolas explained.

With the majority of India's 1.3 billion population still living in villages with little health infrastructure, the country is currently seeing the worst of the pandemic as the virus has reached

In Maharashtra, by May 12, the five districts with the lowest vaccination coverage among the eligible population over 45 years were Hingoli (14%), Palghar (17%), Gadchiroli (17%), Nandurbar (17%) and Solapur (18%), data from Maharashtra's public health department show. Over 75% of the population in four of these districts, other than Solapur, lives in rural areas.





ALSO READ: Centre working on a fortnightly schedule to streamline vax: PM Modi



Grassroots health workers told IndiaSpend of rumours--that vaccines can cause impotence, for instance--and suspicions that the COVID-19 vaccine is a ploy by the government to kill people. Some people, they said, also believe that they simply do not need vaccination. All of this is making it harder for them to convince people.

"Like infection, misinformation is now trickling into rural areas," said Naveen Thacker, a Gujarat-based vaccination expert and president-elect of the International Pediatric Association, based in the U.S.

"I even go to people's farms to convince them to take the jab. In one case, someone told me that they heard on the television that the vaccine's side-effects will show up two to three years from now. No matter what I tell them, people believe what they want to believe. I feel helpless," Dolas said. In one vaccination drive at the primary health centre (PHC) in Nashik district's Vavi village in April 2021, only 20-25 people above the age of 45 years turned up, even though the centre was only 4 km from the village, she said.

Doctors and administrators said an information and awareness campaign is urgently needed. They are trying door-to-door counselling and providing transport to vaccination centres, especially for remote villages, to convince people to take the jabs, they told us.

Rumours, suspicion and fear

Villagers in Aurangabad's Soygaon expect their ASHA, Nirmala Gadri, to assure them that the vaccines will not have side effects. "When I ask people if they have taken the jab yet, people turn around and ask me if I can guarantee that they will not suffer any side effects. How can I? If something happens, people will catch hold of me. They fear that they will die of the vaccine," she said.

Villagers also ridicule her for simply doing her job, which entails visiting homes all through the village. "They say, 'This woman has no other work, she just goes around carrying the gun'," Gadri said. The gun here is a reference to an infrared thermometer.

Gadri's PHC in Banoti village of Soygaon taluka caters to a population of around 2,000. Currently there are about 10 COVID-19 patients in her village and some people are isolating on their farms. There are 100-150 people in the 45-59 age group but none of them have taken the jab yet. Of the 140 people aged above 60 years, only 40 had taken it as of April 20, she told IndiaSpend.

Rural vaccine hesitancy exists not just in Maharashtra but also in other states. One of India's most backward districts, Haryana's Nuh, had vaccinated less than 1% of its targeted population, IndiaSpend reported in April.

One reason people in Soygaon are hesitant is because an elderly woman in her 80s died within 15 days of getting the vaccine, Gadri said. She had fever and high blood pressure and died of a heart attack, she said, adding that public health authorities told her that the death was not because of the vaccine. But now, people do not even allow Gadri to check them for fever, saying, "You will mark us COVID positive for no reason."

India's online vaccination portal, CoWIN, says there have been 20,543 adverse events following immunisation (AEFIs) reported until 3 p.m. on May 18, a rate of 0.011%. There have been concerns, however, about how well AEFIs are being tracked, reported, recorded and investigated by the Indian government, IndiaSpend reported in March.

Nevertheless, the benefits of vaccines for most people would outweigh their risks. Early data from Mumbai and Pune and from three southern states show that the share of the elderly in COVID-19 deaths and cases has declined since March 2021, when vaccination for this cohort began, and this could be a result of vaccination, we reported in May.

Aarti Korgaokar, an anganwadi sevika (worker) from Sawantwadi taluka in Sindhudurg district, has had to battle with conspiracy theories and a belief that villagers do not need vaccines, she told IndiaSpend. People would say that the vaccine kills and that Korgaokar, working for the government, would get money if any villager died, they would tell her, she said. "There were a lot of misconceptions about the vaccine initially including that they cause infertility or affect a woman's periods," she said.

Some would question her on whether they really needed the vaccine. It was only when COVID-19 cases started increasing in villages, with almost every village in the area reporting around 10 cases each, that some people turned up to take the vaccine at a centre about 15 km away, Korgaokar said.

Others believe that working on farms gave them stronger immunity against COVID-19, said Namrata Thakur, an ASHA from Tawa PHC in Dahanu in Palghar district, which caters to three hamlets of 975 people in all. Those who have taken the jab are those working in urban areas or those who are more educated, she said.

"Besides, vaccines lead to fever, which hampers those who depend on daily wage," said Thakur, adding that of the 975, at least 500 people are over the age of 45 years but few have taken the vaccine.

Venu Vare, an ASHA from another part of Trimbakeshwar, would tell people of her own experience getting vaccinated but people would tell her that they would be given a poor quality vaccine and not the one that she got, she said. The vaccination centre is about 30 km from the two villages her PHC caters to, but she said that even if the vaccination centre were closer, not many would agree to get the shot.

The process of vaccinating those above 45 is relatively easy: People can walk in with an Aadhaar card and get registered on the spot.

Vaccine shortage

"The rate of vaccination is low in rural areas, hesitancy has been discussed extensively in meetings of the task force and there is a plan for that but right now the major problem is availability of vaccine," said Rahul Pandit, director of intensive care at Fortis Hospital in Mumbai, and a member of Maharashtra's COVID-19 task force. "We need crores of doses at the moment."

"We are doing awareness through various media and folk art but now vaccine availability is an issue," said Rajendra Bharud, the district collector of Nandurbar, who is a trained medical doctor.





ALSO READ: No Covid-19 vaccination in Mumbai on Monday due to cyclone warning

Vaccination across India has slowed down due to vaccine shortages, IndiaSpend reported in April.

Combatting vaccine hesitancy

Doctors say that only an information, education and communication (IEC) campaign can combat vaccine hesitancy.

Initially, Nandurbar was at the bottom of the list when it came to the vaccination rate, but its vaccination campaign has improved things somewhat, Bharud said. Almost 80% of the district is rural, he said, with two remote talukas and low literacy. Yet, the district has vaccinated 210,000 people, of which 120,000 are above the age of 45 years and the rest are healthcare workers and those above 18 years. The district, with a targeted vaccination coverage of 600,000 people above 45 years, is now at number four from the bottom, government data show.

The district has 16 mobile teams and 17 school buses to take people to 90 vaccination centres, especially those from remote areas who would have otherwise spent a lot to get to a centre, Bharud said. District officials and health workers also hold camps to counsel those above 45 years to get vaccinated, he said.

But progress is slow. The first time that people are counselled, hardly 10-15% of them agree to take the vaccine. "It is very difficult to convince people that this is in their best interest. Some people run away, some say this is a plan to make them impotent," said Bharud, blaming social media posts for such rumours.

"We had to counsel people from door-to-door, but some are still not convinced," said Sangita Naik, an anganwadi sevika from Vadphali in Nandurbar district. Her anganwadi covers four villages with a population of around 800, she said. One of the rumours was that legs swell up because of the vaccine, Naik said. She would tell those people: "So what if it does? You apply wet cloth over it."

In Nashik district, Dolas, the ASHA, approaches villagers in the fields and reminds them of the vaccines they were given as children and how those did not cause adverse effects. When that does not work, she tells them about healthy individuals who died of COVID-19 before they could get medical attention or even a test, all the while hoping that the horrors of the virus overcome their fears of the jab.

"When us frontline workers took the vaccine and came down with a fever, news spread in our villages. That also contributed to the fear. But I don't know how else to convince them when I am here, alive, in front of them," said Dolas.

"You have to engage with people," said Thacker, the vaccination expert. "People need to be aware of what to expect upon taking the vaccine [That] it is like wearing a seatbelt that will prevent you from serious injury but it won't protect you from an accident," he said.
Nearly two-thirds of people tested in India have shown exposure to COVID-19, a chain of private laboratories said on Wednesday, indicating a runaway spread of the virus as the daily death toll rose to a record 4,529.



India reported 267,334 new daily infections on Wednesday, taking its tally to 25.5 million, the world's second highest after the United States, with a death toll of 283,248, health ministry data showed.



For months, nowhere has been hit harder than India by the pandemic, as a new variant discovered there fuelled a surge of up to more than 400,000 new infections a day.



Only the United States has had a worse single day death toll, when it lost 5,444 people on Feb. 12, a Reuters tracker shows.

And with hospitals and crematoria overflowing and the health system overwhelmed, it is widely accepted that the official figures grossly underestimate the real impact of the epidemic, with some experts saying infections and deaths could be five to 10 times higher.



There are fears that the new, highly infectious variant is out of control and that many cases are going unreported because of lack of testing, particularly in the vast countryside.



Data from Thyrocare, a chain of private laboratories, appeared to back up those fears, showing that 63.5% of people tested positive for COVID-19 antibodies on average over the last seven days, up from 45% a month ago.



The data from 25 states included individuals infected in the past, vaccinated, uninfected and those who had not been vaccinated, the company's Chief Executive Arokiaswamy Velumani said on Twitter.



Criticism of Prime Minster Narendra Modi has been rising but M. Govinda Rao, a former member of the Economic Advisory Council to the Prime Minister, said the rate at which the virus was spreading had caught everyone by surprise.



"The unprecedented speed at which the second wave of the pandemic spread completely took the (state) governments as well as the people off guard," Rao told the Hindu newspaper.



FEW TESTS IN THE HINTERLAND



Daily testing hit a record 2 million on Tuesday, figures from the state-run Indian Council of Medical Research showed.

But that still falls short of India's claimed daily testing capacity of 3.3 million, said Rijo M John, a professor at the Rajagiri College of Social Sciences in the southern city of Kochi.



John also questioned how useful the results of the tests were.



"Many of these tests are being deployed in urban centres, where cases may have peaked and so it doesn't serve much purpose," John said.



"It's time they were diverted to more rural areas, but I doubt that is being done."



Modi's approval has fallen to a new low, two surveys showed.



Polling agency CVOTER found that for the first time in the seven years Modi has been in office there were more people expressing dissatisfaction with his government's performance than satisfaction.



Hospitals have had to turn patients away while mortuaries and crematoria have been unable to cope with bodies piling up.

Photographs and television images of funeral pyres burning in parking lots and corpses washing up on the banks of the Ganges river have fuelled impatience with the government.



India is the world's largest vaccine maker, but criticism has also mounted over its slow vaccination campaign, plagued by a lack of supplies.



The government said about 98% of the population of 1.3 billion remained susceptible to infection.



India halted vaccine exports a month ago after donating or selling more than 66 million doses, and government sources told Reuters it was unlikely to resume major exports of vaccines until at least October as it prioritises domestic needs.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Congress leader and former Union minister on Wednesday took a dig at the Centre after Union Minister recommended that more pharma companies be allowed to manufacture Covid-19 vaccines.

Ramesh took a dig at Prime Minister and tweeted, "But is his Boss listening? This is what Dr. Manmohan Singh had suggested on April 18th."

He also attached a video of Gadkari making the comment.

Congress spokesperson Jaiveer Shergill said, "(Union Minister)ANitin Gadkari says to solve vaccine demand supply issue more manufacturing licenses should be given. Problem is, nation is demanding vaccines, but BJP is supplying fake tool kits."

Taking a pot-shot at the government, Shergill said, "Vaccine demand supply imbalance is a BJP-created disaster, is BJP waiting for a "shubh muharat" to ramp up vaccination manufacturing?"

He said that it was good to know at least one BJP Minister is waking up to reality.

"How many more have to die to wake up the system?" he asked.

His remarks came after Gadkari on Tuesday said that if the demand for vaccines will be more than supply it will create problems. Thus, at least 10 more companies should be given licence in order to scale up production.

--IANS

aks/ash

(Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
As Karnataka is battling the



second wave of pandemic, Chief Minister on Wednesday announced over Rs 1,250 crore relief package for those whose livelihood has been affected by COVID-19 induced lockdown.

The Chief Minister also said a decision will be taken on extending the current lockdown, a couple of days ahead of it coming to a close on May 24.

"Our government had given financial packages to various sectors during the COVID first wave.

Despite that, as the current restrictions have affected the livelihood of those with unorganised sector and farmers, to mitigate its impact we are announcing a relief programme of more than Rs 1,250 crore," Yediyurappa said.

Speaking to reporters here, he said his government was announcing the package despite the state facing financial constraints, and is standing by the people during this difficult time.

"We have done the best we can within the current financial limitations, and will consider if any further needs to be done in the future," he said in response to a question.

The state government had initially announced 14 days "close down" from April 27, but subsequently imposed a complete lockdown from May 10 to May 24, as the COVID cases continued to spike.

With the current lockdown ending early next week, several leaders, including ministers, have expressed themselves in favour of extending it, to control the spread of COVID.

Listing out details of the relief package, the CM said Rs 10,000 relief will be given to growers for per hectare loss. It will benefit about 20,000 farmers and may cost Rs 12.73 crore.

For the losses suffered by fruit and vegetable growers, Rs 10,000 per ha financial relief will be given to growers, limiting it to one hectare. He said this will benefit about 69,000 farmers and may cost Rs 69 crore.

Besides, Rs 3,000 each relief will be given to auto, taxi and maxi cab drivers who have licence and have registered, benefiting about 2.10 lakh beneficiaries and it may cost Rs 63 crore.

Yediyurappa further said Rs 3,000 each will be given to labourers who have registered with Karnataka Building And Other Construction Workers Welfare Board, costing Rs 494 crore.

He said Rs 2,000 each will be given to those under unorganised sector like barbers, washermen, tailor, porters, ragpickers, potters, goldsmiths, mechanics, blacksmith, household workers, cobblers, among others, benefiting 3.04 lakh people, and will cost about Rs 60.89 crore.

Roadside vendors, those registered under Aatma Nirbhar package will be given Rs 2,000 each, he said, adding that it will benefit about 2.20 lakh people and cost Rs 44 crore.

Also artists and art teams will be given Rs 3,000 each, benefiting 16,095 beneficiaries and will cost Rs 4.82 crore, he further added, while listing out several other announcements.

Opposition parties including the Congress have been urging the state government to provide relief to those whose livelihood has been affected by the COVID-19 induced shutdown.

The Yediyurappa government in Karnataka was one of the first state governments to announce an economic relief package during the first wave last year, even ahead of the 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.)
on Wednesday



reported 5,065 new positive cases and 88 fatalities, taking the tally to 7,47,783 and the toll to 7,227, the state health department said.

A total of 10,337 patients were discharged from hospitals in the last 24 hours, taking the count of recoveries in so far to 6,62,949, the department said.

The state is now left with 77,607 active cases.

With 1,153 new cases, Indore's caseload went up to 1,41,600 while that of Bhopal rose by 653 to 1,15,179.

With nine deaths in the day, Bhopal's count of fatalities went up to 870. Indore saw seven fatalities, taking the cumulative toll to 1,281.

Indore is now left with 12,426 active cases and Bhopal 11,763.

With 72,756 new tests, the total number of samples tested for so far in has crossed 89.92 lakh, the department said.

Madhya Pradesh recorded 1,84,456 cases and 1,611 fatalities so far this month.

figures in MP are as follows: Total cases 7,47,783, new cases 5,065, death toll 7,227, recovered 6,62,949, active cases 77,607, number of tests so far 89,92,742.

(Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
reported 184 new COVID-19 cases in the last 24 hours, taking the total number of cases in the state to 9,252, the state health department informed on Wednesday.

As many as 29 people have succumbed to the viral disease and 7,094 people have recovered from the infection so far. The state has 2,129 active cases as of now.

Aizawl accounts for the highest number of active COVID-19 cases with a total of 1,613 cases in the district.

Of the fresh 184 new COVID-19 cases, 98 were detected through Rapid Antigen Test, 82 through RT-PCR test conducted at the Zoram Medical College near Aizawl and 4 others were detected through TrueNat tests.

Meanwhile, on Tuesday, India's daily cases witnessed a dip with only 2,63,533 fresh infections recorded in the last 24 hours. The number of deaths due to COVID-19 continues to remain alarmingly high with 4,329 more fatalities, the highest toll in a single day since the pandemic began.

According to the Union Health Ministry, the country also saw a massive jump in the number of recoveries with 4,22,436 fresh discharges.

The cumulative caseload stands at 2,52,28,996, including 2,15,96,512 recoveries, 33,53,765 active cases and 2,78,719 deaths.

(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.)
Union Minister on Tuesday said that more pharma companies should be allowed to manufacture the COVID-19 vaccine in the country during the pandemic to scale up production.

While addressing a meeting via video conferencing Gadkari said, "If the demand of vaccine is more than the supply, it creates the problem. So, instead of one company, let 10 more companies be given the license to manufacture the vaccine."

"There are 2-3 laboratories in every state. They should be given the formula to produce the COVID-19 vaccines. They can give royalty," Gadkari said.

"Let them supply in the country and later if there is surplus, they may export. It can be done in 15-20 days," he added.

Currently, only two firms - Bharat Biotech and Serum Institute of India - are manufacturing COVID vaccines in the country and only three vaccines have so far been approved to be sold in India --- COVAXIN, COVESHIELD and Sputnik V.

Many states have complained about the shortage of COVID-19 vaccines.

Reacting to Gadkari's comment on the shortage of the COVID-19 vaccines, national spokesperson of Congress Jaiveer Shergill said that the whole nation is demanding vaccines, BJP is supplying fake tool kits.

"Mr Gadkari says to solve Vaccine demand-supply issue more manufacturing licenses should be given. The problem is-Nation is demanding vaccines, BJP is supplying fake tool kits. Good to know at least one BJP minister is waking up to reality - how many more have to die to wake up the system," Shergill tweeted.

A total of 18,58,09,302 doses of COVID-19 vaccines have been administered across the country since the vaccination drive began on January 16.

According to official data, 2,67,334 fresh COVID-19 cases were recorded during a 24-hour period.

"The cumulative caseload stands at 2,54,96,330, including 32,26,719 active cases, 2,19,86,363 recoveries and 2,83,248 deaths," the Union Health Ministry 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.)
After confirming two variants of coronavirus, on Tuesday confirmed that there were cases of third variant B.1.617.2 in the country.

Nepal's Ministry of Health and Population said three variants of the virus have been detected.

"B.1.617.2 is the new variant seen in India while B.1.617.1 is the one seen in the UK. Earlier last year, reported the variant arising from China. With this, three variants of virus have been detected," Dr. Sameer Kumar Adhikari, Assistant Spokesperson for ministry stated in release.

"According to result of gene sequencing of samples collected from the patients of 35 districts across the country, B.1.617.2 variant was detected in 97 per cent samples while the B.1.617.1 variant was reported from other three per cent samples," Adhikari added.

The sequencing was carried out at CSIR Institute of Genomics and Integrative Biology in India, a WHO-recognized center of excellence in genomic sequencing, the release stated.

The ministry also urged people to strictly abide by the public health protocols as the new variant is more infectious than the older ones and even deadlier for the people of all age groups.

on Tuesday recorded as many as 8,203 new cases of COVID-19 along with 6,891 recoveries and 196 deaths.

A total of 20,979 samples were tested till Tuesday afternoon and 8,203 tested positive for COVID-19.

Nepal's total count of COVID-19 cases stands at 372,354 including 352,414 recoveries and 5,411 deaths.

There are 107,082 COVID-19 patients in home isolation, 7,447 in institutional isolations, 1,590 in ICUs and 390 on ventilators as of Tuesday.

(Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Prime Minister on Wednesday conducted an aerial survey of areas affected by Tauktae in and adjoining Union Territory of Diu and held a meeting with top officials here later to review the situation.

Chief Minister Vijay Rupani, state Chief Secretary Anil Mukim and Additional Chief Secretary (Revenue) Pankaj Kumar were among those who attended the meeting held at GUJSAIL Complex at Ahmedabad Airport, officials said.

The prime minister landed at Bhavnagar from Delhi around noon and boarded a helicopter for a survey of cyclone- affected areas in Gir-Somnath, Bhavnagar and Amreli districts of along with Diu.

He was accompanied by chief minister Rupani.

"Undertook an aerial survey over parts of Gujarat and Diu to assess the situation in the wake of Tauktae.

"Central Government is working closely with all the states affected by the cyclone," Modi tweeted afterwards.

The made landfall between Diu and Una town of Gir-Somnath district in Gujarat on Monday night.

As many as 45 persons lost their lives in cyclone- related incidents in the state as it left behind a trail of destruction along the coast, uprooting electric poles, trees and damaging thousands of houses and roads.

Tauktae triggered heavy rains in many parts from Saurashtra coast to North Gujarat with 46 talukas receiving over 100 mm of downpour, 12 of them recording 150 mm to 175 mm of rains.

The cyclone, categorised as an extremely severe cyclonic storm on Monday, has now weakened into a depression and lay centred over south Rajasthan and adjoining Gujarat region on Wednesday morning, the India Meteorological Department said.

Over 16,000 houses were damaged, more than 40,000 trees and over 70,000 electric poles uprooted, while 5,951 villages faced total power blackout due to the cyclonic storm in Gujarat, chief minister Rupani said.

(Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
A 5.8-magnitute struck Nepal's central Lamjung district on Wednesday, injuring at least six persons and damaging dozens of houses, officials said.

The epicentre of the quake, which occurred at 5:42 AM (05:27 IST), was located at Marshyangdi Rural Municipality of the district.

The 5.8-magnitude quake damaged around two dozen houses and left six people injured, The Kathmandu Post reported.

According to the Monitoring and Research Centre, two tremors of magnitudes 4.0 and 5.3 were also recorded in the district later at 8:16 AM and 8:26 AM.

The centre said that Wednesday's quake was an aftershock of the 2015 Gorkha quake.

Around 20 small tremors have been felt until 10 AM since the first quake hit the district.

According to Inspector Jagdish Regmi of the District Police Office, six people have been injured in the quake.

Three people were injured after a wall of a house gave way while the other three were injured while running away, he said.

All the injured were rushed to a nearby hospital in Lamjung where their condition is reported to be normal.

The Himalayan Times reported that a woman was found half-buried as her house caved in. She was asleep when the quake struck. Locals rescued her and rushed her to a hospital.

The report said that the people expressed anger over the police's apathy after the incident.

Most of the houses damaged in the incident were made of mud, stones and corrugated sheets, the police said.

The jolt was also felt in neighbouring districts of Manang, Kaski and Gorkha.

The people have come out of their homes due to recurring aftershocks, the report said, adding that they are seen without masks, increasing the risk of virus transmission during the ongoing COVID-19 crisis.

In April 2015, a devastating of 7.8-magnitude rocked Nepal, killing nearly 9,000 people and wounding nearly 22,000 others. It also damaged over 800,000 houses and schools.

(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.)
Eminent American civil rights leader Rev. Jesse L. Jackson is urging President to release 60 million doses of COVID-19 vaccines to India, which is experiencing one of the worst outbreaks of thee pandemic in the world.

Rev. Jackson will be joined by a number of prominent Indian leaders in the national capital on Wednesday, to make a public appeal to Biden for more humanitarian aid, according to a community statement.

"The pandemic poses a threat to humanity, not to any one country. Our response must be as encompassing as the threat," Rev Jackson said in a statement. He will urge Biden to give India 60 million doses of AstraZeneca vaccine, it said.

Dr Bharat Barai, chairman, US India Friendship Council, urged the President to facilitate the supply of the "much needed antiviral medications of Remdesivir and Tocilizumab to India immediately."



In a statement, Dr Vijay Prabhakar, national chairman, American Association of Multiethnic Physicians, USA, called on Biden to invoke the Federal International Emergency Production Act which would enable the manufacturers of the vaccine in the US to increase their production capacity.

"We need to protect India first only then can America and the rest of the world be protected," Dr Prabhakar said. Thanking Biden for his international vaccination pledge by providing 80 million COVID-19 vaccines, he also pleaded to give at least 60 million of those to India.

In its most recent update, the Union Health Ministry placed the total number of COVID-19 cases in India at 2,52,28,996 and the death toll at 2,78,719. The ministry said there are 33,53,765 active cases, while 2,15,96,512 people have so far recovered from the infection.

(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.)
Angry netizens in on Wednesday criticised Delhi Chief Minister for claiming that a "very dangerous" strain of the COVID-19 was prevalent in the city state that could cause a third wave of infections in Delhi, accusing him of "spreading misinformation" while seeking an apology and recommending fact-checking.

Singaporeans vent their anger on social media after Kejriwal on Twitter claimed that a new strain of the found in could be very dangerous for children and urged the Indian government to cancel all air links with

"The new form of in Singapore is said to be very dangerous for children. It could reach Delhi in the form of a third wave. My appeal to the Central government: 1. Cancel all air services with Singapore with immediate effect 2. Work on vaccine alternatives for children on a priority basis," the Delhi Chief Minister said in a tweet in Hindi on Tuesday.

Responding to Kejriwal's tweet, Singapore's health ministry on Tuesday night said: There is no truth whatsoever in the assertions found within the reports.

There is no Singapore variant. The strain that is prevalent in many of the COVID-19 cases in recent weeks is the B.1.617.2 variant, which originated in India. Phylogenetic testing has shown this B.1.617.2 variant to be associated with several clusters in Singapore, it said in a statement.

The Singapore foreign ministry said there is no "Singapore variant" and that the strain prevalent in many of the COVID-19 cases in recent weeks is the B.1.617.2 variant, which was first detected in India.

The ministry said in a statement that it "regrets the unfounded assertions made on Facebook and Twitter by Chief Minister of Delhi that a variant of COVID-19 found in Singapore was particularly harmful to children and could cause a third wave of infections in India.

"The MFA is disappointed that a prominent political figure had failed to ascertain the facts before making such claims. MFA met the High Commissioner of India P Kumaran this morning to express these concerns," the statement said.

Kejriwal's tweet caused much anger among netizens in this country who took to social media to attack the Delhi Chief Minister, whose Health Minister Satyendar Jain on Wednesday again claimed that there was a "different strain" of the spreading in Singapore.

Prominent Singapore blogger mrbrown wrote: Hey, Delhi chief minister! The B1617 strain came from your country.

A Twitter user with the handle 'Antaraaneja' said that Singapore schools are closed because of the B.1.617.2 strain, Perhaps fact-checking and an apology are in order for spreading misinformation.

Some internet users even went on to mark his post as the one with "misinformation".

Another person wrote: I don't know a lot of jokes but I found @ArvindKejriwal.. man.. he is a joke!



What a joke. Here we are politely calling it the strain from South Asia and there they are calling it (literally) Singapore virus, another user said.

Meanwhile, Singapore's Foreign Minister Vivian Balakrishnan on Wednesday tweeted that "Politicians should stick to facts! There is no Singapore variant."



He also thanked External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar for clearing the air after Kejriwal tweeted.

"Thanks @DrSJaishankar let's focus on resolving the situation in our respective countries and helping one another. Nobody is safe until everyone is safe," he said in another tweet.

In New Delhi, Ministry of External Affairs Spokesperson Arindam Bagchi said the Indian High Commissioner conveyed to the Singapore government that the Delhi chief minister has no competence to comment on COVID variants.

External Affairs Minister Jaishankar also made it clear that the Delhi Chief Minister does not speak for India.

Meanwhile, Singapore has closed all schools from Wednesday and switched to home-based learning.

The authorities also decided to vaccinate students aged between 12-15 as the number of infections in schools has increased recently.

Singapore has stopped allowing entry for long-term pass holders and short-term pass holders with recent travel from India from April 24.

Atul Temurnikar, Chairman of the Global Indian International School, said that there are comprehensive COVID-19 measures in place in Singapore to protect young, school-going students and they have proven to be very effective.

School life is unaffected and exams are conducted normally. In fact, cases of infections among children are less than 20, all of which have been linked to adult sources outside of schools, he said.

"The situation in Singapore is normal, and not at all alarming as it is made out to be. There are strict control mechanisms in place which are adjusted on a regular basis to deal with the developing situation around us," he said in reaction to the reports in the Indian media.

According to the Union Health Ministry data updated on Wednesday, India saw a record 4,529 fatalities due to coronavirus in a single day, pushing the COVID-19 death toll to 2,83,248, while 2,67,334 fresh infections were recorded, taking the total tally of cases to 2,54,96,330.

The active cases have further reduced to 32,26,719 comprising 12.66 per cent of the total infections, while the national COVID-19 recovery rate has improved to 86.23 per cent.

(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.)
Chief Minister M K



Stalin on Wednesday ordered 30-day ordinary leave for A G Perarivalan, case convict who is lodged in the Puzhal Central Prison here.

Stalin, considering a petition from Arputhammal, mother of Perarivalan seeking leave on medical grounds for her son, relaxed relevant rules and "ordered grant of 30 day ordinary leave," an official release here said.

Perarivalan, serving life sentence, is among the seven convicts in the Rajiv Gandhi assasination case.

The former Prime Minister was assassinated on May 21, 1991 at Sriperumbudur near here by a woman suicide bomber Dhanu at an election rally of the Congress party.

Last year, the Madras High Court had granted him 30-day parole and the Supreme Court had extended it by a week for medical check up.

(Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Prime Minister on Wednesday announced an immediate relief package of Rs 1,000 crore to after cyclonic storm Tauktae badly hit the state on Tuesday. The PM was in his home state to take stock of the situation in the three badly affected districts of Bhavnagar, Amreli, Gir-Somnath and the union territory of Diu after the devastation that was caused by the severe cyclonic storm.

Following the enormous devastation caused by Tauktae on Tuesday, Prime Minister Modi arrived in his home state on Wednesday and both he and Chief Minister Vijay Rupani took the aerial route to visit the affected districts of Bhavnagar, Amreli, Gir-Somnath and the union territory of Diu.

After the two-hour survey in an Indian Air Force chopper, the Prime Minister had a review meeting with the CM and other senior officials of the state administration at the Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport building in Ahmedabad.

A presentation was made to the PM regarding the primary assessment on the devastation caused by Tauktae. Details regarding the damage assessment, restoration and relief work were also discussed.

After the meeting, the PM announced a financial assistance of Rs. 1,000 crore for immediate relief activities in Gujarat. The union government will deploy an inter-ministerial team to visit the state to assess the extent of the damage.

The PM told the Gujarat CM that the Centre had assured all help for restoration and rebuilding of the infrastructure in the affected areas of the state.

The PM also announced an ex-gratia aid of Rs. 2 lakh for the next of kin of those who died due to Tauktae and Rs 50,000 for the injured. This aid would be given to all those affected by Tauktae across India.

The PM also took a stock of Covid-19 situation in Gujarat during the meeting at Ahmedabad airport.

The cyclonic storm Tauktae on Tuesday passed through the Gir-Somnath, Amreli, Bhavnagar districts, with wind speed blowing at around 150 km/ hour. The maximum damage was inflicted in these three districts, thereafter the intensity decreased gradually as it passed near Ahmedabad on Tuesday.

The storm has caused a great damage in the state, and according to an estimate a total of around Rs three thousand crore losses has been inflicted on Gujarat.

The maximum damage of Rs. 1,400 crore has been to the power network and around Rs 1,200 crores to the agriculture sector. Crops like mango, banana and coconut hav been ruined. Fallen trees have disrupted power lines and blocked internal as well as major roads, affecting relief operations.

--IANS

amc/ash

(Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
on Wednesday



reported 3,837 fresh COVID-19 cases, pushing the caseload to over 5.40 lakh, while the toll stood at 3,037 with 25 more deaths, a government bulletin said.

Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) accounted for the most number of cases with 594, followed by Rangareddy (265) and Medchal Malkajgiri (239).

The state has 46,946 active cases and over 71,000 samples were tested.

The total number of cumulative cases in the state stood at 5,40,603 while with 4,976being cured, the total recoveries were at 4,90,620.

Cumulatively, over 1.42 crore samples have been tested.

The samples tested per million population was over 3.83 lakh, the bulletin said.

The case fatality and recovery rates in the state were 0.56 per cent and 90.75 per cent respectively as against 1.1 per cent and 86.2 per cent at the national level.

Meanwhile, Chief Minister K Chandrashekhar Rao, who is also looking after the health portfolio, on Wednesday visited state-run Gandhi Hospital to examine the treatment being given to COVID-19 patients and also instill confidence among inmates, an official release said.

KCR spoke to some of the patients in the hospital, 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.)
Uttar Pradesh's Covid-19 tally on Wednesday rose to 16,44,851 with 7,336 fresh cases, the lowest single-day rise since April 30, while 282 more fatalities pushed the death toll to 18,354, an official said.

At present, there are 1,23,579 active cases in the state and 15,02,918 people have recovered from Covid-19, Additional Chief Secretary, Health, Amit Mohan Prasad told reporters.

He said the recovery rate of the state is now at 91.4 per cent and active cases have come down by over 1.87 lakh in the past 19 days.

On April 30, there were 3,10,783 active cases which have now come down to 1,23,579, he said.

"The teams of the department have inspected over 89,000 villages so far and the infection has been detected in 28,000 villages only," Prasad claimed.

The official said adequate measures are being taken to check the spread of the virus in rural areas with 'gram nigrani samitis' actively working in this direction.

With 282 new deaths in the past 24 hours, the fatality count in UP rose to 18,354 on Wednesday from 18,072 on Tuesday.

Of the new fatalities, a maximum of 29 were reported from Lucknow, 14 each from Etah and Agra, 13 each from Meerut and Ghazipur, 12 from Ghaziabad, eight each from Jhansi, Mathura, Varanasi and Kanpur, and five from Gautam Buddh Nagar, among others, a health bulletin issued here said.

As far as fresh cases are concerned, 493 have been reported from Lucknow, 355 from Gautam Buddh Nagar, 344 from Sahranpur, 342 from Meerut, 309 from Gorakhpur, 307 from Ghaziabad, 291 from Bulandshahr, 240 from Kanpur, among others, it added.

A record 2.99 lakh Covid tests were conducted in the state on Tuesday, Prasad said, adding that UP has become the first state to conduct over 4.55 crore tests.

He said anti- vaccination drive is going on in the state and so far, over 1.54 crore doses have been administered to people.

More than 1.21 crore people have got the first dose and over 32 lakh got the second dose, 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.)
Notwithstanding the disruption to businesses caused by the second wave of COVID-19, the government is aiming to conclude privatisation of PSUs like Air India, and Shipping Corporation - where the divestment process has already started - this fiscal, sources said on Wednesday.

The worst outbreak of pandemic in the country has led to disrupting the timetable of scheduled activities such as physical due diligence because of travel restrictions.

But the process is likely to get back on track from September, the sources with the direct knowledge of the government's privatisation plans said.

The process of privatisation of Air India, BPCL, Pawan Hans, BEML, Shipping Corp and NINL has already moved to the second stage after the government received multiple expressions of interest (EoI) for these CPSEs.

The Budget for 2021-22 has set a disinvestment target of Rs 1.75 lakh crore, higher than Rs 32,835 crore garnered in the last fiscal. Of the Rs 1.75 lakh crore, Rs 1 lakh crore is to come from selling government stake in public sector banks and financial institutions. Rs 75,000 crore would come as CPSE disinvestment receipts.

In her Budget speech, Finance Minister said strategic disinvestment of BPCL, Air India, Shipping Corporation of India, Container Corporation of India, IDBI Bank, BEML, Pawan Hans, Neelachal Ispat Nigam Ltd, among others, and IPO of LIC would be completed in 2021-22.

The process of privatisation of Air India, BPCL, Pawan Hans, BEML, Shipping Corp (SCI), Neelachal Ispat Nigam Ltd, and Ferro Scrap Nigam Ltd (FSNL) is ongoing.

The sources said privatisation of these PSUs will be completed this fiscal ending March 2022.

They said privatisation is on track despite Cairn Energy's lawsuit to get recognised as the alter ego of India and that "it should be held jointly and severally responsible for India's debts, including from any judgment resulting from recognition of the award".

Once a court recognises as the alter ego of the Indian government, Cairn can seek attachment or seizure of its assets in the US such as airplanes, immovable assets and bank accounts to recover the amount it was awarded by the arbitration tribunal.

"India is defending itself in the tax case. The Air India privatisation is on track and will not be impacted," a source said.

Air India, which was earlier this week served the lawsuit filed by Cairn in a New York court, will challenge it being made liable for the discharge of any payment obligations of the Government of India.

Even if Cairn succeeds in getting Air India recognised as alter ego of the government, it would not mean that the airline's assets will fall into the hands of the British firm, the sources said.

All it means is that Cairn can seek the seizure of any asset Air India may have in the US. There may not be many such assets.

The only threat there could be that when an Air India airplane lands at any US airport, Cairn is able to move court and get that attached before it flies out, they said.

The international arbitration tribunal had in December last year overturned the Indian government's Rs 10,247 crore tax demand from Cairn and ordered New Delhi to return the value of shares it had sold, dividends seized and tax refunds withheld.

Salt-to-software conglomerate Tata Group was among the "multiple" entities that had put in preliminary bids for buying loss-making Air India in December last year.

For privatisation, mining-to-oil conglomerate Vedanta had put in an expression of interest (EoI) for buying the government's 52.98 per cent stake in the PSU. The other two bidders are said to be global funds, one of them being Apollo Global Management.

(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.)
Lok Sabha member and AIMIM



leader Imtiaz Jaleel on Wednesday wrote a letter to Union Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh Tomar, demanding that the prices of fertilisers be slashed.

On Tuesday, NCP chief Sharad Pawar had also written a letter to the Centre, requesting it to reconsider the price hike of fertilisers.

In his letter, Jaleel, who represents Aurangabad Lok Sabha constituency, said that farmers in Aurangabad district have to deal with the vagaries of nature, like drought, excess rains or unseasonal showers. In addition to that that, the district has been facing a serious pandemic situation.

The farmers also have to face a rise in fertilizer prices. This hike has come at a time when the agriculture yield has come down, he said.

Therefore, the government should curtail the prices of and make the supply smooth by making it available in large quantities, the parliamentarian said in the letter.

(Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
The on Wednesday increased its share of subsidy for di-ammonia phosphate (DAP) by 140 per cent from Rs 500 to Rs 1,200 per bag, thereby rolling back the steep 58 per cent hike in prices announced by companies since April. The decision taken at a meeting chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi comes in the backdrop of farmers agitation.

The higher subsidy will allow companies to sell DAP at the old rate of Rs 1,200 against the new price of Rs 1,900 per bag that was applicable from April 1, 2021.

A government statement said the would spend an additional Rs 14,775 crore on subsidy in the current financial year. It usually incurs a subsidy of around Rs 80,000-85,000 crore on every year.

In the last few months, all major fertiliser companies including the biggest player Iffco had hiked DAP rates along with prices of other complex fertilisers. This followed a 60 to 70 per cent rise in international prices of phosphoric acid and ammonia, which are key components for DAP.

Data shows that the landed price of imported DAP was around $383 per tonne in February. The price rose to around $515 per tonne (CFR) in April, an increase of 35 per cent in about three months, resulting in farmers protest. Along with the steep hike in diesel rates, the higher price of DAP would have raised the input costs significantly.





ALSO READ: Just 2% farmers use mobile app in field; little IoT post-harvest: Nasscom

In some crops such as soybean, some estimates said the input cost would have risen by Rs 1,400-2,000 per hectare due to the increase in DAP prices.

The government statement said because of the increase in international prices of key raw materials, the actual price of a bag of DAP was coming to around Rs 2,400. Fertiliser companies were compelled to sell it at Rs 1,900 per bag as the Central subsidy was just Rs 500 per bag. Now things will change, it said.

ALSO READ: April headline numbers deceptive; economy in trough, says ICRA report

In April 2020, the union government had fixed the rates of nutrient-based subsidy for phosphatic and potassic fertilisers for 2020-21 at Rs 18.78 per kg for nitrogen, Rs 14.88 per kg for phosphorus, Rs 10.11 per kg for potash and Rs 2.37 per kg for sulphur.

This was maintained in April 2021.

The has been trying to impress upon fertiliser companies to not pass on the impact of high input costs to farmers and hold back their hike in DAP rates, but it didnt work. Iffco had decided to sell only its old DAP stocks at old rates.

Earlier in the day, Union Chemicals and Fertiliser Minister D V Sadananda Gowda had assured NCP chief Sharad Pawar that a decision on roll-back of the hike in fertilizer prices would be taken within two days. Pawar had written a letter to Gowda demanding a roll back of DAP prices.

Congress had also attacked the government over the issue, citing an additional burden of Rs 20,000 crore on farmers.

Party leader Rahul Gandhi said the government had increased the prices of fertiliser, petrol and diesel, and lowered agri subsidies and income of farmers.
Government on Wednesday announced "a historic pro-farmer decision" by hiking to Rs 1,200 per bag of DAP.

"PM chaired a high level meeting on the issue of fertiliser prices. It was discussed that the price of fertilisers is undergoing an increase due to the rising prices of phosphoric acid, ammonia etc internationally. PM stressed that farmers should get fertilisers at old rates despite the international rise in prices. A historic decision was taken to increase the subsidy for DAP fertiliser from Rs 500 per bag to Rs 1,200 per bag, which is an increase of 140%," said Prime Minister's Office in a statement.

Despite the rise in international market prices of DAP, it has been decided to continue selling it at the older price of Rs 1200 and the central government has decided to bear all the burden of price hike, PMO said. The amount of subsidy per bag has never been increased so much at once.

Last year, the actual price of DAP was Rs 1,700 per bag. In which the Central Government was giving a subsidy of Rs 500 per bag. So the companies were selling fertilizer to farmers for Rs 1,200 per bag.

Recently, the international prices of phosphoric acid, ammonia etc. used in DAP have gone up by 60% to 70%. So the actual price of a DAP bag is now Rs 2,400, which could be sold by fertiliser companies at Rs 1,900 after considering a subsidy of Rs 500. With today's decision, farmers will continue to get a DAP bag for Rs 1,200.

PM remarked that his government is committed to the welfare of farmers and will take all efforts to ensure that farmers do not have to face the brunt of price-rise, said PMO.

The Central Government spends about Rs 80,000 crore on subsidies for chemical fertilisers every year. With the increase in subsidy in DAP, Government of India will spend an additional Rs 14,775 crore as subsidy in Kharif season.

This is the second major decision in the farmers interest, after directly transferring Rs 20,667 crore in Farmers account under PM-KISAN on the day of Akshay Tritiya, said PMO.
India said on Wednesday that problems of and instability faced by Africa, like the rest of the world, are a reminder to the UN Security Council why epicentres of radicalisation must not be allowed to operate with impunity.

Addressing a UN Security Council open debate on Peace and Security in Africa: addressing root causes of conflict while promoting post-pandemic recovery in Africa' under China's Presidency of the 15-member Council, External Affairs Minister said the initiative for an open debate on peace and security in Africa that addresses root causes of conflict while promoting post-pandemic recovery is a timely one.

"Like the rest of the world, Africa too faces problems of and instability. It is a reminder to this Council why epicentres of radicalisation must not be allowed to operate with impunity," Jaishankar said.

"India's support to Africa is expressed through our peacekeeping presence in South Sudan, Somalia, Abeyi, Western Sahara and Democratic Republic of Congo, Jaishankar said, adding that India endorses the call of the Secretary General for a mandate under Chapter VII to support African counter- operations with sustained financing, including through assessed contributions.

Jaishankar underlined the strong and deep solidarity between India and Africa, saying it reflects the bonding of the Global South.

While New Delhi's close collaboration is expressed through the India-Africa Forum Summit, in the G77 and the Non-Aligned Movement, Jaishankar said the close ties are more evident in the United Nations itself than elsewhere. He termed as regretful Africa's exclusion from the permanent membership of the Security Council.

"It is a matter of continuing regret for us that the voice of Africa is not given its proper due in its most pivotal institution. Our support for the Common African Position, as stated in the Ezulwini Consensus and the Sirte Declaration, is sincere and unambiguous," he said, underlining the need for the issue of reformed multilateralism to be given utmost priority.

The African Union Committee of Ten Heads of State and Government (C-10) is a Committee setup by the African Union (AU) with mandate to advocate and canvass the African Common Position on UN Security Council reform.

The African Common Position, also known as Ezulwini Consensus and the Sirte Declaration, is named after a valley in Swaziland where the agreement was made by African Leaders in 2005, before it was adopted at an Extraordinary Session of the Executive Council of the African Union in Addis Ababa.

The Consensus underscores Africa's goal to be fully represented in all decision making organs of the UN particularly the Security Council. It consists of the claim of two additional seats in the category of the non-permanent members and two seats in the category of permanent members with same rights, privileges and obligations accorded to the current permanent members of UNSC, including the right to veto, according to the African Parliamentary Alliance for UN Reforms website.

(Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Dear Reader,

Business Standard has always strived hard to provide up-to-date information and commentary on developments that are of interest to you and have wider political and economic implications for the country and the world. Your encouragement and constant feedback on how to improve our offering have only made our resolve and commitment to these ideals stronger. Even during these difficult times arising out of Covid-19, we continue to remain committed to keeping you informed and updated with credible news, authoritative views and incisive commentary on topical issues of relevance.

We, however, have a request.



As we battle the economic impact of the pandemic, we need your support even more, so that we can continue to offer you more quality content. Our subscription model has seen an encouraging response from many of you, who have subscribed to our online content. More subscription to our online content can only help us achieve the goals of offering you even better and more relevant content. We believe in free, fair and credible journalism. Your support through more subscriptions can help us practise the journalism to which we are committed.



Support quality journalism and subscribe to Business Standard.



Digital Editor
Public sector lender is planning to raise up to Rs 1,500 crore capital through additional (AT1 bonds) of Rs 500 crore and tier II bonds of Rs 1,000 crore to enhance its capital profile.

As of December 31, 2020, total capital adequacy ratio (CAR) stood at 14.06 per cent and tier 1 CAR was at 11.18 per cent. The bank's common equity tier I (CET 1) continues to be relatively strong at 10.35 per cent as of December 31, 2020. Kolkata-based Allahabad Bank merged with from April 1, 2020. The Centres stake in the amalgamated bank was 88.06 per cent in December 2020.

CARE Ratings has assigned AAA rating to tier II bonds and AA rating to AT1 bonds of the bank. Rating for AT1 bonds factors in aspects like if the bank has full discretion at all times to cancel coupon payments. The coupon (interest on tier I bonds) is to be paid out of current years profits. The bank has set off the accumulated losses with a share premium account, thus enhancing the net distributable reserves for AT1 coupon payment, CARE said.

Tier II bonds are characterised by a point of non-viability (PONV) trigger due to which the investor may suffer loss of principal.

Their asset quality is moderate and increase in proforma gross non-performing assets (GNPAs) is lesser than expected. Proforma GNPAs of the amalgamated entity stood at 10.38 per cent in December 2020 (11.30 per cent in March 2020). Net NPAs were at 3.49 per cent at the end of December 2020 against 4.19 per cent in March 2020. Total provision coverage stood at 75.77 per cent as on December 31, 2020 (66.02 per cent as on March 31, 2020). Advances stood at Rs 3.89 trillion at the end of December 2020.

The bank raised additional tier 1 and tier 2 bonds of Rs 2,000 crore each in FY21.

The bank is also expected to raise capital, which will further provide cushion to the bank to manage risks, the rating agency said.
The Mumbai Bench of the National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT) on Wednesday asked the administrator of Dewan Housing (DHFL) to place the offer of erstwhile promoter Kapil Wadhawan before the Committee of Creditors (CoC).

It subsequently asked the CoC to convene in 10 days and consider the proposal. The matter has been adjourned till May 31.

The bench of judicial member HP Chaturvedi and technical member Ravikumar Duraisamy in an oral order asked the administrator to consider the erstwhile promoters' offer. The written order was not uploaded till the time of going to press.

Kapil Wadhawan had moved in November 2020 and had asked the tribunal to direct the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) administrator and CoC to consider his offer. Wadhawan is still behind bars on charges of money laundering.

While the RBI, lenders, and Competition Commission of India (CCI) have given their nod to the resolution plan put forth by Piramal Group, the is yet to approve of the same. The tribunal has finished hearing the matter and has reserved its order.

Piramal Groups plan was approved by the CoC with 94 per cent votes, while the Adani groups plan received 45 per cent and Oaktrees plan 18 per cent.

According to Piramals plan, recovery for lenders would total Rs 35,250 crore, with upfront cash of Rs 12,700 crore, the latter tipping lenders votes towards Piramal. Total cash for the CoC stood at Rs 15,700 crore. Further, the plan had ascribed Rs 1,000 crore for DHFLs stake in the insurance company.

In a letter to the administrator in December, Wadhawan had reiterated his offer to pay the entire outstanding principal of Rs 91,158 crore to creditors  an upfront payment of Rs 9,000 crore and the remainder in the form of debt-to-equity conversion across 7-8 years.





Ashish Pyasi, associate partner at Dhir and Dhir Associates, said: The options before the CoC are to either consider the proposal and deal with it based on their commercial wisdom, or to approach the appellate tribunal.

Though various approvals like those from the RBI and CCI have been obtained after the resolution plan was approved by the CoC, there is no embargo on not considering the proposal, given the plan is yet to be approved of by the hon'ble authority, Pyasi added.

was referred to the in November 2019 after defaulting on Rs 90,000 crore of debt, with auditors finding a Rs 15,000-crore hole in its books. It was the first financial services firm to be referred for insolvency, under Section 227 of the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code (IBC).

According to industry sources, if Wadhawans proposal is accepted, the RBI has to withdraw IBC proceedings against the company. This is because the RBI had, under Section 227 of IBC, referred the mortgage lender to the NCLT and not any lender. Further, some experts have pointed out that the erstwhile promoters are prohibited from participating in the resolution process under Section 29A of the IBC.



Former promoter Kapil Wadhawan

Section 29A prohibits wilful defaulters, undischarged insolvents, and promoters of defaulting firms, among others, from participating in the resolution process, under the IBC.

An insolvency lawyer said this was a proposal of settlement to creditors, and not a resolution plan, which will be hit by section 29A. If it is accepted by the lenders, the application may be filed with the NCLT authority for withdrawal of the resolution process.

Another lawyer said, If its a one-time settlement that Kapil Wadhawan is offering then it has to be under Section 12A of IBC. So, Section 29A of IBC cannot be applied here. Section 12A stands on a different footing than Section 29A.

crumbled as a result of the liquidity crisis created after the collapse of IL&FS in 2018.
Minister has urged chief ministers of all the states to instruct the local law enforcement authorities not to hinder movement of employees of bank and insurance companies while they are on their way to their work.

Observing that staff of and other financial sector entities played a critical role in providing essential services during the pandemic, Sitharamam, in a strongly worded letter to the heads of states, said, I am writing to you because I note with dismay several unfortunate incidents which have taken place recently in different states where have been manhandled by State law enforcement authorities. Business Standard reviewed the letter.

The second wave of the pandemic has been more ferocious and has claimed more lives than the first wave. According to data compiled by the Indian Banks Association 600 bank staff lost their lives till December 31, 2020. Citing the data, IBA said the percentage of death in the banking industry is even higher in comparison to the entire country.

Sitharaman said that there is a need for banking services to continue uninterrupted, to support the bank customers' needs in these difficult times. She also reminded that the Parliamentary standing committee has appreciated the effort of the employees of the financial sector and recognized them as Covid-19 warriors.

In other cases, offices of and branches have been ordered to shut down even during permitted banking hours, accompanied by threats. While have been braving the risks to their health and need to be assured about their safety, these incidents result in the exact opposite and end up demoralizing their families. This is unacceptable because account holders access to funds in their hours of need, disbursement of DBT [direct benefit transfer], extension of credit to mitigate disruptions to business etc, cannot be compromised and have to continue uninterrupted and seamlessly, Sitharaman stated in the letter.

Bank branches are now working from 10 AM to 2 PM offering four services - accepting deposits, cash withdrawals, remittance and government businesses.

Citing an example of how local authorities are not allowing branches to continue, Devidas Tuljapurkar, General Secretary Maharashtra State Federation, said, for one week bank branches were closed as per collectors orders in a bank branch in Akola district of Maharastra.

There have been reports from Mumbai, for example, that the banking staff were not allowed to board local trains while commuting for work.

While observing that states have put in place restrictions on movement of people and functioning of offices to curb the infections, the minister reminded the states that the Union home ministry has categorized banking services under the essential category of services.

The union minister requested the chief ministers to instruct local law enforcement authorities not to create hurdles in the movement of employees of the financial sector.

Since bank staff have to necessarily commute from their homes to their offices / branches and the said offices / branches have to function and remain physically open, I request your personal attention in kindly instructing the concerned local authorities to cooperate with bank and financial services employees and not to hinder or impede their movement or functioning, said Sitharaman.
RBI Governor on Wednesday asked state-owned to quickly implement measures announced by the central bank recently in the "right earnest", and to continue focussing on steps to enhance the resilience of their balance sheets.

Das during a meeting with the MDs and CEOs of public sector acknowledged the important role being played by PSBs in extending various banking facilities including credit facilities to individuals and businesses while tackling the challenges brought on by the pandemic.

"He impressed upon the to quickly implement the measures announced by RBI recently in the right earnest. He also urged the banks to continue focussing on steps to enhance the resilience of their balance sheets," the RBI said in a statement post the meeting held over video conference.

Earlier this month, the governor had announced a slew of measures, including term liquidity facility of Rs 50,000 crore to ease access to emergency health services, to further improve lending to MSME sector, restructuring of loans, and rationalisation of compliance to KYC, in wake of the second wave of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Other matters that came up for discussion during the meeting, included the current state of the financial sector; credit flows to different sectors including to small borrowers, MSMEs; and progress in the implementation of Covid Resolution Framework.

Monetary policy transmission and implementation of Covid-related policy measures taken by RBI too were discussed.

In his opening remarks, the governor acknowledged the important role being played by PSBs in extending various banking facilities including credit facilities to individuals and businesses while tackling the challenges brought on by the pandemic.

The meeting was also attended by Deputy Governors M K Jain, M. Rajeswar Rao, Michael D Patra and T Rabi Sankar.

(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.)
Asian energy officials on Wednesday disputed the Energy Agency's (IEA) call for no new oil, natural gas and coal investments for the world to be able to reach net-zero by 2050, viewing that approach as too narrow.

The IEA, which has previously championed the oil and gas industry, this week outlined a path to net-zero emissions that suggested stopping new investments in oil, gas and coal supply, retiring coal-fired plants in advanced economies by 2030, and banning sales of new internal combustion engine cars by 2035.

Energy companies in Australia, the biggest carbon emitter per capita among the world's richest nations, and officials in Japan and the Philippines said there were many ways to get to net zero, even as the IEA said its pathway was "the most technically feasible, cost-effective and socially acceptable".

Akihisa Matsuda, the deputy director of affairs at Japan's Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI), said the government has no plans to immediately stop oil, gas and coal investments.

"The report provides one suggestion as to how the world can reduce greenhouse gas emissions to net zero by 2050, but it is not necessarily in line with the Japanese government's policy," he said.

"Japan needs to protect its energy security including a stable supply of electricity, so we will balance this with our goal of becoming carbon neutral by 2050."

Japan was the region's third-largest carbon emitter in 2019, after China and India, according to the BP Statistical Review of Energy.

Australia's top oil and gas industry and mining lobby groups said there was "no one size fits all" for decarbonisation.

"The IEA report doesn't take into account future negative emission technologies and offsets from outside the energy sector -- two things that are likely to happen and will allow vital and necessary future development of oil and gas fields," Australian Petroleum Production and Exploration Association Chief Executive Andrew McConville said.

Australia's top independent gas producer, Woodside Petroleum, said it still aims to make a final investment decision for an $11 billion investment to develop a new gas field off Western Australia in late 2021.

"For its part, Woodside is working with its customers, all of whom are in countries that have committed to net zero, to ensure we can supply them with the energy they are seeking in order to achieve their decarbonisation pathways," a Woodside spokeswoman said.

Australia on Wednesday committed A$600 million ($467 million) in taxpayer funds to build a new gas-fired power station to back up wind and solar power, which Energy Minister Angus Taylor said was a pragmatic move.

In the Philippines, where coal is set to be the dominant power source for years even after a ban on new coal plant proposals, Energy Secretary Alfonso Cusi said the energy transition should be "fuel and technology-neutral".

Cutting finance for oil, gas and coal without considering efficiency and competitiveness would "set back the Philippines' aspiration to join the ranks of upper middle-income countries," he said.

(Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
President stepped up the pressure on to end 10 days of violent skirmishes with Palestinians, making clear in a call Wednesday with Prime Minister that he expected significant de-escalation by day's end.

Biden asked Netanyahu to move toward the path to a cease-fire, according to a White House description of their conversation.

There is pressure, too, on Biden to do more, with more than 200 people killed in the fighting. Until Wednesday, Biden had avoided pushing the American ally more directly and publicly for a cease-fire or conveyed such a level of urgency for ending Israeli airstrikes targeting Hamas in the thickly populated Gaza Strip.

The Biden administration had relied on what officials described as quiet, intensive diplomacy, including quashing a UN Security Council statement that would have addressed a cease-fire.

The administration's handling opened a divide between Biden and Democratic lawmakers, dozens of whom have called for a cease-fire.

(Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
The Biden administration has started the process of appointing 20 American corporate leaders to the US section of the US-India CEO Forum.

Established in 2005, the US-India CEO Forum brings together leaders of the respective business communities of the two countries to discuss issues of mutual interest.

The forum has US and Indian public and private sector co-chairs, while the Secretary of Commerce and his Indian counterpart serve as the respective chair. Other senior US government officials may also participate in the forum.

The Trade Administration of the Department of Commerce on Tuesday invited applications from American CEOs to be part of this exclusive group.

The forum will allow the private sector to develop and provide recommendations to the two governments that reflect private sector views, needs, concerns, and suggestions about the creation of an environment in which their respective private sectors can partner, thrive, and enhance bilateral commercial ties to expand trade and economic links between the United States and India, according to an official statement.

It will work in tandem with, and provide input to, the government-to-government US-India Commercial Dialogue, the statement read.

The US section of the forum should include members who represent a diversity of business sectors and geographic locations, it said. To the extent possible, the US section should include members from small, medium, and large firms. The Secretary will consider the same criteria when appointing the US private sector co-chair, according to the statement.

(Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
(Reuters) - Blue Origin, billionaire Jeff Bezos' rocket company, disclosed $2 million as the current highest bid for a seat on its New Shepherd spacecraft after the closed the first phase of its auction.

The second phase of the auction is underway and will last until June 10. The process will conclude in a final phase on June 12 with a live online auction. (www.blueorigin.com)

The rocket company is targeting July 20 for its first suborbital sightseeing trip on its spacecraft, a landmark moment in a competition to usher in a new era of private commercial travel.

The New Shepard rocket-and-capsule combo is designed to autonomously fly six passengers more than 62 miles (100 km) above Earth into suborbital

Reuters reported in 2018 that Blue Origin was planning to charge passengers at least $200,000 for the ride, based on an appraisal of rival plans from billionaire Richard Branson's Virgin Galactic Holdings Inc and other considerations, though its thinking may have changed.

(Reporting by Sanjana Shivdas and Akanksha Rana in Bengaluru; Editing by Anil D'Silva)

(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.)
Beijing has turned the heat alongside the borders of its neighbouring country with border pillars vanishing in the Daulkha district of the Himalayan nation. It appears to be yet another example of growing Chinese belligerence and a complete disregard to the border by Beijing.

Raising red flags, the Nepalese Home Ministry reported the incident in village-Vigu of District-Daulkha to the country's Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

According to EU Reporter, the China- border has historically been a controlled border system, established by a mutual agreement between the two nations in 1960, which subsequently led to the formation of the 1961 border treaty, with the construction of the pillars of demarcation. Post the 1961 treaty, the boundary line between and has witnessed several changes mainly including the erection of 76 permanent border pillars. is now trying to change the status quo in its favour.

Last year, in the month of September, encroached upon Nepalese territory and constructed 11 buildings in a remote district of Nepal's border, Humla.

However, Nepal claimed territory over Humla, China expectedly denied it. This incident raised tensions along the border, culminating to widespread protests outside the Chinese embassy in Nepal, with people sloganeering "Stop Chinese Expansionism".

The buildings were constructed by China at the spot where a Nepalese border pillar was found missing several years ago. The local rural municipality chair of the disputed area had reported upon China's stake to claim the area under its control. These developments fuelled protests at the embassy in Kathmandu against the Chinese hegemony and disregard for the national sovereignty of Nepal, reported EU Reporter.

During those times, Nepalese officials had stated that their attempts to negotiate with the Chinese side were rendered fruitless and met with hostility. The Chinese security personnel came armed with a tanker, truck and a jeep, asking the Nepalese officials to retreat to the border for talks and clarifications.

The expansionist designs of China have gone unabated with whoever it shares a boundary line. The displacement of the border pillar in Nepal is not an isolated event.

As per a survey by Nepal's Ministry of Agriculture, China illegally encroached on several bordering districts including Gorkha, Dolakha, Humla, Darchula, Sindhupalchowk, Rasuwa and Sankhuwasabha.

Years of peaceful coexistence between the two countries is being undone by Chinese President Xi Jinping's regime and its ruthless pursuit to arm-twist smaller neighboring countries.

The border pillar displacement situation worsened as Prime Minister KP Oli defended the encroachments by the Chinese Communist Party's (CCP), a stance that was vehemently opposed by the opposition members of the Nepali Congress. KP Oli's denial has put the Sino-China border row at a crossroads for both countries, thus playing directly into China's hand.

Under current circumstances surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic, Nepal is also not too keen to engage with China over any border dispute due to possible economic backlash and the high expense involved. China has an easy opportunity to capitalize upon the vulnerable Nepalese border and displace more border pillars, raking in increased territory, reported EU Reporter.

China accuses US of provocation in Taiwan Strait



China accused the US of resorting to provocative moves in the Taiwan Strait and undermining peace and stability in the region after an American naval ship sailed through the waterway to demonstrate Washington's commitment to a "free and open Indo-Pacific".The US Navy's 7th Fleet said that they had conducted a "routine Taiwan Strait transit" on Tuesday.



(Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Israel's Embassy in is protesting what it describes as "blatant anti-Semitism" on a programme ran by the overseas channel of state broadcaster CCTV discussing the ongoing violence in and elsewhere.

In a tweet, the embassy said we have hoped that the times of the Jew's controlling the world' conspiracy theories were over, unfortunately anti-Semitism has shown its ugly face again.

We are appalled to see blatant anti-Semitism expressed in an official Chinese media outlet," the tweet said.

Calls to the embassy were answered with a message saying it was closed on Wednesday and it wasn't immediately clear what it objected to in the three-minute segment.

On the Tuesday CGTN broadcast, host Zheng Junfeng questioned whether U.S. support for was truly based on shared democratic values, saying some people believe that U.S. pro-Israeli policy is traceable to the influence of wealthy Jews in the U.S. and the Jewish lobby on U.S. foreign policy makers.

Jews dominate finance and and internet sectors, Zheng says, speaking in English. So do they have the powerful lobbies some say? Possible."



Zheng then accused the U.S. China's top geopolitical rival of using as a beachhead" in the Middle East and a as proxy in its campaign to defeat pan-Arabism.

There was no immediate comment from CCTV, which operates CGTN to cater to foreign audiences along the lines of Russia's RT.

has long been a strong backer of the Palestinian cause and in recent days, the Foreign Ministry has castigated the U.S. for blocking a statement in the United Nations Security Council condemning the violence.

Yet, since establishing formal diplomatic relations with in 1992, Beijing has nurtured close economic, technological and military ties, including the purchase of early model Israeli drones.

Judaism is not one of China's officially recognised religions, however, and stereotypes about Jews as shrewd businesspeople and market manipulators are common among the Chinese public.

(Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
The ongoing bloodshed in the Strip has unleashed a chorus of voices across Gulf Arab states that are fiercely critical of Israel and emphatically supportive of Palestinians.

The vocal opposition to Israel, expressed in street protests, on social media and in newspaper columns, comes just months after pacts were signed to establish ties with the Jewish state and complicates government efforts to rally Arab citizens around full-throttle acceptance of the deals.

Analysts said the conflict will also set back Israeli efforts to secure more normalisation deals with other Arab states, like Saudi Arabia.

The criticism has not only put Arab governments that signed the diplomatic accords with Israel in a difficult position with their citizens, it also affirms that the Palestinian cause continues to resonate deeply with people across the Middle East.

No matter what your national priorities are at the moment or regional priorities are at the moment, when stuff like this happens, the Palestinian issue comes back and hits you, Emirati political analyst Abdulkhaleq Abdulla said.

Still, the open calls for Palestinian rights and condemnation of Israel voiced by countless Gulf Arab citizens have largely mirrored official statements from their governments, all of which have condemned the violence in some form.

Some have gone further, and Abdulla said he'd hoped the United Arab Emirates' most recent statement calling on all parties to cease fighting had been bolder and named Israel as the aggressor.

In speaking out, Gulf citizens are challenging the official narratives around normalization with Israel.

In Bahrain, civil society groups signed a letter urging the government to expel the Israeli ambassador.

In Kuwait, protesters held two rallies and are demanding permission to hold more. In Qatar, the government allowed hundreds to protest over the weekend as Hamas' top leader delivered a speech.

In the UAE, some have openly donned the black-and-white checkered Palestinian keffiyeh on Instagram while others have tweeted under hashtags supportive of Palestinians.

Last year, the UAE became the first Arab country in over two decades to establish ties with Israel, after Egypt and Jordan in 1979 and 1994, respectively.

It was a brazen move that bypassed the Palestinians, who slammed it as treason and a stab in the back.

The UAE's move paved the way for three other countries Bahrain, Sudan and Morocco to announce similar pacts with Israel in rapid succession.

Immediately after the UAE formalised ties with Israel in September, a tsunami of state propaganda framed it as a new era of peace, religious tolerance and security for the region.

Among the general Emirati public, there was little to no visible pushback from citizens when their government announced ties with Israel.

Fiery nationalistic figures on Twitter with tens of thousands of followers aggressively cheered the pact, and throughout the current conflict have both defended ties with Israel and made posts mocking Palestinian protesters.

But unlike in Western democracies, a lack of protest in the Gulf does not mean acceptance. In the UAE, political parties are banned and political expression is heavily suppressed.

The show of support that we saw during the early days of normalization, I think it represents something deeper in Emirati society ... and that is that the vast majority support their government, Abdulla said.

It was a show of support for the government rather than a show of support for normalization' as such.

Mira Al-Hussein, an Emirati PhD candidate at Cambridge University, said Emiratis feel taken care of and valued by their government, which provides citizens with strong social safety nets.

But that doesn't mean we feel comfortable by what's happening around us, she said.

She changed her Twitter handle in support of Palestinians since the fighting broke out, and has used the platform to slam Israel's policies and highlight the atrocities of the war.

You don't sign papers and expect a human catastrophe to go away, she said of the accord with Israel.

Over the years, there have been changes to school curricula across Gulf Arab states to replace pan-Arab and pan-Islamic ideals with a nationalistic identity that unites people around the flag.

The UAE has been trying to mold public discourse around nationalism and a rejection of youth or Islamic movements, said Kristin Smith Diwan, a scholar at the Arab Gulf States Institute in Washington.

I think the relation with Israel was seen as a way to even cement that further. I don't know how that's going to work now, she said.

Al-Hussein said her younger brother, who is in his 20's, never studied the Arab-Israeli conflict in school. But he just learned about it today from social media," she said.

For millions of Arabs, social media is the only space where limited freedom of expression is possible. Since the war began, users have been flooded by images of dead Palestinian children being pulled from the rubble of Israeli airstrikes in

These platforms have also been awash with images of Israeli security forces firing stun grenades and tear gas at worshippers and protesters in Al-Aqsa mosque in Jerusalem, of Palestinian families fighting eviction from their homes and of deadly protests across the occupied West Bank.

At least 217 Palestinians have been killed in Gaza, including 61 children and 36 women. More than 1,440 people have been wounded. Twelve people in Israel, including a young boy and a soldier, have been killed in Hamas rocket attacks.

Bader al-Saif, a Kuwait University professor, said the sheer un-proportionality of the conflict has pushed many people to speak out across the Gulf.

For Israelis to feel secure, they need to feel that they are accepted, al-Saif said. That feeling of acceptance cannot be complete without them dealing with the Palestinian issue.

U.K.-based Saudi scholar Madawi Al-Rasheed, a fierce critic of the Saudi government, said despite the kingdom's widespread crackdown on activists most of whom are steadfast supporters of Palestinian rights the outrage expressed by many online reveals the gap between the cautious push by the Saudi leadership to inch closer to Israel and public sentiment in the streets.

It shows that despite several years of adopting a normalization discourse in official Saudi media, the pulse of the people is actually not diverted from the Palestinian cause, she 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.)
Attorney General Letitia James' office on Tuesday (local time) said that it was working alongside the Manhattan District Attorney in an ongoing criminal fraud investigation placing former US President and his family under more pressure.

The move increased the investigative muscle looking into the former president and his family business, reported Times.

"We have informed the that our investigation into the organization is no longer purely civil in nature," Fabien Levy, a spokesman for James, said in a statement. "We are now actively investigating the in a criminal capacity, along with the Manhattan DA We have no additional comment at this time."

The two offices have been conducting parallel investigations for more than a year, though the inquiry by the office of New York's Attorney General, Letitia James, has been a civil one, meaning it could result in a lawsuit or fines.

The Manhattan District Attorney, Cyrus R Vance Jr, has been conducting a criminal investigation, which could result in charges.

The new development, first reported by CNN, was disclosed after the Attorney General's office wrote to the in recent days notifying it that information collected as part of the civil inquiry could now be used as part of a criminal investigation, reported Times.

A lawyer for the Trump Organization did not immediately respond to a request for comment, though in the past, Trump, a Republican, has attacked both investigations as politically motivated fishing expeditions. Vance and James are both Democrats.

The long-running criminal investigation by the Manhattan District Attorney has focused on an array of potential financial crimes at the Trump Organization, including tax and bank-related fraud.

In particular, the prosecutors are examining whether Trump's company inflated the value of his properties to obtain favorable loans and lowered the values to reduce taxes, reported New York Times.

For months, the district attorney's office has focused on Mr. Trump's long-serving chief financial officer, Allen Weisselberg, mounting an aggressive effort to gain his cooperation against Trump and the Trump Organization, according to people with knowledge of the matter.

As part of that effort, the district attorney has subpoenaed records from Weisselberg's bank and the private school in Manhattan that his grandchildren have attended.

It is unclear what role James's office will play in that aspect of the investigation. In the collaboration, two assistant attorneys general from James's office are joining the district attorney's team, people with knowledge of the matter said.

But her office will not be conducting its own independent criminal investigation. She is continuing her civil inquiry, which focuses on some of the same strands as the district attorney's sweeping criminal inquiry. Both offices have been investigating some of the same Trump properties, including his Seven Springs Estate in Westchester County.

As part of its inquiry, Vance's office obtained eight years' worth of Trump's tax returns, among other financial records, but only after Trump aggressively fought the effort, resulting in a long-running legal battle that twice reached the US Supreme Court.

Trump is also facing a criminal investigation in Georgia, where the District Attorney in Fulton County is looking into his attempts to reverse the outcome of the presidential election in the state.

(Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Britain is increasingly confident that vaccines work against the variant first found in India, Prime Minister Boris Johnson said on Wednesday, with a leading epidemiologist saying it may be spreading less quickly than at first feared.



Johnson has warned that the emergence of the B.1.617.2 variant might derail his plans to lift England's lockdown fully on June 21, but on Wednesday he said the latest data had been encouraging.



"We have increasing confidence vaccines are effective against all variants, including the Indian variant," he told parliament.

Johnson last week said the extent to which the variant could disrupt the planned exit from lockdown would depend on how much more transmissible it was.



Neil Ferguson, an epidemiologist at Imperial College London, said there was a "glimmer of hope" from the latest data that the transmissibility of the variant might be lower than first feared.



"The magnitude of that advantage seems to have dropped a little bit with the most recent data," he told BBC radio, adding more data was needed.



He said that while there was a "good deal of confidence" that vaccines would continue to protect against severe disease, the variant might lead to reduced vaccine efficacy against infection and transmission.



Ferguson said the initial rapid growth of B.1.617.2 had been among people who had travelled and who had a higher chance of living in multi-generational households or in deprived areas, and the ease of transmission might not be replicated in other settings.

Graham Medley, a professor of disease modelling at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine and a member of the government's Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies (SAGE), said that while the variant was growing quickly in some places, "we haven't yet seen it take off and grow rapidly everywhere else".



"One of the key things we'll be looking for in the coming weeks will be: how far does it spread outside of those areas," he told Reuters.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
President told Israeli Prime Minister on Wednesday to wind down fighting with Hamas in the Gaza Strip thats killed scores of civilians, a White House spokeswoman said.

The president conveyed to the prime minister that he expected a significant de-escalation today on the path to a cease-fire, White House spokeswoman Karine Jean-Pierre told reporters aboard Air Force One.

It was Bidens fourth call with Netanyahu since hostilities broke out between Israel and Hamas last week. The president has come under pressure from Democratic congressional allies to push Israel toward a cease-fire in the conflict. Israel said on Wednesday it was not setting a timeframe for an end to hostilities with Gaza as its military pounded the Palestinian enclave with air strikes and Hamas militants unleashed new cross-border rocket attacks.

In a sign of diplomatic movement, however, an Egyptian security source said the two sides had agreed to a ceasefire in principle after help from mediators, but details were being negotiated in secret amid public denials of a deal to prevent it from collapsing. Palestinian medical officials said 219 people had now been killed in 10 days of aerial bombardments which have destroyed roads, buildings and other infrastructure, and worsened the already dire humanitarian situation in Gaza.

Israeli authorities put the death toll at 12 in Israel, where repeated rocket attacks have caused panic and sent people rushing into shelters. Regional and US-led diplomatic efforts to secure a ceasefire have intensified but so far failed.

Prime Minister made no mention of any halt to the fighting in public remarks at a briefing to foreign ambassadors to Israel, saying his country was engaged in "forceful deterrence" to prevent future conflict with Hamas. In remarks reported by Israeli media from a closed question-and-answer session, he was quoted as saying: "We're not standing with a stopwatch. We want to achieve the goals of the operation. Previous operations lasted a long time so it is not possible to set a timeframe."

France seeks UN Security Council resolution

China's UN ambassador says France is seeking a UN Security Council resolution calling for a cease-fire between Israel and Palestinian militants who control Gaza.

Zhang Jun, the current council president, confirmed that France's UN Ambassador Nicolas De Riviere informed the council during the third round of closed consultations Tuesday on the conflict that a resolution was being prepared.

The US has blocked the UN's most powerful body, which is charged with maintaining peace, from issuing a statement calling for a halt to the violence, insisting that it would not help diplomatic efforts to end the conflict.
regulator on Wednesday imposed a penalty of Rs 5.25 crore on for making a misleading announcement regarding the buyback of shares in 2014.

In addition, the regulator levied a fine of Rs 15 lakh each on P Elango, who was the CEO and director of Cairn, Aman Mehta, who was the director on the company's board, and Neerja Sharma, who was director (risk assurance) and company secretary, said in an order.

These three officials had signed the public advertisement regarding the buyback in January 2014 and facilitated the company in making the misleading announcement.

After a detailed investigation, found that Cairn did not place adequate buy orders despite the availability of adequate sell orders at NSE.

It further noted that Cairn was not able to fulfil at least 50 per cent of the buyback issue, despite the conditions were favourable to the company.

"... Cairn by not placing adequate buy orders despite the availability of adequate sell orders at NSE had perpetrated a fraud by making a misleading announcement regarding buyback of shares designed to influence the decision of investors and to induce sale or purchase of securities," Sebi said in its 41-page order.

By making the public announcement of a buyback without any intent to fulfil it, the entities have acted fraudulently and violated the provisions of PFUTP (Prohibition of Fraudulent and Unfair Trade Practices) norms as well as buyback norms, it added.

Cairn had made a public announcement on January 14, 2014, for buyback of 17,08,95,522 equity shares of Rs 10 each at a maximum price of Rs 335 apiece for Rs 5,725 crores from the open market.

The buyback offer was scheduled to open on January 23, 2014, and close on July 22, 2014.

Cairn informed that till June 27, 2014, it was able to buy back a total of 3,67,03,839 shares, which represented 21.48 per cent of the maximum buyback shares utilising a total of Rs 1,225.45 crore or 28.59 per cent of the maximum buyback size.

It was noted that Cairn was not able to utilise the minimum amount of 50 per cent of the buyback size as required under the Sebi Buyback Regulations. Therefore, it had sought an extension of the buyback period, which was not acceded by Sebi.

Subsequently, in July 2014, Cairn had submitted that it could not achieve the minimum amount of 50 per cent of buyback size as required under the rules.

Further, the company had made an application to Sebi to release the cash escrow (Rs 143.125 crore), containing 2.5 per cent of the buyback size.

Pursuant to this, the regulator had conducted an investigation into the matter.

merged with Vedanta Ltd in 2018.

(Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Crypto market cap losses nearly $1 trn



and ethereum posted their largest one-day drop since March last year on Wednesday, with losses in the market capitalisation for the entire cryptocurrency sector approaching $1 trillion.



The sharp declines came after China banned financial and payment institutions from providing cryptocurrency services. Read more



IOC net rises to Rs 8,781 cr in Jan-Mar quarter



Indian Oil Corporation (IOC), the nation's biggest oil firm, on Wednesday reported a better-than-expected net profit of Rs 8,781.30 crore in the March quarter, helped by a surge in refining margins as higher crude prices boosted the inventory value.



Standalone net profit in January-March was at Rs 8,781.30 crore, or Rs 9.56 a share, compared with a loss of Rs 5,185.32 crore in the same period a year back, IOC Chairman S M Vaidya said. Read more



asks creditors to consider ex-promoter Wadhawan's settlement offer



The National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT) on Wednesday directed the administrator of to present the settlement offer of the non-banking financial company's ousted promoter Kapil Wadhawan before the creditors for their consideration.



The tribunal, in an oral order, has asked the RBI-appointed administrator of Dewan Housing Finance Ltd (DHFL) to present the settlement plan to the Committee of Creditors (CoC).



The CoC has been given 10 days' time to consider the offer. Read more



Vaccination should be taken 3 months after recovery from COVID-19: Health ministry



Those suffering from COVID-19 as well as those who have contracted it after taking the first vaccine dose should go for the jabs three months after fully recovering from the disease, the Union health ministry said on Wednesday.



Also, COVID-19 vaccination is recommended for all lactating women and an individual can donate blood after 14 days of either receiving anti-coronavirus shot or testing RT-PCR negative, if suffering from the disease. Read more
Hindustan Zinc Ltd is quoting at Rs 349.4, up 1.13% on the day as on 12:49 IST on the NSE. The stock is up 104.75% in last one year as compared to a 66.54% gain in NIFTY and a 207.65% gain in the Nifty Metal index.

Hindustan Zinc Ltd is up for a third straight session in a row. The stock is quoting at Rs 349.4, up 1.13% on the day as on 12:49 IST on the NSE. The benchmark NIFTY is down around 0.06% on the day, quoting at 15099.1. The Sensex is at 50127.44, down 0.13%. Hindustan Zinc Ltd has added around 22.86% in last one month.

Meanwhile, Nifty Metal index of which Hindustan Zinc Ltd is a constituent, has added around 20.1% in last one month and is currently quoting at 5294.4, down 0.55% on the day. The volume in the stock stood at 85.22 lakh shares today, compared to the daily average of 49.24 lakh shares in last one month.

The PE of the stock is 18.29 based on TTM earnings ending March 21.

Powered by Capital Market - Live News

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Shaktikanta Das, the governor of Reserve Bank of India (RBI) held meetings with the MD & CEOs of Public Sector Banks today through video conference. The Governor acknowledged the important role being played by PSBs in extending various banking facilities including credit facilities to individuals and businesses while tackling the challenges brought on by the pandemic.

He impressed upon the banks to quickly implement the measures announced by RBI recently in the right earnest. He also urged the banks to continue focussing on steps to enhance the resilience of their balance sheets.

Powered by Capital Market - Live News

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
As more corporate boards begin to comply with the separation of the posts of chairman and CEO expect a surge in the appointment of Chairmen Emeritus as promoters work out ways to seek to retain control of their companies.

But no part of the covers this designation, creating a grey area in corporate governance, says Amit Tandon here

In other views today:

A K Bhattacharya dissects the falling trend in corporate taxes and explains why this could get worse. Read it here

The second edit argues that Cairn Energys move to seize Air Indias overseas assets to make good on the award it won against the government spells bad news for the twin ambitions of driving economic growth through foreign direct investment and bridging the fiscal deficit via disinvestment. Read it here

The rebound in on the back of robust global demand offers an opportunity for the government to take steps to sustain and build on the recovery, says the top edit. Read it here
Red tourism boosts rural vitalization in Jiangxi

China Daily) 09:09, May 19, 2021

Xie Zhengxiu (left) makes straw sandals with another villager in Gutian village in Jinggangshan, Jiangxi province. Sales of the sandals and other handicrafts to visitors help lift villagers' incomes. [Photo by Wang Jian/China Daily]

People's enthusiasm to visit historical sites linked to the revolution and their desire to learn about revolutionary traditions has boosted poverty alleviation and rural vitalization efforts in East China's Jiangxi province.

Over the past few years, tourists have flocked to the small village of Shenshan, in Maoping town, Jinggangshan, to listen to locals telling stories about revolutionary history, experience local folk activities and appreciate the natural scenery. Jinggangshan is known as the cradle of the Chinese revolution.

Wu Xiaoping, Maoping's Party secretary, said 21 of the 54 families in Shenshan lived below the poverty line in 2015, and the village's per capita disposable income was less than 3,000 yuan ($467).

"Over the past few years, with local government support, the village has developed its rich revolutionary legacies and has attracted an increasing number of tourists," he said. It received 320,000 visits in 2019, and its per capita disposable income reached 28,000 yuan last year.

Over 80 percent of villagers provide tourism-related services, such as catering, accommodation and selling local specialties. Tourism has also boosted the development of other industries, including the growing of tea and yellow peaches, Wu said.

"Red tourism has developed quickly in recent years and this year will receive a further boost as our country celebrates the centenary of the Communist Party of China," he said.

Three years ago, Gutian village in Jinggangshan was still in a shabby state, and residents lived off the land. It now features neat houses, beautiful rivers and farming experience areas.

Since 2018, Jinggangshan Yanda Tourism and Culture Company has invested over 10 million yuan in renovating houses and the village's infrastructure and public facilities, based on its revolutionary legacies and natural scenery.

The village accommodates an average of 1,000 people a day who visit for education in patriotism and revolutionary traditions and to experience the life that the Red Army soldiers led, Xie Yanjun, the company's general manager, said.

More than 70 of the village's 106 families have signed contracts with the company to lend their vacant beds to it to increase their incomes. They are also able to sell handicrafts and local specialties to visitors. Xie said Red tourism helped lift villagers' per capita income to over 30,000 yuan last year.

Xie Wenquan, a 62-year-old villager who had no income before, said that he now makes 3,000 to 4,000 yuan regularly through lending vacant beds to the company, working for its canteen and tending flowers and plants in the village.

In Yudu county, Jiangxi, where the Red Army set off on the Long March, revolution-themed Red tourism is also booming. In 2019, over 100,000 visitors walked a 19.34-kilometer-long mountain road that the Red Army soldiers took in 1934.

Liu Jinhua, head of the county's Tantou village, said it founded a company in 2017 to restore historical sites with revolutionary legacies and develop Red tourism. Last year, each family received a dividend of 1,000 yuan from the company.

The village had received over 170,000 visitors by the end of last month and more are expected, he said.

"Villagers have also formed a cooperative for cultivating various fruits, vegetables and selenium-enriched rice, which ensures visitors can enjoy healthy food and also helps increase locals' incomes," he said.

(Web editor: Guo Wenrui, Du Mingming)
Amid continued violence between Israel and Palestine and a growing number of casualties, the on Wednesday said India must use its good offices as a member of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) with greater determination and persuasion to bring about peace in the region.

"Both parties must abjure violence and return to peace negotiations, there being no other path to a meaningful, peaceful co-existence of Israel and Palestine," the opposition party said in a statement.

"The party expresses its satisfaction at the balanced position of the Government of India, urging immediate cessation of hostilities, but would urge the government to use its good offices as a member of the Security Council with greater determination and persuasion," it added.

Anand Sharma, the chairman of the All India Committee's (AICC) foreign affairs cell had, on May 14, called for immediate cessation of hostilities by both Israel and Hamas and urged India to proactively work towards restoring peace with the intervention of the

"The Congress party urges for immediate cessation of hostilities by both Israel and Hamas and calls for urgent intervention of the UN Security council to restore peace.

"The issue is both moral and humanitarian. India, as a member of the UNSC, should proactively work to achieve this objective," he had said.

The Congress said the conflict between Israel and Palestine seems to have escalated and the number of casualties is growing by the hour.

The opposition party asserted that India's historic position in support of the two-State solution with appropriate recognition of East Jerusalem as the capital of independent Palestine must indeed be underscored.

"It is sad that the intrusion by Israeli forces into the Holy Al-Aqsa mosque during Ramzan prayers ruptured the delicate peace in the region.

"Whilst the rocket attacks by the Hamas cannot be condoned despite any provocation, at the same time, the disproportionate retaliation by a much stronger, organised military is unacceptable, particularly in view of civilian casualties including many women and children," the Congress said.

It also said the attack on media offices undermines the first principles of free flow of information.

Amongst the casualties in Israel was an Indian citizen from Kerala, Soumya Santosh, a serving nurse, a matter of mourning for all Indians, the party noted.

(Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Amid the slight decline in Covid-19 cases in Bihar, a political war of words has erupted between the ruling Janata Dal (United) and the opposition Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) as the former questioned leader Tejashwi Yadav's decision to convert his government bungalow into a Covid care centre.

Tejashwi Yadav, Leader of Opposition in the Bihar Assembly and former Deputy Chief Minister, has appealed to the Bihar government to utilise the Covid centre set up by him as per the prescribed rules. The leader arranged beds and oxygen from his private funds in this Covid care centre.

The Janata Dal (United) has taken a sarcastic dig at Tejashwi and asked him why he does not hire doctors at his government bungalow for Covid service?

Tejashwi wrote on his official Twitter account on Wednesday, "At my government residence at 1, Polo Road, which is equipped with all necessary medicines, medical equipment and free-of-cost food service, I have decided to set up an Covid care centre and request the Bihar government and hand it over to them for using it for Covid service as per prescribed rules. This Covid centre can be expanded if required."



 1,          ,    -  :                                pic.twitter.com/JxSUASScKp  Tejashwi Yadav (@yadavtejashwi) May 19, 2021

In another tweet Tejashwi wrote, "Hope the Bihar government will welcome this positive initiative and run this Covid care centre as per rules in human interest."

Tejaswi also uploaded a photo of this Covid centre on his official Twitter account.

JD(U) Legislative Councillor and former minister, Neeraj Kumar, termed Tejashwi Yadav as the 'hero of Lapataganj', calling it a political drama.

He said, "This is a new political drama by Tejashwi Yadav, the 'hero of Lapataganj'. A government bungalow is not your father's illegally acquired property. RJD's move to open a Covid care centre is comparable to cheating the common man. Your intentions are not good. Your Muslim MLA trusted the Nawada administration and gave oxygen cylinders to a government hospital and you are arranging bed facility in your government bungalow."

The JD(U) leader in a sarcastic tone said, "We want to know if there are doctors in your government bungalow. Will you arrange their services here? Will you make this public, too. How long will you take inside your Covid centre to boost the morale of infected patients? You should announce it as well."

On Tuesday, Tejashwi wrote to Chief Minister Nitish Kumar seeking permission for all MLAs of the state to visit a hospital, Primary Health Centre (PHC), Covid care centre etc. to meet the patients infected with Covid-19 and their families and provide relief to them. The letter also sought permission to open a Covid care centre and run a community kitchen.

--IANS

mnp-anm/khz/bg

(Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Social media giant on Wednesday said it is expanding its 'COVID-19 Announcement' in India that will help health departments of states and union territories share essential COVID-19 related updates with their communities.

India is the second country after the US to launch this feature.

said it has partnered with 33 states and union territories to roll out this tool in their respective jurisdictions.

"The COVID-19 Announcement feature will give health departments the ability to push out timely, credible COVID-19 and vaccine information to people in their local communities/ state jurisdictions. States will be able to issue these alerts statewide or to specific cities within their state," it added.

The roll out of the COVID-19 Announcement tool in India is part of the company's ongoing efforts to support the public health authorities' work to keep people safe and informed during the public health crisis, it said.

"When posts by state health department pages on are marked as COVID-19 Announcements, we amplify their reach so that people located in the community are more likely to see them. We will send notifications to people located in the affected area, and will also show that information on the COVID-19 Information Center," Facebook said.

This will help distribute important and urgent updates related to COVID-19 or COVID-19 vaccination efforts to people in the community, it added.

Facebook said COVID-19 Announcements can be used to communicate information on existing COVID-19 resources such as helplines; updates on hospital bed availability in districts such as Intensive Care Unit (ICU) beds and oxygen supported beds; and changes to existing COVID-19 rules and regulation that can impact communities and day-to-day actions like lockdowns, night curfews and changes to treatment protocols.

The tool can also be used to share information about vaccine eligibility and registration, and the logistics of acquiring a vaccine; providing accurate information on COVID-19 appropriate behaviour; and suggesting preventive behavioural health measures to stop the spread of COVID-19, it added.

Previously, the social media giant had said it would roll out a vaccine finder tool on its mobile app in India to help people identify places nearby to get inoculated. The company had also announced a USD 10 million grant for emergency response efforts for COVID-19 situation in the country.

(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.)
Goggle researchers have showcased an AI-powered dermatology assist tool that will help you understand whats going on with issues related to your bodys largest organ: skin, hair and nails.

The AI-powered tool is a web-based application that hopes to launch as a pilot later this year, to make it easier to figure out what might be going on with your skin.

"Once you launch the tool, simply use your phone's camera to take three images of the skin, hair or nail concern from different angles. You'll then be asked questions about your skin type, how long you've had the issue and other symptoms that help the tool narrow down the possibilities," said Peggy Bui, MD, Product Manager, Health.

The AI model analyses this information and draws from its knowledge of 288 conditions to give you a list of possible matching conditions that you can then research further.

For each matching condition, the tool will show dermatologist-reviewed information and answers to commonly asked questions, along with similar matching images from the web.

"The tool is not intended to provide a diagnosis nor be a substitute for medical advice as many conditions require clinician review, in-person examination, or additional testing like a biopsy. Rather we hope it gives you access to authoritative information so you can make a more informed decision about your next step," But said during the I/O Developer Conference late on Tuesday.

The company also shared new AI research that aims to improve screening for one of the top causes of death worldwide: (TB) that infects 10 million people per year.

To help catch the disease early and work toward eventually eradicating it, Google researchers have developed an AI-based tool that builds on its existing work in medical imaging to identify potential TB patients for follow-up testing.

In a new study released this week, the Google team found that the right deep learning system can be used to accurately identify patients who are likely to have active TB based on their chest X-ray.

"By using this screening tool as a preliminary step before ordering a more expensive diagnostic test, our study showed that effective AI-powered screening could save up to 80% of the cost per positive TB case detected," said Google.

The AI-based tool was able to accurately detect active pulmonary TB cases with false-negative and false-positive detection rates that were similar to 14 radiologists.

This accuracy was maintained even when examining patients who were HIV-positive, a population that is at higher risk of developing TB and is challenging to screen because their chest X-rays may differ from typical TB cases.

"Later this year, we plan to expand this work through two separate research studies with our partners, Apollo Hospitals in India and the Centre for Infectious Disease Research in Zambia (CIDRZ)," the company informed.

--IANS

na/

(Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Kolkata (West Bengal) [India], May 19 (ANI/NewsVoir): NIPS Hospitality Management Institute recently awarded with the Recognition of Quality Culinary Education Program by World Association of Chefs' Societies, the highest body of the global culinary network, comprising over 100 chefs' associations, representing chefs at all levels and across all specialties worldwide. With this award and recognition, NIPS joins the Top 90 Elite Hotel and Culinary Schools of the World.

The track record and success rate of NIPS alumni has made an impact in the hospitality industry throughout India and worldwide. The college has created the best talent in the industry and its alumni are working as Directors, Vice Presidents, General Managers, Executive Chefs, Entrepreneurs, Wine experts, Cruise Managers etc with big companies. NIPS hotel management ranked among the top 90 hotel management institutes of the world for its performance and quality education.

A pioneer in the hospitality educational industry for 27 years, NIPS Hotel Management college has caught the global attention for its outstanding placement records. The institute has been awarded with the prestigious Black Swan Award for Best International Placements and grabbed the coverage in Forbes magazine also.

Vivek Pathak, Founder and Managing Director of NIPS has maintained a consistency in bringing quality education, world class teachers and best academic programs combined with industry ready internships internationally under one roof since the inception of the institute in 1993. Pathak has achieved several accolades for his indispensable contribution to the industry for the last 25 years. The college has seen an exemplary growth in its internship records over the years. No wonder that NIPS is the frontrunner in the field of hospitality education in India. The college is offering programs like Diploma, Degree, Master in Hotel/Hospitality management and Culinary courses.

"What started as a small initiative two decades ago, has become a legacy today, NIPS has expanded into NIPS Hospitality Group, canopying several ventures within the Hospitality industry for creating a self-sufficient platform for growth and excellence," says Vivek Pathak while telling about his journey to achieve a milestone in the hospitality education industry.

Apart from the (https://nipsgroup.in/awards-recognitions) awards and recognition NIPS is known for being a home to many internationally acclaimed personalities and famous chefs as teachers and trainers at the campus. The joining of highly acclaimed Master Chef Judge Chef Kunal Kapur to impart his expertise as Chef de Specialiste, added another glory and laurels to NIPS achievements. The NIPS growth and success stands on strong shoulder famous Chef Gomes (Chef of The Year for three consecutive times), Ranabir Ray. Asst. Director, and Samrat Dutta, Academic Head. The powerful bond between the teachers, students and alumni of NIPS is one of its key strengths that makes it the best institute to study for placements and helped to achieve global recognition in the media.

Vivek Pathak advises young professionals in the hospitality industry to "Focus on a goal, never be intimidated by mistakes which are part of life learning, basically understanding from mistakes and taking firm steps forward to success." "NIPS is on a mission to aid students in developing hospitality management skills besides gaining the in-hand knowledge to achieve executive level positions in the global world of hospitality business, and to make a positive difference in the world," he added.

NIPS Hotel Management College is a premium hotel management institute founded by Vivek Pathak in the year 1993. It is the frontrunner in hospitality education offering Diploma, Degree & Master in Hotel/Hospitality & Culinary courses. NIPS Hotel Management is an educational institute providing degrees in hotel and hospitality management. The first batch of students graduated in 1996. Affiliated to MAKAUT, (former WBUT) and AICTE and offers undergraduate, masters and diploma courses in hotel and hospitality management.

This story is provided by NewsVoir. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of this article. (ANI/NewsVoir)

DISCLAIMER

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Karnataka CM BS Yediyurappa on Wednesday announced COVID-19 relief package worth Rs 1,250 crore for the segments badly hit by second wave of Covid-19 pandemic. Karnataka is one of the worst affected states due to Covid-19.

As part of the relief package, an amount of Rs 3,000 each will be given to auto and taxi drivers and construction workers; Rs 2,000 to workers in the unorganised sector and Rs 10,000 per hectare to farmers engaged in floriculture works. Around 69,000 farmers may benefit from the decision and will cost the government Rs 69 crore.

Overall, about 2.10 lakh auto, registered taxi and maxi cab drivers will benefit from the move. The scheme announced for labourers, under which Rs 3,000 each will be given to labourers who have registered with Karnataka Building And Other Construction Workers Welfare Board will cost the exchequer Rs 494 crore.

Unorganised sector workers like barbers, washermen, tailor, porters, ragpickers, potters, goldsmiths, mechanics, blacksmith, household workers, cobblers, among others, will get Rs 3,000 each, thereby benefiting 3.04 lakh of them. The scheme will cost Rs 60.89 crore.

Also read: 3,000 COVID-19 patients 'missing' in Bengaluru: Karnataka minister

Roadside vendors registered under Aatma Nirbhar package will get Rs 2,000 each, benefitting about 2.20 lakh people. The scheme will cost Rs 44 crore. Also artists and art teams will be given Rs 3,000 each, benefiting 16,095 beneficiaries and will cost Rs 4.82 crore, he further added, while listing out several other announcements.

The Karnataka CM also said the decision on extending beyond May 24 will be taken soon. "Our government had given financial packages to various sectors during the COVID first wave. Despite that, as the current restrictions have affected the livelihood of those with unorganised sector and farmers, to mitigate its impact we are announcing a relief programme of more than Rs 1,250 crore," Yediyurappa said.

He said Karnataka is facing a financial crunch but considering the hardships faced by people, it's necessary to lend a helping hand. "We have done the best we can within the current financial limitations, and will consider if any further needs to be done in the future," he said, reported PTI.

Karnataka is currently under complete lockdown till May 24 as the COVID cases continue to spike in the southern state. Several ministers in the Yediyurappa government have sought extension of the lockdown in the state.

Also read: Karnataka mulls COVID lockdown extension; no decision yet

With PTI inputs
A day after Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal said India should ban flights from Singapore over the emergence of a new COVID-19 strain, its high commissioner in India has denied reports that any homegrown variant is affecting kids. It said the strain that has been detected in many COVID-19 patients in Singapore, including children, is the B.1.617.2 variant.

"There is no truth in the assertion that there is a new COVID strain in Singapore. Phylogenetic testing has shown that the B.1.617.2 variant is the prevalent strain in many of the COVID cases, including in children, in recent weeks in Singapore," Singapore High Commission in India tweeted in a revert to the Delhi chief minister's tweet.

MEA spokesperson Arindam Bagchi also said the Singapore Government called in India's High Commissioner today to convey strong objection to Delhi CM's tweet on "Singapore variant".

Singapore Government called in our High Commissioner today to convey strong objection to Delhi CM's tweet on "Singapore variant". High Commissioner clarified that Delhi CM had no competence to pronounce on Covid variants or civil aviation policy. a Arindam Bagchi (@MEAIndia) May 19, 2021

The highly contagious B.1.617 variant of coronavirus was first detected in India and has now spread to many countries across the world. The variant is believed to be the primary cause of the second COVID-19 wave in India, which has crippled the healthcare system in the country.

In a tweet on Tuesday, Kejriwal said the new strain that has emerged in Singapore can come to India in the form of a third wave of the pandemic, and urged the Centre to start work on COVID-19 vaccines for children.

Also read: COVID-19: Arvind Kejriwal urges Centre to suspend flight services from Singapore

In another tweet, the chief minister shared a news report that said authorities in Singapore have warned of the new COVID-19 strain in the country. Starting today, all primary, secondary and junior colleges will shift to full home-based learning in Singapore until the end of the school term on May 28 because of the new strain, the Singapore authorities said.

"Some of these (virus) mutations are much more virulent, and they seem to attack the younger children," Singapore's Education Minister Chan Chun Sing said. None of the children who have contracted the virus are seriously ill and a few have mild symptoms, he added.

Delhi has been one of the most affected states in India due to the second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic. However, the cases have started showing a declining trend. On Tuesday, the national capital reported 4,482 new cases and 265 deaths in the preceding 24 hours. The downtrend in positivity rate continued, with it dipping to 6.89 per cent.

The Kejriwal-led government in Delhi has been constantly attacking the Centre on various issues related to COVID-19.

After alleging an insufficient supply of medical oxygen by the Centre, his government has accused the NDA government and Prime Minister Narendra Modi of exporting COVID-19 vaccines to other countries when India was in dire need of vaccines.

Also read: Singaporean authorities warn children susceptible to new COVID-19 variants, shut schools
Despite damaging allegations suggesting Bill Gates pursued women who worked for him, don't expect changes to his roles at the two iconic institutions he co-founded, Microsoft and his namesake philanthropic foundation. Critics say the revelations raise accountability concerns, though it remains unclear how much the dent to Gates' reputation might affect the institutions that are so closely associated with him.

The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation says it is not investigating the allegations in the media, as the reported incident involving one of the world's largest, most influential nonprofits was made by "an anonymous former employee." "The foundation has never received any formal complaints regarding Bill Gates," the spokesperson noted in a statement to AP. "When we do receive an allegation of misconduct, we take it very seriously, conduct an investigation, and take deliberate actions appropriate to the situation."

The New York Times and Wall Street Journal over the weekend detailed Gates' reported behaviour toward women, ranging from a full-blown affair at Microsoft to dismissiveness toward his now-estranged wife and foundation co-chair, Melinda French Gates, as well as asking out women who felt uncomfortable with his advances at both institutions.

Microsoft Corp. said the company hired a law firm in late 2019 to conduct an investigation after a Microsoft engineer alleged in a letter that she had a sexual relationship with Gates over several years. Gates' private office spokesperson called it "an affair almost 20 years ago which ended amicably."

Microsoft spokesperson Frank X. Shaw this week declined to answer further questions about what the board concluded and why the investigation wasn't previously disclosed. The company in March 2020 announced Gates was leaving the board to "dedicate more time to his philanthropic priorities" but would continue to serve as a technology adviser to CEO Satya Nadella and other Microsoft leaders.

Gates' spokesperson said the investigation did not force him off the board and that he had for years planned to spend more time on his philanthropy. The spokesperson referred to a statement issued to the New York Times: "It is extremely disappointing that there have been so many untruths published about the cause, the circumstances and the timeline of Bill Gates' divorce."

On May 3, the Gateses announced in identical tweets that they had decided to end their marriage of 27 years.

The allegations against Bill Gates are a red flag for some of Microsoft's shareholders, said Natasha Lamb, managing partner of Arjuna Capital, an investment firm that has pushed the company to address pay disparity concerns. She said the company allowing him to resign was cowardly of both Gates and the board and that the revelations are "a real setback for Microsoft in their ability to attract and retain diverse talent."

"The case of Bill Gates is a classic example of money and power. Clearly, hitting on his employees was his move. That's how he met his wife. It's clear that kind of behaviour continued," Lamb said. "This leaves an open question as to how the board and leadership is addressing sexual harassment within the company. There was some change following MeToo in how the company was dealing with these issues internally. But clearly, you had this signal of bad behaviour from the top, which sets the culture."

A former Microsoft employee who waged a 5-year legal battle against the company over alleged gender discrimination in pay and promotions said the Gates allegations reflect broader problems with the company's culture. "A lot of their policies around harassment in the workplace were so ineffective at protecting women," said Katie Moussouris, a cybersecurity researcher, who dropped her lawsuit against Microsoft in November. "I am completely unsurprised."

Moussouris, who joined the company in 2007 under then-CEO Steve Ballmer, said it wasn't unusual for engineers to occasionally encounter top corporate executives -- especially when they were making presentations about their research. She said that raises concerns about Gates' ongoing role as a technical adviser to Nadella.

"Which means he's going to be sitting in exactly on those types of meetings, ongoing," she said. "This does not remove him from encountering other women at Microsoft."

It's unclear the extent to which Melinda French Gates knew of such allegations but it's been suggested that she was aware of his wandering eye and was horrified by his association with the convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. Her private office, Pivotal Ventures, didn't respond to a request for comment.

When she filed for divorce earlier this month, the couple pledged to continue to work together at the foundation. But now observers note the recent revelations might give Melinda French Gates more reason to open her own charitable organization with the slice of uncommitted money from the Gateses' fortune following the divorce.

"The more stories emerge in the press that Melinda didn't previously know about, she could become less and less interested in continuing a collaborative role with her former husband going forward," said David Callahan, founder of the Insider Philanthropy website and author of "The Givers: Wealth, Power, and Philanthropy in a New Gilded Age."

Gates' spokesperson has pushed back against all the assertions. "The characterization of his meetings with Epstein and others about philanthropy is inaccurate, including who participated. Similarly, any claim that Gates spoke of his marriage or Melinda in a disparaging manner is false. The claim of mistreatment of employees is also false. The rumors and speculation surrounding Gates' divorce are becoming increasingly absurd and it's unfortunate that people who have little to no knowledge of the situation are being characterized as 'sources.'"

It's unlikely that most shareholders want to rock Microsoft's boat, given its years of steady growth since Nadella took over in 2014 that have made it one of the world's most valuable companies. Its rising profits and stock performance have been largely unaffected by the pandemic because of the importance of its services to people working or studying from home.

In 2019, Arjuna Capital asked fellow Microsoft shareholders to vote in favour of making the company report on gender disparities in salaries at the company's annual meeting. Microsoft asked investors to defeat the proposal, which they did -- though 30% voted in favour, a relatively high percentage for activist proposals. The investment firm will be trying again this year.

Although the recent reports have been damaging to Bill Gates and the foundation that bears his name, Lawrence Gostin, a public health expert at Georgetown University, says it likely won't affect how nonprofits looking for funding approach the organization.

"Most grantees will continue to come to the foundation for money, because they are more interested in money than they are in the intrigues that go on at the foundation," Gostin said. But, he added, the reports are likely to influence how the public continues to view the foundation's prolonged work around gender equality.

"The foundation will be seen not to be standing up for the high standards that it expects its grantees to stand for," Gostin said, adding the charitable organization "will have to work very hard to restore its reputation, and particularly, to demonstrate that it's taking allegations of sexually inappropriate behaviour or harassment seriously."

Also read: Microsoft investigated Bill Gates' 'intimate relationship' with employee before he quit: Report
Battling extreme weather, the Navy and Coast Guard have so far rescued 317 people on board two barges that went adrift in the Arabian Sea near Mumbai hours before Cyclone Tauktae made landfall on the Gujarat coast, but 390 more remain stranded or missing from offshore facilities, an official said on Tuesday.

The accommodation barge P305 which was servicing ONGC offshore operations has sunk, the official said, adding 180 of the 273 personnel on board were rescued till late evening.

Three barges and an oil rig with 707 personnel on board went adrift on Monday. These included barge P305 with 273 persons, cargo barge GAL Constructor with 137 personnel on board, accommodation barge SS-3 with 196 personnel on board and the Sagar Bhushan oil rig with 101 personnel on board, a Navy official said.

While all the 137 people on board the cargo barge GAL Constructor were rescued, 180 of the 273 onboard P305 have been rescued so far, the official said. "Two Coast Guard Chetak helicopters operating from the Coast Guard Air station in Daman rescued personnel on board the GAL Constructor. One more Chetak helicopter was also pressed into service for the SAR operations," he said.

"Navy ships INS Beas, INS Betwa and INS Teg joined INS Kochi and INS Kolkata for undertaking Search and Rescue (SAR) operations for Barge P-305, which sank 35 nautical miles from Mumbai in the Mumbai Offshore Development Area," the Navy spokesperson said. SAR has also been augmented with P8I and naval helicopters, who continue to undertake an aerial search in the area. Since the commencement of the SAR from Monday, 180 survivors have been recovered so far, he said.

"In another operation, a Navy Seaking helicopter was launched to rescue the crew of GAL Constructor, which ran aground north of Mumbai. It rescued 35 crew members," he said. SAR efforts are also in progress off the coast of Gujarat for three vessels - Support Station 3, Great Ship Aditi and Drill Ship Sagar Bhushan, which are 15-20 nautical miles south-east off Gujarat coast (Pipavav), he said.

"Navy ship INS Talwar has arrived in the area and taken over the duties of ''On-Scene Coordinator'' for coordination of the SAR effort. The Western Naval Command, in coordination with ONGC and DG shipping has diverted five tugs to render assistance. The GAL Constructor barge was out of control for three days before the cyclonic storm led to its sinking, Avinash Aadke, a rescued worker said after being flown to Mumbai.

Mr Aadke also said help was being sought from the Coast Guard. Proximity to land of the barge, which was anchored close to Alibaug near Mumbai and the presence of mobile connectivity resulted in help being redirected to assist other assets deep in the sea, he added.

Another rescued person from P305 said nobody tried to jump into the sea till the barge was afloat. All were together and safe till then, he added. Deputy Chief of Naval Staff Murlidhar Sadashiv Pawar said the ongoing SAR is among the most challenging search and rescue operations he has seen in the last four decades.

"As we speak, four of our Navy ships are on-site - INS Kochi, INS Kolkata, INS Talwar and INS Betwa. For the last 20 hours, they have been battling to search and rescue as many people as they can through the night and the challenging weather conditions," he said.

"The main operation pertains to searching and rescuing people from the barge P305 which sank about 60 km from Mumbai at 7 pm on Monday. The main challenge is the weather itself. This is an extremely severe cyclonic storm with winds of 80-90 knots, wave heights of 6 to 8 metres, continuous rains, heavy clouding, and almost zero visibility," he said.

Also read: Cyclone Tauktae: PM Modi to visit Gujarat, Diu tomorrow to review situation
Eminent American civil rights leader Rev. Jesse L. Jackson is urging President Joe Biden to release 60 million doses of COVID-19 vaccines to India, which is experiencing one of the worst outbreaks of thee pandemic in the world.

Rev. Jackson will be joined by a number of prominent Indian leaders in the national capital on Wednesday, to make a public appeal to Biden for more humanitarian aid, according to a community statement.

"The pandemic poses a threat to humanity, not to any one country. Our response must be as encompassing as the threat," Rev Jackson said in a statement. He will urge Biden to give India 60 million doses of AstraZeneca vaccine, it said.

Dr Bharat Barai, chairman, US India Friendship Council, urged the President to facilitate the supply of the "much needed antiviral medications of Remdesivir and Tocilizumab to India immediately."

In a statement, Dr Vijay Prabhakar, national chairman, American Association of Multiethnic Physicians, USA, called on Biden to invoke the Federal International Emergency Production Act which would enable the manufacturers of the vaccine in the US to increase their production capacity.

"We need to protect India first only then can America and the rest of the world be protected," Dr Prabhakar said. Thanking Biden for his international vaccination pledge by providing 80 million COVID-19 vaccines, he also pleaded to give at least 60 million of those to India.

In its most recent update, the Union Health Ministry placed the total number of COVID-19 cases in India at 2,52,28,996 and the death count at 2,78,719. The ministry said there are 33,53,765 active cases, while 2,15,96,512 people have so far recovered from the infection.

Also read: Joe Biden, Kamala Harris release tax returns; US V-P paid $621,893 in taxes
Five non-profit organisations and businesses have filed a lawsuit against the Joe Biden administration for an H-1B visa selection process that would prioritise high-waged applicants. The petitioners called the move 'disastrous' and filed a lawsuit on Monday in a US District Court.

"This final rule unlawfully makes the H-1B visa selection process dependent on wage level and unlawfully gives priority for lottery selection to those H-1B applicants who are paid the highest wages. This rule will foreclose eligible H-1B workers who are not paid at the highest wage levels, including plaintiffs in this matter," stated the petition.

Greg Siskind of Siskind Susser PC who is representing one of the petitioners said that the higher wage requirement would create a system where non-profits would be unable to compete for talent. He said that the rule would make it extremely difficult for graduating students and medical residents to qualify for H-1B visas. "This rule may have sounded good to the people who came up with the idea, but it will cause disastrous collateral damage," he said, according to a report in Economic Times.

"This rule has been unlawful since its inception under the (previous Donald) Trump administration and promulgation under former DHS official Chad Wolf," said Jesse Bless, Director of Federal Litigation at American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA).

Bless said that district courts have repeatedly and unanimously ruled that US Department of Homeland Security (DHS) acting secretary Chad Wolf did not have the authority to change immigration policy. Even if he did promulgate the H-18 rule, Bless said, it is 'substantively unlawful' as it contravenes US immigration law.

Wolf was fiercely loyal to Trump and regularly defended the administration's actions and decisions.

According to a recent study by the National Foundation for American Policy, the wage-based system will make it difficult for international students to get work permits in the US.

The rule was rolled out by the Trump administration and sought to give priority in the H-1B selection process to applications giving the highest wage level in respective occupation category as well as location. After his swearing-in, President Joe Biden said that his administration will delay the implementation of the rule till December 31.

Also read: Google, Apple, Amazon, 27 other tech giants push to protect work permits for H-1B spouses
Singapore on Wednesday conveyed to Indian High Commissioner P Kumaran its strong objection to Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal's comments that a variant of COVID-19 found in that country was particularly harmful to children and could cause a third wave of infections in India.

Following Singapore foreign ministry's reaction regretting the 'unfounded assertions' by Kejriwal, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said the Delhi chief minister does not speak for India. MEA Spokesperson Arindam Bagchi said the Indian High Commissioner conveyed to the Singapore government that the Delhi chief minister had no competence to comment on COVID variants.

In its statement, the Singapore foreign ministry said there is no 'Singapore variant' and that the strain prevalent in many of the COVID-19 cases in recent weeks is the B.1.617.2 variant, which was first detected in India. 'Singapore Government called in our High Commissioner today to convey strong objection to Delhi CM's tweet on 'Singapore variant'. High Commissioner clarified that Delhi CM had no competence to pronounce on Covid variants or civil aviation policy,' Bagchi tweeted.

The Singapore foreign ministry said it is disappointed that a prominent political figure had failed to ascertain the facts before making such claims. Taking to Twitter, Kejriwal on Tuesday called for cancelling all air services with Singapore with immediate effect saying a strain of coronavirus found in that country could reach Delhi in the form of a third wave.

'The new form of coronavirus in Singapore is said to be very dangerous for children. It could reach Delhi in the form of a third wave. My appeal to the Central government: 1. Cancel all air services with Singapore with immediate effect 2. Work on vaccine alternatives for children on a priority basis,' Kejriwal had said in a tweet in Hindi.

In a series of tweets on Wednesday, Jaishankar said Singapore and India have been solid partners in combating the pandemic and appreciated the country's role as a logistics hub and oxygen supplier. 'Their gesture of deploying military aircraft to help us speaks of our exceptional relationship,' Jaishankar said.

'However, irresponsible comments from those who should know better can damage long-standing partnerships. So, let me clarify- Delhi CM does not speak for India,' he said. Singapore's Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) said the assertions made by Kejriwal were 'unfounded'.

'MFA regrets the unfounded assertions made on Facebook and Twitter by Chief Minister of Delhi Arvind Kejriwal that a variant of COVID-19 found in Singapore was particularly harmful to children and could cause a third wave of infections in India,' it said. 'MFA is disappointed that a prominent political figure had failed to ascertain the facts before making such claims,' it said.

The MFA said it met High Commissioner Kumaran this morning to express these concerns. 'As highlighted by MOH in its press release of 18 May 2021, there is no "Singapore variant". The strain prevalent in many of the COVID-19 cases in recent weeks is the B.1.617.2 variant, which was first detected in India,' the MFA said.

Also read: 'No truth that there's new COVID strain in country': Singapore on Arvind Kejriwal's tweet
After Union minister Nitin Gadkari sparked a controversy over the huge demand for vaccines against production in the country, he clarified today saying he was unaware of the fact that the Centre is already facilitating vaccine manufacturing by 12 different plants or companies.

He had suggested during an address to vice-chancellors of universities in India on Tuesday that the government should issue multiple companies licences to manufacture Covid-19 vaccines. "If vaccine demand is more than supply it creates the problem. Instead of 1, let 10 more companies be given licenses for vaccine manufacture...Let them supply in the country and later if there's a surplus, they may export. It can be done in 15-20 days," he said during a seminar.

#WATCH | If vaccine demand is more than supply it creates problem. Instead of 1, let 10 more companies be given license for vaccine manufacture...Let them supply in country & later if there's surplus, they may export. It can be done in 15-20 days: Union Min Nitin Gadkari (18.05) pic.twitter.com/gVOqMuVRNr  ANI (@ANI) May 19, 2021

Also read: 'Give licence to 10 more vaccine makers, instead of only one,' says Nitin Gadkari

Gadkari said today that while participating at the conference, he suggested ramping up vaccine production. "I was unaware that before my speech Minister for Chemical & Fertilizers Mansukh Mandaviya had explained the government's efforts to ramp up vaccine production," he added.

Yesterday while participating at the conference organised by Swadeshi Jagaran Manch, I had made a suggestion to ramp up vaccine production. I was unaware that before my speech Minister for Chemical & Fertilizers Shri @mansukhmandviya had explained governments efforts to ramp up  Nitin Gadkari (@nitin_gadkari) May 19, 2021

Gadkari said after the conference, Mandaviya also informed him that the Centre is already facilitating vaccine manufacturing by 12 different plants or companies and a rapid ramp-up of production is expected in near future. "I was unaware that his ministry had started these efforts before I had given a suggestion yesterday. I am glad and congratulate him and his team for this timely intervention in the right direction. I feel it is important to put this on record," said the minister.

The Congress party, meanwhile, has taken a dig at the Union minister, saying is his government listening? Referring to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Congress leader Jairam Ramesh tweeted: "This is what Dr Manmohan Singh had suggested on April 18th. But is his Boss listening?"

But is his Boss listening? This is what Dr. Manmohan Singh had suggested on April 18th. https://t.co/iqgPgJJ6Y7  Jairam Ramesh (@Jairam_Ramesh) May 19, 2021

Former prime minister Manmohan Singh on April 18 had written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the COVID-19 crisis, stressing that ramping up vaccination was the key to battling the pandemic. He also said any vaccine cleared by credible drug regulatory bodies like the European Medicines Agency (EMA) or the US Food and Drug Administration should be allowed to be imported into India.

The vaccine shortage issues have marred the phase 3 vaccination process in India, with several states halting the vaccination for 18-44 groups. India so far has three approved vaccines, including Serum Institute of India and Bharat Biotech's Covaxin. Russia's Sputnik has also been rolled out in India but the vaccine is not widely available as yet.

Also read: 26 cases of blood clots after Covishield; none after Covaxin

Also read: Apart from Serum, Bharat Biotech, these 5 vaccine makers are India's hope against Covid-19
Bitcoin continued its week-long slide triggered by Elon Musk's back-and-forth remarks on Tesla's holdings of the digital currency. Extending its losses, the cryptocurrency fell below $40,000 on Wednesday, May 19.

As per the latest data on Coinbase (at around 11.30 am), Bitcoin was trading at $38,570.90 (on May 19). This is the cryptocurrency's lowest level since February 2021 and comes after knocking a peak of $64,895 last month.

It had dipped as much as 5.1% to $42,547 in New York on May 18. Bitcoin's price traded below $45,000 on May 16 following a tweet by Tesla CEO Elon Musk, who has been a forthright supporter of cryptocurrency, suggesting that the California-based company may be mulling offloading its bitcoin holdings.

Also Read: Bitcoin plunges to $50,000 after Elon Musk's tweet sent price down 17%

The most popular digital currency has been on a downward spiral over the past few months because of regulatory hurdles and Elon Musk's comments on the digital currency.

While his erratic approach towards some digital currencies has led to their massive sway, the latest shocker came from China's new ban on crypto transactions.

China's clampdown on crypto transactions

The country has proscribed financial institutions and payment companies from providing services related to cryptocurrency transactions and warned investors against speculative crypto trading. It was China's latest attempt to clamp down on what was a burgeoning digital trading market.

Under the ban, such institutions, including banks and online payment channels, must not offer clients any service involving cryptocurrency, such as registration, trading, clearing, and settlement, the three industry bodies - the National Internet Finance Association of China, the China Banking Association and the Payment and Clearing Association of China - said in a joint statement on Tuesday, Reuters reported on May 19.

Also Read: China bars financial, payment institutions from using cryptocurrency

Elon Musk's back-and-forth remarks

Bitcoin's latest drop downwards was majorly pushed by Musk's late cognizance that cryptocurrencies are "energy-intensive", as in not environment friendly. Tesla's CEO took a lot of flak from crypto fans for specific views and thus re-assessed his outlook on Bitcoin due to its carbon emissions through a tweet. He also shared a chart from the Cambridge Bitcoin Electricity Consumption Index (CBECI) to back his opinion.

Energy usage trend over past few months is insane https://t.co/E6o9s87trwpic.twitter.com/bmv9wotwKe a Elon Musk (@elonmusk) May 13, 2021

Considering the energy consumption by Bitcoin miners, Musk added that Tesla would no longer accept the cryptocurrency as a payment means for its electric cars. The news led to a fall in Tesla prices as well, resulting in Musk losing his position as the second richest person in the world.

His stance on Bitcoin has been moving prices for the cryptocurrency over the past one month. Musk's latest Twitter communications also sparked rumours that Tesla may offload all of its Bitcoin holdings. However, he later put all speculations to rest stating that the company hadn't sold any of its holdings. This bolstered the price of Bitcoin.
Cryptocurrencies have landed in troubled waters. All popular digital currencies are witnessing steep drops with key technical levels in red.

Bitcoin, the most popular crytpocurrency in the world lost 30 per cent to $31,000, as its most popular proponent, Tesla CEO Elon Musk, backtracked. The rout wiped $500 billion from Bitcoin's peak market value. The coin is now down more than 50 per cent from its record level of $65,000 posted in April. It has lost all the momentum it gained after Tesla announced in February its investment in the digital coin and agreed to accept payments for its cars and services in Bitcoin. As of now, while the EV maker has retained its Bitcoin holdings, it has stopped accepting Bitcoin payments, citing extensive use of fossil fuels in mining the currency.

As Bitcoin's fortunes turned for the worse, other cryptocurrencies did not fare well either. Ethereum, the second-largest cryptocurrency in the world, is down 40 per cent, whereas Dogecoin, the meme crypto popularised by Musk, lost 45 per cent.

The downfall came after Tesla turned a cold shoulder to Bitcoin. Musk's tweets announcing Tesla's apprehensions towards the currency were followed by the selloff. An announcement from People's Bank of China on Tuesday reiterating that digital currencies cannot be used for payments exacerbated the worsening sentiment.

Analysts observed that the several key technical indicators were flashing red. Ipek Ozkardeskaya, senior analyst at Swissquote in Gland, Switzerland told Bloomberg that the next important support level stands close to $37,000, then at the $30,000 mark. She further added that a pullback to these levels, and even below, was pobable, even in the short run.
Loading the player...

India watching Singapore COVID-19 situation; precautions in place against new strain: Hardeep Puri

Aviation Minister Hardeep Singh Puri Tuesday said the Centre is taking all precautions and keeping an eye on the situation in Singapore after Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal appealed to it to cancel all flights with the city-state as a "very dangerous" coronavirus strain has been detected there.

US COVID-19 vaccines effective against B.1.617 variant found in India

COVID-19 vaccines that are available in the United States are effective against the deadly variant that was first detected in India, top US health officials said on Tuesday. The B.1.617 virus variant, first identified in India last year, has been classified as a ''variant of concern'' at the global level by the World Health Organisation.

Vi launches COVID-specific plan for 60 million low-income customers

Vodafone Idea, doing business as Vi in India, on Tuesday, launched a special Covid-19 relief offer for its low-income subscribers. The telecom service provider said that with this provision, Vi is hopeful of enabling its customers to stay connected safely, and have access to all necessary information in these challenging times.

Never exported vaccines at cost of people in India: Serum Institute

Amidst the debate over shortage of COVID-19 vaccines in the country and export of vaccines from India, Serum Institute of India (SII) on Tuesday said the company never exported vaccines at the cost of people in India, and it remains committed to the country's vaccination programme. The vaccine maker's statement comes at a time when India is witnessing the second wave of COVID-19 pandemic. Amidst shortage of COVID-19 vaccines, the opposition has been targeting Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his government for exporting vaccines earlier this year.

Doctors blame irrational steroid use for rising black fungus cases in Delhi

Hospitals in Delhi have reported a rise in the number of back fungus cases or mucormycosis among people recovering from COVID-19 during the second wave and it could be ascribed to "irrational" use of steroids at home without consulting a doctor, medical experts said on Tuesday. The fungal infection, which affects the brain, lungs, and sinuses, can be lethal to those suffering from diabetes and having compromised immune systems.

Covaxin's Phase II & III clinical trials for 2-18 year olds to begin in 10-12 days

Hyderabad-based Bharat Biotech's COVID-19 vaccine, Covaxin's Phase II/III clinical trials for the age group of 2 to 18 years will begin in 10 to 12 days. The national regulator Drugs Controller General of India (DCGI) had last week given its nod to Bharat Biotech in this matter. The trial will be conducted on 525 healthy volunteers.

COVID-19: Rs 50,000 ex-gratia for families with death in Delhi, free education for orphaned children

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Tuesday announced a slew of decisions to provide relief to families affected with COVID-19 in the national capital. Kejriwal said the Delhi government will provide Rs 50,000 ex-gratia to families who have lost any member due to the coronavirus. Besides, he also announced a monthly pension of Rs 2,500 for families who have lost their breadwinner due to COVID-19. Delhi government will provide free education to children who have lost their parents due to COVID-19.
Highlights Amazon has indefinitely extended a ban on the use of its facial recognition platform by police.

The civil rights activists had pressured tech companies including Amazon to stop the sale of face-recognition systems to law enforcement agencies.

Amazon in its fact page stated that its facial recognition technology which is called Amazon Rekognition should not be used to violate an individuals rights.

E-commerce giant Amazon has indefinitely extended a ban on the use of its facial recognition platform by police. In June 2020, Amazon had announced that it is banning the use of its facial recognition software by police for a year. The decision by Amazon came in the wake of the protests in the United States because of the brutal killing of George Floyd. However, the ban has been made indefinite, as per Reuters report.

"We've advocated that governments should put in place stronger regulations to govern the ethical use of facial recognition technology, and in recent days, Congress appears ready to take on this challenge. We hope this one-year moratorium might give Congress enough time to implement appropriate rules, and we stand ready to help if requested," Amazon has said in a statement. The company has now announced the ban on the usage of facial recognition by Police till further notice.

The civil rights activists had pressured tech companies including Amazon to stop the sale of face-recognition systems to law enforcement agencies. The civil advocates have expressed concerns over inaccurate face matches.

Nathan Freed Wessler, a deputy project director at the American Civil Liberties Union supported Amazon's decision of banning Police from using its facial recognition software indefinitely." Face recognition technology fuels the over-policing of Black and Brown communities, and has already led to the false arrests and wrongful incarcerations of multiple Black men," he was quoted by Reuters as saying.

Amazon in its fact page stated that its facial recognition technology which is called Amazon Rekognition should not be used to violate an individual's rights. The technology is used to match faces based on their visual geometry, including the relationship between the eyes, nose, brow, mouth, and other facial features.

Amazon mentioned that the companies that use face recognition technology should tell the customer about their use of the technology and ask the customer approval of the terms and conditions.

"In all public safety and law enforcement scenarios, technology like Amazon Rekognition should only be used to narrow the field of potential matches. The responses from Amazon Rekognition allow officials to quickly get a set of potential faces for further human analysis. Given the seriousness of public safety use cases, human judgment is necessary to augment facial recognition, and facial recognition software should not be used autonomously," Amazon said.
Highlights Call of Duty is introducing the 80s Action Heroes event in its new update.

The event will come with limited-time characters, weapons and game modes.

Much content, including point of interests, weapons, and awards, have been framed around Rambo and John McClane in the update.

Call of Duty has just amped up the excitement over its mid-season update with two new action heroes lined up for several of its game modes. Starting May 20, Call of Duty: Warzone, Black Ops Cold War, and Call of Duty Mobile will receive 80s action heroes Rambo and John McClane from the hit movie series Die Hard.

The '80s Action Heroes event comes as a part of Season Three Reloaded and will kick off with limited-time bundles and game modes. In addition, the event will see new weapons, maps, and several other features that were already expected during this season.

For those unaware, John McClane is the character played by Bruce Willis in the blockbuster action series Die Hard. A New York cop, McClane, arrives at a holiday party turned hostage situation and has to fight off the bad guys single-handedly in the first part of the movie.

As for the other action hero, Rambo is a character played by Sylvester Stallone in the superhit movie Rambo. The plot of the movie sees him wage a one-man war against his pursuers, resulting in one of the most epic action movies of all time.

The event will see multiple new game modes introduced across Call of Duty titles. One of these will be Die Hardpoint - a Die Hard twist to Hardpoint game mode that requires players to capture Hardpoints and eliminate enemies in a race to gain 200 points.

Week two of the mid-season update will see the launch of Rambo Gun Game, Rambo's twist to Gun Game, the Free-for-All mode where players compete to earn at least one kill with 20 different weapons.

Similarly, several points of interests related to these action movies will be introduced. Examples of these include the famous Nakatomi Plaza from Die Hard as well as Survival Camps seen in Rambo.

Players will also be able to get their hands on new weapons, including a combat bow and a ballistic knife, both taken from the movies. There will also be action movie-inspired medals for those completing certain tasks.

Call of Duty will make this content live on May 20 at 9 am IST, following updates to Black Ops Cold War on May 19 at 9 am IST and Warzone on May 20 at 9 am IST.

In addition, the '80s Action Heroes event comes to Call of Duty: Mobile on May 21 at 5 am IST.
Tech giant Microsoft India on Tuesday provided 125 oxygen concentrators to Noida Authority to help tackle the Covid-19 pandemic here, officials said.

Noida Authority CEO Ritu Maheshwari said the support made by Microsoft as part of its corporate social responsibility will help in the fight against the pandemic.

"Noida Authority has been seeking support from private players in the fight against Covid, and Microsoft India has provided 125 oxygen concentrators of 5-litre capacity each," according to an official statement.

These concentrators would be distributed to hospitals in Noida and in rural areas as required, and in coordination with the district administration, it added.

Amid the deadly second wave of coronavirus, people in Gautam Buddh Nagar had been recently grappling with a shortage of medical resources like hospital beds, oxygen and medicines.
Highlights Realme has confirmed an event for May 24 in China.

Realme may launch the GT Neo Flash Edition at the event.

The launch of the GT Neo Flash Edition will mark entry of third phone to the series.

Realme has scheduled an event for May 24 and it is likely the GT Neo Flash Edition will debut. The Realme GT Neo Flash Edition arrived at the rumour mill only a few days back as a slightly different version of the GT Neo. This difference may come down to the charging speed, which is going to be faster on the GT Neo Flash Edition. This new variant may feature the 65W fast charging technology, up from the 50W wired charging on the original GT Neo. Although the GT Neo should have come with 65W fast charging from the very start, the GT Neo Flash Edition will just give one more option to customers, initially in China.

In a Weibo post, Realme announced there is going to be a launch event in China on May 24 where a new variant of the GT Neo will debut. There is no name for this variant available in the poster, but if we go by recent rumours, this variant will be called the GT Neo Flash Edition. For now, it is unlikely the Realme GT Neo Flash Edition will arrive in markets outside of China because the original GT Neo itself is not available for sale elsewhere. Realme will launch a MediaTek Dimensity 1200-powered smartphone in India soon, but it will expectedly be called the X7 Max 5G, not GT Neo. But there is speculation that the X7 Max 5G may be nothing but a rebranded GT Neo.

As for the Realme GT Neo Flash Edition, rumours suggest everything other than the charging speed will be the same as on the regular GT Neo. This would mean the Realme GT Neo Flash Edition will come with up to 12GB of LPDDR5 RAM and 256GB of UFS 3.1 storage. And for more storage, you will be able to add a microSD card to this phone. It will run Android 11-based Realme UI 2.0 out-of-the-box. There will be a 4500mAh battery on the GT Neo Flash Edition. The phone will sport a 6.43-inch Full-HD+ Super AMOLED display with support for up to 120Hz refresh rate.

Much like the Realme GT Neo, on the Realme GT Neo Flash Edition, you may have a 64-megapixel main Sony IMX682 sensor, an 8-megapixel ultra-wide-angle sensor, and a 2-megapixel macro sensor on the back. Realme ditched the fourth sensor on the GT Neo, which is also why we are going to see just three sensors on the upcoming GT Neo Flash Edition. For selfies, the new phone may sport a 32-megapixel front camera in a punch-hole setup. The phone may also follow the design of the GT Neo if it does not want to look different.
Spinny

News Summary

Spinny, Indias leading used-car platform, has witnessed rising demand for preowned cars through its contactless digital modes. As a full-stack used-car platform, Spinny sold 9,100-plus used cars till 2020, with a 38% referral purchase rate. More than 70% of used cars are purchased by those under 40 years.
Jaro Education

News Summary

The Indian Institute of Management Nagpur (IIMN) has collaborated with Jaro Education, one of the leading EdTech companies in India and a pioneer in the Executive Education space to jointly introduce 4 techno-functional blended postgraduate (PG) certificate programmes.
Videos

Sorry, there are no recent results for popular videos.
Inner Mongolian government has set up a platform for people to report cryptocurrency mining projects in order to close them. Photo: VCG

The cryptocurrency universe has been hit by two dollops of bad news this week as authorities in the worlds biggest Bitcoin mining nation intensified a crackdown on the digital asset.

The Inner Mongolia autonomous region, which recently started a campaign to stamp out cryptocurrency mining in a bid to cut carbon emissions, announced (link in Chinese) Tuesday it had set up a platform for residents to report on illegal projects. The same day, three financial self-regulatory bodies issued a joint notice (link in Chinese) banning financial institutions and payment companies from directly or indirectly providing cryptocurrency services to customers, including accepting the currency as payment. They also warned about the risks of speculating in cryptocurrencies and urged individuals to be wary of scams after police in Anhui province said they busted a digital currency pyramid scheme involving around 2,000 people and more than 200 million yuan ($31 million).

China has long taken a negative view of cryptocurrencies amid concerns over the potential risks to the domestic financial system posed by a surge in speculation. In 2013, financial regulators banned (link in Chinese) financial and payments institutions from conducting Bitcoin-related business, including accepting it as payment. In September, the Peoples Bank of China (PBOC) banned initial coin offerings (ICO) and in February 2018, a PBOC-affiliated newspaper said (link in Chinese) the central bank would block access to domestic and foreign cryptocurrency exchanges.

While the financial authorities are worried about speculation, the government is also concerned about the impact of cryptocurrency mining on power consumption and the environment. China dominates the global Bitcoin mining network which consumed more electricity on an annualized basis than Argentina did in 2019, according to the Centre for Alternative Finance (CAF) at the University of Cambridge in the U.K. Chinas energy consumption from Bitcoin mining in 2024 will exceed the total energy consumption of countries like Italy and carbon emissions will top the annual greenhouse gas emissions of Spain and the Netherlands, a study published last month by researchers in China, the U.S. and U.K. estimated.

China is the biggest consumer of computational power for mining Bitcoin, the dominant cryptocurrency. From September 2019 to April 2020, it accounted for an estimated 65% of the total global Bitcoin hashrate, according to data compiled by the CAF. The Inner Mongolia autonomous region, a coal-producing region in northern China with vast power generating capacity, was the countrys third-largest bitcoin mining area and accounted for an estimated 8.1% of the global hashrate, a gauge of the computing power used by the Bitcoin network measured by the number of calculations per second.

The local economic planning agency is encouraging people to submit information about any company or activity involved in cryptocurrency mining, including companies disguising themselves as data centers to benefit from preferential policies on tax, land and electricity prices, businesses that provide services to mines, and companies that obtain electricity illegally for the purposes of cryptocurrency mining, according to the Tuesday announcement from Inner Mongolias Development and Reform Commission.

The move builds on a February document from the local authority that vowed to shut all virtual currency mining projects in the region by the end of April in order to help meet a target of cutting energy consumption per unit of GDP by 3% this year.

The closures were among a slew of measures contained in the document aimed at ensuring the region achieves the energy intensity goals set out in its 14th Five-Year Plan that will guide its development through 2025. The document also banned the construction of new virtual currency mining projects.

The reporting platform is not only targeting projects that use coal power, but all cryptocurrency mining projects, a local official told Caixin.

Concerns have grown globally about the energy intensity of cryptocurrency mining. After publicly supporting Bitcoin and saying it would be accepted as payment for car purchases, Elon Musk, the founder of electric vehicle maker Tesla Inc., reversed course last week. He tweeted that Tesla had suspended purchases using the virtual currency due to concerns about the use of fossil fuels for Bitcoin mining and transactions. His about-turn sent Bitcoin prices slumping.

News of the crackdown by Chinas financial regulators Tuesday sent cryptocurrency prices tumbling further, with Bitcoin trading at around $39,000 on Wednesday, down from around $43,000 on Tuesday and a peak of about $63,000 in mid-April.

Contact reporter Guo Yingzhe (yingzheguo@caixin.com) and editor Nerys Avery (nerysavery@caixin.com)

Download our app to receive breaking news alerts and read the news on the go.

Get our weekly free Must-Read newsletter.
China produced 1.294 billion tons of raw coal from January to April, up 11.1% from the same period last year

In todays Caixin energy news wrap: Chinas state power infrastructure builder reports surging sales despite shrinking overseas deals; NDRC approves green technology exchange in Zhenjiang and calls for market mechanisms to reduce pollution, while the countrys coal production rises.

Coal production rises 11.1% in first four months

China produced 1.294 billion tons of raw coal from January to April, up 11.1% from the same period last year, according to data released Monday by the National Bureau of Statistics. In April, the countrys coal production totaled 322.22 million tons, down 1.8% year-on-year but up 4% from the same time in 2019. China imported 90.13 million tons of coal, down 28.8% year-on-year.

EVE Energy invests $73 million in battery material joint venture

A unit of EVE Energy (300014.SZ) plans to invest 469 million yuan ($72.8 million) to take a 24% stake in a subsidiary of BTR (Jiangsu) New Material Technology Ltd., the Shenzhen-listed company said. EVE plans to form a joint venture to produce high-nickel ternary cathode materials for use in lithium batteries. The deal is part of a share placement by Changzhou BTR New Material Technology Ltd., which will increase the companys registered capital from 5 million yuan to 1.95 billion yuan. Changzhou BTRs parent will invest 997 million yuan for 51% of the stake, along with SK innovation Co., which will take the remaining 25% with a 489 million yuan investment. The joint venture will build production facilities with designed annual capacity of 50,000 tons.

PowerChina reports 40% rise in contract sales in January  April

Power Construction Corp. of China Ltd. (601669.SH), a state-owned electricity infrastructure builder, said contracts signed from January through April amount to 270 billion yuan ($41.9 billion), up 41.85% from the same period a year ago. About 216 billion yuan of contracts were made domestically, up 64.85%, while overseas deals declined 8.79%.

China to launch green technology exchange in Zhejiang

The National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC), Chinas top economic planner, approved the establishment of the National Green Technology Exchange Center in Zhejiang. To be built on the basis of the Innovative and Entrepreneurial Center of State Grid Zhejiang Electric Power Co. Ltd., the new entity will focus on energy conservation and environmental protection, clean production, clean energy, ecological protection and restoration, green infrastructure in urban and rural areas and ecological agriculture. The Exchange Center will also serve as a platform for technology exchange, R&D, technology application, industrial finance and international cooperation.

NDRC urges local authorities to study emission quota allocation

The NDRC is pushing local authorities to study a quota allocation and compensation system for emissions and pollution in an effort to leverage market-oriented mechanisms to encourage environment protection.

Contact editors Han Wei (weihan@caixin.com) and Bob Simison (bobsimison@caixin.com)

Download our app to receive breaking news alerts and read the news on the go.

Follow the Chinese markets in real time with Caixin Globals new stock database.
Ceramist Qu Hanlin opened his first solo exhibition, Unrestrained  Maverick, after 15 years of preparation in Jingdezhen, East Chinas Jiangxi province, in October 2020. Qu moved to Jingdezhen, famous for its white porcelain, to master his pottery-making skills after graduating from the Central Academy of Fine Arts in Beijing. Clay provided a way for the artist to set himself free. Xiangwai Artha, an art-sharing platform, contributed to todays gallery

Jun 11, 2021 06:15 PM
Dakota graduated from Bret Harte in 2013 and went to Davidson College, NC where she earned a bachelor's degree in Arab studies. After spending time studying in the Middle East and Europe, she is happy to be home, writing about the community she loves.

Follow Dakota Morlan Close Get email notifications on {{subject}} daily! Your notification has been saved. There was a problem saving your notification. {{description}} Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items. Save Manage followed notifications Close Followed notifications Please log in to use this feature Log In Don't have an account? Sign Up Today
Become A Subscriber

A subscription opens up access to all our online content, including: our interactive E-Edition, a full archive of modern stories, exclusive and expanded online offerings, photo galleries from Caledonian-Record journalists, video reports from our media partners, extensive international, national and regional reporting by the Associated Press, and a wide variety of feature content.


remaining of

Thank you for reading! This is your last free article before you will be asked to subscribe.

Already have a paid subscription? Sign in
A former Tyson employee in Emporia faces sentencing in July after admitting that he defrauded the company of more than $416,000
Do you have an athlete in mind that contributes to the team or sport, holds sportsmanship and team spirit, has epic playmaker moments and/or in general makes the the sports fun? If yes, please make your nominations for our edition of Athlete Spotlight.

CLICK TO NOMINATE
Ivan Parker will be joined by Gaylon Pope & SweetWater during a gospel music concert at South Banks Community Church in Morehead City Saturday, June 12. (Contributed photo)
Carroll, IA (51401)

Today

Scattered thunderstorms. High around 85F. Winds SW at 10 to 20 mph. Chance of rain 70%..

Tonight

Scattered thunderstorms early, then partly cloudy after midnight. Low 63F. Winds NW at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 40%.
Re: Changing Canada's face

A word of advice for Garry Rayner: if you're going to go on an unhinged rant about the Prime Minister of Canada, it would behoove you to understand that you live in Canada, not the United States, and that our system has distinct features from that of our southern neighbours. I know that hard-right conservatives want to import Republican-style governance in Canada; thankfully, that's not on the agenda.



First, Canada does not use a "popular vote" system for our elections. Canadians do not directly elect the Prime Minister. Our first-past-the-post system (which some would argue is outdated and should be revamped with a preferential ballot system or a form of proportional representation - but that's a discussion for another letter) elects 338 Members of Parliament from 338 ridings across the country. The leader of the Party with the most seats elected is, by convention, asked to form the government and becomes Prime Minister. Canada doesn't have a direct election for Prime Minister like our American neighbours do for electing their President, so this notion (made popular on the right only in 2019 due to the disproportionately high Conservative vote in Alberta) of a "popular vote" carries no water. However, I would refer Mr. Rayner to see recent polling which suggests that Mr. Trudeau sits at about 40% among Canadians as the first choice for Prime Minister, considerably ahead of 2nd place Jagmeet Singh, 3rd place someone called "Undecided" and checking in 4th, Conservative leader Erin O'Toole, who is proving to be an even less effective leader than Andrew Scheer.



Second, the Prime Minister of Canada, whether it's Justin Trudeau or any of his predecessors, does not and should not "present...as the Commander-in-Chief" because the Prime Minister of Canada is not the Commander-in-Chief. Again, this Americanism is wholly inappropriate in a discussion of Canadian governance. The actual Commander-in-Chief of the Canadian Armed Forces is the Queen; however, this role is fulfilled by the Governor General of Canada. The Prime Minister is the head of government; they are not the head of state. Mr. Rayner should learn this important distinction and the separation of powers in Canada. I suggest borrowing a university student's first year "Politics in Canada" textbook, as it may come in handy for this and other civics lessons.



I have little desire to dissect the rest of Mr. Rayner's tirade. It is typical of the extreme right wing in our country to go on these Trudeau derangement syndrome spiels without regard for facts, or grounding in reality. The simple fact is that the Trudeau-led Liberals have twice now been elected to lead Canada. Under his stewardship, our country has once again ascended to the lofty position of best in the world for quality of life. This annual ranking of the world's countries factors in such things as the strength of its political systems, access to education, economic status, and other key metrics. Recent polls suggest that a plurality of Canadians favour the Liberals as their first choice if an election were to be held--often showing them in majority government territory, which is a reflection of the Liberal Party's sound policies across the board. Offering a progressive vision for Canadians, ensuring that people and families are supported through the pandemic, and emerging on the other side stronger than when we entered the pandemic.

Canada is truly the best country in the world; it's a shame that so many on the extreme right fail to see past their hatred of Justin Trudeau to recognize it.

Richard McAdam, Kelowna


Re: Mask wars rage on

Further to another excellent letter from Rick Daytona, he has raised another good point regarding the definition of a case. I lifted the following definition from Wikipedia about 6 months ago:

"In epidemiology, a case fatality rate (CFR)  sometimes called case fatality risk or disease lethality  is the proportion of deaths from a certain disease compared to the total number of symptomatic people diagnosed with the disease."

Interestingly, a few days after I copied it, the definition was altered to exclude the word symptomatic. This now fits the government narrative whereby anyone who has a swab stuck up there nose and has some covid particles is considered a case, even though they may be asymptomatic and not ill in any way. Does this mean I have a case of chickenpox? After all, I had chickenpox when I was a small child and therefore the chickenpox virus will be dormant in my body. Many medical practitioners have expressed concern about this.

There were other voices from medical professional, frontline doctors who found that hydroxychloroquine and ivermectin were effective at alleviating symptoms and reducing the need for a patient to go to ICU, both of these medications were extremely cheap and were available the world over. Soon however those voices were silenced, and some of the doctors were even struck off. Instead, remdesivir, an extremely expensive medication was recommended. I wonder who could possibly have benefited from that?

Unfortunately the government, both federal and provincial, seems intent on doubling down on its policy, which has so far achieved nothing except to lead us to the verge of bankruptcy. The latest restrictions, whereby only essential travel is acceptable, is not based on any facts but simply a wild guess that people might be spreading the virus from other parts of the province. So now our poor overworked police, who were busy trying to deal with actual crime, are stuck up on the Coquihalla stopping cars at random and interrogating the drivers.

Having stopped 1,400 people and only asked 2 of them to turn back, any sane person would put their hand up and admit that this was a complete waste of time, but no, Bonnie and her cronies keep blundering on.

What is happening is the birth of a sort of pseudo-medical security industry. In the same way that 9/11 spawned a multi-billion dollar security industry. We now have security guards in grocery stores, and people with no medical background asking questions about our health. At a recent visit to a dentist to collect my daughter I was zapped with a temperature gun before I could enter. The young girl pointed it at my forehead and pronounced my temperature as 34.1, so I was allowed to go in. Had that been my real temperature I would have been suffering from hypothermia, but we have to keep playing this stupid game in order to try and live life normally. The temperature gun was about as accurate as the swabs that our government relies on to formulate policy.



Last year the holy grail was the vaccine. When we had that we would all be safe we were told, but now lo and behold, many of us have been vaccinated but we still can't do any more than we could a year ago. We know that we are going to have vaccine passports foisted on us before we can travel, but who is going to certify the authenticity? Will a passport issued in Botswana, or Tunisia, or Laos, or Turkey all be equally valid? What about the poor people in the Seychelles? They were given the Chinese vaccine from Sinopharm, but they are still catching covid. Could it be that the holy grail is not all it is cracked up to be, and if so is the government going to persist in policies that have so far been a complete and utter failure?



The most likely endgame is that the virus will fizzle out without disappearing, much like the H1N1 virus (Spanish flu) which killed 50 million after the first world war. When it does eventually move on, you can bet your boots that governments all over the world will be jostling to take credit for something that was going to happen sooner or later anyway.

We will then be left paying off the debt.

Peter Emery, Kelowna


Photo: The Canadian Press The Blue Water Maiden statue stands at the base of the Blue Water Bridge in Port Huron, Mich., which connects to Sarnia, Ontario.

Canadians attempting to drive across the American border solely for a COVID-19 vaccination, even with a doctor's referral, would be denied entry, the U.S. border agency said on Wednesday.

Unlike the Canadian government, Customs and Border Protection said it does not consider a vaccine essential for entry purposes.

"Travel for the sole purpose of obtaining a vaccination is not permissible under current travel restrictions," an agency spokesman said. "If a person is entering the U.S. for legitimate travel reasons, as allowed under current restriction guidelines, and receives a vaccine incidental to their trip, it is not part of the overall admissibility determination."

The Canada-U.S. border has been closed in light of the pandemic to all non-essential travel.

Earlier this week, the Public Health Agency of Canada said it considered driving to the States in a private vehicle for a COVID-19 vaccination on referral from a licensed health-care provider to be an essential medical service.

As a result, the agency said such travellers would fall under a quarantine exemption on return if they could show proof of having had the shot and the trip was solely for that purpose.

Health Canada did say the decision on whether entry into the U.S. is allowed would fall to American border authorities.

Shaun Horton said he tried to travel to New York on Wednesday from Niagara Falls, Ont., for a vaccination appointment just inside the U.S. but was turned back.He said the border agent did not want to see his doctor's letter confirming that the vaccine was medically necessary.

Horton, an airline pilot in Canada, said he wanted the vaccination because he's not allowed to wear a mask while the aircraft is in operation. He said he and his co-workers are tested prior to work.

"The officer advised that entry solely for the COVID-19 is not an acceptable purpose as Canada has access to a vaccine, regardless of the supply issues," Horton told The Canadian Press.

However, David Musyj, head of Windsor Regional Hospital in Windsor, Ont., said there have been many examples of crossings for a vaccine allowed to happen.

"That is why this is so political and needs some clarity and leadership," Musyj said. "We will keep trying to get vaccines into Canada."

Musyj has been pressing Health Canada to clarify whether it considered COVID-19 vaccinations essential, saying it would be easy for people near the border to drive across for a shot, but that having to isolate for 14 days on return would be a major obstacle.

He also said he was still pushing for federal approval to allow an organized effort to retrieve surplus vaccines from Detroit and bring them back for use here. Ottawa has said millions of COVID-19 inoculation doses are arriving but supplies remain limited in many areas.
Photo: The Canadian Press In this Jan. 3, 2013 file photo, a worker collects pieces of shark fins dried on the rooftop of a factory building in Hong Kong.

A trading company based in Vancouver has been fined for importing hundreds of kilograms of shark fins from a threatened species.

A statement from Environment and Climate Change Canada says Kiu Yick Trading Company has been ordered to pay $60,000 for importing 434 kilograms of shark fins.

It says the ruling was issued in provincial court after the company pleaded guilty to unlawfully importing an at-risk or threatened species in 2018, as part of a large shipment of dried shark fins from Hong Kong.

The fine must be paid to the federal government's Environmental Damages Fund and Kiu Yick forfeited all 13 boxes of silky shark fins but was allowed to keep the remainder of the inspected shipment, which included fins from two other species of shark not considered at risk.

Shark fins are used in traditional medicines and in making shark-fin soup.

The silky shark, found in most of the world's subtropical waters and known for the smooth texture of its skin, is ranked as "near threatened," because its population is decreasing, it has a long gestation period, few young and is slow growing.
Photo: Contributed Crews rescuing a man on Howe Sound

When Steven Best was kayaking in Howe Sound on Tuesday, just a kilometre south of the mouth of the Squamish River, he saw an unusual sight.

"This guy was on the shore," said Best.

"Apparently, his canoe had overturned and gotten away from him. And he was stuck on the shore."

At first, Best tried to retrieve the canoe, which was down the coastline and stuck on a fallen tree.

However, the canoe was beaten up, and the man was unable to get across the seaweed on the rocks.

At that point, Best radioed for help.

Squamish's Royal Canadian Marine Search and Rescue Station 4 was dispatched to the scene.

According to a post from RCM-SAR, the person had been stranded for almost 96 hours  four days  after he slipped trying to pull the canoe onshore.

He had lost his boat, along with most of the gear.

"One simple slip turned into four days of survival through torrential rains and thunderstorms... that's how quickly things can go wrong," reads the RCM-SAR post.

"Having a VHF radio, a daily check-in plan for a multi-day trip, or even a whistle might have brought help much sooner. Thankfully this person saw a positive outcome to this scenario.

The lone kayaker that finally spotted the individual [who] had all the right tools (VHF and GPS) to call in for help with exact coordinates gets to go home an everyday hero on the water tonight."

RCM-SAR deputy manager Scott Shaw-McLaren told The Chief that the canoer was just around the corner of the cliffs from the Spit, in deep, inaccessible terrain with little boat traffic.

The boater, a local resident, was planning a multi-day trip before things went awry.

He waited and waited and nobody came by till yesterday there happened to be someone out paddling, Shaw-McLaren said.

He said the boater was in good health despite the multi-day ordeal. He didnt need any medical care.

You can never take it for granted that things cant go sideways fast, Shaw-McLaren said.

Even packing something as simple as a signalling mirror wouldve helped in this case, he added.

Its a really good example of needing to be prepared and how quick bad things can happen, said Shaw-McLaren.

Howe Sound is not a cushy paddle and a lake kind of thing. Especially, it can seem really calm in the morning and by afternoon, its a really windy, cold place.

Best said that it's a good reminder to make sure adventurers carry a proper communication device in case they need help.

He said the man had a cellphone in a bag, and that didn't work out.

Sanda Riches, executive director of BC AdventureSmart, said that it's important to have an emergency contact who's aware of your trip plans.

Ensure that person has a deadline for your return.

If you fail to check-in at that time, they'll know to call you. If they still can't reach you, they can assume something has gone wrong and call 911.

That will start the process that will ultimately lead to a search and rescue callout if need be.

Riches added that it's easy to have a false sense of security because challenging terrain and waters are so easy to access in the Squamish area.

Nevertheless, people should still be prepared for emergencies, she said.
Please log in, or sign up for a new account and purchase a subscription, or activate your access, to continue reading.
Cement dispatches from Peru rise to 0.985Mt in April

ICR Newsroom By 18 May 2021

Cement dispatches from Peru in April surged to 0.985Mt in April 2021 from a low base of 0.011Mt in April 2020 when the country was affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, according to the countrys cement association, Asocem. When compared with April 2019, dispatches were up by 16 per cent.



Cement production from domestic cement plants advanced to 0.973Mt in April 2021 from 0.010Mt in April 2020. When compared with April 2019, output rose by 20 per cent. Clinker output reached 0.48Mt, down 40 per cent when compared with April 2019.



Cement exports by Asocem members in April 2021 declined 41 per cent YoY to 13,000t while clinker exports reached 48,000t from zero in April 2020.



Cement imports fell by 56 per cent YOY to 22,000t in April 2021. Vietnam is the largest importer, accounting for 63 per cent of total imports. Clinker imports more than doubled YoY to 91,000t in April 2021 with half of clinker imports being shipped from South Korea.

Published under
EPA approves Mungret alternative fuel licence

19 May 2021

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has finally given the go-ahead to Irish Cements EUR10m plan in Mungret in Co Limerick, Ireland, to change its fuel burning practices. Originally, the EPA had granted a licence for the project in September 2019, but local protests and court hearings have delayed the modernisation project.

The company now intends to feed used tyres and solid recovered waste to its kiln, which it deems necessary for the future competitiveness of the plant.

The Mungret works still uses fossil fuels unlike Irish Cement's other cement plant in Co Meath. Irish Cement has reassured the local community that switching fuels "will be positive for the area and not negatively impact on air quality or the local environment."

In a statement this evening, factory manager Pat Robinson said: "The entire workforce in Limerick is delighted that there has been a positive conclusion to this extensive review process.

"The EPA decision today provides us with the opportunity to now switch away from the use of imported fossil fuels and play our part in achieving the 2030 alternative fuel target in the Government's Climate Action Plan.

"Important also is the fact that this decision will help secure the future of the factory and is an endorsement of all the hard work being done by everyone on the team."

Published under
This service applies to you if your subscription has not yet expired on our old site. You will have continued access until your subscription expires; then you will need to purchase an ongoing subscription through our new system. Please contact The Chanute Tribune office at 620-431-4100 if you have any questions
Chatham, VA (24531)

Today

Cloudy this morning with thunderstorms developing this afternoon. High 82F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 70%. Locally heavy rainfall possible..

Tonight

Thunderstorms this evening followed by occasional showers overnight. Low 67F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 80%.
The Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation Tuesday announced that 26 entities will receive $9,724,683.74 in total grant funding to replace class 4-7 local freight trucks (medium trucks) and class 8 local freight trucks (large trucks) across the state.

The total includes $3,772,646.05 for medium truck projects, and $5,952,037.69 for large truck projects. They include:

City of Athens

Knoxville Utilities Board

BFI Waste Services

City of Lebanon

Burton Transport

City of Lenoir City

City of Chattanooga

Maury County Fire Department

Etowah Utilities

McNairy County Highway Department

City of Franklin

City of Memphis

City of Gallatin

Millington Airport

Town of Greeneville

Montgomery County

Hancock County Highway Department

Morgan County

Jefferson County

City of Pigeon Forge

Jimmy T. Wood, Inc.

City of Portland

City of Johnson City

Washington County/Johnson City EMS

Karns Fire Department

Waste Management of Tennessee, Inc.

The pair of competitive grant programs comprise the states third solicitation for projects under the Volkswagen Diesel Settlement Environmental Mitigation Trust. The purpose of the EMT is to execute environmental mitigation projects that reduce emissions of nitrogen oxides.

This move toward modern trucks will benefit communities across our state, Governor Bill Lee said. We continue to address air quality standards with Volkswagen settlement funds, and we are pleased these grants will provide upgrades where theyre needed.

The Volkswagen settlement funds are helping us tackle environmental issues in a responsible way, David Salyers, commissioner of TDEC, said. We continue to apply the funds in ways that keep us on a path toward cleaner air.

For the Medium Truck Grant Program, selected awardees will replace a total of 35 engine model year 1992-2009 diesel trucks with 10 new diesel, two all-electric, 14 hybrid, eight propane, and one compressed natural gas trucks. These selected medium truck replacement projects are expected to reduce 22,561.47 pounds, or 11.28 tons, of NOx emissions over the lifetime of the new vehicles, with a vehicle cost-effectiveness rating of $166.44 per pound of NOx reduced.

For the Large Truck Grant Program, selected awardees will replace a total of 51 engine model year 1992-2009 diesel trucks with 42 new diesel, one all-electric, one hybrid, and seven compressed natural gas trucks. These selected large truck replacement projects are expected to reduce 49,770.78 pounds, or 24.89 tons, of NOx emissions over the lifetime of the new vehicles, with a vehicle cost-effectiveness rating of $119.46 per pound of NOx reduced.

Of the funded vehicle replacements, 63 trucks will operate 70 percent or more of the time in former nonattainment areas for ozone and/or fine particulates (PM2.5) under National Ambient Air Quality Standards. Twenty-eight funded trucks will operate in counties that bear a disproportionate share of the air pollution burden (determined by TDECs Disproportionate Burden Index). Additionally, six funded trucks will operate in two of the states economically distressed counties, supporting local government and business economies by offsetting the cost of new and cleaner vehicle and transportation technologies.

The State of Tennessees Beneficiary Mitigation Plan under the VW Settlement EMT has been updated, both to reflect this funding announcement as well as to address minor modifications made to the Environmental Mitigation Trust Agreement for State Beneficiaries. More information can be found at TDECs Beneficiary Mitigation Plan website.

TDEC is the lead agency for administering the states VW Settlement EMT allocation. Announcements on future funding programs under the EMT will be shared by the department.

Visit the TDEC website for additional information on the VW Settlement. Those interested are advised to sign up for the TDEC VW email list.
The Webby Awards announced that Curb Free with Cory Lee has been named the Best Personal Blog/Website in the 25th Annual Webby Awards Internet Celebration. Hailed as the Internets highest honor by The New York Times, The Webby Awards, presented by the International Academy of Digital Arts and Sciences, is the leading international awards organization honoring excellence on the Internet.

IADAS, which nominates and selects The Webby Award Winners, is comprised of Internet industry experts including Mitchell Baker; MOMA Senior Curator Paola Antonelli; Host of NPRs Code Switch Shereen Marisol Meraji; R/GA Global Chief Creative Officer Tiffany Rolfe; Co-Inventor of the Internet Vint Cerf; DJ and Founder, Club Quarantine D-Nice; Co-host Desus & Mero on Showtime Desus Nice; SVP of Content at Twitch Michael Aragon; Twitter Senior Director, Product Design Richard Ting; and Founders of VERZUZ Swizz Beatz and Timbaland.

Curb Free with Cory Lee is a blog run by Cory Lee from LaFayette. He started the blog in 2013 and since then, he has traveled to 37 countries and all seven continents as a powered wheelchair user. On the blog, he shares his experiences as a wheelchair user traveling the world and he hopes to inspire other people, both those with and without disabilities, to break out of their comfort zone and see all of the beauty our world has to offer.

Curb Free with Cory Lee has set the standard for innovation and creativity on the Internet, said Claire Graves, executive director of The Webby Awards. This award is a testament to the skill, ingenuity, and vision of its creator.

I am absolutely shocked and honored to win these two awards, said Mr. Lee. The Webby Awards are considered the 'Oscars of the internet', so it is surreal to win these awards today. I am eternally grateful to the Webby judges and the disability community for supporting me and allowing me to do what I love. Receiving these two Webby Awards is further validation for me to keep rolling around the world.

Curb Free with Cory Lee will be honored at the star-studded Internet Celebration on Tuesday at 3 p.m.

Find The Webby Awards Online:

Website: webbyawards.com

Instagram: @TheWebbyAwards

Twitter: @TheWebbyAwards

Facebook: Facebook.com/TheWebbyAwards

YouTube: youtube.com/webby

Snapchat: TheWebbyAwards
The Tennessee Department of Education announced Hamilton County Schools (HCS) has been awarded a two-million dollar grant as part of the Innovative High School Models program.



The goal of the new Innovative High School Models program is to encourage strong, strategic and innovative partnerships between Tennessee public school districts, postsecondary education institutions and local employers to reimagine how to prepare students for success after high school.



Future readiness is the foundation of our entire strategic plan, said Blake Freeman, K-12 academics officer for Hamilton County Schools. Im excited we can continue to build on that foundation and provide our students a variety of opportunities to thrive in life after school.



HCS and Chattanooga State Community College will create a MicroCollege program at three high schools to provide a core set of introductory college courses during high school and offer a supportive environment in which students can earn dual credit toward their high school diploma and introductory college courses.



The pilot schools for MicroColleges include East Ridge High School, Hixson High School, and the Howard School.



Chattanooga State is pleased to partner with HCS to develop MicroColleges in order to provide early postsecondary opportunities to more students, said Dr. Rebecca Ashford, president of Chattanooga State Community College. By offering a robust selection of courses leading to certification and degrees, this initiative will provide greater access to college courses for more students.



In addition to the MicroCollege program, HCS, in partnership with STEM School Chattanooga, Chattanooga State Community College and the Global Center for Digital Innovation, will develop a Micro-Credentialing Program to establish early postsecondary opportunities as well as career and technical pathways through work completed in Hamilton Countys network of digital fabrication eLabs.



Micro-credentialing empowers students to pursue postsecondary opportunities in rapidly emerging workforce needs and create new pathways to success in innovation.
Lewis earlier was charged in two other murders. He is currently in custody on those charges.

Chattanooga Police homicide investigators have charged Terrence Lewis with criminal homicide for a Nov. 6, 2020, shooting at 4700 Rocky River Road that left one man dead and another injured.

The victim was identified as Pierre Casseus, 29. The injured man is age 21.

At approximately 11:19 a.m., Chattanooga Police responded to the 4700 block of Rocky River Road where it was found that two people sitting in a car had been shot.

Upon arrival, officers located a victim, deceased, from an apparent gunshot wound.

Officers then located a second victim also suffering from a gunshot wound and secured the scene.

The second victim was transported to a local hospital by Hamilton County EMS with non-life threatening injuries.

Lewis was first charged with the murder of UTC student Evan "Thad" Derry, then he was accused of killing Randy Williams.

The fatal shooting of the UTC student on Dec.

28, 2017, was the aftermath of a drug deal, according to testimony at a court hearing.

Charges of criminal homicide and especially aggravated robbery were bound to the Grand Jury against 22-year-old Terrence Lewis in the death of Evan "Thad" Derry, of Franklin, Tn.

Baxter McCurry said he had met Derry in April 2017 after moving to Chattanooga from Hawaii. The Whitwell High graduate said they were involved in marijuana sales together with Derry providing the drugs.

McCurry said he met Lewis when he (Lewis) was working as a Uber driver. He said Lewis apparently smelled marijuana on him and Ricky - his co-worker at The Feed restaurant on Main Street. He said Lewis asked about acquiring marijuana and Ricky provided him with a gram.

Afterward, McCurry said he began supplying marijuana to Lewis. He said on one occasion he and Derry supplied a pound and a half of marijuana to Lewis and he "vanished" without paying. The witness said later that Lewis said he had been robbed and lost his money, marijuana and cell phone.

McCurry said Lewis stated that they could recoup the money he owed them by arranging a marijuana deal with his uncle. Lewis said they could include enough in the price for 15 pounds of marijuana to cover the debt. He said they spoke one time with the uncle.

He said Lewis told them to come with the large amount of marijuana to an address near some apartments on Bishop Drive. McCurry said he and Derry loaded 10 pounds into a suitcase and another five pounds into a duffel bag. They were unarmed.

McCurry said when they arrived that Lewis was standing by his blue sedan - the same one he drove for Uber. He said he asked them to back up next to his vehicle and they did.

McCurry said after Lewis got into the back seat of Derry's black Tahoe, he told them he had forgotten something and started to leave. He said Lewis then turned back and began spraying them with pepper spray.

McCurry said he then saw three males wearing hoodies and carrying guns heading for their vehicle. He said he began running down the road. He said he went into a wooded area, then came out by a granite supply business. He said he went on to another wooded section and stayed there about two hours.

He said he eventually made his way to his father's house in Smyrna, Tn. He said he never called police.

McCurry said he saw on the news the next morning that his friend, Evan Derry, had been killed. He said he then got a call from his manager at The Feed telling him the police were looking for him. He then came back to town and gave a statement.

A resident of Bishop Drive said she was cooking supper when she heard three gunshots. She said it was just after her three children had left her apartment.

She said a neighbor hollered for her to "get down." She said she did get on one knee briefly, but she then rushed out to check on her kids. She said as she was going down her steps a black male dressed in all black except for white shoes went right past her. She said he was carrying two guns and was firing both of them.

She said she saw the man with the guns get into a vehicle at the top of the hill. She said another vehicle that she did not recognize went down the hill at high speed and then crashed. She said the vehicle with the gunman went up to the wrecked vehicle, and someone got out and checked inside it.

She said she went up to the SUV, but a police officer was already at the scene and ordered her back.

Investigator Daryl Slaughter said he was able to reach McCurry because he left his cell phone in the Tahoe. He said there were texts and calls on the phone between him and Lewis. He said Lewis left his can of mace in the Tahoe.

He said there was far less marijuana in the vehicle than McCurry said they had taken - about three pounds. He said there was $3,600 in cash.

The investigator said there were 11 small-caliber rim-fire shell casings and eight 9mm shell casings found at the scene, including at the apartment property and the roadway.

He said the victim was shot in the right side of the head.

Lewis was not located until about a week later. He was caught with his girlfriend letting her out for a new job. Lewis was on probation on an assault charge against the girlfriend and was not suppose to have contact with her, the judge was told.

Investigator Slaughter said Lewis stated that he had been unable to get out of the Tahoe because the child safety lock was on. He said he went down the hill and was still inside when it crashed. He said he climbed out the back window of the heavily-damaged vehicle.

The witness said Lewis would never tell him where he could find his vehicle.

He said the officer was on the scene of the shooting so quickly because a few minutes before it happened police got a call of a suspicious person behind a dumpster.

Lewis was out on bond on the Derry killing when he was arrested for killing Randy Williams last Dec. 2. The 29-year-old Williams died from an apparent gunshot wound.

At approximately 1:29 p.m., Chattanooga Police responded to 3139 Lightfoot Mill Road on a report of a DOA. Upon arrival, officers located the victim deceased.
Police were called to Alton Park Boulevard where a man and woman were arguing. They have been together for 27 years. They both had been drinking all night. They got into a disagreement about the TV. Instead of arguing with each other or getting into a physical disorder they called the police. The officers spoke to them both about how silly it was that after 27 years they could not figure out to deal with each other. They both agreed that it was silly. The man said he would sleep on the couch and that she could have the room. They needed to sleep off the alcohol.

* * *

A homeless man inside Fabric Care Laundry on Brainerd Road refused to leave. Police spoke with the man and he agreed to move on.

* * *



A man called police saying a man had set up a homeless camp on his property on Lee Highway without permission. An officer spoke with the man who agreed to leave.

* * *

A woman at Walmart on Gunbarrel Road was using the self checkout and did not ring up an item. She then put it into her bag and left the building without paying. The item was recovered and the suspect was stopped and detained by employees. The employee said she just wanted a report and did not want to file charges for theft of the $14.73 item.

* * *



A woman was running errands in the Hamilton Place area and she lost her phone and two gift cards. She did find her phone after retracing her steps, but did not find the gift cards.

* * *

Employees at a business on Hixson Pike found an ID behind their building within a locked gate area. There are no cameras there and they believe that the owner of the ID could be trying to break in.

* * *

A woman on Broad Street said an acquaintance was watching her dog and didn't want to give the dog back. Police spoke with the other woman and she gave the dog back.

* * *

A man on Scruggs Street told police he was scammed by someone he has never met or actually seen in person. He said he had been communicating with this unknown person via text messages. He said he was showing a home in the East Ridge area and the unknown person somehow was able to schedule a viewing for himself and his wife. He said inside the home he saw notes saying beware of scammers and listed a number in which the man discovered was not the number he was receiving text messages from. He said he confronted the unknown person about the scam and then after started to receive threatening messages from the unknown person saying he would kill him and his wife. No suspect information is known at this time. Police placed the man's address on the watch list for a week.

* * *

Police responded to a residential alarm on Minnekahda Place. They found an unsecured door and searched the home without finding anyone. The homeowner arrived and was able to secure the home.

* * *

A man was at the Shallowford Road/Exit 5 off ramp approaching vehicles while collecting money. An officer stopped him and told him pedestrians are not allowed on the interstate and to not return.

* * *

A man in front of Hamilton Liquors on Gunbarrel Road was creating a disorder by yelling and touching kids on the forehead. Police told him to leave.

* * *

A man at Waffle House on Amin Drive was asked to leave because of his drunkenness.

* * *



An officer found a small baggie with a knot tied at the end lying in the middle of the road on North Hickory Street. It had a white powder substance that was hard as a rock and it weighed .9 grams. It was turned into Property for safekeeping.

* * *

A man on Merrydale Drive told police he was in town visiting from New Jersey and his 2020 Nissan Maxima was stolen. He said he accidentally left his car unlocked with an extra key in the vehicle. He also said that he had approximately $10,000 worth of photography equipment in the vehicle. The man was unable to provide any suspect information. Later a private property tow was done by United Towing, who did a registration check on the vehicle and found it to be stolen. Police contacted the owner who took possession of the car and updated the list of photography items stolen. The vehicle is also suspected of being involved in a hit and run accident while it was in the possession of the suspects. The vehicle had new, heavy front end damage, as well as a scuffed and warped driver's side door. The owner of the vehicle said he got the car back but not the equipment and wanted the officer to look at video footage from the Mapco for any type of evidence. Police responded to Mapco on Brainerd Road to speak to the victims and to review video of a possible sighting of a stolen vehicle. The victims said they were notified by a third party that the vehicle was spotted at Mapco. The third party said the vehicle was occupied by multiple young males, and at least three of them went inside the business. The victims also said the vehicle had been spotted multiple times in and around the Ridgeside/Wilcox/Tunnel Boulevard area since the theft. While at the Mapco, the clerk could not get logged into the surveillance software and informed the officer a manager will be at the store on Monday and to check back then. Police spoke with the manager at the gas station and he showed footage of the three younger males that the owner suspected stole the vehicle. The officer was unable to identify who the males were but the manager said that he was going to go back through the footage and email pictures of them because he was familiar with them.

* * *

A man at Erlanger Hospital told police that he and a friend went to a gas station to get gas in the friend's car at about midnight. When the two got out of the car, a man with a red shirt ran up, stabbed him with a knife in the right forearm, and then ran away. The man said he did not know what gas station he was at, however, he said he found out from his friend that it was a gas station near Exit 5, off I-75. He could not tell police why he was stabbed, and he did not recognize the suspect who stabbed him. In addition, the man could not tell the officer anything more about the area that he was in (street names, name of the gas station, etc.) The officer asked the nurse how bad the stab wound was to the man's arm and was told he did not need stitches, and that he would be discharged after speaking to police.

* * *

An anonymous caller told police someone was trying to break into his vehicle on Rawlings Street. He said the man, who was wearing a dark colored sweater, long white undershirt and black and white shoes, set the vehicle's car alarm off and ran away. Police searched the area, saw the suspect and the suspect ran south on Roanoke Avenue from Walker Street. Police searched the area further, but were unable to locate anything. The anonymous complainant did not want to speak to police.

* * *

A woman on Portland Street told police she wanted her boyfriend to leave. They spoke with the man who said they just had a verbal argument and he was getting ready for work. Police explained to the woman that if he is on the lease, officers cannot make him leave. The woman told police bye and shut the front door.

* * *

A man told police someone stole the catalytic convertor from a van that was in the parking lot on Powers Court. An officer watched video and found that there was a sedan that pulled into the parking lot near the docks and a heavy-set man got out of the driver's seat and walked towards a parked car. After a few minutes a passenger got out of the car and pointed to the camera that was looking at them. They then flipped the camera off and got back into their car. They then drove around the building and found another parked car. They parked beside it and after a few minutes left the parking lot. When the man attempted to start the second parked vehicle that the men were at he noticed that the catalytic converter was removed from the vehicle. They were able to provide the video footage to police on a flash drive and the video will be uploaded in Axon as evidence.

* * *

A homeless man sleeping on the sidewalk in front of a business on Lee Highway was asked to move along, which he did.



* * *

A woman with a clothes hammock full of merchandise distracted a cashier on Brainerd Road and then scurried out of the business without paying for the merchandise. She was driving a black Range Rover, with tags not found on file.

* * *

A person found a bag of marijuana on Dallas Road that they turned into police. Police turned in the

marijuana to Property to be destroyed.

* * *

A man tried to use a counterfeit $100 bill at Walmart on Greenway View Drive. The Walmart cashier told his manager that the bill was counterfeit based on the mark by the marker (used for counterfeit bills), the texture, imprinted areas, etc. The bill was turned into CPD Property. The officer did not believe that the man's intent was to defraud Walmart and his boss arrived to explain he just received that $100 with a few others from another client who said it came directly from a bank on Gunbarrel.

* * *

A woman on Gunbarrel Road called police because her car had been egged. She said she believed it to be set by her boyfriend's ex-girlfriend. She saw her with some friends at the mall and believed they followed her over to Cheddar's and she wanted the report for a restraining order. While they were eating, someone egged their vehicle. Police did not observe any damage to the vehicle. The officer spoke with the manager at Cheddar's and she said the cameras did not show much but she saw what appeared to be a man going around the vehicle for 5-10 seconds and then leave. No one else got close to the vehicle. The officer called the man and let him know he does not believe it to be his ex-girlfriend this time.

* * *



A man at the Exxon gas station on Highway 58 told police he left his Nissan Pathfinder running while he ran in the gas station. When he came out the vehicle was gone.

* * *

A woman on Citico Avenue told police she had a brand new washer and dryer she purchased from a store. She said she was unable to install the washer and dryer, and decided to sell them to her granddaughter. The woman said her granddaughter picked up the washer and dryer. She said her granddaughter had the washer and dryer loaded up and then said she would grab the money from the truck, but the granddaughter got into the truck and drove away without paying for the washer and dryer. The woman said she has tried to call her granddaughter, but she is refusing to answer her phone. She said she did not want to prosecute her granddaughter at this time, but wanted to make a report to document the incident. She said she would call police if her granddaughter refused to pay her for the items.
Although the colorful image of the patriotic bearded gentleman in his red, white, and blue clothing pointing his finger from a position and uttering the famous words, I need you in World War II no longer is presently applicable, the history of the adoption of said national figure is unique.

An individual by the name of Sam Wilson of Troy, New York, who was a meat packer by trade, supplied preserved beef to the United States Army.

He had joined the Revolutionary Army in 1781 at the age of 15 where his duties were to guard cattle, mend fences and package meats. After checking the meat for freshness, Wilson had the barrels stamped with the letters U.S. Although the letters stood for United States some soldiers thought it stood for Uncle Sam. Wilson and his nickname became connected to other Army supplies and Uncle Sam became a sort of mascot.

Over the years the Uncle Sam image was used in political cartoons and ads in the 1880s with his image changed over the years until the current caricature in striped pants and a top hat in three colors was probably credited to an artist named James Montgomery Flagg in 1916. It has remained a patriotic symbol during all conflicts beginning with World War I.

On September 25, 1961, the United States Congress adopted the resolution: Resolved by the Senate and the House of Representatives that the Congress salutes Uncle Sam Wilson of Troy, New York as the progenitor of America's National symbol of Uncle Sam!

Will he last another 105 years - only time will tell?

(Excerpts from The Little Book of Answers  Author  Doug Lennox  (2003)  MJF Books  New York, NY 1001.)
My daily habit is to search a good many Internet sites that I enjoy, trying to find stories that relate to my many interests and cast light on things I think about. Im a huge fan of Israel and, in morning readings, I keep up with the never-ending barrage of battle against Gods chosen people. I care a great deal about the Children of God, and I am one among many who monitor todays stories.

Yesterday I found two examples of what I love to share. The first is about Israel and it is an easy given that I love cheering on my champions. The Jesus I follow was the tenderest Jew who ever lived and all of my life I have lived in gratitude for the grace of my Savior.

Its as easy and as simple as that. If you maul Israel, you maul God. Maul God and you maul me Im thinking thatd be a bad idea and aint gonna work really well for you.

The second read is about how the Chamber of Commerce has become a leftist organization and defies financial support from the city and the county. When you read about the national platform, it is accented by a royally pompous former Chamber leader Tom Wilson, chief executive of the insurance giant Allstate and former chair of the U.S. Chamber board, who said the Chamber makes no apologies for its decision.



Sure, there are some people who dont like what were doing, because they signed on thinking it was a wing of the Republican Party, Wilson said in an interview. And were like, Thats okay. If you want to join something thats a wing of the Republican Party, go for it. And if we dont fit your needs, thats fine.



Stay tuned: Heres Israels battle first:



* * *



NOT GOOD ENOUGH  LEAVE!



This turns out to one of the best stories lately from our friend Howard Galgon and the current Hamas invasion of Israel. galganov.com/2021/05/18/not-good-enough-for-you-leave

Howard Galvano is a longtime columnist and, as of late as a firebrand, has gotten my attention. He happens to love Israel as much as I do, and  youll see  hes had it with Hamas all the way up to here.



He recently wrote a column 



THEY HATE ISRAEL . . . BECAUSE ISRAEL WON'T TAKE A KNEE



In it he explains he never considered himself hard right or hard left but  even though I Have Never Been Real Hardcore  With The Exception Of Freedom Of Expression . . . Things For Me Have Changed.



If You Think . . . You Can Rain Rockets (Missiles), Fire-Balloons, Fire-Kites and the Such on the Jewish State of Israel, with the Support of Anti-Semites & Self-Hating Jews like Bernie Sanders & Ignorant Self-Hating American Anti-Semites like Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez . . . who couch their Jew-Hatred in DISHONEST Rhetoric Under the FALSE Premise that Israel is Somehow an Evil Nation . . . Dont Whine When The Jews Fight Back.



* * *



I AM NOT A JEW WITH TREMBLING KNEES . . .



Let Me Repeat This As Ive Written Before . . . On June 23, 1982, as Israel was Once-Again Up Against the Wall with Israels War Against Palestinian Terrorists (Yasser Arafat) & Syrians from Lebanon . . . Senator Joe Biden  At A Senate Meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Menachem Begin . . . THREATENED the Israeli Prime Minister, that if Prime Minister Begin Doesnt Heed the Demands of the US Senate . . . America Will Withhold Necessary Military Aid From Israel



IN RESPONSE TO BIDENS THREAT  THE BATTLE TESTED MENACHEM BEGIN SAID . . .



Dont Threaten Me . . . I Am Not A Jew With Trembling Knees.



I Am A Proud Jew With 3,700 Years Of Civilized History. Nobody Came To Our Aid When We Were Dying In The Gas Chambers & Ovens. Nobody Came To Our Aid When We Were Striving To Create Our Country. We Paid For It. We Fought For It. We Died For It. We Will Stand By Our Principles. We Will Defend Them. And When Necessary, We Will Die For Them Again . . . With Or Without Your Aid. That was 39 years ago  so what has changed?



Nothing Has Changed Between 70-AD & 2021 . . . Other Than Enough Jews Will Fight Back . . . And That Bothers Anti-Semites. In Israel . . . As In the United States & Elsewhere . . . The Anti-Semites & Israel-Haters (Same Thing) are Using a Page out of the Antifa & Black Lives Matter Playbook, Demanding by their Chant . . . Say The Word  Palestine, are Encouraging Arab/Israeli Nut jobs to Riot, Beat, Burn & Cause Mayhem in Israel, while Israel Fights an Existential Battle Against An Enemy Sworn to Destroy the Jewish State & Drive the Jews Into the Sea.



* * *



IF YOU DONT HAVE SECURE BORDERS . . . YOU DONT HAVE A COUNTRY:



So, While Im At It . . . Kick-Out the Illegals & Pass Legislation that will Forever . . . NEVER Give Citizenship or the Right to Vote to Dreamers in Any Type of American Election  School Board, Municipal, State Or Federal. If The So-Called Dreamers Want To Be Citizens . . . Let them Leave America & Do It Like Everyone Else.



IVE COME TO THE CONCLUSION  THE WORLD NEEDS A RESET BACK TO NORMAL:



We Are Living In A Kafkaesque Dystopian Society Of Evil Ignorant People Who Can Be Best Described As Lunatics Who Are Governing The Asylum  Worldwide.



--



DECENT PEOPLE JUST ARENT GOING TO TAKE IT ANYMORE:



First They (Nazis & Communists) Took Away Freedom Of Expression Then The Guns . . . That Was Then  This Is Now.



This Insanity Is Going To Change . . . Its Beginning to Change Now  And Sooner Rather than Later, there will be a World War, but Not the Kind of World War we all Imagine. This World War Will Pit Freedom-Loving Conservatives Against the Despicable LEFT Worldwide, which were Already Beginning to See, and which will be Coming Much Sooner . . . Rather Than Later To A Community & A Country Near You.



Why Do You Think The LEFT Are So Concerned About The Second Amendment? If I Was Them, Id Be Too.



Best Regards . . . Howard Galganov



* * *



Now we read



Go Pound Sand 



(NOTE: This story on the Chamber of Commerce becoming all that it shouldnt be, appeared on the conservative site, redstate.com on Monday and was brilliantly written by Bonche.



---



The old alliance between the Chamber of Commerce and the Republican Party has officially collapsed. Fractures started in 2020 when the Chamber endorsed 23 freshman Democrats for re-election despite their anti-business voting records. Now, the GOP is becoming openly hostile, most recently barring the Chambers representatives from hearings.



(According to) The Washington Post, the (national) leadership of the Chamber remains aggressively stubborn about their new strategy. Meanwhile, it remains to be seen exactly what that strategy hopes to accomplish. Tom Wilson, chief executive of the insurance giant Allstate and former chair of the U.S. Chamber board, said the Chamber makes no apologies for its decision.



Sure, there are some people who dont like what were doing, because they signed on thinking it was a wing of the Republican Party, Wilson said in an interview. And were like, Thats okay. If you want to join something thats a wing of the Republican Party, go for it. And if we dont fit your needs, thats fine.



Even so, the conservative backlash has led to alarm even among some of the organizations closest allies. A veteran U.S. Chamber board member, speaking on the condition of anonymity to avoid reprisal, said: It is a legitimate question how well-thought out this strategy is. People are concerned, and theyre discussing where else they can send revenues to support free enterprise.



Do you know where you shouldnt send revenues to support free enterprise? The Democrat Party. Yet, because of the Chambers fairly new, more progressive leadership, how they score candidates changed. Because of that change, they managed to rate the guy who wrote the 2017 tax cuts lower than someone who endorsed the PROAct, a pro-union destruction of small businesses and sub-contractors. Contrast that with the Chambers bullheaded assistance that their endorsements are about policy as seen below.



We expect criticism when we work with Republicans who are aligned with us on key issues, and when we work with Democrats for the same reason, the spokesman said. No member of Congress has a right to our support  they have to earn it and re-earn it. We focus on the issues, not the parties, and we wont back down.



In fact, all 14 freshman Democrats the Chamber backed in 2020 that won ended up supporting the PROAct, so how exactly are they focusing on issues as claimed above? They simply arent, and its obvious. There is no real pro-business faction within the Democrat Party these days, and because of the Chambers stupidity, they are quickly losing that faction within the Republican Party as well.



* * *



MAJOR GOP FIGURES HAVE SPOKEN OUT AGAINST THE CHAMBER



In recent months, the Chamber has been the object of sharp attacks by leading conservatives. Sen. Tom Cotton (Ark.) called it a front service for woke corporations. Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (Ky.) called it confused. House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy (Calif.) was so irked by the Chambers decision to endorse 23 freshman House Democrats for reelection last fall that he said he doesnt even want its endorsement anymore.



As Ive written before, Republicans dont need the Chamber. What they contribute monetarily is minuscule in the grand scheme of fundraising (only $5.7M in 2020 to GOP candidates). Further, Republican voters arent keen on blind worship of huge, woke corporations, and while the Chamber claims to represent the little guy, its fairly clear they are simply a lobbying front for big business at this point.



And thats really what we are seeing here, in my opinion. The Chambers new leadership is following the path that its corporate masters are blazing in regard to social justice and woke politics. Thats being done in an attempt to appease the Democrats in hopes the alligator eats them last. Meanwhile, the small businesses and entrepreneurs that the Chamber claims to exist for stand to get even more crushed.



Telling the Chamber to pound sand is the right move. Let them wither on the vine under the scorching sun of their own decisions. Republicans should not be there to answer the phone when they come calling.



* * *



CHATTANOOGA CHAMBER FLUBS BADLY ON WOKE RACIAL EQUALITY PLEDGE



(NOTE: A postscript written by Roy Exum)



The Chatttanooga Chamber of Commerce suffered a terrible lapse of judgement three weeks ago when two liberal women, chair Valoria Armstrong of Tenn-American Water Co., and a disillusioned president, Christy Gillenwater, foisted their prejudices on the 2,500-member group by asking each CEO of member companies to publicly affirm a Racial Equality pledge. It has since turned into one of the most deplorable moments in the Chattanoogas Chamber's history.



The pledge reads in part, We will educate ourselves and share the history of systemic racism in Chattanooga and Hamilton County and the barriers that continue, so that was we recognize them, we can find new ways to overcome them. The names of the 2,500 members who bought into such self-ridicule and faux-courageous aggrandizement are printed on the Chambers website. As of last night, there were considerably less than 100 signatures, which some will say means that over 2,400 members of the Chamber are biased and racist because they openly shun the woke belligerence.



For the City and the County to fund a woke Chamber is wrong; we need business not socialist help and added with a national turn by the Chamber that endorses in full one political party over another, the Democratic National Party should underwrite the Chamber of Commerce instead of the publics taxpayers. Lets see how far such folly will get us.



----

royexum@aol.com
The Tennessee State Library and Archives is celebrating 225 years of statehood on June 1, with a one-day-only public display of Tennessees three original constitutions.



The state's constitutions, first written in 1796 and revised in 1834 and 1870, will all be on display in the lobby of the new Library and Archives building located at 1001 Rep. John Lewis Way N. on the northeast corner of the Bicentennial Mall State Park in Nashville on Tuesday, June 1, from 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m. CDT.

In addition to viewing these priceless documents, which the Tennessee Highway Patrol Honor Guard will safeguard, guests can explore the interactive exhibits in the Library and Archives lobby and take a tour of the new building. Library and Archives staff will give tours every half hour from 10 a.m.-3:30 p.m.

Tennessees three constitutions are the foundation of our state government, said Secretary of State Tre Hargett. I encourage my fellow Tennesseans not to miss this opportunity to make history come alive by seeing these irreplaceable documents up close."



The Library and Archives, a division of the Department of State, is responsible for collecting and preserving books and records of historical, documentary and reference value, focusing on items related to Tennessee. Tennessees constitutions are the highest valued and most historically significant items in the collection.



The Library and Archives strives to be a resource for researchers, historians, librarians, archivists, genealogists, lawyers, students and anyone interested in Tennessee history, said Chuck Sherrill, Tennessee State Librarian and Archivist. Our staff is excited to welcome visitors to our new building and to share our states three constitutions and other interactive exhibits."



The Library and Archives is joining Bicentennial Mall State Park and the Tennessee State Museum for a variety of events to celebrate Tennessees 225th Statehood Day.



Bicentennial Mall State Park is celebrating Statehood Day and its 25th anniversary on June 1 with a special event at 10 a.m. in the Amphitheater followed by guided tours and educational programs led by park rangers. For more information about the 25th-anniversary celebration, visit tnstateparks.info/BiMall25thAnn.



To celebrate Tennessees Statehood, the Tennessee State Museum launched Tennessee at 225: Highlights from the Collection, a self-guided tour and online exhibition showcasing artifacts that tell a story about Tennessee, from its First Peoples to the present day. Learn more at tnmuseum.org/TN225.

The Statehood Day events at the Library and Archives, Bicentennial Mall State Park and the Tennessee State Museum are free. Reservations are not required.

For the latest information from the Library and Archives, follow their social media channels: Facebook: Tennessee State Library and Archives and Instagram: @tnlibarchives and the Secretary of State's Twitter account: @SecTreHargett.

For more information about the Library and Archives and the other divisions of the Department of State, visit sos.tn.gov.
An estimated 10 to 30 percent of COVID-19 survivors experience long-haul symptoms, including brain fog and swallowing difficulties, Siskin Hospital officials said. During Better Hearing & Speech Month, Siskin Hospital encourages these individuals to seek care from qualified experts who can help them regain function and quality of life.

"Some COVID-19 patients may continue to experience brain fog, difficulty eating and drinking and/or speech and language problems," officials said. "These conditions can affect an individuals plans to return to work, the ability to take care of ones family and overall recovery. Many do not know that speech-language pathologists  professionals trained in these areas  are available to help with lingering difficulties."



Officials said Speech-language pathologists (SLPs) can help people with, or recovering from, COVID-19 who are having short- and long-term difficulties in the following areas:



Cognition

Many COVID-19 long-haulers are reporting persistent brain fog as a debilitating

symptom after their bout with the virus. This can prevent a return to work and affect their

ability to tend to family responsibilities. SLPs work with individuals to improve their

memory, attention, organization and planning, problem solving, learning, and social

communication  such as re-learning conversational rules or understanding the intent

behind a message or behind nonverbal cues. The focus is on the persons specific

challenges as well as regaining the skills that are most important to their daily life and

priorities.



Swallowing

People diagnosed with COVID-19 may experience swallowing problems that can put

them at risk for choking or aspirating, which is when food goes into the lungs instead of

the stomach. This may be the result of time spent on a ventilator, or it may be another

side effect of the virus. SLPs use different types of tests to determine what happens when

a person swallows and how the related muscles are working, which help a patients

medical team, including the SLP, decide on the best course of action with the patient and

their family. SLPs may recommend modified textures of food and drink for patients; therapy exercises to strengthen the tongue, lips, and muscles in the mouth and throat; and

strategies to make eating and drinking safer, such as modifying the pace of

chewing/eating, size of food and more.



Communication

People diagnosed with COVID-19 are also experiencing speech and language difficulties.

Some, such as those who spent a significant amount of time on a ventilator or

experienced low oxygen to the brain, may have muscle weakness or reduced coordination

in the muscles of the face, lips, tongue, and throat, making it difficult to talk. Others,

particularly those who experienced a COVID-related stroke, may experience a language

disorder called aphasia, which makes it hard for someone to understand, speak, read, or

write. SLPs work with patients through targeted therapy to improve their communication

and understanding.



People who have severe speech and/or language difficulties may need to find other ways

to answer questions or tell people what they want, such as through gesturing with their

hands, pointing to letters or pictures on a paper or board, or using a computer. These are

all forms of augmentative and alternative communication (AAC). SLPs help find the

appropriate AAC method to meet an individuals needs.

"If you or a loved one are experiencing cognitive, swallowing and/or communication

challenges, we recommend letting your doctor know and requesting a referral," officials said.

For more information, Tennessee Valley and North Georgia/Alabama residents can

contact a Siskin Hospital Outpatient Clinic. Speech Language Pathologist services are

available at Siskin Hospital Main Campus (423-634-1400), Cleveland Outpatient

(423-339-1492), East Brainerd Outpatient (423-634-4260) and Hixson Outpatient

(423-634-4270) clinics.



Speech-Language Pathology teletherapy services are also available. Call 423-634-1400

or email SLP@siskinrehab.org to learn more.



For further information regarding how SLPs can help improve your quality of life after COVID-19, you can also visit www.asha.org/public.



Siskin Hospitals Caring After COVID Program includes a full range of rehabilitation services to help people in their recovery from COVID-19.

Referrals for any of Siskins Outpatient therapy services can be faxed to:

Main Campus: 423-634-4578

East Brainerd: 423-634-4566

Hixson: 423-634-4279
A woman who had a gun pointed at her during a May 11 incident in St. Elmo told members of the City Council on Tuesday night that Chattanooga Police turned the focus on her actions rather than the man with the gun.

Adrienne Cooper said she "probably not" should have gotten out of her car to snap a picture of the license plate of the man she said had been driving recklessly. However, she said, "I am tired of feeling intimidated in my community."

She said the response of the driver was to pull a gun and put his finger on the trigger.

Ms. Cooper said the arriving officer "gave me absolutely zero care. He was both disrespectful and dismissive."

She said police knew within 20 minutes the identity of the man with the gun as well as his license plate number and place where he worked. However, she said police posted almost 12 hours later that they were still seeking to identify the gunman.

She said Asst. Chief Glenn Scruggs refused to take down a body cam video of the incident, though she and a witness requested it due to it giving their identifying information.

Terry Allen Nations, 49, of Flintstone, Ga., was arrested in the case on a charge of aggravated assault. Ms. Cooper said, "This Georgian was given an OR bond and released from jail though he had committed a potential felony level offense against a Tennessean in Tennessee."

The local business owner and veteran said, "I am here to ask the City Council to hold the police department accountable. Shift the focus off of me and my response in a traumatic situation and instead return the attention to the problem at hand, which is the Georgian who committed this crime and CPD's retaliatory response to citizens who are filing complaints."

A number of other citizens spoke in support of Ms. Cooper.

One claimed that Ms. Cooper was treated badly because she is black.

The affidavit for Nations says he was advised to contact the Walker County Sheriff's Office "for the threats he and his family are receiving."

The complaint in the case says Ms. Cooper and Kelsey Parker were leaving from work downtown and traveling Broad Street on their way home at 8:45 p.m. It says somewhere around the 2700 block of Broad Street a road rage incident occurred between them and the driver of a red Ford truck.

It says while stopped at an intersection that Ms. Cooper rolled down the window of her vehicle and yelled at the person driving the truck, "Kindly f--- off, please. I have people in my car." This was said after she was being tailgated and the driver of the truck was honking the horn and flashing the lights and the driver was "flipping a bird," it was stated.

The two vehicles proceeded on along St. Elmo Avenue to 53rd Street where Ms. Cooper stopped her vehicle in traffic and got out of the vehicle. The complaint says, "With her phone in her hand she approached the truck and started taking pictures." In one picture she captured the tag of the vehicle.

The complaint says at this point the driver of the truck pulled a handgun and pointed it at Ms. Cooper, who was standing in the roadway. Other vehicles had also stopped.

The complaint says Ms. Cooper asked for others present to do something to help her, and no one responded.

It says the driver asked Ms. Cooper what she was doing, and she responded that she was taking pictures of him because he had almost hit her vehicle multiple times.

Ms. Cooper then asked the driver why he pulled a gun on her and he said "for safety."

Ms. Parker said she stuck her head out of the window and the driver waved the gun at her.

The complaint said Ms. Cooper then returned to her vehicle and drove home. She said as the truck was driving away the driver honked the horn before proceeding on to Georgia.

About 30 minutes passed before Ms. Cooper called the non-emergency line to report the incident, the report says.

The officer said, "I asked Ms. Cooper if she had called 911 during the event and, if not, why. She stated she did not because she knows there is actual emergency that police need to responded to and she was safe. They both stated that if they had stayed any longer then they would not have felt safe."

The officer said, "At no point did Ms. Cooper or her passenger Ms. Parker attempt to pull over or call 911 during this encounter."

A hearing in the case was set for Sept. 22.
Chattanooga Police Chief David Roddy on Wednesday announced the Lights On Program which is aimed at reducing the number of light-related citations among Chattanoogas low-income communities and its communities of color. Instead of receiving a citation, a CPD officer can instead give the driver a $250 voucher to fix the lights which caused the citation.

The voucher is good for two weeks, so they dont fly around in perpetuity since we have to track these things and we have processes in place to study the data, Chief Roddy said. If an individual is unable to use the voucher in two weeks and gets pulled over again, the officer has the discretion to give them another voucher. 

These lights include headlights, tail lights, brake lights, and the lights that illuminate the license plate. Chief Roddy said the police department has looked at data that has shown that while the police departments driving-related citations are in line with the demographics of the city, light-related citations disproportionately affect those two communities.

When we write citations that have a socio-economic attachment, we wrote a disparate amount of those citations in communities of color within Chattanooga, Chief Roddy said. As a result of that, it helped us engage with an outside partner. That partnership is what were here to announce as the Lights On Program.

The CPD has partnered with MicroGrants, a Minnesota-based nonprofit which gives $1,000 grants to low-income people to help with business development, education, and transportation. CEO Don Samuels helped pioneer the program in Minneapolis, where the Lights On program first originated.

This was just the perfect solution at the perfect time, when we knew that that community and police relationships need healing more than ever before, Mr. Samuels said. Were thrilled to bring that program here. Our service providers in Minneapolis have claimed up to 14 percent increase in their business just from those people coming back to the same provider for their regular service.



Mr. Samuel said that there are six local businesses who will accept these vouchers. These are Christian Brothers Automotive in Hixson, Downtown Automotive on Market Street, Dennys Auto Center, Scenic City Auto Repair, Express Tire and Service on Highway 58, and Parkers Automotive and Fuel.

If the repair cost is greater than $250, then the individual will be responsible for paying for any amount over the $250. And Chief Roddy said that while the driver will not be cited for light-related matters, they could still receive a citation if they were also driving unsafely.

You could have an individual pulled over for a speeding ticket who also has a light violation, Chief Roddy said. They may still receive the citation for the speeding, but they will leave with a voucher to get the light fixed too, so thats not a future citation.
To best protect the health of patients and employees and to further minimize the spread of COVID-19 in the community, five local hospital systems in the Chattanooga area will continue to require masking in their facilities for all visitors and employees of the health systems. CHI Memorial, Parkridge Health System, Rhea Medical Center, Siskin Hospital for Physical Rehabilitation, and Tennenova Healthcare - Cleveland all continue to follow the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines, and their facial covering protocols will remain in place.

The CDC recently updated its guidance for fully vaccinated people, but emphasized that guidance does not apply in healthcare settings. The CDC continues to recommend visitors, regardless of their vaccination status, should wear a well-fitting cloth mask, facemask, or respirator for source control when in a healthcare facility.

Local hospitalizations and deaths have dropped significantly since peaking in December and January, but new cases continue to be diagnosed daily in the community. In addition, these health systems provide care daily to people at high-risk of complications if they contract the COVID-19 virus, like those with diabetes, heart and lung problems, and those undergoing cancer treatment.

For more information about the COVID-19 vaccines, check the social media channels and websites of each health system and of local health departments.
The Hamilton County General Sessions Court is at the forefront of a new program that gives those with unpaid medical bills the opportunity to negotiate a better outcome for themselves without ever having to enter a courtroom, officials said.

The process is called Online Dispute Resolution and it is easy and intuitive to use. Eligible parties with debts owed to Erlanger Baroness Hospital are able to register on the TN Med Debt site and send a message to Erlanger concerning their debt before a lawsuit is ever filed. A representative from Erlanger will then message them back, beginning a conversation where things like payment plans or adjusted pricing can be worked out. The conversation is asynchronous, meaning that parties can leave messages at any time of night or day even while using a smartphone or tablet, at their own convenience.

Those owing money are able to request the assistance of a Rule 31-trained mediator for help in reaching a settlement. The mediators do not take a side in the negotiation, but rather work to come up with potential solutions that satisfy both parties. The hope is that a settlement can be reached which will put those in debt on a path to a more secure financial future, while causing the least amount of disruption to their lives, said officials.

This is a program that is designed to give you and the health care provider an opportunity to discuss, negotiate and possibly agree on some deal to resolve a medical bill, Hamilton County General Sessions Judge Alex McVeagh said. And best of all its completely free, voluntary, and confidential.

According to the Sycamore Institute, Tennessee has the 10th highest rate of medical debt in the country. Ninety-three out of 95 counties in the state have medical debt above the national average, and one of four Tennesseans report that their credit history has been adversely affected by medical debt.

"Tennessee families have faced many challenges this year, from COVID-19 to the economy and their own pocketbooks, Administrative Office of the Courts Director Deborah Taylor Tate said. By providing an opportunity to resolve debt easily before it causes even more stress or additional legal issues, this program will be a real solution for families in the Chattanooga area.

There is a need to address this issue because, as longtime mediator Larry Bridgesmith said, outstanding medical debts can have long lasting, detrimental impacts on someones financial stability. Many of those who fall into debt find themselves trapped in an increasingly dire sequence of events. First, they may have a complaint filed against them in court for nonpayment of a debt, which hurts their credit rating. Next, they may default on that debt, which can be followed by a garnishment or a lien. It can be difficult if not impossible for many to recover financially.

Judge McVeagh described some of the many damaging ramifications that medical debt has had on people he has observed in Hamilton County General Sessions Court.

I have personally seen garnishments of wages, evictions, credit card debt suits, credit bureau disputes and even criminal cases flowing from underlying medical and other consumer debt - all negatively affecting creditors, debtors, and a clogged court system, he said.

Judge McVeagh said that there were around 15,000 civil cases filed in the court in 2019 alone, many of them centered on medical or other consumer debt. That large volume is partially due to the fact that the General Sessions Court handles civil cases for up to $25,0000, which Judge McVeagh pointed out is the highest small claims jurisdictional limit in the country.

These issues were in Judge McVeaghs mind back in 2019 when he helped represent Tennessee at the National Conference of State Courts Innovation Summit in Louisville, Ky., alongside Director Tate, Larry Bridgesmith, and Ann Pruitt, executive director of the Tennessee Alliance for Legal Services. There, the idea for an ODR program in Tennessee crystallized, with Judge McVeagh realizing that Hamilton County would be a perfect location to launch the pilot.

Planning got underway in the following months, and in June 2020 the Administrative Office of the Courts wrote an application for a technical assistance grant from the State Justice Institute to fund the ODR pilot. A $50,000 grant was awarded in August 2020. Supplementary funding for the pilot has been provided by the Tennessee Supreme Court Access to Justice Commission, which is sponsoring the pilot project along with the Alternative Dispute Resolution Commission.

While ODR technology has been utilized by other states, Hamilton Countys program is unique in a couple of different ways.

First of all, it stands out due to its exclusive focus on medical claims. Other ODR programs may focus on traffic court cases, some small claims, or family disputes, but this is the first one to direct all of its attention to the pervasive problem of medical debt.

Secondly, other programs are not committed to finding solutions in the pre-suit, early stages of a dispute, before anything has been filed in court. By addressing the problem at this stage, those in debt can avoid damage to their credit rating.

While the ODR program was designed to benefit economically struggling Tennesseans, it has been embraced by Erlanger, which is eager to help patients who may otherwise default on their debts find a way to efficiently resolve their financial problems.

Through this program, Erlanger can work directly with patients regarding their billing concerns so outstanding medical debt can be resolved without involving collection agencies, credit reporting, lawsuits, or additional stress, Christopher Spady, vice president of revenue cycle at Erlanger Health System, said. This eliminates the expense and hassle of going to court, and it also allows Erlanger to continue doing what we do best, compassionately caring for our patients.

The program has also been welcomed by Legal Aid of East Tennessee, an organization that often comes to the aid of those who find themselves in medical debt. Qualifying parties can request Legal Aids support during the ODR process if they have any legal questions or would like guidance on how to proceed in negotiating their debt.

If youre receiving letters and phone calls about a medical debt, its important that you develop a response before you potentially face negative entries on your credit report and a lawsuit, attorney Shahen Salili of Legal Aid of East Tennessee said.

Court Innovations Incorporated was chosen to design the platform on which the ODR system operates. Legal Aid attorneys helped craft the language that guides parties through the process, which, along with the platforms human-centered design, has made the ODR program ideally suited for use by the average person.

The hope is that the Hamilton County ODR pilot will be successful enough that similar programs can then be implemented in other parts of Tennessee, greatly expanding the pilot programs mission to make access to justice and judicial engagement less costly, less time consuming and more satisfying to the citizens of the state.

For questions about the TN Med Debt Pilot Program, contact the Tennessee Dispute Resolution Office at ODR@tncourts.gov. There is also a page with answers to the most common questions for those using the TN Med Debt site. https://cii2.courtinnovations.com/TNMEDDEBT/faq




A recent market study published by Future Market Insights  Peptide Therapeutics Market: Global Industry Analysis & Opportunity Assessment, 20152025 consists a comprehensive assessment of the most important market dynamics. The report provides analysis of peptide therapeutics for 2014 and forecast of the market over 20152025. The report provides emerging trends and opportunities in the global market, which can help market players.to design their manufacturing, product or business strategies and exploit the maximum growth potential in the global peptide therapeutics market. The report provides analysis on market dynamics in the most comprehensive way for better understanding of readers.

Section 1  Executive Summary

In the opening section of the global report on peptide therapeutics market executive summary of the report is provided, which includes the global market overview and key findings. The section also includes market value (US$ Mn) estimates for key segments of the global peptide therapeutics market.

Section 2  Market Introduction

This section provides detailed taxonomy and definition of each segment of global peptide therapeutics market. The section helps readers to understand scope of the report, inclusion and exclusion criteria for different products & applications within the scope etc. This section also provides the analysis of global peptide therapeutics market based on optimistic, likely and conservative scenario.

Request a Sample of this Report @ https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/reports/sample/rep-gb-1038

Section 3  Market Dynamics

This section provides readers with information about the most important macroeconomic and microeconomic factors that are instrumental in shaping the peptide therapeutics market. It helps readers to understand the critical market dynamics such as drivers, market restraints, trends, and growth opportunities for market players in peptide therapeutics market.

Section 4  Global Peptide Therapeutics Market Drug Pipelines & Key Regulations

This section provides overview on clinical development pipeline of peptide therapeutics for major companies. The section provides analysis by phase and therapeutic indications. The section also describes important regulatory pathways in three main markets of U.S., Europe and Japan through which peptide therapeutics are approved for commercial applications.

Section 5  Global Peptide Therapeutics Market By Application Type, 20152025

Based on applications of peptide therapeutics, this section elaborates market value analysis for individual applications including cancer, cardiovascular diseases, CNS disorders, metabolic disorders, infections, hematological disorders, gastrointestinal disorders, dermatology, respiratory disorders, acromegaly and other applications. The section explains comparative trend analysis and market attractiveness analysis for each application of peptide therapeutics. The section also provides absolute $ opportunity analysis, which helps reader to identify growth potential for every year.

Section 6  Global Peptide Therapeutics Market By Route of Administration, 20152025

This section provides market size analysis of peptide therapeutics available for administration through different routes including parenteral route, oral route, mucosal route and transdermal route Market attractiveness analysis by route of administration is provided to understand effects of approvals for different forms of peptide therapeutics.

Section 7  Global Peptide Therapeutics Market, by Drug Type, 20152025

Drug type analysis provides analysis on usage and prescription pattern of peptide therapeutics for branded vs. generic/biosimilar drugs. Market attractive analysis by drug type is also discussed to fathom relative lucrativeness of different product types of peptide therapeutics.

Section 8  Global Peptide Therapeutics Market By Region, 20152025

With the geographical perspective, global peptide therapeutics market is analysed on a total of seven regions viz. North America, Latin America, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, Asia Pacific excluding Japan, Japan and the Middle East and Africa (MEA). Historical trends in peptide therapeutics market and their effects on global market performance is discussed in this chapter.

Get Full Report Buy Now @ https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/checkout/1038

Section 9  North America Peptide Therapeutics Market Analysis and Forecast 20152025

Readers can find detailed information about factors such as recent market developments, pricing analysis, and regional trends that are impacting the growth of the North America peptide therapeutics market. This section also includes the growth prospects of peptide therapeutics market in countries such as the U.S., and Canada.

Section 10  Latin America Peptide Therapeutics Market Analysis and Forecast 20152025

The market performance of peptide therapeutics in Latin America is discussed on a country level (Brazil, Mexico & rest of Latin America) in this section. The section also provides insights on regional market trends in Latin America peptide therapeutics market.

Section 11  Western Europe Peptide Therapeutics Market Analysis and Forecast 20152025

This section provides country wise analysis of peptide therapeutics market in Western Europe. Countries covered in this section are Germany, Italy, France, U.K, Spain, Nordic countries, BENELUX and rest of Western Europe. Market attractiveness analysis by country is provided to identify potential of growth for key players in the market. The section highlights regional market trends and pricing analysis for peptide therapeutics.

Section 12  Eastern Europe Peptide Therapeutics Market Analysis and Forecast 20152025

This chapter of the report introduces peptide therapeutics market in Russia, Poland and rest of Eastern Europe by providing detailed information about the growth avenues for market players in the region and growth prospects of the market based on its leading segments.

Section 13  APEJ Peptide Therapeutics Market Analysis and Forecast 20152025

China, India, ASEAN, and Australia & New Zealand are the leading countries in the APEJ region that are the prime subject of assessment to obtain growth prospects of the APEJ peptide therapeutics market in this chapter. Readers can find thorough information about the growth parameters of the APEJ peptide therapeutics market during the period 20152025.

Section 14  Japan Peptide Therapeutics Market Analysis and Forecast 20152025

Readers can find important factors that can make a huge impact on the growth of peptide therapeutics market in Japan This chapter provides the overview of pricing, drivers, restraints, and trends in the Japan peptide therapeutics market.

Section 15  MEA Peptide Therapeutics Market Analysis and Forecast 20152025

This chapter provides information on how peptide therapeutics market will grow in the major countries in MEA region, such as GCC Countries, South Africa, and rest of MEA during the period 2015-2025.

Request for Report Ask A Question @ https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/ask-question/rep-gb-1038

Section 16  Competition Landscape, Company Share and Company Profiles

This section provides a dashboard review of competition in global peptide therapeutics market. It details the comparative assessment of key products specific to market segments and competitive position of key players in the global market.

Readers can find a comprehensive profiles of key players in peptide therapeutics market, including company overview, revenue shares, strategic overview, and recent company developments, SWOT analysis etc. Market players featured in the report include Eli Lilly and Company, AstraZeneca plc, Merck & Co., Inc., Ipsen S.A, Novo Nordisk A/S, Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd. etc. and several contract manufacturing organisations such as CordenPharma International GmbH, PolyPeptide Group, Bachem AG etc.

Section 17  Assumptions and Acronyms

This section includes a list of acronyms and assumptions that provide a base to the information and statistics included in the report. The section also enlists forecast assumptions and forecast factors considered while estimating the market size.

Section 18  Research Methodology

This section helps readers to understand the research methodology followed to obtain various conclusions, important qualitative information, and quantitative information about peptide therapeutics market.
Ina Garten has all the tips for French food made easy. As a newlywed, Garten went on a camping trip to France that completely changed her perspective on food.

Decades later, shes now the author of a cookbook all about French food called Barefoot in Paris. Keeping to her Barefoot Contessa style, Gartens takes on classic French dishes prove they dont have to be complicated or hard to make at home.

Ina Garten | Brad Barket/Getty Images for The New Yorker

1. Ina Gartens Beef Bourguignon recipe is ready in less than 2 hours

RELATED: Ina Gartens Easy Barefoot Contessa Dinner Thats Ready in No Time

Want to impress dinner guests? Make this recipe from Garten. It sounds fancy, but as the Food Network star once said on an episode of Barefoot Contessa, beef bourguignon is really just beef stew with red wine.

She begins by heating good olive oil  Garten prefers Olio Santo olive oil  in a large Dutch oven with bacon. Once its cooked, she puts the bacon on a plate. Next, Garten dries cubes of beef. Why? Theyll brown better in the pan if theyre dry. Once all the cubes of beef are browned, Garten sets them aside with the bacon.

Next up is the vegetables. Garten, aka the Barefoot Contessa, cooks carrots and onions in fat from the bacon and beef cubes. About 15 minutes later, she adds fresh garlic. This is where Cognac comes in. Garten adds it to the pan before carefully lighting a match to burn off the alcohol. Finally, she returns the meat to the Dutch oven with tomato paste, red wine, fresh herbs, and store-bought beef broth.

Heres a Barefoot Contessa tip to make Beef Bourguignon easier. Garten cooks it in the oven as opposed to the stovetop. Meanwhile, Garten cooks sliced mushrooms in melted butter to add to the stew. She also thickens it using a combination of butter and flour. Finally, Garten serves her Beef Bourguignon over a piece of toasted bread.

RELATED: Ina Gartens Easy Waffle Recipe Is so Barefoot Contessa

This recipe is one of the many examples of how Garten elevates chocolate with coffee. Instead of the traditional creme brulee with vanilla custard, the Food Network star switches it up by adding chocolate.

The best-selling cookbook author begins by whisking together one egg, sugar, and egg yolks. Next, she scalds heavy cream in a saucepan before removing it from the heat and adding chopped bittersweet chocolate and instant espresso powder.

She then combines everything with some good vanilla extract  Gartens favorite vanilla brand is Nielsen-Massey  and coffee liqueur. After transferring the mixture to a liquid measuring cup, Garten divides it between ramekins that have been placed in a roasting pan or on a baking sheet.

Heres where one of her Barefoot Contessa tips comes in: Creme brulee cooks in a water bath which can be tricky when transferring them to the oven.

The trick is to put the baking pan onto the oven rack and fill it here, so the custards dont get splashed with water, she said on Barefoot Contessa.

After about 40 to 50 minutes, Garten removes the creme brulees from the oven and lets them chill in the fridge. Finally, she sprinkles sugar on top of each one and caramelizes it with a kitchen blowtorch before serving.

3. Ina Gartens Souffle a Lorange recipe highlights her easy trick for a perfect souffle

RELATED: Ina Garten Dip Recipes That Make Easy Appetizers

The Food Network star makes the base for her Souffle a Lorange using butter, milk, flour, sugar, egg yolks, orange liqueur, vanilla extract, and orange zest. Then Garten whips egg whites, sugar, salt, and cream of tartar together.

Next, she gently folds the egg whites into the base mixture. After pouring the mixture into a souffle dish, Garten runs her finger around the inside edge, which helps the souffle rise straight up as it bakes. As she says, how easy is that?

After approximately 30 minutes in the oven and a dusting of powdered sugar, Gartens Souffle a Lorange is ready to serve.
Lucille Ball played a significant role in the early days of classic television, securing a cherished spot in pop culture history. I Love Lucy was one of the first programs to give viewers a glimpse into the household of a young family.

Although Ball received most of the credit for the success of the popular television series, it was her loyal sidekick Ethel Mertz (Vivian Vance) that helped create the onscreen magic. Her character was the best friend who was ready at a moments notice to join Lucy in her fun-filled schemes.

Unfortunately, when the cameras stopped rolling, the onscreen chemistry didnt translate to real life. The women endured both personal and professional differences that threatened their friendship, taking years to overcome.

The iconic stars of I Love Lucy

Lucille Ball on I Love Lucy | CBS via Getty Images

RELATED: I Love Lucy: Vivian Vance Transformed Herself to Play Ethel

In The Lucy Book, author Geoffrey Mark stated, It took several months of filming for Ms. Ball to realize what she had with Vivian, which is why, as the show goes on, the Ethel Mertz character gets more and more prominent.

Closer Weekly noted, Both women were accomplished actors that had the uncanny ability to bring viewers into every scene, allowing them to suspend disbelief. They played off of one another so well, audiences loved watching them tackle seemingly unbelievable dilemmas with ease.

In real life, Vance was nothing like her character. The frumpy upstairs landlady was actually a beautiful actor with a long list of theater credits to her name. She transformed her physical appearance to get into the role and had to prepare herself mentally every day to meet the demands of playing Ethel Mertz.

Why Vivian Vance left The Lucy Show

Vivian Vance as Ethel Mertz | CBS via Getty Images

RELATED: Lucille Ball Met All of Vivian Vances Demands to Get Her Back in The Lucy Show

I Love Lucy stayed on the air for six regular seasons, running a total of 180 half-hour episodes from 1951 to 1957. When the series ended, Desilu offered Vance a spinoff series, but she wasnt interested.

Americas favorite sidekick moved on to other projects, ready to distance herself from her role as Ethel. In 1962, Ball lured Vance back to portray a new character named Vivian on The Lucy Show, becoming the first divorced woman on television.

According to IMDb, Vivian Vance refused to agree to appear on this show unless she was allowed to wear nice clothing. The days of a frumpy best friend were over. This was agreed to, and she signed the contract.

The successful CBS series stayed on the air for six seasons, for a total of 156 episodes. The show ended in 1968, with Vance only appearing in 81 episodes.

In 1965, Vance asked to be let out of her contract. According to Closer Weekly, six months into the new show, Ball retained ownership of Desilu Studios. Several of the studio executives told her that Vance was looking for more money, control, and in essence, wanted to be a full partner on the show. Ball refused Vances demands but later discovered, Nothing they told her was true.

The Lucy Book author claims Vance merely wanted to make her character consistent. She also wanted to be paid more than the $250 a week she was receiving, feeling she deserved to be getting what everybody else on television who was a co-star on a show was getting. Some fans speculate that Vance was simply tired of the long commute to the studio from her Connecticut home.

The ultimate friendship

RELATED: I Love Lucy: Ethel and Lucys Friendship Is Not What It Seems

The series continued but was not the same without Vances presence. Ball later recognized that she should have fought harder for her friend, saying, We let these men put a wedge between us that never should have been there.

The friendship of these two iconic women endured because they truly liked one another. Vance went on to appear in other television shows until being diagnosed with bone and breast cancer. The two women put their past differences aside and remained friends until Vances passing in 1979 at the age of 70.

Before her death, Vance took out an ad in Variety that read, Dear Lucy. You made me what I am today, and Im satisfied. Love, Viv.
The Academy Award-winning movie The Grand Budapest Hotel took us to a different time and place. Set in the fictional Eastern Europes Republic of Zubrowka pre-WWII, viewers were taken to a mountainside resort only the wealthy could afford. Filled with murder, mystery, and intrigue, and touched with a sprinkle of comedy, writer-director Wes Anderson took his audience to a hotel almost anyone would love to visit. But was that opulent pink location a real hotel? Lets look.

The Grand Budapest Hotel | Justin Baker/Getty Images

What was the Grand Budapest Hotel about?

The film begins in the mid-1980s when a woman seizes the opportunity to read a book, The Grand Budapest Hotel, she finds in a cemetery. It was written by someone only known as The Author. The Author (Jude Law) had earlier ventured to Zubrowka to see the formerly affluent Grand Budapest Hotel that had fallen on hard times with few guests.

He befriends an elderly man, Zero Moustafa (F. Murray Abraham) the hotels owner. The two sit down to dinner, and Zero tells his story, according to IMDb. In 1932, the young Zero (Tony Revolori) is a bellhop trainee at the hotel whom the concierge, M. Gustave H. (Ralph Fiennes) takes a liking to.

Zero, an undocumented worker, earns a permanent position and becomes Gustaves confidant. No one knows who owns the hotel. Gustave charms every senior lady who stays at the hotel and takes them to bed. Zero meets the love of his life, Agatha (Saoirse Ronan), who works at the pastry shop.

One of Gustaves lady friends, Madame D (Tilda Swinton), is found dead at home in her bathroom. According to her will, she left some things to family members, but a recently added codicil leaves Gustave her cherished painting, Boy with Apple. At this point, Madame Ds son, Dmitri (Adrien Brody) becomes an active part of the film.

Upon return to the hotel, Gustave is arrested as a suspect in Madame Ds murder. Zero works with Agatha to stash tools in pastries that Gustave and his new friends, members of the Society of the Crossed Keys, can use to escape. The rumblings of WWII are afoot, while others connected to the Madame D case are also murdered. Gustave and Zero are on the run.

Gustave, Zero, and Agatha return to the hotel to retrieve the painting just as Dimitri and his sisters arrive. Confidential paperwork attached to the back reveals a second will vindicating Gustave of Madame Ds murder and leaving him businesses she owned including full ownership of the hotel.

Dimitri, now the prime suspect in his mothers murder, disappears. Zero is promoted to concierge. Zero and Agatha are married, but she dies while carrying their first child. Gustave is killed by soldiers in defense of Zero, who remains undocumented.

The elderly Zero finishes his story by telling The Author that Gustave left everything to him. The Author asks if Zero keeps the failing hotel in memory of Gustave. No, he has kept it as a tribute to Agatha and the best years of his life. The film ends with the woman finishing the book.

Numerous noteworthy actors appear in the film including Bill Murray, Jeff Goldblum, Edward Norton, Mathieu Amalric, Jason Schwartzman, Tom Wilkinson, and Owen Wilson.

Zubrowka is fictional, what about the hotel?

Hotel Imperial .. jako kouzelny zamek tycici se nad udolim K. Varu.

Hotel Imperial .. as a charming manor overlooking the valley of K. Varu.#karlovyvary #Imperial #nature #Autumn #free pic.twitter.com/34u4OBmlV1  Karlovy Vary (@Karlovyvary_cz) November 8, 2017

RELATED: Get to Know Wes Andersons 8 Great Films

Zubrowka began to take shape after a visit to the spa town of Karlovy Vary in the Czech Republic. The town has a great quality to it, said set designer Adam Stockhausen. It has pastel-colored buildings along the river and several hotels in the hills above the town, he told National Geographic. It had all the right elements but not in the right places.

Stockhausen, who won the Oscar for Best Production Design for the film, got to work and created his own country. The Grand Budapest Hotel is indeed fictional. The glorious pink buildings exterior is a model. Its lobby was set up in a vacant department store in Gorlitz Germany, inspired by the Grandhotel Pupp in Karlovy Vary.

Other local hotels lent inspiration to the Grand Budapest including the Hotel Imperial, which is perched high on a mountain overlooking the city, according to Roadtrippers. The coat check area was influenced by a Prague municipal building.

Where were other scenes from the Grand Budapest Hotel filmed?

The Grand Budapest Hotel (2014) pic.twitter.com/0pylmjy5ym  Films to Films  (@FilmstoFilms_) March 13, 2021

Germany was the hub for filming the movie. Mendls confectionary shop, for example, was filmed in Pfunds Molkerei, a Dresden Germany creamery Stockhausen found to be overwhelmingly beautiful. Checkpoint 19 was filmed at Osterstein Castle in Zwickau, Germany. It had served as a Nazi prison camp later becoming a nursing home.

The castle is currently awaiting approval as a museum. When Deputy Kovacs (Goldblum) was chased around an art museum, the scene was filmed in Dresdens Zwinger Museum. The museum, originally built in the 18th century was nearly bombed out in WWII.

Rebuilt, it now houses a large collection of European paintings and the largest porcelain collection in the world. As for the name of the country, Republic of Zubrowka, Anderson borrowed it from a Polish bison grass vodka.
Celebrities know that the perks of their status and wealth come along with some major pitfalls, and that includes having fans gawk at their relationships. Some celebrities retreat into a kind of fortress in order to preserve shreds of privacy, erasing themselves from social media and trying desperately to keep details of their personal lives out of the public eye.

Other stars are a little more forthcoming with the details of their love lives. Perhaps theyre using these tidbits as a tool to keep themselves relevant and filling headlines, or maybe theyre just tired of trying to maintain privacy in the face of scrutinizing fans. Either way, we often catch glimpses of deeply personal moments between stars when theyre dating.

While some of those moments can be sweet, others are downright bizarre, and it looks like Megan Fox and Machine Gun Kelly are taking the latter approach  but they arent the first to do so.

Megan Fox and Machine Gun Kelly have a captivating relationship

We got the latest Mortal Kombat, we downloaded it, and I crushed him. Like, destroyed him every time we fought. Megan Fox is better at gaming than Machine Gun Kelly https://t.co/AgqW0I0g0A pic.twitter.com/zJg7ttiOpT  Jezebel (@Jezebel) May 10, 2021

RELATED: Machine Gun Kellys Name Has a Real Gangster History

Fox is an actor best known for her work in action flicks like Transformers and Rogue. With an acting career that stretches back to the early 2000s, Fox has spent most of her life in the spotlight, and that included a very public split from Brian Austin Green, a man she was with for 15 years and married to for a decade.

When fans caught wind of the rumor that Fox was dating musician Machine Gun Kelly, the internet went wild. The pair apparently met while filming Midnight in the Switchgrass.

Soon after, Fox appeared in Machine Gun Kellys video for Bloody Valentine, and the rumors of their budding relationship picked up steam. Some speculated that Fox was simply having a thrilling rebound after the end of her long marriage, but the pair have shut down naysayers with a lasting relationship that continues to deepen.

Megan Fox and Machine Gun Kelly are getting serious

"Some people give a handkerchief to their partner. She gave me her DNA." https://t.co/0WUvJMmz4m  BuzzFeed (@BuzzFeed) May 12, 2021

RELATED: Megan Fox Calls Machine Gun Kelly Her Twin Flame: How Did She Describe Her Connection with Brian Austin Green

While there were reports that Fox was in no rush to introduce Machine Gun Kelly to her three sons, its clear that what the couple share is no fleeting fling. Theyve both spoken out about their respect and adoration for one another, and theyve been increasingly public with their relationship.

At this point, it seems safe to say that things have gotten serious, and a strange piece of jewelry adds more fuel to the fire.

Megan Fox gave Machine Gun Kelly a strange piece of jewelry

Megan Fox | Nathan Congleton/NBC/NBCU Photo Bank

One sign of their intense relationship is a physical totem of that love. As BuzzFeed News reports, Machine Gun Kelly posted an odd picture on Valentines day of a glass orb with a red dot on a chain. He captioned it, I wear your blood around my neck.

In an interview with Ellen DeGeneres, Machine Gun Kelly offered some additional details to the cryptic post. Well, she was actually going out of town to film a movie, and this was really new in our relationship, he explained.

He couldnt go with her because he didnt have a passport, and Fox gave him a necklace that contained a drop of her blood as a symbol of her devotion to the relationship. Perhaps even more bizarrely, Bernie Sanders helped Machine Gun Kelly get his passport, so he was eventually able to join his love on location in Bulgaria.

While this story may seem strange, its not the first time a celebrity duo has showcased their love with blood-filled jewelry. Angelina Jolie and Billy Bob Thornton were once in an intense and very public marriage, and the couple wore vials of one anothers blood around their necks.

Billy Bob Thornton and ex-wife Angelina Jolie's infamous blood necklaces explained: https://t.co/28uaRVEMOq pic.twitter.com/Vb2jKVvPFw  ExtraTV (@extratv) June 17, 2018

While some can draw similarities between Jolie and Foxs romantic gestures for their respective partners, the reason behind the blood vial necklaces appear to be different.

The necklaces were a very simple thing, Hey lets poke our fingers with a pen and smear a little blood on there and when were away from each other well wear the necklace,' Thorton told People. It was that easy. But by the time it came out in the press it sounded like we were wearing a bucket of blood around our necks.

He told The Hollywood Reporter in 2014: She thought it would be interesting and romantic if we took a little razor blade and sliced our fingers, smeared a little blood on these lockets, and you wear it around your neck just like you wear your son or daughters baby hair in one.
Mila Kunis and Ashton Kutcher have been happily married since 2015. Together, they share two beautiful children, Wyatt Isabella and Dimitri Portwood. The loving couple is also making headlines for their beautiful new farmhouse in LA.

But before they developed a life together, they were just co-stars working alongside each other on That 70s Show. And according to Kunis, she secretly had the biggest crush on her future husband while filming the series.

circa 2000: From right to left, Ashton Kutcher, Mila Kunis, Wilmer Valderrama | The LIFE Picture Collection via Getty Images

Who do Mila Kunis and Ashton Kutcher play on That 70s Show?

On That 70s Show, Kunis and Kutcher play Jackie Burkhart and Michael Kelso. The characters live in Point Place, Wisconsin, and are best friends with Eric Foreman, Donna Pinciotti, Steven Hyde, and Fez.

On the show, they portray the most popular couple in school.

How well do you really remember Jackie and Kelso? Time to take the quiz to find out: http://t.co/UNIH9feU0t pic.twitter.com/LgcADMRksd  MTV (@MTV) July 7, 2015

RELATED: That 70s Show: Storylines That Almost Ruined the Show

Kunis character, Jackie, is known as the spoiled rich girl who comes from a life of privilege. Yet, in real life, things were quite different for Kunis. The actor grew up with practically no money before immigrating to the United States with her family from the Ukraine.

But growing up poor, I never missed out on anything, she says, according to Insider. My parents did a beautiful job of not making me feel like I was lesser than any other kids.

Meanwhile, Kutcher, who plays the attractive airhead with the brain of a goldfish, is extremely intelligent in real life.

The sexiest thing in the entire world is being really smart, Kutcher said at the Teen Choice Awards, according to Insider.

Mila Kunis had the biggest crush on Ashton Kutcher during That 70s Show

RELATED: Friends With Benefits: Mila Kunis Fell Asleep During Her Sex Scene With Justin Timberlake

Kunis and Kutcher may be happily married now, but while filming That 70s Show, they had a much more casual relationship. In fact, Kunis saw Kutcher as more of a mentor than a romantic partner because of their significant age gap. (While filming the pilot, Kunis was 14. Meanwhile, Kutcher was 19.)

To further prove the wholesome nature of their relationship at the time, Kunis admits that her future husband used to do her homework in between takes!

But despite their platonic relationship, the Black Swan actor couldnt help but develop strong feelings for her on-screen love interest. She even admits to having the biggest crush on him!

Mila Kunis and Ashton Kutcher Share Stunning Sneak Peek of Rustic Hilltop LA Home https://t.co/AzEtyk9bYV pic.twitter.com/PjzjZBccgL  PopCulture.com (@PopCulture) May 18, 2021

I was like, Oh, hes so cute, its the Calvin Klein model, she said (via Insider.) Then I was like, I have to kiss him? I was so nervous and uncomfortable. I had the biggest crush on him.

In fact, he was her first kiss ever!

How many people get to have their first kiss with their future spouse?

Mila Kunis and Ashton Kutcher just moved into a gorgeous barn-inspired home

Fun fact: Ashton Kutcher (@aplusk) and Mila Kunis have the sustainable L.A. farmhouse of your dreams (and ours, too, for the record).



The design-obsessed couple gave us a tour of their six-acre property for the cover of our June issue: https://t.co/DDOzrGEiSr pic.twitter.com/5LS1WPYu7c  Architectural Digest (@ArchDigest) May 18, 2021

Kunis and Kutcher are opening the doors to their stunning barn-inspired home in LA.

We wanted the house to look like an old barn, something that had been here for decades, that was then converted into a house, Kutcher revealed, according to CNN.

But they didnt simply move in. They built the house from the ground up.

Building a house from the ground up is no small thing, says Kunis. This was either going to make us or break us.
The island life is calling. HGTV has announced a premiere date for a new season of Renovation Island, its hit reality series about the Baeumler family and their efforts to turn a run-down resort into a dream vacation destination.

Renovation Island returns June 20

Renovation Island | HGTV

RELATED: Renovation Island: Sarah and Bryan Baeumler Spent More Than $10 Million Renovating Their Resort

Renovation Island premiered in June 2020 and was an immediate hit with housebound HGTV viewers. More than 22 million people tuned in to watch the show (which originally aired under the title Island of Bryan on HGTV Canada) during its 11-week run, according to the network.

Now, the show is coming back for another season. Ten new episodes of Renovation Island will begin airing on Sunday, June 20 on HGTV.

The Baeumler family deals with a global pandemic in Renovation Island Season 2

.@Bryan_Baeumler shows us how to open a coconut for a refreshing summer drink! #IslandOfBryan all new Sundays. Also available on StackTV. pic.twitter.com/iNXcQsr8eF  HGTV Canada (@hgtvcanada) May 14, 2021

The debut season of Renovation Island saw Sarah and Bryan Baeumler and their four kids pulling up stakes and moving from their native Canada to the Bahamas. Viewers followed along as they transformed a decrepit old hotel into a luxury resort. Among the challenges they faced as they got closer to their grand opening date was the devastation of Hurricane Dorian, which hit the Bahamas in September 2019. But the Baeumlers were able to pull together and open the doors of the Caerula Mar Club resort.

Then, shortly after they started welcoming guests, another crisis hit: the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. In Renovation Island Season 2 the Baeumlers face the rollercoaster ride of business during the first year of their Bahamas resort. Heres what to expect from the new episodes, according to HGTV:

Forced to reckon with the realities of the international health crisis, Bryan and Sarah must reassess their business and family plans as they quarantine on the island and take the necessary steps for their eventual reopening.

Renovation Island: Bryan Baeumler says the opening day magic didnt last very long

Having to shut down the resort theyd worked so hard to build not long after opening was tough, Bryan has said.

The hotel was full, there was energy in the air, then COVID hit, he told the Toronto Sun. The opening day magic didnt last very long, he added.

As international travel shut down, the Baeumlers found themselves stuck on an island with their children. While many people would likely jump at the chance to spend lockdown at a fancy resort, it wasnt as fun as you might expect.

Everybody thinks, isnt that nice being shut down in place like this during a lockdown, just hang out on the beach, Sarah said. The place may have been closed but the work does not stop. The challenges included everything from getting supplies to South Andros Island to figuring out how to keep their kids busy and entertained.

As in Renovation Island Season 1, viewers will get to see the familys whole experience, warts and all.

Its very important to us to film the series with an underlying honesty, Sarah told the Sun.

Check out Showbiz Cheat Sheet on Facebook!
One question thats been burning on fans minds since season 1 The Handmaids Tale is if June would ever find Hannah and get her out of Gilead. Margaret Atwoods The TestamentsThe Handmaids Tale sequelanswers that question. Now, Hulu has already acquired the rights to adapt The Testaments into a spinoff series. And based on the novel, Hannah and Nichole could play huge roles. But will showrunner Bruce Miller follow The Testaments to a T? The Handmaids Tale differs from its namesake in a lot of ways.

[The Handmaids Tale and The Testaments spoilers ahead.]

Hannah (L), baby Nichole (C), and Luke (R) from The Handmaids Tale | Sophie Giraud/Hulu

Who are the three narrators in The Testaments?

June Osbornes daughters, Hannah and Nichole, arent frequently seen in The Handmaids Tale. But their safety is top priority for the main characters. June, Serena Joy, Emily, and Commander Lawrence helped get baby Nichole out of Gilead at the end of season 2, but June stayed behind to find Hannah.

Now, in season 4, it June seems poised to escape Gilead without her. This leaves Hannahs fate open-ended. Will she stay in Gilead? Could she be smuggled out? Will the United States regain control of the land Gilead took over? The Testaments answers all of those questions. But The Handmaids Tale has gone off book from its source material, so its possible the spinoff series will stray a bit as well. Atwood is working closely with both of the shows, however, so she will likely prevent too much deviation from her plot.

In The Testaments, there are three narrators. One of them is a child in Gilead. Another is an Aunt. The third is a child in Canada. Eventually, readers learn those narrators are none other than Ann Dowds Aunt Lydia, Hannah/Agnes, and Nichole/Daisy.

RELATED: The Handmaids Tale Season 4: June Will Learn the Cost of Her Ruthless Actions, Executive Producer Says

Does June ever find Hannah?

As of The Handmaids Tale Season 4 Episode 5, June has not been reunited with either of her daughters. Like in the original novel, June is only referred to as a Handmaid. (Atwood intentionally left her clues about the characters identities unanswered, so readers could make their own conclusions.) Hannah and Nichole are renamed Agnes and Daisy by their adoptive parents, and they learn their biological mother was a Handmaid.

The novel also reveals June makes it out of Gilead and is working with Mayday in Canada. She keeps tabs on her children from afar, hoping to one day be reunited with them.

Elisabeth Moss and Max Minghella in The Handmaids Tale Season 2 | George Kraychyk/Hulu

RELATED: The Handmaids Tale Season 4: Lukes Mental State is in Mortal Jeopardy, Actor O-T Fagbenle Says

What happens in The Testaments?

As for Nichole/Daisy, she is adopted by a Canadian couple that run a thrift shop. Theyre very protective of her, and she eventually learns why. In the book, Daisy learns about Baby NicholeJune and Nicks daughter who was stolen from Gilead. The country adopts Baby Nichole as a symbol warning the nation of the evils that reside outside of Gilead.

After her parents are murdered, Daisy learns she is Baby Nichole, her parents adopted her to protect her, and they were part of Mayday. Back in Gilead, Agnes avoids getting married to a commander by deciding to become an Aunt instead. After years of being a Supplicant (an Aunt in training), Agnes eventually meets a girl who came to Gilead from Canada. That girl is her half-sister, Nichole, who goes to Gilead to learn more about her past life. The epilogue of the book reveals Agnes became an Aunt named Victoria, Lydia betrayed Gilead by providing secrets to Mayday, and the Gilead regime eventually fell.

If The Handmaids Tale creative team plans on being loyal to Atwoods Testaments plot, that means Hannah, Nichole, and Aunt Lydia could be the shows three main characters. And the novel certainly provides a bevy of fascinating storylines on which to build a captivating show.

New episodes of The Handmaids Tale air Wednesdays on Hulu.
June Osborne doesnt want to leave Gilead without her daughter, Hannah. But in The Handmaids Tale Season 4 Episode 5, Chicago, she seems close to escaping without her. Hannah has been frequently mentioned in the show, but rarely seen. With her future up in the air, fans on Reddit are making theories about what will happen to Hannah in future seasons. And one theory argues shell never get out of Gilead. Rather, shell move up in its ranks. And the theory ties into the events of Margaret Atwoods The Testaments, which is being developed into a series at Hulu.

[The Handmaids Tale Season 4 and The Testaments spoilers ahead.]

Jordana Blake as Hannah in The Handmaids Tale Season 4 | Sophie Giraud/Hulu

Does June ever get reunited with Hannah?

June has only seen her and Lukes daughter a handful of times throughout the entirety of The Handmaids Tale. She got a glimpse of her in season 1 in an act of cruelty from Serena Joy Waterford. She saw her again in season 2, when Commander Fred Waterford arranged for June to see Hannah in secret.

Hannah still remembered her biological mother and father during this meeting, although she had been renamed Agnes by her adoptive parents. June assured her that she and Luke were fighting to be with her again and to not give up hope. But worst case scenario happened in season 4 episode 3, The Crossing.

June was being tortured at a Gilead prison when Commander Lawrence told her the prison had Hannah. Lawrence warned they would hurt the child if June didnt tell them where the other Handmaids she escaped with were hiding. She called the bluff, but it wasnt a lie.

She was led to a room where she saw Hannah sitting in a large glass cell. But this time, Hannah didnt recognize her mother. Rather, she feared her. June gave up the location of Janine, Alma, Brianna, and the other Handmaids to save her daughter.

RELATED: The Handmaids Tale Season 4: Lukes Mental State is in Mortal Jeopardy, Actor O-T Fagbenle Says

Is Agnes in The Testaments Hannah from The Handmaids Tale?

Hannah screaming in fear at her was beyond heartbreaking for June. Her first child had become one of the children in Gilead who no longer remembered their lives before the coup. It makes June fearful that even if they are reunited one day, Hannah wont want to be with her.

While Hannah isnt a large character in The Handmaids Tale, Hannah/Agnes is revealed to be one of the narrators of Atwoods The Testaments. The novel is the sequel to the original Handmaids Tale novel, and its main characters are Aunt Lydia, Agnes/Hannah, and June and Nicks daughter, Nichole. In The Testaments, shes known as Daisy.

Before The Handmaids Tale Season 4 got started, a Reddit user theorized Hannahs arc on The Handmaids Tale will lead up to the events of The Testaments. And in the book, Agnes grows up in Gilead and becomes an Aunt named Aunt Victoria. The users season 4 theory stated:

I think that the Marthas will take June and all the other handmaids that helped somewhere underground to allow June time to recover. At that point they will be given the choice to join the full resistance or be taken to Canada. Most will join the resistance.

Viewers already know June didnt find the Mayday network when in hiding at the Keyes farm, so that part of the theory is incorrect.

O-T Fagbenle as Luke in The Handmaids Tale Season 4 | Sophie Giraud/Hulu

RELATED: The Handmaids Tale: Junes Story Could Continue in The Testaments Spinoff, Executive Producer Says

Does Hannah get saved in The Handmaids Tale?

The rest of the theory sets up Hannahs plot in The Testaments. As it reads:

Word will get back for Junes work, and an order for her death, but Lydia intervenes and through the situation they come to an agreement, where Lydia will bring Hannah to become an Aunt when the time comes, and for June to set up the network in Canada for Lydia to send the inside information through. Due to the upper commanders attempting to gain Fred back, they trade June for the Waterfords and attempt to demand Nicole as well, but Luke and Moira have sent Nicole into hiding with a couple underground. Moira keeps in contact with the couple and she and Emily start doing more for the resistance within Canada. This will allow seeing the way they will eventually bridge HT to TT. I can see us seeing the beginning of how the pearl girls come to be, as well as the death of Hannahs Gilead mom this season and her school.

The Pearl Girls is a group of missionaries sent from Gilead to other countries to bring more women to Gilead. The Pearl Girls were created by Aunt Lydia. Its a prerequisite to becoming an Aunt. This fan thinks June and Luke wont be able to save Hannah from Gilead, and shell end up growing up there. And if the show is trying to align with The Testaments, theyll be right.

Based on the events of season 4 so far, it seems they are setting it up for June to escape Gilead without Hannah. She will have to cope with the trauma of that, should she make it out. June is in The Testaments, although shes not a main character. Only time will tell if thats the creative choice Hulus series has made.
Ree Drummond, better known as The Pioneer Woman, has no problem finding her way around the kitchen. What started as a blog to keep track of her delicious recipes has turned into a virtual empire.

Faithful followers from around the world flock to the busy entrepreneurs website looking for helpful cooking and lifestyle tips.

With a television program on the Food Network, cookbooks, and a full line of kitchenware being sold on store shelves, it seems there is nothing this energetic mom of four cant do.

While The Pioneer Woman admits to enjoying a good meal out at a restaurant, the well-known chef revealed why she refuses to order a steak, no matter how good it looks.

Drummond has built an empire inspiring others

The Pioneer Woman Ree Drummond | Tyler Essary/NBC/NBCU Photo Bank via Getty Images

RELATED: The Pioneer Woman: Fun Facts About Ree Drummond

In 2015, Walmart customers fell in love with The Pioneer Woman. Drummond debuted a new bold patterned kitchenware line that was not only practical but affordable as well.

It all started when the happy homemaker started a blog called The Pioneer Woman. Delish explains, what started out as a place to share recipes and her so-good-it-should-be-a-rom-com tale of a city girl falling in love with a cowboy has grown into a fully-fledged empire.

The success of the blog culminated in the creation of two websites, several cookbooks, and a Mercantile restaurant in Oklahoma. The well-known personality also now hosts a cooking and lifestyle show on the Food Network.

Drummonds most recent endeavor is a lighthearted book entitled Frontier Follies: Adventures in Marriage & Motherhood in the Middle of Nowhere.

The Pioneer Woman is in Steel Magnolia mode

Update on our two guys. Feeling pretty grateful today. (Being married to a cowboy is never boring.) https://t.co/tNSZHfcTPx  Ree Drummond  The Pioneer Woman (@thepioneerwoman) March 15, 2021

RELATED: The Pioneer Woman: Ree Drummond Made 1 Major Business Decision After Watching Little House on the Prairie

Drummond admittedly has had her share of personal difficulties. Most recently, her husband and nephew were involved in a traumatic accident involving a firetruck.

She told USA Today, I guess if youve lived enough years as a wife, mother, sister, daughter, youre going to develop the ability to power through crises without crumbling.

The Pioneer Woman admitted, I may still have a crumble ahead, dont get me wrongbut right now, Im firmly in Steel Magnolia mode.

Why Americas favorite lifestyle expert wont order steak from a restaurant

RELATED: The Pioneer Woman Ree Drummonds Favorite Recipes for Her Family, Revealed!

In an interview with Delish, when asked, Whats your favorite food to order when dining out? Drummond candidly replied, The last thing Id order is steak; its one of my favorite dinners, but we cook it all the time.

The Pioneer Woman said, I love sushi, and I usually order it because its the farthest thing from what I make at home.

When we took a deep dive into Drummonds website, we found an out-of-this-world steak recipe that is definitely worth giving a try. The accomplished television personality encourages readers not to be intimidated by cooking a steak, saying, its one of the easiest things in the world to cook, and itll make your soul sing.

The Pioneer Woman suggests the magic is in the marbling, which are the small lines of fat that are distributed throughout the meat, adding juicy flavor to the cooked steak. The Pioneer Woman reveals her secret never-fail arsenal consists of seasoned salt, a stick of salted butter, and lemon pepper seasoning.

Drummond is so confident in her abilities to make the perfect steak she says on her blog, If you cook it for your boyfriend, he will propose to you. She also suggests, If you cook it for yourself, youll decide you dont need no stinking spouse.


Ryan Gosling has made a name for himself for his acting versatility. He rose to fame as a young heartthrob, acting in romantic comedies and dramas, but quickly proved that he has the ability to portray any role  including tough, action-packed characters like the one he portrayed in Blade Runner 2049.

These days, Gosling is as big of a star as he was in the early 2000s, although he chooses to live much of his life well away from the prying eyes of the public. Still, Gosling steps in when he feels he is needed, and a few years ago, the actor made headlines when he saved a woman from a speeding taxi.

How did Ryan Gosling become a Hollywood star?

Ryan Gosling, Jennifer Garner and More Hollywood Teachers Who Passed the Acting Test https://t.co/wtEaaBupIx  E! News (@enews) May 4, 2021

RELATED: Why Did Ryan Gosling and Rachel McAdams Break Up?

Gosling was born in Ontario, Canada, in 1980. Raised in a working-class family, Gosling had a difficult time in middle school and high school and turned to his dreams of becoming an actor to help him get through the days.

Eventually, Gosling dropped out of public school because of the bullying that he experienced, with his mother stepping in to homeschool him. In early 1993, Gosling tried out for the show The All-New Mickey Mouse Club. He landed a spot, and for several years, he flexed his muscles as a child star on the series.

By the early 2000s, Gosling had started to appear in larger roles in film projects. A few of his early movie parts included featured roles in Murder by Numbers, The Slaughter Rule, and The United States of Leland.

Ryan Gosling is best known for romantic dramas like The Notebook

Ryan Gosling | Jeff Kravitz/Getty Images

RELATED: Are Ryan Gosling and Eva Mendes Still Married?

Gosling broke through Hollywood big time in 2004 when he played Noah in the romance epic The Notebook. Gosling became an instant star, and fans couldnt get enough of his chemistry with his co-star, Rachel McAdams.

His success in the film led to him getting a series of other high-profile roles, including Half Nelson, Lars and the Real Girl, Blue Valentine, and La La Land.

In addition to his work as an actor, Gosling has played in a band and embarked on several lucrative business ventures. He is in a longtime relationship with actress Eva Mendes, welcoming two daughters, whom they work hard to keep out of the spotlight.

These days, Gosling is very choosy about his projects, selecting roles that challenge him creatively.

When did Ryan Gosling save a woman from a speeding car?

RELATED: Ryan Goslings Tattoo Mistake is a DIY He Screwed Up Himself

Gosling has played many heroic characters onscreen  but in his private life, he has also proven himself to be a bit of a hero as well. Most notably, in 2012, Gosling made headlines when he stepped in to save a British journalist from a speeding taxi.

I literally, LITERALLY just got saved from a car by Ryan Gosling. Literally. That actually just happened, Laurie Penny tweeted only seconds after Gosling had saved her from the oncoming vehicle.

Still, Gosling remained understated about his role in saving Pennys life. The journalist did open up in the days that followed the incident, penning an op-ed where she compared the experience to being in a cheesy film, while simultaneously stating that she believes the stories of Gosling heroically saving her life tended to be a bit overstated  since, as she wrote, people do lovely, considerate things for other people all the time.
Huawei, Unicom deepen 5G alliance

(China Daily) 09:41, May 19, 2021

Shoppers try Huawei smartphones at a shop in Changzhou, Jiangsu province. [Photo by WANG QIMING/FOR CHINA DAILY]

China Unicom, a leading Chinese telecom operator, is deepening its partnership with Huawei Technologies Co by jointly unveiling a 5G evolution technology plan for the next five years.

Ma Hongbing, general manager of the technology innovation department at China Unicom, said 5G is set to promote the transformation of a smart society. Facing business demand for the next five years, there is a need to unveil a 5G evolution technology plan, 5G-Advanced technologies, for the next five years.

China Unicom and Huawei have identified three new industry tracks in the future, and proposed three major 5G-Advanced technologies, including intelligent new vision for XR virtual interaction; and smart super sensing for new industries such as high-precision positioning, internet of vehicles, drones and smart driving, Ma said.

XR technology is an umbrella category that covers various forms of computer-altered reality, including augmented, virtual and mixed reality.

Ding Yun, president of Huawei's carrier business group, said China has already built the largest 5G network in the world, and the tech will help foster high-quality development.

In the future, 5G application scenarios will become more diversified, and wireless technology itself needs to evolve constantly, so as to have new capabilities to achieve intelligent connection of all things, Ding said.

The two companies are also working on a 5G Capital innovation project, which is part of their broader efforts to make Beijing a global benchmark for 5G applications.

China Unicom Beijing and Huawei have unveiled a 5G indoor ubiquitous gigabit network in the National Stadium, providing the infrastructure required to scale up smart applications, such as AR services in large stadiums.

Nicknamed the Bird's Nest, the National Stadium, for instance, is a 91,000-capacity comprehensive venue covering 258,000 square meters in Beijing. Large open areas with a high density of mobile users such as these represent a typical heavy-load scenario of mobile networks, Huawei said.

Large simultaneous sharing of images and videos and video calls over 5G networks during major events create a tremendous capacity demand. At the same time, increasingly popular AR technology enables users to enjoy more diverse content and services through their mobile phones and smart glasses while interacting with their surrounding environment for enhanced immersion, further raising the requirements on network experience, Huawei said, adding that the two companies are working together to solve such problems.

The deepened cooperation came after China Unicom reported a 21.2-percent year-on-year surge in net profit in the first quarter amid efforts to push digital transformation and high-quality growth.

Net profit attributable to the parent company exceeded 1.69 billion yuan ($260.7 million), China Unicom said in a statement to the Shanghai Stock Exchange.

Business revenue rose 8.2 percent to 73.92 billion yuan in the reporting period, it said. The company's 5G users increased by 21.02 million during the first quarter, bringing the total number to 91.85 million.

Wang Zhiqin, deputy head of the China Academy of Information and Communications Technology, a government think tank, said: "China is likely to achieve several breakthroughs in 5G technology evolution, network construction and applications over the next five years."

(Web editor: Guo Wenrui, Du Mingming)
San Francisco, 19 May 2021: The Report Treehouse Glamping Market Size, Share & Trends Analysis Report By Age Group (18-32 Years, 33-50 Years, 51-65 Years, Above 65 Years), By Booking Mode, By Region, And Segment Forecasts, 2021 - 2028

The global treehouse glamping market size is expected to reach USD 363.6 million by 2028, according to a new report by Grand View Research, Inc. It is expected to expand at a CAGR of 8.7% from 2021 to 2028. In todays time, camping has become one of the best outdoor activities for numerous people, however, it is an unpleasant experience for some. Hence, the tourism industry has introduced a new concept called glamping, which is a combination of camping and a comfortable, luxurious stay experience.

Numerous consumers are inclined toward the idea of treehouse glamping as it is camping for the newer generation and allows an escape without compromising on comfort. With luxury furnishings, soft beds, and the awe-inspiring experience of nature and wildlife, consumers are more drawn to the idea of treehouse glamping as compared to regular camping.

Major treehouse glamping providers offer an out-in-the-wild camping experience along with luxurious amenities, such as portable toilets, indoor washrooms, comfortable beds, kitchen appliances, TV sets, Wi-Fi, and air conditioning. This allows campers to have the perfect combination of overall outdoor and indoor experience, especially for families and couples. This, in turn, is expected to have a positive impact on the market growth over the forecast period.

Globally, the glamping sector has been witnessing an inflow of investments by hotel brands in emerging regions, such as India, Africa, Southeast Asia, and the Middle East. Although the COVID-19 pandemic has slowed the investment momentum in the sector, the market space for treehouse glamping has been consolidating.

With consistent progress in economic recovery and accommodations picking up pace, companies are investing in the upgradation of existing facilities and shutting down locations that are deemed redundant. In January 2021, Under Canvas announced a USD 15 million investment to upgrade their seven existing facilities and construct two new camps across the U.S. Most upgradation investments are aimed at making facilities eco-friendly and sustainable and improving the architectural landscape and amenities.

Investment mechanisms in the industry have also been evolving from the time of systemic venture capitals or family-owned investment firms to treehouse glamping companies now being founded by means of crowdfunding. One such example would be O2 Treehouses, an Oakland-based company, which launched an equity crowdfunding campaign for its new venture, Treewalkers. The campaign is aimed at expanding the franchise-based company in the treehouse glamping sector of the U.S.

Access Research Report of Treehouse Glamping Market @ https://www.grandviewresearch.com/industry-analysis/treehouse-glamping-market

Treehouse Glamping Market Report Highlights

The online booking mode segment is projected to be the fastest CAGR of 9.7% from 2021 to 2028. This is attributed to the increasing penetration of the internet and smartphone devices across countries

By age group, the 18-32 years segment held the largest share of over 40.0% in 2020 owing to the growing trend of travel and tourism among millennials

Europe held the largest share of over 45.0% in 2020 and is foreseen to remain at the forefront over the forecast period. Rising travel connectivity and the rapid penetration of high-speed internet are driving the need to explore new, exotic, and exciting locations across the region

List of Key Players of Treehouse Glamping Market

Treehouse-Villas Thailand

Bangkok Tree House

Rabeang Pasak Treehouse Resort

Keemala

Orion Tree Houses B&B

Mouling de la Jarousse

Costa Rica Tree House

Lala Mukha

Pai Treehouse

Tree House Hideaway

Access Press Release of Treehouse Glamping Market @ https://www.grandviewresearch.com/press-release/global-treehouse-glamping-market
Memorial Service for Carol "Sue" Woods will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, June 5, 2021 at Hawkins Baptist Church in Alex, OK. Carol "Sue" Woods, of Alex, OK passed away on Saturday May 29, 2021 at the age of 76 in her home surrounded by her family. Sue was born June 15, 1944 in Scipio, 
By the beginning of the 20th century, the first hospitals opened in Pacific County, putting our isolated, rural area right in line with most o
Christianity Today is announcing the hiring of Russell Moore to serve as a full-time public theologian for the publication and to lead a new Public Theology Project.

We could not be more pleased with the addition of Russell Moore in this role, said Christianity Todays president and CEO, Timothy Dalrymple. Russell has established himself as one of the most significant evangelical voices of our time. He illuminates the relevance of the gospel to the whole of life, from everyday matters of faith to the great debates in our society and culture. Importantly, he does all of this in a voice that demonstrates what we at Christianity Today call beautiful orthodoxy, weaving together a deep commitment to the historic integrity of the church with a generous, charitable, and humble spirit.

Moore, a native of Biloxi, Mississippi, was appointed in June 2013 as the eighth president of the Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission. Before taking that post he was the dean of the School of Theology and senior vice president for academic administration at Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, Kentucky. He joined the faculty there as professor of Christian theology and ethics in 2001 and became dean in 2004. For four years of his tenure at Southern, Moore also served as preaching pastor at Highview Baptist Church.

Moore is also the author of several books on Christian theology, ethics, and living, most recently The Courage to Stand: Facing Your Fear without Losing Your Soul. His first book, The Kingdom of Christ: The New Evangelical Perspective, was adapted from his doctoral dissertation at Southern and examined Christian sociopolitical engagement especially through the work of Christianity Todays first editor, Carl F. H. Henry. Moore has had a long association with Henrys legacy; at Southern, for example, he served as executive director of the Carl F. H. Henry Institute for Evangelical Engagement from 2001 to 2009.

Christianity Today was founded by Billy Graham in 1956. In the 65 years since that time, it has served as a flagship publication for the American evangelical movement, serving the church with news, commentary, and resources. It has published the luminaries of each generation, including the theological voices that have shaped evangelical public life and witness. Today it is engaged in efforts to expand its scope, advancing the ideas and stories shaping the future of the church across generations, across communities, and around the planet.

The Public Theology Project will extend and build upon that tradition, seeking to reground and revitalize a beautiful and orthodox public theology for our day. It will convene a broad set of voices on matters of faith in the public square, publish content in multiple media that fleshes out the implications of the gospel for the whole of life, and host gatherings and events. It will also be the main outlet for Moores regular writing and his podcast, SignPosts.

Christianity Today has meant a great deal to me in my faith journey, said Moore. I am thrilled to join the team and lead the Public Theology Project. We need to recover a theologically orthodox, intellectually credible, socially engaged, missiologically holistic, and generally connected witness for American evangelical Christianity. (Moore has also posted a statement at RussellMoore.com.)

Moore will commence his work at Christianity Today this summer.

We have long enjoyed publishing Dr. Moore, and always hoped we could do more together, says Dalrymple. In recent years we worked with the National Association of Evangelicals, American Awakening, and other partners to regather American evangelicals around the first principles of why and how we engage as followers of Christ in public life. When we first began to discuss a Public Theology Project with Russell, we immediately welcomed the opportunity to grow that effort by joining forces on something that matters so much to all of us. We could not have a better leader for this effort than Russell Moore.

For media inquiries pertaining to this story, please contact media@christianitytoday.com.

[ This article is also available in  and . ]
In agreeing to hear a potentially groundbreaking abortion case, the Supreme Court has energized activists on both sides of the long-running debate who are now girding to make abortion access a major issue in next years midterm elections.

For many evangelicals, the case could serve as a validation of more than four decades of persistent work and a sometimes awkward relationship with former President Donald Trump, whose three Supreme Court appointments sealed a 6-3 conservative majority. If those justices unite to uphold a Mississippi law banning abortion after 15 weeks of pregnancy, it would mark a first step toward the possible demise of the 1973 Roe v. Wade decision, which established a nationwide right to abortion at any point before a fetus can survive outside the womb, roughly 24 weeks.

Abortion rights advocates, meanwhile, are urgently warning that the case is the biggest threat to decades of rulings that have consistently upheld, with some caveats, a womans constitutional right to decide whether to end her pregnancy.

Since the Roe decision, abortion has become a defining theme in American politics, emerging as the sole issue that some voters use to assess which candidates theyll support. The Mississippi case could emerge as another turning pointwith unpredictable results. Abortion opponents may become further emboldened if their long-desired goal moves closer to reality, while an unfavorable decision could spur supporters to intensify calls for dramatic changes to the judiciary.

For now, both sides say they are fully engaged.

This is hugeits saying that for the first time in a long time that we have a pro-life majority on the Supreme Court, said Katherine Beck Johnson, a lawyer with the conservative Family Research Council. It will encourage the voting base to get out and vote Republican.

Jennifer Dalven, director of the American Civil Liberties Unions Reproductive Freedom Project, said the high courts decision to hear the case was really alarming.

For more than 40 years the Supreme Court has said states cant ban abortion prior to viability, Dalven said. There is simply no way for the court to rule for Mississippi without gutting Roe v. Wade.

The case probably will be argued in the fall, with a decision likely in the spring of 2022 during the campaign for congressional midterm elections. Many abortion-rights groups urged their supporters to start mobilizing now.

Theres never been a more important time to elect Democratic pro-choice women to local and national office, said one of those groups, Emilys List. If the Supreme Court strikes down Roe v. Wade, well need all the help we can get.

Even if the court does not explicitly overrule Roe, a decision favorable to Mississippi could lay the groundwork for allowing more restrictions on abortion. Bills have been enacted in multiple Republican-governed states that would ban abortion as early as six weeks, and also in cases where a decision to abort was based solely on a diagnosis of Down syndrome.

Nationwide polls have repeatedly shown that most Americans support the premise of Roe v. Wade. An April poll from the Pew Research Center found that 59 percent of Americans think abortion should be legal in most or all cases, while 39 percent think it should be illegal in most or all cases. Opposition to abortion is strongest among white evangelicals, just 21 percent favor making it legal, while 77 percent say it should be illegal.

Some abortion opponents, noting those surveys, are skeptical that the Supreme Court would fully overturn Roe.

The Supreme Court has never led public opinion but followed it when it comes to major issues like slavery, gay marriage, and womens rights, said First Baptist Church Dallas pastor Robert Jeffress, who has been a close ally of Trump.

As long as 70 percent of the American people oppose the overturn of Roe, it will never happen, he said. Realistically, conservatives can hope that the court uses the Mississippi case to chip away at unrestricted abortion in our country.

Charles Camosy, a professor of theological and social ethics at Fordham University, also acknowledged those poll findings. But he noted that the Gallup poll has repeatedly found that more than two-thirds of Americans say abortion should be illegal after the 12th week of pregnancya time frame that is in force in several European countries.

I doubt the courts majority is willing to totally undo the legal right to abortion, he said. More than likely is they will rule that a 15-week limitation does not pose an undue burden on a womans right to abortion.

White evangelicals, who remain among Trumps most loyal backers, had celebrated his overhaul of the federal courts and his reshaping of the Supreme Court as perhaps his greatest accomplishment. But there remains trepidation after the court surprised them by failing to rule their way in past cases.

Trying to predict what the Supreme Court is going to do on a state statute on abortion regulation is like trying to predict the path of a hurricane, only more difficult, because there are a lot of things at play, said Ralph Reed, chair of the Faith and Freedom Coalition and a longtime ally of Trump.

Reed acknowledged that abortion is only a top issue for a small minority of voters but argued that in many competitive congressional and gubernatorial elections, it could theoretically be the difference.

Its not necessarily the issue that ranks highest in terms of determining ones vote, but it still matters in terms of intensity and enthusiasm, he said.

Among 2022 US Senate races where the issue could be a key factor are those in Pennsylvania, North Carolina, Georgia, and Florida.

If the Mississippi ban is upheld, pro-lifers would be energized, said Michael New, an abortion opponent who teaches social research at Catholic University of America.

It would show that the strategy of supporting pro-life candidates for the presidency resulted in a Supreme Court that was sympathetic to legal protections to preborn children, he said. Pro-life state legislators in other states would likely pass similar 15-week abortion bans, confident that these bans would also be upheld.

Albert Mohler, president of the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, said he was optimistic the Mississippi ban would be upheld, giving abortion-rights groups a chance to mobilize their supporters with warnings of Roes demise while infusing abortion opponents with a new sense of optimism.

Pro-life voters are looking for progress, Mohler said. What serves to deflate the vote of pro-life Americans is frustration at the impression of the lack of progress.

Mallory Quigley of the Susan B. Anthony List, which seeks to elect anti-abortion candidates, predicted the issue would be a huge motivator on both sides going into the midterms.

As far as Republicans, she said, Its motivating to see how past electoral choices are impacting policy today and then moving forward, what more is to be done.

Abortion-rights supporter Kelly Baden of the State Innovation Exchange, a strategy center for state legislators who champion progressive values, said the wave of anti-abortion legislation in Republican-led states shows how much weve already lost and how dire our circumstances already are.

But we have the power to take it back, she said. If and when the courts let us down, we can and must show up at the voting booth.
Only one of the roughly 140 US schools that belong to the Council for Christian Colleges and Universities (CCCU) is planning to require students to receive COVID-19 vaccines before starting school in the fall: Seattle Pacific University.

The rest will strongly encourage vaccines, according to CCCU spokeswoman Greta Hays, while leaving the ultimate decision up to individual students and their families. While the evangelical institutions want to ensure campus-wide health and administrators widely support inoculations, they are also concerned about the impact vaccine requirements would have on enrollment.

At Westmont College, in Santa Barbara, California, the head of enrollment estimated a vaccine requirement could mean the 1,300-student school has 200 fewer students enrolled in the fall.

For a school our size, thats a chunk, said Irene Neller, Westmonts vice president of enrollment, marketing and communications. Its financially driven in many regards. State-funded schools can really be black and white.  But a lot of the private, smaller campuses, Christian or secular, just cant.

Evangelical Christian colleges get about 80 percent of their revenue from tuition. Unlike big state schools and Ivy League institutions, they generally cant rely on big endowments or donors. Year to year, the financial health of the school depends on the number of students arriving in the fall.

Neller said Westmont and other evangelical schools recognize the controversy around vaccinations and also the range of reasons people dont want to be required to get the vaccinesome motivated by politics, some cautious about the science, and some citing health conditions that make vaccination more dangerous.

Westmont, like many schools, has tested students frequently during the pandemic and managed to avoid any major outbreaks. Neller said she joins a call with dozens of representatives from other CCCU-member schools who discuss ways of keeping their campuses safe while avoiding measures that would push prospective students away.

Samford University in Alabama isnt requiring students to be vaccinated, but the school sought to boost vaccinations by hosting a clinic on campus in April and May. The clinic helped students know people getting vaccinated, said Betsy Holloway, vice president for marketing and communication, and took away fear that someone might have.

Marc Smithers, dean of students at Houghton College, said the school doesnt want to do anything that would prevent students from going to Houghton.

I really want students to experience the Houghton education, and if something like a COVID-19 vaccine requirement is going to be the thing that ultimately brings them to decide to go somewhere else, I dont want to be responsible for driving them away from an experience, Smithers said.

At Houghton, students will discuss the intersection of faith and science and consider the pros and cons of vaccination programs, Smithers said. They dont have to accept an answer before they arrive.

Those are important questions that they need to be here in order to wrestle with, he said. I think we do a good job at preparing our students for that.

Seattle Pacific also wants to encourage that dialogue, but only after it has required students to be vaccinated.

You want to continue to protect your community as your top priority and then, if there are anomalies to that or exceptions, so be it, said Nate Mouttet, vice president for enrollment management and marketing. We want to take what we think is best for the entire community first and then allow people to dialogue with us, thoughtfully and intelligently.

Another factor at Seattle Pacific is the relationship between the school and the surrounding community, said Jeff Jordan, vice provost for student formation and community engagement. While some small colleges are isolated communities, the school is located in Seattle, and many students have internships across the city. Administrators didnt want to put the wider community at risk.

The university will, however, grant medical, disability, and religious exemptions. To receive religious exemptions, students must write to explain why they are seeking an exemption and then submit a letter from a pastor or another religious leader, written on their behalf. Administrators said students who ask for exemptions will most likely get them, but the school wants to start with a conversation about ethical responsibility, vaccine efficacy, and trustworthiness.

We have a history of being a pretty wide tent within the Christian faith tradition, and were making room for that once again, Mouttet said.

Not requiring vaccines could also have an impact on enrollment, according to Mouttet. Seattle Pacific has a heavy emphasis on science programs, at both the undergraduate and graduate levels, and not taking the coronavirus seriously would communicate a disregard for scientific consensus to prospective students.

The Chronicle of Higher Education has identified 375 US schools that are requiring vaccinations. About 50 percent of them are private institutions; 48 percent, public.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, vaccinated people can return to prepandemic behaviors. They dont need to wear masks indoors or social distance from each other. A classroom of vaccinated people may look like a normal college classroom.

For the schools who arent requiring students to be vaccinated, several questions about health and safety requirements remain. Neller said that all Westmont students, vaccinated and unvaccinated, will likely have to abide by the same restrictions, even if the unvaccinated minority is creating the need for certain protocols.

Smithers said its possible the opposite will be the case at Houghton. Vaccinated and unvaccinated students may be held to different standards. Students who havent been vaccinated could be asked to test frequently for COVID-19.

We want to give the individuals who feel strongly that they dont want to be vaccinated the freedom to do that. But that choice and conviction are not for those who are vaccinated to bear the cost of, Smithers said.

Still, administrators acknowledge its not ideal. Life on CCCU campuses would be easier if everyone voluntarily chose to be vaccinated.

There are aspects of living in community that are always going to be frustrating, Smithers said.

Neller agreed, saying Westmont is making amends with the reality.

At the same time, she said, weve gone through the most critical moments.  Were pretty confident we can manage it going forward.
As cultural conflicts around transgender identity grow more intense, Christian doctors see a need to be more sensitive to the plights and preferences of people experiencing gender dysphoria while also holding firm to personal and professional convictions around biological sex.

Thats what the Christian Medical and Dental Associations (CMDA) says in an updated statement on transgender identification that leaders hope will inform its 20,000 members as well as the general public.

That balance might be difficult to maintain, though, if federal health officials take the position that declining certain treatments for transgender patients can be considered a form of discrimination based on sex.

Last week, the US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) announced that antidiscrimination protections under the Affordable Care Act include sexual orientation and gender identity. The current administrations stance revives a contested interpretation under President Barack Obama.

Though the HHS announcement said the department would comply with religious freedom protections in its enforcement under this interpretation, the decision raises the stakes for two current lawsuits over conscience protections for religious hospitals and doctors who do not perform certain procedures for faith reasonsand it is expected to spur further legal challenges.

We do know that this is happening. Our fear, as an organization, is we had a temporary reprieve under the Trump administration, said Dr. Jeffrey Barrows, CMDAs senior vice president of bioethics and public policy. We are very concerned and expect that well have an increase in lawsuits and threats against our members and other Christian health care professionals if they do not perform some of these surgeries, prescribe cross-sex hormones, or prescribe puberty-blockers.

The CMDAs revised position statement on transgender identification came out last week; at 6,700 words, its more than triple the length of its previous statement from 2016, adding more biblical references and medical citations from research and examples over the past five years.

While were not doctrinally backing down, we realized that there were some things we could do, some fine-tuning on how we phrase things, that type of thing, said Barrows. For the first time many of our members have been confronted with the whole pronoun issue  and are put in the position of pronouns of using a preferred pronoun and think, What does the Bible say about that? As a Christian, should I really do that?

Christians in health care should not discriminate or turn away patients based on their LGBT identity and should respect how a patient wishes to be addressed, including pronoun preferences, within reason, according to the CMDA.

The organization affirms that patients struggling with gender identity should be treated with sensitivity and compassion, consistent with the humility and love that Jesus modeled and commanded us to show all people. The association says its out of this sense of care and responsibility that it cannot endorse treatments it believes are harmful and not medically justified.

The position statement says that Christians in health care should not initiate hormonal and surgical intervention intended as sex reassignment and takes a stand against doing so through treatments such as alterations to sexual anatomy, uterine transplants, or hormones for children or adolescents.

The CMDA reviews theological, ethical, and medical considerations before taking its positions. The group concluded that participating in gender reassignment threatens professional integrity by undermining our respect for biological reality, evidence-based medical science, and our commitment to non-maleficence. The association also defends Christians role in offering support to patients who ask for help accepting their biological sex and gender identity.

The conversation around transgender identity, and non-gender-conforming youth in particular, is growing and shifting, as Wheaton College psychologist and gender dysphoria expert Mark Yarhouse discussed with CT last month. Doctors and other health care providers are increasingly seeing those questions come into play in their practices and, according to the CMDA, are feeling the pressure to respond with sex reassignment treatments.

The Biden administrations guidelines, released on May 10, were framed as an effort to protect LGBT people from discrimination in health care settings that receive federal funding. The HHS document deals with section 1557 of the Affordable Care Act, the same part that has been challenged by religious liberty advocates in court.

Policy experts state that, according to section 1557, insurance plans across the country may not deny access to medically necessary medications, surgeries, and other transition-related treatments for transgender people if similar servicesa hysterectomy, for examplewould be covered for non-transgender people.

Because the vast majority of the US health care system receives federal funding through Medicaid and Medicare, the regulation extends broadly, including to certain providers who decline to perform sterilization procedures and gender assignment for faith reasons.

In two lawsuits, one in Texas and one in North Dakota, the Becket Fund argued on behalf of Christian hospitals and doctors, including the CMDA, that the HHS interpretation of the law violated regulatory requirements and protections under the Religious Freedom Restoration Act, said Becket vice president and senior counsel Luke Goodrich.

While the courts sided with Beckets case, the outcomes are still being challenged. Last month, an appeals court in the Fifth District (Texas) sent the decision back to the trial judge for reconsideration in light of more recent decisions around gender identity protections, and the Biden administration appealed the injunction granted in the Eighth Circuit (North Dakota).

The recent HHS guidance, by emphasizing the federal protections for gender identity, could strengthen the religious liberty argument by making it clearer that the interpretation and enforcement of the regulation would put the plaintiffswho treat transgender patients for everything from cancer to the common coldin the position of having to perform gender reassignment procedures against their conscience or lose out on federal funding.

The transgender mandate in some ways is running in parallel to the yearslong legal battle over the ACAs contraception mandate, requiring employers to cover items such as birth control.

In some ways, this announcement on Monday (May 10) goes further than the contraception mandate because its not just that you have to cover gender transition procedures in your health insurance plan, its also that you have to perform the procedures yourself as a doctor in the hospital, said Goodrich, who is also the author of Free to Believe, a book on religious liberty in America. The very simple solution here is for the administration to adopt a very clear and broad religious exemption that tracks the courts decisions in Hobby Lobby and Little Sisters of the Poor.

So far, the administration hasnt moved in that direction, but he says losses in court could force them to carve out the protections around gender reassignment that Christians in health care are asking for.
I could see the deconstruction taking place as we walked the same path around the neighborhood block for the third time. It was a hot Houston day. The kind where you feel like youve stepped into a sauna when you step outside. My glasses fogged up and my feet hurt from walking in shoes that were not walking shoes. But I wasnt about to say anything. This young person had just begun to open up about God and faith as we walked along, me listening and them talking more and more. After fifteen years of ministry, I have learned that this is a lot of what ministry is.

Listening to people as we walk or talk or eat or sip coffee. A good listener can help people discover truth, name their experience and express their feelings about life or God or grief. I have found that ministry is much more about listening than it is about talking. It is much more about asking good questions than it is about having the right answers. I have found that many people have within themselves the wisdom that they need to make the right choice or the best choice. They just need someone to guide them to it and help them access it. This is what ministry is to me. This is why I often find myself saying to the people I serve, Wow. That really matters. Or That sure sounds important. It sounds like you have thought/prayed a lot about that. This is what I was saying to this young person as we walked around the block of their neighborhood on that hot Texas day when my feet were sore from the blisters developing. Because of COVID, I have made more house visits than ever before. We dont meet in restaurants very often anymore and my office at the church usually feels too formal. So I meet people in homes where we sit around the dining room table or the home office where they have work or school spread out everywhere. Or we sit on the back patio and sip ice tea. Or we walk to the park near their home or around the block of their neighborhoods. As a pastor, this has been one of many beautiful gifts in such a tragic year. As we walked, I learned that this young person was feeling distant from God. There was a barrier keeping God away, they explained. I asked them to describe the barrier. What does it look like? Feel like? How wide or long is it? Is it made up of a certain material, I asked curiously? This young person thought for a long time before they went on to describe a feeling of embarrassment. I am embarrassed to be called a Christian, they finally came to. It wasnt that this person didnt love Jesus. They were a devoted follower of Jesus. It was the label of Christian that they had such a problem with. They explained to me that the label has come to be associated with a slew of other labels that this person was rejecting. They told me how Christians were known more for what they are against than what they are for. This person told me how Christians are known for voting a certain way, dressing a certain way and sitting in judgement on any other religion that didnt agree with theirs. This young person told me about their embarrassment at the reality of these things. I listened intently and finally said something like, me too.

This story represents a significant part of my philosophy of ministry. Did you ever write a philosophy of ministry or business or a rule of life in school or seminary? In seminary, I wrote lots of papers like this. Now, after many years in ministry, I would write a different kind of paper. My first paragraph in my hypothetical paper describing my personal and pastoral ministry philosophy would be on the importance of listening. I would write that all humans need someone who will listen to them. And I mean really listen. Not just hear. But validate and empathize with what is being shared. Every person needs someone to lean over the table, look them straight in the eyes and hear, This matters to me. You matter to me.

The best listeners I know are spiritual directors. Spiritual directors have often been compared to mid-wives. They are people who help those they are serving to give birth to what God has placed within them. This work is collaborative, not hierarchal. This work can be laborious, messy and requires knowledge of the person being served. To continue the analogy, if ministry is compared to Spiritual Direction (and I believe all pastors are in part Spiritual Directors with or without formal training) and Spiritual Directors are compared to mid-wives, then the labor is the listening and asking good questions.

If you are a pastor or lay leader, how are you doing being an active and empathic listener to your congregants this week? What if you included asking good questions and good listening into your own philosophy of ministry this week?

In coming weeks, I will reflect on other portions of my ministry philosophy.
Market Research Future has published a Half-Cooked Research Report on the Global Sodium Chlorate Market.

Market Synopsis

Sodium chlorate is an industrial salt produced from table salt and water in reaction with electricity. Sodium chlorate is largely used in the pulp and paper industry to produce chlorine dioxide, which is an environmentally friendly bleaching agent used to manufacture white paper products. It is also used for the synthesis of potassium chlorates, which are extensively used in explosives. In addition, it acts as a chemical intermediate in processing perchlorates and chlorite, an oxidizing mineral compound, and in the metal finishing sector.

Get a Free Sample of This Report @ https://www.marketresearchfuture.com/sample_request/8606

The top five importers of the sodium chlorate, as of 2018, were the US, Japan, Sweden, Russia, and Portugal, whereas the major exporters were China, the US, Canada, Italy, and Spain. The market witnessed a supply-demand gap in the past and trade flow can be seen disrupted as it is a hazardous material.

Trade and Regulatory Analysis

According to the MRFR analysis, the Sodium Chlorate Market Outlook was valued at more than USD 2.1 Billion in 2018 and is expected to reach over USD 2.8 Billion by the end of 2025 at a CAGR of 4.6%.

Some of the international associations, e.g., the US Environmental Protection Agency and Registration, Evaluation, Authorization, and Restriction of Chemicals (REACH), have banned products (herbicides) containing chlorate in the agricultural industry. This has fetched some significant regulations for its use in agricultural and commercial sites, for instance, in 2010, the REACH had set the permissible residue limit of 0.01 mg/kg sodium chlorate in food products. In addition, around 2.8 million pounds of sodium chlorate is used in the residential and commercial sectors annually in the US.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), the drinking water standard for chlorate is set for 0.03 mg/kg/day.

SEGMENTATION

By Grade

Crystalline: The crystalline grade segment held the largest share of over 70% in 2018. This is primarily attributed to the extensive demand for crystalline sodium chlorate in the production of chlorine dioxide. Additionally, its use in uranium mining due to increasing focus on the development of nuclear weapons and submarines is projected to boost the demand for crystalline form of sodium chlorate. Moreover, the increasing expenditure in the defense industry in emerging economies such as India, China, South Korea, and Brazil is expected to increase uranium mining activities and consequently favor the growth of the segment.

Solution: This segment is expected to witness healthy growth during the forecast period. Sodium chlorate solution is a clear odorless liquid available in 2050% solution. The healthy growth of the segment is mainly attributed to the growing demand for concentrated solution also known as dry salt in explosives and oxidizable materials, which are extensively used in the nuclear and defense industries.

By Application

Pulp & Paper: The segment accounted for more than 80% share in 2018. The primary factor responsible for the dominance of the pulp and paper segment is the high use of sodium chlorate in the synthesis of chlorine dioxide, an excellent key bleaching agent. The growth of paper board packaging due to the increase in e-commerce and trading activities across the globe is likely to drive the demand for pulp and paper in the coming years. The increase in the demand for tissues, wipes and toilet papers in restaurants, hotels, and office spaces is anticipated to drive the market growth.

Chemical Intermediate: Sodium chlorate is preferred intermediate in potassium chlorate and sodium perchlorates due to its high oxidizing property, which allows the ignition at a faster rate. The segment accounted for the second-largest market share in 2018 owing to the high demand for potassium chlorate in the manufacturing of explosives, flares, and pyrotechnics. It is expected to witness significant growth during the review period.

Uranium Mining: Sodium chlorate finds substantial application in ore processing particularly uranium mining, an essential material used in nuclear weapons. Nuclear power generation is major contributor to sustainable development as it has low environmental impact and does not generate greenhouse gases. The rapidly increasing demand for fuel in nuclear power plants and increasing environmental concerns related to mining on the backdrop of surging urbanization across globe is likely favor the growth the segment. Also, uranium is widely used as a ballast in aircraft and boats and as gamma sterilization in the medical industry.

Water Treatment: Sodium chlorate has high oxidizing potential and functions as a powerful oxidizing agent through its application chlorine dioxide. Widespread use of chlorine dioxide in water treatment as it can oxidize mineral compounds of sulfur, iodide, and bisulfite, which are highly toxic are likely to drive the product demand. Thus, the growing demand for treatment of industrial wastewater is expected to result in an increased demand for sodium chlorate in the coming years.

Leather Tanning: The growing demand for sodium chlorate in tanning and finishing leather are likely to drive market growth. Moreover, the rise in standard of living and increase in consumer spending is expected to bolster the growth of the market.

Others: Additional uses of sodium chlorate such as surface treatment of metal, manufacturing dyes, pharmaceuticals, herbicide, and vanadium mining are anticipated to drive the market growth during the forecast period.

Browse Full Report Details @ https://www.marketresearchfuture.com/reports/sodium-chlorate-market-8606

By Region

North America: The market growth is driven by the well-established paper and paperboard industry and stringent regulations pertaining to greenhouse emission through plastic usage. Canada has one of the largest deposits of uranium, which is expected to create high demand for sodium chlorate.

Europe: Germany is the largest contributor to the regional market growth owing to the established leather tanning and finishing sectors.

Asia-Pacific: The largest and fastest-growing regional market for sodium chlorate. This is primarily attributed to the high demand for the product in applications such as chlorine dioxide for bleaching pulp, explosives, ore processing, dyes, and leather tanning.

Latin America: A small but growing mining and water treatment industry is likely to fuel the demand for sodium chlorate in the coming years.

Middle East & Africa: High growth potential of the pharmaceutical and cosmetic industries is projected to drive the regional market growth during the forecast period.
3rd Canadian pastor arrested for holding worship services violating COVID-19 orders

Email Print Img No-img Menu Whatsapp Google Reddit Digg Stumbleupon Linkedin Comment

A third Canadian pastor has been arrested after violating COVID-19 restrictions.

Tim Stephens, the pastor of Fairview Baptist Church in southeast Calgary, was arrested Sunday after months of urging members of his congregation to break public health orders.

Canadian police reported that the Baptist pastor was arrested for organizing a church service Sunday that did not comply with public health orders, including masking, physical distancing and attendance limits.

In a statement, authorities stated that police did not enter the church during the service.

"The pastor acknowledged the injunction, but chose to move forward with today's service, ignoring requirements for social distancing, mask wearing and reduced capacity limits for attendees," the joint statement released by the Calgary Police Service and Alberta Health Services reads.

"We continue to ask those who may be considering organizing or participating in any outdoor events to ensure they are familiar with public health order requirements and to do their part to prevent further spread of the virus.

Current regulations in Canada only allow for an occupancy of 15 people to slow the spread of the virus. The province of Alberta presently has the highest number of active cases per capita of all the provinces and territories in the nation, according to the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation.

"Restricting the church to 15 people  which essentially restricts the church from gathering  is against the will of Christ and against the conscience of many who desire to worship the Lord of glory according to his word," Stephens opined in a blog post following the updated restrictions earlier this month, noting that he intended to disregard the government-issued orders.

In a May 9 sermon, Stephens explained that the reason the church continues to gather is that obedience to Christ trumps all other authorities.

The civil government are not rulers over the Church. The Bible does not give in Romans 13 or 1 Peter 2 the civil magistrate authority over the Church, he said. The Church is Christs Body, Christs bride. They are to wield the sword in matters of justice, not in matters of regulating worship or how we gather together to worship Christ.

The government is forbidding us from doing these things the way that God has set down for us to do them. And so we must obey God rather than man, he added.

Authorities say they worked for several weeks to address ongoing concerns at Fairview Baptist Church.

It is only when significant risk is identified or continued non-compliance is noted that AHS resorts to enforcement action, the statement reads.

Earlier this month, brothers Artur and Dawid Pawlowski were arrested and charged with organizing an illegal in-person gathering, inciting or inviting others to attend an illegal gathering and promoting and attending the meeting.

Footage of Artur Pawlowski, who is of Polish descent, went viral last month after Calgary police and government officials entered his church during Holy Week observations. The pastor told them to get out and referred to them as Nazis.

I grew up under communist dictatorship behind the Iron Curtain, under the brute of the Soviets, and Im telling you thats no fun at all. It was a disaster, Pawlowski recalled in an April Fox News interview. Police officers could break into your house, 5 in the morning. They could beat you up, torture you. They could arrest you for no matter what reason.

Speaking of the incident with the police, Pawlowski said, [i]t was like a  flashback when those police officers showed up at my church.

Everything kind of came back to life from my childhood, he said. And the only thing I could do is to fend off the wolves as a shepherd, and I used my voice to get rid of them. They were illegally encroaching on our rights during the most holy days during the Passover celebration.

Stephens arrest also comes on the heels of the arrest of fellow Albertan Pastor James Coates of GraceLife Church near Edmonton. Coates was arrested in March after his church ignored public health requirements on social distancing, masking and capacity limits.
Black Lives Matter calls for Palestinian liberation, stands in solidarity amid Hamas attacks Biden calls for de-escalation as Hamas attacks continue; IDF pledges to defend

Email Print Img No-img Menu Whatsapp Google Reddit Digg Stumbleupon Linkedin Comment

Black Lives Matter expressed its solidarity for Palestinians, advocating for ending settler colonialism and Palestinian liberation in a tweet that implicitly undercut Israel after days of attacks in the region.

Black Lives Matter stands in solidarity with Palestinians, the advocacy group tweeted on Monday. We are a movement committed to ending settler colonialism in all forms and will continue to advocate for Palestinian liberation. ( always have. And always will be ). #freepalestine.

The Palestinian leadership of the global Boycott, Divestment & Sanctions movement, which calls for the academic and cultural boycott of Israel, retweeted BLM and expressed gratitude for their solidarity.

Thank you for your solidarity, the left-wing BDS movement tweeted in response to BLMs tweet. From Ferguson to Palestine, our struggles against racism, white supremacy and for a just world are united!

The tweets came as Israel entered into its second week of conflict after Hamas and other extremists began firing missiles into Israel from the Gaza Strip following clashes between Muslims and police in Jerusalem near a historic mosque in the Old City.

Iran-backed Hamas, which the U.S. recognizes as a terrorist organization, has fired over 4,000 rockets into Israel in the past 10 days, according to the Israeli military. The Israel Defense Forces have retaliated with airstrikes and targeted attacks that have resulted in the killing of Hamas leaders in addition to civilians.

According to reports, local health officials have said the death toll in Gaza has risen to 227, including at least 64 children. Meanwhile, the death toll in Israel is around 12, including two children. Israel has long argued that Hamas has housed military operations inside civilian institutions in an attempt to protect itself from IDF airstrikes.

Former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo took to Twitter on Wednesday to state that "Israel didnt initiate attacks on Gaza or Hamas or the Palestinian Authority."

"And it didnt attack the backer of this violence: the regime in Iran," Pompeo added. "Every single life lost in this conflict, Israeli and Palestinian alike, is the result of Iranian-backed Palestinian terror."

Unlike BLM and other left-leaning Democrats who support Palestine at Israels expense, the Biden White House has condemned the Hamas rocket attacks and supported Israels right to defend itself against the rocket attacks.

President Joe Biden spoke with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Wednesday about Israels progress in degrading the terrorists capabilities. Biden said he expected a significant de-escalation on the path to a ceasefire.

David Rubin, a native New Yorker and former mayor of Shiloh, Israel, said BLMs solidarity with the Palestinians ultimately means they support Hamas' rocket attacks and Arab rioting in Israeli cities.

The timing is obviously an intentional show of strong support for Hamas at this critical time, when Israel is finally starting to do some real damage to the terrorist infrastructure in Gaza, Rubin, the author of Confronting Radicals: What America Can Learn from Israel, said in a statement shared with The Christian Post.

BLM, the global network formed in 2013 with the mission to eradiate white supremacy and intervene in violence inflicted on Black communities by the state and vigilantes, gained further national attention after George Floyds death on May 25, 2020, which led to sweeping protests and marches across the country.

Many evangelical organizations and leaders have condemned the Black Lives Matter movement for being an overtly political movement that stands for more than just racial equality.

The nondenominational Southern Evangelical Seminary & Bible College in North Carolina released a statement in August 2020 condemning the godless agenda of the Black Lives Matter movement. The seminary warned Christians that the movement espouses beliefs that are antithetical to basic foundational tenets of the Christian faith.

SES President Richard Land, who is also CP executive editor, said in August that BLM is Marxist, anti-biblical, and out to destroy the nuclear family." He stressed that evangelicals should not embrace the organization.

Southern Baptist Convention President J.D. Greear said that while black lives matter, he denounced the Black Lives Matter movement. He warned that the movement and the website have been hijacked by some political operatives whose worldview and policy prescriptions would be deeply at odds with my own.

BLM co-founder Patrisse Cullors has described herself as a trained Marxist and revealed her appreciation for Mao Zedongs "Red Book," a collection of Chinese Communist Party dictator Mao's sayings and writings, in a video from 2010, according to The Epoch Times.

Rubin said Bidens request for a ceasefire should not be heeded by Netanyahu as long as Hamas has the capability to attack.

When Israel starts to get the upper hand in the fighting, the demands for a ceasefire suddenly emerge, Rubin said. I dont know if Prime Minister Netanyahu will agree to such a proposal. In my opinion, Israel should continue its offensive until Hamas is no longer capable of firing rockets and until they raise the white flags of surrender.

Rubin said Bidens policy of weakness is actually responsible for this war because of the millions of dollars in aid he unconditionally restored to the Palestinian Authority.

These are funds that had been cut off by President Trump because of the Palestinian penchant for paying monthly salaries to terrorists, which they have been doing for 20 years," Rubin said.

Biden restored that funding unconditionally, effectively giving them a green light to launch terror attacks, he continued. And he has the gall to demand that Israel stop responding to 3,000 rocket attacks?

Netanyahu has not expressed any plan to disengage in retaliation and said he is determined to continue this operation until its objective is achieved: to restore the calm and security to you, citizens of Israel."

The IDF has also reiterated its commitment to continue to defend Israel.
Franklin Graham tells Prince Harry what's great about the US after royal calls First Amendment bonkers

Email Print Img No-img Menu Whatsapp Google Reddit Digg Stumbleupon Linkedin Comment

The Rev. Franklin Graham, conservative evangelical leader and head of the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association, has responded to Prince Harrys recent comments dismissing the First Amendment  freedom of speech, freedom of the press and freedom of religion  as bonkers.

In a Facebook post on Monday, Graham defended the U.S. Constitution and recommended that the British royal learn more about it before making additional comments.

My ancestors were among those who came to this country to gain these freedoms. I am so thankful that I have the freedom to worship without government interference, and I thank God that the founders of our Constitution gave us this protection, wrote Graham.

Maybe Prince Harry could take some time while he is in this country to study our history, and I think he will come to appreciate that the First Amendment is part of what makes America great and one of the main reasons people have left everything to come here throughout history.

In an interview with actor Dax Shepherd on the podcast "Armchair Expert," Harry said he considered the First Amendment of the Constitution to be bonkers.

Ive got so much I want to say about the First Amendment as I sort of understand it, but it is bonkers, said the Duke of Sussex. "I dont want to start going down the First Amendment route because thats a huge subject and one which I dont understand because Ive only been here a short time, but you can find a loophole in anything, The Spectator reported.

Harry moved to California with his American wife, actress Meghan Markle, last year due to a reported falling out with members of the British royal family.

Nice that he can say that, quipped U.S. Senator Ted Cruz, R-Texas, in response on Twitter, getting as of Wednesday morning more than 14,000 likes and over 1,300 retweets.

Nigel Farage, the former leader of the U.K. Independence Party who successfully championed Brexit, was among the non-Americans who criticized the Duke of Sussex over his remarks.

For Prince Harry to condemn the USAs First Amendment shows he has lost the plot. Soon he will not be wanted on either side of the pond, stated Farage.
Biden HHS rule will 'force religious providers' out Title X family planning program, pro-lifers warn

Email Print Img No-img Menu Whatsapp Google Reddit Digg Stumbleupon Linkedin Comment

Pro-life activists warn that a proposed rule change to the Title X family planning program would force religious family planning providers out of the program because of its requirement that recipients of the federal funding provide abortion referrals.

The Ethics and Public Policy Center, a conservative think tank, hosted a virtual press conference Monday examining the potential consequences of proposed changes to the Title X family planning program currently under consideration by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

The proposed rule change would reverse a 2019 rule implemented by the Trump administration that prevents health clinics that receive Title X funds from performing abortions or referring patients for abortions.

Moderated by the EPPCs Josh Britton, the panelists included EPPC Senior Fellow Roger Severino, who directed the HHS Office of Civil Rights during the Trump administration. He was joined by Valerie Huber, who formerly served in the HHS Office of Global Affairs, and Senior Counsel Denise Harle from the conservative legal nonprofit Alliance Defending Freedom.

Harle discussed the effect of the proposed rule on women, on taxpayers and on healthcare providers conscience rights.

The current Title X rules ensure that taxpayer dollars dont fund programs promoting abortion, but the revised Title X rule compromises healthcare professionals freedom of conscience by requiring Title X participants to refer patients for abortion and contraceptives, she said.

The revised rule targets everyone who believes abortion is not birth control and imposes a one-size-fits-all method of family planning on the public.

Harle concluded that "the revised rule would force religious family planning providers out of the program because they cant in good conscience abide by the government mandates.

Severino offered a similar analysis, warning that the rule change would coerce participants into referring for abortion.

Harle asserted that the HHS' "proposed revision targets the basic conscience rights of American citizens by funneling business to Planned Parenthood and big abortion.

Describing the proposed policy as reflective of government hostility towards people of faith, she stressed that Title X should not be used to punish people of faith, and government programs certainly shouldnt be used in a revenue stream for the abortion industry.

As Huber explained, the Title X program was established in 1970 as the only federal program dedicated solely to the provision of family planning.

The program provides funding to assist in the establishment and operation of voluntary family planning projects, which shall offer a broad range of acceptable and effective family planning methods and services, including natural family planning methods, infertility services and services for adolescents.

Expressing concern that the proposed rule blurs the line between Title X services and abortion services  and withdraws significant conscience protections, Huber warned that the rule change would mark a return to hostile restrictions on the grantees ability to select sub-recipients of  their own choosing.

According to Severino, the proposed rule change serves as a favor to the abortion industry and big abortion.

Under the Trump administrations 2019 rule, family planning clinics had to implement a strict physical and financial separation between family planning services and any abortion services they offer to receive federal funding. Before the rule's implementation, the nation's leading abortion provider, Planned Parenthood, was a leading fund recipient of the Title X program.

When the 2019 rule came through, Planned Parenthood and many of its affiliates decided to voluntarily back out, Severino recalled. They chose to keep their abortion prioritized over family planning services. If they had agreed to separate their physical and financial operations, [putting] their abortion on one side and Title X family planning services on the other, they could have continued.

Severino cited Planned Parenthoods decision to pull out of the Title X program rather than comply with the requirements as evidence that Planned Parenthood and abortion clinics are about abortion first, family planning second.

Discussing the proposed rules intention to allow Title X providers to refer their patients for all family planning-related services desired by the client including abortion services, Huber concluded that HHS is acknowledging that their referring for abortion is for the preferred purpose of family planning.

She characterized the rule as more focused on ideology than on the congressional intent and the statutory provisions or, for that matter, even on implementing authorized family planning services to low-income Americans.

Huber addressed the other problematic themes of the proposed rule. She referred to its removal of requirements that Title X providers highlight practical ways for minors to discuss family planning with their parents, encourage couples to communicate about and to share in family planning decisions together, and provide minors with counsel on how to avoid sexual coercion."

The Biden administrations proposed rule change maintained that the number of family planning services grantees has dropped precipitously due to the Trump administration's rule. However, Harle alleged that the new rule would limit options for women by forcing providers who offer natural family planning services out of the program entirely.

Additionally, she remarked that family planning providers have been flourishing under the 2019 Title X rules, offering women and families access to a broad range of services, including natural family planning and expanding care in many parts of the country.

The Ethics and Public Policy Center is part of a broad coalition that submitted comments in opposition to the rule ahead of the Monday deadline for public comments.

Coalition members include pro-life groups such as Students for Life and Susan B. Anthony List as well as the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops.

Noting that the 30-day window for public comment was much shorter than usual, Severino contended that the Biden administration hoped to rush out this rule to get ahead of the Supreme Court, which is considering this issue right now.

The Trump administration rule will remain in place until the proposed rule is finalized.
Russell Moore leaves Southern Baptist Convention's ERLC for Christianity Today

Email Print Img No-img Menu Whatsapp Google Reddit Digg Stumbleupon Linkedin Comment

Russell Moore, the prominent Southern Baptist leader known for his criticism of former President Donald Trump, is leaving his post as president of the Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission to join Christianity Today.

According to an entry on his website posted Tuesday, Moore explained that he accepted an invitation by Christianity Today to serve as a public theologian at the evangelical news publication as the director of its Public Theology Project. His term as the commission's president will come to an end on June 1.

Ive struggled with this decision, because my gratitude for the honor of serving the Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission is so deep, wrote Moore.

As I conclude my time serving Southern Baptists as ERLC president, I am filled with gratitude as well as excitement for the future.

Moore also spoke positively of his time as president of the ERLC, saying that he was thankful to the board of trustees at the ERLC who labored with me, loved me, supported me, and stood with integrity and conscience.

The team I have been blessed to work with at the ERLC is second to none. I am always amused by people who assume that we have a staff of hundreds, just based on everything this team is able to accomplish, when in reality we have a small team of brothers and sisters who are peerless in their gifting, excellence, commitment, and who love each other and Jesus, he continued.

Whether that was through national conferences such as MLK50 and Caring Well, a string of successful engagements on matters of public policy, or through the work of evangelism and cultural engagement, this team has excelled far beyond what I could have ever asked or hoped from any group of people.

During his tenure, the ERLC hosted conferences on race, marriage and abuse. The commission also advocated for issues of life, religious freedom and justice.

ERLC Executive Vice President Daniel Patterson will serve as the acting president, according to a statement shared with The Christian Post. The commission's board of trustees will begin its search for the next president.

David E. Price, chairman of the ERLC board of trustees, extended his gratitude for Moore's "eight years of principled, energetic and prophetic ministry."

"He led with integrity, courage and convictional kindness during tumultuous times," Price stated.

"It has been our joy as trustees and fellow Southern Baptists to be on mission for Christ and His Kingdom with the utmost confidence in Dr. Moores leadership and in the effectiveness of the commissions ministry."

"Though we are sad to see his time leading this entity come to a close, we wish him the best and will continue to look to his leadership and voice in American evangelicalism," Prince added. "The importance of the ministry assignment Southern Baptists have given to the ERLC remains essential to the SBC and our trustees will now begin taking the necessary steps to identify the next president for this organization.

Formerly the dean of the School of Theology at The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, Kentucky, Moore became president of the ERLC in 2013.

During his tenure, Moore garnered controversy within the Southern Baptist Convention for his criticism of Trump and his support for certain religious liberty measures.

In March 2017, after Trump was elected president, Moore apologized for engaging in rhetoric that was sometimes "overly broad or unnecessarily harsh."

I was asked often during the election about evangelicalism as it related to moral issues and character, and in so doing I spoke, often quite sharply, about those Christians who said or implied that such concerns don't matter or shouldn't be talked about, stated Moore at the time.

The 2016 presidential election was different than any in our lifetime. Good and godly people had to make very hard decisions.

Moore continued to be critical of the Trump administration, stating in January that if he had been a member of the United States Senate, he would have voted to impeach the president.

Moore also garnered criticism, as well as calls for the ERLC to be defunded, when he opted to support a 2016 lawsuit that a Muslim community was leveling against a New Jersey county that refused to allow the building of a mosque on Church Street in a historic part of the town.

In response to the failed efforts to remove him from the ERLC, Moore defended the SBC commissions involvement in the litigation, saying that protecting the rights of Muslims was beneficial to the SBC.

When you have a government that says 'we can decide whether or not a house of worship can be constructed based upon the theological beliefs of that house of worship,' then there are going to be Southern Baptist churches in San Francisco and New York and throughout this country who are not going to be able to build, explained Moore at the time.

Last November, the Washington, D.C.-based nonprofit The Religious Freedom Institute honored Moore with their Defender of Religious Freedom Award.

Moore defends the religious liberty of all people. He challenges believers to be better public witnesses to their faith, and he challenges secularists to have greater appreciation for the importance of religion in American public life, stated the Institute.
Christian therapist sues Washington over law banning sexual orientation therapy for minors

Email Print Img No-img Menu Whatsapp Google Reddit Digg Stumbleupon Linkedin Comment

A licensed therapist is suing Washington state over its ban on sexual orientation counseling for minors, a practice described by critics as conversion therapy.

In a lawsuit filed last Thursday in the U.S. District Court of the Western District of Washington at Tacoma, licensed marriage and family therapist Brian Tingley contends that Senate Bill 5722 constitutes a denial of free speech rights" that is guaranteed by the First Amendment.

The lawsuit calls the measure relating to restricting the practice of conversion therapy" a violation of the Due Process Clause of the 14th Amendment due to its vagueness.

The law was signed by Washington Gov. Jay Inslee in 2018.

Defendants in the lawsuit are Attorney General Bob Ferguson, Secretary of Health Umair Shah and Assistant Secretary of the Healthy Systems Quality Assurance Division Kristin Peterson.

The legal nonprofit Alliance Defending Freedom, which is devoted to defending First Amendment rights, represents the plaintiff in his legal proceedings.

Tingley is a Christian whose faith informs his views concerning human nature, healthy relationships, and what paths and ways of thinking will enable his clients to achieve comfort with themselves and live happy and satisfied lives.

Tingley has maintained a private practice of counseling since 2002, working with adolescents, adults, and couples on a wide variety of matters." He currently practices in the Tacoma suburb of Fircrest.

Senate Bill 5722 regulates "the professional conduct of licensed health care providers with respect to performing conversion therapy on patients under age eighteen by classifying the performance of such therapy as unprofessional conduct for a license holder.

The law cites the states compelling interest in protecting the physical and psychological well-being of minors, including lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender youth, and in protecting its minors against exposure to serious harms caused by conversion therapy."

Attorneys for the plaintiff characterize the law as the Counseling Censorship Law, maintaining that the measure seeks to impose uniformity and silence dissent on topics about which both clients and counselors hold differing views motivated by ideology, faith beliefs, and differing interpretations of science.

Additionally, the lawsuit accuses the state of Washington of seeking to impose its own new orthodoxy concerning sexual morality, human nature, personal identity, and free will.

The law defines conversion therapy as a regime that seeks to change an individuals sexual orientation or gender identity and applies to efforts to change behaviors or gender expressions, or to eliminate or reduce sexual or romantic attractions or feelings toward individuals of the same sex.

Attorneys for Tingley believe that the provided definition of conversion therapy is vague, content-biased, and biased against one perspective or point of view.

Senate Bill 5722 states that the ban on conversion therapy does not apply to religious practices or counseling under the auspices of a religious denomination, church, or organization that do not constitute the performance of conversion therapy by licensed health care providers on clients under age eighteen."

However, ADF attorneys believe that is a sham exemption because the exemption does not apply to practicing Christian counselors like the plaintiff who wish to help fellow Christians who seek his assistance to live consistently with the teachings of their shared faith.

Over the years, Plaintiff Tingley has had multiple clients, including minor clients, who experienced unwanted same-sex attraction and desired Mr. Tingleys help in reducing those attractions so they could enter into heterosexual romantic relationships and the family lives which they longed for, and also so they could live in a manner consistent with the moral teachings of their Christian faith," the lawsuit reads.

Tingleys attorneys noted that minor Christians struggling with other vices, including pornography addiction, come to their client seeking help so they can live their lives in accordance with their religious beliefs.

However, they warned that Senate Bill 5722 deprives Tingley of his right to practice his religious beliefs by speaking to clients on topics of gender identity and sexual attractions and change in a manner consistent with the teachings of his faith and that of his clients.

As a result of concerns about facing repercussions under the Counseling Censorship Law, Tingley is not able to freely and without fear speak what he believes to be true, and his client is therefore denied the right to receive open and uninhibited thoughts from his or her chosen counselor."

Potential punishments for failing to abide by the terms of the law include substantial fines, suspension from practice, and even loss of  license and livelihood," ADF contends.

The law and similar legislation enacted in other states reflect the view among many Democrats and LGBT activists that sexual orientation is an immutable characteristic instead of a choice.

This view manifested itself during Supreme Court Justice Amy Coney Barretts confirmation hearings last year. Sen. Mazie Hirono, D-Hawaii, took issue with Barretts previous use of the term sexual preference to describe an individuals sexual orientation.

The lawsuit pushes back on this narrative, pointing to a review of scientific literature that found that [A]rguments based on the immutability of sexual orientation are unscientific, given that scientific research does not indicate that sexual orientation is uniformly biologically determined at birth or that patterns of same-sex and other-sex attractions remain fixed over the life course.

Bans on sexual orientation counseling for minors have received a mixed reaction from the judicial branch thus far.

Last year, the U.S. 11th Circuit Court of Appeals ruled bans on conversion therapy in Palm Beach County and Boca Raton, Florida, unconstitutional. In 2019, a federal judge in Maryland dismissed a lawsuit against the states Youth Mental Health Protection Act.
American Christians help fund thousands of bomb shelters to protect Israelis from Hamas attacks

Email Print Img No-img Menu Whatsapp Google Reddit Digg Stumbleupon Linkedin Comment

As Israel has been bombarded with thousands of missiles fired by Hamas over the past two weeks, American Christians have provided aid from afar by helping fund mobile bomb shelters that will protect Israeli civilians from the attacks.

The International Fellowship of Christians and Jews [The Fellowship] placed 13 mobile bomb shelters in the heavily bombarded city of Ashkelon last Wednesday, along with several other mobile shelters throughout the week, to protect from Hamas terrorist missile fire.

The Fellowship also provided security staff in Ashkelon, a coastal southern Israel city, with 25 protective vests.

The Fellowship, a leading nonprofit founded in 1983 that bridges the gap between American evangelicals and Jews by providing humanitarian aid to Israel and Jewish people, has placed nearly 3,000 bomb shelters in Israel to date.

The support of American Christians who desire to see Israel protected has allowed thousands of permanent or mobile bomb shelters to truly provide security and safety from these rocket attacks to the people of Israel.

Its mostly on behalf of Christians in America who want to provide that shelter and protection just as the Bible says to be the watchmen on the walls [of Jerusalem], The Fellowship CEO Yael Eckstein, whose father founded the organization, told The Christian Post.

Despite the pandemic and subdued terror activity during 2020, The Fellowship continued to prepare for future conflicts in Israel and successfully placed 59 permanent and mobile bomb shelters and 1,000 protective vests in the past 18 months.

Factories can produce a mobile bomb shelter in six days, she said. And in times of conflict, these shelters can be purchased and placed in key, strategic, vulnerable locations [under rocket fire].

Especially in the last week, Israel is aware of the constant threat of attack from enemies surrounding the small Middle Eastern country of about 9 million people.

Every night before we go to sleep and say the bedtime prayers to ask God to watch over us, were giving our plans for if theres a [bomb] siren  who is going to grab who to go down to the shelters, the mother of four shared.

Things have definitely changed, and its a constant balance between making sure our children are aware and that youre honest with them and that theyre aware of the threats and aware of where the closest bomb shelter is.

She said it is challenging to find the balance of not being afraid and trusting in Gods protection while knowing individuals who have been killed in war and terror in Israel.

Whats really unique and unprecedented about this situation now is that were not even technically in a situation of war and [there have] been more rockets over Tel Aviv, Jerusalem than ever before in the history of Israel, Eckstein detailed.

And so, I guess what makes this unique is just the range that Hamas terrorists are able to [reach]. The amount of people who are in their bomb shelters who have never [had] to get in their bomb shelters before and the ongoing barrages that are targeting civilians and not specifically military or IDF bases.

The Fellowship has operated on the Gaza Strip for 15 years to prepare for emergencies through building bomb shelters, providing secure trauma centers and protective vests. But the attacks of the past couple of weeks have affected more Israeli civilians than ever before, according to Eckstein.

She said seeing the support millions of Christians have shown for Israel, despite the medias often misleading narrative, is encouraging.

Whats inspiring to me personally is to see the millions of Christians who, despite the media totally misportraying what is happening, they see through it and continue to stand with Israel and be Israels most vocal supporters, Eckstein said.

And for Christians, obviously, who stand for life, who stand against killing, who have these very, very strong values of freedom, to see how they recognize theres one side defending themselves and one side waging war and targeting civilians, for me is just the most encouraging thing. ...

She said millions of Christians are going against the "mainstream opinion" because they understand that "Israel stands for freedom."

Eckstein explained how Israel is surrounded by enemies that seek its destruction though it is peace-seeking and has never provoked a war in its history since 1948.

Israel yearns for peace," she stated. "Israel does not want war. Israel doesnt want to kill anyone. Israel wants to make sure that its citizens are safe. "

Eckstein stated that while Israel is building bomb shelters to protect its civilians, the designated terrorist group Hamas uses women and children for shields and will build its weapons factories under schools and hospitals.

In reference to former Israeli Prime Minister Golda Meirs quote, Eckstein said, the day that our enemies love their children more than they hate us is the day there will be peace.

[Israel] is really this beacon of light and Judeo-Christian values, just like America stands for with the same democratic process, same value for life and freedom," she said. "And one of the hardest things is being surrounded by terrorists  who have no value for life."

If the Arabs would put down their arms, there would be no more war," she continued. "If Israel would put down their arms, there would be no more Israel.

Eckstein explained how the Guardian of Israel neither slumbers nor sleeps and that God has allowed them to create the Iron Dome, a missile defense system that intercepts missiles fired at Israel in mid-air.

I think that were seeing miracles in our lifetime, and I think that were seeing blessings as well that with over 2,000 rockets being launched at Israel and miraculously theyre falling in open areas , she shared.

I really believe prayer is Israels greatest weapon, and the fact that we have millions of Christians praying for us and standing with us is just, I believe, a huge component of whats giving us this strength."
Corning, the glass company, needs more transparency about religious freedom

Email Print Img No-img Menu Whatsapp Google Reddit Digg Stumbleupon Linkedin Comment

As a member of a team which helps build and maintain investment funds (ETFs), and as an investor in them personally, I have been attending annual shareholders meetings of many of the U.S. companies in which I am invested. I have asked questions of the meeting organizers before, during, and after the meetings. My general focus has been on excess politicking, on issues that are not of core material operational importance, by publicly traded companies. The specific case in point is corporate endorsements of The Equality Act, as represented on the Human Rights Campaign's list of corporate partners in promoting the legislation.

Corning is a good example. I clicked on the shareholder meeting link, filled out the requisite submission form, including the unique "Control Number" which is given to bona fide shareholders, and then I posted a question in the tab indicated for questions. Everything was in proper order.

During the Q&A portion of the meeting, we were told at the beginning that there were only two questions, then a question was taken, and then we were told that there was only one more question, and another question was taken, and then we were told, "That's it."

But that claim does not appear to be true. I had asked a question. It was a hard, but respectful, question. I asked it early and asked it via the proper channels. Suspecting that this question might be avoided, I took a screen shot to prove that the system registered it:

Corning does acknowledge, on-the-record, that the company did, in fact, receive the question.

Audio playback is available here: Events Platform (q4inc.com)

So, the question had been ignored at the annual meeting. Shareholders had been misled about whether the company had taken all questions, and both my follow-up email and phone call were also initially ignored.

So, I decided to write again and point out that, in addition to my role as part of an institutional shareholder, I am also a financial journalist, and that I plan to write about my concerns. Only after that did I receive a reply. That has generally been the pattern I have seen from companies which have ignored challenging questions such as this. When I ask as a shareholder silence; when I ask as media response. Does this mean companies are more concerned about their public image in the media than about small shareholder concerns? Perhaps. Giving the benefit of the doubt though, it may simply reflect the different levels of time-sensitivity for media (often on a deadline) and shareholders.

Cornings answer is to remind me that it did promise, during the annual meeting, to respond later in writing. That is true, but does not address why the question was spiked during the annual meeting, and why it was implied that all questions had been taken. Answering later in writing is not nearly as risky to the CEO as answering during the live shareholder meeting. It's live and it corresponds with a news cycle--it's higher stakes. Answering a question days, or even weeks, later in writing in some corner of the company website (Microsoft Word - Q.docx (q4cdn.com)) is arguably lower stakes.

Then there's the issue of whether the "answer" really is genuinely an answer.

Here is the question I asked (with slight differences for the sake of brevity and privacy):

"Corning Inc. is to be commended for including political viewpoint and religion in its diversity statements. However, you publicly endorsed The Equality Act, which includes language which specifically precludes appeals based on the religious freedom and restoration act, demoting religious freedom. How do you square your statement protecting religious diversity with this support? Related: is it really necessary to entangle our company in such divisive political issues?"

I also sent the same question directly via email to the Investor Relations office of the company.

Here is the answer I eventually received:

"As one of the worlds leading innovators with 170 years of life-changing inventions, we know how important it is to foster an environment where every individual is treated with dignity and respect. Consistent with Cornings Values, we believe in equal treatment for all employees regardless of sexual orientation and gender identity. LGBTQ people are our innovators, our friends, our family members, and our neighbors, and they deserve to be able to live their lives free from discrimination or harassment. Corning stands against all discrimination and has repeatedly supported legal protections for all lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer people. In 2019, Corning joined more than 200 major corporations in signing an amicus brief filed with the U.S. Supreme Court related to its landmark ruling that discrimination in the workplace based on an employee's sexual orientation and gender identity is prohibited under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. Corning also supports the Equality Act, which would provide consistent and explicit non-discrimination protections for LGBTQ people across key areas of life, including employment, housing, credit, education, public spaces and services, federally funded programs, and jury service."

Nothing about the religious liberty question. Nothing about the risks of embroiling the company in a divisive political issue.

Did Corning answer the question, as it promised to do? You be the judge.

So boycott the stock? No, I don't think that's the answer. I admire the company, which I think embodies the principles of human productivity as well as good leadership and governance. It's great at innovation, and its business policies tend to reflect an "owner-orientation." I think conservative and/or Christian sentiment is too often to simply dump companies, even well-managed ones, when they nod too easily to left-wing pressure. I think "come, let us reason together" is a better approach.

Speaking of which, I have been in off-the-record conversations with the company, and will be happy to update this story if and when it goes on-the-record about these matters.
Atlanta megachurch pastor Olu Brown announces retirement at 43

Email Print Img No-img Menu Whatsapp Google Reddit Digg Stumbleupon Linkedin Comment

More than 14 years after launching Impact Church in Atlanta, Georgia, with just 25 volunteers, Olu Brown announced Sunday that he plans to retire as lead pastor of one of the United Methodist Churchs fastest-growing congregations in June 2022.

The progressive, church which boasts a weekly attendance of 2,400 in-person and 1,600 online, was ranked among the top-five quickest-growing large United Methodist churches in 2019.

Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms, who spent her inauguration day with an interfaith worship service there in 2018, is a member.

With any call that God gives us for our lives, there will always be a vision. And as we move toward realizing that vision, it becomes clear that the call is much greater than we can ever think or imagine, Brown, 43, said in his announcement. Impact is part of my call, and when God gave me the opportunity to partner with 25 launch team volunteers to start this ministry, I knew there would come a time where God would call me beyond Impact Church.

Once he steps down as pastor of Impact Church, Brown is expected to pursue entrepreneurial and consulting endeavors full time. He aims to start a Normalizing Next movement to celebrate and promote succession planning, retirement and pastoral transition.

I count it an honor to have been the founding and lead pastor of Impact Church and I will always be grateful for my time as a pastor and servant leader in the local church, Brown said.

Over the years, I have had the opportunity to serve in ministry with phenomenal people and travel the world. I will always cherish my wonderful ministry experiences and the people I have been honored to know and serve. Life and living is a continuous journey and a series of next and I hope to help people Normalize Next and embrace tomorrow with hope and expectation. When I think about one of the most important themes of my ministry, it has been about helping people change, transition and embrace their next.

Before he takes off from the church he founded, Brown will help the churchs new lead pastor settle in once an appointment is made by the Bishop of the North Georgia Conference, Sue Haupert-Johnson.

It goes without saying that a change like this can be difficult to understand, but change does, in fact, happen, and when it does, we embrace it and move in the direction where that change is taking us, Sheldon Snipe, Impact Churchs Staff Parish Relations Committee chairperson, said in a statement.

This is a very exciting time for Olu, and for Impact, and we are confident that our plan to transition the leadership of our outgoing and incoming pastors will ensure undisrupted continuity to our ministry.

Robert M. Franklin Jr., the Laney chair in moral leadership at Emory Universitys Candler School of Theology and former president of the Interdenominational Theological Center, told the Atlanta Journal-Constitution that Brown is a pioneer in establishing inspiring innovations in 21st-century urban ministry that has been copied by others.
Billy Graham's personal pastor shares what the Church can learn from ministry of 'humble' evangelist

Email Print Img No-img Menu Whatsapp Google Reddit Digg Stumbleupon Linkedin Comment

Billy Grahams friend and pastor reflected on his yearslong friendship with the famed evangelist  and shared the lessons and values he believes the Church can glean from the life and ministry of a man he said mirrored the very heartbeat of God.

Mr. Graham's heartbeat and passion and reflection of the very face of God showed deeply, penetrated my own heart and life, Don Wilton recalled in an interview with The Christian Post. I've never been around a man personally like that, who so deeply and genuinely and consistently reflected the face of God's grace. As a pastor myself, one can only imagine the enormous depth of the blessing that God conferred on me every time I was with him every week.

Most Saturdays for 15 years, Wilton, the senior pastor of nearly 30 years at the First Baptist Church in Spartanburg, South Carolina, and founder of the global network, The Encouraging Word, drove to Grahams home in Montreat, North Carolina, to discuss family, politics, sports, and their spiritual lives. In the days before the famed evangelist died in 2018 at the age of 99, Wilton sat next to him, holding his hand.

Most people, the closer you get to them, the more you realize they have clay feet, Wilton said. But the closer I got to this man, Billy Graham, the more I realized that he was just full of the presence of the Lord Jesus Christ, and that showed throughout his life and his demeanor. Everything pointed to Jesus.

To honor his friends life and legacy, Wilton recently releasedSaturdays with Billy: My Friendship with Billy Graham, a book that includes more than 20 stories recounting his friendship with Graham. In addition to photographs accompanying the stories, the book includes some of the greatest lessons Wilton gleaned from Grahams life and ministry.

The South African pastor said something that defined Graham was his deep love for his family  especially his wife, Ruth, who died in 2007.

It was not uncommon for me to be sitting outside having tea with Mr. Graham and he'd be staring out the window. I'd say to him, Mr. Graham, what are you looking at? he recalled. And hed say, I can just see Ruth standing in the kitchen preparing something nice for us.

It sounds very simplistic, but he had such a very tender and deep love for her that when she went on to be the Lord, he had a deep gap and grief in his heart.

Graham, he said, also had a deep love of good food  and especially coffee. He shared how, later in his life, the pastor would sneak black coffee despite doctors orders because he didnt appreciate coffee that had stuff in it (Thick-It).

One day, after the doctor left, he reaches over and he grabs my cup of coffee and starts drinking it. I said, Now, brother Billy, what do I do with yours? And he said to me, Well, my facilities are just around the corner. In other words, he told me to dump his coffee and the medical staff wouldnt know, Wilton said with a chuckle.

But the most potent and influential thing about the evangelist, the pastor emphasized, was his striking humility despite his celebrity status. Over 70 years, Billy Graham preached the Gospel of Jesus Christ to some 215 million people at more than 400 Crusades, simulcasts and evangelistic rallies in more than 185 countries and territories.



If you were to paint a picture of Don Wilton and Dr. Billy Graham, here's the picture: A nobody who thought he was a somebody, talking to a somebody who really thought he was a nobody, he shared.

Mr. Graham was known all over the world; he was a famous man who dealt with prime ministers, presidents, kings, queens, celebrities, and the most famous athletes in the world, yet he consistently exemplified the uncommon unattainable spirit of humility that Christ expects of us. He never elevated himself; he only elevated Jesus Christ.

It was his humility and unfaltering faith in Christ that allowed Graham to be so unapologetically focused on the Gospel of Jesus Christ to a lost and dying world without compromise, Wilton said.

Grahams life, Wilton said, reflected Galatians 6:14  a verse that was posted in a number of places around the late pastor's home. It reads: But far be it from me to boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world.

Mr. Graham was respected by all people, and yet was unapologetic about holy living and righteousness and the wrath and judgment of God and salvation exclusively through Jesus, he said.

The modern church, he said, would do well to emulate Grahams passion for keeping the Gospel of Jesus Christ the main thing in a post-Christian culture that is desperate for answers.

Mr. Graham stood in the largest stadiums of the world and said, 'God loves you.' He believed implicitly in the life-transforming power of the cross of Jesus, and He preached that passionately and unapologetically and loved people in that same way, Wilton said.

I'm deeply concerned about our country and our people and about policies that violate the Gospel of Jesus Christ, he continued. How do I balance that in my life as a Christian? How do I be a testimony but stand for the truth of God's Word? It's something that each one of us has to really do business with God about, because our world is really desperate for answers, and our people today are in desperate need of the true meaning of the Gospel and the power of the Gospel to change people's lives forever.

Through sharing his friendship with Graham, Wilton said he hopes to encourage readers to take a very simple yet real look into the heart of this precious man and be blessed by his presence while at the same time drawing near to the heart of the Lord.

I pray that people would read Saturdays with Billy and pass that on to others so that others would be blessed. That's what Mr. Graham did. His whole life was passing blessings on from one person to the next. We just pray this book is an extension of the witness of the life and testimony of Dr. Billy Graham.
Market Reports on Saudi Arabia Provides the Trending Market Research Report on Bahrain Paints and Coatings Market - Growth, Trends, COVID-19 Impact, and Forecasts (2021 - 2026)under Saudi Arabia Chemical and Materials Market category. The Bahrain Paints and Coatings Market is projected to exhibit highest growth rate over report offers a collection of superior market research, market analysis, and competitive intelligence and industry reports.

The Bahrain Paints And Coatings Market is estimated to witness a significant growth, at an estimated CAGR of over 4.5%, over the forecast period. One of the major factors driving the market studied is the rapidly increasing housing construction activity in the country. The rise in the prices of raw materials is expected to hinder the growth of the market studied.

- Architectural coatings dominated the market, and it is expected to grow during the forecast period due to the increasing construction activities.

- Growing oil & gas exploration and production activities in Bahrain are likely to act as an opportunity in the future.

Request a free sample copy of Bahrain Paints and Coatings Market Report @ http://www.marketreportsonsaudiarabia.com/marketreports/sample/reports/2510489

Key Market Trends

Acrylic Resin Dominating the Market

- Acrylic resins are the most widely used polymers in the paint and coatings industry. Most of the acrylic paints are water-based or solvent-based and are available as emulsions (latices), lacquers (lower volume solids), enamels (higher volume solids), and powders (100% solids).

- The common acrylic polymers come in a wide variety of types and combinations, such as methyl and butyl methacrylate. In the case of inexpensive paints, polyvinyl acetate is used primarily.

- The two principal forms of acrylic used are thermoplastic and thermoset. Thermoplastics acrylic resins are synthetic resins achieved by polymerization of different acrylic monomers. Thermosets are cured at elevated temperatures by reacting them with other polymers. Thermoplastic acrylic resins are of two types, namely solution acrylics and acrylic latex coatings.

- Furthermore, the acrylic resins develop properties, such as transparency, high colorability, and UV resistance in coating solutions. They are used in waterborne systems very often, which result in low VOC emission. The application of acrylic coatings leads to high surface hardness. In certain applications, such as walls, decks, and roofing, the acrylic coatings provide elastomeric finishes to improve the UV resistance of the surface, if employed with some fluids.

- The application of acrylic coatings is primarily found in the construction industry for high-end finishing in roofs, decks, bridges, floors, and other applications. The water-based acrylic coatings are high in demand, owing to the environmental concerns, as the negative impact of VOCs affecting the air quality in the environment.

- The primary binder type in the Bahrain paints and coatings market is acrylic, with a total share of more than 70% of all the waterborne coatings. Acrylic is widely used in architectural coatings.

- Such positive factors are likely to increase demand over the forecast period.

Protective Coatings Demand to Expand at a Fastest Rate

- The oil and gas industry use protective coatings for both upstream and downstream segments, for the transportation of oil and gas toward refineries.

- The industry has been trying to find ways to cut capital charges. This, along with the need to adhere to strict environmental regulations, has led to the demand for a coating system (with a long life), which may be effective in the protection of the assets.

- The oil and gas industry use various types of protective coatings, such as anti-corrosion, heat-resistant, abrasion-resistance, fire-resistance, and others.

- The offshore oil and gas production have some of the most demanding conditions. Therefore, the coating systems used must be equipped likewise.

- Apart from oil and gas, infrastructure has been the major backbone for the countrys growth.

- Roads, bridges, public parks, etc., are all subjected to continuously extreme conditions. Paints and coatings in infrastructure can be used as varnishes and inorganic binders that provide protection against harsh environmental conditions. The key drivers of this growth are a USD 32 billion infrastructure investment, a pipeline comprised of USD 10 billion in government funding, USD 7.5 billion from the GCC Development Fund, and USD 15 billion from the private sector.

- With the substantial growth, especially in the oil and gas and infrastructural projects, the protective coatings market is expected to witness rapid growth during the forecast period.

Competitive Landscape

The Bahrain paints and coatings market is consolidated and the top five players account for more than 65% of the market share. The major companies include Jotun, Asian Paints Berger, Hempel A/S, Omega Paints & Chemical Industries, and PPG Industries, Inc. among others.

Browse our full report with Table of Contents: http://www.marketreportsonsaudiarabia.com/marketreports/bahrain-paints-and-coatings-market-growth-trends-covid-19-impact-and-forecasts-2021-2026-/2510489

About Us

Market Reports on Saudi Arabia provides you with an in-depth industry reports focusing on various economic, political and operational risk environment, complemented by detailed sector analysis. We have an exhaustive coverage on variety of industries  ranging from energy and chemicals to transportation, communications, constructions and mining to Food and Beverage and education. Our collection includes over 3000 up-to-date reports all researched, analysed and published by top-notch international research firms.

Contact us at:

Market Reports On Saudi Arabia

Tel: +91 22 27810772 / 27810773

Email: info@marketreportsonsaudiarabia.com

Website: http://www.marketreportsonsaudiarabia.com

Follow us on : Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn
This week in Christian history: Council of Nicaea, Geneva embraces Reformation, missionary travels to Persia

Email Print Img No-img Menu Whatsapp Google Reddit Digg Stumbleupon Linkedin Comment

Throughout the extensive history of the Church, there have been numerous events of lasting significance.

Each week brings anniversaries of impressive milestones, unforgettable tragedies, amazing triumphs, memorable births, notable deaths and everything in between.

Some of the events drawn from over 2,000 years of history might be familiar, while other happenings might be previously unknown to most people.

The following pages highlight events that happened this week  May 16-22  in Christian history. They include the arrival of a missionary to Persia, the opening of the Council of Nicaea, and Geneva accepting the Protestant Reformation.
Pelosi's archbishop says speaker's reaction to Vatican abortion letter 'raises hope' of progress

Email Print Img No-img Menu Whatsapp Google Reddit Digg Stumbleupon Linkedin Comment

The Archbishop of San Francisco has responded after House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, who represents the city in the U.S. Congress, declared that she could use her own judgment when assessing her worthiness to receive Holy Communion.

Archbishop Salvatore Cordileone of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of San Francisco said in a statement released Monday that he took Pelosi at her word that she approved of Cardinal Luis Ladaria's letter to the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops in response to the conference's stated intention to draft a national policy on whether to withhold communion from pro-abortion Catholic politicians.

Pelosi made the comments Thursday during her weekly press conference after a reporter asked her what she thought of the fact that the USCCB did not want her and other pro-choice politicians to be able to receive communion because of their abortion advocacy.

I think I can use my own judgment on that, Pelosi said.

Additionally, the speaker praised what the Vatican put out on that subject, referring to a letter from a high-ranking Vatican official, which she characterized as saying dont be divisive on the subject.

The topic has taken on renewed importance as President Joe Biden and Speaker Pelosi are pro-choice Catholics.

Ladaria is the prefect of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith of the Catholic Church. His letter warned that establishing a national policy on the ability of pro-abortion Catholic politicians to receive communion could become a source of discord rather than unity in the Church.

Im happy to know that Speaker Pelosi said she is pleased with the letter," Cordileone wrote.

But he pushed back on the idea that Pelosi can use her own judgment to determine her worthiness for communion.

According to Cordileone, in the last 50 years, in the United States alone, 66,000,000 babies have been murdered in their mothers wombs. This is not a matter about which one can use judgment."

"It is a fact, the archbishop stated.

The archbishop reiterated the contents of Ladarias letter, which advised U.S. bishops to use as a guide in determining how to address this situation the principles laid out in a private letter in 2004 from the then-Cardinal Ratzinger, Prefect of the CDF at the time, to the bishops of the United States.

The following year, Ratzinger became Pope Benedict XVI following the death of Pope St. John Paul II.

As Cordileone noted, Ratzingers letter confirmed that consistently advocating for abortion and euthanasia constitutes formal cooperation in grave sin and that bishops must dialogue with Catholics prominent in public life who do so in order to help them understand the grave evil they are helping to perpetrate and accompany them to a change of heart.

Cordileone contends that Ratzinger goes on to say in the letter that, if these dialogues prove to be fruitless, then, out of respect for the Catholic belief of what it means to receive Holy Communion, the bishop must declare that the individual is not to be admitted to Communion.

The archbishop contends that Speaker Pelosis positive reaction to Cardinal Ladarias letter ... raises hope that progress can be made in this most serious matter."

Ladarias letter was published less than a week after Cordileone weighed in on the intensifying debate about communion for pro-abortion Catholic politicians. Cordileone said to those politicians: If you find that you are unwilling or unable to abandon your advocacy for abortion, you should not come forward to receive Holy Communion.

Additionally, Cordileone described pro-abortion Catholic politicians public affirmation of the Catholic faith while at the same time publicly rejecting one of its most fundamental teachings as simply dishonest.

In an interview with The Daily Caller News Foundation, which took place after Ladarias letter became public but before Pelosi suggested that she could use her own judgment when determining her worthiness for communion, Cordileone stressed the importance of teaching Catholics what it means to receive Communion.

The Catholic Churchs Code of Canon Law teaches that people who are obstinately persevering in manifest grave sin are not to be admitted to holy communion.

The archbishop elaborated on the Churchs teaching, explaining that receiving the sacrament of Communion expresses the Communion one already has with the Church, that is that they accept Church teaching and are trying to live their life according to that Church teaching."

If they reject many of those teachings or are living their lives not in conformity, in a serious way, such as advocating for a very serious evil, then theyre not properly disposed to receive communion," he continued.

Cordileone alleged that when American Catholics see pro-abortion politicians receiving communion, they think Oh, it must be okay for a Catholic to favor abortion. He insisted that such an idea could not be further from the truth.

The issue of whether or not pro-abortion Catholics should receive communion has caused division within the Catholic Church.

As he campaigned for the Democratic nomination for president, a priest in South Carolina refused to give then-presidential candidate Biden communion due to his abortion advocacy.

On the other hand, after Biden won the 2020 presidential election, Cardinal Wilton Gregory of the Archdiocese of Washington said he would not deny Biden communion.
Church may ditch husband and wife

Email Print Img No-img Menu Whatsapp Google Reddit Digg Stumbleupon Linkedin Comment

The Church of Scotlands General Assembly will soon consider a proposal to erase husband and wife from its official marriage ceremony.[1]

Changing worldview and their inherent values are gradually bringing about a slow but accelerating fade of marriage as described in the Bible.

Its not just the homosexual movement impacting the view of marriage, but the wide acceptance of pre- and non-marital sex even among purported Christians. In a 2020 survey, Pew Research found that forty-six percentnearly halfof Evangelical Americans see no problem with sex outside of marriage, despite Bible teachings.

As a minister ordained in 1962, I can look back over the years and attest to the fact that the number of weddings I was asked to perform shrunk significantly.

Biblical instructions have faded into the searing flashes of one-night stands, common-law marriage, and casual couplings.

In addition, given the homosexual movement, husband and wife are awkward terms.

What civil governments do with marriage is public business, subject to the voters, However, civil government has no constitutional authority to order a church or a denomination of churches to alter their doctrines of marriage and sexual relationships.

Too often, however, governments do not have to give such mandates because there are churches who will bow to contemporary political correctness on their own, in the name of relevance.

Sadly, they are like ships whove lost their moorings in stormy seas, carried about by every wind of social change and tsunamis of politically correctness.

The Church of Scotlands native land gave the world sturdy Christians like Saint Columba, John Knox, the Covenanters, Patrick Hamilton, David Livingston, Thomas Chalmers, Robert Murray McCheyne, Samuel Rutherford, Eric Liddell, and many other stalwarts of faith. Some suffered martyrdom rather than compromise.

One can only imagine how they would be responding now to churches even considering approval of culturally contrived ideas that amount to the destruction of the family as revealed in Scripture.

I speak of marriage with some knowledge and experience since my wife and I will celebrate our sixtieth anniversary this year. Further, in decades as a pastor I have been to the altar more times than I can countperforming weddings, of course. I have spent hours upon hours counseling couples trying to heal marriages sickened by the social viruses loosed at pandemic levels in our culture.

Both as a husband and pastor I have learned some vital things about the style and contributions of healthy marriages to society:

A healthy marriage is a whole marriage.

Though sex is a wonderful and sacred aspect of marriage, there is much more than a linkage of two bodies. A whole marriage also joins the souls of two people so there is a harmonization of their minds, emotions, and wills. Even more important is the union of spirit in which they share a strong faith and know how to cover each other and their family in prayer. Thus, a whole marriage is a three-thirds marriagethe intimate union of spirit, soul, and body.

A healthy marriage is a well-balanced marriage.

The home must rest on a careful balance between transcendence and immanenceauthority and approachability. In the Bible design the husband-father is to have the primary accountability for transcendence and the wife-mother that of immanence. In a healthy marriage both will share in ministering those roles, which are interchangeable in certain situations.

Historian Elizabeth Fox-Genovese of Emory University, in her book, Marriage: The Dream That Refuses to Die (Intercollegiate Studies Institute, 2008), explored how the mother and father were to share the nurturing role, with the goal of character formation.

Mary Eberstadt also wrote especially of the need for the man to fill his role: Absent fathers predict higher rates of truancy, psychiatric problems, criminality, promiscuity, drug use, domestic violence, and other less-than-optimal outcomes, she wrote.[2]

A healthy marriage is a discerning and encouraging marriage.

The partners discern the spiritual gifts God has granted one another, and affirm one another, encouraging each other in the use of those gifts.

The equilibrium of a healthy, whole marriage stabilizes the home in a fallen world where the primary conflict is between cosmos (harmonic order) and chaos.

When Frenchman Alexis de Tocqueville came to young America to try to understand its democracy, memories of the French Revolution and its descent into madness were fresh in his mind. He wanted to comprehend the relative stability in America, and the worldview that produced it.

In his study, Democracy in America, de Tocqueville believed the roots of the young nations uniqueness were in the home, where the functions of man and woman were arranged so that the great work of society may be better performed.

Almost two hundred years later, journalist William Tucker explored the same issues. This time, however, he was analyzing the marriage crisis brought on by shifting values and the availability of divorce. His book title revealed his premiseMarriage and Civilization: How Monogamy Made Us Human (Regnery, February 3, 2014).

One hopes the good folk of the Church of Scotland will see that there is much more at stake here than just a change of nomenclature. It goes straight to the authority of Scripture and the health of society.

The secular civil powers will do as they will, but dont let the church be dragged along the path like a cow with a nose-ring and chain being pulled along by the slaughterers.

[1] Husband and wife ditched in Kirk's marriage proposal - The Christian Institute

[2] The Toxic Tragedy Of The Fatherless In American Civilization - Issues In Perspective
COVID-19 isolation led to massive spike in mental health struggles; churches must be on frontlines: Rock Recovery director Mental Health Awareness Month highlights healing power of making connections with others

Email Print Img No-img Menu Whatsapp Google Reddit Digg Stumbleupon Linkedin Comment

Mental health struggles exacerbated by the isolation brought on by lockdowns in response to COVID-19 led to a massive spike in the number of people seeking help for eating disorders, according to Christie Bettwy, executive director of Rock Recovery.

Isolation is a huge piece of what allows mental health conditions to really thrive, Bettwy said in an interview with The Christian Post. Breaking isolation is a huge part of recovery, so thats one thing weve seen is a lot more people reaching out for help because of the isolation and the tough environments.

Rock Recovery, a Christian nonprofit based in Arlington, Virginia, provides recovery programs and bridges gaps for those struggling with eating disorders. Bettwy said they saw a 400% increase in people reaching out for help when COVID-19 first began.

The National Alliance on Mental Illness' message for Mental Health Awareness Month is You Are Not Alone. The slogan emphasizes the healing that comes from making connections with others.

Millions of Americans struggle with mental health each year, and the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic have led to an increase in those struggles, especially with the isolating effects of lockdowns.

Bettwy told CP that she struggled with an eating disorder for a decade, from age 13 to 23. Her journey to freedom began when she attended a six-week New ID recovery course for disordered eating offered by a church she visited.

The church just needs to start the conversation about mental health," she said. "Even if its not done perfectly, I think its good to just open the door and say, theres no shame in struggling with things. If youre depressed, it doesnt necessarily mean youre not praying enough. Its not your fault."

I think a lot of times with mental health, we equate it with being someones fault, like why cant they just be more joyful, why arent they praying more,  when its just not at all how it works, she continued. I think there is some progress with people understanding how much the brain and how much the different biological factors affect us as humans.

She said the church needs to normalize the conversation around mental health conditions and break the stigma that leads to people being misunderstood.

We often equate behavior and belief with action. I think, with mental illness, its a brain disorder and it just sort of shows up in our behaviors. But its not a sin to be sick, she stressed.

Since people deal with mental health conditions in every congregation everywhere, it needs to be discussed and the Church should be on the frontlines of those struggling with mental health, Bettwy said.

I think, unfortunately, a lot of people dont talk about mental health from the pulpit or talk about it upfront, and we really think that the church is the frontlines for people who are struggling with mental health conditions, she said.

And we know when people talk about mental health or their own struggles in their sermons, its hugely healing and helpful for people to ... normalize these issues because everybody struggles with something. Mental health is something that is super common for someone to struggle with, even in the church, she emphasized.

Many people never seek help for eating disorders or mental health conditions because they don't know where to start, she added.

The church is such a community of trust that when used well, it can really make a difference in helping people connect with the care that they need, Bettwy said. The church cant be all things to all people  but the church can really help triage and connect people to care in appropriate ways.

It was at church that Bettwy realized she had an eating disorder that needed treatment. Through her recovery process, Bettwy also came to faith in Jesus.

The second I realized there is this grace for me and God made my body and actually cares about it, and theres something more to life and that my identity is not about my achievements or my appearance, that really shifted things for me , she said.

Integrating faith into the recovery process is powerful and often leads to better outcomes, Bettwy shared.

The clients who do both a clinical program and a faith support program, their outcomes are just above and beyond anything we typically see, she explained.

  Your identity and what its founded on, its so important to bring your faith into that process and its really hard to do that, she added. A lot of treatment and a lot of clinical care has become really secularized, and we find that for people of faith, integrating your faith into treatment is what makes all of the difference and is such a powerful, powerful thing.

Bettwy said she had to tear down her false beliefs and rebuild them on the Rock. The name for Rock Recovery, which was founded in 2007 by Carylynn Kemp Larson, came from this idea of building your life on the Rock that is God.

Recovery is a lot of different baby steps strung together, so just do the next right thing, Bettwy said.

She encourages anyone dealing with a mental health problem or eating disorder to involve people in the journey, whether that's telling a loved one or pastor or calling a therapist.

A virtual session of the New ID six-week recovery course for disordered eating by Rock Recovery begins on May 26.
43% of millennials 'dont know, dont care, dont believe' God exists: study

Email Print Img No-img Menu Whatsapp Google Reddit Digg Stumbleupon Linkedin Comment

Just 26% of Gen X and 16% of millennials believe that when they die, they will go to Heaven only because they confessed their sins and accepted Jesus as their savior, compared to nearly half of the generation before them, a new study has found.

The American Worldview Inventory 2021, a survey of the philosophy of life on American adults from Arizona Christian University, assessed the worldviews of four generations: millennials (born 1984-2002), Gen X (1965-1983), baby boomers (1946-1964) and builders (1927-1945).

Researchers found that among other recent generations, millennials have gone farther in cutting ties with traditional Christian views and normative biblical teaching.

For example, nearly half of all boomers believe that when they die, they will go to Heaven only because they confessed their sins and accepted Jesus as their Savior, compared to only 26% of Gen X and 16% of millennials.

A staggering 90% of builders believe you treat others as you want them to treat you, while less than half of millennials agree.

Additionally, 43% of millennials stated they either dont know, dont care or dont believe God exists compared to 28% of boomers, and 44% of millennials believe Satan is a real and influential, compared to 64% of boomers.

The study also found that overall, younger Americans are significantly more likely than the two previous generations to embrace horoscopes as a guide and Karma as a life principle, to see getting even with others as defensible, to accept evolution over creation, and to view owning property as fostering economic injustice.

On spiritual matters, Americans younger than 55 are far more likely to distrust the Bible and to believe God is uninvolved in peoples lives.

Interestingly, a majority of Americans call themselves Christian, ranging from 57% of millennials to 83% of builders.

Researchers warn that the beliefs and behaviors of younger Americans, especially millennials, threaten to reshape the nations religious parameters beyond recognition.

In fact, this radical spiritual revolution has created a generation seeking a reimagined world without God, the Bible, or churches, they wrote.

Commenting on the study, George Barna, CRC director of research, said that Gen X and the millennials have solidified dramatic changes in the nations central beliefs and lifestyles, adding: The result is a culture in which core institutions, including churches, and basic ways of life are continually being radically redefined.

The American World Inventory corroborates an earlier study from Barna that found that two-thirds of teens and young adults (65%) agree that many religions can lead to eternal life compared to 58% of teens and young adults surveyed in 2018.

Additionally, 31% of teens and young adults strongly agree that what is morally right and wrong changes over time, based on society, compared to just 25% in 2018.

Recent survey data released by Gallup found that one in six Gen Z adults identify as LGBT  the highest percentage of any generation in history  and that number is likely to continue to increase.

Jacob Bland, the new president and CEO of Youth for Christ, told The Christian Post that despite the challenges facing todays young people, he looks toward the future with optimism.

Teens today are facing crises like never before, but its often in the darkness that light shines the brightest, he said. To enter into a disciple-making relationship where you're introducing a kid to an unconditional love that maybe they've never even considered, showing them the goodness and love modeled in Jesus  there's a lot of hope in that.

Jesus has a way of being new and fresh for the circumstances of today, and He is certainly doing that, Bland added.
Rock Church suspends indoor services after staffers test positive for COVID-19

Email Print Img No-img Menu Whatsapp Google Reddit Digg Stumbleupon Linkedin Comment

A month after Rock Church in San Diego, California, held their first indoor worship service since the start of the coronavirus pandemic, the church has suspended indoor worship at all campuses for May 23, except at the Point Loma and microsite locations, after multiple staffers tested positive for COVID-19.

We have recently learned that some of our Rock Church employees have tested positive for COVID-19. We are working with and helping these members of our Rock staff get the care and help they need. Some of our campuses and teams are directly affected by this and are self-quarantining. Out of an abundance of caution, our in person Sunday services will be limited to our Point Loma and Microsite locations only on May 23rd, the church said in a statement posted on their website.

Executive Pastor Lisa Penberthy told Fox 5 that 15 employees across the churchs five campuses had tested positive for COVID-19, but none have been hospitalized.

None of our staff have been hospitalized. They are about split of symptomatic and asymptomatic. They are quarantining and doing well, she said.

The church noted that as the staff members get the medical care they need to recover, they have also been working to do everything they can to prevent the spread of the virus at their campuses.

To help prevent the spread of COVID, our facilities undergo a thorough cleaning and disinfection multiple times throughout the week, in accordance with the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and Preventions Environmental Cleaning and Disinfection Recommendations. We will continue our cleaning regimen in accordance with CDC recommendations, officials noted.

Speaking with The San Diego Union-Tribune after his churchs first indoor service since the start of the pandemic on April 18, Rock Church Pastor Miles McPherson, who did not move to hold indoor services until state officials lifted mandatory restrictions a week earlier, revealed how happy he was to reunite with his spiritual family.

It was so good to see our family back together, he said. It was like Thanksgiving or Christmas when you get to reunite with your family and reestablish your relationships.

More than 5,000 attended in-person services across four campuses, and 300,000 also watched Rock Church services online, the publication noted. But for those who attended in-person, the feeling was special.

Its my birthday today, and weve been gone for so long that it feels like a gift from God and Pastor Miles that we can all be together again, said Karla Ghancous, 27, who recalled the first time she walked through the doors of the Point Loma campus.

On April 12, California lifted capacity limits on houses of worship after a controversial year when several churches challenged the states ongoing pandemic restrictions in court.

In response to recent judicial rulings, effective immediately, location and capacity limits on places of worship are not mandatory but are strongly recommended, an update posted on the states COVID-19 website reads.

In February, the office of California Gov. Gavin Newsom was forced to revise guidelines for indoor worship services after the U.S. Supreme Court granted an emergency injunction blocking a complete public health ban on indoor worship services in some counties. But the court kept in place restrictions on singing, chanting and a 25% limit on crowd size.

The state completely lifted all mandatory restrictions after the Supreme Court ruled against the states limits on in-home Bible study and other forms of worship on April 9.
Texas Gov. Greg Abbott signs fetal heartbeat bill banning abortion as early as 6 weeks Law allows women to sue abortionists for physical harm

Email Print Img No-img Menu Whatsapp Google Reddit Digg Stumbleupon Linkedin Comment

Texas has become the latest and largest state to enact a heartbeat bill that would ban abortion after a fetal heartbeat can be detected, which is usually at around six weeks gestation.

Our Creator endowed us with the right to life, Texas Republican Gov. Greg Abbott proclaimed as he signed Senate Bill 8 into law Wednesday. Yet, millions of children lose their right to life every year because of abortion. In Texas, we want to save those lives.

The heartbeat bill is now LAW in the Lone Star State.



This bill ensures the life of every unborn child with a heartbeat will be saved from the ravages of abortion.



Thank you @SenBryanHughes, @ShelbySlawson, & #txlege for fighting for the lives of the unborn in Texas. pic.twitter.com/aolhUKM9tv  Greg Abbott (@GregAbbott_TX) May 19, 2021

Slated to go into effect on Sept. 1, Senate Bill 8 states that a physician may not knowingly perform or induce an abortion on a pregnant woman if the physician detected a fetal heartbeat for the unborn child. Physicians are also prohibited from performing an abortion if they failed to perform an ultrasound to detect a fetal heartbeat.

The bill also allows individuals to take civil action against an abortionist who performs or induces an abortion and any person who knowingly engages in conduct that aids or abets the performance or inducement of an abortion, including paying for or reimbursing the costs of abortion through insurance or otherwise.

At the signing ceremony, Abbott praised the Texas Legislature for crafting a bipartisan bill that ensures that the life of every unborn child who has a heartbeat will be saved from the ravages of abortion. The governor also thanked the Legislature, singling out the bills authors, Sen. Bryan Hughes and Rep. Shelby Slawson. In addition, he expressed gratitude for the pro-life groups who worked tirelessly during the course of the session to make sure this bill got passed, thanking them for everything they do to cultivate a culture of life in Texas.

The crowd gathered around Abbott erupted into cheers and applause after he signed the bill. After he declared that the Texas heartbeat bill is now law in the Lone Star State, more cheers and applause broke out.

Senate Bill 8 passed the Texas House of Representatives on May 6 by a vote of 8364 and the Texas Senate approved the measure, with House amendments, on May 13 by a vote of 1813. In both chambers, one Democrat broke from his party to support the legislation, which no Republican opposed.

Pro-life groups quickly praised Abbott for signing Senate Bill 8, with Texas Right to Life predicting that the measure will save thousands of lives, characterizing it as a vital step in the road to abolishing all abortions in Texas. While praising the legislation as a landmark victory, the pro-life advocacy group urged the state Legislature to embrace additional pro-life measures before the legislative session concludes.

Meanwhile, pro-abortion groups slammed the measure and vowed to fight it. Alexis McGill Johnson, the president of Planned Parenthood, the largest abortion provider in the U.S., described Senate Bill 8 as cruel and extreme.

Johnson expressed particular concern that the bill includes a dangerous provision that allows ANYONE from any state to sue an abortion provider and others who help someone get care. She cited the law as proof that access to abortion has never been more at risk, promising that were going to fight back like hell.

This is cruel and extreme. And they've included a dangerous provision that allows ANYONE from any state to sue an abortion provider and others who help someone get care?? Absolutely not.



Access to abortion has never been more at risk  and we're going to fight back like hell. https://t.co/BKaw49p0RI  Alexis McGill Johnson (@alexismcgill) May 19, 2021

Heartbeat bills have previously faced resistance from the judicial branch in several states, including Mississippi, Georgia and Missouri. Abbotts signing of Senate Bill 8 comes two days after the U.S. Supreme Court agreed to take up a case involving Mississippis 15-week abortion ban. The case has major implications for the pro-life movement as the Roe v. Wade Supreme Court decision that legalized abortion nationwide nears its 50th anniversary.

The passage of Senate Bill 8 comes as Texas House Republicans face criticism for failing to consider a bill that would ban sex changes for children younger than 18 years of age. With less than two weeks to go, the Texas Senate approved a similar measure that still awaits approval from the House. The push to pass such a bill comes as the states 87th Legislative Session is scheduled to come to an end in less than two weeks.

Senate Bill 8 is one of several pro-life state laws signed into law so far this year. Late last month, the pro-abortion Guttmacher Institute released a report finding that more than 500 pro-life bills had been filed in the first four months of 2021, with 61 of those bills becoming law.

In addition to the legislative action taking place at the state level, individual communities in Texas have taken steps to protect the right to life. Two dozen Texas cities have declared themselves sanctuary cities for the unborn, completely outlawing abortion at the local level. Earlier this month, the city of Lubbock, Texas, became the largest sanctuary city for the unborn in the country. The city of more than 200,000 people faced a lawsuit shortly thereafter.
US bishops end 'dispensation excusing Catholics from attending mass

Email Print Img No-img Menu Whatsapp Google Reddit Digg Stumbleupon Linkedin Comment

Catholic bishops across the United States have announced that the special dispensations that excused the faithful from attending mass due to the COVID-19 pandemic are being lifted.

Many regional bodies of the Roman Catholic Church recently declared that the official obligation of Catholics to attend mass, suspended last year because of the virus, was being reinstated.

Last week, the Catholic Conference of Ohio released an announcement that the obligation for Catholics to regularly attend mass would be reinstated, effective June 5-6.

The bishops noted in the statement that there would still be exemptions for those who have a serious reason to be absent, such as illness or caregivers of immuno-compromised people.

Additionally, the conference did not consider watching a mass online or on television as a substitute for gathering in-person, clarifying that such programs were for the sick, home-bound, the imprisoned, etc., who are unable to attend Mass in person.

The obligation to attend Mass on Sunday and Holy Days is not something God asks of us out of his own necessity to be worshipped, but rather a gift to the faithful for their spiritual well-being, eternal salvation and formation in our relationship with God and one another, explained the conference.

As we prepare for the reinstatement of the obligation to attend Mass, we are excited once again to gather together in person without restrictions in our parish churches, most fittingly on the Solemnity of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ.

In late April, the Archdiocese of Atlanta, Georgia, announced that they were ending their dispensation from mass on May 22, the day before Pentecost Sunday.

Atlanta Archbishop Gregory J. Hartmayer stated in a pastoral letter that Pentecost was an appropriate time to take our next step forward to full reopening of our churches.

We will still require masks and social distancing in our parishes, in accordance with guidance from the Centers for Disease Control, clarified Hartmayer in April.

This means that people should maintain a reasonable healthy space between themselves and others who are outside of their families, to be determined at the level of each parish. Parishes can still have outdoor Masses to accommodate more people.

On April 30, the Archdiocese of Dubuque issued a statement explaining that their dispensation would end on June 5-6, citing the ever-increasing number of parishioners who are vaccinated, and who have a holy desire to worship at Sunday Mass with others in church.

As the pandemic isnt over, even without a dispensation, Catholics can still legitimately excuse themselves from Sunday Mass, explained the Iowa-based Archdiocese, citing examples such as illness, fear of COVID-19 infection, and age frailty.

In short, there is no sin in missing the Sunday obligation if you would go if you could go, but you cant for reasons outside your control.

Bishop Edward B. Scharfenberger of the Diocese of Albany, New York, sent out a letter on Monday announcing the lifting of the dispensation by June 5.

In charity and concern for others, at the Mass and other liturgies, we should continue to follow the various directives regarding health protocols such as social distancing, face masks and sanitizing, wrote Scharfenberger.

As the next few months unfold, the various liturgical guidelines will continue to be examined and more of the special arrangements put in place will be lifted, as and when it is safe and possible to do so.

Not all Catholic dioceses or conferences are following suit just yet, as the Maryland Catholic Conference still states on its website as of Wednesday morning that their dispensation remains in place.

The dispensation from attending Sunday Mass in person remains in place throughout Maryland (please participate by watching Mass on TV or online) during this time of transition, noted the conference.
Warnock supports Israels right to defend its innocent citizens as Gaza casualties mount

Email Print Img No-img Menu Whatsapp Google Reddit Digg Stumbleupon Linkedin Comment

Sen. Raphael Warnock, D-Ga., who also pastors the historic Ebenezer Baptist Church in Atlanta, said Israel has a right to defend its innocent citizens amid escalating violence with Hamas in the Gaza Strip that has already left scores of victims, including women and children, dead.

The tragic escalation of violence this week in Israel and the Palestinian territories is heartbreaking. I condemn the rocket attacks from Hamas and other groups against Israeli civilians and support Israels right to defend its innocent citizens, Warnock said in a statement Friday, acknowledging the deep, legitimate pain and suffering of the Palestinian community.

Israel has a right to defend itself from terrorism, but it also has an increased duty to prevent the death of Palestinian civilians.

He also raised deep concern about actions of politicians and leaders that undermine the potential for a return to final status negotiations and long-term peace.

Most Israelis and Palestinians want to live side-by-side in harmony. However, building peace is deeply challenging work, and any steps toward justice can be destroyed overnight, Warnock warned.

I encourage the Administration to engage quickly and deliberately to act as a convener to reach an immediate cease-fire, protect the lives of civilians who are living in fear, and begin the vital work of building a just and better society for all those in the region. And in the long-term, we must all recommit to working toward a two-state solution that will preserve life and maintain peace.

On Monday, the Israeli military continued air raids in the Gaza Strip days after U.S. President Joe Biden reaffirmed his strong support for Israels right to defend itself against rocket attacks during a call with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

The escalating violence in Israel has seemingly exposed a split in Democratic unity. Some Democrat members of Congress, like Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez of New York and Rashida Tlaib of Michigan, have voiced their opposition to Isreal's response. Ocasio-Cortez and others criticized Biden's response on the House floor. She accused the president of taking the side of the occupation.

"By only stepping in to name Hamas actions  which are condemnable  & refusing to acknowledge the rights of Palestinians, Biden reinforces the false idea that Palestinians instigated this cycle of violence," Ocasio-Cortez tweeted. "This is not neutral language. It takes a side  the side of occupation."

Hamas began firing rockets into Israel last week after Israeli raids on the historic Al Aqsa mosque in Jerusalem before Jerusalem Day, which celebrates the unification of Israel in 1967. Clashes with security forces left hundreds injured.

Last week marked the first time rocket attacks were fired at Jerusalem since 2014.

According to the White House, Biden expressed concern about the violence in the West Bank during his call with Netanyahu.

He expressed his support for steps to enable the Palestinian people to enjoy the dignity, security, freedom, and economic opportunity that they deserve and affirmed his support for a two-state solution, a Saturday statement from the White House states.

The leaders agreed to continue the close consultation between their teams and to remain in touch in the days ahead."

Biden also spoke with Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas and stressed the need for Hamas to cease firing rockets into Israel.

They expressed their shared concern that innocent civilians, including children, have tragically lost their lives amidst the ongoing violence. The President expressed his support for steps to enable the Palestinian people to enjoy the dignity, security, freedom, and economic opportunity that they deserve, the White House statement added.

Tor Wennesland, the United Nations special coordinator for Middle East Peace Process, said the past week had been the deadliest escalation of conflict in seven years between Israeli military forces and Palestinian armed groups in Gaza.

Dramatic scenes of violence have also unfolded across the occupied West Bank, including East Jerusalem.

According to the Hamas-run Gaza Health Ministry, about 200 people, including 59 children, have been killed since the Israeli air raids began. About 10 people have been killed in Israel, including two children.

Israeli official sources say that Hamas, Palestinian Islamic Jihad and other militant organizations have launched more than 2,900 indiscriminate rockets from Gaza towards Israel, the United Nations reported.

Nine Israelis, including five women and two children, and one Indian national, were killed and over 250 injured by the rockets.

In Gaza, Wennesland said humanitarian and security conditions are increasingly dire by the day.

UN notes that Israel Defense Forces have carried out some 950 strikes against what they said were militant targets, including weapons factories and depots, tunnel networks, Hamas training facilities, intelligence and security headquarters and offices and the homes of senior Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad operatives.

Israeli officials say those strikes have killed more than 100 operatives, including senior commanders. Gaza health authorities say at least 1,200 have been injured and over 34,000 people displaced from their homes as of Sunday morning.

Sen. Bob Menendez, D-N.J., who chairs the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, said Monday that while Israel has a right to defend itself, it must do all it can to ensure the safety of civilians.

"Israeli authorities must continue taking the conscientious practice of giving advance warning of its attacks to reduce the risk of harm to the innocent," he said in a statement.

United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, who called the hostilities utterly appalling, has called for a ceasefire.

I am appalled by the attack on a refugee camp in Gaza, in which 10 members of one family were killed, he said in remarks Sunday in which he also called for the protection of journalists. This senseless cycle of bloodshed, terror and destruction must stop immediately.
Christian student fights back against universitys vaccine mandate, cites religious exemption

Email Print Img No-img Menu Whatsapp Google Reddit Digg Stumbleupon Linkedin Comment

A Christian student at the University of Alabama-Birmingham has challenged the university's mandatory vaccine policy after being blocked from registering for classes this semester despite having been allowed to register past semesters with no vaccinations.

Jackie Gale has never had a single vaccination because she believes that the Bible commands Christians to honor God regarding how the care for their bodies and not inject extra chemicals into one's body, according to a letter to UAB President Ray L. Watts and the university's lawyer John Daniel from First Liberty Institute attorney Christine Pratt.

Gale, who's a sophomore at the university, had no trouble registering for classes when she was admitted as an entering freshman. But as her second semester was about to start and she attempted to add another class to her schedule she found that the school had put an administrative hold on her record, the letter explained.

The university told her that she had to submit proof of her immunizations in order to register for classes. In response, Gale uploaded a state-issued religious exemption certificate that she had used previously. She was then told that the certificate was not valid at institutions of higher learning, but the university relented and removed the administrative hold and she was able to enroll and classed and finish the semester in-person with no issues.

Yet when she tried to register for fall classes for her sophomore year she encountered the same hurdle, only this time the university refused to allow her to proceed. A UAB official reportedly told her that the university wouldn't recognize her religious exemption. When she attempted to speak with someone else in administration she was told that she should expect to receive a call, but only received a one-line message that said: "Please refer to our website for more information."

UAB's website states that exceptions to the university's immunization policy "may be made in limited circumstances for students who can document medical and/or other contraindications to the vaccine."

Only those students enrolled in online classes are exempt from those requirements, it reads.

First Liberty Institute contends in its letter to UAB that "Jackie Gale is entitled to continue receiving a religious exemption to UABs mandatory vaccine policy so that she can register for and attend in-person classes."

"UABs refusal to recognize Ms. Gales religious exemption violates both federal and state law, and UAB should revise its policies to provide religious exemptions to students who hold such religious convictions," First Liberty Institute adds.

The institute further argues that UAB's policy  which requires proof of immunity to measles, mumps and rubella, requiring two MMR shots; tetanus; diphtheria; acellular

pertussis; chickenpox/shingles, requiring two VZVIgG shots; meningitis; in addition to proof she had been screened for tuberculosis  violate both the free exercise clause of U.S. Constitution and the Religious Freedom Amendment in the Alabama Constitution, which prohibits any state-imposed burden on the free exercise of religion.

The university has been asked to respond to the letter by May 27.

The letter comes amid documented hesitancy among some Christians and others in the general population about the newly-developed COVID-19 vaccines and increased scrutiny over what are known as vaccine "passports," documented proof that a person has either tested negative for the novel coronavirus or been vaccinated.

Some doctors have warned that people who've been infected with COVID-19 and still have antibodies might be harmed by the vaccine.

Retired surgeon Dr. Hooman Noorchashm told Fox News Tucker Carlson on both his evening show, "Tucker Carlson Tonight" and his daytime show on Fox Nation: "its not a one-size-fits-all."

"I am very strong supporter of this vaccine," Noorchashm said. "I believe that Operation Warp Speed delivered to America in under a year the equivalent of putting a man on Mars, frankly. And this vaccine is probably going to be the most powerful and effective vaccines we have ever made."

"Just like any other medical therapy and treatment, its not a one-size-fits-all. And if we attempt to make one size fit all, we will almost certainly cause harm," he added.

Last week, South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster signed into law a measure that both banned the use of such passports in the southern state and prohibited public schools and local governments from issuing mask mandates.
Market Highlights

The Vitamin test market is expected to witness tremendous growth owing to the rising prevalence of vitamin deficiency. Other key factors such as the change to sedentary lifestyle, increase in smoking, and increasing consumption of junk food and packaged food, growing geriatric population, rising consumer awareness for vitamin benefits, and technologically advanced laboratories are contributing towards the growth of the market. However, factors such as, high cost of vitamin test, limitations of the tests like false positives and false negatives and lack of awareness in developing countries are expected to restrict the market growth during the forecast period.

ALSO READ @ http://www.marketwatch.com/story/vitamin-test-market-regional-growth-key-values-future-demand-covid19-impact-business-opportunities-and-challenges-2027-2021-05-06

Segmentation

The global Vitamin test market is segmented on the basis of type, technology, and end-user. the vitamin test market, by type, is categorized into vitamin B12 & folic acid test,folic acid (folate) test , carotene (beta carotene) test, vitamin K1 test, vitamin E test, vitamin d 25-dihydroxy (calcitriol) test, vitamin C test, vitamin B12 test, vitamin B6 test, vitamin B5 test, vitamin B3 (niacin) test, vitamin B2 (riboflavin) test, vitamin a (retinol) test, vitamin B1 test. On the basis of Technology, the market is segmented into high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), radioimmunoassay, ELISA tests, chemiluminescent immunoassay (CLIA)and liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. On the basis of end-user, the market is segmented into hospitals and clinics, ambulatory surgical centers, diagnostic centers, research centers, and others.

Regional Analysis

The Americas is the largest in the market owing to the increasing prevalence of vitamin deficiency and growing healthcare expenditure. According to the The United States Department of Agriculture in 2014, 50% of Americans are deficient in vitamin A, vitamin C, and magnesium. Such a high incidence of vitamin deficiency drives market growth in this region.

Europe (UK, Belgium, France, and Netherlands) is the second largest vitamin test market during the forecast period. The increasing in awareness for vitamins and vitamin testing drives the market in this region. The European Laboratory of Nutrients (ELN) is an advanced laboratory for testing the nutrient levels in European population. Every year European Laboratory of Nutrients (ELN) organizes an international symposium titled Advanced Clinical Nutrition - Nutrients for Prevention and Cure of Disease'. Thus enhancing vitamin testing market in this region.

Asia-Pacific was projected to be the fastest growing region for the global vitamin test market in 2017. The market is expected to witness growth owing to the rising prevalence of chronic diseases in this region. Also, the presence of technologically advanced countries like China and Japan in this region is expected to influence the market growth in this region.

The Middle East and Africa accounts for the least share due to low per capita income and lack of availability of well-trained healthcare professionals. However, the rising healthcare services both at the hospital level and in the community are expected to influence the market in a positive way.

Access Report @ https://www.marketresearchfuture.com/reports/vitamin-test-market-6377

Key Players

Some of the key players in the global Vitamin test market are VitaMe Technologies Inc., R-Biopharm AG, Abbott Laboratories, ImmunoDiagnostics Inc., F. Hoffman-La Roche, Siemens AG, Diazyme Laboratories, DiaSorin S.p.A, ORGENTEC Diagnostika GmbH and others.

RELATED REPORTS

Global Intracranial Hemorrhage Diagnosis & Treatment Market Research ReportForecast to 2027

Global Ear Infection Treatment Market Research ReportForecast till 2027

Compounding Chemotherapy Market Research ReportForecast till 2027

About Market Research Future:

At Market Research Future (MRFR), we enable our customers to unravel the complexity of various industries through our Cooked Research Report (CRR), Half-Cooked Research Reports (HCRR), Statistical Report, Continuous-Feed Research (CFR), and Market Research & Consulting Services.
Hundreds attend prayer vigil after Jesus statue toppled, American flag burned at NYC church

Email Print Img No-img Menu Whatsapp Google Reddit Digg Stumbleupon Linkedin Comment

A Catholic church in New York City received support and solidarity from the community as hundreds of people came to attend a prayer vigil in response to what appears to be a hate crime involving the toppling of a statue of Jesus and the burning of an American flag outside the parish.

On such a short notice we all came together to show how strong our Faith is! What an amazing crowd! We are one community! We are one family! We love each other! said St. Athanasius Church in the Bensonhurst section of Brooklyn in New York on its Facebook page about Friday nights prayer vigil.

Friday morning, the church wrote a post about the vandalism. We are deeply saddened to inform you that the Cross on our Church property was vandalized last night. This exhibition of violence and religious hatred is very disturbing. This is definitely an offensive act not only to our Parish but to the Catholic Church!

The vandalism occurred Thursday night when an unknown person jumped the fence at the church, pushed over a statue of Jesus crucifixion and torched an American flag hanging outside the church, the New York Post reported, adding that the statue broke into pieces.

In a statement released by the Diocese of Brooklyn, the parish priest, Monsignor David Cassato, called it an act of hatred.

 Today is the saddest day of my 20 years here at this parish, he said. I went over and spoke to the students in the school about what happened, telling them that hate never wins. We are, and must be, a community that continues to share the message of Easter, that which is of love, hope, and forgiveness.

The statue of Jesus crucifixion, the pastor said, was installed in 2010 to honor the memory of his mother. The parish said it plans to repair and reinstall the crucifix in the same location.

I went over and spoke to the students in the school about what happened, telling them that hate never wins, Cassato added. We are, and must be, a community that continues to share the message of Easter, that which is of love, hope, and forgiveness.

The NYPD is investigating a possible hate crime.

An online fundraiser has been started by one Antoinette Maggiore to raise $5,000, and $3,000 had been raised by Sunday morning.

As we all know this past year has been a trying time for many. Many of us have leaned on our faith and church leaders to help us through, the fundraiser says.  Sadly, our dear neighborhood church, St. Athanasius, was vandalized in a disturbing act of hatred and violence. I know others, like myself, feel a sense of sadness and grief. The cross fell, but as we believe, if we unite in our sorrow, we will only rise stronger through Christ. Lets help restore the church that has helped us through our trying times.
Email Whatsapp Menu Whatsapp Google Reddit Digg Stumbleupon Linkedin Comment

Israeli-American Noa Tishby is many things: a model, actress, writer, producer, and former soldier in the Israel Defense Forces. Shes also something of a paradox, an interesting combination of her political inclinations on the one hand and her experience-based grasp of the world on the other, especially as it pertains to Israel and the Middle East. A self-described Lefty, Tishby believes as do her politically conservative counterparts that Israel is a nation for good, a model of social and economic success, yet surrounded by enemies who want nothing less than to wipe the Jewish state off the map.

She also makes the claim, quite convincingly, that Israel is the most misunderstood country on earth. Israel is easily the most unique in terms of its history, its founding, and its place in time and space. All of which are why shes written Israel: A Simple Guide to the Most Misunderstood Country on Earth (Free Press, April 2021).

Its a fascinating guidebook to be sure, and anyone  like myself  who has traveled to Israel will attest to that. But its so much more: Its political, military, economic, even ancient Biblical history; geography; and a largely nonpartisan approach to the various state actors and key international players of the 19th, 20th, and 21st centuries; all of which is written in Tishbys charming albeit sometimes irreverent, always straightforward conversational manner.

Tishby barely touches on God, which speaks to her self-description as a secular Jew. But she cannot ignore God. No one can. And she says so.

For some reason, Israel is the physical origin of two monotheistic religions (Judaism and Christianity) and the third holiest place for the third monotheistic religion (Islam) as practiced today, writes Tishby. God only knows why. Literally.

Tishby also speaks, perhaps intentionally, likely not, to the veracity of Scripture.

For instance: Archeologists have found an abundance of remains and artifacts in Jerusalem associated with the first Temple, including a 2,600-year-old seal called a bulla with a name written on it in Hebrew, Natan-Melech, Eved HaMelech, a tooth-breaking name that appears in the second book of Kings, writes Tishby. In that book [2nd Kings], there are many outrageous descriptions of drama, with inner struggles, wars, sex, and blood. But while I cant verify who exactly slept with whom, I can verify that a Jewish state did exist as the United Israelite Monarchy approximately 3,000 years ago before it split into two separate Jewish states, Israel and Judea. All these ancient and dramatic events happened on the exact same land where Israel is located today.

Tishby adds, I dont believe this because of religious credo, but because of archeology, science, and history.

Tishbys homeland is relatively small; approximately 8,019 square miles. A pint-sized strip of land, she says. For reference, the state of New Jersey is 8,723 square miles. So as countries go, Israel isnt a big one. It takes about six hours to drive from north to south, and about an hour from east to west. Thats it.

Tiny Israel is surrounded by Arab enemies as Tishby explains, and not simply Palestinian enemies as there are Muslim Arab Palestinians, Jewish Palestinians, and Christian Palestinians living, working, and raising families in what we American Christians have often referred to as the Holy Land  Israel and the West Bank (of the Jordan River).

The book covers everything from a brief history of ancient Israel through Zionism and the modern era, all of Israels wars and military campaigns since the rebirth of the Jewish state in 1948, failed efforts to achieve a lasting peace and a Palestinian state (which Tishby contends groups like the Palestine Liberation Organization and Hamas dont really want unless Israel is completely eliminated in the process), land, culture, demographics, the future, and Tishbys personal story and that of her family.

Tishby explains in simplest terms why Israel is a society mixed, not stirred, and she suggests, May the melting pot not melt us all.

She also explains why the Boycott, Divestment, Sanctions (BDS) movement to supposedly free the oppressed Palestinian people from the Israelis is a dangerous absurdity which has been widely embraced by American college students  even some Democrat members of the U.S. Congress  who wrongly believe it is a righteous springboard for social justice.

According to Tishby, the Palestinians, particularly those living in Gaza, are indeed oppressed. But not by the Israeli government, but by the terrorist group Hamas which are the peoples governing body in Gaza.

BDS is three-letter acronym thats tossed around more than a pita bread on an Israeli barbeque, Tishby says, adding, BDS acts to do just that: Wage economic warfare on Israel. She details the lies [BDS] has spread and the damage it has done, and why it needs to be ousted from any liberal society.

During a book-release interview with Meghan McCain on ABC televisions The View, the conservative McCain asked liberal Tishby if she was surprised by the Progressive Lefts inclination toward writing off Israel and the calls for boycotts and sanctions against the Jewish state.

Look, Im not only surprised by the Lefts bashing of Israel and lack of understanding of the subject, Im horrified by this, Tishby responded. This is not just bad for Israel, this is bad for Western civilization.

Reviews for Tishbys book are an interesting mix of praise from both political camps: Conservative columnist Ben Shapiro calls it a must read, and liberal TV host and satirist Bill Maher says, Tishby rolls the entire history of Israel into a blunt and insightful read.

The book concludes with a high readable five-page chronological synopsis of the previous 294 pages, followed by a glossary, notes, and an index.

Tishby claims she wrote Israel: A Simple Guide to the Most Misunderstood Country on Earth because Israel is indeed misunderstood and there is no other plain-spoken volume like hers that best explains the unknowns and misconceptions. And shes right.
Email Whatsapp Menu Whatsapp Google Reddit Digg Stumbleupon Linkedin Comment

Given the history of the region, it is a given that the Palestinian-Israeli conflict will be complex and painful. It is also a given that, in the international court of opinion, the guilt of Israel is assumed and Jew-hatred is never far from the surface.

To be sure, there are different sides of the debate about the potential eviction of 13 Arab families from Sheikh Jarrah and about the riots at the Al-Aqsa mosque. (For a pro-Israel perspective, see here; for a pro-Palestinian perspective, see here.)

But there is no debating the fact that Hamas seized this moment to launch a murderous attack on Israeli civilians. And there is no debating the fact, that around the world, Israels military response to Hamas has triggered a fresh wave of both anti-Zionism and antisemitism.

So, Hamas terrorists, apparently aided and abetted by Iranian money, shoot several thousand rockets into Israel, reaching Jerusalem and Tel Aviv and even the Galilee, killing children as young as 5. Yet when Israel responds forcefully, it is Israel that is the arch villain, sparking world outcries and massive rallies. Stop the genocide! the crowds cry.

Throughout the small country of Israel, families have been hunkering down in their bomb shelters  every home in Israel must have a bomb shelter  as the IDF seeks to fend off the attacks and protect its people. (And remember that the D in IDF stands for defense.)

But there is no sympathy for these families, no concern for their wellbeing. Instead, to a person they are deemed guilty of genocide, seeking to wipe out the Palestinian people. At least that is the message being conveyed in rally after rally, as if the Hamas terrorists are the good guys and all Israelis are the monsters.

Yet what else should we expect? After all, Israelis, by and large, are Jews. And Jews . . . . Well, enough said.

A common chant at these anti-Israel rallies is, From the river to the sea, Palestine will be free. But, as Israels official Twitter account noted, For those of you who dont know, from the river to the sea, Palestine will be free, is a phrase used by those who call for the elimination of Israel (from the river to the sea....).

Ah, but its such a cool-sounding slogan. Why not use it anyway?

Thats why this same Twitter account rebuked supermodel Bella Hadid, whose father is Palestinian and who livestreamed her participation at one of these rallies. (She had also posted some Israel-damning posts on her massive Instagram account, posts which were subsequently removed by Instagram.)

Israels tweet read: When celebrities like @BellaHadid advocate for throwing Jews into the sea, they are advocating for the elimination of the Jewish State.

This shouldn't be an Israeli-Palestinian issue. This should be a human issue. Shame on you."

#IsraelUnderAttack

Certainly, questions can be raised about larger Israeli policies and about the radical-right elements rising in Israeli society. And certainly, we must have compassion on the Palestinians living in the West Bank and Gaza, since, in many ways, they are the ultimate victims of their corrupt leadership (be it Hamas or the Palestinian Authority).

In particular, growing up in Gaza, living with terrible unemployment, exposed to state-run, Israel-bashing propaganda, shut in by a blockade (to thwart terrorist activities), and subjected to periodic, devastating bombing, resulting in hundreds of casualties, it is easy to understand why you would hate the Jewish state.

Yet, in reality, when Israel turned Gaza backed to Palestinian control in 2005, had the Palestinian leadership sought to live at peace with Israel, the Gaza Strip could be flourishing today. Instead, after bloody infighting between Hamas and the PA, Hamas emerged victorious. And with its fundamental purpose being the annihilation of the Jewish state, how can there be peace or harmony? What, pray tell, should Israel do?

Not only so, but every woman or child or non-combatant male in Gaza killed by Israeli bombs is a massive PR victory for Hamas. The more they mourn their dead  and the people certainly feel these losses as acutely as any other families would  the worse Israel looks. Victory for Hamas!

As for Israel, it is well-documented that the IDF does everything in its power to avoid civilian casualties. Yet when Hamas uses the civilian population as human shields, many casualties are guaranteed.

For the average Israeli, this, too is a tragedy. They do not glory in Palestinian children being killed. For the average Hamas fighter, a dead Israeli, of any age, is a cause of rejoicing. Yet in the eyes of the world, the Hamas terrorists are the freedom fighters, worthy of praise and support, while the Israelis are despicable.

But it goes deeper still. It is the Jews themselves who are guilty, which is why synagogues in Germany were attacked in recent days.

Thats also why Adeel Raja, formerly a freelance contributor to CNN but just fired, tweeted on Sunday, The world today needs a Hitler. (Thats why he was fired.)

Thats why the Jerusalem Postreported, In the UK, cars bearing Palestinian flags drove through London and used a loudspeaker to declare F**k the Jews, F**k their daughters, F**k their mothers, Rape their daughters.

And thats why I summed things up with my own tweet on Sunday, saying, Three things we have learned from the latest conflict between Israel and Hamas: 1) there is no simple solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict; 2) Hamas truly is a terrorist organization; 3) at a moment's notice, the world will turn completely hostile to Israel (and the Jews).

Some things never change.
Turkish church attacked, desecrated in village where priests parents were kidnapped

Email Print Img No-img Menu Whatsapp Google Reddit Digg Stumbleupon Linkedin Comment

A Turkish church in the same village where the parents of a Catholic Chaldean priest were abducted last year has been attacked and desecrated, according to a report.

Unidentified people destroyed crosses, pictures of Jesus and rosaries at Marta Shimoni Church, a cave church in the mountainous village of Mehre in Turkeys southeastern Srnak province, last Tuesday, the U.S.-based persecution watchdog group International Christian Concern reported.

Video footage ICC obtained shows that the destruction was primarily against the Christian items and relics inside the church, ICC said.

The group explained that the church is built into the mountains, and thus cannot be destroyed in the same way as other churches.

Last January, suspected Kurdish militants kidnapped elderly Turkish Christians Hurmuz Diril and his wife, Simuni Diril, from the same village. On March 20, Simunis son found her dead and dismembered in a river. Hurmuzs fate remains unknown, and the government has not found the killers.

The pairs son, Fr. Adday Ramzi Diril, serves as a Catholic priest, ministering to thousands of Iraqi refugees who live in Turkey.

A close relative of the Diril couple told ICC, It is obvious that the people who did this are very uncomfortable with our presence on our lands and with our beliefs. This assault of our presence in the village is an indication that somebody is disturbed, and they do not want us here.

The relative said the family suspects that the attack was linked to the murder and disappearance of my parents.

The lawyer for the Diril family, Orhan Kemal Cengiz, also spoke to ICC about the attack on the church, saying the unsolved case of the Dirils might have emboldened the attackers.

My main concern, for the time being, is to get the prosecutor to open a case against the perpetrators in the abduction of the Diril couple, which ended with the murder of Mrs. Diril, the attorney was quoted as saying.

I have delivered more than a dozen petitions to the prosecutor so far, to urge him to look at the matter from different angles, as well as calling him to deliver his indictment as soon as possible, he continued.

Unfortunately, I could not have any positive result yet. I believe there is a strong correlation between the lack of indictment in this case and the recent attack against the chapel in the village in which the Diril couple went missing. The prosecutors refusal to introduce an indictment against the perpetrators emboldens the perpetrators and the people behind them, he added.

The lawyer believes there could be links between this attack and the kidnapping of the Diril couple. He warned that if the impunity in the case of the abduction and killing of the Diril couple continues, more attacks would follow.

The Srnak province borders both Iraq and Syria and Mehre is a historically Assyrian Christian village that has often been victimized by ongoing conflicts.

ICC had earlier said that the couples abduction was carried out by PKK members, also known as the Kurdistan Workers' Party. Turkey considers the PKK to be a terrorist group.

The village was evacuated in 1989 and 1992 because of conflict between the PKK and the Turkish Army.

Turkey has a long history of Christian persecution, and its government still refuses to admit that the Ottoman Turks committed genocide of Christian Armenians in 1915.

Turkey is 99% Muslim, according to its own statistics. Although its constitution provides for freedom of religion, the government uses regulations that demand the registration of religious groups to make it more difficult to practice non-Islamic faiths. Hatred toward Christians and Jews in the country often leads to discrimination, stigmatization and attacks.

Last July, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan turned the Hagia Sophia, an ancient Christian cathedral, from a museum into a mosque, undoing its transformation in 1934 from a mosque to a cathedral.
Evangelical churches hold global prayer for peace in response to Israel-Palestinian conflict

Email Print Img No-img Menu Whatsapp Google Reddit Digg Stumbleupon Linkedin Comment

Responding to calls by evangelical leaders to designate this Sunday as a Global Day of Prayer for Peace and Security in the Middle East, many churches across the United States are praying for peace in Israel as a week of violence in the region is being described as the worst since 2014.

We call upon Evangelicals, & others around the world, to pray for Israelis & Palestinians victimized by Hamas terrorists, reads a tweet by the Rev. Johnnie Moore, president of the Congress of Christian Leaders, and the Rev. Samuel Rodriguez, president of the National Hispanic Christian Leadership Conference on Saturday.

Hamas militants started launching rocket attacks on Israel last Monday as tensions had been brewing over a court case to evict several Palestinian families in East Jerusalem and Israeli police clashed with Palestinians near the citys Al-Aqsa Mosque, Islams third holiest site.

Palestinian militant groups in Gaza have fired over 2,300 rockets toward Israel since the outbreak of fighting on Monday, the Israel Defense Forces said, according to The Times of Israel.

Since Monday, at least 181 people have been killed in Gaza, including 52 children and 31 women, with 1,225 injured, according to the Hamas-controlled health ministry, BBC reported, adding that Israel has said dozens of militants are among the dead. At least 10 people, including two children, have been killed by militant attacks on Israel, according to Israeli officials.

Evangelicals pressed pause on their lives to defend the State of Israel and the Jewish people against Hamas terrorists and their Iranian backers, Moore told The Jerusalem Post. Our community pushed back online in response to the disinformation coming from the terrorists, reached out to politicians obsessively, and this weekend tens of millions will pray for Israel in their churches.

Jason Yates, CEO of My Faith Votes, also expressed his support for Israel.

As Christians, we support the people of Israel because they are Gods chosen, he said in a statement to the Post. As Americans, we celebrate the State of Israel as an ally and the only democracy in the Middle East.  We call on President Biden to publicly stand with Israel without equivocation and make his position clear  the United States will not tolerate terrorism in any form, domestic or abroad.

The United Nations Security Council is scheduled to hold an emergency meeting on Sunday to discuss the ongoing conflict, and an envoy of the Biden administration is in Israel to hold talks.

Also on Sunday, Israels security cabinet is scheduled to discuss the operation in the Gaza Strip. According to the Post, senior defense officials pushed Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Benny Gantz on Saturday to start working toward a ceasefire that would bring an end to the IDF operation.

On Saturday afternoon, an Israeli airstrike demolished the Al Jala building in Gaza City that housed offices of The Associated Press, Al Jazeera and a few other media outlets. The Israel Defense Forces said the building was used by Hamas military intelligence services and the media offices were used as human shields, The Times of Israel reported.

Prior to the strike, the IDF warned the civilians in the building and gave them sufficient time to evacuate the building, the Israeli military was quoted as saying.

Abu Obeida, the spokesman of Hamas military wing, has threatened to respond by targeting central Israel. Residents of Tel Aviv and the center must be on standby, the Times quoted Obeida as saying.

On Saturday, President Joe Biden spoke with both Netanyahu and Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas, urging de-escalation. Biden also reaffirmed his support for Israels right to defend itself while expressing concern about the deaths of civilians, including children, and the safety of journalists, The Wall Street Journal reported.

In a speech, Netanyahu thanked Biden for his support and promised to limit civilian casualties, The Times of Israel reported, saying the White House said in a statement that Biden reaffirmed his strong support for Israels right to defend itself against rocket attacks from Hamas and other terrorist groups in Gaza. He condemned these indiscriminate attacks against towns and cities across Israel.

Last Wednesday, 40 U.S. senators, led by Sen. Marco Rubio, a Republican from Florida, signed a letter, calling on Biden to support Israels right to retaliate and end sanction relief with Iran, which backs Hamas.

House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer, D-Md., who has been historically supportive of Israel, also tweeted recently in support of Israel after the missile attacks.

Israel unequivocally has the right to defend itself & its people, & I condemn today's unjustifiable attacks by Hamas against innocent civilians, Hoyer tweeted. Israelis & Palestinians both deserve a future of peace & security, & I hope both sides take positive steps to promote that end.
Persecution of Christians and other religious groups is world wide. Much of the persecution that is news-worthy is that perpetrated by Islamic State in countries of Africa and the Middle East. But there are other parts of the world not often brought to our attention, where Christians are targeted and need our prayers.

Haiti

The term Failed State can be applied to Haiti: it is used to describe a place where a political body has disintegrated to a point where basic conditions and responsibilities of a sovereign government no longer function properly and authorities lose the ability to exercise legitimate power for the good of the society. Haiti is mired in poverty, crippled by corruption, thoroughly infested with voodoo, hopelessly dysfunctional and increasingly lawless.

This country has been plagued by crises since the earthquake in 2010 killed 200 000 people, with one million people still homeless and thousands living in tent camps. Then Hurricane Matthew ravaged the country in 2016, with more than 1.4 million people needing emergency aid. The COVID-19 pandemic simply contributed to the chaos, due to lack of health care infrastructure.

In this, the poorest nation in the Americas, kidnapping for ransom has become a major industry!

Under these conditions, the Catholic Church is displaying leadership and is a source of hope for the country. But where in the past kidnap victims were wealthy people, now Christians are being kidnapped. This trend has intensified over the past three years and Christian clergy are increasingly targeted as well as women and children.

Where the Haitian authorities are absent, the Catholic Church is present to help people, said Father Almonor, chaplain of the Philadelphia Haitian Catholic Community. He says the Catholic Church has a vital role to play in reforming Haiti.

The nations 11 bishops led an April 15 Mass for the freedom of Haiti in Petion-Ville, a suburb of Port-au-Prince, as part of a national strike in response to the April 11 kidnappings and the spiraling lawlessness.

Papua

The long-persecuted, mostly Christian, indigenous Papuans of Papua's Central Highlands are now bracing themselves for yet another massive military crackdown. Papuan militants have escalated their attacks on Indonesian interests.

On Sunday 25 April a small detachment of Indonesian security personnel was patrolling a crime scene in the Central Highlands Puncak Regency when it was ambushed by Papuan rebels. A firefight ensued and Indonesian Armed Forces (TNI) provincial intelligence chief Brig. Gen. I Gusti Putu Danny Karya Nugraha was shot dead in what appears to have been a planned assassination.

'The situation in Indonesia's Papuan Provinces is coming to a head; tensions are soaring; a clash is looming; a Christian crisis may be imminent.'

India

Morning Star News reports a huge number of incidents where Christians in India are targeted.

For example, a pastor and his wife were detained by police originally to safeguard them against attacks by Hindu extremists. But the police were pressured into jailing them under a baseless charge of forcible conversion. Pastor Manu Damor and his wife Asha remain in jail after the Easter Sunday (April 4) attack on the worship service of five families at a Christians home in Rangwasa village, Indore District in the central Indian state of Madhya Pradesh.

In another incident elsewhere, Pastor Sanjay Bhandari had taken his wife for a medical check-up earlier this month when they decided to visit her sister in the same area in Karnataka state, southwest India  only to be attacked as they were drinking tea. The attackers pulled him outside where a mob paraded him a mile to the rented worship hall where he has led Sunday services for five years, hitting and kicking him along the way.

He was hospitalized at the Belgaum Institute of Medical Sciences (BIMS) for treatment of his ear, private parts and injuries to his left shoulder and chest. Discharged on April 10, he continues to have treatment and medical examinations.

Hindu extremists have been emboldened in several parts of the country to attack Christians since Prime Minister Narendra Modi took power in May 2014.

Please pray

For Haiti: that our gracious God would empower the Catholic Church to continue to be a shining light in the broken community; that the good works done in Jesus name would draw hurting people to Him so He can sustain them and give them courage through troubled times. 'But you, O Lord, are a shield about me, my glory, and the lifter of my head' (Psalm Chapter 3, verse 3).

For Papua: that Gods peace replace the turbulence in the Highlands; that the energy used in attacking helpless people might be used rather to build up, not tear down, the communities. 'But let justice roll down like waters, and righteousness like an ever-flowing stream' (Amos Chapter 5, verse 24).

For India: for police and other law-keepers to have the courage to do whats constitutionally and morally right; for extremists not to be fueled by anger and fear but to turn their hearts to generosity and allow people who are not Hindu to live side by side with them. For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart. And no creature is hidden from his sight, but all are naked and exposed to the eyes of him to whom we must give account. (Hebrews Chapter 4, verses 12 -13).

For Christians in our global village to lean into the God who loves them and understands their pain.
OMAHA, Neb. (AP)  Canadian National railroad is indicating it remains committed to its $33.6 billion acquisition of Kansas City Southern, despite reservations from one major shareholder and a regulatory setback.

CN CEO JJ Ruest on Wednesday underscored what he sees as the potential benefits of the deal and he believes most of his shareholders support it. He said he is also confident that regulators will eventually approve CN's acquisition of Kansas City Southern, which would be the first major railroad merger in more than 20 years.

Leave no doubt, CN is very committed to this transaction, Ruest said at an investor conference.

Canadian National has the edge in the bidding for Kansas City Southern over a rival $25 billion offer from Canadian Pacific. CP has until the end of Thursday to respond after Kansas City Southern's board declared last week it prefers CN's offer.

On Tuesday, shareholder with a nearly 3% stake in Canadian National sent a letter urging CN's board to abandon the deal because of uncertainty about whether U.S. regulators would approve the acquisition. But the shareholder, the London-based investment firm TCI Fund, is also the largest shareholder in Canadian Pacific, so it has a potential conflict of interest.

Canadian National's biggest shareholder, Bill Gates' Cascade Investment, has come out publicly in support of the deal.

Ruest said hes confident the deal will succeed because it could offer $1 billion in cost and revenue improvements and it would better serve the needs of customers looking to take advantage of growing trade between the United States, Canada and Mexico.

Canadian Pacific has said allowing Canadian National and Kansas City Southern to combine would hurt competition.

The Surface Transportation Board has said it will review any deal involving major railroads carefully to determine if it would enhance competition and serve the public interest. Earlier this week, the board initially refused to approve Canadian Nationals plan to set up a voting trust that would acquire Kansas City Southern and own the railroad while regulators review the deal. The board said it didn't have a copy of the detailed merger agreement.
According to information from the Reuters news agency, China prohibited its financial institutions and payment companies from providing cryptocurrency-related services. That is, banks and online payment channels will not be able to provide services that involve registration, negotiation, clearing and settlement of digital currencies.

Apparently this decision of the authorities is due to the fact that speculative trade, the ups and downs in the prices of digital currencies, infringe the security and property of the people and thus disrupted the normal financial economic order.
TOPEKA, Kan. (AP)  Democratic Gov. Laura Kelly is facing increasing pressure from companies, business groups and prominent Republicans to have Kansas stop paying an extra $300 a week in benefits to unemployed workers.

The top three Republicans in the Kansas House on Wednesday called on Kelly to end the additional benefits. Speaker Ron Ryckman Jr., of Olathe, Speaker Pro Tem Blaine Finch, of Ottawa, and Majority Leader Dan Hawkins, of Wichita, issued a joint statement calling the extra benefits counterproductive.

They did so in response to a letter Tuesday to Kelly from the Kansas Chamber of Commerce and 180 organizations arguing that many businesses forced to restrict operations during the coronavirus pandemic now are having problems hiring enough workers to return to full capacity. The signers included businesses, trade associations, other groups and even a few public agencies.

The extra benefits are part of the $1.9 trillion in federal coronavirus relief approved by Congress in March and are set to expire in September. More than 20 states with Republican governors have opted to end the benefits early, including neighboring Missouri. Kelly said last week that she is reviewing the issue.

Many employers are finding it nearly impossible to fully staff their businesses which impacts the supply chain and timely delivery of goods and services, the Kansas chamber's letter said.

Many Republicans argue that the additional benefits discourage people from accepting employment. An analysis by Bank of America economists found that people who had earned $32,000 or less at their previous jobs can receive as much or more income from jobless aid, and some unemployed workers say the extra benefit has allowed them to take more time to look for work and puts pressure on employers to raise wages.

In Kansas, the minimum wage has remained at $7.25 an hour since 2009, or about $15,000 a year full-time.

Other factors also help explain why unemployed workers might be reluctant to take jobs.

Some worry that working in hospitality or other service businesses will expose them to COVID-19, according to government surveys. Many women have had to leave the workforce to care for children still in online school for at least part of the week, though Kansas is requiring all of its public school districts to offer in-person classes for all students.

The nonpartisan, left-leaning Economic Policy Institute said in a blog post last week that some labor shortages have occurred for hospitality and leisure businesses, where wages are typically low, but that they shouldn't spill into other industries. Furthermore, it said, cutting off the extra benefits could hurt the economy, adding that goal shouldnt be to chase as many adults into jobs as possible but to provide good options and economic security for all.

The Kansas chamber's letter suggested that federal money could be redirected to employee signing bonuses, help with child care and job retraining.

Republican U.S. Sen. Roger Marshall publicly called on Kelly last week to end the extra benefits. He fellow Republican Sen. Jerry Moran and the three Kansas Republicans in the U.S. House all sent her a letter Monday urging her to do so.

More than 37,000 Kansas residents received the extra unemployment benefits for the week ending Saturday, with payments totaling nearly $9.4 million, according to state Department of Labor figures. The state's regular unemployment benefits averaged $389 that week.

Kelly's office did not respond Wednesday to the calls for her to end the extra benefits but pointed to a statement last week saying she would monitor this situation closely but is focusing on recruiting businesses and creating jobs.

___

Follow John Hanna on Twitter: https://twitter.com/apjdhanna
Tony Gutierrez/AP

DALLAS (AP)  Southwest Airlines said Wednesday that bookings are improving and leisure-travel fares for June are approaching pre-pandemic levels, further signs that the airline industry is recovering from a deep slump.

The Dallas-based airline said the average April flight was 79% full, and it expects June flights to be 85% full. Southwest said it has sold 55% of the seats it expects to fill in June and 35% for July, which it called fairly typical booking patterns.
I know what youre thinking.

If I tell everyone where the secret superbloom is, itll no longer be a secret and the influencers will arrive in droves and trample the place and itll be another Folsom Lake.

In fact, thats a pretty unlikely outcome at this seldom-visited location. Tucked away in remote Redwood National and State Parks in Humboldt County, this hard-to-reach site will only draw superbloom diehards willing to drive more than five hours north of the Bay Area. And those visitors will also be taking the chance that if the fog rolls in, the only flowers theyll see will be within 10 feet of their faces.

Thats actually what happened to me on my first attempt.

Ashley Harrell

I found out about the Redwood National Park superbloom back in late April, around the same time that thousands of people were showing up at Folsom Lake, outside of Sacramento, where purple lupine wildflowers had exploded across the landscape in the state recreation area.

The park superintendent said that was the most intense bloom he had seen in the 17 years he worked there, and that it was likely a result of the lakes low level, which exposed fertile soil. The other bummer was that the thousands of people showing up to see the flowers were walking off the trails and setting down props, blankets and lighting in the middle of the fields, one photographer told SFGATE.

Its truly sad, he said. Its a great reminder to be more vocal about leaving no trace.

In sorting through the numerous Instagram posts with marked with #lupine and #superbloom, I mostly found photographs of Folsom Lake. But I also stumbled on a couple that seemed to be somewhere else in California.

When I contacted the user who posted them, Jon Burton Reesman, he informed me that they were taken on Bald Hills Road, just north of the town of Orick. The Bald Hills is a wild place, full of elk, bears, abandoned ranches, and miles of untamed backcountry, Burton Reesman told me. Even still, the lupine takes the cake.

Jon Burton Reesman

I was delighted to hear this because I actually live in Humboldt County, about an hour south of Bald Hills Road. A week later, I set off with my partner in search of the lupine bloom.

Cruising up Highway 101 through Orick, we noted that the coastal fog was pretty intense, and as we turned east on Bald Hills Road it seemed to thicken. At times, it was difficult to see the road in front of us, and with no idea how far wed have to drive to get to the lupine, we wondered if we should just give up.

We drove by the Lady Bird Johnson Grove and the turnoff for Tall Trees Grove, and eventually began to see small patches of lupine lining the side of the road. We came to a pullout where a larger patch of lupine was just barely visible on a hill above the road. Getting out of the car and walking a bit along the road, we saw maybe 100 or 200 flowers.

We knew it wasnt the superbloom, but we also knew that it would be impossible to see the hillsides covered in lupine that had been posted on Instagram. We went back and hiked in the Lady Bird Johnson Grove  a ridge-top forest of redwoods and Douglas firs dedicated to the former first lady in 1969  then called it a day.

Later in the week, my neighbor posted a Facebook photo of the Bald Hills Road superbloom at sunset. If you have never been completely surrounded by acres of blooming lupine or any wildflowers, then you should be. he wrote. Its a moment of awe.

Jon Burton Reesman

As soon as I saw that, I knew I would have to go back.

Last weekend, some friends came up from the Bay Area to celebrate a birthday, along with our recently completed vaccinations. Although I still wasnt sure exactly where the lupine bloom was, or if it would still be there, I included a Bald Hills Road drive on our itinerary.

Saturday turned out to be sunny and clear, and as we rolled east on the undulating Bald Hills Road, we began to see purple lupine flanking the roadway. We were about 12 miles southeast from the Highway 101 turnoff when the number of visible flowers started to multiply, and we collectively began to oooh and aaah.

We soon arrived at a pullout and jumped out of our car, the sweet aroma of lupine filling our nostrils. We walked along the road snapping photos of the flowers trembling on the wind. It looked as if giant dollops of purple paint had been haphazardly splashed across the hills.

In fact, theres some logic behind where the flowers emerge, according to the Instagram account of Redwood National and State Parks. Every couple of years, a super bloom adorns this less-visited section of the park. This is that year! a May 2 post states. These super blooms usually follow prescription burns over the Oakland prairies.

Ashley Harrell

The post also reminded visitors to respect the flowers by sticking to roads and trails, and to avoid trampling the lupine so others could enjoy them. Park officials expect the bloom, which began in early May, to last around two to four weeks, according to the Instagram post.

Although 5,000 people liked the post, not a single other car arrived while we admired the flowers. The superbloom was simply ours.

While I cant promise you a day like the one we got, I can say that there are quite a few other reasons to go to Redwoods National and State Parks  including other spring wildflowers.

The meadows are now dotted with yellow buttercups, baby blue eyes and California poppies, the state flower. And along the forest trails, spiraling ferns are at their fullest and brightest, while the white and purple trillium flowers and pale pink rhododendrons are just starting to pop.
Taylor Polidore can be found in Los Angeles these days, fulfilling her longtime dreams of being an actress  but she got her start right here in Houston.

"I love home," Polidore said. "If Houston had a television and film industry like L.A. or like Atlanta, I would be home. I love being there [and] I had a very good childhood."

Even so, she added, "it feels amazing" to be in the City of Angels.

VEGAN DELIGHT: Houston Sauce Co. proves you don't have to give up good eating to be vegan

The up and coming actress has appeared in shows including CW's "Black Lightning," Nickelodeon's "It's Pony" and one of my personal favorites, "Snowfall" alongside British actor Damson Idris.

Polidore initially started acting and doing commercials in Houston, with her first gig being a dentist advertisement. She's also done some work for the University of Texas and found herself at the center of numerous billboards around the city.

Paige Wilson

While acting first piqued her interest at age 4, it wasn't until age 13 when she knew she wanted to make a career out of it. The Clark Atlanta University graduate booked her first major film the same year.

In case you're wondering, that movie was "Welcome Home Roscoe Jenkins," the 2008 American comedy film starring actors Martin Lawrence, Cedric the Entertainer, Mo'Nique and James Earl Jones.

It was a surreal feeling, even though the young actress didn't fully grasp just how big a moment it was for her.

"I don't think I fully understood who I was around [at the time]," she said. "I didn't realize that process that it takes to get there and who I was around, and I was 13, so I had a very different relationship to work. I just didn't understand the gravity of the moment, like 'people don't do this every day.'"

From playing school-aged teenagers to voicing animated characters and even doing some "dirty work," Polidore has always known she has a big imagination.

"I've always had a very big imagination and I am very observant," she said. "I like the versatility of the roles that I play, just because they're not me. It's fun and I'm able to play and create this whole person and life off of things I've collected in my memory or watched somewhere else, and just take bits and pieces and make it my own."

Even though she's worked with some pretty big names in the industry, Polidore said there's still work to be done  especially because she still hasn't had her big break.

Playing the role of a "gangster named Dallas" on "Snowfall" has definitely helped spark feelings of a new era, she said, but "I think there's levels and tiers, you can have a bunch of breaks."

Being from Houston, Polidore shared that she can pretty much spark a conversation with anyone and adapt to any situation, but she's still "pretty shy when it comes to certain things about my career."

Paige Wilson

"It's hard to know how I will react to [someone recognizing me in a public space]," Polidore said through laughter. "I don't believe it would make me do anything different, because I'm pretty shy when it comes to talking about myself or my work in public. I would probably feel awkward, but I wouldn't want them to feel awkward."

Asked what's on her acting vision board, Polidore shared she would love to be a lead in a period piece, whether it's set in the '40s or '50s or beyond. She would also love to be in a bigger scale action film.

"I love pretty much anything on Netflix, HBO Max and Hulu also has some pretty good shows," she added. "So I would love to be a part of that."

When she's not wearing her acting cap, Polidore makes time to handle business as a court appointment special advocate (CASA) for a foster child, enhance her fitness wear line and teach as a substitute (virtually, of course).

NEW CHAPTER: Meet the young Houston artist who offers free self-harm cover-up tattoos

For anyone interested in pursuing a career in acting, Polidore said the first step is enrolling in the necessary classes. It's also important, she added, to enter college with the mindset that "I can do this. I want to act and make films and write."

"It truly is amazing," she added. "Because it's something I've always wanted to do."
Its springtime in Albany, a time to stop and smell the tulips. But theres more to green space in Albany than just Washington Park and its current flowering centerpiece. It's also one of the subjects of a recent multi-media project by local multi-instrumentalist and composer Dylan Perrillo.

Back in April, Perrillo released A Musical and Artistic Interpretation of Albanys Inner City Green Space. Its an homage to the parks and other outdoor spaces inside the city of Albany. With the help of a small crew of musicians and a host of visual artists, Perrillo has presented a musical and visual homage to one green space in each of the citys 15 wards. Ever wanted a ditty for Krank Park in the South End or the Evangelical Protestant Church Cemetary off of Route 85? Now you have one.

The album is a way for Perrillo to showcase his appreciation for and experiences in the city and allow other artists the opportunity to do the same.

The whole thing happened as a proposal I submitted for a grant through the Arts Center (of the Capital Region), Perrillo explained. This project was specifically for that, but also specific to the city of Albany.

Im an Albany enthusiast, I love the history of it and wanted to combine that with also highlighting certain parts of the city, he continued. Its about living in an urban environment, but also being stewards of these green spaces.

Perrillo applied for the grant through the New York State Council of the Arts in late 2019 and received it in March 2020. As he got to work on the project, Perrillo had to best figure out how to get more of a representation of the entire city.

Thats how the idea of a specific song for a particular space in each ward developed. From there, Perrillo went beyond the original plan of having one artist compose all the projects imagery. In doing so, he had to expand his contacts, largely rooted in the jazz and indie scenes, and make new friends in the visual art world.

I decided to try and match an artist for each ward, Perrillo said. They had to have some kind of relationship with the ward, whether they work there, live there now, grew up or went to school there.

Finding visual artists was as difficult as I expected; I dont really have a lot of relationships with the visual art world, he added. I knew half the people or so, then some got me in touch with their friends. I also reached out to the Albany Barn and researched Albany art organizations. Generally, people were happy to be doing something and enthusiastic about the project.

In creating the music for A Musical and Artistic Interpretation of Albanys Inner City Green Space, Perrillo kept his own creative process separate from that of the visual artists. But in trying to draw inspiration from places like Buckingham Pond, Lincoln Park or Six Mile Waterworks, he ended up significantly changing his songwriting process.

The way I usually go about composing is that I sit at the piano or with my guitar and spend a lot of time noodling, he noted. I would visit the green spaces. I started to sit there for extended periods of times, then about the park that day, then go home and try to write.

That wasnt really working that well, Perrillo said. So I took my guitar to each one of the parks, would sit there for a couple minutes and play without thinking. I tried to just let it flow.

With himself on upright bass, Tucker Callander on violin, Zack Cohen playing guitar and the production skills of the talented Rick Spataro, Perrillo recorded A Musical and Artistic Interpretation quickly. There was one rehearsal before going to Spataros, once at his recording studio and then the recording proper, which Perrillo estimated only took roughly five hours to successfully lay down all 15 tracks.

From there, Perrillo gave the recordings to each corresponding visual artist so they could work on their piece of the project. It was his hope that the music and the art would naturally align without intruding on either his or their respective visions.

When I wrote, I didnt really take the art into consideration; I wanted to capture my reaction and feeling, Perrillo said. When I turned the recordings over to the artists, I wanted to have them react naturally to the music or whatever their experiences are in the green space.

I wanted to have what they say be unencumbered by me, he added.

For four weeks, April 16 through May 8, the Albany Barn hosted the 15 pieces of art. Now, Perrillo is hosting the images on the projects Bandcamp page. Interested parties can click each track to see the portrait and credited artist.

Perrillo is hopeful that audiences who engage with this release will feel the same gratitude for Albanys many green spaces that he felt while putting this together. Its a gratitude that, even if the project was planned pre-coronavirus pandemic, has increased in its wake.

This definitely made me go to parts of the city I dont go to as often, as I tend to go to places I can walk to easily, he said. It really gave me a renewed appreciation of living in a city that has these resources available.

I dont think Ive ever been happier to live in a place with so many green spaces, Perrillo enthused.

For More Info

To listen to A Musical and Artistic Interpretation of Albanys Inner City Green Space, visit https://dylanperrillo.bandcamp.com/ (each image can be viewed by clicking through to each individual song)

The artists involved in the project are:
NEW YORK (AP)  Dr. Anthony Fauci, Oprah Winfrey, Ava DuVernay, Riz Ahmed, Dua Lipa, Andra Day and Dwayne The Rock Johnson all won honors Tuesday at the Webby Awards, which recognize the best internet content and creators.

The Webby Person of the Year went to Fauci for using digital and social media to reach the masses with credible and factual COVID-19 information. DuVernay won the Film and Video Person of the Year trophy for her efforts creating a database to diversify Hollywood.

This year marks the 25th anniversary Webby Awards, selected by the International Academy of Digital Arts & Sciences. It was hosted by actor and activist Jameela Jamil, with appearances from Naomi Watts, Padma Lakshmi and Gayle King, among others.

Its a unique year for the internet. Its that one thing that has kept us connected all year, said Claire Graves, president of The Webby Awards. Our winners are a testament to that, really. Theyve kept us connected in so many different ways. Theyve informed us  like Dr. Fauci  uplifted us and helped us spark global movements as well.

The awards started in 1996 by recognizing websites. It has grown to embrace new technologies, from apps and software to social media and games. This year, organizers added virtual and remote experiences.

Ahmed and Day won acting awards for Sound of Metal and The United States vs. Billie Holiday, respectively. Johnson's use of social media earned him a special achievement award, as did chef Jose Andres, who was recognized for tackling food insecurity.

Other winners include Oprahs Book Club, Ratatouille: The TikTok Musical, NBC Nightly News: Kids Edition, We Are George Floyd and the podcasts Pod Save America, The Motherly Podcast by Kristen Bell and Jemele Hill is Unbothered.

Dua Lipa earned two video awards for Hallucinate and Dua Lipa Has New Rules for COVID Dating. Color of Changes #JusticeForFloyd Campaign won the Webby Award for public service and activism. Neil deGrasse Tyson won a Webby for his science and education podcast. Chef Gordon Ramsay, the band BTS and actor Jennifer Garner were among Webby winners voted on by the public.

This year also marks the inaugural special achievement award  the Webby Anthem Award  which was awarded to Pharrell Williams for his work towards racial equity in education and entrepreneurship. The Anthem Awards, launching in June 2021, will celebrate the purpose and mission-driven work of people, companies and organizations worldwide. Another new award is the Webby Advocate of the Year, which went to black-ish and grown-ish star to Yara Shahidi for her social justice advocacy and her turn-out-the-vote efforts.

The Webby Social Movement of the Year Winner was Stop AAPI Hate for using the Internet to effectively track and respond to incidents of hate and discrimination against Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders in the United States. The academy also announced Comedy Central as the Webby Media Company of the Year after earning the most honors across all Webby categories and 14 wins overall.

The way that people have used the Internet has accelerated so much this year that it will be interesting to see how people continue to use the new technology, Graves said. The internet is not stopping. It's going to continue to grow and develop.

___

Online: https://www.webbyawards.com

___

Mark Kennedy is at http://twitter.com/KennedyTwits
Show me the money is the famous quote from the movie Jerry Maguire.

Who wouldnt like more money? May 20, 2021 is National Be a Millionaire Day and here are some Manistee County Library materials that can help achieve that goal. If youd rather read about the people who did reach that objective, we have something for you too.

 During the 19th century, Manistee County claimed to have more millionaires per capita than anywhere in the United States, according to the City of Manistee's website section on the area's history. The library has biographies in the pamphlet file on T.J. Ramsdell and family, William Douglas and Charlie Ruggles, known as Manistees Millionaire Miser.

 A photographic history titled Manistee County by Shannon McRae provides additional information on these and other influential families.

 100 Side Hustles: Unexpected Ideas For Making Extra Money Without Quitting Your Day Job by Chris Guillebeau offers many ideas for bringing in a little extra money doing what you love. Inside are 100 stories of people who had an idea, such as an ice pop maker and a travel site founder, and made it work for them.

 Born to Build: How to Build a Thriving Startup, a Winning Team, New Customers and Your Best Life Imaginable by Jim Clifton focuses on discovering your strengths to become an entrepreneur.

 Capital Gaines: Smart Things I Learned Doing Stupid Stuff by Chip Gaines is his personal recollection of believing in himself and going after his dreams, no matter how crazy. Part memoir, part entrepreneurial guide, the book takes readers behind the scenes to the hard work and determination to create a life worth living.

 Naveen Jain takes curiosity and expectations to new heights in Moonshots: Creating a world of Abundance: How entrepreneurs are enabling Life without limits The book centers on the future of business and making choices that will open up the world.

 Rich: The Rise and Fall of American Wealth Culture by Larry Samuel traces the money culture in America from the 1920s to the early 2000s. Read real stories of how the wealthy lived and the end of the old money era as other affluent classes of Americans made their fortunes.

 The Next Millionaire Next Door: Enduring Strategies for Building Wealth by Thomas J. Stanley and Sarah Stanley Fallow examines the difference between income and wealth, how self-made millionaires made their fortunes and changes that have occurred in budgeting, investing and careers in the twenty years since their first book, The Millionaire Next Door. Advice is offered for careers and lifestyles that can lead to success.

 The Strange Career of William Ellis: The Texas Slave Who Became a Mexican Millionaire by Karl Jacoby sheds light on race relations on the Mexican border during the Reconstruction Era when a former slave passed himself off as Mexican and went on to amass a fortune working on Wall Street and living in an apartment overlooking Central Park.

 The First Tycoon: The Epic Life of Cornelius Vanderbilt by T.J Stiles is the biography of one of Americas wealthiest men. Vanderbilt was a railroad and shipping tycoon responsible for the original Grand Central Depot, opened in 1871 which served as a hub for several railroad lines running through Manhattan. He provided the start up funding for Vanderbilt University in Nashville, Tennessee. At the time of his death in 1877, he had amassed a fortune worth an estimated $105 million.

 Another historical book, The Ghosts of Eden Park: The Bootleg King, the Women Who Pursued Him, and the Murder That Shocked Jazz Age America by Karen Abbot is the story of George Remus, who gave up a law career to run an illegal yet lucrative whiskey ring during Prohibition. A shrewd female prosecutor will do anything to prove herself and bring him in, which has disastrous results for her bosses who are in league with Remus and the bootlegger himself.

 Arnold Schwarzeneggers autobiography Total Recall: My Unbelievably True Life Story takes the reader on a journey from Austria to California. During those years, Schwarzenegger built a business in body building that made him a millionaire in his 20s. From there, he went into acting and became a household name, eventually going into politics as the governor of California. This is his story of the American Dream.

 The Aviator on DVD is a fictionalized account of the life of Howard Hughes beginning with his career in filmmaking, then moving to his fascination with new airplanes. The documentary of Howard Hughes, the man & the madness: the true story of the aviator brings together interviews and archives to highlight a successful recluse known for bizarre behavior.

 More current is Duck Dynasty: Season one on DVD. It is an American reality television series that focuses on the lives of the Robertson family. They made a success of the family business, Duck Commander, which produces duck calls among other things.

 How to Turn $100 in $1,000,000 by James McJenna and Jeannie Glista with Matt Fontaine is written for children who want to be savvy about money.

 Two juvenile fiction books on the subject are Millionaires for the Month by Stacy McAnulty, two seventh grade boys find a wallet and borrow some of the money. To help them learn the value of money, the wealthy owner issues a challenge: spend over $5 million dollars in thirty days, and The Westing Game by Ellen Raskin where sixteen strangers are brought together for the reading of a multi-millionaires will and an offer to solve a murder.

Kim Jankowiak and Becca Brown of the Manistee County Library write the recurring On the Same Page feature that showcases the library's titles available surrounding a revolving topic. Kim Jankowiak is a reference librarian, and Becca Brown is a circulation clerk for the library.
Gov. Greg Abbott has signed a bill into law that prohibits Texas cities from banning natural gas as a fuel source for new construction and utility services.

House Bill 17, which Abbott signed Tuesday, according to the Texas Legislatures online portal, is a response to a trend in progressive California cities. Abbotts office did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

READ MORE: Texas natural gas producers are getting let off the hook after the devastating freeze

The bills sponsor, state Rep. Joe Deshotel, D-Beaumont, argued that banning natural gas would restrict consumer choices. Deshotel was not immediately available for comment Tuesday, but he previously told The Texas Tribune that he filed the bill in response to what is happening on the West Coast, where cities have passed energy efficiency plans that prohibit new subdivisions from offering natural gas heating, requiring instead that new homes be heated by electricity.

Using electricity to heat homes rather than natural gas reduces greenhouse gas emissions. The bulk of emissions from residential and commercial buildings in San Francisco are attributed to burning natural gas, which spurred the citys efforts to mandate a transition, Inside Climate News reported in November.

In Austin, the citys initial climate action plan would have virtually eliminated gas use in new buildings by 2030, but it was altered after Texas Gas Service opposed the measure, the Texas Observer reported in March.

The new law, which takes effect immediately, prevents cities or municipalities from discriminating against any particular fuel source.

At least a dozen similar bills were filed in states including Kansas, Minnesota and Ohio.

But in Texas, the legislation was promoted as a response to the power outages caused by Februarys winter storm.

Lawmakers pointed to the ability of natural gas providers to largely continue supplying gas to homes during the storm. Gas-fired furnaces cannot run without power, but some people with gas service were able to use gas fireplaces and stoves.

Disclosure: Texas Gas Service has been a financial supporter of The Texas Tribune, a nonprofit, nonpartisan news organization that is funded in part by donations from members, foundations and corporate sponsors. Financial supporters play no role in the Tribune's journalism. Find a complete list of them here.

The Texas Tribune is a nonpartisan, nonprofit media organization that informs Texans  and engages with them  about public policy, politics, government and statewide issues.
INDIANAPOLIS (AP)  Voting rights activists on Wednesday urged Indiana legislative leaders to give the public at least a month to review proposed new congressional and state election district maps before they are finalized.

Members of the Indiana Citizens Redistricting Commission organized by Common Cause and other groups released a report calling for greater public involvement in the once-a-decade redrawing of election maps based on population shifts.

The Republican-dominated Legislature plans a fall return to the Statehouse for votes on the new maps. The process will be delayed because the U.S. Census Bureau wont release data for congressional and legislative redistricting until perhaps September due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Common Cause Indiana policy director Julia Vaughn said the Legislature should use the coming months to hold hearings around the state for public comment.

Once you have proposals available, slow the process down, Vaughn said. Give people at least 30 days to understand and give feedback on what the Legislature has proposed.

Democrats and voting-rights advocates had pushed over several years for the establishment of an independent commission to oversee the map drawing, arguing that partisan gerrymandering has helped Indiana Republicans to gain outsized power in the Legislature. But Republicans have rejected giving up control of redistricting.

Republican legislative leaders have said public hearings on redistricting will take place but havent given details. They didnt immediately respond Wednesday to requests for comment left with their offices.

Indiana lawmakers will draw new maps for the states nine congressional seats, along with the 100 Indiana House and 50 state Senate districts. Republicans now hold seven of those congressional seats and commanding majorities of 71-29 in the state House and 39-11 in the state Senate.

The Citizens Redistricting Commission, which held virtual public forums for each congressional district, said in its report that those who participated supported Indiana having more competitive election districts and maps that dont split cities and counties into so many districts.

Commission chairwoman Sonia Leerkamp, a former Republican Hamilton County prosecutor, said redistricting shouldnt be a political-insiders-only process.

People are interested in being empowered to participate, Leerkamp said. They want transparency, they want their questions answered, and they want to know that they are heard.
DECATUR, Ala. (AP)  An Alabama company has won a $17.4 million contract to make all-aluminum pallets for military cargo planes.

Wolverine Tube Inc., of Decatur, was among five competitors for the Air Force contract, according to a list of Pentagon contracts approved Tuesday.

The pallets were designed to replace those made with aluminum glued to a balsa wood core, according to the Defense Logistics Agency.

The work in Decatur is expected to be completed Nov. 18, 2022.
PHOENIX (AP)  Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey signed legislation Wednesday legalizing test strips that can detect the presence of the potent opiate fentanyl and potentially help avoid deadly overdoses.

The measure was overwhelmingly approved by the Legislature and will allow drug users to buy the strips to check whether drugs are laced with fentanyl.

We want everyone who is using drugs to seek professional treatment," Ducey said. "But until someone is ready to get help, we need to make sure they have the tools necessary to prevent a lethal overdose."

Democratic Sen. Christine Marsh sponsored SB1486 after last year's death of her 25-year-old son, Landon Marsh.

She tearfully testified during a February committee hearing about how her recently married son had one night of being really stupid with his childhood best friend. He took what he thought was a prescription pain pill that turned out to be laced with fentanyl. He had been working toward a degree in mechanical engineering when he died.

I contend that a night of stupidity should not result in death, Marsh said.

In a statement released by Duceys office, Marsh said, no one should have to suffer the loss of their loved one to addiction or accidental overdose.

The test strips will no longer be considered illegal drug paraphernalia when the law takes effect 90 days after the legislative session ends.

Ducey has made fighting the opioid crisis a major issue while in office and signed legislation in 2016 allowing pharmacists to dispense an opioid antidote known as Naloxone without a prescription.

The state Health Services Department reports that 9,368 people have died of opiate overdoses in Arizona since June 15, 2017. Many of those deaths involved ingesting drugs laced with fentanyl.
BATON ROUGE, La. (AP)  A proposal to add four days to Louisiana's early voting period for presidential elections edged closer to final passage Wednesday after gaining support from the Senate's elections oversight committee.

While several other Republican-led states are working to limit voter access to the polls, Louisiana's majority-GOP Legislature has largely avoided such discussions this session. The bid to increase in-person early voting for the presidential elections from seven days to 11 days has won bipartisan support.
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP)  The check won't arrive until mid-July, but Katrina Peters already knows what shell do with her Child Tax Credit payments. The 20-year-old mother of three has applied to work as a driver with a food delivery app, and the extra cash is earmarked for repairing, registering and insuring her car.

I just need to make sure it's 100% and then I can start working and get an income, Peters said, cradling her 3-week-old son, Armani. That's where it starts.

The payments are a key part of Democrats' COVID-19 aid bill passed in March, but for policymakers they are more than just an attempt to help families recover from the pandemic. The monthly checks of up to $300 per child for millions of families are part of an ambitious attempt to shrink child poverty and rethink the American social safety net in the process.

With an emphasis on direct, no-strings cash support, the payments are a deliberate departure from a system that for decades has tried to control how Americans spend their government assistance by funneling it to food, housing or child care. Peters is as free to use the cash on her car as she is to spend it on diapers.

Theres something huge happening with the idea that the lowest-income people need cash assistance the most, said Teague Gonzalez, public benefits director with the New Mexico Center on Law and Poverty. The pandemic opened up a connection to the idea of giving people cash and letting them decide how to use it.

The expanded CTC payments, which are due to begin going out July 15, are only meant to last a year, but architects and proponents arent trying to hide the fact that they want to make this permanent. The coronavirus pandemic, they say, laid bare the inadequacies of Americas support system and provided the political momentum to make lasting changes.

If implemented well, this could be transformative, said Emma Mehrabi, director of poverty policy at the Childrens Defense Fund. This could cut child poverty in nearly half.

Part of the American Rescue Plan, the Child Tax Credit provisions will increase the payments and greatly expand the number of families eligible. The practical result will be direct payments for each child to families ranging from impoverished to solidly middle class  $3,600 per year for children under age 6 and $3,000 per year for older children. Roughly 39 million households will receive at least partial payments, covering an estimated 88 percent of American children.

Columbia Universitys Center on Poverty and Social Policy estimates the cash infusions could lift 45% of children living in poverty above the poverty line  cutting Black child poverty by 52%, Hispanic child poverty by 45% and Native American child poverty by 62%.

In places like New Mexico, a state with one of the highest rates of children living in poverty, this is a potential crossroads. One in 4 New Mexican children is considered impoverished, compared with 1 in 7 nationally.

With three kids under age 6, Peters is due to receive up to $900 per month, and all of it is welcome. Her construction worker boyfriend has been out of work due to the pandemic, she said, her government subsidized housing voucher has expired and only the national eviction moratorium has protected her. Armani requires a special kind of baby formula that she cant buy with her government nutrition program benefits.

Sixteen dollars a can, and he goes through it in two or three days, she said.

Democratic New Mexico Sen. Martin Heinrich said the philosophy behind the payments is to treat child poverty as an avoidable traumatic event  one that has been proved to impact future academic performance, emotional stability, earning power and legal record.

It affects your ability to have positive relationships, both professionally and in your home life. ... The more of these stack up, youre more likely to have problems with the legal system, unsuccessful relationships, lower lifetime income, Heinrich said.

Besides a basic acknowledgement by the government that raising children is expensive for almost anybody, advocates said the payments are an expression of faith in the judgment of struggling families.

It's an issue of trust. We need to trust these families to do whats right, said Jeffrey Hoehn, executive director of Cuidando Los Ninos, an Albuquerque charity that provides housing, child care and financial counseling for mothers transitioning from homelessness. We find that our single moms, they know where every single penny goes. Its just that they dont have enough pennies.

Hoehn said different families will have shifting needs and resources from month to month, putting the cash toward rent, utilities or even therapeutic leisure activities. In a sprawling town like Albuquerque, its hard to find work without a car, and Hoehn said many families his group works with are looking to the extra cash to acquire or fix a vehicle.

For Margarita Mora, the money is earmarked to help cushion her family's transition to stability. The 36-year-old mother of three had been staying in an Albuquerque motel converted into a family shelter and would soon be getting her own subsidized apartment through Cuidando Los Ninos.

I'll be able to pay my utilities and basic supplies, plus gas to go look for work, said Mora, an unemployed caregiver. And I need to work on my debt. My credit score isn't so great.

The money isn't only going to the neediest. Carissa Oswald, a stay-at-home mom in Albuquerque whose partner works with the local railroad, counts herself as middle class. But having given up her work as a caregiver to raise her 11-month-old daughter, she finds that money is frequently tight.

"Kids are expensive, right? It would let us breathe a little bit easier, she said. The tension is real. The stress is real.

New Mexico state Rep. Javier Martinez, a Democrat from Albuquerque, calls the CTC a philosophical shift from mid-20th century programs like Medicaid and food stamps.

And I dont think were going back, he said.

Martinez highlights the fact that CTC payments will be monthly, instead of some annual balloon payment, as a crucial distinction. The smaller monthly boosts, he said, are more likely to be incorporated into the household budget and create certainty in a family.

The expanded CTC expires in 2022, although President Joe Biden has proposed extending it through 2025. Whether that happens may depend on whether advocates can demonstrate a positive impact  and whether opponents, primarily Republicans, find evidence of waste.

Heinrich said he expects that opponents will have no problem gathering examples of parents spending money on things deemed unnecessary and he is braced for a revival of the Ronald Reagan-era welfare queen trope. The future of the program may well be riding on the outcome of the 2022 congressional elections, when Democrats will seek to retain their slim majorities in both the House and the Senate.

For now, CTC supporters are counting on enough positive examples to counter the criticisms, plus the fact that monthly cash should be popular with both Democratic and Republican families up and down the income ladder.

There will be plenty of compelling anecdotes on either side of it, Heinrich said. At the same time we will have the data by then to show what a difference it has made. I want to see the data, and I suspect that in New Mexico, this will have an enormous impact.

___

Associated Press writer Susan Montoya Bryan contributed to this report.
BOGOTA, Colombia (AP)  A rebel leader who abandoned the 2016 peace accord with Colombias government and had been at large for three years was killed by Colombian troops in Venezuela, his new armed group said Tuesday.

Seuxis Hernandez  known more commonly by his nom de guerre of Jesus Santrich  was one of the chief negotiators for the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia in peace talks with the Colombian government. But he gave up on the peace deal less than two years following its signing after he was indicted in the U.S. for alleged cocaine trafficking.

In a statement posted on its website, Santrich's new rebel group, the Second Marquetalia Movement, said the 53-year-old insurgent was killed Monday by a Colombian commando unit that illegally entered Venezuelan territory.

The group said Santrich was riding in a vehicle in the western Venezuelan state of Zulia when he was attacked with grenades and gunfire by Colombian soldiers. The troops cut off Santrich's pinky finger before returning to Colombia in a yellow helicopter, the statement said.

Colombia's government did not immediately comment on the group's claim, which would constitute a major breach of Venezuela's sovereignty and heighten tensions with President Nicolas Maduro's socialist government. There also was no comment from the Venezuelan government.

Earlier Tuesday, Colombia's defense minister said the government was trying to confirm reports that Santrich had been killed in a battle between rebel groups operating in Venezuela.

Several other versions of Santrich's death were published by Colombian media, including one account that said he was killed by mercenaries who wanted to capture him and claim a $10 million reward offered by the U.S. State Department last year.

Santrich was a member of leftist youth groups in Colombia and entered the FARC in the early 1990s, after one of his fellow student leaders was killed by a Colombian police officer in the city of Barranquilla. Santrich was going blind from a genetic condition by the time the rebel group began peace talks with Colombia's government, but had established himself as one of the group's leading ideologues.

Soon after the peace accord between the FARC and Colombia's government was signed, Santrich ran into problems with law enforcement. He was arrested in April 2018 after U.S. authorities in New York charged him with conspiring to traffic 10 tons of cocaine to the United States. The charges were based on videos and audio recordings obtained by undercover agents who met with Santrich in 2017, prosecutors said.

But Santrich was released from jail before he could be extradited after Colombias peace tribunal determined that U.S. authorities had not provided enough evidence. Under the terms of the peace deal, former rebels cannot be extradited for crimes committed during the war, but can be held responsible for any crimes committed afterwards.

Santrich, who accused the Colombian government of attempting to frame him, briefly took possession of a congressional seat awarded to the FARC as part of the peace deal. But during a visit to a village for former rebels near the border with Venezuela, he abandoned his security detail and disappeared.

In August 2018, he appeared on a Youtube video in which a group of former FARC rebels brandishing machine guns announced that they would continue to fight the government, accusing if of failing to fulfill promises made in the peace accord. They called their new organization the Second Marquetalia Movement in a nod to the peasant village that in the 1960s gave birth to the original FARC guerrilla movement.

Santrich's group was widely rejected by former FARC leaders who stuck with the peace deal and have now formed a political party that has 10 seats in Colombias congress.

Colombian officials say Santrichs faction of former FARC dissidents is attempting to take over illegal mines and drug trafficking routes along a remote stretch of Colombias border with Venezuela.

Colombia has long accused Venezuela of providing refuge to former FARC fighters, including Santrich and Ivan Marquez, the leader of the Marquetalia movement who is also wanted by the U.S. as part of the same drug indictment. But lately the Venezuelan army has also been engaged in fighting with another faction of former FARC fighters led by Gentil Duarte, which captured eight Venezuelan soldiers in May.
SANTA FE, N.M. (AP)  Republican congressional candidate Mark Moores on Tuesday criticized Democratic rival Melanie Stansbury for voting in 2019 for a budget bill in the state Legislature that benefited a one-time client of her consulting practice, in a news release.

A spokeswoman for Stansbury called the criticism a baseless political attack and highlighted Moores' refusal to file a disclosure about his personal finances as a U.S. House candidate. A spokesman for Moores said that this year's delayed federal tax deadlines have stood in the way of the financial disclosure requirement.

Early in-person and absentee voting is well underway ahead the June 1 special election to fill the 1st Congressional District seat held by Deb Haaland before her confirmation as Secretary of the Interior under President Biden.

Campaigning for the seat has cast scrutiny on past legislative votes and personal finances for Moores, a third-term state senator, and Stansbury, who unseated a Republican incumbent from the state House in 2018.

Moores through his campaign notes that Stansbury voted as a state representative for a spending bill that provided $50,000 to the the Utton Transboundary Resources Center that performs public research on water, natural resources and environmental issues, among hundreds of programs at state agencies and universities. A prior state financial disclosure statement from Stansbury lists the Utton Center at the University of New Mexico as a major area of specialization or source of income for her as a consultant.

These are baseless political attacks. Mark Moores is trying to distract from his failure to comply with federal law  refusing to disclose his financials to New Mexico voters," Stansbury campaign spokeswoman Jessie Damazyn said in an email.

She says Stansbury has championed reforms to modernize the nation's only unsalaried legislature and provide greater transparency.

Stansbury filed a financial disclosure statement this year with the U.S. House of Representatives that lists consulting clients including the Wildlife Conservation Society.

The Albuquerque-based congressional seat also is being pursued by for state Land Commissioner independent candidate Aubrey Dunn Jr. and Libertarian nominee Chris Manning.
RALEIGH, N.C. (AP)  Broadband, K-12 and higher education, local infrastructure and targeted businesses would be among the greatest beneficiaries in Gov. Roy Cooper's proposals unveiled Wednesday on how to spend $5.7 billion in federal COVID-19 aid recently approved by Congress.

This pandemic has brought us a once-in-a-generation challenge. These funds have brought us a once-in-a-generation opportunity. Lets use them to make transformational change for our state, Cooper said at a news conference. We're building a bridge from response to recovery."

Cooper proposed to state legislators that $1.2 billion of North Carolinas share of American Rescue Plan funds go toward fiber installation grants and other broadband projects where internet remains slow. The goal is to raise the percentage of households with high-speed internet from 73% to 80% in 2025, reaching to 100% of families with children, according to Cooper's written plan.

Over 1 million households lack high-speed internet or can't afford it, the governor said: This must be a priority, as we cannot lose this chance to close the digital divide. A similar $750 million broadband proposal using these funds is scheduled for a House committee debate Thursday.

The state learned last week that its portion of the largest share of the American Rescue Plan would be $5.4 billion. Coopers recommendations include another $277 million in federal aid for capital projects. The state received half of the $5.4 billion on Tuesday, state budget Director Charlie Perusse said, with the rest coming in spring 2022. Funds must be fully expended by the end of 2026.

A higher-education aid package of $835 million would create new university and community college scholarships of at least $6,000 for in-state residents from low- and middle-income families, as well as more grants to students to cover daily expenses while attending class. In all, the package would provide more financial aid to over 200,000 students, Cooper said.

Another $300 million would seek to draw toward mandated goals in the North Carolina Constitution  the subject of longstanding litigation  to provide opportunities for a sound basic education for children. The money in part would help develop highly skilled teachers and literacy coaches and expand prekindergarten.

A program that Republican lawmakers began in 2020 to give all families with school-age children $335 grants would be rebooted if Cooper gets his way. The new version of the Extra Credit Grants would offer $250 or $500 more to families below certain income levels to help them with rising living expenses.

For business still struggling to recover from the pandemic recession, Cooper would set aside $350 million for two programs that would provide grants to entities within the hospitality and leisure services industry and to small businesses. To address aging wastewater and drinking water systems, the Department of Environmental Quality would distribute $800 million for repairs.

These recommendations are rooted in the principle that these investments should be fast, equitable, and effective, the Democratic governor said in a letter to Republican legislative leaders. They focus on assisting those families most impacted by the pandemic, upgrading our infrastructure, preparing our workforce, promoting business development and innovation, and positioning government to best serve our people.

The $5.7 billion is the latest coronavirus relief aid coming from Washington, and it's the largest tranche since the first stimulus package was approved in spring 2020.

Cooper and GOP lawmakers worked in tandem last year when they agreed how to spend $3.6 billion in coronavirus relief funds. Now they'll have to work together again, as legislators will take his recommendations under advisement and pass their own legislation.

The latest aid from Washington comes as state government coffers are already flush with revenues collected during the economic recovery.

Sen. Brent Jackson, a Sampson County Republican and budget-writer, said in a written statement that like most budget issues, some of Gov. Coopers proposals will have support and some will not.

The proposals dont include $6 billion from the American Rescue Plan that Congress already has told the state how it must be used. Over $3 billion more is also going to local governments.

The $5.7 billion in recommendations also would spend:

 $575 million on building or repairing thousands of affordable rental and housing units and providing down-payment assistance to first-time homebuyers.

 $160 million to test and remove lead from drinking water pipes and paint and for asbestos abatement at K-12 buildings and child care centers.

 $125 million for health initiatives that target diabetes, cancer, heart disease and obesity.

 $75 million for health research at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and Winston-Salem State University and with other historically black colleges in the UNC system.

 funds to assist seven state-recognized American Indian tribes and for women- and minority-owned businesses.

___

This story has been corrected to show that the proposed higher-education aid package totals $835 million, not $850 million.
BANGKOK (AP)  Creditors of Thai Airways International holding 91.56% of the airlines debt have approved a business reorganization plan, the company announced Wednesday in a filing to the Stock Exchange of Thailand.

The plan, including three amendments added in consultation with the creditors, now needs final approval by Thailands Central Bankruptcy Court on May 28.

The carrier has generated losses for several consecutive years. It ran up 2.11 billion baht ($67.2 million) in losses in 2017, 11.6 billion baht ($369.5 million) in 2018, and 12 billion baht ($382.2 million) in losses in 2019.

Losses skyrocketed to 141.1 billion baht ($4.5 billion) in 2020 because of the COVID-19 pandemic, which saw the airline cease virtually all operations for an extended period.

The restructuring plan pegs the companys total debt at 410 billion baht ($13.4 billion). According to the approved plan, it will apply for a new long-term loan or revolving loan worth 50 billion baht ($1.6 billion).

The airline initially sought a 54 billion baht ($1.7 billion) bailout loan from Thailands government after the onset of last years crisis, but was refused.

The Cabinet in May last year approved a reduction in the governments stake in the airline to below 50% as part of the reorganization plan, shrinking the Finance Ministrys stake from 51% to 47.86%

With the government reducing its stake, the airline lost its status as a state enterprise. The action also meant that the airlines state enterprise union was automatically dissolved.

The airline has already downsized by cutting 8,700 positions, of both full-time and contracted employees. It currently has around 21,000 employees, with plans to reduce the total to 13,000 to 15,000 by early next year.

The statement to the stock exchange said five people have been appointed to administer the plan.

Two are the airline's acting Chief Executive Officer Chansin Treenuchagron and its former CEO Piyasvasti Amranand. The others are Finance Ministry official Pornchai Thiravet, former Energy Minister Siri Jirapongphan, and Executive Vice President and Manager of Bangkok Banks Legal Department Kraisorn Barameeauychai.
Its a ban that even supporters acknowledge will be hard to enforce. Yet 2021 has been a breakthrough year for legislation in several states seeking to prohibit abortions based solely on a prenatal diagnosis of Down syndrome.

Governors in Arizona and South Dakota recently signed such bills into law, and similar measures are pending in North Carolina and Texas. Most significantly, a federal appellate court said Ohio could begin to implement a 2017 law that has been on hold.

Although that ruling by the 6th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals conflicted with other federal court decisions, anti-abortion activists say it increases the chances that the U.S. Supreme Court will agree to consider a case addressing the challenging issues the legislation poses. That could clear the path for bans to be enacted in some other states where courts are blocking them.

Just this week, the high court  with a 6-3 conservative majority resulting from three appointments by former President Donald Trump  signaled its willingness to reconsider the 1973 Roe v. Wade ruling establishing a nationwide right to abortion. The justices agreed to consider a Mississippi law that seeks to ban abortions after 15 weeks. Roe essentially legalized any abortion taking place before a fetus could survive outside the mothers womb, generally around 24 weeks.

Katherine Beck Johnson, a lawyer with the conservative Family Research Council, acknowledged that the Down syndrome laws might be easy to circumvent. Doctors could tell women not to share their specific reasons for wanting an abortion.

But even if its hard to enforce, its worth being passed, she said, Its important for a state to show they're not supporting eugenics; they want to remove the stigma of people who have Down syndrome.

Opponents of the bills, including some parents with children who have Down syndrome, argue that elected officials should not be meddling with a womans deeply personal decision on whether to carry a pregnancy to term after a Down syndrome diagnosis.

Theres something condescending about these bans, suggesting people dont have the ability to make their own decisions, said Holly Christensen, a teacher and newspaper columnist in Akron, Ohio, whose 8-year-old daughter, Lyra, has Down syndrome.

Christensen said she believes that anti-abortion activists push for such laws, in hopes of getting a case before the Supreme Court, has undercut efforts to disseminate more information about Down syndrome so more families would be willing to raise children with the condition.

She would like to see Ohio lawmakers increase funding for education and services for children with disabilities.

According to the National Down Syndrome Society, about one in every 700 babies in the United States, or roughly 6,000 annually, is born with the condition, which results from a chromosomal irregularity. There are no official figures on how many prenatal diagnoses of Down syndrome prompt a decision to abort; a 2012 study by medical experts estimated the abortion rate was 67%.

In the past, many children with Down syndrome were institutionalized. Christensen said these days, they frequently acquire job skills and some degree of self-sufficiency. Their life expectancy is more than 60 years, triple the expectation just a few decades ago.

If you tell a woman, Were going to force you to have a baby with Down syndrome. shell think, Oh my God, is it really that bad that youre going to force me? Christensen said.

In past years, courts routinely blocked state laws seeking to ban abortion if it was based on a diagnosis of Down syndrome or other fetal anomalies. Trumps judicial appointments to lower-level federal courts as well as the Supreme Court has altered the legal landscape.

It feels like the ground is shifting, said Elizabeth Nash, who tracks state legislation for the Guttmacher Institute, a research group that supports abortion rights.

Nash noted that court rulings already have allowed enforcement of the laws in Missouri, Tennessee and Ohio.

Last month's decision by a divided 6th Circuit court, which includes six justices nominated by Trump, reversed two earlier decisions that had blocked enforcement of the 2017 Ohio law. Doctors could face a felony charge, be stripped of their medical license and be held liable for legal damages if they are aware of a Down syndrome diagnosis when performing an abortion.

The majority opinion said the Ohio law is aimed at protecting the Down syndrome community from the stigma it suffers from the practice of Down-syndrome-selective abortions.

Arizonas new Down syndrome measure, part of a sweeping anti-abortion bill Republican Gov. Doug Ducey signed last month, is set to take effect later this year. Similar to the Ohio law, it calls for felony charges against doctors who perform an abortion based on a diagnosis of Down syndrome or other genetic abnormalities.

Opponents plan a lawsuit seeking to block it.

Dr. Julie Kwatra, an OB-GYN practicing in Arizona, is among people on both sides of the issue who suggest the law, if it takes effect, would be difficult to enforce.

Women who want to terminate their pregnancies will do it, whether they do it in a safe, legal way or an unsafe, illegal way, she said. Its still completely legal to terminate your pregnancy for any number of other reasons.

However, Kwatra said the new measure, by threatening criminalization, puts a black cloud over the practice of medicine and the doctor-patient relationship.

Dr. Jamila Perritt, CEO of Physicians for Reproductive Health, said it would be damaging if doctors in states with the Down syndrome laws became defensive in their interactions with patients.

When you go to see your health care provider, who do you want them to be protecting -- your welfare or theirs? she said.

Cathi Herrod, president of the Center for Arizona Policy, a conservative group that backed the state legislation, said the law will be valuable even if women are free to give another reason for seeking an abortion.

Doctors will be on notice, women will be on notice that you dont secure an abortion simply because theres a diagnosis of a nonterminal genetic condition, she said.

Michael New, an abortion opponent who teaches social research at Catholic University of America, said the laws are a good strategy for the anti-abortion movement even if their enforceability is questionable.

If these laws are upheld, that would create a precedent that would increase the likelihood that other types of protective pro-life laws would be upheld, he said via email.

He also suggested the laws could help shape public opinion, drawing attention to the high percentage of abortions in cases of a Down syndrome diagnosis.

Erika Christensen, along with her husband, Garin Marschall, decided in May 2016 to terminate a pregnancy after learning during the third trimester that the fetus likely would be unable to breathe after birth. The couple lived in New York, where abortions were banned after 24 weeks of gestation. They traveled to Colorado, where Christensen had an abortion at 32 weeks.

Christensen and Marschall now oppose bills banning abortion for reasons related to genetic anomalies, saying they oversimplify the difficult decisions women and families must make.

All decisions in these cases are necessarily complicated, said Christensen, who was grateful for the discussions she had with her doctors.

The couple noted that the 6th Circuit decision upholding the law in Ohio implies that patients seeking abortions in similar cases could lie to their doctors about their reasons.

That is a really dangerous place to go with regard to the law, Marschall said.
BATON ROUGE, La. (AP)  A bid to legalize recreational marijuana in Louisiana is over this legislative session after failing to gain enough support from lawmakers.

The House on Tuesday rejected Republican Rep. Richard Nelson's bill to tax the sale of marijuana  a bellwether vote that indicated Nelson's separate bill to create a legal framework to sell and possess recreational marijuana also couldn't pass.

Forty-seven lawmakers in the House backed the tax bill, while 48 voted against it. After that marijuana bill failed, Nelson said he was ending his effort this session to legalize the drug for recreational use.

The Advocate reports the Louisiana Sheriffs Association helped kill the proposal. The organization sent a note to lawmakers calling the bill "rushed and irresponsible.

We must understand the pitfalls experienced by other states who have legalized marijuana rather than just a quick rush to judgement," wrote Mike Ranatza, the executive director of the association.

Despite the failed effort, the debate revealed shifting attitudes about legalization among Republicans. The sheriffs association has committed to study the idea ahead of next years legislative session, and several opponents conceded eventual legalization is likely inevitable.

People in general support it, regardless of where the politicians are," Nelson told the newspaper.

The 34-year-old Mandeville Republican, who said he has never smoked marijuana, became the unlikely face of the effort to make Louisiana the 18th state to legalize the drug. His proposal gained bipartisan support and became the first legalization instrument to reach the full House for debate.

While the legalization effort is dead, the House did agree overwhelmingly to decriminalize the possession of small amounts of marijuana. That proposal is awaiting debate in the Senate.

___

The bills are filed as House Bills 434 and 699.
(The Conversation is an independent and nonprofit source of news, analysis and commentary from academic experts.)

Kimberly Merriman, University of Massachusetts Lowell; David Greenway, University of Massachusetts Lowell, and Tamara Montag-Smit, University of Massachusetts Lowell

(THE CONVERSATION) As vaccinations and relaxed health guidelines make returning to the office a reality for more companies, there seems to be a disconnect between managers and their workers over remote work.

A good example of this is a recent op-ed written by the CEO of a Washington, D.C., magazine that suggested workers could lose benefits like health care if they insist on continuing to work remotely as the COVID-19 pandemic recedes. The staff reacted by refusing to publish for a day.

While the CEO later apologized, she isnt alone in appearing to bungle the transition back to the office after over a year in which tens of millions of employees were forced to work from home. A recent survey of full-time corporate or government employees found that two-thirds say their employers either have not communicated a post-pandemic office strategy or have only vaguely done so.

As workforcescholars, we are interested in teasing out how workers are dealing with this situation. Our recent research found that this failure to communicate clearly is hurting morale, culture and retention.

Workers relocating

We first began investigating workers pandemic experiences in July 2020 as shelter-in-place orders shuttered offices and remote work was widespread. At the time, we wanted to know how workers were using their newfound freedom to potentially work virtually from anywhere.

We analyzed a dataset that a business and technology newsletter attained from surveying its 585,000 active readers. It asked them whether they planned to relocate during the next six months and to share their story about why and where from and to.

After a review, we had just under 3,000 responses, including 1,361 people who were planning to relocate or had recently done so. We systematically coded these responses to understand their motives and, based on distances moved, the degree of ongoing remote-work policy they would likely need.

We found that a segment of these employees would require a full remote-work arrangement based on the distance moved from their office, and another portion would face a longer commute. Woven throughout this was the explicit or implicit expectation of some degree of ongoing remote work among many of the workers who moved during the pandemic.

In other words, many of these workers were moving on the assumption  or promise  that theyd be able to keep working remotely at least some of the time after the pandemic ended. Or they seemed willing to quit if their employer didnt oblige.

We wanted to see how these expectations were being met as the pandemic started to wind down in March 2021. So we searched online communities in Reddit to see what workers were saying. One forum proved particularly useful. A member asked, Has your employer made remote work permanent yet or is it still in the air? and went on to share his own experience. This post generated 101 responses with a good amount of detail on what their respective individual companies were doing.

While this qualitative data is only a small sample that is not necessarily representative of the U.S. population at large, these posts allowed us to delve into a richer understanding of how workers feel, which a simple stat cant provide.

We found a disconnect between workers and management that starts with but goes beyond the issue of the remote-work policy itself. Broadly speaking, we found three recurring themes in these anonymous posts.

1. Broken remote-work promises

Others have also found that people are taking advantage of pandemic-related remote work to relocate to a city at a distance large enough that it would require partial or full-time remote work after people return to the office.

A recent survey by consulting firm PwC found that almost a quarter of workers were considering or planning to move more than 50 miles from one of their employers main offices. The survey also found 12% have already made such a move during the pandemic without getting a new job.

Our early findings suggested some workers would quit their current job rather than give up their new location if required by their employer, and we saw this actually start to occur in March.

One worker planned a move from Phoenix to Tulsa with her fiance to get a bigger place with cheaper rent after her company went remote. She later had to leave her job for the move, even though they told me they would allow me to work from home, then said never mind about it.

Another worker indicated the promise to work remotely was only implicit, but he still had his hopes up when leaders gassed us up for months saying wed likely be able to keep working from home and come in occasionally and then changed their minds and demanded employees return to the office once vaccinated.

2. Confused remote-work policies

Another constant refrain we read in the worker comments was disappointment in their companys remote-work policy  or lack thereof.

Whether workers said they were staying remote for now, returning to the office or still unsure, we found that nearly a quarter of the people in our sample said their leaders were not giving them meaningful explanations of what was driving the policy. Even worse, the explanations sometimes felt confusing or insulting.

One worker complained that the manager wanted butts in seats because we couldnt be trusted to [work from home] even though wed been doing it since last March, adding: Im giving my notice on Monday.

Another, whose company issued a two-week timeline for all to return to the office, griped: Our leadership felt people werent as productive at home. While as a company weve hit most of our goals for the year.  Makes no sense.

After a long period of office shutterings, it stands to reason workers would need time to readjust to office life, a point expressed in recent survey results. Employers that quickly flip the switch in calling workers back and do so with poor clarifying rationale risk appearing tone-deaf.

It suggests a lack of trust in productivity at a time when many workers report putting in more effort than ever and being strained by the increased digital intensity of their job  that is, the growing number of online meetings and chats.

And even when companies said they wouldnt require a return to the office, workers still faulted them for their motives, which many employees described as financially motivated.

We are going hybrid, one worker wrote. I personally dont think the company is doing it for us.  I think they realized how efficient and how much money they are saving.

Only a small minority of workers in our sample said their company asked for input on what employees actually want from a future remote work policy. Given that leaders are rightly concerned about company culture, we believe they are missing a key opportunity to engage with workers on the issue and show their policy rationales arent only about dollars and cents.

3. Corporate culture BS

Management gurus such as Peter Drucker and other scholars have found that corporate culture is very important to binding together workers in an organization, especially in times of stress.

A companys culture is essentially its values and beliefs shared among its members. Thats harder to foster when everyone is working remotely.

Thats likely why corporate human resource executives rank maintaining organizational culture as their top workforce priority for 2021.

But many of the forum posts we reviewed suggested that employer efforts to do that during the pandemic by orchestrating team outings and other get-togethers were actually pushing workers away, and that this type of culture building was not welcome.

[Like what youve read? Want more? Sign up for The Conversations daily newsletter.]

One workers company had everyone come into the office for an outdoor luncheon a week ago, according to a post, adding: Idiots.

Surveys have found that what workers want most from management, on the issue of corporate culture, are more remote-work resources, updated policies on flexibility and more communication from leadership.

As another worker put it, I can tell you, most people really dont give 2 flips about company culture and think its BS.

This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article here: https://theconversation.com/employees-are-feeling-burned-over-broken-work-from-home-promises-and-corporate-culture-bs-as-employers-try-to-bring-them-back-to-the-office-158692.
MIDDLETON, Wis. (AP)  Gov. Tony Evers on Wednesday called a special session for the Legislature to expand Medicaid in Wisconsin, promising to use $850 million in federal money that would come to the state to pay for an array of economic development projects across the state.

Turning down Medicaid expansion now will mean Republicans are also rejecting economic development projects in their own legislative districts, Evers said at a free health care clinic in Middleton before signing an executive order calling the special session.

Its time, enough politics," Evers said.

Republican legislative leaders were quick to denounce the plan as a stunt.

This is a thinly-veiled political maneuver, said Republican Assembly Majority Leader Jim Steineke and Senate President Chris Kapenga in a joint statement.

If Evers wanted to pay for the projected detailed in his bill, he could use some of the other $2.5 billion in federal stimulus money coming to the state thats not tied to Medicaid expansion, Republicans said.

Republicans said they will immediately end the special session without debate, let alone a vote, on the bill.

Under the enticement included in the coronavirus relief bill adopted by Congress and signed by President Joe Biden, the federal government would boost its share of costs in the regular Medicaid program, which offers coverage for the poorest Americans. The bump in federal funding would last two years for the states that join the Medicaid expansion.

The federal COVID-19 relief bill Congress passed in March would provide Wisconsin more than $1 billion in new, temporary savings if Medicaid is expanded. That additional money would be for two years, but is on top of $635 million the state would save over two years due to a higher federal reimbursement through Medicaid expansion.

According to a 2018 report by the state fiscal bureau, Wisconsin would have received an additional $2.8 billion in savings between 2013 and 2019 under full Medicaid expansion.

State Sen. Jon Erpenbach, a Democrat from West Point, said Wisconsin shouldnt pass up the $1 billion in federal money.

If we dont take it now, I highly doubt that opportunity will ever come again, Erpenbach said.

Under Evers bill, $850 million would go toward a wide array of projects and other needs while $150 million would go into a state savings account.

The projects to be funded include $200 million to pay for broadband expansion; $100 million to help replace lead service lines for private users of public water systems; $100 million for road and other infrastructure improvement; and $50 million for a loan to a cooperative to buy the Verso Paper Mill in Wisconsin Rapids and $15 million for a cooperative to buy the Park Falls Pulp and Paper Mill in Park Falls.

The bill would also authorize $30 million for a genomic sequencing wing at the State Laboratory of Hygiene in Madison; $15 million in grants for community health workers; $5.5 million for emergency medical services in rural areas; $4 million for a western Wisconsin forensic center; and $2 million for a new visitor center for Green Bay.

Thirty-six other states, including some led by Republicans, have already accepted Medicaid expansion. Two more  Missouri and Oklahoma  are scheduled to begin their expansions in July. Wisconsin has done a partial expansion, but not done enough to capture billion of dollars in savings and additional funding from the federal government.

Expanding Medicaid has long been supported by Democrats and health care advocates in Wisconsin, while Republicans have branded it as welfare expansion and said there's no guarantee that federal aid would continue.

Accepting federal money available through the Affordable Care Act would increase the minimum income threshold to qualify from 100% of the federal poverty rate to 138%, which would increase the income eligibility for a single person from $12,880 a year to $17,774.

That would make about 91,000 more people eligible for BadgerCare Plus in Wisconsin.
INDIANAPOLIS (AP)  Discount retailer Five Below will locate a Midwest distribution center in central Indiana, creating more than 470 new jobs by the end of 2025, the company and the state announced Wednesday.

The Philadelphia-based company plans to invest more than $100 million to establish distribution and e-commerce operations in Shelby County, officials said. The 1 million-square-foot (92,903-square-meter) is expected to begin operations in summer 2022.
OCALA, Fla. (AP)  A married couple has pleaded guilty to using doughnuts and pastries to lure black bears in rural Florida, allowing packs of dogs to attack them and then posting the gruesome videos on social media.

Charles Scarbrough entered guilty pleas of conspiracy to commit racketeering, animal baiting and fighting, unlawful use of a two-way communicating device and unlawful taking of a black bear, the Ocala Star Banner reports. He has agreed to cooperate with prosecutors. Because of that, sentencing was deferred, though he faces anywhere from five years of probation to more than two years in prison.
BOWLING GREEN, Ohio (AP)  Seven men pleaded not guilty on Wednesday to various charges connected to the death of a 20-year-year-old university student in Ohio who drank a bottle of alcohol as part of a hazing ritual in March.

The seven entered their pleas in Wood County in northwest Ohio. The charges vary by defendant and include involuntary manslaughter, reckless homicide, felonious assault, hazing and violating state alcohol laws.

Charges against an eighth man and member of Phi Kappa Alpha fraternity were earlier dismissed. All but one of the defendants was a Bowling Green student at the time. They range in age from 19 to 23 years old.

Stone Foltz, a business major from Delaware, Ohio, was found unconscious by a roommate on March 4 after members of the Pi Kappa Alpha fraternity dropped him off at his apartment.

According to a lawsuit filed last week by Foltz's parents, his fraternity big brother was supposed to spend the night with him to make sure he was alright, the lawsuit said.

Instead, Stone Foltz was taken from the car into his apartment and left alone on the couch to die, the complaint said.

His roommate came home and found him facedown on a couch and still breathing, but he soon stopped breathing and his face and ears turned purple and blue, the lawsuit said.

A coroner said Foltz died of fatal ethanol intoxication. His blood-alcohol content was roughly five times Ohio's legal limit and was likely much higher prior to testing, according to the parents' attorney. Foltz drank the equivalent of 40 shots, the attorney said.

Bowling Green officials said they found that new members who attended the party in March of this year were blindfolded and taken into a basement while being yelled at and pushed in an attempt to disorient them.

Before the event, fraternity leaders told the pledges to let their professors know they likely would not be in class the next day, the university found.

The national organization for Phi Kappa Alpha placed the Bowling Green chapter on probation from December 2019 to May 2020 after receiving information from university officials about hazing at the fraternity.

"They simply picked up where they left off after probation ended, the lawsuit said.

The fraternity was permanently banned after Foltz's death.
BERLIN (AP)  A prominent German government minister resigned on Wednesday as a long-running controversy over allegations of plagiarism in her doctoral thesis nears its conclusion.

But Franziska Giffey, a center-left Social Democrat who had been Germany's minister for women and families since 2018, stuck to her bid to become Berlin's mayor in a state election on Sept. 26.

Giffey had already said in November that she would stop using the academic title doctor after Berlin's Free University decided to revisit the issue of her thesis.

Doctorates are highly prized in Germany and have caused senior politicians trouble before.

In 2011, then-Defense Minister Karl-Theodor zu Guttenberg lost his doctorate and quit when it emerged that large parts of his thesis werent his original work. Two years later, then-Education Minister Annette Schavan resigned after a university withdrew her doctorate.

Allegations of plagiarism led to the Berlin university reviewing Giffeys 2010 dissertation on the policy of the European Unions executive body, the European Commission. Giffey said in 2019 that she would resign from the government if her Ph.D. was revoked. The university initially decided to issue a reprimand, but not to revoke her title.

In November, the university said it would reconsider the decision after an experts report raised questions about whether it was entitled only to issue a reprimand.

Giffey said in a statement that a university committee has now completed its examination and given her until June to respond, which she will. She didn't elaborate, but said the government, her party and the public need clarity now.

She said she stands by her claim that she wrote the thesis to the best of my ability and added: I regret it if I made mistakes in this. Giffey added that, if the university decides to revoke her academic title, she will accept that.

Giffey, who was the popular mayor of Berlin's Neukoelln district before joining the national government, will now concentrate on her bid to run the capital. The Social Democrats last month nominated her as their candidate to succeed lackluster incumbent Michael Mueller, a fellow party member who isn't seeking another term.

She wrote that she has said Berliners can rely on me. I stand by that.

Merkel said she accepted Giffey's resignation with great respect but just as great regret, praising her passion and skill.

But a senior figure in Germany's third governing party, the Christian Social Union, suggested that Giffey's necessary and consistent resignation wasn't enough.

Effectively she is only taking a time out to concentrate on the election campaign for the post of mayor, Markus Blume told the Funke newspaper group. I think voters should clear up the rest.

Giffey's party decided not to appoint a new minister before Germany's national election, also being held on Sept. 26. Its leadership said Justice Minister Christine Lambrecht will take over Giffey's duties.
BERLIN (AP)  Police raided sites in seven German states on Wednesday as German authorities announced a ban on three groups linked to the Lebanese militant organization Hezbollah.

Germany's Interior Ministry said the groups are suspected of raising funds for families of killed Hezbollah fighters. Hezbollah, which is rooted in Lebanons Shiite community and has close ties to Iran, is an avowed enemy of Israel.
BERLIN (AP)  Germanys only state governor from the rising Green party on Wednesday announced ambitious new climate targets that includes boosting new technologies so that Tesla will soon only see our tail lights.

The wealthy southwest German state, home to German automakers Mercedes-Benz and Porsche, aims to achieve net zero emissions by 2040  five years earlier than the national goal, recently re-elected governor Winfried Kretschmann said.

Baden-Wuerttemberg will also become the first German state to require that all new buildings have roofs with solar panels, he said. The same requirement will apply to existing buildings undergoing major refurbishments.

Kretschmann's state government, which has Chancellor Angela Merkel's center-right Christian Democrats as its junior coalition partner, is seen as a possible template for the federal level. The Greens are currently leading in polls ahead of Germany's national election on Sept. 26, with measures to combat global warming among voters' top concerns.

Whoever protects the climate, protects our freedom, Kretschmann said in a speech to regional lawmakers setting out his governments plans for the coming five years.

At least 2% of Baden-Wuerttemberg's land will be designated for wind power and solar farms, particularly along highways and railway lines. The state government will also expand the Black Forest national park, and push for higher carbon prices and for the national deadline to phase out coal by 2038 to be brought forward to 2030, Kretschmann said.

The 73-year-old said the state where German inventor Karl Benz invented the modern motor vehicle almost 150 years ago would now reinvent the car by supporting battery technology, artificial intelligence and autonomous driving.

That way we're going to ensure that Tesla will soon only see our tail lights, he said, referring to the American electric car powerhouse.

The state of about 11 million people bordering Switzerland and France is one of the richest per capita in Germany.

___

Follow all AP stories on climate change issues at https://apnews.com/hub/climate.
Demetrius Freeman/AP

WASHINGTON (AP)  The hackers who carried out the massive SolarWinds intrusion were in the software company's system as early as January 2019, months earlier than previously known, the company's top official said Wednesday.

SolarWinds had previously traced the origins of the hack to the fall of 2019 but now believes that hackers were doing very early recon activities as far back as the prior January, according to Sudhakar Ramakrishna, the company's president and CEO.
BOISE, Idaho (AP)  Idaho Gov. Brad Little has vetoed a bill primarily intended to thwart medical marijuana initiative backers from collecting signatures at pot shops in neighboring states.

The Republican governor in the veto message sent to lawmakers on Tuesday said he was concerned about the constitutionality and fairness of the bill because it would prevent qualified voters from participating in the states ballot initiative process.
TOPEKA, Kan. (AP)  People will be able to get beer and cocktails to go in Kansas after the coronavirus pandemic thanks to a measure signed into law Wednesday by Gov. Laura Kelly.

The new law will allow to-go beer and alcoholic drinks from clubs, bars and restaurants until 11 p.m., as long as the drinks are in sealed containers and clear bags that discourage tampering. Lawmakers approved the measure earlier this month, and it takes effect later this month.
MANCHESTER, N.H. (AP)  A Maine man accused of firing a gun in a New Hampshire shopping plaza, saying he believed zombies," droids,'" and drones," were trying to get him, pleaded guilty and was sentenced to at least two years in prison Wednesday.

Gordon Falt, 27, of Mount Desert, Maine, pleaded guilty to 13 counts of reckless conduct with a deadly weapon, being a felon in possession of dangerous weapons and other charges, WMUR-TV reported.
LANSING, Mich. (AP)  Michigan lawmakers on Wednesday proposed spending $500 million to repair aging dams a year after a hydroelectric dam failed to hold back floodwaters in the Midland area, causing more than $250 million in damage, draining lakes and forcing thousands of residents to evacuate their homes.

Pending legislation would create four new funds dedicated to dams. The money would help cover repairs related to the disaster, upgrade high-risk dams elsewhere, fund responses to future disasters and draw federal match funding to rehabilitate or remove dams.

Policy bills would add requirements for dam owners, including that they can financially handle potential problems and that they keep operation, monitoring and safety records. Higher-risk dams would be inspected more frequently than lower-risk structures.

The state has accusedBoyce Hydro Power of gross mismanagement preceding the devastating flood in Midland and Gladwin counties.

I get it  theres been a lot of talk and too little action, House Speaker Jason Wentworth, a Farwell Republican whose district is near the failed Edenville Dam, said in a statement. "With these bills, we are going to lock the state into a real plan big enough to actually fix the problem and fast enough to start delivering results in our most vulnerable areas before its too late.

Legislators were still finalizing how to propose splitting the $500 million among the accounts.

In May 2020, the Edenville Dam failed during a steady rain, draining Wixom Lake and unleashing the Tittabawassee River, which then overwhelmed the Sanford Dam, about 140 miles (225 kilometers) north of Detroit.

Both Republicans and Democrats in the GOP-controlled Legislature will sponsor the measures.

It was heartbreaking to see the devastation facing so many people, especially when almost all of it could have been prevented if improvements to the local dams had been made to ensure they could handle the water levels, said Sen. Jim Stamas, a Midland Republican, who said the measures will help prevent future disasters in other communities.

In March, the state said the major portion of emergency work to restore the Tobacco River was completed. And this week, the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy said a reorganized dam safety unit will soon have the equivalent of five full-time staffers to oversee more than 1,000 state-regulated dams, double from when the two dams failed a year ago.

EGLE Director Liesl Clark said she looked forward to working with legislators to secure additional funding, staffing and legislative changes to help regulators better hold dam owners accountable for upkeep.

___

Follow David Eggert at https://twitter.com/DavidEggert00
BISMARCK, N.D. (AP)  A panel of North Dakota lawmakers on Wednesday chose study topics that are likely to inspire legislation for the 2023 session.

The Republican-led Legislative Management committee, a 17-member panel of lawmakers that oversees business between sessions, chose 50 studies, including school funding, state employee compensation, health care, gambling addiction  and even the shortage of firearms and ammunition in the state.

Twenty-two studies were not chosen.

The panel has 13 Republicans and four Democrats, and includes the floor leaders of both parties. Republicans have two-thirds majorities in both the North Dakota House and Senate, and they control the study and committee selection process.

Each of the Legislatures 141 members will be surveyed on committee preferences. Legislative Management will meet again on June 9 to assign the subjects to study committees.

Its chairman, Grand Forks Republican Sen. Ray Holmberg, estimated 26 committees will be formed, each with about 14 lawmakers.

Each committee will compile a report and any suggested legislation prior to the 2023 session.

North Dakota is one of four states where the Legislature meets every other year.

Among the more high-profile studies will be a review of the amount, type, cost, and occupancy of property leased by the state or any state agency since 2018. The study comes in the wake of a news report about expensive but unused office space for a state agency that intends to allow most of its more than 400 employees to work from home indefinitely.

Committees also will be assigned to review a 13 mandatory studies from legislation passed before adjournment last month.

Mandatory studies include a review of the Public Employees Retirement System, access to private and public land for hunters, higher education affordability, prescription drug pricing, state agency fees, and potential uses of earnings from the Legacy Fund, the voter-approved oil tax savings account.

Legislative Management also will choose a legislative committee that will study redistricting plans this summer. The Legislature is expected to meet again this fall to approve a proposal to redraw the states political map.

A seat on the redistricting committee will be especially competitive because the panel will have a big say in deciding potentially new areas that lawmakers will represent.
HAGATNA, Guam (AP)  The Center for Disease Control and Prevention has elevated Guam's COVID-19 risk level to its highest tier and is urging people to avoid traveling to the island.

Eighty-eight individuals were in isolation with COVID-19 infections in Guam as of Wednesday morning, with nine new patients identified Tuesday, according to Guam's Joint Information Center. There have been 8,1118 confirmed infections and 139 deaths from the disease on Guam since the pandemic began.
SANTA FE, N.M. (AP)  New Mexico probably overpaid unemployment insurance benefits by an estimated $250 million during the coronavirus pandemic amid a backlog of investigations into potentially fraudulent claims, the budget and accountability office of the Legislature announced Wednesday in a research report.

Analysts briefed members of the Legislature's lead budget writing committee on the trajectory of record-setting unemployment claims during pandemic.

New Mexico has paid out more than $3 billion in unemployment claims through the state's Workforce Solutions Department since the local outset of the pandemic in March 2020. That put the state unemployment trust fund into insolvency and in debt to the federal government.

The Workforce Solutions Department last year reassigned staff to help keep pace with a tide of claims as jobs and personal income dried up and drafted workers from other state agencies to answer phones from people who lost jobs and were desperate to sign up for unemployment payments.

The surge and staffing reassignments exacerbated already rising rates of improper payments, financial analysts at the Legislative Finance Committee found. Staff estimate the state has made $250 million in benefit overpayments since the start of the pandemic.

Analysts attribute $133 million of the estimated overpayments to fraud, including $16 million linked to support intended for gig workers and self-employed contractors. The remainder was linked to a variety of overpayments not involving intentional deception.

The revelations arrive amid turbulence at the Workforce Solutions Department, where Bill McCamley departed as agency secretary a month ago and a review is underway of inflated tax rates on employers for unemployment insurance.

Acting Workforce Solutions Secretary Ricky Serna said the agency was in a bind as it struggled to keep up with an unprecedented tide of legitimate unemployment claims amid brazen fraud schemes by criminals trying to get payouts. Serna said fraud schemes also tied up phone lines with robocalls and appropriated the identities of state unemployment regulators.

You dont have enough time to certify that everyone who applied meets the program requirements because you dont want those people to wait five or six weeks for their money, he said. But then five or six weeks later, after theyve been receiving their money, you realize that wasnt right, or this was inaccurate or you didnt provide this. So we need to revisit eligibility. And to be sure, in some instances, it resulted in overpayments.

Serna, who is performing double-duty as director of the State Personnel Office, said the challenges of limiting overpayments was compounded by new federal pandemic initiatives.

The federally subsidized program that extended unemployment benefits to previously ineligible gig workers and contractors presented huge challenges in terms of verifying applicants' past income without the help of employers. And the federal paycheck protection program provided bursts of backpay to people already receiving unemployment benefits.

Serna said two specialists are re-evaluating that agency's workflow, including the backlog in investigations. He said unemployment officials had an emergency plan in place for a possible economic recession that was overwhelmed by the financial downturn of the pandemic.

The state's rate of unemployment claims peaked in July 2020 with a record 197,000 applications for assistance in New Mexico, which has a population of about 2.1 million residents.

The state has borrowed $278 million so far from the federal government to meet unemployment insurance obligations.

Lawmakers are wrestling with strategies for paying off the debt and restoring trust balance without triggering a sharp tax increase on employers. More than 100,000 people statewide continue to draw unemployment benefits as the economy gradually reopens.

Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham in April vetoed a plan to funnel $600 million in new federal pandemic relief to the state's unemployment payments trust  citing uncertainty about spending restrictions. She allowed a separate $100 million contribution to the trust from the state's general fund.

The U.S. Treasury is allowing states to replenish unemployment funds to pre-pandemic levels  a $460 million balance in New Mexico's case.

Lujan Grisham, a Democrat, has not yet provided a specific unemployment trust solvency plan. Serna said the state's unemployment debt would eventually have a compounding effect on tax rate increases for businesses.

New Mexico last week reinstated a requirement that people receiving unemployment benefits show they are actively searching for work.

The state has no plan to end a $300 weekly federal supplement going to roughly 96,000 jobless residents. A growing number of states are halting the $300 payments.

Sarah Dinces, a program evaluator on income support with the Legislature's accountability office, said that current unemployment benefits in New Mexico may provide a strong disincentive for people to return to work. That is a consequence low median household incomes and robust wage replacement.

Republican state Rep. Jack Chatfield, a rancher and restaurant owner from Mosquero, said businesses, including his own, are struggling to find workers.

We just cant get anybody. We cant get people to come to work, he said.

Serna said Workforce Solutions is studying the issues and that some parents still can't return to work because of a daycare shortages, combined with lingering fears of the contagion.
ATLANTA (AP)  Georgia's governor on Wednesday appointed a panel to determine whether a sheriff accused of violating the civil rights of several people in his custody should be suspended pending the outcome of federal charges.

A federal grand jury last month indicted Clayton County Sheriff Victor Hill. The indictment accuses the sheriff of repeatedly ordering detainees to be put in a restraint chair for hours even though they posed no threat and had complied with deputies. The indictment alleges the restraint chairs were improperly used as punishment.

Hill has said the prosecution is politically motivated.

One of his lawyers, Drew Findling, has called the case against Hill nonsensical but said Wednesday that since the panel is provided for by law, his client doesn't see its appointment negatively.

A federal magistrate judge authorized Hill's release on bond.

Georgia law allows the governor to convene a review commission made up of two sheriffs and the state attorney general to investigate and recommend whether a sheriff facing criminal or ethics charges should be suspended pending the outcome.

In an executive order Wednesday, Gov. Brian Kemp appointed Attorney General Chris Carr, Burke County Sheriff Alfonzo Williams and Cherokee County Sheriff Frank Reynolds to determine whether the indictment affects Hill's duties in such a way that it could have an adverse effect on the public.

The panel is to report back to Kemp within 14 days.

Findling said he's confident that the review commission will recognize the indictment is an overreach by the federal government to interfere with a duly elected sheriff devoted to maintaining security at the Clayton County jail.

Restraint chairs are used at jails throughout the country, and all health and safety procedures were complied with in its use at the Clayton County jail, Findling said.

"At the end, we are confident that Gov. Kemp, who has demonstrated that he will not be dictated to by the federal government and has committed himself to combatting violent crime, will not suspend Sheriff Victor Hill, who is well documented as one of Georgias most devoted anti-crime law enforcement officers, he said.

The Peace Officer Standards and Training Council, which certifies law enforcement officers in Georgia, has opened an investigation, which it does whenever an officer faces criminal charges, executive director Mike Ayers said.
RICHMOND, Va. (AP)  Some police agencies in Virginia are opposing legislation that would make disciplinary records public, saying the move could lead to police leaders sweeping misconduct under the rug.

The Richmond Times-Dispatch reports that agency representatives spoke Tuesday to a Virginia Freedom of Information Advisory Council subcommittee. Representatives of the Virginia State Police, the Virginia Sheriffs Association and the Virginia Association of Counties were among those expressing concerns.
LOS ANGELES (AP)  A brawl involving pro-Palestinians who attacked Jewish diners at a Los Angeles restaurant will be investigated as a hate crime, the city's mayor said.

Witnesses said members of a car caravan flying Palestinian flags attacked outdoor diners just before 10 p.m. Tuesday at a sushi restaurant in the Beverly Grove area as violence in Israel and the Gaza Strip intensified.

The Los Angeles Times said a witness, who asked to remain anonymous for safety reasons, said some people from the caravan threw bottles and chanted death to Jews and free Palestine.

Somebody in one of the cars driving by started throwing glass bottles or glass cups at the tables and they shattered everywhere, a woman diner, who didn't want to be identified, told KCBS-TV.

Several cars stopped and men got out, began running toward the tables and began asking Whos Jewish? the woman said.

KTLA-TV reported that a witness, who was not identified, said fighting erupted when two men replied they were.

Video showed a man being punched on a sidewalk.

The man, who wished to be identified only as M, told KABC-TV that he was helping plan an upcoming wedding with four Jewish friends when the car caravan rolled up.

Video showed some men dressed in black getting out of a car and pushing M's friend to the ground. M said grabbed a metal stanchion. Video showed him swinging it at attackers.

M said he grabbed it to scare the men.

There were many girls behind us. I was scared that they would attack everybody, he said.

M was followed to his car, punched and pepper sprayed, and was treated at a hospital, he said.

Restaurant staff rushed patrons inside, locked the doors and called police.

No arrests were immediately made.

Police said five victims were punched or hurt by broken glass, but nobody was seriously injured. At least three suspects were being sought.

Mayor Eric Garcetti, in tweets posted Wednesday afternoon, said the LAPD is looking into the assault as a hate crime and condemned what he called an organized, anti-Semitic attack."

Jewish Angelenos, like all residents, should always feel safe in our city, he posted. L.A. is a city of belonging, not of hate.

A weekend protest in West Los Angeles in support of Palestinians drew thousands of peaceful protesters. An earlier Tuesday demonstration outside the Israeli consulate also was peaceful and an organizer, Amani Barakat, told KCBS-TV that he wouldn't condone violence.

Weve organized many protests, Saturdays protest we had more than 20,000 people that showed up and not one single incident, Barakat said.

The Council on American-Islamic Relations for Greater Los Angeles condemned the incident.

As a civil rights and advocacy organization, we support everyones right to free speech, the right to assemble and rally in support of their respective political views, Executive Director Hussam Ayloush said in a statement. However, despite heightened tensions in Palestine and Israel, it is never acceptable for that conflict to spill over into our streets and cities. Violence and intimidation should be condemned, investigated, and if warranted, prosecuted.
HIGHLAND HILLS, Ohio (AP)  A teenage boy accused of being part of a group that committed six carjackings in Cleveland escaped from a state-run hospital after ordering a ride-sharing pickup for himself while he smoked cigarettes outside the facility with hospital employees, authorities said.

Lavelle Spencer, 17, remains at large Wednesday after escaping Saturday from the Warrensville Developmental Center in Highland Hills, according to the Cuyahoga County Prosecutor Michael OMalley. Spencer was undergoing court-ordered mental-health treatment at the facility.
MOSCOW (AP)  The Russian parliament's lower house voted Wednesday to withdraw from an international treaty allowing surveillance flights over military facilities following the U.S. departure from the pact.

The Russian exit from the Open Skies Treaty is yet to be endorsed by the upper house of parliament and needs to be signed by President Vladimir Putin to take effect. Moscow has signaled its readiness to reverse the withdrawal procedure and stay in the treaty if the United States returns to the agreement.

Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov told Russian lawmakers Wednesday that if the U.S. declares its intention to return to the pact, a new diplomatic process will start. He added, however, that he considers that unlikely.

The withdrawal vote came hours before U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov were to hold their first meeting on the sidelines of a gathering of top diplomats from the Arctic countries in Reykjavik, Iceland. They are expected to focus on setting the stage for a planned summit next month between U.S. President Joe Biden and Putin.

The Open Skies Treaty was intended to build trust between Russia and the West by allowing the accords more than three dozen signatories to conduct reconnaissance flights over each others territories to collect information about military forces and activities. More than 1,500 flights have been conducted under the treaty since it took effect in 2002, aimed at fostering transparency and allowing for the monitoring of arms control and other agreements.

U.S. President Donald Trump pulled out of the pact last year, arguing that Russian violations made it untenable for Washington to remain a party. Washington completed its withdrawal from the treaty in November.

Moscow has deplored the U.S. withdrawal, warning that it will erode global security by making it more difficult for governments to interpret the intentions of other nations, particularly amid heightened Russia-West tensions.

The European Union has urged the U.S. to reconsider its exit and called on Russia to stay in the pact and lift flight restrictions, notably over its westernmost Kaliningrad region, which lies between NATO allies Lithuania and Poland.

Russia has insisted the restrictions on observation flights it imposed in the past were permissible under the treaty and noted that the U.S. imposed more sweeping restrictions on observation flights over Alaska.

As a condition for staying in the pact after the U.S. pullout, Moscow has unsuccessfully pushed for guarantees from NATO allies that they wouldnt hand over the data collected during their observation flights over Russia to the U.S.

The upper house of Russia's parliament, the Federation Council, is expected to approve the withdrawal bill on June 2; once Putin signs the measure, it would take six months for the Russian exit to take effect.

Hypothetically, the U.S. has a chance until June 2 to show common sense and say: OK, we suspend our decision, Federation Council Speaker Valentina Matviyenko told reporters. There is such a theoretic, hypothetical opportunity, and its up to the U.S. whether to use it.

Leonid Slutsky, the head of the foreign affairs committee in the lower house, has said that the upper chamber initially planned to vote Wednesday on leaving the pact but pushed its consideration back at Putins suggestion to offer the U.S. more time to consider a comeback.
SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (AP)  South Dakota's most influential business groups on Wednesday called for Congress to take up immigration reform to protect immigrants who were brought to the U.S. illegally as children.

The group, which included the state's Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Retailers Association and Dairy Producers, cast an economic argument on immigration, arguing that the thousands of job openings in the state showed the need for legal ways to immigrate. The group's call comes as President Joe Biden presses Congress to pass legislation codifying the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program that then-President Barack Obama instituted by executive action in 2012 to provide limited protections for immigrants brought to the U.S. illegally as children.

Don Haggar, the state executive director for the free-market organization, Americans for Prosperity, said immigration reform has gotten caught up in a partisan ping-pong battle, but there's currently an opportunity to find bipartisan support for a long-term solution for immigrants often described as dreamers."

Dreamers are among the best and brightest in our country, Haggar said. These folks are contributors.

Biden has made clear that passing legislation enshrining DACA  which has wide, bipartisan support from the American public  should be the floor for action on immigration. However, his call for wider immigration reform to establish a pathway to citizenship for 11 million undocumented immigrants faces tough odds in a closely divided Congress.

The U.S. House recently passed a bill that would provide ways to obtain permanent legal status for DACA recipients, as well as other immigrants in the country under temporary programs protecting them from deportation. But South Dakota's lone congressman, Rep. Dusty Johnson voted against it.

Legal immigration is an incredibly important part of the American story, but reforming the immigration system will be difficult until we end the crisis at the southern border, the Republican congressman said in a statement. "We need to address that crisis and also get the ten million unemployed Americans back to work.

The state's two Republican U.S. Senators, John Thune and Mike Rounds, have previously expressed support for immigration reform for DACA recipients but tied it to beefing up border security.

For people like Karen Benitez-Lopez, a DACA recipient who spoke at the virtual event with the business leaders, any delays to immigration reform mean their lives remain in limbo. Every two years, Benitez-Lopez has to reapply to receive DACA status, meaning she remains unsure whether she will be forced to return to a country she left when she was two years old.

We came here with the hopes that we had a pathway to citizenship, she said. The immigration system is behind.
MADRID (AP)  A senior Spanish government official says he expects British and other vacationers to return to Spain within weeks as the country races to revive its tourism industry amid the COVID-9 pandemic.

Deputy Minister for Tourism Fernando Valdes told The Associated Press on Wednesday that falling coronavirus incidence rates and accelerating vaccine rollouts in some countries will enable Spain to drop travel restrictions early next month.

Some people from countries outside the European Union will be able to come  for example, from the United Kingdom, which is in a good epidemiological situation  without any restrictions, Valdes said in an interview.

And we are going to begin to accept citizens that can present a vaccine certificate, he said.

In 2019, Britain sent 18 million people to Spain, the most of any country. Spain is one of the world's top tourism destinations.

Negotiations between EU governments and EU lawmakers to introduce COVID-19 certificates aimed at facilitating travel across the bloc this summer are ongoing.

A deal is needed by end of this month to ensure the system will be up and running by the end of June, as EU officials hope.

Valdes said Spain intends to move quickly, as the government seeks to revive a sector that in pre-pandemic times accounted for 12% of annual gross domestic product, but plummeted to just under 6% amid lockdowns and travel bans last year.

Spain will have the digital certificate ready in June. We hope that (the EU) regulation will be approved on the June 21, he said.

But from the first week of June, Spain will be able to validate certificates on its borders and expedite certificates to its citizens.

Spain is focusing its new promotional campaigns on its key markets: the United Kingdom, France, Germany and other EU countries, which in 2019 made up 75% of visitors.

___

Follow APs pandemic coverage at:

https://apnews.com/hub/coronavirus-pandemic

https://apnews.com/hub/coronavirus-vaccine

https://apnews.com/UnderstandingtheOutbreak
SPRINGFIELD  A state House task force continued its discussion about reevaluating controversial statues and whether new monuments commemorating minorities should be added to the state Capitol grounds.

The hearing Wednesday is the second meeting of the bipartisan Statue and Monument Review Task Force, which was formed by Speaker Emanuel Chris Welch last month. The purpose of the task force is to conduct a review of monuments on state property and proposals for new monuments or statues.

One of four speakers, Southern Illinois University at Edwardsvilles Katherine Poole-Jones, associate art history professor, said the task force must ask what values they wish to collectively endorse in the public realm.

We look at each monument, (and ask) is it representative of those shared community values and ideas, if it ever was? Poole-Jones said. Because thats also a possibility, that it never was. What is the value of the monument remaining in public space? How is the community benefiting from the monument?

And I think we also have to carefully balance that against the discomfort, the pain, the alienation, it may cause some members of the community, because we have to understand that the spaces that monuments occupy cannot be entered into in a neutral way for everyone, she said.

She said this is especially crucial to think about when discussing the grounds of government buildings, because, of course, the history of Confederate monuments was putting them up at statehouses as tools of intimidation.

The city of Chicago is undertaking a similar examination of its statues, and two Chicago monuments of Christopher Columbus were temporarily removed last summer as part of this effort.

Some cities, including Richmond, Virginia, Jacksonville, Florida, and Indianapolis have removed statues of Confederate officers.

Adam Green, an associate history professor at the University of Chicago, also spoke and shared the schools perspectives on the task forces charge.

Green said statues, monuments and memorials and the naming practices for buildings, parks, streets and other components of the built environment play a crucial role in defining communities.

They establish a heritage that gives our shared community a sense of origins, continuity and endurance. They signal which individuals and what actions or contributions are worthy of honoring or even emulating, Green said. They also identify implicitly, and sometimes quite explicitly, those values that are understood to be ones which the residents of the state and visitors to the state can consider aspiring to live by.

Last year, former House Speaker Michael Madigan requested that the board of the Office of the Architect of the Capitol remove monuments of Stephen Douglas and Pierre Menard from Capitol grounds.

Douglas, a slave owner, served as Illinois secretary of state, state Supreme Court justice and in the U.S. Senate, among other roles.

Menard, also a slave owner, was the first lieutenant governor of Illinois, and he supported political actions devised to ensure slavery was legal in the state.

Rep. Mary Flowers, a Chicago Democrat who chairs the committee, suggested the task force consider adding monuments commemorating former President Barack Obama, as well as Harold Washington, Chicagos first black mayor; Ida B. Wells, a co-founder of the NAACP; and Rudy Lozano, a labor activist from Chicagos Little Village neighborhood.

But Rachel Leibowitz, an assistant professor at the State University of New York, cautioned the task force against adding too many new figurative monuments and memorials to the Capitol grounds.

She pointed to the Texas Capitol grounds, which has 22 statues, monuments or memorials.

And, their site is physically larger than yours with the Stratton building, so this is just to say there can be a lot of physical clutter on the ground, she said.

Leibowitz said the committee could also consider relocating statues or monuments from the Capitol grounds to another place, like a hall of statues.

I suggest that only because then the state Capitol grounds becomes open to everyone, Leibowitz said, there is no one there saying, I am not represented. There is no one saying, I dont see myself and my story reflected.

It is the building, it is the ground. Its something to consider. Im not saying thats the solution, but I just want to offer that as a possibility.

She also raised the possibility of constructing abstract memorials, such as the Vietnam Memorial in the Washington D.C.

I would encourage you also to consider as you move forward  is what you want more figurative statues, more great men or great women on pedestals, or do you want to create something that is more inviting? she said. Do you want to celebrate, for example, the life of Dr. King in a way that offers moments in time, that shows struggles and triumphs? How do you want to commemorate this history moving forward? You have options.

Flowers and Republican spokesperson Rep. Tim Butler, of Springfield, have endorsed relocating and redesigning the statue of Martin Luther King Jr. that is currently placed across the street from the Capitol grounds.

Secretary of State Jesse White, who also supports this proposal, has pledged $5,000 towards the construction of a new King statue.

Flowers said White and the Architect of the Capitol Andrea Aggertt will present at the next task force meeting, which has not yet been scheduled.

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.
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (AP)  A gunman killed one central Illinois police officer and wounded another before he was fatally shot during a shootout at an apartment complex early Wednesday, authorities said.

The officers went to the complex in Champaign shortly after 3 a.m. in response to a report about a domestic disturbance and encountered the armed suspect, police said. An exchange of gunfire followed in which both officers and the suspect were shot.

Officer Chris Oberheim, 44, died of his wounds, the citys police chief, Anthony Cobb, said in a statement. The wounded officer was hospitalized in stable condition, the department said.

The suspect killed in the shootout, Darion Marquise Lafayette, 24, of Champaign, was pronounced dead at the scene, the Champaign County coroner said. Autopsies on Oberheim and Lafayette are scheduled for Thursday.

Champaign County court records show Lafayette had previous arrests for domestic violence and drug possession, The (Champaign) News-Gazette reported.

Police have not released the name of the wounded officer.

Champaign officers have been equipped with body cameras since 2017, and those cameras are supposed to be activated when an officer responds to service calls or is engaged in any law enforcement-related encounter, according to the departments website.

The department didnt immediately reply to Associated Press requests for further information about the shootout, including what the officers' body cameras captured.

Cobb said Oberheim joined the police force in Champaign in 2008. Before that, he spent seven years on Decaturs police force. Champaign is 125 miles (200 kilometers) southwest of Chicago,

His only intention was to serve, protect and help provide care before he was senselessly fired upon and killed, the chief said.

Monticello Schools Superintendent Vic Zimmerman said in a statement that Oberheim had four daughters, including three who attend the district's schools, and that he was very involved in their lives.

"Our thoughts and prayers are with his family during this difficult time, Zimmerman said.

The News-Gazette reported that days earlier Cobb said he feared that a shooting involving police could happen because the city of about 85,000 has been dealing with an increase in gun violence.

Oberheim is the third Champaign police officer to be killed in the line of duty. The other two were killed in 1913 and 1967, the newspaper reported.

The Illinois State Police will lead the investigation into the shooting, with assistance from Urbana police, the Champaign County Sheriffs Office and the University of Illinois Police Department, Champaign police said.
NEW ORLEANS (AP)  A suspect in the death of a Louisiana-based Elvis Presley impersonator was ruled mentally incompetent to stand trial Wednesday.

The Advocate newspaper reports that the ruling from a judge in New Orleans came after a psychiatrist testified that Trace Pigott, 28, has a long history of serious mental illness.
UNITED NATIONS  The United States opposes a draft U.N. Security Council resolution calling for a cease-fire in the conflict between Israel and Gazas Hamas rulers. The U.S. says it could interfere with the Biden administrations efforts to end the hostilities.

France drafted the resolution after the U.S. earlier blocked at least four attempts to have the council issue a press statement calling for an end to hostilities.

A press statement requires agreement by all 15 council members. A resolution only requires at least nine yes votes and no veto by the United States or any of the four other permanent members.

A French spokesman had said very intense discussions were taking place Wednesday with the U.S. on the proposed resolution.

But the U.S. Mission to the U.N. said later that we will not support actions that we believe undermine efforts to de-escalate.

___

UNITED NATIONS  The U.N. agency for Palestinian refugees is urgently appealing for $38 million for emergency needs in Gaza as a result of conflict between Israel and the territorys Hamas rulers.

The U.N. Relief and Works Agency said Wednesday that it is already responding to the humanitarian needs of refugees and non-refugees, including tens of thousands of people who have sought safety in the agencys schools and emergency shelters.

The agency says the $38 million is needed for an initial 30-day period to respond to a variety of immediate needs in Gaza including food, health care, psychological services, and water and sanitation. It also includes emergency needs in the West Bank, including east Jerusalem, for health care, shelter, education, security and protection.

___

BEIRUT  The leader the Palestinian Islamic Jihad group says militant factions in Gaza went into the latest battle with Israel knowing it will be costly but also knowing that it is the only road to freedom and to protect Jerusalem.

Ziad Nakhaleh said in a televised speech from Beirut on Wednesday that neither nuclear weapons, warplanes nor peace agreements with some Arab states could bring Israelis security and peace.

He added that militant groups in Gaza have made miracles that you can see with your own eyes and you live them every moment when you run to shelters.

Nakhaleh was referring to thousands of missiles and rockets that Gaza militants have fired toward Israel.

Nakhaleh said that after Israels moves that threatened the eviction of dozens of Palestinian families by Jewish settlers in east Jerusalem, we were in front of two choices, to surrender and to give them everything or fight them over everything.

___

JERUSALEM  Israels Foreign Ministry says foreign ministers from Germany, the Czech Republic, and Slovakia will arrive in Israel on Thursday.

The ministry said in a statement Wednesday that the diplomats were invited by Foreign Minister Gabi Ashkenazi to express their solidarity and support for Israel during its campaign against Palestinian militants in the Gaza Strip.

The visit comes as Israel faces mounting international pressure to de-escalate hostilities after 10 days of heavy fighting between Israelis and Palestinians in the Gaza Strip.

___

JERUSALEM  Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu says he is determined to continue this operation until its aim is met, despite U.S. President Joe Bidens call for a de-escalation of hostilities in Gaza.

In a statement from his office Wednesday, Netanyahu said that he greatly appreciates the support of the American president, but said Israel will push ahead to return the calm and security to you, citizens of Israel.

Earlier, Biden called for significant de-escalation by days end from Netanyahu after 10 days of heavy fighting between Israel and Hamas in Gaza.

___

CAIRO  An Egyptian diplomat says some of the countrys top officials are waiting for Israels response to a cease-fire offer, and that they expect amendments to their proposal.

He says they hope Frances increasing efforts could spur the United States to exert its influence on Israel and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to agree to stop the fighting as soon as possible.

He added that if that doesn't happen, there are some discussions among Arab and Islamic nations, along with China, to put the issue before the U.N. General Assembly in an effort to bypass the Security Council and the U.S.s veto power there.

The diplomat spoke on condition of anonymity in line with regulations.

Egypt has been trying to broker a cease-fire between neighboring Israel and Hamas, as it is one of a handful of countries that maintains official ties with both.

 Samy Magdy in Cairo.

___

BERLIN  Germanys foreign ministry is confirming that the nations top diplomat will make a one-day trip to Israel and the West Bank on Thursday for talks with senior Israeli and Palestinian officials.

The ministry said Wednesday that Foreign Minister Heiko Maas will meet the Israeli foreign and defense ministers, as well as President Reuven Rivlin.

He will also meet the Palestinian prime minister in Ramallah.

Maas had said earlier Wednesday that he hoped to fly to Israel but coordination hadnt yet been completed.

Maas has called for an end to an immediate stop to rocket terror by the Hamas militant group, which controls Gaza, a cease-fire and efforts to restart direct talks between the Israelis and Palestinians.

___

TEHRAN, Iran  A top Iranian general says the balance of power in the Middle East has changed with the Palestinians ability to launch so many missiles against Israel.

State TV is reporting Wednesday that Gen. Hossein Salami, chief of the powerful Revolutionary Guard, said Israel has become weaker and the Palestinians have become stronger and more powerful.

Salami says: Palestinians could destroy all Israeli industrial facilities and air bases with missiles.

Palestinian militants have fired more than 3,700 rockets at Israel, with hundreds falling short and many others intercepted. The rockets have reached a number of Israeli cities, including Tel Aviv, and have brought life to a standstill in areas near Gaza.

Iran does not recognize Israel and supports anti-Israeli militant groups like Palestinian Hamas and Lebanon's Hezbollah.

___

WASHINGTON  President Joe Biden has called for significant de-escalation by day's end from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

Bidens appeal on Wednesday comes after 10 days of heavy fighting between Israelis and Palestinians.

It was Bidens toughest public pressure so far on the U.S. ally, with the president asking Netanyahu in a telephone call to move toward the path to a cease-fire, according to a White House statement on their conversation.

Pressure has been mounting on Biden, too, to do more as the death toll in the conflict has topped 200.

___

BEIRUT  Lebanese security officials said several rockets were fired from south Lebanon toward Israel, the third such barrage in the past week.

The Israeli military said it identified four rockets fired Wednesday from Lebanon into northern Israel. One landed in an open area, two landed in the sea, and one was intercepted by aerial defenses. Residents of the city of Shfaram, east of Haifa, said one rocket landed near the town.

The Lebanese officials said the latest rockets were launched from the outskirts of the southern Lebanese village of Qlayleh. The officials spoke on condition of anonymity in line with regulations.

The rocket attack, which drew Israeli artillery fire in response but apparently did not cause any injuries, raised the possibility of dragging Israel into renewed conflict with the powerful Lebanese militant group Hezbollah to its north as it fights Hamas in Gaza.

No one immediately claimed responsibility for the attack, and Hezbollah, which fought a monthlong war against Israel in 2006, has stayed out of the fighting for now. But the barrage appears to be carefully calibrated to send a political message that the group, which has tens of thousands of missiles, could join the battle at any time.

___

BERLIN  German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas says he hopes to fly to Israel for talks Thursday with Israelis and Palestinians on the conflict in Gaza.

Asked to confirm Israeli media reports about such a trip, Maas told journalists in Berlin that I cant tell you 100%, because of course we coordinate such a trip with those to whom were travelling.

He said that coordination hadnt been completed yet.

But yes, my plan is to fly to Israel tonight and hold talks in Jerusalem and Ramallah, Maas said.

Earlier, Germanys top diplomat had ruled out talking to the Palestinian militant group Hamas that controls Gaza.

After the events of recent days there is no reason to talk directly with Hamas, he said. Those are terrorist attacks that are being carried out by Hamas in Israel and which in my view completely rule out talking without intermediaries, directly to Hamas.

___

PARIS  A French government spokesman says very intense discussions are underway with the United States about a United Nations Security Council resolution that has been proposed by France in coordination with Egypt and Jordan.

The proposed resolution aims at ending hostilities between Israel and Hamas militants who control Gaza.

The United States has blocked the U.N.s most powerful body from issuing a press statement calling for a halt to the violence, insisting that it would not help diplomatic efforts to end the conflict.

French President Emmanuel Macron and Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sissi held talks in Paris earlier this week on the issue and they had a meeting on Tuesday with Jordans King Abdullah II via video conference.

In a joint statement, France, Egypt and Jordan said they called on the parties to immediately agree on a ceasefire.

They also said they will work with the U.N. and other partners to ensure humanitarian help for the population of Gaza.

___

CAIRO  The Arab League Parliament has convened an extraordinary meeting in Cairo to express solidarity with the Palestinians and condemn Israeli strikes on the Gaza Strip.

Those in attendance at the meeting Wednesday wore traditional Palestinian black-and-white scarves in a sign of support.

The Arab League Secretary-General Ahmed Aboul Gheit said: The truth is becoming crystal clear now with all its ugliness and hideousness: we are before a colonizing people that lives under an apartheid state and an occupation government that systematically practices ethnic cleansing.

Others also criticized Israel, with Arab Parliament Speaker Adel Al-Asoumi accusing Israel of war crimes and of full-fledged crimes against humanity.

In a televised speech, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas addressed Arab delegates, calling Jerusalem the essence of the Palestinian national identity.

He said: Without it, there will be no peace, no security, no stability and no agreement.

___

RAMALLAH, West Bank  Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas says Israel is carrying out organized state terrorism and war crimes in Gaza that are punishable under international law.

In a televised address Wednesday, he said the Palestinians will not hesitate to pursue those who commit such crimes in front of international courts.

Abbas is the head of the internationally backed Palestinian Authority, whose forces were driven from Gaza when the militant Hamas group seized power in 2007. The PA has limited autonomy in parts of the Israeli-occupied West Bank.

Earlier this year, the International Criminal Court launched an investigation into possible war crimes committed by Israel and Palestinian militants during the last Gaza war, in 2014. It has expressed concern about the latest round of fighting.

Abbas accused Israel of brutal attacks on civilians and deliberate bombardment of homes. Israel says it only strikes militant targets and makes every effort to avoid harming civilians, including by warning people ahead of some strikes.

Hamas and other militant groups have launched hundreds of rockets into Israel. The indiscriminate fire is widely seen as violating international law.

___

ISLAMABAD-- Pakistans foreign minister has denounced Israels continued airstrikes against the Gaza Strip in a meeting with his Palestinian counterpart.

Shah Mahmood Qureshi made his comment during a meeting with Palestinian Foreign Minister Riyad al-Maliki during a visit to Turkey. Qureshi will travel next to New York to address the U.N. General Assembly to demand an immediate halt to Israels attacks on Palestinians.

According to a foreign ministry statement, Qureshi denounced Israel's attacks on Palestinians. The statement also quotes al-Maliki praising Pakistans efforts aimed at mobilizing international support for the Palestinians.

___

TEL AVIV, Israel -- Israeli military officials say a mysterious explosion that killed eight members of a Palestinian family on the first day of the current round of fighting in the Gaza Strip was caused by a misfired Palestinian rocket, not an Israeli airstrike.

Lt. Col. Jonathan Conricus, a military spokesman, said the rocket was launched in Gaza and fell inside Gaza and killed almost an entire family. Conricus added that this wasnt an Israeli attack.

A senior military officer on Wednesday said the incident was investigated, and Israel did not strike the Beit Hanoun area where the family members were killed that night.

The officer said a total of 700 rockets  roughly one-fifth of the total launched by Palestinian militants  failed to reach Israel and landed inside Gaza. He provided no further estimates on how many Palestinians had been harmed by errant rocket fire. The officer spoke on condition of anonymity under military briefing guidelines.

At least 219 Palestinians have been killed in airstrikes, including 63 children and 36 women, with 1,530 people wounded, according to the Gaza Health Ministry. It does not break down how many militants are among the dead or whether people have died from misfired rockets.

Israel says Hamas is responsible for civilian deaths because the militant group uses residential areas for cover to fire rockets and carry out other military operations. Twelve people in Israel have also been killed, 10 by rocket fire aimed at Israeli towns and cities. Two people died in accidents while rushing for shelter.

___

TEL AVIV, Israel  Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu says Israel is pursuing forceful deterrence against Gazas Hamas rulers and does not rule out a further escalation.

Meeting with foreign ambassadors on Wednesday, he said you can either conquer them, and thats always an open possibility, or you can deter them.

We are engaged right now in forceful deterrence, but I have to say, we dont rule out anything.

Israel has carried out hundreds of airstrikes against what it says are militant targets in Gaza since the fourth war between the two sides broke out earlier this month. Hamas and other militants have fired more than 3,700 rockets at Israel.

Netanyahu said Israel hopes to restore quiet quickly and is doing everything it can to avoid civilian casualties.

___

GAZA CITY, Gaza Strip  Israeli airstrikes have killed at least six people overnight across the Gaza Strip and destroyed the home of an extended family.

Despite growing international pressure for a cease-fire, the military said Wednesday it widened its strikes on militant targets in the Palestinian territorys south to blunt continuing rocket fire from Hamas.

Residents surveyed the piles of bricks, concrete and other debris that had once been the home of 40 members of al-Astal family. They said everyone escaped after a warning missile hit the house.

The Israeli military says it struck militant targets around the towns of Khan Younis and Rafah.

Gaza health officials say at least 219 Palestinians have been killed in airstrikes. Twelve people in Israel have been killed in rocket attacks.
TOPEKA, Kan. (AP)  Kansas college students may pay generally the same tuition in the fall semester than they did this year, if the Kansas Board of Regents approves tuition proposals submitted Wednesday by the state's public universities.

If the proposals are approved next month, it would be the third straight year with little or no increase in tuition for Kansas public university students.
HUNTINGTON, W.Va. (AP)  A public library in West Virginia was honored as one of six libraries and museums nationwide that made great contributions to their communities.

Cabell County Public Library in Huntington received the 2021 National Medal for Museum and Library Service. The award from the Institute of Museum and Library Services is the highest honor for institutions that make significant and exceptional contributions to their communities, the program's website says.
BANGOR, Maine (AP)  A Maine woman charged with threatening U.S. Sen. Susan Collins in a series of voicemails after the election is not competent to stand trial, a judge ruled.

Katrina Preble, 56, was charged with two counts of making interstate threats because the server that stores the voicemails is not located in Maine.
An evening of peaceful protesting for a free Palestine ended with the Maghrib prayer outside the Israeli consulate Tuesday in southwest Houston.

Hundreds of demonstrators took to the streets during the protest before the daily prayer  despite Houston police's best efforts to keep them contained.

ABBOTT UNLEASHED: Masks no longer required at schools, government buildings

The march started as a rally outside the Israeli consulate in Greenway Plaza, organized by the Houston chapters of the Palestinian American Culture Center and Palestinian Youth Movement. Protesters wanted to make their position known, saying that the United States backs a genocidal state by giving billions of dollars in aid to Israel.

Deadly violence has reopened a decades-old wound in Palestine as Israel continues to elevate attacks against Hamas and Palestinians, many of whom have lived in the land for generations.

Escalated attacks have killed 200 people in Gaza in recent weeks, some of whom were children, according to Al Jazeera staff.

Supporters of Israel say the country acts only in self-defense.

The recent rise in violence started when Israelis attempted to evict Palestinians from their homes in the West Bank, which sparked protests and a violent response from the Israeli police.

The violence shows no sign of stopping, with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu proclaiming Israel's bombardment will "take time."

Jay R. Jordan / Chron staff

However, a cease-fire was issued early Friday.

The conflict has brought pain and suffering not only to those whose life and limb were taken in Palestine, but their loved ones nearby and abroad. That includes many who attended the march in Houston.

"I'm here to support my people back home," Lin Abdrabu said.

Abdrabu has family in Palestine and is fearful for their safety.

"We just want to live in peace without being scared of being evicted from our homes and from the occupation," Abdrabu said.

Demonstrators gathered around 6 p.m. on Weslayan Street at the Southwest Freeway frontage road, where Israel houses its consulate inside 24 Greenway Plaza.

At first, hundreds showed up in droves and lined the sidewalk and grass between the street and the building. As the protest progressed, Houston police set up temporary fencing around the protesters to keep them from entering traffic.

Jay R. Jordan / Chron staff

But by 7:30 p.m., at least a thousand marchers maneuvered around the fence and onto the frontage road. They shouted for a free Palestine and condemned the treatment of native Palestinians by Israel, which has the financial and moral backing from the U.S. and President Joe Biden.

The U.S. has given Israel billions of dollars in aid each year, most recently handing over $3.3 billion in 2019 for "conflict, peace and security" purposes. Marchers expressed disapproval of continued U.S. aid for Israel.

While celebrating their identity as Palestinians, several of those who marched were Muslim  and didn't take a break from performing salah when the time came at sundown.

By that time, marchers had made it around Greenway Plaza and onto the steps of the building that houses the Israeli consulate. Shouts, chants and a pair of drums echoed off the building for blocks.

But when the sun began to set, quiet fell over the crowd as hundreds performed the Maghrib prayerone of five prayers Muslims observe each day.

Jay R. Jordan / Chron staff

Ahsan Patoli, whose family moved from Pakistan to the United States in 2000, participated in the prayer.

"Regardless of the situation that's going on with our brothers and sisters in the world that are being oppressed, we still make time to pray," Patoli said. "We're united not just by countries or races, but by religion as well. We're going to stand with [the Palestinians]."

After the prayer, people began filtering out. A mere three hours after the rally started, Greenway Plaza was back to business as usual.

But the message left behind, one that a healthy number of Americans stand hand-in-hand with Palestine, is lasting.

Here are more photos from the rally.
Some of Texas most populous cities and counties are beginning to ease monthslong pandemic-era restrictions on gatherings and lift mask mandates on businesses as COVID-19 deaths and hospitalizations plummet to the lowest numbers the state has seen in a year.

On Tuesday, officials in Travis and Harris counties  both early and adamant adopters of stay-at-home orders, mask mandates and other limits that covered nearly 6 million residents between the two counties  dropped their risk-based community safety guidelines to reflect lower threat levels, rolling back some health policies and guidelines in an effort to allow vaccinated residents more freedom to return to their pre-pandemic lives.

READ ALSO: Gov. Greg. Abbott says no public schools or government entities will be allowed to require masks

If you are vaccinated, go for it, Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo said Tuesday.

The decisions come days before cities, counties and other government entities are required to drop all mask mandates under an executive order Gov. Greg Abbott issued Tuesday.

Abbotts order, which takes effect Friday, also says that after June 4, public schools will no longer be able to mandate masks on their campuses. The order exempts state supported living centers, government-owned or -operated hospitals, Texas Department of Criminal Justice facilities, Texas Juvenile Justice Department facilities, and county and municipal jails.

Abbott touted declining hospitalizations and deaths and more availability of vaccines to Texans as his reasons for the new order.

Local officials used their announcements as an opportunity to encourage more people to get vaccinated, saying that its the quickest way back to normalcy after a year of sacrifice.

Join the party, Hidalgo said. Get vaccinated.

For Harris County, dropping the threat level a notch for the first time since June means the county recognizes that vaccinated people are safe to drop their masks in groups  and therefore the county is no longer urging them to avoid nonessential activity, although unvaccinated people are still strongly urged to follow the guidelines still in place. Buildings owned by the county will also be opened to 50% capacity after being limited for months, and libraries are reopening on a limited basis.

The moves by Harris County were triggered by the fact that vaccines are readily available, nearly 40% of eligible county residents have gotten vaccinated, and hospitalizations and deaths are dropping, Hidalgo said.

READ MORE: Don't skip your second dose of the COVID-19 vaccine, health experts warn

The counties actions come days after the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention announced that it was safe for vaccinated people to resume much of their normal lives without masks, and after the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine was approved for adolescents ages 12-15. The agency made clear that local and statewide rules still apply and were not being overruled.

Several national retail chains, including Target, Trader Joes and Walmart, immediately announced that they would be dropping mask requirements for customers in areas that allowed it.

With Texas rolling seven-day average of COVID-19 deaths hovering around 45, where it has remained for weeks, the state is just 100 reported deaths away from hitting 50,000 lives lost to COVID-19 since the pandemic reached Texas in March 2020. Since death certificates can be reported weeks late, the state has likely already hit that grim benchmark.

But the rate of deaths has steadily declined in the last few months. In some of the states largest counties, deaths over the weekend numbered in the single digits.

On Sunday, the state reported zero deaths for the first time since the pandemic began, though reporting lags significantly over the weekend and that number went back up to 23 on Monday. Earlier this year, the daily death counts in Texas were averaging well over 300.

And COVID-19 cases also have been dropping. The average number of confirmed new cases reported over the past seven days was at 1,398 on Monday. At its peak in January, that number was nearly 20,000.

Some 9.4 million Texans are fully vaccinated, just under one-third of the states population. About 50% of eligible Texans ages 12 and up have received at least one dose, according to the Texas Department of State Health Services.

READ MORE: Texas announces Pfizer vaccine now available to adolescents as young as 12 years old

The vaccines work and have made a huge difference in the COVID-19 situation in Texas, said Chris Van Deusen, a spokesperson for DSHS. All the metrics are headed in the right direction. To keep that going, we encourage everyone eligible to get vaccinated as soon as possible to protect themselves, protect people who cant be vaccinated yet and decrease the chances a dangerous new variant will emerge here.

In Austin, the countys risk-based threat guidelines dropped to Stage 2 on Tuesday after the state reported no new deaths in the county over the weekend and hospitalizations declined.

Officials there on Tuesday also made it optional for businesses to require masks and loosened restrictions on large outside gatherings.

Its just a reminder of just how effective the vaccine has been, and we all should be celebrating that, as well as how well weve done as a community, Austin Mayor Steve Adler said Tuesday.

Travis and Bexar counties were among those that initially refused to roll back their restrictions in March when Abbott dropped the state mask mandate. Bexar eventually followed the order, but Travis successfully fought in court to keep its county restrictions.

While some places in more rural and suburban areas have had their mask ordinances gone for months, the holdouts in metropolitan areas are still being cautious. It was unclear Tuesday how some urban counties with mask orders still in place for public buildings planned to react to Abbotts order.

San Antonio dropped mask directives for visitors in public facilities starting Monday in response to the new CDC guidelines. Bexar County ended its mandates Tuesday after Abbotts new order.

Although our numbers are trending downwards, the virus is still out there, Bexar County Judge Nelson Wolff said in a statement. We will abide by Governor Abbotts executive order and not mandate masks in county facilities. However, it is up to the individual, county staff and visitors alike, to continue to wear masks if they feel more comfortable doing so and to use hand sanitizer.

Tarrant County dropped its mask ordinance when Abbott made his March announcement and voted Tuesday to suspend its mask policy in county buildings as well after the Abbott order. Harris County officials said Tuesday afternoon they were reviewing the governors order.

Hidalgo said that policy changes implemented by Harris County on Tuesday signal a new era for those who are vaccinated and should serve as a motivator to those who are still hesitant to get a vaccine.

Its a great day, she said. But its very much not a mission accomplished moment.  We still need to be cautious. But particularly among the vaccinated population, we can very much let our guard down.

Mandi Cai contributed to this report.

Disclosure: Steve Adler, a former Texas Tribune board chair, and Walmart have been financial supporters of The Texas Tribune, a nonprofit, nonpartisan news organization that is funded in part by donations from members, foundations and corporate sponsors. Financial supporters play no role in the Tribunes journalism. Find a complete list of them here.

The Texas Tribune is a nonpartisan, nonprofit media organization that informs Texans  and engages with them  about public policy, politics, government and statewide issues.
Courtesy San Antonio College

On May 18, San Antonio College (SAC) announced that they have been awarded the competitive Aspen Institute Prize, an accolade given to the best community college in the nation.

SAC is the first of the Alamo Colleges to receive this national honor in its ten year history, and the first amongst any school in Texas. And its not just a title  it also includes $600,000 dollars in funds toward the college  not too shabby for this San Antonio institution.
Texas Gov. Greg Abbott has been busy this week, making several announcements that are drawing mixed reactions from Texans.

On Monday, May 17, Abbott said Texas will opt out of further federal unemployment compensation related to the COVID-19 pandemic. This includes the $300 weekly unemployment supplement from the Federal Pandemic Unemployment Compensation program.

The following day, he released an order prohibiting governmental entities in the state  including counties, cities, school districts, public health authorities, or government officials  from requiring or mandating masks.

On Wednesday, the Governor also signed into law one of the nation's strictest abortion measures, banning procedures as early as six weeks into a pregnancy. The law takes effect in September.

RELATED: Gov. Greg Abbott announces order prohibiting the government from enforcing masks

The announcements took the Twittersphere by storm, with many Texas Democrat leaders and abortion rights advocates disagreeing with Abbott's actions. Dyana Limon-Mercado, executive director of Planned Parenthood Texas Votes, the political arm of Planned Parenthood affiliates in Texas, told the Texas Tribune a six-week ban essentially bans abortion outright.

On the federal unemployment issue, San Antonio Congressman Joaquin Castro tweeted Abbott's action is "partisan politics at its worst."

"Texas' unemployment rate is still double its pre-COVID level," Castro wrote in a tweet Monday. "@GovAbbott's rejection of the $300 weekly federal jobless aid will hurt over 300,000 Texans. There's scant evidence that money in people's pockets is holding our economy back."

For the new mask order, many Texas leaders are showing signs they aren't going to fight back.

In San Antonio, City Attorney Andy Segovia stated via email the city does not believe the governor has the legal authority to control what happens at local facilities or to dictate how cities manage employees.

"However, the order does not practically affect the City of San Antonio, as we are asking staff and patrons of city facilities to follow the CDC's guidance on mask-wearing and social distancing. We will also continue to follow federal requirements at the Airport," Segovia said in a statement.

Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner called Abbott's move a "clear overreach" and encouraged employees and visitors to city facilities to wear masks if they are not fully vaccinated, but he added that they won't be "mandating it."

RELATED: Gov. Greg Abbott ends pandemic-era unemployment benefits for Texans

Austin Mayor Steve Adler and Travis County Judge Andy Brown, both of who've fought against Abbott's mask orders before, said they will "continue to be careful" and will spend the next few days "speaking with parts" of their community most impacted by the Governor's order, including schools and nursing homes.

Dallas County Judge Clay Jenkins also voiced criticism of Abbott's order, noting it "deviates" from CDC guidance saying unvaccinated people should continue to wear masks indoors.
KeithBinns/Getty Images

In a major announcement last week, the governor of the Mexican state of Quintana Roo warned that the state had seen five straight weeks of increased COVID-19 rates following last months spring holidays. The dramatically rising case numbers led him to warn that Mexicos number one tourist destination is at risk of imminent lockdown, according to the Associated Press.

Rates in most of the rest of Mexico have been declining, reported the A.P., but Quintana Roo depends on tourism for 87% of its economic activity, and has instituted no travel bans or testing requirements.
News

Family court officials to serve as mentor to others

Grant Countys Family Recovery Court was recently named one of eight programs nationwide to serve as a mentor court in the Peer Learning Court (PLC) Programs fourth cohort.

Superior Court 2 Judge Dana Kenworthy said local officials traveled to Jackson County, Missouri while conducting research on how to get a family recovery court off the ground during a research phase between 2013-2015. She said they also received insight from other courts including in Jefferson County, Colorado before launching the problem-solving court locally in 2015. Even during the early planning stages, she said partners had a vision and set a goal that one day they would serve as a PLC for others.

Its not only sharing information about your court and things that have worked for you, but its also networking and learning from the programs that visit, Kenworthy said. So we just thought at that point, this looks like a really fun thing to do, and having seen the program work for families here, its also pretty exciting to share things that work and a path along the knowledge youve been able to gather over the course of our program.

Family recovery court is focused on families involved in the child welfare system, Kenworthy said. When a parent is identified as having substance use disorders in a child in need of services case, they are screened for participation in the program.

A number of agencies and partners  including the Department of Child Services and its attorneys, CASA, parent attorneys, treatment providers, peer supports, court coordinator, Marion Housing Authority, First Christian Church and more  are involved in servicing program participants.

Im very proud of the collaboration, the level of collaboration that our community has established over the years that weve been in service, and frankly I think thats what makes this program so worthwhile is that we have all of the service providers, all of the people working with the families at the same table, on the same page, working for the best interest of kids and families in our community, Kenworthy said.

The intensive program includes participation in court sessions every week in Phase 1, every two weeks in Phase 2 and once a month in Phase 3. Participants also have face to face treatment or service provider meetings seven days a week in Phase 1, five days a week in Phase 2 and three days a week in Phase 3.

With the intensive supervision, were often able to keep the family together, keep the family unit together and/or reunify more quickly than we would otherwise, Kenworthy said. So its designed to really attack the problems in our community that were having with opioid issues, methamphetamine issues primarily, although we do have some other substances as drugs of choice among our participants.

Kenworthy said the court began its application to serve as a mentor in the PLC program early in 2020 before the pandemic hit. Following some delays and virtual meetings, it was announced earlier this month that Grant County would serve as a PLC in the programs fourth cohort.

Other mentor courts in this cohort include courts in Baltimore, Maryland; Jefferson County, Colorado; King County, Washington; Pima County, Arizona; Tompkins County, New York; Travis County, Texas; and Wapello County, Iowa.

Were very proud to be one of eight in the nation...I think for me, what Im most proud of is my team, Kenworthy said. And it is amazingly hard work that this team does. It can be very stressful, emotional, draining work, and its so nice to see them get recognition for doing that hard work.

Kenworthy said the court has already served as a sort of de facto mentoring court for other courts in Indiana and Kentucky, and she is looking forward to more formal guidance about what their role as a PLC will entail.

So weve actually been doing this for a while, we just havent had the designation, she said. Theres going to be some sort of a virtual get together for them to explain in more detail, but I would anticipate a site visit of teams from other courts coming to visit.

Other supports Grant County may lend to other courts includes one-on-one meetings with other courts counterparts (judges with judges, case managers with case managers, etc.), shared policy and procedures and more, Kenworthy said. The PLC program also enhances networking with courts across the country for additional collaboration and ongoing learning.

So if we have an issue with policy that comes up, weve never dealt with it before, theres a good chance that another program has dealt with that, Kenworthy said. And so we have kind of an encyclopedia of experience among the Peer Learning Courts that can be shared with newer or programs who just havent faced a situation before.
We're always interested in hearing about news in our community. Let us know what's going on!

Go to form
A. Transportation. There's a strong need for a long-term mobility plan, especially on U.S. 19 and State Road 44.

B. Resiliency. Crystal River needs blueprints for the future, especially focusing on sea level rise and health of bay waters.

C. Downtown. Areas within the city's CRA need more projects like the Town Square.

D. Revitalization. Abandoned shopping centers and older structures like the mall need a makeover.

E. Residential neighborhoods. Interconnecting communities and maximizing the potential in Crystal River neighborhoods is the key to happy living.

Vote

View Results
China city launches new China-Europe freight-train service

Xinhua) 10:02, May 19, 2021

NANNING, May 18 (Xinhua) -- A direct China-Europe freight-train route has been launched linking the city of Liuzhou in south China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region and the Russian capital Moscow.

The maiden train on this route departed on Tuesday from Liuzhou for Moscow, carrying 57 loaders and four motor graders.

It is scheduled to arrive in Moscow in 20 days after traveling about 11,000 km, slashing the transport time by more than two weeks, according to Luo Guobing, vice president of Liugong Machinery Co., Ltd., a Liuzhou-headquartered machinery manufacturer.

The route is the first China-Europe freight-train service connecting Guangxi directly with Europe.

The route will operate once or twice every month, according to the China Railway Nanning Group.

Data released on Tuesday by the National Development and Reform Commission showed that the total number of China-Europe freight train trips has so far reached 38,000, and they have transported 3.4 million twenty-foot equivalent unit containers of goods.

(Web editor: Shi Xi, Hongyu)
BotSupply CEO Francesco Stasi had just finished demonstrating his companys chatbot technology at a conference in Copenhagen, Denmark when he was approached by an attendee from Oracle, who told him the software giant was building out its intelligent virtual assistant platform.

The Oracle staffer convinced Stasi that the company could support BotSupplys software, which helps businesses build multilingual chatbots, in the Danish languagea rarity in 2017. The startup and software giant soon struck a deal and by 2018 BotSupply had migrated from Google Cloud Platform (GCP) to Oracle Cloud Infrastructure (OCI), slashing its computing costs by as much as 70%, Stasi says.

That deal is one of several wins that have enabled the worlds No. 1 database provider to become a contender in the booming market for infrastructure-as-a-service (IaaS) software. And while Oracle hasnt trumpeted many customers, OCI emerged from relative obscurity in the pandemic-shaped spring of 2020, when Oracle revealed that video conferencing firm Zoom was moving as much as 7 petabytes of data through OCI daily as people sought to keep in touch remotely. The company also counts such marquee brands as Mazda, FedEx, 7-11, DropBox among its IaaS customers.

In truth, Oracle has traveled a winding road to becoming a viable alternative in a top-heavy IaaS market where power is concentrated among the top three vendorsAmazon.com, Microsoft, and Google.

Paving over bumps in the market path
The City University of New York has been at the forefront of a common struggle in higher education: Public university systems are battling to obtain funding and provide rights and resources for their staff as many states slash education budgets. CUNY leaders have launched the CUNY Rising Alliance and promoted state legislation known as the New Deal for CUNY, which aims to reinvest in CUNY over the next five years. One of the leading figures in this struggle is Barbara Bowen, president of Professional Staff Congress-CUNY, a union that represents some 30,000 CUNY faculty and staff. Bowen is a professor of English at Queens College and the Graduate Center of CUNY. After 21 years leading the union, Bowen did not run for reelection and will be replaced by Brooklyn College professor James Davis this month.

City & State spoke with Bowen about her legacy, what CUNY faculty want and about the New Deal for CUNY. Responses have been edited for length and clarity.

Can you talk a bit about your accomplishments as Professional Staff Congress-CUNY president?

We took on that belief, explicitly, that the kinds of benefits and supports that are considered typical at other universities would be considered out of the question at CUNY. We took that on and we showed that that is not true. So for example, one thing we negotiated was the equivalent of a full year of full paid research leave for the full-time faculty who are on their way to tenure. That's one thing. We were the first public sector union in New York state to do this, we negotiated paid parental leave for staff or academic staff, as well as faculty.

We also negotiated health insurance for adjuncts who work at CUNY who reach a certain threshold of work levels or a number of hours of employment. And that was a tremendous breakthrough, I mean nothing really is more important than health insurance in this country.

Those are some of the contractual things that I'm proud of, and Ill just throw in a couple of the other things. We organized consistently since 2000 against imperialist wars. As a union we felt that that was something we needed to do. The PSC under our leadership has been a consistent and vocal and effective critic of racist policing and police violence. I'm also very proud of the fact that the PSC has taken on, under our leadership, a consistent campaign against the deliberate underfunding of CUNY, by the city and state, and we have named the racist basis of that funding, or that loss of funding, you should say.

Youve negotiated wage increases, health insurance for adjuncts and graduate employees and paid parental leave among other things. How do you go about identifying the needs of CUNY and advocating for them, and what important lessons did you learn in your role?

The very first time we went into contract negotiations, we convened scores of working groups to help develop contract demands, and people gathered and studied and brought forward the demands that they felt they had.

We (have) convened various working groups since then to identify demands. Several years ago I put out an agenda for a series of future contracts (related to) what we would try to achieve, and each one was based on our overall sense of demands and also things that we hadn't achieved so far.

Also we have conducted membership surveys that have been very important. Then we've come in with a structural sense that there is a huge structural employment problem in higher education, and that is the reliance on underpaid part-time labor. CUNY is one of the biggest offenders in the country on that issue. We came in with a critique of the employment system in higher education and have struggled to dismantle that system. I would say that we have not succeeded in dismantling that system. We've made some improvements and we've made some real difference in people's lives, but we have not succeeded in transforming the exploitative labor system at CUNY, not entirely.

I know youve been involved with the New Deal for CUNY to widen funding streams, improve faculty to student ratios and shore up mental health supports for students. How has that effort been going and how do you hope to see it progress once you leave office?

Well, it's a very exciting effort. Many of our officers and leaders made that happen (and) had the vision  to work with community groups to form a community alliance with us, CUNY Rising Alliance, and to push to get that alliance funded.

We knew that legislation that ambitious would take a coalition, and also that the legislation itself represents the convergence of the needs of students, of communities, and the faculty and staff. It's not just about our own wages. It's about what CUNY needs, and we came together over many years to develop that.

I'm excited that this year we were able to get the legislation introduced and immediately many, many sponsors jumped on. People want to sponsor, they were excited about it, there is a growing sense of commitment to that legislation in Albany, and of course I want to see it pass. I want to do everything I can to help to get it to pass, whether I'm president of the PSC or a rank-and-file member.

What do you hope for in terms of the unions future?

Well, I hope it will go from strength to strength. I'm excited about the new leaders. I think it's a very important moment for unions, so I hope to see, with a slightly more progressive shift in mainstream politics and democratic politics, the PSC  crack the problem of funding for CUNY. We know that some of these campaigns take a long time, so I'd love to see the transformation of CUNY funding come to fruition. I'll be excited to see the new energy and different perspective that new leaders bring.

What will you be doing after you step out of your role?

I plan to go back to teaching at CUNY. I've always loved teaching, it's really all I ever wanted to do, and I'm excited about going back to teaching, so I'll be a rank-and-file member. I've been active in unions before I came to CUNY, and I'm sure I'll continue being active beyond being the PSC president. I want to be supportive in any way I can. We have a tradition in our union of previous principal officers continuing to be active and supportive, and I really look forward to that.

Update: This story has been updated to reflect the most recent union membership number.
Three weeks remain in the 2021 legislative session, and despite the Democratic supermajorities in the state Senate and Assembly, the controversial Climate and Community Investment Act is almost certainly not going to pass this year. That doesnt mean we shouldnt try and continue to move it up the priority list, said Democratic Assembly Member Kevin Cahill of the Hudson Valley, who is sponsoring the legislation in his chamber. I think we can wrap this up in a session or two.

The bill seeks to impose a carbon tax that could raise $15 billion of much needed funding to help the state meet its climate change mitigation goals  but whatever the merits of the legislation  politics is a key barrier to getting it passed. Business groups have claimed the bill would lead to higher energy costs for consumers. Many moderate Democrats have yet to get behind a bill that has become a new focus of Republican attacks.

A total of 29 members of the 63-seat state Senate have signed on to the bill. This includes six of the 18 Democratic state senators from outside New York City. Not a single senator from Long Island  including Environmental Conservation Committee Chair Todd Kaminsky, a Democrat  has officially backed the bill thus far. Just 47 members of the 150-seat Assembly have signed on. Cahill said it is also critical that his chamber hold a hearing on the bill as the state Senate did weeks ago.

But despite the odds facing them before lawmakers adjourn for the year on June 10, environmental activists have at least one big reason to remain optimistic about passing the bill this year. Lets remember what happened in 2019 a few weeks before we passed the (Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act) the governor himself said it was a no-go, Maritza Silva-Farrell, executive director of the advocacy group ALIGN, said in an interview. We are going to continue to urge the legislature to move the CCIA this year. Her organization is a member of the steering committee of NY Renews, a coalition of groups backing the legislation that includes influential groups like building service workers union 32BJ SEIU and Environmental Advocates of NY.

Environmental activists held several rallies downstate on Tuesday, including outside Kaminskys office. Kaminsky did not respond to a request for comment for this story. They have to make our colleagues know that it's important, Cahill said. They also have to reassure them that if they support it, they're going to have their backs. The bill would impose a $55 surcharge on each short ton of carbon dioxide emitted in the state to fund what supporters call a just transition to renewable energy that would address damage done to those hurt the most by pollution, which are disproportionately low-income neighborhoods and people of color.

The legislature has the opportunity to deliver real relief for New Yorkers across the state, invest in frontline communities, and put New York on a path to a just, renewable economy that works for all, reads a May 19 statement from NY Renews. The CCIA would transform New York State for the better. We invite the legislature to get to work, and get it passed.

An April 13 state Senate hearing highlighted the arguments against the bill from the business community. This legislation would create several redundant programs and responsibilities that are currently assigned to other state agencies, regulate emissions already subject to state and federal oversight, establish an expansive new state bureaucracy and impose billions in fees on a wide range of businesses and residents alike, said Kenneth Pokalsky, vice president of The Business Council of New York State, in his submitted testimony. Headlines across the state now reflect a key talking point of opponents who say that the bill would lead to a 55-cent hike per gallon in gasoline prices.

Talk of higher energy prices ignores a provision in the bill that would provide tax rebates to consumers. Cahill also noted that gas prices have climbed a lot in recent weeks without any help from environmentalists. Republicans and business interests arguing that the CCIA would raise costs on consumers fail to recognize the human costs of continuing to pollute our air and communities with fossil fuels, reads an April 27 statement from NY Renews. Assuming that the bill would work out for consumers pocketbooks as much as they claim, proponents still face the political quandary of explaining the complicated ways that the bill would benefit New Yorkers while opponents continue highlighting a simple talking point about that purported tax hike at the pump.

Billions of dollars in new revenues could turbocharge state efforts to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions by 85% before 2050 (compared to 1990 levels) established by the 2019 Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act. But lawmakers still have to convince many more colleagues that it is a good idea because of the formidable future costs of climate change. And then there is the matter of convincing Gov. Andrew Cuomo that he should sign the bill. I understand the concept and in concept it makes sense, Cuomo told reporters May 13. How does it work? What is the economic impact? You'd have to (answer) all those questions."

State Senate Energy and Telecommunications Committee Chair Kevin Parker of Brooklyn, who is sponsoring the bill in his chamber, said in an interview that opposition from the business community and outstanding concerns among colleagues about potential increases in energy costs remain key barriers to passing the Climate and Community Investment Act. State Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins has yet to give her blessing to the formation of a working group, which has been a common tactic among state Senate Democrats to resolve their differences on contentious legislation. Still, the longshot effort to pass the bill this year remains ongoing despite the odds. When we look at the CLCPA  how many drafts of that did we do before we actually got that done? Parker said in an interview. This is as significant as that if not more so we're working at it, and we'll see where we end up.

Yet bills have to pass both chambers, and the fact that his Assembly counterpart says another year or so is needed to rally support suggests the Climate and Community Investment Act in 2021 is just a dead end.
Last summer, calls from progressives to defund the police in New York City following the murder of George Floyd caused the New York City Council to vote on shifting $1 billion from the NYPDs budget and played a role in the fizzling of New York City Council Speaker Corey Johnsons bid for mayor and last years loss by former Staten Island Rep. Max Rose.

But one year later, on the heels of a high-profile shooting in Times Square and as the city grapples with an uptick in violent crime, shootings and anti-Asian hate crimes, calls to defund the police have largely gone quiet. And some believe that this surge in certain crimes could tip the scales of the June 22 Democratic primary for mayor and clear the way for a more moderate candidate to prevail as more New Yorkers go back to their offices and the subways.

I think Times Square has solidified crime as one of the two principal issues in the campaign, said Richard Aborn, president of the Citizens Crime Commission, speaking of the May 8 shooting in Times Square that injured two women and a 4-year-old girl. I think peoples anxiety levels were already rising, and rising rapidly. Times Square solidified that concern because it gets back to the sense of randomness, that youre not safe anywhere.

The question of how candidates would tackle crime and public safety was the first policy question the eight leading Democratic candidates were asked during their first televised debate last week. Recent polling has also shown that crime and violence were among New Yorkers top concerns in April.

Eric Adams, Andrew Yang and Ray McGuire each held press conferences at Times Square following the shooting. And later that week, Maya Wiley, Shaun Donovan and Kathryn Garcia unveiled their plans to tackle policing and public safety.

The shift stands in contrast to last summers racial justice protests that prompted calls to defund the police. Several candidates, including Scott Stringer, Maya Wiley and Dianne Morales, initially embraced these calls and their positions have become more complicated now that some New Yorkers dont necessarily want to defund the police with certain crimes on the rise.

Theres a clear majority that says we need to reform, but on the other side, theres not a majority to support defunding the police, and in fact, in a crime wave, theres a strong sense of wanting proactive community policing, said longtime Democratic political strategist Bruce Gyory, who believes that Adams and Yang in particular are appealing to that sweet spot of in the middle voters who are largely comprised of Hispanics, Asians and older Black New Yorkers.

I think events like (Times Square) with an upsurge in crime is not advancing the political standing of those who were tagged as defunding the police and thats the political mistake, Gyory said. When you say defund the police, it conveys something to people and it runs smack dab into the opposition of the majority who want proactive community policing.

Adams took a narrow lead in a new PIX11, NewsNation, Emerson College poll released this week. He received 17.5% of New Yorkers first-place votes, followed by Yang, who received 15.4%. The poll also found that New Yorkers were opposed to defunding the police.

I definitely think the more progressive candidates are going to have to find a way to articulate the two messages that one, increases in crime are real, and two, you can also defund the police and figure out ways to keep people safe, said Fordham University political science professor Christina Greer.

Outlining a tough-on-crime approach could help candidates win more moderate-leaning voters, said a longtime New York City Republican political operative who requested anonymity to speak freely about the race to not jeopardize their current position. Fear is what drives people to the polls and New York City is in a great deal of fear right now, the operative said, who pointed out that Adams background as a cop makes him appeal more to moderate-leaning voters over Yang.

What Eric Adams did was he realized everybody was fighting over the left  the far left end of the ticket  and so he moved to the center, and I think hes going to pick up a lot of Staten Island Democrats, a lot of them are going to pay attention and I think hes going to (get) a lot of portions of Queens, the operative said.

The tough-on-crime approach may already be showing signs of resonating in moderate Democratic districts like Staten Island, where calls to defund the police played a significant role in the downfall of former Rep. Max Rose, who lost to Republican Rep. Nicole Malliotakis in November, following her vicious attack ads against him after he participated in a peaceful march alongside anti-racism protesters carrying signs that read Defund the NYPD.

Democratic Assembly Member Michael Cusick, who heads Staten Islands Democratic Party, endorsed Yang just days after the first debate in which Yang said: Defund the police is the wrong approach for New York City.

In his endorsement, Cusick pointed to Yangs ability to strike the right balance on public safety and being able to realize the importance of the NYPD as we tackle an increase in crime across all of New York. He is the right leader to bring our city back stronger and safer.
The decades-long conflict between Israel and Palestine has flared up in recent weeks, following the forced eviction of Palestinians who live in Jerusalem on land claimed by Israel and attacks on Muslims near the Al-Aqsa mosque toward the end of the holy month of Ramadan. As Palestinians and their supporters have shared images and posts about the violence on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram, some have noticed their content suddenly disappear, or seen their posts flagged for breaches of the platforms terms of use when no such breach had occurred. In some cases, their accounts have been suspended; Twitter restricted the account of Palestinian-American writer Mariam Barghouti, who had been posting photos and videos of the violence in Jerusalem, then later restored Barghoutis account and apologized for the suspension, saying it was done by mistake.

Some of those who have been covering such issues for years dont think these kinds of things are a mistake; rather, they believe social networks are deliberately censoring Palestinian content. In a recent panel discussion on Al Jazeeras show The Stream, Marwa Fatafta, of the human-rights advocacy group Access Now, said this is not a new problem, and has recently gotten worse. Activists and journalists and users of social media have been decrying this kind of censorship for years, she said. But Ive been writing about this topic for a long time, and I have not seen anything of this scale. Its so brazen and so incredible, its beyond censorshipits digital repression. They are actively suppressing the narrative of Palestinians or those who are documenting these war crimes.

On Monday, Access Now did a Twitter thread about censorship involving Palestinian content on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and TikTok. The group said it has received hundreds of reports that social platforms are suppressing Palestinian protest hashtags, blocking livestreams, and removing posts and accounts. Ameer Al-Khatahtbeh, who runs a magazine for millennials called Muslim, says he has documented 12,000 acts of censorship on Instagram alone in the past several weeks.

A group called 7amleh, the Arab Center for Social Media Advancement, just released a report called Hashtag Palestine, looking at such takedowns and account blockades related to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict in 2020. This is not the first time that Palestinians voices have been silenced, and it is clear that it is not the last, Mona Shtaya, an advisor to 7amleh, told Al Jazeera about the recent account suspensions and content removals. In 2020, 7amleh found that Facebook complied with 81 percent of Israels requests to take down content, much of which was related to Palestine, the group says. In addition to takedowns, Fatafta said Access Now has heard many reports from groups and individuals that have been unable to use certain features, including likes and comments, or had their live-streams blocked or shut down in the middle of a broadcast.

The social-media companies have admitted to some takedowns and account blockages. Instagram apologized for the fact that many accounts couldnt post content related to Palestine for a number of hours on May 6, and in some cases had their accounts flagged or blocked. The company said this was part of a broader technical problem that affected posts from a number of countries about a wide range of topics. Many people thought we were removing their content because of what they posted or what hashtag they used, but this bug wasnt related to the content itself, Adam Mosseri, the head of Instagram, tweeted.

Some of those affected said they didnt buy the explanation, however; Shtaya called it neither logical nor convincing. Instagram also blocked posts related to the Al-Aqsa mosque, and later apologized, saying the name of the mosque was mistakenly flagged by its moderation algorithms as terrorist content.

Sign up for CJR 's daily email

Facebook has also apologized for some of its takedowns in the past. In 2016, four editors at the Shehab News Agency and three executives from the Quds News Network, both news organizations that cover events in Palestine, had their personal accounts suddenly disabled, something Facebook said at the time was accidental. According to 7amleh and other groups, the Israeli government has a cyber unit that routinely makes takedown requests related to Palestinian content, and in some cases coordinates groups of online trolls to report and share content that includes disinformation and hate speech directed towards Palestinians. In an email to CJR on Tuesday, a Facebook spokesperson said: Our thoughts are with everyone affected by the horrific ongoing violence. We know there have been several issues that have impacted peoples ability to share on our apps. Were so sorry to everyone who felt they couldnt bring attention to important events.

Heres more on social media and Palestine:

Arbitrary: Access Now, 7amleh, and a number of other human rights and advocacy groups recently wrote an open letter to Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and other social-media networks saying their arbitrary and non-transparent decisions constitute a serious violation of Palestinians fundamental rights including their right to freedom of expression, and their right to freedom of association and assembly online, which both Facebook and Twitter have pledged to honor in accordance with the United Nations Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights. The groups asked for more transparency around moderation efforts.

Google: Sada Social Center, which monitors social media violations against Palestinian content, said in 2020 that Palestine was not identified as such on Google or Apples maps, but only as the West Bank and the Gaza Strip. The group also found that Google had begun to remove the names of Palestinian cities and roads from its maps while keeping Israeli roads.

Anti-Semitism: Some Facebook users note that posts on social media criticizing Israel or defending Palestine are often flagged as anti-Semitism. The Intercept reported recently on what it called Facebooks secret internal rules for moderating use of the term Zionist, which it says results in suppressing criticism of Israel. The rules appear to have been in place since 2019, which contradicts claims by the company that no decision had been made on whether to treat Zionist as a proxy for Jew when defining hate speech.

Takedown: Editorial staff at the videogame news site IGN published an open letter on Monday complaining about the removal of an IGN article and a related tweet that contained links to charities supporting Palestinian victims of violence. Both were posted May 15 in response to Israeli missile strikes on Gaza, but were taken down on May 16. IGN released a statement the next day that said the content was removed because it was not in-line with our intent of trying to show support for all people impacted by tragic events, and mistakenly left the impression that we were politically aligned with one side.

Other notable stories:

Has America ever needed a media watchdog more than now? Help us by joining CJR today

Mathew Ingram is CJRs chief digital writer. Previously, he was a senior writer with Fortune magazine. He has written about the intersection between media and technology since the earliest days of the commercial internet. His writing has been published in the Washington Post and the Financial Times as well as by Reuters and Bloomberg.
LONDON (AP)  Irelands health system was still struggling to restore its computers and treat patients on Tuesday, four days after it shut down its entire IT system in response to a cyberattack.

Thousands of diagnostic appointments, cancer treatment clinics and surgeries have been canceled or delayed since a ransomware attack on Friday. Authorities said hundreds of people have been deployed to tackle the attack, but it could be weeks before the health service can return to normal.

Irish Prime Minister Micheal Martin said Tuesday that the attack was a heinous one that targeted patients and the Irish public. Health Service Executive chief clinical officer Colm Henry said the attack had had a profound impact on our ability to deliver care, and that the disruptions would undoubtedly mount in the coming days and weeks.

More than 2,000 patient-facing IT systems are affected, with around 80,000 devices linked to such systems throughout the health service, Henry told Irish broadcaster RTE. Authorities are prioritizing systems involving direct patient care diagnostics, such as radiology, radiotherapy and maternity and newborn services.

Thats what our experts are focusing on this week, with external help, to ensure those services are not reliant on manual exchange of information, he said.

Ransomware attacks are typically carried out by criminal hackers who scramble data, paralyzing victims networks, and demand a large payment to decrypt it. Irish officials say a ransom has been demanded but they will not pay it.

Conti, a Russian-speaking ransomware group, was demanding $20 million, according to the ransom negotiation page on its darknet site viewed by The Associated Press. The gang threatened Monday to start publishing and selling your private information very soon if the money was not paid.

The government will not be paying any money, Justice Minister Heather Humphreys told RTE. We will not be blackmailed.

The Irish Association for Emergency Medicine urged people not to turn up at hospitals emergency departments unless they have a genuinely urgent need to do so. It said that electronic ordering of blood tests, X-rays and scans is not available, and clinicians have no access to previous X-rays or scan results. Many hospitals telephone systems are also not functioning because they are carried on computer networks, it added.

Patients have described their frustration about the attack, describing it as another torment thrown into the already difficult struggle to face illness during the COVID-19 pandemic. Eimear Cregg, 38, a primary school teacher who is fighting breast cancer, had radiation therapy briefly postponed while doctors sought to restore her records so they could treat her properly.

This is a very cruel thing to do to vulnerable people,? she told The Associated Press. Were fighting every day as it is and this was just another curve ball that wasnt needed.?

The Health Service Executive said in a statement late Monday that there were serious concerns about the implications for patient care arising from the very limited access to diagnostics, lab services and historical patient records.

The attack has also shut down the system used to pay health care workers.

The health service said it was working methodically to assess and restore its computer systems.

Our priority is keeping our patients safe and maintaining essential care and support services, it said.

Ransomware attacks are an increasing problem for private companies and public bodies around the world.

T he Thai affiliate of Paris-based insurance company AXA and a public health provider in New Zealand were both dealing with ransomware attacks on Tuesday.

In the U.S., the nations largest fuel pipeline was hit with a ransomware attack earlier this month. The disruption of the Colonial Pipeline caused long lines at gas stations due to distribution problems and panic-buying, draining supplies at thousands of gas stations.

Copyright 2021 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
Under Wisconsin law, a property owner owes no duty of care to a trespasser. If someone enters a home or business without permission and then hurts himself by, say, falling down a flight of stairs, the owner is immune from any negligence claim unless the harm was intentional.

That immunity also applies to any other lawful occupant of a property, but nobody knew what that meant until Tuesday, when a divided Wisconsin Supreme Court provided a definition.

Reading the phrase within the context of the other terms provided in the definition of possessor of real property, an other lawful occupant of real property must be someone who has possession of or control over a premises, the court said.

Two insurance carriers were hoping the immunity provided by Section 895.529 would save them the cost of defending their insureds, the Railroad Station bar, and one of its employees. A former patron sued the bar and the employee after he was severely injured when he tumbled down the stairs after being kicked out of the bar for a second time.

Tuesdays split decision denies one of the insurers the immunity given to other lawful occupant(s). The court said it was the first time it had interpreted the meaning of the words.

David Stroede had at least one too many on Sept. 20, 2014 while drinking at the Railroad Station, a neighborhood bar in the Milwaukee suburb of Saukville. He became extremely intoxicated, urinated on himself and knocked over a table and glasses.

After Stroede punched another customer, a bartender told him to leave. He was escorted out of the bar.

John D. Tetting, an employee of the bar, happened to be at his workplace with his family that night while off duty. When Tetting spotted Stroede returning, he grabbed him by the shoulders and walked him backward to the stairs, which led to the exterior door. When Tetting released, Stroede took a step backwards and fell down the concrete steps. Tetting dragged him to the grass outside.

The complaint says Stroede suffered cuts on his skull, a subdural hematoma and blunt head trauma. He also suffered hypothermia from being left outside on a chilly September night.

Stroede sued Tetting, Railroad Station and Society Insurance alleging that Tetting used excessive force and was negligent. He later added Tettings home insurer, West Bend Mutual Insurance Co., as a defendant.

The insurers filed motions for summary judgment. The circuit court in Milwaukee County ruled that Stroede was a trespasser, so Section 895.529 protected Railroad Station and Society Insurance from his claims. But the judge ruled Tetting was not an other lawful occupant and had no immunity from a negligence claim.

Tetting and West Bend appealed. The Court of Appeals accepted their argument that Tetting was an other lawful occupant and immune from liability. The appellate court said the dictionary definition of the words lawful and occupant supported its finding.

The Supreme Court majority opinion, however, says that in this case the placement of the words within the statute provide important context.

The statute provides immunity for negligence actions to possessors of real property. The statute then goes on to define that term, stating that it includes an owner, lessee, tenant or other lawful occupant.

The court said a canon of statutory construction holds that when general words follow specific words, the general rules should be construed in light of the specific words listed. A second canon holds that words are known for their associates.

The court said the words owner, lessee, and tenant signify some degree of control and responsibility for a property. The statute as a whole also supports an interpretation that gives meaning to the words.

Reading the statute so broadly as to categorize anyone and everyone who is present on a property to be an other lawful occupant of real property would negate the other specific terms provided (owner, lessee, and tenant) because it would swallow those terms whole, the majority opinion says.

Such a broad definition of other lawful occupant of real property would also render the legislatures selected terms and the word possessor meaningless because no actual possession would be required.

Justice Rebecca Grassl Bradley dissented, saying she prefers to interpret statutes according to their plain dictionary definition.

In her dissenting opinion, Bradley quoted a textbook co-written by the late Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia: Courts have sometimes ignored plain meaning in astonishing ways.

Lawful occupant of real property means precisely what it says: an individual who lawfully occupies the propertythat is, an individual who is lawfully present on the premises, she wrote. The majoritys contrary interpretation privileges trespassers while erasing the statutory rights of individuals who are lawfully present on real property.

It remains to be seen whether Stroede will be rewarded with an award for damages for the injury he suffered after trespassing at the Railroad Station. The Supreme Court remanded the case back to Milwaukee County to resolve numerous remaining issues, including whether Tetting was acting as an employee when he escorted Schroede to the exit stairs.

Plaintiffs attorney Keith Trower, with the Warshafksy law firm, said he is pleased with the decision. Trower said he expects the case to settle eventually, if only because most cases end up with a settlement.

Eric S. Darling with Schmidt, Darling & Erwin, who represented Society, could not be reached for comment.
LAKE CHARLES, La. (AP)  Roads were flooded, water-logged cars abandoned in the street and high water vehicles dispatched to help people as heavy rain fell across southern Louisiana Monday. In some areas of western Louisiana still recovering from back-to-back hurricanes last year more than a foot of rain fell.

The National Weather Service said in a Facebook post Monday that south Lake Charles in western Louisiana saw 12 to 15 inches (30 to 38 centimeters) of rain in a 12-hour period. But the rainfall wasnt limited to that one area. Numerous areas in Calcasieu Parish where Lake Charles is located saw totals of 8 to 10 inches (20 to 25 centimeters) of rainfall Monday.

The mayor of Lake Charles, Nic Hunter, told The Advocate that they didnt have an exact number of flooded homes but that it would likely be in the hundreds. Hunter was mayor last fall when the city was hit by Hurricane Laura on August 27 and then six weeks later by Hurricane Delta.

We will continue to be resilient through this event. But I will admit it would be nice if Mother Nature would give us a break, Hunter told the newspaper.

Parts of southeastern Texas and western Louisiana were under flash flood warnings on Monday afternoon, according to the National Weather Services Lake Charles office. Several inches (centimeters) of rain also feel on parts of Arkansas.

Tornadoes also were a threat as storms pounded south Louisiana.

In Lafayette, The Daily Advertiser reported that multiple warnings of possible tornadoes prompted shelter-in-place warnings at area schools, where students were held past the usual dismissal time until the danger passed. The National Weather Service in Lake Charles reported that the public reported a possible tornado in the Church Point area of rural Acadia Parish, west of Lafayette. There were no immediate reports of injuries or major damage.

The Baton Rouge area was also hammered with rain Monday. The National Weather Services New Orleans branch said on its Twitter feed that according to radar estimates as much as 12 inches of rain may have fallen in parts of East Baton Rouge, Ascension and Iberville parishes.

In Ascension Parish, Parish President Clint Cointment put all employees responsible for drainage issues on alert after the massive amount of rain.

Meanwhile, the sheriffs office for Calcasieu parish was asking residents to stay off the roads and said they had already deployed high water vehicles and boats to assist residents, KPLC reported.

Photos on local media showed water up to the doorsteps in one subdivision of Lake Charles while vehicles sought to navigate flooded streets in another part of town.

The rainy weather is expected to continue in southern Louisiana through the middle of the week.

Gov. John Bel Edwards declared a state of emergency late Monday for southwest Louisiana.

Western Louisiana is still recovering from back-to-back hurricanes Laura and then Delta last year. And then, in February, frigid temperatures froze pipes and led to problems getting drinking water to area residents.

The National Weather Services Little Rock office said on their Twitter feed, that parts of central Arkansas also had seen two to more than four inches (5-10 centimeters) of rain as of Monday morning. More rainfall is expected this week, the agency said.

About the photo: Parents use boats to pick up students from schools after nearly a foot of rain fell in Lake Charles, La., Monday, May 17, 2021. (Rick Hickman/American Press via AP)

Copyright 2021 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
LOS ANGELES (AP)  An arson suspect was arrested in connection with a Los Angeles wildfire that forced evacuations in canyons where thick vegetation hasnt burned in more than 60 years, authorities said Monday.

The man detained Sunday near the fire zone was being treated for smoke inhalation, said Los Angeles Fire Department Chief Ralph Terrazas. He did not identify the suspect or offer details about the investigation.

We feel we have the right person, Terrazas said at a news conference.

The wildfire near Topanga State Park was 23% contained by Monday evening. Despite burning in trees and heavy brush, its growth was slowed with the aid of cool, moist weather and its size remained at about 2 square miles (5.4 square kilometers), authorities said.

Air tankers battled the blaze after being unable to fly in the morning because of cloud cover.

No buildings were damaged and no injuries reported in the blaze that broke out late Friday in the Santa Monica Mountains. It grew rapidly Saturday  forcing about 1,000 Topanga Canyon area residents to flee their homes.

Evacuation orders were lifted Monday evening.

An explosive wildfire so early in the year, especially in cool conditions with almost no wind, portends a difficult fire season ahead in a state that has seen very little rainfall, officials said.

We really have to think about brush fires as a year-long challenge, Terrazas said.

The cause of the fire in steep, inaccessible terrain had been deemed suspicious after officials noticed two ignition points about an hour apart, the Fire Department said.

Arson investigators detained and released one person on Saturday and another person was questioned and then arrested on Sunday, the department said.

Topanga Canyon is a remote, wooded community with some ranch homes bordering Malibu, about 20 miles (32 kilometers) west of downtown Los Angeles.

About the photo: A Los Angeles Fire Department firefighter watches from his truck during a wildfire in the Pacific Palisades area of Los Angeles, Sunday, May 16, 2021. (AP Photo/Ringo H.W. Chiu)

Copyright 2021 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
PARMA, Ohio -- The third phase of Polish Village and Ukrainian Village streetscaping is set to begin next month, with a November completion date.

The $225,000 project covers Ridge Road between Pearl Road and Thornton Drive, as well as State Road between Tuxedo Avenue and Grantwood Drive. Both areas will see road improvements, dead tree removal, new tree plantings and removal of impervious asphalt and concrete in tree lawns to help with stormwater control.

To cover the cost, Parma is using $175,000 in funding from its 2021 Community Development Block Grant and its recently awarded $50,000 Community Development Supplemental Grant. The latter is tied to the Casino Revenue Fund, which supports community-based development projects throughout Cuyahoga County.

Mayor Tim DeGeeter said the grants reflect the city motto, Progress Through Partnerships.

We appreciate being awarded a county casino grant to supplement our federal community block grants funds for both Polish Village and Ukrainian Village to finalize Phase III plans as set forth by our community and economic development department, DeGeeter said.

Both villages are important economic hubs, with many excellent small businesses and walkable areas for residents and families that live nearby. Both villages have active ward councilpersons that have been engaged in the villages and assisting with obtaining additional improvements and funding, he said.

The streetscape improvement projects are part of a five-phase redevelopment plan to improve the infrastructure and beautification of both areas.

With the grant being awarded, were able to continue the commitment of improving the neighborhood, Ward 2 Councilwoman Deborah A. Lime said. Were working to improve the appearance and tree canopy. Improving the enjoyment of walking the neighborhood is essential. This grant continues to help make these goals possible.

The third phase of streetscaping for the Polish Village and Ukrainian Village will be completed by the fall in Parma. (John Benson/cleveland.com)

Added Ward 3 Councilman Mark Casselberry, Im pleased that Phase III of the Ukrainian and Polish Village Streetscape Improvement Project will begin this June.

We value our partnership with Cuyahoga County and truly appreciate the efforts of County Councilman Scott Tuma in helping to secure funding for the project.

Grant applications are evaluated by the Cuyahoga County Department of Development, which makes recommendations to County Council for approval.

Ukrainian Village and Polish Village are important cultural, social and economic centers in Parma, said Tuma said in a press release. Im pleased to express my continued support for county assistance for these much-needed infrastructure and beautification projects.

Mayor DeGeeter and Parma City Council have been and continue to be excellent stewards of these city centers. Im confident these funds will go a long way towards helping complete this phase of the project.

Read more news from the Parma Sun Post.
EAST CLEVELAND, Ohio -- East Cleveland police made no arrests in an early-morning shooting Saturday that left one man dead.

Ronald Knightner, 35, was shot about 3:30 a.m. at Crystal Tower Apartments on Noble Road near Terrace Road.

Officials at this point do not know where Knightner lived, according to the Cuyahoga County Medical Examiner.

Officers received a call that Knightner was shot and discovered him lying in the first-floor hallway, East Cleveland police Chief Scott Gardner said.

He suffered several gunshot wounds to the head and neck, according to the medical examiner. Paramedics took Knightner to University Hospitals where he died, Gardner said.

Anyone with information on the shooting asked to call East Cleveland police at 216-681-2161.

Read more crime stories on cleveland.com:

Woman killed in Garfield Heights was mother of 3, ex-girlfriend of man suspected in Cleveland murder-suicide 30 minutes later

Fight on Akron Metro bus leads to shooting, police say

Akron man gets minimum 15-year prison sentence for murder of girlfriend

Prosecutors rest case in trial of Army soldier charged in Cleveland New Years Eve party shooting that left 3 dead

Grand jury to consider charges against Akron woman accused of pulling gun on valet driver at Crocker Park
AKRON, Ohio  A 21-year-old man was shot multiple times Tuesday afternoon when a fight broke out on an Akron Metro bus, police say.

The unidentified victim was in critical condition following the shooting at Cleveland Clinic Akron General Medical Center, according to police. Two suspects were taken into custody near the scene.

Officers at the Metro Transit Center in downtown Akron reportedly heard gunshot just after 5 p.m. They ran outside and saw two males, one armed with a handgun, running from the area, police say. The officers chased the two males and caught them across the street from the bus station. They are being held by police for questioning.

The victim was found on a bus with gunshot wounds to his chest. Police gave the man medical help until an ambulance arrived. The victims name is being withheld until the family is notified.

Police say detectives believe a fight erupted on the bus, with one of the suspects shooting the victim multiple times before running away. The investigation is ongoing and charges are pending.

Anyone with information can call detectives at 330-375-2490 Summit County Crimestoppers at 330-434-COPS. Individuals also can send tips by texting TIPSCO to 274637. Callers can remain anonymous.

More crime-related content on cleveland.com:

Akron man gets minimum 15-year prison sentence for murder of girlfriend

Prosecutors rest case in trial of Army soldier charged in Cleveland New Years Eve party shooting that left 3 dead

Ohio supporter of ISIS pleads guilty in attempted attack on Jewish synagogue

FBI arrests three teens wanted in string of 9 carjackings in Cleveland, suburbs

Teen charged in six armed robberies, rape in Ohio City escaped state-run hospital, officials say
CLEVELAND, Ohio  The U.S. House of Representatives on Tuesday passed a bill to investigate a coronavirus-fueled rise in violence toward Asian-Americans ... without the support of Ohio Republican Jim Jordan.

You can listen online here.

While Jordan says perpetrators of violent acts should be held accountable, he says he has serious concerns about aspects of the legislation. He couldnt resist some hyperbole, blaming the defunding of police in Democratic cities for the increase in violence against Asian-Americans. In Ohio, lawmakers unveiled plans Tuesday to reform the states bail system. And in Cleveland, the historic West Side Market is in line for $2.1 million in upgrades.

Hear cleveland.com editor Chris Quinn discuss these stories and more in The Wake Up podcast.

The podcast is a summary of cleveland.coms morning newsletter The Wake Up. You can receive The Wake Up through email at 5:30 a.m. each weekday by subscribing here.

You can get our podcasts delivered directly to your phone, and we have an Apple podcasts channel exclusively for this podcast. Subscribe here.

Do you get your podcasts on Spotify? Find us here.

If you use Stitcher, we are here.

RadioPublic is another popular podcast vehicle, and we are here.

On Google Podcasts, we are here.

On PodParadise, find us here.
ALLEN TOWNSHIP, Ohio  A Toledo woman was killed Tuesday evening when her vehicle went left-of-center and crashed head-on into an oncoming car, according to the State Highway Patrol.

A news release from the patrols Sandusky Post says Erin Mason, 36, was killed in the crash on Ohio 51, north of Ohio 795 in Ottawa County. A 59-year-old Genoa woman driving the other vehicle was flown to St. Vincents Hospital in Toledo with non-life-threatening injuries.

Mason was driving a 2019 Hyundai Elantra south on Ohio 51 just before 6 p.m. when she went left-of-center, troopers say. The Elantra struck a northbound 2013 Toyota Highlander head-on.

Mason was not wearing a seatbelt, troopers say. The cause of the crash remains under investigation.
Featured stories

Ohios vaccine lottery website for the $1 million payouts and full scholarships is live. Heres what to do if you have problems with it (Read more)

Ohios vaccine lottery is a game-show approach to incentivize people to get the COVID-19 shot. Will it work? (Read more)

Cleveland Indians will operate Progressive Field at 100% capacity starting June 2 (Read more)

Coronavirus in Ohio

With 22,437 vaccines started since Monday, the Department of Health reported that 5.01 million Ohioans have received at least a first dose of vaccine. This is 42.92% of Ohios total population.CDC

100 more Ohioans die with coronavirus; 5 million have started vaccine: Tuesday update (Read more)

Giant Eagle eases mask restrictions for vaccinated workers, customers (Read more)

After a tough pandemic school year, thank your teachers on cleveland.com (Read more)

Crime

Macquise Lewis testifies during the trial of Tevin Biles-Thomas, who is charged with murder, manslaughter and other charges in a New Year's Eve 2018 shooting that left three people dead.

Prosecutors rest case in trial of Army soldier charged in Cleveland New Years Eve party shooting that left 3 dead (Read more)

Ohio supporter of ISIS pleads guilty in attempted attack on Jewish synagogue (Read more)

Teen charged in six armed robberies, rape in Ohio City escaped state-run hospital, officials say (Read more)

FBI arrests three teens wanted in string of 9 carjackings in Cleveland, suburbs (Read more)

Akron man gets minimum 15-year prison sentence for murder of girlfriend (Read more)

Cleveland / Cuyahoga County

Clevelands historic West Side Market is in line for $2.1 million in upgrades as part of the citys 2021 capital improvements program.The Plain Dealer

Clevelands West Side Market targeted for $2.1M in upgrades (Read more)

Cuyahoga County workers could get Juneteenth off and be paid to work the polls under revised plan (Read more)

Cleveland council members mull local eviction moratorium; Housing Court and mayors office question where authority exists (Read more)

Cleveland water department to replace lead service lines to about 450 daycare centers (Read more)

Mandel foundation donates $3 million to Cleveland Metroparks Zoo (Read more)

Local news East

While patrons of the Noble Neighborhood Library in Cleveland Heights want the historic branch to be preserved, they also feel more space is needed, both inside and out. With that in mind, the Heights Libraries have acquired Noble Presbyterian Church, shown at right, for an expansion that is still in the works.Courtesy of Heights Libraries

CH-UH Libraries sets aside $4 million for improvements at Noble, Coventry branches, PEACE Park (Read more)

Beachwood mayor says reopening of state makes for difficult decisions about mask wearing (Read more)

Shaker Heights Forward Together initiative moves ahead on master plan (Read more)

Paving the way: $2.5 million Coventry Road resurfacing in Cleveland Heights (Read more)

Solon swimmers rejoice: Outdoor pools to be in full operation this summer (Read more)

Local news West

Brunswick school board approves updated five-year forecast following Issue 8 passage (Read more)

Strongsville approves new food truck regulations, amends code on street vendors (Read more)

Developer proposes townhomes, retail building at Ohio 82 and Prospect Road in Strongsville (Read more)

Akron area

Male Sumatran tiger Eko is one of several animals that will reside in the Akron Zoos new Lehner Family Foundation Wild Asia area. The area includes innovative new habitats for the zoos Sumatran tigers, white-cheeked gibbons and red pandas.

Akron Zoo to unveil new Wild Asia area with Sumatran tigers, red pandas, white-cheeked gibbons May 29 (Read more)

State

House passes bill to fight anti-Asian hate crimes over objections from Ohios Jim Jordan (Read more)

Bipartisan bills seek to overhaul Ohios bail system (Read more)

New PUCO Chair Jenifer French: More transparency needed to lift the black cloud of HB6 scandal (Read more)

Ohio can ask for census data by mid-August for redistricting, appeals court rules (Read more)

New suits filed against Ohio State over former team doctors sexual misconduct (Read more)

Monthly child tax credit payments for parents to start in July (Read more)
Subscribe to the Wake Up, cleveland.coms free morning newsletter, delivered to your inbox weekdays at 5:30 a.m.

Weather

It will feel like summer today in the Cleveland area as highs are expected to reach the low 80s with partly sunny skies. There are chances of showers and thunderstorms during the afternoon. It will be mostly cloudy overnight and temps will drop to the low 60s. Read more.

Local scores: Indians 6, Los Angeles Angels 5

The headlines

Stimulus Watch: Clevelanders were surprised last week to learn the city will be receiving $30 million less than originally estimated by the Congressional Research Service. Robin Goist reports that initial estimates used incorrect data and didnt account for all eligible metropolitan Ohio cities, so the final distributions varied from initial estimates, ranging from 6.6% less to 5.6% more. The vast majority of Ohio cities are receiving less than originally predicted.

Bail system: A bipartisan group of Ohio lawmakers unveiled plans Tuesday to reform the states bail system, arguing the current system unfairly decides who remains behind bars based on the amount of money they have. Jeremy Pelzer reports that under twin bills introduced in the Ohio House and Senate, judges would be granted leeway to determine for themselves, within 24 hours of a defendants arrest, whether he or she should be released and within 48 hours, a judge would have to hold a conditions of release hearing.

PUCO chair: Jenifer French, the new chair of the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio, aims to make the states utility regulation board more transparent to the public following the House Bill 6 scandal. The Republican former judge and Westerville City Council member tells Jeremy Pelzer she would like to find ways for the public to see more of commissioners thought processes and questions asked of staff behind the scenes.

Clevelands historic West Side Market is in line for $2.1 million in upgrades as part of Cleveland's 2021 capital improvements program. The Plain Dealer

West Side Market: Clevelands historic West Side Market is in line for $2.1 million in upgrades as part of the citys 2021 capital improvements program. Robert Higgs reports the work is part of about $31 million planned for the citys public buildings, parks, recreation centers and other properties and includes improving the electrical system, repairing masonry on the clock tower, improving temperature controls and building new vendor booths.

Thats Rich: Rich Exner writes that he didnt receive child tax credits starting out as a parent. But to imply this is a newly created tax giveaway is an oversimplification of things. Todays parents dont receive the per-child personal exemption - lowering their taxable income - that was built into the federal tax forms for so many years.

This Week in the CLE: Lt. Gov. Jon Husted is making it easier to report workers who dont return and continue to collect unemployment during the pandemic. But why cant the state take a holistic approach to employment? Were talking about it on This Week in the CLE, cleveland.coms daily half-hour news podcast.

New numbers: Another 100 Ohio residents died with COVID-19 since Friday, bringing the death tally to 19,628. Laura Hancock reports that on Tuesday, cases rose by 993, below the 21-day rolling average of 1,207.

Census data: A federal appeals court has sided with Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost in his lawsuit attempting to force the U.S. Census Bureau to provide detailed population data needed to meet the states deadlines for drawing new political districts. The ruling by the U.S. Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals clears the way for the state to get the data in raw form by mid-August instead of waiting until Sept. 30, when the Census Bureau had estimated it would provide the detailed breakdowns, Jeremy Pelzer reports.

Eviction moratorium: Some Cleveland City Council members are considering a local eviction moratorium to provide a safety net for tenants amid concerns that a federal ban on evictions for nonpayment could soon come to an end. But Eric Heisig reports that city officials are facing pressure from landlord groups that want to see the moratorium end, and the mayors office says the city does not have the authority to enact such a ban.

Waterline replacement: Clevelands water department plans to replace lead service lines to 450 daycare centers in Cuyahoga County and surrounding areas beginning this summer, Robert Higgs reports. The program is supported by funding from the state of Ohio. The state initially committed $1 million toward the work, but then added an additional $500,000.

Juneteenth: Cuyahoga County workers would get a paid holiday on Juneteenth  plus the chance for additional paid time off to serve as election workers  under a proposal approved Tuesday by a Cuyahoga County Council committee, Courtney Astolfi reports.

The homepage is live for vaccinated Ohioans to sign up for drawings to win full, four-year college scholarships or $1 million payouts. (www.ohiovaxamillion)

Vax-a-Million: The Ohio Vax-a-Million website is live, allowing people to register for the lottery for full-college scholarships or the chance to win $1 million. Laura Hancock reports that while some people are reporting troubles registering, the issue likely lies in their browser and they need to refresh or clear their cache.

Hate crimes: Over dissent from 62 Republicans, including Ohios Jim Jordan, the U.S. House of Representatives on Tuesday passed a bill to investigate a coronavirus-fueled rise in violence toward Asian-Americans, Sabrina Eaton reports. Jordan said perpetrators of violent acts should be held accountable, but said he had serious concerns about aspects of the legislation, such as setting up ambiguous hotlines for people to report anything they find troubling, and establishing online reporting for complaints about incidents, without defining what should be reported.

Child credit: Mark your calendar for July 15 if youve got kids aged 17 or under. Thats the day roughly 39 million households around the country, covering some 88 percent of the nations children, will get their first monthly payment from the expanded and newly advanceable Child Tax Credit, reports Sabrina Eaton.

Thank you, teachers: Here is your opportunity to say thank you to the teacher who has inspired your child this past school year, in spite of the pandemic -- or to pay tribute to all of the dedicated teachers across Northeast Ohio. Brenda Cain has a form you can submit to pay tribute.

Biles-Thomas trial: Prosecutors on Tuesday rested their case against a U.S. Army soldier charged with murder in the shooting deaths of three people at a New Years Eve party in 2018. Cory Shaffer reports the state called dozens of witnesses over five days of testimony in the trial of Tevin Biles-Thomas. Of them, only two identified him as firing shots in a shootout.

ISIS attempt: A Northwest Ohio resident admitted Tuesday that he planned to carry out a mass shooting at a synagogue to show his allegiance to ISIS. John Caniglia reports that Damon Joseph, 23, of Holland, pleaded guilty in U.S. District Court in Toledo to charges of attempting to provide material support to a terrorist organization and attempting to commit a hate crime.

Hospital escape: A 17-year-old boy accused of committing several armed robberies and a rape in Ohio City escaped a state-run hospital on Saturday, reports Adam Ferrise. U.S Marshals and the State Highway Patrol say Lavelle Spencer escaped about 6 p.m. Saturday from Warrensville Developmental Center in Highland Hills, one of eight state-run facilities for people with developmental disabilities.

Carjackings: Three teenagers accused of committing nine carjackings in the Cleveland area, including eight in a three-day span, are in custody, Adam Ferrise reports.

The Indians announced Tuesday that their ballpark will operate at 100% capacity regarding attendance on June 2. John Kuntz, cleveland.com

Progressive Field: The Indians announced Tuesday that their ballpark will operate at 100% capacity regarding attendance beginning June 2, with masks optional, reports Paul Hoynes. Tickets for all remaining home games will go on sale on May 26 at 10 a.m.

Eggs Benedict: Cleveland.coms sister site, Bon Appetit, challenged three esteemed chefs -- Chris Morocco, Melissa Miranda and Harold Villarosa -- to each make different versions of the same dish: eggs Benedict.

Summer movies: This summer, get excited for two Marvel films, a Lin-Manuel Miranda musical, the ninth film (9!) in The Fast and the Furious series, and a bunch of horror sequels. Joey Morona lists 30 movies were looking forward to seeing from now till Labor Day.

Other headlines

Ohios vaccine lottery is a game-show approach to incentivize people to get the COVID-19 shot. Will it work? Read more

Giant Eagle eases mask restrictions for vaccinated workers, customers Read more

New suits filed against Ohio State over former team doctors sexual misconduct Read more

Akron man gets minimum 15-year prison sentence for murder of girlfriend Read more

Mandel foundation donates $3 million to Cleveland Metroparks Zoo Read more

CH-UH Libraries sets aside $4 million for improvements at Noble, Coventry branches, PEACE Park Read more

Beachwood mayor says reopening of state makes for difficult decisions about mask wearing Read more

Shaker Heights Forward Together initiative moves ahead on master plan Read more

Paving the way: $2.5 million Coventry Road resurfacing in Cleveland Heights Read more

Solon swimmers rejoice: Outdoor pools to be in full operation this summer Read more

Brunswick school board approves updated five-year forecast following Issue 8 passage Read more

Strongsville approves new food truck regulations, amends code on street vendors Read more

Developer proposes townhomes, retail building at Ohio 82 and Prospect Road in Strongsville Read more

Akron Zoo to unveil new Wild Asia area with Sumatran tigers, red pandas, white-cheeked gibbons May 29 Read more
COLUMBUS, OhioSince the beginning of this years legislative session, reporters have asked House Speaker Bob Cupp on a regular basis about whether GOP lawmakers will expel state Rep. Larry Householder, whos charged with overseeing the largest bribery scheme in state history.

Every week, Cupp offers an (non-)answer similar to the one he gave Wednesday: I have nothing further to report.

Its not because Householders fate isnt on lawmakers minds, as Cupp said when pressed by a reporter. Members talk about it a lot to each other, he said. But theres nothing further to report.

If theres all this talk among lawmakers, is there any consensus emerging about Householders fate?

I have nothing further to report, Cupp said.

When asked why he has nothing further to report, and why hes withholding such information from the public, Cupp replied: Im not withholding anything from the public. I dont have anything to report.

The House speaker was similarly tight-lipped when asked whether he saw any issue with Householder continuing to draw a legislative salary of more than $60,000 per year.

As you know, my position is Larry Householder should resign, Cupp answered without any elaboration.

Multiple lawmakers and observers have said a comparatively small  though influential  group of House Republicans is holding up the expulsion of Householder, a Perry County Republican.

Householder was arrested last July and accused of using more than $60 million in bribe money from FirstEnergy Corp. entities to secure passage of House Bill 6, which included a $1 billion-plus ratepayer bailout for two Northern Ohio nuclear power plants.

Householder has maintained his innocence, though two allies and a dark-money group have pleaded guilty to their roles in the scheme.

Soon afterward, the House voted to remove Householder as speaker. But House Republican said at the time they didnt want to expel Householder from his legislative seat because they cant expel a member twice for the same offense -- meaning if they forced him out then, they wouldnt be able to do so again this session.

Householder was re-elected last November over a handful of write-in candidates.

He has been attending House sessions this year, though  unusually  he has not been assigned to any committees.
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Over dissent from 62 Republicans including Ohios Jim Jordan, the U.S. House of Representatives on Tuesday passed a bill to investigate a coronavirus-fueled rise in violence toward Asian-Americans.

The legislation will help the Department of Justice expedite review of reported cases of hate crimes during the pandemic and assist state and local law enforcement agencies in collecting accurate data. It includes measures to encourage the adoption of the National Incident-Based Reporting System to help local police report hate crimes to the Federal Bureau of Investigation. It also authorizes the Attorney General to make grants to help law enforcement respond to hate crimes.

House Judiciary Committee Chairman Jerrold Nadler of New York said a nonprofit organization that tracks incidents of hate and discrimination against Asian-Americans and Pacific Islanders has counted more than 6,000 anti-Asian hate crimes and incidents since the pandemic began.

The COVID-19 pandemic has taken almost 600,000 lives in the U.S. and it has also, unfortunately, deepened existing divisions in our country, Nadler said on the House of Representatives floor. Racist, hateful rhetoric blaming the pandemic on Asian-Americans fanned the flames of discord and resulted in a disgraceful, sickening, and ongoing spate of violence and discrimination against Asian people across our country.

Jordan, of Champaign County, the top House Judiciary Committee Republican, said perpetrators of violent acts should be held accountable, and nobody in America should live in fear that they will be a victim of a crime based on their beliefs, the color of their skin, or the country in which they were born. But he said he had serious concerns about aspects of the legislation, such as setting up ambiguous hotlines for people to report anything they find troubling, and establishing online reporting for complaints about incidents, without defining what should be reported.

This means, essentially, that we are asking state governments to act as speech police and creates a precedent that could extend to any manner of things someone may deem offensive, said Jordan.

Jordan, a staunch defender of former President Donald Trump, also said Democrats have attempted to blame President Trump for this rise in violence against Asian-Americans, but the facts tell an entirely different story.

This violence, by and large is happening in Democrat-controlled cities, many of which, interestingly enough, have defunded their police departments, said Jordan, citing New York, San Francisco and Los Angeles. Maybe ... if these Democratic controlled cities werent defunding the police, we would not have the rise in incidents and the rise in hate crimes for Asian-Americans.

Miami County Republican Warren Davidson was the only other Ohioan to oppose the measure.

The bill was introduced in March by a group of Asian-American legislators who argued that Trumps description of the coronavirus as Kung Flu and the China virus led to anti-Asian violence.

Before this pandemic started, I urged everyoneincluding elected officialsto not blame Asian- Americans for the virus, said a statement from New York Democratic Rep. Grace Meng, who introduced the bill with Hawaii Democratic Sen. Mazie Hirono. My words were not heeded. The former president and his congressional Republican enablers trafficked racist, bigoted terms to describe COVID-19. In doing so, their language stoked peoples fears and created an atmosphere of intolerance and violence, which persists even today.

The U.S. Senate passed the bill last month in a 94-1 vote. Missouri Republican Josh Hawley was the only senator to vote against it.

Ohio Democratic Sen. Sherrod Brown, who cosponsored the bill, said it would make clear that we will not tolerate these threats and acts of violence against our neighbors.

Senseless acts of violence targeting Asian-Americans and Pacific Islanders is unacceptable and must be unequivocally condemned, Ohio Republican Sen. Rob Portman agreed in a statement released after the Senate vote. Every American should be treated with respect and dignity no matter their ethnicity. This bill is a step in the right direction of helping to crack down on these acts of violence and giving law enforcement more tools to address this growing threat.

Read more:

Monthly child tax credit payments for parents to start in July

HUD Secretary Marcia Fudge announces $5 billion in vouchers to house the homeless

Republicans led by Ohios Bob Gibbs protest Nancy Pelosis masking requirements

Marcia Fudge issued Hatch Act warning over political remarks at White House

Rep. Dave Joyce, former prosecutor, introduces bill to take marijuana off the federal controlled substances list

House adopts veterans service dog measure from retiring Rep. Steve Stivers of Ohio

Republicans oust Liz Cheney from party leadership with support from Jim Jordan

President Joe Biden discusses vaccination efforts with Ohios Mike DeWine and other governors

How much money will your city get from the American Rescue Plan?

Ohios only majority minority congressional district may lose that status in remapping

Northeast Ohio Congress members seek big money for local projects through earmarks

HUD Secretary Marcia Fudge launches coronavirus vaccination outreach effort
COLUMBUS, Ohio - On the first day for Ohioans to register for the Vax-a-Million scholarships and the $1 million giveaway, more than 60,000 calls rang into the Ohio Department of Health call center, the website had more than 25 million page views and hundreds of thousands of Ohioans had entered the drawing.

For security purposes, state officials wont release the exact number of entrants until Monday, according to a joint statement by the Ohio Lottery and Ohio Department of Health.

We are thrilled to see so much excitement for the Ohio Vax-a-Million drawings, Ohio Lottery Director Pat McDonald said in the statement. The odds of winning are the same whether you visit ohiovaxamillion.com or call the ODH call center. It is quick and easy to register online for your chance to win Ohio Vax-a-Million. Remember, its one entry per person and once youve entered youre in for all five weeks!

In the next days, the Ohio Lottery will remove duplicate registrations.

The phone number is 1-833-4-ASK-ODH.

This is a unique, innovative way to encourage COVID-19 vaccinations, and we are pleased to see so much activity today, Department of Health Director Stephanie McCloud said in the statement. In addition, we are seeing early indicators of increased uptake after the Vax-a-Million announcement last week, and will continue to monitor this moving forward.

For the next five Wednesdays, beginning May 26, will be announcements of young Ohioans each winning a full scholarship and separate Ohio adults each winning $1 million.

The full scholarship - which covers tuition, room and board and books for up to four years at an Ohio technical or community college or university - is for Ohioans ages 12 to 17 who have had at least one Pfizer dose.

Vaccinated permanent Ohio residents ages 18 and older can win the $1 million.

The names will be announced each Wednesday at 7:29 p.m., during a regular 1-minute television time slot for the Ohio Lottery. They will also be published at cleveland.com.

Read more:

100 more Ohioans die with coronavirus; 5 million have started vaccine: Tuesday update

Ohios vaccine lottery website for the $1 million payouts and full scholarships is live. Heres what to do if you have problems with it.

Read the latest Ohio public health order on wearing masks

Lt. Gov. Jon Husted announces new forms for employers to report workers not returning to the job

Since $1 million vaccine lottery announced, Ohios seen uptick in shots for ages 30 to 74

Ohio reports 729 new coronavirus cases: Monday update

Ohio officials announce a new website for vaccinated people to register to win $1 million Vax-a-Million prize

Gov. Mike DeWines Vax-a-Million idea will likely increase vaccine demand. But is it the best use of public dollars?

Gov. Mike DeWine is rejecting federal unemployment aid, cutting off extra $300 weekly to jobless workers, starting June 26
CLEVELAND -- At a pre-COVID dinner party, a friend told me how a male buddy had always had Asian Fever and how I would be the perfect target of his attentions. He meant this as a compliment. While the comment made me angry and uncomfortable then, I didnt confront him about it. I didnt point out that this was the first time in the 30-plus years since I had moved to Ohio that someone had said something so racist to me.

After the March shooting deaths of eight people in Atlanta, six of Asian descent, the dinner party incident haunts me. In Atlanta, the killers motives were self-described as sex addiction, not racism. Certainly, it couldnt be both, could it? For most Asian American women, racism and sexism in this country have always been inextricably intertwined.

Theres a long history of sexual stereotypes of Asian women. We are portrayed as exotic and submissive or manipulative and fire-breathing. All leading to the fetishization that encourages men to strip us of any individuality. This is often reinforced in pop culture.

As a teen growing up in New York City, I heard my share of unwanted cooing from strange men. My mother for a time worked as a hostess at a restaurant and she told me stories of men giving her copies of their hotel room keys along with a tip. She told me this when I was much older, and she never told my father.

When I moved to Ohio, first to attend college, then to work in advertising, I never experienced any of that until the night of that dinner party. Dont get me wrong. As one of the only female creatives in the male-dominated world of advertising, I had my share of sexism directed at me.

Since 2020, hate crimes against the Asian American community have risen nearly 150%. You can put the blame on a lot of things. I put it squarely on our last president. When then-President Donald Trump first started using xenophobic language to blame China for the coronavirus, I worried that it could lead to a country of frustrated people taking their anger out on anybody who looked Chinese. Now my news feed is full of images of elderly Asians being slammed down in the streets, of people being randomly punched in the face. In all the reported incidents, women are targeted vastly more often than men.

In the bucolic Ohio bubble I live in, I rarely worried about safety. I used to be the paranoid New Yorker, uncomfortable unless there were triple deadbolts on the door. Over the years, I got used to leaving my car unlocked. Walking in the woods at night.

But now it feels different. Now, I am keenly aware of who is around me in the parking lot. Now, I immediately lock the doors once Im in my car. Now, I dont leave the house without a can of mace. I used to take my two dogs for hikes in the nearby national park. Now, I dont feel safe to do that alone.

Through all this, I find some hope. I now see the larger Asian community speaking up and coming together. Because we are so diverse, this unity hasnt happened before. But now, Japanese, Indian, Chinese, Korean, Filipino and more voices are speaking up to #StopAsianHate. Im also heartened by the many allies speaking up from Black and Latino communities. Building these bridges is critical to changing the structural confines of racism that are causing so many inequities in this country.

I also know my voice matters and that it is very loud and very clear. The next time I am confronted with racism, sexism or xenophobia by a friend or otherwise, I will not hesitate to speak up, speak out and, hopefully, create some understanding and empathy. And, short of that, just set the record straight.

Joanne Kim is the retired chief diversity officer at Marcus Thomas in Cleveland and founder of Celadon Partners, a strategy consultancy focused on diversity, equity and inclusion.

Have something to say about this topic?

* Send a letter to the editor, which will be considered for print publication.

* Email general questions about our editorial board or comments or corrections on this opinion column to Elizabeth Sullivan, director of opinion, at esullivan@cleveland.com.
CLEVELAND, Ohio  Amtrak President Stephen Gardner said Tuesday new passenger rail service linking Cleveland, Columbus, Dayton and Cincinnati could begin as soon as a couple of years, with support from Congress, the state and local communities.

Gardners comments were the most specific commitment to date from Amtrak, which earlier this year proposed a major expansion of service throughout the United States, including several new routes in Ohio.

He declined to give a firmer start date, saying Amtrak would have to negotiate with host railroads to use existing track.

We believe we could start initial service, maybe one round-trip or a few, without much initial investment, using current track speeds, he said. We believe we could get started here in hopefully what would be a relatively short period of a couple of years.

Gardner, along with Amtrak CEO Bill Flynn, hosted a roundtable discussion with members of the Ohio media in an effort to drum up support for the so-called 3C+D route, linking Ohios three largest cities and Dayton, in a 250-mile route.

Also on the Tuesday call: Cleveland Mayor Frank Jackson; Dayton Mayor Nan Whaley; Linda Horning-Pitt, the mayor of Crestline, near Mansfield; and William Murdock, the executive director of the Mid-Ohio Regional Planning Commission.

This corridor length is the sweet spot for successful intercity passenger rail service in the United States, said Gardner. This service is the type of service we should have for major cities, and for an important state like Ohio.

He added, Frankly, it should have happened a long time ago.

It almost did. Eleven years ago, under former Gov. Ted Strickland, the state received $400 million in federal funding to launch the route. Newly elected Gov. John Kasich famously returned the money to Washington because he was opposed to state support for passenger rail service.

Whats different now: Amtrak says it will fund the start-up costs of the new service, as well as operational support for the first five years.

Said Gardner, Were anxious to work with the state to look at what that partnership could be and put together a model that makes sense for Ohio.

But first, Amtrak needs support from Congress. The rail agency recently submitted its reauthorization request to Congress, which includes funding for new corridor development. In addition, Congress continues to debate the merits of President Bidens $2 trillion infrastructure bill, which includes $80 billion for Amtrak.

Amtrak shared some new details of the proposed service:

* In addition to stops in Cleveland, Columbus, Dayton and Cincinnati, trains would stop at Cleveland Hopkins International Airport, Crestline, Delaware, Springfield and Sharonville.

* Service would likely debut at three round-trips per day, with the expectation of adding more frequency as demand grows.

* Travel time between Cleveland and Cincinnati would likely start at about 5 1/2 hours, reducing to 4 hours and 55 minutes as track improvements are made.

Gardner said that train travel does not need to be faster than car travel, but it does need to be competitive. The time on the train is productive time, which is not the same as driving time, he said. You can work, you can have access to wi-fi, you can socialize, you can walk around. Its a much more comfortable and productive method.

Amtrak estimates that as many as 500,000 riders would use the route annually, with an economic impact of $130 million.

A slide from Amtrak's presentation on its proposed 3C&D corridor.

In addition to the new 3C+D route, Amtrak has also proposed making Cleveland and Cincinnati mini-hubs, with more service to Detroit, New York City and Chicago.

Mayor Jackson offered his enthusiastic support. We simply dont have the luxury of choosing not to do this, he said. It is about positioning Ohio for the future. Its not a question of rural or urban or suburban or Democrat or Republican. Its about do we as Ohioans want to be competitive in the world, in this nation?

Whaley said train travel was essential to keeping and attracting young people in the state. We want our young people to be able to stay in Dayton and Crestline and Cleveland, she said. They have to have connectivity to good paying jobs. We cannot do that if we are only connected by highways.

Added Murdock: The younger population arrives in Columbus and the first question they ask is, Wheres the train stop?

In fact, Columbus is the largest metro area in the country without Amtrak service.

Flynn said he hoped the state capital wouldnt retain that title for long. Ohio is at the center of the country, its at the center of the great history of railroading in the United States, he said. Theres a real opportunity here. And its our goal to get this done.

Read more:

Rail advocacy group wants Cleveland Amtrak station back at Tower City

Amtrak thinks it can lure Ohioans out of their cars and onto trains: Heres how

Major Amtrak expansion in Cleveland and Ohio included in Biden infrastructure plan
CLEVELAND, Ohio  Zach Plesac has made it known he wants to win a Gold Glove Award someday for the Cleveland Indians. If he keeps making plays like the one he turned in during the fifth inning Tuesday, hell almost assuredly make that dream come true.

With Luis Rojas representing the tying run at second base with nobody out in the fifth, Angels catcher Drew Butera attempted a sacrifice bunt on a high pitch from Plesac. The ball hung in the air between the plate and pitchers mound as Plesac dove forward, snagging the pop before it hit the ground.

Plesac was unable to double up Rojas at second, but got Taylor Ward to fly out to center and after an intentional walk to Shohei Ohtani, retired Anthony Rendon on a fly ball to right to end the inning.

Plesac said he knew Rojas was trying to get a good jump and go to third on the bunt, and he was surprised that Rojas got back to second in time.

I thought he was going to be taking off no matter what, Plesac said. I dove, I got up like he was gonna take off for third but he saw the ball down and made a good read.

Plesacs diving catch was reminiscent of a similar spectacular catch he made as a rookie in 2019 at Kauffman Stadium against Kansas City.

Plesac said he is simply trying to get outs any way he can when hes on the mound.

Im just playing the game, he said. Im a baseball player. I pitch right now, thats my job, but Im out there having fun, playing baseball. I was just having fun.

The 26-year-old righty played a variety of positions in college when he was not pitching, and batted .304 as a junior before the Indians selected him in the 12th round of the 2016 draft.

He told Indians pitching coordinator Ruben Niebla that he wanted to try becoming a two-way player in the minors, but Niebla counseled Plesac to focus on pitching, as the Indians had a plan for him.

Given the kind of plays Plesac has been able to make in the field during his short time in the big leagues, theres no question he could someday win a Gold Glove. But will we ever see him play the field and hit like Ohtani?

-

New Indians face masks for sale: Heres where you can buy Cleveland Indians-themed face coverings for coronavirus protection, including a single mask ($14.99) and a 3-pack ($24.99). All MLB proceeds donated to charity.

Buy Indians gear: Fanatics, Nike, Amazon, Lids

More Indians coverage

Progressive Field returns to 100% capacity starting June 2

Cleveland batters always seem to be at a disadvantage

Is there help to be found in Columbus for franchises ills? Podcast

Plesac marvels at Shohei Ohtani, had his own dreams of two-way success

Luplow leaves game with left ankle sprain

Ohtani, Angels strike early to beat Indians, 7-4

Whatever happened to Yu Chang and two other things

Should there be concern about Shane Biebers workload?

Do offensive woes run deeper than something a call-up can solve?

Situational hitting puts team in a bad situation: Hoynes
Alzheimers is a difficult disease to live with. It is the most common cause of dementia, which can cause loss of memory, language and other critical mental and physical functions.
Gifts for children taking shelter from the barrage of rockets that have been fired at Israel from the Gaza Strip were assembled at the Pantry Packers Volunteer Center in Jerusalem and included handwritten notes from day-school students in the United States.
Celebrate the Class of 2020

Submit a profile of your favorite graduate to have them featured in our Virtual Graduation 2020 special section. Tout their accomplishments, share their photos, and wish them well!

Submit profile
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, May 19)  A senator is urging the governments economic team to ensure that prices of pork and rice are kept affordable for Filipinos after it pushed for lower tariffs on said commodities.

Our people expect the governments economic team to live up to their avowed tenet of fiscal responsibility by seeing to it that actual benefits trickle down to Filipino families and not just to importers, Senator Grace Poe said in a statement.

To ensure enough food supply in the country amid the COVID-19 pandemic, President Rodrigo Duterte issued Executive Order No. 135 that lowered tariff for imported rice to 35% from its previous in-quota rate of 40% and out-quota rate of 50% for a period of one year.

He also signed EO No. 134 that adjusted tariff rates on pork products to 10% (in-quota) and 20% (out-quota) for the first three months, and 15% (in-quota) and 25% (out-quota) from the fourth to the 12th month.

This modified the earlier issued EO that dropped imported pork tariff from 30% (in-quota) and 40% (out-quota) to 5% (in-quota) and 15% (out-quota) for the first three months and 10% (in-quota) and 20% (out-quota) from the fourth to the 12th month.

The economic managers have been pushing for lower tariffs to open the domestic market to more importers and lower prices for consumers. However, some agriculture stakeholders are against such idea, saying that doing so would discourage local production.

Poe also pointed out that reduced tariff collection would mean lost revenue for the government that could impact next years budget

She said that the National Economic and Development Authority already said that nothing is free from heaven and that government cannot just give subsidies because it will have to be taken from somewhere.

With budget discussions starting soon, which services will government now have to scrimp on because of the foregone revenues on pork and rice? Poe asked.
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, May 19)  Maynilad has already signed a revised concession agreement with the Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System, its principal shareholders confirmed on Wednesday.

In separate disclosures published in the local bourse, DMCI Holdings and Metro Pacific Investments confirmed the West Zone concessionaire inked the revised deal on May 18.

Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra said on Tuesday that the agreement features essentially the same terms as the ones found in the deal signed by the MWSS and East Zone concessionaire Manila Water.

Among the provisions of the revised deal is the confirmation of the concession periods continuation until end-July 2037, the imposition of a tariff freeze until end-December next year, and the removal of the foreign currency differential adjustment.

READ: Manila Water recognized as public utility, tariff freeze until end-2022 in new concession deal with PH gov't

Guevarra also noted that Maynilad shall sign an official waiver of its arbitral award to terminate all related proceedings as well, and that onerous provisions, including a non-interference clause and charging corporate income tax to customers, have been removed.

[C]ontingent liabilities of the government have been substantially reduced, and a framework for better service to the public has been put in place, said the Cabinet official.

Also included in the revised deal is the imposition of rate caps for water and sewerage services to 1.3x and 1.5x, respectively, of the previous standard rate, read Metro Pacifics disclosure.

It also contains the retention of the rebasing mechanism  subject to the aforementioned caps  where rates for water and wastewater services will be set at a level allowing Maynilad to recover expenditures incurred efficiently and prudently over the concession term and earn a reasonable rate of return.

President Rodrigo Duterte earlier ordered a review of the states concession deals with both Manila Water and Maynilad after finding what he dubbed as "onerous" provisions in the prior contracts.

Both concessionaires earlier drew his ire after an international tribunal mandated the government to pay them over 10 billion due to rejected water rate hikes in 2015. Eventually, the companies said they will not be seeking the refunds anymore.
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, May 19) - Three cities outside Metro Manila have recorded significant increases in new COVID-19 infections, the independent research group OCTA said Wednesday.

These include Cagayan de Oro, Davao City, and Iloilo City, which are in the top 10 list of areas outside the national capital region with the biggest rise in cases over the past week.

Cagayan de Oro ranked second highest with 94 new cases, which translates to a 52% increase. Davao City stood at the 4th spot, as it saw a 36% jump with 61 more infections. Meanwhile, Iloilo City, which is 7th in the list, recorded the steepest rise at 99% with 58 more virus-hit residents.

The highest number of new cases outside NCR was still seen in Zamboanga City with 158, the report showed.

Speaking to CNN Philippines' News Night, Cagayan de Oro City Mayor Oscar Moreno acknowledged there has been a rise in COVID-19 cases in their area.

"We are experiencing some rise in our positive cases, and we have observed, since last year, whenever there is somewhat a surge in Manila, after a few weeks, there is a likelihood that the provinces will also experience some rise in cases because of the mobility of people," Moreno said.

However, he expressed optimism the situation can still be managed, as he appealed to his constituents to cooperate and abide by the COVID-19 health protocols.

As for Iloilo City Mayor Jerry Trenas, he told CNN Philippines' The Final Word they are still waiting for the decision of the national government regarding their request to shift to modified enhanced community quarantine (MECQ) for at least 15 days amid rising cases. In the meantime, residents are requested not to go out of their homes, if possible, the mayor said.

Trenas added that a total of 22,000 individuals have already received their coronavirus shots through vaccine supply from the government - still far from their 400,000 target.

Meanwhile, OCTA said most local government units within the NCR Plus are on a downward trend in cases. This area includes Metro Manila and nearby provinces Bulacan, Cavite, Laguna, and Rizal.

The group also noted the virus reproduction rate in the country, or the number of people infected by a single patient, stood at 0.80 over the past week. In NCR, it was at 0.54.

The Department of Health on Tuesday said an upward trend in infections has been observed in 10 regions, mostly from the Visayas and Mindanao.

Despite this, uniform travel protocols across LGUs -- with eased quarantine and documentary requirements -- remain in effect.

In a resolution released late February, the National Task Force against COVID-19 said travelers still have to undergo COVID-19 testing if required by the LGU of their destination.

However, they can no longer be compelled to go on quarantine unless they exhibit symptoms. They are also no longer required to secure travel authority from the polices Joint Task Force COVID Shield, and even health certificates prior to their trip.

The Department of Tourism said these relaxed rules will encourage domestic travel and help the industry recover.

OCTA, however, has warned these may accelerate COVID-19 spread in the country.

The country's COVID-19 tally is currently at 1,154,388, including 19,372 deaths and 1,082,725 recoveries.uring the same monitoring period, the 7-day average of daily new cases nationwide fell by 11% compared to the previous week, OCTA added.

The country's COVID-19 tally is currently at 1,154,388, including 19,372 deaths and 1,082,725 recoveries.
The Delaware Office of the State Fire Marshal is investigating a building fire that heavily damaged a structure in the Bethany Meadows community on May 19.

According to the DOSFM, the fire, reported shortly before 2:30 on Wednesday, happened in a townhome cluster in the 38000 block of Beechwood Court, Bethany Meadows. The Millville Volunteer Fire Company (MVFC) arrived on the scene, and found smoke and flames coming from middle of the row of townhome units. Mutual-aid fire companies assisted at the scene of the two-alarm fire, officials noted.

MVFC PIO Tony Petralia reported that the fire destroyed two townhomes, with homes on either side sustaining damage. State fire investigators were called to the scene and performed an investigation to determine the fires origin and cause. The fire was determined to have originated on the exterior of the structure at Unit 39, they said. The investigation was ongoing as of Wednesday evening.

Fire damage was estimated at $500,000. The townhome of origin was occupied at the time of the fire, officials said, but the occupant escaped without injury. There were no other reported injuries.

[Editor's note: This story was updated at 6:20 p.m. on May 19, 2021, to reflect information released by the DOSFM.]

Close
The Coastal Point is a local newspaper published each Friday and distributed in the Bethany Beach, South Bethany, Fenwick Island, Ocean View, Millville, Dagsboro, Frankford, Selbyville, Millsboro, Long Neck and Georgetown, Delaware areas.
Columbia, SC (29201)

Today

Sun and clouds mixed. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. High 89F. Winds WSW at 10 to 15 mph..

Tonight

Scattered thunderstorms early, then partly cloudy after midnight. Low 72F. Winds WSW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 40%.
The borough of State College announced Tuesday the upcoming construction and travel restrictions downtown.

One travel lane will be closed on East Foster Avenue between High Street and Keller Street from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesday while Allegheny Contracting installs gas service.

Between East College Avenue and East Calder Way, Hetzel Street will be closed from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. Thursday while R.H. Maron Inc. sets up a crane for a roof replacement.

The borough of State College advised pedestrians and motorists to be cautious around these work areas.

MORE BOROUGH COVERAGE
A Philadelphia man was accused on Monday of selling heroin laced with fentanyl in State College and around Centre County, according to the Patton Township Police Department.

David E. Blanchett Jr., 29, was previously arrested in Patton Township in January for the possession of fentanyl and marijuana.

According to the Centre County Drug Task Force, Blanchett allegedly sold the drugs at local hotels in Bellefonte and State College.

Blanchett is currently facing 15 felony charges, including 11 counts of possession with intent to deliver.

He was denied bail and is currently in custody at the Centre County Correctional Facility awaiting his preliminary hearing May 26.

MORE BOROUGH COVERAGE
The State College Board of Health met Wednesday for an emergency meeting to discuss making changes to the current masking and gathering ordinance 2152.

The board voted to follow the Centers for Disease Control and Preventions and Pennsylvania Department of Healths indoor and outdoor masking guidelines, which allow fully vaccinated individuals to forgo masks.

They also voted to increase outdoor municipal and park gathering from 50 to 100 people and outdoor residential gathering from 25 to 100 people.

The board voted to allow people to no longer wear masks while waiting in lines, however, the board also agreed to propose new wording to the ordinance encouraging  not mandating  all people to wear masks in crowded areas.

These proposed changes to the ordinance will not go into effect until voted on by the State College Borough Council Friday.

CORRECTION: A previous version of this article stated the changes to the masking and gathering ordinances are finalized. This is incorrect. The State College Borough Council will meet Friday to discuss finalizing changes. The Daily Collegian apologizes for this error.

MORE BOROUGH COVERAGE

CATA announces list of proposed changes to its fall 2021 services The Centre Area Transportation Authority announced the proposed changes to its fall 2021 pla
Though results are not finalized and a mix of in-person and mail-in ballots are still being counted, Centre County released preliminary polling numbers for State College's primary elections as of 11:25 p.m. Tuesday night.

For the boroughs mayoral race, two democratic candidates are battling to replace Ronald Filippelli, current interim mayor, in the general election Nov. 2.

Jim Leous, a member of the State College Area School Board, is largely behind former State Senate nominee Ezra Nanes. No Republican nominees are on the ballot, though 186 write-in votes have been cast thus far.

The current mayoral vote count is:

Jim Leous with 815 votes (34.5%)

Ezra Nanes with 1,568 votes (65.8%)

The State College Borough Council has three seats to fill in November's general election. Currently, those the seats will belong to Gopal Balachandran, Richard Biever and Divine Lipscomb, who ran with the support of PA United, a progressive advocacy group in Pennsylvania.

Currently, Mayor Filippelli and Catherine Dauler, who is running for her fifth term on the council, sit behind the trio. Katherine Yeaple, the only incumbent running, is in a close fourth.

The current borough council vote breakdown is:

Gopal Balachandran with 1,534 votes

Richard Biever with 1,105 votes

Catherine Dauler with 808 votes

Ronald Filippelli with 894 votes

Divine Lipscomb with 1,323 votes

Katherine Yeaple with 1,061 votes

Write-ins with 13 votes

As for the State College Area School Board, four seats will be available in the general election, and seven men and women are vying for the positions.

The current vote breakdown for the school board is:

Democratic votes

Peter Buck with 4,800 votes

Carline Crevecoeur with 4,153 votes

Deborah Anderson with 3,920 votes

Jackie Huff with 3,278 votes

David K. Hutchinson with 2,939 votes

Dawn Lorenz with 2,122 votes

Michelle Glenn Young with 1,986 votes

Republican votes

Michelle Glenn Young with 2,696 votes

David K. Hutchinson with 2,163 votes

Deborah Anderson with 2,007 votes

Peter Buck with 1,487 votes

Dawn Lorenz with 1,251 votes

Jackie Huff with 1,185 votes

Carline Crevecoeur with 855 votes

MORE BOROUGH COVERAGE

Borough of State College announces upcoming travel restrictions The borough of State College announced Tuesday the upcoming construction and travel restrict
Colorado Politics is published both in print and online. Our website features subscriber-only news stories daily, designed for public policy arena professionals. Member subscribers also receive the weekly print edition of our award-winning newspaper, containing outstanding features and news stories, in their mailboxes every Saturday.
Senate Bill 256 would repeal a 2003 law that bars local governments from enacting stricter gun control laws than the state standard. Known as pre-emption, sponsors noted that there is a precedent for the law, one enacted in 2003 that allowed concealed carry weapons in certain public places, including college campuses, even in communities where concealed carry isnt legal.
This year our dine and drink business locations throughout the Gorge have suffered with closures. You can help support your favorites by purchasing take out and gift cards. Many of these business will offer curb-side delivery and some will deliver to your home. Lets keep the Gorge going strong!
The Missourians Opinion section is a public forum for the discussion of ideas. The views presented in this piece are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Missourian or the University of Missouri. If you would like to contribute to the Opinion page with a response or an original topic of your own, visit our submission form
Microsoft Tuesday issued Windows 10 21H1, officially the year's first feature upgrade even though new functionality was largely absent because the company has abandoned its major-minor release cadence.

Only customers throwing caution to the wind as early adopters can immediately upgrade to 21H1, and then only if their computers meet Microsoft's unspoken criteria. Alternately, IT administrators can deal out the refresh to workers' devices using their preferred management tools.

"We are initially taking a measured seeker-based approach to the rollout of the May 2021 Update," wrote John Cable, the Microsoft executive who leads the Windows servicing group, in a May 18 post to a company blog.

On PCs running Windows 10 Home and on those Windows 10 Pro machines not managed by IT, 21H1 will be installed only when the user chooses the "Download and install now" option. As Cable noted, of the eligible PCs  those running one of the last two versions, either 20H1 (also labeled 2004 at the time) or 20H2  only a portion will be offered this week's upgrade at the start. Microsoft has long used a scheme that only slowly expands the pool of potential recipients and will continue that practice this time.

"We are throttling availability up over the coming weeks to ensure a reliable download experience for all, so the update may not be offered to you right away," Cable said.

In many cases, Microsoft will refuse to offer Windows 10 21H1 because the target machine has been tagged with an incompatibility of some kind. Often, those are linked to specific hardware configurations or problematic software. The Redmond, Wash. developer details these so-called "stoppers"  though Microsoft refers to them as "safeguard holds"  on its Windows release health website.

Enterprise: To the testing lab, stat!

Two months ago, Microsoft urged commercial customers to begin testing Windows 10 21H1 using a release candidate of the upgrade.

On Tuesday, the company told IT admins to start what it called "targeted deployments," meaning small-scale rollouts to PCs whose users have previously been identified as each upgrade's guinea pigs. "We recommend that commercial organizations begin targeted deployments to validate that their apps, devices and infrastructure work as expected with the new release." Cable said, using the company's boilerplate language.

The upgrade was immediately available through Windows Server Update Services (WSUS), including Microsoft Endpoint Configuration Manager; Windows Update for Business (WUfB); the Volume Licensing Service Center (VLSC); and Microsoft's download center via the Update Assistant and Media Creation Tool.

Minor, minor ... where's the major?

Windows 10 21H1 represents a hitch in Microsoft's release cadence. Like last fall's Windows 10 20H2, this year's 21H1 is as much a feature upgrade as a backyard swing set is Disneyland.

Microsoft ditched the major-minor tempo of 2019 and 2020  major release in the first half of each year, minor in the second half  for this refresh, the second straight minor. Rather than an upgrade composed of numerous new features and functionality, the minor 21H1 combined the code of its immediate predecessor (that would be 20H2, which reused its predecessor's code) with the intervening fixes, then added a splash, a very small splash, of shiny new things.

Because 21H1 is little more than a repeat of 20H2, the code for the latest cumulative update of the latter is identical to the code for the former. Windows 10 20H2-to-Windows 10 21H2 upgrades, then, are finished faster than the usual wholesale OS replacements customers have been accustomed to for decades. That alone has been a big boon to business IT personnel, and one of the reasons why the minor instance have been welcomed like they have.

But it begs the question: Will the fall upgrade be another minor, as the 2019-2020 pattern would suggest? Put a different way, will Microsoft offer a legitimate upgrade, rather than a rehash, in the second half of 2021? Or ever? Microsoft's not saying, as is usual for the closed-mouthed company.

All that's necessary to turn 20H2 (or because of the special circumstances, even 2004) into 21H1, then, is a tiny download that switches on the little bits that are new in the 21H1. Microsoft calls that download an "enablement package." Microsoft embedded 21H1's differences inside the May cumulative update for 20H2 and 2004, the one released May 11, so as long as that has been deployed, customers are good to go with the entitlement.

Windows 10 21H1 will receive the now-standard minimum support of 18 months, putting its retirement date as Dec. 13, 2022. As it is a first-half upgrade, all editions of the OS, including the priciest and most comprehensive, Windows 10 Enterprise, receive the same amount of support for 21H1.
05/19/2021

Photo (c) HAKINMHAN - Getty Images Coronavirus (COVID-19) tally as compiled by Johns Hopkins University. (Previous numbers in parentheses.)

Total U.S. confirmed cases: 32,999,741 (32,975,491)

Total U.S. deaths: 587,245 (586,598)

Total global cases: 164,348,314 (163,736,528)

Total global deaths: 3,407,240 (3,392,840)

Cases continue to decline in the U.S.

For the U.S., news about the pandemic continues to get better. There were just under 28,000 new cases of COVID-19 reported Tuesday, down from a peak of 250,000. The two-week trend is down 37%.

Among health officials, the emphasis this week has been on increasing vaccinations. While 37% of the total population has gotten the shot, the pace of vaccinations has slowed in recent weeks.

Most states are now administering doses without an appointment. Distribution points have been expanded to include churches, public transportation terminals, and other places where people gather on a regular basis.

States with high vaccination rates report fewer cases

Broken down by individual states, the decline in new cases follows a distinct pattern. A CNN analysis shows that states with the highest vaccination rates are reporting the fewest new cases.

Connecticut, Hawaii, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, and Vermont all have vaccinated at least 70% of their adult populations. Theyre not only reporting the fewest new cases, but hospitalizations and deaths are also sharply lower in those seven states.

Dr. William Schaffner, a member of the Centers for Disease Control and Preventions (CDC) Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices, is among the health officials who worry that concentrations of unvaccinated people in a geographic area could cause a resurgence of the virus. "Clearly if you have geographic areas that are under-immunized, the virus is going to find them, he told the network.

The majority of college students plan to get vaccinated

Many colleges and universities have already announced that vaccinations will be mandatory for students and staff returning to campus in the fall. A survey by College Finance suggests that will be just fine with most people.

According to the survey, 88% of students said they plan to get vaccinated against the virus. Another 72% said they support the mandatory vaccination rule.

The poll also found a political breakdown when it comes to the vaccination question. Students identifying as Democrats were more likely to accept vaccinations than those identifying as Republicans.

Scientists say other vaccines may also help against COVID-19

Scientists suggest that the COVID-19 vaccines might not be the only type of vaccine to provide protection from the virus. Researchers at the Institute of Human Virology at the University of Maryland School of Maryland say measles, polio, and tuberculosis vaccines may also increase immunity to the virus.

These live attenuated vaccines (LAVs) may induce protective innate immunity that mitigates other infectious diseases, triggering the human bodys natural emergency response to infections including COVID-19, as well as future pandemic threats.

A review of epidemiological, clinical and biological evidence suggests that induction of innate immunity by existing LAVs, that is, the broadly effective vaccines, can protect against unrelated infections such as coronavirus, and could be used to control epidemics caused by emerging pathogens, said Dr. Robert Gallo, the institutes co-founder.

Unions reportedly unhappy with CDC mask guidance

Organized labor has been pressing the Biden administration to pass tougher workplace safety rules, and some union leaders are reportedly surprised and unhappy with the CDCs guidance that vaccinated Americans dont need to wear a mask. Some have told Politico that they have advocated for requiring masks in the workplace.

The administration is finalizing emergency COVID-19 workplace safety rules from OSHA, which unions expected to include a mask mandate. David Michaels, who led OSHA during the Obama administration, called it a public health 101 failure.

By giving advice to vaccinated people, but ignoring the fact that many or most people in many settings will not be vaccinated, the CDC is causing confusion and setting back our efforts to stop this pandemic, he told Politico.

Around the nation
05/19/2021

Photo (c) PeopleImages - Getty Images A year after roping off its borders to tourists, the European Union (EU) will allow entry to vaccinated travelers from countries that have low infection rates.

The possibility has been in the EUs decision-making pipeline for a while, but the bloc confirmed it on Wednesday as part of its recommendations for lifting travel restrictions for visitors. Airlines and travelers alike are already gearing up for an EU reopening. Searches for flights to Europe increased by 19% at United Airlines, an airline spokesperson told Skift.

But, if youre a vaccinated American and your inner wanderlust is anxious to say Sprachen de Deutsch or Estoy aqui, Espana!, you should know that youre not included in the EUs plans just yet.

The EU will supposedly issue an approved list of "safe" destinations later this week, although reports say the bloc didnt disclose exactly when reopening its borders will be implemented. Add to that the possibility that member states like Italy and France might be given the power to override a blanket welcome and establish their own requirements, such as quarantine measures and proof of vaccination.

The European Unions risk-based, science-driven plan to reopen international travel will hopefully spur the U.S. to heed the many calls for a plan and timetable to safely reopen our borders, U.S. Travel Association President and CEO Roger Dow said in a statement emailed to ConsumerAffairs.

Not ready to include the U.S.

Dow said all the right conditions are in place: the number of vaccinations continues to increase, infections are slowing down, and if inbound visitors can prove theyve been vaccinated or recovered from COVID-19, everyone wins  except Americans, for now.

Vaccinated Americans can travel to other countries because EU governments know theyre essential tourism spenders and will safely support economic recovery. The U.S. is being left off the UK and EU safe list because we arent yet moving forward to let international visitors back in, Dow said.

An EU official told CNN that the bloc will take reciprocity into account when drawing up its list. But for now, its recommending that countries with less than 75 cases per 100,000 people be included. The U.S. does not meet that mark, however. According to STAT, the U.S. is currently at 10,101 cases per 100,000 people -- a far cry from the EUs recommendation.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has yet to comment on the lifting of the EUs travel restrictions, but the facts are not in the American travelers favor. In its latest Risk Assessment Level for COVID-19, the CDC charts the U.S. as Level 4 - Very High.

While its not a tit-for-tat situation, the CDC reminds tourists from certain EU countries that  for the moment  they are prohibited from entering the United States. Those countries include Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, the Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, and Sweden.
05/19/2021

Photo source: CPSC The TJX Companies of Framingham, Mass., is recalling about 92,000 outdoor wooden folding chairs.

The chairs can break, posing fall and injury hazards to the user.

The firm TJX has received 18 reports of the recalled chairs breaking or collapsing, including 15 reports of falls that resulted in minor injuries, including back and neck injuries and lacerations.

This recall involves outdoor wooden folding chairs with armrests, in an oil stain finish, some of which were labeled with Nautica on the hang tag.

The chairs measure about 22.5 inches long, 21 inches wide and 35 inches tall. The back has 8 slats and the seat has 7 slats.

The chairs, manufactured in Vietnam, were sold at T.J. Maxx, HomeGoods, and Marshalls stores nationwide and online at tjmaxx.com and sierra.com from June 2018, through January 2021, for about $30.

What to do

Consumers should immediately stop using the recalled chairs and contact TJX for instructions on how to participate in the recall and receive a full refund.

Alternatively, consumers may return the recalled chairs to any T.J. Maxx, Marshalls, or HomeGoods store for a full refund.

Consumers may contact TJX toll-free at (888) 520-0322 from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. (ET) Monday through Friday or online at https://www.recallrtr.com/foldingchair or www.tjxmaxx.com, www.marshalls.com and www.sierra.com and click on Product Recalls at the bottom of the page, or www.homegoods.com and click on Product Info/Recalls at the bottom of the page.
First and second wave Corona

Historically speaking

Way forward

Surely, most healthcare is a State subject, but the catch for the States/ panchayats/ municipalities/ private operations lies in the way the Centre manoeuvres health polices and budgets. No doubt, in the Budget-2021-22, the Centre announced an increase in the allocation for health by 137% from the previous year's budget estimate with a separate budget allocation to fight Covid-19.However, this health budget is way too less, if compared with the countrys defense budget  which is also conveniently used as a tool to tame the citizens of the country! It is brought up since it speaks of our priority of defense from the external threats of an internally sick nation, threatened by poor healthcare facilities, malnutrition, hunger, poor education facilitis, unemployment, domestic violence and communal violence.Nevertheless, the question here is how did the Centre regulate (or did not) the budget given that we have a national disaster, how are the decisions made for the distribution of budget to the States, how are the vaccine production houses selected and discarded, how are the production houses funded for what quantity, etc., besides the export and import?Alongside the fundamental right to healthcare, if the right to freedom of choosing the option for Centre/State or privately-served facilities, besides the vaccinating itself, is to be exercised, it is pertinent to ask whether it was right on the Centres part to discriminate healthcare policies in various ways as it did during the last year.From the allocation of the Covid budget by the Centre to the approval of the vaccines, proposed oxygen/vaccine plants, current oxygen demand-supply, and other medical aid, the heavy hand of the Centre earlier, and then no hand of the Centre now, the State health infrastructures are left into a jeopardy.Furthermore, the private sector was initially kept out of the Corona business for most part of the year since its advent/declaration in the country, and after they were allowed , there is a new Corona business blooming with sky-rocketing profits. Still, since their role is important in tackling the rising cases, their regulations need to be clarified and furthered by the Centre.In the first wave, the Centre was remote controlling the prescriptions and instructions of Corona care during the lockdown. This continued till the approval of two companies for vaccine production. Meanwhile, it refused permission to import vaccines. It signaled to States its power to do this.By the end of the 2020, the Centre also self-proclaimed victory over Corona without substantial research and development, to the extent that in beginning of 2021, when the country produced nearly half of the world vaccines, it cleared for export (sell, not free) nearly 90% of production to several countries as part of its vaccine diplomacy The Centre took similar decisions to export most of the medical oxygen in February. The exports seemed like an ambitious plan of the Centre to achieve the 5 trillion economy by 2024 from the business of pandemic. This apda mei avsar  may be tagged as the Gujarat model Making the patenting/IPR clause stringent and disallowing more companies to produce the vaccines, thus disallowing the vaccine rights to its own people, will go down in the history of the country as the biggest mistake by the Centre. Ironically, while the Centre at the WTO seeks patent rights waiver, it argues against a waiver in the Supreme Court.The Centre has been discriminatory in the allocation of the vaccines and other medical aides to the States. Else, how did the Centre decide to export the countrys vaccine and medical oxygen, depriving the citizens its rights? What was the administrative and participatory governance process involved? Did the Centre ask the States, or did it enquire into requirements of the States before taking the decision to export vaccines and medical oxygen?Ironically, the parliamentary sessions are not conducted for a while in the disguise of Corona care, and there are absolutely no discussions/ dialogues/ debates whatsoever between the Centre and the State, except the one-way communication from the PM to the CMs. If the things go this way, the monologue may also slim with the Corona impact getting graver, as is happening in the second wave.Further, the Centre has been discriminative to the citizens on who will be vaccinated, thereby completely failing and shunning the universal ummunization approach. In the digital India where there are messages reaching every phone, there are fake news going everywhere every moment. Yet, we hear only Mann ki Baat . One wonders why didnt the Centre run a survey with citizens asking who should be vaccinated, when and how. It may not provide a clear picture; however, it may provide a sense of participatory governance.The Centre then suddenly put the States on the #Atmanirbhar mode after the situation got out of its control. It bypassed Universal Immunization Act for vaccinating people amidst uncertainty of procurement of vaccines from international market.In fact, the Centre sought vaccines from the international market too late. It had already exported India-made vaccines. Now it has left to the States to import the vaccines on their own. Besides, the Centre made the States to decide on which vaccine to procure, from where to procure, when to receive, way too late when there were long orders pending internationally.When the vaccination is now opened for larger populace from this month, the production nationally even if expedited is insufficient. How did the Centre plan to vaccinate majority populace without substantial vaccine in production plan?Since several States of India are ruled by different parties, other than the party at the Centre, the discriminative voices and difficulties in Centre-State relations have turned louder. Amidst the second wave, when Delhi was gasping for oxygen, the Centre refused to oblige, and the same happened with Maharashtra, which is among the worst affected states. It is also true that the same party governed States like the Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh and Karnataka are equally in distress, yet they are not noising, even though they are found to be misreporting data.The private vaccine producers stance of different pricing for the Centre and the States and the private hospitals was ridiculous, yet, ironically, it was supported by the Centre. With profit as a priori, the private producers are obviously tempted to export more than sell it in the internal market, given the price they are able to fetch internationally. This certainly resonates with the typical Gujarat model of apda mei avsar that has been also promoted by the Centre.Why isnt the Centre regulating the pricing on the humanitarian grounds under the universal immunization law? If vaccine is life saving and if it is not a rocket science that other pharma companies cannot produce, why isnt the Centre allowing and supporting other pharma companies into vaccine production by removing the IPR clause?Now, when the States are made to take care of themselves, it is natural for them to reach out to the production houses everywhere to order for their vaccine-oxygen-medical requirements. At the same time, it is also natural for a State like Maharashtra that houses one of the approved vaccine production plants to demand from the producer to reserve 50% vaccine for the State. This happened even as the Centre has imposed curbs on the States from producing and procuring vaccines from elsewhere.Why didnt the Centre decentralize the Corona care strategies to State level right from the beginning (as it was demanded by Delhi and Maharashtra), so that they were better prepared for the second wave? If it had done so, the States could have also allowed the PSUs to engage in vaccine production, besides having more time to strategize urban-rural healthcare facilities.Despite States now being turned into relatively more autonomous in Corona care, the permission for medical oxygen, vaccine distribution, etc. remains a matter of clearance from the Centre. This gets murkier when the world is coming to the rescue of the country. Relief materials will obviously land on the laps of the Centre. How does the Centre plan to justify sharing or not sharing international aid with States? The same true is with PM CARES funds. How States getting as their share?The Centre is not behaving like a democratically elected government, but instead like a Royal/Honorary set-up as in many developed countries, including our colonizer England, and their close aides like Japan and Netherlands. This can only be tagged as authoritarian , as has been referred to of late on more than one occasion.When the country is fighting with the pandemic, the Centre is evading its responsibilities to the States. In fact, it is taking wrong decisions insisting that it has more rights than the States. Meanwhile, it refuses to hold parliamentary debates, even as continuing to focus on winning elections.Worse, the Centre boasts on the making of the Central Vista as an essential good at a time when the Delhi government declared a lockdown, signaling an indifferent mode to the massacre happening in the Delhi NCR. Those ruling the Centre seem to forget and forgo the entire constitutional process in order to build castles, as if it is going to be theirs forever. It is important to alarm this distancing of the Centre from the countrys priorities. The distancing of the Centre vis-a-vis States is evident all across the country irrespective of political party rule.Since the Centre is slowly slipping into this royalty mode by projecting more as Presidential form of government, it is pertinent to ask , can India afford one more royal position as Prime Minister like the President of the country, or are they going to be eventually one position in future?The heavy and invisible hand of the Centre needs to be understood historically to move forward in resolving Centre-State tensions.Citing/clarifying Centre-States relations from the legislative perspectives, Article 1 of the Constitution of India states that India, that is Bharat, shall be a union of states. We refer to India as a quasi-federal system since Independence, with federal in the form and unitary in the spirit. Interestingly, the word federal is nowhere used in the Constitution of India; however, the nature of Indian federal system is clarified by Dr BR Ambedkar as:The Centre-State relations are based oni. Legislative relation,ii. Executive and administrative relationship, andiii. Financial relationship.Despite the above words in the Constitution, it is a fact that the Constitution intended to establish a stronger Centre to preserve the unity and integrity of States. The intention is clear with the centralizing tendencies imbibed in the Constitution itself for some key sectors like defense, but then pandemic is also a national matter, like it was the Emergency of 1975-77. We are no less than in the state of Emergency both democratically as well as pandemically, wondering why is the Centre not declaring it an Emergency?It is also a fact that the States did not and do not feel their autonomy threatened or compromised when the same party was at the Centre and the State. When it is different parties in the Centre and the State, the tensions are evident. Since 1967 when in eight States non-Congress governments came in power to today when more than half the States are non-BJP governments, Centre-States tension are exposed in these difficult times.It was in 1967 and thereafter that the issue of preservation of autonomy of the States have been raised. The Maharashtra CM has sought decentralization of power and decision making for Corona care, while the Delhi CM has been noising about the snatching of autonomy of the Capital city-state.This appears understandable, given the time when the Constitution was written during the distress of partition; however, it is important now to reflect upon the Centre-States arrangement given that we are more likely to have different parties in power in the Centre and majority of States. One party government gave way to UPA/NDA coalition governments, but now the Modi (person) government is seeking to signal scrapping of the democratic process itself.It is a matter of concern that all the noise around Centre-State relations until recently was mostly for the urban populace, where the media is usually active. However, now half the countrys rural-town population in the dire situation of the virus spread. The panchayats-municipalities are poorly equipped with healthcare awareness and facilities with too little too late support from the Centre.If the panchayats are not empowered now, the rural India may perish, and if that happens, India will perish . The question is, as a citizen of this country, whether urban or rural, should it matter who provides the healthcare aka Corona care as long as it arrives to the right place at the right time?The Centre-States tension is here to stay and may get murkier in the days to come. They are a black hole, but there is also a silver lining to it. The silver lining is that this is the right time to question the dual polity legislation and evolve a more robust system with the Union of the States in line with the Constitutions true meaning. After nearly 75 years of Independence, it is crucial to look into the matter.The situation may get worsened because of the inherent healthcare challenges of the country that votes more for temples than for hospitals. Further, because the Centre is advocating One Nation, One Election, One GST, and implicitly even One Religion, etc., we must learn to live with pandemics now, as the climate change impacts , that call for more local sustainable actions.We dont have to live with Centre-States tensions, but instead evolve from the administrative-legislative arrangements when Indian became independent and when the circumstances were different. It is now crucial that the States rise and reclaim their sovereignty more than ever to look for local solutions to local global problems.If healthcare is a State matter, let the States be more self-sustainable and open to all kinds of business. Going beyond healthcare, other sectors, including defense, must be also looked through for States to be more sovereign. Let the panchayats and the States be the leading governments with a Committee of Ministers representing Centre (India-Bharat).Let us rethink the positions of the Prime Minister-President chosen and rotating lead from States. This also means decentralizing the Capital to multi-capitals, like in the Netherlands, Germany or Australia, making necessary administrative-legislative changes. We can certainly look at what countries like the United States on what not to do, and the European Union as to what can be a possibility.---
Continue Reading Below Advertisement

The above clip references the infamous Tribbles episode of Star Trek: The Original Series, one of the worst episodes in television history. It's also one of the only episodes where Kelpian-eyed viewers can spot that James Doohan, the actor playing Chief Excruciating Accent Officer Scotty, appears to be missing a digit on his right hand. What had happened to his middle finger? According to Doohan, he gave it to Hitler.

At the age of 19, James Doohan kissed his parents goodbye, tucked away his brother's lucky silver cigarette case, and left to fight World War II. A Vancouver boy, he joined the Royal Canadian Artillery, where he beamed through the ranks and quickly made lieutenant. On D-Day, Lt. Doohan led a unit of 3rd Canadian Infantry as they apologetically stormed Juno Beach. His further exploits in the army included running across an anti-tank minefield that he was juuuuuust light enough for not to trigger, killing two German snipers, seeing a tank explode containing several of his mates (and a small fortune in card winnings), and being taught to do a Scottish accent by a British soldier.

Doug Banksy, Imgur Listening to Scotty, we can assume that soldier was Welsh.

Continue Reading Below Advertisement

And that was all in a single day! At 11:30 PM on D-Day, Doohan was badly wounded by a barrage of bullets returning from a forward operation. His attacker wasn't a German ambusher but a spooked Canadian sentry who didn't realize his Bren Gun was set to "kill." One of the bullets struck Doohan in the chest, another went through his finger, and he had hiked a quarter-mile to a medic tent before someone told him he also had four slugs in his left leg. Doohan was also informed that the bullet to the chest should have killed him. Fortunately, it had been stopped by the silver cigarette case he kept in his jacket.
Chinese associations flag virtual currency risks

Xinhua) 10:04, May 19, 2021

BEIJING, May 18 (Xinhua) -- Chinese industrial associations of internet finance, banking, and payment and clearing on Tuesday issued stern warnings on the risks of virtual currencies.

The cautions come amid rounds of asset boom-and-bust and urge institutions and consumers to distance themselves from the cyber tokens.

Financial institution members, payment institutions, and other agencies shall not use virtual currency to price products or services. Also, internet platform enterprises shall not provide services for virtual currency-related business activities, read the announcement of the three organizations.

It is also not allowed to underwrite insurance businesses related to virtual currencies or bring virtual currencies into insurance liability coverage.

The announcement reminds consumers that virtual currencies have no real underlying value, and their prices can be easily manipulated. There are multiple risks in related speculative trading activities that lurk in the form of false assets and business failures.

Consumers are told to guard their personal bank accounts and not use them in operations such as the topping up or withdrawal of virtual currency accounts. Consumers must also guard against the illegal use and disclosure of personal information.

Virtual currencies, a type of virtual goods, are not issued by monetary authorities. It has no fiscal attributes such as legal compensation and cannot and should not circulate as a real currency.

The People's Bank of China, the central bank, and other departments have issued multiple documents demanding forestalling risks of speculation in virtual currency transactions.

(Web editor: Shi Xi, Hongyu)
Baylor University, one of the world's largest Baptist universities, has opened the door to possibly providing official campus recognition to an LGBT student group but maintains that its stance on marriage and sexual ethics continues to be unchanged.

Last week, the Waco, Texas-based school's board of regents approved a resolution that greenlights a path forward for recognizing a group of LGBT-identifying students.

The board of regents charged President Linda A. Livingstone and the university administration "to determine the appropriate pathways to provide additional care, connections, and community for Baylors LGBTQ students, including the possibility of establishing a new, chartered student group that is consistent with Baylors core commitments ..."

In addition, the board reaffirmed the "core commitments of our Christian mission," including "the biblical understanding that sexual relations of any kind outside of marriage between

a man and a woman are not in keeping with the teaching of Scripture."

Source:The Christian Post
Black Lives Matter expressed its solidarity for Palestinians, advocating for ending settler colonialism and Palestinian liberation in a tweet that implicitly undercut Israel after days of attacks in the region.

Black Lives Matter stands in solidarity with Palestinians, the advocacy group tweeted on Monday. We are a movement committed to ending settler colonialism in all forms and will continue to advocate for Palestinian liberation. ( always have. And always will be ). #freepalestine.

The Palestinian leadership of the global Boycott, Divestment & Sanctions movement, which calls for the academic and cultural boycott of Israel, retweeted BLM and expressed gratitude for their solidarity.

Thank you for your solidarity, the left-wing BDS movement tweeted in response to BLMs tweet. From Ferguson to Palestine, our struggles against racism, white supremacy and for a just world are united!

Source:The Christian Post
A licensed therapist is suing Washington state over its ban on sexual orientation counseling for minors, a practice described by critics as conversion therapy.

In a lawsuit filed last Thursday in the U.S. District Court of the Western District of Washington at Tacoma, licensed marriage and family therapist Brian Tingley contends that Senate Bill 5722 constitutes a denial of free speech rights" that is guaranteed by the First Amendment.

The lawsuit calls the measure relating to restricting the practice of conversion therapy" a violation of the Due Process Clause of the 14th Amendment due to its vagueness.

The law was signed by Washington Gov. Jay Inslee in 2018.

Source:The Christian Post
The Church of Scotlands General Assembly will soon consider a proposal to erase husband and wife from its official marriage ceremony.[1]

Changing worldview and their inherent values are gradually bringing about a slow but accelerating fade of marriage as described in the Bible.

Its not just the homosexual movement impacting the view of marriage, but the wide acceptance of pre- and non-marital sex even among purported Christians. In a 2020 survey, Pew Research found that forty-six percentnearly halfof Evangelical Americans see no problem with sex outside of marriage, despite Bible teachings.

As a minister ordained in 1962, I can look back over the years and attest to the fact that the number of weddings I was asked to perform shrunk significantly.

Source:The Christian Post
Father Victor David, parish priest of Our Lady of Happy Voyage in Howrah, India, died from COVID-19 last Thursday at the Mercy Hospital hours after Sister Pranita Rai, principal of St. Teresas School in Kidderpore, died from the virus too.

The two missionaries of the Catholic Church died as the faithful were observing the feast of Our Lady of Fatima, according to The Times of India. And as more than 4,000 people die daily from the virus in that country, more than 160 priests have reportedly died in the past five weeks. Some 120 of them died between April 1 and April 15, Father Suresh Mathew, the editor of Indian Currents, told CRUX.

I wanted to know the extent of the tragedy and the reasons. With journalistic interest, I began compiling the list of priests who died in the second wave (of COVID-19 pandemic in India). I approached the deputy secretary general of the Catholic Bishops Conference of India, and he gave me around 20 names of priests. But Jose Kavi, the editor of Matters India, gave me the names of numerous priests who succumbed to the virus, Mathew said.

Those names amounted to a list of 117, and Mathew reached out to individual bishops in India regarding the deaths and was surprised by what he found.

Source:The Christian Post
A month after Rock Church in San Diego, California, held their first indoor worship service since the start of the coronavirus pandemic, the church has suspended indoor worship at all campuses for May 23, except at the Point Loma and microsite locations, after multiple staffers tested positive for COVID-19.

We have recently learned that some of our Rock Church employees have tested positive for COVID-19. We are working with and helping these members of our Rock staff get the care and help they need. Some of our campuses and teams are directly affected by this and are self-quarantining. Out of an abundance of caution, our in person Sunday services will be limited to our Point Loma and Microsite locations only on May 23rd, the church said in a statement posted on their website.

Executive Pastor Lisa Penberthy told Fox 5 that 15 employees across the churchs five campuses had tested positive for COVID-19, but none have been hospitalized.

None of our staff have been hospitalized. They are about split of symptomatic and asymptomatic. They are quarantining and doing well, she said.

Source:The Christian Post
Crossville, TN (38555)

Today

Scattered thunderstorms this morning, then mainly cloudy during the afternoon with thunderstorms likely. High 76F. Winds W at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 70%..

Tonight

Scattered showers and thunderstorms. Low 67F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 50%.
Hutchinson, MN (55350)

Today

Cloudy early with scattered thunderstorms developing this afternoon. High around 85F. Winds WSW at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 50%..

Tonight

Partly cloudy skies. Low near 60F. Winds NNW at 5 to 10 mph.
The Stations of the Cross in Atonement for Abuse and for the Healing of All
Iceage release is only the icebergs tip for new post-punk albums
The dramatic increase in telework and the transition to cloud-based applications means more people are working from remote locations on personal and company-provided devices. Security and IT teams have adjusted their strategies to contend with these changes, but one area that is often underestimated is the potential impact of insider threats. Remote work isn't likely to go away any time soon. In fact, 54% of employed adults who say that their job responsibilities can mostly be done from home say that they want to work from home all or most of the time when the coronavirus pandemic is over.

Businesses face significant risks from insider threats, but damage from insider sources can be difficult to track down because these threats cover such a wide range of behaviors and motives. It's even more difficult when employees aren't on site. Threats might come from a disgruntled staffer who wants to disrupt operations, an employee who sells customer data to get some extra cash, or a careless co-worker who ignores a company policy.

Technically, an insider threat is the potential for an insider to use their authorized access or specialized understanding of an organization to disrupt or harm the business. Insiders aren't limited to just employees; they can be anyone who access to your systems or data. This can include former employees, contractors, suppliers and even board members. Even family members who live in the same house as a remote employee has the potential to see or access systems they shouldn't. Insider threats fall into three general groups.

Non-malicious or accidental threats may come from well-intentioned employees who don't necessarily realize they've done something that has exposed the company to risk. They may be under pressure to get something done quickly and as a result do things they know they shouldn't, such as opening a back door to access resources or pushing documents or data onto a server not controlled by IT. Compromises also may arise from simple carelessness or mistakes, such as temporarily turning off a security tool and forgetting to turn it back on or clicking on malicious links

may come from well-intentioned employees who don't necessarily realize they've done something that has exposed the company to risk. They may be under pressure to get something done quickly and as a result do things they know they shouldn't, such as opening a back door to access resources or pushing documents or data onto a server not controlled by IT. Compromises also may arise from simple carelessness or mistakes, such as temporarily turning off a security tool and forgetting to turn it back on or clicking on malicious links Malicious threats often come from people who have left a company and take intellectual property, such as sales people who take their leads with them or software engineers who walk off with source code. Third-parties that have special access also can be insiders, such as companies working on system integrations.

often come from people who have left a company and take intellectual property, such as sales people who take their leads with them or software engineers who walk off with source code. Third-parties that have special access also can be insiders, such as companies working on system integrations. Advanced threats often are related to organized crime or nation state sponsored activity. Insiders may steal intellectual property or data for -on behalf of a third party for financial gain.

Insider threats are on the rise. Some of this trend may be because more insider breaches are being reported, as historically, these compromises weren't made public. But whether motivated by money or sabotage, insider threats now make up about 30% of breaches.

Defending Against Insider Threats

When it comes to insider threats, the goal needs to be to deter, detect, and disrupt. Deterrence starts with clear policies and training for all employees, contractors, and other authorized personnel. Protective security needs to be set up both internally and externally. These activities can be performed without incurring a lot of overhead; they don't have to turn into a massive burden to the security operations center or compliance team.

As far as disrupting threats, you don't want to wait until a seemingly benign configuration issue turns into external access because a malicious actor could simply grab the data and run. Early detection and response are key. It's a good practice to work with your security vendor to make sure your configurations don't drift over time.

Insider Threats and the Cybersecurity Framework

The cybersecurity framework from the U.S. National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) provides a common language for discussing security. It offers a comprehensive inventory of every major step in the security life cycle: identify, protect, detect, respond, and recover. Each step should be viewed from the perspective of insider threats.

Identify: The security operations center needs to have an understanding of what assets they have and what state they're in. Network access control also can be used for discovery of who and what is on the network.

Protect: The zero-trust model is based on the assumption that no one can be trusted, so people aren't given access to resources that they don't need. Least privilege and role-based access control can be paired with network segmentation to reduce the risk. Protection also includes training and making sure that users understand their part in keeping software updated. IT staff needs to keep up with patches and manage server, router, firewall, and application configurations as well.

Detect: Continuous monitoring needs to be in place to detect anomalies and to monitor policy compliance. Threat intelligence can keep everyone updated on the tactics attackers are using. Knowing what they do and when they do it makes it easier to recognize suspicious activities and to take next steps. Behavioral monitoring through user behavior analytics (UEBA) includes profiling what's normal so you recognize when something isn't normal. Detection also can include deception technology to catch people who are trying to access unauthorized systems and data.

Respond: You should have a response plan ready to go that includes a playbook for insider threats. Endpoint security solutions can help develop your forensic ability by looking back in time. By sifting through traffic and logs, you can see what happened in the past and automate actions based on that information, such as cutting off and isolating problematic endpoints. You can also create sophisticated playbooks coupled with actions that orchestrate responses so they are prescriptive.

Recover: Automated disinfection and remediation requires planning. You may need to take a rollback and restore approach or reprovision endpoints. The key is to get back up and rolling as quickly as possible to minimize business disruption.

Technology Can Help

As noted, insider threats are particularly difficult to detect when you have a remote and distributed workforce, so centralized security visibility and management are essential. Threat management strategies should include a deep understanding of insider threats and the situations that give rise to them. That starts with knowing what "normal" looks like at your organization.

When you combine this understanding with technology such as zero-trust access, endpoint monitoring, user behavior analysis, and data-loss prevention controls, you have a better chance of successfully mitigating threats and keeping your critical resources safe. Going even farther by combining user behavioral data with artificial intelligence can provide even more visibility and more accurate user monitoring on an endpoint-by-endpoint basis.

By using robust technology that offers single-pane-of-glass visibility and control, log aggregation, and security analytics, coupled with detection and response tools, you have the best chance of successfully defending against insider threats.

Discover how Fortinet Teleworker Solutions enable secure remote access at scale to support employees with a wide array of access requirements.

Learn more about Fortinets free cybersecurity training initiative or about the Fortinet Network Security Expert program, Network Security Academy program, and FortiVet program
Restaurateur Wilson Rodriguez and chef Jose Draganac, the co-owners of New Canaan's Pesca Peruvian Bistro, are bringing that taste of Peru to Norwalk when they open Ayahuasca Peruvian Kitchen in June.

"We thought Norwalk was missing a good authentic Peruvian cuisine place, and Pesca in New Canaan has been so successful it made sense to bring the same concept to the area," said Rodriguez.

The pair opened Pesca in 2018. Those familiar with the New Cannan restaurant will notice a number of similarities between the two restaurants, including selections of ceviche on the menu and their signature pisco sour. But while Pesca features a lot of seafood, after all, pesca means fish, one of the signature dishes of Ayahuasca Peruvian Kitchen will be rotisserie chicken.

"We wanted to bring authentic Peruvian rotisserie chicken that is well-prepared into Norwalk," said Rodriguez.

To do that, they imported the rotisserie chicken ovens from Peru, which delayed the opening of the restaurant while they waited for them to arrive. But they're optimistic it will be worth it.

Draganac, who grew up in Peru, began cooking at an early age, studying at culinary school in Lima before working at restaurants in Peru and the United States. While working at Z Hospitality (Sole, Mediterraneo, Terra), Draganac met Rodriguez, who had helped open several Fairfield County restaurants, including Costa Brava, Macarena and Cafe Madrid, and the two connected over wanting to open a Peruvian restaurant.

Ayahuasca Peruvian Kitchen, which will open at 46 North Main Street in Norwalk (the former home of Jewel of Himalaya) sometime in mid-June, depending on city approvals, will accommodate 40 people and include a full bar, indoor and outdoor dining.
The real estate sector is one of the most important in economic activity but one of the last to enter digitization processes compared to other equally relevant industries in Mexico and Latin America.

Faced with this lag, the great opportunity arises to revolutionize and innovate a sector that has different challenges, resulting in the generation of a true disruption throughout the sector and totally necessary in the face of the digital transformation that we are experiencing.

In the city of Guadalajara, Jalisco, in 2018 View Accelerator was born as the first accelerator and investment fund in Latin America, having results that are exceeding expectations and being focused on promoting and investing PropTech companies (any company that uses technology to improve any service within the Real Estate sector) of recent creation.

The fund is originated as a whole by two relevant corporations and with a strong position in the sector at the national level: Tierra y Armonia and Grupo Guia, hand in hand with Bluebox, the largest Corporate Venturing firm in Latin America. The main differentiator is that the essential criterion to be able to invest is the strategic value for both parties, achieving a very clear benefit in the portfolio startups being relevant to their growth, for the corporations that invest having the possibility of interacting with different companies, streamlining their processes and / or services, and also towards investors with a reduction in risk due to prior validation by experts.



Depositphotos.com

In just over two years, 500 startups have been identified globally, generating a process in which in the end only nine of these companies were invested and becoming a benchmark fund in Latin America.

Some success stories of startups invested and based in Mexico are Homie and briq.mx, having accelerated growth and becoming benchmarks in the sector; Also, when investing in startups abroad, the bet is to be a key partner for their arrival in Mexico, as was the case with Comunidad Feliz, a Chilean startup that manages more than 4,000 condominiums between Chile and recently Mexico.

The second fund, now worth $ 5 million, will have the same methodology but will now be invested for four years in the 20 best PropTech companies that have an expansion interest in Mexico.

If you are interested in knowing and applying, visit the View Accelerator site. Copyright 2021 Entrepreneur.com Inc., All rights reserved
TRUMBULL  When racial justice protests swept the country last year in the aftermath of George Floyds killing, the sight of young people of all races taking the lead was striking, Michael Barker said.

The kids are all right, arent they? Barker said.

Now Barker and a small group of community members are seeking to recapture the energy of last summer with an anti-racism rally on the Trumbull green Saturday.

The event, called Stand Together Against Racism Trumbull, will feature a lineup of speakers. Most of them, once again, will be young people, and all of them of color, he said.

We got together, a group of us that live in town, some elected and some not, and we got to talking about what we wanted to happen and how we wanted to change our town in some ways, Barker said. And we talked about anti-racism and how we wanted that to play a bigger part in our community.

As a white, cisgender, heterosexual, Christian, middle class male, Barker described himself as a walking privilege machine. But he said making a difference for those who are less privileged was his top priority.

About seven or eight years ago, I trained with an organization that began my understanding of racism and anti-racism, he said. Its wildly important for me as a person who identifies as I do, to try to give voice to those who dont have voices.

Wayne Winston, a frequent speaker on race who has begun hosting online forums on the topic, said Saturdays rally was a chance for the community to take a stand.

Our group has been working together ever since that whole equity and diversity committee controversy happened, Winston said. With George Floyds anniversary coming up, and all the anti-Asian hate and this crazy polarization out there, we decided its time to do something about that.

Winston and Barker said the residents who formed the idea of taking action separate from any town board or committee were a loose collection of people who supported diversity.

Its just a cross section of our community, Winston said. So we collectively came up with the idea to make sure the town knows that we support diversity. We take a stand against racism, and we give people a place to stand with us.

Many of the speakers at Saturdays gathering were those who already had spoken out during Winstons online forums on race.

We want to hear from young people because what they go through in the schools, it was pretty difficult to listen to, he said. Were creating a space where no one feels marginalized.

Like Barker, Winston also noted the racial diversity among the young people, many of them teens, who took leading roles in last years protests.

Black kids expressed that they felt a certain way, and their white counterparts recognized the importance, he said. These discussions about race have been phenomenal because its something a lot of people felt wasnt being addressed.

Winston also issued an open invitation to those who feel events like Saturdays gathering, or groups like the towns Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Taskforce, werent necessary to participate in the conversation.

There are those who feel that (racism) doesnt happen in Trumbull, and thats pretty typical if you arent in that skin, and if youre not the subject of marginalization, he said. Dealing with racial issues doesnt mean youre a racist. It means theres a problem and we need to address it.

deng@trumbulltimes.com
BRIDGEPORT  A newly-hired police officer is on paid administrative status after losing her badge last weekend at a late night downtown party where two men were shot and killed, according to a police department spokesman.

The department confirmed Tuesday that a probationary officer, identified only as K. Edwards, was in attendance and had lost her personal belongings containing badge, identification and other personal effects.

Department spokesman Scott Appleby said in a statement that Edwards has been placed on paid administrative status with the matter still pending further investigation.

Appleby added the criminal probe was continuing into the double homicide that occurred around 2 a.m. Sunday in the basement of 1023 Main St. and claimed the lives of Charles Barnes, 38, of Bloomfield and Norman Charles Peter, 40, of Stamford.

It remained unclear Tuesday if and how officials will seek to hold accountable the tenant of the site where the party was held  a basement church  or the host who leased that space for the event.

Police stated in a press release Sunday that the shootings took place at an illegal after hours club... being run in the basement of 1023 Main St.

The city on Tuesday declined requests to explain why the police department labeled the event an illegal club on Sunday.

This entire incident is under investigation, Rowena White, Mayor Joe Ganims communications director, said.

Kaitlyn Krasselt, spokesperson for the state Department of Consumer Protection, which has jurisdiction over liquor licensing, said that agency is looking into the Bridgeport incident but had no further comment.

Under statutes, some restaurants, depending on their permit, can provide off-premises catering and also serve alcohol at events.

Also, as of May 1 the original 11 p.m. curfew was moved back to midnight, and will be eliminated entirely Wednesday.

Lauren Coakley Vincent, president of the Downtown Special Services District, which markets that neighborhood, sought earlier this week to reassure the public that Sundays violence was an aberration.

Bridgeport Police are asking anyone with information about this crime to call Detective Martin Heanue at 203-581-5242 or utilize the Bridgeport Police Tips Line at 203-576-TIPS.
DERBY  A group of Boy Scout Troop 3 members look at the camera while showing off their model airplanes in a photo published by the Evening Sentinel newspaper in 1942.

Among them, kneeling down in front with a grin on his face, was Joseph L. Hong Moo, who would go on to join the military as a young adult and become a pilot.

His story may have fallen into obscurity, if not for a recent nomination to the citys Hall of Fame, to which Moo was inducted along with two other people recently. He is the first Asian American member of the local Hall of Fame.

According to Randy Ritter, the scoutmaster for Troop 3, he nominated Moo because people of color played a crucial role in the makeup of the city.

There were probably just as many nonwhite people contributing to the development and industry of Derby as white people, but their stories didn't get recorded. And they're out there. And we need to look for them, Ritter said.

According to the Derby Hall of Fame website, Moo was born in 1927 and was raised on Third Street. He graduated from Derby High School in 1945 and later went on to serve as a pilot in the U.S. Air Force, where he attained the rank of first lieutenant.

He died along with another pilot during a training accident in 1955 near Tyndall Air Force base. He was survived by his wife, Carolyn Hong, who he married just a year prior to his death.

Mayor Rich Dziekan said in a press release that the inductees represented the diversity of the city. The other two inductees this year are Brian Dennehy, an actor who won two Tony awards, and Molly Hatchett, a member of the Paugussett tribe who was well regarded for her basket weaving skills.

They join the previous 55 individuals who are enshrined in the Hall and contributed so much to our history and culture, Dziekan said.

But Ritter also said that Moo experienced racism, even though Moo was a boy scout and would later join the Air Force.

Ritter said that former scoutmaster, Ed Strang, who is also a member of the hall of fame and died in 1995, would recount stories about Moo. Ritter said that during World War II, the scout troop had an exchange program with Canada. Moo was denied entry at the Canadian border even though he was dressed in his boy scout uniform. So Strang had to find a place for Moo to stay in the United States.

Ritter said that it underscored the challenges Moo must have faced as an Asian American during the time.

I can only imagine the adversity he had to go through as a Chinese American, even though we weren't fighting China during World War II, just the fact that he was Asian, he said.

Jack Walsh, chairman of the Derby Water Pollution Control Authority, who introduced the new inductees on May 13, said that the committee that oversees the nomination process carefully examines all candidates for inclusion.

I am very proud that we have so many outstanding individuals who have achieved so much in so many different areas and it is important for people to learn about this history, Walsh said.

Ritter said that every year at the end of May, the scout troop still marches to Oak Cliff cemetery where Moo is buried, where they pray over his tombstone.

The city has inducted 58 people into the Hall of Fame since it was founded in 2007. Three bricks representing the newest members will be ceremonially installed at the plaza by the Derby Greenway in June, Walsh said.

He said he wants residents to stop by and remember the people who helped make the city what it is.

Its a mini-history lesson about Derby for anyone who takes the time to look, he said.
STORRS  The University of Connecticut Board of Trustees unanimously appointed Dr. Andrew Andy Agwunobi, the CEO of UConn Health and executive vice president for health affairs, as UConns interim president on Wednesday.

The announcement comes less than a week after news of the current presidents resignation. UConn President Thomas Katsouleas said in a statement on Wednesday his desire to focus on research and teaching led to the difficult decision.

Sources told Hearst Connecticut Media and the CT Mirror that the relationship between Katsouleas and UConns Board of Trustees had deteriorated since he was hired. Among the actions cited by sources were an unexpected announcement at his inauguration to provide free tuition for families making less than $50,000, and a decision to cut slated tuition increases by half without consulting with trustees.

He also angered board members for spending a lot of his time in Virginia during the pandemic, instead of on campus, sources said. UConn Health was in crisis not only because of the health emergency but with its finances, which have long been shaky and grew dire in the spring of 2020, before any federal aid was secured.

With the appointment of Agwunobi, UConn will see its first president of color in the universitys 140-year history, according to the board.

Im honored and humbled to be asked to serve as president for this interim period, and Im happy to do anything I can do to support the University of Connecticut, that Ive come to love, and its mission, Agwunobi said at the announcement of his interim presidency.

Last week, it was publicly announced Katsouleas would resign as president effective June 30. Katsouleas, who served as president for two years, will return to the university as a faculty member.

UConns Board of Trustees announced its interim selection at a regular meeting on Wednesday morning, during which chair Dan Toscano called Agwunobi an absolute masterclass in leadership.

Gov. Ned Lamonts chief of staff, Paul Mounds, said the governor is in agreement and approves of the boards recommendation.

Agwunobi said his priorities include reopening at near full-capacity this fall, as well as long-term goals such as updating the universitys strategic plan, promoting research and innovation and more.

At a press conference Wednesday afternoon, Toscano said Agwunobis selection stems not only from his leadership experience, but from his background leading an institution of public higher education in the state of Connecticut.

Dr. Agwunobi is well-known throughout UConn, said Toscano. Hes well-known in the legislature and the executive branch.

We will be in no hurry to rush a process to name a permanent president of the university, he said. We dont need to. We have a great leader in place who is well-known and knows his way around.

Agwunobi became CEO of UConn Health in 2014. Before then, he was managing director and co-leader of the health performance improvement practice at Berkeley Research Group, one of the nations largest healthcare consulting firms.

He has held several other top roles, including president and CEO of Grady Health in Atlanta, CEO of Providence Healthcare in Washington and secretary of the Florida Agency for Health Care Administration.

Agwunobi is a pediatrician by training and also holds an MBA.

His term officially starts July 1, but the UConn Board of Trustees granted him authority to begin day-to-day responsibilities effective immediately, with Katsouleas involved in the transition.

Agwunobi will simultaneously continue in his role as UConn Healths CEO.

In a statement to the UConn community, posted by Katsouleas on Twitter, he said he looks forward to helping the interim president in his transition.

I also look forward to pursuing my love of research and teaching as a member of UConns distinguished faculty, Katsouleas said. It is an exciting time in my field of laser and plasma accelerator research, and I look forward to pursuing some new questions I have been discussing with a former student and colleagues.

Katsouleas also praised the university for prospering during the ongoing global pandemic.

I will always be grateful for the privilege of leading this great university through the most challenging period in its history, he said, citing how UConn was able to remain one of the highest in-person residential college experiences in the country over the last year.

Katsouleas said UConn broke records in various areas, including enrollment, applications and research. He said the university has also set its sights on looking toward a brighter future.

We set ourselves on a path to a future that includes working to make UConn an anti-racist institution and to being the very best at bringing life-transformative education experiences and emotionally supportive mentoring to every student, Katsouleas said.

Katsouleas served as the universitys 16th president.
Tara ONeill / Hearst Connecticut Media

BRIDGEPORT  Seven individuals were displaced by a Wednesday morning fire on Mnahattan Avenue, according to fire officials on scene.

Fire units were dispatched to a Manhattan Avenue residents around 7:30 a.m. for a reported structure fire. Arriving units reported heavy fire on arrival, with a second alarm being struck soon after.
LONDON (AP)  You come here often?

There may be more creative chat-up lines, but surely few as universal. There is little doubt that after months of lockdown across the U.K., those looking to make an early impression may have become a little rusty.

So, the Prince of Peckham pub in a hugely diverse district in southeast London decided, as part of its four-year birthday week, to take the pressure off its patrons. A speed-dating night would kick off its festivities.

Pubs were allowed to welcome guests inside this week, part of the British government's plan to gradually reopen society following a sharp fall in new coronavirus infections.

To get to the speed dating, around a dozen men and a dozen women braced one of the most torrential downpours London has seen in years. They had three minutes to do their thing.

This is my local pub and I'm a bit bored of dating apps, said 32-year-old marketing manager Helen Waller. This pub brings people together. It's a nice mix of the community in an unforced way.

Other events planned this week are drag brunches and neon naked life drawing  dont ask. They're the latest innovations by a pub that had been bucking the trend even before the pandemic, as a slew of hostelries closed their doors for good in recent years, partly because they didn't beat to the rhythm of the local scene.

Around half the local population is Black, with many more from other ethnic groups, so it stands to reason that one of the few local boozers remaining should tap its neighborhood as much as possible.

It wasn't always so.

The Prince of Peckham is a symbol of change, fusing the new young professional crowd that's made its way to Peckham with its long-established population. The pub is far removed from its former incarnation as the Clayton Arms, which was ransacked a decade ago during riots that swept the capital.

Local resident Clement Ogbonnaya bought the premises on a busy intersection near a supermarket parking lot and a police station with the intention of making the business representative of the community, of reinventing pub culture. His doctor wife thought he was nuts going into the pub industry.

The 39-year-old father of one grew up nearby, a second generation Nigerian. He found that many of the pubs around the area had few, if any, connections with the local community,

I needed a space thats representative of the community, a homecoming, he said. The pub is clearly Black-owned but its not a Black pub. Everybody is welcome, the marginalized and under-represented are welcome here. We want to be that home from home in Peckham.

The pub's customers are clearly mixed, across any metric. It takes pride in its varied selection  from trendy craft beers to a Peckham Negroni. Its Caribbean-inspired food offering, White Men Can't Jerk, says it all. And the murals on display strike a note for the community the pub is at the heart of.

Like everyone else in the pub trade, the past 14 months have been tough for Ogbonnaya, who employed 21 people when lockdown was first imposed in March 2020. He was able to furlough 15 of them as part of Britain's coronavirus job retention program, whereby the government paid the majority of salaries of those who weren't able to work.

A godsend, he explains.

Despite the reopening of indoor spaces, social distancing curbs remain that will make life difficult for many pubs to survive the coming months, especially if the virus variant first found in India prompts the government to delay its next lockdown easing on June 21, when many curbs on social contact are expected to be lifted.

Do I think June 21 is going to happen? Probably not, Ogbonnaya said. "But we are here today and all we can do is follow the guidelines and try and stay safe.

For now, social distancing remains, which keeps a lid on how much a pub can make. Required table service means the bar is a no-go area for customers. The Beer and Pub Association has estimated that 2,000 pubs, or around 5% of all the pubs in the U.K., will still remain closed despite indoor reopening.

We need pubs fully reopened without any restrictions at all on June 21 if they are to survive, said Emma McClarkin, the organization's chief executive.

Pubs will hopefully return to normal very soon. They are a home away from home for drinkers and non-drinkers alike, the go-to arena for friends and family in good times and bad, for everything from first dates to breakups.

"Its an area where you can celebrate. Where you can mourn, you can laugh, you can cry, you can break up, you can make up, you can be Black, you can be white, you can be old  you should be able to be anything within that community that the pub is in," Ogbonnaya said.

Dami Ayoade turned up for the speed dating night after having had enough of dating apps during lockdown, and hopes that he managed to strike gold.

Ive met a few that I potentially like," the 25-year-old said. "Hopefully the same energy gets back with me. With them with me as well.

Here's hoping.

___

Follow APs pandemic coverage at:

https://apnews.com/hub/coronavirus-pandemic

https://apnews.com/hub/coronavirus-vaccine

https://apnews.com/UnderstandingtheOutbreak
Blantyre, Malawi (AP)  Malawi has burned nearly 20,000 expired AstraZeneca vaccines, amid conflicting advice over what to do with the doses.

Health Minister Khumbize Kandodo Chiponda put some of the vials of the expired doses into an incinerator to start the destruction Wednesday at Kamuzu Central Hospital in Lilongwe, the capital.

We are destroying (these vaccines) because as government policy no expired health commodities are to be used, she said. Historically under the expanded immunization program of Malawi no expired vaccine has ever been used.

She said burning the vaccines will build public confidence that all vaccines used in Malawi are good.

We are destroying publicly in order to stay accountable to Malawians. The vaccines that expired are not being used during the vaccination campaign," she said. "On behalf of the government, I assure all Malawians that no one will be given an expired COVID vaccine.

The burned vaccines were the remainder of 102,000 doses that arrived in Malawi on March 26 with just 18 days until they expired on April 13. All other doses of the shipment, donated by the African Union, were successfully administered, she said.

The health minister thanked WHO, the African Union and India for donating the vaccines.

This has made it possible for Malawi to embark on the COVID vaccination campaign currently underway, she said.

Last month the World Health Organization urged African nations not to destroy expired doses of the AstraZeneca vaccine after several countries received doses from India with a very short shelf life. But this week, WHO reversed its position and said that the vaccines should be destroyed.

Any vaccine that has passed its expiry date ... should not be administered, said WHO in a statement dated May 17. While discarding vaccines is deeply regrettable in the context of any immunization program, WHO recommends that these expired doses should be removed from the distribution chain and safely disposed.

WHO said that in March, the African Unions African Vaccine Acquisition Task Team redistributed 925,000 doses of the AstraZeneca vaccine produced by the Serum Institute of India with an expiry date of April 13 to 13 African countries. The bulk of these vaccine doses were administered, but some countries have unused doses remaining, said the WHO statement.

Malawi, a small southern African country of about 20 million people, had already decided to destroy its expired vaccine doses, ministry of health spokesman Joshua Malango told The Associated Press.

We had stopped observation of proper storage mechanisms and the vaccines would have still been damaged in one way or the other, he said.

The destruction of the vaccines was witnessed by several top officials "in order to enhance transparency, health secretary Charles Mwansambo said.

Malawi will still have adequate stocks of COVID-19 vaccines in both public and private health facilities, he said. The government has not said where it will get more vaccines.

Malawi's got its first consignment of 360,000 AstraZeneca doses in early March from the U.N.-backed COVAX initiative which is providing vaccines to low- and middle-income countries. The country received another batch of 50,000 AstraZeneca doses from the Indian government. With the AU donation, Malawi had a total of 512,000 AstraZeneca doses.

So far 212,615 doses have been given in Malawi. The country has 34,216 confirmed cases, including 1,153 deaths, according to the Africa CDC.

Currently, the country is seeing a decrease in the disease, with the 7-day rolling average of daily new cases in Malawi dropping from 0.07 new cases per 100,000 people on May 4 to 0.04 new cases per 100,000 people on May 18. Official deaths from COVID-19 are also declining, according to statistics from Johns Hopkins University.

Malawi, like many other African countries, has relied on the AstraZeneca vaccine that has been distributed by COVAX and the African Union. But now supplies of the vaccine have become more scarce because India, the main supplier of vaccines to COVAX, has stopped exports until it has adequately vaccinated large numbers of its population of 1.4 billion people.

The Serum Institute of India says it hopes to start delivering coronavirus vaccines to COVAX and to other countries by the end of the year. The delay will significantly set back global efforts to immunize people against COVID-19. Indias Serum Institute is the worlds biggest vaccine-maker. The company said in March that it was postponing all exports of coronavirus vaccines to deal with the explosive surge of cases on the subcontinent. At the time, the World Health Organization said it expected COVID-19 vaccine deliveries from India to resume by June and the interruption would affect about 90 million doses.

___

Follow more of APs pandemic coverage at https://apnews.com/hub/coronavirus-pandemic and https://apnews.com/hub/coronavirus-vaccine
HARTFORD  A West Hartford resident was killed and three other individuals were wounded in several separate shootings in the city Tuesday night, according to police officials.

The shootings spanned about a two-hour time period, with all but one victim listed in stable condition by early Wednesday morning, Lt. Aaron Boisvert said.

The first shooting around 8:30 p.m., wounded a man in his 30s in the area of Albany Avenue and Adams Street. He was taken to the hospital by medics and was listed in stable condition.

Less than 10 minutes later, gunfire rang out in the 500 block of Albany Avenue. Boisvert said a man was shot multiple times. The victim, identified as 43-year-old Levar Jackson of Hillcrest Avenue in West Hartford, arrived at the hospital by private vehicle. Boisvert said Jackson was initially in critical condition Tuesday night but later died from his injuries.

Shortly after 10 p.m., police were once again alerted to gunshots in the city.

Officers responded to the 400 block of Washington Street and found a man in his 30s on Allen Place suffering from a gunshot wound. He was taken to the hospital, where he was listed in stable condition. A second victim from this shooting, a man in his 20s, was dropped off at a local hospital by private vehicle and remains in stable condition.

All three shootings remain under investigation.

Anyone with information on any of these incidents is asked to call 860-722-TIPS.
NEW LONDON  Dozens of protesters gathered in the city Wednesday morning ahead of President Joe Bidens commencement address at the U.S. Coast Guard Academy, joined in opposition to his handling of the deadly Israel-Palestine conflict.

Demonstrators began to assemble on an embankment at McKinley Park near the entrance to the academy before Biden arrived  around the time Biden spoke with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, asking for a de-escalation of the conflict, according to a White House dispatch.

Biden didnt mention the conflict in his speech and he had no interaction with the protesters.

This is not politics, this is not religion  this is about humanity and this is about a group that is trying to erase us, said Bassell Alnajjar, a West Hartford resident, who gave an impassioned speech calling on those assembled to be the voice of Palestinians silenced by the conflict.

We have to give them the podium that they deserve, he shouted into the crowd, then leading a chant, We are all Palestinian.

Afterwards, Alnajjer said he still has family living in the West Bank. Some of his family lived through Israels war for independence in 1948, an event known by Palestinians as the Naqba or catastrophe. I have a grandmother whos older than the state of Israel, he said.

Like many Palestinian families, his family has kept the original deeds to their homes in Israel lost during the war.

It was tough, growing up over here I didnt get to see any of that so the first time I went over there I was shocked, Alnajjer said.

Hala Aryan, who stood beside him with a Palestinian flag draped around her, said Israelis and Palestinians live two completely different lives. She described the situation as apartheid, a phrase repeated by many at the rally. Especially as a Palestinian when you go there its very depressing to say the least, said Aryan, who was born in Jerusalem and grew up in Connecticut.

The Associated Press reported that Netanyahu pushed back against Bidens request, saying his country would continue its efforts to return the calm and security to you, citizens of Israel.

The area was surrounded by police, who closed off Mohegan Avenue Parkway at the intersection where protesters staged. Most demonstrators carried signs, or waved Palestinian flags, and police confiscated a few sticks or staves protesters had attached to signs.

Many carried slogans chastising the president for federal spending on aid to Israel. Others drew connections to conflicts in Latin America. From Colombia to Palestine the U.S. funds war crimes, read one protesters sign.

Norman Clement of New Haven said the money spent on aid to Israel would be better spent in our communities to pay for health care, education --- all the things they defund every year.

Several times during the demonstration, protesters broke out into chants including free, free Palestine.

Muad Hrezi, a former advisor to Sen. Chris Murphy who is running for a U.S. House seat against Rep. John B. Larson in Connecticuts 1st District, claimed that a majority of Democrats in Congress want to condition aid sent to Israel.

So why are they not doing what we want? Its because they get money from the defense industry, they listen to them and not us said Hrezi. He called on supporters to keep demonstrating. And if they dont want to listen to us then we use the ultimate power of democracy and remove them from office, he added to cheers from the crowd.

Sherill Hogan, who came down to the protest from Massachusetts, said she first visited the areas claimed by both Israel and the Palestinians in 2002.

Calling it a war makes it sound like there are two equal sides, she said. America is a militarized society, its become that way I think for Black and brown people its always been that way.

Hogan said she has zero hope the Biden administration will see or hear them. Aryan, the Jerusalem native, said shes always hopeful.

Mahmoud Mansour, imam of the Islamic Center of New London, expressed slightly more optimism, saying Biden started on the right path but now needs a push.

Long after the presidents speech in New London, more than 100 people rallied in Stamford Wednesday evening, in support of the Palestinian cause and an end to military aid to Israel.

Chanting No Justice, No Peace and carrying signs reading End the Occupation of Palestine and Stop the Killing, the marchers gathered near the Stamford Government Center, where Rep. Jim Himes has a district office.

We dont want American taxpayers paying for arms to Israel, said protest organizer Farham Memon, chairperson of the Connecticut chapter of the Council on American Islamic Relations.

Memon, a Norwalk resident, said the Israeli military had been too aggressive in managing the conflict. The impact has been disproportionate. We see that in the number of buildings destroyed, civilians killed, including many children.

Danyal Iqbal drove from Newtown to attend the rally.

Were here to fight for Palestinian rights, she said. Its basic human rights, theyre human just like the rest of us.

Staff writer Robert Marchant contributed to this report.
COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP)  A South Carolina prosecutor says she is pursuing outside opinions after reviewing official reports on the January jail death of a man with mental health issues.

Authorities have said that for months they had been looking into the death of Jamal Sutherland, a 31-year-old Black man who was booked into the Charleston County jail on Jan. 4. Video clips released by Charleston County officials last week show deputies the following morning repeatedly deploying stun guns and kneeling on Sutherland's back before he stops moving. An hour later, Sutherland was dead, officials reported.

On Tuesday, Ninth Circuit Solicitor Scarlett Wilson announced she was seeking external experts to weigh in on findings from an investigative report produced by the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division and an official autopsy report from the coroner's office.

Both of those reports raised questions for Wilson, requiring her team to follow up on several issues, she said in a statement.

The video in this case is disturbing. I have lived with its sights and sounds for months, Wilson said. In addition, the exposure of mental health care failures is maddening. For those working in the justice system, it is not shocking.

Sutherland was originally booked on charges of third-degree assault and battery, a misdemeanor. His parents had placed him at Palmetto Behavioral Health, a mental health and substance abuse center, citing his schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. Officials said they were called to investigate a fight at the center and arrested Sutherland as a result.

Wilson has yet to say whether she intends to prosecute the case, though she promised to do due diligence and bring justice to both the Sutherland family and to any suspects in this investigation.

Because the state law enforcement division did not release an opinion on whether "unlawful conduct" caused Sutherland's death, Wilson is now seeking renowned expert advice and opinion regarding force in a detention setting," as well as a second opinion on the pathologist's findings in the autopsy, she said. The local coroner has not released a specific cause of Sutherlands death.

Two deputies involved in the case, Lindsay Fickett and Brian Houle, have been fired, Charleston County Sheriff Kristin Graziano said Monday. Also Monday, protesters in Charleston called for Wilson to charge the deputies with murder or recuse herself from the case, news outlets reported.

Wilson indicated that she will not publicly detail all evidence available to her, citing the need to preserve the integrity of the investigation.

If there were to be criminal charges and a trial, however, the trial would be in a court of law, not a court of public opinion or human emotion, Wilson said.

Wilson has previously said that she expected to decide whether to file charges by the end of June. An attorney for relatives of Sutherland said they are pursuing civil litigation.
SOUTH WINDSOR  While there were no major updates in the disappearance of Jessica Edwards on Wednesday morning, police officials said investigators continue their search for information as they pour over nearby surveillance footage.

Sgt. Mark Cleverdon said investigators continue to work diligently to locate Edwards, and stressed that police are still asking the public to provide any information that they might have on her disappearance.

Edwards, described as about 5-foot-3 and 150 pounds, was last seen leaving her South Windsor home around 7 a.m. on May 10. She called out of her clinical training in Hartford. Police said they believe Edwards left her home with an unknown person.

We have not had any luck tracking down the person Jessica is believed to have left the house with, nor was there a description of the vehicle or the person who she supposedly left with, Cleverdon said on Wednesday.

He said police are currently reviewing area surveillance footage to try to gather any additional information on Edwards leaving her home.

Cleverdon said as far as investigators know, Edwards does not have ties to any other state or part of Connecticut other than the Hartford area. He said there has been no activity on her cellphone, social media or financial records.

Our detectives are doing a substantial amount of work behind the scene to establish any and all information regarding Jessicas disappearance, Cleverdon said.

Edwards family and friends have taken to social media to plea for her safe return. A hashtag #FindJessicaEdwards has garnered hundreds of posts across social media sites.

Police have previously said that the missing mothers friends and family have been cooperative with investigators. Various friends and family have been adamant that Edwards, who has a 7-month-old son, would not have left on her own free will. Police said they are looking into every angle.

Last week, investigators served a search warrant at Edwards home and for three vehicles while state police dogs canvassed the area around Edwards home. Local community groups and leaders have worked with members of Edwards family to conduct their own searches.

Anyone with information on her disappearance, or information that could help investigators, is asked to call 860-644-2551. Anonymous tips can be submitted at southwindsorct.gov/police or by calling 860-648-6226.
BANGKOK (AP)  The deaths of two Thai migrant workers in Israel in a rocket attack from Gaza cast fresh light on the difficult lives thousands of Thais face far from home.

Weerawat Karunborirak, 44, from the northern province of Petchabun, and Sikarin Sa-ngamrum, 24, from the northeastern province of Buriram, were killed Tuesday at the farm where they worked just across the border from Gaza. Eight other Thai workers were wounded, one seriously.

It is not unusual for Thais from economically disadvantaged rural areas to seek work abroad at wages considerably higher than they could earn at home, in more developed countries where there is a shortage of workers for unskilled manual labor such as agricultural work.

But the hazards of war come on top of a history of poor treatment by employers and failure to enforce labor laws, according to workers' advocates.

Israel started bringing in migrant workers after the first Intifada, the 1987-93 Palestinian revolt, in order to replace Palestinian workers that employers did not trust anymore, said Miriam Anati, coordinator for agricultural workers at Kav LaOved, an Israeli private group that seeks to protect the rights of disadvantaged workers.

Many Palestinians have since returned to work in Israel, so there are usually about 23,000 Thai migrant workers employed in Israels agriculture sector alongside about 15,000 Palestinians, she said.

The two workers killed Tuesday were typical of the 18,728 officially registered as of April with Thailands Labor Ministry as working in Israel, which hosts the second largest numbers of overseas Thai workers after Taiwan.

Weerawat had a wife and 21-year-old and 12-year-old daughters. And he also provided for his elderly parents. He went to Israel in 2018 and worked hard, sending money home every month, said Amphan Aggatut, head of the Thai labor office in Phetchabun province, who visited his family Wednesday.

His widow, Reungrak Sae-lee, told Thai PBS television they had discussed him coming home at New Years.

We talked about what we needed to do, many things. His mom isnt too well. And his father is getting old and bedridden, she recalled, sobbing as she spoke. There are so many things we planned to do.

Ladda Upahin, a Thai labor official, said Sikarins widow, Orathai Gongmareung, said her husband had arrived in Israel only last month and had been working for just a few days after completing a coronavirus quarantine. She said the couple, the parents of two toddlers, had been on the phone when Tuesdays attack occurred.

He had been calling her during his break. She said he was telling her there was an attack but he didnt hear any warning, said Ladda. After that she was contacted by someone else who told her that her husband was sent to the hospital.

They are not the first Thais to be caught in the crossfire between Israel and Palestinians. Thai workers were killed by rocket or mortar fire in 2014, 2010 and 2004.

In May 2019, another Thai migrant worker suffered injuries from a rocket that landed in the same village where Tuesdays tragedy occurred.

Even when war isn't raging, life has been hard for the Thai workers.

A 2015 report by the New York-based group Human Rights Watch said they often were housed in makeshift and inadequate accommodations and were paid salaries significantly below the legal minimum wage, forced to work long hours in excess of the legal maximum, subjected to unsafe working conditions, and denied their right to change employers.

An agreement between Israel and Thailand signed last year helped end exorbitant brokerage fees that Thai workers needed to pay previously, Kav LaOveds Anati said.

Unfortunately, and in spite of the commitment it contains, the agreement has not affected the rights violations many Thai workers suffer once they are in Israel, she said.

Thai migrant workers in Israel suffer numerous rights violations when it comes to their wages, social rights, safety at work and accommodations requirements. This situation is possible because Israeli authorities do not intervene, and let employers do as they wish.
FAIRFIELD  Over the course of the last year, the world experienced a lifestyle that was anything but normal.

As the COVID-19 pandemic began to grow and the true impact of the virus was realized, the world began to shut down and restrictions were put into place to stop the spread.

But as of May 19, most restrictions in Connecticut have been lifted and residents can finally start to return to their normal lives.

I think not only for the Chamber, but also for our entire community coming off of a difficult year its just very exciting, said Beverly Balaz, the Chamber of Commerces president.  Its very much welcomed.

Gov. Ned Lamont and the state of Connecticut have updated their protocols to align with the recently modified recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Masks are no longer required while outdoors, however, masks are required indoors unless a person is vaccinated. Everyone must still wear masks in certain settings, such as healthcare facilities, facilities housing vulnerable populations, public and private transit, correctional facilities, schools and childcare places.

Businesses, as well as state and local government offices, have the option to require masks be worn by everyone in their buildings.

While the pandemic is still very much a major concern, this restriction lift has been seen as a big step in the right direction.

Were excited for our residents, Balaz said. You see restaurants putting tables outside on the sidewalk area to create really nice outdoor areas that can accommodate diners who dont feel comfortable going indoors yet, but I think the loosening of the restrictions is very welcomed for sure.

Balaz, she is excited about the restriction lift and believes it will certainly benefit not only the community, but the businesses in Fairfield.

Of course we still have to follow and be careful, but I think this is just wonderful and that everyone is excited, said Balaz.

With the restrictions lifted and the excitement high, previously closed industries have now been opened.

The restriction lift is definitely going to allow us to be busier and keep people working, said Fairfields Little Pubs manager, Taylor Vonn. Its going to allow people to come in, spend money, enjoy themselves and enjoy their family and friends. Its definitely going to be a really good thing.

He pointed out a potential challenge though. With the proof of vaccinations not being mandated, most industries will be relying on the honor code.

I dont see any issues arising other than checking to see if people are actually vaccinated or not, Vonn continued. We dont have a bouncer at the door checking people so its going to be like the honor system. If they say they are, they are, but we havent had an issue with that yet.

Outside of the restaurant industry, Fairfield town hall also reopened for the first time since the shutdown. The public will still be required to wear masks for the time being, First Selectwoman Brenda Kupchick said during this weeks Board of Selectmen meeting.

I know businesses are feeling a little confused right now because they dont know what to do, but what we have said is Do what you feel comfortable doing, said Kupchick. If you want the mask sign up and you want the people who come into your facility or business to wear a mask, thats your business and you have the right to do that.

She welcomed town halls reopening.

Im excited about the full person reopening of our operations at town hall, Kupchick continued. It will be a nice change.
At last months Hearsay Summit, Director of Content Strategy Gabrielle Levin joined Hannah Bland, Digital Marketing Manager at Aviva Investors and Tim Rickards, Director of Marketing and Client Engagement at Charles Schwab, to discuss their key content strategy tips for nurturing clients via social media, particularly during this past year.

Here are five takeaways from their discussion:

Carve out a safe space where knowledge and need takes precedence

Content plays an important role in simplifying peoples journeys, so Tims team seeks to create content that engages, educates, and activates prospects and clients.Through content, potential clients can engage without feeling pressure. Delivering the right content to the right people helps them build knowledge before theyre even ready to make a buying decision. Then, when the conversation finally happens, better and more meaningful outcomes arise because of the knowledge gained prior to the conversation.
Weather Alert

...FLASH FLOOD WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM NOON EDT TODAY THROUGH THIS EVENING... The Flash Flood Watch continues for * Portions of northeast North Carolina and Virginia, including the following areas, in northeast North Carolina, Bertie, Camden, Chowan, Eastern Currituck, Gates, Hertford, Northampton, Pasquotank, Perquimans and Western Currituck. In Virginia, Amelia, Brunswick, Charles City, Chesapeake, Cumberland, Dinwiddie, Eastern Chesterfield (Including Col. Heights), Eastern Henrico, Greensville, Hampton/Poquoson, Isle of Wight, James City, Lunenburg, Mecklenburg, Newport News, Norfolk/Portsmouth, Nottoway, Powhatan, Prince Edward, Prince George, Southampton, Suffolk, Surry, Sussex, Virginia Beach, Western Chesterfield, Western Henrico (Including the City of Richmond) and York. * From Noon EDT today through this evening. * Additional heavy rainfall is possible this afternoon into this evening as a frontal boundary becomes nearly stationary across the region. Up to 2 to 4 inches of rainfall may fall in a short period of time in the heavier thunderstorms, leading to the potential for flash flooding. * Low lying areas near creeks, streams, and rivers and locations with poor drainage could become inundated with floodwater and inaccessible. Flooding of roadways and road closures are also possible. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... You should monitor later forecasts and be prepared to take action should Flash Flood Warnings be issued. &&
Dalton, GA (30720)

Today

Isolated thunderstorms during the morning becoming more widespread this afternoon. High 83F. Winds WSW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 70%..

Tonight

Scattered showers and thunderstorms. Low 69F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 70%.
An incoming freshman pushes her items to her new dormitory along with her parent's assistance on Sept. 25, 2020. The freshman class of 2024 officially moved into the dorms the last weekend of Sept at the University of Oregon. The university requires first-year students to live in dorms their first year attending. The university follows the state's protocols regarding COVID-19 to help prevent the spread of the virus. (Kevin Wang/Daily Emerald)
A portion the proposed mixed-use development known as The Kingstonian is shown in this architectural rendering.
Since 1990, Patricia R. Doxsey has been a reporter for the Freeman, covering politics, crime, and government affairs.
The following items are based on information provided by officials in law enforcement and the criminal justice system.
Joe Quick of Hyde Park, N.Y., came to the People's Place from Herzog's in Kingston where he works to get his vaccination in the Mobile Vaccination Van that was holding a Walk-In vacciantion clinic on Tuesday, May 18, 2021. Attending to Quick was registered nurse Marcia Panza. In the rear, Edwin Preto of Kingston received his first shot from Elizabeth Anderson, with assistance from an interpreter. To the far left is Public Health Nurse and Vaccination Supervisor James Nerone. In addition to the clinic, People's Place also had a We Care Health Fair with multiple health partners on site.
Ashland, KY (41101)

Today

Scattered thunderstorms this morning, then mainly cloudy during the afternoon with thunderstorms likely. High around 80F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 80%. Locally heavy rainfall possible..

Tonight

Scattered thunderstorms early - fog may develop overnight. Low 67F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 60%.
Stay up to date on COVID-19

Get Breaking News

Sign up now to get our FREE breaking news coverage delivered right to your inbox.
13th Circuit Court Judge Kevin Elsenheimer presides over a hearing Tuesday in Antrim County. Attorneys Allan Vander Laan for the county and Erik Grill for the Secretary of State, along with plaintiff Bill Bailey of Central Lake Township and his attorney Matthew DePerno listen as Elsenheimer dismisses the case.
You are the owner of this article.
'The general rule over human history is that once powers are yielded to the state at moments of crisis or emergency, it's never the case  or very very, rarely the case  that the state hands them back.'

The words of Michael Gove in 2009 as he railed against Tony Blair's failed attempt to introduce ID cards.

Yup, that's the same Michael Gove who now, as a senior government minister, is doing all he can to ensure the state maintains control over every aspect of our lives, even as the coronavirus pandemic very clearly subsides, the Indian variant notwithstanding.

So what's changed? Is the only difference that Gove is now in power and thinks he knows best how to micromanage the lives of free citizens?

Sadly, this government  and the SAGE scaremongers who pull the strings behind-the-scenes  have become addicted to the powers they've taken from us.

Michael Gove is doing all he can to ensure the state maintains control over every aspect of our lives, even as the pandemic very clearly subsides, the Indian variant notwithstanding

And they don't want to give them back, especially seeing such previously unthinkable state controls appear to be temporarily politically popular in a nation scared stiff by an unrelenting official Covid propaganda campaign.

So I celebrate the travellers and small businesses and party animals who are slowly but surely taking back control of their lives.

We are arriving at a tipping point where the fully vaccinated must take off the government shackles before we're imprisoned in a world of burdensome Covid regulations for the rest of our lives.

Despite what you might see on the TV news, we are largely safe in the UK now.

The vast majority of folk who are vulnerable to serious illness from Covid have had the offer of a vaccine.

Fatalities from Covid are at an eight-month low. They've plunged 98 per cent from the height of the second peak, with the death toll from the flu now double the number. Just one in 63 deaths were linked to Covid over the past week.

They are the facts.

I celebrate the travellers and small businesses and party animals who are slowly but surely taking back control of their lives. Pictured: Three women at a bar in Huddersfield on Monday

The collateral damage caused by incessant lockdowns and restrictions is no doubt far more dangerous, but you don't hear the government or vast swathes of the media talking about that.

Variants of Covid-19 are going to be a part of life for the next two years at least.

Countries like ours need to be confident and bold that vaccines will be able to deal with them.

This was the great promise of a perfectly executed rollout spearheaded by Kate Bingham. The Chair of the Vaccine Taskforce was wrongly derided by the left as a Tory stooge but is someone who I believe should be made a Dame for her heroic work.

However, so many of Kate's great early efforts are being squandered by the current paranoia.

So far there is no evidence that the Indian variant, for example, evades the vaccines. Our vaccine take-up, at close to 90 per cent, is one of the best in the world.

Why then are government sources briefing incessantly that the chances of Freedom Day on June 21st going ahead are close to nil? In fact, they warn that the limited freedoms most of us were granted on Monday might have to be rolled back.

A person holding a mobile phone displaying the NHS app, which will display Covid-19 status

Businesses and the wider public will only be informed of the decision on June 14th, with uncertainty at an all-time high.

It's depressing to me that this news has only been greeted with the tiniest ripple of discontent.

Are we now all so browbeaten and exhausted by the past year that we can't bring ourselves to care anymore?

Just think about what that decision would mean in practice.

The Great British summer, promised all year by the Health Secretary Matt Hancock, would be off.

Stadiums near empty. Concerts cancelled. Festivals called off. Theatres shuttered once more. Restaurants and pubs unable to survive due to limited capacity.

Don't underestimate the fact that the future of entire industries are now at stake.

And then we would exit summer fully vaccinated but heading into another winter where seasonal illnesses like Covid inevitably peak again.

This is a never-ending cycle of misery, kicking any return to normal life into the long grass.

The travel industry  already on life support  has just been dealt yet another blow.

On a day of confusion over what's allowed, the hysterical health minister Lord Bethell, who has close ties to Matt Hancock, proclaimed yesterday: 'Travelling is dangerous. This is not news to us or the people who get on those planes in the first place. We do as people, particularly as we go into the summer, travelling is not for this year, please stay in this country.'

I can literally feel the frustration of travel industry workers who see their futures slipping through their fingers.

And what about the millions of Brits like me whose families live abroad. How long do we miss out on seeing loved ones?

EasyJet chief Johan Lundgren put it best when he said: 'Having set up a framework for international travel the Government seems to be single-handedly dismantling it and causing mass confusion with mixed messages and complex testing requirements.

'Let's face it  in this version of a traffic light system  green doesn't mean green with all its testing restrictions and now amber, according to some ministers, actually means red.

'No wonder the British public is confused. And in the meantime Europe moves forward with sensible travel frameworks which enable people to safely travel again while the UK tries to close down travel to all but a couple of countries.'

The Indian variant is on the rise in Great Britain because the government didn't lock down the border fast enough.

If they are going to maintain a lax border policy then they have to accept variants will be imported and have the confidence that our superior vaccine programme is able to deal with that. I'm more than comfortable with that scenario.

But right now we are dealing with the worst of both worlds.

The government's paranoia over reopening is putting us out of step with the rest of the world, too.

The USA is this week celebrating a glorious return to freedom, with TV presenters pulling off masks and ditching social distancing altogether.

The EU is expected to imminently reveal plans to welcome fully-vaccinated Brits to the continent over summer, without the need for any tests or mandatory quarantine.

There is no good reason why we shouldn't follow suit.

Fear is now the greatest threat to restoring our freedoms.

The time has come for Michael Gove to prove he hasn't been corrupted by power and hand back our God given civil liberties then butt out of our lives.
This week saw the sight of happy British holidaymakers visiting beaches, bars and restaurants in Portugal, one of the tiny number of green-listed countries under the Governments international travel scheme.

But, just as our beleaguered travel and tourism companies have started to look ahead with hope, illogical, confusing and alarming messaging from Ministers risks the whole system unravelling before it has even had a chance to get going.

The whole point of the risk-based red, amber and green system launched this week was to allow people to make informed decisions about their travel plans, knowing that non-essential travel is legal again.

This means few restrictions for green countries like Portugal, more for amber, and a clear directive that you should not travel to red.

This is a common-sense approach backed by industry, even if it means travel still wont feel entirely normal for a while yet.

Tourists soak up the sun on a beach in the Algarve, Portugal this week as Brits flocked to amber and green listed nations as Covid-19 restrictions eased

'The Government needs to lead by example, stop being afraid of its own shadow and follow the data, or else we face the very real prospect of the UK being grounded permanently'

Pictured: Tim Alderslade, CEO of Airlines UK

Yet this week the Government has moved the goalposts, with the Minister Lord Bethell making the astonishing claim that all travel is dangerous and telling people to stay at home for the whole of the rest of the year  despite international travel only being made legal again 24 hours before.

This only added more confusion following the Prime Ministers comments that people should not travel to amber countries except under extreme circumstances.

But why not? The FCDO travel advice says it is safe to travel to at least 20 amber countries. It is not illegal to do so.

So why demonise those who have decided to travel to an amber country in full knowledge of the extra health measures, including quarantine, that are put in place to guard against any additional risk from Covid?

We have less a traffic light system than 50 shades of red, where travel is only allowed to freezing and far away uninhabited islands, one mainstream market and banned everywhere else.

We are at a truly critical point as we approach the summer.

The EU is forging ahead with plans to open up and allow unrestricted travel to those who have been vaccinated, a pragmatic approach that will be a lifeline to desperate travel and tourism industries and the millions of Europeans desperate to get away, now liberated by the huge success of the vaccines that were designed to do just that.

'Why demonise those who have decided to travel to an amber country in full knowledge of the extra health measures, including quarantine, that are put in place to guard against any additional risk from Covid?'

But we are going to needlessly miss out, with the Government appearing determined to stamp out travel and throw away our vaccine dividend, irrespective of the evidence and the impacts on jobs and freedoms.

Of course, we need to remain vigilant and it is right that countries like India stay on the banned list.

However, India is not the world, and in much of Europe, and especially the US, cases are low and dropping, vaccine rates are high, and test and trace data shows that few if any cases are being imported, with no variants of concern.

In short, the Government needs to lead by example, stop being afraid of its own shadow and follow the data, or else we face the very real prospect of the UK being grounded permanently.
Appropriately enough, there has been a long delay to the Government's White Paper on the future of the rail industry. It is 18 months late, in fact  it was supposed to be published when the leaves were still fresh on the line in Autumn 2019. But now it has finally squealed its way on to the platform, was it worth waiting for?

Loftily, it declares that 'a quarter century of fragmentation on the railways will end' - which means that John Major's botched privatisation has been scorned. But does that mean that the unions, and the Left in general, have won the day and the railways will be renationalised?

Not quite. The paper proposes that a new public body, Great British Railways, be created to own the infrastructure, to set the fares and timetables and to collect the fares. But the trains and the staff? They will still be in private hands.

The model that the Government wants to create, in fact, already exists in London, where the Overground is run by Arriva, a company owned by Deutsche Bahn, the German state rail company.

You would have to be a bit of a trainspotting nerd to know this  because the Overground is fully integrated into the TfL network, with the public body setting fares and timetables. The trains are even branded with the London Transport symbol rather than the Arriva logo. The new plans should eliminate the most offensive aspects of the current system. Private companies will no longer be able ruthlessly to exploit local monopolies to jack up fares to the point where the standard single fare from London to Manchester is an absurd 184.70.

RMT, Rail, Maritime and Transport Union workers protest outside Waterloo Station as a Rail and transport strike is set to begin, in London, Monday, Dec. 2, 2019

Tickets should be fully interchangeable between services; no longer will you be able to get caught out, say, with a Great Northern ticket on an East Coast train. Trains might once again hang on for a couple of minutes so that passengers on a delayed train can make a connection.

Unions will still bleat that the railways can only function with the common ownership of the trains  but how many passengers really care who owns them or pays the driver's wages?

All that said, however, there is a danger that we could lose some of the advantages that privatisation brought.

As someone who worked briefly for British Rail in the 1980s, I'm sorry, but I don't romanticise it. I remember its 'can't do' attitude from the sharp end.

My concern is whether a state-run body will have the entrepreneurial spirit that's needed for the business to prosper while looking after passengers

Management saw its role as running down the railway system in the least painful way possible.

Don't forget, it was British Rail that carried out the Beeching cuts when more than 3,000 miles of railway were closed in the 1960s  under a Labour government at that.

The state monolith carried on trying to close lines throughout the 1970s and 1980s, when we very nearly lost the Settle to Carlisle line.

And when a train service in Devon became overcrowded a very British Rail solution was enacted: several stops were cut out so that people couldn't get on. Problem solved sort of.

It was when privatisation took place that this changed. Instead of seeing passengers as an inconvenience, private companies saw them as their lifeblood.

Cheap advance tickets attracted a whole new clientele  although some disgusting practices, such as fining people hundreds of pounds if they accidentally got on the wrong train, put many off again.

Passenger numbers, which had steadily fallen since the 1940s, began to grow  to the extent that in 2018/19 some 1.76 billion passenger journeys were made, double the number in the last year of British Rail.

My concern is whether a state-run body will have the entrepreneurial spirit that's needed for the business to prosper while looking after passengers.

The Government says it wants to open more stations and lines, but it will be too easy not to bother when there is no profit incentive to do this.

The Government says it wants to open more stations and lines, but it will be too easy not to bother when there is no profit incentive to do this

What is vital is that the system retains the 'open access' arrangements  which have existed throughout the era of privatisation  that allow private companies to put in a bid to run entirely new services where they spot a hole in the market.

It was open access, for instance, which enabled the Hull Trains company to reinstate direct services from London to the East Riding of Yorkshire, and Grand Central to do the same for London to Sunderland.

If the Government can manage to rationalise the existing railway network using a single ticketing system without rip-off fares, and still leave room for private operators to develop new routes and services, it would go a long way to resolving the many problems that were created by John Major in his rush to emulate Margaret Thatcher's successful privatisations.

Just maybe this will turn out to be a White Paper with wheels.
That gnawing sense of injustice creates a troubled look that I have seen a number of times in my 25 years covering high-profile crimes for the Daily Mail.

I saw it etched on the face of Doreen Lawrence in the early days of this newspaper's Justice for Stephen campaign in the late 1990s. Her family was desperate for her son's killers to face trial  and for police to be held to account over a litany of appalling blunders.

A similar expression was on the face of Andre Hanscombe, the partner of Wimbledon Common killing victim Rachel Nickell, who I came to know very well. He had to wait 16 years for her killer to be belatedly brought to justice in another case mishandled by Scotland Yard.

And I have seen that same look of thinly veiled anger about perceived police cover-ups and lack of accountability on the face of Daniel Morgan's brave brother Alastair.

Victim: Daniel Morgan was murdered in a pub car park in 1987

He has been waiting 34 years for justice in a case mired by allegations of Scotland Yard corruption and incompetence.

As Alastair told me recently, his brother's shocking axe murder in a pub car park in 1987 has changed the course of his life. As with so many other victims of crime I have dealt with over the years, he can't move on until he gets justice and answers.

It's been an exhausting quest for transparency from a police establishment determined to keep things under wraps.

After waiting so long for answers, one could argue that a delay of a few weeks before the 1,500-page official report into Daniel's case is published is no big deal. But when you have been let down so many times by the authorities over such a long period, you are entitled to be sceptical about what is really going on.

Will certain parts of the report be censored to save the Metropolitan Police  and certain very senior officers  from embarrassment?

Cleared: Glenn Vian

Or is the reason being given to delay publication of the report, which I expect to be scathing of the Metropolitan Police and its culture, a cover story to give the Home Office and the police time to devise a damage limitation strategy? I spoke yesterday to a number of well-placed sources who can think of no 'national security' implications in the Morgan report which should hold up publication of it.

They also pointed out that the human rights of individuals affected by its findings had already been considered.

In effect, they were backing Alastair's assertion that the delay caused by the Home Office's intervention is 'suspicious'.

Lovers: Jonathan Rees and Margaret Harrison

Remember it was only three months ago that, in a bombshell interview in the Daily Mail, former home secretary Leon Brittan's widow Diana attacked a 'culture of cover up' at Scotland Yard and accused senior ranks of lacking a 'moral spine'.

She vented her fury after waiting five years for Met officers to be brought to book over their shambolic VIP abuse inquiry. Her wait continues. Alastair Morgan has been waiting 34 years for answers and accountability. He and his family should not have to wait an unnecessary day longer to see the report.

Home Secretary Priti Patel, accused of 'unnecessary' interference in the case which has affected the report's 'independence', should ensure that publication can go ahead next week.

Family's fury as report into unsolved 1987 axe murder is delayed by Home Office

By Stephen Wright for the Daily Mail

THE brother of Daniel Morgan yesterday urged Priti Patel to stop delaying publication of a report into the murder of the private detective.

Amid fears that some findings may be censored, Alastair Morgan said the Home Secretary should urgently reconsider her position.

Daniel Morgan, a 37-year-old father of two, was found with an axe in his head in the car park of a south London pub in 1987. Despite five police inquiries and an inquest, no one has been brought to justice, with Scotland Yard admitting corruption had hampered the original murder probe.

The panel examining the case had been due to publish its findings on Monday following an eight-year inquiry. But it has been told by the Home Office that no parliamentary time can be found to allow this to happen.

And this week the ministry announced it wanted to review the 1,500-page document and would keep parts secret if felt necessary. It is expected to contain 'a sizeable chapter' on police corruption.

Alastair Morgan, who has spent 34 years campaigning over his brother's grisly murder, said: 'This intervention is very ill advised by the Home Secretary, particularly at this late juncture.

'My nephew, Daniel's son, has travelled all the way over from Australia to be here. So it's inconvenient, an irritation, but I'm kind of used to this.

'I hope Priti Patel reconsiders her position because the arguments she has put forward for wanting to see it are just empty. If this is about looking for a good day to bury bad news, this has done nothing but draw attention to the report.

'I am sure the panel are going to defend their independence fiercely. And any thought of redaction, they would argue against that fiercely.' He warned that if a cover-up was attempted 'Miss Patel will have a fight on her hands'.

Earlier the family's lawyer, Raju Bhatt, told Radio 4's Today programme the family had 'every reason' to be suspicious. He said: 'We have to remember that the Home Office itself was complicit in the failings to confront this police corruption all through these decades until the panel was set up.'

The Daniel Morgan Independent Panel, which has already cost taxpayers 16million, has been told a publication date will not be agreed until the Home Office reviews the report.

The panel released a forceful statement in response, saying: 'A review of this nature has not been raised previously in the eight years since the panel was established in 2013. The panel believes that this last-minute requirement is unnecessary and is not consistent with the panel's independence.'

The inquiry's remit was to address questions relating to the murder, including police handling of the case, the role corruption played in protecting Mr Morgan's killer, and the links between private investigators, police and journalists. A Home Office spokesman said Miss Patel had an obligation to ensure the report complied with human rights and national security considerations.

She added: 'This has nothing to do with the independence of the report, and the Home Office is not seeking to make edits to it.

'As soon as we receive the report, we can begin those checks and agree a publication date.'

The death of Daniel Morgan has been described as 'Britain's most investigated unsolved murder'.

It has been long accepted  and publicly acknowledged by senior officers  that police corruption was an important factor in the inability to catch the killers.

In 2014, the Mail published an acclaimed three-part series on the case and has championed the family's campaign for justice.

Former prime suspects Glenn Vian and Jonathan Rees were acquitted of murder in 2011.

Mr Vian, who denied being the axeman, died last year. His brother Garry was also acquitted of involvement in the killing.

Mr Rees is in a long-term relationship with Daniel Morgan's former lover Margaret Harrison.

He has been highly critical of the police and has spoken of his sadness about the killing.
What has happened to the liberal-minded Boris Johnson I used to know, the free- spirited enemy of overbearing government?

Where exactly has the brilliant, clear-thinking journalist gone to, the man who used effortlessly to skewer bossy or fuzzy-minded politicians, and put them firmly in their place?

He wasn't to be found yesterday at Prime Minister's Questions. The Boris Johnson at the despatch box sounded peevish and threatening  quite unlike his true self.

This is what he said: 'You should not be going to an amber list country on holiday. If you travel to an amber list country for any emergency, any extreme reason that you have to, when you come back, you not only have to pay for all the tests but you have to self-isolate for 10 days  we will invigilate, we are invigilating it, and people who fail to obey the quarantine can face fines of up to 10,000.'

Stern stuff. The amber countries are those  most of Europe, as it happens  to which travel is legally permitted but discouraged. Is that correct, though? On Tuesday, one Cabinet minister, George Eustice, said that people could travel to amber countries to visit friends. That's a pretty broad invitation.

Yet a few hours later, a misery guts junior health minister by the name of Lord Bethell said that people 'should stay in this country' and that all travel abroad this year would be 'dangerous'.

What has happened to the liberal-minded Boris Johnson I used to know, the free-spirited enemy of overbearing government? writes STEPHEN GLOVER

Boris seems to be in the Bethell camp. I don't want to sound petty or pedantic, but wouldn't it be helpful if Her Majesty's Government could come up with a consistent, coherent and reasonable policy?

It would be helpful to the five million Britons who have booked holidays in Europe this summer. It would be helpful to the travel industry and airlines losing hundreds of millions, if not billions, of pounds.

What would I say if I had Boris to myself for half an hour? I'd say I know he has had a hard ride  berated by the Opposition, much of the media and his former chief adviser Dominic Cummings for locking down too late both last March and last autumn.

I'd say I realise he has had his fingers burned. I understand why he has become ultra- cautious. I can imagine what it must be like to be fenced in by all-knowing scientists who will blab to the media if you don't do what they tell you to do.

But I'd also say that, while I appreciate all his setbacks and difficulties, it can hardly be denied that he is presiding over a shambles created by excessive timidity on the part of a government with more than its fair share of control freaks.

Here is a question for Boris. Why is it necessary, indeed how can it possibly be deemed just, to prevent adults who have been twice vaccinated from travelling to countries where Covid infection rates have been falling fast?

Lots of research suggests that someone who has had two jabs is very unlikely indeed to catch a serious bout of Covid, and according to one study has zero chance of ending up in hospital in the event of contracting the disease.

Why can't such a person be allowed to travel to a country where the prevalence of Covid is similar to our own? The latest daily figure for infection rates in amber Germany is 2,418 cases (slightly lower than the UK) while for deaths it is 56 (somewhat higher, but hardly stratospheric).

He wasn't to be found yesterday at Prime Minister's Questions (pictured). The Boris Johnson at the despatch box sounded peevish and threatening  quite unlike his true self, writes STEPHEN GLOVER

In my book, there has to be a very serious reason for prohibiting someone from travelling abroad for work or pleasure. There is absolutely no justification if that person has been fully vaccinated (and so has a very low chance of passing on the virus) and the country in question is barely more hazardous than our own.

That's what I mean by 'control freakery'. The Government has taken extraordinary powers over our lives, some of which it is reluctant to give up even when the reason for claiming those powers has subsided.

The European Union, it pains me to say, is showing more flexibility. Yesterday, EU ambassadors recommended that non-essential travel should be allowed from outside the bloc for fully vaccinated people, though they have understandable qualms about the 'Indian variant'.

'Understandable' because the Government and some of the media are obsessing hysterically about this new 'variant', though there's no hard evidence it is more lethal or significantly more transmissible. A recent BBC news bulletin referred excitedly to a 'sharp rise in infections'.

Nationally, there has so far been no increase in infections. If the Indian variant does lead to one, this won't be cause for panic since most of the victims will very likely be younger, unvaccinated people at relatively little risk of serious illness.

At the height of the pandemic last March and April, plane-loads of people were landing at Heathrow every hour. Not until early June was quarantining made compulsory, writes STEPHEN GLOVER. Pictured: Heathrow Airport on Wednesday

Why can't Boris see this? The answer is the same as to the question why the Government won't let fully vaccinated people travel to countries where Covid is roughly as prevalent as in the UK. It has become coercive, as well as excessively negative.

Thus it clings on to powers after they have ceased to have any justification (if they ever did). It had to be browbeaten, not least by this newspaper, before allowing more than 30 people to attend a funeral, even though many more worshippers had long been permitted to go to a service in a church, synagogue or mosque.

There's a weird combination of coercion and incompetence, as in the chaos over travel. The same Government that doesn't want vaccinated people to fly to Germany (or lots of other safe countries) allows possibly infected people just off the plane from India to stand for hours in the same queue as healthy travellers returning from places where infections are low.

And this same Government has for more than a year shown extraordinary ineptitude in policing  or, more precisely, failing to police  our borders. At the height of the pandemic last March and April, plane-loads of people were landing at Heathrow every hour. Not until early June was quarantining made compulsory.

Even now, between four and five planes from India are allowed to land every day, though flights from most other 'red' countries with high infection rates such as Brazil have been stopped. It is bewildering.

That's why we need the old clear-thinking Boris who could spot woolly thinking and apply common sense.

Wouldn't it have been sensible to ban all flights from India at the same time as those from Pakistan, rather than wait three weeks and let the Indian variant, however manageable it may turn out to be, gain a hold?

Boris was once, I imagine, a very carefree  possibly even careless  parent towards his own numerous children. He would have been indulgent to a fault.

But now, as parent to the nation, he has become strict and unbending, as well as sometimes inconsistent, while presiding over a fair amount of chaos. A good parent doesn't prevent prudent, mature children from going out into a world that inevitably harbours dangers.

We don't want to be mollycoddled by an over-anxious father. Let us out again. Think less of fining us, or demanding endless tests for no good reason, and bring back the old, liberal, balanced Boris.
An accountant with a passion for fashion makes an extra $1,200 on top of her regular monthly income by renting out her enviably glamorous wardrobe.

Bella Burgio's love for shopping has resulted in an impressive collection of clothing from designer brands such as Zimmermann, Alice McCall and Bec & Bridge.

The 31-year-old from Perth, Western Australia, decided to fund her expensive taste by listing her pre-loved pieces on dress hire platform, The Volte, in 2017.

The self-professed 'shopaholic' said she earns $60 to $70 per outfit, which amounts to an average of $1,200 a month after she has paid the platform's service fee.

In the four years since Ms Burgio created her profile on the rental marketplace, she has made over $35,000 with very minimal effort.

Eyes on the prize: Australian accountant Bella Burgio (pictured in Italy) owns a remarkable designer wardrobe which she rents out to earn money on the side

The 31-year-old from Perth, Western Australia (pictured) decided to fund her expensive taste by listing her pre-loved pieces on dress hire platform, The Volte, in 2017

Ms Burgio said she was inspired to start her lucrative side gig after seeing women renting outfits in private Facebook groups.

'People rent because they want statement pieces they can't justify buying for only one occasion,' she told Daily Mail Australia.

The savvy businesswoman currently has 147 pieces available for hire, many of them from cult favourite brands like Realisation Par, Rat & Boa, Sir the Label, Acler and Steele.

'I'm a shopaholic and it funds my wardrobe. I spend no normal income on shopping,' she said.

Customers can rent Ms Burgio's outfits for four or eight day stints, although demand for the latter option fell off a cliff when the pandemic led Australia to shut its international borders in March 2020.

The self-professed 'shopaholic' (pictured) said she earns $60 to $70 per outfit, which amounts to an average of $1,200 a month after she has paid the platform's service fees

Ms Burgio (left and right) currently has 147 pieces available for hire, many of them from cult favourite brands like Realisation Par, Rat & Boa, Sir the Label, Acler and Steele

Ms Burgio (pictured) encourages anyone with a designer wardrobe to earn some extra cash by renting it out

What is the Volte? The Volte is an online marketplace for designer dress hire available to residents of all Australian capital cities including Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth and Adelaide. Users can hire a dress for four or eight days for a fraction of the cost of buying it new, then return it to the owner who dry cleans it before renting it out again. Brands offered on the site include Zimmermann, Bec & Bridge, Realisation Par, Aje and Cult Gaia. Advertisement

'The eight day package used to be popular when girls were going to Bali or wherever for a week-long holiday, but now it's mainly just the four,' Ms Burgio explained.

Her clients span a wide age range, from girls looking for outfits for their Year 12 formals to women dressing for bachelorette parties, weddings and corporate events.

Ms Burgio encloses a prepaid envelope with each outfit so clients can post it back without hassle.

She also covers dry cleaning costs but the Volte deals with everything else including issues with damage or late returns for an administration fee of 15 percent.

'It's definitely worth it,' Ms Burgio said. 'Peace of mind for me and my wardrobe!'
Dating someone new can be confusing territory, but when your love interest suddenly stops replying to your messages with no explanation it can create a whole new level of bewilderment.

Taking to anonymous sharing app Whisper, men from across the globe have revealed the brutally honest reasons they've 'ghosted' the women they were seeing.

As these confessions show, some men just can't find the words to break up with someone and would rather stop responding than face an awkward conversation.

While some admitted they cut ties because the ladies were too 'clingy' and 'needy,' another revealed he was scared off after a woman said 'I love you' on the first date.

Elsewhere, one told how he ended things because his love interest asked to leave the Spiderman movie early, while a tattoo enthusiast ditched his love interest after she ranted about her dislike of inked bodies.

Men from across the globe have taken to anonymous sharing app Whisper to reveal the honest reasons they've 'ghosted' someone - including one man, from an unknown location, who drifted after a woman said 'I love you' on the first date

Another man, from an unknown location, confessed he'd ghosted a women who was being 'clingy' because he'd rather stop responding than face an awkward conversation

Another, from an unknown location, confessed he'd severed ties with a woman because she was 'needy' and wasn't 'very affectionate'

One man, from Missouri, admitted he cut contact with a date because she didn't like the Spiderman movie and asked to leave the cinema early

Another tattoo-enthusiast, from an unknown location, who is 'covered in tattoos' said they silently drifted away after his date ranted about how much she hated tattoos

Rather than dealing with a break up head on, one man, from an unknown location, suddenly stopped talking to the person he'd been seeing

Another person, from an unknown location, admitted his date got 'weird' after they 'hooked up,' so he decided to ghost her rather than keep the relationship going

One man, from an unknown location, admitted he ghosted a long-lost love because he was scared of a relationship at the time - but now regrets his decision and wishes he can 'make it right'

Another man, from an unknown location, revealed he jumped ship before the person he was seeing could break up with him because he felt her interest in him was 'fading'

One anonymous man, from an unknown location, revealed he had been betrayed by the girl he was dating so stopped responding to her calls and texts

A man, from an unknown location, wanted out of a relationship with a girl who had a mental health condition because he 'didn't want to deal with it'

This man, from an unknown location, took the ultimate 'petty' revenge by creating a false identity to write love letters to his ex-girlfriend who ghosted him - only to eventually ghost her back

A married man from San Francisco said he 'felt bad' that he had to ghost a girl he kissed on a few occasions because he had a wife

A man from an unknown location revealed that he wasn't sorry for ghosting a girl he discovered smoked cigarettes because it was a huge deal-breaker for him

A man, from New Hampshire, said he ghosted a girl who came on too strong at the beginning of a relationship, but they have since rekindled the flame

An anonymous man, from an unknown location, revealed that he only gives women one chance for a date, and ghosted a girl he was texting after she 'blew him off'
An Irish woman who was illegally adopted and spent 11 years struggling to track down her biological parents due to inaccuracies on her birth certificate has revealed how a genealogy website finally helped them to reconnect.

Margaret Norton and her husband Bob scoured Carrickmacross, County Monaghan, in search of her birth mother and father with little else to go on but the fact her arrival had been registered by Dr Irene Creedon's surgery at 31 O'Neill Street.

In January 2013, the Irish Mail on Sunday revealed Dr Irene Creedon arranged scores of illicit and illegal adoptions after taking in babies from vulnerable mothers across the nation over at least two decades.

Dr Creedon gave their place of birth as her surgery and then allowed adoptive parents to register the babies as their own biological children. Her family confirmed that the late GP arranged secret adoptions but insisted she was a 'heroine' whose only desire was to help others. However, by going outside State services and allowing couples to falsely register babies, she was knowingly breaking the law and made it very difficult for people adopted in this way to discover who their birth parents really are.

Margaret told how she 'naively' thought the surname Browne on her birth certificate was accurate, despite it being the same as her adoptive parents, because it is common. But the longer her search went on, the more it became clear that there was no supporting documentation for her adoption and she began to suspect the document was incorrect, especially when a round of media interviews failed to help her find her biological family.

Margaret Norton has told how a genealogy website helped to find her biological family after discovering inaccuracies on her birth certificate. Pictured: Margaret with a photo of herself as a child

Margaret told how she 'naively' thought the surname Browne on her birth certificate was accurate, despite it being the same as her adoptive parents, because it is common

After 11 years of searching, she and Bob had an unexpected breakthrough while watching a TV documentary about a New York detective in 2019.

Margaret told Irish magazine Evoke: 'He used to train recruits to find missing people. He would give them some paperwork about a man and ask recruits to go and find the person.

'None of them were able to do it. The person they were looking for was the detective himself, but they didn't know that.'

The detective had been adopted in Ireland, using a birth certificate made out in his adopted parents' name. Despite the difficulties of the situation, he was able to identify a close relative and finally find his birth parents by using a DNA kit.

Recognising the similarities, Margaret decided to use his method and paid 100 for a DNA test through the genealogy website, Ancestry.com in May 2019.

Margaret (pictured) and her husband Bob had failed to find her biological parents using media interviews and were inspired to try a DNA test after watching a TV documentary

Margaret (pictured) was connected with a cousin who helped her to finally find her birth parents and siblings

She admitted to being anxious as she waited for the results and was mindful that it was possible no information could be found. However, she was matched with a first cousin who was living in Wales when the results arrived after three-and-a-half weeks.

Dr Irene Creedon arranged secret adoptions at her surgery by taking children off vulnerable mothers and allowing adoptive parents to register the children

Her cousin proved helpful and provided a photograph of the woman that was likely to be Margaret's mother, holding a baby.

She asked her cousin not to mention her search to anyone else before making contact with her biological parents at the end of August last year.

Margaret said: 'I knew I had to tread very, very lightly and I was very careful during that time.'

They were able to confirm her real identity and told how they had married after she was born and went on to have two other children - Margaret's siblings.

Margaret was left speechless to learn that she had found her full family, having not considered the possibility of having additional siblings.

She discovered that she had been born at a hospital in Louth and then taken to Dr Creedon's surgery for adoption. Margaret's adoptive parents has told her that she was collected from the car park of a Co. Louth hotel three days after she was born in 1972.

Her mother had returned to the surgery years later to ensure that Margaret would be able to receive help if she needed it, however Dr Creedon said that wasn't possible because she was already with her adopted parents.

Margaret said the pandemic has hindered their reunion, adding: 'We weren't able to travel to see them but I'm in regular contact with them once a week. I have more contact with my brother. We text each other more often.'

According to her birth certificate, Margaret was born on March 28, 1972, at 31 O'Neill Street, Carrickmacross, Co. Monaghan. The address was the site of a doctor's surgery run by Dr Irene Creedon

Margaret (pictured) who is among at least 151 people with the wrong birth certificates, is sharing her story to help others avoid going through the same experience

Margaret's adoptive parents - who are now both dead - told her from an early age that she was not their biological child, but Margaret had a happy upbringing with her older sister in Blanchardstown, north west Dublin.

She had very little reason to question the circumstances of her adoption, having been simply told that she was born in 1972, and adopted a few days later.

Margaret is among 151 people so far who have been identified with inaccurate birth certificates, and she is sharing her story to help others avoid the same painful experience in the search for their biological families.

Margaret claimed an increasing number of people came forward to share similar experiences of being given up for adoption, organised by Dr Creedon, as she pursued her investigation.

Children's Minister Roderic O'Gorman brought a Bill to Cabinet last week to help adopted people find out more information about their biological families.

Margaret, who believes past children's ministers have failed to deliver on their promises, is petitioning for true birth certificates to become accessible and registered.

She added: 'I don't think other people would be bothered to access my information but it is important that it should be registered there just like anyone else, so I can get government documents.'
Glamorous new Netflix show Halston charts the dramatic rise and fall of the influential American fashion designer - and the gaggle of models, muses, friends and lovers who made up his inner circle.

At the height of his powers, the self-made 'king of New York nightlife' and Studio 54 regular held sway over a court of fawning celebrities, including Liza Minnelli, Anjelica Huston, Truman Capote, Margaux Hemingway, Calvin Klein and Andy Warhol.

He also travelled with a squad of models dubbed the 'Halstonettes' who would pour out of limos at the city's biggest nightspots wearing Halston's designs.

Socialite: Netflix show Halston charts the dramatic rise and fall of the influential American fashion designer - and the gaggle of models, muses, friends and lovers who made up his inner circle. Pictured, Halston (second from right) with Elsa Peretti (left) and Liza Minnelli, who are portrayed in Halston. Also pictured: Jack Haley Jr and Margaux Hemingway

The 'Halstonettes': Halston also travelled with a group of models who would pour out of limos at the city's biggest nightspots wearing Halston's designs, ensuring he made an entrance

Making an entrance: Ewan McGregor as Halston, centre, with Rodriguez as Minnelli

Members of this glittering posse are portrayed in Halston, alongside Ewan McGregor in the title role.

Among them is Italian-born model and Tiffany jewellery designer Elsa Peretti, played by Rebecca Dayan, who became Halston's model and close friend.

Meanwhile film director Joel Schumacher (Rory Caulkin) of Batman Forever and Batman and Robin fame, is seen in his early days working alongside Halston in New York.

Also depicted is Halston's on again-off again boyfriend, Victor Hugo (Gian Franco Rodriguez), whom he met through a 'dial-a-d**k' call-boy service.

VICTOR HUGO

Played by: Gian Franco Rodriguez

Toxic influence? Venezuelan sex worker Victor Hugo was Halston's on-off boyfriend of over a decade and some friends blame him for the designer's downfall. Pictured, with Elsa in 1977

Call-boy: The pair met in 1972 through a call-boy service Halston used following the breakdown of his relationship with Ed Austin. Pictured, Gian Franco Rodriguez as Hugo

Venezuelan sex worker Victor Hugo was Halston's on-off boyfriend of over a decade.

The pair met in 1972 through a call-boy service Halston used following the breakdown of his relationship with menswear buyer Ed Austin.

Steven Gaines, author of biography Simply Halston, on which the Netflix show is based, recalls: 'He would perhaps order them both a steak and a baked potato delivered up, then take them to bed and show them the door.

'Joe Eula, the fashion illustrator and one of Halstons closest confidants, took to calling this practice dial-a-steak, dial-a-d**k, which Halston thought was hysterically funny.

'One night in 1972, the young man who showed up at Halstons apartment from the call-boy service changed his life.'

The call-boy, then 24, told the designer his name was Victor Hugo, in reference to his manhood.

Over the next 10 years, Halston followed Hugo down a path of drug-fuelled destruction and funded his lavish tastes.

The couple became regulars at Studio 54 and hosted after-parties at Halston's Upper East Side townhouse that reportedly featured 'man-on-man orgies late into the night [that Andy] Warhol enjoyed photographing from the sidelines.'

Lavish lifestyle: Halston, left, and Victor Hugo at a gala at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York in 1980. The pair enjoyed hosting after-parties at Halston's New York townhouse

As someone else put it: 'Victor had the keys to the safe with the cocaine'.

The couple eventually stopped sleeping together but Halston struggled to make a clean break from Hugo.

Indeed he continue to fund his lifestyle after they broke up, paying for his housing. Despite this Hugo stole from Halston to feed his drug habit.

'He stole some Warhols, but he also took the sterling silver Elsa Peretti candlesticks on the table,' Gaines told Vanity Fair.

Halston, who died his AIDS-related cancer in 1990, moved to California in his final years and was finally able to distance himself from Hugo.

But his friends are still bitter about the destruction he brought into Halston's life.

'That Venezuelan call boy was his downfall,' longtime friend Andre Leon Talley Talley told the New York Times. 'He was a grifter who clung on like a parasite, like a barnacle on a ship.'

Hugo died in 1993.

ELSA PERETTI

Played by: Rebecca Dayan

In crowd: Halston with Elsa Peretti (left) in 1971. The pair were close friends but had a tempestuous relationship. Halston was one of the first designers to cast Italian-born Peretti

Model and muse: Rebecca Dayan as Peretti in Halston. Elsa became a firm fixture on the vibrant social scene and frequented Studio 54 where she rubbed shoulders with Halston

Jewellery designer Elsa Peretti, who died in March aged 80, was a friend, model and muse to Halston.

Daughter of a wealthy conservative businessman, Elsa was educated in Rome, studying interior design before taking up an internship as an architect in Milan.

However it wasn't to last and she had stints as a language teacher and ski instructor in Switzerland before deciding to try her hand at modelling.

Cut off by her conservative parents who disagreed with a career in fashion, Elsa spent time in Paris and Barcelona, where she modelled for Salvador Dali, in her 20s.

She moved to Manhattan in 1968, where she initially struggled to find work as a model due to her distinctive appearance.

'The perfect American model was blonde, looked 16 and was beautiful,' she later recalled in an interview with the New York Times. 'I was too strange, too Spanish, they said.'

Nonetheless, the striking Elsa became a firm fixture on the vibrant social scene and frequented Studio 54 where she rubbed shoulders with Halston and the rest of his set.

Close friends: Halston and Peretti embrace at a New York party in 1977. Right, Elsa in 1978

Striking: Dayan as Peretti in Halston. The model and designer became best known as a jewellery designer for Tiffany & Co

Some suggest Peretti, who never married and had no children, became hooked on the hard-partying lifestyle.

'Thanks to her fondness for vodka and cocaine, Peretti barely made it out of disco-era Gotham alive,' noted a 2014 Vanity Fair profile.

In his diaries, Warhol recalled a 'huge fight' in the basement of Studio 54 in 1978 in which Peretti 'smashed glasses and everything'. He added: 'Its enough to make you want to stay home for the rest of your life.'

Despite their sometimes explosive relationship, Halston was one of the first to hire Peretti. Spotting her eye for jewellery design, he also styled his clothes with her pieces.

It was Halston who was responsible for introducing her to senior executives at Tiffany & Co. and helped her negotiate her first contract in 1974.

The relationship would last the rest of Peretti's career, with the designer signing a new 20-year contract in 2012.

The exclusive partnership, which later expanded to include bowls, cutlery, and even a silver pizza cutter, was lucrative for Tiffany & Co. In some years Peretti's creations accounted for 10 percent of the company's global net sales.

LIZA MINNELLI

Played by: Krysta Rodriguez

BFFs: Halston with Liza Minnelli in 1978. The pair met in the early 1970s and were 'joined at the hip', as Minnelli recalled, supporting each other both professionally and personally

Doe-eyed: Krysta Rodriguez as Minnelli in Halston. Halston treats the inseparable bond between the pair as the 'love story' that runs through the film

The most recognisable face in Halston's entourage is his stylish BFF Liza Minnelli.

The pair met in the early 1970s and were 'joined at the hip', as Minnelli recalled, supporting each other both professionally and personally.

Halston treats the inseparable bond between the pair as the 'love story' that runs through the series.

'When I met Halston, I just remember him talking and me listeninghed say, "Alright, I got it". 'He put [a design] on you. And it danced with you.

'His clothes danced with you. We were joined at the hip from then on,' she said of her friend in 2019 documentary Halston.

The pair were by each other's side during the Studio 54 glory years, although Minnelli has remained tight-lipped on any scandal that might have transpired.

'Its very hard to do an interview about your best friend, especially if whats popular in that day and age is digging a little,' Minnelli previously said.

By his side: Minnelli and Halston out in New York in 1974. The pair remained friends until his death and Minnelli continues to champion him and his brand decades later

'I dont like it. I hated it when they did it to my mother, or my father, or myself. And I wont do it to Halston, I just wont. I refuse.'

Halston created some of Minnelli's most memorable ensembles of the 1970s, including the stunning yellow gown she wore to collect her Best Actress gong at the 1973 Academy Award.

He also designed her stage and film wardrobes.

Meanwhile Minnelli was more than happy to bring her signature showbiz glamour to Halston shows and continues to support his brand decades after his death.

The actress, who was 14 years Halston's junior, saw the designer as 'like a big brother' or father figure.

Minnelli, now 75, remained close with Halston until his death in 1990.

Two years later she co-hosted a tribute to the designer who she remembered as 'tender always, courageous always, challenging always'.

She continues to be a regular contributor to Halston documentaries and works to protect his legacy.

Before filming Halston, Ewan McGregor met with Minnelli, although he has kept the details of their encounter under wraps.

Eleanor Lambert

Played by: Kelly Bishop

An important character in Halston's career was Eleanor Lambert, played in the Netflix series by Kelly Bishop

Kelly Bishop and Ewan McGregor are seen on the set of 'Simply Halston' as Eleanor Lambert and the influential American fashion designer

An important character in Halston's career was Eleanor Lambert - a publicist hailed the 'godmother of fashion'.

Born in 1903, Lambert is the founder of various iconic events including New York Fashion Week and the Council of Fashion Designers of America, of which she remained an honorary member until her death in 2003.

The fashion legend founded the Met Gala and the International Best Dressed List - which she left to four pals at Vanity Fair a few months before she died at the age of 100 in her Manhattan home.

The show depicts Lambert as she urges Halston to take part in what would later be known as the 'Battle of Versailles' - where the world's social elite gathered for an international fashion show.

The 1973 extravaganza, held as a fundraiser for the restoration of the Palace of Versailles, made history when five top American designers faced off five of France's fashion elite.

Lambert convinced Halston to join Stephen Burrows, Bill Blass, Oscar de la Renta and Anne Klein as they were pitted against Yves Saint Laurent, Pierre Cardin, Emanuel Ungaro, Marc Bohan and Hubert de Givenchy.

The spectacle even featured a closing number from Halston's pal Liza Minnelli, fresh from her Oscar-win for Cabaret.

Pulitzer Prize-winning fashion critic Robin Givhan writes in his 2015 book, The Battle Of Versailles, that the American clothing was seen as a refreshingly 'practical, accessible and simple', while the French offering was seen as too overtly grandiose.

He added that Halston, as a recent millionaire, had began speaking about himself in the third person - at one point screaming 'Halston is leaving' while storming out of a dress rehearsal.

While her character only appears briefly in the series, Lambert is seen as a essential part of how Halston secured his place in the fashion hall of fame.

Lambert was born in Indiana and attended the John Herron School of Art before moving to Illinois to study fashion at the esteemed Art Institute of Chicago.

She then moved to New York in 1925 where she worked briefly for a Manhattan advertising agency before moving on to the Whitney Museum of American Art.

Lambert helped to launch the Museum of Modern Art and her career shifted towards fashion when she helped found the Costume Institute at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in 1937.

But one of her most memorable achievements came in the 1940s when she launched New York Fashion Week - which she originally called 'Fashion Press Week'.

Cementing America's place in the fashion world, Lambert travelled all around the world under request of the US government to exhibit the best American designers had to offer.

She was married twice, to Wills Conner, in the 1920s, which ended in divorce and followed by Seymour Berkson in 1936, which ended with his death in 1959. Eleanor and Seymour had one son together, the renowned poet Bill Berkson.

JOEL SCHUMACHER

Played by: Rory Culkin

Hollywood career: Joel Schumacher arm-in-arm with Candice Bregen in 1987

Joel Schumacher is portrayed by Rory Caulkin, of the Caulkin acting family, in Netflix's Halston (above)

Film director Joel Schumacher, best known for Batman Forever, Batman and Robin and St. Elmo's Fire, described Halston as 'one of the most loving friends I've ever had'.

The pair met in the 1960s while Schumacher was studying at Parsons School of Design in New York and Halston was working as a milliner before he established himself as a womenswear designer.

'I was on scholarship at Parsons in interior design and I ran into a friend on the beach and he asked me if I wanted to come over to meet his boyfriend who was sharing a house with Halston,' Schumacher recalled in 2019.

'I knew who he was  everybody knew who he was. And we were friends from then on.'

Schumacher worked with Halston as a junior designer in the early days of his brand. The first episode of Halston shows Schumacher (played by Rory Caulkin) being reprimanded for his drug use. This reflected real life, with Schumacher speaking openly over the years about how he started drinking aged nine and 'doing drugs in his early teens'.

The pair parted company and Schumacher moved to Los Angeles in the early 1970s to pursue his dreams of a Hollywood career.

He built a name in costume design before moving on to directing, but he and Halston always remained in touch.

'I was doing costumes for $200 a week and dreaming of being a director,' Schumacher recalled in a 2000 interview. 'Halston was enormously helpful.

'My first movie was Joan Didion's Play It As It Lays. There were affluent people in it who needed expensive clothes.

'Halston sent me samples and did that for three of the movies I did costumes on... he was a very generous person to his friends and very loyal... He was one of the most loving, kindest friends I've ever had.'

Schumacher found success with films including The Lost Boys and Falling Down.

His last directorial work before his death in 2020, aged 80, was two episodes of the TV drama House of Cards.

JOE EULA

Played by: David Pittu

Celebrity insider: Barbra Streisand and Joe Eula at a Valentino party in New York in 1970

Fashion powerhouse: Illustrator and Halston creative director Joe Elua (pictured) played by David Pittu

Although not a household name, Joe Eula was an important figure on the international fashion scene and became creative director of Halston.

Eula, who died in 2004 aged 79, started his career as a fashion illustrator, producing live sketches of the latest looks from the catwalk.

Over the decades he worked for American Vogue, Harper's Bazaar and the New York Times, as well as working as house artist for, among others, Chanel, Givenchy, Versace and Karl Lagerfeld.

In around 1960, when Halston was still a milliner, it was Eula who introduced the designer to a nerdy shoe-sketcher by the name of Andy Warhol.

A decade later Eula joined his friend as his creative director.

Joe Eula was an important figure on the international fashion scene and became creative director of Halston. Pictured played by David Pittu left and right with Ewan McGregor at Halston

'I've always maintained that, thanks to Joe Eula and Elsa Peretti, Halston became what he was in terms of style,' said the designer Fernando Sanchez, a friend of Eula's since the early 60's.

'They really defined Halston's style and the idea that chic doesn't necessarily imply money.'

When Halston showed at an international fashion benefit in Versailles in 1973, Eula did the set. And, as with everyone in Halston's clique, he was also a regular at Studio 54.

Eula's work as a fashion illustrator, costume designer and poster designer led to engagements with artists including Miles Davis, Lauren Bacall, Candice Bergen, Liza Minelli and the Supremes.
A police officer who was jailed for 10 months after he failed to help an asylum seeker before he was killed by a mob of angry neighbours sheds a tear for the victim for the first time in a Channel 5 documentary.

Kevin Duffy was a beat manager in Brislington, Bristol, when Iranian refugee Bijan Ebrahimi, 44, was beaten to death and set alight by two neighbours on Sunday 14 July 2013, after a period of non-stop abuse.

Murdered by a Mob, airing on Channel 5 tonight at 9pm, focuses on police failures to help Bijan, and how officers went as far as arresting him instead of the anti-social neighbour who ended up being his killer, Lee James, then 24.

Several police officers, including Duffy in 2016, were sacked from the force and had to serve jail terms for misconduct on the job.

In 2017, an independent report from Safer Bristol Partnership found that there were elements of institutionalised racism in the way the police dealt with Bijan's complaints.

Duffy, who thinks he was 'scapegoated' in the past, and swears he is not racist, broke down in the documentary as he recalled discovering Bijan's body, and said it was the first time he had ever shed a tear for the late refugee.

Kevin Duffy was a beat manager in Brislington, Bristol, when Iranian refugee Bijan Ebrahimi, 44, was beaten to death and set alight by two neighbours after a period of increased tensions and non-stop abuse on Sunday 14 July 2013. Poctured

Bijan Ebrahimi, 44, pictured, was beaten to death and set alight by two neighbours after false rumours started circulating he was a peadophile

He also added he contemplated taking his own life after his release from prison.

Duffy, who knew who Bijan was, had been blocking the asylum seeker's calls all day on Friday 12 July 2013 while he worked on other cases.

He said Bijan was a 'priority,' but a priority he had 'set for Monday,' and the beat manager grew more aggravated throughout the day as Bijan kept calling.

Next day, Duffy heard that a body had been found at Capgrave Estate, where Bijan lived.

Lee James, pictured, is currently serving a life sentence after he murdered Bijan in their Bristol neighbourhood. Stephen Norley (right), who lived next door, was sentenced to four years in prison for assisting an offender

Bijan had recorded James, pictured, bursting into his house and threatening to 'f*** him up' prior to the fatal attack

'I could not believe what they had done,' Duffy said, adding: 'They burnt the body. I thought, "Why, why, why do that?".

'It was like a desecration that has stayed with me. I carry it around every single day and most of the nights as well.'

At this point during the interview, Duffy broke down in tears and had to step away from the camera, sobbing.

'I cried a lot of tears across the past few years but that's the first time I've actually shed any tears for Bijan,' he admitted, on returningn to his seat.

He went on to discuss the consequences of spending 10 months in jail for misconduct following Bijan's case.

The Iranian refugee complained several times to the police, and called 13 times on Friday 12 July, a mere day before his death

TIMELINE WHICH LEAD TO TRAGEDY July 11: Bijan Ebrahimi dialled 999 and reported that neighbour Lee James had come into his flat and head-butted him. When PCs Leanne Winter, and Helen Harris arrived, James was crying with anger and frothing at the mouth. PCs Winter and Harris arrested Mr Ebrahimi for an alleged breach of the peace. As he was led away from his home, the crowd cheered, clapped and shouted 'paedophile'. July 12: Mr Ebrahimi was released from custody. He made 12 calls to police non-emergency number 101. He was informed that PC Kevin Duffy, his local beat manager, would visit him. PC Duffy refused to speak to him and said he would call Mr Ebrahimi back at his own convenience. The officer asked PCSO Passmore to conduct a 'bit of a foot patrol' around the area, which went on for about two to three minutes. July 13: Mr Ebrahimi tried to contact PCs Duffy and Winter numerous times. July 14: Just after 1am, witnesses saw James repeatedly stamp on Mr Ebrahimi's head with his right foot. His body was later burned. Advertisement

'My whole professional identity and to a large extent my personal identity was just killed in that moment,' Duffy said.

'Prison itself was difficult, but Ive endured difficult before, I can do difficult, but it's the emotional impact of it all.

'Going for a run around here, I just had to stop and go home, and past the station there are loads of trees and I was visualising and planning which one I'd hang from,' he added, his voice breaking.

The former police officer said he was being 'scapegoated' for the failings of other people in the force, and claimed that police officers are automatically judged as racist.

'I've been wrongly accused and wrongly convicted of something I didn't do. Was I scapegoated? Most definitely,' he said. 'They have got it so wrong.

They've got it so wrong, There's a white person, particularly white man, they may be a bit racist, There's a white man in a police uniform, definitely a racist,' he said. 'That's just too easy and an unthinking way of dealing with anything.

'And what has happened to me is very, very dangerous for anybody who works in any public service,' he added.

Matt Dawkins, from Stand Against Racism and Inequality, said in the documentary: 'How many opportunities must have been missed for Bijan to end as a burning corpse?

'As an institution, the police can be very defensive and will identify scapegoats at lower ranks if possible. People at the bottom of the tree of this institutional problem

'There are others who bear responsibility, there are sergeants and inspectors involved in that to their eyeballs, there's got to be. That never came out.'

Kevin Duffy, pictured, said he thought about taking his own life after he was convicted to 10 months in jail for misconduct in the public office

Stand Against Racism and Inequality said there must have been many opportunities police missed to help Bijan, pictured

Bijan had been moved across Brislington's estates several times, and according to Matt Dawkins, he had been harassed by neighbours for years.

'The story that is often told about Bijan that this drunk yob kicked him to death, set his body on fire,' Matt said.

'But I remember thinking this is not some drunken moment of madness, this has been going on for years, where local authority and police have known about this and I thought, "What on earth has happened to lead to this to this place?".'

The 44-year-old Iranian man was beaten to death and his body set on fire by neighbour Lee James outside his home in Bristol in July 2013.

Prior to being killed, Bijan had called the police 78 times to ask for help after being threatened and racially abused.

Days before the murder, neighbour Lee James wrongly believed that Mr Ebrahimi had filmed his young children, when he had actually been gathering evidence of anti-social behaviour.

Video footage showed James forcing himself into Mr Ebrahimi's flat and abusing him before being dragged away, with witnesses hearing him yell: 'I'll burn his house down'.

When police arrived at the scene they found a mob outside the refugee's home, while James shouted: 'Paedo! I'm going to f****** kill you.'

Instead of dealing with the vigilantes, police arrested Mr Ebrahimi for breaching the peace and held him in the cells overnight.

Video footage taken in custody saw PC Helen Harris telling Bijan he was a 'pain in the a***' and to 'shut up.'

SARI said the police treated Bijan as if his life didn't matter and failed to protect him when he needed them (pictured: Bijan after he was arrested by the officers he had called to help)

Upon his release without charge the next morning, now retired PC Hen Staveley-Brown, who appears in the documentary, told Bijan that Duffy couldn't get in touch with him during the day.

Police call logs reveal shocking callousness just hours before vigilante murder Here are details of 12 calls Bijan Ebrahimi made to the police on July 12, 2014 - 24 hours before he was brutally murdered near his home. Call 1 - 1.28pm: Asks to speak to PC Kevin Duffy. Is told to call back at 2.30pm when PC Duffy is on shift. Call 2 - 3.02pm: Calls again saying PC Duffy was 'supposed to come to my house'. The handler cannot get hold of PC Duffy, who is on a job. Mr Ebrahimi is advised to call back in 15 minutes. Call 3 - 3.34pm: Calls back and again the handler cannot get hold of PC Duffy. Mr Ebrahimi is told to call back in 10 minutes. Call 4 - 3.56pm: Handler gets through to PC Duffy, who says he will visit Mr Ebrahimi later. Mr Ebrahimi tells the handler: 'I don't feel safe here.' Call 5 - 6.39pm: Mr Ebrahimi tells the call handler people are calling him a paedophile and making jokes about him being handcuffed. He said six or seven neighbours were outside his door. He is told to lock his windows and doors and that officers will visit him as soon as they can. Call 6 - 7.05pm: He tells the operator he wishes to speak to PC Duffy as he is expecting him to visit his flat and has a 'mob' outside his door 'insulting him', adding 'my life is in danger'. The operator contacts PC Duffy who replies: 'I have no intention of taking any calls from Bijan Ebrahimi. I will speak to him at my convenience.' Call 7 - 7.27pm: Mr Ebrahimi calls again and is told PC Duffy is busy and will call when he is available. Mr Ebrahimi says: 'But I told him my life is not safe here. I have to leave as soon as possible.' Call 8 - 7.32pm: He telephones again and asks to speak to PC Leanne Winter urgently. Mr Ebrahimi tells police: 'I've got a mob behind my door, a few of my neighbours, they are calling me names and I can't go outside the door because I am not safe.' He is told an officer will visit as soon as possible and the call is a very high priority. The call handler contacts PC Winter. A colleague at the police station answers, saying: 'Leanne Winter is sat just opposite me, stuffing her face with Pot Noodle at the moment.' PC Winter says she does not want to speak to Mr Ebrahimi as she is busy. Mr Ebrahimi tells the operator: 'I can't even open the door to let my cat out. What shall I do?' Call 9 - 8.07pm: Mr Ebrahimi tells police some of his neighbours have left but he still wants to see PC Duffy as he still feels unsafe in his flat and will have to jump out of the window. The call handler contacts PC Duffy who says: 'This is about the fourth or fifth call he has made tonight and trying to get hold of me in particular. I'm not gonna talk to him.' The officer goes on to call Mr Ebrahimi 'a perpetual liar' and adds: 'I have asked for [PSCO Andrew Passmore] to do a bit of foot patrol near Capgrave Crescent just to make sure everything is quiet and show a bit of presence but that's as much as we're doing for him tonight.' The operator tells Mr Ebrahimi that PC Duffy will not be visiting him tonight and he can request another unit attends. Mr Ebrahimi replies: 'Why he keep me here, you know, in the danger area since 2.30pm?' He says he will have to sleep in a park as he does not feel safe. Call 10 - 8.18pm: Mr Ebrahimi tries to find out the name of an inspector he had spoken to that morning in custody. Call 11 - 9.37pm: He calls from outside Brislington police station and is still trying to find out the name of the inspector he spoke to. PCSO Passmore is asked to go down to see him but replies: 'He's a bit of a liability so I don't really want to speak to him outside the nick on my own.' PC Duffy says he has 'no [intention] of seeing Mr Ebrahimi tonight'. Call 12 - 9.42pm: Mr Ebrahimi remains outside the police station and tells the call handler he is waiting for someone to see him. He is told no one is available and he should go home. Mr Ebrahimi replies: 'I can't go home. I'm not safe there.' PC Duffy is called again and says: 'I'm sorry, I'm gonna go off on one in a second because I've had repeat calls from this man. I am considering doing this Mr Ebrahimi for harassment if he keeps on calling.' Asked if he will see Mr Ebrahimi the following day, the officer replies: 'No, I won't be.' Advertisement

However, Duffy was investigating other cases around the neighbourhood and refused to take Bijan's calls.

The refugee called the station 13 times on Friday 12 July, saying he didn't feel safe at home and requesting to speak to Duffy, who said he didn't want to speak to him.

Bijan also tried to contact PC Leanne Winter, who had arrested him on Thursday 11 July, but she also refused to visit his house.

Duffy instructed PCSO Andrew Passmore to patrol Bijan's neighbourhood the day of the murder however, the agent lied about the extent of his patrol, saying that he'd been there for an hour and everything was 'all clear.'

A few hours later, James stamped on his head until he died, and then set him alight in an attack on July 14. His burnt body was found just 100 yards from his maisonette.

Hen Staveley-Brown was among the officers who were called to the scene after neighbours reported a man lying on the ground and not moving.

'When we turned up, the ambulance had used a fire extinguisher on the body and I put my torch onto a smoking area and realised it was a body, quite unrecognisable that looked like a log,' she recalled.

'I would never had known it was Bijan, I raced around to Bijan's flat and that heart dropping moment when I saw his door wide open.

'The water was still dripping from the flowers on his hanging baskets. And it was horrible you just knew that this was somebody's life

'I didn't know if he'd been burnt alive, and it's haunted me ever since.'

James was given a life sentence by Mr Justice Simon at Bristol Crown Court and told he would serve a minimum term of 18 years. The judge called it an 'act of murderous injustice'.

PC Kevin Duffy and PCSO Andrew Passmore were jailed at Bristol Crown Court last year for misconduct in a public office in connection with Mr Ebrahimi's death.

They, along with PCs Helen Harris and Leanne Winter, were dismissed from Avon and Somerset Police.

In response to the documentary, Avon and Somerset Police released a statement reading: 'The murder of Bijan Ebrahimi was a tragedy and we fully accept the policing response was wholly inadequate and we failed to protect him.

'We wasted no time in implementing substantial changes and a recent report found that our force "responds well to incidents involving vulnerable people and works effectively with other agencies to protect them".

'We're now recognised as a leading force in the use of data analytics which has transformed the way we work.

'Had we been able to use this approach in 2013, Bijan would have been identified as one of our most vulnerable victims, triggering the level of safeguarding he needed,' it ended.

Meanwhile, Bristol City Council said: 'Our priority is to make Bristol a safe place for all people seeking sanctuary and to create an environment in which they can feel welcomed.

'This was a tragic case that should never have happened. We fully accept the council's role in failing Mr Ebhrahimi and his family. And we fully accepted the findings of the 2017 multi-agency review.

'Following this, a task group was set up to ensure all partners take on board the lived experiences of disabled asylum seekers.

'We have worked with the police, local hate crime prevention agency SARI, and equality and diversity specialists to delivery race awareness training across the council and the development of new strategies, processes and practices.

'We are determined that Bijan's legacy ensures every community feels safe and welcomed by the city,' it concluded.

Tony Murphy, the solicitor who represented the Ebrahimi family at trial, said of the police's treatment of Bijan: 'the treatment was contemptuous, disrespectful and prejudicial, Bijan was treated like his life didn't matter.'

'The impression I ended up with that was all the local police force which couldn't care less about him,' Matt Dawkins said.

'I'm convinced he was chucked into the too difficult box, or the bull**** box, basically, there was a belief he was making all up,' he added.

'Maybe what you are dealing with are people who are simply appalling at their jobs,'he added.

'And it's not because of particular individuals, because of someone's race or someone's background: it is because they can't be bothered, I don't know whether that's better or worse,' he went on.

'To think that a refugee could come to one of the most liberal cities in the country, and be beaten to death and set on fire. makes you proud, doesn't it?' Matt said with tears streaming down his face.

Murdered by a Mob airs tonight at 9pm on Channel 5.
A 48-year-old mother left Hospital viewers in floods of tears after being told that her stage three cancer may be inoperable.

Natasha, from Coventry, was diagnosed with advanced ovarian cancer after suffering 'vague abdominal symptoms', and was devastated to discover the illness had spread to her surrounding organs.

Appearing on the BBC2 documentary last night, Consultant Gynaecological Oncologist of University Hospital Coventry, Smruta Shanbhag was seen discussing with Natasha whether or not she was eligible for the life-extending surgery.

After undergoing a laparoscopy to assess how far the cancer had spread, Dr Shanbhag was advised by colleagues not to go ahead with Natasha's vital operation.

However Dr Shanbhag continued to fight for Natasha, turning to a colleague at Imperial College London known for taking on complex cases of ovarian cancer, meaning the mum was able to undergo the life-saving operation.

Viewers were left in floods of tears when Natasha, from Coventry, was told that her stage three ovarian cancer may be inoperable on BBC2's Hospital

In the heart-wrenching moment, the mum bursts into tears while as Dr Shanbhag shared the results of her laparoscopy, which showed her cancer was more developed than initially thought

In one heart-wrenching moment - before Natasha is told she can undergo the operation - the mum bursts into tears while as Dr Shanbhag shared the results of her laparoscopy.

The emotional moment struck a chord with viewers at home, with one tweeting: 'Poor Natasha. That inability to put a timescale on things is awful, I get the reasons, I do; but its just a helpless feeling of the unknown.'

Another said: 'In tears....these shows truly make you think....and tomorrow is not a given', while another praised the consultant for 'fighting so hard' for her patient.

The documentary was filmed earlier this year as the hospital began to emerge from the pandemic, facing a mounting backlog of suspected cancer patients.

The emotional moment struck a chord with viewers at home and several took to Twitter to share their support

Dr Shanbhag worked solidly throughout the pandemic, only taking time off when she contracted Covid, and said that her department in one week faced 50 referrals of suspected genealogical cancer.

When the first lockdown came through we had to literally just stop everything apart from emergency work', she said. A lot of our staff were then redeployed to ICU which clearly was where the immediate need was, and that was the right thing to do.

'But because of that we had to just stop providing routine services. I think at that time we had still not seen the full effect of Covid, because patients had not been seeing their GPs I suppose out of fear of going into hospital. So we didnt actually see as many referrals as were seeing now.

If we cant see these patients within the two weeks theyre meant to be seen in, then their diagnosis gets delayed and if they do have cancer it means treatment gets delayed.'

Consultant Gynaecological Oncologist of University Hospital Coventry, Smruta Shanbhag was seen discussing with Natasha whether or not she was eligible for the life-extending surgery

Despite staff trying their hardest to get patients seen, at the time of filming the hospital had 24 patients on a list meaning they were at risk of breaching the time limit for waiting.

Meanwhile, the trust had ten theatres closed because staff were shielding or redeployed to assist in ICU.

After being diagnosed with ovarian cancer, Dr Shanbhag had hoped chemotherapy would shrink Natasha's cancer enough for her to undergo surgery in the following months.

However she was forced to tell a teary Natasha that her cancer was still very advanced, meaning all the cancer may not be removed during the operation, and the surgery come with host of complications and risks.

Complications included losing a large chunk of her bowel, possibly losing some of the pancreas and liver and spending months of recovery time in hospital.

How are you supposed to go months and months without seeing your family, how are you supposed to do that?', asked a heartbroken Natasha. 'I think afterwards what is my quality of life? I like running, Im not going to be able to do that.

Reflecting on the potential surgery, the mum said: Theres no right decision, if I dont do anything I wont even see my daughter get to 17. I wont make my 50th, I wont see her become an adult at 18.

The laparoscopy revealed the disease had spread more than the initial scans had shown. After being advised against the surgery, the doctor had to share the news with Natasha

Consultant Gynaecological Oncologist Smruta Shanbhag is seen comforting Natasha after sharing the news

If we dont operate now, we will never have the chance for surgery, this disease is never going to go away, said Dr Shanbhag.

After completing her final round of chemotherapy, Natasha once again weighed up whether the surgery was the right decision: Ive been mentally trying to process both scenarios, because I need to do that myself.

'Ive been told straight its extensive lief-saving surgery, its months in hospital, its prolonged recovery, its a 16-hour operation.

'Its absolutely petrifying, but I think if i do it and make it through the disease is out of my body and i could have up to 40/50 months.

Speaking of her 16-year-old daughter Natasha added: Shes my life. AllI can do for Zara is apologise, because I feel absolutely awful that Im not going to be there and I wont get to hold my grandchildren, that just devastates me so bad.

'Its not my heart thats broken its right into my soul. I just get up and carry on everyday, ive got to. Ill do whatever it takesI have to, I cant just give up. Its not in my nature, thats not me, just keep going.

To go ahead with the surgery, Dr Shanbhag had to discuss with two other hospital departments whether an operation to remove the cancer was feasible, and agreed to give Natasha a keyhole examination to determine the extent of her disease.

Dr Shanbhag asked a colleague at Imperial for a second opinion, with the colleague phoning Natasha to tell her while the procedure was risky - she was willing to try

Im petrified, said Natasha to Dr Shanbhag over the phone, 'But I have faith in you so much and her, youre my last chance you're my last hope - I said that to her'

The laparoscopy revealed the disease had spread more than the initial scans had shown. After being advised against the surgery, the doctor said: Im gutted for her, the professional part of me knew this was likely to happen but I am still devastated for her.

'As a surgeon you want to be able to make that difference and when you do it is delightful but there are times like today when you know no amount of what you do is going to help her, thats hard.

But determined not to give up on Natasha, Dr Shanbhag asked a colleague at Imperial for a second opinion, with the colleague phoning Natasha to tell her while the procedure was risky - she was willing to try.

Im petrified, said Natasha to Dr Shanbhag over the phone, 'But I have faith in you so much and her, youre my last chance you're my last hope - I said that to her, and youve worked so hard for me.

'Im petrified but its my last chance, if im going to go down, im going to go down fighting.'

Viewers were told at the end of the show that the mum had undergone surgery in London and was recovering at home.
From starring in new Hollywood drama The Nevers to winning an Olivier Award for her performance in a play based on the murder of her uncle by the IRA, it would seem there is nothing Laura Donnelly can't do.

The 38-year-old, from Belfast, made her on screen debut in 2005 as the love interest in the Channel 4 teen drama Sugar Rush, engaging in a sexy onscreen romp with main character Beth, played by Olivia Hallinan.

She has since appeared in some of Britain's biggest hit shows, including The Fall, opposite Jamie Dornan, and Outlander, in which she plays Jenny Fraser.

Meanwhile the actress has also carved out a hugely successful stage career, appearing in The River, where she shared an on-stage kiss with Hugh Jackman and met her now-husband Jez Butterworth.

Jez went on to write critically-acclaimed play The Ferryman based on the murder of her uncle Eugene Simons by the IRA, with Laura winning a Olivier award for Best Actress for her performance.

Now she is set to play Amalia True in the new HBO drama The Nevers, which concerns a group of women 'who find themselves with unusual abilities, relentless enemies and a mission that might change the world.'

From starring in new Hollywood drama The Nevers to winning an Olivier Award for her role on stage in a play based on the murder of her uncle by the IRA, it would seem there is nothing Laura Donnelly, 38, from Belfast, can't do

She caught her big break in 2005, with her on screen debut as the love interest in the Channel 4 teen drama Sugar Rush, engaging in a sexy onscreen romp with main character Beth, played by Olivia Hallinan (left). She has gone on to carve a successful stage career (right, in The River with Hugh Jackman)

Despite starring in some of Britain's biggest hit-shows, Laura has tended to keep tight-lipped about her private life, and rarely shares snaps of friends, family, or partners online.

Born in Belfast in August 1982, Laura has previously said she 'didn't come from a creative family.'

Speaking to Interview magazine in 2015, she revealed: 'I think my mum would have loved to have gotten into something, probably dance, but she came from a very, very small town in rural Ireland right in the heart of the Troubles and really didnt have those kinds of opportunities.'

She continued: 'She had moved to Belfast at about 16 or 17 to be a nurse and my dad was a doctor and thats how they met.

She has since appeared in some of Britain's biggest hit shows, including The Fall, opposite Jamie Dornan, and Outlander, in which she plays Jenny Fraser (pictured, pumping breast milk on screen)

Her partner Jez Butterworth wrote the critically-acclaimed play The Ferryman based on the murder of her uncle Eugene Simons by the IRA, with Laura winning a Olivier award for her role

'Shes got a creative spirit and thats definitely where I get it from.'

Remembering growing up in Belfast, she said her childhood was peaceful but conflict came every day.

The shocking family story which inspired her husband to write an award-winning play A father-of-three and Laura's mother's brother Eugene Simons, 26, went missing from his home near Castlewellan, County Down on New Year's Day in 1981 Beginning in the late 1960s, the Troubles are generally thought to have ended with 1998's Good Friday Agreement. The conflict was a political one with the main issue being the status of Northern Ireland and whether it should remain within the United Kingdom or join the Republic of Ireland. But the Troubles also had a sectarian aspect as the Irish Republicans were mostly Catholic and the Unionists mostly Ulster Protestants. More than 3,500 people were killed in three decades of violence. As a child, Laura was told her uncle Eugene Simons had died in a car crash. However, as she grew older, she learned more about the story. A father-of-three and Laura's mother's brother Eugene, 26, went missing from his home near Castlewellan, County Down on New Year's Day in 1981. His body was found in May 1984 by a dog walker near Dundalk, County Louth. He had been taken away by the IRA, shot dead and dumped in a bog. He was among the IRA policy of 'The Disappeared'  men and women in Northern Ireland suspected of being informers of the British who were taken from the streets, questioned, shot and buried. Eugene is believed to have been an IRA member who had betrayed the whereabouts of bomb-making material. Following the Good Friday Agreement, the IRA admitted in 1999 that it murdered and hid the bodies of nine of the 16 Disappeared. The Independent Commission for the Location of Victims' Remains leads the search for the bodies. In 2012, Laura learned the full truth after she and then-partner Jez were watching a documentary called The Disappeared. She was shocked when her uncle was named as one of them. She mentioned this to Jez, who was so inspired by the story he wanted to write a play about the experience of the family. He asked permission from Laura's mother, with the couple telling Broadway.com: 'It has been emotional to be able to turn something very tragic around into something really joyousparticularly for my mother.' Set during The Troubles, The Ferryman tells the story of the family of a former IRA activist, living in their farmhouse in rural County Armagh, Northern Ireland in 1981. After premiering in 2017, with Laura a member of the original cast, the play won multiple awards and critical acclaim. Advertisement

Speaking to the New York Times, she explained: 'Friends of mine had much more extreme experiences.

'Friends of mine were dragged out of their beds in the middle of the night by the army.'

Laura has described how her father's position as a physician who crossed between both Protestant and Catholic communities lent him a level of protection.

She revealed: 'If they stopped my dads car and said, "All right, get out of your car, we need your car," hed say, "No, you dont, Im a doctor, Im on call, and theyd take the next car instead."'

Laura was a natural performer as a child and it was her interest and passion for Irish dancing, which led her to see life on stage as a career.

She revealed: 'I was on stages and theaters in Northern Ireland playing the kids parts in those.

'It was never speaking, but it was this form of dance that told those stories, so I got a lot of experience of just being on stage and thats absolutely where the theater bug bit.'

Having spent time in Scotland on holidays with her family, and thinking she would spend the entirety of her career in London, Laura applied to just one drama school; the Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama, in Glasgow.

She graduated in 2004 and almost immediately landed her first big role in the Channel 4 teenage drama Sugar Rush.

The programme, which lasted two series, centred on the life of a 15-year-old lesbian Kim Daniels, who had just moved from London to Brighton.

Laura played Kim's first love interest, Beth, who meets the main character at a church meeting for people who are gay, before the two embark on a sexy fling.

She previously revealed she was 'nervous' about her appearance in the series, telling Phoenix magazine: 'For girls, and boys, it must have been such a breath of fresh air. I was aware of that and was really proud.'

Meanwhile, that same year, Laura began carving out her career in British TV and appeared in some of the nation's most beloved soaps - including Holby City and The Bill.

In 2009, she starred in Best: His Mother's Son, the BBC drama on the life of George Best, playing Best's sister Barbara.

But it wasn't till 2012 she had her first big break, appearing in The Missing opposite Ashley Judd, followed by another big role in The Fall, with Jamie Dornan.

Meanwhile she also spent time carving out a successful theatre career, starring in her now husband Jez Butterworth's play, The River at the Royal Court Theatre, alongside Dominic West and Miranda Raison.

In 2014, she landed her biggest role yet in the form of Jenny Fraser in Outlander, a series which she starred in for three years.

Much of the action takes place in her on-screen husband's ancestral home, Lallybroch, and she was christened 'Jenny from the Broch' by fans online.

The series reunited her with a university friend, Sam Heughan, who plays her character's brother in the series.

Despite her success, at the time she said she found the 'unpredictability of work difficult', telling the Independent: 'I've been busy with work, thank God, but you still never know where the next gig is coming from and if you're not careful you can fret over things.

'It can be struggle to make time for some things that are really important, like people, like family, but you have to develop the knack of just letting go and trying not to be in control all the time because if you wanted your life to be predictable you shouldn't have gotten into acting in the first place.'

Around the same time, Jez and Laura watched a documentary called The Disappeared, about the victims of a particularly cruel campaign by the I.R.A.: secret murders of supposed traitors.

Laura was stunned to see her uncle Eugene Simons was featured in the programme.

He had vanished on New Years Day 1981 and later found murdered by the IRA, his body hidden in a bog.

After asking Laura's permission to retell the deeply personal story of her uncle Eugene and his murder, Jez wrote The Ferryman, in 2017, a play based on the family's experience (pictured together in 2019)

After premiering in 2017, with Laura a member of the original cast, The Ferryman won multiple awards and critical acclaim (pictured Laura at the Tony Awards in 2019)

After asking her permission to retell the story, Jez wrote The Ferryman in 2017, a play based on Eugene and the family's experience.

It was during the same period that Laura learnt she was pregnant with their first child.

The role was adapted to include her pregnancy, and she later reprised her role in the Broadway production alongside Hugh Jackman while pregnant with their second child.

In 2017, she played the deeply personal role in London once again, winning a Laurence Olivier Award for Best Actress for the performance and a Tony Award nomination.

Now she is set to play Amalia True in the new HBO drama The Nevers, which concerns a group of women 'who find themselves with unusual abilities, relentless enemies and a mission that might change the world

The family now live in London, with Laura juggling mothering their two daughters with her blossoming career.

Earlier this year, it was announced she had been cast in The Nevers.

The Irish actress will play the role of Amalia True on the sci-fi series, which is set in the Victorian era.

The Nevers is set in England in the 1890s, and centres on a group of people who have mysteriously been imbued with distinct superpowers. Some can see the future, some grow 10-foot-tall, others can harness electricity.

The Nevers is set in England in the 1890s, and centres on a group of people who have mysteriously been imbued with distinct superpowers. Some can see the future, some grow 10-foot-tall, others can harness electricity

Whedon said in a statement that the Belfast native 'has charisma, wisdom and an anarchic precision that not only captures Amalia, but defines her.'

The Oscar-nominated screenwriter/producer added: 'She's fierce and she's funny - and I need both for the journey ahead.'

HBO, which has delved into the sci-fi genre with Westworld, emerged with rights to the show after a competitive bid last year, according to the outlet.

Show creator Whedon, responsible for Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Angel and Firefly on the small screen and who directed the first two Marvel Avengers movies, has since left the series and been accused by actors on other projects of being abusive.
There are so many sex myths out there, dying to be debunked, its hard to keep it to just a handful.

Every year, sex research valiantly chips away at the things we think are set in stone and this last year was no exception.

Heres 13 things most people THINK they know about sex and sexual behaviour  but that have no basis in fact whatsoever.

Tracey Cox has revealed common rumours about sex that simply are not true. Stock image

Men can't orgasm without ejaculating

Of all the sex facts I tell people, this is the one that most surprises people.

We assume orgasm and ejaculation are one and the same but they are, in fact, separate processes.

An ejaculation happens in the prostate and urethra, as muscular contractions propel semen out of the body. An orgasm happens in the brain.

In brain scans in men, an orgasm looks a lot like an epileptic fit: an electrical storm that sweeps over the brain. It begins at the point of no return (ejaculatory inevitability  his mother could walk in and it still wouldnt stop it) and is followed one to three seconds later by the onset of ejaculation.

Sex expert Tracey (pictured) says men don't think about sex nearly as much as we think they do

You can absolutely have one without the other, though orgasm seems to be the pleasurable part. (Men who experience ejaculation without orgasm report low levels of pleasure.)

One famous study (Hartman and Fithian), which involved 10,000 hours of recordings of people masturbating and having sex while wired in a lab, found 12 per cent of man were able to orgasm without ejacuating or losing their erection.

Teaching men to become multi-orgasmic often involves teaching men to separate the two processes.

Its your partners job to arouse you

Many people are guilty of believing that its up to their partner to put them in the mood for sex.

Wrong.

Were all in charge of our own arousal and starting sex warm rather than cold is highly recommended and more sexually satisfying.

Turning yourself on  either by touching yourself, using a sex toy, fantasising, watching or reading erotica  before having sex with your partner puts you in control.

This is particularly true for women. Women who know their bodies well and how to arouse themselves report far more satisfying sex lives than those who dont.

Men think about sex every seven seconds

Not surprisingly, there never was any research to back up this fact. Thats 500 times an hour and more than 8,000 times during the 16 hours most men are awake!

Lots attribute this fact to the infamous sex researcher Alfred Kinsey but his actual research found 54 per cent of men said they thought about sex several times a day, 43 per cent said a few times per week or per month and four per cent said less than once a month.

Not quite every seven seconds, eh?

Recent research by Ohio State University, asked students to track their thoughts about sex, food and sleep using a handheld counter.

The results: the average man tallied 19 sexy thoughts a day (about one thought every hour and a half) and the average woman had 10 sexy thoughts a day (and bear in mind, these are very young adults).

Smoking weed kills sexual desire

Most of us picture someone inert in front of the telly, indulging a case of the munchies, when we conjure up an image of a regular pot smoker. But turns out theyre far more likely to be energetically having sex than the rest of us.

A large US survey found the more frequently both men and women smoked weed, the more they had sex: about 20 per cent more than abstainers.

Studies suggest marijuana makes sex more pleasurable and increases desire for women. It more than doubled the odds of them reporting satisfying orgasms and it helped with painful sex. Men said it made them last longer, it heightened sensation and enhanced sexual satisfaction.

It is a little What came first, the chicken or the egg?: we dont know if people who smoke weed just have different attitudes towards sex than people who dont. But the research is far more positive than negative.

Only men get erections

Not true - women get erections, too! Theyre just not as noticeable as the ones men get.

The clitoris is made up of the same spongy erectile tissue as the penis, which expands and engorges with blood when were aroused.

It visibly increases in size when its stimulated in a pleasing, sexual way.

They sex expert says it's not always true that a sexual fantasy is a secret wish to try something. Stock image

Have sex if you want the baby to come quicker

Some doctors still advise their pregnant patients to indulge in a bit of nookie if they want to bring on labour. The reality is the opposite is more likely to be be true.

A recent US study (Ohio State University) found not only does having sex near your due date not trigger labour, it may actually delay it.

Researchers found women who were sexually active in the final three weeks of their pregnancies carried their babies an average of 39.9 weeks, compared to 39.3 weeks for women who werent having any sex.

The more partners a woman has had, the larger her vagina

Umm, I dont think so.

The vaginal canal is a muscle and while it stretches to accommodate large objects  like a baby  it doesnt stay that way.

Having lots of partners, a lover with a big penis or using a large-sized penetrative sex toys wont affect how tight you are. How you feel to a partner depends on genetics, the fit between you and them, and on what shape your pelvic floor muscles are in.

The vagina is impressively resilient and the shape and size has nothing to do with your sexual history.

If you have a fetish, you cant enjoy sex without it

This was the thinking for a long time: since people with fetishes get aroused by the presence of a specific object during sex, they clearly dont enjoy sex without it.

Not true.

Although they enjoy fetish activities more, research actually finds most fetishists still find non-fetish sex to be very enjoyable. For most people, fetishes arent fixations, they are preferences.

A headache means you wont want sex

It might be true for most but not if youre a migraine sufferer.

Research (done by the Wake Forest University) found migraine sufferers reported higher levels of sexual desire and didnt avoid sexual activity in the grips of a headache.

Why?

Its believed sexual desire and migraine headaches may be influenced by the same brain chemical.

You cant break a penis

Im afraid I can vouch for this not being true because I actually broke my first husbands!

I moved at the wrong moment and his penis went crashing into the wooden bedboard: it was not pleasant.

Getting a penile fracture can and does happen. Usually when the couple change position while hes still erect and inside, rather than withdrawing first, then switching.

Extremely aggressive jackhammer style thrusting can also do it because his penis is more likely to fall out and hit something.

A sexual fantasy is a secret wish to try something

Less than one third of participants in a study conducted by Dr Justin Lehmiller reported ever acting out their most prominent fantasy.

Lehmiller interviewed more than 4000 people for the largest and most comprehensive study on sexual fantasies to date (his book is Tell Me What You Want).

Group sex was by far the most common theme  89 per cent reported fantasising about threesomes  but other research shows only 30 per cent of people have actually had one.

Only three per cent of people have no sexual fantasies at all, says Lehmiller.

Tracey says it's untrue that men and women have different sexual peaks in their life. Stock image

Length is more important than girth

Men might be hung up on length but women are more concerned about girth.

For a study in the Netherlands, researchers asked 170 women to rate the importance of length and girth. The result: girth was more important than length.

A second survey of 550 Croatian women also placed thickness over length, as did a 2014 study that showed women 3D models of penises and asked them to choose the one they preferred. More recently, a survey by Mens Health magazine found 70 per cent of women chose girth with only 18 per cent favouring length.

Anatomically, this makes sense. The vagina is covered in stretch mechanoreceptors and the thicker the penis, the more contact it makes with these nerve endings.

The wider the penis, the more chance the clitoral head has of indirect stimulation during intercourse with the act of thrusting causing the area around it to pull back and forth.

Men and women have different sexual peaks

Common thinking is that men peak at 18 and women in their 30s - presumably based on stamina for men and women understanding their bodies better as they age.

The truth is theres no difference between men and women if youre measuring frequency of sex to be the factor that matters most. We know the average American will have the most sex around age 25, there is no gender difference.

There is no magic age when women know their bodies best either. It can happen at any age, depending on a plethora of circumstances (including our experience, our lovers expertise, our education, upbringing and body image issues).

Sexual desire constantly fluctuates in all sexualities over the course of a lifetime and we can all experience many sexual peaks over the years.

Listen to Traceys new weekly podcast, Moms Dont Have Time to Have Sex, on all podcast platforms. Youll find her supersex and Edge product ranges on traceycox.com, along with more sex advice.
Prince Harry is 'far from happy' in the US because people who are content 'want to make amends' and 'don't create arguments and criticise people', a royal expert has claimed.

In a podcast last week, the Duke of Sussex, 36, launched yet another stinging attack on the Royal Family, criticising his father Prince Charles' parenting and describing his life within the Firm as a cross between the film The Truman Show  in which a man discovers he is living in a reality TV programme  and a zoo.

Yesterday Harry hinted he was ready to pour his heart out again about his mother Diana's death and his relationship with his father in an emotional trailer for a new mental health documentary for Apple, due for release on Friday.

Duncan Larcombe, author of Prince Harry: The Inside Story, said Harry sounds like a man 'desperately trying to convince himself he's found happiness'.

Yesterday Harry hinted he was ready to pour his heart out again about his mother Diana's death and his relationship with his father in an emotional trailer for a new mental health documentary for Apple, due for release on Friday

'I believe that, despite Harry's insistence that he's happy, he's far from it. I don't think he or Meghan are happy,' he told Closer magazine.

'Content people don't create arguments and criticise people - content people want to make amends.'

Duncan added that he doesn't believe Harry is in a position to 'preach' about how to cope with mental health issues when he is 'clearly in the very midst' of his own journey and 'causing pain to his own family'.

He said he believes the cause of the Duke's anger and sadness was the trauma which came about from his mother, Princess Diana, dying when he was a child in 1997, and will never be 'truly happy' until he works through it.

'[Harry] has now made the royals and the institution his enemies because of that - he's on the warpath,' Duncan told the publication.

Duncan added that he doesn't believe Harry is in a position to 'preach' about how to cope with mental health issues when he is 'clearly in the very midst' of his own journey and 'causing pain to his own family' (pictured with Meghan in the trailer for his upcoming Apple TV series)

'I think what we see and hear from these interviews is a man who is desperately trying to convince himself that he has found happiness, and he has been through it all and reached the other side - that he's finally free. I don't think that's the case. He and Meghan aren't happy or free. I don't think his move to LA has solved anything.'

Duncan previously said he believes Harry is 'regretful' about his explosive tell-all interview with Oprah Winfrey, in which he and Meghan accused the royals of institutional racism and alleged the Duchess received no support when she was suicidal while pregnant with Archie.

Harry - who fled British royal life to live in luxury in California last year and has since made a fortune through American companies like Netflix and Spotify while living in California - provoked ire in the US with comments he made about the First Amendment on the Dax Shepard podcast Armchair Expert on Thursday.

'I've got so much I want to say about the First Amendment as I sort of understand it, but it is bonkers,' Harry told the podcast.

Duncan Larcombe, author of Prince Harry: The Inside Story, said Harry sounds like a man 'desperately trying to convince himself he's found happiness' (pictured with the prince in July 2008)

'I don't want to start going down the First Amendment route because that's a huge subject and one which I don't understand because I've only been here a short time, but you can find a loophole in anything. You can capitalise or exploit what's not said rather than uphold what is said.'

Many Americans who'd embraced him and reacted sympathetically to his comments on Oprah were angered by the remarks, as were Brits.

Speaking to Closer, Duncan said he hopes it doesn't all end in disaster for Harry, but he does appear to be burning bridges 'left, right and centre'.

A royal source told MailOnline columnist Dan Wootton that insiders fear Harry's renewed criticism of Charles has put his upcoming reunion with 'horrified' Prince William in July to honour their mother at risk.

'Prince William is, of course, saddened by the recent developments because of the way Prince Harry is putting such deeply personal pain into the public domain, invading all the family's privacy,' the insider told Wootton.

Another source claimed Harry's revelations on the podcast go 'very much against the strategy he agreed with William following the 20th anniversary of Diana's death'.

'That's going to increase tensions between William and Harry, which sadly are already high.'

The Mail on Sunday revealed at the weekend how some royal aides want the Sussexes stripped of their royal titles.
A playground rule familiar to all Australian schoolchildren has baffled an American teacher working Down Under.

Kaymie Wuerfel relocated from Florida to Sydney in early 2020 after tying the knot with her Australian beau, and has been 'learning to live' in the Harbour City since the first coronavirus lockdown in March.

To pass time during the pandemic, the Clearwater native began documenting the differences between life in the US and Australia in a series of TikTok videos which have drawn an audience of 142,700 followers.

In a recent clip titled 'things I had to learn working in an Australian school', Ms Wuerfel said she was confused to see a pupil sitting alone in the shade of the schoolyard while the rest played together in the sun.

When she asked why they were spending lunch away from their classmates, the student replied 'no hat, no play' - a policy followed in most Australian schools that requires kids to wear hats in the playground to protect themselves from the sun.

Scroll down for video

American teacher Kaymie Wuerfel (pictured) was confused by Australia's 'no hat, no play' rule - a policy that requires kids to wear hats in the playground to protect themselves from the sun

'Why are you not playing with the other kids?' Ms Wuerfel asks herself as she reenacts the scene in the video.

'I don't have my hat,' she replies, pretending to be the pupil.

'What does that have to do with anything?' she says, to which the 'child' replies: 'No hat, no play.'

The exchange led Australian viewers to reminisce on their schooldays, with one writing: 'No hat, no play, no school today!'

'Trust me, no hat means NO play,' added another.

Ms Wuerfel (pictured) relocated from Florida to Sydney in early 2020 after tying the knot with her Australian beau

Elsewhere in the clip, Ms Wuerfel said she was stunned when an Australian student asked her for a rubber during class.

In the US, a rubber is a slang term for a condom, but in Australia it means an eraser used for rubbing out pencil.

On another occasion, Ms Wuerfel was left scratching her head when a student approached her in the playground to tell her the 'bubbler' wasn't working.

Bubbler is the Australian word for a public drinking fountain, though in some states they are referred to as water taps or water fountains.

Ms Wuerfel said she was similarly confused by Australian terms for swimsuits, which include 'cossies', 'bathers' and 'togs'.

Earlier this month, Ms Wuerfel told her followers why she believes Australian McDonald's is better than the US.

To pass time during the pandemic, the Clearwater native (pictured) began documenting the differences between life in the US and Australia in a series of TikTok videos

Ms Wuerfel said she prefers Aussie McDonald's to the American version because the quality of the food is far superior.

'I never ate it much in America because when you eat McDonald's in America you genuinely feel like you are going to die,' she said.

'And I know here is probably not much better but it is so, so good.

'I'm eating those Chicken McPieces and downing my frozen Coke, the last thing on my mind is my health - which probably is a bad thing.'

Ms Wuerfel (pictured) said she never ate McDonald's when she lived in America because 'when you eat McDonald's in America you genuinely feel like you are going to die'

Viewers agreed, with plenty suggesting this could be down to Australia's premium ingredients such as grass-fed beef, or the oil chips and chicken nuggets are fried in.

Many complained of falling ill hours after eating a meal from an American Maccas.

'I tried McDonald's while I was in the US and I literally was sick a few hours later,' one person wrote.

'I tried the USA Macca's too when I was there. It's so bad, I don't know how it became so big,' said another.
A schoolteacher known as the 'queen of meal prepping' has shared her simple recipe for healthy banana bread.

Katie Lolas, from Sydney, makes the snack with basic staples you're likely to have in the pantry such as milk, eggs, baking soda, vanilla essence, cinnamon and bananas.

The 35-year-old, whose fans have dubbed her the 'meal prepping queen', describes her take on the Australian classic as 'wholesome, healthy and delicious' - and it's so straightforward, anyone can make it.

Scroll down for video

Sydney schoolteacher Katie Lolas' healthy banana bread that's so simple, anyone can make it

Ms Lolas (pictured with her newborn) has been dubbed the 'queen of meal prepping'

She starts by preheating her oven to 180 degrees Celsius and lining a loaf tin with grease-proof baking paper.

Then, using a food processor, she grinds three cups of rolled oats into fine oat flour.

Ms Lolas, who has built an Instagram following of more than 163,000 by sharing her simple recipes for low-cost meals, then mashes three bananas with a third of a cup of maple syrup, two eggs, a quarter cup of milk and a dash of vanilla essence.

In a separate bowl, she mixes two teaspoons of cinnamon and a pinch of salt, baking soda and baking powder with the fine oat flour.

Once combined, Ms Lolas adds the wet ingredients to the dry and mixes thoroughly.

Ms Lolas (pictured) makes the snack with basic staples you're likely to have in the pantry such as milk, eggs, baking soda, vanilla essence, cinnamon and bananas

Ms Lolas describes the bread (pictured) as 'wholesome, healthy and delicious'

Next, she pours the mixture into her loaf tin and lays a half slice of banana flat along the top.

She bakes the bread for 45 to 50 minutes, checking it's fully cooked by sticking a toothpick into the middle.

The loaf is baked through when the toothpick pulls out clean.

Ms Lolas' recipe, which has racked up 1,185 'likes' since it was uploaded to Instagram on Tuesday, has drawn delighted responses.

'Yum! This looks delicious! Will definitely give it a go!' one woman replied.

'Saved this recipe, excited to try it,' said a second, while a third tagged her friend saying: 'This looks like a good banana bread.'

Ms Lolas (pictured) has built an Instagram following of more than 163,000 by sharing her simple recipes for low-cost, healthy meals

Katie's healthy banana bread recipe Ingredients * 3 cups rolled oats * 3 large bananas *  cup milk of choice *  cup maple syrup * 1 tsp vanilla essence * 2 eggs * 2 tsp cinnamon * Pinch of salt *  tsp baking soda * 1 tsp baking powder * 1 extra banana for decorating (optional) Method 1. Preheat oven to 180C and line a loaf pan. 2. Using a food processor grind 3 cups of rolled oats into fine oat flour. 3. In a large bowl, add mashed bananas, maple syrup, eggs, vanilla, milk and mix well. 4. In a separate bowl add cinnamon, salt, baking soda, and baking powder to oat flour and mix well. 5. Add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients and mix until combined. 6. Pour the mixture into your loaf pan. If using extra banana, slice down the middle and place on top of the mixture. 7. Bake oven for 45-50 mins or until you can insert a toothpick and it comes out clean. Source: Katie Lolas via Instagram Advertisement

Earlier this year, Ms Lolas delighted fans by sharing her five favourite meal prep recipes that can all be made in less than 30 minutes.

She started meal prepping 'years ago' because not only does it save her time and money, it also helped to manage her digestive issues like IBS.

Her top recipes include chilli and lime chicken tacos, veggie fritters with lemon dipping sauce, low-carb Mexican meatballs, mushroom, Bok Choy, garlic and ginger soup and lemon, Parmesan and broccoli pasta.

'For anyone else that might like to take the plunge this year, I thought I'd share some handy hints that have helped me with my prep,' Ms Lolas wrote on Instagram.

Earlier this year, Ms Lolas delighted fans by sharing her five favourite meal prep recipes that can all be made in less than 30 minutes - including chilli and lime chicken tacos

How to make Katie's chilli and lime chicken tacos Katie's chilli and lime chicken tacos pictured Serves four Ready in 25 minutes INGREDIENTS Chilli and lime chicken marinade: 500g chicken breast, diced 1 lime juice 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil 1 tsp honey 1 tsp salt 1 tsp chili powder  tsp paprika  tsp onion powder  tsp garlic powder  tsp cumin  tsp coriander  tsp ground black pepper Taco filling: 2 tsp olive oil 1 400g can corn kernels, rinsed 1 400g can black beans, rinsed 1 400g can red kidney beans, rinsed Salt and pepper to taste Optional garnishes: Avocado chunks Coriander Lime wedges Dressing: 1 Packet soft taco tortillas METHOD Step 1: Cook Chicken: In a medium-sized bowl, add the chicken and all marinade ingredients, mixing until well combined. Set a large non-stick pan over medium-high heat. Add a splash of olive oil and add the chicken, cooking for 5 minutes, or until golden brown on one side. Flip chicken and reduce heat to medium. Cook for approximately 5-8 minutes or until chicken is golden brown on each side and cooked through. Remove from heat and set aside. Step 2: Combine Filling Ingredients: In a medium bowl, combine drained and rinsed beans, corn, olive oil, adding salt and pepper to taste. Step 3. Make Dressing: In a small bowl add the yoghurt, lemon juice, lime juice, coriander, and mix well, adding salt to taste. Step 4: Assemble: Place chicken and filling in soft taco tortillas. Garnish with avocado chunks, dressing, and serve with lime wedges. If meal prepping, to preserve avocado, lightly spray with olive oil. Source: Katie Lolas Advertisement

In an interview with Daily Mail Australia, she said she saves money on meal prepping by buying as many cheap staples as possible.

'I purchase the majority of my staples like brown rice, quinoa, black beans and chickpeas from Aldi or opt for a Homebrand Woolies or Coles version,' she said.

'The quality, taste and nutritional value is always on par with the more expensive brands, so why not grab the less expensive option?

'Keeping your pantry stocked at all times is great too because you can create quick and easy meals using ingredients that you already have.'

Ms Lolas (pictured) saves money on meal prepping by buying as many cheap staples as possible

Ms Lolas said things like hummus, casseroles and soups are easy to make with long-life ingredients which also save you a lot of money.

She recommended planning meal prepping around sales and promotions found in supermarket catalogues before your weekly shop and picking recipes with fruits and seasonal vegetables to keep costs to a minimum.

'Vegetables that are in season include Asian greens like boy choy and Chinese broccoli, eggplant, kale, leeks, mushrooms and potatoes,' Ms Lolas said in January.

'Seasonal fruit includes grapes, apples, plums, avocados, pears, oranges, guava. These are plentiful and available at most local groceries for a competitive price.'

It's equally as important to choose recipes that can be frozen or will make enough food for the entire week, she added.
A leading financial advisor has revealed the four bad money habits that are costing you thousands of dollars - and how to break up with them right now.

The host of advisory podcast 'She's On The Money' Victoria Devine, from Melbourne, said there are many negative money routines we are stuck in, and often we don't acknowledge that they're bad for us because we choose not to think about them in that way.

'They say it takes 21 days to break a habit, because it takes you 21 days to clear your system and forget you used to do something daily or weekly,' Victoria said on a recent episode of her podcast.

'The first step to breaking a habit is to acknowledge that it's a habit and it's bad for you and not helping your finances. Then, you can change it.'

A leading financial advisor has revealed the four bad money habits that are costing you thousands of dollars - and how to break up with them right now (Victoria Devine pictured)

The first bad habit that millions fall into is mindless daily spending, whether it be a top on the way home from work that you don't need or a daily $4 oat milk latte (Victoria Devine pictured)

1. Mindless daily spending

The first bad habit that millions around the world have is mindless daily spending, whether it be buying a top on the way home from work that you don't need or purchasing a daily $4 oat milk latte.

'We are all guilty of mindless daily spending, even me,' Victoria said.

'Today, it was really easy to pick up a top that I liked and buy it because I didn't feel that it cost me much at $27.50 and there was a sale on.'

The best way to take charge of this habit is to look at your spending on a yearly scale, rather than daily, the financial expert said.

This will best show you how $30 here and there on clothes can quickly become $10,000 in 12 months.

'Think about things like buying lunch for $10 a day in the context of the week and then the year,' Victoria said.

'$50 a week becomes $2,600 a year. From little things, big things do grow.'

She said this is all cash that could be saved, invested or spent on a family holiday for four.

Try to look at the 'bigger picture' when saving money. You can also try thinking about purchases for 24 hours before you make them.

Victoria said if you're not taking your financial future seriously, this isn't good - this could mean not paying attention to your superannuation and burying your head in the sand (stock image)

2. Not taking your future seriously

The second bad habit the financial advisor sees among her clients is not taking your financial future seriously enough.

'If you're not investing, you should be,' Victoria said.

'You need to stop seeing your financial future as something you can start or deal with later. You need to have a plan now.'

One of the main ways we don't think about our future is not taking interest in and nurturing our superannuation accounts, Victoria said.

'A lot of people don't take their super very seriously because they don't see it as their money in front of them,' she explained.

'But if you don't like how it's being invested, you need to change how it is.

'Your super is your money. The sooner you think about this, the better your financial future will be.'

Victoria is extremely against buy now, pay later schemes, and said they are often a 'trap' for many men and women (stock image)

3. Using buy now, pay later schemes

Victoria is extremely against buy now, pay later schemes, and said they are often a 'trap' for many men and women.

'Lots of people do use these services for constructive reasons and balancing their cash flow - I'm not talking to those people - but there are also plenty who buy things they can't afford with money they don't have,' she said.

'For these people, things like Afterpay are just another line of credit.'

The financial adviser said the worst thing about buy now, pay later schemes is that they are a slippery slope for people who struggle with their money anyway.

You could also end up paying back fees on the money you've borrowed.

Victoria said you should re-think using these platforms if you do, and be armed with the knowledge that you need to be careful.

She highlighted that people under 35 are using buy now, pay later more than any other demographic, and one in five people don't pay off their bills.

If you can avoid them and organise your finances differently, then do it.

'They say it takes 21 days to break a habit, because it takes you 21 days to clear your system and forget you used to do something daily or weekly,' Victoria (pictured) said

4. Keeping your head buried in the sand

Finally, if you think you're guilty of keeping your head buried in the sand instead of facing your financial fears head first, Victoria said you should stop right now.

'A lot of people think finances are related to dread and worry, but understanding your money story and how you spend and save is key to financial success,' she said.

Start paying attention to how and why you spend right now, instead of waiting to settle a loan or pay off a car, and then assuming you'll start.

To find out more about Victoria Devine, please visit her Instagram profile here.
A mum has shown how she cleaned the underside of her filthy Le Creuset frying pan after 30 years of char buildup.

The Australian woman, called Carolyn, posted on Facebook looking for help, where she was inundated with suggestions from other home cleaners including bi-carbonate of soda, salt and vinegar-soaked paper towel.

The winning solution was a $3.50 Easy-Off Bam Oven Cleaner from Woolworths, which Carolyn sprayed on her Le Creuset pan before putting it in a plastic bag for five hours.

BEFORE: A mum has revealed how she cleaned the underside of her filthy Le Creuset frying pan after 30 years of char buildup

AFTER: The winning solution was a $3.50 Easy-Off Bam Oven Cleaner from Woolworths, which Carolyn sprayed on her Le Creuset pan before putting it in a plastic bag for five hours

The mum wrote on Facebook: 'Any thoughts on how to clean the underside of my Le Creuset fry pan!

'It's originally red - you can see a glimmer of that! It's my favourite frying pan, but I want to make her look pretty again.'

After hundreds of people left suggestions and Carolyn said she tried the salt, bicarbonate soda and vinegar-soaked paper towel method, as well as scraping it with a 'sharp paring knife', she found the 'real winner'.

'I sprayed on the oven cleaner and put it in a plastic bag for about five hours - amazing!' she wrote.

'There are still some black bits to get rid of. But it looks great for not too much effort. Thanks for all the suggestions.'

Many suggested alternative methods like vinegar-soaked paper towel, salt and bicarbonate soda, but the oven cleaner and plastic bag (pictured) worked best

Hundreds of people who saw the Le Creuset transformation were impressed and said they never knew you could completely clear up your pots and pans:

'My blue one is like yours and still cooks perfectly!' one commenter wrote.

'I am too lazy at the moment, but might try the oven cleaner method soon.'

Another added: 'Oven cleaner is so good. And I'm so glad you didn't bin it. Do people know how much these things cost?'

Previously, Melbourne mum Chantel Mila (pictured) shared how she deep cleans her oven while she sleeps, and you only need four ingredients

'To clean your oven while you sleep, you'll need 1/2 cup of baking soda, one tablespoon of dish soap and water,' Chantel posted (pictured in action)

Previously, Melbourne mum Chantel Mila shared how she deep cleans her oven while she sleeps, and you only need four ingredients.

Chantel Mila posted on TikTok, where she said the method is 'oven cleaning made easy'.

'To clean your oven while you sleep, you'll need 1/2 cup of baking soda, one tablespoon of dish soap and water,' Chantel posted.

Combine these three ingredients until you have a 'smooth paste' that is easy to spread.

'Apply a thin layer to your oven and leave it on overnight,' Chantel said.

The next morning, simply find a cloth and wipe down the surfaces, taking care to remove the paste and focusing on any difficult areas.

You should follow this by spraying your oven with white vinegar, which will help to remove any 'residue' or grease.
The model granddaughter of Australia's late 'Cardboard King' Richard Pratt has announced her engagement by showing off her striking ring on Instagram.

Georgia Geminder, who is the eldest daughter of billionaire packaging magnates Raphael and Fiona Geminder, the nation's third-richest woman, on Wednesday revealed she 'said yes' to her investment director boyfriend, Matthew Danos.

'Last night was a dream. With my dream man. Love you forever,' the 27-year-old wrote in the caption of two loved-up selfies.

They show the couple wrapped in each other's arms, beaming and sharing a kiss as the Melbourne socialite flashes an enormous rectangular diamond on her left hand.

Georgia Geminder (pictured), the model granddaughter of Australia's late 'Cardboard King' Richard Pratt, has announced her engagement

Ms Geminder (pictured with her investment director fiance, Matthew Danos) beams as she flashes an enormous rectangular diamond on her left hand

The 27-year-old (right) said she would love Mr Danos (left) forever

Well wishes quickly flooded in from Australia's elite, with celebrity stylist Lana Wilkinson and WNBA star Liz Cambage among those sending congratulations.

Ms Geminder's Rich Lister mother Fiona owns cardboard giant Visy and is worth a reported $3.4billion, while her dad Raphael - who is also on Forbes Rich List - has a 40 percent share in plastics manufacturer, Pact.

Her grandfather Richard Pratt, an immigrant born in Poland whose family fled to Australia months before the German invasion, was a leading figure in Melbourne society until his death on April 29, 2009.

Ms Geminder, a former Australian Grand Prix ambassador, spent seven years modelling in Australia, London and Los Angeles before quitting the industry to create a non-toxic toothpaste brand in 2020.

Ms Geminder (left) is the eldest daughter of Rich Listers Raphael and Fiona Geminder, who is Australia's third-richest woman, and the granddaughter of the late Richard Pratt (right)

Ms Geminder (pictured) spent seven years modelling in Australia, London and Los Angeles before quitting the industry to create a non-toxic toothpaste brand in 2020

In 2020 she launched Gem, a clean beauty company specialising in oral care that replaces chemicals with natural ingredients.

Her new fiance, Matthew Danos, is the managing director of James Richardson Investments, part of a furniture, hospitality, real estate and retail corporation headquartered in Melbourne's north.

The company is best known for its duty-free outlets in airports and border crossings across Australia and the Middle East.

James Richardson is a household name in Israel thanks to its multiple stores in Ben Gurion airport.
Martin Lewis has revealed the exact steps to take if you suspect you're the victim of a phone scam.

The money-saving expert from Manchester appeared on Lorraine today and claimed the 'absolute epidemic of scams in the UK', particularly since the outbreak of the pandemic, is a 'major problem'.

He warned that people with mental health problems are more than three times more likely to be victims of scams, but many who aren't considered 'vulnerable' can easily fall for these 'sophisticated' cons.

Martin also called for greater policing of fraud, which he cited as the biggest crime in the UK.

Martin Lewis has revealed the exact steps to take if you suspect you're the victim of a phone scam

'It is about time that we took the epidemic of scams in this country that destroy people's financial and mental health a bit more seriously,' he told Lorraine.

The host revealed she recently received a text purportedly from Royal Mail saying she owed 2.99 postage for a letter - a common scam that has been doing the rounds across the country.

Martin warned these postal delivery scams are 'very dangerous' because we get so many deliveries during the pandemic.

'Lots of people are falling for that; you're busy, you're stressed, they just put their details in and pay,' he said.

Martin also called for greater policing of fraud, which he cited as the biggest crime in the UK while appearing on Lorraine today

Lorraine revealed she recently received a text purportedly from Royal Mail saying she owed 2.99 postage for a letter - a common postal scam that has been doing the rounds

'The theft isn't the money, there's a little bit of money that you're paying, but what you're giving away is all your details when you do that, that's the danger.

'And if you fall for that, expect a call from someone from your "bank" telling you your account has been hacked and scammed and you need to transfer money across and don't talk to the people at the bank because they're in on it, and they do this whole scam that is trying to take a lot of money.'

Martin Lewis' steps to take if you think you're being phone scammed If you get called by your bank and they express urgency and ask for password details, hang up

After hanging up, look up your bank's number yourself and call them back on a different phone

Call a friend to see if they are holding onto the line

Wait for an hour before calling your bank back

Contact Citizens Advice Scams action if you think you're being scammed. Advertisement

If you have been a victim of a scam, Martin claimed 'very little' will happen if you call Action Fraud, the police fraud helpline for scams, because the organisation is 'monumentally underfunded' and 'does not deliver'.

'We don't police it well enough - we've got the Online Harms Bill going through Parliament, the Online Safety Bill, and the government for some reason has excluded scam adverts from it,' he raged.

'We do have an epidemic [of scams], you have to be absolutely watchful, you have to be wary, question everything unless it's from an absolutely trusted source.'

Martin outlined 'signals' to look out for and steps to take if you believe you are being targetted by scammers to prevent being conned.

'I wouldn't trust any online ads, especially those on search engines and social media, especially with celebrity faces in them, definitely not with mine in because I don't do any of them,' he explained.

'If your bank calls you up and tells you that there's an urgency, just a few signals that you have to understand.

'If they pressure you, if they say it's urgent, if they say you can't tell anyone else, those are massive signs that someone is trying to scam you.

'If you see an investment ad that says put in 250 and they call you and say "It's going well but you're going to need to put more money in", you're being scammed on the back of that.

'If you get called up by your bank and asked for your password details. If you're not sure it's your bank, or they call you up in urgency, you put the phone down, you go and find the number yourself, and this is important, call them back on a different phone, call them back on your mobile if they called your landline, call them back on your landline if they called your mobile.

'Wait for an hour or two, call another friend first, because even if you put the phone down and dial a new number, they could be holding on that line for you to pick it up and fake a dial tone.

'If you then call your best friend and say "Just want to check" and they say, "Hello, Barclay's bank", well you know that you're being scammed. Have your wits about you. Citizens Advice Scams action is there for you if you think you're being scammed.'
The royal family has enjoyed a bountiful few years when it comes to new additions to the Windsor - but it does make choosing a name a little harder.

Princess Beatrice and her husband Edo Mapelli Mozzi are expecting their first child together, they announced via Buckingham Palace announced this morning, with royal watchers already speculating on their choice for a name.

The Queen's granddaughter, 32, who tied the knot with the Italian property developer in September 2020, are expecting the baby in autumn 2021.

Sarah - the name of Beatrice's mother Sarah Ferguson - is leading as bookies' favourite with Betfair putting it at 8/1 if the little one is a girl, while Ladbrokes have Florence at 4/1, perhaps a tribute to Edo's Italian roots.

If the new baby is a boy, Philip is the most likely choice, also at 8/1 as Beatrice may pay tribute to her grandfather who died earlier this year, aged 99.

Princess Beatrice and her husband Edo Mapelli Mozzi are expecting their first child together, they announced via Buckingham Palace announced this morning, with royal watchers already speculating on their choice for a name. If the new baby is a boy, Philip is a likely choice as Beatrice may pay tribute to her grandfather who died earlier this year, aged 99. Philip and the Queen are pictured at the couple's wedding in January

The couple tied the knot in a surprise secret wedding at the Royal Chapel of All Saints, in the grounds of Prince Andrew and Sarah Ferguson's home of Royal Lodge, in Windsor Great Park on 25 September 2020.

The moniker would also follow in the tradition of the two latest royal great-grandchildren.

In February, Beatrice's sister Eugenie and her husband Jack Brooksbank welcomed August Philip Hawke Brooksbank, while their cousin Zara and her husband Mike Tindall also welcomed a boy, Lucas Philip Tindall earlier this year.

Betfair's odds on names for baby Mapelli Mozzi Boys Philip: 8/1 Marco: 11/1 Oliver: 12/1 Arthur: 14/1 Andrew: 14/1 Henry: 16/1 Alessandro: 16/1 Thomas: 20/1 Edward: 20/1 Luca: 20/1 Albert: 25/1 Giovanni: 25/1 William: 33/1 Charles: 401 Edmund: 40/1 Girls Sarah: 8/1 Anna: 10/1 Emily: 10/1 Mary: 11/1 Edith: 12/1 Maria: 12/1 Fiona: 14/1 Laura: 14/1 Rosa: 14/1 Victoria: 16/1 Grace: 18/1 Sofia: 20/1 Eugenie: 25/1 Isabella: 25/1 Nicola: 33/1 Advertisement

Bookies have also speculated that Prince Harry and Meghan Markle will call their daughter Philippa in tribute to the Duke of Edinburgh, with odds slashed to 3/1.

Like Lucas, August, and Archie, the new baby won't have a title as only grandchildren of the monarch's are given HRH monikers.

Her baby boy or girl will be born 11th in line to the throne, and although their mother is a princess they will be plain Master or Miss Mozzi - and will also be a half-sibling and will also be a half-sibling to Edo's son, Wolfie.

For a girl, other names are speculating for baby Mapelli Mozzi could be Lily, a tribute to the Queen, whose nickname was 'Lilibet' as a young princess.

The nickname was given to Her Majesty as a child and is used by her closest family members, including the late Duke of Edinburgh throughout their 73-year marriage.

Other names such as Anna (10/1) and Emily (10/1) remain solid choices, while Grace (18/1) and Alexandria have also been speculated.

The baby will be the second grandchild for Prince Andrew and Sarah Ferguson, and will be the Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh's eleventh great-grandchild - being born shortly after Baby Sussex.

However, the pair may opt for names with Edo's Italian roots. While Alexandria or Alexander is a traditional name for royal babies, its possible the couple will put an Italian twist on it and name their child Alessandro, after Edo's father, an Olympic skier - which is currently at 16/1.

Marco, is also among the favourites according to Betfair, at 11/1, while Albert - a variation of Edo's brother Alby is also on the list at 25/1.

If the new baby is a boy, Philip is a likely choice as Beatrice may pay tribute to her grandfather who died earlier this year, aged 99. The moniker would also follow in the tradition of the two latest royal great-grandchildren. Beatrice and Edo are pictured at Philip's funeral

Prince Philip's granddaughters Princess Eugenie and Zara Tindall both paid tribute to their beloved grandfather by naming their newborn sons after him. Princess Eugenie and husband Jack Brooksbank, who married in October 2018, named their first child, a son born in February, August Philip Hawke Brooksbank. Pictured, the couple with their son in an Instagram snap

A month later her cousin Zara Tindall and her husband Mike welcomed a boy, Lucas Philip Tindall. Pictured, the couple. They have not yet shared a photo of their son

Ladbrokes odds for baby Mapeli Mozzi Florence - 4/1 Arabella - 5/1 Cecilia - 6/1 Isabella - 14/1 Emmeline - 13/2 Madeleine - 13/2 Ottilie - 10/1 Clementine - 7/1 Clementine - 8/1 Allegra - 10/1 Marina - 12/1 Rose - 12/1 Gabriella - 12/1 Nicola - 12/1 Phoebe - 16/1 Ophelia - 20/1 Summer - 20/1 Autumn - 25/1 Winter - 33/1 Theodore - 9/2 Julius - 6/1 Francesco - 6/1 Hugo - 10/1 Benedict - 10/1 Alexander - 12/1 Giovanna - 12/1 Tarquin - 12/1 Rupert - 12/1 Alfonso - 14/1 Edoardo - 14/1 Teddy - 14/1 Abraham - 16/1 Alberto - 16/1 Humphrey - 16/1 Horatio - 25/1 Quentin - 25/1 Xavier - 25/1 Barnaby - 33/1 Nathaniel - 33/1 Axel - 33/1 Rafferty - 33/1 Advertisement

Edo's first son, who he shares with ex-fiancee Dara Huang, is called Christopher Woolf, and known affectionately as 'Woolfie'.

He may have been named after Christopher Shale, a former Conservative MP and Edo's stepfather, who died five years before Woolfie was born.

Diana may also be an option, as it's Edo's mother's middle name, and the name of Beatrice's aunt.

His mother is Nicola 'Nikki' Williams-Ellis, was born Nicola Diana Burrows.

Ladbrokes have put Theodore (9/2) as the early favourites in the betting, while Arabella is a 5/1 shot, with Cecilia (6/1), Julius (6/1) and Francesco (6/1) also close behind.

Other choices include traditional names with an Italian twist, including Isabella, Arabella, Ottilie, Gabriella and Ophelia.

For a boy Ladbrokes rate Julius, Francesco, Benedict and Alexander as popular choices.

Alex Apati of Ladbrokes told FEMAIL: 'The latest odds suggest Princess Beatrice and husband Edoardo will opt for a traditional name with a nod to the latter's Italian roots, and as things stand it's Florence and Theodore leading the way in the betting.'
Senior members of the Windsor family will have to shuffle a little further away from the throne after a royal lockdown baby boom.

The news this morning that Princess Beatrice and her husband Edo Mapelli Mozzi, who tied the knot in September last year, are expecting their first child together sees the order of succession adjusted once again.

The arrival of Princess Eugenie and Jack Brooksbank's son, August, in February saw the order change, with Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's Valentine's Day pregnancy announcement again altering the line. Zara Tindall gave birth in March but son Lucas' arrival hasn't affected the more senior succession line.

While the first seven places remain unmoved, Baby Mapelli Mozzi will now take the 11th succession spot while Baby Sussex, the second child of Harry and Meghan, due to be born this summer, is set to be eighth in line to the throne.

Beatrice, 32, and Italian property developer Edo will welcome the latest addition to the Windsor family in the autumn.

Despite being born to a princess and being 11th in line to the throne, the baby boy or girl won't get a royal title because only grandchildren of the monarch are entitled.

Instead, it's likely the child will be simply Master or Miss Mozzi - and will also be a half-sibling to Edo's son, Wolfie.

Scroll down for video

Princess Beatrice and her husband Edo Mapelli Mozzi are expecting their first child in the autumn; the couple's baby will be 11th in line to the throne. The line of succession has already changed twice this year following the birth of Princess Eugenie's son August and the prospect of a second child for Prince Harry and Meghan Markle

How the order of succession now looks: Baby Mapelli Mozzi will take the 11th spot on the line, bumping up Princess Eugenie to 12th in line. The arrival of a sibling for Archie Mountbatten-Windsor this summer will also nudge family members including Prince Andrew and Prince Beatrice along. Zara Tindall, 40, gave birth to her third child, son Lucas, in March but the most senior order is unaffected by his arrival

The Queen has been informed and both families are delighted with the news, Buckingham Palace announced this morning

The couple tied the knot in a surprise secret wedding at the Royal Chapel of All Saints, in the grounds of Prince Andrew and Sarah Ferguson's home of Royal Lodge, in Windsor Great Park on 25 September 2020.

Princess Eugenie's son with financier Jack Brooksbank, August, started the bumper year for regal births with his arrival on February 9th at London's Portland Hospital.

Zara Tindall then gave birth to new son Lucas, weighing 8lbs 4oz, in March. Zara and husband Mike, 42, also have daughters Mia, seven, and Lena, two.

In California, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are currently anticipating the birth of their second child.

The baby, a sibling for Archie Mountbatten-Windsor, two, was already set to nudge senior family members two seats further from the throne and Princess Beatrice's happy news today sees that places shuffled once more.

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex's second child will become eighth in line to the throne despite being born a US citizen after the couple moved to LA to quit royal life.

Princess Eugenie pictured with baby August shortly after his birth in February (pictured together with husband Jack Brooksbank). August is currently 13th in line to the throne

Princess Eugenie pictured with August when he was just a month old, and husband Jack

The first seven places in the line of succession will remain unchanged - the Prince of Wales, the Duke of Cambridge, Prince George, Princess Charlotte, Prince Louis, Harry, and Archie Mountbatten-Windsor.

However, when Harry and Meghan's new addition arrives, the Duke of York, who was born second in line in 1960, will move down to ninth place.

Andrew stopped carrying out royal duties in 2019 following his controversial Newsnight interview over his friendship with convicted paedophile Jeffrey Epstein.

When Harry and Meghan's new addition - due this summer - arrives, the Duke of York, who was born second in line in 1960, will move down to ninth place in the order of succession

The baby boy or girl will enter the line of succession behind older brother Archie (pictured with Harry and Meghan in 2019) who will be two in May

Zara Tindall, 40, gave birth to her third child, son Lucas, in March, which puts him 25th in line to the throne (Zara Tindall and Mike Tindall at Cheltenham Racecourse in March 2020)

Philip or Sarah? Betfair's odds on names for baby Mapelli Mozzi Boys Philip: 8/1 Marco: 11/1 Oliver: 12/1 Arthur: 14/1 Andrew: 14/1 Henry: 16/1 Alessandro: 16/1 Thomas: 20/1 Edward: 20/1 Luca: 20/1 Albert: 25/1 Giovanni: 25/1 William: 33/1 Charles: 401 Edmund: 40/1 Girls Sarah: 8/1 Anna: 10/1 Emily: 10/1 Mary: 11/1 Edith: 12/1 Maria: 12/1 Fiona: 14/1 Laura: 14/1 Rosa: 14/1 Victoria: 16/1 Grace: 18/1 Sofia: 20/1 Eugenie: 25/1 Isabella: 25/1 Nicola: 33/1

Advertisement

Princess Beatrice pictured with her husband Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi enjoying lunch al Fresco with a friend in Notting Hill, West London on 9 May

Harry and Meghan's new baby will not be entitled to be an HRH nor be a prince or a princess due to rules set out more than 100 years ago by George V.

He or she is allowed to be a Lord or a Lady, but, in keeping with Harry and Meghan's wishes, will be a plain Master, like Archie, or Miss (first name) Mountbatten-Windsor instead.

As the first-born son of a duke, Archie could have become Earl of Dumbarton - one of Harry's subsidiary titles - or been Lord Archie Mountbatten-Windsor.

Beatrice and Edo's baby will be the second grandchild for Prince Andrew and Sarah Ferguson, and will be the Queen and the late Duke of Edinburgh's eleventh great-grandchild - being born shortly after Baby Sussex.

Baby Mapelli Mozzi will now take the 11th spot on the line, bumping up his future aunt, Princess Eugenie, to the 12th spot.
Queen Letizia of Spain made a serious fashion statement today, donning a chic white jumpsuit with frill detailing for an event in Madrid.

The mother-of-two, 48, joined her husband King Felipe VI to open the International Tourism Trade Fair at the Ifema congress centre in the Spanish capital.

Donning a 116 fitted all-in-one suit with elaborate flamenco-esque ruffles lining the sleeves which she accessorised with a black waisted belt, the Spanish royal turned heads as she and her husband toured the premises.

The event, which takes place annually in Madrid, was organised with extreme caution and heightened health and safety measures this year due to the ongoing pandemic.

Queen Letizia of Spain, 48, right, joined her husband King Felipe VI, left, today to open the International Tourism Trade Fair at the Ifema congress centre in Madrid

The Spanish Queen opted for a white jumpsuit with stylish frill detailing on the sleeves which she teamed with black shoes and accessories, while her husband looked sharp in grey (pictured)

Wearing a white face mask to match her outfit, in-keeping with Spain's rules regarding coronavirus, the queen strutted through the conference centre next to her husband.

Letizia is known for her love of High Street fashion, and her 116 white denim cotton jumpsuit was from Spanish brand the I-Q Collection.

Adding some typical Letizia flair to the jumpsuit, she opted for Manolo Blahnik heels and a black leather Nina Ricci handbag with a silver chain handle to complete the look.

Favouring discreet jewellery, she wore studded diamond earrings and no necklace, preferring to focus the attention on her favourite Karen Hallam ring.

The couple, who share two daughters, were spotted having an animated discussion during the event

Spanish Tourism Minister Reyes Maroto, left, and Madrid's regional President Isabel Diaz Ayuso, second right, accompanied the royal couple

Melilla's Councilor of Economy and Social Policies and President of the Tourist Board Mohamed Mohamed Mohand, left, met with Felipe VI and Letizia at the event

The queen's dark locks where styled straight into a neat blow-dry which she pushed behind her shoulders and she kept her make-up natural, with just a touch of bronzer to compliment her natural glow and some mascara and eye-shadow adding a touch of drama.

King Felipe VI also looked smart in a grey suit with a white shirt and beige tie.

The couple were seen chatting animatedly as they watched dancers perform a show to mark the opening of the fair.

They were accompanied by Spain's Tourism Minister, Reyes Maroto, and Madrid's regional President Isabel Diaz Ayuso.

The royal couple observed traditional dancers perform during the annual event's opening today

The fair, which takes place every year, hopes to revitalise the country's tourism sector after the coronavirus pandemic.

Security measures were heightened and the number of attendees restricted ahead of the event in order to protect against the spread of Covid-19.

The fair usually hosts business from several countries but capacity was reduced this year due to the pandemic.

On Monday, Letizia donned a recycled pink floral gown to host the 2020 Spanish Research Prizes ceremony at El Pardo Palace, in Madrid.

Created in 1982, the awards honour Spanish researchers who are carrying out outstanding work in scientific fields internationally.

During the performance, Queen Letizia and King Felipe VI were seen chatting animatedly, with the king leaning in to listen to his wife, pictured

Letizia debuted the outfit in November 2019 for the 200th anniversary of the Prado Museum and most recently wore the garment in February last year at Zarzuela Palace in Madrid.

The royal couple attended the annual ceremony celebrating innovators in the fields of medicine, biology, engineering, social sciences and humanities and posed for photos with winners of the accolade.

The award ceremony, known in Spain as the Premios Nacionales De Investigacion was created in 1982 and the couple met with Spanish Science and Innovation Minister Pedro Duque.
Prince Charles and Camilla looked jovial today as they met traders in an open air market in Bangor, Northern Ireland.

The Prince of Wales, 72, sported his signature pinstriped suit and looked delighted to meet well-wishers in the town as he set aside any concerns arising from his son Prince Harry's explosive string of interviews with US broadcasters.

The couple were greeted by local schoolchildren from Bangor Central Integrated Primary School and Bangor Central Nursery School as they arrived in the seaside town on Wednesday.

Prince Charles and Camilla continued business as usual today as they met traders in an open air market in Bangor, Northern Ireland

The Prince of Wales, 72, sported his signature pinstriped suit and looked delighted to meet well-wishers in the town as he set aside any concerns arising from his son Prince Harry's explosive string of interviews with US broadcasters

The Duchess of Cornwall during a visit to Bangor Market where she walked around and meeting stall holders at the open-air market

They were welcomed by the Mayor of Ards and North Down, Trevor Cummings, before taking time to talk to the children and a large number of well-wishers who had gathered.

They then toured the town's market, which is in its 97th year, and met with various stallholders while inspecting the range of locally sourced produce on sale.

Charles heard about how the local council has restored the site and spoke to several stall holders about their products.

Earlier in the day Charles and Camilla met with staff at Hillsborough Castle and signed the visitors' book before leaving.

Prince Charles inspects produce from a fishmonger at the local market as he tours Northern Ireland

Charles heard about how the local council has restored the site and spoke to several stall holders about their products

Camilla kept her hair in a loose blowdry as she sported an emerald green coat, knee length black boots and a black jacket for the day out.

The royal couple are on the final day of their Northern Ireland visit.

The Prince of Wales later travelled to the harbour town of Donaghadee.

Charles viewed stones that line the harbour walls that are decorated with messages of hope.

They were left by members of the public during the Covid-19 pandemic and became a local attraction.

Charles also met with the crew of the lifeboat that is based at the picturesque Co Down harbour.

No ruff days! Prince of Wales pets a dog in the Bangor as he arrives to view stones which line the Donaghadee Harbour walls and were decorated with messages of hope by local people during the pandemic

Prince of Wales unveils a plaque to commemorate the Bicentenary of the Royal Charter of Donaghadee Harbour and the laying of the harbour's foundation stone

He then unveiled a plaque on the harbour front to commemorate the bicentenary of the Royal Charter of Donaghadee Harbour and the laying of the harbour's foundation stone.

The prince then embarked on an impromptu walkabout to greet some of the hundreds of people who gathered on the seafront to welcome the heir to the throne.

He elbow-bumped several well-wishers as he stopped to speak to local people.

Cheerful Charles! Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall meeting well wishers during a visit to Bangor Market

On Tuesday they undertook a series of engagements and Charles hailed 'tireless work' for reconciliation in Belfast.

Charles also followed in his late father's footsteps by visiting the Harland and Wolff shipyard and became the first member of the royal family in recent history to visit South Armagh.

The royal couple also met First Minister Arlene Foster at Hillsborough Castle.

They then toured the town's market, which is in its 97th year, and met with various stallholders while inspecting the range of locally sourced produce on sale. Charles is pictured meeting wellwishers

Charles sported his signature pinstriped suit to talk to wellwishes in Northern Ireland today

In her final engagement, the duchess visited the Horses for People centre in Co Down.

Camilla met with the founder of the centre, June Burgess, and heard about equine-assisted therapy.

She then met with staff members, as well as people undertaking the courses, and viewed the horses on the site.

The duchess also watched a demonstration in the lunging pen and saw a horse being shod before she left the centre.

In her final engagement, the duchess visited the Horses for People centre in County Down

Camilla met with the founder of the centre, June Burgess, and heard about equine-assisted therapy

She then met with staff members, as well as people undertaking the courses, and viewed the horses on the site

The duchess, pictured with staff at the centre, also watched a demonstration in the lunging pen and saw a horse being shod before she left the centre.

On Wednesday afternoon, the Prince of Wales visited the Co Tyrone village of Caledon.

On arrival, Charles waved to construction workers watching down from scaffolding on Mill Street as he toured the village.

He viewed the sites of development projects and also met with local community groups, including coaches and members of Caledon Rovers football club.

As he left the football club, local schoolgirl Daisy McCoy presented his Royal Highness with a bunch of flowers.

On Wednesday afternoon, the Prince of Wales visited the Co Tyrone village of Caledon and its local football club

Prince of Wales greet chairman Kevin O'Connor (left) at Caledon Rovers Fc during his visit to Caledon where he viewed the sites of upcoming development projects around the village

Charles is seen at the Church Hall at St. John's during his visit to Caledon where he viewed the sites of upcoming development projects

As he left the football club, local schoolgirl Daisy McCoy presented his Royal Highness with a bunch of flowers.

The Prince of Wales speaks to Nicola Morton and her 4 month old daughter Evie during his visit to Caledon where he viewed the sites of upcoming development projects around the village

The Prince of Wales with Lord Caledon (left) during his visit to Caledon where he viewed the sites of upcoming development projects around the village

He then travelled to view the refurbished church hall at St John's church.

On arrival, he chatted with two young mothers who brought their babies down to see the royal visitor.

Prior to departure, he unveiled a plaque in the church hall to commemorate his visit.

In keeping with royal visits to Northern Ireland, details were not released in advance and the itinerary was not disclosed for security reasons.

Camilla kept her hair in a loose blowdry as she sported an emerald green coat, knee length black boots and a black jacket for the day out.

Adding a pretty detail, the Duchess of Cornwall styled it with a white frilly shirt while Charles picked a pale blue tie ans striped pocket square.

Prince Charles, Prince of Wales speaks with stall holders as he visits Bangor open air market

It comes as Prince Harry and Meghan celebrate their third wedding anniversary today, with royal accounts staying quiet.

Yesterday, the royal couple were welcomed to the City Hall by Lord Mayor Frank McCoubrey, with Charles offering his signature namaste greeting in favour of a handshake.

The royal couple chatted with staff as they learned about the rich and varied history of the city, and made sure to sign the visitor's book. Charles later travelled to Hillsborough Castle, the residence of the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, and posed for official photos with Brandon Lewis and First Minister Arlene Foster.

The Prince of Wales, donning a blue suit with a white shirt and a jolly dog-themed tie, met with local historians and discussed the centenary of Northern Ireland, while Camilla heard about Belfast's ambition to become a Unesco City of Music, and was introduced to the women's steering group behind the bid.

Hip hip hooray! A supporter holds a flag as they cheer on Charles in the market town

Easy as pie! Charles and Camilla look delighted as they inspect a market traders cake selection

Can I say hello! Prince Charles looks at a dog as he chats to wellwishers in the market town

The Duchess of Cornwall during a visit to Bangor Market where she walked around and meeting stall holders at the open-air market

Later the prince paid tribute to the 'inspiring' efforts of youth workers to bring about reconciliation in Northern Ireland during a speech at the Education Authority in Belfast city centre.

It comes as Prince Harry and Meghan celebrate their third wedding anniversary today, with royal accounts staying quiet following the couple string of vocal public criticisms of The Firm.

Sources say that Prince Harry's brutal criticism of his upbringing echoes details once shared by a younger Prince Charles in a biography about his own unhappy childhood.

It comes as Prince Harry and Meghan celebrate their third wedding anniversary today, with royal accounts staying quiet following the couple string of vocal public criticisms of The Firm

The Duke of Sussex, 36, faced a backlash from Royal aides on Monday after they claimed he had shown a 'woeful lack of compassion' for his family by implying Prince Charles and the Queen had failed him as a child.

Speaking to Dax Shepard, host of the 'Armchair Expert' podcast, Prince Harry said that his father had treated him 'the way he was treated', with Harry asking himself 'so how can I change that for my own kids?'.

The Duke then went on to add that he and Meghan, the Duchess of Sussex, had made the move to the US to 'break the cycle' of 'genetic pain' he had experienced growing up.

Senior palace aides told The Mail on Sunday of a growing sense of 'bewilderment and betrayal', and even called for the Duke and Duchess of Sussex to give up their titles following Prince Harry's latest 'disgraceful' assault on the Royal Family.

Royal courtiers also claimed the Prince had shown a 'woeful lack of compassion' and 'thrown others under the bus' during the latest podcast interview.
Advertisement

The Duchess of Cambridge said now is a good time to visit the UK's art galleries and museums because they are not 'full of tourists' as she visited the V&A on a bumper day of royal news and engagements.

Kate, 39, who studied art history at university and is royal patron of the V&A, viewed two new exhibitions as the London museum opened its doors to the public for the first since December.

The royal debuted a new 1,565 houndstooth dress from favourite designer Alessandra Rich on the solo outing, accessorising with a pair of 550 Jennifer Chamandi suede pumps and a black clutch bag.

Giving a masterclass in daytime glamour, Kate wore her bouncy brunette locks swept over one shoulder and finished the look with delicate gold necklaces and 17 earrings from & Other Stories.

Speaking to staff at the end of the visit she said: 'I think people have been craving beauty and inspiration. It's going to be a good time to visit museums and galleries as they are not full of tourists coming in.'

She added: 'I am very glad to be here today as we have had to cancel three previous visits because of COVID, so it's nice to be here.'

The visit came as Prince Charles and the Duchess of Cornwall continued their tour of Northern Ireland and the Queen hosted a virtual audience via videolink from Windsor Castle.

Meanwhile Prince William's cousin Princess Beatrice announced she is expecting her first child with Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi this autumn. It is also the Duke and Duchess of Sussex's third wedding anniversary.

Royal patron: Kate Middleton, 39, who studied art history at university, viewed two new exhibitions as the London museum opened its doors to the public for the first time this year. Pictured, with V&A director Tristram Hunt

The Duchess firstly visited the museums Raphael Court, home to the Raphael Cartoons, which reopened today following a nine-month refurbishment to mark the 500th anniversary of the artists death

The royal opted for a 1,565 houndstooth dress from favourite designer Alessandra Rich for the solo outing, accessorising with a pair of classic pumps and a clutch bag. She was given a tour by V&A director Tristram Hunt, a former Labour MP

Kate also visited the V&As landmark 2021 exhibition Alice: Curiouser and Curiouser, ahead of its opening this weekend

The Duchess of Cambridge was given a tour of the museum by director and former Labour MP Tristram Hunt.

Her first stop was the museums Raphael Court, home to the Raphael Cartoons, which reopened today following a nine-month refurbishment to mark the 500th anniversary of the artists death.

A set of seven full-scale designs for tapestry painted by Raphael, the Cartoons were commissioned in 1515 by Pope Leo X for the Vaticans Sistine Chapel and are considered to be one of the greatest treasures of the Renaissance.

During the visit, Her Royal Highness heard more about how the refreshed gallery and its new interpretive approach will transform the way visitors experience the Raphael Cartoons.

The Cartoons have been lent to the V&A from the Royal Collection by Her Majesty The Queen.

The highlight of her visit, however was the V&A's landmark 2021 exhibition Alice: Curiouser and Curiouser, which finally opens this weekend after being postponed from last year.

Featuring over 300 objects spanning film, performance, fashion, art, music and photography, the exhibition will allow visitors to delve into the origins, adaptations and reinventions of Alice in Wonderland over 158 years.

The immersive exhibition makes the V&A the first museum to fully explore the cultural impact of the book and its ongoing inspiration for leading creatives, from Salvador Dali and Yayoi Kusama to The Beatles and Vivienne Westwood.

Daytime glamour: The Duchess of Cambridge wore her brunette locks swept over one shoulder

Passionate: The Duchess of Cambridge chatted with Tristram Hunt as he gave her a tour of the V&A today

Kate views the Alice: Curiouser and Curiouser exhibition at the V&A. Featuring over 300 objects spanning film, performance, fashion, art, music and photography, the exhibition will allow visitors to delve into the origins, adaptations and reinventions of Alice in Wonderland over 158 years

Kate seemed particularly animated as she viewed an interactive Mat Hatters' Tea Party.

After touring the exhibitions, Her Royal Highness met a small group of museum staff who spoke about their experiences of working during a particularly challenging time for the museum sector.

She was firstly introduced to Tony Ryan, from the technical services team and was told he recently had the task of carefully moving Canova's The Three Graces down to its new position in the museum's sculpture gallery.

'That's some responsibility!' joked the duchess.

Niede Gentelini, from visitor experiences, told her: 'The museum is this beautiful because to the collections, it is the soul of the museum. We are very happy to welcome you. People have been craving art.'

Kate replied: 'Yes I think people have been craving beauty and inspiration. It's going to be a good time to visit museums and galleries as they are not full of tourists coming in,' the duchess said.

She added: 'I am very glad to be here today as we have had to cancel three previous visits because of COVID, so it's nice to be here.'

Speaking after the visit, Kate Bailey, senior curator at the V&A, said the duchess had seemed thrilled by her visit.

'She clearly has a great knowledge of art history and I think it's just so appropriate that she was here, among the first members of the public to come in, as our royal patron,' she said.

'As we were leaving she said how important it was to be here in the now and reflected on how the exhibition was multi-sensory, which is probably what people need now after months of lockdown.'

The Prince of Wales, 72, sported his signature pinstriped suit and looked delighted to meet well-wishers in the town as he set aside any concerns arising from his son Prince Harry's explosive string of interviews with US broadcasters

The Duchess of Cornwall during a visit to Bangor Market where she walked around and meeting stall holders at the open-air market

Prince Charles inspects produce from a fishmonger at the local market as he tours Northern Ireland

Charles heard about how the local council has restored the site and spoke to several stall holders about their products

Camilla kept her hair in a loose blowdry as she sported an emerald green coat, knee length black boots and a black jacket for the day out.

Meanwhile Prince Charles and Camilla met traders in an open air market in Bangor, Northern Ireland.

The Prince of Wales, 72, sported his signature pinstriped suit and looked delighted to meet well-wishers in the town as he set aside any concerns arising from his son Prince Harry's explosive string of interviews with US broadcasters.

The couple were greeted by local schoolchildren from Bangor Central Integrated Primary School and Bangor Central Nursery School as they arrived in the seaside town on Wednesday.

They were welcomed by the Mayor of Ards and North Down, Trevor Cummings, before taking time to talk to the children and a large number of well-wishers who had gathered.

They then toured the town's market, which is in its 97th year, and met with various stallholders while inspecting the range of locally sourced produce on sale.

Charles heard about how the local council has restored the site and spoke to several stall holders about their products.

Earlier in the day Charles and Camilla met with staff at Hillsborough Castle and signed the visitors' book before leaving.

The Queen has also carried out an engagement today, appearing via videolink from Windsor Castle to receive the Argentine Ambassador, who was at Buckingham Palace.

The Queen has also carried out an engagement today, appearing via videolink from Windsor Castle to receive the Argentine Ambassador, who was at Buckingham Palace

Javier Esteban Figueroa, the Argentine Ambassador, was joined by Minister Alessandra Viggiano Marra

The visits came as Princess Beatrice announced she is expecting her first child with husband Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi.

The couple, who tied the knot last year, are expecting the baby in autumn 2021, Buckingham Palace announced this morning.

The Queen and both families are said to be 'delighted' with the news, which will have brought much joy to the monarch who is mourning the loss of her husband Prince Philip, who died last month aged 99.

Princess Eugenie's baby will be the second grandchild for Prince Andrew and Sarah Ferguson and the Queens 12th great-grandchild following the arrival of Prince Harry and Meghan's Markle's second child in the summer.

Beatrice's baby boy or girl will be born 11th in line to the throne, but although their mother is a princess, he or she will not have a royal title.

It came as Princess Beatrice announced she is expecting her first child with husband Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi. The couple, who tied the knot last year, are expecting the baby in autumn 2021, Buckingham Palace announced this morning

The Queen has been informed and both families are delighted with the news, Buckingham Palace announced this morning (pictured)

Princess Beatrice revealed that she is pregnant with her first child on the Sussexes' third wedding anniversary - after the couple angered the Yorks by announcing they were expecting at Princess Eugenie's wedding. Pictured, with her husband Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi enjoying lunch al Fresco with a friend in Notting Hill, West London on 9 May

Betfair's odds on names for baby Mapelli Mozzi Boys Philip: 8/1 Marco: 11/1 Oliver: 12/1 Arthur: 14/1 Andrew: 14/1 Henry: 16/1 Alessandro: 16/1 Thomas: 20/1 Edward: 20/1 Luca: 20/1 Albert: 25/1 Giovanni: 25/1 William: 33/1 Charles: 401 Edmund: 40/1 Girls Sarah: 8/1 Anna: 10/1 Emily: 10/1 Mary: 11/1 Edith: 12/1 Maria: 12/1 Fiona: 14/1 Laura: 14/1 Rosa: 14/1 Victoria: 16/1 Grace: 18/1 Sofia: 20/1 Eugenie: 25/1 Isabella: 25/1 Nicola: 33/1

Advertisement

Only grandchildren of the monarch through the male line are automatically entitled to the styling of HRH. This means he or she will be plain Master or Miss Mapelli Mozzi.

The Queen could bestow a title on her great-grandchild if desired, but it is unlikely to be asked for.

Some fans claimed the couple deliberately timed the announcement to coincide with the Duke and Duchess of Sussex's third wedding anniversary today, after they shared their pregnancy news at Princess Eugenie's wedding.

In their explosive book Royals At War, investigative journalists Dylan Howard and Andy Tillett claimed Meghan Markle 'embarrassed' Prince Harry after divulging she was pregnant during Princess Eugenie's wedding day 'in a huge social gaffe' which left the bride and her mother Sarah Ferguson 'furious'.

'Meghan put her foot in it when she decided that it would be the ideal moment to announce that she and Harry were expecting their first child,' the pair wrote.

'This was a huge social gaffe, even if you were not a royal  stealing the limelight from Eugenie, who was furious, as was her mother, Sarah.'

The authors claim the announcement left Prince Harry, who is living in Montecito, California, with his wife and son, feeling embarrassed.

Princess Beatrice became an aunt earlier this year when her sister Eugenie gave birth to her first child, August with husband Jack Brooksbank on 9 February.

The royal was last seen being accompanied by her mother Sarah Ferguson as she drove away from Windsor castle in her personalised Range Rover on 15 May.

Princess Beatrice looked relaxed as she chatted away at the table while checking out her friend's phone, who appeared to be showing the couple an image.

The royal was also spotted strolling through London on 4 May and concealed any hint of a baby bump by wrapping up warm in a brown coat with a black tie up belt.

Princess Eugenie's baby will be the second grandchild for Prince Andrew and Sarah Ferguson and the Queens 12th great-grandchild following the arrival of Prince Harry and Meghan's Markle's second child in the summer. Pictured, line of succession
A mother has revealed that she is raising her four-year-old son to use gender-neutral words and encouraging him to wear dresses to school in a bid to teach him about inclusivity - despite admitting that he gets picked on by his peers because of his clothing and long hair.

Educational worker Lorenza Bruno, 30, from Florida, gave birth to her son LJ, now four, in 2016 with her partner Louis, 29. Lorenza's number one goal as a mum was to raise a good human who would be open, loving, and accepting of everyone.

From a young age, she encouraged LJ to express himself freely whilst ensuring she would raise a son who was kind and gentle, as well as someone who could recognize their role to create a safe and equal society for women, all cultures, and himself.

As Lorenza believed it was important to break gender stereotypes, she would read books to LJ that showcased different families, encouraged embracing feelings and featured both male and female characters, who were able to be who they wanted to be.

Standing strong: A mother has revealed that she is raising her four-year-old son to use gender-neutral words and to wear dresses to school in a bid to teach him to 'break stereotypes'

Education: Lorenza Bruno, 30, gave birth to son LJ in 2016, and from an early age she has encouraged him to push for a more inclusive society

Something for everyone: She says that her son fell in love with his first dress after watching the movie Frozen, which made him want to transform into Elsa by wearing her blue gown (right)

She also spoke to him using inclusive language such as 'firefighter' instead of 'fireman' as a way to educate his mind on the diverse world around him.

Lorenza always knew that LJ's interests were broad, but he first asked to wear a dress after watching the Disney film Frozen. Despite always being a big personality with a love for all things, this is when the conversation started around gender stereotypes and clothing.

LJ wanted a dress just like the character Elsa's and as they saw the dress regularly at Target, Lorenza added it to their shopping list for the future. But she says she couldn't wait until her son's birthday or Christmas, so decided to buy the dress and was ecstatic when LJ twirled around in amazement and went on to wear the dress daily.

As Lorenza wanted LJ to be able to stand up for himself and others when he felt the need to, she encouraged him to begin wearing whatever he wanted to school, which included dresses.

Despite being told by his fellow classmates that he 'needs a haircut' due to his long hair and that 'dresses are for girls', Lorenza says that LJ is confident in the face of his peers.

Despite this, Lorenza refuses to entertain the conversation around friends and family who disagree with their choices as although she wants LJ to stand up for himself in certain situations, she will always have his back around relatives.

Lorenza hopes to see the day where children are allowed to be whoever they want to be without being judged and believes that kids would have many more interests if society gave them the opportunity to live freely.

She is now writing a children's book surrounding gender stereotypes, with the aim of spreading the message that it's okay to have interests on both sides of the 'gender norm' spectrum, which she has written with LJ in mind.

Open: The mom-of-two says she wants both her sons to be able to 'express themselves freely'

Lesson: Lorenza added that she wants her sons to realize that 'breaking stereotypes for both boys and girls is essential'

'My number one goal as a mom - and as a member of society - is to raise good humans, so when I gave birth to my son LJ, who is now four, in 2016, it was easy to make decisions that supported his expression,' said Lorenza.

'I believe that in allowing him to express himself creatively and freely, he will also embrace others who do the same.

'It is so important to raise children that are open, loving, accepting and willing to embrace different cultures and people.

'As a boy mom specifically, it was important for me to raise a son who was kind, gentle, and able to recognize their role in helping to create a safe and equal society for women, all cultures, and themselves and that breaking stereotypes for both boys and girls is essential.

'LJ has always been a big personality, with a love for all things and I believe his interests hold no boundaries - and I don't think I have any right to limit them.

'As with many kids, LJ loves the Disney film Frozen and would always sing along to every word whilst dancing around the living room.

'He wanted a dress so he could be just like Elsa, which was when the dress conversation started. We would always see them in Target and he would constantly ask for it - but I declined, as I don't typically encourage the habit of picking out new items at the store.

'We would always make a note to add it to "our list" for his birthday or Christmas - but one day, I just couldn't wait and I've never seen any kid, of any gender, twirl in such amazement over a dress and he went on to wear it daily.

Overcoming obstacles: The mom admits other kids pick on her son, telling him that his hair is 'too long' and that 'dresses are for girls', but says he remains confident despite their comments

Looking ahead: Lorenza hopes that other people will start to realize the importance of raising young boys to embrace an inclusive attitude

'I think it is common to uplift girls who break stereotypes, which I fully agree with and I'm glad to see this long overdue shift - but I think we have a long way to go before we see boys being accepted for more "feminine" qualities and interests.

'From a young age, with the books we read to the language we used, I constantly tried to encourage and raise my son in a way that taught him to live freely regardless of society's damaging stereotypes.

'I believe we need to be extremely intentional, which is something I've had to start doing more ever since he started school due to the influences around him.'

Example: 'I hope that in the future, kids will be allowed to be whoever they want to be without being judged based on stereotypes,' Lorenza explained

Lorenza hopes to see more work done in the educational field - especially as a former teacher herself - as she believes it is important for teachers to help children recognize that their interests are valid and to create a classroom environment that allows this.

'I began posting on Instagram showing off LJ's outfits for school, which includes a variety of clothing, from dresses to sequined dinosaur shirts. I am glad that he feels comfortable in his outfit choice and is able to stand up for himself and others if he feels the need to,' Lorenza said.

'It's important to me that he has the language, voice and empowerment to do so and we've actually been practicing this for years.

'As he has "long hair," he has often been told by friends, family, his classmates and even complete strangers that he "needs a haircut" and has also had comments on his dresses such as, "Dresses are for girls," and "You can't wear that, you're a boy" - but he has learned to stand up for himself.

'That being said, I won't entertain or allow this conversation with friends and family who don't agree with our choices.

'I want him to be able to stand up for himself, but when it comes to those we know personally, I will always have his back.

'I hope that in the future, kids will be allowed to be whoever they want to be without being judged based on stereotypes.

Flying high: Lorenza says that she believes the kids who pick on her son are likely doing so out of ignorance about gender neutrality

Join in: She believes that 'it is important to recognize that in order to evolve past gender stereotypes, we need to recognize that most kids like everything if given the chance'

Happy as can be: Lorenza says that her son knows he has the freedom to express himself however he wants, and that this fills his life with joy

'LJ is only four - dresses are fun, sparkles are fun and I don't blame him for his interests. I think most kids would have many more interests if we gave them the opportunity to express themselves freely.

'In order for society to be more inclusive of embracing people without judgement, we need to be more intentional. I don't think that the kids who say unkind comments to LJ are purposefully being taught gender roles - but I don't think they are being taught otherwise either.

'Despite this, we have received so many kind messages from parents, teachers and even adults who feel like they were never supported in their interests at a young age, which makes this all worth it.

'I'm now writing a children's book, as I think there needs to be more representation for children who like everything.

'There are books for boys who like dresses and pink and there are books for girls who like dinosaurs - but I think it is important to recognize that in order to evolve past gender stereotypes, we need to recognize that most kids like everything if given the chance.

'I'm still figuring out the next steps, but the message intended is to show that it is okay to have varying interests on both sides of the 'gender norm' spectrum and of course, the book was written with LJ in mind.

'I hope that one day, people will understand that everything is for everyone, as there is no other feeling like seeing the joy in your child's face when you let them explore their interests, expression and the world around them.'
Meghan Markle's wedding make-up artist has shared his tips on how to achieve a effortlessly beautiful look,

The duchess opted for a natural base, a focus on eye make-up and a dash of colour on the cheek with a neutral pink lip whens she tied the knot with Prince Harry at St George's Chapel in 2018.

The man behind the look was New York-based make-up artist, and longtime friend of Meghan's, Daniel Martin - who shared with the Telegraph his tips on accentuating your appearance, as the couple celebrate their third anniversary today.

Describing the look as 'me, but better', Daniel said there's been a shift from wearing heavy, glamorous make-up on your wedding day to a toned-down look which doesn't change your appearance too much, but emphasises attributes that already exist.

Meghan Markle's wedding make-up artist has shared his tips on how to achieve a effortlessly beautiful look, without hiding your natural appearance. The duchess is pictured leaving Windsor Castle on her wedding day in 2018

'For many brides, their wedding is their big red carpet moment and I think they're realising that they don't necessarily have to change the way they look to feel beautiful that day', said Daniel.

His first piece of advice was skincare. Rather than using a heavy, high-coverage base, Daniel says that the right skincare can help your make-up stay on throughout the entire day.

He suggested using a primer after applying moisturiser to secure foundation and balance the skin tone, while giving the skin a glow that doesn't appear shiny.

Rather than opting for a heavy eye and heavy lip, Daniel says to choose a feature that you love about yourself and accentuate that, while keeping the rest of your look light.

New-York based make-up artist, and longtime friend of Meghan's, Daniel Martin, shared with the Telegraph his tips on accentuating your appearance

He says that this balances out the look and means that you're feeling confident in your own skin, advising a neutral lip shade if - like Meghan - you prefer darker eye make-up.

While a dark eye can feel intimidating, Daniel suggested using Bobbi Brown eyeshadow sticks, meaning the look can be gradually built up to draw attention to the eye - while also acting as a base for powder shadow.

Finally, Daniel said that make-up shouldn't be something to hide behind, and that whatever the look, wearing make-up with confidence will make the bride appear all the more special.

Daniel Martin's beauty essentials Charlotte Tilbury Hollywood Flawless Filter - 34 Smashbox's Photo Finish Foundation Primer - 29 Lisa Eldridge lipsticks and glosses - 18-26 Bobbi Brown's Eyeshadow Sticks - 12-24 Advertisement

While Daniel created a stunning look for the duchess, her wedding day was the first time Meghan had ever tried out the make-up, with the pair arranging her look over text because they were too busy to do a trial run.

Daniel was unable to travel to London before the wedding, meaning the duo had no opportunity to practice the look - despite some 17 million people tuning in to watch the big day.

'I was in New York and she was in London and there was no time because of my crazy schedule to be able to go there,' Daniel told Harper's Bazaar the year after Meghan's wedding.

'I knew exactly what she wanted and the day of the wedding was just us getting together and doing her make-up like usual.'

Martin, who works as an ambassador for Dior and has known Meghan for more than a decade, added that he opted for a natural look for the Duchess because of different lighting situations throughout the day.

He noted that the makeup would look 'completely different' as the bride rode in the car to the chapel with mother Doria, stood at the altar, and took a carriage ride in the bright sunshine with her new husband.

The beauty guru added: 'If I started heavier and she got into the church, her make-up would've looked a lot darker than when you see her in natural light. It was also noon, when the light is at it's highest.'
South Africa: Africa should mobilise external financing for sustainable growth

To boost the prospects for a strong and sustainable recovery from the impact of COVID-19, African governments need to mobilise significant additional external financing, with the assistance of the international community, says President Cyril Ramaphosa.

The President made the remarks during his address at the Paris Summit on the financing of African economies on Tuesday, convened by French President Emmanuel Macron.

President Ramaphosa last night successfully concluded the visit where he was joined by African Heads of State and government. At the summit, they were joined by leaders of financing institutions, such as the International Monetary Fund, World Bank, Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) and representatives of G7 and G20 countries.

The summit took place at a time when world economies are counting the cost of the COVID-19 pandemic and considering measures that are urgently needed for a swift recovery.



The economies of the African continent have been particularly hard hit, said the President.



The International Monetary Fund estimates that sub-Saharan African economies will grow at 3.4% in 2021, compared to global growth of 6%.

Although this expected growth will be buoyed by the resumption of international trade, higher commodity prices and a resumption of capital inflows, the recovery, President Ramaphosa said, will be slow.

Following two decades of economic reform, the ability of many countries on the continent to implement macroeconomic policies that support a sustainable recovery is now constrained.



President Ramaphosa called on credit rating agencies to play their role without acting as a deterrent to countries that seek to take advantage of credible and transparent credit relief measures.



The most important task at hand is to protect and save lives. We therefore need to ensure that everyone has access to the vaccine in an equitable manner. The World Health Organisations Access to COVID-19 Tools Accelerator (ACT-A) is a key instrument for achieving this goal.



As co-chair of ACT-A, President Ramaphosa urged countries to assist in closing the US $19 billion financing gap for 2021.

He expressed South Africas support in the IMFs Special Drawing Rights mechanism, saying this should be allocated without delay to provide liquidity to the global financial system and to support vulnerable countries.



South Africa and other G20 members have called on the IMF to make a comprehensive proposal for a new SDR general allocation of $650 billion to meet the long-term global need to supplement reserve assets.



South Africa is of the view that the IMF must explore options for members to channel SDRs on a voluntary basis to the benefit of vulnerable low and middle income countries.

This should be done parallel to the general allocation and as soon as possible.

We furthermore support an ambitious replenishment process of the International Development Association  or IDA-20  as well as increased levels of official development aid.

We strongly believe that alternative development financing mechanisms should not be a substitute for official development aid, said President Ramaphosa.



In this regard, he said South Africa welcomes the pipeline of 30 projects - amounting to approximately $2 billion - for the African continent being prepared under the vaccines programme of the World Bank.

At the summit, discussions centred on external funding and debt treatment, as well as African private sector reforms and expansion, and infrastructure development.

The Presidency said these discussions reinforced the role played by President Ramaphosa during South Africas 2020 tenure as chair of the African Union to secure a strong and inclusive economic recovery in Africa.

During his tenure, the President appointed Special Envoys of the African Union to mobilise international support for Africas efforts to address the economic challenges African countries will face as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.  SAnews.gov.za

This story has been published on: 2021-05-19. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article.
Buddhist Association of China hosts meeting on cooperation in Lancang-Mekong region

Xinhua) 10:08, May 19, 2021

BEIJING, May 18 (Xinhua) -- The Buddhist Association of China Tuesday hosted a meeting to discuss cooperation among Buddhist communities in the Lancang-Mekong region in combating COVID-19 and promote their contributions to the public undertakings for people's livelihood.

The meeting was held in the run-up to mark the upcoming birth anniversary of the Buddha this year.

The event was attended by China's Buddhist masters and experts in-person and representatives of Buddhist communities from Sri Lanka, Thailand, Vietnam, and Cambodia online.

Since ancient times, there has been a close relationship between Buddhism of all countries in the region, and China and Buddhist communities of other countries in the region have continued to write new chapters of friendship through exchanges and cooperation, said Master Yanjue, head of the Buddhist Association of China.

In particular, they have cared for and supported each other in their common fight against the pandemic, said Master Yanjue.

The Buddhist Association of China will make further efforts to enhance exchanges, communication, and cooperation with Buddhist communities in the region; expand international cooperation in fighting the pandemic; and make contributions to regional and world peace, and the global fight against the pandemic, he added.

Attendees stressed the significance of cooperation and called for solidarity and cooperation among all countries in fighting against the pandemic and striving for the common peace of humanity.

(Web editor: Shi Xi, Hongyu)
Good Morning Britain's resident GP Dr Hilary Jones urged viewers to avoid 'non essential' travel this year in a heated early morning debate - but viewers pointed out that the doctor has a luxury cruise liner trip coming up himself.

The show's long-time doctor appeared animated as he asked GMB's presenters: 'Is a holiday really important, is it essential in a global pandemic?'

Dr Hilary told the show's hosts Adil Ray and Susanna Reid that it was currently 'not safe' to holiday abroad, calling 'non essential' trips 'a luxury', and saying 'it's something people can do without in order to preserve life.'

Scroll down for video

Rant: GMB GP Dr Hilary Jones had a heated discussion with presenters Adil Ray and Susanna Reid on Wednesday, telling them holidays were a 'luxury' and it was still 'not safe' for people to book holidays abroad

The Cunard website currently suggests that Dr Hilary will undertake a speaking spot during an eight-day cruise out of the UK - despite warning others against 'non-essential travel'

Susanna Reid hit back at Dr Hilary saying 'There are a lot of NHS workers who deserve a holiday' and suggesting that it wasn't fair of the telly GP to 'guilt-trip' people about booking summer breaks on foreign soil.

On social media, some viewers pointed out that Dr Hilary Jones appeared to be booked to be a guest speaker for luxury cruise line company Cunard this summer.

The historic liner brand's website confirms that Dr Hilary will travel in a working capacity on the Queen Elizabeth ship in August, sailing for seven nights around the British Isles on a round-trip from Southampton.

Speaking to MailOnline, Dr Hilary defended choosing to board the luxury liner, saying: 'Later this year I am joining a domestic cruise in British waters which remains at sea throughout and does not call at any UK port let alone one abroad. It leaves from Southampton and returns there without stopping.

Travellers booking the Cunard Britannia cruise will pay from 799 to over 5,000 to sail in luxury, with one cabin type on the August 6th sailing already sold out

'I am giving talks about my forthcoming novel called FRONTLINE and which is dedicated to frontline personnel during the pandemic of 1918 as well as those working in the NHS currently. Pleasant work of course but still work and a nice break for me after a year without one.'

He added that the safety precautions on board 'are stringent', with all passengers 'twice vaccinated and tested prior to departure', saying: 'It will be one of the safest staycations I can conceive of and I would recommend it to anyone.'

On Twitter, many questioned Dr Hilary's words. @get2lac asked: '#GMT Why is Dr Hilary telling us not to travel this year when hes booked as a guest speaker on a cruise in August.'

When a fellow tweeter defended Dr Hilary saying the cruise would remain in the British isles during its eight-day sail, @get2lac hit back: 'I'm aware of this - however, cruise ships were identified as breeding grounds for COVID in the early days with people locked in their rooms. Do you not think its highly hypocritical of him to preach to us about non-essential travel?''

Susanna Reid hit back at Dr Hilary saying it wasn't fair to 'guilt-trip' people about booking summer breaks on foreign soil

Others agreed that if the ship didn't dock abroad, Dr Hilary was in the right to continue with his planned business travel.

@YeOldeAutosport wrote: 'He's telling us not to travel abroad. His guest speaking on cruise ship gig is on a cruise that simply travels around the UK. The UK is not travelling abroad.'

Travellers booking the Cunard Britannia cruise will pay from 799 to over 5,000 for the week-long trip, with one cabin type on the August 6th sailing already sold out.

On Monday, the boss of Britain's largest airport warned that 500,000 UK travel jobs could be put at risk if the Government does not expand the travel 'Green List' this summer.

Speaking on the day the UK's international travel ban was lifted, Heathrow CEO John Holland-Kaye urged ministers to give the industry and British holidaymakers 'confidence' that they will be able to jet-off to top European destinations this year.

From today 12 countries, including Portugal, Gibraltar and conflict-hit Israel, are on the UK's travel 'Green List' - meaning travelers do not need to isolate on their return.
YouTubers Nikki and Dan Phillippi are being blasted as 'disgusting,' 'awful,' and 'appalling people' over a 2018 video in which they revealed that they stopped a planned adoption after being told they wouldn't be legally allowed to post about the child on social media for a year.

Earlier this month, the influencer couple faced furious backlash for euthanizing their dog because of his 'aggressive side' after he bit her one-year-old son Logan  and now critics are returning to another troubling update that Nikki, 33, and Dan, 34, shared three years ago.

In the May 2018 vlog, which has been viewed over 268,000 times, Nikki and Dan explained that they stopped pursuing adoption of a child from Thailand when they learned that the Thai government had a temporary ban on social media posts about adopted children  which would be at odds with their very public social media personas.

Scroll down for video

Yikes: YouTubers Nikki and Dan Phillippi are being blasted for pulling out of adoption when they were told they wouldn't be allowed to post about the child on social media for a year

Flashback: In the 2018 video, they said the one-year ban on posting was at odds with their very public social media personas

'We are not adopting from Thailand,' Nikki announced in the video.

She explained that they were already working with an adoption agency when they were notified of the agency's social media policy regarding adopted children.

'Thailand has it's own law that's unique to it, that after you pick up your child, they are your child  but you are not allowed to talk about them or share any images, photos, videos, anything about them online for a year,' she said.

'And that  I mean, Nikki's got a YouTube channel and we share a whole lot,' Dan chime din.

'When that hit we literally were like, "What?"' Nikki added. 'So we were like going round the houses like trying to figure out how this could work, like, "Hashtag baby blur face"? What are we gonna do? Dan's like, "Maybe we could deal with that for a year?"

'And we're talking about it and we're like alright, let's pray about it, let's sleep on it and then let's see how we feel in the morning,' she continued.

Doing it their own way: The couple has since had their own biological child, a one-year-old son named Logan (pictured)

Huh? In trying to figure out if they could go a year without posting, they wondered if they'd employ 'Hashtag baby blur face'

'I almost Snapchatted while I was signing an NDA once!' she said. 'I'm gonna totally mess this up! And then I'll ruin it for other families!'

Dan added that part of the issue was that the adoption wouldn't even be finalized until a year after they brought home their child.

'So you know, the kid's gonna be living in our house for a year and it's not, that whole time, not our kid, so we're not okay with that either,' he said.

Nikki said that they thought about it, but she ultimately became concerned that there might be an 'accident' in which she shared a photo of the baby.

'I almost Snapchatted while I was signing an NDA once!' she said. 'I'm gonna totally mess this up! And then I'll ruin it for other families!'

Nikki said that she even had the adoption agency ask the Thai government to make an exception for them because 'their whole lives are online,' but the government refused.

'And we were like, then this is not where God has us,' she added.

Called out: The couple has been blasted as 'disgusting,' 'awful,' and 'appalling people'

The adoption video appears to have mostly flown under the radar at the time, but as a furor was whipped up around the couple's decision to kill their dog, a clip as resurfaced on social media.

'Imagine being this awful and not even realizing it,' wrote one Twitter user, while others called the Phillippis 'gross' and 'psychopaths.'

'These people shouldnt even have houseplants jfc,' tweeted another.

'NO WAY she said pray about it as if God would be like yeah dont give the child a home if you can exploit them for views I cant believe these people are still being given views and likes!!' tweeted one more.

'Child dogged a bullet. They would be terrible parents,' yet another chimed in.

The couple has since had their own biological child, a one-year-old son named Logan.

YouTuber Myka Stauffer 'rehomed' adopted son with special needs YouTuber Myka Stauffer, 33, and her husband, James, also faced backlash for 'rehoming' a five-year-old boy that had adopted three years earlier from China In May of 2020, YouTuber Myka Stauffer, 33, and her husband, James, also faced backlash for 'rehoming' a five-year-old boy that had adopted three years earlier from China. In a YouTube video, James said that they had discovered 'there were a lot more special needs that we were not aware of' with little Huxley. Myka, who also has four biological children added: 'Do I feel like a failure as a mom? Like 500 per cent.' Myka and James cited medical privacy concerns for not explaining in detail why they decided to give Huxley up. She has previously stated that the toddler has autism and brain trauma. Social media users were swift to criticize the couple, with one writing: 'She adopted a child for views and then got rid of him and treated him like a brand deal.' 'I never watched that Myka Stauffer youtube mom, but I am RAGING over the fact that they rehomed their adopted special needs son,' wrote another, while a third chimed in: 'You adopted him solely for the attention it would give you and now you're giving him away. Unbelievable.' In a YouTube video, James said that they had discovered 'there were a lot more special needs that we were not aware of' Myka and James also have four biological children. They cited medical privacy concerns for not explaining in detail why they decided to give Huxley up But Myka said in her video that it wasn't her fault and she made the difficult decision for Huxley's own benefit. 'I didn't adopt a little boy to share these things publicly  99, 95 per cent of the struggles we have never publicly aired,' she said. 'Numerous medical professionals have felt that he needed a different fit. He needed more.' She added that an adoption agency had helped place Huxley with his 'forever family.' 'He's thriving, he's doing really well, and his new mommy has medical, professional training,' she said. Response: After coming under fire for her announcement, Myka allegedly responded in the comments Later, the Ohio-based vlogger admitted she was in over her head when she adopted Huxley, calling herself 'naive' about adopting and not 'fully equipped' to deal with the challenge. 'I apologize for being so naive when I started the adoption process. I was not selective or fully equipped or prepared. I received one day of watching at home online video training and gained my Hague adoption certification which was required by my accredited adoption agency. For me, I needed more training.' 'I can't say I wish this never happened because I'm still so glad Huxley is here and getting all of the help he needs,' Myka continued. 'I also know that even though he is happier in his new home and doing better that he still experienced trauma and I'm sorry, no adoptee deserves any more trauma.' Myka also 'debunked' claims she adopted Huxley for money, explaining: 'While we did receive a small portion of money from videos featuring Huxley and his journey, every penny and much more went back into his care. 'Getting Huxley the care and services he needed was very expensive and we made sure he got every service, and resource we could possibly find.' Myka lost several followers over the scandal, as well as her partnerships with Playtex Baby, Suave, Danimals, Big Lots, and Chili's, and Kate Hudson's fitness brand, Fabletics. Advertisement

Shocking: Earlier this month, Nikki announced on Instagram that she and Dan had put down their dog Bowser, saying he had 'an aggressive side'

Photo shoot: She shared photos of Bowser with her family over the years, including new pictures of herself hugging him goodbye and posing with him and her son

Say what? 'Bowser had an aggressive side that reared its ugly head a few times over the years. After a lot of counsel, we decided it was time for Bowser to pass peacefully on,' she wrote

And earlier this month, the Phillippis claimed that it was in the name of protecting Logan that they put down their dog Bowser.

On May 3, Nikki shared several photos of Bowser and announce that she and her husband had euthanized him because he had been showing an 'aggressive side' and had recently bitten Logan.

'I'm so grateful for our time with you. You were a mini horse, a shark, a bear, a mouse, a dinosaur and Dans best friend all in one. You made me laugh... you made me cry... you destroyed our property... and you also kept it safe. lol You kept ME feeling safe,' she wrote,

Too little, too late? Nikki paid tribute to Bowser at the start of the post

'Bowser was the ultimate cuddle bug, but you wouldn't necessarily know that if you just dropped by our house... he just acted crazy. Well,' she continued. 'Bowser had an aggressive side that reared its ugly head a few times over the years. After a lot of counsel, we decided it was time for Bowser to pass peacefully on.'

Nikki, who has 1.29 million YouTube subscribers and 439,000 Instagram followers, acknowledged that the news would be upsetting to many of her fans.

'I know a lot of you will be shocked to hear this... my brain is still shocked. McTrowsen [Bowser] has been part of our life and content HIS entire life...and for the last 9 years of our marriage,' she wrote.

'We didn't want to make this decision...as I'm sure you can imagine. I'm not kidding when I say this was one of the saddest days of my life.

'That being said, I'm so grateful we got to hold him and kiss him in our home while he passed,' she said.

Among the photos she posted were those taken in a goodbye photoshoot that they staged before killing the dog  including one with Logan sitting happily next to Boswer.

Nikki promised to share a video update on her YouTube channel and concluded her post with a message to her late dog, writing: 'We will miss you forever Bowser.'

Huh? Many people also took issue with the fact that she had a photo shoot with Bowser before putting the dog down, including a picture of him close to Logan, whom he had bit

Heartbroken: Nikki said the day they euthanized Bowser was one of the 'saddest' days of her life, adding: 'I'm so grateful we got to hold him and kiss him in our home while he passed'

Teddy bear? A number of the photos she shared show Bowser cuddled up with her husband

Outrage: The backlash was swift and angry fans flocked to the comments to accuse her of 'killing' Bowser instead of rehoming him or retraining him

Big deal: The controversial post received more than 20,000 comments in four days

The backlash was swift, and outraged Instagram users flocked to the comments to accuse her of 'killing' Bowser instead of rehoming him or retraining him.

'Woah... what about adoption?' one person asked. 'At the LEAST. Not a judgmental person here but wow, this saddens my heart and truly rubs me the wrong way.'

Fellow influencer Aja Dang slammed Nikki, writing: 'Hold on  you kill your dog but play it off like you did him a favor?!?!?! There were at least a dozen other steps you could've taken when you first saw aggression issues but you. jump to killing your dog bc YOU let it get to the point where your dog bit your kid?'

'Your dog didn't fail you, you failed your dog,' another Instagram user hit back. 'To end your dog's life in this manner is deeply disturbing.'

Many people also took issue with the fact that she had a photo shoot with Bowser before putting the dog down, including a picture of him close to Logan, whom he had bit.

'A "pre killing my dog" photo shoot. cute,' one person commented, while someone else asked: 'A photo shoot while you were killing your dog???!! How is any of this okay??'

Nikki and her husband Dan elaborated on their decision in a YouTube video posted to her channel on Monday with the comments disabled

Tribute: Nikki became emotional and started to cry as she recounted 'the way he smelled' and 'the thick fur on the back of his neck' at the end of the video

Nikki and her husband Dan elaborated on their decision to euthanize Bowser in a YouTube video posted to her channel on Monday with the comments disabled.

The couple explained that Bowser was attacked as a puppy, which contributed to his aggressive nature, and he had 'seriously injured a couple different dogs' in the past, including their other dog, Zoe.

Nikki noted that they had considered euthanizing Bowser five years ago after a moment of 'aggression.'

In the most recent incident, she said, Bowser bit Logan on the face after the toddler took food from him. They said that while the bite 'wasn't bad,' their son still has a 'little mark.'

She claimed they had consulted with a humane society about rehoming Bowser but was told that wasn't an option for the dog, who had been with them for nearly a decade.

Looking back: Bowser had been with the couple for nine years before he was euthanized

What she said: Nikki claimed they had consulted with a humane society about rehoming Bowser but was told that wasn't an option for the dog

Other pet: The couple also have a dog, Zoe, whom they claim Bowser was aggressive with

'In some ways it's been anticipated for a really long time, and in others, it was completely shocking,' she said. 'Never crossed my mind  "Oh, now we're gonna have to put Bowser down"  I just thought, "Oh, he's just gotta be in the right home." But after getting counsel from multiple professionals who are with dogs all the time, all of them said that, they all said the same thing.'

Nikki concluded the video by reading 'a list of things that I'll never forget about Bowser' while showing a montage of photos of the dog.

She became emotional and started to cry as she recounted 'the way he smelled' and 'the thick fur on the back of his neck.'

While the comments on the video were disabled, that didn't stop viewers from slamming Nikki on Twitter.

'On todays episode of influencers are the real pandemic... @NikkiPhillippi puts down her dog for biting her kid but not before she has a photoshoot with the dog inches away from the kid the dog allegedly bit and needs to be put down for. F**k you,' one person tweeted.

Not going away: Critics took to Twitter to denounce the couple, who both made their Instagram pages private

'Im not going to watch the Nikki Phillippi video  but can someone tell me if they showed proof that the dog was euthanized?' actress Meghan Rienks asked. 'Im having a hard time believing a vet would do that; and a way easier time believing they murdered him at home.'

YouTuber Lauren Riihimaki urged people to hold Nikki accountable, writing: 'For 3 days, this story of @NikkiPhillippi unnecessarily euthanizing her bull terrier has truly shaken me to the core and makes me SICK. Please hold them accountable for this cruel decision and know that there are OTHER OPTIONS.'

Other Twitter users shared photos of Dan's Instagram bio, claiming he had written 'Dog Murderer (allegedly)' before removing it.

'Not @NikkiPhillippi husband putting dog murderer(allegedly) in his bio as if its some funny joke,' one critic tweeted. 'YOU DID KILL YOUR DOG! YOU HAD other options but you chose to murder your dog instead of taking the tile to find someone to help train the dog! Yall are gross af...'

Both Nikki and Dan made their Instagram pages private in the wake of the ongoing criticism.
Buckingham Palace aides 'rolled their eyes' when they discussed Meghan Markle's 'common' $500,000 baby shower with royal correspondents, the author of Finding Freedom has claimed.

The Duchess of Sussex, 39, celebrated the impending birth of her firstborn son with Prince Harry, 36, by flying to the Big Apple by private jet in 2019, provoking outcry with the five-day baby shower celebration. Around 20 friends attended, including Serena Williams and Amal Clooney.

Speaking in the Channel 4 documentary A Very Royal Baby: From Cradle to Crown, which airs tonight, Omid Scobie claimed: 'I remember speaking to a palace aide at the time who rolled their eyes, they were horrified that something so common was happening within the House of Windsor.'

Meanwhile Ingrid Seward, a royal author and editor-in-chief of Majesty magazine described the shower as 'trashy'.

An aide 'rolled their eyes' when they discussed Meghan Markle's 'common' $500,000 baby shower with royal correspondents, the author of Finding Freedom has claimed

Ingrid said: 'They walked in through the front entrance carrying these enormous bags from the most expensive shops in New York.

'Crowds gathered because they were all celebrities, there was Gayle King from CBS, Serena Williams and Amal Clooney. '

Scobie admitted the idea of a baby shower was 'as far from British tradition as you can get'.

'We had never seen someone throw this very lavish affair to celebrate the impending arrival of a baby.'

Meanwhile Ingrid Seward, a royal author and editor-in-chief of Majesty magazine described the shower as 'trashy'

Speaking in the Channel 4 documentary, A Very Royal Baby, Finding Freedom author Omid Scobie, claimed that Meghan Markle's New York baby shower did not go down well with palace aides

Scobie said theres been 'a lot of speculation' about where Harry and Meghans second child might be born, adding Los Angeles-based hospital Cedars-Sinai has some of the 'finest maternity suites in the country.

The medical centre features luxury suites costing up to 2,800 per night and has an impressive list of former patients - including Victoria Beckham, Madonna and Kourtney Kardashian.

He previously claimed aides were 'spitting' over the baby shower, writing in Finding Freedom: 'While the trip had been a hit with Meghan, senior courtiers back in the UK were spitting out their morning tea when they saw her lavish baby shower thrown by friends turn into a media circus with what looked like carefully stage-managed paparazzi walks of the duchess in big black sunglasses from her hotel to her car and a laundry list of insider party details reported by US press.

'It's fair to say that the optics of the somewhat flashy shower did not go down well with certain individuals at the Palace,' a senior aide revealed.

Meghan celebrated the impending birth of her firstborn son with Prince Harry, 35, by flying to the Big Apple by private jet last year, apparently left senior courtiers 'spitting out their morning tea' when pictures of the luxurious affair emerged. Seen: The Mark Hotel

Presents for the guests? On the day of Meghan's shower, about 17 Away suitcases were delivered to The Mark Hotel, each of which cost $225.

It continues: 'Meghan was often criticized for being too Hollywood, meaning too flashy. Especially for the reserved aesthetic of the monarchy.'

A source told the authors: 'I think a few people that had defended her over the months felt a little disappointed. But sometimes in this role you're damned if you do and damned if you don't.

'Ultimately, the trip was just Meghan's friends celebrating a really exciting moment in her life.'

In February 2019, Meghan and her closest friends partied at The Mark hotel in Manhattan, in one of the world's most expensive suites.

The cost of Meghan's New York baby shower Private jet from the UK to New York, round trip - $250,000 The Mark Hotel Grand Penthouse Suite - $150,000 Five nights in a one-bedroom suite at The Mark Hotel - $9,982.05 Dinner for five at The Polo Bar - approx. $420

Lunch at Cafe Bolud - approx. $78 Afternoon tea for two at Laduree - approx. $45 Two Royal Protection officers - $14,213 Harp player Erin Hill - $625 17 Away carry-on suitcases - $3,825 Gifts: Babyletto Hudson 3-in-1 Convertible Crib - $379 10ft mandarin tree - approx. $140 Lady Fleur NYC roses - approx. $399.95 Trek bicycle - approx. $609.99 Carnival King cotton candy machine - $199.99 JZ Events - $50,000 Lewis Miller - $20,000 Advertisement

Markle and Spencer grabbed lunch together before being joined by the rest of the group for dinner at The Polo Bar, the swank New York eatery owned by designer Ralph Lauren.

Then, on the day of, she welcomed even newer friends to her party at The Mark, including human rights lawyer Amal Clooney and King, who scored an invitation despite being kept off the guest list at Markle's wedding.

Her mother's absence also meant that Markle had not one family member at the party, including new sister-in-law Kate Middleton, though baby showers have never been a British tradition.

The shower was hosted by Serena Williams, Jessica Mulroney and Genevieve Hillis, who has been Markle's best friend since the age of 17 when they met at Northwestern.

'It was a small, private affair, and a special time for her,' said CBS presenter, Gayle King.

'Having a baby is a great thing.'

A video, which emerged on social media after the shower, appeared to give a glimpse of the very lavish set up.

Royal fan account harry_meghan_updates, run by Instagram user Francesca, shared a video on its Story, claiming that the short clip was actually captured inside the star-studded baby shower.

It captures the dessert buffet on offer to guests which was designed by illustrator Darcy Miller, and featured four macaron towers from Laduree, which cost a total of $460.

The Duchess' close pals were also treated to stork-shaped cake pops and miniature slices of carrot cake, as well as multiple cupcakes iced in pink and green frosting.

The crowing glory was a two tiered cake which featured a miniature paper cut out of Harry and Meghan stood next to a pram - believed to be the work of event designer Darcy Miller, who has been credited with putting together the lavish dessert buffet at the event.

Guests at Meghan Markle's lavish baby shower in New York City left the intimate gathering with high-end gift bags filled with luxe leather tote bags filled with the royal's favorite products.

Lavish: The baby shower took place in the Penthouse Suite at The Mark Hotel, which is widely reported to be the most expensive per-night hotel room in the U.S.

Goodies! Daniel shared a picture of the cookies from Meghan's star-studded baby shower in New York, saying he had 'such an incredible day celebrating'

Luxe: Attendees were gifted Cuyana leather totes that were filled to the brim with some of the royal's favorite products. The totes cost $175-$195 depending on style

The buffet featured stork cake pops, macaron towers, and miniature slices of carrot cake. The Instagram poster noted that a majority of the confections were pink

High-profile guests were seen leaving the Mark Hotel's incredible Grand Penthouse Suite, which costs a staggering $75,000 per night.

According to People, guests were gifted Cuyana leather totes that were filled to the brim with products, much like Oscars swag bags.

The totes, which retail for $175-$195 depending on style, included $67 Jo Malone Green Tomato Leaf scented candles, $65 Tatcha Rice Enzyme Powder, and $81 Susanne Kaufmann Body Butter.

They also reportedly featured products from Rodin and Jessica Alba's company Honest Beauty.

Brands often send celebrities free gifts in the hopes of getting press, and with Meghan's shower making headlines around the world, it's likely that companies were more than willing to offer up products for the guests' gift bags.

On the day of Meghan's shower, about 17 Away suitcases were delivered to The Mark Hotel, each of which cost $225.

A Very Royal Baby: From Cradle to Crown, is on Channel 4 at 9pm on 19 May.
Step aside Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, there is a new 'royal' couple attempting to take Hollywood by storm - at least on the small screen.

In honor of the Sussexes' third wedding anniversary on Wednesday, TV network Lifetime unveiled the first image of the two actors chosen to play the Duke and Duchess in a new made-for-TV movie about Megxit, entitled Harry & Meghan: Escaping the Palace.

The newly-released photo sees New York-based Broadway star Jordan Dean stepping into Harry's shoes, and his trademark red hair, for the very first time, while embracing actress and blogger Sydney Morton, who will take on the role of Meghan in the small-screen flick, which promises to reveal 'what really happened at the palace to drive the couple away'.

Although their physical similarities with Harry, 36, and Meghan, 39, are not entirely spot-on, the actors certainly dressed the part for the photo, which shows them posing in near-identical ensembles to those worn by the Sussexes for their final official engagement as senior members of the royal family in March 2020.

Surprise! Lifetime marked the Sussexes' third wedding anniversary by releasing the first image of the actors playing the couple in Harry & Meghan: Escaping the Palace

Inspiration: In the photo, the actors are seen modeling near-identical ensembles to those worn by Harry, 36, and Meghan, 39, for their final official engagement as royals in March 2020

The Duchess of Sussex: Actress and blogger Sydney Morton, who is best known for Netflix show Shes Gotta Have It, will take on the role of Meghan

The Duke of Sussex: New York-based Broadway actor Jordan Dean will play Prince Harry - and already shares the royal's signature red hair

Dean - who has a number of small on-screen roles to his name, including a turn in Netflix series The Punisher - is seen wearing a blue suit, white shirt, and mint green tie, while Morton - who is best known for her part in Netflix show Shes Gotta Have It - is pictured in a bright green caped dress that appears to be designed after the Emilia Wickstead number worn by Meghan on last year's Commonwealth Day.

Harry actor Dean is also sporting bright red hair and a beard, while Morton has her locks pulled back in a low updo, a style often sported by Meghan during her brief time as a royal.

Production on the movie is due to begin in Vancouver later this week, and the movie is currently slated to hit the small screen in the fall.

Neither actor has yet commented on the announcement of their new roles, however the news has certainly thrust them both into a much brighter spotlight than they have occupied before.

Both stars have a handful of small on-screen roles to their names, and they have each made appearances in Netflix series in the past; Dean featured in 2019 show The Punisher, while Morton snagged parts in 2020 mini-series Self Made: Inspired by the Life of Madam C.J. Walker, and She's Gotta Have It, which ran from 2017 to 2019.

On her website, Morton describes herself as an actress and blogger, which is eerily reminiscent of Meghan's life before she met Harry and joined the royal family. When the couple began dating, the Los Angeles native was starring in hit show Suits, and ran a lifestyle blog, The Tig.

Dean meanwhile has made several appearances on Broadway in hit shows like Cat on a Hot Tin Roof, Mamma Mia!, and Cymbeline.

The on-screen couple are the third pair to portray Harry and Meghan for Lifetime - which has already released two other movies about the Sussexes in the last few years.

Harry & Meghan: Escaping the Palace follows 2018's Harry & Meghan: A Royal Romance, which covered the early days of their relationship, and 2019's Harry & Meghan: Becoming Royal, which focused on the royal wedding.

Parisa Fitz-Henley and Murray Fraser played Meghan and Harry, respectively, in the first biopic, which explored how the couples relationship blossomed from their first date in 2016 to their engagement in November 2017.

Third time lucky? Lifetime has already released two other movies about the couple, both of which featured different actors in the leading roles

Debut: Parisa Fitz-Henley and Murray Fraser starred in 2018's Harry & Meghan: A Royal Romance, which covered the early days of Harry and Meghan's relationship

Next up: In 2019's Harry & Meghan: Becoming Royal, the main roles were played by Tiffany Smith and Charlie Field

It aired in May 2018, just days before the couple's royal wedding.

The second movie offered a playful, fictional account of the events immediately leading up to Harry and Meghan's May 2018 wedding and their first few months as husband and wife. It aired in May 2019.

Actress Tiffany Smith played the Duchess of Sussex, while British star Charlie Field took on the role of the Duke of Sussex in the film.

Harry & Meghan: Escaping the Palace will offer a fictionalized account of 'what really happened inside the palace that drove Harry and Meghan to leave everything behind in order to make a future for themselves and their son Archie,' according to Deadline.

Like Netflix's The Crown - but on a much tighter budget - the movie will feature actors playing senior members of the royal family including Prince William and Kate Middleton and Prince Charles and the Duchess of Cornwall, all of whom will be portrayed by the same actors who appeared in the earlier installments.

Producers will no doubt draw heavily on the Duke and Duchess of Sussex's explosive Oprah Winfrey interview, which aired in March, although it remains to be seen if it will go near controversial topics such as the alleged racist remark about Archie.

Speaking to Vanity Fair about the second film, screenwriter Scarlett Lacey - who has returned for the third installment - explained that the plot features a mix of truths and fiction.

According to Deadline, the new film will 'detail Meghans growing isolation and sadness, their disappointment that "The Firm" was not defending them against the press's attacks and Harrys fear that history would repeat itself and he would not be able to protect his wife and son from the same forces that caused his mother's untimely death.'

It will also look at 'family feuds' between Kate and Meghan, Charles and Harry and Harry and William, it is reported.

The movie will be directed by Menhaj Huda and executive produced by Merideth Finn and Michele Weiss.

Speaking on the release of the second film, Lacey suggested she had gained access to some of Meghan's and the royals' inner circles, although she did not name any names.

Back again: Several actors are returning for the third movie, including Deborah Ramsay as the Duchess of Cornwall (left) and Steve Coulter as Prince Charles (center left)

Trouble: According to Lifetime, the upcoming movie will offer a fictionalized retelling of the events leading up to Megxit (Harry and Meghan are seen during their last royal engagement)

She told Vanity Fair: 'Some of the people I talk to are close to the royals. Others are Hollywood friends of Meghan, and others are journalists and experts in the royal field.'

However she acknowledged that the movies - which portray Harry and Meghan in a highly favorable light - are definitely a mixture of fact and fiction.

Airing on Lifetime five days before the pair married in real life, the first movie charted the whirlwind romance of Meghan and Harry by mutual friend Violet von Westenholz, to their time in Botswana where they fell in love.

It culminated in Prince Harry going down on one knee in his Kensington Palace apartment to ask Meghan to marry him.

It also featured other members of the royal family, including Kate Middleton, who will no doubt play an even bigger part in the third film.

The second film touched on the lead up to the wedding, and touched on Meghan's relationship with her father.

Lacey said at the time: 'This film deals with the drama of planning a wedding: the moment you'd much rather elope, the moment your family might mess it all up - and they nearly do.'

Star Tiffany said in the same interview: 'We got to do some stuff with Kate, which I really liked.

'I think one of the biggest things, obviously, about Meghan is that she's such a supporter of other women and women's empowerment. That was something I think was important for all of us to focus on, myself included.'
Haagen-Dazs is bringing a taste of the sun to the UK with a new range of alcoholic ice cream flavours based on fruity summertime cocktails.

The US luxury ice cream brand is launching Lime Mojito Sorbet and Pina Colada Ice Creams next week, in the hope to give locked down Brits a taste of the sun.

Both are available from Sunday 23rd May from Asda across the UK, and cost 4.99.

Haagen-Dazs is bringing a taste of the sun to the UK with a new range of alcoholic ice cream flavours based on fruity summertime cocktails

The Lime Mojito Sorbet, which is vegan, is infused with a touch of rum and generous swirl of sweet mint coulis, while the Pina Colada Ice Cream is luxuriously creamy with coconut and pineapple ice cream, and an indulgent swirl of pineapple rum sauce.

Containing just a drop of alcohol (less than 0.97 per cent per tub), Haagen-Dazs say they're the perfect adult treat, and also a tasty alternative to cocktails for those seeking low and no alcohol options.

Loved by many for over 60 years, Haagen-Dazs elevates the craft of ice cream, celebrating the power of real, perfectly balanced ingredients, to create luxurious textures and unforgettable flavours.

But the ice cream is clearly more about the flavor than the booze content, and will be the newest variety that the brand adds to its Spirit Collection.

Containing just a drop of alcohol (less than 0.97 per cent per tub), Haagen-Dazs say they're the perfect adult treat, and also a tasty alternative to cocktails for those seeking low and no alcohol options

The Spirit Collection also includes Bourbon Praline Pecan, Bourbon Vanilla Bean Truffle, Irish Cream Brownie, Rum Tres Leches, Stout Chocolate Pretzel Crunch, and non-dairy Amaretto Black Cherry Almond Toffee.

Last year they also launched Rose & Cream flavour in the US, while they also sell Irish Cream Squares.

In 2020, the popular brand also unveiled its new Heaven line, which includes four different flavors with a third fewer calories than regular ice cream.

The collection has just 210 to 230 calories per serving, compared to up to 380 calories in its traditional flavors.
Filipino chicken chain Jollibee is set to open 50 restaurants in the UK in the next six months, making it the latest international fast food chain to lay roots on British soil.

Famous around the world for crispy fried chicken and fast-food classics with a tropical twist, the fast food giant will open its new restaurant in London's Leicester Square tomorrow, and has plans to open in Leeds, Cardiff, Reading, Edinburgh, Glasgow and Newcastle in the next six months.

Bestsellers include Chickenjoy, the famous crispy fried chicken made with a family-secret marinade; Jolly Spaghetti, made with a Filipino inspired sweet-style sauce, loaded with layers of cheese and hot dog slices; and the Jollibee Chicken Burger, perfectly prepared by the team with hand-breaded juicy fried chicken for extra crunch. All their burgers are priced at 3.99.

The fried chicken chain opened a small site in Earl's Court in 2018, which sparked 18 hours queues of more than 1,000 people with some saying the opening 'brought them more joy than the birth of their children' and people camping overnight to get a taste of the fried chicken.

They have since opened up in Leicester, Liverpool and Leeds but the new 30million expansion plan is their biggest to date.

Filipino chicken chain Jollibee is set to open 50 restaurants in the UK in the next six months, making it the latest international fast food chain to lay roots on British soil.

It comes as US cult brand Popeyes announced plans to open up their first restaurant in the UK, following in the footsteps of Wendy's who are also set to open their first British branch.

The chain was founded in the Philippines in 1978 and now has stores across the globe including the USA, Canada, Italy.

Adam Parkinson, Business Head for Jollibee Europe told FEMAIL: 'We are very excited for Londoners and visitors from across the UK to come try our famous chicken burger.

'Don't let the price fool you  we are confident this is the best chicken burger in London. I could talk all day about the quality and care we put into each burger, but instead, we've set the price at 3.99 so our customers can easily taste the quality and decide for themselves. They won't be disappointed!'

Bestsellers include Chickenjoy, the famous crispy fried chicken made with a family-secret marinade; Jolly Spaghetti (pictured), made with a Filipino inspired sweet-style sauce, loaded with layers of cheese and hot dog slices; and the Jollibee Chicken Burger, perfectly prepared by the team with hand-breaded juicy fried chicken for extra crunch.

'The past year has been tough on the restaurant industry across the world, but Jollibee remains on track for continued growth across the UK and Europe. With restaurants allowed to serve customers inside from 17th May, we know the London community is keen to return to socialising with friends and sharing great food. Our Leicester Square restaurant is a fantastic place for our customers to spend time, try out our delicious menu and just relax  something I think the whole country is craving right now.'

Ernesto Tanmantiong, CEO of Jollibee Group told FEMAIL: 'Bringing Jollibee to London's West End is part of our continued commitment to expanding in Europe and bringing our delicious crispy Chickenjoy to more people around the world.

'Globally, Jollibee Group plans to open 450 restaurants across its brands this year with the long-term goal of being one of the world's top five restaurant operators.

The chain was founded in the Philippines in 1978 and now has stores across the globe including the USA, Canada, Italy.

'We know customers are excited to try new restaurants and visitors will return to key tourist destinations like central London, helping to fuel the capital's restaurant industry.

'It's great to see local communities in the UK trying our food for the first time and becoming loyal customers.'

The last two decades has seen soaring success for intentional fast food joints in the UK.

Cult US fast food brand Popeyes is set to open its first restaurant in the UK this year, while Wendy's, which is known for its spicy nuggets and square burgers said they are set to open two branches in the next five months in the UK,.

Pictured is the inside of the restaurant in Leicester Square, which is set to open tomorrow

Five Guys, which first opened in the UK in 2013, now has 95 restaurants with three more set to open this year.

Shake Shack also opened it's first restaurant in London in 2013 and now has 19 locations in the UK.

More recently, Taco Bell has made a successful journey across the pond, while Chick-fil-A opened in Reading in 2019 but closed following a row about it's parenting company funding anti-LGBT organisations.

Dennis Flores, President of Jollibee Europe, Middle East, Asia and Australia added to FEMAIL: 'Opening in central London in such an iconic location is a huge step forward for Jollibee. Behind the scenes we have been perfecting our new menu items as well as planning our brand-new restaurant design.

'The store in Leicester Square is designed to provide impeccable customer service. We want to provide the best experience for our customers, from ensuring each menu item is of the highest quality down to the comfortable seating.'

The new restaurant will create job opportunities for 60 Londoners, providing some much-needed support to London's hospitality industry and bringing a fun and unique dining experience to the people of the city.
Advertisement

Britons drink 120 bottles of wine or 400 pints every year on average but consume less alcohol than the French, Germans and Spaniards, data revealed today.

An Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) report has called on governments around the world to do more to tackle binge drinking.

It claims each Briton drinks roughly 4.4 pints of beer or 2.3 bottles of wine on average each week, placing it 16th out of 44 wealthy nations analysed across the world. Britain came ahead of Brazil, Japan, China and the US, which ranked 21st.

But the data suggests people in most of Europe's major nations all drink more than Brits  despite the UK being shamed for decades for its binge-drinking culture. However, the same report did find that tend to binge drink more than most other nations.

Latvia is the biggest drinking country in the world, with men and women on average drinking a staggering 512 pints a year  nearly 10 per week.

Alcohol charities today slammed the shocking statistics and called on Westminster increase regulation of alcohol marketing in the UK to reduce the 'suffering' caused by drinking.

Britons drink 120 bottles of wine or 400 pints every year on average but consume less alcohol than the French, Germans and Spaniards, data revealed today

The OECD report uses data from its own health statistics database from 2018, except in the case of Italy, Mexico, the US and Australia, for whom slightly older dates were used.

It suggests Britons drink slightly more than the OECD average amount of pure alcohol per year  9.8 compared to 8.7 litres.

Pure alcohol is measured as one millilitre for every percentage of the drink's strength if there is 100ml of it. A litre of 37.5 per cent vodka, for example, contains 375ml of pure alcohol. While a pint of five per cent strength lager would contain 28.4ml of pure alcohol.

Americans drink slightly less, consuming 8.9 litres of pure alcohol a year. This works out at a four pints a week or 2.1 bottles of wine.

Men and women in the UK both drink less wine and beer than the majority of Europe, with the British average of 4.4 pints per week less than Austria (5.5), France (5.2), Russia (5.0), Ireland (4.9), Germany (4.8), Poland (4.8), Spain (4.7) and Portugal (4.7).

The UK ranks as the tenth least alcohol dependent of all the countries reviewed, with just 1.4 per cent of people diagnosed with the condition. Some 2.2 per cent of British men are alcohol dependent compared to just 0.7 per cent of women.

This compares to a huge 10.4 per cent in Latvia (19.4 per cent in men, three per cent in women)  the country with the highest rate in the world  and is nearly four times less than the rate in the US (7.7 per cent).

But Brits tend to binge drink more than most other nations, with 51 per cent of all alcohol consumed in the country drank by heavy drinkers  defined as drinking two pints for men or one pint of beer for women per day by the OECD. Mexico had a slightly higher rate of 54 per cent.

Some 30 per cent of adults in Britain engage in binge drinking at least once a month. Bingeing is defined as drinking more than 80 per cent of a bottle of wine or three pints of beer per session.

Women are 21 per cent more likely to binge drink monthly if they have completed higher education, the data showed.

In the US the proportion of alcohol consumed by heavy drinkers is 35 per cent and in France it is just 31 per cent.

A spokesperson for the OECD, an international organisation which studies the economies and populations of developed countries, said: 'Alcohol can be a source of enjoyment and is an important part of the economy in many countries.

'Yet harmful alcohol use is a leading risk factor for premature death, injuries and many noncommunicable diseases.

'Harmful alcohol use can also affect others, for example in the case of violence and foetal alcohol syndrome.

'These diseases and injuries, in turn, have an impact on healthcare budgets and the productivity of the labour force.'

The report also showed Brits are as enamoured with beer as they are wine, with 36 per cent of all alcohol drunk in the country being ale, lager or stout and 34 per cent wine  compared to 24 per cent spirits.

The biggest beer lovers were Mexico (87 per cent of all alcohol), while Italy had the highest rate for wine (65 per cent). The highest rate for spirits were in Saudi Arabia (96 per cent), India (93 per cent) and China (67 per cent).

Dr Richard Piper, chief executive of Alcohol Change UK, told MailOnline the statistics show the need for policy change to reduce Britain's high drinking levels.

He said: 'This report shows again what we already knew: alcohol causes too much harm here in the UK. It causes untold suffering to millions across the country  to people who drink, but also to their kids, partners, parents  to their whole communities.

'Every year in England alone the NHS spends 3.5 billion cleaning up after the multi-billion-pound alcohol industry.

'The heartbreaking thing is that all of this harm is avoidable. This report shows that there are policies the government can put in place  right now  that will save the NHS money and save lives.

'These are policies like proper regulation of alcohol marketing, and sorting out alcohol pricing and tax so that litres of strong alcohol can't be bought for pocket money prices.

'The Scottish and Welsh governments are already taking action  it's time for Westminster to catch up and end the avoidable harm.'

Jon Murray, executive director of services in England at drug, alcohol and mental health charity With You, said: 'These figures are concerning, especially when you consider that the number of people in treatment for an alcohol issue has fallen by nearly one fifth since 2013 to 14, with an estimated four out of five dependent drinkers not accessing any kind of support.

'Often isolation and heavy drinking go hand in hand, so it's unsurprising the enforced isolation of the pandemic has led to some people drinking more.

'Heavy drinking is often a way of dealing with mental health issues or a reaction to something else going on in people's lives.

'For example, in recent years we have seen a rise in the number of older adults with an alcohol problem, often in response to life events like divorce, retirement or bereavement. People can get stuck in a cycle of drinking to deal with these types of issues, with their alcohol use actually exacerbating these issues in the long-term.'

It comes after official data last month showed alcohol-related deaths in England and Wales hit a record high in 2020 amid the coronavirus pandemic, with the greatest increase was among middle-class women.

An Office for National Statistics report published today revealed there were 7,423 fatalities linked to drinking last year, which was a fifth more than in 2019 and the highest number since records began in 2001.

Alcohol-related deaths have been rising for decades. But they rose quickest from March 2020 onwards, after the first national lockdown came into force, and got progressively worse as the year went on.
Chris Whitty today attacked tobacco companies who 'kill for profit' as he warned that smoking has caused more deaths than Covid in the past year.

England's chief medical officer said lung cancer, the UK's the most common cancer killer, is 'almost entirely' caused by greedy cigarette firms making money from addiction.

He added that smoking killed more than 90,000 people in the country last year  compared to around 80,000 deaths caused by Covid-19.

In a lecture on public health at Gresham College, Professor Whitty said he found the 'dismal' survival rates for people with lung cancer very upsetting.

He said: 'One in five people who die from cancer will die from [lung cancer]. The reason that people like me get very concerned and very upset about it is that this cancer is almost entirely caused for profit.

'The great majority of people who die of this cancer die so that a small number of companies can make profits from the people who they have addicted in young ages, and then keep addicted to something which they know will kill them.

'Lung cancer is unfortunately still a very major problem  almost entirely because of smoking for profit.

'Smoking is gradually going down but it is still a very major cause of mortality. And it is still a very major cause of people going to hospital.'

England's Chief Medical Officer Professor Chris Whitty (pictured) today attacked tobacco companies who 'kill for profit' as he warned that smoking has caused more deaths than Covid-19 in the past year

In this evening's wide-ranging speech, the doctor also spoke of the devastating consequences of the obesity epidemic on the NHS

Smokers attending A&E will be handed vaping 'starter packs' in Government-funded trial Hospital patients will be handed vaping 'starter packs' in a bid to help them stop smoking tobacco under a new Government-funded trial. The initiative at five NHS hospitals will see smokers who attend A&E units offered e-cigarettes when they are discharged. Research has shown that nicotine e-cigarettes can be a useful tool to help people quit tobacco. However, the devices are controversial as people can become addicting to vaping and research has suggested they can lead to heart and lung damage. Experts at the University of East Anglia (UEA) are today launching a trial which, if successful, could see the NHS routinely provide e-cigarettes as part of its stop smoking programmes. The research team aim to recruit around 1,000 smokers who have attended emergency departments for any medical reason. Advertisement

More than 35,000 people die from lung cancer each year in the UK, more than any other cancer, and just one in three survive for a year after diagnosis.

Smoking also causes heart disease, heart attacks, stroke, diabetes, and lung disease. There are about seven million smokers in the UK.

Professor Whitty said: 'In the last year it is likely that at least as many and probably more people will have died of smoking related disease than of Covid.'

In this evening's wide-ranging speech, the doctor also spoke of the devastating consequences of the obesity epidemic on the NHS.

Some 27 per cent of men and 29 per cent of women in England are now obese, while two thirds of adults are overweight or obese. Twenty years ago, just 15 per cent were obese.

Professor Whitty blamed spiralling obesity levels on environmental factors, and called for stricter public health measures to tackle Britain's bulging waistlines.

He said: '[Obesity] is driven in large part because people are put into environments which encourage overeating or eating in a way which is extremely unhealthy.

'People should feel no shame about obesity, there's no reason for anyone to feel any sense of anything other than proud of themselves as a person.

'But it does have very significant health impacts, they can have mechanical things like knee problems, a big rise in type two diabetes, coronary heart disease, stroke, postmenopausal breast cancer and various other forms of cancer, liver disease, and infectious diseases, including Covid.'

He said that it was very important that obesity is seen as a 'societal problem' and that more measures are introduced to prevent obesity-related diseases.

Professor Whitty's comments came the day after NHS England figures revealed that obesity played a role in a record one million hospital admissions last year.

The 55-year-old, who became Chief Medical Officer in 2019, also spoke of the dementia timebomb facing the country due to Britain's aging population.

He added that Covid had exposed 'the really serious problems we have with social care', which have been highlighted by the Daily Mail's campaign for reform to the care system.

Professor Whitty said that immense progress in medicine meant survival chances for most cancers and heart disease had improved dramatically in recent decades.

But he added: 'Because people are surviving many other things which life throws at them because of public health and medical science, they're living long enough to get to the point where dementia is a significant problem.

'So the number of people living with dementia is steadily increasing and will continue to increase because older age is the biggest risk factor for dementia.'

He said costs facing the NHS were likely to keep increasing due to rising demand from an aging population and the increased prices of drugs and equipment.

Professor Whitty said technological innovations offered huge hope in areas such as cancer care and that artificial intelligence would increasingly be used to help diagnose cancer.

But he added that the same personal interactions between doctors, nurses and their patients that have gone on for centuries would always be essential in medicine.
The pandemic has thrust little-known companies into the spotlight and none more so than Oxford Biomedica.

Pre-Covid the Oxford University spin-out was ticking along on the AIM market, developing drugs to treat Parkinsons disease.

But when the pandemic struck the firm stepped up, churning out tens of millions of doses of vaccine for Astrazeneca.

Covid fight: Oxford Biomedica's vaccine manufacturing programme has been so successful that it has raised revenue expectations from the drug for 2021 to 100m from 50m previously

So successful has the manufacturing been that the now FTSE 250 company has raised revenue expectations from the drug for 2021 to 100million from 50million.

Oxford Biomedica said production volumes would double by the end of the year to meet demand. Apart from a small batch imported from Indias Serum Institute a few months ago, all the UK supply of the Astra vaccine has been made by Oxford Biomedica and Newcastle-based Cobra Biologics.

Analysts at Liberum said: This is a huge endorsement of Oxford Biomedicas capabilities and should position the company extremely well for new partnerships outside of its traditional market. Shares added 10 per cent, or 104p, to reach 1106p.

Premier index the FTSE 100 was again treading water  up just 0.02 per cent, or 1.39 points, at 7034.24.

Atock Watch - AFC Energy AFC Energy was the subject of takeover chatter among small cap brokers. Based in Cranleigh in Surrey, and 3pc-owned by Chelsea tycoon Roman Abramovich, it is a developer of hydrogen fuel-cell technology  an alternative to fossil fuels. But the space is ripe for consolidation. ITM Power and Ceres Power are already listed while Elcogen is ramping up to list this month. One broker said: They would do better to join forces. Shares rose 9.2 per cent, or 4.8p, to 57.2p.

British Airways owner IAG was top of the leaderboard despite confusion over whether holidaymakers should travel to countries on the amber list, such as Spain and France.

Cabinet minister George Eustice said people could visit friends but Government advice still states do not travel.

Nevertheless investors remained upbeat about prospects and it rose 3.6 per cent, or 6.88p, to 196.56p.

Lender Natwest was hot on IAGs heels despite the banks chairman Howard Davies doing his best to talk the sector down.

The City will remain Europes largest financial marketplace but its golden age as Europes financial capital is over, he said in magazine Project Syndicate. Investors ignored the comments and shares rose 2.7 per cent, or 5.15p, to 198.55p.

BP was also making gains after Brent crude touched $70 per barrel for the first time since March before sliding back.

Analysts said the gains were over fears that long-term oil supplies may not meet consumption as companies scale back production due to environmental concerns.

At the same time Shell investors said the companys environmental plan did not go far enough and one in ten shareholders voted against the oilers energy transition strategy at the annual general meeting. BP climbed 0.4 per cent, or 1.4p, to 316.8p; Shell fell 0.4 per cent, or 5.8p, to 1362.6p.

It was a good session for tobacco investors as cigarette giant Imperial Brands clocked up strong cigar sales in the first half of this year.

Cigar sales have boomed during lockdown as smokers puff at home, unrestricted by office rules. Its shares were up 1.5 per cent, or 24p, at 1614p.

Among the fallers was the usually reliable packaging firm Bunzl, which snapped up medical distribution business Obex for 27million.

But investors were unimpressed and shares were down 0.6 per cent, or 13p, at 2307p.

Micro Focus added 6.8 per cent, or 32.2p, at 503.4p after an upbeat trading statement. The turnaround technology specialist lost more than half its value in 2020, but has gained 22 per cent in 2021.

On the FTSE 250 the biggest gainer, 4imprint, rose 10.7 per cent, or 245p, to 2545p, after the marketing merchandise maker said it was recovering well from the pandemic.

And the new Metro Bank chief executive Daniel Frumkin breathed a sigh of relief as investors backed his 500,000 bonus  the lenders remuneration report was passed by 83 per cent.

Shares finished down 0.6 per cent, or 0.6p, at 108.2p.
The city watchdog has vowed to 'up its game' after a Money Mail investigation exposed how easily fraudsters can scam thousands of victims online.

Last month, we revealed how a fake website we created, that promoted returns of 9.5 per cent on bonds, had lured in around 1,700 potential victims within five days.

We paid Google just 95.88 to advertise our website under search terms such as 'Isa best buys'. Extraordinarily, our advert was approved despite it being flagged as suspicious.

Scam warning: Criminals are increasingly using 'bond comparison' websites to sidestep Google's checks

The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) yesterday praised Money Mail for highlighting the 'scourge' of online scams.

Mark Steward, Executive Director of Enforcement and Market Oversight at the FCA, said our fake website, best2invest.co.uk, was 'typical' of the sort of investment scams that have spiked over the last year.

He told the FCA Investigations & Enforcement summit: 'The best2invest example demonstrates the velocity of online harm, achieving in days what took months with an 'old school' cold calling boiler room.'

The Mail is campaigning to clamp-down on online financial fraud. Criminals are increasingly using 'bond comparison' sites  such as best2invest  to avoid checks.

These sites don't have to be explicit about what they sell; asking customers for their details to pass on to 'investment partners'. In reality, fraudsters are given the details.

Last year the FCA issued 1,204 warnings on such scams  twice the number in 2019. Its 2021 tally is on track to double again.

It is thought 1.7 billion was lost to fraud in 2020, with 85 per cent of cases carried out online.

Our investigation showed fraudsters can scam thousands, even if websites are taken down days later. This is partly because Google gives firms selling financial goods 21-days to prove their credentials.

MPs and campaigners have said the tech giant could end the scam epidemic if it verified ads before they went live.

Money Mail's ad went live on February 22 and was added to the FCA's warning list three days later, before Google paused it on February 27.

During that time it was viewed more than 3,500 times, with 1,736 customers clicking through to an enquiries page.

Mr Steward explained that our investigation showed how online scams are 'easy to manufacture... on an industrial basis'.

He said: 'Despite the red flags, investors remain vulnerable to too-good-to-be-true investment proposals. The FCA has a role to play here and we are upping our game.'

Mr Steward said the FCA had 'ratcheted up proactive monitoring of the internet' with the aim of spotting suspicious ads within 24 hours.

The watchdog has 50 investigations on foot involving unauthorised activity of 183 suspects.

Mr Steward said the Online Safety Bill, published last week, would help regulators tackle online scams, but questioned if it went far enough.

moneymail@dailymail.co.uk
Glaxo boss Emma Walmsley is bracing for a raid by Wall Street activist Elliott Managemen

Underfire Glaxosmithkline boss Emma Walmsley has been given a second shot in the arm in as many days after the drug-maker revealed positive trial results for another potential Covid vaccine.

Mid-stage trials of the jab it is working on with Canada-based Medicago triggered a strong immune response in patients.

It comes a day after Glaxo said a vaccine it is developing with France's Sanofi yielded positive trial results.

Walmsley is bracing for a raid by Wall Street activist Elliott Management, which has taken a sizeable stake in Glaxo.

That has triggered scrutiny of her leadership, including the failure to develop a coronavirus vaccine while rivals such as Pfizer and Astrazeneca raced ahead with their own jabs.

Medicago and Sanofi are among the firms Glaxo is providing with its adjuvant technology which boosts the effectiveness of vaccines.

Thomas Breuer, Glaxo's chief medical officer for vaccines, said: 'We are delighted to see that the results suggest a very strong immune response.'
The Parliamentary Ombudsman says it will not investigate grievances from wives who were denied backdated pension payments

Married women who were unaware they could claim a better state pension have had their complaints thrown out.

The Parliamentary Ombudsman says it will not investigate grievances from wives denied thousands of pounds in missed payments.

They complained of maladministration by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) - claiming they were not informed of their right to a state pension based on their husbands work record.

The Ombudsman says the law did not allow for the unclaimed money to be paid back.

Former Pensions Minister Sir Steve Webb, says he will fight to overturn the decision.

Wives entitled to the rate after March 2008 have been able to claim back money because the DWP was supposed to pay the increased rate automatically after that date.

b.wilkinson@dailymail.co.uk

>>>Were you underpaid state pension? Find out what to do here
Advertisement

Matt Hancock tonight pleaded with Britons to get both of their Covid jabs as he insisted the vaccines work well against the Indian Covid variant which has quadrupled in the UK in a fortnight.

Speaking at a Downing Street press conference, the Health Secretary reiterated earlier remarks from Boris Johnson that SAGE had 'increasing confidence' in the ability of vaccines to protect against the variant.

He revealed that the 'majority' of people in hospital with the mutant strain in hotspot Bolton were not vaccinated and that of those who had been jabbed, 90 per cent had not been given both doses.

Urging people to come forward for their appointments, he added: 'This is on all of us, we are masters of our own fate.'

Mr Hancock added: 'We are seeing the vast majority of cases, both of the existing variant and of the B.1.617.2 variant, amongst younger groups and unvaccinated people.

'On the one hand hand that is actually a good sign as it implies the vaccine is working effectively, but obviously we don't want to see a huge increase in the number of cases everywhere.'

His comments were echoed by deputy chief medical officer Professor Jonathan Van-Tam, who described Britain's situation as a 'straight race' between the vaccination programme and the new strain.

He added: 'The NHS is doing everything it can to turbo-boost that, and that is the challenge that's ahead of us in the next two to three to four weeks, to make sure that we outrun the virus through really vigorous pull-through on vaccine delivery.'

Britain has now recorded almost 3,000 cases of the Indian B.1.617.2. variant, up from 520 on May 5. Data shows the variant is now behind one in five of all infections and has become the dominant strain in 23 parts of England. Latest figures show 70 per cent of British adults  36.9million people  have now had their first dose, with 20m fully inoculated.

Mr Hancock said extra surge testing was being deployed in Indian variant hotspots to boost the vaccine programme and revealed the Government was monitoring waste water in 70 per cent of the country to detect early signs of the strain spreading in more areas.

As well as in Bolton and Blackburn, surge testing is being deployed in eight new places  Bedford, Burnley, Hounslow, Kirklees, Leicester, North Tyneside, Glasgow and Moray.

Meanwhile, the Health Secretary announced Covid booster vaccines are to be trialled in the UK as health chiefs gear up to offer all over-50s a third dose this autumn. Southampton University scientists will recruit thousands of fully-vaccinated Britons to the study, which will test seven Covid vaccines as part of the world's first clinical trial into booster shots.

Mr Hancock said he was 'delighted' and that the tests will 'shape the plans for our booster programme later this year', adding: 'We will do everything we can to future-proof this country from pandemics.'

Matt Hancock tonight pleaded with Britons to get both of their Covid jabs as he insisted SAGE had 'increasing confidence' in the ability of vaccines to protect against the variant

A chart showing the proportion of people in England who have been given either one or two vaccine doses was presented at tonight's Downing Street press conference. Matt Hancock hailed it as evidence of how many Brits were coming forward for their jab but urged people to help get coverage closer to 100 per cent to protect against the Indian variant

Another chart revealed that as of Tuesday, 37million people in the UK - or 70 per cent of adults - had received at least one dose of a Covid vaccine

The above graph is based on Sanger Institute data on cases identified in the community. It shows that while the Kent variant (B.1.1.7) remains dominant in the country, infections with the Indian variant (B.1.617.2) are rising rapidly. In the week to April 24 it made up barely three per cent of all infections spotted, but by May 8 it was behind 27 per cent

Professor Van-Tam advised people in Covid hotspots to 'think carefully' about using the new freedoms they have this week.

When asked at a Downing Street briefing on Wednesday if he would advise people in areas such as Bolton with high coronavirus rates against taking advantage of new freedoms, he said: 'I would advise the residents in those areas to think very carefully about the freedoms they have, weigh up the risks and be very cautious.

'It is possible to do something outside, better to do it outside. If it is possible to do something with smaller numbers, with people you know rather than multiple new contacts, it's better to do that. Take it steady.

Health chiefs gear up for autumn Covid vaccine booster drive as No10 launches trial testing SEVEN different jabs as top-up shots Covid booster vaccines are to be trialled in the UK as health chiefs gear up to offer all over-50s a third dose this autumn. Southampton University scientists will recruit thousands of fully-vaccinated Britons to the study, which will test seven Covid jabs as top-ups. They will record any side-effects analyse the antibody levels of volunteers to check whether the extra dose offered any extra protection. No10's top scientists are set to be fed the results of the world-first trial to determine how booster shots should be dished out later in the year. Experts running the clinical trials said every jab should spark added immunity  but that some may lead to more side-effects than others. Matt Hancock announced the study at a Downing Street press conference tonight. The Health Secretary said he was 'delighted' and that the tests will 'shape the plans for our booster programme later this year'. Mr Hancock added: 'We will do everything we can to future-proof this country from pandemics.' Coronavirus vaccines made by AstraZeneca, Pfizer, Moderna, Novavax, Johnson and Johnson, Valneva, CureVac will be used in the study, alongside a control jab. Advertisement

HOLIDAYING IN AMBER AND RED COUNTRIES IS LIKE SWIMMING WITH SHARKS, SAYS JVT Deputy chief medical officer Professor Jonathan Van-Tam tonight compared the risk of holidaying in countries with higher levels of coronavirus to jumping into shark-infested ponds. Speaking at the Downing Street press conference, he said: 'I think we can be very clear that when or if a vaccine fails to give you the maximum amount of protection that you were hoping for, what it says on the tin as it were, then the things that are going to go first are the vaccine's ability to protect you from infection and to stop you from transmitting it to others. 'The things that will go last are the vaccine's ability to stop you getting into hospital from severe disease and dying  they're the bits we think are generally the strongest even with a weaker vaccine. 'So, that's a tricky nuance in terms of the argument that just because you've had vaccines it's entirely safe to go abroad. 'Everything is relative and the other bit of relativity is whether you're, when you go abroad, jumping into a pond with one shark in it or jumping into a pond with 100 sharks in it, it changes the likelihood that you're going to get bitten. 'The disease levels in these different countries that are potential destinations are all very different, and some of them still have quite levels of disease activity compared to the UK.' Advertisement

'The Government has given people freedoms to start to make these judgments for themselves and I understand that we can't live for years and years on end with rules, people will have to learn to manage these risks from Covid for themselves because this is not going to go away in the short term, medium term and probably the long term.'

Mr Hancock told the press conference: 'Overall hospitalisations and deaths remain very low, meaning we have been able to carefully take away more restrictions this week as we've taken step three of the road map.

'But we must proceed with vigilance and with everyone taking personal responsibility.

'We've always known that one of the things that has the potential to knock us off track would be a new variant.

'That's why we made the presence of a new variant that could do that one of our four tests when we set out the road map, which is the tests we must pass for going down each step of the road map.

'The early evidence suggests that the B1617.2 new variant, first discovered in India, passes on more easily from person to person than the B11.7 variant that was first discovered in Kent.

'But as the Prime Minister said at lunch time, we have increasing confidence that the vaccines are effective against it.

'That means that our strategy is the right one  to carefully replace restrictions on freedom with the protection from the vaccine.'

Mr Hancock revealed that the case rate in Indian variant hotspot Bolton was 283 per 100,000, after doubling in a week. He said 25 people were currently in Bolton's hospitals with the strain, of which the 'majority' were unvaccinated. Among those that had been jabbed, 90 per cent had not been given both. Mr Hancock said: 'This shows the importance of getting vaccinated - not once, but twice.'

Despite growing fears about the variant putting England's June 21 'freedom day' in jeopardy, the Prime Minister one of his top scientific advisers today claimed the jabs work well against the strain and it may be less infectious than first feared.

The Prime Minister said there was 'increasing confidence' jabs are highly effective against all variants, including B.1.617.2. His comments are bolstered by the fact the emergence of the strain has not yet led to an uptick in hospital admissions or deaths.

There were just three Covid deaths announced across the UK today, the fifth day in a row there has been single-digit fatalities. Another 2,696 infections were recorded in the past 24 hours, up 18 per cent on the number a week ago.

The latest figures came as the Government under fresh criticism for taking too long to ban travel from India, as Labour today claimed the border had been 'like a sieve' throughout the pandemic.

Meanwhile, SAGE epidemiologist Professor Neil Ferguson said analysis over the past few days indicated the strain was less transmissible than initially feared, providing a 'glimmer of hope' for the country's lockdown-easing plans.

The scientist  nicknamed 'Professor Lockdown' for his frightening modelling of the pandemic during last spring  said whether or not the country could come out of restrictions next month was 'in the balance' and it might not be clear for weeks how much of a threat the Indian variant poses.

The comments came as the PM faces a revolt from his own MPs at the prospect of the unlocking timetable being pushed back. One Cabinet minister told MailOnline there would be 'serious trouble' from the Tory benches if he does not stick to the date for lifting almost all restrictions.

And Bolton's Tory council leader  one of 23 areas in England where the mutant strain is now dominant  raised alarm about 'civil unrest' in the town if it is placed under a local lockdown.

No10 has admitted a review of social distancing rules that had been expected this month could be delayed as they wrestle with the response to the latest variant. Mr Hancock will hold a 5pm press conference to discuss the Indian variant and the vaccine roll-out.

Health services across the UK have administered 57.8million vaccines, including 36.9million people with their first dose  or 70.2 per cent of the adult population. Meanwhile, almost two-fifths (39.6 per cent) have had both doses.

Hailing the inoculation drive hitting its latest landmark, Mr Hancock told the Commons earlier: 'With more than 70 per cent of adults now having had a first dose, and almost two-fifths already double-vaccinated, we have much to celebrate.

'Vaccination underpins our road map which means we can now have pints in pubs and hugs in homes.

'Yet, as I updated the House on Monday, the race between the virus and the vaccine has got a whole lot closer. I can tell the House that 2,967 cases of Covid with the B1617.2 variant have now been identified.'

He added: 'Vaccines are turning the tide against this pandemic and I'm incredibly proud the UK has one of the highest uptake rates in the world, with 90 per cent of people saying that they have had or will have the jab.

'Strong evidence shows the vaccines protect you and your loved ones from serious illness, and they also reduce transmission, which is why we've introduced additional surge measures in the areas with rising cases of the variant first identified in India.'

He added: 'Thank you to everybody who has come forward so far  we can beat this virus together if we all play our part and get the jab as soon as we're eligible.'

Despite the threat of the Indian variant to the UK only being made public last week, reports today suggest the Government was warned about the danger it posed to the UK four weeks ago.

While the Indian variant is spreading rapidly in pockets of the country, 60 per cent of local authorities in England have yet to record a case (shown in grey). But it is likely the variant has spread even further than the map suggests because the data is 10 days out of date. Experts have said they expect it to overtake the Kent strain and become dominant in the coming weeks and months

Positive test figures from the Wellcome Sanger Institute  which cover only lab-analysed cases in the two weeks between April 25 and May 8  reveal the mutant Indian strain made up 50 per cent or more of all samples in 23 parts of the country by last week. Bolton and Blackburn in the North West remain the worst-hit areas with almost 600 cases between them and the variant making up 81 per cent of infections

Holiday chaos as EU approves Covid passports, five million Brits book holidays to Europe and Ryanair offers 5 flights to amber list nations The EU today took a huge step towards allowing fully vaccinated Britons to visit restriction-free this summer as it was revealed five million people have already booked European breaks despite Boris Johnson declaring: 'You should not be going to an amber list country on holiday'. Brussels has approved a plan that its 27 member states can adopt a vaccine passport system that will allow tourists to visit without needing to test or quarantine as the Prime Minister urged UK holidaymakers not to travel until he updates his own 'green list'. The EU's ambassadors signed off on the bloc's travel plan this morning, with the heads of state expected to agree it as an official policy by the end of the week. But with only Portugal on the UK's 'green list', the PM has said Britons should not be heading to Europe, even if the EU's vaccine passport scheme would allow it. He told PMQs: 'If you travel to an amber list country for any emergency, any extreme reason that you have to, when you come back, you not only have to pay for all the tests but you have to self-isolate for 10 days - we will invigilate, we are invigilating it, and people who fail to obey the quarantine can face fines of up to 10,000'. Ryanair today sought to cash in on the boom, offering 5 flights to 'amber list' destinations such as Barcelona, Dublin, Corfu, Berlin and dozens more cities and resorts across Europe through June, when the EU is expected to open up to tourists. MailOnline can reveal that Tui, the UK's biggest holiday company, has seen a surge in sales for 'amber' destinations in July and August. Most customers are booking breaks at resorts in southern Spain, the Balearics and the Canaries or on Greek islands such as Crete, Kos, and Corfu. Critics have pointed out that the UK's traffic light system is also adding to the confusion, because an amber light can mean stop or go, with people left 'baffled' by the PM's decision to legalise holidays from May 17 only to urge them to stay at home. And Skills Minister Gillian Keegan has further fuelled travel chaos by stressing holidays to 'amber list' countries are not illegal and warnings from Boris Johnson are only 'guidance', insisting the government was trusting the public to be 'sensible'. In a farrago of indecision, last night health minister Lord Bethell claimed travel anywhere abroad was 'dangerous' and foreign trips were 'not for this year', hours after Environment Secretary George Eustice suggested trips to 'amber' countries were acceptable if people wanted to see friends and family. Virginia Messina, Senior Vice President of the World Travel & Tourism Council, told MailOnline: 'Disagreements over whether or not you can travel to an 'amber country' are baffling consumers and leaving the travel and tourism sector in disarray'. Millions of Britons have already taken advantage of cheaper prices and booked to travel abroad to 'amber list' destinations this summer, with the majority planning to head to Spain, France, Greece and Italy, according to The Independent, despite facing ten days of quarantine and multiple tests. Many are gambling on the destinations turning 'green' by the time they are due to go. Advertisement

At that time, the strain was already decimating hospitals in India's major cities and yet thousands of travellers were still flying into Britain from the country every week.

Ministers met for crisis talks two weeks later to thrash out plans to deal with the strain, with some advisors warning against going ahead with stage three of the roadmap, Sky News reports.

The Indian variant has already spread to at least four in 10 areas of England and accounts for one in five new infections since being imported to the UK in late March.

Mr Johnson tried to strike a positive tone at PMQs this afternoon, saying he had looked at the data again this morning and there was 'increasing confidence' that vaccines work against 'all variants, including the Indian variant'.

Asked by Labour leader Keir Starmer whether mutant strains was the biggest risk for the loosening, Mr Johnson said: 'I certainly think that is one of the issues that we must face.'

He added: 'We've looked at the data again this morning and I can tell the House we have increasing confidence that vaccines are effective against all variants, including the Indian variant.'

Asked about what data the PM has seen to make his 'increasing confidence' comment, a No10 spokesperson said: 'We have regular data that is published daily that tracks through right down to a very granular level on things like case rates.

'That is the information that the Prime Minister is seeing.

'Currently in that data we are not seeing any sharp increases or significant areas of concern.

'Clearly it is important to stress that we want to give more time to get more data in so we can make decisions on our approach on the next step.'

They added data includes hospitalisation rates, case rates, positivity rates 'and a number of studies published here and around the world which continue to show high levels of efficacy against variants'.

Pressed during an interview on BBC Radio 4's Today programme for his 'hunch' about whether the next stage of the roadmap would go ahead on schedule, Prof Ferguson said: 'I think that is being actively considered.

'It is very much in the balance. The data collected in the next two-three weeks will determine that.'

He said it was not yet clear how much more transmissible the Indian variant is, but added: 'Certainly, it is much easier to deal with 20 per cent, even 30 per cent (more transmissibility) than it would be 50 per cent or more.'

During a round of interviews this morning, Professor Ferguson said data had suggested the current jabs were less effective at stopping people from catching the mutant virus.

He claimed the Government's scientists were 'slightly concerned' this could give the surging strain more opportunity to spread to vulnerable and unvaccinated groups.

But the University College London epidemiologist insisted there was a 'good deal of confidence' among SAGE that the vaccines will protect against severe disease and death, which would be crucial in protecting the NHS in the event of a third wave.

Asked about the Indian variant's effect on vaccines, Professor Ferguson told the BBC Radio 4 Today Programme: 'It is something which is being studied very carefully.

'There's a good deal of confidence, and the data is being gathered, that the vaccines will protect against severe disease.

'The effect of the Indian variant on the vaccines will be fairly marginal in terms of the protection against severe disease, so the vaccines protect individuals.

'The thing we're slightly concerned about is whether there's an impact on the ability of vaccines to prevent infection or mild disease and, therefore, prevent transmission in the community.

'There are some hints, and it's not vaccine-specific at the moment, in the data of reduced vaccine efficacy against infection and transmission, but we really have to wait as more data is gathered to be definitive about that.

'But of course it's a concern because, if we don't have the same action of vaccine at blocking transmission, it's another way for the virus to amplify itself in the community.'

Even though the vaccines seem likely to prevent severe illness, there are fears that the new variant could spill into the 30million Britons who have still to get their jab.

There are also a very small number of people for whom the vaccines will not work, because the person is very frail or has a weakened immune system.

Professor Ferguson revealed that, since SAGE's warning about the Indian variant last week, there was new data which suggested the strain could be less infectious than first feared.

He said the data was still uncertain because scientists are trying to disentangle whether the virus is extremely transmissible or whether there are behavioral and social factors at play.

Professor Ferguson added: 'To explain to people why this is difficult [to work out exactly how infectious it is]... It's because of how it was introduced into the country, it was introduced from overseas, principally into people with Indian ethnicity - who are at a higher chance of living in multi-generational households and often in quite deprived areas in high density housing.

'So we're trying to work out whether the rapid growth we've seen in Bolton is going to be typical of what we can expect elsewhere.

The growing red sections on graphs represent Indian variant cases surging in local authorities where it could be taking off. In these places it can already be seen edging out the Kent strain (orange) and scientists fear this suggests it is more infectious and could take over as the number one type of the virus in the UK. Note: Some areas, such as Stevenage, Broxbourne and Oadby are recording very few cases of the virus so changes may not constitute a trend

The Indian variant also appears to be edging out the Kent strain in various parts of London, where it already accounts for half of cases or more, but low numbers of infections mean this may an effect caused by small clusters of cases

A Warwick University model of a more infectious variant after lockdown is completely lifted on June 21 suggests that any more than a 30 per cent increase in transmissibility compared to the Kent variant could lead to an August peak of daily hospital admissions that is higher than either the first or second wave. In a worst-case scenario with a variant 50 per cent more transmissible, hospital admissions could surge to 10,000 per day or even double that (Thick lines indicate the central estimate while the thin lines are possible upper limits known as confidence intervals)

Similar but less grim modelling by the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine suggested that a 50 per cent increase in transmissibility could trigger a peak of 4,000 admissions per day in July or August, possibly extending to 6,000 per day

The LSHTM model suggested hospitals could have another 30,000 inpatients by the end of July - up to around 45,000 - compared to the current 845

The LSHTM team suggested that there will be 1,000 deaths per day in August if the variant is 50 per cent more transmissible - which would be less than the 1,900 seen at the peak this January

Chris Whitty FINALLY takes a break! Chief medic is on first holiday in two years (but don't worry, it's in the UK and he's still checking up on the Indian variant) Chris Whitty is on holiday for the first time in two years - but is still tracking the Indian variant of coronavirus. The chief medical officer is on leave this week after overseeing the frantic efforts to tackle the pandemic, MailOnline understands. However, he has opted to stay in the UK rather than take advantage of the lifting of the ban on non-essential travel. Prof Whitty is also said to be in 'daily contact' with his office and still keeping careful tabs on developments with the Indian strain. 'He is having a break as much as he can,' one source said. The chief medical officer's deputies are on duty, with Jonathan Van-Tam set to appear at a Downing Street press conference alongside Health Secretary Matt Hancock and new Test & Trace chief Jenny Harries this evening. A Cabinet minister told MailOnline: 'It is his first break in two years. 'He has earned a lot of respect for the way he has handled things. 'It is not easy because politicians are used to getting shouted at, but people like Whitty arrive in a position because their careers take them there.' Prof Whitty has become one of the best known figures in government over the course of the crisis, fronting adverts and regularly fielding questions at press briefings with the PM and science chief Sir Patrick Vallance. Polls have suggested the 55-year-old - a practising consultant at University College London Hospitals (UCLH) and the Hospital for Tropical Diseases - is among the most trusted public figures. In February Prof Whitty was widely praised for his calm response when a video emerged of a teenager berating him in the street. He self-isolated with coronavirus symptoms in March last year, at around the same time Mr Johnson tested positive. Prof Whitty is due to give a lecture on health trends this evening, but it has been pre-recorded. The government is wrestling with how to respond to the latest mutant strain, with Boris Johnson considering whether the next stage of unlocking on June 21 can go ahead. Advertisement

'There's a little bit of what I would say is a glimmer of hope, from the recent data, that while this virus does still appear to have a significant growth advantage, the magnitude of that advantage seems to have dropped a little bit with the most recent data, so the curves are flattening a little.

'But it will take more time for us to be definitive about that.'

He said even if the strain was found to be 20 per cent more infectious than the Kent one, this would be 'much easier to deal with' than if the figure was 50 per cent.

Ministers think clearer data on the Indian variant will come in next week, in the form of hospital pressures. It can take up to a week for infected people to fall ill enough to need to be admitted to the NHS for treatment.

Given that the virus has only began to spread rapidly over the past fortnight, hospital figures remain low.

Experts hope the vaccines have broken the link between cases and hospitalisations or death but can't be sure until they see real-world statistics from hotspots such as Bolton and Blackburn.

Whitehall insiders told The Times that sewage is also being monitored to find other flare-ups of the variant across the country.

If the spread of the variant does translate into increased pressure on the NHS, then England's June 21 'freedom day' plans could be disrupted.

Professor Ferguson said it could be two or three weeks before data provided firm conclusions about the variant and what impact it will have on the lockdown easing roadmap.

And fellow Government adviser Dr Mike Tildesley, from the University of Warwick, said 'we'll get much more evidence' over the next fortnight.

This is despite Boris Johnson suggesting yesterday that the picture would become clearer in 'days'.

It comes as Labour's shadow health secretary Jonathan Ashworth today called for the Government to publish its internal review of its handling of the Covid crisis.

He said it would help the UK 'prepare' for the next stage of the pandemic and ensure better scrutiny of No10's response to the Indian variant.

Labour will table a motion today to require the Government to publish the internal review. Mr Ashworth told Times Radio: 'We need to learn lessons and prepare for the next stage.

A separate report by the National Audit Office (NAO) found that the pandemic had 'laid bare existing fault lines within society and has exacerbated inequalities'.

Epidemiologist Dr Tildesley suggested that people should 'ration' hugs while there is still uncertainty around the variant first identified in India.

The member of the Scientific Pandemic Influenza Group on Modelling (Spi-M), which advises the Government, told BBC Breakfast: 'We've had a relaxation of restrictions on Monday, which is really great news for people's mental health and wellbeing and for businesses and so forth because we've had really tough restrictions for a long period of time.

'But we still need to remember that there are some measures in place.

'We've been able to relax controls but we still need to be a little bit cautious.

'For example with hugging, again great for people's wellbeing, but I suspect what we really need to do is maybe ration that a little  I'm not going to stop my children from hugging their grandparents for example  but I think we need to be a little bit careful.'

He added that people should not think that the epidemic is over, adding: 'Hopefully we can get back to normality sooner rather than later.

'But we need to ease into that so we need to be a little bit cautious over the coming weeks just to make sure that we don't get a resurgence of cases.'

Meanwhile, Health Secretary Matt Hancock was warned there could be 'unrest' in Bolton if the Government brings in local lockdowns to contain the Indian variant.

David Greenhalgh, Conservative leader at Bolton Council, told BBC Radio 4's Today programme: 'We've been there before and they don't work  not in a dense conurbation like Greater Manchester.

'This happened before, the spread increased because people travelled 50 yards across the county boundary to access hospitality that they can't in their own area.'

Asked if he had told Mr Hancock there would be civil unrest, he said: 'I do think there is a danger of unrest.

'There is a great deal of resentment. Bolton was we were disproportionately affected really since July last year.

'Even when our rates were coming down, we still remained in lockdown when other areas' rates were higher than ours, so there was a build up of resentment.

'The people of Bolton have a great spirit and they come together when times are difficult.

'But this would be a very, very difficult situation to manage I believe  if we went into a lockdown that we have personal experience of as a town, which did not work.'

Mr Greenhalgh said there was no sign yet that cases were coming under control in Bolton, adding that 'our cases are still rising'.

He continued: 'I think that was, to be honest, expected. We are putting all the measures in that we can at the moment.

'We have community spread, there's no doubt about that, and we're holding back a variant that would appear  although the evidence is still being gathered  to be a little bit more transmissible, easily transmissible.

'The majority of our cases are in very much our younger age groups  primary school, secondary school and in their 20s.

'We still haven't got an increase in hospitalisation and severe illness, which is hugely welcome, those figures still remain low.

'We're doing everything we can. The Government has sent in surge vaccinations, surge testing We're doing everything we can, but I think the next two weeks we will still see our cases rising.'

Figures for the seven days to May 14 show that Bolton continues to have the highest rate of new Covid cases per 100,000 people in England.

It had 867 new cases in the seven days  the equivalent of 301.5 cases per 100,000 people. This is up from 150.2 in the seven days to May 7.

WHAT DO WE KNOW ABOUT THE INDIAN VARIANTS? Real name: B.1.617  now divided into B.1.617.1, B.1.617.2 and B.1.617.3 When and where was it discovered? The variant was first reported by the Indian government in February 2021 but the first cases appear to date back to October 2020. Its presence in the UK was first announced by Public Health England on April 15. There have since been at least 520 cases spotted in genetic lab testing. What mutations does it have? It has at least 13 mutations that separate it from the original Covid virus that emerged in China. The two main ones are named E484Q and L452R, although the most common version in Britain (.2) does not have E484Q. Scientists suspect L425R can help it to transmit faster and E484Q helps it get past immune cells made in response to older variants. There is also a mutation called T478K but researchers don't yet know what it does. Is it more infectious and can it evade vaccines? Research is ongoing but British scientists currently believe it spreads at least as fast as the Kent variant and potentially faster, but it is unlikely to slip past vaccine immunity. SAGE advisers said in a meeting last week: 'Early indications, including from international experience, are that this variant may be more transmissible than the B.1.1.7 [Kent] variant.' Dr Susan Hopkins, a boss at Public Health England, said: 'We are monitoring all of these variants extremely closely and have taken the decision to classify this as a variant of concern because the indications are that this is a more transmissible variant.' Expectations are that the current Covid vaccines will still protect people against the Indian variants. Early research by the Gupta Lab at Cambridge University found there was a small reduction in vaccine effectiveness on the original Indian variant, but it found the jabs worked better against it than they did on the South African strain. The team have not yet tested the .2 strain, which is the most common in the UK. A paper published by SAGE advisers recently suggested two doses of the Pfizer vaccine is good enough to protect against all known variants, and it is likely the others will provide very strong defence against severe illness, even if there is a risk of reinfection. Professor Sharon Peacock, of PHE, claimed there was 'limited' evidence of E484Q's effect on immunity and vaccines. How deadly is it? Professor Peacock said: 'There isn't any evidence that this causes more severe disease. There's just not enough data at the moment.' Scientists say it is unlikely that the variant will be significantly more dangerous than the Kent strain. This is because there is no evolutionary benefit to Covid becoming more deadly. The virus's sole goal is to spread as much as it can, so it needs people to be alive and mix with others for as long as possible to achieve this. Although there have been claims that the Kent variant is more deadly than the virus it replaced  the Government claimed it was around 30 per cent  there is still no conclusive evidence to show any one version of Covid is worse than another. Is the variant affecting children and young adults more seriously? Doctors in India claim there has been a sudden spike in Covid hospital admissions among people under 45, who have traditionally been less vulnerable to the disease. There have been anecdotal reports from medics that young people make up two third of new patients in Delhi. In Bangalore, under-40s made up 58 percent of infections in early April, up from 46 percent last year. But this could be completely circumstantial  older people are more likely to shield themselves or to have been vaccinated  and there is still no proof younger people are more badly affected by the new strain. The risk of children getting ill with Covid is still almost non-existent. Why is it a 'variant of concern' and should we be worried? Public Health England listed the variant as 'of concern' because cases are growing rapidly and it appears to be equally infectious  or potentially even more  than other strains in Britain. Last time a faster-spreading variant was discovered it caused chaos because the outbreak exploded and hospitals came close to breaking point in January, with almost 50,000 people dying in the second wave. But there is currently no reason to be alarmed. Scientists believe our current vaccines will still work against the variant, preventing people from getting seriously ill or dying in huge numbers. If it spreads faster than Kent it could make it harder to contain and make the third wave bigger, increasing the number of hospital admissions and deaths among people who don't get vaccinated or for whom vaccines don't work, but the jabs should take the edge off for the majority of people. A vaccine that can make vaccinated people very sick en masse would be a real crisis for Britain and could 'cause even greater suffering than we endured in January', Boris Johnson warned on Thursday  but there are not yet any signs the Indian variant will be the one to do this. How many cases have been detected in the UK? According to Matt Hancock, there have been about 2,300 cases of the most worrying version of the Indian variant, B.1.617.2, which is quadruple the amount reported a fortnight ago. It now accounts for one in five of all new infections. The cases are spread across the country, with the majority in two areas  the North West, mainly in Bolton, Blackburn, and Sefton, in Merseyside. But it is also spreading in London. Surge testing is expected to be deployed where there is evidence of community transmission and has already begun in the North West. Latest positive test data suggests the Indian variant is dominant - accounting for more than half of all positive tests - in 23 parts of England already. Analysis of samples by the Wellcome Sanger Institute shows that by the week ending May 8, the variant accounted for eight in 10 cases in hotspots Bolton, Blackburn with Darwen, Sefton and Bedford, as well as in Chelmsford in Essex and Croydon in London. It is less dominant in Nottingham, West Lancashire, Stevenage, Oadby and Wigston, South Northamptonshire, Broxbourne, Hillingdon, Brent, Camden, Hounslow, Greenwich, Bromley, Dartford, Sevenoaks, Canterbury, Rushmoor and Hart. Advertisement

PIERS MORGAN: Deluded vaccine refuseniks deserve to be shamed but the blame for this Indian variant fiasco lies with Downing Street Ditherer-in-Chief Boris Johnson whose deadly incompetence has yet again imperilled our liberty

It takes a special kind of selfish, deluded fool to refuse to take the covid vaccine but persist in ranting about the evils of lockdowns.

Yesterday, rock legend Eric Clapton did his best to dissuade people from having the jab after claiming the side effects he suffered made him fear he would never perform again.

This is the same Eric Clapton who a few months ago collaborated on an anti-lockdown song 'Stand and Deliver' because he said he was desperate for live music shows to return.

The 76-year-old guitarist doesn't seem to realise that if everyone heeded his advice to avoid vaccination, then live music would never return and a lot of people his age would get the virus and die.

But fortunately, Britain seems to have fewer vaccine sceptics than anywhere else in the world which is why we're leading the global chart in jab-acceptance.

And frankly, when it comes to covid idiocy, and the danger it represents, the likes of Mr Clapton pale into insignificance when compared to the chronically incompetent imbeciles inside No10 Downing Street led by Ditherer-in-Chief, Boris Johnson.

It was Albert Einstein who reportedly said that 'Insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results.'

So, by that yardstick, the Prime Minister is now officially insane.

How else to explain why, once again, we're facing the threat of further lockdowns because he has proved shamefully incapable of doing basic things to protect us from this bloody virus?

When the pandemic first erupted last year, Johnson's abject refusal to take the virus seriously led to Britain locking down several weeks after virtually everywhere else but he still kept our island border open so 20 million visitors could come in, many from corona-ravaged countries.

The combined effect of these two catastrophic decisions was the worst death toll in Europe.

And Johnson learned absolutely nothing from his failure.

When the second wave came last autumn, as every credible scientist had warned it would, he again delayed ordering lockdown despite a surge in covid infections and subsequent deaths.

Even when the far more transmissible Kent variant was announced in December, Johnson dithered again and inexplicably allowed millions of untested families to meet up for Christmas and infect each other.

This disgraceful dereliction of duty led to a horrendous new UK covid death toll at the start of this year, even larger than the first wave.

Then, finally, it seemed the penny dropped, and Johnson announced what he said would be a final 'irreversible' lockdown before the commencement of a 4-part roadmap to freedom.

Of course, the fact such an inveterate liar said it would be the final lockdown should have rung immediate alarm bells that it wouldn't be.

But there seemed to be a sound logic to the steady, cautious plans and pace of the roadmap and I was hopeful it would be successful.

Now, those plans look in tatters as the new Indian variant starts to spread inexorably across the country and government ministers are making ominous noises that the much-vaunted June 21 'Freedom Day' will be nothing of the sort and new restrictions including regional lockdowns may be necessary.

All of which prompts the obvious question: why is this Indian variant here, bringing a new threat to our liberty?

And why, given how little we still seem to know about its virulence, did we not slam the breaks on the substantial new reopening phase of the country on Monday until the picture was clearer?

The answer is grimly predictable: because Boris Johnson has failed to properly protect us. Again.

It was obvious to anyone with half a brain that India was in big trouble with its second wave of the virus at the start of April, as covid cases surged.

But incredibly, despite the UK government's own data showing India had a higher rate of infection at the time than Pakistan and Bangladesh, it wasn't Red-Listed until April 23 - two weeks after its neighbours.

And when it was finally put on the list, people in India were given four days to get back to the UK.

We'll never know how many brought the variant in with them, because our testing and quarantining system remains a shambles.

What we do know from countries with better systems is that the chances are a lot of them did.

A study of one flight from Delhi to Hong Kong around the same time showed that all 188 passengers produced evidence they had recently tested negative for the virus, but a third of them  52 people  then tested positive during Hong Kong's very intense process of airport testing and mandatory hotel quarantine.

By contrast, Britain's border control is an embarrassing disaster.

For weeks now, passengers arriving from Red-List countries have been seen queueing for many hours at Heathrow right next to passengers from Green and Amber-list countries in what's resembled a constant ongoing covid super-spreader event that makes a mockery of all advice to avoid such indoor, airless mass gatherings.

It sounds ridiculous that any government would allow this potentially lethal mixing of people from safe and unsafe places as they enter the UK, but it's happening every single day.

And flights from India continue to pour in, even as deaths from the new variant there continue to scale record daily highs.

LBC Radio's Westminster Correspondent Ben Kentish revealed last night that 110 direct flights from India have landed in UK since it was placed on the Red List, containing 8,500 passengers of whom it is believed 7% tested positive for coronavirus, half with the new variant. That's at least 300 people, and those are just the ones we picked up.

How many of them infected passengers from Amber and Green-list countries at the airport as they all stood around inhaling the same air space?

And why the hell are we still allowing direct flights in from India at all when we've banned direct flights from 11 other countries on the Red List including South Africa and Brazil?

None of this makes any sense, just as none of our border policy has ever made any sense in this pandemic.

We're an island.

We could have shut down like other islands including Hong Kong, Taiwan, New Zealand and Australia, and operated a similarly draconian border policy that virtually guarantees no new outbreak of coronavirus, of any variant, can spread through the population.

But instead, Boris Johnson has steadfastly refused to do it, leaving us, to use his one of his favourite post-Brexit phrases, 'open for business' to the virus and its nasty variants.

His claim, repeated in the House of Commons today, that we have 'one of the strongest border policies in the world' is disingenuous nonsense.

And in true Johnson style, when cornered about his ineptitude, he and his ministers have tried to pass the blame for the variant's spread onto the public, specifically the anti-Vaxxers, and started brazenly lying about the delay in putting India on the Red List.

I believe, as many do, that the real reason why he delayed is because Johnson was due to visit India at the end of last month and didn't want to annoy Prime Minister Modi in any way that might adversely impact on any new trade negotiations.

Not for the first time in this crisis, he put economic interests ahead of public health interests despite a general global acceptance now that you only get economic recovery if you quickly get on top of the virus.

The deadly consequence of Johnson's latest dithering is that Britain's now heading for another of his infamous U-turns, comprising a delay to our desperately-craved 'freedom' on June 21, possible new lockdowns to suppress the rapidly-spreading variant, and the strong likelihood of other countries banning tourists from the UK to prevent Brits bringing the Indian variant with us.

(And don't even get me started on ministers encouraging people to travel to Amber-list countries but now saying we shouldn't because it's dangerous).

This is all happening despite a hugely successful vaccine roll-out that's rightly been the envy of the world.

Talk about snatching defeat from the jaws of imminent victory

Even Johnson's former right hand man Dominic Cummings, whose own selfish lockdown rule-breaking antics did so much damage to public compliance last year, has been utterly scathing about our border policy  yesterday tweeting that it's been a 'joke.'

I'm not laughing, and I bet you aren't either.

For that joke's on all of us.

And it's not the likes of Eric Clapton we should be howling at today for their ignorant vaccine comments.

No, the blame for this latest mess should be laid squarely at the door of No10 Downing Street, and Boris Johnson who has yet again allowed us to be held ransom by a virus that likes nothing more than to punish spineless ditherers who refuse to move fast or tough enough to suppress it.

To borrow the words of Eric Clapton, there will be more tears in Heaven because of it.
An infuriated woman has discovered a stranger living on the front lawn of her rental property - and the camper has no intention of leaving.

Heidi Withers was evicted three weeks ago from a neighbouring house and rather than seek housing assistance, she boldly transported all her belongings to an adjacent lawn in Melton, in Melbourne's west.

Incredibly, Fiona, who owns that front lawn and property, is now facing a breach of contract from her body corporate for having someone camping out on it.

'It's not just a mattress or a bed. It's everything. It's fridges, it's a couch and god knows what else, all her things are all out there. She's camping there,' the hairdresser told A Current Affair.

Heidi Withers (pictured) was evicted three weeks ago from a neighbouring property, and rather than seek housing assistance, she transported all her belongings to a nearby lawn in Melbourne's west

Hairdresser Fiona, (pictured) who owns the property behind the pop-up eyesore, is now facing a breach of contract from her body corporate - despite not knowing Withers

'It's my place, I am the owner. You would think that I have a say as to who stays there.'

When Fiona pursued the matter with police, the long-term property owner was informed their hands were tied because technically Heidi doesn't pay to live at the address.

Fiona is now facing the ludicrous prospect of evicting a tenant paying rent in her flat so Heidi is forced to seek residence elsewhere.

Heidi, who has two other people living at the campsite, said her decision to move to the lawn was a 'spur of the moment decision.'

She insisted she had nowhere else to go and that she 'didn't really ask' if she could shift all her belongings to a stranger's front lawn.

She also stated she 'hasn't had time' to look at alternate living arrangements, because 'real estate agents prefer people to inspect properties in person before applying to live at an address'.

Leah Calnan, the president of the Real Estate Institute of Victoria, said landlords need to be better protected, and that current legislation was 'certainly weighed more in the tenant's favour'.
President Joe Biden and administration officials have encouraged Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and other top Israeli officials to wind down the bombardment of Gaza, a person with knowledge of the discussions said Tuesday.

The Israeli and Palestinian death tolls have mounted as pressure grew on Biden to move more forcefully to stop the fighting.

Top Biden administration officials underscored to the Israelis on Monday and Tuesday that time is not on their side in terms of international objections to nine days of Israeli airstrikes and Hamas rockets, and that it is in their interest to wind down the operations soon, according to the official, who was not authorized to comment publicly on the private talks and spoke on condition of anonymity.

The account shows Biden administration officials going further privately in messaging to Netanyahu than they have previously revealed. A White House readout of a Biden call to Netanyahu on Monday said Biden had expressed support for a cease-fire, but said nothing about the U.S. urging Israel to bring fighting to a close.

President Joe Biden and administration officials have encouraged Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and other top Israeli officials to wind down the bombardment of Gaza

Biden walks off Marine One on the Ellipse near the White House on Tuesday in Washington, DC.

The Israeli and Palestinian death tolls have mounted as pressure grew on Biden to move more forcefully to stop the fighting

A White House readout of a Biden call to Netanyahu on Monday said Biden had expressed support for a cease-fire

APalestinian man stands near the remains of a building after it was destroyed in Israeli air strikes, amid a flare-up of Israeli-Palestinian fighting, in Gaza City on Tuesday

APalestinian man looks at an unexploded bomb dropped by an Israeli F-16 warplane on Gaza City's Rimal neighborhood on Tuesday

A Palestinian man stands near the remains of a building after it was destroyed in Israeli air strikes, amid a flare-up of Israeli-Palestinian fighting, in Gaza City on Tuesday

Palestinians walk near the remains of a building after it was destroyed in Israeli air strikes, amid a flare-up of Israeli-Palestinian fighting, in Gaza City on Tuesday

A huge plume of black smoke rises from a residential area as Israeli war planes continue bombing the Gaza Strip in retaliation for rockets fired at Israel from Gaza

Gaza City is pictured after Israeli war planes bombing last night

A Palestinian boy sits near the remains of a building after it was destroyed in Israeli air strikes, amid a flare-up of Israeli-Palestinian fighting, in Gaza City

A Palestinian man stands near the remains of a building after it was destroyed in Israeli air strikes, amid a flare-up of Israeli-Palestinian fighting, in Gaza City on Tuesday

The fighting has killed at least 213 Palestinians and 12 people in Israel, and tested both Biden's reluctance to publicly criticize Israel and his administration's determination not to bog down its foreign policy focus in Middle East hot spots.

The Palestinian ambassador to the United Nations on Tuesday challenged the Biden administration to show any results from what it is calling its quiet diplomacy to stop the new Israeli-Hamas battles. Ambassador Riyad Mansour pointed to the U.S. repeatedly blocking a U.N. Security Council action on the conflict, and he urged the Biden administration to do more.

'If the Biden administration can exert all of their pressure to bring an end to the aggression against our people, nobody is going to stand in their way,' Mansour said.

France, in consultation with Egypt and Jordan, on Tuesday was preparing a U.N. Security Council resolution calling for a cease-fire, Zhang Jun, China's U.N. ambassador, and other diplomats told reporters.

The move to put the U.N.'s most powerful body behind a demand for Israel and Hamas to stop hostilities came after the U.S. repeatedly blocked what would have been a unanimous Security Council statement expressing concern about the fighting.

The White House has so far resisted the calls for ramping up public pressure on Netanyahu. It has made the calculation that Israelis will not respond to international resolutions or public demands by the U.S. and that its greatest leverage is behind-the-scenes pressure, according to the person familiar with the administration's discussions.

The person said that the Israelis have signaled that it is possible their military campaign could end in a matter of days.

The effort to press U.S. ally Israel to find an endgame to the military campaign in Gaza came amid a split this week among House Democrats on whether to step up pressure for a cease-fire and call for more forceful U.S. diplomacy to end the fighting.

Democrats on the House Foreign Affairs Committee weighed - but on Tuesday shelved - writing Biden to demand that he delay a pending $735 million sale of precision-guided missiles to Israel.

Dozens of progressive and mainstream Democratic lawmakers already have called for a cease-fire between Israel and Gaza's Hamas militants, and some Democrats are demanding Biden push harder for an end to fighting.

Committee member Rep. Joaquin Castro, D-Texas, was among the Democrats seeking a harder line, saying he has 'serious concerns about the timing of this weapons sale, the message it will send to Israel and the world about the urgency of a cease fire.'

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken speaks during a joint press conference following meetings with the Icelandic Foreign Minister Gudlaugur Thor Thordarson

A man walks past the the rubble of the Yazegi residential building that was destroyed by an Israeli airstrike, in Gaza City Sunday. The 57-member Organization of Islamic Cooperation held an emergency virtual meeting Sunday over the situation in Gaza calling for an end to Israel's military attacks on the Gaza Strip

An Israeli artillery unit fires toward targets in the Gaza Strip, at the Israeli-Gaza border, Sunday, May 16, 2021

Two Israeli soldiers walk around an artillery unit, at the Israeli Gaza border, Sunday, May 16, 2021

He said late Monday that the Biden administration 'must use every diplomatic tool to de-escalate this conflict and bring about peace.'

Committee chair Rep. Gregory Meeks, D-N.Y. said the lawmakers expect an administration briefing Wednesday on the crisis.

House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer on Tuesday acknowledged the difference between a growing number of progressive Democrats and the Biden administration on the U.S. approach to the conflict, but played it down.

'Every Democrat, and I think every Republican, wants to minimize the exposure of both sides in Gaza and in Israel,' Hoyer told reporters. 'Theres a difference about how that can be done.'

Biden did not join in the calls by some of his party's lawmakers and by many foreign governments to demand a cease-fire, however.

In talks with the Israelis, administration officials have pointed to Hezbollahs stature rising in the region after their 34-day war with Israel in 2006 to make the case for limiting the time of the military action.

But Israeli officials have argued to the administration that a slightly prolonged campaign to degrade Hamas military capabilities is necessary and in their interest, according to the person familiar with the talks.

Hamas operates in the crowded Gaza Strip, a 25-by-6-mile territory crowded with more than 2 million people.

Hamas has sought to portray their rocket barrages as a defense of Jerusalem. The Israelis have made the case to Biden administration officials that that message is losing resonance as mob violence against Arabs in mixed Israeli cities, including Lod, has been tamped down.

Administration officials are defending Biden's decision to avoid ratcheting up public pressure on Israel for its role in the fighting. The U.S. this week killed a proposed U.N. Security Council statement that would have expressed concern for civilian deaths and raised the issue of a cease-fire.

'The president has been doing this long enough ... to know sometimes diplomacy has to happen behind the scenes,' White House press secretary Jen Psaki told reporters Tuesday.

She spoke as Biden headed to a Ford electric vehicle site in Michigan to promote a green infrastructure plan.

Pressure on the White House to do more in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict dogged the trip, with protesters in communities with large populations of Arab Americans shouting condemnation of Biden.
Advertisement

The man suspected of abducting four-year-old Cash Gernon before stabbing him to death and dumping his body on a street in Dallas allegedly returned hours later at daybreak to snatch his twin brother Carter.

The chilling moment Darriynn Brown hovers menacingly over the crib of Carter Gernon, as Cash lay stabbed to death on a street a half-mile away, is captured on home surveillance footage exclusively obtained by DailyMail.com.

Brown, 18, reaches down and touches the boy as he stirs in his toddler bed, before wandering around the room, seemingly disturbed by a sound, and fleeing the room, leaving the boy sleeping peacefully.

A few hours earlier just before 5am, Brown allegedly broke into the same home and made off with Cash, who was later found dead, shirtless and barefoot about eight blocks away on the 7500 block of Saddleridge Drive.

On Tuesday, the Dallas Medical Examiner revealed Cash had died of multiple stab wounds. Police had earlier said his wounds appear to have been inflicted by an 'edged weapon.'

The two brothers had been staying at the home located on the 7500 block of Florina Parkway where they shared a bedroom located in the back of the house.

In night vision footage, Brown creeps in dressed in a hoodie, backpack, sweatpants, and sneakers, and hovers menacingly over the two boys.

SCROLL DOWN FOR VIDEO

The chilling moment four-year-old Cash Gernon was snatched from his bed early Saturday morning has been revealed for the first time in home video footage obtained exclusively by DailyMail.com

The disturbing surveillance tape shows suspect Darriynn Brown creeping into the bedroom just before 5am, wearing a hoodie, sweatpants, a backpack and sneakers. He is seen hovering over Cash who is sleeping alongside his twin brother Carter in a toddler bed

The 18-year-old, who is said to have gained entry through the unlocked garage door, appears to hesitate for a few seconds, staring at the brothers and looking around the room, before finally reaching down and carefully pulling back the boys' blanket

Brown appears to be at pains not to wake the two boys throughout the video. Then, in one swift motion, he quickly picks up Cash, who is immediately awoken, and bolts out of the room with the toddler in his arms

Darriynn Brown, 18 (pictured left in his booking photo) was already wearing an ankle monitor from a prior offense when he arrested charged with kidnapping and theft later on Saturday. He is expected to face additional charges pending the results of a forensic analysis. Brown is reportedly known to the family who was taking care of Cash, but it is unclear why he allegedly targeted the boy

He appears to hesitate for a few seconds, staring at the brothers and looking around the room, before finally reaching toward the bed and carefully pulling back the boys' blanket.

Brown stands motionless for another couple seconds while extending his arms over the Cash, carefully trying not to wake the pair.

Then, in one swift motion, he quickly picks up Cash, who is immediately awoken, and bolts out of the room with the boy in his arms.

Carter, meanwhile, can be seen stirring slightly on the right side of the bed seconds after his brother is taken.

Roughly an hour and 45 minutes later, Cash was found lying dead in a pool of blood in a quiet residential Dallas street after being stabbed with what police described as an 'edged weapon.'

A second and further disturbing clip also shows Brown returning to the bedroom after daybreak around 7am, this time apparently targeting Carter.

Brown is seen hovering the boy who is still asleep, but leaves empty-handed after a few seconds after he appears to be scared off by someone or something.

Monica Sherrod, 39, who lives in the home with her family, identified herself as the guardian of the two boys, who she says were left in her care after their father - her ex-boyfriend - vanished in March.

Sherrod identified Brown to police after watching the security footage of the snatch early Saturday.

The boys' bedroom is located at the back of the house, near the rear entrance, and away from where other members of the family sleep.

A second clip reveals Brown returned to the scene after sunrise, around 7am, in an apparent attempt to abduct Cash's twin, Carter

Brown is seen hovering the boy who is still asleep, but leaves empty-handed after he was apparently scared off

Carter later wakes up to find his twin brother missing from his bed and can be seen searching for him

The little boy, who is visibly puzzled, briefly leaves the bedroom in search of his brother but later returns after failing to locate Cash

Brown gained entry by coming through the unlocked garage door and forcing the back door into the house, Sherrod told Dailymail.com.

Sherrod revealed Brown was known to the family as the brother of her older sons' friend, but said she does not know why he would've targeted the toddlers.

'Other footage shows him returning at 7am. It seemed he was spooked by someone,' Sherrod told DailyMail.com on Tuesday.

'It chills me to think that he could have been coming back for Carter.'

Sherrod fought back tears as she replayed the disturbing video of the abduction once again.

'It shows him [Brown] taking the blanket off Cash and shows him snatching him and running with him while he is still asleep,' she said.

'He stares at him for a minute. I have watched it over and over again. I can't watch it anymore.'

Cash, who had been staying in his father's ex-girlfriend home, was asleep next to his twin brother Carter (left) when he was snatched from bed and killed shortly after

The young boys had been staying at the home of their biological father's ex-girlfriend Monica Sherrod (pictured) after he vanished in March and left them in her care, Sherrod said

Monica Sherrod (pictured in blue) who identified herself as Cash's guardian, broke down in tears as she visited a makeshift memorial near where the toddler was found

Earlier, Sherrod broke down in uncontrollable sobs while visiting a makeshift memorial where Cash was found, for the first time.

'We were all asleep when it happened. Cash usually wakes me up but he didn't wake me [that day]' she told DailyMail.com.

'When I got up, I noticed he was gone. I called 911. I didn't even know somebody had taken him.

'I thought he might have gone outside. That was until I watched my surveillance camera, which showed someone taking him out.'

Antwainese Square, 39, had set out on a morning power walk in Dallas's Mountain Creek neighborhood Saturday when she discovered Cash Gernon's lifeless body on the street

Cash's lifeless body was discovered just before 7am Saturday by passerby Antwainese Square, 39, who had set off on an early morning power walk around the city's Mountain Creek neighborhood.

Square told DailyMail.com she initially believed she had stumbled upon the body of a dog.

'I turned into the street and thought I saw a dog lying there. We have a lot of loose dogs around here,' she said.

'I called my mom, because the only thing I could see at first was the hair. I said, "Mom, it's weird, it's not moving. So I started to walk slow and the closer I got I started noticing things.

'I said, "Mom, I see a hand, I think I see a body. I think I actually see a body." And I got close, and I said, "Mom, it's a child. It is a child." And I just started screaming.'

Square hung up and called 911. Paramedics did their best to calm her down and asked her to check for any signs of life.

'They asked me to walk right up to the body in case the little boy was still alive. And if he was, for me to try to save his life,' she said.

'I saw ants crawling all over his bare feet and he had blood over his face. He had no shoes, no socks, no shirt, none of that.

'He was only wearing a pair of bottoms, shorts. I just keep remembering those ants at the bottom of that baby's feet.

'He was on his back in the roadway. I remember one arm and one leg out. And the reason why I remember the arm and leg is because when I was walking up from afar, that was the determination of me knowing, OK this is a human. This is not a dog, this is a human being.

Kamron Moori (pictured) Sherrod's son who lived with Cash hit out at the 'evil' killer on Monday as he mourned the loss of the boy

'And when I noticed it was a kid I just freaked out. My initial thought was, one of these loose dogs has gotten to this baby because of the blood on his face. And then I thought, maybe somebody ran over him like a hit and run.'

Square, an educator, said she remembers setting off on her morning walk and activating the steps counter on her phone at exactly 6.40am. Five minutes later, she was confronted by the scene of horror.

She continued: 'I stayed with him until the police came, there was no way in the world I was going to leave that baby on his own.

'Whether he was dead or alive, I just wasn't going to leave him. My fear was somebody was going to accidentally run over him.'

A loved one, Kamron Moori, hit out at the 'evil' killer on Monday as he mourned the loss of Cash - whom he described as a sweet little boy who loved superheroes.

Surveillance camera footage from the home shows Cash was kidnapped around 5am Saturday

Moori told NBCDFW he lived with Cash and his twin brother, and that his mother, Monica Sherrod, dated Cash's father. The father - who has not been named - departed Sherrod's home suddenly in March, leaving the boys behind with her.

Meanwhile, police said the boys' biological mother, Melinda Seagroves, has been searching for them 'for an extended amount of time'. The twin was reunited with Seagroves after Cash's death.

Sherrod, Moori's mother, identified Cash as the slain toddler in an interview with WFAA.

She said Brown had broken into her home through a back door early Saturday morning and snatched the 'happy-go-lucky' child while he slept.

Police said Sherrod helped them identify Brown as the kidnapper in video from a baby monitor in Cash's room.

At the time of the kidnapping Brown was wearing an ankle monitor stemming from a separate arrest last month.

Brown's bond is set at $1.5million. His attorney, Robbie McClung, said Monday that she had not yet met with him so she could not comment.

Authorities have said additional charges are expected once forensic evidence has been reviewed.

Also, Dallas police said that Cash's mom did not know he and his twin brother were in the care of their father's girlfriend and that the mother had been searching for her sons. Police said Cash's twin is now with his mom.

Brown was arrested on April 27 on a misdemeanor charge of evading arrest in a case thats still pending.

According to court documents for that charge, he lives with his parents a half-mile from where the boys body was found. Neighbors have said Brown was known to walk in the area.
Two US Marines - including a businessman who became a Forbes featured CEO after 12 years in prison for drug smuggling - have been arrested for the brazen broad daylight kidnapping of a Thai businessman from a restaurant.

Louis William Ziskin, 52, and Jeremy Hughes Manchester, 41, were two of four people arrested by Thai law enforcement in connection with an alleged $2.95million revenge ransom plot kidnapping which was captured on camera.

Surveillance footage from the Bangkok restaurant shows Taiwanese businessman Wen Yu Chung being grabbed by the throat and arms and dragged out of the L'Oliva restaurant in Bangkok's Sukhumvit Soi 36, on March 28, as staff watched.

Four days ago, Thai law enforcement arrested Ziskin, Manchester, Thai cop Kristsnaporn Thapthawee and Thai man Prasit Narit for the kidnapping which was allegedly carried out over a PPE deal gone wrong. Thai media reported that the American duo were both Marines. Ziskin has denied the allegations.

William Ziskin, a former US Marine and Forbes-featured CEO, served 12 years in prison for the largest ecstasy bust in US history at the time. Above he's pictured being arrested by Thai law enforcement for being involved in an alleged kidnapping scheme

Thai police escort American Jeremy Hughes Manchester after his arrest in Bangkok

Three other men join the melee, grab his arms and drag Chung outside

Ziskin is a father and seemingly turned his life around after his 12-year prison stint

In 2020, Ziskin bought nearly $3million in nitrile gloves from Paddy The Room Trading Company Limited, the Bangkok Post reported.

But gloves were poor quality, so Ziskin lost $2.95million dollars and wanted Chung, a representative of Paddy The Room Trading Company Limited, to give him back the money, but Chung refused, Thai law enforcement said.

Ziskin is accused of hiring Israeli detective Michael Greenberg, who allegedly came up with the abduction and ransom plot, Bangkok post reported.

The suspects kidnapped Chung and demanded $2.95million from Chung's family and employer, who refused and called law enforcement, the foreign media outlet reported.

This allegedly pressured the group into eventually releasing the Taiwanese man at a hospital before they were arrested on May 15.

Video released by Thai law enforcement show several Thai officers in tactical gear outside of his hotel door demanding Ziskin open the door.

A translator was with the group yelling, 'Just come out or we will break into your room. Please come out easily.'

The officers broke through the door, and the video picks up with Ziskin and translator calmly talking in the hotel room.

Ziskin told the translator, 'They know the system, and they use you guys (the police) every step of the way. They make crazy reports.'

Ziskin, who was wearing a T-shirt with the slogan 'why do I feel like I am surrounded by idiots', was taken downstairs in an elevator surrounded by several officers.

The video picks up again with Manchester being escorted out in handcuffs by heavily-armed Thai police officers.

The two Americans and their alleged accomplices paid nearly $10,000 for bail, but have to wear ankle monitors and can't leave Thailand.

Chung said a total of eight people were involved in the kidnapping - four remain at large.

Greenberg is one of the four who are still on the loose.

'The others are still in hiding,' according to Thai law enforcement.

The group was charged with racketeering, extortion, abduction for ransom, among others which they have denied.

On Ziskin's website, he classifies his arrest and prison stay between 2000 and 2012 as 'self reflection'

As a DropIn CEO and found, Ziskin became a motivational speaker. He is seen above in an Instagram photo

Ziskin gained notoriety after Forbes profiled the DropIn CEO and founder, who became a multi-millionaire just seven years after he was released from prison for drug smuggling - the largest ecstasy bust in history at the time.

On Ziskin's website, he classifies his arrest and prison stay between 2000 and 2012 as 'self reflection'.

In 1998, Ziskin started importing ecstasy from Europe - he was arrested in 2000.

Ziskin established himself as a major ecstasy importer in the LA area. Initially he flew to Europe carrying large amounts of cash, purchased ecstasy and then flew back to the U.S. with the drugs.

Throughout 1999, the United States Customs Service intercepted numerous Federal Express and DHL packages containing multi-kilogram amounts of ecstasy sent from European countries to various commercial mailbox centers in the Los Angeles area.

In late December 1999, the USCS intercepted three ecstasy-filled packages from France which were bound for LA.

Couriers for the packages were arrested and then turned to being informants and co-operating with the operation. Seven hundred pounds of ecstasy were seized from two storage units and more than $1 million cash on December 22, 1999.

Two Americans and two Thai men, including a police officer, were arrested

Manchester, 41, was arrested by Thai law enforcement in connection with the $2.95million revenge ransom plot kidnapping which was captured on camera

Ziskin was placed under surveillance for a year. During that time Ziskin continued to conduct his own trafficking operation using Federal Express shipments.

Ziskin sent cocaine to England and then withdrew the proceeds from an English bank to purchase ecstasy.

Federal authorities arrested him in December 2000 and he was initially jailed for 30 years.

However on appeal in 2003 the sentence was reduced and he was freed from prison in 2011 and ended parole in 2013 when he appeared to be turning his life around and became a Hollywood-based entrepreneur.

In the time between his release from prison and the alleged actions in Bangkok, Ziskin was a poster child for how prison can reform someone.

He became a frequent public speaker lecturing about anti-recidivism and addiction recovery. He also gives regularly to organizations that contribute to addiction education.

In 2018 he was featured in an article on Forbes' website speaking about his firm DropIn - an on-demand video streaming platform enabling customers to use a network of smartphones and drones.

Ziskin was wearing a T-shirt with the slogan 'why do I feel like I am surrounded by idiots' when he was arrested (above)

Ziskin is one of eight money allegedly part of the scheme and one of four to be arrested

Born and raised in Los Angeles by divorced parents, Ziskin described himself in the Forbes profile as a 'problem child.'

'I was a mentally gifted minor who thought rules did not apply to me,' he told Forbes in 2018.

He moved from school to school, finally going to and then dropping out of the University of Southern California.

DailyMail.com contacted DropIn and the US U.S. Embassy Bangkok for comment.

One man grabs Taiwanese businessman Wen Yu Chung by the throat

The suspects allegedly dragged Chung out of the Bangkok restaurant on March 28
Federal treasurer Josh Frydenberg has been grilled about the need for more quarantine camps.

Australia's borders were slammed shut in March 2020 due to the Covid pandemic and the government has warned overseas holidays could remain off limits until mid-2022.

Mr Frydenberg made no apologies for border closures on the Today show on Wednesday, when he faced tough questions about quarantine facilities and the vaccination rollout.

Big businesses in Victoria and Queensland have backed proposals to develop quarantine camps to accommodate returned travellers instead of hotels, similar to former mining camp Howard Springs in the Northern Territory.

'If you've got the support of big business, why not go ahead and do these things?' Today co-host Karl Stefanovic said.

The federal government is looking at a detailed proposal from the Victorian government for a designated quarantine facility.

'We're happy to talk to the other states but if this facility from Victoria goes ahead, it's between 500 and 2,000 beds, it would be a designated facility,'' Mr Frydenberg told the program.

There are growing calls to develop more quarantine camps similar to Howard Springs in the Northern Territory (pictured)

'The other thing that we've said to the states is that we would welcome proposals, we'd look favourably upon proposals about bringing cohorts of international students in.

'But it would have to be above the quarantine cap. It'd have to be ticked off by their Chief Medical Officer.

'We make no apologies about keeping Australians safe and that means having an effective quarantine policy in place.'

Federal treasurer Josh Frydenberg (pictured) was grilled on the Today show as the debate over reopening Australia's borders continues.

The treasurer was grilled to why more quarantine camps are only being considered now

Today co-host Allison Langdon asked why quarantine camps are only be discussed now, 14 months after Australia closed its border due to the pandemic.

'We've actually announced half a billion dollars of new spending to upgrade the Howard Springs quarantine camp in the Northern Territory from 580 beds to 2,000 beds,' Mr Frydenberg said.

'But National Cabinet took a decision, back in March, that the states would implement the quarantine facilities under their public health orders, because they had responsibilities around logistics, health care and of course law enforcement, and but for the situation in Victoria, by and large, quarantine has been very effective.'

The latest poll reveals 30 per cent of Australians don't want to get the vaccine.

Mr Frydenberg understands some Australians are hesitant and agreed a passport may be answer to getting more Australian vaccinated.

'I think everyone should roll up their sleeves, felt the jab, and therefore we'll have a safer place,' he said

'The Prime Minister has been talking about how, when we get the vaccine rollout to more people, and ultimately, we get the virus under control, then we can start to see changes around restrictions for people with the vaccine, either domestically or internationally when they travel, so there will be incentives that are in place over time.'
Republican lawmakers on Tuesday slammed President Joe Biden's administration over a report that it will waive sanctions on the company behind Russia's Nord Stream 2 natural gas pipeline to Europe, even as the U.S. secretary of state told his German counterpart Washington opposes the project.

Republicans accused the administration of handing Russian President Vladimir Putin a strategic advantage in Europe after Axios reported Washington will waive sanctions on Nord Stream 2 AG, the company overseeing construction of the pipeline. It also said sanctions would be waived on Matthias Warnig, a Putin ally and the company's CEO.

White House Deputy Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre would neither confirm nor deny the report.

'So the Biden administration has been clear that Nord Stream 2 pipeline is a bad deal; it's a Russian geopolitical project that threatens European energy security, and that of the Ukraine and Eastern Flank NATO Allies and partners. I don't want to get ahead of the report. I refer you to the State Department for details. Ultimately, it's their report to discuss,' she told reporters.

The pipeline would bypass Ukraine, depriving it of lucrative transit fees and undermining its struggle against Russian aggression.

The waivers will be in a report that the State Department will soon send to Congress, and will come despite sanctionable activity being committed by Nord Stream 2 AG and Warnig, said the Axios story.

A map showing the pipeline's route from Russia to Germany

Absorber columns at the Gazprom PJSC Slavyanskaya compressor station, the starting point of the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline, in Ust-Luga, Russia

Compressor complexes at the Gazprom PJSC Slavyanskaya compressor station, the starting point of the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline, in Ust-Luga, Russia

The administration will sanction some boats helping to build the project, it said. The pipeline would take double Moscow's ability to ship gas from the Russian Arctic to Germany under the Baltic Sea.

The decision to spare the German company operating the project comes as President Biden looks to mend relations with a key ally that were unsettled during the Trump administration.

Congressional aides said the administration would impose sanctions on eight Russian ships and companies involved. The German company, Nord Stream 2 AG, and its German chief executive will also be identified as violating U.S. law.

But Biden is using presidential authority to waive sanctions on them under a national interest exemption in the legislation, according to the aides and German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas.

It also angered U.S, lawmakers and other critics of the Nord Stream 2 pipeline who believe the only chance to stop its completion is to go after the company overseeing the project and its top executive.

The U.S. has long opposed the project, which would bring natural gas from Russia to Germany. It argues the pipeline threatens European energy security and poses risks to Ukraine and Poland, which are both bypassed by the project.

Nord Stream 2 has attracted bipartisan opposition on Capitol Hill, with administration critics such as Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, and Rep. Michael McCaul, R-Texas, joining Democrats such as New Jersey Sen. Robert Menendez, Delaware Sen. Chris Coons, and New Hampshire Sen. Jeanne Shaheen.

'Two months ago, President Biden called Putin a 'killer,' but today he's planning to give Putin, his regime, and his cronies massive strategic leverage in Europe,' Senator Ben Sasse said in a release.

Representative Michael McCaul said any waivers would indicate the administration was never planning to stop the pipeline despite Secretary of State Antony Blinken telling Congress the administration opposes it.

'If the Putin regime is allowed to finish this pipeline, it will be because the Biden Administration chose to let it happen,' McCaul said in a release.

Gazprom, the Russian state energy company financing the project, and its western partners are racing to complete the project, now about 95% complete.

And Russia's deputy foreign minister Sergei Ryabkov said on Wednesday that if the United States waived sanctions on the company in charge of construction of the Nord Stream 2 pipeline, that would help normalize ties between Moscow and Washington, the Interfax news agency reported.

Blinken spoke with Germany's Foreign Minister Heiko Maas on Tuesday.

State Department spokesman Ned Price said Blinken 'underscored the U.S. commitment to work with allies and partners to counter Russian efforts to undermine our collective security, and in that vein, emphasized U.S. opposition to the Nord Stream 2 pipeline.'

German Chancellor Angela Merkel has defended the project, noting that Russian gas already flows freely into Europe along other routes, including the existing Nord Stream 1 pipeline under the Baltic Sea to Germany.

President Joe Biden is using presidential authority to waive sanctions on the corporate entity and CEO overseeing the construction of Russias Nord Stream 2 pipeline

Republicans accused the Biden administration of handing Russian President Vladimir Putin a strategic advantage in Europe

Nord Stream 2 is owned by Russian state company Gazprom, with investment from several European companies. Domestic critics in Germany have argued the pipeline should be abandoned because of Russia's treatment of opposition leader Alexey Navalny.

Maas said Germany would discuss with U.S. officials what further steps are necessary to ensure that the waiver remains in place when the next report is due in three months.

'We understand the decision that was made in Washington to be one that takes into consideration the really extraordinarily good relations that have been established with the Biden administration,' he said. 'And we naturally also understand it to indicate that Germany (is seen as) an important partner for the United States on which one counts in the future.'

In choosing not to hit Germany with sanctions and focus on Russian companies, the administration has exacerbated a battle with lawmakers, some of whom have now placed holds on the nominations of several of the administrations picks for senior State Department positions and are threatening to block others.
Karl Stefanovic has labelled animal rights activists 'idiots' for urging farmers to avoid killing mice as a plague of the tiny rodents devastate their crops.

The People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals on Tuesday pleaded with farmers not to kill the 'curious animals' that are 'just looking for food to survive'.

'They shouldn't be robbed of that right because of the dangerous notion of human supremacy,' PETA spokeswoman Aleesha Naxakis said.

The Today show host on Wednesday morning accused the campaigners of being ignorant to the problems facing regional Australian agricultural workers.

PETA spokeswoman Aleesha Naxakisas (pictured) on Tuesday pleaded with farmers to avoid killing the mice as they are 'just looking for food to survive'

'You've got idiots in government in their suits and idiots at PETA who sit in office buildings who can't be bothered going to the farms and seeing what the problem is,' Stefanovic said.

''Let's not kill the mice', 'the mice have got to eat',' he added in a mocking impersonation of the activists.

'Let's look at what these 'curious animals' quoting them have done to those farms and people's mental health,' his co-host Allison Langdon said.

Some farmers have lost as much as $300,000 in ruined crops in central New South Wales, southern Queensland and northern Victoria.

Stefanovic had earlier in the segment spoken to a farmer from Gunnedah in north-eastern New South Wales who called on the government to support a region-wide mouse baiting scheme to kill the rodents.

'The tried and proven method is to use what is essentially a wheat seed that's been devitalised so it can't germinate,' the farmer said.

'Each one of those grains is enough to kill a mouse. A rat needs quite a few. We need valley-wide coverage of these baiting schemes and the government's just not supporting anything like that at the moment.'

PETA had suggested farmers create humane traps that 'allow small animals to be caught gently and released unharmed' instead of using poisons.

'This cruel killing method not only subjects innocent mice to unbearably painful deaths, but also poses the risk of spreading bacteria in water when mouse carcasses appear in water tanks,' Ms Naxakis told NCA NewsWire.

Stefanovic accused the campaigners of not bothering to go to farms to see the problems they face in terms of mice infestations

Farms across New South Wales have been overrun with plagues of mice in recent months (pictured property in Gilgandra)

HOW PETA THINKS FARMERS SHOULD HANDLE AUSTRALIA'S CRIPPLING MOUSE PLAGUE 'An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure, and the governments failure to keep the mouse population in check through a long-term plan of deterrents and contraceptives has left farmers struggling to protect their crops from mice who are simply struggling to eke out an existence. 'PETA urges everyone to remember that mice feel pain and fear, just as dogs, cats, and farmers do. 'If they must be killed, it is only ethical and right to do so as painlessly as possible, not through any gut-wrenching poisons that cause slow, agonising deaths to mice or other animals who may eat the poison or its victims.' Source: Peta spokeswoman Aleesha Naxakis' statement to Daily Mail Australia Advertisement

Deputy Premier Michael McCormack also lashed out at the comments, calling the group 'idiots who have never been outside the city' and that the only 'good mouse is a dead mouse.'

'The real rats in this whole plague are the people who come out with bloody stupid ideas like this,' he said.

Mr McCormack said the ideas were 'reprehensible' as farmers across Australia are struggling - with some losing $300,000 each in ruined crops.

NSW Deputy Premier John Barilaro also said he 'will not entertain PETA's 'ridiculous' concerns' and said he 'would laugh if this wasn't so serious.'

Dr Barilaro reiterated that mice are pests and continue to destroy crops and farming businesses across eastern parts of Australia.

Farmers have collected scores of rodents across Australia (pictured above) who have been causing havoc with stock

Deputy Prime Minister Michael McCormack has slammed PETA's comments as 'idiots who have never been outside the city'

Mr McCormack said the ideas were 'reprehensible' as farmers across Australia are struggling - with some loosing $300,000 each in ruined crops from mice infestations (pictured)

The rodents exploded in numbers in recent months following heavy rainfall that was initially welcomed by farmers after years of drought.

But the population has spiralled out of control as the mice can produce a litter of about 10 pups every 20 days.

NSW Farmers and the Country Women's Association met at State Parliament on Tuesday last week to detail just how much their lives have been put on hold to cope with the endless stream of mice.

They asked for $25,000 per farm to help buy and set up mouse baits to kill the rodents and save their crops and homes.

But Agriculture Minister Adam Marshall said after spending billions of dollars on the drought crisis, it wasn't possible to offer the same support to those fighting the mouse plagues and they would have to make do with workshops instead.

'The proposal that I've read in media reports would cost anywhere between $600-700 million. After spending nearly $4.5billion in drought support, I don't have that money on my fingertips,' he told the ABC.

Elong Elong residents shocked to discover dead mice decaying in their water tanks after 25mls of rainfall (pictured)

Residents in rural NSW have stopped using their own pools after 24 mice were discovered after heavy rainfall (pictured)

Lisa Minogue, a farmer from Barmedman, in central NSW said the mice kept coming and couldn't be stopped, and the smell they left behind was 'horrific'.

'You can pick up all the mice you see but there is always more,' she said.

'I did 38 loads of washing in three days. My house is pretty much packed up in boxes.'

Dubbo farmer Tracey Jones shared an alarming video of mice falling out of her auger when her son went to the clean the machinery.

'When you clean out the auger and it rains mice!' She captioned the video as countless rodents flew out of the pipe to land on the dirt.

Tracey Jones, who lives in Dubbo, shared an alarming video of mice falling out of her auger when her son went to the clean the machinery.

Ms Jones said the mouse plagues were devastating for her family that relies on grain farming for its livelihood.

'People out here are struggling badly with them in our houses,' she told Daily Mail Australia.

'My 90-year-old mother in law is living out of an esky because it's the only way she can mouse-proof her food.

'Mice are in everything, roofs and walls, eating wiring, cupboards and pantries eating, nesting in and soiling in food and clothing, in cars and machinery chewing through wiring.

'The smell of dead mice is overwhelming, it's everywhere.'

In early February, Ben Storer filmed the mice as he drove through the horde in a ute on his family farm in Warren in central northern NSW (pictured)

'I know it has certainly had a psychological impact on my husband and living with mice crawling through the walls and ceiling all night keeping you awake would drive anyone up the wall.'

Some farmers estimated losses of between $50,000 and $150,000 due to grain and fodder being destroyed, NSW Farmers Grains Committee Chair Matthew Madden said.

'Farmers and rural communities are still in the midst of combatting a ceaseless mouse plague that is continuing to impact the northern and central west regions and rapidly spreading and growing through the south,' he said.

Dead mice are seen at a property in Coonamble in central west NSW, Tuesday, February 2, 2021

He said if this same problem was seen in an inner-city suburb like Balmain, it would have been fixed long ago.

A survey on farmers around the state found that more than 80 per cent had suffered significant damage to machinery and infrastructure from mice.

The survey also found 75 per cent of farmers couldn't access bait when they needed it most.
Specialist technology-detecting dogs are now being used to assist police in finding electronic storage devices used by criminal gangs, including USBs, SIM cards and microSD cards.

The dogs have been especially effective during investigations involving child abuse, counter-terrorism and fraud whereby thousands of files can be concealed in tiny devices often missed during police searches.

Last year, three tech-sniffing dogs being used by the Australian Federal Police found over 120 devices following a successful trial with a labrador named Georgia.

Superintendent Simon Henry, head of AFP canine operations, told The Australian that utilising the dogs police were finding devices in areas already searched.

'We're talking about devices the size of your fingernail, that can be easily overlooked and easily be deliberately hidden,' he said.

'We find it astounding because you don't intuitively think that your phone or a thumb drive has a smell to it. But to Georgia, there's a signature to those items and she can find them.'

Last week's federal budget provided a major boost for the program as Home Affairs Minister Karen Andrews announced over Twitter that $5.7million was being towards the scheme.

'Digital evidence is increasingly important in bringing people involved in child sexual exploitation, organized crime, and violent extremism to justice,' Minster Andrews wrote.

She said the added funding would increase the number of tech-detection dogs from three to 12.

'This government's commitment to the Tech Dogs program will enable the AFP to train and deploy an extra eight dogs over the next three years,' she tweeted.

Home Affairs Minister Karen Andrews announced over Twitter that $5.7million in additional funding would increase the number of drug-detection dogs from three to twelve

Over the last year three tech-sniffing dogs have discovered over 120 electronic devices

Supt Henry credited the extra funding to the successful trial involving labrador Georgia.

'Because of her, we were able to prove the concept and roll it out to three dogs, and now over the next few years grow that program exponentially,' Supt Henry said.

Georgia located a collection of mobile phones underneath a set of draws that police had already searched during a recent child exploitation raid in Brisbane.

Currently, the tech-sniffing canines are located in Sydney, Canberra and Brisbane with 12 more expected to be deployed across the country with the additional funding.

The new dogs will take several months to train and are expected to work for around six years before retiring.

The newly trained dogs will join the AFP's team of dogs that are trained to detect explosives, drugs, cash and firearms.
Olympic champion Torah Bright has hit back at trolls and asked mothers to 'support each other' after a photo of her breastfeeding her 10-month-old son while in a headstand sparked online debate.

Bright, Australia's most successful Winter Olympian having won a gold and silver medal in the snowboard halfpipe, posted the photo last week as she marked Mother's Day.

The image of her breastfeeding son Flow was part of a series of photos she uploaded alongside the caption 'becoming a mother has unleashed something inside of me'.

But the snowboarder quickly copped criticism in the comments for her unconventional breastfeeding approach - which Bright explained was simply a memory that 'brought her joy'.

The 34-year-old appeared on Today on Wednesday morning in response to the outrage.

Olympic champion Torah Bright posted this photo of her breastfeeding her 10-month-old son Flow to her social media accounts as she marked Mother's Day

The 34-year-old appeared on Today on Wednesday morning in response to the outrage over her Mother's Day snap

'I actually put it [the breastfeeding photo] in a collage of moments in my motherhood journey so far that brought joy to me or made me smile,' she told hosts Karl Stefanovic and Allison Langdon.

'I was scrolling through the photo album, I was like, ''That's funny, put that in there''. Didn't think another thing. I was honouring my journey as a mother.'

Bright said her sister encouraged her to try the pose for a bit of fun, after seeing another mother breastfeed in the same position.

Langdon said she saw the picture as a 'celebration' of motherhood and breastfeeding, which is wonderful but also difficult at time.

Bright agreed, saying: 'It is so beautiful and I guess only a mother knows just how hard those hard moments are.'

The Today host asked the Olympian whether the negative comments were hurtful - to which Bright said she was lucky she has a 'really thick skin'.

Bright said her sister encouraged her to try the pose for a bit of fun, after seeing another mother breastfeed in the same position

Langdon asked the Olympian whether the negative comments were hurtful - to which Bright said she was lucky she has a 'really thick skin'

'I was just surprised and I think the only reason why I took the time - to be honest, I feel really silly even coming here talking about it because I was like, 'It's a non-issue',' Bright said.

'If you didn't like the photo, that's fine.

'My main thoughts and the sadness I did get from reading some of the comments, the motherhood journey, we need to be supported, we need to find the village to support each other, encourage each other.'

The breastfeeding photo attracted thousands of comments, including one that read 'now that's a balanced meal'.

Another said: 'Breastfeed anywhere, anytime', while a third commentator wrote 'What an awesome mama bear. Love her'.

But Bright was also slammed for the breastfeeding approach, with one commenting 'I'm not saying it's not beautiful. Breastfeeding is between a mum and a child. This is way too much. It's not about handstands and seeing how that child could actually latch on for likes'.

Bright responded to criticism after the photo attracted thousands of comments on her social media accounts

Bright poses with a silver medal during the Sochi 2014 Winter Olympics after her halfpipe success

Bright said she was disappointed with the critical comments, many of which came from other mothers, adding 'disclaimer: this is not a sustainable breastfeeding practice'.

'Reading some of the comments make me sad,' Bright wrote in an Instagram story.

'In my world mother's should be each other's cheerleaders (it's hard enough). Embrace our quirkiness and finding the joy in every sh***y thing that is motherhood.

'We all do it differently, it is not wrong or right. Motherhood is pure. I only now consider myself a wonder woman because I have joined the sacred mothers club with you. Nothing but respect to all mothers.'

Bright said she was 'not looking for praise', telling how she walks 'this earth to the beat of my own drum, led by my intuition and search for love and joy... obviously'.

She also posted a quote from Mary Poppins that read 'In every job that must be done, there is an element of fun. You find the fun and snap, the job's a game'.

'Growing up with this as one of my favourite mantras... no wonder I play around with the jobs of motherhood, all in the name of fun,' Bright said.

Bright's breastfeeding photo attracted thousands of comments on her social media accounts
A former teacher who rorted $93,000 in carer's payments from Centrelink over four years claimed she didn't know her husband was actually still working.

Madonna Maria De Vries received the cash between 2014 to 2018 while her 'sick' husband Dylan De Vries was working as a maths and science teacher at a $7,738-a- term private school on the Gold Coast.

She pleaded guilty to two counts of obtaining a financial advantage by deception when she faced Brisbane District Court on Tuesday, but maintained she had no idea her husband was heading off to The Southport School for 35 hours a week, The Courier Mail reported.

Madonna Maria De Vries (pictured) rorted $93,000 in carer's payments from Centrelink over four years

De Vries' lawyer Matt Jackson told the court her husband said he was doing charity work when he left the home during that period.

She also claimed she was unaware he had a separate personal bank account.

Authorities uncovered the scam in 2018, when Mr De Vries was found to be receiving a disability support pension for himself while earning a salary.

The court heard De Vries had legally received carer's payments during 2011 when her husband was involved in a serious car accident and developed post traumatic stress disorder.

He had also suffered from a major depressive disorder for 10 years and died in 2018.

Mr Jackson told the court De Vries her niece also took her own life in 2017 and lost three sisters to breast cancer in 2015, 2016 and 2019.

Authorities uncovered the scam in 2018, when Mr De Vries (pictured) was found to be receiving a disability support pension for himself while earning a salary.

Ms De Vries was receiving care benefits while her husband was working as a maths and science teacher at The Southport School - a $7738 a term private school on the Gold Coast in Queensland (pictured)

Although De Vries has already repaid the $93,288 she fleeced from Centrelink, using money she received from her husband's life insurance, Judge Julie Dick said: 'You can't pay your way out of prison.'

Judge Dick warned taking money out of community funds is a crime that affects every Australian.

'She had deliberately filled out forms incorrectly to claim the benefits over four and a half years and as an intelligent ex teacher she would have been aware of her obligations,' the judge said.

She sentenced De Vries to a two-year suspended sentence with immediate release on a $1000 three-year good behaviour bond.
A farmer desperately trying to rid her property of mice has filmed the stomach-churning moment she caught thousands of the pests with a makeshift trap.

Sarah Pye, from Dubbo in central New South Wales, set up a ramp inside one of her shipping containers to force the mice to fall into a large tub of water and drown.

Sharing the footage of her 'mouse trap', thousands of rodents were seen struggling to make it out of the tub.

Ms Pye's method is just one of many farmers have been forced to use to combat mice plagues across regional NSW - with stores across the state selling out of traps.

Hows this for a mouse trap?? #DubboNSW  Posted by Sarah Pye on Tuesday, May 18, 2021

Sarah Pye, from Dubbo in central New South Wales, setup a ramp inside one of her shipping containers to force the masses of mice to fall into a large tub of water and drown

Sharing the footage to Facebook, hundreds of mice are seen struggling to make it out of the tub of water

Multiple Bunnings stores have been stripped bare of rodent-killing products due to overwhelming demand. =

One woman in Tamworth shared her own idea of a mouse trap which involved spreading peanut butter on to the swinging lid of a bin.

As the mice climb up the side of the bin to get to the peanut butter, they then fall down inside the container.

The bin is then filled with water causing the mice to drown.

A woman in Tamworth said in a desperate attempt to catch the mice overrunning her home, she put peanut butter on the lid of her rubbish bin. Mice fall inside the bin which is then filled with water

Another farmer in Dubbo, Tracey Jones, earlier told Daily Mail Australia she and her husband were struggling to sleep due to the constant scampering of mice in their walls.

'People out here are struggling badly with them in our houses,' she said.

'My 90-year-old mother in law is living out of an esky because it's the only way she can mouse-proof her food.

'Mice are in everything, rooves and walls eating wiring, cupboards and pantries eating, nesting in and soiling in food and clothing, in cars and machinery chewing through wiring.

Bunnings Orange (pictured) in central NSW was running low on rodent traps and bait last week due to the mouse plague

'The smell of dead mice is overwhelming, it's everywhere.'

Mice have been running rampant through large tracts of inland NSW, northern Victoria, southern Queensland and South Australia's Yorke Peninsula, destroying crops and causing significant damage to tonnes of stored hay and grain.

Farmers have described the crippling plague as devastating to their livelihoods.

The NSW government recently announced a $50 million relief package to address the plague.

Some farmers estimated they'd suffered losses of between $50,000 and $150,000 due to grain and fodder being destroyed, according to the NSW Farmers Grains Committee.

On top of this, a survey on farmers around NSW found that more than 80 per cent had suffered significant damage to machinery and infrastructure from mice.

It was also found that 75 per cent of farmers couldn't access bait when they needed it most.
The delay in opening Australia's borders could stretch into 2023 because of the large number of Aussies saying they won't get a Covid vaccine - either because of health fears or the fact they have no interest in leaving the country.

A new poll has shown that almost a third of Australians do not intend to get the vaccine, some due to alarming reports of rare resultant blood clots and other side effects, and others seeing no incentive so long as the government bans international travel even to those who have had a jab.

In the Budget last week, the government forecast international travel could get back to normal in the second half of 2022, but that was based on just about all adult Australians being vaccinated by the end of this year.

The new poll suggests that will not happen, and the goal of having five out of six adults fully jabbed could be more than a year away.

According to the new Resolve Strategic poll, 15 per cent of adults surveyed said they were 'not at all likely' and 14 per cent 'not very likely' to be vaccinated.

Around 29 per cent Australians say they're not likely to get the coronavirus jab, according to a new poll. Pictured are nurses preparing jabs at a vaccination centre in Perth

Concerns about side effects are the biggest reason behind the reluctance, while Australia's closed borders are also a factor in not being rush to join the vaccination queue - both because you can't travel even if you have had a jab, and because infected people aren't coming into the country.

'The problem is partly the practical access to vaccines, partly a nervousness about side effects and partly a risk judgement about whether they need to be vaccinated given the low risk right now,' Resolve director Jim Reed told the Sydney Morning Herald.

About 14 per cent of Australian surveyed said they were 'extremely likely' to get the jabbed with another 13 per cent 'fairly likely' while eight per cent are 'very likely.'

Australia must dramatically ramp up its vaccination program if it wants to reach its target of five in six adults fully vaccinated by the end of this year.

At the current rate of vaccination, that target will not be met until November next year, according to the Blueprint Institute.

International travel may remain off limits for longer unless Australia's vaccination program is ramped up. Pictured is a traveller at Sydney International Airport

Australia has delivered 3.1 million vaccine shots, representing a rate of 12,000 per 100,000 people.

That is dwarfed by other comparable nations - the UK has done 84,000 per 100,000 people, the United States 82,000 and Israel 122,000 as most have had one jab and are awaiting a second.

'For us to fully vaccinate five in six adults by the end of the year, we'd need to match that pace by the second week of August,' Blueprint Institute policy and economics researcher Luke Heeney told The Australian.

'If we wait until the final quarter to do so, the rollout will blow into 2022, finishing in February at the earliest. Given this, a closed border until mid-2022 is not a crazy proposition.'

The think tank's chief economist Steven Hamilton described the current rate of Australia's program as very slow and believes it won't rapidly ramp up until later in the year due to vaccine supplies.

'We need to prepare for a massive influx of doses later in the year. The big unknown that we don't know about yet is how many Australians are going to be vaccine hesitant,' Mr Hamilton said.
Australia was declared the 'shark attack capital of the world' in 2020 - and two have already lost their lives in attacks on Australian beaches this year.

On Tuesday, a surfer in his 50s was killed by a shark on the New South Wales Mid-North coast at Tuncurry Beach near Forster, after being bitten on his upper right thigh about 11.20am on Tuesday.

His death is the second in 2021, with a young Victorian father believed to have been eaten by a shark while snorkelling off Port MacDonnell off South Australia's south-east coast in January.

Tuesday's attack was at Tuncurry Beach near the popular tourist spot of Forster on the mid-north coast of New South Wales

The man, believed to be in his 50s, was bitten on his upper right thigh at Tuncurry Beach (pictured) near Forster before 11.20am on Tuesday

The man died after he was bitten by a shark on the upper leg on the New South Wales mid-north coast in the second deadly shark attack in 2021

On January 21, Duncan Craw from Warrnambool went missing in the water off Port MacDonnell in South Australia's south-east at about 5pm while on a camping trip with his wife Taylia and their two-year-old son Levi.

The two deadly attacks have occurred with still more than half of the year remaining after experts from the University of Florida's Shark Attack File labelled Australia the shark attack capital of the world in 2020 after there were eight fatalities.

Despite the stark declaration, the experts have said Australians should not be concerned, given the number of shark attacks compared to recreational water activity was still small despite the spike in numbers.

Locals believe Tuesday's incident at Tuncurry beach was likely caused by a well-known great white known as 'Bruce'.

The man was pulled from the water and paramedics performed CPR at the scene, before transporting him to a local dog park with the intention of airlifting him to John Hunter Hospital. He died at 12.40pm before he could be taken to hospital.

Victorian father Duncan Craw (pictured) died in the water off Port MacDonnell in SA in January in a suspected shark attack

Mr Craw, an avid snorkeller, went missing from waters off Port MacDonnell in January

Pictured: The spot where Mr Craw disappeared from while snorkelling on Thursday. His wife was on the sand when she lost sight of him

Mr Craw had been on a camping trip with his wife Taylia and their young two-year-old son Levi (pictured together). The family believes he could have suffered a medical episode before the shark attack

The victim was surrounded by his friends when he was attacked.

'Bruce has been swimming around there for years now finally big enough to attack someone. RIP old mate,' one person said, referring to fears among residents the shark would be culled.

'Probs the local white,' one person commented.

Another agreed saying they were 'pretty sure it was Brucey'.

Two great whites - one measuring more than 4metres - were spotted not far from the attack on Tuesday afternoon.

January's incident off Surfers Way near Port Macdonnell is also suspected as a deadly shark attack after police found 32-year-old Mr Craw's ripped wetsuit and flippers after he disappeared while snorkeling.

A shark was spotted in the area by a police helicopter and his remains were later found.

'Tragically, police suspect the Victorian man has been the victim of a shark attack,' SA Police said in a statement.

Mr Craw's family have said they believe he could have suffered a deadly medical episode before the shark reached him.

There have also been a number of close calls with sharks in Australian waters in 2021 including a serious attack near Lake Macquarie in NSW.

A 58-year-old marine biologist was swimming at Yarrawonga Park about 6.30pm on January 24 when he was attacked.

His 56-year-old wife was also in the water with him and, along with others nearby, was able to drag the man to shore and create a makeshift tourniquet.

Emergency services later explained that the woman's handiwork was potentially lifesaving - as she battled to hold his arm in one piece.

'When you get a call to attend a shark attack, you never really know the full extent of the injuries until you get on scene,' NSW Ambulance Inspector Grahame Rathbone said.

'He was conscious and alert while receiving treatment from paramedics at the scene.'

Earlier in January, a child was rushed to hospital and the public was told to stay out of the water after a suspected shark attack at a popular surf beach in Victoria.

The seven-year-old boy was swimming near Thirteenth Beach on the Bellarine Peninsula west of Barwon Heads when he was left with serious leg injuries.

Also in January, Perth man Cameron Wrathall was swimming with a friend at Blackwall Reach off Bicton in Perth's south when he was attacked about 8am on Thursday leaving him with serious injuries.

The man aged in his 50s was in the Swan River in Bicton, 10km south-west of the Perth CBD where shark attacks are almost unheard-of.

Fatal shark attacks occur all across Australian beaches, but the most shark attack prone spot in recent years is the New South Wales far north coast (Kingscliff Beach pictured)

In 2020, there were eight Australians who were killed in unprovoked shark attacks this year, which is the country's highest number since 1934.

Fatal shark attacks occur all across Australia, but the most shark attack prone spot in recent years is the New South Wales far north coast.

One in six shark attacks have taken place in that region according to research conducted by Professor Rob Harcourt at the department of Marine Ecology at Macquarie University.

There was a spate of 11 attacks on the NSW far north coast between 2014 and 2016, two of which were fatal, The Daily Telegraph reports.

Eight Australians have been killed in unprovoked shark attacks this year, which is the country's highest number since 1934. Pictured: A jet ski rider monitors the movements of a massive shark lurking close to shore near where a surfer was mauled to death near Kingscliff in June

Surfer Mani Hart-Deville (pictured), 15, was catching waves when he was killed by a suspected great white shark at Wooli Beach, near Grafton on the NSW North Coast in July

Paul Wilcox was killed near Clarkes Beach at Byron Bay by a great white shark on September 9, 2014.

In February 2015, 41-year-old Japanese man Tadashi Nakahara was attacked and killed at Ballina.

The most recent fatal killing in the area was 60-year-old Rob Pedretti who died after being attacked at Salt Beach, south of Kingscliff in June this year.

'We did have a spate of shark attacks up there in 2015, it coincided with cold water upwellings, and the same thing occurred in 2012 and in the same spot, both of those clusters coincided with those cold water upwellings which is why we attribute that to bringing the great whites closer to shore,' Professor Harcourt said.

Temperature testing shows there is a current 'cold water upwelling' in northern NSW that sits close to the shore.

THE EIGHT FATAL SHARK ATTACKS IN 2020 January 5: Diver Gary Johnson, 57, was killed by a great white shark while diving with his wife near Esperance in WA April 6: Wildlife ranger Zachary Robba, 23, was then mauled to death by a shark while swimming off the Great Barrier Reef in Queensland June 7: Surfer Rob Pedretti, 60, was killed by a great white shark while he was boarding at Salt Beach near Kingscliff in far northern NSW July 4: Spearfisher Matthew Tratt, 36, was mauled to death by a suspected great white shark in a 'provoked' attack on Fraser Island in Queensland July 11: Surfer Mani Hart-Deville, 15, was boarding when he was killed by a suspected great white shark at Wooli Beach, near Grafton on the NSW North Coast September 8: Surfer Nick Slater, 46, was mauled to death by a suspected great white at Greenmount Beach on the Gold Coast October 9: Father-of-two Andrew Sharpe was killed by a shark while surfing at Kelp Beds in Wylie Bay, near Esperance on WA's south coast November 22, Cable Beach, WA: Charles Cernobori, 59, who worked at a Cable Beach hotel was killed by a 4m suspected tiger shark while bodyboarding 2km north of the main tourist section Advertisement

Mr Harcourt said great white sharks favour cold water, which could be pushing them closer to swimmers and surfers.

'It is full of nutrients and that concentrates a lot of fish so sharks come in to feed on those fish in those cold water upwellings and whites will come in with that,' he said.

Esperance is a hotspot for shark attacks as Laeticia Brouwer (pictured), 17, was also killed by a great white while surfing in the WA town in 2017

Six out of seven shark-related deaths in NSW in the last ten years have been located north of Coffs Harbour.

Shark attacks along the NSW east coast between Wollongong and Newcastle have dropped substantially since mesh nets were introduced.

Between the 1910s and 1930 there were 21 fatalities resulting in the installment of shark mesh nets off a number of Sydney beaches in 1937.

'There's no doubt that because we have the shark meshing program with intensive coverage of the beaches between Newcastle and Wollongong there are now low shark numbers,' Prof Harcourt said.

Mr Harcout said the meshing definitely helped but other changes such as abattoirs moving out of the ocean have also stopped shark attacks.

The hotspot for attacks in Western Australia is in Esperance in the state's south (pictured)

Zachary Robba (pictured), 23, had been enjoying working at his 'dream job' on the southern Barrier Reef with a group of rangers when he was fatally attacked by a shark in April

The hotspot for attacks in Western Australia is in Esperance in the state's south.

There have been three fatalities in the last three years including diver Gary Johnson, 57, who was killed by a great white shark while diving with his wife in January this year.

In Queensland the Whitsundays are the most populous for attacks, as evident in April when 23-year-old wildlife ranger Zachary Robba was mauled to death.

Tiger sharks are more likely in Queensland waters as they will attack in warmer waters.

Historically Port Phillip Bay in Victoria was the state's worst spot, but there has not been a fatality in the state since 1956.

Tasmania has not had a fatal attack since 2015, and the Northern Territory has not had a fatal attack since 1937.

South Australia has also not had a fatality since 2014.
Boris Johnson is willing to provide Australia tariff-free access to UK food markets despite fears it could 'decimate' the rural economy.

Farmers launched a furious backlash yesterday against the proposal to grant Australian produce privileged access, fearing it would mean British farmers with high welfare standards will struggle to compete.

The plan to give Australian food exporters the same terms as the European Union could potentially 'wipe out' agriculture if the terms are replicated in other agreements, the PM has been warned.

The Cabinet is also divided, with International Trade Secretary Liz Truss facing stiff opposition to the plans from Environment Secretary George Eustice.

Mr Eustice is against the move because of the damage cheap Australian lamb and beef imports could do to domestic farmers, but allies of Ms Truss insist a deal would not damage the farming industry due to the size of the market and its location.

Ms Truss is believed to have the backing of Mr Johnson, who is eager in principle for a comprehensive agreement to be reached as soon as next month, The Times reports.

A government source said: 'There is worry across Whitehall about the principle of liberalisation and the precedent it will set. What we agree with Australia is likely to become a template for our negotiations with other countries and in particular America.'

Boris Johnson is willing to provide Australia tariff-free access to UK food markets despite fears it could 'decimate' the rural economy

The Cabinet is also divided, with International Trade Secretary Liz Truss facing stiff opposition to the plans from Environment Secretary George Eustice

Ministers are expected to meet tomorrow to discuss the removal of tariffs on agri-food.

A Whitehall source said: 'This is a fundamental argument about the nature of global Britain.

Last night the National Farmers' Union said it would be a 'complete betrayal' if the Prime Minister signs a zero tariff deal. Do we want to seize the benefits of Brexit and strike advanced trade deals, or pull up the drawbridge?

'At the moment we're giving preferential trade terms to the EU, so why shouldn't our Australian cousins get something similar. It's a smaller market with high standards, more than 9,000 miles away.'

Ulster Farmers' Union president Victor Chestnutt warned that 'what is given away in this trade deal will be expected in the other trade deals'.

He added: 'Therefore the cumulative effect of these trade deals could actually wipe out agriculture as we know it.

'We need the Government to listen to our concerns and indeed to work with tariffs and tariff quotas, not to decimate the rural economy.'

But a Government source said last night: 'The deal will include a host of protections for farmers, including a transition period of at least a decade.'

George Eustice and Liz Truss are locked in an 'absolutely ferocious' row over the UK's post-Brexit trade deal with Australia amid fears it could result in the 'slow death of British farming'

Downing Street insisted yesterday that any agreement will 'include protections for the agriculture industry and won't undercut UK farmers or compromise our high standards'.

Mr Eustice said the UK was 'very keen' to get a deal but added: 'There's a balance to be struck between your commercial interests and your desire to open up free markets.'

Downing Street moved to assuage concerns yesterday afternoon as it said any deal 'will include protections for the agriculture industry and won't undercut UK farmers or compromise our high standards'.

The UK and Australia are aiming to have finalised the broad terms of the trade deal by June, ahead of Australian PM Scott Morrison attending the G7 summit in Cornwall as a guest.

Mr Eustice would not be drawn on the row yesterday, telling Sky News: 'We think there's great opportunities, we're very keen for instance to pursue trade agreements with Australia and also with the United States and with other countries as well.

'But always in any trade agreement, yes there's a balance to be struck between your commercial interests and your desire to open up free markets.'

Asked if zero-tariff access to the UK market for Australian farmers could harm the interests of domestic farmers, Mr Eustice said: 'There are huge amounts of things that a country like Australia produces that are currently subject to tariffs because that is what we had in the European Union but where actually we are not even a producer and we can offer them tariff-free access in those areas, everything from nectarines to almond nuts where they are a big producer, and also of course, wine.'

UK farmers fear they would not be able to compete with large-scale Australian cattle ranches. Cattle at auction are pictured in Dalby west of Brisbane in 2013

Emily Thornberry, shadow international trade secretary, said: 'It's perfectly normal that the Australian government should try to get the best possible deal for its agricultural mega-corporations.

'But British family farmers have a right to expect that Liz Truss will do the same for them, not sell out their livelihoods for the price of a quick trade deal, and a cheap headline at the G7 summit.'

UK agriculture bosses have pointed out that cattle and sheep farming in Australia is often carried out on a much larger scale than in Britain - and to different standards.

For example, the average beef herd size in the UK is between 28 to 50 cows, according to the National Farmers' Union.

But a 2016 report published by the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission found that in northern Australia average herd size was 1,576 per farm.

The total number of sheep and lambs in the UK in 2015 was estimated at just over 33million while the Australian Bureau of Statistics put the number at 64million for Australian farms in June 2020.

The UK Farming Roundtable, which consists of 19 farming bodies from across the UK, has urged the Government to 'stand up for UK farmers in all of its negotiations'.
Avi Kaner, the co-owner of Manhattan supermarket chain Morton Williams, said he received backlash over the chain's new mask policy it announced on Monday

A New York City supermarket chain 'stepped into the hornets' nest' on Monday when it announced it would no longer require customers to wear masks under new state and CDC guidelines.

The news initially drew the ire of many mask advocates, but when Morton Williams supermarket officials tried to clarify their new mask policy, they received even more emails from furious anti-maskers.

'We were not expecting the level of passion on both extremes,' Avi Kaner, the co-owner of the Morton Williams supermarket chain, told the New York Post.

The saga began on Monday, when Morton Williams officials emailed customers about its decision to comply with the new state guidelines, which allow vaccinated New Yorkers to ditch their masks in most indoor settings, including businesses that allow it, starting on Wednesday.

The email said the grocer would 'not ask for proof of vaccination' to shop maskless, according to the Post, resulting in the grocery chain receiving angry emails from those who would like to continue to wear masks, officials wrote in a follow-up email a few hours later, in which they tried to clarify their new mask policy.

'We recently sent you an email explaining our policy regarding masks,' the follow-up email read. 'In doing so, we knew that we were stepping into a hornets' nest, and that many would feel this is a premature decision better suited for a later day.'

Under the supermarket chain's new policy, vaccinated New Yorkers would not be required to wear a mask to shop, but the grocer will not ask for proof of vaccination

It explained that the stores would put up signs 'encouraging' customers and employees to continue to wear masks regardless of their vaccination status, and reminded customers to 'be respectful to those who do not feel comfortable.'

That email, though, resulted in further backlash  this time from those who wanted to stop wearing their masks.

One customer asked, 'Have you decided what percentage of people who are 'uncomfortable' will continue to dictate protocol for those of us who are done with masks,' in a redacted copy provided to the Post.

'Perhaps 10 percent or less? You really need to know what will allow you to allow the comfortable folks to prevail!'

Kaner said he could not mandate his employees to get vaccinated and cannot ask customers for proof of vaccination. In this photo from April 2020, a supermarket employee wore a mask, face shield and gloves to fill a bag

Another, however, wrote, 'I'd rather be safe than sorry, and I think you're making a mistake' with the new mask rules.

'I'll continue wearing my mask indoors,' the customer continues, 'as I believe any intelligent, well-informed scientifically literate person will do.'

The supermarket chain also received 'hundreds of emails from customers thanking us for asking people to be courteous and respectful,' Kaner said.

He previously told the Post that the supermarket chain could not ask customers for proof of vaccinations as 'we are not a police force,' and said that when he asked the union that represents his employees, Local 338, whether he could require employees to be vaccinated in order to work at one of the chain's 14 Manhattan locations or one Bronx location, 'the union said absolutely not.'

He said: 'we will leave it up to the discretion of our employees and customers, giving them the freedom to do what they want to do.'
The family of murdered private detective Daniel Morgan have described a decision by Home Secretary to delay publication of an independent review into his death as 'a kick in the teeth'.

The long-awaited report into the unsolved murder has been delayed again due to an 'unnecessary' Home Office review said to compromise the authors' independence.

The panel examining the case had been due to publish its findings on Monday, before being told by the Home Office that no Parliamentary time could be found to allow this to happen.

Then on Monday, it announced that it wanted to review the document, expected to contain 'a sizeable chapter' on police corruption, and would keep parts of it secret if it felt necessary.

Private detective Daniel Morgan, pictured, was murdered in London on March 10, 1987

Morgan was hacked to death with an axe outside the Golden Lion pub in Sydenham, south London

The private detective was hacked to death with an axe as he left the pub. In 2013 the then Home Secretary Theresa May ordered an independent panel to investigate Mr Morgan's murder

The Daniel Morgan Independent Panel said it had been told a publication date would not be agreed until the Home Office reviewed the report to ensure it complied with human rights and did not compromise national security.

In a statement on Tuesday, the panel said: 'This review is being sought on the basis of the Home Office ensuring the report's compliance with the department's obligations under the Human Rights Act 1998 and for reasons of national security.

'The Home Office advised it would make redactions if it did not consider the report complied with these obligations.

'A review of this nature has not been raised previously in the eight years since the panel was established in 2013.

'The panel believes that this last-minute requirement is unnecessary and is not consistent with the panel's independence.'

Mr Morgan was killed with an axe in the car park of the Golden Lion pub in Sydenham, south-east London on March 10, 1987.

Despite five police inquiries and an inquest, no-one has been brought to justice over the father-of-two's death, with the Metropolitan Police admitting corruption had hampered the original murder investigation.

Home Secretary Priti Patel pictured wants to review the independent report before bringing it to Parliament

In 2013, then home secretary Theresa May announced that an independent panel was being set up to examine the case.

The panel's remit was to address questions relating to the murder including police handling of the case, the role corruption played in protecting his killer, and the links between private investigators, police and journalists connected to the case.

The panel said that it had expected its report to be tabled in Parliament by the Home Secretary on Monday.

But it had been advised that the period of mourning after the Duke of Edinburgh's death and the elections had caused a backlog of matters to be placed before Parliament.

The panel said that the Home Office had not mentioned there was a need to review the report and that it had worked with its counsel to ensure it complied with the relevant legal obligations including the Human Rights Act.

It added: 'The Panel has worked closely with its counsel (a QC) and its solicitors throughout the course of its work to ensure the report complies with all the relevant legal obligations including the Human Rights Act 1998.

'A senior specialist Metropolitan Police team, subject to strict non-disclosure agreements, also reviewed all relevant parts of the near final report as part of a security check governed by an agreed protocol with the Metropolitan Police.

Despite five police inquiries and an inquest, no-one has been brought to justice over the father-of-two's death, with the Metropolitan Police admitting corruption had hampered the original murder investigation

'This review enabled the report to be checked for any potential security risks.'

It also said that the the role of the Home Secretary was limited to reporting to Parliament on the panel's work, receiving its report, laying it before Parliament, and responding to its findings.

It added: 'The panel's terms of reference drawn up in 2013 and a management statement agreed to by the secretary to the panel and the Home Office in 2014, outline the responsibilities of the Home Secretary in relation to the Panel's work.

'In relation to report publication the Home Secretary's role is limited to reporting to Parliament on the panel's work, receiving the panel's report and laying it before Parliament, and thereafter responding to the panel's findings.'

The panel said it was 'disappointed', but hoped the issue could be resolved so the report can be published in May.

It added: 'The panel is disappointed with this position and hopes the matter can be resolved in adequate time for its report to still be published in May while Parliament is sitting.'

Daniel Morgan's family said in a statement: 'This unwarranted and very belated interference by the Home Secretary amounts to a kick in the teeth for us as the family of Daniel Morgan.

'We have been living through the torture of waiting to see the panel's report over the last several years, months and weeks.

'We have been waiting for the report so that we might understand for ourselves the sorry saga of police corruption and repeated failures to confront that corruption behind the failed investigations over the decades since the murder in 1987.

'We know from our own bitter experience that the Home Office over those decades was complicit in that sorry saga, at least until 2013 when the then Home Secretary established the panel to help bring the truth to light.

'In that context, the current Home Secretary's actions serve only to betray and undermine the very purpose of the panel.

'The Home Secretary's intervention is not only unnecessary and inconsistent with the panel's independence, as the panel have indicated in their statement today.

'It is an outrage which betrays her ignorance - and the ignorance of those advising her - with regard to her powers in law and the panel's terms of reference.

'It also reveals a disturbing disregard for the public interest in safeguarding the independence of the Panel and its report.

'For us as the family of Daniel Morgan, the Home Secretary's belated and unwarranted interference in this process is simply unacceptable. We call on her, even at this late hour, to try to understand her limited role in relation to the panel and the need for sensitivity and basic human decency in the exercise of her powers, mindful of the unending distress she is causing to each and every member of our family. '

A Home Office spokesperson said: 'Under the terms it was commissioned in 2013, it is for the Home Secretary to publish the report which we hope to do as soon as possible.

'The Home Secretary also has an obligation to make sure the report complies with human rights and national security considerations.

'This has nothing to do with the independence of the report and the Home Office is not seeking to make edits to it.

'As soon as we receive the report, we can begin those checks and agree a publication date.

'The Home Secretary fully supports the family first approach and is hoping to meet them to discuss the report and its findings in person.'
Pictured: Oliver Bridgeman in Australia

An Australian teenager who fled to Syria at the height of Islamic State's rampage through the Middle East is still alive and has reinvented himself as an aid worker.

Oliver Bridgeman was only 18 when he fled Toowoomba, Queensland, after ditching Schoolies for a missionary trip to Indonesia in 2015. He then continued to war-torn Syria.

The decision saw the Australian Government cancel his passport over concerns he had joined a terrorist organisation known as Al-Nusra Front, which was backed by Al-Qaeda.

The blond former school captain then vanished from view and many presumed he had died in the bloody conflict.

However, six years later, Daily Mail Australia can reveal Bridgeman is still alive and living in Syria, and claims he's now known by the Islamic name, Yusuf Bridgeman.

The name 'Yusuf' is often used by Islamic converts, including prominent musician, Cat Stevens who became Yusuf Islam.

Bridgeman has always maintained he only travelled to Syria to perform humanitarian work and has vehemently denied joining any terrorist group.

But the Australian government believes he fought in the conflict against Western troops as a foreign fighter.

Bridgeman maintains that he only ever travelled to Syria to perform humanitarian work and now delivers care packages and food boxes to orphaned children and widows

Bridgeman, who is now married, shares updates to his followers showing him delivering parcels to children he claims are orphans and helping displaced families - many of whom are living in poverty in refugee camps.

He claims having his passport cancelled by the Australian government was a 'blessing in disguise'.

The 24-year-old claims most of the women and children he works with are living in refugee camps after 'losing everything... for the sake of Allah'.

'I have witnessed and spoken with some people who have lost absolutely everything,' he said.

'It's so hard to describe the pain and torment these people have gone through for the sake of Allah.'

These two photos both show Bridgeman holding one finger in the air. The pose has been associated with ISIS but also reflects the Muslim ideology to believe in one God

He regularly shares updates with his followers delivering parcels to orphans and displaced local families - all of whom are living in poverty in dusty tents and camps

At the time of the decision to cancel Bridgeman's passport, then-Immigration Minister Peter Dutton said Australians were warned there would be consequences for travelling to Syria.

'People who go off into conflict zones  even if they're well intentioned  ultimately can cause significant grief and stress for their own families,' he said.

'This is something people should contemplate before they go  not when they're in the middle of a conflict zone.'

The warrant for his arrest alleged he took part in 'incursions into foreign countries with the intention of engaging in hostile activities'.

Official advice from the Australian Government is to avoid travelling to Syria due to an 'extremely dangerous security situation'.

'Armed conflict is ongoing and air strikes, kidnappings and terrorist attacks are common,' the official advice states.

Bridgeman shared this picture taken during the Nyepi Parade - the crowning point of Balinese New Year - in March 2015, before travelling on to Syria

Bridgeman has previously said his volunteer work is rewarding and that he feels he has done his bit in Syria by helping to save lives

He maintains he has never engaged in fighting, nor is he a terrorist. Instead, he says his only goal is to help people

Bridgeman has spoken extensively about the challenges faced in an active war zone each day.

In one post, he revealed an airstrike narrowly missed him, leaving him with a minor scratch and 'dusty cap'.

Most people he encounters are less fortunate.

He regularly posts photos posing alongside malnourished and traumatised children, sharing stories of extreme poverty, illness and injury.

He recently shared details about a young boy who spends his days gathering plastic on the streets, which he sells for 20c a kilogram to support his family, who live in a camp with him.

Bridgeman claims many of the children have spent their whole lives in refugee camps and know nothing other than war and poverty.

'Kids who have never eaten meat or even slept on a comfy mattress. Their fathers sacrificed their own lives for this and now they are living in refugee camps living below the poverty line because the people have forgotten them.'

Bridgeman claims to be working for one of the only charities in eastern Europe with volunteers on the ground in war torn Syria

His charity raised more than $30,000USD from 360 backers in 2021 alone, including donors from Australia

The refugee camps which house displaced widows, orphans and local families are at risk of Covid, particularly in freezing winters

Many wear face masks to avoid catching Covid, although the lack of resources in camps often make it hard for people to protect themselves from the virus.

Dr Ihsan, a cardiologist on the front line of the Covid crisis in northern Syria, said each tent normally houses up to 10 people, so there is no way isolate if a family member catches Covid.

While official statistics suggest there have been just 23,788 Covid cases and 1,705 deaths in Syria, medics believe true results are far higher.

'People here are not very scared about Covid-19, because they have already been through so much. They have dealt with airstrikes, displacement, miserable living conditions and losing loved ones,' Dr Ihsan said.

But residents are vulnerable, Bridgeman claims. Ten years of constant war and conflict has ravaged the nation's infrastructure, healthcare system and economy.

Bridgeman turned to Islam while living in Toowoomba in Queensland, but there was no indication he had been radicalised among his peers or religious leaders

Bridgeman shared this photo after an airstrike hit near his home base. He said he managed to escape relatively unscathed, with only a scratch and dusty cap to show for the potentially deadly attack

Bridgeman claims to be working for one of the only charities in eastern Europe with volunteers on the ground in Syria.

Throughout the holy month of Ramadan, Bridgeman told his followers he spent every single day in refugee camps, delivering food hampers and care packages to people most in need.

His charity raised more than $30,000USD from 360 backers in 2021, including donors from Australia.

Daily Mail Australia has contacted the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade for information about Bridgeman.

Bridgeman was the school captain at his Gold Coast school and opted to volunteer in a Balinese refugee camp rather than attend Schoolies

On Bridgeman's new social media channels, he posts photos posing alongside malnourished and traumatised children
Payal Rajput is heartbroken! She is coping with the death of her boyfriend Saurabh Dhingras mother, who succumbed to COVID-19 a few days ago.

Speaking about the death, the distraught actress told us that she is trying to find the strength to come to the terms with it.

Its shocking and shattering. Our families are totally dejected; this was something we hadnt expected. It all happened too soon, says an emotional Payal about the passing of Saurabhs mom.

Giving us more details on how it happened, she says that Anita, whom she lovingly called aunty, had complained of fever around 1 May. Anita aunty stays in Delhi. But Saurabh and I were in Hyderabad when she called and told us about her fever. But she had assumed she was feeling feverish because she was sleeping in an air-conditioned room for the last few days, shares Payal.

However, in the subsequent days, Anitas temperature went up to 1030F. Saurabhs elder brother took care of her in Delhi. Then one day, she complained of breathlessness. Her oxygen levels were dropping too.

Even before Payal and Saurabh decided to fly to Delhi, they began trying to find a bed there. They are well networked in Hyderabad, not Delhi. The number of calls we made were countless. We tracked social media, spread the word in our friends circle and outsiders, and activated all our contacts, reveals the actress.

Payal Rajput and Anita

They could find no beds in Delhi, and Anita had to be admitted in a hospital in Sonipat only around 8 May. For the first few days, Anita was doing well and even seemed confident of making it. Apparently, she was also inquiring about when Payal and Saurabh would get married. But after two days, she again started complaining about breathlessness.

We started to panic and coordinated with doctors over the phone, but the efforts to save her went in vain. She succumbed to the contagion, rues Payal. Feeling guilty, she is blaming herself for not having treated Anita earlier when she complained of the fever initially.

Im kicking myself now; we should have admitted her to the hospital on the day she got fever, but we never expected that things will take such a dramatic turn. The hospital and doctors too werent the best ones; perhaps a better treatment could have saved her life, laments Payal.

The sounds of grieving silence

Even as the actress mourns Anitas passing, Saurabh, she says, is inconsolable. I am worried about his health too; the last couple of weeks have been very traumatic. Hes taken on a lot of stress and though hes tried his best to help his mum, unfortunately, things did not happen as we wished for it to, Payal states.

But there is something that Payal is unable to forget  Anitas last words. Please take care of Saurabh, she had said. And those words are still echoing in my mind, says the 28-year-old actress, whos known Saurabh since school days.

We were friends since school and both of us have been serious about each other for the last few years. Ours is a big joint family, and both our families were close and happy about our relationship. Now, my only regret is that Anita aunty did not see us married.

Speaking of the atmosphere at home, she tells us that theres pin-drop silence now. Believe me, this silence is so scary, she says. Encapsulating the entire incident, however, Payal advises people to get tested immediately if they have any symptoms.
The Army will seek to discipline troops who refuse a Covid jab, according to official papers obtained by the Daily Mail.

Orders to the Royal Artillery and Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers state: 'Covid-19 vaccination. Anyone who is refusing to have the CV-19 jab is to be educated by the CoC (Chain of Command) and any rumours quashed.

'If they still refuse they may be deemed as unfit to soldier and dealt with accordingly as the CV-19 jab may be a requirement to deploy on operations/exercises, much like yellow fever.'

By law the Army cannot force soldiers to get jabs. Yet being 'unfit to soldier' is an offence under the Armed Forces Act.

The orders are believed to have been sent this week.

The British Army will seek to discipline troops who refuse a Covid-19 vaccine, according to official documents seen by The Mail. Pictured: 1st Battalion The Mercian Regiment, June 2013

By law the Army cannot force soldiers to get their Covid-19 jabs (above). Yet being 'unfit to soldier' is an offence under the Armed Forces Act

Last night a leading military lawyer suggested their tone may amount to 'threats' or 'bullying'.

Lewis Cherry said: 'Unless this becomes a compulsory injection it remains a medical procedure that requires informed consent.'

Other public sector organisations have been advised to take a softer approach to staff refusing jabs.

Private sector employers have also been warned by the government that 'no jab, no job' policies are illegal.

The MOD said: 'We are committed to keeping our staff, their families and communities safe at home and overseas, and all our personnel are being vaccinated in line with national priority guidelines.

'The FCDO and Defence are working jointly to ensure UK Government and Armed Forces personnel overseas within the first nine priority groups are offered a vaccine in line with the UK population, including those in Defence Overseas Bases and Operational areas.'
Houses by the beach are available for affordable prices and they are only a two-hour drive from a capital city.

The search for affordable housing is becoming more urgent as prices in the major capitals spirals beyond the reach of most wage earners.

Sydney's median house price during the past year has surged by 10.4 per cent to a record high $1.147million and on the Northern Beaches even an ordinary home with a backyard would typically cost more than $2million.

But there are still houses near the sand which can be bought for less than $700,000, and are within a two-hour drive of Sydney, Brisbane or Melbourne.

Houses by the beach are available for affordable prices and they are only a two-hour drive from a capital city. Port Stephens, a two-and-a-half drive north of Sydney, has a median house price of $632,552. Pictured is a house with a price guide of $590,000 to $640,000

Near Sydney

Port Stephens, a two-and-a-half drive north of Sydney, has a median house price of $632,552, after rising by 14.6 per cent in the year to February 2021, new CoreLogic data showed.

This area near Newcastle is more affordable than the South Coast and the Illawarra south of Sydney.

Kiama, famous for its blowhole, has an expensive median house price of $1.2million, making it even dearer than Sydney with values rising at an annual pace of 18.3 per cent.

But in suburban Wollongong, coastal houses are more affordable with Shellharbour's mid-point house price standing at $731,426, a year-on-year rise of 10.8 per cent.

Central Wollongong has a median house price of $863,339, up 15.6 per cent during the year.

Near Brisbane

Noosa, Byron Bay and the Gold Coast aren't the only desirable places to buy a house within a two-hour drive of Brisbane.

Noosa, Byron Bay and the Gold Coast aren't the only desirable places to buy a house within a two-hour drive of Brisbane. A short drive from Ballina, down the coast, houses near the beach at Wardell are typically available for less than $600,000. Pictured is one on the market for $585,000

There are other more affordable options with houses in the picturesque Richmond Valley typically available for just $393,723 in an area that takes in Evans Head by the beach and Woodburn on the Richmond River, which the duplicated Pacific Highway now bypasses.

The median calculated price for the area is low because it includes settlements much further inland, including Casino.

At Lismore, the median house price is $478,348, rising by 19.4 per cent during the past year.

The town, 32km from the beach, is less than half the price of nearby Ballina's $937,282, where mid-point values surged by 28.6 per cent.

A short drive from Ballina, down the coast, houses near the beach at Wardell are typically available for less than $600,000.

On the Queensland side of the border, Gold Coast houses typically cost $766,900, up by 16.7 per cent during the year, but homes with a backyard are cheaper in hinterland suburbs like Coomera near Dreamworld, which are is near the M1 motorway. Pictured is a house on the market for $539,000

That is much cheaper than very popular Byron Bay's median price of $1.44million, with values soaring by 29.9 per cent.

On the Queensland side of the border, Gold Coast houses typically cost $766,900, up by 16.7 per cent during the year, but homes with a backyard are $200,000 cheaper in hinterland suburbs like Coomera near Dreamworld, which are is near the M1 motorway.

On the other side of Brisbane, Sunshine Coast median house prices rose by 16.3 per cent to $774,179.

Upmarket Noosa, which in 2013 overwhelmingly voted to demerge its council from the Sunshine Coast, has a pricey median price of $1.013million, an increase of 22.4 per cent.

For those who can't afford the Great Ocean Road, The other side of Melbourne is marginally cheaper for those wanting to live by the beach with the Bass Coast area, taking in Wonthaggi, having a median price of $645,229, an annual increase of 15.7 per cent. Pictured is a house on the market for $665,000

Near Melbourne

Houses on the Great Ocean Road south-west of Melbourne are some of the most expensive in Australia.

While Melbourne's median house prices stands at $869,676, after a moderate 2.2 per cent increase during the year, the Surf Coast taking in Torquay, Bells Beach and Lorne, is very dear at $1,216,545, marking a 13.1 per cent annual increase.

The alternative is Geelong, a short drive from Barwon Heads.

The industrial city on Port Phillip Bay, that was once Ford's home in Australia, has a median house price of $668,870, up 8.6 over the year.

The other side of Melbourne is marginally cheaper for those wanting to live by the beach with the Bass Coast area, taking in Wonthaggi, having a median price of $645,229, an annual increase of 15.7 per cent.
A confronting video has emerged showing a male student repeatedly punching a girl in the face in a sickening schoolyard attack.

The incident took place at a high school in Darwin, Northern Territory, during lunchtime on Monday.

A Year 10 boy was seen interrupting a fight between two female students after one of the girls was struck by the other.

The distressing footage captured the moment a male student interrupted a fight between two girls, sparking an all-out brawl

The male student was seen punching the girl who was responsible for the blow, before an all-out brawl breaks out in the playground.

As other female students rush to defend their friend, the Year 10 boy is seen grabbing hold of one of the girls and throwing her to the ground.

The male student punches her repeatedly in the face before another girl pulls him away and hits him.

As one female onlooker is heard screaming 'Don't f***ing hit a woman!', a group of Year 12 students step in to break up the fight.

The girl who was repeatedly struck by the male student was later taken to hospital with a broken nose, the NT News reported.

The school's principal issued a statement to parents on Tuesday.

'School staff responded immediately to de-escalate the situation and ensure the safety and wellbeing of the students involved and those who may have witnessed the incident,' she said.

'We are working with the parents of each of the students involved and are investigating this matter fully.

One female student is seen pulling the Year 10- boy off the girl and hitting him as Year 12 students step in to break up the vicious punch-up

'As per protocol NT police were notified and attended and all appropriate consequences will be administered in line with the Department of Education guidelines.'

The principal said the brawl was not acceptable and said the school would continue to work with the students and families involved.

'All students have access to counselling support, including our two on-site full-time counsellors,' she said.

'Should students require support, they are encouraged to speak with their year level co-ordinator, their Assistant Principal or any member of the student support team.'

Daily Mail Australia has contacted the Department of Education for comment.
Legend has it Anne Boleyn handed a small prayer book to one of her ladies before her execution in the Tower of London.

It has been linked to a few books, one of which is a Book of Hours held at Hever Castle in Kent, the childhood home of Boleyn, the second of Henry VIIIs six wives and the first to be beheaded.

It contains her inscription remember me when you do pray, that hope doth lead from day to day.

A book thought to belong to Anne Boleyn (pictured) contains the names of those believed to have had possession of it after her death, new research using ultraviolet light has revealed

Pictured: Former Hever Castle Steward and masters student Kate McCaffrey with the book

Today, on the 485th anniversary of her grisly end, research reveals how Hevers book was, for more than two decades after her death, secretly passed around her noble women friends who risked the kings wrath to save it.

Kate McCaffrey, 24, a former Hever Castle steward, conducted the research for her Masters at the University of Kent.

After examining what looked like smudges caused by water damage, she discovered never-before-seen names and words lay beneath them when studied under ultraviolet light.

The names, handwritten in Old English, include a prominent politician at Henrys court, Sir John Gage, his wife Philippa and her sister Elizabeth Shirley, all from Kent.

How the book got from Boleyn to other women after her execution on May 19, 1536, is a key missing link in the story.

Pictured: The area of the Book of Hours which is illuminated by the ultraviolet light is thought to read 'My nown good nes Joyna requere you to pray for your aunt with thys here prayer'

Research suggests book passed between network of acquaintances after Anne Boleyn's death

Miss McCaffrey said: Its clear this book was passed carefully between a network of trusted connections.

The book would have had to have been kept secret until Boleyn and Henrys daughter Elizabeth I came to the throne in 1558.

What happened to the book after that remains a mystery until the Astor family purchased Hever Castle in 1903. The Guthrie family then bought the castle in 1983.
Police recruits joining after university are not prepared to work nights or weekends and are 'sadly lacking' in life experience, a chief constable has said.

Graduates won't commit to working unsociable hours and are unwilling to face the violence that the job entails, Nick Adderley of Northamptonshire Constabulary told Police Oracle.

Chief Constable Adderley made the comments whilst voicing his 'strong feelings' against the College of Policing's plans to require all recruits to gain a degree before joining the force - rather than the traditional training programme.

The police chief said he believes the 'very, very young workforce coming through' who believe they are 'invincible' will cause a 'perfect storm' when combined with the growing anti-police violence forces are now facing.

Chief Constable Nick Adderley of Northamptonshire Constabulary, who says 'very, very young' police recruits are 'lacking' in life experience

He told Police Oracle how some new recruits in Northamptonshire had been so 'taken aback by the role' and the violence the force deals with that they had walked out of self-defence training.

Some told the force they hadn't realised that working weekends and nights was part of the role, the Police Oracle reports.

Chief Constable Adderley said that the recruits have 'no life experience' and he clearly tells them that the training 'is not an extension of sixth form college. This is a really serious business'.

In order to continue to provide a full service experienced officers are being paired with trainees in Northamptonshire.

Police at a protest in Newcastle (stock image). From June 23 the only route into policing will be through degree programmes

However the chief claims this has already put pressure on the force, with more officers off sick with injuries and mental health issues.

Already 40 per cent of the Northamptonshire police force have served for fewer than four years.

He added that many recent recruits will be in for a 'real shock' when nightlife opens up again following coronavirus.

From June 23 the only route into policing will be through degree programmes, previously recruits could train without needing higher education.

Chief Constable Adderley is urging the College of Policing to reconsider the plans that are being introduced next month in the hope graduates will bring a diverse range of skills to policing, The Times reports.

In response to the Chief Constable's comments Julie Mead, Northamptonshire and Leicester's Chief Inspector, tweeted: 'Some really valid points. I joined really young at the age of 18 (clearly not a graduate!) and as a young joiner it was hard.

'With hindsight I would have defo still joined but waited until I was older and had experience more of life first.' (sic)
Killer dad John Edwards begged a gun club to fast track his membership 'in the spirit of Xmas' as he sought a licence for the weapon he would later use to shoot dead his two children.

John Edwards murdered his daughter Jennifer, 13, and son Jack, 15, in West Pennant Hills in Sydney's north-west on July 5, 2018.

The 67-year-old killed himself at his rented home near Normanhurst on the night of the murders. Five months later, the mother of the children, Olga, took her own life.

The retired financial planner, who had a history of domestic violence, approached the Ku-ring-gai Pistol Club in December 2016, NCA NewsWire reported.

John Edwards (right) shot dead his daughter Jennifer, 13, and son Jack, 15, in West Pennant Hills in Sydney's north-west on July 5, 2018. He earlier ordered a private investigator to spy on his estranged wife Olga (left)

Edwards (pictured) begged the Ku-ring-gai Pistol Club to fast track his membership in December 2016

He claimed to club secretary David Dean that he was earlier refused a licence because his Russian-ex wife secretly got pregnant and took out an AVO against him so she could stay on Australia.

'He said that his current wife was so supportive in him taking up shooting again that she was going to purchase rifles as a gift,' Mr Dean said.

Edwards was still married to Russian-born Olga at the time of this bizarre claim - but she was actually living in fear of her ex following their split in March that year.

The president of the gun club, Neville 'Drew' Thornton, told an inquest into the deaths of Jack and Jennifer that he immediately thought Edwards was a 'pushy' person - to which Mr Dean agreed.

Edwards also wrote a letter to Mr Thornton on December 13, 2016, in an attempt to clean up his image with the club.

'I would really like to clear up an issue pertaining to a perception you seem to have taken about me, ie, that I am 'pushing' to join,' Edwards wrote.

Detectives are seen at the West Pennant Hills home in Sydney following the murders in July 2018

John Edwards is pictured with his estranged wife Olga before he murdered their two children

'I humbly request that you interpret my actions in another way, ie, I am merely keen to join your club.'

Edwards said he had a lot of time on his hands as he was retired and he hoped they would be willing to speed up the 'lengthy process'.

He asked, 'in the spirt of Christmas', that the club submit his P650 form to the Firearms Registry as soon as possible so that it could be processed.

Edwards was granted a permit for Ku-ring-gai Pistol Club for his safety training but the club denied him membership in March 2017.

The Firearms Registry later allowed him to do safety training at St Marys Pistol Club.

Edwards was granted his rifle and pistol licences in mid-2017, purchasing a Glock he later used to kill his two children with in April 2018.

On the day of the murders, Edwards stalked his daughter on her way home from school in order to learn their new address before he followed or chased his daughter inside.

The children were later found 'crumpled together' under Jack's bedroom desk with multiple gunshot wounds.

1800 RESPECT (1800 737 732)

Lifeline 13 11 14

beyondblue 1300 22 4636
Cardinal George Pell has revealed 'humiliating' prison strip searches were the worst part about being in jail before his child sex abuse convictions were quashed.

Australia's highest-ranking Catholic official was wrongly convicted in December 2018 of five counts of sexually abusing two 13-year-old choirboys at Melbourne's St Patrick's Cathedral in 1996.

He spent 405 days behind bars before his six-year jail sentence was overturned in a final appeal to the High Court in April 2020.

Pell, 79, said there were times during his 'undignified' stint behind bars when he thought he would have to wait until the Christian afterlife to be vindicated.

Cardinal George Pell presides over the mass at Barangaroo, Sydney for the opening of World Youth Day on Tuesday, July 15, 2008. He has told a radio interview (pictured) how the 'humiliation' of prison strip searches was the worst part about being in jail

'Jail is undignified, youre at the bottom of the pit, youre humiliated, but by and large I was treated decently,' he said during a radio interview with Irish reporter Colm Flynn on the BBC World Service.

'The worst single thing I suppose were the strip searches, the brief humiliating... the ignominy of it is probably the worst of it.

'I wasnt too uncomfortable. [I had] a firm base for a bed, a hot shower and thats very important to Australians. The food, there was too much of it.

Pell's 13-month spell in jail was spent in Barwon Prison, near Geelong, and the Melbourne Assessment Prison.

'One of the lessons from my time in jail is that the Christian package works,' he said.

'If you believe there is a God, if you believe that ultimately all things will be well, that ultimately in the afterlife there will be peace and harmony and justice, if you really believe that, (it doesnt) matter what terrible thing might happen to you here.

Cardinal Pell pictured during the interview. 'The worst single thing I suppose were the strip searches, the brief humiliating... the ignominy of it is probably the worst of it,' the 79-year-old said

Pell leaves the Supreme Court of Victoria in Melbourne in June 2019 while appealing his conviction for sexually abusing two choirboys. He said there were times during his 'undignified' stint behind bars when he thought he would have to wait until the Christian afterlife to be vindicated

Pell has spent time in some of Victoria's most dangerous prisons, including Barwon Prison near Geelong

'Its not like a Greek tragedy where for the Greeks there was no afterlife, theres no possibility of fixing it up, thats not a Christian perspective.'

The exonerated cardinal has previously said he was the target of fellow prisoners in jail.

'All of us are tempted to despise those we define as worse than ourselves,' he told The Australian.

Cardinal George Pell has a drink in a cafe on October 4, 2020 after returning to Rome following his release from prison

'Even murderers share in the disdain toward those who violate the young.'

Pell said the abuse, while unpleasant, reassured his belief in man and right and wrong.

'However ironic, this disdain is not all bad, as it expresses a belief in the existence of right and wrong, good and evil,' he said.

When asked if his faith was tested in prison, Pell said he never despaired or fell into a 'abyss' - noting 'Jesus never had a good run of it either'.
A group of private schoolboys who lip-synced a sickening joke for a TikTok video have been blasted over the stunt.

Students at Brisbane's Villanova College sparked outrage after they uploaded a clip of themselves mouthing the words to an 'extremely misogynistic' rhyme.

The TikTok the boys filmed makes reference to a number of vulgar ways to describe having sex with a woman and then leaving her.

The controversy at the $10,960-a-year private school comes in the midst of a movement to improve sexual consent education programs across the nation.

Several pupils at Brisbane's Villanova College sparked outrage after they uploaded a TikTok clip (pictured) of themselves mouthing the words to an 'extremely misogynistic' rhyme

Villanova College (pictured) principal Mark Stower said the school are extremely disappointed in the behaviour of a small number of students

TikTok Lyrics revealed Student 1: That girl's hot, but she's low-key crazy, so if I were you I'd hit it and quit it. Student 2: You talking c*m and go? Student 3: Oh, he's talking shoot and scoot! Student 4: ayy ejaculate and evacuate! Student 5: F**k and duck, my guy! Student 6: Breed and proceed. Student 6: Shoot your goo and say 'adieu'. Student 7: Blow your load and hit the road! The original audio was uploaded to TikTok in 2019 by @smithasog. Advertisement

Villanova College Principal Mark Stower confirmed the boy's Catholic school is now investigating the incident.

'As a community, Villanova College is extremely disappointed in the behaviour of a small number of students who have made a video which is abhorrent and does not reflect the values of the college,' he said.

'The school takes all concerns about student behaviour seriously and will continue to implement appropriate consequences.'

Mr Stower has not outlined whether the students will face suspension or expulsion.

At the moment the school is working with the families and the students involved and will provide counselling services.

Mr Stower said students every year undergo a range of educational programs that spell out the dangers of posting any derogatory materials online.

'Our students are aware of the behaviour norms expected of each and every one of them,' he said

'The senior staff and I will also be addressing this matter with the student body to reinforce these expectations.

'The college understands and shares the community's concern in relation to such matters.'

Villanova College Principal Mark Stower confirmed the boy's Catholic school is now investigating the incident

Former Kambala student Chanel Contos, 22, (pictured) started the petition when she realised last year she and her friend were both sexually assaulted by the same person as teenagers

Earlier this year, the behaviour of some male students at elite private school was trust into the spotlight after a former Sydney schoolgirl launched a petition to improve sexual consent education nationwide.

Chanel Contos, 22, collected the testimonies of former and current students who claim they were abused at the hands of boyfriends or other male pupils.

Thousands of schoolgirls shared their horrific tales of alleged rape and assault at the hands of teenage boys from Australia's most most renowned private schools.
The Chinese government has vowed to hasten development of iron ore mines at home and abroad so its companies are less reliant on Australian exports.

China has been importing record amounts of iron ore, the key mineral used to make steel, as its economy grows after the coronavirus pandemic - and about 60 per cent of its supply comes from Australia.

With tensions rising between Canberra and Beijing, and iron ore prices soaring, the Chinese government wants to diversify its import markets.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison and Fortescue Metals chairman Andrew Forrest at an iron ore mine in the Pilbara, WA in April

China's state planner, the National Development and Reform Commission, said China would step up domestic mines exploration and development of existing projects.

On Tuesday night spokesman Jin Xiandong said China is encouraging companies to 'actively and prudently' develop overseas iron ore mines while expanding import channels.

Since Scott Morrison called for an inquiry into coronavirus in April 2020, China has banned several Australian exports including coal, seafood, beef and barley, but has been unable to ditch Australian iron-ore because of a lack of alternatives.

Mines in number two exporter Brazil have been affected by Covid and natural disasters while India is only a marginal supplier.

China is exploring African projects in Algeria, Congo and Guinea but they will take several years to get up and running.

The limited supply and strong demand has pushed the iron-ore price towards $200 per tonne, providing a huge windfall for Aussie miners and the federal government which has benefitted from increased tax receipts.

Chinese President Xi Jinping (centre) in central China's Henan Province on May 13

The profit has helped reduce the federal budget deficit from a forecast $213billion to $167billion.

In 2019-20, Australia exported $103 billion of iron ore, worth 22 per cent of the total value of the nation's exports.

Iron-ore accounts for about half of Australia's exports to China.

China's state planner also said it was working together with the market regulator to look into the steel and iron ore market, where prices have soared 30-40 per cent in 2021.

Regulators in Shanghai and steel hub Tangshan warned local mills last week against price gouging, collusion and irregularities, and said they would shut down business at those seriously disrupting market orders.

A move earlier last week to raise trading limits and margin requirements for some iron ore contracts and reinstate fees on steel futures appeared to have no initial impact, as both contracts rallied to fresh record highs.

Iron ore from Australia is unloaded at Rizhao Port, one of China's biggest ports for importing the commodity

Last week China threatened to bring 'economic carnage' upon Australia in response to big defence spending announced in Tuesday's federal budget.

The federal government outlined a huge boost for the defence force, more funding for spies and help for exporters to find new markets in a massive push back against an increasingly assertive Beijing.

In response, Chinese newspaper the Global Times - a mouthpiece for the Communist Party government - has warned that Beijing will block more Australian exports after already banning a range of goods.

In an article titled 'Canberra's defence spending means more economic carnage', the publication warned Australia's natural gas exports could be next in the firing line.

The article referred to a report by Bloomberg that two Chinese gas importers were told not to buy from Australia next year.

'While the authenticity of the report remains unclear and China is unlikely to issue export ban without justified reasons, it doesn't mean China won't seek diversification of LNG supplies,' the editorial warned.

The federal government outlined a huge boost for the defence force, more funding for spies and help for exporters to find new markets in a massive push back against an increasingly assertive Beijing. Pictured: Soldiers at Australia's school of infantry

'In fact, considering the tensions between the two sides and Canberra's reluctance to show even the slightest sign of willingness to repair bilateral ties, China's diversification push may cover more products.'

Australia's natural gas exports were worth a staggering $49billion in 2019, making Australia the largest exporter of LNG in the world.

The article accused the Morrison government of 'further escalating regional confrontation by substantially increasing investment in defense and national security'.

It also said Australia was only doing this to act as an 'attack dog' for America's 'so-called Indo-Pacific strategy aiming to contain China.'

The article also accused Australia of 'relentless and unreasonable provocations' and warned of retaliation.
President Joe Biden was slammed after joking about running over a journalist who wanted to ask him a thorny question about Israel.

While test-driving the Ford F-150 Lightning at the carmaker's factory in Dearborn, Michigan, Biden pulled up alongside a group of reporters to show off his driving skills.

'Mr. President, can I ask you a quick question on Israel before you drive away since it's so important?' a reporter asked.

'No you can't. Not unless you get in front of the car as I step on it,' Biden replied.

His remarks were blasted on Twitter by political observers who said if his predecessor Donald Trump had said the same thing he would have been vilified.

Former Nevada GOP Chairwoman Amy Tarkanian said: 'Joe Biden just threatened to run a reporter over with a car for wanting to ask a question about Israel.

'If President Trump had done this, he would have been impeached. Jokingly or not, this rhetoric is completely unbecoming of the President.'

Conservative podcast host Stephen L Miller wrote: 'Biden joking about running down a reporter for asking about Israel in an F-150 truck is a pretty good tell about just how performative the 'how dare he' fainting spells of the past 4 years actually were.'

'While America's most important Middle East ally is under attack, Joe Biden threatened to run over a reporter for asking a question about it,' National Republican Senatorial Committee campaign worker Jonathan Turcotte said.

'And this is the takeaway from the totally unbiased media. What a joke.'

Biden was at the famous factory Tuesday to test drive Ford's first electric truck during a stop in Michigan on Tuesday to tout his infrastructure plan.

Former Nevada GOP Chairwoman Amy Tarkanian said: 'Joe Biden just threatened to run a reporter over with a car for wanting to ask a question about Israel. If President Trump had done this, he would have been impeached. Jokingly or not, this rhetoric is completely unbecoming of the President.'

'While America's most important Middle East ally is under attack, Joe Biden threatened to run over a reporter for asking a question about it,' National Republican Senatorial Committee campaign worker Jonathan Turcotte said.

President Joe Biden paused to talk to reporters during his test drive of the new Ford F-150 Lighting, its first electric truck

Steve Guest, an advisor to Sen. Ted Cruz, said: 'This would be a five-alarm fire of a news cycle if Joe Biden was a Republican and said this to a reporter.'

Tom Elliott, founder of Gabrien, mocked journalists who hyped the threat to media during Trump's presidency, writing: 'This is a terrifying threat against America's free press and I trust impeachment proceedings will soon follow. cc @brianstelter @Acosta.'

Biden capped his visit to the Ford Rouge Electric Vehicle Center in Dearborn with a surprise stop to speed his way around the test track.

Tom Elliott, founder of Gabrien, mocked journalists who hyped the threat to media during Trump's presidency, writing: 'This is a terrifying threat against America's free press and I trust impeachment proceedings will soon follow. cc @brianstelter @Acosta.'

Another commenter asked: 'Where's the Presidential crowd who analyzed every single thing Trump did?'

Steve Guest, an advisor to Sen. Ted Cruz, said: 'This would be a five-alarm fire of a news cycle if Joe Biden was a Republican and said this to a reporter.'

During his factory tour, he got an advance look at the forthcoming electric version of the Ford F150 Lighting truck. He bragged he got to sit in and said during his remarks he wished he could take it for a spin.

'I'd sure like to drive it,' Biden, 78, said. 'I wonder whether or not I can lose the Secret Service and go out to the track.'

He didn't ditch the Secret Service but he did make a stop at the testing track and get to drive a grey-ish version of the vehicle.

He sped by, later saying he took the truck up 80, and then stopped the truck to speak with the reporters traveling with him.

Biden stuck his head out of the window, wearing his signature aviator sunglasses, and said: 'This sucker's quick.'

He said he'd buy one if he could. The truck goes on sale Wednesday and will compete against the GMC Hummer EV, Tesla Cybertruck and Lordstown Endurance full-size electric pickups.

'I'm just gonna step on it. I'll come off at 80 miles an hour,' Biden said.

One reporter asked the president if she could ask him about Israel.

'No, you can't,' he responded. 'Not unless you get in front of the car as I step on it. I'm only teasing.'

The president said the truck goes 0-60 in about 4.4 seconds. He then floored it with a Secret Service agent sitting beside him. The president eventually turned around and honked as he drove by the reporters.

President Biden took the truck for a spin on the test tracking, saying 'this sucker's quick'

President Biden said he would buy one of the electric trucks if he could

President Biden visited the Ford plant in Dearborn, Michigan, to tout electric cars as the future of the auto industry, in his remarks he joked he hoped he got to take one for a test drive

President Biden said the truck goes 0-60 in about 4.4 seconds

Biden spoke at the Ford factory in Dearborn with one of the new electric trucks behind him (third truck from right); the Ford F-150 Lighting comes out on Wednesday

Biden is a longtime auto connoisseur.

He ran to the podium to make his remarks and introduced himself as: 'My name is Joe Biden and I'm a car guy.'

He used his speech to blast Donald Trump, saying his predecessor did nothing on infrastructure.

Biden mocked Trump for talking about infrastructure week without passing any legislation on the issue.

'They announced infrastructure week and they announced it and announced it and announced it and announced it. Every week for four years and didn't do a damn thing,' he said at the Ford factory in Dearborn, Michigan.

Infrastructure became something of a running joke in the Trump years with Trump and his officials touting it as an area they could work with Democrats on - yet no progress was made on the matter.

Biden has yet to make any progress either. The president announced a $2.3 trillion American Jobs Plan with a heavy focus on infrastructure but Republicans denounced its high price tag and its focus on other items, such as money for schools and the climate.

In his remarks, he outlined the future he envisions for the United States, with his infrastructure plan as a way to tackle climate change and create jobs.

'If we act to save the planet we can create millions good paying jobs, generate significant economic growth opportunity to raise the standard for people not only here, but around the world,' Biden said.

He argued the future of autos is electric and said the United States can't let China beat them in the new future of the industry.

'Right now, China is leading in this race,' he said.

China is one of the fastest growing markets for electric vehicles. Chinese manufacturers have started selling them in Europe.

'They will not win this race. We will not let them,' he said.

'Folks, the rest of the world is moving fast, or moving ahead, they're not waiting for the United States of America. Government, labor and industry working together have to step up and we have a playbook that will work,' Biden added.

Ford will release their F150 Lighting truck on Wednesday

He said he'd reverse the Trump administration's roll back of vehicle emissions. His infrastructure plan includes $174 billion in funding for electric vehicles, charging stations, and incentives for consumer purchases.

He noted his meetings with Republicans on infrastructure and expressed optimism both sides could come together on a deal.

In his remarks, President Biden blasted Donald Trump as he touted his infrastructure plan, saying his predecessor did nothing on the matter

President Biden is a longtime auto connoisseur. He ran to the podium to make his remarks and introduced himself as: 'My name is Joe Biden and I'm a car guy'

President Biden toured the factory and spoke with auto workers

Outside the factory, protesters slammed Biden's support of Israel

'We believe we can find a bipartisan deal and infrastructure. And we look forward to hearing more details of their proposal and submit counterproposal either later today or tomorrow, but we make one thing clear. We'll compromise, but doing nothing is not an option, doing nothing is not an option,' he said.

But Biden wants to pay for his plan with a new tax on corporations, which Republicans call a non starter. The president wants to raise the corporate income tax from 21% to 28%.

Republicans proposed a smaller, more scaled back plan that focuses on traditional infrastructure. They would pay for it with a combination of user fees, including for electric vehicles, and on redirecting unspent federal dollars.

Biden argues all the elements in his plan pertain to the national infrastructure.

He has said he'd like to see progress by Memorial Day.

'In terms of where we will be right before or around Memorial Day, our hope is that we will have a better sense on the path forward and what the opportunity is looking ahead,' White House press secretary Jen Psaki said in her briefing at the White House on Monday.

Biden's father worked at auto dealerships in Delaware, where Biden grew up. Biden touted his father's work and his long time to auto unions during his time in Dearborn.

'Jobs, jobs, union jobs. I'm a union president. Make no bones about it,' he told workers during a tour of the factory.

And, after his remarks, he put on his face mask and ran over to greet some workers who were waiting to speak to him.

'The President is a longtime fan of cars,' Psaki said on Air Force One during the flight to Michigan. 'His dad was a car dealer for many years.'

She added the president thinks 'we should do everything we can from the United States government to support this industry, the backbone of many communities including Michigan and our country. The future of the industry is electric.'

He also wants to make the government's fleet of vehicles electric.

Psaki was asked about Biden taking a fleet of gasoline guzzling SUVs to his visit to the plant. The motorcade that runs from the airport to the factory would have at least 20 vehicles in it, including the presidential ride know as 'The Beast.'

'That is certainly our objective,' Psaki said when asked if 'The Beast' would ever be electric but noted it would take time.

'I think it's going to take some time to continue to grow the electric vehicle industry in our country. That's why the president believes there needs to be a historic investment and certainly he's talked about what we can do from the federal fleet as well,' she said.
Despite early warnings of Cyclone Tauktae. The cyclone sank a barge that had living quarters for employees working offshore, while two other construction barges lost anchors and drifted away.  PTI

Mumbai: The Search and Rescue (SAR) operations to locate and bring to safety the 390 missing persons off Mumbai coast in the Arabian Sea was on till late night on Tuesday. Till Tuesday evening the Indian Navy and Coast Guard had rescued 317 people on board two barges that went adrift. At least seven people were killed in Gujarat as Cyclone Tauktae battered parts of the state.

According to the Indian Navy, 180 persons were rescued from Barge P-305 off Bombay High. This Barge went adrift off Heera Oil Fields on Monday with 273 persons onboard due to the extremely severe Cyclone Tauktae.

Naval Ships Beas, Betwa and Teg had joined INS Kochi and Kolkata in the search and rescue operations for Barge P-305, which sank 35 nautical miles from Mumbai (in the Mumbai Offshore Development Area). SAR has also been augmented with P8I and naval helicopters, who continue to undertake aerial search of the area. Since the commencement of the SAR on Monday, 180 survivors have been rescued.

Oil and Natural Gas Corporation Limited (ONGC) stated that all drifted vessels, except 'P-305', are taken in control, and their crew is safe. Indian Navy and ONGC were actively engaged in rescuing the crew of vessel 'P-305'.

Apart from P-305, cargo barge GAL Constructor with 137 personnel on board, accommodation barge SS-3 with 196 personnel on board and the Sagar Bhushan oil rig with 101 personnel on board also went adrift in Cyclone Tauktae on Monday. While all the 137 people on board the cargo barge GAL Constructor have been rescued, there is no word yet on the progress of rescue operations for the accommodation barge SS-3 and the Sagar Bhushan oil rig.

The Indian Coast Guard tweeted, "#CycloneTauktae #NationFirst Update on grounded barge GAL CONSTRUCTOR. Effective coordinated rescue operations resulted in saving all the 137 precious lives from the distressed barge. Rescue mission accomplished. We Protect."

In a statement the ONGC said, "Due to severe cyclonic storm, unfortunate incidents have occurred involving three construction barges of Afcons working on a project of ONGC in Western Offshore fields in the Arabian Sea and one drilling rig of ONGC deployed for exploration purpose. ONGC is taking all possible measures in coordination with ODAG (Offshore Defence Advisory Group) and MRCC (Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre) to ensure the safety of personnel and vessels."

Search and Rescue Operation efforts were also in progress off the coast of Gujarat for three vessels -- Support Station 3, Great Ship Aditi and Drill Ship Sagar Bhushan -- which are 15-20 nautical miles South East off the Gujarat coast (Pipavav), said the Indian Navy

The Directorate General of Shipping said it will conduct a thorough probe into the conditions and reasons behind the two barges going adrift near Bombay High despite early warnings of Cyclone Tauktae.

The cyclone sank a barge that had living quarters for employees working offshore, while two other construction barges lost anchors and drifted away.

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) said that several parts of north India, including Delhi-NCR, will receive moderate rain over the next two days.

Cyclone Tauktae crossed the Gujarat coast as an "extremely severe cyclonic storm" around midnight and gradually weakened into a "severe cyclonic storm," before further weakening to a "cyclonic storm" now, the IMD said.

An orange colour-coded warning has been issued for the National Capital Region (NCR) for Wednesday with a forecast of rains and squally winds of 50-60 kilometres per hour. The weakened cyclonic circulation will also move to Uttarakhand and bring rains to the state along with Himachal Pradesh in the next two days, an official said.

Gujarat chief minister Vijay Rupani said 16 hospitals providing Covid treatment faced power outage due to the cyclone. The electric supply was restored in 12 of them, while the remaining four were operating on backup power generators, he said. The production of medical oxygen at a plant in Bhavnagar was disrupted due to the cyclonic storm, but the supply continued using the buffer stock, Mr Rupani said.

"The cyclone completed the landfall in Gujarat at 1.30 am last night, with Amreli, Gir Somnath, Junagadh, Porbandar, Rajkot, Bhavnagar and Botad districts in Saurashtra region remaining the worst affected," said Gujarat additional chief secretary (Revenue) Pankaj Kumar.

In Maharashtra, Cyclone Tauktae disrupted power supply to 46.41 lakh consumers in Thane, Raigad, Palghar, Ratnagiri, Sindhudurg and other districts since Saturday. The electricity supply of 34.14 lakh consumers has been successfully restored, a state government official said.
The Government was under-prepared for the emergence of the coronavirus pandemic and lacked a 'playbook' for dealing with key events that unfolded including mass school closures, a new report reveals today.

The National Audit Office criticised a lack of readiness for the emergence of Covid, despite frequent warnings in recent years that such a medical crisis could emerge.

In a report today it said that 'like many countries, the UK was not as prepared for the pandemic as it could have been, and government lacked detailed contingency plans to manage the unfolding situation.

However, it also praised ministers and civil servants for the speed at which they worked to overcome challenges as they emerged - while warning that long-term lessons must be learned.

The report said: 'No playbook can cover all the specific circumstances of every potential crisis. Nevertheless, more detailed planning for the key impacts of a pandemic and of other high-impact low-likelihood events can improve governments ability to respond to future emergencies.

'It may also bring other benefits, such as creating new relationships and improving understanding between organisations.

In his forward to the report, Gareth Davies, the head of the NAO, said the pandemic had 'stress-tested the governments ability to deal with unforeseen events and potential shocks'.

'Government has often acted at unprecedented speed to respond to a virus which has caused dramatic disruption to peoples lives, public service provision and society as a whole,' he said.

It comes as Boris Johnson said he intends to go ahead with his roadmap for lifting England's lockdown despite fears over the new Covid variant

People queuing for Covid vaccinations at the ESSA academy in Bolton as the spread of the Indian coronavirus variant could lead to the return of local lockdowns

The NAO report outlined how, by the end of March 2021, the estimated lifetime cost of measures announced as part of the government's Covid response was 372billion

'Departments will need to reflect on the lessons learned to ensure that they capitalise on the benefits and opportunities these new ways of working have brought.

'While the response to the pandemic has provided new learning from both what has worked well and what has not worked well, it has also laid bare existing fault lines within society, such as the risk of widening inequalities, and within public service delivery and government itself.

'The relationship between adult social care and the NHS, workforce shortages, the challenges posed by legacy data and IT systems, and the financial pressure felt by parts of the system all require long-term solutions.'

The NAO report found that pre-existing pandemic contingency measures did not include detailed plans for 'identifying and supporting a large population advised to shield' or 'managing mass disruption to schooling on the scale caused by Covid-19', it says.

It also claims that, due to the speed of the response to the crisis, the government did not 'always fully consider the implications of design decisions on different groups of individuals'.

It adds: 'In future, there will be opportunities for government to reflect on how its actions may have affected inequalities, and what ongoing assistance may need to be provided to the front-line and other key workers, on whom the pandemic placed significant physical, mental and emotional demands.'

It came despite the revelation in April last year that a Government pandemic response drill four years previously found that the UK was woefully under-prepared to fight a future outbreak.

The shortcomings exposed by Exercise Cygnus in 2016 included a lack of capacity in hospital and social care settings which risked becoming overwhelmed.

Checking Britain had a sufficient supply of personal protective equipment and ventilators, as well as assessing testing capacity, were reportedly both glaring omissions from the three-day simulation.

Whitehall departments, the NHS, health bodies and councils were all included in the nationwide mock test of how the UK would cope with a deadly disease.

A subsequent report made 22 recommendations and concluded 'the UK's capability to respond to a worst case pandemic influenza should be critically reviewed'.

Labour will look to capitalise on the findings in the final debate on the Queen's Speech, with the opposition party tabling a humble address calling on the Government to publish its internal review of the handling of the pandemic to ensure lessons can be implemented in the race against the Indian variant.

Shadow health secretary Jonathan Ashworth is preparing to tell MPs: 'Boris Johnson promised us an irreversible roadmap to normality.

'With the spread of the B1617.2 variant threatening to hold us back, we need urgent action from ministers to contain this variant.'

Positive test figures from the Wellcome Sanger Institute  which cover only lab-analysed cases in the two weeks between April 25 and May 8  reveal the mutant Indian strain made up 50 per cent or more of all samples in 23 parts of the country by last week. Bolton and Blackburn in the North West remain the worst-hit areas with almost 600 cases between them and the variant making up 81 per cent of infections

While the Indian variant is spreading rapidly in pockets of the country, 60 per cent of local authorities in England have yet to record a case (shown in grey). But it is likely the variant has spread even further than the map suggests because the data is 10 days out of date. Experts have said they expect it to overtake the Kent strain and become dominant in the coming weeks and months

A Warwick University model of a more infectious variant after lockdown is completely lifted on June 21 suggests that any more than a 30 per cent increase in transmissibility compared to the Kent variant could lead to an August peak of daily hospital admissions that is higher than either the first or second wave. In a worst-case scenario with a variant 50 per cent more transmissible, hospital admissions could surge to 10,000 per day or even double that (Thick lines indicate the central estimate while the thin lines are possible upper limits known as confidence intervals)

The NAO report also outlined the effects of underfunding in areas such as councils, healthcare and social care, revealing that as many as 94 per cent of chief finance officers in single tier and county councils expect to make cuts in service budgets in 2021-22.

It comes as Boris Johnson said he intends to go ahead with his roadmap for lifting England's lockdown despite fears over the new Covid variant, playing down fears that the June 21 'freedom day' could be ditched because of the strain.

The Indian Covid variant has already overtaken the Kent strain in 23 English local authorities and has spread to 40 per cent of the country.

Ministers refused to rule out bringing back local tiered restrictions in a bid to control the highly transmissible Indian variant - although the Prime Minister said there was no 'conclusive' evidence to deviate from the road map out of lockdown following rising case numbers of the South Asian mutation in some parts of the country.

North of the border, Nicola Sturgeon was re-elected as the First Minister of Scotland by a majority of MSPs at Holyrood on Tuesday, having vowed that recovery from the coronavirus pandemic was her 'driving priority'.

The SNP leader said, although there was a 'clear mandate' for another Scottish independence referendum following this month's election results, she would look to make progress on a new border poll 'only when the crisis of Covid has passed'.

As of early December 2020, three-quarters of local authorities had a reported funding gap in 2020-21 between forecast pressures and estimated government support. As many as 94% of chief finance officers from single tier and county councils surveyed expected to make cuts in service budgets in 2021-22

The NAO report said that in the NHS, staff in non-patient-facing roles were asked to support clinical practice, and by the end of April 2020, an extra 18,200 staff had deployed in clinical and support roles , including 10,100 students and 8,050 returning retired and former healthcare professionals

Meanwhile, Northern Ireland's leaders are due to decide this week whether the next stage of easing can go ahead as planned on Monday.

The country reached the milestone of having given more than one million people at least one dose of the coronavirus vaccine on Tuesday.

The NAO report outlined how, by the end of March 2021, the estimated lifetime cost of measures announced as part of the government's Covid response was 372billion.

The largest programmes, by estimated lifetime cost, are the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme (62 billion), NHS Test and Trace (38 billion) and self-employment income support (27 billion), the report says.

It adds that local authorities' finances have been 'scarred by the pandemic and will not bounce back quickly once the pandemic ends'.

As of early December 2020, three-quarters of local authorities had a reported funding gap in 2020-21 between forecast pressures and estimated government support.

As many as 94 per cent of chief finance officers from single tier and county councils surveyed expected to make cuts in service budgets in 2021-22.

The NAO report said that in the NHS, staff in non-patient-facing roles were asked to support clinical practice, and by the end of April 2020, an extra 18,200 staff had deployed in clinical and support roles, including 10,100 students and 8,050 returning retired and former healthcare professionals.

It adds: 'Planned care in the NHS was reduced to provide capacity for Covid-19 patients and non-Covid-19 demand for services was lower than usual levels.

'It is not yet known to what extent this will cause more patients to present, potentially with more acute problems, in future.'
A cheeky kookaburra 'scared the life' out of some homeowners soon after they moved into their new digs.

In hilarious footage, the couple heard loud banging on their kitchen window at an address in Melbourne, which understandably had them on edge.

But their apprehension quickly disappeared after spotting a noisy kookaburra pecking the glass window loudly outside.

A cheeky kookaburra (pictured) had some homeowners on edge soon after they moved into their new digs in Melbourne recently - tapping furiously on the window with its beak

The couple heard low banging from the kitchen, but their fears were washed away after discovering it was only a noisy kookaburra

Kookaburras are native to Australia and Papua New Guinea, and typically grow to between 28cm and 42cm.

They weigh around 300g and are renowned globally for their distinctive mock-style laugh.

The birds thrive in a range of habitats, including humid forest to arid savanna, as well as in suburban areas with tall trees or running water.

Kookaburras are carnivorous, feasting on mice, snakes, insects and other small reptiles.

The kookaburra's laugh takes on a softer, more intimate note as their breeding season starts each September.

They also exhibit two extremes of social behaviour  as older birds they are altruistic, helping the parents raise their siblings.

It is in stark contrast to their ruthless existence as young chicks, where they actively try to kill one another.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has said that air strikes have set Hamas militants back 'many years'.

He made the comments as the country continued its air strikes on Gaza, in violence which has so far killed at least 215 Palestinians including almost 100 women and children,

In Israel 12 people, including two children, have been killed.

The bombardment of Gaza, which has so far lasted for 9 days, has 'set Hamas back by many years,' Mr Netanyahu said on Tuesday.

The Israeli leader said the militant group had experienced 'unexpected blows' and that operations would 'continue for as long as it takes to restore calm' for all Israeli citizens.

It comes as international calls for a ceasefire continue to grow.

Rockets are launched towards Israel from Gaza City, controlled by the Palestinian Hamas movement, on May 18

A Palestinian uses a slingshot during an anti-Israel protest over a cross-border violence between Palestinian militants in Gaza and the Israeli military, near Hawara checkpoint near Nablus in the Israeli-occupied West Bank, May 18

France has proposed a resolution with the UN Security Council, in coordination with Egypt and Jordan, calling for a ceasefire in the Israel-Gaza conflict, the president's office said late Tuesday.

French President Emmanuel Macron and his Egyptian counterpart Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, who is in Paris for summits on Africa, agreed on the resolution in a video conference with Jordan's King Abdullah II, the statement said.

'The three countries agreed on three simple elements: The shooting must stop, the time has come for a ceasefire and the UN Security Council must take up the issue,' the Elysee Palace said.

France, which has been calling for a rapid ceasefire for several days, said it supports mediation led by Egypt.

Macron had on Monday underlined the importance of Egyptian mediation after talks in Paris with Sisi, a key ally and defence client of France despite activists' concerns over Cairo's rights record.

The UN Security Council has failed to adopt a simple declaration on the conflict, with the United States, a staunch Israel ally, having rejected three prior statement drafts proposed by China, Norway and Tunisia which called for an end to the fighting.

China's UN ambassador Zhang Jun said that during a closed-door meeting, members 'heard the proposal made by our French colleague in the Council and for China, definitely, we are supportive to all effort facilitating the ending of the crisis and the coming back of peace in the Middle East.'

Israeli troops take up position during clashes with Palestinian protesters at the city center of the West Bank city of Hebron on Tuesday

Palestinian child who was wounded in overnight Israeli air strikes on the Gaza Strip, receives treatment at Al-Shifa Hospital on May 18, in Gaza City, Gaza

Footage has revealed the moment a Hamas 'suicide submarine' drone was obliterated by an Israeli airstrike - and the crew operating it were 'neutralised' in their car - as bombardments on Gaza continue despite US calls for ceasefire.

Video taken from the air by Israeli aircraft on Monday shows two missiles smashing into the drone submarine and a huge explosion erupting in the shallow waters close to a tower block in northern Gaza.

Another piece of aerial footage then shows a car being tracked by overhead cross hairs before it is rocked by a blast which brings it to a swift and fiery halt. The IDF said the militants inside had launched the autonomous submarine.

Photographs of the car later showed its roof ripped open in a pattern which suggests a six-bladed 'ninja' missile was fired. The missiles are designed to cut through cars, killing targets with minimal collateral damage.

The Israeli Defence Forces did not specify what Hamas were planning to target with their explosive-laden submarine but they have previously fired rockets at naval vessels and oil rigs in the Mediterranean.

The vessels can be armed with up to 70 pounds of explosives and GPS tracking is used to direct them towards targets.

'The submarine that was attacked was launched from the shore in Gaza,' the military said. 'It went a few meters deep and was directed at a target, which could have been an Israeli beach or Israel Navy boats.'

Video taken from the air by Israeli aircraft shows two missiles smashing into the vessel in quick succession as a huge explosion erupts in shallow waters close to a tower block in northern Gaza

Another piece of aerial footage then shows a car being tracked by overhead cross hairs before it is rocked by a blast which brings it to a swift and fiery halt. The IDF said the militants inside had launched the autonomous submarine

The IDF announced 65 Hamas targets were hit by air strikes last night as Benjamin Netanyahu vowed to 'continue striking the terrorists' despite Joe Biden's calls for ceasefire amid a rising civilian death toll.

A total of 212 Palestinians have been killed in Gaza, including 61 children, since the conflict started last Monday. The IDF says that figure includes 120 members of Hamas and 25 members of Palestinian Islamic Jihad.

Ten Israeli civilians, including a child, have been killed in rocket fire from the Strip.

The IDF on Monday night said it blasted through more of 'The Metro', the militants' underground network of tunnels and bunkers which are used as hideouts and for shipping weapons underneath the densely populated city.

Meanwhile Hamas fired 70 rockets - most of which were intercepted by the Iron Dome defence system.

Photographs of the car later showed its roof ripped open in a pattern which suggests a six-bladed 'ninja' missile was fired. The missiles are designed to cut through cars, killing targets with minimal collateral damage

At least two Israelis were killed and several more were seriously injured on Tuesday after a rocket from Gaza struck a factory in southern Israel - following several hours of relative calm this morning.

The two dead are both foreign men in their 30s who worked at the factory that was hit, Israel's Magen David Adom ambulance service said, while seven others were hurt - some of them seriously.

The factory was hit during a late-afternoon rocket salvo fired from Gaza that came after a six-hour lull in the bombardment. Another building in Ashdod was hit, though it was not immediately clear if anyone was hurt.

Israel responded by launching airstrikes on rocket launchers in northern Gaza which it said had been used in the attack. It is unclear if anyone was killed in those attacks.

Defense Minister Benny Gantz today repeated his vow to 'bring about complete and long-term calm' in Gaza, saying the IDF has 'thousands' more targets to strike and 'no person, area or neighborhood in Gaza is immune.'

It comes after Benjamin Netanyahu last-night defied Joe Biden's calls for a ceasefire, saying that Israel will 'continue striking at the terrorist targets'.

But despite their breakthroughs against Hamas, Israel faces a growing crisis on three fronts, with an internal battle to quell unrest among Palestinians in the West Bank, and to prevent rocket attacks by terrorists in neighbouring Lebanon.

Rocket fire from the northern border has increased in recent days amid resentment for the air strikes on Hamas.

Terror groups in Lebanon such as Hezbollah back Hamas' efforts against Israel.

Six rockets were fired from Lebanon late last night but fell short of the border fence, according to the IDF. The military said they responded with an artillery barrage.

Smoke and flames are seen following an Israeli air strike on a building, amid a flare-up of Israeli-Palestinian fighting, in Gaza City on Tuesday

Palestinian firefighters inspect the remains of a destroyed residential building targeted by Israeli airstrikes on Tuesday

A Palestinian woman stands next to an unexploded bomb dropped by an Israeli F-16 warplane on Gaza City's Rimal neighbourhood

Explosions light-up the night sky above buildings in Gaza City as Israeli forces shell the Palestinian enclave in the early hours of Tuesday

The rockets triggered warning sirens and residents near the northern border were warned to stay inside bomb shelters. No injuries were reported.

Airstrikes on Hamas targets in Gaza on Tuesday toppled a six-story building that housed libraries and educational centres belonging to the Islamic University, leaving behind a massive mound of concrete slabs. Desks, office chairs, books and computer wires could be seen in the debris. Residents sifted through the rubble, searching for their belongings.

Israel warned the building's residents ahead of time, sending them fleeing into the predawn darkness, and there were no reports of casualties. Israel typically says such buildings also house militant infrastructure.

'The whole street started running, then destruction, an earthquake,' said Jamal Herzallah, a resident of the area. 'This whole area was shaking.'

Late Monday, strikes had knocked out Gaza's only Covid-19 testing laboratory and damaged the office of the Qatari Red Crescent.

The rate of positive coronavirus tests in Gaza has been among the highest in the world, at 28 percent.

Hospitals in the poverty-stricken territory, which has been under Israeli blockade for almost 15 years, have been overwhelmed by patients.
A man has been arrested on suspicion of committing war crimes carried out during the civil war in Sierra Leone, police said.

The Metropolitan Police said officers from its war crimes team had arrested a 42-year-old man at an address in Leeds on Tuesday on suspicion of offences contrary to section 51 of the International Criminal Court Act 2001.

The force said the arrest was part of an ongoing investigation into alleged atrocities that occurred during the civil war in Sierra Leone between 1994 and 2000.

A man has been arrested on suspicion of committing atrocities during the Sierra Leone civil war which left more than 120,000 dead

Sierra Leone's regular army, pictured, fought a decade-long civil war against the Revolutionary United Front

Officers also carried out a search of the property while the man was taken to a police station in Leeds before being released under investigation.

The civil war in Sierra Leone broke out in 1991 when the Revolutionary United Front (RUF) began a campaign against President Joseph Momoh, capturing towns on the border with Liberia.

The charity Action Aid said the west African country saw a third of its population displaced and tens of thousands killed during the 11-year conflict.

US-based non-government organisation (NGO) Human Rights Watch has said the conflict was characterised by 'extreme brutality and widespread human rights abuses against civilians'.

The war, financed largely by so-called blood diamonds, left 120,000 people dead and tens of thousands mutilated.

Charles Taylor, once Liberia's most feared rebel fighter, who served as president from 1997 to 2003, is serving a 50-year sentence in a British jail for his role in fuelling the conflict in neighbouring Sierra Leone.
A young hairdresser has sued her high-end salon claiming they repeatedly ignored her complaints of a debilitating wrist injury.

Keely Alister, 24, has taken legal action against the UVA Salon in Prahran, in inner-city Melbourne, for pain and suffering she claims to have sustained while at work.

Ms Alister says the constant cutting, colouring and styling she performed during her time at the in-demand salon has left her with chronic pain in her right wrist.

Keely Alister, 24, (pictured) has sued UVA salon claiming they repeatedly ignored her complaints of a debilitating wrist injury

Celebrity hair stylist and founder of the UVA salon Marie Uva hired Ms Alister as an apprentice in 2013, after the 24-year-old moved to Melbourne to pursue her dream.

'I had dreams of a successful hairdressing career and chose a salon that I felt would nurture my ambition,' Ms Alister told the Herald Sun.

The award-winning salon has a bountiful list of celebrity clients, including the likes of Carrie Bickmore, Kate Waterhouse and Samantha Harris.

Ms Alister was named Face of the Academy the following year and contributed to the business being named Australian Salon of the Year in 2018.

She styled the hair of celebrities including Bec Judd and Nadia Bartel.

The award-winning salon has a bountiful list of celebrity clients, including the likes of social media stars Bec Judd (left) and Nadia Bartel (right)

However, the constant pain in her wrist has forced the hairdresser to undergo three surgeries since March 2018, on top of other medical procedures.

In a statement of claim the stylist states she has endured de Quervain tenosynovitis, a right ganglion cyst, neuropathic wrist pain and scarring.

Ms Alister says she has also suffered depression and anxiety as a result of her wrist pain and has been unable to return to work since November 2019.

'This wrist injury has been devastating to me', the stylist said.

Ms Alister (second right) joined the in-demand salon in 2013 as an apprentice and was named Face of the Academy the following year

'I was willing to work hard for the career success that I wanted but I have been most disappointed with how my work injury has been handled by my employer'.

In court documents obtained by the Herald Sun, the hairdresser to the stars claims she wasn't given adequate breaks, the salon was understaffed and failed to respond to her complaints.

Ms Alister believes the working conditions at the highly-regarded salon contributed to her workplace injury, despite being given restricted duties between surgeries.

The 24-year-old is being assisted by Shine Lawyers Dandenong to pursue legal action against UVA salon.

Victorian General Manager Emma Hines, who believes the stylist's injury was avoidable, said it was unacceptable to dismiss injury 'as part of the job'.

The award-winning UVA Salon in Pahran Melbourne (pictured) boasts a roll-call of local and international celebrity clientele

'Every employer has a duty of care and is legally obliged to provide a safe and healthy workplace for its employees to carry out their duties,' Ms Hines said in a statement to Daily Mail Australia.

'Medical evidence indicates that she is suffering an avoidable chronic work overuse injury that will limit her ability to engage in any activities that require the repeated use of her hands for the foreseeable future.'

Ms Alister said she expected her ex-employee to appropriately acknowledge her pain and support her recovery given the 'time and energy' she had given the salon.

'Sadly that did not turn out to be the case,' she said.

UVA Salon have said they have not yet received the court documents, 'but expect that if the writ is served, the matter will be defended'.
Health authorities are struggling to combat a syphilis outbreak that is ravaging Melbourne's outer suburbs, with experts saying there is no single cause.

The dangerous sexually transmitted disease had almost been consigned to the history books but has made an aggressive comeback in the Victorian capital, with statistics compiled by the Melbourne Sexual Health Centre revealing there is a spiralling number of cases on the city's fringes.

More than 1400 cases of syphilis were recorded in Victoria in 2020, and already 560 so far this year.

Professor of microbiology at the Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity, Deborah Williamson, said there was no single identifiable cause of the surge, but rather a 'complex suite' of factors.

Professor Williamson said the availability of casual sex through online dating apps such as Tinder, Hinge and Grindr had played a part, along with HIV becoming a manageable illness which could encourage more people to have unprotected sex.

Melbourne's syphilis hotspot was Brimbank in the western suburbs, which recorded 56 cases last year, followed by the western satellite suburb of Melton with 46 infections and Casey in the outer southeast with 42 detected.

Syphilis is transmitted through close skin-to-skin contact and is highly contagious when the sore or rash is present

Professor Deborah Williamson said online dating apps, such as Tinder, Hinge and Grindr, a reduced fear of HIV and less access to treatments is driving the surge

Syphilis is transmitted through close skin-to-skin contact and is highly contagious when the sore or rash is present.

The health centre found that the disease, which was once mostly found in gay men, was rapidly spreading to women, with a 220 per cent spike in cases among females in recent years.

National records of chlamydia, gonorrhoea and syphilis diagnoses between 2000 and 2018 have revealed that the biggest rise in infection rates was among 55 to 74-year-old females.

While infections in that demographic are lower than in females in their teens, 20s and 30s, the rate of increase showed the disease needs to be monitored among older women, a University of Melbourne study said.

'There is an assumption that older adults are not sexually active or people might be thinking they might be sexually active with a long term partner, and they're not thinking about new partners,' said Louise Bourchier, a PhD student at the university's School of Population and Global Health.

The data for the study was taken from the National Notifiable Diseases Surveillance System for 2000-2018 for chlamydia and gonorrhoea and 2014-2018 for syphilis.

For example, chlamydia diagnoses among 15-24-year-old women quadrupled from 511 per 100,000 in the year 2000 to 2057 per 100,000 in 2018. For 55 to 64-year-old the figures went from three to 18 per 100,000 over the same period.

While the figures are smaller, the rate of growth is sharper.

National records of chlamydia, gonorrhoea and syphilis diagnoses between 2000 and 2018 have revealed that infection rates have had the biggest rise among 55 to 74-year-old females

Epidemiologist Eric Chow told Daily Mail Australia the previous data compiled on the infectious disease only revealed whether cases were male or female, but the new study sheds light on sexual preference.

'Syphilis was previously concentrated in gay man, however, the new study shows a rise in heterosexual men and women,' he said.

'The second main finding of the study was that certain suburbs in Melbourne are getting clusters of cases.'

Dr Chow said more clinical health services in those suburbs, as well as additional training for GPs, will help combat the worrying rise in infections.

'We also need more public health awareness campaigns about how to avoid transmitting the STI and what the symptoms are so people can get early treatment,' he said.

'Syphilis is an old disease, we really don't know why there seems to be a resurgence in Melbourne.'

Experts are now using tracing measures similar to those used to control Covid to identify syphilis outbreaks

Dr Chow reported a 129 per cent increase in heterosexual men between 2015 and 2018, and called for more screening.

Ocular syphilis, which affects the eyes, was increasing at an alarming rate, with the Royal Victorian Eye and Ear Hospital reporting a 20-fold increase in syphilis-related eye infections.

The hospital would typically get one case per year in the early 2000s, but now they were getting up to five per week, and it can cause permanent blindness.

With women now becoming more regularly infected, syphilis can be passed onto unborn children, resulting in stillbirths or babies with deformities, damaged organs and deafness.

The startling rise in numbers may have been even higher if not for Melburnians spending nearly half of 2020 in lockdown, reducing social contact.

Professor Marcus Chen of the Melbourne Sexual Health Centre said it was urgent that the outbreak be controlled through greater testing.

'If this isn't reversed right now we are going to see more of the same happening,' Professor Chen said.

'These are tragic and avoidable events. It's extremely disappointing because we know syphilis can be controlled, we've got the tools to do it, and it is a highly treatable condition.'

Professor Williamson said experts are now using tracing measures similar to those used to control Covid to identify syphilis outbreaks.

'It's an ancient disease, but the way we have diagnosed and treated it hasn't really changed for many, many years,' Professor Williamson told The Age.

'We think applying these cutting-edge technologies that we have used for coronavirus will be quite transformative for this disease, which has long plagued humankind.

'It may be that there are networks where there is a particularly high incidence of syphilis, we've seen that before with gonorrhea, where there's spillover into other populations.'

Syphilis can be treated with long-acting penicillin, and anyone with the infection should avoid sexual contact until treatment is completed.

Epidemiologist Eric Chow reported a 129 per cent increase in heterosexual men between 2015 and 2018, citing the need for further screening

The health centre found there had been a 220 per cent spike in syphilis cases among females in recent years

What is Syphilis? Advertisement
Advertisement

Violence erupted at a pro-Palestinian protest outside the Israeli consulate in New York City amid Israel's latest offensive in the Gaza Strip.

Multiple arrests were made on Tuesday as protesters clashed with police and pro-Israel demonstrators as clashes continue between Israel and the Palestinian people.

Hundreds of people took place in the 'Free Palestine' protest, chanting and holding Palestinian flags as they walked down Second Avenue and made their way downtown.

Protesters could be heard chanting: 'Gaza, Gaza don't you cry, we will never let you die!'

According to a flyer on Twitter, the demonstration was called an 'Emergency Rally to Defend Palestine,' and it was one of many that took place throughout the country on Tuesday.

There were also protests in Atlanta, Washington D.C., Los Angeles, Boston and Dearborn, Michigan, where President Joe Biden was visiting.

In New York City, the New York Police Department told the public to expect delays and avoid the area in a tweet around 3pm before closing off Manhattan's FDR Drive to the march. Protestors then redirected to a 17th Police Precinct at 50th Street and 3rd Avenue, where several fights broke out.

Some involved the police officers, and other fights appeared to have been between pro-Palestine and pro-Israeli protestors outside of the Israeli consulate, leading to arrests. No information about arrests were immediately available.

There were a total of 15 arrests made, police told the Daily Mail, including three desk appearance tickets for obstructing government administration, failing to obey a police officer and resisting arrest; seven summonses for failure to stop and obey a police officer; four juvenile reports for obstructing government administration, disorderly conduct and resisting arrest; and one live arrest for obstruction of government administration and failure to stop and obey a police officer.

Scroll down for video.

Multiple arrest and fights break out at a Palestinian March in New York City. The March was stopped from getting onto the FDR and then made its way to a Police Precinct at 50th St and 3rd Avenue

New York Police officers prevented pro-Palestine protestors from getting onto the FDR on Tuesday

Protestors made their way to a police precinct at 50th Street and Third Avenue, where fights broke out

A man was seen taken into custody following one of the brawls. Information about the arrests were not immediately available

Several fights broke out between the pro-Palestine and pro-Israeli protestors

A pro-Palestine protestor fought with a pro-Israel protestor outside of the 17th Police Precinct

In Atlanta, nearly 300 people of all ages gathered outside of the Israeli consulate holding signs denouncing Zionism and expressing their support for a Palestinian nation while chanting, 'Free, free Palestine,' and 'From the river to the sea, Palestine will be free.'

There was a small police presence at the scene, according to the Associated Press, and protestors standing on the sidewalk cheered loudly when cars drove by and honked to express their support.

Hundreds more gathered in the nation's capitol on Tuesday criticizing Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's airstrikes on the Gaza Strip.

They stood near the Israeli embassy there holding flags and signs calling Israel an apartheid state.

And still others showed up to similar protests in Boston and Los Angeles, where protestors organized by the Palestinian Youth Movement chanted 'Gaza, Gaza, don't you cry. Palestine will never die,' according to the Los Angeles Daily News.

Nearly 300 protestors of all ages stood on the sidewalk across from the Israeli embassy in Atlanta on Tuesday evening to call for an end to Israeli airstrikes in the Gaza Strip as fighting between Israel and Palestine continues

Many carried Palestinian flags as they chanted 'Free, free Palestine,' and 'From the river to the sea, Palestine will be free'

The protestors cheered whenever a car would pass by honking to show its support for their cause

A woman in Atlanta called for an end to the United States' financial support of Israel

Some piled into the street as the protest continued into Tuesday night

The LAPD said they were monitoring the situation, but no arrests had been made.

Meanwhile in Dearborn, Michigan, almost 3,000 people marched past a Ford Motor Company plant that President Joe Biden was touring on Tuesday, to protest the his continued support for Benjamin Netanyahu's administration, and the ongoing Israeli airstrikes at Gaza.

'They asked us to save democracy from Donald Trump and now we are asking everyone to please save Palestine from Joe Biden,' Protest Organizer Amer Zahr told the crowd, Fox 2 News reports.

'He is participating in and funding the murder of our families,' he said.

Protesters marched through neighborhoods near a Ford Motor Company plant President Joe Biden was touring on Tuesday to protest his continued support for Israel during the Middle Eastern conflict

Protesters gathered at a demonstration at Copley Square in Boston on Tuesday

Protesters held a large Palestinian flag as they gathered near the Israel embassy in Washington D.C. on Tuesday to protest the ongoing war between Palestine and Israel

Some protesters held signs calling Israel an apartheid state and condemning the country's airstrikes on Gaza

People gathered around symbolic coffins during a rally in solidarity with Palestine in D.C.

In L.A., protesters organized by the Palestinian Youth Movement chanted 'Gaza, Gaza, don't you cry. Palestine will never die,'

United States President Joe Biden said he called Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, right, to express his support for a ceasefire in Israel's ongoing conflict with Palestine

Biden has called for a cease-fire in the ongoing conflict between Israel and Palestine, announcing on Monday afternoon he told Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu he expressed his 'support' for a cease fire between Israel and Hamas.

He 'reiterated his firm support for Israel's right to defend itself against indiscriminate rocket attacks' and 'welcomed efforts to address intercommunal violence and to bring calm to Jerusalem,' according to the readout.

'He encouraged Israel to make every effort to ensure the protection of innocent civilians. The two leaders discussed progress in Israel's military operations against Hamas and other terrorist groups in Gaza. The President expressed his support for a ceasefire and discussed U.S. engagement with Egypt and other partners towards that end.'

Biden stopped short of calling for an 'immediate' cease-fire, as some fellow Democrats have demanded.

The readout concluded that 'the two leaders agreed that they and their teams would remain in close touch.'

Palestinian supporters marched along 42nd Street in midtown Manhattan on Tuesday

They called for an end to America's support for Israel, as it continues to fire airstrikes into Gaza

An Israeli official told Axios the administration did not give a timeline for a ceasefire, but that its ability to hold back international pressure was waning.

It was also revealed that the US approved a $735million weapons deal that included precision-guided missiles, a week before the conflict began.

The hostilities began earlier this month when clashes broke out at the Al-Aqsa mosque compound - one of Islam's holiest sites - following a crackdown against protests over planned expulsions of Palestinians in the Sheikh Jarrah neighborhood of Israeli-annexed east Jerusalem.

Since then, the conflict has escalated  marking the worst fighting in the territory that is home to 2 million Palestinians since Israel and Hamas' devastating 2014 war, when Israel launched a military operation on the Gaza Strip with the stated aim of ending rocket fire and destroying tunnels used for smuggling.

The war left 2,251 dead on the Palestinian side, mostly civilians, and 74 on the Israeli side, mostly soldiers.

To date, at least 12 Israelis have died in the recent conflict, and the Palestinian health ministry said that at least 213 Palestinians, including 61 children, were killed in the retaliatory Israeli airstrikes.

Rockets were launched from Gaza City towards Israel on May 17

A huge plume of black smoke rose from a residential area in Gaza on Tuesday as Israeli war planes continued to strike the territory in retaliation for rockets fired at Israel from Gaza

A view from above shows a destroyed six-story Kuhail building which was targeted by an early morning airstrike on Gaza City
Johnny Depp is suing the America Civil Liberties Union to see whether ex-wife Amber Heard ever fulfilled her promise to donate her $7m divorce settlement to charity, DailyMail.com can exclusively reveal.

Heard, 35, declared that she didn't want Depp's money after their explosive 2016 breakup and vowed instead to split the mammoth payment between two good causes.

But the actor's lawyers believe the altruistic gesture was a sham and have spent more than a year chasing the Children's Hospital Los Angeles and the American Civil Liberties Union to find out how much they actually received from the actress.

Back in January DailyMail.com revealed a series of documents turned over by hospital bosses which suggested they received only $100,000  way short of the promised $3.5m 'gift'.

The ACLU refused to cooperate but Depp has now ramped up the pressure by filing a motion to compel in New York Supreme Court to force them to comply with a string of subpoenas and end their 'outrageous stonewalling'.

Depp's lawyers want the docs to prove Heard was lying when she boasted about the giveaway, not only in media interviews but in evidence she gave to a London court.

The Pirates of the Caribbean star lost a bruising defamation case last year against the UK's Sun newspaper when a British High Court judge agreed the publication's depiction of him as a 'wife beater' was 'substantially true' based on blood-curdling accounts of their numerous bust-ups.

Johnny Depp is suing the ACLU to force them to reveal whether ex-wife Amber Heard gave them $3.5m from her divorce settlement as she promised, DailyMail.com can exclusively reveal

Depp's lawyers have filed a case with the Supreme Court in New York to force the ACLU to reveal whether they received any of the promised $3.5m from his ex-wife

Depp and Heard fought a bruising defamation case last year against the UK's Sun newspaper when a British High Court judge agreed the publication's depiction of him as a 'wife beater'

Giving evidence in a witness statement dated February 26, 2020, Heard stated: 'I remained financially independent from him [Depp] the whole time we were together and the entire amount of my divorce settlement was donated to charity.'

Judge Andrew Nichol cited the gesture while deciding the case in The Sun's favor, writing: 'Her donation of the $7 million to charity is hardly the act one would expect of a gold-digger.'

Depp, 57, belatedly raised the issue of the 'missing' charity payments when he challenged the ruling, his lawyers arguing the UK court was fed a 'calculated and manipulated lie, designed to achieve a potent favorable impression.'

A panel of judges said the new evidence wouldn't make any difference, however, and refused his bid for an appeal, saddling him with $840,000 in legal costs.

That won't stop Depp deploying the same arguments in a separate $50 million defamation suit filed in Fairfax County, Virginia, which accuses Heard of creating a 'hoax' account of being a domestic violence survivor for a 2018 newspaper article.

The Washington Post op-ed  headlined 'I spoke up against sexual violence and faced our culture's wrath, That has to change' - didn't mention Depp by name but he claims it wrecked his reputation and got him axed from the role of Captain Jack Sparrow.

In the new filing, the star's lawyers point to a September 2019 declaration from Heard in the Virginia suit that states that the idea for the article came from the ACLU itself.

Anthony Romero, the executive director of the ACLU, introduced Heard to a colleague, Jessica Weitz 'who in turn suggested the idea that [she] might write an Op-ed about how [her] experience exemplifies the issues faced by those who speak out about abuse and violence,' the filing states.

'Ms. Heard goes on to describe how she worked with the ACLU to draft the Op-Ed and the ACLU handled placing the Op-Ed in a newspaper.'

Depp's lawyers say that after Heard cited her charitable giveaway in sworn evidence for the London court action they initiated legal moves in the US to get to the bottom of her claims.

Depp and Heard met on the set of The Rum Diary back in 2011 and married four years later before a now-infamous blowout fight ended their marriage in May 2016. Heard cataloged the 'horrific' abuse she claims to have suffered at Depp's hands, describing him as 'the monster' and recalling many of the allegations she made during their divorce. The filing included photos of bruises and scars (left and right)

The American Civil Liberties Union has refused to say whether Heard donated any of the $3.5m she promised, and Depp's lawyers have filed a lawsuit with the Supreme Court in New York to compel them to say

'Ms. Heard made multiple attempts to thwart Mr. Depp's discovery into her purported donation of her entire divorce settlement,' the filing states, describing how she tried and failed to have their subpoenas quashed in the Californian courts.

Heard eventually complied, as did the Children's Hospital Los Angeles, but the ACLU has so far only handed over a limited number of documents and emails.

These include a September 9, 2016 letter from Romero to Heard, on ACLU Foundation letterhead, thanking Ms. Heard for her donation of $350,000 as 'the first installment of your very generous pledge of $3.5 million', the motion reveals.

Also included is 'email correspondence between Ms. Heard and Mr. Romero from June 2017, reflecting that the ACLU had received a $350,000 donation from Ms. Heard, a $100,000 donation from Mr. Depp towards Ms. Heard's pledge, and an 'anonymous' $500,000 which appears from the correspondence to be from 'Elon'.

'Elon' is believed to refer to Tesla and Space-X founder, Elon Musk, with whom Ms. Heard is alleged to have had a romantic relationship during and following her marriage to Mr. Depp.'

Depp's lawyers concluded from the documents that Heard donated $450,000 to the ACLU, not the $3,500,000 she claimed.

The organization indicated it 'would not be producing the documents and testimony concerning the Op-Ed without an agreement on confidentiality.'

When no such agreement was reached, Depp's legal crew sued in New York, where the ACLU is based.

'The ACLU Witnesses' reticence to provide more information 'appears to be part of a collusive effort with Ms. Heard to prevent evidence showing that Ms. Heard perjured herself from becoming public,' they allege.

'Applying New York law, the Court should reject the ACLU Witnesses' outrageous stonewalling. Mr. Depp, accordingly, respectfully requests that this Court enter an order directing the ACLU Witnesses to fully comply with the Subpoenas.'

Depp and Heard met on the set of The Rum Diary back in 2011 and married four years later before a now-infamous blowout fight ended their marriage in May 2016.

Heard sought a restraining order and a divorce claiming Depp hurled a phone in her face but after months of back and forth accusations they reached a surprise deal.

Heard said in August 2016: 'As described in the restraining order and divorce settlement, money played no role for me personally and never has, except to the extent that I could donate it to charity and, in doing so, hopefully help those less able to defend themselves.

'As reported in the media, the amount received in the divorce was $7 million and $7 million is being donated. This is over and above any funds that I have given away in the past and will continue to give away in the future.

'The donation will be divided equally between the ACLU, with a particular focus to stop violence against women, and the Children's Hospital of Los Angeles where I have worked as a volunteer for past 10 years.'

Amber Heard, left, with her partner Bianca Butti, right, address the media outside the High Court in London after the final day of her ex-husband Johnny Depp's libel trial. Heard cited the $7m donation in court to prove she had not been after Depp's fortune

Judge Andrew Nichol cited the gesture while deciding the case in The Sun's favor, writing: 'Her donation of the $7 million to charity is hardly the act one would expect of a gold-digger'

DailyMail.com published a series of documents earlier this year however that called the pledge into doubt.

We revealed that, within days of her remarks, Edward L. White, a certified public accountant, wrote to Tiffanie Al-Nasser, a senior executive at the Children's Hospital Los Angeles, enclosing a check for $100,000.

The check was signed John C. Depp II but White said in his letter that the donation was on behalf of Heard and was the first installment of a 'pledged gift of $3,500,000'.

Depp said publicly at the time that, seeing as his wife had pledged her entire $7m divorce settlement to charity, he would go ahead and start paying the money directly to the organizations involved 'in the name of Amber Heard.'

He backed off from sending further money on her behalf, however, when Heard suggested it would breach their deal and challenged him to double the amount.

'If Johnny wishes to alter the settlement agreement, we must insist that he honor the full amount by donating $14m to charity, which after accounting for his tax deduction, is equal to his $7m payment obligation to Amber,' her spokesman said in late August 2016.

'We would also insist that the full amount be paid immediately and not drawn out over many years.'

The hospital's thrilled CEO, Paul Viviano, meanwhile, thanked Heard for her 'tremendous gift' in a gushing media statement, saying it would 'support lifesaving treatments and cures  for critically ill children.'

She was also included on a 2017 donor's list recognizing contributions in excess of $1m.

But on June 26, 2019 Associate Senior Vice President Candie Davidson-Goldbronn wrote to the Aquaman actress asking to know why they had not received further installments.

Depp and Heard are due back in court for upcoming defamation case in Virginia

'I am inquiring if you have knowledge if CHLA should expect further payment installment(s) on your behalf or if the pledge will not be fulfilled,' she wrote. 'I appreciate any insights on this matter.'

Heard's attorney, Elaine Charlson Bredehoft, did not specify how much her client had given to either organization, saying only that she intended to fulfill the $7m pledge 'eventually'.

She blamed Depp for the delay, saying Heard has been forced to spend millions defending herself against 'false accusations' made against her in the ongoing defamation case.

Friends say Depp is determined to fight on and won't contemplate settling the upcoming Virginia case, which has been repeatedly pushed back because of the Coronavirus pandemic and won't go before a jury until next year.

Heard's legal team has asked the judge to toss the case, arguing Depp's arguments were dismantled in the London proceedings.
Jacinda Ardern has opened up about her upcoming wedding, with the usually private New Zealand leader dropping hints about what she will wear and who she will invite to the ceremony.

Ms Ardern got engaged to her long term partner Clarke Gayford over the 2019 Easter break at Mahia, near Mr Gayford's home town of Gisborne on the country's North Island - having proposed with his grandmother's engagement ring.

With Ms Ardern revealing scant details in the two years since, the 40-year-old told radio station ZM on Wednesday she has a dream dress in mind for her big day.

NZ Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern (pictured) has revealed details about her upcoming wedding to Clarke Gayford

Mr Gayford (pictured left), a former television presenter, proposed to Ms Ardern near his home town of Gisborne in 2019

'I don't have it yet ... I have an idea in my head ... I probably need to do something about that,' the mother-of-one said.

Ms Ardern is known to be a fan of NZ designer Juliette Hogan, wearing a dress designed in collaboration with Melbourne artist Hannah Fox on an appearance on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert.

But some have speculated she could ask Trish Peng to design her dress, with the New Zealander being popular among Hollywood's elite.

As for the guest list, Ms Ardern said she was struggling to decide which fellow politicians she should invite.

'This is actually a real-life dilemma, I have a lot of colleagues,' she said.

The location for the couple's vows was also let slip by Ms Ardern saying she wanted to let her guests know accommodation in Gisborne was limited.

The pair regularly spend their summers in the area, known for picturesque beaches and mild weather.

She also revealed she and Gayford have decided on a date for the wedding - sometime this NZ summer - but was keeping tight-lipped on the exact day.

The couple have been together for a number of years and have one daughter named Neve

The pair will be exchanging vows in Gisborne over summer with the area known for scenic beaches (pictured)

'That doesn't mean we've told anyone yet ... I feel like we should probably put some invites out,' she told Coast radio earlier this month.

She also conceded she would most likely give the traditional pre-wedding bridal party a miss, saying she didn't feel up to any wild celebrations.

'I don't know if it's just me, for some reason I feel like because I'm getting on a bit I just need to forgo it,' she said.

Ms Arden's keeping her wedding plans close to her chest is true to form, having only confirmed she was engaged after a reporter spotted her ring and pressed her office for details.
Experts say those who require ventilator support have been at treatment at home for six days and in small hospitals for at least four to seven days. (Representational Photo: AFP)

Hyderabad: Despite the fall in Covid cases, the demand for intensive care unit beds has not come down in the state. There are a minimum of 10 to 20 inquiries for ICU beds to private hospitals in Hyderabad. Small hospitals on the outskirts say they get between 50 and 100 calls a day from districts.

An ICU bed is required for ventilator support and some of them require a combination of ventilator and dialysis machine. Hospitals that have ventilators but no dialysis machines are not of use to Covid-19 patients in a serious condition.

Dr Rahul Medakkar, chief operating officer of Care Hospitals, said the recovery rate on ventilator support is 75 per cent. Those who are on ventilators require care for 15 to 21 days. These beds do not get vacated fast."

Experts say those who require ventilator support have been at treatment at home for six days and in small hospitals for at least four to seven days. IT is when ther condition worsens that they look for beds in multi-speciality hospitals.

This situation in the second wave has been worrisome. A senior doctor says, "We have maximum cases in home treatment. There are some who, after three to four days of recovery, are going back to work. On day 10 or 15, their oxygen levels are reducing and then we see the relatives frantically seeking help from doctors."

Volunteers co-ordinating with government and private hospitals say the demand for oxygen concentrators has come down but not of ICU beds.

Private hospitals in the city have a total of about 3,000 ICU beds  Apollo Hospitals has 130, Care Hospitals 120, Yashoda Hospitals 4,0 and Asian Institute of Gastroenterology 400, Krishna Institute of Medical Sciences 85, SLG Hospitals 65 and other small and medium hospitals have 20 beds with ventilators.

The other ICU beds in the private hospital are for non-Covid patients, which are operational in the 10 multi-speciality hospitals of the city.

The health department has, in a detailed note, stated that there are 1,677 ICU beds of which, 493 are vacant in government hospitals. In the private sector, there are 6,677 ICU beds; of which 2,592 are vacant.

But, in the city, no hospital is responding for ICU beds and the only response is that there are no beds available to desperate relatives and friends.

A volunteer at Gandhi Hospital said, "There are patients who go around private hospitals and come to Gandhi Hospital at the end. By the time treatment starts, there are very few who survive as precious time has been lost. Since the last 15 days, we are seeing this; and in the last seven days, the demand for ICU beds is very high. Many patients arrive too late."
Chewed-up $50 bills were found in a general store's till after mice rummaged through the cash amid the relentless and devastating mouse plague gripping regional Australia.

The rodents have been running rampant through large tracts of inland New South Wales and parts of southern Queensland since last year, destroying crops and causing significant damage to tonnes of stored hay and grain.

In the latest hint the end of the plague is nowhere in sight, Nowendoc General Store and Rural Supplies owner Max found the mice had gotten into his business' notes.

The shop owner, who lives in the Northern Tablelands village 360km north of Sydney, posed for a picture with the nibbled money from behind the counter, in an image shared with Daily Mail Australia.

Nowendoc General Store and Rural Supplies owner Max (pictured) was left with chewed-up $50 bills after mice snuck into the till

On Facebook, locals have taken to community groups to share their experiences battling the rodent crisis. A woman from Coonabarabran said she found mice in her air conditioner

Nowendoc is a village about 1.5 hours south-east of Tamworth.

A survey of 1,100 farmers across NSW found some have already spent more than $150,000 on baiting to kill the animals, while others had lost more than $250,000 worth of grain and fodder.

On Facebook, locals have taken to community groups to share their experiences battling the rodent crisis.

A woman from Coonabarabran said she found mice in her air conditioner.

'I turned mine on this morning... Could smell mice. Pulled it apart and found this,' she wrote alongside pictures and videos of the rodents.

'Surely this plague has to end soon.'

One resident said he made a DIY mouse trap with a garbage bin with a rotating lid - which led him to catch 35 mice in one night

One person commented: 'It's a bloody nightmare... Just when you think they are slowing up... Bam they are everywhere again!'

'I left a clean basket of clothes in the laundry and in a hour there was six in it.'

Farmer Sarah Pye, from Dubbo in central NSW, set up a ramp inside one of her shipping containers to force the mice to fall into a large tub of water and drown.

Sharing the footage of her 'mouse trap', thousands of rodents were seen struggling to make it out of the tub.

Ms Pye's method is just one of many farmers have been forced to use to combat mice plagues across regional NSW - with stores across the state selling out of traps.

Sarah Pye, from Dubbo in central New South Wales, setup a ramp inside one of her shipping containers to force the masses of mice to fall into a large tub of water and drown

Sharing the footage to Facebook, hundreds of mice are seen struggling to make it out of the tub of water

Multiple Bunnings stores have been stripped bare of rodent-killing products due to overwhelming demand.

One resident in the Coonabarabran area said he made a DIY mouse trap with a garbage bin with a rotating lid - which led him to catch 35 mice in one night.

'Attach a ramp to the front. Smear some peanut butter along the ramp to encourage them up, then put a blob of peanut butter on the ridge line of the bin,' he wrote.

'Put about 20cm of water in the bin as well as dishwashing liquid for the smell. Leave it out over night along a wall and there you go.

'Does work, we got 35 last night.'

Another local revealed she caught about 200 mice each night with three of the homemade traps set up.

Another farmer in Dubbo, Tracey Jones, earlier told Daily Mail Australia she and her husband were struggling to sleep due to the constant scampering of mice in their walls.

'People out here are struggling badly with them in our houses,' she said.

'My 90-year-old mother in law is living out of an esky because it's the only way she can mouse-proof her food.

'Mice are in everything, rooves and walls eating wiring, cupboards and pantries eating, nesting in and soiling in food and clothing, in cars and machinery chewing through wiring.

'The smell of dead mice is overwhelming, it's everywhere.'

Farmers have described the crippling plague as devastating to their livelihoods.

The NSW government recently announced a $50 million relief package to address the plague.

Some farmers estimated they'd suffered losses of between $50,000 and $150,000 due to grain and fodder being destroyed, according to the NSW Farmers Grains Committee.

On top of this, a survey on farmers around NSW found that more than 80 per cent had suffered significant damage to machinery and infrastructure from mice.

It was also found that 75 per cent of farmers couldn't access bait when they needed it most.

Bunnings Orange (pictured) in central NSW was running low on rodent traps and bait last week due to the mouse plague

Farms across New South Wales have been overrun with plagues of mice in recent months (pictured property in Gilgandra)

Despite the hideous plague devastating communities, an animal rights charity has blasted farmers for trying to get rid of the mice.

The People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) has pleaded with farmers to avoid killing the 'curious animals' that are 'just looking for food to survive.'

'They shouldn't be robbed of that right because of the dangerous notion of human supremacy,' PETA spokeswoman Aleesha Naxakis told NCA NewsWire.

The organisation suggests farmers create humane traps that 'allow small animals to be caught gently and released unharmed' instead of using poisons.

'This cruel killing method not only subjects innocent mice to unbearably painful deaths, but also poses the risk of spreading bacteria in water when mouse carcasses appear in water tanks,' Ms Naxakis said.

Deputy Premier Michael McCormack has lashed out at the comments, calling the group 'idiots who have never been outside the city' and that the only 'good mouse is a dead mouse.'
New York's attorney general is now investigating the Trump Organization for criminal offenses, it emerged on Tuesday night.

The office, led by Letitia James, had been investigating the company for civil tax offenses since early 2019. but the investigation has now escalated.

'We have informed the Trump Organization that our investigation into the Organization is no longer purely civil in nature,' said Fabien Levy, a spokesman for the office.

'We are now actively investigating the Trump Organization in a criminal capacity, along with the Manhattan DA.'

The district attorney's office, led by Cyrus Vance, has been investigating possible criminal tax fraud since 2018.

A person familiar with the investigation told CNN that several investigators with the James's office, who are considered experts on the Trump Organization, have joined Vance's team.

The notice from Jamess office was sent in late April to attorneys for the Trump Organization, The Washington Post said.

Trump, seen Tuesday in NYC, has been told his organization is under criminal investigation

THE INVESTIGATIONS INTO TRUMP ORGANIZATION New York State AG Civil - 2019 NY State AG Letitia James launched a civil probe into the Trump Organization in 2019, after Michael Cohen - Trump's former attorney - testified at Congress. At first, the focus was whether or not the charity inflated the value of its assets while seeking loans and insurance coverage. James campaigned on the promise that she would investigate Trump and his family, which some experts say may impact how credible any charges may be because it undermines her impartiality. Manhattan DA criminal - 2018 Manhattan DA Cyrus Vance launched his investigation in 2018. He wanted specifically to focus on hush money payments given to Stormy Daniels by Michael Cohen during the 2016 election. In court filings, his office has indicated he has widened the scope of his investigation to also include tax evasion and fraud. NY State AG Criminal - 2020 It's unclear what James' office will focus their investigation on but they say they're joining Vance's. The NYAG has a more limited remit when it comes to what she can bring charges for. 'Although NYAG is best known for its civil enforcement work, it also has criminal enforcement authority in a number of areas, including securities fraud and tax fraud, ' former prosecutor Harry Sandick explained to The Washington Post. 'In addition, they should be able to prosecute those who make false statements in the course of their investigations.' Some have suggested that the announcement may just be a tactic to get others who are on the cusp of cooperating to agree to. 'The timing of the announcement may serve to heighten the pressure on persons who may be on the cusp of cooperating, and who now see more clearly that a unified demonstration of coordination, pooling of resources and resolve by the two prosecutor offices intensifies the criminal probe.' Advertisement

It suggested that criminality could apply to actions by current and former company executives and employees if the investigation finds wrongdoing, a source told the paper.

It was not immediately clear why the two law enforcement agencies are now collaborating years into their previously separate investigations.

Partnerships between the two New York law enforcement offices are rare.

Trump has previously called the New York attorney general's investigation politically motivated, and Eric Trump - who has spoken to James's team - responded to The Washington Post's request for comment with a video montage of James criticizing his father.

Trump was in New York City on Monday and Tuesday, having left Florida for the summer.

Much of the attention at the moment from Vance appears focused on the chief financial officer for the Trump Organization, Allen Weisselberg, and attempts to encourage him to 'flip' on his longtime boss.

Sources told the Wall Street Journal last week that Vance's office has issued a subpoena against Columbia Grammar & Preparatory School over $500,000 in fee payments made for Weisselberg's grandchildren.

Those payments were made between 2012 and 2019 using checks signed by both Trump and Weisselberg, it is claimed.

They are said to have been made as a form of financial assistance to Weisselberg's son Barry and his ex-wife Jessica so their two children could attend the school.

Barry managed Trump's ice rink in New York's Central Park on a salary of $223,000, until the city officials axed their contract with the ex-president this year.

Pomerantz, a 'mob-busting' prosecutor, has been brought in by Vance to investigate Trump

He claims not to have been able to afford for his children to pay to attend Columbia Grammar & Prep, located on New York's Upper West Side.

His former spouse Jennifer has claimed they believed the school fees were part of Barry's payment package.

Vance's investigation is said to center on whether the fee payments should have been flagged as gifts or loans, rather than as 'financial assistance.'

If so, they should have incurred tax, meaning the Weisselbergs may have evaded their dues to the IRS with the payment arrangement.

The school has indicated it will comply with the prosecutor's request.

Weisselberg has not been accused of or charged with any crime, and Trump has denied all allegations of wrongdoing.

Another key figure in Vance's investigation is Trump's former lawyer Michael Cohen, who has met with Vance and his team at least nine times.

Cohen, 54, began working for the Trump Organization in 2006, and in 2018 was sentenced to three years for his role assisting tax evasion and campaign finance fraud. Cohen was released in April 2020.

In a recent interview with Cohen, investigators asked questions about Trump's Seven Springs estate as part of an inquiry into whether the value of the 213-acre Westchester County property was improperly inflated to reduce his taxes.

The Associated Press reported that investigators asked Cohen about individuals involved in the appraisal of the estate and benefits derived from its valuation, including a $21 million income tax deduction.

Cohen was released to home confinement last year amid coronavirus fears, and his recent meetings have been conducted via video conference.

In a recent interview with Cohen, investigators asked questions about Trump's Seven Springs estate as part of an inquiry into whether the value of the 213-acre Westchester County property was improperly inflated to reduce his taxes.

Vance recently hired former mafia prosecutor Mark Pomerantz - who, as a federal prosecutor, oversaw the prosecution of Gambino crime boss John Gotti - as a special assistant district attorney to assist in the wide-ranging probe of Trump's finances.

The inquiry, according to court filings, includes an examination of whether Trump or his businesses lied about the value of assets to gain favorable loan terms and tax benefits.

The district attorney also is scrutinizing hush-money payments paid to women on Trump's behalf.

After a lengthy legal battle, his office is now in possession of eight years of Trump's tax records, including final and draft versions of tax returns, source documents containing raw financial data and other financial records held by his accounting firm.

The Supreme Court on February 22 ruled that Vance's team should have access to the documents.

Vance's focus on Seven Springs involves an environmental conservation arrangement Trump made in return for a tax deduction at the end of 2015, following failed attempts to turn the property into a golf course and luxury homes.

Trump granted an easement to a conservation land trust to preserve 158 acres and received a $21 million income tax deduction, equal to the value of the conserved land, according to records.

The amount was based on a professional appraisal that valued the full Seven Springs property at $56.5 million as of December 1, 2015.

That was a much higher amount than the evaluation by local government assessors, who said the entire estate was worth $20 million.

Trump bought the property, including a palatial Georgian-style mansion that once belonged to the family of newspaper publisher Katharine Graham, for $7.5 million in 1995.

Vance announced in April that he would leave office at the end of the year and not seek reelection, but in a memo to staff, he stressed that the investigation would not stop.

'The work continues,' Vance wrote, echoing his short statement after the U.S. Supreme Court ruled last month that he could have Trump's tax records.
An Australian father-of-two's death from coronavirus in India has been described by Scott Morrison as a terrible tragedy in a Covid-ravaged country that 'isn't safe'.

Govind Kant, 47, travelled to India last month to attend a funeral before succumbing to the disease.

'It's a dangerous place,' Scott Morrison told Sydney radio 2GB on Wednesday.

'It's terrible what has happened to this relatively young man and it's a tragedy when we lose an Australian anywhere, and sadly that happens all around the world when people are in dangerous places.

'So I feel for the family, but it is not a safe place. We are trying to bring people back safely, but equally we've got to do it in a way which doesn't put at risk everything that has been achieved here in Australia.'

Scott Morrison (pictured) said 'I feel for the family, but it is not a safe place. We are trying to bring people back safely'

Mr Morrison had been accused of abandoning Australians in India after introducing a weeks-long travel ban and threatening anyone who dared to defy the restrictions with massive fines or jail time.

The India travel ban lifted on Saturday and about 70 people have since returned to Australia, but there are still almost 10,000 people desperate to come back.

The prime minister said more than 1,000 people had also sought to travel from Australia to India since April 23.

'Now, we haven't let them go for obvious reasons,' Mr Morrison said.

India is recording about 340,000 new cases and 4,000 coronavirus deaths each day.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison has called Mr Kant's (pictured) death a 'tragedy' after he died from Covid-19 in India

Last month Mr Kant posted a heartbreaking final Facebook, writing: 'I am so sorry Mummy - I was not with you.'

His former colleagues also posted a heartfelt tribute to the father on Tuesday morning confirming his passing.

'It is with immense sadness that Trina Solar has to announce that our beloved colleague and friend Mr Govind Kant, Trina Solar Australia Country Manager, passed away on May 16th, 2021 at Delhi hospital,' Mr Kant's company Solar Juice Pty Ltd posted to Facebook.

'Our deepest condolences go to his wife, two daughters and other family members. This is a significant loss to Trina Solar and mere words cannot express the heartfelt sorrow we all feel upon Govind's passing.'

Mr Kant was recognised as a pioneer of the solar power industry, described by a 'true champion' from the director of energy at Tesla Australia.

'Govind was a true champion of our industry, always had time for everyone, always humble and forever supportive for all around him. Much loved and respected,' Mark Twidell said.

India is recording about 340,000 new cases and 4000 coronavirus deaths each day

'Govind Kant was the first mentor I ever had, after we met 15 years ago while I was finding my way in renewable energy,' RACV Solar boss Andy McCarthy posted to LinkedIn.

'No matter how many times I hassled him for advice, or how silly my question was, he was always happy to provide guidance and support.'

'Govind was the epitome of  professional, intelligent, warm, and just an absolute gentleman to do business with.'

Australia's total travel ban with India was lifted on May 15, meaning citizens stuck there can now apply to be brought back Down Under.

They will fly to Darwin before being taken to the Howard Springs facility for two weeks of mandatory quarantine.
A loving, tight-knit family has been left reeling after their eldest son went to bed one evening and never woke up.

Andy and Rachel Tate thought their blonde-haired boy Jacob, 11, was just sleeping in after a long week of school, but when they eventually checked on him they knew something was drastically wrong.

They opened the curtains of Jacob's bedroom at their Waikanae home, north of Wellington in New Zealand, and then tried to wake him - but he was motionless.

His strange sudden death on Saturday still remains a mystery and now his terrified younger brothers Joshua, 6, and Charlie, 5, fear the same thing could happen to them.

Andy (back right) and Rachel Tate (back left) thought their blonde-haired boy Jacob, 11, (front right) with was just sleeping in after a long week of school, but when they eventually checked on him they knew something was drastically wrong

Paramedics tried desperately to resuscitate Jacob, but nothing could be done.

'It's such a heart-wrenching time They are still trying to work out what happened. It happened so suddenly, there was no warning,' spokeswoman for the family Abby Woollaston told the NZ Herald.

Although Jacob suffered from dyslexia he had no signs of ill health and now his siblings are asking if they might not wake up too.

Ms Woollaston said he was a 'caring and sensitive' young boy who interpreted the world through a very creative and 'quirky' lens.

Jacob loved to wear onesies everywhere he went and had a gift for art and drawing.

'He was very aware and nurturing to other small children around him, much more than you would expect for a boy his age,' Ms Woollaston said.

Paramedics tried desperately to resuscitate Jacob, but nothing could be done and the boy's death remains a mystery

His mother said: 'He was the kind of boy that loved fishing even though he never really caught any fish.'

A Givealittle donation page set up on behalf of the 'well-loved' family to cover their expenses while they're off work grieving, has now climbed to $51,400.

An outpouring of grief has flowed in from across the their local Kapiti and Porirua communities with family, friends, nearby schools and their local church all pitching in to donate and lend their support.

The tragedy comes as Rachel is in the midst of battling a breast cancer after being diagnosed in 2019.

A report into Jacob's death is being prepared by the coroner.
Four great white sharks have been captured at a beach where a surfer was mauled to death by one of the predators a day earlier.

The surfer in his 50s was fatally mauled by a 4.5m great white shark off Tuncurry Beach near Forster on the NSW mid-north coast on Tuesday morning.

He was desperately warning friends of the danger when he was attacked.

Authorities on Wednesday morning caught a shark on a drum line off the beach, but it is not believed to be the same predator that was spotted by a drone following Tuesday's attack.

A spokeswoman for the NSW Department of Primary Industries told Daily Mail Australia four white sharks were caught, tagged and released on Wednesday morning off Tuncurry Beach and nearby Forster Main Beach.

All of the sharks reeled in on Wednesday were different lengths to the one involved in Tuesday's attack.

A shark has been caught off Tuncurry Beach on the NSW Mid North Coast where a surfer was fatally mauled yesterday.



Authorities dont believe it's the great white shark that attacked the surfer. #9News



Details: https://t.co/hY9iAeUIVi pic.twitter.com/CITNftyIUW  9News Sydney (@9NewsSyd) May 19, 2021

A man in his 50s died after he was bitten by a shark on the upper leg on the New South Wales mid-north coast on Tuesday. Emergency crews are pictured at the scene

The white sharks captured at Main Beach were both 2.5m, while those at Tuncurry Beach were 2.3m and 2.45m.

Footage showed one of the sharks tied to the side of a boat as it was taken further out into the ocean, 9News reported.

Drum lines had been dropped into the water by government workers in an attempt to hook the sharks.

The lines are non-lethal traps used to lure and capture sharks using baited hooks, allowing authorities to move sharks away from popular beaches without using deadly force.

Tuesday's mauling is the first confirmed fatal shark attack in Australian waters this year, though it's believed another man was killed by a shark off South Australia in January.

Emergency crews were called to the beach, just north of Forster, about 11.20am after the man was bitten while surfing.

Police said the man spotted the shark before it latched on, leaving him with horrific injuries to his upper thigh.

A shark is pictured after being captured on a drum line off the beach on Wednesday morning

'When the attack occurred the man did actually see the shark and called out to try and warn others' Superintendent Christopher Schilt told reporters.

'Very heroically his friends were able to bring him back into shore after he had been attacked.'

Locals believe Tuesday's incident at Tuncurry beach was likely caused by a well-known great white known as 'Bruce'.

Pictured is a great white shark spotted by drone near to where the surfer was attacked on Tuesday

Despite the efforts of bystanders - which included an off-duty paramedic - the man died on the shore.

NSW Ambulance Inspector Joshua Smyth praised the man's friends who worked with paramedics for 40 minutes to revive him.

'They commenced CPR. They gave that patient the best chance that they could get at that time, but (we) were unable to save him.'

Tuesday's attack was at Tuncurry Beach near the popular tourist spot of Forster on the mid-north coast of New South Wales

Surf Lifesaving NSW has closed beaches from Blackhead Beach to One Mile Beach for at least 24 hours, and the DPI is deploying smart drumlines at Tuncurry Beach.

Shark scientists from the NSW Department of Primary Industry have since analysed photos of the bite and determined a white shark about 4.5m long is likely responsible for the attack.

Drones have been deployed in the area, as the DPI and police search for the shark responsible.

At least two sharks about three metres long were spotted in the area on Tuesday, as well as a roughly 4.5m great white captured by a drone videographer.

Victorian father Duncan Craw (pictured) died in the water off Port MacDonnell in SA in January in a suspected shark attack

Local lifesaver Brian Wilcox said the attack was 'pretty unprecedented'.

'I can't recall ever having a shark attack in this area,' he told ABC TV.

The DPI has advised water users and beach goers to follow the NSW SharkSmart Twitter feed or download the SharkSmart app for the latest information on shark movements and sightings.

Eight people were killed in shark attacks in Australian waters last year, according to the Taronga Conservation Society which records shark fatalities.

In January, Victorian father Duncan Craw went missing in waters off Port MacDonnell in South Australia, and his torn wetsuit was later found, but his case was not recorded as an official shark fatality.
The St. Louis man who held aimed a rifle at Black Lives Matter protesters that had marched past his mansion last year has announced his run for U.S. Senate to stop President Joe Biden's 'socialism.'

Mark McCloskey formally announced his campaign to Fox News host Tucker Carlson and said he decided to run after his infamous standoff last year because people are 'tired of cancel culture' and 'the big lie of racism.'

He filed his campaign with the Federal Election Commission on Tuesday ahead of his interview with Carlson and is running in the 2022 race for the seat held by Senator Roy Blunt, who is retiring.

McCloskey and his wife Patricia, armed with a handgun, were filmed standing in front of their tony home pointing the weapons at protesters marching in their private community toward the home of then-St. Louis Mayor Lyda Krewson on June 28.

'God came knocking on my door disguised as an angry mob. It really did wake me up,' he said.

Mark McCloskey formally announced his campaign to Fox News host Tucker Carlson

He filed his campaign with the Federal Election Commission on Tuesday ahead of his interview with Carlson

McCloskey and his wife Patricia, armed with a handgun, were filmed standing in front of their tony home pointing the weapons at protesters

The BLM protesters were marching in their private community toward the home of then-St. Louis Mayor Lyda Krewson on June 28

McCloskey said he decided to run after his infamous standoff last year because people are 'tired of cancel culture' and 'the big lie of racism'

McCloskey's announcement isn't entirely a surprise - the personal injury lawyer has campaigned for former President Donald Trump and Politico reported in April that he had spoken at a GOP dinner and was considering running.

'As we continue to do rallies and events supporting our constitutional rights, what I've learned is that the people out there in this country are just sick and tired of cancel culture and the poison of critical race theory and the big lie of systemic racism  all backed up by the threat of mob violence,' McCloskey said.

'People are just sick of it, they don't want any more posers and egotistic and career politicians going to D.C. All we here is talk and nothing ever changes.'

McCloskey added that people have to' stand up' and 'say we are not sheep, we are a free people.'

'If we don't stand up now and take this country back, it's going away. We used to talk about the erosion of our civil liberties,' he said.

'Since [the Biden] administration took over there has been the wholesale slaughter of our civil liberties and institution of what can't be called anything but socialism.'

McCloskey slammed Biden for instituting 'socialist' policies like stimulus checks that he claims encourages people to stay home rather than get jobs, Fox News reported.

'Our president says, 'Gee, I don't think that's taking place.' Everything is nonsense. Everything is upside down. It's time to straighten things back up,' he said.

During his appearance on Fox News, McCloskey also blasted 'fake news' reports that said he had once been a Democrat.

'That was the worst, 'fake news' slur that has been hurled at me,' McCloskey said.

'Oh, whatever,' Carlson said while laughing.

McCloskey said he has always been a Republican but 'never a politician.'

The McCloskeys were indicted by a grand jury on October 6 on felony charges of exhibiting guns at a protest and tampering with a weapon, Business Insider reported.

At the time, the McCloskeys released a statement through their lawyers which said that they supported the Black Lives Matter movement. Mark McCloskey's campaign website now portrays the events differently - claiming he 'held off a violent mob through the exercise of their 2nd Amendment rights.'

The St. Louis Post-Dispatch reported in October that Missouri Gov. Mike Parson said he would 'certainly' pardon the McCloskeys if they are convicted.

They have pleaded not guilty to the two charges and their trial is set for November.
Shocking footage has emerged of a farmer chasing after a kangaroo before running into it with a tractor sprayer.

Video of the heartless attack on the kangaroo was posted in a Yarra Valley Facebook group on Tuesday, while the incident is believed to have occurred in the same area in north eastern Victoria.

As the attack unfolded the driver intently chases the kangaroo before aggressively yelling out, 'he's mine!'.

'This big c***! He's mine! He's f***ing mine!,' the driver yells as the kangaroos is chased down.

When the animal was caught and killed in the sprayer the driver shouts 'boomfa!' in celebration.

Animal Justice Party MP Andy Meddick has said the incident is a 'disgrace' and called on the Victorian Government to do more to protect animals.

'I am calling on Minister Lily D'Ambrosio to ensure this man is made an example of. He needs the book thrown at him,' he said.

The driver can be heard yelling out 'This big c***! He's mine! He's f***ing mine!' before rolling the kangaroo

'The Victorian Government has created a culture of disrespect to native animals by allowing their slaughter for fun and under so-called harvesting programs.'

Environment Minister Lily D'Ambrosio replied saying she was 'deeply concerned by this report'.

She said an investigation had been launched while the Wildlife Act was being reviewed to ensure people who attacked wildlife were appropriately dealt with.

As the driver hits the kangaroo with the tractor's sprayer he yells 'boomfa!' in celebration

'The Conservation Regulator is investigating this report and I expect the regulator to take action against whoever is responsible if this act was found to be deliberate,' she said.

'We are reviewing the Wildlife Act to ensure it is fit for purpose and deals appropriately with people who senselessly attack our wildlife.'
Scott Morrison has revealed he last got drunk at a New Year's Eve party in 2018.

The prime minister said he had a few glasses of Tasmanian whisky which left him feeling dusty the next day.

In a radio interview on Wednesday morning, KIIS FM host Jason Hawkins asked the father of two: 'Scott, when was the last time you were hungover?'

Without pausing to think, Mr Morrison instantly replied: 'New Year's Eve a couple of years ago, yeah.

'It was a few years ago, it would have been back about 2018 I think.'

Hawkins asked: 'What was the weapon, what did it to you?' and the prime minister replied: 'Tasmanian whisky.

'I don't mind getting together with some mates and friends and kicking back and that sort of thing, but in this job you've got to be up and at them the next day,' he added.

The prime minister has been touring Brisbane and Melbourne this week as he spruiks his government's budget which was delivered by Treasurer Josh Frydenberg on Tuesday.

The nation's second pandemic budget contained huge spending measures with the aim of securing Australia's economic recovery following the pandemic.

Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison (right) and the Head of the North Queensland Livestock Industry Recovery Agency Shane Stone in Cloncurry, QLD in May 2019

Ten million Aussies were granted a tax cut of up to $1,080, while tax breaks for businesses such as the instant asset write off were extended and money was splashed on essential services such as aged care.

The budget papers also predict the nation's borders will not open until mid-2022 and Mr Morrison defended this assumption on Wednesday.

He warned Australia's relative safety from coronavirus could be compromised if borders reopen too early.

'It's called rushing to failure,' he told 2GB radio on Wednesday.

'Australians are demonstrating a great deal of patience and the position we have been maintaining is the sensible one.

'That doesn't mean we're not planning for when we can do it ... but for now and for some time yet we need to play it safe because that's what protects lives and it's also what protects livelihoods.'

The prime minister said Australia's relative success against coronavirus did not mean the country was somehow immune from the disease.

Singapore and Taiwan are both battling fresh waves of coronavirus infections despite extraordinary early success.

'The virus is quite an opponent,' Mr Morrison said.
The prime minister has dismissed a plea from an animal rights group for farmers to stop killing mice even as the rodents destroy their crops during the current east coast plague.

Scott Morrison called the request from animal activist group PETA 'pretty dopey', as mice cause catastrophic damage in rural NSW and parts of southern Queensland.

The plague has devastated many farms by ruining planted crops, damaging tonnes of stored hay and grain, and causing millions of dollars of damage.

PETA's Aleesha Naxakis (pictured) said mice should be caught and released humanely

Millions of mice are being culled as they ravish NSW and parts of south Queensland

A highly toxic poison has been authorised for use to combat the plague after the failure of normal eradication methods, but PETA argues the culling of the rodents stemmed from the 'dangerous notion of human supremacy'.

They said the government should provide a humane solution that allows the rodents to be trapped and later released.

PETA's Aleesha Naxakis told Sydney radio 2GB 'we are not anti-farmer' but said she objected to mice being poisoned.

'It's so unfair these mice are going to suffer these horrible deaths,' she said.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison (pictured) called the comments from PETA 'pretty dopey'

Prime Minister Scott Morrison said it was hard to see 'the devastation and heartbreak' recently experienced by NSW farmers.

'It's just one thing after another ... and apart from the comments being very insensitive to the plight of those farmers ... it's pretty dopey,' he said.

Last week, the NSW government responded to farmers' pleas for help with a $50 million relief package that includes rebates and a promise to chemically treat grain to protect against the vermin.

The government is also seeking urgent approval from the Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority for approval to use bromadiolone - a new poison outlawed in Australia that's guaranteed to kill rodents within 24 hours.
Eight young Brooklyn men allegedly stole $2million from recipients of COVID relief funds - then posted their ill gotten gains on social media.

Six of the eight defendants, ranging in age from 18 to 25, were charged in Brooklyn federal court with conspiracy to commit access device fraud in connection with a scheme to obtain millions of dollars in unemployment insurance.

The remaining two men, Armani Miller, 24, and Johan Santos, 19, are still at large.

The group stole personal information from those who were on the pandemic assistance program and funneled their money into their personal bank accounts, withdrawing the cash at banks in Brooklyn and Queens, the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Eastern District of New York, stated.

They then posted pictures of themselves wearing designer clothes, posing in front of cars, and holding wads of cash and fanning themselves with the money.

Federal prosecutors allege that Angel Cabrera and Gianni Stewart posted photos of money they had stolen from the fraudulent unemployment claims to their social media pages

Alleged suspect Carlos Vazquez stacked his money high enough that it resembled a boom box

Vazquez, 20, and Seth Golding flaunted their bounty on social media

Golding, 18, sat on the trunk of car, posing with a fan of cash on his knees

They posted pictures of themselves wearing designer clothes, posing in front of cars, and holding wads of cash and fanning themselves with the money

The suspects were caught with more than 100 Key Bank debit cards in other peoples names that they used to make simultaneous withdrawals from Capital One Bank ATMs in eastern Queens, according to court documents.

They made withdrawals of more than $26,000 at a time, and used their own addresses and phone numbers to claim the fake unemployment benefits.

They were trying to steal a total of $5 million, prosecutors allege, and in September two of the suspects and an unidentified co-conspirator were captured on security footage making cash withdrawals at three different Capital One Banks.

'There is never an excuse to knowingly commit fraud and steal from a system that was designed to help New Yorkers in a time of need,' New York State Department of Labor Roberta Commissioner Reardon said in a statement.

'However, its even more despicable when these thieves steal a lifeline from New Yorkers in the midst of a public health pandemic,' she continued. 'We have no tolerance for criminals, and if you break the law, you will be held accountable.'

Surveillance footage shows alleged suspect Armani Miller withdrawing cash from an ATM at a Queens Capital One branch
The government affirmed that there is no change in the timings. (DC File Image)

Vijayawada: The Fact Check AP portal of the Andhra Pradesh government busted a fake information on Covid curfew timings that was circulating on WhatsApp and other social media platforms on Tuesday. It said there was a reduction in relaxation of curfew timings.

The relaxation time would be reduced to between 6am and 10am from the present 6 am to 12 noon from May 20. It turned viral on social media platforms. Further, the message stated that AP is in the second place in Corona deaths. This was also untrue. AP is in the ninth place in Covid19 deaths.

According to the portal, a malicious message was circulating on WhatsApp after the announcement of an extension in curfew in Andhra Pradesh. The message claimed that during the extended curfew period, the relaxation time will be from 6 am to 10 am."

The government affirmed that there is no change in the timings and the message was fake and untrue.

The government clarified that with 9,481 deaths, AP stands at ninth slot in the country in fatality rate, and the percentage of deaths is 0.7 per cent of the total cases, which ranked 26 in the country.
Hill, 74, and Carol Clay, 73, were last seen on March 20 last year

A hunting mishap could be the reason why two campers vanished last year in a remote part of Victoria.

Russell Hill, 74, and Carol Clay, 73, who were having a secret affair, haven't been seen since March 2020 when they were camping at the Wonnangatta Valley in the Victorian Alps.

Police have been dogged in their ongoing investigation, but so far have failed to locate the pair - or any distinct signs of their possible remains.

Some locals near the Wonnangatta Valley now believe the lovers may have accidently been killed by a hunter - or hunters - armed with crossbows or rifles.

Carol Clay (pictured) was on a camping trip with her secret lover when she disappeared in a remote area of Victoria last year

Ms Clay was camping with Russell Hill (pictured) when the secret lovers went missing in a remote area of Victoria

The area is notorious for blood-thirsty hunters who often use thermal imaging with their high-powered rifles to shoot at prey from as far away as 800 metres.

Crossbows are also used in the rugged valley by many to kill wild animals.

According to the Herald Sun, a local, known only as Mick, told missing persons investigators he recalled finding a fluorescent green crossbow arrow, in 'close proximity' to where the couple's burnt-out campsite was discovered.

Investigators are said to be open to a number of possible scenarios, as mystery continues to deepen into the whereabouts of Mr Hill and Ms Clay.

Neither has accessed their bank accounts since their disappearance, with their respective families holding grave fears for their safety.

Two days after making their way to Wonnangatta Valley last March, their campsite was found burned to the ground. A trail of clues left behind have led authorities to believe the pair might have been set upon by unknown attackers.

A mobile phone charger is believed to have set their campsite on fire and burned their tent, table and camping chairs.

A DJI Mavic drone, which was found days later, was believed to have belonged to Mr Hill and its footage sparked hope that it could hold vital clues.

Speculation swirled that it may have captured illegal deer hunters in the area who sought to silence the pair.

It was later discovered that the drone belonged to someone else, and not Mr Hill.

Detective Inspector Andrew Stamper said in March, on the one year anniversary of the pair's disappearance, officers were chasing all leads and had zeroed in on a driver of a white ute that was seen in the valley a day before the pair disappeared.

'It might seem like only a very small possibility that those in the white ute will have information about Russell and Carol's disappearance but we can't afford to leave any stone unturned,' he said.

The ute remains unaccounted for, along with the couple's sleeping bags, prompting speculation they may have been brutally used as body bags.

The couple's campsite was destroyed, leaving to speculation Carol Gray and Russell Hill met with foul play in the Victorian Alps in March last year

The couple's sleeping bags have also vanished, with some police believing they were used as body bags after they were murdered in the Wonnangatta Valley in Victoria

The vehicle was spotted at a public toilet in the valley the day before the 'camping companions' last made contact with friends.

Police have also noted the toilet at the campsite was unused, suggesting the couple had not had time to 'settle in' before they disappeared.

Last month, a police search in the nearby Mount Hotham area uncovered two shovels before they were placed into plastic bags and taken away for forensic testing.

Mr Hill's close mate Rob Ashlin said the bushland region was 'certainly not safe' and called for the person involved in the disappearance to come forward.

'We're waiting for people to drop their guard and open their mouths. Police have got to keep going, they can't leave a stone unturned,' Mr Ashlin said.

'We want answers and that area of the bush is certainly not safe to go to at the moment.'

Mr Ashlin said Mr Hill's wife Robyn also wanted to know what happened, adding he had spoken to her on March 20 - exactly a year after the secret lovers, who had been having an affair for years, were last heard from on high-frequency radio.

'She is still on the sad side of things - she would like to know answers,' the friend said.

Mr Hill left his home in Drouin, in Victoria's Gippsland region, on March 19 last year and collected Ms Clay from her home in the south eastern Melbourne suburb of Pakenham in his Toyota Land Cruiser.

They travelled through Licola, spending one night at Howitt High Plains before heading into Wonnangatta Valley where they vanished without a trace.

Mr Hill was last heard from on March 20 over the radio telling friends he was in Wonnangatta Valley, while Ms Clay had told friends she was heading away and was expecting to return by March 29.
A tradesman was left horrified after tearing up the pavements at the wrong house thanks to a very confusing street sign.

Dreigan Fisher from Tylers Landscapes arrived at the number 37 home in Cranbourne West, in Melbourne's south-east on Monday morning.

While he waited for his boss Tyler Brooks to arrive, he got stuck into work and started removing the tiles from the home's backyard.

What the pair didn't know was that there was another house on the same street with the exact same number.

The house Mr Fisher started working on was actually under a different street name but was adjacent to the same road - with the correct house just three doors down.

Mr Brooks told Daily Mail Australia the other homeowners were expecting renovations themselves so weren't fazed when the tradies arrived at their home.

'The woman must have thought her husband had organised someone to come and do some work for her,' he said.

'It was pretty funny because I rocked up and told Dreigan this was the wrong house and he said ''Oh my god, I'm so sorry''.'

Mr Brooks said thankfully for them, the woman at the other house was very understanding and able to see the funny side.

Tradesman Dreigan Fisher accidentally ripped up the pavement from the wrong backyard in a Melbourne neighbourhood thanks to a confusing street sign

'She said things like that happen all the time, and mail is constantly going to the wrong house,' he said.

'It's the same block of units, so it doesn't make sense at all (for them to have the same house number).'

He said that because both houses were expecting work to be done on the Monday, it was an easy mistake.

Fortunately only six pavements had been ripped up with the team quickly replacing them free of charge.

'It was just a very big coincidence but the woman of the house had a good laugh about it,' Mr Brooks said.

'The garages and houses are all the same, it was a complete replica.'

The tradesmen said luckily the homeowner saw the funny side and the tiles were quickly replaced

Mr Fisher decided to share the hilarious blunder to TikTok with the footage now amassing more than 600,000 views.

'What a way to start the day,' he says in the video.

'I get a text to say 37, I wait for the client to come in with the excavator, waited for Tyler, pulled up the pavers, only to find up there's a 37 all the way down there too.

'I've just gone to a complete strangers house, got them to open up the shed, pulled up their pavers, waited for my boss, just to find out it's the wrong house. F**k.'

Many commenting praising the tradies and the homeowners for seeing the humour in the situation while others admitted they'd made similar mistakes.

'I've painted the wrong house before, the lady came back pretty stoked because she liked the colour,' one said.

'My brother roofed the wrong house once,' another said.
Gable Tostee has lashed out a Pilates studio owner who allegedly messaged him on Facebook telling him to 'get off Bumble and Tinder you f**k'.

The dating app lothario who now goes by the name Eric Thomas, was acquitted of both murder and manslaughter after his Tinder date Warriena Wright plummeted to her death from his 14th-storey Gold Coast apartment in 2014 when he was 28.

The well-known playboy posted screenshots of the messages to his army of social media followers, who soon bombarded the fitness instructor's business with bad reviews, the Courier Mail reported.

Gable Tostee (pictured) lashed out a Pilates studio owner who allegedly messaged him on Facebook and told him to 'get off Bumble and Tinder you f**k'

The dating app lothario who now goes by the name Eric Thomas, was acquitted of both murder and manslaughter after his Tinder date Warriena Wright (pictured together) plummeted to her death from his 14th-storey Gold Coast apartment in 2014

'Pro tip: if you're going to send someone deranged abuse because of some delusion in your mind, don't make your business name and details public for everyone to see,' Thomas posted.

'Now I absolutely don't condone any form of harassment, but it would be unfortunate for her if her business  got bad reviews because of her conduct.'

Shortly after Thomas and his supporters flooded the business with negative comments and accused the woman of 'having online anger issues'.

'Extremely unprofessional, I'd stay well away and avoid doing business with her,' Tostee wrote in a review.

The owner of the Pilates studio, who has since deleted the comments, said in response she 'doesn't really care' about the backlash.

'He would have to do a whole lot more to bring me down,' the woman said.

Thomas, in January last year, vowed to continue his search for love on the dating app Tinder despite another high-profile controversy.

A date of his frantically called the police fearing for her safety at a home in Logan, south-east Queensland, on New Year's Eve after the 28-year-old woman he met on Tinder found out he had previously been acquitted of murder.

Gable Tostee reacts as he leaves the Supreme Court in Brisbane, Thursday, Oct. 20, 2016

Thomas (pictured), in January, vowed to continue his search for love on the dating app Tinder despite another high-profile controversy

Mr Thomas said he remains determined to remain in the dating game.

'If you're involved in a serious car accident does that mean you never drive again?' he told 9News.

'The police themselves said "you're not in trouble - you haven't committed anything''.

'I just think it's bizarre. Nobody has acted that way before.'

Mr Thomas said the conversation about his past had come up earlier in the evening, but while the woman was surprised they had then fallen asleep together.

He described the incident as a 'bizarre' misunderstanding.
Jared Paul Stanga, 30, was charged with attempted kidnapping of a child under 13, aggravated assault and battery

This is the moment an 11-year-old Florida girl fought off a knife-wielding pedophile who had leapt from his van to try to abduct her.

Surveillance footage captures the suspect pull up in a white Dodge Journey beside a bus stop on Old Corry Field Road and Perdido Street, West Pensacola, where the girl is playing with a 'blue slime' toy on her own around 7am on Tuesday.

As the man - later identified by sheriffs as Jared Paul Stanga - runs towards her with knife in hand, the girl gets to her feet and tries to escape, the Pensacola News Journal reported.

The burley suspect, who officials described as a convicted sex offender, grabs her in a headlock and begins dragging her toward the van, which still has its engine running.

But as she fights and struggles to escape his clutches, he stumbles to the ground and she is able to pry herself free.

The suspect runs back to the car and drives away.

Within minutes, more than 50 deputies from Escambia County Sheriff's office flooded the area hunting for the sex offender, and local media put out a description of him and his vehicle.

He tried to disguise the van by painting it a different color, but when sheriffs caught up with him eight hours later he still had 'blue slime' on his clothes from trying to abduct the child.

Sheriffs said Stanga, 30, was arrested on Tuesday evening and charged with attempted kidnapping of a child under 13, aggravated assault and battery.

The suspect - later identified by Jared Paul Stanga, 30 - pulls up alongside the girl at a bus stop on the corner of Old Corry Field Rd and Perdido St, West Pensacola

The suspect, with knife in hand, runs towards the girl as she plays with a 'blue slime' toy

He puts her in a headlock and attempts to drag her back to his waiting vehicle

But the girl 'fights and fights' the man, he stumbles on the grassy median

She escapes his clutches and flees, while he rushes back to his vehicle

Sheriff Chip Simmons paid tribute to the bravery of the young girl at a press conference on Tuesday night.

'She fought and she fought and she fought, until finally she was able to break free from her would-be captor,' Simmons said.

'My message to her is that is my hero, she did not give up,' Simmons said.

Simmons said she had been left traumatized and with some scratches.

Stanga has an 'extensive' criminal past that includes child sex abuse charges, according to Simmons.

He had approached his target two weeks ago and made her feel uncomfortable, the sheriff said.

'I cannot help to think that this could have ended very different had this 11-year-old victim not thought to fight, and to fight, and to just never give up. This could have ended terribly,' Simmons said.

'Why else do you think that this man stopped his van and tried to pick her up and take her into that van? It doesn't take a genius to figure out what his intentions were, they were not good.'

'He will never be free to do this again,' Simmons said. 'Our concern was this wasn't his first try.'
A nurse at one of Australia's mass vaccination hubs has vented her frustration about the empty facility after administering the jab to just one person over her eight-hour shift.

Working at a Victorian hub, the nurse said she was angry over the slow pace of the vaccine rollout and the seemingly relaxed attitude of Australians compared to other countries.

'During one eight-hour shift I gave just one vaccine ... It's slow, it's frustrating for the nurses,' the medical worker told Guardian Australia.

Victorian Governor Linda Dessau (pictured left) arrives to receive her COVID-19 vaccination at the mass vaccination hub at the Royal Exhibition Building in Melbourne

People attend the mass vaccination hub at the Royal Exhibition Building on April 21 (pictured)

The nurse, who chose not to be named, said the supply of vaccine was not an issue but there were so few people booking appointments that those not in priority categories could stroll in and get the jab.

'Australia seems to take this attitude of "let's just shut the borders for as long as possible" while there is vaccine just sitting there,' the nurse said.

The healthcare professional believes a number of factors are contributing to Australians' reluctance to get the Covid vaccine.

She said fear over the AstraZeneca option and its extremely rare blood clot side effect, combined with the hubs being poorly advertised and low case numbers in Australia are fuelling complacency.

'I've brought in friends in their 60s or 50s who are usually intelligent people but who are reading so much misinformed rubbish about the AstraZeneca vaccine,' she explained.

She then added some people have literally walked out after being told the facility only had the AstraZeneca vaccine available.

People wait in the observation area a vaccine hub at the Royal Exhibition Building in Melbourne (pictured)

A woman in Melbourne waits in the observation area after she received her Covid vaccination

The are a number of vaccine hubs across the country (pictured is a Melbourne hub) while the jab is also offered at hospitals

So the vaccine is not wasted - the AstraZeneca vials last for six months at temperatures between 2C to 8C - the jab was being given to those outside priority groups.

And while the hub was expected to get the Pfizer option within the next few weeks, the limited supply would only be offered to under-50s at first.

Victoria's health department claimed Monday was close to a record day for vaccines being administered with 9,000 doses given - and that some hubs would be quieter than others.

On Wednesday, Federal health minister Greg Hunt spruiked that Australia had recorded the country's highest day of vaccinations with 95,530 people getting the jab on Tuesday.

Also on Wednesday, Scott Morrison played down new polling that suggests one-third of Australian adults are unwilling to be vaccinated against coronavirus.

Staff preparing COVID-19 vaccines in the pharmacy area of the NSW Vaccination Centre in Homebush (pictured)

Some vaccinations hubs are packed with queues forming outside Sydney's Homebush hub on May 10 (pictured)

A view inside Sydney's Homebush vaccination hub which has been packed with people

The prime minister said he was not overly troubled by the vaccine hesitancy, but conceded it was something authorities needed to work on.

He is more interested in the 70 per cent of respondents who are keen to receive their jabs.

'Let's just get on with them,' Mr Morrison said on Wednesday.

'There's plenty of time to have the chat with the others who are a bit hesitant. That's alright, it's a free country and they should talk to their doctor.

'Those who are hardcore against it is a much smaller number - a much, much smaller number - but there are others who are open to the conversation and we will have that.

One person described the process of getting the vaccination as 'no drama'

People are seen waiting in a line for a Covid19 vaccination at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre vaccination centre in Melbourne on May 3 (pictured)

Liz Chatwin, the president of AstraZeneca in Australia and New Zealand, has sought to ease concerns among people aged over 50 who are feeling some hesitancy about getting the vaccine.

'The AstraZeneca vaccine is highly effective - it has actually been used in tens of millions of people around the world, and in the vast majority of people it is extremely well tolerated,' she told the ABC.

'It's really not just for ourselves, but it's for our friends, our family, our neighbours and for the community as a whole.'

'I would just encourage people, the only way to end this pandemic is for people to come forward and receive the vaccine that's offered.'
The Duke of Sussex had made his recent comments criticizing the First Amendment in an Armchair Expert podcast episode

Fox News host Sean Hannity labeled Prince Harry as the Prince of Woke Social Justice after the royal called the First Amendment 'bonkers.'

The Duke of Sussex made his controversial comments in an Armchair Expert podcast episode with Dax Shepard on Thursday.

'I've got so much I want to say about the First Amendment as I sort of understand it, but it is bonkers,' Harry said.

It was the second night in a row Hannity attacked Harry for the controversial statements, having blasted him as a 'right royal pain in the a**' on his show Monday.

'So I got a lot of reaction to comments I made last night about Harry. Now, we don't need Harry coming from England to lecture us on our 'bonkers' first amendment that he can't understand,' Hannity said during his Tuesday show.

'You think censorship and suppression of thought is a good thing? You want the government to be able to control what people are allowed to think, believe and say?'

Fox News host Sean Hannity labeled Prince Harry as the Prince of Woke Social Justice after the royal called the first amendment 'bonkers'

The Duke of Sussex had made his recent comments criticizing the First Amendment in an Armchair Expert podcast episode with Dax Shepard and Monica Padman. Prince Harry is pictured with Dax Shepard (left) and his co-host Monica Padman (center)

Hannity on Tuesday condemned Prince Harry and Meghan Markle for their reaction to comments Piers Morgan made after their bombshell interview with Oprah Winfrey in March

Hannity also hit out at Harry for 'going after' Piers Morgan.

'Let me get this straight: you're good with your own government? Because after your interview with Oprah worldwide - and Piers Morgan gives his honest comments about it, has a different opinion about it - you actually go after him?'

In the bombshell interview Prince Harry and his wife gave with Oprah Winfrey in March, they both claimed Meghan experienced racism as a royal and even felt suicidal.

Morgan, DailyMail.com's editor-at-large, said afterward: 'I'm sorry, I don't believe a word she said, Meghan Markle. I wouldn't believe it if she read me a weather report.'

The British journalist left his role as host of ITV's Good Morning Britain on March 9, after refusing to back down on his comments.

'You also leave it totally unclear who in your family made the so-called racist remarks about your son, which by the way you have the freedom under the First Amendment to do here, and then you think the First Amendment is 'bonkers' and you don't understand it?' Hannity said on Tuesday.

'Harry, it's time for you to get a grip. Stop the lecturing of all of the rest of us on issues you clearly know nothing about because you're nothing, frankly, but the Prince of Woke Social Justice Warriors.'

If Harry didn't understand how the First Amendment worked, 'maybe it's time for you to move to a place more compatible with your restrictive ideas'

'We don't really need lectures about customs or sacred freedoms, and by the way you're free to go home', Hannity said

Hannity added that it is 'sad' to watch Prince Harry's 'decline' and his 'decaying relationship' with his family.

'And what's with the constant sense of entitlement, victimhood? Enjoy your multi-million dollar mansion in the enclave of Montecito, Santa Barbara, one of the most exclusive neighborhoods in America,' Hannity said.

'Fine, I'm happy for you. I'm sincere. I wish you nothing but the best. Maybe over time you'll understand our amazing constitution, our great republic where apparently you're going to make a lot of money.'

During the segment, The Hill columnist Joe Concha - a Fox News contributor - slammed Prince Harry for not being dominant in his relationship with Meghan Markle.

'I don't even know if Prince Harry is an alpha male, I don't think he's a beta male, he's more like a lambda male, an omega mu male,' Concha said.

'He's some sort of male, but he's definitely not the alpha in that relationship. He seems to now be pushing, as you said, the woke justice sort of message that Meghan Markle does.'

Harry - who fled British royal life to live in luxury in California last year - made the comments on Dax Shepard's podcast on Thursday while talking about the intrusiveness of American paparazzi.

The UK has stricter laws for protecting privacy than the United States, like in situations faced by celebrities and royalty. Libel laws are also much stronger than in America.

'I've got so much I want to say about the First Amendment as I sort of understand it, but it is bonkers,' Harry told the podcast.

'I don't want to start going down the First Amendment route because that's a huge subject and one which I don't understand because I've only been here a short time, but you can find a loophole in anything.'

'You can capitalize or exploit what's not said rather than uphold what is said.'
A church-going Army veteran who loved fishing has died after being punched in the head while waiting for a bus in a 'mindless' attack.

Dennis Clarke, 82, was assaulted in a queue at Derby bus station while making his way home from a solo shopping trip on May 6, his friend and neighbour said.

The Christian fisherman, who had no children and was unmarried, was subsequently rushed to hospital, where he died nine days later.

Police said the ex-soldier was attacked during an argument with a group of youths after a dispute in the Eagle Market, around the Morledge area.

Three teenagers - two 13-year-olds and one 16-year-old - have been arrested in connection with the pensioner's death and since released on bail. Derbyshire Police is treating the attack as an isolated incident.

Mr Clarke was described by loved ones as 'fit, active and healthy' and looking forward to turning 100 to get his Telegram from the Queen.

Dennis Clarke, 82, was assaulted in a queue at Derby bus station while making his way home from a solo shopping trip on May 6, his friend and neighbour said

His friend Kath Foster paid tribute to him as 'a lovely old man who never had a bad word to say about anybody and didn't have a bad bone in his body.'

'He probably would have made it if his life hadn't been so cruelly taken away. What happened is mind blowing and just so senseless,' she told the Sun.

Mr Clarke's niece wrote on social media that she 'loves him so much' following his hospitalisation after the attack earlier this month.

'Just need to share this fun time with my dad's twin brother, uncle Dennis, who is hospitalised by one mindless fool who thinks it's alright to punch an 80-year-old. Just pray our uncle recovers from this love him so much,' she said.

Mr Clarke's nephew Ricky Davey wrote on Facebook on Saturday: 'Those of you who knew Dennis, he has passed away this morning peacefully.

Police said the ex-soldier was attacked during an argument with a group of youths after a dispute in the Eagle Market, around the Morledge area

'I don't want any negative comments on how he's died or who done it. I just want to remember him the way he was.

'And just to say what an absolute legend Dennis was. Absolutely heartbroken. My great uncle, my best friend, RIP.'

A spokesman for Derbyshire Police said: 'A man has died following an alleged assault at Derby bus station earlier this month.

'An investigation is underway following the death, the victim's family is being supported by specialist officers and our thoughts are with them at this time.

'While several witnesses have come forward, officers are particularly keen to hear from anyone who may have any footage of the assault, or the moments before or after the incident.

'While understandably upsetting to the community, we would like to reassure people that we believe this to be an isolated incident.'

Anyone with information has been asked to contact Derbyshire Police on 101.

Derby City Council said: 'Derby City Council and all colleagues at the bus station offer their condolences to the family of the victim in this terrible attack.

'We will continue to help the police with their enquiries in every possible way.'
Sir Keir Starmer today attacked Boris Johnson over the Government's 'amber list' travel chaos as he claimed ministers have 'lost control' of the situation.

The Labour leader demanded the PM provide 'absolute clarity' on the circumstances in which people can go to the countries after 24 hours of ministers contradicting each other.

Sir Keir mocked Mr Johnson as he said that while the PM insists he does not want people to go to 'amber list' destinations on holiday he had actually 'made it easier for them to do so'.

But the PM hit back and said people should only travel to those countries in 'extreme circumstances' as he also defended the decision not to make travel to 'amber' and 'red' nations illegal.

He said the Government is 'trying to move away from endlessly legislating for everything and to rely on guidance and asking people to do the right thing'.

The row at PMQs came after another minister risked fuelling further travel confusion after she stressed that going to 'amber list' countries is not illegal and warnings are only 'guidance'.

Skills Minister Gillian Keegan deepened the sense of chaos over the traffic light rules as she tried to paper over conflicting messages by arguing that the Government was trusting the public to be 'sensible'.

In an extraordinary muddle yesterday, George Eustice first suggested trips to 'amber' countries - including most of Europe - were acceptable if people wanted to see friends and family.

Hours later the PM overruled his Environment Secretary by insisting such travel was off limits.

That was followed by Health Minister Lord Bethell claiming holidays anywhere abroad were 'dangerous' with foreign trips 'not for this year'.

The peer even failed to rebuff the idea that returning holidaymakers should be electronically tagged in quarantine.

Welsh Secretary Simon Hart then waded in last night by saying 'some people might think a holiday is essential' and they should use their 'common sense'.

Health Secretary Matt Hancock had said on Monday that people should only travel to 'amber' or 'red' list countries if they have an 'exceptional reason' for doing so.

Mr Hancock was asked to apologise to holidaymakers over the confusion as he hosted a Downing Street press conference this evening but he declined to do so and insisted the Government had been 'absolutely straight forward' on what the rules are.

To add to the uncertainty, the EU today announced that its member states will welcome fully-vaccinated Britons this summer without the need for virus tests or quarantine.

Sir Keir Starmer today accused Boris Johnson at PMQs over 'losing control' over the 'amber list' travel chaos

Gillian Keegan had deepened the sense of chaos over the traffic light rules after a day in which a series of senior figures contradicted each other

Hundreds of flights to amber countries have already left the UK and demand for foreign breaks has gone through the roof. Pictured: Departures at Heathrow Airport

George Eustice yesterday suggested trips to 'amber' countries to see friends and family were acceptable, but he was quickly contradicted by the PM

How ministers have contradicted each other on 'amber list' travel Health Secretary Matt Hancock on Monday: 'If it isn't on the green list, then unless you have an exceptional reason you shouldn't be travelling there.' Environment Secretary George Eustice on Tuesday morning: 'We don't want to stop travel altogether and the reason... that we have the amber list is there will be reasons why people feel they need to travel either to visit family or indeed to visit friends.' Prime Minister Boris Johnson on Tuesday lunchtime: 'I think it's very important for people to grasp what an amber list country is: it is not somewhere where you should be going on holiday, let me be very clear about that.' Health Minister Lord Bethell on Tuesday afternoon: 'Travelling is dangerous. That is not news to us or to the people who get on those planes in the first place. We do ask people, particularly as we go into the summer, travelling is not for this year, please stay in this country.' Welsh Secretary Simon Hart on Tuesday evening: 'Some people might think a holiday is essential. I can think of a quite a lot of people who do think that, but it's about common sense we're good at common sense.' Skills Minister Gillian Keegan on Wednesday morning: 'What we are saying is the amber list is not to go on holiday, not for pleasure travel at the moment. It's not in legislation, we haven't legislated to ban people from going on holiday abroad. This is guidance.' Advertisement

Sir Keir seized on the chaos at PMQs as he demanded answers from Mr Johnson.

The Labour leader said: I think everybody would agree that having moved 170 countries to the amber list absolute clarity is needed about the circumstance in which people can travel to an amber country.

Yesterday morning the Environment Secretary said people can fly to amber list countries if they wanted to visit family or friends.

By the afternoon a government health minister said nobody should travel outside Britain this year and travelling is dangerous.

The Prime Minister said that travel to amber countries should only be where it is essential. By the evening the Welsh Secretary suggested some people might think a holiday is essential.

The Government has lost control of the messaging so can the Prime Minister answer a really simple question that goes to the heart of this? If he doesnt want people to travel to amber list countries, if that is his position, he doesnt want them to travel to amber list countries, why has he made it easier for them to do so?

Mr Johnson hit back and said: I think after more than a year of this I think the right honourable gentleman would understand that what the public would like to see is some effort to back up what the Government is saying, to deliver clarity of message.

On his point of legal bans, as he knows we are trying to move away from endlessly legislating for everything and to rely on guidance and asking people to do the right thing.

And it is very, very clear. You should not be going to an amber list country except for some extreme circumstance such as the serious illness of a family member.

You should not be going to an amber list country on holiday and if you do go to an amber list country then as I say we will enforce the 10 day quarantine period and if you break the rules you face very substantial fines.

Mr Hancock was asked to apologise for the chaos at a press conference this evening but he said: We have been absolutely straight forward about this and the thing is I think that the public get it and understand.

If you look at what the Prime Minister said last week, what I said at the weekend, what I said in the House on Monday, what the Prime Minister said at lunchtime today, we have been absolutely crystal clear that you should not go to an amber or red list country on holiday, you should only go in exceptional circumstances.'

He said the public has been 'brilliant at exercising the personal responsibility that we are seeking' and his advice was to 'book a holiday if you want a holiday abroad, that is what the green list is for, or like me to holiday at home'.

Ms Keegan had tried to clear up the mess in a round of interviews this morning as she said the 'amber list' was meant to be for 'special circumstances'.

'What we are saying is the amber list is not to go on holiday, not for pleasure travel at the moment,' she told Sky News.

'It's not in legislation, we haven't legislated to ban people from going on holiday abroad. This is guidance.

'As with many of these things we have had throughout the pandemic this has been about relying on the great British public to be sensible and follow the guidance we have put in place and taking their own decisions really.

'But, no, we wouldn't advise going on holiday to the amber list countries.'

The contradictory messages from ministers have left beleaguered travel chiefs begging for clarity.

Hundreds of flights to amber countries have already left the UK and demand for foreign breaks has gone through the roof.

EU approves Covid vaccine passports for holidaymakers: Tourists will be allowed into bloc without a test two weeks after receiving their second dose The European Union has approved the beginnings of a vaccine passport system that will allow tourists to visit without needing to test or quarantine, providing they have had their final dose of an EU-approved jab two weeks beforehand. Until a uniform EU digital passport has been set up, the draft bill says that countries should be able to 'accept certificates from non-EU countries based on national law.' In the case of the UK, the NHS app is believed to provide the requisite level of proof. Travel with a vaccine passport or a negative test will be allowed from non-EU countries on the 'green list' - those with low infection rates. The Commission had proposed raising the threshold for the green list from 25 to 100 cases per 100,000 people but the EU ambassadors today opted for 75. The UK, with 44 cases per 100,000, and the US, with 35 per 100,000, fall into this safe category. However, the bloc says it will have an 'emergency brake' feature to prevent the influx of 'variants of concern' irrespective of a country's infection rate. The Continent will only accept those who have received an EU-approved vaccine: Pfizer, Moderna, AstraZeneca and Johnson & Johnson. Advertisement

Conservative MPs demanded an end to the shambles. Huw Merriman, chairman of the Commons Transport Select Committee, said: 'I'm afraid it's a case of confusion reigns.

'What's the point in bringing in a traffic light mechanism, labelling amber countries as 'moderate risk' and then, by implication, shading them red by telling passengers they shouldn't go?'

Another senior Tory described Lord Bethell's comments as 'idiotic', adding: 'If the Government is saying all travel is dangerous, then why has it just introduced a green list?

'The confusion around the amber list is bad enough without adding to it.'

On Monday the outright ban on non-essential foreign travel was replaced by a green, amber and red traffic light system grading different countries by their Covid risk level.

But amid concern over foreign variants, ministers then announced that no one should holiday in an amber country even if they quarantined on their return.

And in another twist last night it emerged that more than 100 direct flights have arrived from India since the country was placed on a banned list last month.

This means that up to 8,000 travellers have flown in from the sub-continent despite concern over an Indian Covid variant that threatens to undermine the easing of lockdown.

Speaking on Monday when the non-essential international travel ban was removed, Mr Hancock said people should only travel to non-green list countries if they have an 'exceptional' reason for doing so.

Asked by former health secretary Jeremy Hunt in the Commons for 'absolute clarity' on whether people should go on holiday to 'amber' countries, Mr Hancock replied: 'The answer is no.

'The official Government advice is very clear that people should not travel to amber or red list countries or territories.

'People should not travel to amber list countries for a holiday.'

He added: 'If it isn't on the green list, then unless you have an exceptional reason you shouldn't be travelling there.'

Britain also confirmed another 2,412 Covid infections, down two per cent on the same time last week

Department of Health data showed another seven Covid deaths were recorded today, down by 65 per cent from last Tuesday when 20 were recorded. This was far below the darkest days of January when more than 1,000 people died a day

Positive test figures from the Wellcome Sanger Institute  which cover only lab-analysed cases in the two weeks between April 25 and May 8  reveal the mutant Indian strain made up 50 per cent or more of all samples in 23 parts of the country by last week. Bolton and Blackburn in the North West remain the worst-hit areas with almost 600 cases between them and the variant making up 81 per cent of infections

Heathrow closing T3 and T4 and Gatwick closing its South Terminal forces 'red list' passengers and arrivals from safer nations to mix in 'super-spreader' bottleneck at the borders Passengers flying into Heathrow from high risk countries are being forced to mingle with travellers from safer destinations as concerns mount that UK airports are turning into 'super spreaders'. Travellers have described being crammed into queues with no social distancing from other passengers and called the situation 'mad' and 'embarrassing' amid fears covid documents are not being checked properly. Heathrow mothballed Terminals 3 and 4 last year in a bid to save money due to the economic hit inflicted during the pandemic, meaning all arrivals are currently piling into the same lines at 2 and 5. Insiders have said consideration was being given to opening another terminal, but that it was 'economically not viable' and that the Government will have to help foot the multi-million-pound bill. The decision has led to chaos, with red, amber and green list passengers all mixing with each other as border insiders say they are 'struggling' to cope and warn the crisis will only get worse as the number of flights increase. A blame game has now ensued, in which Heathrow has blamed Border Force for the mixing of passengers, while Downing Street and the Home Office said airports are responsible for managing queues in a covid-secure way. The Government is coming under pressure from Labour to toughen up the UK border after it emerged that more than 100 direct flights from India have landed in Britain since the covid-ravaged Asian nation was placed on the banned list of travel destinations three and a half weeks ago. Advertisement

The mayhem then began yesterday morning when Mr Eustice said there might be 'reasons' for going to 'amber' countries, such as visiting family and friends  and people could travel as long as they observed quarantine rules on their return.

Asked why, despite the travel advice, more than 150 aircraft left the UK for amber countries on Monday, he told the BBC's Radio 4 Today programme: 'We don't want to stop travel altogether and the reason... that we have the amber list is there will be reasons why people feel they need to travel either to visit family or indeed to visit friends.'

Within hours, he appeared to have been overruled by the Prime Minister, who insisted amber countries were off limits for holidays.

Speaking yesterday lunchtime, Mr Johnson said: 'It's very important for people to grasp what an amber list country is: it is not somewhere where you should be going on holiday.

'And if people do go to an amber list country  they absolutely have to for some pressing family or urgent business reason.

'You will have to self-isolate, you'll have to take tests and do your passenger locator form and all the rest of it, but you also have to self-isolate for ten days when you get back. And that period of self-isolation, that period of quarantine, will be enforced with fines of up to 10,000, so I think it's important for you to understand what an amber-list country is.'

The situation was then again plunged into confusion as Lord Bethell told peers that people should avoid international travel altogether, despite the Government's 'green list'.

Speaking in the House of Lords yesterday afternoon, the Health Minister said: 'Travelling is dangerous. That is not news to us or to the people who get on those planes in the first place.

'We do ask people, particularly as we go into the summer, travelling is not for this year, please stay in this country.'

When Baroness Watkins of Tavistock called for consideration of the use of electronic quarantine tagging  as has been used in South Korea  the frontbencher said he was grateful for the suggestion.

Mr Hart told Times Radio yesterday evening that travel to 'amber' countries should only be for 'essential' reasons.

Asked if that ruled out a holiday, the Welsh Secretary replied: 'Well some people might think a holiday is essential.

'I can think of a quite a lot of people who do think that, but it's about common sense we're good at common sense.

'We're good at common sense as a population, and, and, and I think that, I think it is absolutely clear what Matt and what the PM have in mind here and I, so I don't think we can again create a confusion where none exists.'

Labour's Yvette Cooper, chairman of the Home Affairs Select Committee, said the fiasco showed ministers 'haven't got a proper grip'.

EasyJet chief Johan Lundgren said: 'Having set up a framework for international travel the Government seems to be single-handedly dismantling it and causing mass confusion with mixed messages and complex testing requirements.

To add to the confusion, health minister Lord Bethell claimed holidays anywhere abroad were 'dangerous' with foreign trips 'not for this year'

Welsh Secretary Simon Hart suggested that some people would view a holiday as 'essential'. Matt Hancock, the Health Secretary, said on Monday that people should only travel to an 'amber' country if they have an 'exceptional' reason for doing so

Professor Lockdown warns June 21 'freedom day' is 'in the balance' and it will be 2-3 weeks before danger of Indian variant is clear Neil Ferguson today warned that the June 21 'freedom day' is 'in the balance' and it might not be clear for weeks how much of a threat the Indian variant poses. The epidemiologist - known as Professor Lockdown - said changing the roadmap is under 'active consideration' amid uncertainty over the extent of vaccines' ability to counter the new strain. Despite Boris Johnson suggesting yesterday that the picture will become clearer in 'days', Prof Ferguson said it could be two or three weeks before data provide firm conclusions. But he said there was a 'glimmer of hope' that the variant might be less transmissible than initially feared. The comments came as the PM faces a revolt from his own MPs at the prospect of the unlocking timetable being pushed back. One Cabinet minister told MailOnline there would be 'serious trouble' from the Tory benches if he does not stick to the date for lifting almost all restrictions. And the Tory council leader in Bolton raised alarm about 'civil unrest' in the town if it is placed under a local lockdown. The government has admitted a review of social distancing rules that had been expected this month could be delayed as they wrestle with the response to the latest variant. Mr Johnson will be grilled by MPs at PMQs this afternoon before Health Secretary Matt Hancock holds a press conference in Downing Street at 5pm. Advertisement

'Let's face it  in this version of a traffic light system  green doesn't mean green with all its testing restrictions and now amber, according to some ministers, actually means red. No wonder the British public is confused.

'And in the meantime Europe moves forward with sensible travel frameworks which enable people to safely travel again while the UK tries to close down travel to all but a couple of countries.'

Tim Alderslade of the trade body Airlines UK said: 'The messaging around amber is a total mess. It's ridiculous for ministers to now come out and needlessly cause confusion by advising against travel.'

The Prime Minister's Official Spokesman yesterday said people 'should not travel' to 'amber' countries for holidays.

The confusion came as EU ambassadors today backed plans to allow vaccinated UK holidaymakers to visit the bloc this summer.

They recommended at a meeting this morning that rules should be changed to allow non-essential visits into the EU by people who have had two doses of a coronavirus vaccine, a spokeswoman for the Portuguese presidency of the EU Council said.

The policy will need to be signed off by ministers of member states.

People in England are able to use an NHS app to display proof of their vaccination status.

A separate decision on whether to add the UK and other countries to the EU's 'safe list' will be made on Friday.

Travellers from locations on the list are permitted to enter the bloc even if they are not vaccinated, but are generally required to show evidence of a recent negative test.

There are currently only eight countries on the list, including Australia, New Zealand, South Korea and Israel.

Portugal and Greece are among the EU countries that have broken ranks by already welcoming UK tourists, but the addition of the UK to the 'safe list' would boost the chances of a major summer getaway.

UK holidaymakers are currently prohibited from visiting several EU countries, including Spain, due to its ban on inbound leisure visits from outside the EU and Schengen Area.

The EU's plans will increase calls for the Government to ease quarantine restrictions for vaccinated Britons who return to the UK after a holiday and to relax the advice not to travel.

Analysis by the Mail found 151 flights took off from eight major UK airports to amber countries yesterday.

Of these, 95 were to European countries ranked amber, including 21 to Spain and 7 to Greece.

TIMETABLE OF TRAVEL TURMOIL March 16, 2020: PM's call to stay at home Boris Johnson declares: 'Now is the time for everyone to stop non-essential contact with others and to stop all unnecessary travel' Mar 17: Non-essential international travel BANned for 30 days Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab says advice reflects 'pace at which other countries are either closing borders or implementing restrictive measures' May 22: Quarantine after arriving in UK Those coming to Britain are ordered to self-isolate for 14 days, starting from June 8. Anyone who flouts the rules faces a fine of up to 1,000 Apr 4: Non-essential travel ban extended INDEFINITELY Jun 27: The dawn of travel corridors The chance of quarantine-free travel is announced, beginning from July 10. The news prompts an explosion in summer holiday bookings Jul 3: Quarantine-free destinations unveiled Travel corridors established with some 75 countries, including Spain and France Jul 25: Spain travel corridor closed Quarantine brought back for travellers from Spain after it sees a spike in Covid cases Aug 13: France and netherlands travel corridors closed Sep 4: Airport covid tests ruled out by pm Mr Johnson said screening passengers would give a 'false sense of security' and only catch 7 per cent of cases. Nov 5: Non-essential travel banned (again) Second national lockdown begins. Britons are once again banned from going on holiday. Dec 2: Travel resumes (except for tier 4) New tier system introduced in UK. Travel resumes for most  but those in Tier 4 need a 'legally permitted reason to leave home'. Jan 6, 2021: Third ban on non-essential travel Third lockdown begins Jan 15: Get tested before coming to uk Those coming to Britain are required to take a PCR test before reaching the UK. They must then self-isolate for ten days to combat the spread of new Covid variants Feb 15: Enforced hotel quarantine for some Travellers from countries on the Government's list of banned countries now face ten days of quarantine in approved hotels, at a cost of 1,750 May 17: Holiday ban lifted  and traffic light system begins Those flying in from 'red' countries still face hotel quarantine  but Britons are now legally free to travel to nations on the 'amber' and 'green' lists. Trips to the 12 green destinations, such as Portugal, are quarantine-free, but going to an amber country means you must self-isolate afterwards. May 17 (yes, the same day): PM warns against holidays to amber countries Downing Street spokesman says Britons should only take breaks in 'green' nations  prompting fury from travel industry (and exasperated holidaymakers, too) Advertisement

Spanish and Greek tourism bosses want their islands on the UK's green list

ByDavid Churchill and Gerard Couzens For The Daily Mail

Spanish and Greek tourism chiefs yesterday urged the UK to move their islands on to the green list for travel.

Fourteen-day infection rates in the Balearics have dropped below 50 cases per 100,000, the second lowest level among Spain's 17 regions. Majorca has an infection rate of 42.74 per 100,000, Ibiza 25.69 and Formentera 16.51. Menorca's is 76.02.

However the islands are lumped in with 'amber' mainland Spain where rates are higher. Portugal, which is on the green list, has a rate of around 49 per 100,000, according to the data from the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control.

Spanish and Greek tourism chiefs yesterday urged the UK to move their islands on to the green list for travel. Majorca (pictured) has an infection rate of 42.74 per 100,000, Ibiza 25.69 and Formentera 16.51. Menorca's is 76.02

Iago Negueruela, tourism minister for the Balearic Islands, urged UK ministers to 'regionalise' its green list to reopen quarantine-free holidays.

'The Spanish government shares our strategy that the islands are considered separately,' he said.

'We're asking for it because we've maintained controls at ports and airports for our national travellers. The UK can have the tranquillity that we are controlling the access of those travellers when they enter the Balearic Islands.

'That means for instance that someone coming from Andalusia would need to show a negative PCR test to come to Majorca.

'With such a low accumulated incidence of coronavirus, the fact we've retained control over ports and airports, and our ability to detect and control new strains, the security is much higher than many of the countries that have received a green light rating.'

Ministers have pledged to review the travel green list every three weeks and have not ruled out treating islands separately.

Officials in Greece say infection rates on their islands have been falling while vaccination rates have ramped up. On Kos, Crete and Mykonos more than a third of inhabitants have received at least one dose.

Vicky Loizou, the Greek government's tourism chief, said she believed UK ministers 'will change their decision' not to treat the islands separately. She said British tourists were important to her country.
A sales manager who claimed he was 'gaslit' and mocked by a female boss who called him a 'princess' is set for a pay-out after winning his tribunal battle.

Matthew Weinreb claimed he was 'victimised' while working for London-based e-learning firm Online Travel Training Group (OTT).

Referring to one flashpoint, Mr Weinreb told a tribunal he was called a 'princess' in an all-capital-letter email by the firm's finance chief Patricia Andrade.

He also claimed that Ms Andrade implied he was a 'closet homosexual' during a row that ended in the workplace toilets.

Mr Weinreb was later dismissed by the company for 'alleged misconduct' after making complaints of sexism and racism to top bosses.

But he is now set to receive a pay-out from the firm after a tribunal judge agreed he had been 'bullied' by Ms Andrade and 'victimised' by the firm for making a complaint.

The judge dismissed Mr Weinreb's claims of racial discrimination.

Matthew Weinreb claimed he was 'victimised' while working for London-based e-learning firm Online Travel Training Group

A London employment tribunal heard that Mr Weinreb worked as a business development manager for OTT - a global e-learning platform for travel agents - between 2017 and 2019.

He joined the company in September 2017 and was earning a salary of 30,000 plus commission.

But just a month after joining the company, the tribunal heard Mr Weinreb was involved in an altercation with finance manager Ms Andrade.

Employment Judge Alexandra Davidson said: 'The day before, Mr Weinreb, being new in the role, had asked for some help and was criticised for being a 'child' and needing his 'hand held' which he did not take kindly to.

'Patricia Andrade, in bringing this up the following day, was goading him and created a conflict where none was necessary.'

The tribunal heard that, in March 2018, Ms Andrade emailed Mr Weinreb asking for a document.

Nine minutes later she sent him another email with the text 'WAITING PRINCESS!!!'.

Later that month, he sent Ms Andrade an email saying 'apparently our computers are not on friendly terms' to which she replied 'Not just our computers'.

Mr Weinreb told the tribunal these emails were examples of 'casual discrimination' against him.

However the company argued it was 'simply office banter, which [Mr Weinreb] was happy to take part in'.

The tribunal also heard that Ms Andrade said to the all-male Business Development team that they should have better sales figures as they were meant to be 'alpha males'.

In April 2019, managing director Julia Feuell held a quarterly performance review with Mr Weinreb at which she raised the pattern of 'run-ins' between him and other staff.

This led to a discussion about him not getting a promotion, which he 'was clearly unhappy about'.

In the meeting he claimed that 'someone in the industry had joked he would never get the job as he was not white and gay and it was obvious a black man would never get the job'.

Later that month, the tribunal heard there was an incident when Ms Andrade came into the Business Development office and started a conversation with a male colleague about homosexuality, promiscuity and Grindr.

Mr Weinreb said he didn't see the attraction, to which Ms Andrade responded 'look at you acting prestige'.

The tribunal heard how Mr Weinreb took this as Ms Andrade alluding that he was a closet homosexual.

He 'upset by this and went to the toilet to get away from the situation', the tribunal heard.

But Ms Andrade quickly followed him there and banged on the toilet door, he told the tribunal.

In May 2019 he was asked to attend an Employment Review Meeting, which led to him filing a formal grievance alleging discrimination on grounds of race, sex and sexual preference.

The result of his grievance was that Ms Andrade was spoken to, 'reminding her of the rules of showing respect to her colleagues both in her spoken and written communication'.

Employment Judge Davidson concluded that Mr Weinreb had been subjected to 'less favourable treatment' by his employers.

She said 'the banter often crossed the line of acceptable behaviour' but did not relate to his perceived sexual orientation, race or sex so was not classed as discrimination.

The Judge added: 'We note [Mr Weinreb's] allegation that he was repeatedly 'gaslit' in that he was made to think incidents were his fault when that was not always the case and we understand why he would feel like that in the light of much of the evidence before us.'

A London employment tribunal heard that Mr Weinreb worked as a business development manager for OTT - a global e-learning platform for travel agents (pictured: The company's London offices) - between 2017 and 2019

She noted that Ms Andrade 'bullied' Mr Weinreb and was 'aggressive' and 'unpleasant' towards him but not discriminatory.

During a second Employee Review Meeting at the company in June 2019, Ms Feuell 'banged on the table' because she was angry.

The tribunal ruled that this was an act of victimisation: 'She was angry that [Mr Weinreb] had raised the issue of discrimination and she took the matter personally.

'She would not have behaved this way if he had not made the allegations of discrimination.'

The following month Mr Weinreb was dismissed on grounds of alleged misconduct and was told that part of the reason for dismissal was he had raised very serious issues of sexism and racism.

She added: 'In conclusion, we find that [Mr Weinreb] was victimised for having made allegations of discrimination.'

Mr Weinreb's claims of discrimination and harassment failed but his claim of victimisation succeeded.

A hearing will be held at a later date to determine how much compensation he is owed by OTT.

MailOnline has contacted OTT for a comment.
New details have emerged about the tragic death of a father-of-two who caught Covid-19 in India after returning to the country for his mother's funeral.

Solar energy businessman Govind Kant, 47, died in Delhi Hospital over the weekend after contracting the virus upon travelling to the coronavirus-ravaged nation in April.

A GoFundMe page set up by friends on Wednesday to help his wife and daughters has raised almost $49,000 in less than six hours.

In the campaign, his friends revealed the extent of the family's heartbreak after they were struck by back-to-back tragedies.

While Mr Kant was in India to farewell his mother, his father also died.

He then caught Covid-19 and spent weeks battling the illness, 'with some improvements', before sadly passing away.

Govind Kant, 47, (pictured) died in India over the weekend after contracting Covid-19 while in the country for his mother's funeral

Tributes have begun pouring in for the beloved Sydney man, who has been remembered as a 'pioneer' of the solar industry and a 'true gentleman'.

'Many of us working in the Solar Industry have been left deeply crushed at learning of the passing of our dear colleague, friend and mate Govind Kant,' the page reads.

'As he had touched so many of us in the industry and after consultation with many of us close to him we would like to put together a fund for his family to show how much he meant to us all.

'We cannot even comprehend the pain which his family must be going through but hope that in time this fund will be helpful in some small way.

'Govind loved and was loved by so many, may he Rest In Peace.'

Tributes have begun pouring in for the father-of-two who has been remembered as a 'true gentleman'

Mr Kant's employer Trina Solar posted a heartfelt tribute to their worker on Facebook earlier this week, offering their condolences to his family.

'This is a significant loss to Trina Solar and mere words cannot express the heartfelt sorrow we all feel upon Govind's passing and we will provide necessary assistance to his family in this mourn period and we pray his soul may rest in peace,' they wrote.

'Trina Solar will be making contact with all customers in due course but for now request some time to make the necessary arrangements to pay fitting tribute to our exceptional colleague and friend.'

A video shared in the post showed Mr Kant smiling and joking with colleagues as they worked together on a marketing project.

Featuring within the clip, a slideshow of photos taken throughout his career showed a popular, happy man.

India is recording about 340,000 new cases and 4,000 coronavirus deaths each day.

Earlier this month, Scott Morrison banned all flights from India and threatened anyone who dared to defy the restrictions with massive fines or jail time.

The India travel ban lifted on Saturday and about 70 people have since returned to Australia, but there are still almost 10,000 people desperate to come back.

The can now apply to be brought back Down Under, and will be flown to Darwin before being taken to the Howard Springs facility for two weeks of mandatory quarantine.
Annapurna canteens have been providing food to more than 45,000 persons in different parts of the city every day.  Representational image/DC

HYDERABAD: The state government on Tuesday ordered the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) to provide free meals to people during the ongoing lockdown through the 250 Annapurna canteens located in various parts of the city.

The free meals programme will continue until further notice.

Arvind Kumar, principal secretary (municipal administration), said free food is being supplied on directions of minister K.T. Rama Rao.

Annapurna canteens have been providing food to more than 45,000 persons in different parts of the city every day. Patients attendees, daily wage workers, hawkers, people living in shelter homes and others are benefiting from these canteens during the lockdown.

These canteens otherwise change Rs 5 per meal.
Advertisement

This is the moment a Spanish police officer saved a baby boy from the ocean off the coast of North Africa as thousands of desperate migrants rushed across the border from Morocco.

Spain's Guardia Civil said officer Juan Francisco plucked the 'frozen' baby boy from the ocean near the enclave of Ceuta on Tuesday afternoon after his mother jumped into the frigid water with him on her back. The boy survived.

Police said it was just one of a number of children and infants they saved after guards on the Moroccan side stood down, allowing 8,000 people to swim and run across the frontier.

It comes amid a diplomatic rift after it emerged that Spain is providing hospital treatment to a rebel leader engaged in a decades-long war with the Moroccan government, because he is sick with Covid.

Both sides were openly acknowledging the row on Wednesday, with Spain's foreign minister accusing Morocco of using children as pawns in a diplomatic game, while Morocco's human rights minister accused Spain of 'underestimating' its ally.

Meanwhile Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez arrived in Ceuta on Wednesday to take charge of the situation and 'restore calm', as the flow of migrants reduced to a trickle.

He criticised Morocco for deliberately opening the borders and allowing the stampede to Spain as part of a political spat over Madrid's decision to offer medical treatment to the leader of South Sudan.

This is an act of defiance, he said. The lack of border control by Morocco is not a show of disrespect of Spain, but rather for the European Union.

Spain has deployed both police and armed forces to reinforce its overwhelmed border guards, while guards on the Moroccan side of the border are now firing tear gas in an attempt to keep people back.

Officials said they have already sent back some 4,000 migrants, but warned that Ceuta is still facing a 'humanitarian crisis' due to the number of exhausted and homeless people now sleeping on its streets.

Juan Francisco, an officer with the Spanish Guardia Civil, rescues a baby boy from the waters off Spain's North African enclave of Ceuta after his mother attempted to swim across from Morocco

Another Guardia Civil officer carries a young girl to shore in Ceuta, one of a number of children Spanish police say were rescued from the water yesterday as thousands of migrants crossed over

Migrants continued to arrive in Ceuta today (pictured), though the flow of the last two days has now reduced to a trickle as border guards in both Morocco and Spain step up efforts to stop them

Hundreds of people gather on the Moroccan side of the border as they try to cross into Spain, but found themselves blocked after border guards stepped in

Crowds of migrants who crossed into Spain are gathered outside a warehouse as they wait to be tested for coronavirus at the Spanish enclave of Ceuta

A Spanish soldier walks with a child upon his arrival at the Spanish enclave of Ceuta as thousands of desperate migrants rushed across the border from Morocco

Migrants sit on the floor outside a warehouse used as temporary shelter as they wait to be tested for coronavirus in Ceuta

A group of people try to cross the border fence separating Fnideq in Morocco from the Spanish city of Ceuta on Wednesday

Spanish security forces guard the Spanish enclave of Ceuta, near the border of Morocco and Spain, after two days in which thousands of people arrived amid a diplomatic rift between the two countries

Exhausted migrants arrive on the beach on the Spanish side of the border with Morocco, as soldiers arrive to detain them

A boy attempts to swim from the Moroccan border town of Fnideq towards the Spanish enclave of Ceuta

Moroccan minors queue at a facility prepared for them to rest and have food, after thousands of migrants swam across the Spanish-Moroccan border

A Spanish soldier stands next to migrants who rest after swimming across the border amid the huge migration wave

A man from Morocco is detained by soldiers of the Spanish Army at the border of Morocco and Spain, at the Spanish enclave of Ceuta

Spanish authorities have sent back half of the nearly 8,000 migrants who stormed across the border from Morocco on Monday and Tuesday. Pictured: Security forces expel migrants from Ceuta

Migrants have been swimming across the border separating the Moroccan town of Fnideq from the Spanish town of Tarajal, while others have tried to run across the land border between fences

Exhausted by either scaling a double-wide border fence or swimming in the Mediterranean, some migrants spent the night in an overcrowded warehouse under the gaze of Spanish police.

Spain's Interior Ministry said that it had returned roughly half of the migrants, but there were many unaccompanied minors which Spanish law says must be taken into care by authorities.

Many shopkeepers kept their stores shuttered, while local schools in the city of 85,000 reported that attendance dropped by 60%.

While Morocco was tightening controls of a border after two days of allowing crossings, Spanish authorities increased their criticism of counterparts in Rabat.

'This is an act of defiance,' Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez told Spain's parliament, a day after he visited Ceuta.

'The lack of border control by Morocco is not a show of disrespect of Spain, but rather for the European Union.'

Foreign minister Arancha Gonzalez Laya also increased her tone on Wednesday, saying for the first time in public that Spain believes Morocco loosened its border control to retaliate for Spain having given medical assistance to the head of the Western Sahara liberation movement, a disputed territory to Morocco's south.

'It tears our hearts out to see our neighbours sending children, even babies... (because) they reject a humanitarian gesture on our part,' Ms Gonzalez Laya told Spanish public radio.

It has revived the thorny issue of migration into the EU, with the Vice President of the European Commission, Margaritis Schinas, saying Wednesday the continent 'won't be intimidated by anyone.'

Speaking on Spanish radio, he said there have been 'a few attempts by third countries... over the past 15 months' to leverage the migrant issue.

In a veiled reference to Rabat, Schinas said on Spanish radio that Europe would 'not be a victim of these tactics'.

'Ceuta is Europe, this border is a European border and what happens there is not a problem for Madrid, but a problem for all' Europeans, he said.

On the ground, people continued to gather on the Moroccan border with Spain Wednesday.

A group of migrants wait to be tested for coronavirus as they arrive to the Spanish enclave of Ceuta as thousands of desperate migrants rushed across the border from Morocco

Healthcare workers test migrants upon their arrival to the Spanish enclave of Ceuta amid warnings that Ceuta is still facing a 'humanitarian crisis'

Members of the Red Cross assist migrant as they wait to be tested for COVID-19 upon their arrival to the Spanish enclave

Spain has deployed both police and armed forces to reinforce its overwhelmed border guards, while guards on the Moroccan side of the border are now firing tear gas in an attempt to keep people back. Pictured: Police officers stand guard as migrants arrive to the Spanish enclave of Ceuta

Red Cross members of staff assist a migrant woman and a child upon their arrival to the Spanish enclave of Ceuta

Sanchez (centre), who cancelled a trip to attend an Africa financing summit in Paris on Tuesday, said: 'This sudden arrival of illegal migrants poses a serious crisis for Spain and for Europe.' Pictured: Sanchez in Ceuta on Tuesday

Madrid will send an additional 50 police officers to reinforce the 200 already deployed on Tuesday, while another 150 were on standby, the interior ministry said. Pictured: A migrant runs after crossing into Ceuta early on Wednesday morning

The migrants reached Ceuta by swimming, or by walking at low tide from Moroccan beaches a few kilometres to the south, some using inflatable swimming rings and rubber dinghies. Pictured: Red Cross workers tend to a migrant who is suffering from hypothermia after making the crossing early on Wednesday

A group of migrants burn a skip during clashes with Moroccan riot police in the northern town of Fnideq, close to the border between Morocco and Spain's North African enclave of Ceuta

One man throws a rock onto a burning motorbike as clashes continue with Moroccan riot police in the northern town of Fnideq

Migrants clash with Moroccan riot police in the northern town of Fnideq, close to the border between Morocco and Spain's North African enclave of Ceuta

A Spanish Guardia Civil member waits for two migrants to swim to shore on the Spanish enclave of Ceuta on Wednesday

A small group of migrants swim to shore in Ceuta, watched by Spanish Guradia Civil boats and soldiers on the beach

A Spanish officer speaks with young migrants detained after crossing the border, who will likely be returned to the other side

Barely 20 square kilometers (7.7 square miles), Ceuta is located in North Africa. It is an autonomous city of Spain and is home to some 85,000 people

As the sun rose, a handful of people were swimming to reach the Spanish side, their slow progress carefully watched by dozens of soldiers deployed along the beach with riot shields and batons, according to an AFP correspondent on the scene.

It was not clear how many managed to cross, but those who made it to shore were immediately picked up by soldiers and escorted to where medics were offering help, although few appeared to need it.

They were then frogmarched back to the border fence where they were sent home.

Although the distance between African territory and Europe technically involves a swim of barely 200 metres, many tried to push beyond the nearest beach to avoid the waiting troops.

'Viva Espana' yelled one repeatedly, before starting to call for help in increasingly panicked tones to a nearby rescue boat.

Through the border fence, large crowds of hundreds of people were massed on the neighbouring Moroccan beach.

Desperate for a better life, many migrants who were returned to Morocco said they would try to cross over again.

'I love my country but I can't live without an income,' 17-year-old Moroccan named Osama told AFP shortly after he was returned from Ceuta. 'I am not afraid to return there.'

Analysts said it was clear Morocco had turned a blind eye to the human tide surging into Ceuta to put diplomatic pressure on Spain to recognise its sovereignty over Western Sahara.

Most of the migrants had crossed into Ceuta largely unimpeded by Moroccan security forces on Monday, but by Tuesday morning, Rabat had deployed reinforcements at the Fnideq border crossing.

Pictured: Three Moroccans cling to a buoy off the shore of El Tarajal beach in the Spanish city of Ceuta on Wednesday

Migrants arrive at the Spanish enclave of Ceuta, near the border of Morocco and Spain, today

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez flew to Ceuta on Tuesday, vowing to 'restore order' in the North African enclave after the unprecedented influx.

Pictured: Spanish officials direct arriving migrants on El Tarajal beach in the Spanish enclave of Ceuta on Wednesday

Overnight Wednesday, police on the Moroccan side of the border blocked dozens of youths from crossing over, who responded by throwing rocks.

The migrants reached Ceuta by swimming or by walking at low tide from Moroccan beaches a few kilometres to the south, some using inflatable swimming rings and rubber dinghies.

One man drowned en route, Spanish officials said.

The crisis comes after Madrid allowed Polisario Front leader Brahim Ghali to fly to northern Spain in mid-April to be treated for Covid-19, angering Rabat.

The Polisario Front has fought for the independence of Western Sahara, a former Spanish colony that is mainly under Moroccan control.

Morocco's minister of state for human rights, Mustapha Ramid, said Wednesday that it was 'clear' that Spain had favoured its ties with the Polisario and Algeria over those with Morocco by hosting Ghali.

'Spain must also know that the price for discrediting Morocco is steep,' he added in a Facebook post.

The Moroccan authorities have long wanted Spain to acknowledge their authority over Western Sahara, as Washington did in December under former president Donald Trump, and were using the Ghali spat to put pressure on Madrid.

Spain has long maintained that a solution to the issue can only come from an agreement brokered by the United Nations.

During a radio interview on Wednesday, Spanish Foreign Minister Arancha Gonzalez Laya said Madrid 'could not' change its position because Spain 'respects international law'.

Recent arrivals rest after arriving in Ceuta early on Wednesday morning. The migrants are expected to all be sent back to Morocco under a deal between Spain and the North African country

A migrant waits at the Spanish enclave of Ceuta, near the border of Morocco and Spain, on Wednesday

The Spanish government said it has set up a system to 'streamline' the return of the migrants to Morocco that could 'operate 24 hours a day'. Pictured: A migrant is comforted by a member of the Spanish Red Cross

On Tuesday, Spain's top diplomat summoned Morocco's ambassador to express her 'displeasure' after Moroccan security forces appeared to turn a blind eye to the thousands of people crossing into Ceuta. Pictured: A Red Cross worker comforts a migrant
Tucker Carlson has hailed the 'great unmasking' of the American people but asked what to do about people who continue to wear their face coverings despite new CDC guidelines.

Speaking on his Fox News show Tuesday night, the host said that a typical 22-year-old in New York has around 0.6 chance out of a million of dying from the virus.

But despite the low risk and new CDC rules stating that fully vaccinated people can ditch their masks , Carlson said in some American neighborhoods, young people are still wearing their face coverings.

'The Great Unmasking is finally upon us. But not everyone is happy about it,' he said. 'Suddenly, in neighborhoods littered with signs about BLM and climate change, we have a new public health emergency on our hands  it's a mental health crisis.

Tucker Carlson has claimed that despite the CDC announcement that people who have been fully vaccinated can ditch their face masks, such people are still wearing them out of fear and anxiety

'Many Americans don't want to stop wearing masks. They want to continue to hide behind paper. Why? There's no science behind this. It's a neurosis, just like obsessive hand-washing. But it appears to be spreading fast, like its own virus.'

As an example, Carlson played a clip from 'CBS This Morning' in which anchor Gayle King - speaking to Biden's chief medical adviser Dr Fauci - admitted that she was suffering from anxiety over taking her mask off in public.

'Dr Fauci please help us with the mask situation,' King said to the physician.

'I know we were told we don't have to wear it outside but I'm telling you, I was in New York where I live, walking down the street I just stopped a random lady and I said have you been vaccinated and she said yes. I said 'Me too. Why are we wearing our masks?' and she goes 'I don't know.'

'I said me too, ma'am, me too. I think we all feel either guilty or we feel it's not time. Monkey see monkey do. Do you really think it's ok?'

Carlson also pointed to a recent article by Psychologist John Duffy, in which he wrote about his patients suffering from 'anxious nightmares' over going maskless.

'Despite the positive news from the CDC, I'm hearing plenty of anxiety from my clients around the new mask and social distancing non-mandates,' Duffy wrote for CNN.

'For nearly a year, people have been describing to me anxious nightmares in which they are in a crowded public space, often the only person unmasked and at-risk.'

Pictured: A protester who is against the school mask mandate, enacted to help slow the spread of coronavirus disease (COVID-19), stands outside with a sign at a Hillsborough County School Board meeting in Tampa, Florida, U.S. May 18, 2021

Dr Fauci said yesterday that the new guidance is 'not a mandate to take your mask off', amid continuing confusion over the CDC announcement

The psychologist described how some people have been feeling 'obsessive or compulsive' about wearing masks and social distancing, that that they are concerned that such 'obsessions' won't pass after the CDC announcement.

He also added that some children are suffering from anxiousness over mask wearing, writing: 'Some of our youngest kids may not remember a time before we were all wearing masks and remaining far apart. It's going to take a bit of time for them to emotionally unravel this tangle of anxiety.'

'Is there anything sadder than that?' Carlson asked, before highlighting another example - Joe Glickman.

According to the New York Times, Glickman wears an 'N95 mask over his face and tugs a cloth mask on top of it',' and also wears well as a pair of goggles when he goes to the store.

He also had the coronavirus, the article reports, and therefore he has natural antibodies against Covid-19, making his immunity even more effective.

'Now, were not mocking him  obviously, our hearts go out to him. The problem is there are a lot of people like him in the country. So what do we do about it?' Carlson said.

On May 13, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) lifted its mask mandate, with new guidance saying people who have been fully vaccinated do not need to wear a mask indoors or outdoors, with some exceptions.

People must still wear masks in healthcare settings, homeless shelters, prison and jails, and while on public transport.

However, the CDC's recommendation is just that - an unenforceable recommendation. States, cities and businesses can still require masks.

Californias governor, Gavin Newsom, has said that the state will keep its mask order in place for another month, while Andrew Cuomo - New York's governor, said it would lift mask requirements on Wednesday, but keep it in some settings.

Some big businesses, including Starbucks and Home Depot, have already said they'll keep mask policies in place for now. Others - like CVS, Walgreens and Macy's - are now reviewing their requirements in light of the new guidance.

More than a third of the U.S. population - and 45 percent of adults - are now fully vaccinated, and nearly 60 percent of adults have had at least a first shot.

As vaccination has become widespread, scientists in the U.S. - and especially in Israel - have had a chance to see real-world proof that the shots prevent almost all transmission.

However, Dr Fauci said yesterday that the new guidance is 'not a mandate to take your mask off', amid continuing confusion over the CDC announcement.

Speaking during an interview with the Pod Save America podcast, the country's top doctor said the CDC had lifted mask restrictions to assure vaccinated people about the effectiveness of vaccines.

'It is not a mandate to take your mask off,' Fauci said, adding that he was sympathetic with store owners or workers concerned about the behavior of others.

'I would favor them being able to make their own choice depending on how they feel about things,' he said.

According to official coronavirus data, as of May 12, 25,736 people between the ages on 0 to 49 had died from Covid, out of the more than 568,000. The majority of these deaths came in the 40-49 age group.

According to the CDC's current best estimate, the Infection Fatality Ratio for people in the 18 - 49 age group is around 500 deaths in 1,000,000 infections. In the organizations worst case scenario, this rises to around 1,700 per million.

While experts are confident in the effectiveness of vaccines, they are less effective for some groups including cancer patients, organ transplant recipients and others who are immunocompromised.

Last week, President Joe Biden told Americans who have their full COVID vaccine to remove their face masks and his wife Jill, visiting West Virginia, did just that.

'If you're fully vaccinated, take your mask off. You've earned the right to do something that Americans are known for all around the world, greeting others with a smile,' President Biden said during remarks in the White House Rose Garden.

Vice President Kamala Harris and President Joe Biden go without their face masks in the Rose Garden of the White House after new CDC guidelines were announced

And a maskless first lady was all smiles when she stepped off her plane in Charleston, W. Va., last Thursday, one of the first to appear in public without a face covering after the CDC announced their new guidelines.

Back at the White House, President Biden took the credit for bringing the virus under control.

He said: 'I think it's a great milestone, a great day. It's been made possible by the extraordinary success we have had in vaccinating so many Americans, so quickly.

'Over the past 114 days, our vaccination program has led the world and that's due to the incredible hard work of so many people.

'The scientists and researchers, the drug companies, the National Guard, the US Military, FEMA, the nation's governors, doctors, nurses, pharmacists. Everyone who has moved heaven and Earth to get as many shots into arms of as many Americans as possible. It's truly been an all hands on deck for the country effort.'

President Biden tempered his delight at the new rules with words of caution.

'We've gotten this far. Please protect yourself until you get to the finish line. Because as great as this announcement is today. We don't want to let up,' he said.

'The rule is very simple. Get vaccinated or wear a mask until you do is vaccinated,' he added.

He also noted there would be no enforcement, addressing concerns of some they may have to prove their vaccinated status.
Advertisement

Israel twice tried and failed to kill Hamas's top military commander last week but he survived both attacks, a spokesman for the Israel Defence Forces has said.

Mohammed Deif, 55, commander of Hamas's Qassam Brigades which have carried out terror attacks including bus bombings in Israel, was targeted during strikes in Gaza last Monday but escaped unscathed, the IDF says.

It is hardly the first time the IDF has tried to kill Deif. Strikes in 2001, 2002, 2006 and 2014 left him without an eye, cost him both legs and an arm, and killed his wife and two children, according to Israeli security sources.

Seven other senior Hamas commanders were also targeted in strikes, a military spokesman added, saying that some were injured but all survived.

Among the targets was the home of Yahya Sinwar, dubbed the 'butcher of Khan Younis' - Hamas's leader in Gaza and creator of the brigade which Deif leads.

His home was destroyed, though he is not thought to have been in it at the time.

The IDF began giving away details of its 'hit list' as commanders called for more time to continue the hunt amid growing pressure for a ceasefire.

Eliezer Toledano, head of IDF's southern command, told Channel 12 that the more time the military is given to destroy its targets 'the better' - picking out Deif and Sinwar as being 'in Israel's sights'.

The IDF twice targeted Mohammed Deif (left), Hamas's most-senior military commander, in raids last week but he survived both. Also targeted was the home of Yahya Sinwar (right), dubbed the butcher of Khan Younis, though he was not home

The IDF began releasing details of its 'hit list' as commanders called for more time to continuing hunting Hamas leaders, despite growing calls for a ceasefire. Fighting has now entered its ninth day, with attacks continuing from both sides

Relatives of Journaliste Yousef Abu Hussein, a Palestinian, weep after he was killed in an Israeli airstrike on Gaza City today

Palestinians attend the funeral of Mahmoud Shtawi who was killed in an Israeli airstrike on Gaza City on Wednesday

A Palestinian man stands by the body of a three year old girl killed in an airstrike on Gaza City on Wednesday

A senior Israeli official also told news site Haaretz that Netanyahu is reluctant to stop the fighting despite without a 'clear victory', despite pressure from within the government to do so.

Hamas has since denied that Deif was targeted twice last week, saying the reports are designed as 'psychological warfare'.

Deif 'is continuing to direct the fighting with complete control', according to sources close to Hamas's military leadership.

Israel continued its bombing campaign overnight in the Gaza Strip, saying 122 bombs were dropped by 52 jets in 25, destroying seven miles of Hamas tunnels.

The bombing raids aimed to destroy tunnels used in the kidnap and killing of IDF soldier Hadar Goldin during the fighting in 2014, the Times of Israel reported.

Meanwhile Israel is braced for more violence in the West Bank today after violent protests near the town of Ramallah and Nablus on Tuesday, during which two IDF soldiers and three Palestinians were hurt in shootings.

Violent clashes also broke out around holy sites including Damascus Gate and the Al-Aqsa mosque in Jerusalem after a call for 'a day of rage' in solidarity with those in Gaza, Ynet reported.

So far the violence has claimed at least 227 lives - 215 Palestinians including almost 100 women and children, and 12 people in Israel, including two children.

As the death toll rises, calls for a ceasefire grow - with France last night circulating a draft resolution at the UN security council following negotiations with Egypt and Jordan.

The move is said to have taken the US - which has three times blocked a joint statement condemning the violence - by surprise.

A resolution is a stronger step than a joint statement, and if all other members backed it then the US would have to issue a veto to stop it, something Joe Biden is thought to be reluctant to do.

Elsewhere, Haaretz reported that 'if there is no surprise turn of events' then a ceasefire would be declared on Thursday - with similar reports also emerging in Egyptian media.

But Israel and Hamas were quick to deny the reports, with Israeli site Ynet reporting that while both sides agree on ending the conflict soon, each wants the other to stop shooting first.

Palestinians gather around the damage in the aftermath of an Israeli air strike on a house in Gaza City

A Palestinian man inspects a damaged vehicle in the aftermath of an Israeli air strike on a house in Gaza City

A man carrying a child passes by damaged site after Israeli army carried out airstrike over a building in the Sheikh Ridvan neighbourhood in Gaza City

People inspect a damaged vehicle after Israeli army struck a building in the Sheikh Ridvan neighbourhood in Gaza City

Rockets are launched from Gaza City, towards Israel early on Wednesday as fighting between the two sides continues

Rockets are launched towards Israel from Gaza City overnight, as Israeli bombing raids on the strip continued

French President Emmanuel Macron and his Egyptian counterpart Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, who is in Paris for summits on Africa, agreed on the UN resolution Tuesday during in a video conference with Jordan's King Abdullah II.

'The three countries agreed on three simple elements: The shooting must stop, the time has come for a ceasefire and the UN Security Council must take up the issue,' the Elysee Palace said.

France, which has been calling for a rapid ceasefire for several days, said it supports mediation led by Egypt.

Macron had on Monday underlined the importance of Egyptian mediation after talks in Paris with Sisi, a key ally and defence client of France despite activists' concerns over Cairo's rights record.

The UN Security Council has failed to adopt a simple declaration on the conflict, with the United States, a staunch Israel ally, having rejected three prior statement drafts proposed by China, Norway and Tunisia which called for an end to the fighting.

China's UN ambassador Zhang Jun said that during a closed-door meeting, members 'heard the proposal made by our French colleague in the Council and for China, definitely, we are supportive to all effort facilitating the ending of the crisis and the coming back of peace in the Middle East.'

Speaking at an air force base in southern Israel on Tuesday, Netanyahu said Hamas and Gaza's second biggest armed group, Islamic Jihad, had 'received blows they didn't expect'.

'We'll continue as long as necessary to bring... quiet back to the citizens of Israel,' he added.

Hamas has launched nearly 3,700 rockets at Israel since May 10, prompting many people living in communities near the border to remain in bomb shelters virtually around the clock.

Israel's bombing campaign has left Gaza's two million population desperate for relief.

Some 72,000 civilians have fled their homes, seeking refuge in UN-run schools and other public buildings, the United Nations says.

An international relief convoy that started rolling into Gaza from Israel Tuesday, was halted when Israel swiftly ended its reopening of the Kerem Shalom border crossing, citing a mortar attack on the area.

Palestinians clash with Israeli forces at the Hawara checkpoint, south of the West Bank city of Nablus on Tuesday

A Palestinian uses a slingshot during an anti-Israel protest over a cross-border violence between Palestinian militants in Gaza and the Israeli military, near Hawara checkpoint near Nablus in the Israeli-occupied West Bank, May 18

A Palestinian holds a slingshot next to burning tires during an anti-Israel protest near Hawara checkpoint, Nablus, in the Israeli-occupied West Bank, May 18

A Palestinian demonstrator throws teargas canisters back at Israeli forces during clashes near the Jewish settlement of Beit El near Ramallah, West Bank, on May 17

Israel says its fighter jets have targeted Hamas's underground tunnel network, which it has previously acknowledged run in part through civilian areas.

An air raid Monday knocked out Gaza's only Covid-19 testing laboratory, the health ministry said, and the Qatari Red Crescent said a strike damaged one of its offices.

Hospitals in the territory, which has been under Israeli blockade for almost 15 years, have been overwhelmed by patients and there are frequent blackouts.

The healthcare system was already facing severe strain from the coronavirus pandemic.

A total of 1,530 people have been wounded, according to health ministry figures.

On Tuesday, Israeli forces and protesters clashed in annexed east Jerusalem and across the occupied West Bank, as Palestinians rallied in solidarity with their embattled compatriots in Gaza.

The Palestinian health ministry said Israeli forces shot dead four Palestinians, including one the Israeli army said had attempted to attack soldiers, bringing to 24 the number of Palestinians killed in the territory since May 10.

The Palestinian Red Crescent said its teams had treated more than 150 people in Jerusalem and the West Bank, including 35 with bullet wounds.

The Israeli army said troops came under fire north of Ramallah, and two of its soldiers were wounded.

Palestinian president Mahmud Abbas's Fatah movement had called for a 'day of anger' Tuesday, a call echoed in Arab and ethnically mixed towns inside Israel.

'We are here to raise our voice and stand with the people in Gaza who are being bombed,' Ramallah protester Aya Dabour told AFP.

In east Jerusalem's Sheikh Jarrah neighbourhood, Palestinian protesters faced off against police, who used stun grenades and 'skunk water' cannon to disperse protesters.

The latest escalation was sparked after clashes broke out at east Jerusalem's flashpoint Al-Aqsa mosque compound, one of Islam's holiest sites, following clashed over planned evictions of Palestinian families from homes in Sheikh Jarrah.

Family and friends mourn during the funeral of Israeli man, Yigal Yehoshua, who died after succumbing to his wounds, sustained during Arab-Jewish violence in the mixed city of Lod, at a cemetery in Moshav Hadid, Israel May 18

An Iranian woman holds the Palestinian flag during a protest to express solidarity with the Palestinian people amid a flare-up of Israeli-Palestinian violence, in Tehran, Iran May 18

Israeli airstrikes killed at least six people across the Gaza Strip and destroyed the home of a large extended family early on Wednesday.

The military said it widened its strikes on militant targets to the south amid continuing rocket fire from the Hamas-ruled territory.

Residents surveyed the piles of bricks, concrete and other debris that had once been the home of 40 members of al-Astal family. They said a warning missile struck the building in the southern town of Khan Younis five minutes before the airstrike, allowing everyone to escape.

The Israeli military said it struck militant targets around the towns of Khan Younis and Rafah, with 52 aircraft hitting 40 underground targets over a period of 25 minutes.

Gaza's Health Ministry said a woman was killed and eight people were wounded in those strikes.

Hamas-run Al-Aqsa radio said one of its reporters was killed in an airstrike in Gaza City. Doctors at the Shifa hospital said his was among five bodies brought in early Wednesday.

The fatalities included two people killed when warning missiles crashed into their apartment.

The latest strikes came as diplomatic efforts aimed at a cease-fire gathered strength and Gaza's infrastructure, already weakened by a 14-year blockade, rapidly deteriorated.

The Palestinian territory is ruled by Hamas, an Islamic militant group.

U.S. officials said the Biden administration is privately encouraging Israel to wind down its bombardment of Gaza.

Palestinians search for victims under the rubble of a destroyed building in the residential Al-Rimal neighborhood of Gaza City on Monday this week following an Israeli bombing raid

Palestinian firefighters inspect the remains of a destroyed residential building targeted by Israeli airstrikes on Tuesday

A Palestinian woman stands next to an unexploded bomb dropped by an Israeli F-16 warplane on Gaza City's Rimal neighbourhood

Explosions light-up the night sky above buildings in Gaza City as Israeli forces shell the Palestinian enclave, early on May 18

Egyptian negotiators also were working to halt the fighting, and while they have not made progress with Israel, they were optimistic international pressure would force it to the table, according to an Egyptian diplomat who spoke on condition of anonymity because he was discussing diplomatic efforts.

The fighting began May 10 when Hamas fired long-range rockets toward Jerusalem in support of Palestinian protests against Israel's heavy-handed policing of the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound, a flashpoint site sacred to Jews and Muslims, and the threatened eviction of dozens of Palestinian families by Jewish settlers.

At least 219 Palestinians have been killed in airstrikes, including 63 children and 36 women, with 1,530 people wounded, according to the Gaza Health Ministry..

Hamas and Islamic Jihad say 20 of their fighters have been killed, while Israel says the number is at least 130.

Twelve people in Israel, including a 5-year-old boy, have been killed in rocket attacks so far. A rocket attack on Tuesday near Gaza killed two Thai workers and wounded another seven.

The Israeli military said rockets also were fired at the Erez pedestrian crossing and at the Kerem Shalom crossing, where humanitarian aid was being brought into Gaza, forcing both to close. It said a soldier was slightly wounded at Erez.
Prime Minister Scott Morrison and radio host Ben Fordham have slammed an animal rights group for urging farmers to avoid killing mice during the country's worst-ever rodent plague.

The People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) on Tuesday pleaded with farmers not to kill 'curious animals' that are 'just looking for food to survive'.

'They shouldn't be robbed of that right because of the dangerous notion of human supremacy,' PETA spokeswoman Aleesha Naxakis said.

PETA spokeswoman Aleesha Naxakis (pictured) on Tuesday pleaded with farmers to avoid killing the mice as they are 'just looking for food to survive'

PETA's comments come as Dubbo farmer shared footage of hundreds of mice in makeshift trap (pictured)

The organisation suggested farmers create humane traps that 'allow small animals to be caught gently and released unharmed' instead of using poisons.

Mr Morrison dismissed PETA's plea as 'pretty dopey' as the 'devastation and heartbreak' of the plague continues to affect NSW farmers.

'It's just one thing after another ... and apart from the comments being very insensitive to the plight of those farmers ... it's pretty dopey,' he said on Wednesday.

2GB host Fordham questioned the Ms Naxakis on Wednesday morning before challenging the activist group to take in the mice at the PETA headquarters.

'Where can we drop the mice off, where do you live?' Mr Fordham asked.

Ms Naxakis said PETA was not 'anti-farmer' and insisted it was 'unfair that these mice are going to suffer these horrible deaths'.

PETA spokeswoman Aleesha Naxakis (pictured) said the mice shouldn't be killed because of the 'dangerous notion of human supremacy.'

Radio host Ben Fordham (pictured) slammed PETA activists who are urging farmers to save mice that are devastating regional farmers

Farmers have collected scores of rodents across Australia (pictured above) who have been causing havoc with stock. Pictured is the plague in Dubbo in central-west NSW

'That's a good one, look - I think I need to be clear here. It's definitely our common advice when it comes to rodent control to avoid poisons, which subjects these animals to unbearably painful deaths,' she said.

The activist said the lobby group believes the government is responsible for 'finding better, more humane, long term solutions for farmers and mice'.

'These mice are going to suffer these horrible deaths they are going to be choking, gasping for air, bleeding internally,' she said.

She admitted her initial advice to capture and release the animals was 'not a suitable solution in this situation' but it was the organisation's 'common advice when we are speaking about rodent control'.'

HOW PETA THINKS FARMERS SHOULD HANDLE AUSTRALIA'S CRIPPLING MOUSE PLAGUE 'An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure, and the governments failure to keep the mouse population in check through a long-term plan of deterrents and contraceptives has left farmers struggling to protect their crops from mice who are simply struggling to eke out an existence. 'PETA urges everyone to remember that mice feel pain and fear, just as dogs, cats, and farmers do. 'If they must be killed, it is only ethical and right to do so as painlessly as possible, not through any gut-wrenching poisons that cause slow, agonising deaths to mice or other animals who may eat the poison or its victims.' Source: Peta spokeswoman Aleesha Naxakis' statement to Daily Mail Australia Advertisement

Sarah Pye, from Dubbo in central New South Wales, setup a ramp inside one of her shipping containers to force the masses of mice to fall into a large tub of water and drown

The backlash comes after a farmer desperately trying to rid her property of mice filmed the stomach-churning moment she caught thousands of the pests with a makeshift trap.

Sarah Pye, from Dubbo in central New South Wales, set up a ramp inside one of her shipping containers to force the mice to fall into a large tub of water and drown.

Sharing the footage of her 'mouse trap', thousands of rodents were seen struggling to make it out of the tub.

Ms Pye's method is just one of many farmers have been forced to use to combat mice plagues across regional NSW - with stores across the state selling out of traps.

Multiple Bunnings stores have been stripped bare of rodent-killing products due to overwhelming demand.

Another farmer in Dubbo, Tracey Jones, earlier told Daily Mail Australia she and her husband were struggling to sleep due to the constant scampering of mice in their walls.

PETA spokesperson Aleesha Naxakis (pictured, left) urges everyone to remember that mice feel pain and fear, just as dogs, cats, and farmers do.

'People out here are struggling badly with them in our houses,' she said.

'My 90-year-old mother in law is living out of an esky because it's the only way she can mouse-proof her food.

'Mice are in everything, rooves and walls eating wiring, cupboards and pantries eating, nesting in and soiling in food and clothing, in cars and machinery chewing through wiring.

'The smell of dead mice is overwhelming, it's everywhere.'

Mice have been running rampant through large tracts of inland NSW, northern Victoria, southern Queensland and South Australia's Yorke Peninsula, destroying crops and causing significant damage to tonnes of stored hay and grain.

Bunnings Orange (pictured) in central NSW was running low on rodent traps and bait last week due to the mouse plague

Farmers have described the crippling plague as devastating to their livelihoods.

The NSW government recently announced a $50 million relief package to address the plague.

Some farmers estimated they'd suffered losses of between $50,000 and $150,000 due to grain and fodder being destroyed, according to the NSW Farmers Grains Committee.

On top of this, a survey on farmers around NSW found that more than 80 per cent had suffered significant damage to machinery and infrastructure from mice.

It was also found that 75 per cent of farmers couldn't access bait when they needed it most.
Rabbi Rafi Goodwin's injuries were being assessed King George's Hospital

Two men have appeared in court accused of assaulting a rabbi who was allegedly struck over the head with a concrete brick.

Rabbi Rafi Goodwin was treated in hospital for head wounds after he was attacked in Chigwell in north London on Sunday afternoon.

Abderrahman Brahimi, 25, and Souraka Djabouri, 18, both appeared before Colchester Magistrates' Court on Wednesday charged with wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm.

The pair, both from Ilford, north-east London, are also charged with robbery and religiously aggravated criminal damage.

Prosecutors allege the two defendants walked into the road causing Mr Goodwin, who was driving, to brake.

They allege one said 'he's a Jew', before the complainant's car was kicked multiple times, causing the passenger side wing mirror to snap off.

The court heard Mr Goodwin got out of his vehicle and was punched multiple times in the face until he fell to the floor then struck on the back of the head with a concrete brick.

Rafi Goodwin had been attacked with an unknown item following a verbal altercation in Limes Avenue, near his Essex synagogue, shortly after 1.15pm on Sunday

Mr Goodwin's phone was stolen, the prosecution alleges. Neither defendant was asked to enter pleas to the charges.

Police said they did not believe the incident was 'related to events taking place overseas or incidents which have taken place elsewhere in the country'.

An update from Essex Police earlier today said: 'Two men have been charged in connection with an assault on a man in Chigwell.

'The incident took place in Limes Avenue shortly after 1.15pm on Sunday 16 May. The 31-year-old victim was treated in hospital for head wounds.

'Abderrahman Brahimi, 25, and Souraka Djabouri, 18, both of Tudor Crescent, Ilford, are due to appear at Colchester Magistrates' Court today, Wednesday 19 May.

'They are each charged with wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm, robbery, and religiously aggravated criminal damage.'

Community leaders offered their support to Rabbi Goodwin.

Chief Superintendent Stuart Hooper said: 'We know this is a very important time - a time for communities to come together, to be around each other and celebrate. We do not want anyone to feel that they cannot do that safely' (pictured: Police at the synagogue)

Moshe Freedman, rabbi of New West End Synagogue in central London, asked people to pray for his 'dear friend and colleague' following the attack.

And Rabbi Herschel Gluck said: 'Whenever a person is attacked like this, it touches me deeply.

'The person themselves, their families, their congregation and their friends are all affected by this.'

He added: 'Even though it is an individual, it has much broader and wider ramifications.'

The defendants were remanded in custody to appear before Chelmsford Crown Court for a plea hearing on June 16.
An ex-Met Police officer and children's home manager who raped and abused underage girls across the UK for two decades has been jailed for 17 years.

Paul Lamb, 73, was found guilty of 19 sexual offences at Hull Crown Court earlier this month, including three counts of raping a girl under the age of 16.

The serial child abuser's crimes began during the early 1970s in London - where he worked as an officer in the Metropolitan Police and had close ties with children's homes in Islington.

From April 1970 to September 1972, Lamb committed his first rape of an underage girl and was also found guilty of two counts of indecent assault on a female aged under 16 in that period.

By the 1980s, Lamb had moved north and was appointed manager of the Brook Cottage children's home in Driffield - a post he held from 1984 to 1987.

Paul Lamb (pictured above), 73, was found guilty of 19 sexual offences at Hull Crown Court earlier this month, including three counts of raping a girl under the age of 16

Whilst there, Lamb began sexually assaulting a 14-year-old girl, getting her drunk before abusing her and inappropriately touching her while she pretended to sleep.

It is said Lamb took her virginity when she was aged 16, raping her in the flat at the children's home and in his family home while his wife and children were upstairs.

The victim's evidence was read out in court by Judge David Tremberg, where it was heard: 'I was about 15 or 16 and got back from the pub and carried on drinking at Paul's flat [Brook Cottage].

'It was spirits but I can't remember what, I was legless. I remember waking up in the double bed.

'I felt disgusted because I knew what he had done - have sex with me. When I woke up he brought me a cup of tea. He said the cleaner was downstairs and that I needed to get back into my room.

'I felt hungover. After that Paul kept commenting that I wasn't a virgin. It was like he was gloating.'

In her evidence the victim said she never consented to any of the sexual assaults and felt 'frightened of what he would do' if she spoke out.

In 1986, Lamb was subjected to a disciplinary hearing after the victim drunkenly told others in the home of the abuse he put her through.

Other girls made similar reports. He never returned to Brook Cottage.

But the young girl and Lamb kept in touch after she left the children's home, with Lamb admitting to police that he had a sexual relationship with her when she was at least aged 19.

A jury at Hull Crown Court (above, file photo) found Lamb guilty of 19 sexual offences, including 16 offences of indecent assault and three counts of rape

However, evidence in court suggested Lamb sexually assaulted her when she stayed with him and his family at his home. The victim last saw Lamb when she was aged 23 or 24.

Judge Tremberg, reading the evidence, said: 'I didn't want to hurt his family. I hated him but he was like a father figure. I hated him after he raped me.

'It was a kind of love hate thing. I still wanted him to be the person I wanted him to be - like a father figure. I still wanted to be part of that family.'

The victim decided to give evidence of the abuse Lamb put her through in July 2019 after police found her possessions at Lamb's home in Fishergate, York.

A diary was found where the victim set out the sexual abuse and rapes against her.

Earlier this year, Lamb appeared at Hull Crown Court to stand trial for 20 sexual offences - allegations he described as 'ludicrous' and 'totally fictitious'.

However, a jury found him guilty of 19 of them, including 16 offences of indecent assault and three counts of rape.

Judge Tremberg sentenced him to 17-and-a-half-years in prison.
A businessman is suing kitchen appliance company Miele for around 6,000 because his 'top quality' washing machine has allegedly been ripping up his designer clothes for nearly a decade.

Enraged London salesman Erol Aydin, 62, claims that his 1,950 Miele W5000 machine has torn holes in nearly 4,000 worth of his clothes, including Italian designer gear and over 1,000 worth of Levi's jeans.

In their defence to the action, German firm Miele said they tried to fix Mr Aydin's machine twice and are not obliged to repair an appliance under the terms of the warranty if it is deemed 'beyond economic repair.'

They have offered Mr Aydin a 500 discount on a new top of the range Miele machine, an offer they say is 'fair.' They also claim his machine has been installed incorrectly and say the warranty does not cover installation.

Mr Aydin bought the top of the range machine in 2011 while doing a 6,000 makeover on the kitchen of his house in east London.

Erol Aydin says that his 1,950 Miele W5000 machine has been tearing holes in his clobber, including Italian designer gear and over 1,000 worth of Levi's jeans, for nearly a decade

Picture shows the Miele washing machine owned by Erol Aydin in his east London kitchen

Jeans belonging to Erol Aydin which he says has been ruined by his Miele washing machine

He says in court documents that less than a year after he bought it, the machine started 'gradually tearing ruining ripping and damaging all my clothes'.

Mr Aydin says the machine is covered by a 10-year guarantee, but that Miele have failed to repair it or pay for his chewed up clothes.

And the salesman now wants thousands in compensation from the posh German electrical company to cover the cost of the machine, and almost 4,000 worth of his clothes he claims it has ruined.

In a witness statement put before Judge Ian Greenidge at Central London County Court, Mr Aydin said: 'The problem is that this top quality washing machine is gradually pulling the thread and ripping all my clothes, like my jeans, dressing gown, towels, shirts, socks and all my clothes.

Mr Aydin says the machine is covered by a 10-year guarantee, but that Miele have failed to repair it or pay for his chewed up clothes

'Since 2012 approximately, less than a year after I purchased the top quality Miele washing machine, it has been gradually tearing, ruining, ripping and damaging all my clothes.'

He has claimed the machine has chewed up five pairs of 210 Levi jeans, two shirts by Italian designer brand Dunhill worth 285 and 425, a 225 Aramis bathrobe and 240 worth of Egyptian cotton towels.

Mr Aydin says the damage runs to 3,800 altogether.

Speaking outside court, the salesman said that Miele have gone on to give him a replacement machine, but that he is refusing to take it out of the packaging and pressing on with suing them because the replacement machine does not come with a fresh 10-year warranty.

The case hit court for a brief pre-trial hearing last week and will return at a later date.
A pregnant real estate agent claimed she was being discriminated against because there was 'too much drinking' when her boss took the whole company on a luxurious trip to New York, a tribunal heard.

Alice Thompson complained about the late night dinners and boozy evenings during the holiday left her feeling 'isolated'.

She eventually won a claim of indirect sex discrimination after she was refused flexible working hours.

But a judge said it was 'understandable' her boss, who forked out 25,000 on the company trip, might have found her to be 'ungrateful'.

An employment tribunal, held in London, heard that Ms Thompson worked for Manors estate agents, based in Marylebone, and was earning upwards of 120,000 a year as a sales manager.

The company had around ten employees and catered to wealthy clients from overseas, particularly in the Middle East.

Alice Thompson (pictured) was a sales manager for Manors estate agents, based in Marylebone, when she complained of there being too much drinking while she was pregnant on the work trip to New York, a tribunal heard

Two years after Ms Thompson was first recruited, she was praised by her boss Paul Sellar, who told her 'thanks to you, the office is doing well'.

Shortly after, Ms Thompson discovered she was pregnant and when she told Mr Sellar he took the whole company out to an exclusive private members club to celebrate.

Two months after she discovered she was expecting, in August 2018, Mr Sellar arranged for the staff to go on an extravagant trip to New York City.

Originally the trip had been planned for November of that year, but after news of Ms Thompson's pregnancy was announced the company moved it forward to the summer so she could join.

On the trip however, Ms Thompson claimed she was 'isolated' and became 'upset' that the other staff members had a good time getting drunk late into the evening.

She also claimed she had been 'excluded' from a boat trip and alleged she was told that the boat company's insurance did not cover pregnant women.

The tribunal found however that she 'volunteered' not to go on the activity and instead went out shopping in the city before heading back to the hotel.

Employment Judge Sarah Goodman said: 'She may have felt excluded, but it was not because of any action on the part of the [company].

'There is a more general complaint that the trip involved too many late nights and drinking, which a pregnant woman was unlikely to enjoy.

'However, [the woman], who had organised it, had consulted with everyone about their preferences for activities, and tried to accommodate a mix...

'The photographs show her smiling and confident at group meals.'

Ms Thompson eventually won a claim of indirect sex discrimination after she was refused flexible working hours but a judge said it was 'understandable' her boss might have found her to be 'ungrateful'

On the way back from the trip, Mr Sellar, who had booked himself a flight in first class, was joined by Ms Thompson who had paid for an upgrade due to her pregnancy.

When he said she didn't seem to have enjoyed the trip she became 'tearful' and told him she felt left out.

A few days later he 'suggested' that perhaps she shouldn't have come in the first place.

The tribunal heard that after the trip relations between the pair soured and she accused him of monitoring her movements on CCTV and 'denying her snacks'.

In October, Ms Thompson went off on maternity leave, and gave birth in November 2018.

In August, she began to think about her return to work and asked Mr Sellars if she could work flexible hours when she came back.

She proposed extending her maternity leave by three months and asked if she could do four days a week, and finish at 5pm as her child's nursery was an hour away from the office and her husband worked until 7pm.

She told him she would be available on her mobile phone from 5pm.

Mr Sellars eventually sent a letter turning down her request saying 'additional costs' and 'staff reorganisation' made it unworkable. Shortly after this Ms Thompson resigned.

The company trip cost Manor estate agents boss Paul Seller 25,000. Pictured: Stock image of New York skyline

Judge Sarah Goodman concluded that although the decision not to allow her flexible working hours was inappropriate, in general, Mr Sellars was a 'generous' boss.

She said: '[Ms Thompson] did perceive Paul Sellar to be against her on grounds of pregnancy and maternity leave, but...she was mistaken.

'Rather he was an employer who liked to be generous to staff and appreciated gratitude in return.'

'We can understand that Mr Sellar may have found her response [about the trip] ungrateful when the group trip had cost him 25,000...

'[The company] took steps to include [Ms Thompson] by bringing the trip forward, trying to arrange a programme in which she could participate, and in our finding it would not have been reasonable to require a programme of activity that excluded all late evening drinking when there were plenty of daytime and early evening trips and meals which included her.'

The tribunal ruled her claims of unfair dismissal and discrimination and harassment related to maternity and pregnancy failed.

However, it ruled that she had won her claim for indirect discrimination on the basis she should have been allowed to work flexible hours.

A further hearing will be held to decide how much compensation she s paid by Manors.
A chief constable today called on Priti Patel to 'stand back' from the policing agenda and allow officers to assert their independence.

Staffordshire Police Chief Constable Gareth Morgan said he was concerned the Home Secretary had interfered in operational matters, which could create the impression 'policing is seen as the extension of Government'.

In the past year Ms Patel criticised as heavy handed the Met Police's handling of the Sarah Everard vigil and has repeatedly urged crackdowns on pandemic rule breakers.

Meanwhile, last month it emerged she would be using league tables to rank police forces on how they reduced serious crime, which critics called a return to targets.

Priti Patel (left) needs to 'stand back' from policing, according to Staffordshire Police Chief Constable Gareth Morgan (right)

Gareth Morgan commended Ms Patel for her support of and closer involvement with police than previous home secretaries.

'But I don't think that gives the Home Office a reason to step into operational policing,' he told the Times.

'Being supportive and taking an interest is really good, but stepping into the policing arena is not.'

The veteran officer, who is retiring next month, said it was important his colleagues were allowed the independence to do their jobs.

'I think it is as incumbent on the service to assert itself and its independence and its role as it is for the Home Office to stand back,' Mr Morgan said.

During the pandemic Patel has had weekly meetings with senior police chiefs including Cressida Dick and Martin Hewitt, chairman of the National Police Chiefs Council.

Previously such meetings would only take place four times a year.

A Home Office spokesman said: 'The police are operationally independent and that will never change, but the Government is determined to cut crime and deliver on its commitments to the British people.

'That is why we are recruiting 20,000 additional police officers to help fight crime and keep people safe. Alongside giving the police more powers and resources, the public rightly expects us to work with them to make our streets and neighbourhoods safer, and in response to an unprecedented, global pandemic.'

Private detective Daniel Morgan, pictured, was murdered in London on March 10, 1987

It comes as the family of murdered private detective Daniel Morgan described as a 'kick in the teeth' the decision by Ms Patel to delay publication of an independent review into his death.

The long-awaited report into the unsolved murder has been delayed again due to an 'unnecessary' Home Office review said to compromise the authors' independence.

The panel examining the case had been due to publish its findings on Monday, before being told by the Home Office that no Parliamentary time could be found to allow this to happen.

Then on Monday, it announced that it wanted to review the document, expected to contain 'a sizeable chapter' on police corruption, and would keep parts of it secret if it felt necessary.

The Home Office has been contacted for comment.

The Daniel Morgan Independent Panel said it had been told a publication date would not be agreed until the Home Office reviewed the report to ensure it complied with human rights and did not compromise national security.

The private detective was hacked to death with an axe as he left the pub. In 2013 the then Home Secretary Theresa May ordered an independent panel to investigate Mr Morgan's murder

In a statement on Tuesday, the panel said: 'This review is being sought on the basis of the Home Office ensuring the report's compliance with the department's obligations under the Human Rights Act 1998 and for reasons of national security.

'The Home Office advised it would make redactions if it did not consider the report complied with these obligations.

'A review of this nature has not been raised previously in the eight years since the panel was established in 2013.

'The panel believes that this last-minute requirement is unnecessary and is not consistent with the panel's independence.'

Mr Morgan was killed with an axe in the car park of the Golden Lion pub in Sydenham, south-east London on March 10, 1987.

Despite five police inquiries and an inquest, no-one has been brought to justice over the father-of-two's death, with the Metropolitan Police admitting corruption had hampered the original murder investigation

Despite five police inquiries and an inquest, no-one has been brought to justice over the father-of-two's death, with the Metropolitan Police admitting corruption had hampered the original murder investigation.

In 2013, then home secretary Theresa May announced that an independent panel was being set up to examine the case.

The panel's remit was to address questions relating to the murder including police handling of the case, the role corruption played in protecting his killer, and the links between private investigators, police and journalists connected to the case.

The panel said that it had expected its report to be tabled in Parliament by the Home Secretary on Monday.

But it had been advised that the period of mourning after the Duke of Edinburgh's death and the elections had caused a backlog of matters to be placed before Parliament.

The panel said that the Home Office had not mentioned there was a need to review the report and that it had worked with its counsel to ensure it complied with the relevant legal obligations including the Human Rights Act.

Morgan was hacked to death with an axe outside the Golden Lion pub in Sydenham, south London

It added: 'The Panel has worked closely with its counsel (a QC) and its solicitors throughout the course of its work to ensure the report complies with all the relevant legal obligations including the Human Rights Act 1998.

'A senior specialist Metropolitan Police team, subject to strict non-disclosure agreements, also reviewed all relevant parts of the near final report as part of a security check governed by an agreed protocol with the Metropolitan Police.

'This review enabled the report to be checked for any potential security risks.'Daniel Morgan's family said in a statement: 'This unwarranted and very belated interference by the Home Secretary amounts to a kick in the teeth for us as the family of Daniel Morgan.

'We have been living through the torture of waiting to see the panel's report over the last several years, months and weeks.

'We have been waiting for the report so that we might understand for ourselves the sorry saga of police corruption and repeated failures to confront that corruption behind the failed investigations over the decades since the murder in 1987.

'We know from our own bitter experience that the Home Office over those decades was complicit in that sorry saga, at least until 2013 when the then Home Secretary established the panel to help bring the truth to light.

'In that context, the current Home Secretary's actions serve only to betray and undermine the very purpose of the panel.

'The Home Secretary's intervention is not only unnecessary and inconsistent with the panel's independence, as the panel have indicated in their statement today.

'It is an outrage which betrays her ignorance - and the ignorance of those advising her - with regard to her powers in law and the panel's terms of reference.'
Boris Johnson insisted that British farmers could still benefit from Brexit today as he waded into a major Cabinet rift over an Australian trade deal that could flood the UK with cheap meat.

The Prime Minister signalled his backing for Trade Secretary Liz Truss, who wants to give producers from Down Under tariff-free access to UK markets within a decade, saying it will lower costs for consumers.

But the move has sparked a furious ministerial row, with George Eustice, the Environment Secretary, who says the move on beef and lamb will undercut British farmers.

Mr Johnson was grilled by SNP Westminster leader Ian Blackfrord at Prime Minister's Questions, with the Scot accusing him of 'planning to throw our farmers and crofters under the Brexit bus.'

Mr Johnson replied: 'He is grossly underestimating the ability of the people of this country, the agricultural communities of this country, the farming industry to make the most of free trade. This is a country that grew successful and prosperous on free trade on exporting around the world.

'Our food exports are second to none, he should be proud of that, we should be celebrating that and all he does is call for us to pull up the drawbridge and go back into the EU to be run by Brussels, that's his manifesto and I think the people of this country have decisively rejected it.'

Meanwhile Ms Truss has said British farmers 'will not be undercut' by any future trade deal with Australia.

The Prime Minister signalled his backing for Trade Secretary Liz Truss, who wants to give producers from Down Under tariff-free access to UK markets within a decade, saying it will lower costs for consumers.

Trade Secretary Liz Truss wants to give producers from Down Under tariff-free access to UK markets within a decade, saying it will lower the cost of food in UK supermarkets for consumers.

But she is embroiled in a furious stand-off with George Eustice, the Environment Secretary, who says the move will undercut British farmers.

UK farmers fear they would not be able to compete with large-scale Australian cattle ranches.

Two factions have emerged within the Cabinet backing the two senior ministers, with Boris Johnson said to be backing Ms Truss. Lord Frost, the Brexit Minister, and Kwasi Kwarteng, the Business Secretary, are also in her camp.

Speaking to MPs on the Commons International Trade Committee, she said the Government was 'currently in a sprint with a view to getting to agreement in principle by early June' on a trade deal with Australia which she said would have 'benefits for all nations and regions of the United Kingdom, and all industries, including the agriculture industry'.

She added: 'I have had discussions with the National Farmers' Union, I've been very clear with them that, of course, I'm always looking to make sure - as I have committed to - that British farmers will not be undercut by unfair practices from elsewhere.

'We will make sure in all the deals we do that British farming thrives and I'm absolutely confident that will be achieved through the Australia deal.'

Two factions have emerged within the Cabinet backing the two senior ministers, with Boris Johnson said to be backing Ms Truss. Lord Frost, the Brexit Minister, and Kwasi Kwarteng, the Business Secretary, are also in her camp.

Mr Eustice and his supporters - who include Michael Gove - have been labelled 'Waitrose Tories' and accused of wanting to prop up rich landowners at the expense of new Red Wall Tory voters, who would benefit from lower prices.

Last night a source told the Sun: 'I really don't know why George Eustice even voted for Brexit if he does not want to take advantage of actually leaving the EU.'

Mr Eustice and his supporters - who include Michael Gove - have been labelled 'Waitrose Tories' and accused of wanting to prop up rich landowners

Ms Truss is understood to be under pressure to grant tariff-free access for farmers in Australia and New Zealand in order to secure the new trade deals, but Mr Eustice is concerned that doing so could spark a backlash from the UK farming industry due to the impact of potential zero-tariff imports of lamb and beef.

She considers the first major post-Brexit trade deal a 'crunch point' with a desire to finalise it before June's G7 conference in Cornwall.

But she is facing opposition, with a source telling the Times: 'There is worry across Whitehall about the principle of liberalisation and the precedent it will set.

'What we agree with Australia is likely to become a template for our negotiations with other countries and in particular America.'

Australia is said to be pushing for tariff-free access to UK food markets within five years under a post-Brexit trade agreement.

Mr Eustice's camp wants it to be pushed back to 15 years, but Ms Truss and Mr Johnson said to back 10 years.

Yesterday Mr Eustice said the Government wants to do trade deals with other countries 'but obviously on the right terms'.

The Environment Secretary yesterday told Sky News: 'We think there's great opportunities, we're very keen for instance to pursue trade agreements with Australia and also with the United States and with other countries as well.

'But always in any trade agreement, yes there's a balance to be struck between your commercial interests and your desire to open up free markets.'

He said there was a 'balance to be struck' between opening up trade and protecting domestic industries, a view shared by the National Farmers' Union (NFU).

British farming will struggle to compete if zero-tariff trade on lamb and beef goes ahead, the president of the National Farmers' Union (NFU) has said.

Following a meeting of the UK Farming Roundtable, which includes 19 farming bodies, NFU president Minette Batters said: 'We know that if we're to open up the opportunities of new markets overseas for UK farmers, we will have to offer greater access to our own markets in return.

'However, this trade-off needs to be balanced, and we need to make sure concessions to our hugely valuable home market are not given away lightly.

'There is a very real risk that, if we get it wrong, UK farming will suffer irreversible damage rather than flourish in the way we all desire, to the detriment of our environment, our food security and our rural communities.'

UK agriculture bosses have pointed out that cattle and sheep farming in Australia is often carried out on a much larger scale than in Britain - and to different standards.

For example, the average beef herd size in the UK is between 28 to 50 cows, according to the National Farmers' Union.

But a 2016 report published by the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission found that in northern Australia average herd size was 1,576 per farm.

The total number of sheep and lambs in the UK in 2015 was estimated at just over 33million while the Australian Bureau of Statistics put the number at 64million for Australian farms in June 2020.

Tanya Steele, the chief executive of the WWF, said: 'With nature in freefall and our climate in crisis, the Government has rightly committed to making sure British farming improves its environmental impact.

'A rushed trade deal with Australia could drive a coach and horses through those efforts, and provide a gateway into the UK for foods produced in ways that harm the environment.

'Our future trading relationships can make us stronger, greener and more resilient, leading in the industries of the future, including sustainable farming.

'But not if we align ourselves with the laggards on climate and nature, inviting lower standards of production onto our shelves and exporting our environmental footprint, rather than reducing it.'
Hyderabad: At a time when Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy is struggling hard to mobilise every penny possible to fulfil his governments commitments to the poor, clandestine efforts are on to dole out undue financial benefits worth Rs 150 crore to errant rice millers.

Some rice millers have been avoiding payment of tax arrears over the last few years after they were caught manipulating procedures. Inquiries by Deccan Chronicle revealed that the errant rice millers from the East and the West Godavari districts had struck a deal with a ruling party leader who dominates these two districts. Fearing that the CM might come to know of his involvement, he is said to be operating through a senior tax official.

Ironically, the note circulated by Peeyush Kumar, the Chief Commissioner of State Tax, to Rajat Bhargav, the Special Chief Secretary, Revenue, is self-explanatory a section of rice millers committed fraud, did not avail of the tax waiver scheme earlier by following the prescribed norms and declined to pay arrears during a special drive.

The Chief Commissioner also indicated that the government would lose heavily if the rice millers had their way. Yet, his department had been going soft on the rice millers instead of clamping down on them and collecting arrears, using the provisions of law. He mentioned in the letter that the government was the competent authority to waive off arrears from the rice millers.

In the pre-Goods and Services Tax regime, a two per cent tax was levied on the inter-state rice and broken rice sales if they were transported along with C form and five per cent tax in the absence of C form.

Several rice millers carried out sale transactions without the C form. Thanks to their lobbying, the previous Telugu Desam government waived the balance three per cent tax for 2014 and 2015 financial years. There was, however, a strict condition that those rice millers who would like to avail the waiver should have mandatorily paid the two per cent tax and completed tax assessment for the two fiscals.

While some rice millers fulfilled the conditions and availed waiver, many ignored and continued to commit the same fraud till 2017 till the GST came into existence, sources in the tax department told Deccan Chronicle. While the waiver for 2014 and 2015 would cost the government Rs 60 crore, another Rs 90 crore would be lost if the tax evasion for the remaining years was also taken into consideration, they added.
Home Secretary Priti Patel intends to meet relatives of unsolved murder victim Daniel Morgan after they reacted with fury when her government department delayed a report on his death.

Private investigator and father-of-two Mr Morgan, 37, was killed with an axe in the car park of the Golden Lion pub in Sydenham, south-east London, on March 10, 1987. No-one has been brought to justice over his death.

The Metropolitan Police has previously admitted corruption hampered the original murder investigation.

A panel examining the case had been due to publish its findings on Monday, before being told by the Home Office that no Parliamentary time could be found to allow this to happen.

Instead it announced that it wanted to review the document, expected to contain 'a sizeable chapter' on police corruption, and could keep parts of it secret if necessary citing 'human rights and national security considerations'.

MailOnline has been told Ms Patel is planning to meet relatives of Mr Morgan before the report comes to discuss its findings. Home Office sources also insisted today it will not edit the document.

It came hours after the Morgan family lawyer Raju Bhatt told the Radio 4 Today programme they had 'every reason' to be suspicious about the motives behind the move to review the report.

He said: 'From the family's perspective they have every reason to be suspicious about the motives behind this very belated and completely unwarranted intervention by the Home Secretary.

Private detective Daniel Morgan, pictured, was murdered in London on March 10, 1987

Morgan was hacked to death with an axe outside the Golden Lion in Sydenham, south London

Home Secretary Priti Patel intends to meet with the family of Mr Morgan to discuss report

'We have to remember that the Home Office itself was complicit in the failings to confront this police corruption all through these decades until the panel was set up.'

The Daniel Morgan Independent Panel said it had been told a publication date would not be agreed until the Home Office reviewed the report to ensure it complied with human rights and did not compromise national security.

It released a forceful statement on Tuesday, saying: 'A review of this nature has not been raised previously in the eight years since the panel was established in 2013.

'The panel believes that this last-minute requirement is unnecessary and is not consistent with the panel's independence.'

Then-home secretary Theresa May announced in 2013 that an independent panel was being set up to examine the case.

The panel's remit was to address questions relating to the murder including police handling of the case, the role corruption played in protecting Mr Morgan's killer, and the links between private investigators, police and journalists connected to the case.

Mr Morgan's family said on Tuesday that the report's delay was a 'kick in the teeth' and served only to 'betray and undermine the very purpose of the panel'.

Relatives of Daniel Morgan outside The Old Bailey in London following the collapse of a murder trial. Mother Isobel Hulsmann, widow Iris Morgan and brother Alistair Morgan seen here

The private detective was hacked to death with an axe as he left the pub. In 2013 the then Home Secretary Theresa May ordered an independent panel to investigate Mr Morgan's murder

In a statement, they added: 'The Home Secretary's intervention is not only unnecessary and inconsistent with the panel's independence.

'It is an outrage which betrays her ignorance - and the ignorance of those advising her - with regard to her powers in law and the panel's terms of reference.

'It also reveals a disturbing disregard for the public interest in safeguarding the independence of the panel and its report.

'For us as the family of Daniel Morgan, the Home Secretary's belated and unwarranted interference in this process is simply unacceptable.'

The panel said that it has already worked with lawyers to ensure its report complies with human rights legislation, as well as a specialist Metropolitan Police team to ensure it poses no security risks.

It also said that the role of the Home Secretary was limited to reporting to Parliament on the panel's work, receiving its report, laying it before Parliament, and responding to its findings.

The controversy erupted as Staffordshire Police Chief Constable Gareth Morgan called on Ms Patel and the Home Office to 'stand back' from the policing agenda and allow officers to assert their independence.

He told The Times he was concerned the Home Secretary had interfered in operational matters, which could create the impression 'policing is seen as the extension of Government'.

A Home Office spokesperson told MailOnline: 'Under the terms it was commissioned in 2013, it is for the Home Secretary to publish the report which we hope to do as soon as possible.

'The Home Secretary also has an obligation to make sure the report complies with human rights and national security considerations.

'This has nothing to do with the independence of the report and the Home Office is not seeking to make edits to it.

'As soon as we receive the report, we can begin those checks and agree a publication date.

'The Home Secretary fully supports the family first approach and is hoping to meet them to discuss the report and its findings in person.'
A man drowned at a beauty spot after the airbed he was sunbathing on was blown across a lake by the wind, an inquest heard.

Kristers Bednarskis, 22, died at Bawsey Country Park, near King's Lynn last August after falling off the airbed and getting into difficulty in the water of the flooded former quarry, his girlfriend Gabriele Dulksnyte told senior Norfolk coroner Jaqueline Lake.

The warehouse operative had travelled to the park from his home in Peterborough, Cambridgeshire, with Miss Dulksnyte.

The couple had been sunbathing on an inflatable mattress in shallow water at the edge of a flooded quarry, when they were carried away from the bank by the wind.

Kristers Bednarskis, 22 from Peterborough was sunbathing on the lake when his airbed was blown from the shallow water further into the flooded former quarry

The warehouse operative got into difficulty in the flooded quarry after his girlfriend had swum ashore to get food

Miss Dulksnyte said in a statement she got off the airbed and swam to the shore to get something to eat, the Eastern Daily Press reported.

However, when she looked back towards the lake she saw Mr Bednarskis had slipped off the mattress and was in difficulty in the water.

She called for help and a group of men swam out to try to rescue Mr Bednarskis but by the time they reached him he had already slipped beneath the surface.

Mr Bednarskis's body was later found and recovered by firefighters and police using a boat.

A pathologist concluded he died from drowning and said he had found no traces of alcohol or drugs in his system.

A group of men swam out in a bid to save Mr Bednarskis but his body had already slipped beneath the water. His body was later recovered by emergency services personnel

In a statement read out at the hearing, Stephen Bacon - who bought the former Bawsey Pits in 2016 - said he had improved signage around the lakes and employed a warden.

A 16-year-old boy from east London drowned at the pits in July 2013. A man local to the park, Ryan Pettegell, 41, also drowned on the same day after he swam out to look for the missing boy.

West Norfolk council health and safety officers carried out an investigation after Mr Bednarskis's death.

Community safety manager Andy Nederpel said there was clear evidence Mr Bacon had carried out improvements to the site and was doing 'all he reasonably can'.

Emergency services attended the scene in August last year before recovering Mr Bednarskis' body

He added: 'The only way to avoid another drowning at Bawsey Country Park is for the public to follow the rules.'

The coroner concluded Mr Bednarskis's death was misadventure. She added: 'People do have to take responsibility for their own safety.

'If there are warning signs, they are there for a reason and should not be flouted by the public.'
Advertisement

Hundreds of decomposing bodies of coronavirus victims are continuing to wash up in the Ganges across India as the country endured a world record daily death toll of 4,529, it emerged today.

Local residents from towns on the banks of the 1,560-mile long river say dozens of new corpses appear everyday, and claim the events expose India's official death toll of 283,000 people as a sham.

India has been fighting a serious third wave of coronavirus for the past month, and although the number of cases are starting to decline, the country faces an in increasing daily death toll for weeks to come.

The country has reported more coronavirus deaths in a single day than any other country at any time during the pandemic, while infections continued to spread through vast rural areas with weak health systems.

And questions about the Delhi's official Covid statistics are also being raised after a private testing company found that 63% of the people it tested had coronavirus antibodies, meaning they have been infected by the virus and recovered.

The 4,529 fatalities endured by India is a global record - the highest daily Covid death total reported by any country. But even that figure could be an under-representation, as the true scale of the death toll has long been questioned due to most deaths in rural areas of India going unrecorded.

Now, locals in Uttar Pradesh say they are being forced to wade through corpses while bathing in the river as feral dogs and birds feast on the bodies.

India registered another record day of Covid fatalities with 4,529 on Wednesday, with 267,334 new daily infections, as official figures revealed nearly two thirds of people tested have antibodies.

The grim scenes on the Ganges started last week when 71 bodies washed up on the bank in Chausa village.

The following day, in Gahmar, six miles away, dozens more decomposing corpses were spotted by villagers, while in the neighbouring Ballia district, bathers found 62 rotting bodies floating in the river.

All along the Ganges, in villages including Kanpur, Kannauj, Unnao and Prayagraj, shallow graves and human mounds line the embankment, while in Mahadevi ghat, more than 50 bodies were found.

India's official death toll stands at 283,000 but locals say there is a 'massive discrepancy' between the actual number.

Funeral pyres of Covid victims are seen in a cremation ground along the banks of the Ganges in Garhmukteshwar as India continues to struggle with the second wave

Locals in Uttar Pradesh are being forced to wade through corpses while bathing in the river as feral dogs and birds feast on the bodies

The scores of bodies on the Ganges has led many to question the official death toll, saying residents in poorer communities are being wiped out by the virus and neglected by authorities

Pictured: Dogs paddle in the shallows, attracted by the bodies of reported victims of the coronavirus disease that have washed up on the shore of the Ganges in India

60 MONKEYS are placed into 14-day quarantine and given rapid antigen tests after being captured in Delhi neighbourhood where Covid is rife - weeks after zoo lions tested positive Sixty monkeys have been forced into quarantine after they were caught in a south Delhi neighbourhood battling a huge surge in infections. The animals are spending 14 days in isolation before they will be released into the Asola Bhatti wildlife sanctuary. Officials said the monkeys have not yet shown any symptoms and are taking antigen tests, and the quarantine is being carried out as a precaution. It comes two weeks after eight lions at Hyderabad Zoo tested positive for the virus. Delhi forest officials want to limit any potential spread between the monkeys and other animals at the sanctuary including leopards, jackals and porcupines. Advertisement

A journalist in Kanpur told the BBC that poorer people cannot afford cremations, so wrap bodies in muslin and push them into the river.

This practice happens in non-pandemic times but villagers have never seen so many bodies wash up in such a short space of time.

In Kanpur, officially 196 people died from Covid between April 16 and May 5, but the data shows around 8,000 cremations took place, which were often held by family members rather than official crematoriums.

Crematoriums only accepted bodies that had come from a hospital with a Covid certificate but many people were dying at home having not received a test.

A source said: 'Their families took the bodies to the outskirts of the city or to neighbouring districts like Unnao. When they couldn't find wood or a cremation spot, they just buried them on the river bed.'

Another said: 'All these people were someone's son, daughter, brother, father and mother. They deserved some respect in death. But they have not even become part of the statistics - they died unknown and were buried unknown.'

Adding to the belief that far more people have died from the virus than reported is the latest study that shows 63.5 per cent of Indians have shown exposure to Covid.

There are fears that the new, highly infectious variant is out of control and that many cases are going unreported because of lack of testing, particularly in the vast countryside.

Data from Thyrocare, a chain of private laboratories, appeared to back up those fears, showing that 63.5 per cent of people tested positive for Covid-19 antibodies on average over the last seven days, up from 45 per cent a month ago.

The data from 25 states included individuals who were infected in the past, vaccinated, uninfected and those who had not been vaccinated, the company's Chief Executive Arokiaswamy Velumani said on Twitter.

Daily testing hit a record 2 million on Tuesday, figures from the state-run Indian Council of Medical Research showed.

But that still falls short of India's claimed daily testing capacity of 3.3 million, said Rijo M John, a professor at the Rajagiri College of Social Sciences in the southern city of Kochi.

India performed 224 tests for every 1,000 of its population in a single day this month, according to estimates by research firm GlobalData. This compared with 1,307 tests per 1,000 of population in the United States on the same day, the firm said.

A victim of the pandemic is burned on a funeral pyre on the banks of the river as India continues to struggle with the infections surge

A tractor carrying wood logs for cremation drives past shallow graves covered with saffron clothes of suspected Covid-19 victims by the Ganges

The infected bodies (pictured) surfaced in the river along the border of the northern states of Uttar Pradesh and Bihar, where the Ganges run through

Crematoriums only accepted bodies that had come from a hospital with a Covid certificate but many people were dying at home having not received a test

A man wearing a protective suit touches the body of his relative, who died from the coronavirus disease before his cremation on the banks of the river Ganges at Garhmukteshwar

Several bodies are seen buried in shallow graves on the banks of Ganges river in Prayagraj, India

'Many of these tests are being deployed in urban centers, where cases may have peaked and so it doesn't serve much purpose,' added John.

'It's time they were diverted to more rural areas, but I doubt that is being done.'

It comes after fifty Indian doctors died from coronavirus in a single day on Sunday, with 244 in total losing their lives to Covid this year, according to the Indian Medical Association.

Scientists on Britain's SAGE advisory panel say there is a 'realistic possibility' that the B.1.617.2 variant is 50 per cent more infectious, and it is fueling fears of a third wave in that country after being imported from India.

On Monday evening, the former president of the IMA, Dr KK Aggarwal died after 'a lengthy battle with Covid-19,' according to a post from his Twitter account.

Nearly 1,000 Indian doctors have died since the pandemic began last spring, the ITA said.

This is thought to represent only a portion of the total number of Indian doctors likely to have died from coronavirus as the IMA only records deaths among its 350,000 members. India has more than 1,200,000 doctors, according to NDTV.

The IMA said that many doctors are yet to be vaccinated and are made increasingly vulnerable to catching the virus due to overwork.

Rural officials have warned that 'entire families' have been wiped out by the disease, with representatives from more than 18 towns and villages saying the extent of the devastation in rural communities is not being properly recorded.

Bloomberg reported that in Basi, a village about 1.5hours from the capital, New Delhi, about three-quarters of its 5,400 people have coronavirus and more than 30 have died in the last three weeks.

There are no health care facilities, doctors or oxygen canisters.

Rajesh Sharma, who owns a travel company in the Hindu pilgrimage city of Ujjan told Bloomberg that both the federal and Madhya Pradesh state governments 'have failed us all'.

'India had a full year to prepare, but except for sending vaccines out of the country for personal credit and glory nothing much was done,' he said.

'There are no hospital beds, no medicines. People have been left to die. In Ujjain and around, entire families died in the last two weeks.'

The government announced on Monday that 17 new labs will help to track variants, boosting India's genome sequencing abilities as concern grows over a potentially worrisome variant first detected in the country.

The variant may spread more easily but the country has lagged behind in conducting the testing needed to track and better understand it.

The variant first identified in India has prompted global concern - most notably in the United Kingdom, where it has more than doubled in a week, defying a sharp nationwide downward trend in infections.

Fifty Indian doctors have died from coronavirus in a single day as the country struggles with a punishing second wave of infections and deaths. Pictured: A crematorium in Bhubaneswar, Odisha state

Pictured: Family members pay their last respects to a relative in New Delhi

Concerns are mounting over a new variant that t may spread more easily but India has lagged behind in conducting the testing needed to track and better understand it. Pictured: Testing in Jaipur, Rajasthan

The government announced on Monday that 17 new labs will help to track variants, boosting India's genome sequencing abilities as concern grows over a potentially worrisome variant first detected in the country. Pictured: Rows of beds inside a makeshift Covid-19 isolation centre in Srinagar, Indian-administered Kashmir

While the number of new daily infections remains high, Tuesday's figures followed a trend of falling cases after infections dipped below 300,000 for the first time in weeks a day earlier. Pictured: A crematorium in New Delhi

Active cases decreased by more than 165,000 on Tuesday - the biggest dip in weeks. But deaths have continued to rise and hospitals are still swamped by patients. Pictured: Crematorium workers in New Delhi

India's health crisis has been complicated by a powerful cyclone in one of the states where Covid-19 is spreading most quickly.

Tests were administered to 200,000 people evacuated from coastal districts of the western state of Gujarat before the cyclone struck late on Monday and efforts were being made to try to limit any spread of infections.

'Masks have been arranged for people shifted to shelter homes,' said Sandip Sagale, a top official in Ahmedabad, the main city in Gujarat.

'Efforts are also being made to maintain social distancing.'

Vaccinations were suspended in the state for two days, while hospitals awaited back-up generators to keep power running and additional oxygen supplies.

Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani said oxygen manufacturing and distribution was not disrupted.

India's health crisis has been complicated by a powerful cyclone in one of the states where Covid-19 is spreading most quickly. Pictured: Indian policemen help others to cross a flooded street in Mumbai

Out of the more than 1,400 hospitals designated for treating COVID-19, power failures were reported in 16, and restored in 12, while the remaining four moved to back-up generators.

India pummeled by cyclone Cyclone Tauktae bore down on India on Monday, disrupting the nation's urgent response to its devastating Covid-19 outbreak. At least 16 people have died since Tauktae, the biggest cyclone to hit western India in 20 years according to local media, triggered gale-force winds, torrential rains and high tidal waves along the Karnataka, Kerala and Goa coasts. The storm has weakened somewhat after making landfall on Monday but continues to disrupt coronavirus care in several states. On Tuesday, the Indian navy said more than 90 people were missing after a barge sank off Mumbi. The navy said it had rescued 177 of the 270 people aboard and that efforts to find survivors were ongoing. Three other commercial barges are also stranded off Mumbai. Tauktae was initially classified as 'extremely severe' with windspeeds of up to 100mph when it made landfall in Gujarat state late on Monday. Advertisement

In neighbouring Maharashtra state, which was sideswiped by the cyclone on Monday, 1,000 coronavirus deaths were reported overnight - the worst toll nationwide.

The infection rate in Maharashtra has soared 15% in the last two weeks, government data showed.

The pace of vaccination in Maharashtra has fallen 30% since peaking in early April, according to data from the government's Co-WIN portal.

In the northern state of Uttar Pradesh, home to more people than Brazil, rural areas have been severely hit, as healthcare systems have struggled to cope.

Incensed by scarce testing and tracing, a state court remarked on Monday the situation was turning to 'God's mercy', and hurtling towards a 'third wave'.

'If this is the state of affairs of five districts, one can guess where we are leading people of this state to, i.e. (a) third wave of the pandemic,' the state's Allahabad High Court said.

Chandrakant Lahariya, a public policy and health systems expert, said in the Hindustan Times newspaper that India's vaccine policy urgently needed a reset.

'For six weeks now, India's vaccination drive has been struggling. How long must one wait before acknowledging that what was planned is not working?

'Part of the problem seems to be the fact that there is political decision-making in the areas that are purely technical. The political leadership should give a free hand to technical experts to decide and implement new strategies.'

U.S. President Joe Biden announced on Monday that his administration would send at least 20 million more COVID-19 vaccine doses abroad by the end of June.

Biden has been under pressure to share vaccines to help contain worsening epidemics from India to Brazil, where new, more contagious coronavirus variants have become rampant.

On Tuesday, Reuters reported that India is unlikely to resume major exports of coronavirus vaccines until at least October as it diverts shots for domestic use, citing three government sources.

Battling the world's biggest jump in coronavirus infections, India halted vaccine exports a month ago after donating or selling more than 66 million doses.

The move has left countries including Bangladesh, Nepal, Sri Lanka and many in Africa scrambling for alternate supplies.

The World Health Organization, which co-leads the global COVAX initiative, on Monday called on vaccine makers outside India to advance supplies to the programme given the shortfall from the South Asian country.

The sources, who spoke to Reuters on the condition of anonymity as they were not authorised to talk to media on the subject, said India's vaccination drive will now take priority.
Advertisement

It was a horrifying disaster which was caught on film and shown on newsreels across the world.

The hydrogen-filled Hindenburg airship exploded in New Jersey on May 3, 1937 after travelling nearly 4,000 miles across the Atlantic Ocean from Frankfurt, Germany.

To this day, experts are still unsure what caused the accident, which killed 35 passengers and crew.

Existing newsreel footage shows a close-up view of the airship as it burned while falling from the sky.

Now, incredible new video shot by an amateur photographer from a different angle has provided new clues about what might have happened.

The clip, filmed on a Cine-Kodak 8, Model 20 camera, was shot by Harold Schenck, whose nephew Bob Schenck features in a new PBS documentary revealing the unseen amateur video for the first time.

Hindenburg: The New Evidence, which is available to US viewers this evening, reveals how Schenck was standing in a different place to assembled members of the press, meaning he was able to get a wider view of the ship.

The film was ignored in the initial investigation into the disaster and only came to light when Bob showed it to aviation historian Dan Grossman, who features in the new show.

Crucially, the video shows the moment the airship's landing ropes were lowered, four minutes before the craft - which is believed to have been leaking hydrogen - exploded.

This adds new weight to the theory that the ropes conducted enough static electricity to cause a spark which ignited the leaking gas.

Schenck's film also gives a new wide view of the horrifying moment after the ship exploded. It is seen in a ball of flame as it falls to the ground in front of horrified onlookers.

The hydrogen-filled Hindenburg airship exploded in New Jersey on May 3, 1937 after travelling nearly 4,000 miles across the Atlantic Ocean from Frankfurt, Germany. Now, incredible new video shot by amateur photographer Harold Schenck from a different angle has provided new clues about what might have happened

Schenck's film starts earlier and is shot from an entirely different angle to the famous newsreel footage. The above graphic, revealed in the new programme, shows how Schenck was standing so that he could see the Hindenburg from the side, as opposed to looking at just its front

Before the disaster, the LZ-129 Hindenburg  with swastikas emblazoned on it  had made 63 successful trips and was the jewel in the crown of Nazi Germany's airship project.

At the time of its completion in 1936, the Hindenburg was the largest aircraft ever built.

From March 1936  just over three years before the start of the Second World War  the ship ferried thousands of passengers across the Atlantic.

She was also used for propaganda purposes during the 1936 Berlin Olympic Games.

Influential people who flew on the airship included businessman Nelson Rockefeller and banker Winthrop Williams Aldrich.

Her final flight began on May 3, 1937, when Captain Max Pruss took off from Frankfurt.

After arriving in the US three days later, the airship was cleared at around 7pm on May 6 for its final approach at the Naval Air Station in Lakehurst, New Jersey.

The landing had been delayed to avoid a series of thunderstorms passing over Lakehurst. At 7.21, landing ropes were dropped from the airship to the ground.

Then, four minutes later, the Hindenburg burst into flames and fell to the ground in just over 30 seconds.

Of 36 passengers on board, 13 of them lost their lives. A further 22 crew died out of the 61 members who started the journey.

American radio journalist Herbert Morrison's dramatic live report  in which he tearfully uttered the words 'Oh the humanity!' as the ship exploded in front of him  became a symbol of the disaster.

The official investigations into what happened  one carried out by US officials and the other by German counterparts  failed to determine the cause of the accident.

The clip was filmed on a Cine-Kodak 8, Model 20 camera. Harold's nephew Bob Schenck features in a new PBS documentary revealing the unseen amateur video for the first time

The footage gives a new view of the ship as it burned in the sky before plummeting to the ground below, killing 35 passengers and crew

Once the airship is on the floor, spectators can be sen watching in horror as the Hindenburg continues to burn

Crucially, the video shows the moment the airship's landing ropes were lowered, four minutes before the craft - which is believed to have been leaking hydrogen - exploded. This adds new weight to the theory that the ropes conducted enough static electricity to cause a spark which ignited the leaking gas

Bob Schenck revealed in the show that the camera originally belonged to his father, but he was unable to go to watch the Hindenburg land because he was working. Instead, Bob's uncle Harold went in his place to film the airship's arrival

The film starts earlier and is shot from an entirely different angle to the more famous films. Pictured: Spectators are seen in Schenck's film standing beneath umbrellas as they watch the Hindenburg land

But Harold Schenck's film gives experts Grossman and Lieutenant Colonel Jason O.Harris fresh insight.

Grossman was at Lakehurst for the 75th anniversary of the disaster in 2012 when he was first made aware of the new footage.

So what caused the Hindenburg disaster? German and American scientists believe the Hindenburg disaster was caused by static electricity, which built up after the ship flew into a thunderstorm. The electricity in the air charged the iconic airship with static, while a broken wire or gas valve leaked hydrogen into the ventilation shafts. When ground crew members ran to take the landing ropes they effectively 'earthed' the airship causing a spark. The fire is believed to have started on the tail of the airship, igniting the leaking hydrogen. The gas is highly flammable, which meant the fire spread throughout the ship in barely a minute. There have been numerous disproved conspiracy theories about the Hindenburg, such as that there was a bomb on board or that fire started because of a the airship's paint. Advertisement

He says in tonight's show: 'A guy comes up to me and says, "I've got some film of the Hindenburg disaster you probably don't really care, it was taken by my uncle, but if you want to see it I will show it to you."

Bob revealed in the show that the camera originally belonged to his father, but he was unable to go to watch the Hindenburg land because he was working.

Instead, Bob's uncle Harold went in his place to film the airship's arrival.

The film starts earlier and is shot from an entirely different angle to the more famous films.

Bob says: 'It was at the time publicly put out that he had it.

'Nobody ever asked for it. There was plenty of footage taken by the news reels and nobody really cared I guess about angles.'

Because the roll of film only lasted two minutes, Schenck only recorded footage for a few seconds at a time.

It showed the crowd of spectators assembling, as well as the moment the airship passed over the hangar at Lakehurst.

The last thing Schenck filmed before the explosion was the landing lines being lowered to the ground four minutes earlier.

Bob added: 'As it exploded, he had the camera at his side and it was a wind-up camera so he had the presence of mind to switch to switch on and pick it up at that moment.'

Unlike the famous footage  which shows only a close-up view of the front and underside of the airship as it burns  Schenck film reveals the nose and tail at the same time.

Schenck gained the different perspective because he was standing at an entirely different angle to the mass of photographers and other spectators.

It means experts can now examine a much wider view of the ship in its final moments.

After they verified the footage's authenticity, Harris and Grossman sought the help of expert Konstantinos Giapis, a professor of chemical engineering.

Before the disaster, the LZ-129 Hindenburg  with swastikas emblazoned on it  had made 63 successful trips and was the jewel in the crown of Nazi Germany's airship project. It is seen above flying over New York on its final flight

This colour image shows Hindenburg airship exploding into a huge ball of flames shortly before landing at Lakehurst

Of 36 passengers on board, 13 of them lost their lives. A further 22 crew died out of the 61 members who started the journey

Landing crew can be seen on the ground as the German-designed and built passenger airship crashes to the ground in a ball of flame

Dazed and bloodied by the shattering explosion that wrecked the Hindenburg, this man and woman passenger are treated for first aid before being taken to a hospital

He carried out experiments which added weight to the theory that the landing ropes may have created a build-up of static electricity.

There was a small air gap between the air ship's skin and frame, and when it began to rain, the skin is thought to have become more conductive.

The four-minute gap between the ropes being dropped and the airship exploding gave enough time for the static charge to build up into a spark, Giapis's tests suggested.

The show earlier reveals a chilling Kodak advert featuring a picture of the Hindenburg on an earlier flight. It bore the strapline: 'Moments that make history  get them with a movie camera'.

The show's executive producer Gary Tarpinian said: 'Thanks to this stunning new footage, we were able to revive a cold case investigation surrounding one of the most iconic disasters of the 20th century.'

Writer Rushmoore DeNooyer: 'For over 80 years, experts have debated how and why the fire began.

Bob Schenck (left) says in the new show that the existence of his uncle's footage was known about immediately after the disaster but 'nobody ever asked for it'. Right: Harold Schenck

'Using the tried and true scientific method, we were able to unravel a key part of one of history's most famous and captivating unsolved mysteries.'

And director Kirk Wolfinger added: 'This film not only reveals new insights into how this tragic event unfolded, but also illustrates the enormous scale of the disaster.'

In November 2019, the last remaining survivor of the Hindenburg Disaster died at the age of 90.

Werner Gustav Doehner passed away in Laconia, New Hampshire.

Doehner, who was just eight years old at the time of the crash, was on the airship with his parents and older brother and sister.

'He did not talk about it,' his son Bernie Doehner told The Associated Press shortly after his death.

'It was definitely a repressed memory. He lost his sister, he lost his dad.'

The show earlier reveals a chilling Kodak advert featuring a picture of the Hindenburg on an earlier flight. It bore the strapline: 'Moments that make history  get them with a movie camera'

He added that his father took him to visit the naval station years later, but not the site itself, which is now marked with a memorial to the victims.

Back in 2017, Doehner gave a rare interview with the Associated Press, recalling the moment flames began to flicker on top of the air ship as hydrogen, exposed to air, fueled an inferno.

'Suddenly, the air was on fire,' Doehner recalled.

'We were close to a window, and my mother took my brother and threw him out. She grabbed me and fell back and then threw me out,' he said.

'She tried to get my sister, but she was too heavy, and my mother decided to get out by the time the zeppelin was nearly on the ground.'

Doehner added: 'I remember lying on the ground, and my brother told me to get up and to get out of there,' he recalled.

Their mother joined them and asked a steward to get her daughter, whom he carried out of the burning wreckage.

He would remain in the hospital for three months before going to another facility in New York City in August for skin grafts.
A thriving inner city area is under pressure to change its name because of claims the colonial figure it is named after is 'no different from Hitler'.

The City of Stirling's Elector's General Meeting passed a motion to change its name on Monday after ongoing concern over the legacy of the man it was named after - Western Australia's first governor, Admiral James Stirling.

One of the most vocal supporters for a new name is Nyoongar man Mervyn Eades, a prisoner advocate and chief executive of the local Ngalla Maya employment and training service.

'Stirling is a picture of genocide and massacre for my people, he's demonic,' Mr Eades told Daily Mail Australia.

A statue of James Stirling was defaced in 2020 and now activists want his name removed as the title of Perth's most populated local government area

Nyoongar man Mervyn Eades, a prisoner advocate and chief executive of the local Ngalla Maya employment and training service doesn't care what Stirling is renamed as - so long as it is changed

'We want to be very blunt about it. This is someone no different to Hitler  he massacred women and children,' The West Australian reported Mr Eades saying.

James Stirling led colonial forces in the Pinjarra massacre in October, 1834, in which up to 80 Aborginal men, women and children were killed with guns and bayonets. One soldier was killed.

The City of Stirling local government area (LGA) is 10km north of Perth's CBD and is WA's most populated LGA with 210,000 residents.

The area was previously called the Shire of Perth until 1971, when it was renamed Stirling.

Stirling is also the name of a Perth suburb, which was renamed from Balcatta in 1976. But the call for the name change applies to the LGA.

A statue of James Stirling, in the Perth CBD, was defaced in 2020 during the worldwide Black Lives Matter protests and its removal has been proposed by activists.

Initially Mr Eades suggested it didn't matter what the area was called so long as the name was changed.

'Name it anything but a mass murderer of my people.'

But he later suggested alternatives to Daily Mail Australia.

'Yagan was the name of a great warrior, and then there were two great leaders at the time: Midgergaru and Yalagonga.'

Stirling councillors will decide whether to adopt that decision on June 8 - but it appears to have a powerful opponent in the Mayor Mark Irwin, who indicated a name change was unlikely.

'The City has demonstrated a longstanding commitment to reconciliation,' Mr Irwin said.

He said the council supported 'dual-naming of public spaces' and the inclusion of Nyoongar culture in official council 'statements'.

'However, changing the City's name has not been identified as a priority to date.'

Mr Eades warned even a dual name that allowed Stirling to remain would be 'tokenism'.

'True reconciliation needs to be done in the spirit of reconciliation.'

Daily Mail Australia approached the City of Stirling, the WA Government for comment.
A Russian billionaire's ex-wife battling for a 453million divorce payout has hired former SBS operatives to seize the 225million super yacht at the centre of the row.

The specialist asset recovery team has been instructed to take the 115metre Luna from Farkhad Akhmedov following a series of court actions over the vessel.

It is the centrepiece of a 453million settlement, only a fraction of which has been received by ex wife Tatiana.

The dramatic move comes just a month after a judge ordered her eldest son to pay the 75million he helped his father hide.

Temur Akhmedov, 27, was accused of acting as his father's 'lieutenant' to hide a fortune of nearly 70million owed to her, which led to a ruling ordering to pay her around 75 million.

The hiring of a the team used to secure the enormous boat will be led by former members of the British Special Boat Service - the naval version of the SAS.

Tatiana's lawyers confirmed to MailOnline: 'The Marshall Islands courts have formally awarded the M/Y Luna to Tatiana, we are of course using all options available to us to recover her as part of the rightful settlement awarded to Tatiana.

'We have therefore retained the services of a specialist company to retrieve all assets owed to our client.'

Farkhad Akhmedov, 64, (left) an oil and gas tycoon, was found to have used his son Temur, 27 as a 'lieutenant' and colluded with him to conceal his fortune so that he would not have to pay ex-wife Tatiana Akhmedova, 48, (right) even 'a penny' following Britain's most expensive ever divorce case in 2016

In 2014, Mr Akhmedov bought a 377ft super-yacht called Luna (pictured) for an eye-watering 225million

The team recovering the boat will be former members of the SBS, not seen in archive picture

Assets separately seized so far include the yacht's private 5million Eurocopter and its 1.5million Torpedo speed boat, customised with a 1965 Ferrari GTO steering wheel. A 40million global express jet has also been seized.

The Luna remains under an international arrest warrant in Port Rashid. This was after an attempt by Farkhad to have her towed into international waters by tug was thwarted.

It was built for Roman Abramovich in 2010 before being sold to Farkhad in 2014 for 225million.

It has at nine decks, space for 52 crew, two helipads, a vast swimming pool and a mini submarine.

Luna also has one of only two multipurpose custom made lifeboat-limousines in the world at a cost of over 2.8m each.

At the centre of the battle was the 225million superyacht - which he was ordered to hand over to his former wife after a judge held he had tried to hide it from her in an 'elaborate' plan to 'evade and frustrate' her by moving the 377ft vessel between an array of offshore companies

Pictured: The 115m yacht is the focus of Britain's most costliest divorce

As one of the world's super yachts Luna boasts a 20-metre outdoor swimming pool (above), a helicopter landing pad and a mini-submarine

It was bought by Akhmedov from his friend Chelsea owner Roman Abramovitch in 2014

How did the battle over Britain's biggest divorce settlement play out? Farkhad Akhmedov and Tatiana Akhmedova were married for 20 years and enjoyed a lavish lifestyle. They had a 39million mansion in Surrey as their family home, as well as a 27.8million holiday home. In 2014, he bought a 225million 377ft super-yacht called Luna from Mr Abramovich. But the couple split and, at the end of 2016, a judge ordered Mr Akhmedov to hand over 453million to his former-wife. A long, drawn-out legal battle began from there: Late 2016 - Mr Akhmedov is ordered by a judge to pay 453million to his wife January 2018 - Lawyers argued that the hearing was unfair, claiming that 'the family court's attitude was to espouse without restraint' his ex wife's case. Ms Akhmedova, said that, despite the court's order, she had to date received almost 'nothing' from her ex. February 2018 - A source close to the businessman told MailOnline: 'Mr Akhmedov has given his ex-wife a country home worth 20 million in Weybridge'. February 2018 - Three Court of Appeal judges ruled that the oligarch's former solicitor had rightly been ordered to reveal the whereabouts of his art collection, worth more than 90 million. March 2018 - Ms Akhmedova claims Mr Akhmedov is hiding assets to avoid paying her. April 2018 - Mr Akhmedov is ordered to hand over his 183million superyacht to his former wife after a judge held he had tried to hide it from her in an 'elaborate' plan to 'evade and frustrate' his ex by moving the 377ft vessel between an array of offshore companies. March 2018 - Mr Akhmedov has 225m superyacht Luna seized by bailiffs - acting for the High Court - in Dubai. May 2018 - British web designer admits to having a long-term affair with Ms Akhmedov. August 2018 - Judge Mr Justice Haddon-Cave said Ms Akhmedova is being 'prejudiced' by continued delay and said the gas and oil tycoon was in contempt. August 2018 - Dubai court refuses to return his superyacht. September 2018 - It is revealed that Mr Akhmedov offered his ex 4million-a-year for life plus an 80million lump sum when he dies - but she turned it down. November 2018 - Mr Akhmedov wins the right to keep his 225million superyacht and stop it being handed to his ex-wife. December 2018 - Mr Akhmedov has his 5million helicopter seized and sold with the money going to his ex-wife. Bailiffs acting for Ms Akhmedova took control of the Eurocopter when it landed in Turkey. March 2019 - Mr Akhmedov wins battle to keep Luna out of the hands of his former wife. An appeal court in the United Arab Emirates ruled an earlier decision by a lower court in Dubai impounding the luxury vessel had been wrong. Senior appeal judges ruled the divorce settlement awarded to Ms Akhmedova by a British court couldn't be enforced in Dubai. April 2019 - Mr Akhmedov announces he is personally suing his ex-wife Ms Akhmedova for 88 million for trying to seize control of the super yacht. January 2020 - It is revealed that Ms Akhmedova will go head to head against her son Temur in the High Court. May 2020 - Ms Akhmedova claims Temur played a 'central role' in placing the 450million she was owed by her ex-husband beyond her reach. July 2020 - Judge makes an order freezing 94million of Temur's assets. August 2020 - Mr Justice Haddon-Cave, who analysed the case at a trial in the Family Division of the High Court in London, said Ms Akhmedova should walk away with 453 million. August 2020 - Judge in Dubai rules Mr Akhmedov is the rightful owner of the yacht. October 2020 - Ms Akhmedova has her son's 30 million home in One Hyde Park searched for evidence that he helped his billionaire father hide his money from her. A judge Mr Akhmedov's final appeal in his damages claim for the wrongful seizure of the Luna was declared 'groundless' by the Court of Cassation. December 2020 - Temur claims Ms Akhmedova had two affairs with younger men while married to her Russian oligarch husband. December 2020 - Mr Akhmedov says he would rather 'burn' his money than pay his ex-wife's divorce settlement. December 2020 - Temur says he 'did not know' whether he owned a 346,000 Rolls Royce. Advertisement

They are capable of acting as VIP transport and being lifeboats at the same time.

Ownership of the vessel was recently transferred to Tatiana by the flag state in a crucial legal victory.

Any assets leaving the ship will be seized on land wherever possible, according to Tataina's legal team.

But a spokesman for Mr Akhmedov said a court ruling in Dubai prevented Ms Akhmedova seizing the yacht.

Mr Akhmedov says that, because he and his ex-wife are not British and were not married in Britain, a British judge should not have made a decision about money.

In 2017, the helicopter was seized when landing at an airport near Bodrum, Turkey.

Bailiffs instructed pilots to move the helicopter into nearby Greek airspace before a lengthy journey back to the Isle of Man.

The divorce case is noted as one of the largest and most bitter divorce cases to go through the English courts.

During their marriage the couple enjoyed an incredibly lavish lifestyle, with a 39million mansion in Surrey as their family home, as well as a 27.8million holiday home.

Mr Akhmedov - who was previously estimated to be worth upwards of 900million - was included in a 'Putin list', released by the US Treasury Department, which gives the names of 210 prominent Russians with close ties to the Kremlin.

He owns a 90million art collection and has a private jet valued at around 42million.

Last month a spokesman for their son Temur said after the latest court ruling: 'Like millions of young people, Temur has been caught up in the break-up of his parents' marriage. He never sought to take sides or get involved but inevitably found himself sucked into the vortex of a bitter family dispute.

'His subsequent actions were only ever motivated by his desire to end the war between his parents.

'While he fundamentally disagrees with this judgment, he would consider it a price worth paying for should it lead to a reasonable settlement between both the parents he loves.'

At the centre of the early divorce battle was the superyacht Luna - first bought in 2014.

There have been myriad to and froing over the enormous vessel with courts passing different judgements on who has rights to it.

Mr Akhmedov was ordered to hand over the vessel to his former wife after a judge held he had tried to hide it in an 'elaborate' plan to 'evade and frustrate' her by moving the 377ft vessel between an array of offshore companies.

The yacht was seized by bailiffs in Dubai - with a local court refusing to return it to Mr Akhmedov.

But a different judge later changed his mind, ruling that the tycoon is the rightful owner.

Then in October last year Farkhad's final appeal in his damages claim for the wrongful seizure of the Luna was declared 'groundless' by the Court of Cassation.

During the most recent UK hearings, the court heard details of the unbelievable wealth that was lavished on Temur as part of Mr Akhmedov's determination not to give his ex-wife her divorce pay out.

Among the most sensational revelations to emerge was that Temur lost 35million ($50million) of his father's money investing in stocks and shares in 2015 and was given millions of pounds more the following year, incurring further losses.

He told the court that he was a victim of 'bad luck.'

Mrs Justice Knowles ruled: 'The transfers of very large sums of money to Temur in 2015 and 2016 were driven by the husband's overarching desire to keep his assets from the wife.

'Temur understood his father's purposes at the relevant times and worked with him to achieve the aim of preserving assets for the family by keeping them out of the wife's hands.'

At 19 - while a student at the London School of Economics - Temur was given a 29million flat in One Hyde Park, the country's most exclusive apartment block with another 5million spent on refurbishing it.

The court also heard how he was given a 120,000 Mercedes jeep at the age of 17, left home with an 'unlimited credit card' and later had a number of luxury cars, including a 346,000 Rolls Royce, which he claimed in court that he 'did not know' he owned.

The trial also heard sensational details about the breakdown within the family with Temur accusing his mother of having affairs with two men while still married to Mr Akhmedov.

Ahead of last year's trial, Temur's luxury London flat was raided after Ms Akhmedova successful obtained a court order for documentary and electronic evidence to be seized.

Mrs Justice Knowles noted in her ruling: 'All happy families are alike, each unhappy family is unhappy in its own way.

'With apologies to Tolstoy, the Akhmedov family is one of the unhappiest ever to have appeared in my courtroom.'

Ms Akhmedova is also involved in litigation to try and secure her divorce settlement from her ex-husband via a number of trusts and companies he established in four other countries; the US; Dubai; Russia and Liechtenstein.

She is backed by Burford Capital, a litigation finance firm that will take a slice of her payout if it succeeds in recovering her divorce settlement.

Ms Akhmedova is pictured with her son Temur in 2014 before their relationship deteriorated

A spokesman for Mr Akhmedov told MailOnline: 'All attempts to seize Luna in Dubai have been ruled illegal by Dubai's most senior courts. Its judges have said that the wrongful award of a second divorce settlement to Tatiana by the English High Court is unenforceable in Dubai. There is no further appeal.

'Luna is moored alongside the MV Dubai which belongs to the Emirate's ruler Sheikh Mohammed. Since the English High Court is now seeking to exert itself in matrimonial proceedings against Sheikh Mohammed, maybe this phantom battalion of SBS operatives will seek to storm that at the same time as Luna.

'The Marshall Islands ruling only involves the 'flag of convenience' registration certificate of the yacht. Apart from Burford's lawyers, there is not a reliable maritime or legal opinion which believes that it will result in an enforced change of ownership.

'The dispute over Luna's ownership has been heard in and fully resolved in Dubai. Anyone unauthorised personnel seeking to set foot on Luna in Dubai will be arrested and jailed as the decisions of the most senior judges and courts have made plain.'

He has said previously: 'Following the London High Court's scandalous award to my ex-wife in 2016, Burford has embarked on a staggeringly expensive global tour of the world's courts seeking to seize assets from me and from family trusts.

'Having failed in four years to secure a meaningful judgment and got nothing from any court in the world, they returned to London to bring a cowardly action against our son.

'Entirely predictably, given its original wrong and misguided judgment, the London court has ruled in favour of visiting 'the sins' of the father on an innocent and loyal son.'

A family spokesperson added: 'Tatiana's relationship with Temur is now very strange indeed.

'There is hope, certainly from Tatiana, this relationship can be restored over time. She of course loves her son.

'But it was appropriate she take this action and we are pleased though not surprised the High Court agrees.

'It is important to note Tatiana is a private person, has not spoken during this case and wishes to move forward with her life.

'She hopes she can focus on the future now she has removed Farkhad's shadow from her life and it has been found in law she was correct in pursuing this case.'
Robert Durst has told so many lies over the years that he is unable to remember them all - and his own words will be his 'undoing', a prosecutor said Tuesday during a new round of opening statements at his resumed murder trial.

The multimillionaire has lived a life of such privilege and ease that he didn't bother keeping track of the lies, Deputy District Attorney John Lewin told the court. Lewin spoke after the trial reopened following an unprecedented 14 month recess because of the coronavirus pandemic.

Speaking at the trial in Los Angeles, Lewin wove a combination of Durst's statements  what he said were truth and lies  to outline evidence that will show the New York real estate heir killed his best friend and a neighbor to cover up the mystery of his wife's disappearance.

'One of the hallmarks of Bob Durst is that despite all the lies he tells, he doesn't take or use the mental energy to even remember them because his life has been spent privileged in getting away with whatever he wants,' Lewin said.

'The evidence is going to show that's going to be his undoing in a lot of ways in all three of these cases.'

Durst, the son of billionaire New York real estate mogul Seymour Durst, is charged with the December 2000 slaying of his best friend, Susan Berman, in her Los Angeles home.

The real estate heir was the subject of The Jinx, an HBO documentary that ends with Durst seemingly confessing to murder.

Robert Durst (pictured on Tuesday) has told so many lies over the years that he is unable to remember them all - and his own words will be his 'undoing', a prosecutor said Tuesday

Deputy District Attorney John Lewin claimed Durst's own words will how he killed his best friend and a neighbor to cover up mystery of wife Kathy's disappearance. Pictured: Robert Durst and Kathy Durst

Durst, the son of billionaire New York real estate mogul Seymour Durst, is only charged with the December 2000 slaying of his best friend, Susan Berman in her Los Angeles home. Pictured: Susan Berman and Robert Durst

He allegedly killed Berman by shooting her in the back of the head, with prosecutors believing she had information on his wife Kathie Durst's disappearance, which may have motivated Durst to allegedly murder her.

Durst, 78, has pleaded not guilty and his lawyer said he doesn't know who killed Berman, who was his longtime confidante and at one point an unofficial spokeswoman when his wife Kathie vanished in New York in 1982.

Durst has been in jail since 2015 on charges related to Berman's death, with his trial in her murder resuming yesterday.

He had admitted to fatally shooting and dismembering his 71-year-old neighbor Morris Black in 2001, but he was acquitted of his murder in 2003 after claiming self defense.

But Lewis said the killing of Berman and Durst's admission that he had killed Black are both tied to the mystery of Kathie Durst.

'Everything starts with Kathie Durst's disappearance and death at the hands of Mr. Durst,' Lewin said.

Durst has been in jail since 2015 on charges related to Berman's death, with his trial in her murder resuming yesterday

It comes after Durst faced new allegations on Monday that his brother and father helped cover up the murder of his wife Kathie.

The explosive claim was made by lawyers representing the family of Kathie, saying that brother Douglas and father Seymour were involved in the cover-ups.

Cathy Russon of Law & Crime Network tweeted about the new allegation on Monday while Robert Durst was in the courtroom.

Kathie Durst, the wife of Robert, has been missing for almost 30 years after disappearing from the couple's South Salem, New York home on January 31, 1982.

Her body has never been found and Robert has not been charged with her death, though authorities believe he is likely responsible, according to the New York Post.

On Tuesday, Durst, who suffers from myriad maladies, was slumped in a wheelchair dressed in a blue sportcoat, white dress shirt and tan pants.

His gray hair was disheveled and he appeared to show no emotion behind a white mask as he followed the proceedings on a tablet computer that provided a real-time transcript because he has impaired hearing.

Lewin provided an abbreviated opening statement to refresh jurors on what they last heard over six days in March 2020 before the case was recessed an unprecedented 14 months because of the coronavirus pandemic.

Defense lawyers will present their own summary of the evidence on Wednesday. Last year, they stunned the audience when they said they would put Durst on the witness stand.

Durst was acquitted of murder in a Texas court after testifying he killed Morris Black when the man pulled a gun on him and they wrestled for the weapon in the Galveston rooming house where they both lived.

Durst had gone into hiding in Texas after New York prosecutors reopened the investigation into Kathie Durst's suspected death. He killed Black because he had discovered Durst's identity and was trying to leverage the wealthy scion to buy a house for the two of them, Lewin said.

Prosecutors have said Durst (pictured with Kathleen Durst) shot Berman because of what she knew about the fate of his spouse, whom authorities have said they presume was slain by Durst

Durst killed Black about nine months after Berman was found dead in her Benedict Canyon home in December 2000. Police were directed to the home by a note with only her address and the word, 'CADAVER' written in block letters.

Durst told the makers of 'The Jinx: The Life and Deaths of Robert Durst' in 2010 and 2012 that he didn't write the note. He told the filmmakers and investigators in 2015 that whoever wrote the note had to have been Berman's killer.

'You're writing a note to the police that only the killer could have written,' Durst said.

Lewin said that now amounts to a confession after defense lawyers conceded before trial that Durst wrote the note. Evidence had shown he once penned a note to Berman in identical handwriting, with her address similarly misspelled 'Beverley' Hills instead of Beverly.

The defense argues Durst found Berman's body, panicked and ran. He sent the note to police so she'd be found, though her body was discovered before police got the note.

Durst killed Berman to keep her from talking to police about how she helped him cover up his wife's disappearance, Lewin said.

Lewin played a clip of testimony from Nick Chavin, a mutually close friend of the defendant and victim, who said Berman once told him that Durst had killed Kathie. He said Durst told him he killed Berman after the two had dinner in New York in 2014.

'I had to,' Durst said on the sidewalk, according to Chavin. 'It was her or me, I had no choice.'

In 1973, just after his thirtieth birthday, Robert Durst married Kathleen McCormack (pictured)

Lewin said Berman, the daughter of a Las Vegas mobster who never would have turned her back on a stranger, had no idea Durst had come to kill her when she let him in her home just before Christmas.

'She turned around because because she trusted him, because he was her close friend, because he was not somebody to fear,' Lewin said. 'She turned around, she took a few steps and he basically blew her brains out.'

Lewin showed a photo of Berman lying on her back, her raven hair spread out on the floor and dark blood pooled under her head.

Durst's lawyers claim the jury can no longer be impartial due to the long layoff and high-profile nature of the case.

The real estate heir was the subject of The Jinx, an HBO documentary that ends with Durst seemingly confessing to murder.

The defense also wanted to postpone the trial because Durst is suffering from health issues, including bladder cancer.

Lawyer Dick DeGuerin told DailyMail.com: 'His health has deteriorated alarmingly over the past fourteen months since the trial was shut down at the beginning of the Covid pandemic.

'I'm concerned about whether he can withstand the rigors of trial.

'We are continuing our request for mistrial through a Writ to the appellate courts, which means we have appealed the trial court's denial of our latest motion for mistrial.'

Durst was present at his most recent court hearing on March 17 but looked frail and sounded weak.

He is being held in the Twin Towers correctional facility in Los Angeles.

His legal team said they are willing for him to pay for his own security, be subjected to GPS monitoring, and have a high bail amount if he is released to a medical facility.

In July, a judge denied a request for a mistrial after a delay from the coronavirus outbreak.

The Westchester District Attorney's office recently relaunched an investigation into Kathie's disappearance.

'The Westchester DA's Office Cold Case Unit was established to review and reinvestigate unsolved homicides. It is reviewing a number of cases, including the murder of Kathie Durst,' said Westchester County District Attorney Mimi Rocah.

News 12 reports DA's office has been conducting interviews for several weeks.

Her family met with investigators last month, with three of her four siblings present for that meeting.
A hairdresser is turning away clients who have had the Covid-19 vaccine out of an unfounded fear they will shed virus 'particles' and infect other customers who could then develop side effects.

Yazmina Jade Adler made headlines in 2019 after claiming she relieved her severe period pain by rubbing menstrual blood on her face during a ritual meditation.

Now, the Gold Coast business owner is back in the spotlight after imposing a controversial policy banning coronavirus vaccine recipients from her Palm Beach salon.

Immunology experts say it is scientifically impossible for Covid-19 vaccines to cause illness in unvaccinated people as they contain no live virus or any other infectious material that can pass from person to person.

Yazmina Jade Adler (pictured) has banned Covid-19 vaccine recipients from getting their hair styled in her Gold Coast salon

'It doesn't really make sense, I guess a lot of people will question that, [but] it is like anything, like the disease or virus, it is spreading [jab particles] somehow and women are reporting side effects when they haven't had the vaccine,' Ms Adler told 9News.

Ms Adler announced the new rule over Khemia HI vibe frequency salon's social media pages on Monday, stating: 'we are not your hairdresser if you have had the Covid vax'.

'The unknown health effects of the mRNA vaccine are not covered by our public liability insurance,' Ms Adler wrote on Facebook and Instagram.

She apologised for any 'inconvenience' to customers but said 'the safety of our staff and existing clients is our priority, adding the policy would be re-evaluated in 2023 when clinical trials of the 'experimental injection' are completed.

The business' posts have since been flagged as 'missing context' and 'defying science' by independent fact checkers, the Australian Associated Press.

Ms Adler owns Khemia HI vibe frequency salon, which is based in Palm Beach on the Gold Coast

In a statement addressing the claims, AAP said a Facebook post circulating online claims that 'countless reports and anecdotes affirm' people who are unvaccinated against Covid-19 are becoming ill 'just by being in the vicinity' of those who have had the jab.

'The lengthy post lists alleged examples of illnesses and injuries unvaccinated people have picked up from vaccinated people.

'These include irregular and heavy menstruation, bleeding while pregnant and miscarriages as well as supposed cases of pets dying when touched by someone who got the Covid jab.'

AAP said: 'Much of the text has been copied from an article published on April 28 by a conspiracy-promoting ''alternative media'' website that calls Covid-19 an "imaginary" virus.'

Immunology experts say it is scientifically impossible for Covid-19 vaccines to cause illness in unvaccinated people as they contain no live virus or any other infectious material that can pass from person to person.

'The current Covid-19 vaccines use mRNA or non-replicating virus, which are not contagious and cannot be transmitted to non-vaccinated people,' UNSW infectious disease scientist associate professor Holly Seale told AAP FactCheck.

Ms Adler made headlines two years ago when she claimed on SBS show Medicine or Myth that she cured her period pain by smearing menstrual blood on her face

Associate professor Menno van Zelm from Monash University's Department of Immunology and Pathology agreed, saying that there are 'no credible reports' that vaccinated people can make other people ill.

'For one, Covid-19 vaccines do not contain the virus nor any other infectious agent that is contagious,' Dr van Zelm said in an email.

'Yes, the vaccine activates the immune system and can make the recipient feel unwell for 24 hours, but this does not affect bystanders.'

Ms Adler, who also offers 'crystal healing' and 'frequency technology and sound healing for your full mind body hair experience' in her salon, rose to fame two years ago after appearing on SBS's show Medicine or Myth.

In front of a panel of medical experts, she pulled out a jar of her menstrual blood - which she collects - and daubed it across her forehead, claiming it cures her period cramps.
Police identified the man as Corporal Jurgen Conings ,46, who disappeared on Tuesday, leaving a note saying he would not be taken alive

A manhunt is underway for a heavily armed professional soldier whose extreme right sympathies landed him on the Belgian terror watch list.

Police identified the man as Corporal Jurgen Conings, 46, who disappeared on Monday, leaving a note saying he would not be taken alive.

Local media reported that Conings is armed with a rocket launcher, a machine gun and a pistol, allegedly stolen from of of his barracks. He is also thought to be wearing a bulletproof vest.

The search for the soldier, who threatened several people including a top virologist, entered its second day on Wednesday, focusing on the Limburg province.

Questions have been raised as to how someone on a terror watch list could be allowed to serve in the military.

'The real question is of course: how is this possible?' asked Belgian Prime Minister Alexander De Croo, adding Conings had been on the radar of the Co-ordination Unit for Threat Analysis, which assesses terror threats.

'Someone who has already made threats in the past - that this man within defence has access to weapons and can even take those weapons with him,' Mr De Croo said.

'It is unacceptable.'

Justice Minister Vincent Van Quickenborne described Conings as an 'acute threat,' adding that he is known for his extreme right sympathies.

Van Quickenborne told Flemish TV: 'He is violent and in the course of the past 24 hours evidence has emerged the man poses an acute threat'.

Police have urged the public not to approach Conings but to notify authorities if he is spotted.

The search for the soldier, who threatened several people including a top virologist, entered its second day on Wednesday, focusing on the Limburg province

Questions are now being raised about how Conings could be allowed to continue serving in the army while being listed as a potentially violent extremist by the military intelligence service

Local media reported that Conings is armed with a rocket launcher, a machine gun and a pistol, allegedly stolen from his barracks. He is also thought to be wearing a bulletproof vest [Stock image]

Earlier this month, Conings threatened several people, including Marc Van Ranst, one of the best-known virologists working on containing the Covid-19 pandemic.

In a Twitter message early on Wednesday, Van Ranst said that 'being against COVID measures and COVID vaccines all too often coincides with aggression of violence and raw racism.

'Let one thing be clear: such threats do not make the slightest impression on me,' he added.

Van Ranst and his family have been taken to a safe place until Conings is caught.

Authorities were centering their search efforts in the northeastern part of Belgium in Limburg province after beginning the hunt for Conings in Leopoldsburg.

'That person has apparently moved around,' Erik Cenens of the police told Radio 2 on Tuesday, before Conings was identified.

'[He was] first in the Beringen region and then further north towards Pelt, the Netherlands and Maasland. We are trying to locate the man as exactly as possible to be able to arrest him.'

Video showed police officers taping off a street in Limburg on Tuesday night.

Local media reported that several barracks have been closed and soldiers barred from leaving.

Earlier this month, Conings threatened several people, including Marc Van Ranst (pictured), one of the best-known virologists working on containing the Covid-19 pandemic [File photo]

On Tuesday night, police were searching the Dilserbos forest in Limburg, close to the Dutch border, after a car belonging to Conings was spotted with heavy weapons inside.

'Four missile launchers and ammunition were found in it,' Belgian federal prosecutor Wenke Roggen said.

The case has been taken over by the federal prosecutor because of the risk of a terror offence being committed, The Brussels Times reported.

Flemish news outlet De Morgen said that Conings wrote a letter saying he was going to 'join the resistance and may not survive'.

A letter has been found in which he says he will not be taken alive,' it reported a source as saying.

De Morgen said that Conings is a 46-year-old who drives a grey Audi Q5. It is not clear if this was the car found near the Dilserbos forest.

De Morgen said Conings' Facebook profile mentions the Siegrune, the symbol used by the SS during World War II.

Questions are now being raised about how Conings could be allowed to continue serving in the army while being listed as a potentially violent extremist by the military intelligence service.

Police officers were filmed cordoning off a street in Limburg on Tuesday night as the manhunt continued

Authorities were centering their search efforts in the northeastern part of Belgium in Limburg province after beginning the hunt for the man in Leopoldsburg

A potentially violent extremist is categorised as being 'a person with extremist views who has an intention to use violence, but has not yet taken concrete steps to do so.'

Such a categorisation should have prevented Conings from handling weapons, even in the army, according to The Brussels Times.

The outlet reported that authorities will carry out an investigation into how he was able to obtain the heavy weaponry from the barracks.

De Croo insisted that the defence forces and the security services come up with a proposal as soon as Thursday 'to prevent such a thing from ever happening again'

A spokesman for ACMP, a military union told De Morgen: 'Belonging to a certain organisation or having a certain conviction is not punishable a priori.

'You can adhere to an extreme right-wing ideology, but it is only when you commit criminal offences or compromise the name and reputation of the army by making certain statements that you expose yourself to prosecution under military law or criminal law,' Yves Huwart told the paper.
Advertisement

Furious Tories today threatened to revolt if Boris Johnson tries to scrap the June 21 'freedom day' over Indian variant fears.

The PM is facing mounting unrest amid warnings that the big unlocking in England is 'in the balance' - and could be pushed back or watered down.

Mr Johnson tried to strike a positive tone at PMQs this afternoon, saying he had looked at the data again this morning and there was 'increasing confidence' that vaccines work against 'all variants, including the Indian variant'.

But former minister Mark Harper, head of the lockdown sceptic Covid Recovery Group, said he expected social distancing to be axed in full, and pointed out that there would need to be a Commons vote.

Tory MP Marcus Fysh added: 'I won't be supporting or observing restrictions after 21st June while hospitalisations continue to be manageable. Rationality needs to return.'

One Cabinet minister told MailOnline there would be 'serious trouble' from the Conservative benches if Mr Johnson does not stick to the date for lifting almost all restrictions.

And the Tory council leader in Bolton raised alarm about 'civil unrest' in the town if it is placed under a local lockdown.

The government has admitted a review of social distancing rules that had been expected this month could be delayed as they wrestle with the response to the latest variant. Health Secretary Matt Hancock is due to hold a press conference in Downing Street at 5pm.

Asked by Labour leader Keir Starmer whether mutant strains was the biggest risk for the loosening, Mr Johnson said: 'I certainly think that is one of the issues that we must face.'

He added: 'We've looked at the data again this morning and I can tell the House we have increasing confidence that vaccines are effective against all variants, including the Indian variant.'

Earlier, Prof Neil Ferguson - known as Professor Lockdown - was pressed during an interview for his 'hunch' about whether the next stage of the roadmap would go ahead on schedule.

'I think that is being actively considered,' he told BBC Radio 4's Today programme.

'It is very much in the balance. The data collected in the next two-three weeks will determine that.'

He said it was not yet clear how much more transmissible the Indian variant is, but added: 'Certainly, it is much easier to deal with 20 per cent, even 30 per cent (more transmissibility) than it would be 50 per cent or more.

'The challenge we have is because of how it was introduced into the country.

'It was introduced from overseas, principally into people with Indian ethnicity, a higher chance of living in multi-generational households and often in quite deprived areas with high density housing, and so we're trying to work out whether the rapid growth we've seen in areas such as Bolton is going to be typical of what we could expect elsewhere, or is really what is called a founder effect which is often seen in these circumstances.

'There's a little bit of, I would say, glimmer of hope from the recent data that whilst this variant does still appear to have a significant growth advantage, the magnitude of that advantage seems to have dropped a little bit with the most recent data, so the curves are flattening a little, but it will take more time for us to be definitive about that.'

There have been signs of rising optimism in government, buoyed by the sight of people queuing for jabs in hotspot areas like Bolton, and official data showing that the epidemic is continuing to shrink.

The latest figures revealed that, despite concern about the Indian variant, average daily cases are down by 2.6 per cent on the previous week.

Daily hospital admissions in England fell to just 70. And the total number of Covid patients in hospital in England now stands at just 798, the lowest figure since the middle of September.

Neil Ferguson (right) - known as Professor Lockdown - said changing the roadmap is under 'active consideration' amid uncertainty over the extent of vaccines' ability to counter the new strain. Boris Johnson (left) has suggested the picture should become clearer in 'days'

Tory MP Marcus Fysh made clear today that he would not support the government if it tries to delay the June 21 reopening

Positive test figures from the Wellcome Sanger Institute  which cover only lab-analysed cases in the two weeks between April 25 and May 8  reveal the mutant Indian strain made up 50 per cent or more of all samples in 23 parts of the country by last week. Bolton and Blackburn in the North West remain the worst-hit areas with almost 600 cases between them and the variant making up 81 per cent of infections

David Greenhalgh, Conservative leader at Bolton Council, told Today there was no sign yet that cases were coming under control, adding that 'our cases are still rising'.

And he warned of 'unrest' in the town if there was an attempt to lock it down.

'We are putting all the measures in that we can at the moment. We have community spread, there's no doubt about that, and we're holding back a variant that would appear - although the evidence is still being gathered - to be a little bit more transmissible, easily transmissible,' he said.

'The majority of our cases are in very much our younger age groups - primary school, secondary school and in their 20s.

'We still haven't got an increase in hospitalisation and severe illness, which is hugely welcome, those figures still remain low. We're doing everything we can, the Government has sent in surge vaccinations, surge testing ... We're doing everything we can, but I think the next two weeks we will still see our cases rising.'

Mr Greenhalgh said he was not in favour of local lockdowns, adding that 'people travel 50 yards across a county boundary to access hospitality that they can't in their own area'.

He said there was a 'danger of unrest' if Bolton was locked down, adding: 'The people of Bolton have a great spirit and they come together when times are difficult, but this would be a very, very difficult situation to manage, I believe - if we went into a lockdown that we have experience of, personally experienced, in a town, that did not work.'

Senior Tories believe that the blaze of publicity about the Indian variant is boosting vaccine take up amongst hard-to-reach groups.

Choirs voice fury at rule of six curb Choirs have hit out at the draconian rules restricting amateur singers to groups of no more than six. Choristers hoped they would be allowed in churches and other venues from Monday. But the Government said amateur music-making must follow the rule of six. Conductor Andrew Griffiths told Classic FM: There are thousands upon thousands of heartbroken singers today. And yet pubs, restaurants, saunas, spin classes are all permitted. Advertisement

Government sources have also played down reports that the PM is considering a return to local lockdowns.

While ministers have refused to rule out the idea in public, the source said: 'No-one wants local lockdowns - I don't think that is a realistic option.

'There would have to be a very strong case to go down that road again - the Indian variant would have to be severely more transmissible, you would need evidence the vaccine is not working and you would have to be seeing a big impact on hospitalisation.

'We do still need a bit more data, but that is not how it is looking at the moment.'

At the weekend, ministers suggested there would be no update on the next stage of unlocking until mid-June.

But a Downing Street source last night said it could now come as soon as next week.

One Cabinet source said: 'There has been a wobble but it feels like we are heading in the right direction again.'

A senior minister told MailOnline: 'Barring a huge increase in cases from the Indian variant I would expect us to be going ahead,' they said.

They insisted they trusted the PM's instincts. 'His instincts are in the right place. He has only shifted on lockdowns when it has been absolutely necessary.

'The threat is something that can get around the vaccines. None of us minds getting a cold.'

Mr Johnson said yesterday that data from hotspots including Bolton, Blackburn, Bedford and Sefton were being examined to find out more about the impact of the variant.

Asked whether local lockdowns could be used, Mr Johnson said: 'We've just got to be cautious about the way we approach it and we will be letting people know as much as we can, as soon as we can.

'But at the moment we don't see anything conclusive that makes us think we have to deviate from the road map.'

Tory MPs yesterday urged ministers not to return to the controversial Covid tiers that applied across much of England last autumn.

Reports yesterday suggested that ministers were considering contingency plans that would see Tier Four measures imposed in areas where the new variant is spreading fast.

This would involve the closure of non-essential shops and hospitality.

Sir Graham Brady, chairman of the 1922 Committee of backbench Conservative MPs, said there should be no reason why the next stage of unlocking from coronavirus restrictions should not go ahead on June 21.

He said the data surrounding coronavirus is 'continuing to move in a positive direction, and actually far more positive than anybody had anticipated at the outset'.

Former minister Jake Berry, chairman of the Northern Research Group of MPs, said there was no appetite for a return to tiers, which kept large swathes of the North locked down for months without halting the spread of the virus.

Mr Berry said: 'We certainly should not be bringing in a tiers system or delaying the lifting of lockdown because some people are refusing the vaccine.

'Localised lockdowns were very divisive last time - and in the end proved about as much use as a one-legged man in an a***-kicking contest.'

Mark Logan, Tory MP for Bolton North East, said the government was right to focus on surge testing and increased vaccinations to tackle the spike in cases in the town, which spent months in extended lockdowns last year.

Mr Logan said: 'Bolton has had it tougher than most of the rest of the country and we don't want to go back to that.

'For us, it's all about vaccines and testing. The vaccines are working - we just need to get more of them done, and it is happening.'

Greater Manchester mayor Andy Burnham said the focus should instead be on accelerating the vaccine programme in hotspots.

He said: 'Last year, tiers did not work - they did not stop the spread of the virus.

'It would be hard for me to put out a message of caution in Greater Manchester when nationally the messaging is very different, that the road map is proceeding. We struggled with that mixed messaging all of last year.'

The Department of Health counted another 2,412 positive tests and seven deaths yesterday, with with cases down 2.5 per cent.

Another 106,733 people got first vaccine doses yesterday along with 259,049 second doses, meaning more than 36.8million Britons have had at least one jab and 20.5million are fully vaccinated.

Figures from the Wellcome Sanger Institute revealed the Indian variant had been spotted in 127 English local authorities - or 40 per cent - in the two weeks ending May 8, the most recent data, after the total number doubled in a week. Nationally, there have been 2,323 cases of the variant - four times the 520 ten days ago - and the strain now makes up at least one in five of all new infections.

Surge testing began today in Nuneaton in Warwickshire and Bedford  where the variant cases surged 20-fold during April  to try and weed out clusters of infections caused by the new strain.

Cabinet ministers met today to try to thrash out a strategy to curb the new variant, with emergency plans that could see local restrictions used to combat hotspots while the rest of the country relaxes.

In an echo of the tiers system brought in last summer, people in the worst-hit areas could be told to stay at home and restaurants and shops forced to close - with stricken businesses handed more grants to keep them afloat.

The growing red sections on graphs represent Indian variant cases surging in local authorities where it could be taking off. In these places it can already be seen edging out the Kent strain (orange) and scientists fear this suggests it is more infectious and could take over as the number one type of the virus in the UK. Note: Some areas, such as Stevenage, Broxbourne and Oadby are recording very few cases of the virus so changes may not constitute a trend

The Indian variant also appears to be edging out the Kent strain in various parts of London, where it already accounts for half of cases or more, but low numbers of infections mean this may an effect caused by small clusters of cases

While the Indian variant is spreading rapidly in pockets of the country, 60 per cent of local authorities in England have yet to record a case (shown in grey). But it is likely the variant has spread even further than the map suggests because the data is 10 days out of date. Experts have said they expect it to overtake the Kent strain and become dominant in the coming weeks and months

 Slide me  Data from the Wellcome Sanger Institute shows that the variant has spread widely across the UK since it was first discovered. In mid-March there were no cases linked to the strain (shown left) and, by the beginning of May, it had been found in dozens of local authorities, with hotspots emerging in the North West of England, the Midlands and London

A Warwick University model of a more infectious variant after lockdown is completely lifted on June 21 suggests that any more than a 30 per cent increase in transmissibility compared to the Kent variant could lead to an August peak of daily hospital admissions that is higher than either the first or second wave. In a worst-case scenario with a variant 50 per cent more transmissible, hospital admissions could surge to 10,000 per day or even double that (Thick lines indicate the central estimate while the thin lines are possible upper limits known as confidence intervals)

Similar but less grim modelling by the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine suggested that a 50 per cent increase in transmissibility could trigger a peak of 4,000 admissions per day in July or August, possibly extending to 6,000 per day

The LSHTM team suggested that there will be 1,000 deaths per day in August if the variant is 50 per cent more transmissible - which would be less than the 1,900 seen at the peak this January

The LSHTM model suggested hospitals could have another 30,000 inpatients by the end of July - up to around 45,000 - compared to the current 845

Indian variant cases surged more than two fold in a week in Blackburn. It made up 110 out of 132 cases sequenced for strains of the virus. South Northamptonshire remained a hotspot for community transmission. Some 75 per cent of its cases, or 24 out of 32, were linked to the variant

The proportion of positive tests that contain th variant strain in Bolton and Sefton: The strain was responsible for more than eight in ten cases sequenced in Bolton in the week to May 8, the latest available. They made up 289 out of 337 cases sequenced. : The Indian variant of Covid was blamed for nine in ten cases sequenced in Sefton, Merseyside. It made up 99 out of 110 cases of the virus
Fishermen felicitate chief minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy after he released the funds under the YSR Matsyakara Bharosa scheme at his camp office. (Twitter/@AndhraPradeshCM))

KAKINADA: As many as 31,662 fishermen families got Rs 31.65 crore as compensation towards the losses they incur due to ban on fishing during the conservation period from April 15 to June 14. Each family was paid Rs 10,000 in East and West Godavari districts Chief Minister Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy extended the benefits under the YSR Fishermen Bharosa Scheme on Tuesday through a video conference.

East Godavari collector D. Muralidhar Reddy said that 30,213 fishermen families including 84 OCs, 198 SCs and 11 STs were getting Rs 30.21 crore aid. He said the government had already released Rs 78 crore compensation to be given by Gujarat State Petroleum Corporation.

West Godavari collector Karthikeya Misra said that 1,449 families would get Rs 1.44 crore in the district. Narasapuram MLA M. Prasada Raju handed over a cheque for the amount to the fisheries department officials.

Participating in the video conference, a fisherman Barre Lakshmi Narasimha Raju of China Boddu Venkatayapalem in Tallarevu mandal praised the Jagan Mohan Reddy government for implementing the welfare schemes for the fishermen community.

Expressing his happiness over getting Rs 10,000 into his account, he said that during the Covid-19 pandemic period, the fishermen were facing difficulties to get even loans from private financiers and under such circumstances, the state government provided a breather to them. He mentioned that in the past, if an elder or bread-winner of the family died, the family used to face difficulties for eking out their livelihood. But, now, the government was giving Rs.10 lakh compensation to such bereaved families and it would help them greatly. He opined that if the government established more minor ports on the lines of fishing harbours, the fishermen would get employment.

Participating in the video conference from the collectorate at Kakinada, BC Welfare Minister Ch. Srinivasa Venugopala Krishna said that the CM increased the subsidy on diesel from Rs 6.03 to Rs 9. Kakinada MLA Dwarampudi Chandrasekhara Reddy advised that the fishermen get their nets and boats repaired during the conservation period.
This is the moment a skateboarding dog shows off just how skilled he is as he slickly changes course to avoid a collision.

The Australian Shepherd, who has been taught to skateboard by his owner Marco Spadaccini, was filmed taking evasive action at a skatepark in Vasto, Italy.

Mr Spadaccini, a keen skateboarder himself, taught the Australian Shepherd how to ride, and shares videos of them riding their boards at skate parks and along roads and pavements.

The video, recorded on May 11, shows a child and Rush headed for a collision course as they both skate towards each other.

But, in a quick last-minute manoeuvre, the clever canine swerves out of the way to avoid the crash.

The pair skim by each other, and Rush races on towards the camera.

The video shows how Rush uses a back leg to propel the board forward, keeping his other three paws firmly on the board to balance.

Mr Spadaccini has been teaching Rush to ride the skateboard for nine months. He posts videos on his Facebook showing the dog's latest achievements.

Sharing a video, he said: 'Rush is a dog that was terrified of skateboarding, and first skateboarding for the first time in August 2020.'

He is also teaching another dog, called Will, to skateboard and says he is rivalling Rush's skills.
Facebook has shut down a pro-Israel page with over 75 million followers, amid the worst conflict in the Gaza strip in years.

The 'Jerusalem Prayer Team' page, which was established in 2002 and was the largest Christian Facebook page, was shut down by the platform on Friday.

Dr. Mike Evans, the page's founder, claimed that critics of the page posted 'more than a million' comments and then denied doing so, flagging their own posts as spam.

Speaking to the Christian Broadcasting Network (CBN), Evans claimed there was 'an organized attempt by radical Islamic organizations to achieve this objective.'

'They posted over a million comments on our site, and then had the people contact Facebook saying that they never posted to the site. That was a complete scam and fraud. It was a very clever, deceptive plan by Islamic radicals.'

He also added that the posts had included anti-Semitic comments, such as photos and quotes by Adolf Hitler, which may have triggered Facebook's filters.

A spokesperson for the social media giant said: 'We removed Jerusalem Prayer Team's Facebook Page for violating our rules against spam and inauthentic behavior,' with the company also saying the case was 'complete'.

Facebook has shut down a pro-Israel page with over 75 million followers, amid the worst conflict in the Gaza strip in years. Dr. Mike Evans, the page's founder, claimed that critics of the page posted 'more than a million' comments and then reported that they had never posted

Speaking to the Christian Broadcasting Network (CBN), Evans claimed there was 'an organized attempt by radical Islamic organizations to achieve this objective'. Pictured: A counter-protester waves an Israeli flag as people rally in support of Palestinians near the Consulate General of Israel in Los Angeles, California, USA, 15 May 2021

Pictured: Rockets are launched towards Israel from Gaza City, controlled by the Palestinian Hamas movement, on May 18, 2021

The page's founder did not provide proof of his claim, but said that the group has appealed to Facebook to restore their page.

'These Pages were deleted by our system due to being not Policy Compliant. Sadly, we can't review appeals at this time due to a shortage in reviewers caused by the Coronavirus (Covid-19) outbreak,' Facebook said, according to CBN.

'Since you are unable to access the Page, this means that the appealing is no longer an option. There's no further action that we can take for these Pages. Please consider this decision final.'

JPT is hopeful that Facebook has given a canned response and that Facebook will review the case on an individual basis.

'Facebook got caught with its pants down. Facebook has been accused of being biased towards conservative media sources. This is a prime example of bias on steroids,' Evans told CBN.

'It's, in my opinion, cyber terrorism based upon racism. I've contacted Senator friends, such as Lindsey Graham and Ted Cruz, my dear friend, former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, Jared Kushner, and dozens of other political leaders to assist me with this fraudulent scheme to damage our good work.'

The Facebook group became part of a conspiracy theory on social media, with some users saying they were automatically following the page without ever having opted to themselves.

The 'Jerusalem Prayer Team' page, which was established in 2002 and was the largest Christian Facebook page, was shut down by the platform on Friday. Pictured: The group's website and its 'about page' showing its founder Dr. Mike Evans

The 'Jerusalem Prayer Team' page, which was established in 2002 and was the largest Christian Facebook page, was shut down by the platform on Friday

According to CBN, a YouTube video also circulated online directing people how to join the JPT Facebook page and report it, and how to pressure Facebook for allowing the page to exist.

When it was taken down, users on Twitter and YouTube videos with thousands of views celebrated the removal of the page.

According to the group's website, Mike Evans 'is a devout American-Christian Zionist leader,' and the head of the Friends of Zion Association.

The closure of the page comes amid the worst conflict between Israel and Islamic militants in Gaza since 2014.

Israeli forces pounded Gaza with air strikes and Hamas militants renewed cross-border rocket attacks on Wednesday, pressing on with a conflict that has caused widespread destruction in the Palestinian enclave and threatened cities deep inside Israel.

Pictured: Palestinian ride their bicycles next to a destroyed building, after israeli airstrikes in Gaza City, 18 May 2021

Gaza medical officials say 219 people have been killed since fighting flared on May 10, and Israeli authorities put the death toll in Israel at 12. Regional and U.S.-led diplomatic efforts to secure a ceasefire have intensified but so far failed.

In a 25-minute attack overnight, Israel bombarded targets including what its military said were tunnels in the southern Gaza Strip used by Hamas, the Islamist group that governs Gaza.

Nearly 450 buildings in densely populated Gaza have been destroyed or badly damaged, including six hospitals and nine primary-care health centers, and more than 52,000 Palestinians have been displaced, the U.N. humanitarian agency said.

The damage has left large craters and piles of rubble across the coastal enclave, and deepened long-running concerns about living conditions in Gaza.

'Whoever wants to learn about the humanity of the (Israelis) should come to the Gaza Strip and look at the houses that got destroyed on top of those who lived in them,' said university lecturer Ahmed al-Astal, standing by the rubble of his house in Khan Younis in southern Gaza.

Pictured: Palestinian protesters seek cover during clashes with Israeli troops at Huwwara checkpoint near the West Bank City of Nablus, 18 May 2021

He said there had been no warning before his home was destroyed in an air strike before dawn.

Israel, which blames the latest hostilities on Hamas, says it issues warnings to evacuate buildings that are to be fired on and that it attacks only what it regards as military targets.

Israeli leaders said they were pressing on with the offensive against Hamas and Islamic Jihad, another militant group. An Israeli military spokesman said that, with an estimated 12,000 missiles and mortar bombs left in the Islamist groups' Gaza arsenal, 'they still have enough rockets to fire'.

Some 50 rockets were fired overnight from Gaza, the Israeli military said.
A kind-hearted Wetherspoon punter bought an elderly customer two pints of lager after he struggled to order a beer because he didn't have the app to place his order.

Mark Farrier said he felt compelled to help the 'old fella', 79, after watching him sitting alone at an empty table at the pub in Cardiff on Monday.

The 39-year-old father-of-three said the 'old boy', who had dressed up and polished his shoes for the outing, was unable to be served without the app until Mr Farrier used his own phone.

Mark Farrier said he felt compelled to help the 'old fella', 79, (pictured) after watching him sitting alone at an empty table at the pub in Cardiff on Monday

A moving picture shows the elderly gentleman sat alone in the bar in his smart jacket and polished shoes - finally with two cold lagers.

Mr Farrier, a thermal insulation engineer, shared the image on social media, where he was praised for his act of kindness, with others accusing pubs of 'forgetting' elderly people.

Wetherspoons applauded his generosity but insisted staff had not 'ignored' the man and people can still order via staff.

Mr Farrier, from Newcastle-upon-Tyne, Tyne and Wear, said: 'I just felt a bit sorry for him. He looked like he needed a bit of company.

'He looked like he'd polished his shoes and got a little bit dressed up. He said he'd been sitting in the house on his own.

'I could see him trying to get the attention of the waiter and he just flew past him a few times. He was just trying to get their attention and they were just bombing past.'

The 39-year-old father-of-three (pictured) said the 'old boy', who had dressed up and polished his shoes for the outing, was unable to be served without the app until Mr Farrier used his own phone

Mr Farrier said he shared the picture of the old man to encourage others to help elderly people

Mr Farrier said he waited for five minutes before buying the man two pints.

I just posted to raise awareness and to help people out,' he said. 'A lot of elderly people will be in this position this week.

'All I did was buy him a pint. He couldn't use the app so I bought him a pint. Most people should be doing that.'

Mr Farrier has urged others to keep an eye out for the elderly over the coming weeks as those without smartphones may struggle to use technology in certain pubs and restaurants.

'The staff were really nice and polite,' he said. When I confronted them, they apologised and said there's only one person doing table service.'

On social media, people expressed their sadness at seeing the pensioner on his own without a drink, while others thanked Mr Farrier for helping the man out.

Eddie Gilhooley: 'Well done guys. Apps do nothing for good old fashioned customer service.'

Alan Daly said: 'Nice gesture. Well done.'

On social media, people expressed their sadness at seeing the pensioner on his own without a drink, while others thanked Mr Farrier for helping the man out

Michele J. said: 'Thank you for sharing. It annoys and upsets me when businesses forget that not all people - especially the more mature of our country - don't own computers/smart phones/ tablets (47% over 65).

'They should not be excluded from our society just because it's easier for businesses to operate that way. I commend you Mark and your friends for making this gentleman feel included.'

Keith Foster said: 'We owe our past to people like him who are now marginalised and ignored.'

Wetherspoons have now applauded Mark for his 'lovely gesture' and explained that customers should be able to pay with staff, as well as using the app.

Wetherspoons said: 'At present, as a result of Covid restrictions, customers can't order at the bar.

'Instead our pubs across the UK allow customers to pay and order with a member of staff as well as using the Wetherspoon app.

'We are not sure why this individual customer was not served, but we can guarantee that he was not ignored by staff.

'It was a lovely gesture of the fellow customer to intervene and buy him a couple of pints. We salute him for doing this.'
Four men who were arrested over a convoy of cars that drove through London calling for Jewish girls to be raped were also held for an attack in Manchester.

Police today confirmed the gang were linked to the attack on a Jewish man's car in Salford at 1.35am on Sunday.

Later that day they allegedly cruised through St John's Wood in the capital shouting: 'F*** the Jews... F*** all of them. F*** their mothers, f*** their daughters.'

The Manchester incident saw the suspects follow and corner the Jewish man in his car in the early hours of Sunday.

The group of young men are said to have jumped out their vehicles and tried to smash the victim's windows.

But the man is believed to have rammed their two cars and made a hasty escape before police arrived at Upper Park road.

A convoy of cars bearing the Palestinian flag drove through a Jewish community in north London yesterday while the passengers screamed 'f*** their mothers, f*** their daughters

GMP said: 'Police were called at around 1.35am on Sunday 16 May to reports of criminal damage and disorder on Upper Park Road in Broughton Park, Salford.

'The incident appears to be religiously or racially aggravated and enquiries are ongoing. No injuries were reported.

'Four men have since been arrested on suspicion of racially aggravated public order and racially aggravated criminal damage.

'They have been bailed pending further enquiries. This behaviour will not be tolerated and high visibility patrols have been increased in the area.

'If any local residents have any concerns please do speak to our patrolling officers who will be able to provide reassurance.'

Onlookers were left horrified after the convoy yelled: ''F*** all of them. F*** their mothers, f*** their daughters and show your support for Palestine. Rape their daughters and we have to send a message like that. Please do it for the poor children in Gaza'

The four men were later arrested after anti-Semitic abuse was heard being shouted from a car in north London.

Footage showed a convoy of cars covered with Palestinian flags on Finchley Road, with passengers heard using offensive language and issuing threats against Jews.

The Metropolitan Police said the incident took place in the St John's Wood area of the city on May 16.

Officers traced the car to the A40 in Hillingdon and four men were arrested on suspicion of racially aggravated public order offences.

All four, who were part of the 'Convoy 4 Palestine' rally, have been released on bail 'pending further inquiries'.

The incident received cross-party criticism, with Prime Minister Boris Johnson condemning the acts as 'shameful racism' that have 'no place' in society.

It took place after thousands of people marched through London on Saturday to the gates of the Israeli embassy, while protests took place in other cities across the UK and Ireland in solidarity with the people of Palestine.

Thousands of Palestinians have been forced to flee their homes after a week of sustained conflict.

Since last Monday, the Palestinian militant group Hamas has fired hundreds of rockets into Israel, whose military responded by barraging the Gaza Strip with tank fire and air strikes.

In response to reports of anti-Semitic abuse, Mr Johnson said: 'There is no place for anti-Semitism in our society.

'Ahead of Shavuot, I stand with Britain's Jews who should not have to endure the type of shameful racism we have seen today.'

Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer described the incident as 'utterly disgusting'.

'Anti-Semitism, misogyny and hate have no place on our streets or in our society,' he said. There must be consequences.'

More protests are planned for this weekend as the violence between Israel and Gaza continues.
Chris Whitty is on holiday for the first time in two years - but is still tracking the Indian variant of coronavirus

Chris Whitty is on holiday for the first time in two years - but is still tracking the Indian variant of coronavirus.

The chief medical officer is on leave this week after overseeing the frantic efforts to tackle the pandemic, MailOnline understands.

However, he has opted to stay in the UK rather than take advantage of the lifting of the ban on non-essential travel.

Prof Whitty is also said to be in 'daily contact' with his office and still keeping careful tabs on developments with the Indian strain. 'He is having a break as much as he can,' one source said.

The chief medical officer's deputies are on duty, with Jonathan Van-Tam set to appear at a Downing Street press conference alongside Health Secretary Matt Hancock and new Test & Trace chief Jenny Harries this evening.

A Cabinet minister told MailOnline: 'It is his first break in two years.

'He has earned a lot of respect for the way he has handled things.

'It is not easy because politicians are used to getting shouted at, but people like Whitty arrive in a position because their careers take them there.'

Prof Whitty has become one of the best known figures in government over the course of the crisis, fronting adverts and regularly fielding questions at press briefings with the PM and science chief Sir Patrick Vallance.

Polls have suggested the 55-year-old - a practising consultant at University College London Hospitals (UCLH) and the Hospital for Tropical Diseases - is among the most trusted public figures.

In February Prof Whitty was widely praised for his calm response when a video emerged of a teenager berating him in the street.

He self-isolated with coronavirus symptoms in March last year, at around the same time Mr Johnson tested positive.

Prof Whitty is due to give a lecture on health trends this evening, but it has been pre-recorded.

The government is wrestling with how to respond to the latest mutant strain, with Boris Johnson considering whether the next stage of unlocking on June 21 can go ahead.

Prof Whitty has become one of the best known figures in government over the course of the crisis, fronting adverts and regularly fielding questions at press briefings with the PM (pictured centre in March 2020) and science chief Sir Patrick Vallance (right)

Prof Neil Ferguson today warned that the schedule is 'in the balance' and it might not be clear for weeks how much of a threat the variant poses.

But he said there was a 'glimmer of hope' that the variant might be less transmissible than initially feared.

The comments came as the PM faces a revolt from his own MPs at the prospect of the unlocking timetable being pushed back.

One Cabinet minister told MailOnline there would be 'serious trouble' from the Tory benches if he does not stick to the date for lifting almost all restrictions.

And the Tory council leader in Bolton raised alarm about 'civil unrest' in the town if it is placed under a local lockdown.

The government has admitted a review of social distancing rules that had been expected this month could be delayed as they wrestle with the response to the latest variant.

Pressed during an interview on BBC Radio 4's Today programme for his 'hunch' about whether the next stage of the roadmap would go ahead on schedule, Prof Ferguson said: 'I think that is being actively considered.

'It is very much in the balance. The data collected in the next two-three weeks will determine that.'

He said it was not yet clear how much more transmissible the Indian variant is, but added: 'Certainly, it is much easier to deal with 20 per cent, even 30 per cent (more transmissibility) than it would be 50 per cent or more.

'The challenge we have is because of how it was introduced into the country.

'It was introduced from overseas, principally into people with Indian ethnicity, a higher chance of living in multi-generational households and often in quite deprived areas with high density housing, and so we're trying to work out whether the rapid growth we've seen in areas such as Bolton is going to be typical of what we could expect elsewhere, or is really what is called a founder effect which is often seen in these circumstances.

Prof Whitty (pictured fronting a public information advert on TV is said to be in 'daily contact' with his office and still keeping careful tabs on developments with the Indian strain

'There's a little bit of, I would say, glimmer of hope from the recent data that whilst this variant does still appear to have a significant growth advantage, the magnitude of that advantage seems to have dropped a little bit with the most recent data, so the curves are flattening a little, but it will take more time for us to be definitive about that.'

There have been signs of rising optimism in government, buoyed by the sight of people queuing for jabs in hotspot areas like Bolton, and official data showing that the epidemic is continuing to shrink.

The latest figures revealed that, despite concern about the Indian variant, average daily cases are down by 2.6 per cent on the previous week.

Daily hospital admissions in England fell to just 70. And the total number of Covid patients in hospital in England now stands at just 798, the lowest figure since the middle of September.

Senior Tories believe that the blaze of publicity about the Indian variant is boosting vaccine take up amongst hard-to-reach groups.

Government sources have also played down reports that the PM is considering a return to local lockdowns.

Mr Johnson said yesterday that data from hotspots including Bolton, Blackburn, Bedford and Sefton were being examined to find out more about the impact of the variant.

Asked whether local lockdowns could be used, Mr Johnson said: 'We've just got to be cautious about the way we approach it and we will be letting people know as much as we can, as soon as we can.

'But at the moment we don't see anything conclusive that makes us think we have to deviate from the road map.'
Nicola Sturgeon has axed her blundering deputy John Swinney from his education brief in a reshuffle that prepares the ground for a new independence push - by putting him in charge of Scotland's recovery from Covid.

Mr Swinney, who presided over disasters including last year's exams chaos and faced two votes of no confidence, has been handed a key new economic and health role in the First Minister's revamped Cabinet.

In a reshuffle today high-profile Justice Secretary Humza Yousaf moved to Health and Social Care, while Shirley-Anne Somerville switches from Equalities Secretary to replace Mr Swinney at Education.

After being returned as First Minister Ms Sturgeon today also axed two of her longest serving ministers. Both Economy Secretary Fiona Hyslop and Rural Economy and Tourism Secretary Fergus Ewing have been part of the Scottish Government since the SNP took power in 2007.

But it is the repositioning of Mr Swinney to be Scotland's Coronavirus Recovery Secretary that has attracted the most attention, sparking accusations that by giving him the newly created post, Nicola Sturgeon is 'gambling' with the country's health and economy.

He has been reappointed as Deputy First Minister but questions have been raised about his new role following high profile blunders when he was Education Secretary.

These included last year's cancelled exams, which led to thousands of pupils having their final grades downgraded based on their school's performance.

He also came under fire over the failure to close the attainment gap, reduce class sizes, address the narrowing curriculum or reverse a trend for classes covering multiple levels in secondaries.

The reshuffle came after the SNP leader insisted that 'Scotland's future must be Scotland's choice' as MSPs overwhelmingly returned her to the top post following the nationalist victory in Holyrood elections two weeks ago.

Setting out her priorities in the Scottish Parliament last night she said she wanted to lead the country 'to brighter and better times' with recovery from the coronavirus pandemic her 'driving priority'.

Rewarded for failure? Mr Swinney, who presided over disasters including last year's exams chaos and faced two votes of no confidence, has been handed a key new economic and health role in the First Minister's revamped Cabinet.

Scottish Labour deputy leader Jackie Baillie said putting Mr Swinney in charge of the recovery pandemic was 'potentially gambling with the health and well-being of the nation'

In a reshuffle today high-profile Justice Secretary Humza Yousaf moved to Health and Social Care, while Shirley-Anne Somerville switches from Equalities Secretary to replace Mr Swinney at Education.

Nicola Sturgeon's new Cabinet First Minister: Nicola Sturgeon Deputy First Minister: John Swinney Health: Humza Yousaf Finance: Kate Forbes Education: Shirley-Anne Somerville Transport: Michael Matheson Rural Affairs: Mairi Gougeon Social Justice/Housing/Local Government: Shona Robison Culture: Angus Robertson Keith Brown: Justice Advertisement

The First Minister had faced growing calls to sack Ms Swinney after he just survived the no-confidence votes in the previous parliamentary term.

Yesterday, Scottish Labour deputy leader Jackie Baillie said: 'It is right that John Swinney has been moved on from his previous role.

'He has left a wake of damaging failures behind him that require urgent action to fix.'

But she said putting Mr Swinney in charge of the recovery pandemic was 'potentially gambling with the health and well-being of the nation'.

She added: 'While we wish him well, he must demonstrate quickly that he is up to the job.'

The Scottish Conservatives said Mr Swinney 'presided over failure after failure in our schools'.

His new role of Cabinet Secretary for Covid Recovery has been described as the most important brief in the Scottish Government, aside from the job of First Minister.

Mr Swinney will work closely with the UK Government on the coronavirus recovery, co-ordinating Scottish Government departments and working with cross-party groups as the pandemic comes to an end.

He will also 'mobilise the Scottish Government and wider public, private and third sectors to ensure a strong recovery'.

Mr Swinney will chair a cross-party steering group on the recovery, which will hold its first meeting next week, and take the lead on intergovernmental relations, public service reform, and the delivery of 'transformational projects'.

Miss Sturgeon said her priority is to lead the country through the pandemic and into a recovery.

She added: 'Appointing John Swinney to drive cross-government work on Covid recovery is a key step in getting Scotland's recovery off to the right start.'

Mr Swinney said that recovery in schools, the NHS, the economy and across wider society is 'this Government's immediate priority and I am honoured to have been asked to lead that mission'.

He added: 'I am determined that the Government will bring the same urgency that we applied to the actions we took to protect public health, to the actions we need to take to secure a fair and just recovery.'

After being returned as First Minister Ms Sturgeon today also axed two of her longest serving ministers. Both Economy Secretary Fiona Hyslop and Rural Economy and Tourism Secretary Fergus Ewing have been part of the Scottish Government since the SNP took power in 2007.

Speaking as she began her cabinet reshuffle, Ms Sturgeon said: "I want to pay tribute to the work of both Fiona Hyslop and Fergus Ewing and to thank them for their unstinting public service over many years.

"Fiona has served in Cabinet since 2007, firstly as Education Secretary, then as Culture and External Affairs Secretary before taking on the Economy and Fair Work portfolio.

"Her tenure in the External Affairs brief saw Fiona oversee the expansion of the Scottish Government's international footprint, giving our country a higher profile than it has ever had before on the global stage, and that is a legacy which she can and should be justly proud of."

Speaking about Mr Ewing, the First Minister said: "Fergus has also been part of the ministerial team since 2007, and has brought diligence and endeavour to all of the jobs he has held.

"In particular, he has worked tirelessly with and on behalf of Scotland's rural sector over the past five years since the Brexit vote, fighting their corner at every turn.

"Fergus has been a champion for Scotland's farmers and crofters during one of the most difficult, challenging and uncertain periods our agricultural sector has ever faced, and he has the gratitude of many in the industry for his efforts to protect their interests."

Ms Sturgeon said: "I want to offer my sincere thanks to Fiona and Fergus for their service, and wish them well as they continue to serve their constituents in the new Parliament."

The reshuffle is taking place after the SNP won a record fourth term in government at Holyrood, although Ms Sturgeon's party just fell short of winning an overall majority at Holyrood.

The election in May also saw a number of senior politicians leave the Scottish Parliament, with Constitution Secretary Mike Russell, Health Secretary Jeane Freeman, Environment Secretary Roseanna Cunningham and Communities Secretary Aileen Campbell all choosing to step away from politics, while energy minister Paul Wheelhouse failed to be re-elected.
A pro-Palestine protestor was struck by a hit-and-run driver and carried along on the bonnet before a mass of fellow demonstrators surrounded the victim.

Footage from Kensington, west London, captures the rally as it marches down the high street, with demonstrators clutching Palestinian flags over their shoulders.

But the protest is suddenly interrupted by a motorist who crashes into one of the group, carrying them up the road on their car bonnet as they attempt to flee.

The person clings to the car before eventually falling to the ground as those around frantically drop signs reading 'End the Siege' to rush to their aid.

Footage from Kensington, west London, captures the rally as it marches down the high street, with demonstrators clutching Palestinian flags over their shoulders

A huge crowd is soon gathered around the protester, with people behind calling for an ambulance and shouting to others to 'give him space.'

The driver failed to stop at the scene but the Metropolitan Police does not believe the collision at around 9pm on Saturday was deliberate.

A Scotland Yard spokesperson said: 'Officers attended along with London Ambulance Service and found the pedestrians - a man and a woman - with minor injuries.

'The woman was taken to hospital as a precaution.

'The driver of the car failed to stop at the scene and enquiries to locate them are ongoing.

'No arrests have been made.'

But the peaceful protest is suddenly interrupted by a motorist who crashes into one of the group, carrying them up the road on their car bonnet as they attempt to flee

A huge crowd is soon gathered around the protester, with people behind calling for an ambulance and shouting to others to 'give him space'

Those on social media have reacted to the video with horror, with many alleging it appeared the driver had rammed into the protesters on purpose.

One person said: 'Don't think I would ever call this an accident.

'Person had an issue with people being in the street and accelerated away knowing they had hurt someone.'

But other people were less sympathetic, with another saying: 'If you come to these protests to riot, dance, or fight then you aren't doing Palestine any good.

'Please stay home.

The driver failed to stop at the scene but the Metropolitan Police does not believe the collision at around 9pm on Saturday was deliberate

Those on social media have reacted to the video with horror, with many alleging it appeared the driver had rammed into the protesters on purpose

'These people probably don't even know what's going on and are there for the social interaction, I rest my case.'

Elsewhere on Saturday, nine police officers were injured when a small group of pro-Palestine protesters clashed with the Met.

Missiles were also hurled at the Israeli embassy in London.

There were later four arrests in connection to a video of anti-Semitic abuse being shouted out of a car window in north London.

Demonstrators gather around the scene at around 9pm on Saturday in west London

Police and paramedics were called to the scene with two people found with injuries

It comes as Israel continues to bombard Gaza, as Palestinian militants also send volleys of rockets at southern Israeli cities.

The Hamas-run health ministry claims 200 Palestinians including 59 children have been killed in the territory over the past week.

Israel says 130 militants are among the dead but militant group Hamas, which governs the Gaza Strip, rejects this claim.
Police will start evicting Glastonbury travellers after three local councils were forced to provide them with water, toilets and rubbish collections for a year during Covid lockdown.

Bailiffs and 'civil enforcers' have begun moving on the travellers, just over a year after they were encouraged to stop and settle to stop the spread of coronavirus.

In a bid to finally take action against the travellers, a 'Multi-Agency Group' was set up, consisting of Avon and Somerset police and all three local authorities - Somerset County Council, Mendip District Council and Glastonbury Town Council.

Since the start of the pandemic, travellers, Gypsies and people living in vans were encouraged to stay put where they were in Glastonbury - a town which has long been a Mecca for travellers and those pursuing an alternative lifestyle.

Police will start evicting Glastonbury travellers after three local councils were forced to provide them with water, toilets and rubbish collections for a year during Covid lockdown

Local council chiefs even put in sanitation facilities at several spots around the town, as part of efforts to stop the spread of coronavirus, and provide van-dwellers with alternative facilities with places like leisure centres, shops, public toilets and libraries closed in lockdown.

But now, with lockdown easing, and the big step taken on May 17, the authorities said the van-dwellers and travellers have been told they are no longer welcome on the streets, estates and sites in Glastonbury - and they should move on.

Back in February, residents living in Bretenoux Road, and people living on the surrounding Redlands estate in the Mendip town, expressed concerns that the presence of so many van-dwellers living in the streets was having a negative effect on their area.

Back then, Mendip District Council told residents that while there was a pandemic, moving them on would be a last resort.

Now, with the May 17 lockdown easing, that relaxation is over, and the travellers are being told to move.

Pictured: Caravans and vans lined up along Bretenoux Road on the Redlands estate in Glastonbury

The 'Multi-Agency Group' issued a joint statement, on behalf of police and all three local councils, saying they were working to find a long-term solution to so many people living in vans in Glastonbury.

'We'd like to thank the people of Glastonbury for their continuing patience and want to reassure them we are working together to find a long-term solution to the issues of unauthorised encampments in the town,' the statement said.

'A Multi-Agency Group (MAG) consisting of Avon and Somerset Police, Somerset County Council, Glastonbury Town Council and Mendip District Council is now in place. Together we are focused on identifying ways to limit these recurring unauthorised encampments and explore a number of potential options for long-term solutions.

'A number of sub-groups have been formed as part of the MAG focusing on specific areas such as land and enforcement. The MAG will work closely with the community to consider next steps and will engage and communicate progress as we move forward,' it added.

The statement explained that on Tuesday, May 4 - a fortnight before lockdown was lifted, people staying in 'unauthorised encampments' were advised that on May 17, the free sanitation provided would be taken away, and that civil enforcement activity could start from that date.

'We now confirm the civil enforcement process has started,' the statement added.

'Throughout the pandemic, Local Authorities were instructed by Government to take steps to prevent the spread of Coronavirus within communities, and so discourage gypsy and traveller groups from moving from area to area.

'Local provision of sanitation, water, bins, refuse collections, and the issuing of health advice were therefore put in place. In line with the national roadmap and the lifting of national restrictions, these services will now be removed.

'Although we hope this will be a quick process and those living on unauthorised encampments will abide by the law and leave sites from this date, we would like to advise residents of the next steps we'll take if this does not occur,' the statement said.

The MAG group warned residents it might take time to reach a point where enforcement means vans are physically moved on by the authorities, if the van-dwellers themselves haven't moved before then, or are refusing to.

'If unauthorised encampments remain after May 17, it's imperative we follow all correct and legal processes as we enforce. Glastonbury residents have shown tolerance and patience and will understand we have a duty of care for those living on unauthorised encampments, and the need to get this right,' the statement said.

'Firstly, welfare checks will occur at each site to identify any needs - which the Local Authority then must consider. Those deemed able to move (ie those with no welfare needs) but choose to remain, will be served with the relevant notices.

'Failure to comply with those notices may lead to court hearings where the Council can apply for a Court Order to remove remaining vehicles.

'Once the Court Orders have been obtained, bailiffs can be instructed to attend and clear sites. This process can take time as support is put in place to those with genuine welfare concerns.

'Every effort will be taken to complete this as quickly as possible, but always within the confines of the law, the powers in our gift, and taking into account the welfare needs of those living in unauthorised encampments.

'Again, thank you for your patience, your tolerance and your understanding - qualities which are at the heart of what makes Glastonbury such a great place to live and work.'
Advertisement

An interactive map today revealed where the Indian variant of coronavirus is spreading fastest after data showed the mutant virus is dominant in 23 towns.

Just three per cent of cases were found to be the strain in the seven days to April 24 across England.

But over the following two weeks this spiralled by eight-fold, with the variant now thought to be behind one in every five infections detected. It has been found in 127 out of 314 local authorities, or 40 per cent of areas.

Top scientists warn the troublesome variant  B.1.617.2  may be up to 50 per cent more transmissible than the Kent variant  B.1.1.7 , and could become dominant across the whole country in the coming weeks.

But they say studies show vaccines are still effective at blocking serious illness and death among those who catch the virus, meaning jabs still offer ample protection. Boris Johnson said today there was increasing evidence that the vaccines offered protection against the strain.

Public health officials in hotspots, such as Bolton, Blackburn and parts of London, have urged ministers to rush out surge vaccinations there to head off a spike in cases. Department of Health bosses are reportedly in talks to open up Wembley Stadium and Chelsea's Stamford Bridge to dish out more jabs which ministers hope will stop a spike of the mutant strain in the capital.

Professor Neil Ferguson today warned the Indian variant may make Covid vaccines weaker but revealed the strain could be less infectious than first feared.

The SAGE adviser  dubbed 'Professor Lockdown' for his frightening modelling of the pandemic during last spring  said data had suggested the current jabs are less effective at stopping people from catching the mutant virus.

He claimed the Government's scientists were 'slightly concerned' this could give the surging strain more opportunity to spread to vulnerable and unvaccinated groups.

But the University College London epidemiologist insisted there was a 'good deal of confidence' among SAGE that the vaccines will protect against severe disease and death, which would be crucial in protecting the NHS in the event of a third wave.

Matt Hancock revealed on Monday there were 2,300 cases of the Indian variant in the UK. This number is expected to rise again when officials publish an updated tally tomorrow.

The above graph is based on Sanger Institute data on cases identified in the community. It shows that while the Kent variant (B.1.1.7) remains dominant in the country, infections with the Indian variant (B.1.617.2) are rising rapidly. In the week to April 24 it made up barely three per cent of all infections spotted, but by May 8 it was behind 27 per cent

Positive test figures from the Wellcome Sanger Institute  which cover only lab-analysed cases in the two weeks between April 25 and May 8  reveal the mutant Indian strain made up 50 per cent or more of all samples in 23 parts of the country by last week. Bolton and Blackburn in the North West remain the worst-hit areas with almost 600 cases between them and the variant making up 81 per cent of infections

The growing red sections on graphs represent Indian variant cases surging in local authorities where it could be taking off. In these places it can already be seen edging out the Kent strain (orange) and scientists fear this suggests it is more infectious and could take over as the number one type of the virus in the UK. Note: Some areas, such as Stevenage, Broxbourne and Oadby are recording very few cases of the virus so changes may not constitute a trend

The Indian variant also appears to be edging out the Kent strain in various parts of London, where it already accounts for half of cases or more, but low numbers of infections mean this may an effect caused by small clusters of cases

WHERE HAD THE INDIAN VARIANT BEEN SPOTTED IN ENGLAND BY MAY 8? Local authority Bolton

Blackburn with Darwen

Sefton

Bedford

Nottingham

Leicester

S. Northamptonshire

Hounslow

Wigan

Croydon

C. Bedfordshire

Hillingdon

Brent

Ealing

Harrow

Bromley

Chelmsford

Gedling

Rochdale

Birmingham

Manchester

Sandwell

Enfield

Greenwich

Canterbury

Chorley

Barnet

Aylesbury Vale

Barking and Dagen.

Bury

Tower Hamlets

Preston

Wolverhampton

E. Northamptonshire

Salford

Bexley

Lewisham

N. Lincolnshire

Milton Keynes

Pendle

Broxtowe

Liverpool

Coventry

Herefordshire

Luton

Three Rivers

Burnley

Trafford

Newham

Wiltshire

Sevenoaks

Stockport

Camden

Slough

Watford

Dartford

Tameside

Waltham Forest

Westminster

Reading

Cambridge

Rushmoor

Broxbourne

Northampton

Nuneaton and Bedworth

Oldham

North Tyneside

Dudley

Kirklees

Hull

Eastleigh

N.Herefordshire

Rossendale

West Lancashire

Newcastle

Walsall

Havering

Kingston upon Thames

Lambeth

Southwark

Blackpool

Southampton

Cheshire East

Cheshire West and C.

High Peak

Hart

Test Valley

Dacorum

Oadby and Wigston

Breckland

Tamworth

E. Hertfordshire

Stevenage

St. Helens

Bradford

Leeds

Hackney

Haringey

Redbridge

Darlington

S. Gloucestershire

Bracknell Forest

County Durham

Brentwood

Colchester

Uttlesford

Dover

Tonbridge and Malling

Lancaster

Charnwood

N. Kesteven

W. Lindsey

S. Oxfordshire

Stafford

Spelthorne

Mid-Sussex

Worcester

Welwyn Hatfield

Hammersmith and Ful.

Kensington and Chelsea

Halton

Derby

Telford and Wrekin

Bath and NE Somerset

N. Somerset

Plymouth

Medway

Wokingham

Brighton and Hove

Isle of Wight

South Bucks

Huntingdonshire

S. Cambridgeshire

S. Lakeland

Derbyshire Dales

Harlow

Tendring

New Forest

Winchester

Hertsmere

Ashford

Maidstone

Tunbridge Wells

Fylde

Hyndburn

Ribble Valley

S. Ribble

East Lindsey

S. Norfolk

Corby

Selby

Mansfield

Vale of White Horse

Ipswich

Surrey Heath

Rugby

Warwick

Crawley

Knowsley

Wirral

Doncaster

Sutton B.1.617.2, April 3 to May 8 456

162

125

104

75

58

36

29

26

25

22

22

21

19

19

18

17

17

17

17

16

16

15

15

14

14

14

13

13

12

12

11

11

10

10

10

10

9

9

9

9

9

9

8

8

8

8

8

8

7

7

7

7

6

6

6

6

6

6

5

5

5

5

5

5

5

5

5

5

4

4

4

4

4

4

4

4

4

4

4

3

3

3

3

3

3

3

3

3

3

3

3

3

3

3

3

3

3

3

2

2

2

2

2

2

2

2

2

2

2

2

2

2

2

2

2

2

2

2

2

1

1

1

1

1

1

1

1

1

1

1

1

1

1

1

1

1

1

1

1

1

1

1

1

1

1

1

1

1

1

1

1

1

1

1

1

1

1

1

1

1

1 Advertisement

MailOnline has crunched the numbers from the Sanger Institute, which is one of the UK's biggest Covid checking labs, to establish what proportion of cases in each area are down to the Indian variant.

The Institute's figures do not include cases picked up through surge testing and in travellers, meaning they reflect which troublesome strains of the virus are spreading in the community.

The proportions are based on the number of Indian variant cases by those from other variants identified over the two weeks to May 8, the latest available. Local authorities with no cases of the variant either had no cases identified from this particular strain or no data available.

The interactive map has been presented by upper tier local authority, which has amalgamated some hotspots into wider areas. For example, South Northants is shown as part of Northamptonshire.

Scientists can find out what variant is behind an infection by analysing a swab in a lab for key mutations.

MailOnline revealed yesterday there were 23 hotspots for the Indian variant in England alone.

Analysis of samples from people infected with Covid has revealed that by the week ending May 8, the variant accounted for eight in 10 cases in hotspots Bolton, Blackburn with Darwen, Sefton and Bedford, as well as in Chelmsford in Essex and Croydon in London.

Data suggests it is also dominant  accounting for more than half of all positive tests  in Nottingham, West Lancashire, Stevenage, Oadby and Wigston, South Northamptonshire, Broxbourne, Hillingdon, Brent, Camden, Hounslow, Greenwich, Bromley, Dartford, Sevenoaks, Canterbury, Rushmoor and Hart.

Fears were raised on Friday when SAGE said the Indian B.1.617.2 variant could be up to 50 per cent more infectious than the dominant Kent strain, considered the most virulent strain in the world.

It has already spread to at least four in 10 areas of England and accounts for one in five new infections since being imported to the UK in late March.

But Professor Ferguson said analysis by the expert group in the past few days had indicated the new variant is less transmissible than initially feared, giving a 'glimmer of hope' for the country's lockdown-easing plans.

Asked about the Indian variant's effect on vaccines, Professor Ferguson told the BBC Radio 4 Today Programme: 'It is something which is being studied very carefully.

'There's a good deal of confidence, and the data is being gathered, that the vaccines will protect against severe disease.

'The effect of the Indian variant on the vaccines will be fairly marginal in terms of the protection against severe disease, so the vaccines protect individuals.

'The thing we're slightly concerned about is whether there's an impact on the ability of vaccines to prevent infection or mild disease and, therefore, prevent transmission in the community.

'There are some hints, and it's not vaccine-specific at the moment, in the data of reduced vaccine efficacy against infection and transmission, but we really have to wait as more data is gathered to be definitive about that.

'But of course it's a concern because, if we don't have the same action of vaccine at blocking transmission, it's another way for the virus to amplify itself in the community.'

Even though the vaccines seem likely to prevent severe illness, there are fears that the new variant could spill into the 30million Britons who have still to get their jab.

There are also a very small number of people for whom the vaccines will not work, because the person is very frail or has a weakened immune system.

Professor Ferguson revealed that, since SAGE's warning about the Indian variant last week, there was new data which suggested the strain could be less infectious than first feared.

He said the data was still uncertain because scientists are trying to disentangle whether the virus is extremely transmissible or whether there are behavioral and social factors at play.

Professor Ferguson added: 'To explain to people why this is difficult [to work out exactly how infectious it is]... It's because of how it was introduced into the country, it was introduced from overseas, principally into people with Indian ethnicity - who are at a higher chance of living in multi-generational households and often in quite deprived areas in high density housing.

'So we're trying to work out whether the rapid growth we've seen in Bolton is going to be typical of what we can expect elsewhere.

'There's a little bit of what I would say is a glimmer of hope, from the recent data, that while this virus does still appear to have a significant growth advantage, the magnitude of that advantage seems to have dropped a little bit with the most recent data, so the curves are flattening a little.

'But it will take more time for us to be definitive about that.'

Experts hope the vaccines have broken the link between cases and hospitalisations or death but can't be sure until they see real-world statistics from hotspots such as Bolton and Blackburn.

Whitehall insiders told The Times that sewage is also being monitored to find other flare-ups of the variant across the country.

If the spread of the variant does translate into increased pressure on the NHS, then England's June 21 'freedom day' plans could be disrupted.

Professor Ferguson said it could be two or three weeks before data provided firm conclusions about the variant and what impact it will have on the lockdown easing roadmap.

And fellow Government adviser Dr Mike Tildesley, from the University of Warwick, said 'we'll get much more evidence' over the next fortnight.

This is despite Boris Johnson suggesting yesterday that the picture would become clearer in 'days'.

Mr Johnson said during Prime Minister's questions today that vaccines 'work well' against the Indian variant, and that the strain may be less infectious than first feared.

The PM said there was 'increasing confidence' among SAGE that the current jabs are highly effective against all variants, including the B.1.617.2 strain which has put England's June 21 freedom day' in jeopardy.

Speaking during Prime Minister's Questions today, Mr Johnson said: 'We've looked at the data again this morning and I can tell the House we have increasing confidence that vaccines are effective against all variants, including the Indian variant.'

It comes amid holiday chaos as the EU approves Covid passports but the Government still refuses to say whether overseas trips are allowed.

Brussels has approved a plan that its 27 member states can adopt a vaccine passport system that will allow tourists to visit without needing to test or quarantine as the Prime Minister urged UK holidaymakers not to travel until he updates his own 'green list'.

The EU's ambassadors signed off on the bloc's travel plan this morning, with the heads of state expected to agree it as an official policy by the end of the week.

But with only Portugal on the UK's 'green list', the PM has said Britons should not be heading to Europe, even if the EU's vaccine passport scheme would allow it, warning flouting quarantine or testing they will be punished heavily.

He told PMQs: 'If you travel to an amber list country for any emergency, any extreme reason that you have to, when you come back, you not only have to pay for all the tests but you have to self-isolate for 10 days - we will invigilate, we are invigilating it, and people who fail to obey the quarantine can face fines of up to 10,000'.

Ryanair today sought to cash in on the boom, offering 5 flights to 'amber list' destinations such as Barcelona, Dublin, Corfu, Berlin and dozens more cities and resorts across Europe through June, when the EU is expected to open up to tourists.

MailOnline can reveal that Tui, the UK's biggest holiday company, has seen a surge in sales for 'amber' destinations in July and August. Most customers are booking breaks at resorts in southern Spain, the Balearics and the Canaries or on Greek islands such as Crete, Kos, and Corfu.

Critics have pointed out that the UK's traffic light system is also adding to the confusion, because an amber light can mean stop or go, with people left 'baffled' by the PM's decision to legalise holidays from May 17 only to urge them to stay at home.

And Skills Minister Gillian Keegan has further fuelled travel chaos by stressing holidays to 'amber list' countries are not illegal and warnings from Boris Johnson are only 'guidance', insisting the government was trusting the public to be 'sensible'.

In a farrago of indecision, last night health minister Lord Bethell claimed travel anywhere abroad was 'dangerous' and foreign trips were 'not for this year', hours after Environment Secretary George Eustice suggested trips to 'amber' countries were acceptable if people wanted to see friends and family.

Virginia Messina, Senior Vice President of the World Travel & Tourism Council, told MailOnline: 'Disagreements over whether or not you can travel to an "amber country" are baffling consumers and leaving the travel and tourism sector in disarray'.

Millions of Britons have already taken advantage of cheaper prices and booked to travel abroad to 'amber list' destinations this summer, with the majority planning to head to Spain, France, Greece and Italy, according to The Independent, despite facing ten days of quarantine and multiple tests.

Department of Health data showed another seven Covid deaths were recorded today, down by 65 per cent from last Tuesday when 20 were recorded. This was far below the darkest days of January when more than 1,000 people died a day

Britain also confirmed another 2,412 Covid infections, down two per cent on the same time last week

Britain yesterday recorded 65 per cent fewer coronavirus deaths than last week as seven more victims were recorded and another 2,412 positive tests were announced, down 2.5 per cent on last Tuesday.

The latest data shows more than 36.8million Britons have now received at least one dose of the Covid vaccine, and 20.5million have had two doses. There were 106,733 first shots dished out yesterday, and 259,049 second inoculations.

Matt Hancock urged Britons to keep turning up for their jabs as the roll-out was expanded to 36 and 37-year-olds, with 35-year-olds expecting to get a call by the end of the week. He said: 'The vaccine is saving lives so when it's your turn, come forward and get the jab.'

Separate figures revealed today the B.1.617.2 strain had already spread to 40 per cent of areas in England, and now makes up at least one in five new infections across the country.

Mr Johnson desperately tried to play down rising fears the June 21 'freedom day' could be ditched because of surging cases of the strain, stressing his roadmap out of lockdown was currently unchanged.

But he appeared to shift his language slightly by saying there is not yet 'conclusive' evidence that the exit strategy will need to be altered, and said things would be clearer 'in a few days'.

'We are looking at the epidemiology the whole time as it comes in and, at the moment, partly because we have built up such a wall of defences with the vaccination programme, I don't see anything conclusive at the moment to say that we need to deviate from the road map,' he said.

'But we've got to be cautious and we are keeping everything under very close observation. We'll know a lot more in a few days' time.'

England eased Covid restrictions on Monday to again allow pubs and restaurants to serve indoors, and people to welcome up to six friends and family members into their homes.
Park rangers have shot dead a rampaging elephant which killed three people and injured several others in northwestern Benin.

A local organisation skinned the huge animal, before hacking up its meat to distribute to villagers in the town of Kandi.

Photos shared online showed crowds of onlookers watching the enormous carcass being divided in late April.

A statement signed by Christophe Lemee, the director of one of the area's national parks, said that rangers killed 'a marauding elephant' in Kandi on April 27.

Northwest Benin is home to the Pendjari and W national parks - part of the WAP complex (W-Arly-Pendjari) that makes up West Africa's largest stretch of protected land.

Park rangers have shot dead a rampaging elephant which killed three people and injured several others in northwestern Benin. A local organisation skinned the huge animal, before hacking up its meat to distribute to villagers in the town of Kandi

Most of the 6,000 elephants that live in the region call the parks home, though it is fairly common for them to roam close to nearby villages, France24 reported.

The statement from Lemee said that the elephant had been killed due to 'the grand and persistent menace he posed to local populations,' as well as 'the difficulty of controlling it and returning it to its natural habitat as soon as possible.'

The elephant had been wandering close to villages since mid-March and killed a woman after charging at her in a forest.

He later injured several people in the Sam neighbourhood before going on to kill two more people in Sonsoro, another Kandi neighbourhood.

The animal was shot and killed by a team of forestry workers and rangers from African Parks, a South African NGO that runs the reserves, France24 reported.

Department of Water and Forests workers then skinned the elephant, cutting off its tail and tusks, before a local organisation distributed the several tons of meat to locals.

David Ayegnon, the forestry captian who led the operation, said that locals had asked rangers to kill the elephant when it killed the woman in March but they had refused, hoping it would return to its natural habitat.

He told France24's Observers team that after the others were killed, the team began the process to remove the elephant but it had been unsuccessful.

Photos shared online showed crowds of onlookers watching the enormous carcass being divided in late April

'We didn't have the means to move it ourselves. It was in a gallery forest, which is really difficult to access. There are no landing strips for airplanes and there isn't really any form of transportation that could be used to transport an elephant that could access the area.

'We are protectors of the environment and we have no interest in killing animals. But we were forced to make this difficult decision in order to protect the locals. They could no longer go to the fields or go about their daily activities. The elephant had caused a lot of damage,' Ayegnon told France24.

Despite the elephant's violence towards humans, some social media users expressed sadness as its death.

'Killing an animal that is outside of its natural habitat and that costs human life isn't a solution for the increasing number of conflicts between animals and the local population,' one wrote.
Mexico apologizes to Chinese community for wrongs committed during revolution

Xinhua) 10:19, May 19, 2021

MEXICO CITY, May 18 (Xinhua) -- The Mexican government has apologized to the Chinese community for injustices and wrongdoings committed during the upheaval of the Mexican Revolution in early 20th century.

During a solemn ceremony titled "Appeal for forgiveness for offences against the Chinese community in Mexico" early Monday, Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador lamented the massacre of 303 Chinese people by revolutionary troops in 1911 in the country's northern Coahuila state.

Condemning the crime as motivated by "racial hatred," Lopez Obrador said "violence and war must be avoided by all means" in his speech in the city of Torreon where the tragedy occurred.

As part of the ceremony, Lopez Obrador symbolically presented "the tree of life" to Chinese Ambassador to Mexico Zhu Qingqiao.

In his speech, Zhu said that a review of history leads to a deeper appreciation of the friendship between China and Mexico so as to forge a more promising future.

He also highlighted the two country's joint efforts in combating COVID-19, which he said have left a strong imprint on the history of relations between China and Mexico.

The ceremony was also attended by prominent Mexicans of Chinese descent and local Mexican politicians.

Sergio Ley, a Mexican businessman and diplomat of Chinese ancestry, said China and Mexico share similarities and opportunities to promote global justice and equality, fight poverty, champion fair trade between nations, combat climate change and advocate the rights of migrants.

Coahuila Governor Miguel Angel Riquelme warned that xenophobia, discrimination and racism are scourges that erode the social fabric.

Many Chinese emigrated to Mexico in the 1900s. The killings of Chinese occurred during the chaotic period of the 1910 Mexican Revolution after revolutionary troops overran Torreon.

(Web editor: Shi Xi, Hongyu)
The Chief Minister has reportedly decided to rope in Rama Rao and Harish Rao who could match Rajendar's stature in Huzurabad. (Twitter)

HYDERABAD: TRS president and Chief Minister K. Chandrashekar Rao has decided to rope in ministers K.T. Rama Rao and T. Harish Rao to take control of Huzurabad, the bastion of ousted health minister Etala Rajendar.

Party's official sources said though minister Gangula Kamalakar had been assigned this task, the party leadership was not satisfied with the outcome.

Rama Rao and Harish Rao were asked to tour Huzurabad frequently after the lockdown in June to strengthen the TRS in the constituency and ensure victory for the party candidate in the event of a bypoll anytime.

Kamalakar was immediately appointed as Huzurabad party in-charge after Rajendar's dismissal from the Cabinet on May 2. Kamalakar has been holding meetings with local party leaders and cadre in Huzurabad since then. The task assigned by the party leadership to Kamalakar was to ensure that no leaders or cadre from the TRS sail with Rajendar.

Though Kamalakar could convince several party's local leaders like ZPTCs, MPTCs, sarpanches, ward members, councillors etc to remain in the TRS and made them give public statements expressing their support to the TRS and the Chief Minister, many local leaders and cadre continue to support Rajendar.

The party leadership apparently realised that Rajendar still enjoys considerable clout among local party leaders and cadre that he had developed over the past two decades and Kamalakar could not match his stature. Therefore, the party requires a strong leadership to neutralise the impact of Rajendar's exit.

With this, the Chief Minister has reportedly decided to rope in Rama Rao and Harish Rao who could match Rajendar's stature in Huzurabad and convince the entire party local leaders and cadre in the constituency to remain with the TRS. Both the ministers will frequently interact with party's local leaders and cadre besides launching development works worth several crores of rupees to garner people's support ahead of bypoll.
A Met Police officer who was jailed for breaking a black father's leg in front of his sons as they visited their mother's grave has also now been sacked by the force.

PC Charlie Harrison 'racially profiled' Carl Abrahams, 47, as he made his way home from a cemetery in east London on December 31, 2018, a court was previously told.

The 39-year-old officer was patrolling in an unmarked police car in Forest Gate, with two other officers as part of the Violent Crime Task Force.

In front of Harrison's car was another unmarked car containing three officers which did not stop.

The unmarked cars had been briefed that morning to look for a number of black men who were wanted for violent crimes.

Mr Abrahams, in his 40s, and an independent witness both said Harrison pulled up and approached his victim alone without identifying himself.

The family walked past the officer who was blocking their path, and without saying a word, Harrison kicked at Mr Abraham's knee, knocking him to the ground and fracturing his upper shin.

The other officers jumped out of their cars and threatened to arrest a bystander who confronted the officers.

When interviewed Harrison first claimed he was looking for 'drugs and guns'.

During his trial the officer changed his story and said the family 'noticed' his car which was 'suspicious'.

But he eventually conceded that he had no grounds to carry out a stop and search, as none of the family group had acted suspiciously.

PC Harrison was charged with GBH in August 2019 after an investigation by officers from the Directorate of Professional Standards

Harrison denied but was convicted of causing grievous bodily harm at Southwark Crown Court after a trial in March.

He was later jailed for two years and three months.

Harrison has now been dismissed without notice from the Met Police for breaching standards of professional behaviour in relation to discreditable conduct and use of force following a misconduct hearing.

Commander Paul Betts said: 'This is a very serious matter with PC Harrison jailed following his conviction for GBH.

'A misconduct hearing has now been held and PC Harrison's actions found to have fallen well below the standard we expect of our police officers.

'This type of behaviour has no place in our police service and it is right PC Harrison has now been dismissed without notice. He will also be placed on the College of Policing's barred list.'

Sentencing Harrison Judge Gregory Perrins had said Harrison had failed to apologise or accept that his use of force was unjustified in any way during the trial.

He said: 'You stopped your police car in the road, got out of the driver's seat and quickly approached them before your fellow officers had left the car.

'Your explanation as to why you felt that this was necessary has changed.

'When you were interviewed by the police you said that you were a proactive police officer and that you felt it appropriate to approach Mr Abrahams and his sons because "you don't find drugs and weapons by remaining in your police car".

'When giving evidence you suggested, for the first time, that you saw them notice your unmarked police car which you thought was suspicious.

'Nevertheless, you had to concede that you had no grounds to arrest either Mr Abrahams or his sons, nor did you have any grounds to carry out a stop and search.

'They had done absolutely nothing wrong nor had they behaved in any way that could be deemed suspicious.

'They were simply a family returning from a cemetery where they had gone to visit the grave of their partner and mother.'

PC Harrison was jailed last month following a five-day trial at Southwark Crown Court

The father suffered a fracture at the top of his shin bone and blood in the knee joint and spent New Year's Eve in hospital, before having to then use crutches for three months.

Mr Abrahams no longer plays sport and his sons are still fearful of the police, the court was told.

The judge added: 'Having heard the evidence at trial, I strongly suspect that the reason that you stopped Mr Abrahams and his sons was because they were black.

'Had Mr Abrahams and his sons been white I suspect that you would simply drove on by, this was in my judgement a clear case of racial profiling.

'You approached Mr Abrahams and his sons, blocking their path, and indicated that you wanted to speak to them.

'It was Mr Abrahams' evidence that he was unaware that you were a police officer.

'With no further comment and within what can only have been a few seconds you kicked Mr Abrahams' leg, deliberately knocking him to the ground.

'Mr Howard, the passer by, immediately confronted you and asked why you had assaulted Mr Abrahams.

'He was told either by you or one of your colleagues that he should move along and that if he didn't he would be arrested.

'He, too, had done nothing wrong and yet was threatened with arrest simply because he had witnessed a serious assault.

'Mr Abrahams was in obvious pain. Although it was suggested at trial that his sons were aggressive and confrontational in the aftermath of the incident, the video footage shows the exact opposite.

'They were clearly shocked, frightened and deeply concerned for their father.

'It was your case at trial that Mr Abrahams was aggressive and that you quickly formed the view that he was going to assault you.

'You therefore used an approved "leg sweep" manoeuvre to take him to the ground where he could be restrained.

'In mitigation it is suggested that I should sentence you on the basis that this was a case of excessive self-defence. I reject that suggestion.

'Having heard the evidence at trial I see no basis upon which you could genuinely have thought it necessary to defend yourself from a man walking down the street with his two sons with his hands in his pockets.

'This was a deliberate assault... Mr Abraham's two children were present.

'They had to watch their father being kicked to the ground without justification by a police officer.

'Mr Abrahams' victim impact statement makes it plain that this has had a profound impact upon both of them.'
President Joe Biden delivers his first commencement address as president to Coast Guard Academy graduates Wednesday, as he faces new pressure from within his party turn up public pressure on Israel over its war with Hamas.

Biden flies to New London, Connecticut to deliver the speech Wednesday morning. Presidents deliver graduation to the service academies on a rotating basis.

Early indications were that the president would speak about the role of the Coast Guard in safeguarding the nation's security, although presidents sometimes use spring graduation ceremonies to touch on more sweeping themes.

President Joe Biden speaks to Coast Guard Academy graduates on Wednesday

In Biden's case, the speech comes as the administration was set to formally announce 60 per cent of Americans had received at least one coronavirus shot. It also comes a day after fighting between Israel and Hamas intruded on his trip to Michigan.

Biden spoke for several minutes on the tarmac in Michigan with Rep. Rashida Tlaib, who according to her office pressed him on what she called unconditional support for Israel.

President Joe Biden speaks with Representative Rashida Taib (D-Mich) during Tuesday's trip to Detroit. He acknowledged her Palestinian family in remarks

Step on it! Biden took heat after he joked about running over a reporter who asked a question about Israel when he was test-driving the new F150 electric truck

Vice President Joe Biden gestures during commencement for the United States Coast Guard Academy in New London, Conn., Wednesday, May 22, 2013

Amid growing pressure from fellow Democrats, the Administration leaked Tuesday that Biden had told Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu that he could only hold off criticism of its strikes in Gaza for a limited period of time. The New York Times reported on the tougher private tone Biden took after the White House said only that he had expressed 'support' for a cease fire.

Some House Democrats are demanding a call for an immediate cease fire.

Israel is studying whether the time is right to stop its bombing campaign in cause, but is preparing for 'more days' of strikes, AFP reported, citing an Israeli military source.

'We are looking at when is the right moment for a ceasefire,' said the source.

Biden addressed Coast Guard graduates in 2013 when he was vice president.
A Met policewoman who was filmed shouting free Palestine and hugging protesters at a rally was today condemned by a senior police federation official who said he feared officers had lost their impartiality when they began taking the knee during Black Lives Matter protests last year.

The unnamed officer was also recorded endorsing the protest outside the Israeli embassy - shortly before it turned violent and her police colleagues came under attack.

Today Ken Marsh, chairman of the Metropolitan Police Federation said: I dont understand why she did it because it was definitely something she shouldnt have done thats for sure.

'Police officers must remain impartial at all times. Dont forget this happened at a rally where her police colleagues were later violently attacked.

I think the taking of the knee set a bit of a precedent.

Today Ken Marsh, chairman of the Metropolitan Police Federation said he 'did not understand why the officer did it'

A Met policewoman who was filmed shouting free Palestine and hugging protesters at a rally was today condemned by a senior police federation official

Metropolitan Police officers took the knee during the summer's Black Lives Matter protest in London, after being given the green light to do so by bosses

'This Covid period seems to have given officers the opportunity of expressing themselves in a way they shouldnt while wearing the Queens uniform.

That brings with it certain responsibilities. We have to police without fear or favour.

The row began when footage obtained by MailOnline showed the unnamed female officer at the demo at which thousands had protesters marched through central London to protest against Israels policys in Gaza before gathering outside the countrys embassy in Kensington.

The officer shouted Free Palestine to cheers of support and was also seen clutching a white rose and raising her arm aloft in support of those gathered in the footage taken last Saturday.

The Met officer was filmed raising her arm in the air and chanting 'free Palestine' while policing a protest outside the Israeli Embassy in London over the weekend

The officer hugged a woman who urged her to join the protest, where nine police officers were injured

She hold the protester's hand while clutching a white rose in the film that has sparked a Met investigation

Nine police officers were injured and missiles were thrown amid efforts to disperse pro-Palestine protesters outside the Israeli Embassy in London on Saturday

Pro-Palestine protestor is struck by hit-and-run driver and carried along on bonnet before mass of fellow demonstrators surround the car in angry Kensington scenes By Faith Ridler for MailOnline A pro-Palestine protestor was struck by a hit-and-run driver and carried along on the bonnet before a mass of fellow demonstrators surrounded the victim. Footage from Kensington, west London, captures the rally as it marches down the high street, with demonstrators clutching Palestinian flags over their shoulders. But the peaceful protest is suddenly interrupted by a motorist who crashes into one of the group, carrying them up the road on their car bonnet as they attempt to flee. Footage from Kensington, west London, captures the rally as it marches down the high street, with demonstrators clutching Palestinian flags over their shoulders The person clings to the car before eventually falling to the ground as those around frantically drop signs reading 'End the Siege' to rush to their aid. A huge crowd is soon gathered around the protester, with people behind calling for an ambulance and shouting to others to 'give him space.' The driver failed to stop at the scene but the Metropolitan Police does not believe the collision at around 9pm on Saturday was deliberate. A Scotland Yard spokesperson said: 'Officers attended along with London Ambulance Service and found the pedestrians - a man and a woman - with minor injuries. 'The woman was taken to hospital as a precaution. 'The driver of the car failed to stop at the scene and enquiries to locate them are ongoing. 'No arrests have been made.' Advertisement

Thirteen people were later arrested after police were pelted with missiles and hit with wooden sticks outside the Israeli Embassy in Kensington.

Her behaviour is now the subject of an internal investigation and The Directorate of Professional Standards has been informed.

Mr Marsh said: This case is a really difficult one for me because she is a member of the Federation and my role is to represent her but I cannot excuse her actions on this occasion.

The Met Police Federation is a staff association that represents London police of all ranks in lieu of a union which they are not allowed.

In footage the policewoman is shown holding the hand of an activist having been handed a white rose, before hugging the woman on the street in Kensington, west London.

The officer appears to say she is 'praying day and night' to Allah, before embracing the woman despite Met rules saying 'officers must remain independent and impartial in carrying out their duties'.

She then raises her arm in the air and repeatedly chants: 'Free free Palestine, free free Palestine', sparking cheers from the thousands of people walking to the protest at the Israeli embassy.

The clip sparked outrage on social media, especially amongst British Jews, and Scotland Yard is investigating after being bombarded with complaints on Twitter.

MailOnline has asked whether the officer has been suspended, but the Met declined to answer.

The incident came after Met officers were criticised for taking the knee during BLM protests in London in 2020, after bosses gave them the green light saying it was down to their 'discretion' to do so.

Some older officers were insistent that police shouldn't kneel to protesters, who injured a total of 27 Met police officers last summer.

A Met Police spokesman said: 'We are aware of a video that has been posted on social media which shows an officer joining in with chanting while on duty at a demonstration.

'While officers are encouraged to positively engage with those attending demonstrations, they know they are not to actively participate or adopt political positions. This is vital to ensuring the public have confidence in our officers.

'The Directorate of Professional Standards has been informed and are investigating the full circumstances of this incident and to determine what further action is appropriate'.

Meanwhile, the Met's events unit, which is in charge of policing protests in London tweeted: 'We police hundreds of events and protests every year and officers must remain independent and impartial in carrying out their duties.

'We are aware of footage circulating from the weekend. We're reviewing it and a further update will be released shortly'.

The incident has led to a slew of complaints to the Met via social media, with the force saying they are taking it seriously

Former Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn (pictured) told the crowds international action provides 'succour, comfort and support' to those suffering in the conflict. Crowds chanted 'oh, Jeremy Corbyn' and threw roses as he took to the stage

Pictured: Supporters of Palestine attend a demonstration outside the Israeli embassy in London, Britain, 15 May 2021

Police watch pro-Palestinian protesters outside the Israeli Embassy in London on Saturday. There is no suggestion that those pictured were involved in the suspected race-hate incident

24 hours later anti-Semitic abuse was heard being shouted from a convoy of cars driving through a Jewish area of North London on Sunday afternoon

Thousands of people marched through the capital on Saturday to the gates of the embassy in Kensington, while protests took place in other cities across the UK and Ireland in solidarity with the people of Palestine.

Nine people were arrested on suspicion of violent disorder in London, the Metropolitan Police said.

A further four were arrested on suspicion of breaching the Health Protection Regulations, the force added.

The Met said small pockets of disorder had followed a largely peaceful demonstration.

Superintendent Jo Edwards, in charge of the policing operation, said: 'We once again saw police come under fire from missiles and several were injured as a result of this. It is totally unacceptable and I wish those officers a speedy recovery.

'Throughout the day, officers sought to engage with people who had gathered to demonstrate, and encourage them to disperse to help protect themselves and others during this public health crisis.

'Where this approach did not work and officers were met with hostility, they took enforcement action.'
A former London-based film director has been brutally murdered and dismembered by his parents in an honour killing after he returned to his home country of Iran, police said.

The chopped up body of Babak Khorramdin, 47, was found in rubbish bags and a suitcase in the town of Ekbatan, western Tehran, on Sunday.

An argument had broken out between the father and son over Babak's unmarried status, according to reports.

London-based film director Babak Khorramdin (pictured) has been murdered and dismembered by his parents in an honour killing after he returned to his home country of Iran

Mohammad Shahriari, the head of the Tehran Criminal Court, said the father confessed he anaesthetised his son, stabbed him, cut up his body and threw his remains in the rubbish.

Following his confession, both parents have been arrested while an investigation is carried out.

Police say they have also found evidence of the grisly murder in the family home.

Babak graduated from the Faculty of Fine Arts of the University of Tehran in 2009 with a master's degree in cinema.

The following year, he moved to London to further his study of film, before returning to Iran to teach film to students.

He made a number of short films while in London including Crevice and Oath to Yashar, which focused on his experience moving country and being away from his family.

It follows the high profile honour killing of Ali Fazeli Monfared, who was killed after family members discovered he was gay

Middle East Analyst and Editor at Iran International TV, Jason Brodsky said: 'I think the horrific death of Babak Khorramdin is only the latest example of a long pattern of domestic violence that we have seen in Iran.

'It follows the tragic death of Ali Fazeli Monfared, who was killed by family members after they found out he was gay.

'That is not to mention the case last year of Romina Ashfrafi, a 14-year-old girl who was beheaded by her father in an honour killing.'

He added: 'Despite a child protection law being passed in 2020 in Iran, honour killings and domestic violence continue more broadly, and this is an area the international community needs to address with Iran.'

There has been a rise in domestic violence and family homicides during the pandemic while people spend time with relatives at home.
U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov both stressed their two countries have differences but should work together on some issues, as they began talks in Iceland on Wednesday night.

In opening remarks in front of reporters, Blinken said it was 'no secret that we have our differences' and that Washington would respond to aggressive acts by Russia, but that the world would be safer if the two countries' leaders worked together.

Lavrov said Russia and the United States have 'serious differences' but have to cooperate 'in spheres where our interests collide.'

Ties have been fraught since March when U.S. President Joe Biden - not long into his presidency - said he regarded President Vladimir Putin as a 'killer', prompting Moscow to recall its U.S. ambassador for consultations. The envoy still has not returned.

Both DC and Moscow have imposed sanctions in the wake of cyber attacks and aggression in Ukraine.

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov both stressed their two countries have differences but should work together on some issues, as they began talks in Iceland on Wednesday night

In opening remarks in front of reporters, Blinken said it was 'no secret that we have our differences' and that Washington would respond to aggressive acts by Russia, but that the world would be safer if the two countries' leaders worked together

The pair bumped elbows ahead of their talks in Iceland. Lavrov said Russia and the United States have 'serious differences' but have to cooperate 'in spheres where our interests collide.'

Half an hour into Wednesday's meeting, the U.S. imposed sanctions on some ships and entities involved in construction of the $11 billion Nord Stream 2 pipeline that would take Russian gas from the Arctic to Germany, a deal Biden has opposed.

The administration decided, however, to waive sanctions on the company behind the pipeline and its chief executive.

The meeting marked the first high-level, in-person talks between the Biden administration and a Russian counterpart, ahead of a possible presidential summit in June in an attempt to improve the dire relations between the former Cold War foes.

Russia was ready to sort out issues left over from the previous U.S. administration, Lavrov added, referring to Donald Trump's presidency.

Blinken said Biden wanted 'a predictable, stable relationship with Russia' and said the two countries could work together on tackling the coronavirus pandemic, combating climate change, dealing with Iran and North Korea's nuclear programs, and the conflict in Afghanistan.

'We think that's good for our people, good for the Russian people and indeed good for the world,' Blinken said.
Boohoo paid its founders almost 1.4million each last year amid furious allegations of poor working conditions, it emerged today.

It comes as the fast fashion firm pledged to link multimillion-pound bonuses for its directors with improvements in its supply chain.

The online retailer faced criticism from investors last year over its long-term incentive scheme, which could see founders and directors paid up to 150million.

Boohoo has said it will now link long-term bonuses to the implementation of its Agenda For Change programme after pressure from Parliament's Environmental Audit Committee.

The group's annual report also revealed that total executive pay had slipped as Boohoo's chief secured a lower pay packet for the past financial year.

Founders Mahmud Kamani (left) and Carol Kane (second from right), received marginally higher pay packets last year

The online retailer faced criticism from investors last year over its long-term incentive scheme, which could see founders and directors paid up to 150million

It said that the total pay packet for executive directors fell by 17.6 per cent to 5.41 million for the year to February, compared with 6.57 million in the previous financial year.

The slump was primarily caused by a significantly lower pay deal for the group's chief executive officer John Lyttle.

Mr Lyttle saw his total pay deal, which included a base salary of 615,000, fall to 1.57 million from 2.7 million in the previous year after failing to meet targets to secure long-term incentives.

Meanwhile, other directors on the company board, including founders Mahmud Kamani and Carol Kane, received marginally higher pay packets.

Pictured: Workers at the Faiza Fashion factory in Leicester last summer. The factory supplied clothes to Boohoo

Executive chairman Mr Kamani, who owns a 12.5 per cent stake in the business, saw his pay packet increase by 1.2 per cent to 1.39 million for the year, including a 900,000 annual bonus.

Executive director Ms Kane also saw her pay deal nudge slightly higher, rising to 1.38 million for the year.

In the report, Mr Lyttle also highlighted the progress he said the company had made improving corporate governance following the supply chain accusations.

It was alleged last year that some factories in the UK working for the firm were paying staff as little as 3.50 an hour and had working conditions which did not meet lockdown restrictions.

Boohoo CEO John Lyttle (above) saw his total pay deal, which included a base salary of 615,000, fall to 1.57 million from 2.7 million

Pictured: Mahmud Kamani (right), co-founder of Boohoo with his son Umar Kamani (left)

He said the business was 'on track' to deliver on the 17 recommendations made by QC Alison Levitt, following her report into the scandal.

In March, the business slashed ties with around 400 supplier firms as part of these changes.

Earlier this month, Boohoo reported that revenues jumped 41 per cent to 1.74 billion in the year to February 28.

Pre-tax profits lifted by 35 per cent to 124.7 million as the group was boosted by higher sales and the 'successful integration' of brands bought out of administration, including Oasis and Warehouse.
Jill Biden told supporters that Kamala Harris could 'go f**k' herself after the June 2019 Democratic primary debate where the then-candidate attacked Joe Biden for supporting racist policies during his Senate career.

Before Joe Biden selected Harris to run on his ticket as vice president, the first couple had a visceral reaction to her comments during the debate in Miami, Florida two summers ago, according to excerpt published in Politico from journalist Edward-Isaac Dovere's upcoming book on the 2020 Democratic presidential primary.

'With what he cares about, what he fights for, what he's committed to, you get up there and call him a racist without basis?' Jill said on a phone call with close supporters a week after the debate, according to multiple people on the call.

'Go f**k yourself.'

Spokesperson for the first lady Michael Larosa told Politico of the excerpt: 'Many books will be written on the 2020 campaign, with countless retellings of events  some accurate, some inaccurate.'

'The First Lady and her team do not plan to comment on any of them,' he added.

First Lady Jill Biden, according to a forthcoming book on the 2020 Democratic primary, told close supporters on a phone call the week after the 2019 Democratic primary debate that Kamala Harris could 'go f*** yourself' after attacking her husband for supporting busing and segregationist lawmakers in the 1970s

During the heated exchange in Miami in June 2019, Kamala Harris said she didn't think Joe Biden was 'racist', but suggested he supported racist policies. She also reminded the stage that she benefited from busing as a child

The book details that during a commercial break, Biden leaned over to then-candidate Pete Buttigieg and said after the exchange with Harris: 'Well, that was some f***ing bulls**t'

Biden was No. 2 to Barack Obama, the first black president in American history, from 2009-2017. After becoming the Democratic nominee for president in 2020, he chose Harris as his running mate and she later became the first minority and first woman to hold the position of vice president.

During the debate in 2019, Biden was blindsided by Harris' attacks, which claimed he did not support desegregation of schools by way of busing in the 1970s.

Harris, a half-Indian half-Jamaican daughter of immigrants, reminded Biden at the time that she is a beneficiary of the busing system.

After the tense back-and-forth  one of the most memorable interactions on the 2020 campaign trail  moderators stopped for a commercial break.

'Well, that was some f***ing bulls**t,' Biden said to Pete Buttigieg on stage during the commercial break, multiple people said was relayed to them afterward.

Biden barely knew Buttigieg, a fellow Democratic candidate at the time and now the president's transportation secretary, but wanted to share in the moment with someone on stage.

Nearly a year later, when Biden became the Democratic nominee, he chose Harris as his running mate and she soon thereafter became the first minority woman to hold the office of vice president. The first and second couples appear here on November 7, 2020  shortly after winning the election

At some point during that debate in Miami, which was the first of the 2020 campaign season, Harris said: 'As the only black person on this stage, I would like to speak, on the issue of race.'

She said it was 'hurtful' Biden praised two notorious Democratic segregationists who he served with in the Senate in the 1970s.

One, James Eastland, from Mississippi, called African-Americans 'flesh eaters'; the other, Herman Talmadge, ran for the Senate on a pledge to stop blacks and whites eating together in the Capitol itself.

Biden revealed at a private fundraising event that Eastland 'didn't call me boy,' and said of their time in the Senate: 'At least there was some civility.'

Harris confronted Biden about the remarks and his stance in the '70s against encouraging racial integration in schools. During that decade, then-Senator Biden worked with the two segregationists to try to prevent federal imposition of the policy.

She told him, 'I do not believe you are a racist. And I agree with you, when you commit yourself to the importance of finding common ground.'

'But I also believe  and it's personal, and I was actually very  it was hurtful, to hear you talk about the reputations of two United States senators who built their reputations and career on the segregation of race in this country,' she said.

'And it was not only that, but you also worked with them to oppose busing,' she continued. 'And, you know, there was a little girl in California who was part of the second class to integrate her public schools, and she was bused to school every day.'

'And that little girl was me. So I will tell you that on this subject, it cannot be an intellectual debate among Democrats. We have to take it seriously. We have to act swiftly. As Attorney General of California, I was very proud to put in place a requirement that all my special agents would wear body cameras and keep those cameras on,' she asserted.

Biden's ultimate response was to stop talking and more-or-less take the attack from Harris, a minority woman.

A few weeks after the debate, new polling showed that while Biden didn't lose much steam after that brutal back-and-forth, Harris did get much higher numbers on being 'stronger' and more ready to fight.

Biden was asked about the poll during a campaign stop in Dearborn, Michigan.

'My guess,' he said at the time, 'is that to the extent that it occurs, I was probably overly polite in the way I didn't respond to an attack, 'You're not a racist'  which is a nice thing to say, really reassuring.'

The book forthcoming details that Harris' team had to convince her to go after Biden in that way at the debate.

She eventually came around thinking 'it was a fair hit.'

'Battle for the Soul: Inside the Democrats' Campaigns to Defeat Trump' will hit bookshelves on May 25.
Police are on the hunt for a Georgia woman after she was caught on video brutally beating a young mother in a Little Caesars before dragging her by her hair and stomping on her head.

Brittany Kennedy, 25, is wanted for battery over the attack on 22-year-old Emily Broadwater in the Little Caesars in Augusta on Monday afternoon.

Police said they were still searching for Kennedy as of Wednesday morning.

Authorities say the ordeal broke out after Kennedy allegedly confronted the victim inside the restaurant and pulled a chair out from underneath her.

Footage of the fight, which quickly went viral on social media, shows Kennedy grabbing Broadwater by her hair and punching her repeatedly in the face.

Scroll down for video

Brittany Kennedy, 25, is wanted for battery over the attack on 22-year-old Emily Broadwater in the Little Caesars in Augusta, Georgia on Monday afternoon

At one point, the victim's toddler daughter rushed over and tried help her mother as she was being beaten.

A Little Caesars employee grabbed the child as a bystander could be heard screaming: 'Move the baby. Move the baby.'

Police said they were still searching for Kennedy as of Wednesday morning after she fled the scene

Kennedy then dragged Broadwater by her hair out of the restaurant before throwing her to the ground and repeatedly stomping on her head.

After the attack ended, Broadwater - whose face was covered in blood - could be heard screaming out for her daughter.

The victim was left with cuts to her face, head and neck but refused to be taken to hospital via ambulance.

Police have not confirmed what sparked the fight but witnesses at the scene said it appeared to be related to the suspect's children and their father.

The victim has since claimed on social media that she had previously watched Kennedy's children while she was in jail for another offense.

It wasn't immediately clear what Kennedy was jailed for.

'All I did was help a friend out with his kids while his baby mama was locked up. She has been harassing me for weeks now,' Broadwater said.

Footage of the fight, which quickly went viral on social media, shows Kennedy grabbing Broadwater by her hair and punching her repeatedly in the face. At one point, the victim's toddler daughter rushed over and tried help her mother as she was being beaten

Kennedy then dragged Broadwater by her hair out of the restaurant before throwing her to the ground and repeatedly stomping on her head

'All I'm saying is that I never caused any harm to her or her property or her children like she had mine. Now imma go back to living my life and taking care of my daughter.'

Police said Kennedy left the scene in her car following the attack and they released a wanted poster for her on Tuesday.

Officers said they had reviewed witness videos and surveillance footage from inside the restaurant.

No one, including witnesses or employees, was captured on video trying to break up the fight.

Little Caesars issued a statement in the aftermath, saying: 'The safety of our crew members and customers is the most important thing to us.

'In any case where a customer or employee is in danger, we advise our crew members to call the police immediately.'

After the attack ended, Broadwater - whose face was covered in blood - could be heard screaming out for her daughter. The victim was left with cuts to her face, head and neck but refused to be taken to hospital via ambulance
It takes a special kind of selfish, deluded fool to refuse to take the covid vaccine but persist in ranting about the evils of lockdowns.

Yesterday, rock legend Eric Clapton did his best to dissuade people from having the jab after claiming the side effects he suffered made him fear he would never perform again.

This is the same Eric Clapton who a few months ago collaborated on an anti-lockdown song 'Stand and Deliver' because he said he was desperate for live music shows to return.

The 76-year-old guitarist doesn't seem to realise that if everyone heeded his advice to avoid vaccination, then live music would never return and a lot of people his age would get the virus and die.

But fortunately, Britain seems to have fewer vaccine sceptics than anywhere else in the world which is why we're leading the global chart in jab-acceptance.

Boris Johnson (pictured in the House of Commons today) has failed to properly protect us

And frankly, when it comes to covid idiocy, and the danger it represents, the likes of Mr Clapton pale into insignificance when compared to the chronically incompetent imbeciles inside No10 Downing Street led by Ditherer-in-Chief, Boris Johnson.

It was Albert Einstein who reportedly said that 'Insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results.'

So, by that yardstick, the Prime Minister is now officially insane.

How else to explain why, once again, we're facing the threat of further lockdowns because he has proved shamefully incapable of doing basic things to protect us from this bloody virus?

When the pandemic first erupted last year, Johnson's abject refusal to take the virus seriously led to Britain locking down several weeks after virtually everywhere else but he still kept our island border open so 20 million visitors could come in, many from corona-ravaged countries.

The combined effect of these two catastrophic decisions was the worst death toll in Europe.

And Johnson learned absolutely nothing from his failure.

When the second wave came last autumn, as every credible scientist had warned it would, he again delayed ordering lockdown despite a surge in covid infections and subsequent deaths.

Passengers walk through the Terminal 2 arrivals hall at London Heathrow Airport today

Even when the far more transmissible Kent variant was announced in December, Johnson dithered again and inexplicably allowed millions of untested families to meet up for Christmas and infect each other.

This disgraceful dereliction of duty led to a horrendous new UK covid death toll at the start of this year, even larger than the first wave.

Then, finally, it seemed the penny dropped, and Johnson announced what he said would be a final 'irreversible' lockdown before the commencement of a 4-part roadmap to freedom.

Of course, the fact such an inveterate liar said it would be the final lockdown should have rung immediate alarm bells that it wouldn't be.

But there seemed to be a sound logic to the steady, cautious plans and pace of the roadmap and I was hopeful it would be successful.

Now, those plans look in tatters as the new Indian variant starts to spread inexorably across the country and government ministers are making ominous noises that the much-vaunted June 21 'Freedom Day' will be nothing of the sort and new restrictions including regional lockdowns may be necessary.

All of which prompts the obvious question: why is this Indian variant here, bringing a new threat to our liberty?

And why, given how little we still seem to know about its virulence, did we not slam the breaks on the substantial new reopening phase of the country on Monday until the picture was clearer?

The answer is grimly predictable: because Boris Johnson has failed to properly protect us. Again.

People queue outside a vaccination centre at the Science Museum in Kensington, London

It was obvious to anyone with half a brain that India was in big trouble with its second wave of the virus at the start of April, as covid cases surged.

But incredibly, despite the UK government's own data showing India had a higher rate of infection at the time than Pakistan and Bangladesh, it wasn't Red-Listed until April 23 - two weeks after its neighbours.

And when it was finally put on the list, people in India were given four days to get back to the UK.

We'll never know how many brought the variant in with them, because our testing and quarantining system remains a shambles.

What we do know from countries with better systems is that the chances are a lot of them did.

A study of one flight from Delhi to Hong Kong around the same time showed that all 188 passengers produced evidence they had recently tested negative for the virus, but a third of them  52 people  then tested positive during Hong Kong's very intense process of airport testing and mandatory hotel quarantine.

By contrast, Britain's border control is an embarrassing disaster.

For weeks now, passengers arriving from Red-List countries have been seen queueing for many hours at Heathrow right next to passengers from Green and Amber-list countries in what's resembled a constant ongoing covid super-spreader event that makes a mockery of all advice to avoid such indoor, airless mass gatherings.

It sounds ridiculous that any government would allow this potentially lethal mixing of people from safe and unsafe places as they enter the UK, but it's happening every single day.

And flights from India continue to pour in, even as deaths from the new variant there continue to scale record daily highs.

LBC Radio's Westminster Correspondent Ben Kentish revealed last night that 110 direct flights from India have landed in UK since it was placed on the Red List, containing 8,500 passengers of whom it is believed 7% tested positive for coronavirus, half with the new variant. That's at least 300 people, and those are just the ones we picked up.

How many of them infected passengers from Amber and Green-list countries at the airport as they all stood around inhaling the same air space?

And why the hell are we still allowing direct flights in from India at all when we've banned direct flights from 11 other countries on the Red List including South Africa and Brazil?

None of this makes any sense, just as none of our border policy has ever made any sense in this pandemic.

We're an island.

We could have shut down like other islands including Hong Kong, Taiwan, New Zealand and Australia, and operated a similarly draconian border policy that virtually guarantees no new outbreak of coronavirus, of any variant, can spread through the population.

But instead, Boris Johnson has steadfastly refused to do it, leaving us, to use his one of his favourite post-Brexit phrases, 'open for business' to the virus and its nasty variants.

His claim, repeated in the House of Commons today, that we have 'one of the strongest border policies in the world' is disingenuous nonsense.

And in true Johnson style, when cornered about his ineptitude, he and his ministers have tried to pass the blame for the variant's spread onto the public, specifically the anti-Vaxxers, and started brazenly lying about the delay in putting India on the Red List.

I believe, as many do, that the real reason why he delayed is because Johnson was due to visit India at the end of last month and didn't want to annoy Prime Minister Modi in any way that might adversely impact on any new trade negotiations.

Not for the first time in this crisis, he put economic interests ahead of public health interests despite a general global acceptance now that you only get economic recovery if you quickly get on top of the virus.

The deadly consequence of Johnson's latest dithering is that Britain's now heading for another of his infamous U-turns, comprising a delay to our desperately-craved 'freedom' on June 21, possible new lockdowns to suppress the rapidly-spreading variant, and the strong likelihood of other countries banning tourists from the UK to prevent Brits bringing the Indian variant with us.

(And don't even get me started on ministers encouraging people to travel to Amber-list countries but now saying we shouldn't because it's dangerous).

This is all happening despite a hugely successful vaccine roll-out that's rightly been the envy of the world.

Talk about snatching defeat from the jaws of imminent victory

Even Johnson's former right hand man Dominic Cummings, whose own selfish lockdown rule-breaking antics did so much damage to public compliance last year, has been utterly scathing about our border policy  yesterday tweeting that it's been a 'joke.'

I'm not laughing, and I bet you aren't either.

For that joke's on all of us.

And it's not the likes of Eric Clapton we should be howling at today for their ignorant vaccine comments.

No, the blame for this latest mess should be laid squarely at the door of No10 Downing Street, and Boris Johnson who has yet again allowed us to be held ransom by a virus that likes nothing more than to punish spineless ditherers who refuse to move fast or tough enough to suppress it.

To borrow the words of Eric Clapton, there will be more tears in Heaven because of it.
A fishing war has again ignited in the English Channel after Jersey fishermen confronted a French trawler caught in the island's protected waters.

Anglers reported seeing the Granville-based Alize 3 on marine-tracker websites working in a bream-spawning ground off the north coast yesterday.

Some attempted to stop the boat, while the Norman Le Brocq fisheries protection vessel was also deployed.

According to marine radio listeners - the boat's skipper was adamant his local French authorities had given him permission to work in the area.

Anglers reported seeing the Granville-based Alize 3 (pictured) on marine-tracker websites working in a bream-spawning ground off the north coast

This was despite assertions from fisheries officers that he was not allowed to be there and that he had to stop fishing immediately.

After the Norman Le Brocq officer spoke to the vessel's skipper, the Alize 3 moved towards the west coast of the Island.

Assistant Environment Minister Gregory Guida has described the breach as 'serious' and confirmed Jersey would lodge a complaint with the European Commission.

The vessel is also alleged to have steamed through an area of pots, worth thousands of pounds, laid by Jersey fishers. It was last night unclear whether any had been damaged.

Deputy Guida said: 'We issued licences to French boats at the beginning of this month with new conditions.

'Those included the nature and extent of their fishing - where they fish, how they fish and what they fish for - and also two environmental conditions: to protect an area where bream reproduce and to limit the quantity of dredging gear that a boat can pull.

A graphic shows how the Alize 3 - first spotted in protected waters yesterday - moved towards the west coast of the Island (pictured here at 7am this morning) after the Norman Le Brocq officer spoke to the vessel's skipper

'The EU complained and we agreed to suspend the nature and extent conditions by two months until July 1.

'But the French administration then told their fishermen that the licences were null and void and they could go wherever they wanted whenever they wanted.

'The problem is that this boat was probably thinking it was acting in good faith, following the rules set out by its own department, but it was illegal in Jersey.'

The incident is the latest development in Jersey's fishing dispute with France, a situation which arose in December when the Island was given sole control over determining which vessels could fish in its waters.

Any French boats wishing to obtain an access permit had to provide data to show that they had operated in the area for a minimum of ten days in any of the last three years.

But, earlier this month, the skippers of some Norman and Breton vessels were outraged after they were given licences, which allowed them to fish for 11 days each year.

One of those affected claimed he usually worked for 100 days each year in the Island's waters.

A map graphic shows the extent of Jersey's protected waters, which appears to include the area the Alize 3 has been operating in

A protest, in which 70 French boats stormed the Harbour and stopped two cargo vessels from leaving, ensued.

Threats were also levied by Annick Girardin, the Minister of the Sea, who warned that the country would cut off Jersey's electricity if improved fishing rights were not granted.

Asked how ecologically sensitive the protected area in question was, Deputy Guida said: 'It is a very small area and fishermen are prohibited from working there so that we can study the reproduction of bream in Jersey.

'That takes place in May and June and we needed to know how important the area was but, if it has come through there and taken all the fish, we will not have any data until next year. It is a very serious breach.'

The assistant minister added that it was not clear what, if any, enforcement action would be taken against the offending boat but that the matter had been discussed with ministers and a complaint would be lodged with the European Commission.
Advertisement

Benjamin Netanyahu threatened to 'conquer' Hamas and vowed that Israel will on fight on during a meeting with foreign ambassadors today despite US and Russian calls for ceasefire.

Washington later released a statement saying that Joe Biden had called the Israeli PM to say 'that he expected a significant de-escalation today on the path to a ceasefire.'

But Netanyahu had shown no signs there would be a let up at a summit of ambassadors in Tel Aviv hours earlier, saying: 'There are only two ways that you can deal with [Hamas]. You can either conquer them - and that's always an open possibility - or you can deter them.

'And we are engaged right now in forceful deterrence, but I have to say we don't rule out anything.'

Israel continued its ferocious bombardments in the Gaza Strip last night, with 122 bombs dropped by 52 jets in 25 minutes, destroying seven miles of Hamas tunnels.

Today, it exchanged more fire, not just with Gaza, but with its northern neighbour Lebanon where militant groups like Hezbollah have been firing missiles at Israeli settlements to seek retribution for attacks on their allies Hamas.

Lebanese security officials said the latest rockets were launched from the outskirts of the southern village of Qlayleh, adding that four fell inside Lebanese territory.

In southern Gaza, meanwhile, residents surveyed the piles of bricks, concrete and other debris that had once been the home of 40 members of al-Astal family. They said a warning missile struck the building in the town of Khan Younis five minutes before the airstrike, allowing everyone to escape.

So far the violence has claimed at least 231 lives - 219 Palestinians including almost 100 women and children, and 12 people in Israel, including two children.

As the death toll mounts so too do calls for a ceasefire, but Netanyahu told the ambassadors' summit: 'We're not standing with a stopwatch. We want to achieve the goals of the operation. Previous operations lasted a long time so it is not possible to set a timeframe.'

While Netanyahu did not elaborate on what those 'goals' are, IDF commanders revealed overnight that they have been targeting senior Hamas leaders including Mohammed Deif - leader of the Qassem Brigades - and Yahya Sinwar - the group's deputy leader and known as the 'butcher of Khan Younis'.

The IDF said Deif was targeted twice last week but escaped unharmed, while seven other senior figures were also targeted - some of whom were injured but all of whom are still alive.

Israel's military leaders want more time to continue the hunt, with Eliezer Toledano, head of IDF's southern command, telling Israel's Channel 12 last night that the more time he is given 'the better' - picking out Deif and Sinwar as being 'in Israel's sights'.

Meanwhile Russia joined calls for a ceasefire, with a senior Russian official warning Israel's ambassador today that any actions leading to a further increase in casualties would be deemed 'unacceptable'.

Relatives of Palestinian Mahmoud Shtawi, 19, mourn during his funeral on Wednesday in Gaza City after he was killed in an Israeli air strike

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu gestures as he shows a slideshow during a briefing to ambassadors to Israel at a military base in Tel Aviv on Wednesday

A rocket fired from Gaza which landed on a road near Ad Halom just outside Ashdod on Wednesday. There were no injuries reported

A Palestinian uses a slingshot during an anti-Israel protest over a cross-border violence between Palestinian militants in Gaza and the Israeli military, near Hawara checkpoint near Nablus in the Israeli-occupied West Bank on Tuesday

Relatives of Journaliste Yousef Abu Hussein, a Palestinian, weep after he was killed in an Israeli airstrike on Gaza City today

Family and friends mourn during the funeral of Israeli man, Yigal Yehoshua, who died after succumbing to his wounds, sustained during Arab-Jewish violence in the mixed city of Lod, at a cemetery in Moshav Hadid on Tuesday

The sister (right) and relatives of Palestinian Mahmoud Shtawi, 19, cry during his funeral on Wenesday in Gaza City after he was killed in an Israeli air strike

The IDF twice targeted Mohammed Deif (left), Hamas's most-senior military commander, in raids last week but he survived both. Also targeted was the home of Yahya Sinwar (right), dubbed the butcher of Khan Younis, though he was not home

The IDF began releasing details of its 'hit list' as commanders called for more time to continuing hunting Hamas leaders, despite growing calls for a ceasefire. Fighting has now entered its ninth day, with attacks continuing from both sides

Palestinians attend the funeral of Mahmoud Shtawi who was killed in an Israeli airstrike on Gaza City on Wednesday

A Palestinian man stands by the body of a three year old girl killed in an airstrike on Gaza City on Wednesday

France last night circulated a draft resolution at the UN security council following negotiations with Egypt and Jordan with the move said to have taken the US - which has three times blocked a joint statement condemning the violence - by surprise.

A resolution is a stronger step than a joint statement, and if all other members backed it then the US would have to issue a veto to stop it, something Joe Biden is thought to be reluctant to do.

A senior Israeli official also told news site Haaretz that Netanyahu is reluctant to stop the fighting without a 'clear victory', despite pressure from within the government to do so.

Elsewhere, Haaretz reported that 'if there is no surprise turn of events' then a ceasefire would be declared on Thursday - with similar reports also emerging in Egyptian media.

But Israel and Hamas were quick to deny the reports, with Israeli site Ynet reporting that while both sides agree on ending the conflict soon, each wants the other to stop shooting first.

Meanwhile Israel is braced for more violence in the West Bank today after violent protests near the town of Ramallah and Nablus on Tuesday, during which two IDF soldiers and three Palestinians were hurt in shootings.

Violent clashes also broke out around holy sites including Damascus Gate and the Al-Aqsa mosque in Jerusalem after a call for 'a day of rage' in solidarity with those in Gaza, Ynet reported.

The Israeli Defence Forces earlier revealed that they would like more time to complete their operation as it was revealed they had tried to kill Hamas's top commander last week but he survived both of the attacks.

Mohammed Deif, 55, commander of Hamas's Qassam Brigades which have carried out terror attacks including bus bombings in Israel, was targeted during strikes in Gaza last Monday but escaped unscathed, the IDF says.

It is hardly the first time the IDF has tried to kill Deif. Strikes in 2001, 2002, 2006 and 2014 left him without an eye, cost him both legs and an arm, and killed his wife and two children, according to Israeli security sources.

Seven other senior Hamas commanders were also targeted in strikes, a military spokesman added, saying that some were injured but all survived.

Among the targets was the home of Yahya Sinwar, dubbed the 'butcher of Khan Younis' - Hamas's leader in Gaza and creator of the brigade which Deif leads.

His home was destroyed, though he is not thought to have been in it at the time.

Hamas has since denied that Deif was targeted, saying the reports are designed as 'psychological warfare'.

Palestinians gather around the damage in the aftermath of an Israeli air strike on a house in Gaza City

A Palestinian man inspects a damaged vehicle in the aftermath of an Israeli air strike on a house in Gaza City

A man carrying a child passes by damaged site after Israeli army carried out airstrike over a building in the Sheikh Ridvan neighbourhood in Gaza City

People inspect a damaged vehicle after Israeli army struck a building in the Sheikh Ridvan neighbourhood in Gaza City

Rockets are launched from Gaza City, towards Israel early on Wednesday as fighting between the two sides continues

Rockets are launched towards Israel from Gaza City overnight, as Israeli bombing raids on the strip continued

Deif 'is continuing to direct the fighting with complete control', according to sources close to Hamas's military leadership.

French President Emmanuel Macron and his Egyptian counterpart Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, who is in Paris for summits on Africa, agreed on the UN resolution Tuesday during in a video conference with Jordan's King Abdullah II.

'The three countries agreed on three simple elements: The shooting must stop, the time has come for a ceasefire and the UN Security Council must take up the issue,' the Elysee Palace said.

France, which has been calling for a rapid ceasefire for several days, said it supports mediation led by Egypt.

Macron had on Monday underlined the importance of Egyptian mediation after talks in Paris with Sisi, a key ally and defence client of France despite activists' concerns over Cairo's rights record.

The UN Security Council has failed to adopt a simple declaration on the conflict, with the United States, a staunch Israel ally, having rejected three prior statement drafts proposed by China, Norway and Tunisia which called for an end to the fighting.

China's UN ambassador Zhang Jun said that during a closed-door meeting, members 'heard the proposal made by our French colleague in the Council and for China, definitely, we are supportive to all effort facilitating the ending of the crisis and the coming back of peace in the Middle East.'

Speaking at an air force base in southern Israel on Tuesday, Netanyahu said Hamas and Gaza's second biggest armed group, Islamic Jihad, had 'received blows they didn't expect'.

'We'll continue as long as necessary to bring... quiet back to the citizens of Israel,' he added.

Hamas has launched nearly 3,700 rockets at Israel since May 10, prompting many people living in communities near the border to remain in bomb shelters virtually around the clock.

Israel's bombing campaign has left Gaza's two million population desperate for relief.

Some 72,000 civilians have fled their homes, seeking refuge in UN-run schools and other public buildings, the United Nations says.

An international relief convoy that started rolling into Gaza from Israel Tuesday, was halted when Israel swiftly ended its reopening of the Kerem Shalom border crossing, citing a mortar attack on the area.

Palestinians clash with Israeli forces at the Hawara checkpoint, south of the West Bank city of Nablus on Tuesday

A Palestinian holds a slingshot next to burning tires during an anti-Israel protest near Hawara checkpoint, Nablus, in the Israeli-occupied West Bank, May 18

A Palestinian demonstrator throws teargas canisters back at Israeli forces during clashes near the Jewish settlement of Beit El near Ramallah, West Bank, on May 17

Israel says its fighter jets have targeted Hamas's underground tunnel network, which it has previously acknowledged run in part through civilian areas.

An air raid Monday knocked out Gaza's only Covid-19 testing laboratory, the health ministry said, and the Qatari Red Crescent said a strike damaged one of its offices.

Hospitals in the territory, which has been under Israeli blockade for almost 15 years, have been overwhelmed by patients and there are frequent blackouts.

The healthcare system was already facing severe strain from the coronavirus pandemic.

A total of 1,530 people have been wounded, according to health ministry figures.

On Tuesday, Israeli forces and protesters clashed in annexed east Jerusalem and across the occupied West Bank, as Palestinians rallied in solidarity with their embattled compatriots in Gaza.

The Palestinian health ministry said Israeli forces shot dead four Palestinians, including one the Israeli army said had attempted to attack soldiers, bringing to 24 the number of Palestinians killed in the territory since May 10.

The Palestinian Red Crescent said its teams had treated more than 150 people in Jerusalem and the West Bank, including 35 with bullet wounds.

The Israeli army said troops came under fire north of Ramallah, and two of its soldiers were wounded.

Palestinian president Mahmud Abbas's Fatah movement had called for a 'day of anger' Tuesday, a call echoed in Arab and ethnically mixed towns inside Israel.

'We are here to raise our voice and stand with the people in Gaza who are being bombed,' Ramallah protester Aya Dabour told AFP.

In east Jerusalem's Sheikh Jarrah neighbourhood, Palestinian protesters faced off against police, who used stun grenades and 'skunk water' cannon to disperse protesters.

The latest escalation was sparked after clashes broke out at east Jerusalem's flashpoint Al-Aqsa mosque compound, one of Islam's holiest sites, following clashed over planned evictions of Palestinian families from homes in Sheikh Jarrah.

An Iranian woman holds the Palestinian flag during a protest to express solidarity with the Palestinian people amid a flare-up of Israeli-Palestinian violence, in Tehran, Iran May 18

Israeli airstrikes killed at least six people across the Gaza Strip and destroyed the home of a large extended family early on Wednesday.

The military said it widened its strikes on militant targets to the south amid continuing rocket fire from the Hamas-ruled territory.

Residents surveyed the piles of bricks, concrete and other debris that had once been the home of 40 members of al-Astal family. They said a warning missile struck the building in the southern town of Khan Younis five minutes before the airstrike, allowing everyone to escape.

The Israeli military said it struck militant targets around the towns of Khan Younis and Rafah, with 52 aircraft hitting 40 underground targets over a period of 25 minutes.

Gaza's Health Ministry said a woman was killed and eight people were wounded in those strikes.

Hamas-run Al-Aqsa radio said one of its reporters was killed in an airstrike in Gaza City. Doctors at the Shifa hospital said his was among five bodies brought in early Wednesday.

The fatalities included two people killed when warning missiles crashed into their apartment.

The latest strikes came as diplomatic efforts aimed at a cease-fire gathered strength and Gaza's infrastructure, already weakened by a 14-year blockade, rapidly deteriorated.

The Palestinian territory is ruled by Hamas, an Islamic militant group.

U.S. officials said the Biden administration is privately encouraging Israel to wind down its bombardment of Gaza.

Palestinians search for victims under the rubble of a destroyed building in the residential Al-Rimal neighborhood of Gaza City on Monday this week following an Israeli bombing raid

Palestinian firefighters inspect the remains of a destroyed residential building targeted by Israeli airstrikes on Tuesday

A Palestinian woman stands next to an unexploded bomb dropped by an Israeli F-16 warplane on Gaza City's Rimal neighbourhood

Explosions light-up the night sky above buildings in Gaza City as Israeli forces shell the Palestinian enclave, early on May 18

Egyptian negotiators also were working to halt the fighting, and while they have not made progress with Israel, they were optimistic international pressure would force it to the table, according to an Egyptian diplomat who spoke on condition of anonymity because he was discussing diplomatic efforts.

The fighting began May 10 when Hamas fired long-range rockets toward Jerusalem in support of Palestinian protests against Israel's heavy-handed policing of the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound, a flashpoint site sacred to Jews and Muslims, and the threatened eviction of dozens of Palestinian families by Jewish settlers.

At least 219 Palestinians have been killed in airstrikes, including 63 children and 36 women, with 1,530 people wounded, according to the Gaza Health Ministry..

Hamas and Islamic Jihad say 20 of their fighters have been killed, while Israel says the number is at least 130.

Twelve people in Israel, including a 5-year-old boy, have been killed in rocket attacks so far. A rocket attack on Tuesday near Gaza killed two Thai workers and wounded another seven.

The Israeli military said rockets also were fired at the Erez pedestrian crossing and at the Kerem Shalom crossing, where humanitarian aid was being brought into Gaza, forcing both to close. It said a soldier was slightly wounded at Erez.
A top grammar school investigated over a 'toxic male culture' currently has two pupils on its roll who are accused of raping other students.

Claims against Colchester Royal Grammar School (CRGS) came to light last month, after former pupil Scarlett Mansfield shared a blog post.

But a new investigation has revealed more allegations and cases that paint a disturbing picture of life there.

They include one young girl who tried to take her own life after she said she was raped by a CRGS student. The school currently has 950 pupils.

A different girl said she too was raped and was told by other boys not to make 'a big deal out of it'.

One male student has also said he was sexually assaulted on the school premises, between lessons.

The school has said it has 'changed considerably' since Scarlett was a student and 'continue to make acts of prejudice, discrimination or abuse socially unacceptable'.

Scarlett Mansfield who attended Colchester Royal Grammar School (CRGS), in Essex

Colchester Royal Grammar School (CRGS) is going to be investigated by the Ofsted watchdog

Harrowing allegations were aired as part of a BBC Three investigation into CRGS.

Scarlett, 26, told the channel: 'It's not just the events that happen in the school itself, it's the legacy it creates for students leaving the school.

'The behaviour is something that seems to stay with some of the boys, this lack of respect for women, and the idea they are invincible and they can do what they want to women without repercussions.'

One of the girls who said she had been raped relived the terrible moment the attack happened.

She said: 'I was pushing against him and I was saying 'it hurts, it hurts' and he didn't stop.

'He messaged me after saying he felt so bad, but 'don't tell your mum, don't tell the police, I'd rather you tell a therapist because I don't want to get in trouble'.'

Freelance writer Scarlett attended Sixth Form at the prestigious school, in Colchester, Essex, between the ages of 16 and 18.

Last month, she shared a blog post online about her experiences at CRGS - accusing the school of having a 'toxic male culture'.

Scarlett said the school's 'toxic male culture' had left her 'genuinely traumatised'

She said that topics such as domestic abuse and homophobia were treated as a joke at the predominantly-male school - which only accepts girls in Sixth Form.

Scarlett has received hundreds of anonymous comments from other former and current CRGS students - sharing their own accounts of sexist abuse and assault, homophobia, and racism.

It was in light of these allegations, Ofsted confirmed it would carry out an unannounced inspection of the school.

The school watchdog recently published plans for a review into safeguarding policies relating to sexual abuse in schools.

An Ofsted spokesman said: 'We cannot provide further details while the inspection is ongoing. We will publish our report in due course.'

Colchester Royal Grammar School is renowned for being one of the highest-ranking in the country for its A-Level results, and has been in the Sunday Times Top 10 seven times in the past ten years.

But Scarlett has now said she is glad people feel 'emboldened' to speak out about their experiences, and prompt the Ofsted investigation.

She said: 'Too often, we think of sexual assault or sexism generally as being something that only happens to celebrities or something that goes addressed in the courtrooms.

'But in reality, it's happening to people all around us, all the time, whether we're conscious of it or not.

'And it's only now people are feeling emboldened to say something, now they have been given a platform.'

John Russell, headteacher of CRGS, said: 'We continue to make acts of prejudice, discrimination or abuse socially unacceptable.

'We continue to create a stronger emphasis on standing up for the victim and a culture of challenging unacceptable acts, such that to be a bystander is considered to be complicit.'

He said the school is considering avenues from 'call-it-out' online forms where students can report specific incidents.

He added: 'We recognise some of the barriers which deter students from reporting incidents.

'Developing a culture of reporting acts of discrimination, especially microaggressions and acts that are perceived by some as less serious, provides a significant challenge.

'It requires such acts to be truly socially unacceptable and to move away from the age-old culture of not 'telling on the bully' or on those high up in the social hierarchy.'

He added to BBC Three over their allegations: 'It is right and correct that issues around attitudes and cultures that exist within our society, particularly towards women and girls, are at the forefront of discussion and debate.

'These are incredibly important topics, and ones that we do not shy away from. We all have a role to play in helping to shape communities where every person feels safe, and as a school we are acutely aware of our role in helping positive and healthy relationships to flourish.

'Since my appointment a significant amount of work has been undertaken to enhance our work in this area. This is, however, such an important topic, that there is always more that can be done to improve the experience and the development of the young people with whom we work.

'What we can say is that we will always listen, always look for what we can do better, and always embrace new ideas and best practice. We will leave no stone unturned in supporting our students.

'It is totally unacceptable if misogyny and harassment in any form takes place, and it is deeply wrong for anyone to act as a bystander on such issues. We will ensure that CRGS is a community where people feel safe, valued and able to be their authentic selves, free from all forms of discrimination.'
Michigan Rep. Rashida Tlaib criticized President Biden for giving weapons to Israel and told him 'you can't use Palestinian human rights as a bargaining chip' during their eight-minute tarmac confrontation on Tuesday, it has been revealed.

The 'squad' member delivered the stark lecture to the president as congressional Democrats push Biden to put more public pressure on Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

'Palestinian human rights are not a bargaining chip and must be protected, not negotiated,' Tlaib told him, according to her congressional office.

'The U.S. cannot continue to give the right-wing Netanyahu government billions each year to commit crimes against Palestinians,' she continued, an aide told NPR.

'Palestinian human rights are not a bargaining chip and must be protected, not negotiated,' Michigan Rep. Rashida Tlaib told President Joe Biden during an intense tarmac conversation Tuesday, according to her congressional office

'Atrocities like bombing schools cannot be tolerated, much less conducted with U.S.-supplied weapons.'

Biden could be seen speaking to Tlaib in an intense eight-minute conversation on the tarmac in Detroit, where he flew to tour a Ford plant Tuesday.

He acknowledged her later when he gave a speech at the plant, telling her: 'You're a fighter, and God thank you for being a fighter.'

The last White House readout of a phone call between Biden and Netanyahu said he expressed his 'support' for a cease fire, but stopped short of saying he demanded an immediate one, as many Democrats are calling for.

Biden is facing political pressure to do more, even amid signals out of Israel that it is looking for the 'right moment' to pull back attacks on Hamas targets in Gaza.

Israel is studying whether the time is right to stop its bombing campaign in cause, but is preparing for 'more days' of strikes, AFP reported, citing an Israeli military source.

'We are looking at when is the right moment for a ceasefire,' said the source.

Amid growing pressure from fellow Democrats, the Administration leaked Tuesday that Biden had told Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu that he could only hold off criticism of its strikes in Gaza for a limited period of time. The New York Times reported on the tougher private tone Biden took after the White House said only that he had expressed 'support' for a cease fire.

President Biden, with his arm around Rep. Debbie Dingell, spoke with Rep. Rashida Tlaib upon his arrival in Michigan to visit a Ford auto factory as he pushes his infrastructure deal

Some House Democrats are demanding a call for an immediate cease fire.

The issue could rear its head again as Biden prepares to deliver his first commencement address as president to Coast Guard Academy graduates Wednesday.

Biden flies to New London, Connecticut to deliver the speech Wednesday morning. Presidents deliver graduation to the service academies on a rotating basis.

Palestinian-American Tlaib has been critical of Biden's handling of the violence between Israel and Hamas in the Middle East.

On Twitter on Monday night she blasted Biden's support of Netanyahu who 'commits war crimes and openly violates international law.'

Biden has called for a cease fire in the region as the battle between Israel and Hamas enters day nine. The pair met after president touched down in Air Force One ahead of a trip to visit a Ford electric truck plant and tout his $2.3billion infrastructure plan.

While he has been pushing his big government spending spree, his administration has been dealing with the conflict in the Middle East, which has killed over 200 people and sparked a humanitarian crisis.

Biden shook the hand of Tlaib, the only Palestinian member of Congress who has family in the region, and the two engaged in a long conversation - out of earshot of cameras and with staff looking on. At one point Biden put his face mask on as he prepared to get into the presidential motorcade and then continued to speak to Tlaib.

During his remarks later in the day, Biden praised the congresswoman and shared his concerns for her relatives - including her 90-year-old grandmother and uncle - living in the small West Bank village of Beit Ur Al-Fauqa.

'I admire your intellect, I admire your passion, I admire your compassion and I admire your concern for so many other people,' Biden said. 'I pray that your grandmom and family are well on the West Bank,' he added. 'You're a fighter.'

Rep. Rashida Tlaib, seen with Rep. Debbie Dingell, declined to say what she and President Biden spoke about in their conversation

President Biden puts on his face mask as he prepares to get into the motorcade

Democratic Rep. Debbie Dingell was also there and told reporters on the ground the group talked about 'a lot of things.' Tlaib, a member of a progressive group of Democratic lawmakers known as 'The Squad,' didn't say anything.

Biden later toured the factory in Dearborn and got the chance to test drive Ford's new F-150 Lightning electric truck. He said: 'This sucker's quick' and said he would crank up the speed to 80mph.

On Monday, Tlaib told MSNBC that Biden's administration and other Democrats were 'taking orders from Netanyahu, who is on corruption charges from stealing from his own people, the people he's supposed to be representing.'

'Enough, President Biden,' Tlaib said. 'You will not do this on our watch. You have to speak out against this violence in a very aggressive way that holds Netanyahu and his leadership accountable.'

Dingell is the widow of the late Rep. John Dingell, who was a close friend of Biden's. She garnered a hug from the president.

On Monday night, Biden called for a cease fire in the Middle East but the bombardment continues.

Meanwhile, in a gaggle with reporters on Air Force One, Jen Psaki slammed Donald Trump's handling of situation in the Middle East and called his Abraham Accords, for which Trump and Jared Kushner were nominated for a Noble Peace Prize, 'dead on arrival.'

'We are not following the same tactics of the prior administration,' the White House press secretary said when asked repeatedly about the administration's role in the conflict.

'We felt there not a constructive action by the prior administration, aside from putting forward a peace proposal that was dead on arrival,' Psaki said. 'We don't think they did anything constructive really to bring it into the long standing conflict in the Middle East.'

A total of 212 Palestinians have been killed in Gaza, including 61 children, since the conflict started last Monday. The IDF says that figure includes 120 members of Hamas and 25 members of Palestinian Islamic Jihad.

RASHIDA TLAIB'S PALESTINIAN ROOTS - AND THE GRANDMOTHER THAT SPEAKS TO HER THOUGH IPAD Rashida Harbi Tlaib, born in Detroit, is the oldest of 14 children in a family of working class Palestinian immigrants. She was raised in the US, with members of her father working on the assembly line in the Ford plant. Tlaib helped take care of her siblings while her parents worked. But she still married a man from her ancestral village Beit Ur Al-Fauqa, where around one-third of the 900 residents are members of her extended family. Her parents left the West Bank in 1975, the year before she was born and eight years after it was occupied in Israel, and settled in Michigan. Her maternal grandmother Muftiya Tlaib, who is believed to be in her 90s, is still a resident of the sleepy community outside of Ramallah and 15 miles from Jerusalem. Relatives live in a small, single-story home with a nearby olive grove and fig trees, that also falls in the shadow of an Israeli military checkpoint. Her maternal grandmother Muftiya Tlaib, who is believed to be in her 90s, is still a resident of the sleepy community outside of Ramallah and 15 miles from Jerusalem An Israeli highway cuts through the middle. When she was elected to Congress in 2018 as the first representative of Palestinian descent, her family celebrated and hoped it would show they aren't all terrorists. Her uncle Bassam Abdualla Tlaib told NBC News: 'This is going to change the American view about Arabs and Muslims. Now someone is going to change this point of view.' In 2019 her family became the center of a global news frenzy when Donald Trump called Israel to block Rep. Tlaib from visiting her ailing grandmother because of her support for Palestinians. Muftia Tlaib, the maternal grandmother of Rashida, and her uncle Bassam outside their single-story home in the village of Beit Ur al-Fauqa, in the occupied West Bank in August 2019 They had planned a feast of sheep for the family when she arrived. 'I'm happy that Rashida may come,' her grandmother told the New York Times at the time. 'But I hear they won't let her.' Her family told The Times she had last visited a decade earlier, but would keep in touch through video calls on an iPad and would catch her on TV. In response to Trump's comments, she decided against the visit. She said: 'In my attempt to visit Palestine, I've experienced the same racist treatment that many Palestinian-Americans endure when encountering the Israeli government. 'In preparation for my visit, my grandmother was deciding which fig tree we would pick from together, while Palestinians and Israelis who are against the illegal military occupation were looking forward to Members of Congress finally listening to and seeing them for the first time. 'The Israeli government used my love and desire to see my grandmother to silence me and made my ability to do so contingent upon my signing a letter  reflecting just how undemocratic and afraid they are of the truth my trip would reveal about what is happening in the State of Israel and to Palestinians living under occupation with United States support. When she was elected to Congress in 2018 as the first representative of Palestinian descent, her uncle Bassam celebrated and hoped it would show they aren't all terrorists 'I have therefore decided to not travel to Palestine and Israel at this time. Visiting my grandmother under these oppressive conditions meant to humiliate me would break my grandmother's heart. Silencing me with treatment to make me feel less-than is not what she wants for me  it would kill a piece of me that always stands up against racism and injustice. 'This type of oppression is painful for all humanity, but it is especially painful for me personally every time I hear my loving family members cry out for the freedom to live and the right to feel human. Tlaib poses with Nancy Pelosi and members of her family as she is sworn into Congress in 2019 Advertisement

As President Biden touts his infrastructure plan, his administration is dealing with day nine of the Israel-Hamas conflict

Ten Israeli civilians, including a child, have been killed in rocket fire.

'The President's objective is clear,' Psaki said, 'which is that he wants to see an end to the violence on the ground.'

She refused to delve into detail about what the administration is doing to help end the conflict.

'He's been doing this long enough to know that the best way to end an international conflict is typically not to debate it in public,' she said of Biden, 'so we will continue to remain closely engaged behind the scenes.'

Meanwhile, Arab American advocates are planning three protests in Dearborn, Mich., when Biden is on the ground there, the Detroit Free Press reported.

Biden has proposed a $2.3 trillion infrastructure plan that includes $174 billion in funding for electric vehicles, charging stations, and incentives for consumer purchases.

'The President is a longtime fan of cars,' Psaki said. 'His dad was a car dealer for many years.'

She added the president thinks 'we should do everything we can from the United States government to support this industry, the backbone of many communities including Michigan and our country. The future of the industry is electric.'

He also wants to make the government's fleet of vehicles electric.

Psaki was asked about Biden taking a fleet of gasoline guzzling SUVs to his visit to the plant. The motorcade that runs from the airport to the factory would have at least 20 vehicles in it, including the presidential ride know as 'The Beast.'

'That is certainly our objective,' Psaki said when asked if 'The Beast' would ever be electric but noted it would take time.

'I think it's going to take some time to continue to grow the electric vehicle industry in our country. That's why the president believes there needs to be a historic investment and certainly he's talked about what we can do from the federal fleet as well,' she said.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, President Donald Trump, Bahrain Foreign Minister Abdullatif al-Zayani, and UAE Foreign Minister Abdullah bin Zayed Al-Nahyan wave from the Truman Balcony at the White House after they signed Abraham Accords on Sept. 15, 2020

Firefighters try to extinguish fire broke out Israeli warplanes hit paint warehouse in Rafah, Gaza
Fraudster Dana Twidale, 44, fleeced brides-and-grooms-to-be out of their wedding savings before vanishing without a trace

A wedding planner conwoman who fleeced lovestruck men out of thousands of pounds before vanishing for two years is to face justice for her crimes.

Fraudster Dana Twidale, 44, fleeced brides-and-grooms-to-be out of their wedding savings before disappearing without a trace.

She also conned dates out of money - including one man who she scammed for 10,000 to pay for her mother's funeral, despite the fact her mother was still alive.

After going on the run, she was eventually spotted sunning herself in Benidorm, Spain, and also reportedly in Tenerife after going on the run.

But in May last year she was back in Britain and was seen working in takeaway shops in the Humberside area.

Now the law has finally caught up with Twidale, who last week pleaded guilty to 26 counts of fraud.

She will be sentenced at Hull Crown Court next month.

Couples across Yorkshire previously revealed how they were conned by wedding planner Mrs Twidale.

One bride said she had paid 'well over 2,000' to the former wedding planner and was left distraught when she turned up to find an empty marquee two days before her wedding.

Police and the reporting agency Action Fraud began to investigate Ms Twidale, 42, after complaints from engaged couples, catering and event hire firms and DJs.

A number of love-struck men also say the mother-of-four defrauded them out of large sums.

One man, 45, says he lost 4,000 to her. And another suitor who met her via the Tinder dating app claimed he gave her 10,000 for her mother's funeral  only to find out that her mother was still alive.

The news of her guilt has come as a relief to many - none more so than her estranged husband Carl Twidale who had to fight to clear his name after he was accused of knowing about her wicked behaviour.

The news of her guilt has come as a relief to many - none more so than her estranged husband Carl Twidale (pictured) who had to fight to clear his name after he was accused of knowing about her wicked behaviour

Speaking two years ago when the allegations came to light, Carl said: 'It was numbing to read about all the scams and I can't believe she has done this.

'When I first met her she was lovely, bubbly and you just wanted to be around her. Everybody would say the same but it seems that was all part of the act.

'There are no words. She is just wicked and it's twisted - you can't do the things she has done.

'It's one thing scamming people but preying on their vulnerabilities is just wrong.

'I've started to question now if I ever really knew who she was. She was my wife but I just don't know her anymore.'

Carl, who is 47 and lives in Hull, has been estranged from Dana for four years.

Now, he wants to divorce her for good so they are no longer associated by name and he can make a fresh start with his new girlfriend.

Mrs Twidale, a mother-of-four, was spotted sunning herself in Benidorm, Spain, last January

Mrs Twidale went on the run and was spotted in Spain but later returned to the UK, before being collared by police in Hull

Mrs Twidale conned couples tying the knot out of thousands of pounds. She also fleeced boyfriends out of thousands

Carl told Yorkshire Live: 'I've talked to my solicitor and sent letters out to her mum's, her boyfriend's house, her flat and I've had nothing back.

'She doesn't seem to be signing it even though we've got no property, kids or money between us. There is nothing tying us together - just the last name.

'Maybe she is trying to get all this done under Twidale so she can then go back to her previous names.

'It's very frustrating and I don't want it to impact my future.'

In a direct plea to Dana, who allegedly has a new boyfriend, Carl said: 'Let me go and just let it go.

'She has caused so much heartache to everybody and I would love to speak to her boyfriend to ask him why she hasn't signed the paperwork.'

Carl says he has been contacted by other men who claim to have been in a relationship with Dana over the past few years.

He said: 'They've all said how she leads them on strong and she tells them she loves them to bits.'

Carl has not heard from Dana since she moved out of his flat. They have been estranged for years and he faced threats when she was initially accused of fraud in 2019.

Carl says he has been contacted by other men who claim to have been in a relationship with Dana over the past few years

'It has been really tough,' he said. 'I've lived my life in the darkness with no lights on and it has been tough.

'I've had threats and I've had to hide my car just in case but on the plus side I've had other victims say 'we know you had no involvement and we want to stay friends'.'

Carl, who is keen to see a counsellor after a traumatic couple of years, wants to attend the sentencing at Hull Crown Court next month.

He will accept whatever punishment the judge passes but is keen to see justice served for the multiple victims of fraud.

'I've seen what people have said and they will want her to get jail time,' he said. 'I don't have a bad bone in my body and if she does jail time, she does jail time - that is up to the judge and I'm not going to say she should go down for life or anything but hopefully justice will prevail.

'I'm looking forward to going to court and I want her to see that I'm not affected and not bothered anymore.'
A Texas high school teacher admitted to torturing and killing his four cats - including beating one to death with a metal workout bar - in order to 'feel powerful.'

Graham William Reid, 29, tortured and killed his cats Cabbage, Parsnip, Carrot and Broccoli over the course of six months up until March this year, court documents say.

Reid told investigators that he hurt the felines in order to feel powerful because he was bullied and oppressed as a child and would become enraged with 'various stressors in life,' according to Fort Bend County court documents seen by KPRC2.

Graham William Reid, 29, (pictured) was arrested for torturing and killing his cats Cabbage, Parsnip, Carrot and Broccoli over the course of six months up until March this year

The cats were subjected to horrific injuries before their deaths, including broken teeth, bloodied toes, cut tails, respiratory issues and broken bones, Newsweek reported.

Reid admitted to repeatedly hitting one of the cats with a metal workout bar before taking the pet to the vet where it was cremated and to beating and kicking a separate cat that he disposed of in a dumpster, court documents said.

After a third cat reportedly scratched Reid, he slammed it with a scratching post and the cat died after it began vomiting.

The fourth cat Reid took out his frustrations on was a fourth-month old kitten who Reid attacked with a litter scoop, using it as a hammer to kill the kitten after it went to the bathroom outside of the litter box, court documents allege.

The tortured kittens ranged in age from about 8 weeks to 1 year.

Reid was caught after suspicious visits to local vets.

Reid would tell the vets his pets died at home, which would lead to confusion with veterinarians.

Graham William Reid, 29, was a former geometry teacher at Ridge Point High School (pictured) in Fort Bend Independent School District

One vet said it was 'odd' that he would bring the animals to the vet if he was the one causing the injuries, court documents said.

Reid was finally turned in to police after a Sugar Land veterinarian provided a tip to authorities after noticing multiple cases of severe injury in the animals which '(didn't) add up.'

Reid was arrested on April 28 and the Fort Bend County District Attorney's Office charged him with four counts of cruelty to non-livestock animals.

The 29-year-old was a geometry teacher at Ridge Point High School in Fort Bend Independent School District.

Sherry Williams, a spokes person for Fort Bend Independent School District confirmed Reid was no longer employed by the district.

'We have been made aware of a disturbing animal cruelty allegation against a teacher who is no longer employed with the District,' Williams said in a statement. 'We are unable to comment further as the matter involves an ongoing criminal investigation.

'Please know the safety and security of our students is our top priority and we are taking steps to safeguard the emotional well-being of our students by making well-trained counselors available to the teacher's former students.' Williams added.

A former student of Reid's said that the geometry teacher made his last appearance at the school on April 29, a day after his arrest.

'I remember coming into class on April 30 and he wasn't there,' the student told the Houston Chronicle. 'Then it was two days later the principal came into school and said he had quit for unknown reasons. We never got any more info from the school besides that since then.'
One of the firms hired to run the GOP-led audit of Maricopa County's presidential vote now says no data or ballots were destroyed after originally claiming local officials eliminated evidence.

The contractor admitted they had been looking in the wrong place for the voter data, a reversal that could prove an embarrassment to the Republican state senators who ordered the audit.

Donald Trump had picked up the false claim and amplified it, leading Maricopa County officials to write, in a scathing letter to state Senate president Karen Fann, that the auditors couldn't find the data because they didn't know where to look.

The GOP senators met with auditors Tuesday night to get an update on their work, particularly the allegation of destroyed data.

But Ben Cotton, founder of a computer forensics firm CyFIR LLC and one of the contractors working on the audit, told them he now has all the voter information regarding the 2.1 million votes cast in 2020 presidential race.

'All of this may be a moot point because subsequently, I have been able to recover all of those deleted files and I have access to that data,' he said. 'I have the information I need from the county.'

The data had been found on a set of four computer drives.

'Well that's good news,' said State Senator Warren Petersen, the Republican chairman of the state Senate Judiciary Committee, one of the two GOP lawmakers doing the questioning during the hour-long meeting.

Ben Cotton, founder of a computer forensics firm CyFIR LLC and one of the contractors working on the audit, admitted Tuesday he had all the voter data from Maricopa county after originally claiming databases were destroyed

Arizona's GOP-controlled state Senate ordered the audit and held a meeting on it Tuesday to get an update on how it's going but kept out Democrats and the media

Arizona state Senate President Karen Fann, a Republican, and State Senator Warren Petersen, the Republican chairman of the state Senate Judiciary Committee, were the only two lawmakers in the meeting and asked friendly questions to the auditors

Maricopa County's Republican-controlled Board of Supervisors, who have blasted the audit as a 'sham' run by 'grifters', snapped back at the admissions.

'Just want to underscore that AZ Senate's @ArizonaAudit account accused Maricopa County of deleting files - which would be a crime - then a day after our technical letter explained they were just looking in the wrong place - all of a sudden 'auditors' have recovered the files,' the board said on its official Twitter account.

Members of the county board boycotted Tuesday's meeting as part of their objections to the recount, which they said is unnecessary and undermining public confidence in elections.

The meeting was broadcast online but was not open to the press or public. It was attended by Fann and Peterson, the two Republican state senators, who asked friendly questions of the three witnesses: Cotton, Cyber Ninjas founder Doug Logan and Ken Bennett, a former Republican secretary of state serving as the Senate's audit liaison.

Because it was a meeting and not a hearing, Fann and Petersen were able to keep out Democratic lawmakers, who likely would have asked tougher questions.

State Senate Minority Leader Rebecca Rios, a Democrat of Phoenix, told local reporters she tried to attend but Fann wouldn't let her.

'This is still a one-sided, partisan witch hunt that has no basis in reality,' she said of the audit.

The state Senate hired Cyber Ninjas, a Florida-based firm, to run the audit. But questions have been raised about the procedures its using to examine the ballots and about Logan, who has expressed statements of support to Trump's false claim the election was stolen from him.

It's also unclear how much the audit will cost or who is paying for all of it. The Arizona Senate agreed to pay Cyber Ninjas $150,000 from tax payer funds, but Logan has said that's not enough to cover the costs.

He hasn't said where the rest of the money is coming from.

At least two fundraisers, one organized by a One American News, a pro-Trump cable network, and the other by a prominent Trump donor, claimed to have raised hundreds of thousands of dollars for it.

Concerns about the allegedly missing ballots went viral when the Twitter account for the Senate's audit wrote: 'Maricopa County deleted a directory full of election databases from the 2020 election cycle days before the election equipment was delivered to the audit. This is spoliation of evidence!'

Trump ran with the claim, saying in a statement on Saturday: 'The entire Database of Maricopa County in Arizona has been DELETED! This is illegal and the Arizona State Senate, who is leading the Forensic Audit, is up in arms.'

The allegation appears to have been a breaking point for the Republican-controlled Board of Supervisors in Maricopa County, which has publicly and vehemently blasted the audit.

The board learned about the claim when it went viral on Twitter.

In at letter sent to Fann on Monday, they said it was false and demanded a retraction.

'We demand that you immediately rescind your false and malicious tweet asserting that Maricopa County 'spoiled evidence' in the days before we provided the server to the Senate,' they wrote.

Fann, meanwhile, said she's not looking to overturn the election results but wants to improve future procedures.

That has caused concern about Democrats, who worry the Republicans will try to pass laws that make voting more difficult, as other states have done.

'I have said from the get go I am relatively sure weren't going to find anything of any magnitude that would imply that any intentional wrongdoing was going on,' Fann said at Tuesday's hearing. 'I believe that we were going to find what we've known all along and some of the things is we could do a better job.'

The Republican-controlled Maricopa County Board of Supervisors slammed the 'sham' recount of the 2020 presidential results - above a contractor for Cyber Ninjas examines a ballot with a UV light as they look for evidence of bamboo to see if China conspired in the election

Maricopa County Recorder Stephen Richer, a GOP official, blasted a conspiracy theory that officials shredded ballots, fed them to chickens, and killed chickens to cover up evidence as 'pretty top of the charts'

Tuesday's meeting was held after the Republican-controlled Maricopa County Board of Supervisors slammed the 'sham' recount of the 2020 presidential results, calling it 'political theater' backed by 'grifters and con-artists.'

The members of the board didn't hold back when it came to expressing their disgust for the audit.

It has become subject to numerous conspiracy theories including one that state elections officials shredded ballots, fed them to chickens, and then had the chickens incinerated to cover up the evidence.

Maricopa County Recorder Stephen Richer, a GOP official who is in charge of maintaining files on the country's 2.6 million registered voters, blasted that claim.

'I mean, that chickens one is probably pretty top of the charts,' he told CNN.

In a public meeting on Monday night and in their letter to Fann, the Maricopa county board criticized the audit as a 'spectacle' that is causing Arizona to be a 'laughing stock' and encouraging people to distrust elections.

The county board of supervisors called out 'the big lie,' referring to the false claim the election was stolen from Trump. There has been no evidence of wide spread voter fraud in the presidential contest and multiple recount have confirmed Biden's victory.

'It is time to make a choice to defend the Constitution and the Republic,' they wrote in the letter obtained by The Washington Post. 'We stand united together to defend the Constitution and the Republic in our opposition to the Big Lie. We ask everyone to join us in standing for the truth.'

'You have rented out the once good name of the Arizona State Senate to grifters and con-artists,' they claimed.

In a show of unity Richer also signed on to the letter, as did the county's Democratic sheriff.

'We express our united view that your 'audit', no matter what your intentions were in the beginning, has become a spectacle that is harming all of us. Our state has become a laughingstock. Worse, this 'audit' is encouraging our citizens to distrust elections, which weakens our democratic republic,' they wrote.

Richer told CNN the officials sent the letter to Fann because they're exhausted.

'It is exhausting having to respond to every insinuation when we're trying to do the normal work of the county. I have no idea how long this will go on for. It will possibly go into 2022,' he said.

'Just stop indulging this. Stop giving space for lies,' he noted.

Trump has touted the audit repeatedly and his allies are pouring money into the state but the Justice Department warned it could be in violation of federal voting and civil rights laws.

Multiple Republicans in the Arizona have criticized the audit, saying the election was fairly conducted and the results - Joe Biden beat Trump by 10,457 votes, or 0.3 percent of the nearly 3.4 million ballots cast - are accurate.

Two previous recounts of the ballots in Maricopa County, where Biden won by more than two points, found the results had been accurate.

The audit has no formal authority and will not change the election results in Arizona.

The board of supervisors, made up of four Republicans and one Democrat, declined to meet with Fann about issues she claimed the Cyber Ninjas found with the ballots.

'I will not be responding to any more requests from this sham process. Finish your audit and be ready to defend what you're finding in a court of law,' Maricopa County Board of Supervisors Chairman Jack Sellers, a Republican, said at Monday's public meeting.

'This board is done explaining anything,' he noted. 'People's ballots and money are not make-believe. It's time to be done with this craziness, and get on with this county's critical business.'

Contractors for Cyber Ninjas have counted about 500,000 out of 2.1 million ballots in Maricopa county, the largest county in Arizona

The ballots were put in storage this week as high school graduation ceremonies take place in the Veterans Memorial Coliseum where the recount was taking place; the audit begins again next week

Cyber Ninjas has been conducting a slow hand recount of the ballots on the floor of the Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum. They've also been examining them, with a microscope and UV light. One contractor said the workers are conducting a 'forensic' analysis of the ballots to determine if the paper is made of bamboo as part of their look into whether or not China interfered with the election.

The board of supervisors have decried their methods.

'You have rented out the once good name of the Arizona State Senate to grifters and con-artists, who are fundraising hard-earned money from our fellow citizens even as your contractors parade around the Coliseum, hunting for bamboo,' the officials wrote in their letter.

County officials, Richter said, have reached their limits.

'It was one thing with the audit when they were looking at UV lights and looking for bamboo fibers in the paper,' he told CNN. 'But when they just accused us too many times of breaking the law, they defamed our good employees too many times, they've defamed the hard-working people here. We're all humans, and we have our limits!'

The contractors have counted about 500,000 ballots so far. They were forced to pause while high school graduation ceremonies took place in the coliseum. The ballots were packed up and placed in storage. Counting is expected to resume next week.
The U.S. Postal Service is using facial recognition from controversial company Clearview AI and fake identities online to snoop on Americans, a new report reveals.

Under its law enforcement arm, analysts are reported to use intelligence tools to track social media posts and share their results with other agencies, Yahoo reports.

The Internet Covert Operations Program (iCOP) was first revealed in April when it came under scrutiny for tracking Americans' social media posts ahead of protests.

Now it emerges iCOP - which is believed to date back to 2018 - is more far reaching than previously thought.

The United States Postal Inspection Service (USPIS) is said to use Clearview AI to 'help identify unknown targets in an investigation or locate additional social media accounts for known individuals', Yahoo reports.

It also uses Zignal Labs - which runs keyword searches on possible threats - and Nfusion - which creates anonymous online accounts - in its tracking, according to the site.

In March Clearview AI was sued by the American Civil Liberties Union, contending it illegally stockpiled images of three billion people scraped from internet sites without their knowledge or permission.

For many, news of that stockpile raised concerns that the type of surveillance seen in China could happen in the U.S. and other countries.

DailyMail.com has contacted USPIS for comment.

The U.S. Postal Service is using facial recognition from controversial company Clearview AI and fake identities online to snoop on Americans, a new report reveals

In March Clearview AI was sued by the American Civil Liberties Union, contending it illegally stockpiled images of 3 billion people scraped from internet sites without their knowledge or permission

Clearview AI CEO Hoan Ton-That has said his company collects only publicly available photos from the open internet that are accessible 'from any computer anywhere in the world.' He said its database cannot be used for surveillance

At least seven states and nearly two dozen cities have limited government use of Clearview's technology amid fears over civil rights violations, racial bias and invasion of privacy.

CEO Hoan Ton-That said his company collects only publicly available photos from the open internet that are accessible 'from any computer anywhere in the world'. He said its database cannot be used for surveillance.

But Rachel Levinson-Waldman, deputy director of the Liberty & National Security Program of the Brennan Center for Justice, said: 'The U.S. Postal Inspection Service appears to be putting significant resources into covert monitoring of social media and the creation and use of undercover accounts.

'If these efforts are directed toward surveilling lawful protesters, the public and Congress need to know why this is happening, under what authority and subject to what kinds of oversight and protections.'

The USPS is said to use Clearview AI to 'help identify unknown targets in an investigation or locate additional social media accounts for known individuals', Yahoo reports. It also uses Zignal Labs - which runs keyword searches on possible threat

And it uses Nfusion - which creates anonymous online accounts - in its tracking, report says

The Inspection Service said the tools used are 'standard law enforcement techniques'. They say their use is 'strictly controlled relative to the investigation of criminal suspects and criminal activities'.

They added: 'This review of publicly available open source information, including news reports and social media, is one piece of a comprehensive security and threat analysis, and the information obtained is the same information anyone can access as a private citizen.

'News report and social media listening activity helps protect the 644,000 men and women who work for the Postal Service by ensuring they are able to avoid potentially volatile situations while working to process and deliver the nation's mail every day.'

Clearview AI said it is 'honored' to work with '3,100 law enforcement agencies around the United States to help them identify countless criminals, from pedophiles, serial fraudsters, and murderers'.

The USPS has already faced backlash over its social media spying operation

But the USPS has already faced backlash over its social media spying operation.

'Let that sink in ... an entity [whose] sole purpose is to deliver mail and packages is spying on American citizens,' Dustin Isenhour posted on Facebook. 'Our government has grown so large that its postal service has a law enforcement arm. Time to wake up people.'

'This is NOT ok,' Martha Bueno tweeted. 'How many agencies are spying on us and why? Land of the free? Methinks not.'

'At this point, every government agency and associates are spying on Americans,' added one Twitter user with the handle @ultrapurwater.

A leaked bulletin first reported by Yahoo News details how the US Postal Inspection Service collected data as part of the Internet Covert Operations Program or iCOP

Analysts are said to have looked through posts on Facebook, Parler and Telegram before flagging 'inflammatory' messages to government agencies

Chief Postal Inspector Gary Barksdale last month briefed lawmakers on the Oversight Committee on iCOP.

That came after Yahoo published documents related to the program, which showed how analysts page through social media sites to look for 'inflammatory' posts, including messages about planned protests.

The program is not thought to have led to any arrests thought it's still unclear how long it has been operating.

'Analysts with the United States Postal Inspection Service (USPIS) Internet Covert Operations Program (iCOP) monitored significant activity regarding planned protests occurring internationally and domestically on March 20, 2021,' a March 16 government bulletin, marked as 'law enforcement sensitive', reads.

The bulletin focuses on a March 20 protest, the World Wide Rally for Freedom and Democracy which demonstrated against COVID lockdowns.

'Locations and times have been identified for these protests, which are being distributed online across multiple social media platforms, to include right-wing leaning Parler and Telegram accounts,' it continues, but later notes: 'No intelligence is available to suggest the legitimacy of these threats.'

The bulletin, distributed through the Department of Homeland Security's fusion centers, includes screenshots of posts from Facebook, Parler, Telegram and other social media sites about the protests.

It does not appear any of the posts from the bulletin, including one from an alleged Proud Boy, contain any threatening language.

Individuals, who were mentioned by name and other identifying information.

Chief Postal Inspector Gary Barksdale last month briefed lawmakers on the Oversight Committee on iCOP

The USPS was hit hard by the coronavirus pandemic. In August 2020 it reported losing $2.2 billion in the three months that ended in June.

When reached about the law enforcement arm of USPS in April, the US Postal Inspection Service told Yahoo: 'The U.S. Postal Inspection Service is the primary law enforcement, crime prevention, and security arm of the U.S. Postal Service.'

'As such, the U.S. Postal Inspection Service has federal law enforcement officers, Postal Inspectors, who enforce approximately 200 federal laws to achieve the agency's mission: protect the U.S. Postal Service and its employees, infrastructure, and customers; enforce the laws that defend the nation's mail system from illegal or dangerous use; and ensure public trust in the mail.

They added: 'The Internet Covert Operations Program is a function within the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, which assesses threats to Postal Service employees and its infrastructure by monitoring publicly available open source information,.

'Additionally, the Inspection Service collaborates with federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies to proactively identify and assess potential threats to the Postal Service, its employees and customers, and its overall mail processing and transportation network.

'In order to preserve operational effectiveness, the U.S. Postal Inspection Service does not discuss its protocols, investigative methods, or tools.'
An adventurous crew of urban explorers have captured eerie footage from inside an abandoned multimillion-dollar mansion in Australia.

The group of curious teenagers investigated the deserted property hidden away in an unnamed suburb in Australia.

In footage posted to TikTok the front of the multi-storey home has a Greek-inspired fountain fitted with two stone horses.

A group of urban explorers captured eerie footage of an abandoned mansion in Australia

The home has been tagged with graffiti and broken windows have allowed piles of old leaves and debris to gather across the floor of the rundown mansion.

The once grand staircase spiralling toward the entrance of the home is destroyed with the bannisters strewn on the floor and a shattered glass chandelier laying beside it.

Meanwhile another seating area with high ceilings has been left with nothing but smashed glass and tiles as deserted white curtains blow eerily in the wind.

The multimillion-dollar home was abandoned and filled with graffiti and smashed glass (pictured)

The once grand staircase spiralling toward the entrance of the home is destroyed with the bannisters strewn on the floor and a shattered glass chandelier laying beside it

The destruction continues inside the home with a kitchen filled with smashed bottles and an electricity box that ripped out from a wall.

The bathroom that once had a glamorous spa inside it is now tagged with graffiti and mirrors are left smashed by vandals.

The footage that emerged online on Tuesday has amazed other explorers.

'How on earth do you find these places?' One user asked.

'Why is this place abandoned it's so beautiful,' another questioned.

'Wow I want to fix it up and live in there,' another said.
An eight-year-old Alabama girl has been wounded in a drive-by shooting after her nurse mother pulled over to render aid to the victims of a car crash, not realizing they had just been involved in a gun battle.

Police in Birmingham said the incident took place at around 9.30pm on Tuesday in the 1400 block of Warrior Road.

The girl, who has not been named, was initially said to have suffered life-threatening injuries. Police have since said that she is expected to recover after being shot in the arm and getting hit with metal shrapnel in the head, according to WVTM13.

Scroll down for video

An eight-year-old girl was wounded in the arm in a drive-by shooting in Birmingham, Alabama, Tuesday, after her mother stopped to see if the occupants of this wrecked SUV needed help

Police say the people in the red SUV were involved in a gun battle with another group that had shot up the vehicle and left, but then circled back and opened fire again

A Birmingham Police Department spokesperson said that the young victim was riding in a car with her parents and sister when the family observed a wrecked Jeep SUV with its airbags deployed near the intersection of Warrior Road and Avenue N, reported Al.com.

The girl's mother, who works as a nurse, told her husband to pull over so she could check if anyone inside the disabled SUV was in need of medical assistance.

When the mother exited her car, police believe gunfire erupted from another vehicle that was driving by, hitting the eight-year-old girl.

A preliminary investigation suggests that the occupants of the mangled red SUV and the other vehicle were involved in an armed confrontation.

It is believed that the people inside the second vehicle had opened fire on the red SUV, causing it to crash, and then circled back around to spray it with more bullets, but this time hit the nurse' car and wounded her daughter.

As the girl's mother, who is a nurse, got out of her family's car to offer help, gunfire erupted from another car

The shooting took place at the intersection of Warrior Road and Avenue N

The girl was rushed to Children's of Alabama Hospital to be treated for her injuries.

It is unclear if there was anyone still inside the red Jeep when the nurse stopped to try and offer assistance.

No one was found inside the bullet-riddled red SUV when police arrived, but a short time later two people showed up at Baptist Medical Center Princeton suffering from gunshot wounds, reported CBS42. Police are now trying to determine whether the two incidents are connected.

Alabama has seen a slight dip in violent crimes between 2020 and 2021, but at 5.1 incidents per 1,000 people, it is still 38 per cent higher than the national average, according to data from Safewise.com, the home safety research website.

Aggravated assault made up 75 per cent of all violent crime in Alabama, which is 10 per cent higher than the proportion across the country.

Alabama has seen a slight dip in violent crimes between 2020 and 2021, but at 5.1 incidents per 1,000 people, it is still 38 per cent higher than the national average

Safewise.com, the home safety research website, has found that 55 per cent of Alabamans worry about a violent crime happening to them

Elsewhere in the US, major cities experienced a 33 per cent increase in homicides last year amid the coronavirus pandemic, a financial crisis and nationwide protests against police brutality and systemic racism, according to a recent report produced by the Major Cities Chiefs Association and reported on by CNN in April.

The nation's three largest cities - New York, Los Angeles and Chicago - continued seeing high rates of violent crime in the first three months of 2021.
Malawi has burned almost 20,000 doses of expired coronavirus vaccines, despite assurances from health organisations that they were still safe to use.

The 19,610 doses of the AstraZeneca vaccine expired 18 days after arriving in Malawi, but both the World Health Organization (WHO) and the African Union (AU) said the jabs were safe until mid-July.

The batch of 102,000 arrived in the country on March 26, under an AU and WHO initiative. They expired on April 13, leaving 18 days for them to be used. Malawi managed to deploy about 80 percent of them by that time.



John Nkengasong, director of the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC), part of the AU, told a news conference late last month that the shots could be used until July 13, based on a further analysis conducted by manufacturers the Serum Institute of India.

He and the WHO also urged African countries not to waste vaccines donated to them.

However, the Malawian government said it would not give expired vaccines to its citizens.

Malawi has burned almost 20,000 doses of expired coronavirus vaccines, despite assurances from health organisations that they were still safe to use

Health Minister Khumbize Kandodo Chiponda presided over the incineration Wednesday at Kamuzu Central Hospital in Lilongwe, the capital.

'We are destroying (them) because, as government policy... no expired vaccine has ever been used,' she said, before throwing the shots, which were wrapped in red plastic bags, into an incinerator, causing a cloud of dark smoke to billow from its chimney.

Chiponda said the burning of the vaccines will prevent those with a negative perception of inoculations from using the excuse of expired vaccines from getting the shots.

'We are destroying publicly in order to stay accountable to Malawians. The vaccines that expired are not being used during the vaccination campaign,' she said.

'On behalf of the government, I assure all Malawians that no one will be given an expired COVID vaccine.'

The health minister thanked WHO, the African Union and India for donating the vaccines.

'This has made it possible for Malawi to embark on the COVID vaccination campaign currently underway,' she said, without mentioning the WHO's pleas not to burn the vaccines.

Malawi got its first consignment of 360,000 AstraZeneca doses in early March from the U.N.-backed COVAX initiative. The country received another batch of 50,000 AstraZeneca doses from the Indian government. With the AU donation, Malawi had a total of 512,000 AstraZeneca doses. Pictured: Vaccines arrive to be destroyed in Lilongwe, Malawi

Chiponda blamed a hesitant uptake of the jabs on 'propaganda against the AstraZeneca vaccine.'

Austria this week became the third European country to drop AstraZeneca, after Norway and Denmark ditched the vaccine over rare cases of severe blood clots in people receiving the jab.

'We don't want to lose any vaccine because we have a lot of people to vaccinate but... we have to remove all expired drugs from the system,' Chiponda said.

The calls not to destroy the vaccines came too late for Malawi, a small southern African country of about 20 million people, ministry of health spokesman Joshua Malango told The Associated Press news agency.

'We had stopped observation of proper storage mechanisms and the vaccines would have still been damaged in one way or the other,' he said.

The destruction of the vaccines was witnessed by several top officials 'in order to enhance transparency,' health secretary Charles Mwansambo said.

Malawi will still have adequate stocks of COVID-19 vaccines in both public and private health facilities, he said. The government has not said where it will get more vaccines.

Health Minister Khumbize Kandodo Chiponda (left) presided over the incineration Wednesday at Kamuzu Central Hospital in Lilongwe, the capital

India's drug regulator in March allowed the Serum Institute of India-produced AstraZeneca vaccine to be used for up to nine months from its manufacture date, as opposed to the earlier six months.

South Sudan has set aside 59,000 doses supplied by the AU and is not using them because of the same expiration issue.

Malawi's health ministry said the country had administered 335,232 vaccine doses as of May 18, and recorded 34,231 COVID infections and 1,153 deaths.

African countries have struggled to secure enough COVID-19 vaccines to roll out mass immunisation.

Many rely on handouts from global vaccine scheme COVAX, which is co-led by the WHO and partners including the Gavi vaccines alliance.

Chiponda (right) said the burning of the vaccines will prevent those with a negative perception of inoculations from using the excuse of expired vaccines from getting the shots. Pictured: A pharmaceutical expert opens a pack of expired AstraZeneca vaccines before they are destroyed

But now supplies of the vaccine have become more scarce because India, the main supplier of vaccines to COVAX, has stopped exports until it has adequately vaccinated large numbers of its population of 1.4 billion people.

Malawi got its first consignment of 360,000 AstraZeneca doses in early March from the U.N.-backed COVAX initiative.

The country received another batch of 50,000 AstraZeneca doses from the Indian government. With the AU donation, Malawi had a total of 512,000 AstraZeneca doses.

The Serum Institute of India says it hopes to start delivering coronavirus vaccines to COVAX and to other countries by the end of the year.

The delay will significantly set back global efforts to immunise people against COVID-19. India's Serum Institute is the world's biggest vaccine-maker.

The company said in March that it was postponing all exports of coronavirus vaccines to deal with the explosive surge of cases on the subcontinent.

At the time, the WHO said it expected COVID-19 vaccine deliveries from India to resume by June and the interruption would affect about 90 million doses.
Organizers of New York City's Pride parade have been widely slammed for banning police from participating in their annual march.

Over the weekend, NYC Pride announced plans to prohibit uniformed members of the NYPD from taking part in their LGBTQ celebrations until at least 2025.

In a statement on Saturday, the organization urged cops to take time away from the parade to 'acknowledge their harm and correct course moving forward'.

'The sense of safety that law enforcement is meant to provide can instead be threatening, and at times dangerous, to those in our community who are most often targeted with excessive force and/or without reason,' the group said, telling police to stay at least one block back from any festivities.

But the decision has outraged many who say NYC Pride is not practicing the inclusion that it professes to promote and that it seeks for its own LGBTQ members.

The left-leaning New York Times has hit out at the organization, as has Democrat Mayor Bill de Blasio - who has publicly clashed with NYPD leaders after he slashed $1 billion from their annual operating budget.

On Wednesday, the Times' Editorial Board - which consists of 13 of the paper's opinion journalists - published an essay titled 'A Misstep by the Organizers of Pride', describing the decision by NYC Pride as 'worrisome'.

'The NYPD's relationship with the LGBTQ community in New York has been marked by missteps and abuse at times, which have bred distrust.. But the long road to repairing that relationship, and ensuring the safety of the city's gay community, isn't made easier by deepening the divide,' the Board wrote.

The New York Times Editorial Board has slammed organizers of the city's Pride parade for banning police from participating in their annual march

An NYPD officer is seen participating in the 2014 Pride parade

They also stated the decision was alienating for LGBTQ cops - some of whom now feel like they are being forced to choose between their profession and their gay identity.

The essay included quotes from one lesbian officer who stated: 'Being banished for celebrating a part of my identity is not easy for me. Instead of being embraced, they're throwing me back in the closet.'

'Gay officers should be able to march in the parade and express their solidarity with the LGBTQ community, preserving the inclusive spirit of Pride celebrations. Taking a pledge to protect and serve your city should not mean sacrificing the chance to be included in a community celebration of your identity,' the Board wrote.

They further called the ban on police officers 'strange' given that there have been political attacks on members of the LGTBQ community within the past year.

'Today, at a time when Republican legislatures are attacking transgender rights across the country, it's a strange moment for the L.G.B.T.Q. community to be closing the door on some of its own and missing an opportunity to broaden its coalition,' the Board concluded.

Mayor Bill de Blasio also weighed in on the ban, stating: 'I fully appreciate the extraordinary history of Pride in this city and I honor what Pride has achieved over the years, but I think that decisions a mistake.

'One of the issues is officers who are members of the LGBT community, wanting to march and express their pride and their solidarity with the community and their desire to keep changing the NYPD and changing the city.'

NYPD officers mount their motor cycles at the annual Pride Parade on Sunday, June 29, 2019 in New York

Members of the NYPD have also lashed out at NYC Pride over their decision to ban officers.

Detective Brian Downey, president of the NYPD's Gay Officers Action League, called it 'shameful' and 'dehumanizing for our members'.

A NYPD spokesperson agreed with Downey, telling Fox News the decision is 'disheartening.'

'The idea of officers being excluded is disheartening and runs counter to our shared values of inclusion and tolerance,' Detective Sophia Mason told Fox News. 'That said, we'll still be there to ensure traffic safety and good order during this huge, complex event.'

Police will provide first response and security 'only when absolutely necessary as mandated by city officials,' NYC Pride said, adding it hoped to keep police officers at least one city block away from event perimeter areas where possible.

The parade is scheduled for June after the coronavirus prevented many Pride events worldwide last year, including in New York which instead hosted virtual performances in front of masked participants and honored front-line workers in the pandemic.

The disruptions frustrated activists who had hoped to collectively mark the 50th anniversary of the first Gay Pride parades and marches in Chicago, Los Angeles, New York and San Francisco in 1970.

Those marches came a year after the 1969 uprising outside Manhattan's Stonewall Inn, a gay bar, in response to a police raid. The uprising is largely credited with fueling the modern LGBTQ rights movement.

Gay and Lesbian Police Officers march during the Gay Pride Parade on June 30, 2019 in New York City

Pride NYC's announcement Saturday follows a division among organizers in recent years in planning for celebrations of LGBTQ pride in New York City.

In 2019, there were two marches in Manhattan after some in the community concluded that the annual parade had become too commercialized. The Queer Liberation March aimed for a protest vibe, saying the main Pride march was too heavily policed by the same department that raided Stonewall a half century earlier.

The New York Police Department commissioner apologized for the raid during a briefing in 2019, calling it 'wrong, plain and simple.'

Detective Sophia Mason, a spokesperson for the New York Police Department, said on Saturday the department's 'annual work to ensure a safe, enjoyable Pride season has been increasingly embraced by its participants.'

She added: 'The idea of officers being excluded is disheartening and runs counter to our shared values of inclusion and tolerance. That said, well still be there to ensure traffic safety and good order during this huge, complex event.'
Advertisement

The Texas mother who had been looking after four-year-old Cash Gernon and his twin brother has recalled the harrowing moment she realized the toddler was missing after he was snatched from his bed early Saturday morning.

Monica Sherrod, 35, broke down in tears on Tuesday as she entered the boys' bedroom for the first time since Cash was allegedly abducted by Darriynn Brown, 18, and found dead hours later in a Dallas street.

'I haven't touched a thing,' the mother-of-four said in an emotional interview with DailyMail.com.

'It's exactly the same as when Cash was last in here. I haven't been able to do this until now. It's breaking my heart, but I know I have to confront this.'

Sherrod invited Dailymail.com inside the twins' bedroom where their toys were still scattered across the floor and the small white toddler bed they shared remained unmade since they last slept together.

She looked around tearfully and was silent for a moment before saying: 'I just couldn't face this before, the pain is so deep.'

Sherrod revealed Cash and Carter were the sons of her ex-boyfriend, Trevor Gernon, 31, who moved into her house on the 7500 block of Florina Parkway, in February.

Monica Sherrod (left) relived the fateful morning four-year-old Cash Gernon (far right) was abducted from her home in Dallas, Texas in an exclusive interview with DailyMail.com. The mother-of-four had been looking after Cash and his twin brother Carter (right) after their father and her ex-boyfriend, Trevor Gernon, disappeared in March

Sherrod invited DailyMail.com to join as she visit the boys' bedroom for the first time since Cash was allegedly kidnapped by 18-year-old suspect Darriynn Brown on Saturday

The twins' father, Trevor Gernon (pictured with Cash and Carter) 31, had custody of the boys and moved in with Sherrod in February. He fled in March after learning there was a warrant out for his arrest and has not been heard from since, Sherrod said

Cash was seen being taken from his bed before daybreak at around 5am. He was found stabbed to death less than two hours later about a half-mile away on the 7500 block of Saddleridge Drive

She told DailyMail.com she began raising the boys as her own in March, when Gernon, who had custody of the kids, suddenly fled after getting into legal troubles and has not been heard from since.

In the wake of Cash's death, Carter was said to have been reunited with his biological mother, Melinda Seagroves, who reportedly had been searching for her sons 'for an extended amount of time.'

'I loved those boys. They were not even my biological boys. I brought them into my home. I had made this room for them,' Sherrod said.

Darriynn Brown, 18, (pictured in his booking photo) was arrested and charged with kidnapping and burglary Saturday. Additional charges are expected to be filed once forensic evidence has been reviewed

Pointing, she added: 'There was that little tortoise for them. We put a lot of toys in here. Cash slept at one end of the crib and Carter at the other.

'This is a six-bedroom house and I put them together at the back of the house because I didn't want them to be alone, I wanted them together.'

Sherrod also replayed the home surveillance video of the abduction on her phone which was revealed for the first time by Dailymail.com on Tuesday.

She wept silently as she stood on the spot where the horror unfolded and watched it happening on screen.

'This is hard to do. He [Brown] took him at 4.58am. That's the time that he took Cash. And he came back for Carter. I can't really watch it.'

The chilling footage showed Brown creeping into the bedroom and snatching Cash, who had been sleeping peacefully next to his sibling.

He was seen returning to the room about two hours later - when Cash would have already been dead - to apparently try to abduct the other Carter, but eventually ended up fleeing.

The early morning abduction was captured on home surveillance cameras which Sherrod said she installed around the house because she was concerned about thefts in the neighborhood.

DailyMail.com joined her as she retraced Brown's steps to show how he had forced his way into the house located in the Mountain Creek neighborhood of Dallas that fateful morning.

This is toddler bed where Cash and Carter slept head-to-foot. They began staying at Sherrod's six-bedroom house full time in February when their father moved in

As she walked through the bedroom, Sherrod looked around tearfully and was silent for a moment before saying: 'I just couldn't face this before, the pain is so deep'

Inside, the toddlers' toys were scattered across the floor and the small white toddler bed where Cash and Carter slept together for one last time was still unmade

Sherrod explained she decided to have the boys share a room rather than give them each their own, because she 'didn't want them to be alone'

The twins' room was located in the rear of the house, away from where Sherrod and her other four children slept

The back door leading to the garage remained damaged and broken Tuesday after the intruder had forced his way in after sneaking in through the unlocked garage.

TIMELINE OF CASH GERNON'S ABDUCTION MAY 15, 2021 4:58am: Darriynn Brown breaks into the home on the 7500 block of Florina Parkway and snatches Cash while he's sleeping next to his brother Carter 6:45am: Local resident Antwainese Square finds Cash stabbed to death and wearing nothing but a pair of shorts, on the 7500 block of Saddleridge Drive 7:30am: Darriynn Brown returns to the bedroom for Cash's twin brother Carter 10:00am: Monica Sherrod wakes up to find Cash is missing 11:00am: Sherrod calls 911 to report the missing child The Dallas Medical Examiner on Tuesday revealed Cash's cause of death was multiple stab wounds Advertisement

He then made his way to the boys' room, which is located in the back of the house, away from where Sherrod, her sons Matthew, 15, Landon, 14, and Kamron, 18, plus her daughter Emily, 16, sleep.

'The kidnapper broke in through that door right there. The garage doesn't latch,' Sherrod explained. 'He came in and broke the connecting door into the home.

'We are on the other side of the house, we didn't hear anything. We were all sleeping.'

Cash was seen being taken from his bed before daybreak at around 5am. He was found stabbed to death less than two hours later about a half-mile away on the 7500 block of Saddleridge Drive.

The Dallas Medical Examiner revealed Tuesday Cash's cause of death was multiple stab wounds. Police earlier said the boy had been stabbed with an 'edged weapon.'

Sherrod, who said she's now become the target of an online hate campaign by people who blame her for Cash's death, became emotional as she recalled watching his final moments on video.

'It shows [Brown] taking the blanket off Cash and shows him snatching him and running with him while he is still asleep,' she said.

'He stares at him for a minute. I have watched it over and over again. I can't watch it anymore.

'I'm wondering why we didn't hear him break in.'

Chillingly, other motion-tripped surveillance video also showed the abductor back in the house hours later, after Cash had already been killed. He was seen standing over Carter, but fled without the boy after apparently being spooked.

'It's on video. He came back a second time, at around 7:30am,' Sherrod added. 'He came back for Carter but was scared off by something. You can see him on the video running out, like he is startled.'

Sherrod revealed Brown, whom she described as an acquaintance of one of her sons, had visited the house two days earlier and interacted with Cash while she was out, which angered her at the time.

'I told him don't come back around my kids. I don't want you,' she said.

'I was out grocery shopping when he was here. I'd left the twins with my boys and daughter. He was only here a short time. Emily said he creeped her out. I got upset with them.'

Sherrod said Cash and Carter had been living with her fulltime since Valentine's Day, February 14, after Gernon, a construction worker, moved in with her. She continued to look after the twins after he suddenly took off.

The former couple had known each other for two years and met in their home city of Houston, with the twins regularly staying temporarily with her before moving in full time, she added.

Sherrod relived the fateful morning, saying: 'The day that he was missing, I got up late and thought it was weird. I was like, it's 10 o'clock already, you guys. So I figured Cash was still in bed.

Sherrod showed DailyMail.com around the house as she retraced Brown's steps to show how he had broken into the home after sneaking in through the unlocked garage (pictured)

A garage door that leads to the house remained damaged and broken Tuesday after the intruder forced his way inside and then into the twins' bedroom

The early morning abduction was captured on home surveillance cameras which Sherrod said she installed around the house because she was concerned about thefts in the neighborhood. Brown, 18, was seen creeping into the bedroom, staring at the brothers and looking around the room, before finally reaching down and carefully pulling back the boys' blanket

'Carter goes, "he went outside." So we believed Carter. I started screaming, "Cash, if you're hiding from mommy it's not funny anymore. Come out it's time for breakfast." He wouldn't answer.'

Sherrod said her sons began frantically searching the local area and yelling for Cash.

'He wasn't answering and I knew something was wrong. I called 911 they [asked] when did I notice he was gone. I said immediately when I got up, when Carter woke me up. I didn't even think about the surveillance system.'

As reports came in of a body being found in a street less than half a mile away, Sherrod said she refused to believe it could be Cash.

'I was crying and confused and in a million pieces and praying they would still find Cash and that that little boy wasn't Cash,' she said.

'I kept telling my daughter, that's not Cash. And she said, "mommy, it has to be."

It was in a detective's office that the security footage on Sherrod's phone first revealed the horror.

'My son Matthew was the last to be interviewed. He remembered all of a sudden, "mom has cameras."

'When you're going through something like that all you think about is your baby that's missing. And when they said mom has cameras I rewinded the cameras and there he was, the boy, taking my son out of his bed.'

'I freaked out. I was devastated. I started screaming. Because my daughter kept telling me, "Mom, somebody did this. Mom, somebody did this to our baby." And I'm like, no, no they didn't. He's going to be found.'

Sherrod (right) said she and Gernon (left) chad known each other for two years and met in their home city of Houston, with the twins regularly staying temporarily with her before moving in full time

She told DailyMail.com she doesn't know where Gernon (pictured with the boys) is, saying: 'I have tried reaching out but I'm getting no response'

Sherrod revealed her sons Matthew, 15, Landon, 14, and Kamron (pictured) 18, plus daughter Emily, 16, had been with her in the house when the kidnapper broke in

She continued through tears before collapsing in sobs: 'And they did. They did do it. They took him. Why would they hurt him? He was four. He was like this big, he was so little. He wasn't even the size of a four-year-old. He was so tiny.'

Sherrod paid a loving tribute to Cash, who she described as 'so happy'.

She went on: 'Cash was eager to learn. He wanted to learn his ABCs. When I got them they didn't know anything, like their colors, they didn't know letters by sight.

'Cash was such a quick learner. We would do this schooling thing every day and he would say, OK mom I'm ready for school. He didn't go to school here, we did it on the kitchen table.

'He wanted to know how to read so bad. He would always say, what's that say? And what's that say? He loved books. And he wanted me to read the same book over again.

'Cash was more outspoken than Carter. Cash was the leader. He was the one that showed Carter how to do everything. Cash was the one that was brave enough to follow through with everything.'

Sherrod, her parents Lezlee and Kurt Pinkerton, both 54, and her two elder sons paid a heart-rending visit on Monday to the spot where Cash was discovered by local resident Antwainese Square, 39, at around 6.45am on Saturday. They laid a large toy dinosaur at the makeshift shrine.

She said: 'It was his favorite toy. He loved that toy. He had a bunch of cars and put them around the dinosaur and said look mom I made a monster truck.

'I waited so many days to go to where Cash was found. That's because everybody was bombarding me, and my baby just died. I have been receiving a lot of hate online. People are telling me it is my fault Cash died. I didn't want to be publicized as a monster. I'm not. My kids are my life.'

A second clip revealed Brown returned to the scene after sunrise, around 7am, in an apparent attempt to abduct Cash's twin, Carter

Carter later woke up to find his twin brother missing from his bed and can be seen searching for him

Cash had been staying at the home of his biological father's ex-girlfriend Monica Sherrod (pictured)

Sherrod insisted Cash's biological mother Melinda Seagroves had not been frantically searching for the twins, as reported.

'She wasn't. This last Christmas we begged her to even FaceTime the boys and she wouldn't,' she claimed.

'She's a trucker. She hadn't properly seen the boys for two years. Trevor had custody of them. Now all of a sudden it is reported she and her mother were looking for them and they miss them because Cash passed away.

'It is also reported that Carter is now back with her, which I don't believe is true. I think he is in the custody of child services.

Dallas Police confirmed Carter was 'reunited' with Seagroves, however, it is unclear if he remains in her custody.

'The biological mother, if you showed them a picture of her, they didn't know who she was,' Sherrod added.

'They called me mommy. If someone said is Monica there, they would say no. I'd be like, that's me, I'm Monica. They'd say, no you're not, you're mommy. I felt they need a mom, they needed stability.'

Sherrod also claimed Seagroves is banning her from attending Cash's funeral.

'I don't understand why. I took care of them. She didn't. She wasn't there,' she added.

'The mother has said to Trevor's mother that I can't go to the funeral and they passed that on. It's not right. I love Carter and I loved Cash.'

After Cash's death, Carter was said to have been reunited with his biological mother Melinda Seagroves, who had reportedly been frantically trying to locate her sons, but Sherrod has disputed this

Monica Sherrod (pictured in blue) broke down in tears as she visited a makeshift memorial near where the toddler was found Tuesday

The twins' father was also condemned by Sherrod who said: 'He is a coward. His son passed away and he is letting us deal with all of this as if it's our fault.'

She added: 'I don't know where Trevor is. I have tried reaching out but I'm getting no response.

'He left because he had a warrant. He got busted with pills that he said weren't his, before we got together.

'He was supposed to turn himself in to go to rehab. And he was scared. Because they told him he had to go to jail until a bed opens up. And that's all he could hear, jail. And I told him it's OK. But he got spooked and left.'

However she added: 'Trevor is actually a very good dad. This is a mishap for him. I don't understand what's going on in his life right now.'

Sherrod also said Child Protection Services have now 'taken into care' Landon and Matthew following Cash's killing.

She said they also previously fostered along with Emily and Kamron.

Sherrod said: 'I fought for four years straight to get them back and I did. I lived on the streets, I sold everything I had, I didn't care. I was not going to stop fighting. And now I have to fight again. But I will. The CPS, they took my kids. This is not fair.'

Early morning walker Square, 39, told Dailymail.com how she found partially clothed Cash in the street, with ants crawling across his bare feet. He was only wearing a pair of shorts.

She said:' At first I thought what I saw was a dog, but as I got closer I started noticing things, like a hand. And I just started screaming.'

Brown, who was wearing an ankle monitor for a prior offense, was arrested hours later and charged with kidnap and theft. He is expected to face additional charges pending the results of forensic tests. He remains behind bars in lieu of $1.5million bail.
David Haulman was convicted of murder in Germany in 1999 and is connected to three murders in the United States

A suspected serial killer tried to save his marriage by sending his estranged wife a letter confessing to murdering his then girlfriend in 2018.

Harold David Haulman, 43, who has been in a Pennsylvania jail since December after he was charged with the murder of Erica Shultz, 26, was also charged Friday with the murder of his former girlfriend Tianna Phillips.

Haulman, who is already a convicted killer and spent time in a German prison for murdering an American military doctor in 1999, is also a suspect in a Michigan homicide, Luzerne County Assistant District Attorney Dan Zola told DailyMail.com.

Ashley M. Parlier, a pregnant 21-year-old went missing from Battle Creek, Michigan in 2005.

Shultz's ongoing murder investigation led district attorney investigators to Haulman's estranged wife, Anne, who showed them a letter where he confessed to killing Phillips, Zola told DailyMail.com.

David Haulman allegedly confessed to murdering his then girlfriend Tianna Phillips (pictured) in 2018 in a letter to his estranged wife

Erica Shultz, 26, was allegedly killed in December 2020 by David Haulman in Pennsylvania

Haulman is a 'person of interest' in the presumed death of Ashley M. Parlier, a pregnant 21-year-old who went missing from Battle Creek, Michigan in 2005

The couple separated during summer 2020, but Haulman tried to reconcile with her a few months later by sending greeting cards and a confession letter.

He said he wrote to assure her that he would never hurt her.

In the letter, which is part of the criminal complaint, Houlman said he drove to Berwick, Pennsylvania on June 13, 2018 to get Phillips.

'After walking into the woods, I pulled a knive (sic) from my pocket and attacked her from behind cutting her throat. As she gasped for her last breath of air I stabbed her repeatedly in the side of the neck, back and arms. I then returned to the crime scene months later and retrieved any and all evidence and disposed of it in a dumpster, not sure exactly where. I Harold David Haulman III committed this crime on my own and of my own free will.'

Harold David Haulman, III, is escorted into a preliminary hearing in Drums on Friday morning

Police told the Daily Item that Haulman told his wife in 2018 that he killed Phillips and showed her pictures of a dead woman, but Anne told prosecutors that she didn't believe him.

Then he forced her to go to the murder scene with him three months later, and he removed Phillips' skull, clothing and ribcage from the area, she told prosecutors.

Zola said on Wednesday that they still haven't found the alleged murder weapons or Phillips' remains.

During an interrogation, Haulman asked if the cases of Shultz, Phillips and Parlier would be combined because he wasn't interested in a trial, Zola said.

Zola said he contacted Calhoun County, Michigan prosecutors about Haulman's statement.

Michigan Detective Dave Homminga said he plans to release more information about the Parlier case this week.

Like Phillips, Parlier's remains have never been found.
Australian farmers are fighting back against what they see as false labeling and marketing by the makers of plant-based protein products.

They are concerned about the use of words like meat, beef, pork and chicken featuring so prominently on vegan food labels, with other terms like milk, burger, sausage and mince also under scrutiny.

Legislation in the United States, where the Texas Meat and Imitation Food Act is set to become law, could lead the way for action to follow in Australia.

Farmers are fighting back against plant-based protein producers claiming their products are anything like this juicy real meat burger

The red meat industry believes plant-based product marketing should not be trading on meat comparisons

The key issues are 'truth in labelling' and food safety standards according to Australian Pork Limited chief executive Margo Andrae, who said processes are in place to achieve similar goals here.

'People need to know what is in these products so they have to open the transparency around how they develop the products,' she told the ABC.

'Don't call it meat, don't call it pork or beef or lamb if it's not.'

She said consumers deserved full disclosure about what is in a product and how it was made.

It is possible that restrictions on the use of meat and meat types in packaging could apply to lab-grown meat - an innovation that is being developed by several start-ups around the world.

Its early marketing includes phrases like 'slaughter-free meat' and 'cultured meat' - terms which still use the word meat although it does not come from an animal.

Meat producers are taking issue with how plant-based food producers are packing their products as though they are real meat

Vegan soya and plant based 'meatballs' (pictured)

At the same time the Cattle Council of Australia wants the word beef kept to products that contain real beef.

'It's illegal to make use of someone else's trademark and the same should go for highly processed products that try to mimic beef,' said Cattle Council chief executive Travis Tobin.

The council has asked Food Standards Australia New Zealand, which examines food labelling issues, to investigate.

It is understood several peak red meat industry bodies co-wrote a letter to the federal government that calls for the banning of any plant-based product marketing referring to animal flesh and the use of livestock images in packaging or marketing material.

Bean there done that. Few would argue a lentil burger tastes anything like a meat burger - so why even try?

The Red Meat Advisory Council is adamant changes are needed to differentiate between real meat and manufactured meatless products.

'It is clear the [manufactured plant protein] sector has continued a deliberate strategy to unfairly trade on the reputation of Australia's meat and livestock industries,' Red Meat Advisory Council John McKillop wrote in the letter, Beef Central reported.

Dairy farmer group Australian Dairy Farmers has previously urged the federal government to disallow the use of the word milk by plant-based drink products such as almond and soy milk.

Thomas King, of Independent alternative proteins think-tank Food Frontier countered saying there was no evidence of widespread consumer confusion around labelling of vegan and vegetarian meat alternatives in Australia.

'These products use highly visible claims like '100 per cent plant-based' or 'vege' or 'meat-free' or 'beefless' in addition to terms like 'sausage' or 'burger' or 'mince' that speak to the utility and format of the product.'
A teenage couple hid their stillborn baby in a bin bag under the bed before leaving the body in a nature reserve, a court heard.

Jessica Cooper, then 16, decided to keep her pregnancy secret after conceiving with then 17-year-old boyfriend Sebastian Bowerman.

Managing to hide the pregnancy from all of their parents, Cooper gave birth to their son Garrick at home in Milton Keynes, Bucks, in March 2018.

But a court heard that Garrick was not breathing when born and the couple soon realised the baby was dead.

Rather than alert the authorities, the pair attempted to dispose of Garrick's body.

They kept Garrick in a bin bag until night time, when Bowerman left the house with the body and placed it at secluded spot in the Blue Lagoon Nature Reserve, near Bletchley.

But three months later the couple confessed to their parents and the body was recovered.

Now the pair, who are no longer together but remain friends, have been spared jail after admitting preventing lawful and decent burial of a body.

The judge, who sentenced the pair to separate community orders, described the incident as a 'tragedy'.

The couple kept Garrick in a bin bag until night time, when Bowerman left the house the body and left it at the Blue Lagoon Nature Reserve (pictured), near Bletchley

Aylesbury Crown Court heard how Cooper discovered she was pregnant during her time as a GCSE student - but decided to keep it a secret.

Prosecutor Abigail Husbands told the court: 'On March 2, 2018 Bowerman received a call from Cooper saying that something was happening and he arrived at her house at about 8.30am.

'He found her screaming in pain and realised that she was having the baby. He took her to the bathroom and got towels and the baby arrived 25 minutes later.'

The prosecutor added: 'They put the baby in a bin bag and put it at the foot of the bed and it stayed there for a few days.

'They agreed that they should take Garrick to the Blue Lagoon Nature Reserve.

'Bowerman took Garrick in his backpack at about 1am and found some undergrowth near a footpath. He put baby Garrick there wrapped in towels and the bin bag.

'He told the police he had returned to the location later but he had forgotten exactly where the baby was.'

The court heard that in June 2018, three months after they had hidden the baby, Bowerman phoned his horrified mother Claire to reveal what had happened.

Ms Husbands explained: 'On June 18, Ms Bowerman received a distressed phone call from her son. He had told her that he and Cooper had had a baby which was stillborn.

'Mrs Bowerman had never even known that Cooper was pregnant. Bowerman revealed in the phone call that he had buried the baby at the Blue Lagoon which was what Cooper wanted.

'Mrs Bowerman told her son that he needed to go to the police. Bowerman explained he had promised not to tell anyone but he agreed to ask Cooper what he should do.'

Mrs Bowerman made the difficult decision to ring the police and told them of what had happened.

It was a decision praised by sentencing Judge Sheridan, he said: 'She deserves to be commended for contacting the police.

'It was the right thing to do to contact the police. Had you not done so one of them could have harmed themselves.'

Defence barristers for the couple revealed they had both struggled with their mental health since the tragedy of baby Garrick's death.

Aylesbury Crown Court (pictured) heard how Cooper discovered she was pregnant during her time as a GCSE student - but decided to keep it a secret

They also revealed the couple were still close friends and were supporting each other through the grieving process.

Sentencing the couple, now aged 21 and 19, Judge Sheridan said: 'This case is a tragedy.

'Cooper was petrified of her mother finding out she was pregnant, she was a GCSE student who wanted to be successful in life.

'Before you could do anything the time had passed and your parents did not know about your pregnancy.

'Then the time came and you gave birth to Garrick and in the pain, you realised you were actually in labour.

'The only person you felt you could turn to was your boyfriend. He tried to do what he could to help.

'It is unclear exactly what happened. Garrick could have been stillborn, but that appears unlikely to me, or he had a few breaths of life in him and that was all he had and he died shortly after birth.'

Judge Sheridan told Mrs Bowerman that he 'could not imagine what she must have felt' when she decided to contact the police before adding: 'It is to your immense credit that you contacted the police about your firstborn grandchild.'

He also praised the investigating officer from Thames Valley Police, Detective constable Katrina Walmsley, for 'leaving no stone unturned' in her investigation.

Cooper and Bowerman, both of Milton Keynes, were each handed a 24-month community order.

They were also compelled to complete 45 days of rehabilitation activities such as grief counselling and mental health training.

The judge told Cooper: 'If you are to have another child you need to be able to love it and cherish it. You need help to do that.'
Wealthy nations must stop hoarding Covid vaccines and share them with poorer countries, a body representing the world's jab makers said today.

The International Federation of Pharmaceutical Manufacturers and Associations called for 'immediate action' to address the 'vaccine apartheid' that has emerged.

It warned a 'stepping up of responsible dose sharing' was the only way to end the global pandemic and prevent dangerous new variants from cropping up.

The body  which represents AstraZeneca and Pfizer  said manufacturers were on track to have produce 11billion doses by the end of this month, enough to fully vaccinate the world's adult population.

'Critically, however, Covid vaccines currently are not equally reaching all priority populations worldwide,' the IFPMA added in a statement.

Countries like the UK and US have been able to roll the vaccines out to younger people and largely squash their crises thanks to having hundreds of millions of vaccine doses on pre-order.

Yet developing nations in Africa, South America  and most recently India  are recording record death tolls due to lagging rollouts.

Pressure is mounting on global leaders to address what the World Health Ogranization has branded a 'vaccine apartheid'.

It comes after a chief scientist behind the Oxford University vaccine, which is being manufactured by AstraZeneca, said it would be 'morally wrong' to vaccinate children in wealthy nations ahead of vulnerable people in poorer countries.

Professor Andrew Pollard said it felt 'completely wrong' the UK and US were pushing on with plans to jab children who have a 'near-to-zero' risk of dying from Covid.

Britain has ordered more than 500 million doses of the most promising vaccines, enough to vaccinate the population many times over

In its call to action statement today, the IFPMA added: 'Manufacturers, governments, and non-governmental organizations must work together to take urgent steps to further address this inequity.

'Immediate action must focus on stepping up responsible dose sharing and maximizing production without compromising quality or safety.'

It laid out five steps for an even global vaccine rollout, which included working with foreign Governments and sharing raw materials needed to scale up vaccine production.

Expert who helped develop Oxford jab says it is 'morally wrong' to offer Covid vaccine to children in wealthy nations Offering the Covid vaccine to children in wealthy countries when high-risk groups in poorer nations remain unvaccinated is 'morally wrong', the director of the Oxford Vaccine Group has said. Professor Andrew Pollard said it felt 'completely wrong' that vaccines were being rolled out to children who had a 'near-to-zero' risk of severe disease or death from Covid-19 ahead of priority groups from poorer countries. The scientist, who helped develop the Oxford/AstraZeneca Covid-19 jab, went on to say the 'inequity' in the global vaccine rollout was 'absolutely plain to see at this moment in a very troubling way'. His comments came as it emerged that the UK had secured enough Pfizer vaccines to inoculate children aged 12 and older if it is clinically approved. Prof Pollard told the All Party Parliamentary Group on Coronavirus: 'When you look at the overall aim of a global vaccination programme in a pandemic, it's to stop people dying. 'And we know who those people are - that's the over-50s, it's those who've got health conditions and to some extent also healthcare workers and so those are the priority groups. 'We are in a situation at the moment where there are many unvaccinated people in the world but not enough doses for everyone yet. 'But there are many unvaccinated people in the world, whilst people whose risk is extremely low are being vaccinated, including children, who have near-to-zero the risk of severe disease or death. 'That inequity is absolutely plain to see at this moment in a very troubling way as we see the images from South Asia on our televisions of the awful circumstances now - colleagues that are just facing the most appalling circumstances, they're not working in a situation where there's an NHS to support them. 'And it feels completely wrong to be in a situation morally where we were allowing that to happen, whilst in many countries vaccines are being rolled out to younger and younger populations at very, very low risk.' Advertisement

Officials were also urged to work with the World Trade Organization (WTO) to eliminate all trade barriers and tariffs so supplies can be moved freely between borders.

The IFPMA also called on rich countries to continue funding new Covid vaccines after they get their crises under control so that new variants can be targeted in the future.

US President Joe Biden said in March that 20million doses of American-made vaccines would be sent abroad by June amid widespread calls to address supply inequalities.

That is in addition to 60m doses of AstraZenecas vaccine that he has agreed to ship abroad. The British vaccine has not yet been approved for Americans yet and cannot be released until regulators give it the OK.

At a press conference today, a senior official in the Biden administration said she was optimistic the rest of the world would step up and help plug global vaccine coverage gaps.

Gayle Smith, the State Department coordinator for the global Covid response, said: 'Our experience and I think the product of our discussions with a number of countries and bodies like the EU is that there's a recognition of the importance of dose sharing and a desire to increase dose sharing.'

But she added: 'For many countries the timing and volume of that is dependent on their own domestic vaccine coverage...

'What I can tell you is that I think there is a broad consensus that dose sharing needs to be part of our collective strategy.'

In February, UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson promised to donate most of the UK's vaccine supply surplus to poorer countries but no specific timescale has been given.

Britain has ordered more than 500 million doses of the most promising vaccines, enough to vaccinate the population many times over.

Global vaccine distribution is expected to be a key talking point at two major meetings over the next month  the Global Health Summit on Friday and the G7 in Cornwall.

France  the only G7 nation to send vaccine doses abroad  has already donated 500,000 doses to India and Sweden 1 million, with Switzerland considering a similar donation.

Britain was due to receive 5million doses of AstraZeneca's jab being manufactured in India but they were blocked after India's second wave took off.

The UK is not believed to be pursuing the doses, with experts previously telling MailOnline it would be 'ethically dubious' to do so.

The UN children's agency Unicef  which buys and distributes vaccines for Covax  says its research suggests G7 nations and EU states could donate 153million doses and still meet their domestic commitments.

It comes after Oxford's Professor Pollard criticised the UK and US for their plans to vaccinate children instead of donating doses to developing countries.

The scientist, who helped develop the Oxford/AstraZeneca jab, went on to say the 'inequity' in the global vaccine rollout was 'absolutely plain to see'.

Professor Pollard told a cross-party group of politicians in the UK: 'When you look at the overall aim of a global vaccination programme in a pandemic, it's to stop people dying.

'And we know who those people are - that's the over-50s, it's those who've got health conditions and to some extent also healthcare workers and so those are the priority groups.

'We are in a situation at the moment where there are many unvaccinated people in the world but not enough doses for everyone yet.

'But there are many unvaccinated people in the world, whilst people whose risk is extremely low are being vaccinated, including children, who have near-to-zero the risk of severe disease or death.

'That inequity is absolutely plain to see at this moment in a very troubling way as we see the images from South Asia on our televisions of the awful circumstances now - colleagues that are just facing the most appalling circumstances, they're not working in a situation where there's an NHS to support them.

'And it feels completely wrong to be in a situation morally where we were allowing that to happen, whilst in many countries vaccines are being rolled out to younger and younger populations at very, very low risk.'

He added that not having vaccine equity around the world was also a risk to health security, adding: 'If we have better distribution of vaccines, there is some downward pressure on variants of concern.'

The University of Oxford and AstraZeneca committed previously to providing their Covid vaccine on a not-for-profit basis for the duration of the pandemic across the world, and in perpetuity to low and middle-income countries.
Violence is not completely 'off the table' in efforts to tear up the Northern Ireland protocol, loyalists warned today.

Giving evidence to MPs, a member of the Loyalist Communities Council said violent action would be a 'last resort' but could not be ruled out totally.

Representatives from the LCC were appearing before the Northern Ireland Affairs Committee as part of its inquiry into the post-Brexit rules.

The arrangements agreed by Boris Johnson have stoked sectarian tensions, with anger that trade with mainland Britain has been hit.

Brexit minister Lord Frost has been scrambling to negotiate changes with the EU to ease the situation, warning that checks could be unilaterally axed to ensure 'peace and prosperity'.

At the hearing today, committee chair Simon Hoare questioned the LCC representatives on their past comments on the use of violence.

Joel Keys, 19, was asked about a post he made online on April 12, that stated: 'To say violence is never the answer is massively naive, sometimes violence is the only tool you have left.'

Asked if her stood by the comments, Mr Keys replied: 'I would stand by the comments.

'You know there are certainly certain circumstances where violence is the only tool you have left.

The Northern ireland protocol has stoked sectarian tensions, with anger that trade with mainland Britain has been hit. Pictured, loyalist protests in Belfast last month

Brexit minister Lord Frost has been scrambling to negotiate changes with the EU to ease the situation

'For example, I don't think the people living under Kim Jong Un's sort of dictatorship is going to get anywhere with peaceful protests anytime soon.'

He was then asked specifically about the use of violence were the Northern Ireland protocol to become 'embedded' and deemed to be working by the UK Government and the EU.

He said: 'I am not sure if and when and violence will be the answer.

'I'm just saying that I wouldn't sort of rule it off the table.'

Put to him that his answer was 'incredibly worrying and dispiriting', Mr Keys replied: 'Well, let me make it clear.

'I'm no fan of violence, I think that it has to be an absolute last resort.

'But it worries me that we could potentially reach a point in this country, or in any country, where the people feel that they do have to defend themselves.'

'You kind of have to have that willingness to back up what you say and back up what you believe in, and fight for what you believe in,' he said.

But he added: 'I want to emphasise I don't think we're anywhere near that point at the minute.

'I think that the political process is one that we all have to use and take advantage of.'

Chairman of the LCC and former UUP member, David Campbell CBE was then also asked about his past comments on the protocol made on Radio Ulster, when he said: 'If it comes to the bit where we have to fight physically to maintain our freedom within the UK, then so be it.'

Mr Campbell replied: 'The question they asked essentially was 'are there circumstances where the physical force is justified?'.

'And I said 'yes, if our freedoms within the United Kingdom are threatened, for example by a tyrant like Adolf Hitler or Joseph Stalin'.'

He complained that his comments had been 'selectively edited' by the broadcaster.

LCC member Jim Wilson, formerly of the UUP, told the Committee: 'I believe that we're living in a society now where the greater threat of violence seems to win the day.

'We met the Irish Government over the protocol, on three or four different occasions, with Simon Coveney and others.

'And they never listened to one word we said.

Boris Johnson (pictured today) agreed the Brexit arrangements with EU commission president Ursula von der Leyen last year

There are fears that the post-Brexit rules could pose a threat to the Peace Process in Northern Ireland

'We said we don't want a border on the island of Ireland, but we sure didn't want a border in the sea.

'I think it's disgusting disgraceful that we have politics in our own society that are constantly running about and using the threat of violence to attain a political decision.

'The Irish government have done that, politicians in the North have done that.

'We live in society where the threat of violence wins the day.

'That is a disgusting situation to be living in and for political people to use those threats to win and argument, it's not the type of society that we should be living in.'

The Loyalist Communities Council is an umbrella group that represents three outlawed paramilitary groups: the UVF, the UDA and Red Hand Commando.
Biden's shift came after Rep. Rashida Tlaib told him Palestinian human rights were 'not a bargaining chip'

Twelve people have been killed in Israel since tensions erupted into violence on May 10

At least 219 Palestinians have died in the fighting, according to the Gaza ministry of health

Earlier he insisted he did not 'rule out anything' in tackling Hamas

But Prime Minister Netanyahu said he was 'determined to continue this operation until its aim is met'

The aim is a 'sustainable calm,' added a spokeswoman traveling with the president on Air Force One

'The president conveyed to the prime minister that he expected a significant de-escalation today on the path to a ceasefire,' said the White House

Advertisement

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he was 'determined' to continue the operation in Gaza until his objectives had been met, shrugging off U.S. President Joe Biden's demand to de-escalate hostilities.

After a visit to military headquarters, he said he appreciated American support but would push ahead until calm had been restored.

His response came hours after Biden told him in a phone call to scale back attacks that have killed hundreds of Palestinians.

It marked a shift from Biden's public position of support for Israel's right to defend itself from Hamas rocket attacks and follows another night of strikes against targets in Gaza.

At least six people died in airstrikes in Gaza Wednesday as international pressure for a ceasefire grew

Relatives of Palestinian Mahmoud Shtawi, 19, mourn during his funeral on Wednesday in Gaza City after he was killed in an Israeli air strike

But the president has faced pressure from within his own party to take a tougher line against Israeli strikes.

'The president conveyed to the prime minister that he expected a significant de-escalation today on the path to a ceasefire,' said the White House.

A spokeswoman offered more details about Wednesday's phone call, which is the fourth between the two men.

'The two leaders had a detailed discussion on the state of events in Gaza, Israel's progress in degrading the capabilities of Hamas and other terrorist elements, and ongoing diplomatic efforts by regional governments and the United States,' Jean-Pierre told DailyMail.com and other reporters traveling with the president aboard Air Force One.

The aim is a 'sustainable calm,' she added.

'We have had over 60 calls, from the president on down, with senior leaders in Israel, the Palestinian Authority and other leaders in the region,' she said.

'The president has done this for a long time, for decades, he believes this is the approach we need to be taking. He wants to make sure we end the violence and the suffering we have seen for the Palestinian and Israeli people.'

But she declined to respond directly when pressed for how Netanyahu had responded to Biden's statements on the call.

A rocket fired from Gaza which landed on a road near Ad Halom just outside Ashdod on Wednesday. There were no injuries reported

Biden's stance on Israel faces opposition from within his own party and on Tuesday Rep. Rashida Tlaib confronted the president, reportedly saying he must do more to address what she and other progressives see as Israeli aggression

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu gestures as he shows a slideshow during a briefing to ambassadors to Israel at a military base in Tel Aviv on Wednesday

Netanyahu delivered his response later Wednesday, insisting Israel would push ahead 'to return the calm and security to you, citizens of Israel.'

He said he was 'determined to continue this operation until its aim is met' in a sign of a growing rift between the U.S. and Israel.

Biden's more strident public stance followed earlier reports he privately told Netanyahu that he could not shield him from criticism indefinitely.

It follows repeated public statements from Washington that Israel has the right to defend itself while rockets are fired from Gaza.

But the president came face to face with the anger within his own party about Israeli aggression on Tuesday, when he was confronted by Rep. Rashida Tlaib during a visit to Detroit.

She told the president he must do more to protect Palestinian lives and human rights.

'Palestinian human rights are not a bargaining chip and must be protected, not negotiated,' Tlaib told him, according to her congressional office.

A Palestinian uses a slingshot during an anti-Israel protest over a cross-border violence between Palestinian militants in Gaza and the Israeli military, near Hawara checkpoint near Nablus in the Israeli-occupied West Bank on Tuesday

Relatives of Journalist Yousef Abu Hussein, a Palestinian, weep after he was killed in an Israeli airstrike on Gaza City today

Family and friends mourn during the funeral of Israeli man, Yigal Yehoshua, who died after succumbing to his wounds, sustained during Arab-Jewish violence in the mixed city of Lod, at a cemetery in Moshav Hadid on Tuesday

Smoke rises after Israeli army carried out attacks over buildings in Gaza City, as hostilities entered their tenth day

Netanyahu has so far refused to consider a truce, saying Israel was fighting to restore peace and maximize the chances that a ceasefire with Hamas would hold.

'There are only two ways that you can deal with them (Hamas): You can either conquer them, and that's always an open possibility, or you can deter them, and we are engaged right now in forceful deterrence, but I have to say we don't rule out anything,' Netanyahu told foreign ambassadors in Tel Aviv on Wednesday.

He added the offensive would end when it had achieved its aims.

'We're not standing with a stopwatch,' he said in remarks reported by Israeli media from a closed question-and-answer session.

'We are taking care of the operation's objectives.'

Fighting began May 10 when Hamas fired rockets toward Jerusalem after days of clashes between Palestinian protesters and Israeli police at the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound, a flashpoint site sacred to Jews and Muslims.

The IDF began releasing details of its 'hit list' as commanders called for more time to continuing hunting Hamas leaders, despite growing calls for a ceasefire. Fighting has now entered its tenth day, with attacks continuing from both sides

Heavy-handed police tactics at the compound and the threatened eviction of dozens of Palestinian families by Jewish settlers had inflamed tensions.

At least 219 Palestinians have been killed in the current fighting, including 63 children and 36 women, with 1,530 people wounded, according to the Gaza Health Ministry.

Hamas and Islamic Jihad say at least 20 of their fighters have been killed, while Israel says the number is at least 130. Some 58,000 Palestinians have fled their homes.

Twelve people in Israel, including a 5-year-old boy and a soldier, have been killed.

The Israeli Defense Forces have launched hundreds of airstrikes it says are targeting Hamas' militant infrastructure, while Palestinian militants have fired more than 3,700 rockets at Israel, with hundreds falling short and most of the rest intercepted. The rockets have reached a number of Israeli cities, including Tel Aviv, and have brought life to a standstill in areas near Gaza.

REVEALED: Rashida Tlaib told Biden on tarmac he 'can't give right-wing Netanyahu billions each year to bomb schools with US-supplied weapons' and said Palestinian human rights are 'not a bargaining chip' Michigan Rep. Rashida Tlaib tore into President Biden for giving weapons to Israel and told him 'you can't use Palestinian human rights as a bargaining chip' during their eight-minute tarmac confrontation on Tuesday, it has been revealed. The 'squad' member delivered the stark lecture to the president as congressional Democrats push Biden to put more public pressure on Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. 'Palestinian human rights are not a bargaining chip and must be protected, not negotiated,' Tlaib told him, according to her congressional office. 'The U.S. cannot continue to give the right-wing Netanyahu government billions each year to commit crimes against Palestinians,' she continued, an aide told NPR. 'Atrocities like bombing schools cannot be tolerated, much less conducted with U.S.-supplied weapons.' 'Palestinian human rights are not a bargaining chip and must be protected, not negotiated,' Michigan Rep. Rashida Tlaib told President Joe Biden during an intense tarmac conversation Tuesday, according to her congressional office. Biden could be seen speaking to Tlaib in an intense eight-minute conversation on the tarmac in Detroit, where he flew to tour a Ford plant Tuesday. He acknowledged her later when he gave a speech at the plant, telling her: 'You're a fighter, and God thank you for being a fighter.' The last White House readout of a phone call between Biden and Netanyahu said he expressed his 'support' for a cease fire, but stopped short of saying he demanded an immediate one, as many Democrats are calling for. Biden is facing political pressure to do more, even amid signals out of Israel that it is looking for the 'right moment' to pull back attacks on Hamas targets in Gaza. Israel is studying whether the time is right to stop its bombing campaign in cause, but is preparing for 'more days' of strikes, AFP reported, citing an Israeli military source. 'We are looking at when is the right moment for a ceasefire,' said the source. Amid growing pressure from fellow Democrats, the Administration leaked Tuesday that Biden had told Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu that he could only hold off criticism of its strikes in Gaza for a limited period of time. The New York Times reported on the tougher private tone Biden took after the White House said only that he had expressed 'support' for a cease fire. Advertisement

Violent clashes break out between pro-Palestinian protesters and pro-Jewish supporters outside the Israeli consulate in NYC

Violence erupted at a pro-Palestinian protest outside the Israeli consulate in New York City amid Israel's latest offensive in the Gaza Strip.

Multiple arrests were made on Tuesday as protesters clashed with police and pro-Israel demonstrators as clashes continue between Israel and the Palestinian people.

Hundreds of people took place in the 'Free Palestine' protest, chanting and holding Palestinian flags as they walked down Second Avenue and made their way downtown.

Protesters could be heard chanting: 'Gaza, Gaza don't you cry, we will never let you die!'

According to a flyer on Twitter, the demonstration was called an 'Emergency Rally to Defend Palestine,' and it was one of many that took place throughout the country on Tuesday.

There were also protests in Atlanta, Washington D.C., Los Angeles, Boston and Dearborn, Michigan, where President Joe Biden was visiting.

In New York City, the New York Police Department told the public to expect delays and avoid the area in a tweet around 3pm before closing off Manhattan's FDR Drive to the march. Protestors then redirected to a 17th Police Precinct at 50th Street and 3rd Avenue, where several fights broke out.

Some involved the police officers, and other fights appeared to have been between pro-Palestine and pro-Israeli protestors outside of the Israeli consulate, leading to arrests. No information about arrests were immediately available. DailyMail.com has reached out to the New York Police Department for more information about the incident.

Scroll down for video.

Multiple arrest and fights break out at a Palestinian March in New York City. The March was stopped from getting onto the FDR and then made its way to a Police Precinct at 50th St and 3rd Avenue

New York Police officers prevented pro-Palestine protestors from getting onto the FDR on Tuesday

Several fights broke out between the pro-Palestine and pro-Israeli protestors

A man was seen taken into custody following one of the brawls. Information about the arrests were not immediately available
An actor who appeared in Harry Potter spin-off Fantastic Beasts and Dunkirk will appeal against his conviction for sexually assaulting a vulnerable actress after a night out.

Kevin Guthrie, 33, was jailed for three years last week after being found guilty of molesting a 29-year-old woman inside a flat in Glasgow between September 30 and October 1, 2017.

The Sunshine On Leith star, who denied the charge, has now instructed his legal team to challenge both his conviction and sentence.

The assault took place at the home of Still Game actor Scott Reid, who played Methadone Mick in the BBC comedy series, and Guthrie had insisted that he had only 'helped' the woman after she became unwell.

However, his DNA was found on her clothing and he was found guilty of sexual assault following a trial at Glasgow Sheriff Court.

Kevin Guthrie (seen outside court last week), 33, was jailed for three years after being found guilty of sexual assault. He has now instructed his legal team to challenge both his conviction and sentence

Guthrie's appeal bid was lodged at the High Court of Criminal Appeal in Edinburgh today and a hearing will take place at a later date.

He did not request to be released on bail pending his appeal and remains in custody.

Guthrie's trial was told the woman had been due to meet him and Mr Reid at a bar on the night of the alleged attack, but Mr Reid received a call from a taxi driver asking him to collect her as she appeared ill.

He and Guthrie helped the woman into the flat in Glasgow's Kelvindale and put her on a bed.

Mr Reid called NHS 24, leaving Guthrie in the room 'to make sure she was okay'. But the woman recalled bed covers then 'being moved down my body'.

She told the court: 'I remember my top being lifted up and my bra being held down.'

As well as his jail sentence, Guthrie, from Glasgow, was also placed on the sex offenders' register for an indefinite period. Pictured: Guthrie as Abernathy in Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them

The woman added: 'There would be times when Scott would come back in the room and he would pull the covers back on top of me and pull my top down.'

Guthrie then sexually assaulted the woman. He was unable to explain why his DNA was found on the woman's clothing.

As well as his jail sentence, Guthrie, from Glasgow, was also placed on the sex offenders' register for an indefinite period.

Pictured: Guthrie in Sunshine on Leith in 2013

Sentencing him, Sheriff Tom Hughes said: 'You had an educational background and worked extremely hard to get a part in acting in acclaimed films.

'The court must show that women can be protected from domestic sexual offences.'

'You committed this crime in a position of trust. She was unwell and thought her drink had been spiked elsewhere that night.

'The other man was urgently getting medical assistance and you were left in the room with her when she was not able to look after herself.

'The jury accepted that you committed these heinous crimes and the only appropriate sentence is imprisonment.'

Gordon Jackson, QC, defending, had told the sentencing hearing that Guthrie maintained his innocence.

He said: 'If ever there was a case where something appears out of character it is this. The price he will pay with his own career is immense.

'He wasn't a jobbing actor, he was doing well. No disrespect but no matter what you do to him, this will have an effect on his future and career.'

The High Court in Edinburgh confirmed an 'intimation of intention to appeal' against conviction and sentence had been lodged for Guthrie.

Guthrie, who is set to appear in the third Fantastic Beasts film in 2022, also starred in the 2015 film Sunset Song and Netflix series The English Game.
The police watchdog could consider reopening its probe into how officers conducted themselves during the failed Operation Midland if 'new and compelling' evidence was presented, its boss has said.

Michael Lockwood, director general of the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC), told MPs the body is now allowed to reopen cases if fresh information indicates its original findings were flawed.

Speaking to the Commons Home Affairs Committee, he said: 'If somebody provides me with compelling, new information - significant new information - which would come to the view that the original decision was flawed, then I would scope that, talk to the individual parties and make a decision (as to) whether that is something we do. We have done that in other cases.'

The Metropolitan Police's 16-month investigation into false claims of a VIP paedophile ring from fantasist Carl Beech saw raids on the homes of former home secretary Lord Brittan, as well as D-Day veteran Lord Bramall and ex-Tory MP Harvey Proctor.

The probe ended in 2016 without a single arrest, after Beech made a series of lurid claims, all later proved to be untrue, including three murders.

Michael Lockwood (pictured), director general of the Independent Office for Police Conduct, told MPs the body is now allowed to reopen cases if fresh information indicates its original findings were flawed

The Metropolitan Police's (right, Commissioner Dame Cressida Dick) 16-month investigation into false claims of a VIP paedophile ring from fantasist Carl Beech (left) saw raids on the homes of former home secretary Lord Brittan, as well as D-Day veteran Lord Bramall and ex-Tory MP Harvey Proctor

The force was heavily criticised for believing Beech too readily despite inconsistencies in his evidence, including naming witnesses that did not exist.

One of the most serious accusations levelled at investigators was that they allegedly misled a district judge when applying for search warrants.

Pictured: Ex-Tory MP Harvey Proctor, whose house was raided during the operation

An independent review into the case by former High Court judge Sir Richard Henriques claimed that the judge had been knowingly misled.

Despite this, the IOPC cleared the five officers involved in the application of any wrongdoing.

On Wednesday MPs again questioned IOPC bosses over its review of how officers conducted themselves during Operation Midland.

In particular, the committee highlighted criticism by Sir Richard of the watchdog's inquiry being 'lamentable and inadequate.'

But Mr Lockwood defended it as a 'comprehensive report' involving 'experienced' staff.

When asked how IOPC decisions could be challenged and whether those relating to Operation Midland could be reviewed, Mr Lockwood said the courts could scrutinise their findings if a judicial review was brought against the body.

The IOPC now also has the power to reopen an investigation if it was deemed there are valid reasons for doing so, he added.

Earlier this year Lady Diana Brittan (left, with Sir Malcolm Rifkind) - who was given compensation and an official apology by The Met - told the committee those affected by the failed investigation had still not received justice

Earlier this year Lady Diana Brittan - who was given compensation and an official apology by The Met - told the committee those affected by the failed investigation had still not received justice.

Her homes in London and Yorkshire were raided in 2015 as part of Operation Midland amid the allegations against her late husband.
A married British Army staff sergeant accused of sexually assaulting a female soldier claimed she 'invented the allegations' because she was insulted after he spurned her advances, a court martial heard today.

Staff Sergeant Kareen Thomas said the woman flirted with him and asked him to book a hotel room in Ayia Napa, Cyprus, so they could spend the night together but when he declined she felt 'insulted'.

He told the hearing that the female Lance Corporal sent him 'suggestive pictures' and later told him she was going to 'f***ing ruin' his life.

SSgt Thomas of the Royal Logistics Corps denies two charges of sexual assault and a third charge of sending inappropriate text messages including naked photos of himself.

Staff Sergeant Kareen Thomas (pictured) said the woman asked him to book a hotel room in Ayia Napa so they could spend the night together but when he declined she felt 'insulted'

SSgt Thomas (above) of the Royal Logistics Corps denies two charges of sexual assault and a third charge of sending inappropriate text messages including naked photos of himself

The woman, who cannot be named for legal reasons, told Bulford Military Court in Wiltshire that the assaults happened after he promised he would 'help' her with the progression of her career.

The Lance Corporal claimed she considered SSgt Thomas, who is married with two children, a 'mate' until he made the unwanted advances.

On the first occasion, she told the court martial he drove her to a nature reserve and asked for a hug but then he 'snogged' her neck.

The woman said the second sexual assault happened while the pair were based in Cyprus and SSgt Thomas offered to take her to a cash point.

The court heard that, instead, he drove her to a beach to look at the view - even though it was pitch dark - where he grabbed her, forcing her to sit on his lap and putting her hand on his crotch.

But today SSgt Thomas told the court he and the woman were just 'friends - no more, no less' and that she was the one who was keen to message him, not the other way around.

SSgt Thomas told the court he and the woman were just 'friends - no more, no less'

He said: 'There was always a keen interest in what I was doing, where I was going and complimenting things like my car.

'Saying things like it was great to see how I was doing in my career because I was a corporal years earlier, things like that.'

SSgt Thomas admitted the pair sent each other flirtatious messages but described them as her sending him pictures of herself pouting and pushing her breasts together and him replying with compliments.

He said: 'A flirtatious message from her would be a suggestive picture', adding: 'A flirtatious message from me would be I was complimenting her on that photo.'

SSgt Thomas denied the incident in Cyprus and claimed the woman asked him to book a hotel room in the island's popular tourist resort of Ayia Napa.

The father-of-two said: 'She asked me if I was going to Ayia Napa. I told her maybe but she asked me if she could come to Ayia Napa with me and I told her no she could not.

'I remember the conversation going along the lines of "why would I take you to Ayia Napa?" I was saying to her "everyone is going to Ayia Napa, but why would we meet up?"

'She wanted me to book a hotel so she and I could stay in Ayia Napa for a night. I laughed it off and I told her she was off her head.

The woman told Bulford Military Court (pictured above) in Wiltshire that the assaults happened after he promised he would 'help' her with the progression of her career

'After the Ayia Napa conversation, at this stage I think the flirtations became more in public and I was telling her that basically I did not want to be around her in that setting with her being so openly flirtatious with me and she took that as an insult.'

SSgt Thomas told the court that, once back in the UK, she had burst into his office and they had a row in which she told him: 'I am sick of this - I am going to f***ing ruin your life.'

During her evidence the woman told the trial SSgt Thomas sent her a naked photo before the beach incident and another one afterwards.

The female soldier said he later messaged asking why she was giving him 'evils' at work and said 'is it because you are missing this D', in reference to the pictures.

SSgt Thomas, who is part of 27 Regiment Royal Logistics Corp, which is based in Aldershot, Hampshire, denies sending the photos or making the comment to her about 'missing this D'.

The trial continues.
It comes after a series of attacks on the New York City subway system

Victim was taken to Bellevue hospital where he is now 'conscious and alert'

The man was slashed in the neck with a pocket knife and blood was seen on floor

The victim, 45, was attacked after an argument broke out between him and another man on the L line platform on Tuesday

A commuter was slashed in the neck with a pocket knife on the platform of Manhattan's Union Square station, in the latest attack on New York City's subway.

The 45-year-old man was stabbed following an argument with another man on the L line platform at around 4pm on Tuesday, police said.

The victim was slashed in the neck by the suspect, who was wearing black pants, a neon shirt, a black hat, reports NY Daily News.

Blood was seen on the floor of the station platform and the victim was taken to Bellevue hospital where he is now 'conscious and alert'.

The stabbing comes just days after last Friday's subway slashing spree which left five people injured. Four teenagers, aged 17 to 19, were arrested.

A commuter was slashed in the neck with a pocket knife on the platform of Manhattan's Union Square station, in the latest subway attack in New York City. Pictured: police officers set up tape to stop the public from entering the platform

Blood was seen on the floor of the station platform and the victim was taken to Bellevue hospital where he is now 'conscious and alert'

The 45-year-old man was attacked after an argument broke out between him and and another man on the L line platform at around 4pm on Tuesday. Pictured: Investigators speak to witnesses at the station

Statistics show that there have been 119 felony assaults on New York City's subway system since January - the highest number for the first three months of the year since 1998.

Eyewitness Maria Paz Alegre said that police swarmed the station after Tuesday's stabbing.

'The platform was way more crowded than usual,' she said. 'A bunch of police officers started storming in.

'One of them knelt down, my view was blocked by benches and people, so I didnt see why he bent down. When his head popped up he yelled, "Everyone out! Get out!"'

The victim was slashed in the neck by the suspect, who was wearing black pants, a neon shirt, a black hat. Pictured: Police inside the subway station, which was blocked off from the public

Blood can be seen on the floor and on the wall where the victim was slashed in the neck

Last weekend, five people - including two police officers- were violently attacked on the New York City subway in just a four-hour period on Sunday May 16.

From 5:30 am to 9:30 am a 41-year-old man was attacked and robbed of his cellphone by three men, a 40-year-old man was robbed of his cellphone and money at gunpoint by three men and two police officers were injured chasing fare dodgers, ABC 7 News reported.

While on Friday four people were randomly stabbed and a fifth sucker punched in the subway slashing spree.

The suspect was caught with a bloodied knife and a victim's backpack prosecutors say.

Joseph Foster, 18, was charged Sunday with first-degree robbery, two counts of second-degree robbery and criminal possession of a weapon over his alleged role in the shocking attacks which left one victim blind in one eye.

Surveillance footage shows another victim trying to escape from a train before Foster allegedly dragged him back inside, according to Manhattan Assistant District Attorney Katherine Byrns, who suggested the attacks were part of a gang 'initiation'.

The backpack which Foster was holding belonged to the blinded victim and had a bloodied kitchen knife inside, it is claimed.

Foster has a three-year-old daughter and was previously arrested on January 13 on first-degree robbery charges for an alleged knifepoint mugging and stabbing of a cyclist. He was released without bail, the New York Post reported.

Joseph Foster, 18, was charged Sunday with first-degree robbery, two counts of second-degree robbery and criminal possession of a weapon over his alleged role in the shocking attacks which left one victim blind in one eye. Pictured are cop cars responding to the incident

Two other suspects have been charged over the incident: a 16-year-old minor and Taquarious Soto-Burgos.

NYPD has released a surveillance camera image of a fourth suspect they are hunting; they haven't realized images of the suspects apprehended.

Prosecutors say Foster and his co-conspirators 'embarked on a violent robbery spree' just after 4 a.m. Friday that began with several thefts at 53rd Street and Lexington Avenue before continuing south.

The first attack took place at around 4:20am, when a 44-year-old man on the southbound 4-train was slashed in the left side of his cheek, police said.

He got off at the 14th Street/Union Square station, but the suspects stayed on the train beat two sleeping men about five minutes later.

One man, 41, was woken up with sucker punch to the face, and the second man, 40, was slashed across the face, police said. They got off the train at Astor Place in Manhattan.

The suspects continued to wreak havoc on the train by slashing a fourth man, 44, across the face while he boarded the train from the Brooklyn Bridge-City Hall station at 4:30am and threw his phone on the tracks, police said.

About 30 minutes later, a fifth victim, 48, told police in the area of Yankee stadium that he had been stabbed in the eye, slashed in the back and left side of his neck, and robbed of his backpack in the area of 79th Street-Broadway subway station.

Three men have now been charged and police are hunting a fourth suspect (pictured in a surveillance camera image)

The brazen acts of violence were the latest of 15 assaults on the subway system last week alone, according to Transit Worker Union boss Tony Utano, and appear to part of the epidemic of violence that has gripped New York City's underground rail lines.

Friday's attack happened two days after four commuters were beaten over the course of three hours in unprovoked subway attacks, including a victim who was spat on and slashed in the face.

The unnamed victim was seated on a bench at the Times Square station on the southbound platform for the No. 1, 2 and 3 lines when he was approached by an unidentified man Wednesday morning.

He told police the assailant began talking to him, at which point he removed his headphones and asked: 'Are you talking to me?'

New York Mayor Bill de Blasio on Monday announced 250 more police officers would be deployed into the subways, but an NYPD spokesperson said the additional cops would only be sent out during the morning and evening rush hour.

Statistics show murders and serious crimes are rocketing on the NYC subway, with figures revealing that 119 felony assaults have taken place so far this year - the highest number for the first three months of the year since 1998.

Last year saw 106 felony assaults recorded over the same period, with 91 reported in 2019.

New York City crime statistics show that violent crimes, including felonies and felony assaults, have risen dramatically in the first few months of 2021. Murders on the subway system have been up 25% since 2019 and are on track to beat 2020 numbers

In an effort to combat the rise in violence, Mayor Bill de Blasio announced plans to deploy 250 additional police officers to the subway. A cop is pictured at 34th Street Station

Murders doubled between 2019 and 2020 - from three, to six, with the 2021 figure now on track to eclipse the previous two years.

Meanwhile, felonies - serious crimes including murders, rapes and assaults - saw a steep 53.7 per cent increase over the last two years.

For every million riders in the first three months of this year there were a reported 1.63 felonies.

That was up from 1.06 reported felonies per million riders in 2019 - a 53.7 per cent increase.

The numbers for the early part of 2021 are also upon the 1.48 reported felonies per million riders for the same period in 2020 - an increase of 10.1 per cent in just a year, according to The New York Times.

There have also been seven racist attacks on Asian-Americans so-far in 2021, compared to none recorded over the same period the previous year.

The total number of major felonies has dropped overall - with 335 reported this year so far, versus 697 for the same period in 2020, and 559 for the same period in 2019.

But safety advocates say the overall number of riders was far greater for the same period last year and the year before, pre-COVID shutdowns, and that the felonies per million riders offer a more useful snapshot of rising crime figures.

Around 2.1 million people a day now ride the subway system, well down on the 5.4 million average weekday riders, before COVID-19 saw people switch to working from home, and limited socializing opportunities.

Anecdotally, there has also been an uptick in people being shoved onto the subway tracks.

NYPD Data shows that since Christmas Eve 2020, six people have been pushed onto the subway track by someone with mental health issues, the New York Daily News reported.

As violent crimes, including felonies, see a dramatic uptick on the subway, more NYPD officers (pictured at Times Square Station) have been deployed to protect straphangers

'I think we have been under policed for quite some time,' Governor Andrew Cuomo said in regards to the Subway. He says he would not let his three daughters ride the system

In an effort to combat the rise in violence, Mayor Bill de Blasio announced plans to deploy 250 additional police officers to the subway, bringing the number up to over 3,000 cops, the largest force the subway system has seen in 25 year, NYT reported.

De Blasio has insisted that the subway is relatively safe. But state Governor Andrew Cuomo - who is in charge of the MTA - said he would not let his daughters ride the subway due to safety concerns.

'I think we have been underpoliced for quite some time,' the governor told reporters on Monday.

The mayor and the governor, who frequently clash over big issues, are not the only two city officials in disagreement over subway safety.

Kathryn Wylde, the president and chief executive of the Partnership for New York City, an influential business group, said that subway safety is the biggest obstacle in getting New Yorkers back into the office full-time.

'I don't think there's any question that fear of crime is way up,' she told the NYT. 'You can't reopen offices if people aren't comfortable taking mass transit.'

While Kathleen O'Reilly, the Police Department's transit bureau chief, has slammed the 'continued fearmongering' surrounding the subway.

'It's a disservice to New Yorkers to advance a narrative that crime is soaring in the subways when it's simply not the case,' the NYT reported she told transit officials at an agency board meeting in April.

Many officials say crime rates should drop as vaccinated people return to work and the subways become busier, meaning there is 'safety in numbers' from potential attacks.
Elon Musk's huge Tesla factory in Germany is facing huge construction delays due to government red tape, environmental activists and unexploded WW2 bombs, meaning its first cars might not be produced until next year.

The $4.9billion Gruenheide gigafactory site 24 miles east of Berlin was scheduled to open on July 1 this year before it was delayed until late 2021 last month.

Now the date could be pushed back to next year due to a series of unforeseen roadblocks.

Musk visited the plant on Monday after a short stop off in London on his 50million private jet, and tweeted on Tuesday: 'Giga Berlin suppliers please accelerate!'

Brandenburg's economy minister Joerg Steinbach said no meetings with him or state premier Dietmar Woidke were planned during Musk's visit which was mainly 'technical in character'.

Elon Musk's huge Tesla factory in Germany is facing huge construction delays due to government red tape (pictured at the factory on Monday)

The $4.9billion Gruenheide gigafactory (pictured this week) site 24 miles east of Berlin was scheduled to open on July 1 this year

The billionaire CEO announced the new car plant in November 2019 just as his Shanghai gigafactory was due to start making Model 3s only 11 months after its construction started.

He considered opening a European base in the UK but decided the Brexit situation was too unstable, so he decided to set up camp in Germany.

But his optimism has so far been unrewarded as he is still waiting for environmental approval from the state of Brandenburg, despite tweeting in July last year: 'Giga Berlin will come together at an impossible-seeming speed.'

Tesla has been forced to remove bomb shells from the construction site, silence activists opposed to the chopping down of trees, its water use and the removal of bat and animal habitats, and fight potential labour law violations.

A cutout of the SpaceX founder and Tesla CEO is seen in front of the construction site of Tesla's gigafactory in Gruenheide

Physical construction of the site is nearly completed but there still remains a host of legal issues which need to be resolved before it can start producing the electric cars.

During his visit, he said about the opening: 'It's hard to predict with precision because you can only make the cars when all of the pieces are here.'

As he spoke to reporters, he slammed the red tape which is holding up his business expansion.

Home to traditional carmaking rivals Volkswagen, Daimler and BMW, Germany is also known for its complex regulation and bureaucracy.

The tech entrepreneur said: 'I think there could be less bureaucracy, that would be better.

Physical construction of the site, which Musk visited this week after a brief stop in London on his 50million private jet (pictured), is nearly completed

'There should be some kind of active process for removal of rules. Otherwise, over time, the rules will just accumulate and you get more and more rules until eventually you can't do anything.'

Tesla is the world's most valuable carmaker but produces only a fraction of the cars of his rivals, making 500,000 vehicles last year compared to 9.3million by Volkswagen.

Musk wants to produce a million electric cars a year but without the Berlin site, this could prove a long way off.

Garrett Nelson, senior equity analyst at CFRA Research, told Forbes: 'Coming off the incredibly fast build of the Shanghai factory, they might have miscalculated how quickly they could get Berlin up and runningperhaps not fully accounting for the significant differences in regulatory and environmental standards.

Home to traditional carmaking rivals Volkswagen, Daimler and BMW, Germany is also known for its complex regulation and bureaucracy

'Tesla is doing everything possible to stay on track with its guidance, but the reality is that first production could be delayed until early 2022.'

The company has not confirmed that Musk is seeking a six-month delay to production and recently assured investors that the site was 'progressing well'.

Locals and politicians were delighted when Gruenheide was picked as his European site, bringing jobs and prestige to an area in former East Germany.

But others are campaigning against the factory due to its location between a highway and a railway station that is only a few miles from a protected nature reserve which has been registered as a fauna and flora habitat area since 1998.

Considering the electric car company's green ambitions, some were upset when construction started by chopping down 430 acres of forest.

Picture taken on May 17, 2021 shows workers and vehicles at the construction site for the new plant

Considering the electric car company's green ambitions, some were upset when construction started by chopping down 430 acres of forest

Environmentalists tried to block the tree-cutting in early 2020 but Tesla eventually won court approval to initially remove 92 hectares of trees, then a later ruling allowed him 83 more.

Tesla has since pledged to plant three times as many trees as it fells.

Activists also protested the damage construction would cause to forest animals, forcing Tesla to relocate bats and ants, as well as seven unexploded bombs.

Tesla was also forced to suspend its forest clearing after campaigners obtained an injunction over the potential threat to the habitats of snakes and lizards.

Adding to the company's problems, the local water authority discovered pipes had been installed without permission, causing another holdup and a potential fine.

Water is an issue also taken up by protesters who say the factory will use around 30 per cent of the region's supply.

Musk has responded to the water issue on Twitter, posting in January 2020: 'Sounds like we need to clear up a few things!

Adding to the company's problems, the local water authority discovered pipes had been installed without permission, causing another holdup and a potential fine

'Tesla wont use this much net water on a daily basis. Its possibly a rare peak usage case, but not an everyday event.

'Also, this is not a natural forest  it was planted for use as cardboard & only a small part will be used for GF4.'

He later added: 'Giga Berlin will build sustainable energy vehicles using sustainable energy, so net environmental impact will be extremely positive!'

Also on Tesla's plate, the State Office for Occupational Safety and other agencies are investigating whether the company violated labour laws.

They will allegedly look into whether the company violated rules over minimum wages, working hours, conditions and housing during the construction.

The factory will not be able to begin producing cars until every permit has been secured.

Musk is anti-union, has often tweeted against them, and even tried to keep the United Auto Workers away from his Fremont factory in the US

Germany's biggest labour union IG Metall, which has 2.2million members, represents workers at Tesla and initially welcomed the plans.

ButMusk is anti-union, has often tweeted against them, and even tried to keep the United Auto Workers away from his Fremont factory in the US.

IG Metall say they are waiting to see whether workers in Germany will follow the same protocols in the US and Chinese plants, with three shift patterns for round-the-clock work.

The union also says it will observe whether Tesla follows German wage and working condition rules.

Picture taken on Monday shows a sign reading 'Service road only for authorised personnel' outside the factory

Christiane Schroeder, managing director at the Brandenburg branch of NABU (Nature and Biodiversity Conservation Union), is a leading opponent of the Berlin site.

NABU is one of the oldest and largest environmental non-profits in Germany but she says despite raising issues with Tesla, they have only taken on board some of her concerns.

She said: 'I think Elon Musk is more into his own business and into new technology than really in preventing climate change.

'He sees a great opportunity to sell his inventions as 'part of the solution' but doesn't realise that he creates new problems as a side effect.'
A truck driver who hit and killed four Melbourne police officers while high on drugs told a colleague his boss had 'cleaned his spirit' and rid him of a curse before the crash.

That boss, Connect Logistics manager Simiona Tuteru, faces 82 charges including manslaughter after allegedly directing or requiring Mohinder Singh to work while fatigued.

Singh insisted on delivering by 'this one load' that fatal afternoon in April 2020, fellow truck driver Michael Horrocks told Melbourne Magistrates Court on Wednesday.

Mohinder Singh (pictured) crashed a 19-tonne delivery truck on the Eastern Freeway on April 22 last year

Left to right: Constable Glen Humphris, Senior Constable Kevin King, Leading Senior Constable Lynette Taylor and Constable Joshua Prestney all died in the crash

'He said that his boss and him prayed together and that his boss had "cleaned his spirit" and got rid of the curse,' Mr Horrocks also said in a police statement.

He told the court Singh spoke about being possessed by a witch, but said he was feeling better after the prayer. He planned to 'deliver this one load and go home and rest'.

Singh described it as a 'very important load'.

Under questioning from Tuteru's barrister, David Hallowes SC, Mr Horrocks said he didn't know whether Singh was under instruction to make the delivery or just insisted on it himself.

'I told him "you seem really out dude, you shouldn't be driving",' Mr Horrocks said.

Simiona Tuteru (pictured) is charged with four counts of manslaughter over the deaths of four police officers in a crash on the Eastern Freeway in April

Mohinder Singh Bajwa's truck careered off the highway and into officers, who had pulled over a driver for speeding

Emergency services working at the scene of the fatal collision near the Chandler Highway in the suburb of Kew in Melbourne

Later that afternoon, Singh veered a 19-tonne semi-trailer into the emergency lane of the Eastern Freeway.

The crash killed Senior Constable Lynette Taylor, Senior Constable Kevin King, and constables Glen Humphris and Josh Prestney.

Singh was earlier this year jailed for up to 22 years after admitting to four counts of culpable driving causing death, as well as drug trafficking and possession charges.

Tuteru, 49, is facing a committal hearing to determine if he will stand trial for charges including multiple breaches of heavy vehicle regulations.

Other charges include obtaining financial advantage by deception for time sheets allegedly submitted in a false name to hide the real number of hours worked.

Mohinder Singh (pictured) said his boss 'cleaned his spirit' and removed curse before the fatal crash

The crash in April last year killed four police officers in Kew in Melbourne (pictured)

The court has been told about truck drivers using drugs, and their requirement to sign a form saying they weren't drug or alcohol affected at the start of each shift.

One of Singh's associates, who was not a truck driver, said the man 'was using meth every way you can'.

It was estimated he had just five hours of sleep in the 72 hours before the crash, the effects of which were equivalent to being six times the blood-alcohol limit.

During the night shift before the crash, Connect Logistics supervisor Stephen Harrison received a call raising concerns about Singh's demeanour.

Mr Harrison subsequently text Mr Tuteru saying: 'I am concerned about his (Singh's) mental state'.

'I don't think he should be driving. I told him to go to (the) doctors straight away,' the text also said, according to court documents.

The committal is due to continue on Thursday.
The Labour leader was censured by Sir David Norgrove, the chairman of the UK Statistics Authority, for claiming that violent offences have been going up under the Conservatives.

Sir Keir Starmer was given a telling off by the UK's statistics watchdog today for attacking the Government over violent crime rates.

The Labour leader was censured by Sir David Norgrove, the chairman of the UK Statistics Authority, for claiming that violent offences have been going up under the Conservatives.

In a letter to the Opposition Leader Sir David said that violent crime had been falling for the past five years and cited two cases in April and earlier this month where Sir Keir had said the opposite in the Commons.

'The risk with the statements you made is that people may be alarmed by figures that do not reflect reality, which could affect their behaviour and lead to pressure for policy changes not supported by the data,' Sir David wrote in a letter published today.

'I am sure you agree that this would not be desirable.'

The rebuke came after Tory Policing Minister Kit Malthouse reported his comments to the UKSA, saying 'the public have a right not to be misled, especially with regard to a subject as emotive and important as crime'.

Sir Keir follows in the footsteps of his predecessor Jeremy Corbyn, who was also rebuked by Sir David in December 2019 for claiming 'violent crime has doubled under the Conservatives' austerity programme' at his election manifesto launch.

Sir Keir follows in the footsteps of his predecessor Jeremy Corbyn, who was also rebuked by Sir David in December 2019 for claiming 'violent crime has doubled under the Conservatives' austerity programme' at his election manifesto launch.

In a letter to the Opposition Leader Sir David said that violent crime had been falling for the past five years and cited two cases in April and earlier this month where Sir Keir had said the opposite in the Commons.

The two examples cited by Sir David occurred during Prime Minister's Questions on April 28 and in his reply to the Queen's Speech on May 11.

In the first example Sir Keir was attacking the Prime Minister over sleaze allegations.

He said: 'The Prime Minister talks about priorities  crime is going up, NHS waiting lists are at record levels and millions of people are worried about their jobs, including at Liberty Steel. Do not the British people deserve a Prime Minister they can trust, not a Government who are mired in sleaze, cronyism and scandal?'

Later, on May 11, he repeated a similar the claim, saying: 'Since 2015, recorded violent crime has doubled and antisocial behaviour has gone up in every area of England and Wales, yet the Conservatives call themselves the party of law and order.

'Violent crime has doubled and antisocial behaviour is on the up in every area in England and Wales.

'They have been in government for 11 years. And our courts now have a record backlog, meaning victims waiting years to get justice. Yet the Queen's Speech will do nothing to address this.'

But in his letter today, Sir David wrote: 'As the Office for National Statistics says in every release of crime statistics, and I said in a letter to your predecessor (Jeremy Corbyn), the face-to-face Crime Survey for England and Wales (CSEW) is a better indicator of long-term trends than police recorded crime.

'It is unaffected by changes in levels of reporting to the police or police recording practices. The CSEW shows a reduction in violent crime of 28 per cent between the year ending March 2015 and the year ending March 2020.

'Total crime levels have been falling since the mid-1990s, including last year (though comparisons involving last year are complicated by a change in the method of collection).'
Adrian Hoare (pictured left), from Kent, was jailed for two years and nine months in May 2019 after being found guilty of child cruelty over the death of her son Alfie Lamb

A mother whose three-year-old son was crushed to death by a car seat will stay behind bars for the rest of her sentence after 'showing aggression' and dodging probation check-ins for seven months.

Adrian Hoare, from Kent, was jailed in 2019 after being found guilty of child cruelty over the death of her son Alfie Lamb.

The three-year-old was crushed to death by a car seat after the hairdresser placed the toddler into the footwell of an Audi.

Hoare was jailed for two years and nine months in May 2019, but was offered early release and left prison in October that year.

However her licence was revoked just three months later after she 'placed herself in a risky situation' and then 'lost touch with the probation service', according to parole bosses.

She then remained 'unlawfully at large' until she was taken back into custody in May 2020.

Today the Parole Board - which considers whether criminals who are recalled to prison can be re-released - decided she is not yet suitable to be freed again.

However, Hoare will be able to walk free within months because her sentence expires in July.

Three-year-old Alfie was crushed to death by a car seat after she placed the toddler into the footwell of an Audi in 2018

A document setting out the Parole Board's decision, issued on Wednesday, said: 'After considering the circumstances of her offending, the progress made while in custody and on licence, and the other evidence presented at the hearings and in the dossier, the panel was not satisfied that Ms Hoare was suitable for release.'

At the time of her offending she was described as making 'poor decisions and acting impulsively at times', adding: 'She had been in relationships where she had been easily led and controlled or manipulated.

'She had shown some aggression and even violence.

'Ms Hoare had misused illicit drugs and had mixed with like-minded, anti-social people.'

While the Parole Board was told of some progress she had made to address her behaviour, for example taking part in counselling, 'there were concerns about how open Ms Hoare might be with her supervising team.

'She was considered to show insufficient self-awareness or insight and to lack adequate self-control.'

Hoare was jailed in 2019 after being found guilty of putting her son Alfie Lamb into harm's way by placing him into the footwell of an Audi convertible.

The single mother, who was with boyfriend Stephen Waterson at the time, realised something was desperately wrong with the 'happy, active, smiley' boy.

Waterson, who had slammed into Alfie in his seat while he was in the footwell, pulled the toddler out of the car to try and revive him.

But Alfie suffered a cardiac arrest and his life support machine was turned off three days later.

Hoare was jailed in 2019 after being found guilty of putting her son Alfie Lamb into harm's way by placing him into the footwell of an Audi convertible

Three-year-old Alfie Lamb was in the footwell of the Audi A4 (pictured) when Waterson slammed his chair into him in south London in February 2018

Hoare's boyfriend Stephen Waterson (pictured), from Croydon, the adopted son of former Government Minister Nigel Waterson, was also jailed over the toddler's death

A pathologist found the youngster died from crush asphyxia caused by the car seat.

Hoare was cleared of manslaughter following a trial, but was convicted of child cruelty.

Her partner Waterson was jailed for seven and a half years for manslaughter, plotting to pervert the course of justice and intimidating a witness after admitting squashing Alfie by reversing his car seat into him.

Speaking to the Sun earlier on her daughter's initial release in 2019, Hoare's heartbroken mother Janis, 53, said she was still unable to forgive her daughter.

She said: 'I will always feel hatred towards her for what she's done. She has taken everything from me. Adrian has literally broken me.'

She added: 'The hardest thing at this time of year is going out and seeing little kids out telling their nannies what they want, and that they want to go to see Father Christmas.

'He should still be here and we should be doing those things together.'
An Idaho teacher has recalled the moment she disarmed a sixth-grade girl who'd just shot three people - before pulling her in for a hug.

Krista Gneiting recalled pulling the gun out of the girl's hands at Rigby Middle School following the shooting on May 6, then pulling her in for an embrace until a sheriff's deputy arrived to arrest her.

Speaking to Good Morning America, the 45 year-old married mother of three recounted the tense few moments in which she grabbed the gun, which authorities said was a pistol, out of the girl's hand and their subsequent embrace.

'She just watched me and I just walked up to her, and I put my hand over her hand and I just slowly pulled the gun out of her hand, and she allowed me to,' Gneiting said.

Krista Gneiting, 45, a middle school math teacher, who on May 6 put an end to the school shooting after she grabbed the gun out of the student's hands, described the encounter in an interview that aired on Wednesday. She said that after disarming the girl, she pulled her in for a hug

Students from Rigby Middle School were seeing embracing following the May 6 shooting

'She didn't fight. She didn't give it to me, but didn't fight.'

Afterwards, Gneiting said she pulled the girl in for a hug.

'I thought "this little girl has a mom somewhere that doesn't realize she's having a breakdown and she's hurting people,"' she recalled.

The incident began at around 9 a.m., with the student shooting and wounding two of her schoolmates, as well as a janitor.

All three are recovering from their injuries. An investigation into the shooting continues, with Jefferson County Sheriff Steve Anderson refusing to offer a possible motive, and warning that the probe would take 'a considerable amount of time.'

Gneiting (pictured), a married mother of three was hailed as a hero after putting a stop to the bloodshed

Gneiting also told GMA how she held on to the girl from when she called 911 until cops arrived.



'I could just really tell she was very unhappy, and I just kept hugging her and loving her and trying to let her know that we're going to get through this together,' Gneiting said.

When an officer arrived, she said she instructed the student to let him handcuff her.

'She just let him, and he was very gentle and very kind, and he just went ahead and took her and put her in the police car,' Gneiting said.

The teacher, who has been widely hailed as a heroine, also went into greater detail about the shooting itself.

After the first shots rang out, she said she looked out into the hallway to see the injured janitor before closing the door of her classroom.

Hearing more gunshots and children screaming, she grabbed her students and they huddled in the corner of the room.

Three people were shot - two students and one adult janitor in the incident. They were treated and survived. Pictured: Police tape marks a line outside Rigby Middle School

One student told her that he believed that he had been shot.

'I knew when I saw the gun I had to get the gun,' Gneiting said, and noted that she believed she was able to defuse the situation by keeping a cool head.

'I believe my being there helped her because she calmed down and she was able to just watch me, and to stay calm and to let me approach her so I do know that my calmness definitely must have affected her,' she said.

The teacher said she hopes others can bring themselves to forgive the shooter.

'She's just barely starting in life and just needs some help,' she said.

'Everybody makes mistakes. I think we need to make sure we get her help and get her back into where she loves herself so that she can function in society.'

After the incident, Gneiting was hailed as a hero and took to social media to express her gratitude - and said she did not want any money that had been raised for her in the wake of the shooting.

'My heart is touched by all the incredible outpouring of love I've received. Thank you,' she wrote on a Life in Rigby Facebook page.

'I don't want money, I just appreciate the incredible support of Rigby!!! I love my students so much! It is why I teach!! They make my heart happy every every day!!!!

'All of the staff at Rigby did their part and kept our wonderful children safe! Thank you! I love you all and we will get through this together.'

Authorities say the motive for the attack and where the girl got the gun are both unclear and are being investigated.

The janitor, identified as Jim Wilson (pictured), was treated and released from Eastern Idaho Regional Medical Center on May 6

However, they did admit they are 'looking into' reports claiming the middle-schooler posted a disturbing video on TikTok in the days before the attack.

She managed to wound two students and janitor Jim Wilson but was soon subdued by Gneiting.

The three were shot in their extremities and were expected to survive, officials said at a news conference.

Wilson was called 'very loved Rigby Middle School custodian' on a GoFundMe page set up to cover his medical expenses.

He was reportedly treated and released from Eastern Idaho Regional Medical Center on May 6.

Dr. Michael Lemon, the hospital's trauma medical director said the bullet that injured him went cleanly through the limb, resulting in minimal damage.

The GoFundMe for Wilson has already exceeded its $10,000 goal with more than $10,000 collected by Friday afternoon.

One of the injured students was shot once in an extremity and may require surgery, Lemon said.

The other student was shot twice and hit in two limbs.

Emotional parents and children were seen hugging as they were reunited at the nearby high school following the May 6 shooting

'The fact the injuries are as insignificant as they are - they could be so much worse, so we feel absolutely blessed,' Lemon said.

The incident marked one of the latest in a string of mass shootings across America in recent months.

Back on March 16, Robert Aaron Long, 21, was accused of killing eight people - six of them Asian women - in a series of attacks at three Atlanta spas.

The following week, gunman Ahmad Alissa then allegedly shot dead ten people including a police officer, in a supermarket in Boulder, Colorado.

The next day, a shooting at a Southern California office building left four people dead, including a child.

Eight people were shot and killed at the FedEx Ground facility in Indianapolis in April.

Biden Executive Actions on Guns Crackdown on 'ghost guns,' which are built from kits

Tighten requirements on pistol braces that allow for more accurate shooting

Department of Justice will publish 'red flag' legislation for the states

Investment in evidence-based community violence interventions

DoJ will issue an annual report on gun trafficking Advertisement

According to EdWeek, there have been six school shootings in 2021 prior to Thursday's attack.

In total, these incidents left two school employees and one student dead.

Since 2018, there have been 65 shootings in schools across the country.

One of the deadliest school shootings in American history was the Sandy Hook Elementary School massacre in 2012.

Gunman Adam Lanza entered the school in Newtown, Connecticut, shooting 27 dead inside and injuring many more.

In light of this year's spate in gun violence, Joe Biden has unveiled a series of executive actions designed to curb gun violence following the string of shootings.

The six actions include: a crackdown on the proliferation of 'ghost guns,' which are built from kits; tightening requirements on pistol braces that allow for more accurate shooting; the Department of Justice will publish 'red flag' legislation for the states; invest in evidence-based community violence interventions; and DoJ will issue an annual report on gun trafficking.

Biden said mass shootings are a 'public health crisis' and argued he was not trying to impinge on the Second Amendment - a claim gun rights groups and Republicans have made against the introduction gun control laws.
This is the moment two babies born during lockdown met for the first time and greeted each other in the most heartwarming way.

Had the world not gone into lockdown during the coronavirus pandemic, 13-month-old Maxwelle and baby Keanu, six months, would have met much earlier.

But little Maxwelle had to isolate at home in Argyle, Texas as she has a family member who is immunocompromised.

However, on May 13, the pair were finally introduced to each other by their parents Sydney and Aaron Lopez, and Emily and Jesse Jacobs at their elder siblings' elementary school.

The families were hoping to capture a sweet photograph of the babies together, but they got much more than they bargained for when the two cuddled and refused to let each other go.

Sydney, Maxwelle's mother, said the moment made her think of the U2 song Sweetest Thing which includes the line: 'Blue-eyed boy meets a brown-eyed girl.'

And when she shared the clip online of her daughter and Keanu with the song in the background, it went viral.

Speaking of the long-awaited meeting, Sydney said: 'Honestly, it was the sweetest moment.

Mother Emily Jacobs and Keanu (left) were delighted when he was introduced to Sydney Lopez's daughter Maxwelle (right) after a long awaited reunion of the families, who are close friends

'We started filming several minutes into their embrace because we're all so captivated by them both.

'Two families, coming together to watch the pure, innocent, agape love that these babies shared.

'Maxwelle just kept hugged Keanu in closer and closer - she is so full of joy and always smiling that this was not a surprise at all.'

Keanu (left) and Maxwelle (right) met for the first time at their elder siblings' school in Argyle, Texas

The adorable pair just wouldn't let each other go after they met for the first time this month . Pictured Keanu (left) and Maxwelle (right)

It was a very tender and much awaited moment for the two families, who are very close. Pictured Keanu (left) and Maxwelle (right)

Keanu's dad, Jesse, added: 'I smile every time I watch the video - how can you not?

'I am super happy others can get joy from our Keanu.

'He's a special dude and he truly does spread so much joy to others - I am happy that happened.'
Home Secretary Priti Patel joined a police raid as officers arrested people-smuggling suspects accused of minicab and lorry drivers to move migrants between France and the UK.

The men, aged 52 and 28, were held on suspicion of conspiring to facilitate illegal immigration during a National Crime Agency (NCA) swoop in Woodford Green and Bushwood, east London, today.

Ms Patel said people smugglers are 'treating innocent lives as a commodity and lining their pockets while people are dying'.

Home Secretary Priti Patel joined a police raid as officers arrested people-smuggling suspects accused of minicab and lorry drivers to move migrants between France and the UK

Police during a National Crime Agency raid at address in east London today

In March she announced plans to crack down on people smuggling with maximum life sentences for those involved in the crime, and moves to deny asylum to migrants who have travelled through a 'safe' country such as France to reach the UK.

Another five people who are all licensed minicab drivers were also arrested for allegedly moving migrants to and from lorry drop-off or pick-up points.

The operation involved more than 130 officers and follows an investigation, codenamed Operation Symbolry, into an organised crime group using a network of predominantly Romanian lorries to smuggle people between France and the UK.

The men, aged 52 and 28, were held on suspicion of conspiring to facilitate illegal immigration during a National Crime Agency (NCA) swoop in Woodford Green and Bushwood, east London, today

Ms Patel said people smugglers are 'treating innocent lives as a commodity and lining their pockets while people are dying'

Five lorry drivers have already been convicted in relation to the investigation, after migrants were found hidden in the back of their trucks.

More than 100 migrants have been intercepted during the operation, including three wanted criminals who were trying to flee the UK, the NCA said.

NCA branch operations manager Chris Hill said: 'Operation Symbolry is a significant investigation into a wide-ranging criminal network involved in people smuggling, moving migrants illegally in both directions across the border between the UK and France.

In March Ms Patel announced plans to crack down on people smuggling with maximum life sentences for those involved in the crime, and moves to deny asylum to migrants who have travelled through a 'safe' country such as France to reach the UK

Home Secretary Priti Patel during a National Crime Agency operation at address in east London

'We believe the arrests today, coupled with the actions we have already taken, will end the activities of that network.

'Organised crime groups often rely upon enablers such as complicit lorry drivers and minicab drivers to carry out their work, offering them money to help.

'What I would say to those drivers is that if they are approached, they should tell us, either by calling police on 101 or contacting the charity Crimestoppers anonymously.

Five lorry drivers have already been convicted in relation to the investigation, after migrants were found hidden in the back of their trucks

More than 100 migrants have been intercepted during the operation, including three wanted criminals who were trying to flee the UK, the NCA said

'The penalties for drivers caught smuggling migrants are severe, and I would ask those tempted by the idea to consider the potential impact on their lives and livelihoods.'

The NCA has around 50 ongoing investigations into people trafficking and organised immigration crime.

NCA deputy director of investigations Chris Farrimond said: 'People smugglers are ruthless, treating migrants as a commodity, and they do not care about the safety of those they transport. We have seen this, tragically, in recent and historical mass fatalities.'
Covid booster vaccines are to be trialled in the UK as health chiefs gear up to offer all over-50s a third dose this autumn.

Southampton University scientists will recruit thousands of fully-vaccinated Britons to the study, which will test seven Covid jabs as top-ups.

They will record any side-effects analyse the antibody levels of volunteers to check whether the extra dose offered any extra protection.

No10's top scientists are set to be fed the results of the world-first trial to determine how booster shots should be dished out later in the year.

Experts running the clinical trials said every jab should spark added immunity  but that some may lead to more side-effects than others.

Matt Hancock announced the study at a Downing Street press conference tonight. The Health Secretary said he was 'delighted' and that the tests will 'shape the plans for our booster programme later this year'.

Mr Hancock added: 'We will do everything we can to future-proof this country from pandemics.'

Coronavirus vaccines made by AstraZeneca, Pfizer, Moderna, Novavax, Johnson and Johnson, Valneva, CureVac will be used in the study, alongside a control jab.

Three un-named jabs in this list will also be trialled as half doses, and tests will also be carried out on the Indian, South African and Kent variants.

Britain has ordered doses of all the jabs included in the study but only three  AstraZeneca, Pfizer and Moderna  have already been approved for use by medical regulators.

More than 36.8million Britons have received at least one dose of the Covid vaccine, and 20million have got their second dose. The national roll-out is expected to start jabbing 35-year-olds by the end of this week, and reach every adult by July 31.

It comes after ministers ordered a separate study to test alternating jabs, with experts predicting this could lead to more potent immunity against the virus.

Scientists will test seven jabs in the trials which have already been ordered by the UK Government. Only GSK's Covid vaccine - which is progressing to stage three trials - has been excluded

Ministers plan to get all over-50s a third dose by the Autumn. Pictured is Rita Passey receiving her first dose in Birmingham

Health Secretary Matt Hancock revealed the COV-boost trials at a Downing Street press conference today. He said the results would influence plans to roll-out booster shots

Vaccines work well against the Indian Covid variant, Matt Hancock claims Vaccines work well against the Indian coronavirus variant and the Government made the correct decision by pressing ahead with easing lockdown on Monday, Matt Hancock claimed tonight despite cases of the mutant strain quadrupling in a fortnight. Speaking at a Downing Street press conference, the Health Secretary reiterated earlier remarks from Boris Johnson that SAGE had 'increasing confidence' in the ability of vaccines to protect against the variant. He said it bolstered No10's decision to open up pubs and restaurants on Monday in the face of the new variant and insisted the 'shield' of lockdown restrictions was safely being replaced by the 'sword of the vaccine programme'. 'Overall hospitalisations and deaths remain very low, meaning we have been able to carefully take away more restrictions this week as we've taken step three of the road map,' Mr Hanock said. But he warned that it the rise of the new variant has the potential to 'knock us off track' because it appears to be much more infectious than the already highly virulent Kent strain. He urged people to 'proceed with vigilance' and take 'personal responsibility' and emphasised the importance of getting both vaccine doses. Britain has now recorded almost 3,000 cases of the Indian B.1.617.2. variant, up from 520 on May 5. Data shows the variant is now behind one in five of all infections and has become the dominant strain in 23 parts of England. Advertisement

Scientists running the trials  dubbed COV-boost  said 2,800 participants who have all received two doses of Pfizer or AstraZeneca's vaccines were set to be recruited, with trials due to start in the coming weeks.

They will be divided into working age adults (30 to 75 years old) and older individuals (75+ years old), with jabs dished out at 16 locations including St Thomas' hospital in London, Birmingham and Stockport.

Scientists plan to take blood samples from participants 28 days after the booster dose. They will also be taken at 84, 308 and 365 days after the third jab.

It was unclear how many groups would be included in the study, but experts said participants would be split by which first dose they received and age.

Tests will also be carried out on the Indian, South African and Kent variants. But studies suggest these are all susceptible to immunity from the current crop of vaccines.

University Hospitals Southampton NHS Foundation Trust has received almost 20million from the Government for the study.

Antibodies are one of the key tools the body uses to fight off the coronavirus because they can stop it from invading cells.

But experts point out the immune response is made up of an array of different parts. They say T-cells may be specifically important in fighting off the original virus and variants.

Chief investigator Professor Saul Faust, an infectious diseases expert at Southampton University, said they were expecting all vaccines to work as booster shots.

'We're expecting them all to work immunologically,' he told a press conference.

'But some might cause more side effects than others based on (which vaccine) you've had first.'

The Health Secretary said today: 'The UK vaccination programme has been a phenomenal national effort, with seven in 10 UK adults now having had their first Covid jab.

'We will do everything we can to future-proof this country from pandemics and other threats to our health security, and the data from this world-first clinical trial will help shape the plans for our booster programme later this year.

'I urge everyone who has had both doses of a Covid vaccine, and is eligible, to sign up for this study and play a part in protecting the most vulnerable people in this country and around the world for months and years to come.'

Experts have opted not to test vaccines tweaked to fight off variants because studies suggest the current crop of jabs sparks adequate protection.

Professor Matthew Snape, a vaccinologist at Oxford University, said the immune system makes a certain type of antibody when it is first exposed to a new virus.

But when it meets variants of the virus it may still produce the same antibodies.

'It's not guaranteed that changing the strains in the vaccines will actually mean that your immune system can now adapt to focus on the Indian strain, or South African strain or whatever comes along,' he told a press conference.

'One approach is to stick with the same strain but to keep antibodies high enough that you'll have cross-strain protection against whatever comes along.'

Further results from the ComCov clinical trial, which aims to determine the effects of using different vaccines for the first and second dose, are due in the coming months.

Government plans for booster shots were revealed earlier this month, with early trials suggesting the approach will be able to kill off the threat from any new or existing variants.

A senior minister told The Times: 'We will have a lot to say about the booster programme soon. It's looking really positive so far.

'We think that the level of protection in the population to any variant will be so high that by Christmas, Covid should have just faded away into the background like any other illness in circulation.

'So much so that we don't think there will be any need to give a booster shot to younger people because transmission will have got so low.'

People can sign up for the new trial at covboost.org.uk.
Silvio Berlusconi is seriously ill and being looked after at home eight months after being hospitalised with coronavirus.

A Milan prosecutor has called for the former Italian prime minister's trial on charges of bribing witnesses to be temporarily suspended due to his health.

Belusconi, 84, has been in and out of hospital since contracting Covid-19 in September, and speculation has mounted in recent days over a deterioration of his health.

'We definitely believe Berlusconi is seriously ill and is suffering from a serious disease. This is what medical certificates and consultancies show,' prosecutor Tiziana Siciliano said.

Silvio Berlusconi is seriously ill and being looked after at home eight months after being hospitalised with coronavirus. A Milan prosecutor has called for the former Italian prime minister's trial on charges of bribing witnesses to be temporarily suspended due to his health [File photo]

Speaking during a hearing for a case connected to one in which Berlusconi was acquitted of having sex with an underage girl nicknamed 'Ruby', Siciliano said Berlusconi should be temporally exempted from standing trial.

The judge will decide on whether to separate Berlusconi's position from the other defendants on May 26, when there will be a new hearing.

Berlusconi's own lawyer, Federico Cecconi told reporters that the media tycoon was 'being looked after at home'.

'Of course we are worried,' he said.

The four-time prime minister is accused of bribing witnesses to stay silent over the underage prostitution case, starting in 2013. He has always denied any wrongdoing.

Berlusconi spent the night in hospital in February after an accidental fall at home.

The controversial billionaire tripped while staying at his residence in Rome, where he had travelled to give his backing to Mario Draghi as the country's next premier.

Berlusconi was bruised on one side and was taken to his home city of Milan for a hospital check-up, a spokesman said.

The politician, who has dominated public life in Italy since the 1980s and is still an MEP, was also hospitalised in Monaco in January due to heart problems.

Berlusconi, whose third spell as prime minister ended in 2011, had major heart surgery in 2016 and has also survived prostate cancer.

He described his battle with coronavirus last September as the 'most dangerous challenge' of his life.

Berlusconi, whose third spell as prime minister ended in 2011, had major heart surgery in 2016 and has also survived prostate cancer. He described his battle with coronavirus last September as the 'most dangerous challenge' of his life. Pictured: Berlusconi leaves hospital on September 14, 2020 after being admitted earlier that month with coronavirus [File photo]

While in hospital in Milan, he told supporters in a phone call that doctors had said his viral load was the worst out of thousands of patients tested at the clinic.

Describing his 'hellish' case of the virus, he said it was 'very bad' but added that 'I'm giving it my all, I hope to make it and to get back on track'.

True to his word, he was discharged later that month and has continued to play an active role as leader of the opposition Forza Italia party.

Since then, Berlusconi has spent much of his time recuperating from coronavirus at his daughter Marina's house in Provence, France.

Last month, his doctor Alberto Zangrillo had him transferred to a hospital in Monaco because of heart problems.

But he insisted: 'I am in good health. Due to the prudence of my doctors I had to go to hospital for some checks.'

Berlusconi looked frail in Rome in February as he reappeared in public after months holed up in his daughter's villa.

Berlusconi was elected to the parliament in 2019, further prolonging his decades-long career in Italian politics.

The former owner of AC Milan, who made his media fortune in the 1960s, he entered politics in early 1994 and served three separate terms as prime minister.

In late 2006 he was admitted to hospital with a minor heart problem after fainting. He underwent successful heart surgery in a US hospital in January 2007.

In December 2004, a young bricklayer hurled a camera tripod at his head, causing a minor injury behind his right ear.

The culprit first said he did it 'because I hate him' but later wrote a letter to Berlusconi saying he had acted in a moment of 'deplorable euphoria.'
Advertisement

A veiled woman armed with an assault rifle has been shot dead after allegedly trying to shoot Israeli soldiers at a checkpoint in the West Bank amid tensions over the relentless bombing campaign in the Gaza Strip.

Joe Biden demanded a 'significant de-escalation' by Benjamin Netanyahu today - Washington's toughest intervention since the conflict, which has left dozens of Palestinian women and children dead, started ten days ago.

CCTV footage emerged this afternoon showing a woman with a rifle walking towards soldiers stationed at Elias Junction, outside the West Bank city of Hebron. She is seen drawing the M16 up to eye level before she starts loosing off rounds.

A second video taken by a witness shortly afterwards shows her lying face down in the road as an Israeli soldier kicks a rifle from out beneath her while others train their sights on her dead body.

None of the troops were wounded in the incident - the second attempted terror attack near the majority Palestinian city of Hebron in as many days.

Israel is facing a growing internal crisis as the conflict with Gaza continues and riots have flared up across the West Bank and also in Arab communities within its borders. Meanwhile, allies of Hamas across the northern border with Lebanon have started launching missiles at Israeli towns and cities.

Hebron is a Palestinian majority city but, like other parts of the West Bank, there are Israeli settlements built around it. The shooting of the woman took place near to Kiryat Arba - an Israeli township with a population of around 7,000 about a mile outside central Hebron.

The attack comes as Benjamin Netanyahu threatened earlier he could 'conquer' Hamas in the Gaza Strip despite US calls for ceasefire.

Washington later released a statement saying that Joe Biden had called the Israeli PM to say 'that he expected a significant de-escalation today on the path to a ceasefire.'

CCTV footage emerged this afternoon showing a woman with a rifle walking towards soldiers stationed at Elias Junction, outside the West Bank city of Hebron. She is seen drawing the rifle, an M16 according to local reports, up to eye level before she starts loosing off rounds.

The woman is seen approaching Elias Junction with a rifle drawn outside the majority Palestinian city of Hebron on Wednesday

A second video taken by a witness shortly afterwards shows her lying face down in the road as an Israeli soldier kicks a rifle from out beneath her while others train their sights on her dead body. None of the troops were wounded in the incident - the second attempted terror attack near the majority Palestinian city of Hebron in as many days.

Israel soldiers after the shooting standing in the road close to the woman's lifeless body

Israeli soldiers close to the scene of the shooting outside the West Bank city of Hebron on Wednesday

Israeli troops are deployed in the West Bank city of Hebron during Palestinian riots on Tuesday

Palestinian protesters set burning barricades during clashes with Israeli troops at the city center of the West Bank city of Hebron on Tuesday

The IDF began releasing details of its 'hit list' as commanders called for more time to continuing hunting Hamas leaders, despite growing calls for a ceasefire. Fighting has now entered its ninth day, with attacks continuing from both sides

But Netanyahu had shown no signs there would be a let up at a summit of ambassadors in Tel Aviv hours earlier, saying: 'There are only two ways that you can deal with [Hamas]. You can either conquer them - and that's always an open possibility - or you can deter them.

'And we are engaged right now in forceful deterrence, but I have to say we don't rule out anything.'

Israel continued its ferocious bombardments in the Gaza Strip last night, with 122 bombs dropped by 52 jets in 25 minutes, destroying seven miles of Hamas tunnels.

Today, it exchanged more fire, not just with Gaza, but with its northern neighbour Lebanon where militant groups like Hezbollah have been firing missiles at Israeli settlements to seek retribution for attacks on their allies Hamas.

Lebanese security officials said the latest rockets were launched from the outskirts of the southern village of Qlayleh, adding that four fell inside Lebanese territory.

In southern Gaza, meanwhile, residents surveyed the piles of bricks, concrete and other debris that had once been the home of 40 members of al-Astal family. They said a warning missile struck the building in the town of Khan Younis five minutes before the airstrike, allowing everyone to escape.

So far the violence has claimed at least 231 lives - 219 Palestinians including almost 100 women and children, and 12 people in Israel, including two children.

As the death toll mounts so too do calls for a ceasefire, but Netanyahu told the ambassadors' summit: 'We're not standing with a stopwatch. We want to achieve the goals of the operation. Previous operations lasted a long time so it is not possible to set a timeframe.'

While Netanyahu did not elaborate on what those 'goals' are, IDF commanders revealed overnight that they have been targeting senior Hamas leaders including Mohammed Deif - leader of the Qassem Brigades - and Yahya Sinwar - the group's deputy leader and known as the 'butcher of Khan Younis'.

The IDF said Deif was targeted twice last week but escaped unharmed, while seven other senior figures were also targeted - some of whom were injured but all of whom are still alive.

GAZA CITY, GAZA - MAY 19: A Palestinian child who was wounded in overnight Israeli air strikes on the Gaza Strip, receives treatment at Al-Shifa Hospital on May 19, 2021 in Gaza City, Gaza. Civilian casualties continue to rise as Israel-Gaza violence entered a ninth day. More than 215 people in Gaza and twelve people in Israel have been killed as cross-border rocket exchanges continue. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has vowed to continue the bombing campaign despite increasing calls from the United Nations and the international community to end the conflict. The conflict which erupted May 10, comes after weeks of rising Israeli-Palestinian tension in East Jerusalem, which peaked with violent clashes inside the holy site of Al-Aqsa Mosque. (Photo by Fatima Shbair/Getty Images)

Relatives of Palestinian Hassan Salem, who was killed during an israeli raid on west Gaza City, mourn during his funeral on May 19, in Gaza City, Gaza

Relatives of Palestinian Mahmoud Shtawi, 19, mourn during his funeral on Wednesday in Gaza City after he was killed in an Israeli air strike

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu gestures as he shows a slideshow during a briefing to ambassadors to Israel at a military base in Tel Aviv on Wednesday

A rocket fired from Gaza which landed on a road near Ad Halom just outside Ashdod on Wednesday. There were no injuries reported

A Palestinian uses a slingshot during an anti-Israel protest over a cross-border violence between Palestinian militants in Gaza and the Israeli military, near Hawara checkpoint near Nablus in the Israeli-occupied West Bank on Tuesday

Relatives of Journaliste Yousef Abu Hussein, a Palestinian, weep after he was killed in an Israeli airstrike on Gaza City today

Family and friends mourn during the funeral of Israeli man, Yigal Yehoshua, who died after succumbing to his wounds, sustained during Arab-Jewish violence in the mixed city of Lod, at a cemetery in Moshav Hadid on Tuesday

The sister (right) and relatives of Palestinian Mahmoud Shtawi, 19, cry during his funeral on Wenesday in Gaza City after he was killed in an Israeli air strike

The IDF twice targeted Mohammed Deif (left), Hamas's most-senior military commander, in raids last week but he survived both. Also targeted was the home of Yahya Sinwar (right), dubbed the butcher of Khan Younis, though he was not home

Israel's military leaders want more time to continue the hunt, with Eliezer Toledano, head of IDF's southern command, telling Israel's Channel 12 last night that the more time he is given 'the better' - picking out Deif and Sinwar as being 'in Israel's sights'.

Meanwhile Russia joined calls for a ceasefire, with a senior Russian official warning Israel's ambassador today that any actions leading to a further increase in casualties would be deemed 'unacceptable'.

France last night circulated a draft resolution at the UN security council following negotiations with Egypt and Jordan with the move said to have taken the US - which has three times blocked a joint statement condemning the violence - by surprise.

A resolution is a stronger step than a joint statement, and if all other members backed it then the US would have to issue a veto to stop it, something Joe Biden is thought to be reluctant to do.

A senior Israeli official also told news site Haaretz that Netanyahu is reluctant to stop the fighting without a 'clear victory', despite pressure from within the government to do so.

Elsewhere, Haaretz reported that 'if there is no surprise turn of events' then a ceasefire would be declared on Thursday - with similar reports also emerging in Egyptian media.

But Israel and Hamas were quick to deny the reports, with Israeli site Ynet reporting that while both sides agree on ending the conflict soon, each wants the other to stop shooting first.

Meanwhile Israel is braced for more violence in the West Bank today after violent protests near the town of Ramallah and Nablus on Tuesday, during which two IDF soldiers and three Palestinians were hurt in shootings.

Violent clashes also broke out around holy sites including Damascus Gate and the Al-Aqsa mosque in Jerusalem after a call for 'a day of rage' in solidarity with those in Gaza, Ynet reported.

The Israeli Defence Forces earlier revealed that they would like more time to complete their operation as it was revealed they had tried to kill Hamas's top commander last week but he survived both of the attacks.

Mohammed Deif, 55, commander of Hamas's Qassam Brigades which have carried out terror attacks including bus bombings in Israel, was targeted during strikes in Gaza last Monday but escaped unscathed, the IDF says.

It is hardly the first time the IDF has tried to kill Deif. Strikes in 2001, 2002, 2006 and 2014 left him without an eye, cost him both legs and an arm, and killed his wife and two children, according to Israeli security sources.

Seven other senior Hamas commanders were also targeted in strikes, a military spokesman added, saying that some were injured but all survived.

Among the targets was the home of Yahya Sinwar, dubbed the 'butcher of Khan Younis' - Hamas's leader in Gaza and creator of the brigade which Deif leads.

His home was destroyed, though he is not thought to have been in it at the time.

Hamas has since denied that Deif was targeted, saying the reports are designed as 'psychological warfare'.

Deif 'is continuing to direct the fighting with complete control', according to sources close to Hamas's military leadership.

French President Emmanuel Macron and his Egyptian counterpart Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, who is in Paris for summits on Africa, agreed on the UN resolution Tuesday during in a video conference with Jordan's King Abdullah II.

'The three countries agreed on three simple elements: The shooting must stop, the time has come for a ceasefire and the UN Security Council must take up the issue,' the Elysee Palace said.

Palestinians attend the funeral of Mahmoud Shtawi who was killed in an Israeli airstrike on Gaza City on Wednesday

A Palestinian man stands by the body of a three year old girl killed in an airstrike on Gaza City on Wednesday

Palestinians gather around the damage in the aftermath of an Israeli air strike on a house in Gaza City

A Palestinian man inspects a damaged vehicle in the aftermath of an Israeli air strike on a house in Gaza City

An Israeli soldier looks on as Israel's Iron Dome anti-missile system intercept rockets launched from the Gaza Strip towards Israel, as it seen from a naval boat patrolling the Mediterranean Sea off the southern Israeli coast as Israel-Gaza fighting rages on Tuesday

France, which has been calling for a rapid ceasefire for several days, said it supports mediation led by Egypt.

Macron had on Monday underlined the importance of Egyptian mediation after talks in Paris with Sisi, a key ally and defence client of France despite activists' concerns over Cairo's rights record.

The UN Security Council has failed to adopt a simple declaration on the conflict, with the United States, a staunch Israel ally, having rejected three prior statement drafts proposed by China, Norway and Tunisia which called for an end to the fighting.

China's UN ambassador Zhang Jun said that during a closed-door meeting, members 'heard the proposal made by our French colleague in the Council and for China, definitely, we are supportive to all effort facilitating the ending of the crisis and the coming back of peace in the Middle East.'

Speaking at an air force base in southern Israel on Tuesday, Netanyahu said Hamas and Gaza's second biggest armed group, Islamic Jihad, had 'received blows they didn't expect'.

'We'll continue as long as necessary to bring... quiet back to the citizens of Israel,' he added.

Hamas has launched nearly 3,700 rockets at Israel since May 10, prompting many people living in communities near the border to remain in bomb shelters virtually around the clock.

Israel's bombing campaign has left Gaza's two million population desperate for relief.

Some 72,000 civilians have fled their homes, seeking refuge in UN-run schools and other public buildings, the United Nations says.

An international relief convoy that started rolling into Gaza from Israel Tuesday, was halted when Israel swiftly ended its reopening of the Kerem Shalom border crossing, citing a mortar attack on the area.

Israel says its fighter jets have targeted Hamas's underground tunnel network, which it has previously acknowledged run in part through civilian areas.

An air raid Monday knocked out Gaza's only Covid-19 testing laboratory, the health ministry said, and the Qatari Red Crescent said a strike damaged one of its offices.

Hospitals in the territory, which has been under Israeli blockade for almost 15 years, have been overwhelmed by patients and there are frequent blackouts.

The healthcare system was already facing severe strain from the coronavirus pandemic.

A total of 1,530 people have been wounded, according to health ministry figures.

On Tuesday, Israeli forces and protesters clashed in annexed east Jerusalem and across the occupied West Bank, as Palestinians rallied in solidarity with their embattled compatriots in Gaza.

A man carrying a child passes by damaged site after Israeli army carried out airstrike over a building in the Sheikh Ridvan neighbourhood in Gaza City

Palestinians clash with Israeli forces at the Hawara checkpoint, south of the West Bank city of Nablus on Tuesday

A Palestinian holds a slingshot next to burning tires during an anti-Israel protest near Hawara checkpoint, Nablus, in the Israeli-occupied West Bank, May 18

Rockets are launched towards Israel from Gaza City overnight, as Israeli bombing raids on the strip continued

Rockets are launched from Gaza City, towards Israel early on Wednesday as fighting between the two sides continues

People inspect a damaged vehicle after Israeli army struck a building in the Sheikh Ridvan neighbourhood in Gaza City

The Palestinian health ministry said Israeli forces shot dead four Palestinians, including one the Israeli army said had attempted to attack soldiers, bringing to 24 the number of Palestinians killed in the territory since May 10.

The Palestinian Red Crescent said its teams had treated more than 150 people in Jerusalem and the West Bank, including 35 with bullet wounds.

The Israeli army said troops came under fire north of Ramallah, and two of its soldiers were wounded.

Palestinian president Mahmud Abbas's Fatah movement had called for a 'day of anger' Tuesday, a call echoed in Arab and ethnically mixed towns inside Israel.

'We are here to raise our voice and stand with the people in Gaza who are being bombed,' Ramallah protester Aya Dabour told AFP.

In east Jerusalem's Sheikh Jarrah neighbourhood, Palestinian protesters faced off against police, who used stun grenades and 'skunk water' cannon to disperse protesters.

The latest escalation was sparked after clashes broke out at east Jerusalem's flashpoint Al-Aqsa mosque compound, one of Islam's holiest sites, following clashed over planned evictions of Palestinian families from homes in Sheikh Jarrah.

Israeli airstrikes killed at least six people across the Gaza Strip and destroyed the home of a large extended family early on Wednesday.

A Palestinian demonstrator throws teargas canisters back at Israeli forces during clashes near the Jewish settlement of Beit El near Ramallah, West Bank, on May 17

An Iranian woman holds the Palestinian flag during a protest to express solidarity with the Palestinian people amid a flare-up of Israeli-Palestinian violence, in Tehran, Iran May 18

The military said it widened its strikes on militant targets to the south amid continuing rocket fire from the Hamas-ruled territory.

Residents surveyed the piles of bricks, concrete and other debris that had once been the home of 40 members of al-Astal family. They said a warning missile struck the building in the southern town of Khan Younis five minutes before the airstrike, allowing everyone to escape.

The Israeli military said it struck militant targets around the towns of Khan Younis and Rafah, with 52 aircraft hitting 40 underground targets over a period of 25 minutes.

Gaza's Health Ministry said a woman was killed and eight people were wounded in those strikes.

Hamas-run Al-Aqsa radio said one of its reporters was killed in an airstrike in Gaza City. Doctors at the Shifa hospital said his was among five bodies brought in early Wednesday.

The fatalities included two people killed when warning missiles crashed into their apartment.

The latest strikes came as diplomatic efforts aimed at a cease-fire gathered strength and Gaza's infrastructure, already weakened by a 14-year blockade, rapidly deteriorated.

The Palestinian territory is ruled by Hamas, an Islamic militant group.

Explosions light-up the night sky above buildings in Gaza City as Israeli forces shell the Palestinian enclave, early on May 18

A Palestinian woman stands next to an unexploded bomb dropped by an Israeli F-16 warplane on Gaza City's Rimal neighbourhood

Palestinian firefighters inspect the remains of a destroyed residential building targeted by Israeli airstrikes on Tuesday

Palestinians search for victims under the rubble of a destroyed building in the residential Al-Rimal neighborhood of Gaza City on Monday this week following an Israeli bombing raid

U.S. officials said the Biden administration is privately encouraging Israel to wind down its bombardment of Gaza.

Egyptian negotiators also were working to halt the fighting, and while they have not made progress with Israel, they were optimistic international pressure would force it to the table, according to an Egyptian diplomat who spoke on condition of anonymity because he was discussing diplomatic efforts.

The fighting began May 10 when Hamas fired long-range rockets toward Jerusalem in support of Palestinian protests against Israel's heavy-handed policing of the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound, a flashpoint site sacred to Jews and Muslims, and the threatened eviction of dozens of Palestinian families by Jewish settlers.

At least 219 Palestinians have been killed in airstrikes, including 63 children and 36 women, with 1,530 people wounded, according to the Gaza Health Ministry..

Hamas and Islamic Jihad say 20 of their fighters have been killed, while Israel says the number is at least 130.

Twelve people in Israel, including a 5-year-old boy, have been killed in rocket attacks so far. A rocket attack on Tuesday near Gaza killed two Thai workers and wounded another seven.

The Israeli military said rockets also were fired at the Erez pedestrian crossing and at the Kerem Shalom crossing, where humanitarian aid was being brought into Gaza, forcing both to close. It said a soldier was slightly wounded at Erez.
Some House Republicans flaunted the rule to wear face masks on the chamber floor and three of them racked up $500 fines in the process.

'Best $500 I ever spent,' Republican Rep. Brian Mast told NBC News. He refused to put his mask on even after a member of the House Sergeant at Arms' office approached him on the chamber floor Tuesday evening, in full view of C-SPAN's camera, and asked him to wear one.

Mast was one of several GOP lawmakers seen on the House floor without a face covering as part of the protest of the rule after the CDC issued its new mask guidelines. House rules require lawmakers to wear a face mask unless addressing the chamber.

Conservative Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene and three other Republican lawmakers took a selfie of themselves standing in the well of the House, bare faced, and tagging it with the hashtag #freeyourface

'Proud to join these Patriots for a peaceful protest on the House floor against mask mandates!,' Greene tweeted with the pic.

'Enough is enough! #FreeYourFace,' wrote Republican Rep. Mary Miller, who was in the selfie, on Twitter.

'5 Republican women and 5 Republican men are now maskless on the floor,' tweeted GOP Rep. Tom Massie on Tuesday night. He was also in Greene's selfie and organized Tuesday night's protest.

'We've had enough. We are refusing to wear our masks on the floor during this vote in spite of Pelosi's threat to take $500 from each of us. Her rule is not based on science,' Massie also tweeted.

Some House Republicans protested the rule requiring a face mask on the House floor, going without one during votes on Tuesday evening

Speaker Nancy Pelosi said the rule will stay in place until 100% of lawmakers are vaccinated - about 75% currently are

Additionally, House GOP Leader Kevin McCarthy will offer a privileged resolution on Wednesday that would loosen the face mask requirement. The Democratically-controlled chamber is expected to table it, however.

Speaker Nancy Pelosi made it clear on Wednesday she has had enough.

'Members and staff are currently required to wear masks at all times in the halls of the House except when a member has been recognized by the chair, or when a member acting as chair is speaking,' she said when she opened the chamber on Wednesday morning.

She pointed out the mask rules are in accordance with CDC guidelines and said she 'expects members to conduct themselves in appropriate decorum in the House chamber at all time.'

Pelosi has said the mask rule will stay in place until 100% of lawmakers are vaccinated. The Office of the Attending Physician has said about 75% are currently vaccinated.

And Pelosi's office said if McCarthy wanted the mask rules relaxed he should get his members vaccinated.

'This resolution has zero basis in science or reality,' Pelosi spokesman Drew Hammill said in a statement.

'If Minority Leader McCarthy wants to be maskless on the Floor of the House of Representatives, he should get to work vaccinating his Members,' he added.

The new guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says fully vaccinated people don't have to wear masks outdoors or indoors, except for certain crowded settings like planes, airports, ect.

After their anti-mask crusade, the Republican lawmakers gathered outside on the steps of the Capitol to celebrate their rebellion. None of them would tell NBC News if they had been vaccinated or not.

Democratic Rep. Jahana Hayes and Mast then got into an exchange about masks while out there.

'If you choose not to wear a mask, if you choose to disrespect the floor staff, if you choose to give them a hard time, that's on you,' Hayes told Mast, according to a reporter from The Hill who witnessed the exchange.

'It's definitely on us if we choose not to wear a mask. I'm glad we agree,' Mast replied.

Three GOP lawmakers were slapped with a $500 fine after ignoring previous warnings about masks: Mast, Beth Van Duyne and Mariannette Miller-Meeks.

'I have been fined $500 by @SpeakerPelosi for following CDC guidance. This was never about science. It has always been about power,' Mast tweeted.

'The CDC scientists have made it CLEAR if you are fully vaccinated you no longer have to wear a mask,' he noted.

Seven other Republicans were issued formal warnings and will face $500 fines if they refuse to wear masks again: Greene, Massie, Miller, Lauren Boebert, Chip Roy Bob Good, and Louie Gohmert.

Any subsequent offenses would result in fines of $2,500 each.

Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (center) tweeted a photo from the House floor of the GOP lawmakers without face masks; from left Reps. Mary Miller, Ralph Norman and Thomas Massie

Tensions have risen between lawmakers on the mask issue. Other Democrats confronted their colleagues from across the aisle.

Democratic Rep. Jamie Raskin approached several of the GOP lawmakers on the House floor and told Forbes he 'got into it' with them, telling them they were 'doing the House a disservice and the country a disservice' and that 'if all of us got vaccinated, we could all take our masks off.'

Democratic lawmakers in both chambers of Congress have a 100% vaccination rate against Covid-19, a CNN survey of Capitol Hill found last week. For Republicans, at least 44.8% of House members are vaccinated and at least 92% of senators are.

CNN noted that 111 Republican offices didn't respond to its survey.
Advertisement

The EU's travel plan Anyone who has received their final dose of an EU-approved vaccine at least two weeks beforehand can travel, no matter their country of origin. The list of approved vaccines includes all of those being used in the UK and the US

Children who are excluded from vaccination should be able to travel with their vaccinated parents if they have a negative PCR test taken 72 hours before arrival

A 'white list' of low risk countries will also be expanded, allowing travel even without a vaccine

A low risk country will be defined as one with an infection rate of less than 75 cases per 100,000 people

The UK, with 44 cases per 100,000, and the US, with 35 per 100,000, make the cut

Travellers from 'green list' countries will still have to present a negative Covid test or evidence of a previous infection, and may have to quarantine depending on the rules in the country they are travelling to

Until a Europe-wide 'green certificate' system is set up, countries should be able to 'accept certificates from non-EU countries based on national law.' In the case of the UK, the NHS app is anticipated to be able to provide the requisite level of proof

The EU plan is only a 'recommendation' meaning member states can set their own rules, with several countries including the likes of Greece and Portugal already allowing people in Advertisement

Unvaccinated Britons could miss out on holidays to the EU as Brussels ponders whether to leave the UK off a 'white list' of low infection countries over rising cases of the Indian Covid variant.

Under new plans approved by EU ambassadors today, non-essential travel into the bloc will be permitted for all fully vaccinated travellers regardless of their country of origin.

A 'white list' of countries will also be drawn up, allowing even unvaccinated travellers in - provided they have a negative test or evidence of a previous Covid infection.

The UK was expected to make the 'white list' since it has just 44 cases of Covid per 100,000 people, with the maximum threshold being 75.

But an EU diplomat has warned that the UK could still be left off the list because of rising cases of the Indian variant, which European leaders are keen to keep off the continent.

'The decision on Britain is now in doubt which was not the case until recently when the UK numbers were good,' they told The Telegraph.

'Now we see the Indian variant spreading and... that has given member states pause for thought over whether now is the right time to lift the ban.

'Instead of taking the decision now, member states may say hold on until we can see the latest numbers and data.'

Boris Johnson has today warned against visiting 'amber list' countries on holiday amid growing confusion as the EU agreed to open its borders to fully vaccinated tourists.

Brussels has approved a travel plan that its 27 member states can adopt a vaccine passport system that will allow holidaymakers with two jabs to visit without needing to test or quarantine.

But with only Portugal on the UK's 'green list', the PM has said Britons should not be heading to Europe, even if the EU would allow it, warning anyone flouting 10-day quarantine or testing that they will be punished heavily.

Hours earlier one of his ministers said rules against 'amber' holidays were merely guidance and the Government was putting 'trust' in the public to make the right decision.

But hundreds of Britons today flocked to airports for flights to amber list destinations, with several saying that they were unconcerned about breaking the rules because they had been vaccinated.

Addressing the issue of mixed messages over travel, Health Secretary Matt Hancock insisted the government has been 'absolutely crystal clear that you should not go to an amber or red list country on holiday' except in 'exceptional circumstances'.

Mr Hancock said examples might include visiting a 'very ill family member, or to go to a funeral of somebody who is very close to you'. He added: 'What we do know is that the public have been brilliant at exercising the personal responsibility that we are seeking and so I would advise [people] to listen to the Prime Minister, to follow the Government advice which is on the government website, to book a holiday if you want a holiday abroad, that is what the green list is for, or like me to holiday at home.'

The Health Secretary also pleaded with Britons to get both of their Covid jabs as he insisted the vaccines work well against the Indian Covid variant which has quadrupled in the UK in a fortnight.

Speaking at the Downing Street press conference, he revealed that the 'majority' of people in hospital with the mutant strain in hotspot Bolton were not vaccinated and that of those who had been jabbed, 90 per cent had not been given both doses.

Urging people to come forward for their appointments, he added: 'This is on all of us, we are masters of our own fate.'

As the Government was accused of dithering over holidays, it also emerged today:

Vaccines work well against the Indian variant and the strain may be less infectious than first feared, according to Boris Johnson and Professor Lockdown, Neil Ferguson;



Heathrow's closed T3 and T4 and Gatwick's shutdown South Terminal has forced 'red list' passengers and arrivals from safer nations to mix in 'super-spreader' bottlenecks at the borders;

More than 100 direct flights from India have landed in the UK since the covid-ravaged Asian country was placed on the Government's banned list of countries last month. This means that up to 8,000 travellers have flown in from the subcontinent despite concern over an Indian covid variant that threatens to undermine the easing of the national lockdown;

Dirt cheap family holidays abroad on sale for just a few hundred pounds could end up costing travellers thousands because of huge extra fees for testing and quarantine;

Border Force staff have said airlines should send employees to help reduce immigration queues after travellers faced three-hour waits to enter the UK - with red-list passengers unsegregated from others in the line at Heathrow.

Sunbathers pictured relaxing on a beach in Greece in 2017. The EU is currently pushing plans to reopen tourism to those outside the bloc

With low infection and high vaccination rates, the UK was expected to be included on a 'white list' of low infection countries whose citizens could visit Europe - but may now be left off (pictured, a graph showing percentages of population that have been vaccinated)

Heathrow Airport travellers arrive at the airport wearing full PPE suits as around five million British booked holidays to Europe

People in Bolton queue on May 17 for Covid-19 vaccination at the ESSA Academy in the Lever's Edge area

Asked about the EU's new travel rules at tonight's Downing Street press conference, Health Secretary Matt Hancock said: 'Most areas of Europe, most countries in Europe have a higher rate of the virus than we do, some significantly.

'And there is also a much more significant presence of the South African variant of concern in mainland Europe.

The EU approves Covid vaccine passports for holidaymakers: Tourists will be allowed into bloc without a test two weeks after receiving their second dose Asked about the EU's new travel rules, Health Secretary Matt Hancock said: 'Most areas of Europe, most countries in Europe have a higher rate of the virus than we do, some significantly' The European Union has approved the beginnings of its summer travel by giving the go ahead for a vaccine passport system that will allow tourists to visit without needing to test or quarantine, providing they have had their final dose of an EU-approved jab two weeks beforehand. Until a uniform EU digital passport has been set up, the legislation says that countries should be able to 'accept certificates from non-EU countries based on national law.' In the case of the UK, the NHS app is believed to provide the requisite level of proof. Holiday travel is permitted from low risk countries which have an infection rate of less than 100 cases per 100,000 people. The UK, with 44 cases per 100,000, and the US, with 35 per 100,000, fall into this category. People from low risk countries who have not yet had a vaccine will be able to travel to the EU for holiday as long as they provide a negative test. The bloc will only accept those who have received an EU-approved vaccine, those being the Pfizer, Moderna, AstraZeneca and Johnson & Johnson jabs. All three vaccines used in the UK - Pfizer, AstraZeneca and Moderna - are covered, as are those used in the US - Pfizer, Moderna and Johnson & Johnson. However, the EU has said it may extend this to any vaccine approved by the World Health Organisation - which includes China's Sinopharm jab. The rules are specifically for holiday travel and do not have any impact on the bloc's current guidelines on essential travel and for EU citizens. The plan covers all EU countries except for Ireland, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland. Officials are also devising a 'white list' for unvaccinated travellers from low infection countries - provided they have a negative test or evidence of a previous Covid infection. While the UK is expected to make the list by being below the maximum infections threshold of 75 cases per 100,000, Brussels has yet to confirm any country's inclusion. One EU diplomat warned the UK could still be left off the list because of rising cases of the Indian variant, which European leaders are keen to keep off the continent. Ambassadors are due to meet Thursday to discuss which countries should be placed on the 'white list', which could be published as soon as Friday. The list will be reviewed once a fortnight. Brussels also says that member states will have an 'emergency brake' to block travel from countries where 'variants of concern' are spreading - even if they fall below the 100 cases per 100,000 people threshold. Advertisement

'That is why we have chosen to put only Portugal out of mainland Europe on the green list, for instance. On the latest data the proportion of the South African variant in France was around five per cent and hence we have kept it on the amber list.'

He added that he was in regular contact with his European counterparts, saying: We will work with them.

'In the long term we need to find a way to have safe international travel but right now, without levels of vaccination really good but not yet there, we are wise to take a cautious approach to international travel.'

Critics have pointed out that the UK's traffic light system is also adding to the confusion, because an amber light can mean stop or go, with people left 'baffled' by the PM's decision to legalise holidays from May 17 only to urge them to stay at home.

And Skills Minister Gillian Keegan has further fuelled travel chaos by stressing holidays to 'amber list' countries are not illegal and warnings from Boris Johnson are only 'guidance', insisting the government was trusting the public to be 'sensible'.

In a farrago of indecision, last night health minister Lord Bethell claimed travel anywhere abroad was 'dangerous' and foreign trips were 'not for this year', hours after Environment Secretary George Eustice suggested trips to 'amber' countries were acceptable if people wanted to see friends and family.

Virginia Messina, Senior Vice President of the World Travel & Tourism Council, told MailOnline: 'Disagreements over whether or not you can travel to an 'amber country' are baffling consumers and leaving the travel and tourism sector in disarray'.

The chairman of the Commons Transport Committee has said the Government guidance on foreign travel is 'completely unclear'.

Millions of Britons have already taken advantage of cheaper prices and booked to travel abroad to 'amber list' destinations this summer, with the majority planning to head to Spain, France, Greece and Italy, according to The Independent, despite facing ten days of quarantine and multiple tests.

Passengers departing Heathrow Terminal 2 for amber-list nations today said they felt comfortable doing so.

Michael Matullo, 25, a trainee lawyer who lives near Tower Bridge, said: 'I'm travelling to Italy to see my family because I haven't seen them since the start of the pandemic, over a year ago.

'I'm a little bit concerned, but luckily I've had my first vaccine dose and both my parents are vaccinated.

'I understand the government's situation, but it's quite frustrating because Italy's on the amber list and I'll have to quarantine, even though I've had the vaccine.'

Yazeed Ra, 27, who is studying cancer immunology at University of the West of Scotland said: 'I'm travelling to Jordan to visit my family for Eid, it's like Christmas in the Muslim world.

'I had one week between my last exams and starting my new graduation project, so I decided to go home.

'Jordan is on the amber list, because it has a lot of cases, but I'm not worried about the quarantine, just having to pay for the tests.

'I'm vaccinated as I work with the NHS part-time so I'm not too worried, but if I didn't have that, it would be risky and I probably wouldn't go.'

Richard Adams, 45, an IT and communication from Bromley who is travelling to Italy said: 'I'm travelling to Genoa for work and should be back in about two weeks.

'But because I work in IT on ships, I am exempt from quarantine when I get back so long as I fly out again within 72 hours.

'Although the rules keep changing, but I guess there's some reasoning behind them. I'm not really concerned about going to an amber country because I'm going to be working at the end of the day.'

Meanwhile, passengers arriving in the UK from green list countries said they did not know if they have come into contact with others travelling from amber or red list covid hotspots.

It came as travellers flying into Heathrow from amber and red list countries complained they had been forced to mix on the plane and were not being separated.

Shahar Cohen, 40, a web developer who lives in Bethnal Green in East London said: 'I came from Tel Aviv where it's a war zone - I was hiding from rockets just the other day. The siren goes off and you have 90 seconds to find shelter.

'It was super easy getting into the UK, there was a nice gentleman who was very efficient and quick, even though there was quite a long queue.

Matt Hancock led a Downing Street press conference tonight where he reiterated that the current vaccines appeared highly effective against the Indian variant

'There is a possibility that people who were elsewhere travelled on the same flight as me.

'Some people were not wearing masks in the passport queue and other passengers asked them to put it on.

'There were only two queues at passport control, one for UK and EU citizens and then one for others.

How flip-flopping ministers have contradicted each other on 'amber list' travel Health Secretary Matt Hancock on Monday: 'If it isn't on the green list, then unless you have an exceptional reason you shouldn't be travelling there.' Environment Secretary George Eustice on Tuesday morning: 'We don't want to stop travel altogether and the reason... that we have the amber list is there will be reasons why people feel they need to travel either to visit family or indeed to visit friends.' Prime Minister Boris Johnson on Tuesday lunchtime: 'I think it's very important for people to grasp what an amber list country is: it is not somewhere where you should be going on holiday, let me be very clear about that.' Health Minister Lord Bethell on Tuesday afternoon. 'Travelling is dangerous. That is not news to us or to the people who get on those planes in the first place. We do ask people, particularly as we go into the summer, travelling is not for this year, please stay in this country.' Welsh Secretary Simon Hart on Tuesday evening: 'Some people might think a holiday is essential. 'I can think of a quite a lot of people who do think that, but it's about common sense we're good at common sense.' Skills Minister Gillian Keegan on Wednesday morning: 'What we are saying is the amber list is not to go on holiday, not for pleasure travel at the moment. It's not in legislation, we haven't legislated to ban people from going on holiday abroad. This is guidance.' Transport Secretary Grant Shapps, Wednesday morning: 'People really shouldn't be travelling to those places right now.' [Referring to amber list countries] London Director of Public Health England, Professor Kevin Fenton on Wednesday: 'Don't travel unnecessarily if you don't need to.' Advertisement

'But I didn't see any specific queues for amber or red list countries, but maybe there were none on my plane.'

Alusine Jalloh, 40, who lives in London, flew in to Heathrow Terminal 2 this morning from Sierra Leone, which is on the amber list, via Paris.

He said: 'It was crazy. 'A lot of people were stressing because they didn't have the passenger locator form when we arrived in Paris. 'Some of them didn't even have 170 to spend, so they had to go back [to Sierra Leone] - it was chaos.'

He added: 'There were long queues [when we got off the plane at Heathrow] and everyone was scrambling to fill out their forms and pay the money. 'From what I could see passengers from amber list countries and red list countries are being treated the same. 'I transferred in Paris so I could definitely have been on the plane with people from green list countries.'

Kev Carr, 41, an offshore manager from Aberdeen, said: 'I'm coming from Angola, which is on the red list, but because I'm a seafarer I can self-isolate at home.

'When you come in from a red list country you're split into a red list queue, but you're sat with everyone on the plane and walk out together.

'I changed planes in Paris, so folk who are coming from a green or amber country on that flight are in the same boat as me, because they were sat next to me. For me, travelling for work reasons is not a problem, but I wouldn't be going on holiday anytime soon, put it that way.'

Tim Schwartz, 51, a mechanical engineer who flew in from Atalanta in the United States - which is on the amber list, said: 'I don't really know if they separate us from red list countries, I didn't see anything like that.

'I've been fully vaccinated for a couple of months now, so it's not really a concern for me.

'But if you're mixing with people from countries with high infection rates, that could be problematic for people who haven't been vaccinated.

'The queues coming through were not so bad, it took me around 20 minutes and my company had sorted out all the paper work.'

With the EU set to open its borders to Brits, travel firms say that Boris Johnson will have to be clear on why he is insisting that people don't go anywhere other than 'green list' Portugal in Europe.

European ambassadors are due to meet Thursday to discuss which countries should be placed on the 'white list', which could be published as soon as Friday. The list will be reviewed once a fortnight.

Separately, the EU's travel plans do also include an 'emergency brake' which would halt all non-essential travel from countries with high numbers of cases caused by 'variants of concern' - including the Indian variant.

If those measures were used against the UK, even vaccinated Britons could miss out on holidays - though that is not thought to be under consideration at the moment.

The EU plans, which still need to be ratified, are only a recommendation - meaning it will be up to each member state how and if to apply them.

Several EU states have already broken with Brussels' guidance to allow non-essential travellers back in, including the likes of Greece, Portugal and Croatia.

The new advice specifically covers non-essential travel from outside the bloc for non-EU citizens, and will not have any effect on essential travel, EU citizens returning from abroad, or travel within the EU.

The plan covers all EU countries except for Ireland, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland.

The EU ambassadors today approved a draft proposal first published earlier this month. It will now move up to the EU Council for final ratification.

The EU has been working on a passport called the Digital Green Certificate which relies on a QR code - a smartphone and machine readable series of black and white squares - that will contain people's personal vaccine information.

As well as vaccines, it will also show data on whether the holder has had a Covid-19 test or has recovered from the virus.

The certificate contains key information including name, date of birth, date of issuance, relevant information about vaccines or tests, and a unique identifying code.

The Commission is setting up a gateway which member states can use to verify the certificate signatures presented by arrivals.

They will also advise member states on software which they can implement to scan the QR codes.

The EU says that the verifying member state will not retain any personal data and data encoded in the passport will not pass through the gateway.

It is in talks with the WHO to make sure that the system can be used outside of the EU.

The EU says that the verifying member state will not retain any personal data and data encoded in the passport will not pass through the gateway (pictured: Monterosso al Mare, Italy, 2019)

The first passengers at Heathrow Airport's Terminal 5 departures taking advantage of the easing of Covid-19 restrictions

A passenger arriving from 'red list' India (left) and another arriving from New York in 'amber list' US (right) arrive at the same time at London Heathrow Airport's Terminal 2 this morning

Parisians having breakfast on the terrace of Le Sancerre Cafe on the Rue des Abbesses in the touristic Montmartre district of Paris

Parisians at Cafe de Flore embrace the lifting of Covid-19 restrictions as Cafes and Restaurants across France re-open for the first time in more than six months

Millions are taking a punt and have booked holidays to Amber List nations, especially in Europe, despite warnings not to fly out

It is not the first time that the variant has been detected in Germany, but it does come amid increased fears about the virus after it began spreading rapidly in the UK (pictured, areas where the variant is now the dominant strain)

The Commission has vowed that as soon as the WHO declares that the Covid-19 international health emergency has ended it will stop using the passport system.

A number of countries have already rolled out their own vaccine passport phone apps, including Denmark and Israel. These allow residents to visit bars, restaurants and museums.

Meanwhile the International Air Transport Association (IATA), has launched its own app, the IATA Travel Pass, which airlines including including Emirates, Etihad and Qantas, are trialling.

'Red list' passengers are forced to sit with arrivals from safer nations before hitting 'super-spreader' bottleneck caused by closed terminals at Gatwick and Heathrow Passengers flying into Heathrow from red list countries are being forced to sit with arrivals from safer nations amid mounting concerns that UK airports are turning into 'super spreaders'. Travellers are being crammed into queues with no social distancing from other passengers upon arrival, and have called the situation so 'crazy' and 'mad' that Covid documents are not being checked properly. Holidaymakers leaving Heathrow have admitted they are flying to amber list destinations in defiance of Boris Johnson's muddled Cabinet as the Government sows confusion over global travel advice. While some ministers have cautioned against any travel at all, others have said flying overseas is just guidance, not law. MailOnline understands green list and red list passengers from India mixed together at Heathrow Terminal 2 today Sierra Leone national Alusine Jalloh, 40, flew in to Heathrow Terminal 2 this morning from Sierra Leone, which is on the amber list, via Paris. He told MailOnline today: 'It was crazy. 'A lot of people were stressing because they didn't have the passenger locator form when we arrived in Paris. Some of them didn't even have 170 to spend, so they had to go back [to Sierra Leone] - it was chaos. 'There were long queues and everyone was scrambling to fill out their forms and pay the money. From what I could see passengers from amber list countries and red list countries are being treated the same. I transferred in Paris so I could definitely have been on the plane with people from green list countries.' Heathrow mothballed Terminals 3 and 4 last year in a bid to save money due to the economic hit inflicted during the pandemic, meaning all arrivals are currently piling into the same lines at 2 and 5. Border sources have said they are 'struggling' to cope with the influx of passengers and managing the queues in a Covid-secure way - and warn that the crisis will only get worse as the number of flights increases. A blame game has now ensued, in which Heathrow has blamed Border Force for the chaos while Downing Street and the Home Office said airports are responsible for managing queues in a Covid-secure way. The Government is also coming under pressure from Labour to toughen up the UK border after it emerged that more than 100 direct flights from India have landed in Britain since the Covid-ravaged Asian nation was placed on the banned list of travel destinations three and a half weeks ago. Downing Street was accused of sowing even further confusion today after education minister Gillian Keegan told travellers not to fly to amber list Spain - but admitted that flying to Europe was not illegal. The contradictory messages left beleaguered travel chiefs begging for clarity, with hundreds of flights to amber countries having already left the UK and demand for foreign breaks shooting through the roof. Advertisement

Currently, the British Government rates all European countries as 'amber'  requiring quarantine and two PCR tests  except for Portugal and Gibraltar which are on the green list.

Boris Johnson's Cabinet were yesterday accused of sowing 'mass confusion' as one minister suggested that journeys to amber list countries were OK, only for the PM to later overrule him and warn that such travel was unacceptable.

The British Government's contradictory messages have left travel bosses desperately seeking clarity as they've already taken five million bookings for summer holidays to amber list countries.

It comes amid a grand reopening in France today as cafe and restaurant terraces welcomed diners for the first time in six months.

Like in Britain, the French government is gradually easing restrictions to stave off a resurgence of Covid-19 while allowing people to enjoy some 'joie de vivre.'

As part of this first stage, the 7pm nightly curfew was pushed back to 9pm and museums, theatres and cinemas reopened along with outdoor cafe terraces.

President Emmanuel Macron, among the first to take a seat at a cafe terrace, was seen chatting with Prime Minister Jean Castex, who was attending a movie later in the day.

Actress Emmanuel Beart went to a movie theatre opening in the center of Paris where her latest film 'L'Etreinte' ('The Embrace') was showing - among the scores of movies produced during the shutdown.

France is not the first European country to start getting back a semblance of social and cultural life. Italy, Belgium, Hungary and other nations already have started allowing outdoor dining, while drinking and eating indoors began Monday in Britain's pubs.

Droves of Britons have already taken advantage of cheaper airline prices amid the uncertainty and booked travel to places which fall into London's 'amber' category.

Britain brought in a new traffic light system on Monday, allowing some foreign holidays to resume after months of lockdown.

But Mr Johnson was forced to stress that countries on the amber list were 'not somewhere where you should be going on holiday'.

Mr Johnson's official spokesman, during a briefing with reporters on Tuesday, said holidays and leisure travel should still be restricted to the limited number of countries deemed safe by ministers, such as Portugal, which is the only major viable tourist destination on the quarantine-free green list.

But two Cabinet ministers appeared to offer a different reading of the rules, with Environment Secretary George Eustice telling broadcasters people could go to amber-listed countries as long as they observed quarantine rules on their return.

Welsh Secretary Simon Hart, speaking after Mr Johnson's comments on the matter, told Times Radio the public should ask themselves whether a trip to a country on the amber list was 'essential', before conceding that 'some people might think a holiday is essential'.

And despite the presence of a green list comprising 12 countries and territories, health minister Lord Bethell told peers he considered all foreign travel to be 'dangerous' and urged Britons to holiday at home this summer.

Education minister Gillian Keegan told Sky News: 'As with many of these things we have had throughout the pandemic, this has been about relying on the great British public to be sensible and follow the guidance we have put in place and taking their own decisions really.

'But, no, we wouldn't advise going on holiday to the amber list countries.'

Mr Johnson could face pressure to clarify the situation when he takes Prime Minister's Questions on Wednesday.

An aviation industry chief said Lord Bethell's comments would cause 'confusion' for families with trips booked.

Tim Alderslade, chief executive of Airlines UK, said: 'These comments are simply not correct and will cause real anger amongst the hundreds of thousands of people whose livelihoods depend on international travel, and confusion amongst families who have booked travel under the Government's own restart policy.'

The criticism came amid reports thousands of people had headed for destinations such as France, Greece, Spain and the United States - none of which are on the green list - with more than 150 flights reported to have departed on Monday when travel rules were relaxed in Britain as part of a further phase of lockdown easing.

Non-essential travel from Northern Ireland to the Common Travel Area - which consists of the UK, Republic of Ireland, Channel Islands and Isle of Man - will be allowed from May 24.
Facebook and Google should pay news providers for their content at a time when many newspapers are 'struggling to survive', a Labour peer has said.

Lord Dubs stressed during a debate in the House of Lords yesterday that social media giants are 'paying nothing for news content'.

He added that Google and Facebook took 80 per cent of the 14billion spent on digital advertising in 2019, but national and local newspapers took just 4 per cent.

The 88-year-old said 'the Australian Government have shown the way to do it; we should do likewise', following legislation there to make tech firms pay for using news.

During a debate on the Queen's Speech yesterday, the Labour life peer advocated for online platforms to 'pay news providers for the news'.

Lord Dubs (pictured) advocated for online platforms to 'pay news providers for the news'

The discussion looked at issues relating to Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport.

Lord Black of Brentwood said that the pandemic has taught people of the need for 'reliable, verifiable' news from trusted sources, but warned that the threats against this are becoming 'existential' as revenues evaporate.

He noted that more than 260 local newspapers have disappeared since 2005, and that in the last year, there have been more than 2,000 job cuts in media in the UK.

Lord Black added that 'the situation is grave, particularly for the local and regional press, which are now in real peril.'

He welcomed the Online Safety Bill for levelling up the responsibilities of the platforms with those that traditional publishers have long been subject to.

Lord Black of Brentwood said that the pandemic has taught people of the need for 'reliable, verifiable' news from trusted sources

Lord Black also welcomed the bill's robust exemption for news publishers, and said that there must be no scope for platforms to sensor legitimate content.

He also spoke against a ban on online advertising on junk food, saying that there is no credible evidence that this will work to combat obesity, saying that it will take away revenue from publishers at a time when they are facing huge challenges.

Lord Black added that the measure would 'gravely damage the media,' calling for a more proportional response.

He concluded by speaking of the need for legislation to give the Digital Markets Unit (DMU) statutory powers to underpin a code of conduct in digital advertising, and to compel tech companies to pay for the content that they carry.

Culture Secretary Oliver Dowden suggested last week that legislation to make tech firms like Facebook and Google pay for using news stories will take years to complete

He said that reform was overdue to protect quality journalism. Lord Black welcomed the establishment of the DMU, but said that a competitions bill is needed in order to give it the statutory powers it needs to tackle the platforms.

He said that 'the UK's media is in jeopardy, time is not on our side, let's make sure that the legislation helps, not hinders.'

Last week, Culture Secretary Oliver Dowden suggested that legislation to make tech firms like Facebook and Google pay for using news stories - as Australia introduced recently - will take years to complete.

He told MPs he had rejected the Australian legislative model in favour of a more 'holistic' approach that will need to be consulted on before it becomes law.

A Facebook spokesman said: 'The UK has taken a very different approach to Australia which has allowed us to strike commercial deals with almost every major UK publisher.

'We are now paying tens of millions of pounds to national and local outlets in the UK to be part of Facebook News, the dedicated tab for quality journalism we launched last month.

'We've also extended the Community News Project, which funds 80 trainee reporters in local newsrooms across the country.'
A race-car driver has revealed he is disappointed his family are warring over how to manage his late billionaire father's estate, claiming he has been 'ostracised' amid the feud.

Liam Talbot, 38, had argued in the Supreme Court for his father Ken Talbot's will to be honoured, which would see his family run a single charitable foundation.

But the court ordered two foundations be set up to administrate his fortune because his widow and children 'would not be able to work together as a group'.

Mrs Talbot's widow Amanda, and her daughters Claudia, 18, and Alexandra, 21, who launched the legal bid, will run one, while Liam and Courtney, 35, - the mining businessman's children from his first marriage - will operate the second.

'I've been ostracised by the family over my viewpoint with the fact I wanted to follow my father's wishes, so I stand alone; but I knew this was never a popularity contest, it's about doing what's morally right,' Liam told The Courier Mail.

Liam Talbot, 38, (pictured with his wife Charli Robinson) is 'disappointed' his family could not put aside their differences to honour his late father's wish

The family of late mining billionaire Ken Talbot (pictured with Amanda Talbot) are stuck in a legal battle over how to administrate his estate

'While the court's ruling against my father's wishes is very disappointing for me, I can take some comfort in the fact that finally after much delay charities will finally feel the true generosity my father always intended.'

Mr Talbot died aged 59 in a light plane crash in the Congo in 2010, leaving behind his wife and four children.

In his will the Queensland businessman requested that a third of his estate be given to charity through a single-run family foundation writing: 'I sincerely ask that all beneficiaries are sensible and do not argue,' the Courier Mail reports.

Amanda, Claudia and Alexandra and their half-sister Courtney called on the court to permit a two-foundation model, citing past and 'likely future' conflict, disputes and 'differences' within the family.

The court heard Amanda, Claudia and Alexandra were unwilling to work with Liam or Courtney, and Courtney said she could not work with the three women, while Liam wanted a single-foundation to be launched with an independent board.

Liam recalled having a conversation with his father about his dying wish, and how his old man was so proud of contributing to a cause that would help so many people throughout future decades.

'I tried so hard to fight for his wishes, but I was outnumbered by those that wouldn't put miniscule differences aside for the greater good,' Liam continued.

Amanda (centre), Liam (left), Courtney (far right) and Alexandra and Claudia at Mr Talbot's funeral in Brisbane in 2010

The racer said the 'hallmark of this estate' is that people feel 'entitled rather than privileged', but he will be proud to tell his daughters when they are older that he fought for their grandfather's request.

Liam married Hi-5 star Charli Robinson in 2016 and the Brisbane-based couple share two daughters Kensington Claire Talbot and Theadora Elle Talbot.

Justice John Bond ruled each party will run a foundation, with one managing 60 per cent of the $36million so far allocated towards the project.

The other will manage the remaining 40 per cent of the money.

It's not known at this stage which party will be handed the larger sum of money to look after and what each foundation's name will be.

Additional monthly payments will be injected into both foundations from each of the five beneficiaries, to make a total of $200,000 each per year.

The entire board of the Western Australian mining company Sundance Resources and Mr Talbot died when their plane crashed in the Congo in June 2010. They had been on route to visit a mine site.

At the time, Mr Talbot had an estate worth about $1.1billion, which includes a $12million villa in Italy's Lake Como, an $8.5million home in Brisbane's Bulimba, a $5.3million Shanghai apartment and a $50million Learjet.

Liam, who hoped to unite the family, married Hi-5 star Charli Robinson (pictured) in 2016. The couple share two daughters Kensington Claire Talbot and Theadora Elle Talbot

The court heard Liam (pictured) argued for a single-run foundation with an independent board, while the other beneficiaries asked for a two-foundation model

However, previous court hearings have heard his estate has plunged since 2010 due to delays sharing his investments and shares in mining companies.

More than a decade on the management of his fortune, which skyrocketed when the entrepreneur sold his business Macarthur Coal for $860million in 2008, is yet to be settled and has been plagued by legal fights initiated by Mrs Talbot.

According to his will, the remaining 70 per cent of his estate is to be divided among family, with Liam and Courtney to receive 24 per cent, with the remainder split between Mrs Talbot and her two daughters.

He also requested the charitable foundation to make donations to a maximum of $1m per year, with the beneficiaries meet every six months to discuss and organise payments.

Courtney was listed to receive his three metre punt boat, while Liam was noted to be given 'all other boats, jet skis and associated trailers'.

The case is due to return to court on June 18.

The entire board of the Western Australian mining company Sundance Resources and Mr Talbot (pictured) died when their plane crashed in the Congo in June 2010
A dad who spent nearly seven years on house arrest awaiting a murder trial was cleared after revealing how he gave police the alleged real killer's details.

A jury on Thursday found Jeffrey Keezel, 28, not guilty of murder in the shooting of Ricardo 'Sisco' Sprinkle in his Dodge Magnum in an Orangeburg parking lot in 2014.

They also acquitted the married father-of-five of armed robbery and a weapons charge, defense attorney Carl B. Grant said.

Keezel testified he was in the parking lot of the Econo Lodge Inn and Suites where Sprinkle, 30, was fatally shot on September 17, 2014, Grant said.

Jeffrey Keezel, 28 (left), has been acquitted of murder, armed robbery and a weapons charge stemming from the September 2014 killing of Ricardo 'Sisco' Sprinkle, 30 (right)

Sprinkle was shot dead while sitting in his car in the parking lot of the Econo Lodge Inn and Suites in Orangeburg (pictured)

A beaming Keezel is pictured after being found not guilty of murder on May 14 after spending seven years on house arrest

Keezel denied shooting Sprinkle, whose house he visited while hanging out with Sprinkle's brothers. Keezel told the same thing to investigators at the time of the killing, Grant said.

At the time of the shooting, Keezel was on probation stemming from a prior case in which he was convicted of breaking into cars.

Keezel gave police the name and other identifying information about the person who killed Sprinkle while on the stand.

He also did so in a nearly hour-long interview with police before Grant was hired as his lawyer, but no additional arrests have been made, the defense lawyer said.

The man Keezel said was the real killer has not been named, and cops have yet to comment on whether they plan to reopen the murder case/

Investigators collected fingerprints and DNA from blood at the scene, but for some unknown reason that evidence was not presented during Keezel's trial this month.

Keezel, pictured in court in 2014, was on house arrest for the nearly seven years he waited to go to trial

Grant said he asked the jury if they could find Keezel guilty beyond a reasonable doubt when prosecutors didn't question Keezel's testimony about a second person at the scene.

'In my closing argument, I told the jury, "well, maybe when the prosecutor gets up here he'll explain what happened to the DNA or fingerprints,"' Grant said.

The key piece of evidence for prosecutors was the gun used to kill Sprinkle, which was found in Keezel's house. But Keezel testified that after the other man killed Sprinkle, he put the gun in Keezel's face and told him to take it and hide it or he would kill his family too, Grant said.

The prosecutor in the case declined to talk about the fiasco, The Times and Democrat of Orangeburg.

The Orangeburg Public Safety Department investigated the case. Officials did not respond to questions about whether they would reopen it.

Keezel was on house arrest for the nearly seven years he waited to go to trial, but could work. Grant said he has two jobs and is married with five children.

Keezel, pictured with his mother (left) and wife (right), denied killing Sprinkle. He testified that he gave police the name of the real killer, but no additional arrests were made

'He was so elated when the verdict was read, he actually broke down and cried. I got just a tad bit emotional myself,' said Grant, who three weeks before defended a man found not guilty of murder in Beaufort County.

Keezel, who has been active on social media while on house arrest, took to Facebook after his acquittal to thank his family for standing by him and believing in his innocence.

'Just wanna thank the man above for blessing me and my family,' Keezel wrote in the post, which was accompanied by photos of the newly acquitted man and his relatives.
Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot is facing backlash over a decision to grant one-on-one interviews to only 'black and brown' reporters to mark her two-year anniversary in the role.

Journalists complained fiercely in the wake of the news, with some saying the mayor was racist for using a reporter's race to determine whether or not to grant an interview. Meanwhile, a city alderman said: 'This should be corrected.'

Lightfoot, who is the city's first female black mayor, was forced to address her decision on Wednesday after a number of local reporters started tweeting a day earlier about how white journalists wouldn't be allowed to interview her one-on-one.

Gregory Pratt, a Chicago Tribune reporter who is Latino, revealed he was among those who had been granted an interview but the newspaper decided to cancel it when Lightfoot refused to lift her ban on other reporters.

'I am a Latino reporter @chicagotribune whose interview request was granted for today. However, I asked the mayor's office to lift its condition on others and when they said no, we respectfully canceled,' Pratt tweeted.

'Politicians don't get to choose who covers them.'

Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot is facing backlash over a decision to only grant one-on-one interviews to black and brown reporters to mark her two-year anniversary in the role

Gregory Pratt, a Chicago Tribune reporter who is Latino, said he was among those who been granted an interview but the newspaper decided to cancel it when Lightfoot refused to lift her ban on other reporters

A Pulitzer Prize finalist who is a contributing writer for the New Yorker magazine and the New York Times suggested the move was simply a way to draw attention from the mayor's failures.

'Such astonishing mastery of deflection and distraction ... always hiding from her disastrous record of boldly upholding the status quo in Chicago, Keeanga-Yamahtta Taylor, who also is a professor at Princeton University, posted on Twitter.

Chicago, for instance, has long dealt with spiraling crime rates: Five people were killed and 48 people were shot over the past weekend - including two police officers and six children, according to ABC7.

The mayor claimed to be forming a summer crime-fighting plan.

Meanwhile, on Wednesday, she confirmed in a series of tweets that she was intentionally 'prioritizing media requests from POC reporters' and that it was a 'shame' the journalists assigned to cover Chicago's City Hall in 2021 were overwhelmingly white.

'I ran to break up the status quo that was failing so many. That isn't just in City Hall. It's a shame that in 2021, the City Hall press corps is overwhelmingly white in a city where more than half of the city identifies as black, Latino, AAPI or Native American,' she tweeted.

The news first emerged on Tuesday when NBC Chicago's political reporter Mary Ann Ahern, who is white, tweeted that only black and brown reporters would be given one-on-one interviews

'Diversity and inclusion is imperative across all institutions including media. In order to progress we must change.

This is exactly why I'm being intentional about prioritizing media requests from POC reporters on the occasion of the two-year anniversary of my inauguration as mayor of this great city.

'This is an imbalance that needs to change. Chicago is a world-class city. Our local media should reflect the multiple cultures that comprise it. We must be intentional about doing better. I believed that when running for office. I stand on this belief now. It's time for the newsrooms to do better and build teams that reflect the make-up of our city.'

The news first emerged on Tuesday when NBC Chicago's political reporter Mary Ann Ahern, who is white, tweeted: 'As @ChicagoMayor reaches her two year midway point as mayor, her spokeswoman says Lightfoot is granting 1 on 1 interviews - only to black or brown journalists.'

A number of other local TV reporters, including WTTW's Heather Cherone and Paris Schutz quickly tweeted that they had been told the same thing.

Steve Cortes of Newsmax tweeted: 'Never mind the thousands of young black men dead in my city while Lori Lightfoot presides over systemic failure  she's facilitating 'healing' by discriminating against white reporters.'

One local reporter, Kelly Garcia, said that maybe Lightfoot's office would now finally respond to her series of FOIA requests

One local reporter, Kelly Garcia, said that maybe Lightfoot's office would now finally respond to her series of Freedom of Information Act requests.

'Does this mean the Mayor's Office will actually respond to my FOIA requests,' she tweeted. '@chicagosmayor please start by getting my requests fulfilled lol.'

Following Lightfoot's statement, local journalist Taylor Moore said the backlash and reaction to the Mayor's decision was 'fascinating'.

'The response to this is so fascinating. White journalists are aggrieved and journalists of color are like 'lmaooooooo ok??',' she tweeted.

WGN News anchor and political reporter Tahman Bradley said: 'Lightfoot has feuded with certain reporters recently but her office says she wants to shine a spotlight on the lack of diversity in the City Hall briefing room'.

Becky Vevea, a political reporter with WBEZ radio, tweeted: 'Let's root for and support our colleagues who get one-on-ones with @chicagosmayor. It's not a competition. Our city needs all the watchdogging it can get.'
Charging a Connecticut high school student with racially abusing his classmate was unconstitutional and potentially breached his First Amendment right to free speech, the American Civil Liberties Union has suggested.

The 16-year-old student, who is said to be white, allegedly took a photo of his classmate Jamar Medor, who is black, sitting at his desk at Fairfield Warde High School and posted it on Snapchat on May 7. Its caption read: 'why is there a n***** in my homeroom? Why is he not in chains?'

The teen who uploaded the image and wrote the offensive comments was subsequently charged with a state hate crime. He is accused of ridicule on account of creed, religion, colon, denomination, nationality or race.

That charge was applauded by civil rights activists, including the local NAACP chapter - but the ACLU has warned taking criminal against the boy breaches his basic constitutional rights.

Senior staff attorney Emerson Sykes said: 'Having racist ideas or sharing racist ideas is something that we actually protect.

'Even if that viewpoint is offensive, even if it's deplorable, we don't want the government making the call about what's OK to say and think and what is not. But we have limitations on that right.'

Sykes said school officials would be justified in disciplining the boy over his posting, because of the disruption it caused.

A petition calling for the youngster's expulsion has claimed the boy was expelled in the wake of the racist post. Fairfield Warde High School refused to confirm whether the teen had been given the boot when contacted by DailyMail.com, citing student privacy rules.

The boy involved was also charged with breaching the peace, and was initially said to have been suspended for 10 days as a result.

A student in Connecticut has been arrested on a state hate crime charge after posting this racist Snapchat of a black classmate. The ACLU has called the charge unconstitutional

Jamar Medor, 16, was the subject of the racist snap. He says he has never experienced racism at Fairfield Warde High School before, but now does not feel comfortable walking the hallways

The misdemeanor hate crime charge dating back to 1917 has been called an unconstitutional infringement on free speech rights by the American Civil Liberties Union of Connecticut and some law school professors.

While it is common for students to be disciplined by school officials for racially charged comments, police and free speech groups said it is unusual for students to be arrested for what they say on social media if it does not involve threats, incitement or a pattern of harassment.

This petition calling for the student's expulsion over the Snapchat post now claims he has been expelled, but school officials have not confirmed whether this is the case

The Greater Bridgeport NAACP had called for criminal charges for the Snapchat post. It is also calling for an arrest in another incident the following day in which the brother of the black student targeted in the post was called racist slurs in a phone call, said the Rev. D. Stanley Lord, president of the NAACP chapter.

Police officials said they could not confirm details of the second incident, but are investigating a complaint involving juveniles and a possible racial slur said during a phone call.

'It was shocking,' Lord said of the posting. 'We have to send a strong message that behavior like this wont be tolerated in any school system.'

Medor, 16, told WABC-TV that he and his family are still shocked by the posting, and he had never experienced racism at school before. He said he stayed home from school one day because he didn't feel comfortable.

Fairfield Warde High School is located in Fairfield County - one of the wealthiest areas of the United States. According to data obtained by Niche, just 3 percent of students at Fairfield Warde are black

'I just had no words when I saw it. I was so confused,' he said.

Medor's mother, Judith, previously called for the boy who racially abused her son to be expelled.

'I don't know what he's going to do to my son... I'm worried for his safety,' she stated.

Fairfield Warde High School is located in Fairfield County - one of the wealthiest areas of the United States. According to data obtained by Niche, just 3 per cent of the 1,479 students enrolled in Fairfield Warde are black.

The racist posting comes as the US Supreme Court is weighing whether public schools can discipline students for things they say off campus on social media.

Medor's mother, Judith, said she is worried for her son's safety at school

The case involves a Pennsylvania high school freshman's obscenity-laden rant on Snapchat, posted while she was at a convenience store, over being kept on the junior varsity cheerleading squad for another year. She was suspended from the team for a year.

The court previously, in a landmark ruling in the Vietnam era, declared that students don't shed their right to free speech when they come to school. It also held that schools retained the authority to restrict speech that would disrupt the school environment.

The Rev. D. Stanley Lord, president of the Greater Bridgeport NAACP chapter had called for criminal charges for the Snapchat post

Connecticut's hate crime law on ridiculing has been filed at least 40 times since 2012 and has resulted in about 10 convictions, according to state court records. Critics say it appears to be one of only a few such state laws in the country.

A bill that would have repealed the law died last year when the state legislature ended its session early because of the coronavirus pandemic.

The bill was prompted by the arrests of two University of Connecticut students in 2019 on the ridicule charge for uttering a racial slur several times while walking in the parking lot of a dorm. The students entered a probation program that is expected to result in the charges being erased.

David McGuire, executive director of the ACLU of Connecticut, said he had not heard of any other cases in the state in which a public school student was arrested for a social media post. He said the hate crime law on ridiculing remains an unconstitutional restriction on free speech.
Kirstie Alley is speaking out about the backlash she has faced for supporting Donald Trump, saying it feels like she has been living 'in The Twilight Zone'.

The veteran actress, 70, sat down Wednesday for an interview on Tucker Carlson Today to discuss her conservative political views, which have put her at odds with most stars in woke Hollywood.

Alley told Carlson that she was first warned to keep quiet about her interest in Trump back in 2015, with a producer telling her that she would stop getting roles if she came out as conservative.

The Cheers star claimed the unidentified producer was also a Trump fan, but chose to keep quiet for fear they'd 'never work again'. Alley, however, chose to speak up.

'People go, "You're so brave." I go, "No, I think I'm stupid". Because honestly... it is a real blackballing situation,' she stated.

'It's so strange to me because artists are free-thinkers for the most part.'

Alley - who has not starred in a movie since 2015 - claimed that her Hollywood peers can behave in illegal or unethical ways and still not receive the same type of ostracization that she has.

'You can be cooking meth and sleeping with hookers but as long as you didn't vote for Trump [you're fine],' she told Carlson.

'I feel like I'm in the 'Twilight Zone' a bit with the whole concept of it.'

Kirstie Alley is speaking out about the backlash she faced for supporting Donald Trump, saying it feels like she has been living 'in The Twilight Zone'. The veteran actress, 70, sat down Wednesday for an interview on Tucker Carlson Today to discuss her political views, which have caused controversy in woke Hollywood

Watch the latest video at foxnews.com

Fox News Privacy Policy

The actress revealed that she voted for Obama in both 2008 and 2012 before she publicly criticized 2016 Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton and subsequently threw her support behind Trump.

Alley says her A-list pals quickly tried to distance themselves from her.

'On Twitter I had many celebrities follow me and now I think three follow me,' she stated.

'I'm the same person. I'm the girl who voted for Obama, twice. And I'm like, "Oh, so you liked me when I voted for Obama, and now you're this?"'

Alley added: 'It's made me have to rethink all my friendships.'

Alley has long been a Trump supporter, endorsing him in 2015 during his presidential run.

She tweeted her support after the then-candidate was aggressively questioned by Scott Pelley during a 60 Minutes interview about his bid for the White House.

Alley - who has not starred in a movie since 2015 - told Carlson that her Hollywood peers could behave in illegal or unethical ways and still not receive the type of ostracization that she has

The Cheers star is seen at a film premiere in Los Angeles back in 2019

Alley was one of Trump's biggest star supporters. She faced considerable backlash and ridicule from her Hollywood peers for her endorsement of him

'Pelley acting like an antagonist a**hat,' she tweeted. 'I like Trump..fire at will,' she wrote.

She defended her position with a series of follow-up tweets, but later walked back her endorsement after Trump's controversial 'p***ygate' tape emerged.

However, she revealed several years later that she did still vote for him in 2016.

Alley was again slammed last October when she revealed that she planned to vote for Trump again in the 2020 election.

'I'm voting for Donald Trump because he's NOT a politician,' she wrote on Twitter.

'I voted for him 4 years ago for this reason and shall vote for him again for this reason.

'He gets things done quickly and he will turn the economy around quickly. There you have it folks there you have it'.

Alley, who is a high profile follower of the Church of Scientology, quickly faced high profile backlash for her tweet. Alley's name was soon trending on the site

Stars including Patricia Arquette, Judd Apatow and Bradley Whitford blasted the actress in the wake of her tweet.

Meanwhile, Alley has made multiple appearances on Fox News in recent years to discuss her support for Trump.

Despite previously being a moderate liberal, Alley has also hit headlines for her other controversial opinions in recent years.

Late last year she appeared on Tucker Carlson's program claiming CNN was 'terrorizing viewers' with its constant coronavirus coverage.

She also blasted the Academy Awards after organizers announced that they would update diversity rules in order for films to be eligible for best picture nominations.

[C]an you imagine telling Picasso what had to be in his ... paintings,' Alley wrote on Twitter.

'You people have lost your minds. Control artists, control individual thought .. OSCAR ORWELL' she tweeted.
Barry Morphew on Tuesday was hit with two new charges in the murder of his wife Suzanne, bringing the total to five

Barry Morphew has been hit with two new charges in the murder of his wife, Suzanne, bringing the total to five.

The new charges for tampering with a deceased human body and possession of a dangerous weapon were disclosed in a complaint filed by prosecutors in Chaffee County, Colorado, on Tuesday.

Barry, 53, was arrested on May 5 on three initial charges for first-degree murder after deliberation, tampering with physical evidence and an attempt to influence a public servant.

He is accused of killing his wife Suzanne, 49, sometime between May 9 and May 10, 2020. The mother-of-two vanished from the couple's home in Salida on the latter date and her body still has not been found over a year later.

Prosecutors alleged Morphew tampered with her body around that time and tampered with other evidence in the case from last May through early March, about two months before he was arrested.

Barry, 53, was arrested on May 5, almost a year after his wife Suzanne disappeared

Tuesday's filing does not offer and specifics about the alleged tampering and the court document explaining evidence justifying his arrest remains sealed.

The filing also named the eight public servants Morphew is accused of is accused of trying to influence 'by means of deceit' between the day of Suzanne's disappearance and the day he was arrested.

Three of the officials are agents with the Colorado Bureau of Investigation. Also named was an FBI agent, a Chaffee County sheriffs deputy and an investigator with the 11th Judicial District Attorneys Office. There were also two people whose positions weren't given.

It's not clear if any of the people were influenced by Morphew's alleged attempts.

Morphew is pictured in court in Salida, Colorado, on May 6

Prosecutors submitted the document days after Morphew was charged with voter fraud in a separate case for allegedly submitting a mail-in ballot voting for President Trump in his wife's name five months after she vanished.

A Chaffee County Clerk had alerted authorities in October last year that they had received a voting ballot in Suzanne's name even though she was missing.

Authorities say the ballot did not have Suzanne's signature on it but listed her husband as a witness.

When questioned by an FBI agent in April over the ballot, Morphew said he submitted it because he 'wanted Trump to win'.

'I know she (Suzanne) was going to vote for Trump anyways,' he allegedly told the agent.

'I figured all these other guys are cheating,' he said, adding he thought he would 'give him another vote'.

Meanwhile Morphew has maintained his innocence in the disappearance and presumed death of his wife.

While police still have yet to find Suzanne's body - despite having conducted more than 135 searches across Colorado - investigators have suggested they have knowledge of an 'incident' that led to her killing.

A week after Suzanne was reported missing, her husband issued a bizarre video online pleading for her to come home and saying: 'Honey, I love you and I want you back so bad.'

DailyMail.com later exclusively revealed that Morphew was at a hotel in Broomfield, Colorado, on the day of his wife's disappearance and mysteriously left the room reeking of chlorine and covered in wet towels.

Just last month, he sold off the home he and Suzanne shared for $1.62 million, months after it became a focus of the investigation.

Barry, who shared two adult daughters Mallory and Macy with Suzanne, also sold off a two-acre plot of land in Salida in February that he had bought just weeks after Suzanne disappeared.

This plot of land was dug up and searched in September when cadaver dogs picked up the scent of human remains there, DailyMail.com exclusively revealed at the time.

Suzanne and Barry are pictured together with their two adult daughters

Last month, Morphew sold the home he shared with his wife $1.62 million

Suzanne's brother and sister have both publicly said they suspected Morphew of murder.

Over the weekend the sister, Melinda Moorman, revealed that Suzanne shared fears for her safety in a string of 'telling' text messages shortly before she disappeared.

Moorman spoke to and recalled how her missing sibling had sent a series of 'telling' texts shortly before her disappearance in May 2020.

'She definitely made implications that she had concerns about her safety and the condition of their relationship had, I think, deteriorated quite a bit over the last several years,' Moorman told Heart of the Rockies Radio on Saturday.

She explained that while she and Suzanne were not the kind of sisters who spoke on a daily or even weekly basis, the siblings had a 'very intuitive and a very close relationship and we were very connected'.

'When we did speak, it was unspoken many things but we shared many similarities on our own journeys personally, martially, and she relied on my counsel,' she said.

'She was transparent with me, particularly the Friday before she went missing, she revealed a very telling text to me it was very profound, very transparent and it showed the state of her mind on that Friday she disappeared.'
The CEO of Colonial Pipeline has publicly admitted to paying off the DarkSide ransomware gang, offering the first glimpse into how the largest ever cyberattack on U.S. infrastructure unfolded.

Colonial CEO Joseph Blount admitted that the company paid the hackers $4.4 million just hours after the attack crippled key systems in the company - yet the pipeline remained offline for a week.

'I know that's a highly controversial decision,' Blount told the Wall Street Journal of the decision to pay ransom to the hacker gang that disabled the 5,500-mile pipeline system that supplies the East Coast with fuel.

'I didn't make it lightly. I will admit that I wasn't comfortable seeing money go out the door to people like this,' he said. 'But it was the right thing to do for the country.'

Colonial CEO Joseph Blount admitted to paying the hackers $4.4 million just hours after the attack crippled key systems in the company -- yet the pipeline remained offline for a week

Station outages as of Wednesday morning are seen above following the hacking attack

His remarks amount to the first public acknowledgement of the ransom payment by the company, which supplies the East Coast with gasoline, diesel and jet fuel.

The attack unfolded early on the morning of May 7, when an when an employee of the Georgia-based company found a ransom note from hackers on a control-room computer at 5.30am.

'Welcome to the Darkside,' the note began, according to a template obtained by DailyMail.com. 'Your computers and servers are encrypted, backups are deleted.'

The note contained the ransom demand and instructions for paying off the extortion fee. 'Follow our instructions and you will recover all your data,' the hacker gang promised.

The control-room worker sounded the alarm to management, and Blount was notified less than a half-hour later, as he was getting ready to go to work, the Journal reported.

The company began to shut down the pipeline's flow as it investigated how deeply the hackers had penetrated its systems.

A worker is seen in the Colonial control room in a file photo. The attack unfolded early on the morning of May 7, when an when an employee found a ransom note from hackers

The standard ransom note used by the DarkSide hacker gang is seen above. A Colonial worker discovered a note like this one at about 5.30am on May 7 on a control room computer

It took Colonial about an hour to completely shut down the 5,500-mile pipeline network, which stretches from the Houston refinery hub to New York Harbor, and has 260 delivery points.

It was the first time in the pipelines 40-year history that the entire system was shut down at once, Blount said.

Colonial insists that the ransomware breach did not reach its operational controls, but said it shut down the pipeline due to safety concerns, and to ensure the encryption virus did not spread.

As the company locked down its IT systems, employee were instructed not to log on to the corporate network.

Officials at Colonial began making frantic phone calls to the FBI and the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency.

By nightfall, Blount came to the decision to meet the hackers' demands, telling the Journal he felt he had no other option, with 45 percent of the East Coast fuel supply depending on the pipeline.

With digital systems online, some 300 workers had to patrol the pipeline to check for damage while it was offline. A Colonial storage area in Charlotte is seen above

Blount said the company was unsure how deeply the hackers had penetrated the system, or how long it would take to bring back online, leaving him no choice but to pay them off.

The FBI and cybersecurity experts consistently warn companies against paying off extortion demands, saying that it only encourages further attacks.

Colonial consulted with experts who have previously helped DarkSide victims, and made the $4.4 million ransom payment in Bitcoin on the night of May 7.

In return for the payment, the hackers sent a decryption key and tool to unlock the systems that had been taken hostage.

While the tool was of some use, it was ultimately not enough to fully restore the company's systems, a source told the Journal.

What followed were days of chaos that spread across the South. The pipeline was shut down for a total of six days, spurring fuel shortages, with some 16,000 gas stations from Baltimore to Mississippi running dry.

With digital monitoring offline, some 300 Colonial staffers had to physically patrol the 5,500-mile pipeline network, searching for any signs of damage.

As the days wore on, the pipeline's outage rose to the level of a national crisis.

The Energy Department acted as the company's federal liaison, with Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm receiving constant updates to guide the federal response.

Last Wednesday, as the crisis reached a fever pitch, President Joe Biden addressed the nation, promising 'good news' within a day.

The attack on Colonial Pipeline, which transports 45 percent of the East Coast's fuel supply, was the largest assault on US energy infrastructure in history

Colonial announced last Thursday it had restarted operations and resumed fuel deliveries to all markets after completing shutting down the line for a week following the cyberattack.

But outages have persisted as suppliers race to catch up with demand and restock gas stations that have run dry.

On Wednesday morning, 61 percent of gas stations in Washington DC were still without fuel, and more than a third of stations were dry in North Carolina, South Carolina, and Georgia.

Blount said that in the past five years, Colonial has invested about $1.5 billion in maintaining the integrity of its 5,500-mile pipeline system, and has spent $200 million on IT.

While the pipeline's flow has returned to normal, the episode will cost Colonial tens of millions of additional dollars to completely restore the operations over a matter of months, Blount said.
Advertisement

Joe Biden told Coast Guard graduates on Wednesday that he was a prankster in college and told them they were 'a really dull class' when they didn't get a joke about the Navy during his first commencement speech as president.

'As your commander in chief I've been looking forward to being able to do this for a long time. I want to keep the longstanding tradition: I hereby absolve all those serving restrictions [for] minor infractions  absolved' that might otherwise mar the records of graduating cadets, he told them.

'You have no idea how much I wish youd have been able to do that in my graduation,' he joked. 'You all think I'm kidding. I'm not. Minor infractions like using a fire extinguisher to hose down a room assistant, but other than that ...' he said, alluding to a prank he carried out on his dorm advisor at the University of Delaware.

Biden made the quip on a trip to the Coast Guard Academy in New London, where he spoke to cadets from the Bears stadium located on the Thames river.

At another point, he ribbed graduates for apparently failing to respond to an attempt he made to joke about inter-service rivalry when he mentioned the Navy.

He referenced the description of the Coast Guard as 'that hard nucleus around which the Navy forms in time of war', but didn't get a reaction.

'Youre a really dull class,' Biden joked. 'I mean, come on, man, is the sun getting to you?'

'I would think you'd have an opportunity when I say that about the Navy to clap,' he said. Then he got a laugh and the round of applause he was looking for.

President Joe Biden spoke to Coast Guard Academy graduates, and referenced a college prank where he hosed down the head of his college dorm with a fire extinguisher

He held up a sword given to him as a gift after his speech where he joked that the graduating class was 'dull' for not getting his joke about the rivalry between the Coast Guard and Navy and told them: 'Youre a really dull class. I mean, come on, man, is the sun getting to you?'

Biden addressed the new Coast Guard cadets who graduated in front of their parents

Cadets throw their caps in the air during the U.S. Coast Guard Academy commencement ceremony in New London, Connecticut

According to Richard Ben Cramer's seminal What It Takes , Biden 'screwed around' in school, 'trying to be Joe College.'

He got probation 'for dousing the dorm director with a fire extinguisher.' High school pranks included streaking in the parking lot.

But he also delivered words honoring the vital service provided by the Coast Guard, while sprinkling in warnings for adversaries.

He brought up the 30 named storms that ravaged the country, and raised the threat of climate change.

'And the Coast Guard was always there to respond. Even at the height of the pandemic,' he said. He acknowledged the new class for choosing the 'difficult path.'He also delivered a message to Russia and China, with whom he said he had 'direct discussion,' about freedom of navigation. He called freedom of navigation the 'bedrock' of the global economy.

'I would think you'd have an opportunity when I say that about the Navy to clap,' he said. Then he got a laugh and the round of applause he was looking for

Biden congratulates Cadet Daisy Anne Atayan, one of the two first female Philippine Coast Guard-sponsored cadets

'When nations try to game the system or tilt the rules in their favor, it throws everything off balance,' he said.

He said he was 'adamant' that the parts fo the world that are 'arteries of trade and shipping remain peaceful, whether that's the South China Sea, the Arabian Gulf, and increasingly the Arctic.

'It's of vital interest to America's foreign policy secure unimpeded flow of global commerce.'

He called for shipping to 'remain peaceful' in the South China Sea, the Arabian Gulf, and 'increasingly the Arctic.'

He also sprinkled other light moments in his remarks, including after he brought up the Navy. 'Come on, man, is the sun getting to you?' he asked, after the crowd didn't seize the opportunity to clap. Graduates then joined in a round of applause.

Biden handed diplomas to graduating cadets, who became ensigns and were having their assignments announced as they walked across a stage.

He posed with each, elbow bumping some.

Biden handed diplomas to graduating cadets, who became ensigns and were having their assignments announced as they walked across a stage

Biden and Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas, second from right, watch on during the singing of the National Anthem

Biden referenced a college prank where he sprayed a resident associate in his dorm with a fire extinguisher

Cadets listen during the commencement for the United States Coast Guard Academy in New London, Conn., Wednesday, May 19, 2021

Biden delivered his first graduation speech as president

President Joe Biden greets a cadet during the U.S. Coast Guard Academy commencement ceremony in New London, Connecticut, U.S., May 19, 2021

When he was done, he was presented with a ceremonial sword. 'I won't be needing this any time soon,' he joked.

Biden delivered his first commencement as president Wednesday.

He spoke to cadets after the White House told reporters traveling aboard Air Force One that he had phoned Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to press a 'significant deescalation' in Israel's war with Hamas.

'The president conveyed to the prime minister that he expected a significant de-escalation today on the path to a ceasefire,' White House Deputy Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre told DailyMail.com and a group of reporters traveling with the president.

Earlier, Rear Admiral William G. Kelly, superintendent of the academy, urged graduates 'fair winds and great success.' He also acknowledged 2020 graduates, who he said 'missed out' on the pomp and circumstance last year amid the spreading pandemic.

Biden flies to New London, Connecticut to deliver the speech Wednesday morning. Presidents deliver graduation to the service academies on a rotating basis.

Early indications were that the president would speak about the role of the Coast Guard in safeguarding the nation's security, although presidents sometimes use spring graduation ceremonies to touch on more sweeping themes.

President Joe Biden speaks to Coast Guard Academy graduates on Wednesday

In Biden's case, the speech comes as the administration was set to formally announce 60 per cent of Americans had received at least one coronavirus shot. It also comes a day after fighting between Israel and Hamas intruded on his trip to Michigan.

Biden spoke for several minutes on the tarmac in Michigan with Rep. Rashida Tlaib, who according to her office pressed him on what she called unconditional support for Israel.

President Joe Biden speaks with Representative Rashida Taib (D-Mich) during Tuesday's trip to Detroit. He acknowledged her Palestinian family in remarks

Step on it! Biden took heat after he joked about running over a reporter who asked a question about Israel when he was test-driving the new F150 electric truck

Vice President Joe Biden gestures during commencement for the United States Coast Guard Academy in New London, Conn., Wednesday, May 22, 2013

Amid growing pressure from fellow Democrats, the Administration leaked Tuesday that Biden had told Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu that he could only hold off criticism of its strikes in Gaza for a limited period of time. The New York Times reported on the tougher private tone Biden took after the White House said only that he had expressed 'support' for a cease fire.

Some House Democrats are demanding a call for an immediate cease fire.

Israel is studying whether the time is right to stop its bombing campaign in cause, but is preparing for 'more days' of strikes, AFP reported, citing an Israeli military source.

'We are looking at when is the right moment for a ceasefire,' said the source.

Biden addressed Coast Guard graduates in 2013 when he was vice president.
Gurgana Gueorguieva, pictured, was jailed for nine-and-a-half years for assaulting Michael Winner's widow Geraldine at her home in Knightsbridge in October 2015

An 'obsessed' former partner of late film director Michael Winner who was given a nine-and-a-half year jail term after robbing his elderly widow has failed in an appeal bid.

Gurgana Gueorguieva, now 50, was jailed in September 2019 after a judge at Southwark Crown Court heard how Geraldine Winner had been subjected to a three-hour ordeal at her home in Knightsbridge, central London, in October 2015 when aged 77.

She wanted to appeal against her sentence and had asked to be given more time to mount a challenge.

But three appeal judges, who heard how Gueorguieva had initially confronted Mrs Winner outside her home, on Wednesday dismissed the bid at a Court of Appeal hearing in London.

Lady Justice Nicola Davies, Mr Justice Spencer and Judge Jeremy Richardson concluded that an appeal would not succeed after considering a written application from Gueorguieva.

Detail of the case had emerged at a hearing overseen by Judge Peter Testar, at Southwark Crown Court, in 2019.

Judge Testar heard that Gueorguieva had hit Mrs Winner and restrained her with plastic cable ties before stealing jewellery, cash and art.

Mrs Winner had been left with three deep cuts to the head as well as a broken rib and finger.

Gueorguieva had admitted robbery but denied bringing a weapon to intentionally injure Mrs Winner.

The judge heard that Gueorguieva had been in a relationship with Mr Winner, who died aged 77 in 2013, between 1999 and 2002, and had become 'obsessed'.

He was told that Gueorguieva admitted that she 'disliked' Mrs Winner, who had married Mr Winner in 2011.

Winner, pictured, was involved in a relationship between himself and Gurgana Gueorguieva between 1999 and 2002

Gueorguieva assaulted the widow because she believed Mrs Winner had convinced her husband to write his ex-lover out of his will - costing her an inheritance of around 100,000

Winner, pictured, married his wife Geraldine in 2011, two years before his death in 2013 aged 77

Prosecutor Mark Gadsden had said Gueorguieva's 'primary motive' was to 'get revenge' by taking items of sentimental value. He said there was also a 'secondary motive to make money from it'.

Patrick Dennis, who represented Gueorguieva, said she had a 'heartfelt feeling she had been wronged'.

Gueorguieva believed Mrs Winner had caused Mr Winner to remove her from his will, rescinding a potential inheritance of 100,000, the court heard.

Mrs Winner suffered cuts to her head during the assault

She also claimed that Mrs Winner had used voodoo dolls to cause Mr Winner suffering.

Judge Testar said they were 'extraordinary ideas'.

'She developed a loathing of Geraldine Winner,' Judge Testar had said when passing sentence.

'It is no exaggeration to say that her resentment of Mrs Winner became an obsession.'

Gueorguieva, of Holland Park, London, said she wanted appeal judges to consider new evidence relating to the background to her offence.

Mr Justice Spencer said, when delivering the appeal judges' ruling, that such evidence could provide no mitigation.

He said such evidence could not justify Gueorguieva's actions.

The three judges refused to give Gueorguieva permission to mount an appeal.
Parents at Pimlico Academy say they are 'glad' to see the back of the troubled school's head teacher after he announced he was quitting following protests by students and staff over 'discriminatory' uniform policy and curriculum changes.

Members of the Pimlico Academy Parents' Group today said they were pleased that principal Daniel Smith was leaving the London school - where three quarters of children are from ethnic minorities.

Mr Smith had introduced a 'back to basics' uniform policy which banned hairstyles that 'block people's view' and hijabs that are 'too colourful', after starting at the school in September 2020. Critics claimed the changes he sought to bring in were discriminatory against Muslims and people with Afro hairstyles.

Mr Smith also sparked fury by changing the history curriculum to make it more chronological, which protesters said emphasised white kings and queens over BAME figures.

The embattled headteacher had seemingly sought to compromise with protesters in April by agreeing to revise the uniform policy and removing the school's Union Flag, after protesters chanted 'Ain't no black in the Union Jack'.

But despite this, he yesterday announced he will 'step down' from his role before the end of half term.

One parent, Emma, today said she was 'glad' Mr Smith was going, but added: 'We wanted him to be sacked, not resign'.

Daniel Smith (pictured) will 'step down' as headmaster of Pimlico Academy before the end of half term

'Disciplinarian' Mr Smith (pictured in April) introduced a 'back to basics' uniform policy after starting at the school in September 2020

Hateful graffiti appeared on the walls of Pimlico Academy in April calling for the expulsion of Mr Smith

Officers stood outside the gates of the school on the morning of March 31 during the demonstration

She went on: 'We just want parents to be heard, unless the parents get their demands and it's written down in black and white we're not backing down.

'Removing Daniel Smith is a step in the right direction, however questions must be asked why Lord and Lady Nash thought it was okay for a head teacher to implement a discriminatory uniform policy, and why they thought it was okay to remove black history month from the curriculum - in a school as diverse as Pimlico, teachers should reflect the diversity of the children.

Protesting pupils' list of demands presented to the head - and what he has already agreed to A statement purporting to be from the pupil protesters breaks down their 'demands'. An extract from this document is shown below, with changes that headteacher Daniel Smith has agreed to marked by an asterisk and italics. DISCRIMINATION We believe the school has unfairly targeted groups of students. The school should protect marginalised races, religions and other groups instead of target them. *CHANGE, UNION FLAG - Mr Smith has agreed to take down the Union Flag pending a review. Protesters at the school, where three-quarters of pupils are from ethnic minorities - had claimed it was 'antagonistic' and did not represent them. RACISM The academy placed new rules that would punish students with Afro hairstyles, clearly discriminating against Black students. *CHANGE, HAIR POLICY - The new wording still demands that hairstyles are 'conventional' but no longer includes the term 'understated' or references to styles that 'block the view of others'. Students were outraged that there was no recognition of the Black Lives Matter movement or Black History Month. *CHANGE, PSHE CURRICULUM - Mr Smith said the school will change the PSHE syllabus to include a discussion of 'current affairs' - a likely reference to BLM. ISLAMOPHOBIA The academy has faced further accusations of discrimination for saying hijabs must be black but other clothing can be any colour. This challenges young Muslim girls' identity. The new uniform policy includes that 'if students choose to wear a headscarf, it must completely cover the hair'. This is harmful and insensitive towards girls who have just started to wear the hijab or are struggling with it. It is a personal choice which shouldn't be decided by authorities who haven't experienced this. *CHANGE, HEADSCARVES: References to headscarves being 'conventional and understated in style' are removed  although the school reinforced its policy that hijabs must be black or blue, in keeping with the school's colours. TRANSPHOBIA We believe the idea of gendered uniform for all students is a ridiculous, backwards ideal. This ostracises non-binary and gender non-conforming students, or those who are struggling with their gender identity. Advertisement

'As parents we have demands which we would like implemented to ensure a safe learning environment for our children.

'We want a more inclusive curriculum and a more diverse senior management team that understands the diversity of the children.'

Commenting on the change of leadership at the school, members of the Pimlico Academy Parents' Group were not hopeful for the future.

Shaima, who also did not want to give her surname, said: 'It's going from bad to worse. My daughter used to love going to school and now she hates it. We want a parent governor, we don't get to have a say.'

The parents also made allegations that the school had replaced old staff with trainee teachers.

Emma said: 'We were informed that teachers had left and more are due to leave. All the ones that were here and made the school left.

'They are using assistant teachers.'

In April, the school had been vandalised with graffiti reading 'expel the racist headmaster' as pupils returned to class after the Easter holidays.

Mr Smith yesterday sent an email to staff at the school informing them that he was quitting his post.

The message, seen by MailOnline, read: 'I informed the trust earlier this term of my intention to step down from my position as Principal of Pimlico Academy.

'The Trust have agreed to this and I will leave the Academy at the end of this half term.

'I am pleased to announce that Mr Tony Oulton will take up the post of Acting Principal from the start of next term.

'I will be working with Tony to ensure a smooth transition in the coming weeks.

'I would like to take this opportunity to thank you for your ongoing commitment to our students in what has been the most challenging of times.'

The National Education Union - which supported the March 31 demonstration shortly before the Easter holidays - said 32 members of staff have handed in their notices since September.

Changes brought in by Mr Smith were overseen by the school's parent academy chain Future Academies, which is chaired by Conservative peer Lord Nash, 72.

On April 13, Lord Nash told parents: 'Any repeat of the actions on the final day of term would jeopardise students' education.

'We all need to work together to ensure that this does not happen again and learn the lessons from it.

'We must particularly ensure that our students, your children, understand the consequences of any future disobedience, which will undoubtedly result in disciplinary action.'

A letter on April 15 sent by Mr Smith thundered: 'Any repeat of the actions on the final day of term would jeopardise students' education.

'I need to be very clear that if any students take part in a repeat of such actions, they will undoubtedly face disciplinary consequences.'

He also wrote to some parents saying they would need to attend a disciplinary meeting with their child on April 19 - ahead of students' return to school after the Easter holidays.

MailOnline previously revealed that headmaster Mr Smith is a 'disciplinarian' who once had portraits of the Queen and Margaret Thatcher as well as a Union Flag above his desk, according to a former colleague.

The messages, which read 'they want to expel the students for speaking out' and 'expel the racist headteacher' have since been covered over by Pimlico Academy

The Union Flag that usually flies outside the school all year round was still up before the protests

But the Union Flag was no longer flying at Pimlico Academy in London on April 1, the day after a revolt by pupils

Mr Smith was vice head of Ebbsfleet Academy in Swanscombe, Kent, from 2013 to 2017.

One ex-colleague, who asked not to be named, told MailOnline: 'He is very strict, a head who stands for no-nonsense, but he gets very good results. He had a little man syndrome in his approach.'

During his time at Ebbsfleet, Mr Smith insisted that all shoes should be black, and no labels, coloured stitching or laces would be allowed. 'Anyone who'd inadvertently bought shoes such as Kickers before the new term had to cut off the labels and colour in the stitching with a felt-tip pen,' said the source.

'There was absolutely no leeway and anyone who transgressed was internally excluded and sent home for the day.'

Students packed out the school playground for the protest on March 31. Many filmed it on their phones

The sign outside the school, which was defaced with stickers during the protest, was cleaned up the next day

A sit-down protest was held at the school against changes introduced by Mr Smith since he arrived in September

The former colleague said Mr Smith ordered that lines of adhesive tape be stuck along the centre of the school corridors to make them 'one-way' and pupils were banned from speaking to one another during class changes.

Several demonstrators specifically credited the Black Lives Matter movement for inspiring the protest, and some of the hundreds of pupils and parents who gathered outside the school carried BLM banners amid chants of 'we want change'.

Commenting on Mr Smith stepping down, Pimlico Academy said in a statement: 'Mr Daniel Smith has informed the Trust of his intention to step down from his position as Principal of Pimlico Academy.

'Mr Smith will leave this role on the 31st May 2021.

'We thank Mr Smith for his unwavering commitment during this time which has been very difficult due to the ongoing impact of the pandemic.

'We are pleased to announce that following his secondment as Senior Vice Principal, Mr Anthony Oulton, will take up the post of Acting Principal from the start of next half term.

'Mr Oulton, who is well known to staff and students at the academy, will be working with Mr Smith to ensure a smooth transition in the coming weeks.'
A choir that performed for the Queen's 90th birthday and has worked with Justin Timberlake and Madonna is on the brink of collapse.

The London Community Gospel Choir has seen funding plummet after stage concerts dried up amid the Covid pandemic.

The group's founder Bazil Meade MBE, who set it up in 1982, said lockdown had been 'particularly tough' and admitted they were 'desperate for funds'.

He has organised an online concert on Saturday with other stars such as Dave Stewart, Mica Paris and Beverley Knight performing to 'inspire fans'.

A choir group that performed for the Queen's 90th birthday and has worked with Justin Timberlake (pictured with the choir at the 2018 Brits) and Madonna is on the brink of collapse

The London Community Gospel Choir is pictured on stage with Madonna in Hyde Park for Live 8 in 2005

Mr Meade said: 'The last year has been particularly tough for everyone in the music industry and the lack of support for the arts has seen so many organisations struggle and we are desperate for funds so that we can keep going as lockdown eases.

'We hope that this concert inspires and entertains our regular and new fans who love the gospel music we love to perform. It should be a night to remember.'

The LCGC performed for Her Majesty for her 'Patrons Lunch', a celebration of the Monarch's 90th birthday in 2016.

They took to the Mall in St James's Park to celebrate The Queen's patronage of over 600 charities and organisations for the occasion.

The group also provided backing performances for George Michael in 1992, Madonna in 2005 and the Gorillaz in 2006 and Justin Timberlake in 2018.

And they have played at the FA Cup Final at Wembley, Glastonbury, Live 8, World Aids Festival and at the Royal Albert Hall on numerous occasions.

The London Community Gospel Choir has seen funding plummet after stage concerts dried up amid the Covid pandemic. Pictured: At the Brit Awards in 2018

But the pandemic has blown a huge hole in their budget and they are struggling to keep the choir going.

Ms Knight said: 'I have known Bazil and the LCGC for many years and the thought of them going out of existence doesn't bear thinking about.

'I'm delighted to be able to support them after all the great work they have done over the years.'

LCGC started from humble beginnings in 1982 and pioneered the sound of British Gospel Music.

They became Europe's leading Gospel brand and one of the most in demand choirs worldwide.

And they went on to perform with other artists including Sir Tom Jones, Sir Elton John, Sir Paul McCartney, Annie Lennox, Sir Rod Stewart and others.

Saturday's concert was put together by a friend of the group called Amanda Alexander. Pictured: A fundraiser they have set up

Saturday's concert was put together by a friend of the group called Amanda Alexander.

She set up The Grounded Mummas, a group of women who come together to support each other since the first lockdown.

She said: 'My family have been connected to the LCGC since I was a little girl and alongside their wonderful performances, the contribution they make to local communities is fantastic.

'The Grounded Mummas and the LCGC share the same vision to inspire and support society and I can't think of a greater way to support and raise funds for the choir than to celebrate their wonderful music with guests.'

Dave Stewart, Mica Paris, Beverley Knight, Andrew Roachford, Maxi Priest, Noel Robinson and Donald Lawrence are among the performers at 6pm on Saturday.
Olympic horse-rider Jonty Evans has managed to have a driving ban overturned after his forth offence.

The 49-year-old equestrian had the six-month ban overturned after he told Gloucester Crown Court today that it would ruin his business.

The father of two, from Minsterworth, Gloucestershire, travels across the UK to train horses for wealthy clients.

He was banned by Cheltenham Magistrates in February under the 'totting up' system, which sees those with more than three offences automatically barred from the roads.

He was caught speeding for the fourth time in three years in his Audi A4 near Totnes in Devon.

Father-of-two and Olympic horse rider Jonty Evans has had his driving banned overturned after telling a court that it could make his horse-training business fold

The judge overturned the ban based on Evans's worry that as well as being personally affected, the job of his one employee could be on the line if he did not continue to drive to clients.

The judge further said he thought the ban may mean Evans two children by different women could lose contact with one another as neither mother was willing to drive their child to the defendant.

The court heard how the ban could also risk Evans losing his horses and rented accommodation, put his business in 'severe jeopardy' and affect his ability to travel for medical procedures.

Evans was put in a coma for six weeks in 2018 after a fall from a horse, causing a severe head injury that requires therapy treatment.

He drives to three regular medical and therapy appointments a week in Hartpury, Gloucester, and Swindon.

Evans had the ban overturned at Gloucester Crown Court today after his lawyer Patrick Kelly made a plea of 'exceptional circumstances' on his behalf

Despite the successful appeal, judge Recorder Neil Millard warned Evans that he will not be able to use the 'exceptional hardship' line if he commits any further offences.

Evans will keep nine penalty points on his licence until July next year and the original fine of 146 was upheld.

Whilst overturning the ban, the judge said: 'You shouldn't be speeding - you need to slow down.'

Giving the court's decision to lift the ban, Recorder Millard said: 'We do find it would cause exceptional hardship.

'Your employee would lose her job and accommodation, your children would lose access to each other, your business would be in severe jeopardy and there would be a risk of the loss of your business, your accommodation and the horses.

'Also, your ability to get to your medical appointments would be affected and you need to get to them because of your serious head injury.'

Evans lawyer Patrick Kelly told the court: 'He is self employed. He has ridden in the Olympics. He has represented his country and he now trains Olympians.

'They are the top echelon of horse riders in this country. He does his training all over the world.

'His clientele are people with their own, land, horses and stables. He goes to them to do his training as opposed to having his own riding school.

'Without a driving licence he will not be able to do that and his business will fold. He has fourteen horses at his stables - three are his own and the others are in livery. Nine of them are owners' horses.

'If a horse has to be taken to the vets he has to drive it. He has a truck for that and he is the only HGV licence owner who can drive it for the business.

'His stables are rented. If he is unable to drive and earn his living he will lose the stable yard and his home. He lives there alone save for his one employee.'

Evans rode for Ireland in the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro on 'Cooley Rorkes Drift.'

The court considered a letter from Evans' ex wife and mother of his 17 year old daughter, Amelia, who attends Downside School, near Bath.

Mr Kelly said Amelia visits her father most weekends and he has to drive to collect her and return her which is a three hour trip each way.

The lawyer added that Evans also has a ten year old son in Shipton Oliffe, near Andoversford, in the Cotswolds and needs to drive to see him too.

The court heard how Evans earns about 2,500 a month but has to pay 1,050 rent and 400 maintenance.

He currently lives largely off the insurance payout he received following his fall.

Evans' team finished eighth in the three-day eventing competition and he qualified for the individual eventing final, finishing ninth.

After his brain injury, he returned to competition in August 2019 at the British Eventing horse trials at Smiths Lawn in Berkshire.

Despite growing up in Wales, Evans represents Ireland at main events, due to having an Irish grandparent and thus holding a passport.

Last year, the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy revealed he had not paid five of his employees more than 5,000 owed to them.
Paula Vennells, who ran the Post Office between 2012 and 2019, said she welcomed the move to give the inquiry statutory powers to compel witnesses to appear or risk jail for non-attendance

The former chief of the Post Office during the subpostmasters scandal has confirmed she is willing to appear as a witness in the inquiry into the UK's biggest miscarriage of justice.

Paula Vennells, who ran the Post Office between 2012 and 2019, said she welcomed the move to give the inquiry statutory powers to compel witnesses to appear or risk jail for non-attendance.

She said in a statement: 'It is beyond doubt there are serious and unanswered questions as to the manner in which subpostmasters were wrongly prosecuted.

'All those involved in any way have a duty to those subpostmasters and their families, who were innocent victims, to ensure that this can never happen again.'

Her comments came as the Government confirmed on Wednesday that the inquiry by retired High Court judge Sir Wyn Williams will be given the extra powers.

But the move means the inquiry's report is now not expected until more than a year after originally planned.

Business minister Paul Scully told the House of Commons: 'Sir Wyn (Williams) and I are both of the view that the context for the inquiry has changed in the light of the Court of Appeal's judgment and that now is the right moment to convert the inquiry to a statutory footing.

The Government confirmed on Wednesday that the inquiry by retired High Court judge Sir Wyn Williams will be given the extra powers. Pictured: Postmaster Harjinder Butoy outside the High Court after hearing his conviction had been overturned

'Therefore, I can now inform the House that with the agreement of the Prime Minister I will convert the inquiry to a statutory footing on 1 June 2021.'

He added: 'The inquiry is now expected to report in autumn 2022 rather than summer 2021.

'Together, these changes will give Sir Wyn the powers and the time he needs to conduct an in-depth analysis of the decision-making processes that led to the Horizon scandal.

'He will be able to compel organisations to provide documents and witnesses to give evidence under oath if necessary.'

Mr Scully stressed the need to 'get to the bottom of this appalling affair'.

Following the scandal, which is thought to be the biggest miscarriage of justice in the UK, the former Post Office boss said she is 'truly sorry' for the 'suffering' caused. Pictured: Former post office worker Janet Skinner (centre)

Ms Vennells oversaw the organisation whilst it routinely denied that there were problems with its Horizon IT system, instead accusing subpostmasters of stealing money.

But the Court of Appeal overturned convictions for 39 former subpostmasters, paving the way for 640 others to have their own convictions quashed.

Following the scandal, which is thought to be the biggest miscarriage of justice in the UK, the former Post Office boss said she is 'truly sorry' for the 'suffering' caused to subpostmasters who were wrongly convicted of offences.

Ms Vennells, who was an associate minister in the Diocese of St Albans, announced at the time that she would also be stepping back from her regular church duties in the wake of the Horizon scandal.

She also quit non-executive board roles at high street retailers Morrisons and Dunelm.
A soldier couple who spent more than 12 years in jail for murdering their newborn daughter have been freed over blunders by the prosecutor and their defense lawyers.

Ashley Debelbot, 37, and her spouse Albert, 35, had the case against them formally dismissed on Tuesday after a prosecutor declined to retry them over the May 2008 death of their two day-old daughter McKenzy.

Astonishingly, the couple were able to maintain their marriage during more than a decade in jail, and are now determined to rebuild their lives together.

The case was overturned by Georgia's Supreme Court in February 2020 over a closing statement made at their 2009 trial, which saw prosecutor Sadhana Dailey wrongly lower the burden of proof beyond the reasonable doubt needed to convict them.

Dailey said at the time: 'You dont have to be 90 percent sure. You dont have to be 80 percent sure. You dont have to be 51 percent sure.' Her assertion was dubbed a 'gross misstatement' by the Georgia Supreme Court, although Dailey maintains the couple are guilty.

Their own defense lawyers were also condemned for failing to challenge Dailey's blunder, with the Debelbots convicted and sentenced to life shortly afterwards.

Ashley Debelbot said the news of her exoneration only sunk in for her when a different district attorney walked over to her in court and apologized after Tuesday's hearing.

'To have the DA walk over to me and reach out his hand and apologize, in that moment I was like, "This is happening,"' she said.

Ashley (left) and Albert Debelbot (right) had their murder case formally dismissed on Tuesday, a year after the Georgia Supreme Court overturned their convictions. The couple are pictured in court in April

The pair's convictions were tossed over 'egregious misstatements' ab out burden of proof that a prosecutor had made at trial, to which Debelbots' lawyers at the time failed to object, the state's highest court ruled

In April, Columbus District Attorney Mark Jones asked Muscogee County Superior Court Judge Art Smith to dismiss the charges against the couple citing insufficient evidence.

The Debelbots, who had been out on bond for six months, held a press conference after the hearing, offering different takes on their situation, with Ashley saying she was not bitter and her husband demanding justice, as WTVM reported last month.

'It should have never been taken from the beginning,' a visibly angry Albert told reporters. 'We lost 12 years of being apart. Lets ask the better question. What is the state going to do for us?'

The Debelbots brought baby McKenzy home two days after her birth in May 2008. Roughly 12 hours later, they've said, they awoke in the middle of the night, noticed a bump on her forehead and rushed back to the hospital.

McKenzy died hours later. Her parents were arrested the next day.

The couple's lawyers argued baby McKenzy's injuries occurred naturally due to a deformed brain, and that she died of a stroke.

They insisted hospital records proved McKenzy was suffering potentially serious health issues before being discharged from hospital after her birth.

Their argument added that the infants parents were victims of a rush to judgment that cost them 12 years.

The Debelbots met in South Korea while in the Army. Ashley was already pregnant and planning to leave the military to be a full-time mom when they moved to Columbus, Georgia, in March 2008 for Albert's posting at Fort Benning.

The US Army couple from Georgia were convicted in 2009 of murdering their baby, McKenzy, just days after her birth, but they denied harming her

McKenzy was born May 29 and died around 4am on June 1.

During their 2009 trial, a state medical examiner, Dr. Lora Darrisaw, testified McKenzy suffered 'very severe head trauma,' causing skull fractures, brain swelling and bleeding. She ruled the injuries non-accidental, 'most consistent with a crushing type of force.'

Her testimony went unrebutted.

Ashley and Albert both testified that they had been eager first-time parents. Both said they didn't hurt McKenzy.

Melvin Tarver, who'd been in a holding cell with Albert the first day of the trial, testified Albert said he'd gone out to get 'dope' that night and when he returned Ashley said she'd spanked the baby and put her to bed. Both Debelbots testified they put McKenzy to bed together.

The jury convicted them and Judge Doug Pullen sentenced them to life in prison.

The couple spent years seeking a new trial, arguing McKenzy's injuries couldn't have been caused by blunt force.

Medical examiners and other doctors often too quickly assume abuse when a baby dies, said Carrie Sperling, a post-conviction attorney for Albert.

The 'lynchpin' to the state's case was that McKenzy was healthy when she left the hospital, said A. James Anderson, a post-conviction attorney for Ashley.

'If you pull the lynchpin out, their case falls apart,' he said.

Ashley and Albert had been sentenced to life in prison and spent more than 12 years in prison

Dr. Daniel Sahlein provided alternate explanations during hearings on motions for a new trial: Blood clots formed in McKenzy's brain before birth, blocking the circulation of blood and cerebrospinal fluid and causing bleeding.

That created pressure that pushed against the developing skull, which was abnormally thin and improperly formed in places, Sahlein said. The birthing process further damaged the skull and caused bleeding under the scalp.

McKenzy could have seemed fine in the hospital before taking a sudden turn at home, Dr. Peter Dehnel testified.

But defense experts also testified there were warning signs in the hospital: McKenzy ate far less than normal on her second day and her head circumference increased at a rate about 10 times greater than normal.

The medical examiner described the right side of McKenzy's brain as 'soft and mushy.' But a blunt force injury would have left her brain swollen and firm, Dehnel testified. He also noted she had no bruises on her head.

Defense experts said it appeared parts of McKenzy's brain and skull were missing. Darrisaw, the medical examiner, rejected that.

Two other doctors the state called said hospital records showed McKenzy was normal and healthy when discharged.

Dr. Joseph Zanga said the head exam was done appropriately and revealed nothing abnormal.

Trauma occurring before birth or during delivery 'would not have allowed this child to appear completely normal for two or more days,' Zanga testified.

Dr. Susan Palasis likened McKenzy's injuries to those typical in car crashes. She also disputed defense assertions that CT scans showed developmental abnormalities.

'The evidence supports a guilty verdict,' the original prosecutor, Sadhana Dailey, said in a recent interview.

Judge Arthur Smith denied the request for a new trial.

But the Georgia Supreme Court reversed him in February 2020, ruling the Debelbots were entitled to a new trial.

During her closing argument, Dailey told the jury reasonable doubt "does not mean to a mathematical certainty."

'Which means we dont have to prove that 90%. You dont have to be 90% sure. You dont have to be 80% sure. You dont have to be 51% sure,' she said.

The high court said that was 'an egregious misstatement of the law' and said the Debelbots didnt get a fair trial because their lawyers didnt object.

Ashley, pictured above during her time in the Army, hopes to own her own food truck, and eventually a restaurant

Mark Jones, who became district attorney in Columbus in January, said he reviewed the available evidence. With limited resources and many recent murder cases, he decided against pursuing an old case with a high likelihood of acquittal.

At the hearing last month to dismiss the charges, Jones apologized that the Debelbots didn't get a fair trial.

Albert said Jones apology was appropriate.

'Is it enough? I surely dont think so,' he said.

Now free of criminal charges, the Debelbots are struggling to start over.

Ashley works in customer service for an insurance company but dreams of having her own food truck, and eventually a restaurant.

Albert, 35, is from the Pacific island of Palau. Because of complications proving his legal residency, he hasnt been able to get a photo ID, making it hard to reestablish himself.

Both said their faith in the justice system is destroyed. They also said they never had a chance to grieve McKenzys death.

A teddy bear with a compartment in its back holds McKenzys ashes. Ashley hugs the bear now and cries, thinking of her daughter who would have turned 13 this month.

'I would have a teenager,' Ashley said, her eyes turning wistful as she gazed at two photos of newborn McKenzy on the wall. 'Who knows how many more children I would have had by now.'
The friends and family of murdered police community support officer Julia James today took a walk of peace in her memory through the village where she was attacked.

The remote community of Aylesham, Kent has been in mourning since the PCSO was found dead in Akholt Wood, close to her home in Snowdown, Kent, last month.

Grandmother-of-one Ms James, 53, was attacked and killed whilst walking her dog Toby.

Her loyal Jack Russell stayed with her body until she was discovered by members of the public shortly after 4pm on April 27.

She was allegedly killed by Callum Wheeler, 21, of Aylesham, Kent, who has been charged with her murder and is due to stand trial later this year.

The remote community of Aylesham, Kent has been in mourning since the PCSO was was found dead in Akholt Wood, close to her home in Snowdown, Kent, last month

Around 50 people congregated at St Finbarr's Roman Catholic Church in the historic Market Square - which has been adorned with floral tributes to the much-loved PCSO

In the latest act of strength and togetherness, neighbours went out for a walk in memory of 'pillar of the community' Julia.

Around 50 people congregated at St Finbarr's Roman Catholic Church in the historic Market Square - which has been adorned with floral tributes to the much-loved PCSO.

Many were wearing blue ribbons as a mark of respect to the emergency service worker and some brought their dogs along.

They then set off shortly after 2pm and walked around the edge of the village past the railway station.

Mrs James, a 53-year-old mother of two, was allegedly killed by Callum Wheeler, 21, while walking her beloved Jack Russell dog Toby

Many who paid tribute were wearing blue ribbons as a mark of respect to the emergency service worker and some brought their dogs along

Villagers gather to pay their respects to the grandmother who was said to be a 'pillar of the community'

The group then set off shortly after 2pm and walked around the edge of the village past the railway station

Friends, family and neighbours pay tribute to the much-loved mother-of-two Mrs James

Yesterday the PCSO's grieving daughter Bethan Coles said that she is 'so proud' of her mother's work helping victims of domestic abuse. Pictured: Walkers today

It proved to be a beautiful sunny day and the rain held off for the hour and a half long memorial event.

Walkers made their way back to the village centre at around 3.30pm when they strolled past the flowers and had a moment of reflection.

Yesterday the PCSO's grieving daughter Bethan Coles said that she is 'so proud' of her mother's work helping victims of domestic abuse and felt 'so lucky to be her daughter'.

Writing on Facebook, Ms Coles - a serving officer herself - said: 'I have received messages from a number of women who Mum had met during the course of her work; in which she supported victims of domestic abuse.

Bethan Coles (right) said she felt 'so lucky to be' PCSO Julia James' (left) daughter in a tribute to Mrs James - who was found dead in Akholt Wood, close to her home in Snowdown, Kent, on April 27

'It makes me SO proud when I hear about how she has helped and supported these women through their terrible experiences.

'I'm so lucky to be her daughter'.

She signed off the tribute with a red love heart emoji and the hashtag #justiceforjulia.

The message was attached to a post in which Bethan shared an article calling for a new domestic abuse law to be named after mother of two Julia.

Dover and Deal MP, Natalie Elphicke, has said she wants the Victims Bill to be named Julia's Bill when it is brought in later in the year as a 'fitting tribute' to the work Mrs James did with domestic abuse victims in the Canterbury area.

Wheeler (a court sketch, pictured) appeared at Maidstone Crown Court, Kent, on Thursday via video link with London 's Belmarsh Prison, having been charged with murder on Monday

The bill aims to give tougher punishment to perpetrators of domestic abuse.

Mrs James joined Kent Police in 2008 as a crime reduction PCSO and was praised for her work in the community.

As part of her role as a PCSO, Julia James worked with Kent-based domestic violence and abuse charity, Rising Sun, and would often attend meetings to speak about potential police action, safety planning and emotional support.

Most recently, the mother worked supporting victims of domestic abuse in the force's Vulnerability Investigation Team, based at Canterbury police station.

Wheeler, aged 21, from Aylesham, in Kent, was arrested on Friday, May 7, and brought to court last week. At one point he appeared to stick his tongue out (right) as he was led to the prison van after his appearance

Last week, a court heard Mrs James was killed in an 'extremely violent and apparently random' attack.

The details emerged as the man accused of bludgeoning her to death was told he faces a four-week trial.

Wheeler appeared at Maidstone Crown Court, Kent, on Thursday May 13 via video link with London's Belmarsh Prison, having been charged with murder four days earlier.

Wearing a grey T-shirt and trousers with black mask, he simply replied 'Yeah' when asked to confirm his name during the hearing in front of Judge Philip Statman, and sat flanked by prison officers and with his arms folded under his top.

The court was told the earliest start date for a trial would be November 29, with a time estimate of up to four weeks.

No members of Mrs James' family attended the hearing.

Prosecutor Martin Yale told the court she died as a result of an 'extremely violent and apparently random' attack.
The University of North Carolina rescinded its offer of a tenured journalism professor position to 1619 Project author Nikole Hannah-Jones (pictured) after backlash from conservatives

The University of North Carolina has rescinded its offer of a tenured journalism professor position to the author of the New York Times '1619 Project' after an intense backlash.

Instead, UNC officials confirmed this week that Nikole Hannah-Jones, who won the Pulitzer Prize for the 2019 series which 'reframed' American history to focus on when the first Africans arrived to Virginia as slaves, will join its faculty this summer with a five-year contract.

That means one of the New York Times's most vaunted reporters who the newspaper has doggedly stood by even as the project has come under withering criticism by historians for its inaccuracies didn't qualify for a permanent appointment.

The university's Hussman School of Journalism and Media had announced late last month that Hannah-Jones had been tapped for its Knight Chair in Race and Investigative Journalism, a tenured professorship.

The news was swiftly condemned by conservative political groups with links to the UNC Board of Governors which oversees the state university's 16-campus system, according to NC Policy Watch.

Among the loudest critics was the The James G. Martin Center for Academic Renewal, which argued that Hannah-Jones is unqualified for the position because her 1619 Project was 'unfactual and biased'.

The conservative watchdog group said her hiring signaled 'a degradation of journalistic standards, which should deter any serious student from applying to the journalism school'.

The 1619 Project proved a cultural lightening rod, drawing criticism from some historians who said it was a cynical view of American history - and also contained inaccuracies and generalizations.

The backlash over Hannah-Jones' hiring proved fierce enough to cause UNC to dramatically reduce its offer to a mere five-year contract - with the possibility of tenure after that but no guarantee.

UNC confirmed this week that Hannah-Jones will join its faculty this summer with a five-year contract rather than a tenured professorship. Pictured: UNC's main Chapel Hill campus

A member of the Board of Trustees at UNC's main Chapel Hill campus explained the decision to NC Policy Watch, saying that it all came down to politics.

'This is a very political thing,' said the trustee, who asked to remain anonymous. 'The university and the Board of Trustees and the Board of Governors and the Legislature have all been getting pressure since this thing was first announced last month.

'There have been people writing letters and making calls, for and against. But I will leave it to you which is carrying more weight.'

'It's maybe not a solution that is going to please everyone. Maybe it won't please anyone. But if this was going to happen, this was the way to get it done.'

Behind the New York Times' hotly-contested 1619 Project: Critics claim the series was riddled with inaccuracies because authors ignored fact-checker's notes In August 2019 the New York Times Magazine published the 1619 project, a collection of essays, photo essays, short fiction pieces and poems aimed to 'reframe' American history based on the impact of slaves brought to the US. It was published to commemorate the 400th anniversary of the arrival of enslaved Africans in the English colonies. It argues that the nation's birth was not 1776 with independence from the British crown, but in August 1619 with the arrival of a cargo ship of 20 to 30 enslaved Africans at Point Comfort in the colony of Virginia, which inaugurated the system of slavery. The project argues that slavery was the country's origin and out of it 'grew nearly everything that has truly made America exceptional.' That includes economic might, industry, the electoral system, music, public health and education inequities, violence, income inequality, slang, and racial hatred. However, the project is debated among historians for its factual accuracy. In March 2020 historian Leslie M. Harris who served as a fact checker for the project said authors ignored her corrections, but believed the project was needed to correct prevailing historical narratives. One aspect up for debate is the timeline. Time Magazine said the first slaves arrived in 1526 in a Spanish colony in what is now South Carolina, 93 years prior to the landing in Jamestown. Some experts say slaves first arrived at present-day Fort Monroe in Hampton, instead of Jamestown. Others argue the first Africans in Virginia were indentured servants as laws on lifetime slavery didn't appear till 17th century and early 18th century, but worked essentially as slaves. Princeton historian Sean Wilentz criticized the 1619 Project's 'cynicism,' according to the Atlantic magazine. He distributed a letter signed by historians that asked the newspaper to correct what it said were factual errors. The letter said the series was ' displacement of historical understanding by ideology.' Newt Gingrich in a 2019 USA Today article said the project was a lie and that 'there were several hundred thousand white Americans who died in the Civil War in order to free the slaves.' In March 2020, the New York Times wrote a seemingly half-hearted 'clarification' to part of the 1619 project on a part of the series that said one of the primary reasons the colonists fought in the American Revolution was to protect slavery. The clarification read: 'We recognize that our original language could be read to suggest that protecting slavery was a primary motivation for all of the colonists. The passage has been changed to make clear that this was a primary motivation for some of the colonists. A note has been appended to the story as well' Also that month, a professor, Leslie M. Harris, who helped fact-check the project wrote in Politico, said that she'd repeatedly argued against Hannah-Jones against the idea that the people who fought in the American Revolution to preserve slavery. 'I vigorously disputed the claim,' she wrote in the Politico op-ed. 'Although slavery was certainly an issue in the American Revolution, the protection of slavery was not one of the main reasons the 13 Colonies went to war.' Despite the expert's advice, the Times published the story without changing the inaccuracy, something that 'stunned' Harris, she wrote. 'In addition, the papers characterizations of slavery in early America reflected laws and practices more common in the antebellum era than in Colonial times, and did not accurately illustrate the varied experiences of the first generation of enslaved people that arrived in Virginia in 1619,' Harris said, listing another inaccuracy. Harris did contend that slavery was 'central to' the United States' story, but that it was 'not, in fact, founded to protect slavery.' Advertisement

Susan King, the dean of UNC Hussman, called the decision 'disappointing'.

'It's not what we wanted and I am afraid it will have a chilling effect,' King said, according to NC Policy Watch.

Daniel Kreiss, an associate professor at Hussman, also condemned the controversy over Hannah-Jones' hiring.

'Obviously, they knew the hiring could be controversial,' he said. 'But I think it's all quite silly to be honest.

'Nikole Hannah-Jones is one of the most prominent journalists in the United States, frankly in the world, today and [is] doing exactly the kind of work that is necessary to help the US come to terms with its racial history.

'She's an alum we're frankly quite proud of and should be. We've had her in to give numerous talks over the years. Like her work, they've been rigorous, historical, investigative, and it makes a strong and forceful argument for coming to a full understanding of the US's history to move forward from there.'

Hannah-Jones has not publicly commented on the news that she will no longer be eligible for tenure.

In a statement on April 27, Hannah-Jones said her UNC courses would teach how to write stories that are 'truly reflective of our multiracial nation.'

It's sort of a homecoming for Hannah-Jones, who is a MacArthur Fellowship Genius Grant recipient. She got a master's degree from Hussman in 2003.

'This is a full-circle moment for me as I return to the place that launched my career to help launch the careers of other aspiring journalists,' she tweeted on Monday. 'I'm so excited to continue mentoring students from the classroom and for all I will learn from them.'

She said she'd still be at the New York Times where she wrote the 1619 Project, which was published in 2019 as a collection of essays, photo essays, poems and short fiction stories.

She joined the New York Times in 2015 after working at ProPublica, the Oregonian, the Raleigh News & Observer and the Chapel Hill News, according to a release from the school.

Teaching at UNC is a sort of homecoming for Hannah-Jones, who graduated from Hussman in 2013.

Hannah-Jones became a household name in journalism with the 1619 Project - which was slammed by former President Donald Trump as 'totally discredited' and part of the 'twisted web of lies' that has caught fire in American universities that teach American is a 'wicked and racist nation.'

Trump formed a '1776 Commission' in response to teach 'patriotism.' It released a report this year before being ended by President Joe Biden.

The series 'reframed' American history to have it start in 1619, when the first slaves from Africa arrived to Virginia, instead of 1776, when the founding fathers declared independence from Britain.

In her essay, Hannah-Jones wrote that slaves laid the foundations of the US Capitol and built founding fathers' plantations. She said the 'relentless buying, selling, insuring and financing of their bodies' made Wall Street and New York City the financial capital of the world.

'Before the abolishment of the international slave trade, 400,000 enslaved Africans would be sold into America. Those individuals and their descendants transformed the lands to which they'd been brought into some of the most successful colonies in the British Empire,' Hannah-Jones wrote.

'But it would be historically inaccurate to reduce the contributions of black people to the vast material wealth created by our bondage,' she said. 'Black Americans have also been, and continue to be, foundational to the idea of American freedom. More than any other group in this country's history, we have served, generation after generation, in an overlooked but vital role: It is we who have been the perfecters of this democracy.'

The project heralded by some and criticized by others, including a number of historians and Trump, who adamantly opposed the idea that it should be taught in classrooms.

Princeton historian Sean Wilentz criticized the '1619 Project', and some of Hannah-Jones's other work, in a letter sent to top Times editors and the publisher, The Atlantic reported in December 2019.

The letter, which was signed by other scholars James McPherson, Gordon Wood, Victoria Bynum, and James Oakes refers to 'matters of verifiable fact' that 'cannot be described as interpretation or "framing''' and says the project reflected 'a displacement of historical understanding by ideology,' The Atlantic reported.

Wilentz and the other signatories demanded corrections.

Trump called it 'revisionist history' and threatened to withhold federal funding from public schools that used it.

Republican lawmakers in a handful of states, including Iowa and Missouri, are continuing his fight to ban it from schools.

Bills were introduced in those state legislatures that would punish school districts that use the '1619 Project' by cutting federal funding.

A major critic of the project has been The Heritage Foundation, which says it 'has been tireless in its efforts to debunk the radical and anti-American positions taken by The New York Times and the '1619 Project.'

One of The Heritage Foundation's articles pointed out post-publication edits that the Times made, including changing a in Hannah-Jones' leading article in the series to say that 'some of' the colonists fought the American Revolution to defend slavery.

The 1619 Project won the Pulitzer Prize in 2019. It was praised by some as shining a light on untold history, but lambasted by others, including former President Donald Trump, for what he said was a jaundiced view of the US

'The editors called this a 'small' clarification, and it was indeed very small, although considering that the 1619 Project's full-throated commitment to demonstrating that American history can only be explained through the lens of slavery, this correction appears nothing short of essential,' Heritage policy expert Jonathan Butcher, a senior policy analyst for Heritage's Center for Education Policy, wrote.

One of the project's supporters, Seth Rockman, an associate professor of history at Brown University, wrote in an op-ed for the Washington Post that the project 'is a testament to patriotism, not a repudiation.'

Rockman wrote that history is 'an ongoing conversation in which trained professionals and multiple publics wrestle with the meaning of the past' and disagreement is desirable 'as it shows us that something important is at stake.'

He said there are warranted criticisms that 'we should spend our time debating,' for example the project was 'insufficiently attentive' about how the Native Americans lost their land.

Trump suggested, however, that the project's teachings were dangerous.

'Critical race theory, the 1619 project, and the crusade against American history is toxic propaganda, ideological poison that if not removed will dissolve the civic bonds that tie us together,' he said, according to the Atlantic. 'It will destroy our country.'

Hannah-Jones, meanwhile, said on Twitter that 'history, in general, is contested.'

'The project unsettled many. I think that is good.'
A husband who drank three bottles of chilli oil before brutally murdering his wife in a 'savage and frenzied' attack and stabbing a young boy nine times has been found dead in his cell.

Andriejus Kostiajevas, then 47, broke the skull of Ligita Kostiajeviene, 42, and stabbed her multiple times at their Peterborough home.

He was convicted of murder and sentenced to a minimum term of 28 years in February 2020 after a trial at Cambridge Crown Court.

Kostiajevas also stabbed a nine-year-old boy living in the house multiple times and left him with life-changing injuries.

The killer's body was found in his cell hanging from a disability handrail by staff at maximum security Woodhill jail, in Milton Keynes.

Kostiajevas had been in the Healthcare assessment unit and his death is not being treated as suspicious and he is not believed to have tested positive for Covid-19.

Andriejus Kostiajevas, 47, was found hanging from a disability handrail at HMP Woodhill maximum security prison in Milton Keynes. His death is not being treated as suspicious

Andriejus Kostiajevas' body was found hanging from a disability handrail by prison officers at HMP Woodhill, Buckinghamshire.

He had been serving a 28-year term in the maximum security jail after he was found guilty of the murder of his wife in July 2019.

A Prison Service spokesperson confirmed: 'HMP Woodhill prisoner Andriejus Kostiajevas died in prison on 25 April. The Prisons and Probation Ombudsman has been informed.'

Eyewitnesses say they saw Mr Kostiajevas drink at least three bottles of chilli oil at his Cromwell Road, Peterborough home before murdering his wife in a 'frenzied attack'.

Mr Kostiajevas broke the skull of Ligita Kostiajeviene, 42, (pictured) and stabbed her multiple times at their Peterborough home in the summer of 2019

At a court hearing last year, a neighbour told jurors how she heard fighting between the married couple and went downstairs to check on the welfare of Ligita Kostiajeviene.

The woman discovered Andriejus was wielding a knife when he stabbed his wife and broke her skull.

Andriejus then knifed a young boy, who had been woken up during the disturbance, nine times - leaving him with permanent injuries.

As paramedics rushed to the scene, detectives followed a trail of blood to a nearby outbuilding, where Kostiajevas engaged in a standoff with officers for more than an hour after the brutal attack.

While the young boy was rushed to a nearby hospital for surgery, Ligita was prounounced dead at the scene - as officers recovered two hammers with traces of her hair on from the property.

Cambridgeshire Police Superintendent Michael Branston described Andriejus' actions as a 'brutal, frenzied and sustained attack'.

Speaking after Andriejus was jailed, he said: 'This was a brutal, frenzied and sustained attack resulting in the death of an innocent woman and significant trauma to a young child.

'Our deepest sympathies go out to Ligita's family.
Steve Forbes believes Joe Biden has already bungled the 'next pandemic' by throwing his support behind a proposal to give away the intellectual property behind vaccines which he says will deter pharmaceutical companies from making new ones in the future.

Biden earlier this week supported the World Trade Organization talks to ease trade rules, including IP restrictions, with the aim of making vaccines more available to developing countries. The idea they are pushing is that it'll speed up the global fight against COVID-19.

The US has committed $4billion to the global COVAX effort - more than any other country and almost half the entire budget.

Forbes, writing for Fox Business on Wednesday, said it doesn't help fight COVID because the countries that needs the help won't be able to produce the vaccines quickly enough.

Steve Forbes said on Wednesday that Biden supporting a proposal to waive IP protection on vaccines will deter American companies from making them and could bungle a future pandemic

'According to experts, given ongoing supply shortages and the lack of additional manufacturing capacity in many places, the move to forfeit American IP does nothing for countries who need vaccines, but does everything for Americas economic competitors who want nothing more than access to the innovation that has the U.S. leading the world in vaccine efficacy and distribution.

'Do not be fooled by proponents calling the IP waiver "temporary." Once this technology is out there, it cannot be taken back,' Forbes wrote.

He said the US had put billions of dollars of investment into developing the vaccines, and that doing away with protections on IP will only dissuade from companies like Pfizer and Moderna from developing vaccines in the future.

'By scrapping patent protections, the administration will have stripped incentives for companies to continue their work on next-generation drugs, the next pandemic and breakthroughs for countless diseases.

The US has given more to the global COVAX fund than any other country. It has pledged $4billion

'Considering the average drug takes $2.6billion and over a decade to come to market, investors, scientists and risk takers will question why invest all that time and money if others will just be allowed to cheat off your innovations.

'It was innovation investments and competition that created the technology infrastructure that produced multiple effective vaccines in record time during the pandemic,' he wrote.

United States Trade Representative Katherine Tai announced the government's position in a Wednesday statement, amid World Trade Organization talks over easing global trade rules to enable more countries to produce more of the life-saving vaccines.

'The Administration believes strongly in intellectual property protections, but in service of ending this pandemic, supports the waiver of those protections for COVID-19 vaccines,' Tai said in the statement.
A 24-year-old British youth worker found dead in Ibiza was attacked with bottles before he went into the sea, his family claim.

Anwaar Lahrichi-Greenwood was found floating wearing nothing but his socks in San Antonio port hours after vanishing on a night out with friends on August 5, 2018.

His family claim Spanish police want them to believe Mr Lahrichi-Greenwood slipped and fell - but they say witnesses have told how he was beaten with a bottle.

Mr Lahrichi-Greenwood - who worked as a mentor and carer for vulnerable children - was last seen outside Soul City club near the town's harbour 30 hours before his body was found, Barnet Coroner's Court heard.

At the time of his death his family criticised the San Antonio police for not properly investigating what happened.

Anwaar Lahrichi-Greenwood (pictured) was found floating wearing nothing but his socks in San Antonio port hours after vanishing on a night out with friends on August 5, 2018

His cousin, Syan Angol, said the family had travelled to the island to investigate and disputed local police's account of the facts.

Summarising an autopsy report from forensic pathologist Dr Simon Morris Poole, Coroner Simon Walker said: 'You can't indicate the mechanism by which the head injuries were sustained, it is not possible to exclude violent strikes, such as from a bottle or the sea bed.

'The lungs suggest the deceased was alive when he entered the water.

'You can't indicate when or how Mr Lahrichi-Greenwood died, you did not suggest he was dragged and deposited into the sea.'

Dr Morris Poole confirmed that the toxicology results were 'confusing' and he could not be certain about the level of intoxication at the time of death.

Coroner Mr Walker said: 'Witnesses saw a number of blows with a bottle to the head and he was found on the ground with someone tending to his injuries, he was not in water at that time.

'Bearing in mind your conclusions of the injuries, do you think that there could have been in this case an element of concussion affecting Mr Lahrichi-Greenwood?

Mr Lahrichi-Greenwood (pictured) - who worked as a mentor and carer for vulnerable children - was last seen outside Soul City club near the town's harbour 30 hours before his body was found, Barnet Coroner's Court heard

'I think that it's certainly possible, the reason I say that is that concussion as a clinical state is often not associated with structural or anatomical in the membrane at the time of autopsy,' said the coroner.

'Had he entered the water he might have been at considerable disadvantage.'

Witnesses came forward after the family offered a 5,000 reward for any information which would lead to a conviction.

Ms Angol earlier said: 'We personally believe he is being painted as another British tourist who goes out to Ibiza, gets drunk, loses themselves and accidents happen.

'That's what they want us to believe.'

His family claim Spanish police want them to believe Mr Lahrichi-Greenwood slipped and fell - but they say witnesses have told how he was beaten with a bottle. Pictured: The port where his body was found

According to the family, witnesses said Mr Lahrichi-Greenwood, from Edmonton, north London, had been 'hit over the head with a bottle' during a 'brawl' with three Spanish youths.

'We have written statements, addresses, numbers and established a timeline.'

'Although there are still bits missing, we probably have more than the Spanish authorities have.'

Witnesses described seeing Mr Lahrichi-Greenwood being hit at least twice with a bottle before refusing treatment from paramedics and leaving the scene.

The inquest into the death of Mr Lahrichi-Greenwood continues.
An Asian man was repeatedly punched and had the tip of his finger bitten off by an attacker who told him to 'go back to your country' as hate crime spree spreads across New York City.

The 48-year-old Asian man was brutally attacked by a shirtless perpetrator on Tuesday morning in the Hells Kitchen neighborhood of Manhattan.

The victim is a driver from Long Island who was in the area to pick up a customer, his family told ABC 7 News.

The assailant allegedly approached the 48-year-old and randomly punched him in the face 'without provocation,' NYPD said in a statement.

He then began raining punches on him before telling him 'go back to your country.'

The man then bit the victim on his left hand, severing his middle finger, before fleeing the scene.

The attacker was captured on security footage walking away from the crime scene with a red sweatshirt in hand, donning black sneakers and shirtless

The attacker, described by police as dark-skinned and in his 40s, was captured on security footage walking away from the crime scene shirtless, with a red sweatshirt in hand and wearing black sneakers.

The victim was transported to a nearby hospital where he was treated for injuries to his face, arm and hand.

His family says they are sick and tired of the rise in anti-Asian attacks and that these crimes have made them more aware of their surroundings, ABC 7 News reported.

The incident occurred in the same neighborhood a 31-year-old Asian woman was attacked with a hammer by a woman who ordered her to take her mask off earlier this month.

The woman suffered a cut to her head and was hospitalized and the attack was investigated by the NYPD as a potential hate crime.

The incident also took place just two blocks from where a 65-year-old Asian woman was kicked and stomped by a 38-year-old man while she was on her way to church in late March.

Governor Andrew Cuomo (pictured) condemned the attack and directed the Hate Crime Task Force to assist in finding the suspect

A report from the Center for the Study of Hate & Extremism at California State University, San Bernardino, found that antiAsian hate crimes surged 149 per cent while overall hate crime dropped 7 per cent in 2020.

The report indicated that the rise in anti-Asian crimes was attributed to 'a rise in COVID cases and negative stereotyping of Asians relating to the pandemic.'

Former President Donald Trump repeatedly called COVID-19 the 'Chinese virus,' and was accused of stoking hatred towards Asian-American people.

Governor Andrew Cuomo condemned the attack and directed the Hate Crime Task Force to assist in finding the suspect.

'In what has now become an alarming, disgusting pattern, we have learned that yet another Asian American was attacked violently in Manhattan,' Cuomo said in a statement. 'This needs to end. I want the Asian American community to remember that we stand with them against hate. As New Yorkers we are forever proud of our diversity and we reject any cowardly attempts to divide us.'

'Justice needs to be done and I am directing the New York State Police Hate Crimes Task Force to offer their assistance in the investigation of this attack,' Cuomo added.
Inoue has been charged with two counts of murder

An Arizona mom, who is accused of killing her seven and nine-year-old children with a meat cleaver, was admitted to a psychiatric hospital during a child protective services investigation three months ago.

The Arizona Department of Child Safety said in a statement on Tuesday that it opened a child neglect investigation on March 2 after Yui Inoue's youngest child, seven-year-old Kai, went missing from their family's Tempe apartment.

Police ultimately found the 40-year-old mother and her son behind a convenience store, and Inoue was taken to a psychiatric hospital, according the the Arizona Department of Child Safety's statement.

Officials didn't say how long she remained in the hospital.

Scroll down for video

Arizona police officers found two children - aged nine and seven - dead after their mom told them she was hearing voices

The Arizona Department of Child Safety said in a statement on Tuesday that it opened a child neglect investigation on March 2 after Yui Inoue's youngest child, seven-year-old Kai, went missing from their family's Tempe apartment. Police at the scene of the double murder above

Hours before the two young kids were found butchered, Inoue flagged down a Tempe police officer as he was heading out for patrol around 7am and told him she was 'hearing voices telling her to kill her kids'

Arizona DCS investigators followed up with a house visit after returning Kai to his father, but didn't find any visible signs of neglect or abuse, the department said.

The investigation into the family remained open up until Kai and his nine-year-old sister, Mia, were found dead on Saturday.

Hours before the two young kids were found butchered, Inoue flagged down a Tempe police officer as he was heading out for patrol around 7am and told him she was 'hearing voices telling her to kill her kids'.

The kids' mom, Yui Inoue said she was hearing voices before he allegedly killed her two young kids

Officers raced to her apartment - about 11 miles outside of Phoenix - and found a her children dead 'with obvious signs of physical trauma', Tempe Police Sgt. Steven Carbajal Carbajal said.

The kids' father was home at the time and isn't considered a suspect, Carbajal said.

Inoue told police during an interview that she went to bed with her kids and woke up around 4.30am covered in blood, according to court documents. Her two children were dead near the bedroom doorway.

Inoue appeared in court for the first time since her arrest on Monday.

'I did not kill anybody,' she said through a Japanese interpreter.

Prosecutor Jay Rademacher requested that she be held on a $2million cash bond, saying the children were found lacerated, mutilated and 'almost completely decapitated'.

'These children were helpless, Your Honor, and did everything they could to fight their mother,' Rademacher said.

When she heard this description, Inoue put her head down on the podium.

Inoue is facing two counts of first-degree murder and was held on the requested bond.
A Proud Boy charged over the Capitol riot has asked a judge to sever his case from his co-defendants after their lawyer called the MAGA mob 'f***ing retarded'.

Christopher Kuehne, 47, was indicted alongside William Chrestman, Louis Enrique Colon and siblings Felicia and Cory Konold in February.

Now Kuehne, a Marine, has called comments by their attorney Albert Watkins 'highly inappropriate and prejudicial', Law & Crime reports. Watkins had described those who attended the siege as 'people with brain damage'.

Kuehne's lawyer, Marina Medvin, argues his 'trial rights are prejudiced by the joinder of his case with codefendants who are represented by a counselor who has made highly inappropriate and prejudicial statements'.

Those comments 'directly impact and prejudice Mr. Kuehnes right to a fair trial', Medvin claims, adding: 'Therefore, Mr. Kuehne invokes his right for relief, seeking severance.'

Watkins - who also represents the self proclaimed QAnon Shaman Jacob Chansley - told Talking Points Memo: 'A lot of these defendants - and I'm going to use this colloquial term, perhaps disrespectfully - but they're all f***ing short-bus people.

'These are people with brain damage, they're f***ing retarded, they're on the goddamn spectrum. F**k, they were subjected to four-plus years of goddamn propaganda the likes of which the world has not seen since f**ing Hitler.'

Christopher Kuehne, left, has asked a judge to sever his case from his co-defendants after their lawyer Albert Watkins, right, called the MAGA mob 'f***ing retarded'

Christopher Kuehne (camouflage helmet with orange tape in black) pictured with other Proud Boys storming the Capitol on January 6

Kuehne's lawyer, Marina Medvin, argues his 'trial rights are prejudiced by the joinder of his case with codefendants who are represented by a counselor who has made highly inappropriate and prejudicial statements'

Watkins has argued that the comments were part of a 'calibrated move' following 'long standing pleas for compassion and understanding of those involved in the events of January 6 with mental health issues and disabilities have to date fallen on deaf ears'.

Watkins told Law & Crime: 'One charged, insensitive, and vulgar statement and the needed attention is given. We live in a sound bite world. I respectfully suggest the next few days and weeks will demonstrate the prudence of this calibrated move.'

But Kuehne's motion argues: 'Unlike his co-defendants, Mr. Kuehnes defense strategy does not include self-degradation, nor an insanity plea.

'A joint trial also poses a serious risk that the jury will be compromised in making a reliable judgment about the guilt or innocence of Mr. Kuehne after co-defendants counsel has demeaned his mental abilities publicly and has previewed how he plans to present his clients defense moving forward. A joint jury trial under such conditions for Mr. Kuehne is inherently unfair.

'Unlike his co-defendants, Mr. Kuehne is not willing to throw in the towel, nor to throw an entire political party under the bus through cheap Nazi comparisons.'

Watkins has argued that the comments were part of a 'calibrated move' following 'long standing pleas for compassion and understanding of those involved in the events of January 6 with mental health issues and disabilities have to date fallen on deaf ears'. Self proclaimed QAnon Shaman Jacob Chansley is pictured on January 6

Christopher Kuehne (camouflage helmet with orange tape in black) pictured with other Proud Boys storming the Capitol on January 6. Kuehne's motion argues: 'Unlike his co-defendants, Mr. Kuehnes defense strategy does not include self-degradation, nor an insanity plea'

Kuehne faces charges including conspiracy and entering and remaining in a restricted building or grounds and carrying a deadly or dangerous weapon.

Chansley, who was pictured inside the US Capitol wearing a horned hat, is among those awaiting potential prison sentences after being charged over the January 6 riots.

Watkins noted that his client, who remains jailed on charges of civil disorder and five other counts, has Asperger's syndrome.

The attorney had previously tried to argue that Trump was to blame for Chansley's actions the day he stormed the Capitol carrying a spear draped with an American flag.

Kuehne's lawyer, Marina Medvin, pictured, argues his 'trial rights are prejudiced by the joinder of his case with codefendants who are represented by a counselor who has made highly inappropriate and prejudicial statements'

He told the judge during a pre-trial hearing in March that Chansley had gone to the Capitol 'like Forrest Gump' at Trump's invitation.

'We're not dealing with a man of violence,' Watkins said.

'They genuinely believed in the truth of what was being asserted by the highest hired hand in the land, the president.'

He had claimed that Trump had drawn Chansley into a web of lies.

Watkins had argued that Chansley believed police were allowing him and other protesters to enter the Capitol building, which his client later repeated in an interview with 60 Minutes from jail.

The judge later branded Chansley a liar after footage submitted by the prosecution showed him standing atop scaffolding while rioters clashed with police officers below.

He was later filmed walking through a doorway into the Capitol after rioters broke windows.

'The government's video shows that defendant blatantly lied during his interview with 60 Minutes+ when he said that police officers waved him into the building,' the judge wrote.

'Further, this video confirms that defendant did not, as defense counsel claims, enter the building' contemporaneously with the exiting by Capitol Police.' [] Nor did he enter, as defence counsel represents, in the 'third wave' of the breach. To the contrary, he quite literally spearheaded it.'

The attorney for another Capitol rioter, Anthony Antonio, has previously blamed 'Foxitis' for his client's role because he spent hours after home during the COVID-19 pandemic watching Fox News and Trump's claims of a stolen election.

Joe Hurley told Talking Points that his prior Foxitis remarks were not a defense but rather 'pointing the finger of accusation where it belongs: to the slithery snake', referring to Trump.

'I want to separate him out from that herd of thugs that belong behind bars to set an example for the rest of the thugs that are out there,' Hurley said.

Watkins had argued that Chansley, pictured left and right, believed police were allowing him and other protesters to enter the Capitol building, which his client later repeated in an interview with 60 Minutes from jail. The judge later branded Chansley a liar after footage submitted by the prosecution showed him standing atop scaffolding while rioters clashed with police officers below

Kuehne was in February released on his own recognizance but ordered to be on home detention and wear an electric monitor.

Kuehne, a retired Marine Corps officer, told the judge that he is being treated at the Department of Veterans Affairs for PTSD and a traumatic brain injury.

His father, Charles Kuehne, said his son was deployed to Afghanistan and Iraq and retired four or five years ago as a captain. He moved to Olathe to take a railroad management job but was laid off in May 2020.

'That added a lot of stress to his life,' the elder Kuehne said.

He said he and his son never talked about politics before they and his mother had a disagreement in May 2020 about a family matter. They have not spoken since that disagreement, and Kuehne said he was shocked to hear of his son's arrest from an Associated Press reporter, adding, 'I'm in tears right now.'

'I can't believe he went to DC,' he said. 'It's just unbelievable.'
A second alleged rape victim of That '70s star Danny Masterson tearfully told a Los Angeles criminal court today how she woke up naked to find him raping her and when she tried to fight him off, he hit her and spit on her, calling her 'white trash'.

She also claimed that the Scientologist actor laughed at her when he admitted to having anal sex with her while she was passed out.

Christina B - a former model who lived with Masterson at his Hollywood Hills home for six years - took the stand today on the second day of the preliminary hearing to determine whether he will stand trial on the three rape charges he has pleaded not guilty to.

Masterson, 45, - who showed up at the Los Angeles criminal court today wearing a gray check suit, dark tie and white shirt - has pleaded not guilty to raping three women in separate incidents at his Hollywood Hills home between 2001 and 2003.

With her voice quavering, blonde haired Christina - whose last name is being withheld - told the court that in November 2001, 'I was sleeping and I woke up and he (Masterson) was having sex with me.'

That '70s Show star Danny Masterson appeared in criminal court in downtown Los Angeles Wednesday for the second day of his preliminary hearing

In court Jennifer admitted that she did not know 'Lily' personally - prompting the attorney to retort, 'Because Lily doesn't exist'. Today, Masterson's lawyer Tom Mesereau accused Jennifer of being a liar

'I decided I did not want to have sex with him and I fought him and told him to stop. He got angry and pushed all his weight down on my body. I tried to push him off,' Christina said.

'He would not stop so I did something I knew would make him angry, I pulled his hair. He has these rules.he has this thing about his hair ..and I know that if I pulled it really hard he would get off me.'

Masterson reacted violently, she said. 'He hit me,' she told the court, indicating that he had stuck her inn the cheek with an 'open fist.'

When he'd finally got off her, said Christina, 'He stood over me and spit on me and called me white trash.'

She went on to describe a second incident a month later in December 2001 which started with she and Masterson going out to dinner at a restaurant where she said she drank 'a glass or two' of wine.

'The last thing I remember from that night was standing up to leave the restaurant. I don't remember anything more.

'When I woke up the next morning, I had not memory of the night before. I had no clothes on and I was confused.

'The first thing I noticed was that my whole body hurt and the back of my head hurt. I was injured in my rectal area. There was a little blood and I felt torn. It hurt to sit down and it hurt to go to the bathroom.'

She confronted Masterson, she said. 'I asked him what happened last night. I have no memory and my bottom is injured.

'He laughed at me and he said he had sex with me there (the real area). I said. 'Was I unconscious the whole time and he sad 'yes.'

Christina - who Masterson recruited into the Church of Scientology - said she went to Church of Scientology officials Miranda and Chris Scoggins to report the alleged anal rape.

'I told Miranda 'He raped me.' And she told me, 'You cannot rape someone you are in a relationship with. Don't say the word rape again.'

Christina said that the Scientology officials told her not to say anything to outsiders about the traumatic incident, making her fear that she could be declared a 'suppressive person'.

'That means that other Scientologists can lie to them, trick them, ultimately destroy that person.'

The preliminary hearing is expected to last four days and will decide whether Masterson will stand trial on the rape charges

On Tuesday, one of Masterson's alleged victims - 46-year-old Jennifer - said Masterson once 'took off his pants and pulled out his penis'

She didn't ago to the police to file a crime report on Masterson until December 2016. And when asked by deputy district attorney Reinhold Mueller why she waited so long, she told the court, 'For three reasons.

'First I was embarrassed and ashamed. Second, I just wanted to help him and the Church of Scientology to help him.'

The third reason she said that she was terrified 'the church would ultimately destroy me. I had disconnected with my family and all my friends who weren't Scientologists. There was no option for me.'

Earlier at today's hearing, Christina, now 43, said she met Masterson at a party in 1996 when she was only 18 and moved into his home two weeks later.

At first, she told the court, 'Has was wonderful, very charming. I loved him. He was great for a while.'

But about a year into their relationship, she said, he changed. 'He became very aggressive sexually. Oftentimes I would be asleep and I would wake up and he was having sex with me.

'I would try to push him off and say 'no' but he wouldn't stop.'

Christina talked about how Masterson exerted 'emotional and emotional control. He was always right. He never apologized.'

In cross examination of Christina B, Mesereau pointed out that in 2016 when she first reported the December 2001 alleged anal rape to cops in Austin, Texas where she then lived, she did not also report the alleged rape a month earlier in November 2001.

Christina admitted that was true but offered no explanation.

But she vehemently denied Mesereaus suggestion that she only went to Austin police to tell them about the alleged anal rape after Leah Remini told her she needed to file a police report if she wanted to be on Reminis anti- Scientologist TV show.

She insisted that filing the police report in Austin was her own decision and added, I never wanted to be on her show.

Mesereau also tried to shed doubt on Christinas credibility by telling the court that in interviews with the police and district attorney, she only said Masterson tried to have sex with her in the November incident, even though today she testified that he actually had sex with her.

Christina said that she and Masterson broke up in 2002, and she admitted that she had sex with him again twice afterward, once in Los Angeles and once in New York.

But she added that after her hookup with him in New York, He took a photo of me naked without my permission.

Jenny B - whose full name is being withheld - testified in court yesterday that she finally decided to file a police report on the alleged rape after hearing that Masterson had previously raped a woman named Lily.

Under cross examination today by the TV star's lawyer, Tom Mesereau, she admitted that she did not know 'Lily' personally - prompting the attorney to retort, 'Because Lily doesn't exist.'

Mesereau insisted that 'there is no evidence' that Danny Masterson raped a woman named Lily and added, 'She made that up - it's a lie.'

Danny Masterson posted a photo Tuesday of himself in the passenger seat as his wife Bijou Phillips drove, with the caption, 'Had the most beautiful Uber driver drop me off at school today. #uberwife #bijouphillips,' and the location 'Court House'

Jenny B was back in the witness box for the second day of a preliminary hearing to determine if Masterson will go to trial on three rape charges.

Yesterday on the witness stand Jenny B gave a tearful and harrowing account of how in April 2003, the Scientologist actor plied her with a 'fruity' cocktail, threw her in his jacuzzi, brutally raped her and brandished a gun as he yelled at her, 'Don't say a fing word. You're not going to tell anybody.'

Masterson played wise-cracking Steven Hyde on That '70s Show from 1998 to 2006

Today, Mesereau tried to establish 'inconsistencies' in Jenny B's rape account, asking if the bruises she received in the assault could have been caused by a sexual encounter with a boyfriend she was intimately involved with at the time. She replied 'No.'

Crying and dabbing her eyes with tissues, Jenny B - who wore a dark blue flowered dress and had her dark hair in a pony tail - said she had 'once ' withheld information about the alleged rape.

But when asked by Mesereau if she had been 'consistent and truthful at all times' about what she told the police, she replied with an emphatic, 'Yes.'

Jenny B admitted that the account she gave the Church of Scientology about the alleged rape was different from the report she gave Los Angeles police.

She said she 'intentionally withheld' references to Scientology and hedged on her rape accusations against Masterson.

'I didn't want to lose my relationship with my (Scientologist) parents. I thought I could earn favor with the church and they would go easy on me.'

She added that she was 'really scared of retaliation from Scientology and Danny Masterson.'

Jenny B admitted giving an interview to TV star Leah Remini for her anti-Scientology series, Scientology and the Aftermath. But she denied that she was paid for that interview.

During his cross-examination yesterday Mesereau challenged her testimony about Masterson grabbing a gun, asking her why there was no mention of a gun in the police report she filed the following year. She had no explanation

Mesereau also asked her if she had told friends, 'Danny is the best sex I've ever had.' She denied saying that to friends.'

But she admitted that when she met with a LAPD detective in 2017 to discuss the current rape charges against Masterson, she 'corrected' some of the statements she had made to the police in June 2004 when she first reported the alleged rape.

Bobette Riales and Masterson dated from 2002-2004, in which time Masterson allegedly drugged and sexually assaulted her. She claims she was stalked by the church after she came forward with allegation (pictured together in 2003)

Chrissie Bixler dated Masterson for several years and claims he would forcefully have sex with her and became violent when she refused. She says her dog mysteriously died after she reported him (pictured together in 2000)

Masterson - who has been married to actress and model Bijou Phillips since 2011 - stands charged with raping a 23-year-old woman between January and December 2001, raping a 28-year-old woman in April 2003, and raping another 23 year-old woman between October and December 2003.

He was also accused of sexual assault in two other cases but the DA's office said they declined to file charges on those, one for insufficient evidence and the other based on the statute of limitations.

In 2019, four women - including the three alleged victims in the criminal case - filed a civil lawsuit against Masterson, claiming he drugged, raped and sexually assaulted them in the early 2000s.

The lawsuit also named the Church of Scientology and its leader David Miscavige as defendants, claiming the women were stalked in a 'conspiracy to cover up that Daniel Masterson sexually assaulted four young women'.

Two of the women named in the suit were Masterson's ex-girlfriends - Chrissie Bixler and Bobette Riales - while the other two are listed as Jane Does.

Bixler is being lent support by Remini, the former Scientologist who is now one of the church's harshest critics. Remini was at Masterson's criminal court hearing last October.

In the civil lawsuit, the alleged victims' lawyer said, 'When those women came forward to report Masterson's crimes the Defendants (The Church of Scientology) conspired to and systematically stalked, harassed, invaded their and their family's privacy, and intentionally caused them emotional distress to silence and intimidate them.'

Masterson - who played wise-cracking Steven Hyde on That '70s Show from 1998 to 2006 - called the lawsuit against him and the Church of Scientology a 'shameful money grab'.

In statement to DailyMail.com, the Church of Scientology branded the lawsuit 'baseless' and the claims 'ludicrous and a sham'. 'It's a dishonest and hallucinatory publicity stunt. Leah Remini is taking advantage of these people as pawns in her moneymaking scam.'
Rep. Rashida Tlaib took part in a fundraiser hosted by a Palestinian American activist accused of sharing anti-Semitic social media posts.

Details emerged after Tlaib confronted President Joe Biden to criticize his handling of the escalating crisis between Israel and Hamas militants in the Gaza Strip.

Tlaib delivered what was billed as a 'special message' of 'solidarity' during an online campaign event which counted Maher Abdel Qader among its hosts.

He was exposed in 2019 for sharing a now-deleted video on Facebook that claimed 'satanic' Jews secretly controlled the media.

Rep Rashida Tlaib appears at a fundraising event hosted by Maher Abdel Qader

Abdel Qader posed for a photograph with Tlaib at the United Nations headquarters in New York, posting it to Instagram in January 2019

Abdel Qader with Tlaib soon after her midterm election win at the U.S. Capitol

Tlaib has been outspoken in her criticism of Israel as scrutiny of Democratic Party splits increases amid growing violence in the region

Fox News revealed that in March he shared an image of Tlaib, a member of the so called 'squad' of progressive Democrats, joining a Zoom call for what he described as a 'great successful fund raiser' for a candidate running to become lieutenant governor of Virginia

Abdel Qader was a donor and fundraiser for Tlaib's successful midterm campaign in 2018.

But after her election, he was one of a number of people singled out for social media posts attacking Israel and spreading anti-Semitic content.

Rep. Rashida Tlaib confronted President Biden on Tuesday when he arrived at Detroit airport, urging him to do more to protect Palestinian human rights in the face of Israeli aggression

At the time she distanced himself from his positions.

It is unfair to be held responsible for the statements of others, especially when my actions  including votes as a Michigan legislator and leading the Take On Hate campaign  make clear that I oppose all forms of hate and condemn those who dehumanize others, she told the New York Times in a written statement.

For his part Abdel Qader posted an apology and the video appeared to be deleted.

Screenshots saved by the Daily Caller showed cartoonish images of Jews surrounded by cash.

Research the truth about the Holocaust, and youll definitely start to question what you thought you knew, the videos narrator reportedly says.

Progressive politicians have increasingly referred to Israel as an 'apartheid' state for its treatment of Palestinians

Tlaib, and other opponents of Israeli's military actions in Gaza, are in the spotlight once again.

On Tuesday, the congresswoman told Biden he must do more to protect human rights.

She confronted him as he arrived at Detroit Metro Airport for a visit to a Ford factory.

'Palestinian human rights are not a bargaining chip and must be protected, not negotiated,' Tlaib told him, according to her congressional office.

She has stepped up her criticism of Israel in recent days, accusing Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of committing 'war crimes'.

And, along with other leftwing Democrats including Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, she has frequently described Israel as an 'apartheid state' for its treatment of Palestinians.

Tlaib's office did not respond to a request for comment.
The elder brother of the Manchester Arena bombers has demanded immunity from prosecution in return for answering questions at the public inquiry into the terror attack.

Ismail Abedi wants a promise from the Attorney General that if he were to give evidence his answers will not 'land him in the dock', his solicitor Jeremy Hawthorn told the hearing.

The legal application was made to Sir John Saunders, chairman of the inquiry, who is yet to make a ruling on whether he should consider making the application to the Attorney General in return for Abedi's co-operation.

Images from devices recovered at Ismail Abedi's home during a police raid the day after the bombing indicated he was 'sympathetic to the ideals of Isis', the inquiry has heard.

He was arrested, held for 14 days and interviewed by detectives 25 times but not charged with any offence.

Pictured: Ismail Abedi, elder brother of Manchester Arena bombers Salman and Hashem, has asked for immunity from prosecution in exchange for co-operating with the inquiry into attack

Salman Abedi makes his way through Victoria Station on his way to Manchester Arena where he detonated a bomb and killed 22 people who were attending an Ariana Grande concert

Mr Abedi's move is resisted by lawyers representing the families of the 22 murdered by his younger brothers, Salman, the suicide bomber, and his younger sibling and fellow bomb plotter, Hashem.

Peter Weatherby QC, representing some of the families, said: 'If granted this would be an undertaking which would potentially protect a person from prosecution for a variety of offences - terrorism and other offences, including mass murder.'

Currently Ismail Abedi, who is married and lives in Manchester, is refusing to co-operate with the inquiry despite repeated requests.

The inquiry is soon to consider how his two younger brothers became radicalised and planned their deadly bomb plot.

He denies any knowledge or involvement in the bomb plot.

Mr Abedi has repeatedly refused to give a statement to the inquiry or give evidence in person, claiming his legal privilege not to incriminate himself.

Hashem Abedi who was sentenced to life in prison with a minimum term of 55 years after being found guilty of helping younger brother Salman carry out a terrorist attack in 2017

The scene close to the Manchester Arena after the terror attack at an Ariana Grande concert

But he is expected to be served with a legal notice which will 'require the attendance' of Mr Abedi to give evidence in person at the inquiry sitting in Manchester.

He will be entitled not to answer questions on the grounds that it may incriminate himself, but he will have to justify why and on what grounds he is refusing to answer.

Ben De La Poer, counsel to the inquiry, who opposed the move, said any undertaking by the Attorney General, if granted, would not give 'blanket immunity' from prosecution against all offences.

He said it is a 'promise made by the state' that any answers given would not be used in a criminal prosecution.

He stressed it should not be suggested Mr Abedi is guilty of any offence.

Salman Abedi, 22, detonated a home-made shrapnel packed bomb at the end of an Ariana Grande concert at the arena on May 22 2017, killing 22 bystanders and injuring hundreds more.

Hashem Abedi, was jailed in 2020 for a minimum of 55 years before parole for his part in the bomb plot.

The inquiry was adjourned until Thursday morning.
New tools needed to prevent plant disease pandemics

Plant disease surveillance, improved detection systems and predictive modelling  integrated at the global scale  are necessary to mitigate future plant disease outbreaks and protect the global food supply, researchers say.

The authors of a new commentary, published in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, highlight the facts that plant diseases dont stop at a nations borders and miles of oceans dont prevent their spread.

The idea is to detect these plant disease outbreak sources early and stop the spread before it becomes a pandemic, said corresponding author Professor Jean Ristaino, of North Carolina State University.

Once an epidemic occurs it is difficult to control, Professor Ristaino said, likening the effort to the one undertaken to stop the spread of COVID-19.

While some diseases are already under some sort of global surveillance  Ristaino mentioned wheat rust and late blight, an important pathogen that affects potatoes  other crop diseases are not routinely monitored.

There are a few existing surveillance networks, but they need to be connected and funded by intergovernmental agencies and expanded to global surveillance systems, Professor Ristaino said.

We can improve disease monitoring using electronic sensors that can help rapidly detect and then track emerging plant pathogens.

Professor Ristaino said that efforts from a wide range of scholars  so-called convergence science  are needed to prevent plant disease pandemics.

That means economists, engineers, crop scientists, crop disease specialists, geneticists, geographers, data analysts, statisticians and others working together to protect crops, farmers and the people fed by those crops.

The GRIP4PSI Plant Science Initiative is helping to fund such a team at NC State.

Research is under way to model the risk of plant pathogen spread and help predict and then prevent outbreaks, the researchers report in the paper.

Modelling and forecasting disease spread can help mobilise mitigation strategies more precisely to stop pandemics.

Global plant disease outbreaks are increasing in frequency and threaten the global food supply, the researchers say.

Mean losses to major food crops such as wheat, rice and maize ranged from 21% to 30% due to plant pests and diseases, according to a paper published in 2019.

Or take the case of bananas, specifically the Cavendish variety, which has no resistance to the fungus causing Fusarium WiltTropical race 4 (TR4). This pathogen spread rapidly from Asia to Africa, the Middle East and recently into South America, where it affects Cavendish bananas  the main type of banana grown in the Americas for export.

Researchers at the University of Exeter, including co-author Professor Dan Bebber of the Global Systems Institute, are collaborating with scientists in Colombia to tackle the threat of TR4 through analyses of soil health and identification of microbes that could fight the disease in soil.

Our research has shown that climate change, as well as human activities, is enabling the dispersal of plant pathogens around the world, said Professor Bebber.

We must help farmers prepare for future threats, as well as those they face now."

The emergence of new harmful plant pathogens adds other risks to the food supply, which is already strained by growing world populations.

There is a need to link human global health and plant global health researchers to work together, Professor Ristaino said.

Food security and livelihoods are linked to agriculture and human health is linked to the food we consume.
Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Rashida Tlaib, the only Palestinian-American in Congress, are preparing to introduce a resolution that would block Joe Biden's $735 million sale of bombs to Israel during the growing conflict with Hamas.

It is part of The Democratic Squad's effort to put increasing pressure on Biden in his response in dealing the violence which has lasted 10 days and killed more than 200 people.

An early draft of the joint resolution of disapproval (JRD) was obtained by Jewish Currents and is co-sponsored by Ocasio-Cortez, Tlaib, the two other squad members Ilhan Omar and Ayanna Pressley, as well as Representatives Mark Pocan, Cori Bush, Andre Carson, Pramila Jayapal and Betty McCollum.

'At a time when so many, including our President, support a ceasefire, we should not be sending 'direct attack' weaponry to Prime Minister Netanyahu to prolong this violence. It is long past time to end the US policy of unconditional military arms sales, particularly to governments that have violated human rights,' Ocasio-Cortez wrote in an email calling on her congressional colleagues to support her bill.

The squad-backed resolution would halt the transfer and sale of Joint Direct Attack Munitions (JDAMs) and Small Diameter Bombs from the U.S. to Israel. Both bombs are outfitted with special guidance systems intended to hit specific targets.

They announced their move on the day Biden told Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu he wanted a 'significant de-escalation' and said he wanted an eventual ceasefire.

But Netanyahu defied Biden's request and said he would continue attacking Hamas.

Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (left), Rashida Tlaib (right) and other Democrats will introduce a resolution that would block Joe Biden's $735 million sale of bombs to Israel in the midst of their growing conflict with Hamas

Biden held an intense, nearly eight-minute conversation with Tlaib on the tarmac in Dearborn, Michigan on Tuesday. She criticized Biden's response to the conflict and said US-bought explosives shouldn't be used on schools

On Tuesday, Tlaib confronted Biden when he landed in Dearborn, Michigan for a tour of a Ford plant.

'Palestinian human rights are not a bargaining chip and must be protected, not negotiated,' Tlaib told him, according to her congressional office.

'The U.S. cannot continue to give the right-wing Netanyahu government billions each year to commit crimes against Palestinians,' she continued, an aide told NPR.

Israel used JDAMs and Small Diameter Bombs in its recent attack on Gaza.

It's unlikely, however, that the resolution will pass the 51-member committee, which includes a number of pro-Israel legislators on both sides of the political aisle.

On Monday, a report from unnamed sources revealed the U.S. approved a week before the conflict broke out a $735 million weapons deal that included the precision-guided missiles.

Omar, the first Muslim woman elected to Congress and member of the Foreign Relations Committee, blasted the deal with Israel, who is a top recipient of U.S. military aid.

'It would be appalling for the Biden administration to go through with $735 million in precision-guided weaponry to Netanyahu without any strings attached in the wake of escalating violence and attacks on civilians,' the Minnesota representative in a statement.

'If this goes through this will be seen as a green light for continued escalation and will undercut any attempts at brokering a ceasefire,' she continued.

A report revealed the deal was approved a week before the conflict in the Middle East broke out, but the sale of the weapons produced by Boeing in the U.S. still needs congressional approval

Omar said Washington shouldn't 'stand idly by while crimes against humanity are being committed with our backing.'

The arms deal has to make it through congressional review before it is finalized.

A group of 28 Democratic lawmakers, led by Jewish Congressman Jon Ossoff of Georgia are calling for a ceasefire to 'prevent further loss of life and further escalation of violence'.

The conflict so far, which has seen a barge of bombs between the two nations, has killed over 200 people and sparked a humanitarian crisis.

After reports emerged of the sale and as the conflict with Israel and Hamas escalated, Biden held a phone call Monday with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

According to a readout of the call, Biden justified Israel's actions as self defense.

'The President reiterated his firm support for Israel's right to defend itself against indiscriminate rocket attacks. The President welcomed efforts to address intercommunal violence and to bring calm to Jerusalem,' the readout states.

'He encouraged Israel to make every effort to ensure the protection of innocent civilians. The two leaders discussed progress in Israel's military operations against Hamas and other terrorist groups in Gaza. The President expressed his support for a ceasefire and discussed U.S. engagement with Egypt and other partners towards that end.'

Israel argues it has only sent bombs into Palestinian territories where it feels it has evidence Hamas is operating  including in a media building leveled by an Israeli airstrike.

A rocket fired from Gaza which landed on a road near Ad Halom just outside Ashdod on Wednesday. There were no injuries reported

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu gestures as he shows a slideshow during a briefing to ambassadors to Israel at a military base in Tel Aviv on Wednesday

Relatives of Palestinian Hassan Salem, who was killed during an israeli raid on west Gaza City, mourn during his funeral on May 19, in Gaza City, Gaza

Earlier on Monday, Secretary of State Antony Blinken said he'd seen no evidence Hamas was operating in the Gaza-based building, even though Netanyahu said they showed Biden 'smoking gun' evidence.

According to the call, Biden stopped short of calling for an 'immediate' cease-fire.

The readout concluded 'the two leaders agreed that they and their teams would remain in close touch.'

Biden's statement came the same day Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell mocked efforts to apply equal pressure on Israel and Hamas.

'To say that 'both sides' need to de-escalate downplays the responsibility the terrorists have for initiating this conflict in the first place, and suggests Israelis are not entitled to defend themselves against on-going rocket barrages. I completely reject this obscene moral equivalence,' McConnell said.

IfNotNow, Center for Constitutional Rights, Friends Committee on National Legislation, Jewish Voice for Peace, Churches for Middle East Peace, and Defense for Children InternationalPalestine are all backing the progressive lawmakers' attempt to block the bomb sale.
A Kansas college student convened her own grand jury after a prosecutor refused to bring charges against a man she accused of raping her.

Madison Smith, a 22-year-old recent graduate of Bethany College in Lindsborg, has spent the past three years seeking to hold her attacker accountable for the rape she claims occurred in her dorm in February 2018.

Smith said she and her friend, Jared Stolzenburg, were having consensual sex when he suddenly began slapping and strangling her - leaving her unable to say 'stop'.

The next day Smith disclosed the rape to her parents, who immediately called police and took her to a hospital for an examination.

But when she met with McPherson County Attorney Gregory Benefiel a few weeks later, the prosecutor was unconvinced that rape charges were warranted because Smith had not verbally withdrawn her consent to Stolzenburg.

When Benefiel refused to take on the case, Smith took matters into her own hands - using a law passed over 200 years ago that allows citizens to summon a grand jury when they believe prosecutors are neglecting to bring charges.

Madison Smith, a 22-year-old recent graduate of Bethany College in Kansas, convened her own grand jury after a prosecutor refused to bring charges against a man she accused of rape

Smith shared her story in a Washington Post article published Wednesday.

On the night of the attack the then-college freshman said she bumped into Stolzenburg in the laundry room of their dorm before going up to his room, where they started kissing.

They started to have sex, after exchanging mutual consent, Smith said, when things took a turn and he started choking her.

'I tried to initially pull his hands off of my throat, and he squeezed harder every time,' Smith said.

'He would strangle me for 20 to 30 seconds at a time, and I would begin to lose consciousness. When he would release his hands from my neck, the only thing I could do was gasp for air.'

Court records show Smith told investigators that Stolzenburg forced her to perform oral sex and tried to penetrate her anally as she feared for her life.

'I truly thought that he was going to kill me and the only way I was going to leave that room was in a body bag,' she said.

The following day Stolzenberg went to her parents' home a few blocks from campus, revealed the bruises covering her neck and and told them: 'I was raped last night.'

The forensic exam she received at a hospital soon after noted the injuries to her neck, as well as bruising inside her mouth.

Smith accused Jared Stolzenberg of raping her in his dorm room at Bethany College (pictured) in February 2018

Five weeks later Smith and her parents went in for a first meeting with Benefiel, who asked to speak with her alone.

'He told me that the rape I experienced wasn't rape, it was immature sex because I didn't verbally say no when I was being strangled,' Smith claimed during a court hearing.

'He then told me he was not filing charges.'

Smith's family recorded their subsequent meetings with Benefiel, where he explained that he couldn't be sure if Stolzenberg had 'any knowledge whatsoever of [Madison's] withdrawal of consent'.

'There isn't anything that any of us felt adequately communicated to him that withdrawal of consent,' the prosecutor said in one recording.

'When we have that failure in that communication, then everything from a legal analysis, everything remains consensual.'

Benefiel made the same point in a different recording, to which Smith replied: 'Me taking his hands off of my throat is affirmative enough. I couldn't speak. How can I say "no" if I can't speak, if I can't breathe?'

The family went on to consult with Julie Germann, a former Minnesota prosecutor who specialized in sexual assault cases.

Germann concluded that the encounter justified a rape charge.

'I would contend that it is clear that if while strangling someone, they are pulling on your hands and gasping for breath, and they are crying, none of that sounds consensual to me,' Germann told the Post. 'I would not have a hard time taking that case to a jury at all.'

Smith is pictured with her mother, Mandy, in front of the McPherson County Court on May 10

Frontier justice: The Kansas law passed in 1887 that allows citizens to convene grand juries Kansas is one of six states where the law allows citizens to impanel grand juries if they feel prosecutors are neglecting to bring reasonable charges. The law was implemented in 1887 when Kansas was under a statewide alcohol prohibition and was originally used to go after saloonkeepers when authorities ignored violations. 'As soon as the first grand jury met, every whisky joint, about seventy-five in the county, and every drug store selling without a license had disappeared,' the Topeka Capital-Commonwealth wrote in an 1889 article. It's unclear when the law fell out of fashion but it has recently regained traction from activists seeking to prosecute abortion providers and operators of adult bookstores, per the Washington Post. The other states that allow citizens to petition for a grand jury are New Mexico, North Dakota, Nebraska, Nevada and Oklahoma. However Kansas has the lowest threshold for signatures needed to call a grand jury, making it the easiest state to invoke the law. Petitioners are required to gather signatures equivalent to two percent of the county population in the last gubernatorial election, plus 100. Advertisement

Smith's mother also sought advise from Justin Boardman, a retired detective who now runs a business training police and prosecutors to investigate sex crimes without retraumatizing victims.

It was Boardman who came up with the idea to invoke the 1887 frontier law to convene a grand jury.

The law was implemented when Kansas was under a statewide alcohol prohibition and was originally used to go after saloonkeepers when authorities ignored violations, according to the Post.

Kansas is one of only five states with such a law, the others being New Mexico, North Dakota, Nebraska, Nevada and Oklahoma.

For Smith, one of the hardest parts of using the law was meeting its requirement for signatures - which meant that she had to share her painfully personal story with countless strangers.

The number of signatures needed varies from county to county as the law requires two percent of the county's vote total in the last gubernatorial election, plus 100.

Smith collected the 329 needed in her county by setting up a table in a parking lot and calling out to passersby.

Her first petition was rejected on a technicality, so she went out again and collected 329 more.

'It was very hard to keep retelling my story to stranger after stranger, but at the same time I knew that what I was doing was going to make a difference one way or another,' she said.

While Smith went through that process Benefiel ultimately decided to charge Stolzenburg with aggravated battery - to which he pleaded guilty and received two years' probation last August.

Smith called inadequate and 'bittersweet' - insisting that she would not settle for anything less than a rape charge.

'Mr Benefiel, through all of this, has been the only person to tell me my rape was not rape, and I will not allow him to minimize what I survived,' she said at Stolzenberg's sentencing hearing.

'While I'm grateful that [Stolzenburg] didn't completely get away with his crimes, I feel angry and re-victimized that he was not charged for the sexual side of this.'

Benefiel, however, maintains that justice was served.

'There is no doubt in my mind that Madison believes that she was a victim of rape,' he told the Post on Monday.

'It was approached in that way, and then charging decisions were made based on the evidence that was available in the case. I don't believe that we minimized this.'

Come September 29 the case will fall into the hands of the grand jury Smith fought to convene.

She said regardless of the outcome she is proud of what she's accomplished.

'Win or lose, we swung the bat, and we swung it hard,' she said. 'We tried everything we could, and we exhausted all our resources. I've got to know I tried.

'It took me a while to find my voice. But I have found it, and I am going to use it.'
A shirtless Texan was treated like a hero after agreeing to be submerged head-first by his feet into a murky river to rescue a woman's wallet.

The plucky Good Samaritan was filmed taking the dip into San Antonio's river walk over the weekend, to the delight of dozens of onlookers who stood watching.

A clip originally shared and narrated on Snapchat by an unidentified man saw him say: 'Bro, I hope that's worth the f**king third eye,' as the wallet grabber reappeared.

The remark appears to be a gag about the man being turned into a mutant after taking a dip in the San Antonio River.

He was greeted with cheers and applause on retrieving the wallet, with screen recordings of the drama since shared widely on Facebook.

A video posted to Snapchat and Facebook appeared to show shirtless man submerge himself head-first into the San Antonio river over the weekend. According to the Facebook user who shared it, he dived in to retrieve a woman's wallet.

One Facebook user who shared the clip said: 'A lady today was walking by the River Walk & her wallet had fallen inside the river,' he wrote.

'Someone stepped in to save the day!'

People on Facebook questioned the man's wisdom as well as the cleanliness of the water, with Richard Anthony commenting on the video that, 'He's now immune to Covid.'

Facebook users commented on the wisdom of the man's feat

'Guy died from an ameba 2 weeks later,' wrote Andrew Martin Hoel, a likely reference to the amoeba single cell organism of which certain freshwater variants can cause a swift death.

'That dude just got hepatitis C from that stunt,' commented Joe Gomez.

'OMG I was shocked! I would never!' wrote Julia Rodriguez.
The family of cheerleader Tristyn Bailey have paid tribute to her in an emotional speech during a memorial event honoring her life.

'I made a promise to Tristyn. We are going to make her name shine above all the evil that has happened,' her mom, Stacy, said.

'We will never but the same, but we will always be the Bailey 7,' she added - referring to the members of their family.

The 13-year-old cheerleader was found dead in the woods in St. John's County, Florida, on May 9 with a 'horrific' number of stab wounds.

Hundreds of friends, family, teachers and community members - dressed in bright aqua and white clothing - joined Bailey's parents and four older siblings to celebrate her life in Celebration Church in Jacksonville on Tuesday.

'When someone you love becomes a memory, the memories become treasures,' her sister Alexis Bailey said. 'Let Tristyn become your treasure.'

Tristyn's dad, Forrest, thanked everyone for their support.

'When you give someone your thoughts and prayers, you are giving everything. There are no words. There are no words that will heal it. All of the messages that poured in, from people all over the place, they helped us,' he said.

Stacy Bailey, Tristyn's mom said, 'I made a promise to Tristyn. We are going to make her name shine above all the evil that has happened'

The 'Bailey 7' : The cheerleader's four siblings flank their parents at the ceremony above

Tristyn Bailey was stabbed a 'horrific' number of times, police have revealed

Aiden Fucci, 14, was charged with murder.

Meanwhile, things got more complicated for her suspected killer, 14-year-old classmate Aiden Fucci, who was charged with second-degree murder.

On Monday, Fucci's lawyer, Anwar Snober filed to withdraw as defense counsel, which was granted.

The motion says Snober 'has discussed the matter with the defendant and his parents and both are in agreement as to the withdrawal of counsel.'

Snober didn't return DailyMail.com's request for comment.

Police say Aiden stabbed Tristyn a 'horrific' number of times and blood was found on her clothes in what police said was a 'cold-blooded murder'. Her cause of death has been listed as stabbing by the St John's County Medical Examiner.

'When someone you love becomes a memory, the memories become treasures,' her sister Alexis Bailey said. 'Let Tristyn become your treasure'

Each of her older siblings spoke during the memorial and shared fun stories

Tristyn's dad, Forrest, said: 'When you give someone your thoughts and prayers, you are giving everything. There are no words. There are no words that will heal it. All of the messages that poured in, from people all over the place, they helped us.'

Investigators say Tristyn' body was found fully clothed - she was wearing a dark top and white cheer skirt.

Prosecutors are deciding whether to charge Aiden as an adult.

Before he was officially charged, he took a selfie in the back of a cop car which he then posted on Snapchat with the caption 'Hey guys has inybody (sic) seen Tristyn lately'. It was before her body was found in woods.

Fucci this picture in the back of a squad car after being hauled in for questioning, before Tristyn's body was found. He posted it on Snapchat

Suspect Aiden Fucci, appearing via Zoom before a judge on Tuesday, is in custody. Prosecutors have not decided yet whether to charge the 14-year-old as a teenager or adult

St. Johns County Sheriff Rob Hardwick told local network NewsJax that Tristyn was killed violently, stabbed multiple times. 'This is a cold-blooded murder of a 13-year-old young girl who did not deserve to die,' he said

In Anwar Snober's motion to withdraw as Aiden's lawyer, it said he 'has discussed the matter with the defendant and his parents (Crystal Smith, mom, left, and Jason Fucci, dad, right) and both are in agreement as to the withdrawal of counsel'

Now, police say they will use that 'egregious' selfie as evidence against him and that it proves he was 'proud of what he did'.

It was revealed that Aiden's father Jason was previously jailed for child abuse in 2003 after he had sex with a 15 year-old when he was 18.

He attended his son's first court hearing.
Arrest warrants have been issued for two fired Colorado cops involved in the rough arrest of a 73-year-old Colorado woman with dementia.

Austin Hopp, 26, and Daria Jalali, 27, face charges over the June 2020 arrest of Karen Garner in Loveland, a city about 50 miles north of Denver.

Hopp is facing charges of second-degree assault, attempt to influence a public servant and official misconduct. Jalali is facing charges of failing to report a use of force, failing to intervene and official misconduct.

They were among three officers who resigned last month after a federal lawsuit filed by the woman's family and footage of the incident triggered anger in the community and two independent investigations.

The charges were confirmed by 8th Judicial District Attorney Gordon McLaughlin Wednesday afternoon. At the time of the press conference Hopp and Jalali had not been arrested but McLaughlin said they 'had indications they do plan to turn themselves in'.

Hopp is seen in his bodycam footage grabbing Garner's arm and pushing her to the ground. She suffered a dislocated shoulder, according to the lawsuit.

Separate surveillance footage then surfaced showing Hopp and Jalali fist bumping and laughing while watching the footage as Garner was locked up in a jail cell in pain just feet away.

DailyMail.com then revealed that Hopp and Jalali are in a romantic relationship and moved in together while the former was still married.

Austin Hopp, left, and Daria Jalali, right, face charges over the June 2020 arrest of Karen Garner in Loveland. Hopp is facing charges of second-degree assault, attempt to influence a public servant. Jalali is facing charges of failing to report a use of force, failing to intervene and official misconduct

Bodycam footage captured the arrest of 73-year-old Karen Garner (pictured) who was slammed to the ground by officer Hopp after she repeatedly said: 'I'm going home'

Hopp (left) and Jalali (right) appeared to exchange a fist bump after placing Garner in a cell. Before extending his hand Hopp asked Jalali if she'd turned her body-camera off

Hopp arrested Garner after she left a store without paying for a soda, a candy bar, a T-shirt, and wipe refills in a Walmart store.

Garner was stopped by staff and asked to return to the store where they recovered the unpaid merchandise but employees still contacted law enforcement.

His body camera footage shows him catching up to her as she walked through a field.

McLaughlin said Wednesday that Hopp made 'substantial omissions' in interviews about the arrest 'in an attempt to thwart the investigation of his conduct'.

The dementia sufferer appears visibly confused and repeatedly tells the officers she is on her way home in the footage.

'Ma'am I don't think you want to play it this way,' Hopp says. 'You just left Walmart. Do you need to be arrested right now?'

After she turned away from him, he quickly grabbed her arm and pushed the 80-pound woman to the ground, the footage shows. She suffered a dislocated shoulder, according to the lawsuit.

Garner is heard crying out in pain and confusion. She was then taken to the local police station where she sat in a jail holding cell awaiting booking for six hours.

Separate surveillance footage then surfaced showing Hopp and Jalali fist bumping and laughing while watching the footage as Garner was locked up in a jail cell in pain just feet away.

During this time, she received no medical assistance despite crying in pain over her arm injuries.

The footage shows she cried out for help 51 times in the first hour alone while the officers sat ignoring her just 10 feet away, the lawsuit says.

Karen Garner, a 73-year-old Colorado woman with dementia, whose family is suing Loveland, Colo., and three of its police officers over her arrest in June 2020

Garner (pictured) was transported to a local police station where she sat in a jail holding cell awaiting booking for six hours crying in pain over her arm injuries

The outcry over how the woman was treated comes amid a national reckoning over use of force by police, including against people with mental and physical health conditions.

A person who answered the phone at the law firm representing Hopp said the office would not comment on the case. Court records did not list a lawyer for Jalali, and a telephone number listed for her did not work.

Allisa Swartz had earlier this month told CBS This Morning that her mother's condition has worsened following the incident last June.

She said: 'I think they need to go to jail. Yes. They need to be held accountable.'

Swartz said it was clear that her mom was 'confused and scared' in the footage of the incident as she questioned how the officers could not have realized her mother simply wanted to go home.

'She was confused and scared. She didn't understand what was going on,' she said.

The outcry over how the woman was treated comes amid a national reckoning over use of force by police, including against people with mental and physical health conditions

Photos taken in the aftermath of the arrest show Garner with a severely bruised and swollen arm

DailyMail.com exclusively revealed Hopp and Jalali's relationship last month.

Around the time of the arrest, then-married Hopp moved into Jalali's new home in Windsor, Colorado where they lived together until mid-February when Hopp suddenly moved out.

Exclusive pictures obtained by DailyMail.com taken on June 14, 2020, just days after they moved in together, show Hopp and Jalali sitting on the front porch and holding hands.

According to divorce documents, Hopp's separated from his wife of six years on June 7. She filed for divorce on July 8.

Several neighbors of Jalali's confirmed to DailyMail.com that Hopp and Jalali had been living together but kept to themselves and weren't very friendly.

One neighbor said they have been living together at the house since the day they moved in last June.

But another neighbor said their romance was short-lived with Hopp moving out in February.
America's largest supermarket chain Kroger has joined Home Depot, Walmart, Costco and Trader Joe's in ditching masks for vaccinated customers - but the new policy only applies in states where mask mandates have been lifted.

Kroger announced on Wednesday that starting May 20 fully vaccinated customers and most fully vaccinated associates will no longer need to wear a mask in their stores, factories and offices, unless state or local government rules otherwise.

Kroger said non-vaccinated associates will be required to wear a mask and those working pharmacies and clinics will be required to cover their faces in keeping with CDC guidance for health care settings.

Customers in states where mask mandates are still in place must still wear a mask inside stores.

Kroger announced that starting May 20 fully vaccinated customers and most fully vaccinated associates will no longer need to wear a mask in their stores

On Wednesday, Wegmans stores announced that they will no longer require fully vaccinated customers to wear face coverings in New York

More states are continuing to lift their mask mandates in accordance with the new CDC guidelines, with New York lifting mask requirements starting Wednesday

The supermarket chain is joining other major retailers in relaxing mask mandates following the new guidance from the CDC.

On Wednesday, Wegmans stores announced that they will no longer require fully vaccinated customers to wear face coverings in New York after Governor Andrew Cuomo announced his state was lifting its mask mandate effective Wednesday.

New York is the latest state to lift its mask mandate in accordance with the CDC.

Michigan, Nevada, Oregon, Ohio, Virginia, Delaware, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Minnesota, Kentucky, Washington, Maine, Vermont, Connecticut, North Carolina, Kansas, Colorado and Rhode Island announced plans to fall in line with the CDC guidance either immediately or in the coming weeks.

Restrictions still remain in states including New Jersey, California, Hawaii, Wisconsin and Virginia.

Last Thursday the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention issued new guidelines that essentially work on the honor system, leaving it up to people to do the right thing.

The CDC's recommendations are non-binding, and actual policy is left for the relevant local authorities or employers to decide.

It also doesn't apply to planes, buses, trains, and other forms of public transportation, or to medical settings such as hospitals.

The situation has left CEOs and local officials caught in a dilemma - whether to follow the scientific recommendations right away, or make sure people are comfortable with it.

Labor groups and others warned that employees at stores, restaurants, bars and other businesses could be left exposed to the coronavirus from customers and could be forced into the unwanted role of 'vaccination police.'

JPMorgan Chase & Co was one of the latest companies to follow the CDC's lead.

The investment banking company told it's employees on Tuesday that fully vaccinated staff do not have to wear masks at its U.S.-based offices, according to an internal memo seen by Reuters.

Amazon also announced on Wednesday it will soon stop requiring face masks for fully vaccinated workers inside warehouses, except where required by law.

This comes after Trader Joe's announced on their website last Friday: 'We encourage customers to follow the guidance of health officials, including, as appropriate, CDC guidelines that advise customers who are fully vaccinated are not required to wear masks while shopping.'

Vaccinated shoppers can go maskless immediately, Walmart said. Vaccinated workers can stop wearing them on May 18.

As an incentive, the company said it is offering workers $75 if they prove they have been vaccinated.

But some states are not rushing to drop mask requirements.

Phil Murphy, governor of New Jersey, insisted Monday that his state will keep requiring all people, vaccinated or not, to keep wearing masks indoors in public because 'we're still not out of the woods' with the pandemic. He did announce the lifting of the mask mandate outdoors, however.

California will 'reopen' on June 15, the governor, Gavin Newsom, said on Monday. But there were no details on what 'reopening' meant - and even if masks are no longer mandated in stores after then, individual counties and cities in California will be free to chart their own course with mask mandates and social distancing guidelines.

The governor of Massachusetts said on Monday his state's mask mandate will end on May 29.

Shoppers at Target will no longer have to wear face masks, unless local rules order them

A Walmart customer in Derry, New Hampshire in November 2020. The store has announced it was lifting its rule saying customers must wear masks while shopping

A Costco store in Washington DC. The wholesaler has lifted its rule on masks, with vaccinated shoppers allowed to peruse its aisles bare-faced

Both Costco and Trader Joe's said they would not require proof of vaccination, but Trader Joe's employees will still need to cover their faces.

Trader Joe's workers will need to answer 'yes' to a vaccination question in a daily health assessment in order to go maskless, the company said in a memo to employees posted on its corporate website.

'Integrity is one of our core values, and we trust that associates will respect that principle when answering,' the Walmart memo states. To get the bonus, workers will have to show their original vaccination certificate.

Walmart was one of the first retailers to mandate masks last July. Its move to allow vaccinated shoppers and workers to not wear masks could lead other chains to follow suit.

More than a dozen states quickly embraced new federal guidelines that say fully vaccinated Americans no longer need to wear masks indoors or out in most cases.

But other states and cities and some major businesses hesitated amid doubts about whether the approach is safe or even workable.

As many business owners pointed out, there is no easy way to determine who has been vaccinated and who hasn't.

Industry leaders have warned of the potential for confusion and hard feelings among customers because of the varying rules from place to place. Even in states that have dropped mask mandates, stores and other businesses can still require face coverings if they want.

Half the states had mask requirements in place for most indoor spaces when the CDC issued its recommendations amid tumbling cases and rising vaccination rates.

Nearly 47% of the U.S. population has received at least one dose of COVID-19 vaccine, and cases have dropped to their lowest level since last September, at an average of about 35,000 a day.

CDC Director Dr. Rochelle Walensky noted in making the announcement that the vaccine has proved powerfully effective in preventing serious COVID-19 illness.

Some cities, including New Orleans and Anchorage, did the same.

Oregon Governor Kate Brown said the new approach makes clear that vaccines are the fastest way to get back to doing the things 'we all love.'

Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear called the guidance a 'game-changer.'

Washington Governor Jay Inslee said the change is 'a heck of a benefit.'

The CDC and the Biden administration had faced pressure to ease restrictions on fully vaccinated people in part to highlight the benefits of the shots and motivate other people to get inoculated.
Israeli strikes on Gaza have killed seven people including a disabled man, his pregnant wife and their three-year-old child, the health ministry said.

Another person died of wounds sustained the day before, the ministry in Gaza told AFP.

The deaths bring to 227 the number of people killed in Israeli bombardment in the coastal strip since May 10.

Israel is facing a growing internal crisis as the conflict with Gaza continues and riots have flared up across the West Bank and also in Arab communities within its borders.

Meanwhile, allies of Hamas across the northern border with Lebanon have started launching missiles at Israeli towns and cities.

Wreckage of buildings are seen after Israeli attacks on Gaza Strip, on May 19, 2021 in Gaza City, Gaza. 227 people, 64 of them children, have lost their lives in Israel's attacks on the Gaza Strip since May 10, according to the Palestinian Ministry of Health in Gaza

Palestinian protesters seek cover during clashes with Israeli troops at Huwwara checkpoint near the West Bank City of Nablus, May 19

Benjamin Netanyahu threatened earlier he could 'conquer' Hamas in the Gaza Strip despite US calls for ceasefire.

Washington later released a statement saying that Joe Biden had called the Israeli PM to say 'that he expected a significant de-escalation today on the path to a ceasefire.'

But Netanyahu had shown no signs there would be a let up at a summit of ambassadors in Tel Aviv hours earlier, saying: 'There are only two ways that you can deal with [Hamas]. You can either conquer them - and that's always an open possibility - or you can deter them.

'And we are engaged right now in forceful deterrence, but I have to say we don't rule out anything.'

Senior Hamas officials have laid out their conditions today for a truce with Israel, saying it would stop launching rockets if Israeli forces agreed not to police the entrance to the Al-Aqsa Mosque, and if it would halt the eviction of Palestinians from the neighbourhood of Sheikh Jarrah in disputed east Jerusalem, according to a report in CBS News.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu vowed Wednesday to press ahead with a fierce military offensive in the Gaza Strip, pushing back against calls from the United States to wind down the operation that has left hundreds dead.

Palestinians inspect the damage of a destroyed house that was hit by an Israeli airstrike in town of Khan Younis, southern Gaza Strip, Wednesday, May 19

Netanyahu's tough comments marked the first public rift between the two close allies since the fighting began last week and could complicate international efforts to reach a cease-fire.

Israel continued to pound targets in Gaza with airstrikes, while Palestinian militants bombarded Israel with rocket fire throughout the day. In another sign of potential escalation, militants in Lebanon fired a rocket barrage into northern Israel.

After a visit to military headquarters, Netanyahu said he appreciated 'the support of the American president,' but he said Israel would push ahead to return 'calm and security' to Israeli citizens.

He said he was 'determined to continue this operation until its aim is met.'

He spoke shortly after U.S. President Joe Biden told Netanyahu that he expected 'a significant de-escalation today on the path to a cease-fire,' the White House said.

Biden had previously avoided pressing Israel more directly and publicly for a cease-fire with Gaza's Hamas militant rulers. But pressure has been building for Biden to intervene more forcefully as other diplomatic efforts gather strength.

Palestinian protesters throw back tear gas grenades during clashes with Israeli troops at Huwwara checkpoint near the West Bank City of Nablus on Wednesday

The current round of fighting between Israel and Hamas began May 10, when the militant group fired long-range rockets toward Jerusalem after days of clashes between Palestinian protesters and Israeli police at the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound, a flashpoint site sacred to Jews and Muslims. Heavy-handed police tactics at the compound and the threatened eviction of dozens of Palestinian families by Jewish settlers had inflamed tensions.

Since then, Israel has launched hundreds of airstrikes that it says have targeted Hamas' infrastructure, and Hamas and other militant groups embedded in residential areas have fired more than 3,700 rockets at Israeli cities, with hundreds falling short and most of the rest intercepted or landing in open areas.

At least 227 Palestinians have been killed, including 64 children and 38 women, with 1,620 people wounded, according to the Gaza Health Ministry, which does not break the numbers down into fighters and civilians. Hamas and Islamic Jihad say at least 20 of their fighters have been killed, while Israel says the number is at least 130. Some 58,000 Palestinians have fled their homes.

Twelve people in Israel, including a 5-year-old boy, a 16-year-old girl and a soldier, have been killed.
The NHS should automatically enrol all smokers on programmes to help them quit, leading doctors have said.

A report by the Royal College of Physicians (RCP) also called for pregnant women to be paid to give up and for a huge tax increase that would double the price of cigarettes over five years.

The doctors said that providing 'opt-out smoking cessation services to all smokers at any point of contact with the NHS' would double uptake of services.

They added that the Government should invest millions of pounds in media campaigns to urge smokers to switch from tobacco to e-cigarettes, which are less harmful.

In July 2019, the Government announced its ambition for a Smokefree 2030, where the overall percentage of the population that smokes is five per cent or under.

But todays RCP report warned this target may not be hit until after 2050 unless tougher measures are introduced.

Leading doctors have urged the NHS to automatically enrol all smokers on programmes to help them quit

In its report, the RCP called for several measures to be brought in, including a radical tax increase that would double the price of cigarettes over a five-year period.

These should be combined with other stop smoking measures, such as nicotine replacement therapy and advice on e-cigarettes, which are currently not prescribed on the NHS.

They also urged the Government to introduce better regulation of film and television to ensure that children are not exposed to tobacco images.

This would include a 9pm watershed and 18 certificates applied to TV programmes and films that feature tobacco.

The report said: The ability of the UK and other countries to rise to major public health challenges is beyond doubt; the Covid-19 pandemic, by far the biggest new challenge to UK and global health in decades, has attracted a public health and economic response of a scale unique in the modern era.

Yet in 2020, when Covid-19 killed around 80,000 UK citizens, tobacco smoking killed 94,000.

Professor John Britton, RCP tobacco advisory group member, said: Smoking is entirely preventable, but ending smoking requires us to go even further with the more familiar prevention measures, such as tax and providing help for smokers to quit, but also tackling some of the causes that have not yet been addressed - and particularly the exposure of children to tobacco imagery in film, television and other media.

Doing this will prevent countless deaths, dramatically reduce the burden placed by tobacco use on health services and wider society, substantially reduce inequalities in health and, by alleviating poverty and improving health, contribute significantly to the levelling up of our society.

Dr Nick Hopkinson, RCP tobacco advisory group member, said: Support to quit smoking is one of the most effective and highest value treatments that the healthcare system can deliver, but many smokers are missing out on this.

Developing a universal offer through the NHS so that every smoker receives this support, unless they actively opt out, has to be a priority.

Professor Jon Bennett, chairman of the British Thoracic Society, said: Whenever a patient is admitted to hospital, we have a golden opportunity to help and support them quitting smoking for good.

The Royal College of Physicians also called for pregnant women to be paid to quit smoking and for a huge tax increase that would double the price of cigarettes over five years. (File picture)

Referrals to on-site smoking cessation services must become the norm for all patients who smoke, and these services should have as a minimum, dedicated leadership, smoking cessation training for staff and access to a comprehensive range of pharmacotherapy and nicotine replacement products.

But we also agree with the RCP that these measures wont be enough alone, so its good to see recommendations covering taxation and smoke-free legislation.

The largest proportion of smokers come from disadvantaged or lower socio-economic groups, causing deep health inequalities.

So we welcome the focus on initiatives that do not discriminate but support these groups to quit and reduce the number of new smokers.

In the UK, in 2019, 14.1 per cent of people aged 18 and over smoked cigarettes, which equates to around 6.9 million people.

Smoking harms nearly every organ of the body. It causes lung cancer, respiratory disease and heart disease and is implicated in other cancers, including lip, mouth, throat, bladder, kidney, stomach, liver and cervix.
A convicted felon broke into a poker champ's camera-filled home with his face mask lowered, then stole a safe containing $1 million that he used to buy a Maserati, police say.

Brock Brewer, 32, was booked into the Clark County Detention Center on Tuesday on eight felony charges, including burglary while in possession of a gun; home invasion; theft $100,000 or greater; conspiracy, and possession of a gun by a prohibited person.

The arrest stems from a home invasion that occurred on February 10 in Henderson Township, Nevada, during which at least two burglars broke into the home of Las Vegas poker player Chad Power and got away with a safe containing $750,000 in cash and $250,000 in chips.

Brock Brewer, 32 (left), has been accused of breaking into the Nevada home of professional poker player Chad Power (right) and stealing a safe containing $1million in cash and chips

According to an arrest report obtained by Las Vegas Review-Journal, Brewer and at least one accomplice followed Power home one day to see where he lived.

They later ransacked the residence while the owner was away playing poker at Aria Hotel and Casino on the Las Vegas Strip hotel, it is alleged.

Brewer (pictured in a prior mugshot) is said to be a known member of a street gang whose criminal record includes 2012 convictions for robbery, conspiracy and attempted battery

The report states that at around 4pm on February 10, Power received a notification on his phone from his home security system, which recorded two strangers breaking into the house and then making their getaway while carrying a safe.

According to the police, the thieves' faces were visible in the security footage because they had lowered or removed their face masks during the commission of the crime.

Power told investigators he did not know the crooks. He speculated that someone must have followed him home from a casino 'due to him playing high-stakes poker games and carrying large amounts of poker chips.'

Police said cell phone records placed Brewer, whom they described as a known member of the New Born Crips gang, at the scene of the break-in.

According to the arrest report, Brewer used some of the stolen loot to buy three vehicles, including a 2018 Maserti Levante SUV and a new 2021 Dodge Charger Hellcat, which were both registered to his mother.

Power told police he was likely followed home by Brewer or his accomplice from a casino. The crooks broke into his Henderson Township house on February 10 while he was playing poker in Las Vegas

Power was robbed of $750,000 in cash and $250,000 in poker chips, which Brewer then allegedly used to buy a Maserati and a Dodge Charger Hellcat

Court records indicate that the 32-year-old, who goes by the street name C-Rida, was convicted in 2012 of robbery, conspiracy and attempted battery with substantial bodily harm.

He also has been linked to a 2006 robbery targeting another poker player, who was followed home and had $15,000 worth of cash and chips stolen from him.

Investigators were able to compare a mugshot following that arrest with surveillance from the break-in at Powers' home to pinpoint Brewer as their suspect.

Power has more than $610,000 in career live tournament winnings, according to the Hendon Mob Poker database.
Former President George W. Bush accused Iran of providing the hidden hand behind the unfolding Israeli-Palestinian violence that has claimed hundreds of lives as he warned that hopes of a two-state solution were fading.

Israel pounded targets in Gaza while Hamas militants fired rockets as the fighting entered its 10th day on Wednesday.

In an interview to promote a new book of his paintings, Bush said Iran was responsible for spreading instability throughout the Middle East and that any deal with Tehran must address its malign influence as well as its nuclear ambitions.

On the Israeli-Palestinian violence, he told Fox News what 'you're seeing playing out is Iranian influence targeted toward Israel.'

There is no end in sight to the conflict. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Wednesday shrugged off President Joe Biden's demands for a de-escalation.

Former President George W. Bush said 'Iranian influence targeted toward Israel' was playing out in Gaza-Israel violence that has killed more than 200 people

An Israeli artillery unit fires shells towards targets in Gaza Strip, at the Israeli Gaza border, Wednesday, May 19, 2021.

Family and friends mourn during the funeral of Israeli man, Yigal Yehoshua, who died after succumbing to his wounds, sustained during Arab-Jewish violence in the mixed city of Lod, at a cemetery in Moshav Hadid on Tuesday

Iranian leaders have urged on Hamas militants in their attacks.

Iranian state media reported that the commander of its Quds Force spoke with Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh, offering his praise for attacks on Israel.

And Hamas, which does not recognize Israel's right to exist and has run Gaza since 2007, has publicly attributed its rocket prowess to aid from Iran in the past.

Bush said any engagement between Washington and Tehran must involve understanding Iran's reach in the Middle East.

'I think the best approach with regard to Iran is to understand that their influence is dangerous for world peace, that they are very much involved with extremist movements in Lebanon and Syria and Yemen, and they are aiming to spread their influence,' he said.

The latest escalation represents the worst fighting since 2014.

At least 219 Palestinians and 12 people in Israel have died.

Palestinian protesters throw back tear gas grenades during clashes with Israeli troops at Huwwara checkpoint near the West Bank City of Nablus

The IDF began releasing details of its 'hit list' as commanders called for more time to continuing hunting Hamas leaders, despite growing calls for a ceasefire. Fighting has now entered its ninth day, with attacks continuing from both sides

The Biden administration is committed to a two-state solution, with a Palestinian state existing alongside Israel, as the only way to resolve decades of conflict.

'I think it's very difficult at this stage,' Bush said.

'I wish, obviously, all of us should hope there's not violence, but what I think you're seeing playing out is Iranian influence targeted toward Israel, and trying to break up alliances that were formed in the previous administration called the Abraham Accords.'

The Abraham Accords were signed during the Trump administration, bringing together Israel and a string of Arab states, starting with the United Arab Emirates, normalizing relations and striking deals on everything from tourism to telecommunications.

Critics say it left Palestinians feeling isolated from their regional allies but supporters said it showed how historic grievances could be left behind.

'Once the sit-in settles down, and if those Abraham Accords hold, it will make it easier to establish peace,' Bush said.

'But right now, those who don't want peace are provoking and attacking Israel, and Israel is, of course, responding for national security reasons.'

On Wednesday, President Joe Biden spoke to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu demanding a de-escalation of strikes as a step towards a truce.

But Netanyahu made clear he would not pause until Israel's objectives had been achieved.

'I am determined to continue this operation until its goal is achieved - to restore peace and security to you, the citizens of Israel,' he said.
This blog covers software patent news and issues with a particular focus on wireless, mobile devices (smartphones, tablet computers, connected cars) as well as select antitrust matters surrounding those devices.
A pair of married animal torturers have admitted using donuts to lure bears into the woods so their hunting dogs could rip the terrified animals apart.

Charles L. Scarbrough, 32, and Hannah Weiner Scarbrough, 29, entered separate guilty pleas for their involvement in luring the bears on May 13.

They were arrested in 2018, along with seven others after a months-long investigation by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation into the trapping and mutilation of bears in various parts of the state, the Ocala StarBanner reported.

The group would set the bait and send trained dogs to attack the animals, which would in certain cases climb up trees to escape the danger.

On one occasion, Charles and two of his cronies were even filmed rifling through a dumpster outside a Krispy Kreme store for sweet treats to help facilitate their twisted hunts.

Charles Luther Scarbrough III, 30, and wife Hannah Weiner Scarbrough, 27, of Callahan, Florida pleaded guilty on May 13 for a criminal scheme that involved luring bears with donuts and pastries in order to to hunt them using packs of dogs. They were arrested in 2018 after a months-long state investigation into the bear maulings

Sometimes, the bears would fall and the dogs would be there waiting to attack again, prosecutors said.

Members of the group would post pictures and videos to social media showing mutilated bears and dogs chasing the animals into trees, and took an obvious delight in watching the bears' distress.

Charles pleaded guilty to charges of animal baiting and fighting, the unlawful taking of a black bear, conspiracy to commit racketeering and unlawful use of a two-way communicating device.

He faces up to two years in prison, but his sentencing was delayed under the terms of his plea deal, in which he agreed to cooperate with prosecutors against his co-defendants.

Charles Luther Scarbrough III shared this photo of himself and wife Hannah with a dead bear

Hannah pleaded guilty to unlawful taking of a black bear and unlawful use of a communication device.

She was sentenced to five years of probation, and ordered to pay $3,850 to the state for prosecution costs and $22,847 to the FFWCC for its investigation.

She is also barred from training and breeding dogs, and from returning to the Ocala National Forest.

A third member of the group, Haley Reddish, previously pleaded guilty in November, 2020 for her involvement in the illegal hunting of bears, the Ocala StarBanner also reported.

Dustin and Haley Reddish were among the nine arrested in 2018 for their involvement in the illegal hunting of bears along with the Scarbroughs. Haley Reddish pleaded guilty in November, 2020

She faces up to four years in prison for charges of felony cruelty to animals, using an animal to fight or bait another animal, unlawful taking of a black bear, conspiracy to commit a Florida RICO (Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organization) Act violation.

Haley's husband Dustin Reddish also go in on the warped past-time, and faced similar charges to his wife. DailyMail.com has reached out to the Florida FWC for an update on his case.

Investigators also seized 53 dogs, in the 2018 arrests, although it's suspected that 'a lot more dogs' were involved in the illegal bear hunting scheme.

During the press conference announcing the arrests, Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi said the nine people were 'training dogs to pursue and attack the bears,' calling it one of the 'most horrific' violations she'd ever seen, The Daytona Beach News-Journal reported.

Bondi noted that the accused 'proudly recorded and posted some of these vicious attacks on Facebook, Instagram and Snapchat.'

Bear hunting in Florida is currently illegal, although hunts could soon be allowed again as part of a bear population management tool.

Dustin Reddish posted multiple pictures and videos to his Instagram showing the killing and mutilating of bears. His wife Haley has since admitted animal abuse

Videos on Dustin Reddish's Instagram showed his dogs hunting the bears

A 45-page affidavit was filed, documenting multiple violations by the nine people, which occurred on both private and public lands, including Ocala National Forest, in six counties. Investigators reported that they observed some of the accused using dog food, pastries, doughnuts and peanut butter to bait, abuse and kill the bears, in addition to finding two dead bears.

The dog and human foods were said to have been placed in wooded areas for the bears to eat. Then, when the bears showed up, the trained dogs were let loose to chase and maul the bears.

The attacks were videoed by the accused and then posted on social media. The social media posts also included discussions of breeding, selling and training dogs.

Dusty Reddish, another of the nine arrested, has an Instagram page is filled with pictures of bears clinging to the tops of trees and videos of dogs ferociously barking up and pawing at trees which presumably have bears in them.

Christopher Elliot Haun, 42 (left), of Ormond Beach, Florida, and William Tyler Wood, 29, of Lake Butler were also taken into custody after the investigation

The animal abuser also shared a clip of two dogs nipping at a terrified possum that appeared to have been released from a trap. That clip ended just as one of the dogs sunk its teeth into the frightened marsupial.

On September 19, 2018, he posted a night-vision image of a bear, captioned 'Tomorrow is the day hopefully this fella dies.' About a week and a half later, on September 30, he posted a photo of himself smiling next to a bloodied, dead bear that is strung up by one leg.

The Scarbroughs also filled their Instagram page with pictures of bears on trees and images of Hannah smiling next to bear corpses. Many posts were tagged with the phrase '#beardogs' and '#bearhunters.'

Authorities said that the group would monitor the dogs though GPS and use them to track down the bears. The dogs would then chase the bears up into trees, waiting on the ground until the bears jumped or fell, and then would attack them, the Gainesville Sun reported.

Reddish also posted a night-vision image of a bear, captioned 'Tomorrow is the day hopefully this fella dies.'

One video collected during the investigation allegedly showed the group cheering as dogs attacked a bear that had fallen out of a tree after co-accused William Tyler Wood banged a stick against the tree.

Another video, which had been uploaded by Mark Lindsey, according to authorities, showed a bear being mauled by a pack of dogs, at one point having its ears held by dogs, while others bit it.

Troy Travis Starling, meanwhile, was said to have been seen skinning a large bear in a video with an unidentified party.

Updates on the cases against Lindsey, Wood, Starling and another defendant called Christopher Haun have not been given.

Investigators also said that they observed Reddish, Charles Scarbrough and Lindsey stealing donuts from a Krispy Kreme garbage dumpster in Jacksonville, Florida, and putting them in Dustin's truck.

A few days later, Dustin and wife Haley Reddish were then seen releasing their dogs in an area that had been bated with donuts, pastries and peanut butter. On a different date, Dustin was seen at an different area where decaying donuts and peanut butter were later found in barrels.

'Not only were these gruesome acts of violence repulsive and cruel, they were recorded and posted to social media for the amusement of the defendants. I doubt they are laughing any longer, now that they have been arrested for serious crimes,' Bondi said in a statement obtained by the Gainesville Sun.
Authorities in central Mexico discovered the remains of a 34-year-old missing woman and at least eight other women at the home of her 72-year-old boyfriend.

The Attorney Generals Office for the State of Mexico indicated that the eight other women may have been murdered by Andres Mendoza during a 20-year stretch.

Imagen Television reported that Mendoza confessed to have eaten the body parts of his victims.

He reportedly also had video taped the killings of his victims.

Cops in the town of Atizapan were conducting a search for Reyna Gonzalez, a mother of two girls, when they found her dismembered body inside Mendozas on Saturday.

Andres Mendoza was arrested in Atizapan, Mexico, on Saturday night, just one day after his 34-year-old girlfriend Reyna Gonzalez has been reported missing. Authorities discovered her dismembered body inside a bag and the remains of at least nine other women buried at his home

Reyna Gonzalez, a mother of two girls, visited the home of her boyfriend, 72-year-old Andres Mendoza, to tell him that she was no longer interested in carrying on with their relationship. Mendoza reacted by stabbing her in the chest before using a machete to hack her and stuff her remains inside a bag

Evidence from the home of Andres Mendoza that was seized by authorities Saturday night in State of Mexico after the discovery of his dead girlfriend, whom he stabbed and then hacked with a machete

Andres Mendoza is led away by authorities in State of Mexico, Mexico, after he was arrested for allegedly murdering his girlfriend. Authorities discovered the remains of at least eight other women buried at his home

Gonzalez was initially reported missing Friday after she went to Mendozas home at noon to tell him that she was going to terminate their relationship. Mendoza did not agree with Gonzalezs reasoning and reportedly stabbed her inside his home.

According to Infobae, Mendoza drove the knife into Gonzalezs chest and then used a machete to cut her limbs off before stuffing her body parts into a bag.

Authorities entered Mendozas home Saturday approximately 8pm and searched the home before the made the gruesome discovery.

The bags containing Gonzalezs body had been placed on top of at table. Authorities did not confirm whether Mendoza had ate any of Gonzalezs body parts.

A dog searches the property of Andres Mendoza before leading agents to human remains

Firefighters and an agent with the prosecutor's office for the State of Mexico search through the soil at the home of Andres Mendoza where the remains of at least nine women were found

Investigators recovered what they allege are accessories belonging to the nine women whose remains were found at the home of Andres Mendoza

A sniffer dogs deployed by authorities led a search team to an area of the home where the remains of other women were discovered. A separate team was called drilled through the floor of several sections of the home where human remains and hair of women had been buried.

Workers also found women's clothing and shoes which allegedly belonged to the victims who were butchered by Mendoza.

Authorities also seized a collection of video tapes that reportedly contained the names of several women with footage of their killings and a notebook with the names of 29 women.

He also peeled the skins off the women's faces and their scalps, too.

As of Tuesday, Mendoza has only been accused of killing Gonzalez.

Investigators separate the evidence that was recovered at the home of Andres Mendoza after cops discovered the dismembered body of his 34-year-old girlfriend Reyna Gonzalez

The voter id cards of Rubicela Castillo (left) and Flor Vizcaino (right) were located at the home of Andres Mendoza, but authorities have yet to determine the women's remains were among the ones discovered buried at the residence

Dilcya Garcia, the lead prosecutor for the Attorney Generals Office division that the evidence that was uncovered made them believe that they were dealing with a serial killer.

Investigators also found voter identification cards of Rubicela Castillo, 32, who was reported missing July 20, 2019, and Flor Vizcaino, 38, who was last seen October 16, 2016.

Castillo, a native of Monterrey, Nuevo Leon, moved to Mexico City in 2019 with her five-year-old son and was working for a bank and Uber.
Families should expect a 'knock on the door' when they return from abroad, Priti Patel warned last night.

The Home Secretary said enforcement was being stepped up to make sure travellers who visit amber-list countries such as France, Spain and Italy obey the ten-day quarantine rule.

Officials have the capacity to carry out 10,000 home visits a day and 30,000 were conducted last week.

Anyone found to be out when supposedly self-isolating risks a fine of up to 10,000  although few have been levied so far.

The warning came despite growing optimism of an end to Covid curbs next month and after days of confusion over amber-list countries.

Boris Johnson told MPs yesterday that visits to these medium-risk destinations were acceptable only in 'extreme circumstances'.

But one analysis said up to 270,000 Britons will fly to amber countries in the five days to Sunday.

Families should expect a 'knock on the door' when they return from abroad, Priti Patel warned last night. Pictured: A beach in Malaga this month

Around 1,300 flights were scheduled, carrying up to 54,000 passengers a day to destinations including Spain, Greece, France and Italy.

Miss Patel was asked by the Mail yesterday whether these holidaymakers should expect a 'knock on the door' when they got home.

She replied: 'Yes, people should. There is a service, provision is in place, capacity has been increased for that very reason. People will not go unchecked.

'Significant resources have been put in place  millions of pounds  in terms of the follow-up checking of people around their testing and making sure they stay at home. It has been stepped up.'

The Home Secretary (pictured on Wednesday) said enforcement was being stepped up to make sure travellers who visit amber-list countries such as France, Spain and Italy obey the ten-day quarantine rule

Tory MPs warned that a 'heavy handed' approach to enforcement would backfire when there was hope that coronavirus restrictions could be lifted on June 21.

Both Boris Johnson and Health Secretary Matt Hancock yesterday said they were increasingly confident that coronavirus jabs were effective against all variants  including the Indian strain.

In other developments:

Deputy chief medical officer Jonathan Van-Tam said it now looked like the Indian variant spread less quickly than feared;

He also said the death rate  now averaging eight a day  was 'extremely low';

Dr Jenny Harries of the UK Health Security Agency said there was no sign of hospital admissions going up anywhere in England;

Booster shots will be tested against the Indian variant in a world-first trial;

Professor Neil Ferguson suggested mixing jabs might boost immunity;

Bolton's Tory council leader warned of 'civil unrest' if a local lockdown was imposed;

Ryanair launched a 5 flight sale to a string of amber-list countries;

Direct flights from India arrived in the UK yesterday despite its huge death toll ;

Government sources played down the prospect of any new destinations being added to the quarantine-free green list next month;

The NHS said that people aged 34 and over can book their Covid-19 jab from today.

Officials have the capacity to carry out 10,000 home visits a day and 30,000 were conducted last week (file image)

Indian flights still arriving Direct flights from India continued to arrive in the UK yesterday  despite the country recording the worlds highest daily coronavirus death toll. More than 4,500 deaths were recorded in India on Tuesday  the deadliest day in a single country since the pandemic began. The previous highest daily toll was in the US in January, when 4,468 people died. Ministers are facing growing questions over why direct flights from India are still landing in the UK several weeks after the country was added to the travel red list. Four direct flights arrived from India at Heathrow yesterday. The highly transmissible Indian strain is now the dominant coronavirus strain in Bolton and Blackburn. Advertisement

The Government lifted the ban on travel on Monday.

But after replacing the outright embargo with a traffic light system, the situation has been mired in chaos. Thousands have flown to amber countries only to be told that they should not travel to them unless it is absolutely essential.

The green list covers only Portugal, along with Gibraltar, Israel, Australia, New Zealand, Singapore, Iceland and the Faroe Islands, plus several small remote islands which are British Overseas Territories.

Travellers to amber countries must self-isolate at home for ten days on their return and take two tests.

A Home Office source said 7,000 home visits were carried out by Test and Trace officials on Tuesday.

The ministry has also established a new Isolation Assurance and Compliance service to monitor arrivals from amber-list countries.

Where people are found to be away from home, police are called to issue fines. A total of 639 have been handed out to date, though this number is now likely to rise significantly.

The approach and mixed messaging has angered the travel industry, which has been left on its knees by a year of on-off lockdowns.

Former Brexit secretary David Davis said: 'The difficulty is that when the message is confused  and it couldn't be more confused in this case  people don't pay attention. It's the worst of all worlds  it damages the economy, and people are too scared to go away.'

Boris Johnson told MPs yesterday that visits to these medium-risk destinations were acceptable only in 'extreme circumstances'. Pictured: Police in Heathrow Airport earlier this year

Asked about the prospect of officials knocking at the doors of amber-list returnees, he said: 'It is heavy-handed, and it won't work yet again.

'It'll be just as effective as the last test and trace.'

Professor Ferguson, who advises the Government on Covid, last night said the effectiveness of home quarantine was 'much lower than we might have hoped'.

He told ITV's Peston show: 'If you're wanting to stop variants coming into the country through border measures then the only really effective way of doing that is quarantine outside the home.'

Mr Hancock insisted yesterday that the public messaging had been 'crystal clear'.

Airlines' fury at amber list debacle: Boris Johnson says we should only travel to medium risk countries in 'extreme circumstances'... but 5m people have booked trips abroad

By David Churchill Transport Correspondent

Travel bosses reacted with fury last night after Boris Johnson hardened his stance on trips to amber list countries.

The Prime Minister said families should visit medium-risk destinations only in 'extreme circumstances' and not for holidays.

On Monday he was less definitive, saying such trips should be for 'pressing' family or business reasons only.

Confusion reigned earlier this week when two Cabinet ministers suggested leisure breaks and visits to family and friends would be acceptable. Adding to the chaos health minister Lord Bethell claimed all holidays abroad were 'dangerous'.

The contradictory messages have left holidaymakers and travel chiefs begging for clarity. Around five million Britons have booked amber list breaks this summer, leaving them in limbo over whether to cancel or re-book and hope their destination makes the green list.

On Monday the outright ban on foreign travel was replaced by a green, amber and red traffic light system grading different countries by their Covid risk level.

Travel bosses reacted with fury last night after Boris Johnson hardened his stance on trips to amber list countries. Pictured: Heathrow Airport

The Prime Minister said families should visit medium-risk destinations only in 'extreme circumstances' and not for holidays. Pictured: Boris Johnson on Wednesday

But amid concern over foreign variants, ministers then said that no one should go on holiday in an amber country even if they quarantined on return.

Writing in the Mail, Tim Alderslade of Airlines UK, which represents major carriers, said: 'Just as our beleaguered travel and tourism companies have started to look ahead with hope, illogical, confusing and alarming messaging from ministers risk the whole system unravelling before it has even had a chance to get going.

'Why demonise those who have decided to travel to an amber country in full knowledge of the extra health measures, including quarantine, that are put in place to guard against any additional risk from Covid?'

George Morgan-Grenville, of luxury tour operator Red Savannah, said the traffic light system was 'lunacy'. He added: 'What is the point of the amber list? You may as well make the amber list the red list. What's the point of having a passport? What's the point of legalising travel again, only to say that you can't travel?'

Julia Lo Bue-Said, of Advantage Travel Partnership, said: 'This is typical nanny state tactics. Surely the British public can make up their own mind if they wish to quarantine in order to visit an amber country. As long as protocols are followed, testing is in place and rules in the destination are adhered to we see no reason why we cannot be allowed to travel safely to amber destinations for leisure. Otherwise, make those amber countries red.'

Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer confronted Mr Johnson over the fiasco at PMQs in the Commons yesterday, accusing ministers of having 'lost control of the messaging'.

He added: 'If he doesn't want people to travel to amber list countries, why has he made it easier for them to do so?'

On Monday the outright ban on foreign travel was replaced by a green, amber and red traffic light system grading different countries by their Covid risk level. Pictured: Heathrow Airport on Wednesday

Mr Johnson replied: 'It is very, very clear Mr Speaker. You should not be going to an amber list country except for some extreme circumstance, such as the serious illness of a family member. You should not be going to an amber list country on holiday. And if you do go to an amber list country we will enforce the ten-day quarantine period and if you break the rules you face very substantial fines.'

At a Downing Street press conference last night Mr Hancock said: 'If you look at what the PM said last week, what I said at the weekend, what I said in the House on Monday, what the PM said at lunch today, we've been absolutely crystal clear  that you should not go to an amber or red list country on holiday. You should only go for exceptional circumstances. An example might be to visit a very ill family member or to go to a funeral of somebody very close to you.'

Of the decision not to ban amber travel completely, he added: 'There are some things that we have banned in law but there are some things we do not recommend. You don't necessarily have to ban everything as a government minister.'

Just 12 destinations are green, with most in remote parts of the world or with strict entry measures in place or outright bans on British tourists.

And in a further blow, there were reports last night that no new countries will join the green list 'for some considerable time'. It means beach holidays to popular hotspots such as Spain, Italy and Greece may not be possible until July or even August.

Confusion reigned earlier this week when two Cabinet ministers suggested leisure breaks and visits to family and friends would be acceptable. Adding to the chaos health minister Lord Bethell claimed all holidays abroad were 'dangerous'. Pictured: Heathrow Airport on Wednesday

Appearing on ITV's Peston show last night, Michael O'Leary of Ryanair was asked if he understood the UK travel rules. 'No and I think most of the UK population doesn't understand them either,' he replied. 'But I'm happy to say that for about the past four weeks they've been booking in their droves, mainly I think they're booking into June, July, August, and September.

'People are ignoring the short-term restrictions and working out they'll be safe to fly in late June, July, August when the school holidays come around and they're booking in their literally hundreds of thousands on a daily basis.'

Virginia Messina, of the World Travel & Tourism Council, said: 'Disagreements over whether or not you can travel to an 'amber country' are baffling consumers and leaving the travel and tourism sector in disarray.'

Gillian Keegan, the skills minister, said she was 'desperate' to visit her second home in Spain but now was not the time to holiday there.

TIM ALDERSLADE: These holiday rules are alarming, confusing, and illogical. Sort it out, ministers!

This week saw the sight of happy British holidaymakers visiting beaches, bars and restaurants in Portugal, one of the tiny number of green-listed countries under the Governments international travel scheme.

But, just as our beleaguered travel and tourism companies have started to look ahead with hope, illogical, confusing and alarming messaging from Ministers risks the whole system unravelling before it has even had a chance to get going.

The whole point of the risk-based red, amber and green system launched this week was to allow people to make informed decisions about their travel plans, knowing that non-essential travel is legal again.

This means few restrictions for green countries like Portugal, more for amber, and a clear directive that you should not travel to red.

This is a common-sense approach backed by industry, even if it means travel still wont feel entirely normal for a while yet.

Tourists soak up the sun on a beach in the Algarve, Portugal this week as Brits flocked to amber and green listed nations as Covid-19 restrictions eased

'The Government needs to lead by example, stop being afraid of its own shadow and follow the data, or else we face the very real prospect of the UK being grounded permanently'

Pictured: Tim Alderslade, CEO of Airlines UK

Yet this week the Government has moved the goalposts, with the Minister Lord Bethell making the astonishing claim that all travel is dangerous and telling people to stay at home for the whole of the rest of the year  despite international travel only being made legal again 24 hours before.

This only added more confusion following the Prime Ministers comments that people should not travel to amber countries except under extreme circumstances.

But why not? The FCDO travel advice says it is safe to travel to at least 20 amber countries. It is not illegal to do so.

So why demonise those who have decided to travel to an amber country in full knowledge of the extra health measures, including quarantine, that are put in place to guard against any additional risk from Covid?

We have less a traffic light system than 50 shades of red, where travel is only allowed to freezing and far away uninhabited islands, one mainstream market and banned everywhere else.

We are at a truly critical point as we approach the summer.

The EU is forging ahead with plans to open up and allow unrestricted travel to those who have been vaccinated, a pragmatic approach that will be a lifeline to desperate travel and tourism industries and the millions of Europeans desperate to get away, now liberated by the huge success of the vaccines that were designed to do just that.

'Why demonise those who have decided to travel to an amber country in full knowledge of the extra health measures, including quarantine, that are put in place to guard against any additional risk from Covid?'

But we are going to needlessly miss out, with the Government appearing determined to stamp out travel and throw away our vaccine dividend, irrespective of the evidence and the impacts on jobs and freedoms.

Of course, we need to remain vigilant and it is right that countries like India stay on the banned list.

However, India is not the world, and in much of Europe, and especially the US, cases are low and dropping, vaccine rates are high, and test and trace data shows that few if any cases are being imported, with no variants of concern.

In short, the Government needs to lead by example, stop being afraid of its own shadow and follow the data, or else we face the very real prospect of the UK being grounded permanently.
President Biden has been in office less than a year but now, in the midst of grappling with the coronavirus and with a wealth of other issues on his plate, he is facing perhaps the biggest question of all: are we alone?

The idea that we may share our universe with alien life is far from new, and there have been regular sightings of UFOs  Unidentified Flying Objects  for decades.

But these have, until recently, been dismissed as hoaxes, or misinterpretations of natural phenomena.

Despite Hollywoods enthusiasm for the subject, the U.S. Defense Department has always downplayed the significance of such reports and sightings.

Now, however, no less a figure than Barack Obama has raised the stakes by admitting on The Late Show that, when President, he asked whether there was a lab somewhere where were keeping the alien specimens and spaceships?

President Biden has been in office less than a year but now, in the midst of grappling with the coronavirus and with a wealth of other issues on his plate, he is facing perhaps the biggest question of all: are we alone? Pictured: Video taken on board the USS Omaha showing an object moving, hovering, and disappearing into the Pacific Ocean

The answer was no, but he did acknowledge the existence of objects without an easily explainable pattern.

His comments come days after U.S. fighter pilots revealed seeing Unidentified Aerial Phenomena (UAP) off the coast of Virginia every day for two years.

The idea of the government secretly investigating sightings of UFOs and other strange incidents has long been thought to belong to the realms of Hollywood or TV: its no mistake that The X-Files, featuring a secret organisation dedicated to such other-worldly phenomena, was described as a science fiction drama.

No longer. Once a preoccupation of hardcore sci-fi fans, UAPs (or UFOs) are now being taken extremely seriously at the very heart of government.

Easy as it may be to discount sightings and photos of UFOs by civilians, video footage and pictures taken by U.S. Navy pilots between mid-2014 and March 2015 that emerged three years ago could not be dismissed so easily.

Barack Obama has raised the stakes by admitting on The Late Show that, when President, he asked whether there was a lab somewhere where were keeping the alien specimens and spaceships? The answer was no, but he did acknowledge the existence of objects without an easily explainable pattern

They showed a 30 to 40ft object, shaped like a Tic Tac, with no wings or rotors, yet able to hover, turn and accelerate through the sky at hypersonic speeds. The flabbergasted Navy pilots can be heard exclaiming in awe: Oh dude!

The footage was leaked to the New York Times, whose report also revealed the existence of a shadowy organisation based at the Pentagon dedicated to reports of UFO sightings, the Advanced Aerospace Threat Identification Program  AATIP.

Its $22million budget was buried within the defence departments 600billion a year funding.

The titles of some of the studies conducted by AATIP read like something out of an episode of Star Trek: Invisibility Cloaking; Traversable Wormholes, Stargates And Negative Energy; Warp Drive, Dark Energy And The Manipulation of Extra Dimensions; and Metallic Spintronics.

But its work was shrouded in secrecy and its former head, Luis Elizondo, resigned in 2017 in protest at this cloak-and-dagger approach.

The UK has been similarly secretive about UFO sightings, although the Ministry of Defence did at least set up a department dedicated to otherworldly phenomena, which I headed from 1991 to 1994, earning myself the name Real Life Fox Mulder, after The X-Files detective played by David Duchovny.

This department was eventually wound up, but the sightings have continued and  as in the U.S.  while many can be discounted, there are some that have no reasonable, scientific explanation.

The pressure is now on the U.S. Defense Department to go public with what it knows about UFOs and what the implications are for national security.

The leaking of the pilots footage prompted it to announce in 2020 the establishment of an Unidentified Aerial Phenomena Task Force (UAPTF), led by the Navy.

The stated mission of this body was to detect, analyse and catalogue UAPs that could potentially pose a threat to U.S. national security.

The Senate Intelligence Committee  which oversees the tangle of 18 or more departments and organisations dedicated to intelligence-gathering in the U.S.  last year demanded a report on UFOs.

It is due next month, and it will be unclassified, although I suspect they will hide anything deemed too sensitive and secret within a classified annex to the report.

Certainly the government can no longer get away with dismissing those who have reported sightings of UFOs as cranks. If they know what these strange phenomena are, then they should be transparent, and tell us. And if they dont  well, then we really do have reason to worry

Although this material too could be leaked. There has already been a great deal of leaking of photographs, official footage and documents relating to these unexplained sightings, notably the Navy pilots footage, and of other documents doing the rounds.

It is the existence of this information that has made it impossible for the government to deny or debunk such sightings and refuse to investigate them  as they have done since the 1960s.

What might the report contain? I believe there are three possible theories behind the strange sightings.

The first is that these strange aircraft are a U.S. black project technology  a secret weapon developed by the U.S. Air Force that it is blind-testing against the Navy, to determine its efficacy.

After all, one unanswered question has been: where is the Air Force in all this? They have been strangely quiet, given that it is an issue about aircraft and airspace.

In this scenario, everything about UFOs is just a deception operation. The second theory is that the craft involved are secret prototype aircraft or drones operated by Russia or China  a troubling explanation, given the capabilities observed by the Navy pilots.

The third possibility is that we are in unknown territory  this would include the extraterrestrial hypothesis, or even a strange atmospheric plasma phenomenon that looks like an aircraft.

The Defense Intelligence Agency seems to want to play down the extraterrestrial theory but it is interesting to note that among the footnotes to the letter to Congress is a reference to a study of the Drake Equation, designed by the astronomer Frank Drake to calculate how many non-human civilisations there might be.

I sincerely hope that the intelligence community co-operates with the Senate report and gives us some idea of what we are dealing with. If we dont know what it is, we cannot take defensive measures against it, if necessary.

And I trust that the findings  even the classified ones  will be shared with the UK, its closest defence ally.

Having studied unexplained sightings for many years, not only in my role at the MoD, but as the author of several books about such phenomena, including an investigation into the UKs Rendlesham Forest Incident in 1980, about the landing of UFOs there witnessed by U.S. airmen, I believe that unexplained objects in our skies cannot simply be ignored.

My understanding is that there are disagreements within the defence and intelligence services about what it is that we are dealing with, and what steps we must take. For so many years scepticism and secrecy have prevailed. Now, at last, we are beginning to see some transparency.

But what we have learned so far is, I believe, just the tip of the iceberg. If these are the videos and pictures that have been leaked, how many more sightings are going on that we are not seeing? I suspect a lot.

Other pictures are emerging, captured on phones  one recently recorded an unidentified object disappearing into the ocean.

The U.S. Navy has even issued guidance to its pilots about what to do if they encounter these mysterious aircraft.

They wouldnt bother doing that if there had been three or four incidents. This suggests ongoing encounters.

This could just be one of those interesting instances where conspiracy theorists turn out to be right. Not about aliens  I dont think little green men are about to descend on us  but about the unexplained aircraft.

Certainly the government can no longer get away with dismissing those who have reported sightings of UFOs as cranks.

If they know what these strange phenomena are, then they should be transparent, and tell us. And if they dont  well, then we really do have reason to worry.
A casual school teacher has been charged over the alleged sexual touching of a student in Sydneys south-west last year.

Detectives received a report last year that a female student had been sexually touched by a casual teacher at a school in Sydneys south-west.

Following extensive inquiries, a 57-year-old man was arrested at a home in Sydneys Inner West on Friday 30 April 2021.

He was taken to Newtown Police Station and charged with sexual touching child aged between 10 and 16, and common assault.

Detectives received a report last year that a female student had been sexually touched by a casual teacher at a school in Sydneys south-west

Police will allege in court that an 11-year-old girl was sexually touched by the casual teacher in September last year.

The man appeared at Newtown Local Court the same day, where he was formally refused bail to re-appear at Bankstown Local Court on Thursday.

The Child Abuse and Sex Crimes Squad is comprised of detectives who are specially trained to investigate matters against children and adults, including sexual assault, serious physical abuse, and extreme cases of neglect.

Anyone with concerns about suspected child abuse or exploitation should call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or use the Crime Stoppers online reporting page: https://nsw.crimestoppers.com.au.
Thousands of lucky Aussies can get free flights, cheap accommodation and $1,500 cash by taking a job in the Sunshine State's tourism sector.

The Queensland government launched the $5.7million 'work in paradise' initiative on Thursday to fill 4,000 empty spots in regional areas.

Businesses have been scrambling to attract workers since international borders were closed at the start of the Covid-19 pandemic in March 2020.

Positions are available for hospitality staff and tour guides in picturesque locations such as the Great Barrier Reef, Cairns, the Whitsundays and the Outback.

Thousands of Australians have the opportunity to work in picturesque locations in the Sunshine State (stock image)

Jobs are available for anyone over 18 with working rights in Cairns and the Daintree Rainforest (pictured)

HOW TO APPLY: - Visit the Work in Paradise website. - Choose between jobs as a bartender, cook, kitchenhand, tour guide, wait staff or chef. - Register your interest by November. Advertisement

There are also vacancies in the large region that stretches north from Mackay and the inland regions west of Toowoomba.

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said the campaign will give Australians the opportunity to get on-the-job training.

'Right across regional Queensland, there is strong demand for workers,' she wrote on Twitter on Thursday morning.

'From chefs, waiters and bartenders through to tour guides and deckhands on the Great Barrier Reef, there are plenty of great jobs up for grabs.'

The year-long program starts on July 1 and everyone over 18 with working rights is encouraged to apply within the next six months.

Earlier in May it was reported that the struggling tourism industry had a chronic shortage of of people with 5,000 jobs up for grabs.

The $5.7million 'work in paradise' initiative was launched on Thursday to fill 4,000 empty spots in regional areas

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk also said there are jobs available on boats that sail across the Great Barrier Reef (pictured)

Australians can also work in areas west of Toowoomba, including the Outback (pictured)

Daniel Gschwind, CEO of Queensland Tourism Industry Council previously said employers in regional areas were desperate for staff, hiring 'just about anyone who can flip a burger'.

'A lot of people migrated out of the industry during Covid, and we lost thousands of people who were on on working holidays visa and skilled migrants,' he said.

Around 44,000 positions were lost in the Queensland industry between February 2020 and February 2021 due to the shutdowns and border closures caused by the virus.

Gschwind said he and many tourism operators would like to see skilled migrants allowed to return to the country sooner rather than later to deal with the labour shortage, believing the recovery of the sector will be seriously hampered without them.

This move is unlikely, however, given Prime Minster Scott Morrison's announcement the other day that Australia's international borders would likely remain shut until the end of 2022.
A woman is set to learn her fate after being found guilty of the manslaughter of her elderly mother at a NSW aged care home.

Barbara Eckersley is due to be sentenced on Thursday at the NSW Supreme Court, sitting in Goulburn.

A jury last month found the 69-year-old unlawfully killed Mary White, her non-verbal, frail mother by lacing her food with a drug known as 'green dream'.

Eckersley was found guilty of manslaughter, not murder, over the 2018 death.

Eckersley denied murdering her mother (pictured), a renowned scientist who had severe dementia and other health conditions

Ms White, 92, a renowned environmental scientist, had severe dementia and other health conditions, having suffered a stroke in 2016.

She died two days before she was due to move out of the nursing home in Bundanoon in the NSW Southern Highlands to another facility in Coffs Harbour, closer to family.

Eckersley and her husband Richard visited on August 5 with the offender placing a small amount of a drug in Ms White's food.

The 'green dream' drug was left over from Eckersley's work as a wildlife carer in Canberra about two decades earlier, the court was told.

Barbara Eckersley (second left), 68, was found guilty of killing her mother Mary White at an aged care centre in August 2018

It was used to euthanise native animals.

She added a small amount to her mother's food thinking Ms White would go to sleep, not that it would kill her, Eckersley's lawyer Kieran Ginges told the jury.

After telling detectives she had put drugs in her mother's meal, Eckersley was charged with murder.

At trial, Mr Ginges contended the drugs were not a significant cause of death, pointing to Ms White's heart condition, thrombosis and other health issues.

The former scientist was paralysed on the right side of her body and needed full-time care.
A sheriff's deputy in Virginia has been praised for his heroism after his body camera caught the moment he single-handedly lifted an overturned car off a woman to save her life 'through sheer will and determination.'

The woman had been trapped under the car after it wrecked on May 7 in Gloucester County as her desperate son cried out 'mommy! mommy!' before the deputy was able to rescue her, the Gloucester County Sheriff's Office said in a press release.

Deputy Jon Holt has since been praised by the sheriff's office - which revealed that had recently received local and regional Top Cop Awards for saving a disabled young girl and woman from a burning home last March.

In the video of the wreck, Deputy Holt tells dispatchers that the vehicle had flipped upside down while arriving at the scene.

He then hops out of the patrol car and rushes over to the overturned vehicle wile someone at the scene cries out for help. He asks if the mom was underneath the car.

Scroll down for video

In the video of the wreck, Deputy Holt tells dispatchers that the vehicle had flipped upside down and rushes over wile someone at the scene cries out for help

People at the scene tell the deputy that the woman's head is is trapped under the sunroof and she can't breathe

Deputy Holt's body camera caught the incident on video, which has since gone viral online

The woman's young son says while crouching inside the overturned car near his mom

Deputy Holt then calls the boy out of the vehicle, pictured left in a Star Wars shirt, before lifting it for the woman to remove her head

'Yes, she can't breathe! Mommy! Mommy! Mommy! Mommy!' her young son says while crouching inside the overturned car near his mom.

Deputy Holt informs dispatchers that her head is pinned underneath the car's sunroof.

'Come here buddy,' the deputy tells the boy to get him to back away from the car.

Deputy Holt's body camera is then pressed up against the car, the screen showing black, as he is heard grunting while lifting the car up.

The woman is then able to apparently remove her head from beneath the trapped vehicle, according to the audio. It was unclear what injuries the woman suffered and her condition after her rescue.

The incredible video has since gone viral after being shared on Tuesday by the sheriff's office - with more than 84,000 views on Facebook.

'Seeing the trauma her child was witnessing, Deputy J. Holt went into overdrive,' the sheriff's office said.

'Through sheer will and determination due to fearing the female may succumb to her circumstance in front of her panic-stricken child, Deputy J. Holt took quick action and was able to physically lift the vehicle up enough for the driver to maneuver her head out to safety.'

Deputy Holt has also been praised for his heroism after he pulled a woman and a young girl from a burning home on March 24, 2020 and later discovering that they had physical disabilities that prevented them from escaping on their own, officials said in a Facebook post.

'While on patrol, Deputy J. Holt responded to assist with a structure fire with occupants still in the residence. As he arrived, he heard a female yelling that there were people inside the home,' the post reads.

Deputy Jon Holt, left, is pictured receiving the Top Cop Awards for saving a disabled young girl and woman from a burning home last March

The Gloucester County Sheriff's Office praised the deputy's heroism in a Facebook post

The deputy then crawled inside the smoke-filled structure and found the woman, low-crawling while by dragging her to safety.

'Without hesitation, Dep. J. Holt reentered the structure by low crawling once again and searching for additional victims,' officials said.

As the blaze grew and the heat rose, he found the young girl and grabbed her by her waist to drag her out the front door to safety as well.

'Believing that an infant was still unaccounted for, Dep. J. Holt, again without regard for his wellbeing, entered the house now fully engulfed by the fire for a third time to search for the baby,' officials said.

He was unable to find the infant, and left the home to gather more information about where he may have been, before reentering a fourth time to search for the infant again.

It was later discovered that the infant had been safely removed from the home before Deputy Holt's arrival.

Those two victims suffered second- and third-degree burns across 50% of their bodies, officials said.

'Without his 'never give up' mentality, the outcome would have been much more devastating,' the sheriff's office said.
Jacqui Lambie and Allison Langdon have slammed a Gold Coast hairdresser who is refusing any clients who have been vaccinated against the coronavirus.

Yazmina Jade Adler made headlines in 2019 after claiming she relieved her severe period pain by rubbing menstrual blood on her face during a ritual meditation.

Now, the Gold Coast business owner is back in the spotlight after imposing a controversial policy banning coronavirus vaccine recipients from her Palm Beach salon.

The Tasmanian Senator appeared on Today on Thursday morning criticising the extreme policy and dismissing her reasoning.

'I'm not sure what viral disease she's got right now but I'm really not sure how that ones going to go down,' she told the program.

'That's a brand-new one out there, I think.

'I'm not sure the hairdressing business will last very long with her saying that.'

Jacqui Lambie and Allison Langdon have slammed a Gold Coast hairdresser who is refusing any clients who have been vaccinated against the coronavirus

The Tasmanian Senator appeared on Today on Thursday morning criticising the extreme policy and dismissing her reasoning

Yazmina Jade Adler (pictured) has banned Covid-19 vaccine recipients from getting their hair styled in her Gold Coast salon

Lambie, Allison Langdon and another host argued Ms Adler's justification, that women could get sick from the vaccine particles, had no scientific basis.

'It's bonkers,' one of the hosts said.

Immunology experts say it is scientifically impossible for Covid-19 vaccines to cause illness in unvaccinated people as they contain no live virus or any other infectious material that can pass from person to person.

'It doesn't really make sense, I guess a lot of people will question that, [but] it is like anything, like the disease or virus, it is spreading [jab particles] somehow and women are reporting side effects when they haven't had the vaccine,' Ms Adler told 9News.

Ms Adler announced the new rule over Khemia HI vibe frequency salon's social media pages on Monday, stating: 'we are not your hairdresser if you have had the Covid vax'.

'The unknown health effects of the mRNA vaccine are not covered by our public liability insurance,' Ms Adler wrote on Facebook and Instagram.

She apologised for any 'inconvenience' to customers but said 'the safety of our staff and existing clients is our priority', adding the policy would be re-evaluated in 2023 when clinical trials of the 'experimental injection' are completed.

The business' posts have since been flagged as 'missing context' and 'defying science' by independent fact checkers, the Australian Associated Press.

Ms Adler owns Khemia HI vibe frequency salon, which is based in Palm Beach on the Gold Coast

In a statement addressing the claims, AAP said a Facebook post circulating online claims that 'countless reports and anecdotes affirm' people who are unvaccinated against Covid-19 are becoming ill 'just by being in the vicinity' of those who have had the jab.

'The lengthy post lists alleged examples of illnesses and injuries unvaccinated people have picked up from vaccinated people.

'These include irregular and heavy menstruation, bleeding while pregnant and miscarriages as well as supposed cases of pets dying when touched by someone who got the Covid jab.'

AAP said: 'Much of the text has been copied from an article published on April 28 by a conspiracy-promoting ''alternative media'' website that calls Covid-19 an 'imaginary' virus.'

Immunology experts say it is scientifically impossible for Covid-19 vaccines to cause illness in unvaccinated people as they contain no live virus or any other infectious material that can pass from person to person.

'The current Covid-19 vaccines use mRNA or non-replicating virus, which are not contagious and cannot be transmitted to non-vaccinated people,' UNSW infectious disease scientist associate professor Holly Seale told AAP FactCheck.

Ms Adler made headlines two years ago when she claimed on SBS show Medicine or Myth that she cured her period pain by smearing menstrual blood on her face

Associate professor Menno van Zelm from Monash University's Department of Immunology and Pathology agreed, saying that there are 'no credible reports' that vaccinated people can make other people ill.

'For one, Covid-19 vaccines do not contain the virus nor any other infectious agent that is contagious,' Dr van Zelm said in an email.

'Yes, the vaccine activates the immune system and can make the recipient feel unwell for 24 hours, but this does not affect bystanders.'

Ms Adler, who also offers 'crystal healing' and 'frequency technology and sound healing for your full mind body hair experience' in her salon, rose to fame two years ago after appearing on SBS's show Medicine or Myth.

In front of a panel of medical experts, she pulled out a jar of her menstrual blood - which she collects - and daubed it across her forehead, claiming it cures her period cramps.
Philadelphia has dimmed its lights in an effort to save some of the 100 million birds that fly through the City of Brotherly Love on their semiannual migration each year.

Nearly 20 buildings in the city are taking part in the Lights Out Philly initiative, a voluntary program in which external and internal lights are turned off or dimmed at night through the end of the month to prevent birds from accidentally flying into the tall structures.

The effort was organized by the Bird Safe Philly group, after more than 1,000 dead and injured birds rained down on the city last fall.

Nearly 20 buildings in Philadelphia are taking part in the Lights Out Philly initiative to prevent birds migrating through the city from crashing into the buildings

The Audubon Society first established the Lights Out program in Chicago in 1999 and it has since spread to more than 30 cities

The birds tend to fly at lower altitudes during the spring and the fall, according to Robert Peck, a senior fellow at the Academy of Natural Sciences at Drexel University, and they use the sun, moon and stars to navigate their migration.

When they see bright city lights, he said, they can become disoriented and confused, flying directly into the buildings and killing themselves.

'Suddenly they have all these lights coming at them from different directions. It's overwhelming,' he told CNN. 'They get turned around and they will fly into buildings and walls.'

Scientists estimate that between 365 million to 1 billion birds are killed by collisions with buildings or other outdoor structures each year.

But in just one day last October, thousands of birds flew into Philadelphia skyscrapers. It was the largest 'mass collision' event in seven decades.

'The ground was sprinkled with dead and dying birds,' Peck recounted, with Audubon Pennsylvania volunteers collecting just one-third of the dead birds on October 2.

Experts now believe poor weather conditions may have contributed to the deaths.

More than 1,000 birds crashed into Philadelphia buildings in a single day  on October 2. It was the largest 'mass collision' event in seven decades

'Philadelphia is along the Atlantic Flyway,' said Keith Russell, the program manager for urban conservation for Audubon Pennsylvania, 'so the birds are migrating through the city in gigantic numbers.'

Common yellowthroats, white-throated sparrows, gray catbirds and ovenbirds are the most common victims of the collisions in Philadelphia, experts said  species which are already threatened by climate change and other predators.

'The ovenbird and the black-throated blue warbler are among the hundreds of bird species that are now at an increased risk of extinction in North America because of climate change,' Russell said.

The first bird death in Philadelphia was recorded in the 1890s, when the Academy of Natural Sciences started logging the 'window kills,' and in 1999, the National Audubon Society first established the Lights Out program to protect migrating birds.

It has since spread to more than 30 cities across the country, including New York, Boston, Atlanta and Washington D.C.
The French presidency, which is hosting the summit on financing African economies on 18 May, is at the forefront of a shift in discourse on the continent. But its approach still has blind spots...

The French presidency, which is hosting the summit on financing African economies on 18 May, is at the forefront of a shift in discourse on the continent. But its approach still has blind spots, says economist Carlos Lopes.



The fierce debate on how to deal with African sovereign debt has created another boulevard (strategic options) for France within the G7 and even the G20. It was France - under President Emmanuel Macron - that first proposed an overhaul of the current approach, including through the elimination of African debt rather than its relief and through immediate access to unused International Monetary Fund (IMF) Special Drawing Rights (SDRs) to make African economies more liquid.



In the case of warlord of Paul Kagame of Rwanda there is an opportunity here. An opportunity to unleash himself from the excessive burdens of the debts to which he committed his country in order to finance extravagant failed projects to satisfy his sense of "grandeur". Debt relief could open the way for warlord Paul Kagame to start with a clean slate at the expense of European Taxpayers, while he picks up the mental to continue where he left off in trajectory of extravagant mega projects that are doomed to fail.

In the near future (when I have more time) I will consult with my big brother Jean Paul Ntagara to set-up an emission on Radio IKAMBA in which I will provide a detailed analysis on the implications of the Strategy of France in Africa under Emmanuel Macron which is in direct correlation with:

1. France under Macron approaching Africa as a common geopolitical entity;

2. How the US leadership under President Trumps administration has disrupted the previous modus operandi forcing actors such as France to actively participate in the field of public goods in Africa;

3. How French wants to position itself within the Europe Union to lead investments opportunities in Africa;

4. Why warlord Paul Kagame is highly motivated to kiss the ass of President Emmanuel Macron and the associates of Macron as best as possible as he can;

5. The importance of the European Green Deal as a game changer in all of these topics.

Stay tuned for the near future.

https://www.theafricareport.com/89311/macron-and-africa-the-good-the-less-good-and-the-dangerous/
Driving with a burst tyre or smoking engine is safer than stopping on smart motorways, the AA president warned yesterday.

Speaking to MPs, Edmund King told of the 'horrific' distress calls patrols get from drivers who break down on the controversial roads.

His alarming comments came during a transport committee hearing as its probe into the safety of smart motorways began. These roads have their hard shoulders converted into extra lanes, meaning motorists can become marooned in live traffic.

Giving evidence to the committee, Mr King said: 'The official advice is: if you do stop in the live lane, keep your seatbelt on, put your hazards and other lights on, and dial 999. It's an emergency.

'It is horrific the fear that comes through on the calls we get from breakdowns.

'It's just atrocious and we should not be putting people in a system that isn't a safe system with that result. We've got to give people a way out of it and the advice I would give is: drive on [if you can].

'Damage to your car may be expensive but it's less than damage to yourself or your loved ones.'

He added: 'If someone is breaking down and they're on an all-lane running section [which have no hard shoulder]  so smoke coming out of the engine and a blown out tyre  I've got to say my advice would be don't stop.

'There is too much of a risk to stop. So even if it ruins your wheel, I would drive on to the next refuge area or emergency exit.'

... as GMBs Kate knows too well Kate Garraway was left shaken after a tyre on her car blew out on the motorway Last summer Kate Garraway told of her terrifying ordeal when she suffered a tyre blowout on a motorway with no hard shoulder. The Good Morning Britain host was forced to dial 999 after she was left stranded in the middle of the carriageway on a motorway in Kent with her two children. It was while her husband Derek Draper was in hospital fighting for his life against Covid. At the time she posted a photo of the shredded tyre online while thanking police who came to her rescue. She wrote on Instagram: Thanks to our amazing saviours Liz and Mark from @kentpoliceuk who rescued me after a full tyre blowout on the motorway! Never had one before  utterly terrifying. Managed to keep control of car but couldnt get off motorway as no hard shoulder and when the AA said they couldnt come for an hour... had no choice but to call the police. Disintegrated: Kate unveiled the damage to the wheel, which had been left in tatters Advertisement

Mr King added it was a 'scandal' that some smart motorways had been rolled out without any of the potentially life-saving radar technology designed to detect vehicles that had broken down.

Highways England has promised to have this fitted across the whole network no later than September next year, having brought the deadline forward from 2023.

But Huw Merriman, Tory chairman of the committee, was scathing about the promise to install the technology early, saying it was 'six years too late'.

He added: 'As a committee we've been rather badly stained with assurances by Highways England on this matter.

'Back in 2016 this committee was told that going forward it [the technology] would be fitted to all new smart motorways and it will be retro-fitted. I think we had the same thing in 2019 when the CEO came before us.

'We are therefore somewhat bemused to be told this is good news and it will be rolled out a year early by 2022, when it appears to us it's six years too late. So I don't have a great deal of faith in what I'm told.'

However, Mr King said that even if the technology was rolled out, there were concerns that it would not be capable of detecting some vehicles. He told MPs: 'It will give an extra level of detection but it's not perfect and it depends how control centres [scanning the network with cameras] react to it.'

Referencing a Highways England report, Mr King added that the technology might not be effective at detecting low cars  such as the Mazda MX5  so it wasn't 'fail safe'.

And it takes 17 minutes on average for broken down motorists to be spotted before the alarm is raised  a system Mr King described as 'horrific'.

However, Highways England says the 17-minute average relates to the amount of time it takes to reach a broken down motorist, rather than the amount of time before they are spotted.

Nicholas Lyes, of the RAC, also told MPs the 17-minute wait was 'not acceptable'.

'Rather than dealing with minutes here we should be dealing in seconds,' he said. 'There should be technology that is automatically picking that up straight away.'

Other concerns included the lack of emergency refuges  which are currently up to a mile and a half apart on some smart motorways. Mr King said the AA wants more to be installed so they are no more than three-quarters of a mile apart.
Lord Geidt was appointed independent adviser on ministers' interests last month

Academics last night called on the Government's new sleaze watchdog to quit a prestigious university post over his previous work for an arms company.

Lord Geidt was appointed independent adviser on ministers' interests last month and is already investigating who paid for Boris Johnson's redecoration of the Downing Street flat.

But last night he was facing calls to resign from another of his roles, that of chair of the council at King's College London which he has held since 2016, over his membership of BAE Systems' international advisory board until last month.

The company sells arms to Saudi Arabia.

Lord Geidt lost a vote of confidence held by University and College Union (UCU) members of the King's College staff by 46 votes to three, according to the website Open Democracy.

But the motion, which called for his 'immediate resignation', was non-binding.

Last night, Dr Ewan McGaughey, of the King's College London UCU executive committee, said: 'KCL UCU is a democratic organisation that is committed to fair working conditions and accountable governance.

'Our members voted by a majority that they have no confidence in Lord Geidt.

'This presents difficult questions about the governance of King's College, London, where staff votes for the Council were unilaterally abolished in 2009.'

Last week Lord Geidt was asked by former shadow chancellor John McDonnell: 'Do you find it ironic at all that you have been brought in to advise on proprietary and ethics in Government, when you have held a paid post with BAE Systems?'

Lord Geidt is already investigating who paid for Boris Johnson's (pictured) redecoration of the Downing Street flat

The Labour MP claimed the company had 'plumbed the depths of unethical behaviour' and asked: 'How can anyone have confidence in your enforcing ethical behaviour, when you have been associated with an unethical arms dealer that is willing to sell arms to any murdering and brutal dictatorship and to use corruption to secure those sales?'

Lord Geidt replied: 'I absolutely appreciate what you have said, Mr McDonnell, about the record of BAE Systems, but I placed my reliance in taking on this role on the attitude of the British Government, which is active in licensing the activity of BAE Systems.

'I was also placed in reliance on what I know to be what used to be the Quadripartite Committee's  I think it is now the Committees on Arms Export Controls  capacity here in the Houses of Parliament to give oversight to the entirety of this industry's activity.

'I was proud to do this work for a couple of years because it aligned to my previous experience and interests.'

A spokesman for Kings College London said: 'Kings College Council is the universitys governing body and comprises a mixture of independent and staff members, including the universitys President & Principal and President of Kings College London Students Union. Lord Geidt, a Kings alumnus, has been Chairman of Kings College Council since August 2016.

'We are aware of a motion from a member of the University and College Union (UCU) regarding Council member interests. Every year, all members of Council, including the Chairman, submit a record of their current interests which is publicly available online.

'Lord Geidt has provided invaluable service to Kings over the past five years. We look forward to continuing to work under his stewardship with full confidence, as we prioritise the wellbeing of our students and staff and our commitment to provide world leading education and research.'
Owning a pet became a growing trend during the past year as people looked to combat the stress of successive lockdowns with the help of a furry friend.

But for those who don't own their home, pets can cause a problem when the time comes to move, as landlords are not often animal lovers.

There may be specific clauses in many tenancy agreements against keeping pets, but it is still possible to track down pet-friendly properties.

We take a look at what pet owners can do, the most pet-friendly locations according to a letting agent report, and spoke to tenant, Letitia Randell, about her experience of successfully renting a pretty flat in London despite owning two dogs.

Lettings agency Mashroom analysed the most pet-friendly cities by calculating the percentages of rental properties that allow pets in cities across Britain

A new model tenancy agreement was published by the Government earlier this year, which tried to make life easier for animal lovers.

A main change in the Government's template tenancy agreement is the removal of restrictions on tenants with pets.

Letitia Randell with one of her two dogs that she shares the flat with in Little Venice

The Government introduced this to encourage landlords to accept tenants with pets. However, in reality the template is just that - and landlords are not compelled to use the template.

But pet owners can try to encourage landlords and agents to be more open-minded and shouldn't be disheartened, as it is possible to find good places to let.

Dog owner Ms Randell rented the ground floor apartment with a private patio in London's Little Venice. She declined to say how much she pays in rent, but the price includes council tax, water and electricity.

It was let by a private landlord - who preferred to be known only as Joel - via lettings agents Savills.

Ms Randell said: 'I had been searching for a flat to rent where I could live with my two dogs, Esme and Guiness, for a while and was quite open in terms of the area.

'I tended to find that where a landlord was open to a tenant having pets, often the accommodation wasn't what I was looking for.

'I was really pleased to find where I'm living now as it didn't feel like I was having to make a compromise because I have dogs. Not only is it a lovely flat, but the neighbourhood in Little Venice is brilliant too.'

One of Letitia Randell's two pet dogs (which are both cocker spaniel cross huskies)

The ground floor apartment in London's Little Venice, which was rented by Ms Randell - with her two dogs - via Savills

Some places appear to be more favourable than others when it comes to tenants with pets seeking a place to rent.

Lettings agency Mashroom analysed the most pet-friendly cities this month - collecting data between May 10 and May 14 - by calculating the percentage of rental properties that allow pets in cities across Britain.

The number one slot was occupied by Glasgow, where more than half of rental homes - at 50.2 per cent - allow a pet.

It is followed by another Scottish city - Edinburgh - where almost half of homes were listed as pet friendly at 49.7 per cent, and Cambridge at 44.4 per cent.

By contrast, Sheffield has only 12.7 per cent of rental properties currently listed as pet friendly. Other cities on the list include Bristol, Cardiff and Liverpool.

How to find properties or convince landlords or agents to take pets What can tenants do to improve their chances of being able to rent a property that allows their pets? Suggestions include looking at property portals that display pet-friendly rentals and getting a 'pet reference' from a past landlord. Sarah Tinsley, of the rental homes operator Quintain Living, says it is important that pets are allowed to be part of today's rental experience. She said: 'We believe that being pet-friendly is more than merely allowing residents to keep pets. It's about welcoming pets as part of our community and creating facilities that enhance the living experience for everyone, on two legs and four.' Here are some tips on how to find properties or convince landlords or agents to take pets: 1. Use a portal that displays pet-friendly rentals. Zoopla, for example, has a 'pets allowed' filter in it's letting search. 2. Get a pet reference. Ask past landlords and letting agents for a written reference for your pet and their behaviour in the property. 3. Write a pet CV. Include key medical details about your pet such as vaccinations and micro chipping as well as a local vet contact who could provide additional references. 4. Offer a Meet & Greet. Offer to meet the landlord or letting agent with your pet in advance so they can get to know them and their character. 5. Explore the breed of pet-friendly landlords such as Quintain Living. All its homes are pet friendly and feature a range of four-legged amenities such as dog runs, bark parks and grooming salons. Advertisement

Ms Randell said that she loves her new flat and its Little Venice location and one of the positives for her new landlord is that she would like to stay for the forseeable future.

She said: 'As well as lots of great restaurants and cafes, there's plenty of green space and of course the canal, so it is a relaxed and peaceful setting but with the benefit of being close to central London, too. Now that I'm here, it's definitely somewhere I'd love to stay long term.'

The landlord of the property, Joel, explained: 'Generally, most things are fixable so when it came to renting out the apartment, I was open to tenants with a pet because I felt that any potential damage or wear and tear could be sorted if needed.

'The property let quickly for this reason. Obviously the area is perfect for dogs because there are so many great parks and open spaces nearby.'

A pet in the pretty interior of the rental flat in Little Venice was welcomed by the landlord

The two-bedroom flat in Little Venice comes with a private patio and is close to many of the area's parks and open spaces

Parliament introduced the Animal Sentience Bill on Thursday, as the Government recognises the importance of pets in people's lives - and it may be the case that in future more landlords are open to animal lovers' needs.

Stepan Dobrovolskiy, of Mashroom, said: 'We're seeing more and more renters looking for properties that welcome pets, especially for graduates and young professionals. Pets have become a support system for many of us, and the government is beginning to recognise this.

'We recommend to landlords take into consideration the needs and requirements of current renters, as tenants are prioritising properties that prove to be pet friendly.'
Families are escaping to the country and coast, while first-time buyers are returning to cities, according to new data on what buyers want as the property market booms.

It is the latest evidence of shifts in the buyer behaviour amid the coronavirus pandemic and lockdowns, with families chasing suburban, seaside and village life and first-time buyers trying to take advantage of weaker city centre housing markets.

While families tend to be seeking more space at home and outdoors, first-time buyers are looking to set up home in urban areas, a pair of studies from property portals Zoopla and Rightmove show.

This three-bedroom house in Scarborough is for sale for 380,000 via estate agents Reeds Rains

GROWTH IN DEMAND FOR TWO AND THREE-BEDROOM HOUSES Rank Local Authority Region Demand growth for 2 & 3 bed houses* Average value of 2 and 3-bed house 1 Scarborough Yorkshire and the Humber 142% 197,000 2 Weymouth and Portland South West 115% 235,000 3 Forest Heath Eastern 111% 227,000 4 Falkirk Scotland 108% 142,000 5 Basingstoke and Deane South East 103% 320,000 6 Gosport South East 102% 238,000 7 Reading South East 97% 311,000 8 Harrow London 94% 578,000 9 Worcester West Midlands 86% 201,000 10 Redditch West Midlands 85% 219,000 Source: Zoopla * Demand growth for two and three-bed houses - eight weeks from 08/03 vs previous eight weeks

First-time buyers are being bolstered by the launch of the Government-backed 5 per cent deposit mortgage guarantee scheme, while more families are heading out house hunting as coronavirus restrictions ease, the reports said.

Zoopla said there has been a 25 per cent increase in buyer demand in the past two months, after schools reopened.

It defined buyer demand as people who are actively viewing and engaged in finding out more about a property, such as through calls and emails to agents.

The property website said the rise was amplified by the announcement that the stamp duty holiday would be extended, along with the rapid vaccine rollout.

It said that two and three-bedroom homes - which are perfect for families - remain in strong demand across Britain, with the seaside resort of Scarborough seeing a 142 per cent increase in demand for such homes, the biggest of any area.

For four and five-bedroom properties, commuter favourite Cambridge tops the list with a huge increase in demand of 182 per cent.

While property prices for two and three-bedroom properties in Scarborough are above the regional average, home hunters do get more bang for their buck with the Zoopla data showing that houses in this area are typically more spacious than those in other parts of Yorkshire.

There is no such luck in Cambridge, where the average home costs 685,000, but with its easy access to London and wide range of Ofsted-rated Outstanding schools, Zoopla said it is easy to see why the demand for family homes has been boosted by the return to school.

At the same time, separate research from Rightmove suggested that city-centre living is staging a comeback, with buyer demand for flats increasing by 39 per cent since January.

York, Norwich, Sheffield, Birmingham, Glasgow, Cardiff and Manchester are among the cities that have experienced buyer demand in their centres increasing since the start of 2021, it said.

It added that while larger family homes have tended to be the strongest performers in the housing market over the past year, the focus is now shifting to flats.

This two-bedroom house in Weymouth is for sale for 237,000 via estate agents Austin Estate

Zoopla said that overall demand is highest in areas with house prices that are below the regional average.

Picturesque Weymouth and Portland, located at the southern tip of the Jurassic Coast, has seen demand for two and three-bedroom homes soar by 115 per cent since the reopening of schools.

Average prices in this area for this property type stand at 235,000, 15 per cent below the regional average in the South West.

It is a similar case in Forest Heath, Suffolk where demand has increased by 111 per cent, and Falkirk in Scotland at 108 per cent, the latter of which is consistently one of the fastest moving property markets in Great Britain.

All these areas offer great value for money, with prices well below the regional average.

GROWTH IN DEMAND FOR FOUR AND FIVE-BEDROOM HOUSES Rank Local Authority Region Demand growth for 4 & 5 bed houses* Average value of 4 and 5-bed house 1 Cambridge Eastern 182% 685,000 2 Angus Scotland 104% 276,000 3 Hastings South East 92% 416,000 4 Watford Eastern 87% 771,000 5 Wyre Forest West Midlands 81% 332,000 6 Stroud South West 80% 397,000 7 Horsham South East 79% 644,000 = Surrey Heath South East 79% 699,000 9 Teignbridge South West 76% 411,000 10 Stratford-on-Avon West Midlands 73% 517,000 Source: Zoopla * Demand growth for four and five-bed houses - eight weeks from 08/03 vs previous eight week

This five-bedroom house in Cambridge is for sale for 675,000 via estate agents Sharman Quinney

Most locations that have seen the largest increase in demand for four and five-bedroom homes are located in rural or coastal areas.

Scenic areas in the South East - including Hastings at 92 per cent, Horsham at 79 per cent and Surrey Heath at 79 per cent - feature strongly.

In the South West, Stroud and Teignbridge feature in the top 10, with an increase in demand of 80 per cent and 76 per cent respectively.

Stroud is located near The Cotswolds and has good quality schools and green spaces. Meanwhile,

Teignbridge encompasses a wide range of pretty towns and villages, part of the Dartmoor National Park and coastline.

Other rural areas that feature in the list include Wyre Forest and Stratford on Avon in the West Midlands, well known for being the birthplace of Shakespeare.

Both areas have seen an increase in demand for four and five-bedroom homes at 81 per cent and 73 per cent respectively.

This four-bedroom property in Twickenham is for sale for 1,100,000 via estate agents Snellers

GROWTH IN DEMAND FOR TWO AND THREE-BEDROOM HOUSES IN LONDON London Borough Demand growth for 2 & 3 bed houses* Average value of 2 and 3-bed house Harrow 94% 578,000 Bexley 82% 429,000 Merton 63% 539,000 Source: Zoopla * Demand growth for two and three-bed houses in London - eight weeks from 08/03 vs previous eight week

Zoopla suggested that there has also been an increase in demand for family homes in London.

Demand has increased most for two and three-bedroom houses in Harrow, which is up 94 per cent, Bexley at 82 per cent and Merton at 63 per cent.

These boroughs have become particularly popular among families seeking houses in the capital at more affordable prices, Zoopla said.

The largest growth in demand for four and five bedroom homes is in leafy Sutton at 57 per cent and Richmond upon Thames at 50 per cent, followed by Kensington and Chelsea at 50 per cent.

Grainne Gilmore, of Zoopla, said: 'The reopening of schools in early March was a key moment for the residential property market, alongside the extension of the stamp duty holiday, with buyer demand rising by some 25 per cent in March and April compared to the first two months of the year.

'The data signals that in more affordable areas buyer interest is rising for two and three-bedroom houses. On the other hand, buyer demand is rising at the highest rates for four and five-bedroom houses in the areas where these homes are typically larger than the average signalling that a need for additional space is a factor driving interest in this segment of the market.'

GROWTH IN FOUR AND FIVE-BEDROOM HOUSES IN LONDON Rank Local Authority Region Demand growth for 4 & 5 bedroom houses Average value of 4 and 5-bed house 1 Cambridge Eastern 182% 685,000 2 Angus Scotland 104% 276,000 3 Hastings South East 92% 416,000 4 Watford Eastern 87% 771,000 5 Wyre Forest West Midlands 81% 332,000 6 Stroud South West 80% 397,000 7 Horsham South East 79% 644,000 = Surrey Heath South East 79% 699,000 9 Teignbridge South West 76% 411,000 10 Stratford-on-Avon West Midlands 73% 517,000 Source: Zoopla * Demand growth for four and five-bed houses - eight weeks from 08/03 vs previous eight week

INCREASE IN BUYER DEMAND BY PROPERTY TYPE - APRIL 2021 V JANUARY 2021 Property type Change in buyer demand April 2021 vs Jan 2021 Flat 39% Bungalow 30% Detached house 26% Terraced house 24% Semi-detached house 23% Source: Rightmove

Rightmove also measured buyer demand by the number of people contacting estate agents to request more details about a property for sale on its website.

The easing of coronavirus restrictions and the recent introduction of the Government-backed 5 per cent deposit mortgage guarantee scheme are said to be helping to boost demand.

A Rightmove survey of more than 1,000 first-time buyers found that nearly one in five - at 17 per cent per cent - are planning to use the mortgage guarantee scheme or are already using it.

The study also indicated that while the desire to move to a quieter location has been driving parts of the housing market during the past year, this is not as appealing to first-time buyers.

While more than a quarter - at 28 per cent - of existing homeowners planning to move in the next 12 months cited a move to the countryside or coast as their motivation, only 10 per cent of first-time buyers were considering doing this.

Rightmove's housing expert Tim Bannister said: 'These are early signs but they certainly point to some good news for city centres across Britain, with a number of agents now telling me they've seen a marked uptick in demand from first-time buyers, and they're managing to sell city-centre flats more quickly than in earlier months of the year.

'People starting to venture in to their local high streets and once again experiencing the buzz of their city centres, along with greater mortgage availability for first-time buyers, means city centres are staging a much-needed comeback in the market.

'Right now some buyers are able to grab a relative city bargain compared to the heady price growth outside cities, but these early signs of demand could be the start of city prices rising again.'

INCREASE IN BUYER DEMAND - APRIL 2021 V January 2021 City centre Change in buyer demand April 2021 vs Jan 2021 York City Centre 76% Norwich City Centre 62% Sheffield City Centre 57% Southampton City Centre 55% Leicester City Centre 53% Newcastle City Centre 51% Nottingham City Centre 39% Leeds City Centre 39% Birmingham City Centre 39% Inner London 30% Oxford City Centre 28% Glasgow City Centre 28% Liverpool City Centre 28% Chester City Centre 24% Edinburgh City Centre 23% Hull City Centre 22% Durham City Centre 17% Cardiff City Centre 11% Manchester City Centre 11% Bristol City Centre 5% Source: Rightmove

Andy McHugo, of James Laurence estate agents in Birmingham, said: 'Not only are inquiry levels fantastic, committed residential buyers are now returning.

'The dynamic may have changed slightly, so apartments with balconies or terraces are proving popular, as are those with room for a home office, a second and third bedroom for example.'

He said large company relocations to Birmingham and entrepreneurial start-ups help make the city 'an exciting place in which to invest, and indeed live'.

Steve Pymm, of Pymm & Co in Norwich, said: 'The market has been crying out for 95 per cent mortgages for years, so since the release of these lower deposit-based products the first-time buyer is back and they're snapping up apartments and starter homes.'
Prolonged missions in space have caused growth spurts among some astronauts and NASA is concerned what effects a 300-million-mile journey in microgravity will have on the spine.

Previous research shows weight-baring bones become roughly one percent less dense each month a person spends in space due to bone tissues reshaping without a continuous load of gravity, resulting in the person growing.

To learn more about the effects on the backbone, NASA has turned to Dr. Ashley Weaver, a biomedical engineer at Wake Forest University in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, to study how spaceflight affects the network of bones and muscles in the spinal column.

Nine astronauts, currently on the space station, were scanned before leaving for the orbiting lab and upon their return, Weaver intends to perform another scan immediately.

After the before and after scans are compared, scientists hope they can create strategies, such as resistive exercise, to combat bone and muscles loss for those in space.

Scroll down for video

Prolonged missions in space have caused growth spurts among some astronauts and NASA is concerned what effects a 300-million-mile journey in microgravity will have on the spine

'Spinal health is integral to postural control and facilitating the core trunk movements required for all activities on mission,' explains Weaver. 'So, it's crucial that we understand how these muscle changes are influenced by long-duration exposure to microgravity.'

Japanese astronaut Norishige Kanai reported growing 3.5 inches after just three weeks on the ISS, while NASA's Scott Kelly returned two inches taller than when he left for the orbiting laboratory.

However, once an astronaut returns home, they shrink back to their original height.

As Scott put it in 2016, 'gravity pushes you back down to size.'

Nine astronauts, currently on the space station, were scanned before leaving for the orbiting lab and upon their return, scientists intends to perform another scan immediately

Although the growth does not seem to impact astronauts too much, NASA fears it could have negative effects that have yet to be uncovered.

To learn more, Weaver and her team are set to compare detailed scans of astronauts' spines immediately before and after spaceflight.

They are using techniques such as quantitative computed tomography, or 'qCT,' and magnetic resonance imaging, or MRI.

This provides clear imaging to pinpoint subtle shifts in bone density and muscle size upon return to Earth.

Japanese astronaut Norishige Kanai reported growing 3.5 inches after just three weeks on the ISS, while NASA's Scott Kelly (pictured) returned two inches taller than when he left for the orbiting laboratory. Such events have NASA concerned about negative effects on the spine

Changes in an astronaut's qCT scans could show exactly how much bones have hallowed while they were in space, along with how much spaceflight causes muscles to atrophy, seen through the accumulation of fat tissue in the muscle and shifts in muscle size.

'By studying muscle and bone together, Weaver hopes to tease out their 'cross-talk' how loss of bone density affects muscles, as well as how changes in muscle function and strength influence bone density,' NASA shared in a statement.

Once all nine scans of astronauts are analyzed, scientists can them start working on strategies, such as resistive exercise, to counter bone and muscle loss in space.

The team hopes that such strategies will be useful for mission on the moon and when humans make the some 239 million mile journey to Mars.
In a blow to those of us who enjoy a tipple after work, a new study reveals drinking any amount of alcohol is harmful to the brain.

Researchers from the University of Oxford have linked 'moderate' drinking to lower volume of grey matter.

Grey matter, found in the outermost layer of the brain, is high in neural cell bodies and plays a major part in the central nervous system.

The researchers report 'no safe dose of alcohol for the brain', and say that moderate consumption is linked with 'more widespread adverse effects on the brain than previously recognised'.

The scientific literature on the effects of drinking alcohol in moderation appears mixed.

Previous research has found a glass of red wine a day can stave off diseases such as Type 2 diabetes, osteoporosis, Alzheimer's and heart disease.

The study from University of Oxford researchers found alcohol consumption was associated with reductions in brain grey matter

UK DRINKING GUIDELINES The NHS advises men and women not to drink more than 14 units a week a week to avoid health risks. For example, a bottle of lager would contain around 1.7 units, and a large glass of wine around three units. A pint of strong lager contains 3 units of alcohol, whereas the same volume of low-strength lager has just over 2 units. If you have one or two heavy drinking episodes a week, you increase your risk of long-term illness and injury, according to the Chief Medical Officers' guideline. The risk of developing a range of health problems (including cancers of the mouth, throat and breast) increases the more you drink on a regular basis. Advertisement

Moderate alcohol consumption is 'often viewed as harmless to brain health', the Oxford team now point out, but this school of thought may be misguided.

'There's no threshold drinking for harm  any alcohol is worse,' study author Dr Anya Topiwala at the University of Oxford told the Guardian.

'Pretty much the whole brain seems to be affected  not just specific areas, as previously thought.'

Dr Topiwala said her team did not actually define 'moderate' drinking in this study, as there is no consensus for this.

'Instead we looked at the whole range of consumption from zero units weekly up, and found a straight line between alcohol intake and poorer brain health  i.e. there was no level of drinking that appeared as safe as non-drinking,' she told MailOnline.

'Current UK guidelines refer to less than 14 units weekly as 'low risk'. We found evidence there were associations with poorer brain health below this.'

The study included 25,378 participants of the UK Biobank  a long-term study investigating the development of health problems.

The researchers looked at each person's alcohol consumption, determined using questionnaires, as well as MRI scans of the brain and other personal data including age, education and lifestyle factors such as smoking.

Higher volume of alcohol consumption per week was associated with lower grey matter density, the team found.

Alcohol explained up to 0.8 per cent of reduction in grey matter volume.

Grey matter is mostly found on outer-most layer of the brain, or cortex, and serves to process information. White matter, the paler tissue towards the centre, speeds up signals between the cells

'While this is a small effect size in comparison to age, alcohol made a larger contribution than any other modifiable risk factor tested, including smoking,' they report.

Grey matter is mostly found on the outer-most layer of the brain, or cortex, and serves to process information, while white matter, the paler tissue towards the centre, speeds up signals between the cells.

The team also found 'widespread negative associations' between white matter structure and alcohol consumption.

As well as this, higher blood pressure and body mass index strengthened the links between alcohol consumption and negative brain health.

This means individuals who binge drink or have a high blood pressure and BMI may be more susceptible to the observed reductions in grey matter.

Current 'low risk' drinking guidelines should be revisited to take account of brain effects, the team argue.

WHAT IS AN MRI SCAN? Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is a type of scan that uses strong magnetic fields and radio waves to produce detailed images of the inside of the body. An MRI scanner is a large tube that contains powerful magnets. You lie inside the tube during the scan. An MRI scan can be used to examine almost any part of the body, including the brain and spinal cord, bones and joints, breasts, heart and blood vessels and internal organs - such as the liver, womb or prostate gland. The results of an MRI scan can be used to help diagnose conditions, plan treatments and assess how effective previous treatment has been. Advertisement

The NHS currently advises men and women not to drink more than 14 units a week on a regular basis. A large glass of wine is around three units.

Dr Topiwala also said that moderate drinkers on average are better educated and of a higher socioeconomic status.

These factors 'could have caused a spurious association between moderate drinking and dementia/brain health in other studies' that were based on memory tests.

The study has been published as a pre-print paper, meaning it's yet to be peer-reviewed.

It is also an observational study, so one cannot be definitive about causation, Dr Topiwala added.

While booze may have negative effects on the brain, other research has suggested its beneficial effects on other parts of the body  although drinking in moderation well-established as a key way to avoid serious health problems.

Earlier this month, researchers from Harvard Medical School found consuming a moderate amount of alcohol daily can reduce the risk of dying from a major cardiovascular event by up to 20 per cent.

'Moderate' alcohol intake was defined as no more than one alcoholic drink for women and two for men per day.

Interestingly, this percentage decrease was in comparison to people from the sample who had low alcohol intake  defined as less than one drink a week.

Last year, experts at University College London reported that resveratrol, a compound in red wine, in small doses, triggers production of anti-ageing proteins called sirtuins.

Sirtuins help protect against diseases such as Type 2 diabetes, osteoporosis, Alzheimer's and heart disease.

However, scientists at University of Victoria, in British Columbia, Canada, claimed last year that even consuming alcohol within weekly 'low-risk' guidelines can cause hospitalisation or death.
The first high-resolution model simulating an entire gas cloud where stars are formed has been created, allowing researchers to watch the birth of a star.

A team including astrophysicists from Illinois's Northwestern University developed the most realistic, highest-resolution 3D simulation of star formation to date.

The result of their efforts is a visually beautiful tool that allows viewers to float around a colourful cloud of gas while stars emerge around them.

Called STARFORGE (Star Formation in Gaseous Environments), the computational framework is the first to simulate an entire gas cloud in full colour high-resolution, and up to 100 times more massive than previously possible.

It also is the first simulation to model star formation, evolution and dynamics while also accounting for things like jets, radiation, wind and nearby supernovae activity.

The researchers aim to explore questions on why star formation is slow and inefficient, what determines a star's mass and why stars tend to form in clusters.

Snapshot from a STARFORGE simulation. A rotating gas core collapses, forming a central star that launches bipolar jets along its poles as it feeds on gas from the surrounding disk. The jets entrain gas away from the core, limiting the amount that the star can ultimately accrete

HOW DO STARS FORMS? Stars form from dense molecular clouds - of dust and gas - in regions of interstellar space known as stellar nurseries. A single molecular cloud, which primarily contains hydrogen atoms, can be thousands of times the mass of the sun. They undergo turbulent motion with the gas and dust moving over time, disturbing the atoms and molecules causing some regions to have more matter than other parts. If enough gas and dust come together in one area then it begins to collapse under the weight of its own gravity. As it begins to collapse it slowly gets hotter and expands outwards, taking in more of the surrounding gas and dust. At this point, when the region is about 900 billion miles across, it becomes a pre-stellar core and the starting process of becoming a star. Then, over the next 50,000 years this will contract 92 billion miles across to become the inner core of a star. The excess material is ejected out towards the poles of the star and a disc of gas and dust is formed around the star, forming a proto-star. This is matter is then either incorporated into the star or expelled out into a wider disc that will lead to the formation of planets, moons, comets and asteroids. Advertisement

The team behind STARFORGE come from a variety of institutions including Northwestern, University of Texas, Caltech, University of Toronto and Harvard.

They have already used STARFORGE to discover that protostellar jets - high-speed streams of gas - play a vital role in determining a star's mass.

By calculating a star's exact mass, researchers can then determine its brightness and internal mechanisms as well as make better predictions about its death.

'People have been simulating star formation for a couple decades now, but STARFORGE is a quantum leap in technology,' said Northwestern's Michael Grudic.

'Other models have only been able to simulate a tiny patch of the cloud where stars form  not the entire cloud in high resolution. Without seeing the big picture, we miss a lot of factors that might influence the star's outcome.'

Claude-Andre Faucher-Giguere, a senior author on the study said the way stars form is a central question to the field of astrophysics.

'It's been a very challenging question to explore because of the range of physical processes involved. This new simulation will help us directly address fundamental questions we could not definitively answer before.'

From start to finish, star formation takes tens of millions of years, meaning that when astronomers see it happen in the night sky - they're only viewing a snapshot in time.

'Stars also form in clouds of dust, so they are mostly hidden,' Grudic said.

For astrophysicists to view the full, dynamic process of star formation, they must rely on simulations and STARFORGE gives one of the most detailed views ever created.

To develop STARFORGE, the team incorporated computational code for multiple phenomena in physics, including gas dynamics, magnetic fields, gravity, heating and cooling and stellar feedback processes.

The simulations start with a small gas cloud that gradually comes together to form a star, with jets of gas pouring out as it comes together

The team were able to model the process of star formation within a cloud of gas and dust over millions of years

Sometimes taking a full three months to run one simulation, the model requires one of the largest supercomputers in the world, a facility supported by the National Science Foundation and operated by the Texas Advanced Computing Center.

The resulting simulation shows a mass of gas - tens to millions of times the mass of the sun - floating in the galaxy.

As the gas cloud evolves, it forms structures that collapse and break into pieces, which eventually form individual stars.

Snapshot from the first full STARFORGE simulation. Nicknamed the 'Anvil of Creation,' a giant molecular cloud with individual star formation and comprehensive feedback, including protostellar jets, radiation, stellar winds and core-collapse supernovae

Planets are formed from a cloud of dust and gas within a nebula According to our current understanding, a star and its planets form out of a collapsing cloud of dust and gas within a larger cloud called a nebula. As gravity pulls material in the collapsing cloud closer together, the centre of the cloud gets more and more compressed and, in turn, gets hotter. This dense, hot core becomes the kernel of a new star. Meanwhile, inherent motions within the collapsing cloud cause it to churn. As the cloud gets exceedingly compressed, much of the cloud begins rotating in the same direction. The rotating cloud eventually flattens into a disk that gets thinner as it spins, kind of like a spinning clump of dough flattening into the shape of a pizza. These 'circumstellar' or 'protoplanetary' disks, as astronomers call them, are the birthplaces of planets. Advertisement

Once the stars form, they launch jets of gas outward from both poles, piercing through the surrounding cloud, a process that ends when no gas remains.

After the first lengthy simulation finished running, STARFORGE helped the team discover a new crucial insight into the way stars form.

When the researchers ran the simulation without accounting for jets, the stars ended up much too large - 10 times the mass of the sun.

After adding jets to the simulation, the stars' masses became much more realistic - less than half the mass of the sun.

'Jets disrupt the inflow of gas toward the star,' Grudic said, adding that 'they essentially blow away gas that would have ended up in the star and increased mass.'

'People have suspected this might be happening, but, by simulating the entire system, we have a robust understanding of how it works.'

Beyond understanding more about stars, Grudic and Faucher-Giguere believe STARFORGE can help us learn more about the universe and even ourselves.

'Understanding galaxy formation hinges on assumptions about star formation,' Grudic said.

'If we can understand star formation, then we can understand galaxy formation. And by understanding galaxy formation, we can understand more about what the universe is made of.

'Understanding where we come from and how we're situated in the universe ultimately hinges on understanding the origins of stars.'

'Knowing the mass of a star tells us its brightness as well as what kinds of nuclear reactions are happening inside it,' Faucher-Giguere said.

'With that, we can learn more about the elements that are synthesised in stars, like carbon and oxygen  elements that we are also made of.'

The study has been published in the journal Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society.
It's a question that has baffled most men for years  what do women want?

Now, a new survey has revealed exactly what females rate the highest when it comes to sexual attraction, as well as what men's priorities are.

The findings suggest that while women rate age, income and personality highly, men are more focused on looks.

The researchers suggest that these differences may occur as a result of the fact that women's window for reproduction is more limited than men's, so they 'can't risk choosing poorly.'

Scroll down for video

The findings suggest that while women rate age, income and personality highly, men are more focused on looks (stock image)

The results from the older participants suggest that while men tended to place a higher importance on looks than women, that gap narrowed with age

TRAITS ANALYSED Each participant was asked to rate on a scale of 0 to 100 the importance of nine traits: - Age - Attractiveness - Physical build/features - Intelligence - Education - Income - Trust - Openness - Emotional connection Advertisement

In the study, researchers from Queensland University of Technology in Brisbane surveyed 7,325 users of dating websites about what they look for in a potential partner.

Each participant was asked to rate on a scale of 0 to 100 the importance of nine traits.

Dr Stephen Whyte, who led the study, explained: 'We asked participants to rate the importance of nine characteristics associated with sexual attraction - age, attractiveness, physical build/features, intelligence, education, income, trust, openness and emotional connection.'

The results revealed similar priorities for men and women, with both rating physical build, attractiveness, and all three personality traits as important.

However, women rated the importance of age, education, intelligence, income, trust and emotional connection about nine to 14 points higher than men.

Meanwhile, men assigned higher priority to attractiveness and physical build than women.

The researchers specifically included people of a range of ages in their study, in the hopes of understanding how preferences change with age.

'Most studies on sexual attractiveness rely on limited age distribution skewed to the younger population,' Dr Whyte explained.

The results showed that women rated the importance of age, education, intelligence, income, trust and emotional connection about nine to 14 points higher than men (stock image)

'We have taken data from a much larger age range to judge how the pattern of sexual preferences may differ with age.'

The results from the older participants suggest that while younger men tended to place a higher importance on looks than women, that gap narrowed with age.

And while younger women put more importance than men on personality, older men and women prioritised personality more similarly.

Dr Whyte said: 'It is as men and women age their preferences come closer together, with both sexes placing greater importance on openness and trust while the relative importance of emotional connection is as important for males and females across all age groups.'

While the reason for the findings remain unclear, the researchers suggest that these differences may occur as a result of the fact that women's window for reproduction is more limited than men's, so they can't risk choosing poorly.

'Numerous scientific disciplines have long demonstrated the human preference for attractive mates and the ability to quickly identify attractiveness in others reflect a preference to reproduce what are considered good genes,' Dr Whyte added.

'And while both sexes prefer a physically attractive mate or potential partner, males have been shown to report stronger such preferences for attractiveness.

'Females are more selective about other characteristics because their time for reproduction is more limited so they can't risk choosing poorly.'

Beyond dating, the findings could have important implications in a broad range of situations, according to the team.

'Micro level decision making on sex, reproduction and relationship formation influences a wide variety of macro trends and social norms, including gender roles and equity, labour market dynamics, fertility rates, wider sexual liberalism, politics, religion and the broader institution of marriage,' Dr Whyte concluded.
The geographic origin of Christopher Columbus has been a long held debate  some are sure the explorer was born in Italy, while others suggest Spain or even Poland.

A break in the case came in 2003 when DNA results showed bones buried in the cathedral of Seville were those of Columbus who died in 1506.

Now, a team of international scientists are set to analyze DNA from the remains with the hopes of uncovering the truth about the 15th-century navigator and plan to announce their findings in October.

Researchers will spend the next six months analyzing four small bone fragments from Columbus, seven bone fragments and a tooth from his son Hernando, and a dozen bone fragments in poor condition from his brother Diego.

Scroll down for video

With not much of Christopher Columbus' early life known, scientists have now launched a project to uncover the truth and are doing so by reading DNA from the 15th-century navigator's remains

Although the bones were discovered some 18 years ago, at the DNA technology was not capable of 'reading' a small amount of genetic material to provide accurate results.

After leaps in the sophistication of DNA testing in recent years, gene geography may now ascertain the rough area of a European person's ancestry  and scientists hope to have a definitive answer by October.

Columbus set sail on August 3, 1492 from the Spanish port of Palos with hopes of finding a route to the fabled riches of Asia.

Along with three ships, the Nina, the Pinta and the Santa Maria, Columbus and roughly 100 men embarked on the journey that took them to the opposite side of the world  and far from their original destination.

The team of international scientists will spend the next six months analyzing four small bone fragments from Columbus

Seven bone fragments and a tooth from his son Hernando, and a dozen bone fragments in poor condition from his brother Diego, with the hopes of confirming the geographic origin of Columbus. The team plans to announce their findings in October

On October 12, 1492 the ships made landfall in what is now the Bahamas and later in the month, Columbus pulled spotted Cuba and thought it was mainland China.

And two months later, the ships pulled ashore, which Columbus thought might be Japan.

On the second voyage in 1493, Columbus intentionally sailed back to the New World and landed in Puerto Rico and he completed two more voyages after.

The explorer is famed for discovering the 'New World,' but neither he nor his men actually stepped foot in America.

Columbus died on May 20, 1506 and was buried in the Spanish city of Valladolid, though he had asked to be buried in the Americas.

Popular belief suggests Columbus was born in Genoa, Italy, while others say he was a royal prince, a song of a Portuguese noble land and exiled king.

Then there are speculation the navigator was Scottish, Catalan or Jewish.

Now, scientists are using the bones of the late explorer to solve the mystery of his heritage.

Jose Antonio Lorente, a professor of forensic medicine at Granada University, said there had been a 'radical' improvement in DNA analysis, which now permits tests on very small fragments.

Along with three ships, the Nina, the Pinta and the Santa Maria, Columbus and roughly 100 men embarked on the journey that took them to the opposite side of the world  and far from their original destination

The explorer is famed for discovering the 'New World,' but neither he nor his men actually stepped foot in America

Lorente said researchers are working with remains of Columbus and family members with the hopes of narrowing down the exact geographic origin.

The fragments are being sent to genetic identification laboratories in Rome and Florence in Italy, Mexico and the United States, Lorente told an online press conference.

Lorente said he believes the generally accepted theory that Columbus was from Genoa, but the project aims to resolve some 'mysteries ... and contradictions' in the historical record and obtain 'as much information as possible ... so that there is no argument.'

Granada University on Wednesday was hosting what it called the first world meeting of Columbus researchers, who are presenting evidence for their different theories about the explorer's origins.
Scientists have developed a robotic 3D-printed 'third thumb' that's controlled using pressure sensors on the underside of the big toes.

The thumb, created by a researcher at University College London (UCL), is worn on the side of the hand opposite the actual thumb, near the little finger.

In trials, researchers found the human brain can adapt to the use of an extra thumb, but that it may alter the relationship between the brain and the biological hand.

Volunteers who were fitted with the third thumb effectively carried out dexterous tasks, like building a tower of blocks, with one hand, researchers found.

Having a third thumb could let people carry more objects than usual, hold and open a bottle of soft drink with one hand, or even become a maestro on the guitar.

Designer Dani Clode, currently a research technician at UCL's Plasticity Lab, with her third thumb

The wearer controls the thumb, which is simply called 'Third Thumb', with pressure sensors attached on the underside of both their big toes.

Both toe sensors, which are wirelessly connected to the thumb, control different movements by immediately responding to subtle changes in pressure from the toes.

One sensor controls for flexion (movements going across the hand), and the other one for adduction (movements up towards the fingers and back down).

Designer Dani Clode, currently a research technician at UCL's Plasticity Lab, began developing Third Thumb as part of a graduate project at the Royal College of Art.

A user supports a coffee cup with the Third Thumb, whilst stirring a spoon with their other fingers - freeing up the other hand for other activities

The 3D-printed Third Thumb is worn at the end of their dominant hand next to the little finger, giving the hand symmetry

She was later invited to join Professor Tamar Makin's team of neuroscientists at UCL who were investigating how the brain can adapt to body augmentation.

'Our study shows that people can quickly learn to control an augmentation device and use it for their benefit, without overthinking,' said Clode.

'We saw that while using the third thumb, people changed their natural hand movements, and they also reported that the robotic thumb felt like part of their own body.'

For the study, 20 participants were trained to use the thumb over five days, during which they were also encouraged to take it home each day after training to use it in daily life scenarios.

Professional musicians were excluded from the study, because they might have a different hand representation to begin with, due to training to play an instrument.

The participants wore the thumb for somewhere between two to six hours per day.

Having a third thumb could also make people a maestro on the guitar, let them hold and open a bottle of soft drink with one hand, or even just carry more objects than usual

A person supporting a needle with Third Thumb, whilst threading thread through it with their other fingers

They were compared to an additional group of 10 control participants who wore a static version of the thumb while completing the same training.

During daily sessions in the lab, participants were trained to use the thumb during various tasks, including picking up multiple balls or wine glasses with one hand.

Researchers found the participants learned the basics of using the thumb very quickly, but that 'practice made perfect'.

Training enabled the participants to successfully improve their motor control, dexterity and hand-thumb coordination.

Participants were even able to use the thumb when distracted  building a wooden block tower while doing a maths problem  or while blindfolded.

Use of the thumb also altered the way the brain represented coordinated joint movements of the natural hand, researchers found in another stage of experiments.

Image of the study training task that involved finger opposition with the Third Thumb in a sequential pattern. Both toe sensors, which are wirelessly connected to the thumb, control different movements by immediately responding to subtle changes in pressure from the toes. One sensor controls for flexion (movements going across the hand), and the other one for adduction (movements up towards the fingers and back down)

A person supporting a needle with the Third Thumb, whilst threading thread through it with their other fingers

Before and after the training, when the thumb was off, participants had their brains scanned using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), while the participants were moving their fingers individually.

fMRI measures brain activity by detecting changes associated with blood flow.

The researchers found 'subtle but significant changes' to how the hand that had been augmented with the thumb (but not the other hand) was represented in the brain's sensorimotor cortex.

Among the study participants, the brain activity pattern corresponding to each individual finger became less distinct.

A week later, some of the participants were scanned again, and the changes in their brain's hand area had subsided.

This suggested the observed changes in the brain might not be long-term, although more research is needed to confirm this, according to UCL.

A functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) device, which measure brain activity by detecting changes associated with blood flow

The researchers now aim to explore the effect of augmentative, prosthetic appendages on the minds of children and teenagers.

But if rolled out, the Third Thumb could help adults with missing digits in their daily lives.

'Body augmentation could one day be valuable to society in numerous ways, such as enabling a surgeon to get by without an assistant, or a factory worker to work more efficiently,' said Paulina Kieliba, first author of the study, also at UCL.

'This line of work could revolutionise the concept of prosthetics, and it could help someone who permanently or temporarily can only use one hand, to do everything with that hand.

'But to get there, we need to continue researching the complicated, interdisciplinary questions of how these devices interact with our brains.'

The study has been published in the journal Science Robotics.
France proposes Israel-Gaza ceasefire resolution at UN

CGTN) 10:30, May 19, 2021

France has proposed a resolution with the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) in coordination with Egypt and Jordan, calling for a ceasefire in the Israel-Gaza conflict, the president's office said late Tuesday.

French President Emmanuel Macron and his Egyptian counterpart Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, who is in Paris for summits on Africa, agreed on the resolution in a video conference with Jordan's King Abdullah II, the statement said.

"The three countries agreed on three simple elements: The shooting must stop, the time has come for a ceasefire and the UN Security Council must take up the issue," the Elysee Palace said.

The statement added that the three countries had also agreed to launch a humanitarian initiative for the civilian population of Gaza in conjunction with the UN.

France, which has been calling for a rapid ceasefire for several days, said it supports mediation led by Egypt.

Macron had on Monday underlined the importance of Egyptian mediation after talks in Paris with Sisi, a key ally and defense client of France despite activists' concerns over Cairo's rights record.

The UNSC has failed to adopt a simple declaration on the conflict, with the United States, a staunch Israel ally, having rejected three prior statement drafts proposed by China, Norway and Tunisia which called for an end to the fighting.

Chinese Ambassador to the UN Zhang Jun said that during a closed-door meeting, members "heard the proposal made by our French colleague in the Council and for China, definitely, we are supportive to all effort facilitating the ending of the crisis and the coming back of peace in the Middle East."

(Web editor: Guo Wenrui, Hongyu)
Hundreds of rock-cut tombs were accidentally discovered by archaeologists in Egypt, some dating back more than 4,000 years.

In all, 250 grave sites were uncovered during a routine archaeological survey in the Al-Hamidiyah necropolis near Sohag, on the west banks of the Nile River.

According to researchers, they were in use over a 2,000 year period, from about 2200 BC to 30 BC.

Representing several different styles, the tombs were carved into the mountain at various levels.

One had a false door with hieroglyphic inscriptions still intact, and scenes of the mourners making offerings to the gods on behalf of the deceased.

Scroll down for video

Some 250 grave sites were uncovered during a routine archaeological survey in the Al-Hamidiyah necropolis near Sohag, on the west banks of the Nile river. The grave sites have been dated to between 2200 BC and 30 BC

Some had one or more burial wells, said Mustafa Waziri, Secretary-General of the Supreme Council of Antiquities, and others were constructed with a ramp that ends in a burial chamber.

One tomb dating back more than 4,000 years, to the decline of the Old Kingdom, includes an entrance leading to a cross-hall with a sloped passage in the southeast side that heads to a small burial chamber.

According to Waziri, the shaft was reused repeatedly over the centuries.

He described the tomb as having a false door with hieroglyphic inscriptions still visible, as well as scenes of the tomb's inhabitant slaughtering sacrifices and mourners giving offerings to the gods on his behalf.

One tomb had a false door with hieroglyphic inscriptions still visible, as well as scenes of the tomb's inhabitant slaughtering sacrifices and mourners giving offerings to the gods on his behalf

Ritualistic pottery known as 'votive' miniatures were also found. These small spherical pots that would symbolize the deceased

Sohag, where the tombs were discovered, was a pivotal location in ancient Egypt due to its location on the Nile and between Aswan and the capital city of Memphis

Excavation also uncovered human and animal bones, as well as a multitude of pottery and shards, some of which was utilitarian and other pieces specifically for funereal purposes.

Also discovered were small alabaster pots, remnants of a round metal mirror and ritualistic pottery known as 'votive' miniaturessmall spherical pots that would symbolize the deceased.

The archaeologists believe inscriptions found on chunks of limestone represent remnants of funerary paintings depicting the tombs' inhabitants, some of which date to the end of Egypt's Sixth Dynasty, around 2345 to 2181 B.C.

Both human and animal bones were discovered in the tombs, which had been used for more than 2000 years

Alabaster pots and amphorae fragments found on the site date to between 664 to 332 BC, known as Egypts Late Period,

They estimate the site was used for more than 2,000 years in all, starting with the Old Kingdom period, during which time the Great Pyramids of Giza were constructed.

It's use wound down at end of the Ptolemaic dynasty, around the time of Cleopatra's death in 30 BC, Smithsonian magazine reported.

Numerous pottery and pottery shards were found on the siteSome were utilitarian objects while others clearly had funereal significance

According to the museum, the tombs were used by the ruling class of the ninth province of Upper Egypt, a pivotal location in ancient Egypt due to its location between Aswan and the capital Memphis.

'Given their small size compared with the tombs reserved for royalty, which are of large sizes, these tombs may have been allocated to the common people,' Egyptologist Bassam al-Shamaa told Al-Monitor.

Some of the 250 tombs contained one or more burial wells, and others were constructed with a ramp that ends in a burial chamber.

One tomb dating back more than 4,000 years to the decline of the Old Kingdom includes an entrance leading to a cross-hall with a sloped passage in the southeast side leading to a small burial chamber.

Al-Shamaa believes the funerary art and practices offer 'more details about the daily life of ordinary people at the time.'

The area was also influenced by its proximity to Abidos, the center of worship of the god Ozir (later Osiris), and Akhmim, home to worship of Min, a masculine fertility god venerated as the Lord of the Eastern Desert.

Waziri said the researchers have already documented more than 300 tombs in the area, , which stretch from al-Kharandariyah in the north to Nag al-Sheikhs in the south, and expect more will be uncovered on various levels of the mountain.
Several shark hunters stumbled upon a previously unknown population of coelacanths, a 420-million-year-old 'fossil fish' that was once thought to be extinct.

The discovery was made in the southwestern part of Madagascar in the Indian Ocean.

The remarkable find, first outlined by Mongabay News, stems from the result that the shark hunters were using gillnets looking for the sharks, only to turn up the ancient fish.

Coelacanths have four fins that act like limbs and were once given the moniker 'Old Fourlegs.'

They have eight fins in total -- two dorsal fins, two pectoral fins, two pelvic, one anal and one caudal fin.

A recent study published in the South African Journal of Science notes that gillnet fishing, which really came of age when hunting for sharks ratcheted up in the 1980s may severely impact the remaining coelacanths population.

'The advent of deep-set gillnets, or jarifa, for catching sharks, driven by the demand for shark fins and oil from China in the mid- to late 1980s, resulted in an explosion of coelacanth captures in Madagascar and other countries in the Western Indian Ocean,' the researchers wrote in the study's abstract.

These advanced nets can reach the depths where coelacanths swim and gather, between 330 and 1,600ft (100m and 300m).

Coelacanth can be identified by the spotted scales throughout their body, which can reach nearly 7 feet in length

The study's lead author, RESOLVE sarl Managing Director Andrew Cooke, told Mongabay News it's possible that more than 100 coelacanth could have been caught off the coast of Madagascar in recent decades.

'When we looked into this further, we were astounded [by the numbers caught] even though there has been no proactive process in Madagascar to monitor or conserve coelacanths,' Cooke said.

According to a September 2020 list from RESOLVE, at least 34 specimens have been collected between 1987 and 2019.

In the study, Cooke and the other experts believe Madagascar is the 'epicenter' of the coelacanth distribution.

'The presence of populations of the Western Indian Ocean coelacanth (Latimeria chalumnae) in Madagascar is not surprising considering the vast range of habitats which the ancient island offers,' they wrote in the study.

The new population of coelacanth was captured off the southerwestern coast of Madagascar in the West Indian Ocean

They continued: 'The discovery of a substantial population of coelacanths through handline fishing on the steep volcanic slopes of Comoros archipelago initially provided an important source of museum specimens and was the main focus of coelacanth research for almost 40 years.'

As such, the experts note their findings emphasize 'the importance of the Onilahy marine canyon in southwest Madagascar as an especially important habitat and provides the basis for the development of a national program of research and conservation.'

However, Tony Ribbink, former head of the African Coelacanth Ecosystem Program (ACEP), said it's not quite clear that Madagascar plays such a vital role to the coelacanth population.

Coelacanth were thought to be extinct until 1938 when one was first identified. According to RESOLVE, at least 34 have been captured since 1987

Though Coelacanth can live for up to 48 years, they are part of the Endangered Species Act

Deep-set gillnets, or jarifa, are considered to be a threat the coelacanth population as hunters search for shark fins with these technologically advanced nets

COELACANTH LUNGS In 2015, scientists determined the coelacanth, also called Latimeria chalumnae, had a lung. The lung is no longer functional, but provides clues about how its ancient relatives lived 410 million years ago. Latimeria doesn't have a 'calcified lung' like its ancestors. However, X-rays show that the species has a well-developed, potentially functional lung in early-stage embryos. As it grows, the lung becomes functionless, becoming of no use to the living species, which  like all other fish  breathes using gills. Advertisement

'It would be extremely valuable if they also considered a competing hypothesis that the large number of canyons, many of which are very big, deep and extensive, running along the northern Mozambique coast from where the Sofala Banks end northwards to the southern part of Tanzania (just south of Mtwara) offer the most extensive area of suitable habitat for coelacanths,' Ribbink said in an interview with Mongabay.

'This unexplored continental area may well be the epicenter of coelacanth distribution. This area has not been studied, however and, until it is eliminated as a plausible competing hypothesis, the work of the authors will remain hypothetical.'

Coelacanths were initially thought to be extinct until 1938 when it was rediscovered off the South African coast.

They can reach up to 200 pounds in mass and live for 48 years according to National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and are known for their bizarre appearance.

The bony fish can reach up to 6.5ft in length and have spotted scales throughout the body.

Known scientifically as Latimeria chalumnae, coelacanth are listed under the Tanzanian distinct population segment (DPS) and are considered threatened under the Endangered Species Act.
A new spray-on ceramic claims to be 'harder than sand' and provide more coverage for stealth jets and bombers.

A team at North Carolina University designed the material to address limitations of current polymer skins that peel off craft, revealing the plane to enemy radar scans.

The innovation is still in early stages, but lab testing showed the new ceramic material can also absorb more than 90 percent of the energy from radar - current materials only absorb up to 80 percent.

The ceramic skin could help the infamous F-22, which has been plagued by problems including its stealth paint peeling off.

Because traditional materials are so fragile, aerospace engineers design fighter jets to protect the extra layer, and it usually impacts the craft's speed.

However, the new ceramic skin will eliminate constraints and be applied in just one or two days to a stealth craft.

Scroll down for video

Lockheed Martin's F-22 (pictured) is so stealthy that it appears like the size of a bumblebee on a radar screen, but the polymer skin that shields jets is fragile and eventually peels away

The first stealth aircraft, dubbed HAVE Blue, was developed in the 1970s and took its first flight in 1977.

This craft paved the way for the first combat purpose stealth, Lockheed's F-11 Nighthawk, in 1983, which was used during Operation Just Cause in Panama, and since then, military personnel and scientists have been working on new innovations to prefect the technology - which has resulted in the infamous F-22.

However, the US Air Force announced it is looking to cut its fleet of fighter jets from seven to four which could spell the end for the F-22 Raptor stealth fighter.

The F-22 is so stealthy that it appears like the size of a bumblebee on a radar screen, but the polymer skin that shields jets is fragile and eventually peels away .

A team at North Carolina University designed a spray-on ceramic that is 'harder than sand' when it sets and can withstand all the elements that degrade current polymer skin. The new ceramic could make the Northrop Grumman B-2 Spirit Stealth bomber even stronger than it is now

Despite only spending 16 years in service and costing $150million the F-22 has been hit by an increasing number of repairs.

Current stealth aircraft are coated in in radar-absorbent polymers, which absorb 70 to 80 percent of the energy from radar.

Although it does not make the craft truly invisible, the material provides it with someone invisibility, but it also comes with limitations.

The polymers are very fragile and when exposed to the elements, like salt and moisture, the material begins to degrade or even peel off.

They also decompose if exposed to temperatures above 482F, which occurs around the wing's edge and rear of the plane.

Chengying 'Cheryl' Xu, whose research team at NC State is leading the project, took all the limitations into consideration to develop a solution that can be applied to any craft.

The final product is a spray-on ceramic that is water-resistant and 'harder than sand'  meaning it can withstand harsh conditions.

The new material can also retain its radar-absorbent characteristics at temperatures as high as 3272F or as low as -148F.

The innovation is still in early stages, but lab testing showed the new ceramic material can also absorb more than 90 percent of the energy from radar - current materials only absorb up to 80 percent. Pictured is a A B-2 Spirit refueling in midair

According to the press release, a liquid ceramic precursor is sprayed onto the surface of the aircraft. And as the liquid precursor is exposed to ambient air, it undergoes a series of chemical reactions and is converted to the solid ceramic material.

And Xu says the entire process take one to two days to complete.

'We recently secured funding from the Air Force Office of Scientific Research that will allow us to produce and test much larger samples, so that's what we're working on now,' Xu says.

'Ultimately, we are hoping to work with industry partners to scale this up and begin work on the next generation of stealth aircraft.'
Global levels of the greenhouse gas methane had their biggest spike ever last year, according to researchers in Colorado.

Levels of the colorless, odorless gas, which have been steadily rising since 2007, jumped by 14.7 parts per billion in 2020, double the increase from 1983, when records started.

Methane is shorter-lived than carbon dioxide, also a greenhouse gas, yet it traps nearly 30 times more heat than CO2.

Scroll down for video

The amount of methane in the atmosphere rose 14.7 parts per billion in 2020, the most since records were first kept in the early 1980s. Cows emit the potent greenhouse gas, that raps 30 times more heat than CO2

'It's even higher than the early 1980s, when the gas industry was going crazy. It's really scary,' Euan Nisbet, an earth sciences professor at Royal Holloway London, told New Scientist.

Though CO2 has always been the bigger worry, methane levels are shooting ahead of projectionsand more disturbingly, scientists aren't sure why.

Analysis from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) showed the annual increase in atmospheric methane for 2020 was 14.7 parts per billion, the largest annual increase recorded since measurements started being taken in 1983.

Some experts have blamed frackingits popularity in the mid-2000s coincided with the sudden uptick in methane levels.

Last fall, researchers at Stanford University and the Global Carbon Project were quick to blame the rise in methane on human activities like landfills, coal mining; oil and gas production; and cattle and sheep farming.

As well as livestock, sources of methane include fossil fuels like coal, oil spills and the decay of organic waste in municipal landfills

But methane analyzed more recently by researchers at the University of Colorado was richer in carbon-12, associated more with wetlands and agriculture than fossil fuels.

'Fossil fuels are definitely part of the picture,' Sylvia Michel, a researcher with the university's Stable Isotope Library, told New Scientist. 'But it's hard to explain our data without having an increase in biogenic methane.'

Ironically, the pandemic lockdown may have played a factor: decreased traffic and shutdown of manufacturing lowered air pollution to some extent, but decreased nitrogen oxide means reduced hydroxyl radicals.

Some critics have blamed fracking for the increase in atmospheric methane but analysis has shown its more associated with wetlands and agriculture. Pictured: Cuadrilla extracting shale gas in East Sussex, England

WHAT IS METHANE GAS? Methane is a colorless, odorless, and highly flammable gas, and the main component in natural gas used to generate electricity and heat homes. Human methane emissions are the second largest contributor to global warming after carbon dioxide. In 2017 methane accounted for roughly 10 percent of all human-driven greenhouse gas emissions in the U.S., according to the EPA. More recent studies suggest human emissions of geologic methane may be as much as 25 percent higher than previous estimates. Although not as prominent as carbon dioxide, methane is a much more powerful greenhouse gas, and so the rising levels are an important contributor to global warming. There is uncertainty as to the source of increased methane emissions, with some blaming to oil drilling and gas extraction and others pointing to cow flatulence Advertisement

And hydroxyl radicals can actually help prevent methane from forming in the atmosphere.

'My guess is that it's a combination of both human-caused and natural factors,' Alex Turner, atmospheric chemist at the University of Washington in Seattle, told New Scientist.

It's not direct manmade actions to blame, like fracking or cattle-ranching, but the cumulative effect of rising temperatures.

Microbes produce more methane when it's hotter, and hotter weather breeds more microbes, creating a deadly 'climate loop.'

Given 2020 was one of the warmest years on record, it could explain the spike in methane.

'What if subtle changes to temperature and precipitation are increasing natural emissions of methane?' Ed Dlugokencky, a research chemist at the NOAA, told New Scientist.

'That would be consistent with the observed isotopic signals. It would also complicate the challenge of reducing greenhouse emissions to stabilize the climate.'

In November, scientists reported the atmospheric concentrations of methane had reached a record high.

The scientists assessed emissions and said, in 2017 alone, the Earth's atmosphere absorbed nearly 600 million tons of the colorless, odorless gas.

The U.N.'s recent Global Methane Report warned methane emissions must be cut by 45 percent to avoid avoid 0.3 degrees Celsius of global warming and an 255,000 premature deathsby the 2040s.

The global average burden of methane for December 2020, the last month for which data has been analyzed, was 1892.3 parts per billion, representing an increase of about 6 percent, since 2000.

While many seem resistant to making the lifestyle changes to combats carbon dioxide, experts say capping methane is an easier pill to swallowefforts can include banning uncovered landfills and plugging leaks in gas wells and pipelines.

A European startup has devised an even more ingenious solution to the methane problem: Swiss-British manufacturer Mootral says its feed supplement, made of garlic and citrus extracts, can reduce cattle flatulence by 30 percent.

If the supplement was adopted worldwide, it would be the equivalent of taking 300 million cars off the road, CNN reported.
Strictly Come Dancing pro Katya Jones

This week Strictly Come Dancing pro Katya Jones checks into our travel Q&A.

She talks about her favourite part of Russia, her first holiday memory, and her best memory from a dance trip - and more.

First holiday memory?

When I was three years old, my parents would leave me with my nan at her home in Lithuania for the summer. Her house was in a tiny village. We would pick potatoes, berries and have fresh milk from neighbours cows. I loved it. I even spoke fluent Lithuanian. It was wonderful.

Favourite part of Russia?

My parents house is in a little village outside St Petersburg, near the beach, on the Finnish Gulf. Every summer, people from the city go there to relax and have barbecues.

Top weekend break?

Two years ago, I went on my own to the South of France. I flew to Marseille, rented a car and went inland to the lavender fields, then drove past St Tropez and ended up in Nice. It was brilliant spending time by myself, stopping whenever I wanted to.

Katya has fond memories of a weekend break to Marseille, St Tropez (pictured) and Nice

Are you a good flyer?

I am an amazing flyer. Before we even take off, while the plane taxis, Im already asleep. Nothing bothers me.

Best memory from a dance trip?

Beijing. We were invited to work in China for a week, to teach in a dance academy and perform in big competitions. During our time off, we visited the Forbidden City, which was an amazing history lesson, and the Great Wall of China, which was just out of this world. I love Chinese food, too.

What cant you travel without?

A few good books. They tend to be non-fiction. I like ones that help you in life, so I can improve myself.

Dream holiday?

To see the Northern Lights in Norway or Iceland.

Katya is an ambassador for National Numeracy. Its Virtual Festival is on May 19.
Advertisement

Low-cost American airline JetBlue has announced that its first-ever transatlantic flight will take off from New York's JFK Airport and fly to Heathrow Airport on August 11.

This will mark the beginning of daily flights using a long-range version of the single-aisle Airbus A321 between the two hubs, with a service between JFK and London Gatwick starting on September 29 that ramps up the operation to 14 flights a week.

JetBlue believes that by using the smaller, fuel-efficient Airbus jets it can undercut other airlines on price - and UK travelers get a special introductory rate. Tickets for the services are on sale now, starting from 329 return ($599 on the U.S side) for one of 117 Core (economy main cabin) seats and 999 ($1,979) return for one of 24 individual business-class 'Mint' suites.

Low-cost American airline JetBlue has announced that its first-ever transatlantic flight will take off from New York's JFK Airport and fly to Heathrow Airport on August 11. Pictured is the business-class seat offered on the service - the 999 ($1,979) Mint suite

The latter is several hundred dollars cheaper than mid-August business-class fares displayed on Google Flights for rivals such as American Airlines, British Airways and Icelandair.

The aircraft will also feature two first-class 'Mint Studio' seats - for an extra $299 (211) each way - that the airline claims have 'the largest lie-flat bed of any U.S carrier'.

JetBlue wanted to start the flights earlier than mid-August but was delayed, partly by the process of proving to regulators that it could operate long over-water flights safely.

The late launch means JetBlue will miss most of the peak summer travel vacation season. However, travel between the United States and the United Kingdom is still restricted because of the coronavirus pandemic, and it's not clear when restrictions will be eased.

Tickets for the JetBlue transatlantic services are on sale now, starting from 329 ($599) for one of 117 economy seats (pictured), known as Core in JetBlue-speak

One of the two first-class 'Mint Studio' seats, pictured, which JetBlue says have the biggest lie-flat bed of any U.S carrier

'Given that the UK remains closed, we didn't feel a ton of pressure to open earlier in the summer,' JetBlue President Joanna Geraghty said in an interview. 'This gives us a couple more months. We are pretty optimistic that by then things will be ready to go.'

Before the pandemic, New York-London was among the most lucrative and highly competitive airline routes on the globe. It was popular with high-fare corporate travelers moving between two great financial hubs.

JetBlue wants to offer more flights but found it difficult to break into Heathrow, where take-off and landing slots are hard to get. The daily JFK-Heathrow flight will arrive in London after 10am, which is later than many business travelers like.

'The times are not what we would have preferred,' Geraghty said, 'but we also think they are times that are very workable for a large number of customers.'

JetBlue is looking next to expand into continental Europe, where it would run into more competition from American, Delta and United. Among the cities being considered are Paris and Amsterdam, Geraghty said.
Married At First Sight's Bryce Ruthven has accused Nova 100 breakfast radio host Chrissie Swan of being 'rude' and 'disrespectful'.

Speaking on his podcast What Happens After, Bryce said he lost respect for a certain 'Melbourne radio presenter' after weeks of being criticised by her on air during his stint on the Channel Nine reality show.

While the 32-year-old didn't identify Chrissie by name, he has since confirmed to Daily Mail Australia he was referring to her during his podcast.

Shots fired: Married At First Sight's Bryce Ruthven (pictured) has accused Nova 100 breakfast radio host Chrissie Swan of being 'rude' and 'disrespectful'

'We went into that radio station one day [in April] and she didn't have a bar of you at all,' he said, speaking to his girlfriend Melissa Rawson.

'She was quite rude, and never even said hello to you. [Chrissie] had me in the studio and she went at me, hammered me on the radio,' he added.

Bryce explained that while he accepted the fact he was going to get grilled over his problematic on-screen behaviour, he was surprised that Chrissie was so much more 'polite' to him when the microphones were turned off.

How rude! Bryce, 32, said he lost respect for a certain 'Melbourne radio presenter' after weeks of being criticised by her on air during his stint on the Channel Nine reality show

This suggested to him that Chrissie's on-air persona was 'fake'.

'When the microphones went off and I was talking to her one on one, either she was fake on air or fake off air because she was being quite polite to me,' he said.

The controversial groom went on to address claims he was banned from appearing on the Nova 100 breakfast show ever again.

Following his uncomfortable appearance on the program, Bryce said he told his Channel Nine publicist he wouldn't be returning.

Fake? Bryce was surprised that Chrissie was so much more 'polite' when the microphones were turned off, which suggested to him her on-air persona was 'fake'. Chrissie is pictured with MAFS grooms Sam Carraro (left) and Patrick Dwyer (right) on March 30

'I said, "I refuse to speak to them," which is why I never went back there,' he said.

'[Chrissie] kept saying publicly that Bryce was banned from our show. You didn't ban me from your show; I said I didn't want to go in there.'

Speaking to Daily Mail Australia, Bryce later explained: 'I felt very uncomfortable being around Chrissie because you could tell she only had the intentions of attacking me.'

'It was interesting that interview was only with myself, Chrissy never asked Melissa to come in and made her sit outside the studio because she knows Melissa would have stepped in and cleared up was was being shown on TV.'

'Chrissy clearly didnt want to be challenged on her hate campaign.

Daily Mail Australia has contacted Chrissie Swan and Nova 100 for comment.
Lauren Goodger returned to work in her beauty salon this week after restrictions were lifted and revealed she is on the hunt for lip models.

The pregnant TOWIE star, 34, who is due to have her first child in July, shared a picture of herself carrying out procedures in her salon on Tuesday.

Captioning the post, which saw her appearing to inject filler into a customer's lips, she explained she is on the look out for Russian Lip models.

Back to work: Pregnant Lauren Goodger, 34, got back in the salon this week after restrictions were eased in England and revealed she is looking for lip models

She has been able to return to her salon as of Monday after the latest lifting of restrictions in England permitted the reopening of 'personal care premises'.

Lauren is expecting a baby girl with her boyfriend Charles Drury, 23, in July.

In the picture Lauren wore a protective apron and blue plastic gloves as she administered the filler.

She looked every inch professional as she wore a plain black long-sleeve and her hair pulled back in a pony tail.

Expecting: The former TOWIE star is pregnant with her first child, a baby girl with her boyfriend Charles Drury, 23, in July.

The brunette beauty opted for a flawless makeup look and wore a beaded bracelet on her wrist.

She captioned the post: 'I am looking for Russian Lip models .. I am fully qualified and fully trained I just want models! My fav lip look so Please DM for prices times and dates.'

It comes after Lauren told how cruel trolls recently accused her of faking her pregnancy, as she revealed she received a DM from a fake account on Instagram.

Lauren said some didn't believe her baby news as she 'hadn't put enough weight on her face during her pregnancy'.

Lauren slammed the 'absolutely crazy' accusations and said a troll also told her that her bump hadn't changed since she announced she was expecting.

Exciting times: Last week, the TV personality looked on cloud nine as she left pregnancy care centre Hey Baby in Bishop's Stratford with beau Charles after getting a scan of their baby girl

Writing for OK! she, said: 'People have got so much negative stuff to say and you have to ignore it sometimes! I honestly don't care and I don't get affected by that sort of stuff. But when the baby's here no doubt people will complain about things.'

She revealed her celebrity pals Amy Childs and Cara de la Hoyde have warned her about the 'mum police' on social media who critique their parenting skills.

Lauren said that she is strong and wants to protect her builder beau from getting upset by any potential comments about their daughter.

The reality personality added: 'I said, 'Whatever our baby looks like, people will call her ugly!' We just have to ignore them!'

How mean: It comes after Lauren told how cruel trolls recently accused her of faking her pregnancy, as she revealed she received a DM from a fake account on Instagram

Elsewhere in the column, Lauren revealed her plans to have a water birth and said she is feeling nervous ahead of her labour.

Lauren recently revealed that she feared she would die after she stopped feeling her baby moving.

She was rushed to hospital earlier this month for a check-up, and although she was discharged with an assurance her unborn child was healthy, her racing blood pressure caused her heart rate to soar, which is a trigger for her anxiety.

The reality star revealed that what followed was a panic attack lasting three days, as she admitted she was 'acting crazy'.

Lauren told The Sun Online that she convinced herself she was going to have a fatal heart attack, adding: 'I started acting all crazy and needed to take my top off because I felt too hot.'

She continued: 'It's scary because you don't understand what's going on and that's why you think you're dying.

'It just comes over, five minutes ago I could be chatting and doing my make-up and the next minute feeling funny.'
On the new season of Keeping Up With The Kardashians, Kim confronts her sister Kourtney about an alleged incident where she yelled at one of Kim's nannies.

In an extended clip from the E! show, which dropped on Tuesday, the siblings have a tense exchange, which becomes a sparring match about how they treat their staff as Kim tells Kourtney her nanny felt 'degraded'.

After a confrontation which allegedly left Kim's nanny in tears, Kourtney, 42, tried to explain her side of the story.

On the new season of Keeping Up With The Kardashians, Kim confronts her sister Kourtney about an alleged incident where she yelled at one of Kim's staff

'Kim's nanny and I had a little disagreement when we were away traveling together. But I haven't really spoken to Kim about it, so, I wanna see what's going on' Kourtney says in a confessional

'Kim's nanny and I had a little disagreement when we were away traveling together. But I haven't really spoken to Kim about it, so, I wanna see what's going on' Kourtney says in a confessional.

The issue arose apparently after Kourtney addressed a concern with the nanny, in front of her kids, about something the nanny told her son Reign, six.

Joined by Khloe, Kim tells Kourtney: 'She said that she felt so degraded by you and you just started yelling at her and you said "keep your voice down"'

'Oh my god, she's lying.' Kourtney says, explaining that she discussed it calmly with the nanny.

'It should have been in private. Kim says, taking her nanny's side. 'She said, "I wish you would have tapped me on the shoulder and said, "Hey somethings really bothering me. Can I talk to you?" And we could have talked in private. But for her to yell at me in a restaurant [was wrong]."'

'She said that she felt so degraded by you and you just started yelling at her and you said "keep your voice down"'

'Oh my god, she's lying.' Kourtney says, explaining that she discussed it calmly with the nanny

'It should have been in private. Kim says, taking her nanny's side. 'She said, "I wish you would have tapped me on the shoulder and said, "Hey somethings really bothering me. Can I talk to you?" And we could have talked in private. But for her to yell at me in a restaurant [was wrong]."'

Kourtney continues to deny that she yelled and says it was actually the nanny who got loud.

'She would never work for me the way she acts,' Kourtney says before recalling something the nanny said to Reign.

'She said "boy, you're a liar" and I was like "excuse me?" you're going to call a five-year-old a liar?'

Kim agreed that the nanny shouldn't have spoken like that to Kourtney's youngest son, 'She definitely shouldn't have said that.'

Kourtney, sounding more irritated, tells Kim, 'I don't want to talk about this with you because you obviously don't get it.'

Kourtney continues to deny that she yelled and says it was actually the nanny who got loud

'She would never work for me the way she acts' Kourtney says before recalling something the nanny said to Reign

Kourtney, sounding more irritated, tells Kim, 'I don't want to talk about this with you because you obviously don't get it.'

'I like her so she's not getting fired,' Kim says adamantly. 'I like to keep my staff for a long time, so that's how I feel.'

'I like her so she's not getting fired,' Kim says adamantly. 'I like to keep my staff for a long time, so that's how I feel.'

'I don't care, keep her.' Kourtney tells Kim. 'She will not ever be around my kids.'

'Kourtney, you can't even keep a nanny,' Kim adds, throwing some serious shade at her sister.

'Kim, shut the f**k up, seriously. The way you're talking is wild,' Kourtney says before getting up and leaving the room, still trading barbs with her younger sister.

'Kourtney, you can't even keep a nanny,' Kim adds, throwing some serious shade at her sister

'Kim, shut the f**k up, seriously. The way you're talking is wild,' Kourtney says before getting up and leaving the room, still trading barbs with her younger sister

Yikes: Khloe just sat awkwardly listening throughout the tense conversation

In a confessional, Kourtney says, 'Kim is throwing out all these jabs, intentionally to hurt my feelings, none of which are even true, like throwing out random lies about my own staff. That was really really hurtful coming from my sister.'

In a September 2019 episode of KUWTK Kourtney revealed her nanny quit after her daughter Penelope, who was seven at the time, scratched her during a tantrum.

The mother-of-three described her middle daughter as 'out of control' and said she even seems to 'black out' during fits of rage.

'I don't even have a nanny anymore,' Kourtney complained during a meal with her ex Scott Disick, sister Kim , mom Kris Jenner and Kris' boyfriend Corey Gamble.

'She was putting her in the car and Penelope scratched her face, but P can be out of control,' Kourtney said. 'I think she blacks out and does these wild things.'

Stream the final season of Keeping Up With The Kardashians on hayu in Australia same day as the U.S. Still can't get enough? Stream every episode ever - only on hayu in Australia.

In a confessional, Kourtney says, 'Kim is throwing out all these jabs, intentionally to hurt my feelings, none of which are even true, like throwing out random lies about my own staff. That was really really hurtful coming from my sister.'
Oscar winner Sam Rockwell and his actress wife Leslie Bibb are the latest Hollywood stars to arrive in Australia.

The couple were spotted enjoying a few beers and a meal at Little Bang Brewery, in Adelaide, South Australia on Saturday night.

A local told The Advertiser that they stayed for several hours and were patient with adoring fans.

Down Under: Oscar-winning actor Sam Rockwell, 52, and his wife Leslie Bibb, 46, are the latest Hollywood stars to arrive in Australia. Pictured in Los Angeles in January 2020

'I bought them a round of drinks, and they were very lovely,' a restaurant patron said of Sam, 52, and Leslie, 46.

'He was very nice, very polite, very complimentary and appreciative of the place, very patient with punters fawning all over him.'

It's not known why Sam - who won Best Supporting Actor at the 2018 Academy Awards for Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri - and Leslie were in Adelaide.

Surprising locals: On Saturday night, the couple were spotted enjoying a few beers and a meal at Little Bang Brewery, in Adelaide, South Australia

However Leslie has been filming Netflix comedy God's Favorite Idiot, alongside Melissa McCarthy, in the country town of Lismore, just outside of Byron Bay.

McCarthy and co-star Ben Falcone were granted $10 million from the federal government's Local Incentive program to film God's Favorite Idiot in Australia.

Many of the world's renowned actors - including film royalty George Clooney and Julia Roberts - are making the move Down Under to capitalise on generous government grants designed to boost Australia's fledgling film industry.

Nothing but complimentary: A patron, who bought them a round of drinks, told The Advertiser that Sam 'was very nice, very polite, very complimentary and appreciative of the place'

Not clear: It's not known why Sam - who won Best Supporting Actor at the 2018 Academy Awards for Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri - and Leslie (pictured) were in Adelaide. However Leslie has been filming a Netflix comedy in Lismore, outside of Byron Bay

Clooney and Roberts' rom-com Ticket to Paradise will look to transform Queensland's Whitsunday Islands into Bali, while other locations in the state will be transformed to replicate cities in the US.

Back in March, Viggo Mortensen and Colin Farrell were set to film Ron Howard's Thirteen Lives in Queensland.

Currently in production in Sydney is the new Thor: Love and Thunder film, starring Natalie Portman, Chris Hemsworth, Christian Bale, Matt Damon and Russell Crowe.

Zac Efron recently wrapped up filming Stan original movie Gold in South Australia.
Alessandra Ambrosio took some time away from her fitness routine to enjoy an outdoor lunch with friends.

The 40-year-old Brazilian beauty went for a tummy-baring look to grab a sit-down meal at trendy eatery Bottega Louie in West Hollywood on Tuesday.

The supermodel stunned in a white cropped tank top and high-waisted light blue jeans for the outing.

Lunch break: Alessandra Ambrosio took some time away from her fitness routine to enjoy an outdoor lunch with friends

She threw on an unbuttoned white blouse and a Hermes-brand belt as she took in the warm springtime weather.

Her cropped denim showcased her white strappy kitten heels and she sported large sunglasses to help deal with the bright sunshine.

The bombshell grabbed a table on the restaurant's patio with her two unidentified friends for their al fresco meal.

Tummy-baring: The 40-year-old Brazilian beauty went for a tummy-baring look to grab a sit-down meal at trendy eatery Bottega Louie in West Hollywood on Tuesday

Keeping it casual: The supermodel stunned in a white cropped tank top and high-waisted light blue jeans for the outing

Al fresco: The bombshell grabbed a table on the restaurant's patio with her two unidentified friends for their al fresco meal

The longtime Victoria's Secret Angel looked like she was walking the runway as she headed to the meal with her long brunette locks blowing in the breeze.

She wore an assortment of accessories, including a long 'A' necklace among the three around her neck.

Her wrists were decorated with an array of bangles as well as a large silver watch, which she paired with small hoop earrings.

Heels: Her cropped denim showcased her white strappy kitten heels and she sported large sunglasses to help deal with the bright sunshine

Breezy: The longtime Victoria's Secret Angel looked to be walking the runway as she headed to the meal with her long brunette locks blowing in the breeze

Brikin baby: The Gal Floripa co-founder carried a grey Birkin bag and had a matching face covering upon exiting her vehicle

The Gal Floripa co-founder carried a grey Birkin bag and had a matching face covering upon exiting her vehicle.

As she got closer to the establishment, she took it off as mask guidance continues to be loosened by the CDC amid the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.

Missing from the occasion was Alessandra's current beau Richard Lee, who she has been seen showing off some major PDA with in recent weeks.

Removing the mask: As she got closer to the establishment, she took it off as mask guidance continues to be loosened by the CDC amid the ongoing coronavirus pandemic

Solo: Missing from the occasion was Alessandra's current beau Richard Lee, who she has been seen showing off some major PDA with in recent weeks

The pair were first spotted together earlier this year during a dinner date at celebrity hotspot Nobu in Los Angeles, and they have remained together ever since then.

Ambrosio and Lee were notably pictured sharing a passionate kiss during their night on the town.

A week after their initial meeting, the two were seen stepping out on a shared grocery trip.

First spotting: The pair were first spotted together earlier this year during a dinner date at celebrity hotspot Nobu in Los Angeles

Moving fast: Ambrosio and Lee were notably pictured sharing a passionate kiss during their night on the town and a week after their initial meeting, the two were seen stepping out on a shared grocery trip

Prior to meeting the model, Ambrosio was romantically connected to entrepreneur Jamie Mazur, to whom she was first linked in 2005.

During their time together, the former couple welcomed a daughter named Anja Louise, aged 12, and a son named Noah Phoenix, aged nine.

Although the pair went strong for several years and were became engaged in 2008, they eventually put an end to their relationship in 2018.

Following her split from the businessman, the runway fixture went on to begin dating designer Niccolo Oddi.

The two were romantically linked for just over two years before they ended their relationship.
Her husband, V8 Supercars driver Liam Talbot, is currently in a bitter war with his family over his late father's will.

But former Hi-5 star Charli Robinson ignored the drama on Wednesday, as she posed alongside her daughter Theadora Elle, whom the pair welcomed in July last year.

Charli, who wore a tight yellow dress, couldn't wipe the smile off her face as she showed off her gorgeous baby.

Not a care in the world! Hi-5 star Charli Robinson ignored the drama over her father-in-law's will on Wednesday, as she posed alongside her daughter Theadora Elle for an Instagram snap

'The adorable Theadora Elle!' she captioned the shot, which showed her daughter dressed in a cute pink outfit with a floral headband.

Charli herself wore just a touch of makeup on her already stunning visage, and styled her hair in a pretty beach wave.

The doting mum also shares daughter Kensington with Liam.

The photo comes amid her husband's bitter legal battle with his siblings over how to best manage his father's assets.

Mining billionaire Ken Talbot died in a light plane when it crashed in the Congo in 2010, leaving behind his wife Amanda, her daughters Claudia, 18, and Alexandra, 21, and his children from his first marriage, race-car driver Liam, 38, and Courtney, 35.

Family: The doting mum, who married V8 Supercars driver Liam Talbot in 2016, also share daughter Kensington

In his will the Queensland businessman requested that a third of his estate be given to charity through a single-run family foundation writing: 'I sincerely ask that all beneficiaries are sensible and do not argue.'

But his dying wish will not come to fruition after a Supreme Court judge ordered two foundations be set up to manage his fortune because his widow and children 'would not be able to work together as a group', the Courier Mail reports.

The court heard Amanda, Claudia and Alexandra were unwilling to work with Liam or Courtney, and Courtney said she could not work with the three women, while her brother argued a single-foundation should be launched with an independent board.

Justice John Bond ruled each party will run a foundation, with one managing 60 per cent of the $36million so far allocated towards the project.

Arguments: The family of late mining billionaire Ken Talbot (pictured with Amanda Talbot) are stuck in a legal battle over how to administrate his estate

Tragedy: The entire board of the Western Australian mining company Sundance Resources and Mr Talbot (pictured) died when their plane crashed in the Congo in June 2010

The other will manage the remaining 40 per cent of the money.

It's not known at this stage which party will be handed the larger sum of money to look after and what each foundation's name will be.

Additional monthly payments will be injected into both foundations from each of the five beneficiaries, to make a total of $200,000 each per year.

The entire board of the Western Australian mining company Sundance Resources and Mr Talbot died when their plane crashed in the Congo in June 2010. They had been on route to visit a mine site.

At the time, Mr Talbot, aged 59, had an estate worth about $1.1 billion, which includes a $12million villa in Italy's Lake Como, an $8.5million home in Brisbane's Bulimba, a $5.3million Shanghai apartment and a $50million Learjet.

According to his will, the remaining 70 per cent of his estate is to be divided among family, with Liam and Courtney to receive 24 per cent, with the remainder split between Mrs Talbot and her two daughters.

He also requested the charitable foundation to make donations to a maximum of $1m per year, with the beneficiaries meet every six months to discuss and organise payments.

The case is due to return to court on June 18.
It's a sordid tale of business, jealousy, and murder for hire and all revolving around male strippers.

And now the story of the Chippendales will be the focus of a true crime series for Discovery+ as well as a mini series starring Kumail Nanjiani for Hulu.

Discovery+'s The Curse Of The Chippendales promises to reveal 'the dark side of a risque world', using video and photo archives as well as never-before-seen footage. according to Deadline.com.

Discovery+ true crime series The Curse Of The Chippendales promises to reveal 'the dark side of a risque world', using video and photo archives as well as never-before-seen footage to tell the murderous history of the famous exotic male dance troupe (pictured 2002)

A show description put out by the streaming service reads: 'Their brand became a multi-million-dollar global venture, successful beyond their wildest dreams. But of three unlikely dreamers who were there at the beginning, only one would make it out alive.'

The exotic male dance troupe was created in Los Angeles in 1979 by Indian immigrant Steve Banerjee.

Bombay-born Banerjee moved to Southern California where he purchased a struggling LA club and started offering female mud wrestling and male exotic dancers.

His 'women only' nights proved a huge hit and in 1979, the Chippendales were born.

Bombay-born Steve Banerjee moved to Southern California where he purchased a struggling LA club and started offering female mud wrestling and male exotic dancers. His 'women only' nights proved a huge hit and in 1979, the Chippendales were born

Banerjee's business partner Paul Snider was married to pinup model and actress Dorothy Stratten and she suggested the male dancers wear collars and cuffs.

Banerjee also teamed with producer Nick Denoia who recruited the male dancers, did the choreography and produced the touring live shows.

The venture started raking in millions of dollars a year with tours in the USA and Europe through the 1980s.

However, tragedy also followed.

Banerjee's business partner Paul Snider was married to pinup model and actress Dorothy Stratten and she was the one who suggested the male dancers wear collars and cuffs

Stratten was a pinup model who'd been featured in Playboy and she suggested the male dancers wear collars and cuffs. In 1980, Snider, 29, murdered Stratton, 20, after she left him for director Peter Bogdanovich, and then killed himself

In 1980, Snider, 29, raped and murdered Stratton, 20, after she left him for director Peter Bogdanovich, and then killed himself.

In April, 1987, Denoia was shot and killed at his office in Manhattan.

Six years later, in 1993, after a FBI undercover sting, Banerjee was arrested and charged with hiring a hitman to kill Denoia.

He pleaded guilty but the night before his sentencing, he hanged himself in his jail cell.

PBanerjee also teamed with producer Nick Denoia who recruited the male dancers, did the choreography and produced the touring live shows, The venture started raking in millions of dollars a year with tours in the USA and Europe (Denoia is pictured with wife Jennifer O'Neil)

n April 1987, Denoia was shot and killed at his office in Manhattan, New York, Six years later, in 1993, Banerjee was arrested and charged with hiring a hitman to murder Denoia. He pleaded guilty but the night before his sentencing, he hanged himself in his jail cell

Last October, it had been reported that actor Dev Patel was attached to star in a movie about The Chippendales with I, Tonya director Craig Gillespie at the helm.

Now it seems the proposed movie will instead become a limited series at streamer Hulu with The Big Sick's Kumail Nanjiani as Banerjee.

Called Immigrant, the eight episodes will be written by The series is written by Robert Siegel and executive produced by Nanjiani and his wife Emily V. Gordon.
Jennifer Hawkins is a doting mum to one-year-old daughter Frankie.

And on Tuesday, the model and entrepreneur took Frankie for a walk down a wharf.

The 37-year-old's husband, property developer Jake Wall, filmed the sweet moment on his iPhone.

Good times: Jennifer Hawkins and her husband, Jake Wall, took their one-year-old daughter, Frankie, for a walk by a wharf on Tuesday

Jen was dressed in a sporty winter jacket with a matching pair of black leggings.

The former Miss Universe first revealed she and Jake were expecting a child together in May 2019. Their daughter was born in October that year.

She had expressed her desire to start a family in September 2018, following her departure from Myer after 12 years as the department store's ambassador.

Behind the camera: Property developer Jake filmed the sweet moment on his iPhone

Speaking at her final runway show for the retailer, Jen said: 'I'd love to have a family, it's taking the time to look ahead. I want to have the time to be able to do that.'

Jennifer married Jake in Bali, Indonesia, in 2013, after eight years of dating.

The pair have since gone on to build a huge business empire together.

How cute: Both Jake and Jen took turns holding Frankie for a cute photo

They run their own construction company called J Group Projects, which specialises in luxury architecture.

On top of that, the couple also have their own high-end booze brand called Sesion Premium Tequila.

What's more, Jen is known for her popular fake tan brand, JBronze.
Former Big Brother Australia star Krystal Hipwell (nee Forscutt) has changed her mind about calling her eight-month-old son Huska.

She had decided on the unique name after asking her Instagram followers to vote on whether they preferred Husky or Huska, but now says she doesn't like either of them.

The mother-of-three, 34, revealed during an Instagram Q&A on Tuesday she'd changed her little boy's name, but was still calling him Husky as a nickname.

Name change: Former Big Brother Australia star Krystal Hipwell (nee Forscutt) has changed her mind about calling her eight-month-old son Huska

For the time being, she has opted not to share her son's new name publicly.

'It's actually neither of these names on his birth certificate but we call him Husky,' she said in response to a fan asking about her son's name.

Krystal added that while she wouldn't be sharing her baby's legal name with fans on social media, she was calling him Husky in the meantime.

'We might share at some point but have decided not to for now,' she said.

Decision: The mother-of-three, 34, revealed during an Instagram Q&A on Tuesday she'd changed her little boy's name, but was still calling him Husky as a nickname

Krystal and her husband, property developer Neil Hipwell, welcomed their third child in September last year.

After giving birth, the former Big Brother housemate asked her Instagram followers whether they preferred the name Husky or Huska.

She said at the time she was unable to decide between the two similar names, so she had been calling her son both interchangeably.

'Now I have no excuses and have to name my child,' Krystal laughed as she prepared to lodge the paperwork.

'It's actually neither of these names on his birth certificate but we call him Husky,' she said

Keeping it a secret: Krystal added that while she wouldn't be sharing her baby's legal name with fans on social media, she was calling him Husky in the meantime

'I would love to know what your thoughts are. As you know, we have been tossing up whether we go with Husky or Huska.

'Still undecided, so I would love to know what you guys think.'

She then set up a poll for her 161,000 followers to vote on the name.

Krystal and her husband live in Cronulla and also share two older children, daughter Nakoda, two, and son Sunny, six.
Victoria's Secret model Kelly Gale regularly delights her fans by posting heart-racing bikini photos on social media.

And the 26-year-old turned up the heat on Tuesday by sharing a video to Instagram of herself flaunting her sensational physique in a floral two-piece.

In the Boomerang clip, she showcased her ample assets and washboard abs in the revealing swimwear.

'Another day in paradise!' Victoria's Secret model Kelly Gale turned up the heat in her latest Instagram post on Tuesday as she flaunted her toned physique in a tiny floral bikini

Her long, wavy brunette hair cascaded down her incredibly fit figure as she snapped a mirror selfie, and wrote in the caption: 'Another day in paradise.'

She followed this up with another clip, this time of herself sitting on a sun lounger and showing her followers her view of the sea.

'Just watching the dolphins play this morning,' the Swedish-Australian model added.

Bikini babe: She followed this up with another clip, this time of herself sitting on a sun lounger and showing her followers her view of the sea

It comes after her fans copped an eyeful of the catwalk queen when she went topless for a stunning beachside photo recently.

In the Instagram snap, she is seen lying on the beach with just her arms and hair covering her bare chest.

Kelly appeared to have just gone for a dip in the ocean before taking the picture.

Raunchy! It comes after her fans copped an eyeful of the catwalk queen when she went topless for a stunning beachside photo recently

Kelly has consistently denied undergoing a breast augmentation in the past.

She once again reiterated she'd never gone under the knife in January.

Responding to a fan on social media who asked: 'Boob job?' Kelly replied: 'False. They're big, they're real.'

'They're big, they're real': Kelly has consistently denied undergoing a breast augmentation in the past. She once again reiterated she'd never gone under the knife in January
The Kardashians will be 'evolving as a family' as they continue their next chapter on streaming service Hulu, according to momager Kris Jenner.

During a call at the Disney Upfronts on Tuesday, Kris, 65, discussed her decision to team up with the media company and what fans could expect from her famous family in their newest endeavor.

'Partnering with Disney was a no-brainer, we're huge Bachelor fans and I love American Idol,' she said about moving to the home of some of their favorite reality properties, according to Deadline.

Tease: Kris Jenner teased the family's massive move to streaming platform Hulu after Keeping Up with the Kardashians wraps its 20-season run on E!

'No-brainer': The 65-year-old momager called the surprising move a 'no-brainer' during a call at the Disney Upfronts to promote the family's new series on Tuesday

'Hulu is the perfect place for our new show since it's where you can currently catch up with every season of Keeping Up With The Kardashians,' the business mogul went on.

'Hulu feels like family and they immediately embraced the idea of a new show with such open and welcoming arms,' speaking about the content fans can expect from the reality television stars going forward.

Jenner mentioned that there will be a new series with both her and various members of the famous family, calling it 'the next chapter,' and said fans can expect a different version of them in the upcoming program.

'In the new show, you'll see us evolving as a family, fans want us to be who we are and since moment one, they've been emotionally invested in our show just like we are,' she revealed.

Moving: 'Partnering with Disney was a no-brainer, we're huge Bachelor fans and I love American Idol,' she said about moving to the home of some of their favorite reality properties

New show: 'Hulu feels like family and they immediately embraced the idea of a new show with such open and welcoming arms,' speaking about the content fans can expect from the reality television stars (here in 2016) going forward

'The fans will love seeing us continue the journey. I can't say much about what's coming but spoiler: we're going to look fabulous and everyone's going to watch,' Kris concluded about the show, which is expected to air later this year.

On December 10, it was announced the family had signed a new multi-year global content deal with Hulu/Star after completing their long-running reality series on E!, which first premiered in 2007.

The final season of Keeping Up with the Kardashians is currently airing after the family broke the news in September that it would be coming to an end.

The documentary-style series was co-created by Ryan Seacrest and catapulted the entire family to fame.

'Next chapter': Jenner mentioned that there will be a new series with both her and various members of the famous family (here in 2018), calling it 'the next chapter,' and said fans can expect a different version of them in the upcoming program

'Spoiler': 'The fans will love seeing us continue the journey. I can't say much about what's coming but spoiler: we're going to look fabulous and everyone's going to watch,' Kris concluded about the show, which is expected to air later this year; the gang is seen in 2019

'To our amazing fans - It is with heavy hearts that we've made the difficult decision as a family to say goodbye to Keeping Up with the Kardashians,' read Kim Kardashian's lengthy statement at the time of the announcement.

'After what will be 14 years, 20 seasons, hundreds of episodes and numerous spin-off shows, we are beyond grateful to all of you who've watched us for all of these years  through the good times, the bad times, the happiness, the tears, and the many relationships and children.

'We'll forever cherish the wonderful memories and countless people we've met along the way. Thank you to the thousands of individuals and businesses that have been a part of this experience,' the 40-year-old wrote.

She added: 'Most importantly, a very special thank you to Ryan Seacrest for believing in us, E! for being our partner, and our production team at Bunim/Murray, who've spent countless hours documenting our lives.

Shock announcement: On December 10, it was announced the family had signed a new multi-year global content deal with Hulu/Star after completing their long-running reality series on E!, which first premiered in 2007

'Our last season will air early next year in 2021. Without Keeping Up with The Kardashians, I wouldn't be where I am today. I am so incredibly grateful to everyone who has watched and supported me and my family these past 14 incredible years.

'This show made us who we are and I will be forever in debt to everyone who played a role in shaping our careers and changing our lives forever. With Love and Gratitude, Kim.'

In April last year, it was claimed the show had its lowing viewing figures which had sunk to under 900k. At its peak, 10.5 million viewers tuned in to watch Kim's ill-fated wedding to Kris Humphries in 2011.

Kim was teary in the first trailer for the current set of episodes, writing in a Tweet in January: 'I wouldn't leave you without some seriously ugly cry faces on our final 20th season of Keeping Up With The Kardashians.'
Dominic West's wife Catherine FitzGerald has reportedly banned screenings of his new drama The Pursuit of Love with Lily James from their home.

The actor, 51, was previously spotted cosying up to his co-star Lily, 32, while they were filming the BBC period drama in Rome in October.

While Dominic and Catherine, 49, stayed together after the scandal, The Sun reports that she is avoiding social media and any reports that could feature Lily's image in the show with Dominic or her new miniseries where she portrays Pamela Anderson.

Ban: Dominic West's wife Catherine FitzGerald has reportedly banned screenings of his new drama The Pursuit of Love with Lily James from their home

A source said: 'Catherine has been incredibly strong since the pictures of Dominic and Lily came to light.

'But now it feels like it's all coming back to her, with The Pursuit Of Love on TV and Lily filming as Pamela. Catherine is avoiding social media and any websites where she might see the pictures.

'No woman wants to see the woman her husband made a move on. But when that woman is as glamorous as Lily, it feels ten times worse. There is no Pursuit Of Love on in the background at their house on a Sunday evening, either. It's banned.'

The publication also reports that things have become more tense between Dominic and Catherine since The Pursuit of Love began airing on May 9.

Show: Catherine is reportedly avoiding social media and any reports that could feature Lily's image in tjhe show with Dominic (Lily pictured as Linda Radlett in The Pursuit of Love)

Scandal: The actor, 51, was previously spotted cosying up to his co-star Lily, 32, while they were filming the BBC period drama in Rome in October

The show follows the story of Linda Radlett - played by Lily - and her hunt to find love and marriage, while Dominic plays her Uncle Matthew.

It focuses on two best friends - Linda and Fanny - played by Emily Beecham - in the interwar years navigating their way in very different styles.

There have also been several images circulating of Lily in her latest role as Pamela Anderson in an upcoming miniseries depicting the model's relationship with rocker Tommy Lee.

The source added that Catherine is celebrating her 50th birthday this week and is trying to focus on that.

MailOnline has contacted representatives for Catherine FitzGerald, Dominic West and Lily James for comment.

New role: There have also been several images circulating of Lily in her latest role as Pamela Anderson in an upcoming film depicting the model's relationship with rocker Tommy Lee

In October, Lily and married Dominic were caught enjoying what appeared to be a racy weekend in Rome, leading to his wife assuring the public they were fine - but banning him from talking to the actress again.

The Pursuit Of Love was filmed between July and October last year, with Lily and Dominic's Italy trip taking place shortly after filming on the period drama wrapped.

While in the Italian city the duo were spotted putting on a very cosy display as they explored Rome and enjoyed lunch with their mutual agent Angharad Wood.

Following the snaps emerging, Dominic put on a public display of unity with Catherine, with the couple releasing a statement about their marriage.

It read: 'Our marriage is strong and we're very much still together.'

A source said: 'No woman wants to see the woman her husband made a move on. But when that woman is as glamorous as Lily, it feels ten times worse. There is no Pursuit Of Love on in the background at their house'

Catherine is also said to have banned Dominic from speaking with the actress as part of a peace deal struck between the couple, according to The Mail On Sunday.

Since the public scandal, Lily has found love with Queens of the Stone Age rocker Michael Shuman, 35, and has been pictured meeting his parents in the states.

She recently declined to discuss the media storm about Rome in an interview with The Guardian - but admitted there is in fact much to discuss, saying: 'Ach, I'm not really willing to talk about that. There is a lot to say, but not now, I'm afraid.'

Under orders: Catherine is said to have banned Dominic from speaking with Lily as part of a peace deal struck between the couple (Dominic and Catherine are pictured in 2015)

And ahead of The Pursuit Of Love airing, it was reported that Dominic is reportedly concerned that Lily might decide to speak out about their trip to Rome.

A source told The Sun that actor is worried that his co-star's side of the story 'could be very different from what he told his wife'.

MailOnline contacted Dominic West and Lily James' representatives for further comment at the time.
Warner Bros confirmed via Twitter that Dune will be released later this year simultaneously in theaters and on HBO Max.

Johanna Fuentes, head of communications at Warner Media, took to Twitter on Monday to clarify the release schedule for the highly anticipated sci-fi film due out on October 1.

'#Dune will premiere in theaters and on HBO Max on the same day in the US. (Source: Warner Bros.),' Fuentes tweeted along with a re-tweet of a post Monday by Discussing Film that read 'DUNE is no longer expected to go day and date on HBO Max. (Source: Deadline)'.

Simultaneous release: Warner Bros confirmed via Twitter that Dune with an ensemble cast featuring Timothee Chalamet and Rebecca Ferguson, shown filming in Jordan, will be released later this year simultaneously in theaters and on HBO Max

Deadline later updated its article published Monday to add a statement from Warner Bros. distribution chief Jeff Goldstein saying there had been 'no change' to the release plan for Dune and it will open in theaters the same day it arrives on HBO Max.

Dune director Denis Villeneuve, 53, last December blasted Warner Bros for its bombshell announcement that all of its 2021 movies would debut in theaters and on HBO Max simultaneously.

The French Canadian filmmaker wrote an op-ed for Variety in which he vented his frustrations over the major studio's move.

He wrote: 'Warner Bros.' sudden reversal from being a legacy home for filmmakers to the new era of complete disregard draws a clear line for me.'

The director: Dune director Denis Villeneuve, shown filming with Javier Bardem, was critical last year of Warner Bros when they announced the simultaneous release plan

Solid source: Johanna Fuentes, head of communications at Warner Media, took to Twitter on Monday to clarify the release schedule for the highly anticipated sci-fi film due out on October 1

'Filmmaking is a collaboration, reliant on the mutual trust of team work and Warner Bros. has declared they are no longer on the same team,' he added.

He also was critical of how images from Dune were used to promote the streaming service.

''With this decision AT&T has hijacked one of the most respectable and important studios in film history. There is absolutely no love for cinema, nor for the audience here,' he said.

Ensemble cast: Josh Brolin is shown as Gurney Halleck in a still from Dune

The upcoming Dune movie is an adaptation of the 1965 novel of the same name by Frank Herbert.

The ensemble cast includes: Timothee Chalamet, Zendaya, Rebecca Ferguson, Oscar Isaac, Josh Brolin, Stellan Skarsgard, Dave Bautista, Stephen McKinley Henderson, David Dastmalchian, Chang Chen, Sharon Duncan-Brewster, Charlotte Rampling and Jason Momoa.

Dune is scheduled to be released on October 1 by Warner Bros Pictures along with a month-long simultaneous release on HBO Max.
Extra Life: A Short History of Living Longer

Rating:

The Pact

Rating:

Thank you, Benjamin Rubin. The American microbiologist, born during World War I, is not one of the household names of medical history.

But without him, we might be getting our Covid jabs from a scary-looking pressure gun called a jet injector thats a bit like the business end of a petrol pump.

Im due for my second jab this morning, and I wouldnt be so keen if the treatment involved an aggressive monster pistol like something from a Terminator movie.

David Olusoga (pictured) and Steven Johnson shed light on the vaccination efforts by tracing the story of another bid to inoculate the world in Extra Life: A Short History of Living Longer

Fighting smallpox with vaccines, Rubin decided that a needle might be better than the aggressive jet injector that had, up to then, been used.

The only problem was smearing the tip of something so small with the right amount of vaccine.

His solution, as science writer Steven Johnson explained in Extra Life: A Short History Of Living Longer (BBC4), was to take a needle from a sewing machine and snip off half the eyelet.

Then, turning it upside-down, he now had a two-pronged needle  and one that could be loaded with a perfect dose of vaccine.

So simple, and so clever  and a move that changed the way we vaccinate for ever.

Johnson and his co-host, historian David Olusoga, shed fresh light on current global vaccination efforts by tracing the story of another bid to inoculate the world, one that began 300 years ago.

Steven Johnson (pictured) explores the history of the first immunity programme which can be traced back to Boston in the early 1700s on Extra Life: a Short History of Living Longer

They explained how the first immunity programme was inspired by a slave in Boston named Onesimus, in the early 1700s.

He told Cotton Mather, the Puritan minister whose captive he was, about an ancient African practice to ward off smallpox: a drop of diseased pus was smeared into a cut on a childs arm.

The Rev Mather tried to promote the treatment in Boston. The locals didnt like it and one threw a bomb through his window. Anti-vaxxers were a highly strung lot, even back then.

Although, in painting Mather as a pioneer, the presenters failed to mention his chief claim to notoriety . . . as the driving force behind the Salem witch trials.

Other smallpox crusaders were more laudable figures. Dr Larry Brilliant, of the World Health Organisation, became emotional as he described sitting with the last known smallpox patient on the planet, a girl in Bangladesh.

She survived and, as she began to recover, he knew he was watching a scourge of humanity become extinct.

The cast of The Pact which follows friends in the aftermath of a death caused by a drunk prank

Smallpox existed in Ancient Egypt, and in the 20th century it killed 300 million people  three times the death toll of both World Wars combined.

The thought that it has been eradicated brings hope that Covid can be wiped out, too.

To achieve that well have to work a bit harder than the ladies at the Welsh brewery in The Pact (BBC1).

They seem to do nothing but stand around in the car park or sit in the canteen.

When they are on the shop floor, they simply talk, while throwing anxious glances towards the upstairs office where their boss used to work.

Its quite understandable that theyre so distracted, though. They did dump him half-naked and comatose in the woods, and leave him to die, after all.

The second episode maintained the tension, and began to expose secrets in the womens lives.

It also delivered a perfect example of how to use classic pop to heighten the emotional power of a scene.

Anna (Laura Fraser) was almost too overwrought to breath, as she listened to Kate Bushs 1988 song, This Womans Work.

Pray God you can cope, sang Kate  Anna was transfixed.

Weve watched The Pursuit Of Love make a howling mess with mismatched soundtracks, so it was a treat to see it done well.
The agency said in a statement, "Through the continuous monitoring of the required targets of the terrorist ISIS gangs who arrest warrants were issued against under the supervision and field follow-up by the intelligence agent, the detachments of the Federal Intelligence and Investigations Agency at the Ministry of Interior were able to arrest six terrorists in separate areas of Kirkuk Governorate, "according to the Alsumaria network.

Adding that the terrorists are wanted according to the provisions of Article 4 (terrorism), because they belong to the ISIS terrorist gangs, and one of them worked in charge of the so-called pumps and burners and provided logistical and automatic support, as well as a fighter within the ranks of ISIS, and the second terrorist worked to provide logistical support to ISIS elements in Kirkuk, while the third terrorist was among the participants in the Speicher massacre, and the other three are wanted according to arrest warrants issued against them according to terrorism."

The statement added, "Their statements were recorded by confession and referred to the requesting parties."

J.O
Porsha Williams has been on defense mode since announcing her shocking engagement to Simon Guobadia, the estranged husband of her RHOA co-star Falynn.

The 39-year-old Real Housewives of Atlanta star denied pregnancy rumors and refused 'shotgun wedding' claims during an interview on Tuesday night's Dish Nation with co-host Gary Hayes.

'I'm not pregnant,' Williams insisted when Hayes asked about an Instagram photo where she posed in a skin-tight red outfit and her massive diamond engagement ring.

'I'm not pregnant,' Porsha Williams insisted when Hayes asked about an Instagram photo where she posed in a skin-tight red outfit while wearing her massive $1M diamond engagement ring

'Is this what you want, Gary? I'm not pregnant,' she continued. 'This is not a shotgun wedding.'

She noted that they were engaged on Thursday before Mother's Day with a 'very, very special' proposal, and was shocked by fans reactions to a photo with Simon and her ex, Dennis McKinley, who she shares two-year-old daughter PilarJhena.

'Dennis and myself and Simon  my fiance  were sitting there, and it was such a magical moment of just being grown adults and being mature and wanting to do the best thing,' she remembered. 'I was like, "Let's seal this moment with a picture and we posted it." And then I woke up and I was like, "What's happening? Why is everybody going crazy?"'

Reflecting on her month-long relationship, Williams said, 'I've been waiting for a love like this and God answered my prayers ... and I wasn't going to deny it when it was smacking me dead in my face.'

The 39-year-old Real Housewives of Atlanta star denied pregnancy rumors and refused 'shotgun wedding' claims during an interview on Tuesday night's Dish Nation with co-host Gary Hayes

So happy together: Porsha admitted that the proposal which happened before Mother's Day was 'very, very special'

Porsha denied reports her new fiance gave her the same engagement ring as his ex just hours after the couple confirmed their big news on Instagram.

The reality star took to Twitter to quell any rumors about the similarities in her massive diamond ring from her new beau and what he gave his ex, who reportedly filed for divorce from Porsha's co-star in January.

One fan noticed the similarities in bling between women and tweeted: 'That's the same ring his ex wife has it had,' while Porsha quickly put the noise to rest as she quoted the tweet and wrote: 'That's a lie.'

Falynn Guobadia broke her silence on Porsha's shocking engagement announcement to her estranged husband shortly after Williams shared the news.

'I want to thank everyone for reaching out to me and offering their love and support,' she said in a statement to DailyMail.com 'At this time, I am focusing on finalizing my divorce and healing. Sending positivity to all of you.'

Interesting: Porsha first sparked engagement speculation during her Mother's Day celebrations on Sunday as she shared a snap of with her hand placed on Simon's stomach with a massive diamond sparkler on her left ring finger, while standing alongside her ex-fiance, Dennis McKinley

Bling: Porsha's new ring appears to feature a 12 to 15 carat emerald cut stone, set in a classic four prong setting with a micro pave band, Andrew Brown, CEO of WP Diamonds, told Page Six

What's in a ring? Falynn's engagement ring looked eerily similar to Porsha's $1million sparkler

Simon and Falynn were married for nearly two years before announcing their intent to divorce last month, with Porsha noting the estranged couple actually split earlier this year.

Porsha explained to her 6.3million followers last week: 'For all of you that need facts, I get the optics but Simon filed for divorce from a previous marriage in January. I had nothing to do with their divorce filing. That's between the two of them.

'Falynn and I are not friends, and Simons divorce has been settled. Our relationship is a positive, loving step forward in everybodys lives.'

Porsha's new ring appears to feature a 12 to 15 carat emerald cut stone, set in a classic four prong setting with a micro pave band, Andrew Brown, CEO of WP Diamonds, told Page Six, and is valued at $1 million.

'Assuming the diamond is a high color and clarity, like F VVS (and it looks like it could be, from the photo on Simons Instagram!), a ring like this would be $1-1.25 million at retail,' he said.
Laura Dundovic works hard to maintain her gym-honed figure.

And on Tuesday, the 33-year-old model stunned as she showed off her sensational bikini body in a tiny two-piece.

Taking to Instagram, she shared behind-the-scenes pictures from a beachside photo shoot for Ark Swimwear at Ningaloo Reef in Western Australia.

Tangerine dream! Taking to Instagram on Tuesday, model Laura Dundovic shared behind-the-scenes pictures from a beachside photo shoot for Ark Swimwear at Ningaloo Reef in WA

In her first image, the makeup-free beauty revealed her slender figure and pert derriere as she glanced back at the camera.

She also shared photos of herself outside her trailer and on the sand dunes, wearing a neon orange bikini that drew attention to her ample assets and washboard abs.

Laura was joined on the shoot by her friends and fellow models Phoebe O'Hanlon, Dominique Elissa and Natalie Roser.

The former Miss Universe Australia wrote in the caption: 'Back on the west coast. Every time I come to this beautiful place I'm scared it could be my last time here because it's quite a mission to get to.'

'Feeling so blessed to be back in one of my favourite places in the world, with a team I love,' she added.

She's got it! She shared photos of herself outside her trailer and on the sand dunes, wearing a neon orange bikini that drew attention to her ample assets and washboard abs

On set: Laura was joined on the shoot by her friends and fellow models Phoebe O'Hanlon, Dominique Elissa and Natalie Roser

Bikini babes: Laura beamed for a photo with fellow model Dominique Elissa (left)

It comes after Laura revealed her favourite 'go-to' workout for when she's travelling and doesn't have access to a gym.

In a video shared to Instagram in January, she completed multiple exercises for her followers, including crab walks, banded squats and 'clamshells' with her feet raised.

'MY GO-TO. Here is my fav workout when I'm travelling and don't have access to a gym...' she captioned her post.

Sharing her secrets! It comes after Laura revealed her favourite 'go-to' workout for when she's travelling and doesn't have access to a gym. In a video, she completed multiple exercises for her followers, including crab walks, banded squats and 'clamshells' with her feet raised

Laura started off by completing 20 crab walks, before moving on to 20 banded squats with her heels raised and 20 clamshells with her feet raised on each side.

She then did 20 dead bug movements each side, before moving on to side planks, a 20-second plank hold and 20 ab curls with her feet raised.

Laura told her followers to complete this routine three to five times, depending on their level of fitness.
He's in Australia filming Thor: Love and Thunder, in which he plays the villain opposite leading man Chris Hemsworth.

But Christian Bale took a break from shooting on Tuesday to enjoy a day out in Sydney with his family.

The English actor, 47, was joined by his wife, Sibi Blazic, and their two children, Emmaline and Joseph, at Bondi Beach.

Family day out: Christian Bale took a break from shooting Thor: Love and Thunder on Tuesday to enjoy a day out in Sydney with his wife, Sibi Blazic, and their children, Emmaline and Joseph

The proud dad walked hand in hand with his son, while Sibi linked arms with her daughter as they strolled along the beach.

Christian wore navy pants and a matching jumper, which he teamed with black sneakers and a North Face backpack.

He later ditched the backpack for an evening run across the suburb.

Brood: The English actor, 47, was joined by his family at Bondi Beach

Chilly: Sibi, Emmaline and Joseph kept warm in puffer jackets as they wrapped up against the unseasonably cold weather

Meanwhile, Sibi, Emmaline and Joseph kept warm in puffer jackets as they wrapped up against the unseasonably cold weather.

At one stage, Christian was spotted with his wife as they stood by a parking meter.

The Batman star quietly touched down in Australia in October ahead of filming the upcoming Marvel sequel Thor: Love and Thunder.

Ensemble: Christian wore navy pants and a matching jumper, which he teamed with black sneakers and a North Face backpack

Park: At one stage, Christian was spotted with his wife as they stood by a parking meter

The fourth film in the Thor franchise has been shooting at a number of locations around Sydney, including Centennial Park.

Christian will play the villainous Gorr the God Butcher in the Taika Waititi-directed movie, which is scheduled for release on February 11, 2022.

Tessa Thompson, who plays Valkyrie in Thor: Love and Thunder, said last year Christian had been cast as a particularly malevolent character.

Jog: He later ditched the backpack for an evening run across the suburb

Where is he going? At one stage, he clambered up a stone wall next to the beach

Running man: The bald-headed actor dashed up the grass

New role: Christian is in Australia filming Thor: Love and Thunder, in which he plays the villain opposite leading man Chris Hemsworth

She told ET in October: 'Christian Bale is going to play our villain, which is going to be fantastic.

'I've read the script. I can't tell you much. Lots of exciting text messages exchanged between Natalie [Portman] and I.'

Tessa added of working with Taika Waititi, who previously directed Thor: Ragnarok: 'We're going to have fun.

'Taika is writing [and] directing. Some familiar faces. 'Some new people coming into the mix.'

Villain: Christian will play the villainous Gorr the God Butcher in the Taika Waititi-directed movie, which is scheduled for release on February 11, 2022

Location: The fourth film in the Thor franchise has been shooting at a number of locations around Sydney, including Centennial Park
Two-time Grammy nominee Halsey just revealed why the Sony Pictures movie 'loosely' based on her life and career, which was announced way back in 2018, never materialized.

'[Because my boyfriend Alev Aydin] was supposed to be writing it the past 3 years,' the expecting 26-year-old - who boasts 59.8M social media followers explained on Tuesday.

'And we slowly fell in love instead. You know the rest!'

Two-time Grammy nominee Halsey (pictured May 10) just revealed why the Sony Pictures movie 'loosely' based on her life and career, which was announced way back in 2018, never materialized

The Turkish 37-year-old replied to Halsey's tweet via Instastory: 'Sounds like a movie!'

Alev and the About-Face beauty founder will soon welcome their first child, and she gave fans an update on how the pregnancy was going on Monday.

'Me in 2019: "I'm tired and angry, but somebody should be,"' Halsey (born Ashley Frangipane) tweeted.

'Me in 2021: "I'm tired."'

The expecting 26-year-old tweeted Tuesday: '[Because my boyfriend Alev Aydin] was supposed to be writing it the past 3 years and we slowly fell in love instead. You know the rest!'

The Turkish 37-year-old replied to Halsey's tweet via Instastory: 'Sounds like a movie!'

Parents-to-be: Alev and the About-Face beauty founder (pictured May 3) will soon welcome their first child, and she gave fans an update on how the pregnancy was going on Monday

Halsey (born Ashley Frangipane) tweeted: 'Me in 2019: "I'm tired and angry, but somebody should be." Me in 2021: "I'm tired"'

The New Jersey-born pop star was first pictured with Aydin at a Lakers game in 2019, and they got matching 'seeds' tattoos on their feet in 2020.

The film buff's last gig was portraying a character called Guy in Paul Osborne's 2018 thriller Cruel Hearts.

Alev also co-created and wrote the eight-episode comedy series Small Shots, which premiered on Netflix back in 2017.

Before Aydin, Halsey previously romanced Evan Peters, Yungblud, G-Eazy, Machine Gun Kelly, and Lido.

Babydaddy: The New Jersey-born pop star was first pictured with Aydin at a Lakers game in 2019, and they got matching 'seeds' tattoos on their feet in 2020

Career hiatus? The film buff's last gig was portraying a character called Guy in Paul Osborne's 2018 thriller Cruel Hearts

The biracial, bisexual, and bipolar belter teased new songs about motherhood while accepting her songwriter of the year trophy during the virtual 2021 BMI Pop Awards on May 10.

'It is a very, very strange time in this world. Music is more important than ever. I am so grateful by the way Manic was received worldwide,' Halsey said in her acceptance speech.

'I'm super looking forward to where my musical journey takes me and the songs that I have yet to write and all the new things happening in life (touching bump) that I get to write about! Thank you guys so much.'

The I Would Leave Me If I Could poet penned four of the year's most performed songs - Nightmare, Graveyard, Be Kind, and You Should Be Sad.

Touching her baby bump: Halsey teased new songs about motherhood while accepting her songwriter of the year trophy during the virtual 2021 BMI Pop Awards on May 10
She's one of Australia's leading fitness influencers.

But on Wednesday, Rachael Finch took time out of her busy schedule to enjoy a sunny stroll with her four-year-old son Dominic in Sydney.

The former beauty queen, 32, shared a photo of Dominic riding a scooter along the path as they celebrated 'no daycare day'.

Fun in the sun with mum! Rachael Finch enjoyed a sunny stroll with her son Dominic in Sydney as she celebrated 'no daycare day' on Wednesday

'No daycare days rule,' Rachael captioned the sweet photo.

She shares her son Dominic and seven-year-old daughter Violet with her husband Michael Miziner.

Rachael met her husband on the 2010 season of Dancing with the Stars; he was her professional dance partner and she was a contestant.

The couple, who married in 2013, now balance parenthood with a burgeoning fitness empire.

Out and about: The former beauty queen, 32, shared a photo of Dominic riding a scooter along the path as they celebrated 'no daycare day'

In January, Rachael and Michael celebrated their wedding anniversary by sharing a video to Instagram in which they did a couple's quiz, hosted by Rachael's sister.

As Rachael and Michael sat on their bed, the model giggled as her sister fired off a series of questions.

Those questions included 'Who initiated the first kiss', and Rachael pointed to herself to indicate it was her.

Family: Rachael shares her son Dominic and seven-year-old daughter Violet with her husband Michael Miziner

Asked who was 'more patient', Michael said it was him, and he also said 'I love you' first. Michael likewise said he was the 'social butterfly' of the pair, but Rachael was more likely to get a tattoo.

Alongside the video, the beauty wrote: 'It's our wedding anniversary today. Married 8 years, together for 11. Feels like 5 minutes.'

'How did I get so lucky @mikemiziner? I couldn't imagine my life any other way,' she added.
She's become a popular influencer and brand ambassador since starring on the 2019 season of Love Island Australia.

And on Tuesday, Jessie Wynter attended the launch of a spin class called Infinite Cycle in Sydney's Waterloo.

The blonde bombshell, 24, showed off her cleavage, washboard stomach and lean legs in a pale blue crop top and matching booty shorts.

Trim and terrific: Love Island Australia star Jessie Wynter, 24, showed off her cleavage and abs in skimpy activewear at the launch of Infinite Cycle in Sydney on Tuesday

She teamed the ensemble with white sneakers and matching pulled-up socks.

Despite being put through a gruelling session by a former Soul Cycle instructor in the U.S., Jessie looked picture-perfect with a sleek ponytail and a radiant visage.

Following the early morning workout, Jessie headed to Jono Castano's Acero gym, where she filmed a booty workout for fans.

Looking good: The influencer drew attention to her washboard stomach and lean legs in the ensemble, which she teamed with white sneakers and matching pulled-up socks

Jessie explained that after 'months of feeling out of whack and inconsistently training', she was now back 'on the grind'.

'For me, one of the biggest barriers to getting back in to it was feeling self-conscious about the fact that I wasn't as fit or in shape as I'd been in the past,' she wrote.

'No one starts at the top. You have to work your way up. Appreciate yourself at your strongest and your weakest because every phase is all part of the journey.'

Bringing in the big guns: Jessie has enlisted the best in the business, Jono Castano (pictured), who currently trains Rita Ora and previously helped Rebel Wilson lose more than 30kg

Dedicated: Following her morning workout on Tuesday, Jessie detailed her workout at Acero gym, consisting of side clams with a booty band, banded glute bridges, and glute kickbacks

The toned star detailed her workout, consisting of side clams with a booty band, banded glute bridges, and glute kickbacks.

Jessie has enlisted the best in the business, Jono Castano, who currently trains Rita Ora and previously helped Rebel Wilson lose more than 30kg.

Rita arrived in Australia in February to film the 2021 season of The Voice, and has been regularly working up a sweat during gruelling gym sessions.
Delilah Hamlin sent temperatures soaring on Tuesday when she uploaded a slew of sultry lingerie snaps to Instagram.

The 22-year-old model flaunted her fit physique in a lacy pink bra and panty set by the London-based lingerie brand Boux Avenue.

'designed in London @bouxavenue #myboux #bouxavenue,' captioned Hamlin, who posed against a beige wall for the jaw-dropping shots.

Heating up! Delilah Hamlin sent temperatures soaring on Tuesday when she uploaded a slew of sultry lingerie snaps to Instagram

The pale tone of Delilah's bra and and high-legged panties proved to be the perfect contrast against her glowing tan.

She accessorized the bedroom-friendly getup with a pink puka shell necklace and two gold pendant chains.

The daughter of Lisa Rinna and Harry Hamlin wore her layered blonde tresses down and in a middle part.

For the first shot of her lingerie slideshow, Delilah posed with one arm behind her back, while the other rested on her hip.

Represent: The 22-year-old model flaunted her fit physique in a lacy pink bra and panty set by the London-based lingerie brand Boux Avenue

Soft look: The daughter of Lisa Rinna and Harry Hamlin wore her layered blonde tresses down and in a middle part

She gazed out of frame and crossed her legs to accentuate her already slender frame.

A follow-up snap showed Hamlin unclasping her bra and posing from behind, which gave her 1.4million followers a peek at her pert derriere.

For the final portrait - shared to her Instagram Story - Delilah placed both hands on her hips, leaned her head back, and pushed her chest out.

Residing next to her was a large arrangement of pink roses in a clear vase.

Pretty in pink: For the final portrait - shared to her Instagram Story - Delilah placed both hands on her hips, leaned her head back, and pushed her chest out

After wowing her Instagram following with her most recent modeling shots, Delilah opened up about her current struggle with 'jet lag' on her Instagram Story.

'my jet lag today was nuts been awake since 3:30 now it'd 8:45,' captioned the reality star, alongside a pouty mirror selfie.

She added: 'not me taking mirror selfies in the middle of the night.'

Opening up: After wowing her Instagram following with her most recent modeling shots, Delilah opened up about her current struggle with 'jet lag' on her Instagram Story

Sister act: Days prior to her promo post for Boux Avenue, Delilah's younger sister Amelia posed for the brand on her Instagram

Days prior to her promo post for Boux Avenue, Delilah's younger sister Amelia posed for the brand on her Instagram.

The 19-year-old modeled a sportier two piece in a muted purple shade, which required her to conceal her modesty with her hand due to the sheerness of the fabric.

'when your friends ask your eta and you say 5 mins...' she joked in the post's caption.

Famous family: Amelia and Delilah are the daughters of longtime lovers Lisa Rinna and Harry Hamlin, who became husband and wife back in 1997

Amelia and Delilah are the daughters of longtime lovers Lisa Rinna and Harry Hamlin, who became husband and wife back in 1997.

Hamlin also has a 41-year-old son Dimitri Alexander with ex Ursula Andress, 85.

Delilah's sister Amelia is romantically involved with Kourtney Kardashian's ex Scott Disick, 37, while Delilah is currently in a relationship with Love Island alum Eyal Booker, 24.
Chris Hemsworth has voiced his opposition to a resort and tourism development at Seven Mile Beach, a long stretch of coastline in the Byron Bay area.

The 37-year-old actor, who lives in a $30million mansion in Broken Head, 10km from Byron Bay, has thrown his support behind traditional custodians who want to stop the development because the land is sacred to Indigenous people.

Seven Mile Beach is located south of Broken Head towards Lennox Head, and there is a development application to build 27 new eco-tourist cabins on the land and a wellness facility at Linnaeus Estate.

'I fully support traditional custodians': Chris Hemsworth has voiced his opposition to a resort and tourism development at Seven Mile Beach, a stretch of coastline in the Byron Bay area

'I stand shoulder to shoulder, in solidarity with Aunty Lois Cook in opposition to the tourism development at Seven Mile Beach,' Chris said in a video shared with his 48.6 million Instagram followers, tagging the Friends of Seven Mile account.

'I fully support traditional custodians to be able to comfortably tell their people's stories, to preserve and protect their homelands,' he added.

'This proposed development would have a direct impact on these sacred and significant Indigenous sites.'

'I stand in solidarity with Aunty Lois Cook': The actor, who lives in a $30million mansion in Broken Head, 10km from Byron Bay, has thrown his support behind traditional custodians who want to stop the development because the land is sacred to Indigenous people

The cause of the uproar: Seven Mile Beach is located south of Broken Head towards Lennox Head, and there is a development application to build 27 new eco-tourist cabins on the land and a wellness facility at Linnaeus Estate (pictured)

He also shared a video of activist Lois Cook, a traditional custodian of Ngangbul Country in the Bundjalung Nation of eastern Australia who is backing the Friends of Seven Mile cause.

'I am shocked to hear the zoning had changed without consulting the community nor the Indigenous community,' Ms Cook said.

'We were promised this site would be used for educational purpose only... I do not endorse the development of this site.'

Activist: Lois Cook (pictured), a traditional custodian of Ngangbul Country in the Bundjalung Nation of eastern Australia, said 'We were promised this site would be used for educational purpose only... I do not endorse the development of this site'

Friends of Seven Mile is an environmental group urging people to 'take action' against the proposed development.

'Save one of the most wild and biologically diverse regions in Australia from commercialisation,' its website reads.

There deadline for objections made to the council is May 19.

Action group: Environmental group Friends of Seven Mile is urging people to 'take action' against the proposed development

Daily Mail Australia has contacted Linnaeus Estate for comment.

Byron News previously reported on the proposed development of the estate, after it was placed on public exhibition.

According to the publication, 'the applicant, BHCF Pty Ltd (Broken Head Coastal Foundation) is also seeking to change the permitted use of 14 "private education accommodation units" to become eco tourist units'.

Hemsworth is said to be 'wary' of the recent influx of Sydneysiders to Byron Bay, the coastal town he and his family have called home for seven years.

Wary: Hemsworth is said to be 'wary' of the recent influx of Sydneysiders to Byron Bay, the coastal town he and his family have called home for seven years. Pictured with wife Elsa Pataky

He expressed disapproval of city types flocking to the tourist hotspot during the Covid-19 pandemic, in February's edition of Men's Health Australia.

While Chris wasn't quoted directly on the subject, the journalist who interviewed him, Ben Jhoty, noted the actor's apparent 'wariness' of visitors.

As the conversation turned to the coronavirus pandemic and lockdowns, Mr Jhoty wrote: 'Of course, there are worse places to be locked down than Byron Bay. And like a good local, Chris was wary of the influx of visitors escaping Sydney last year.'

Chris relocated to Byron with his wife, Spanish actress Elsa Pataky, and their children, daughter India Rose, eight, and twin sons Sasha and Tristan, seven, in 2014.
Crocodile Dundee star Paul Hogan has declared war against the homeless community in his crime-stricken Los Angeles neighbourhood, as he continues to bunker down in his $3.5million mansion.

The reclusive Australian actor, 81, lives in the once-desirable beachside suburb of Venice, where crime and homelessness have spiked in recent months during the Covid-19 pandemic.

A masked Hogan sent a stern warning to the less fortunate on Sunday as he was pictured pinning a note to his front door that said: 'THIS IS MY HOUSE NOT YOURS.'

Over it: A masked Paul Hogan sent a stern warning to the the homeless community in his crime-stricken Los Angeles neighbourhood on Sunday by pinning a note to his front door that said: 'THIS IS MY HOUSE NOT YOURS'

Hogan, who said earlier this month he was 'desperately homesick' and wanted to return to Australia, attached the note to his door before making his way back inside.

He was dressed casually in a pair of blue jeans, a forest green sweater and a pair of New Balance sneakers.

Later that day, he left the residence - which locals have described as a 'fortress' - to pick up his 22-year-old son, Chance, who also lives with him.

Hogan lives in the once-elite beachside suburb of Venice, where a sudden increase in homelessness has resulted in a terrifying crime wave.

The world-famous beach community, 16 miles from downtown Los Angeles, has traditionally been a major tourism drawcard for the Californian city; however, now the palm trees and promenade are blighted by hundreds of tents.

Hogan and Chance have been stuck inside the mansion for months amid the recent wave of crime and homelessness in the area.

Los Angeles has been ravaged by its homeless crisis, with the number of homeless people rising steadily from around 40,000 in 2011, to around 66,000 at the latest count in January 2020.

Residents around the famed Venice boardwalk are demanding action from the authorities saying it has been turned into a large, 'dangerous' homeless encampment and has been hit by a spate of violent incidents.

On April 28, a man survived a shooting and recently there was a fire inside one of the encampments dotting Ocean Front Walk.

Get out: Hogan attached the note to his door before making his way back inside

Hard to miss: The note was stuck next to Hogan's garage door and was written in red marker

Local residents have been upset over the recent incidents, which have happened amid the expansion of local encampments.

'Where Paul lives in hell on earth,' Hogan's neighbour Tyler Proctor, a local politician, recently told Woman's Day magazine.

'His house is like a fortress and it needs to be. I can see why [he] wants to move out,' Mr Proctor added.

Local Kevin Buttress, 32, who owns the Xquisite Barber Lounge in LA, told Fox News he was attacked in November by a pit bull owned by a homeless person and was knocked out with a skateboard.

'Ive given a lot of myself to the community of Venice Beach,' said Buttress. 'And to see everything just fall to pieces, its messed up.'

During the Covid-19 pandemic, around 200 tents have been erected on the boardwalk according to local residents.

'Venices world famous beach and boardwalk are crippled,' hundreds of locals said in a letter pleading for help from city and county officials.

'Local children are refusing to come to the beach because theyre frightened by what theyve witnessed. Seniors who live on or near the boardwalk are terrified of walking in their own neighborhoods.'

Tent city: The world-famous beach community, 16 miles from downtown Los Angeles, has traditionally been a major tourism drawcard for the Californian city. However, now the palm trees and promenade are blighted by hundreds of tents

The world-famous beach community, 16 miles from downtown Los Angeles, has traditionally been a major tourism drawcard for the Californian city.

However, now the palm trees and promenade are blighted by hundreds of tents.

Venice Neighbourhood Council member Soledad Ursua said the homeless encampments had exploded during the COVID-19 lockdowns.

She said residents were afraid to be out after dark, and there were fights several times a day and shootings and stabbings on a weekly basis.

'It's just a very dangerous time to be a Venice resident right now,' she said.

Hogan moved to the United States permanently in 2005, after growing up in Granville in Sydney's western suburbs.

Safety first: The Crocodile Dundee star made sure to wear a protective face mask

Taking aim: The note was aimed at the homeless vagrants that have taken over Venice

The Flipper star wants to return to Australia to escape Los Angeles, but has said he couldn't possibly survive two weeks of hotel quarantine.

'I can't wait for this stupid disease to go away so I can get out,' Hogan revealed on the News Corp podcast Evenin' Viewers in October.

'I'm like a kangaroo in a Russian zoo - I don't belong here.'

Man on a mission: Hogan later left the premises to go pick up his son Chance

During an interview with Sunrise last week, a glum-looking Hogan spoke about his miserable life in crime-ravaged LA during the coronavirus pandemic.

He revealed he was 'desperate' to return to Australia and leave his life in America behind.

'I am desperately homesick,' he said during a video chat from his home.

According to figures from the Los Angeles Police Department provided to the Venice Neighbourhood Council, the violent robberies in the neighbourhood are up 177 per cent from last year.

The same period has also seen a 162 per cent increase in cases of assault with a deadly weapon involving a homeless person.

Casual: He was dressed casually in a pair of blue denim jeans and a leather jacket

Insalubrious: 'Where Paul lives in hell on earth,' Hogan's neighbour Tyler Proctor, a local politician, recently told Woman's Day magazine

When asked how he was coping with Los Angeles' recent crime wave, Paul simply said he 'doesn't go anywhere'.

'[I'm] bored in lockdown, and the minute I can get on the plane without being locked in a hotel for two weeks, I'm back,' he said.

However, he failed to win any sympathy from Australians when he told Sunrise hosts David 'Kochie' Koch and Natalie Barr he 'wouldn't survive' hotel quarantine.

'My son [Chance] would have to be with me... we'd strangle each other,' he said.

Moving: A Venice Beach local in a blue hooded sweatshirt moved a chair down the street

Walking: They walked past some dumpsters which were covered in graffiti

Searching: Another local checked a nearby dumpster while wearing medical gloves

Viewers flocked to Twitter to share their thoughts on Hogan's 'entitled' attitude, with one writing: 'Quarantine like everyone else... or stay in America.'

Another tweeted: 'Wants to come back but won't do hotel quarantine. He's not that desperate then if he won't follow the rules.'

Over Sunrise's Facebook page, many fans shared the same sentiments.

One furious Aussie commented: 'Quarantine like every other human being. You're not special.'

'He can't be that desperate if he won't quarantine for two weeks,' another wrote, while a third added: 'He said it! Bored and sick of being locked down! That's the only reason he wants to come to Australia.'

I'm outta here! Hogan had a stern expression as he drove down the street

Shady: He kept a low profile by hiding behind a pair of dark sunglasses

Several viewers pointed out that Hogan had chosen LA as his home many years ago, and only wanted to return to Australia because of Covid-19.

'He is home, he lives there, so what is he homesick about?' one critic asked.

Another pointed out: 'He said it! Bored and sick of being locked down! That's the only reason he wants to come to Australia.

'If Covid wasn't there you would not want to come here. Stay where you are. That's your home that you made.'

Chip off the old block! Hogan's son, Chance, was also spotted outside the LA mansion

Casual: Despite his father's wealth, Chance was dressed down in sweatpants and a jumper

Pals: The 22-year-old was joined by a friend, who had his hair styled in dreadlocks

However, some fans sided with the 'elderly' actor.

'Lot of mean people here. He is an elderly 81 year old fella obviously homesick. A bit of compassion wouldn't hurt,' one supporter wrote on Facebook.

'Why can't he come home? Every other person is flying in here! Get on a plane, Hoges,' another added.

Homesick: During an interview with Sunrise last week, a glum-looking Hogan spoke about his miserable life in crime-ravaged LA during the coronavirus pandemic

Terrifying situation: It comes as residents of Venice say soaring crime rates and the exploding homeless population have made life in the elite beachside community unbearable

'You're living in the country, alongside New Zealand, that's the light of the world,' Hogan told the presenters.

'And I'm living in LA County, which is 10 million people and half of them have got Covid. So am I homesick? You bet your life,' he complained.

Hogan has been married three times, twice to Noelene Edwards - with whom he has five children - and most recently to former actress Linda Kozlowski - with whom he shares his son Chance.

Hogan and Kozlowski, who met when acting together on Crocodile Dundee, divorced in 2014 with Kozlowski citing 'irreconcilable differences'.

It was reported that Linda married her new partner Moulay Hafid Baba in 2017, after the pair were spotted wearing matching gold wedding bands.

Mr Baba is a Moroccan tour guide and the couple started their own business together called Dream My Destiny, which provides tours for tourists and location scouting for films.
Charlize Theron and Kerry Washington are seen in new shots taken on the set of School for Good and Evil, an upcoming fantasy movie to air on Netflix.

The film's director Paul Feig on Tuesday shared a shot between the A-listers from the set of the movie in Belfast, Northern Ireland.

In the image, Washington donned a shimmering grey gown, while Theron wore a black dress with black boots and her hair dyed red.

Coming soon: Kerry Washington, 44, Paul Feig, 58, and Charlize Theron, 45, were seen Tuesday in new shots taken on the set of School for Good and Evil, an upcoming fantasy movie to air on Netflix

'First look at Lady Lesso and Professor Dovey of the #SchoolForGoodAndEvil, apparently hanging with the swing choir teacher of good and evil,' Feig, 58, said in the caption of the post. 'Everyday with these two awesome powerhouses is a true joy.'

He added the hashtags, #solucky and #timeofmylife to the post.

Theron, 45, shared extra shots in costume from the filming, writing, 'Ain't no rest for the EVIL,' with a devil emoji, adding, 'Can't wait for you all to meet Lady Lesso.'

Washington, 44, on her page, wore a gold ensemble with blonde hair and ornate necklaces and rings.

Golden: Washington wore a gold ensemble with blonde hair and ornate necklaces and rings

On set: Theron shared extra shots in costume from the filming the movie

'More GOODness to come,' said the beauty, who plays the role of Professor Dovey in the film.

Washington in March told People she was 'super excited' to be in the movie.

'It's a fantasy land, so I'm actually having a lot of fun thinking about what the nails will look like for that character!' she said.

The film also stars Laurence Fishburne, Michelle Yeoh, Sofia Wylie and Kit Young.

It's based on the work of author Soman Chainani and set in the fictional background of Endless Woods, as kids are taught to be good or evil. Chainani's work in the series hit the New York Times bestseller list upon its release in 2013, and has gone on to sell more than 2.5 million copies.
Ellen DeGeneres announced last week she would be ending her long-running talk show after 19 seasons, following a highly publicised toxic workplace scandal.

And on Wednesday, one of Ellen's most famous guests revealed what the TV host was really like behind the scenes.

Child star Rosie McClelland - one half of the British duo Sophia Grace and Rosie - told KIIS FM she didn't have a bad word to say about the 63-year-old.

'We never had any negative experiences': Child star Rosie McClelland has revealed what Ellen DeGeneres was really like behind the scenes, as the 63-year-old TV host wraps up her talk show after 19 seasons

The 14-year-old rose to fame with her cousin Sophia Grace Brownlee in 2011 when they performed Super Bass by Nicki Minaj on the Ellen show.

'We never had any negative experiences; they were all positive,' Rosie told The Kyle and Jackie O Show.

'Ellen and the crew, they treated us with respect, kindness and positivity.'

'They were always so nice to us. We never had any negative actions toward us,' she added.

Remember them? The 14-year-old rose to fame with her cousin Sophia Grace Brownlee in 2011 when they performed Super Bass by Nicki Minaj on the Ellen show. Pictured in 2012

Good times: 'We never had any negative experiences, they were all positive,' Rosie told The Kyle and Jackie O Show on Wednesday

Elsewhere in the interview, Rosie admitted she and her older cousin had gone their 'own ways'.

She explained: 'Me and Sophia, we're cousins, and Sophia's gone her own way and I've gone my own way.'

Rosie is pursing a pop music career, while Sophia runs her own clothing brand.

Radio host Kyle Sandilands asked if they had 'fallen out', but Rosie insisted this wasn't the case.

'We still see each other,' she said.

'We haven't fallen out. We're like best friends, I see her all the time because she is my cousin. I see her on special occasions like birthdays.

Memories: 'Ellen and the crew, they treated us with respect, kindness and positivity. They were always so nice to us. We never had any negative actions toward us,' she added. Sophia Grace and Rosie are pictured here meeting Nicki Minaj on The Ellen DeGeneres show

Different paths: Rosie also admitted she and her cousin had gone their separate ways. Pictured together on March 29, 2014, in Los Angeles

Growing up: 'Sophia's gone her own way and I've gone my own way,' she said. Rosie (right) is pursing a pop music career, while Sophia (left) runs her own clothing brand

Kyle then asked if they would appear on Ellen's final season of her talk show.

'I really hope we [do],' she said, 'But if we're not, we still have all the memories to look back on.'

Her appearance on KIIS FM comes after she spoke about her experience with Ellen on Channel Nine's Today Extra last week.

Media rounds: Rosie's appearance on KIIS FM comes after she spoke about her experience with Ellen on Channel Nine's Today Extra last week

'I wasn't that nervous as I was five years old, but now I realise how much of a big deal it was,' she said of her performances on the Ellen show.

'My favourite parts were when we were running around backstage. It was so much fun,' she added.

Rosie then spoke about her bond with her 18-year-old cousin Sophia Grace.

'I always see Sophia because she's my cousin, and I absolutely love her and always see her at special events, family events,' she said.

Sophia Grace now has her own clothing brand called LoLo London and boasts more than 1.3 million followers on Instagram.
She is married to one of Hollywood's highest-paid stars, and has plenty of money in the bank herself.

But actress Elsa Pataky opted for a budget flight on Wednesday as she jetted from Sydney to Byron Bay after wrapping production on her latest movie.

The glamorous wife of Chris Hemsworth blended in with other passengers as she checked into a Jetstar flight that cost her just $87.

Low-key departure: Actress Elsa Pataky returned to Byron Bay on an $87 budget flight on Wednesday, after wrapping production on Netflix action film Interceptor in Sydney

She kept a low profile in dark sunglasses as she boarded the flight at Sydney Airport.

Elsa, 44, dressed casually in burnt orange pants and a pink wool shirt, which she teamed with comfortable sneakers and several gold bracelets.

The Fast and the Furious star slung a colourful backpack over her right shoulder and also carried her belongings in a black duffle bag.

She had previously been commuting from Sydney to Byron Bay via private jet with her husband while they both worked on projects in the Harbour City.

Flying on a budget: The glamorous wife of Chris Hemsworth blended in with other passengers as she checked into a Jetstar flight

Looking like a local! The 44-year-old kept a low profile in sunglasses as she boarded the flight

Chris is preparing to shoot a Mad Max sequel, and is also in the middle of filming Thor: Love and Thunder.

Meanwhile, Elsa just finished up her starring role in Netflix action movie Interceptor, which wrapped production last week.

She plays a soldier who must save the world when 16 nuclear missiles are launched at the United States.

Casual: Elsa dressed casually for the flight in burnt orange pants and a pink wool shirt

Comfort: She teamed her ensemble with comfortable sneakers and several gold bracelets

She has her hands full! The Fast and the Furious star slung a colourful backpack over her right shoulder and also carried her belongings in a black duffle bag

She stars alongside Kathy Morgan, Christopher Mapp, Robert Slaviero and former Home and Away star Luke Bracey.

Her husband, Chris, is producing the action film alongside Kathy Morgan, Christopher Mapp, Robert Slaviero and Peter D. Graves.

Chris isn't expected to act in the movie, instead settling for a behind-the-scenes role.

Luxury travel: She had previously been commuting from Sydney to Byron Bay via private jet with her husband while they both worked on projects in the Harbour City

That's a wrap! Elsa just finished up her starring role in Netflix action movie Interceptor, which wrapped production last week

The couple moved to Byron 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.

Lead role: She plays a soldier who must save the world when 16 nuclear missiles are launched at the United States

Home: Elsa and her husband, Chris, moved to Byron Bay with their children, daughter India Rose, eight, and twin sons Sasha and Tristan, seven, in 2014
Shanna Moakler claims that she divorced husband Travis Barker after she 'caught' him 'having an affair' with Kim Kardashian.

The model, 46, split from Travis, 45, in 2006 and after a brief reconciliation they finalised their divorce in 2008.

Now Shanna claims it was her husband's infidelity that prompted her to sign the papers, telling Us Weekly: 'I divorced my ex because, I saw them  I caught them having an affair.'

Travis is currently dating Kim's elder sister Kourtney, while Kim is in the midst of divorcing her husband Kanye West.

Caught? Shanna Moakler claims that she divorced ex husband Travis Barker after she 'caught' him 'having an affair' with Kim Kardashian; Shanna pictured in 2014

Shanna added that she 'saw text messages' between the pair and alleged the 'affair' took place before Keeping Up With The Kardashians premiered in 2007.

Travis famously filed for divorce from Shanna in 2006, after just two years of marriage, after claiming that she had been unfaithful towards him.

Shanna claimed mutual friends of the trio told her of the alleged affair, stating 'they sent me all their [text] conversations and I'm also close friends with people who were there, while things were happening.'

According to Shanna's timeline, Kim was still working alongside Paris Hilton as her 'closet organizer' when she first came in contact with Travis.

She said: '[Travis] had already had an affair with Paris Hilton. And at the time Kim was Paris' closet organizer, they were best friends. And he started using [Kim] as a model for [his clothing company], Famous Stars and Straps'.

Allegations: Shanna added that she 'saw text messages' between Kim and Travis (pictured in 2007) and alleged the 'affair' took place before Keeping Up With The Kardashians premiered

She added that she had asked her former husband to 'not to use' Kim as a model due to her direct ties to Paris, and that she and Travis had been 'working on our marriage and trying to heal through that affair', that but he continued to work with Kim despite her wishes.

Shanna continued: 'Then I received all the text messages and the other third parties kind of let me know. It's something I was well aware of.'

Travis previously referenced his infatuation with Kim in his 2015 memoir Can I Say: Living Large, Cheating Death, and Drums, Drums, Drums.

He referred to Kim as Paris' 'closet girl', as he discussed their interactions in the early Noughties.

He penned: 'I kept on secretly checking out Kim, telling Lil Chris, "I don't care if she's the closet girl, she's f***ing hot"'.

Rocky: The model, 46, split from Travis, 45, in 2006 and after a brief reconciliation they finalised their divorce in 2008 (pictured together in 2007)

Despite finding Kim attractive, Travis wrote that he 'wanted to be nothing but a gentleman to her' and that he 'never touched' the reality star, even after enjoying a few one-on-one meals together.

Yet Shanna insisted to Us Weekly that Travis '100 percent' lied in his memoir about 'never' hooking up with Kim.

DailyMail.com has contacted Kim and Travis' representatives for comment.

Although Shanna is certain something romantic occurred between the pair, a source close to the Kardashian clan told Page Six on Tuesday that 'Travis and Kim have never had a romantic relationship.'

The insider stressed that Kim and Travis 'were friends who met through Paris Hilton and that is also how Kourtney and Travis were introduced.'

Humble beginnings: According to Moakler's timeline, Kim was still working alongside Paris Hilton as her 'closet organizer' when she first came in contact with Travis (pictured in 2006)

Claims that Kim had an affair with Travis are not new, with Aubrey O'Day posting about the alleged infidelity back in July 2020.

In a lengthy Instagram post at the time, Aubrey penned: 'I was bffs with Kim Kardashian during a fourth [of July]. She was hooking up with Travis Barker and we were at his house.. he was really dope.

'Shanna his ex (who I love) supposedly was threatening to slash [Kims] tires (sorry girl but that was funny s**t, I would have too) so they asked her to park her car somewhere else.

'We took off and went to some bs celeb Malibu parties where [Kim] desired to be photographed, and I had to run around house after house in an uncomfortable dress and high heels to appease that. She got all her photos with celebrities accomplished and we headed back to Calabasas.

Throwback: Claims that Kim had an affair with Travis are not new, with Aubrey O'Day posting about the alleged infidelity back in July 2020 (pictured together in 2007)

Speaking out: Aubrey claimed there had been an incident last year in a lengthy Instagram post

Aubrey continued: 'I was super annoyed that we had to do all of that because I absolutely LOVE fireworks and I have always been in memorable places watching them every year. Because we had to chase clout extra hard we got on [the] freeway late and ended up in her Range Rover as the fireworks started.

'I obviously would never tell her I was annoyed AF, because youre not allowed to if you want to be bffs with her. So I asked her if she could pull off the road so we could get out and just experience (SOMETHING REAL) the fireworks.

'And she did. And we sat on this plot of grass watching them and all I remember feeling is relieved to see the beauty of them.

'And she turned to me and said: you know last year on the fourth I was on a yacht with Paris Hilton in the middle of some remote beautiful place  and this year Im sitting on a plot of grass in calabasas with you. Hahahaha. I was like, oh.. cool. [sic]'

Speaking out: Shanna's allegations about Travis and Kim come just days after her daughter Alabama, whom she shares with the drummer, accused her of being an 'absent mom'

Travis is currently romantically involved with Kim's eldest sister Kourtney, 42, which Shanna voiced some obvious distaste for to Us Weekly.

'He is dating [Kim's] sister now, so I think that would be really weird,' said Shanna, before stating that she 'didn't even know Kourtney existed' at the time of her suspicions about Travis and Kim.

Although things appear to be going strong between Travis and Kourtney, Shanna insisted that she has 'no desire' to speak with the POOSH founder.

'Stop painting her out to be amazing': Alabama shared what appeared to be a screenshot of a message from Shanna to someone unknown and shared her thoughts in the caption

Shanna's allegations about Travis and Kim come just days after her daughter Alabama, whom she shares with the drummer, accused her of being an 'absent mom'.

The 15-year-old took to Instagram to speak out after her mother Shanna commented on Travis' new relationship with Kourtney and the Kim affair claims.

Alabama shared what appeared to be a screenshot of a message from Shanna to someone unknown, and wrote in the caption: 'Everybody thinks my mother is amazing, Matthew is nothing but awful to her not only that but he cheats on her.

Shanna has been dating model and actor Matthew Rondeau on and off in recent months.

He has been criticized for never posting photos of the mother-of-three on his social media while Shanna regularly documents their romantic escapades.

'My mom has never completely been in my life, can you guys stop painting her out to be an amazing mom. Did your mom ask to see you on Mother's Day cause mine didn't? I'm done keeping a secret, reality shows.' Alabama added.

Doing her own thing: The 15-year-old hit back after Shanna made claims that dad Travis controls her social media and that she gets blamed for daughter's 'sexualization'

'I control my Instagram': Alabama said in response to Shanna's claims

In Shanna's message, the model said: 'I divorced Travis because I caught him having an affair with Kim! Now he's in love with her sister...It's all gross...I'm not the bad guy!'

She also claimed that Travis controls Alabama's social media and that she 'gets blamed for [Alabama's] sexualization'.

'How does a father allow her to act like that and do lives at 4am? With men twice her age...' she wrote.

Making it permanent: Travis is now dating Kourtney Kardashian and the couple have been showing off their romance on social media

Shanna and Travis' other child, son Landon, 17, then waded in to say Shanna could be more involved in their lives.

Responding to a TikTok commentator who implied that he and his sibling were siding with their father, Landon replied: 'Actually, if you weren't such a dumb**s, you would realize our mom has never been in our lives and isn't in our lives like our dad is.'

On April 16, Landon also called Shanna and Matthew the 'most on and off relationship ever' and told his mother, 'You can do so much better' in comments under one of her posts featuring her younger beau.

He then commented on a photo of Travis and girlfriend Kourtney nearly two weeks later and called the couple's romance 'True love' on April 28.

'Our mom has never been in our lives and isn't in our lives like our dad is': Alabama's brother Landon also recently commented on social media

Shanna and Travis were married from October 2004 to 2006 and once had their own reality show, Meet The Barkers, which documented their everyday life with their kids. Shanna also has 22-year-old daughter Atiana with ex partner Oscar De La Hoya.

In response to Alabama's claims, Shanna was asked why her kids spend more time with their father in an Instagram Q&A.

'Because he lives behind two gates, has a mega mansion and is cooler than me.' she replied. 'LOL, we have shared custody but our kids are older. We are very close.'



'Matthew is nothing but awful to her not only that but he cheats on her': Alabama said of her mom's younger beau (pictured together)

It comes after Shanna spoke to People about Travis' PDA with girlfriend Kourtney.

'I'm very much over my ex,' the actress, 46, told the site. 'It's been a long time. However, do I think some of the PDA that he's doing with her is weird? [Yes].'

Not only that, but Shanna pointed out some similarities between Travis' new romance with Kourtney and their former marriage.

'The movie, True Romance, that I feel like they've been bonding over was the theme of our wedding. Our daughter's named after the character in the movie. Flying banners overhead like we did on Meet the Barkers. Stuff like that... I just think it's weird,' Shanna told the site.

Travis got a True Romance inspired tattoo on his leg back in March, and the couple regularly quote the movie in their social media comments. More recently Travis had a plane fly a banner wishing Kourtney a happy birthday.

'My kids seem to really like her and her family, so that's key,' Shanna told People.
She has been filming her new ITV2 dating show, Ready To Mingle, in Devon.

But Katherine Ryan took time away from the camera as she enjoyed a romantic date night with her husband Bobby Kootstra on Tuesday.

The comedian, 37, took to Instagram to share a loved-up snap of the pair, after a scenic drive through the countryside earlier in the day.

Loved-up: Katherine Ryan took time away from the camera as she enjoyed a romantic date night with her husband Bobby Kootstra in Devon on Tuesday

Katherine looked gorgeous in a plunging green chiffon dress which was adorned with metallic polka dots.

She wore a statement headband and gold earrings to complement the dress.

Posing next to Bobby, who was casually-clad in a lilac T-shirt, the Canadian actress wrote: 'My love' alongside a slew of emoticons.

Katherine has been filming Ready To Mingle which follows a single girl in search for her perfect match- with the twist being that not all 12 male suitors are single.

Out and about: The comedian, 37, took to Instagram to share a loved-up snap of the pair, after a scenic drive through the countryside earlier in the day

Katherine and Bobby began dating as teenagers and reunited after 20 years before tying the knot in 2019.

The comedian has an 11-year-old daughter Violet from a previous relationship.

Last week, Katherine revealed Netflix have decided not to renew her show The Duchess while speaking on Vicky Pattison's The Secret To podcast.

The sitcom, which tells the story of a single mother living in London who considers having another baby with her enemy and the father of her daughter Olive, was axed because 'not enough people watched it'.

She said: 'Netflix didn't want to make any more, not enough people watched it.

'I think something like 10 million people watched it in 28 days and that wasn't enough. But also, I'm not terribly sad about it.

'I feel like it's a whole lot of work, a whole lot of time to make a sitcom. I was so grateful to able to make it, but I think it speaks for itself. I kind of like the way it ended.'
HBO is already looking ahead to the fall awards season and the Emmys.

And on Tuesday night, the premium network hosted a For Your Consideration drive-in event to promote its horror series Lovecraft Country.

Stars Jurnee Smollett and Jonathan Majors as well as showrunner Misha Green were on hand to welcome the invited guests to the screening of an episode at Pasadena's Rose Bowl.

Trio: Jurnee Smollett and Jonathan Majors joined showrunner Misha Green for a special screening of Lovecraft Country for Emmy voters at Pasadena's Rose Bowl Tuesday

Smollett, 34, put on a show in a ra-ra skirt and thigh-high white boots.

She paired the cream skirt with a white shirt and an oversized shiny gold blazer.

The actress styled her hair in a sleek bob with a center parting and accessorized with several necklaces.

Sizzling: Smollett, 34, put on a show in a ra-ra skirt and thigh-high white boots. She paired the cream skirt with a white shirt and an oversized shiny gold blazer

Center of attention: The actress styled her hair in a sleek bob with a center parting and accessorized with several necklaces

Casual style: Majors, 31, paired a green t-shirt and gray chinos with a blue denim jacket with brown collar and cuffs. He completed his look with black shoes and a red knit beanie

Majors, 31, opted for a more low-key ensemble.

He paired a green t-shirt and gray chinos with a blue denim jacket with brown collar and cuffs.

He completed his look with black shoes and a red knit beanie.

Writer, director and producer Green went with double denim, pairing a long-sleeve shirt with baggy jeans.

Relaxed: Writer, director and producer Green went with double denim, pairing a long-sleeve shirt with baggy jeans

Horror story: Lovecraft Country premiered in August 2020 and centers on a young black man who travels across the segregated 1950s United States in search of his missing father

Lovecraft Country premiered on August 16, 2020, on HBO.

Billed as a continuation of Matt Ruff's 2016 novel of the same name, the series centers on a young black man Atticus Freeman (Majors) who travels across the segregated 1950s United States in search of his missing father.

He's accompanied by his best friend, photographer Letitia (Smollett) and along the way they encounter not only Jim Crow racism but alsso dark secrets and terrifying monsters.
She's expecting her second child with husband Pasha Kovalev later this year.

And Rachel Riley proudly displayed her blossoming bump on Tuesday as she headed home after a day of filming for 8 Out Of 10 Cats Does Countdown in Manchester.

The presenter, 35, looked radiant in the comfy ensemble as she donned a face shield to make her exit after a day of filming.

Glowing! Rachel Riley proudly displayed her blossoming bump on Tuesday as she headed home after a day of filming for 8 Out Of 10 Cats Does Countdown in Manchester

Rachel highlighted her blossoming bump in the form-fitting one piece with the classic leopard print as she strolled out of the Channel 4 studio.

The maths guru finished the look with simple cream trainers with her essentials in a black wheeled suitcase.

It comes as Rachel remains in the midst of a libel battle against a pro-Jeremy Corbyn blogger who called her a 'serial abuser' and blamed her for the death threats sent to a 16-year-old girl on Twitter.

Looking good: The presenter looked radiant in the comfy ensemble as she donned a face shield to make her exit after a day of filming

Rachel sued Mike Sivier, who published an article on his website Vox Political in January 2019 with the headline: 'Serial abuser Rachel Riley to receive 'extra protection' - on grounds that she is receiving abuse.'

Sivier defended what he had published, arguing that it was 'substantially true', honest opinion, and a matter of public interest.

But a High Court judge ruled in favour of Rachel and struck out Sivier's defences in January this year. Justice Collins Rice concluded that he had 'no prospect' of succeeding at a trial.

Baby news: In April Rachel announced that she was expecting her second child with husband Pasha Kovalev

However Sivier launched an appeal against the ruling, and on Friday won the latest round in the legal battle, after three Court of Appeal judges ruled that Sivier's public interest defence should be assessed at a trial.

In April Rachel announced that she was expecting her second child with husband Pasha, posting another playful Countdown conundrum hinting at her baby news.

With the titles spelling out the phrase 'Fitt Riley' Rachel asked her fans to guess what the correct word would be, with many quickly guessing it must be 'Fertility'.

Rachel's caption read: 'A special teatime teaser! And your clure is Riley had this to thank for the reason her clothes no longer fit her

'And it'll only get worse till Autumn! Happy, happy days for our little family @pashakovalev and future big sister Mave.'

Rachel then shared a selfie of her growing bump in the midst of filming for Countdown, writing: 'Nice being able to breathe again at work! No more stomach holding in, phew.'
With filming underway on Byron Baes, the Netflix reality TV series has become mired in yet another controversy.

Several of the show's cast members have had 'notable acting experience' according to the Gold Coast Bulletin on Wednesday.

According to the outlet's sources, the show is 'all contrived' with other cast members also receiving acting lessons in the lead up to the 'reality' series.

Byron Baes: Several of the show's cast members have had 'notable acting experience' according to the Gold Coast Bulletin on Wednesday. Rumoured participants Elias Chigros [L] and Hannah Brauer [R] pictured

Rumoured participants Elias Chigros and Hannah Brauer are both described as 'actors' in their Starnow profiles.

Brauer's profile claims her acting experience began 'at the age of 8' and cites starring roles in plays, two short films and a web series titled Who Killed Jessica Lane?

Elias' profile meanwhile claims he's 'done a number of commercials in Australia and some minor roles in TV and [wishes] to gain more involvement in acting in Australia and abroad'.

However, a production source has denied that the new Australian series is fake, saying 'there is absolutely no truth to this claim'.

Experience: Another of the show's stars Jade Kevin Foster [pictured] is signed to talent agency Stage Addiction, which represents everyone from film and TV stars to podcasters

This follows the reality TV series' last controversy, for not consulting local Indigenous groups or the Byron Council before filming.

According to independent newspaper Echo, the Byron Council 'passed an urgency motion' that would require producers to get permission before any further filming.

Speaking to the paper, independent Councillor Cate Coorey said: 'We need to stand up for our community.'

Backlash: Netflix's upcoming reality show Byron Baes has sparked more controversy, this time for not consulting local Indigenous groups or the Byron Council before filming

'They havent sought clearances, they havent considered the relevant stakeholders, and so far weve seen no consultation, and yet filming has gone ahead,' she added.

Producers may now be forced to seek permission before any further filming can take place, which includes filming on both private property or public spaces.

Not mincing words, Deputy Mayor Sarah Ndiaye said: 'This corporation, Netflix, has basically come in and s**t on us.'

While the Council have kicked up a fuss, the Byron Baes production could fall into the Ultra Low Impact category as outlined in the Local Government Filming Protocol.

Ultra Low Impact means there are ten or less people in the cast and crew. If Byron Baes meets this requirement, then they would not require filming permits from the Council.

Daily Mail Australia has reached out to Byron Baes' production company Eureka Productions for comment.

Not mincing words, Deputy Mayor Sarah Ndiaye said: 'This corporation, Netflix, has basically come in and shat on us.' (Pictured: Influencers Ruby Tuesday Matthews and Saskia Wotton)

A potential Byron Baes cast member recently slammed the Netflix show just days after a rumoured cast list was leaked, saying he 'felt embarrassed' to be associated with the program.

Billy Otto confirmed on Instagram that he had nothing to do with the 'docu-soap series' which outraged locals before filming even began.

The musician shared a photo of himself at the beach holding an anti-Byron Baes poster, and explained in the caption why he'd decided to pull out.

Billy, whose name appeared in The Daily Telegraph's leaked cast list, said he did not believe the show would be a 'true representation of the soul of Byron'.

In addition to saying the Netflix production 'doesn't align' with his personal values, he also claimed it did not receive blessing from the local Indigenous Elders.

'Yep, I feel embarrassed to have been associated with this show,' he said.

'Yep, I feel embarrassed': Billy Otto confirmed on Instagram that he had nothing to do with the 'docu-soap series' which outraged locals before filming even began.

Billy explained he'd initially agreed to join the show after a casting producer had expressed an interest in his music and advocacy for men's mental health.

Billy claims it wasn't until later that he learned what the show was really about.

'I began to understand later the true nature of the program, and it became clear to me that I didn't align with the ethos of the show... I don't believe that the world needs a show like this right now,' he said.

He said he wanted to help preserve the ecology of the Bryon region and didn't support the 'hyper-gentrification' of the area.

Uncovered: Billy's powerful message to Netflix comes after the Byron Baes cast members were revealed by The Daily Telegraph earlier this week. Pictured: Elias Chigros

Billy suggested that Netflix ditch their show about 'influencers' and instead make a more thoughtful series 'working alongside Bundjalung Elders and capturing the dreamers, creatives and custodians that help make this place special'.

Billy's powerful message to Netflix comes after the Byron Baes cast members were revealed by The Daily Telegraph earlier this week.

Joining the cast are former reality stars Nathan Favro, from The Bachelorette, and Elias Chigros, from Love Island Australia.

Coming soon: The controversial new series will feature a variety of local influencers, including Elle Watson

Co-creative director of local boutique BISQUE Hannah Brauer will also appear, alongside Byron Bay 'It couple' Dave Frim and Saskia Wotton.

Others in the cast include investment company employee Elle Watson, influencer Jade Kevin Foster and spiritualistic therapist Simba Ali.

Rounding out the cast is Kyle Sandilands' former assistant-turned-manager Alex Reid, fashion designer Jess Bell and her model sister Lauren.
He credited the Covid lockdown with making his relationship even stronger.

And Eyal Booker looked truly smitten with Delilah Belle Hamlin as they celebrated their two-year anniversary with a romantic weekend away.

Taking to Instagram on Wednesday, Love Island star Eyal, 25, shared a gushing post about his other half, 22, as he detailed their stay at the Chewton Glen Hotel & Spa in Hampshire, England.

Couples who strip off together! Eyal Booker looked truly smitten with Delilah Belle Hamlin as they celebrated their two-year anniversary with a romantic weekend away

Alongside a montage of snaps, he penned: 'We had the most beautiful staycation. Thank you @chewtonglen

'Submersed in nature staying in one of the treehouses. Jacuzzi on our balcony. Way too much cheese & wine. Forest walks that turned into beach walks and spending quality time with the person I love @delilahbelle

'This staycation market a milestone in our relationship & I couldnt have wished for a better place to spend it.

'Peace & Love  [sic]'.

Cute couple: Taking to Instagram on Wednesday, Eyal, 25, shared a gushing post about his other half, 22, as he detailed their stay at the Chewton Glen Hotel & Spa in Hampshire

Sweet: Eyal gushed over 'spending quality time with the person I love' as he spoke about their romantic country getaway

In the snaps, Eyal could be seen showing off his muscular figure as he enjoyed a dip in a hot tub on their terrace.

The couple also enjoyed plenty of country walks, with the pair cuddling up together for snaps.

Delilah also took to Instagram to share some scantily clad snaps, posing in a skimpy pink lingerie set that sent her followers wild.

Eyal certainly approved, captioning the snap with a rocket emoji.

Looking good: In the snaps, Eyal could be seen showing off his muscular figure as he enjoyed a dip in a hot tub on their terrace

Eyal found fame on the 2018 series of Love Island and started dating Delilah, in May 2019, after she slid into his DMs.

The couple declared their love for one another after just six months of dating and juggled a long-distance relationship at first before becoming inseparable.

The couple returned to London earlier this year after spending the coronavirus lockdown in Los Angeles with Delilah's family.

Sizzling: Delilah also took to Instagram to share some scantily clad snaps, posing in a skimpy pink lingerie set that sent her followers wild

The pair shared an insight into their long-distance relationship while speaking to the New York City-based fashion magazine Paper last month.

Eyal admitted: 'COVID was going to either make or break mine and Delilah's relationship, and we weren't always sure if we would be able to see each other and spend time with each other but somehow we managed to get through it, make it work and come out even stronger.'

He continued: 'COVID is not over yet, but we've made it this far and that's pretty special to me considering at the beginning we weren't sure how we would navigate through it.'
Charlotte Crosby turned 31 in style on Tuesday as she enjoyed a fun go-karting day with her boyfriend Liam Beaumont and Geordie Shore co-stars in Sunderland.

The reality star, whose birthday is on 17 May, looked incredible as she went braless in a tiny white mini dress as she packed on the PDA with her videographer beau, 31.

Charlotte was joined by her best friends, mother Letitia and former Geordie Shore co-stars, including the likes of Sophie Kasaei, Abbie Holborn, Bethan Kershaw, Nathan Henry, Aaron Chalmers and Scott T.

Birthday girl! Charlotte Crosby turned 31 in style on Tuesday as she enjoyed a fun go-karting day with her boyfriend Liam Beaumont and Geordie Shore co-stars in Sunderland

The reality star enjoyed a fun go-karting session with her friends before getting glammed up for an outdoor dinner, which was sheltered with wood decking.

Charlotte looked every inch the birthday girl as she put on a leggy display in a tiny white mini dress with ruched sides.

The reality star layered the look with an oversized grey blazer-style jacket and knee-high nude snakeskin boots.

Charlotte styled her brunette locks into a blow-dried hairdo, she added a slick of glamorous make-up.

Smitten: The reality star, whose birthday is on 17 May, looked incredible as she went braless in a tiny white mini dress as she packed on the PDA with her videographer beau, 31

Such fun! Charlotte was joined by her best friends, mother Letitia and former Geordie Shore co-stars, including the likes of Sophie Kasaei, Abbie Holborn, Bethan Kershaw, Nathan Henry, Aaron Chalmers and Scott T

Mwah! The reality star couldn't resist packing on the PDA with Liam during the fun day as they shared several passionate kisses

The influencer couldn't resist packing on the PDA with her boyfriend Liam as they walked hand-in-hand after sharing a passionate kiss while go-karting.

Earlier in the day, Charlotte showcased her toned figure in a khaki green crop top and matching leggings set.

She finished the look with white trainers, adorned with hot pink details, and gold jewellery.

Elsewhere, Charlotte's best friend Sophie, 31, looked effortlessly cool as she arrived at the venue in an all-black velvet combo with an oversized denim bomber jacket over the top.

Glamorous: The reality star enjoyed a fun go-karting session with her friends before getting glammed up for an outdoor dinner, which was sheltered with wood decking

Gorgeous: Charlotte looked every inch the birthday girl as she put on a leggy display in a tiny white mini dress with ruched sides

Finishing touches: The reality star layered the look with an oversized grey blazer-style jacket and knee-high nude snakeskin boots

Beauty: Charlotte styled her brunette locks into a blow-dried hairdo, she added a slick of glamorous make-up

While Abbie, 23, displayed her toned torso in a black crop top and matching leggings with a padded jacket over the top.

Charlotte and her friends also documented the day on Instagram with Sophie sweetly sharing a group shot, adding the captions: 'The squad reunite - HBD @charlottegshore' and 'absolute squad goals right there' followed by a heart emoji.

The reality star and boyfriend Liam started dating in early 2020 after meeting in Dubai during their respective vacations.

Last month, Charlotte admitted that lockdown had impacted her 'wild' sex life with her videographer beau.

Loved-up: The influencer couldn't resist packing on the PDA with her boyfriend Liam as they walked hand-in-hand after sharing a passionate kiss while go-karting

Handsome: Liam looked handsome in a black T-shirt and ripped skinny jeans

Birthday girl: Charlotte appeared in great spirits during her fun birthday party

Loved ones: The reality star's best friend Sophie and mother Letitia pictured

The former Geordie Shore star said that they used to have 'fireworks' in the bedroom but now they struggle to make the effort to be intimate after spending so much time together.

Speaking on her podcast, Values & Vibrators, with fellow reality stars Sophie and Holly Hagan, she said: 'Me and Liam, when we first met and had sex, we were wild. Oh my god, there was fireworks honestly.

'There was all sorts going on. But now mine and Liam's sex in a relationship is okay when we can be bothered. But it's very much just bleurgh.'

Getting ready! Charlotte was seen putting on an animated display as she fastened her helmet

Ready to go! The couple wore black jumpsuits and protective helmets

Celebrating! The duo appeared in great spirits as they shared a passionate kiss

Sweet: The couple couldn't resist showering each other in love and affection

Toned: Earlier in the day, Charlotte showcased her toned figure in a khaki green crop top and matching leggings set

Holly, 28, who is engaged to Jacob Blyth, agreed as she responded: 'When you spend so much time together, you've got to think that we've been in lockdown for so long together now.

'At the beginning of mine and Jacob's relationship, we had all of the toys out all the time in the front room.'

Charlotte's boyfriend moved in with her earlier in lockdown, which she confirmed has negatively impacted their bedroom antics.

She responded: 'Ive got to agree with you, once you see each other every single day and youre just stuck together, there is no reason to have sex.

Thumbs up! Charlotte gave a fun thumbs up ahead of zipping around the course

Selfie time! The influencer, who has 7.1 million followers, was able to stop for a quick selfie

On your marks, get set, go! Charlotte was seen in her go-karting vehicle

Happy: Scott T appeared in great spirits as he reunited with his former co-stars

'Before we moved in together we would have sex every time we saw each other because we hadnt seen each other for a little while but that doesnt happen anymore.'

Charlotte also dropped the bombshell that she has never 'made love' with Liam. She explained: 'Ive never made love with Liam I dont think. Weve never had slow sex where we go "I love you, I love you".

The Geordie Shore veteran has been focusing on her new podcast after she took to Instagram last month to say she was 'appalled' by a Channel 5 documentary critiquing her history of plastic surgery.

The station removed the documentary Celebrities: What's Happened To Your Face? from its streaming service after backlash from Charlotte and her fans online.

Stylish: Elsewhere, Charlotte's best friend Sophie, 31, looked effortlessly cool as she arrived at the venue in an all-black velvet combo with an oversized denim bomber jacket over the top

Ab fab! While Abbie, 23, displayed her toned torso in a black crop top and matching leggings with a padded jacket over the top

Sex life: Last month, Charlotte admitted that lockdown had impacted her 'wild' sex life with her videographer beau

The documentary, which was produced by Crackit Productions, aired on April 22 and received 7,082 Ofcom complaints between then and April 28.

What's Happened To Your Face? was the most complained about show that week, beating out Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's Oprah interview which only received 246 that week and 6,449 since it was released in March.

MailOnline contacted representatives for Channel 5, Crackit Productions and Ofcom for comment.

And in a statement shared with MailOnline, a spokesperson confirmed the show had been taken down and that they 'apologise for any upset caused'.

The spokesperson said: 'Channel 5 and the programmes producers, Crackit Productions, take duty of care very seriously.

'While we acknowledge that the programme was OFCOM compliant, we have taken on board Charlottes feedback and removed the episode from our streaming platform My5. We apologise for any upset caused.'
Montana Brown has admitted that she was 'crippled' by anxiety following her stint in the Love Island villa.

The reality star, 25, who appeared on the ITV2 series in 2017, detailed how contestants 'struggled to adjust to reality' after the show, and was even too scared to leave the house alone.

Montana added that she would 'never blame' Love Island bosses for many of its stars' struggles with mental health, but did say that the rise to fame 'proved difficult.'

Challenging: Montana Brown has admitted that she was 'crippled' by anxiety following her stint in the Love Island villa

Speaking to new! magazine, Montana discussed her own battles with anxiety for Mental Health Awareness Week after her own appearance in the Love Island villa.

She said: 'No one can say they didn;t know what they are getting themselves into because we've seen it happen to so many people.

'It's no secret that people coming off that show struggle to adjust to reality. I had such bad anxiety and paranoia. I felt crippled by it. I didn't ever go anywhere alone.'

Open: The reality star, 25, who appeared on the ITV2 series in 2017 (pictured), detailed how contestants 'struggled to adjust to reality' after the show

She said that she can understand why some stars of the show can find the pressure of being in the spotlight difficult, after her co-star and close friend Mike Thalassitis tragically took his own life in March 2019.

'I would never blame Love Island for these things. But what's difficult is the change in lifestyle. It's the change in income, friendship groups and expectations. You go from a nine-to-five job, to not having a rigid schedule,' Montana added.

The star also revealed she's been having therapy and counselling, and has begun training as a crisis practitioner for the mental health charity SHOUT.

During the interview Montana also discussed her blossoming romance with boyfriend Mark O'Connor, admitting that she wasn't planning on dating again following her split Elliott Reeder, but connected with the rugby plater in lockdown.

Last week Montana discussed her own secret battle with depression after Mike's tragic death, admitting she was plagued with thoughts of whether she could have 'saved him.'

Difficult: Last week Montana discussed her own secret battle with depression after her co-star and friend Mike Thalassitis' tragic death

She told The Sun: 'Losing Mike was the trigger. I used to wake up and feel like my heart was aching because I was so unbelievably sad.

'Losing someone to suicide is up there with one of the worst ways to lose somebody because you are always left with the feeling you could have saved them in some way.

'I felt so guilty. He had messaged me a couple of days before and I hadn't responded, thinking I'd ring him at the weekend. I kept thinking "what if I could have saved him?"'

Montana added she 'ostracised' herself from family and friends while struggling with her depression, and had little motivation to go outside or even eat.

Mike was found hanged in a park in March 2019 - after friends revealed he had been 'in a dark place' in the months leading up to his death.

It was reported earlier this year that Love Island bosses ramped up psychological testing in the search to find the next batch of singletons, after the tragic deaths of Mike, Sophie Gradon and host Caroline Flack.

Sophie took her own life aged 32 back in June 2018 after appearing on season two of the show two years prior. Her heartbroken boyfriend Aaron Armstrong took his own life just 20 days later aged 25.

RIP: Mike tragically took his own life at the age of 26 on 15 March 2019 (pictured in 2018) after friends revealed he had been 'in a dark place' in the months leading up to his death

In December 2019, Caroline left her role presenting the show in the wake of her arrest over an alleged assault on her boyfriend Lewis Burton.

The presenter was found dead at her home in Stoke Newington, London, on February 15, 2020, aged 40. She too had taken her own life.

The Sun claimed once past the audition stage, potential islanders will undergo three rounds of testing to ensure they will be able to cope with starring on the ITV2 show and the subsequent fame afterwards.

The publication also stated stringent measures now require the cast to provide their doctors' details and list and medications they are taking.

The insider added that singletons will be closely monitored with support provided to those anyone who needs it.

For confidential support or advice call the Samaritans on 116 123 for free or visit www.samaritans.org.
Since the impact of the new crown epidemic in 2020, the expectation of a recovery in global demand has continued to drive up commodity prices. At the same time, the Fed has not substantially tightened its operations, and the overseas financial system is still very liquid. Driven by the mismatch of supply and demand and loose liquidity, after the "May 1st" holiday, the bulk commodity market set off a new wave of price increases. It is worth noting that since the beginning of this year, iron ore, rebar, and coking coal have all reached record highs in related major contracts, and varieties such as Shanghai zinc have also reached their price highs this year.

According to traders, the price of port iron ore PB powder reached 1,650 yuan/ton, an increase of 50 yuan/ton from the 9th, and an increase of 550 yuan/ton from the beginning of April, in just one month. The time increase reached 50%.

In addition to iron ore, scrap steel is also an important raw material for smelting steel. In the case of tight iron ore supply, only on the morning of the 10th, iron and steel plants in East China increased the purchase price of scrap steel by more than 300 yuan per ton. The current quotation to steel mills has broken 4000 yuan/ton. At the beginning of April, it was only 3,100 yuan and 3,200 yuan per ton. One ton rose by about 700 yuan and 800 yuan. The price was adjusted 4 times on the 9th, almost 30 yuan, 50 yuan upward. Counting from this year low, the price of scrap has increased by more than 50%, reaching the highest point in history.

At present, the price of spot steel has surpassed the historical high point in 2008, and many major contracts in the futures market have daily limit, and the major contract of Shanghai Futures Exchange hot-rolled coil was closed at the daily limit as soon as it opened. On May 10, the average price of 25mm third-grade rebar in key domestic cities was 6,100 yuan/ton, an increase of 389 yuan/ton from the previous day. In May, a cumulative increase of 791 yuan/ton, an increase of 15.2%; an increase of 1,028 yuan/ton from the same period last month, an increase of 20.3%; the price directly surpassed the historical high of 5,897 yuan/ton in 2008, setting a record high.

Since entering May, many listed companies such as Anada and Lomon Baili have raised the sales price of titanium dioxide. At the same time, more than 20 titanium dioxide companies such as Shandong Dongjia and Haifengxin have successively issued letters to announce the increase. Since the beginning of the year, titanium dioxide has been increased for 5 rounds. The domestic price has increased by up to 4900 yuan/ton, and the international price has increased by up to 730 US dollars/ton. At present, the price of rutile titanium dioxide is 20,500-22,000 yuan/ton, and some companies are quoting as high as 23,000 yuan/ton, which is a new high in the history of titanium dioxide.

Affected by Cement, sand and gravel, steel, coal, and mineral powder set off a price increase,the nano diamond market is changing rapidly. These changes are indicators of market growth.This year-on-year upward trend in the market indicates that the next November 2020-2026 will show an oval but steady growth.If you are looking for nano diamond or buy nano diamond in bulk,please send an email to: sales@ozbo.com

The price of nano diamond continues to be affected by factors such as market growth momentum,various opportunities and challenges.However,during the forecast period from 2020 to 2026,the global nano diamond sales market is expected to continue to be above average.The growth rate will continue to increase.It is expected that from today to next week,the price of nano diamond will increase to a certain extent.

Due to changes in consumer demand,import and export conditions,and various investigations on the development of nano diamond,the cost of nano diamond is constantly changing.Taking into account the current market macroeconomic parameters, value chain analysis,channel partners,demand and supply,the cost of nano diamond will also be affected to a certain extent.It is estimated that the cost of nano diamond will increase slightly from today to next week.

However,Ozbo.com provides high purity Nano nano diamond with steady price.In order to feedback to old customers,the company is still in full operations to provide nano diamond with competitive price.said Olina,sales manager of Ozbo.com.

About Ozbo.com

Ozbo.com (aka.Tanki New Materials Co.Ltd.) is a trusted global chemical material supplier & manufacturer with over 12 years experience in providing super high-quality chemicals and Nanomaterials.As a leading nanotechnology development and nano diamond manufacturer,Tanki New Materials Co.Ltd dominates the market.Our professional work team provides perfect solutions to help improve the efficiency of various industries,create value,and easily cope with various challenges.If you are looking for nano diamond, please send an email to: sales@ozbo.com
She often shares memories and tributes to her late actor father Richard Beckinsale who died 42 years ago.

And Kate Beckinsale remembered him again with a sweet gesture on Instagram on Tuesday.

She had initially posted a snap of herself smiling, marking the end of filming her latest project.

'Smiling side by side': Kate Beckinsale [R] remembered her late father Richard [L before his death in 1979] with a sweet gesture on Instagram on Tuesday, posting mirroring snaps of them both smiling

Kate, 47, then added another upload of her dad, who tragically died as a young man of 31.

The snap of Richard saw him looking off-camera and smiling, much like his daughter in her photograph.

The father and daughter both flashed the same grin in the mirroring snaps.

Kate captioned her first post: 'We are coming close to the end of the shoot for our show #guiltyparty for @paramountplus and @cbstvstudios - lovely cast, lovely crew, lovely directors and show runner and amazing surprise weekend kangaroos!'

Wrapping things up: She had initially posted a snap of herself smiling, marking the end of filming her latest project

Family resemblance: The snap of Richard saw him looking off-camera and smiling, much like his daughter in her photograph. The father and daughter both flashed the same grin in the mirroring snaps

She then added, underneath the photo of Richard: 'Just wanted to post this so we are smiling side by side in my feed.

'The best part is hes looking at me, actually, in his photo. So happy to carry on the family smile '

Davina McCall - whose own father is currently battling Alzheimer's - posted underneath: 'Awwww he was so handsome  and he was look at you! Thats so lovely!'

Kate was just five when she lost her dad - who was a household name with starring roles in classic sitcoms Rising Damp and Porridge. He died of a heart attack at the family's Berkshire home in 1979.

Kiss and tell! Kate was marking the end of filming Guilty Party - and excitedly revealed there were cute kangaroos on set over the weekend

She cradled baby kangaroos and pretended to kiss their handler, adding: 'I don't even know this man'

Kate often takes Father's Day as an opportunity to reflect on the sudden loss of her dad, offering her support to those coping with the annual celebration without their parent.

In 2019, she posted a series of throwbacks and dismissed the notion that 'children are resilient' by sharing an image of her five-year-old self next to her mother Judy Loe on the day of her dad's memorial service.

Taking to Instagram, the Underworld star wrote: 'Don't be fooled by ''children are resilient''. This is my mother and me attending the 'celebration of life ' memorial service for my dad. I look fine. I was shattered, heartbroken and shocked.

She penned: 'We are coming close to the end of the shoot for our show #guiltyparty for @paramountplus and @cbstvstudios - lovely cast, lovely crew, lovely directors and show runner and amazing surprise weekend kangaroos!'

Remembering: Kate often takes Father's Day as an opportunity to reflect on the sudden loss of her dad, offering her support to those coping with the annual celebration without their parent. In 2019, she shared this image of her five-year-old self next to her mother Judy Loe on her dad's memorial service

'Every time Father's Day comes around I remember my father with such love and longing, and I remember the deep shame, loneliness and self loathing when I was excused from aged 5 onwards from making Father's Day cards at school.

'I didn't know anyone else who had lost a parent and there was no number to call to find advice on how to support grieving children. @kelliauerbachsent me her article about losing both her parents before the age of 20.

'It's moving and beautifully written and I really advise reading it,if Father's Day (or Mother's Day ) is a painful issue for you or your children.

Taking to Instagram in 2019, the Underworld star wrote: 'Don't be fooled by ''children are resilient'''

Happy Father's Day: The actress also paid tribute to her stepfather and television director Roy Battersby

Candid: The Underworld star, reflected on the sudden death of her father and offered her support to those coping with the annual celebration without their parent

'The amount of shame children carry for having a dead parent is astonishing. Resources such as the National Alliance for Grieving Children at childrengrieve.org in the US and Winston's wish at winstonswish.org in the UK give invaluable support to kids in this position, at a time when the rest of the family are grieving themselves.

'Big hugs to everyone who feels like shit as this lovely holiday comes around . You may not be able to buy a card . You're in the Dead Fathers Club that none of us wanted to join and yet here we all are. I'm glad we have each other . Love to all xx.'

In another post Kate shared a throwback image of her younger self stood in front of her dad as he holds a parrot as with the caption: 'There has never been anyone like you. Happy Father's Day.'

Following the moving photos Kate also paid tribute to her stepfather Roy Battersby who married Kate's mum Judie in 1997, 18 years after her father's death.

Acting legend: Last month the actress paid tribute to her dad on the 40th anniversary of his death by sharing a montage of shots from his legendary roles on 70s sitcoms Porridge and Rising Damp

Porridge: Richard made his debut in Coronation Street in 1969, before going on to star in the BBC sitcom Porridge (pictured, with co-stars Ronnie Barker and Fulton Mackay)

On Instagram she wrote: 'Thank you for taking on a hurt little girl and giving her confidence in her intelligence by immediately treating her as an equal .

'And for all the laughs and love ,and for going to war together on all the bad shit, always. Happy Father's Day Roy.'

In March 2019, the actress paid tribute to her dad on the 40th anniversary of his death by posting a series of snaps of his iconic TV roles.

On Instagram, she wrote: '40 years is a lot of missing. Thank you so much to everyone who has been kind. Lots of love xx #march19.'

Richard made his acting debut in the much-loved British soap Coronation Street in 1969 before going on to star in the Granada sitcom The Lovers and the BBC sitcom Porridge.

Mother and daughter: The actress was previously in a long-term romance with fellow actor Michael Sheen and they share a daughter Lily, 19

He died in his sleep from a heart attack, which was later revealed to be a congenital defect.

Of losing her father, the Hollywood actress said in 2013: 'It was a terrible loss. It's so weird as a five-year-old to look out in the street and see people reading the paper and crying while you're crying and your mum is crying and your granny's crying.

'Even though it was the worst loss that I have experienced I was able to share it with people who genuinely, even if they didn't know him, really seemed to love him.

'I feel not many people are in that position  to have lost somebody and also to feel like that's something really relevant to other people.'
Married At First Sight star Ning Surasiang is gaining a reputation as the world's hottest grandma at just 35.

But the reality star melted hearts when she switched back to mum mode on Wednesday as she wished her youngest daughter Kobi, 10, a happy birthday.

The Townsville bombshell took to Instagram to share a photo of herself alongside two of her children: Kai, six, and Kobi.

Mum mode: World's hottest granny Ning Surasiang, 35, wished her daughter a happy birthday in a sweet tribute shared to Instagram on Wednesday. Here: Kai, six, and Kobi, now 10

The trio were seen smiling as they stood behind balloons which read '10'.

'Happy double digits my gorgeous girl,' she wrote. She added the hashtags birthday girl and double digits.

The star's nearly 270,000 followers were keen to wish Kobi a happy birthday.

Sweet: 'Happy double digits my gorgeous girl,' Ning wrote. The star's nearly 270,000 followers were keen to wish Kobi a happy birthday

Ning certainly turned heads when she shared a raunchy photo of herself in a lacy bra and G-string earlier this week.

The TV star's slender legs and incredible bottom were on show in the racy lingerie as she posed seductively against a window.

In February, Ning confirmed the happy news that her eldest daughter Kia, 18, had given birth to a gorgeous baby girl.

Is she the world's hottest granny? Ning showed-off her incredible figure in a lacy bra and G-string underwear in a saucy Instagram snap last Sunday

Ning, who appeared on season six of MAFS in 2019, shared several photos to Instagram of Kia with her newborn in hospital.

She wrote: 'So very proud of my oldest daughter, who did something I wasn't able to ever do.'

'Thank you for having me with you to witness the most incredible, beautiful and raw experience called childbirth,' she added.

Blossoming: In February, Ning confirmed the happy news that her eldest daughter Kia, 18, had given birth to a gorgeous baby girl

'Watching your baby have a baby was an emotional experience for all of us, but you kicked a**e!'

She went on to say that Kia was 'one tough cookie', then added: 'Words can not describe how proud I am of you.

'You didn't complain, not once you said you couldn't do it. Not even one curse word. You did better than [your] mama.'

'So very proud of my oldest daughter': Ning, who appeared on season six of MAFS in 2019, shared several photos of Kia with her newborn in hospital

The reality TV favourite appeared on Nine's social experiment in 2019, but failed to find love with her on-screen 'husband' Mark Scrivens.

Meanwhile, Mark has moved on from Ning with another reality star: former netball player Bianca Chatfield, from the 2018 season of The Block.

The pair, who live together in Melbourne's St Kilda, will celebrate their second anniversary of dating in April.
She's known for being a style icon, with her outfits on This Morning often selling out online.

Yet Holly Willoughby's fashion sense came into question during Wednesday's episode as she found herself being compared to a whale's penis.

The presenter, 40, was chatting to Phillip Schofield about a new theory that the famed picture of the Loch Ness Monster was in fact a picture of a whale's genitalia, when hilarity ensued.

Something seems fishy: Holly Willoughby's fashion sense came into question during Wednesday's episode as she found herself being compared to a whale's penis

As they flashed up a picture of a whale's penis for comparison, Holly was left blushing when she spotted the striking parallels with her 120 Pure Collection cashmere jumper.

Waving her arm in the air to mimic the photo, Holly squealed: 'I'm regretting wearing this pink jumper not going to lie!'

As she and Phil burst into hysterical laughter, she continued: 'I just looked at it and thought I am not going to put my arms up and dancing today'.

Nothing to sea here: The presenter, 40, was chatting to Phillip Schofield about a new theory that the famed picture of the Loch Ness Monster was in fact a picture of a whale's genitalia

Fishing for the truth: As they flashed up a picture of a whale's penis for comparison, Holly was left blushing when she spotted the striking parallels with her 120 cashmere jumper

The gaffe came as the pair discussed a paper in the Archives of Natural History that discussed if the Nessie 'neck' is really just a whale penis.

During the chat, Phil began: 'Both Holly and I, and the team, have been Googling "whale penises".

'The mystery of the Loch Ness monster has apparently, finally been solved because that very famous picture actually looks like a whale penis'.

Having a whale of a time: Waving her arm in the air to mimic the photo, Holly squealed, 'I'm regretting wearing this pink jumper not going to lie!'

The theory focused on the famous black and white photograph of Nessie, reportedly taken by surgeon Robert Kenneth Wilson in the 1930s.

However, the picture in question was proved to be hoax back in 1994 after Christopher Spurling, the stepson of Maramaduke Wetherell, admitted to being involved in its production.

The study suggested that many accounts of large mysterious sea creatures with a 'serpent-like tail' were in fact the 'snake-like' penis of a large baleen whale.

They added that other accounts could be attributed to the male members of certain whale species, which can be at least 1.8 metres long and are sometimes spotted rising from the water during mating.

A prawn in their game: As she and Phil burst into hysterical laughter, Holly continued, 'I just looked at it and thought I am not going to put my arms up and dancing today'

Seems a bit shallow: Viewers were left in hysterics by the unexpected turn of events, taking to Twitter to share their shock and disbelief

Viewers were left in hysterics by the unexpected turn of events, taking to Twitter to pen: 'she's not there' Deidre is googling whale penises Face with tears of joy #ThisMorning'; 'I'm no having it! The Loch Ness monster is not a whale penis!. #ThisMorning #Scottishlegend';

;As frustrating as it is to be living back at home, the opportunity to witness Phillip Scofield + Holly Willoughby discussing whether the Loch Ness monster is actually a whale's penis feels like a gift from the gods. Makes you wonder about San Diego, really... #ThisMorning';

'Phillip and Holly always have a whale of a time on #ThisMorning! '; 'A 1.8m whale penis. Ok #ThisMorning has officially lost the plot'; '#ThisMorning just turned it on a whale penis ? [sic]'
Exactly half the Big Brother Australia 2021 housemates have now left the show.

And on Wednesday night, no less than three contestants exited the house in dramatic fashion.

Alex was the first to go, forfeiting her challenge after close to five hours so her twin sister Charlotte McCristal could stay.

High stakes: In a night featuring a triple exit on Big Brother, Alex [L] was the first to go, forfeiting her challenge so her twin sister Charlotte McCristal [R] could stay

'I've got something good to go home to,' said Alex of her decision.

'It was good for Char and I to spend that time together. It's definitely brought us closer as sisters and it's still been the best experience.'

'I hope Charlotte wins more than anything,' said the 25-year-old.

Mitch Giles claimed another challenge victory, nominating Charlotte Hall, Gabe and Ari for eviction.

Chopping block: Mitch Giles claimed another challenge victory, nominating Charlotte Hall [R], Gabe [L] and Ari for eviction

Lady in red: Alex McCristal [pictured] was the first to go on Wednesday

However Ari was saved from the vote after a technical fault.

Ultimately though, it was 23-year-old Charlotte H who was sent packing.

She seemed to accept the decision, commenting, 'I don't really care. I was running out of clothes and there is no dry cleaning service.'

Of her former housemates she said, 'Everyone's nuts. People take it way too seriously and I just laugh at them.'

Walked: However there was more drama to come, with Gabe [pictured] announcing to Big Brother that he wished to leave the house, too

Meanwhile, there was more drama to come, with Gabe announcing to Big Brother that he wished to leave the house, too.

'I'm mentally, emotionally and physically struggling in here Big Brother,' said the 27-year-old.

'I find it hard finding my voice in this house. There's a lot of loud personalities and I feel like I get smaller when they speak.'

'I'm not doing well, it's better for me to leave.'
John Lydon was allegedly snubbed from being involved in the Sex Pistols drama as he was 'too difficult to work with,' the band's former muse Jordan Mooney has claimed.

The series, which is currently in production, is directed by Danny Boyle and stars Anson Boon as the band's frontman Johnny Rotten, alongside Louis Partridge as the tragic Sid Vicious.

Since the series began filming, Johnny himself has openly shared his dislike, branding it 'the most disrespectful s*** he's ever had to endure' and claiming he never consented to having the band's history recreated on screen.

No thanks! John Lydon was allegedly snubbed from being involved in the Sex Pistols drama as he was 'too difficult to work with,' according to the band's former muse Jordan Mooney

In a new interview with The Sun, Jordan said that it's likely better for the series' producers that Johnny has not been involved.

She said: 'He would just be a saboteur and he wouldn't bring much to the table. John argues for the sake of arguing. He's a difficult person and I can't say that part of him has changed at all.

'As he's got older, he's only got more difficult  he's contrary... John has got a few issues about his importance in the world so him not being involved is the best thing that can happen.'

Coming soon! The series, which is currently in production, is directed by Danny Boyle and stars Anson Boon as the band's frontman Johnny Rotten (pictured filming on Tuesday)

Blast from the past: In a new interview, Jordan (pictured in 2018) said that it's better for the series' producers that Johnny is not involved

Jordan, whose real name Pamela Rooke, became an icon in punk music thanks to her revealing outfits and colourful hairstyle, and she is set to be portrayed by Maisie Williams in the Pistols series.

Last month John himself threatened legal action against producers for his depiction in the series, which is based on the Sex Pistols guitarist Steve Jones' 2018 memoir.

He told The Sunday Times: 'I think that's the most disrespectful s**t I've ever had to endure.

'I mean, they went to the point to hire an actor to play me but what's the actor working on? Certainly not my character. It can't go anywhere else [but court].'

Legend: The former muse, whose real name Pamela Rooke, became an icon in punk music thanks to her revealing outfits and colourful hairstyle

John also claimed that producers never sought his consent to make the series, while Jones and drummer Paul Cook are acting as consultants.

He added: "Sorry, you think you can do this, like walk all over me - it isnt going to happen. Not without a huge, enormous f***ing fight.'

A spokesperson for Pistol later told the publication that director Danny reched out to John through his management, but any contact was declined.

The Danny Boyle directed Pistols is based on the legendary punk band - consisting of John Lydon, Steve Jones, Glen Matlock, Paul Cook and Sid Vicious - and their rise to fame in the 1970s.

Hitting back! Last month John threatened legal action against producers for his depiction in the series, which is based on guitarist Steve Jones' 2018 memoir (band pictured in 1978)

Louis Partridge will portray bassist Sid Vicious, Jacob Slater will star as drummer Paul, Christian has stepped into the role of the band's first bass guitarist Glen and Toby will play guitarist Steve.

The six-episode series began principal photography in March, with Danny Boyle serving as director and executive producer.

Based on Jones' 2018 memoir Lonely Boy: Tales from a Sex Pistol, the supporting cast also includes Sydney Chandler as Chrissie Hynde and Emma Appleton as Nancy Spungen.

Anchored by Steve's memoir, Pistol moves from West London's council estates, to Westwood and Malcolm McLaren's notorious Kings Road SEX shop, to the international controversy that came with the release of Pistols album Never Mind the B******s.

Their single God Save the Queen was banned by the BBC and reached Number 1 on the UK's NME chart, but appeared at Number 2 on the Official UK Singles chart, leading to accusations that the song was purposely kept off the top spot.

Pistols will be released on FX and Hulu in 2022.
All six Friends cast members have been seen together again.

The stars posed for the cover of the latest issue of People magazine ahead of the show's reunion special that will air on HBO Max this month.

Jennifer Aniston, Courteney Cox, Lisa Kudrow, Matt LeBlanc, David Schwimmer and Matthew Perry - who shot to fame on the iconic sitcom which ran from 1994 to 2004 - were clustered together against a green backdrop as they wore muted shades.

And Jennifer, 52, shared the way all of them felt ahead of the taping: 'Oh God, how are we going to get through this alive, without just crying our faces off?'

Together again: All six Friends stars got together to cover the latest issue of People magazine ahead of the show's reunion special on HBO Max

Courteney also revealed that during the process of making the reunion: 'I was flooded with 10 years of irreplaceable memories.'

Matt admitted that the reunion had been a bit 'melancholy,' while Lisa acknowledged it was an 'emotional' time for them.

During the 10-season run of the NBC sitcom the six stars formed a famously close bond with one another personally and professionally.

They even banded together to negotiate an equal salary hike for all of them, resulting in a $1 million payday apiece per episode.

Emmy favorites: The cast of Friends at the 54th annual Emmy Awards in Los Angeles in 2002

Remember when: Jennifer (left) is pictured sporting her world-famous 'Rachel' hairdo on the first season of the show with Courteney (right)

Matthew said their rapport was still 'magic' and when Matt joked that it was 'awkward,' Matthew meet him in the middle with 'awkwardly magic.'

Matt's character Joey and Matthew's character Chandler begin the series as roommates and remain bosom buddies throughout.

The unscripted reunion special will see them chat about their memories of the show and even read through the episode The One With The Jellyfish.

During that episode Chandler infamously urinates on the leg of Courteney's character Monica to alleviate the pain from a jellyfish sting.

They have a bond: During the 10-season run of the NBC sitcom the six stars formed a famously close bond with one another personally and professionally

Memory lane: Courteney also revealed that during the process of making the reunion: 'I was flooded with 10 years of irreplaceable memories'

Jaw-dropping: They even banded together to negotiate an equal salary hike for all of them, resulting in a $1 million payday apiece per episode

At the end of that season Monica and Chandler get romantically involved with one another, eventually becoming the series' most enduring couple.

The show concludes when Monica and Chandler finally leave their Greenwich Village apartment to move to a house in Westchester with their newborn twins.

Courteney has theories on Monica's future: 'I always just feel like Monica would be doing something competitively with other mothers and trying to outdo them.'

She added: 'Whether it's the bake sale at school or something. I mean, she'd be so annoying. She'd be at the head of the PTA or something.'

Friends: The Reunion official trailer! The Friends: The Reunion official trailer was unveiled on Wednesday and showed the unbreakable bond between the cast as they reminisced on the iconic show ahead of HBO Max special. The opening scene was certainly familiar as Jennifer Aniston joined Courteney Cox and Matt LeBlanc on their old couch for an updated trivia game with David Schwimmer, Lisa Kudrow and Matthew Perry. Recreating a memorable moment from the show, David's character, Ross Geller, stood at the trivia board. 'Rachel wrote Ross a letter and demanded he read it before they got back together. How many pages was that letter?' he asked the group. Matt, who played Joey Tribbiani, screamed '18 pages' only for Aniston to correct him: 'front and back!' Courteney screamed back, 'Wait, wait do it one more time!' Lisa Kudrow was overwhelmed upon walking onto set at the Warner Bros. lot as Matt enthusiastically said: 'Here we go!' Like the old days: And the Friends: The Reunion official trailer showed the unbreakable bond between the cast as they reminisced on the iconic show ahead of HBO Max special Jennifer, who played Rachel Green, proved to be already emotional as she asked: 'Where's the tissue box?' 'Does Courteney still have her lines written on the table?' Matt asked as he toured the old apartment set. 'We have such a bond from this show,' Lisa explained while sitting on the iconic orange couch from the show's intro. So many memories: Cox wiped away tears while chatting with her co-stars during the reunion Tough: In one of many touching moments, Jennifer leaned down to comfort Perry as he stuttered through his words and said: 'I'm going to cry now' 'I remember I went to the producer of the show that I was on and he said, "That show's not going to make you a star,'" Jennifer recalled Lisa admitted the first table read was the 'first time I laid eyes on any of you' while Schwimmer noted everyone was 'so perfectly cast.' 'I remember I went to the producer of the show that I was on and he said, "That show's not going to make you a star,'" Jennifer recalled. In one of many touching moments, Jennifer leaned down to comfort Perry as he stuttered through his words and said: 'I'm going to cry now.' Friends ran for 10 seasons from 1994 to 2004, and was created by David Crane and Marta Kauffman, who executive produced the series with Kevin Bright through Bright/Kauffman/Crane Productions in association with Warner Bros. Television. Chatty: Lisa admitted the first table read was the 'first time I laid eyes on any of you' while Schwimmer noted everyone was 'so perfectly cast' Smile! It was reported in April that the reunion special was filmed over three days, with a live audience participating in the reunion Advertisement

In the last season Lisa's character Phoebe marries a pianist called Mike Hanigan played by Paul Rudd in the role that made him famous.

Once Monica and Chandler have their babies - through a surrogate played by Anna Faris - Phoebe decides she wants children with Mike as well.

'Ooh, we could teach them to sing and then we could be like the Von Trapp family,' she gushes on the finale, 'only without the Nazis, although that sounds kinda dull.'

Lisa told People that in her mind Phoebe currently 'is living in Connecticut with Mike and their kids, and she's in charge of the arts program for the school.' says.

There for you: Monica and Chandler get romantically involved with one another, eventually becoming the series' most enduring couple

Phoebe, who was always the oddball of the group, has become 'the advocate for her kids because they're different like she was,' according to Lisa.

Jennifer's character Rachel starts the show as a runaway bride working as a waitress and eventually makes her way up the ladder in the fashion industry.

She has an on-off relationship with David's character Ross that even results in a brief drunken Vegas marriage and a baby daughter called Emma.

On the finale of the show they rekindle their romance one more time and she gives up a Louis Vuitton job in Paris in order to remain with him in New York.

Phoebe and Mike: In the last season Lisa's character Phoebe marries a pianist called Mike Hanigan played by Paul Rudd in the role that made him famous

Jennifer told People about her thoughts on Rachel's trajectory since: 'I would like to have maybe started a clothing line of my own, and it's sort of a small franchise.'

She compared her vision of Rachel's future to 'Like a Nili Lotan,' adding: 'And I live in New York City on the Upper East Side.'

Chandler starts off miserably working in statistical analysis and data reconfiguration only to eventually quit that job and pursue his comedy writing dream in the ad world.

Matthew feels that by this day and age Chandler has grown into 'a wonderful father' as well as 'a wonderful comedy writer.'

Matthew Perry sparks fan concern as he slurs his words in new promo Fans of Friends are expressing their concern after star Matthew Perry appeared to slur his speech in a promo for the upcoming reunion special. It was hard to overlook Perry's awkward demeanor as he sat with he co-stars Jennifer Aniston, Courteney Cox, Lisa Kudrow, David Schwimmer and Matt LeBlanc to tease the show, which was shot in April and will air on May 27 via HBO and HBO Max. The 51-year-old actor stammered and stared while with the group, even slurring together his words at one point. Worrisome: Matthew Perry raised concerns after appearing to slur his speech in a teaser for the upcoming Friends reunion, which airs later this month Perry has been open about his past struggles with addiction, previously telling People things got 'out of control and very unhealthy' after a 1997 jet-ski accident left him addicted to the painkiller Vicodin. In the promo, when asked if he ever took anything from set as a souvenir, he admitted: 'I stole the cookie jar that had the clock on it' with a heavy 'sh' sound at the start of 'stole.' Though his speech was stilted, Matthew's physical appearance was on the healthier side, showing less ruddy skin and a pearly white smile. His castmates were able to hide any of their concerns, as David and Matt giggled and smiled at the TV star, who played Chandler Bing on the NBC hit. Fans were concerned: The 51-year-old actor stammered and stared while with the group, even slurring together his words at one point But fans were quick to voice their worries. 'Just saw People interview and can't believe how Matthew Perry looks like seriously it breaks my heart,' one fan wrote on Twitter. 'It pains me to see Matthew Perry like this, he just seems off, gazing at the void, speaking slowly,' wrote another. Another tweeted: 'Just watched @people exclusive interview clip of Friends casts and the time hasn't been kind. I hope Matthew Perry is okay. Damn how much I love them.' One more reminded others to be kind, writing: 'Matthew has been through A LOT since friends wrapped up in 2004. be respectful instead of judgmental. hard block me rn if you think making fun of him is funny.' Off kilter: The 51-year-old actor stammered and stared while with co-stars Jennifer Aniston, Courteney Cox, Lisa Kudrow, David Schwimmer and Matt LeBlanc Advertisement

Matt meanwhile was the only one whose character got a spin-off - the short-lived sitcom Joey chronicling his life as an actor and lovable lothario.

He told People he thinks Joey 'would have opened a chain of sandwich shops,' to which Matthew interjected: 'And eaten all the sandwiches.'

David joked that Ross, a paleontologist, 'would've invested in Joey's sandwich shop and lost a lot of his savings for his kids.'

Along with Emma also has a son called Ben with his first wife Carol, who leaves him for a woman called Susan shortly before the events of the pilot.

What a ride: Jennifer's character Rachel has an on-off relationship with David's character Ross that even results in a brief drunken Vegas marriage and a baby daughter called Emma

Blended family: Along with Emma also has a son called Ben with his first wife Carol, who leaves him for a woman called Susan shortly before the events of the pilot

What if: He told People he thinks Joey 'would have opened a chain of sandwich shops,' to which Matthew interjected: 'And eaten all the sandwiches'

The episode showing Carol and Susan's wedding was so controversial in 1996 when it aired that two NBC affiliates in Texas and Ohio declined to carry it.

Airing May 27, the reunion episode will see the cast engage in a version of the famous trivia game in The One With The Embryos in 1998.

Chandler and Joey face off against Monica and Rachel to see which duo knows the other one better, in a game moderated by Ross.

When Chandler and Joey manage to win the game, they get to trade in their pokier apartment for Monica's spacious digs across the hall.

Throwback: The reunion will also welcome memorable Friends guest stars including Reese Witherspoon who portrayed Rachel's sister Jill (right)

The reunion will also welcome an array of celebrity guests including memorable Friends guest stars like Elliott Gould who played Ross and Monica's father.

Tom Selleck who played Monica's old flame Richard and Reese Witherspoon who played Rachel's sister Jill will also make an appearance.

Top-flight fans of the show ranging from pop stars like Lady Gaga and Justin Bieber to sporting legends like David Beckham are slated to be present.

Although the lineup includes such diverse names as Mindy Kaling, Malala Yousafzai and BTS, the reunion has drawn backlash for not having any black guest stars.

Awkward encounters: Tom Selleck who played Monica's old flame Richard (right) will also feature as will Elliott Gould who portrayed Ross and Monica's father Jack

None of the black guest stars from the show's run - from Sherri Shepherd to Aisha Tyler - have been announced as part of the reunion show.

Over the past few years Friends has occasionally drawn controversy over the fact that the main cast was completely white.

Critics have also pointed out the similarities to the black-led sitcom Living Single, which began airing the year before Friends did.

Last spring Lisa told the Times Of London that Friends 'would not be an all-white cast, for sure' if it premiered in this day and age as opposed to 27 years ago.

Making it happen: The unscripted reunion special will see them chat about their memories of the show and even read through the episode The One With The Jellyfish

'Ewww!': During that episode Chandler infamously urinates on Monica's leg to alleviate the pain from a jellyfish sting

However she explained that it should be 'looked at as a time capsule' and pointed out that it was 'progressive' for its era.

All 10 seasons of Friends appeared on HBO Max on May 27, 2020 when the streaming service launched and they were meant to be accompanied by the reunion show.

However the reunion taping had to be delayed on account of the coronavirus pandemic which is why it is dropping a year late.

The six main cast members are reportedly earning massive paychecks for the reunion, allegedly $2.5 to $3 million each, per The Hollywood Reporter.
EastEnders Adam Woodyatt wants Michelle Collins' character Cindy Beale to come back from the dead as part of Ian Beale's explosive return.

The actor, 52, reflected on how his character could potentially make his way back to Albert Square during an appearance on Wednesday's This Morning from his motorhome.

While he admitted he had no idea when he could return to the role given prior commitments to a play, he claimed his character could make a 'Dallas'-inspired comeback, with Cindy also returning.

Shock! EastEnders Adam Woodyatt said on Wednesday's This Morning he wants his character Ian Beale's ex-wife Cindy to come back from the DEAD for his explosive return to the soap

Adam said: 'I think he should come back like Bobby Ewing, in the shower, and Cindy Beale is still alive.'

It was a nod to Bobby Ewing's return from the dead in 'Dallas' in the mid-1980s when he appeared in the shower and his passing was written off as a dream of his fiancee and ex-wife, Pamela Barnes Ewing (Victoria Principal).

Cindy died in childbirth while in prison, after being sent down for hiring a hitman to kill Ian when he says he will take her to court over custody of their children, in a storyline that aired in 1998.

Thoughts: While he admitted he had no idea when he could return to the role, he claimed his character could make a 'Dallas'-inspired comeback with Cindy (Michelle Collins, pictured)

Idea: Adam said: 'I think he should come back like Bobby Ewing, in the shower, and Cindy Beale is still alive'

Adam was last seen playing the bumbling businessman in January when Ian left Albert Square after Sharon Watts (Letitia Dean) tried to kill him to avenge the death of her son Denny Rickman (Bleu Landau).

The star filmed his exit scenes in November, but he couldn't have a leaving party due to the coronavirus pandemic.

He told Holly Willoughby and Phillip Schofield: 'There was no party. I just cleared out my dressing room, took my plaque off the door and loaded it in the car, because I couldn't get it on my bike.'

Iconic moment: It was a nod to Bobby Ewing's return from the dead in Dallas in the mid-1980s when he appeared in the shower and his passing was written off as a dream (pictured)

Departure: Cindy died in childbirth while in prison in 1998, after being sent down for hiring a hitman to kill Ian when he says he will take her to court over custody of their children

Adam is currently on the longest break he has ever had from the BBC One soap - which he has starred in since the show began in 1985 - to lead the cast of play Looking Good Dead.

But he doesn't have a fixed EastEnders return date just yet because the play's tour may still be on in May after dates had to be rescheduled due to the pandemic.

Adam added: 'We're hoping we're going to pick up some of the dates we've had to postpone for the tour early next year through to, hopefully, May. But we don't know.'

Sad: Adam filmed his exit scenes in November, but admitted he couldn't have a leaving party due to the coronavirus pandemic and just 'cleared out my dressing room'

Long break: Adam doesn't have a fixed EastEnders return date just yet because the play's tour may still be on in May after dates had to be rescheduled due to the pandemic

Adam is currently in the midst of his soap break, nine months after he announced in August that he had split from Beverley Sharp, his wife of 22 years.

He recently revealed that he's been staying in a motorhome of late after purchasing it to use as a base ahead of starting a touring play.

And although the play has been pushed back several times, Adam has ensured to make the most of the situation and been enjoying trips in the vehicle.

He told The Sun: 'Ive got a motorhome ready for the tour so I wont have to worry about staying in hotels or anything like that.

Staycation: Adam has been travelling around the UK in his motorhome which he originally bought to use as a base ahead of starting a touring play that was pushed back in the pandemic

'But Ive taken advantage of it and Im currently in a field in Devon.'

The couple reportedly separated in August of 2019, but it is thought that they only started telling friends about their decision last summer.

A friend told The Sun that Beverley was 'very upset' at the split but added that it's a 'straightforward separation'.

They said: 'Nobody plans for these things and divorce is a difficult thing to get your head around

Split: Adam is currently in the midst of his soap break, nine months after he announced in August that he had split from Beverley Sharp, his wife of 22 years (pictured together in 2017)

'They have dealt with it quietly for several months and are now telling friends so it's less of a secret.

'They still get on well, and are keen to make sure they stay that way for the sake of their children  even though they are now grown up.'

Adam and Beverley have been married since 1998 and have two children - Jessica, 27, and Samuel, 23.

A spokesperson for the actor said at the time: 'Beverley and Adam separated in August last year and we ask that the family's privacy is respected.'
She's making the most of her time with her new boyfriend's family.

And Kourtney Kardashian has become like a second mother to Travis Barker's 15-year-old daughter Alabama.

The 42-year-old reality star started dating the musician earlier this year, and Kourtney has quickly assumed a prominent role in the life of his teenage daughter.

Mom mode: Kourtney Kardashian has become like a second mother to Travis Barker's 15-year-old daughter Alabama

A source close to the brunette beauty  who has Mason, 11, Penelope, eight, and Reign, six, with Scott Disick  told E! News: 'Kourtney has become very close with Travis' kids recently, especially when it comes to Alabama.'

Travis, 45, has Alabama and Landon, 17, with his ex-wife Shanna Moakler, and also co-parents her daughter Atiana, 21, from a previous relationship with Oscar De La Hoya.

And even though he's only been dating Kourtney for a few months, she's already proven to be a 'huge support system' for the teenage duo.

The 42-year-old reality star started dating the musician earlier this year, and Kourtney has quickly assumed a prominent role in the life of his teenage daughter; seen in 2018

Family: Travis, 45, has Alabama and Landon, 17, with his ex-wife Shanna Moakler, and also co-parents her daughter Atiana, 21, from a previous relationship with Oscar De La Hoya

By contrast, Alabama recently discussed her relationship with Shanna in a candid post on social media, suggesting she's not an 'amazing mom.'

She wrote on Instagram: 'My mom has never completely been in my life. Can you guys stop painting her out to be an amazing mom?'

But Shanna, 46, subsequently hit back at the suggestion, insisting she's doing her best for her children amid difficult circumstances.

She said in a statement to People: 'Co-parenting is hard, but I have always and will continue to prioritize my children's happiness and well-being.'

Yikes: By contrast, Alabama recently discussed her relationship with Shanna in a candid post on social media, suggesting she's not an 'amazing mom'

Wow! Kourtney Kardashian straddled Travis while wearing a nude thong bikini as the couple took in the sights at the exclusive Amangiri resort in Canyon Point, Utah, for her 42nd birthday

Love is in the air: They've been nearly inseparable since making things official in January, with the Blink 182 even showing off a new tattoo of her name scrawled on his chest before letting Kourtney take over the tattoo gun and personally ink his hand

Shanna also claimed she's been the victim of a 'vindictive parenting competition,' but she ultimately hopes that her kids with 'see through the fame and money machine.'

She explained: 'I refuse to involve them in a vindictive parenting competition where feelings are bound to get hurt. Encouraging relationships with both parents is a duty on both mother and father.

'I know one day my children will see through the fame and money machine they have been thrust into and realize their mother loves and will always be there for them.'

They've been nearly inseparable since making things official in January, with the Blink 182 even showing off a new tattoo of her name scrawled on his chest before letting Kourtney take over the tattoo gun and personally ink his hand.
A$AP Rocky says Rihanna is the 'love of' his 'life.'

The very private rapper offered a rare look into his personal life in a new cover profile for GQ, telling the magazine he thinks the pop-star/fashion designer is 'the one.'

'The love of my life. My lady,' the 32-year-old talent said, adding that life is 'so much better' while in love.

Love life: A$AP Rock talked about his connection to girlfriend Rihanna in an intimate new profile for GQ, calling the pop star/fashion designer the 'love of my life'

His girl: 'The love of my life. My lady,' the 32-year-old talent said, adding that life is 'so much better' while in love

'So much better when you got the One,' he went on. 'She amounts to probably, like, a million of the other ones.'

Rocky, who has been linked to RiRi on and off since 2013, added: 'I think when you know, you know. She's the One.'

Asked if he envisions having kids, he said: 'If that's in my destiny, absolutely,' before joking about his place in the rap hierarchy.

'I think I'm already a dad!' the native New Yorker laughed. 'All these motherf***ers are already my sonswhatchu talkin' 'bout!'

Pivoting back to the question, the Dope actor said: 'Nah, but like, I think I'd be an incredible, remarkably, overall amazing dad. I would have a very fly child. Very.'

Later in the interview the star teased his artistic connection to Rihanna.

'I think its important to have somebody that you can bounce those creative juices and ideas off of,' he said, speaking of his new music.

It seems that the songstress has had a profound impact on Rocky's work.

'The one': 'So much better when you got the One,' he said of the relationship. 'She amounts to probably, like, a million of the other ones'

'Its just a different point of view,' he explained, calling the lead track All Smiles a 'ghetto love tale' which is 'way more mature' than his earlier songs about lavish fashion and partying.

A$AP also opened up about his time in Swedish jail and the public support he received from former President Donald Trump.

While the rapper was grateful that Trump helped shed light on his case, he said the idea the former POTUS freed him was a 'misperception.'

'He didn't helphe made efforts and he rooted for me to come home, but he didn't free me.'

Though he didn't publicly thank Trump for his assistance, Rocky said the pair spoke in a private phone conversation.

'I was mad thankful that he did that, because he didn't have to! He took the time out of his day.'
Arnold Schwarzenegger is a major action film star with hits like The Terminator and True Lies as well as the more recent Expendables series under his belt.

And now it looks as of his son Joseph Baena is taking after him.

This week the Pepperdine University graduate, 23, shared photos to Instagram from the set of his very first acting project: the feature film Bully High.

Arnie the sequel: Arnold Schwarzenegger is a major action film star with hits like The Terminator and True Lies as well as the more recent Expendables series under his belt. And now it looks as of his son Joseph Baena is taking after him

New movie: This week the Pepperdine University graduate, 23, shared photos to Instagram from the set of his very first acting project

Dad in the early days: Schwarzenegger in his 1987 film Predator as the leader of an elite paramilitary rescue team on a mission to save hostages in guerrilla-held territory in Central America

'Having a great time on set of Bully High. Finally know what its like to be a private school kid,' he wrote in his caption.

Joseph had on a blazer with a crest, gray slacks, a tie and brown shoes as he talked to other students outside Ramona Convent Secondary School.

Jospeh plays the School President and the shoot took place in Hermosa Beach, California earlier this year.

The movie is a drama about a high school girl who is Muslim. She gets taunted by her classmates for wearing a Hijab.

Bully High stars Betsy Russell, Augie Duke and Gabriel Beristain. Also in the film from director Bill McAdams Jr and Aledo Film Group is Duke Van Patten and Aneesha Madhok.

The tag line is: 'Love is safe... safe is love.'

Half brothers: Joseph's half-brother Patrick Schwarzenegger, 27, is also an actor and has appeared in Midnight Sun with Bella Thorne.

Hey sis: And Joseph's half sister is writer Katherine Schwarzenegger who is wed to Chris Pratt

Baena is also starring in the film The Chariot with Scout Taylor-Compton, John Malkovich and Shane West. The project does not yet have a release date.

Joseph's half-brother Patrick Schwarzenegger, 27, is also an actor and has appeared in Midnight Sun with Bella Thorne.

Baena is the son of Arnold and Mildred Patricia Baena.

Arnold and Mildred had an affair when he was married to Maria Shriver. Maria and Arnold split after news of the scandal broke but they have never finalized their divorce.

He should join Selling Sunset! But acting is just Joseph's side job. The star is also selling homes as he told his fans this month on social media. 'Not your average realtor! Super excited to start a new career in residential real estate,' said Joseph

Together they also have son Christopher, 23, and daughters Katherine, 31 - who is wed to Chris Pratt - and Christina, 29.

But acting is just Joseph's side job. The star is also selling homes as he told his fans this month on social media.

'Not your average realtor! Super excited to start a new career in residential real estate,' said Joseph.

'Looking forward to growing and learning from my amazing team @aria_properties , but more so looking forward to putting you guys in a new home!

'Ill be primarily based in West LA and Silicon Beach, so if youre buying, selling or need help shoot me a DM. Your support means the world-tag someone who needs a home.'
British model Naomi Campbell attends ARISE Fashion Week event in Lagos, Nigeria in this 2020 December file photo. AP-Yonhap



Naomi Campbell says she has become the mother of a baby girl.



The 50-year-old supermodel announced the news Tuesday on Instagram, posting a picture of her hand holding a baby's feet.



She wrote: ''A beautiful little blessing has chosen me to be her mother, so honoured to have this gentle soul in my life there are no words to describe the lifelong bond that I now share with you my angel. There is no greater love.''



Campbell's spokesperson declined to provide more information.



Congratulations poured in from other fashion industry figures.



Designer Marc Jacobs posted: ''Oh my God!!!!! Today is the day?? How absolutely incredible. How lucky she is and how lucky you are! What a wonderful Mother you will be. Blessings all around.''



British Vogue Editor-in-Chief Edward Enninful wrote: ''Seeing the two of you together made my year. You will bring each other so much joy.''



In 2017, Campbell spoke about her desire to be a mother, and said ''with the way science is I think I can do it when I want.'' (AP)


They recently returned to the UK following their 'work trip' to the UAE.

And Jess and Eve Gale were back enjoying the sunshine as they posed for a series of sizzling bikini snaps on Wednesday after touching down in Mexico.

The reality stars, 22, looked nothing short of sensational as they showcased their incredible figures and also gave fans a look at the resort they are staying in.

Stunning: Jess and Eve Gale were back enjoying the sunshine as they posed for a series of sizzling bikini snaps on Wednesday after touching down in Mexico

Taking to her Instagram Stories, Jess shared a snap of herself donning a lilac bikini with a purple floral print as she highlighted her sun-kissed tan.

Eve sported a blue bikini with a long-sleeved top as she posed playfully alongside her twin sister.

The pair later left their resort and worked on their tans at the beach and lounged by the pool.

Later in the evening, the sisters went partying as Eve shared a clip of her sister strutting her stuff on the dancefloor.

Sizzling: The reality stars, 22, looked nothing short of sensational as they showcased their incredible figures and also gave fans a look at the resort they are staying in

Showing off her toned midriff, Jess donned a bright orange crop top along with a pair of white shorts for the night.

Jess and Eve enjoyed a night out on the town in London with some pals on Monday before jetting off to Mexico.

The TV twins were just two of many celebrities who jetted to Dubai throughout the pandemic.

They joined many other Love Islanders including Joanna Chimonides, Hayley Hughes and Francesca Allen.

Fun in the sun: The pair later left their resort and worked on their tans at the beach and lounged by the pool

Looking good: Jess donned a lilac bikini with a purple floral print as she highlighted her sun-kissed tan while Eve opted for a blue two piece

Luxury: Jess also gave her social media followers a look at the breathtaking view at her resort

Holiday: Later in the evening, the sisters went partying as Eve shared a clip of her sister strutting her stuff on the dancefloor

After Dubai joined UK's travel ban list, celebrities then began flocking to Mexico's bars and beaches as it established itself as the next COVID getaway destination.

Many stars insisted their trips were for 'work purposes' after criticism from Home Secretary Priti Patel.

Several influencers were forced to hit back at fans after they were criticised for jetting off on holiday during the global pandemic.

Jess and Eve rose to fame on the first ever series of winter Love Island back in 2020.

While Eve was booted off after less than a week, Jess made it to the final with Ched Uzor - with the pair going their separate ways shortly afterwards.
Ben Platt is hitting back at those mocking him on Twitter for playing a high school student in the trailer for new movie Dear Evan Hansen, the lead character that he originated in the Broadway musical.

The 27-year-old actor - who was around 21 when he first performed the role off-Broadway - called out 'the randos being jerks about age' in a now-deleted tweet, after many thought he now looked too old to play the part.

'That dude looks like he's the principal' one Twitter user wrote, while another said: 'It is time to stop letting Ben Platt play teenagers in 2021.'

'That dude looks like he's the principal' Ben Platt, 27, is mocked for playing a high school teen in Dear Evan Hansen trailer (pictured above)

Ben - whose father is a co-producer on the film - tweeted: 'thank u from the bottom of my [heart] for the outpouring of trailer love yesterday, the film required me to revisit areas of personal pain, so seeing ppl excited & moved makes it so deeply worth it. PS to the randos being jerks about age, read this great article and/or watch grease.'

The actor then linked to an article which showed the trailer, but later deleted his tweet as it only caused more fans to react about whether he looked too old to play the part.

The movie - about a teenager with social anxiety, played by Ben - was a huge hit on Broadway upon its debut in December 2016 at the Music Box Theatre.

Reactions: Fans were quick to poke fun at the actor for not resembling a teen in the trailer

Teenager: Platt is certainly not the first adult actor in Hollywood to play a high school teen

Strong opinions: Ben's tweet only seemed to open the floodgates on Twitter

Defending himself: Ben called out the 'jerks' who were complaining about his age

Mocked: Some compared the casting to high school classic Grease, where all the students were played by adult actors

Obviously, Evan cannot turn the invitation down and he is shown hitting the stage as he said: 'Connor showed me that, I wasn't alone. Nobody is.'

Reactions: One Twitter user wrote that actor Jordan Fisher, who was one of Ben's replacements on the musical, would be a better fit, though ironically he is also 27

It was on win six Tony Awards including Best Actor in a Musical for Ben Platt. He continued to play the role until it went on tour, with 23-year-old Ben Levi Ross taking over.

One Twitter user wrote that actor Jordan Fisher, who was one of Ben's replacements on the musical, would be a better fit, though ironically he is also 27.

In his now-deleted tweet, Ben had linked to a Vanity Fair article with the headline: 'Dear Evan Hansen Trailer: Ben Platt on Going Back to High School, One Last Time.'

Movie magic: Ben admitted that the need to get the movie done was 'urgent' as he was getting older

Young: The 27-year-old actor was around 21 when he first performed the role off-Broadway (pictured in 2016)

He's back: Ben Platt, now 27, reprises his titular role in the Dear Evan Hansen trailer which was released on Tuesday

In the piece, Ben discusses the age difference, saying: 'I think everybody obviously had in their minds that I wasn't going to stay teen-adjacent forever.'

'The need to get it done was a little urgent. Then of course the pandemic happened, and I kind of assumed that was that - it would be a no-go, and by the time the pandemic was over, I'd have outgrown it.'

Since becoming a star thanks to playing the teen, Ben has gone on to play more adult roles, including Payton Obart on The Politician opposite Gwyneth Paltrow.

Meanwhile, director Stephen Chbosky also defends Ben's age in the interview, saying: 'You just have to hear him sing the songs.'

Adding: 'His understanding of the character is so complete and so profound. I couldnt imagine anybody else playing it. It's his part. I felt very strongly about it. And to me it was never even a consideration.'
Francesca Farago showed off her toned legs while frolicking on the beach in Cancun, Mexico this week.

The 27-year-old sensation, who became a reality TV star last year on the Netflix dating show, was modeling a slinky black monokini that looked like both a one-piece and a bikini depending on the angle.

However the peekaboo swimsuit still allowed her to show off her enviably svelte midriff as she walked across the sand.

When you got it: Francesca Farago showed off her statuesque legs while frolicking on the beach in Cancun, Mexico this week

Occasionally Francesca laid back on one of her deck chairs, arcing her shapely legs as she casually checked her phone.

At one point she was also seen throwing a thin white wrap over her bathing suit while chatting to a male pal who was lounging on a deck chair.

Her latest sighting comes as Netflix finally informed fans what the release dates will be for season two of Too Hot To Handle.

The first collection of episodes will drop on June 23 and the rest will stream exactly one week later on June 30, according to a new teaser.

Sizzling up a storm: The 27-year-old sensation, who became a reality star last year on the Netflix dating show, was modeling a slinky black one-piece

In repose: Occasionally Francesca lay back on one of her deck chairs, arcing her shapely legs as she casually checked her phone

Season one appeared on Netflix last April early in the coronavirus lockdowns and then this January it emerged the show had been renewed for two more seasons.

The show involves young single people being marooned on an island and forming couples but refraining from having sex in order to win $100,000.

Francesca and her Australian boyfriend Harry Jowsey were one of the winning couples but the relationship did not last.

She tearfully explained on a YouTube video last June that they had split and he also acknowledged that he had ended the relationship.

A place in the sun: At one point she was also seen throwing a thin white wrap over her bathing suite while chatting to a male pal who was lounging on a deck chair

Meanwhile: Her latest sighting comes as Netflix finally informed fans what the release dates will be for season two of Too Hot To Handle

They had a messy aftermath of the breakup where he went on the Impaulsive podcast in July and accused her of insensitivity during the 'worst week of my life.'

Specifically he said that there had been a death in the family, 'someone really close to me' attempted suicide and his mother was injured falling from a horse.

He claimed that when he contacted Francesca and asked her to 'be here for me,' she was holidaying with an ex in Las Vegas and accused him of trying 'to ruin her trip.'

'I think that every single girl knows that when a guy calls a girl crazy its just a reflection of their actions I think because Harry knows Im not crazy,' Francesca said on Violet Benson's Too Tired To Be Crazy podcast in early August.

The way they were: Francesca and her Australian boyfriend Harry Jowsey were one of the winning couples on season one but the relationship did not last

'If I was crazy I would be pulling some whack s*** right now to ruin his career because I literally could if I wanted to so,' she continued.

She went onto have a whirlwind romance with The Only Way Is Essex star Demi Sims but they have broken up and Francesca says they have not stayed on 'good terms.'

In a lengthy YouTube video she said: 'We were only talking to each other for a few weeks online before we met and then we moved in together right away so we never had that dating period or getting-to- know-you period.'

Tension: The show involves young single people being marooned on an island and forming couples but refraining from having sex in order to win $100,000

Francesca, who upped stakes and moved to the UK to be with Demi, said they had different 'love languages' and the romance 'fizzled' as a result.

She also claimed: 'After the break-up, she just blocked me and deleted me and told me to leave London and just was like: "You're cut."'

Francesca argued in her video: 'I didn't think I deserved that because I didn't do anything wrong, and she didn't do anything wrong.'
Friends fans reacted in fury on Wednesday as the trailer for the hotly-anticipated reunion special finally revealed that its celebrity host will be British star James Corden.

As seen in the teaser, Corden, 42, has landed the plum role of talking to the series legendary stars Jennifer Aniston, Courteney Cox, Lisa Kudrow, Matt LeBlanc, Matthew Perry, and David Schwimmer as they reunite.

'The Friends reunion is not a musical. Yet James Corden's in it. Why? And when will this man be stopped?' one fan tweeted, while another said: 'How did James Corden worm his way into the Friends reunion, does America know that he doesn't have to be in everything?'

Wrong choice? Friends fans react in fury as James Corden is revealed to be host of the reunion special... and question what the British star has to do with the iconic show (pictured in 2018)

Other fans of the show questioned why stars of the show like Paul Rudd or Maggie Wheeler (who played Janice) could not have been put on hosting shows, as they have strong links to the classic series.

In 2014, late night host Jimmy Kimmel put together a mini Friends reunion with Jennifer Aniston, Lisa Kudrow and Courteney Cox, and others suggested he would have been a better fit.

'It should have been Paul Rudd and Christina Applegate on the guest starring Friends reunion but we got Bieber & James Corden,' another said.

Getting stuck in: James Corden is seen hosting the all-important reunion interview with stars Jennifer Aniston , Courteney Cox, Matthew Perry, Lisa Kudrow, David Schwimmer and Matt LeBlanc

Outcry: Fans of Friends were less than impressed when the celebrity host was revealed to be James Corden

Amid the speculation, it has now been revealed that Corden's production company is behind Friends: The Reunion.

The HBO one-off has been directed and executive produced by Ben Winston, who also serves as co-executive producer of The Late Late Show With James Corden.

Winston produced the show through Fulwell 73, which Corden, 42, joined in 2017, making him the fifth full-time partner of the TV, film and music production firm.

Headquartered in London, where it was founded, the company boasts a sizeable outpost in Los Angeles, where Corden currently resides.

Could they BE anymore disappointed? Fans were quick to crank out the memes on Twitter in reaction to the news

Last week it was revealed that Friends: The Reunion would include a slew of special guest stars including Justin Bieber, BTS, Cindy Crawford, Cara Delevingne, Lady Gaga and returning cast members.

Many fans had already reacted negatively to those stars, once again questioning what they have to do with the show - and appeared to be pining from other guests stars who would have been better choices.

Corden, who reached superstardom with his BBC comedy Gavin and Stacey, went on to crack the US when he landed a role hosting The Late Late Show, and is loved by A-List stars.

The Friends: The Reunion official trailer showed the unbreakable bond between the cast as they reminisced on the iconic show ahead of HBO Max special, when it was released on Wednesday.

Mean tweets: Sadly it was not a good day for Corden on Twitter

Why the random stars? It's not just Corden, the reunion show also features Justin Bieber

The opening scene was certainly familiar as Jennifer Aniston joined Courteney Cox and Matt LeBlanc on their old couch for an updated trivia game with David Schwimmer, Lisa Kudrow and Matthew Perry.

Recreating a memorable moment from the show, David's character, Ross Geller, stood at the trivia board.

'Rachel wrote Ross a letter and demanded he read it before they got back together. How many pages was that letter?' he asked the group.

Matt, who played Joey Tribbiani, screamed '18 pages' only for Aniston to correct him: 'front and back!'

Like the old days: And the Friends: The Reunion official trailer showed the unbreakable bond between the cast as they reminisced on the iconic show ahead of HBO Max special

Memories: The opening scene was certainly familiar as Jennifer Aniston joined Courteney Cox and Matt LeBlanc on their old couch for an updated trivia game with David Schwimmer, Lisa Kudrow and Matthew Perry

Courteney screamed back, 'Wait, wait do it one more time!' Lisa Kudrow was overwhelmed upon walking onto set at the Warner Bros. lot as Matt enthusiastically said: 'Here we go!'

Jennifer, who played Rachel Green, proved to be already emotional as she asked: 'Where's the tissue box?'

'Does Courteney still have her lines written on the table?' Matt asked as he toured the old apartment set.

'We have such a bond from this show,' Lisa explained while sitting on the iconic orange couch from the show's intro.

'Were Ross and Rachel on a break?' host James Corden asked the group, to which Jennifer and Courteney yelled 'yes!'

'Rachel wrote Ross a letter and demanded he read it before they got back together. How many pages was that letter?' he asked the group

Matt, who played Joey Tribbiani, screamed '18 pages' only for Aniston to correct him: 'front and back!' Courteney screamed back, 'Wait, wait do it one more time!'

Make em laugh: Matt picked up his cup of coffee and muttered 'bulls***' under his breath while David laughed and pointed when asked if Ross and Rachel were actually on a break

Matt picked up his cup of coffee and muttered 'bulls***' under his breath while David laughed and pointed.

Lisa admitted the first table read was the 'first time I laid eyes on any of you' while Schwimmer noted everyone was 'so perfectly cast.'

'I remember I went to the producer of the show that I was on and he said, "That show's not going to make you a star,'" Jennifer recalled.

In one of many touching moments, Jennifer leaned down to comfort Perry as he stuttered through his words and said: 'I'm going to cry now.'

Friends ran for 10 seasons from 1994 to 2004, and was created by David Crane and Marta Kauffman, who executive produced the series with Kevin Bright through Bright/Kauffman/Crane Productions in association with Warner Bros. Television.

The Friends reunion will air on May 27 via HBO and HBO Max in the States. It has not yet been revealed how to watch the special in the UK.

Sky is reportedly the frontrunner to pick up the UK broadcasting rights, and if successful it should air on the network the following evening (May 28).
She recently revealed that she is fully qualified to work as a nail technician after completing her training during lockdown.

And Georgia May Foote showed off a new hairdo as she shared a stunning snap to Instagram on Wednesday.

The former Coronation Street actress, 30, posed for the camera as she displayed her new fringe and blonde highlights.

Looking good: Georgia May Foote showed off a new hairdo as she shared a stunning snap to Instagram on Wednesday

Georgia wore her locks in a straight style while she added glamour to her look with a light pallet of makeup.

The soap star looked radiant in the shot as she donned a black top with a matching blazer and a gold necklace.

Alongside the post, Georgia wrote: 'Fresh hair, fresh ideas'.

It comes after Georgia revealed she is fully qualified to work as a nail technician after completing her training during lockdown.

Before and after: The former Coronation Street actress has often sported longer locks recently

The star who left Coronation Street in 2015, penned a lengthy Instagram explaining the new job to her followers, insisting she hasn't quit acting but just decided to learn something new to help with her anxiety during the Covid pandemic.

She wrote: 'Ok so this is a very different post for me but please.... hear me out. I have been an actress for 22 years of my 30 year life and i wouldn't change it for the world. And I never will.

'I recently qualified as a nail technician and I am super proud of myself for the reason i am about to explain,

'I have had people asking if i am quitting acting, if my work has dried up, if i am skint. The answer to all of the above is HELL NO.'

New skill: Georgia recently revealed that she is now qualified as a nail technician after training for her qualification during lockdown

She continued: 'I have just filmed the job of my dreams as Falista on The Outpost, how could i ever ever turn my back on the thing i love more than life?

'I will NEVER give up acting but let me tell you why i am now doing nails in my downtime from acting....

'I have struggled with anxiety for many years. As an actress we receive a lot of rejection, followed by massive celebrations. Then ran off our feet, to long periods of nothing.

'I have learnt this 'nothing' is when my self esteem drops the most. I lose confidence and i get bloody sad.

Best of both worlds: The star, who left the soap in 2015, penned a lengthy Instagram explaining the new job to her followers

'As a creative person who loves having her nails done, i thought 'why not fill my days making other people feel good, pushing my artistic side and feeling productive?'

'I have no shame to put pride aside to put my mental health first. And neither should anyone else or even feel judged for doing so.

'So yes. I am Georgia May Foote the actress still chasing her dreams. But I am also Georgia May Foote who does bloody amazing nails and has big plans on the side.

'And most importantly i am Georgia May Foote who is proud of her achievements and proud of helping herself when she needs it the most.

'My self esteem drops': Georgia revealed in the lengthy post that she's acquired the new skill so she can stave off her anxiety while waiting for more acting work to come through

Explanation: Georiga insisted she hasn't quit acting but just decided to learn something new to help with her anxiety during the Covid pandemic

'Ps. On the funny side, that is not a massive camel toe on this pic, i crossed my legs and the baggy pants have folded in a very unfortunate way,' she signed off humorously.

It comes after the Bury native slammed the TV industry last year for not using Northern actors in the relevant roles roles.

She said: 'Why are northern actors not asked to play northern parts? The accent is really difficult if youre not from here.

'A neutral accent is something northerners have always had to do to get work. Now our accent is more popular, why are we not getting the jobs when it is required?'

North of the border: It comes after the Bury native slammed the TV industry last year for not using Northern actors in the relevant roles roles

She was agonising over choosing something to watch on TV when she made the remarks on social media - with some believing she was specifically criticising new Netflix series White Lines, starring non-northern actors Laura Haddock and Laurence Fox, who both perform on the series with accents.

'Trying to watch what should be a good series, but completely put off with an accent. I see and hear this so much!' she added.

Georgia has also opened up about her mental health struggles in the past and said how anxiety medication 'saved her life'.

The soap star has been taking Citalopram - an antidepressant which is used to treat depression and panic attacks.

The Bury native said: 'Why are northern actors not asked to play northern parts? The accent is really difficult if youre not from here!' [pictured filming The Outpost]

She said: 'I have been on it for over two years now and it probably saved my life.

'I am grateful there is medication that can help when you struggle so much to motivate yourself to help yourself. Now I understand what helps I am slowly coming off it.'

While the former soap star admitted that she found the side effects 'awful at first' she thinks it was worth it because of how much it changed her life.

Candid: Georgia has also spoke about her mental health struggles in the past and said how anxiety medication 'saved her life'

The common side effects of Citalopram during the beginning stages of taking it are: dry mouth, sweating, being unable to sleep, feeling sleepy and feeling tired or weak.

Georgia explained that while Citalopram cures the symptoms of some mental health problems it doesn't cure the root causes.

She said: 'It doesn't cure anxiety, it doesn't cure depression. It's something that helps you think a little bit clearer so I found it was really useful alongside therapy because I could think a little bit clearer.

'I could sleep at night. It gets rid of that fuzzy feeling.

'But I do still have them days, very badly at times like I don't get how Chris puts up with me to be honest because I can't put up with myself half the time.

'It's really difficult and I'm coming off them so I do feel like sometimes I'm having more of those days more often but yeah it definitely helped me, it helped me alongside therapy so I would advice it if you can.'

For information or support with mental health issues visit mind.org.uk or call 0300 123 3393
Jessica Alba has revealed that she was left in tears when her nine-year-old daughter Haven walked in on her with her husband Cash Warren.

Cash, 42, and Jessica, 40, made the revelation on her YouTube show Getting Honest in a clip obtained by People magazine.

'It was the worst,' said Cash. 'We like spent five minutes in our bedroom laughing and like being like: "I can't believe it, we just ruined our daughter! We ruined her!"'

Uh oh: Jessica Alba has revealed that she was left in tears when her nine-year-old daughter Haven walked in on her with her husband Cash Warren; the trio are pictured this Easter

'I started crying! I started crying,' said Jessica, revealing that she then rung up Cash's sister Koa who is 'so good at helping us through challenges.'

Cash revealed that 'even' his sister 'had no advice' - and Jessica revealed that 'by the time we called Koa, Haven had already texted her.'

An 'emergency meeting' resulted for the family where Cash said: 'Haven, bet that's the last time you walk into our room without knocking?'

The upshot is that 'now she knocks. It was like she learned her lesson!' said Cash with a laugh as Jessica repeated that she '100% cried.'

Looking back: Cash, 42, and Jessica, 40, made the revelation on her YouTube show Getting Honest in a clip obtained by People magazine

'It was the worst': Cash said: 'We like spent five minutes in our bedroom laughing and like being like: "I can't believe it, we just ruined our daughter! We ruined her!"'

Incidentally: They were interviewing their friends and fellow couple Rachel Zoe and Rodger Berman on the new episode of Jessica's show

They were interviewing their friends and fellow couple Rachel Zoe and Rodger Berman on the new episode of Jessica's show.

Jessica and her producer husband are the parents of three children - Honor, 12, Haven, nine, and Hayes, three.

The couple had spontaneously decided to get married at a Beverly Hills courthouse one day in 2008 while Jessica was heavily pregnant with Honor.

Cash, who is the son of Hill Street Blues actor Michael Warren, met Jessica while assistant directing her critically savaged 2005 hit film Fantastic Four.

Family photo: Jessica and her producer husband are the proud parents of three children - Honor, 12, Haven, nine, and Hayes, three; they are all pictured in December 2019

Although she rose to fame as an actress, Jessica is also the founder of the consumer goods brand The Honest Company, which she launched in 2011.

During a 2018 interview with InStyle she shared that 'I feel like my purpose in life was to create Honest, and everything led me to that.'

Earlier this month Jessica took the Honest Company public and it was valued at almost $2 billion on its first day of trading.
Mark Wahlberg is the latest hotshot businessman to cash in on Byron Bay's skyrocketing popularity.

The Hollywood actor, 49, is in talks to expand his US restaurant chain Wahlburgers into the coastal town, after his business partner Sam Mustaca purchased a local development site.

Mr Mustaca splashed a cool $200million on the Mercato precinct in the middle of Byron Bay, and plans to develop the site into a luxury hotel and restaurant precinct.

Mark's bid for Byron! Plans are afoot to bring Mark Wahlberg's US fast food chain Wahlburgers into the Mercato precinct, after the site was purchased by his business partner Sam Mustaca for $200million

The Mercato - which was previously rumoured to have been purchased by Justin Hemmes - spans 4,128sqm and has a flexible B2 Local Centre zoning, allowing for a wide range of mixed-use development including retail, residential and hotels.

'I think we might be talking to Mark Wahlberg about the development, but we need to see what the community wants first,' Mr Mustaca told The Daily Telegraph on Thursday.

'I know Mark loves Byron,' he said of Wahlburg, who completed a two-week quarantine in the idyllic enclave back in January.

Buying up: The Mercato precinct (pictured) - which was previously rumoured to have been purchased by Justin Hemmes - spans 4,128sqm and has a flexible B2 Local Centre zoning, allowing for a wide range of mixed-use development including retail, residential and hotels.

It was previously revealed that billionaire publican Justin Hemmes and his Merivale Group were finalising a deal on the Mercato precinct, which was later reported to be false.

Wahlberg announced his plans to bring Wahlburgers to Australian in January after inking a deal worth more than $50million with the Mustaca family.

The fast food chain will employ 500 staff and see movie-themed restaurants open in 15 locations inside or next to cinemas.

These locations include Sydney's Warriewood and Narellan, Melbourne's Craigieburn, Brisbane's Indooroopilly and Perth's Rockingham.

Details: Wahlberg announced his plans to bring Wahlburgers to Australian in January after inking a deal worth more than $50million with the Mustaca family. Mark pictured with founders Roy Mustaca (centre) and his son Sam (right) last month

Coming soon: The fast food chain will employ 500 staff and see movie-themed restaurants open in 15 locations inside or next to cinemas

'What we are really focusing on now is creating exclusive content just for the customers. So people will see movie trailers early and all that stuff,' Wahlberg told The Daily Telegraph in January.

The first store to open its doors will be in Sydney's Circular Quay in coming months, with Wahlberg promising to return to Australia for the grand opening.

Speaking to A Current Affair, the Mile 22 star revealed he would consider changing the menu at Wahlburgers to cater for Australian tastes by adding beetroot to the burgers.

'If that's what the customers want,' the actor responded when questioned about whether he would consider adding the Australian favourite.

'My palate has grown a bit - I didn't think I liked Vegemite, either, and I had quite a bit of it while I was there. '
They moved in together during lockdown and their relationship has gone from strength to strength.

And Ferne McCann and Jack Padgett looked like a stylish power couple on Wednesday as they made their grand entrance at Amazonico in London ahead of dinner.

The First Time Mum star, 30, flaunted her assets in a plunging blazer dress as she arrived at the swanky Mayfair eatery with her beau.

Leave little to the imagination: Ferne McCann flaunted her assets in a plunging blazer dress on Wednesday as she arrived at Amazonico in London with her boyfriend Jack Padgett

Her racy cut-out garment teased a glimpse of her nude bra and slender legs.

Ferne boosted her height with brown thigh-high boots and added a designer touch with an orange Jacquemus bag.

The mother-of-one combined safety with glamour as she covered her mouth with a silk face mask.

She enhanced her visage with soft, dewy make-up and styled her caramel tresses in a sleek hairdo.

Slim frame: The former TOWIE star's, 30, racy cut-out garment teased a glimpse of her nude bra and slender legs while contrasting against her Jacquemus bag and silk face mask

Meanwhile Jack cut a relaxed figure in navy trousers and a cream top.

He sported white trainers as he was seen clutching a canvas bag complete with a leopard drawing.

In March, the former TOWIE star revealed she cannot stop saying 'I love you' to the male model.

Speaking to The Sun, she admitted that Jack has 'changed her life', saying: 'I feel like he really is the one. I'm in that love bubble and I don't think that's going to change. He's honestly changed my life and that's it now. I'm so grateful.'

Preened to perfection: She enhanced her visage with soft, dewy make-up and styled her caramel tresses in a sleek hairdo

Ferne, who is mother to daughter Sunday, three, went public with the model in late December after first meeting five years ago, and she admitted moving in together so quickly has 'fast-forwarded' her romance with her 'calm and kind' beau.

Speaking in a recent interview with MailOnline, the mother-of-one explained while she initially found the prospect of letting a new man into her life 'daunting', she is confident she has found the 'right person' in longtime friend Jack.

She said: 'It's a really healthy honest relationship. It's an adult relationship and I'm very happy.

'He's nice, calm and balanced, and fun. I love him. I did actually say "I love you" first.'

She added: 'I knew he loved me but he wasn't going to be the one to say it.'

While she shares Sunday with her incarcerated ex-boyfriend Arthur Collins, who is serving over 20 years in jail for an acid attack, babies are not on the cards yet.

She went on: 'It's too soon for all that, and I don't want to scare him off - but I have discussed baby names with him. But we're not planning for a baby yet. I just want to enjoy life with him first for a few more years to have fun with him.'
She's travelling across sunny Western Australia on a bikini photo shoot with a group of other bikini models.

And Natalie Roser looked simply sensational on Wednesday as she documented the group's trip to Shark Bay, about 800 kilometres north of Perth.

The 30-year-old showcased her enviable figure in a revealing red bikini and denim cut-offs in a series of photos and videos on Instagram.

Gorgeous: Natalie Roser looked sensational on Wednesday during a campaign shoot for a swimwear brand in Shark Bay, about 800 kilometres north of Perth

The barefoot beauty completed her outfit with gold hoop earrings and cat-eye sunglasses, and styled her blonde hair loosely.

Natalie and her fellow models spent the day in Shark Bay, after spending the previous day at Ningaloo Reef.

Laura Dundovic, who is part of the group shooting the campaign for Ark Swimwear, showed off her incredible bikini body in a tiny two-piece during Tuesday's shoot.

Stunning: The 30-year-old showcased her enviable figure in a revealing red bikini and denim cut-offs in a series of photos and videos on Instagram

Beach chic: The barefoot beauty completed her outfit with gold hoop earrings and cat-eye sunglasses , and styled her blonde hair loosely

Joy: Natalie appeared to be having the time of her life on location in WA

Travelling: Natalie and her fellow models spent the day in Shark Bay, after spending the previous day at Ningaloo Reef

Taking to Instagram, she shared several behind-the-scenes pictures from the beachside photo shoot.

In her first image, the makeup-free beauty revealed her slender figure and pert derriere as she glanced back at the camera.

She also shared photos of herself outside her trailer and on the sand dunes, wearing a neon orange bikini that drew attention to her ample assets and washboard abs.

Tangerine dream! Laura Dundovic, who is part of the group shooting the campaign for Ark Swimwear, showed off her sensational bikini body in a tiny two-piece during Tuesday's shoot

Laura was joined on the shoot by her friends and fellow models Phoebe O'Hanlon, Dominique Elissa and Natalie.

The former Miss Universe Australia wrote in the caption: 'Back on the west coast. Every time I come to this beautiful place I'm scared it could be my last time here because it's quite a mission to get to.'

'Feeling so blessed to be back in one of my favourite places in the world, with a team I love,' she added.

She's got it! She shared photos of herself outside her trailer and on the sand dunes, wearing a neon orange bikini that drew attention to her ample assets and washboard abs

On set: Laura was joined on the shoot by her friends and fellow models Phoebe O'Hanlon, Dominique Elissa and Natalie

Bikini babes: Laura beamed for a photo with fellow model Dominique Elissa (left)

It comes after Laura revealed her favourite 'go-to' workout for when she's travelling and doesn't have access to a gym.

In a video shared to Instagram in January, she completed multiple exercises for her followers, including crab walks, banded squats and 'clamshells' with her feet raised.

'MY GO-TO. Here is my fav workout when I'm travelling and don't have access to a gym...' she captioned her post.

Sharing her secrets! It comes after Laura revealed her favourite 'go-to' workout for when she's travelling and doesn't have access to a gym. In a video, she completed multiple exercises for her followers, including crab walks, banded squats and 'clamshells' with her feet raised

Laura started off by completing 20 crab walks, before moving on to 20 banded squats with her heels raised and 20 clamshells with her feet raised on each side.

She then did 20 dead bug movements each side, before moving on to side planks, a 20-second plank hold and 20 ab curls with her feet raised.

Laura told her followers to complete this routine three to five times, depending on their level of fitness.
Todays world is more and more global with people traveling and moving to live in countries away from their place of birth. With countries also being more open and lenient to immigrants moving in, the processes for long-term residency have become easier. Having said that, the Cyprus residency process is one of the simplest ones. This is easily the case if you choose to follow the residency by investment. Then, the first step on your Cyprus residency will be to launch your search for property in the region. The fun part is finding out where you might want to live. To give you an idea, pafilia.com has a great portfolio of various luxury properties across the island.

Why Apply for Cyprus Residency?

There are many perks to having a Cyprus permanent residence permit, some of which are described below:

Easy and efficient process

Include your spouse and children

Access to the European Union

Valid for life and easily maintained

The first step towards Cyprus Citizenship

Easy and Efficient Process

Even if youre not a huge traveler and you simply want to settle in Cyprus then getting your permanent residency is a must. Basically, its valid for life. The permanent residence status allows you to live without having to ever do any more paperwork. Its a huge relief living in a place and knowing that theres no risk of being thrown out because of some future policy change.

Another great advantage is that the Cyprus permanent residency process is very efficient. In fact, it only takes on average 2 months, although it can go up to 4. Either way, your residency permit application goes through the Civil Registry and Migration Department. Although, remember that its important that you hold a clean criminal record as this will be a critical check.

Include your Spouse and Children on your Cyprus Residency

Once youve been approved, you and your family can travel visa-free across Europe. You can even include your parents and your spouses parents on your permanent residency application if theyre your dependents. Its worth noting though that this assumes youre opting for Category 6.2 or Category F. Both of these processes involve proving a minimum annual income and that you can support your dependents.

Access to the European Union

Europe offers great getaway weekends with a wide range of cultures, history, and food to choose from. Of course, you wont need to be away all the time once you have your permanent residency. Bear in mind also that youre bound to fall in love with Cyprus and its coastal lifestyle. Then again, its useful to be part of the European Union if youre an investor. This is because youll be able to work more easily with people across the continent due to having a European business in Cyprus.

Valid for Life and Easily Maintained

As mentioned, the Cyprus permanent residence permit is valid for life. Even if you later decide to move away from Cyprus then you can still maintain your permanent residency status. You only need to visit for one day every two years to keep your residency permit which is actually very generous.

The first step towards Cyprus Citizenship

The Citizenship by Investment program ended in 2020 but you can still follow the traditional process. This means holding your residence permit for 7 years and actually living in Cyprus during that time uninterrupted. Depending on what other passport you hold, you might find it useful to have a European one as well. Either way, start by getting your permanent residency and then see what you feel like doing.

Fast Track Residency by Investment

Invest 300,000 euros in Cyprus property

Deposit at least 30,000 euros into a local bank account

Once approved, submit your biometrics at the Civil Registry and Migration Department

The most common approach for investing in your permanent residency permit is to apply for category 6.2 which means investing at least 300,000 euros in the property. You also have the other option of applying for category F that requires a minimum investment in property of 100,000 euros. In addition, though, youll have to prove a minimum annual income of 9,568 euros and an extra annual income of 4,613 per dependent.

You can also consider category C for permanent residency if you own a company that can also conduct activities in Cyprus. This option is perhaps less obvious to work with though so if in doubt, you might want to double-check with a lawyer.

Of course, there are some forms to fill in to get your residence permit. Youll also have to deposit at least 30,000 into a local bank account. Once everything is approved though, your final step will be to submit your biometrics, with your family members, to the Civil Registry and Migration Department.

Final Recommendations for Getting your Cyprus Residency

Investing in Cyprus real estate also means you can invest in getting your residence permit and support your long-term life plans. Whether youre looking for a more relaxed lifestyle or you want to set up an online business working from home overlooking the Mediterranean sea, you dont want to have to worry about residency status. The great news is that the Cyprus permanent residency process is easy to follow and efficient. Consider that by the time the kids go back to school after the summer break, you could be all set up in your dream home both comfortably and legally.
MSCI Managing Director and Head of ESG Research Linda-Eling Lee



This article is the fifth in a series of interviews with ESG experts intended to make suggestions for Korea's financial, industrial and public sectors to come up with better ESG strategies for sustainable growth.  ED.



Global ESG research head concerned about governance issues





By Park Jae-hyuk



MSCI's environmental, social and governance (ESG) indices have been frequently mentioned in recent months among Korean companies that are trying to attract global investors by promoting their relatively higher ratings than their local rivals.



The Federation of Korean Industries confidently said in May that the lobby group would provide data on domestic firms' exemplary ESG practices to MSCI to overcome the "Korea discount."



MSCI Managing Director and Global Head of ESG Research Linda-Eling Lee, however, did not hesitate to mention that many Korean companies are still new to ESG and most of them have problems with their corporate governance structures.



"On the whole, Korean companies are lagging even behind their emerging market peers," the managing director told The Korea Times in a recent interview from New York.



As the person who leads researchers of the world's largest provider of ESG indices, Lee noted there were a number of areas in which Korean companies could make a lot of improvements over the next couple of years.



She especially called on Korean businesses to improve the diversity of their boards through dialogue with their investors regarding this issue.



Despite recent efforts for ESG, companies here continue to face criticism for only focusing on environmental factors, without reforming their governance structures nor allocating board seats to minorities.



"One real concern would be the corporate governance structure: Who sits on the board and controls companies in Korea is much more concerning than in other markets, including emerging ones," she said. "It is extremely not diverse. It's among the least diverse markets that we cover certainly."





Seen is the cover image of "The Role of Capital in the Net-Zero Revolution."
Nacogdoches, TX (75965)

Today

Mostly cloudy early, then sunshine for the afternoon. High 93F. Winds SSW at 5 to 10 mph..

Tonight

A few passing clouds. Low 72F. Winds SSW at 5 to 10 mph.
@MarkCavitt on Twitter

Mark Cavitt is a multimedia journalist at The Oakland Press and MediaNews Group in Michigan. He covers Oakland County government as well as the communities of Commerce Township, Lyon Township, Milford, Novi, South Lyon, Walled Lake and Wixom.
Hotels.com data shows a rising trend that the star rating was the top criteria when people were searching for hotels. Luxury hotels have gained an edge among local travelers, as people have sought luxurious replacements for international travel amid the prolonged COVID-19 pandemic. gettyimagesbank



By Jun Ji-hye



To people longing for travel, 2021 has been a tantalizing period, as they have hoped for good news that they will be able to continue exploring destinations they love.



Hotels.com, a global online travel agency, unveiled data analyzing these aspiring travelers' minds that shows behavioral changes over the past year and their expectations when they plan for upcoming summer trips.



Reach for the stars



Hotel staycations at domestic destinations increased considerably after COVID-19 broke out in January last year, as people here have sought luxurious replacements for international travel that has been restricted amid the prolonged pandemic.



Hotels.com said its data has shown a rising trend since last year that hotel star ratings were the top criteria when people were searching for accommodation, and 4.5- and five-star hotels have gained an edge among domestic travelers.



This was supported further by the company's previous "Weekendmoon Report," as the survey results showed that 42 percent of respondents who plan a romantic domestic weekend getaway would book five-star luxury hotels, followed by pool villas at 40 percent and beach resorts at 34 percent.



With travelers in Korea favoring the experience, relaxation was at the forefront when planning a getaway.



Compared to pre-pandemic numbers tallied in 2019, last-minute searches for hotels surged while same day bookings increased 21 percent.



Road trips with 'extended' family



Travelers looked at road trips as a more "new normal" means of travel.



Apart from luxurious local getaways with loved ones, another salient feature in domestic journeys was that it was relatively easy to bring companion animals with them to travel destinations.



The firm's data showed that there has been a continuous increase in searches for "pet friendly" and "free parking" amenity types, especially during the pandemic. As many opted to travel with their companion animals to nearby destinations by car, these two searches have become popular among customers.



"There have been significant changes in travel options, from international to domestic and from city to suburb," said Jason Kim, director of Hotels.com Korea. "However, these shifts have not dampened travelers' desire to journey forward. While international travel has been restricted for much of the past year, the pandemic hasn't stopped aspiring travelers from searching for their destinations locally."



Travel recovery visible



According to the data, growth has been visible in overall travel searches in 2021.



Searches for Jeju Island, for example, jumped 97 percent from 2020 to 2021, apparently because travelers have been regaining confidence in travel gradually.



"Approaching the summer holiday, we are seeing a strong demand for domestic holidays as people look to embrace new travel experiences after living with COVID-19 restrictions for more than a year," Kim said.



While international travel remains limited, Korean travelers are seeking experiences outside their cities.



Jeju Island has become the most-searched and -booked destination for local travelers on Hotels.com, followed by Gangwon Province and Busan.





Travelers enjoy summer vacation at Geumneung Beach on Jeju Island. Courtesy of Jeju Tourism Organization
NEW HAVEN  On some level, Kevin Dillon, who runs Bradley International Airport in Windsor Locks, wants to support the expansion that Tweed New Haven Regional Airport has worked for for years. He likes private investment, and repeatedly has said hes not against having a second viable airport to serve southern Connecticut; the two-airport strategy that Tweed long has pushed for.

But hes wary  and said Monday that if Tweed is going to grow, as it now has a chance to, there must be coordination between the two airports.

Weve been talking about coordination in this market for a long time, said Dillon, executive director of the Connecticut Airport Authority, which last year had talks with the Tweed New Haven Airport Authority about various forms of coordination, which at one point included the possibility of a merger or takeover of Tweed by the CAA.

The merger or takeover didnt happen  with both Dillon and Tweed officials saying that Tweed ultimately didnt want to go there.

But the need for some sort of coordination remains, Dillon said.

And thats even more the case following the May 6 announcement that Tweed soon will play host to a second airline, Avelo Air, and plans to enter a long-term agreement with Avports, the company that manages Tweed, to spend $100 million to improve the airport, including a longer runway and a new 74,000-square-foot terminal on the East Haven side, he said.

Among the many officials attending the May 6 announcement was Gov. Ned Lamont, who hailed the private investment in Tweed.

But Dillon said it has to be done with care.

This is a relatively small aviation market so you have to be careful about how you handle it, Dillon said. ... The development of Tweed needs to be carefully coordinated with the development of Bradley.

There needs to be a mechanism in place that the development of Tweed is coordinated with the development of Bradley, Dillon said.

Without that, you start cannibalizing the market, he said.

The two airports are 56 miles from one another.

Bradley handled 3.23 million enplanements, or people boarding departing flights, in 2019. Tweed had 48,860 enplanements in 2019 and would have the capacity for 500,000 to 750,000 passenger departures a year once all the improvements are in place.

Dillon pointed out that the Port Authority of New York & New Jersey runs all of the major airports ringing New York City (the one exception being Westchester County Airport in White Plains, which is owned by the county and managed by Avports.)

Tweed officials, both at the May 6 announcement and in previous meetings and conversations, have gone out of their way to say that they consider any competition Tweed might face to be Connecticut airports versus New York airports that siphon off much of the air traffic from both Bradleys market and Tweeds southern Connecticut primary market, or catchment area.

But while Tweed officials have said theres relatively little overlap between the catchment areas of Bradley and Tweed, Dillon said the 12 percent or so overlap Tweed has claimed actually is much greater.

If looking at a one-hour drive catchment area, its more like a 66 percent overlap, according to Dillons calculations. Thats huge, he said. So you necessarily have a competitive situation. ... What you do at one airport is ... going to impact what you do at another airport.

While Tweed considers its catchment area to be the area of the state south of Meriden and Middletown, Dillon considers Bradleys catchment area to be the almost the entire state plus much of western Massachusetts, although he acknowledged that Bradleys reach into Fairfield County only extends about as far west as Bridgeport.

A study commissioned by Tweed several years ago showed a primary catchment area of about 1.4 million people living south of Middletown and Meriden, east to Old Saybrook and west into Fairfield County.

Sean Scanlon, executive director of the Tweed New Haven Airport Authority, said coordination with Bradley is something that we are committed to.

But while Connecticut is a small state, they are two separate markets, said Scanlon, also a Democratic state representative for Guilford and Branford and the House chairman of the Finance, Revenue and Bonding Committee.

Carriers make decisions based on financial interests and markets, and if a carrier decides that its in their best interest to serve two separate markets, it should be able to, Scanlon said.

But overall, studies have shown that most people in our market tend to go to New York, not Bradley, Scanlon said.

To compete successfully in that environment, its important for Connecticut to have a two-airport strategy ... and the airlines will decide which airport they want to invest in  and either way is good for Connecticut, he said.

Putting a second airport in Connecticut is all about one thing: choice, Scanlon said. We want to put more choice out for people, he said.

Dillon said that at this point, we do not have the full details of the deal that Tweed struck with Avports. So my commentary on it certainly is limited to whats been published on it.

He said hes hoping that well be provided the details soon.

One thing that worries Dillon is the extent to which Avports might be allowed to call the shots regarding Tweeds ultimate level of air service and growth over the 43-year life of its agreement with the Tweed Authority. That agreement still must be approved by the New Haven Board of Alders.

I dont know what level of restrictions are going to be put on a private company, Dillon said. What is somewhat concerning is that you have now brought in a private company with a for-profit motive.

That said, however, private investment is a good thing, he said, pointing out that Bradley recent convinced the auto rental companies that serve that airport to invest more than $200 million to build Bradleys new Transportation Center.

Airport and Avports officials announced May 6 that Avports will spend its own money  about $70 million to start  to extend Tweeds runway from 5,600 feet to 5,735 feet and build the 74,000-square-foot terminal. Avelo will spend $1.2 million toward renovation costs of the existing terminal in the meantime.

All of that would happen while eliminating the $1.8 million in state and city subsidies that Tweed currently receives, officials said.

Avelo, which expects to begin serving Tweed in the third quarter of this year, has yet to announce where it will fly from New Haven, although CEO Andrew Levy mentioned Florida, Chicago and perhaps Washington, D.C., as possibilities.

Tweeds only service right now is 5-day-a-week American Eagle service to Philadelphia. American currently only is committed to stay at Tweed through September.

mark.zaretsky@hearstmediact.com
GAZA CITY, Gaza Strip (AP)  Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu vowed Wednesday to press ahead with a fierce military offensive in the Gaza Strip, pushing back against calls from the United States to wind down the operation that has left hundreds dead.

Netanyahu's tough comments marked the first public rift between the two close allies since the fighting began last week and could complicate international efforts to reach a cease-fire. His pushback also plunges the pair into a difficult early test of the U.S.-Israel relationship.

Israel continued to pound Hamas targets in Gaza with airstrikes, while Palestinian militants bombarded Israel with rocket fire throughout the day. In another sign of potential escalation, militants in Lebanon fired a rocket barrage into northern Israel.

After a visit to military headquarters, Netanyahu said he appreciated the support of the American president, but he said Israel would push ahead to return calm and security to Israeli citizens.

He said he was determined to continue this operation until its aim is met.

He spoke shortly after U.S. President Joe Biden told Netanyahu that he expected "a significant de-escalation today on the path to a cease-fire, the White House said.

Biden had previously avoided pressing Israel more directly and publicly for a cease-fire with Gaza's Hamas militant rulers. But pressure has been building for Biden to intervene more forcefully as other diplomatic efforts gather strength.

Egyptian negotiators have also been working to halt the fighting, and an Egyptian diplomat said top officials were waiting for Israels response to a cease-fire offer. The diplomat spoke on condition of anonymity in line with regulations.

Moussa Abu Marzouk, a top Hamas official, told the Lebanese station Mayadeen TV that he expected a cease-fire in a day or two.

Meanwhile, German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas said he would fly to the region Thursday for talks with Israelis and Palestinians.

Israels Foreign Ministry said the foreign ministers of Slovakia and the Czech Republic would join him after being invited to express their solidarity and support for Israel.

Earlier in the day, the Israeli military said it was widening its strikes on militant targets in southern Gaza to blunt continuing rocket fire from Hamas. At least nine people were killed Wednesday in the Gaza Strip.

The current round of fighting between Israel and Hamas began May 10, when the militant group fired long-range rockets toward Jerusalem after days of clashes between Palestinian protesters and Israeli police at the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound, a flashpoint site sacred to Jews and Muslims. Heavy-handed police tactics at the compound and the threatened eviction of dozens of Palestinian families by Jewish settlers had inflamed tensions.

Since then, Israel has launched hundreds of airstrikes that it says have targeted Hamas infrastructure, and Hamas and other militant groups embedded in residential areas have fired some 4,000 rockets at Israeli cities, with hundreds falling short and most of the rest intercepted or landing in open areas.

At least 227 Palestinians have been killed, including 64 children and 38 women, with 1,620 people wounded, according to the Gaza Health Ministry, which does not break the numbers down into fighters and civilians. Hamas and Islamic Jihad say at least 20 of their fighters have been killed, while Israel says the number is at least 130. Some 58,000 Palestinians have fled their homes.

Twelve people in Israel, including a 5-year-old boy, a 16-year-old girl and a soldier, have been killed.

The rockets fired by militants in Lebanon into northern Israel threatened to open up a new front in the fighting. The rocket attack, which drew Israeli artillery fire in response but did not cause any injuries, raised the possibility of dragging Israel into renewed conflict with the powerful Lebanese militant group Hezbollah to its north.

No one claimed responsibility for the attack, and Hezbollah, which fought a monthlong war against Israel in 2006, has stayed out of the fighting for now. The rockets were widely believed to be fired by Palestinian factions based in south Lebanon.

But they cannot operate without Hezbollahs tacit consent, and the barrage appears to be carefully calibrated to send a political message that the group, which has tens of thousands of missiles, could join the battle at any time. Israel considers Hezbollah to be its most formidable threat and has threatened widespread destruction in Lebanon if war were to erupt.

In Gaza, one of the Israeli airstrikes destroyed the home of an extended family.

Residents surveyed the piles of bricks, concrete and other debris that had once been the home of 40 members of al-Astal family in the southern Gaza town of Khan Younis. They said a warning missile struck the building five minutes before the airstrike, allowing everyone to escape.

Ahmed al-Astal, a university professor, described a scene of panic, with men, women and children racing out of the building.

We had just gotten down to the street, breathless, when the devastating bombardment came, he said. They left nothing but destruction, the childrens cries filling the street. ... This is happening, and there is no one to help us.

Another strike in nearby Deir al-Balah killed a man, his wife and their 2-year-old daughter, witnesses said. Iyad Salha, a brother of the man who was killed, said the family had just sat down for lunch when the missile hit.

Among those killed Wednesday were a reporter for Hamas-run Al-Aqsa radio and two people who died when warning missiles crashed into their apartment.

The Israeli military said it was striking a militant tunnel network in southern Gaza, with 52 aircraft hitting 40 underground targets.

Military officials, meanwhile, said a mysterious explosion that killed eight members of a Palestinian family on the first day of the fighting was caused by a misfired rocket from Gaza. "This wasnt an Israeli attack," said Lt. Col. Jonathan Conricus, a military spokesman.

Since the fighting began, Gazas infrastructure, already weakened by a 14-year blockade, has rapidly deteriorated. Medical supplies, water and fuel for electricity are running low in the territory, on which Israel and Egypt imposed the blockade after Hamas seized power in 2007.

Israeli attacks have damaged at least 18 hospitals and clinics and destroyed one health facility, the World Health Organization said. Nearly half of all essential drugs have run out.

Among the buildings leveled by Israeli airstrikes was one housing The Associated Press' Gaza office and those of other media outlets.

Netanyahu has alleged that Hamas military intelligence was operating in the building. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said Tuesday that Israel had given the U.S. information about the bombing, without elaborating.

The AP has called for an independent investigation. The news organization's president, Gary Pruitt, has said the AP had no indication Hamas was present in the building.

The fighting, the worst since a 2014 war between Israel and Hamas, has ignited protests around the world and inspired Palestinians in Israel and the occupied territories to call a general strike Tuesday. It was a rare collective action that spanned boundaries central to decades of failed peace efforts. Israel captured the West Bank, east Jerusalem and Gaza in the 1967 Mideast war, territories the Palestinians want for their future state.

___

Krauss reported from Jerusalem. Associated Press writers Bassem Mroue and Zeina Karam in Beirut, Isabel DeBre in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, Samy Magdy in Cairo and Frank Jordans in Berlin contributed to this report.
Skip to main navigation

For Release: Wednesday, May 19, 2021

DEC Announces 2021 'I BIRD NY' Challenges

Program Encourages New Yorkers to Enjoy Birdwatching No Matter Where They Live

Visit DEC's AdventureAtHome Webpage to Learn How to Begin Birding

New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Commissioner Basil Seggos today announced the start of the 2021 "I BIRD NY" challenges for beginning and experienced birders. Two levels of challenges provide the opportunity to identify birds and learn about birdlife and offer a chance to win birding equipment.

"No matter where you live or where you come from, birdwatching is a fun, safe activity that can be enjoyed by people of all ages, abilities, and backgrounds," Commissioner Seggos said. "This is a particularly great time of year to take up birding or take your birding skills to the next level by observing the many spring migrants arriving every day, particularly here in upstate New York."

"Taking part in the I BIRD NY challenges are a sure way to grow and enrich an appreciation for the natural world," said State Parks Commissioner Erik Kulleseid. "New York State Parks offer exceptional places for people to see and learn about a diverse species of birds in their native habitats - and we welcome participants to visit."

New York State's wide-ranging habitat types, from the Atlantic Ocean's sandy beaches to majestic Catskill and Adirondack peaks, Great Lakes shorelines, and everything in between, create a birder's paradise, supporting more than 450 different bird species throughout the year. New York also has 59 designated Bird Conservation Areas to safeguard and enhance bird populations and habitats on State lands and waters. The I BIRD NY program was launched by Governor Andrew Cuomo in 2017 to build on the State's efforts to increase access to New York's vast natural resources and promote no- and low-cost opportunities to explore the great outdoors and connect with nature.

I BIRD NY is just one of DEC's ongoing efforts to engage New Yorkers in nature-based activities that provide a fun opportunity for the entire family to learn about the natural world. Because people can watch birds wherever they live, work, or play, birdwatching is an accessible activity that does not require transportation or the purchase of specialized equipment.

Birdwatching is one of the fastest-growing outdoor recreational activities in the U.S. Backyard birding, or watching birds close to home, is the most common way people engage in birding. As a birder's skill and interest develop, there are several opportunities to contribute to scientific knowledge about birds and the natural world. Programs like eBird, New York's Breeding Bird Atlas, Cornell Lab of Ornithology's NestWatch, and the Great Backyard Bird Count (links leave DEC's website) rely on volunteer birders to contribute sightings to a centralized database.

"Bird watching is like a treasure hunt - once you start looking, it's amazing how much diversity and beauty in wildlife you can encounter right around you," said Miyoko Chu, Director of Communications at the Cornell Lab of Ornithology. "You can download the Cornell Lab's free Merlin Bird ID app to start identifying new birds for your list today!"

"As millions of people discovered over the past year, outdoor activities like birding offer a great way to stay grounded and relieve stress," said Mike Burger, Interim Executive Director at Audubon New York. "Whether you sit and birdwatch at an urban park, bike one of New York's rail trails, or hunt spring gobblers, knowing some of the birds that you see and hear will enrich your experience. New York's public lands provide thousands of acres of important and accessible bird habitat in all parts of our state. We encourage everyone to take this opportunity to enjoy spring migration."

Molly Adams, President of the Feminist Bird Club, said, "During the pandemic, we have seen so many new folks finding joy in noticing the birds around them. The I Bird NY challenges are a great way for birders to familiarize themselves with local birds, their habitats, and seasonality."

Birdwatching can be enjoyed by people from all economic backgrounds and education levels. While binoculars can help, many birds can be identified without special equipment. DEC is hosting its annual I Bird NY Beginner's Birding Challenge (PDF), which is open to anyone 16 years of age and younger. To complete the Beginner's Birding Challenge, participants must identify 10 common New York bird species and submit their challenge sheet to DEC. Entries can be mailed or emailed. All challenge participants will receive a certificate of participation and be entered into a random drawing for a chance to win birding accessories.

In addition to the Beginner's Birding Challenge, DEC is offering the I Bird NY Experienced Birder Challenge (PDF). To complete the experienced birder challenge, birders of any age must identify at least 10 different bird species found across New York State. All participants in this challenge will also receive a certificate of participation and be entered into a drawing for birding accessories.

Birding enthusiasts can visit I Bird NY to access this year's challenge sheets, as well as find information on where and how to watch birds, upcoming bird walks or other events, a downloadable Beginner's Guide to Birding (PDF) (also available in Spanish (PDF)), and additional resources.

Two-thousand-twenty-one also marks the second of five field seasons for New York's third Breeding Bird Atlas.

"I encourage all birders to contribute observations of breeding birds to the Atlas by creating a free eBird account," said Julie Hart, Breeding Bird Atlas project coordinator for the Natural Heritage Program. "By doing so, birders will increase the value of their observations for conservation. The Breeding Bird Atlas is a valuable tool to help protect birds and their habitat."

#AdventureAtHome: Looking for an at-home adventure? DEC is featuring special #AdventureAtHome content online and on Facebook and Instagram, with new, live specials, videos, and at-home tools and games for New Yorkers who are homebound or cannot go far for a nature break. Visit #Adventureathome.

To improve public safety and encourage visitors to State-owned and managed lands to practice responsible recreation, DEC recently launched the 'Love Our New York Lands' campaign. The campaign is responsive to the steady increase in the number of visitors to state lands, both during the COVID-19 pandemic and in the decade prior, as more and more New Yorkers and visitors from other states and countries discovered the natural beauty of New York State lands, particularly the Adirondack and Catskill parks. The campaign bolsters ongoing State- and partner-led efforts to educate the public about how to responsibly enjoy outdoor recreation on public lands without negatively impacting natural resources. The campaign will implement a variety of multi-media and in-person strategies to promote Leave No Trace principles (leaves DEC's website), hiker preparedness and safety, sustainable use, and responsible trip planning, as well as reinforce the role of DEC professionals who protect public lands and manage public access, including DEC Foresters, Natural Resource Planners, Forest Rangers, Assistant Forest Rangers, and natural resource stewards. For details and more information, visit the Love Our New York Lands webpage.
Thank you for reading!

Please purchase a subscription to read our premium content. If you have a subscription and are still unable to access our content, please link your digital account to your print subscription If you have a subscription, please log in or sign up for an account on our website to continue.
Kurt Campbell, White House policy coordinator for the Indo-Pacific / Yonhap



The U.S. administration of President Joe Biden will build on a 2018 summit agreement with North Korea, White House Asia czar Kurt Campbell said Tuesday, extending overtures to Pyongyang after completing a monthslong policy review on the North.



"Our policy review took a careful look at everything that has been tried before. Our efforts will build on Singapore and other agreements made by previous administrations," Campbell, White House policy coordinator for the Indo-Pacific, said in a written interview with Yonhap News Agency.



It marks the first time a ranking U.S. official has said on the record that the Biden administration will inherit the denuclearization agreement signed in Singapore by former President Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un in June 2018.



Under the landmark agreement, Kim committed to work toward complete denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula and the two sides also agreed to establish new relations and a lasting and stable peace regime on the peninsula.



Trump and Kim held a second summit in Hanoi in February 2019 to come up with a detailed map for the North's denuclearization process, but the talks ended without a deal, bringing the denuclearization process to an impasse.



In mid-February this year, the Biden administration tried to reach out to the North, but the North remained unresponsive. In March, the North confirmed the U.S. efforts to reach out but declared that it will continue to ignore U.S. overtures until Washington gives up its hostility toward it.



Campbell said the new administration's policy toward North Korea is not aimed at hostility.



"Importantly: Our policy towards North Korea is not aimed at hostility, it's aimed at solutions. It's aimed at ultimately achieving the complete de-nuclearization of the Korean Peninsula," Campbell said in the exclusive interview with Yonhap.



"And we're prepared to engage in diplomacy towards that ultimate objective, but work on practical measures that can help us make progress along the way towards that goal," he said.



After concluding its policy review on the North, the Biden administration said that the new policy will seek a "calibrated, practical approach that is open to and will explore diplomacy" with North Korea.



Campbell refused to confirm recent reports that Washington has reached out to Pyongyang for a second time to explain the outcome of its North Korea policy review, saying, "It is important to leave space for private diplomatic exchanges to stay private."



He also refused to put any label on the new U.S. approach toward North Korea but said it will use everything his country has to address the problem that previous administrations have failed to resolve.



"There's a reason we need a new and different approach  previous approaches have failed. We are under no illusions on how challenging this is. This is one of the hardest national security problems the world is facing. That's why we have to try with everything we have, but also have realistic expectations."



Campbell said it was too soon to discuss sanctions relief for the reclusive North.



"United Nations sanctions on DPRK remain in place, and we will continue to enforce them, including through diplomacy at the United Nations and with the DPRK's neighbors. It's premature to speculate beyond that  we have far more work ahead of us," he said, referring to North Korea by its official name, the Democratic People's Republic of Korea.



The interview came just days before South Korean President Moon Jae-in visits Washington for talks with Biden on Friday, where North Korea is expected to feature high on the agenda, along with cooperation on COVID-19 vaccines and semiconductor supply chains.



Campbell said the leaders will discuss ways of cooperation related to semiconductors and the outcome of their discussion will include "tangible partnerships related to addressing supply chain security and enhancing public and private cooperation on advanced technology."



He also said that the U.S. currently has no plans to expand the U.S.-led Quad forum involving Australia, India and Japan amid widespread speculation that the U.S. wants Seoul to join the forum widely seen as keeping a growing China in check.



Still, he highlighted the importance of expanding regional cooperation.



"While at this time there are no plans to expand the Quad, our shared values of support for a free, prosperous Indo-Pacific are certainly embraced by many other regional partners and we believe there will be ways to continue to expand regional cooperation. That includes cooperation with the ROK, ASEAN, and other regional partners." (Yonhap)


Dimple Hayathi has just returned from Tamil Nadu, where she was shooting for a recently-launched Tamil film. We shot for a few days. We were supposed to shoot till May 20, but then the lockdown was imposed. I was worried when I heard the news, and hurried back to Hyderabad on Monday, Dimple shares.

But she continues to worry for her grandfathers family in Chennai. She reveals that the whole family had tested positive for COVID-19 and her grandfather is in ICU.

Ours is a big joint family in Chennai, and all the 10 members have contracted the virus. We are trying to cope with the stress and rally around for support. Its been physically and mentally draining over the last one week, and the situation out there is terrifying, says Dimple. The actress will be seen as a Tamil girl in her next outing.
Dr Reddy's is tying up with local manufacturers to produce Sputnik V within the country and it will take three months for technology transfer.  AFP

HYDERABAD: Sputnik V vaccine has been formally launched in Hyderabad on Monday by Dr Reddy's Laboratories (DRL) in collaboration with Apollo Hospitals. Thirty staff members of Dr Reddy's were administered the vaccine on the occasion.

DRL has imported 1.5 lakh doses of Sputnik V for its soft launch, the first phase of it being in Hyderabad. Five thousand staff and families of DRL are to be administered the vaccine by Apollo Hospitals, Hyderabad.

While the first dose has been given in Apollo Hospitals, Hyderabad, the same will be extended to Visakhapatnam and thereafter to group hospitals in Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Ahmedabad, Chennai, Kolkata and Pune.

The first and second doses of Sputnik V are distinctly different. The gap between two doses of Sputnik V is 21 days. Apollo Hospitals said the cost of vaccination is Rs 1,200 and Rs 1,250.

DRL (Branded Markets) chief executive officer M. V. Ramana says, "We have got stocks of both the doses and will scale up accordingly. Presently, we have tied up with Apollo Hospitals as a cold chain is required for the vaccine."

Dr Reddy's is tying up with local manufacturers to produce Sputnik V within the country. It will take three months for technology transfer.

It is stated discussion are on with union government for Sputnik V vaccinations in government hospitals. There are also eight states that have shown interest in the vaccine but details are to be worked out.

Dr K. Hari Prasad, president, hospitals division of Apollo Hospitals Enterprises Limited, said, "Opening up vaccination programmes to private sector will help accelerate vaccination. We are currently administering the other Covid vaccines at 60 locations across the country. Sputnik V is going to be another significant contribution to ease availability of Covid vaccines within the community."

Sputnik V is also included in the COWIN app of government of India. But due to technical glitches, it will take time to reflect on the app, DRL officials said.
Adivasis of erstwhile Adilabad are disappointed a lot with the state government announcing setting up of a medical college in Mancherial. (Photo: Representational/PTI)

Adilabad: Due to lack of proper medical facilities and vulnerability to life threatening diseases, members of tribal communities in the interior areas of Komaram Bheem Asifabad district are undergoing a harrowing time especially in times of adversities.

Speaking to this correspondent, tribals requested Chief Minister K.Chandrashekar Rao to announce a government medical college in Asifabad district to provide better medical facilities to the poor. It may be mentioned that people of marginalised sections form the majority of the population in the district.

The state government has allotted a medical college to Mancherial district which has already become a medical hub after Karimnagar and is well-connected with Karimnagar and Hyderabad.

The lone medical college existing in Adilabad is 120 km away from Asifabad and people of the district are facing a lot of difficulties in getting proper treatment due to lack of medical colleges or top hospitals. Adivasis recalled that Chief Minister K Chandrashekar Rao had promised while addressing Komaram Bheems death anniversary celebrations at Jodeghat in the past to provide better medical facilities to them and said even he was ready to lift patients in air ambulance from the interior and inaccessible areas.

Adivasis of erstwhile Adilabad are disappointed a lot with the state government announcing setting up of a medical college in Mancherial. People of the interior areas of Kagaznagar division have to travel nearly 180 km to reach Mancherial and it would be appropriate if another medical college set up in Asifabad for the benefit of people of interior areas.

People are not getting proper medical treatment at the 50-bedded district hospital at Utnoor though it was upgraded with infrastructure and equipment in the past.

People of Erstwhile Adilabad district urged Asifabad ZP chairperson Kova Laxmi, MLAs Koneru Konappa of Sirpur (T), Atram Sakku of Asifabad, Azmeera Rekha Naik of Khanapur, Durgam Chinnaiah of Bellampalli to take up the issue of setting up a medical college in Asifabad with the Chief Minister and other top government officials.

Kanaka Prathibha, Sarpanch of Marlavai gram panchayat of Jainoor, said people of the tribal belt would get better medical facilities with easy access if the government set up a medical college in Asifabad.
Hyderabad: The state governments decision to establish medical colleges in Sangareddy, Jagtial, Kothagudem, Wanaparthy, Mancherial and Mahbubabad districts on Monday has received mixed response from the medical community.

Of several doctors contacted by Deccan Chronicle on Tuesday, some said it was a much-needed decision considering the pressure that medical infrastructure has been facing, especially during the pandemic, while others said the decision was too little too late.

Director of Medical Education Dr Ramesh Reddy said, "The six medical colleges will help create advanced intensive care and emergency facilities, apart from enabling us to deal with disasters and accidents."

Healthcare Reforms Doctors Association-Telangana president Dr Mahesh Kumar, however, said the focus of the government should have been on primary and secondary healthcare centres. He maintained that opening more medical colleges would not solve medical deficiencies existing within the community.

"Primary healthcare centres and area hospitals are in a shambles because the medical community and government are not focusing on them. The level of medical teaching has gone down by several notches too. Just setting up buildings will not improve health infrastructure", Dr Kumar pointed out.

Dr Vijay Mohan, professor with the Osmania Medical College, said there was a need to boost the morale of medical students as well as teachers. He underlined that facilities at medical colleges and curriculum have to be improved to enable students learn and perform better in the face of a medical crises like the one country is facing since the past two years.

A government sector doctor in Hyderabad, who wished to remain anonymous, was not convinced. The announcement is just an attempt to take the blame away from the government over its mismanagement of Coronavirus crises. the doctor remarked.

"Can anyone guarantee that the medical colleges will start admissions from the next academic year? At a time when the medical fraternity is facing the most difficult times in decades, in addition to receiving poor pay, what good will another college do? The crunch being faced is now. We cannot wait for another five or six years for help," another doctor remarked.
By Kim Rahn





Food poisoning bacteria were detected in 15 out of 289 kimchi products imported from China, according to the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety, Tuesday.







Two out of four Chinese salt-cured cabbage products were also found to have used preservatives that are not permitted in Korea.







The ministry found the substandard products during an intensified inspection of imported kimchi and kimchi-related ingredients from March 12 to May 7. The inspection was made in response to public concerns over the hygiene of the production process for kimchi produced in China, after a video clip showed a man pickling cabbages in a cloudy pool of them there.







It examined the 289 products from 55 Chinese companies imported here, and detected Yersinia enterocolitica, a type of food poisoning bacteria, in 15 of them.







In 50 percent of the four salt-cured cabbage products made by two Chinese companies, the ministry found dehydroacetate, a type of preservative that is not allowed in salt-cured food products in Korea.







The ministry ordered the Chinese companies and Korean importers to send the products back to China or discard them. It also decided to conduct inspections four additional times when these companies' products are again imported, and requested the Chinese government take the necessary measures to improve the companies' hygiene practices.







The products have not been distributed in the market, as the inspections were conducted while they were still in customs.







Following the results of the inspection, the ministry decided to conduct Yersinia enterocolitica tests on all imported kimchi products, regardless of their country of origin.


The Chief Minister enquired with the patients about the treatment being given to them.  DC Image

HYDERABAD: Chief Minister K Chandrashekar Rao on Wednesday made a surprise visit to Gandhi Hospital for the first time along with finance minister T Harish Rao, in order to boost the morale of doctors, staff and Covid patients there.

The Chief Minister spent nearly an hour at the hospital, which was converted as a full-time Covid treatment centre, went around the wards, interacted with patients, doctors, nurses and examined the treatment and facilities provided to Covid patients.

The Chief Minister enquired with the patients about the treatment being given to them. He gave them confidence that he is there for them. He then went around the ICUs, emergency, out patient wards and general wards where the Covid patients were being treated. He went to the beds and spoke to the patients. The Chief Minister also enquired about their personal details as well as their wellbeing.

Giving them words of solace and courage, the Chief Minister asked them whether they were getting the proper treatment and about the quality of food supplied to them. The Chief Minister quickly responded to some of the problems raised by the patients and gave

instructions to the medical officers there and continued his interaction with the patients.

Against the backdrop of the state governments recent decision to set up oxygen plants in all government hospitals, the Chief Minister examined the oxygen plant set up at the Gandhi Hospital. Recently this plant was set up on the instructions of the Chief Minister to supply 2,000 litres of oxygen per minute at the Gandhi Hospital. He examined the plant and asked Gandhi Hospital superintendent Dr Raja Rao on how the plant worked and the purity of oxygen it generated.

On the occasion, the Chief Minister also interacted with senior doctors, contract nurses and junior doctors. He congratulated them and complimented them for offering services to Corona patients putting their own lives at risk. He said the government would solve any problem they were facing and as young doctors they had to stand by the people in these troubled and turbulent times. The Chief Minister directed the medical and health officials to send proposals to solve the problems of junior doctors and nurses and for their immediate redressal.

In these difficult times you are doing a great job by standing with the people. Continue these services. In case you have any problem or difficulty, please contact me directly. I will extend all the cooperation to you, the Chief Minister assured.

Chief secretary Somesh Kumar, principal secretary (medical and health) S.A.M. Rizvi, CM secretary and special officer (Covid) Rajasekhar Reddy, CM OSD Gangadhar, Gandhi Hospital superintendent Dr Raja Rao, DME Ramesh Reddy and city police commissioner Anjani Kumar also accompanied the Chief Minister during his visit.
Tauktae triggered heavy rains in many parts along its way from the Saurashtra coast to North Gujarat. (Photo: File/PTI)

Ahmedabad: As many as 13 people were killed in Gujarat as cyclone Tauktae pummelled parts of the state and left behind a trail of destruction along the coast, uprooting electric poles, trees and damaging thousands of houses and roads, officials said on Tuesday.

In what was one of the worst cyclones faced by the state, Tauktae triggered heavy rains in many parts along its way from the Saurashtra coast to North Gujarat with as many as 46 talukas receiving over 100 mm of downpour, while 12 of them recorded 150 mm to 175 mm of rains.

Tauktae, characterised as an extremely severe cyclonic storm on Monday, has now weakened into a "cyclonic storm" and will gradually become a "deep depression" as it moves northwards, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) said.

Even as Tauktae's intensity weakened, it left behind a trail of destruction with as many as 13 people losing their lives in different parts of Gujarat, including Bhavnagar, Rajkot, Patan, Amreli and Valsad, officials said.

Over 16,000 houses were damaged, more than 40,000 trees and over 70,000 electric poles uprooted, while 5,951 villages faced total power blackout due to the cyclonic storm in Gujarat, Chief Minister Vijay Rupani said.

In his media briefing, Rupani said officially the death toll due to the cyclone stood at 13.

A woman died when an electric pole fell on her while she was sleeping in Patan town late Monday night amid strong wind, an official from Patan A-division police station said.

A woman and her daughter were killed when the wall of their house collapsed at Badeli village in Palitana taluka of Bhavnagar, a local administration official said.

In another incident, a girl died after the roof of her house collapsed on four members of the family at Rajula in Amreli district on Monday night, police said.

In Sanand town of Ahmedabad district, an unidentified man in his 30s and a woman, believed to be his relative, died on the spot when a live wire got dislodged from the pole and fell on them near a complex on Sanand-Bavla road, said police.

A woman and her teenage daughter died after coming in contact with a live electricity wire in Nadiad town of Kheda district. The deceased were identified as Taraben Bhil (35) and her daughter Asha (16), said Nadiad town police.

Government officials did not provide the details of the other five deaths.

The landfall process of the eye of the extremely severe cyclonic storm Tauktae, which hit the Gujarat coast in the Saurashtra region between Diu and Una, ended around midnight on Monday, the IMD said.

The remnant of the weather system is very likely to move north-eastwards across Rajasthan to west Uttar Pradesh during May 19 and 20, said the Ministry of Home Ministry in its advisory.

As of Tuesday evening, the cyclonic storm lay centred over Saurashtra, around 35km west of Ahmedabad, 80km east- northeast of Surendranagar, and 120 km south-southeast of Deesa, with the wind intensity now reduced to 60-70 kmph gusting to 80 kmph, the IMD said.

The IMD said districts such as Amreli, Bhavnagar, Navsari, Valsad, Sabarkantha, among others in Gujarat, and Daman and Dadra and Nagar Haveli in the neighbouring Union Territory as well as Sabarkantha, were likely to receive heavy to very heavy rainfall.

The cyclone completed the landfall in Gujarat at 1:30 am on Tuesday, Additional Chief Secretary (Revenue) Pankaj Kumar said, adding districts of Amreli, Gir Somnath, Junagadh, Porbandar, Rajkot, Bhavnagar, and Botad in Saurashtra were the worst affected by the natural disaster.

Rupani told reporters that 5,951 villages suffered blackout and work was underway to restore power supply in 3,850 of them.

Around 70,000 electric poles fell and four 220-KV sub stations were yet to restart out of five that suffered damage due to the storm, the chief minister said.

He said 68 out of 165 66-KV sub stations were also damaged and later made functional.

Rupani said out of 425 COVID-19 hospitals located in the affected areas, 122 suffered power blackout, out of which electricity supply in 83 was restored, and 39 others were working on backup arrangements.

Rupani assured people that loss caused to standing crops, mango and coconut farms, as well as houses and cattle will be compensated by the government, and a survey will be immediately undertaken for the purpose.

Due to the cyclone, the state received widespread rainfall, with 96 talukas receiving more than one inch of downpour, Rupani informed.

As many as 46 talukas received around 4 inch rainfall, and 12 around 6 to 7 inch rainfall. Ten talukas received more than five inch downpour, the chief minister said.

The cyclone poured very heavy rains at all places where it passed from as well as adjoining areas.

Many areas of Ahmedabad city were inundated with knee-deep water following incessant downpour since afternoon as Tauktae passed northward along the district's periphery.

The Indian Coast Guard (ICG) on Tuesday rescued eight fishermen onboard a fishing boat that drifted into the sea off the coast of Veraval harbour due to the cyclone, officials said.

Besides, two Coast Guard Chetak helicopters, operating from the CG airbase at the Union Territory of Daman, rescued eight crew members of the stranded ship 'Gal Constructor' from the sea off the Satpati coast (in neighbouring Maharashtra) amidst very rough and inclement weather conditions, a release said.

The intensity of the wind has gradually reduced but "looking at its movement, we need to take extreme precaution till night," Additional Chief Secretary Kumar told reporters. (Revenue) Pankaj Kumar.

A major cyclone in Gujarat on June 9, 1998, had brought widespread death and destruction in its wake, particularly in the port town of Kandla.

While official figures had then put the death toll at 1,173, adding 1,774 went missing, media reports, eyewitness and volunteer accounts suggested this was grossly an understatement.
There are a total of 50 black fungus cases currently under treatment at the government hospitals. (Photo: PTI/File)

Hyderabad: The state government will supply the drug, liposomal amphotericin B, to hospitals for treatment of the black fungus infection.

The government has also formed a task force in the health department to regulate its supply, in order to ensure its overuse, abuse and black marketing. This panel will evaluate the cases and accordingly allocate the supply.

The Telangana drugs control administration has asked stockists and distributors to supply the injections to hospitals directly but after approval from the task force. There exists a severe shortage of the medicine as production is limited.

Dr Ramesh Reddy, director of health and medical education said, "We will get the stocks in two to three days and this is to be used judiciously. Those who require it will be supplied. There are alternative medicines too and doctors would use them."

At the Government ENT Hospital and Gandhi Hospital, there are a total of 50 black fungus cases currently under treatment.

Dr Reddy said the recovered Covid19 patients must adopt preventive steps like wearing of masks at home so that the nose is protected. Fungus from the air invades the nose. Invasive fungal infection starts due to the immune-compromised state of the body. Wearing face-mask at home for a month after recovery, till the immunity level improves, will help.

It is also important for sugar levels to be checked for diabetes. Random blood sugar is an indication of the fluctuating sugar levels in the body.

Dr Reddy says, "Early diagnosis helps. Hence early symptoms of dark moulds in the nose, facial pain, jaw pains must be evaluated in Covid19-recovered patients. Those patients given steroids for treatment must be more careful. Early intervention helps. Endoscopic surgeries will help remove the fungus."

Black fungus is not infectious and it will not affect others in the family. Due to the infectious nature of Covid19, many are worried whether the infection will affect the entire household.

Health officials say black fungus can be tackled with preventive steps in patients who have recovered and they advised doctors to use steroids only when required.

Tocilizumab to be given after patient check

The director of health and medical education has received several applications for the drug tocilizumab. Officials say this will be supplied only after checking the markers of the patient. There is indiscriminate use of medicines, but this high-end drug is not to be used without clearance from the government.

Fearing a range of side-effects due to these high-end medicines, the government has effected restrictions on the supply of these drugs, stated Dr Ramesh Reddy.
G. Kishan Reddy, minister of state for home, visited the campus and announced the Centres grandiose plan of expanding the facility from the current 50 acres to 150 acres with more facilities.  DC Image

HYDERABAD: It is official. The Centre has made a meagre financial allocation to the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIMS), Bibinagar, located on the city outskirts, proving right the allegations of neglect of the state by the Narendra Modi-led government levelled by the Telangana Rashtra Samiti (TRS) and the Congress against their political rival, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).

Ever since the Centre announced AIIMS for several states after 2014, the facility in Telangana state has got just Rs 23.85 crore. This is against the budgetary allocation of Rs 1,028 crore and the Centre wanted to make the facility fully operational by 2022.

According to details of 15 new AIIMS under construction approved for establishment after 2014, obtained under Right To Information Act by Inaganti Ravi Kumar, an RTI activist, AIIMS, West Bengal, received the highest funding of Rs 967 crore against Rs 1,754 crore for obvious reasons. The AIIMS, Mangalagiri, in Andhra Pradesh, received Rs 879 crore out of the allocated Rs 1,618 crore.

The AIIMS established in other states which received considerable allocations were Maharashtra (Rs 945 crore), Uttar Pradesh (Rs 755 crore), Punjab (Rs 668 crore), Himachal Pradesh (Rs 858 crore), Assam (Rs 435 crore), Jharkhand (Rs 380 crore) and Jammu (Rs 370 crore).

The BJP leaders from Telangana state sought to defend the record, saying that higher allocations in other states were due to the requirement of construction of buildings whereas in Telangana state the AIIMS was located in buildings already constructed for the Nizams Institute of Medical Sciences by the Congress government in combined Andhra Pradesh.

Union health minister Harsh Vardhan went on record in the Lok Sabha in last March that there would be no dearth of funds. But his promise could fetch only Rs 15 crore in the current fiscal in addition to Rs 5 crore which had been released as per milestones.

A few months ago, G. Kishan Reddy, minister of state for home, visited the campus and announced the Centres grandiose plan of expanding the facility from the current 50 acres to 150 acres with more facilities.

The Centre has been neglecting Bibinagar AIIMS for a long time. We handed over the required buildings to the Centre in time but it failed to start full-scale operations even today. Chief Minister K. Chandrashekar Rao has been pursuing with the Centre for adequate funds for the last seven years but in vain, said G. Jagadish Reddy, energy minister and in-charge of undivided Nalgonda district.
Editor of Town Talk, News & Press of Delaware County

Call me wife, mom, daughter, granny, writer, neighbor, sister, aunt, editor, Godmother, niece, friend, acquaintance, co-worker, cousin, news junkie, diva, funmeister... call me them all, just call, text or e-mail me-- especially when there's "a scoop!"
With numbers slow to come in Tuesday night, several precincts in multiple locations throughout Delaware County allegedly ran out of ballots du
The results from the 2021 primary election are being tabulated. Here are the unofficial results so far:
US should stop turning Taiwan into 'most dangerous place'

Chinadaily.com.cn) 11:18, May 19, 2021

Chinese military expressed strong opposition on Wednesday morning, as the US guided missile destroyer USS Curtis Wilbur sailed through Taiwan Straits on Tuesday.

Some Western politicians and media outlets, especially those in the United States, have been speculating whether a military conflict will break out across the Taiwan Straits. For example, in an article published earlier this month, Economist describes Taiwan as "the most dangerous place on earth".

However, it's the US' repeated so-called routine actions that have sent the wrong signals to the island and encouraged the pro-independence forces to seek bolder moves to provoke the mainland. It's the US that is turning Taiwan into the "most dangerous place".

This strategic ambiguity seems growingly hard to sustain for the US. But it should realize that it may no longer be able to deter the mainland from unifying China.

In March, Admiral Phil Davidson, commander of the US Indo-Pacific Command, told the US Congress that he was worried that the mainland would attack Taiwan in the next six years. Davidson made the remarks to create an imaginary enemy and exaggerate the threat it poses to the US and the region, so he could seek a bigger military budget as well as persuade Taiwan to buy more weapons from the US and interfere in cross-Straits affairs.

Some Western countries and institutions always blame Beijing for any deterioration in cross-Straits relations, and hype up news about the mainland sending warships and planes cross the middle line of the Straits but remain silent on why it did so.

The mainland has made its stance clear that peaceful reunification is a priority so long as the Taiwan authorities acknowledge the one-China principle and do not try to split the island from the motherland. It is an established international practice to take all necessary measures, including using military power, to prevent separatists from splitting a country or undermining its core interests such as sovereignty and territorial integrity.

Cross-Straits ties have deteriorated, against Beijing's wishes, because of the collusion between Taiwan secessionists and foreign anti-China forces, which have stirred up trouble across the Straits in a bid to change the status quo and curb the mainland's rise, making Taiwan "the most dangerous place on earth".

The mainland's unprecedented development over the past more than four decades has greatly narrowed its gap with the US in terms of GDP and global influence. On the other hand, Washington, in its desperation to maintain its hegemony worldwide, believes its previous policy toward Beijing  peaceful evolution strategy  has proved a failure and therefore it is now focusing on strategic competition to contain the mainland's rise.

Ever since Donald Trump assumed the US presidency in 2017, Washington has been ramping up efforts to contain the mainland's rise by, among other things, playing the "Taiwan card" more frequently including selling more advanced weapons and sending higher-level officials to the island, and sailing US aircraft carriers very close to the island in a display of military muscles. Such acts pose a serious threat to peace and stability across the Straits and have emboldened the island's separatists to more aggressively seek "Taiwan independence".

The island's ruling Democratic Progressive Party, too, has been pushing its "Taiwan independence" agenda since assuming power in 2016 by refusing to acknowledge the 1992 Consensus that there is only one China, and serving as a US pawn against the mainland in exchange for US support.

There is only one China, so there is no so-called middle line of the Straits. The PLA navy is fully obliged to safeguard the nation's core interests, so it is entitled to send aircrafts near the island, even more frequently.

Beijing is determined to defend the nation's sovereignty and territorial integrity at all costs. If the US keeps playing the "Taiwan card" and the DPP intensifies its activities to seek "independence", the mainland will take appropriate countermeasures. And if the Taiwan authorities cross the bottom line, Beijing will be forced to take necessary strong actions to prevent the division of the country.

(Web editor: Guo Wenrui, Hongyu)
Foreign students take part in a Korean-language essay contest at Yonsei University in Seoul, in this Oct. 8, 2019 photo. Korea Times photo by Koh Young-kwon



By Bahk Eun-ji



Korea ranked 47th out of 59 countries in an index based on a survey to determine the favorability of the living environment and conditions for expats. In the Expats Insider 2021 index released by InterNations, the world's largest expat community with around 4 million members, those in Korea had difficulty settling in, finding friends and feeling at home.



The community conducted the annual survey in January on 12,420 expat respondents, representing 174 nationalities and living in 186 countries or territories, regarding their satisfaction in areas including quality of life, ease of settling in, working life, personal finance and cost of living.



Korea ranked 13th in general living conditions among 61 countries in 2014, but its ranking fell to 55th in 2019. It bounced back slightly to 54th in 2020 and 47th this year.



Taiwan topped the list, followed by Mexico and Costa Rica, while the bottom three countries were Kuwait, Italy and South Africa.



The biggest drawback to living in Korea was difficulty in settling in, with the country ranking 54th in the "Ease of Settling in" category. Korea recieved almost rock-bottom scores for subcategories in the index, ranking 56th out of 57 countries in the "Feeling at home" evaluation, 50th in "Friendliness," and 49th in "Finding friends."



Fifty-four percent of those who responded about Korea said it was difficult to make friends with locals, far higher than the average of 36 percent. InterNations assumed that this was due to the language barrier, because 70 percent of the surveyed expats in Korea said they did not speak Korean, far higher than the global average of expats who did not speak the local language at 43 percent.



However, Korea found a middle ranking on the list for the "Quality of Life" category, ranking 28th. In its subcategories, it performed exceptionally well in "Health and Well-Being," taking second place, with 84 percent of expats saying Korea's medical fees were affordable and 92 percent highly evaluating the quality of medical services, higher than the global average of 61 percent and 71 percent, respectively.



The country also performed better than average in the "Travel and Transportation" subcategory, with 92 percent of respondents rating the transportation infrastructure positively, higher than the global average of 76 percent.



In addition, the respondents were also asked about their life amid the COVID-19 pandemic.



When asked about the impact of the pandemic on their life, 28 percent of respondents in Korea said they decided not move back to their home country in the near future, higher than the global average of 18 percent.



Around 84 percent said they were satisfied with the Korean government's dissemination of pandemic-related information, higher than the global average of 66 percent.


A DUP councillor has criticised a council policy on dual language that places a second language  most commonly Irish - above English on nameplates throughout the area.

Mid Ulster District Council discussed the nameplate policy at last week's Environment Committee after unionist councillors raised objections at the placement of the respective languages.

Councillor Meta Graham said English should be placed first on the signs, and branded screening for equality and good relations a 'joke'.

English is spoken, written and understood by everyone in the council, so why on earth is there no common sense used here? she asked the Committee.

If this is simply a case of nationalists being able to do whatever they want because you have the greater numbers, then frankly, it's pathetic.

All we are asking for is English first. The whole point of a second language is that it comes second to English. Surely that's why it's called a second language.

As for equality and good relations, it just seems like that's a joke, because I have been inundated over the last few weeks with complaints about these signs making their way into rural areas.

Cllr Graham also drew the council's attention to signs that had been spray-painted over and said the policy was causing tensions among neighbours.

On Sunday, I witnessed no less than five signs which had been damaged and defaced and four of them were spray-painted green, white and orange, she said.

If that isn't an attempt to intimidate, then I don't know what is. It's as bad, if not worse than the continual defacing of road signs for Londonderry, where the London is painted over and blacked out.

I know of one housing development in a mixed area where neighbours wished each other a good day on the Twelfth, where some families were going off to parades and others to Bundoran.

Then a survey arrived, and straight away it caused suspicion and upset. People saw it as a way of marking out territory and even though the sign didn't go up, it has left a very bad taste in their area.

This is the reality of this policy. It causes tensions and bad feeling and does absolutely nothing to further community relations.

Cllr Niall McAleer accused unionist councillors of double standards over the condemnation of vandalism on street signage.

It's disappointing but unsurprising to have this again from some unionist councillors, he said. There's a lot of talk about signs being divisive, but not much about them being wrecked right across the district.

Unionist councillors need to call out the destruction of the signs instead of continually picking holes in the policy, he added.

A motion calling on the Committee not to ratify the policy was defeated by nine votes to six.
Derry's police commander has pulled out of a planned meeting with local councillors later today.

Local PSNI commander Darrin Jones had been due to take part in an online meeting with members of Derry City and Strabane District Council this afternoon to discuss a range of issues, including the police's handing of a number of recent incidents in Derry.

However, the meeting has been cancelled.

Aontu councillor Emmet Doyle hit out at its late cancellation.

Its absolutely unacceptable for the District Commander to pull out of this meeting at all, never mind hours before the meeting was due to take place," he said.

"My original motion calling him to Council was due to his officers conduct in the community and I make no apologies for that.

"This tone deaf approach by PSNI leadership sends out a message to us and the wider community that they want to hide from public scrutiny and potentially gives succour to those who point to the PSNIs approach as being same old, same old.

"Aontu have no intention of letting this issue lie, public servants are to be accountable and the leadership of the PSNI locally and regionally cant continue to quote the PCSP when members of the body also voted for them to come to answer questions.

"I dont know who the PSNI think they are, but this approach will not stand.

The cancellation of the meeting was also criticised by Sandra Duffy, leader of the Sinn Fein grouping on the council.

We are obviously disappointed at the PSNIs decision because this meeting had been arranged to discuss matters around policing which are extremely important.

My party had tabled a number of questions to be discussed at the meeting around the high level of stop and search incidents in this city and several recent PSNI operations which fell well below the standards of community policing that we expect to see.

We will continue to raise these matters through the PSNI accountability structures including the Policing Board and the local policing and community safety partnership.

The PSNI needs to reconsider its decision and schedule a new meeting with the council because these are hugely important issues and Sinn Fein will not be deterred from raising them.

The PSNI have not yet commented on the cancellation of the meeting.
The PSNI has not said why the police commander in Derry pulled out of a meeting with local councillors today.

PSNI District Commander Darrin Jones had been due to take part in an online meeting with members of Derry City and Strabane District Council this afternoon to discuss a range of issues, including the police's handing of a number of recent incidents in Derry.

However, he pulled out of the meeting at short notice.

The Derry News contacted the PSNI to ask why he had not attended the meeting but did not receive a response.

The council went ahead with the special meeting today during which a motion condemning the District Commander's decision to pull out of the discussion was passed.

Twenty nine councillors supported the motion, while two People Before Profit councillors abstained from the vote.

Aontu councillor Emmet Doyle criticised the local commander's decision not to attend the meeting.

Its absolutely unacceptable for the District Commander to pull out of this meeting at all, never mind hours before the meeting was due to take place," he said.

"My original motion calling him to Council was due to his officers conduct in the community and I make no apologies for that.

"This tone deaf approach by PSNI leadership sends out a message to us and the wider community that they want to hide from public scrutiny and potentially gives succour to those who point to the PSNIs approach as being same old, same old.

"Aontu have no intention of letting this issue lie, public servants are to be accountable and the leadership of the PSNI locally and regionally cant continue to quote the PCSP when members of the body also voted for them to come to answer questions.

"I dont know who the PSNI think they are, but this approach will not stand.

The decision of the local police boss not to attend the meeting was also criticised by Sandra Duffy, leader of the Sinn Fein grouping on the council.

We are obviously disappointed at the PSNIs decision because this meeting had been arranged to discuss matters around policing which are extremely important.

My party had tabled a number of questions to be discussed at the meeting around the high level of stop and search incidents in this city and several recent PSNI operations which fell well below the standards of community policing that we expect to see.

We will continue to raise these matters through the PSNI accountability structures including the Policing Board and the local policing and community safety partnership.

The PSNI needs to reconsider its decision and schedule a new meeting with the council because these are hugely important issues and Sinn Fein will not be deterred from raising them.
Khushi Kapoor Steps Out To Walk Her Dog, Her Phone Screensaver Featuring Mom Sridevi Catches Everyone's Attention

Khushi Kapoor is frequently spotted in Mumbai streets these days as she steps out to walk her dog. However, recently apart from the star kid, her phone screen saver caught the attention of the internet. Khushi who was seen in all-black casuals with her mask up waved at the paparazzi with the phone in her hand and the screen saver featuring her mom Sridevi found its way in one of the pictures.

The picture on Khushis phone was one from her childhood where she can be seen on Sridevis shoulders and is one that the star kid has also shared on her social media. Khushi made her Instagram account public not so long ago.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by s  (@khushi05k)

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Viral Bhayani (@viralbhayani)

Both Janhvi Kapoor and Khushi often share fond memories with their late mother on social media. Recently on Mothers Day both of them shared old pictures with the actress missing her on the occasion.

Khushi who studies in U.S. will apparently follow her mother and sister in Bollywood later. She returned to India recently during the second wave of the Covid-19 pandemic. Earlier in the year, Janhvi joined Khushi in the U.S. where they spent time in New York in and Los Angeles together.
Days after confirming that Jamaicas 700MHz tender had been successful, the Minister of Science, Energy and Technology Daryl Vaz has named domestic operator Rock Mobile as the island nations third licensee.

Vaz noted that the Cabinet reached its decision with lightning speed, but added that the new player would also need to act swiftly, with a commercial launch expected within one year of receiving its licence. The company is required to be fully operational within two years, with coverage reaching 95% of the population.

According to records from Jamaicas Office of Utilities Regulation (OUR), Rock Mobile has held ISP, Carrier, International Service Provider and Domestic Voice Service Provider licences since June 2020. TeleGeography reports that the firm first expressed an interest in obtaining Jamaicas third licence in January this year.

Bidders for the available 700MHz spectrum were required to submit technical and financial proposals for the concession, with the latter pledged in US dollars. The holding consists of a 210MHz block of 4G-ready spectrum, with the concession valid for 15 years.

Owned by former Scotiabank Jamaica head Bruce Bowen  together with his wife  Rock Mobile will fill the vacancy left following the shuttering of Caricel, which operated services using the 700MHz holding between 2016 and 2020.
Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte signed into law the bill granting DITO Telecommunity Corp., the country's third major telecommunication service provider, a new 25-year franchise.

The President signed on Tuesday Republic Act No. 11537, renewing for 25 years the franchise granted to DITO, previously known as Mindanao Islamic Telephone Company.

With the renewed franchise, Dito Telecommunity can operate its telecom network until 2046. Its current congressional franchise expires in April 2023.

The franchise places DITO on firmer ground to compete with the two dominant networks, Globe Telecom and PLDT.

Dito Telecommunity, partly owned by Davao businessman and Duterte campaign donor Dennis Uy, was made the countrys third telco player during the Duterte administration.

The law allows DITO to construct, install, establish, operate and maintain for commercial purposes and in the public interest, radio and/or television broadcasting stations in the Philippines for another 25 years.

DITO, the law said, shall not use any frequency in the radio spectrum without authorization from the NTC. The National Telecommunications Commission (NTC), however, shall not unreasonably withhold or delay the grant of such authority, permit, or license.

Meanwhile, DITO Telecommunity has reported achieving the milestone of 500,000 subscribers on its network, roughly two months after it launched services in the country.

DITO Chairman and CEO Dennis Uy said: Our current subscribers are half a million Filipinos.
Arc Solutions, a joint venture launched by Du and Batelco, has signed an agreement with global telecoms operator BSO to interconnect network footprints in the Middle East and around the world.

Through the partnership, Arc is able to deliver networking solutions across BSOs global ecosystem, while BSO benefits from the ability to expand its presence in the Middle East with Arcs local knowledge and experience.

A press release said that Arc and BSO share a common goal to make the ordering, provisioning, and management of global connectivity as seamless as possible for customers. This agreement is the first step in integrating the companies geographically complementary footprints and providing customers with on-demand networking via a unified platform.

The partnership enables our local customers to rapidly turn up services across a resilient and low-latency global network. They gain immediate access to international digital hubs and have the freedom to connect and grow in new markets with a consistent user experience. We are excited to be working with BSO, who shares our vision for seamless connectivity delivered with expert local knowledge. This agreement is testament to the strong relationship and shared objective that we have with BSO, said Mahesh Jaishankar, CEO at Arc.

BSOs network seamlessly connects 240 data centres and local exchanges in 33 countries across the US, Europe, the Middle East, and Asia-Pacific. It offers ultra-low latency connectivity to global financial hubs as well as cloud on-ramps, hosting, and managed services.

"Arc and BSOs customers and partners can rapidly connect on-demand to and from any point over the companies combined footprint, with extended reach, capabilities, and growth opportunities," said the release.

Arc enables BSO to expand its presence in markets like the UAE, Oman, Pakistan, Djibouti, Bahrain, KSA, Kuwait, Jordan, and Egypt.
Polish OSS provider Suntech has won a new contract with Singapore-based StarHub to upgrade its service fulfilment platforms as part of an ongoing digital transformation process.

By implementing Suntechs SunVizion Network Inventory System, StarHub has gained the enhanced ability to intelligently manage its extensive logical and physical network elements in an integrated manner. With full visibility over its network assets through a single system, the StarHub Integrated Network Engineering team can now accurately track the utilisation of resources and proactively identify areas for enhancements in performance, capacity and coverage, based on business demands. The improved workflow also enables StarHub to provision services for both consumers and enterprise customers across network platforms, quickly and efficiently.

Operating high-performing and resilient networks is key to enabling a whole range of services and solutions for our customers. Working with Suntech, our race to digitalise, automate and introduce more advanced intelligence into our networks is well underway. Everything we do as part of our digital transformation journey is all about our customers, driving speed and efficiency gains in service delivery and user experience, said Chong Siew Loong, Chief Technology Officer, StarHub.

As part of StarHub digitalisation roadmap, SunVizion OSS suite offers future capabilities that to support service developments and evolutions. The SunVizion solution will be integrated with StarHubs Business Support Systems (BSS) and Service Orchestration platforms for seamless and more agile end-to-end service delivery to meet today's and tomorrow's business needs such as 5G services.

One of the key drivers is automating the end-to-end service provisioning to reduce service activation time. Products and services are being mapped into service catalogue at both BSS and OSS layers, with service specifications that carry rules and parameters about how network and IT resources are allocated for service fulfilment.

When an order is placed, for instance, Ethernet Leased Line or a metro WDM link, the system understands what network resources are needed to compose the requested service. In-built workflows will automatically take care of service fulfilment process, including triggering external provisioning systems or sending specific work orders to field teams (such as site survey, last mile cabling, and end-to-end testing).

StarHubs field engineers are armed with SunVizion mobile app, which gives them accurate information of the network at site. They can receive work orders based on their current availability and location. All the information required to perform the task is transferred and displayed on the mobile application.

With the use of SunVizion solution, StarHub is achieving quicker time-to-market and streamlining workflows to enhance products, services and customer experiences.
Further evidence of the continuing importance of satellite communications to connectivity in Africas less populous areas comes via a recent agreement involving global communications company Viasat and Nigerian regulator the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC).

NCC has granted Viasat a full suite of operating licenses  an internet service provider (ISP) license, a VSAT license and three earth stations in motion (ESIM) licenses  in order to bring high-quality satellite internet connectivity to Nigerian communities where limited or no internet service is currently available.

The NCC has granted Viasat multiple licenses to operate within the 28GHz (Ka-band) satellite frequency band. Viasat describes 28GHz Ka-band spectrum as having enabled satellite broadband to be the fastest-growing segment of satellite communications, and the leading global broadband solution to connect the estimated 3.6 billion people in the world left unserved by terrestrial infrastructure.

With access to this spectrum, Viasat says it will be positioned to expand its satellite-based internet connectivity service to more regions and citizens across Africa, ahead of the launch of ViaSat-3, its ultra-high-capacity global satellite constellation comprised of three communications satellites. A ViaSat-3 satellite, which aims to serve Africa, as well asEurope and the Middle East, is planned for launch in 2022.

Rick Baldridge, president and CEO, Viasat, said, We believe our proven satellite internet solution will bring cost-effective internet services to Nigerian towns where large gaps exist between demand and the affordability and availability of internet services.

Since being granted the licenses, Viasat says it has begun a trial programme to connect five unserved Nigerian communities covering approximately 15,000 people. The company plans to provide details on the trials later this year.




A South Korean working at an American military base in central Seoul has tested positive for the new coronavirus, U.S. Forces Korea (USFK) said Wednesday.







The worker at the Yongsan Garrison was confirmed to have contracted COVID-19 on May 12 during a test required to exit quarantine. He has been in isolation since late last month after coming into close contact with an individual who later tested positive for the virus, according to the U.S. military.







"The individual is currently in isolation at a Korean medical facility designated for confirmed COVID-19 cases. USFK health professionals determined contact tracing was limited due to this individual being in quarantine," USFK said in a release.







The latest case raised the total number of infections reported among the USFK-affiliated population to 866, most of whom tested positive upon their arrival here from the United States.







Meanwhile, the U.S. military began the vaccination campaign for adolescents on Wednesday.







Since March, USFK has been conducting its inoculation program, and around 70 percent of its population have received shots so far.







According to its Facebook post, Michael Hudak, a 16-year-old high school student, received the first dose of the Pfizer vaccine at the Camp Humphreys vaccination center earlier in the day, becoming the first person to receive the vaccine among USFK members of his age group.







"He is looking forward to going back to the normal life of going to school and hanging out with his friends without masks and wants to encourage his friends to get vaccinated, too," the post read. (Yonhap)








Google has kicked off the I/O 2021, its annual developer's conference with several announcements such as the Android 12 Beta, new features to Photos, Maps, revamped WearOS and more. Moreover, the company also showcased its recent breakthroughs in AI technologies like LaMDA and MUM which advances the way machine learning understands and processes information and conversation. Here is everything Google announced during the opening day of the Google I/O 2021.

Redesigned Android 12 with Material You

A major design overhaul is going to be one of the highlights of the Android 12 which will launch later this year. Google says that the Android 12 is more expressive, dynamic and personal than the previous generations. The upcoming Android 12 will let users customize the systems colour palette and bring in new widgets as well.

Some very little but distinctive changes include the colour extraction feature, in it, the system will automatically choose a colour profile based on your wallpaper. These will be applied across the system in the notification shade, lock screen, volume controls, widgets and more.

Google calls this Material You which is an extension of the Material Design it introduced back in 2014. The Android 12 builds on that with smooth motions, animations and an overall fluid interface. Google also claims that there have been performance-level improvements done as well which reduces the CPU time for system services by upto 22 percent and brings down the big core usage by 15 percent.

The notification area and quick settings menu have been redesigned completely with big icons that expand dynamically. There are some new controls added to the Quick Settings menu including Google Pay and Home control toggles. The power button functionality has also been extended and now users can long-press the power button to activate Google Assistant.

The upcoming Android 12 also provides more control to users for apps using data and accessing personal information. There is a new Privacy dashboard that gives a detailed overview of what data is being accessed by apps and how often. The users can also choose to revoke app permissions from the dashboard.

In Android 12, an indicator will pop up whenever an app is using your phones camera or microphone. Additionally, there is a dedicated control toggle for disabling the microphone and camera access completely. The new privacy controls will also let users allow approximate location permission to apps instead of a precise location.

Google is also introducing Android Private Compute Core with Android 12 that helps in keeping user data secure and private. Features like Live Caption, Now Playing and Smart Reply are all processed on-device and is isolated from the network.

Fix compromised passwords from Google Chrome

Google Chrome will now alert users whenever it detects that a saved password has been compromised and will help them change it quickly. The feature will be offered on supported websites and users will see a Change Password button whenever Chrome detects a breach.

Google is also making it simpler to change the password as Chrome will navigate automatically to the website for changing your password. The automated password change feature is gradually rolling out to Chrome on Android and will become available on more websites and countries soon.

App features update

Google also announced feature updates to apps such as Google Maps and Photos. Starting with Maps, Google will now calculate multiple route options based on how efficient it is and show users the fastest route, reducing the chances for hard-braking moments.

The Live View will now show details about shops and restaurants nearby including an overview such as recent reviews and more. The detailed street maps feature will be introduced in 50 more cities this year including Berlin, Seattle, Singapore and more. This new feature shows sidewalks, crosswalks and the shape and width of the road to scale.

With Google Photos, the company is introducing new types of memory collections. The app will not identify pictures based on visual patterns in the pictures and group them accordingly. When Photos identifies a set of three or more pictures with a similar shape or colour, these photos will be highlighted in the Memories.

Google is also giving users the option to personalise a memory by renaming it or removing it.

The Google Photos app is also getting a Locked Folder where users can store pictures. The images in this folder will not show up anywhere and will be passcode protected.
Facebook is one of the biggest social media platform in the world with more than 2.8 billion active users monthly , but Facebook is struggling so much after Apple has changed its privacy policies in the latest update of iOS 14.5 in which the advertisers have to take permission from the users to track their data. This is adversely affecting the business of Facebook as the company is trying very hard to convince its users to allow tracking. The report said a few days ago that only 15% of people across the world enabled the tracking option and only 6% in American opt-in tracking . However, this is not the only thing that is affecting the business of Facebook, AppFigures has recently shared data that shows Facebook has seen a drop of 30% in its downloads both on Google Play and App Store as compared to the prior year.Last year, the downloads of the Facebook mobile app was an average of 15 million per week but this year, the downloads of this app could not even cross 11 million both on App Store and Google Play, which could be worrying for the company. Facebook was also going through difficult situations as there were some major allegations on the company that the data of more than 533 million were exposed online last year which includes their username, ID, passwords, etc. The downfall in the downloads of Facebook was started in the month of June 2020, when Apple Company announced major privacy changes in its update of iOS 14.TikTok is also getting huge popularity around the world especially during the quarantine situation as this platform can become the biggest rival of Facebook because it is assumed that this platform will have more than a billion active users around the world. AppFigures has highlighted that Facebook saw some falls in its downloads before, but this is the very first time that the number in the downloads of the app have significantly dropped for more than a year. Facebook has not disclosed the reasons for a significant downfall in its downloads but according to the analysis of experts, TikTok is a huge threat for Facebook as the number of downloads of TikTok is increasing significantly, therefore, the number of users are migrating to TikTok. TikTok was the most downloaded app both on Google Play and App Store with a download of 52 million in the month of April 2021.If we make a comparison of both apps just on iOS in the prior month, the downloads of TikTok was 15.9 million while Facebook saw a download of only 9.9 million. Facebook is trying to provoke people to enable the tracking option if they want to use Facebook and Instagram free of cost , and it is also compelling its users to accept the new policies of privacy in WhatsApp.Read next: Security researchers have found the dark side of encrypted chat apps (Telegram, Signal, and WhatsApp), a wide range of illegal goods are selling through these apps
Rice Fergus Miller

Miller

Architect Mike Miller is retiring this month after 19 years as a principal and owner of Bremerton-based architecture, interiors and planning firm Rice Fergus Miller. Miller has led the design of healthcare and senior living facilities. He joined RFM from Seattle architecture firm NBBJ, where he was a leader in senior living and healthcare. Miller came to realize that senior living, healthcare and hospitality design each serve a similar core audience. So at RFM he integrated those practices into a studio known as H3. His senior living projects at RFM have included Emerald Communities' Emerald Heights in Redmond, Heron's Key in Gig Harbor and Timber Ridge at Talus in Issaquah. His healthcare work has included St. Michael Medical Center in Silverdale, where he planned and designed projects. His other medical clients have included Olympic Medical Center, Jefferson Healthcare, Virginia Mason and CHI Franciscan. He was on St. Michael's board for two years and its foundation board for 14 years, leading it for three years. He won LeadingAge Washington's Award of Honor in 2016 and received a University of Washington Milgard School of Business Leader of the Year award in 2006.




Subscriber content preview

JUNEAU, Alaska (AP)  Alaska Gov. Mike Dunleavy proposed $5 million in funding for a farming project spanning 156 square miles, the largest the state has seen in decades.

State lawmakers last Saturday considered the proposal for the Nenana-Totchaket farming district, one of a series of agricultural and land-development projects proposed by Dunleavy's amendments to the annual capital budget, the Anchorage Daily News reported Sunday. The budget funds construction and renovation projects across the state.





. . .
Subscriber content preview

SEATTLE  The AutoZone store at 9471 Rainier Ave. S. has sold for almost $3.8 million, according to King County records.

The seller was Entrust Northwest LLC, associated with the McGough family, which acquired the property in 2009 for $2.2 million.





. . .
President Moon Jae-in waves before embarking on the presidential plane at Seoul Air Base in Seongnam, Gyeonggi Province, Wednesday. Moon will make a five-day trip to the U.S. for a summit with U.S. President Joe Biden. Yonhap



Moon to meet Congress members on 1st day of US visit



By Nam Hyun-woo



South Korea and the United States are displaying coordination in their approaches to North Korea before President Moon Jae-in and U.S. President Joe Biden hold their summit in Washington, D.C., Friday (local time), with ranking U.S. officials dropping remarks aimed at drawing Pyongyang out for talks.



The summit is anticipated to be a key moment for inter-Korean and U.S.-North Korea relations, and President Moon is expected to highlight this issue along with COVID-19 vaccines and investment in the microchip and battery industries. He left for the U.S., Wednesday, for a five-day trip.



During an interview with Yonhap News Agency, Wednesday, Kurt Campbell, White House policy coordinator for the Indo-Pacific region, said the Biden administration's North Korea policy will build on the agreement reached between then President Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un at their 2018 summit in Singapore. This was the first official confirmation that the new U.S. administration will inherit the accord.



"Our policy review took a careful look at everything that has been tried before," Campbell was quoted as saying. "Our efforts will build on Singapore and other agreements made by previous administrations."



The Singapore agreement is widely accepted as a landmark deal here, as it states North Korea's commitment to the complete denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula as well as the two sides' agreement to build a new relationship. However, very little of this has actually been put into practice, as Trump and Kim failed to agree on a detailed plan of action for the North's denuclearization during a follow-up summit in Hanoi in 2019.



As efforts for dialogue with Pyongyang have been stalemated since the meeting in Hanoi, the Moon administration has been calling for President Biden to pursue the deal reached in Singapore, which it believes is the most advanced and comprehensive agreement to date that could lead to peace on the Korean Peninsula. It anticipates that this would be a strong inducement to bring the Kim regime forward for negotiations.









Cheong Wa Dae is also stressing that the U.S. and South Korea are showing a coordinated approach in handling the North Korea issue. A senior presidential official recently said, "Both countries have the same opinion on the denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula, and the U.S. has already reached out to Pyongyang to explain its policy, as well as pursuing bilateral talks with the North."





U.S. Forces Korea commander nominee Gen. Paul LaCamera speaks during a U.S. Senate Armed Services Committee hearing, Tuesday (local time). Captured from U.S. Department of Defense website
The new headquarter of the Customs Valuation & Classification Institute in the administrative town of Sejong remains empty, Tuesday, as the government agency was not able to relocate to the city although it built the building. But its employees are suspected of gaining profit from purchasing houses there that were offered at a special price for civil servants. Yonhap



By Kwon Mee-yoo



More allegations of speculative home buying by civil servants have emerged, this time in the administrative town of Sejong where dozens of ministries and affiliated organizations have been relocated.



It is alleged that some employees of the Customs Valuation and Classification Institute (CVCI) purchased, and later sold, apartments there to profit from rising real estate prices even though their workplace is not in the city.



This latest case of alleged property speculation by public officials follows on from multiple cases that surfaced earlier this year involving workers at the Korea Land and Housing Corp. (LH), the state-run housing developer.



According to Rep. Kwon Young-se of the main opposition People Power Party (PPP), the CVCI, an affiliate of the Korea Customs Service (KCS), planned to relocate from Daejeon to Sejong in 2015, citing an increase in its number of employees.



The KCS received a 17.1 billion won ($15.1 million) budget from the Ministry of Economy and Finance and built the new CVCI headquarters in Sejong. However, the Ministry of the Interior and Safety put the brakes on the plan as the CVCI was not included in the list of government agencies eligible for relocation, only those in the Seoul metropolitan area were subject to the move.



The new CVCI building in Sejong has been completed but remains empty.



Although the relocation plan was not confirmed, more than half of CVCI employees, or 49 out of 82, purchased apartments in Sejong through a special allotment for civil servants who had to move to the new town  enabling them to buy the homes at lower-than-market prices.



As real estate prices have since skyrocketed in the administrative town in recent years, they have gained huge profits, the lawmaker said.



He cited the case of four CVCI workers who purchased homes in an apartment complex for 300 million won in 2017 that are now on the market for 1.5 billion won.



Rep. Kwon also pointed out that employees of other government agencies  the Saemangeum Development and Investment Agency and the Korea Coast Guard  also benefited from the special housing allotment for public servants when their headquarters were temporarily moved to Sejong. The two agencies were later relocated to Gunsan, North Jeolla Province, and Incheon, respectively.





Prime Minister Kim Boo-kyum speaks to reporters at the Government Complex Sejong, Tuesday. Yonhap
Were here to pray for those who have given the ultimate sacrifice, said Tim Ricker, President of the Wyoming Law Enforcement Chaplains Association, as the crowd in front of him bowed their heads.

His prayer and invocation served to commemorate the sacrifices made by hundreds of law enforcement officers across the country who died in the line of duty throughout 2020.

On May 14, roughly one hundred members of law enforcement agencies, first responders, friends and family members from across Wyoming gathered outside the Wyoming Law Enforcement Academy in Douglas for the Wyoming Peace Officers Memorial Ceremony, to pay their respects to the fallen officers.

The annual event was held as an important memorial in conjunction with National Police Memorial Week, held May 9-15.

Members of various agencies including the Douglas Police Department, Wyoming Highway Patrol, the Wyoming Law Enforcement Academy, Wyoming State Parks, police departments across the state and representatives for Sens. John Barrasso and Cynthia Lummis took part in the ceremony.

After the invocation and other remarks, various speakers came to the podium to read the names of 2020s 360 fallen American officers.

Speakers also read the names of Wyoming peace officers who have died in the line of duty since 1877, when it is believed that Adolf Cuny became the first Wyoming law enforcement officer to be killed while on duty.

In Converse County, the names include Wyoming State Trooper Chris Logsdon, who was killed in 1998 while trying to stop a vehicle going in the wrong direction on I-25.

And in 2011, Converse County Deputy Bryan Gross died while attempting to assist a young girl who was reported to be drowning in the North Platte River. The girl was rescued but Gross died while trying to save her.

Attendees said the ceremony provided a somber tribute to the fallen officers.

Its good that theyre remembered this way, said Jeff Hutson, who was there as a supporter of the Gunfighters Motorcycle Club, a group consisting of active and retired law enforcement officers who share a passion for motorcycles.

He was there with other club members to remember Lt. Steve Crerar of the Fremont County Sheriffs Office, who was shot and killed while transporting a prisoner in 1995.

Others simply stressed the importance of the event.

Its important we take the time to remember these people, who do so much to protect us as well as our constitutional and civic rights, said State Fire Marshal Michael Reed following the ceremony.

Its something we must do, he added.
SuperValu, Irelands leading food retailer, is proud to announce that products from a new Louth producer, who has successfully completed the Food Academy programme, are now on sale in SuperValu stores.

The Louth producer is Coole Farm, one of 45 new Irish food producers who have completed the Food Academy programme.

Based in Ardee, the family run farm produces salad leaves which are grown in harmony with nature, free from artificial pesticides or fertilisers. Their products include Kale, rocket leaf and mixed leaf bags of salad and are available at stores throughout the county.

Now in its eighth year, Food Academy is a unique food business development programme between SuperValu, Bord Bia and the Local Enterprise Offices.

Participants in the programme receive training in food safety, market research and branding, marketing, finance, sustainability, and business development.

New research conducted by SuperValu found that Irish food and drinks start-ups are optimistic about their future growth, with 93% indicating they expect revenue growth in 2021.

Despite the various challenges posed for the sector by the COVID-19 pandemic, 71% of producers plan to expand their workforce in 2021.

We believe in local businesses and are proud to continue to support local producers in Louth stated Ciara McClafferty, the Trading Director for SuperValu.

In collaboration with Bord Bia and Local Enterprise Offices, the Food Academy allows us to help new businesses grow and get the support they need. The survey shows that 98% of participants found the programme beneficial.

The exposure to new customers, increased brand awareness, mentorship, and how the programme supports producers to grow sustainably, are invaluable elements highlighted by the producers. The programme allows us to use our experience to help small businesses through their journey. From the start up to getting their products on our shelves 52 weeks of the year.

The study shows that increased consumer demand for Irish products (41%) is the number one driver of growth, followed by increased exposure and opportunities through Food Academy (27%).

At the same time, economic uncertainty and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic are the most significant causes for concern for producers.

Tara McCarthy, CEO of Bord Bia said: The partnership approach of the Food Academy programme has created a real opportunity to cultivate sustainable small food and drink businesses by supporting them through the initial challenging phases of growth.

The producers receive a combination of commercial and marketing insight from Bord Bia as well as expert advice in branding, market research and business development, which arms them with the tools to strengthen their chances of success.

The Food Academy programme currently supports 290 Irish food and drink producers, including 140 female entrepreneurs, generating 170m in sales.

In 2020, there was a 15% growth in SuperValu Food Academy sales, with participants earning 28m. The Food Academy programme supports 1,500 jobs in local communities nationwide.
By Alex Soohoon Lee





President Moon Jae-in will meet with U.S. President Joe Biden at the White House Friday. The newly elected U.S. president decided to invite the South Korean president shortly after hosting his first bilateral summit with Japan. Four years into his tenure and now facing his final year in office, the upcoming visit to the United States will be President Moon's fifth one.



White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki stated that the summit meeting will "highlight the ironclad alliance," strengthening ties between South Korea and the U.S. In the midst of the pandemic and deepening U.S.-Chinese geopolitical competition, the two allied leaders have much to discuss.



The bilateral summit will mainly focus on defining and managing the policy directions of Seoul and Washington. In this regard, the allies are expected to address the following issues during the summit: reinforcing the alliance, cooperation on North Korea policy and the global agenda.



A reinforcement of the alliance will be the means for the Biden administration to achieve its top policy goal of reestablishing U.S. leadership in the world. In other words, maintaining the U.S.-led liberal international order requires the reinforcement of the global U.S. democratic alliance.



In this light, the Biden administration expects its two closest allies in Northeast Asia, Korea and Japan, to support the U.S.'s attempts to curb China's sphere of influence in the region. One caveat, however, is that categorizing the U.S.-China relationship merely as a competition may be misleading in some ways. While the relationship can be extremely confrontational on some issues, it is cooperative on other agendas. The upcoming summit will be the best venue for the allies to discuss such matters.



The Biden administration has expressed its intention to invite South Korea to join the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue, also known as the Quad, through various channels. Having been seriously battered by Beijing's economic retaliation following the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) deployment, Seoul has become extremely cautious in making decisions that might provoke China. While the Quad is unlikely to be the testbed for alliance reinforcement, it could still be proposed by the U.S. on the summit agenda.



The Biden administration's policy review of North Korea will also be on the table, and the allies will try to find ways to cooperate toward achieving the denuclearization of North Korea. Although details have not been revealed, the Biden administration's North Korea policy "will not focus on achieving a grand bargain, nor will it rely on strategic patience," according to the White House press secretary. It is expected to fall somewhere between the policies of the Obama administration and the Trump administration.



While welcoming the direction of the Biden administration's policy on North Korea at face value, President Moon, in an interview with The New York Times, insisted that the leaders of the U.S. and North Korea "sit down face-to-face at an early date."



President Moon believes that resuming stalled U.S.-North Korea talks is the way forward for the North's denuclearization. However, having too much on his plate already, especially regarding the agendas of Russia and China, President Biden may not rush to deal with North Korea.



South Korea-U.S.-Japan trilateral cooperation will also be discussed during the summit. The issue of trilateral cooperation has been repeatedly deliberated in numerous high-level meetings in Tokyo, Seoul and London. In the foreign ministry talks in London during the G7 meeting, the diplomatic heads of the three countries agreed to cooperate in developing and implementing North Korea policy. Likewise, the prospect of a South Korea-Japan bilateral relationship might also be brought up in the upcoming summit.



Putting sensitive political issues aside, President Moon may bring up issues regarding the COVID-19 vaccine. In South Korea, the Moon administration has announced the goal of reaching herd immunity by November. Thus, securing the U.S. vaccine supply, amid a global shortage, will be primary on the agenda at the summit. According to the survey conducted by the Federation of Korean Industries, 31.2 percent of South Korean citizens cited the "vaccine swap" as the most important agenda item to be discussed in the upcoming Korea-U.S. summit.



"Vaccine swap" was higher than "strengthening the alliance" (14.2 percent) or "North Korea issues" (14.8 percent). The leaders will discuss the issue of vaccine cooperation, whether in the form of sharing, swapping and even producing vaccines, in the summit meeting. Additionally, the allies could also talk about working together on non-traditional security issues ranging from human rights to climate change.



The outcome of the Korea-U.S. summit meeting will build a foundation for the security of the Korean Peninsula over the next decade. At this critical juncture, the leaders will have to think about the true definition of the "ironclad" alliance that has lasted over 70 years.





Alex Soohoon Lee, Ph.D. in international relations, is an associate research fellow at the Korea Institute for Defense Analyses.


A judge has warned he is going to start jailing young people who engage in money laundering for criminal gangs, as cases continue to come before the courts.

Judge Martin Nolan made the comments in Dublin Circuit Criminal Court this week as he handed down a suspended two-year sentence for a young man who laundered over 58,000 in cash stolen from a car parts company.

Reece Radford (20) of Dromcarra Grove, Jobstown, Dublin pleaded guilty to one count of possessing the proceeds of crime within the state on October 26, 2018. He was 19 at the time, with no previous convictions.

Judge Nolan accepted defence counsel submissions that Radford was pressured into providing his bank account details by a local drug dealer, to whom he owed an 800 debt. But he noted: Criminals are profiting and they are profiting with the help of people like Reece Radford.

Imprisonment is coming very close for other parties who come before this court for money laundering, the judge said.

Detective Garda Ronan Coffey told Karl Finnegan BL, prosecuting, that the injured party in the case, a car parts supply company, became aware in November 2018 that it had become a hacking victim, in which an email between the company and a supplier had been intercepted.

As a result of the hacking, the company transferred 58,401 in funds to what it thought was one of its suppliers, but which was actually Radford's bank account.

Shortly after the money was transferred, a number of transfers were made out of Radford's account. Several currency conversion transactions also took place over the coming days, with Radford's passport being used as ID.

When gardai traced the money to Radford and arrested him, Radford made no comment and did not cooperate, the court heard.

Cathal McGreal BL, defending, said this was regrettable, but that his client was given legal advice not to comment to gardai.

He said Radford owed 800 to a local drug dealer and agreed to hand over his bank account details, along with his phone number and email address.

He was afraid to give out any names to gardai, Mr McGreal submitted. He said his client comes from a respectable family, who were very surprised to have gardai knocking on their door.

Radford has suffered from depression and has lost a number of friends and family in recent years, the court heard. He has a good work history, despite mental health issues.

He is a vulnerable person who got way over his head, Mr McGreal said.

Handing down the two year suspended sentence, Judge Nolan told Radford: You're a lucky man. He ordered Radford to engage with the Probation Service for one year.
Louth Fianna Fail Senator Erin McGreehan has stated that the Shared Island Unit is the perfect opportunity for this country to look to a future that embraces the voices of everyone on this island. The Senator made the comments at an online commemoration event of the 95TH anniversary of the founding of the Fianna Fail party.

Senator McGreehan commented, Fianna Fail have always been committed to a re-united Ireland. We have never made any secret of this. The partition of this island was one of the reasons this party was created in the first place.

"100 years on from partition, and 95 years of Fianna Fail, and taking into consideration the growing arguments for a re-united island, the centenary celebrations and the pride this country has in its founders makes us all look to the six counties - it is an unnatural boundary.

It has permitted an acceptable conversation of making this island whole again. On the other side we see the growing divisions in Unionism. The lack of a coherent message, leadership struggle, their old friends in the Conservative party blatantly lying to them and indeed the continuing and deepening divided society in the North.

I know that An Taoiseachs Shared Island Unit initiative is the perfect opportunity for this Government, for Fianna Fail, and this country to look to a future that embraces the voices of everyone on this island. To get away from the us versus them.

We are too small an island to be divided especially when we have so much in common. A history, a language, a people and lets face it if we are going to have a shared future, it is up to us all to work together to shape a positive future for everyone.
To mark the re-opening of businesses the Dundalk Democrat are running a Back in Business campaign to help the county's economy and encourage people to shop local.

We will be highlighting two Louth businesses every day with our 'Two for Today' initiative.

Make sure to support local so we can get #LouthBackInBusiness.

Dundalk Credit Union

Dundalk Credit Union

Phone: Telephone: (042) 93 35489

Fax: (042) 93 33102

Email: info@dundalkcu.ie

www.dundalkcu.ie

Dundalk Credit Union is a member-owned financial cooperative that provides a range of financial services to its community.

Established in 1968, Dundalk Credit Union is today one of the largest Credit Unions in Ireland with assets approaching 300m and over 45,000 members.
After 14 years awarding third level student scholarships, the Naughton Foundation Scholarship scheme is once again reminding students from County Louth that the closing date is fast approaching and inviting all applicants to submit their entries.

The Naughton Scholarships are a scheme of scholarships to promote the study of engineering, science and technology at third level by students in Ireland.

Each year from February to May Leaving Certificate students can apply for a scholarship if they intend on studying science, engineering or technology at third level that year.

The closing date for receipt of application forms for The Naughton Foundation Scholarship 2021 is 5.30pm, Sunday, 30th May 2021.

There will be one guaranteed scholarship for each of the 26 participating counties and five additional scholarships allocated.

The Naughton Foundation was established by Dr Martin and Carmel Naughton in 1994 and its goal is to support worthwhile causes in the arts and education.

In 2008 they decided to create the scholarship programme to increase their support for Leaving Certificate students who would like to study engineering, mathematics, science, and technology at third level in Ireland.

Originally the scholarship programme only applied to students from counties Louth, Meath and Monaghan however it has since expanded nationwide and students from all Counties in the Republic of Ireland are eligible to apply.

Students are invited to apply if they are currently attending secondary schools in County Louth, and if they are studying two or more of the following subjects- physics, chemistry, biology, computer science, engineering, mathematics, and applied mathematics.

Each Naughton Scholarship is valued at 20,000 so it is a contribution of 5,000 for each year of the students third-level course for a student studying science, engineering, maths or technology in any publicly funded university or third-level institution in Ireland, including Northern Ireland.

The school of each winner is also awarded 1,000. Applications must be submitted before, or on this date to be considered eligible for the scholarship, this deadline will not be extended.

The 2021 application forms for The Naughton Foundation Scholarship Programme are available for download and can be completed online on The Naughton Foundation website.
Readers Survey

As our valued readers, we want to hear from you. Please take a moment to fill out the survey below. - Thank you, Eastern Arizona Courier Click Here
Claremont, NH (03743)

Today

Rain showers this morning with overcast skies during the afternoon hours. High 67F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 40%..

Tonight

Cloudy with occasional rain late. Low 52F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 80%.
Strict investigation needed to dig into irregularities



The Customs Valuation and Classification Institute (CVNCI), under the Korea Customs Service (KCS), has gotten flak for having constructed a new building in Sejong City without getting permission from the relevant authorities. Worse still, its 49 employees inappropriately bought apartments under the "special housing supply" rule, which has become the target of criticism for giving privileges to civil servants. The building cost 17.1 billion won ($14.25 million) from the state budget for completion, but it has remained vacant as the CVNCI was not allowed to move into it.



The employees earned a huge amount of profit as the prices of the apartments surged after they bought them. This project should not have been undertaken by a state organization; and so we call for a strict investigation of the case and stern punishment for those found responsible.



According to data released by Rep. Kwon Young-se of the conservative main opposition People Power Party, the CVNCI sought to build the new building in Sejoing City in 2015, citing an increased number of workers and workload. But the plan faced a setback, as the organization was not required to relocate to Sejong, according to an order from the Ministry of the Interior and Safety (MOIS) in 2005.



The CVNCI claims that it was not aware of this order. But this lack of awareness also shows that its officials failed to check basic regulations, as it is open for anyone to access. The Ministry of Economy and Finance earmarked the budget for the "illegal" project while the National Agency for Administrative City Construction (NAACC) designated the CVNCI as an organization eligible for the special supply of housing.



The CVNCI pressed for the construction of the four-story building despite opposition from the MOIS. The relevant authorities are passing the buck in order to deflect responsibility. The KCS said it consulted with the finance ministry and the NAACC concerning the project. The construction agency said that it did not oppose the project, since the CVNCI had secured both the budget and endorsement from the National Assembly.



Prime Minister Kim Boo-kyum asked for an investigation into the case Wednesday to look for possible irregularities, including the legal grounds for a possible cancellation of the special housing supply granted to the CVNCI employees. Allegations are growing that many more civil servants, not just the CVNCI officials, have inappropriately benefitted from the special housing supply program without moving to live in Sejong City.



Speculation is rising that the KCS lobbied Cheong Wa Dae and the ruling Democratic Party of Korea to push for the construction of the project. The government should begin a full-fledged probe into the case to prevent any such recurrence. This recent case is all the more perplexing as it comes after the cases of land speculation by officials of the state-run Korea Land and Housing Corp. (LH), using inside information.



The CVNCI has further undermined the people's trust in the government. The Moon Jae-in administration has been pushing anti-speculation real estate policies as a priority goal. Yet, how on earth can these gain momentum when civil servants are engaged in illicit, if not illegal speculative behavior?


Methuen - Michael V. Finn, a longtime resident of Lawrence, passed away unexpectedly and peacefully on May 25, 2021, at the age of 72 while doing something that he loved, playing golf. Known to many as "Mickey", he was born in Lawrence on April 20, 1949 to James L. and Margaret (Bateman) Fin


By James Kim



This is a very important moment when our two countries are facing common challenges.



The COVID-19 pandemic continues to impact our daily lives as well as the global economy. Companies are faced with the immediate need to not only digitize their operations but also rebuild secure supply chains and diversify. There are also rising geopolitical challenges in the Indo-Pacific region that need to be addressed.



These various challenges have also brought the U.S. and Korea closer together. Our two nations have never been so aligned on visions and values; such as commitments to a rules-based international order, economic and social justice, and environmental sustainability. It is now time for us to join forces to pursue the same goals. As the two presidents hold their first summit tomorrow, I would like to suggest three items from the perspective of the business community that should be driving their agenda.



The COVID-19 pandemic



At the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, Korea was dubbed a global "success case" due to the government's proactive, thorough, and transparent containment efforts. Especially with the strategy of the three "Ts"  testing, tracking and treatment  Korea's methods were labeled a template for how countries should respond as the virus spread around the globe.



It is important for us to now continue this momentum into a full economic recovery. While Korea has taken significant strides, the hardest hit industries such as travel and tourism continue to suffer, and it is important for the Moon government to collaborate with the new Biden administration to take a different approach to getting back to business.



More specifically, widespread vaccination against COVID-19 will be key not only for Korea's public health but also in restoring trade, travel and business activities that are crucial for Korea's economy.

The U.S. and Korea need to work together on mutual vaccine recognition so that those who received their vaccinations in the U.S. can be exempt from the 14-day quarantine when returning to Korea. This will provide a critical boost to Korea's travel and tourism industries while enabling a resumption of business travel that is important for continued foreign investment into Korea. It may also accelerate the rate at which the population becomes vaccinated. The faster all of us get vaccinated, the faster we can return to normal, both in our daily lives and in business.



Supply chain and economic diversification



The COVID-19 pandemic has also illuminated the need for economic diversity and robust supply chains. At the start of the pandemic, companies that heavily relied on one partner for the smooth flow of their supply chains faced delays and other difficulties. All companies were forced to reevaluate the state of their supply chains and pursue diversification to return operations to normal.



We believe Korea can play a key role as a leading destination for investment by companies who are seeking to diversify. The Korean government has become more accessible to the business community, especially multinational companies, in identifying barriers to business and proposing solutions. AMCHAM is assisting in optimizing Korea's business, tax and regulatory environment to this end. The summit can be a meaningful moment to convey that bilateral investment is a key pillar of our economic partnership that helps to ensure the prosperity and security of both countries.



The ongoing semiconductor shortage is a case in point. Never before has any single product had such importance to the economic stability and security of a nation.



In a recent meeting that President Biden held on improving the manufacturing capability of semiconductors in the U.S, Samsung was the only Korean company invited to attend. This meeting reflects not only the urgency of the semiconductor issue, but also Samsung's vital role as an investor in and strategic partner for the U.S. It is critically important to both countries that the top leadership at Samsung be an active participant in investment decisions in the U.S. going forward.



Environmental, Social and Corporate Governance



Both President Biden and President Moon have made environmental sustainability and economic justice the centerpieces of their agendas. U.S. companies are leading the way on issues such as environmental sustainability, diversity in corporate leadership and social responsibility. Many of these companies have implemented ESG initiatives and programs into their Korea vision, and Korean companies have also begun to build upon this trend.



ESG is not just the smart thing to do, but the right thing to do, and a partnership between the U.S. and Korea in this realm is critical. Public-private dialogue that would allow the countries to share and adopt best practices is the logical next step. AMCHAM is also ready to play a central role through our newly launched ESG Committee, led by CEOs of major multinational companies in Korea.



We recently held our very first U.S.-Korea ESG Forum, which discussed ESG and best practices from a global perspective. ESG can be a powerful new potential partnership between our two countries.



This summit is a testament to the rock-solid alliance between the U.S. and Korea. It is a great opportunity for the two countries to reinforce their shared values and goals, and engage in meaningful, productive dialogue. AMCHAM will continue to support the new relationship between President Biden and President Moon, and do our best to create a mutually beneficial economic partnership based on fair and free trade policies.



The U.S.-Korea partnership holds great value not only in terms of security and diplomacy but also for the economies of both countries. As the eyes and ears of American business in Korea, AMCHAM will continue to convey the value of the economic partnership while promoting bilateral investment that leads to job creation and economic growth.





The author is the chairman and CEO of AMCHAM Korea.


I recently introduced Senate Bill 865 and it has generated some controversy. The bill is about rooting out conflicts of interest in our govern
U.S. President Joe Biden delivers remarks at the Ford Rouge Electric Vehicle Center in Dearborn, Michigan, May 18. AFP-Yonhap



By Kim Yoo-chul



As U.S. President Joe Biden seemingly regards South Korea as a possible weak link in Washington's confrontational stance toward China, Cheong Wa Dae and the country's trade ministry are asking leading conglomerates to invest more in the United States.



On Wednesday, sources and officials contacted by The Korea Times say they acknowledge that Biden has been looking to change President Moon's policy positions  which they see as too friendly with China. But because President Moon has been hoping to use his bilateral summit with Biden to win back Washington's support on North Korea and vaccine issues, they say the conglomerates are prepared to support Moon by announcing massive investment plans.



Samsung Electronics said that it has yet to finalize details about its semiconductor investment plans, possibly in the U.S. state of Texas. But Samsung sources said that the world's top memory chipmaker may unveil larger-than-expected investment plans for the state during the summit.



Earlier thoughts were that Samsung Electronics will invest some $17 billion in Austin, where the company already operates a foundry line, to expand the output of foundry chips. Samsung plans to apply EUV-based manufacturing processes, using very fine 5-nanometer processing technology, into forthcoming new lines that the company expects will go into operation in 2024, sources said.



"Amid the Biden administration's 'techno-democracy' initiatives and the global semiconductor chip shortage, Samsung is being asked to take a central role in supporting U.S. attempts to match Chinese supply chain investments. It's politically motivated. But as Biden's proposed legislation to provide $50 billion in funding for chip production recently won bipartisan backing from Congress, Moon needs to highlight South Korea's role to address the global chip shortage, as well as to assure Biden that Seoul is on Washington's side on this matter," a senior industry executive said by telephone.









From Samsung's standpoint, making major investments in the United States will definitely cause a dilemma for the world's largest semiconductor firm, as China is Samsung's biggest market. However, some sources said that, as its leader Lee Jae-yong is still in prison, Samsung isn't in a position to turn a blind eye towards President Moon's hopes for close cooperation with Biden on various aspects.



The bilateral summit will touch on how to foster global supply chains for semiconductors, and the South Korean leader is also hoping to win Biden's backing on his engagement-centric North Korean policy. On the other hand, Biden is widely expected to focus primarily on Quad Plus and COVID-19 vaccine distribution issues. South Korea earlier requested to receive the U.S.' available surplus COVID-19 vaccines.





This image shows SK Innovation's battery plants being built in the U.S. state of Georgia. Courtesy of SK Innovation


Earn your Associate of Applied Business in Business IT (BIT) degree online from the University of Cincinnati. This program can be completed fully online, with curriculum customized to fit your schedule, interests and how quickly you want to complete your degree. Application deadline July 1, 2021. Learn More 

Claims of losses from cryptocurrency scams skyrocketed from October 2020 to March 2021, according to a report released Monday by the Federal Trade Commission.

In its Consumer Protection Data Spotlight newsletter, the FTC revealed that during the October to March period nearly 7,000 consumers reported losing US$80 million. That compares to only 570 cryptocurrency scam reports amounting to $7.5 million in losses from October 2019 to March 2020.

That's more than a 1,100 percent rise in cryptocurrency scam reports during the period -- and more than a 900 percent increase in losses.

The agency noted that as the value of cryptocurrencies like bitcoin continue to soar, new investors are eager to get in on the action, and scammers are more than willing to accommodate them.

Scammers blend into the cryptocurrency scene with claims that can seem plausible because cryptocurrency is unknown territory for many people, the agency explained.

Online, people may appear to be friendly and willing to share their "tips," it continued. But that can also be part of the ruse to get people to invest in their scheme.

In fact, the FTC added, some of the schemes are based on referral chains -- also known as Ponzi schemes -- that work by recruiting novice investors to bring more novice investors into the fold.

Get Rich Quick Allure

A number of factors appear to be driving the increase in cryptocurrency scams.

"Scammers follow headlines, just like you and I do, and there's not a day that goes by that you don't hear about cryptocurrency," observed Amy Nofziger, director of fraud victim support at AARP.

"When Elon Musk was on Saturday Night Live, he mentioned Dogecoin 10 times," she told the E-Commerce Times. "People hear that and stories about one-day millionaires and they want to get in on the action."

"Some people want to get rich quick," added William J. Malik, vice president of infrastructure strategies at Trend Micro.

"They hear about fabulous returns to early investors in other cryptocurrencies and want to get in first," he told the E-Commerce Times.

Cryptocurrency scams are like other speculative scams, such as penny stocks, real estate, oil and gas, noted Purandar Das, CEO and co-founder of Sotero, a data protection company in Burlington, Mass.

"With cryptocurrency, it is even more appealing as a scam since most people don't know much about it and probably know even less about how to engage with it," he told the E-Commerce Times.

Rocketing Values

Chris Clements, vice president of solutions architecture at Cerberus Sentinel, a cybersecurity consulting and penetration testing company in Scottsdale, Ariz. maintained that the biggest driver, by far, of the spurt in cryptocurrency scams is the meteoric rise in the value of many cryptocurrencies.

"Not counting the admittedly large sell off in the past few weeks, over the past 12 months a single bitcoin went from roughly $9,000 up to $60,000, that's over a [600 percent] increase in value," he told the E-Commerce Times.

"This has drawn in scores of new investors looking to capitalize on the rapid growth, many of whom are not familiar with the additional security requirements needed to keep their new investments safe," he continued.

"Unlike traditional banking or stock market investing, cryptocurrency has few safeguards in place to protect unsuspecting users from being fooled into exposing digital wallets or performing transactions that can't be recovered once compromised," he explained.

"This provides scammers with a combination of easy targets and lucrative payouts so it's no surprise that such scams are rampant," he added.

Touch of Legitimacy

Cryptocurrencies have also gained more legitimacy in recent times. That, too, may make it less daunting to new investors.

"Cryptocurrency has gained wider adoption as applications like Square's Cash app and others have begun allowing payments with bitcoin," explained Sherrod DeGrippo, senior director of threat intelligence and detection at Proofpoint, an enterprise security company in Sunnyvale, Calif.

"Coinbase as a crypto trading platform recently had an IPO, and of course Elon Musk made many references to various cryptocurrencies on SNL a week ago," she continued.

"The wider adoption and accessibility mean that it is a natural target for crimeware actors," she told the E-Commerce Times. "As the cryptocurrency payment methods go mainstream, we will see more crime and fraud associated with it."

While cryptocurrency may be relatively new, for the most part, scammers continue to use tried and true techniques.

"They use the emotional tactics they use for every scam out there," AARP's Nofziger observed.

"They get you under the emotional ether," she continued. "They get you excited about it. They make you feel special. They make the opportunity seem legitimate."

They will also try to harvest a cryptocurrency owner's credentials, added DeGrippo. "Proofpoint continues to see credential harvesting campaigns targeting users' wallets and spoofing several popular cryptocurrency companies both as the originating sender and as a landing page to collect credentials," she said.

Playing It Safe

Cryptocurrency scams can have some advantages for criminals over other types of scams, though. "Cryptocurrency scams transcend borders even more easily than other types of online scams," Forrester Vice President and Principal Analyst Martha Bennett told the E-Commerce Times.

Stealing virtual money also has advantages over the real thing. "When scammers used to get fiat money from their victims they had to use fake bank accounts and wash it losing up to 50 percent of revenues," said Giacomo Arcaro, European growth hacker and CMO of Blackchain International, a consulting firm helping with blockchain projects and social media promotion in New York City.

"Now, by getting just crypto, they have increased their profit to 100 percent, and it's safer, too" he told the E-Commerce Times.

In its newsletter, the FTC made several recommendations for playing it safe when investing in cryptocurrencies:

Promises of guaranteed huge returns or claims that your cryptocurrency will be multiplied are always scams.

The cryptocurrency itself is the investment. You make money if you're lucky enough to sell it for more than you paid. Period. Don't trust people who say they know a better way.

If a caller, love interest, organization, or anyone else insists on cryptocurrency, you can bet it's a scam.

"Although cryptocurrencies themselves are considered 'secure', the platforms available for purchasing are not so safe," added Thomas Beek, senior cybersecurity specialist with Digital Shadows, a San Francisco-based provider of digital risk protection solutions.

He recommended investors use a centralized exchange with a high reputation that has been operating for an extensive period of time, such as Binance, Coinbase, or Kucoin.

"Although such services are not immune to the threat of an attack," he told the E-Commerce Times, "they are known for their continual efforts to check their infrastructure for any possible frailties and look to mitigate any potential vulnerabilities -- something that can't be said for any ad-hoc exchanges that are just starting out."

John P. Mello Jr. has been an ECT News Network reporter since 2003. His areas of focus include cybersecurity, IT issues, privacy, e-commerce, social media, artificial intelligence, big data and consumer electronics. He has written and edited for numerous publications, including the Boston Business Journal, the Boston Phoenix, Megapixel.Net and Government Security News. Email John.




A Brand's Guide to Digital Shelf Analytics | eBook

What can you do to improve your digital commerce game? The first rule of the digital shelf is to make sure your products can be found. Some might say its mission impossible. Unless, of course, you use digital shelf analytics (DSA). Get the eBook Today!

Major information technology providers opposed to the broadening of class action litigation related to consumer protections have taken their case to the U.S. Supreme Court.

The companies are hoping the court will strike down a lower court ruling which makes it easier for consumers to file class action suits. The tech companies may not have to wait too long for a decision. The Supreme Court conducted oral arguments in TransUnion LLC v. Ramirez Tuesday and is expected to issue a decision by the end of June.

At issue is the legal standard governing how members of a consumer class can demonstrate to a court that they have experienced "harm" in the management of their personal data.

The IT companies essentially argue that a ruling by the Ninth Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals wrongly allows members of a class to claim harm that goes well beyond current standards for defining injury. The companies contend that the Ninth Circuit ruling would expose businesses to unjustified class action suits.

According to an amicus brief jointly submitted to the Supreme Court by eBay, Facebook, Google and several tech industry associations, there was no legal reason for the assertion of any actual or tangible injury for the class of consumers cited in the case.

The companies contend that the Ninth Circuit's ruling will have an impact well beyond the statutes involved in that case.

If left intact, the court's opinion would "degrade" legal standards and would "open the floodgates for abusive litigation that redresses no injury and benefits no consumer," the companies said. The Ninth Circuit ruling could affect such e-commerce laws as the Stored Communications Act, the Video Privacy Protection Act, Telephone Consumer Protection Act, and the Wiretap Act, as amended by the Electronic Communications Privacy Act, according to the brief.

The case before the Supreme Court was initiated by major credit reporting agency TransUnion which is seeking to overturn the Ninth Circuit's decision in Ramirez v. TransUnion LLC. The company asked the court to rule on whether the U.S. Constitution and related procedures "permit a damages class action where the vast majority of the class suffered no actual injury, let alone an injury anything like what the class representative suffered."

Personal Data Alerts Triggered Litigation

The case evolved from allegations that data references used by TransUnion included inaccurate and potentially damaging "matches" of names on consumer credit alerts.

According to the U.S. Department of Justice, during the time frame of the case, TransUnion's matching process "consisted solely of a 'name-only' comparison of consumers' first and last names" and the names on the U.S. Treasury Department's Office of Foreign Asset Control (OFAC) list of terrorists, drug traffickers and other individuals prohibited from doing business in the United States for national security reasons.

In February 2011, while attempting to purchase a car, Sergio L. Ramirez learned that TransUnion had added an inaccurate OFAC alert to his consumer report. After receiving the alert, the dealership refused to sell the car to Ramirez, who later contended that he was "embarrassed, shocked, and scared" to learn that his name was associated with the OFAC list, according to DOJ's summary of the case.

Disturbed by his experience, including inquiries to TransUnion which he claimed resulted in further confusion about the alert, Ramirez filed a suit alleging that TransUnion's practices violated various protections of the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA).

At the U.S. District Court level, the jury found in favor of Ramirez, and faulted TransUnion for failing to comply with requirements of the FCRA. The District Court also granted class action status to the 8,000 persons allegedly affected by the erroneous information. Damages were set at $60 million, later reduced to $40 million by the Ninth Circuit.

Court proceedings revealed that TransUnion's reliance on the OPAC data system resulted in a "matching" process which did not definitively screen matches to specific individuals but only to similar names, resulting in the potential for misleading identifications.

In the case of Ramirez, date of birth information showed he was improperly classified. Ramirez's distress resulted from the distribution of the inaccurate report to a third party -- the car dealer -- according to the Ninth Circuit decision. A key element in the case hinges on the third-party disclosure issue.

According to an analysis from law firm Akin Gump, "despite the fact that the majority of class members did not have their credit reports disseminated to third parties, the Ninth Circuit found that the mere fact that the credit reports were available to potential creditors and employers upon request sufficed to show a 'material risk of harm' to the concrete interests of all class members."

Thus, class actions could proceed, according to the ruling. The Justice Department's analysis noted that the Ninth Circuit characterized the nature of such inaccurate alerts as "severe," with reports available to third parties "at a moment's notice." The Department filed an amicus brief only for the purpose of supporting the need for clarification of applicable law and rulings.

TransUnion Claims Decision 'Eviscerates' Standards

TransUnion, in its petition to the Supreme Court, challenged the notion that the mere existence of the data base references resulted in harm. The company noted that the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia "has squarely held that plaintiffs lack standing to seek damages under FCRA based on the bare existence in their credit files of information never disseminated to any third party." The Ninth Circuit ruling "eviscerates" both Constitutional and procedural standards, TransUnion said.

The company emphasized that the name references in the data base were not individually definitive and simply presented "potential" matches. TransUnion said that it "made it crystal clear" that the appearance of a name in its alert system "should be the beginning and not the end" of any OFAC inquiry.

In a 2018 financial report referencing the jury decision, TransUnion said "we continue to believe that we have not willfully violated any law." In a statement provided to the E-Commerce Times, through spokesperson David Blumberg, TransUnion said "We do not comment on pending litigation."

The U.S. Chamber of Commerce, in a brief supporting TransUnion, noted that for an overwhelmingly large component of the class, no reports ever reached a third party. The Ninth Circuit's decision was "flimsy," and based on assertions that were too speculative and abstract for legal purposes, the Chamber said.

Database Risk Meets Test of Injury

In asserting that the Ninth Circuit ruling was correct, attorneys representing Ramirez said the relevant harm for allowing class action status "is not the sale or publication of a credit report containing a terrorist record, it is the risk of significant injury of that inaccurate information being reported."

The risk of real harm that TransUnion imposed on all class members "arose from both the gravity and the likelihood of dissemination of its false OFAC alerts," according to a brief filed by law firm Francis Mailman Soumilas.

"The U.S. Constitution allows people to sue in federal court to when they are at substantial risk of harm, even if they have not yet suffered harm," Adam Schwartz, senior staff attorney at the Electronic Frontier Foundation told the E-Commerce Times. EFF filed an amicus brief supporting Ramirez.

"This principle is especially important during the ongoing technological revolution, when private corporations are collecting, storing, sharing, and using massive quantities of our highly sensitive personal information. This data processing creates extraordinary risks of harm," he said.

Consumers should not be prevented from going to federal court until after a breach of personal data occurs, such as identity theft or denial of credit, he added. "Rather, we should be able to go to federal court when corporations process our data in a manner that creates substantial risk of these and other harms. Especially where, as here, Congress has required credit reporting agencies to ensure that their credit data are accurate and has empowered people subject to erroneous credit data to sue such agencies," Schwartz noted.

According to the Akin Gump and the Department of Justice analyses, the Supreme Court's ruling may be limited in its application to different stages of court proceedings. But for the tech companies, and businesses in general, the Supreme Court's treatment of the "harm" issue will be a significant legal development affecting class action litigation.

John K. Higgins has been an ECT News Network reporter since 2009. His main areas of focus are U.S. government technology issues such as IT contracting, cybersecurity, privacy, cloud technology, big data and e-commerce regulation. As a freelance journalist and career business writer, he has written for numerous publications, including The Corps Report and Business Week. Email John.


Stephanie Boley scoots out of a parking lot along Front Street April 26 after hopping on a Lime scooter. Boley was riding scooters with her friend Taylor Hall.




KT&G lil HYBRID 2.0 / Courtesy of KT&G





By Kim Hyun-bin







KT&G has achieved continuous growth in the global market, as traditional cigarettes and exports of "lil" e-cigarettes have been paving the way for the company to rank among the top 4 global tobacco companies.





According to KT&G's regulatory filings released last week, KT&G saw its cigarette sales surge 30.1 percent in 2020 on-year-year to 9.5 billion cigarettes, while sales rose 15.8 percent year-on-year to 193.7 billion won. The sales growth was attributed to the company's efforts to expand into new markets as well as customized strategies for different regions.







Last year alone, KT&G launched its products in 23 new markets with the total number of export countries exceeding 100.







KT&G's cigarettes sold in Korea, such as Esse Change Himalaya 1mg and retro concept cigarettes such as the newly released "88 Returns," saw sales rise, upping the market share of 0.6 percent, which is considered significant coming at a time when total demand for cigarettes fell 0.1 percent, especially due to a drop in duty free sales.







Local cigarette sales rose by 60 million cigarettes from the previous year, which totaled 9.63 billion to account for a 64.5 percent local market share, rising 0.5 percentage points in the cited period.





The growth continues even in the e-cigarette sector. After launching "lil" in 2017, KT&G has garnered positive feedback from consumers due to the e-cigarette's ease of use and portability. Follow-up models such as lil Plus, lil Mini and lil Hybrid also gained in popularity and lil has grown into an influential brand in the local e-cigarette market.





The lil brand's heat-not-burn device accounted for more than a 60 percent market share at convenience stores in October.





Starting this year, the company is expected to enter new markets. Last January, KT&G signed a strategic partnership with PMI to cooperate in exporting the next-generation lil e-cigarettes, while introducing the product in Russia, Ukraine and Japan where it gained positive feedback.







The lil SOLID and heating tobacco stick Fiit were introduced in Russia last August, and in Ukraine a month later. Russia and Ukraine are known for high consumption of tobacco products, but recently there has been a rise in interest in e-cigarette purchases.







The product was also introduced in Japan, one of the largest e-cigarette markets. Global tobacco companies have been competing fiercely in the Japanese market as it is expected to show further growth.





Last October, KT&G introduced lil HYBRID 2.0 and MIXX in Fukuoka, showcasing their distinct flavor and ease of use. Tobacco sticks have expanded into all of Japan starting in mid-February, while sales are expected to rise.






Faye Greenhaw, 88, of Athens, passed away Tuesday, June 8, 2021, at her residence. Mrs. Greenhaw was born on February 26, 1933, to Alvie Lee Leopard and Bobbie Webb Leopard. Mrs. Greenhaw is survived by her sons; David Greenhaw (Charlsa) and Don Greenhaw; daughters, Kathy Robinson and Brenda
An artist rendering of the state-of-the-art, 1-million-square-foot Amazon facility in Limestone County where Amazon employees will pick, pack and ship some of the larger items available on its website, including patio furniture, outdoor equipment and rugs.
Speaker of the House Mac McCutcheon looks on during debate on the last day of the regular session at the Alabama Statehouse in Montgomery, Ala., on Monday May 17, 2021.
San Francisco Bay Area residents and visitors can now use Android devices to pay for rides on 24 public transit systems across the region. Apple Wallet has supported the Clipper card on iPhone and Apple Watch since last month.

Starting today, you can buy a Clipper card on your Android device or add your existing one . You can then tap to pay for rides on networks including BART, Muni light rail and buses, Caltrain, VTA and the ferry  all without having to dig around your pockets or bag for a Clipper card.

It's worth noting that if you digitize your Clipper card, you'll no longer be able to use the physical version. That could put you in a bind if your battery runs out completely. You can also only have your card on one device at a time. Bikesharing and some passes (including San Francisco State University's Gator Pass) aren't supported.

If you have a device running Android 5.0 or later and it's equipped with NFC, you should be able to add a Clipper card to Google Pay. However, Motorola handsets aren't supported, as The Verge notes. If you're an Android user, you'll need to make Google Pay your default wallet app to get this to work.
As hostilities escalate between Israel and Hamas, some Israelis have turned to chat apps to organize violent attacks against Palestinians. The New York Times and FakeReporter, an organization that tracks misinformation in the country, found that at least 100 WhatsApp groups and some 20 Telegram channels dedicated to advocating for violence against Palestinians have sprung up over the past week. They feature names like "Death to the Arabs," "The Jewish Guard" and "The Revenge Troops," and local authorities have linked them to dozens of violent incidents against Palestinians who are citizens of Israel.

While extremists the world over have used social media and chat apps to organize and incite violence in the past, researchers the NYT interviewed say these groups and channels have gone further in their use of WhatsApp and Telegram than movements like Stop the Steal. Many of them have seen people not only planning specific action against Palestinians, but also executing on those plans. In one WhatsApp group, the paper found evidence of people sharing instructions on how to make Molotov cocktails and improvised explosives. In a Telegram channel with 400 or so members, the NYT saw admins asking for the addresses of Arab-owned businesses.

Facebook and WhatsApp have historically struggled to crack down on policy violations that have occurred in private chats. In this instance, WhatsApp has banned some of the people involved in the groups on its platform. With conversations between individuals encrypted and groups limited to 256 participants, the company's enforcement efforts have relied on individuals reporting those involved in the groups for terms of service violations. In turn, many of them have taken to vetting new members. Private WhatsApp groups require an invite from an admin to join, and it's not possible to search for them on the platform.

As a private messaging service, we do not have access to the contents of people's personal chats though when information is reported to us, we take action to ban accounts we believe may be involved in causing imminent harm," a spokesperson for WhatsApp told Engadget. "We also quickly respond to valid legal requests from law enforcement for the limited information available to us." We've also reached out to Telegram for comment, and we'll update this article when we hear back from the company.

At first, Israeli police didn't act on information on the groups and channels from FakeReporter, but they say they're now "tracking social media and monitoring movements on the ground." A source with the authorities told The New York Times police hadn't seen similar use of WhatsApp and Telegram among Palestinians.
HiteJinro's popular Jinro Soju and its brand mascot, a toad / Courtesy of HiteJinro



By Kim Jae-heun



HiteJinro is working on enhancing its brand image in the sluggish liquor market by selling merchandise and collaborating with fashion firms. In the long term, the brewery aims to secure future customers while targeting the global market by increasing overseas sales volume.



The alcoholic beverage market here had already been on a slow decline since 2016, before the COVID-19 pandemic struck and had a major impact.



According to the Korea Agro-Fisheries & Food Trade Corporation, the market volume was at 8.9 trillion won in 2019, down by 4 percent compared to the 2015 volume, when it was at its highest since 2011.



The government's social distancing guidelines, designed to curb the increasing number of new daily cases, have banned gatherings of more than four people. This situation has led to a decline in alcoholic beverage consumption, as well as liquor companies' sales. In the first quarter of this year alone, beer and soju sales declined by 8 percent and 4.4 percent, respectively. Soju is the most popular alcoholic beverage in the country, based on a traditional alcoholic beverage originally made from distilling rice.



HiteJinro's operating profit also saw a 14 percent dive to record 43.9 billion won during the same period, while its sales of 484 billion won showed a decline of 1 percent.



To overcome these difficulties, the brewery giant is investing in marketing to attract future customers while striving to hold onto its current ones. It is focusing on the future demand for beer and soju, which are expected to soar in the post-COVID-19 era.



Last August, HiteJinro launched its first pop-up store in hip Seongsu-dong, selling various kinds of merchandise such as soju glasses, bags and stationery with its brand mascot, a toad. This promotional event ended in April with a total of 10,000 people having visited HiteJinro's "goods stores" across the country, including in Busan, Daegu, Jeonju and Gwangju. Customers were mostly in their early and mid-20s.



"The company's profitability has decreased due to the social distancing guidelines having banned nightclubs and bars, restricted late-night restaurant operations and declining interest in hostess bars in the younger generation. So the channels for promoting our brand image have become restricted. Through our pop-up stores selling our brand merchandise, we are looking forward to attracting new customers while keeping the existing ones," a HiteJinro official said.



It also collaborated with local convenience store brand CU and food and beverage firm CJ CheilJedang to sell side dishes that go with beer and soju.



HiteJinro revealed recently that it is entering international markets in the United States, Hong Kong and Singapore with its popular beer, Terra. In the case of soju, HiteJinro saw its sales skyrocket in the first quarter of this year by 83.8 percent in China, compared to that of a year ago.


Qualcomm wants to make its 10-gigabit 5G modem a practical reality in your PC or home internet service, and it's giving companies a helping hand to speed things along. The company has introduced an M.2 reference design for the X65 modem (plus its lower-spec X62 counterpart) to give hardware makers a "plug-and-play" option for laptops, tablets, and fixed-in-place devices like home broadband equipment. In theory, you'd have a wireless connection for your PC that puts even faster fiber internet to shame.

The M.2 card supports 5G on both millimeter wave (like some US providers offer) and sub-6GHz frequencies. Qualcomm was quick to add that software updates are providing wider support for mmWave (particularly as it rolls out in China) as well as better battery life.

The reference design is available to companies now, although it'll take some time before this translates to finished laptops and other products you can buy. Qualcomm hopes for the first solutions to be ready by late 2021.

The bigger question, as is often the case, revolves around real-world speeds. Verizon (Engadget's current parent company) only just managed to reach 4.3Gbps speeds in a trial reported days ago. It could take a long time before 5G is fast enough to justify a 10Gbps modem, and even longer before you can really use the added speed.
After a relentless drip of teases and reveals, we finally have a release date and official trailer for Netflix's Resident Evil anime. Resident Evil: Infinite Darkness will have viewers follow the exploits of Claire and Leon in a 3DCG series.

As we learned last month, the plot of this series takes place following the events of Resident Evil 4, so it should feel familiar to fans of the series who need something to fill their time after they've experienced all of Resident Evil Village. Check out the full plot summary below, as well as an official trailer that gives us a better look at what's coming our way when it premieres July 8th.

Six years ago (2000), the helicopter belonging to the U.S. special forces who were intervening in the Penamstan civil war fell from the sky. The U.S. Army Mad Dogs, who were in the same battleground, refused orders from the command center to stand their ground and instead went to save survivors of the crash. However, the special forces were already annihilated. The Mad Dogs, led by their captain Jason, were also forced to escape in order to survive.

However, in that place, Jason and his unit saw the supposedly dead special forces moving in strange ways...

In the present (2006), a hacking incident occurs on a top secret White House file. Four agents, including Leon S. Kennedy and Jason, the Hero of Penamstan, are invited to the White House to investigate this incident. However, when the lights suddenly go out, they are forced to take down a horde of mysterious zombies alongside the SWAT team. Afterward, the top secret file is found to be related to a biology laboratory in Shanghai, which Leon and the other three agents decide to investigate for clues. As they head to Shanghai in a cutting-edge submarine, a swarm of rat-like Bio Organic Weapons (B.O.W.) suddenly attacks, pushing them into a life-or-death situation.

Meanwhile, while staying in Penamstan to provide support for refugees, Terra Save staff member Claire Redfield encounters a strange image drawn by a nonverbal boy. Haunted by this drawing, which appears to depict a victim of viral infection, Claire starts her own investigation. She eventually finds a terrifying experiment that was conducted during the Penamstan civil war. Leon and Claire draw closer to an unimaginable truth that all began in Penamstan. They also discover that a terror that can shatter peace is slowly approaching...
Having profited from the dearth of physical events during the pandemic, Zoom is hoping virtual gatherings are here to stay. The video chat service is today announcing an events platform that gives businesses and social users a place to create and share events. From yoga classes hosted by a local studio to an internal hands-on meeting to a large conference, the new feature aims to cater to Zoom's disparate user base. For the company, it offers a chance to extract more revenue by pushing people  many of who simply use its free service to chat to friends  to its paid licenses, which range from $150 for smaller meetings subscriptions to $64,900 annually for larger webinars.

When it launches this summer, Zoom Events will offer paying customers tools including a dedicated "hub" where you can list your upcoming events, be they private or public, one-offs or a series. Hosts will also be able to monetize events by providing customizable ticketing and registration for their gatherings. That's akin to the existing OnZoom feature the company has been beta testing since last fall with smaller businesses and entrepreneurs. Understandably, that will now be folded in to the broader events service.

But where OnZoom was similar to Eventbrite and Meetup, offering users the chance to make money from DIY events, the new platform is larger in its scope. Zoom wants to be the online venue for a whole host of gatherings and the virtual lobby for physical events to boot. A place that welcomes corporate employees, startups, clients, the press and hobbyists. In that sense, the new feature sounds like Zoom's spin on Facebook Events.

To help users expand the reach of their gatherings, Zoom will post them to a public directory for others to discover. You'll also be able to track event statistics like attendance, registration and revenue, with additional controls over access and billing.

Ultimately, with deep-pocketed rivals like Microsoft and Google looking to eat its lunch, the pressure is on Zoom to prove it can continue growing. And, new features like Zoom Events that make subscribing more attractive could help its cause.
Enid, OK (73701)

Today

Sun and clouds mixed. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. High 98F. Winds S at 10 to 20 mph..

Tonight

Some clouds. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. Low 69F. ESE winds shifting to N at 10 to 15 mph.
Kendall Jenner was recently spotted driving a big truck to deliver her newly-launched Tequila.

The model is taking marketing to the next level. In the video posted by TMZ, she was seen driving a big green truck to deliver her "818 Tequila". She's dressed in a casual white sweater and pants as well as a vest that reads the name of her brand. (Check out the video below)



She pulled over to Mel & Rose Wine, Spirits, and Gifts on Monday in WeHo, Los Angeles where she took some photos with fans and the owners of the store.

When asked about her favorite flavor among her newly-launched booze, she answered "they are all amazing". As she waves goodbye to the crowd, she assured everyone that she's not having a hard time driving the truck.

READ NOW: Dalton Gomez Net Worth 2021 vs Ariana Grande: He's a Lot Richer Than You Think!

The supermodel first teased fans with her liquor brand in February, she took to Instagram to share that she's working on the drink for four years "for almost 4 years i've been on a journey to create the best tasting tequila. after dozens of blind taste tests, trips to our distillery, entering into world tasting competitions anonymously and WINNING" she wrote.

"3.5 years later i think we've done it! this is all we've been drinking for the last year and i can't wait for everyone else to get their hands on this to enjoy it as much as we do! @drink818 coming soon" she added.

Jenner's tequila brand also posted photos of the model on their Instagram page in February. She posed behind an agave farm in Mexico while wearing a polo and pigtails.

Even though Jenner was celebrating the success of her new brand, she received backlash from social media users who called her out for "cultural appropriation".

"Like the idea of white celebrities taking from local Mexican artisans and profiting off our traditions and agricultural business yet only visit Cabos and Puerto Vallarta for vacation spots..." a twitter user wrote.

She was also called out for not publicly thanking the Mexican farmers and distillers who have worked in crafting her drink.

The model has not yet commented on the "cultural appropriation" accusations against her.

'818 Tequila' is currently available exclusively in the state of California but the brand has plans to export the liquor worldwide.

READ ALSO: Bill and Melinda Gates' Divorce May Be A Blessing For Their Kids - Here's Why

See Now: Famous Actors Who Turned Down Iconic Movie Roles
Chrissy Teigen is losing a lot of business deals recently amid her online bullying scandal.

Now, it was learned that one of the biggest luxury department store chains in the US has stepped away from a massive deal with her.

According to Page Six, Bloomingdale's walked away from a deal with John Legend's wife at the last minute because of her explosive online drama.

The outlet revealed that the Upper East Side institution was hours away from signing a contract with the cookbook author.

The deal was supposed to see her host a promotional event for Bloomingdales but decided against it because of the toxic press surrounding Chrissy Teigen.

A source told Page Six, "They pretty much had it together but had to cancel it."

News of the mom-of-two kid's collapsed deal comes after Macy's, which shares a parent company with Bloomingdale, also dropped Teigen's "Cravings by Chrissy" cookware line.

An insider familiar with the situation revealed to the outlet that Macy's took the line off its site because people were venting the Stodden scandal in different product reviews.

It's also unclear if the company has decided whether they'll be selling Teigen's products again in the future.

The popular line has been taken down from its website just days after apologizing for being a troll and encouraging one of her victims, Courtney Stodden, to take a "dirt nap."

Here are the tweets... It's not being a hater to tell the truth. This was a MINOR she told to kill themselves. If you choose to support her, it speaks to YOUR character. pic.twitter.com/BqnGCptAlq  Alana Phillips (@allenalana2) May 12, 2021

According to Stodden who spoke to The Daily Beast, the media personality publicly tweeted damaging and hateful messages to them including "go to sleep forever."

They also claimed that the model privately sent them a DM and encouraged them to kill themselves. Though the 35-year-old publicly apologized last week for her actions on Twitter, Stodden revealed that Teigen didn't reach out to apologize at all.

Instead, Stodden showed a screencap proving they were blocked by Teigen on Twitter - so how could she "reach out" to "apologize?"

READ ALSO: Chrissy Teigen 'Cruelly Harassed' Other Women, More Disturbing Tweets Surface

Courtney Stodden's Mom Want Chrissy Teigen to 'Personally Apologize'

Courtney Stodden's mom Krista Keller thinks that Chrissy Teigen should "personally apologize" to her daughter.

She revealed to Hollywood Life how "shocked" she was of Teigen's disturbing tweets. "I witnessed some of those tweets when they came in to Courtney. We both were shocked that she was doing this to Courtney."

Keller also knows that Teigen didn't reach out to her daughter at all, that's why she's asking Teigen to personally apologize to her.

But despite not receiving any apology, Stodden revealed that she has accepted Teigen's apology (even if they couldn't read it on Twitter.

"I accept her apology and forgive her. But the truth remains the same, I have never heard from her or her camp in private. In fact, she blocked me on Twitter."

She added, "All of me wants to believe this is a sincere apology, but it feels like a public attempt to save her partnerships with Target and other brands who are realizing her 'wokeness' is a broken record."

Chrissy Teigen has also sent out harassing tweets to other celebrities including Lindsay Lohan, Mariah Carey, Farrah Abraham. Sarah Palin and Quvenzhane Wallis.

READ MORE: Kim Kardashian Faces Troubling Months Ahead With Potential Lawsuits

See Now: Famous Actors Who Turned Down Iconic Movie Roles
"The Voice" contestant Kenzie Wheeler is a talented young man.He's one of the standout stars of "The Voice" season 20 and not just because of his voice. One of the things that helped him stand out this season is because of his perfect mullet.

In an interview with Hollywood Life, the 22-year-old country-singing star said he's proud of his mullet and even talked about the future of it.

He told reporters after the May 17 episode that his dad had very long hair for quite some time and some of his friends even grew mullets, which also encouraged him to grow his own.

"It is my trademark now, like you said, on the show and to America."

Kenzie Wheeler also assured everyone that his mullet not going to go away anytime soon.

"I don't think I can ever cut it off."

Wheeler is a member of Team Kelly Clarkson. However, country crooner Blake Shelton has been vocal about being Wheeler's fan since the beginning.

After his blind audition, Shelton raved over Wheeler's mullet.

He even asked the judge if he was planning to grow one, with Shelton answering, "That's why I'm getting a good look at it."

READ ALSO: Zack Snyder Speaks Out On Third '300' Movie and Plans to Center Gay Love Story

Kenzie Wheeler also couldn't help but thank his mom for her support throughout her journey on "The Voice" season 20 and her encouragement in following his dreams.

He told the outlet, "My mom has always been one of my biggest supporters, and she's always helped me through so much with music and through life."

Wheeler confessed that he had put off his music for a while but wanted to give the singing competition a try.

"I guess this past year was the time. I sent a video in, and she helped me put it together. So I sent the video in and here we are."

Kenzie Wheeler has been getting great feedback on the show from all four judges but on the May 24 and 25 episodes, he is hoping to become one of the finalists to make the cut.

Wheeler believes that winning "The Voice" would be a "great thing" to help make his career bigger.

'The Voice' Season 20 Top 9 Results Recap

Four artists were eliminated and five of them are going to the finals next week.

Pia Renee, Corey Ward, Dana Monique, and Gihanna Zoe were all eliminated on Tuesday's episode, while Kenzie Wheeler, Cam Anthony, Rachel Mac, and Victor Solomon all secured a slot due to the public's vote.

In the end, Jordan Matthew Young also got a slot on the finals.

READ MORE: Ellen DeGeneres Net Worth, Salary 2021: Where Does She Spend Her Money On?

See Now: Famous Actors Who Turned Down Iconic Movie Roles
Scientists, governments and corporations worldwide are racing against the clock to fight climate change, and part of the solution might be in our soil. By adding carbon from the atmosphere to depleted soil, farmers can both increase their yields and reduce emissions. A cover story in Chemical & Engineering News, the weekly newsmagazine of the American Chemical Society, explores what it would take to get this new practice off the ground.

Historically, agricultural soil has provided crops with the nutrients needed to grow, write Senior Editors Melody Bomgardner and Britt Erickson. Today, most soil is considered degraded, leading farmers to rely on fertilizer, irrigation and pesticides, all of which are costly. Scientific advancements in agriculture have shown that adding organic matter, like decaying plants and microbes, to soil can sequester carbon emissions and replenish soil nutrients, which benefits the farmer and the environment. Companies are also offering incentives to farmers who adopt sustainable practices, such as offering marketable carbon credits to those who help offset greenhouse gas emissions by utilizing techniques like low-till farming and planting cover crops.

Although these agricultural practices show great promise, experts say science needs to verify carbon sequestration's impact on greenhouse gas emissions. Companies and environmental groups alike have developed standards and methods to measure the impact of agricultural practices that earn carbon credits, and new technologies utilizing machine learning and artificial intelligence will help with these efforts. Governments are also looking to play a role in encouraging sustainable agriculture as a means to fight climate change, with the U.S. Congress considering legislation that would allow the U.S. Department of Agriculture to participate in carbon markets and set standards at the federal level. The European Union is also promoting carbon farming to its member states and will launch a carbon market later this year. While experts caution that carbon farming will not replace pollution regulations, the financial incentives and other benefits make it a strong model to follow.

###

The article, "Can soil help solve our climate problem?," is freely available here.

The American Chemical Society (ACS) is a nonprofit organization chartered by the U.S. Congress. ACS' mission is to advance the broader chemistry enterprise and its practitioners for the benefit of Earth and all its people. The Society is a global leader in promoting excellence in science education and providing access to chemistry-related information and research through its multiple research solutions, peer-reviewed journals, scientific conferences, eBooks and weekly news periodical Chemical & Engineering News. ACS journals are among the most cited, most trusted and most read within the scientific literature; however, ACS itself does not conduct chemical research. As a leader in scientific information solutions, its CAS division partners with global innovators to accelerate breakthroughs by curating, connecting and analyzing the world's scientific knowledge. ACS' main offices are in Washington, D.C., and Columbus, Ohio.

To automatically receive news releases from the American Chemical Society, contact newsroom@acs.org. Follow us: Twitter | Facebook
Almost 1 million extra deaths relating to the covid-19 pandemic occurred in 29 high income countries in 2020, finds a study published by The BMJ today.

Except for Norway, Denmark and New Zealand, all other countries examined had more deaths than expected in 2020, particularly in men. The five countries with the highest absolute number of excess deaths were the US, UK, Italy, Spain, and Poland.

Measuring excess deaths - the number of deaths above that expected during a given time period - is a way of assessing the impact of the pandemic on deaths in different populations. However, previous studies have not accounted for temporal and seasonal trends and differences in age and sex across countries.

To address this, a team of international researchers, led by Dr Nazrul Islam from the Nuffield Department of Population Health, University of Oxford, set out to estimate the direct and indirect effects of the covid-19 pandemic on mortality in 2020 in 29 high income countries.

Using a mathematical model, they calculated weekly excess deaths in 2020 for each country, accounting for age and sex differences between countries, and also for seasonal and yearly trends in mortality over the five preceding years.

Overall an estimated 979,000 total excess deaths occurred in 2020 in the 29 countries analysed. All countries experienced excess deaths in 2020, except New Zealand, Norway, and Denmark.

The five countries with the highest absolute number of excess deaths were the US (458,000), the UK (94,400), Italy (89,100), Spain (84,100), and Poland (60,100). New Zealand had lower overall deaths than expected (?2,500).

The total number of excess deaths was largely concentrated among people aged 75 or older, followed by people aged 65-74, while deaths in children under 15 were similar to expected levels in most countries and lower than expected in some countries.

In most countries, the estimated number of excess deaths exceeded the number of reported deaths from covid-19. For example, in both the US and the UK, estimated excess deaths were more than 30% higher than the number of reported covid-19 deaths.

However, other countries such as Israel and France had a higher number of reported covid-19 deaths than estimated excess deaths. The cause of this variation is unclear, but may result from access to testing and differences in how countries define and record covid-19 deaths.

In most countries, age specific excess death rates were higher in men than in women, and the absolute difference in rates between the sexes tended to increase with age. However, in the US the excess death rate was higher among women than men in those aged 85 years or older.

The researchers point to some study limitations, including a lack of data from lower and middle income countries and on factors such as ethnicity and socioeconomic status, and they acknowledge that many indirect effects of a pandemic may need a longer timeframe to have a measurable effect on mortality.

Nevertheless, this was a large study using detailed age and sex specific mortality data with robust analytical methods, and as such "adds important insights on the direct and indirect effects of the covid-19 pandemic on total mortality," they say.

"Reliable and timely monitoring of excess deaths would help to inform public health policy in investigating the sources of excess mortality in populations and would help to detect important social inequalities in the impact of the pandemic to inform more targeted interventions," they add.

Future work will also be needed to understand the impact of national vaccination programmes on mortality in 2021, they conclude.

These findings confirm the huge toll of the covid-19 pandemic on mortality in high-income countries in 2020, say researchers at Imperial College London in a linked editorial.

But they warn that its full impact may not be apparent for many years, particularly in lower income countries where factors such as poverty, lack of vaccines, weak health systems, and high population density place people at increased risk from covid-19 and related harm.

And they point out that while mortality is a useful metric, policy informed by deaths alone overlooks what may become a huge burden of long-term morbidity resulting from covid-19.

"There is an urgent need to measure this excess morbidity, support those with long-term complications of covid-19, and fund health systems globally to address the backlog of work resulting from the pandemic," they conclude.

###

Peer reviewed? Yes (research); No (linked editorial)

Evidence type: Observational; Opinion

Subject: Excess deaths
Chinese vice premier calls for efforts to implement Healthy China initiative

Xinhua) 13:59, May 19, 2021

Chinese Vice Premier Sun Chunlan addresses the 26th National Congress of the Chinese Medical Association on May 18, 2021. (Xinhua/Yan Yan)

BEIJING, May 18 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Vice Premier Sun Chunlan on Tuesday called for efforts to implement the Healthy China initiative and further improve people's health.

Sun, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, made the remarks while addressing the 26th National Congress of the Chinese Medical Association.

Efforts should be made to improve medical innovation, promote technology and cultivate talent, the vice premier said.

Acknowledging the association's contribution in containing the epidemic, Sun said that in the face of the COVID-19 outbreak, its members have demonstrated a strong sense of responsibility and professionalism.

She called on the medical association as well as medical workers nationwide to put their efforts into advancing China's healthcare development, support reforms in the medical system and help strengthen epidemic control and emergency response.

(Web editor: Shi Xi, Hongyu)
Suzy Ishkontana, 7, is kissed by her father Riad Ishkontana, 42, at Shifa Hospital in Gaza City, May 18. Suzy and her father Riad were the only survivors of their family after an Israeli airstrike destroyed one of the buildings they lived in Gaza City early Sunday. AP-Yonhap



Suzy Ishkontana hardly speaks or eats. It's been two days since the 7-year-old girl was pulled from the rubble of what was once her family's home, destroyed amid a barrage of Israeli airstrikes. She spent hours buried in the wreckage as her siblings and mother died around her.



Children are being subjected to extensive trauma in Israel's bombardment of the Gaza Strip. For some, it's trauma they've seen repeatedly throughout their short lives.



This is the fourth time in 12 years Israel and Gaza's Hamas rulers have gone to war. Each time, Israel has unleashed heavy airstrikes at the densely populated Gaza Strip as it vows to stop Hamas rocket barrages launched toward Israel.



According to Gaza health officials, at least 63 children are among the 217 Palestinians who have been killed in Gaza since the latest conflict between Israel and Hamas began on May 10. On the Israeli side, 12 people have been killed by Hamas rockets, all but one of them civilians, including a 5-year-old boy.



Israel says it does everything it can to prevent civilian casualties, including issuing warnings for people to evacuate buildings about to be struck. As Hamas has fired hundreds of rockets into Israel, most of them intercepted by anti-missile defenses, Israel's military has pounded hundreds of sites in Gaza, where some 2 million people live squeezed into a tight urban fabric.



Videos on social media from Gaza have shown the grief of survivors from families wiped out in an instant.



''They were four! Where are they? Four!'' wailed one father outside a hospital after learning all four of his children had been killed. Another showed a young boy screaming ''Baba,'' as he ran to the front of the funeral procession where men were carrying his father's body to burial.



The Ishkontana family was buried under the rubble of their home early Sunday, after massive bombing raids of downtown Gaza City that Israel said were targeting a Hamas tunnel network. The strikes came without warning.



Riad Ishkontana recounted to The Associated Press how he was buried for five hours under the wreckage, pinned under a chunk of concrete, unable to reach his wife and five children.



''I was listening to their voices beneath the rubble. I heard Dana and Zain calling, 'Dad! Dad!' before their voices faded and then I realized they had died,'' he said, referring to two of his children.



After he was rescued and taken to the hospital, he said, family and staff hid the truth from him as long as they could. ''I learned about their deaths one after another,'' he said. Finally, Suzy was brought in alive, the second-oldest of his three daughters and two sons, and the only survivor.





A Palestinian boy who was wounded in Israeli airstrikes, lies in Al-Shifa hospital in Gaza City, May 18. EPA-Yonhap



Though she had only limited physical bruising from her seven hours under the rubble, the young girl was in ''severe trauma and shock,'' said pediatrician Dr. Zuhair Al-Jaro. The hospital was unable to get her the psychological treatment she needs because of the ongoing fighting, he said.



''She has entered into a deep depression,'' he said. Only today, he said Tuesday, did she eat something after she was allowed briefly outside the hospital and saw her cousins.






Researchers from Case Western Reserve University have identified a potential new approach to better controlling epileptic seizures.

Lin Mei, professor and chair of the Department of Neurosciences at the Case Western Reserve School of Medicine, who led the new study in mouse models, said the team found a new chemical reaction that could help control epileptic seizures.

Their findings were recently published in The Journal of Clinical Investigation.

Epilepsy is a neurological disorder in which abnormal brain activity causes seizures or periods of unusual behavior, sensations and sometimes loss of awareness.

A human brain contains about 86 billion nerve cells, also known as neurons. Eighty percent of them--known as excitatory neurons--send messages to bundles of nerves that control muscles, typically calling on them to do something. In a healthy brain, activity that excitatory neurons inspire is managed by the remaining 20% of nerve cells, called inhibitory neurons.

"This balance between excitatory and inhibitory neurons is absolutely important for everything that we do,'' Mei said. "When the balance is tilted, so that excitatory neurons are super active, there will be a problem. It's highly likely there will be epilepsy.''

Two mechanisms cause epilepsy: One is genetic; the other is environmental.

In Dravet syndrome, a genetic type of epilepsy that is among the more severe forms of the condition, the sodium channel--a membrane pore critical for inhibiting neuron activation--is mutated and allows excitatory neurons to misfire, causing seizures.

"It would be great if you could find a mechanism to make the sodium channels more stable,'' Mei said.

He and his colleagues found that a chemical reaction in the brain, called neddylation, stabilizes the sodium channel in mouse models. When the researchers produced a mouse that lacked the protein required for neddylation in inhibitory neurons, it developed epilepsy. The surprising emergence of the condition inspired the team to explore the neddylation process in more depth; eventually they discovered that neddylation plays a critical role of for the sodium channel.

"If we have that chemical reaction in check," he said, "you could help control epilepsy.''

Mei said the research provided evidence that a mutation in patients with epilepsy had a problem with neddylation, suggesting "neddylation theory" may apply to human patients.

The next step in their research, he said, is to identify drugs or approaches that can manipulate this chemical reaction to stabilize the sodium channel. The researchers are also conducting further experiments to determine whether this applies to patients with other types of epilepsy, not just Dravet patients.

"Our finding that neddylation can prevent epilepsy in mouse models represents a new direction for future research," he said. "With this new lead, scientists or pharmaceutical companies can look for chemicals to boost neddylation. The concept is still in an early stage and much needs to be done to make a difference for patients."

This chemical reaction--neddylation--has also been considered a target for cancer research, Mei said, so it could have applications beyond epilepsy.

###

Mei is also director of the Cleveland Brain Health Initiative, which works on collaborative research leading to improved brain health for the residents of Northeast Ohio and beyond. The initiative includes Case Western Reserve, Cleveland Clinic, MetroHealth Medical Center, Louis Stokes Cleveland VA Medical Center, University Hospitals, Kent State University and the Northeast Ohio Medical University.

Case Western Reserve University is one of the country's leading private research institutions. Located in Cleveland, we offer a unique combination of forward-thinking educational opportunities in an inspiring cultural setting. Our leading-edge faculty engage in teaching and research in a collaborative, hands-on environment. Our nationally recognized programs include arts and sciences, dental medicine, engineering, law, management, medicine, nursing and social work. About 5,100 undergraduate and 6,700 graduate students comprise our student body. Visit case.edu to see how Case Western Reserve thinks beyond the possible.
Fixed-dose combination of nivolumab and relatlimab holds the cancer in check significantly longer than nivolumab alone

This is the first regimen to demonstrate a statistical benefit over anti-PD-1 monotherapy in metastatic melanoma

BOSTON - A combination of two drugs that target different proteins on immune system T cells kept advanced melanoma in check significantly longer than one of the drugs alone in a phase 3 clinical trial involving 714 patients. Dana-Farber Cancer Institute investigators co-led the study. Findings will be presented at the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) Annual Meeting, being held virtually June 4-8, 2021, and are included in the ASCO press program.

The trial, known as the RELATIVITY-047 study, compared the effectiveness of the drug nivolumab, an immune checkpoint inhibitor, by itself against a combination of the LAG-3 blocking antibody relatlimab and nivolumab given as a fixed-dose. Trial participants who received the combination therapy as their initial treatment had a median progression-free survival - the time in which the disease did not worsen - of 10.1 months, compared to 4.6 months for those treated with nivolumab alone, investigators found. Twelve months after treatment, 47.7% of patients treated with the two-drug regimen had no advance of their disease, compared to 36% of those who received only nivolumab. The side effects of the combination were generally manageable.

Both nivolumab and relatlimab are antibody drugs. They target separate proteins on T cells to revive and reinvigorate the cells' natural attack on tumor cells. Nivolumab targets PD-1, a checkpoint protein that prompts T cells to call off their attack when it binds to a corresponding protein on tumor cells. Relatlimab targets the protein LAG-3, an immune checkpoint receptor protein that functions to control T-cell response, activation and growth.

"Immune checkpoint inhibitors such as nivolumab have revolutionized the treatment of patients with advanced melanoma," said F. Stephen Hodi, MD, the director of the Melanoma Center and the Center for Immuno-Oncology at Dana-Farber and the co-senior author of the study.

"However, novel combinations of checkpoint inhibitors with other immune agents are needed to improve results. The RELATIVITY trial is the first study of a combination treatment to demonstrate a clinically important benefit by simultaneously inhibiting the LAG-3 and PD-1 pathways."

###

The clinical trial was supported by Bristol Myers Squibb.

Relatlimab (RELA) + nivolumab (NIVO) versus NIVO in first-line advanced melanoma: Primary phase 3 results from RELATIVITY-047 (CA224-047) (abstract 9503) will be presented virtually during the Melanoma/Skin Cancers Oral Abstract Session on Sunday, June 6, 2021, 8:00am-11:00am.

For all ASCO-related media inquiries, call or email Victoria Warren, 617-939-5531, Victoria_Warren@dfci.harvard.edu. Follow the meeting live on Twitter using the hashtag #ASCO21 and follow Dana-Farber on Twitter at @DanaFarberNews.

About Dana-Farber Cancer Institute

Dana-Farber Cancer Institute is one of the world's leading centers of cancer research and care. Dana-Farber's mission is to reduce the burden of cancer through scientific inquiry, clinical care, education, community engagement, and advocacy. The Institute provides the latest treatments in cancer for adults through Dana-Farber/Brigham and Women's Cancer Center and for children through Dana-Farber/Boston Children's Cancer and Blood Disorders Center. Dana-Farber is the only hospital nationwide with a top 6 U.S. News & World Report Best Cancer Hospital ranking in both adult and pediatric care.

As a global leader in oncology, Dana-Farber is dedicated to a unique and equal balance between cancer research and care, translating the results of discovery into new treatments for patients locally and around the world, offering more than 1,100 therapeutic and non-therapeutic clinical trials.
The sun delivers more energy to Earth in one hour than humanity consumes over an entire year. Scientists worldwide are searching for materials that can cost-effectively and efficiently capture this carbon-free energy and convert it into electricity.

Perovskites, a class of materials with a unique crystal structure, could overtake current technology for solar energy harvesting. They are cheaper than materials used in current solar cells, and they have demonstrated remarkable photovoltaic properties -- behavior that allows them to very efficiently convert sunlight into electricity.

Revealing the nature of perovskites at the atomic scale is critical to understanding their promising capabilities. This insight can help inform models to determine the optimal makeup of perovskite materials for solar cells, which can be used to power vehicles, electronic devices and even home heating and other appliances.

"Perovskites do well at preventing recombination. We want to know what mechanism causes this and if we can exploit it to create better solar cells." -- Argonne scientist Ray Osborn

Scientists at the U.S. Department of Energy's (DOE) Argonne National Laboratory participated in a collaboration led by Duke University, along with DOE's Oak Ridge National Laboratory and other collaborators, to study the inner workings of a perovskite material using the world-class X-ray scattering capabilities at Argonne and neutron scattering capabilities at Oak Ridge. The scattering capabilities enabled the scientists to observe the material's behavior at the atomic scale, and the study revealed that liquid-like motion in perovskites may explain how they efficiently produce electric currents.

"There is a lot of excitement surrounding these materials, but we don't fully understand why they are such good photovoltaics," said Duke University's Olivier Delaire, lead scientist on the study.

When light hits a photovoltaic material, it excites electrons, prompting them to pop out of their atoms and travel through the material, conducting electricity. A common problem is that the excited electrons can recombine with the atoms instead of traveling through the material, which can significantly decrease the electricity produced relative to the amount of sunlight hitting the material.

"Perovskites do well at preventing recombination," said Argonne's Ray Osborn. "We want to know what mechanism causes this and if we can learn from this to create better solar cells."

The team studied one of the simplest perovskites -- a compound of cesium, lead and bromine (CsPbBr 3 ) -- to figure out what is going on at the atomic scale.

Using X-ray scattering capabilities at Argonne's Magnetic Materials group's beamline (6-ID-D) at the lab's Advanced Photon Source, a DOE Office of Science User Facility, the team captured the average positions of the atoms in a perovskite crystal at different temperatures. They found that each lead atom and its surrounding cage of bromine atoms form rigid units that behave like molecules. These units oscillate -- or jiggle back and forth -- in a liquid-like manner.

"The molecules in this material rotate about the other molecules like they're hinged together, and around the hinges, the molecules act kind of floppy," said Delaire.

One theory to explain how perovskites resist recombination is that these distortions in the lattice, or crystal structure, follow the free electrons as they traverse the material. The electrons might deform the lattice, causing the liquid-like disturbances, which then prevent them from falling back into their host atoms. This theory, which is bolstered by the new experimental results, can provide new insights into how to design optimal perovskite materials for solar cells.

The data also indicates that molecules in the material oscillate within two-dimensional planes, with no motion across planes -- similar to a carnival ride that only swings left to right, but never front to back. The two-dimensional nature of the crystal distortions could be one more puzzle piece to explain how the perovskite can prevent electron recombination, contributing to the efficiency of the material.

According to Osborn, the two-dimensional patterns in the X-ray scattering data had never been seen. "Based on these unexpected measurements, we wanted to dig even deeper by not only looking at average atomic positions, but how the atoms move around in real time," he said.

To investigate the motion of the atoms directly, the team used neutron scattering capabilities at the Spallation Neutron Source, a DOE Office of Science user facility at Oak Ridge National Laboratory. Researchers at Argonne's Materials Science division and Northwestern University grew the large, centimeter-scale crystals required for the neutron measurements.

The neutron scattering confirmed the unforeseen pattern seen in the X-ray scattering experiment, but showed, in addition, that it takes almost no energy for the molecules to oscillate in two dimensions. This helps to explain why the excited electrons can deform the lattice so easily.

"This work is a beautiful example of the complementarity of neutrons and X-rays in revealing both the structure and dynamics of complex materials," said Osborn, who was involved in both sets of measurements.

The study represents a step towards taking full advantage of the largely untapped renewable energy from the sun, which could have significant impact on both the environment and economy.

###

A paper on the study, "Two-dimensional overdamped fluctuations of the soft perovskite lattice in CsPbBr 3 ," was published in Nature Materials on March 15, 2021. Computational studies in support of the experiment were performed at the National Energy Research Scientific Computing Center at Berkeley National Laboratory.

The research was funded by DOE's Office of Basic Energy Sciences, Materials Science and Engineering division.

About the Advanced Photon Source

The U. S. Department of Energy Office of Science's Advanced Photon Source (APS) at Argonne National Laboratory is one of the world's most productive X-ray light source facilities. The APS provides high-brightness X-ray beams to a diverse community of researchers in materials science, chemistry, condensed matter physics, the life and environmental sciences, and applied research. These X-rays are ideally suited for explorations of materials and biological structures; elemental distribution; chemical, magnetic, electronic states; and a wide range of technologically important engineering systems from batteries to fuel injector sprays, all of which are the foundations of our nation's economic, technological, and physical well-being. Each year, more than 5,000 researchers use the APS to produce over 2,000 publications detailing impactful discoveries, and solve more vital biological protein structures than users of any other X-ray light source research facility. APS scientists and engineers innovate technology that is at the heart of advancing accelerator and light-source operations. This includes the insertion devices that produce extreme-brightness X-rays prized by researchers, lenses that focus the X-rays down to a few nanometers, instrumentation that maximizes the way the X-rays interact with samples being studied, and software that gathers and manages the massive quantity of data resulting from discovery research at the APS.

This research used resources of the Advanced Photon Source, a U.S. DOE Office of Science User Facility operated for the DOE Office of Science by Argonne National Laboratory under Contract No. DE-AC02-06CH11357.

Argonne National Laboratory seeks solutions to pressing national problems in science and technology. The nation's first national laboratory, Argonne conducts leading-edge basic and applied scientific research in virtually every scientific discipline. Argonne researchers work closely with researchers from hundreds of companies, universities, and federal, state and municipal agencies to help them solve their specific problems, advance America's scientific leadership and prepare the nation for a better future. With employees from more than 60 nations, Argonne is managed by UChicago Argonne, LLC for the U.S. Department of Energy's Office of Science.
A new study by a Belgian team using data from the European Southern Observatory's Very Large Telescope (ESO's VLT) has shown that iron and nickel exist in the atmospheres of comets throughout our Solar System, even those far from the Sun. A separate study by a Polish team, who also used ESO data, reported that nickel vapour is also present in the icy interstellar comet 2I/Borisov. This is the first time heavy metals, usually associated with hot environments, have been found in the cold atmospheres of distant comets.

"It was a big surprise to detect iron and nickel atoms in the atmosphere of all the comets we have observed in the last two decades, about 20 of them, and even in ones far from the Sun in the cold space environment," says Jean Manfroid from the University of Liege, Belgium, who lead the new study on Solar System comets published today in Nature.

Astronomers know that heavy metals exist in comets' dusty and rocky interiors. But, because solid metals don't usually "sublimate" (become gaseous) at low temperatures, they did not expect to find them in the atmospheres of cold comets that travel far from the Sun. Nickel and iron vapours have now even been detected in comets observed at more than 480 million kilometres from the Sun, more than three times the Earth-Sun distance.

The Belgian team found iron and nickel in comets' atmospheres in approximately equal amounts. Material in our Solar System, for example that found in the Sun and in meteorites, usually contains about ten times more iron than nickel. This new result therefore has implications for astronomers' understanding of the early Solar System, though the team is still decoding what these are.

"Comets formed around 4.6 billion years ago, in the very young Solar System, and haven't changed since that time. In that sense, they're like fossils for astronomers," says study co-author Emmanuel Jehin, also from the University of Liege.

While the Belgian team has been studying these "fossil" objects with ESO's VLT for nearly 20 years, they had not spotted the presence of nickel and iron in their atmospheres until now. "This discovery went under the radar for many years," Jehin says.

The team used data from the Ultraviolet and Visual Echelle Spectrograph (UVES - https:/ / www. eso. org/ public/ teles-instr/ paranal-observatory/ vlt/ vlt-instr/ uves/ ) instrument on ESO's VLT, which uses a technique called spectroscopy , to analyse the atmospheres of comets at different distances from the Sun. This technique allows astronomers to reveal the chemical makeup of cosmic objects: each chemical element leaves a unique signature -- a set of lines -- in the spectrum of the light from the objects.

The Belgian team had spotted weak, unidentified spectral lines in their UVES data and on closer inspection noticed that they were signalling the presence of neutral atoms of iron and nickel. A reason why the heavy elements were difficult to identify is that they exist in very small amounts: the team estimates that for each 100 kg of water in the comets' atmospheres there is only 1 g of iron, and about the same amount of nickel.

"Usually there is 10 times more iron than nickel, and in those comet atmospheres we found about the same quantity for both elements. We came to the conclusion they might come from a special kind of material on the surface of the comet nucleus, sublimating at a rather low temperature and releasing iron and nickel in about the same proportions," explains Damien Hutsemekers, also a member of the Belgian team from the University of Liege.

Although the team aren't sure yet what material this might be, advances in astronomy -- such as the Mid-infrared ELT Imager and Spectrograph (METIS - https:/ / elt. eso. org/ instrument/ METIS/ ) on ESO's upcoming Extremely Large Telescope (ELT - https:/ / elt. eso. org/ ) -- will allow researchers to confirm the source of the iron and nickel atoms found in the atmospheres of these comets.

The Belgian team hope their study will pave the way for future research. "Now people will search for those lines in their archival data from other telescopes," Jehin says. "We think this will also trigger new work on the subject."

Interstellar heavy metals

Another remarkable study published today in Nature shows that heavy metals are also present in the atmosphere of the interstellar comet 2I/Borisov. A team in Poland observed this object, the first alien comet to visit our Solar System, using the X-shooter spectrograph on ESO's VLT when the comet flew by about a year and a half ago. They found that 2I/Borisov's cold atmosphere contains gaseous nickel.

"At first we had a hard time believing that atomic nickel could really be present in 2I/Borisov that far from the Sun. It took numerous tests and checks before we could finally convince ourselves," says study author Piotr Guzik from the Jagiellonian University in Poland. The finding is surprising because, before the two studies published today, gases with heavy metal atoms had only been observed in hot environments, such as in the atmospheres of ultra-hot exoplanets or evaporating comets that passed too close to the Sun. 2I/Borisov was observed when it was some 300 million kilometres away from the Sun, or about twice the Earth-Sun distance.

Studying interstellar bodies in detail is fundamental to science because they carry invaluable information about the alien planetary systems they originate from. "All of a sudden we understood that gaseous nickel is present in cometary atmospheres in other corners of the Galaxy," says co-author Micha? Drahus, also from the Jagiellonian University.

The Polish and Belgian studies show that 2I/Borisov and Solar System comets have even more in common than previously thought. "Now imagine that our Solar System's comets have their true analogues in other planetary systems -- how cool is that?," Drahus concludes.

###

More information

This research was presented in two papers to appear in Nature.

The team that carried out the study "Iron and nickel atoms in cometary atmospheres even far from the Sun" is composed of J. Manfroid, D. Hutsemekers & E. Jehin (STAR Institute, University of Liege, Belgium).

The team that carried out the study "Gaseous atomic nickel in the coma of interstellar comet 2I/Borisov" ([https:/ / doi. org/ ] - https:/ / doi. org/ 10. 1038/ s41586-021-03485-4 [10.1038/s41586-021-03485-4] - https:/ / doi. org/ 10. 1038/ s41586-021-03485-4 ) is composed of Piotr Guzik and Micha? Drahus (Astronomical Observatory, Jagiellonian University, Krakow, Poland).

ESO is the foremost intergovernmental astronomy organisation in Europe and the world's most productive ground-based astronomical observatory by far. It has 16 Member States: Austria, Belgium, the Czech Republic, Denmark, France, Finland, Germany, Ireland, Italy, the Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and the United Kingdom, along with the host state of Chile and with Australia as a Strategic Partner. ESO carries out an ambitious programme focused on the design, construction and operation of powerful ground-based observing facilities enabling astronomers to make important scientific discoveries. ESO also plays a leading role in promoting and organising cooperation in astronomical research. ESO operates three unique world-class observing sites in Chile: La Silla, Paranal and Chajnantor. At Paranal, ESO operates the Very Large Telescope and its world-leading Very Large Telescope Interferometer as well as two survey telescopes, VISTA working in the infrared and the visible-light VLT Survey Telescope. Also at Paranal ESO will host and operate the Cherenkov Telescope Array South, the world's largest and most sensitive gamma-ray observatory. ESO is also a major partner in two facilities on Chajnantor, APEX and ALMA, the largest astronomical project in existence. And on Cerro Armazones, close to Paranal, ESO is building the 39-metre Extremely Large Telescope, the ELT, which will become "the world's biggest eye on the sky".

Links

* Research papers:

* Nature, Manfroid et al. - https:/ / www. eso. org/ public/ archives/ releases/ sciencepapers/ eso2108/ eso2108a. pdf

* Nature, Guzik and Drahus - https:/ / www. eso. org/ public/ archives/ releases/ sciencepapers/ eso2108/ eso2108b. pdf

* Photos of the VLT - http://www. eso. org/ public/ images/ archive/ category/ paranal/

* For journalists: subscribe to receive our releases under embargo in your language - https:/ / www. eso. org/ public/ outreach/ pressmedia/ #epodpress_form

* For scientists: got a story? Pitch your research - http://eso. org/ sci/ publications/ announcements/ sciann17277. html

Contacts

Jean Manfroid

STAR Institute, University of Liege

Liege, Belgium

Tel: +32 4 366 97 25

Email: jmanfroid@gmail.com

Damien Hutsemekers

STAR Institute, University of Liege

Liege, Belgium

Email: D.Hutsemekers@uliege.be

Emmanuel Jehin

STAR Institute, University of Liege

Liege, Belgium

Tel: +32 470 850 172

Email: ejehin@uliege.be

Piotr Guzik

Astronomical Observatory, Jagiellonian University

Krakow, Poland

Tel: +48-126-238-627

Cell: +48-791-223-196

Email: piotr.guzik@doctoral.uj.edu.pl

Micha? Drahus

Astronomical Observatory, Jagiellonian University

Krakow, Poland

Tel: +48-126-238-627

Cell: +48-578-221-628

Email: drahus@oa.uj.edu.pl

Barbara Ferreira

ESO Media Manager

Garching bei Munchen, Germany

Tel: +49 89 3200 6670

Cell: +49 151 241 664 00

Email: press@eso.org
Press release - ESE statement: COVID-19 and endocrine and metabolic diseases. An updated statement from the European Society of Endocrinology

New expert statement confirms strong links between our hormones and COVID-19

The endocrine system is strongly involved in SARS-Cov-2 infection - so much so that evidence of an "endocrine phenotype" of COVID-19 has emerged, according to a statement by the European Society of Endocrinology (ESE) published in the journal Endocrine in April 2021. Leading endocrinology researchers looked into the evidence that has accumulated over the past year since the pandemic emerged, and consistently found evidence for links across a variety of endocrine conditions. This statement constitutes an update of a March 2020 statement that was of the earliest and most read pieces delineating the involvement of the endocrine system in COVID-19.

Dr Manel Puig from the Universitat Autonoma de Barcelona in Spain and first author on the statement said "the evidence is clear. The effect on hormones cannot be ignored in the context of COVID-19". He added "we need to be aware of the endocrine consequences of COVID-19 for patients with a known endocrine condition such as diabetes, obesity or adrenal insufficiency, but also for people without a known condition. Vitamin D insufficiency for example is very common, and the knowledge that this condition has emerged frequently in the hospitalized COVID-19 population and may negatively impact outcomes should not be taken lightly".

Dr Puig, together with Profs Marazuela, Yildiz and Giustina based in Madrid, Ankara and Milano looked at the available evidence with respect to COVID-19 across a number of endocrine conditions and related factors: diabetes, obesity, nutrition, hypocalcemia, vitamin D insufficiency, vertebral fractures, adrenal insufficiency, as well as pituitary/thyroid issues and sex hormones.

Diabetes has emerged as one of the most frequent comorbidities associated with severity and mortality of COVID-19, according to a rapidly increasing amount of published data on the incidence of COVID-19 in patients over the last year. Mortality in type 1 or type 2 diabetes has consistently increased during the year of pandemic - and evidence is emerging that a bidirectional relationship between diabetes and COVID-19 may exist, both in terms of worsening existing conditions and new onset of diabetes.

The researchers identified similar trends for patients with obesity. Obesity increases susceptibility to SARS-CoV-2 and the risk for COVID-19 adverse outcomes. They posit that nutritional management is important both for patients with obesity or undernourishment in order to limit their increased susceptibility and severity of infection. Vitamin D, calcium and bone are other areas showing a growing body of evidence that better monitoring and solutions for patients are needed in the context of COVID-19.

With regard to vaccination, the statement concludes that available evidence suggests COVID-19 vaccination should not be handled differently in patients with stable endocrine diseases. However, patients with adrenal insufficiency may need adjusted glucocorticoid treatment to address side effects such as fever. The authors suggest data from the field should be collected in an international database in order to form firm conclusions on this matter. They also present a decalogue for endocrinologists and patients with endocrine and metabolic conditions in the conclusions of the statement.

This knowledge highlights the important role endocrinologists will need to play in future research on COVID-19 and other global health issues.

###
Florida State University researchers have more insight into a strange sea creature found in oceans around the world and what their presence means for the health of a marine ecosystem.

Scientists have thought that salps -- small marine organisms that look like clear, gelatinous blobs -- competed for resources with krill, shrimp-like creatures that are an important food source for many marine animals. But new research published in Limnology and Oceanography suggests that salps are actually competing for food with an organism known as a protist.

An image of a salp taken during research. New research published in Limnology and Oceanography suggests that salps are actually competing for food with an organism known as a protist. (Courtesy of Michael Stukel)

"These fascinating and bizarre animals are becoming more abundant in the vast and warming Southern Ocean, so we sought to understand how their presence changes marine ecosystems," said Michael Stukel, a researcher with FSU's Center for Ocean-Atmospheric Prediction Studies and an associate professor in the Department of Earth, Ocean and Atmospheric Science.

Though salps might resemble jellyfish, they are one of the earliest examples of chordates to evolve, and therefore more closely related to humans.

These organisms live in oceans around the world and feed on phytoplankton. When their food source is abundant, salps rapidly multiply with the help of an unusual reproductive cycle, forming large blooms made of thousands of organisms. They remove carbon dioxide from the atmosphere by eating algae and then compacting them into tiny pellets that sink to the bottom of the ocean.

Salps are also a food source for some marine animals, but they don't provide much nutrition. Their importance to the marine food web is eclipsed by krill, which are nutritious food for all sorts of animals, from tiny anchovies to enormous whales. The old theory was that salp blooms crowded out krill, leading to more carbon sequestration but less food for marine organisms.

Instead, salps are probably replacing miniscule protists that are not an important food source for large organisms in the ocean. Although salps are much larger than those protists, they feed on the same microscopic algae. Imagine an elephant that eats the same food as an ant, Stukel said.

To understand what size prey the salps were eating, the researchers built a circular tank and filled it with salps and seawater, which contained their prey. They measured the fluorescence glowing from the salps' prey living in the water and tracked how it changed over time to understand what size prey were being eaten.

Because the protists are the same size as their prey, they needed to use a different method to see what size prey they were eating. The researchers filled one bottle with seawater, which held a typical amount of protists and prey, and another with diluted seawater, which decreased the frequency with which predator and prey met. After 24 hours, they could use the same fluorescence measuring technique to see what kind of prey the protists ate.

Learning that salps are likely competing with protists, and not with krill, is reason to rethink the role of salp blooms in the ocean ecosystem.

"If we get more of these really weird organisms, how is that going to change the way the ocean works -- for everything in the ocean, but also for humans?" Stukel said. "Our results suggest that salps are not even really competing with krill. They're going to be replacing protists, so if that happens, you'll get a lot more carbon sequestration and you'll probably even get a little bit more food availability, because although salps are not as good a prey as krill, they're still better prey than protists."

###

Researchers from the National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research in New Zealand, Scripps Institution of Oceanography at the University of California San Diego, and the University of Hawaii at Manoa were co-authors on this paper. This research was supported by the National Science Foundation, by New Zealand's Ministry for Business, Innovation and Employment, by the National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research, and by the Royal Society of New Zealand.
Water in the high-mountain regions has many faces. Frozen in the ground, it is like a cement foundation that keeps slopes stable. Glacial ice and snow supply the rivers and thus the foothills with water for drinking and agriculture during the melt season. Intense downpours with flash floods and landslides, on the other hand, pose a life-threatening risk to people in the valleys. The subsoil with its ability to store water therefore plays an existential role in mountainous regions.

But how can we determine how empty or full the soil reservoir is in areas that are difficult to access? Researchers at the German Research Centre for Geosciences (GFZ), together with colleagues from Nepal, have now demonstrated an elegant method to track groundwater dynamics in high mountains: They use seismic waves, such as those generated by ground vibrations, which they record with highly sensitive instruments. Similar to medical ultrasound, they exploit the fact that the waves propagate differently in different subsurface conditions. The researchers led by Luc Illien, Christoph Sens-Schonfelder and Christoff Andermann from GFZ report on this in the journal AGU Advances.

Seismic waves well-known from earthquakes. After a rupture in the subsurface, they propagate rapidly and unleash destructive forces. However, there are also much smaller waves caused, for example, by trucks, streetcars or - in the mountains - by falling rock. The ground is actually vibrating all the time. In geoscience, this is referred to as "seismic noise." What has to be laboriously extracted from the measured data of seismometers in earthquake detection turns out to be a valuable source of information when looking into the subsurface. This is because seismic waves propagate differently in the water-saturated zone than in the unsaturated zone, also called vadose zone.

Luc Illien, a PhD student at GFZ, and his colleagues used two Nepalese seismic stations at 1,200 and 2,300 meters above sea level. Luc Illien says: "The Nepalese Himalayas provide vital water resources to a large part of the population of South Asia. Most of this water drains through mountain groundwater reservoirs that we can poorly delineate." The study area comprised the catchment area of a small tributary to the Bothe Koshi, a border river between China and Nepal. Using several weather stations and level gauges, the team collected data, sometimes every minute, over three monsoon seasons. From this, they established a groundwater model that they could compare with the seismic records. The result: runoff to the Bothe Koshi is fed mainly from the deep aquifer. In the dry season, little water flows down the valley. In the monsoon, levels rise, but two distinct phases can be identified. First, it rains without increasing the discharge, but later a clear correlation between rainfall and river level becomes apparent. Christoff Andermann, co-author of the study, explains, "The first rainfall initially replenishes reservoirs in the soil near the surface. Once the soil is saturated with water, the deep groundwater reservoir, which is directly linked to the rivers, fills up. An increase in groundwater is then immediately reflected in rising river water levels."

The comparison with the data from seismometers showed that the saturation of the vadose zone can be well deduced from the seismic noise. "Only by merging the hydrological observations with the seismic measurements we could analyze the function of the vadose zone as a link between precipitation and groundwater reservoir," says Christoph Sens-Schonfelder. First author Luc Illien: "Understanding how the reservoir fills and drains is crucial for assessing its sustainability. From this, we can not only make predictions for runoff, but also warn of increased risk of landslides and flash floods." For example, if the soil is already saturated with water, rainfall will run off more superficially and can carry away slopes. Climate change is exacerbating the situation by contributing to changes in large-scale weather patterns and destabilizing the mountain environment. GFZ Scientific Director Niels Hovius, who contributed to the study, says: "Our work in Nepal and its results show how important it is to monitor numerous influencing factors. These include groundwater storage, changes in land use, land cover and precipitation regimes. Capturing and anticipating such changes will help us better predict the future of freshwater resources and mountain landscapes, especially as glaciers continue to melt."

###

Title of the study: L. Illien C. Andermann C. Sens?Schonfelder K. L. Cook K. P. Baidya L. B. Adhikari N. Hovius: Subsurface Moisture Regulates Himalayan Groundwater Storage and Discharge

Link to the study (open access): https:/ / agupubs. onlinelibrary. wiley. com/ doi/ full/ 10. 1029/ 2021AV000398

Scientific contact:

Luc Illien

PhD Student

lillien@gfz-potsdam.de

Dr. Christoff Andermann

christoff.andermann@gfz-potsdam.de

+49 331 288-2 88 22

Media contact:

Josef Zens

Dipl.-Geog.

Head of Public & Media Relations - Press Officer | Leiter der Presse- und Offentlichkeitsarbeit - Pressesprecher

Tel.: +49 331 288 1040

E-Mail: josef.zens@gfz-potsdam.de
Boulder, Colo., USA: The Paleozoic era culminated 251.9 million years ago in the most severe mass extinction recorded in the geologic record. Known as the "great dying," this event saw the loss of up to 96% of all marine species and around 70% of terrestrial species, including plants and insects.

The consensus view of scientists is that volcanic activity at the end of the Permian period, associated with the Siberian Traps Large Igneous Province, emitted massive quantities of greenhouse gases into the atmosphere over a short time interval. This caused a spike in global temperatures and a cascade of other deleterious environmental effects.

An international team of researchers from the United States, Sweden, and Australia studied sedimentary deposits in eastern Australia, which span the extinction event and provide a record of changing conditions along a coastal margin that was located in the high latitudes of the southern hemisphere. Here, the extinction event is evident as the abrupt disappearance of Glossopteris forest-mire ecosystems that had flourished in the region for millions of years. Data collected from eight sites in New South Wales and Queensland, Australia were combined with the results of climate models to assess the nature and pace of climate change before, during, and after the extinction event.

Results show that Glossopteris forest-mire ecosystems thrived through the final stages of the Permian period, a time when the climate in the region was gradually warming and becoming increasingly seasonal. The collapse of these lush environments was abrupt, coinciding with a rapid spike in temperatures recorded throughout the region. The post-extinction climate was 10-14C warmer, and landscapes were no longer persistently wet, but results point to overall higher but more seasonal precipitation consistent with an intensification of a monsoonal climate regime in the high southern latitudes.

Because many areas of the globe experienced abrupt aridification in the wake of the "great dying," results suggest that high-southern latitudes may have served as important refugia for moisture-loving terrestrial groups.

The rate of present-day global warming rivals that experienced during the "great dying," but its signature varies regionally, with some areas of the planet experiencing rapid change while other areas remain relatively unaffected. The future effects of climate change on ecosystems will likely be severe. Thus, understanding global patterns of environmental change at the end of the Paleozoic can provide important insights as we navigate rapid climate change today.

###

The article was published today in the Geological Society of America journal, Geology.

FEATURED ARTICLE

Pace, magnitude, and nature of terrestrial climate change through the End-Permian Extinction in southeastern Gondwana

T.D. Frank; C.R. Fielding; A.M.E. Winguth; K. Savatic; A. Tevyaw; C. Winguth; S. McLoughlin; V. Vajda; C. Mays; R. Nicoll; M. Bocking; J.L. Crowley

Corresponding author: Tracy Frank (tfrank2@unl.edu), University of Nebraska-Lincoln

URL: https:/ / pubs. geoscienceworld. org/ gsa/ geology/ article/ doi/ 10. 1130/ G48795. 1/ 598763/ Pace-magnitude-and-nature-of-terrestrial-climate

GEOLOGY articles are online at http://geology. geoscienceworld. org/ content/ early/ recent . Representatives of the media may obtain complimentary articles by contacting Kea Giles at the e-mail address above. Please discuss articles of interest with the authors before publishing stories on their work, and please make reference to GEOLOGY in articles published. Non-media requests for articles may be directed to GSA Sales and Service, gsaservice@geosociety.org.
Boulder, Colo., USA: Deep pools below waterfalls are popular recreational swimming spots, but sometimes they can be partially or completely filled with sediment. New research showed how and why pools at the base of waterfalls, known as plunge pools, go through natural cycles of sediment fill and evacuation. Beyond impacting your favorite swimming hole, plunge pools also serve important ecologic and geologic functions. Deep pools are refuges for fish and other aquatic animals in summer months when water temperatures in shallow rivers can reach lethal levels. Waterfalls also can liquefy sediment within the pool, potentially triggering debris flows that can damage property and threaten lives. Over geologic time, pools are importance because the energetic waterfall jet can erode the rock walls of the pool--slowly moving the waterfall upstream, while simultaneously creating a deep canyon in its wake.

Reporting in the journal Geology today, Joel Scheingross of the University of Nevada Reno, and Michael Lamb of the California Institute of Technology, provided a new theoretical framework to predict when plunge pools fill with sediment, and when they subsequently evacuate that sediment exposing the rock walls of the pool to erosion. They showed that waterfall plunge pools tend to fill with sediment during modest river floods when sediment is transported in the reach upstream of the waterfall, but the waterfall jet is too weak to move all the sediment it receives from upstream. In contrast, during large floods, a strong waterfall jet can more efficiently move sediment up and out of the pool, outpacing the delivery of sediment from upstream, and exposing bedrock to erosion.

Scheingross and Lamb showed that waterfall plunge pools are most likely to fill with sediment following landscape disturbances--such as wildfire or landslides--that cause large influxes of sediment to rivers, or during prolonged droughts when river floods are rare. This information is useful to scientists and land managers interested in maintaining habitat and mitigating natural hazards. They also showed that bedrock erosion in plunge pools likely occurs only during large, infrequent floods, which tend to happen every 10 years or even less frequently. Therefore, the slow march of waterfalls upstream over geologic time likely occurs by fits and starts at a cadence set by extreme flood events.

###

Mass balance controls on sediment scour and bedrock erosion in waterfall plunge pools

Joel Scheingross and Michael Lamb

Contact: jscheingross@unr.edu, University of Nevada Reno, Department of Geological Sciences and Engineering, Reno, Nevada

URL: https:/ / pubs. geoscienceworld. org/ gsa/ geology/ article/ doi/ 10. 1130/ G48881. 1/ 598762/ Mass-balance-controls-on-sediment-scour-and

GEOLOGY articles are online at http://geology. geoscienceworld. org/ content/ early/ recent . Representatives of the media may obtain complimentary articles by contacting Kea Giles at the e-mail address above. Please discuss articles of interest with the authors before publishing stories on their work, and please make reference to GEOLOGY in articles published. Non-media requests for articles may be directed to GSA Sales and Service, gsaservice@geosociety.org.
WASHINGTON (May 19, 2021)--Early online support for the Boogaloos, one of the groups implicated in the January 2021 attack on the United States Capitol, followed the same mathematical pattern as ISIS, despite the stark ideological, geographical and cultural differences between their forms of extremism. That's the conclusion of a new study published today by researchers at the George Washington University.

"This study helps provide a better understanding of the emergence of extremist movements in the U.S. and worldwide," Neil Johnson, a professor of physics at GW, said. "By identifying hidden common patterns in what seem to be completely unrelated movements, topped with a rigorous mathematical description of how they develop, our findings could help social media platforms disrupt the growth of such extremist groups," Johnson, who is also a researcher at the GW Institute for Data, Democracy & Politics, added.

The study, published in the journal Scientific Reports, compares the growth of the Boogaloos, a U.S.-based extremist group, to online support for ISIS, a militant, terrorist organization based in the Middle East. The Boogaloos are a loosely organized, pro-gun-rights movement preparing for civil war in the U.S. By contrast, ISIS adheres to a specific ideology, a radicalized form of Islam, and is responsible for terrorist attacks across the globe.

Johnson and his team collected data by observing public online communities on social media platforms for both the Boogaloos and ISIS. They found that the evolution of both movements follows a single shockwave mathematical equation.

The findings suggest the need for specific policies aimed at limiting the growth of such extremist movements. The researchers point out that online extremism can lead to real world violence, such as the attack on the U.S. Capitol, an attack that included members of the Boogaloo movement and other U.S. extremist groups.

Social media platforms have been struggling to control the growth of online extremism, according to Johnson. They often use a combination of content moderation and active promotion of users who are providing counter messaging. The researchers point out the limitations in both approaches and suggest that new strategies are needed to combat this growing threat.

"One key aspect we identified is how these extremist groups assemble and combine into communities, a quality we call their 'collective chemistry'," Yonatan Lupu, an associate professor of political science at GW and co-author on the paper, said. "Despite the sociological and ideological differences in these groups, they share a similar collective chemistry in terms of how communities grow. This knowledge is key to identifying how to slow them down or even prevent them from forming in the first place."

###

The paper, "Hidden order across online extremist movements can be disrupted by nudging collective chemistry," appeared May 19 in Scientific Reports.
A group of men walking in the border area of Ma Tso Lung in Hong Kong, with the skyline of the Chinese mainland city of Shenzhen, including the 300-meter high SEG Plaza, back right, in the background, are shown in this 2020 February file photo. AFP-Yonhap



One of China's tallest skyscrapers was evacuated Tuesday after it began to shake, sending panicked shoppers scampering to safety in the southern city of Shenzhen.



The near 300-meter (980 ft) high SEG Plaza inexplicably began to shake at around 1pm, prompting an evacuation of people inside while pedestrians looked on open-mouthed from the streets outside.



The building was sealed shut as of 2:40pm, according to local media reports.



Completed in 2000, the tower is home to a major electronics market as well as various offices in the downtown of one of China's fastest-growing cities.



Emergency management officials are investigating what caused the tower in Shenzhen's Futian district to wobble, according to a post on the Twitter-like Weibo platform.



"After checking and analyzing the data of various earthquake monitoring stations across the city, there was no earthquake in Shenzhen today," the statement said.



The district said in another statement late Tuesday that everyone inside had been safely evacuated and that no further movements of the building had been detected.



Experts "found no safety abnormalities in the main structure and surrounding environment of the building," and the interior and exterior components of the building appeared undamaged, the district said.



It was not immediately clear how authorities will handle a dangerous tower of its scale in the heart of a city of over 12 million people.



Bystander videos published by local media on Weibo showed the skyscraper shaking on its foundations as hundreds of terrified pedestrians ran away outside.



"SEG has been completely evacuated," wrote one Weibo user in a caption to a video of hundreds of people milling about on a wide shopping street near the tower.



The building is named after the semiconductor and electronics manufacturer Shenzhen Electronics Group, whose offices are based in the complex.



It is the 18th tallest tower in Shenzhen, according to the Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat skyscraper database.



Chinese authorities last year banned the construction of skyscrapers taller than 500 meters, adding to height restrictions already enforced in some cities such as Beijing.



The new guidelines for architects, urban planners and developers aimed to "highlight Chinese characteristics" and also banned tacky "copycat" buildings modelled after world landmarks.



Five of the world's tallest skyscrapers are located in China, including the world's second-tallest building, the Shanghai Tower, which stands at 632 meters.



Shenzhen is a sprawling metropolis in southern China, close to Hong Kong, which has a booming homegrown tech manufacturing scene.



Many Chinese tech giants, including Tencent and Huawei, have chosen the city to host their headquarters.



It is also home to the world's fourth-tallest skyscraper, the 599-meter Ping An Finance Centre.

Building collapses are not rare in China, where lax building standards and breakneck urbanization lead to constructions being thrown up in haste.



Last May, a five-story quarantine hotel in the south-eastern city of Quanzhou collapsed due to shoddy construction, killing 29.



The devastating 2008 Sichuan earthquake caused over 69,000 deaths and the disaster ignited a storm of public controversy over poorly constructed school buildings  dubbed 'tofu dregs'  which collapsed killing thousands of students. (AFP)




An international research team led by Professor Charles Gauthier from the Institut national de la recherche scientifique (INRS) has discovered a new molecule with potential to revolutionize the biosurfactant market. The team's findings have been published in Chemical Science, the Royal Society of Chemistry's flagship journal.

Surfactants are synthesized from petroleum and are the main active ingredient in most soaps, detergents, and shampoos. Biosurfactants, produced by bacteria, are safer and can replace synthetic surfactants.

Rhamnolipid molecules are some of the safest surfactants known and are particularly attractive, thanks to their biodegradability, minimal toxicity, and amenability to be produced from industrial waste. But there's a problem. They are made using Pseudomonas aeruginosa, a pathogenic bacterium harmful to humans.

"If we want to fully gain the benefits of rhamnolipids, we need to grow these pathogenic bacteria on a huge scale. And because that's a health risk, the industry is looking for alternatives," explained Professor Gauthier. The molecules produced by these bacteria are usually mixed with other compounds or virulence factors, making them trickier to use.

To address the problem, the research team identified molecules that resemble rhamnolipids in Pantoea ananatis, a non-pathogenic bacterium. The team was then able to chemically synthesize these molecules, called ananatosides, in the laboratory, raising the possibility that they could be produced on a larger scale than using bacteria. The industry is already showing interest in these promising new biosurfactants.

A look at the structure

The new molecule comes in two different forms, A and B. Ananatoside A structure is described as closed, while B is open. The molecule A is closed in on itself to form a loop. The process that closes the loop is called lactonization, and it has also been achieved with rhamnolipids to create new molecules.

The team has shown that the lactonized form has a large impact on the biological action of the molecules. It minimizes the surface-active properties of rhamnolipids and renders them toxic.

Now the researchers want to characterize further new biosurfactants and make the molecules more stable.

An interdisciplinary team

INRS professor Eric Deziel helped with the research as an expert on biosurfactants. His team produced and isolated ananatosides produced naturally from the bacteria Pantoea.

Mayri Alejandra Diaz De Rienzo, a lecturer at the Liverpool John Moores University in England, also took part as an INRS guest professor. Her expertise in the fermentation and downstream processing of biosurfactants helped the team identify the surface-active properties of these new biosurfactants.

Maude Cloutier, a PhD student and recipient of a Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarship, and Marie-Joelle Prevost, a recipient of a summer scholarship from the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC), aided the team with their chemical synthesis work in the laboratory.

###

About the study

The article "Total synthesis, isolation, surfactant properties, and biological evaluation of nanatosides and related macrodilactone-containing rhamnolipids", by Maude Cloutier, Marie-Joelle Prevost, Serge Lavoie, Thomas Feroldi, Marianne Piochon, Marie-Christine Groleau, Jean Legault, Sandra Villaume, Jerome Crouzet, Stephan Dorey, Mayri Alejandra Diaz De Rienzo, Eric Deziel and Charles Gauthier, was published May 4 in the journal Chemical Science. The study received financial support from the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC), the Fonds de recherche du Quebec - Sante (FRQS), the Fonds de recherche du Quebec - Nature et technologies (FRQNT), the Centre national de la recherche scientifique (CNRS) and the ministere francais de l'Enseignement superieur, de la Recherche et de l'Innovation.

About INRS

INRS is a university dedicated exclusively to graduate level research and training. Since its creation in 1969, INRS has played an active role in Quebec's economic, social, and cultural development and is ranked first for research intensity in Quebec and in Canada. INRS is made up of four interdisciplinary research and training centres in Quebec City, Montreal, Laval, and Varennes, with expertise in strategic sectors: Eau Terre Environnement, Energie Materiaux Telecommunications, Urbanisation Culture Societe, and Armand-Frappier Sante Biotechnologie. The INRS community includes more than 1,500 students, postdoctoral fellows, faculty members, and staff.

Source :

Audrey-Maude Vezina

Service des communications de l'INRS

418 254-2156

audrey-maude.vezina@inrs.ca
Researchers have found the elusive genetic element controlling the elongated grains and glumes of a wheat variety identified by the renowned botanist Carl Linnaeus more than 250 years ago.

The findings relating to Polish wheat, Triticum polonicum, could translate into genetic improvements and productivity in the field.

Wheat, in bread, pasta, and other forms, is a vital energy and protein source for humans. Each individual grain is nestled within the glumes and other leaf-like organs called lemma and palea which affect the grain's final size, shape, and weight.

Characterised by Linnaeus in 1762, Polish wheat has long grains, glumes, and lemmas. Previous research showed that all these characteristics were controlled by one gene, but which one among wheat's complex genome has been unclear.

Researchers at the John Innes Centre used genomic, field-based, and biotechnological approaches to identify the responsible molecular component as VRT-A2, a member of the MADS-box family of transcription factors which act as genetic switches controlling protein synthesis.

Dr Nikolai Adamski, first author of the paper, said: "These results highlight how changes in expression of transcription factors can impact on important agronomic traits for major crops such as wheat. Our goal is to use this knowledge to help deliver genetic solutions to improve wheat productivity."

The team identified a small sequence rearrangement leading to misexpression of VRT-A2 in different tissues at several growth stages of wheat. This variation is responsible for the longer grains and floral organs found in Polish wheat.

Introducing the VRT-A2 version from Polish wheat into a UK bread wheat cultivar led to higher grain weight, size, and test weight (a measure of the density of the grain) but did not increase yield in UK environments.

Professor Cristobal Uauy, a group leader at the John Innes Centre, explained the broader significance of the research: "Every day, each person on the planet eats the grains of the equivalent of 50 wheat plants. With a growing demand for wheat, and against the backdrop of climate change, it is urgent that we increase wheat production sustainably. As part of this effort, understanding the genetic control of grain size and weight is extremely relevant to deliver genetic solutions."

The experiments also revealed a strong positive correlation between VRT-A2 expression levels and the magnitude of its effects on grain length and floral organ size.

In Polish wheat, the VRT-A2 gene carries a small rearrangement in its first intron - a genetic sequence that does not code for protein, but instead is important for regulating the gene's expression. The researchers suggest that this rearrangement was caused by errors in DNA repair following a double strand break.

Next the research team aim to understand how the VRT-A2 expression pattern is controlled by the sequence rearrangement in the first intron of the gene. They also plan to identify the downstream genes affected by VRT-A2 misexpression.

###

Ectopic expression of Triticum polonicum VRT-A2 underlies elongated glumes and grains in hexaploid wheat in a dosage-dependent manner appears in The Plant Cell.
In recent years, the evidence of human impacts on Earth's systems has caused researchers to call for recognition of a new epoch, the Anthropocene, in which human activity is a major driver of climate and ecosystem change. However, despite growing evidence of the impacts of human societies, the extent of biodiversity loss in recent centuries is still poorly understood.

A new study led by Dr. Corentin Bochaton and Professor Nicole Boivin of the Max Planck Institute for the Science of Human History in Jena, Germany, reveals far greater extinctions among the snakes and lizards of Guadeloupe following European colonization than previously believed. Partnering with colleagues from Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS), Museum National d'Histoire Naturelle (MNHN), Institut de Recherche pour le Developpement (IRD) and the Institut National de Recherche pour l'Agriculture, l'Alimentation et l'Environnement (INRAE), the team studied an extraordinary 43,000 individual bone remains from fossil and archaeological assemblages on six islands, ultimately revealing that 50% to 70% of Guadeloupe's squamate species went extinct after the arrival of European colonialists.

This enormous loss of biodiversity stands in stark contrast to the pre-colonial record, which shows that Indigenous populations co-existed with the islands' snakes and lizards for thousands of years. In fact, the biodiversity of Guadeloupe's snakes and lizards actually increased during the long history of Indigenous habitation, with no recorded extinctions and the introduction of two new lizard species.

"The long-term data from Guadeloupe are concerning," notes Professor Boivin, Director of the Department of Archaeology at the MPI in Jena. "Snakes and lizards persisted through a broad range of climatic, environmental and human-induced changes on Guadeloupe over thousands of years. They do not appear to be sensitive animals. Yet in the last few hundred years, their diversity has plummeted."

The new paper underscores the potential of archaeological and fossil records to provide information that is highly relevant in the modern world.

"Our research strongly advocates for the study of past biodiversity to address current conservation issues and for the study of less charismatic animals like reptiles, which are an essential part of tropical ecosystems," says Bochaton.

The use of fossil data from Guadeloupe allowed the team to closely examine the dynamics of the extinctions, revealing links between species' body size, habitat preference, and risk of extinction. Medium-sized, terrestrial species sustained the greatest losses, implicating recently introduced mammalian predators such as mongooses and cats as primary drivers in Guadeloupe's reptile extinctions.

The extinction trends also highlight the impacts of a shift to intensive colonial agriculture. The destruction and fragmentation of habitats, combined with the degradation of soil and decimation of insect populations, placed enormous pressure on Guadeloupe's snake and lizard species.

"In recent years, recognition of early human impacts has led to a kind of acceptance of humans as this inherently destructive species," says Professor Boivin. "Yet the Guadeloupe data clearly show that Indigenous lifeways were supportive of snake and lizard biodiversity, whereas European ones were not. This provides us with important information for future management and sustainability initiatives, and calls into question some of the ways conservationists deal with Indigenous communities globally."

The researchers hope that more of such studies will help managers and conservationists create realistic, data-driven strategies for mediating societal impacts on ecosystems.

"Archaeology budgets all around the world are under threat," observes Professor Boivin. "But without our past, we move forward blindly. Study of the past, present and future must be intertwined."

###
NEWPORT, Ore. - The population of white sharks that call the Central California coast their primary home is holding steady at about 300 animals and shows some signs of growth, a new long-term study of the species has shown.

Between 2011 and 2018, researchers were able to identify hundreds of individual adult and subadult white sharks, which are not fully mature but are old enough to prey on marine mammals. They used that information to develop estimates of the sharks' abundance.

"The finding, a result of eight years of photographing and identifying individual sharks in the group, is an important indicator of the overall health of the marine environment in which the sharks live," said Taylor Chapple of the Coastal Oregon Marine Experiment Station at Oregon State University's Hatfield Marine Science Center and a co-author of the study.

White sharks, sometimes referred to as "great" white sharks, are apex predators, meaning they are the top animal of the food chain, preying on large marine mammals such as elephant seals, harbor seals and sea lions. As apex predators, they play an important role in the health of the marine ecosystem, said Chapple, who is an assistant professor in Department of Fisheries, Wildlife, and Conservation Sciences in OSU's College of Agricultural Sciences.

"Robust populations of large predators are critical to the health of our coastal marine ecosystem," said Chapple, a marine ecologist who specializes in the study of marine predators. "So our findings are not only good news for white sharks, but also for the rich waters just off our shores here."

The findings were just published in the journal Biological Conservation. The study's lead author is Paul Kanive of Montana State University. Additional co-authors are Jay Rotella of Montana State University; Scot Anderson of the Monterey Bay Aquarium; Timothy White and Barbara Block of Stanford University; and Salvador Jorgensen of University of California, Santa Cruz and the Monterey Bay Aquarium.

White sharks live in all of the world's oceans. They can grow to 20 feet in length, weigh more than 2,000 pounds and live up to 70 years. They are listed as a vulnerable species due to threats such as fishing, because they can be caught up in commercial fishing gear, and poaching due to trade interest for their fins and teeth.

White sharks' main aggregation in the California Current, the span of waters off the West Coast of North America, is off the coast of Central California in an area that stretches from Bodega Bay, north of San Francisco, south to Monterey Bay.

Through more than 20 years of study, researchers have learned this group of white sharks spends about half of the year in offshore waters of the northeast Pacific about halfway between Hawaii and Baja, Mexico, and about half the year along the Pacific Coast. They may travel as far north as Washington and as far south as Mexico, but tend to aggregate around islands and shores off the central California coast and Guadalupe Island in Mexico.

Monitoring animal populations and determining trends is important to understanding the health of the population and making decisions about population management and protections. In 2011, Chapple, working with Jorgensen and Block, published the first estimate of population size for the California sharks. The new study provides a longer term of observation of the population's size and growth trends.

From 2011 through 2018, researchers collected photographs from above the water and underwater video recordings of white sharks during peak periods of their residency in the fall and early winter in the waters off the California coast. The data was collected from more than 2,500 hours of observation at three sites: Southeast Farallon Island; Ano Nuevo Island; and Tomales Point.

They lured white sharks to their research boat with a seal decoy and captured more than 1,500 photographs that they used to identify individual sharks, focusing on adults and subadults.

"Every white shark has a unique dorsal fin. It's like a fingerprint or a bar code. It's very distinct," Chapple said. "We were able to identify every individual over that eight-year period. With that information, we were able to estimate the population as a whole and establish a trend over time."

Researchers often can also use the underwater video to identify whether a shark is male or female. Following the same sharks year over year allows them to gain insight into the sharks' age and survival differences between males and females. About half of the sharks they saw each year were sharks they had seen previously, and about half were new sightings.

Overall, the researchers found that the population of white sharks numbers about 300, and evidence suggests that the adult population showed a modest uptick in numbers, while the subadult population held steady over the course of the study. The findings applied to both male and female sharks, though the estimate of the adult female population showed only about 60 sharks in this region.

"That underscores the need for continued monitoring of white sharks, as there are relatively few reproductively active females supplying the population with additional sharks," said Kanive, the study's lead author.

"Losing just a few animals can be really critical to the larger population," he said. "It's important that we continue to protect them and their surroundings."

The Marine Mammal Protection Act, which protects many of the prey that are critical to white sharks' survival, and restrictions on the use of gillnets in the California coastal region are likely factors helping the white shark population, Chapple said. But once white sharks leave U.S. waters, they continue to face threats.

"We can provide as much protection as possible while they are in coastal waters, but these sharks are highly migratory animals," he said. "It will take international cooperation, agreement and enforcement to protect them."

###

The research was supported by Stanford University and the Monterey Bay Aquarium.
Computed tomography -- CT scanning -- which combines a series of X-ray images taken from different angles around an organism and uses computer processing to create cross-sectional images of its bones, is providing new insight into an old initiative to characterize fishes in Africa's Lake Malawi.

The process, demonstrated in a new study using the high-resolution X-ray computer system in Penn State's Center for Quantitative X-Ray Imaging, is important because it will lead to the identification and management of more of the fish species in Africa's second largest lake, according to lead researcher Jay Stauffer Jr., distinguished professor of ichthyology in the College of Agricultural Sciences.

"Before they can effectively manage fish populations, they have to know what is there," he said.

Regarded by scientists as the most vibrant and diverse body of water in the world, Lake Malawi is home to between 800 and 1,000 species of colorful fish called cichlids; however, the lake is overfished by humans for food. As a result, about 10% of those species are believed to be endangered.

Located between Malawi, Tanzania and Mozambique, Lake Malawi is immense. It covers an area of more than 11,000 square miles and holds 7% of the world's available surface freshwater -- by comparison, appreciably more than Lake Erie.

"About half the species in the lake still haven't been described," said Stauffer, who has characterized, or discovered, more than 60 cichlid species himself. Since 1983, he has visited Lake Malawi for extended periods annually, collecting cichlid specimens while scuba diving.

After preservation, those specimens have been housed in the Penn State Fish Museum at Rock Springs, and approximately 35,000 are scheduled to be transferred to the National Research Institute of South Africa this year after COVID-19 restrictions are lifted. In the recent study, Stauffer and colleagues performed CT scans on selected specimens in the collection.

The entire head of each fish was scanned, and the researchers focused on the "morphology" -- analyzing the shape and profiles of the skulls and the structure and arrangement of teeth on the pharyngeal jaws and the oral jaws. This helps to determine a species' specialization to capitalize on certain food sources and to compete with other species.

"We chose species to scan that we knew had different feeding repertoires, and then we wanted to compare their head morphology with their species' feeding specializations to determine the relationships between morphology and behaviors," Stauffer said. "The purpose of this research was to show how observed behavioral traits of shallow-water species can be linked with morphological attributes using data collected from selected cichlids. Such associations can be used to predict behavior of deep-water or rare species, based on head morphology."

In findings recently published in Ecology and Evolution, the researchers reported that high-resolution CT scanning will enable scientists to infer life history and behavioral characteristics of rare or extinct fishes from a detailed examination of morphology and linkages between morphology and behavior observed in surviving species.

Stauffer and other scientists will use CT scanning as they continue to identify cichlids in Lake Malawi. The technology is nondestructive, he explained, so they can collect data from specimens in museum collections.

"High-resolution computed tomography permits us to view the internal morphology and examine areas that would otherwise be destroyed by dissection," he said. "It will be a great help to me because I'm going over there and spending four to six weeks a year at the institute, identifying fishes that are in its museum."

Many of those older museum specimens are surprising him, noted Stauffer, who is 70 and has no plans to retire. "I'm finding a lot of species I've never seen before in more than 30 years of diving in Malawi. I think they're probably extinct. I'd like to describe these species, and the CT scans will help me to make accurate guesses about what their behavior was in the lake."

Adrianus Konings, ichthyologist, photographer, and founder and publisher of Cichlid Press in El Paso, Texas; and Joshua Wisor, doctoral degree student in wildlife and fisheries science, contributed to this research.

###

Funding for the study was provided in part by the National Science Foundation/National Institutes of Health joint program in ecology of infectious diseases and the Pennsylvania Agricultural Experiment Station, Penn State.
HERSHEY, Pa. -- Parkinson's disease is the second most common neurodegenerative disease and affects more than 10 million people around the world. To better understand the origins of the disease, researchers from Penn State College of Medicine and The Hebrew University of Jerusalem have developed an integrative approach, combining experimental and computational methods, to understand how individual proteins may form harmful aggregates, or groupings, that are known to contribute to the development of the disease. They said their findings could guide the development of new therapeutics to delay or even halt the progression of neurodegenerative diseases.

Alpha-synuclein is a protein that helps regulate the release of neurotransmitters in the brain and is found in neurons. It exists as a single unit, but commonly joins together with other units to perform cellular functions. When too many units combine, it can lead to the formation of Lewy bodies, which are associated with neurodegenerative diseases like Parkinson's Disease and dementia.

Although researchers know that aggregates of this protein cause disease, how they form is not well understood. Alpha-synuclein is highly disordered, meaning it exists as an ensemble of different conformations, or shapes, rather than a well-folded 3D structure. This characteristic makes the protein difficult to study using standard laboratory techniques -- but the research team used computers together with leading-edge experiments to predict and study the different conformations it may fold into.

"Computational biology allows us to study how forces within and outside of a protein may act on it," said Nikolay Dokholyan, professor of pharmacology at the College of Medicine and Penn State Cancer Institute researcher. "Using experiments performed in professor Eitan Lerner's laboratory at the Biological Chemistry Department at The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, a series of algorithms accounts for effective forces acting in and upon a specific protein and can identify the various conformations it will take based on those forces. This allows us to study the conformations of alpha-synuclein in a way that is otherwise difficult to identify in experimental studies alone."

In the paper published today (May 19) in the journal Structure, the researchers detailed their methodology for studying the different conformations of alpha-synuclein. They used data from previous experiments to program the molecular dynamics of the protein into their calculations. Their experiments revealed the conformational ensemble of alpha-synuclein, which is a series of different shapes the protein can assume.

Using leading-edge experiments, the researchers found that some shapes of alpha-synuclein are surprisingly stable and last longer than milliseconds. They said this is much slower than estimates of a disordered protein that constantly changes conformations.

"Prior knowledge showed this spaghetti-like protein would undergo structure changes in microseconds," Lerner said. "Our results indicate that alpha-synuclein is stable in some conformations for milliseconds -- slower than previously estimated."

"We believe that we've identified stable forms of alpha-synuclein that allow it to form complexes with itself and other biomolecules," said Jiaxing Chen, a graduate student at the College of Medicine. "This opens up possibilities for the development of drugs that can regulate the function of this protein."

Chen's lead co-author, Sofia Zaer, alongside colleagues at Hebrew University, used a series of experimental techniques to verify that alpha-synuclein could fold into the stable forms the simulation predicted. The research team continues to study these stable conformations as well as the whole process of alpha-synuclein aggregation in the context of Parkinson's disease.

"The information from our study could be used to develop small molecule regulators of alpha-synuclein activity," Lerner said. "Drugs that prevent protein aggregation and enhance its normal neuro-physiological function may interfere with the development and progression of neurodegenerative diseases."

###

Paz Drori, Joanna Zamel, Khalil Joron and Nir Kalisman of The Hebrew University of Jerusalem also contributed to this research. The authors disclose no conflicts of interest.

This research was supported by the Michael J. Fox Foundation, National Institutes of Health, the Passan Foundation, the Israel Science Foundation, the Milner Fund and the Hebrew University of Jerusalem. This work was also supported by the National Center for Advancing Translational Science through Penn State Clinical and Translational Science Institute (grant UL1 TR002014). The content is solely the responsibility of the authors and does not necessarily represent the official views of the NIH or other funders.
LA JOLLA, CALIF. - May 19, 2021 - A study led by scientists at Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute has identified a tumor marker that may be used to predict which breast cancer patients will experience resistance to endocrine therapy. The research offers a new approach to selecting patients for therapy that targets HER2, a protein that promotes the growth of cancer cells, to help avoid disease relapse or progression of endocrine-sensitive disease.

The study was published in the journal Nature Communications.

Nearly 80% of breast tumors are estrogen receptor (ER)-positive. For decades, these tumors have been treated with anti-estrogen (endocrine) therapies to lower estrogen levels and help slow the cancer's growth. About 20% of breast cancers are also HER2-positive at diagnosis, and these tumors tend to be more aggressive and fast-growing, as HER2 is a receptor that when active, promotes the rapid growth of breast cancer cells.

"We know there is a subset of patients who are initially diagnosed with ER-positive, HER2-negative breast tumors, but their tumors convert to HER2-positive after they receive endocrine therapy," says Svasti Haricharan, Ph.D., assistant professor in the Aging, Cancer and Immuno-oncology Program at Sanford Burnham Prebys and senior author of the study. "Unfortunately, this unleashes the detrimental effects of HER2, and patients become resistant to endocrine therapy--resulting in relapse, metastasis and death."

With conventional endocrine therapy being unhelpful for these patients, Haricharan's team examined how two genes, MLH1 and PMS2, affect HER2 activity. These genes are part of a biological system to "fix" DNA errors--but they also play a critical role in suppressing HER2. When these genes are turned off, HER2 becomes activated as soon as patients receive standard care endocrine therapy.

"Fortunately, there are tests for MLH1 and PMS2 activity that are now done routinely for colorectal and endometrial cancers," says Nindo Punturi, a research assistant in the Haricharan lab and first author of the paper. "If we were to transition these tests to newly diagnosed cases of breast cancer, we could identify patients who may benefit from early HER2 targeted treatment--essentially shutting the door to HER2 activity before it gets started."

The National Cancer Institute (NCI) estimates that 281,550 women in the U.S. will be diagnosed with breast cancer in 2021, and 43,600 women will eventually die from the disease. Some women whose MLH1 and PMS2 gene expression is low or absent may have an even greater risk of death.

"Our research efforts are all about getting the right treatments to the right people as soon as possible," says Haricharan. "With so many excellent drugs at our disposal to treat breast cancer--including those that target HER2--it's more a matter of selecting the available, appropriate drugs than searching for new ones. This research effort is an important step in that direction."

###

Additional study authors include Nindo B. Punturi, Sinem Seker and Aloran Mazumder at Sanford Burnham Prebys; Vaishnavi Devarakonda, Rashi Kalra, Ching-Hui Chen, Matthew J. Ellis and Shyam M. Kavuri at Baylor College of Medicine in Houston; and Shunqiang Li and Tina Primeau at Washington University in St. Louis.

The study's DOI is 10.1038/s41467-021-23271-0.

Research reported in this press release was supported by Department of Defense (DoD) Breast Cancer Research Program Breakthrough awards (W81XWH-18-1-0034 to SH, W81XWH-18-1-36 0035 to SMK), an NCI K22 Career Development award (CA229613 to SH), a Susan G. Komen Promise grant (PG12220321 to MJE), a Cancer Prevention and Research Institute of Texas Recruitment of Established Investigators award (RR140033 to Matthew J. Ellis), and NCI awards U10CA180821, U10CA180882 (to the Alliance for Clinical Trials in Oncology) and U24C196171.

The authors declare these competing interests: Matthew J. Ellis has intellectual property ownership and received royalties for the PAM50-based breast cancer test Prosigna. Over the last five years he has received ad hoc consulting fees and meals (less than $5,000 per year) from Abbvie, Novartis, AstraZeneca, Pfizer, Sermonix and Puma. Shyam M. Kavuri is a stakeholder in NeoZenome Therapeutics Inc. Shunqiang Li has received license fees from Envigo; as well as research funding from Pfizer, Takeda Oncology, Zenopharm, the National Institutes of Health, and the DoD outside of this project.

About Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Research Institute

Sanford Burnham Prebys is a preeminent, independent biomedical research institute dedicated to understanding human biology and disease and advancing scientific discoveries to profoundly impact human health. For more than 40 years, our research has produced breakthroughs in cancer, neuroscience, immunology and children's diseases, and is anchored by our NCI-designated Cancer Center and advanced drug discovery capabilities. For more information, visit us at SBPdiscovery.org or on Facebook at facebook.com/SBPdiscovery and on Twitter @SBPdiscovery.
Skoltech researchers and their colleagues from China and Germany have presented a new search algorithm for single-atom-alloy catalysts (SAACs) that found more than 200 yet unreported candidates. Their work provides a recipe for finding best SAACs for various applications. The paper was published in the journal Nature Communications.

Single-atom-alloy catalysts, or SAACs, where single atoms of rare and expensive metals such as platinum are dispersed on an inert metal host, are highly efficient and selective in numerous catalytic reactions, including selective hydrogenations, dehydrogenations, C?C and C?O coupling reactions, NO reduction, and CO oxidation. That is why they are used in industrially important reactions such as hydrogenation of organic molecules for upgrading chemicals to higher value products.

"The efficiency of SAACs in these reactions is attributed to a synergistic effect of alloy components that provide efficient hydrogen molecule dissociation without excessive binding of hydrogen atoms. However, there are not so many known SAACs that are stable and at the same time catalytically active, mostly because their design so far has largely relied on trial and error. Even within binary alloys there are several thousands of possible SAAC with different metal combinations and surface cuts. This makes the trial and error approaches extremely inefficient," Sergey Levchenko, Assistant Professor at the Skoltech Center for Energy Science and Technology, says.

Levchenko and his colleagues were able to identify accurate and reliable machine-learning models based on first-principles calculations for the description of the hydrogen binding energy, dissociation energy, and guest-atom segregation energy for SAACs. This led them to make a much faster (by a factor of one thousand) yet reliable prediction of the catalytic performance of thousands of SAACs.

"The model correctly evaluates performance of experimentally tested SAACs. By scanning more than five thousand SAACs with our model, we have identified over two hundred new SAACs with both improved stability and performance compared to the existing ones," the authors write.

They used artificial intelligence to extract important parameters (descriptors) from computational data that correlate with the catalytic performance of SAACs and at the same time are very fast to calculate. In addition to practical models, the authors also developed a novel machine-learning methodology for identifying combinations of materials' physical properties that result in outstanding catalytic performance, thus extracting physical knowledge and understanding from data.

"The developed methodology can be easily adapted to designing new functional materials for various applications, including electrocatalysis (oxygen reduction and hydrogen evolution reactions), fuel cells, reforming of methane, and water-gas shift reaction," Levchenko notes.

###

Other organizations involved in this research include the Materials Genome Institute, Shanghai University; Technische Universitat Berlin, BasCat?UniCat BASF JointLab; and the Shanghai Advanced Research Institute of the Chinese Academy of Sciences.
Professor Yutaka Akiyama of the School of Computing, Professor Kohji Seio of the School of Life Science and Technology, and others at Tokyo Institute of Technology (Tokyo Tech) have established Fastide, Inc. (Representative: Shinichiro Fujiie, Kawasaki City) as part of their aim to bring their research results on middle molecule drug discovery [Note 1] to society. Tokyo Tech and Fastide, Inc. are cooperating with Kawasaki City through the Program for Building Regional Innovation Ecosystems to promote integrated research of AI drug discovery and chemical synthesis technologies and are committed to creating innovative technologies and practical applications.

Background and Project Results

In September 2017, Tokyo Tech established the Middle Molecule IT-based Drug Discovery Laboratory (MIDL) with the aim of creating innovative technologies in middle molecule drug discovery such as peptide drugs and nucleic acid drugs, which are expected to be useful in next-generation drug discovery, in collaboration with Kawasaki City and the "Program for Building Regional Innovation Ecosystems under the Project for Developing Innovation Systems (Theme: Program to Industrialize an Innovative Middle Molecule Drug Discovery Flow through Fusion of Computational Drug Design and Chemical Synthesis Technology)" (hereinafter referred to as "this program") of the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT).

This program is proceeding with two commercialization projects: the development of IT drug discovery technologies for peptide drug discovery [Note 2] led by Professor Yutaka Akiyama, and the development of artificial nucleic acids for nucleic acid drug discovery [Note 3] led by Professor Kohji Seio. After more than three years of work, the former developed a pharmacokinetic prediction system specializing in peptide drug discovery using technologies such as large-scale molecular simulation and machine learning, and the latter established a new synthesis method for nucleic acid libraries. In addition to work such as examining business strategies and intellectual property strategies, and the building of human networks, this program was given a "Comprehensive Evaluation S" rating [Note 4], which is the highest evaluation in the interim evaluations by Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT).

Establishment of the New Company

Fastide, Inc. was established in April 2021 to carry out a project supporting middle molecule drug discovery by faculty members who are participating in MIDL with the aim of contributing to the promotion of science and technology and strengthening international competitiveness in response to requests from industries, regions, etc., that require fast practical application and commercialization of research results by further advancing these results.

Prior to the establishment of this company, a commercialization support group was formed comprised of the business producer and the business co-producer of this program, faculty members, and university research administrators (URA) of the Tokyo Tech Office of Research and Innovation to involve the entire organization in the commercialization.

Through strategic partnerships and business developments with pharmaceutical companies in Japan and other countries, and bio-venture companies, Tokyo Tech and Fastide, Inc. will promote innovative R&D and social application of results in order to promote science and technology in Japan and strengthen international competitiveness.

###

About Fastide,Inc.

https:/ / fastideinc. com/

[Notes]

Note 1: Middle molecule drug discovery

The process up to the development of drugs using middle molecules with a molecular weight of several hundreds to several thousands and intermediate properties between a small molecule drug (tens to several hundreds) and an antibody drug (about 150,000). The market for small molecule drug discovery is saturated, and the problem with antibody drugs is that there are limited antigens while development and production costs are high. Therefore, middle molecule drug discovery, and peptide drugs and nucleic acid drugs in particular, is attracting much attention in regard to next-generation drug discovery.

Note 2: The development of IT drug discovery technologies for peptide drug discovery

Takashi Tajimi, Naoki Wakui, Keisuke Yanagisawa, Yasushi Yoshikawa, Masahito Ohue, Yutaka Akiyama, "Computational prediction of plasma protein binding of cyclic peptides from small molecule experimental data using sparse modeling techniques", BMC Bioinformatics, 19(Suppl 19):527, 2018. doi:10.1186/s12859-018-2529-z

Note 3: The development of artificial nucleic acids for nucleic acid drug discovery

Yoshiaki Masaki, Yusuke Iriyama, Hiroyuki Nakajima, Yusuke Kuroda, Tatsuro Kanaki, Satoshi Furukawa, Mitsuo Sekine, Kohji Seio, "Application of 2'-O-(2-N-Methylcarbamoylethyl) Nucleotides in RNase H-Dependent Antisense Oligonucleotides", Nucleic Acid Therapeutics, 28(5):307-311, 2018. doi:10.1089/nat.2018.0738

Note 4: "Comprehensive Evaluation S" rating

MEXT "FY2019 Interim Evaluation Results of the Program for Building Regional Innovation Ecosystems" (a report in Japanese) https:/ / www. mext. go. jp/ a_menu/ kagaku/ chiiki/ program/ 1413865_00001. html

Tokyo Tech and Kawasaki City, combining forces in R&D on Computational Drug Discovery for Middle Molecules at KING SKYFRONT

https:/ / www. titech. ac. jp/ english/ news/ 2017/ 038972. html

Akiyama Lab

https:/ / www. bi. cs. titech. ac. jp/ web/ top_en. html

Kohji Seio's Lab

http://www. skn. bio. titech. ac. jp/ index. html

About Tokyo Institute of Technology
No matter one's age, race, gender, socioeconomic status or political party, COVID-19 has impacted everyone at some level. That impact has been especially palpable for the approximately 1.3 million elderly Americans who reside in the country's 15,600 nursing homes.

Inside these facilities, the forced isolation caused by COVID-19 disrupted daily routines and left many of the residents with higher-then-normal levels of stress, anxiety and depression. Because many of these elderly individuals lack the resources or knowledge to use communications tools such as FaceTime or Zoom, their family and friends had no way to visit them except through a facility window.

What these family members couldn't see as they peered through their loved one's glass frame was the mental toll the pandemic was taking on the facility's health care staff.

To better understand this toll, Ashish Sarangi, M.D., recently conducted research into the mental health consequences of COVID-19 geriatric care in a nursing home setting. His research, "A Descriptive Study Evaluating the Impact of COVID-19 on Delivery of Care and Mental Health of Geriatric Nursing Home Staff," was published in the April issue of the American Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry. The study also was presented in March during the honors alumni session at the American Association of Geriatric Psychiatry's annual meeting.

Sarangi, co-chief psychiatry resident at the Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center (TTUHSC) School of Medicine, conducted his research at a nursing home facility in Lubbock, Texas using an online survey that was distributed to staff physicians, registered nurses and LVNs.

"What we found is that there was a lot of mental health impact on the staff members, and the reasons were anywhere from working through optimally long hours to they didn't have enough PPE (personal protective equipment) available," Sarangi said. "They're fearful of contracting COVID and taking it home to their families and there was just, overall, a lot of stress and negative mood as well."

Many of the facility's staff members did indeed contract COVID-19, requiring them to quarantine at home while others worked extended shifts to cover the time missed. The stress of working longer shifts was compounded by the lack of PPE.

"That was very challenging for them," Sarangi said. "Also, there were no visitors allowed either for the patients or staff members. It was pretty much a lockdown facility for 10 to 12 hours a day and they didn't have any kind of mental support; there was no counseling or anything like that going on."

The facility employed telemedicine and other electronic platforms to help offset staff concerns about contracting the virus and ease the sense of isolation among staff and residents. However, Sarangi said, many residents and staff found the use of technology unhelpful. Most residents simply weren't able to successfully navigate the platforms and staff found that it added to their sanitation burden. The more equipment the technology required, the more time they had to spend sanitizing it before its next use.

In addition, the same stress that was causing mental health issues for staff and residents also was affecting their physical health. Sarangi said this is important because stress, no matter its source, can predispose people to cardiovascular conditions such as heart attacks and strokes.

"Even if you're perfectly healthy or don't have any pre-existing conditions, stress can also lead to diabetes and actually increase your risk for infections like COVID-19," Sarangi added. "And if you are chronically stressed, it can affect your immune system and predispose you to COVID-19 as well."

The availability of vaccines have eased some of the stress related to COVID-19, but Sarangi said staff still work under a cloud of fear that will likely remain until the pandemic ends. They worry every day about whether they've contracted the disease, or worse, passed it on to a family member at home or to an elderly nursing home resident.

"It's like walking into a fire sometimes because some of these long-term care facilities, at least in the heat of the pandemic, they were pretty much hotspots for COVID-19," Sarangi emphasized. "It's something that we don't really think about in Lubbock, but it also happens here a lot. We still have a lot of nursing homes and long-term care facilities here and I think they need the mental health support; they need resources. I think that would be the main take-home point of this study."

###
U.S. President Joe Biden is greeted by U.S. Rep. Debbie Dingell (D-MI) and U.S. Rep. Rashida Tlaib at Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport, Detroit, Michigan,U.S., May 18, 2021. REUTERS-Yonhap



President Joe Biden and administration officials have encouraged Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and other top Israeli officials to wind down the bombardment of Gaza, a person with knowledge of the discussions said Tuesday, as the Israeli and Palestinian death tolls mounted and pressure grew on Biden to move more forcefully to stop the fighting.



Top Biden administration officials underscored to the Israelis on Monday and Tuesday that time is not on their side in terms of international objections to nine days of Israeli airstrikes and Hamas rockets, and that it is in their interest to wind down the operations soon, according to the official, who was not authorized to comment publicly on the private talks and spoke on condition of anonymity.



The account shows Biden administration officials going further privately in messaging to Netanyahu than they have previously revealed. A White House readout of a Biden call to Netanyahu on Monday said Biden had expressed support for a cease-fire, but said nothing about the U.S. urging Israel to bring fighting to a close.



The fighting has killed at least 213 Palestinians and 12 people in Israel, and tested both Biden's reluctance to publicly criticize Israel and his administration's determination not to bog down its foreign policy focus in Middle East hot spots.



The Palestinian ambassador to the United Nations on Tuesday challenged the Biden administration to show any results from what it is calling its quiet diplomacy to stop the new Israeli-Hamas battles. Ambassador Riyad Mansour pointed to the U.S. repeatedly blocking a U.N. Security Council action on the conflict, and he urged the Biden administration to do more.



''If the Biden administration can exert all of their pressure to bring an end to the aggression against our people, nobody is going to stand in their way,'' Mansour said.



France, in consultation with Egypt and Jordan, on Tuesday was preparing a U.N. Security Council resolution calling for a cease-fire, Zhang Jun, China's U.N. ambassador, and other diplomats told reporters. The move to put the U.N.'s most powerful body behind a demand for Israel and Hamas to stop hostilities came after the U.S. repeatedly blocked what would have been a unanimous Security Council statement expressing concern about the fighting.



The White House has so far resisted the calls for ramping up public pressure on Netanyahu. It has made the calculation that Israelis will not respond to international resolutions or public demands by the U.S. and that its greatest leverage is behind-the-scenes pressure, according to the person familiar with the administration's discussions.



The person said that the Israelis have signaled that it is possible their military campaign could end in a matter of days.





In this file photo, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu speaks during a meeting with Israeli border police in the central city of Lod, near Tel Aviv, on May 13, 2021, a day after Israeli far-right groups clashed with security forces and Arab Israelis. AFP-Yonhap
Due to the extensive clearing of their habitat, these primates sometimes turn to palm oil monocultures while foraging. This often leads to conflicts with farmers. The macaques do not damage the palm oil fruits to any great extent. On the contrary, they can even benefit palm oil cultivation, as they are excellent hunters of the masses of rats found on plantations, the main pest found there. As a new study has now been able to prove, however, regularly visiting the plantations has a significant impact on macaques' social behaviour. This was shown by researchers from the Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology (MPI-EVA), Leipzig University (UL), Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) and the German Centre for Integrative Biodiversity Research (iDiv). The new findings may help to develop appropriate measures for protecting the primate species, which is listed as vulnerable by the IUCN, and to promote peaceful coexistence between humans and wild animals.

It is well known that human-induced disturbances can affect the behaviour of various wildlife species, including primates. Previous studies have mainly focused on changes in the activity patterns or feeding behaviour of animals living in urban or tourist areas and fed by humans. "We, on the other hand, wanted to look at how different habitats, including anthropogenically highly modified habitats such as palm oil plantations, affect social behaviour in macaques," said Anna Holzner, first author of the study, which was recently published in Scientific Reports. "For most primate species social interactions within the group are particularly essential for successfully surviving in large, complex social groups in their natural habitat."

Two groups of southern pig-tailed macaques observed over a period of months

To find out, the scientists spent several months observing 50 individuals of two social groups of southern pig-tailed macaques (Macaca nemestrina) in Segari (Malaysia). Dr Nadine Ruppert (USM), head of the local research station, stressed: "This is the first population of this shy species to be habituated to scientific observers. Every day, the groups walk for about three hours from the rainforest to the neighbouring plantation." The researchers were interested in the differences in the animals' social behaviour between the rainforest - whose dense vegetation provides protection for the macaques - and two habitats within the palm oil plantation, the interior of the plantation and its edge. These both have an abundance of food in the form of palm oil fruits and rats, and also an increased potential for conflict with humans, but only the plantation edge provides cover in the form of a safe avenue of retreat into the adjacent forest. The study focused on aggressive interactions, relationship-promoting behaviours such as grooming and juvenile social play, social networking within the group, and mother-infant relationships.

As expected, the macaques use the plantation mainly as an additional food source. Both inside the plantation and at its edge, they spent about two-thirds of the time foraging and eating. Aggressive behaviour in the macaques was significantly increased in the plantation interior compared to the other habitats - a well-known phenomenon, especially in connection with foraging. However, this was not only triggered by the monkeys' increased feeding activity in the plantation, but rather the plantation itself played a major role: according to the scientists, the interior of the plantation, unlike the rainforest and the edge of the plantation, offers little protection from potential attackers and puts the animals under stress, which may in turn trigger the increased rates of aggression.

Macaques strongly reduced bonding behaviour

Furthermore, the researchers expected strong impairments in the macaques' positive social interactions. "In particular, bonding social interactions were observed to be greatly reduced in the plantation interior," said Holzner. "Even during periods not used for feeding, the monkeys there showed almost no mutual grooming or play behaviour." Unlike the forest, the area inside the plantation poses greater safety risks for the monkeys. The likelihood of encountering potential predators, especially humans or stray dogs, in the plantation was significantly increased compared to the forest. In order to be more vigilant against these threats, it may therefore be the case that macaques compromise on their social behaviour and move time-consuming social interactions into the forest, which offers greater protection. The importance of the rainforest as a safe retreat was illustrated by the results at the edge of the plantation. Protected by the nearby forest, the macaques not only displayed social interaction, but in some cases even increased it. "What surprised us was that the frequency of mutual grooming was almost three times higher at the plantation edge than in the forest," said Professor Anja Widdig (UL/MPI-EVA/iDiv), lead author of the paper. "Other studies have shown that grooming can serve to reduce stress," said Widdig. "We suspect that this was at least one of the reasons for the increased investment in social interactions at the plantation edge. Especially before or shortly after visiting the stressful, competitive plantation environment, stress reduction would be of great importance for the animals. Also lower-ranking animals in particular could secure tolerance from their conspecifics in this way, and thus access to a share of the energy-rich food." This is also indicated by changes in the groups' network structures: "In contrast to the forest, it was not the higher-ranking animals that had the best social networks on the plantation, but subordinate individuals," said Widdig.

As expected by the researchers, the plantation also had an effect on the smallest social units within the group: mother-infant pairs. Both inside and at the edge of the plantation, mothers maintained more body contact with their offspring. This could have a number of implications for offspring development. Holzner points out: "If offspring development is delayed, then mothers would have to invest more time and energy, which in turn could extend inter-birth intervals. It is precisely the survival of species whose populations are already threatened that could be jeopardised in the long term as a result."

Protecting the habitat of the vulnerable pig-tailed macaque

"The study demonstrates that human-induced habitat changes can severely alter social behaviour in groups and, furthermore, disrupt mother-infant relationships - even in the absence of regular direct contact with humans," said Widdig. It is essential to protect the remaining populations of southern pig-tailed macaques and their habitat and facilitate their coexistent with humans in anthropogenic landscapes. "Their protection will ultimately contribute to maintaining biodiversity and important ecosystem functions of tropical habitats," said Ruppert. "Maintaining forest corridors is an important conservation tool to create viable interfaces between forests and agricultural landscapes. These can not only facilitate natural dispersal and link fragmented wildlife populations affected, but also enable animals to engage in essential social interactions that are essential for the long-term survival of primates and other species."

###

Original title of the publication in Scientific Reports: "Oil palm cultivation critically affects sociality in a threatened Malaysian primate", DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-89783-3

Birgit Pfeiffer
How can apps like the Corona-Warn app help combat the pandemic? How can people use their data to help manage crises in our society without putting their data at risk of misuse? What role can technological configurations or government regulations play in the success of such apps? A research team at the University of Gottingen is addressing these questions. The Volkswagen Foundation has funded the "Participatory Surveillance" project for one and a half years with around 100,000 euros.

Natural disasters - earthquakes, tsunamis, hurricanes, or epidemics like SARS and COVID-19, or climate change - pose significant challenges to governments worldwide. In order to be able to react, detailed data on current events is always going to be necessary. "One possible approach could be to develop apps that actively involve citizens," explains Professor Manuel Trenz, Professor of Interorganizational Information Systems.

"An example that affects us all right now is the use of coronavirus tracing apps. By sharing sensitive data, people can contribute, both actively and passively, in the fight against the pandemic. Actively, for example, by sharing information about their own infection, and passively, for example, by tracking encounters with other people. However, the design and configuration of these tracing apps can also lead to negative consequences such as loss of privacy or the potential for data misuse, which can spread seeds of doubt about their effectiveness, legitimacy, and success," explains Professor Simon Trang, Assistant Professor of Information Security and Compliance.

How can such "societal apps" that rely on participatory surveillance (ie voluntary release of individuals' sensitive data) be both effective and at the same time compatible with public policy? "We are investigating how worldwide national coronavirus tracing apps differ in terms of their technological configurations and regulatory frameworks. Our aim is to assess the positive and negative effects of such societal apps for individuals and society: to find out which approaches work, what is necessary for it and what the unintended consequences can be," says Trenz.

The results of the project should support decision-makers in successfully involving people in solving major societal problems by means of appropriate technology. At the same time, the aim is to identify potential risks and negative effects of using tracing technology for individuals and society and to derive guidelines for the design of these technologies.

###

Contact:
PITTSBURGH, May 19, 2021 - Specialized immune cells that accumulate in the brain in the days and weeks after a stroke promote neural functions in mice, pointing to a potential immunotherapy that may boost recovery after the acute injury is over, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine neurologists found.

The study, published today in the journal Immunity, demonstrated that a population of specialized immune cells, called regulatory T (Treg) cells, serve as tissue repair engineers to promote functional recovery after stroke. Boosting Treg cells using an antibody complex treatment, originally designed as a therapy after transplantation and for diabetes, improved behavioral and cognitive functions for weeks after a stroke in mice compared to those that did not receive the antibody complex.

"The beauty of this treatment is in its wide therapeutic window," said senior author Xiaoming Hu, M.D., Ph.D., associate professor in the Department of Neurology at Pitt's School of Medicine. "With most strokes, you have four and a half hours or less when you can give medication called tPA to reopen a blocked blood vessel and expect to rescue neurons. We're excited to identify a mechanism that may promote brain recovery by targeting non-neuronal cells well after this window closes."

Previous research in stroke has been focused on developing new drugs to reduce neuronal death. And whereas these acute stroke treatments quickly lose effectiveness after neurons die, Treg cells remain active for weeks after the injury.

True to their name, Treg cells are immune cells that regulate the immune response, including curtailing excessive inflammation that could harm more than help. Hu and her colleagues observed that the levels of Treg cells infiltrating the brain began to increase about a week after a stroke and continued increasing up to five weeks later. So, they did multiple tests in mice after they'd had strokes, paying particular attention to the brain's white matter--which is the brain tissue through which neurons pass messages, turning thoughts into actions, like lifting food to your mouth or saying the name of an object you're looking at.

Mice that were genetically unable to produce Treg cells fared worse than mice with a robust Treg cell response. Interestingly, it was only in the latter phases of stroke recovery that the Treg cell-depleted mice suffered impairments in white matter integrity and behavioral performance compared to mice with a normal Treg cell response.

Additionally, when normal mice were given an antibody complex called "IL-2:IL-2Ab" to boost their Treg cell levels after a stroke, their white matter integrity improved even more and neurological functions were rescued over the long term. The mice with more Treg cells had an easier time moving and had better memories, allowing them to navigate mazes faster after a stroke than their non-treated counterparts.

"This strongly suggests that, rather than working to preserve white matter structure and function immediately after a stroke, Treg cells influence long-term white matter repair and regeneration," said Hu, also a member of the Pittsburgh Institute of Brain Disorders and Recovery and a U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) investigator. "Our findings pave the way for a therapeutic approach to stroke and other neurological disorders that involve excessive brain inflammation and damage to the white matter. Treg cells appear to hold neurorestorative potential for stroke recovery."

Hu stressed that there are still many hurdles to cross before Treg cells could be used in humans for stroke recovery. Namely, research is needed to determine the best way to boost the number of Treg cells in stroke victims. This could be done by improving IL-2:IL-2Ab so that it better stimulates production of Treg cells with fewer side effects, or a personalized therapy could be developed where some cells are taken from an established Treg cell bank and used to grow custom Treg cells in the lab, which could then be infused back into the patient.

###

Additional authors on this research are Ligen Shi, M.D., Ph.D., Zeyu Sun, M.D., Wei Su, M.D., Di Xie, M.D., Qingxiu Zhang, M.D., Xuejiao Dai, M.D., Ph.D., Kartik Iyer, B.S., T. Kevin Hitchens, Ph.D., Lesley M. Foley, B.S., Sicheng Li, Ph.D., Donna B. Stolz, Ph.D., Kong Chen, Ph.D., Ying Ding, Ph.D., and Angus W. Thomson, Ph.D., all of Pitt; Fei Xu, B.S., and Jun Chen, M.D., both of Pitt and the VA Pittsburgh Health Care System, and Rehana K. Leak, Ph.D., of Pitt and Duquesne University.

This research was supported by the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke grant NS094573 and VA grant I01 BX003651.

To read this release online or share it, visit https:/ / www. upmc. com/ media/ news/ 051921-hu-treg-stroke .

About the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine

As one of the nation's leading academic centers for biomedical research, the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine integrates advanced technology with basic science across a broad range of disciplines in a continuous quest to harness the power of new knowledge and improve the human condition. Driven mainly by the School of Medicine and its affiliates, Pitt has ranked among the top 10 recipients of funding from the National Institutes of Health since 1998. In rankings recently released by the National Science Foundation, Pitt ranked fifth among all American universities in total federal science and engineering research and development support.

Likewise, the School of Medicine is equally committed to advancing the quality and strength of its medical and graduate education programs, for which it is recognized as an innovative leader, and to training highly skilled, compassionate clinicians and creative scientists well-equipped to engage in world-class research. The School of Medicine is the academic partner of UPMC, which has collaborated with the University to raise the standard of medical excellence in Pittsburgh and to position health care as a driving force behind the region's economy. For more information about the School of Medicine, see http://www. medschool. pitt. edu .

http://www. upmc. com/ media

###

Contact: Allison Hydzik

Office: 412-647-9975

Mobile: 412-559-2431

E-mail: HydzikAM@upmc.edu

Contact: Anastasia Gorelova

Mobile: 412-491-9411

E-mail: GorelovaA@upmc.edu
The support app provides tailored advice to patients undergoing treatment for cancer,, and the app will be trialled in colorectal, breast and lung cancer patients across four NHS sites - helping them to better self-manage their medications, side effects, symptoms and lifestyles.

The app seamlessly integrates with smartphone technology, and it is hoped that its use can improve quality of life and reduce the use of emergency healthcare in patients undergoing treatment.

It is anticipated that 300 patients will be recruited, and randomised to receive either standard of care or standard of care and additional support through the app.

The trial will be sponsored by University of Surrey and run by Surrey Clinical Trials Unit, led by Professor Simon Skene and Dr Agnieszka Michael.

Professor Simon Skene, Professor of Medical Statistics at University of Surrey and Director of Surrey Clinical Trials Unit, said:

"We are delighted to be working with Vinehealth on this exciting project. A randomised controlled trial is a crucial step towards providing evidence in support of the app. This has the potential to change the scope of care and outcomes for cancer patients in the UK, using remote digital care combining behavioural science and AI to improve patient quality of life."

Dr Rayna Patel, Co-Founder and CEO at Vinehealth, said:

"Providing remote patient support and enabling clinicians to understand how their patients are doing remotely is crucial in a post-pandemic world. Vinehealth is at the forefront of this shift and we are delighted to be recognised in the way by Innovate UK."

###
While some international students come to Canada knowing whether they intend to stay or return home after completing their degrees, the majority decide after they have had a chance to live here for a few years, a new study has found.

"Nearly a quarter of our participants made the decision prior to arriving in Canada," said Elena Neiterman, a lecturer in the School of Public Health and Health Systems at the University of Waterloo. "However, the majority were not certain what their plans for the future were until they had a chance to live here and explore life in Canada."

The students identified several factors shaping their decision to stay or go, including family ties in Canada or abroad, employment opportunities here compared to their home country, the perceived complexity of the immigration system and feelings of isolation or experiences of racism.

The researchers also found that the way students conceived of the word "staying" varied considerably. While two-thirds of the study participants said they hoped to stay, 17 per cent of them saw it as permanently settling in Canada. More than 33 per cent planned to stay for a few years, then move back home. The others were not sure what the future will hold.

For more than half the participants, staying in Canada included a plan to apply for permanent residency following graduation. Students said that permanent residency would allow them the flexibility to keep more options open and give them access to increased job opportunities.

The researchers interviewed 60 international students from two universities, aiming for diversity in graduate versus undergraduate status, male versus female or non-binary, with 20 students each studying in three fields: social sciences and humanities, health sciences, and STEM (science, technology, engineering and math).

"Only 10 students had a strong initial desire to stay in Canada that remained unchanged while they studied, and for them, an international education was a means to immigration," Neiterman said. "For the others, the decision-making process regarding migration was complex and changed over time."

Participants were all in their last year of study and represented 23 different countries, with 30 per cent coming from China.

International students comprised 16.5 per cent of the total number of students enrolled in Canadian schools in 2018. In 2017, they contributed $15 billion to the Canadian economy, according to Global Affairs Canada.

###

The study, "Should I Stay or Should I Go: International Students' Decision-making About Staying in Canada" was co-authored by Waterloo's Neiterman, Lauren Harrison and Angela Freeman; the University of Alberta's Grace Shoyele and Christine Covell; and the University of Western Ontario's Victoria Esses. It was published in the Journal of International Migration and Integration.
The catastrophe Wadham is seeing unfold is the rapid melting and demise of our planet's glaciers. A demise that will cause global humanitarian crises, if not halted: 70 per cent of fresh water on Earth is locked up in glaciers. As glaciers melt, due to normal seasonal variations, they supply water to millions of people in the high mountains. But this source will slowly diminish as glaciers shrink irrevocably due to global warming, says Wadham.

Mountain glaciers and the Greenland and Antarctic Ice Sheets are melting at accelerating rates and in some cases exceeding what most alarming predictions could foresee. But this will have impacts beyond rising sea levels, involving shifts in ocean food webs, fisheries, and potentially the release of the potent greenhouse gas methane from the guts of ice sheets, all with impacts on Earth's carbon cycle.

Jemma Wadham is one of the world's foremost experts in glaciology, the scientific study of everything ice. She has spent 25 years researching the majestic but dwindling ice covers - from glaciers in fiords of Svalbard archipelago in Arctic Norway, to Antarctic giants.

An urgency brought upon by illness

Many high profile scientific publications resulted from this dangerous labour, informing the scientific community of the state of the natural world facing global warming.

But it was a growth in her brain that provided an added sense of urgency for Wadham, and a need to communicate her knowledge to a much broader audience: In 2018, while on her way home from fieldwork in South America, she blacked out feeling excruciating pain in her head. Emergency surgery revealed a benign cyst, the size of a tangerine, which was removed from her head. Even though the growth was non-cancerous, it was life-threatening. When faced with their mortality, people often adjust and focus on their perspectives.

Jemma Wadham's focus turned to communicate cutting edge science to the public with a deeply felt personal hope that it would inform good decisions to be made for our planet's future.

"Every fraction of degree which we manage to not warm the atmosphere can make a difference for our glaciers and the benefits they provide to us," she says.

Wadham decided to write a book of memoirs. Ice Rivers, a personal and passionate recollection of her own life and relationship with glaciers, released by Penguin on May 6th. The manuscript took only seven weeks to draft and is both an inspiring, humorous, and ambitious book.

"I was fascinated by ice"

About her decision to do her PhD on Svalbard, Wadham writes: "I remember some family members being rather suspicious when I announced that I would be embarking on a three-year doctorate on glaciers: 'Why on Earth would you want to be stuck in the freezing Arctic on top of a block of ice? You hate the cold!' (Fair point - I do.) 'And is that really a fitting career path for a woman, among all those men?' Yet to become a glaciologist was almost an instinctive choice to me - I loved the wilderness and freely roaming mountains, I was fascinated by ice, and my ambitions to date had been to become a farmer, an agricultural mechanic or a forest ranger - none of which had gone down very well. My school had refused me work experience in the sixth form because they didn't regard farming as a respectable career for a girl; while other pupils swanned off to swanky offices in London, I'd simply stayed at home, a misfit with limited prospects. When the University of Bristol offered me a PhD place to study glaciers in the High Arctic, I was elated - maybe there was hope for me after all."

Jemma Wadham is currently the director at the renowned Cabot Institute for the Environment at the University of Bristol and adjunct professor at CAG Centre for Arctic Gas Hydrate, Environment and Climate. But she has always been fascinated by "what lay 'North" and is soon shifting her main focus from the UK to become a full-time professor at CAGE's home institution, UiT the Arctic University of Norway in Troms.

New frontiers in the Arctic

She fell in love with the mountainous island of Kvalya during visits to the Arctic city of Troms over many years, but her primary motivation is yet again to push the frontiers of our understanding of the glaciers.

"In 2015, we found that rivers issuing from the margin of the Greenland ice sheet were supersaturated with the gas. High concentrations have also been found in other glacier rivers, a subglacial lake in West Antarctica and even the dirty layers of ice cores. In deep parts of ice sheets, we worry that methane might be stored in its solid form, methane hydrate. As climate change thins ice sheets, this could be released as gas."

"The jury is still out on whether glacier methane is a whiff of something small or something world-changing for our climate, but, regardless, we need to find out if we are going to halt global warming."

###

In her future work at UiT Wadham will focus on climate change impacts on the many complex connections between glaciers, ice sheets and Earth's carbon cycle, from methane in their hidden depths to food webs that receive meltwater from ice edges. She is currently proposing - with colleagues from CAGE and Norwegian Polar Institute - to establish a new Centre of Excellence to pioneer this cutting-edge work.

Jemma Wadham will be the first Professor of Glaciology at the UiT The Arctic University of Norway. The position at the Department of Geosciences is jointly funded by the UiT and the Norwegian Polar Institute.
Little is known concerning environmental contaminants in predators at the top of a food chain. A study published in Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry has demonstrated that new types of brominated flame retardants accumulate in the tissues of killer whales near Norway and are also passed on to nursing offspring.

Investigators also detected man-made chemicals called perfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in the tissues of adult killer whales. Thresholds for health effects of PFAS in marine mammals are not established, but the chemical has been linked to reproductive and endocrine effects in wildlife. In addition, polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), which have long been banned, were detected in the blubber of 7 of the 8 killer whales in the study at levels that exceeded the proposed threshold for toxicological effects in marine mammals.

"Levels of pollutants in top predators give not only an indication of ecosystem health, but of the persistence of chemicals, passive mobility in the environment, and active biotransport with migrating animals," the authors wrote. "Our results are relevant for the continued environmental monitoring of contaminants in the Arctic."

###

About Wiley
May 19, 2021 - For patients with severe arthritis of the ankle, total ankle arthroplasty (TAA) provides better long-term function than ankle arthrodesis (AA), reports a study in The Journal of Bone & Joint Surgery. The journal is published in the Lippincott portfolio in partnership with Wolters Kluwer.

"Both established treatments for end-stage ankle arthritis are effective at pain relief and improved patient-reported outcomes," according to the research by Bruce Sangeorzan MD, and colleagues at the University of Washington and VA Puget Sound Health Care System. "However, it appears TAA leads to greater improvement in most patient-reported outcome measures at 48 months after surgery."

Study adds to evidence supporting TAA for ankle arthritis

End-stage ankle arthritis is characterized by complete loss of cartilage and "bone-on-bone" contact in the ankle joint, with patients experiencing pain and stiffness. The standard treatment for end-stage ankle arthritis is arthrodesis, which uses hardware such as plates and screws to fuse the ankle bones into a single piece.

However, in recent years, TAA has become a popular alternative. In TAA, a prosthesis is used to replace the deteriorated ankle joint - similar to how artificial joints are used in total hip or knee replacement surgery. However, questions remain regarding the results of TAA versus AA, especially in the long term.

Dr. Sangeorzan and colleagues compared the outcomes of the two procedures in 517 patients with end-stage ankle arthritis at six medical centers. Patients were treated according to their preferred procedure, with 414 undergoing TAA and 103 undergoing AA. All operations were performed by orthopaedic surgeons with extensive experience with each procedure, as well as hip and knee replacement and surgery for other deformities around the ankle.

At four years postoperatively, both procedures yielded showed improvements in key patient outcomes. By most measures, long-term results were better for patients undergoing TAA compared with AA, including patient-reported ankle function for activities of daily living and sports, as well as physical aspects of quality of life.

Through the first three years postoperatively, pain scores were also better after total ankle replacement. For example, average pain score (on a 0-to-10 scale) decreased from 6.3 to 1.9 in the TAA group versus 6.0 to 2.5 in the AA group. For both treatments, the improvements observed at two years postoperatively were maintained through four years postoperatively.

Seventy-eight percent of patients who underwent TAA were "completely satisfied" with the results of their surgery, compared to 60 percent of those who underwent AA. Patients who underwent TAA also had a lower rate of revision surgery: 8.7 versus 17.5 percent.

Although the study was designed as a randomized trial with a patient preference arm, too few patients were willing to be randomized, and the trial was converted to a prospective cohort study. According to coauthor Dan Norvell, PhD, the researchers controlled for the effects of potential selection bias in their analysis by evaluating and adjusting for unevenly distributed patient characteristics between treatment groups.

Drs. Sangeorzan and Norvell attribute the successful study recruitment and follow-up of the study to the efforts of site investigators, including James Davitt, MD, John G. Anderson, MD, Donald Bohay, MD, J. Chris Coetzee, MD, John Maskill, MD, Michael Brage, MD, Michael Houghton, MD, and their dedicated research staffs.

The findings are "highly relevant" to patients and surgeons during the planning stage when treating severe ankle arthritis, Dr. Sangeorzan and coauthors believe. They plan to perform further analyses to report the rates and risk factors for revision surgery for the two procedures with a longer follow-up period.

###

Click here to read "Comparing 4-Year Changes in Patient-Reported Outcomes Following Ankle Arthroplasty and Arthrodesis."

DOI: 10.2106/JBJS.20.01357

About The Journal of Bone & Joint Surgery

The Journal of Bone & Joint Surgery (JBJS) has been the most valued source of information for orthopaedic surgeons and researchers for over 125 years and is the gold standard in peer-reviewed scientific information in the field. A core journal and essential reading for general as well as specialist orthopaedic surgeons worldwide, The Journal publishes evidence-based research to enhance the quality of care for orthopaedic patients. Standards of excellence and high quality are maintained in everything we do, from the science of the content published to the customer service we provide. JBJS is an independent, non-profit journal.

About Wolters Kluwer

Wolters Kluwer (WKL) is a global leader in professional information, software solutions, and services for the clinicians, nurses, accountants, lawyers, and tax, finance, audit, risk, compliance, and regulatory sectors. We help our customers make critical decisions every day by providing expert solutions that combine deep domain knowledge with advanced technology and services.

Wolters Kluwer reported 2020 annual revenues of 4.6 billion. The group serves customers in over 180 countries, maintains operations in over 40 countries, and employs approximately 19,200 people worldwide. The company is headquartered in Alphen aan den Rijn, the Netherlands.

Wolters Kluwer provides trusted clinical technology and evidence-based solutions that engage clinicians, patients, researchers and students in effective decision-making and outcomes across healthcare. We support clinical effectiveness, learning and research, clinical surveillance and compliance, as well as data solutions. For more information about our solutions, visit https:/ / www. wolterskluwer. com/ en/ health and follow us on LinkedIn and Twitter @WKHealth.
The most important geopolitical project youve never heard of is called the Three Seas Initiative. Its a joint endeavor by 12 eastern members of the European Union to update the physical and digital links between the Baltic, Adriatic and Black Seas. That makes good sense in its own right. But the kicker is that this undertaking may be Europes best answer to the encroachments of Russia and China.

The initiative was dreamed up by Croatia and Poland in 2015. It then encompassed all the other EU member states that used to be behind the Iron Curtain, plus Austria. Though economically vibrant, most of this region still lags the rest of the bloc in infrastructure. Travel by road and rail takes two to four times longer on average than in the rest of the EU.

Linking the Twelve Between the Three Seas

An infrastructure initiative aims to contain Russia and China

Whats missing in particular is good highways, railway tracks and gas pipes running north and south. This is a legacy of the Cold War. The Soviet hegemons made sure that Russian gas, tanks and troops could easily move east-west, but cared not a hoot about other connections among the countries they occupied.

The Three Seas Initiative wants to change that. Projects include, for example, a port in Croatia that could welcome ships carrying liquefied natural gas  from the U.S., for example  and the pipelines that would bring this gas north to partner countries. Poland already has an LNG terminal.

One obvious bogeyman in the background is Russia. Its long used its role as an energy supplier to assert power over the countries through which it pipes its gas. Ominously, its now flanking the whole region with new links  through the Black Sea to the south and the Baltic Sea in the north. The latter, called Nord Stream 2, runs directly from Russia to Germany and has awakened old fears among the Poles and Balts that they might be circumvented, blackmailed or cut off. The initiatives other projects include roads, railways, river ports, bridges and more. And of course lightning-fast fiber-optic cables, as well as all the bits and bobs needed to launch fifth-generation (5G) telecom networks.

Here the bogey is China. As part of its quest for superpower status, Beijing has for years been pushing vast infrastructure projects to gain influence in eastern Europe. The flagship effort is the Belt and Road Initiative, which spans ports, railways, roads and digital connectivity across Eurasia and Africa. Another push is called 17+1, where China is the 1 and the 17 others are eastern European countries, including ten of those now also in the Three Seas Initiative.

Many of these Chinese initiatives are barely disguised attempts to project power around the world. Sometimes, China finances a port or bridge with rapacious terms intended to leave the borrower in a debt trap. Other times, the Chinese bluntly offer largesse in return for political support by the recipient country.

An egregious example is Hungary. It partnered with China on a huge project to build a railroad from Budapest to Belgrade and the Greek port of Piraeus, itself majority-owned by a state-controlled Chinese company. Ever since, Hungary keeps raising eyebrows in Brussels by blocking EU declarations against Chinese human-rights abuses. This month, for example, Budapest vetoed an EU statement criticizing Beijing for cracking down on democracy in Hong Kong.

In part, this reflects the whims of Hungarys prime minister, Viktor Orban, a populist autocrat who likes to aim his propaganda at the EU and keep his geopolitical options open. But the bloc is also to blame. Even though Brussels does send a lot of money to the region  Poland and Hungary have been the biggest net beneficiaries of the EU budget  it clearly left its flank open when it came to infrastructure investments, a gap into which the Chinese stepped.

The EU was initially suspicious of the Three Seas Initiative. The political rift between its western and eastern members has widened in recent years, as Hungary and Poland have whittled down the rule of law and drifted toward populism. The initiative at first smelled like an eastern attempt to rally the region against Brussels.

It isnt. Rather, its a visionary quest to make the region both prosperous and autonomous from Russian bullying and Chinese meddling. The U.S. understood this earlier than the EU did. Washington especially likes the initiatives digital aspirations, which it sees as an opportunity to keep the Chinese telecom company Huawei Technologies Co. out of the regions fledgling 5G networks. The Three Seas Initiative is a great idea, and one that Washington, Brussels, Berlin and other Western capitals should back. The U.S. and EU have already pledged dollops of money  it should be oodles instead. The same goes for enthusiasm.

But the EU should also be clear about its expectations. First, all involved, including Hungary, must acknowledge the geopolitical subtext and unambiguously declare their allegiance to Brussels, foregoing dalliances with Beijing. Second, the initiative mustnt become the germ of an eastern bloc that defines itself in opposition to the rest of the EU.

This joint European project should instead mark the beginning of an overdue reconciliation and integration between Europes east and west. If the 12 between the three seas endorse that idea, then all 27 can become a new bulwark of the wider West.

Andreas Kluth

: bloomberg.com
Prime Minister Boris Johnson attempted to refocus attention on his leveling up agenda by unveiling plans to modernize Britains high streets and moving government officials out of London. Some 57 districts in England will benefit from an 830 million-pound ($1.2 billion) fund to transform town centers into vibrant places to live, work and shop, Johnsons office said in an emailed statement.

More than 3,000 civil service jobs across the Home Office and Business Department will be relocated to Edinburgh, Belfast and the Midlands city of Stoke-on-Trent by 2025. Johnson has long promised to level up prosperity across the U.K. Its a pledge that contributed to his Conservative Party winning a big majority in the 2019 election, particularly in the traditional Labour heartlands of northern England, and he cemented those gains in mid-terms this month.

Moving government jobs into Scotland could help him win more support in the region as he continues to resist nationalists calls for a second referendum on Scottish independence.

Covid Concern

Johnson is eager to focus on the U.K.s revival after the coronavirus crisis, following concerns in recent days that the highly transmissible India variant could knock his plans to reopen the economy off course. He told broadcasters Tuesday there was nothing conclusive in the current data that would delay plans to lift restrictions as planned on June 21.

The new leveling up plans also include a 10 million-pound package to boost teaching in four English districts that have lower than average numbers of pupils in good or outstanding schools. Another 18 million pounds will aim to help vulnerable young people from the most disadvantaged areas improve in key subjects at school and give older students the confidence and skills to get into work.

As the country gets back on its feet, the government has renewed its commitment to leveling up and tackling the issues that really matter to people, Johnson said in an emailed statement. Not only will we beat the pandemic and recover from its impact, I am determined to seize the opportunity it presents to create a fairer society, improve lives and build back better once and for all.

Emily Ashton

: bloomberg.com
People travel through Waterloo railway station during the morning rush hour as coronavirus disease (COVID-19) restrictions continue to ease throughout the country, London, Britain, May 19. Reuters-Yonhap



European Union countries agreed on Wednesday to ease COVID-19 travel restrictions on non-EU visitors ahead of the summer tourist season, two EU sources said.



Ambassadors from the 27 EU countries approved a European Commission proposal from May 3 to loosen the criteria to determine "safe" countries and to let in fully vaccinated tourists from elsewhere.



They are expected to set a new list this week or early next week. Based on data from the European Centre for Disease Control and Prevention, Britain and a number of other countries would meet the new criteria.



The United States would not, although vaccinated Americans would be welcome in Europe.



One EU diplomat said cases of the Indian variant in Britain would need to be taken into account, although individual EU countries are already setting their own policies. Portugal lifted a four-month travel ban on British tourists on Monday.



Under current restrictions, people from only seven countries, including Australia, Israel and Singapore, can enter the EU on holiday, regardless of whether they have been vaccinated.



The current main criterion is that there should be no more than 25 new COVID-19 cases per 100,000 people in the previous 14 days. The trend should be stable or decreasing and there should be a sufficient number of tests, which would need to show a minimum percentage of negative tests. Variants of concern can be taken into account.



The Commission proposed raising the case rate to 100. The EU ambassadors opted instead for 75. For inoculated people to gain access, they would need to have received an EU-approved vaccine, with those with a World Health Organization emergency listing will be considered.



An emergency brake would be used to limit the risk of variants entering the bloc. (Reuters)


Westpac considers that the Pound to Australian Dollar (GBP/AUD) exchange rate can strengthen slightly further in the short term and could approach the 1.8500 area.

The bank expects that the Australian dollar will gradually strengthen given global central bank policies while the UK recovery has been priced in already.

Our baseline view on GBP/AUD is for the pair trend down towards 1.78-1.79 end-June and 1.75 end- September.

Pound Sterling (GBP) Still in the Driving Seat but UK Positives Priced In

Westpac notes that the Pound can remain firm in the short term, especially with reservations over Australian developments. Relations with China remain tense and there have been increased reservations over coronavirus developments in Asia.

GBP/AUD could print fresh highs since November 2020, given Australias high profile tensions with China and the flare-up of Covid-19 cases in other key Asian trading partners.

Nevertheless, Westpac expects that the currency will find it difficult to gain further support from the successful UK vaccine programme. If fears increase over the Indian variant increase, the Pound will also be vulnerable to renewed selling if concerns over the Indian variant increase.

This UK vaccine outperformance is arguably largely priced by now and the May BoE meeting left the pound a little softer.

Medium-Term Dynamics Favour the Australian Dollar AUD)

From a medium-term view, Westpac remains optimistic over the Australian dollar outlook as global central banks continue to orientate policy towards boosting growth and employment. Strength in the global economy should continue to underpin export prices and support Australias terms of trade.

We continue to see scope for the Aussie to gain on most crosses, as Australias export basket will find substantial support from a synchronised global rebound in H2 2021.

The Australian dollar performance in global currency markets is also correlated with trends in risk appetite. In this context, Westpac also expects that conditions will remain broadly favourable.

The Aussie should also outperform the pound if global risk appetite improves in coming months, which seems likely given central bank policy settings.

Westpac also notes that Australia is running a current account surplus which will provide underlying currency support. In contrast, the UK runs a substantial current account deficit.

GBP/AUD posted gains to near 1.83 on Wednesday, the strongest position for close to 6 months as weaker equities undermined the Australian currency.
Los Angeles, CA | May 18, 2021. The college years are a time for exploring life and self-discovery, along with growing academically. If you are a student with Bipolar Disorder, it makes the challenge of this period more daunting. An estimated 3.2% of American college students meet the criteria for bipolar disorder, according to the National Institutes of Health. For Mental Health Awareness Month, author Jason W. Park, PhD (memoir Bliss + Blues = Bipolar) turns his attention to bipolar college students, and he shares his lessons learned to help these pupils meet the challenges and succeed.

"Mental illness is just half the story. There's also mental health," says the author. "It's important to have Mental Health Awareness Month because gaining an awareness about mental health recovery is so important. And this is also true for college students with bipolar."

According to the medical info website Medscape, the average age of onset of bipolar disorder is 21. Symptoms most often begin to surface between the ages of 15 to 24, which includes the college years. Onset could occur as late as age 50.

For Jason, the most pronounced onset of symptoms erupted at age 23. He was on a flight from Boston to Los Angeles, just days after his graduation from Harvard University. His parents had returned to LA earlier, and he was alone. This experience is covered in Chapter 1 of his memoir Bliss + Blues = Bipolar. He remembers, "I was basically going from extremely enthusiastic and blissful to the deepest throes of depression. Or from hot and irritable to severely depressed. I couldn't keep my emotions tethered to a more normal baseline. Managing my way through the seven hours it took to reach LA was very, very difficult."

Jason was diagnosed with bipolar disorder just a month after he moved into his parents' Southern California home post-college. Later he learned that his heavy, daily drug use (cocaine, acid, Ecstasy, crystal methamphetamine, Ketamine, and others) during his junior year at Harvard, the effects of withdrawal when discontinuing them in his senior year, and the academic stress of being a Harvardian had acted upon his genetics to bring the condition forward.

Learning of his diagnosis was a blow, but Jason accepted it because the finding came from two sources at the same timea PhD (a psychologist) and an MD (a psychiatrist). He recommends getting a second opinion if you also receive a bipolar diagnosis.

Similar to Jason's case, symptoms of bipolar disorder can include mood swings of depression alternating with varying degrees of euphoria. According to the Mayo Clinic, other signs of bipolar are a decreased need for sleep, unusual talkativeness, racing thoughts, difficulty focusing and poor decision-making.

To obtain a diagnosis, Jason recommends getting a referral from a trusted source, such as a friend, someone who has a firm faith in the psychologist or psychiatrist. Other sources of referrals could be the student health center, the campus disability center (if it has one) or advocacy and support groups. Or a diagnosis might come from an on-campus or near-campus mental health center.

He warns that you need to be careful whose advice you take at this vulnerable time. At Harvard, when he asked a friend if he should see a psychologist, the response was: "What could a psychologist do for you that you can't do for yourself?" He comments, "That's awfully bad advice. It's like saying, 'Suck it up. You have to deal with this yourself.' That is so not true. There is help out there for you."

Jason had no sense of the mental health resources available to him as an undiagnosed undergraduate at Harvard. But it was a different story when he enrolled as a grad student with a diagnosis at the University of Pittsburgh's Katz Graduate School of Business. Upon arriving his initial semester, the first thing he did was visit the Assistant Doctorial Program Director who was a family friend. She referred him to the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, where he received referrals to the psychologist and psychiatrist that he saw his entire time in the area.

If you are diagnosed with bipolar before college, check the school's website for their protocol for working with students with mental health issues. They may have you work with your academic advisor, admissions officer, the mental health staff on campus or the school's disability office. Your contact can help you get special accommodations, such as a single dorm room or reduced course load, if needed.

Another important source of support will be groups on campus that offer meetings and information on bipolar. The Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance (DBSA) offers support groups via Zoom throughout the country. Organizations on campus include Active Minds, National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) student clubs, and StrengthofUs.org.

The author recommends being "very cautious" about disclosing your diagnosis to professors. In grad school, he disclosed to two professors with mixed results. In one case, it was not helpful and may have even hurt his progress. In the other, the teacher became one of Jason's most important advocates and sources of support.

"Look at the character of each person," he advises. "Choose only the professors who would appreciate your coming forth with the diagnosis. Don't think you have to disclose to everyone. Don't do that."

Jason emphasizes that it's one thing to get support from professors, friends, family, groups and others. However, the bipolar individual has to realize that it's his or her responsibility to do the hard work of therapy, of adhering to medication protocols, of speaking up when adjustments in meds are needed, and of learning how to come to terms with being bipolar.

"Always remember that we all have strengths that cause us to excel in some respects, and we all have certain weaknesses," he says. "Leveraging strengths and compensating for weaknesses to achieve opportunities and neutralize threats is key for living life with purpose and meaning, versus struggling."

Bipolar disorder is widely misunderstood by both students and parents, according to a college survey done by NAMI and Abbott Laboratory. They also found that untreated bipolar can lead to both suicide attempts and encounters with law enforcement officials. Mental Health Awareness Month or Mental Health Month has been educating the public about bipolar and other mental health conditions since 1949. It was founded by Mental Health America, earlier known as the National Association for Mental Health.

Jason's book Bliss + Blues = Bipolar is available in paperback ($14.99) and ebook ($3.99) on Amazon. It is also sold at Village Well Books and Coffee in Culver City, CA. "This is a great book for people with bipolar disorder and their families," writes one reviewer. "The author is very open and honest about his experiences and gives a vivid portrayal of some of the ups and downs of living with bipolar disorder."

Learn more about the author at his website

jasonwpark.com/

Bliss+ Blues = Bipolar's book page on Amazon

Click here.

Further info on preparing for college as a bipolar student from NAMI

(National Alliance on Mental Illness)

Click here.

Find a DBSA Support Group Near You (Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance)

www.dbsalliance.org/

Online Mental Health Test Screenings from Mental Health America

Click here.

Background on Mental Health Awareness Month from NAMI

Click here.
The Chicago Tribune, one of the top daily newspapers in the country with a history stretching back to 1847, recently called on Chicago astrologer Anne Nordhaus-Bike - "Astrologer Anne" - as its source for the article "Happy horoscope season: A beginner's guide to astrology," by reporter Bianca Sanchez.

"It was such a pleasure speaking with Bianca," Nordhaus-Bike said. "She asked insightful questions that allowed us to cover the gamut of astrological topics."

As Sanchez noted in her article, "At the moment of your birth, the stars, planets, moon, and sun aligned. How those astronomical objects hung in the sky determines everything there is to know about your personal astrology."

The article goes on to explain astronomy, the zodiac's history, and where to start if you want to learn about astrology.

"The best approach is to start with your Sun sign," Nordhaus-Bike advised. "That's the sign the Sun occupied when you were born, the minute you took your first breath."

From there, it's one simple step after another to go deeper into astrology.

"Once you know your Sun sign, learn as much as you can about it, including the element, which indicates temperament and personality," Nordhaus-Bike said. For example, earth signs Taurus, Virgo, and Capricorn are "practical, no-nonsense, get the job done" signs, she explained.

Nordhaus-Bike recommended learning more about the astrology of friends, loved ones, family members, and co-workers. "Astrology helps you figure out how to get along better with people because it gives insight into why people see things differently while showing how we're all alike in so many ways," she said.

The article also touches on key concepts such as houses, the ascendant, Moon signs, planets, and birth charts. "The way it's organized takes the reader through all the most important concepts," Nordhaus-Bike said.

Nordhaus-Bike summarized those concepts in her blog post about the article, which readers can use as a road map to exploring astrology.

To see the post and get the link to the Tribune article, go to https://astrologeranne.com/69706/learn-astrology-step-by-step-guide-astrology-course/.
Baum Hedlund Aristei & Goldman whistleblower attorneys announced the successful resolution of a qui tam case against two North Texas dentists accused of fraudulently billing the state's Medicaid program for pediatric dental services.

Dr. Gunjan Dhir, Dr. Gaurav Puri, and their affiliated dental businesses will pay the United States government $3.1 million to resolve whistleblower allegations that they violated the federal False Claims Act and defrauded the Texas Medicaid program. According to the claims, the dentists and companies under their control knowingly billed for pediatric dental services that were either not rendered or falsely identified the person who provided the service.

Baum Hedlund whistleblower attorneys Mark H. Schlein and Diane Marger Moore represented whistleblowers Sandy Puga, Nelda Torres-Brown, and Sonia Cardoso, all former employees of Dr. Dhir and/or Dr. Puri. These brave whistleblowers brought fraud allegations to the government's attention, which led to the successful enforcement action announced today.

Civilians with knowledge of fraud against the government may file whistleblower claims to recover ill-spent government funds. If the claim is successful, the whistleblowers (or relators) may receive a reward. In this case, the whistleblowers will share a portion of the settlement for bringing the pediatric dental fraud claims to the government's attention.

"Unfortunately, fraud committed by unscrupulous dental providers is widespread in America," said attorney Mark H. Schlein, who heads Baum Hedlund's whistleblower litigation team. "It is even more reprehensible when the victims are young children. I am proud to have represented the whistleblowers in this case who saw what was happening, knew it was wrong and had the courage to stand up and do what was necessary to stop it. All of us appreciate the hard work and determination of the federal prosecutors and investigators that made this outcome possible."

Texas Dentists Accused of Submitting False Claims for Pediatric Dental Services

Dr. Dhir and Dr. Puri have owned and operated dental clinics and dental management companies in Texas for over a decade. The two dentists opened their first clinic in 2009, focusing primarily on servicing low-income children enrolled in the Texas Medicaid program. After six years in business, their operation swelled to include 35 clinics.

According to the healthcare fraud allegations, between 2011 and 2017, Dr. Dhir and Dr. Puri, along with their affiliated companies and clinics, knowingly submitted or caused the submission of false claims to the Texas Medicaid Program. By submitting these false claims, the dentists and their affiliated businesses received remuneration for fillings in children that were not actually performed. The dentists were also accused of submitting or causing the submission of claims using false Medicaid provider numbers that misrepresented the dentists who performed pediatric procedures.

States and the federal government jointly fund Medicaid. Texas paid for part of the Medicaid claims at issue in this case. Per the terms of the settlement agreement, the State of Texas will receive approximately half of the government's share of the recovery.

Baum Hedlund Aristei & Goldman | Whistleblower Attorneys

Baum Hedlund Aristei & Goldman represents men and women who come forward and expose fraud against the government. We share in their purpose to protect the integrity of programs like Medicare and Medicaid. With decades of whistleblower experience, our attorneys understand the schemes that companies deploy to defraud the government and consumers. Across all areas of practice, the firm has won more than $4 billion in verdicts and settlements.
Before NASA can build a moon base, its spacecraft will need safe places to land  and a San Antonio space construction startup has a chance to help develop them.

Astroport Space Technologies, which launched in March 2020, is racing to figure out how to build lunar landing pads using robots and molten moon dust.

Awarded a NASA contract, the firm is developing a furnace to liquefy moon dust, known as regolith, and a nozzle that will use the lava-like substance to create interlocking bricks.

Think robots doing industrial-scale 3D printing on the moon.

NASA selected Astroport, a division of San Antonio-based Exploration Architecture or XArc, for a $136,000, phase-one Small Business Technology Transfer deal to develop a prototype furnace and nozzle by June 2022.

Astroports main partner in the project is the University of Texas at San Antonio. The contractors will conduct research both at the companys Port San Antonio labs and UTSA facilities.

On ExpressNews.com: San Antonio company working with military, SpaceX to move cargo anywhere in world in an hour or less

Sam Ximenes, founder and CEO of XArc and Astroport, sees the contract as a step toward San Antonio  home to the Southwest Research Institute, a major NASA contractor  becoming known for space construction.

With NASAs return to the moon  with outposts and base camps, and commercial ventures for mining and even space tourism  we see a market for space civil engineering construction developing within the next decade, he said. With this initial small contract, we hope to plant the seeds for a San Antonio industry to become known for expertise in space construction processes and manufacturing.

If Astroport successfully develops the prototype, the project will move into phase two, which lasts two years and brings $800,000 in additional funding. Phase three would yield millions of dollars and the opportunity for the contractors to sell, or commercialize, the technology.

On ExpressNews.com: 'This is not SpaceX property - this is my property': SpaceX looks to recast South Texas town as 'Starbase'

Ximenes said the moon is a rough place for building, and Astroport is seeking experts and companies who can help overcome the challenges.

One problem is powering the furnaces.

The power requirements are pretty intensive for the melting process, said Ximenes, whos also the founder of the WEX Foundation, which teaches children and teens about space, science and technology. We have some partners we've been talking to that have some solar technologies. Or even nuclear technology might be useful for us, so were trying to look at that.

Theyre also looking for partners to help develop robotics and communications capabilities.

Were doing some of our own robotics, he said. Astroport also is talking with a Port San Antonio-based robotics company about partnering on the project.

Then theres the moons extreme climate. In sunlight, temperatures exceed 250 degrees Fahrenheit. In the dark, they plunge to nearly 390 degrees below zero.

You have to design your equipment to survive thermal stresses between hot and cold, Ximenes said.

On ExpressNews.com: NASA contractors stake out San Antonio's place in space

The goal is for the robots to build a landing pad while in the sunlight of one lunar day, which equals 14 Earth days, and hibernate during the long night.

NASA selected 289 small businesses and 47 research institutions for phase-one funding from its 2021 Small Business Innovation Research and Small Business Technology Transfer program. However, only a handful of the contractors are working on the best way to build lunar launch pads.

Astroport was one of only four Texas companies selected for this years program.

In October, XArc entered an agreement with U.S. Transportation Command and SpaceX to study the logistics needed to support commercial spacecraft around the world, including fuel and cargo requirements.

In addition to SpaceXs Starship the company builds in South Texas, XArcs study is looking at commercial space vehicles under development, including Amazon founder Jeff Bezos Blue Origin and Virgin Galactics Stratolaunch.

On ExpressNews.com: Robocity, USA? With the rise of robots in San Antonio, we're heading that way

NASAs plans is to land humans on the moon again by 2024 as part of the Artemis program. The goal is to create a long-term presence on the moon by the end of the decade. According to NASA, the moon base will eventually serve as the jumping-off point for sending astronauts to Mars.

The development of a space economy will not be achieved solely by space experts like aerospace engineers and scientists, Ximenes said. Here in San Antonio, our robotics, cyber and heavy construction industries all go into the mix of knowledge of design and processes needed to support space architecture and construction on planetary surfaces.

Brandon Lingle writes for the Express-News through Report for America, a national service program that places journalists in local newsrooms. ReportforAmerica.org. brandon.lingle@express-news.net
Operators of businesses engaged in the exploration for oil and natural gas reserves need to make a plan to do something else or wind up their companies.

No need to act rashly; the industry has maybe a decade left. But the velocity of the energy transition is accelerating quicker than most pundits expected.

Today, Ford will launch the F-150 Lightning, an all-electric version of Americas all-time best-selling vehicle. Anyone who drives their current F-150 less than 200 miles a day will have difficulty passing up this clearly superior motor vehicle. Bonus: It does not look like Teslas Cybertruck.

The unveiling comes the same day the International Energy Agency released research confirming what environmentalists have said for a decade. We have already found more oil and natural gas than we can ever use without ruining the planet.

TOMLINSONS TAKE: US oil and gas companies playing catch up in clean energy

Fossil fuel exploration must stop now if the world wants to reach net-zero emissions of carbon dioxide by 2050. Failure to achieve that goal will result in global warming greater than 1.5 degrees centigrade, which will trigger irreparable environmental damage.

The IEA is no namby-pamby, head-in-the-clouds environmental group. Climate activists have denounced the IEAs pro-industry stance for decades. Just a few years ago, its executive director called on fossil fuel companies to step up exploration and production. Not anymore.

Since the IEAs founding in 1974, one of its core missions has been to promote secure and affordable energy supplies to foster economic growth, the new report on Net-Zero by 2050 says. The enormous challenge of transforming our energy systems is also a huge opportunity for our economies, with the potential to create millions of new jobs and boost economic growth.

The concept here is straightforward. Weve known since the 1860s that increasing the amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere increases its retention of heat. Weve known since the 1960s that burning fossil fuels is raising the amount of CO2 in the atmosphere to dangerous levels.

The deterioration of coral reefs, the melting of glaciers and changing weather patterns have proven that a warmer atmosphere causes damage to ecosystems. Therefore, we can only put so much carbon in the atmosphere, and weve already found more carbon than we can emit safely.

No serious person can dispute those basic facts any longer. Some of the worlds most giant corporations, and perhaps more importantly, their shareholders, are speeding up the transition to a global economy where we no longer emit more carbon than we take out of the atmosphere.

Every supermajor oil and gas company has announced plans to either move away from carbon-based fuels or create methods to remove carbon from the atmosphere. Occidental Petroleum was among the first corporations to announce it will become a carbon management company in addition to producing energy.

While 90 percent of 179 oil and gas companies contacted by the consulting firm Accenture said they recognize the need to change, only 21 percent are moving beyond significant change to true reinvention, according to a new report.

Competition from new energy sources, environmental accountability, talent scarcity, investor apathy and the COVID-19 pandemic have led most oil and gas companies to realize the need to transform to ensure profitability, embrace sustainability and maintain their relevance, Muqsit Ashraf, who leads Accentures energy industry group. Whats required isnt just piecemeal transformation but wholesale business reinvention.

Ashraf identified several things that leading companies are doing: becoming more competitive with peers through technology, carbon management, and customer service. But equally important is creating a corporate culture that recognizes clean energy as the ultimate goal.

The other major consulting firm to energy companies, Deloitte, calculates oil and gas companies should redeploy $838 billion in capital expenditures to optimize their hydrocarbon business and/or pursue new growth areas including new energy ventures.

TOMLINSONS TAKE: Carbon capture offers promise for Texas oil and gas companies' future

Many companies are eager to act but are seeking guidance on the speed and extent to which they expand into new, potentially high-growth areas, be it in new regions, markets, products or technologies, said Amy Chronis, Deloittes vice chairman and U.S. oil, gas and chemicals leader. By taking a strategic, purpose-driven approach, companies can sustainably and profitably build a future-ready portfolio.

While the research may be new, the message has been around for a long time. For years, the Greater Houston Partnership has said that Texas companies must embrace the energy transition to remain relevant and profitable. Workers must embrace the change or see their careers evaporate.

Lately, fossil fuel advocates have stopped talking about the need for energy and shifted to begging for job-loss protection from clean energy competitors. But if you argue that we should continue damaging the planet just to preserve your job, you will always lose.

Tomlinson writes commentary about business, economics and politics.

twitter.com/cltomlinson

chris.tomlinson@chron.com
Gov. Greg Abbott issued an executive order on Tuesday forbidding local governments and public school districts from imposing mask requirements.

The order will bar counties, cities, school districts, public health authorities and other government officials from requiring people to wear masks. It takes effect Friday, except in public schools, where mask rules can remain in place until June 4.

Classes will be over for most school districts in the San Antonio area by then, with one exception being San Antonio Independent School District, whose last day of school is June 17. Every public school system in Bexar County currently requires students and staff to wear masks indoors. Most had planned to require it for summer learners and hadnt ruled out extending the mandate in some form into the fall.

Any local official who attempts to issue mask mandates after the order takes effect can be fined up to $1,000, the governor said.

Texans, not government, should decide their best health practices, which is why masks will not be mandated by public school districts or government entities, Abbott said in a release. We can continue to mitigate COVID-19 while defending Texans liberty to choose whether or not they mask up.

TEXAS TAKE: Get political headlines from across the state sent directly to your inbox

Only a few agencies are exempt from the new rule: state-supported living centers, government-operated hospitals, facilities run by the Texas Department of Criminal Justice and the Texas Juvenile Justice Department, and county and municipal jails, according to the governors office.

We are disappointed that the executive order takes effect so soon, SAISD spokeswoman Laura Short said in an email. From now and until June 4, we will continue our mask mandate in our facilities. After June 4, we will encourage the wearing of masks, but we will not mandate it.

Barry Perez, Northside ISD executive director of communications, released a statement on behalf of the district calling Abbotts order both disappointing and concerning.

We believe strongly that decisions around the safety protocols in our schools should be made by local school officials and should reflect the individual needs and climate of the local school communities, the statement said

Many districts plan to expand their summer programs to larger numbers of students who need help catching up from a year that saw classroom learning reduced by the coronavirus pandemic and the effectiveness of online alternatives dogged by problems with connectivity and student engagement.

I think therell probably be some level of safety protocols that continue well into the fall, Northside Superintendent Brian Woods predicted in an interview last month. Whether that involves mask-wearing would depend on the pandemics progress and what the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommend, he added.

Abbott rescinded a statewide mask mandate in March, about 10 months after requiring them near the height of the coronavirus pandemic in Texas. In explaining the rollback, the governor pointed to declining COVID case counts and the increasing availability of vaccines.

People and businesses dont need the state telling them how to operate, Abbott said at the time, while adding that COVID had not suddenly disappeared, and Texans should still take health and safety precautions.

Still, some local officials said they would continue to require masks, including in the city of Austin, drawing lawsuits by Attorney General Ken Paxton. Austins mandate was later upheld by a judge.

Bexar County and San Antonio officials have said such mandates werent necessary for the community because many San Antonio businesses already require their customers to wear masks. Customers who are asked to wear masks and refuse could be charged with criminal trespassing.

In his Tuesday order, Abbott said those local governments have caused confusion by continuing to implement local rules despite the statewide rollback. The order will have the most impact on school districts, however.

Nearly half of eligible Texans  which now includes children as young as 12 -- have received at least one dose of a COVID vaccine, state data show. As of Sunday, that included about 270,000 Texans under 18, roughly 50,000 of whom were below age 16, according to state health officials. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration expanded eligibility for the Pfizer vaccine to the younger group last week.

The leaders of unions representing San Antonio teachers and staff also expressed concern at the latest order  but little surprise, having repeatedly denounced Abbotts previous orders, which they said complicated efforts to mitigate the spread of the coronavirus in classrooms.

If you take away a mask mandate when many students dont have access to a vaccination, its almost as if you are intentionally endangering the lives of children, said Melina Espiritu-Azocar, the lead organizer at Northside ISDs chapter of the American Federation of Teachers union. Its appalling.

Alejandra Lopez, president of the San Antonio Alliance of Teachers and Support Personnel, the largest staff union in SAISD, called Tuesdays order another example of the governor making public health a political issue.

At least two other states, both led by Republican governors, have similarly barred public schools and local governments from instituting mask mandates. Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis made the move two weeks ago, and South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster did so last week.

For some Texas Republicans, the change was long overdue. Former state Sen. Don Huffines, who is running against Abbott from the right in next years GOP primary, said Tuesday that Texas never should have implemented a mask mandate in the first place.

In response to an Abbott tweet announcing the executive order, Huffines quipped: Glad to see you finally admit that you trampled on Texans liberty for over a year.

The Texas Education Agency is expected to release new COVID guidance before June 4, including an update on whether school districts can require students to take COVID tests before coming to class.

The Texas State Teachers Association called Abbotts move premature, saying he should have waited until the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention issues guidance for the 2021-22 school year.

We know some school districts already have ended their mask mandates, and we believe that also is ill-advised, said TSTA President Ovidia Molina.

Last week, the CDC relaxed its own mask recommendations, saying vaccinated persons could stop wearing them indoors. Health experts still strongly encourage mask wearing, social distance and hand-washing to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

Staff writers Danya Perez and Andres Picon contributed to this report. cayla.harris@express-news.net
Can't find a suitable flight deal out of San Antonio? Try Austin.

If you are willing to make the drive, you can bet on finding better deals out of the state's capital.

For less than $100 one way, there are four West Coast destinations that await your arrival. Getting to Yellowstone National Park will set you back less than $50. Trips to New York and Miami won't break the bank .

The best deal is a flight that costs less than $40 to Las Vegas.

Double-check flight details before booking  bargain fares often don't include additional fees if you plan to check a bag or select a seat.

Fully vaccinated individuals can travel at low risk to themselves and do not need COVID-19 testing or post-travel self-quarantine as long as they continue to take COVID-19 precautions while traveling within the United States, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said.

A person is considered fully vaccinated two weeks after receiving the last recommended dose of a vaccine.

Below are nonstop airfares out of Austin during the next six months to destinations out of Texas:

Atlanta Atlanta skyline. Raymond Boyd/Getty Images Atlanta | Visit the Georgia capital for $43 on Spirit airlines, which is offering the deal at 10 a.m. on Aug. 8. Once you arrive, you can visit places like the World of Coca-Cola and the Martin Luther King Jr. National Historic Park.

Yellowstone National Park Yellowstone National Park in Wyoming. Robert Alexander/Getty Bozeman, Montana | A $47 one-way flight on Allegiant will get you to Yellowstone National Park for Fourth of July. The flight leaves at 7:34 p.m. on July 3.

Chicago Chicago Jeff Greenberg/UIG via Getty Images Chicago | Delta Airlines is offering multiple one-way flights for $88 on Aug. 20

Rocky Mountain National Park Get a dose of mountain fresh air at Rocky Mountain National Park. Dreamstime/TNS Denver | Visit Rocky Mountain National Park for $50 on a Frontier Airlines flight to Denver at 4:16 p.m on Oct. 27.

Las Vegas A night on the Las Vegas strip for only $36. David Becker/Associated Press Las Vegas | A one-way nonstop flight for $36 on Allegiant will get you to Las Vegas on July 14 for a little gambling and fun. The flight leaves at 10:28 p.m. in Austin and arrives at 11:13 p.m. in Las Vegas.

Los Angeles Take a summer trip to sunny Southern California. AaronP/Bauer-Griffin/GC Images Los Angeles | Spirit Airlines is offering a $43 flight to the City of Angels on June 12. From the beach to exploring Hollywood, there is plenty to do in and around Los Angeles.

Miami Beachgoers visit Miami Beach, Florida on Monday, February 15, 2021. MATIAS J. OCNER/TNS Miami | Soak in the sun on South Beach after a $62 flight on Sun Airlines that leaves at 12:50 p.m. on Aug. 19.

Minneapolis downtown The Minneapolis downtown skyline at sunset. RudyBalasko/Getty Images/iStockphoto Minneapolis | Go on a shopping spree at the Mall of America, the seventh largest in the world. You will be saving some cash for your purchases with a $94 one-way flight on Sun Country Airlines, which is offering the deal at 12:15 p.m. on Aug. 19.

New Orleans Saint Louis Cathedral on Jackson Square. drnadig /Getty Images New Orleans | Take in the city's history during the day and then hit Bourbon Street for a night of fun after a $98 one-way flight Sept. 8 on American Airlines.

New York City New York Alexander Spatari/Getty Images New York | Explore all that the Big Apple has to offer after a $57 one-way Spirit Airlines flight at 12:50 p.m. on Aug. 19.

San Francisco USA, California, San Francisco, Golden Gate Bridge in fog Noah Clayton/Getty Images San Francisco | Take a stroll on the Golden Gate Bridge after landing in the California city on a Jet Blue one-way flight for $79 on June 4.
Police have arrested a 24-year-old man in connection with a hit-and-run that killed the daughter of a prominent San Antonio developer while she was jogging.

Joel Angel Zaragoza was charged Tuesday with failure to stop and render aid resulting in death after a resident reported his damaged car.

Just after 7 a.m. on May 2, 53-year-old Lisa Starr Rosenstein was jogging on the shoulder in the 4300 block of Loop 1604 access road, near Lockhill-Selma and Northwest Military Highway, when Zaragoza's Ford Focus drifted into the shoulder and hit the woman, according to an arrest affidavit.

On ExpressNews.com: Daughter of prominent S.A. developer killed in hit-and-run, police searching for driver

The impact knocked Rosenstein into grassy area as Zaragoza drove off, the affidavit said.

Courtesy Dorthy Williams

A bicyclist riding on the access road saw Rosenstein's body on the grass and called 911. He told dispatchers he believed she was dead because he couldn't feel a pulse but still attempted to perform CPR until paramedics arrived, the affidavit said.

Investigators said they were able to identify the make and model of Zaragoza's vehicle after finding pieces of the headlamp that had broken off during the crash.

Two weeks later, a concerned citizen reported Zaragoza to police after noticing damage to the right fender and hood of his Ford Focus, the affidavit said.

According to the affidavit, Zaragoza told police he hit a large object in the road after a blowout to a front tire caused him to swerve. He told police he thought he hit a deer but wasn't sure because his windshield was fogged up, the affidavit said.

Courtesy Dorthy Williams

Rosenstein is the daughter of David Starr, a San Antonio developer and the president of Vantage Communities Real Estate Development. He is described as one of the biggest low-income housing landlords in Texas. As of 2017, Starr owned roughly 5,000 apartments in San Antonio and another 3,000 nationally through his various tax-exempt organizations, according to a previous Express-News story.

Zaragoza's bail was set at $50,000.

taylor.pettaway@express-news.net
Spotify's "RADAR," which helps support global rising artists, will be collaborating with K-Pop artists such as AleXa!

Keep on reading to know more.

Spotify Announces Collaboration With K-Pop Artists for RADAR Korea, AleXa as the First Artist

Starting off the collaboration project for "RADAR Korea" is K-Pop artist, AleXa, and Arabic pop star, Bader AlShuaibi. This will be the first time a K-Pop artist is participating in Spotify's "RADAR" program, which help supports global rising artists.

Spotify said that the two artists worked on the song "Is It On" together, which has a fresh melody that is based on a unique rhythm of reggaeton, and has an addictive lead sound and intense drop. For this "RADAR" collaboration, Spotify oversaw the overall project, from connecting the two artists to their marketing.

In addition to supporting the production costs for the song and promotions on the platform, Spotify will also be providing advertisements on the billboard at Times Square in New York, as well as promote on various social media platforms to maximize listening rates and exposure to fans all around the world.

"RADAR Korea," which showcases emerging Korean and K-Pop artists, launched in August 2020. AleXa was the first artist to participate in the collaboration, and ranked second as the most streamed among "RADAR Korea" artists in the same year.

AleXa emphasized that this collaboration is a rare opportunity to work with artists from other regions. Her collaboration with Bader AlShuaibi on the song "Is It On" is composed of a new and fresh combination of culture and sounds, so fans can look forward to it.

YOU MIGHT BE INTERESTED IN: These Are The Most Confusing K-Pop Group Names to Pronounce

Bader AlShuaibi said that the boundaries between cultures and nationalities are gradually disappearing and that his collaboration with AleXa is not only the result of globalization in music but also the result of his personal affection for the K-Pop culture. "I feel proud of participating in the meaningful 'RADAR Collaboration Project' where different cultures meet," said Bader AlShuaibi.

AleXa and Bader AlShuaibi's collaboration song, "Is It On," will be released on May 21 through various music streaming platforms, as well as on Spotify.

Spotify RADAR

According to Spotify, from January 2020 to 2021, the listening rate for K-Pop in the Middle East and North Africa region increased by more than 140 percent. As K-Pop is showing a rapid rise in popularity in the Middle East, Spotify's "RADAR" collaboration not only shows the charm of transcending genres and borders but also introducing two artists to the world on a borderless ecosystem with listeners from more than 178 countries.

Spotify's "RADAR" program is a global rising artist discovery support program that helps the journey of up and coming artists to expand their range of activities and connect them to listeners around the world. Spotify also provides RADAR artists with the necessary elements needed to kick off their journey, such as human and financial resources, marketing promotions, and more, while providing support in many ways to attract more fans.

The head of Spotify's Global Music Program, Andy Sloan-Vincent, who has led "RADAR" programs worldwide, said that they have spared a lot of time and resources to achieve the first "RADAR" collaboration with K-Pop artists and that Spotify will do its best to connect listeners of K-Pop in new and original ways through continuous collaborations between various rising artists.

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

KpopStarz owns this article.

Written by Robyn Joan
Texas public university leaders are crossing their fingers that the Legislature will pass a bill this year that would open up billions of dollars of funding for construction of new and existing campus buildings.

Many of the projects named in the bill would add health care education and research infrastructure as the state continues to face a shortage of physicians and nurses amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Officials say the pandemic has exacerbated the needs for these construction projects that will expand public health education.

House Bill 1530, which would authorize the state to issue $4.3 billion in bonds to fund the infrastructure projects, heads to the Senate for approval after the Texas House passed it last week.

If passed by the Texas Senate and signed into law, it would send more than $150 million collectively for construction of new public health education buildings at Texas A&M University in San Antonio and at the University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, $88 million for a health professions building at Texas State University in Round Rock and $163 million for a dental school building at Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center at El Paso, among other projects.

[Health care workers are] a growing need as our boomers age, said Rep. Jim Murphy, R-Houston, who sponsored the bill and chairs the House Higher Education Committee. It's a wonderful career opportunity as the field grows. And we arent producing nearly enough of the folks we need in that part of the economy.

Some of the projects included were carried over from a failed bill from the last legislative session that stalled in a Senate committee. The state has not passed a tuition revenue bond package funding higher education construction since 2015.

For years, higher education leaders grew accustomed to the Legislature passing construction bills for their projects every other session. But the time between the bills passing has widened over the past two decades. Before 2015, the state hadnt passed a tuition revenue bond bill since 2006.

On the House floor last week, Murphy said the Texas State University System is 1.4 million square feet short of how big it should be, the Texas A&M system is 2.3 million square feet short of space and the UT system has 3 million square feet less than needed to meet the needs of its growing student populations.

The needs are very large today, much less a couple years from now, Murphy said.

It would also include $270 million for construction of three buildings within the planned Texas Medical Centers research campus in Houston. The Texas A&M Health Science Center, UT Health Science Center at Houston and University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center would each get $90 million to construct their own building on the 37-acre campus.

In a statement, Texas A&M Chancellor John Sharp said the project was vital, calling it the next generations medical center.

He said the bonds also help the system address rapid student enrollment, which increased systemwide by nearly 30,000 students between 2011 and 2019.

The bill also includes up to $108 million to Texas Womans University in Denton for its own health sciences center. A TWU university spokesperson said the new center would allow the university to expand enrollment in nursing, physical therapy and occupational therapy.

The new facility would boost the universitys focus on rural health and tele-health initiatives, areas that also have high need in Texas, said Matthew Flores, with TWU.

Not all of the money is for new construction. Rep. Jarvis Johnson, D-Houston, said the funding included for Texas Southern University, a historically Black university, is an emergency item intended to repair old buildings.

I wish these were for future projects or for the vision, the grandiosity of what Texas Southern can be, Johnson told The Texas Tribune. But this is truly just maintaining buildings or just simply constructing buildings that are just kind of hanging on by hope and a prayer.

The bill includes $23 million to renovate Texas Southerns Samuel M. Nabrit Science Center, which was heavily damaged during the February freeze due to burst water pipes, and $59 million for construction of a new Lanier East residence hall, built in the 1950s.

While many universities received less money than what they requested for construction projects, House lawmakers approved an amendment that would fully fund the $60 million request from Prairie View A&M University, another HBCU, for a new teaching and academic student support services building.

Johnson, who authored the amendment, said it was key to fully fund the project at a university that is serving some of Texas most underserved communities, many of whom are the first in their family to attend college and need extra support.

The Texas Tribune is a nonprofit, nonpartisan media organization that informs Texans about public policy, politics, government and statewide issues.
The human remains found at the West Side home of DLanny Reaneille Chairez have been identified as those of her missing toddler, James Avi Chairez, police said Wednesday.

The confirmation added to the pressure on Chairez, who is being held in the Bexar County Jail on charges of tampering with evidence related to her sons disappearance.

James had been missing since January. He was last seen with Chairez, 20, on security footage from a Walgreens near their home on Jan. 4, but a relative said Wednesday that Chairezs phone showed a video of him alive on Jan. 11.

Her bail recently was reduced from $250,000 to $150,000 and a trial date of June 16 set, but Bexar County District Attorney Joe D. Gonzales has said additional charges were possible.

Investigators in white hazmat suits accompanied by FBI agents had found the remains beneath a mobile home at 7600 W. Military Drive while conducting a search on April 28.

It was the San Antonio Police Departments second search of the trailer. Earlier, investigators found a crib sheet with bloodstains, a car seat, stroller, diapers and toys, according to court documents.

On ExpressNews.com: Key dates in the case of missing baby James Chairez

At the time of his disappearance, Chairez had been living with the baby in the mobile home and working as a waitress, family members said.

An attorney who represents Chairez said he had no comment Wednesday afternoon but promised to issue a statement.

James would have turned 2 years old in July, said his grand-aunt, Mariesol Gomez.

This is something I never thought that I would have to experience in my life. It breaks my heart. I dont know how to feel, a distraught Gomez told reporters at her West Side home hours after the announcement was made.

Investigators told her they had used a DNA sample provided by James mother and found it matched, she said.

I stopped hearing the detective the moment he said we have a positive ID on him, Gomez said. He was a good baby, he was a happy baby.

Gomez said family members are planning a memorial service this weekened. She said detectives told her an autopsy wont be finished until July 1 at the earliest.

On ExpressNews.com: Human remains found at the home of missing baby James Chairez, police say

Both Chairez and James were first reported missing in February, but Chairez was found March 15 and arrested the next day on a charge of abandoning or endangering a child. The charge was later replaced with two counts of tampering with evidence.

Court documents say Chairez concealed her son from investigators with SAPD and Child Protective Services.

On ExpressNews.com: Please return him  Family pleads for safety of missing San Antonio toddler

She told investigators she wanted to give James up for adoption, but refused to answer questions about his whereabouts, according to the documents. Chairez, who suffered from depression, told officers she was struggling with mental health problems and wasnt ready to be a mother.

She said James deserves better and wanted her son to be in a better place, court documents state.

Family members said they hadnt seen James since Thanksgiving, when he tried gravy for the first time. After his disappearance, the family had been vocal about trying to find the toddler, hosting vigils and other events to rally community support.

Gomez said she has been looking through the last photos of James that Chairez took on her phone. The last video she found on Chairezs phone was of him smiling, playing with a set of blocks on Jan. 11. She found a photo dated a day earlier that shows James with a swollen hand, and another photo of him sleeping on trash.

Gomez said she wants Chairez to explain what occurred now, instead of forcing family members to witness the details in court.

I know I may never know the why, but I can know the how, Gomez said.

She said Chairez wrote a letter to Gomezs brother-in-law in Spanish asking for money for bail, but she advised him not to, because Chairez was not being cooperative in the case.

She just told him shes sorry for what shes done and shes sorry for what she made him feel, Gomez said of the letter.

She said she has been writing letters to Chairez herself, asking for her to say what happened to James and why.

Am I hating her right now? Gomez asked. No. I still dont hate her, and I dont think I can hate her. I always taught my kids its ugly to hate, and I dont think I can hate anybody.

Right or wrong, I still love her.

liz.hardaway@hearst.com | Twitter: @liz_hardaway
The Bexar County Sheriff's Office arrested a man on May 7 in connection with a sex offense involving a child, according to a news release issued Tuesday.

Thom Villarreal, 39, was charged with indecency with a child, a second-degree felony. According to the release, Villarreal admitted to the crime.
August 1, 2019 was a big day for both Tony Gonzales and John Lira.

That afternoon, Will Hurd announced that he would not seek a fourth term representing U.S. District 23.

Hurds announcement meant political salvation for Gonzales. Only a day earlier, Gonzales, a Republican with 20 years of experience in the U.S. Navy, had declared his candidacy for U.S. District 35, a solid Democratic district represented by all-but-unbeatable Lloyd Doggett.

Hurds bombshell gave Gonzales an opening, a chance to pivot into a swing district that was up for grabs. Tirelessly covering every rural community across a sprawling district that stretches from South San Antonio to El Paso County, Gonzales pulled off an upset win last November over Democratic nominee Gina Ortiz Jones.

Hurds 2019 announcement also had a big impact on Lira, a Democrat who graduated from East Central High School and served 11 years in the U.S. Marine Corps.

Lira had been thinking about the best ways for him to apply his fascination with public policy. When Hurd decided to step down, it caught Liras attention.

In the short term, he deferred to Jones, who already had built name recognition and a fundraising base with her 2018 campaign in District 23. He took his time and prepared himself.

Lira is ready now. On Wednesday, he will officially announce his candidacy for the Democratic nomination in District 23.

Lira has an impressive resume, a strong work ethic and the kind of nuanced platform that could thread the needle in a 62-percent Mexican American district that covers 800 miles of the U.S.-Mexico border and comes as close to a 50-50 party split as we have in this state.

I was kind of fed up with how the Trump administration was defining my backyard, Lira said about his initial interest in running for Congress.

How (Donald Trump) was belittling the unique relationship that Texans have had with the Mexican people. Theres centuries of partnerships and a diverse community that has emerged, and for a president and a party to come from outside and define it as a third-world territory, I wanted to combat that narrative.

Although Gonzales has held the job for only four-and-a-half months, Lira says the San Antonio freshman already has failed his district by voting against the $1.9 trillion American Rescue Plan, a stimulus package designed to pull the country out of the economic wreckage of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The American Rescue Plan threw a lifeline to a lot of working families and veterans and small businesses as were recovering from a global pandemic, Lira said.

Lira also criticized Gonzales for voicing opposition to President Joe Bidens $2 trillion infrastructure proposal.

(Gonzales) has shown that hes willing to side with some of the most extreme elements of the Republican Party, Lira said.

Whats striking about Liras emergence in District 23 is how much he and Gonzales have in common, if you put ideology aside.

They were born eight months apart. Gonzales is 40 and Lira will turn 40 next month.

Both of them decided to enlist in the military before turning 18, as a way of escaping troubled teen lives.

Gonzales has said that he was on a spiral and then God kind of pulled me out and guided me into the Navy.

Lira recounts an episode in the middle of his senior year in high school when he found himself handcuffed in the back seat of a police car because he was associating with a group of buddies who had done some nefarious activities earlier in the day.

The police ultimately let him go, but only after his parents came and picked him up.

That event was pretty traumatic for all of us, Lira said. My parents felt disappointed, even though I had not done anything to deserve being locked up and thrown in a police car. That image was there and I think it scared all of us.

Later that week, Lira nearly bumped into a Marine Corps recruiter at his school campus. Fearing that his brush with the law had been a glimpse of his future, Lira impulsively decided to join the Marines.

Both Lira and Gonzales served in Iraq.

Both of them continued their studies after joining the military, with Gonzales working on his Ph.D. and Lira getting a bachelors in Political Science from the University of Texas at San Antonio and a masters in Public Policy and Management from Carnegie Mellon.

Finally, both of them worked fellowships on Capitol Hill, with Gonzales serving in the office of Florida Sen. Marco Rubio and Lira in the office of California Rep. Jimmy Panetta.

With redistricting on the horizon, we dont know exactly what District 23 will look like next year. But Lira should be a serious factor.

ggarcia@express-news.net | Twitter: @gilgamesh470
WASHINGTON  The U.S. House of Representatives on Wednesday passed legislation that would establish a bipartisan commission to investigate the Jan. 6 assault on the U.S. Capitol  a 9/11-style probe that has diminished chances of getting off the ground as Republicans begin voicing suspicion about its aims.

The House voted 252-175 to establish the commission  which is the product of bipartisan negotiations among leaders of the House Homeland Security Committee  with 35 Republicans supporting it, despite urging from GOP leaders to vote it down. Just two Texas Republicans  U.S. Reps. Tony Gonzales of San Antonio and Van Taylor of Plano  supported the bill.

The 10-member independent commission would have an even number of members appointed by the majority and minority leaders of the House and Senate. The panel would have the power to subpoena witnesses and it would have until the end of the year to investigate the attack  including what was known in advance, why Capitol Police was left unprepared and why it took so long for reinforcements  and make recommendations to Congress on changes to prevent another such security breach at the Capitol.

PEACEFUL AMERICANS: Rep. Louie Gohmert defends Capitol riot suspects

This is about facts. Its not about partisan politics, U.S. Rep. John Katko, a New York Republican who co-wrote the bill. It would have never gotten to this point if it was about partisan politics.

But leaders of Katkos own party disagreed.

House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy said the commissions study, as proposed, ignores the political violence by those on the left during protests across the country last year. Sen. Mitch McConnell, McCarthys counterpart in the Senate, called it a slanted and unbalanced proposal.

Former President Donald Trump, who was impeached for inciting the insurrection to thwart the election of Joe Biden, deemed the calls for more Congressional scrutiny of it a Democratic trap.

Texas Republicans have largely remained loyal to the president, and even two Texas GOP members who condemned Trump after the insurrection voted against the bill.

U.S. Rep. Chip Roy, a San Antonio Republican, argued Congress already has oversight power and can do its own investigations.

Lets use the powers we have and the powers of this body and the committees we have to seek the truth wherever it may lead, said Roy, one of the few Texas Republicans who criticized Trump after the riot.

U.S. Rep. Michael McCaul, a Houston-area Republican, said in a statement that he couldnt support the commission because he feared it would get in the way of the Justice Departments ongoing investigations.

If we, as body, want to see justice, we must allow federal investigators to complete their probe without interference from Congress and ensure they are equipped with the tools to fully prosecute, said McCaul, who in January said he opposed impeaching Trump with a heavy heart.

The bill now heads to the Senate, where Republicans views of the commission were quickly changing this week.

Pelosis plan

U.S. Sen. John Cornyn of Texas offered an example of the shift in tone.

While Cornyn questioned the narrow scope of the investigation on Tuesday, he nonetheless was clear that some sort of study was needed.

I think we need to do something to identify the problems, he said. I mean, a repetition of something like that is just  shame on us if we cant find some way to address it.

But on Wednesday, as the House prepared to vote, Cornyn seemed less certain, saying hes concerned that the panels work could be impeded by the Justice Departments desire not to have us interfere in the hundreds of ongoing criminal cases. He also said its findings could be used as political ammunition by Democrats ahead of the 2022 midterm elections.

The Justice Department has announced charges against more than 440 people accused of taking part in the Jan. 6 riots at the Capitol, in which five people died and 140 police officers were assaulted. At least four dozen of those charged so far are Texans. More arrests are expected.

As a practical matter, I dont think it could wrap up this year  especially when hundreds of criminal cases are being prosecuted, Cornyn said, adding that having the commissions work drag into next year, when Republicans will be aiming to retake the House and Senate, would be Democrats dream.

Part of the concern is thats the plan  thats Pelosis plan, he said.

Cornyn said he remains undecided and the matter needs more study. He said he thought the House bill could be amended in the Senate to gain more Republican support, pointing to the GOP calls to widen the scope of the investigation.

Texas Take: Get political headlines from across the state sent directly to your inbox

Why in the world would you want to tie their hands by telling me, Look through a soda straw: Its January 6th, you cant look at January 5, you cant look at January 7, Cornyn said. Why dont you just let them follow the evidence where it leads? So, that causes me to be somewhat skeptical of the Speakers motivations, if she wants to limit it to just one day.

Democrats, meanwhile, have accused Republicans of whitewashing and gaslighting as some on the right have sought to downplay the actions of the insurrectionists. U.S. Rep. Louie Gohmert, a Tyler Republican, spent an hour on the House floor last week defending accused insurrectionists, the vast majority of whom he said are peaceful Americans.

Their only crime was supporting Donald Trump and concern about the fraud Democrats have been telling us about in elections for many years, Gohmert said.

In court records, the Justice Department accuses a number of the alleged rioters of wielding tomahawks, pepper spray, firecrackers and more against Capitol Police.

Whether you believe that it was just a group of tourists walking through the Capitol or not, you should want this commission, said U.S. Rep. Al Green, a Houston Democrat. If you believe it was an insurrection, you should want this commission.

You should want this commission because you cannot bury the truth in an earthly grave of lies, Green said. Truth crushed to earth shall rise again.

ben.wermund@chron.com
Few things make my pro-capitalism, pro-democracy head explode faster than watching elected officials approve a mechanism for concentrating public financial benefit into private corporate hands. At the top of the head-exploding list is the corporate welfare of Texas shameful Chapter 313 program.

Something that soothes my aching head, however, is the incredible investigation by Hearst Newspapers, which used numbers and narrative to explain just how awful this tax subsidy program has been in the past  and may continue to be if it is renewed for two years as expected.

The investigation does yeomans work spelling out why Chapter 313 subsidies are unfair in shifting property tax burdens from private corporations to homeowners for supposed public benefit  but unquestionable private benefit.

Heres how it works: A private company plans to build a thing in Texas it says will provide jobs. It applies to the local school district where the thing will be built, asking for a limit on the taxable value of the property for 10 years. With a reduced value, the private company can save hundreds of thousands, or even millions, of dollars over the coming decade, depending on the size of the project and the property tax cap.

The local school board nominally has oversight and decision-making authority, but for reasons well see in a moment it almost always agrees to this limit. The company then applies to the Texas Comptrollers office, which has to review the school districts decision. The comptrollers office is supposed to make sure a tax break is necessary to incentivize the new construction, which otherwise might be built somewhere outside of Texas. Thats the key justification for the Chapter 313 tax break  to retain and attract business activity and jobs in the state.

School district tax breaks last 10 years. Over the 10 years, however, school districts do not actually lose any tax revenue because under this program the state promises to reimburse them for lost taxes. The state  thats all of us taxpayers  ends up paying the school district for forgone taxes.

In a sign the tax breaks are too generous, in most cases the beneficiary companies agree to make a payment in lieu of taxes back to school districts. Strangely, the payment occurs outside of the normal school district funding process to an educational foundation. That feature itself creates weird incentives for districts to green-light Chapter 313 projects. They lose no revenue but gain flexible funding they wouldnt get from a normal state educational funding mechanism.

Hearsts four-part investigation found the following key points:

Many companies announced construction before applying for the tax break. In most cases, it was nearly inevitable they would have built without the tax break, undermining the stated purpose of the incentive.

The Comptrollers office always says yes. Fewer than 2.5 percent of Chapter 313 applicants have been turned down, and even some of those initially rejected reapplied and subsequently received the subsidies.

Thirty companies violated their agreements about promised job creation, but faced no consequences.

The cost of the program will increase to $1 billion per year by 2023 and is projected to keep growing.

None of that is popular with observers on either side of the political spectrum. The conservative think tank Texas Public Policy Foundation and the progressive think tank Every Texas are united in calling for the Chapter 313 program to be ended.

If you were to design from scratch a perfect mechanism for using public school tax dollars to provide private corporate welfare  and for it be a corrupt process  you would be hard-pressed to create something as fiendish as Chapter 313 subsidies.

How could it not be corrupt? The school districts lose nothing by saying yes. They gain a little money on the side outside of the normal budget process. The comptrollers office never says no. Practically every private company that has cracked the code for the right language on Chapter 313 applications gets the subsidy. And the company owners save millions for doing the thing they were already going to do. Everybody on the inside wins. But everybody on the outside  regular property tax payers  lose.

The hardest thing to undo in government is something that happens when a highly informed group of insiders  corporate owners, tax lobbyists and attorneys, all via legislators and school boards  can obtain concentrated financial benefit while a group of lower-information outsiders  thats you and me  suffer a diffuse financial loss through imperceptibly shifted higher property tax burdens.

Nathan Jensen, a University of Texas at Austin professor of government who studies economic development, wrote a 2017 paper in which he found only 15 percent of firms were swayed to stay in Texas by their Chapter 313 subsidy. By implication, the other 85 percent would have made the same decision to build without the subsidy. But they sure appreciated the free money.

Supporters of the program inevitably cite job creation as the programs justification. The Hearst investigation cites estimates ranging from $211,000 to $1.1 million per job created. Thats an absurdly high cost, even at the low end. Jensens paper found the often-bandied estimates of $350,000 per job created to be too low. The majority of tax dollars generate zero new jobs and no economic benefit for the state, he wrote.

As Jensen told me recently, Its a complex program and I do feel like some government officials are starting to get the problems with it. But there are tons of supporters lobbying for it and not many lobbying against it.

The insiders clearly love this. Only if outsiders like us understand and object could we have a chance of ending the program some day. Thats why the Hearst investigation is so important. News reports indicate the Chapter 313 subsidy will be renewed for two more years, allowing legislators time to study the issue.

Michael Taylor is a columnist for the San Antonio Express-News and author of The Financial Rules for New College Graduates.

michael@michaelthesmart

money.com |twitter.com/michael_taylor


Air Serbia has said it is cautiously optimistic over the recovery of traffic in the coming months but warned that many uncertainties still remain. The airline has been performing above the European average throughout the first quarter. Speaking at the Southeast Europe Aviation Summit yesterday, Air Serbias General Manager for Commercial and Strategy, Jiri Marek, said, In the last three weeks we have been cautiously optimistic. It is natural that around Orthodox Easter [early May] there was a spike in demand. What is a positive sign is that the demand did not stop after Orthodox Easter and we see an upside. Despite the travel restrictions, which are still heavily in place, and the fact that Serbian citizens are still not allowed to enter the majority of EU countries, I must say that through 2020, and even now in 2021, we are performing better, mainly thanks to our fast and flexible reaction on the market. We are currently operating around 40% on 2019 levels, whereas the rest of the European average is around 35%. We are achieving load factors of over 55%, while in Q1 the majority of the airline groups published a load factor of close to 40%. We are carefully optimistic, but we are not there yet. Air Serbia has said it is cautiously optimistic over the recovery of traffic in the coming months but warned that many uncertainties still remain. The airline has been performing above the European average throughout the first quarter. Speaking at the Southeast Europe Aviation Summit yesterday, Air Serbias General Manager for Commercial and Strategy, Jiri Marek, said, In the last three weeks we have been cautiously optimistic. It is natural that around Orthodox Easter [early May] there was a spike in demand. What is a positive sign is that the demand did not stop after Orthodox Easter and we see an upside. Despite the travel restrictions, which are still heavily in place, and the fact that Serbian citizens are still not allowed to enter the majority of EU countries, I must say that through 2020, and even now in 2021, we are performing better, mainly thanks to our fast and flexible reaction on the market. We are currently operating around 40% on 2019 levels, whereas the rest of the European average is around 35%. We are achieving load factors of over 55%, while in Q1 the majority of the airline groups published a load factor of close to 40%. We are carefully optimistic, but we are not there yet.





Mr Marek noted there are still numerous uncertainties when it comes to the upcoming peak summer travel months. The big question mark for everyone is summer, because obviously travel restrictions are still in place. The charter demand is there but the main issue you see now is that all of the bookings, including the charters, are very last minute. So, its more forecast demand and we dont know whether it will happen or not. You also have adhoc events, like for example the complete flight ban between Russia and Turkey. You have the big question if all these hotel groups will open or not, because the majority of the demand has disappeared over night, Mr Marek said.





Commenting on its long haul operations, the executive said the airline was looking to develop this segment of the business in the future, We are the only airline in the region offering a direct year-round connection to the United States and it is not only important for Serbia but for the whole region because predominately the wider Balkans, or ex-Yugoslav countries, are using these flights through seamless connectivity, mostly Montenegro, Albania and North Macedonia. We would like to expand this in the future to Bulgaria and Romania, which was also part of our announced pre-Covid expansion strategy, which you can serve with multiple frequencies. In such a way you satisfy point to point demand, demand to your European network and demand to the US. For us it is working pretty well, and we would like to develop that more in the future.





Mr Marek pointed out that quick and flexible reaction to changes on the market have ensured the airline a better position in the region. We would like to position ourselves and we are positioning ourselves as a regional leader in the wider Balkan region, or lets say the majority of ex-Yugoslavia. We have multiple scenarios which we are constantly developing and finetuning to be ready for the market opportunities to enter the niches and secure our strong position in the region. That is why we quickly reacted to the Adria Airways collapse. We did so a few days before the bankruptcy while other airlines took weeks. Even during Covid, we were the first airline to return to Ljubljana while others came some weeks later. Same was for Montenegro Airlines in December. Basically, we are always trying to strengthen our position and position Belgrade as a regional hub where we want to offer seamless connectivity to the region and beyond. We are constantly looking at opportunities and will take whatever pops up, Mr Marek said.




BATON ROUGE, La. (AP)  Louisiana business organizations Wednesday called on Gov. John Bel Edwards to join Republican-led states in cutting off the extra $300 in federal unemployment assistance going to the jobless, arguing it's harming employer efforts to rehire workers.

The Democratic governor said he doesn't intend to immediately end the weekly federal aid, but he left open the possibility of doing so later.

Ten leading business groups in the state representing contractors, homebuilders, convenience stores, gas stations, restaurants, retailers and more sent a letter to Edwards trying to sway him.

We believe this additional benefit was an important short-term solution to help individuals who were adversely impacted at the start of the pandemic," the groups wrote. However, 13 months later, many employers are finding it near impossible to fully staff their business, which impacts the supply chain and timely delivery of goods and services.

For now, Edwards intends to keep the federal aid flowing even as many of Louisiana's neighboring states have opted out of the benefit. But he said on his monthly radio show Wednesday that he will study the issue, and he reenacted requirements in August that people receiving jobless aid prove they are looking for work.

What I want to do is make sure that it would be right for Louisiana, and I dont want to rush into this, Edwards said of scrapping the federal jobless aid.

The governor noted that Louisiana is heavily dependent on tourism, which hasn't recovered from the pandemic, and he said that sets the state apart from many of its neighbors.

It appears to me the case may be different (for Louisiana), and we want to have economists take a look at this," he said.

The extra $300 per week in federal assistance, available until September, comes on top of state unemployment benefits that max out at $247 a week in Louisiana.

While the business groups believe the extra federal jobless benefit is discouraging some people from taking jobs, government surveys also show people are reluctant to look for work because they fear contracting COVID-19. In addition, other groups say many women have dropped out of the workforce to care for children and some people are searching for higher paying jobs with benefits.

The left-leaning Economic Policy Institute argued in a recent commentary that policymakers shouldn't rein in the unemployment benefits.

Cutting pandemic (unemployment) benefits now, as some states have done or are considering, will not just hurt workers who are depending on federal benefits while they cannot find work or are unable to work, it will also drag on the economy, as those benefits are supporting spending, the organization said in the post.

The business groups that wrote to Edwards  which include the powerful Louisiana Association of Business and Industry and the National Federation of Independent Business  point to 17 other states they said have rejected the extra federal unemployment aid. They include many Southern states, such as Texas, Arkansas, Mississippi, Alabama, Georgia, Tennessee and South Carolina, the organizations wrote.

Only a few months ago, businesses were scaling back, reducing hours and limiting services because of the COVID-19 restrictions, Dawn Starns McVea, Louisiana director of NFIB, said in a statement. Now, theyre doing it because they cant find enough people to work.

Republican lawmakers have proposed giving Louisiana residents receiving unemployment a lump sum payment of $500 or $1,000 to go back to work, but only if they give up their right to claim jobless benefits for six months. That proposal, which has drawn opposition from Democrats, awaits debate on the House floor.

___

Follow Melinda Deslatte on Twitter at http://twitter.com/melindadeslatte.
FAIRFIELD  Officials and residents want more to be done to combat racism in town.

School officials, members of the police department and the Rev. D Stanley Lord, president of the Greater Bridgeport NAACP, met Monday after two brothers reported they were the victims of two separate allegedly racist incidents involving students from Warde and Ludlowe high schools.

Superintendent Mike Cummings said the group had an extremely productive discussion focusing on how we move forward. This is just the beginning of our work together to support the students and staff of Fairfield Public Schools and we appreciate having (NAACP) as a resource.

The officials had a solution to part of the problem of what appears to be student insensitivity: We want every school to be open to diversity training, Lord said Tuesday.

Lord offered the NAACP as a resource for the district and will lead sensitivity training with staff and students on biases, the cultures of all people and why words matter, he said.

College students from NAACP chapters at University of Bridgeport, Southern Connecticut State University, University of New Haven and Housatonic Community College will lead sessions with the public school students in the fall.

And Lord said he also recommended that administrations of all departments or agencies that interact with the public, including the police, should take the training.

We have to start at the top, he said.

On May 7, police received a report that a 16-year-old Fairfield Warde student posted a Snapchat of a Black classmate with a racial slur.

After an investigation, the student was charged with second-degree breach of peace and ridicule on account of creed, religion, color, denomination, nationality or race. School officials said they took disciplinary action, though details cant be released because of student privacy rules.

On Monday, police received information on a second alleged racial incident that was described as happening May 8. It is currently under investigation by the police departments school safety unit, according to Police Lt. Antonio Granata.

This investigation pertains to a potential racial slur used during a phone conversation amongst juvenile(s), he said.

He said its unknown at this time if the two incidents are connected.

As with all complaints, the incident will be investigated to the fullest extent possible and any applicable statues would be applied, he said.

Lord said its hard to say what the schools need to do to address the two incidents until the second investigation is concluded. However, he said the national NAACP organization plans to call for the charges in the first case to be elevated to a hate crime. A press conference is set for next week.

The two school investigations are not the only complaints that Fairfield residents have engaged in racist behavior.

Fairfield Police launched a hate crime investigation last month after a person used racial epithets and racist remarks during a video conference meeting of the Racial Equity and Justice Task Force.

On Monday, town officials said the incidents show the need for the task force and the need for the town to take action.

I, of course, stand in complete opposition and condemn racism in all forms, First Selectwoman Brenda Kupchick said.

She called the racist incidents heartbreaking, especially those at the schools, but said its a reminder that schools and families should teach tolerance and practice it in everyday life.

This latest incident is certainly a teachable moment for our parents and educators and entire community, Kupchick said.

In a letter to families last week, Fairfield Warde principal Paul A. Cavanna announced the formation of the Warde Unity Coalition to foster unity in the school community. He said the group will focus on issues of discrimination.

He also spoke to students after the Snapchat incident, among other things covering federal, state and Board of Education policies on discrimination.

Selectwoman Nancy Lefkowitz, who also co-chairs the task force, said she would have been shocked to learn of school incidents 10 months ago, but has since heard other firsthand accounts from residents.

I hope people can hear this and receive this message and not get defensive, but rather open their hearts and minds and realize that we each can take responsibility for making it better and more inclusive, Lefkowitz said.

On Monday, Aimee Guerrero, a Filipina American, shared her own experience when she moved to Fairfield from Stamford about 20 years ago.

Shortly after we got here, I thought we made a huge mistake because I could go days without seeing another person of color, she said. The towns ethnic diversity has only increased marginally since then, she said.

Guerrero said she organized a recent gathering to protest against the rise of racism and discrimination toward Asian people and Pacific Islanders.

I was so proud of our youth speakers  five of them  for sharing their stories of pain and visibility and feeling othered, she said. Now, all five of them grew up in Fairfield. They grew up in the Fairfield school systems and they all had experiences of not being thought of as American.
Mark McCloskey, a St. Louis personal injury lawyer who gained national attention after he and his wife waved guns at racial injustice protesters who marched near their home last summer, said Tuesday he will run for the U.S. Senate in 2022.

McCloskey made the announcement on Tucker Carlson's show on Fox News. Earlier Tuesday, the Federal Election Commission's website showed Mark McCloskey for Missouri was registered, and a website, mccloskeyforsenate.com, was seeking campaign donations.

God came knocking on my door last summer disguised as an angry mob, McCloskey told Carlson. And it really did wake me up.

Incumbent Missouri Republican Roy Blunt announced in March he would not seek a third term. McCloskey will seek the Republican nomination against two contenders with strong name recognition: Former Gov. Eric Greitens, who resigned from office amid a sex scandal in 2018; and Missouri Attorney General Eric Schmitt.

Several members of Congress are weighing runs in heavily-Republican Missouri. Five lesser-known Democrats also have announced Senate bids.

Mark and Patricia McCloskey became celebrities in conservative circles  and were vilified among Democrats  after the incident on June 28 outside their lavish home in St. Louis' Central West End.

Demonstrators were marching to the home of then-Mayor Lyda Krewson amid nationwide protests after police killed George Floyd in Minneapolis. The protesters ventured onto a private street that includes the McCloskey mansion. The couple, both of them attorneys in their early 60s, said they felt threatened after protesters broke down an iron gate and ignored a No Trespassing sign. Protest leaders denied damaging the gate and said the march was peaceful.

Mark McCloskey came out of his home with an AR-15-style rifle and Patricia McCloskey emerged with a semiautomatic handgun. Cellphone video captured the confrontation.

St. Louis Circuit Attorney Kim Gardner, a Democrat, charged the couple with unlawful use of a weapon. A grand jury in October indicted them on the same charge and added an evidence tampering charge. The indictment states that a semiautomatic pistol was altered in a way that obstructed the prosecution of Patricia McCloskey on the weapons charge.

The couple contended the charges were politically motivated. They spoke via video at last year's Republican National Convention. Republican Missouri Gov. Mike Parson has said he will pardon the McCloskeys if they are convicted.

Their case is due to go to trial in November, but Gardner's office won't be prosecuting it. A judge sent the case to a special prosecutor because Gardner made reference to the case in fundraising emails during her successful bid for reelection in 2020.
On May 18, Source Music made a sudden announcement of GFRIEND's contract termination with them. One day before, girl group member Yuju posted a picture on Weverse, which has now become a hot topic among fans.

Find out more in the article!

Yuju's Weverse Post Made One Day before Source Music's Announcement of GFRIEND's Departure is Garnering Attention

On May 18, reports stated that GFRIEND might disband due to having conflicts in contract renewals. Source Music later announced that all six members of the girl group will not be renewing their contract with the agency.

While the company said that the members - Eunha, Sowon, Yerin, SinB, Yuju, and Umji - will be going their separate ways, they didn't specify whether GFRIEND would disband or not.

Some K-pop groups left their agency but remain as a team although the members are signed with different labels. Among them are Girls' Generation, GOT7, EXID, Girl's Day, and T-ara.

After Source Music's sudden announcement, GFRIEND's fans are left in a state of distress and confusion. In addition, they are now flocking to Yuju's post on Weverse, which was made on May 17, the day before the shocking news.

GFRIEND Yuju's post, which was considered to be just a normal post at first, is now seen as a more meaningful post among fans as it appears to be a hint at the girl group's departure from Source Music.

ALSO READ: Source Music Confirms GFRIEND Departure from Company

On Weverse, Yuju shared a photo showing a page of an old diary. The content was written one day before she made her debut in GFRIEND in January 2015.

On Jan. 15, 2015, she wrote in her diary, "Debut D-1, tomorrow I will make my debut on Music Bank. Our first album, "Season of Glass," was released today, and a lot of content such as music video and shooting site were revealed. Just believe. If it's bad, it's bad. If it's good, it's good. I will continue to do my part faithfully and focus on the moment."

The Weverse post is reminiscent of the time of GFRIEND Yuju making her debut under Source Music. The idol seems to be remembering the first day she officially became an artist of the company, and now she will be leaving the agency along with her bandmates after six years.

What can you say about GFRIEND members leaving Source Music? Share your thoughts below!

GFRIEND Yuju's OSTs in 2020-21 under Source Music

Last year, GFRIEND Yuju was chosen to sing several original soundtracks for different dramas. In March, she released "This Way That Way" as an OST for "Yoobyeolna! Chef Moon," also called "Eccentric! Chef Moon."

YOU MIGHT ALSO LIKE: Source Music Revealed to Have Trademarked 'GFRIEND' + Scheduled Content Deleted

In July, she recorded a song titled "First Day" for "Was It Love?" Then, in August, Yuju collaborated with ISHXRK to sing "Secret" for the science-fiction television show "Alice."

In December, GFRIEND member Yuju sang "I'm in the Mood for Dancing" for the popular television series "True Beauty." And this past January, she released "Falling" for "Run On."

Meanwhile, GFRIEND's latest release under Source Music is their third studio album "Walpurgis Night," featuring the title track "Mago."

For more news updates about other K-Pop news, always keep your tabs open here at Kpopstarz.

Owned by Kpopstarz.

Written by Mhaliya Scott
Nearly 1,500 Products Competed for Top Specialty Food Association Awards

BIGFORK, Mont. and POLSON, Mont., May 19, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Tabletree Cherry Juice has won the silver award in the Juices and Beverages category as part of the Specialty Food Association's (SFA) 2021 sofi Awards, a top honor in the $158 billion specialty food industry.

TABLETREE CHERRY JUICE was one of 130 winners selected from nearly 1,500 entries across 49 product categories. Products are judged in an anonymous sampling for taste - including flavor, appearance, texture and aroma - ingredient quality, and innovation. The sofi judging was held at the prestigious Rutgers Food Innovation Center in April following strict safety guidelines.

"We are so excited that Tabletree Cherry Juice has won this award. Winning a sofi award and being recognized by the industry for our commitment to quality and flavor is a huge honor. The sofi Award is the ultimate stamp of approval and we are so proud to claim the silver this year."

The sofi Awards competition is open annually to members of the Specialty Food Association. The Awards have been given each year since 1972. They recognize extraordinary specialty food and beverage products and the people who create them.

About Tabletree Montana:

Tabletree was founded in 2010 in Canada by Gary and Susan Snow who moved from Canada back home to the shores of Flathead Lake Montana in 2015 at the invitation of the Flathead Lake Cherry Growers Association and founded Tabletree Montana. Tabletree also won "Best in Show" at the Made in Montana show in 2020, "Best Pure Juice" at the World Juice Conference in Barcelona, Spain in 2012 and "Best New Juice or Nectar" for their apple juice in 2013 in Cologne, Germany . Tabletree has also won innovation awards for their equipment and product recognition awards in British Columbia, Canada. We are located in Bigfork/Polson, Montana and the company's philosophy is "it isn't just about us." We strive to do what will benefit not only us, but our consumers, our growers and our employees as well. Using Flathead Lake cherries, a touch of honey and a dash of cinnamon as the natural preservatives, Tabletree uses their proprietary equipment that they developed to bring their quality products to consumers. The company strives to make healthy nutritious products. Tabletree has new products coming out this year made from their award-winning juice that promises to be as delightful as their cherry juice. More information can be found at www.tabletreejuice.com

About the Specialty Food Association:

The Specialty Food Association (SFA), is the leading trade association and source of information about the $158.4 billion specialty food industry. Founded in 1952 in New York City, the SFA represents makers, importers, retailers, distributors, and others in the trade. The SFA is known for its Fancy Food Shows; the sofi Awards, which honor excellence in specialty food and beverage; Trendspotter Panel Show reports and annual predictions; the State of the Specialty Food Industry Report; the Product Marketplace database, featuring specialty foods and beverages in 161 categories and sub-categories; Infinite Aisle, a new ecommerce marketplace that enables SFA Members to make buyer-maker connections and sales year-round; and Specialty Food LIVE!, a digital marketplace experience.

Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1514110/Tabletree_Montana_Cherry_Juice.jpg
A Welsh tenant farming family say they fear for their future due to 'eye watering costs' needed to comply with new controversial water pollution rules.

Bryan and Susan Jones, along with their son Andrew, farm at Coedyparc, Caersws, Powys, a 105-acre all grassland farm which is home to a 85 strong closed dairy herd.

According to the family, their landlord is unwilling to foot the bill for the costly capital works required to be compliant with the new regulations.

The banks are also not lending money for works carried out on tenant farms, the Jones' say.

Starting from 1 April, a nitrate vulnerable zone (NVZ) designation was gradually introduced across the whole of Wales.

Agricultural pollution incidents 'remain very high', according to the Welsh government, averaging over three per week in the last three years.

But farming groups such as NFU Cymru have slammed the 'heavy and disproportionate' rules for 'punishing' the whole farming industry.

The Jones', who have been farming at Coedyparc since 1973 on a lifetime tenancy agreement, now warn that the new regulations could spell the end of their livelihoods.

Bryan Jones said: "We have never had a pollution incident here. NRW [Natural Resource Wales] through their own assessment have confirmed that there is no pollution here.

"But we still need to comply with these new regulations and carry out works at eye watering costs which will be in the region of 70,000. Who is going to pay for that?"

He explained that the landlord had 'refused' and the bank wouldn't lend them the money to carry out work on a property they didn't own.

"Im at my wits end and fear that in three years time this could very well be the end of our farming life here," he said.

Mr Jones said he had no objection to a polluter pays policy, but the new rules could 'cripple' the industry if nothing was changed.

He called on the Welsh government to consider the financial implications of the new rules on small farm businesses and tenant farmers 'as a matter of urgency'.

Mrs Jones added that she was worried for those family farms who were not in a financial position to comply.

Our family farms are the beating heart of our rural communities... Losing farms and losing cattle from the area will have far reaching consequences," she said.

"The direction these policies are going is a direct threat to our way of life, the rural economy and the safe, reliable and sustainable food supply.

"We are in an impossible situation and Im worried about the future of our industry and the next generation of farmers, especially where tenant farmers are concerned."
Most tenant farmers hold concerns over accessibility to future agri-environment schemes, according to a survey by the Tenant Farmers' Association.

Around 200 tenants and other producers who do not own the land they farm, including those using rights on common land, responded to the body's new survey.

It showed that the principal concern regarding new schemes developed through the Environmental Land Management (ELM) model is accessibility.

This will see farmers paid for work that enhances the environment, such as tree or hedge planting, river management to mitigate flooding, or creating habitats.

Moving away from a system that pays farmers for the total amount of land farmed, the scheme will instead pay for public goods.

But in many cases, tenants are not allowed to enter schemes for the improvement of the environment without their landlords consent.

Many farm tenants in England and Wales operate under Farm Business Tenancies (FBTs), characterised both by very short lengths of term and restrictive clauses.

Because of this, tenant farmers are 'concerned' that Defra does not 'fully understand or appreciate' the diversity of land management models that exists within UK agriculture, the TFA said.

The group's farm policy adviser, Lynette Steel said: "It is vital that the development of new schemes ensures that payments are made only to those taking the entrepreneurial risk for the activities taking place on land in schemes."

The results of the survey also showed that only 8% of respondents had submitted an Expression of Interest for the Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI) pilot.

A further quarter stated that they were interested in SFI but required more information prior to committing to the scheme.

Ms Steel said the low uptake from tenant farmers was 'concerning' as the pilot may not be able to fully test out the implications of the scheme for the tenanted sector.

"The TFA is also waiting for Defra to confirm the makeup, by land occupation, of those who have submitted an expression of interest for the SFI pilot.

"It will be vital to ensure the pilot is tested thoroughly for all holding types, she added.

The TFA's agri-environment survey captured the opinions of approximately 200 farmers, 90% of whom were reliant wholly or predominantly on tenanted land.
The Welsh farming minister has warned the government that any UK trade deal with Australia must not disadvantage farmers in Wales.

A recent report in Financial Times claimed UK ministers were negotiating zero tariff market access for agri products in the UK-Australia free trade talks.

The news led the UK Farming Roundtable, consisting of 19 farming industry bodies, to issue a statement urging government to uphold British farmers' high standards.

Now Wales' farming minister Lesley Griffiths has warned that Welsh agriculture could be 'harmed' if the government goes ahead with zero tariff market access.

"No trade agreement should ever undermine that or our domestic legislation and the Welsh government has consistently made this point to the UK government," she said.

"We are proud of the high food safety standards we have here in Wales, including standards around animal health and welfare, traceability, environment and food safety."

Wales' economy minister, Vaughan Gething has also raised concern, saying the nation's farmers played a 'crucial role' in producing food and protecting the environment.

"We have been very clear with the UK government that any new trade deals must not cause an un-level playing field, by giving food importers with lower standards an economic advantage in our market compared to our own producers.

The current and recent Conservative governments have repeatedly issued commitments to safeguard the country's own standards and to not undercut UK farmers.

In the Queen's Speech earlier this month, it pledged to promote the 'highest standards of animal welfare'.

But the UK Farming Roundtable had warned that government must also recognise the 'specific sensitivities' of some UK farming sectors, such as beef and sheep, in the current negotiations.

Following a meeting of the roundtable on Monday 17 May, NFU President Minette Batters said agriculture was 'almost always the last chapter to be finalised' in any trade deal.

"We know that if were to open up the opportunities of new markets overseas for UK farmers, we will have to offer greater access to our own markets in return," she said.

However, this trade-off needs to be balanced, and we need to make sure concessions to our hugely valuable home market are not given away lightly.

"There is a very real risk that, if we get it wrong, UK farming will suffer irreversible damage rather than flourish in the way we all desire."

During this year's virtual Oxford Farming Conference, the devolved governments' farming ministers voiced concerns about possible imports of sub-standard food.

They expressed fears that the UK's high food and farming standards could be traded away to secure trade deals with countries like the US and Australia.

"We are very concerned that cheap imported food post-Brexit may threaten British farming," said Fergus Ewing, Cabinet Secretary for Rural Economy in Scotland.

"We argued for legal protections against that, protections that were refused by the UK government.

"With the resurgence of tariffs, leaving production to market forces, as we believe the UK Treasury seems intent on doing, seems to us to be a dangerous strategy."
The Fauquier Times is honored to serve as your community companion. To say thank you, we are excited to offer 4 weeks FREE Digital & Print access to all subscribers new and returning alike.

We are dedicated to continuing providing reliable, high quality journalism. This is possible with the trust and support of our subscribers in the community we are proud to serve.
Category Select Category Apparel/Garments Textiles Fashion Technical Textiles Information Technology E-commerce Retail Corporate Association Press Release

SubCategory Select Sub-Category
SHINee Taemin's comeback album "Advice" is receiving hot responses from fans around the world. "Advice" dominated various music charts both in his home country and overseas, including iTunes Chart, Hanteo Chart, and more.

SHINee Taemin Tops iTunes Charts with Comeback Album "Advice"

On May 18 at 6:00 p.m. KST, Taemin made his final comeback before military enlistment with his third mini-album "Advice." The album quickly rose to the first spot on iTunes charts in different countries around the world.

As of press time, SHINee Taemin's "Advice" has ranked first on iTunes Top Albums charts in 42 countries, including France, Canada, Brazil, Argentina, Norway, Lithuania, Russia, Sweden, Mexico, Finland, Ecuador, India, the Philippines, and more.

Topping more than 40 iTunes Charts is a new record for SHINee Taemin.

Moreover, Taemin's comeback album reached the No. 1 spot on the Worldwide iTunes Top Album Chart. It is his third album to achieve this milestone after "Never Gonna Dance Again Act 1" and "Never Gonna Dance Again Act 2."

Taemin's "Advice" then took second place on both iTunes Top 100 Albums Chart and iTunes Top New Album May 2021.

Meanwhile, the album's title track, also titled "Advice," debuted on the Worldwide iTunes Top Song Chart, securing the No. 5 position. This is Taemin's highest peak on the chart, so far.

As of writing, "Advice" sits at No. 1 on iTunes Top Songs Chart in Colombia, Peru, Lithuania, Oman, Saudi Arabia, and Sri Lanka.

SHINee Taemin's "Advice" also charted at No. 63 on iTunes Top 100 Songs Chart, and No. 1 on iTunes Top 100 K-pop Songs. The latter chart ranks the bestselling hit songs by Korean artists in the United States.

SHINee Taemin's Comeback Album "Advice" Ranks No. 1 on Domestic and International Music Charts

In addition to iTunes Chart, Taemin's "Advice" landed on more music charts in South Korea and abroad.

In Korea, SHINee Taemin's comeback album topped the daily Hanteo Chart. A total of 64,281 copies were sold on the day "Advice" was released.

While "Advice" is the No. 1 bestselling on May 18, it is also Taemin's new highest first-day sales record on Hanteo Chart. The album surpassed "Never Gonna Dance Again Act 2," which only sold 57,190 copies on the first day.

The album's title track "Advice" entered other Korean music charts. SHINee Taemin's comeback song debuted at No. 3 on Bugs and No. 4 on Genie. The track then rocketed to No. 1 on Genie and VIBE.

Aside from "Advice," other songs from Taemin's new album were charting in the top 10 on Bugs after release. The song also debuted on MelOn's old real-time chart, taking the No. 38 spot.

As of the international music charts, SHINee Taemin's "Advice" entered at No. 25 on Japan's Line Music's Top 100 chart. It later peaked at No. 1 on the list.

Taemin's comeback song has also reigned as No. 1 on the daily digital album sales chart of QQ Music, China's popular music platform.

Congratulations to SHINee Taemin on the success of his latest comeback with his "Advice" album!

For more news updates about other K-Pop news, always keep your tabs open here at Kpopstarz.

Owned by Kpopstarz.

Written by Mhaliya Scott
MONTREAL, QC / ACCESSWIRE / May 18, 2021 / Quebec Precious Metals Corporation (TSXV:QPM)(FSE:YXEP)(OTCQB:CJCFF) ("QPM" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that, in connection with its previously announced "best efforts" private placement financing (the "Placement"), the Company closed an additional and final tranche of the oversubscribed Placement for an amount of $22,000 consisting of 100,000 common shares of the Company (the "Common Shares") at a price of $0.22 per share.

In total, including the first tranche which closed on May 3, 2021 and the second tranche of the Placement, the Company has issued 14,774,543 Common Shares for gross proceeds of $3,250,399,

Finders fees totalling $1,760 have been paid to third parties dealing at arm's length with QPM.

In addition, the finders received 8,000 non-transferable compensation warrants, with each such warrant being exercisable at a price of $0.30 per common share of the Company for a period of 24 months from the closing of the second tranche of Placement.

The Common Shares are subject to a four-month "hold period" commencing on the closing date pursuant to National Instrument 45-102 - Resale of Securities and Regulation 45-102 respecting Resale of Securities (Quebec) and the certificates or DRS advices representing such securities will bear a legend to that effect.

The net proceeds from the sale of the Common Shares will be used for exploration expenditures as well as for general corporate and working capital purposes.

The Placement is subject to the acceptance of the TSX Venture Exchange.

About Quebec Precious Metals Corporation

QPM is a gold explorer with a large land position in the highly-prospective Eeyou Istchee James Bay territory, Quebec, near Newmont Corporation's Eleonore gold mine. QPM's flagship project is the Sakami project with significant grades and well-defined drill-ready targets. QPM's goal is to rapidly explore the project to advance it to the mineral resource estimate stage.

For more information please contact:

Jean-Francois Meilleur

President

Tel.: 514 951-2730

jfmeilleur@qpmcorp.ca

Normand Champigny

Chief Executive Officer

Tel.: 514 979-4746

nchampigny@qpmcorp.ca

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

SOURCE: Quebec Precious Metals Corporation

View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/648091/Quebec-Precious-Metals-Corporation-closes-additional-tranche-of-oversubscribed-3250000-private-placement








Ireland, May 19, 2021 - (ACN Newswire) - Cryptocurrency use is growing exponentially, and governments may want to consider the benefits. Why are blockchain and cryptocurrency so popular right now? Why have business whales and finance execs invested large cash reserves into cryptocurrency? They hope to benefit from this colossal opportunity. Visual Capitalist, in an April 2021 article, remarks that Bitcoin, compared to other tech companies, is the fastest asset to reach a $1 Trillion market cap.In March of 2020, Bitcoin's price was coming in at around $3K. As of May 11, 2021, Bitcoin was $56,551.44. Per coin. And Bitcoin is only one of over 4,000 cryptocurrencies according to Investopedia in a January 2021 article. This growing trend presents a new challenge for governments.Cryptocurrency sits on top of a technology called blockchain. Blockchain is a database network that supports the transfer of value in a digital format. It is an independent system not owned by any institution, individual, bank, or entity, (read, government). As more cash moves into this crypto arena, governments will lose visibility and control of their national currency. How will that affect them?The Government Blockchain Association, (GBA)'s Tax Working Group has written a Whitepaper entitled, 'The Impact of Cryptocurrency Adoption on Government'. This 138-page document is the result of a full year's worth of research and analysis, done by a team of authors with expertise in tax risk analysis, data, research analytics, cryptocurrency, digital assets, business, and blockchain. This report was not financed by any major corporation or interest group. The authors were all volunteers and were not influenced by a sponsor's desired outcome. This paper was written to find an answer to a question.How will this monumental transfer of fiat money into cryptocurrency affect governments and their citizens? Be assured, it will affect them, and the governments that understand this change can better prepare for what is coming.The Impact of Cryptocurrency Adoption on Government whitepaper is available for download purchase.About The Government Blockchain Association GBAThe Government Blockchain Association GBA is a non-profit business association with chapters in 120 cities around the world and over 50 Working Groups, where the public and private sectors can connect, communicate, and collaborate.Source: Plato Data Intelligence.Source: GBACopyright 2021 ACN Newswire . All rights reserved.
Richmond Hill, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - May 18, 2021) - Notox Technologies Corp. (OTC: NTOX) ("Notox" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that it has retained RQM+, a global consulting agency with U.S. headquarters, to assist Notox with the Company's regulatory strategy and filing needs. Through an agreement with RQM+, Notox will be able to gain direct access to more than 400 subject matter experts including former regulators, engineers, PhD medical writers, and biotech experts with the ability to assist in product development and filing for regulatory approvals.

On May 10, 2021, Notox and RQM+ entered into a legally binding consulting agreement for an initial term of 12 months, renewable annually thereafter, and are in the process of preparing for a launch that is expected to occur no later than May 24, 2021. Pursuant to the agreement, RQM+ will bill Notox on a monthly basis for services provided in accordance with hourly rates agreed upon between the parties.

Notwithstanding the devastating impact of COVID-19 on the world, over the past two years the Company has continued to develop its patented Notox aesthetic and drug-free pain management platform. The intellectual property was originally developed by Dr. Frank Papay, MD FACS Chairman Dermatology and Plastic Surgery Institute, Cleveland Clinic, and is owned by The Cleveland Clinic Foundation.

"We have been in frequent contact with RQM+ since we were originally introduced to some of its key people by Cleveland Clinic Innovations in late 2019," commented Zoran Konevic, the Company's Chief Executive Officer. "RQM+ has deep knowledge and a stellar reputation in the world of biotech and we could not be more excited to work with them at this important stage of Notox's development. Finding the right group to lead us through this phase of the process is paramount for all our stakeholders."

"Teaming up with RQM+ and having daily access to internal and external resources and experts in the regulatory and quality engineering aspects of design, development, testing and commercialization, should provide our shareholders with comfort that a USFDA filing is imminent," continued Mr. Konevic.

About Notox Technologies Corp.

Notox Technologies Corp. (OTC: NTOX) is in the business of developing and commercializing innovative technologies primarily through its wholly owned Nevada subsidiary Notox Bioscience Inc. The Company is seeking to build its distribution capabilities for medical and aesthetic products around the world, and to market a credible, non-toxic alternative to Botox and subsequently develop other features of its Notox technology such as drug-free pain management, body countering, skin tightening and anti-perspiration.

About RQM+

RQM+ is the world's leading medical device and diagnostics focused regulatory and quality consulting firm. They deliver transformative solutions by providing an unrivaled collective expertise, fueled by passion for client success. RQM+ experts are collaborative, laser-focused on client needs, and committed to delivering high value solutions that exceed expectations. For more information, visit RQMplus.com.

For more information, please contact:

John Marmora - CFO

1-519-421-1900

info@hellonotox.com

Lisa Casavant - RQM+ Executive Vice President

1-412-816-8102

lcasavant@rqmplus.com

Safe Harbor Statement and Forward-Looking Statements

This news release may contain forward-looking statements that involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the Company's actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements reflect the Company's current views with respect to future events and are based on assumptions and subject to risks and uncertainties. Given these uncertainties, investors should not place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements. Such statements may include, but are not limited to, information related to: anticipated operating results; relationships with customers and strategic partners; consumer demand; financial resources and condition; the ability to list any securities for trading on a recognized exchange; changes in revenues; changes in profitability; changes in accounting treatment; changes in management; cost of sales; selling, general and administrative expenses; interest expense; the ability to produce the liquidity or enter into agreements to acquire the capital necessary to continue operations and take advantage of opportunities; and legal proceedings and claims. Except as required by law, the Company assumes no obligation to update any forward-looking statements publicly, or to update the reasons actual results could differ materially from those anticipated in any forward-looking statements, even if new information becomes available in the future.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/84494






Mr. Sean Xiang, Founder of Hermitage Capital and Mr. Henry Zhang, President of Hermitage Capital





HONG KONG, May 19, 2021 - (ACN Newswire) - On May 18, Hermitage Capital announced that former J.P. Morgan investment banker Henry Zhang will be joining as the firm's President and Managing Partner.Henry Zhang has over a decade of investment banking experience and held various senior positions at bulge bracket investment banks including Executive Director of Investment Banking Division at J.P. Morgan, responsible for investment banking in China's transportation, logistics and enterprise technology sectors; Vice President and Operating Officer of China Investment Banking at Morgan Stanley; and Associate Director of Asia-Pacific Investment Banking Department at UBS. He has successfully led and participated in over 60 transactions with aggregate transaction value of over USD60 billion. Some of his landmark transactions include Meituan Dianping's USD4.2 billion Hong Kong IPO (the world's largest community e-commerce IPO ever), ZTO Express's USD1.4 billion U.S. IPO (the biggest U.S. IPO in 2016), and BOC Aviation's USD1.1 billion Hong Kong IPO (the world's biggest leasing IPO ever), and the RMB43.3 billion backdoor listing of S.F. Holding.Moreover, Henry Zhang has led many landmark cross-border M&As in China and played a key role in the important negotiations. Some of the selected transactions include the acquisition of 49% stake of 10 global ports under the CMA CGM on behalf of China Merchants Port, the acquisition of 51.8% stake of Kerry Logistics on behalf of S.F. Holding, the acquisition of Toulouse Airport in France on behalf of Shandong Expressway and FPI, the sale of Istanbul Kumport (Turkey's third largest port) to a Chinese consortium comprised of China Merchants Group, COSCO and China Investment Corporation, the sale of a minority stake in Autostrade per l'Italia (Italy's largest expressway operator) to Silk Road Fund.Sean Xiang, Founder, Chairman and CEO of Hermitage Capital stated, "Henry Zhang has over a decade of experience in China and global capital markets. We believe that with his unique industry insights and outstanding deal sourcing capability, he will play a key role in developing Hermitage Capital into a leading private equity fund in Asia. I am very much looking forward to working with Mr. Zhang closely to continue investing in the leading enterprises in China's New Economy sectors, and to create excellent returns for our LPs."Henry Zhang said: "Since its establishment in 2017, Hermitage Capital has become one of the fastest-growing private equity firms in Asia. The partners at Hermitage Capital all came from top-tier global financial institutions. I am thrilled to join this platform and looking forward to working with the best talent in the industry. "About Hermitage CapitalEstablished in 2017, Hermitage Capital focuses on investing in the leading enterprises in China's New Economy sectors and has become one of the fastest-growing investment groups in Asia. It is headquartered in Hong Kong with an office in Shanghai. It has invested in 20 well-known private equity deals and the assets under management have exceeded USD1 billion. Four of its portfolio companies, namely Tencent Music (TME.US), Lufax (LU.US), 360 DigiTech (QFIN.US) and PINGAN OneConnect (OCFT.US) have been listed in the U.S. In addition it expects to have another five portfolio companies, including Ximalaya Inc. and WeDoctor Group, to be listed in Hong Kong or the U.S. by the end of 2021. Some of its other portfolio companies include Airwallex, Sensetime, Horizon Robotics, Medlinker, Ping An HealthKonnect, Haodf.com and VoxelCloud.Source: Hermitage CapitalCopyright 2021 ACN Newswire . All rights reserved.
- AGEL has signed definitive agreements for 100% acquisition of SB Energy Holdings Limited ("SB Energy India")

- Projects are contracted to sell power under 25 years PPAs with sovereign rated counterparties

- The transaction is for a fully completed enterprise valuation of approximately USD 3.5 billion (~Rs. 26,000 Cr.)

- This transformational acquisition will enable AGEL to reach renewable portfolio of 25 GW four years ahead of the target

AHMEDABAD, India, May 19, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Adani Green Energy Limited (AGEL), today signed share purchase agreements for the acquisition of 100% interest in SB Energy India from SBG (80%) and Bharti Group (20%). SB Energy India has a total renewable portfolio of 4,954 MW spread across four states in India. The transaction marks the largest acquisition in the renewable energy sector in India. The transaction values SB Energy India at an enterprise valuation of approximately USD 3.5 billion.

The target portfolio consists large scale utility assets with 84% solar capacity (4,180 MW), 9% wind-solar hybrid capacity (450 MW) and 7% wind capacity (324 MW). The portfolio comprises of 1,400 MW operational solar power capacity and a further 3,554 MW is under construction. All projects have 25 year PPAs with sovereign rated counterparties such as Solar Energy Corporation of India Ltd. (SECI), NTPC Limited and NHPC Limited. The operating assets forming part of the portfolio are primarily solar park based projects and have been built following best in class governance, project development, construction, and operations and maintenance practices, resulting in this being one of the highest quality renewable portfolios in the country.

With this acquisition, AGEL will achieve total renewable capacity of 24.3 GW 1 and operating renewable capacity of 4.9 GW. This acquisition demonstrates AGEL's intent to be the leader in sustainable energy transition globally and makes it one of the largest renewable energy platforms in the world. The closing of the transaction is subject to customary approvals and conditions.

Mr. Gautam Adani, Chairman, Adani Group, said: "This acquisition is another step towards the vision we stated in January 2020, wherein we laid out our plans to become the world's largest solar player by 2025 and thereafter the world's largest renewable company by 2030. India, without any doubt, has been one of the few nations that has accelerated its global commitment towards climate change and we intend to do our part to execute on the promises made. The renewable energy platform that we are building will lay the foundation for attracting several other global industries that are increasingly looking to reduce their carbon footprint (as well as lay the foundation for opening up adjacent platforms that include Hydrogen and Storage). We are well on our way to achieve our stated solar portfolio targets four years before the deadline we set for ourselves. The quality of assets that SoftBank and the Bharti Group have built are excellent and I compliment their efforts to support India's renewable energy transition. We are proud to take their legacy forward."

Mr. Masayoshi Son, Representative Director, Corporate Officer, Chairman & CEO of SoftBank Group Corp., said: "We established SB Energy India in 2015 with the goal of creating a market-leading clean energy company to help fuel India's growth with clean and renewable sources of energy. We are immensely proud of all that we have accomplished. As SBG continues our transition to a global investment holding company focused on accelerating the deployment of artificial intelligence, we believe now is the right time to bring in the Adani Group to help drive the next phase of SB Energy India's growth."

Mr. Sunil Bharti Mittal, Chairman, Bharti Enterprises, said: "I am delighted that SB Energy has found a good home to carry on its pioneering journey of building a foremost renewable energy company in India. Adani Group has an outstanding track record of building a green energy powerhouse which will get further acceleration with the combination of SB Energy into its fold. I am glad that Bharti could play a constructive role in partnership with SoftBank."

About Adani Green Energy Limited

Adani Green Energy Limited ("AGEL"), a part of India-based Adani Group, has one of the largest global renewable portfolios with 19.3 GW of operating, under-construction and awarded projects, and locked-in growth projects catering to investment-grade counterparties. The company develops, builds, owns, operates and maintains utility-scale grid-connected solar and wind farm projects. Key customers of AGEL include the National Thermal Power Corporation ("NTPC"), Solar Energy Corporation of India ("SECI") and various state discoms. Mercom Capital, the US-based think tank has ranked the Adani Group as the #1 global solar power generation asset owner.

(1) The capacity includes 4,500 MW of solar power capacity for which letter of award is awaited

For more information, please visit www.adanigreenenergy.com

For Media inquiries:Roy Paul; roy.paul@adani.com

About SoftBank Group

The SoftBank Group invests in breakthrough technology to improve the quality of life for people around the world. The SoftBank Group is comprised of SoftBank Group Corp. (TOKYO: 9984), an investment holding company that includes stakes in telecommunications, internet services, AI, smart robotics, IoT and clean energy technology providers; the SoftBank Vision Funds, which are investing more than US$100 billion to help extraordinary entrepreneurs transform industries and shape new ones; the US$5 billion SoftBank Latin America Fund, the largest venture fund in that region, and the SB Opportunity Fund, a US$100 million fund dedicated to investing in enterprises founded by entrepreneurs of color in the U.S. To learn more, please visit https://global.softbank

About Bharti Enterprises

Bharti Enterprises is one of India's leading business groups with diversified interests in telecom, space, financial services, real estate, hospitality, agri and food. Bharti has been a pioneering force in the Indian telecom sector with many firsts and innovations to its credit. Bharti Airtel, the group's flagship company, is a leading global telecommunications company with operations in 18 countries across Asia and Africa. Airtel ranks amongst the top three mobile service providers globally in terms of subscribers. Bharti has JVs with several world leaders: SingTel, SoftBank & AXA amongst others. Bharti in partnership with the UK Government recently acquired OneWeb - a Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellite constellation to provide high-speed, low-latency broadband connectivity. Through its strategic investments, Bharti also has presence in Mobile Internet and Renewables. Bharti Foundation, the group's philanthropic arm, operates nearly 200 Satya Bharti Schools and supports over 800 government schools to ensure holistic education for over 275,000 underprivileged children in rural India.

For more information, please visit https://www.bharti.com

Contacts:

Roy Paul

roy.paul@adani.com

Photo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1513579/SB_Energy_Solar_Plant.jpg

Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1459130/Adani_Renewables_Logo.jpg
Interim Management Statement for the first four months of 2021*

Solid gross margin development - Further improvement in cost efficiency - Strong growth in client assets - Capital position further strengthened

Zurich, 19 May 2021 -Julius Baer's profitability rose significantly in the first four months of 2021 on the back of strong growth in client assets and a solid gross margin development. These positive effects were complemented by the absence of credit losses and a further improvement in cost efficiency. While the new share buy-back programme was launched at the start of March 2021, Julius Baer's robust capital position strengthened further. The Group remains on track to deliver on the targets of the three-year revenue and cost-improvement plan started last year.

Strong growth in assets under management

Assets under management (AuM) rose to CHF 470 billion at the end of April 2021, a year-to-date increase of 8%. The increase was driven by continued net new money inflows (4% annualised), positive stock market performance, and the softening of the Swiss franc - particularly against the US dollar, euro, and British pound.

Solid gross margin development

A supportive market environment and dynamic client engagement underpinned activity-driven income, as reflected in brokerage commissions and net income from financial instruments. In combination with a modestly higher contribution from recurring fee income, a marginally lower contribution from net interest income (as growth in credit lagged the growth in AuM), and no net credit impairment losses, this led to a gross margin of close to 90 basis points (bp), up from 84 bp in the second half of 2020.

While client activity remained elevated throughout the first quarter, it slowed down to more subdued levels in April.

Further improvement in cost efficiency

The expense development in the first four months of 2021 benefitted from the effects of the measures taken last year under the CHF 200 million gross cost-reduction programme announced in February 2020. Together with the concurrent robust revenue development, this resulted in an adjusted cost/income ratio of around 60% (improved from 66% in the second half of 2020) and an adjusted pre-tax margin of 36 bp (up from 24 bp in the second half of 2020).

Capital position further strengthened

At the end of April 2021, the Group's BIS CET1 capital ratio had risen to 16.6% (end 2020: 14.9%) and the BIS total capital ratio to 22.7% (end 2020: 21.0%), thus well above the Group's own floors of 11% and 15% respectively, and significantly in excess of the regulatory requirements of 7.9% and 12.1% respectively.

On 2 March 2021, Julius Baer launched a new 12-month programme to buy back up to CHF 450 million purchase value of Julius Baer Group Ltd. shares. By the end of April, a total of 1,188,000 shares had been repurchased at an aggregate cost of CHF 70 million.

Contacts

Media Relations, tel. +41 (0) 58 888 8888

Investor Relations, tel. +41 (0) 58 888 5256

Important dates

21 July 2021: Publication and presentation of 2021 half-year results, Zurich

22 November 2021: Publication of Interim Management Statement for first ten months of 2021

* Based on unaudited management accounts. This media release contains certain financial measures that are not defined or specified by IFRS, the definitions of which are provided in the Alternative Performance Measures document available at www.juliusbaer.com/APM.

About Julius Baer

Julius Baer is the leading Swiss wealth management group and a premium brand in this global sector, with a focus on servicing and advising sophisticated private clients. At the end of April 2021, assets under management amounted to CHF 470 billion. Bank Julius Baer & Co. Ltd., the renowned Swiss private bank with origins dating back to 1890, is the principal operating company of Julius Baer Group Ltd., whose shares are listed on the SIX Swiss Exchange (ticker symbol: BAER) and are included in the Swiss Leader Index (SLI), comprising the 30 largest and most liquid Swiss stocks.

Julius Baer is present in over 25 countries and more than 60 locations. Headquartered in Zurich, we have offices in key locations including Dubai, Frankfurt, Geneva, Hong Kong, London, Luxembourg, Mexico City, Milan, Monaco, Montevideo, Moscow, Mumbai, Sao Paulo, Singapore and Tokyo. Our client-centric approach, our objective advice based on the Julius Baer open product platform, our solid financial base and our entrepreneurial management culture make us the international reference in wealth management.

For more information, visit our website at www.juliusbaer.com

Cautionary statement regarding forward-looking statements

This media release by Julius Baer Group Ltd. ('the Company') includes forward-looking statements that reflect the Company's intentions, beliefs or current expectations and projections about the Company's future results of operations, financial condition, liquidity, performance, prospects, strategies, opportunities and the industries in which it operates. Forward-looking statements involve all matters that are not historical facts. The Company has tried to identify those forward-looking statements by using the words 'may', 'will', 'would', 'should', 'expect', 'intend', 'estimate', 'anticipate', 'project', 'believe', 'seek', 'plan', 'predict', 'continue' and similar expressions. Such statements are made on the basis of assumptions and expectations which, although the Company believes them to be reasonable at this time, may prove to be erroneous.

These forward-looking statements are subject to risks, uncertainties and assumptions and other factors that could cause the Company's actual results of operations, financial condition, liquidity, performance, prospects or opportunities, as well as those of the markets it serves or intends to serve, to differ materially from those expressed in, or suggested by, these forward-looking statements. Important factors that could cause those differences include, but are not limited to: changing business or other market conditions, legislative, fiscal and regulatory developments, general economic conditions in Switzerland, the European Union and elsewhere, and the Company's ability to respond to trends in the financial services industry. Additional factors could cause actual results, performance or achievements to differ materially. In view of these uncertainties, readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements. The Company and its subsidiaries, and their directors, officers, employees and advisors expressly disclaim any obligation or undertaking to release any update of or revisions to any forward-looking statements in this media release and any change in the Company's expectations or any change in events, conditions or circumstances on which these forward-looking statements are based, except as required by applicable law or regulation.
Regulatory News:

GenSight Biologics (Euronext: SIGHT, ISIN: FR0013183985, PEA-PME eligible), a biopharma company focused on developing and commercializing innovative gene therapies for retinal neurodegenerative diseases and central nervous system disorders, today announced that the Company's country leads for three key European markets are in place. Laurence Rodriguez, Robert Schupp and Neil Dugdale have joined the Company as the country leads for France, Germany and the United Kingdom, respectively, marking an important milestone in local preparations to commercialize LUMEVOQ in H1 2022.

LUMEVOQ, the Company's gene therapy for the treatment of Leber Hereditary Optic Neuropathy (LHON) caused by a mutated ND4 mitochondrial gene, is currently under review for marketing authorization in Europe. The European Medicines Agency decision is expected in H1 2022, with the company expecting to achieve UK approval in the same time frame. Early engagement with authorities and payers is critical in markets such as Germany and the UK, where commercial sales can be generated before the reimbursed price is finalized. The French ATU ("Temporary Authorization of Use") process, granted to LUMEVOQ by the ANSM, similarly allows revenues to be generated from product use while the health technology assessment is still underway.

"Our team is delighted to welcome such accomplished individuals, who all combine well-honed operational skills in launching rare disease treatments in our key markets with an abiding passion for making a difference in patients' lives," said Bernard Gilly, Chief Executive Officer of GenSight Biologics. "Their appointments underscore our determination to achieve rapid commercial success for LUMEVOQ."

Laurence Rodriguez joins GenSight with over 30 years' experience in the life sciences industry, including 13 years in the rare diseases business at Sanofi Genzyme, where she held a range of commercial roles such as Marketing Manager, Marketing and Sales Manager and Business Unit Director. As Head of the Rare Diseases Rare Blood Disorders unit at Sanofi Genzyme, she oversaw the successful launch of a number of rare disease products developed or acquired by the company. She holds a Bachelor's degree in Biochemistry and a Master's degree from the Sciences Po, Paris, France, and completed an Organization Leadership Program at the Harvard Business School.

"I am delighted to join such a company as GenSight, which is focused on innovation and patients' unmet needs," said Ms. Rodriguez. "I look forward to driving the achievement of LUMEVOQ milestones as the Country Lead in France

Robert Schupp brings more than 30 years of commercial life sciences experience to GenSight, including success building the commercial organization and rare disease franchise at Celgene in Germany and establishing the ultra-rare disease franchise of Santhera in Germany, Austria and Switzerland. His five years in the General Manager role at Santhera enabled him to build a strong network among LHON stakeholders, marked by successfully achieving reimbursement for Raxone in Germany. In addition to an M.S. in Biology from the University of Cologne and a Ph.D. in Biochemistry from the Technical University of Munich, he completed post-graduate studies in Business Administration (University of Cologne) and Market Access Management (European Business School).

"I am very excited to join the GenSight team and to help bring a true innovation in biomedical therapy to patients losing their sight due to a rare genetic disease," said Dr. Schupp. "With the imminent approval of LUMEVOQ, I am eager to involve and get the support of all stakeholders to secure patients' access to our promising gene therapy."

Neil Dugdale joins GenSight after more than 25 years in a range of commercial leadership roles, most recently as the Vice President of the Northern Europe sub-region and General Manager of the UK and Ireland at Sobi (Swedish Orphan Biovitrum AB). He led the commercial launch of Sobi's treatments for hemophilia in the UK and Ireland and the launch planning for primary hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH) and thrombocytopenia. He holds degrees from the University of Liverpool (B.Sc. [hons]) and the Chartered Institute of Marketing Diploma and recently completed studies in Digital Transformation at the University of Cambridge.

"I am pleased to join GenSight Biologics and honored to lead the UK business," said Mr. Dugdale. "I am extremely excited to be working with the innovative gene therapy developed by GenSight and eager to bring great positive change to patients affected by LHON

About GenSight Biologics

GenSight Biologics S.A. is a clinical-stage biopharma company focused on developing and commercializing innovative gene therapies for retinal neurodegenerative diseases and central nervous system disorders. GenSight Biologics' pipeline leverages two core technology platforms, the Mitochondrial Targeting Sequence (MTS) and optogenetics, to help preserve or restore vision in patients suffering from blinding retinal diseases. GenSight Biologics' lead product candidate, LUMEVOQ (GS010; lenadogene nolparvovec), has been submitted for marketing approval in Europe for the treatment of Leber Hereditary Optic Neuropathy (LHON), a rare mitochondrial disease affecting primarily teens and young adults that leads to irreversible blindness. Using its gene therapy-based approach, GenSight Biologics' product candidates are designed to be administered in a single treatment to each eye by intravitreal injection to offer patients a sustainable functional visual recovery.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210518006202/en/

Contacts:

GenSight Biologics

Chief Financial Officer

Thomas Gidoin

tgidoin@gensight-biologics.com

+33 (0)1 76 21 72 20

LifeSci Advisors

Investor Relations

Guillaume van Renterghem

gvanrenterghem@lifesciadvisors.com

+41 (0)76 735 01 31

RooneyPartners

Media Relations

Jeanene Timberlake

jtimberlake@rooneyco.com

+1 646-770-8858

Orpheon Finance

Retail Investors

James Palmer

j.palmer@orpheonfinance.com

+33 (0)7 60 92 77 74
Regulatory News:

This press release shall not be distributed, directly or indirectly, in the United States of America, Australia, Canada or Japan. This press release does not constitute and cannot be considered to constitute a public offering, an offer for subscription, an offer for sale or a solicitation of interest with a view to making a public offering of securities in any country whatsoever.

FOCUS HOME INTERACTIVE (FR0012419307 ALFOC), a leading European publisher, distributor and developer of video games (the "Company"), announces the strong success of its 70.35 million capital increase with cancellation of preferential subscription rights for the benefit of a category of beneficiaries through the accelerated book building process (the "Offering").

Joh. Berenberg, Gossler Co KG ("Berenberg") and Midcap, a division of TP ICAP EUROPE SA are acting as Global Coordinators (the "Global Coordinators"). EuroLand Corporate is acting as Focus Home Interactive's Counsel.

With a very good dynamic in the construction of the order book, the transaction shows a limited discount of 0.89% compared to the closing price of the Company share on the Euronext Growth Paris multilateral trading facility on 18 May 2021 and represents 19.70% of the Company share capital through the creation of 1,050,000 new shares.

Summary of the rationale behind the Offering

The funds raised will enable Focus Home Interactive to accelerate its development in France and abroad.

In this perspective, the net proceeds of the Offer are intended to provide the Company and its subsidiaries (together the "Group") with additional means to:

Finance its medium and long-term external growth activities, in particular via the acquisition of studios that will enrich the Group's pool of talent.

Continue to upgrade the range of games produced by the Group and invest more in development budgets.

Principal terms and conditions of the Offering

The gross proceeds of the Offer amounted to 70.35 million.

A total of 1,050,000 new ordinary shares, with a nominal value of 1.20 each, were issued to the benefit of categories of beneficiaries, in accordance with Article L. 225-138 of the French Commercial Code and pursuant to the tenth resolution adopted by Combined General Meeting of Shareholders of the Company on 16 April 2021. The order book was very well covered, supported by a strong demand from new and existing international and French institutional investors.

The new shares, representing 19.70% of the Company's share capital, on a non-diluted basis, prior to the completion of the Offer, were issued by decision of the Chairman of the Management Board of the Company pursuant to and within the limits of (i) the subdelegation granted to him by the Management Board on 18 May 2021, (ii) the authorisation of the Company's Supervisory Board granted to the Management Board in the context of the Offer and (iii) the delegation of authority granted by the tenth resolution approved by the Combined General Meeting of Shareholders held on 16 April 2021.

The issue price of the new shares has been set at 67 per share, representing a discount of 0.89% to the volume weighted average of the share prices of the Focus Home Interactive share on the last three trading sessions preceding the date on which the issue price is set (i.e. 14 17 and 18 May 2021), i.e. 67.60.

By way of illustration, a shareholder holding 1% of the share capital of Focus Home Interactive prior to the launch of the Offer who has not subscribed will now hold a stake of 0.84 %.

Following the settlement and delivery, Company's share capital will be increased from 6,395,930.40 to 7,655,930.40, divided into 6,379,942 shares with a nominal value of 1.20 each.

To the best of the Company's knowledge, the breakdown of shareholders before and after the completion of the Offer is as follows

Before completion of the offer After completion of the offer Shareholders Shares % of

capital Voting

rights % of

vote Shares % of

capital Voting

rights % of

vote Neology

Holding 2,387,824 44.8 2,387,824 44.9 2,611,704 40.9 2,611,704 41.0 Focus Ex.CO

employees 145,176 2.7 216,062 4.1 145,176 2.3 216,062 3.4 Focus

Buyback

Program 125,371 2.4 0 0.0 125,371 2.0 0 0.0 Free float 2,671,571 50.1 2,709,801 51.0 3,497,691 54.8 3,535,921 55.6 Total 5,329,942 100.0 5,313,687 100.0 6,379,942 100.0 6,363,687 100.0

Admission to trading of the new shares

The new shares will carry current dividend rights and will be admitted to trading on the Euronext Growth Paris multilateral trading facility under the same ISIN code FR0012419307 ALFOC. They shall be subject to all provisions of the articles of association and shall be equivalent to existing shares upon completion of the capital increase. The settlement and delivery of the new shares and their admission to trading on the Euronext Growth Paris multilateral trading facility are scheduled for 21 May 2021.

The information provided in this press release stems from the placement of the shares as part of an accelerated book building process, which is now complete but remains conditional on settlement and delivery.

Standstill commitment

The Company has signed a lock-up agreement for a period of 90 days from the settlement-delivery date of the Offer, subject to customary exceptions, limiting the Company's ability to issue new shares during this period.

Neology Holding, the historical shareholder, has signed an undertaking to retain the shares held prior to the completion of the Offer and the new shares subscribed for in the context of the Offer for a period of 90 days from the date of settlement-delivery of the Offer, subject to customary exceptions.

Underwriting of the Offering

The Offer is not underwritten. However, the Offer is subject to a placement agreement between the Company and the Global Coordinators.

The placing agreement may be terminated by the Global Coordinators at any time up to (and including) the settlement-delivery date of the Offer on 21 May 2021, subject to certain conditions.

In the event that the Placing Agreement is terminated in accordance with its terms, all orders placed by investors under the Offer will be null and void.

The placement agreement does not constitute a firm underwriting (garantie de bonne fin) within the meaning of Article L. 225-145 of the French Commercial Code.

Prospectus

Pursuant to the provisions of Article 1.4 of Regulation (EU) 2017/1129 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 14 June 2017, the Offer will not give rise to the publication of a Prospectus subject to the approval of the Autorite des Marches Financiers.

About Focus Home Interactive

FOCUS HOME INTERACTIVE is one of the leading European publishers, distributors and developers of video games. Its mission is to support leading French and international studios in the development, production monitoring, marketing, commercialisation and financing of their projects.

Publisher of strong licenses such as The Surge, Vampyr, Snowrunner, or A Plague Tale: Innocence, the Group achieved a turnover of 171 million euros in 2020-21, up 20% on the previous comparable period. FOCUS HOME INTERACTIVE generates 95% of its sales internationally. All financial information about FOCUS HOME INTERACTIVE can be found on www.focus-home.com

Disclaimer

This press release, and the information contained herein, do not constitute an offer to sell or subscribe, or the solicitation of an order to buy or subscribe, FOCUS HOME INTERACTIVE shares in any country.

This press release is an advertisement and not a prospectus within the meaning of Regulation (UE) n2017/1129 of the Parliament and of the Council of 14 June 2017, as amended (the "Prospectus Regulation

In member states of the European Economic Area and in the United Kingdom, this communication and any offer if made subsequently is directed exclusively at persons who are "qualified investors" within the meaning of Article 2(e) of the Prospectus Regulation.

This document is not an offer to sell securities nor the solicitation of an offer to purchase securities in the United States of America. FOCUS HOME INTERACTIVE shares or other securities may not be offered or sold in the United States of America absent registration under the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended, (the Securities Act ) or an exemption from registration, it being specified that the FOCUS HOME INTERACTIVE shares have not been and will not be registered under the Securities Act. FOCUS HOME INTERACTIVE does not intend to register the offer in whole or in part in the United States of America or to make an offer to the public in the United States of America.

With respect to the United Kingdom, the release of this press release is not made by and has not been approved by an authorized person within the meaning of Section 21 (1) of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000. Accordingly, this press release is only being distributed to, and is only directed at persons (i) who are "investment professionals" falling within Article 19(5) of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (Financial Promotion) Order 2005 (as amended, the "Order"), (ii) who are persons falling within Article 49(2)(a) to (d) ("high net worth companies, unincorporated associations, etc.") of the Order, or (iv) who are not in the United Kingdom (all such persons together being referred to as "Relevant Persons"). This document is directed only at Relevant Persons and must not be acted on or relied on by persons who are not Relevant Persons.

This press release provides guidance on the objectives of FOCUS HOME INTERACTIVE and contains prospective statements. This information is not historical data and should not be construed as a guarantee that the facts and data set out will occur. This information is based on data, assumptions and estimates considered reasonable by FOCUS HOME INTERACTIVE. The latter operates in a competitive and rapidly evolving environment. Therefore, FOCUS HOME INTERACTIVE is not in a position to anticipate all risks, uncertainties or other factors likely to affect its activity, their potential impact on its activity, or to what extent the materialization of a risk or combination of risks could have significantly different results from those mentioned in any prospective statements. This information is only given on the date of this press release. FOCUS HOME INTERACTIVE makes no commitment to publish updates to this information or the assumptions on which it is based, with the exception of any legal or regulatory obligation applicable to it.

The distribution of this press release may, in certain countries, be subject to specific regulations. Consequently, persons physically present in these countries and in which the press release is disseminated, published or distributed must inform themselves and comply with these laws and regulations.

No copy of this press release is, and shall be, distributed or sent directly or indirectly to the United States of America, Canada, Japan or Australia.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210518006256/en/

Contacts:

Investors Relations

FTI Consulting

Arnaud de Cheffontaines

Cosme Julien-Madoni

Tel: 33 (0) 1 47 03 68 10

Mail: fhi@fticonsulting.com

Press Relations

FTI Consulting

Remi Salvador

Sophie van Elven

Tel: 33 (0) 1 47 03 68 10

Mail: fhi@fticonsulting.com
LONDON (dpa-AFX) - Dialight plc (DIA.L) issued AGM trading update, and said current trading is in line with management expectations, with orders ahead of expectations. Further, the company noted that its outlook for the year remains unchanged. For the longer term, the company stated that it is 'strongly positioned to return to significant growth as the pandemic eases. The demand for more environmentally friendly lighting products is growing as the focus on net zero continues to gain momentum around the globe.' In addition, the company has mitigated against potential raw material shortages by increasing its inventory. As a result, net debt at 30 April 2021 was 14.4 million compared to 11.4 million at 31 December 2020. Copyright RTT News/dpa-AFX

Werbehinweise: Die Billigung des Basisprospekts durch die BaFin ist nicht als ihre Befurwortung der angebotenen Wertpapiere zu verstehen. Wir empfehlen Interessenten und potenziellen Anlegern den Basisprospekt und die Endgultigen Bedingungen zu lesen, bevor sie eine Anlageentscheidung treffen, um sich moglichst umfassend zu informieren, insbesondere uber die potenziellen Risiken und Chancen des Wertpapiers. Sie sind im Begriff, ein Produkt zu erwerben, das nicht einfach ist und schwer zu verstehen sein kann.
The award recognizes BearingPoint's innovative partner-developed industry cloud solution ETM.next

Management and technology consultancy BearingPoint today announced that it received a 2021 SAP Pinnacle Award in the Partner Application of the Year Industry Cloud category, which recognizes its outstanding contributions as an SAP partner. SAP presents these awards annually to the top partners that have excelled in developing and growing their partnership with SAP and helping customers run better. Winners and finalists in 28 categories were chosen based on recommendations from SAP, customer feedback and performance indicators.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210519005055/en/

"Our partners are key to turning the Intelligent Enterprise into reality," said Christian Klein, CEO of SAP SE. "Despite challenging times, our ecosystem has once again demonstrated its innovation power, dedication and excellence in helping our customers unlock new ways of running their business. Together, we continue to deliver quality solutions, services and experiences, allowing our customers to thrive and succeed with SAP solutions."

ETM.next demonstrates the innovative power of SAP's industry cloud

The award recognizes BearingPoint's partner-developed innovative industry cloud solution ETM.next, available on SAP Store. The award was granted based on the strategic importance of the solution for joint customers in complementing SAP's industry cloud portfolio, as well as BearingPoint's innovative use of SAP Business Technology Platform (SAP BTP).

"Winning this SAP Pinnacle Award for the Partner Application of the Year in the Industry Cloud category is a very important achievement and a strong proof point for how we shape innovation and turn it into products together with industry customers and SAP," said Donald Wachs, globally responsible for SAP on BearingPoint's Management Committee. "ETM.next impressively demonstrates the strength of SAP's industry cloud, through which industry-specific features can be realized by partners as an extension of the SAP core model. I am very proud of the BearingPoint and SAP team and our long-standing history and collaboration. We help customers worldwide to improve and reshape their businesses with our solutions. Especially in the area of innovative software products, BearingPoint will develop more applications for SAP's industry cloud portfolio."

The business application addresses specific process requirements of the industrial project business such as shared resources, performance/outcome-based models, track and trace, field integration, advanced asset planning, safety and compliance, and rental.

To enable companies to become intelligent enterprises, SAP is expanding its vertical solutions with an ecosystem of industry cloud applications. These solutions complement the existing SAP portfolio to extend the value of joint customer investments. These applications leverage SAP Business Technology Platform, with advanced technologies, and are interoperable with SAP Business Network and the intelligent suite. Learn more at SAP Store.

ETM.next is an outstanding example of an industry solution from an SAP partner that meets the requirements of tomorrow's IT architecture as part of the Intelligent Enterprise Model. In addition to being an award-winning industry cloud solution, ETM.next is also available on-premise for SAP ERP Central Component and SAP S/4HANA

SAP Pinnacle Awards shine a spotlight on distinguished partners to acknowledge their dedication to teamwork, exceptional innovation and capacity to help customers achieve their goals. From more than 20,000 partners worldwide, only 21 partners in 2021 were chosen to receive an SAP Pinnacle Award.

For descriptions of ETM.next https://bearingpoint.services/etm and the SAP Pinnacle Awards, visit https://www.sap.com/partner/find/award-winners.html

About BearingPoint

BearingPoint is an independent management and technology consultancy with European roots and a global reach. The company operates in three business units: The first unit covers the advisory business with a clear focus on five key areas to drive growth across all regions. The second unit provides IP-driven managed services beyond SaaS and offers business critical services to its clients supporting their business success. The third unit provides the software for successful digital transformation and regulatory requirements. It is also designed to explore innovative business models with clients and partners by driving the financing and development of start-ups and leveraging ecosystems.

BearingPoint's clients include many of the world's leading companies and organizations. The firm has a global consulting network with more than 10,000 people and supports clients in over 70 countries, engaging with them to achieve measurable and sustainable success.

For more information, please visit:

Homepage: www.bearingpoint.com

LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/bearingpoint

Twitter: @BearingPoint

SAP and other SAP products and services mentioned herein as well as their respective logos are trademarks or registered trademarks of SAP SE in Germany and other countries. Please see https://www.sap.com/copyright for additional trademark information and notices. All other product and service names mentioned are the trademarks of their respective companies.

SAP Forward-looking Statement

Any statements contained in this document that are not historical facts are forward-looking statements as defined in the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Words such as "anticipate," "believe," "estimate," "expect," "forecast," "intend," "may," "plan," "project," "predict," "should" and "will" and similar expressions as they relate to SAP are intended to identify such forward-looking statements. SAP undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements. All forward-looking statements are subject to various risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from expectations. The factors that could affect SAP's future financial results are discussed more fully in SAP's filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC"), including SAP's most recent Annual Report on Form 20-F filed with the SEC. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of their dates.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210519005055/en/

Contacts:

For more information, press only:

Alexander Bock

Global Manager Communications

Telephone: +49 89 540338029

E-Mail: alexander.bock@bearingpoint.com


LONDON (dpa-AFX) - KKR & Co. Inc. (KKR) reached an agreement to buy John Laing Group plc (JLG.L), valuing the company at about 2.0 billion pounds.



As per the terms of the Acquisition, John Laing Shareholder shall be entitled to receive 403 pence in cash for each John Laing Share.



The acquisition price represents an attractive premium of about 35 percent to John Laing's Adjusted Net Asset Value of 299 pence per John Laing Share as at 31 December 2020.



KKR has agreed to partner with Equitix to jointly own John Laing's existing asset portfolio. Immediately following completion of the Acquisition, Equitix will acquire a 50 per cent shareholding in the existing asset portfolio which will continue to be managed by John Laing's management team.



Copyright RTT News/dpa-AFX

KKR & CO-Aktie komplett kostenlos handeln - auf Smartbroker.de
Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - May 19, 2021) - ScreenPro Security Inc. (CSE: SCRN) ("ScreenPro" or the "Company") is pleased to provide an update on film and television industry testing.

For the month of April 2021, the Company received orders for an additional 3 Film & TV productions, 1 in Toronto and 2 in Vancouver. The Company provided services to 22 production companies, 7 in Toronto and 15 in Vancouver, administering approximately 24,000 tests.

The Company continues to have success with the 1copy COVID-19 qPCR Multi Kit, ("1drop") supplied by Datametrex AI Limited (TSXV: DM). The manufacturer, 1drop Inc., has confirmed that the 1drop can identify the new variants of the coronavirus that causes COVID-19, now circulating worldwide which is vital to stem the third wave and the many variants that are spreading locally in Canada.

Entire film and TV production in Canada represent $8.92 billion in production volume, and full-time equivalent jobs represent 179,000 workers. In March 2020, the industry stopped worldwide and in Vancouver which represents 37% of Canadian productions, and the surrounding areas had 46 productions filming which does not include the TV commercial market. Each of the shows would have a minimum of a 100-person film crew. (Source: CreativeBC Film Commision Online - https://www.creativebc.com/about-us/research-and-reports/index Accessed May 18, 2021)

"With feature-length movies,episodic series productions and pilot season quickly ramping up in Toronto and Vancouver, and with multiple mutant variants, we feel that this will continue expanding the COVID-19 screening business for the film and TV industries. We are proud to be able to help the industry and the citizens to create safer working environment with our dedicated team and their capability to deliver in timely fashion to minimize the risk," said Andrew Ryu, CEO of ScreenPro Security.

About ScreenPro

ScreenPro is a Screening and Medical Technology company. ScreenPro provides turnkey screening solutions with alerting software, GoStop. ScreenPro's unique access to multiple manufacturers of high quality test kits and its strategic partnership with Labs in Vancouver and Ontario allows ScreenPro to be a nationwide provider of a full-service testing solutions across Canada. In addition, ScreenPro has its own nursing professionals, and access to high quality PPEs to ensure that its clients are protected in all aspects of their testing needs. GoStop's passport was developed with a privacy preserving approach that will enable individuals to use the alerting software and downloadable app with authentication certificates. The alerts can be scheduled on an on-demand, daily, weekly, or monthly basis and can be used also for vaccine scheduling.

For additional information on ScreenPro and other corporate information, please visit the Company's website at www.screenprosecurity.com.

Neither the Canadian Securities Exchange (the "CSE") nor it's Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the CSE) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

For further information please contact:

Jamie Hyland, Director

Email: info@screenprosecurity.com

P. (604) 442-2425

Forward-Looking Statements:

Certain statements contained in this news release may constitute forward-looking information, including statements relating to expectations regarding the future development of ScreenPro's business. Forward-looking information is often, but not always, identified by the use of words such as "anticipate", "plan", "estimate", "expect", "may", "will", "intend", "should", and similar expressions. Forward-looking information involves known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual results or events to differ materially from those anticipated in such forward-looking information. The actual results of ScreenPro could differ materially from those anticipated in this forward-looking information as a result of regulatory decisions, competitive factors in the industries in which ScreenPro operates, prevailing economic conditions, changes to ScreenPro's strategic growth plans, and other factors, many of which are beyond the control of ScreenPro. Management of ScreenPro believes that the expectations reflected in the forward-looking information herein are reasonable, but no assurance can be given that these expectations will prove to be correct and such forward-looking information should not be unduly relied upon. Any forward-looking information contained in this news release represents ScreenPro's expectations as of the date hereof and is subject to change after such date. ScreenPro disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking information whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by applicable securities legislation.

###

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/84493
LONDON (dpa-AFX) - Premier Foods plc (PFD.L) Wednesday announced preliminary results for the 53 weeks ended 3 April 2021. The company also reinstated dividend after a long gap of 13 years, declaring a final dividend of 1 pence per share. Premier Foods posted Profit before taxation of 122.8 million pounds or 12.5 pense per basic share during the 53 week period compared with 53.6 million pounds or 5.5 pense per share during last year. Excludng items, earnings before taxation were 117.9 million pounds or 11.2 pense per share based on 53 weeks and 115.3 million pounds or 11 pense per share based on 52 weeks compared with 93.3 million pounds or 8.9 pense per share a year ago. Revenue for the 53-week period was 947 million pounds, while it was 934.2 million pounds based on 52-weeks compared with 847.1 million pounds last year. The company has reduced its net debt to 332.7 million pounds this year from 429.6 million pounds last year. Looking forward, Premier Foods said, 'Initial trading this year is in line with the Group's expectations, reflecting the ongoing strength of its growth strategy, set against a period of strong comparatives. The Board is confident in the delivery of its full year profit expectations, and is set to benefit from substantially lower financing costs. As the Group transitions to the next phase of its evolution, it will look to expand through accessing new categories in the UK and also in selected overseas markets, while exploring bolt-on acquisition opportunities. It continues to target 1.5x Net debt/EBITDA in the medium term.' Copyright RTT News/dpa-AFX

Werbehinweise: Die Billigung des Basisprospekts durch die BaFin ist nicht als ihre Befurwortung der angebotenen Wertpapiere zu verstehen. Wir empfehlen Interessenten und potenziellen Anlegern den Basisprospekt und die Endgultigen Bedingungen zu lesen, bevor sie eine Anlageentscheidung treffen, um sich moglichst umfassend zu informieren, insbesondere uber die potenziellen Risiken und Chancen des Wertpapiers. Sie sind im Begriff, ein Produkt zu erwerben, das nicht einfach ist und schwer zu verstehen sein kann.
NEW YORK, May 19, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- The $23-billionRiyadh metro project, which is 109 miles long, was 83% complete in 2019. Similarly, the three-line Jeddah metro network is under construction, which was set to be completed in 2020. Due to such rapid infrastructure development, the Saudi Arabian heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) market is set to grow from $2,476.1 million in 2020 to $4,821.8 million by 2030, at an 8.1% CAGR between 2021 and 2030.

This is because cooling and ventilation systems are a necessity in the stations and underground tunnels of such networks. Another major government project that is boosting the Saudi Arabian HVAC market advance is the NEOM megacity, the first phase of which was completed in mid-2019. In addition, a large number of HVAC systems have been installed at Vox Cinemas, which was opened to the public in May 2019.

Key Findings of Saudi Arabia HVAC Market

Cooling system sales highest in kingdom

Demand for consulting services to increase fastest

Industrial end users to observe highest market CAGR in coming years

Smart HVAC systems biggest industry trend

Ground-source and clean-energy HVAC systems becoming rapidly popular

HVAC companies launching advanced equipment for larger industry share

Get the sample copy of this report at: https://www.psmarketresearch.com/market-analysis/saudi-arabia-hvac-market/report-sample

The COVID-19 pandemic has harmed the Saudi Arabian HVAC market, as the government-imposed lockdowns and movement restrictions to check the infection's spread. Moreover, the import of the systems and components to the kingdom from around the world was hampered due to restrictions on international trade. In addition, the closing down of a large number of industrial units and commercial spaces reduced the demand for such equipment.

The service bifurcation is set to witness the faster growth in the Saudi Arabian HVAC market in the coming years, on the basis of offering. With the rising demand for such equipment, the requirement for installation and maintenance services also grows. Moreover, a service contract constitutes a long relationship between the customer and service provider.

Browse detailed report with COVID-19 impact analysis onSaudi Arabia HVAC Market Research Report: By Offering (Equipment, Service), End-User (Commercial, Industrial, Residential) - Industry Analysis and Growth Forecast to 2030 @ https://www.psmarketresearch.com/market-analysis/saudi-arabia-hvac-market

In the past, the Saudi Arabian HVAC market was dominated by the commercial category, based on end user. In order to reduce its dependence on the oil trade, the Saudi government is offering strong support to the corporate and hospitality industries. Thus, with the rising number of hotels, resorts, and office buildings, the demand for HVAC equipment and services is rising in the commercial sector.

In the years to come, the western region will hold the largest share in the Saudi Arabian HVAC market due to the extensive infrastructure development in this region. Some of Saudi Arabia's largest and most-significant cities, including Jeddah, Medina, and Mecca are in the western part of the country.

Make Enquiry Before Purchase at: https://www.psmarketresearch.com/send-enquiry?enquiry-url=saudi-arabia-hvac-market

Major companies in the Saudi Arabian HVAC market are Johnson Controls International plc, Carrier Global Corporation, SKM Air Conditioning LLC, Trane Technologies plc, Daikin Industries Ltd., Midea Group Co. Ltd., Mitsubishi Electric Corporation, Danfoss A/S, Zamil Air Conditioners, LG Electronics Inc., and Gree Electric Appliances Inc. of Zhuhai.

Browse More Reports

U.A.E. HVAC Market Report - With the U.A.E. government focusing on diversifying its economy, which is currently dependent on oil exports, investments in the construction sector, to boost the tourism industry, are rising. This is the primary factor that is projected to drive the U.A.E. HVAC market at a CAGR of 5.2% during 2020-2030.

Global HVAC Market - The global heating, ventilation, and air conditioning market stood at $240.8 billion in 2019, and it is expected to reach $358.1 billion in 2030. China, being the largest producer and user of HVAC systems, generated the highest demand for such equipment during the historical period (2014-2019).

About P&S Intelligence

P&S Intelligence is a provider of market research and consulting services catering to the market information needs of burgeoning industries across the world. Providing the plinth of market intelligence, P&S as an enterprising research and consulting company, believes in providing thorough landscape analyses on the ever-changing market scenario, to empower companies to make informed decisions and base their business strategies with astuteness.

Contact:

Prajneesh Kumar

P&S Intelligence

Contact: +1-347-960-6455

Email: enquiry@psmarketresearch.com

Web: https://www.psmarketresearch.com



Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1224988/P_and_S_Intelligence_Logo.jpg
Sabesp, one of the largest water and sewage service providers in the world, today announces that it has successfully completed the implementation of 100,000 smart water meters with Internet of Things (IoT) technology. The project, which is one of the largest in Latin America, introduces water consumption telemeasurement in Sabesp's 100,000 largest consumers in the Metropolitan Region of Sao Paulo.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210519005356/en/

Sabesp smart water meters (Photo: Sigfox)

The Metrolink consortium is delivering the project and comprises of companies Laager and Vita Ambiental, which won the contract after a competitive bidding process Sabesp started at the end of 2018.

WND's Sigfox 0G network was the communication technology selected by Sabesp for more than 92,000 of the total connected water meters. WND is the exclusive operator of Sigfox technology in Brazil. Sigfox technology enables the transport of data wirelessly, at low cost, over long distances, with minimum energy consumption. The devices will be in operation for at least five years without changing or recharging the battery.

Telemetering the remote reading of meters automates the process of measuring water consumption. The task was performed manually once a month and can now be performed multiple times a day. In addition to measurement, the system also generates alarms and important statistics about the operation of the entire water network. All of these new features bring reliability, transparency and savings to consumers and unprecedented operational efficiency for Sabesp.

Ricardo Batista, Sabesp's Division Manager and responsible for the project, comments: "The project marked the large-scale adoption of the IoT concept by Sabesp. The new technology enables our customers to monitor water consumption daily, as well as leak detection, saving money and preserving the environment, in addition to better management of resources by our company. We hope to be able to expand the project in the coming years

According to Felipe Duque Estrada, CEO of Laager, the success of the project is largely due to the partnership with Sigfox and WND Brazil: "The adoption of 0G network technologies from Sigfox ensured the economic and technological viability of the project.

Jose Almeida, Deputy CEO of WND Brazil, adds: "Thanks to Sabesp's pioneering approach, Laager's expertise and our work together, we have delivered one of the largest IoT projects in the Americas. The results achieved demonstrate, without any doubt, that our technology and business model are the best choices for IoT projects today.

Carlos Beato, VP Americas at Sigfox concludes: "We are incredibly proud of SABESP's achievement and visionary take on smart water metering. The benefits of such a solution go far beyond remote reading. It truly transforms the customer experience and Quality of Service.

Sabesp Companhia de Saneamento Basico do Estado de Sao Paulo (http://www.sabesp.com.br/) is the largest sanitation company in the Americas and the fourth largest in the world in the population served. It is responsible for the supply of water, sewage collection and treatment in 375 municipalities in the State of Sao Paulo, besides representing 30% of the investment in basic sanitation made in Brazil.

Laager Tecnologias Sustentaveis Ltda is a company specialized in technological solutions aimed at sustainability. Its devices make it possible to control the consumption of water, gas and electricity, besides allowing greater efficiency in consumption. The company has an advanced system of individualization of these resources, which can be applied to small, medium and large consumers.

Vita Ambiental is a traditional specialized Engineering Services provider for sanitation companies, focusing on reducing losses and operational optimizations.

WND Brazil, which is part of the WND Group (https://www.wndgroup.io/), operates in the IoT (Internetof Things) market through the implementation of a national public network, in a B2B (Business to Business)model that allows the sale of connectivity at low cost. In just three years of operation in Brazilian territory, the company is already present in all capital cities of the country, covering an area with a population of more than 120 million inhabitants and serving more than 360 cities. WND Brazil is a pioneer in a national public network dedicated exclusively to IoT using Sigfox technology.

Sigfox is the 0G network pioneer and the world's leading IoT (Internet of Things) service provider. Sigfox offers a unique combination of ultra-low cost and ultra-low power technologies supported by a global network, enabling businesses to gain visibility and track their assets worldwide. With more than 17 million connected devices and 70 million messages sent a day, Sigfox helps its customers to extract crucial data at the lowest cost and to accelerate their digital transformation in key areas such as Asset Tracking and Supply Chain.

ISO 9001 certified and surrounded by a large ecosystem of partners and IoT key players, Sigfox was founded in 2010 and is headquartered in Labege, France, with offices in Boston, Dallas, Dubai, Madrid, Paris, Sao Paulo, Singapore and Tokyo.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210519005356/en/

Contacts:

Sigfox

Antoine Mege, PR Content Manager

antoine.mege@sigfox.com
Synthace Hires Guy Levy-Yurista as Chief Executive Officer

Synthace Ltd, the cloud-based software platform for automating biological R&D, today announced the appointment of Guy Levy-Yurista as Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and Board Member to guide Synthace through its next stage of growth.

Levy-Yurista joins Synthace following a milestone year in which it grew sales by more than 225%, established relationships with five of the top 10 global pharmaceutical companies across the world, and emerged as a clear leader in the rapidly growing Computer-Aided Biology market.

"We're at a critical juncture for the company as Synthace is turning the global life science research market on its head by fully automating the biology lab and managing the full research data value chain, making experiments that were never before possible a reality," said Bob Wiederhold, Chairman of Synthace. "Today, scientists in five out of the top 10 global pharma companies are using Synthace to completely automate their labs, accelerating scientific research and rapidly expanding adoption of our automation platform. Guy Levy-Yurista is an exceptional executive who brings a unique blend of leadership to Synthace with his diverse background in business, product development, and sales. I couldn't imagine a better CEO fit to continue to accelerate the industry-and Synthace into the future."

Based on his decades of high-tech business experience, Levy-Yurista is uniquely qualified to continue to serve the market and fill customers' critical needs by evolving Synthace's strategy, scaling its operations, and growing its business to continue to innovate.

"Synthace is driving a true revolution in global biotech and pharma. I couldn't be more honored to take on the leadership role with this innovative team, particularly at a time when the world is coming to recognize the power of life sciences. The incredible response Synthace has seen from the market, and top pharma companies, is a clear signal that the platform Synthace is bringing to market fills an unmet need," said Levy-Yurista. "I am excited to lead Synthace through its next phase of growth as we seek to digitally transform life sciences research to the great benefit of all."

Levy-Yurista joins Synthace from Sisense, where he served as Chief Strategy Officer. Sisense is a high-growth big data analytics SaaS company based in Tel Aviv-Yafo, Israel. Guy also held leadership roles in Marketing and Product, spearheading the definition, development, and marketing motion of Sisense's big data platform, which won numerous industry awards and analyst recognition. Levy-Yurista held additional senior leadership roles at MicroStrategy, McAfee, AOL, and several startups during his career. Levy-Yurista received his Ph.D.degree in Physics from the Weizmann Institute of Science in Israel and his MBA from the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania.

Follow Synthace

Synthace Blog

Connect with us on LinkedIn

Join the Conversation on Twitter

About Synthace

Based in London, UK, and Boston, US, Synthace is accelerating biological discovery and optimisation through computer-aided biology. Our cloud software platform, Antha, empowers biologists by enabling them to flexibly program their lab automation without the need to code. The graphical user interface has been designed by biologists for biologists, intuitively enabling them to automate their whole experiment from planning to execution, data collection, and analysis. Synthace is the cornerstone of the lab of the future, seamlessly connecting the digital realm of data with the physical aspects of lab automation and wet-lab biology, automatically collecting and structuring data to accelerate biological understanding.

Synthace is unlocking the potential of biology for humankind and our environment. Synthace works with biopharmaceutical companies and has been recognized by the World Economic Forum as a Technology Pioneer that is helping shape the Fourth Industrial Revolution. For more, visit https://www.synthace.com/.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210519005140/en/

Contacts:

Media

Courtney Glymph

Head of PR

courtney@synthace.com

+44 (0)78 6748 8769
Upfront and potential milestones of over $1.2bn in addition to tiered royalties

Exscientia, the clinical stage, Artificial Intelligence (AI)-driven pharmatech company, announced today that it has entered into a collaboration agreement with Bristol-Myers Squibb Company (NYSE: BMY). This expanded collaboration has the potential to add to the Bristol Myers Squibb drug pipeline whilst enhancing Exscientia's portfolio of shared assets. The collaboration will use AI to accelerate the discovery of small molecule therapeutic drug candidates in multiple therapeutic areas, including oncology immunology. The agreement includes up to $50 million in upfront funding, up to $125 million in near to mid-term potential milestones, and additional clinical, regulatory and commercial payments that take the potential value of the deal beyond $1.2 billion. Exscientia will also receive tiered royalties on net sales of any marketed drug products resulting from the collaboration.

This expanded collaboration builds upon Exscientia's existing collaboration with Bristol Myers Squibb that was initiated in 2019 with Celgene prior to Celgene's acquisition by Bristol Myers Squibb. Exscientia will take responsibility for AI-design and experimental work necessary to discover drug candidates associated with this collaboration for Bristol Myers Squibb. Molecules will be designed using Exscientia's AI-driven drug discovery platform, which delivers optimized compounds fulfilling complex design goals faster and more effectively than traditional drug discovery.

Andrew Hopkins, CEO of Exscientia, commented, "We are proud that Bristol Myers Squibb wants to build on our work together with this expanded collaboration and believe it speaks to the strength and promise of Exscientia's AI technologies and drug discovery expertise. We're excited to work with such an experienced collaborator as Bristol Myers Squibb to develop the best possible medicines for patients

Rupert Vessey, President of Research Early Development at Bristol Myers Squibb said, "We have been pleased with Exscientia's work in tackling a number of distinct projects for Bristol Myers Squibb. Exscientia's application of AI technologies is proving capable of generating best-in-class molecules while also reducing discovery times. Rapid discovery of molecules that can enter the clinic in a timely manner could positively impact our work in discovering treatments for areas of unmet medical need

Exscientia has already built a strong track record for its drug discovery platform, being the first company to advance AI-designed small molecule drug candidates into clinical studies. In addition to Bristol Myers Squibb, Exscientia has previously entered collaborations with major pharmaceutical companies including Bayer, Sanofi, and Dainippon Sumitomo, multiple emerging biotech companies and the Gates Foundation, demonstrating Exscientia's reputation as the collaborator of choice for high-value AI-driven drug discovery. The company currently has more than a dozen partnered or wholly owned drugs in development. Exscientia recently secured a $525 million Series D investment, led by Softbank, to further fund expansion of its technology capabilities and proprietary drug pipeline.

About Exscientia

Exscientia's AI centric, end-to-end drug discovery platform is set to revolutionise the process invention of new drugs, designing therapeutics for areas of high unmet medical need that could positively impact patients, with timelines that are many years shorter than industry standards. As a clinical stage company, Exscientia is the first to advance AI-designed small molecules into a clinical setting, demonstrating the potential of AI to transform the pharmaceutical industry.

Drug design is precision engineering at the molecular scale. To transform the industry, Exscientia has built dedicated AI systems that efficiently learn from the widest range of data and consistently re-apply enhanced knowledge through iterations of design. Because Exscientia's AI systems learn more rapidly and effectively than human-led efforts, candidate molecules satisfying complex therapeutic requirements are discovered with revolutionary efficiency.

For more information visit us on www.exscientia.ai or follow us on Twitter @exscientiaAI.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210519005180/en/

Contacts:

PR Contacts:

Edelman PR:

Anitra Sprauten

P: +44 (0)78 9685 9386

Anitra.Sprauten@edelman.com



Stephanie Crisp

P: +44 (0)75 8300 3417

stephanie.crisp@edelman.com



For Exscientia

Mark Swindells, Chief Commercial Officer

contact@exscientia.ai
London, United Kingdom, May 19, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Cancer informatics and digital pathology provider Inspirata announced today that University Hospitals Dorset NHS Foundation Trust will commence an implementation of its Dynamyx digital pathology software ("Dynamyx"), as part of an agreement struck between enterprise partner, FUJIFILM UK Limited ("Fujifilm UK") and the One Dorset Pathology network. The introduction of Dynamyx at One Dorset Pathology represents the first of several new wins for Fujifilm UK using our software, and is a direct award from the PathLAKE digital and computational pathology consortium.

Covering a population of approximately 420,000 individuals and processing 250,000 cases per year via 23 pathologists across all sites, One Dorset Pathology is comprised of the Royal Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole hospitals which make up the newly established University Hospital Dorset Foundation Trust, and the Dorset County Hospital in Dorchester.

"It is rare in histology that an opportunity comes up to truly reshape the service. However, with the introduction of digital pathology we have the chance to radically change how things work for the future," says Ashley Ballard, Senior Biomedical Scientist at Royal Bournemouth Hospital.

Dynamyx will be implemented as part of a Digital Pathology Solution by Fujifilm UK ahead of the roll-out of a new state-of-the-art, 22 million, 500m2 'Histopathology Diagnostic Hub' at Royal Bournemouth Hospital scheduled to go online in autumn 2022. The initial project involves the introduction of a high-capacity whole slide image scanner in Bournemouth funded by a Dorset Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) Local Growth Fund allocation, a low-capacity machine at Dorset County Hospital and workstations, inclusive of AI image analysis, macro-imagers and voice recognition capabilities, for all of the network's pathologists.

"The circumstances and drivers for the One Dorset roll-out using our Dynamyx software couldn't be more choice," explains Mark Lloyd, Founder and EVP at Inspirata. "We have the presence of an enthusiastic and innovative customer committed to delivering improved services on behalf of their patients, and a fabulous enablement partner in Fujifilm to support."

The One Dorset award in the UK follows hot-on-the-heels of equivalent successful digital pathology engagements for Inspirata and Fujifilm in North America and is the first of a number of new NHS joint projects set to be announced.

"The momentum Fujifilm and Inspirata are enjoying, borne out by projects such as our collaboration at One Dorset, is reflective of our steadfast commitment to affording individual NHS trusts and pathology networks with digital pathology solutions which both reduce the time to diagnosis and reflect the everyday realities of your typical human and capital resource-strapped NHS laboratory," says Kevin Shah, Head of Enterprise New Business, Fujifilm Europe. "The open architecture of the Dynamyx software means Fujifilm is uniquely placed to propose ways for lean laboratories to eliminate workflow inefficiencies while continuing to exhaust existing, or undertake new, technology investments without fear or favour regarding the manufacturers and any proprietary formats involved."

Fujifilm UK's partnership with One Dorset Pathology was accelerated and facilitated in part by the network's status as a new constituent member of the PathLAKE+ consortium and its designs to become a new centre of excellence in digital pathology. Tremendous advocates of PathLAKE+, Inspirata and Fujifilm UK look forward to supporting One Dorset Pathology and its sister consortium partners in realising the full potential of this initiative.

About Inspirata Inc.

Inspirata Inc. helps patients fighting cancer-and the clinicians they trust-to make every moment matter. Our comprehensive cancer informatics solutions bring disparate data together throughout the entire cancer care journey to drive informed decisions that improve survivorship.

Inspirata has assembled the most advanced and proven technologies to address the complex challenges of delivering cancer care and conducting ground-breaking research. We combine leading digital pathology solutions with automated cancer registry solutions, comprehensive cancer informatics and advanced patient engagement tools to bring users the broadest oncology informatics platform available globally. For more information, please visit www.inspirata.com or contact info@inspirata.com.

About Fujifilm UK

The Medical Systems division of Fujifilm UK is a leading provider of diagnostic imaging products and medical informatics solutions that meet the evolving needs of healthcare facilities in the UK both today and tomorrow. Offering a range of digital X-ray systems including detectors, mobiles, and rooms, to the comprehensive SYNAPSE Enterprise Imaging portfolio, to full-field digital mammography systems with digital breast tomosynthesis, high quality, technologically advanced endoscopic imaging solutions and devices and computed tomography solutions, Fujifilm has products that are ideal for any size imaging environment. Fujifilm's TeraMedica Division, the leading provider of vendor neutral, enterprise-wide solutions (VNA) for unrestricted medical image management and the core to the SYNAPSE Enterprise Imaging portfolio, enables improved interoperability by connecting imaging content across the entire care continuum. For more information please visit synapse.fujifilm.eu/.

For further information about Inspirata, please contact:

Graeme Collins

Inspirata Europe, Ltd.

Tel: +44 (0)330 330 9038

E-mail: gcollins@inspirata.com

For further information about Fujifilm UK, please contact:

Emma Hodgkinson

FUJIFILM UK Limited

Tel: +44 (0)7919 293 689

E-mail: emma.hodgkinson@fujifilm.com

Attachments


POSITION SUMMARY: The Senior Deposit Operation Specialist is responsible for overseeing the day to day operations of the Deposit Support team. Perform all job responsibilities as noted below in a manner that will ensure compliance with regulatory issues as well as the policies and procedures of Windsor Federal. ESSENTIAL DUTIES: Receives and fields incoming customer service calls from customers and branch personnel; researches and resolves customer inquiries.

Oversees ACH Origination on the COCC/iBanking platform

Oversees Overdraft Privilege Program (Strunk program)

Responsible for incoming legal documents: review and processing

Review incoming Wires via iBanking platform for processing

Part of the team that rotates the daily pay/no pay and load error process within Insight

Department scheduling

Complete incoming asset verifications with strict adherence to set procedures

Develop customer relationships, identifies customer needs, and recommends appropriate bank product or service to satisfy such need

Responsible for knowledge and expertise in utilizing technology and numerous software packages used by the bank to assist others

Compose and send correspondence to customers as necessary

Daily report reviews

Cross-trains in other areas of the department

Performs other duties as may be required REQUIRED EDUCATION, EXPERIENCE, AND SKILLS Associates Degrees with minimum of two to five years of Customer Service experience preferred with knowledge of financial institution regulatory procedures

Proficient or must become proficient in the COCC core system or previous working knowledge of another core banking solution

Ability to make sound decisions, prioritize work, meet deadlines

Strong verbal and written communication skills and organizational skills

Ability to work flexible hours and some Saturdays

Strong working knowledge of Microsoft Word, Excel, Outlook Windsor Federal Savings, an Equal Opportunity Employer, offers a competitive compensation and benefits package including vacation, personal days, paid sick time, holidays, participation in a 401(k) plan, and profit sharing.

For consideration, qualified applicants may email a cover letter and resume to slevasseur@windsorfederal.com.

Windsor Federal Savings, 250 Broad Street, Windsor, CT 06095

An Equal Opportunity Employer

recblid 07p6ajt0aodg1d51wi1dj1v33egccz






VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESSWIRE / May 19, 2021 / Minaean SP Construction Corp. (TSXV:MSP)(FRA:NJA) (the "Company") is pleased to announce that it has submitted an Expression of Interest for CONSTRUCTION OF A TEACHING HOSPITAL" in Gambia, Africa.

The Project, involving design, finance and construction of a 200 bed tertiary hospital with teaching facilities, is being considered for construction in Banjul, the capital city of Gambia. The Expression of Interest (EOI) has been submitted as per the request made by the Ministry of Health, Government of Gambia, to the business development team of the Company. Through the EOI the Company has requested from the Ministry of Health details about the finalized specifications of the Project - the response to which is awaited. Upon receipt of the details, the Company will prepare a preliminary proposal and negotiate with the Ministry of Health for signing of a Memorandum of Understanding. Based on the current indication and estimation the budgeted construction cost is expected to be US$ 80 million.

The population in Gambia is rapidly expanding and urbanizing which requires strengthening of the healthcare system, which is largely dominated by the public sector to assure adequate levels of service are provided. The country's health system attracts a significant demand from neighboring countries, which adds additional stress on the healthcare system. The government of Gambia's strategy is to provide universal healthcare access to all citizens and health is a priority area as per the ambitious national development plan.

At the Tertiary Level, it is reported that the government owns and operates 11 hospitals which include 2 teaching hospitals. The government's plans are to double

this number to cater to the critical healthcare needs of its people and also offer to the neighbouring countries medical tourism which seems to be a growing industry.

As per last reports published, the maternal mortality ratio remains unacceptably high at 433 per 100,000 live births (GDHS 2013), which exceeds the 2015 Millennium Development Goals target (263 per 100, 000) and it continues to be a major challenge for health service delivery. The neonatal mortality rate is presently at 22 deaths per 1,000 live births and the perinatal mortality rate is 30 deaths per 1,000 pregnancies (GDHS 2013).

The major causes of neonatal deaths are birth asphyxia and prematurity and the leading causes of inpatient deaths in children are pneumonia and malnutrition. In adults, the leading causes of inpatient deaths are maternal deaths, pneumonia, cerebrovascular accidents, trauma (especially road traffic injuries), hypertension, anemia, diabetes, heart failure and cancer, whilst cardiovascular diseases including hypertension, diabetes, cancers and trauma are the common diseases in adults (2015 HMIS Service statistics).

About the Company

Minaean SP Construction Corp. is a company well known for its pioneering efforts in the manufacture of light gauge steel components for the construction industry and modular metal buildings in India. Upon partnering with India's well known 156 year old construction conglomerate "Shapoorji Pallonji Group" (SP) in 2016 as an affiliated subsidiary, the Company changed its business model to take advantage of its $7 billion revenue partner's expertise and track record in Construction and Infrastructure projects globally. The Company through its business relation established with the Government of Canada's trade offices has been developing contracts in Africa and Latin America and is focusing more towards construction of hospitals in these countries.

SP is known for its expertise in construction of hospitals with 45 such projects completed with a total capacity exceeding 19,000 beds. The Company establishes its ability to execute these contracts in partnership with SP and is confident of being a front runner in this industry by the end of this decade.

The shares of Minaean SP Construction Corp. (parent company) are publicly traded on the TSX Venture Exchange under the symbol "MSP" and on the Berlin and Frankfurt Stock Exchanges under the symbol "NJA". For more information, please visit www.minaean.com.

On behalf of the Board of Directors

MINAEAN SP CONSTRUCTION CORP.

"Mervyn Pinto"

Mervyn Pinto

President & Director

Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its regulation services provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSXV Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

SOURCE: Minaean SP Construction Corporation

View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/648077/Minaean-SP-Construction-Corp-Expression-of-Interest-for-Construction-of-a-Hospital-Project-in-Gambia
NEW YORK, May 19, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- In China and Southeast Asia (SEA), the prevalence of herpes simplex virus type-1 (HSV-1) infection is increasing. Mostly transmitted via mouth-mouth contact, the infection often presents with no symptoms, which makes infected people a potential carrier without their knowledge. This is the reason the China and SEA lip cold sore treatment market size is set to increase to $85,265.1 thousand in 2030 from $45,262.1 thousand in 2020, at a 6.7% CAGR between 2021 and 2030, according to P&S Intelligence.

Key Findings of China and SEA Lip Cold Sore Treatment Market

Increasing HSV-1 infection incidence strongest market growth driver

Demand for patches for lip cold sore treatment burgeoning

Highest consumption of lip cold sore treatment products seen in clinics

Pharmacies continue being preferred sales point

Market fragmented in nature

Players engaging in mergers and acquisitions for larger market share

HSV-1 infection most commonly presents on and around the lips as blisters. The most-prominent symptoms of this infection are painful gums, headache, fever, swollen lymph nodes, muscle ache, and sore throat. Apart from being in contact with infected people, fatigue, abnormal hormone levels, physical trauma, physiological and psychological stress, and immunosuppression greatly elevate the risk of HSV-1. Thus, the China and SEA lip cold sore treatment market is growing with the rising demand for products that can offer symptomatic relief and speed up the healing of the sores.

Get the Sample Copy of this Report at @ https://www.psmarketresearch.com/market-analysis/lip-cold-sore-treatment-market/report-sample

The containment measures taken in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic have led to the shutting down of factories and reduced trade of an array of products. As a result, the China and SEA lip cold sore treatment market was negatively affected due to the curtailed manufacturing activities and people staying home. Moreover, the widespread financial distress has forced people to spend only on essential stuff, such as important medication and ration.

The fastest growth in the China and SEA lip cold sore treatment market in the coming years will be seen in the cream category, on the basis of product type. Creams not only relieve itching, pain, tingling, and burning sensations but also inhibit the growth of the virus.

Browse detailed report with COVID-19 impact analysis on Lip Cold Sore Treatment Market in China, South Korea, Taiwan, Hong Kong, and Southeast Asia - Revenue Estimation and Forecast by 2030 @ https://www.psmarketresearch.com/market-analysis/lip-cold-sore-treatment-market

Throughout this decade, the clinics category is projected to hold the largest share in the China and SEA lip cold sore treatment market, based on end user. An increasing number of people suffering from this condition are visiting clinics due to the rising awareness on this disease.

The pharmacies category dominated the China and SEA lip cold sore treatment market in the past, under segmentation by distribution channel. In most cases, a dermatologist prescribes the treatment for this condition, which is why the products are bought predominantly from pharmacies.

The SEA lip cold sore treatment market has been the most productive in China till now, and this country is also set to witness the highest CAGR in the years to come. With the increasing prevalence of HSV-1 infection in rural China and the increasing awareness on this disease, the demand for the related treatment products is rising in the country.

Make enquiry about this report at @ https://www.psmarketresearch.com/send-enquiry?enquiry-url=lip-cold-sore-treatment-market

The most-significant players in the China and SEA lip cold sore treatment market include Perrigo Company plc, Kyungdong Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd., Church & Dwight Co. Inc., Quantum Health, Integria Healthcare (Australia) Pty. Ltd., Carma Labs Inc., Blistex Inc., Li & Fung Limited, Alliance Pharma plc, Viatris Inc., URGO Group, GlaxoSmithKline plc, and Laboratoire HRA Pharma SAS.

Browse Other Related Reports

Medical Aesthetics Market Report - Globally, the North American medical aesthetics market is generating the highest revenue, as the region is home to the majority of the established players that offer multiple innovations in aesthetic procedures. In recent years, the U.S. has been the largest contributor to the regional market growth.

About P&S Intelligence

P&S Intelligence is a provider of market research and consulting services catering to the market information needs of burgeoning industries across the world. Providing the plinth of market intelligence, P&S as an enterprising research and consulting company, believes in providing thorough landscape analyses on the ever-changing market scenario, to empower companies to make informed decisions and base their business strategies with astuteness.

Contact:

Prajneesh Kumar

P&S Intelligence

Contact: +1-347-960-6455

Email: enquiry@psmarketresearch.com

Web: https://www.psmarketresearch.com

Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1224988/P_and_S_Intelligence_Logo.jpg
SAINT-CLOUD, France, May 19, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Ethypharm announces today that it has acquired the exclusive rights for the development, registration and commercialization in the top 5 European markets of a novel celecoxib formulation already approved in the US for the acute treatment of migraine. This agreement confirms Ethypharm's commitment to patients whose daily life is altered by pain.

Migraine is one of the most common neurological conditions, affecting about 12% of the population in Europe. In the management of acute migraine attacks, many medicines are already available. However, patients may not be always satisfied with the efficacy of existing treatments and some may have concerns about their potential side effects. There is therefore a need to offer further alternatives to patients suffering from acute migraine attacks.

With this in mind, Dr Reddy's developed for the US market a new oral liquid formulation of the nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug celecoxib and conducted pivotal studies which supported the US FDA approval of their product in May 2020.

This agreement is strategic for both parties. Through its focus on pain, Ethypharm had for a long time identified the need to offer patients new treatment options for acute migraine. On Dr Reddy's side, it was important to give access to European patients to this latest product emerging from its proprietary portfolio of acute migraine treatments. "Ethypharm has the right expertise, experience and presence in Europe; this is why we concluded the outlicensing of the development, registration and commercialization rights of our celecoxib oral solution for the UK + EU4 markets (Germany, Italy, France and Spain) to Ethypharm," said G B Ramesh Murthy, VP Business Development, Proprietary Products at Dr Reddy's.

A few development steps remain before being able to file this product in Europe. The product therefore enters Ethypharm's late-stage development pipeline. With a European market for migraine medicines estimated at 550M in 2019, Ethypharm aims to rapidly obtain the necessary Marketing Authorisations to be able to launch this novel treatment in the United Kingdom, Germany, France, Italy and Spain.

"Ethypharm is committed to improve the lives of patients who suffer from debilitating Central Nervous System conditions. Celecoxib in this innovative formulation will be a new alternative for UK and EU4 patients who suffer from acute migraine attacks," said Frederic Molin, EVP Corporate Development of Ethypharm. He also added: "If we look beyond this agreement, Ethypharm offers a strong platform to non-European companies wishing to maximise the potential of their products which fall in our areas of expertise. We are truly open to external innovations and actively looking to engage in discussions with further partners."

About Ethypharm

Ethypharm is a European pharmaceutical company focused on two therapeutic areas: the Central Nervous System and Critical Care. Ethypharm markets its drugs directly in Europe and China, and with partners in North America and the Middle East where its drugs are in high demand. The Group employs more than 1,500 people, mainly in Europe and China. Ethypharm works closely with authorities and healthcare professionals to ensure the appropriate use of and access to its medicines, by as many people as possible.

For more information visit www.ethypharm.com and follow us on LinkedIn.

Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1222194/Ethypharm_Logo.jpg

Corporate Media Relations Contact:

Mai Tran

presse@ethypharm.com
SAN FRANCISCO, May 19, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- The global healthcare smart beds market size is expected to reach USD 740.6 million by 2028, according to a new report by Grand View Research, Inc. It is expected to expand at a CAGR of 7.6% from 2021 to 2028. Hospital beds are the most utilized component in hospitals. Patients spend extended periods of time on these beds, which makes it vital for hospitals, nursing homes, and other healthcare settings to ensure the quality and comfort of these beds in order to aid the fast recovery of patients. The introduction and incorporation of smart technologies in hospital beds in recent years have greatly assisted nursing and healthcare staff in recording, monitoring, and analyzing minute details of the patients' health for effective patient care.

Key suggestions from the report:

By application, the hospitals segment is projected to expand at the fastest CAGR in terms of revenue as well as volume from 2021 to 2028 owing to the rising incidences of in-patient admissions due to chronic ailments, such as cancer, kidney failure, and heart diseases

In terms of revenue, North America dominated the market by accounting for over 55.0% share in 2020. This is attributed to the augmented usage of healthcare smart beds in acute care or long-term care facilities

Europe is projected to expand at the fastest revenue-based CAGR of 7.8% from 2021 to 2028 owing to the increasing demand for better healthcare among the aging population and growing investment in smart technologies

Read 80 page research report with ToC on "Healthcare Smart Beds Market Size, Share & Trends Analysis Report By Application (Hospitals, Outpatient Clinics, Medical Nursing Homes, Medical Laboratory & Research), By Region, And Segment Forecasts, 2021 - 2028" at:https://www.grandviewresearch.com/industry-analysis/healthcare-smart-bed-market

There has been a rising demand for precise and rapid medical care across the globe and early detection of any changes in vital signs is crucial for the proper monitoring of the patient. These medical smart beds are becoming an important resource in assisting medical teams for the continuous monitoring of patients and numerous studies have shown their efficacy in healthcare settings. A recent study conducted by Harvard Medical School highlighted that the use of smart beds could help in reducing code blue events by 86% and as a result, this reduces the average stay of ICU patients who have been transferred from the surgical unit by 45%.

With the rising demand for comfort in hospitals, increasing healthcare expenditure, and emerging technological advancements, the demand for smart beds is also rising across the healthcare sector. Smart beds are integrated with sensors and control panels that monitor and relay the vitals of patients for timely intervention. Home healthcare has been gaining significant traction across the globe as it helps save considerable costs for patients. A majority of the cost of hospital treatments is associated with high-quality facilities and amenities at the hospitals. This is driving families of patients with chronic illnesses to invest in smart beds so that they can take care of the patients from the comfort of their own homes without any additional cost.

Companies are introducing new innovative products to address the evolving needs of hospitals and gain a competitive edge over other manufacturers. For instance, in October 2020, Stryker launched a new smart bed called ProCuity, which is a completely wireless hospital bed with a number of smart patient monitoring features. ProCuity has been incorporated with Stryker's Secure Connect technology, which helps in providing a wireless method to connect to nurse call systems. The nurse call system helps in streaming parameters such as bed configuration, exit alarms, the position of side rails, and movement to hospital information systems (HIS). This helps in keeping a note of all important readings and observe the changes.

Grand View Research has segmented the global healthcare smart beds market on the basis of application and region:

Healthcare Smart Bed Application Outlook (Volume, Thousand Units; Revenue, USD Million, 2016 - 2028)

Hospitals



Outpatient Clinics



Medical Nursing Homes



Medical Laboratory and Research

Healthcare Smart Bed Regional Outlook (Volume, Thousand Units; Revenue, USD Million, 2016 - 2028)

North America



U.S.



Europe



Germany





U.K.





France





Italy





Spain

List of Key Players of Healthcare Smart Beds Market

Stryker Corporation

Hill-Rom Holdings Inc.

Invacare Corporation

Paramount Bed Holdings Co., Ltd.

LINET

Joerns Healthcare LLC

Stiegelmeyer GmbH & Co. KG

Arjo

Volker GmbH

Favero Health Projects SpA

Find more research reports onElectronic & Electrical Industry, by Grand View Research:

Smart Bed Market- The global smart bed market size was valued at USD 2.17 billion in 2019 and is expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 4.5% from 2020 to 2027.

in 2019 and is expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 4.5% from 2020 to 2027. Electronic Health Records Market- The global electronic health records market size was valued at USD 26.8 billion in 2020 and it is expected to witness a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 3.7% from 2021 to 2028.

in 2020 and it is expected to witness a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 3.7% from 2021 to 2028. Therapeutic Bed Market- The global Therapeutic Bed Market size was valued at USD 2.6 billion in 2015 and is expected to grow at a CAGR of 5.3% over the next eight years.

Gain access to Grand View Compass, our BI enabled intuitive market research database of 10,000+ reports

About Grand View Research

Grand View Research, U.S.-based market research and consulting company, provides syndicated as well as customized research reports and consulting services. Registered in California and headquartered in San Francisco, the company comprises over 425 analysts and consultants, adding more than 1200 market research reports to its vast database each year. These reports offer in-depth analysis on 46 industries across 25 major countries worldwide. With the help of an interactive market intelligence platform, Grand View Research helps Fortune 500 companies and renowned academic institutes understand the global and regional business environment and gauge the opportunities that lie ahead.

Contact:

Sherry James

Corporate Sales Specialist, USA

Grand View Research, Inc.

Phone: 1-415-349-0058

Toll Free: 1-888-202-9519

Email: sales@grandviewresearch.com

Web: https://www.grandviewresearch.com

Follow Us: LinkedIn | Twitter

Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/661327/Grand_View_Research_Logo.jpg
Through its subsidiary Resity Technologies, the Serbian conglomerate offer partnerships for SAP Consulting companies to support them with nearshore capabilities.

There is a strong demand for SAP consulting services in all countries, which will continue to grow rapidly in the coming years in light of S/4HANA migrations. SAP consulting companies are having increasing difficulty finding suitable personnel for customer projects. Resity Technologies, headquartered in Belgrade and with offices in Zagreb, Croatia, and Frankfurt am Main, is filling this gap.

Resity Technologies is a subsidiary of the Serbian Delta Holding, which was founded in 1991 and is one of the largest non-state employers in Southeastern Europe with 4,500 employees and with more than 600 million EUR revenue. Delta uses SAP extensively across the group and from the lack of senior SAP consultants on the open market has built its own strong partner ecosystem of SAP professionals in Serbia and Croatia.

This lead to the opening of Resity. Based on the partner ecosystem of Delta, the company offers specialists for specific topics on a project-by-project basis to SAP consulting service providers in West European countries: Senior SAP Consultants with years of experience in various industries as well as Junior SAP Consultants. Both seniors and juniors are to support SAP consulting firms as a team.

"With Resity, customers get operational efficiency and stable nearshore capacity on a long-term basis to support their day-to-day operations", explains Aleksandar Mitic, Director of Strategic Partnerships at Resity Technologies. Resity recruits new junior consultants each year from its own SAP Academy, which is based in Belgrade and soon in Zagreb, and assigns them to projects.

Graduates of the Resity SAP Academy also receive language training (advanced level in English and upper intermediate in German) to enable them to carry out projects professionally in their respective countries.

"We are here to support EU consulting companies with our nearshore capabilities", says Aleksandar Mitic. The highly qualified professionals placed by Resity can be deployed both remote and on-site at any location within the EU and the UK, on a short- or long-term basis.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210519005411/en/

Contacts:

Contact and further information:

Resity Technologies

Aleksandar Mitic

Director of Strategic Partnerships

Engelsruhe 26, 65929 Frankfurt am Main, Germany

Tel: +49 1520 913 9824

E-mail: alex.mitic@resity.net

Web: www.resity.net
Florida-Based Truck Dealership to Promote and Sell Envirotech Products Throughout U.S.

CORONA, CA / ACCESSWIRE / May 19, 2021 / ADOMANI, Inc. (OTCQB:ADOM) (DBA Envirotech Vehicles) a provider of new zero-emission, purpose-built electric vehicles and drivetrain solutions (the "Company"), today announced that it has entered into a Factory Authorized Representative Agreement (the "Agreement") with TLC Truck & Equipment, allowing the Pompano, FL based truck dealership to promote, sell and service Envirotech products throughout the United States. TLC Truck and Equipment is required to buy at least one van and one Class 4 or Class 5 truck at commencement of the Agreement. The vehicles will initially be used as demonstration vehicles and may also be sold to customers.

TLC Truck & Equipment sells a broad assortment of trucks and is also Florida's largest independently owned truck rental and leasing company. Additionally, the company offers state-of-the-art maintenance programs for its customers.

"This Agreement not only helps us to establish a physical presence on the East Coast, but also provides us access to TLC's top-tier sales staff and their track record of excellence as a well-respected truck dealer in Florida," said Envirotech CEO Phillip Oldridge. "TLC is the perfect partner for us as we grow given their large established customer base, leasing capabilities, and well-respected maintenance department. Partnerships will be a key strategy to support our growth, and we look forward to continuing to selectively sign deals like this to capitalize on the growing demand for EV commercial and last-mile vehicles."

"We are extremely excited about the opportunity to represent Envirotech products in the eastern regions. Our expertise and customer base in the light and medium duty truck market makes a perfect alliance between the two companies" said TLC Truck and Equipment, Vice President Michael Silveri Jr.

"We completely support the Envirotech products before and after the sale with factory trained technicians and replacement parts in our inventory to offer customers a fast turnaround time if any service issues arise. We also have the ability to service customers locally and nationally through our affiliation with our NationaLease leasing membership that provides service locations nationwide", added TLC Truck and Equipment, President Michael Silveri Sr.

"We think the Envirotech products are a revolutionary, highly developed product that will bring many positive aspects to the industry. Our goal is to aggressively promote Envirotech products and offer the best service possible", stated TLC Truck and Equipment Treasurer Lisa Silveri-Rogers. "We are confident that EVTV and TLC will grow together and make EV commercial and last-mile vehicles a profitable asset for both the producer and consumer. There is good energy between our management teams and we believe our collaboration will produce many exciting results and products now and into the future" Ms. Silveri-Rogers concluded.

About Envirotech Vehicles

ADOMANI, Inc. (DBA Envirotech Vehicles) is a provider of purpose-built zero-emission electric vehicles focused on reducing the total cost of vehicle ownership and helping fleet operators unlock the benefits of green technology. We serve commercial and last-mile fleets, school districts, public and private transportation service companies and colleges and universities to meet the increasing demand for light to heavy-duty electric vehicles. Our vehicles address the challenges of traditional fuel price cost instability and local, state and federal environmental regulatory compliance. For more information visit www.ADOMANIelectric.com.

About TLC Truck and Equipment

EM Sil Enterprises, Inc. (DBA TLC Truck and Equipment)("TLC") is a family-owned and operated commercial truck dealership located in Pompano Beach since 1986. We pioneered the roll out in the 1980's of Japanese medium duty cab over trucks to the US market. We are very experienced in introducing new truck products into the market with several proprietary patents for specialized truck bodies that we confidently build with pride. Between the sales department, finance department, rental & lease department, parts department, & service department, TLC is your one stop dealership/leasing company for all commercial truck needs.

We believe that what separates us from all other dealerships is our custom fabrication department where we build our own truck bodies and can customize trucks with our vision and innovation to accomplish all our customers' custom requests. TLC is extremely excited that we are helping businesses transition to the way the world is moving. We are pleased to reveal the new addition to our TLC family, Envirotech Vehicles, enabling us to introduce our first electric truck that will additionally be available to accommodate all customers' commercial truck needs. "GO GREEN"!

Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

Statements made in this press release that relate to future plans, events, financial results, prospects or performance are forward-looking statements. While they are based on the current expectations and beliefs of management, such forward-looking statements are subject to a number of risks, uncertainties, assumptions and other factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from the expectations expressed in this press release, including the risks and uncertainties disclosed in reports filed by ADOMANI, Inc. (DBA Envirotech Vehicles) with the Securities and Exchange Commission, all of which are available online at www.sec.gov. All statements, other than statements of historical fact, are statements that could be deemed forward-looking statements, including statements containing the words "planned," "expected," "believes," "strategy," "opportunity," "anticipated," "outlook," "designed," and similar words. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date hereof. Except as required by law, Envirotech Vehicles undertakes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements to reflect new information, changed circumstances or unanticipated events.

Contact Information

Investor Relations Contacts:

IMS Investor Relations

John Nesbett/Jennifer Belodeau

Telephone: 203.972.9200

Email: jnesbett@imsinvestorrelations.com

Envirotech Vehicles

Michael K. Menerey, Chief Financial Officer

Telephone: (951) 407-9860 ext. 1205

Email: mike.m@ADOMANIelectric.com

SOURCE: ADOMANI, Inc. (DBA Envirotech Vehicles)

View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/648076/Envirotech-Vehicles-Enters-into-Factory-Authorized-Representative-Agreement-with-TLC-Truck-Equipment
The "Europe Electric Vehicle Charging System Market 2021-2028" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.

Electric vehicle charging system market in Europe is estimated to grow at a compound annual growth rate of 44.77% during the years 2021-2028.

France, the United Kingdom, Netherlands, Norway, Germany, and Rest of Europe outline the region's market.

Electric vehicles have gained significant traction across Germany, and are expected to grow further in the upcoming years. The frequent issues related to emissions have compelled the government to devise plans to encourage the adoption of electric vehicles across the country.

Further, the country has started to incentivize electric vehicle and electric vehicle charging systems to boost the adoption of electric cars on a large scale. For instance, the Federal Ministry of Transport and Digital Infrastructure initiated an incentive program to stimulate the roll-out of public charging stations, thereby contributing to the development of Germany's electric vehicle charging system market.

France has a well-developed electric vehicle sector in the region, and hosts over 30000 charging points. Additionally, the central government announced the initiation of a rescue plan for the local auto industry, with a significant amount allocated for EV incentives.

Similar to the Netherlands and Norway, the country has set an end date to permit the sale of traditional petrol and diesel vehicles, intending to have all new vehicles emission-free by 2040. Further, the government offers funds to municipalities and regional governments to install charging points, simultaneously supplementing the progression of the electric vehicle charging system market within France.

Competitive Outlook

Some of the leading companies in the electric vehicle charging system market are Blink, Efacec, Schneider Electric, ChargePoint, Evgo, SemaConnect, and Eaton.

Key Topics Covered:

1. Europe Electric Vehicle Charging System Market Summary

2. Industry Outlook

2.1. Key Insights

2.1.1. Rise in Investments in Electric Vehicle Industry

2.1.2. Rising Environmental Pollution Increases Growth Prospects for the Market

2.1.3. Many Countries Have Set Targets to Phase-Out Internal Combustion Engine Vehicles

2.2. Impact of COVID-19 on Electric Vehicle Charging System Market

2.3. Porter's Five Forces Analysis

2.4. Market Attractiveness Matrix

2.5. List of Incentives by Various Countries for the Market

2.6. Industry Components

2.7. Vendor Scorecard

2.8. Key Market Strategies

2.8.1. Contracts Partnerships

2.8.2. Business Expansions Divestitures

2.8.3. Acquisitions Mergers

2.8.4. New Product Launches

2.9. Market Drivers

2.9.1. Growth in Electric Vehicle Sales

2.9.2. Governmental Initiatives in Favor of the Market

2.9.3. Technological Innovations

2.10. Market Challenges

2.10.1. High Setup Costs

2.10.2. Lack of Standardization

2.10.3. Extended Charging Time and Competition from Other Technologies

2.11. Market Opportunities

2.11.1. Advancements in Wireless Charging Technology

2.11.2. Growth in Vehicle-To-Grid (V2G) Technologies

2.11.3. Opportunities from Changing Market Dynamics

3. Europe Electric Vehicle Charging System Market by Product Type

3.1. Home Charging Systems

3.2. Commercial Charging Systems

4. Europe Electric Vehicle Charging System Market by Mode of Charging

4.1. Plug-In Charging System

4.1.1. Level 1

4.1.2. Level 2

4.1.3. Level 3

4.2. Wireless Charging System

5. Europe Electric Vehicle Charging System Market Regional Outlook

5.1. United Kingdom

5.2. Germany

5.3. France

5.4. Norway

5.5. Netherlands

5.6. Rest of Europe

6. Competitive Landscape

ABB Ltd.

Alfen

Allego

Blink

Chargepoint

Delta Electronics Inc.

Eaton

Efacec

EVBox

EVgo

Schneider Electric

Semaconnect

Siemens

Tesla

Webasto

For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/dwznkl

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210519005418/en/

Contacts:

ResearchAndMarkets.com

Laura Wood, Senior Press Manager

press@researchandmarkets.com

For E.S.T Office Hours Call 1-917-300-0470

For U.S./CAN Toll Free Call 1-800-526-8630

For GMT Office Hours Call +353-1-416-8900
Company Files Amended PEA Technical Report

VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESSWIRE / May 19, 2021 / VanGold Mining Corp. (the "Company" or "VanGold") (TSXV:VGLD)(OTCQX:VGLDF) is pleased to announce its shares will begin trading today on the OTCQX Best Market in the United States, after being upgraded from the Pink market, under the symbol "VGLDF".

Upgrading to the OTCQX Market is an important step for companies seeking to provide transparent trading for their U.S. investors. For companies listed on a qualified international exchange, streamlined market standards enable them to utilize their home market reporting to make their information available in the U.S. To qualify for OTCQX, companies must meet high financial standards, follow best practice corporate governance and demonstrate compliance with applicable securities laws.

"Graduating to the OTCQX Market from the Pink market marks another in a series of important milestones for the Company. This approval will provide increased access to US institutional and retail investors looking to invest in the Company and provide them with the opportunity to share in VanGold's growth." said Lisa Dea VanGold's CFO.

The Company wishes to thank B. Riley Securities, Inc. which acted as VanGold's OTCQX sponsor during the quotation process. B. Riley Securities is a full-service investment bank which provides corporate finance, research, sales and trading services.

VanGold's shares will continue to trade on the TSX Venture Exchange with the symbol VGLD.

VanGold Files Amended PEA:

VanGold announces that, in response to normal course review and comments from the TSX Venture Exchange, it has filed on SEDAR an amended and restated NI 43-101 technical report of Behre Dolbear & Company (USA), Inc., independent mineral industry advisors, on the Company's combined El Cubo/El Pinguico project titled "Preliminary Economic Analysis, El Cubo/El Pinguico Silver Gold Complex Project, State of Guanajuato, Mexico" with an effective date of 31 January 2021; an issue date of 12 Feb 2021 and an amended and restated date of 6 May, 2021 (the "Amended Report").

There are no material differences in the mineral resources and results of the preliminary economic analysis ("PEA") contained in the Amended Report from those reported by the Company on February 16, 2021.

The PEA is preliminary in nature and includes inferred mineral resources that are considered too speculative geologically to have the economic considerations applied to them that would enable them to be categorized as mineral reserves, and there is no certainty that the PEA will be realized. The Amended Report contains a full description of all underlying assumptions relating to the PEA. Mineral Resources that are not Mineral Reserves do not have demonstrated economic viability.

About VanGold Mining Corp.:

VanGold Mining is an exploration and development company engaged in reactivating past producing silver and gold mines near the city of Guanajuato, Mexico. The Company's El Pinguico project is a significant past producer of both silver and gold located just 7 kilometers south of the city. The Company is now focused on the refurbishment of the El Cubo mill, and swift commencement of production from the El Cubo and El Pinguico Combined Operation, as well as delineating additional silver and gold resources through underground and surface drilling on its projects located in this 480-year-old mining camp.

ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS

"James Anderson"

Chairman and CEO

For further information regarding VanGold Mining Corp, please contact:

James Anderson, Director, +1 (778) 989-5346

Email: james@vangoldmining.com

Continue to watch our progress at: www.vangoldmining.com

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

Forward-Looking Statements

This news release contains certain forward-looking statements and information, which relate to future events or future performance including, but not limited to, the ability of VanGold to successfully re-start the El Cubo mill and supply sufficient mineralized material from El Cubo and El Pinguico for processing through the El Cubo mill at projected rates, the ability to generate positive cash flow from the El Cubo mill as contemplated or at all, the exploration and development potential of El Cubo and El Pinguico and the potential existence of additional mineral resources thereon. Such forward-looking statements reflect management's current beliefs and are based on assumptions made by and information currently available to the Company. Readers are cautioned that these forward-looking statements are neither promises nor guarantees, and are subject to risks and uncertainties that may cause future results to differ materially from those expected including, but not limited to, market conditions, availability of financing, currency rate fluctuations, actual results of exploration and development activities, unanticipated geological formations and characteristics, environmental risks, future prices of gold, silver and other metals, operating risks, accidents, labor issues, delays in obtaining governmental or regulatory approvals and permits, and other risks in the mining industry. There are no assurances that VanGold will be able to re-start the El Cubo mill to process mineralized materials in the amounts and at the costs anticipated. In addition, VanGold's decision to begin processing mineralized material from its above and underground stockpiles at El Pinguico and estimated resources at El Cubo through the El Cubo mill is not based on a feasibility study of mineral reserves demonstrating economic and technical viability and therefore is subject to increased uncertainty and risk of failure, both economically and technically. Mineral Resources that are not Mineral Reserves do not have demonstrated economic viability, are considered too speculative geologically to have the economic considerations applied to them, and may be materially affected by environmental, permitting, legal, title, socio-political, marketing, and other relevant issues. There are no assurances that the results of the Company's PEA will be realized. There is also uncertainty about the spread of COVID-19 and variants of concern and the impact they will have on the Company's operations, supply chains, ability to access El Pinguico or El Cubo or procure equipment, contractors and other personnel on a timely basis or at all and economic activity in general. All the forward-looking statements made in this news release are qualified by these cautionary statements and those in our continuous disclosure filings available on SEDAR at www.sedar.com. These forward-looking statements are made as of the date hereof and the Company does not assume any obligation to update or revise them to reflect new events or circumstances save as required by law.

VANGOLD MINING CORP.

PH: +1(778) 989-5346 E: info@vangoldmining.com W: vangoldmining.com

CA: Suite 578 - 999 Canada Place, Vancouver B.C. V6C 3E1

MX: Carretera - Guanajuato - Silao km 5.5, Int. #4, Col. Marfil CP36250, Guanajuato, Gto., Mexico

SOURCE: VanGold Mining Corp.

View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/648099/VanGold-Shares-to-Trade-on-OTCQX
SCOTTSDALE, AZ / ACCESSWIRE / May 19, 2021 / Today, CBD Life Sciences (OTC PINK:CBDL) through its wholly owned subsidiary, LBC Bioscience Inc. President & CEO, Lisa Nelson is proud to provide the shareholders with retail store updates.

CBD Life Sciences Inc. is having a grand opening for its second retail location on June 12. This storefront will be located in Scottsdale, AZ at 10953 North Frank Lloyd Wright Blvd Unit 108. President & CEO Lisa Nelson states, "As the company continues to expand significantly, we will be updating the shareholders with as much news as we possibly can as time goes on." The company is currently awaiting approval for a third storefront in Sedona, AZ while also exploring locations on the Las Vegas strip for a fourth storefront, which is fantastic news as far as expansion goes! President & CEO Lisa Nelson also stated, "We have been working extremely hard this year and I couldn't be any happier with the outcome!" With the recent approval of Amazon and the future storefronts, the rest of 2021 looks very promising as far as revenue and growth go.

Why shop LBC Bioscience Inc?

From employment to sourcing, we get everything done in the country we operate from to support the people & businesses.

Given that hemp is a natural phytoremediation, it inevitably absorbs toxins such as heavy metals, pesticides, herbicides from the soil & air it's planted in. We take great measures to ensure the surrounding environment is tested & monitored closely to ensure the utmost safety.

Although all steps to our practice are crucial, one of the most essential parts of having a quality extract starts from the seed. A seed with good genetics produces a more potent cannabinoid & terpene profile.

We extract using the most effective parts of the plant, the buds & flowers, to maximize the full potential of hemp. Whole-Plant, also known as Entourage Effect, is when cannabinoids, terpenes, & flavonoids work together rather than just CBD alone.

CBD Life Sciences Inc. has already identified several potential cultivation sites with the Arizona PROP 207 approved and is aggressively pursuing amazing new opportunities in Arizona's new recreational cannabis market. This new law gives CBD Life Sciences Inc. the capability of offering licensed retailers CBD Life Sciences Inc. premium cannabis products which are then made available for sale to 1000's of future recreational cannabis customers in addition to current cannabis sales to existing medical-use dispensaries in Arizona.

The number of benefits CBD has is tremendous! These benefits include help with behavioral/neurological complications such as ADD/ADHD, anxiety, bipolar, OCD, PTSD, epilepsy, Parkinson's, osteoporosis, and ALS. CBD can also benefit pain management that can stem from headaches/migraines, arthritis, cramps, spinal injuries, and fibromyalgia. CBD has been found to also have gastrointestinal benefits with gastro-disorders and complications such as anorexia, cachexia, Crohn's, diabetes, and nausea. Physical complications/disorders such as muscular dystrophy and even immune system-based deficiencies and other complications such as cancer and hypertension even our bodies way and ability to maintain homeostasis have all been said to benefit from CBD.

LBC BIOSCIENCE INC. ONLINE STORE

LBC BIOSCIENCE'S Online Emporium

LBC Bioscience Inc. is well stocked already as it is with some very high-quality CBD offerings - all at very reasonable prices. Check out LBC Bioscience Inc's newest product offerings including its: 100MG CBD Bath Bombs in a variety of scents, Delta 8 Gummies, 1500 MG Premium Berry Drops, and a variety of all-new Skincare products. Or shop our top selling products (based on order frequency) which include our CBD Pain Cream, CBD Oils and CBD Pet Treats.

Become a Distributor

Large Selection of Products (over 50 items and growing)

100% USA Made Products "organic & kosher."

All Products are THC-FREE (they contain 0.00% THC)

Weekly Deals (new deals every week)

20% off on all products using code "LBC20."

LBC Bioscience Inc. accepts: Visa, MasterCard, American Express, Discover etc.

Shareholders and interest holders may also stay current with LBC Bioscience Inc Updates:

LBC Bioscience Inc's Main Website at www.lbcbioscienceinc.com

Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/lbcbioscience

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lbcbioscience

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lbcbioscience

About LBC Bioscience Inc.

LBC Bioscience Inc. is a wholly owned subsidiary of CBD Life Sciences Inc. LBC has developed and is retailing/wholesale a full line of cannabidiol based organic products including CBD Drops, Gumballs, Honey Sticks, Pain Relief Creams, Anxiety & Sleep Supplements, Edibles, Coffee, Skincare Line, Pet Line, Tablets and more. LBC's products can be viewed and purchased on the Company's website at www.lbcbioscienceinc.com.

Ten Associates LLC

Contact: Thomas E. Nelson

Telephone: (480) 326-8577

Email: tenassociates33@gmail.com

Website: www.tenassociatesllc.com

Forward-Looking Statements

Except for the historical information contained herein, the matters discussed in this press release are forward-looking statements. Actual results may differ materially from those described in forward-looking statements and are subject to risks and uncertainties. See CBD Life Sciences, Inc's, Inc.'s filings with OTC Markets, which may identify specific factors that may cause actual results or events to differ materially from those described in the forward-looking statements.

Safe Harbor Statement

This release includes forward-looking statements, which are based on certain assumptions and reflects management's current expectations. These forward-looking statements are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results or events to differ materially from current expectations. Some of these factors include: general global economic conditions; general industry and market conditions, sector changes and growth rates; uncertainty as to whether our strategies and business plans will yield the expected benefits; increasing competition; availability and cost of capital; the ability to identify and develop and achieve commercial success; the level of expenditures necessary to maintain and improve the quality of services; changes in the economy; changes in laws and regulations, including codes and standards, intellectual property rights, and tax matters; or other matters not anticipated; our ability to secure and maintain strategic relationships and distribution agreements. The Company disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking ability to secure and maintain strategic relationships and distribution agreements. The Company disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking

SOURCE: CBD Life Sciences Inc.

View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/648072/CBD-Life-Sciences-Inc-CBDL-Announces-Retail-Store-Updates
Clinical Research Organization, Accerise Inc., Has Been Retained To Work With RepliCel and Its Other Service Providers To Prepare Study Documentation, Plans, and Approvals for Clinical Evaluation by Multiple Clinical Sites in Japan

VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESSWIRE / May 19, 2021 / RepliCel Life Sciences Inc. (OTC PINK:REPCF)(TSXV:RP)(FRA:P6P2) ("RepliCel" or the "Company"), a company developing next-generation technologies in aesthetics and orthopedics, is pleased to announce that it has retained leading clinical research organization, Accerise Inc, with offices in Tokyo and Osaka, to lead the planning and preparations for clinical research studies of RepliCel's skin rejuvenation (RCS-01) and tendon regeneration (RCT-01) cell therapy products in Japan.

Accerise will support RepliCel's clinical advisors, Professor Morita and Professor Kumai, in the design of the clinical study protocols, procuring the collaboration of all clinical sites, obtaining all necessary approvals from institutional research boards (IRBs), oversight committees, and the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare (MHLW) including certification, training, and the establishment of the necessary systems for independent clinical study management to ensure the studies produce high-quality GCP-compliant data. This will also include certification of RepliCel's contract manufacture for the manufacture of RepliCel's cell therapy products for use in these clinical studies.

Both cell therapies have been the subject of successful phase 1 studies in Germany and Canada. The next-phase clinical research studies in Japan will be conducted under that country's Act for Safety of Regenerative Medicine (ASRM) and, upon successfully meeting its endpoints, could lead to a commercial launch of the products in Japan.

About Accerise, Inc

ACCERISE was established in 2004 and provides comprehensive support for clinical development in Japan including planning of development strategies, GAP analysis prior to development in Japan, PMDA consultation, clinical trial management, and regulatory approval applications. Also, the company operates CRA dispatch and professional recruitment services that meet clients' needs. ACCERISE set up a joint venture with Hangzhou Tigermed Consulting Co., Ltd. in 2020 and are also focusing on clinical development support in Asia. https://accerise.co.jp/english/

About RepliCel's First-in-Japan Strategy

RepliCel was one of the first foreign regenerative medicine companies to have a Japanese partnership in 2013. In 2015 RepliCel was one of the first foreign regenerative medicine companies to initiate a consultation process, under the new regulations for regenerative medicine products, with Japan's PMDA (Pharmaceuticals and Medical Device Agency). In 2016, RepliCel's licensee, Shiseido Company, was one of the first companies to fund and manufacture a product for use in a clinical study under the newly legislated Act for the Safety of Regenerative Medicine (ASRM).

RepliCel aims to be one of the first foreign regenerative medicine companies based outside of Asia to directly engage in a clinical study of a cell therapy product under the ASRM regulatory pathway to commercialization. RepliCel will also be one of the first such companies to apply for certification of a manufacturing facility outside of Asia for the production of a cell therapy product to be imported for use in a clinical study governed by the ASRM regulations.

About RepliCel's Programs in Japan

RepliCel is currently preparing for the clinical testing and commercialization of three additional technologies in Japan. These include two cell therapies - one for skin rejuvenation and one for tendon regeneration - and a next-generation dermal injector for aesthetic treatments involving a wide variety of injectable substances including cells, PRP, muscle paralysis toxins, fillers, enzymes, drugs, other biologics, etc.

The RepliCel cell therapy technology which is the subject of active, ongoing partnership discussions in Japan has already been the subject of two successfully completed consultations with Japan's Pharmaceutical and Medical Devices Agency (PMDA). Planning for clinical research studies under Japan's Act for the Safety of Regenerative Medicines (ASRM) is already underway. Manufacturing of the clinical product will be performed by a Japanese-owned contract manufacturer preparing now for PMDA-certification under Japan's Ministry of Health, Labour, and Welfare (MHLW) applicable guidelines. Conduct of the clinical research studies will be managed by a high-quality Japanese clinical research organization.

About RepliCel Life Sciences

RepliCel is a regenerative medicine company focused on developing cell therapies for aesthetic and orthopedic conditions affecting what the Company believes is approximately one in three people in industrialized nations, including aging/sun-damaged skin, pattern baldness, and chronic tendon degeneration. These conditions, often associated with aging, are caused by a deficit of healthy cells required for normal tissue healing and function. These cell therapy product candidates are based on RepliCel's innovative technology, utilizing cell populations isolated from a patient's healthy hair follicles.

The Company's product pipeline is comprised of RCT-01 for tendon repair, RCS-01 for skin rejuvenation, and RCH-01 for hair restoration. RCH-01 is exclusively licensed in Asia to Shiseido Company. RepliCel maintains the rights to RCH-01 for the rest of the world. RCT-01 and RCS-01 are exclusively licensed in Greater China to YOFOTO (China) Health Company. RepliCel and YOFOTO are currently co-developing these products in China. RepliCel maintains the rights to these products outside of Greater China.

RepliCel has also developed a proprietary injection device, RCI-02, and related consumables, which is expected to improve the administration of its cell therapy products and certain other injectables. YOFOTO has exclusively licensed the commercial rights for the RCI-02 device and consumables in Greater China for dermatology applications and is expected to first launch the product in Hong Kong upon it being approved for market launch in either the United States or Europe.

Please visit www.replicel.com for additional information.

Notable Facts:

 RepliCel's three cell therapy products have now been tested in over 100 patients in four countries on three continents having been successfully reviewed by three regulatory agencies.

 RepliCel now has key strategic partners in the United States, China, and Japan each of which is now investing heavily in the further clinical testing and development of RepliCel's products for their markets. Data from each of the clinical programs will strengthen the product development initiatives for RepliCel and its other partners worldwide.

For more information, please contact:

Lee Buckler, CEO and President

info@replicel.com

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

SOURCE: RepliCel Life Sciences, Inc.

View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/647574/RepliCel-Launches-Preparations-for-Second-Skin-Rejuvenation-and-Tendon-Regeneration-Clinical-Studies


REV Group (NYSE: REVG) is a leading designer, manufacturer and distributor of specialty vehicles and related aftermarket parts and services. REV serves a diversified customer base primarily in the United States through three segments: Fire & Emergency, Commercial and Recreation. REV provides customized vehicle solutions for applications including essential needs (ambulances, fire apparatus, school buses, mobility vans and municipal transit buses), industrial and commercial (terminal trucks, cut-away buses and street sweepers) and consumer leisure (recreational vehicles (RVs) and luxury buses). REVs brand portfolio consists of 30 well-established principal vehicle brands including many of the most recognizable names within our served markets. Several of REVs brands pioneered their specialty vehicle product categories and date back more than 50 years. JOB DESCRIPTION Job Title: UTILITY, "A" & "B" WELDERS S3, S2, AND S1 Primary Functions: Must be proficient in all areas of department and all welding procedures as prescribed in AWS and ASME publications for MIG and ALUMINUM welding (SMAW). Must read blueprints and perform shop math to layout, fabricate, and weld various parts and assemblies. Must be able to weld all types of metals, set and maintain welding machine (tip and liner changes, etc.) and weld vertical, horizontal, and overhead. Able to complete all tasks in said work center by standard time allowed. Duties and Responsibilities: Understand and carry out oral and written directions in English.

Close attention to detail

Function with a minimal amount of supervision or no supervision.

Set work priorities to meet production goals as scheduled per assigned department.

Establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with those in contact on a day-to-day basis.

Meet minimum standards of safety per assigned department.

Meet minimum standards of housekeeping per assigned department.

Perform all MIG and ALUMINUM welding procedures (all positions), including machine settings, bottles, and necessary filling.

Welding of mild steel and aluminum where required.

Grind and clean area where required.

Able to use grinder, sander, rivet guns, saws, and other air tools.

Inspect welds for cracks, burn through and weld splatter.

Read and understand assembly prints, pick lists, weld blueprints, sales orders, and shop orders.

Have knowledge of all welding and assembler operations in the work center.

Be compliant with all the rules of conduct and attendance per the company handbook.

Other duties and responsibilities as required.

Ensure that hazardous waste that is handled is placed into the proper container(s).

Maintains all satellite and storage containers in a closed position unless adding or removing waste.

Familiar with Hazardous Waste Contingency Plan.

Knows spill response procedures and evacuation routes.

Utility- (additional duties and responsibilities)

Must be able to perform all welder "A" and Welder "B" functions.

Play a key role in training welders at all levels. Qualifications/Training: Must pass Collins Bus Corporation Welder B Certification Test.

Ability to read, write, comprehend, and verbally communicate simple instructions, short correspondence, and memos in English.

Ability to read and understand engineering drawings, blueprints, assembly drawing, schematics and other written or verbal instructions presented in English.

Ability to read English and Metric tape measures and use measuring devices.

Ability to perform all operations within acceptable quality and time standards.

Ability to recognize quality expected and be able to reproduce it.

Ability to effectively present information in one-on-one and small group situations to other employees of the organization. High school diploma or general education degree (GED), or one (1) to three (3) months related experience and/or training; or equivalent combination of education and experience.

Mathematical skills; must have good knowledge of shop math.

Ability to deal with problems involving a few concrete variables in standardized situations.

Must maintain a positive rating as described in the training/qualification evaluation record as Utility, "A", or "B" Welder

Must have general knowledge of OSHA and EPA standards.

Be trained in Hazardous Materials Handling Operations with an annual refresher course.

Hazardous waste training shall be provided to employee within six months of the date the employee filled this position, and a review of this training provided every 12 months thereafter. Employee shall be supervised until training is complete. This training will consist of at least 30 minutes of classroom instruction and additional on the job training as needed.

Training will include familiarization with roles as outlined in Hazardous Waste Contingency Plan. A - (additional qualifications/training) Must pass Collins Bus Corporation Welder A Certification Test. Utility - (additional qualifications/training) Must pass Collins Bus Corporation Utility Welder Certification Test.

Ability to apply common sense understanding to carry out detailed but uninvolved written or oral instructions.

Ability to assemble custom prototype metal components.

Ability to perform maintenance on welding equipment. Physical Demands: The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to stand; use hands to handle, or feel objects, tools or controls; and reach with hands and arms. The employee frequently is required to walk. The employee is occasionally required to stand, climb or balance, stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl. The employee is required to sit and talk and hear. Other physical requirements include: Ability to regularly lift and/or move up to 40#'s without assistance.

Ability to work from various squatting, kneeling or bending positions.

Ability to work with arms above head.

Ability to work from ladders or scaffolding.

Ability to stand at a workstation for ten hours a day (minus specified breaks).

Ability to safely use specified hand, air, power tools, and machinery.

Ability to operate and understand the operation of all protective safety equipment in the area.

Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, peripheral vision and depth perception.

Must not be allergic to smoke, grinding, and fiberglass dust.

Hand-Eye coordination.

Required to handle and dispose of hazardous waste.

Ability to work in above 100-degree heat for excess of ten (10) hours per day.

Ability to work in noisy and dusty conditions. Work Environment: The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee regularly works near moving mechanical parts. The employee is frequently exposed to fumes or airborne particles and vibration. The employee is occasionally exposed to toxic or caustic chemicals. The noise level in the work environment is usually loud. Experience: Must possess knowledge of MIG and TIG welding machines.

Must pass welding test as a Welder "B'' A- (additional experience) Six (6) months minimum experience as Welder "B", prior welding experience or acceptable training, and/or demonstrate ability to meet the job requirements. Utility- (additional experience) Five (5) years minimum prior welding experience in all phases of welding industry.

Must master at least 5 welding stations within the facility. Personal Protective Equipment Recommended and/or Required: Safety glasses. (Can be dark lenses.)

Face shields.

Earplugs.

Work or impact gloves.

Back support.

Work boots. (Steel toed encouraged.) The Collins name has long been synonymous with the school bus industry. After half a century of delivering Type A school buses with A+ marks for strength and safety, it only makes sense that Collins has become the nations most trusted bus manufacturer across every segment. From Type A school buses to todays Collins commercial bus, passengers and businesses can place their trust in Collins engineering and innovation as much as the company itself. REV Group is committed to a policy of equal employment opportunity. The Company conducts all employment practices without regard to race, sex, color, religion, national origin, age, disability, protected veteran's status, pregnancy, genetic information, sexual orientation or any other basis prohibited by law. REV Group also undertakes affirmative action to assure equal employment opportunity for minorities and women, for persons with disabilities, and for protected veterans.

recblid 45hu59f3htupe6dpwmuhu8gtzdprbc






Calgary, Alberta--(Newsfile Corp. - May 19, 2021) - Zedcor Inc. (TSXV: ZDC) (the "Company") today announced its financial and operating results for the quarter ended March 31, 2021, sale of its rig mat rental fleet and certain other oilfield rental assets.

Sale of Rig Mat Rental Fleet:

During the quarter, the Company continued to divest under-utilized Rental segment assets. As a result of declining customer demand and rental rates, the Company made the strategic decision to divest its rig mat rental fleet. In addition, the Company sold certain other assets during the quarter for total proceeds of $710. This sale allows the Company to focus on its other rental services and reduce its debt load in order to expand its Security & Surveillance segment.

Financial and Operating Results for the Year Ended March 31, 2021:

Three months ended March 31 (in $000s) 2021 2020 Revenue 4,760 4,715 Adjusted EBITDA1,2 2,163 2,066 Adjusted EBIT1,2 1,172 555 Net income (loss) from operations 224 (287 ) Net income (loss) per share from operations Basic 0.004 (0.005 ) Diluted 0.004 (0.005 )

1 Adjusted for severance costs

2 See Financial Measures Reconciliations below

Zedcor recorded $2,163 of adjusted EBITDA and $224 of net income for the three months ended March 31, 2021. This compares to adjusted EBITDA of $2,066 and a net loss of $287 for the three months ended March 31, 2020. The S&S segment saw sharply higher revenues and margins as the company saw high utilization and had an expanded fleet of security towers ("MobileyeZ") in operation compared to Q1 2020. This was offset by decreased revenues and margins from the Rentals segment as demand for the Company's rental equipment remains depressed due to lower drilling rig activity in Western Canada as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. While oil prices and drilling rig activity started to increase in Q1 2021 compared to the second half of 2020, rental rates are still at all-time lows and customers have not fully resumed activity levels seen historically. The Company qualified for the Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy ("CEWS") and the Canada Emergency Rent Subsidy ("CERS") programs as enacted in 2020 by the federal Government of Canada which supported the Company's results for the three months ended March 31, 2021. The Company recognized $205 of CEWS and CERS in the EBITDA amounts for 2021.

Revenue for the quarter ended March 31, 2021 increased by $45 from $4,715 to $4,760 compared to the same quarter in 2020. This increase was because of higher revenues in the S&S segment as a result of a larger fleet of security towers and higher utilization driven by the two long terms contracts awarded to the Company in Q1 2021. The increase was offset by reduced revenues in the Rentals segment driven by low utilization and decreased rental rates of equipment.

During the quarter, the Company announced the award of two long term contracts for its Solar Hybrid MobileyeZ. One contract was for the rental and service of 100 Solar Hybrid MobileyeZ to a pipeline contractor. The second contract was a 21-month rental contract for 15 Solar Hybrid MobileyeZ to a large engineering and construction joint venture.

Zedcor added six additional Electric MobileyeZ and nine additional Solar Hybrid MobileyeZ bringing its total fleet to 32 and 139 units, respectively. Of the 139 Solar Hybrid MobileyeZ, 117 are equipped with ground disturbance sensors which further enhances the capabilities of these units. The Company intended to add 10 Electric MobileyeZ and 20 Solar Hybrid MobileyeZ to its fleet which would have further bolstered the Company's Q1 results but there was a shortage of parts due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Company continued to divest certain Rental segment assets to streamline operations and reduce debt. During the quarter, the Company sold its rig mat rental fleet and certain under-utilized fluid storage tanks and light towers for proceeds of $710 resulting in a gain on sale of $49. These proceeds along with scheduled principal repayments of $634 reduced the Company's debt by $1,344.

Net income from operations was $224 for the three months ended March 31, 2021 compared to a net loss of ($287) for the three months ended March 31, 2020. The increase in net income was a result of lower depreciation, lower direct operating costs as a result of government subsidies and a gain on the disposal of right-of-use assets.

SELECTED QUARTERLY FINANCIAL INFORMATION

(in $000s) Mar

31

2021 Dec

31

2020 Sept

30

2020 Jun

30

2020 Mar

31

2020 Dec

31

2019 Sept

30

2019 Jun

30

2019 Revenue 4,760 3,966 2,668 2,412 4,716 3,384 3,865 3,750 Net income (loss) from continuing operations 224 (2,250 ) (1,006 ) (1,135 ) (287 ) (3,930 ) (1,617 ) (1,805 ) Adjusted EBITDA 2,163 1,789 1,151 901 2,066 1,305 1,509 1,264 Adjusted EBITDA per share - basic 0.03 0.03 0.02 0.02 0.04 0.02 0.03 0.02 Net income (loss) per share from continuing operations Basic 0.004 (0.04 ) (0.02 ) (0.02 ) (0.005 ) (0.07 ) (0.03 ) (0.03 ) Diluted 0.004 (0.04 ) (0.02 ) (0.02 ) (0.005 ) (0.07 ) (0.03 ) (0.03 ) Adjusted free cash flow 801 190 (320 ) 2,098 903 1,240 (264 ) 2,431

1 See Financial Measures Reconciliations below

LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES

Loan and Security Facility:

The Loan and Security Facility was renewed in December 2020. It consists of a one time $17.3 million draw and a $2.0 million accordion feature which the Company can draw on subject to approval from the lender. In December 2020, the Company drew $0.8 million of the accordion feature.

The key terms of the Loan and Security facility are as follows:

Bears interest at a rate of 12.75% and is secured with a first charge over the Company's assets;

Extension fee of 2% per annum, a portion of which was capitalized to the loan and a portion of which was paid with the issuance of 2,000,000 common shares of the Company in December 2020;

Does not require quantitative financial covenants, but imposed restrictions on the Loan's collateral, being the property and equipment of the Company, and has a $2.5 million personal guarantee from a Board Member of the Company; and

Term of the Loan and Security Facility was extended to January 1, 2023 with an option to renew for an additional 12 months at the satisfaction of the lender.

As at March 31, 2021, the Company has:

$15.4 million outstanding on the one time draw of $17.3 million. This loan has monthly blended principal and interest payments of $391;

$0.7 million outstanding on the $0.8 million draw on the accordion feature. This loan has monthly blended principal and interest payments of $23 until June 2021, $39 until December 2021 and then $29 thereafter; and

$ 1.2 million available to draw on the accordion feature, subject to approval from the lender.

Operating Loan Facility :

The Operating Loan Facility is comprised of a $3.0 million line of credit which is payable on demand by the lender and bears interest at a rate of Prime plus 5.0%. The Operating loan facility is margined by the Company's accounts receivable, and the available amount is determined monthly based on 75% of the Company's accounts receivable aged less than 90 days and 85% of the Company's accounts receivable aged less than 120 days from investment grade customers.

The Operating Loan Facility requires that the Company's current ratio does not fall below 1.50:1.00, the debt service coverage ratio does not fall below 1.00:1.00 until December 31, 2021 and 1.25:1.00 thereafter, and imposes a maximum debt level for the Company. As at March 31, 2021, the Company's current ratio, as defined to exclude the current portion of long term debt, was 2.15:1.00; the debt service coverage ratio, calculated in accordance with IAS 17 per agreement with lender, was 1.35:1.00 and the Company's total debt of $27,829 was below the maximum of $32,500.

OUTLOOK

The public health containment measures in place to limit the spread of COVID-19 have significantly reduced economic activity and reduced global oil demand, pressuring oil prices to historical lows. Certain countries reimposed containment measures during Q1 2021 as a result of second and third waves of infection. This is causing uncertainty on the pace and timing of the economic recovery. The pandemic is an unprecedented situation whose ultimate duration and magnitude are currently unknown.

Despite the challenging operating environment and reduced economic activity, the Company continues to execute on its long-term strategy of growing its S&S segment. We continued to effectively use cash flow to expand our fleet of MobileyeZ in order to provide surveillance services. In addition, the Company has used technological solutions in order to reduce the capital costs of expanding this service line and providing lower cost security solutions to customers. The Company's surveillance towers fitted with high resolution cameras and supported by Live, Verified Security Responses continue to see high utilization and we continued to see this trend subsequent to the end of the quarter. In addition, the Company continues to expand its security service offerings and geographic footprint with on-site security personnel services and remote monitoring solutions.

While oil prices have stabilized and activity has slightly increased in Western Canada, the Company anticipates that demand for rental equipment which supports drilling and completions activity in the WCSB will stay at historical lows during 2021 and the Company does not have a lot of visibility to activity beyond Q2 2021. While pricing has stabilized, it is still at all-time lows and the Company is not forecasting significant growth for this segment. The outlook remains uncertain and customers are very reactionary as commodity prices change. Most customers are not providing external guidance on activity which makes it difficult to predict utilization of the rental equipment fleet. As a result, the Company continues to focus on maintaining strong relationships with existing customers and cost reductions for this segment.

By focusing on cost efficiencies and providing value added services to customers, Zedcor is committed to generating strong free cash flow from operations to further reduce debt and strengthen the financial position of the Company. The Company plans to pursue low capital-intensive growth projects by utilizing existing infrastructure, where possible. This includes expanding the number of remote surveillance sites that can be serviced by our monitoring center. Where the opportunity arises, the Company will strengthen the balance sheet by selling underutilized assets.

NON-IFRS MEASURES RECONCILIATION

Zedcor Inc. uses certain measures in this press release which do not have any standardized meaning as prescribed by International Financial Reporting Standards ("IFRS"). These measures which are derived from information reported in the consolidated statements of loss and comprehensive loss may not be comparable to similar measures presented by other reporting issuers. These measures have been described and presented in this press release in order to provide shareholders and potential investors with additional information regarding the Company.

Investors are cautioned that EBITDA, adjusted EBITDA, adjusted EBITDA per share, adjusted EBIT and adjusted free cash flow are not acceptable alternatives to net income or net income per share, a measurement of liquidity, or comparable measures as determined in accordance with IFRS.

A reconciliation of net income to Adjusted EBITDA is provided below:

Three months ended March 31 (in $000s) 2021 2020 Net income (loss) and comprehensive income (loss) 224 (287 ) Add: Finance costs 944 819 Depreciation of property & equipment 846 1,216 Depreciation of right-of-use assets 235 337 Income taxes - (19 ) EBITDA 2,249 2,066 Add: Stock based compensation 31 9 (Gain) on sale of equipment (49 ) (51 ) (Gain) on disposal of right-of-use assets (72 ) - Severance costs 4 42 Adjusted EBITDA 2,163 2,066

*Net income is increased by $101 of CERS and $104 of CEWS for the three months ended March 31, 2021 (3 months ended March 31, 2021 - $nil)

Adjusted EBIT

Adjusted EBIT refers to earnings before interest and finance charges, taxes, and severance costs.

A reconciliation of net income to Adjusted EBIT is provided below:

Three months ended March 31 (in $000s) 2021 2020 Net income (loss) from continuing operations 224 (287 ) Add: Finance costs 944 819 Income taxes - (19 ) Severance costs 4 42 Adjusted EBIT 1,172 555

Adjusted free cash flow

Adjusted free cash flow is defined by management as net income plus non-cash expenses, plus or minus the net change in non-cash working capital, plus severance costs, less maintenance capital. Maintenance capital is also a non-IFRS term. Management defines maintenance capital as the amount of capital expenditure required to keep its operating assets functioning at the same level of efficiency. Management believes that adjusted free cash flow reflects the cash generated from the ongoing operation of the business. Adjusted free cash flow is a non-IFRS measure generally used as an indicator of funds available for re-investment and debt payment. There is no standardized method of determining free cash flow, adjusted free cash flow or maintenance capital prescribed under IFRS and therefore the Company's method of calculating these amounts is unlikely to be comparable to similar terms presented by other issuers.

Adjusted free cash flow from continuing operations is calculated as follows:

Three months ended March 31 (in $000s) 2021 2020 Net income (loss) from continuing operations 224 (287 ) Add non-cash expenses: Depreciation of property & equipment 846 1,216 Depreciation of right-of-use assets 235 337 (Gain) on disposal of property and equipment (49 ) (51 ) (Gain) on disposal of right-of-use assets (72 ) - Stock based compensation 31 9 Finance costs (non-cash portion) 318 130 Current taxes - (19 ) 1,533 1,335 Add non-recurring expenses: Severance 4 42 1,537 1,377 Change in non-cash working capital (730 ) (436 ) Maintenance capital (6 ) (38 ) Adjusted Free Cash Flow 801 903

No Conference Call

No conference call will be held in conjunction with this release. Full details of the Company's financial results, in the form of the condensed consolidated interim financial statements and notes for the three months ended March 31, 2021 and 2020 and Management's Discussion and Analysis of the results are available on SEDAR at www.sedar.com and on the Company's website at www.zedcor.ca .

About Zedcor Inc.

Zedcor Inc. is a Canadian public corporation and parent company to Zedcor Security Solutions Corp. ("Zedcor"). Zedcor is engaged in the providing security & surveillance services, and rental of surface equipment & accommodations in Western Canada. The Company trades on the TSX Venture Exchange under the symbol "ZDC". Zedcor operates with two business segments: Security & Surveillance and Rentals (formerly Energy Services).

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

Certain statements included or incorporated by reference in this press release constitute forward-looking statements or forward-looking information, including management's belief that streamlining rental assets with newer equipment will drive improvements in equipment rental rates and utilization, and that the expanded market reach and customer base will lead to more diversity in the Company's revenue stream and increase utilization. Forward-looking statements or information may contain statements with the words "anticipate", "believe", "expect", "plan", "intend", "estimate", "propose", "budget", "should", "project", "would have realized', "may have been" or similar words suggesting future outcomes or expectations. Although the Company believes that the expectations implied in such forward-looking statements or information are reasonable, undue reliance should not be placed on these forward-looking statements because the Company can give no assurance that such statements will prove to be correct. Forward-looking statements or information are based on current expectations, estimates and projections that involve a number of assumptions about the future and uncertainties. These assumptions include that the Company's new solar hybrid light tower and related security and surveillance service offerings will lead to more diversity in revenue streams and protect against future down swings in the economic environment. Although management believes these assumptions are reasonable, there can be no assurance that they will prove to be correct, and actual results will differ materially from those anticipated. For this purpose, any statements herein that are not statements of historical fact may be deemed to be forward-looking statements. The forward-looking statements or information contained in this press release are made as of the date hereof and the Company assumes no obligation to update publicly or revise any forward-looking statements or information, whether as a result of new contrary information, future events or any other reason, unless it is required by any applicable securities laws. The forward-looking statements or information contained in this press release are expressly qualified by this cautionary statement.

For further information contact:

Todd Ziniuk

Chief Executive Officer

P: (403) 930-5430

E: tziniuk@zedcor.ca

Amin Ladha

Chief Financial Officer

P: (403) 930-5430

E: aladha@zedcor.ca

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

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/84489
Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - May 19, 2021) - Sol Cuisine Ltd. (TSXV: PN.P) (formerly. Platform 9 Capital Corp.) (the "Company") is pleased to announce that it has completed its previously announced "Qualifying Transaction" in accordance with TSX Venture Exchange (TSXV) Policy 2.4 - Capital Pool Companies (the "Transaction") pursuant to the terms of the Business Combination Agreement dated April 14, 2021 between the Company, 12835151 Canada Inc. ("Subco"), a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company, and Sol Cuisine Inc. ("Sol Cuisine").

The Transaction was completed by way of a three cornered amalgamation whereby Sol Cuisine and Subco amalgamated under the laws of Canada. In addition, the Company is pleased to announce the conversion and exchange of the subscription receipts (the "Subscription Receipts") issued in connection with Sol Cuisine's previously announced private placement offering of Subscription Receipts led by Canaccord Genuity Corp., together with CIBC World Markets Inc. and National Bank Financial Inc. (collectively, the "Agents"), which together with an investment by certain existing shareholders of Sol Cuisine raised gross proceeds of approximately $15 million (collectively, the "Offering").

Immediately prior to the closing of the Transaction, the Company consolidated its issued and outstanding common shares on a 16.2076:1 basis (the "Consolidation") and changed its name from Platform 9 Capital Corp. to "Sol Cuisine Ltd.". Upon completion of the Transaction, including completion of the Offering, the issued and outstanding share capital of the Company consists of 54,382,350 common shares ("Common Shares") on a non-diluted basis and 65,737,151 Common Shares on a fully diluted basis.

Final acceptance of the Transaction will occur upon the issuance of the Final Exchange Bulletin by the TSXV. Subject to final acceptance by the TSXV, the Company will be classified as a Tier 2 issuer pursuant to TSXV policies. The Common Shares are expected to commence trading on the TSXV under the symbol "VEG" at the opening of markets on May 26, 2021.

In connection with the transaction, the Company's board of directors has been reconstituted and is now comprised of the following individuals: Mike Fata (Chair), Dror Balshine, Mary Dalimonte, Beena Goldenberg and Lisa Swartzman. In addition, the board has appointed John Flanagan as Chief Executive Officer, David McLaren as Chief Financial Officer, Dror Balshine as President, Ken Cross as Chief Marketing Officer, Sarah Cline as Vice President of Sales, Prashin Chaturvedi as Vice President Supply Chain and CI, Michael Presley as Vice President Finance and Jason Saltzman as Corporate Secretary. The Company also adopted a new 15% "fixed" stock option plan (the "Plan") as at the closing of the Transaction allowing for the issuance of a maximum of 8,157,353 common shares pursuant to the exercise of options under the Plan.

Full details of the Transaction and certain other matters are set out in the filing statement of the Company dated May 7, 2021 (the "Filing Statement"). A copy of the Filing Statement can be found under the Company's SEDAR profile on SEDAR at www.sedar.com.

Legal Advisors

Gowling WLG (Canada) LLP were legal advisors to Sol Cuisine, WeirFoulds LLP were legal advisors to Platform 9 and Dentons Canada LLP were legal advisors to the Agents in connection with the Transaction.

Early Warning Disclosure as a Result of Completion of the Transaction

Pursuant to the Transaction, Planted Power Inc. ("PPI") acquired control over 11,217,327 Common Shares all of which were issued in exchange for the common shares of Sol Cuisine held by PPI prior to completion of the Transaction. PPI also acquired 22,254 Common Share purchase warrants to acquire 22,254 Common Shares until May 18, 2023 all of which were issued in exchange for the common share purchase warrants of Sol Cuisine held by PPI prior to the completion of the Transaction. Dror Balshine, a director and officer of the Company is the sole director of PPI and is controlled by the 2018 Balshine Family Trust, a trust that Dror Balshine and his spouse, Tamara Sussman, are trustees of and the beneficiaries of which are members of Dror Balshine's immediate family. PPI exercises control over 11,217,327 Common Shares (representing approximately 20.63% of the issued and outstanding Common Shares on a non-diluted basis and 17.06% on a fully-diluted basis). In addition, Dror Balshine directly holds 1,101,746 stock options of the Company exercisable until October 1, 2027 all of which were issued in exchange for the stock options of Sol Cuisine held by Dror Balshine prior to the completion of the Transaction. PPI currently does not have any plan to acquire or dispose of additional securities of the Company. However, PPI may acquire additional securities of the Company, dispose of some or all of the existing or additional securities it holds or will hold, or may continue to hold its current position, depending on market conditions, reformulation of plans and/or other relevant factors.

Pursuant to the Transaction, BDC Capital Inc. ("BDC"), a federal crown corporation, acquired control over 16,862,906 Common Shares all of which were issued in exchange for the common shares of Sol Cuisine held by BDC prior to completion of the Transaction. BDC also acquired 264,568 Common Share purchase warrants to acquire 264,568 Common Shares until May 18, 2023 all of which were issued in exchange for the common share purchase warrants of Sol Cuisine held by BDC prior to the completion of the Transaction. BDC exercises control over 16,862,906 Common Shares (representing approximately 31.00% of the issued and outstanding Common Shares on a non-diluted basis and 25.65% on a fully-diluted basis). BDC currently does not have any plan to acquire or dispose of additional securities of the Company. However, BDC may acquire additional securities of the Company, dispose of some or all of the existing or additional securities it holds or will hold, or may continue to hold its current position, depending on market conditions, reformulation of plans and/or other relevant factors.

Pursuant to the Transaction, New Acres Capital Ag & Food Limited Partnership and New Acres Capital Ag & Food Parallel Limited Partnership (collectively "New Acres Funds") acquired control over an aggregate 8,898,012 Common Shares all of which were issued in exchange for the common shares of Sol Cuisine held by New Acres Funds prior to completion of the Transaction. New Acres Funds also acquired 90,887 Common Share purchase warrants to acquire 90,887 Common Shares until May 18, 2023 all of which were issued in exchange for the common share purchase warrants of Sol Cuisine held by New Acres Funds prior to the completion of the Transaction. New Acres Funds exercise control over 8,898,012 Common Shares (representing approximately 16.36% of the issued and outstanding Common Shares on a non-diluted basis and 13.54% on a fully-diluted basis). New Acres Funds currently does not have any plan to acquire or dispose of additional securities of the Company. However, New Acres Funds may acquire additional securities of the Company, dispose of some or all of the existing or additional securities it holds or will hold, or may continue to hold its current position, depending on market conditions, reformulation of plans and/or other relevant factors.

Pursuant to the Transaction, Export Development Canada ("EDC"), a federal crown corporation, acquired control over 8,541,483 Common Shares all of which were issued in exchange for the common shares of Sol Cuisine held by EDC prior to completion of the Transaction. EDC also acquired 87,246 Common Share purchase warrants to acquire 87,246 Common Shares until May 18, 2023 all of which were issued in exchange for the common share purchase warrants of Sol Cuisine held by EDC prior to the completion of the Transaction. EDC exercises control over 8,541,483 Common Shares (representing approximately 15.71% of the issued and outstanding Common Shares on a non-diluted basis and 12.99% on a fully-diluted basis). EDC currently does not have any plan to acquire or dispose of additional securities of the Company. However, EDC may acquire additional securities of the Company, dispose of some or all of the existing or additional securities it holds or will hold, or may continue to hold its current position, depending on market conditions, reformulation of plans and/or other relevant factors.

The foregoing disclosure regarding is being disseminated pursuant to National Instrument 62-103 - The Early Warning System and Related Take-Over Bid and Insider Reporting. Copies of the early warning reports with respect to the foregoing will appear on the Company's profile on the System for Electronic Document Analysis and Retrieval ("SEDAR") at www.sedar.com and may also be obtained by contacting the Company's CFO David McLaren at dmclaren@solcuisine.com or 905-502-8100.

For additional information concerning the Transaction and the foregoing matters in connection therewith, please refer to the Company's press releases dated March 8, 2021, April 14, 2021, April 15, 2021, April 23, 2021 and May 7, 2021 and the Filing Statement, all of which are available under the Company's SEDAR profile at www.sedar.com.

Investors are cautioned that, except as disclosed in the Filing Statement, any information released or received with respect to the Transaction may not be accurate or complete and should not be relied upon. Trading in securities of a capital pool company should be considered highly speculative.

This press release is not an offer of securities for sale in the United States. The securities described in this press release have not been registered under the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and may not be offered or sold in the United States or to, or for the account or benefit of, U.S. persons (as defined in Regulation S under the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended) absent registration or an exemption from registration. This press release shall not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy nor shall there be any sale of the securities in any jurisdiction where such offer, solicitation, or sale would be unlawful.

The TSX Venture Exchange Inc. has in no way passed upon the merits of the Transaction and has neither approved nor disapproved the contents of this press release.

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

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This press release includes forward-looking information within the meaning of Canadian securities laws regarding the Company and its business. Often but not always, forward-looking information can be identified by the use of words such as "expect", "intends", "anticipated", "believes" or variations (including negative variations) of such words and phrases, or state that certain actions, events or results "may", "could", "would" or "will" be taken, occur or be achieved. Such statements are based on the current expectations and views of future events of the management of each entity, and are based on assumptions and subject to risks and uncertainties. Although the management believes that the assumptions underlying these statements are reasonable, they may prove to be incorrect. The forward-looking events and circumstances discussed in this press release may not occur and could differ materially as a result of known and unknown risk factors and uncertainties affecting the companies, including risks regarding the industry, market conditions, economic factors, management's ability to manage and to operate the business of the Company and the equity markets generally. Although the Company has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual actions, events or results to differ materially from those described in forward-looking statements, there may be other factors that cause actions, events or results to differ from those anticipated, estimated or intended. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on any forward-looking statements or information. No forward-looking statement can be guaranteed. Except as required by applicable securities laws, forward-looking statements speak only as of the date on which they are made and the Company undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise.

About Sol Cuisine Ltd.

Sol Cuisine is a fast-growing producer of branded, consumer-preferred plant-based protein offerings across key center-of-plate and appetizer categories. Sol Cuisine's products are offered through an established omni-channel distribution platform in Canada and the U.S. and are available in over 11,000 stores and more than 41,000 unique points of distribution. Over a history of 20+ years, Sol Cuisine has consistently demonstrated an ability to innovate and delight customers in Canada and the U.S., while remaining true to its commitment to producing great tasting products that are nutritionally superior both to meat-based offerings and to competitive plant-based products. Sol Cuisine's taste and nutritional superiority has also resulted in private label contracts with some of the most recognized grocery retailers in North America. These products are all produced at Sol Cuisine's two state of the art facilities, totaling 35,000 square foot facility in Mississauga, Ontario, capable of supporting up to 10 million kilograms of volume per annum.

For more information please contact:

John Flanagan, Chief Executive Officer

Sol Cuisine Ltd. Telephone: (905) 502-8500

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/84495
Werbehinweise: Die Billigung des Basisprospekts durch die BaFin ist nicht als ihre Befurwortung der angebotenen Wertpapiere zu verstehen. Wir empfehlen Interessenten und potenziellen Anlegern den Basisprospekt und die Endgultigen Bedingungen zu lesen, bevor sie eine Anlageentscheidung treffen, um sich moglichst umfassend zu informieren, insbesondere uber die potenziellen Risiken und Chancen des Wertpapiers. Sie sind im Begriff, ein Produkt zu erwerben, das nicht einfach ist und schwer zu verstehen sein kann.


SEATTLE (dpa-AFX) - Amazon is indefinitely extending its moratorium on sale of its face recognition software, Rekognition, to law enforcement, Reuters reported. The company said it would extend its ban on police usage of the technology 'until further notice.'



The technology major's one-year ban on the sale of its technology to law enforcement, that was set in June 2020 amidst nationwide protests against police violence, was to expire on June 10, 2021. Amazon had banned the sale to give enough time to the governments to implement stronger regulations for racial equality and justice.



Facial-recognition technology, which can be used by governments to spy on anyone, and for racial discrimination, has been widely criticized for years now. The police departments allegedly have arrested several Black men wrongfully using this technology.



Amazon's last year's decision to halt sales of Recognition to police departments was after wide-scale protests against police violence in the United States that started with the merciless killing of George Floyd by a Minneapolis police officer.



The American Civil Liberties Union or ACLU, which was a major advocate against the use of the technology for years, said it was glad with the company's decision to extend the ban indefinitely.



In 2018, the ACLU joined with nearly 100 civil rights, religious, community-based, and labor organizations to ask Amazon to stop selling its face recognition technology to government agencies over concerns that the tool is being used for racial discrimination.



The privacy activists had also called Microsoft and Google to stop providing the technology to governments. Most recently, the ACLU asked President Biden to impose a moratorium on the federal government's use of the technology.



Responding to Amazon's latest decision, Nathan Freed Wessler, deputy director of the ACLU's Speech, Privacy, and Technology Project, now said, 'The threats posed last year by police use of face recognition technology are identical today. ..Now, the Biden administration and legislatures across the country must further protect communities from the dangers of this technology by ending its use by law enforcement entirely, regardless which company is selling it.'



Copyright RTT News/dpa-AFX

AMAZON-Aktie komplett kostenlos handeln - auf Smartbroker.de
Named by Forbes as one of 'America's Best Employers for Diversity'

One of 300 companies on Financial Times ranking for 'Europe's Climate Leaders 2021'

Listed as one of the '100 Best Corporate Citizens' by 3BL Media for 8th year in a row

Trane Technologies plc (NYSE:TT), a global climate innovator, recently earned three prestigious rankings: Forbes 'America's Best Employers for Diversity', Financial Times 'Europe's Climate Leaders 2021', and 3BL Media's '100 Best Corporate Citizens of 2021.' Inclusion on these rankings recognize the company's significant contributions towards diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) in the workplace, and outstanding sustainability performance.

"Last year, we launched Trane Technologies as a climate-focused company and had an opportunity to re-imagine what we could be with a purpose built around sustainability," said Mike Lamach, chairman and chief executive officer for Trane Technologies. "I'm incredibly proud of our employees around the globe that continue to make progress toward our 2030 Sustainability Commitments and transform our industry. Being recognized for our accomplishments in diversity, corporate citizenship and environmental sustainability is an honor and spurs us to keep challenging what's possible for a sustainable world."

The company continues to earn rankings and recognition for its 2020 ESG outcomes, which are summarized in its recently released ESG Report, Bold Action for a Sustainable Future

Sustainability as a strategy

As a climate innovator with a purpose-driven strategy around sustainability, Trane Technologies addresses climate change, resource scarcity and changing demographics. The company and its strategic brands, Trane and Thermo King, made significant strides in 2020, including:

Progress toward the Gigaton Challenge. The company reduced 7.7 million metric tons of carbon emissions from customers' carbon footprint, equivalent to annual greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions avoided by 1,602 wind turbines. These outcomes contribute to the company's goal to reduce customer GHGs by 1 billion metric tons (a gigaton) by 2030.

The company reduced 7.7 million metric tons of carbon emissions from customers' carbon footprint, equivalent to annual greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions avoided by 1,602 wind turbines. These outcomes contribute to the company's goal to reduce customer GHGs by 1 billion metric tons (a gigaton) by 2030. Progress toward achieving carbon neutrality. The company continued to lead by example by reducing 54,681 metric tons of carbon emissions from its own operations and meeting 39% of its energy demand with renewables.

The company continued to lead by example by reducing 54,681 metric tons of carbon emissions from its own operations and meeting 39% of its energy demand with renewables. Energy-efficient and low-emission product innovation. The company also launched more than 50 new sustainable solutions last year through its brands Trane and Thermo King, including technology in transport refrigeration, HVAC climate control and digitally connected building equipment and controls.

The company also launched more than 50 new sustainable solutions last year through its brands Trane and Thermo King, including technology in transport refrigeration, HVAC climate control and digitally connected building equipment and controls. Continued work toward gender parity . Trane Technologies' Board of Directors includes five women directors out of 13. Today 21.7 percent of leadership roles are held by women, more than twice the average for S&P 1500 companies. The company continues to accelerate progress toward parity.

. Trane Technologies' Board of Directors includes five women directors out of 13. Today 21.7 percent of leadership roles are held by women, more than twice the average for S&P 1500 companies. The company continues to accelerate progress toward parity. Launched the Center for Healthy and Efficient Spaces. In response to increased need for indoor environmental quality (IEQ) solutions, the company brought together internal and external experts to accelerate innovation and advocacy in this area.

Trane Technologies also recently announced a revised executive and senior leader incentive plan that links directly to ESG metrics and the company's bold 2030 Sustainability Commitments.

The company was among only 300 companies named to the Financial Times ranking Europe's Climate Leaders 2021 for reducing energy intensity.

For the eight year in a row, the company was named to 3BL Media's 100 Best Corporate Citizens list, which recognizes outstanding ESG transparency and performance among the largest public companies in the United States. The ranking evaluates transparency and performance factors across eight pillars, including: climate change, employee relations, environment, finance, governance, human rights, stakeholders and society, and ESG performance.

A culture of inclusion and opportunity

Trane Technologies "Opportunity for All" pledge commits to achieving gender parity in leadership, workforce diversity reflective of its communities, and community initiatives that support equitable education and pathways to green and Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) careers.

Trane Technologies was the first in its industry to join Paradigm4Parity, a business coalition to close the gender gap in corporate leadership, and is a founding member of OneTen, a corporate coalition that aims to upskill, hire, and advance careers for one million Black Americans. In addition to efforts to ensure diverse representation throughout the company, Trane Technologies implements numerous initiatives, policies, and programs to include and uplift all employees globally.

Named one of Forbes 'America's Best Employers for Diversity,' Trane Technologies joins the top half of the list of over 500 influential companies acknowledged by Forbes for dedication to diversity, equity and inclusion. Recognized employers received the most recommendations and have the most diverse boards and executive ranks, as well as the most proactive diversity and inclusion initiatives.

About Trane Technologies

Trane Technologies is a global climate innovator. Through our strategic brands Trane and Thermo King, and our environmentally responsible portfolio of products and services, we bring efficient and sustainable climate solutions to buildings, homes, and transportation. Learn more at tranetechologies.com.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210519005210/en/

Contacts:

Media:

Jennifer Regina, Trane Technologies

+1-630- 390-8011, jennifer.regina@tranetechnologies.com

Investors:

Zachary Nagle, Trane Technologies

+1-704-990-3913, zachary.nagle@tranetechnologies.com
MAASTRICHT, Netherlands, May 19, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Pie Medical Imaging ("PMI"), a global leader in cardiac imaging, today announced the conclusion of the FASTII trial and presentation of the results as a late breaking clinical trial at EuroPCR 2021.

CAAS vFFR is an innovative technology allowing the non-invasive physiological assessment of coronary lesions. It calculates a pressure drop and vFFR value using angiography images only, without the need for invasive coronary artery instrumentation and/or adenosine.

In the FAST II trial, under the leadership of principal investigators Joost Daemen, MD, PhD and Kaneshka Masdjedi (MD) 334 patients were included in 6 centers over 3 continents: Erasmus Medical Center (NL), CHU Lille (FR), Herzzentrum Dresden (DE), Centro Cardiologico Monzino (IT), Tokyo University Medical Center (JP) and Columbia University Medical Center (USA).

"In the FAST II trial," said Joost Daemen MD, PhD, principal investigator "We confirmed that vFFR as calculated using CAAS vFFR has a high diagnostic accuracy to detect FFR = 0.80 in an international multi-center setting. vFFR is an accurate, fast and easy to use tool to assess coronary physiology."

The results of FAST II confirm the findings in the earlier FAST I and FAST Extend studies showing high diagnostic accuracy to estimate lesion significance and paving the way towards a broader adoption of physiological lesion assessment in routine practice.

"By these publications and studies, PMI is committed to continue developing innovate solutions to allow better and more efficient patient care. We want to thank all the participating sites and authors for their outstanding work and are proud of such cooperation," said Rene Guillaume, PMI Managing Director.

About Pie Medical Imaging

Pie Medical Imaging BV is a world leader in analysis and visualization of cardiovascular images in Maastricht (The Netherlands), it hosts the global sales for the CAAS and 3mensio product lines. PMI and 3mensio Medical Imaging are part of the Esaote Group, leader in the biomedical equipment sector, in particular the areas of ultrasound, dedicated MRI and Medical IT. More information about PMI is available at www.piemedicalimaging.com

Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1511581/PMI__Logo.jpg

Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1511580/CAAS_for_press_release.jpg
- Next.e.GO Mobile SE and Quimmco Autopartes y Maquinados, S.A. DE C.V. (QUESTUM) cooperate on market entry launch and market test in Mexico

AACHEN, Germany, May 19, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Next.e.GO Mobile SE (e.GO), the only independent European electric car manufacturer, plans to enter the Mexican market in cooperation with the industrial consortium Grupo Quimmco from Monterrey, Mexico, specifically with QUESTUM, its subsidiary company. e.GO is aiming to build a production facility in Mexico. e.GO's unique 5G-ready micro-factory is perfectly suited not only to serve the growing Mexican market but later also to supply parts to other e.GO facilities in the American continent.

Established to produce one of the most sustainable Battery Electric Vehicles (BEV), e.GO is leveraging its modular and scalable micro-factory. The company has successfully developed a disruptive industry 4.0-based production model (Internet of Production) that significantly lowers the capex requirements and time-to-market, while ensuring highly efficient production with a low break-even point. e.GO's decentralized production system combined with QUESTUM's expertise will contribute to the local economy and help create employment opportunities.

QUESTUM is the strategic and technology partner for the local market with access not only to the territory but to key customers and large automotive fleets. With the e.GO vehicles, Quimmco plans to electrify vehicle fleets nationwide.

"With this agreement, e.GO has not only found the right industrial partners with strong access to local market, but at the same time, through their long-established supply relationship with key industrial groups and fleets, creates an increasing order book that will underpin our growth aspirations in Mexico from the outset," explains Ali Vezvaei, Chairman of the Management Board at Next.e.GO Mobile SE.

Manuel Valdes, QUESTUM's CEO sees e.GO as an important new pillar for the diversification of the business: "We have been developing the electromobility market within Mexico for many years, so when the idea of e.GO came across, we were immediately enthusiastic. We will be part of a true success story of German engineering and quality building environmentally friendly e-mobility. This agreement with e.GO is an important milestone for us to further expand our business in the e-mobility and automotive sector."

Next.e.GO Mobile SE

Next.e.GO Mobile SE, headquartered in Aachen, is a manufacturer of electric vehicles and sustainable mobility systems. On the RWTH Aachen Campus, 370 employees of Next.e.GO Mobile SE use the unique network of science and business with 420 technology companies as well as a comprehensive research infrastructure. Agile teams are working on various cost-effective and particularly durable electric vehicles for short-distance traffic.

www.e-go-mobile.com

Quimmco Autopartes y Maquinados, S.A. de C.V. ("QUESTUM")

QUESTUM is a company of Grupo Quimmco that brings together the capabilities of casting, forging and high precision machining to offer integral solutions that unify our people and customers. QUESTUM through Atmovum, has been developing an electromobility ecosystem with original equipment manufacturers, fleets, associations and other institutions since 2014

Grupo Quimmco is an industrial consortium servicing world-class customers, in Mexico and abroad, who demand high standards of quality, competitiveness and innovation. Quimmco comprises ten facilities strategically located to serve NAFTA market.

www.questum.com

Contact:

Next.e.GO Mobile SE

Public Relations

Campus-Boulevard 30

52074 Aachen

T +49 241 47574-227

presse@e-go-mobile.com

Questum

Public Relations

Av. Roble 701, Piso 11, Col. Valle del Campestre,

San Pedro Garza Garcia, N.L. C.P. 66265, Mexico

T +52 (81) 8368 7500

comunicacion@questum.com

Photo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1513712/NexteGO_Mobile_SE_Factory_Aachen_Germany.jpg


TORONTO, May 19, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) --

WHAT: Maaza Mengiste, award-winning author of The Shadow King, will deliver the 8th Annual Pluralism Lecture via livestream on May 19, 2021, about approaching difficult history in ways that can promote belonging over division. Co-presented by the Global Centre for Pluralism and the University of British Columbia, this year's lecture features an introduction by Princess Zahra Aga Khan, Global Centre for Pluralism Board Member, reflecting on how the pandemic has created an urgency for building respect, empathy, and a more equitable, just and prosperous future for all. WHERE: Livestream can be viewed at: https://www.pluralism.ca/event/maaza-mengiste-8thannual-pluralism-lecture (https://www.pluralism.ca/event/maaza-mengiste-8th%20annual-pluralism-lecture) WHEN: Wednesday, May 19, 2021 12:00 p.m. EDT WHO: Ethiopian novelist and 2020 Booker Prize finalist, Maaza Mengiste CONTACT: Calina Ellwand, Manager Communications and Public Affairs Global Centre for Pluralism media@pluralism.ca (mailto:media@pluralism.ca) +1-613-688-0137 OPPORTUNITIES: Audience Q&A with Maaza Mengiste, hosted by Nahlah Ayed (CBC Ideas) Media may submit questions in advance to media@pluralism.ca (mailto:media@pluralism.ca) Lecture videos, transcript, and images available upon request

Maaza Mengiste

Maaza Mengiste, a critically acclaimed novelist and essayist, examines the individual lives at stake during migration, war, and exile. She was born in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, and lived in Nigeria and Kenya before moving to the United States. Mengiste's debut novel, Beneath the Lion's Gaze (2010), was named one of The Guardian's 10 Best Contemporary African Books. Her latest novel, The Shadow King (2019), was called "one of the most beautiful novels of the year" by National Public Radio and was a 2020 Booker Prize finalist. Winner of the 2020 Literature Award from the American Academy of Arts and Letters, Mengiste's honours include the Creative Capital Award, a Fulbright Scholarship, and fellowships from the National Endowment for the Arts and Puterbaugh Festival of International Literature & Culture.

Global Centre for Pluralism

The Global Centre for Pluralism, founded by His Highness the Aga Khan and the Government of Canada, works with policy leaders, educators and community builders around the world to amplify and implement the transformative power of pluralism.

University of British Columbia

The University of British Columbia is a global centre for research and teaching, consistently ranked among the top 20 public universities in the world. Since 1915, UBC's entrepreneurial spirit has embraced innovation and challenged the status quo. UBC encourages its students, staff and faculty to challenge convention, lead discovery and explore new ways of learning.
Acquisition expands Anaqua's offerings with easy-to-use platform, supported by exceptional customer service, to help IP practitioners streamline their global filings process

BOSTON, May 19, 2021, the leading innovation and intellectual propertyfrom Acapo AS. The transaction further strengthens Anaqua's strategic line of IP management solutions, offering corporations and law firms an intuitive, transparent, and efficient experience in managing the Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT) National Phase and European Patent (EP) Validation filing processes.



Anaqua will continue to enhance Actio IP's tech-enabled foreign filing services platform, ACTIO Portal, while significantly investing in the integration of the services with Anaqua's IP management software and payment services. Actio IP, which also offers IP renewals, will add incremental volume to Anaqua's existing payments business.

"Both companies share a deep commitment to leveraging technology to optimize the IP workflow process," said Christine Jennings, President of Anaqua Services, who will lead the new business unit. "We believe this combination will enhance the customer experience by pairing our existing payments business with another high-quality service that can be seamlessly-integrated with our software platforms and other offerings."

All Actio IP employees will join Anaqua as part of the acquisition, as the business expands its current operations in Bergen, Norway under the management of Actio IP executives Spencer Vold-Burgess and Anders Osa-Svanberg, who will both report to Christine Jennings.

"The combination of the two companies will serve to address the growing demand for increased efficiency in global filings," said Spencer Vold-Burgess, who will join Anaqua as Director, Client Services. "Since our initial interactions with Anaqua, it has been clear that we share the same goals in providing unparalleled IP solutions and customer service to help our clients streamline IP management processes. Our team has been impressed with Anaqua's global scale and client base, and look forward to joining the Anaqua team and innovating to better serve this evolving industry."

"Anaqua will be a great partner for Actio IP going forward," said Hilde Vold-Burgess, Managing Partner of Acapo. "This acquisition will strengthen Actio IP's capacity to pursue strategic growth initiatives and continue delivering innovative solutions to the IP industry. We wish Actio IP and the team all the best under the Anaqua umbrella, and look forward to continuing using their services as they enter this next phase of scaling."

Latham & Watkins LLP and Wikborg Rein Advokatfirma AS served as legal counsel to Anaqua.

About Anaqua

Anaqua, Inc. is a premium provider of integrated intellectual property, or on LinkedIn.

About Actio IP

Actio IP AS was founded in 2009 with the goal of developing Intellectual Property, or on LinkedIn.

About Acapo

Acapo is one of the leading Intellectual Property consultancy firms in Norway with offices in Oslo, Bergen, Trondheim and Fredrikstad. The firm's services include advisory services within all fields of IPR. Filing and prosecution of applications for European and Norwegian patents is within Acacpo's core field of business and their lawyers attend to litigation of cases pertaining to i.e. patents, trademarks and marketing law. The highly skilled staff of Acapo also handle filing of applications for Norwegian and European trademark and design registrations. As a full-service IPR-firm, Acapo also attend to maintenance of patents, and design and trademark registrations. For more information, visit acapo.no, or on LinkedIn.

Company Contact:

Amanda Hollis

Associate Director, Communications

Anaqua

617-375-2626

ahollis@Anaqua.com
VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESSWIRE / May 19, 2021 / FIORE GOLD LTD. (TSXV:F)(OTCQB:FIOGF)(FSE:2FO) ("Fiore" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that its financial statements and management's discussion and analysis for the second fiscal quarter ("Q2 2021") ended March 31, 2021, have been filed with the securities regulatory authorities and are available at www.sedar.com and on the Company's website at www.fioregold.com.

Fiscal Q2 2021 Highlights

(all figures in U.S. dollars unless otherwise indicated)

Operating & Financial

Net income of $4.5 million and $0.05 net earnings per share, putting Fiore Gold at or above $0.05 net earnings per share for four consecutive quarters

Q2 gold production of 10,915 ounces, a 19% increase compared to Q1 2021 as heap leach pH and alkalinity levels improved during the quarter

Gold sales of 10,884 ounces at an average realized price of $1,770 per ounce

Mined ore production in Q2 of 12,351 tons per day with a stripping ratio of 1.6:1.0 and grade of 0.45 grams per tonne ("g/t") or 0.013 ounces/ton ("opt")

One-million hours worked at the Pan Mine without a lost time injury

81,542 total site hours worked in Q1 with zero lost-time injuries and no reportable environmental incidents

Q2 cash costs per ounce sold 1 of $979

of $979 Q2 Pan Mine AISC 1 per ounce sold of $1,020 and Fiore consolidated AISC 1 of $1,186

per ounce sold of $1,020 and Fiore consolidated AISC of $1,186 Recorded quarterly revenues of $19.3 million with mine operating income of $7.1 million

Generated Pan operating cash flow 1 of $5.2 million and consolidated operating cash flow of $3.6 million

of $5.2 million and consolidated operating cash flow of $3.6 million Closing cash balance of $17.5 million at March 31, 2021, a reduction in cash from September 30, 2020 as we invest in the expansion of the Pan heap leach pad to accommodate added mine life and on-going drilling and Feasibility Study activities to advance Gold Rock

Organic Growth

The Pan heap leach pad expansion project is progressing well with first ore expected to be placed on the new portion of the pad in fiscal Q3

At Gold Rock, additional drill results from the resource expansion and exploration drilling program showed: several holes with wide, higher-grade gold intercepts have defined mineralization extending at least 400 m beyond the northern end of the currently defined Gold Rock mineralization, and; a new discovery of oxide gold mineralization at Jasperoid Creek approximately 1.4 km north of the current Gold Rock Preliminary Economic Assessment ("PEA") pits. intervals of oxide gold mineralization both within and outside of the current resource pit shells

Highlights from drilling during the quarter included: 45.7 metres of 2.01 g/t gold 42.7 metres of 1.17 g/t gold 19.8 metres of 1.33 g/t gold 12.2 metres of 1.75 g/t gold



1 This is a non-IFRS financial measure. Please refer to "Non-IFRS Financial Measures" at the end of this news release for a description of these non-IFRS financial measures and to the Non-IFRS Financial measures in the March 31, 2021 Management's Discussion and Analysis for a reconciliation to operating costs from the Company's interim financial statements.

Tim Warman, Fiore's CEO commented, "We pride ourselves on consistent and safe operations at the Pan Mine, so we are particularly pleased to have reached one million hours worked without a lost time injury, while at the same time consistently delivering our shareholders strong net earnings and cash flow. It is this operating discipline we expect to apply to our federally-permitted Gold Rock project where we continue to see promising drill results and new targets. We look forward to advancing our goal of becoming the only multi-asset, 100% domestic US gold producer."

Q2 gold production of 10,915 ounces was a 19% increase over Q1 2021, although lower than fiscal Q2 2020. Our team responded well to the leach pad issues we experienced in Q1 with the application of additional lime, bringing the leach solution pH and alkalinity back towards optimal levels for effective gold leaching. Gold loaded to carbon, which is reflective of gold production, trended upward toward normal levels with monthly figures of 3,294 ounces in January, 3,483 ounces in February and 4,155 ounces in March.

As guided, 2021 will be a year of significant reinvestment to support the longevity of the Pan Mine and to continue advancing Gold Rock. We recently announced a two-year mine life extension at Pan, and we are investing in expanding the heap leach capacity to support this extension. We spent $4.0 million on capital additions in the quarter, primarily the Pan Mine heap leach pad expansion, which is expected to be ready for ore stacking in fiscal Q3. At Gold Rock, we continued with our resource expansion drilling and related Feasibility Study work spending $0.9 million in the quarter. We are pleased with initial drill results as they continue to expand the oxide mineralization and identify new targets at Gold Rock.

Review of Operating Results

Three Months Ended

March 31, Operating Results 2021 2020 Ore Mined (t) 1,111,622 1,290,130 Waste Mined (t) 1,785,296 2,262,897 Total Mined (t) 2,896,918 3,553,027 Gold Ounces Mined (oz) 14,571 20,635 Ore Grade Mined (oz/t) 0.013 0.016 Ore Grade Mined (g/t) 0.449 0.548 Strip Ratio waste/ore 1.6 1.8 Gold Ounces Produced (oz) 10,915 12,085 Gold Ounces Sold (Payable) (oz) 10,884 12,026 Average Realized Price1 $/oz 1,770 1,576 Total Cash Costs per Ounce1 $/oz 979 983 Cost of Sales per Ounce1 $/oz 1,119 1,135 Pan Mine AISC per Ounce1 $/oz 1,020 1,039 Fiore Consolidated AISC per Ounce1 $/oz 1,186 1,135



Ore tons mined was lower was lower than our normal run rate but was offset by higher grade compared to mine plan. This allowed up to place the targeted ounces on the pad as well as increase our waste tonnage compared to mine plan. At a gold grade of 0.449 g/t, we mined 14,571 ounces in the quarter. All cost metrics remained largely in line with prior year.

1 This is a non-IFRS financial measure. Please refer to "Non-IFRS Financial Measures" at the end of this news release for a description of these non-IFRS financial measures and to the Non-IFRS Financial measures in the March 31, 2021 Management's Discussion and Analysis for a reconciliation to operating costs from the Company's interim financial statements.

Q1 2021 Financial Results

Three Months Ended March 31, Financial Results of Operations 2021 2020 Select Items - On a Consolidated Basis $000's $000's Revenue 19,279 18,956 Mine Operating Income 7,096 5,305 Income from Operations 5,185 3,516 Net Income 4,496 2,889 Adjusted Net Earnings1 4,129 2,890 Financial Position as of: March 31,

2021 September 30,

2020 Select Items - On a Consolidated Basis $000's $000's Cash 17,515 23,207 Inventories 31,417 26,256 Total Current Assets 50,426 50,786 Mineral Property, Plant and Equipment, net 17,934 11,412 Evaluation Assets 7,251 4,512 Total Assets 84,166 75,770 Total Current Liabilities (9,781 ) (10,743 ) Long-Term Liabilities (6,731 ) (7,231 ) Working Capital Surplus 40,645 40,043



Relative to the prior year quarter, Fiore demonstrated improvements on all profitability measures noted above. This was primarily due to higher realized gold prices and lower operating costs as the stripping ratio decreased.

Our liquidity and financial position remain strong with a cash balance of $17.5 million and working capital of $40.6 million. Refer to the Company's MD&A and Financial Statements for additional information. Our financial strength puts Fiore in a good position to continue to progress our growth assets.

Corporate Strategy

Our corporate strategy is to grow Fiore Gold into a 150,000 ounce per year gold producer focused on stable jurisdictions. To achieve this, we intend to:

grow gold production at the Pan Mine while also growing the reserve and resource base;

advance exploration and development of the nearby Gold Rock project; and

acquire additional production or near-production assets to complement our existing operations.

Qualified Person

The scientific and technical information contained in this news release relating to Fiore Gold's Pan Mine was approved by J. Ross MacLean (MMSA), Fiore Gold's Chief Operating Officer and a "Qualified Person" under National Instrument 43-101.

On behalf of FIORE GOLD LTD.

"Tim Warman"

Chief Executive Officer

Contact Us:

info@fioregold.com

1 (416) 639-1426 Ext. 1

www.fioregold.com

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

Non-IFRS Financial Measures

The Company has included certain non-IFRS measures in this document, as discussed below. The Company believes that these measures, in addition to conventional measures prepared in accordance with IFRS, provide investors an improved ability to evaluate the underlying performance of the Company. The non-IFRS measures are intended to provide additional information and should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute for measures of performance prepared in accordance with IFRS. These measures do not have any standardized meaning prescribed under IFRS, and therefore may not be comparable to other issuers.

"Adjusted net earnings" and "adjusted net earnings per share" are non-IFRS financial performance measures. Adjusted net earnings excludes the following from net earnings: certain impairment charges (reversals) related to intangibles, goodwill, property, plant and equipment, and investments; gains (losses) and other one-time costs relating to acquisitions or dispositions; foreign currency translation gains (losses); significant tax adjustments not related to current period earnings; unrealized gains (losses) on non-hedge derivative instruments; and the tax effect and non-controlling interest of these items. The Company uses this measure internally to evaluate our underlying operating performance for the reporting periods presented and to assist with the planning and forecasting of future operating results. We believe that adjusted net earnings are a useful measure of our performance because these adjusting items do not reflect the underlying operating performance of our business and are not necessarily indicative of future operating results.

We have adopted "all-in sustaining costs" measures for the Pan Mine and Fiore as a consolidated group, consistent with guidance issued by the World Gold Council ("WGC") on June 27, 2013. We believe that the use of all-in sustaining costs is helpful to analysts, investors and other stakeholders in assessing our operating performance, our ability to generate free cash flow from current operations and our overall value. These measures are helpful to governments and local communities in understanding the economics of gold mining. The "all-in sustaining costs" measure is an extension of existing "cash cost" metrics and incorporates costs related to sustaining production. The WGC definition of all-in sustaining costs seeks to extend the definition of total cash costs by adding reclamation and remediation costs, exploration and study costs, capitalized stripping costs, corporate general and administrative costs and sustaining capital expenditures to represent the total costs of producing gold from current operations. All-in sustaining costs exclude income tax, interest costs, depreciation, non-sustaining capital expenditures, non-sustaining exploration expense and other items needed to normalize earnings. Therefore, these measures are not indicative of our cash expenditures or overall profitability.

"Total cash cost per ounce sold" is a common financial performance measure in the gold mining industry but has no standard meaning under IFRS. The Company reports total cash costs on a sales basis. We believe that, in addition to conventional measures prepared in accordance with IFRS, certain investors use this information to evaluate the Company's performance and ability to generate cash flow. Accordingly, it is intended to provide additional information and should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute for measures of performance prepared in accordance with IFRS. The measure, along with sales, is considered to be a key indicator of a Company's ability to generate operating earnings and cash flow from its mining operations. "Costs of sales per ounce sold" adds depreciation and depletion and share based compensation allocated to production to the cash costs figures.

Total cash costs figures are calculated in accordance with a standard developed by The Gold Institute, which was a worldwide association of suppliers of gold and gold products and included leading North American gold producers. The Gold Institute ceased operations in 2002, but the standard is considered the accepted standard of reporting cash cost of production in North America. Adoption of the standard is voluntary, and the cost measures presented may not be comparable to other similarly titled measure of other companies.

"Total cash costs per ounce", "cost of sales per ounce", "all-in sustaining costs per ounce", "Pan operating income" and "Pan operating cash flow" are intended to provide additional information only and do not have any standardized definition under IFRS and should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute for measures of performance prepared in accordance with IFRS. The measures are not necessarily indicative of operating profit or cash flow from operations as determined under IFRS. Other companies may calculate the measure differently.

"Average realized price" is a financial measure with no standard meaning under IFRS. Management uses this measure to better understand the price realized in each reporting period for gold sales. Average realized price excludes from revenues unrealized gains and losses, if applicable, on non-hedge derivative contracts. The average realized price is intended to provide additional information only and does not have any standardized definition under IFRS; it should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute for measures of performance prepared in accordance with IFRS. Other companies may calculate this measure differently.

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward Looking Statements

This news release contains "forward-looking statements" and "forward looking information" (as defined under applicable securities laws), based on management's best estimates, assumptions and current expectations. Such statements include but are not limited to, statements with respect to future operations, expected production, expected costs, expected financial performance and strength, expectations for growth, investments in the Company's assets and expected capital expenditures, expectations that changes to operating practices will bring and maintain leach solution pH to optimal ranges, expectations regarding construction and operation of the leach pad expansion, all of the future planned development and estimates regarding Gold Rock, Gold Rock drilling and development plan, expectations and timing for a Gold Rock Feasibility Study, expectations based on recent drilling conducted at Gold Rock, goal to become a 100% multi-asset domestic US Gold producer, company outlook, goal to become a 150,000 ounce producer, goal to acquire additional production or near production assets, and other statements, estimates or expectations. Often, but not always, these forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as "expects", "expected", "budgeted", "targets", "forecasts", "intends", "anticipates", "scheduled", "estimates", "aims", "will", "believes", "projects" and similar expressions (including negative variations) which by their nature refer to future events. By their very nature, forward-looking statements are subject to numerous risks and uncertainties, some of which are beyond Fiore Gold's control. These statements should not be read as guarantees of future performance or results. Forward looking statements are based on the opinions and estimates of management at the date the statements are made, as well as a number of assumptions made by, and information currently available to, the Company concerning, among other things, anticipated geological formations, potential mineralization, future plans for exploration and/or development, potential future production, ability to obtain permits for future operations, drilling exposure, and exploration budgets and timing of expenditures, all of which involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance or achievement of Fiore Gold to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause actual results to vary materially from results anticipated by such forward looking statements include, but not limited to, risks related to the Pan Mine performance; risks related to the COVID-19 pandemic, including government restrictions impacting our operations, risks the pandemic poses to our work-force, impacts the virus may have on ability to obtain services and materials from our suppliers and contractors; risks related to the company's limited operating history; risks related to international operations; risks related to general economic conditions, actual results of current or future exploration activities, unanticipated reclamation expenses; changes in project parameters as plans continue to be refined; fluctuations in prices of metals including gold; fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates; increases in market prices of mining consumables; possible variations in ore reserves, grade or recovery rates; uncertainties involved in the interpretation of drilling results, test results and the estimation of gold resources and reserves; failure of plant, equipment or processes to operate as anticipated; the possibility that capital and operating costs may be higher than currently estimated; the possibility of cost overruns or unanticipated expenses in the work programs; availability of financing; accidents, labour disputes, title disputes, claims and limitations on insurance coverage and other risks of the mining industry; delays in the completion of exploration, development or construction activities; the possibility that required permits may not be obtained on a timely manner or at all; changes in national and local government regulation of mining operations, tax rules and regulations, and political and economic developments in countries in which Fiore Gold operates, and other factors identified in Fiore Gold's filings with Canadian securities authorities under its profile at www.sedar.com respecting the risks affecting Fiore and its business. Although Fiore has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in forward-looking statements, there may be other factors that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. The forward-looking statements and forward-looking information are made as of the date hereof and are qualified in their entirety by this cautionary statement. Fiore disclaims any obligation to revise or update any such factors or to publicly announce the result of any revisions to any of the forward-looking statements or forward-looking information contained herein to reflect future results, events or developments, except as require by law. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements and information.

SOURCE: Fiore Gold Ltd.

View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/648025/Fiore-Golds-Fiscal-Q2-Demonstrates-Consistent-Net-Earnings-Per-Share-Generation
Chinese legislators to inspect enforcement of Enterprise Bankruptcy Law

Xinhua) 14:16, May 19, 2021

Wang Dongming, vice chairman of the National People's Congress (NPC) Standing Committee, speaks at the first plenary meeting of the inspection teams on the enforcement of China's Enterprise Bankruptcy Law in Beijing, capital of China, May 18, 2021. Chen Zhu, vice chairman of the NPC Standing Committee, also attended the meeting. The Standing Committee of the National People's Congress (NPC) on Tuesday launched an enforcement inspection of China's Enterprise Bankruptcy Law. (Xinhua/Yan Yan)

BEIJING, May 18 (Xinhua) -- The Standing Committee of the National People's Congress (NPC) on Tuesday launched an enforcement inspection of China's Enterprise Bankruptcy Law.

From late May to mid-June, inspection teams will be dispatched to several provinces, including Hebei, Shanxi, Zhejiang and Shandong, according to the first plenary meeting of the inspection teams held in Beijing.

The NPC Standing Committee will also entrust legislatures in several provincial-level regions with inspecting the enforcement of the law in their own regions.

During the inspection, the teams will check on the promotion of the law and its application in court, as well as the implementation of several mechanisms related to bankruptcy that are included in the law. The NPC Standing Committee will then revise the law according to the inspection results.

The inspection teams will discuss the law-enforcement inspection report in July and report to the NPC Standing Committee in late August.

(Web editor: Shi Xi, Hongyu)
School Nurse - PT Summer

Menands School is accepting applications for a part time summer nurse for our extended school year program. Dates: July 6  August 13.

Time: 3 hours per day. Rate $35 per hour. Interested Candidates can apply via OLAS at olasjobs.org, or should submit a cover letter and resume to Meg Amatrano: mamatrano@menands.org

The Menands Union Free School District better known as Menands Schoolserves approximately 300 students in kindergarten through eighth grade. The school district pays tuition for an additional 130 Menands students in ninth through 12th grades to attend one of six area high schools: Shaker High School in North Colonie Central School District, Colonie Central High School (South Colonie), Watervliet High School, BOCES P-TECH at Watervliet, Heatly High School (Green Island), or Tech Valley High School. A small public school district that never centralized with other schools, Menands Union Free School District has been in existence for over 140 years and continues to be a focal point of our village community.

recblid 92ynqdk3wkmsec3x77ng97sin5yai3
Ten Holes Totalling 496 Metres Drilled, Core Samples Assembled and Submitted for Analysis towards Confirming Larger Gold Bearing System

VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESSWIRE / May 19, 2021 / Victory Resources Corporation (CSE:VR)(FWB:VR61)(OTC PINK:VRCFF) ("Victory" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that its exploration team has completed its short hole drill program on the Loner Property in Nevada.

As previously outlined, the drill program was designed to accomplish two goals. First, it was intended to better characterize the mineralization exposed in the known workings. Second, drilling was intended to evaluate the 200m to 300m wide zone of anomalous soils identified by Silver Range Resources through principal component analysis. Specifically, drilling focused on the area of Au in soil anomalies to the south and east of the main workings, and other areas were evaluated as well.

Loner Drill Program Details and Observations:

Victory has completed a 10-hole, 496 metre drill program at the Loner Property, core samples have been assembled and submitted to ALS for analysis

The main purpose of the drilling was to test a gold in soil anomaly east of the southern workings

Drilling in that area encountered several zones of intensely altered (bleached and limonitic) granite cut by frequent quartz and/or limonite veinlets. Intersections of this style of alteration up to 5.9 m (within a 10.7 metre zone of less intense alteration and veining) were observed in drill core

The preliminary interpretation is that these are sub horizontal zones of faulting and brecciation that are associated with the steeply dipping gold bearing zones seen in the workings - assays are pending

If the assays indicate that these zones are gold bearing, it supports the hypothesis that the narrow steeply dipping zones described in the literature at the Loner are part of a larger gold bearing system. In this case, an expansion of the soil grid, trenching and more drilling would be recommended.

"From the time we optioned Loner in late December till now, the Victory team has accomplished a tremendous amount of work and we look forward to the assay results from this drill program, which will guide our next steps," said Mr. David Deering, VP Exploration. "Loner is located in an area within Nevada that is in the vicinity of Goldbanks, an area where Barrick, Kinross and Premier have interests, and we have added to our portfolio in the area by staking the Black Diablo property, which we will be advancing in the near future."

Scientific and technical information contained in this press release was reviewed and approved by Mr. Helgi Sigurgeirson, Victory Geologist, and a "qualified person" under NI 43-101.

About the Loner Property:

The Loner Property is located 35 km south of Winnemucca in the southern Sonoma Range and currently consists of 16 Federal Lode Claims covering historic workings and exposed low-sulphidation gold mineralization. Recent exploration in the area includes the Goldbanks Project, an epithermal gold project about 12 miles to the south, and the Coronado VMS Project, which has been exploring for Cu on a property about 6 miles to the southeast of the Loner Property. The area of the Loner Property is prospective for both these styles of mineralization. Victory Resources has optioned the Loner Property from Silver Range Resources (TSX-V: SNG) ("Silver Range") as announced on 23 December 2020.

For further information, please contact:

Mark Ireton, President

Telephone: +1 (236) 317 2822 or TOLL FREE 1 (855) 665-GOLD (4653)

E-mail: IR@victoryresourcescorp.com

About Victory Resources Corporation

VICTORY RESOURCES CORPORATION (CSE:VR) is a publicly traded diversified investment corporation with mineral interests in North America. The company is also actively seeking other exploration opportunities.

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

Forward Looking Statements

Certain information set forth in this news release may contain forward-looking statements that involve substantial known and unknown risks and uncertainties. All statements other than statements of historical fact are forward-looking statements, including, without limitation, statements regarding future financial position, business strategy, use of proceeds, corporate vision, proposed acquisitions, partnerships, joint-ventures and strategic alliances and co-operations, budgets, cost and plans and objectives of or involving the Company. Such forward-looking information reflects management's current beliefs and is based on information currently available to management. Often, but not always, forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of words such as "plans", "expects", "is expected", "budget", "scheduled", "estimates", "forecasts", "predicts", "intends", "targets", "aims", "anticipates" or "believes" or variations (including negative variations) of such words and phrases or may be identified by statements to the effect that certain actions "may", "could", "should", "would", "might" or "will" be taken, occur or be achieved. A number of known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors may cause the actual results or performance to materially differ from any future results or performance expressed or implied by the forward-looking information. These forward-looking statements are subject to numerous risks and uncertainties, certain of which are beyond the control of the Company including, but not limited to, the impact of general economic conditions, industry conditions and dependence upon regulatory approvals. Readers are cautioned that the assumptions used in the preparation of such information, although considered reasonable at the time of preparation, may prove to be imprecise and, as such, undue reliance should not be placed on forward-looking statements. The Company does not assume any obligation to update or revise its forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise, except as required by securities laws.

SOURCE: Victory Resources Corp.

View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/648051/Victory-Completes-Short-Hole-Drill-Program-at-Loner-Property
VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESSWIRE / May 19, 2021 / Searchlight Resources Inc. ("Searchlight" or the "Company") (TSXV:SCLT)(OTC PINK:CNYCF)(FSE:2CC2) has executed a formal option agreement to acquire 100% interest in the Robinson Creek Gold Project located approximately 15 kilometres west of Creighton, Saskatchewan, in the historic Flin Flon mining camp.

Highlights

Over 75 historical drill holes

Multiple historical high grade gold intersections

The Robinson Creek Gold Project consists of 7 claim blocks covering 1.84 square kilometres located approximately 15 kilometres northwest of Searchlight's Bootleg Lake claims (Map 1). The Robinson Creek target area lies within a structurally controlled mesothermal lode gold system, with considerable historical exploration which includes geologic mapping, trenching, soil surveys, airborne and ground geophysical surveys, and over 75 diamond drill holes.

"Searchlight is pleased with this opportunity to acquire a high-quality gold project close to the Company's existing Bootleg Lake project and Flin Flon mining infrastructure," stated Alf Stewart, Chairman. "It is a natural fit for the Company in what we believe to be a neglected Canadian gold camp".

The Robinson Creek target comprises three gold zones - the Vein, Bleiler, and Quartz Zones - over a strike length of approximately 1 km. Exploration in the area began in 1915. In 1946, Hudson Bay Exploration carried out initial drilling of 15 holes in the Vein and Quartz zones. From 1970 to 1978, additional trenching in the Quartz Zone was completed, with trench samples returning gold assays ranging from 0.01 to 1.5 oz/ton.

In the 1980s, Suneva and the Saskatchewan Mineral Development Corporation ("SMDC") joint venture completed over 60 drill holes, with exploration ending in 1989 during a period of low gold prices. Selected highlights of the drilling are presented in Table 1. Mineralization is open to depth, and there is limited drill testing on multiple additional gold showings. No drilling or surface exploration has been recorded on the claims since 1990, though St. Eugene Mining completed a regional heliborne VTEM geophysical survey in 2011.

"Robinson Creek was last explored during a period when high-grade narrow intersections were the focus of exploration. The Searchlight approach is to explore for both high-grade underground and lower grade open pit targets on every gold project", stated Stephen Wallace, CEO. "Our initial review of data shows a 55 m section of 2.50 g/t gold in drill hole 81-1, previously presented as short high-grade intersections."



Map 1: Location Map of Robinson Creek Claims

Table 1: Selected Robinson Creek Drill Hole Intersections

Drill Hole From To Intersection oz/t g/t Zone metre metre metre Gold Gold 1946 DDH HB DDH 06 137.22 138.68 1.46 1.40 48.00 Vein HB DDH 07 49.19 49.59 0.40 1.06 36.34 Quartz HB DDH 07 61.57 62.48 0.91 0.50 17.14 Quartz HB DDH 10 60.20 60.66 0.46 1.08 37.03 Quartz HB DDH 12 100.04 100.77 0.73 0.82 28.11 Quartz HB DDH 14 130.64 131.12 0.49 0.52 17.83 Quartz 1980-1989 DDH 81-1 22.00 23.80 1.80 0.82 28.11 Quartz 81-1 29.80 32.60 2.80 0.16 5.49 Quartz 81-1 61.10 62.80 1.70 0.38 13.03 Quartz 81-2 44.80 46.20 1.40 0.24 8.23 Quartz 81-2 83.25 84.45 1.20 0.32 10.97 Quartz 81-7 24.05 24.85 0.80 0.55 18.86 Bleiler 81-9 89.40 90.30 0.90 0.24 8.23 Quartz RO3-1 88.50 89.00 0.50 0.10 3.53 Quartz RO3-1 134.82 135.29 0.47 0.28 9.74 Quartz RO3-1 145.38 146.42 1.04 0.13 4.56 Quartz RO3-2 140.76 141.42 0.66 0.10 3.46 Quartz RO3-2 162.75 163.20 0.45 0.38 13.03 Quartz RO3-5 81.64 82.63 0.99 0.17 5.83 Vein RO3-6 85.95 86.46 0.51 0.06 1.92 Bleiler RO3-6 89.46 90.45 0.99 0.06 1.99 Bleiler RO4-1 41.00 44.00 3.00 0.25 8.50 Vein RO4-1 44.00 47.00 3.00 0.20 6.93 Vein RO4-2 65.00 68.00 3.00 0.19 6.34 Vein RO4-2 74.00 77.00 3.00 0.33 11.18 Vein RO7-1 75.30 76.30 1.00 0.07 2.43 Quartz RO7-2 113.80 114.80 1.00 0.21 7.27 Vein RO7-2 114.80 115.80 1.00 0.32 11.11 Vein RO7-2 115.80 116.80 1.00 0.04 1.23 Vein RO7-2 122.40 124.40 2.00 0.05 1.61 Vein RO7-4 29.00 29.50 0.50 0.22 7.44 Vein (V.G.) RO7-4 111.25 112.50 1.25 0.70 24.07 Vein (V.G.) RO9-32 119.70 120.20 0.50 0.11 3.77 Vein RO9-34 25.90 27.10 1.20 0.04 1.41 Quartz RO9-35 146.50 147.00 0.50 0.09 3.15 Vein



Management cautions that the presented drill sample results are historical in nature, and Searchlight has not undertaken any independent investigation of the sampling, nor has it independently analyzed the results of the previous exploration work in order to verify the results. Searchlight considers these sample results relevant, as the Company uses historical reports and sample results to evaluate and plan future exploration programs. All drill intercepts are drill-indicated lengths. Insufficient technical information exists to demonstrate the true widths of these intersections. The technical information is derived from public documents available through the Saskatchewan Government Ministry of Energy and Resources.

Option Agreement Terms

Cash (C$) Shares(2) Exploration Expenditures (C$) Execution of the Agreement $5,000

Paid 0 0 On or before 10 business days after receipt of Exchange approval $20,000 500,000 0 On or before the Year 1 anniversary of Exchange Approval $25,000 500,000 $25,000 On or before the Year 2 anniversary of Exchange Approval $25,000 500,000 An additional $50,000 On or before the Year 3 anniversary of Exchange Approval $25,000 500,000 On or before the Year 4 anniversary of Exchange Approval An additional $425,000 TOTAL $100,000 2,000,000 $500,000



Under the terms of the Option Agreement, Searchlight will pay a 2.0 % Net Smelter Return royalty (the "NSR") to the vendor. The Company will have the right, at any time, to purchase 1.5 % of the 2.0% NSR for $2,250,000.

The Option Agreement and the transactions contemplated are subject to acceptance of the TSXV.

Qualified Person

Stephen Wallace, P.Geo., is Searchlight's Qualified Person within the meaning of National Instrument 43-101 and has reviewed and approved the technical information contained in this news release.

About Searchlight Resources Inc.

Searchlight Resources Inc. (TSXV:SCLT, US:CNYCF, FSE:2CC2) is a Canadian mineral exploration and development company focused on Saskatchewan, Canada, which has been ranked as the top location for mining investment in Canada by the Fraser Institute. Exploration focus is on gold and battery minerals throughout the Province, concentrating on projects with road access.

Searchlight holds a 427.6 square kilometre land position within the gold and base metal rich Flin Flon - Snow Lake Greenstone Belt. The Company is currently advancing its Bootleg Lake Gold Project which hosts four past producing high-grade gold mines, located in Saskatchewan, less than 10 km from Flin Flon, Manitoba.

On behalf of the Board of Directors,

"Stephen Wallace"

Stephen Wallace, President, CEO and Director

SEARCHLIGHT RESOURCES INC.

For further information, visit the Company's website at www.searchlightresources.com or contact:

Searchlight Resources Inc.

Alf Stewart, Chairman

(604) 331-9326

info@searchlightresources.com

Forward-Looking Statements

Information set forth in this news release contains forward-looking statements that are based on assumptions as of the date of this news release. These statements reflect management's current estimates, beliefs, intentions and expectations. They are not guarantees of future performance. The Company cautions that all forward-looking statements are inherently uncertain and that actual performance may be affected by a number of material factors, many of which are beyond the Company's control. Such factors include, among other things: risks and uncertainties relating to the Company's limited operating history and the need to comply with environmental and governmental regulations. Accordingly, actual and future events, conditions and results may differ materially from the estimates, beliefs, intentions and expectations expressed or implied in the forward-looking information. Except as required under applicable securities legislation, the Company undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise forward-looking information.

NEITHER TSX VENTURE EXCHANGE NOR ITS REGULATION SERVICES PROVIDER (AS THAT TERM IS DEFINED IN THE POLICIES OF THE TSX VENTURE EXCHANGE) ACCEPTS RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE ADEQUACY OR ACCURACY OF THIS RELEASE.

SOURCE: Searchlight Resources Inc.

View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/648034/Searchlight-Resources-Acquires-Robinson-Creek-High-Grade-Gold-Project
TORONTO, ON / ACCESSWIRE / May 19, 2021 / Graycliff Exploration Limited (the "Company" or "Graycliff") (CSE:GRAY)(OTCQB:GRYCF)(FSE:GE0) is pleased to announce limited assay results of the first drill hole of its over 2,000 metre ("m") phase two core drilling program (see Press Release dated April 22, 2021) on the Company's Shakespeare Gold Project located on the prolific Canadian Shield near Sudbury, Ontario.

Drill Hole J-8-21 intersected a mineralized interval of 66.98 g/t gold ("Au") over 3.0 m, as detailed below:

Drill Hole From (m) To (m) Width (m)1 Au (g/t) 2 J-8-21 102.0 105.0 3.00 66.98 Including 102.3 103.0 0.70 90.00 And 104.0 105.0 1.00 137.00

Table 1 - Partial Results from Hole J-8-21

"While the Company is not in the practice of releasing partial results from its drill holes, the results received were significant enough to warrant their immediate release. We are optimistic that the results from the additional samples from hole J-8-21 that are currently at the lab will be available in the near future. Obviously, more than 2 ounces per ton over 3 metres is an exceptional start for our phase two drilling program," stated President and CEO, James Macintosh.

This high-grade gold intersection in drill hole J-8-21 is located approximately 30 m down-dip of the mineralization reported from drill hole J-7-20 that highlighted an interval grading 8.59 g/t Au over 5.5m (see Cross Section "A-A" in Press Release dated March 24, 2021). Sample materials from several other drill holes have been delivered to the assay lab and those assay results are expected to be available in somewhat regular intervals over the coming weeks.

Qualified Person

Bruce Durham, P.Geo, is a Qualified Person, as that term is defined by Canadian regulatory guidelines under NI 43-101, and has read and approved the technical information contained in this press release.

About Graycliff Exploration Limited

Graycliff Exploration is a mineral exploration company focused on its 1,025 hectares of prospective ground, located roughly 80 kilometres west of Sudbury on the prolific Canadian Shield. The Company's Shakespeare Project consists of one crown patented lease, two crown leases and 40 claims on a property associated with the historic Shakespeare Gold Mine, which operated from 1903 to 1907. Graycliff's Baldwin Project is adjacent to the east and is comprised of 68 claims covering 1,500 hectares.

For more information, contact investor relations at investors@graycliffexploration.com

On Behalf of the Board of Directors,

James Macintosh

President and CEO

Neither the Canadian Securities Exchange nor its regulation services provider has reviewed or accepted responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this press release.

This press release may include forward-looking information within the meaning of Canadian securities legislation, concerning the business of the Company. Forward-looking information is based on certain key expectations and assumptions made by the management of the Company. Although the Company believes that the expectations and assumptions on which such forward-looking information is based on are reasonable, undue reliance should not be placed on the forward-looking information because the Company can give no assurance that they will prove to be correct. Forward-looking statements contained in this press release are made as of the date of this press release. The Company disclaims any intent or obligation to update publicly any forward-looking information, whether as a result of new information, future events or results or otherwise, other than as required by applicable securities laws.

SOURCE: Graycliff Exploration Ltd.

View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/648054/Graycliff-Exploration-Drills-67-gt-Gold-over-30-metres-Near-Surface
TORONTO, ON / ACCESSWIRE / May 19, 2021 / NextSource Materials Inc. (TSX:NEXT)(OTCQB:NSRCF) ("NextSource" or the "Company") is pleased to announce the closing of the second private placement (the "Second Private Placement") pursuant to the US$29.5 million investment agreement (the "Investment Agreement") entered between the Company and Vision Blue Resources Limited ("Vision Blue") on February 8, 2021. Vision Blue is a newly created battery commodity/resource-focused private investment company founded by Sir Mick Davis.

The Second Private Placement comprises a private placement of 232,142,857 units of the Company (the "Units"), consisting of 232,142,857 common shares in the capital of the Company and 232,142,857 common share purchase warrants ("Warrants") of the Company. Each Unit was issued at a price of C$0.07 per Unit for gross proceeds of approximately US$12.4 million. Each Warrant will entitle Vision Blue to purchase one additional common share of the Company at a price of C$0.10 per share for a period of two years following the closing of Second Private Placement.

The Investment Agreement includes the initial private placement of US$6.1 million that was completed on March 15, 2021, the Second Private Placement of US$12.4 million (as described above) and a royalty agreement pursuant to which Vision Blue will advance a total of US$11.0 million in the form of a royalty agreement in exchange for a royalty in respect of sales of SuperFlake graphite concentrate from the Molo Graphite Project. The royalty agreement is expected to close on or around May 27, 2021. As reported on May 18, 2021, the Company's shareholders, in accordance with the policies of the Toronto Stock Exchange, approved the Second Private Placement resolution by a majority of 87.80% of the votes cast excluding the 120,000,000 common shares held by Vision Blue as a result of the initial private placement aforementioned above.

The proceeds of the initial private placement, the Second Private Placement and the royalty agreement will allow the Company to fully fund the construction of Phase One of the Company's Molo graphite mine in Madagascar and to fast track the completion of two technical studies. The studies will be commissioned in order to confirm the capital and operating costs for the next phase of mine expansion, and to construct a stand-alone, value-added graphite plant to produce spherical and purified graphite ("SPG") for lithium-ion batteries in electric vehicles ("EVs").

The Company has initiated construction of Phase One of the mine. Construction will take approximately 12 months and mine commissioning is expected to begin in April 2022.

The Company has obtained conditional approval from the Toronto Stock Exchange for the listing of all common shares issued pursuant to the Second Private Placement.

EARLY WARNING DISCLOSURE

Following closing of the Second Private Placement, Vision Blue has beneficial ownership of, or control and direction over 352,142,857 common shares, 232,142,857 Warrants and 1,500,000 stock options (each, an "Option"), entitling the holder to purchase one common share at a price of C$0.36 per share and expiring on March 19, 2023, representing approximately 36.30% of the outstanding common shares on a non-diluted basis and 48.66% on a partially diluted basis. Prior to closing of the Second Private Placement, Vision Blue had beneficial ownership of, or control and direction over 120,000,000 common shares and 1,500,000 Options, representing approximately 16.26% of the outstanding common shares on a non-diluted basis and 16.43% on a partially diluted basis. The common shares and Warrants acquired by Vision Blue will be subject to a lock-up ending on March 15, 2022 with a periodic release schedule.

Vision Blue acquired the common shares and Warrants for investment purposes and intends to review its investment in NextSource on a continuing basis. Vision Blue may, depending on market and other conditions, increase or decrease its beneficial ownership, control or direction, over securities of NextSource through market transactions, private agreements, treasury issuances or otherwise. Vision Blue's head office is located at Third Floor, 1 Le Truchot, St Peter Port, Guernsey GY1 1WD.

For more information, or to obtain a copy of the subject early warning report, please contact:

Sir Mick Davis

info@vision-blue.com

+44 (0)2073899512

ABOUT VISION BLUE RESOURCES LIMITED

Vision Blue was founded in December 2020 by Sir Mick Davis to identify and capture opportunities in battery and technology minerals linked to EVs & Grid Storage growth.

Vision Blue targets companies in established mining jurisdictions, with well-advanced and best-in-class battery material assets that are scalable and can be brought into production rapidly. Vision Blue aims to work with existing management teams to provide critical growth capital, technical support, experience in securing future finance, and ultimately the delivery of an exit strategy. Where possible, Vision Blue utilizes a phased development approach based upon self-financed expansion to achieve large scale revenue and cash flows across the entire battery materials vertical supply chain. For further information about Vision Blue visit their website at www.vision-blue.com.

ABOUT NEXTSOURCE MATERIALS INC.

NextSource Materials Inc. is a battery materials development company based in Toronto, Canada that is intent on becoming a fully integrated, global supplier of critical battery and technology materials needed to power the sustainable energy revolution.

With both the mining and environmental permits in place for its Molo Graphite Project in Madagascar, the Company has initiated construction of Phase 1 of the mine. Construction will take approximately 12 months and mine commissioning is expected to begin in April 2022, followed by a ramp up to a Phase One processing plant capacity of 240,000 tpa of ore, producing approximately 17,000 tpa of high-quality SuperFlake graphite concentrate.

The Company's Molo graphite project is one of the largest known and highest-quality graphite deposits and the only project with SuperFlake graphite. NextSource has also signed strategic and exclusive partnerships with key offtake partners and supply chain participants to build and operate its own turnkey spheronized and purified graphite facilities, which will provide anode material to international OEMs for use in lithium-ion and fuel cell battery applications, and graphite for high-end, value-added applications.

NextSource Materials is listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange (TSX) under the symbol "NEXT" and on the OTCQB under the symbol "NSRCF".

Please see "Molo Feasibility Study, National Instrument 43-101 Technical Report on the Molo Graphite Project located near the village of Fotadrevo in the Province of Toliara, Madagascar Prepared by Erudite Strategies (Pty) Ltd" dated May 31, 2019 for certain other details and assumptions relating to the parameters of the project, mineral resource and reserve estimates and data verification procedures. Mr. Craig Scherba, P.Geo., President and CEO of NextSource, is the qualified person who reviewed and approved the technical information provided in this press release.

For further information about NextSource visit our website at www.nextsourcematerials.com or contact us a +1.416.364.4911 or email Brent Nykoliation, Executive Vice President at brent@nextsourcematerials.com or Craig Scherba, President and CEO at craig@nextsourcematerials.com.

This press release contains statements that may constitute "forward-looking information" or "forward-looking statements" ("forward-looking statements") within the meaning of applicable Canadian and United States securities legislation. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on such forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements in this release include statements regarding statements regarding Closing of the Royalty, the financing package provided by Vision Blue being sufficient to fully fund the Molo Graphite Project, timing for completion and commissioning of the Molo Project, the processing plant capacity, the use of proceeds of the strategic investment by Vision Blue, the Company's future plans in respect of future investments and the intentions of Vision Blue. These statements are based on current expectations, estimates and assumptions that involve a number of risks, which could cause actual results to vary and, in some instances, to differ materially from those anticipated by the Company and described in the forward-looking statements contained in this press release, including but not limited to the risks that the Molo Graphite Mine is not built on the expected time and cost estimates, that the mineral reserve and resource estimates for the Molo Graphite Mine are incorrect, that expected recoveries and costs to produce SPG are incorrect, and that permits and licences to operate the Molo Graphite Mine may not be renewed or may be revoked, and other risks discussed in the Company's public disclosure documents. No assurance can be given that any of the events anticipated by the forward-looking statements will transpire or occur or, if any of them do so, what benefits the Company will derive there from. The forward-looking statements contained in this news release are made as at the date of this news release and the Company does not undertake any obligation to update publicly or to revise any of the forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as may be required by applicable securities laws.

SOURCE: NextSource Materials Inc.

View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/648080/NextSource-Materials-Successfully-Closes-Second-Private-Placement-of-Strategic-Investment-by-Vision-Blue-Resources
YouCPE to bring new levels of innovation, security and flexibility for businesses

LONDON, May 19, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Aiming to offer support to companies that plan to take advantage of the benefits of digital transformation and cloud-based services, NSC Global , the world's largest independently owned IT services company, has launched YouCPE.

The UK headquartered IT solutions provider believes that YouCPE will offer a new level of user experience through inherent advantages such as enhanced security, automation and simplified management.

Traditional uCPE (Universal Customer Premise Equipment) promised huge transformational change in Enterprise Networking by removing the need to buy, install, operate and maintain racks full of specialised, single-purpose network devices and replacing it all with a single physical appliance, running multiple virtualised services.

However, while Enterprise adoption of uCPE is predicted to triple year-on-year, many of the uCPE solutions currently on the market don't deliver fully on these promises, and instead act as a vehicle to introduce pre-defined managed services, rather than a platform to cater for businesses' needs - ultimately preventing businesses realise all of the transformational benefits that are possible with uCPE.

Unlike other uCPE solutions, YouCPE has been designed specifically to break vendor lock-in, allowing businesses to shape the solution to fit its unique needs, giving unmatched choice and flexibility, enhanced security, enabling innovation and future-proofing the Enterprise Network.

"NSC Global recognises our customers want choice when it comes to deploying technology to achieve their goals. We are providing not only choice, but removing the complexity from their global network service deployments and delivering a greater user experience," said Sascha Groeger, Chief Commercial Officer, NSC Global. "The range of associated applications for each vertical industry - from construction to transport, to financial services and marketing - is vast. Businesses need a platform for on-premises workloads that can deliver the required level of flexibility and customisation. NSC Global has developed YouCPE to offer our customers greater choice, security, resilience, service and agility to help customers with their digital transformations."

Key benefits of YouCPE:

YouCPE platform is carrier and location agnostic so you have a single, consistent platform - globally.

YouCPE works with any WAN carrier or internet service so you choose the most cost-effective carrier for your sites

YouCPE works with any WAN carrier or internet service so you can change carrier without the disruption of changing your uCPE platform

YouCPE includes full hardware performance and features from day one so you don't have additional costs

YouCPE is optimised so you have more hardware resources to run and power your VNFs

YouCPE gives unlimited VNF choice and configuration so you choose the VNFs to fit your business needs

YouCPE supports multiple license purchase options so you choose the procurement approach that works for you

YouCPE offers multiple service model options so you choose the model that meets your requirements

Contact: Zara Lintin, 07545 219 992, zaralintin@geckopr.co.uk
Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - May 19, 2021) - Santacruz Silver Mining Ltd. (TSXV: SCZ) (the "Company" or "Santacruz") provides an update on underground exploration activities on the Horizontes mineral zone (the historical "Lomo del Toro" zone) at the Zimapan mine, Mexico, where diamond drilling has commenced.

The 22 hole, 3,400-meter drilling program is targeting mantos-style as well as chimney- and skarn-style mineralization along the projected 200-meter strike length of the Horizontes one and Horizontes two mineral bodies. Drilling is planned from three underground drill stations situated on levels 1370 and 1380, exploring approximately 70 to 100 meters down dip from known mineralization. The intent of the underground exploration program is to identify higher silver grade zones to support the ongoing milling operation at the Company's Zimapan Mine.

Between 2010 and 2020, Carrizal Mining S.A. de C.V. mined approximately 235,000 tonnes from the Horizontes mineral zone at an average head grade of 119 g/t Ag, 3.17% Pb, 4.48% Zn and 0.20% Cu.

Carlos Silva, Santacruz's CEO, stated, "The historic Lomo del Toro zone is a promising area where we have wide mineral bodies with significant silver grades. We anticipate exploration activities to deliver positive results which would allow us to increase our average head grades at the mine." Mr. Silva continued: "The first six holes of the drill program are designed to test the Horizontes one and Horizontes two mineral bodies adjacent to current underground development work."

Qualified persons

The technical information contained in this news release has been reviewed and approved by Van Phu Bui, BSc, PGeo, who is independent of the company and a qualified person under National Instrument 43-101.







Lomo Del Toro Target Area Map

To view an enhanced version of this map, please visit:

https://orders.newsfilecorp.com/files/4406/84486_c5eb824e84be0911_001full.jpg

About Santacruz Silver Mining Ltd.

Santacruz is a Mexican focused silver company with two producing silver projects (Zimapan and Rosario) and two exploration properties, the La Pechuga property and Santa Gorgonia prospect. The Company is managed by a technical team of professionals with proven track records in developing, operating and discovering silver mines in Mexico. Our corporate objective is to become a mid-tier silver producer.

'signed'

Arturo Prestamo Elizondo,

Executive Chairman

For further information please contact:

Mars Investor Relations

Telephone: (778) 999 4653

scz@marsinvestorrelations.com

Arturo Prestamo

Santacruz Silver Mining Ltd.

Email: info@santacruzsilver.com

Telephone: (528) 183 785707

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

Forward looking information

Certain statements contained in this news release constitute "forward-looking information" as such term is used in applicable Canadian securities laws.Forward-looking information is based on plans, expectations and estimates of management at the date the information is provided and is subject to certain factors and assumptions. In making the forward-looking statements included in this news release, the Company has applied several material assumptions., including, but not limited to, assumptions as the Company's financial condition and development plans do not change as a result of unforeseen events, that the Company will receive all required regulatory approvals, and that future metal prices and the demand and market outlook for metals will remain stable or improve. Forward-looking information is subject to a variety of risks and uncertainties and other factors that could cause plans, estimates and actual results to vary materially from those projected in such forward-looking information. Factors that could cause the forward-looking information in this news release to change or to be inaccurate include, but are not limited to, the risk that any of the assumptions referred to above prove not to be valid or reliable; market conditions and volatility and global economic conditions, including increased volatility and potentially negative capital raising conditions resulting from the continued COVID-19 pandemic and risks relating to the extent and duration of such pandemic and its impact on global markets; risk of delay and/or cessation in planned work or changes in the Company's financial condition and development plans; risks associated with the interpretation of data (including in respect of third party mineralized material) regarding the geology, grade and continuity of mineral deposits; the uncertainty of the geology, grade and continuity of mineral deposits and the risk of unexpected variations in mineral resources, grade and/or recovery rates; risks related to gold, silver, base metal and other commodity price fluctuations; risks relating to environmental regulation and liability; the possibility that results will not be consistent with the Company's expectations, as well as the other risks and uncertainties applicable to mineral exploration and development activities and to the Company as set forth in the Company's continuous disclosure filings filed under the Company's profile at www.sedar.com. There can be no assurance that any forward-looking information will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Accordingly, the reader should not place any undue reliance on forward-looking information or statements. The Company undertakes no obligation to update forward-looking information or statements, other than as required by applicable law.

Zimapan Mine

The decision to commence production at Zimapan Mine was not based on a feasibility study on mineral reserves demonstrating economic and technical viability. Accordingly, there is increased uncertainty and economic and technical risks of failure associated with this production decision. Production and economic variables may vary considerably due to the absence of a complete and detailed site analysis according to and in accordance with NI 43-101.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/84486
Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - May 19, 2021) - Golden Independence Mining Corp. (CSE: IGLD) (OTCQB: GIDMF) (FSE: 6NN) ("Golden Independence") or (the "Company") is pleased to announce its maiden National Instrument 43-101 (NI 43-101) compliant Mineral Resource Estimate ("MRE") for the Company's flagship Independence project located adjacent to Nevada Gold Mines' Phoenix-Fortitude mining operations in the Battle Mountain-Cortez trend of Nevada.

The MRE incorporates over 125,000 feet of RC and core drilling in 234 holes, outlining both a near surface and an underground resource. The Company is actively advancing the near surface portion of the MRE towards a Preliminary Economic Assessment anticipated by year-end 2021. Highlights of the MRE include:

Near Surface Resource: Measured & Indicated Total Resource of 537,300 ounces of gold and 8.1 million ounces of silver plus an Inferred Total Resource of 147,300 ounces of gold and 1.2 million ounces of silver.

Measured & Indicated Total Resource of 537,300 ounces of gold and 8.1 million ounces of silver plus an Inferred Total Resource of 147,300 ounces of gold and 1.2 million ounces of silver. Underground Resource: Inferred Resource of 796,200 ounces of gold.

"We are very pleased with the maiden NI 43-101 compliant resource for our Independence property which totals 537,300 gold ounces in M&I plus 943,500 gold ounces in Inferred with a substantial silver credit," commented Christos Doulis, CEO. "This MRE, the near surface component of which will provide the foundation for a Preliminary Economic Assessment anticipated later this year, represents the first step in a transformational year for the Company as we rapidly advance the Independence project towards a production decision. In addition, our current drill program is focused on delineating additional near-surface mineralized material, including in the area of the recent high grade near surface discovery reported in hole AGEI-32, for a future resource update," he concluded.

The Company commenced an 8,000-foot reverse circulation (RC) drill program in late April focused on expanding the near-surface high-grade oxide mineralization encountered in hole AGEI-32 (see news release dated March 16, 2021) and in delineating additional resources in the relatively sparsely drilled northern portion of the Independence project.

The resource estimate was completed by James Ashton of Dyer Engineering with an effective date of May 17, 2021 and complies with National Instrument 43-101 and guidelines developed in 2014 by the Canadian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy ("CIM"). In accordance with NI 43-101, a Technical Report will be filed on SEDAR within 45-days of this release.

Table 1: Independence Project - Mineral Resource Estimate

Independence Near Surface Mineralization Measured Resources Cutoff Tonnes Grade (g/t) Ounces Ounces Ounces (gr. Au/tonne)

Gold Silver Gold Eq. Gold Silver Gold Eq. 0.2 7,519,000 0.50 9.80 0.64 119,900 2,369,600 153,800 Indicated Resources Cutoff Tonnes Grade (g/t) Ounces Ounces Ounces (gr. Au/tonne)

Gold Silver Gold Eq. Gold Silver Gold Eq. 0.2 32,133,000 0.40 5.59 0.48 417,400 5,775,700 499,000 Measured & Indicated Resources Cutoff Tonnes Grade (g/t) Ounces Ounces Ounces (gr. Au/tonne)

Gold Silver Gold Eq. Gold Silver Gold Eq. 0.2 39,652,000 0.42 6.39 0.51 537,300 8,145,300 652,800 Inferred Resources Cutoff Tonnes Grade (g/t) Ounces Ounces Ounces (gr. Au/tonne)

Gold Silver Gold Eq. Gold Silver Gold Eq. 0.2 14,449,000 0.32 2.62 0.36 147,300 1,219,100 164,900















Independence Underground Mineralization Inferred Resources Cutoff Tonnes Grade (g/t) Ounces Ounces Ounces (gr. Au/tonne)

Gold Silver Gold Eq. Gold Silver Gold Eq. TBD 3,794,000 6.53 0.000 6.53 796,200 0 796,200

Notes to Mineral Resource Estimate:

Mineral Resources which are not Mineral Reserves do not have demonstrated economic viability. The estimate of Mineral Resources may be materially affected by environmental, permitting, legal, title, taxation, sociopolitical, marketing, changes in global gold markets or other relevant issues. The CIM definitions (2014) were followed for classification of Mineral Resources. The quantity and grade of reported inferred Mineral Resources in this estimation are uncertain in nature and there has been insufficient exploration to define these inferred Mineral Resources as an indicated Mineral Resource. It is probable that further exploration drilling will result in upgrading them to an indicated or measured Mineral Resource category. The Mineral Resource Estimate incorporates over 125,000 feet of reverse circulation and core drilling in 234 holes, and outlines both a near surface and an underground resource. The near surface mineralization is primarily based on the reverse circulation drilling, while the underground mineralization is based entirely on core drilling. The resource was prepared by James Ashton, P.E., an independent QP, with an effective date of May 17, 2021. The mineral resources are unconstrained and presented at an undiluted 0.20 g/t gold cut-off grade which represents mineralization that is potentially available for open-pit mining and heap-leach processing. There are sulfides present at depth in the near surface mineralization. The Company is undertaking metallurgical studies to define the redox boundary. Underground mineralization resources were quantified based on deep tabular solids representing potentially underground mineable lenses. Gold equivalent values are based on a silver to gold ratio of 70:1

Qualified Person

The technical content of this news release has been reviewed and approved by R. Tim Henneberry, PGeo (B.C.), a director and president of Golden Independence Mining and a qualified person under National Instrument 43-101.

About Golden Independence Mining Corp.

Golden Independence Mining Corp. is an exploration company currently focused on exploring the advanced-stage Independence property located adjacent to Nevada Gold Mine's Phoenix-Fortitude mine in the Battle Mountain-Cortez Trend of Nevada. The Independence property hosts a M&I resource of 537,300 ounces of gold and Inferred resource of 943,500 ounces of gold with a substantial silver credit. The Company is actively advancing the near-surface resource towards a production decision with a PEA anticipated in late 2021.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT:

Christos Doulis, Chief Executive Officer

Telephone: 1.647.924.1083 Email: christos@goldenindependence.co

This press release contains forward-looking information (within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation) that involves various risks and uncertainties regarding future events. Such forward-looking information includes statements based on current expectations involving a number of risks and uncertainties and such forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance of the Company, and include, without limitation, statements regarding completion of the Private Placement. There are numerous risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results and the Company's plans and objectives to differ materially from those expressed in the forward-looking information in this news release, including without limitation, the following risks and uncertainties: (i) the risk that the Canadian Securities Exchange will not accept the terms of the Private Placement; (ii) the risk that the Company will not be able to locate suitable purchasers for the Private Placement; and (iii) management's discretion regarding the use of proceeds. Actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such information. This forward-looking information is based on estimates and opinions of management on the date hereof and is expressly qualified by this notice. Risks and uncertainties about the Company's business are more fully discussed in the Company's disclosure materials filed with the securities regulatory authorities in Canada at www.sedar.com. The Company assumes no obligation to update any forward-looking information or to update the reasons why actual results could differ from such information unless required by applicable law.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/84380
Road Town, Tortola, British Virgin Islands--(Newsfile Corp. - May 19, 2021) - Talon Metals Corp. (TSX: TLO) ("Talon" or the "Company") is pleased to provide an update on the Tamarack Nickel-Copper-Cobalt Project ("Tamarack Nickel Project"), located in Minnesota, USA. The Tamarack Nickel Project comprises the Tamarack North Project and the Tamarack South Project.

Figure 1: 13.88 Meters (45.5 feet) of massive nickel-copper mineralization drilled outside of the Tamarack Nickel Project's resource area (drill hole 21TK0313).



To view an enhanced version of Figure 1, please visit:

https://orders.newsfilecorp.com/files/2443/84469_1c6b3e5d9455e8b9_001full.jpg

HIGHLIGHTS

Talon has been rapidly drilling in a target area that starts approximately 100 meters north-north-east of the Tamarack Nickel Project's resource area (i.e., outside of the resource area) and extends for an additional 400 meters. The target area is referred to as "CGO West".

To date, with very limited drilling, the CGO West area has been characterized by 1 to 5 meter intercepts of massive nickel-copper mineralization, with up to 27 meters of disseminated mineralization overlying the massive mineralization.

New drill hole 21TK0313 has intersected 13.88 meters (45.5 feet) of mixed massive nickel-copper mineralization starting at a shallow depth of only 225 meters, with assays pending.

This is the thickest intercept to date within the CGO West area;

This thick intercept was unexpected for this area, as the surrounding holes have patterned sheet-like mineralization up to 5 meters thick;

This intercept could potentially indicate a pool of sulphides; and

As a follow-up, the Company is actively running geophysics to guide future drilling.

In addition to this new massive nickel-copper intercept, the Company has also successfully intersected within the CGO West area:

27.2 meters (89.2 feet) meters of nickel-copper mineralization starting at only 135.25 meters, assays pending (drill hole 21TK0298); and

9.3 meters (30.5 feet) meters of nickel-copper mineralization starting at only 142.65 meters, including 1.85 meters (6.1 feet) of mixed massive nickel-copper mineralization at 150.1 meters (drill hole 21TK0299), assays pending.

The results from these holes, coupled with mineralization from the previously reported holes nearby, indicate that mineralization is extensive in the CGO West area and may have a similar geometry to the CGO East area.

"Intersecting almost 14 meters of massive sulphide in a zone that lies outside of our resource area is clearly a new discovery," said, Dr. Etienne Dinel, Head of Geology. "Drill hole 21TK0313 was expected to result in mineralization of 1-3 meters, similar to the sheet-like patterns we have seen in nearby holes and in the CGO East area, but instead we hit 13.88 meters. This new discovery confirms our exploration model of mineralization settling, draining, and pooling, and most notably, there is no reason to think that this does not occur elsewhere along the 18 km Tamarack Intrusive Complex. Given the shallow depths of this new discovery, our rigs shoud be able to delineate this area quickly and add it to a new resource estimate later this year."

"Where there is smoke there is usually fire," said Brian Goldner, Head of Exploration. "Once we identify massive sulphides, regardless of their thickness, we can then use BHEM (geophysics) to guide the next drill hole, which is ultimately what put us onto the 13.88 meter intercept in drill hole 21TK0313 announced today. This exploration method will be applied to other zones along the 18 km Tamarack Intrusive Complex, including the 221 Zone, the 264 Zone, and the 164 Zone to evaluate for thicker accumulations of sulphides. Looking at the high-grade "smoke" in these other zones (see Figure 3 below), you can clearly see why the team is extremely excited to start work on these areas once we have finished expanding the current resource."

SUMMARY

The CGO West exploration area lies approximately 100 meters north-north-east of the Tamarack Nickel Project's resource area and extends for an additional 400 meters where past drilling showed the presence of nickel-copper mineralization. Talon has previously reported three holes that intersected massive nickel-copper mineralization (see press release dated April 7, 2021 for details) and now, with the completion of new drill holes 21TK0313, 21TK0298 and 21TK0299, Talon has drilled a total of six new holes in this area that have each intersected nickel-copper mineralization.

Drill hole 21TK0313 was a 30 meter step-out from hole 21TK0285, which intersected 27.45 meters (90.1 feet) of sulphide mineralization grading 0.75% Ni, 0.41% Cu (0.98% NiEq1 or 2.63% CuEq2) starting at 168.2 meters, including 1.75 meters (5.7 feet) of massive sulphide grading 4.81% Ni, 1.88% Cu (5.89% NiEq or 15.72% CuEq) starting at only 193.9 meters. The drill hole was targeted with an off-hole Borehole Electro-Magnetic ("BHEM") anomaly (see Figure 2 for details).

Drill hole 21TK0313 was targeting a down plunge extension to this BHEM anomaly and intersected 13.88 meters (45.5 feet) of mixed and massive nickel-copper mineralization starting at only 225.44 meters depth.

This thick intercept was unexpected for this area, as the surrounding holes have patterned the sheet-like mineralization found in the CGO East area.

The mineralization in drill holes 21TK0298 and 21TK0299 correspond to off-hole Electro-Magnetic (geophysical) anomalies that were generated from historic drill holes 13TK0166 and 13TK0169.

Drill hole 21TK0298 intersected 27.2 meters (89.2 feet) of nickel-copper mineralization beginning from 135.25 meters, and contains variable amounts of disseminated sulphide. Assays pending.

21TK0299 intersected 9.3 meters (30.5 feet) of nickel-copper mineralization starting at only 142.65 meters, including 1.85 meters (6.1 feet) of mixed massive sulphide from 150.1 meters to 151.95 meters. Assays pending.

These results begin to show that the CGO West area is similar in geometry to the CGO East area and have not only extended the mineralization, but also linked it throughout the northwestern portion of the CGO West area. The 13.88 meter intercept suggests that these sheets of mineralization are able to pool and collect into larger mineralized bodies, which reinforces the hypothesis that thin massive sulphide intercepts can turn into very thick intervals over a short distance.

The new massive sulphide intercepts from drill hole 21TK0313 further illustrate the potential exploration upside that exists at the Tamarack Project. To this end, the greater Tamarack Intrusive Complex already has multiple areas with massive sulphide intercepts, as shown in Figure 3. These three areas are already showing incredible grade with: drill hole 15TK0229 having intersected 1.63 meters grading 9.33% Ni, 5.14% Cu, starting at 702 meters (221 Zone); drill hole 18TK0264 having intersected 0.25 meters grading 9.95% Ni, 5.74% Cu, starting at 539 meters (264 Zone); and drill hole 12TK0164 having intersected 2.89 meters grading 3.67% Ni, 1.97% Cu (164 Zone). These areas have been largely underexplored and present a great opportunity to explore for thick deposits of massive sulphides.

Figure 2. Plan View map of the northern portion of the Tamarack Nickel Project's resource area, including the CGO East and the CGO West target areas. Drilling so far suggests that the mineralization in the CGO East and CGO West target areas is similar.



To view an enhanced version of Figure 2, please visit:

https://orders.newsfilecorp.com/files/2443/84469_1c6b3e5d9455e8b9_002full.jpg

Figure 3: Plan view of the Tamarack Intrusive Complex highlighting additional areas with massive nickel-copper mineralization.



To view an enhanced version of Figure 3, please visit:

https://orders.newsfilecorp.com/files/2443/84469_1c6b3e5d9455e8b9_003full.jpg

QUALITY ASSURANCE, QUALITY CONTROL AND QUALIFIED PERSONS

Please see the technical report entitled "NI 43-101 Technical Report Updated Preliminary Economic Assessment (PEA) #3 of the Tamarack North Project - Tamarack, Minnesota" with an effective date of January 8, 2021 prepared by independent "Qualified Persons" (as that term is defined in National Instrument 43-101 ("NI 43-101") Leslie Correia (Pr. Eng), Andre-Francois Gravel (P. Eng.), Tim Fletcher (P. Eng.), Daniel Gagnon (P. Eng.), David Ritchie (P. Eng.), Oliver Peters (P. Eng.), Volodymyr Liskovych (P.Eng.), Andrea Martin (P. E.) and Brian Thomas (P. Geo.) for information on the QA/QC, analytical and testing procedures at the Tamarack Project. Copies are available on the Company's website (www.talonmetals.com) or on SEDAR at (www.sedar.com). The laboratory used is ALS Minerals who is independent of the Company.

Lengths are drill intersections and not necessarily true widths. True widths cannot be consistently calculated for comparison purposes between holes because of the irregular shapes of the mineralized zones. Drill intersections have been independently selected by Talon. Drill composites have been independently calculated by Talon. The geological interpretations in this news release are solely those of the Company.

The locations and distances highlighted on all maps in this news release are approximate.

Dr. Etienne Dinel, Vice President, Geology of Talon, is a Qualified Person within the meaning of NI 43-101. Dr. Dinel is satisfied that the analytical and testing procedures used are standard industry operating procedures and methodologies, and he has reviewed, approved and verified the technical information disclosed in this news release, including sampling, analytical and test data underlying the technical information.

ABOUT TALON

Talon is a TSX-listed base metals company in a joint venture with Rio Tinto on the high-grade Tamarack Nickel-Copper-Cobalt Project located in Minnesota, USA, comprised of the Tamarack North Project and the Tamarack South Project. Talon has an earn-in to acquire up to 60% of the Tamarack Project. The Tamarack Project comprises a large land position (18km of strike length) with numerous high-grade intercepts outside the current resource area. Talon is focused on expanding its current high-grade nickel mineralization resource prepared in accordance with NI 43-101; identifying additional high-grade nickel mineralization; and developing a process to potentially produce nickel sulphates responsibly for batteries for the electric vehicles industry. Talon has a well-qualified exploration and mine management team with extensive experience in project management.

For additional information on Talon, please visit the Company's website at www.talonmetals.com or contact:

Sean Werger

President

Talon Metals Corp.

Tel: (416) 361-9636 x102

Email: werger@talonmetals.com

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This news release contains certain "forward-looking statements". All statements, other than statements of historical fact that address activities, events or developments that the Company believes, expects or anticipates will or may occur in the future are forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements reflect the current expectations or beliefs of the Company based on information currently available to the Company. Such forward-looking statements include statements relating to the timing and results of the exploration program, including assay results, grades, geophysical results and drilling plans; the potential for a pool of sulphides in the CGO West area; the potential for extended mineralization and a new resource estimate later this year; and the indication that the CGO West area may have similar geology to the CGO East area. Forward-looking statements are subject to significant risks and uncertainties and other factors that could cause the actual results to differ materially from those discussed in the forward-looking statements, and even if such actual results are realized or substantially realized, there can be no assurance that they will have the expected consequences to, or effects on the Company.

Any forward-looking statement speaks only as of the date on which it is made and, except as may be required by applicable securities laws, the Company disclaims any intent or obligation to update any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events or results or otherwise. Although the Company believes that the assumptions inherent in the forward-looking statements are reasonable, forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and accordingly undue reliance should not be put on such statements due to the inherent uncertainty therein.

Table 1: Quick Lithology Log for Drill Holes 21TK0298, 21TK0299 and 21TK0313

HOLEID FROM (m) To (m) length Quik Log % Sulphides 21TK0298 0 73.9 OB 73.9 144.4 FGO/MZNO tr-2% 144.4 171.6 27.2 FGO/MZNO 4-5% 171.6 203.3 SED 21TK0299 0 60.66 OB 25% 60.66 142.65 FGO/MZNO tr-3% 142.65 150.1 7.45 FGO/MZNO 5-15% 150.1 151.95 1.85 MMS/MSU 25% 151.95 182.27 SED 21TK0313 0 52.97 OB 52.97 210.07 FGO/MZNO tr 210.07 225.44 15.37 CGO tr-4% 225.44 239.32 13.88 MSU 35-100% 239.32 267.31 SED

Table 2: Assay Results of CGO West Drill Holes Discussed in this Press Release

Drill Hole From To Length Results # (m) (m) (m) Ni (%) Cu (%) Co (%) Pd (g/t) Pt (g/t) Au (g/t) NiEq (%) CuEq (%) 12TK0164 473.43 476.32 2.89 3.67 1.97 0.08 0.11 0.12 0.1 4.59 12.25 15TK0229 700.83 703.67 2.84 7.68 4.59 0.15 1.09 1.33 0.53 10.2 27.2 including 702.04 703.67 1.63 9.33 5.14 0.18 1.35 2.29 0.71 12.4 33.07 18TK0264 539.04 539.29 0.25 9.95 5.74 0.16 1.66 0.8 0.32 12.82 34.19 13TK0166 129.5 141.5 12.00 0.62 0.41 0.02 0.04 0.06 0.05 0.84 2.24 and 161.86 163.46 1.60 1.67 1.51 0.04 0.22 0.46 0.20 2.49 6.63 13TK0169 121 122.78 1.78 1.03 0.48 0.03 0.11 0.15 0.04 1.32 3.52 and 125.5 128.17 2.67 0.62 0.54 0.02 0.11 0.17 0.12 0.94 2.50 21TK0298 Assays pending 21TK0299 21TK0313

Length refers to drill hole length and not True Width.

True Width is unknown at the time of publication.

All samples were analysed by ALS Minerals. Nickel, copper, and cobalt grades were first analysed by a 4-acid digestion and ICP AES (ME-MS61). Grades reporting greater than 0.25% Ni and/or 0.1% Cu, using ME-MS61, trigger a sodium peroxide fusion with ICP-AES finish (ICP81). Platinum, palladium and gold are initially analyzed by a 50g fire assay with an ICP-MS finish (PGM-MS24). Any samples reporting >1g/t Pt or Pd trigger an over-limit analysis by ICP-AES finish (PGM-ICP27) and any samples reporting >1g/t Au trigger an over-limit analysis by AAS (Au-AA26).

NiEq% = Ni%+ Cu% x $3.00/$8.00 + Co% x $12.00/$8.00 + Pt [g/t]/31.103 x $1,300/$8.00/22.04 + Pd [g/t]/31.103 x $700/$8.00/22.04 + Au [g/t]/31.103 x $1,200/$8.00/22.04

CuEq% = Cu%+ Ni% x $8.00/$3.00 + Co% x $12.00/$3.00 + Pt [g/t]/31.103 x $1,300/$3.00/22.04 + Pd [g/t]/31.103 x $700/$3.00/22.04 + Au [g/t]/31.103 x $1,200/$3.00/22.04

No adjustments were made for recovery or payability.

Table 3: Collar Locations of CGO West Area Drill Holes Mentioned in this Press Release

HOLEID Easting (m) Northing (m) Elevation (masl) Azm Dip End Depth (m) 21TK0298 491113.6 5169254.2 388.0 241.9 -72.4 203.3 21TK0299 491108.8 5169252.7 388.0 0.5 -65.9 187.3 21TK0313 491067.0 5169034.0 388.0 317.9 -56.0 267.3 12TK0164 490973.3 5167136.3 386.7 350.0 -78.9 587.4 13TK0166 491100.4 5169249.4 388.8 266.4 -89.9 414.0 13TK0169 491099.5 5169354.5 388.6 151.0 -89.9 164.3 15TK0229 491918.8 5170221.8 388.6 325.9 -89.7 807.7 18TK0264 490577.8 5171725.7 384.1 21.4 -89.8 581.0

Collar coordinates are UTM Zone 15N, NAD83.

Azimuths and dips are taken from survey record at collar unless otherwise noted.

____________________

1 Where used in this news release: NiEq% = Ni%+ Cu% x $3.00/$8.00 + Co% x $12.00/$8.00 + Pt [g/t]/31.103 x $1,300/$8.00/22.04 + Pd [g/t]/31.103 x $700/$8.00/22.04 + Au [g/t]/31.103 x $1,200/$8.00/22.04

2 Where used in this news release: CuEq% = Cu%+ Ni% x $8.00/$3.00 + Co% x $12.00/$3.00 + Pt [g/t]/31.103 x $1,300/$3.00/22.04 + Pd [g/t]/31.103 x $700/$3.00/22.04 + Au [g/t]/31.103 x $1,200/$3.00/22.0

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/84469
Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia--(Newsfile Corp. - May 19, 2021) - Aranjin Resources Ltd. (TSXV: ARJN) (the "Company" or "Aranjin Resources") is pleased to announce that it has entered into an agreement to acquire the highly prospective Sharga Copper Project (the "Sharga Project" or "Project"). The Sharga Project is located in the Gobi Altai region of Mongolia near the Chinese border and is comprised of one Mineral Exploration Licence covering over 9,000 hectares.

The Sharga Project is located in the Sharga Soum of Gobi Altai Province and 80 km from the Altai city. The project is situated only 20 km away from key roads linking Altai to China. The accessibility to the Project area is well developed including paved road and/or airline to Ulaanbaatar.

Prior exploration at the Project has defined three high grade copper targets and extensive electromagnetic anomalies typical of massive copper sulphides . Prior work has included 74 rock chip samples, two diamond core drill holes totaling 222.5 metres, 77 drill core samples , 921 line kilometres of ground magnetics and 40 line kilometres of ground based electromagnetic geophysics.

A single drill hole was completed into two of the better electromagnetic anomalies with better drill results including:

East Sharga Discovery (one drill hole to 172.5 metres depth)

SHD001 - 37.8m at 0.95% copper, 1.37g/t gold and 6.8g/t silver from 132.6 metres

West Sharga Discovery (one drill hole to 50 metres depth)

SHD002 - 11m at 0.15% copper and 0.12g/t gold from 28 metres.

These are highly encouraging drilling results for such an early-stage project. The Company plans to commence drilling and additional geophysics at the Sharga Project in the next month, following completion of drilling of a single hole at the Company's Bayan Undur Copper Project.

Mr Wood, Executive Chairman of Aranjin Resources stated, "We are extremely pleased to secure the highly prospective Sharga Copper Project. Early drill results are highly encouraging, with one ore grade copper interval already being intersected at the East Sharga Discovery. We plan to commence additional geophysics and drilling to follow up on this exciting new discovery. Mongolia is the home for new big copper discoveries and the Company is excited to have added the Sharga Copper Project to its expanding portfolio of copper projects."

The Company will acquire the project through the purchase of all of the issued and outstanding equity interests in a Mongolian LLC company, which is the 100% owner of the Sharga Project. As consideration for the acquisition, the Company will pay a total of US$1.5 million in cash in instalments and issue 30 million common shares in instalments, provided the issuance would not result in the vendor owning over 9.9% of the issued and outstanding common shares of the Company. The vendor is an arm's length party to the Company.

In order to fund the cash portion of the acquisition, Aranjin Resources has entered into a term sheet for the issuance of a $1,814,400 (approximately US$1.5 million) unsecured convertible debenture. The debenture will have a term of 12 months and bear interest at a rate of 15% per annum to be accrued and paid at maturity in cash or, at the option of the debenture holder, in common shares. The principal amount of the debenture will be convertible at any time during the term into common shares of Aranjin Resources at a price of $0.055 per share. In addition, the Company has agreed to grant the debenture holder a 1% net smelter returns royalty over the Sharga Project.

The completion of the acquisition and financing are subject to TSX Venture Exchange approval. All securities issued pursuant to the acquisition and financing will be subject to a statutory hold period of four months and one day in accordance with applicable securities laws.

The scientific and technical information contained in this news release has been reviewed and approved by Enkhtuvshin Khishigsuren, a Qualified Person for the purposes of National Instrument 43-101 - Disclosure Standards for Mineral Projects.

On behalf of the Board

Matthew Wood

Chairman

Aranjin Resources Ltd.

+976 7732 1914

NEITHER TSX VENTURE EXCHANGE NOR ITS REGULATION SERVICES PROVIDER (AS THAT TERM IS DEFINED IN THE POLICIES OF THE TSX VENTURE EXCHANGE) ACCEPTS RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE ADEQUACY OR ACCURACY OF THIS RELEASE.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/84488
VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESSWIRE / May 19, 2021 / Fabled Silver Gold Corp. ("Silver or Company") (TSXV:FCO; OTCQB: FBSGF, and FSE: 7NQ) is pleased to announce that its Board of Directors has unanimously approved a proposed spinout of its copper assets in northern British Columbia, referred to as the Muskwa Project, into Fabled Copper Corp. ("Copper" or "SpinCo") through a statutory plan of arrangement (the "Arrangement").

Common shares of Copper (the "SpinCo Shares") will be distributed to shareholders of the Silver ("Shareholders") on the basis of one Copper share for every five common shares of Silver held. At the time the Arrangement becomes effective at the special Shareholders meeting, Shareholders will own shares in both companies, Silver and Copper.

The Company expects the Arrangement will increase shareholder value by allowing capital markets to ascribe value to Muskwa copper Project independent of the Company's silver properties, referred to as the Santa Maria Project, in Mexico.

The spinout of Copper will provide shareholders an increase in flexibility as to their specific investment strategy at no cost and no risk profile, as Copper seeks to enable Shareholders to realize growth and returns from exploration investment though direct ownership in Copper and Copper's properties.

The Company will continue to focus on advancing its drill program on the Santa Maria silver property in Mexico while Copper will seek to explore and develop the copper assets and thus unlock the value of the Muskwa Project. Concurrent with the Arrangement Fabled Copper will seek to be listed on the TSX Venture Exchange (the "Exchange") at the conclusion of Arrangement.

"The approval from our board achieves a key milestone in our goal to create value for our shareholders. Copper as a standalone company will control a portfolio of promising advance exploration-stage copper properties in British Columbia, Canada and will provide them with the independent attention they deserve." said Peter Hawley, President and Chief Executive Officer of Silver. "The proposed spinout also allows us to add a new point of value creation for our shareholders, with the Company providing exposure to Silver in Mexico and Copper in Canada."

Further details on the Copper properties in British Columbia will be detailed in a future press release.

The Arrangement is contemplated to be carried out pursuant to the terms of an arrangement agreement to be governed by the Business Corporations Act (British Columbia). The Company will seek to apply for an interim order from the Supreme Court of British Columbia (the "Interim Order"), authorizing the Company to call a special meeting of Shareholders to approve the Arrangement. Shareholders will be asked to vote on the Arrangement at the special meeting of the shareholders (the "Meeting") to be arranged in due course.

Completion of the Arrangement is subject to a number of conditions, including the following:

the Company obtaining the requisite approval of its shareholders at the Meeting;

approval of the Supreme Court of British Columbia;

approval of Arrangement by the Exchange

Exchange approval of the listing of the Copper shares upon compilation of the Arrangement; and

completion of a private placement by Copper to raise gross proceeds of up to $6,000,000, consisting of a mixture of common shares and flow through common shares.

Further details of the Arrangement will follow by additional press releases and in an Information Circular, which will be mailed to Shareholders in advance of the Meeting following receipt of the Interim Order. Shareholders are cautioned that there can be no assurance that the Arrangement will be completed on the terms described herein or at all.

Anticipated Private Placement.

In connection with the Arrangement, Copper will seek to complete a private placement or placements for aggregate gross proceeds of up to $6,000,000 ('Private Placement'). Further details on the Private Placement, will be provided in due course, once available, by way of press release.

About Fabled Silver Gold Corp.

Fabled is focused on acquiring, exploring and operating properties that yield near-term metal production. The Company has an experienced management team with multiple years of involvement in mining and exploration in Mexico. The Company's mandate is to focus on acquiring precious metal properties in Mexico with blue-sky exploration potential.

The Company has entered into an agreement with Golden Minerals Company (NYSE American and TSX: AUMN) to acquire the Santa Maria Property, a high-grade silver-gold property situated in the center of the Mexican epithermal silver-gold belt. The belt has been recognized as a significant metallogenic province, which has reportedly produced more silver than any other equivalent area in the world.

The Company also has holdings in various copper properties in the Liard Mining Division in northern British Columbia which it is seeking to spin-out by way of Plan of Arrangement.

Mr. Peter J. Hawley, President and C.E.O.

Fabled Silver Gold Corp.

Phone: (819) 316-0919

peter@fabledfco.com

For further information please contact:

info@fabledfco.com

The technical information contained in this news release has been approved by Peter J. Hawley, P.Geo. President and C.E.O. of Fabled, who is a Qualified Person as defined in National Instrument 43-101 - Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects.

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulations Service Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) does accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this news release.

Certain statements contained in this news release constitute "forward-looking information" as such term is used in applicable Canadian securities laws. Forward-looking information is based on plans, expectations and estimates of management at the date the information is provided and is subject to certain factors and assumptions, including, that the Company's financial condition and development plans do not change as a result of unforeseen events and that the Company obtains any required regulatory approvals.

Forward-looking information is subject to a variety of risks and uncertainties and other factors that could cause plans, estimates and actual results to vary materially from those projected in such forward-looking information. Some of the risks and other factors that could cause results to differ materially from those expressed in the forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to: impacts from the coronavirus or other epidemics, general economic conditions in Canada, the United States and globally; industry conditions, including fluctuations in commodity prices; governmental regulation of the mining industry, including environmental regulation; geological, technical and drilling problems; unanticipated operating events; competition for and/or inability to retain drilling rigs and other services; the availability of capital on acceptable terms; the need to obtain required approvals from regulatory authorities; stock market volatility; volatility in market prices for commodities; liabilities inherent in mining operations; changes in tax laws and incentive programs relating to the mining industry; as well as the other risks and uncertainties applicable to the Company as set forth in the Company's continuous disclosure filings filed under the Company's profile at www.sedar.com. The Company undertakes no obligation to update these forward-looking statements, other than as required by applicable law.

SOURCE: Fabled Silver Gold Corp

View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/648052/Fabled-Silver-Gold-Corp-Announces-Proposed-Spinout-of-Copper-Assets-into-Fabled-Copper-Corp


Location: 5311H-Denver Hauling



Job Title

Accounting Team Lead

Primary Location

Denver, Colorado

Employee Type

Employee

Job Description

Waste Connections is looking for an Lead Accounting Team Rep to join our GROWING team in Denver, Colorado. This person will be responsible for monitoring work flow for our accounting team. PAY:

$22-24 per hour



WHY YOU NEED TO JOIN US: CULTURE: It's a Great place to work! We work in an environment where empowered, self-directed All-stars know what they do is important. INTEGRITY: Our definition is "saying what you will do and then doing it!" We keep our promises to our customers and our employees.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES :

Assists the accounting team as a whole, including A/R & A/P duties

Review billing and payment entries

.Reconciliation of customers' accounts

Ability to cover others duties while on vacation.

Works in multiple 3rd party software.

Provide support to other departments across the company as needs arise, including special projects.

Runs weekly reports. MINIMUM JOB REQUIREMENTS:

Must be detailed oriented and well organized.

Ability to read, write, comprehend and communicate in English.

2 years of experience preferred.

High School Diploma or GED required. To be considered for any of our current openings you must complete an application at www.careers.wasteconnections.com . Application information and additional instructions can be found once you select your position of interest. We offer excellent benefits including: medical, dental, vision, flexible spending account, long term & short term disability, life insurance, 401K retirement and unlimited opportunities to "Connect with Your Future". Waste Connections is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer (Minority/Female/Disabled/Veteran)


TORONTO, ON / ACCESSWIRE / May 19, 2021 / Magna Terra Minerals Inc. (the "Company" or "Magna Terra") (TSXV:MTT) is pleased to provide the following updates regarding its portfolio of exploration project assets. Beyond the Company's focus on its core exploration assets in Atlantic Canada, Magna Terra continues to add shareholder value through various partnerships and option agreements on its assets in Argentina and Quebec.

Boleadora Project, Santa Cruz Province, Argentina

The Company through its wholly owned subsidiary Atala S.A.("Atala"), is pleased to confirm receipt of payment of the first installment of US$25,000 owing from Oroplata S.A. ("Oroplata") a subsidiary of Newmont Corporation ("Newmont") for the purchase of the Boleadora Project. Per the Company's press release dated June 9, 2020, it entered into an Agreement to sell its wholly owned Boleadora Project in Santa Cruz Province, Argentina, to Oroplata. The Boleadora Group of properties is a large greenfields exploration land package (approximately 55,000 hectares) encompassing 12 individual MD's or exploration licenses lying approximately 17 kilometres southeast of Newmont's Cerro Negro mine area in Santa Cruz Province, Argentina. Newmont (Oroplata) will pay Magna Terra (Atala) US$1 million as follows: US$25,000 on signing and six installments totalling US$975,000 payable within six years from the date of the Agreement. In addition, Newmont (Oroplata) has granted a 2% NSR to Magna Terra (Atala) on the Boleadora package. The royalty can be reduced to 1% by payment of US$2.5 million by Oroplata to Atala at anytime, and the gross royalty payable is capped at US$20 million.

Noyell Project, Quebec, Canada

The Company is also pleased to announce that pursuant to an Option Agreement with Opus One Resources Inc. ("Opus One") regarding the Noyell Property (see press release dated April 12, 2019), Magna Terra has received an option payment of $50,000, in the form of 1,000,000 Opus One common shares. Magna Terra now owns 2,775,000 common shares of Opus One, and will continue to hold the shares for investment purposes.

Magna Terra continues to evaluate opportunities to monetize its significant property portfolio in Santa Cruz Province, Argentina, as well as its minority property interests in Quebec, Canada, while it focuses its exploration efforts on its core Atlantic Canada project portfolio.

Board Changes

The Company further wishes to announce changes to its Board of Directors. Mr. Dennis Logan has tendered his resignation from the Board and as Chair of the Company's Audit Committee. Replacing Dennis on the Board and as Chair of the Audit Committee is Ms. Patricia Kajda CPA, CA. Ms. Kajda, CPA, CA, is a Partner and Business Advisor in MNP LLP's Mississauga office and leads the Public Companies group for Peel Region. Patricia is fluent in IFRS and U.S. GAAP as required by Canadian and U.S. reporting issuers and has significant experience in the junior mining and metals sector. Patricia is currently an audit committee chair and vice president board member for an NPO housing corporation, and a board member of a Toronto based Chamber of Commerce. After graduating from Wilfrid Laurier University with an Honours degree in Business Administration, Patricia became a Chartered Professional Accountant (CPA), qualifying as a Chartered Accountant (CA).

"On behalf of the Board, I would like to thank Dennis for his years of dedicated service to the Company and its shareholders, and wish him well in his future endeavours. At the same time, I would like to welcome Patricia to the Magna Terra team, during a very busy and exciting time for the Company."

~Lewis Lawrick, President & CEO, Magna Terra Minerals Inc.

In conjunction with Ms. Kajda's appointment, the Company has granted her a total of 150,000 stock options in accordance with its Stock Option Plan. Each option is exercisable at $0.20 per share for a period of 5 years from issuance, and will have standard vesting conditions.

About Magna Terra

Magna Terra Minerals Inc. is a precious metals focused exploration company, headquartered in Toronto, Canada. Magna Terra owns three district-scale, advanced gold exploration projects in the world class mining jurisdictions of New Brunswick and Newfoundland and Labrador. Further, the Company maintains a significant exploration portfolio in the province of Santa Cruz, Argentina which includes its precious metals discovery on its Luna Roja Project, as well as an extensive portfolio of district scale drill ready projects available for option or joint venture.

Forward-Looking Statements

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

Cautionary Statements Regarding Forward-Looking Information

Some statements in this release may contain forward-looking information. All statements, other than of historical fact, that address activities, events or developments that the Company believes, expects or anticipates will or may occur in the future (including, without limitation, statements regarding potential mineralization) are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are generally identifiable by use of the words "may", "will", "should", "continue", "expect", "anticipate", "estimate", "believe", "intend", "plan" or "project" or the negative of these words or other variations on these words or comparable terminology. Forward-looking statements are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond the Company's ability to control or predict, that may cause the actual results of the Company to differ materially from those discussed in the forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause actual results or events to differ materially from current expectations include, among other things, without limitation, failure to establish estimated mineral resources, the possibility that future exploration results will not be consistent with the Company's expectations, changes in world gold markets or markets for other commodities, and other risks disclosed in the Company's public disclosure record on file with the relevant securities regulatory authorities. Any forward-looking statement speaks only as of the date on which it is made and except as may be required by applicable securities laws, the Company disclaims any intent or obligation to update any forward-looking statement.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT:

Magna Terra Minerals Inc.

Lewis Lawrick

President and CEO, Director

647-478-5307

Email: info@magnaterraminerals.com

Website: www.magnaterraminerals.com

SOURCE: Magna Terra Minerals Inc.

View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/648060/Magna-Terra-Provides-Corporate-Development-Updates-and-Announces-Changes-to-its-Board-of-Directors
TAIZHOU, ZHEJIANG, CHINA & SAN DIEGO, CA / ACCESSWIRE / May 19, 2021 / Nascent Biotech, Inc. (OTCQB:NBIO) and BioRay Pharmaceutical Ltd., today announced that Nascent Biotech ("Nascent" or the "Company") has entered into a license agreement (the "Agreement") with BioRay Pharmaceutical Co Ltd ("BioRay"), thereby granting to BioRay exclusive rights to commercialize Nascent's monoclonal antibody, Pritumumab, in international markets, excluding North America and Central America.

Under terms of the Agreement, Nascent will receive a total of USD $5,000,000 to be paid out at various stipulated milestones. The initial payment of USD $1,000,000 was received by Nascent on April 20, 2021. A second payment of USD $750,000 will be received by Nascent upon enrollment of the 12th patient in Nascent's first Phase 1 clinical trial of Pritumumab. A third payment of USD $2,500,000 will be received by Nascent upon approval from the FDA to conduct a Phase II clinical trial of Pritumumab. The final USD $750,000 payment will be received by Nascent upon the commencement of the Phase II clinical trial.

"There are significant unmet medical needs in a variety of cancers," said Sean Carrick, CEO of Nascent Biotech. "Nascent is committed to changing patient expectations in some of the world's most debilitating cancers, and licensing Pritumumab to BioRay for Global therapeutic use will bring this promising treatment to significantly more patients who are in need. We are highly encouraged by the potential of Pritumumab to deliver an innovative, first-in-class treatment option, and we are delighted to be working closely with BioRay in this collaboration."

Dr. Haibin Wang, CEO of BioRay, expressed that licensing this promising biotech asset, which has historical encouraging efficacy data in the Asian population and now just started the first in-human study in the US, will enable BioRay to continue the expansion of its pipeline in innovative oncology therapeutics."

Under the terms of the Agreement, BioRay will join in the clinical process by choosing a site in China for Phase I clinical as well as initiating the regulatory in selected global markets of their choice.

"We are pleased to continue our long-term collaboration with Nascent since 2016. We are also confident that this license agreement will allow BioRay to rapidly fill an unmet need in the cancer space while enabling Nascent to continue to advance this asset in the US. Both companies will benefit greatly from this License arrangement."," added Dr. Haibin Wang.

About BioRay Pharmaceuticals

BioRay is a commercial-stage biopharmaceutical company focusing on discovering, developing, manufacturing and commercializing medicines for immune-mediated diseases and cancer. As a pioneer in China's biopharmaceutical industry, BioRay started the R&D of biologics in 2003 as a core business division of Hisun Pharmaceutical, a specialty comprehensive pharmaceutical group founded in 1956. In 2019, PAG, a leading Asia-focused private equity firm, acquired the control of BioRay with an investment of USD$540M for 58% ownership, marking the largest PE investment in China's biotechnology industry to date.

About Nascent Biotech Inc

Nascent Biotech, Inc. (OTCQB: NBIO) is a clinical-stage biotech company pioneering the development of monoclonal antibodies to be used in the treatment of various cancers and viral infections, helping millions of people worldwide. Its products are not yet commercially available. The Company's lead candidate, Pritumumab (PTB), is a monoclonal Antibody (Mab) that is being studied in Phase I clinical trials for the treatment of Brain Cancer. Development for PTB as a treatment for COVID-19 has been initiated.

For further information please visit our website www.nascentbiotech.com.

About PAG

PAG is a leading Asia-focused private equity firm with funds under management across private equity, real estate and absolute return strategies. PAG delivers value to its investors and portfolio companies by providing a world-class platform and an unparalleled network of local, experienced investment professionals in 10 offices across Asia-Pacific and around the world. PAG currently manages over US$40 billion in capital for some of the world's largest institutional investors.

Safe Harbor:

Statements in this press release about our future expectations constitute "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, and as that term is defined in the Private Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties and are subject to change at any time, and our actual results could differ materially from expected results. These risks and uncertainties include, without limitation, Nascent Biotech Inc's ability to target the medical professionals; Nascent Biotech Inc's ability to raise capital; as well as other risks. Additional information about these and other factors may be described in the Nascent Biotech Inc's Form 10, filed on May 2, 2015, and future subsequent filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The Company undertakes no obligation to update or release any revisions to these forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date of this statement or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events, except as required by law.

Corporate Contact

Sean Carrick

President | CEO

Nascent Biotech, Inc.

772.713.0541 Cell

sean.carrick@nascentbiotech.com

SOURCE: Nascent Biotech Inc.

View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/648073/Nascent-Biotech-and-BioRay-Pharmaceutical-Announce-5000000-Exclusive-License-Agreement-for-Development-and-Commercialization-of-Nascents-Pritumumab
KUALA LUMPUR, MALAYSIA / ACCESSWIRE / May 19, 2021 / Property investor Dato Sri Darren Yaw will form a new venture capital firm DDY Capital to invest in the burgeoning sector of Agritech and Foodtech.

Dato Sri Darren Yaw's DDY Capital will be based in Malaysia but will look to invest across the region especially in Singapore, Cambodia and Indonesia.

"I have long had an interest in food technology, and when COVID-19 hit, food security became a paramount issue. So I decided to take the plunge and DDY Capital was born," said Dato Sri Darren Yaw at the launch.

The venture capital firm will be investing in early-stage companies, primarily Series A and early Series-B. According to Dato Sri Darren Yaw, the firm is backed by institutional investors and family offices based in Malaysia and Singapore. It is looking for entrepreneurs who use technology to improve food security for millions of people in the South East Asia region.

Led by Dato Sri Darren Yaw and his partners with experience in Silicon Valley, DDY Capital will provide access to its broad network as well as strategies for business growth and development. "We are entrepreneurs and founders ourselves, and we have a vast network across many fields such as biotech, agriculture, and data science that will be invaluable to founders as they scale up," he said.

"We are looking for passionate entrepreneurs who have the drive to achieve scale and change millions of lives in countries such as Singapore, Indonesia, Philippines and Cambodia," said Dato Sri Darren Yaw.

In the South-East Asian region, Singapore is quickly emerging as a Foodtech hub with the full backing of the city-state's government. It has attracted a number of start-ups from around the world who are drawn to its generous state support. With a lack of arable land and heavily dependent on food imports, the government has positioned the sector as a key industry, making sizable state-backed investments into R&D, sales and market entry. It has set a target of tripling its local food production to 30% by 2030.

Malaysian prospects are more nascent but fast growing. Agriculture is a very important GDP contributor coming in at third highest in 2019. The bulk of the sector consists of smallholder farmers who are the ones who will benefit most from increased efficiencies from technological advancements.

"I'm very excited about the possibilities for disruption in Malaysia and around the region. We are confident that the time is right to get into this space." said Dato Sri Darren Yaw, adding that DDY Capital will be interested to invest in companies innovating in cell culture technology, biotech, farm management solutions, and smart farming.

Dato Sri Darren Yaw began to nurture their growing interest in sustainable food production with a small organic farm, Darren Yaw Greens in Johor, Malaysia in 2018. "Foodtech and Agritech have the potential to lighten the environmental impact of traditional food production practices. And we want to invest in companies that can capture future demand for services and products that are more efficient and sustainable," he added.

Dato Sri Darren Yaw's DDY Capital has investment teams on-the-ground in Philippines, Vietnam, Cambodia, and Indonesia with offices in Malaysia and Singapore. He first came to prominence as a property investor who made his fortune in Malaysian and Singaporean real estate.

Together with his wife, Darren Yaw established a property investment vehicle that invested heavily into Penang, Malaysia's pre-war buildings that skyrocketed in price when the island's capital was listed as a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage Site. Dato Sri Darren Yaw and his wife then branched out into developing boutique residential properties through Darren Yaw Properties in the region.

DDY Capital is a venture capital firm based in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. For more information: Visit cgexperience

For The Media

Company: DDY Capital

Address: Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

Email: info@cgexperience.cloudpage.me

Website: cgexperience

SOURCE: DDY Capital

View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/647694/Dato-Sri-Darren-Yaw-Forms-Malaysian-Venture-Capital-Company-Investing-in-Agritech-and-Foodtech
The growing number of people returning and those migrating to Australia could result in another booming housing market. However, some areas like Gold Coast and Byron Bay may see a sharper rise in demand and rising prices compared to other parts of the country.

QWEENSLAND, AUSTRALIA / ACCESSWIRE / May 19, 2021 / According to leading local real estate buyers advocate, Savvy Fox, a growing number of Australians and non-Australians are looking to move back into the country, triggering an increase in the number of homebuyers in the market.

The largely unaffected continent and country of Australia has become the center of attention for many Australians who want to move back home. Many of them are searching for homes, but Australians aren't alone. Immigrants from as far as Asia are eyeing the Australian housing market, mainly because the country has remained open and unaffected by COVID-19. Many see relocating post the COVID-19 pandemic to be the only way to live a normal life.

Compared to the US and a significant chunk of Europe, Australians have been largely unaffected back home over the past 12 months. That's thanks in part to the Australian government's quick and early decision to lockdown many affected parts of the country. Also, an aggressive vaccination drive now means that COVID-19 is extremely rare. The few cases that do appear are dealt with quickly, effectively stemming the spread of the virus.

Readers can find out more about Savvy Fox, the nationally recognized, award-winning licensed real estate valuer for over 20 years at https://savvyfox.com.au

"We have seen a growing trend of late, people looking to relocate into the Australian real estate market. With more and more people able to work remotely, plus the attraction of living down under in picturesque areas such as Byron Bay or the Gold Coast. Australia's becoming an attractive proposition for people looking to escape all the chaos of the past 12 months globally, to a place that's been largely unaffected," said the CEO for Savvy Fox.

About the Company:

Savvy Fox Property Group is owned and run by Jacqueline, who has over 20 years of experience working in the Australian property market. She is a registered property valuer, licensed and an award-winning real estate agent and auctioneer. The company helps people both locally and from abroad secure their next property. She and her team that make up Savvy Fox handle just about everything needed to ensure that a sale sails through swiftly and smoothly for all parties involved.

#

For The Media

Company: Savvy Fox Property Group

Name: Jacqueline Dwyer

Address: 17/36 Duringan Street, Currumbin, Queensland, Australia, 4223

Phone: 0412 332 156

Email: jacqueline@savvyfox.com.au

Website: https://savvyfox.com.au/

SOURCE: Savvy Fox Property Group

View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/648121/Local-Real-Estate-Buyers-Advocate-Sees-Growing-Trend-of-Australians-Moving-Back-Home
NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION TO UNITED STATES NEWS WIRE SERVICES OR FOR DISSEMINATION IN THE UNITED STATES

Ynvisible Interactive Inc. (the "Company" or "Ynvisible") (TSX-V: YNV, FSE: 1XNA, OTCQB: YNVYF) is pleased to announce that, further to its news release dated May 14, 2021, it has closed the private placement of its common shares ("Common Shares") and warrants to purchase Common Shares ("Warrants") to institutional investors for aggregate gross proceeds to the Company of approximately Cdn$12 million (the "Private Placement"). Pursuant to the Private Placement, the Company issued 19,992,003 Common Shares and Warrants to purchase 19,992,003 Common Shares at a purchase price of Cdn$0.61 per Common Share and associated Warrant. Each Warrant entitles the holder thereof to purchase one Common Share at an exercise price of Cdn$0.76 per Common Share at any time prior on or prior to May 18, 2024.

A.G.P./Alliance Global Partners (the "Agent") acted as the exclusive placement agent for the private placement in the United States.

This financing supports Ynvisible's "2023 Transformation Growth Strategy" focused on speed to market of differentiated and added value Internet of Things ("IoT") solutions.

"This is Ynvisible's most significant financing to date. It allows us to invest in and focus on our technology, accelerate the development of value-added IoT solutions for our customers, and, most critically, expand our engagement with US-based customers and shareholders," said Michael Robinson, CEO of Ynvisible.

"A.G.P supported our financing by engaging U.S.-based, and international institutional investors focused on the IoT, emerging technology, medical and diagnostic sectors. These new shareholders are aligned with Ynvisible's strategic business verticals," Mr. Robinson continued.

The Common Shares and Warrants issued under the Private Placement were qualified by way of a prospectus supplement under the Company's base shelf prospectus dated May 10, 2021 (collectively, the "Prospectus Supplement") which was filed in each of the provinces of Canada, except Quebec, copies of which are available under the Company's profile at www.sedar.com. In the United States, the Common Shares, Warrants and the shares issuable upon the exercise of the Warrants were offered on a private placement basis pursuant to exemptions from the registration requirements of the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "U.S. Securities Act"), and certain other jurisdictions in accordance with applicable securities laws.

As illustrated in the 2020 year-end financials presented on April 30, 2021, the Company has continued to see steady growth in income from clients.

"In 2020, we took bold operational steps to realize the transformation from a primarily contracted research organization into an integrated manufacturer and solutions provider, with a dedicated sales team," added Michael Robinson, CEO of Ynvisible.

"Our focus continues to be on delivering recurring revenue, growing and supporting our Americas-based customers, and integrating Ynvisible's display technology into fulfilling demands for differentiated and added-value IoT solutions," Mr. Robinson continued.

The Agent received (i) a cash commission equal to approximately $853,658, and (ii) 999,600 warrants (the "Agent's Warrants"). Each Agent's Warrant entitles the holder thereof to acquire one Common Share at an exercise price of Cdn$0.61 per Common Share at any time prior on or prior to May 18, 2024.

The net proceeds of the Private Placement are expected to be used by the Company for working capital and general corporate purposes.

No securities were offered or sold to Canadian residents.

This news release shall not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy nor shall there be any sale of any of the securities in any jurisdiction in Canada in connection with the Private Placement. This news release shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy nor shall there be any sale of the securities in any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such jurisdiction. This news release shall not constitute an offer of securities for sale in the United States. The securities have not been, nor will they be, registered under the U.S. Securities Act and such securities may not be offered or sold within the United States absent registration under U.S. federal and state securities laws or an applicable exemption from such U.S. registration requirements.

ABOUT YNVISIBLE INTERACTIVE INC.

Ynvisible aims to be a leading company in the emerging printed and flexible electronics sector. Given the cost and power consumption advantages over conventional electronics, printed electronics are a key enabler of mass adoption of the Internet of Things ("IoT") and smart objects. Ynvisible has the experience, know-how and intellectual property in electrochromic materials, inks, and systems. Ynvisible's interactive printed graphics solutions solve the need for ultra-low power, mass deployable, easy-to-use electronic displays and indicators for everyday smart objects, IoT devices, and ambient intelligence (intelligent surfaces). Ynvisible offers a mix of services, materials and technology to brand owners developing smart objects and IoT products. Additional information on Ynvisible is available at www.ynvisible.com.

ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Michael Robinson," CEO, Ynvisible Interactive Inc.

Forward-Looking Statements

This news release contains forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements contained in this news release include statements regarding the use of proceeds from the Private Placement. Forward-looking statements consist of statements that are not purely historical, including any statements regarding beliefs, plans, expectations or intentions regarding the future. Such information can generally be identified by the use of forwarding looking wording such as "may", "expect", "estimate", "anticipate", "intend", "believe" and "continue" or the negative thereof or similar variations. The reader is cautioned that assumptions used in the preparation of any forward-looking information may prove to be incorrect. Events or circumstances may cause actual results to differ materially from those predicted, as a result of numerous known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors, many of which are beyond the control of the Company, including but not limited to, market and other conditions, volatility in the trading price of the Common Shares, business, economic and capital market conditions; the ability to manage operating expenses, which may adversely affect the Company's financial condition; the ability to remain competitive as other better financed competitors develop and release competitive products; regulatory uncertainties; access to equipment; market conditions and the demand and pricing for products; Ynvisible's relationships with its customers and business partners; Ynvisible's ability to successfully release new products in a timely manner that meet customers' needs; the ability to attract, retain and motivate qualified personnel; competition in the industry; the impact of technology changes on the products and industry; failure to develop new and innovative products; the ability to successfully maintain and enforce our intellectual property rights and defend third-party claims of infringement of their intellectual property rights; the impact of intellectual property litigation that could materially and adversely affect the business; the ability to manage working capital; and the dependence on key personnel. Ynvisible may not actually achieve its plans, projections, or expectations. Such statements and information are based on numerous assumptions regarding present and future business strategies and the environment in which the Company will operate in the future, including the demand for its products, that there will be no regulation or law that will prevent the Company from operating its business, anticipated costs, the ability to secure sufficient capital to complete its business plans and the ability to achieve its goals. Given these risks, uncertainties and assumptions, you should not place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements.

Forward-looking statements contained in this news release are expressly qualified by this cautionary statement. The reader is cautioned not to place undue reliance on any forward-looking information. The forward-looking statements contained in this news release are made as of the date of this news release. Except as required by law, the Company disclaims any intention and assumes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. Additionally, the Company undertakes no obligation to comment on the expectations of, or statements made by third parties in respect of the matters discussed above.

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

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210519005342/en/

Contacts:

Investor Relations

Elyssia Patterson

+1 778-683-4324

ir@ynvisible.com
IDEMIA Group announced today the appointment of Astrid Warren as Chief People Officer and a member of the Executive Committee, effective May 18th 2021.

Astrid comes with over 20 years of experience in leading HR in global technology organizations. Reporting directly to IDEMIA Group President and CEO, she will oversee the People strategy and agenda for IDEMIA Group.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210519005441/en/

(Photo: Business Wire)

"I am very pleased to welcome Astrid Warren to IDEMIA's executive committee. Astrid brings exceptional experience across all facets of human resources strategy and development on a global scale. Her deep experience in leading Human Resources in the tech industry where she has spent her entire career combined with a proven track record of building high performing, diverse teams who deliver business results across regions and cultures, will be a great asset to our Group", said Pierre Barrial, IDEMIA Group President CEO.

"I am honored to be joining IDEMIA, a Group with great ambitions and expertise for the future, and a company whose purpose to make the world a safer place is aligned with my personal values. My job in Human Resources has always been driven by my passion for helping people grow and develop their skills and I look forward to meeting and working with the teams at IDEMIA to help them expand their capability to deliver business results", saidAstrid Warren, new Chief People Officer at IDEMIA.

NOTE TO EDITORS Astrid Warren's biography

Based in Switzerland, Astrid is a South African national human resources executive with over 20 years of experience mostly in the high-tech sector as well as in global environments.

She was previously Senior Vice-President Human Resources for SITA, the world's leading specialist in air transport communications and information technology and a company recognized by Forbes as 2020 Best Employers. Before that, she spent 13 years within Microsoft, where she held a number of senior HR leadership roles, such as head of HR for Microsoft Middle East Africa, in Turkey.

Prior to joining Microsoft in 1997, Warren was Responsible for the Human Resources function at Altron and Human Resources Manager at Standard Bank of South Africa.

About IDEMIA

IDEMIA, the global leader in Augmented Identity, provides a trusted environment enabling citizens and consumers alike to perform their daily critical activities (such as pay, connect and travel), in the physical as well as digital space.Securing our identity has become mission critical in the world we live in today. By standing for Augmented Identity, an identity that ensures privacy and trust and guarantees secure, authenticated and verifiable transactions, we reinvent the way we think, produce, use and protect one of our greatest assets our identity whether for individuals or for objects, whenever and wherever security matters. We provide Augmented Identity for international clients from Financial, Telecom, Identity, Public Security and IoT sectors. With close to 15,000 employees around the world, IDEMIA serves clients in 180 countries.

For more information, visit www.idemia.com Follow @IDEMIAGroup on Twitter

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210519005441/en/

Contacts:

Press Contact

Hanna Sebbah

idemia@havas.com

+33 (0) 6 63 73 30 30
The "Data Centre Nordics 2021-2025" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.

The Data Centre Nordics 2021 to 2025 report provides analysis of the key third-party Data Centre Public Cloud developments across the five countries of Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway and Sweden.

It provides the key trends in each market with Data Centre Provider profiles with forecasts for Data Centre space, Data Centre power, Data Centre pricing, Data Centre revenues, power costs and Public Cloud revenues for each of the five countries from 2021 to 2025.

The Data Centre Nordics 2021 to 2025 report provides an update of the Data Centre Landscape in each market including sub sea cable connectivity, Data Centre space, Data Centre power, Data Centre pricing and Data Centre revenues for each country over the period. It also provides a forecast for Public Cloud revenues in each of the five countries.

There are over 100 DC Providers offerings services in over 200 Data Centre facilities across the Nordic region including the five countries with Data Centre space just under 400,000 m2 and over 600 MW of Power.

The Data Centre Nordics 2021 to 2025 report analyses the Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway and Sweden third-party Data Centre and Cloud markets over the period and finds that the region is set for renewed growth particularly for HPC (High Performance Computing) users.

From the report DCP finds that the Nordic Region is dominated by the Swedish and Norwegian markets which each have over 120,000 m2 of third-party Data Centre raised floor space. Both countries benefit from an abundance of low cost renewable power attracting new users with high density power hungry IT applications. Facilities are being built which offer high power densities per rack with the Swedish at North facility (at Kista near Stockholm) supporting up to 40 kW of power per rack (if air cooled) and 100 kW of power per rack (if liquid cooled).

In Norway, the Government is considering new legislation to encourage excess heat from the Data Centre to be reused in a nearby district heating network, proposing that companies who consume 2 MW of power or more to reuse excess heat. The Norwegian Government argues that as power costs in Norway are low legislation is required to encourage more efficient power use.

Selected Data Centre Providers in the Nordics are expanding their facilities in the region. DigiPlex, a Norwegian Data Centre Provider is to build its first Data Centre campus near Copenhagen with up to five Data Centre facilities when built out. Green Edge Compute AS, a recent start-up in Norway, is to open its first facility near Trondheim in Norway, to support IoT (Internet of Things) with plans to open in other cities throughout Scandinavia.

Iceland the smallest of the five countries has introduced a number of facilities aimed at bitcoin mining or HPC (High Performance Computing) applications based on low cost renewable power. Iceland has seen campus facilities from at North, Verne Global Etix Borealis offering high power densities provided as standard.

With the emphasis on low cost renewable energy and the ability to significantly lower the Data Centre carbon footprint by deploying applications in the Nordics, the analyst finds that there is the opportunity for the Nordic Region to continue to expand its market reach and challenge the established Tier 1 European market based on the most favourable energy costs in Europe.

Key Topics Covered:

Summary

The Danish Data Centre Landscape

Summary Box Denmark Data Centre Summary

Data Centre third-party Data Centre Providers and Facilities in Denmark

Key Danish Data Centre Provider Profiles

Danish Data Centre raised floor space forecast in m2 (2021 to 2025)

Danish Data Centre Customer Power (DCCP) forecast in MW (2021 to 2025)

Danish Data Centre Power Costs in Euro per kWH

The Key Danish Data Centre Clusters

Danish Data Centre Pricing Forecast in rack space, m2 space per kW rentals (2021 to 2025)

Danish Data Centre Revenues Forecast in millions of Euro per annum (2021 to 2025)

Danish Public Cloud Revenues in millions of Euro per annum (2021 to 2025)

The Key Trends in the Danish Data Centre Market

Danish Data Centre Outlook

The Icelandic Data Centre Landscape

The Finnish Data Centre Landscape

The Norwegian Data Centre Landscape

The Swedish Data Centre Landscape

Companies Mentioned

DigiPlex

Etix Borealis

Green Edge Compute AS

Verne Global

For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/kxqif2

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210519005505/en/

Contacts:

ResearchAndMarkets.com

Laura Wood, Senior Press Manager

press@researchandmarkets.com

For E.S.T Office Hours Call 1-917-300-0470

For U.S./CAN Toll Free Call 1-800-526-8630

For GMT Office Hours Call +353-1-416-8900
Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - May 19, 2021) - Getchell Gold Corp. (CSE: GTCH) (OTCQB: GGLDF) ("Getchell" or the "Company") has received gross proceeds of approximately $646,730.25 pursuant to the exercise of 2,586,921 share purchase warrants at an exercise price of $0.25 per share. This equates to a 98.8% conversion rate from a total series of 2,618,032 warrants issued in connection with a non-brokered private placement that closed on May 17, 2019.

In combination with the non-brokered private placement closed yesterday (Company news release dated May 18, 2021), the Company has received aggregate gross proceeds of $3,356,855.25. The funds received from the warrant conversion add to a healthy bank account and ensures the Company is well financed for a very active 2021 exploration season.

The 2021 Phase One, 4,000 metre, drill program at the Fondaway Canyon Gold project, host to a sizable historic resource, is expected to start shortly. In addition, the maiden drill program at the high-grade Copper-Gold-Silver Star project, 60 kms to the north, will be sequenced in during the course of the Fondaway Phase 1 drill program.

The Company will provide notification upon the commencement of drilling and intends to provide further details of the Fondaway Phase 1 drill program at that time.

About Getchell Gold Corp.

The Company is a Nevada-focused gold and copper exploration company trading on the (CSE: GTCH) and (OTCQB: GGLDF). Getchell Gold is primarily directing its efforts on its most advanced stage asset, Fondaway Canyon, a past gold producer with a significant in-the-ground historic resource estimate. Complementing Getchell's asset portfolio is Dixie Comstock, a past gold producer with a historic resource and two earlier stage exploration projects, Star and Hot Springs Peak. Getchell has the option to acquire 100% of the Fondaway Canyon and Dixie Comstock properties, Churchill County, Nevada.

The Company reiterates that its near-term strategy to advance its assets is not impacted by the COVID-19 Coronavirus. The Company continues to monitor the situation and is in compliance with all government guidelines.

For further information please visit the Company's website at www.getchellgold.com or contact the Company at info@getchellgold.com.

Mr. William Wagener, Chairman & CEO

Getchell Gold Corp.

+1 303 517 8764

info@getchellgold.com

The Canadian Securities Exchange has not reviewed this press release and does not accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this news release. Not for distribution to U.S. news wire services or dissemination in the United States.

Certain information contained herein constitutes "forward-looking information" under Canadian securities legislation. Forward-looking information includes, but is not limited to, statements with respect to the use of proceeds. Generally, forward-looking information can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as "will" or variations of such words and phrases or statements that certain actions, events or results "will" occur. Forward-looking statements are based on the opinions and estimates of management as of the date such statements are made and they are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the actual results to be materially different from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements or forward-looking information, including: the receipt of all necessary regulatory approvals, use of proceeds from the financing, capital expenditures and other costs, and financing and additional capital requirements. Although management of Getchell have attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in forward-looking statements or forward-looking information, there may be other factors that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements and forward-looking information. The Company will not update any forward-looking statements or forward-looking information that are incorporated by reference herein, except as required by applicable securities laws.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/84492
Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - May 19, 2021) - Riverside Resources Inc. (TSXV: RRI) (OTCQB: RVSDF) (FSE: 5YY) ("Riverside" or the "Company"), is pleased to provide an update on the completed compilation of the spring 2021 technical work at the Cuarentas Project (the "Project"), Sonora, Mexico. Riverside has recovered the Project from Hochschild, who informed Riverside that they will terminate the earn-in option. Riverside still views the Project's discovery potential as excellent with seven untested targets, additional data and improved geologic understanding.

Riverside's President and CEO, John-Mark Staude, stated: "We would like to thank Hochschild for their contributions and collaboration at Cuarentas. We were pleased with the target generation and exploration phase of the option, and with only a modest (1,500 m) program completed there are plenty of compelling targets that remain untested across a Project with historical production history and demonstrated high-grades from surface sampling."

The Cuarentas option agreement lasted for 11 months during which Hochschild spent approximately $1.2M USD, developed broader technical data on target areas and began with drill testing of one of the eight defined target areas. Under the option Hochschild drilled 9 holes (1,500 m) helping outline a better understanding on the past producing Santa Rosalia mine area.

Work executed during the option agreement with Hochschild Mining included:

Detail mapping.

Trenching and sampling.

Soil sampling along Central Rosalia.

Geophysics, 2.7 km line of inverse polarization (IP).

Geophysics, reprocessing of the mag data.

1,500 m of drilling.

Structural analysis at surface and using oriented core drilling.

All building strong evidence for 7 additional targets across the entire property, some of which are now ready to drill and other targets warranting some geophysics and further surface work-up exploration (see Figure 1 below).





Figure 1: Map of Los Cuarentas including the 8 targets defined by Riverside. The following A-B cross section in Figure 3 is indicated on this figure.

To view an enhanced version of Figure 1, please visit:

https://orders.newsfilecorp.com/files/6101/84503_271eaecd042dc9bd_002full.jpg

The 2020-2021 drill program at Los Cuarentas Project targeted the extension at depth of the primary Santa Rosalia historical mine, which was exploited in early 1970's. Results have shown extension with vein parallel faulting cutting the vein at depth, down dropping the remaining target which remains untested (see press release January 11, 2021). Recent data compilation from the Riverside team highlights a well-defined post-mineral break along the Santa Rosalia mine separating the northern altered zone from the southern block which is capped with post-mineral andesite. This area is called the FUZ zone, which is particularly fractured and helps explain the results from January 2021 drilling as shown in a thick blue line in Figure 2 below.

Santa Rosalia target is part of a bigger shear corridor that extends for at least four km and has shown constant high-grade gold at surface including channel sampling up to 3.4 m at 9.1 g/t Au and soil sampling returning up to 0.9 g/t Au (see press release October 8, 2020).





Figure 2: Interpretative map of the Cuarentas Project with large, covered area including the Testerazo trend and specific areas of high-grade gold that will be focuses for next exploration work.



To view an enhanced version of Figure 2, please visit:

https://orders.newsfilecorp.com/files/6101/84503_271eaecd042dc9bd_003full.jpg

Field mapping and sampling during the 2020 program by Riverside defined a post-mineral unit covering an extensive steam-heated volcanic unit, potentially preserving a system with parallel structures from the Santa Rosalia Mine (see Figure 3). This system appears to be located in a structurally stable region of the southern block and has caught the attention of Riverside's team, who believes that additional surface exploration is warranted. Historical work from this area by Millrock (2017) reported surface sampling within what appears to be erosional windows with 24.9 g/t Au and 16.5 g/t Au.

This style of epithermal gold system is well known and shows similarities with nearby deposits such as Las Chispas Mine where SilverCrest Metals starting with only a few surface veins has now defined over 30 gold and silver rich veins containing over 0.5M ounces of gold and 49.7Moz of silver1. At Los Cuarentas, evidence at surface of extensive steam-heated alteration combined with a lithocap to the south and rhyolitic dome to the north, show a direct vector for higher-temperature systems on the property as shown on the cross section below (see Figure 3).





Figure 3: Interpretative cross section-oriented N-S, covering 3 km in length and ~400m vertical of the overall Los Cuarentas Project and highlighting the potential of recent geological discoveries during the Hochschild agreement. This section is interpretative and is not to scale.

To view an enhanced version of Figure 3, please visit:

https://orders.newsfilecorp.com/files/6101/84503_271eaecd042dc9bd_004full.jpg

Central Santa Rosalia:

With up to 0.9 g/t Au in soil and 11.5 g/t Au in rock samples, this target makes up the eastern extension of the Santa Rosalia vein along the El Testerazo trend. This is a drill-ready target, which would be volume adding to shallow depth extension of the grade for a first pass.

Santa Rosalia Sur:

Just to the south of Central Rosalia, this target has been one of the primary defined gold-bearing zones with a 200 m long hydrothermal breccia bounded by metric wide stockwork zone with a thickness at surface of up to 3.4 m at 9.1 g/t Au as reported in press release of October 8th, 2020. Further work on Santa Rosalia Sur will be one of the first priority work areas Riverside can now progress as the geologic and chemical data are suggestive for a high quality target setting. To take advantage of the rig on site, Riverside decided to do one drill hole to define continuity of the described hydrothermal breccia. Assays are still pending for this drill hole, however visuals indicate that the vein zone was intercepted. Additional drilling will be undertaken to better define the strike and depth extension of mineralization.

Southern Extension:

The continuation to the south of Santa Rosalia Sur, the extension is cut from the primary target by a normal fault-oriented E-W and down dropping the southern continuation. Mapping from Riverside's team showed extension of calcite and quartz veining as well as chlorite and clay alteration. This style of lower temperature mineral alteration suggests that the southern extension is higher up in the system

Riverside feels these three areas show good exploration potential and to date demonstrate many similar characteristics to the nearby Mercedes Mine, Santa Gertrudis Mine, Santa Elena Mine all within 50 km and near to this Arizpe mining camp.

Qualified Person & QA/QC:

The scientific and technical data contained in this news release pertaining to the Cuarentas Project was reviewed and approved by Freeman Smith, P.Geo, a non-independent qualified person to Riverside Resources, who is responsible for ensuring that the geologic information provided in this news release is accurate and who acts as a "qualified person" under National Instrument 43-101 Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects.

Rock samples from the previous exploration programs discussed above at Cuarentas were taken to the Bureau Veritas Laboratories in Hermosillo, Mexico for fire assaying for gold. The rejects remained with Bureau Veritas in Mexico while the pulps were transported to Bureau Veritas laboratory in Vancouver, BC, Canada for 45 element ICP/ES-MS analysis. A QA/QC program was implemented as part of the sampling procedures for the exploration program. Standard samples were randomly inserted into the sample stream prior to being sent to the laboratory.

About Riverside Resources Inc.:

Riverside is a well-funded exploration company driven by value generation and discovery. The Company has no debt and less than 71M shares outstanding with a strong portfolio of gold-silver and copper assets in North America. Riverside has extensive experience and knowledge operating in Mexico and Canada and leverages its large database to generate a portfolio of prospective mineral properties. In addition to Riverside's own exploration spending, the Company also strives to diversify risk by securing joint-venture and spin-out partnerships to advance multiple assets simultaneously and create more chances for discovery. Riverside has additional properties available for option, with more information available on the Company's website at www.rivres.com.

ON BEHALF OF RIVERSIDE RESOURCES INC.

"John-Mark Staude"



Dr. John-Mark Staude, President & CEO

For additional information contact:

John-Mark Staude

President, CEO

Riverside Resources Inc.

info@rivres.com

Phone: (778) 327-6671

Fax: (778) 327-6675

Web: www.rivres.com

Raffi Elmajian

Corporate Communications

Riverside Resources Inc.

relmajian@rivres.com

Phone: (778) 327-6671

TF: (877) RIV-RES1

Web: www.rivres.com

Certain statements in this press release may be considered forward-looking information. These statements can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology (e.g., "expect"," estimates", "intends", "anticipates", "believes", "plans"). Such information involves known and unknown risks -- including the availability of funds, the results of financing and exploration activities, the interpretation of exploration results and other geological data, or unanticipated costs and expenses and other risks identified by Riverside in its public securities filings that may cause actual events to differ materially from current expectations. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date of this press release.

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

1 Proven and Probable Resources - Technical report and mineral resource estimate for the Las Chispas property, 2019. Las Chispas-MRE-FINAL-14May19.pdf (silvercrestmetals.com)

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/84503
Sudbury, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - May 19, 2021) - Transition Metals Corp (TSXV: XTM) ("Transition", "the Company") is pleased to announce the commencement of field work on 5 of the Company's priority projects located in Ontario, Newfoundland and Saskatchewan. Company crews have commenced field work in the Sudbury area with plans to move into northwestern Ontario, and Saskatchewan later this summer. The Company is also planning to complete an airborne magnetic survey over the Duntara Copper project in Newfoundland this summer.

Commenting on the 2021 plan, CEO Scott McLean stated, "Transition is now better capitalized than it has been in years. We now have the resources in place to accelerate our project generator business model more aggressively and are looking forward to an increased flow of results and news over the coming months."

Ontario

The summer program is now underway at the Sawmill Au-Cu project located 70 kilometres northeast of Sudbury where the company has initiated a program of trenching and mapping to test gold targets highlighted by promising bedrock grab and channel sampling results in the fall of 2020. In February the Company announced that it had initiated a 500 metre drill program consisting of four short holes designed to undercut the Galena Vein showing, where grab sampling completed by the Company returned values up to 13.2 g/t Au, 125.0 g/t Ag, 1.28% Cu and 5.38% Pb (see news release of January 14, 2021). The drilling intersected comparable structures to those hosting mineralization in outcrop and returned anomalous gold, silver and base metals ranging from nil to 2.19 g/t Au, nil to 7.8 g/t Ag, and trace to 0.78%Pb over narrow intervals. Work at Sawmill has now shifted to evaluate other high priority target areas on the property such as the A Zone, the Calcite Showing, and the newly discovered JBM Showing where grab samples recovered in the Fall of 2020 returned assays of up to 38.7 g/t Au and 30.7 g/t Au.

On the Aylmer IOCG Project, approximately 10 kilometres east of the Sawmill Project, a deep penetrating airborne magnetotelluric (MT) survey was completed over an approximately 35 square kilometre portion of the property in late 2020. This survey outlined zones of reduced resistivity, interpreted to be associated with hydrothermal breccia zones exposed at surface, which appear to extend to depths greater than 1 kilometre. Work planned this summer includes trenching, mapping, and geochemical sampling to further qualify the structural and alteration characteristics of these breccia zones to further assess the potential of these targets in preparation for drilling.

On April 8, 2021 the Company announced that it had initiated a high-resolution airborne magnetic survey over its newly acquired Jolly Gold project approximately 75 kilometres north of Thunder Bay, Ontario. The property (4,560 hectares) is underlain by Archean metavolcanic and metasedimentary rocks interpreted to be the westward extension of the Beardmore-Geraldton Greenstone Belt (BGB) of the Eastern Wabigoon terrane. The results from this survey are under review in preparation for a planned program of prospecting, geological mapping, geochemical sampling, and trench mapping to highlight targets with potential to host large scale gold systems in the area of a high grade gold showing sampled in 2020 (see Company news release of November 24, 2020).

Saskatchewan

On the 100% owned 175 square kilometre Wollaston Lake Project in north-central Saskatchewan, he Company has applied for permits to enable the preparation of a number of helicopter pads in advance of an aggressive program of mapping and sampling with the purpose of ground truthing large scale biogeochemical copper targets highlighted in the 2020 property wide survey. The Company also intends to expand the biogeochemical survey to cover the newly staked portions of the property. In January (see news release dated January 18, 2021), Transition disclosed results from a ground breaking biogeochemical survey completed over the property which is located approximately 60 kilometres southwest along strike from the Janice Lake project, a district-scale sedimentary hosted copper project being aggressively explored by Rio Tinto Exploration Canada (RTEC) and Forum Energy Metals (Forum).

Newfoundland

The Company is planning to complete a high resolution airborne mag/EM survey over its Duntara Copper property in eastern Newfoundland. The property consists of claims staked by Transition in 2019 that cover approximately 25 square kilometres on the Bonavista Peninsula, that host widespread Cu mineralization associated with reduced layers of the Blue Point Facies within the Neoproterozoic Musgravetown Group. The objective of the survey is to highlight magnetic and conductivity features considered prospective indicators for targeting large deposits of sediment-hosted copper under cover.

Qualified Person

The technical elements of this press release have been reviewed and approved by Mr. Greg Collins, P.Geo. (PGO), Chief Operating Officer of Transition Metals and a Qualified Person as defined under National Instrument 43-101. All core samples were half sawn at a controlled location by Company representatives and transported directly by the company to the lab. Transition Metals employs in-house QA/QC procedures that conform to industry best practices. All analytical work performed was conducted at ALS Chemex Laboratories with analyses completed in North Vancouver, B.C. The quality system used by ALS-Chemex that meets all requirements of International Standards ISO/IEC 17025:2005 and ISO 9001:2015.

Transition Metals Corp

Transition Metals Corp (TSXV: XTM) is a Canadian-based, multi-commodity project generator that specializes in converting new exploration ideas into discoveries. The award-winning team of geoscientists has extensive exploration experience which actively develops and tests new ideas for discovering mineralization in places that others have not looked, often allowing the company to acquire properties inexpensively. Joint venture partners earn an interest in the projects by funding a portion of higher-risk drilling and exploration, allowing Transition to conserve capital and minimize shareholder's equity dilution.

Cautionary Note on Forward-Looking Information

Except for statements of historical fact contained herein, the information in this news release constitutes "forward-looking information" within the meaning of Canadian securities law. Such forward-looking information may be identified by words such as "plans", "proposes", "estimates", "intends", "expects", "believes", "may", "will" and include without limitation, statements regarding estimated capital and operating costs, expected production timeline, benefits of updated development plans, foreign exchange assumptions and regulatory approvals. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate; actual results and future events could differ materially from such statements. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially include, among others, metal prices, competition, risks inherent in the mining industry, and regulatory risks. Most of these factors are outside the control of the Company. Investors are cautioned not to put undue reliance on forward-looking information. Except as otherwise required by applicable securities statutes or regulation, the Company expressly disclaims any intent or obligation to update publicly forward-looking information, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

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

Further information is available at www.transitionmetalscorp.com or by contacting:

Scott McLean

President and CEO

Transition Metals Corp.

Tel: (705) 669-1777

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/84515
Community news reporter





Delmarva Now, part of the USA TODAY Network, is seeking an inquisitive and independent reporter to address compelling issues the community cares about.

You will tell first-hand accounts of the impact or potential impact of local government actions. Connect people with solutions. Focus on high-interest topics with a short turnaround. Circle back on topics that analytics support for deeper dives.

This reporter will learn about and quickly explain key community issues primarily focusing on the city of Salisbury, Wicomico and Somerset counites, and recognize when an issue extends to our wider coverage area. Ensure residents grasp whats going on in their neighborhood and beyond through fast-turn enterprise and watchdog work.

Visuals and interactive storytelling tools should help the audiences understanding of a topic.

You will also be responsible for maintaining a business column on openings and closings. There will be time for fun stories with some of the most-talked about topics and most-asked questions for our local and regional audience. We are a small newsroom, so everyone pitches in for breaking news.

Candidates must be self-starters, generating and producing high-quality work on a regular basis. Experience accessing public records to analyze and strengthen reporting will set you apart.

Delmarva Now includes The Daily Times and nine weekly publications covering Delaware, Maryland and Virginia coastal and Chesapeake Bay communities.

Salisbury, Maryland, is located 45 minutes from Ocean City, Maryland, and Delaware beaches. The Delmarva Peninsula offers plenty of national and state parks to explore. Day-trippers can visit Washington, D.C., Baltimore and Philadelphia.

Please send cover letter, resume and links to your published work to Executive Editor Laura Benedict Sileo through the Gannett jobs site.

Requirements:

Bachelors degree in Journalism, Communication or equivalent in work and education.

Daily journalism experience.

Able to work some evenings, weekends and holidays, as needed.

Candidates must have a valid drivers license, reliable personal vehicle and insurance.

#content
The "Baltic States (Estonia Latvia Lithuania) Data Centre Landscape 2021 to 2025" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.

This new report considers the growth of Data Centre space, power, pricing for the Baltic region covering Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania.

The analyst forecasts that the Baltic States (Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania will see a 58% revenue growth over the 4-year period mid-2021 to mid-2025, equivalent to a CAGR (Compound Annual Growth Rate) of 14.4 percent per annum.

The report shows the revenues for Cloud and Data Centre Market forecast over the period from the beginning of 2021 to the beginning of 2025 and provides profiles of the Data Centre providers in the Baltic States.

About the Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania Data Centre Landscapes



There are over twenty Data Centre Providers across the three states hosting in just under 50 facilities. The facilities if compared with for example the Nordics countries, are relatively small with the largest being in Lithuania with a DC space of just over 3,000 m2, followed by Infonet's in Estonia with a space of 1,725 m2. 74% of the DC facilities located in the Baltic States have less than 1,000 m2 of Data Centre Space.

There is an investment in the region with the MCF Data Centre facility in Estonia to become the largest facility in the region currently under construction and is due to be completed by the end of 2021 with up to 14,000 m2 of Data Centre raised floor when built out.

Key Topics Covered:

Estonia Data Centre Landscape

Estonia Data Centre Summary

Estonia Digital Statistics Summary

A simplified map of Estonia

The key sub-sea cable systems connecting Estonia

The key domestic fibre networks available in Estonia

The Key third-party Data Centre Providers Facilities in Estonia

The Key Data Centre Provider Profiles in Estonia

Estonia Data Centre space forecast

Estonia Data Centre power in kWH

The key Data Centre Clusters in Estonia

Estonia Data Centre Pricing Forecast

Estonia Data Centre Revenue Forecast

Estonia Public Cloud Revenue Forecast

The key trends for the Estonia Data Centre market

Estonia Data Centre Outlook

The Data Centre Landscape in Latvia

Data Centre Summary

Digital Statistics Summary

The key sub-sea cable systems connecting Latvia

The key domestic fibre providers in Latvia

The key third-party Data Centre Providers Facilities in Latvia

The key Latvian Data Centre Provider Profiles

Latvia Data Centre Space Forecast

Latvia Data Centre Power Forecast

Latvia Data Centre Power in kWH

The key Data Centre Clusters in Latvia

Latvia Data Centre Pricing in Latvia

A Data Centre Revenue Forecast in Latvia

A Public Cloud Revenue Forecast in Latvia

The Key Trends for the Latvia Data Centre Market

Latvia Data Centre Outlook

Lithuania Data Centre Landscape

Data Centre Summary

Lithuania Digital Statistics Summary

The key sub-sea cable systems connecting Lithuania

The key domestic fibre networks in Lithuania

The key third-party Data Centre Providers Facilities in Lithuania

The key Data Centre Provider Profiles in Lithuania

Lithuania Data Centre Space Forecast

Lithuania Data Centre Power Forecast

Lithuania Data Centre Power in kWH

The key Data Centre Clusters in Lithuania

Lithuania Data Centre Pricing

A Data Centre Revenue Forecast for Lithuania

A Public Cloud Revenue Forecast for Lithuania

Companies Mentioned

Infonet

MCF Data Centre

For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/o4fa7g

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210519005512/en/

Contacts:

ResearchAndMarkets.com

Laura Wood, Senior Press Manager

press@researchandmarkets.com

For E.S.T Office Hours Call 1-917-300-0470

For U.S./CAN Toll Free Call 1-800-526-8630

For GMT Office Hours Call +353-1-416-8900
DUBLIN, May 19, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Modern contact center solutions combine voice with digital media to create a seamless and globally consistent customer experience. VCC Live, a provider of innovative cloud-based contact center software for inbound, outbound and omnichannel contact centers, has announced a strategic partnership with DIDWW, a global telecoms operator that offers premium quality VoIP communication and SIP trunking services for businesses and telecom carriers worldwide.

Through the new partnership, VCC Live will use the DIDWW extensive virtual phone number coverage that will allow its contact center business to expand efficiently across geographies.

DIDWW immense inventory of virtual phone numbers available for immediate provisioning via the API and online portal allows VCC Live to maintain rapid growth of their global business.

Additionally, the extended reach facilitated by international DID numbers and the powerful outbound SIP trunking solution that provides true local reachability, enable VCC Live to efficiently service its enterprise customers in numerous countries all over the world. DIDWW high standards of quality and reliability are fully aligned with the requirements of a modern contact center software provider, making every single customer interaction exceptional.

Adam Zeibig, Carrier Manager at VCC Live, commented, "We strongly rely on the international DID and Voice termination services that DIDWW provides to us and our end customers. The quality of their services and exceptional support allow us to further strengthen our partnership to keep offering global enterprises high-quality telecommunication services."

Tadas Urbietis, Carrier Relations Manager at DIDWW, added, "We are very eager tobuild a strong partnership with cloud contact center software provider VCC Live. Our infrastructure delivers high-quality communications' solutions. We continually strive to expand our extensive coverage to provide customers with more market opportunities to support their business growth."

About DIDWW

DIDWW is a platform for telecommunication professionals with full self-service access and real-time provisioning, APIs and all the necessary building blocks for achieving the ultimate control over voice and SMS services.

The company offers the largest fully compliant international coverage of local, national, mobile, toll-free voice and SMS-enabled virtual phone numbers, two-way local and global SIP trunks, access to local emergency services, flexible capacity options, free global number portability, a number selection tool, and more.

DIDWW delivers premium quality services to thousands of operators worldwide through a private and fully geo-redundant network with mission-critical reliability and guaranteed SLAs. Their customers enjoy advanced solutions coupled with a unique service experience and superior value, all driven by a highly motivated team of professionals.

About VCC Live

Founded by Szabolcs Toth and Tamas Jalsovszky, VCC Live has consolidated its presence in Europe as a reliable business solution for companies dealing with comprehensive customer communications through a variety of channels including phone, email, chat, and social media. Currently, the company serves global clients in more than 50 countries, such as DHL, 4 Finance, Vodafone and Studio Moderna and works together with 20 international telecommunication partners.

Press Contact:



Vilija Simkiene

Marketing Department

vilija.s@didww.com

+1 (212) 461 1854

Photo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1513806/DIDWW_VCC.jpg
PUNE, India, May 19, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Patient Engagement Solutions Market size is valued at USD 8.97 Billion in 2017 and expected to reach USD 23.05 Billion by 2027 with a CAGR of 9.9% over the forecast period. Increasing use of technology in healthcare system with persistence of Covid-19 pandemic globally and Cost-Effective Healthcare Facilities is anticipated to drive the growth of Global Patient Engagement Solutions Market.

Top Companies in Patient Engagement Solutions Market Report: Some major key players for Global Patient Engagement Solutions Market are Greenway Health, Behavior Imaging, EUPATI, Santovia, UbiCare, Medisafe, AC Health, PatientIQ, eVisit, Xolomon, Luma Health, Kareo, CareCloud, Relatient LLC, Lumeon Ltd, SolutionReach

Request for Sample Report: https://brandessenceresearch.com/requestSample/PostId/632

Scope of Patient Engagement Solutions Market Report -

The easy access to healthcare facilities by connecting patients to providers and clinics has opened the door of digital platform like Patient Engagement Solutions. This platform has potential to drive the healthcare sector with outcomes like revenue, efficiency, patient satisfaction, compliance and other health outcomes. The engagement services have expanded globally by giving consumers and users 24/7 access to the medical services they need which includes appointment reminders, reputation or reviews management, patient satisfaction survey, self-scheduling, electronic registration, patient records and health campaigns. It has been noted that patients with active engagement with their health got better results in terms of treatment plans, less utilization and high satisfaction. These Patient Engagement Solutions runs Omnichannel campaigns through email, phone calls, text messages, social media and patient portals includes software or apps.

Global Patient Engagement Solutions Market report is segmented on the basis of types, end user, application and region & country level. Based upon types, global Patient Engagement Solutions market is classified into Health tracking mobile app, Healthcare based software, Patient Portals, and Hospital App. Based upon the end user, Patient Engagement Solutions market is classified into Patients and Providers. Based upon application, it is classified as Chronic Disease, Fitness Monitoring, Women's Health and others.

Key Players for Global Patient Engagement Solutions Market Report-

Some major key players for Global Patient Engagement Solutions Market are Greenway Health, Behavior Imaging, EUPATI, Santovia, UbiCare, Medisafe, AC Health, PatientIQ, eVisit, Xolomon, Luma Health, Kareo, CareCloud, Relatient LLC, Lumeon Ltd, SolutionReach and others.

News: Nuance Launches Omnichannel Patient Engagement Virtual Assistant

January 11, 2021; Nuance Communications launched the AI powered Patient Engagement Virtual Assistant to support the entire patient experience with digital and cloud-based platform. This advanced version is integrated with Electronic Health Record, Customer Relationship Management and Patient Access Centre Systems to facilitate healthcare provider companies to update and improve clinical care.

STChealth & 1Health together launch its First COVID-19 Patient Engagement Solution

December 15, 2020; Two companies 1Health and STChealth developed the first COVID-19 vaccination tracking system. It simplified the access to Vaccination Records, Vaccination Reminders, Event Collection and Reporting & Validation Testing. This platform will enable doctors, pharmacists, physicians and patients to get access to easy-to-use tool to obtain reports on Vaccinations, Side Effects and Immunization.

Request For Methodology: https://brandessenceresearch.com/requestMethodology/PostId/632

Cost Effective Healthcare Facilities is a key driving factor for the growth of Patient Engagement Solutions Market

The major factors driving the growth of global Patient Engagement Solutions market is cost-effective healthcare infrastructure which is attracting high number of patients in this market due to increase in diseases, awareness among the users, different policies and facilities by providers. Due to current COVID-19 situation and strict guidelines to maintain social distancing has also contributed in the growth of Patient Engagement Solutions by staying at home with self-care, fewer visits to hospitals and easy access to health monitoring systems. In 2018, Consumer Survey on Digital Health was conducted by Accenture reported that patients are okay with AI based technology in healthcare sector and in 2019, 73% of them showed great interest in AI to manage their own health. Recently, LifeLink announced that in 2020, Patient Engagement volume increased by 450% compared to 2019. The reason behind this jump is due to expanded capabilities, increased customer base and virtual care due to COVID-19. However due to online services sometimes patient's information and security is at stake, as well as high cost of implementation may act as the restraining factor in Patient Engagement Solutions Market. On the other hand, customization in health services, increase in wearable health technology along with increased use of cloud-based models are likely to create ample opportunities in the global patient engagement solutions market.

North America is dominating the Global Patient Engagement Solutions Market

North America is expected to dominate the global Patient Engagement Solutions market within the forecast period attributed to better developed healthcare infrastructure with advanced technology. Telehealth Implementation Playbook has been developed by American Medical Association (AMA) for doctors, healthcare workers and patients to experience the benefits of efficient Telehealth Medicine including video conferencing for direct care, connecting with other physicians, remote monitoring tools for chronic diseases and participating as consultant to other doctors. Recently, Food and Drug Association (FDA) outlined the action plan for AI/ML based software for safe and patient-centric medical device in order to keep transparency and build trust in AI/ML based medical software. Asia Pacific is expected to show significant growth owing the high burden of chronic disease followed by the increased use of advanced technology. Moreover, advancement in infrastructure and healthcare facilities are also expected to contribute the market growth over the forecast period.

Global Patient Engagement Solutions Market Segmentation:-

By Type:

Health tracking mobile app

Healthcare based software

Patient portals

Hospital app

By End User:

Patients

Provider

By Application:

Chronic disease

Fitness monitoring

Women's health

Others

Buy this report at special Price: https://brandessenceresearch.com/Checkout?report_id=632

Key Benefits for Global Patient Engagement Solutions Market Report-

Global Patient Engagement Solutions Market report covers in-depth historical and forecast analysis.

Global Patient Engagement Solutions Market research report provides detail information about Market Introduction, Market Summary, Global market Revenue (Revenue USD), Market Drivers, Market Restraints, Market Opportunities, Competitive Analysis, Regional and Country Level.

Global Patient Engagement Solutions Market report helps to identify opportunities in marketplace.

Global Patient Engagement Solutions Market report covers extensive analysis of emerging trends and competitive landscape.

By Regional & Country Level:

North America

U.S.



Canada

Europe

U.K.



France



Germany



Italy

Asia Pacific

China



Japan



India



Southeast Asia

Latin America

Brazil



Mexico

Middle East and Africa

and GCC



Africa



Rest of Middle East and Africa

Table of Content:

1. Chapter - Report Methodology

1.1. Research Process

1.2. Primary Research

1.3. Secondary Research

1.4. Market Size Estimates

1.5. Data Triangulation

1.6. Forecast Model

1.7. USP's of Report

1.8. Report Description

2. Chapter - Global Patient Engagement Solutions Market Overview: Qualitative Analysis

2.1. Market Introduction

2.2. Executive Summary

2.3. Global Patient Engagement Solutions Market Classification

2.4. Market Drivers

2.5. Market Restraints

2.6. Market Opportunity

2.7. Patient Engagement Solutions Industry Growth

2.8. Porter's Five Forces Analysis

2.9. Market Attractiveness Analysis

3. Chapter - Global Patient Engagement Solutions Market Overview: Quantitative Analysis

4. Chapter - Global Patient Engagement Solutions Market Analysis: Segmentation By Type

5. Chapter - Global Patient Engagement Solutions Market Analysis: Segmentation By Application

Continued

Have a Look at Related Reports:

Healthcare Consulting Services Market By Type of Service (IT Consulting, Strategy Consulting, Financial Consulting, Digital Consulting, Operations Consulting, HR & Talent Consulting) By End-User (Life Science Companies, Payers, Providers, Government Bodies) Growth Trends, Key Players And Competitive Strategies - Forecast 2020 To 2025 Healthcare Revenue Cycle Management Market Size By Delivery Mode (On-premise, Web based, Cloud based), By Function (Insurance Management, Electronic Health Record, Denial and Claims Management, Billing and Medical Coding, Clinical Documentation Improvement, Others), By End-User (Hospitals, Diagnostic Laboratories, Office-Based Stetting, Others) Competitive, Historical & Forecast Analysis, to 2025 Vaccine Adjuvants Market Revenue to Cross $ 1400.1 Million by 2027 Molecular Diagnostics Market Size Expected to Reach USD 32.08 Billion by 2027 Virtual Healthcare Market is valued at USD 1971.4 Million in 2018 and expected to reach USD 13029.2 Million by 2025 with CAGR of 26.79% over the forecast period. Healthcare Blockchain Technology Market By Application (Accurate Medicine Practice, Financial Transaction, Research And Development, Record Keeping), By End User (Biotechnology Companies, Pharmaceutical Companies, Hospitals And Clinics, Insurance Companies, Patients), Industry Analysis, Trends, And Forecast 2019

Brandessence Market Research and Consulting Pvt ltd

Brandessence market research publishes market research reports & business insights produced by highly qualified and experienced industry analysts. Brand Essence Market Research report will be best fit for senior executives, business development managers, marketing managers, consultants, CEOs, CIOs, COOs, and Directors, governments, agencies, organizations and Ph.D. Students. We have a delivery center in Pune, India and our sales office is in London.

Website: https://brandessenceresearch.com/ Article: https://businessstatsnews.com

Contact:

Mr. Aniket Patil

aniket@brandessenceresearch.com

Email: sales@brandessenceresearch.com

Corporate Sales: +44-2038074155

Asia Office: +917447409162

Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1392316/BEMR_Logo.jpg
Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - May 19, 2021) - Ely Gold Royalties Inc. (TSXV: ELY) (OTCQX: ELYGF) ("Ely Gold" or the "Company") has announced that effective May 18, 2021 Mr. Tom Wharton has stepped down from the Board of Directors of Ely Gold Royalties due to personal reasons.

Mr. Wharton has been a Director of the Company since November 2015 and served on the Audit and Compensation Committees. The Board recognizes Mr. Wharton's valuable contributions during his tenure at Ely Gold and wish him the best in his future endeavours.

About Ely Gold Royalties Inc.

Ely Gold Royalties Inc. is a Nevada focused gold royalty company. Its current portfolio includes royalties at Jerritt Canyon, Goldstrike and Marigold, three of Nevada's largest gold mines, as well as the Fenelon mine in Quebec, operated by Wallbridge Mining. The Company continues to actively seek opportunities to purchase producing or near-term producing royalties. Ely Gold also generates development royalties through property sales on projects that are located at or near producing mines. Management believes that due to the Company's ability to locate and purchase third-party royalties, its strategy of organically creating royalties and its gold focus, Ely Gold offers shareholders a favourable leverage to gold prices and low-cost access to long-term gold royalties in safe mining jurisdictions.

On Behalf of the Board of Directors

Signed "Trey Wasser"

Trey Wasser, President & CEO

For further information, please contact:

Trey Wasser, President & CEO

trey@elygoldinc.com

972-803-3087

Joanne Jobin, Investor Relations Officer

jjobin@elygoldinc.com

647-964-0292

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/84527
Cognite becomes unicorn as funding round raises Cognite's valuation to $1.6 billion, backing is one of the largest private investment rounds for a SaaS company in Europe

Cognite, a global leader in industrial software innovation, announced today that it has signed an investment round of $150M with leading global growth equity firm TCV, valuing the company at $1.6B. This investment marks one of the largest funding rounds for a SaaS company in Europe and confirms industrial digitalization as a global megatrend. The new valuation round constitutes unicorn status for Cognite.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210519005536/en/

Dr. John Markus Lervik, CEO and co-founder of Cognite (Photo: Business Wire)

"Cognite has had a remarkable growth journey since its founding in 2017, attracting top talent from across the globe, working feverishly to develop, deploy and verify the impact from its industrial software technology. As the global growth continues across industry verticals, there is significant interest from companies to partner with Cognite. We are very pleased to welcome TCV, a top-tier growth equity firm, on board, especially given their strong track record from building and scaling enterprise software companies globally," said yvind Eriksen, President and CEO of Aker. "The investment is a testament to the Cognite growth journey so far and to its future potential. Moreover, it highlights the significant value creation taking place in Aker's industrial software portfolio."

TCV has a broad network and expertise in successfully scaling technology companies, including Netflix, OSIsoft, Splunk, Airbnb and Spotify. This new partnership allows Cognite to harness TCV's expertise in international expansion for industrial software companies and complements earlier funding by global venture capital firm Accel, as both are committed to backing category-defining businesses. The partnership coupled with Aker, Cognite's majority stakeholder, will accelerate the full-scale data-driven transformation of legacy industries to help make them more sustainable and profitable through digitalization and data. As part of the transaction, Jake Reynolds, general partner at TCV with a 20-year history in venture capital and technology investing, is joining the Cognite Board of Directors.

"Cognite is building the future by redefining modern industrial data management," said Jake Reynolds. "Cognite is emerging as a leader of the pack through their proven industrial software-as-a-service (SaaS) solutions as the world turns to digitalization to truly transform, and we look forward to partnering with them to revolutionize the industry as they grow and scale."

Cognite's flagship Industrial Data Ops product: Cognite Data Fusion (CDF) is currently digitalizing asset-intensive industries globally by making industrial data more accessible and meaningful to humans and machines, enabling clients to create value through AI-based applications and solutions. CDF is also a critical tool used by companies to actively participate in the energy transition through data liberation and contextualization to address transparency, accountability, and sustainability. CDF is deployed by Cognite customers worldwide including: bp, Saudi Aramco, Alfa Laval, Statnett, and Mitsubishi.

"Cognite is on a strong trajectory to help transform industry, and since our founding four years ago, we have managed to attract top global talent, and partner with top industrial companies to accelerate modern industrial data management worldwide," said Dr. John Markus Lervik, CEO and co-founder of Cognite. "The partnership with TCV allows us to amplify our software solutions to empower asset-intensive businesses to improve their sustainability and profitability of operations, and perfectly complements the extensive industrial knowledge brought in by our majority shareholder, Aker."

Cognite continues rapid expansion, growing in valuation threefold since November in part due to a global collaboration with Microsoft and inclusion as a Top 200 Global Independent Software Vendor (ISV), a partnership with Accel, and post COVID demand for digitalization across industries. Cognite was founded in 2017 and is one of the fastest-growing industrial software companies in the world with over 500 employees across offices in Europe, the United States, Asia, and the Middle East.

About TCV

Founded in 1995, TCV was established with a clear vision: to capture opportunities in the technology market through a specialized and consistent focus on investing in high-growth companies. Since inception, the firm has built a track record of successfully backing public and private businesses that have developed into dominant industry players across internet, software, FinTech, and enterprise IT. TCV has invested over $14 billion to date and has helped guide CEOs through more than 125 IPOs and strategic acquisitions. TCV has invested in cutting edge technology companies including OSIsoft, Airbnb, Brex, ByteDance, Facebook, Hotmart, Netflix, Peloton, Spotify, Zillow, Clio, Redis Labs, Klarna, Mollie, Nubank, Payoneer, Revolut, Toast, Wealthsimple and WorldRemit. TCV has successfully executed over 350 investments of varying structures, including mid-stage, late stage and public company investments, and has offices in Menlo Park, New York, and London. For more information about TCV, including a complete list of TCV investments, visit https://www.tcv.com/.

About Cognite

Cognite is a global industrial software-as-a-service (SaaS) company supporting the full-scale digital data-driven transformation of asset-intensive industries around the world. Our core product, Cognite Data Fusion (CDF), is an industrial data operations and contextualization platform, putting raw data into real-world industrial context, enabling rapid application solution creation at scale. CDF powers companies with contextualized OT/IT/ET data to develop solutions that increase safety, sustainability, efficiency and drive revenue. Visit us at www.cognite.com and follow us on Twitter @CogniteData or at LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/cognitedata

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210519005536/en/

Contacts:

Michelle Holford Global PR Lead, Cognite

+1 (512) 744-3420 (US) or +47 482 90 454 (Norway)

michelle.holford@cognite.com

Katja Gagen Head of Marketing at TCV

+1 (415) 690-6689

kgagen@tcv.com
FinancialNewsMedia.com News Commentary

PALM BEACH, Fla., May 19, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Gold is not an asset that is prone to big price swings, or high volatility, but it is known to almost constantly be growing as its uses and market desire keep growing. Also, the fact that Gold is an asset that is scarce, but with an uncertain supply, means the markets are often worth watching and forecasting gold prices for the next 10 years can often lead to positive gains over this long period of time. A report from industry insider, PRIME XBT made several predictions for Gold's future. They said that: "The gold price prediction today, and the gold price forecast 2021 looks like it could be a really positive one, and it also comes off the back of a really good year in 2020 for the precious metal which had many geo-political factors impact its price and its growth in an upward trend. The London Bullion Market Association (LBMA) projected that: "According to the consensus outlook from analysts entering today's precious metals price forecast competition from the London Bullion Market Association, the GOLD PRICE will average $1974 per ounce across 2021, a rise of 11.5% from 2020's record-high annual average as mass vaccinations worldwide spur a strong economic recovery from the Covid pandemic but central banks and governments continue their unprecedented monetary and deficit-spending stimulus." Active stocks in the mining markets this week include Golden Independence Mining Corp. (OTCQB: GIDMF) (CSE: IGLD), Hecla Mining Company (NYSE: HL), Newmont Corporation (NYSE: NEM) (TSX: NGT), Gold Fields Limited (NYSE: GFI), Kinross Gold Corporation (NYSE: KGC) (TSX: K).

A report from PRIME XBT, an industry insider, made several predictions for Gold's future. They said that: "The gold price prediction today, and the gold price forecast 2021 looks like it could be a really positive one, and it also comes off the back of a really good year in 2020 for the precious metal which had many geo-political factors impact its price and its growth in an upward trend. Currently, the gold price is increasing because there is a clear need for a safe haven investment. But 2030, the price of gold will likely be a lot higher than where it is today as the Covid-19 recession will help spike its price. The price may fall back a little from there but more than likely other factors will help grow it again by the time the next decade comes around."

Golden Independence Mining Corp. (CSE: IGLD) (OTCQB:GIDMF)BREAKING NEWS:GOLDEN INDEPENDENCE ANNOUNCES M&I RESOURCE OF 537,300 GOLD OUNCES AND INFERRED RESOURCE OF 943,500 GOLD OUNCES AT THE INDEPENDENCE PROJECT- Golden Independence (the "Company") is pleased to announce its maiden National Instrument 43-101 (NI 43-101) compliant Mineral Resource Estimate ("MRE") for the Company's flagship Independence project located adjacent to Nevada Gold Mines' Phoenix-Fortitude mining operations in the Battle Mountain-Cortez trend of Nevada.

The MRE incorporates over 125,000 feet of RC and core drilling in 234 holes, outlining both a near surface and an underground resource. The Company is actively advancing the near surface portion of the MRE towards a Preliminary Economic Assessment anticipated by year-end 2021. Highlights of the MRE include:

Near Surface Resource: Measured & Indicated Total Resource of 537,300 ounces of gold and 8.1 million ounces of silver plus an Inferred Total Resource of 147,300 ounces of gold and 1.2 million ounces of silver.

Underground Resource: Inferred Resource of 796,200 ounces of gold.

"We are very pleased with the maiden NI 43-101 compliant resource for our Independence property which totals 537,300 gold ounces in M&I plus 943,500 gold ounces in Inferred with a substantial silver credit." commented Christos Doulis, CEO. "This MRE, the near surface component of which will provide the foundation for a Preliminary Economic Assessment anticipated later this year, represents the first step in a transformational year for the Company as we rapidly advance the Independence project towards a production decision. In addition, our current drill program is focused on delineating additional near-surface mineralized material, including in the area of the recent high grade near surface discovery reported in hole AGEI-32, for a future resource update." he concluded.

The Company commenced an 8,000-foot reverse circulation (RC) drill program in late April focused on expanding the near-surface high-grade oxide mineralization encountered in hole AGEI-32 (see news release dated March 16, 2021) and in delineating additional resources in the relatively sparsely drilled northern portion of the Independence project. CONTINUEDRead this entire release for the Golden Independence news at:https://www.financialnewsmedia.com/news-igld/

Other recent developments in the mining markets include:

Newmont Corporation (NYSE:NEM) (TSX:NGT) recently announced the completion of the acquisition of GT Gold Corp. (TSX-V:GTT) through which Newmont acquired the remaining 85.1% of common shares of GT Gold not already owned by the Company.

"With the acquisition of GT Gold and the Tatogga project in the highly sought-after Golden Triangle district of British Columbia, Canada, Newmont continues to strengthen our world-class portfolio," said Newmont President and CEO Tom Palmer. "We look forward to continuing to build a respectful and meaningful relationship with the Tahltan Nation, including the community of Iskut. The relationships we have with Indigenous communities, First Nations and host communities are critical to the way we operate. We will partner with the Tahltan Nation at all levels, and with the Government of British Columbia to ensure a shared path forward as the Company understands and acknowledges that Tahltan consent is necessary for advancing the Tatogga project."

Hecla Mining Company (NYSE: HL) recently released its Q1 2021 exploration results.

Highlights: Midas exploration at Green Racer Sinter intercepted high-grade gold and silver mineralization over a 1,000-foot strike length and a 1,250-foot dip extent in the Sinter Vein, as well as two new mineralized footwall structures. Significant intercepts include more than 5 oz/ton gold over 13 feet estimated true width (see Table A for full results). All are open for expansion; Midas' plan of operations amendment expands to allow greater access to multiple targets on the Green Racer Sinter and East Graben Corridor; and San Sebastian exploration drilling on the El Bronco Vein expanded mineralization over a strike length of 1,500 feet. While at the El Tigre Vein, vein textures indicate drilling was high in the epithermal system, warranting further deeper drilling.

"Our early exploration results, just two miles from the mine portal, validates our thesis that despite its long high-grade production history, there remains significant untouched potential at Midas," said Phillips S. Baker, Jr., President and CEO. "The recent high-grade intercept grading 5.52 oz/ton gold and 8.9 oz/ton silver over 20.3 feet drilled (13.1 feet estimated true width) is one of the best exploration drillholes in North America in the past year."

Kinross Gold Corporation (NYSE: KGC) (TSX: K) recently announced its results for the first-quarter ended March 31, 2021.J. Paul Rollinson, President and CEO, made the following comments in relation to 2021 first-quarter results:"Our diversified portfolio of mines performed well to start the year, as we continued to mitigate the impacts of COVID-19 across all our operations and projects. The Company delivered a 51% year-over-year increase in adjusted net earnings, with margins increasing 25% to $1,031 per ounce sold, once again outpacing the increase in the average realized gold price. We are well-positioned to continue generating strong cash flow through the year, are on track to meet our annual guidance, and we are in an excellent financial position.

"Our three largest producing mines - Paracatu, Kupol and Tasiast - delivered our lowest costs for the quarter, with Paracatu and Tasiast achieving record quarterly throughput. Development at our Tasiast 24k and La Coipa projects advanced well and both projects remain on schedule. Our studies at Udinsk, Manh Choh and Lobo-Marte are all proceeding as planned.

Gold Fields Limited (NYSE: GFI) welcomes the electricity generation license recently approved by the National Energy Regulator of South Africa (NERSA) for the construction of a 40MW solar power plant at its South Deep mine.

The acting CEO of NERSA now has to authorize the license, a decision that should be forthcoming over the next two weeks. All the regulatory approvals to proceed with the project are then in place. Gold Fields will update its definitive costings and finalize all the required internal processes to commence the project as soon as possible. The solar plant has the potential to provide around 20% of South Deep's average electricity consumption. Says Nick Holland, Gold Fields' CEO: "The solar power plant will increase the reliability and affordability of power supply to South Deep, ultimately enhancing the long-term sustainability of the mine.

DISCLAIMER: FN Media Group LLC (FNM), which owns and operates Financialnewsmedia.com and MarketNewsUpdates.com, is a third party publisher and news dissemination service provider, which disseminates electronic information through multiple online media channels. FNM is NOT affiliated in any manner with any company mentioned herein. FNM and its affiliated companies are a news dissemination solutions provider and are NOT a registered broker/dealer/analyst/adviser, holds no investment licenses and may NOT sell, offer to sell or offer to buy any security. FNM's market updates, news alerts and corporate profiles are NOT a solicitation or recommendation to buy, sell or hold securities. The material in this release is intended to be strictly informational and is NEVER to be construed or interpreted as research material. All readers are strongly urged to perform research and due diligence on their own and consult a licensed financial professional before considering any level of investing in stocks. All material included herein is republished content and details which were previously disseminated by the companies mentioned in this release. FNM is not liable for any investment decisions by its readers or subscribers. Investors are cautioned that they may lose all or a portion of their investment when investing in stocks. For current services performed FNM has been compensated forty six hundred dollars for news coverage of the current press releases issued by Golden Independence Mining Corp. by a non-affiliated third party. FNM HOLDS NO SHARES OF ANY COMPANY NAMED IN THIS RELEASE.

This release contains "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended and such forward-looking statements are made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. "Forward-looking statements" describe future expectations, plans, results, or strategies and are generally preceded by words such as "may", "future", "plan" or "planned", "will" or "should", "expected," "anticipates", "draft", "eventually" or "projected". You are cautioned that such statements are subject to a multitude of risks and uncertainties that could cause future circumstances, events, or results to differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements, including the risks that actual results may differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements as a result of various factors, and other risks identified in a company's annual report on Form 10-K or 10-KSB and other filings made by such company with the Securities and Exchange Commission. You should consider these factors in evaluating the forward-looking statements included herein, and not place undue reliance on such statements. The forward-looking statements in this release are made as of the date hereof and FNM undertakes no obligation to update such statements.

Contact Information:

Media Contact email: editor@financialnewsmedia.com

+1(561)325-8757
The United States Forest Service is an agency of the U.S. Department of Agriculture that administers the nation's 154 national forests and 20 national grasslands. The Forest Service manages 193 million acres of land.

WEST MELBOURNE, FL / ACCESSWIRE / May 19, 2021 / BK Technologies Corporation (NYSE American:BKTI) today announced it has been awarded a 5-year blanket purchase agreement (BPA) from the USDA Forest Service (USFS). The BPA extends through May 6, 2026, and establishes maximum procurements over the 5-year period of $50 million. It does not specify or guarantee equipment purchase quantities or dates.

BK President Tim Vitou commented, "Communications technology is an integral part of the current USDA communication system, which is in need of products to replenish current inventories, as part of its program for lifecycle replacements and upgrades. The purpose of the BPA is to provide the USDA with a contractual instrument to procure these items in a cost-effective and efficient manner. Two specific BPA requirements that uniquely distinguished BK Technologies during this process were NIFC approval and our current GSA Contract vehicle. We look forward to meeting USFS's communications technology needs over the full 5-year term of the BPA."

The United States Forest Service is an agency of the U.S. Department of Agriculture that administers the nation's 154 national forests and 20 national grasslands. The Forest Service manages 193 million acres of land.

About BK Technologies

BK Technologies Corporation manufactures high-specification, American-made communications equipment of unsurpassed reliability and value for use by public safety professionals and government agencies. BK Technologies is honored to serve these heroes with reliable equipment when every moment counts. The Company's common stock trades on the NYSE American market under the symbol "BKTI". Maintaining its headquarters in West Melbourne, Florida, BK Technologies can be contacted through its website at www.bktechnologies.com or directly at 1-800-821-2900.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains certain forward-looking statements that are made pursuant to the "Safe Harbor" provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements concern the Company's operations, economic performance, and financial condition and are based largely on the Company's beliefs and expectations. These statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors that may cause the actual results, performance, or achievements of the Company, or industry results, to be materially different from any future results, performance, or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Such factors and risks, some of which have been, and may further be, exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic, include, among others, the following: changes or advances in technology; the success of our land mobile radio product line; successful introduction of new products and technologies, including our ability to successfully develop and sell our anticipated new multiband product and other related products in the planned new BKR Series product line; competition in the land mobile radio industry; general economic and business conditions, including federal, state and local government budget deficits and spending limitations, any impact from a prolonged shutdown of the U.S. Government, and the ongoing effects of the COVID-19 pandemic; the availability, terms and deployment of capital; reliance on contract manufacturers and suppliers; risks associated with fixed-price contracts; heavy reliance on sales to agencies of the U.S. Government and our ability to comply with the requirements of contracts, laws and regulations related to such sales; allocations by government agencies among multiple approved suppliers under existing agreements; our ability to comply with U.S. tax laws and utilize deferred tax assets; our ability to attract and retain executive officers, skilled workers and key personnel; our ability to manage our growth; our ability to identify potential candidates for, and consummate, acquisition, disposition or investment transactions, and risks incumbent to being a noncontrolling interest stockholder in a corporation; impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the companies in which the Company holds investments; impact of our capital allocation strategy; risks related to maintaining our brand and reputation; impact of government regulation; rising health care costs; our business with manufacturers located in other countries, including changes in the U.S. Government and foreign governments' trade and tariff policies, as well as any further impact resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic; our inventory and debt levels; protection of our intellectual property rights; fluctuation in our operating results and stock price; acts of war or terrorism, natural disasters and other catastrophic events, such as the COVID-19 pandemic; any infringement claims; data security breaches, cyber-attacks and other factors impacting our technology systems; availability of adequate insurance coverage; maintenance of our NYSE American listing; risks related to being a holding company; and the effect on our stock price and ability to raise equity capital of future sales of shares of our common stock. Certain of these factors and risks, as well as other risks and uncertainties, are stated in more detail in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2020, and in the Company's subsequent filings with the SEC. These forward-looking statements are made as of the date of this press release, and the Company assumes no obligation to update the forward-looking statements or to update the reasons why actual results could differ from those projected in the forward-looking statements.

Company Contact:

Hayden IR

James Carbonara

james@haydenir.com

(646)-755-7412

SOURCE: BK Technologies Corporation

View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/648075/BK-Technologies-Awarded-a-5-Year-Blanket-Purchase-Agreement-BPA-from-the-USDA-Forest-Service
MARKHAM, ON / ACCESSWIRE / May 19, 2021 / Pond Technologies Holdings Inc. (the "Corporation" or "Pond") (TSX.V:POND), (OTCQB:PNDHF) an ESG company addressing global sustainability challenges of climate change and nutrition, is pleased to provide the following business update on the continued momentum being experienced across the organization.

"I am very pleased with Pond's prospects. I believe we're nearing an inflection point within our company, which is positioned to execute on near term objectives," commented CEO, Grant Smith. "Since being appointed to the role of CEO, my focus has centered on driving sustainable revenue generation across the organization.

"Moreover, we are laser-focused on driving margin growth through improved operating efficiency, and we have decreased our monthly overhead substantially. The net cash outflow from continuing operating activities for the twelve months ended December 31, 2020 was approximately $1.5 million as compared to $4.5 million in 2019. The benefit of the cost reductions put in place in April 2020, as well as increasing revenue growth in Pond Naturals, contributed to the reduction and are essential to the Corporation's goal of becoming cashflow positive. We continue uncovering strategic, and equitable third-party relationships such as UK- based Remediiate focused on Pond's proprietary growth platform technology.

"Pond has more than 9 active U.S. patents and is leveraging these through ongoing discussions inside and outside Canada's borders. We have developed new bioreactor designs appropriate for production of recombinant proteins for diagnostic, vaccine and therapeutic applications, and we are filing new provisional patents that will protect these designs. Pond completed two research contracts specifically proving the use of genetically modified algae to grow recombinant proteins and look forward to additional developments through our new biotech division. Additionally, we are in advanced licensing discussions with multinational companies in the animal feed, food production, and oil and gas sectors, with expected deal announcements forthcoming."

Pond Tech

Pond Tech is engaged in the sale and licensing of its CO2 abatement technology to project developers, funders, engineering companies, and others in partnership with industrial emitters. The Corporation has developed a proprietary system that can profitably transform CO2 into valuable products. We grow algae in large vessels (bioreactors), which are engineered to automatically regulate the inflow of CO2. One tonne of algae sequesters nearly two tonnes of CO2.

Peter Howard, VP Project Developments at Pond Technologies states "Pond continues to progress both our core technology and the specific commercial market applications. This summer, we hope to announce new disruptive partnerships in the food and feed sector, where algae from Pond's technology is an ingredient with significant advantages over incumbents, in regard to lack of contamination and consistent quality."

Pond Biotech

Pond's Biotech division is utilizing Pond's proprietary micro-algae growth platform to grow unique algae strains for the expression of complex proteins used in diagnostics and therapeutic treatments. Proteins are used in a wide range of diagnostics used to detect disease. Proteins are also used in a wide range of therapeutics covering a multitude of diseases and as vaccines. Currently Pond is in active discussions to provide a critical reagent for a multinational company.

"We continue to strive to develop an algae-based platform that will allow us to accelerate product development," commented Nigel deGruyther, VP of Pond Biotech. "The current multinational company we are in discussions with will allow us to quickly scale and grow the pipeline of opportunity. We are very excited by the continued test results that we have achieved to date and while Pond's technology is ideally suited to be scaled to large quantities, our biotech division will offer us the opportunity to produce an extremely valuable product in a small bioreactor. I believe our biotech division can be a major driver for the future of Pond as we continue to be extremely focused on revenue generating opportunities. I joined Pond to bring to market a revolutionary development platform, and that is what we continue to work towards. As we move forward on our innovative platform, we are managing to exploit opportunities."

About Pond Technologies Holdings Inc.:

Located in Markham, Ontario, Pond is a technology company that provides profitable solutions to the global health and wellness challenges of climate change and nutrition. Pond's proprietary growth platform, including patented advanced photonics, optimizes key growth inputs in order to provide a controlled environment that maximizes the growth of algae and other organisms. This enables industrial emitters to generate new revenue streams from the transformation of underutilized CO2 to valuable algae-based products, such as protein for animal feed and nutraceutical products like Chlorella, Spirulina, and Astaxanthin for human consumption. For more information visit https://www.pondtech.com/.

Forward Looking Statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of applicable securities laws, including statements regarding anticipated growth and related revenue generation, operating efficiency, development of strategic business relationships, the filing of patents, potential sale and licensing arrangements, and anticipated development of technological advances. Such forward-looking statements are based on certain key expectations and assumptions made by Pond, including, among others, assumptions regarding the continued legislative (including tax) regime in which Pond operates, the successful negotiation of binding agreements to give effect to partnership and licensing arrangements currently under negotiation, availability of cost-effective labour and supplies, the proper functioning of Pond's technology, the quality of the algae produced, the demand for Pond's technology, the ability of Pond to successfully compete against its competitors, cash flow and expenses, and obtaining and maintaining intellectual property protection. Although Pond believes that the expectations and assumptions on which such forward-looking statements are based are reasonable, undue reliance should not be placed thereon and Pond can give no assurance that they will prove to be correct. By its nature, such forward-looking statements are subject to various risks and uncertainties, which could cause the actual results and expectations to differ materially from the anticipated results or expectations expressed, including the risks set forth in Pond's management's discussion and analysis of financial condition and results of operations for its year ended December 31, 2020, available on Pond's profile on SEDAR at www.sedar.com. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on this forward-looking information, which is given as of the date hereof, and to not use such forward-looking information for anything other than its intended purpose. Pond does not undertake any obligation to update publicly or revise any forward-looking information, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law.

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

For further information contact: Grant Smith, Chief Executive Officer, at g.smith@pondtech.com, 416-287-3835 ext. 201; or Cole Stevens at c.stevens@pondtech.com

SOURCE: Pond Technologies Holdings Inc.

View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/648135/Pond-Technologies-Holdings-Inc-Announces-Continued-Momentum-with-Business-Update
VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESSWIRE / May 19, 2021 / JNC Resources Inc. (CSE:JNC) ("JNC" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that the Company has signed a Letter of Intent ("LOI") with RooGold Limited ("RooGold"). RooGold owns nine (9) large resource exploration land packages (the "Properties") in the State of New South Wales ("NSW"), Australia, with the majority being past producing. NSW is one of the most prolific gold territories for exploration and production. It is the second largest gold producing area in Australia. The New South Wales resources sector is vibrant, with world-class deposits, a highly skilled workforce and a well-earned reputation for safe, responsible and innovative mining practices.

This acquisition significantly adds to the Company's land position in NSW with an expanded array of potential targets in a proven mining friendly jurisdiction.

"We seized on the opportunity to expand our land holdings in New South Wales with these nine highly prospective past producing properties. Together with our recent Southern Precious Metals acquisition, these Properties provide JNC with an exceptional portfolio with many potential targets," stated CEO, Michael Mulberry, "Australia has a long history of being one of the largest, most prolific producers of gold, with one of the lowest costs to entry. I am confident that we are now in a greatly enhanced position for long term success."

The LOI, which is subject to the negotiation of a definitive agreement, provides for JNC to advance C$75,000 cash as a refundable deposit within fourteen (14) days of signing, to carry out a two-for-one consolidation ("Consolidation") of its issued and outstanding shares immediately prior to closing of the transaction, to issue twenty million (20,000,000) post-Consolidation common shares ("Shares") to RooGold on closing ("Closing") (which will be distributed to its 20+ shareholders) with seventy-five percent (75%) of the Shares subject to "lock-up" provisions wherein 5,000,000 Shares will be released to RooGold every six (6) months from Closing. An additional CDN$75,000 will be paid to RooGold at Closing.

The Company had earlier commenced a non-brokered financing of up to $5 million at $0.125 per share with management now planning to have the proceeds, in part, being available to develop these new Properties.

About JNC Resources Inc.

JNC is a North American-based junior venture mineral exploration company with a goal to develop under-explored properties and benefit from deal flow generated by strategic partnerships and growth opportunities. Currently the Company is developing its 100% optioned Triple 9 Project in South Central British Columbia. The Triple 9 Project is a gold property with a new discovery of high levels of base metals, located 20 km from the town of Sicamous. JNC also has an option agreement with Great Basin Resources to acquire 100% control and interest in the Imperial Project in Nevada. The Imperial Property is located in Esmeralda County, Nevada, which has been a prolific mining area in the state. The Property is in close proximity to the town of Goldfields, where gold production occurred in the early part of the 20th century. JNC has recently acquired the Malebo and Solomon claims in the province of New South Wales, Australia, with an exploration program planned in 2021.

For further information please contact:

Michael Mulberry

T: 778-855-5001

info@jncresources.com

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release may contain forward-looking statements within the meaning of applicable securities law. Forward-looking statements are frequently characterized by words such as "plan", "expect", "project", "intend", "believe", "anticipate", "estimate" and other similar words, or statements that certain events or conditions "may" or "will" occur.

Although the Company believes that the expectations reflected in applicable forward-looking statements are reasonable, there can be no assurance that such expectations will prove to be correct. Such forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results, performance or developments to differ materially from those contained in such statements.

NEITHER THE CANADIAN SECURITIES EXCHANGE NOR ITS REGULATION SERVICES PROVIDER ACCEPTS RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE ADEQUACY OR ACCURACY OF THIS RELEASE.

SOURCE: JNC Resources Inc.

View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/648044/JNC-Resources-Expands-Land-Portfolio-in-Australia
CHEYENNE, WY / ACCESSWIRE / May 19, 2021 / EV Biologics Corp., OTC PINK:YECO, is taking this opportunity to update our shareholders and other investors concerning the status of our name change submission to the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA). As some might be aware, such submissions can be a lengthy and complex process, requiring notarized documents.

On April 12, 2019, the Company filed Articles of Continuance with the Wyoming Secretary of State in order to change the Company's jurisdiction from the Cayman Islands to the State of Wyoming. Upon completion of that filing in 2019, the Company ceased to be a foreign issuer and became a domestic issuer in the United States. Subsequently, effective May 7, 2019, the Company received written notification from the Wyoming Secretary of State that the Articles of Continuation had been accepted by the State of Wyoming and filed accordingly. The completion of the filing with the Wyoming Secretary of State formally established the domestic, United States jurisdiction of the Company. On July 31, 2020, this move from the Cayman Islands to the United States was followed with our name change to EV Biologics Corp. Our name change has been legally and fully effective in the United States, and indeed, the entire world since that date.

However, because the EV Biologics Corp. is a publicly traded company, and in order to protect shareholders and investors, government regulatory agencies impose additional requirements, including the requirement that FINRA must examine the Company's entire history as well as all documents pertaining to that history.

We began that submission process several months ago. A particularly large file of required documents was delivered to FINRA recently and we received a detailed response requesting a number of additional documents, many of which will require notarization.

None of these additional requests are unusual for FINRA, but the requirement that many require a notary stamp is causing delay as notary certification is in somewhat short supply at the present time due to Covid. We will continue to respond in a timely, accurate and detailed manner and will notify all interested parties as soon as FINRA completes their process. Upon completion, EV Biologics Corp will also receive a new trading symbol from FINRA.

About the Company

EV Biologics (formerly Yulong Eco-Materials Limited) is a Wyoming, USA domiciled Biotechnology Company, working to bring human mesenchymal "MSC" and other stem cell and cell-derived products to market in the cosmetic and biopharmaceutical spaces. Initially, these novel and unique products will be specifically provided to the international clinical research community including universities and physicians and will be targeted to the aesthetic and regenerative medicine markets. Using proprietary and patentable technologies, the Company is creating exclusive IP and IT inherent in our superior products. Further product development will be focused on investigation of novel stem cell-derived biopharmaceuticals designed for specific clinical conditions.

Forward-Looking Statements

This news release contains forward-looking statements, particularly as related to, among other things, the business plans of the Company, statements relating to goals, plans and projections regarding the Company's financial position and business strategy. The words or phrases "plans," "would be," "will allow," "intends to," "may result," "are expected to," "will continue," "anticipates," "expects," "estimate," "project," "indicate," "could," "potentially," "should," "believe," "think," "considers" or similar expressions are intended to identify "forward-looking statements." These forward-looking statements fall within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Act of 1934 and are subject to the safe harbor created by these sections. Actual results could differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements as a result of a number of risks and uncertainties. Such forward-looking statements are based on current expectations, involve known and unknown risks, a reliance on third parties for information, transactions or orders that may be cancelled, and other factors that may cause our actual results, performance or achievements, or developments in our industry, to differ materially from the anticipated results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from anticipated results include risks and uncertainties related to the fluctuation of local, regional, and global economic conditions, the performance of management and our employees, our ability to obtain financing, competition, general economic conditions and other factors that are detailed in our periodic reports and on documents we file from time to time with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Statements made herein are as of the date of this press release and should not be relied upon as of any subsequent date, and the Company specifically disclaims any obligation, to update any forward-looking statements to reflect occurrences, developments, unanticipated events or circumstances after the date of such statement.

Contact:

Dennis Burns

Investor Relations

Tel (567)237-4132

dburns@nvestrain.com

For more information on EV Biologics please visit:

www.evbiologics.com

SOURCE: EV Biologics Corp.

View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/648128/EV-Biologics-Updates-Shareholders-on-Name-and-Symbol-Change
Position Objective

The Phlebotomist aims to serve patients by executing the best method for obtaining biological specimens and ensuring quality specimen for testing. This position enhances the laboratory and hospital reputation by demonstrating a courteous and professional demeanor during all encounters.

Essential Functions:

Determines and executes the best method for obtaining biological specimens from patients of all ages as required to include venipuncture, capillary, and heel-stick puncture to ensure quality specimens for testing following the established productivity guidelines with minimal errors.

Maintains laboratory supplies inventory and orders appropriate tests in Laboratory Information System (LIS) as requested by authorized provider by accurately reading and interpreting orders and being familiar with test mnemonics.

Maintains safe and clean working environment by complying with procedures, rules, and regulations and that allows for easy staff interchange.

Conserves laboratory resources by using equipment and supplies as needed to accomplish job results; Performs preventative maintenance and troubleshoots problems to the full extent of ability.

Practices proper patient identification verification according to standard work; manages work queues to ensure appropriate and complete patient registration including demographic, insurance information. correct date of service, ordering caregiver and special flags.

Maintains inter- and intradepartmental work flow by fostering a spirit of cooperation (hand offs).

Actively participate in the laboratory quality plan/program (ex. investigative reports, notification of delays, etc.).

Participate in the training of new staff and students by serving as a mentor and technical resource;

Knowledge/Experience:

Minimum Education: High School Diploma or equivalent and specialized training in phlebotomy

Minimum Experience: N/A

Required License/Certifications:

Phlebotomy certification with the National Phlebotomy Association or American Society of Clinical Pathology or eligible; current American Heart Association Health Care Provider Basic Life Support (BLS) CPR certification; requires travel to various sites.

Preferred Qualifications:

Experience: One year of experience working in an acute care facility in an equivalent role.

License /Certifications: Phlebotomy certification with the National Phlebotomy Association or American Society of Clinical Pathology

Working Conditions/Physical Requirements

Medium work . Exerting up to 50 pounds of force occasionally, and/or up to 30 pounds of force frequently, and/or up to 10 pounds of force constantly to move objects.

There is reasonable expectation that employees in this position will be exposed to blood-borne pathogens.

The above is intended to describe the general content of and requirements for the performance of this job. It is not to be construed as an exhaustive statement of duties, responsibilities or requirements.
Despite rising popularity, chat-based survey reveals that women struggle to find a safe place to play online

Reach3 Insights, in collaboration with global technology leader Lenovo, today announced the findings from its research study that sought to understand the experience of women players in the gaming industry and how companies can create a more inclusive space for women gamers.

The research reveals the following trends in the gaming industry:

Women are playing the same games as men. 88% of women gamers surveyed are playing competition-style games, 75% said they are playing action/survival-style games and 66% play shooters.

77% of women responded dealing with at least some sort of frustration when gaming because of their gender. Judgements of skills, (70%), gatekeeping (65%) and patronizing comments (50%) were the most reported types of comments women gamers said they received while gaming online. In addition, 44% of women gamer respondents have received unsolicited relationship asks while gaming.

59% of women surveyed use either a non-gendered or male identity when playing games online to avoid conflict

71% of participants said that companies can foster more inclusive behaviors in gaming by having a greater presence of different groups in gaming ads

Reach3 and Lenovo worked with Rival Technologies, a mobile-first conversational insights platform, to better connect with gamers in a way that's more natural and authentic than traditional surveys. The research engaged 900 women across China, Germany and the United States and 98 men in the United States, capturing robust quantitative and qualitative data (including video selfies) to get a deep understanding of the experience of women gamers.

The Rival platform lets insight professionals run robust market research studies, leveraging videos, images, emojis, GIFs and observational approaches to add authentic culture and context to consumers' responses.

"At Lenovo, customer feedback and user insights drive the smarter technology and gaming experiences that we create. That's why we continually engage with our Lenovo Legion gaming community and other players for feedback," said Emily Hoppes, Senior Customer Insights Manager for Intelligent Devices Group at Lenovo. "Reach3's unique mobile insights tool helped us capture candid feedback from women gamers to better understand the important topic of diversity and inclusion in gaming, which will help Lenovo and the industry together to build a more inclusive culture and safer space for women in gaming."

"Despite still being mostly associated with men, gaming is on the rise with women," said Leigh Admirand, Senior Vice President at Reach3 Insights. "We were thrilled to work with Lenovo on this study as we hope it will help companies create a more inclusive gaming environment for women gamers and lead to long-term change in the industry."

About Reach3 Insights

Reach3 Insights powered by Rival Technologies is a full-service research consultancy that develops scalable, conversational insight solutions for today's modern, agile enterprise. Led by CEO Matt Kleinschmit, the company uses immersive, in-the-moment research designs and dynamic digital storytelling to deliver deep experiential insights that inspire action. Reach3 is part of Reid Campbell Group and a sister company to Rival Technologies, a tech company developing chat, voice and video solutions that integrate into messaging platforms and technologies that people actively use on a daily basis. For more information, visit reach3insights.com.

About Rival Technologies

Rival Technologies is the company behind the world's first enterprise mobile messaging-based market research platform. The company's solutions enable industry-leading brands Pepsico, Diageo and REVOLT MEDIA TV to engage the modern mass consumers in the moment that matter most. By leveraging the smartphone's chat, video and voice technologies, the Rival platform enables marketers and researchers from global brands to capture robust quantitative and rich qualitative feedback and unlock the fast, iterative and ongoing insights they need to improve business outcomes. Rival is part of the Reid Campbell Group and a sister company to Reach3 Insights, a full-service consultancy that uses immersive and in-the-moment research and dynamic digital storytelling to deliver deep experiential insights that inspire action. For more information, visit rivaltech.com.

LENOVO and LENOVO LEGION are trademarks of Lenovo.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210519005199/en/

Contacts:

Media Enquiries:

Reach3 Insights Contact:

Bill Daddi

President, Daddi Brand Communications

bill@daddibrand.com

917-620-3717
Increase in incidences of male and female infertility and supportive government initiatives fuel the growth of the global sperm bank market.

PORTLAND, Ore., May 19, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Allied Market Research published a report, titled, "Sperm Bank Market by Donor Type (Known Donor and Anonymous Donor) and Service Type (Sperm Storage, Semen Analysis, and Genetic Consultation): Global Opportunity Analysis and Industry Forecast, 2020-2027." According to the report, the global sperm bank industry was estimated at $4.74 billion in 2019, and is expected to hit $4.86 billion by 2027, registering a CAGR of 5.2% from 2020 to 2027.

Download Sample Report at: https://www.alliedmarketresearch.com/request-sample/10737

Drivers, restraints, and opportunities-

Increase in incidences of male and female infertility, supportive government initiatives, and rise in acceptance among people fuel the growth of the global sperm bank market. On the other hand, high cost and low success rate of treatment impede the growth to some extent. However, technological advancements are anticipated to create lucrative opportunities in the industry.

Covid-19 Scenario:

The outbreak of the pandemic gave way to a sharp decline in the number of sperm donations, due to extended lockdowns across the world.

Most reproductive centers happened to restrict their daily activities. Also, several threats and concerns about insemination treatment, sperm donation, and cryopreservation such as adulteration of semen samples and transmission of infectious diseases in due course of the treatment impacted the market negatively.

The known donor segment to retain its dominance by 2027-

By donor type, the known donor segment accounted for the highest share in 2019, generating nearly three-fifths of global sperm bank market. Simultaneously, this segment is also expected to cite the fastest CAGR of 5.3% from 2020 to 2027. This is due to advancements in cryopreservation techniques used in storage of donor sperms, and supporting government regulations for children born with donor gametes.

Enquiry for Short-term and Long-term Impacts of COVID-19 at: https://www.alliedmarketresearch.com/purchase-enquiry/10737

The sperm storage segment to rule the roost-

Based on service, the sperm storage segment contributed to the major share in 2019, garnering more than half of the global sperm bank market in 2019, and is expected to lead the trail during the forecast period. This segment is also anticipated to manifest the fastest CAGR of 5.6% from 2020 to 2027. This is due to rise in incidence of miscarriage in women, increase in infertility rate in both male and female, and surge in patient awareness toward effective & advanced fertility treatment, poor sperm fertility, low sperm count, and abnormally shaped sperms.

Asia-Pacific, followed by Europe and North America, had the major share in 2019-

Based on region, Asia-Pacific, followed by Europe and North America generated the major in 2019, holding nearly half of the global sperm bank market, and is expected to dominate by 2027. This region is also projected to cite the fastest CAGR of 5.6% during the forecast period. This is attributed to enormous male populace suffering through infertility and low-cost procedures for fertility treatments in the region.

Front runners in the industry-

Cryos International

European Sperm Bank

Fairfax Cryobank

New England Cryogenic Center

Indian Spermtech

Babyquest Cryobank

California Cryobank

Androcryos

Nordic Cryobank Group

Xytex Sperm Bank

Avenue Basic Plan | Library Access | 1 Year Subscription |

Sign up for Avenue subscription to access more than 12,000+ company profiles and 2,000+ niche industry market research reports at $699 per month, per seat. For a year, the client needs to purchase minimum 2 seat plan.

Avenue Library Subscription | Request for 14 days free trial of before buying: https://www.alliedmarketresearch.com/avenue/trial/starter

Get more information: https://www.alliedmarketresearch.com/library-access



We have also published few syndicated market studies in the similar area that might be of your interest. Below are the report title for your reference, considering Impact of Covid-19 Over This Market which will help you to assess aftereffects of pandemic on short-term and long-term growth trends of this market.

Similar Reports:

Fertility Services Market - Global Opportunity Analysis and Industry Forecast, 2020-2027

Fertility Supplements Market - Global Opportunity Analysis and Industry Forecast, 2019-2027

Companion Diagnostic Technologies Market - Global Opportunity Analysis and Industry Forecast, 2019-2027

Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STD) Testing Market - Global Opportunity Analysis and Industry Forecast, 2019-2027

IVF Services Market - Global Opportunity Analysis and Industry Forecast, 2019-2027

Menstrual Cup Market - Global Opportunity Analysis and Industry Forecast, 2019-2027

Ultrasound Probe Disinfection Market - Global Opportunity Analysis and Industry Forecast, 2019-2027

About Us

Allied Market Research (AMR) is a full-service market research and business-consulting wing of Allied Analytics LLP based in Portland, Oregon. Allied Market Research provides global enterprises as well as medium and small businesses with unmatched quality of "Market Research Reports" and "Business Intelligence Solutions." AMR has a targeted view to provide business insights and consulting to assist its clients to make strategic business decisions and achieve sustainable growth in their respective market domain.

We are in professional corporate relations with various companies and this helps us in digging out market data that helps us generate accurate research data tables and confirms utmost accuracy in our market forecasting. Allied Market Research CEO Pawan Kumar is instrumental in inspiring and encouraging everyone associated with the company to maintain high quality of data and help clients in every way possible to achieve success. Each and every data presented in the reports published by us is extracted through primary interviews with top officials from leading companies of domain concerned. Our secondary data procurement methodology includes deep online and offline research and discussion with knowledgeable professionals and analysts in the industry.



Contact:

David Correa

5933 NE Win Sivers Drive

#205, Portland, OR 97220

United States

USA/Canada (Toll Free): +1-800-792-5285, +1-503-894-6022, +1-503-446-1141

UK: +44-845-528-1300

Hong Kong: +852-301-84916

India (Pune): +91-20-66346060

Fax: +1(855)550-5975

help@alliedmarketresearch.com

Web: https://www.alliedmarketresearch.com

Follow Us on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/allied-market-research

Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/636519/Allied_Market_Research_Logo.jpg
MALAGA, SPAIN / ACCESSWIRE / May 19, 2021 / Passive income is excited to inform the crypto community that it will release its own decentralized launchpad - PSIPAD - in the days ahead. The launchpad will serve as a secure, transparent, and user-friendly environment where legitimate startups come to launch their token and raise funds for the development of their projects.

To understand how useful PSIPAD will be, it's important to know the advantage that a decentralized launchpad has over its centralized counterpart.

The first advantage of course is fairness and transparency. With centralized launchpads, the whole process of vetting and managing a crowd sale is carried out by a centralized entity. As such it's very easy to manipulate the process in favor of some parties to the detriment of others. With decentralized launchpads, however, there is no need to trust a single entity as everything is done with the help of self-executing contracts. These smart contracts simply execute exactly as they were programmed without interference and therefore produce more trustworthy results.

Another advantage that decentralized launchpads have over centralized ones is the non-mandatory use of KYC. In most cases, KYC has proven to be an obstacle to some people for participating in presales, especially those in developing nations. To expatiate, people from less developed parts of the world often find it hard to possess all the necessary credentials that are required in a typical KYC process. This is often due to the fact that they live far away from city centers where public or government services are rare.

Other times these people just find it difficult to comply with all the sophisticated and bureaucratic processes for obtaining the identification documents they need, which further excludes them from financial services. So having a crowd sale event where KYC isn't mandatory is a big win for such people.

What will make PSIPAD unique?

The Passive income launchpad intends to establish itself as one of the most trustworthy decentralized crowdfunding platforms. To achieve this, they will differentiate all projects that have audited their smart contracts and those that haven't so that investors should be aware of the magnitude risk associated with every project. Not only that, but they will also indicate projects where the team was KYCed before participating in their presale.

To offer even more value, the Passive income launchpad will implement a trust score in the future to prevent unsuspecting defi users to fall victim to the numerous scams or rug pulls.

The current PSIPAD is developed on the Binance smart chain. But as time goes by, other iterations of the protocol will be developed on ethereum and possibly other interoperable blockchain platforms.

It should be noted that many presales that have taken place on current decentralized launchpads ended up failing. Sometimes the failure results from the poor user experience. With PSIPAD however, the story will be completely different as they will keep everything simple and intuitive so that it'll appeal even to non-tech-savvy individuals.

Closing thoughts

The Passive income launchpad (PSIPAD) seeks to establish a unique decentralized Launchpad with an intuitive and user-friendly interface. This will make it quicker and easier for defi startups to raise money from investors around the world. And to make sure that investors know what they're investing in, PSIPAD will make a clear indication of projects that have been audited and those that haven't. Also, projects, where the team has been KYCed, will be differentiated from those that do not.

Furthermore, placing a trust score on each project will help potential investors to have a general idea regarding the trustworthiness of the project they want to invest in. Not only will this save time that would otherwise be used to research the reliability of projects, but it'll also encourage more people to take part in crowd sales.

PSIPAD will be going live immediately after external testing and auditing is complete. If the results are satisfactory, a preview of the presale platform will be published on YouTube so that people can start to familiarize themselves with its features and how to use it

Media Contact:

Company: Passive Income

Contact: Bjorn Mattens, CEO

E-mail: bjorn@passive-income.io

Website: https://www.passive-income.io/

CEO Twitter: https://twitter.com/lucky_daltons

SOURCE: Passive Income

View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/648137/Passive-Incomes-Launchpad-PSIPAD-Is-Coming-Soon
Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - May 19, 2021) - Camino Minerals Corporation (TSXV: COR) (OTC: CAMZF) (WKN: A116E1) ("Camino" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that it has closed its non-brokered private placement for gross proceeds of $7,500,000 (the "Financing"). Proceeds of the Financing will be used for corporate purposes and to advance exploration at Camino's three copper projects in Peru: the Los Chapitos (IOCG) copper discovery, the Maria Cecilia porphyry complex (subject to the closing of Camino's acquisition of Minera Maria Cecilia Ltd., as announced in the Company's news releases issued March 30, 2021, and May 3, 2021), and the Plata Dorada high-grade copper and silver project. The Financing, which was previously announced in the Company's news releases on April 29, 2021, and May 3, 2021, was largely subscribed for by institutional investors.

"Camino is positioned to drill some significant geological systems at Los Chapitos and Maria Cecilia in 2021 that we believe have large copper discovery potential," said Jay Chmelauskas, CEO and President of Camino. "The Financing was over-subscribed. We are starting to witness major miners seeking to secure new sources of copper on earlier stage exploration and development projects in the copper sector. Our strategy over the past year to develop our copper business has given us a very good start ahead of a copper market with strong fundamentals."

The Financing consisted of 44,117,647 million units (each, a "Unit") at a price of $0.17 per Unit. Each Unit consists of one common share in the capital of the Company and half a non-transferable common share purchase warrant (each whole warrant, "Warrant"). Each Warrant entitles the holder to acquire an additional common share of the Company at a price of $0.25 per common share until May 18, 2023.

Camino has paid finders' fees of C$314,880 in cash and issued 1,283,620 finders' warrants which entitle the holder to acquire one common share of the Company at a price of $0.25 per common share until May 18, 2023. Such finders' fees were paid in accordance with the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange. All securities issued in connection with the Financing will be subject to a hold period expiring September 19, 2021.

Certain insiders acquired an aggregate of 5,882,350 Units in the Financing, and as such, the Financing is considered a "related party transaction" as defined under Multilateral Instrument 61-101 ("MI 61-101"). Camino has relied on exemptions from the valuation and minority shareholder approval requirements of MI 61-101 contained in sections 5.5(a) and 5.7(1)(a) of MI 61-101 in respect of the insiders' participation in the Financing, as such participation in the Financing does not exceed 25% of the Company's market capitalization.

About Camino Minerals Corporation

Camino is a discovery and development stage copper exploration company. The Company is focused on advancing its high-grade Los Chapitos copper project located in Peru towards potential resource delineation and new discoveries. In addition, the company has commenced field studies at its copper and silver Plata Dorada project. Camino is currently closing the acquisition of the Maria Cecilia copper porphyry. The Company seeks to acquire a portfolio of advanced copper assets that have the potential to deliver copper into an electrifying copper intensive global economy. For more information, please refer to Camino's website at www.caminocorp.com.

ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD

/S/ "Jay Chmelauskas"

President and CEO

For further information, please contact:

Camino Investor Relations

info@caminocorp.com

Tel: (604) 608-4513

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

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward Looking Statements: Certain disclosures in this release constitute forward-looking information. In making the forward-looking disclosures in this release, the Company has applied certain factors and assumptions that are based on the Company's current beliefs as well as assumptions made by and information currently available to the Company. Forward-looking information in the release includes the closing of all or any portion of the Financing, the closing of the acquisition of Minera Maria Cecilia Ltd. and the Maria Cecilia project, the prospectivity of future exploration work on the Los Chapitos, Plata Dorada, and Maria Cecilia projects, or that actual results of exploration and engineering activities are consistent with management's expectations. Although the Company considers these assumptions to be reasonable based on information currently available to it, they may prove to be incorrect, and the forward-looking information in this release is subject to numerous risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause future results to differ materially from those expressed or implied in such forward-looking information. Such risk factors include, among others, that actual results of the Company's exploration activities will be different than those expected by management, that the Company will be unable to obtain or will experience delays in obtaining any required approvals and the state of equity and commodity markets. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. The Company does not intend, and expressly disclaims any intention or obligation to, update or revise any forward-looking statements whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/84507
Calgary, Alberta--(Newsfile Corp. - May 19, 2021) - Tendrel Group Inc. ("Tendrel" or the "Company") is pleased to announce a proposed non-brokered private placement financing for up to 10,666,666 common (the "Shares") of the Company at a price of $1.50 per Common Share for aggregate gross proceeds of $16.0 million (the "Offering").

The net proceeds from the Offering will be used to fund various of the Company's planned strategic acquisitions in Saskatchewan and Manitoba along with working capital and general corporate purposes.

The Shares will be offered and sold by private placement in Canada to "accredited investors" within the meaning of National Instrument 45-106 - Prospectus Exemptions and other exempt purchasers in each province of Canada and outside of Canada. The securities issued in the private placement will be subject to applicable hold periods imposed under applicable securities legislation, including a hold period of four (4) months and one day from the date the Company becomes a "reporting issuer" in any jurisdiction in Canada.

"All of us at Tendrel are excited about the future of our company. We continue to receive strong investor support for our developing business plan. We have a growth plan with targeted milestones to achieve this year which will shape and transform our business for years to come. This financing will enable us to forge ahead on several fronts as we move to disrupt the cultivation, processing and manufacturing landscape," noted Cameron MacDonald, President & CEO.

"Being able to integrate our management knowledge, culture and intentional processes in cannabis development is our second nature. Our love for all things cannabis drives us every day to elevate the cannabis experience for those who know. We recognize the need for cannabis expertise in the current marketplace and are thrilled to be a part of the continued development of the industry at large," noted James Agnew, COO.

ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD

About Tendrel Group Inc.

Tendrel is a collaborative cannabis enterprise, cultivating, processing, and integrating networks of small and medium-sized intentional cannabis developers, bringing our expertise, history and culture to be shared unselfishly with the cannabis world. We create brands for real cannabis customers and honour the level of quality they deserve.

Learn more at www.Tendrel.ca and stay up to date at:



Twitter: @TendrelGroup; LinkedIn: tendrel-group-inc

Investor Relations:

For investor enquiries please contact our Investor Relations Team:

Email: ir@tendrel.ca

Notice Regarding Forward-Looking Information:

This news release contains certain "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities law. Forward-looking information is frequently characterized by words such as "plan", "continue", "expect", "project", "intend", "believe", "anticipate", "estimate", "may", "will", "potential", "proposed" and other similar words, or information that certain events or conditions "may" or "will" occur. This information is only a prediction. Various assumptions were used in drawing the conclusions or making the projections contained in the forward-looking information throughout this news release. Forward-looking information includes, but is not limited to: the proposed completion of, and the expected use of proceeds of, the Offering; the Company's response to the COVID-19 pandemic; future legislative and regulatory developments involving cannabis and cannabis products; and competition and other risks affecting the Company in particular and the cannabis industry generally.

A number of factors could cause actual results to differ materially from a conclusion, forecast or projection contained in the forward-looking information in this release. The forward-looking information in this release is based on information currently available and what management believes are reasonable assumptions. Forward-looking information speaks only to such assumptions as of the date of this release. Readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking information contained in this release. The forward-looking information contained in this release is expressly qualified by the foregoing cautionary statements and is made as of the date of this release. Except as may be required by applicable securities laws, the Company does not undertake any obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking information to reflect events or circumstances after the date of this release or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events, whether as a result of new information, future events or results, or otherwise.

New factors emerge from time to time, and it is not possible for management to predict all of those factors or to assess in advance the impact of each such factor on the Company's business or the extent to which any factor, or combination of factors, may cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking information.

No securities regulatory authority has either approved or disapproved of the contents of this news release. This news release shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy nor shall there be any sale of the securities in any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such jurisdiction. This news release is not an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy the securities in the United States or in any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to qualification or registration under the securities laws of such jurisdiction. The securities being offered have not been, nor will they be, registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and such securities may not be offered or sold within the United States or to, or for the account or benefit of, U.S. persons absent registration or an applicable exemption from U.S. registration requirements and applicable U.S. state securities laws.

NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION TO U.S. NEWSWIRE SERVICES OR DISSEMINATION IN THE UNITED STATES

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/84521
The information contained in this release was correct as at 30 April 2021. Information on the Company's up to date net asset values can be found on the London Stock Exchange Website at:

https://www.londonstockexchange.com/exchange/news/market-news/market-news-home.html.

BLACKROCK NORTH AMERICAN INCOME TRUST PLC (LEI:549300WWOCXSC241W468)

All information is at 30 April 2021 and unaudited.

Performance at month end with net income reinvested





One

Month Three

Months Six

Months One

Year Three

Years Five

Years Net asset value 3.5% 15.6% 28.0% 29.5% 37.1% 86.9% Share price 5.0% 22.4% 39.2% 29.4% 47.5% 98.2% Russell 1000 Value Index 3.6% 15.8% 27.3% 32.9% 40.9% 87.7%

At month end

Net asset value - capital only: 197.29p Net asset value - cum income: 198.02p Share price: 198.00p Discount to cum income NAV: 0.0% Net yield1: 4.0% Total assets including current year revenue: 158.9m Gearing: Nil Options overwrite 18.6% Ordinary shares in issue2: 80,229,044 Ongoing charges3: 1.1%

1 Based on four quarterly interim dividends of 2.00p per share declared on 5 May 2020, 6 August 2020 and 4 November 2020 for the year ended 31 October 2020, and on 23 March 2021 for the year ending 31 October 2021, and based on the share price as at close of business on 30 April 2021.

 Excluding 20,132,261 ordinary shares held in treasury.

 Ongoing charges represent the management fee and all other operating expenses excluding interest as a % of average shareholders' funds for the year ended 31 October 2020.

Sector Analysis Total Assets (%) Financials 27.2 Health Care 16.5 Information Technology 10.6 Consumer Staples 7.6 Energy 6.9 Industrials 6.6 Communication Services 5.9 Consumer Discretionary 5.9 Utilities 4.2 Materials 1.5 Net Current Assets 7.1 ---- 100.0 =====

Country Analysis Total Assets (%) United States 74.2 United Kingdom 4.1 Germany 4.1 Netherlands 3.6 France 2.9 Ireland 1.8 Switzerland 0.9 Norway 0.8 Canada 0.5 Net Current Assets 7.1 ----- 100.0 =====

Top 10 Holdings Country % Total Assets Wells Fargo United States 3.6 Citigroup United States 3.5 American International Group United States 2.7 Verizon Communications United States 2.5 Cisco Systems United States 2.5 Anthem United States 2.3 Bank of America United States 2.2 General Motors United States 2.0 Comcast United States 2.0 Sanofi France 2.0

Tony DeSpirito, Franco Tapia and David Zhao, representing the Investment Manager, noted:

For the one-month period ended 30 April 2021, the Company's NAV increased by 3.5% and the share price by 5.0% (all in sterling). The Company's benchmark, the Russell 1000 Value Index, returned +3.6% for the period.

The largest contributor to relative performance was investment decisions in financials. Notably, stock selection and an overweight exposure to the insurance industry proved beneficial, as did stock selection in the capital markets and banks industries. In information technology, a meaningful underweight exposure to the semiconductors and semiconductor equipment industry boosted relative returns. Finally, stock selection in health care contributed to relative results during the period.

The largest detractor from relative performance was the portfolio's underweight exposure (0% allocation) to the real estate sector, which is based on our view that valuations are unattractive at current levels. In communication services, an underweight exposure to the interactive media and services industry weighed on relative returns, as did stock selection in diversified telecom services. Other detractors during the period included stock selection in the consumer discretionary and consumer staples sectors.

The portfolio's option overwriting strategy detracted from relative performance during the month, as did the portfolio's cash position, amid rising U.S. stock prices.

Transactions/Options

Transactions: In April, the portfolio initiated new positions in The Southern Company, Fidelity National Information Services, Intercontinental Exchange and First Citizens BancShares. Conversely, we exited our positions in PPL and Ferguson, as well as reduced our exposure to Charles Schwab and Pioneer Natural Resources.

Options: As of 30 April 2021, the Company's options exposure was 18.6% and the delta of the options was 83.9.

Positioning

As of the period end, the Company's largest overweight positions relative to the benchmark were in the financials, health care and energy sectors. The Company's largest underweight positions relative to the benchmark were in the industrials, real estate and communication services sectors.

Source: BlackRock. Data as of 30 April 2021.

19 May 2021

Latest information is available by typing blackrock.com/uk/brna on the internet, "BLRKINDEX" on Reuters, "BLRK" on Bloomberg or "8800" on Topic 3 (ICV terminal). Neither the contents of the Manager's website nor the contents of any website accessible from hyperlinks on the Manager's website (or any other website) is incorporated into, or forms part of, this announcement.
TORONTO, May 19, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- First Quantum Minerals Ltd. ("First Quantum" or the "Company") (TSX:FM) today announced that it has entered into a binding agreement to sell a 30% equity interest in the Ravensthorpe Nickel Operation ("Ravensthorpe") in Western Australia for cash consideration of $240 million to POSCO, one of the world's largest steel producers (the "Transaction"). First Quantum will retain a 70% interest in Ravensthorpe and continue to be the operator. The proceeds of the transaction will be used to reduce the Company's debt. In addition to the Transaction, POSCO and First Quantum have also agreed to evaluate a strategic partnership to produce battery precursor materials from production at Ravensthorpe.

TRANSACTION SUMMARY

Under the terms of the Transaction, POSCO will acquire a 30% equity interest in Ravensthorpe for cash consideration of $240 million. POSCO will be provided with a long-term offtake agreement for 7,500 tonnes of nickel in mixed nickel-cobalt hydroxide precipitate ("MHP") per year produced at Ravensthorpe, beginning in 2024. The balance of Ravensthorpe's production will continue to be marketed by First Quantum. The Transaction is subject to certain conditions including approval by the Australian Foreign Investment Review Board ("FIRB"). The transaction is expected to close sometime in the third quarter of 2021. The proceeds of the Transaction will be applied to the outstanding amount on the Company's revolving credit facility, continuing the Company's debt reduction.

STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIP

POSCO is South Korea's largest, and the world's fourth largest, steel producer. POSCO is also a leading integrated producer of cathode and anode materials for the electric vehicle ("EV") battery sector and is undertaking an expansion of its secondary battery material business for which Ravensthorpe will provide a portion of the feed.

As part of the Transaction, First Quantum and POSCO have also entered into a Memorandum of Understanding ("MoU") to explore a partnership to produce battery cathode precursor materials, likely in the form of nickel sulphate, by utilizing the MHP from Ravensthorpe. First Quantum and POSCO will work together over the coming months to advance this potential partnership.

"We are pleased to welcome POSCO as our new long-term strategic partner in Ravensthorpe," Philip Pascall, Chairman and CEO said. "Our respective organizations have complementary skillsets which will allow us to maximize the strategic value of Ravensthorpe as a key long-term supplier of nickel to the EV battery sector. We look forward to working closely with POSCO at Ravensthorpe and exploring options to broaden our relationship."

ABOUT RAVENSTHORPE

Ravensthorpe is a large-scale, open pit nickel and cobalt operation located in Western Australia, 150km west of Esperance. Ravensthorpe produces a high quality MHP which is a sought-after feedstock for the production of EV battery cathode materials. Following a successful restart of operations in the first quarter of 2020, the mine is now transitioning to the Shoemaker Levy deposit which will provide stable feed to the plant for the next twenty years. Completion of construction and commissioning works at Shoemaker Levy, including a 10km conveyor, is expected this quarter.

Ravensthorpe is strategically-positioned as a clean, sustainable source of nickel for the EV battery value chain with industry leading ESG credentials and a small carbon emissions footprint.

These features are expected to become increasingly important to brand name manufacturers of EVs and include:

Unique integrated design, including power generation using waste heat from the onsite acid plant, allowing Ravensthorpe to be self-sufficient with respect to power and water;

Adherence to best in class water and discharge management with a closed water balance and zero discharge;

Tailings storage facilities designed and built in accordance with the highest international standards;

Ravensthorpe provides a supply of cobalt from an established mining jurisdiction with stringent ESG regulations;

The ore from the newly accessed Shoemaker Levy deposit will be transported by overland conveyor to Ravensthorpe's existing processing facility, further reducing reliance on the diesel haul truck fleet; and

Potential to utilize renewable energy technologies within the current operational footprint.

OUR NICKEL BUSINESS

First Quantum has significant nickel resources which complement its world-class copper operations, underpinned by Ravensthorpe and the Enterprise Nickel Project in Zambia. Enterprise is a 100% owned, largely-constructed, high grade nickel sulphide project located 15km from the Company's Sentinel Mine. The 4 million tonne per year process plant for Enterprise was completed in 2016 and was temporarily used to process copper ore during the commissioning of Sentinel. Enterprise is expected to produce an average of 28,000 tonnes of nickel concentrate per year over the estimated 11-year mine life. It is anticipated that Enterprise's high grade concentrate will be suitable to feed into the battery metals supply chain. Dewatering and preliminary pre-strip works will commence at Enterprise in 2021 in anticipation of the Company making a final decision to proceed with the project later this year.

ADVISORS

Standard Chartered Bank served as financial advisor and MinterEllison served as legal advisor to the Company for the purpose of the Transaction.

For further information, visit our website at www.first-quantum.com (http://www.first-quantum.com) or contact:

Lisa Doddridge, Director, Investor Relations

(416) 361-3400 Toll-free: 1 (888) 688-6577

E-Mail: info@fqml.com

CAUTIONARY STATEMENT ON FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION

Certain statements and information herein, including all statements that are not historical facts, contain forward-looking statements and forward-looking information within the meaning of applicable securities laws. The forward-looking statements include estimates, forecasts and statements as to the Company's expectations of production and sales volumes, and expected timing of completion of project development at Enterprise and post-completion construction activity at Cobre Panama and are subject to the impact of ore grades on future production, the potential of production disruptions, potential production, operational, labour or marketing disruptions as a result of the COVID-19 global pandemic (including but not limited to the temporary suspension of labour activities at Cobre Panama implemented in April 2020), capital expenditure and mine production costs, the outcome of mine permitting, other required permitting, the outcome of legal proceedings which involve the Company, information with respect to the future price of copper, gold, nickel, silver, iron, cobalt, pyrite, zinc and sulphuric acid, estimated mineral reserves and mineral resources, First Quantum's exploration and development program, estimated future expenses, exploration and development capital requirements, the Company's hedging policy, and goals and strategies. Often, but not always, forward-looking statements or information can be identified by the use of words such as "plans", "expects" or "does not expect", "is expected", "budget", "scheduled", "estimates", "forecasts", "intends", "anticipates" or "does not anticipate" or "believes" or variations of such words and phrases or statements that certain actions, events or results "may", "could", "would", "might" or "will" be taken, occur or be achieved.

With respect to forward-looking statements and information contained herein, the Company has made numerous assumptions including among other things, assumptions about continuing production at all operating facilities, the price of copper, gold, nickel, silver, iron, cobalt, pyrite, zinc and sulphuric acid, anticipated costs and expenditures and the ability to achieve the Company's goals. Forward-looking statements and information by their nature are based on assumptions and involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements, or industry results, to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements or information. These factors include, but are not limited to, future production volumes and costs, the temporary or permanent closure of uneconomic operations, costs for inputs such as oil, power and sulphur, political stability in Zambia, Peru, Mauritania, Finland, Spain, Turkey, Panama, Argentina and Australia, adverse weather conditions in Zambia, Finland, Spain, Turkey, Mauritania, Australia and Panama, labour disruptions, potential social and environmental challenges (including the impact of climate change), power supply, mechanical failures, water supply, procurement and delivery of parts and supplies to the operations, the production of off-spec material and events generally impacting global economic, political and social stability.

See the Company's Annual Information Form for additional information on risks, uncertainties and other factors relating to the forward-looking statements and information. Although the Company has attempted to identify factors that would cause actual actions, events or results to differ materially from those disclosed in the forward-looking statements or information, there may be other factors that cause actual results, performances, achievements or events not to be anticipated, estimated or intended. Also, many of these factors are beyond First Quantum's control. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements or information. The Company undertakes no obligation to reissue or update forward-looking statements or information as a result of new information or events after the date hereof except as may be required by law. All forward-looking statements and information made herein are qualified by this cautionary statement.
Vantage Ventures Launches Effort to Support Entrepreneurs in the Mountain State

MORGANTOWN, WV / ACCESSWIRE / May 19, 2021 / Life is old in West Virginia's Appalachian Mountains, but Mountaineers are introducing a series of audacious initiatives to welcome new, innovative financial technology (fintech) companies to the state.

In April, West Virginia became the only the second state in the U.S. to create a process for technology companies to transform the insurance industry (insurtech). The new insurtech process will allow businesses to offer innovative products and services in a controlled environment, under the supervision of regulators, that would not normally be permissible in the existing regulatory framework.

"The insurance industry is entering the digital age. Big data, artificial intelligence, machine learning, and other technology-enabled efficiencies are poised to rapidly transform the industry," said West Virginia House of Delegates Judiciary Committee Chair Moore Capito, who sponsored the West Virginia legislation establishing an insurance innovation process. "Now, West Virginia is providing a way for promising insurtech companies to safely offer inventive new products and services to my constituents and West Virginians across the state, and bypass the outdated laws inhibiting innovation."

The passage of legislation that supports insurtech entrepreneurs follows the creation of a regulatory fintech sandbox in the state. West Virginia's regulatory fintech sandbox enables entities that would normally require licensure in the state to partner with financial institutions and test innovative financial products or services for a limited period of 24 months. Administered by the Division of Financial Institutions, the program is intended to encourage entrepreneurs and start-ups who want to address impactful, sustainable finance challenges through the deployment of emerging technologies.

West Virginia provides more than just a welcoming regulatory environment, however. The state has several fintech companies and partners, including MVB Bank, that actively partner with local entrepreneurs. The unexpected pool of technical talent and venture capital (VC) investors also have attracted fintech entrepreneurs to the state.

Core10, a fintech that provides API Integration and SaaS implementation services to the financial services industry and leading fintechs, selected Huntington, WV as its first Hereshore community. Lee Farabaugh, co-founder and president of Core10, explains, "The decision to serve our national client base from West Virginia has benefited from a pipeline of talented developers in an area with a significantly lower cost of living."

The availability of capital also has buttressed the decision. "The majority of Core10's seed and growth capital has come from investors tied to West Virginia, including the state's Venture Capital fund, local family offices, and FINTOP Capital, whose founder, Joe Maxwell, is a West Virginia native," said Core10 CEO Jeff Hanson.

Vantage Ventures, an initiative of the John Chambers College of Business and Economics at West Virginia University, is leading an effort to provide benefits to fintech entrepreneurs bringing solutions to the Mountain State. These benefits include access to coworking space as well as potential partners, customers, and capital. Vantage Ventures supports high-impact and scalable companies tackling complex challenges in Appalachia with the support of pioneering technology leaders, visionary venture investors, and top financial institutions.

"West Virginia provides exciting opportunities for fintech innovators seeking to strengthen Main Street through the introduction and expansion of financial services capabilities, including lending, insurance, and traditional banking," said Sarah Biller, executive director of Vantage Ventures. "We are focused on creatively and responsibly utilizing fintech to tackle economic mobility, healthcare, energy, and other challenges that confront rural populations along the sustainable finance continuum."

To learn more about Vantage Ventures and the community-based efforts it supports to demonstrate that for fintech entrepreneurs, companies, and workers, West Virginia is 'Almost Heaven,' visit: https://vantageventures.io/about.

About Vantage Ventures

Housed at the John Chambers College of Business and Economics at West Virginia University, Vantage Ventures provides a bold new generation of entrepreneurs with a systematic and repeatable process to transform their world-changing ideas into scalable businesses. Vantage Ventures leverages its network of mentors, talent, capital allocators, academics, and committed industry partners, including entrepreneurs and the innovation engines of large companies, to forge a new path of economic growth. It is backed by globally influential technology leaders, Fortune Class companies, venture investors, and an unexpectedly cool R1 Institution. For more information, visit: https://vantageventures.io or follow Vantage Ventures on Twitter: @VantageWV, Instagram: @VantageVentures, and LinkedIn.

Media Contact:

Kyle W. Kempf

Caliber Corporate Advisers

kyle@calibercorporate.com

888.550.6385 ext.19

SOURCE: Vantage Ventures

View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/648139/West-Virginias-Country-Roads-Are-Where-Fintech-Belongs
Following the transition to a new operating model, Opus Capital Markets Consultants, LLC, a Wipro Company, has been fully integrated with Wipro Limited (NYSE: WIT, BSE: 507685, NSE: WIPRO), a leading global information technology, consulting and business process services company and is now Wipro Opus Risk Solutions LLC.

The newly formed company will continue to provide risk management, capital markets and compliance services.

"We will have the same dedication and commitment to existing and new clients," said Peter Butler, executive managing director of digital operations and platforms for Wipro Opus. "We now can provide more value and resources as we become a part of a bigger brand and community. Combining Wipro's offerings with Wipro Opus Risk Solutions' capabilities and knowledge base creates an end-to-end offering for all mortgage players."

Wipro purchased Opus in 2014, and as a renowned global brand, Wipro connected Opus' products, services and solutions to new markets, increased brand awareness and unlocked new business opportunities.

"We are excited for the advantages this new operating model will bring," said Chris Guidici, managing director of sales for Wipro Opus. "Together, as one Wipro organization, we are confident that we will be able to bring more innovative thinking and a bolder approach to our partnerships."

About Wipro Opus Risk Solutions

Wipro Opus Risk Solutions is a specialized risk management and quality control service provider for a wide range of participants in the mortgage and consumer lending industry. Wipro Opus' services include residential and commercial due diligence, valuation and advisory solutions. As a Wipro company, Wipro Opus, along with sister company Wipro Gallagher Solutions, LLC, provides a full suite of mortgage solutions. For more information, please visit www.wipro.com/business-process/wipro-opus-risk-solutions/.

About Wipro Limited

Wipro Limited (NYSE: WIT, BSE: 507685, NSE: WIPRO) is a leading global information technology, consulting and business process services company. We harness the power of cognitive computing, hyper-automation, robotics, cloud, analytics and emerging technologies to help our clients adapt to the digital world and make them successful. A company recognized globally for its comprehensive portfolio of services, strong commitment to sustainability and good corporate citizenship, we have over 190,000 dedicated employees serving clients across six continents. Together, we discover ideas and connect the dots to build a better and a bold new future.

Forward-Looking Statements

The forward-looking statements contained herein represent Wipro's beliefs regarding future events, many of which are by their nature, inherently uncertain and outside Wipro's control. Such statements include, but are not limited to, statements regarding Wipro's growth prospects, its future financial operating results, and its plans, expectations and intentions. Wipro cautions readers that the forward-looking statements contained herein are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from the results anticipated by such statements. Such risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, risks and uncertainties regarding fluctuations in our earnings, revenue and profits, our ability to generate and manage growth, complete proposed corporate actions, intense competition in IT services, our ability to maintain our cost advantage, wage increases in India, our ability to attract and retain highly skilled professionals, time and cost overruns on fixed-price, fixed-time frame contracts, client concentration, restrictions on immigration, our ability to manage our international operations, reduced demand for technology in our key focus areas, disruptions in telecommunication networks, our ability to successfully complete and integrate potential acquisitions, liability for damages on our service contracts, the success of the companies in which we make strategic investments, withdrawal of fiscal governmental incentives, political instability, war, legal restrictions on raising capital or acquiring companies outside India, unauthorized use of our intellectual property and general economic conditions affecting our business and industry. The conditions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic could decrease technology spending, adversely affect demand for our products, affect the rate of customer spending and could adversely affect our customers' ability or willingness to purchase our offerings, delay prospective customers' purchasing decisions, adversely impact our ability to provide on-site consulting services and our inability to deliver our customers or delay the provisioning of our offerings, all of which could adversely affect our future sales, operating results and overall financial performance. Our operations may also be negatively affected by a range of external factors related to the COVID-19 pandemic that are not within our control. Additional risks that could affect our future operating results are more fully described in our filings with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission, including, but not limited to, Annual Reports on Form 20-F. These filings are available at www.sec.gov. We may, from time to time, make additional written and oral forward-looking statements, including statements contained in the company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission and our reports to shareholders. We do not undertake to update any forward-looking statement that may be made from time to time by us or on our behalf.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210519005141/en/

Contacts:

Charlyne H. McWilliams/Victoria Moore

301-933-5567/256-431-9876

charlyne@williammills.com/victoria@williammills.com
London, England--(Newsfile Corp. - May 19, 2021) - Net Savings Link, Inc. (OTC Pink: NSAV), a cryptocurrency, blockchain and digital asset technology company, today announced the appointment of Mr. Dato' Sri Desmond Lim as Senior Vice President of Cryptocurrency Operations. Mr. Lim is the Co-Founder of the World Glove City Project in Malaysia https://worldglovescity.com . He is also vice president of (UTIC) LianXin Holding Finance Shenzhen Group and a partner in the leading investment banking firm, Silverbear Capital Inc. https://www.sbcfinancialgroup.com.hk . Mr. Lim has extensive finance and fund management experience and is instrumental in turnkey and financial solutions for Silverbear's private clients. He has access to numerous global fund managers across the board, in the US, Europe, China, Hong Kong, Singapore and Malaysia. Under his portfolio projects, Mr. Lim is responsible for Corporate exercise, Pre-IPO, implementing investment strategy and managing portfolio trading activities to provide the best returns to investors and stakeholders.

Mr. Lim is also a vice president of China Overseas Holding Group, a Board of Director of Virtual Currency Philippine Inc., a Malaysia Myfintech Foundation Board of Trustee and CEO of Golden Fortune Shenzhen Inc., a public listed company in Shenzhen, China.

Mr. Lim's full Linkedin profile can be accessed at https://www.linkedin.com/in/dato-sri-desmond-lim-90663036/?originalSubdomain=my.

James Tilton, president of NSAV stated, "I am delighted to welcome Desmond to the NSAV family. He is the ideal person to be managing our Cryptocurrency and Blockchain related investments."

NSAV's vision is the establishment of a fully integrated technology company that provides turnkey technological solutions to the cryptocurrency, blockchain and digital asset industries. Over time, the Company plans to provide a wide range of services such as software solutions, e-commerce, advisory services, financial services and information technology.

For further information please contact NSAV at info@nsavholdinginc.com.

The NSAV Twitter account can be accessed at https://twitter.com/nsavtech.

This press release contains certain forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, which are intended to be covered by the safe harbors created thereby. Investors are cautioned that, all forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties, including without limitation, the ability of Net Savings Link, Inc. to accomplish its stated plan of business. Net Savings Link, Inc. believes that the assumptions underlying the forward-looking statements contained herein are reasonable, any of the assumptions could be inaccurate, and therefore, there can be no assurance that the forward-looking statements included in this press release will prove to be accurate. In light of the significant uncertainties inherent in the forward- looking statements included herein, the inclusion of such information should not be regarded as a representation by Net Savings Link, Inc. or any other person.

Contact:

Net Savings Link, Inc.

info@nsavholdinginc.com

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/84528
Commenting on the markets, Tom Holl and Mark Hume, representing the Investment Manager noted:



The Company's NAV increased by 4.4% during the month of April (in Sterling terms with dividends reinvested).



Despite clear evidence of accelerating economic activity, there were some concerns early on in the month around Europe's progress towards Covid-19 lockdowns and also the crisis in India towards the end of the month. In addition, the resurgence of cases in Brazil impacted oil demand for the country and is also further impacting their ability to expand their supply base. Elsewhere, the regulatory announcements from the US pointed to the continued shift towards lower carbon forms of energy. However, these risks are more long dated and do not raise any immediate concerns for oil demand. In other news, it appears that some progress is being made regarding Iran negotiations. This could see restricted sanction barrels coming back to the market if the sanctions are to be reduced by the US. This could in turn lead to a moderate headwind on the oil supply side. Against this backdrop, Brent and WTI (West Texas Intermediate) increased by 6.6% and 9.9%, ending the month at $68/bbl and $65/bbl respectively.



April was a strong month for the mining sector both in absolute terms and relative to broader equity markets. Industrial metals prices saw a rebound, with copper and iron ore (62% fe.) increasing by 11.9% and 13.6% respectively. Demand for steel, copper and aluminium remained strong as China's rapid economy recovery from the Covid-19 outbreak continues. The Chinese government renewed its efforts to curb steel production in Tangshan, a major steel-producing region in China, looking to reduce its carbon footprint; which contributed to the upward pressure on steel prices. In addition, U.S. President Biden's proposed $2.25 trillion infrastructure plan contemplates funding road and rail transportation, power grid and telecommunications projects, all of which would likely require vast quantities of steel, aluminium and copper. Moreover, the $174 billion portion assigned to the electric vehicle (EV) industry could give an extra boost to the latter.



Within the energy transition space, President Biden hosted a virtual Leaders' summit coinciding with Earth Day on 22nd April. The US announced that it will target reducing carbon emissions by 50-52% by 2030 compared to 2005 levels. The US and China also issued a joint statement supporting action on climate change "The United States and China are committed to cooperating with each other and with other countries to tackle the climate crisis, which must be addressed with the seriousness and urgency that it demands". Elsewhere, the IEA forecast that the number of electric vehicles, including buses, vans and trucks, may reach 145 million by 2030 compared with c.10 million today, but that with policy support globally, could rise to 230 million vehicles.



19 May 2021
Innovative use of Cross Laminated Timber heralds highly sustainable future for mill-building renovations

BOSTON, MA / ACCESSWIRE / May 19, 2021 / Margulies Perruzzi (MP), one of New England's most innovative architectural and interior design firms, announced today that it has completed renovations and a two-story addition at 69 A Street in South Boston, creating a five-story 45,000 SF building that is the first "cross-laminated timber" (CLT) addition to an existing building in downtown Boston.

The notable design accomplishment is that the building expansion would not have been feasible without the innovative use of CLT. This lightweight (and highly sustainable) structural system enabled the addition to be added to the 1920s era brick and beam former Rivet factory without replacing the existing foundations or columns, which would have been impossible with a standard steel or concrete structure. The exterior skin of the new levels is a metal panel rainscreen system installed with exposed metal fasteners that speak to its original use. Leaving the CLT exposed on the upper floors creates a much more appealing wood interior than standard steel construction. As the existing building is constructed directly on the lot line, Margulies Perruzzi arranged for setbacks to allow for additional light on the South side.

A new entrance mid- building is accessed via a landscaped courtyard, allowing generously enlarged windows on A Street. All the windows were replaced, but the existing building's windows are distinguished from the new windows on the upper floors by being multi-light, which is consistent with the originals. An open-air terrace directly off the fifth floor looks west toward the Boston skyline.

A major part of this project was the zoning approval process, including coordination with the BPDA and the community before any construction could begin, and regular communication with the abutters throughout the construction period. DBI Projects, a top project management and real estate advisory firm with a diverse range of clients, was the owner's representative for the project and successfully shepherded the project team through its successful completion.

With the building core and shell complete, it is now ready to be occupied by the next generation of tenants to be attracted to the revitalization of this part of South Boston.

The project team for 69 A Street includes:

Architect: Margulies Perruzzi

Construction Manager: Commodore Builders

Mechanical, Electrical, and Plumbing (MEP) Engineer: WB Engineers

Structural Engineer: McNamara Salva

Owner's Project Manager: DBI Projects

About Margulies Perruzzi

As one of New England's top architectural and interior design firms, Margulies Perruzzi (MP) designs Workplace, Health, Science, and Real Estate projects that inspire and nurture human endeavor. More information may be found at https://mparchitectsboston.com.

Media Contact:

Susan Shelby, FSMPS, CPSM

Rhino PR

978.985.4541

MPArchitects@rhinopr.com

SOURCE: Margulies Perruzzi

View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/647993/Margulies-Perruzzi-Completes-Renovations-at-69-A-Street
The information contained in this release was correct as at 30 April 2021 . Information on the Company's up to date net asset values can be found on the London Stock Exchange Website at

https://www.londonstockexchange.com/exchange/news/market-news/market-news-home.html.

BLACKROCK SMALLER COMPANIES TRUST PLC (LEI:549300MS535KC2WH4082)



All information is at 30 April 2021 and unaudited.

Performance at month end is calculated on a capital only basis



One month

% Three months

% One

year

% Three

years

% Five

years

% Net asset value* 9.0 16.9 55.8 30.9 99.2 Share price* 7.2 16.6 46.1 34.1 112.7 Numis ex Inv Companies + AIM Index 5.6 15.1 57.9 18.8 51.8

*performance calculations based on a capital only NAV with debt at par, without income reinvested. Share price performance calculations exclude income reinvestment.



Sources: BlackRock and Datastream

At month end

Net asset value Capital only (debt at par value): 2,021.83p Net asset value Capital only (debt at fair value): 2,012.62p Net asset value incl. Income (debt at par value)1: 2,035.96p Net asset value incl. Income (debt at fair value)1: 2,026.76p Share price: 1,914.00p Discount to Cum Income NAV (debt at par value): 6.0% Discount to Cum Income NAV (debt at fair value): 5.6% Net yield2: 1.7% Gross assets3: 1,083.8m Gearing range as a % of net assets: 0-15% Net gearing including income (debt at par): 7.7% Ongoing charges ratio (actual)4: 0.8% Ordinary shares in issue5: 48,829,792

Includes net revenue of 14.13p Yield calculations are based on dividends announced in the last 12 months as at the date of release of this announcement, and comprise the interim dividend of 12.8 pence per share (announced on 5 November 2020, ex-dividend on 12 November 2020, paid on 26 November 2020)and the final dividend of 20.50 pence per share declared on 7 May 2021 and payable on 18 June 2021 to shareholders on the register on 21 May 2021. Includes current year revenue. As reported in the Annual Financial Report for the year ended 28 February 2021 the Ongoing Charges Ratio (OCR) was 0.8%. The OCR is calculated as a percentage of net assets and using operating expenses, excluding performance fees, finance costs and taxation. Excludes 1,163,731 ordinary shares held in treasury.

Sector Weightings % of portfolio Industrials 28.5 Consumer Services 21.2 Financials 16.4 Consumer Goods 12.0 Technology 7.5 Basic Materials 5.5 Health Care 4.0 Oil & Gas 3.3 Telecommunications 1.5 Real Estate 0.1 ----- Total 100.0 ===== Country Weightings % of portfolio United Kingdom 98.4 United States 1.2 Guernsey 0.4 ----- Total 100.0 =====

Ten Largest Equity Investments

Company % of portfolio Treatt 2.4 Watches of Switzerland 2.4 CVS Group 2.0 Impax Asset Management 2.0 Ergomed 2.0 Breedon 1.8 YouGov 1.8 IntegraFin 1.8 Stock Spirits Group 1.7 Pets At Home 1.6

Commenting on the markets, Roland Arnold, representing the Investment Manager noted:



During April the Company's NAV per share rose by 9.0%1 to 2,021.83p on a capital only basis, outperforming our benchmark index which returned 5.6%1; for comparison the FTSE 100 Index rose by 3.8%1 on a capital only basis.

Equity markets continued to rise during April, buoyed by the continued positive signs from the Covid-19 vaccine deployment and a strong corporate earnings season. The 12th of April brought the reopening of outdoor hospitality and non-essential retail in the UK as Covid-19 cases and death numbers fell. The ONS weekly indicators of the Covid-19 impact on the UK economy suggested that the return to normal had accelerated; compared to pre-pandemic levels, overall credit & debit card payments recovered to 98%, road traffic climbed to 103% and the proportion of the workforce on furlough declined to 13%. The style rotation from growth and into value, which was such a dominant driver of markets in the first quarter, seemingly paused during April as bottom-up fundamentals were the driving force behind market movements.

Positive earnings results were the key driver of the Company's NAV outperformance during the month, with a number of our holdings beating expectations and raising guidance. Shares in the sustainable-focused fund manager Impax Asset Management rallied after the company reported another strong quarter of AUM growth, with a 19% increase in the first 3 months of 2021. Treatt, the manufacturer of flavour and fragrance ingredients, rose in response to another positive update which confirmed that the company has continued to trade in line with the board's recently increased guidance (as revised from January 2021). Construction group Morgan Sindall provided an impressive trading update showing strong growth across the business since the start of the year, with upgrades to full year guidance. The backdrop of rising demand for affordable housing, urban regeneration and infrastructure investment continues to propel the group's secured order book, whilst operational delivery is expected to drive margin improvement throughout the year.

The positive earnings news across the market meant the largest detractors to performance were outperforming shares in the benchmark which were not owned in the portfolio. Amongst stocks that we did own, our holdings Stock Spirits, 4imprint and Team17 underperformed despite no stock-specific newsflow.

In the UK the vaccine rollout and pace of reopening continues to look positive and remains a key focus for investors. Like everyone we are monitoring the situation closely, and whilst there is always a risk a "variant of concern" may cause the re-opening plan to stutter, at this time we still believe the vaccine will ultimately see us return to a more normal way of life. The strength of trading shown in the recent reporting season provides us with confidence in our current positioning and the outlook for many businesses across the portfolio continues to improve. We also continue to see evidence of those companies that went into the Covid crisis in a strong position, both financially and operationally, are now emerging in even stronger positions. The ability of well-financed, market-leading businesses to improve their relative positions in times of stress has always been one of our core beliefs, and this crisis has only reinforced that belief.

We continue to focus on bottom-up company fundamentals, with a bias towards high quality market leading global businesses, which are operating in attractive end markets and run by strong management teams. The road ahead remains uncertain, and there is potential for sharp spikes in volatility. However, as always, we believe that focusing on the micro will triumph over the macro headwinds, and historically volatility has always created opportunity for this strategy. We thank shareholders for their continued support.

1Source: BlackRock as at 30 April 2021

19 May 2021



ENDS



Latest information is available by typing www.blackrock.co.uk/brsc on the internet, "BLRKINDEX" on Reuters, "BLRK" on Bloomberg or "8800" on Topic 3 (ICV terminal). Neither the contents of the Manager's website nor the contents of any website accessible from hyperlinks on the Manager's website (or any other website) is incorporated into, or forms part of, this announcement.
BlackRock Latin American Investment Trust plc

(LEI: UK9OG5Q0CYUDFGRX4151)

Results of AGM

BlackRock Latin American Investment Trust plc announces that, at the Annual General Meeting held today, all 13 resolutions were duly passed on a poll.



The full text of the resolutions can be found in the Notice of Annual General Meeting set out in the Annual Report and Financial Statements for the year ended 31 December 2020, which has previously been submitted to the National Storage Mechanism and is available for inspection at:



https://data.fca.org.uk/#/nsm/nationalstoragemechanism



The results of the poll were as follows:

Votes

For & Discretionary

% Votes

Against

% Votes Total % of Available voting rights* Votes

Withheld Resolution 1 25,201,373 99.97 7,400 0.03 25,208,773 64.21% 1,442 Resolution 2 25,156,588 99.83 42,572 0.17 25,199,160 64.19% 11,055 Resolution 3 25,177,717 99.90 25,000 0.10 25,202,717 64.20% 7,498 Resolution 4 25,190,657 99.95 13,230 0.05 25,203,887 64.20% 6,328 Resolution 5 25,173,712 99.93 18,307 0.07 25,192,019 64.17% 18,196 Resolution 6 13,812,581 93.54 954,280 6.46 14,766,861 37.61% 10,443,354 Resolution 7 25,166,215 99.93 18,444 0.07 25,184,659 64.15% 25,556 Resolution 8 25,190,559 99.95 13,328 0.05 25,203,887 64.20% 6,328 Resolution 9 25,161,673 99.90 24,368 0.10 25,186,041 64.15% 24,174 Resolution 10 25,168,408 99.88 30,214 0.12 25,198,622 64.18% 11,593 Resolution 11 25,192,197 99.94 16,141 0.06 25,208,338 64.21% 1,877 Resolution 12 25,168,273 99.88 31,268 0.12 25,199,541 64.19% 10,674 Resolution 13 25,161,230 99.81 48,562 0.19 25,209,792 64.21% 423



*Available Voting Rights (excl. Treasury) equals 39,259,620



19 May 2021
BERLIN, May 19, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Infotecs, a leading international cybersecurity and threat intelligence platform provider will present its ViPNet IT security solutions at GISEC from May 31 to June 2, 2021 in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.

The number of cyber attacks has increased since 2020. The cyber criminals are taking advantage of the uncertainty of a global pandemic and remote work. That's why protecting the transmission of sensitive data via mobile devices as well as all IP-enabled devices is essential today. The risk for companies is too great that data of any form (voice or text messages, IP video data, exchanged business-critical documents, etc.) will be intercepted or even manipulated by cyber criminals.

At GISEC in Dubai at the end of May, Infotecs will present ViPNet mobile security solution. It provides market leading secure enterprise communication tools with the strongest available encryption combined with maximum convenience, functionality and usability. ViPNet provides fast, easy to use, reliable yet secure communication via email, chat, video and voice calls (VOIP). Our pure software based solutions deliver superior security by design based on symmetric key and point to point encryption approaches. The "Always On" solution provides fast & reliable secure connectivity even over low bandwidth or mobile networks.

"The pandemic accelerated the rise of the digital economy and forced governments around the world to rethink how various industries operate. Home office workspace became the New Normal," explained Josef Waclaw, CEO of Infotecs GmbH. "With our innovative solutions such as ViPNet Threat Detection & Response or ViPNet Mobile Security solutions, we can help many business players build a robust, cyber-resistant ecosystem."

The Gulf Information Security Expo and Conference (GISEC), the Gulf region's largest cybersecurity forum, has been held annually at the Dubai World Trade Centre since 2013. GISEC provides web security professionals from around the world the opportunity to find innovative solutions, share insights with industry experts, and equip themselves with the right tools to protect their businesses from ever-increasing cyber attacks.

The Infotecs team is looking forward to welcoming partners, customers and security enthusiasts at booth SS3-B10-7. You can get a free visitor pass here.

Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1123427/Infotecs_Logo.jpg
CHICAGO, May 19, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- According to the new market research report "Interventional Oncology Market by Product (Radiofrequency, microwave, embolization, guidewires), Procedure (Thermal, Non-Thermal Ablation, TACE, TARE, TAE), Cancer (Liver, Lung, Kidney, Bone Metastasis), Enduser (Hospital, ASC) - Global Forecast to 2026", published by MarketsandMarkets, the global market is estimated to be USD 1.9 billion in 2020 and is projected to reach USD 2.9 billion by 2026, at a CAGR of 6.8%.

Browse in-depth TOC on "Interventional Oncology Market"

183 - Tables

33 - Figures

215 - Pages

Download PDF Brochure: https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/pdfdownloadNew.asp?id=203687164

The increasing prevalence of diseases and disorders, technological advancements, and increased funding and public-private investments are the key factors driving the growth of the market.

The interventional oncology market includes major Tier I and II suppliers like Medtronic (Ireland), Boston Scientific (US), BD (US), Terumo (Japan), Merit Medical (US), AngioDynamics (US), J&J (US), Teleflex (US), Cook Medical (US), HealthTronics (US). These suppliers have their manufacturing facilities spread across regions such as North America and Europe. COVID-19 has impacted their businesses as well. Demand for interventional oncology from key end-users has declined a bit amidst the global COVID-19 pandemic. Industry experts believe that COVID-19 will have a short-term decline in the growth for the market in 2020, but will experience normal growth as the market gradually steadies by the end of 2020.

Demand for embolization devices result in the segment occupying the high share of the interventional oncology market

In 2020, embolization devices accounted for a share of the market. Embolization devices include non-radioactive embolic agents and radioembolic agents. Although these devices are primarily employed to treat hepatocellular carcinoma, their use has been widely extended to various other forms of cancer. These devices are used when tumors cannot be treated using ablation techniques and in cases where the tumor size is large. They are also used in palliative procedures and as a pre-operative procedure to improve the outcome of liver resection.

Liver cancer estimated to be the growing market

Liver cancer accounted for the largest share of the interventional oncology market in 2020. Interventional oncology plays a crucial role in treating liver cancer, as removing the tumor with surgery may not leave the tissue healthy enough for effective liver functioning. Thus, primary liver tumors or liver tumors resulting from metastatic cancers can effectively be treated using interventional oncology procedures. Owing to this, more than half of all treatments for primary and metastatic liver cancer are conducted using interventional oncology.

The large share of this segment can be attributed to factors such as rising cases of liver cancer across the globe and growing initiatives/research activities to develop advanced liver cancer therapies using interventional oncology.

Request Sample Pages: https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/requestsampleNew.asp?id=203687164

Asia Pacific likely to emerge as the fastest-growing interventional oncology market, globally

Geographically, emerging Asian countries, such as China, India, South Korea, Taiwan, and Singapore, are offering high-growth opportunities for market players. The Asia Pacific market is projected to grow at the highest CAGR of 9.6% from 2020 to 2026. Government efforts to increase fundings; supportive regulations for the development and commercialization of advanced interventional oncology products; rising healthcare expenditure; the increasing number of hospitals in India and China; expanding research base across India, China, and Japan; and the increasing incidence of oncological surgeries are driving the growth of the APAC market.

Prominent players in this interventional oncology market Medtronic (Ireland), Boston Scientific (US), BD (US), Terumo (Japan), Merit Medical (US), AngioDynamics (US), J&J (US), Teleflex (US), Cook Medical (US), HealthTronics (US), MedWaves (US), Sanarus (US), IMBiotechnologies (Canada), Trod Medical (US), IceCure Medical (Israel), Mermaid Medicals (Denmark), Interface Biomaterials BV (Netherlands), Guerbet (France), ABK Biomedical (Canada), Shape Memory Medical (US), Endo Shape (US), Monteris Medical (US), Instylla (US), Trisalus Lifesciences (US), Profound Medical Corp (Canada), Sirtex (US), Accuray (US), Baylis Medical (Canada), and ALPINION MEDICAL SYSTEMS (South Korea).

Speak to Analyst: https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/speaktoanalystNew.asp?id=203687164

Browse Adjacent Markets: Medical Devices Market Research Reports & Consulting

Browse Related Reports:

Radiotherapy Market by Type (External (IGRT, IMRT, 3D-CRT, Stereotactic), Brachytherapy (LDR, HDR)), Product (LINAC, CyberKnife, Gamma Knife, Tomotherapy, Particle Therapy, Cyclotron), Application (Prostate, Breast), End User (Hospital) - Forecasts to 2023

https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/Market-Reports/radiotherapy-monitoring-devices-market-567.html

Interventional Cardiology Devices Market by type (Stents, Structural Heart, Catheters, Plaque Modification (Atherectomy), Hemodynamic Flow Alteration (Embolic Protection, Total Occlusion), Guidewire, Introducer Sheath, IVUS)) - Global Forecast to 2025

https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/Market-Reports/minimally-invasive-interventional-cardiology-devices-market-548.html

About MarketsandMarkets

MarketsandMarkets provides quantified B2B research on 30,000 high growth niche opportunities/threats which will impact 70% to 80% of worldwide companies' revenues. Currently servicing 7500 customers worldwide including 80% of global Fortune 1000 companies as clients. Almost 75,000 top officers across eight industries worldwide approach MarketsandMarkets for their painpoints around revenues decisions.

Our 850 fulltime analyst and SMEs at MarketsandMarkets are tracking global high growth markets following the "Growth Engagement Model - GEM". The GEM aims at proactive collaboration with the clients to identify new opportunities, identify most important customers, write "Attack, avoid and defend" strategies, identify sources of incremental revenues for both the company and its competitors. MarketsandMarkets now coming up with 1,500 MicroQuadrants (Positioning top players across leaders, emerging companies, innovators, strategic players) annually in high growth emerging segments. MarketsandMarkets is determined to benefit more than 10,000 companies this year for their revenue planning and help them take their innovations/disruptions early to the market by providing them research ahead of the curve.

MarketsandMarkets' flagship competitive intelligence and market research platform, "Knowledge Store" connects over 200,000 markets and entire value chains for deeper understanding of the unmet insights along with market sizing and forecasts of niche markets.

Contact:

Mr. Aashish Mehra

MarketsandMarkets INC.

630 Dundee Road

Suite 430

Northbrook, IL 60062

USA: +1-888-600-6441

Email: sales@marketsandmarkets.com

Research Insight: https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/ResearchInsight/interventional-oncology-market.asp

Visit Our Web Site: https://www.marketsandmarkets.com

Content Source: https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/PressReleases/interventional-oncology.asp

Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/660509/MarketsandMarkets_Logo.jpg
The "Russia Cards and Payments Opportunities and Risks to 2024" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.

The report provides detailed analysis of market trends in the Russian cards and payments industry. It provides values and volumes for a number of key performance indicators in the industry, including cash, cards, credit transfers, and direct debits during the review-period (2016-20e).

The report also analyzes various payment card markets operating in the industry and provides detailed information on the number of cards in circulation, transaction values and volumes during the review-period and over the forecast-period (2020e-24f). It also offers information on the country's competitive landscape, including market shares of issuers and schemes.

The report brings together research, modeling, and analysis expertise to allow banks and card issuers to identify segment dynamics and competitive advantages. The report also covers detailed regulatory policies and recent changes in regulatory structure.

This report provides top-level market analysis, information and insights into the Russian cards and payments industry, including:

Current and forecast values for each market in the Russian cards and payments industry, including debit and credit cards

Detailed insights into payment instruments including cash, cards, credit transfers, and direct debits. It also, includes an overview of the country's key alternative payment instruments

Ecommerce market analysis

Analysis of various market drivers and regulations governing the Russian cards and payments industry

Detailed analysis of strategies adopted by banks and other institutions to market debit and credit

Scope

In order to be on par with its European peers, in January 2019 the central bank introduced the Faster Payments System (FPS), which enables users to make fund transfers in 15 seconds using the recipient's mobile phone number. Users can make transfers online 24/7 via their bank's mobile or internet banking service. Following the successful launch of FPS, the central bank added QR code-based functionality to the system, enabling payments of goods and services using mobile devices. To encourage the adoption of FPS-based QR code payments, the central bank is making it mandatory for banks with a universal license to offer FPS-based QR code payment services by April 1, 2022. For systemically important banks the deadline is October 1, 2021. As of February 2021, 42 banks had launched FPS-based QR code payment functionality

The federal law signed by the Russian president in May 2017 mandated that all public sector employees and workers who receive welfare benefits from federal or state funds must migrate to Mir payment cards from July 1, 2018, and pensioners by July 1, 2020. However, against the backdrop of COVID-19, the deadline for pensioners was extended until July 1, 2021. The government also mandated the acceptance of Mir cards at all merchant stores with annual transaction turnover of more than RUB40m ($0.5m), and at any stores that accept card payments for other payment schemes. From March 1, 2021 the threshold was reduced to RUB30m ($0.4m), and from July 1, 2021 it will be further reduced to RUB20m ($0.3m). This will accelerate payment card acceptance among merchants

The Russian government introduced the Unified Biometric System (UBS) in June 2018. This system allows individuals to authenticate their identity using biometric parameters and access financial services remotely. Users can register for the system at bank branches, where their photo image and voice profile is captured and uploaded to UBS. Based on UBS, retailers are deploying new biometric payment methods in order to enhance customer convenience. In March 2021, Russia-based X5 Retail Group announced the expansion of its "pay with a glance" service to its 150 Perekrestok supermarkets. The company initially launched the service at a coffee shop in Moscow in 2020, in collaboration with Visa and Sberbank. It was later trialed at 52 Perekrestok supermarkets

Key Topics Covered:

Payment Instruments

Card based Payments

Merchant Acquiring

Ecommerce Payments

Buy Now Pay Later

Mobile Proximity Payments

P2P Payments

Bill Payments

Alternative Payments

Job Analysis

Payment Innovations

Payment Infrastructure Regulation

Companies Mentioned

Sberbank

VTB

OTP Bank

Russian Standard Bank

Alfa-Bank

Gazprombank

Raiffeisen Bank

Societe Generale Group

Bank Uralsib

UniCredit Bank

Bank Vozrozhdenie

Citibank

Mir

Golden Crown

Visa

Mastercard

American Express

For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/v5651x

About ResearchAndMarkets.com

ResearchAndMarkets.com is the world's leading source for international market research reports and market data. We provide you with the latest data on international and regional markets, key industries, the top companies, new products and the latest trends.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210519005638/en/

Contacts:

ResearchAndMarkets.com

Laura Wood, Senior Press Manager

press@researchandmarkets.com

For E.S.T Office Hours Call 1-917-300-0470

For U.S./CAN Toll Free Call 1-800-526-8630

For GMT Office Hours Call +353-1-416-8900
Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - May 19, 2021) - Southern Silver Exploration Corp. (TSXV: SSV) (OTCQX: SSVFF) ("Southern Silver" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that its shares of common stock will begin trading on the OTCQX Best Market, effective today, under the ticker symbol "SSVFF." U.S. investors can find current financial disclosure and Real-Time Level 2 quotes for the company on www.otcmarkets.com. The OTCQX Best Market is the highest market tier of OTC Markets on which 10,000 U.S. and global securities trade. Trading on OTCQX will enhance the visibility and accessibility of the Company to U.S. investors. Southern Silver's common shares will continue to trade on the TSX Venture Exchange under the symbol SSV.

The OTCQX Best Market provides value and convenience to U.S. investors, brokers and institutions seeking to trade SSVFF. The OTCQX Best Market is OTC Markets Group's premier market for established, investor-focused U.S. and international companies. To be eligible, companies must meet high financial standards, follow best practice corporate governance, demonstrate compliance with U.S. securities laws, be current in their disclosure, and have a professional third-party sponsor introduction.

Lawrence Page, Q. C., President and Chief Executive Officer of Southern Silver stated, "We are extremely pleased to have met the qualifications for the OTCQX where we will now be able to enhance our liquidity while strengthening our shareholder base. We look forward to engaging with new US investors as we continue to develop the Company for the benefit of all stakeholders."

About Southern Silver Exploration Corp.

Southern Silver Exploration Corp. is an exploration and development company with a focus on the discovery of world-class mineral deposits. Our specific emphasis is the 100% owned Cerro Las Minitas silver-lead-zinc project located in the heart of Mexico's Faja de Plata, which hosts multiple world-class mineral deposits such as Penasquito, Los Gatos, San Martin, Naica and Pitarrilla. We have assembled a team of highly experienced technical, operational and transactional professionals to support our exploration efforts in developing the Cerro Las Minitas project into a premier, high-grade, silver-lead-zinc mine. The Company engages in the acquisition, exploration and development either directly or through joint-venture relationships in mineral properties in major jurisdictions. Our property portfolio also includes the Oro porphyry copper-gold project located in southern New Mexico, USA.

Cerro Las Minitas Project

The Cerro Las Minitas project is an advanced exploration stage polymetallic Ag-Pb-Zn-Cu Skarn/CRD project located in southern Durango, Mexico which as of May 9th, 2019 contains a Mineral Resource Estimate, at a 175g/t AgEq cut-off, of(1)

Indicated - 134Moz AgEq: 37.5Moz Ag, 40Mlb Cu, 303Mlb Pb and 897Mlb Zn

Inferred - 138Moz AgEq: 45.7Moz Ag, 76Mlb Cu, 253Mlb Pb and 796Mlb Zn

A total of 150 drill holes for 67,375metres have been completed on the CLM Project with exploration expenditures of approximately US$27.0 million equating to exploration discovery costs of approximately C$0.09 per AgEq ounce to the end of 2020.

Exploration on the property continues with two drills targeting the east side of the Cerro and has now completed 38 core holes totalling 14,759 metres since restarting drilling in September 2020. Over 650 metres of strike length has been tested along the east side of the Cerro to depths of up to 500 metres. Three bonanza grade mineralized zones have been identified with over 250 metres of strike-length remaining to be tested.

The CLM Project remains one of the largest undeveloped silver-lead-zinc projects in the World and is wholly owned, unburdened by royalties, fully financed and fully permitted.

Oro Project

The Oro Project is a 100% owned porphyry copper-gold property, located in southwestern New Mexico, USA, which includes patented land, State leases and BLM mineral claims totalling 22.3 sq. km., within the eastern extension of the prolific Arizona Copper Belt. The property covers a large zoned, district-scale, Laramide-age mineralizing system containing a number of highly prospective copper-molybdenum and distal sediment-hosted, oxide-gold targets. Southern has spent over $3 million in exploration on the property since acquisition in 2007 which includes surface mapping and sampling, airborne geophysics, 17 Reverse Circulation holes and 9 core holes.

Targeting has been finalized and permits are pending for a six core hole, 4,000m drill program, designed to test several of the copper-molybdenum porphyry and copper-gold skarn targets within a broad quartz-sericite-pyrite alteration zone, interpreted to overlie an unexposed porphyry centre. Drilling is expected to commence in Q3, 2021.

The 2019 Cerro Las Minitas Resource Estimate was prepared following CIM definitions for classification of Mineral Resources. Resources are constrained using mainly geological constraints and approximate 10g/t AgEq grade shells. The block models are comprised of an array of blocks measuring 10m x 2m x 10m, with grades for Au, Ag, Cu, Pb, Zn values interpolated using ID3 weighting. Silver and zinc equivalent values were subsequently calculated from the interpolated block grades. The model is identified at a 175g/t AgEq cut-off, with an indicated resource of 11,102,000 tonnes averaging 105g/t Ag, 0.10g/t Au, 1.2% Pb, 3.7% Zn and 0.16% Cu and an inferred resource of 12,844,000 tonnes averaging 111g/t Ag, 0.07g/t Au, 0.9% Pb, 2.8% Zn and 0.27% Cu. AgEq cut-off values were calculated using average long-term prices of $16.6/oz. silver, $1,275/oz. gold, $2.75/lb. copper, $1.0/lb. lead and $1.25/lb. zinc. Metal recoveries for the Blind, El Sol and Las Victorias deposits of 91% silver, 25% gold, 92% lead, 82% zinc and 80% copper and for the Skarn Front deposit of 85% silver, 18% gold, 89% lead, 92% zinc and 84% copper were used to define the cut-off grades. Base case cut-off grade assumed $75/tonne operating, smelting and sustaining costs. All prices are stated in $USD. Silver Equivalents were calculated from the interpolated block values using relative recoveries and prices between the component metals and silver to determine a final AgEq value. The same methodology was used to calculate the ZnEq value. Mineral resources are not mineral reserves until they have demonstrated economic viability. Mineral resource estimates do not account for a resource's mineability, selectivity, mining loss, or dilution. The current Resource Estimate was prepared by Garth Kirkham, P.Geo. of Kirkham Geosciences Ltd. who is the Independent Qualified Person responsible for presentation and review of the Mineral Resource Estimate. All figures are rounded to reflect the relative accuracy of the estimate and therefore numbers may not appear to add precisely.

Robert Macdonald, MSc. P.Geo, is a Qualified Person as defined by National Instrument 43-101 and supervised directly the collection of the data from the CLM Project that is reported in this disclosure and is responsible for the presentation of the technical information in this disclosure.

On behalf of the Board of Directors

"Lawrence Page"

Lawrence Page, Q.C.

President & Director, Southern Silver Exploration Corp.

For further information, please visit Southern Silver's website at southernsilverexploration.com or contact us at 604.641.2759 or by email at ir@mnxltd.com.

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

This news release contains forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements address future events and conditions and therefore involve inherent risks and uncertainties. Actual results may differ materially from those currently anticipated in such statements. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in forward-looking statements include the timing and receipt of government and regulatory approvals, and continued availability of capital and financing and general economic, market or business conditions. Southern Silver Exploration Corp. does not assume any obligation to update or revise its forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except to the extent required by applicable law.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/84484
Commenting on his company's recently announced contract with C&D Foods, ProAmpac CEO Greg Tucker hailed the development as "a significant sourcing arrangement and more."

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210519005589/en/

STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIP: In County Donegal, Ireland, for May 17, 2021 announcement of the new contract establishing ProAmpac as the strategic supplier of flexible packaging for C&D Foods, the pet food division of ABP Food Group are (l to r) John McDermott, Operations Director, ProAmpac; Charlie McConalogue, Minister for Agriculture, Food and The Marine; and Colm Dore, Managing Director, C&D Foods. (Photo: Business Wire)

The contract announced May 17 establishes ProAmpac's facility in County Donegal, Ireland, as the strategic supplier of flexible petfood packaging for C&D, the pet food division of ABP Food Group, one of Europe's leading food group processors.

"This is an opportunity for our firms to collaborate in developing leading-edge packaging innovations in Ireland and across Europe. But it is also a partnership that will facilitate expansion of production and employment at ProAmpac Ireland and reposition our facility there as a global hub for sustainable packaging innovation for both petfood as well as ready-to-eat meals," said John McDermott, Operations Director, ProAmpac Donegal.

"Our partnership is well along the path of collaborative innovation," mentioned Tucker, referring to the Collaborative Innovation process in which the ProAmpac development teams work alongside customer counterparts to accelerate packaging advances. The two companies are in trials with a sustainable petfood pouch that will be launched later this year. The pouch will be fully recyclable when new advanced recyclable solutions are introduced into many European markets.

The ProAmpac Donegal facility (which merged with the former Rapid Action Packaging) is situated in Gaoth Dobhair (also referred to as Gweedore), a part of County Donegal. ProAmpac Donegal has a 24-year history of delivering innovative and sustainable cellulose-based packaging products for fresh prepared and ready-to-eat food-to-go. Comprehensive packaging offerings include sandwich packs, trays, wraps, and soft wraps for standard flow wrap machines.

The contract and the new-product collaboration were announced May 17 at a County Donegal event attended by Charlie McConalogue, Irish Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine; representatives of the regional development authority, Udaras na Gaeltachta; John McDermott, ProAmpac Donegal, and C&D Foods Managing Director Colm Dore and Chief Financial Officer Francis Minogue.

"ProAmpac is innovative and forward looking in its approach, and the development of sustainable packaging is fully aligned with C&D's strategic objectives. We look forward to working with them for many years to come," Dore said. C&D Foods is one of the largest private label petfood manufacturers in Europe. Headquartered in Edgeworthstown, County Longford, Ireland, it employs 452 people in Ireland and a 1,148 more in seven European countries.

About ProAmpac

ProAmpac is a leading global flexible packaging company with a comprehensive product offering, providing creative packaging solutions, industry-leading customer service and award-winning innovation to a diverse global marketplace. ProAmpac's approach to sustainability ProActive Sustainability provides innovative sustainable flexible packaging products to help our customers achieve their sustainability goals. We are guided in our work by four core values that are the basis for our success: Integrity, Intensity, Innovation, and Involvement. Cincinnati-based ProAmpac is owned by Pritzker Private Capital along with management and co-investors. For more information, visit ProAmpac.com or contact Media@ProAmpac.com.

About Pritzker Private Capital

Pritzker Private Capital partners with middle-market companies based in North America with leading positions in the manufactured products, services, and healthcare sectors. The firm's differentiated, long-duration capital base allows for efficient decision-making, broad flexibility with transaction structure and investment horizon, and alignment with all stakeholders. Pritzker Private Capital builds businesses for the long term and is an ideal partner for entrepreneur- and family-owned companies. Pritzker Private Capital is a signatory to the United Nations Principles for Responsible Investment (PRI). For more information, visit PPCPartners.com.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210519005589/en/

Contacts:

Molly Speer

Director, Corporate Communications

+1 513 551-1255

Media@ProAmpac.com
Bermuda, 19 May 2021 - Avance Gas Holding Ltd (ticker: "AGAS"), will on Thursday 27 May 2021 release its unaudited results for the first quarter of 2021. In connection with the earnings release, an audio webcast and conference call will be held at 14:00 (CET). The webcast can be accessed at Avance Gas' website www.avancegas.com.

Dial-in details are:

+44 (0) 2071 928338 (UK and International), +16467413167 (US) and +47 21563015 (Norway). Please quote the confirmation code 9475682. Phone lines will open 10 minutes before the conference call.
Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - May 19, 2021) - Battery Mineral Resources Corp. (TSXV: BMR) ("Battery" or "BMR" or the "Company") completed the design and commenced a diamond drill exploration program at the historic cobalt-silver producing Mapes-Johnston ("Mapes") target on its 100% owned Elk Lake property. Drilling commenced mid-May and is expected to conclude in early June.

Highlights

The Mapes target, on the Company's Elk Lake property, is a highly prospective exploration target because of historic production of cobalt and silver and recent successful surface sampling (Figures 1 and 3). A total of up to 11 diamond core exploration holes aggregating 1,550 meters are proposed. The purpose of the holes is to test possible extensions of the cobalt-silver mineralization at depth and along strike within and beyond the historic underground workings (Figure 2). An initial tier of 6 holes directly below the surface workings is designed to identify the mineralized structure(s) and would be followed by deeper cuts of the zone and test for possible extensions along strike.

Battery CEO Martin Kostuik states; "Continuing the progression of our 2020 exploration program throughout our extensive land claims package within the Ontario Cobalt Embayment, we are encouraged by the successful 2020 rock sampling results at Mapes and are looking forward to furthering this success with this initial drill test of the highly prospective Mapes target. The Cobalt Embayment hosts over 70 cobalt-silver deposits that collectively produced 525 million ounces of silver and 50 million pounds of cobalt from high grade cobalt-silver-nickel veins in the Cobalt, Gowganda and Elk Lake Mining Camps."

Background

The Elk Lake property is situated in Barber, Farr, James, Mickle, Smyth, Truax, Tudhope and Willet townships in Northeastern Ontario, approximately 135 kilometres ("km") north-northeast of Sudbury and 55 km northwest of Temiskaming Shores. The 1,221 claims of the Elk Lake property are centred on the town of Elk Lake covering 20,902 hectares (209 square kilometres) in a contiguous block.

Mining in the Elk Lake area started in 1906 following the discovery of native silver which gave rise to Elk Lake as a mining camp. Mining peaked between 1907 - 1913 at which time there were about thirty active mines in the area. Total reported production from the Elk Lake camp amounts to about 110,000 ounces ("oz") of silver and 3,155 pound ("lbs") of cobalt including 1,000 oz silver and 870 lbs of cobalt from the Mapes property.

The Mapes property consists of extensive surface workings and large muck piles that contained abundant cobalt bearing mineralized vein material with cobalt bloom (Photo 1). Mine records indicate the shaft extends to a depth of 84 meters ("m") with 320m of underground level development. A total of 70m of raises and minor stoping were also developed.

In 2020, Battery's geological work included prospecting, geological mapping and rock sampling on the Elk Lake property. Additional focus was on ground- truthing and investigating Mapes historic workings and mineral occurrences. The objective was to assess potential for significant cobalt-silver mineralization and to plan a follow-up diamond drilling exploration program. Strongly mineralized calcite-quartz veins from the Mapes mine production area returned high grade cobalt values of 5.1 percent ("%"), 2.4% and 1.9% cobalt with accompanying high to anomalous silver assays of 31 grams per tonne ("g/t"), 97 g/t, and 631 g/t silver.

The Elk Lake block geology is dominated by Nipissing diabase sills and dykes (Figure 3). The sills are intruded into Proterozoic Huronian Cobalt Group metasedimentary rocks and near the Archean unconformity, here represented by granitic rocks. Mineralized veins generally occur in the stratigraphically lower part of the diabase, but also occur in the Huronian metasedimentary rocks or at the contact with the Archean basement rocks. The area is best known for high grade silver ("Ag"), with accessory cobalt ("Co") and nickel arsenides ("Ni-As"). Mineralized silver-cobalt veins are strongly focused within well-developed structures. Narrow high-grade Cu-Fe-Ag-Co-(+/-Au) rich calcite-quartz veins and Co-Ni-As rich calcitic veins occur parallel to dominant faulting, fracturing or jointing.





Photo 1: Top-Track on muck pile; Bottom-Calcite veining; Right- Open cut/shaft



To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:

https://orders.newsfilecorp.com/files/6076/84548_5574d918244f5b7e_002full.jpg





Figure 1: General location plan of Elk Lake project area

To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:

https://orders.newsfilecorp.com/files/6076/84548_5574d918244f5b7e_003full.jpg





Figure 2: Plan view of proposed drill holes with LiDAR topography with historic surface workings



To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:

https://orders.newsfilecorp.com/files/6076/84548_5574d918244f5b7e_004full.jpg





Figure 3: Elk Lake property geology map



To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:

https://orders.newsfilecorp.com/files/6076/84548_5574d918244f5b7e_005full.jpg

Quality Control

Sample preparation, analysis and security procedures applied on the BMR exploration projects is aligned with industry best practice. BMR has implemented protocols and procedures to ensure high quality collection and management of samples resulting in reliable exploration assay data. BMR has implemented formal analytical quality control monitoring for all sampling and drilling programs by inserting blanks and certified reference materials into every sample sequence dispatched.

Sample preparation is performed by ALS Minerals Laboratories (ALS) in Sudbury, Ontario and sample analyses by ALS in North Vancouver, British Columbia. ALS analytical facilities are commercial laboratories and are independent from BMR. All BMR samples are collected and packaged by BMR staff and delivered upon receipt at the ALS Laboratory in Sudbury. Samples are logged in a sophisticated laboratory information management system (LIMS) for sample tracking, scheduling, quality control, and electronic reporting. Samples are dried prior to crushing. The samples are crushed to 70% < -2 millimeters and a riffle split of 250 grams is then pulverized to 85% of the material achieving a size of <75 microns. These prepared samples are then shipped to the ALS Laboratory in North Vancouver for analyses by the following methods:

ME-MS61: A high precision, multi-acid digest including Hydrofluoric, Nitric, Perchloric and Hydrochloric acids. Analysed by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry ("ICP") that produces results for 48 elements.

ME-OG62: Aqua-Regia digest: Analysed by ICP-AES (Atomic Emission Spectrometry) or sometimes called optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES) for high levels of Co, Cu, Ni and Ag.

Ag-GRA21: Silver by fire assay and gravimetric finish; 30-gram charge. Weight. Used when samples contain > 1500 g/t silver.

Au-AA25: Gold was analysed by a 30-gram fire assay method, followed by AAS (atomic absorption spectroscopy).

Certified international standards are inserted into sample batches by ALS. Blanks and duplicates are inserted within each analytical run. The blank is inserted at the beginning, internationally certified standards are inserted at random intervals, and duplicates are analysed at the end of the batch.

Qualified Persons

P. J. Doyle, FAusIMM (#208850), Battery Mineral Resources Corp. - Vice President Exploration - Canada, supervised the preparation of and approved the scientific and technical information in this press release pertaining to the Canada Exploration Program. Information about data verification procedures used to support scientific and technical information on the Company's Canadian properties presented herein, as well as with respect to the results of, processing and interpretation of exploration data.

About Battery Mineral Resources Corp.

Battery is a multi-commodity resource company. Battery is engaged in the discovery, acquisition, and development of battery metals (cobalt, lithium, graphite, nickel & copper), in North America and South Korea. Battery is the largest mineral claim holder in the historic Gowganda Cobalt-Silver Camp, Canada, with various high-grade primary cobalt silver-nickel-copper targets located in the Cobalt Belt of Ontario and Quebec. In addition, Battery owns approximately 89% of ESI Energy Services, Inc., a pipeline equipment rental and sales company with operations in Leduc, Alberta and Phoenix, Arizona. Finally, Battery is currently finalizing a concurrent financing and acquisition to acquire the Punitaqui Mining Complex, a recently producing copper-gold mine located in the Coquimbo region of Chile.

For further information, please contact:

Battery Mineral Resources Corp.

Martin Kostuik

Phone: +1 (604) 229 3830

Email: info@bmrcorp.com

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities laws, which may relate to the Company's future outlook and anticipated events or results. In some cases, but not necessarily all cases, forward-looking information can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as "plans", "targets", "expects" or "does not expect", "an opportunity exists", "is positioned", "estimates", "intends", "assumes", "anticipates" or "does not anticipate" or "believes", or variations of such words and phrases or state that certain actions, events or results "may", "could", "would", "might", "will" or "will be taken", "occur" or "be achieved". In addition, any statements that refer to expectations, predictions, indications, projections or other characterizations of future events or circumstances contain forward-looking information. Forward-looking statements are not historical facts but instead represent management's expectations, estimates and projections regarding future events.

Forward-looking statements in this presentation may include statements regarding management's beliefs, expectations or intentions regarding the size, completion, expenses and timing of the closing of the Offering, industry trends, market growth rates and the Company's future growth rates, plans and strategies, projections of commodity prices and costs, the future financial or operating performance and condition of the Company, including its business, operations and properties, planned exploration and development activities and the costs and timing thereof, the intended use of the net proceeds of the Offering, trends in the global cobalt, lithium and graphite markets, the adequacy of the Company's financial resources, timing, receipt and maintenance of approvals, consents and permits under applicable legislation. The foregoing list should not be construed as exhaustive and should be read in conjunction with the information in the prospectus under the heading "Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Information".

These statements and other forward-looking information are based on opinions, assumptions and estimates made by the Company in light of its experience and perception of historical trends, current conditions and expected future developments, as well as other factors that the Company believes are appropriate and reasonable in the circumstances as of the date of this presentation, including, without limitation, assumptions about the ability to raise additional capital; future prices of cobalt, lithium and graphite; the Company's competitive advantages; current market dynamics; the timing and results of exploration and drilling programs; and the availability and amenability of metallurgical and processing technologies for processing extracted minerals;. There can be no assurance that such estimates and assumptions will prove to be correct. If any of the assumptions or estimates made by management prove to be incorrect, actual results and developments are likely to differ, and may differ materially, from those expressed or implied by the forward-looking information. Accordingly, prospective investors are cautioned not to place undue reliance on such information. The foregoing list of assumptions should not be construed as exhaustive and should be read in conjunction with the information in the prospectus under the heading "Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Information".

While such opinions, assumptions and estimates are considered reasonable by the Company as of the date such statements are made, they are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties, assumptions and other factors that may cause the actual results, level of activity, performance or achievements to be materially different from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking information, including but not limited to future requirements for additional capital, a limited operating history, the demand for and prices of lithium, cobalt and graphite, property title risk, exploration risk, mineral processing risk, uncertainty in relation to Inferred Mineral Resources, a negative cash flow; governmental regulation of the mineral exploration and development industry; the loss of an investor's entire investment; an arbitrary offering price; volatility in the price of the ordinary shares; the potential for additional dilution; absence of a market for the ordinary shares and future sales of ordinary shares by directors and officers of the Company. These factors and assumptions are not intended to represent a complete list of the factors and assumptions that could affect the Company. Refer to "Risk Factors" in the prospectus.

The forward-looking statements included in this presentation are expressly qualified by this cautionary statement and are made as at the date of the prospectus. The Company does not undertake any obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by applicable securities laws.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/84548


WASHINGTON (dpa-AFX) - The White House has released the 2020 tax returns of President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris.



President Biden and First Lady Jill Biden filed their income tax return jointly and reported federal adjusted gross income of $607,336. The Bidens paid $157,414 in federal income tax and their 2020 effective federal income tax rate is 25.9 percent.



The President and First Lady also reported donating $30,704 - or about 5.1 percent of their total income - to 10 different charities. The largest reported gift was $10,000 to the Beau Biden Foundation, a public charity dedicated to ensuring that all children are free from the threat of abuse.



The Bidens also released their Delaware income tax return and reported paying $28,794 in tax. The First Lady also released her Virginia income tax return and reported paying $443 in tax.



The return shows that Biden's income fell dramatically from $1 million to $607,336, as he dropped lucrative speaking engagements to campaign for the White House.



With this release, the President has shared a total of 23 years of tax returns with the American public.



Vice President Kamala Harris and Second Gentleman Doug Emhoff also released their 2020 federal income tax return, as well as state income tax returns for both California and the District of Columbia.



The Vice President and the Second Gentleman reported federal adjusted gross income of $1,695,225. They paid $621,893 in federal income tax, amounting to a 2020 effective federal income tax rate of 36.7 percent. They also paid $125,004 in California income tax, while Emhoff paid $56,997 in District of Columbia income tax. They contributed $27,006 to charity in 2020.



Harris' and Emhoff's 2020 return shows a substantial fall in their earnings from 2019.



Including the 2020 release, the Vice President has published 17 years of tax returns.



It may be noted that former President Donald Trump had refused to release his income tax returns for the recent years despite demand from Democrats.



Copyright RTT News/dpa-AFX

Kostenloser Wertpapierhandel auf Smartbroker.de
WHITE ROCK, BC / ACCESSWIRE / May 19, 2021 / TDG Gold Corp (TSXV:TDG) (the "Company" or "TDG") is pleased to provide an update of the review of the historical exploration work and 2021 plans for its former producing high-grade gold-silver Mets mining lease.

TDG's former producing, high-grade gold-silver Baker, Shasta and Mets mines are located within the 60 kilometres ("km") road-linked, historical "Toodoggone Production Corridor" (see Figure 1), which is now actively being re-explored by TDG and other exploration companies for lower grade, bulk tonnage mineralization. The corridor runs from Centerra Gold's former producing Kemess mine in the southeast to Thesis Gold's Ranch project in the northwest and also includes Benchmark Metal's Lawyers project which recently published an initial mineral resource estimate.



Figure 1 shows the road-connected "Toodoggone Production Corridor" which includes TDG's former producing high-grade gold-silver Baker, Shasta and Mets mines. Baker acts as the "gateway" to the northwestern section of the corridor.

The Mets mining lease covers 200 hectares and is road accessible from Baker via Benchmark Metals' Lawyers project. Mets was discovered and systematically explored between 1980-1992 including a reported 8,784 metres ("m") of diamond drilling (of which TDG has recompiled 7,944 m), 2,622 m of trenching and 350 m of underground development on one level. Historical drill highlights include 9.52 grams per tonne ("g/t") gold ("Au") and 1.9 g/t silver ("Ag") over 25.90 m and 3.57 g/t Au and 2.36 g/t Ag over 46.40 m, including 13.93 g/t Au and 2.00 g/t Ag over 11.80 m.



Figure 2: Mets location map.

According to a Skeena Resources Limited ("Skeena") news release of February 05, 2009 about Mets: "...the main area of interest consists of a tabular core of silicified rock and quartz barite veining in three separate but genetically related zones; the A zone (and its extension), the Footwall zone, and the 400 South zone."

The same news release went on to note: "...two previous operators calculated a gold resource. These historic tonnages are quoted here for context only, as the calculations are not compliant with current Canadian Securities 43-101 reporting guidelines and will require both verification and updating. The A zone has a strike length of 140 metres, a true thickness of 6 to 10 metres and vertical extent of up to 75 metres. Measured geological resource for the A zone is 143,321 tonnes grading 11.31 grams per tonne gold (Assessment Report 16692, source BC Minfile)"1. The Skeena news release goes on to state, "Inferred resource for the less tested combined Footwall and N75 zones are 317,485 tonnes grading 11.31 g/t Au", although the original document that this was referenced from is not available for confirmation and so the statement should be regarded with caution.

In 2021, TDG intends to undertake exploration activities to define the surface extensions of the mineralized gossans to the north of the N75 fault (see Figure 3), complete metallurgical testing of samples recovered from stockpiles and to start environmental baselines studies. This will help determine the value of Mets as a potential source of higher-grade ore to blend with lower grade ore at TDG's former producing gold-silver Shasta mine.

Mets Geology

Historical mapping of the property has demonstrated gold and silver mineralization hosted within brecciated quartz and quartz-barite veins running in a north-south orientation for 1.2 km through Jurassic Hazelton Volcanic rocks. There are two primary target areas, the southerly "A-Zone" and the northern gossans, which are divided and offset by the northeast to southwest trending "N75 Fault."



Figure 3: Mets geology map and historical drilling.

Compilation of historical data has found a total of 64 drill holes at Mets, with 45 focusing on the A-Zone. The total meterage drilled in these holes was 7,944 m, with 29% of the core having assay results. The northern gossans remain largely untested with early drilling missing the offset along the N75 fault.

The A-Zone ore body plunges north-northeast at an angle of 40 degrees, with mineralization generally between 15 m and 40 m, with true widths of 25 m (although this needs new drill testing to confirm).

Mets Long Section



Figure 4: Mets long section illustrating plunge of A-Zone ore body.

Mets Cross Sections

Table 1 shows select historical drill assay results from drilling at the north of the A-Zone (adjacent to the N75 Fault) and in the centre of the A-Zone. The section shows that continuation of the mineralization down-dip and which remains open at depth.

Table 1: Select historical drill assays from Mets.

Hole ID From (m) To (m) Composite Length (m) Au (g/t) Ag (g/t) MT86-08 21.95 47.85 25.90 9.52 1.92 including 21.95 39.47 17.52 13.67 1.28 including 40.23 44.81 4.58 1.31 1.35 MT86-12 57.45 84.43 26.98 2.30 2.22 including 57.45 69.65 12.20 4.69 0.74 including 78.79 81.08 2.29 0.28 15.59 MT87-23 22.90 53.90 31.00 2.27 2.50 including 35.80 39.80 4.00 14.46 2.08 MT87-48 59.70 127.10 67.40 2.18 3.52 MT87-49 41.20 53.70 12.50 2.50 5.31 MT87-55 53.30 99.70 46.40 3.57 2.36 including 69.00 80.80 11.80 13.93 2.00



Figure 5: N75 Section (other sections available at www.tdggold.com).



Figure 6: A-Zone Mid-Section (other sections available at www.tdggold.com).

2021 Exploration Plans

Work at Mets during the upcoming field season will focus on systematic mapping and sampling of the northern gossanous zones to understand the potential continuation and offset along the N75 Fault. Grade and metallurgical testing will also be undertaken on the stockpiles that have been left on the site to appraise suitability for processing through the Baker Mill in future years. TDG will also be working with First Nations to establish a baseline environmental program, including water monitoring.

Table 2: Collar locations for Mets drill holes mentioned in this news release.

Hole ID Easting (NAD83 Zn9) Northing (NAD83 ZN9) Elevation (m) Azimuth (o) Dip (o) EOH (m) MT86-08 600046 6367307 1926 070 -50 84.4 MT86-12 599978 6367414 1882 070 -50 133.2 MT87-23 600042 6367335 1930 070 -50 61.58 MT87-48 599982 6367404 1886 070 -50 170.2 MT87-49 600010 6367415 1887 070 -50 114.9 MT87-55 600011 6367324 1931 070 -50 84.43

1 - The reserve estimate mentioned in the Skeena release on 5th February 2009 uses a conversion from short tons to metric tonnes of 0.90718474. The original text from Assessment Report 16692 states "Reserve estimates for the 'A' Zone were confirmed at 158,000 tons grading 0.33 ounce per ton gold."

Qualified Person

The technical content of this news release has been reviewed and approved by Andy Randell, PGeo., a qualified person as defined by National Instrument 43-101.

About TDG Gold Corp.

TDG is a major mineral claim holder in the Toodoggone District of northern British Columbia, Canada, with over 23,000 hectares of brownfield and greenfield exploration opportunities under direct ownership or earn-in agreement. TDG's flagship projects are the former producing, high-grade gold-silver Shasta and Baker mines which are both road accessible, produced intermittently between 1981-2012, and have over 58,000 metres of historical drilling. In 2021, TDG proposes to advance the projects through compilation of historical data, new geological mapping, geochemical and geophysical surveys, and drill testing of the known mineralization occurrences and their extensions. TDG currently has 64,423,459 common shares issued and outstanding.

ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD

Fletcher Morgan

Chief Executive Officer

For further information:

TDG Gold Corp.,

Telephone: +1.604.536.2711

Email: info@tdggold.com

This news release may contain certain "forward looking statements". Forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties, assumptions and other factors that may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of the Company to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. Any forward-looking statement speaks only as of the date of this news release and, except as may be required by applicable securities laws, the Company disclaims any intent or obligation to update any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events or results or otherwise.Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

SOURCE: TDG Gold Corp.

View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/648187/TDG-Gold-Corp-Provides-Update-and-2021-Plans-for-Its-High-Grade-Gold-Silver-Former-Producing-Mets-Mining-Lease-British-Columbia
Survey examines the patient journey and navigating tricky medication maze during COVID-19

OTTAWA, ON / ACCESSWIRE / May 19, 2021 / Calian Group Ltd. (TSX:CGY) today released a new study - conducted during the third wave of COVID-19 - that asks Canadians about access to virtual care during the pandemic, the quality of the patient journey through the healthcare system, and navigating the complex maze of specialty drug programs.

The Calian Care and Medication Index, an Angus Reid survey of 1,520 people, found that half of all Canadians (51%) have increased their use of virtual healthcare since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. A similar number (49%) intend to continue using virtual care after the pandemic is over and safety precautions have been lifted. Nevertheless, only one-in-three (32%) found virtual care to be as effective, or more effective, as in-person primary care.

"The pandemic very abruptly shifted the way healthcare is delivered in Canada, especially in regard to those who use specialty drugs," said Kaytlin Sadler, Vice President of Alio Health Services, a Calian company. "Virtual care provides another layer of support that can increase engagement and access, as long as patients are always at the centre of care."

The survey also asked Canadians about healthcare sustainability. Six-in-10 said that virtual care will help build a resilient and sustainable healthcare system overall and 63 percent said it will reduce the carbon footprint of the health system.

Finally, nine-in-10 respondents believe that the quality of healthcare would improve if practitioners were able to spend more time on meaningful interactions with patients and less time on administrative work.

"Calian is focused on transforming the healthcare experience of Canadians through innovative technologies, connecting them with high-quality care that can improve their lives," said Gordon McDonald, President of Health Services at Calian. "We conducted this survey to hear directly from Canadians about their challenges and priorities in navigating the healthcare system as we explore new ways of delivering patient-centred care."

Specialty drugs and Patient Support Programs (PSPs)

The use and cost of specialty drugs continue to rise in Canada. A speciality drug is a medication that is typically used to treat chronic, complex conditions. Patients who take specialty drugs require screening, education, clinical monitoring and support through affordability and reimbursement programs.

More than half of Canadians (53%) answered that they (or someone in their care) take one or more specialty medications for a therapeutic reason, such as mental health, oncology, neurology or cardiology.[1] Given that adherence to specialty medication is necessary to achieve successful outcomes of these expensive therapies, the survey probed what these patients deemed vital to their experience in the healthcare system.

Here were some standout findings regarding specialty drug patients:

61 percent feel the high cost of some specialty medications can prevent them from proceeding with treatment

can prevent them from proceeding with treatment Eight-in-10 feel that programs designed to provide personalized support through all aspects of the treatment journey (including education, nursing, adherence and reimbursement) are critical to their treatment

through all aspects of the treatment journey (including education, nursing, adherence and reimbursement) are critical to their treatment 45 percent feel adherence phone calls from nurses would help them stick to a drug treatment

would help them stick to a drug treatment 43 percent find the healthcare system difficult to navigate given their diagnosis

In terms of the patient journey, 87 percent of patients who take one or more specialty medications feel communication among their entire circle of care improves their experience as a patient. Eight-in-10 value calls, emails and text messages to remind them of physician visits, medication refills and time for next dose. Finally, 90 percent of respondents value educational information on required treatment and any lifestyle changes needed.



"Patient Support Programs (PSPs) enhance the patient experience throughout their treatment journey by keeping all the stakeholders aligned and informed, including the patient's physician," said Sadler. "Well-managed PSPs offer significant support to help patients navigate the complex reimbursement process and adhere to their treatment, so patients can focus more on their quality of life and less on the healthcare process."

About the Calian Care and Medication Index

From April 7 to April 8, 2021, an online survey was conducted among a representative sample of 1,520 Canadians who are members of the Angus Reid Forum. The sample was balanced and weighted on age, gender, region and education. For comparison purposes, the sample plan would carry a margin of error of +/- 2.5 percentage points, 19 times out of 20. Discrepancies in or between totals are due to rounding.

About Calian Health

Calian Health is one of Canada's largest national health services organizations with over 20 years of experience in the management of health care professionals and health programs, as well as the operation and management of primary care and occupational health clinics. With a network of over 2,400 health care professionals, Calian supports over six million patient visits per year at over 180 clinic locations across Canada.

Alio Health Services, a Calian company, specializes in the design and implementation of comprehensive Patient Support Programs that enhance the patient's experience throughout their treatment journey. Its services are enabled by Alio's innovative and proprietary workflow management technology, which streamlines the scheduling and delivery of health services for hospitals, health care institutions and home care locations.

About Calian

Calian employs over 4,500 people in its delivery of diverse products and solutions for private sector, government and defence customers in North American and global markets. The Company's diverse capabilities are delivered through: Advanced Technologies, Health, Learning, and IT and Cyber Solutions. Advanced Technologies provides innovative products, technologies and manufacturing services and solutions for the space, communications, defence, nuclear, government and agriculture sectors. Health manages a network of more than 2,400 healthcare professionals delivering primary care and occupational health services to public and private sector clients across Canada. Learning is a trusted provider of emergency management, consulting and specialized training services and solutions for the Canadian Armed Forces and clients in the defence, health, energy and other sectors. IT and Cyber Solutions supports public and private-sector customer requirements for subject matter expertise in the delivery of complex IT and cyber security solutions. Headquartered in Ottawa, the Company's offices and projects span Canada and international markets. For further information, please visit our website at www.calian.com.

Product or service names mentioned herein may be the trademarks of their respective owners.

Media inquiries:

613-599-8600 x 2298

Investor Relations inquiries:

ir@calian.com

DISCLAIMER

Certain information included in this press release is forward-looking and is subject to important risks and uncertainties. The results or events predicted in these statements may differ materially from actual results or events. Such statements are generally accompanied by words such as "intend", "anticipate", "believe", "estimate", "expect" or similar statements. Factors which could cause results or events to differ from current expectations include, among other things: the impact of price competition; scarce number of qualified professionals; the impact of rapid technological and market change; loss of business or credit risk with major customers; technical risks on fixed price projects; general industry and market conditions and growth rates; international growth and global economic conditions, and including currency exchange rate fluctuations; and the impact of consolidations in the business services industry. For additional information with respect to certain of these and other factors, please see the Company's most recent annual report and other reports filed by Calian with the Ontario Securities Commission. Calian disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. No assurance can be given that actual results, performance or achievement expressed in, or implied by, forward-looking statements within this disclosure will occur, or if they do, that any benefits may be derived from them.

Calian  Head Office  770 Palladium Drive  Ottawa  Ontario  Canada  K2V 1C8

Tel: 613.599.8600  Fax: 613-592-3664  General info email: info@calian.com

[1] List includes mental health, neurology, migraines, rare diseases, nephrology, haematology, rheumatology, ophthalmology, weight loss, dermatology, immunology, clinical study, gastroenterology, kidney disease, oncology, cardiology, endocrinology, respirology

SOURCE: Calian Group Ltd.

View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/648188/Half-of-Canadians-Have-Increased-use-of-Virtual-Healthcare-During-the-Pandemic-Calian-Survey
Regulatory News:

The Annual Ordinary General Meeting of the Shareholders of Tikehau Capital (Paris:TKO) was held today behind closed doors under the chairmanship of Mr. Christian de Labriffe, Chairman of the Supervisory Board, and was broadcasted on the company's website where a replay will also be available.

The quorum was established at 91.27 %.

All of the resolutions proposed by the Manager were approved, including the resolutions regarding the approval of 2020 annual and consolidated financial statements, and a distribution in the amount of 0.50 per share.

This General Meeting was an opportunity for the Manager to review the activities and results of Tikehau Capital for the financial year 2020.

In an unprecedented and particularly uncertain global economy due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the Group maintained a solid growth momentum for its assets under management, reflecting investor interest in the Group's strategies and the adaptability of its teams. The year was also marked by a significant improvement in the profitability of its Asset Management activity and by the confirmation of the robustness of Tikehau Capital's balance sheet.

The detailed results of votes will be published on the Company's website at: www.tikehaucapital.com (section: Shareholders/AGM/Annual Shareholders Meeting 19 May 2021).

ABOUT TIKEHAU CAPITAL

Tikehau Capital is a global alternative asset management group with 28.5 billion of assets under management (at 31 December 2020).

Tikehau Capital has developed a wide range of expertise across four asset classes (private debt, real assets, private equity and capital markets strategies) as well as multi-asset and special opportunities strategies.

Tikehau Capital is a founder-led team with a differentiated business model, a strong balance sheet, proprietary global deal flow and a track record of backing high quality companies and executives.

Deeply rooted in the real economy, Tikehau Capital provides bespoke and innovative alternative financing solutions to companies it invests in and seeks to create long-term value for its investors. Leveraging its strong equity base (2.8 billion of shareholders' equity at 31 December 2020), the firm invests its own capital alongside its investor-clients within each of its strategies.

Controlled by its managers alongside leading institutional partners, Tikehau Capital is guided by a strong entrepreneurial spirit and DNA, shared by its 594 employees (at 31 December 2020) across its 12 offices in Europe, Asia and North America.

Tikehau Capital is listed in compartment A of the regulated Euronext Paris market (ISIN code: FR0013230612; Ticker: TKO.FP).

For more information, please visit: www.tikehaucapital.com

DISCLAIMER:

This document does not constitute an offer of securities for sale or investment advisory services. It contains general information only and is not intended to provide general or specific investment advice. Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future earnings and profit, and targets are not guaranteed.

Certain statements and forecasted data are based on current forecasts, prevailing market and economic conditions, estimates, projections and opinions of Tikehau Capital and/or its affiliates. Due to various risks and uncertainties. actual results may differ materially from those reflected or expected in such forward-looking statements or in any of the case studies or forecasts. All references to Tikehau Capital's advisory activities in the US or with respect to US persons relate to Tikehau Capital North America.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210519005701/en/

Contacts:

PRESS:

Tikehau Capital: Valerie Sueur +33 1 40 06 39 30

UK Prosek Partners: Henrietta Dehn +44 7717 281 665

USA Prosek Partners: Trevor Gibbons +1 646 818 9238

press@tikehaucapital.com

SHAREHOLDERS AND INVESTORS:

Louis Igonet +33 1 40 06 11 11

shareholders@tikehaucapital.com
The China National Intellectual Property Administration (CNIPA) has granted comprehensive protection for the composition and use of TOTUM63 for the prevention of type 2 diabetes and metabolic diseases.

Valbiotis will benefit from exclusive exploitation rights in China, one of the countries most affected by metabolic diseases in the world, where the prevalence of prediabetes in the adult population is estimated at 35%, i.e. 390 million people1, and the prevalence of overweight and obesity at 50%2

Valbiotis is achieving its global protection strategy, with the TOTUM63 patent now acquired in nearly 50 countries including Europe, the United States and China, to market this active substance worldwide in partnership with Nestle Health Science.

Regulatory News:

Valbiotis (FR0013254851 ALVAL, eligible for the PEA SME), a Research and Development company committed to scientific innovation for preventing and combating metabolic diseases, announces that it has obtained a patent in China for TOTUM63, issued by the China National Intellectual Property Administration (CNIPA). This patent protects the composition and use of TOTUM63 for the prevention of type 2 diabetes and metabolic diseases until 2035. China, whose economic development has been accompanied by an explosion of metabolic disorders since the 2000s, is now believed to have the largest prediabetic population in the world, with an estimated 390 million people (35% of the adult population)1

Sebastien PELTIER, CEO of Valbiotis, comments: "We are honored to obtain this Chinese patent. It is the recognition of our ability to develop plant-based active substances by another major global market, after Europe and the United States. In this new and rapidly developing territory, metabolic diseases and type 2 diabetes are critical public health issues. With this patent, we can now envision making our active substance TOTUM63 available to a very large population, whose need for the prevention of metabolic diseases is huge. This is an exciting prospect and a challenge that we will undertake with great determination, alongside our partner Nestle Health Science."

The rise of a significant market for the prevention of metabolic diseases in China

Since the 2000s and the acceleration of its economic development, China has been facing a dramatic increase in excess weight, obesity and the associated metabolic diseases such as type 2 diabetes. The rapid change in eating habits and living conditions in the world's largest population has led to an alarming situation for the Chinese authorities: at the end of 2020, 34% of adults in China were overweight and 16% obese, i.e. one adult in two at metabolic risk, an increase of 20% in 20 years2.

As a result of this weight gain in all age groups, blood glucose disorders are becoming more prevalent in the country: the most recent estimates indicate a 35% prevalence of prediabetes among adults, while type 2 diabetes is almost at 11%1. These rates are now equivalent to those recorded in the United States, but in a population four times larger. 390 million adults in China are supposed to be prediabetic1, compared to 86 million in the United States3

To meet the new health needs of the population, the Chinese healthcare market has grown rapidly, driven by structural reforms and the development of the middle class4. In 2018, China ranked 2nd in the global pharmaceutical market (8.2% of global sales), behind the United States5

TOTUM63 now benefits from global patent protection, including in China and 4 other new countries

The patent obtained in China gives exclusive rights to use TOTUM63 within Chinese territory until 2035. Like the patents already obtained, this patent grants extensive rights that protect, in particular: the active substance TOTUM63's plant extract and biomolecule composition, the possible combination with other products or substances and, above all, the specific use of this innovation in the field of metabolic diseases.

In addition to China, similar patents for TOTUM63 have recently been obtained in Japan, Mexico, Indonesia and New Zealand, bringing the total number of countries in which TOTUM63 is now protected to 48.

TOTUM63 patent is the subject of a global patent filing strategy in more than 60 countries, including Europe and North America. It is co-owned along with the CNRS (Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique), Clermont Auvergne University and La Rochelle University, each long-standing academic partners of Valbiotis since the Company's creation in 2014.

About TOTUM63

TOTUM63 is a unique and patented combination of 5 plant extracts, with high potential to target the physiopathological mechanisms of Type 2 Diabetes.

TOTUM63 has already been proven safe and effective in healthy human volunteers during a Phase I/II clinical study. The results of the international randomized, placebo-controlled Phase II study showed that TOTUM63 reduced fasting and 2-hour blood sugar levels, two risk factors for Type 2 Diabetes, in prediabetics compared to placebo. In these subjects, who also had abdominal obesity, TOTUM63 significantly reduced body weight and waist circumference.

TOTUM63 benefits from intellectual property granted in the main markets worldwide: Europe (covering 39 countries), the United States, Russia, China, Japan, Mexico, Indonesia, Israel, South Africa, New-Zealand and national phases are underway in more than 10 countries including Brazil and Australia. The ability to produce TOTUM63 industrially, in compliance to North American and European standards, has been validated. TOTUM63 already has marketing authorizations related to its status in Europe.

In 2020, Valbiotis has signed a global and long-term partnership with Nestle Health Science for the development and worldwide commercialization of TOTUM63. This unique partnership in the field of Nutrition Health plans that TOTUM63 will be put on the market by Nestle Health Science at a global level, possibly before obtaining a health claim, depending on the areas. It will also provide funding for the latest development stages of TOTUM63.

About Valbiotis

Valbiotis is a Research Development company committed to scientific innovation for preventing and combating metabolic diseases in response to unmet medical needs.

Valbiotis has adopted an innovative approach, aiming to revolutionize healthcare by developing a new class of health nutrition products designed to reduce the risk of major metabolic diseases, based on a multi-target approach enabled by the use of plant-based ingredients.

Its products are intended to be licensed to players in the health sector.

Created at the beginning of 2014 in La Rochelle, the Company has forged numerous partnerships with leading academic centers. The Company has established three sites in France: Perigny, La Rochelle (17) and Riom (63).

Valbiotis is a member of the "BPI Excellence" network and has been recognized as an "Innovative Company" by the BPI label. Valbiotis has also been awarded "Young Innovative Company" status and has received major financial support from the European Union for its research programs via the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF). Valbiotis is a PEA-SME eligible company.

For more information about Valbiotis, please visit: www.valbiotis.com

Name: Valbiotis

ISIN code: FR0013254851

Mnemonic code: ALVAL

EnterNext PEA-PME 150

This press release contains forward-looking statements about Valbiotis' objectives. Valbiotis considers that these projections are based on rational hypotheses and the information available to the company at the present time. However, in no way does this constitute a guarantee of future performance, and these projections may be reconsidered based on changes in economic conditions and financial markets, as well as a certain number of risks and uncertainties, including those described in the Valbiotis registration document, approved by the French Financial Markets Regulator (AMF) on 31 July 2020 (application number R 20-018). This document is available on the Company's website (www.valbiotis.com).

This press release, as well as the information contained herein, does not constitute an offer to sell or subscribe to, or a solicitation to purchase or subscribe to, Valbiotis' shares or securities in any country.

1 Limin Wang et al. JAMA. 2017;317(24):2515-2523.

2 Chinese national nutrition and chronic disease report 2020, National Health Commission, www.sciencesetavenir.fr/sante/plus-d-un-chinois-sur-deux-desormais-en-surpoids_150360 (as viewed on April 27, 2021).

3 AEC Partners data on Valbiotis' key markets, 2019.

4 daxueconseil.fr/marche-des-medicaments-en-vente-libre-en-chine/ (as viewed on April 27, 2021).

5 Bilan Economique, Les Entreprises du Medicament, 2019, p. 40; www.leem.org/sites/default/files/2019-09/250719-BilanEco2019_6.pdf (as viewed on April 27, 2021).

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210519005586/en/

Contacts:

Corporate communication Valbiotis

Carole ROCHER Marc DELAUNAY

+33 5 46 28 62 58

media@valbiotis.com

Financial communication Actifin

Stephane RUIZ

+33 1 56 88 11 14

sruiz@actifin.fr
ROSEMONT, IL / ACCESSWIRE / May 19, 2021 / The 2021 ASSEMBLY Show taking place in-person at the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center in Rosemont, IL is pleased to announce that Sudhanshu Gaur, who was recently named one of today's top 25 leaders transforming manufacturing by the Society of Manufacturing Engineers (SME) will deliver the keynote address on Smart Manufacturing - Today and Tomorrow. Gaur, Chief Architect for Smart Manufacturing at Hitachi Astemo, a major automotive technology company formed this year with the merger of four Honda and Hitachi Tier One companies, will discuss the status of smart manufacturing today and explore its future. The keynote presentation will take place on Wednesday, October 27, 2021 at 9:00 am CT. Registration is now open at www.theassemblyshow.com.

"We look forward to hearing from Sudhanshu Gaur who will outline the keys and stumbling blocks to the successful implementation of smart manufacturing strategies, as well as the road ahead for different layers of the Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT), including cloud computing, fog computing and edge intelligence," said John Sprovieri, editor-in-chief of ASSEMBLY. "He also will discuss the role emerging technologies such as 5G, machine learning, artificial intelligence and robotics will play in realizing the Industry 4.0 vision. We look forward to welcoming assembly manufacturers back to Rosemont, IL to hear this dynamic keynote, attend our three pre-event workshops and visit with leading vendors in the exhibit hall."

Based in the San Francisco Bay area, Gaur is responsible for the digital transformation of Hitachi Astemo's global manufacturing operations to improve overall productivity and ensure the company's continued leadership in the pursuit of the Industry 4.0 vision. He views emerging technologies such as 5G, robotics and ML/AI as critical to achieving that vision. He joined Hitachi as a research engineer in 2005 and progressed through a series of research engineering and lab management positions prior to being named director of research and development for Hitachi America in 2017. In these various roles, he successfully incubated smart manufacturing solutions from ideation to real-world deployment. Gaur became a Hitachi vice president in 2020 and joined the newly formed Hitachi Astemo group in 2021.

The 9th Annual ASSEMBLY Show will bring together thousands of industry professionals with hundreds of exhibiting companies providing manufacturing engineers and managers the opportunity to uncover new resources, experience equipment hands-on, evaluate the latest technologies and products and connect face-to-face with industry experts. Attendees will have access to an expansive exhibit hall, providing the perfect opportunity to meet with exhibitors including Gold Sponsor PROMESS; Silver Sponsors ASG, SCHUNK and Universal Robots; and Bronze Sponsor Schmidt Technology. In addition, there will be two Learning Theaters with presentations by Epson Robots, Kistler, Sturtevant Richmont, FESTO, Mountz, Bosch Rexroth, Tutelar Technologies, Universal Robots, ACD Group, and Daifuku. For more information, visit www.theassemblyshow.com.

The event will kick off with three half day workshops on Tuesday, October 26 on Electric Vehicle Assembly, Fastening & Joining and Robotics Assembly. The exhibit hall will be open on Tuesday, October 26 from 4:00 - 7:00 pm; Wednesday, October 27 from 10:00 am - 5:00 pm and Thursday, October 28 from 9:00 am - 2:00 pm. For information about exhibiting or sponsorships, click here to contact the ASSEMBLY Show sales staff. Registration is open, click here for more information.

The ASSEMBLY Show, sponsored by ASSEMBLY (www.assemblymag.com) has rapidly become the industry's leading trade show focused exclusively on assembly equipment, services and products. ASSEMBLY serves the multi-billion dollar assembly market and has been since 1958! ASSEMBLY is the leading brand covering the processes, technologies and strategies for assembling discrete parts into finished products. ASSEMBLY offers an integrated portfolio of products including the industry's leading trade show.

For Further Information, Contact:

Amy Riemer, Media Relations Representative

978-475-4441 (office) or 978-502-4895 (cell)

amy@riemercommunications.com

SOURCE: The ASSEMBLY Show

View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/648195/Sudhanshu-Gaur-Vice-President-Hitachi-America-and-Chief-Architect--Smart-Manufacturing-Hitachi-Astemo-to-Deliver-Keynote-at-The-2021-Assembly-Show
Paris, May 19th, 2021

Amid the ongoing COVID-19 epidemic and in line with government measures to slow the spread of the virus and the provisions of Decree No. 2021-255 of March 9, 2021, the Company's General Meeting will be held on June 24, 2021 at the registered office behind closed doors. This means that shareholders and other persons entitled to attend will not be present, whether in person or via conference call or videoconference.

Given that shareholders will not be able to attend the meeting or be physically represented, the Company has invited shareholders to vote by post or grant proxy to the Chairman, using the corresponding form, which may be made available to shareholders on the Company website (https://agrogeneration.com/fr/agmegm/2021).

Shareholders will be informed of the terms and conditions of participation in the General Meeting in the notice of meeting published on May 19, 2021 in the BALO legal notices gazette.

The Company would like to remind shareholders that the meeting notice published in the BALO legal notices gazette on May 19, 2021 sets out the agenda, the draft resolutions and the main arrangements for participation and voting at this meeting. The meeting invitation and all useful information concerning this General Meeting may be found on the Company website: https://agrogeneration.com/fr/agmegm/2021.

------------------------

This publication embed "Actusnews SECURITY MASTER ".

- SECURITY MASTER Key:

lZmaYcmbZ5eXyW1yl5dlampqaptnxZSXbWSdmpaZaMeUbJySmZuXZ5vLZm9qmGVq

- Check this key: https://www.security-master-key.com.

------------------------



 Copyright Actusnews Wire

Receive by email the next press releases of the company by registering on www.actusnews.com, it's free

Full and original release in PDF format:https://www.actusnews.com/documents_communiques/ACTUS-0-69304-cp_agg_agm-2021-huis-clos_eng-vdef.pdf
DURHAM, NC / ACCESSWIRE / May 19, 2021 / Baebies, a growth-stage company developing innovative products to enable early disease detection and multifunctional diagnostics for syndromic testing, was recently awarded $2.7 million in a Phase IIB SBIR grant from the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI) of the National Institutes of Health (NIH). This award supports validation, clinical evaluation, and FDA submission of a rapid test panel for near-patient heparin monitoring. This project is a continuation of a long-standing collaboration with Boston Children's Hospital to develop a low blood volume platform for heparin monitoring particularly for neonates and pediatric patients.

Heparin is an anticoagulant prescribed to patients at high risk for thrombosis or who are being treated for conditions requiring anti-coagulant therapy such as those with congenital heart defects or other hospitalized patients. A patient who undergoes cardiac surgery will invariably be put on heparin to prevent blood clots. The exact dosage of heparin is critical and should be closely monitored in order to avoid either excessive bleeding or clotting.

"Activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT) and anti-Factor Xa are the most common tests to monitor and adjust dosage of heparin in pediatric patients requiring anticoagulation, but current practice requires frequent blood draws requiring large volumes that can lead to iatrogenic anemia and potentially further blood transfusions," said Dr. Sitaram Emani, pediatric cardiac surgeon Director of Cardiovascular Program Coagulation Laboratory, and Surgical Director of Adult Congenital Heart Program at Boston Children's Hospital. "Our work with Baebies minimizes blood loss due to heparin monitoring especially in our smaller patients who have a fraction of the blood volume of adults. Additionally, obtaining results in a near-patient platform within minutes allows timely adjustments of heparin dosage."

Dr. Emani recently presented data from the feasibility study at the premier pediatric conference 2021 PAS Annual Meeting being held virtually now through June. Baebies' multifunctional testing platform, FINDER, has been recently featured in 4 additional presentations at PAS demonstrating results from chemistry, immunoassays, molecular, and hematology assays. Combined with the successfully completed Phase I and II projects, funding through this Phase IIB mechanism will complete the product development cycle for Baebies' FINDER heparin monitoring platform, from concept to product launch. Baebies has a highly successful track record of leveraging NIH funding in launching multiple commercial products as featured recently by NIH in their SBIR Success Stories.

"This work fills a major gap for the diagnostic testing of newborns," said Ronald Warren, Ph.D., an NHLBI program officer for the project and a member of the Molecular, Cellular and Systems Blood Science Branch in NHLBI's Division of Blood Diseases and Resources. "Most FDA diagnostic testing is geared toward adults and involves taking large blood samples. If microfluidics is widely commercialized, it could have a huge impact on the treatment of newborns."

The underlying digital microfluidics (DMF) technology is a method to programmably manipulate tiny droplets of liquid by electrical control of surface tension on a disposable cartridge. Powered by DMF technology, Baebies' FINDER has recently won the prestigious 2020 AACC Disruptive Technology Award and has been named a finalist for the Medical Device Excellence Awards (MDEA) 2021. Last month, Baebies announced that CARB-X has awarded the company up to $11.6 million in non-dilutive funding for the development of a rapid diagnostic platform for neonatal sepsis.

About Baebies

Baebies - guided by the vision that "everyone deserves a healthy start" - develops and commercializes products and services that enable early disease detection and comprehensive diagnosis. Baebies has shipped over 10 million tests. Baebies' SEEKER is an FDA-authorized and CE-marked high throughput newborn screening platform. Recently launched, Baebies' FINDER SARS-CoV-2 Test and the FINDER 1.5 Instrument are now available for sale in the U.S. - both of which have been validated but FDA's independent review of this validation is pending. FINDER, a CE-marked flexible, single sample testing platform for G6PD deficiency, is under FDA 510(k) review and is currently not commercially available in the U.S. Our mission is to save lives and make lives better for all by bringing new technologies, new tests and new hope to children, parents and healthcare professionals worldwide. To further our mission, Baebies also provides expanded newborn screening services from our CLIA-certified laboratory. Baebies is headquartered in Durham, North Carolina. For more information, visit baebies.com and follow us on LinkedIn, Twitter and YouTube.

CONTACT:

Emily McLoughlin

emcloughlin @ baebies.com

SOURCE: Baebies, Inc.

View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/648206/Baebies-Awarded-27-Million-NIH-Grant-for-Rapid-Near-patient-Heparin-Monitoring-Requiring-Low-Sample-Volume
Revenues: 1.4% pro-forma basis

Sharp increase in SaaS software revenues

Covid-19 impact on Software Integration business

Regulatory News:

Prodware (Paris:ALPRO):

IFRS revenues Unaudited data in m 2020 published 2020 pro-forma* 2021 Variation Pro-forma 1st quarter 46.9 44.0 44.6 +1.4%

*revenues restated to reflect the sale of its Tunisian entity and the Software Integration business in Israel, both sold in 2020

Business stays strong amid uncertainty

Prodware posted revenues of 44.6 million in the first quarter of 2021, compared with 46.9 million in the same period in 2020, a decrease of 4.9%. Restated to reflect the sale in 2020 of the Tunisian entity and the Software Integration business in Israel, the overall growth of the Group stands at a steady +1.4% increase on a pro-forma basis.

This performance was achieved in a market context that suffered especially from the repeated lockdowns throughout Europe. To this effect, the Software Integration business slowed, due in part to travel restrictions (with remote working not systematically being a viable option) and to projects being spread over a longer period of time. Revenues amounted to 20.5 million, showing an approximate 10% decline on a pro-forma basis. Conversely, sales in SaaS mode saw continued growth and recorded a pro-forma increase of 10% over the same period to reach 20.5 million. SaaS sales continued to grow making up 20% of the turnover compared with 17% a year earlier. Significant growth was also recorded with a pro-forma increase of 16% in software sales generating 15.3 million.

With regard to geography, Prodware Germany was particularly active showing a 9% growth rate over this period reaching 4.9 million.

Outlook

Prodware will continue to implement its 2021-2025 "The Place to Be and Company to Work With" strategy with a strong focus on its Consulting practice and on developing innovative industry-specific software solutions. It will continue to support its customers in accelerating their digital transformation as the health crisis subsides.

Many opportunities have already surfaced with the clinching of new digital transformation deals to cater to the new market challenges and changes in consumer behaviours.

With its leading technological partners and the expertise of all its employees, Prodware reaffirms its commitment to delivering the latest in innovative solutions to help boost the competitiveness of its customers.

Next publication: Revenues for the 1st half of 2021: July 21st after market close.

About Prodware

With 30 years of experience and know-how in IT innovation, we strive to provide value and expertise to our customers around the world. Whether we're implementing the most ambitious cloud strategies, developing AI-powered decision-making tools, or creating IoT applications, Prodware is always at the cutting edge of innovation.

Since its inception, Prodware has leveraged technological progress to help businesses prepare for the future by creating new economic models for the manufacturing, sales, distribution, finance, and business service industries.

The Prodware group includes more than 1,250 employees across 12 countries. It generated revenues of 172.4 million in 2020. Prodware SA is listed on Euronext Growth and is eligible for FCPI (innovation funds) and SME PEA (equity savings plan).

For more information: www.prodware-group.com

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210519005773/en/

Contacts:

PRODWARE

Stephane Conrard

Chief Financial Officer

Tel.: +33 (0)9 79 99 90 00

investisseurs@prodware.fr

PRESS

Gilles Broquelet

CAP VALUE

Tel.: +33 (0)1 80 81 50 01

gbroquelet@capvalue.fr
Acquisition extends Smile Innovations' support of dental professionals across Canada

Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - May 19, 2021) - Smile Innovations Group announced the acquisition of Milident Inc., a renowned eastern Canada-based dental laboratory, effective May 1, 2021. Milident, located in Gatineau, Quebec, will continue to operate separately under its new parent company, similar to the other dental lab brands under the Smile Innovations portfolio. Terms of the transaction were not disclosed.

As a privately held company established in 1995, Milident experienced rapid growth, nearly doubling its size within a decade of operations, and now boasts a state-of-the-art manufacturing facility. With a focus on innovative premium solutions, platinum level service and strong corporate culture, Milident has been continually recognized within their local Chamber of Commerce under numerous categories. Their continued advancement with new technologies, has also contributed to their strong market share in the province.

While the management team will not change, Milident's founder and CEO, Pierre Rozon will assume a strategic role, as Executive Vice President, Business Development. Along with his team, Rozon is excited about the partnership and looks forward to the next stage of their journey. "Smile Innovations is committed to offering comprehensive tailored solutions, which drive growth to support diverse regional differences, and changing market needs," notes Rozon. "They bring vast experience with an established track record, and this strategic collaboration will help us leverage each other's strength to emerge as the leading dental laboratory, nationwide." Donald Park, Smile Innovations' CEO notes, "Milident has differentiated themselves, by establishing a reputation for technical and service excellence, and with the shared corporate culture, we see strong synergies for future growth opportunities. To have maintained a competitive advantage speaks to their progressive approach to digital technologies, and strong commitment in producing high quality products and a great customer experience."

Smile Innovations Group is Canada's leading dental lab network, focusing on dental laboratory acquisitions, consolidation and the development of dental products and services. Established in 2018, the management of Smile Innovations Group offers extensive experience and success in the operational management of large-scale businesses and continually seeks out additional opportunities to add to their growing portfolio of companies. It was co-founded by Manny Padda, Executive Chairman and Donald Park, CEO.





Contacts:

Donald Park l CEO

dpark@smileig.com

Manny Padda I Executive Chairman

mpadda@smileig.com

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/84554
The Hub Craft proudly announces the launch of Emma & Clyde by WHOOPFAM in Massachusetts

Fitchburg, Massachusetts--(Newsfile Corp. - May 19, 2021) - The Hub Craft, LLC, a Massachusetts cannabis company announced today that Whoopi Goldberg's elevated and socially conscious cannabis product line will be exclusively licensed through The Hub Craft and distributed throughout the state of Massachusetts. Emma & Clyde, Whoopi's lifestyle management brand, is named after her late mother and brother.

"I am thrilled to be working with the Hub Craft and see the great response from the MA dispensaries about this collaboration with The Hub Craft," says Goldberg. "Whoopi Goldberg's newest foray into the cannabis space after the groundbreaking Whoopi & Maya, has her paired with The Hub Craft to bring WHOOPFAM to the forefront, along with their signature brand Emma & Clyde. This top tier brand will include edibles, vapes, pre-rolls, flower, accessories as well as Award-Winning strains and recipes," states Shivani Dallas, Chief Strategy Officer / The Hub Craft. "Our organization is honored to announce Ms Goldberg as the first of many celebrities in collaboration with The Hub Craft."

"It's great to see the support and societal acceptance of cannabis as we move this industry into a regulated and safe market. It's an honor to have someone with the caliber of Ms Whoopi Goldberg supporting this business here in Holyoke," Aaron Vega, Director of the Office of Economic Development & Planning, City of Holyoke.

"Whoopi Goldberg was one of the first celebrities to highlight the benefits of cannabis and advocate for legalization, despite years of social stigma. As one of the most accomplished celebrities, we are so proud to be working with such an inspiring and amazing person," says Howard Tanyu, Founder and CEO of The Hub Craft, LLC.

About The Hub Craft, LLC

The Hub Craft, LLC is a minority-led business which holds CCC provisional licenses for Cultivation, Manufacturing and Retailing Cannabis products. Their facilities are currently under construction in Fitchburg, MA and Holyoke, MA. The Hub Craft, LLC will be one of the only licensed cultivators on the east coast producing products using living soil methodologies.

Shivani Dallas

The Hub Craft

Chief Strategy Officer

978 424 4202

info@thehubcraft.com

www.thehubcraft.com

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/84558
2020/2021 half-year results

Solid resilience in activity, decline limited to -5%

Operational break-even target (adjusted EBITDA) achieved in H1

Outlook for second-half 2020/2021

Sustained business momentum since early 2021: 72.9m order backlog at end-April, up 56% since end-2020

Stable annual turnover and operational break-even (adjusted EBITDA) as expected in 2020/2021 financial year

MND (Euronext Growth - FR0011584549 - ALMND), a French industrial group specialized in ropeway mobility, snowmaking systems, mountain safety and thrill-making leisure facilities, has published its half-year results (1 July to 31 December, 2020) in respect of the 2020/2021 financial year ending 30 June, 2021. The half-year financial statements, presented in summary form below, were approved by the Board of Directors at its meeting on 10 May 2021. The 2020/2021 half-year report is available in the Investors section of MND's website.

FIRST-HALF 2020/2021 FINANCIAL RESULTS

In m - IFRS - Unaudited consolidated data H1 2019/2020 H1 2020/2021 Change Turnover 29.5 28.2 -1.4m Gross profit 1 9.4 9.7 +0.4m Gross margin (%) 32% 35% Adjusted EBITDA 2 -13.8 0.2 +14.0m Current operating income -16.5 -2.2 Operating profit -16.7 -2.9 Net financial profit/loss 3 -2.4 -5.6 Net profit -19.2 -8.2 +11.0m

1 Gross profit: turnover - purchases consumed

2 Adjusted EBITDA: Adjusted EBITDA refers to earnings before deducting interest and tax, amortization, provisions for fixed assets (but after provisions for stocks and trade receivables), and adjustment for non-recurring exceptional items.

3 Net financial profit/loss: cost of net financial debt + other financial income and expense

SOUND RESILIENCE IN H1 2020/2021: DECLINE IN ACTIVITY LIMITED TO -5%

In H1 2020/2021, MND reported consolidated turnover of 28.2m, down slightly by -5% compared with H1 2019/2020. In a business environment marked, for mountain professionals, by the legal closure of European ski lift facilities for more than a year, MND showed resilience by capitalizing on its all-season multiple activity offer and its international presence across all continents.

The "Snowmaking and Ropeways" business posted H1 2020/2021 turnover of 17.1m, up +6%4. The half-year was marked mainly by the installation of snowmaking systems for international ski areas in France, Italy, Austria, Switzerland and Japan.

The "Safety & Leisure" business posted half-year turnover of 11.0m, down -18%4, mainly due to the decline in sales of products and services associated with the operation of ski areas5.

Geographically, MND Group generated 41% of its first-half 2020/2021 business in France (vs. 40% for the full 2019/2020 financial year), 40% in Europe (outside France) (vs. 41% in 2019/2020) and 19% in the rest of the world (vs. 19% in 2019/2020).

ADJUSTED EBITDA AT BREAK-EVEN IN H1 2020/2021

In addition to the satisfactory levels of activity despite the health and economic crisis, H1 2020/2021 was marked by the deployment of the Succeed Together 2024 strategic plan. The latter is aimed at driving the Group's commercial and industrial transformation to put MND back on track to a continuous and profitable growth.

The plan's Operational Excellence component as demonstrated by regrouped business lines with their industrial onshoring in France, has now started to produce initial results with gross profit up +4% in value terms. The gross margin increased by +3 points to 35% versus 32% in H1 2019/20.

Thanks to controlled operating expenses (-10% decline in external expenses over the period) and the first economies of scale linked to the rationalization of several industrial sites and distribution subsidiaries, the Group reached break-even at the operating level in H1 2020/2021. Adjusted EBITDA totaled +0.2m versus negative EBITDA of -13.8m in H1 2019/2020.

Reaching break-even at the operating level was also made possible partly in relation with the French government support measures for companies and the Mountain sector in response to the pandemic and the legal closure of ski lift facilities.

After booking depreciation, amortization and provisions, the current operating loss came to -2.2m versus -16.5m in H1 2019/2020. Other operating income and expense were limited to -0.6m for the first half, resulting in an operating loss of -2.9m.

The net financial loss came to -5.6m at end-December 2020. In particular, it includes the restructuring of financial debt during the financial year, debt issuance expenses and bond redemption and exchange allowances.

Lastly, the net loss came to -8.2m in H1 2020/2021, reflecting a significant improvement of +11.0m versus H1 2019/2020.

BALANCE SHEET POSITION AS OF 31 DECEMBER 2020

In m - IFRS - Unaudited consolidated data 30/06/2020 31/12/2020 In m - IFRS - Unaudited consolidated data 30/06/2020 31/12/2020 Non-current assets 37.7 36.5 Shareholder equity -52.4 -54.1 Current assets 43.4 49.2 Financial debt 80.5 98.6 o/w stocks 18.5 19.0 Lease debt (IFRS 16) 6.5 5.4 o/w customer receivables 11.4 16.1 Current liabilities 48.7 40.0 Cash 5.6 7.3 Other liabilities6 3.4 3.2 TOTAL ASSETS 86.7 93.1 TOTAL LIABILITIES 86.7 93.1

The consolidation of MND's financial position, which was started in mid-2019, continued in H1 2020/2021. At end-July 2020, the Group secured 38m in new financing from the French government, the Auvergne-Rhone-Alpes region and its financial partner, Cheyne Capital.

As of 31 December 2020, MND's consolidated shareholder equity amounted to -54.1m, compared with -52.4m at end-June 2020. MND parent-company shareholder equity (statutory accounts) totaled 16.0m at 31 December 2020, versus 10.8m at 30 June 2020.

Net financial debt (excluding IFRS 16 lease debt) amounted to 91.3m at end-December 2020, compared with 74.9m at end-June 2020, of which 7.3m in available cash.

Against the backdrop of the health crisis and the conclusion of the financing transactions carried out during the first half, MND Group benefited on the part of Cheyne Capital from a suspension in the calculation of financial covenants for the quarterly periods ended as of 30 September 2020, as of 31 December 2020 and as of 31 March 2021.

The company reviewed its liquidity risk and considered that it is in a position to fund business activities for the next twelve months.

ROBUST BUSINESS PERFORMANCE IN EARLY 2021

The Group's firm order backlog stood at 46.6m on 31 December 2020, an increase of 9% on end-June7. Orders to be billed in H2 2020/2021 accounted for 14.4m in the order backlog at end-December.

Following a slowdown in Q2 and Q3 of the 2020/2021 financial year (October 2020 to March 2021), driven by the legal closure of ski lift facilities, order intake has returned to particularly robust levels for several weeks. In this context, MND recently recorded several successes. These include the development of a 10-seater gondola lift and a 6-seater chairlift in the ski resort of Mamison (Russia) for a total amount of 17.5m and the construction of the first-of-its-kind detachable chairlift in Waterville (United States) for $9m.

All told, MND has recorded nearly 35m in new firm orders since the start of 2021. At 30 April, 2021, the firm order backlog increased to 72.9m versus 46.6m at end-December 2020, up +56% in four months.

This business momentum, which supplements the major contracts won in 2020 - particularly in urban transport with the construction of the second city cable car network line in Saint-Denis (Reunion) and the new city and tourist cable car of Huy (Belgium) - puts the Group in a solid position to start the next 2021/2022 financial year.

OUTLOOK FOR H2 2020/2021

The health crisis continued to weigh on business levels in Q3 2020/2021, particularly in France and Europe. However, the gradual improvement in visibility and the sound business momentum seen in recent weeks, driven by the Group's international presence, points to 2020/2021 annual turnover at the same level as that of the previous financial year (reminder: 40.3m in 2019/2020 turnover).

Thanks to the operating and industrial performance plan, coupled with the effects of savings measures and French government support to companies, MND confirms its operational break-even target (adjusted EBITDA) for the 2020/2021 financial year.

Xavier Gallot-Lavallee, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of MND:

"Our first-half 2020/2021 performance is a testament to the success of our Succeed Together 2024 industrial and commercial transformation plan. In a highly disrupted environment, the Group has successfully limited the decline in its activity, expanded its gross margin and achieved operational break-even despite the fact that the impacts of all initiatives implemented are yet to fully kick in.

In addition to this resilience, the current business momentum and the Group's multiple strengths - diversified, all-season activities, ramp-up in urban transport, international presence and solutions that prioritize environmental factors - point to a continuation of this virtuous trajectory in 2021/2022."

About MND

MND is a French industrial group specializing in ropeway mobility, snowmaking systems, mountain safety and sensational leisure infrastructures. With more than 3,000 customers in 49 countries, MND contributes daily to the mobility, leisure and safety of all by offering proven and sustainable solutions based on its experience in the mountains. Based in Savoie, France, MND has 300 employees and relies on 7 international distribution subsidiaries and 28 distributors to develop its activities worldwide. MND is listed on the Euronext Growth market in Paris (FR0011584549 - ALMND).

Learn more: www.mnd.com

Contacts

Press Relations

Alexandre Berard

+33 (0)6 45 42 95 46 - alex@alternativemedia.fr Financial Press Relations

Serena Boni

+33 (0)4 72 1804 92 - sboni@actus.fr Investor Relations

Mathieu Omnes

+33 (0)1 53 67 36 92 - momnes@actus.fr

Appendices

Definitions of financial indicators not codified by accounting standards bodies

This section details the financial indicators used by the Group that are not codified by accounting standards bodies.

Order backlog

The order backlog represents turnover not yet realized on orders already received (purchase orders or contracts signed) and takes IFRS 15 into account.

The order backlog at the closing of the financial year is calculated as follows: order backlog at the start of the financial year + new orders received in the financial year - cancellations of orders recorded in the financial year - turnover recognized in the financial year.

The order backlog may also vary in line with changes in the scope of consolidation, adjustments to contractual prices and currency translation effects.

Adjusted EBITDA

The Group uses adjusted EBITDA (Earnings Before Interest, Taxes, Depreciation, and Amortization) as its performance indicator to measure the Group's performance independently of its financing and depreciation and amortization policy.

Adjusted EBITDA refers to earnings before deducting interest and tax, amortization, provisions for fixed assets (but after provisions for stocks and trade receivables), and adjustment for non-recurring exceptional items.

In m - IFRS - Unaudited consolidated data H1 2019/2020 H1 2020/2021 Current operating income -16.5 -2.2 Depreciation and amortization 2.8 2.4 EBITDA -13.8 0.2 Non-recurring exceptional items 0 0 ADJUSTED EBITDA -13.8 0.2

4 versus -4% for the "Snowmaking and Ropeways" and -5% for the "Safety & Leisure" business communicated on 24 February 2021, during its half-year turnover publication (not audited)

5 70% decline in the occupancy rate in France for the 2020-2021 end-of-year holiday period versus 2019-2020, and an 80-90% loss in turnover for the mountain ecosystem, largely at a standstill. Source: Domaines Skiables de France, press release of 8 January 2021.

6 Other non-current liabilities

7 Order backlog of 42.7m at 30 June, 2020, restated for Chinese contracts (see press release of 30 October, 2020).

------------------------

This publication embed "Actusnews SECURITY MASTER ".

- SECURITY MASTER Key:

mJtyYJ2aYW7JyG9pasmZbmGUm5djlmjKmGGVx2NuaZrKnHFmnW2TbMXHZm9qmGZq

- Check this key: https://www.security-master-key.com.

------------------------



 Copyright Actusnews Wire

Receive by email the next press releases of the company by registering on www.actusnews.com, it's free

Full and original release in PDF format:https://www.actusnews.com/documents_communiques/ACTUS-0-69314-mnd-pr-h1-202021-14052021-en.pdf
DGAP Voting Rights Announcement: QIAGEN N.V.

QIAGEN N.V.: Release according to Article 40, Section 1 of the WpHG [the German Securities Trading Act] with the objective of Europe-wide distribution



19.05.2021 / 22:04

Dissemination of a Voting Rights Announcement transmitted by DGAP - a service of EQS Group AG.

The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.



The AFM (the Netherlands Authority For the Financial Markets has informed us on May 15, 2021 that a notification related to our institution has been released by the AFM. The following notification has been disclosed in the relevant register on the AFM website: Date of transaction: 11 may 2021

Person obliged to notify: Burlington Loan Management DAC

Issuing institution: Qiagen N.V.

Registration Chamber of Commerce: 12036979

Place of residence: VENLO Distribution in numbers Type of share Number of shares Number of voting rights Capital interest Voting rights Manner of disposal Ordinary share 6.802.906,00 0,00 Real Real Directly Distribution in percentages Type Total holding Directly real Directly potential Indirectly real Indirectly potential Capital interest 2,95% 2,95% 0,00% 0,00% 0,00% Voting rights 0,00% 0,00% 0,00% 0,00% 0,00% QIAGEN N.V. is not responsible for the accuracy and correctness of the notification above. The content has been taken from the relevant register of the AFM:

https://www.afm.nl/en/professionals/registers/meldingenregisters/substantiele-deelnemingen/details?id=111930

19.05.2021 The DGAP Distribution Services include Regulatory Announcements, Financial/Corporate News and Press Releases.

Archive at www.dgap.de


Berwyn, Pennsylvania--(Newsfile Corp. - May 19, 2021) - Annovis Bio Inc. (NYSE American: ANVS), a clinical-stage drug platform company addressing Alzheimer's disease (AD), Parkinson's disease (PD) and other neurodegenerative diseases, today announced results from its double-blind, placebo-controlled trial for ANVS401, its lead drug candidate for the treatment of PD and AD. The levels of inflammatory markers in PD patients treated with ANVS401 were significantly lower than before treatment.

"These positive results confirm ANVS401's potential to be a meaningful treatment for neurodegeneration. Our study reveals a highly statistically significant lowering of inflammatory markers in Parkinson's disease patients, which is one step in reversing the toxic cascade," said Annovis Bio CEO Dr Maria Maccecchini, PhD. "Today's news combined with our previous study results revealing ANVS401 increases speed, coordination and motor function in PD patients mark important milestones, as we continue to pursue a novel approach and therapy to fight Parkinson's and Alzheimer's diseases."

"Our hypothesis is that nerve cells die because high levels of neurotoxic proteins impair axonal transport, increase inflammation and eventually lead to nerve cell death and permanent loss of function. When we administer our drug, we expect a reversal of this toxic cascade leading to efficacy. Inflammation is a very important step in the toxic cascade, because it lasts for years and takes over the entire brain. Therefore, reversing inflammation means that we have reversed at least one step of the toxic cascade leading to nerve cell death."

Inflammatory Markers

The trial measured four inflammatory markers that are very prevalent in the brains of AD and of PD patients. Each of the inflammatory markers showed statistically significant reduction after 25 days of treatment with ANVS401 as compared to baseline.

Inflammatory Marker % Change from Baseline p-Value





Complement C3 -24.9 0.0072





YKL40 -22.9 0.0213





sTREM2 -28.2 0.0108





GFAp -34.6 0.000001

"The inflammatory marker data presented here substantiates and confirms the efficacy of ANVS401 in PD patients we reported in March," noted Dr. Maccecchini.

Next Steps

The cerebral spinal fluid and plasma samples of the 14 PD patients and the 14 AD patients who completed treatment are still being analyzed to measure the reversal of the toxic cascade with additional data expected to be reported in the next two months. The full study data, including a dose ranging analysis in 40 PD patients, is anticipated in July or August of this year.

Following completion of the Phase 2a trial, Annovis Bio will request a meeting with the FDA to present the results of the trial and its chronic toxicology study in animals. Annovis Bio believes today's data and prior clinical results support the potential advancement of ANVS401 into late-stage studies, which the Company is targeting in late 2021, assuming successful completion of its ongoing Phase 2a study.

About Annovis Bio

Headquartered in Berwyn, Pennsylvania, Annovis Bio, Inc. (Annovis) is a clinical-stage, drug platform company addressing neurodegeneration, such as Alzheimer's disease (AD), Parkinson's disease (PD) and Alzheimer's in Down Syndrome (AD-DS). We believe that we are the only company developing a drug for AD, PD and AD-DS that inhibits more than one neurotoxic protein and, thereby, improves the information highway of the nerve cell, known as axonal transport. When this information flow is impaired, the nerve cell gets sick and dies. We expect our treatment to improve memory loss and dementia associated with AD and AD-DS, as well as body and brain function in PD. We have two ongoing Phase 2a studies: one in AD patients and one in both AD and PD patients. For more information on Annovis, please visit the company's website: www.annovisbio.com.

Forward-Looking Statements

Statements in this press release contain "forward-looking statements" that are subject to substantial risks and uncertainties. Forward-looking statements contained in this press release may be identified by the use of words such as "anticipate," "expect," "believe," "will," "may," "should," "estimate," "project," "outlook," "forecast" or other similar words, and include, without limitation, statements regarding the timing, effectiveness, and anticipated results of ANVS401 clinical trials. Forward-looking statements are based on Annovis Bio, Inc.'s current expectations and are subject to inherent uncertainties, risks and assumptions that are difficult to predict. Further, certain forward-looking statements are based on assumptions as to future events that may not prove to be accurate, including that clinical trials may be delayed and that the data reported herein is interim data, conclusions as to which may be superseded by subsequent data we expect to receive in connection with Phase 2a trials and/or subsequent clinical trials. These and other risks and uncertainties are described more fully in the section titled "Risk Factors" in the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2020 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Forward-looking statements contained in this announcement are made as of this date, and Annovis Bio, Inc. undertakes no duty to update such information except as required under applicable law.

Investor Relations:

Dave Gentry, CEO

RedChip Companies Inc.

407-491-4498

Dave@redchip.com

SOURCE: Annovis Bio, Inc.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/84562
Data to highlight promising early efficacy of patritumab deruxtecan in patients with TKI-resistant, EGFR-mutated locally advanced or metastatic non-small cell lung cancer

Final results from DESTINY-Gastric01 and DESTINY-CRC01 trials continue to demonstrate potential of ENHERTU across multiple HER2 targetable cancers

across multiple HER2 targetable cancers Investor conference calls to discuss ASCO presentations and provide oncology development updates

Daiichi Sankyo Company, Limited (hereafter, Daiichi Sankyo) will present new research data for its three lead DXd antibody drug conjugates (ADCs) in multiple types of cancer at the 2021 American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO21) Virtual Scientific Program to be held June 4 to 8, 2021.

Presentations will highlight the company's growing leadership in developing multiple potential treatment approaches for cancer including an oral presentation featuring extended follow-up data from a phase 1 trial of patritumab deruxtecan (HER3-DXd) in patients with locally advanced or metastatic TKI-resistant, EGFR-mutated non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Preliminary data from this trial informed the recently initiated pivotal HERTHENA-Lung01 phase 2 trial. Additionally, a dose analysis from the NSCLC cohort of the TROPION-PanTumor01 trial, which formed the basis of the datopotamab deruxtecan (Dato-DXd) dose being evaluated in the pivotal TROPION-Lung01 phase 3 trial, will be presented.

Final overall survival results from the pivotal DESTINY-Gastric01 phase 2 trial and final results from the DESTINY-CRC01 phase 2 trial of ENHERTU (trastuzumab deruxtecan) also will be featured. ENHERTU was recently highlighted in the Clinical Cancer Advances 2021 report as one of two significant advancements in the "ASCO Clinical Advance of the Year: Molecular Profiling Driving Progress in GI Cancers," based on data from both DESTINY-Gastric01 and DESTINY-CRC01.

"The data being presented at ASCO showcase Daiichi Sankyo's sustained progress in advancing our three lead DXd ADCs across multiple cancers including lung, breast, gastric and colorectal cancers," said Ken Takeshita, MD, Global Head, Research and Development, Daiichi Sankyo. "All of these new data, biomarker research and trial-in-progress updates demonstrate our commitment to translating our innovative science and technology into potential treatment options for patients with cancer."

Additional ENHERTU data to be highlighted at ASCO includes updated subgroup analysis of the pivotal DESTINY-Breast01 trial in patients with metastatic HER2 positive breast cancer and brain metastases, initial results from the ENHERTU arm of the BEGONIA phase 1b/2 durvalumab combination trial in patients with triple negative breast cancer (TNBC), and pooled subgroup analysis across two phase 1 studies of patients with HER2 expressing salivary gland cancer.

Daiichi Sankyo will hold two ASCO conference calls for investors and analysts on Monday, June 7, 2021 from 6:30 PM-8:00 PM EDT (investors located in Japan) and on Tuesday, June 8, 2021 from 7:00 AM-8:30 AM EDT (investors located outside of Japan). Company executives will provide an overview of the ASCO research data, updates for the oncology portfolio and address questions from investors and analysts.

Following is an overview of the research data from the oncology portfolio of Daiichi Sankyo to be presented at ASCO 2021:

Presentation Title Author Abstract Presentation Details Patritumab deruxtecan (HER3-DXd) NSCLC Efficacy and safety of patritumab deruxtecan (HER3-DXd) in EGFR inhibitor-resistant, EGFR-mutated non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) P. Janne 9007 Oral Presentation Lung Cancer Non-Small Cell Metastatic: Friday, June 4, 2021; 1:00 4:00 PM EDT A randomized phase 2 study of patritumab deruxtecan (U3-1402) in patients with previously treated metastatic or locally advanced EGFR-mutated NSCLC P. Janne TPS9139 Poster Presentation Datopotamab deruxtecan (Dato-DXd) NSCLC TROPION-PanTumor01: dose analysis of the TROP2 directed antibody-drug conjugate (ADC) datopotamab deruxtecan (Dato-DXd; DS-1062) for the treatment of advanced or metastatic non-small cell lung cancer F. Meric-Bernstam 9058 Poster Presentation A randomized, phase 3 study of datopotamab deruxtecan (Dato-DXd; DS-1062) vs docetaxel in previously treated advanced or metastatic non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) without actionable genomic alterations (TROPION-Lung01) K. Yoh TPS9127 Poster Presentation Breast BEGONIA: phase 1b/2, open-label, platform study of the safety and efficacy of durvalumab (D) paclitaxel (P) with novel oncology therapies for first-line metastatic triple-negative breast cancer (mTNBC): addition of Arm 7, D datopotamab deruxtecan (Dato-DXd; DS-1062) P. Schmid TPS1105 Poster Presentation ENHERTU (trastuzumab deruxtecan; T-DXd) Colorectal Trastuzumab deruxtecan (T-DXd; DS-8201) in patients with HER2 expressing metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC): final results from a phase 2, multicenter, open-label study (DESTINY-CRC01) T. Yoshino 3505 Oral Presentation Gastrointestinal Cancer Colorecal and Anal: Monday, June 7; 1:15 4:15 PM EDT Trastuzumab deruxtecan in patients with HER2 overexpressing locally advanced, unresectable, or metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC): a randomized, multicenter, phase 2 study (DESTINY-CRC02) K. Raghav TPS3620 Poster Presentation Gastric Trastuzumab deruxtecan (T-DXd; DS-8201) in patients with HER2 positive advanced gastric or gastroesophageal junction (GEJ) adenocarcinoma: final overall survival (OS) results from a randomized, multicenter, open-label, phase 2 study (DESTINY-Gastric01) K. Yamaguchi 4048 Poster Presentation Quality-adjusted time without symptoms or toxicity (Q-TWiST) of trastuzumab deruxtecan (T-DXd) versus chemotherapy in patients with advanced gastric cancer from the DESTINY-Gastric01trial D. Cella 4057 Poster Presentation Breast Trastuzumab deruxtecan (T-DXd) in patients with HER2+ metastatic breast cancer with brain metastases: a subgroup analysis of the DESTINY-Breast01 trial G. Jerusalem 526 Poster Presentation BEGONIA: phase 1b/2 study of durvalumab (D) combinations in locally advanced/metastatic triple negative breast cancer (TNBC): Initial results from Arm 1, D+paclitaxel (P), and Arm 6, D+trastuzumab deruxtecan P. Schmid 1023 Poster Discussion Session Trastuzumab deruxtecan (T-DXd) combinations in patients with HER2 positive advanced or metastatic breast cancer: a phase 1b/2, open-label, multicenter, dose-finding and dose-expansion study (DESTINY-Breast07) F. Andre TPS1096 Poster Presentation Prevalence of HER2 low in breast cancer subtypes using the VENTANA anti-HER2/neu (4B5) assay M. Scott 1021 Poster Discussion Session Machine learning models to quantify HER2 for real-time tissue image analysis in prospective clinical trials B.Glass 3061 Poster Presentation Pan Tumor Trastuzumab deruxtecan (T-DXd) in patients with human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2)-expressing salivary duct carcinoma: Subgroup analysis of two phase 1 studies H. Bando 6079 Poster Presentation A phase 2, multicenter, open-label study evaluating trastuzumab deruxtecan (T-DXd) for the treatment of solid tumors harboring specific HER2 activating mutations (DESTINY-PanTumor01) B.Li TPS3162 Poster Presentation

About the DXd ADC Portfolio of Daiichi Sankyo

The DXd ADC portfolio of Daiichi Sankyo currently consists of seven ADCs with six in clinical development across multiple types of cancer. The company's three lead ADCs include ENHERTU, a HER2 directed ADC, and datopotamab deruxtecan (Dato-DXd), a TROP2 directed ADC, which are being jointly developed and commercialized globally with AstraZeneca; and patritumab deruxtecan (HER3-DXd), a HER3 directed ADC. Three additional ADCs including DS-7300 (B7-H3), DS-6157 (GPR20) and DS-6000 (CDH6) are being developed through a strategic research collaboration with Sarah Cannon Research Institute.

Each ADC is designed using Daiichi Sankyo's proprietary DXd ADC technology to target and deliver chemotherapy inside cancer cells that express a specific cell surface antigen. Each ADC consists of a monoclonal antibody attached to a topoisomerase I inhibitor payload, an exatecan derivative, via a stable tetrapeptide-based cleavable linker.

ENHERTU (5.4 mg/kg) is approved under accelerated approval in the U.S, under conditional marketing authorization in the EU and the UK, and under the conditional early approval system in Japan for the treatment of adult patients with unresectable or metastatic HER2 positive breast cancer who have received two or more prior anti-HER2 based regimens in the metastatic setting based on the results from the DESTINY-Breast01 trial.

ENHERTU (6.4 mg/kg) is also approved in the U.S. and Japan for the treatment of adult patients with locally advanced or metastatic HER2 positive gastric or gastroesophageal junction adenocarcinoma who have received a prior trastuzumab-based regimen based on the results from the DESTINY-Gastric01 trial.

ENHERTU is approved in the U.S. with Boxed WARNINGS for Interstitial Lung Disease and Embryo-Fetal Toxicity. For more information, please see accompanying full Prescribing Information, including Boxed WARNINGS, and Medication Guide.

Patritumab deruxtecan, datopotamab deruxtecan, DS-7300, DS-6157 and DS-6000 are investigational medicines that have not been approved for any indication in any country. Safety and efficacy have not been established.

U.S. Important Safety Information for ENHERTU

Indications

ENHERTU is a HER2-directed antibody and topoisomerase inhibitor conjugate indicated for the treatment of adult patients with:

Unresectable or metastatic HER2-positive breast cancer who have received two or more prior anti-HER2-based regimens in the metastatic setting.

This indication is approved under accelerated approval based on tumor response rate and duration of response. Continued approval for this indication may be contingent upon verification and description of clinical benefit in a confirmatory trial.

Locally advanced or metastatic HER2-positive gastric or gastroesophageal junction adenocarcinoma who have received a prior trastuzumab-based regimen.

WARNING: INTERSTITIAL LUNG DISEASE and EMBRYO-FETAL TOXICITY

Interstitial lung disease (ILD) and pneumonitis, including fatal cases, have been reported with ENHERTU. Monitor for and promptly investigate signs and symptoms including cough, dyspnea, fever, and other new or worsening respiratory symptoms. Permanently discontinue ENHERTU in all patients with Grade 2 or higher ILD/pneumonitis. Advise patients of the risk and to immediately report symptoms.

Exposure to ENHERTU during pregnancy can cause embryo-fetal harm. Advise patients of these risks and the need for effective contraception.

Contraindications

None.

Warnings and Precautions

Interstitial Lung Disease Pneumonitis

Severe, life-threatening, or fatal interstitial lung disease (ILD), including pneumonitis, can occur in patients treated with ENHERTU. Advise patients to immediately report cough, dyspnea, fever, and/or any new or worsening respiratory symptoms. Monitor patients for signs and symptoms of ILD. Promptly investigate evidence of ILD. Evaluate patients with suspected ILD by radiographic imaging. Consider consultation with a pulmonologist. For asymptomatic ILD/pneumonitis (Grade 1), interrupt ENHERTU until resolved to Grade 0, then if resolved in =28 days from date of onset, maintain dose. If resolved in >28 days from date of onset, reduce dose one level. Consider corticosteroid treatment as soon as ILD/pneumonitis is suspected (e.g., =0.5 mg/kg/day prednisolone or equivalent). For symptomatic ILD/pneumonitis (Grade 2 or greater), permanently discontinue ENHERTU. Promptly initiate systemic corticosteroid treatment as soon as ILD/pneumonitis is suspected (e.g., =1 mg/kg/day prednisolone or equivalent) and continue for at least 14 days followed by gradual taper for at least 4 weeks.

Metastatic Breast Cancer

In clinical studies, of the 234 patients with unresectable or metastatic HER2-positive breast cancer treated with ENHERTU 5.4 mg/kg, ILD occurred in 9% of patients. Fatal outcomes due to ILD and/or pneumonitis occurred in 2.6% of patients treated with ENHERTU. Median time to first onset was 4.1 months (range: 1.2 to 8.3).

Locally Advanced or Metastatic Gastric Cancer

In DESTINY-Gastric01, of the 125 patients with locally advanced or metastatic HER2-positive gastric or GEJ adenocarcinoma treated with ENHERTU 6.4 mg/kg, ILD occurred in 10% of patients. Median time to first onset was 2.8 months (range: 1.2 to 21.0).

Neutropenia

Severe neutropenia, including febrile neutropenia, can occur in patients treated with ENHERTU. Monitor complete blood counts prior to initiation of ENHERTU and prior to each dose, and as clinically indicated. For Grade 3 neutropenia (Absolute Neutrophil Count [ANC] <1.0 to 0.5 x 109/L) interrupt ENHERTU until resolved to Grade 2 or less, then maintain dose. For Grade 4 neutropenia (ANC <0.5 x 109/L) interrupt ENHERTU until resolved to Grade 2 or less. Reduce dose by one level. For febrile neutropenia (ANC <1.0 x 109/L and temperature >38.3C or a sustained temperature of =38C for more than 1 hour), interrupt ENHERTU until resolved. Reduce dose by one level.

Metastatic Breast Cancer

In clinical studies, of the 234 patients with unresectable or metastatic HER2-positive breast cancer who received ENHERTU 5.4mg/kg, a decrease in neutrophil count was reported in 62% of patients. Sixteen percent had Grade 3 or 4 decrease in neutrophil count. Median time to first onset of decreased neutrophil count was 23 days (range: 6 to 547). Febrile neutropenia was reported in 1.7% of patients.

Locally Advanced or Metastatic Gastric Cancer

In DESTINY-Gastric01, of the 125 patients with locally advanced or metastatic HER2-positive gastric or GEJ adenocarcinoma treated with ENHERTU 6.4 mg/kg, a decrease in neutrophil count was reported in 72% of patients. Fifty-one percent had Grade 3 or 4 decreased neutrophil count. Median time to first onset of decreased neutrophil count was 16 days (range: 4 to 187). Febrile neutropenia was reported in 4.8% of patients.

Left Ventricular Dysfunction

Patients treated with ENHERTU may be at increased risk of developing left ventricular dysfunction. Left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) decrease has been observed with anti-HER2 therapies, including ENHERTU. In the 234 patients with unresectable or metastatic HER2-positive breast cancer who received ENHERTU, two cases (0.9%) of asymptomatic LVEF decrease were reported. In DESTINY-Gastric01, of the 125 patients with locally advanced or metastatic HER2-positive gastric or GEJ adenocarcinoma treated with ENHERTU 6.4 mg/kg, no clinical adverse events of heart failure were reported; however, on echocardiography, 8% were found to have asymptomatic Grade 2 decrease in LVEF. Treatment with ENHERTU has not been studied in patients with a history of clinically significant cardiac disease or LVEF <50% prior to initiation of treatment.

Assess LVEF prior to initiation of ENHERTU and at regular intervals during treatment as clinically indicated. When LVEF is >45% and absolute decrease from baseline is 10-20%, continue treatment with ENHERTU. When LVEF is 40-45% and absolute decrease from baseline is <10%, continue treatment with ENHERTU and repeat LVEF assessment within 3 weeks. When LVEF is 40-45% and absolute decrease from baseline is 10-20%, interrupt ENHERTU and repeat LVEF assessment within 3 weeks. If LVEF has not recovered to within 10% from baseline, permanently discontinue ENHERTU. If LVEF recovers to within 10% from baseline, resume treatment with ENHERTU at the same dose. When LVEF is <40% or absolute decrease from baseline is >20%, interrupt ENHERTU and repeat LVEF assessment within 3 weeks. If LVEF of <40% or absolute decrease from baseline of >20% is confirmed, permanently discontinue ENHERTU. Permanently discontinue ENHERTU in patients with symptomatic congestive heart failure.

Embryo-Fetal Toxicity

ENHERTU can cause fetal harm when administered to a pregnant woman. Advise patients of the potential risks to a fetus. Verify the pregnancy status of females of reproductive potential prior to the initiation of ENHERTU. Advise females of reproductive potential to use effective contraception during treatment and for at least 7 months following the last dose of ENHERTU. Advise male patients with female partners of reproductive potential to use effective contraception during treatment with ENHERTU and for at least 4 months after the last dose of ENHERTU.

Additional Dose Modifications

Thrombocytopenia

For Grade 3 thrombocytopenia (platelets <50 to 25 x 109/L) interrupt ENHERTU until resolved to Grade 1 or less, then maintain dose. For Grade 4 thrombocytopenia (platelets <25 x 109/L) interrupt ENHERTU until resolved to Grade 1 or less. Reduce dose by one level.

Adverse Reactions

Metastatic Breast Cancer

The safety of ENHERTU was evaluated in a pooled analysis of 234 patients with unresectable or metastatic HER2-positive breast cancer who received at least one dose of ENHERTU 5.4 mg/kg in DESTINY-Breast01 and Study DS8201-A-J101. ENHERTU was administered by intravenous infusion once every three weeks. The median duration of treatment was 7 months (range: 0.7 to 31).

Serious adverse reactions occurred in 20% of patients receiving ENHERTU. Serious adverse reactions in >1% of patients who received ENHERTU were interstitial lung disease, pneumonia, vomiting, nausea, cellulitis, hypokalemia, and intestinal obstruction. Fatalities due to adverse reactions occurred in 4.3% of patients including interstitial lung disease (2.6%), and the following events occurred in one patient each (0.4%): acute hepatic failure/acute kidney injury, general physical health deterioration, pneumonia, and hemorrhagic shock.

ENHERTU was permanently discontinued in 9% of patients, of which ILD accounted for 6%. Dose interruptions due to adverse reactions occurred in 33% of patients treated with ENHERTU. The most frequent adverse reactions (>2%) associated with dose interruption were neutropenia, anemia, thrombocytopenia, leukopenia, upper respiratory tract infection, fatigue, nausea, and ILD. Dose reductions occurred in 18% of patients treated with ENHERTU. The most frequent adverse reactions (>2%) associated with dose reduction were fatigue, nausea, and neutropenia.

The most common (=20%) adverse reactions, including laboratory abnormalities, were nausea (79%), white blood cell count decreased (70%), hemoglobin decreased (70%), neutrophil count decreased (62%), fatigue (59%), vomiting (47%), alopecia (46%), aspartate aminotransferase increased (41%), alanine aminotransferase increased (38%), platelet count decreased (37%), constipation (35%), decreased appetite (32%), anemia (31%), diarrhea (29%), hypokalemia (26%), and cough (20%).

Locally Advanced or Metastatic Gastric Cancer

The safety of ENHERTU was evaluated in 187 patients with locally advanced or metastatic HER2-positive gastric or GEJ adenocarcinoma in DESTINY-Gastric01. Patients intravenously received at least one dose of either ENHERTU (N=125) 6.4 mg/kg once every three weeks or either irinotecan (N=55) 150 mg/m2 biweekly or paclitaxel (N=7) 80 mg/m2 weekly for 3 weeks. The median duration of treatment was 4.6 months (range: 0.7 to 22.3) in the ENHERTU group and 2.8 months (range: 0.5 to 13.1) in the irinotecan/paclitaxel group.

Serious adverse reactions occurred in 44% of patients receiving ENHERTU 6.4 mg/kg. Serious adverse reactions in >2% of patients who received ENHERTU were decreased appetite, ILD, anemia, dehydration, pneumonia, cholestatic jaundice, pyrexia, and tumor hemorrhage. Fatalities due to adverse reactions occurred in 2.4% of patients: disseminated intravascular coagulation, large intestine perforation, and pneumonia occurred in one patient each (0.8%).

ENHERTU was permanently discontinued in 15% of patients, of which ILD accounted for 6%. Dose interruptions due to adverse reactions occurred in 62% of patients treated with ENHERTU. The most frequent adverse reactions (>2%) associated with dose interruption were neutropenia, anemia, decreased appetite, leukopenia, fatigue, thrombocytopenia, ILD, pneumonia, lymphopenia, upper respiratory tract infection, diarrhea, and hypokalemia. Dose reductions occurred in 32% of patients treated with ENHERTU. The most frequent adverse reactions (>2%) associated with dose reduction were neutropenia, decreased appetite, fatigue, nausea, and febrile neutropenia.

The most common (=20%) adverse reactions, including laboratory abnormalities, were hemoglobin decreased (75%), white blood cell count decreased (74%), neutrophil count decreased (72%), lymphocyte count decreased (70%), platelet count decreased (68%), nausea (63%), decreased appetite (60%), anemia (58%), aspartate aminotransferase increased (58%), fatigue (55%), blood alkaline phosphatase increased (54%), alanine aminotransferase increased (47%), diarrhea (32%), hypokalemia (30%), vomiting (26%), constipation (24%), blood bilirubin increased (24%), pyrexia (24%), and alopecia (22%).

Use in Specific Populations

Pregnancy: ENHERTU can cause fetal harm when administered to a pregnant woman. Advise patients of the potential risks to a fetus. There are clinical considerations if ENHERTU is used in pregnant women, or if a patient becomes pregnant within 7 months following the last dose of ENHERTU.

ENHERTU can cause fetal harm when administered to a pregnant woman. Advise patients of the potential risks to a fetus. There are clinical considerations if ENHERTU is used in pregnant women, or if a patient becomes pregnant within 7 months following the last dose of ENHERTU. Lactation: There are no data regarding the presence of ENHERTU in human milk, the effects on the breastfed child, or the effects on milk production. Because of the potential for serious adverse reactions in a breastfed child, advise women not to breastfeed during treatment with ENHERTU and for 7 months after the last dose.

There are no data regarding the presence of ENHERTU in human milk, the effects on the breastfed child, or the effects on milk production. Because of the potential for serious adverse reactions in a breastfed child, advise women not to breastfeed during treatment with ENHERTU and for 7 months after the last dose. Females and Males of Reproductive Potential: Pregnancy testing : Verify pregnancy status of females of reproductive potential prior to initiation of ENHERTU. Contraception : Females : ENHERTU can cause fetal harm when administered to a pregnant woman. Advise females of reproductive potential to use effective contraception during treatment with ENHERTU and for at least 7 months following the last dose. Males : Advise male patients with female partners of reproductive potential to use effective contraception during treatment with ENHERTU and for at least 4 months following the last dose. Infertility : ENHERTU may impair male reproductive function and fertility.

: Verify pregnancy status of females of reproductive potential prior to initiation of ENHERTU. : : ENHERTU can cause fetal harm when administered to a pregnant woman. Advise females of reproductive potential to use effective contraception during treatment with ENHERTU and for at least 7 months following the last dose. : Advise male patients with female partners of reproductive potential to use effective contraception during treatment with ENHERTU and for at least 4 months following the last dose. : ENHERTU may impair male reproductive function and fertility. Pediatric Use: Safety and effectiveness of ENHERTU have not been established in pediatric patients.

Safety and effectiveness of ENHERTU have not been established in pediatric patients. Geriatric Use: Of the 234 patients with HER2-positive breast cancer treated with ENHERTU 5.4 mg/kg, 26% were =65 years and 5% were =75 years. No overall differences in efficacy were observed between patients =65 years of age compared to younger patients. There was a higher incidence of Grade 3-4 adverse reactions observed in patients aged =65 years (53%) as compared to younger patients (42%). Of the 125 patients with locally advanced or metastatic HER2-positive gastric or GEJ adenocarcinoma treated with ENHERTU 6.4 mg/kg in DESTINY-Gastric01, 56% were =65 years and 14% were =75 years. No overall differences in efficacy or safety were observed between patients =65 years of age compared to younger patients.

Of the 234 patients with HER2-positive breast cancer treated with ENHERTU 5.4 mg/kg, 26% were =65 years and 5% were =75 years. No overall differences in efficacy were observed between patients =65 years of age compared to younger patients. There was a higher incidence of Grade 3-4 adverse reactions observed in patients aged =65 years (53%) as compared to younger patients (42%). Of the 125 patients with locally advanced or metastatic HER2-positive gastric or GEJ adenocarcinoma treated with ENHERTU 6.4 mg/kg in DESTINY-Gastric01, 56% were =65 years and 14% were =75 years. No overall differences in efficacy or safety were observed between patients =65 years of age compared to younger patients. Hepatic Impairment: In patients with moderate hepatic impairment, due to potentially increased exposure, closely monitor for increased toxicities related to the topoisomerase inhibitor.

To report SUSPECTED ADVERSE REACTIONS, contact Daiichi Sankyo, Inc. at 1-877-437-7763 or FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or fda.gov/medwatch.

Please see accompanying full Prescribing Information, including Boxed WARNINGS, and Medication Guide.

About Daiichi Sankyo

Daiichi Sankyo is dedicated to creating new modalities and innovative medicines by leveraging our world-class science and technology for our purpose "to contribute to the enrichment of quality of life around the world." In addition to our current portfolio of medicines for cancer and cardiovascular disease, Daiichi Sankyo is primarily focused on developing novel therapies for people with cancer as well as other diseases with high unmet medical needs. With more than 100 years of scientific expertise and a presence in more than 20 countries, Daiichi Sankyo and its 16,000 employees around the world draw upon a rich legacy of innovation to realize our 2030 Vision to become an "Innovative Global Healthcare Company Contributing to the Sustainable Development of Society." For more information, please visit www.daiichisankyo.com.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210519005576/en/

Contacts:

Global/US:

Jennifer Brennan

Daiichi Sankyo, Inc.

jbrennan2@dsi.com

+1 973 216 5929 (office)

+1 908 900 3183 (mobile)

EU:

Lydia Worms

Daiichi Sankyo Europe GmbH

lydia.worms@daiichi-sankyo.eu

+49 (89) 7808751 (office)

+49 176 11780861 (mobile)

Japan:

Masashi Kawase

Daiichi Sankyo Co., Ltd.

kawase.masashi.a2@daiichisankyo.co.jp

+81 3 6225 1126 (office)

Investor Relations Contact:

DaiichiSankyoIR@daiichisankyo.co.jp
New analyses from pivotal BAVENCIO study reinforce unique clinical benefits across different subgroups in the treatment of advanced urothelial carcinoma

New data from VISION study of TEPMETKO show association between liquid biopsy-identified biomarker and clinical response in MET ex14 skipping NSCLC, supporting liquid biopsy as a means for monitoring treatment response

TEPMETKO shows efficacy in MET ex14 skipping NSCLC patients with brain metastases consistent with overall treatment population

Oral presentations from independent studies reinforce the position of ERBITUX in 1L RAS wt mCRC and as backbone of treatment in SCCHN

Not intended for UK-, US- or Canada-based media

Merck, a leading science and technology company, today announced 40 abstracts, including seven oral presentations and seven poster discussions, from Company- and investigator-sponsored studies (ISS) and external collaborations, representing the Company's innovative oncology portfolio will be presented at this year's American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) Annual Meeting, June 4-8, 2021.

"Important new analyses from our pivotal studies in urothelial cancer and non-small cell lung cancer, which have led to recent regulatory approvals for BAVENCIO (avelumab) and TEPMETKO (tepotinib) in these tumor types, demonstrate how our research continues to drive forward new standards of care in certain cancers with high unmet medical need," said Danny Bar-Zohar, Global Head of Development for the Healthcare business of Merck. "These analyses, along with additional data informing the understanding of new and emerging mechanisms under investigation, are the latest examples of our dedication to advancing the science of cancer treatment to make a meaningful difference for patients."

The Company's research programs, focused on synergistic approaches in immuno-oncology, oncogenic pathways, and DNA damage response (DDR), aim to tackle some of the most challenging tumor types, including urothelial cancer (UC), non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), renal cell carcinoma (RCC), colorectal cancer (CRC), and cervical cancer (CC).

Key Data Highlights at ASCO

BAVENCIO (avelumab)

Data across three approved indications for BAVENCIO (avelumab) provide further evidence of continued patient benefit:

Advanced urothelial cancer (presentations: 4520, 4525, 4527). New analyses from the Phase III JAVELIN Bladder 100 study demonstrated consistent survival benefit of BAVENCIO (avelumab) as first-line maintenance treatment across key subgroups including those defined by the treatment-free interval from the end of chemotherapy to the start of maintenance, disease stage, site of metastasis, or genomic subtype. These data further reinforce the role of BAVENCIO for patients with advanced UC that have not progressed on 1L platinum-containing chemotherapy.

Advanced renal cell carcinoma (aRCC) (presentations: 4514, 4574). Data from the extended follow-up of the Phase III JAVELIN Renal 101 study explored the effects of subsequent therapies on outcomes for patients with aRCC treated with BAVENCIO (avelumab) plus axitinib and confirmed the efficacy benefits of the combination across International Metastatic RCC Data Consortium (IMDC) risk groups including in the favorable risk group.

Metastatic Merkel cell carcinoma (mMCC) (presentation: 9517). In previously treated patients with metastatic MCC (mMCC), treatment with BAVENCIO (avelumab) provided meaningful long-term overall survival (OS), based on more than five years of follow-up in Part A of the Phase II JAVELIN Merkel 200 study with 48- and 60-month OS rates 30% (95% CI, 20%-40%) and 26% (95% CI, 17%-36%), respectively. These results further support the role of avelumab as a standard-of-care treatment for patients with mMCC.

TEPMETKO (tepotinib)

ASCO highlights for TEPMETKO (tepotinib) include new data from the Phase II VISION study:

METex14 NSCLC biomarker response detected in liquid biopsy (LBx) abstract (oral presentation: 9012). In this analysis, reduction in variant allele frequency following tepotinib treatment was related to an improved treatment outcome. Further, this investigation provides evidence that liquid biopsy may provide a reliable means for monitoring response to treatment, understanding resistance mechanisms, and improving patient outcomes and quality of life.

METex14 skipping NSCLC with brain metastases (presentation: 9084). Data demonstrated efficacy in patients with mesenchymal epithelial transition (MET) exon 14 (METex14) skipping NSCLC with brain metastases consistent with the overall treatment population, complemented by intracranial activity in an ad hoc retrospective analysis of brain lesions determined by CT/MRI. Brain metastases are reported in 20% to 40% of patients with METex14 skipping NSCLC and are associated with poor prognosis.

NSCLC with MET amplification (METamp) (presentation: 9021). Clinical activity observed in VISION Cohort B, the first study of a MET inhibitor in people with NSCLC with METamp prospectively detected by liquid biopsy, showed the potential of tepotinib to target METamp-driven disease, particularly in the treatment-naive setting where there is high unmet need. MET amplification is a genetic alteration occurring in approximately 1% to 5% of patients with NSCLC and has no approved targeted therapies.

Tepotinib is also being investigated in two ongoing studies, which are currently recruiting patients: INSIGHT 2 (Presentation: TPS9136), assessing the combination of osimertinib and tepotinib in patients with epithelial growth factor receptor (EGFR)-mutant NSCLC that has developed resistance to first-line osimertinib treatment due to MET amplification; and PERSPECTIVE (Presentation: TPS3616), evaluating tepotinib in combination with cetuximab in mCRC having acquired resistance to anti-EGFR antibody-targeted therapy due to MET amplification.

ERBITUX (cetuximab)

For the Company's first biology-driven leader, ERBITUX (cetuximab), a number of ISS, and the PERSPECTIVE study in combination with TEPMETKO (tepotinib) continue to demonstrate its steady role across the continuum of care in metastatic colorectal cancer, and as a backbone of treatment in squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck.

DEEPER "JACCRO CC-13" (oral presentation: 3501). Significant greater depth of response seen with cetuximab triplet CT vs bevacizumab triplet CT in 1L RAS wt mCRC

FIRE 4.5 "AIO KRK-0116" (oral presentation: 3502).Comparable efficacy shown between cetuximab and bevacizumab in 1L BRAF mt mCRC

TROG 12.01 and De-ESCALaTE (oral presentation: 109).This pooled analysis from two Phase III studies identifies a potential prognostic biomarker for patients treated with cetuximab RT in HPV-positive oropharyngeal cancer (OPC) LA SCCHN

Bintrafusp alfa (M7824)

Data for bintrafusp alfa, an investigational bifunctional fusion protein, continue to shed light on the potential benefits of dual inhibition of the TGF- and PD-L1 pathways:

Recurrent/metastatic cervical cancer (oral presentation: 5509). A pooled analysis of data from the Phase I INTR@PID Solid Tumor 001 study and a National Cancer Institute (NCI)-led Phase II study demonstrated that bintrafusp alfa monotherapy has a manageable safety profile and clinical activity in patients with platinum-pretreated, immune checkpoint inhibitor-naive recurrent/metastatic cervical cancer.

HPV 16+ advanced malignancies (oral presentation: 2501). Data from this NCI-led Phase II clinical study of patients with advanced HPV 16+ cancers provided early evidence of the clinical activity of a triple combination of bintrafusp alfa, NHS-IL12 and PDS0101, with a manageable safety profile.

Merck is a science-led organization dedicated to delivering transformative medicines with the goal of making a meaningful difference in the lives of people affected by cancer. Our oncology research efforts aim to leverage our synergistic portfolio in oncogenic pathways, immuno-oncology, and DNA Damage Response (DDR) to tackle challenging tumor types in gastrointestinal, genitourinary, and thoracic cancers. Our curiosity drives our pursuit of treatments for even the most complex cancers, as we work to illuminate a path to scientific breakthroughs that transform patient outcomes. Learn more at https://www.merckgrouponcology.com.

About BAVENCIO(avelumab)

BAVENCIO is a human anti-programmed death ligand-1 (PD-L1) antibody. BAVENCIO has been shown in preclinical models to engage both the adaptive and innate immune functions. By blocking the interaction of PD-L1 with PD-1 receptors, BAVENCIO has been shown to release the suppression of the T cell-mediated antitumor immune response in preclinical models. In November 2014, Merck and Pfizer announced a strategic alliance to co-develop and co-commercialize BAVENCIO.

BAVENCIO Approved Indications

The European Commission (EC) has authorized the use of BAVENCIO as monotherapy for the first-line maintenance treatment of adult patients with locally advanced or metastatic urothelial carcinoma (UC) who are progression-free following platinum-based chemotherapy. BAVENCIO in combination with axitinib is indicated for the first-line treatment of adult patients with advanced renal cell carcinoma (RCC). BAVENCIO is also authorized by the EC for use as a monotherapy for the treatment of adult patients with metastatic Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC).

In the US, BAVENCIO is indicated for the maintenance treatment of patients with locally advanced or metastatic urothelial carcinoma (UC) that has not progressed with first-line platinum-containing chemotherapy. BAVENCIO is also indicated for the treatment of patients with locally advanced or metastatic UC who have disease progression during or following platinum-containing chemotherapy, or have disease progression within 12 months of neoadjuvant or adjuvant treatment with platinum-containing chemotherapy.

BAVENCIO in combination with axitinib is indicated in the US for the first-line treatment of patients with advanced RCC. Additionally, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) granted accelerated approval for BAVENCIO for the treatment of adults and pediatric patients 12 years and older with metastatic MCC. This indication is approved under accelerated approval based on tumor response rate and duration of response. Continued approval for this indication may be contingent upon verification and description of clinical benefit in confirmatory trials.

BAVENCIO is currently approved for patients in 50 countries for at least one use.

BAVENCIO Safety Profile from the EU Summary of Product Characteristics (SmPC)

The special warnings and precautions for use for BAVENCIO monotherapy include infusion-related reactions, as well as immune-related adverse reactions that include pneumonitis and hepatitis (including fatal cases), colitis, pancreatitis (including fatal cases), myocarditis (including fatal cases), endocrinopathies, nephritis and renal dysfunction, and other immune-related adverse reactions. The special warnings and precautions for use for BAVENCIO in combination with axitinib include hepatotoxicity.

The SmPC list of the most common adverse reactions with BAVENCIO monotherapy in patients with solid tumors includes fatigue, nausea, diarrhea, decreased appetite, constipation, infusion-related reactions, weight decreased and vomiting. The list of most common adverse reactions with BAVENCIO in combination with axitinib includes diarrhea, hypertension, fatigue, nausea, dysphonia, decreased appetite, hypothyroidism, cough, headache, dyspnea, and arthralgia.

About TEPMETKO (tepotinib)

TEPMETKO is an oral MET inhibitor that inhibits the oncogenic MET receptor signaling caused by MET (gene) alterations. Discovered and developed in-house at Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany, TEPMETKO has a highly selective mechanism of action, with the potential to improve outcomes in aggressive tumors that have a poor prognosis and harbor these specific alterations.

TEPMETKO was the first oral MET inhibitor to receive a regulatory approval anywhere in the world for the treatment of advanced NSCLC harboring MET gene alterations, with its approval in Japan in March 2020. TEPMETKO was approved in the United States in February 2021 for the treatment of adult patients with metastatic non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) harboring mesenchymal-epithelial transition (MET) exon 14 skipping alterations. This indication is approved under accelerated approval based on overall response rate and duration of response. Continued approval for this indication may be contingent upon verification and description of clinical benefit in confirmatory trials. Tepotinib is currently under clinical investigation and not yet approved in any markets outside of Japan and the United States.

About ERBITUX (cetuximab)

ERBITUX is an IgG1 monoclonal antibody targeting the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR). As a monoclonal antibody, the mode of action of ERBITUX is distinct from standard non-selective chemotherapy treatments in that it specifically targets and binds to the EGFR. This binding inhibits the activation of the receptor and the subsequent signal-transduction pathway, which results in reducing both the invasion of normal tissues by tumor cells and the spread of tumors to new sites. It is also believed to inhibit the ability of tumor cells to repair the damage caused by chemotherapy and radiotherapy and to inhibit the formation of new blood vessels inside tumors, which appears to lead to an overall suppression of tumor growth. Based on in vitro evidence, ERBITUX also targets cytotoxic immune effector cells towards EGFR-expressing tumor cells (antibody-dependent cell-mediated cytotoxicity [ADCC]).

ERBITUX has already obtained market authorization in over 100 countries worldwide for the treatment of RAS wild-type metastatic colorectal cancer and for the treatment of squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck. Merck licensed the right to market ERBITUX, a registered trademark of ImClone LLC, outside the U.S. and Canada from ImClone LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Eli Lilly and Company, in 1998.

About Bintrafusp Alfa

Bintrafusp alfa (M7824), discovered in-house at Merck, and currently in clinical development through a strategic alliance with GSK, is a potential first-in-class investigational bifunctional fusion protein designed to simultaneously block two immunosuppressive pathways, TGF- and PD-L1, within the tumor microenvironment. This bifunctional approach is thought to control tumor growth by potentially restoring and enhancing anti-tumor responses. In preclinical studies, bintrafusp alfa has demonstrated antitumor activity both as monotherapy and in combination with chemotherapy. Based on its mechanism of action, bintrafusp alfa offers a potential targeted approach to addressing the underlying pathophysiology of difficult-to-treat cancers.

All Merck Press Releases are distributed by e-mail at the same time they become available on the Merck Website. Please go to www.merckgroup.com/subscribe to register online, change your selection or discontinue this service.

About Merck

Merck, a leading science and technology company, operates across healthcare, life science and electronics. Around 58,000 employees work to make a positive difference to millions of people's lives every day by creating more joyful and sustainable ways to live. From advancing gene editing technologies and discovering unique ways to treat the most challenging diseases to enabling the intelligence of devices the company is everywhere. In 2020, Merck generated sales of 17.5 billion in 66 countries.

Scientific exploration and responsible entrepreneurship have been key to Merck's technological and scientific advances. This is how Merck has thrived since its founding in 1668. The founding family remains the majority owner of the publicly listed company. Merck holds the global rights to the Merck name and brand. The only exceptions are the United States and Canada, where the business sectors of Merck operate as EMD Serono in healthcare, MilliporeSigma in life science, and EMD Electronics.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210519005935/en/

Contacts:

Julissa Viana

julissa.viana@emdserono.com

Phone: +1 781 206-5795
- 51 patients with NRG1+ cancer have been treated, including 33 patients evaluable for response, as of the January 12, 2021, data cutoff date

- Encouraging early clinical activity observed, with confirmed partial responses in 4 of 10 patients with pancreatic cancer (40%) and in 9 of 33 patients across all NRG1+ tumor types (27%)

- Zenocutuzumab observed to be well tolerated with most adverse events being mild or moderate (Grade 1 or 2)

- Oral presentation of an updated interim analysis of 45 evaluable patients to be presented at ASCO on June 4, 11 AM-2 PM ET

- Company to host investor call to discuss clinical results and provide a program update on Sunday, June 6 at 6:00 PM ET

UTRECHT, The Netherlands and CAMBRIDGE, Mass., May 19, 2021. An oral presentation containing an updated interim analysis with a data cutoff date of April 13, 2021 will be presented virtually by Lead Author, Dr. Alison Schram of Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (MSKCC) at the 2021 ASCO Annual Meeting on Friday, June 4, 2021 from 11:00 AM -2:00 PM ET.

Dr. Andrew Joe, Chief Medical Officer at Merus stated, "We continue to be encouraged by the observed clinical activity and safety profile of Zeno in the ongoing eNRGy trial, especially in previously treated patients with pancreatic cancer. The clinical activity and durability data continue to mature, and we look forward to Dr. Schram's presentation of an updated interim analysis of 45 evaluable patients with multiple tumor types at the ASCO Annual Meeting on June 4."

The reported data are from the ongoing phase 1/2 eNRGy trial and EAP, which are investigating the safety and anti-tumor activity of Zeno monotherapy in NRG1+ cancers. The eNRGy trial consists of three cohorts: NRG1+ pancreatic cancer; NRG1+ non-small cell lung cancer; and NRG1+ other solid tumors.

Key findings in the abstract include:

As of January 12, 2021, 51 patients were treated with Zeno, of whom 33 were evaluable for response. Tumor regression was observed in 25 out of 33 patients, with confirmed partial responses in 9 of 33 (27% ORR), including 4 of 10 patients (40% ORR) with pancreatic cancer.

Zeno continues to be well tolerated with the majority of adverse events of mild or moderate (Grade 1 or 2) severity, regardless of causality.

Presentation Details:

Title: Efficacy and safety of zenocutuzumab in advanced pancreas cancer and other solid tumors harboring NRG1 fusions

Lead Author: Alison Schram, MD, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, NY

Abstract #: 3003

Session Title: Developmental Therapeutics-Molecularly Targeted Agents and Tumor Biology

Session Date and Time: June 4, 2021, 11:00 AM-2:00 PM EDT

Presentation Time: 12:00-12:12 PM EDT

Company Conference Call and Webcast Information

Merus will hold a conference call and webcast for investors on Sunday, June 6, 2021 at 6:00 pm ET to discuss the Zeno clinical data and provide a program update. A replay will be available after the completion of the call on the Investors and Mediasection of our website.

Date: Sunday, June 6, 6:00 pm ET

Webcast link:available on our website

Dial-in: Toll-Free: 1-877-260-1463 / International: 1-706-643-5907

Conference ID: 9678617

About the eNRGy Clinical Trial

Merus is currently enrolling patients in the phase 1/2 eNRGy trial to assess the safety and anti-tumor activity of Zeno monotherapy in NRG1+ cancers. The eNRGy trial consists of three cohorts: NRG1+ pancreatic cancer; NRG1+ non-small cell lung cancer; and NRG1+ other solid tumors. Further details, including current trial sites, can be found at www.ClinicalTrials.gov and Merus' trial website at www.nrg1.com or by calling 1-833-NRG-1234.

About Zeno

Zenois an antibody-dependent cell-mediated cytotoxicity (ADCC)-enhanced Biclonics that utilizes the Merus Dock & Block mechanism to inhibit the neuregulin/HER3 tumor-signaling pathway in solid tumors with NRG1 gene fusions (NRG1+). Through its unique mechanism of binding to HER2 and potently blocking the interaction of HER3 with its ligand NRG1 or NRG1-fusion proteins, Zeno has the potential to be particularly effective against NRG1+ cancers. In preclinical studies, Zeno also potently inhibits HER2/HER3 heterodimer formation and tumor growth in models harboring NRG1 fusions.

About Merus N.V.

Merusis a clinical-stage oncology company developing innovative full-length human bispecific and trispecific antibody therapeutics, referred to as Multiclonics. Multiclonics are manufactured using industry standard processes and have been observed in preclinical and clinical studies to have several of the same features of conventional human monoclonal antibodies, such as long half-life and low immunogenicity. For additional information, please visit Merus' website, http://www.merus.nl and https://twitter.com/MerusNV .

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. All statements contained in this press release that do not relate to matters of historical fact should be considered forward-looking statements, including without limitation statements regarding the clinical development of zenocutuzumab, future clinical trial results, clinical activity and safety profile of Zeno in the on-going eNRGy trial and EAP, including in previously treated pancreatic cancer, and each cohort of the eNRGy trial. These forward-looking statements are based on management's current expectations. These statements are neither promises nor guarantees, but involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other important factors that may cause our actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements, including, but not limited to, the following: our need for additional funding, which may not be available and which may require us to restrict our operations or require us to relinquish rights to our technologies or Biclonics, Triclonics and multispecific antibody candidates; potential delays in regulatory approval, which would impact our ability to commercialize our product candidates and affect our ability to generate revenue; the lengthy and expensive process of clinical drug development, which has an uncertain outcome; the unpredictable nature of our early stage development efforts for marketable drugs; potential delays in enrollment of patients, which could affect the receipt of necessary regulatory approvals; our reliance on third parties to conduct our clinical trials and the potential for those third parties to not perform satisfactorily; impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic; we may not identify suitable Biclonics or bispecific antibody candidates under our collaborations or our collaborators may fail to perform adequately under our collaborations; our reliance on third parties to manufacture our product candidates, which may delay, prevent or impair our development and commercialization efforts; protection of our proprietary technology; our patents may be found invalid, unenforceable, circumvented by competitors and our patent applications may be found not to comply with the rules and regulations of patentability; we may fail to prevail in potential lawsuits for infringement of third-party intellectual property; and our registered or unregistered trademarks or trade names may be challenged, infringed, circumvented or declared generic or determined to be infringing on other marks.

These and other important factors discussed under the caption "Risk Factors" in our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended March 31, 2021 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, or SEC, on May 6, 2021, and our other reports filed with the SEC, could cause actual results to differ materially from those indicated by the forward-looking statements made in this press release. Any such forward-looking statements represent management's estimates as of the date of this press release. While we may elect to update such forward-looking statements at some point in the future, we disclaim any obligation to do so, even if subsequent events cause our views to change, except as required under applicable law. These forward-looking statements should not be relied upon as representing our views as of any date subsequent to the date of this press release.

Biclonics and Triclonics is a registered trademark of Merus N.V.
WATERLOO, ON / ACCESSWIRE / May 19, 2021 / Cloud DX (TSXV:CDX), a leading Canadian provider of virtual care and remote patient monitoring solutions, announced today it has been issued a new US patent for its upcoming Pulsewave 2.0 Vital Sign Monitor.

US Patent 11,006,843 entitled 'System And Method Of Determining Breathing Rates From Oscillometric Data,' protects Cloud DX's innovative method for determining the breathing rate of a patient using an oscillometric device as the physiological sensor. It positions Pulsewave 2.0 as the first home-based vital signs monitor of its kind to simultaneously capture diagnostic-quality blood pressure, heart rate, heartbeat irregularities and respiration rate.

How Pulsewave 2.0 breathing rate technology works

Cloud DX's Pulsewave vital signs monitor is worn on a patient's wrist, and oscillometric pulse waveforms are obtained as the cuff deflates, obtaining pulse wave signals and artifact signals over multiple patient breaths.

Pulsewave software analyzes these signals producing an envelope of pulse waveforms as well as a frequency modulated sequence of pulses at various time intervals containing breathing rate data.

Pulsewave 2.0 operates autonomously but can also be connected to the internet. When connected, clinicians receiving the data can derive additional biological metrics via the Cloud Diagnostics online platform.

Pulsewave 2.0 is the latest innovation to emerge from Cloud DX's award-winning research and development efforts. It builds and expands on a near decade of experience deploying the original Pulsewave 1.0 wrist cuff blood pressure device. As the world's first cloud-based portable blood pressure device, Pulsewave 1.0 has gathered millions of pulse wave signals from tens of thousands of individuals. Pulsewave's accuracy and precision was validated in a real-world setting in an independent peer-reviewed study published by University of New Brunswick and the New Brunswick Heart Centre, where researchers determined that the Cloud DX device was similar in accuracy to an intra-arterial catheter for blood pressure. (1)

Pulsewave 2.0 is now in clinical trials at Dalhousie Medicine New Brunswick. The Pulsewave program is supported by the NextGen Manufacturing Supercluster and the New Brunswick Health Research Foundation. Pulsewave and the Cloud Diagnostics platform are protected by multiple US and international patents.

"Home-based diagnostics are the next frontier of virtual care. Healthcare providers and patients are now seeing first hand the limitations of telehealth and are pressing for a more all-encompassing model of care where telemedicine, home-based patient vitals monitoring and in-person doctor visits work seamlessly together to inform medical diagnosis and treatment. The ability to capture patient vitals - including an accurate respiration rate - in an ongoing, comprehensive way and to have that data flow directly from the patient's body to the care team, will greatly speed accurate clinical decision making, contribute to better patient outcomes, and make care more efficient and more economic for providers and payers," says Robert Kaul, CEO of Cloud DX.

1. A Comparison and Calibration of a Wrist-Worn Blood Pressure Monitor for Patient Management: Assessing the Reliability of Innovative Blood Pressure Devices. JMIR April 2018

Cloud DX

Accelerating virtual healthcare's future, Cloud DX is making healthcare better for everyone. The company's Connected Health remote patient monitoring platform is used by healthcare enterprises and care teams across North America to virtually manage chronic disease, enable ageing in place and deliver hospital-quality post-surgical care. Providers partnering with Cloud DX achieve better healthcare and patient outcomes, reduce the need for hospitalization/re-hospitalization and reduce the costs of healthcare delivery through more efficient use of resources. Cloud DX is the co-winner of the Qualcomm Tricorder XPRIZE, a 2021 Edison Award winner, a Fast Company "World Changing Idea" finalist and one of Canada's 10 most prominent Telehealth providers.

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

# # #

Social Links

Twitter: https://twitter.com/CloudDX

Facebook https://www.facebook.com/clouddxinc/

LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/company/cloud-dx/

Instagram https://www.instagram.com/cloud.dx/

For media inquiries please contact:

Ellyn Winters-Robinson

Ignition Communications (PR for Cloud DX)

519-574-2196

ellyn@ignition.ca

For investor inquiries please contact:

Jay Bedard

Cloud DX Investor Relations

647-881-8418

jay.bedard@CloudDX.com

SOURCE: Cloud DX Inc.

View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/648203/Cloud-DX-Granted-New-Patent-for-Pulsewave-20-Vital-Sign-Monitor
Regulatory News:

Pershing Square Holdings, Ltd. (LN:PSH) (LN:PSHD) (NA:PSH) today released its regular weekly Net Asset Value ("NAV") and performance returns on its website, https://www.pershingsquareholdings.com/company-reports/weekly-navs/. The NAV and returns were computed as of the close of business on Tuesday, 18 May 2021.

PSH NAV per share as of close of business on 18 May 2021 was 49.06 USD 34.57 GBP and year-to-date performance was 8.1%.

Weekly net asset value ("NAV") is calculated as of the close of business on each Tuesday and posted on the following business day. In the event that Tuesday is not a business day, the Company will calculate the close-of-business NAV as of the business day immediately preceding that Tuesday. The end-of-month NAV is calculated as of the close of business on the last day of the month and posted on the following business day. For weeks that include a month-end NAV report, PSH will provide only the month-end NAV and not report the Tuesday NAV. Monthly NAVs are published in accordance with the Decree on Conduct of Business Supervision of Financial Undertakings under the Wft (Besluit Gedragstoezicht financiele ondernemingen Wft).

Performance is presented on a net-of-fees basis and reflects the deduction of, among other expenses: management fees, brokerage commissions, administrative fees and accrued performance fees, if any. The performance figure includes the reinvestment of all dividends, interest and capital gains. Depending on the timing of a specific investment, net performance for an individual investor may vary from the net performance as stated herein. Net performance is a geometrically linked time weighted calculation.

Past performance is not necessarily indicative of future results. All investments involve risk including the loss of principal.

About Pershing Square Holdings, Ltd.

Pershing Square Holdings, Ltd. (LN:PSH) (LN:PSHD) (NA:PSH) is an investment holding company structured as a closed-ended fund that makes concentrated investments principally in North American domiciled companies.

Category: (PSH:WeeklyNAV)

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210519005962/en/

Contacts:

Media Contact

Camarco

Ed Gascoigne-Pees Hazel Stevenson +44 020 3757 4989, media-pershingsquareholdings@camarco.co.uk
Calgary, Alberta--(Newsfile Corp. - May 19, 2021) - Athabasca Minerals Inc. (TSXV: AMI) ("AMI" or the "Corporation") announces its Q1 Financial Statements for first-quarter ending March 31, 2021. The Q1-2021 Financial Statements and Management's Discussion and Analysis ("MD&A") are available on SEDAR at www.sedar.com and on the company website (www.athabascaminerals.com). The Corporation also announces that its Annual General and Special Meeting of Shareholders will be held on June 22, 2021.

Robert Beekhuizen, Chief Executive Officer, states: "We are pleased by the year-over-year improvement with Q1-2021 consolidated revenue up by more than 40% versus the prior year. The Corporation is seeing positive results across all its divisions, year-to-date, with AMI RockChain, TerraShift Engineering, and AMI Aggregates (including Coffey Lake Pit) having announced and booked a cumulative $6 million in contract revenues. Also, with the buy-out of Privco1 and Privco2, AMI Silica has increased its ownership to 100% in support of its Montney in-basin and Duvernay sand projects. Despite the continued impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, our team remains focused on generating revenues, materializing select strategic initiatives that will strengthen AMI's value in the market, and maintaining prudent cash management."

BUSINESS HIGHLIGHTS

Athabasca Minerals reports the following key highlights in Q1-2021 and subsequent highlights for Q2-2021:

Revenue for Q1-2021 increased to $1.1 million from $0.5 million in Q4-2020 and $0.8 million in Q1-2020, driven primarily by AMI Aggregates resuming operations at Coffey Lake in January 2021 after a period of inactivity.





On April 28, 2021, the Corporation announced the upgrade of AMI RockChain's proprietary technologies ("RockChainTM 2.0") which increases the speed and accuracy of its supply chain algorithms to support increased demand by customers and industry users.





On April 28, 2021, the Corporation announced a transportation contract with a confidential client valued at $4 million.





On April 28, 2021, the Corporation announced the final provincial approval for development and operation of the Hargwen aggregates pit located between Edmonton and Jasper, Alberta. The Hargwen Pit is situated in the vicinity of anticipated highway, pipeline, and energy projects in Western Alberta.





On March 15, 2021, the Corporation announced a three-year agreement with a two-year renewal option for AMI RockChain to supply aggregates and related services to the Rural Municipalities of Alberta ("RMA"), their provincial membership of 69 rural municipalities, and their inter-provincial affiliates.





On March 15, 2021, the Corporation announced TerraShift securing contracts valued over $600,000 to: (a) provide municipal services associated with environmental waste management for the Ministikwan Lake Cree Nation for the next 12 months, and (b) secure peat resources and regulatory approvals for a confidential industry client.





On February 5, 2021, the Corporation announced the acquisition of 100% interest in Privco1 and Privco2, the private Alberta corporations that hold the Montney In-Basin Project and the Duvernay Sand Project, respectively. These transactions were combined and concluded for $1.00 of cash consideration and 8,000,000 common shares at a value of $0.25 per common share for a total purchase price of $2,000,001 released over three milestone installments. 4,000,000 shares were paid on February 5, 2021. The remaining shares are held in escrow with 2,000,000 common shares to be paid at the Corporation's discretion by June 30, 2021, and 2,000,000 common shares to be paid at the Corporation's discretion by June 30th, 2022. If the Corporation elects not to release the common shares from escrow for either of the two milestone payments, then the founding partners will be returned an equivalent pro-rata interest in Privco2 in exchange.





The Corporation is also using common shares to make one final Annual Minimum Royalty ("AMR") payment for Privco1, consisting of 800,004 common shares at a value of $0.25 per share, for a total value of $200,001, with three corresponding milestone installments. 400,002 shares were paid on February 5, 2021. The remaining shares are held in escrow with 200,001 common shares to be paid at the Corporation's discretion by June 30, 2021, and 200,001 common shares to be paid at the Corporation's discretion by June 30th, 2022.





AMI Aggregates and AMI RockChain were both impacted by lower activity due to COVID-19 as well as the economic downturn. Production out of Coffey Lake resumed in January 2021, and production out of AMI's other corporate pits is anticipated to resume in 2021.

Fiscal Management & Reporting

The Corporation has undertaken several financial initiatives in response to the COVID-19 pandemic: $180,000 in bank loans were secured through the Canadian Emergency Business Account ("CEBA") program. AMI is receiving subsidies through the Canadian Emergency Wage Subsidy ("CEWS") program. The CEWS program is currently in place until June 2021 and AMI has received and accrued year-to-date subsidies totaling $45,696, and program lifetime-to-date subsidies totaling $496,256 as of March 31, 2021.



The Corporation remains financially prudent during the COVID-19 pandemic. Effective January 1, 2021, AMI implemented 10% reductions of Management salaries and Board fees.





AMI's cash position as of March 31, 2021 was $1.6 million free cash and $1.1 million restricted cash.

FINANCIAL AND OPERATIONAL HIGHLIGHTS

($ thousands of CDN, Three Months Ended Mar 31 unless otherwise noted) 2021 2020 % Change Aggregate sales revenue $427 $489 -13% Management services revenue 669 271 147% Revenue 1,097 760 44% Operating costs 805 617 Gross (loss) profit 201 41 384% Total (loss) income and comprehensive (loss) income (602) (816) 26% Cash position 1,560 1,736 Net cash (used in) operating activities (301) (349) Loss (income) per share ($ per share) Basic (0.009) (0.018) 50% Fully diluted (0.009) (0.018) 50%

The quarterly increase in revenue was due to higher management services revenue with sales from Coffey Lake in Q1 2021 compared to Q1 2020, as well as an increase from the addition of TerraShift's revenue stream. Aggregate sales revenue decreased due to lower networked third-party sales revenue through AMI RockChain.

In Q1-2021, the Corporation incurred a total loss and comprehensive loss of $0.6 million, $0.009 per share basic and diluted, as compared to a total comprehensive loss of $0.8 million, $0.018 per share basic and diluted, for Q1-2020. The improvement in total loss and comprehensive loss of $0.2 million was consistent with the $0.2 million improvement in unadjusted operating loss.

Net working capital of $0.7 million as of March 31, 2021, (December 31, 2020: $0.9 million) which in management's opinion is sufficient to fund ongoing operations. The $0.2 million decrease in working capital was predominately due to a $0.4 million decrease in cash and a $0.1 million increase in accounts payable and accrued liabilities, partially offset by a $0.3 million increase in prepaids and deposits.

ANNUAL GENERAL AND SPECIAL MEETING

The Corporation is also pleased to announce that it has filed a notice of meeting and management information circular (the "Circular") to its shareholders of record as of May 3, 2021 in connection with its Annual General and Special Meeting of shareholders (the "Meeting") to be held on June 22, 2021 at 9:30 a.m. (Mountain Time). The Meeting materials have been mailed out to shareholders. The Corporation will provide a Corporate Update during the Meeting.

Due to the ongoing global coronavirus (COVID-19) public health emergency and in consideration of the health and safety of our employees, shareholders, and community, the Corporation strongly encourages shareholders to vote on the matters before the Meeting by proxy, and to view the Meeting through the conference call and webcast, rather than attend in person. The routine legal requirements of the Meeting will be carried out by a limited number of Company representatives.

Athabasca encourages all shareholders to participate in the Meeting. Shareholders may submit questions to management ahead of the Meeting via email to info@athabascaminerals.com. There will also be an opportunity to ask questions during the Meeting through the platform.

All meeting material has been filed on SEDAR.com and on the Corporation's website at: https://www.athabascaminerals.com/investor-relations/annual-documents/2021/

ABOUT ATHABASCA MINERALS INC.

Athabasca Minerals is an integrated group of companies capable of full life-cycle development and supply of aggregates and industrial minerals. The Corporation is comprised of the following business units:

AMI Aggregates division produces and sells aggregates out of its corporate pits and manages the Coffey Lake Public Pit on behalf of the Province of Alberta.

division produces and sells aggregates out of its corporate pits and manages the Coffey Lake Public Pit on behalf of the Province of Alberta. AMI Silica division (www.amisilica.com) is positioning to become a leading supplier of premium domestic silica sand with three regional deposits located in Alberta and NE-BC (White Rabbit, Firebag and Montney), and holds a 5-year purchase agreement with Shell Canada for the supply of proppant. Privco1 & Privco2 are private Alberta corporations owned by AMI that hold the Montney and White Rabbit domestic sand deposits, respectively which are strategically located with respect to the Montney and Duvernay sedimentary basins. Privco2 supports the Duvernay Sand Project, which is finalizing FEED (Front-End Engineering & Development) with the participation of an international industrial partner who brings access to rail, power, industrial water and heat recovery with green benefits, utilities and infrastructure.

division (www.amisilica.com) is positioning to become a leading supplier of premium domestic silica sand with three regional deposits located in Alberta and NE-BC (White Rabbit, Firebag and Montney), and holds a 5-year purchase agreement with Shell Canada for the supply of proppant. AMI RockChain division (www.amirockchain.com) is a midstream, technology-enabled business that deploys its proprietary RockChain digital platform, associated industry econometrics, supply-chain algorithms, quality-assurance & safety programs to bring customers integrated supply-delivery solutions of industrial minerals to industry, infrastructure and construction sectors. TerraShift Engineering (www.terrashift.ca) was acquired by AMI RockChain in June 2020. TerraShift offers engineering and project services, proprietary technology applications such as TerraMaps, with expertise in resource exploration & development, mine planning, environmental reclamation and remediation, regulatory approvals, and compliance reporting, serving a growing customer base across Western Canada and Ontario.

division (www.amirockchain.com) is a midstream, technology-enabled business that deploys its proprietary RockChain digital platform, associated industry econometrics, supply-chain algorithms, quality-assurance & safety programs to bring customers integrated supply-delivery solutions of industrial minerals to industry, infrastructure and construction sectors.

For further information, please contact:

Tanya Finney, Director, Investor and Stakeholder Relations

Tel: 587-391-0548 / Email: tanya.finney@athabascaminerals.com

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

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This news release contains certain statements or disclosures relating to Athabasca that are based on the expectations of its management as well as assumptions made by and information currently available to Athabasca which may constitute forward-looking statements or information ("forward-looking statements") under applicable securities laws. All such statements and disclosures, other than those of historical fact, which address activities, events, outcomes, results or developments that Athabasca anticipates or expects may, or will occur in the future (in whole or in part) should be considered forward-looking statements. In some cases, forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of the words "would", "will", "anticipates", believes", "explores" and similar expressions.

Athabasca believes the material factors, expectations and assumptions reflected in the forward-looking statements are reasonable at this time but no assurance can be given that these factors, expectations and assumptions will prove to be correct. The forward-looking statements included in this news release are not guarantees of future performance and should not be unduly relied upon. Such forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual results or events to differ materially from those anticipated in such forward-looking statements including, without limitation: a significant expansion in COVID-19 restricting or prohibiting the operation of the Athabasca's facilities or significantly impacting the Company's supply chain; the duration and extent of the relatively low global oil prices; general economic, market and business conditions including those in the event of an epidemic, natural disaster or other event; increased costs and expenses; reliance on industry partners; and certain other risks detailed from time to time in Athabasca's public disclosure documents including, without limitation, those risks identified in this news release, and in Athabasca's annual information form, copies of which are available on Athabasca's SEDAR profile at www.sedar.com. Moreover, the duration and impact of the COVID-19 pandemic is unknown at this time and it is not possible to reliably estimate the length and severity of these developments and the impact on the financial results and condition of the Company.

Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements. Furthermore, the forward-looking statements contained in this news release are made as at the date of this news release and the Corporation does not undertake any obligation to update or revise any of the forward-looking statements, except as may be required by applicable securities laws.

Additional information on these and other factors that could affect the Corporation's operations and financial results are included in this news release and may be accessed under Athabasca's profile on SEDAR at www.sedar.com.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/84553
Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - May 19, 2021) - ITOK Capital Corp. ("ITOK" or the "Company") a capital pool corporation, is pleased to announce its intention to apply for re-listing on the TSX Venture Exchange (the "Exchange").

The Company previously announced on February 2, 2021, that the cease trade order (the "CTO") issued by the Ontario Securities Commission ("OSC") has been revoked. Cease trade orders were issued by the OSC, the British Columbia Securities Commission ("BCSC") and the Alberta Securities Commission (the "ASC") on May 27, 2013, May 13, 2013, and August 26, 2013, respectively, as a result of the Company's failure to file its audited annual financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2012 and accompanying management's discussion and analysis, within the timeframe required under National Instrument 51-102 Continuous Disclosure Obligations. The Company is pleased to confirm that all cease trade orders have been revoked by the OSC, BCSC, and ASC effective January 22, 2021.

As part of the Company's undertaking to the OSC in connection with the revocation of the CTO, the Company undertook to hold an annual meeting of the shareholders within three months of the date on which the OSC CTO is revoked. The Company confirms that an annual meeting of shareholders was held on April 20, 2021 (the "Meeting"). At the Meeting, the shareholders of the Company, among other things, passed an ordinary resolution authorizing and approving the re-listing of the Company on the Exchange, subject to receipt of all required regulatory approvals, including approval from the Exchange.

As part of the Company's plans to re-list on the TSX Venture Exchange, the Company wishes to provide its shareholders with full disclosure in respect of its prior conduct and status moving forward.

On May 12, 2010, trading in the Company's common shares was suspended for failure to complete a qualifying transaction within the time prescribed by TSX Venture Exchange Policy 2.4 (the "Policy"). The Company was required to complete a qualifying transaction, delist or transfer its listing to the NEX board of the Exchange (the "NEX") prior to May 9, 2010.

Pursuant to the resolution at the annual general meeting of shareholders of the Company held on July 29, 2010, the Company's listing was transferred to NEX on August 11, 2010, the Company's tier classification changed from Tier 2 to NEX, and the Filing and Service Office changed from Toronto to NEX.

As of August 11, 2010, the Company has been subject to restrictions on share issuances and certain types of payments as set out in the NEX policies. Pursuant to a TSX Venture bulletin dated May 11, 2010, trading in the shares of the Company remains suspended. Members are prohibited from trading in the securities of the Corporation during the period of the suspension or until further notice.

The Company acknowledges that it failed to comply with certain undertakings provided to the OSC since 2008. Pursuant to Section 3.3 of the Policy, as a consequence of the Exchange delisting the Company's shares, the Company was to wind-up and liquidate its assets and distribute its remaining assets, on a pro-rata basis, to its shareholders within 90 days from the date of such delisting. Further, the Company was to provide written confirmation to the OSC no later than 90 days from the date of delisting, confirming that they have complied with the undertakings in section 3.3 of the Policy.

The Company failed to comply with such undertakings due to a significant change in management and succession, including the death of the Company's founder and CEO, Sinclair Stevens, in November 2016. The Company has engaged in discussions with the OSC and has undertaken to provide full disclosure of its prior conduct in any future disclosure relating to the completion of a qualifying transaction.

The Company thanks its shareholders for their patience and support during this period, and is looking forward to proceeding with its future plans including re-listing on the Exchange.

About ITOK Capital Corp.

The Company is a Canadian-based capital pool company which is focused on identifying and evaluating businesses or assets with a view to completing a Qualifying Transaction. The Company has not conducted commercial operations other than to enter into discussions for the purpose of identifying potential acquisitions or interests as more particularly described below. The Company does not currently have a business plan.

For additional information about the Company and copies of the Company's financial disclosure documents, please refer to the Company's profile on SEDAR (www.sedar.com).

This press release contains forward-looking information that involves various risks and uncertainties regarding future events. Such forward-looking information can include without limitation, statements pertaining to the estimated timing of the Company making any filings, and related expectations regarding the re-listing. All statements included herein, other than statements of historical fact, are forward-looking information and such information involves various risks and uncertainties. There can be no assurance that such information will prove to be accurate, and actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such information. Forward-looking statements are based on estimates and opinions of management of the Company at the time the information is presented. The Company may, as considered necessary in the circumstances, update or revise such forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, but the Company undertakes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, except as required by applicable securities laws.

NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION TO U.S. NEWSWIRE SERVICES OR FOR DISSEMINATION IN THE UNITED STATES



For more information about this release, please contact:

Mohammad Fazil

Phone: (403) 613-7310

Email: mfazil@lionparkcapital.com

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/84587
CANBERA (dpa-AFX) - Australia will on Thursday release unemployment figures for April, highlighting a busy day for Asia-Pacific economic activity. In March, the jobless rate was 5.6 percent following the addition of 70,700 jobs, with a participation rate of 66.3 percent. Japan will provide March numbers for core machine orders and April figures for imports, exports and trade balance. In February, core machine orders were down 8.5 percent on month and 7.1 percent on year. In March, imports were up 5.7 percent on year and exports spiked 16.1 percent for a trade surplus of 663.7 billion yen. Taiwan will release April numbers for export orders and Q1 data for current account. In March, export orders surged 33.3 percent on year, while the current account surplus was $27.33 billion in the three months prior. China will see May numbers for its one-year and five-year loan prime rates; in April, they were at 3.85 percent and 4.65 percent, respectively. Hong Kong will see unemployment figures for April; in March, the jobless rate was 6.8 percent. Indonesia will provide April numbers for imports, exports and trade balance. In March, imports jumped 25.73 percent on year and exports spiked an annual 30.47 percent for a trade surplus of $1.56 billion. Copyright RTT News/dpa-AFX

Werbehinweise: Die Billigung des Basisprospekts durch die BaFin ist nicht als ihre Befurwortung der angebotenen Wertpapiere zu verstehen. Wir empfehlen Interessenten und potenziellen Anlegern den Basisprospekt und die Endgultigen Bedingungen zu lesen, bevor sie eine Anlageentscheidung treffen, um sich moglichst umfassend zu informieren, insbesondere uber die potenziellen Risiken und Chancen des Wertpapiers. Sie sind im Begriff, ein Produkt zu erwerben, das nicht einfach ist und schwer zu verstehen sein kann.
Accenture (NYSE: ACN) acquired Homburg & Partner, a Mannheim, Germany-based strategic management consulting firm with deep specialization in commercial strategy, sales, and pricing.

The amount of the deal was not disclosed.

Homburg & Partners team of 73 professionals have joined Accentures Customer, Sales & Service team.

Led by led by Prof. Christian Homburg, founder, Homburg & Partner provides customers with dedicated solutions to increase sales, market share and profitability with industry knowledge primarily for clients in the industrial goods, healthcare, and chemical industries.

For the past 20 years, the firm has worked with large to mid-sized companies on projects ranging from developing go-to-market strategies, optimizing sales processes and organizations to implementing pricing methodologies.

FinSMEs

19/05/2021


Emocha Health, a Baltimore, Maryland-based digital health company, raised 6.2m in Series A funding.

The round was led by Claritas Health Ventures with participation from Healthworx, CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield, Kapor Capital, PTX Capital, and TCP Venture Capital. In conjunction with the funding, Theresa Sexton, Managing Partner of Claritas Health Ventures, will join emochas Board of Directors.

The company intends to use the funds to expand strategic integrations and its remote clinical team of nurses and pharmacists, to respond to demand from health plans and transplant centers across the United States.

Led by Sebastian Seiguer, CEO, emocha provides Digital Medication Adherence Programs for patients to take every dose of medication through video technology and scalable human engagement. The company partners with health plans, health systems, employers and health departments across the country to improve adherence for patients with diabetes, asthma, tuberculosis, and other chronic and infectious diseases.

FinSMEs

20/05/2021
Payslip, a Westport, Ireland-based automation and integration technology platform for global payroll management, closed an additional $10M to its Series A financing round, bringing total financing to $14.5M.

The round was led by MiddleGame Ventures and Mouro Capital with participation from Frontline Ventures, Tribal.vc, investors David Clarke, former CTO of Workday; Brian Williams- Co-Founder of One Source Virtual; and Phil Chambers, CEO and Co-Founder of Peakon.

The company intends to use the funds to:

continue to expand its business reach,

hire talent across a range of departments, including engineering, product development, sales, tech support, and finance,

expand its product roadmap to include enhanced payroll, benefits & employee payroll personalization, zero touch automation & validation, and last mile global payments & benefits integration

Led by Fidelma McGuirk, CEO, Payslip provides Automation & Integration technology that delivers standardized Global Payroll Management to multinational employers. The technology integrates with HCM & Accounting/ERP systems automating payroll processes, standardizing payroll data and consolidating payroll reporting. Companies can centrally manage their global payroll operations with visibility, control and governance while scaling easily into new countries.

Payslip is already used by dozens of multinational organizations throughout various industries and customers include LogMeIn, Get Your Guide, Cloudera, and Airbus.

FinSMEs

18/05/2021
Prodoscore, an Irvine, California-based provider of employee visibility and productivity software, raised an additional $3m in funding.

SNK Capital Partners made the investment.

The company intends to use the funds to continue to expand operations and its business reach.

Led by CEO Sam Naficy, and newly added President David Powell, Prodoscore provides teams with a software platform to be more effective and productive. By providing visibility into employee activities through a single productivity score, a prodoscore is calculated to improve workforce productivity and streamline the employee experience. The system works with cloud tools like Google Workspace, Microsoft Office365, CRM systems, and VoIP calling platforms.

As president, Powell will be leading Prodoscore through the next phase of rapid growth, driving substantial revenue and supporting the evolution of the company.

FinSMEs

19/05/2021
ReaQta, an Amsterdam, The Netherlands-based provider of cyber security solutions for the autonomous detection and response of cyber threats, closed a Series A funding round of undisclosed amonted.

The round was led by Alpha Intelligence Capital with participation from Fortino Capital, InvestLink and Integra Partners.

The company will use the funds to expand its commercial operations and presence, particularly across Europe and Asia.

Led by Alberto Pelliccione, Co-Founder and CEO, ReaQta an AI Autonomous Detection & Response platform to eliminate the most advanced threats in real-time. Built by cyber security experts and AI/ML researchers with backgrounds in government intelligence operations, the solution features proprietary dual-AI engines that provide organizations across all industries with autonomous, real-time and fully customizable endpoint security.

Through deep learning, the platform constantly improves on defining normal behavior tailored to each business per endpoint, allowing it to block any abnormal behavior.

FinSMEs

19/05/2021
The Fascination, a Virginia Beach, Virginia-based online marketplace where people can discover, research and shop emerging, mission-driven brands, raised $1m in seed funding.

Backers included Kat Cole, ex-President of Focus Brands, Taylor Holiday, CEO of Common Thread Collective; John Sutton, President of Red Ventures, Joe Speiser, serial entrepreneur and Petflow founder, and Gabby Slome, co-founder of Ollie Pets.

The company intends to use the funds to expand operations and its business reach.

Launched in 2020 by Leesa founders David Wolfe and Matt Hayes, The Fascination is a curated online marketplace where consumers discover and shop top emerging, mission-driven brands. The platform currently features 150+ top emerging and established brands across direct-to-consumer.

The Fascination team also boasts DTC investor & operator Nik Sharma and The Hustle founder Sam Parr as founding advisors.

FinSMEs

20/05/2021
You have permission to edit this collection.

Edit Close
 Unlimited website access 24/7

 Unlimited e-Edition access 24/7

 The best local, regional and national news in sports, politics, business and more!

With a Digital Only subscription, you'll receive unlimited access to our website and e-edition. Our digital products are available 24/7 and are accessible anywhere, anytime.
Noise, popular for its accessories, has launched its new Noise Flair Bluetooth neckband headset in the country. It promises playback time of 35 hours on a single charge and 500 hours of standby. It has a flexible design and the comfy earbuds are made of food-grade silicone. The company says that it is Indias neckband to support full touch controls, and it also has vibrating call alerts.

With Swift caller technology, you can attend calls by just popping the buds apart. It has call noise cancellation with dual microphones. It has support for fast charge that offers 8 hours of playtime with 8 minutes of charge.

Noise Flair highlights and specifications

10mm drivers for clear audio

Bluetooth 5.0 to connect to devices with support for dual pairing that lets you pair the headphones with your phone and laptop simultaneously.

Dual microphones for call noise cancellation

Sweat and water resistant (IPX5)

Dimensions: 119x55x15mm; Weight: 37g

Touch Controls with remote and mic in line volume control, music and call control

Vibrating call alert

Magnetic controls with Swiftcaller technology makes attending calls tremendously convenient

Voice assistant support for Siri & Google Assistant and music/call controls

Up to 35 hours of playback at 70% volume, 8 min charge offers 8h playback, 40 minutes charging time, 500 hours of standby

The Noise Flair comes in Carbon Black, Misty Grey, Stone Blue and Forest Green colors and is available from Amazon.in, in addition to gonoise.com priced at Rs. 1799.
Seamless connectivity across devices is one of the areas that Google is focusing on for Android. To enable this, Google is introducing a number of improvements and features in Android that will make it a much better connected tool in a users home.

Starting with Android TVs, Google is finally building in remote control features directly into Android. This will allow users to navigate their TV, and even use their smartphones keyboard to type in the TV. The feature will begin rolling out later in 2021 and will work with all TVs running Android TV OS.

Using a Chromebook will soon become better with an Android phone. Google announced an update to the Phone Hub feature, where users can access recently taken photos from the users android phone. This is useful when the user wishes to edit or view a photo on their laptop quickly that was captured on their smartphone.

During their I/O conference, Google talked about how they are working with car manufacturers to integrate an Android smartphone into their cars ecosystem. Using Bluetooth or Ultra-Wide band technology, smartphones running Android 12 will soon have the ability to behave as a digital car key. This feature will soon arrive to select Pixel and Samsung Galaxy phones, and it will be supported on upcoming BMW cars, with more car manufacturers supporting it soon.

Lastly, Google has announced that their Fast Pair feature in Android 12 will be supported on more devices this year, including headphones from Beats and even cars from BMW and Ford.
Yes, I have been vaccinated

Not yet, but I plan to get vaccinated

No, I don't want to get vaccinated

Vote

View Results
OAKLAND, Calif. (AP)  At least two shooters opened fire on a party bus driving on a San Francisco Bay Area freeway early Tuesday, killing two women and wounding at least five others, authorities said.

The passengers were celebrating a womans 21st birthday when the bus was attacked around 12:20 a.m. on Interstate 580 as it was returning to Oakland from San Francisco, the East Bay Times reported.

At least two shooters in another vehicle began firing at the bus, then followed it off the freeway and continued shooting at it on city streets, authorities said. About 70 rounds were fired at the party bus.

Based on preliminary investigation, it does not appear this shooting was a random event, according to the California Highway Patrol, which is investigating along with Oakland police.

The Alameda County Coroners Bureau said one woman died on the bus and the other at a hospital. One of them was a 19-year-old Stockton resident, relatives told the newspaper.

At least five other women were wounded, and some were taken by ambulance to a hospital from an Oakland police station, where the bus driver went after the shooting. One of the victims is in critical condition.

A man who identified himself as the father of the 21-year-old celebrating her birthday said she was shot in the leg but is in stable condition.

Last month, a 25-year-old woman was shot while riding on a party bus in Oakland. There were more than 30 passengers on the bus that was supposed to go to San Francisco, authorities said. None of the other passengers or the driver were injured, and the woman survived.
With minutes to spare, a Hahnville High School teacher in Boutte, Louisiana, traded shoes with a senior so he could walk at his graduation after allegedly violating the dress code.
COVID-19 devastates rural India

Xinhua) 14:36, May 19, 2021

Migrant workers line up to enter Secunderabad railway station near Hyderabad, India, on May 15, 2021, during a lockdown to curb the surge of COVID-19 pandemic. (Str/Xinhua)

NEW DELHI, May 19 (Xinhua) -- Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi said last week that the COVID-19 pandemic that had claimed over 280,000 lives across the country was rapidly spreading in its rural areas.

He urged people living in the countryside to take precautions, timely testing and medication if feeling ill, and in particular, a shot of vaccine in the arm.

Although Vinod K. Paul, a recognized Indian medical scientist and public health exponent, said Tuesday that "there is stabilization" and "the pandemic is shrinking" as active cases are going down while hospital discharges are going up, deaths are still growing, and villages, in particular, are plagued.

THOSE WHO DIED

People living near the banks of the Ganga in the states of Uttar Pradesh and Bihar have been witnessing the ghastly sight of bloated and decomposing bodies in water and along the banks, where over 2,000 bodies were reportedly found.

Authorities appealed to people not to dump bodies to the water and intensified police patrolling along the riverbed to stop people from doing that. Uttar Pradesh government even issued full-page advertisements in all newspapers on Sunday, urging residents not to dump corpses in water while saying that 5,000 Indian rupees (68 U.S. dollars) would be given to anyone who cannot afford the last rites of their loved ones.

On Saturday evening, P. Chidambaram, a Congress opposition leader, said his party had independently cross-checked the reports of vernacular Gujarati daily regarding the government's under-counting of its COVID-19 deaths. He called on all states to release figures on the number of death certificates issued.

"We have a strong suspicion that the government of India, in conjunction with some state governments, is suppressing the true number of new infections and COVID-19 related deaths," said Chidambaram.

DIFFICULTY IN MASS VACCINATION

According to the ministry, over 184 million people have been vaccinated so far across the country since the beginning of the vaccination drive on Jan. 16.

The majority of the beneficiaries have received only one dose of the required two, and experts say most of the testing and vaccination centers have been set up in urban areas or towns.

An Indian government panel has recommended widening the interval between two doses of anti-COVID-19 COVISHIELD vaccine to 12-16 weeks from four to eight weeks due to the shortage of vaccines, the second time in three months such interval has been widened.

"First, it was 4 weeks for the second dose, then 6-8 weeks, and now we are told 12-16 weeks. Is this because there are not enough stocks of the vaccines for all who are eligible or because professional scientific advice says so?" another leader of the Congress Jairam Ramesh wrote on social media.

CALAMITY TO VILLAGERS

In a country of over 1.3 billion people, estimates say 65 percent live in rural areas.

In the recently held Uttar Pradesh panchayat (village council) polls, a teachers' association claimed it has lost over 800 teachers.

Those teachers had been deployed to organize elections. They returned from poll duties and carried the deadly virus back home, and infected their family members.

"The news that pandemic was killing people made us apprehensive, but my mother kept on telling us that she would lose her job in case she refuses to join the poll duty," said Divya Singh, who was mourning the death of her 48-year-old mother, Sarita.

Sarita, who was deployed to help with the election in India's largest state, took a poll training in mid-April with other teachers. India had already begun registering a global record spike in daily infections by then.

Once coming back to her village -- Manikapur in Unnao District, Sarita felt unwell. Her condition deteriorated, and her family drove her over an hour to the nearest hospital in Kanpur, Uttar Pradesh's largest city.

"We took her to two separate hospitals but couldn't get her admitted to either because she hadn't had a COVID-19 test as only positive patients were being admitted," Divya said.

"On May 3, we had managed to get her tested but by then she was put on an oxygen cylinder that we had managed to secure from relatives living in the city. Unfortunately, she died the next day at home and her COVID-19 test results only came back the day after."

Sarita was COVID-19 positive, according to her test report.

Following her death, Sarita's family isolated themselves at home. Her husband and younger son have been told they are COVID-positive too.

The other three members in the family -- her daughter, her eldest son and daughter-in-law -- are showing symptoms.

In fact, the extent of COVID-19's wrath in rural India is not fully known while testing and medical care are deemed scarcer there, given a nationwide shortage of hospital beds and oxygen.

TIMELY ASSISTANCE

Last week, the World Health Organization (WHO) said India's COVID-19 situation remains hugely concerning, with several states continuing to see a worrying number of cases, hospitalisations and deaths.

Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said that WHO was responding to the COVID-19 surge in India and shipped thousands of oxygen concentrators, tents for mobile field hospitals, masks and other medical supplies.

China is also reaching out a helping hand.

Zha Liyou, consul general of Chinese Consulate General in Kolkata, India, tweeted on Sunday that "urgently-needed &Indian-purchased medical supplies arrived in Kolkata last night from Wuhan, China."

On Sunday, the Delhi airport received a jumbo charter off from China's Hangzhou "with the biggest-ever single consignment of over 3,600 oxygen concentrators from China," according to local media outlets.

Since April, China has supplied more than 5,000 ventilators, 21,569 oxygen generators, over 21.48 million masks and around 3,800 tonnes of medicine to India, Chinese Ambassador to India Sun Weidong said in a tweet on May 4, citing statistics from the General Administration of Customs of China.

"Thank you very much for saving thousands of lives, we treasure your support," tweeted Himadrish Suwan, operation director of the Indian Institute of Governance and Leadership.

(Web editor: Shi Xi, Hongyu)
Other than frontline workers, I dont think it should be required

It should never be required

It should be required by private employers in almost all cases

Vote

View Results
Keep the conversation about local news & events going by joining us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Recent updates from The News-Post and also from News-Post staff members are compiled below.
William Weber West, 93 of Gainesville, Texas passed away on June 2, 2021. He was born on April 7, 1928 in Atchison, Kansas to Lee West and Elizabeth (Weber) West. He married Mary Ellen Peyrot on May 17, 1951 in Gainesville, Texas. William enlisted in the U.S. Army on January 5, 1951 in Gaine
Galveston, TX (77553)

Today

Partly cloudy. High 87F. Winds S at 10 to 20 mph..

Tonight

A few passing clouds, otherwise generally clear. Low near 80F. Winds S at 10 to 20 mph.
Electronic Arts has set up a mysterious new studio in Seattle, Washington to develop an equally mysterious open-world action-adventure game.

According to GamesIndustry.biz, Kevin Stephens, the former VP and studio head of Middle-earth Shadow of War dev Monolith Productions, has signed on to lead the new and still unnamed studio.

"Kevin is an exceptionally talented game developer leader and we look forward to supporting him while he builds his team," reads a statement from EA studios chief Laura Miele. "As someone known for his open-world action-adventure games, we know players will be eagerly awaiting more details on this new studio and its projects."

While news of the new studio is now out in the world, EA leadership notes in that chat with GamesIndustry.biz that they intend to give Stephens ample time to ramp up the studio at his own pace and answer "foundational questions" surrounding size and a pace at which to eventually scale up.

This all makes the unnamed studio EA's second Seattle-based subsidiary after PopCap Games, though the possibility of a remote workforce for this latest creation hasn't been ruled out quite yet.
We count on the average flow of $1 (million) to $3 million a year from timber sales, Tucker said. It pays for everything from sheriffs deputies to go out and help people to even a portion of my own salary.

He went on to explain that, while counties will see higher initial revenues from the state thanks to these salvage efforts, the loss in future revenues is likely much greater.

Many of those trees are gone  theyre dead, theyre burnt, Tucker said. Theyre so damaged that theyre worth nothing. Those trees will take 70 or 80 years to get back into the process  our revenues will not be (what) we normally expect to get.

As such, Tucker said that the Linn County board will need to have some tough conversations in the future about how to make up for the loss of that revenue.

We, as commissioners, have not yet talked this through, but well need to set that money aside because in the future  when that average of $2 million instead becomes a couple hundred thousand, we will need to have that revenue replaced somehow, he said.
Jim Rubens, an entrepreneur and investor who served two terms as a Republican in the New Hampshire state Senate, is a board member of American Promise, which advocates for a constitutional amendment to rein in unlimited campaign spending. He wrote this for InsideSources.com.
Gillette, WY (82718)

Today

Sunny. Windy during the morning. Much cooler. High 78F. Winds NW at 20 to 30 mph, becoming ESE and decreasing to 5 to 10 mph..

Tonight

Mostly clear. Low 47F. Winds SE at 5 to 10 mph.
Persons residing at Camp Diable and whose 2nd dose of Covishield vaccine was scheduled at Riviere des Anguilles Village Hall from 15th to 22nd May 2021 are informed that a vaccination session has been rescheduled on Saturday 22nd May 2021 from 09:00 hours to 15:00 hours at Camp Diable Government School.

They are kindly requested to attend the above mentioned date, time and venue for their 2nd dose.

They are also requested to bring their National Identity Card and COVID-19 Vaccination Card on the date of appointment.

Partager et informez vous aussi......

0 shares Share

Tweet

LinkedIn
You asked. We listened. Your daily crossword, Sudoku and dozens of other puzzles are now available online. Play them or print them here.

Play now
MIKE SPRINGER/Staff file photo Rockport's Inner Harbor, looking toward Bradley Wharf from T-Wharf. A state-commissioned report said the town's commercial fishermen are challenged by lack of docking space and moorings, limited parking, and conflicts with other harbor users.
JARED CHARNEY/Staff file photo/Organizers say the Gloucester Schooner Festival is a go for Labor Day weekend, after a hiatus last year. Here, the Istar takes part in the festival's Parade of Sail in 2018.
TOPEKA [mdash] Lydia N. Hostetler, 89, of Topeka, died at 4:25 a.m. on Tuesday, June 8 at her residence. She was born on April 8, 1932, in LaGrange County, to Noah J. and Amanda Mae (Bontrager) Raber. On April 23, 1953, in Honeyville, she married Ervin D. Hostetler. He died June 3, 2017. Sur
Note: We've recently updated our online systems. If you can't login please try resetting your password. You must login with an email address. If you don't have an email associated with your account email circulation@skagitpublishing.com for help creating one.
Governor Northam Directs Virginia Employment Commission to Speed Up Processing of Unemployment Claims

$20 million will support 300 new adjudication staffers, increase capacity to resolve potentially ineligible or fraudulent claims

RICHMONDGovernor Ralph Northam today directed the Virginia Employment Commission to invest $20 million to dramatically expand the agencys ability to process complicated unemployment insurance claims. Executive Directive Sixteen requires the agency add 300 new adjudication staffers, make immediate technology upgrades, and complete a full modernization of the Commonwealths unemployment insurance system by October 1, 2021.

While Virginia ranks sixth in the nation for the timely payment of benefits to eligible applicants, the Governors action will speed up the resolution of cases flagged as potentially fraudulent or ineligible. These cases represent approximately four percent of all claims.

Virginia is a national leader in getting unemployment benefits to eligible individuals, but its clear that complex cases must be resolved more quickly, said Governor Northam. Thats why Im directing the Virginia Employment Commission invest $20 million to significantly speed up its adjudication process and immediately implement long overdue technology upgrades. This action will address many of the issues that have caused delays and ensure that we continue to deliver relief to Virginians who need it.

Virginias unemployment system was set up to benefit businesses, not workers, and it has remained one of the lowest-funded systems in the country for generations. In fact, Virginia ranks 51st out of 53 states and territories for the amount of federal funding it receives relative to what Virginia businesses pay in taxes. The problem was hidden by years of low unemployment and a consistently strong economy, and the pandemic has highlighted this reality.

Despite being underfunded, the Commonwealths unemployment insurance (UI) system has successfully distributed $12.9 billion in benefits to more than 1.3 million eligible Virginians since the pandemic started. Approximately 85 percent of Virginia applicants receive unemployment benefits within the first 21 days, making Virginia sixth in the nationand first in the Mid-Atlantic regionfor delivering unemployment benefits to eligible individuals.

If an individuals initial claim is flagged for potential ineligibility or fraud, federal law requires the Virginia Employment Commission (VEC) to adjudicate the claim before proceeding with payment. Most individuals that are placed in the adjudication process are ultimately found ineligible for benefits.

Executive Directive Sixteen directs the VEC to take four immediate actions to adjudicate claims faster:

Set a clear goal for resolving UI claims. Governor Northam has directed VEC to increase the number of adjudications being processed per week from 5,700 to 10,000 by June 30 and to 20,000 by July 31, 2021. This will be accomplished, in part, by finalizing a $5 million contract for over 300 additional adjudication officers. VEC is also coordinating with the Virginia Department of Human Resource Management (DHRM) to identify employees across Virginias state agencies who can temporarily support VEC.

Continue investment in Customer Contact Center. Since the onset of the pandemic, VEC has quadrupled its customer service capacity in order to provide information and support to Virginians with questions about their claims. Governor Northam has directed VEC to expedite an additional contract for services and staff to augment the current expansion.

Modernize the benefits system. Historic claim volume during the pandemic had previously delayed VECs progress in modernizing its 41-year-old benefits system. The agency has resumed the project, executing a contract for $5 million in state funding for technology upgrades. October 1, 2021 has been set as the target date for completing the final phase of the system. VEC will be implementing additional technology upgrades for customer service in the coming weeks to increase capacity.

Collaborate with the Virginia congressional delegation to resolve federal funding disparity. States receive unemployment support from the federal government. The amount is based on how much Virginia businesses pay in federal unemployment insurance taxes. For Virginia, that ratio is among the lowest of all states and an increase typically requires businesses to pay more in taxes. This formula has underfunded Virginias UI system for years with respect to upgrading technology and maintaining staffing levels.





As Virginias chief workforce official, I am always thinking about the Virginians behind the unemployment numbers, said Chief Workforce Development Advisor Megan Healy. As we move into the next phase of our recovery, the Governors actions will create additional capacity for processing the historic number of claims with indeterminate eligibility.

Virginia has made a wide range of additional assistance available to those whose employment has been impacted by COVID-19. Low-income Virginians should refer to the Virginia Department of Social Services CommonHelp for guidance on applying for food, cash, childcare, and other assistance. Support is also available through the Virginia Career Works Referral Portal for those interested in workforce training, going back to school, or getting a job. This includes $36 million in funding through Governor Northams Get Skilled, Get a Job, Give Back (G3) Program, which makes tuition-free community college available to low- and middle-income students who pursue jobs in high-demand fields.

Starting the pandemic with low federal support and record low UI claims, the VEC has faced a greater than 1000% increase in workloads, said Commissioner Ellen Marie Hess. I am proud of the work our team has done and continues to do in the face of truly unprecedented demand. Weekly claims still exceed pre-pandemic levels, but each and every day, the dedicated public servants of the VEC continue marching forward and serving their fellow Virginians.

The full text of Executive Directive Sixteen is available here.

# # #
Grand Haven, MI (49417)

Today

Mostly sunny. A stray afternoon thunderstorm is possible. High around 85F. Winds WSW at 5 to 10 mph..

Tonight

Partly cloudy. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. Low near 65F. Winds light and variable.
Franz Tost has proposed a solution to the contentious issue of 'track limits' in Formula 1 - specifically, to "ignore it".

So far in 2021, the inconsistency and confusion about which corners are policed and how penalties are applied has been a major talking point.

Some are proposing 'hard limits' like grass, gravel or barriers, while others suggest the circuits' white delineating lines should be universally regarded as the limit and policed strictly.

But Alpha Tauri boss Tost told Auto Motor und Sport when asked about track limits: "I would ignore it.

"If someone gains an advantage because they overtake off-track, that is unacceptable," he said. "Otherwise I would stop all of these penalties.

"It's more common that someone exceeds the track limits but actually loses time - wins nothing. That really irritates the audience in front of the TV.

"I have friends who call me and say 'stop it with these track limits - nobody understands it anymore'," the Austrian added.

Tost said a perfect example of an undeserved penalty was when Max Verstappen lost control of his Red Bull in Portimao qualifying and ran wide.

"He almost lost the car because of a crosswind," Tost exclaimed. "What's more, he lost time rather than gained it.

"There are actually very few corners where the driver wins something by going wide."

Tost was also asked about the issue of driver salary caps, after the likes of Lewis Hamilton, Valtteri Bottas and Charles Leclerc all indicated that they opposed to the idea.

Tost, though, is an outspoken proponent.

"It is possible in America, so why not with us?" he said.

"But you can probably only control it if you see the driver's proof of income at the end of the year. And there is no such thing in countries that have no taxation.

"That means you'd have to do it on a voluntary basis, and the drivers won't do that. Still, you could write it into the regulations.

"There are talks at the moment with the FIA and the finance experts. We'll have to see what comes out of it," added Tost.

(GMM)
Honda is still trailing Mercedes in terms of ultimate engine performance, Alpha Tauri boss Franz Tost has admitted.

Tost heads the second Red Bull-owned team in Formula 1 that is also powered by Honda, the Japanese engine manufacturer that is officially leaving the sport at the end of this season.

"Honda did a very good job over the winter. And last year too," the Austrian told Auto Motor und Sport. "They have caught up in terms of both performance and durability.

"It really is a shame that they are quitting now because they have reached a really great level," Tost added. "If they had stayed, I believe that sooner or later the engine would have caught up with Mercedes or been even better."

From 2022, Red Bull is taking over Honda's engine IP and setting up shop with its new on-site Red Bull Powertrains operation, which has already attracted over a dozen key Mercedes staff.

As for 2021, however, former F1 driver Ralf Schumacher is not sure the Red Bull-Honda package is strong enough to de-throne Mercedes this year.

"I am slowly losing hope," he told Sky Deutschland. "Red Bull needs to take a big step forward."

Tost admits engine power is one slight deficit for Red Bull.

"It depends on the track," he said, "and the power unit management. I think Mercedes is still the benchmark."

Meanwhile, the Alpha Tauri chief admitted that the Faenza based team will share many components with sister team Red Bull Racing in 2022.

"We will take everything from Red Bull Technologies that the regulations allow," said Tost. "That's the transmission, the complete rear suspension and many parts of the front suspension - maybe even the whole thing.

"The parts we will use stays the same, but it will be a lot more expensive for us because we are sourcing new parts. Until now we have always taken the parts from the previous (Red Bull) car," he added.

(GMM)
Formula 1 should stop teams with "direct relationships" from sharing their wind tunnels, according to Zak Brown.

Recently, the McLaren supremo penned an open letter in which he revealed his worries about team alliances in F1 - along the lines of Mercedes-Aston Martin and Haas-Ferrari.

For instance, Haas boss Gunther Steiner has told formelaustria.at that the small American team will move in to its new division at Ferrari's Maranello headquarters next week.

"The move-in is scheduled to be completed next week, and then we will start in earnest towards 2022," he said.

Brown, whose McLaren outfit uses Mercedes engines but is otherwise independent, warned that the "FIA and Formula 1 definitely have to address" the growing trend of team alliances.

"I have no problem with working together in areas like the gearbox to help the small teams," he now tells motorsport-magazin.com. "That's good and healthy.

"But personally, I don't like it when two connected teams share the same wind tunnel. I'd like to see restrictions on that when there is a direct relationship."

Specifically, he thinks a Ferrari-affiliated team like Haas should use a different wind tunnel than the one at Maranello.

"I could imagine them using the Renault wind tunnel. Sauber also has a great facility," said Brown.

(GMM)
U.S. approval of arms sale to Israel criticized as "adding fuel to fire"

Xinhua) 15:23, May 19, 2021

JERUSALEM, May 19 (Xinhua) -- A ceasefire remains elusive for the Israel-Palestine conflict, with the U.S. administration has reportedly approved a 735 million-U.S.-dollar deal of precision-guided weapons to Israel, a move widely seen as "adding fuel to the fire" ravaging the Gaza strip.

Citing sources familiar with the matter, the Washington Post reported on Monday that Congress was officially notified of the proposed sale on May 5, nearly a week before the conflict escalated in Gaza between Israeli forces and Palestinian militants.

Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif on Tuesday criticized the United States for selling advanced weapons to Israel amid the flared-up conflict.

Zarif, on his Twitter account, said the United States sold Israel "precision" missiles to "kill more children with more precision."

Calling the United States the "enabler" of Israel, Zarif also accused the United States of blocking the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) to pass a statement on the conflicts.

Earlier on Sunday, Majid Takht Ravanchi, Iran's permanent representative to the United Nations, cited Washington's patronage for Israel as a key factor behind its sustained avoidance of accountability for the atrocities in the international arena, Iranian news network Press TV reported.

The United States has been "systematically" shielding the Israeli government against international condemnation, the Iranian envoy said.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Monday criticized President Joe Biden's approval of weapons sales to Israel, saying the United States was "writing history with bloody hands" in those events of "seriously disproportionate attacks" on Gaza that have caused huge casualties.

"The declaration of Jerusalem as Israel's capital by the U.S. and other countries following it towards the end of 2017 has increased the appetite of this murderous state to spill blood," Erdogan said.

"Instead of actively preventing the Palestinian-Israeli conflict, the United States is prepared to add fuel to the fire," Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Zhao Lijian told a daily news briefing on Tuesday.

"The United States has fallen into unprecedented isolation in the UNSC and stands completely on the opposite side of human conscience and morality," he said when answering a question from the press about the U.S. arms deal.

Meanwhile, Hilal Khashan, chair of the Political Studies Department at the American University of Beirut, believed that the United States' support for Israel is "ingrained in the formulation of the American foreign policy," and no matter who is president, a Republican or a Democrat.

Nadhum Ali Abdullah, an Iraqi political analyst with the Arab Forum for Policy Analysis, noted that the arms sales approval, which comes at a time when Israel is waging a fierce war against the Palestinians, won't help at all in easing the tensions or ending the bloodshed.

"This deal is a message of support to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his government to continue their stubborn rejection of all solutions and international resolutions that seek to calm down the situation and stop the Palestinian bloodshed," he said.

By supplying weapons, the United States is obstructing the reaching of a ceasefire, and obstructing UNSC resolutions, he added.

Khaled Abdul-Majid, secretary-general of the Palestinian Popular Struggle Front, also attributed the ongoing Israeli-Palestinian conflict to the United States' support for Israel, "its military arm in the region."

"Such U.S. biased stance is pushing away any solution to the Palestinian-Israeli conflict that has been dragging on for seven decades," he said.

"Such huge support is giving the Israelis impunity and making them unwilling to truly negotiate or come up with a just and fair solution with the Palestinians," he added, urging Washington to "stop hindering efforts" to resolve the conflict, "come to its senses" and "live up to its own slogans which talk about liberty and equality as well as justice."

Within the U.S. border, there is also condemnation against the administration's weapons sale approval.

A video posted online by the local CBS news channel showed a crowd of pro-Palestinian demonstrators gathering in Los Angeles outside of the Israeli Consulate on Tuesday Afternoon, holding Palestine national flags and signs while chanting slogans.

Minnesota Democrat Representative Ilhan Omar on Tuesday told CNN that it would be "appalling" if the administration went through with the sale, adding that it would be seen as "a green light for continued escalation and will undercut any attempts at brokering a ceasefire."

The ongoing conflict, the worst violence between Israel and the besieged Palestinian enclave since 2014, has killed 204 Palestinians, including 59 children, and 10 Israelis, including a five-year-old boy and a soldier.

Netanyahu said in a televised address on Sunday that the offensive will continue "with full force" and will take "as long as necessary," despite international efforts to broker a truce to quell the deadly flare-up.

During Biden's latest phone conversation with Netanyahu on Monday, he expressed support for Israel's right to "defend itself."

(Web editor: Shi Xi, Hongyu)
Autocar, LLC, manufacturer of North Americas oldest brand of specialized severe-duty vocational trucks, introduced an all-electric version of its Autocar ACTT terminal tractor, the E-ACTT. The E-ACTT will be available in late 2021.





The purpose-built E-ACTT terminal tractor makes a great work truck even better by helping meet regulatory mandates for the vocational truck industry to reduce fuel consumption by 24% by model year 2027 and, in California, to transition diesel trucks to zero-emission trucks.

The E-ACTT is the same reliable, heavy duty Autocar ACTT but is all electric. Autocar Truck has been a key innovator in the EV truck market dating back to 1923 when we designed our first two EV trucks, Autocar Truck E1 and E2. Mark Aubry, general manager, Terminal Tractor division for Autocar Truck





The Autocar E-ACTT electric powertrain with telemetry/diagnostic systems were designed specifically for severe-duty application by Vorza. Vorzas electric fleet vehicle development team worked directly with Autocar Truck to create a 24/7 powertrain capable of handling the rigorous demands of semi-trailer yard spotting and container handling.

Autocars temperature-controlled lithium-ion battery technology and onboard charging system in the E-ACTT terminal tractor are designed to meet demanding duty cycles with minimal operational disruptions, similar operationally to their current diesel counterparts.

With advanced monitoring systems and innovative telematics in every unit, the E- ACTT terminal tractor provides cost savings for both predictive and preventive maintenance. It is designed to improve a fleets productivity and efficiency by maximizing uptime. Autocars telematics allows each tractor to predict when maintenance is needed, allowing the fleet owner to reduce or eliminate downtime and generate cost savings.

The Autocar brand was launched in 1897 when founder Louis Semple Clarke built the Autocar No. 1, a tricycle powered by a one-cylinder gasoline engine, now in the Smithsonian National Museum of American History. By 1921, the original Autocar company offered three truck models with capacities ranging from 1-1/2 to 6 tons, a variety of wheelbases, both conventional and engine-under-the-seat designs.

Today, Autocar, LLC is a specialist manufacturer of custom-engineered, severe-duty, Class 7 and Class 8 vocational trucks.
Amy Laws has lived on three continents, in four states and has traveled to eight countries  and counting! A fluent French-speaker, her wanderlust keeps her traveling, but her roots have brought her back to Greeneville, Tenn.
Support local journalism

We are making critical coverage of the coronavirus available for free.

Please consider subscribing so we can continue to bring you the latest news and information on this developing story.


BRANDON, Miss. (AP)  The family of a man who died hours after being taken into custody by deputies in central Mississippi is seeking answers about his death.

Cory Jackson of Brandon died early Saturday morning, WLBT-TV reports. While the Rankin County Sheriffs Department says he was pronounced dead at a hospital, Jacksons younger sister Megan Jackson said the deputy coroner told the family he died at the jail.

Nobody deserves to die scared and alone in a cell when someone is supposed to protect you, Megan Jackson told WLBT.

She said the family called the sheriffs department for help because Jackson needed medical attention for injuries and his hallucinations made it difficult to get him to a hospital.

He has a mental illness. Hes schizophrenic, you know, he has drug-induced psychosis. He is bipolar. He has multiple personalities, he is delusional, the sister added.

She told the station that deputies assumed her brother was on drugs because of his behavior. She said Jackson had been with their mother the whole day and she had his money. While the family said he had used drugs many times before, he didnt that day.

The cop was like, well, this is obviously drugs. And we were like, no, its not, Megan Jackson said.

According to the woman, deputies charged Jackson with disorderly conduct so they could bring him in for treatment.

Rankin County Sheriffs Department spokesperson Paul Holley told WLBT that Jackson was pronounced dead at a hospital after he was put in jail. His sister said the deputy coroner told her family a different version of what happened.

When they went in to check, he was gone. They said he passed at the jail, Megan Jackson said. The (deputy) coroner said that he was still in handcuffs when he was found dead.

Coroner David Ruth couldnt confirm to the station what the family members said but told the station that Jacksons body was sent for an autopsy. Holley said the case was turned over to the Mississippi Bureau of Investigation.

Jackson's sister and his mother Joyce Reddell said they dont believe he received medical treatment once he was put in jail.

He doesnt have to run anymore from his demons, but I hate it had to be this way, Reddell said.
Less than a week after the failed insurrection at the U.S. Capitol, a patient at a dentist's office in western New York couldn't believe what they were hearing. During a routine checkup, a patient listened in as an alleged rioter was bragging about his breach of the building as he was getting his teeth cleaned on Jan. 12, according to federal authorities.

Daniel Warmus, of Alden, N.Y., talked of smoking marijuana inside the Capitol and refusing a police officer's orders to leave the building, and even proudly played a video from Jan. 6, a federal complaint states.

After the patient "overheard Warmus talking about his experience while at a dentist's office," the person, who authorities said wished to remain anonymous, alerted the FBI and passed along Warmus's phone number and home address. A mundane trip to the dentist's office led to an investigation that concluded this week with Warmus, 37, in police custody.

Warmus was arrested Tuesday in Buffalo for his role in the Capitol riot, the Justice Department announced, joining more than 410 people who've been arrested since Jan. 6. He's been charged with violent entry and disorderly conduct on Capitol grounds, knowingly entering or remaining in any restricted building without lawful authority and knowingly and with intent to impede or disrupt the disorderly conduct of government business.

Neither Warmus nor his father immediately responded to requests for comment Tuesday. It's not clear whether Warmus has an attorney.

His arrest is the latest in what's become a familiar trend in the past four months of the FBI getting information from just about anyone connected to boastful members of the pro-Trump mob - from family members and friends to colleagues and ex-girlfriends. Earlier this month, Robert Lee Petrosh was arrested after his mother shared the news of his presence at the Capitol to a friend of hers, which eventually resulted in the FBI's involvement.

The Justice Department's announcement came the same day that Albert Watkins, an attorney for Jacob Anthony Chansley, often referred to as the "QAnon Shaman," said his client and many of the other accused Capitol rioters were vulnerable to believing the false claims of election fraud from former president Donald Trump. "These are people with brain damage," Watkins told Talking Points Memo. "These aren't bad people."

Warmus joins more than 30 others from New York to be arrested in connection to the riot, according to an analysis by The Washington Post. He purportedly owns Worm-A-Fix Automotive Repair in nearby Orchard Park, N.Y., business records show. A message left for the business was not immediately returned.

Warmus, who made the nearly 300-mile trek from western New York in hope of overturning the election results, was seen wearing a Trump 2020 hat and sweatshirt that read, "CNN is fake news," and waving a large flag with an expletive directed toward antifa, according to a nine-page statement of facts. Security footage shows that Warmus entered the Capitol at 2:17 p.m. on Jan. 6, authorities say, just minutes after rioters overwhelmed police officers attempting to block them from entering the building.

Security images shared by the Justice Department show Warmus entering the Capitol Rotunda and joining the rioters in taking photos and filming video of the surreal scene. An officer is captured on video grabbing Warmus by his backpack before the 37-year-old "pulled away and retreated from the officer," federal court documents say. Warmus was in the building for 16 minutes before he was seen exiting the building with other rioters at 2:33 p.m., according to authorities.

At the dentist's office six days later, the tipster told authorities that Warmus was heard talking about his trip to Washington, claiming to have smoked weed inside the Capitol. Investigators noted that security footage did not show him smoking in or around the building.

The 37-year-old also allegedly boasted at the dentist's office about not heeding an officer's command to exit the Capitol as the mob ran amok.

"Specifically, the tipster reported that a police officer told Warmus to leave the building, but Warmus refused to leave," the complaint states.

The tipster also said they heard Warmus play a video he took when he was inside the Capitol, but told investigators that they did not see the video.

It is not clear what the relationship is between Warmus and the tipster, authorities said. The FBI noted that the person did not respond to additional questions from authorities after they shared the tip about Warmus.

Through Verizon phone records obtained through a search warrant, investigators were able to see that Warmus's cellphone was being used around the Capitol on Jan. 6, according to the statement of facts.

He was scheduled to make his first court appearance Tuesday before the Western District of New York, court records show.
The Senate passed two justice-related bills on Tuesday: one intended to protect survivors of domestic violence, and one that would automatically erase some criminal convictions.

The first measure would expand the definition of domestic violence to include coercive control. If the proposal is signed into law, isolating family members from their friends or relatives, controlling family members movements or daily behavior and threatening animals to intimidate family members all would be considered domestic violence.

It is past time to recognize the reality and the full scope of what domestic violence looks like, said Sen. Alex Kasser, D-Greenwich. It is much more than black eyes and bruises. It is a form of terrorism.

The measure comes as domestic violence spiked during the pandemic. Nicknamed Jennifers Law, the proposal is named after Jennifer Dulos, who disappeared in 2019 and whose estranged husband was charged with her murder, and Jennifer Magnano, who was murdered by her husband in 2007.

The bill passed almost unanimously. The lone no vote came from Sen. Rob Sampson, R-Wolcott, whose concern centered on three sections of the bill that dealt with the treatment of landlords, which he said put them in a very awkward position and infringed on their civil liberties.

The measure requires landlords to respond within six hours to tenants who ask for their locks to be changed after they are named as a protected person in a restraining order, and to swap the locks within 48 hours, which Sampson said is a tight time frame.

Im a landlord myself, Sampson said. And if someone texted me at 2:30 in the morning and said, You need to change the locks on my apartment, because I have a restraining order against my boyfriend or girlfriend, and I did not answer till the morning, would I be in violation of this policy?

Sampson proposed an amendment that would have removed these sections from the bill.

I would like very much to be able to vote yes for this bill. I agree with it completely, Sampson said. And here I am, Im faced with a problem because I believe these sections are onerous and, frankly, a little unnecessary.

Kasser urged her colleagues to oppose Sampsons amendment, asking them, How would you feel if the people who posed a danger to you had a key to your home?

Clean slate

Republicans castigated Democrats for the apparent contradiction of passing a measure protecting survivors of domestic violence and then supporting a bill that would automatically erase certain criminal convictions. Republicans unsuccessfully tried to pass a number of amendments that would have removed an array of crimes, from strangulation to criminally negligent homicide, from eligibility for automatic erasure.

You are including folks that do not deserve this benefit, Sampson said. Some criminals and some crimes are more significant than others. Its just that simple. We have been listing significant crimes that have significant penalties, and for significant reasons.

But Democrats insisted that the bill would help people to be productive members of society and ensure their sentences actually end, so they arent punished for their crimes for the rest of their lives. And they pointed out that, in order to benefit from the relief, individuals would have to remain conviction-free for seven years to have their misdemeanors erased, and 10 years for felonies, after the persons most recent conviction.

This bill simply is about whether or not we believe somebody that who has paid the price through incarceration and has led a life afterwards without crime again, that they deserve to have a second chance to be able to get on with their lives and be productive members of society, said Senate Majority Leader Bob Duff of Norwalk. This bill is about a clean slate and providing people with an opportunity to move forward with their lives.

What we want to do is to make sure that people have paid for their crime  thats what prison is for  and that they can get back on track so that they can operate within our society, said Sen. Gary Winfield, D-New Haven and co-chair of the Judiciary Committee.

The bill passed, 23-12.

It would wipe all misdemeanors from a persons record seven years after their most recent conviction. Class D or E felonies, which include crimes such as first-degree threatening, second-degree strangulation and first-degree unlawful restraint, or unclassified felonies punishable by up to a five-year prison sentence, would be wiped away after 10 years from a persons most recent conviction.

Certain crimes would be ineligible for automatic erasure. Any family violence crimes or sexual offenses would not be automatically erased.

The measure approved by the Senate had a notable change from the bill that passed out of committee: Class C felonies, which include crimes such as second-degree burglary, second-degree manslaughter and second-degree assault, would no longer be eligible for automatic erasure.

Automatic erasures would begin on Jan. 1, 2023.

The existing pardons process would also remain in place for individuals who wish to apply before their records are automatically erased or who have convictions ineligible for automatic expungement. Under existing law, people can apply to the Board of Pardons and Parole to have their records expunged three years after the disposition of a misdemeanor and five years after a felony.

If passed by the House of Representatives and signed into law, Connecticuts clean slate law would be among the most expansive in the country. Utahs law only applies to misdemeanors and traffic violations; Pennsylvania, the first state in the nation to pass a clean slate law that uses technology to automatically seal peoples records, applies only to low-level misdemeanors. New Jersey and Michigans clean slate laws have similar waiting periods and include felonies, but, like Connecticut, each also have carve-outs ineligible for automatic erasure.

During the debate, Winfield recalled the old adage, Dont do the crime if you cant do the time. But, he said, the collateral consequences of criminal records effectively make many crimes life sentences.

There is a point at which punishment should end, said Winfield.

Shortly before the vote around 10 p.m., Duff thanked Congregations Organized for a New Connecticut, an interfaith group that has advocated for the bill for years, for introducing people with criminal convictions to lawmakers. Duff said these residents told them how their records continue to hold them back, years after they made their mistakes. And he reiterated that the bill before legislators offers them a promise of relief only after years of hard work remaining on the right side of the law.

This bill is a step to give people to earn their lives back, Duff said. This bill doesnt say the minute you get out of prison youve got a clean slate. You have to work for it.
HARTFORD  Republican leaders of the General Assembly on Wednesday said they are eager to work with Gov. Ned Lamont and oppose tax increases on Connecticuts wealthiest that are being pushed by majority Democrats.

After a news conference led by Democratic leaders and committee chairmen, House Minority Leader Vincent Candelora and Deputy Senate Minority Leader Paul Formica agreed with Lamont that the proposed two-year $46-billion budget would unacceptably raise taxes at a time when the state is flush with federal COVID support, but the economy is still fragile in the waning COVID pandemic.

Ill work with the Democrats to kill their own budget as well, Candelora, of North Branford, said outside the House chamber. We are a bipartisan caucus. We want to work with the other side to do whats best for the state of Connecticut. Its important for them to remember that when you have Republicans in the room, your best product comes out.

We know what happens when you raise taxes on the wealthy, especially in this mobile economy, Formica, of East Lyme, said outside the Senate chamber. They move out and it leaves the rest of us to shoulder the load, so there has to be a balance. Certainly we will stand with whatever ideas we can get behind, whether its the governor or anyone else thats going to benefit the middle class and all of the people in the state of Connecticut. Certainly the governor knows where we are and were happy to have a conversation with him, especially if hes standing tall on fighting these tax increases.

Formica and Candelora spoke after a 35-minute Democratic news conference in which the majority lawmakers, who have a 97-54 edge in the House and 24-12 in the Senate, underscored their spending plans heading into this weeks negotiations with Lamont.

I think there is a desire by a lot of members I have spoken with, to look at a major infrastructure plan over the next 10 years; to really invest in some of our urban areas, and whether you want to call it an equity fund or an investment fund, that has caught on and gained some traction, said Speaker of the House Matt Ritter, D-Hartford.

Senate President Pro Tempore Martin Looney, D-New Haven, said that while a lot of money will come in over the two years starting July 1, the states needs will persist beyond them. Thats the reason that there is more broad-based discussion on taxes, Looney said.

Lamont, speaking later in the afternoon at a Groton brewery said he would likely veto the current budget package.

Look, you dont raise taxes when you dont need to raise taxes, Lamont said, speaking from a podium in the brewerys parking lot. Thanks to the American Rescue Plan, we have $6 billion coming into the state taking care of the folks most in need, helping people get back to work. So I really want to work with the legislature on how we make that investment particularly effective for folks who have been left behind.

Closed-door talks between the governors staff and the leaders of the General Assemblys two fiscal committees are scheduled to begin on Thursday. State Sen. Cathy Osten, D-Sprague, told reporters that the goal is to come to an agreement with the governor by the end of the month.

While Republicans expect to be shut out of the talks initially, Candelora and Formica said they will be available and eager to work with the governor.

The proposed tax package, which was approved by the Finance Committee last month, would would range from 0.7 percent for taxpayers with federal adjusted gross incomes between $500,000 and $2 million, to 1.5 percent for taxpayers with federal AGIs of $13 million or more.

A new 2 percent surcharge on capital gains, bringing the total rate to 8.99 percent, would raise $262 million in the fiscal year starting July 1, 2022 from single tax filers with AGIs of $500,000 or more and a million dollars for joint filers.

Democratic leaders said their spending plans, including an increase in the Earned Income Tax Credit and a new $600-per-child tax credit for families making less than $200,000 or single parents making less than $100,000, are transformative at a time when they want to address decades of racial inequities.

Governor Lamont has been clear for months: Connecticut doesnt need more taxes, we need more taxpayers, Reiss said. We look forward to negotiating a budget, starting this week, that reflects the priorities of supporting our states most critical needs, maintaining fiscal responsibility, and addressing equity.

Asked whether they are tempting a veto from the governor, Looney said its too early in the endgame talks in the legislative session, which ends June 9. We dont expect a veto on anything, he said. We expect a negotiated agreement with the governor. Looney said he doesnt expect political damage as a result of higher taxes on the wealthy. I dont think there is any political price to pay if its a progressive tax, he said.

Our caucus, were not naive, Ritter added. We understand the constitutional process. We know that the governor could veto it, right? Everyones got to give and take. So, the V word? Eh, I dont worry about that.

Staff writer Peter Yankowski contributed to this report.
HUNTSVILLE, Texas (AP)  A Texas man convicted of fatally beating his 83-year-old great aunt more than two decades ago was executed Wednesday evening without media witnesses present because prison agency officials neglected to notify reporters it was time to carry out the punishment.

Quintin Jones received the lethal injection at the state penitentiary in Huntsville for the September 1999 killing of Berthena Bryant, agency spokesman Jeremy Desel said about 30 minutes after Jones was pronounced dead.

Desel never received the usual phone call from the Huntsville Unit prison to bring reporters from The Associated Press and The Huntsville Item to the prison. He and the media witnesses were waiting in an office across the street.

The Texas Department of Criminal Justice can only apologize for this error and nothing like this will ever happen again, he said.

He said the execution, the first in Texas in nearly a year, included a number of new personnel who have never participated in the process.

"Somewhere in that mix there was never a phone call made to this office for me to accompany the witnesses across the street into the Huntsville Unit," Desel said.

Desel said he didn't immediately know if the glitch was a violation of state law or a violation of agency policy.

The previous 570 executions carried out by Texas since capital punishment resumed in 1982 all had at least one media witness.

My assumption is there will be a thorough investigation into how this all transpired and what was missed that allowed it to happen, and I expect that investigation is already underway, Desel said.

There were no unusual circumstances with the execution itself, he said, relying on accounts from agency officials who were inside the death chamber.

Jones made a brief statement thanking his supporters and expressing love for them.

I was so glad to leave this world a better, more positive place, he said, according to a prison transcript of his remarks. "It's not an easy life with all of the negativity.

I hope I left everyone a plate of food full of happy memories, happiness and no sadness.

As the lethal dose of pentobarbital was administered, he took four or five deep breaths followed by "a long deep snore," Desel said.

Jones was pronounced dead at 6:40 p.m., 12 minutes after the drugs began.

Less than an hour before the scheduled punishment, the U.S. Supreme Court declined to halt the 41-year-old man's execution.

Prosecutors said after Bryant refused to lend Jones money, he beat her with a bat in her Fort Worth home then took $30 from her purse to buy drugs.

Some of Bryants family members, including her sister Mattie Long, had said they didnt want Jones to be executed. Jones was Longs grandnephew.

Because I was so close to Bert, her death hurt me a lot. Even so, God is merciful. Quintin cant bring her back. I cant bring her back. I am writing this to ask you to please spare Quintins life, Long wrote in a letter that was part of Jones clemency petition with the Texas Board of Pardons and Paroles.

The board denied Jones clemency petition on Tuesday and Gov. Greg Abbott didnt go against that decision and also declined to delay the execution. Abbott has granted clemency to only one death row inmate, Thomas Whitaker, since taking office in 2015.

On Wednesday, Jones attorney filed a civil rights complaint against the board, alleging race played an impermissible role in its denial of Jones petition. Jones attorney argued the case was similar to that of Whitakers and the only difference was that Whitaker is white and Jones was Black. U.S. District Judge George C. Hanks Jr. dismissed the complaint, writing that Jones didnt present direct evidence of his allegation.

Helena Faulkner, a Tarrant County assistant criminal district attorney whose office prosecuted Jones, said not all of Bryants family members had opposed the execution.

In his final appeals, Jones attorney, Michael Mowla, argued that Jones was intellectually disabled and that his death sentence was based on since discredited testimony that wrongly labeled him as a psychopath and a future danger. Mowla also said Jones history of drug and alcohol abuse that started at age 12 and physical and sexual abuse he suffered were never considered at his trial.

Jones was the first inmate in Texas to receive a lethal injection since the July 8 execution of Billy Joe Wardlow. Four other executions had been set for earlier this year but were either delayed or rescheduled. While Texas is usually the nations busiest death penalty state, in 2020 it executed only three inmates  the fewest executions in nearly 25 years, mainly because of the pandemic.

In court documents filed last week, prosecutors argued the death sentence was justified because Jones had a violent history, including assaulting teachers and participating in two other murders.

___

Lozano reported from Houston.

___

Follow Juan A. Lozano on Twitter: https://twitter.com/juanlozano70
GREENWICH  After the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommended on May 13 that fully vaccinated people no longer need to wear masks or physically distance in any setting, unless required by local, state or territorial rules, many businesses in Greenwich immediately followed that guidance by lifting their COVID-19 mask mandates.

Soon after, Gov. Ned Lamont announced the state of Connecticut will follow the CDCs recommendation, and masks will no longer be required under most circumstances for vaccinated residents, starting Thursday.

However, individuals will still be required to wear face coverings in high-risk settings, such as at hospitals, nursing homes, schools and on public transportation, for example. Unvaccinated people will still be trusted, on an honor system, to wear a mask if applicable.

Currently, at Town Hall and in other municipal buildings, employees in all departments, except for the Board of Education, are required to wear two or more layers of cloth, covering the mouth, nose and chin, from the time they enter a town facility until they arrive at their cubicle or workstation.

Those employees must also wear masks when leaving their workstations and while moving around hallways and other common areas, according to a copy of the policy on the town website. Visitors are also still required to wear masks at all times in town buildings, Greenwich First Selectman Fred Camillo said.

Just in case, Camillo said all residents should keep a mask with them at all times. Private businesses and other establishments are still allowed to require the face coverings. Residents are advised to visit the websites of businesses theyre visiting to view mask policies or call establishments to ask.

Overall, Camillo is encouraging local residents to remain cautious, despite the new announcement. When he learned about the CDCs new recommendation, Camillo said he was happy.

But part of me thought, Is it too early? Camillo said.

States that reopened too soon had major setbacks during the fight against COVID-19, with increased infections and higher death rates, Camillo said.

Certainly, theres a lot more freedom to go mask-less now, he added. I just encourage people to exercise some caution because were not to the other side yet. Were close. But were not there yet.

Most businesses in Greenwich are still requiring masks, Camillo said.

That is true at the recently reopened Bruce Museum in downtown Greenwich, where visitors are still required to wear masks or cloth coverings that completely cover the nose and mouth, according to the museums website. Individuals who do not comply will be ask to leave and cannot return until they are following the required protocol, according to the site.

Similarly, at Balduccis, the East Putnam Avenue grocery store, all patrons and employees are asked to wear protective face coverings. Staff there are still closely monitoring the flow of customers, and encouraging shoppers to bring their own bags, according to the website.

Leaders at UPS have also opted to keep social distancing and mask mandates in places at all times in their facilities. The organization is also providing hand sanitizer, disinfectant wipes and supplying millions of masks to UPSers, according to the UPS Stores website.

At the J.Crew clothing store, which has a branch on Greenwich Avenue, is requiring masks and is still encouraging social distancing with limited store capacity, according to its website.

Edge Fitness, a gym on East Putnam Avenue, said in a statement Tuesday that fully vaccinated members and guests will no longer be required to wear face masks at all 15 Connecticut locations of the Edge Fitness Clubs. Face masks are optional for fully vaccinated members and guests, and group fitness classes are now at full capacity, according to the statement.

However, other establishments are following the latest guidance from the CDC and swiftly changed their former policies.

Given widespread vaccine availability, and the CDCs recent recommendation, Starbucks has eased its mask policy. Facial coverings have been optional for vaccinated customers since Monday, unless local regulations require masks by law, according to the Starbucks website.

Also effective Monday, fully vaccinated individuals are no longer required to wear face coverings inside CVS Pharmacy stores, unless it is mandated by state or local regulations, according to the stores website. Customers who are not fully vaccinated, and employees of CVS, must continue wearing face coverings, according to the website. Health, safety and science will continue to drive our decision-making process, CVSs website says.

In Greenwich, almost 47 percent of people are fully vaccinated, Camillo said Tuesday morning.

At Brunswick School last weekend, 4,500 kids were vaccinated, he added.

That is a huge number, Camillo said. I think youre going to see those things reflected in declining rates of infection.

He said he expects more than 50 percent of Greenwich residents will be vaccinated soon, a step closer toward reaching potential herd immunity, which may occur once 70 percent of the towns population has been fully vaccinated, he said.

Some of the silver linings we saw, were going to continue, Camillo said.

This story includes prior reporting by staff reporter Abigail Brone.

tatiana.flowers@thehour.com @TATIANADFLOWERS
The Google I/O 2021 Developers Conference began yesterday, and the Mountain View company announced plenty of new features for its products, alongside the first beta of Android 12. It also revealed more ways to protect the content and data of Google services users, including more controls over privacy and a quick way to fix compromised passwords.

A new feature called Quick Delete will erase everything from your Search history in the last 15 minutes. Also, users of Google Photos will be able to create a password-protected folder where only the owner of the device will be able to open - images wont appear in the grid or in shared albums.

Another change is Location History reminder - when you are previewing your Timeline in the Maps app, a notification will pop up, reminding you if the tracking is turned on.

Google has a tool telling you if some of your passwords have been compromised, but changing those isn't always straightforward - one must open the website, find the account settings, use the exposed credentials to log in, and then change the password. This is a lot of work when one leaked password is used on multiple platforms, but Google now offers a quick fix.

Chrome will pop up a Change password button from Assistant and will do it instead of you - the service will create a unique pass and then automatically store it in the database. However, it needs to be enabled for every website and country individually so initially it will only support select platforms in the United States and will expand abroad in the coming months.

Source 1  Source 2
Google IO was busy with a load of announcements today, and one of them had to do with Google Maps. The app is set to receive a bunch of neat feature updates in the coming months.

First off, detailed street maps, which launched last August, are now headed to an additional 50 more cities by the end of the year, including Berlin, Sao Paulo, Seattle, and Singapore. These maps show you where sidewalks, crosswalks, and pedestrian islands are, along with the shape and width of roads to scale. This can help you choose the most accommodating route for walking.

The Google Maps... map is also becoming more personalized, as it's being tailored to highlight only the most relevant places based on time of day and whether or not you're traveling. This is meant to help you not be overwhelmed at the sheer number of places on the map. In the city you live, for example, if you open up Maps at 8 am, you'll see coffee shops instead of dinner spots. And if you're traveling, it will be easier to spot local landmarks and tourist attractions on the map.

Next up, Google is expanding the reach of the feature that gives you busyness information. Up until now, this has been telling you about how busy a specific place is. But in the future you'll also get busyness information for entire areas, like whether a neighborhood or part of town is busier than usual. You can simply open up Maps to instantly see busy hotspots to avoid, or on the contrary - hunt for the busiest spots to scope out lively neighborhoods at a glance.

If you get around on foot, and are exploring a new neighborhood, you'll be able to access the augmented reality Live View right from the map - no need to jump into directions for it to pop up. It will also give you helpful details about the shops and restaurants around you, like how busy they are, recent reviews, and photos. For complex intersections, you'll get helpful new street signs, so you know exactly what road you're on and which way to go. And if you're traveling, Live View will tell you where you are in relation to your hotel, making it easier to find your way back.

Finally, Google wants to cut down on hard-braking, the phenomenon that happens when you're driving as you approach a busy intersection when the traffic slows suddenly and you have to slam your brakes. According to research performed at the Virginia Tech Transportation Institute, these moments can be a leading indicator of car crash likelihood. So Google wants to make them a thing of the past.

And thus, "soon", Google Maps will reduce your chances of having to hard-brake along your drive thanks to machine learning and navigation information. The app will give you the fastest route that is likely to reduce your chances of encountering a hard-brake situation. This will be recommended if the ETA is the same as other routes or the difference is minimal. Google thinks this change has the potential to eliminate 100 million hard-braking events in routes driven with Google Maps each year.
During Google I/Os Keynote today, the company announced that its been quietly testing a new concept called Project Starline. This is Googles technology for two-way communication from a distance, but made to feel as though the other person is sitting right across from you.

Project Starline applies a few things to make this possible: research in computer vision, machine learning, spatial audio, and real-time compression. The display in front of each recipient uses a breakthrough light field display system that creates a sense of volume and depth that can be experienced without the need for additional glasses or headsets. The effect is the feeling of a person sitting just across from you, like they are right there.

Google VP Clay Bavor explains that one of the things Google is most proud of is that one can sit down and forget about the technology and instead focus on the person sitting in front of you.

Google is currently testing Project Starline in a few of its offices and it currently uses custom-built hardware and highly specialized equipment. Google believes this is the future of person-to-person communication and its goal is to make the technology more accessible and affordable.

Currently, with the technology, Google has connected its workers between Bay Area, New York, and Seattle offices. Its also demoing the technology with select enterprise partners in areas like healthcare and media to get early feedback on the technology and its applications. It hopes to deploy trial hardware to enterprise partners sometime later this year.

Source
Local

featured popular urgent

Gwinnett County Sheriff Keybo Taylor accused of extortion, is the subject of GBI investigation, multiple lawsuits by bail bonding companies

Special Photo Keybo Taylor Bob Cheeley Mike Bowers Scott Hall

Gwinnett County Sheriff Keybo Taylor is the subject of a criminal investigation by state officials and at least three lawsuits related to allegations that he did not renew contracts for some bonding companies if they did not support his election campaign last fall, officials and attorneys have told the Daily Post.

As sheriff, Taylor has the authority to decide which bail bonding companies are allowed to operate in Gwinnett County. Approved companies receive certificates of authority. No bonding company can issue bonds in a county without one of those certificates.

In a complex story, Taylor and attorneys representing three bonding companies whose ability to work in Gwinnett was revoked by the sheriff are trading harsh words over the issue. One case is pending in federal court while at least two more are pending in Gwinnett County Superior Court.

The court cases came to the attention of media outlets after the sheriffs office issued a statement late on the night of May 13, in which Taylor accused one of those companies, Anytime Bail Bonding, of playing politics.

I campaigned to reform the criminal justice system, including the bonding industry in Gwinnett County, Taylor said. As sheriff of Gwinnett County, I have the sole discretion of which bail bonding businesses can operate in Gwinnett.

I immediately began examining the bail bonding companies and I eliminated several that did not meet my high standards for various reasons. Anytime Bail Bonding, owned by Scott Hall, did not meet my high standards so I revoked his authority to operate in Gwinnett. He sued me over my decision.

Countering the sheriff, Halls attorney, Bob Cheeley said, This sheriff kicked out Anytime Bail Bonding, thats been operating in Gwinnett County for 26 years, has a stellar record, no infractions ever with the sheriffs department. Butch Conway, the former sheriff, spoke very highly of Scott Hall, and his integrity.

This sheriff had no reason, no facts whatsoever to base his opinion upon to, or decision to, terminate their bonding ability in Gwinnett.

Looming over the court cases, however, is an investigation of Taylor by the Georgia Bureau of Investigation. It was spurred by a video Hall sent to GBI Director Vic Reynolds, who is an acquaintance of the Anytime Bail Bonding owner, last September.

The video shows Taylor meeting with the office manager at Anytime Bail Bonding during the 2020 campaign season, before Taylor was elected sheriff.

If folks dont support me, Im not going to let them bond here, Taylor can be heard telling the office manager in the short video clip, which Cheeley sent to the Daily Post Friday. Im just not going to let them do it. Thats the reason that everybody Ive gone to, Im like Hey, go on there. Do your research. Research me out. Research my opponent. And then make a decision on what you want to do.

Taylor brought the existence of the video to the medias attention in his statement last week.

After reviewing a copy of Taylors press release, GBI spokeswoman Nelly Miles confirmed there was an open investigation into the sheriff, but she said she could not provide details about what the investigation was about. Cheeley said the Georgia Attorney Generals Office is working with the GBI on that investigation, but AGs Office spokeswoman Katie Byrd said she could not comment on the matter.

The video plays a key role in Anytime Bail Bondings argument that its ability to write bonds in Gwinnett County was revoked in an act of revenge for not supporting the sheriff in the 2020 election.

On Jan. 1, the first day the sheriff was in office, he retaliated against Scott Hall for giving the GBI that video that showed the sheriff trying to extort money from Scott Halls company, Cheeley said.

Sheriffs Office spokeswoman Deputy Ashley Castiblanco declined to comment on the matter beyond what was in Taylors statement.

This is serious business

The allegations have major implications, according to Mike Bowers, a former Georgia Attorney General who is working with Cheeley on Anytime Bail Bondings case and is also representing two other bonding companies in separate court cases pending in Gwinnett County Superior Court.

This is serious business, Bowers said. One, it involves the highest ranking law enforcement officer in the biggest county in Georgia  or close to the biggest county  (and), two, it involved the livelihood of a number of people who work at Anytime Bail Bonding. Thats pretty serious.

And, it involves, three, an ongoing criminal investigation into the sheriffs conduct. That makes it pretty darn serious.

Cheeley said Anytime Bail Bonding has to continue servicing the bonds it had already written in Gwinnett.

So, theyve got no income coming in, and all they have is liabilities, he said.

But, a judge sided with Taylor at a hearing involving one of the other bonding companies, The Bondsman Inc., on Tuesday morning. The sheriffs attorney, Murray Weed, argued that Taylor was within his rights to not renew The Bondsmans certificate of authority because it was behind on meeting bonding-related financial obligations until May 5, which was after due process hearings were held and multiple notices of certificate non-renewal were sent.

The court cannot say there was a gross misuse of discretion when the bonding company had outstanding obligations, Senior Judge David Sweat said as he ruled in favor of Taylor.

Accusations of political games

In his statement, Taylor accused Hall of sending the video to the GBI to hurt him in the fall general election against Lou Solis, who was the chief deputy under Conway and the Republican nominee for sheriff last year.

In September of 2020, Hall had initiated an investigation of me by sending misleading and tampered evidence to the GBI in order to support my opponent, Lou Solis, during the general election, Taylor said. Then, as a trial tactic, he disclosed the unfounded investigation to the judge in an attempt to influence the outcome of the civil trial between Anytime Bonding Co. and myself.

In a previous hearing, the judge ruled in my favor in open court. The investigation is nothing more than a political stunt and trial tactic that attacks my character, my integrity, and my commitment to criminal justice and bail bond reform in Gwinnett County.

Cheeley denied his client was trying to help Solis get elected.

Scott Hall did not give the video to his opponent, even though the opponent asked for the video, the attorney said. My client did not give him the video so thats just purely false. He asked Scott Hall for the video so he could use it against Keybo Taylor in his campaigning, and Scott Hall said, No, Im not going to do it. 

A question over due process

Cheeley said he and Hall met with Taylor in February for a due process hearing to appeal Taylors decision to revoke Anytime Bail Bondings certificate.

The attorney said he tried to press Taylor to get an on-the-record answer about why Anytime Bail Bondings ability to work in Gwinnett was revoked. Cheeley said no reason for the decision was listed in the letter sent to the bonding company to inform Hall that his certificate of authority was revoked.

At that meeting  I refuse to call it a hearing, it was a joke  he refused to give us any of the facts that he relied upon to base his decision to revoke the bonding certificate, Cheeley said. And, then when we told him the burden of proof was on him as an elected official, to justify his decision, and not us to tell him why we ought to be able to be allowed to continue to write bonds in the county ... he refused to tell us.

In fact, this is what he said. He said, This is my house and I set the rules. 

At an April 12 hearing in Gwinnett County Superior Court, Taylor testified that he told the office manager that supporting him actually meant supporting programs he wanted to roll out as sheriff and not financially supporting his campaign, according to a hearing transcript provided to the Daily Post by Cheeley.

Taylor claimed that part of the conversation was omitted from the video clip sent to the GBI.

Disputes over a meeting at a steakhouse

Taylor also reportedly testified that he met with Hall at Frankies Steakhouse in unincorporated Duluth after the video recording. The sheriff testified that he was under the impression that Hall was going to get the GBI to quash the investigation.

Basically, what Mr. Hall told me was, he said, he looked at me and he said, We dont have a problem here,  Taylor testified. He said that, Im the owner, you and I never had a meeting, you and I have never met, youve never asked me for anything, therefore, Im not a victim and this is a non-issue.

He went on, and also in that conversation, he told me that he was going to contact Vic (Reynolds) and get this thing taken care of.

However, Cheeley said Hall never had the ability to get the GBI to drop the investigation.

Keybo Taylor wanted Scott Hall to tell the GBI to drop the investigation, which Scott refused to do, the attorney said. Hes not going to meddle in the affairs of the GBI. Hes going to let them do their job. If a crime was committed, then the GBI and the attorney general will decide that. Not Scott Hall and not Keybo Taylor.

And, then when Scott Hall refused to tell the GBI to drop the investigation, Keybo Taylor decided it was time to retaliate.

Cheeley said Taylor argued that Hall had mislead him during the meeting at Frankies and therefore he did not have good moral character, prompting Hall to lose his certificate to write bonds in Gwinnett.

The Court is troubled ...At the hearing on April 12, Sweat declined a request from Anytime Bail Bondings attorneys to issue a writ of mandamus ordering Taylor to issue a certificate of authority to do bonding business in Gwinnett.

But, Sweat also raised concerns about the facts of the case  which he called very troubling  and told Taylor that he needed to kind of re-evaluate how you run things, according to the hearing transcript.

The Court is troubled by the manner in which the (February) hearing was conducted, the transcript quotes Sweat as saying during the hearing. The notice of what Anytime had to meet at the hearing was opaque, at best, but then the remedy for that defect in notice is to have a do-over.

But even if you had a do-over on it, the sheriffs discretion about who he may authorize to write bonds is, again, its very broad, and he has the definition of good moral character, or, moral character, however its phrased in the statute, there doesnt seem to be a lot of guardrails for that.

Anytime Bail Bonding currently has a federal lawsuit pending against Taylor in the U.S. District Court for the North District of Georgia over the matter. Cheeley said he is pursuing a jury trial in the federal court, alleging Taylors decision violated Halls constitution rights by not letting him do business in Gwinnett.

Halls attorneys are seeking millions and millions of dollars in damages in that case.

Related




Haiti - 218th : President Moise pays tribute to the Heroes of Independence





Tuesday, May 18, 2021, President Moise accompanied by his wife Martine went to the altar of the Fatherland at the Champ de Mars, for a floral offering ceremony in honor of the Heroes of independence in the presence of the Prime Minister ai Claude Joseph, resigning members of the government, representatives of the Provisional Electoral Council, of the High Staff of the Armed Forces of Haiti.



Subsequently at the National Palace, the Head of State gave a speech from which we publish some extracts



Extracts from President Moise's speech :



"[...] With this gesture, we paid homage to our ancestors for having created our two-tone which is a symbol of peace, unity, fraternity and freedom.



[..] In order for our ancestors to accomplish this great project, they put aside everything that divided them, whether it was questions of color, questions of ideology, questions of social class, questions of interest. They had a motivation, the ideal of greatness : Union is strength, that means coming together to fight for freedom.



May 18 is Flag Day, as is University Day. No country can develop without the human resources of the University. Young academics need good examples. We in the State, in the private sector, in the political sector, we must serve as role models [...]



The State and the University must walk hand in hand and not face each other [...] Happy feast and continue to make the University a space for debate where social problems arise and to help find solutions. solutions.



[...] The youth of my country, the women of my country, the new Constitution must concern us all. It offers opportunities for young people and women to access any political office more easily. It is an opportunity for the diaspora, for young people, for women to marvel [...] Peasants, brothers and sisters living far away if we let this opportunity pass, we should not be surprised to lose it completely. We will never again have the opportunity to vote for a new constitution that would allow the state access to communal sections.



[...] The country must organize elections by the end of 2021. To be President, I went to the polls and I have the duty to return power to his master who is the people, to decide who he wants for direct it. I can't empower people in short passes. [...] 



HL/ HaitiLibre






















Haiti - FLASH : A democratic and prosperous Haiti, the American point of view





Tuesday, May 18 as part of Haitian Heritage Month and the 218th anniversary of the creation of the Flag of Haiti, Julie J. Chung, Assistant Secretary ai of the Office of Western Hemisphere Affairs in a recorded video delivered a speech on United States electoral engagement in Haiti, the American perspective on a democratic and prosperous Haiti and appealed to stakeholders in the Haitian diaspora



Speech by Julie J. Chung :



"Good morning,



I would first like to wish you a wonderful Haitian Heritage Month. I wish we could be together in person this morning. This month gives us an opportunity to reflect upon and celebrate Haitis many contributions to the world, and especially to the United States. Today is also Haitian Flag Day  a day to commemorate the creation of Haitis national flag. I recognize you may have other important events to attend, and I know there is a march planned here in Washington, D.C. So I wanted to thank you for taking some time out of your schedules to engage with us on this particularly important day for the Haitian community.



Haitis rich history and culture testify to its great strength and limitless potential. Understanding this gives those of us who care deeply about Haiti the inspiration to continue persevering in our work to support Haiti as it struggles to move beyond this long and difficult period of multidimensional crises.



Most of us are familiar with the proverb, Many hands make light work. As we consider how Haitis splintered political environment has paralyzed the country and threatened the well-being of average citizens, these words seem apt. A shared effort is urgently required. Political and civil society leaders must bridge their divisions to accomplish the higher goal of restoring democracy and stability. The more Haitian leaders from diverse sectors of society participate, the easier this task will be.



Every few years, the world anxiously waits to see whether Haiti can overcome its internal divisions to schedule, organize and hold timely elections that lead to a transition of power between one democratically-elected leader and another democratically-elected leader. It should not be this way. In a representative democracy, the peoplethe people possess the right to select the leaders who will legislate and govern on their behalf.



This proposition only works if the people can do so on a regularly recurring basis. In this way, electoral democracy forms the foundation of a stable and prosperous state. Countries around the world, and countries throughout Latin America and the Caribbean  countries dealing with security and infrastructure challenges  regularly succeed in doing this despite the problems they face. Countries with serious political divisions overcome their differences to do this  and Haiti can also. Haitis history makes it a beacon of freedom and its democracy should not be an exception; it should be an example.



Legislative elections that should have been held in 2019 are long overdue. And, what has been the result of this delay? An unchecked executive power since January 2020, as the lower house no longer exists, and there are too few Senators to reach a quorum. There is no separation of powers and no way for the branches of government to hold one another accountable. This situation calls into question the core precepts of Haitis democracy.



More than that, this period of one-man rule by decree has already led to the announcement of a problematic national intelligence agency, the introduction of dubious definitions of terrorism, the reduced role of key institutions like the Superior Court of Auditors and Administrative Disputes, and the removal and replacement of three Supreme Court judges. The decision to hold a referendum to amend the constitution of 1987 further adds to the controversy, especially without an inclusive and credible consultative process that fully incorporates civil society. Likeminded international partners have joined local voices in expressing these concerns. BINUH tweeted on April 13 that the constitutional consultation process was not sufficiently inclusive, participatory, or transparent and called for the Consultative Committee to engage with a wider range of political and societal actors, including womens and religious groups, across the country. An April 26 Core Group statement by the Ambassadors to Haiti from Germany, Brazil, Canada, Spain, the United States, France, the European Union, the Special Representative of the Organization of American States, and the Special Representative of the Secretary General of the United Nations all echoed BINUHs assessment of the consultative process. Haitis democracy cannot continue like this.



We believe legislative elections are the democratic way to end Haitis prolonged rule by decree, and presidential elections are necessary to transfer power peacefully from one democratically-elected leader to another.



Anyone who follows developments in Haiti can see that there are challenges. I personally observed these challenges during my visit to Haiti in 2019, and I urged President Moise to build a government that could tackle issues such as insecurity, corruption, and a lagging economy. Haiti needs a government with functioning legislative, executive, and judicial branches working to move Haiti forward. This is why we call upon all of Haitis political stakeholders to come together and agree upon the necessary mechanisms to hold free and fair elections in 2021 that are credible and reflect the will of the Haitian people.



There are many voices who disagree that the way to fully restore Haitis democracy is through free and fair elections, who assert Haiti needs a transitional government to put it back on the democratic path. This may be a tempting notion. But who would those people be? How would they be chosen? To which constituents would they be accountable? As an extraconstitutional governing body, which law would determine their mandate? Would a transitional government prevent further chaos? Would it restore timeliness to Haitis electoral calendar?



We have seen this before, and learned there are no shortcuts when building a resilient and lasting democracy.



The needs of the Haitian people are far too pressing for elections to be delayed further. You do not hold elections when its convenient; you hold them when they are due. In the United States, even during the most divisive and contentious junctures in our history  economic downturns, protests, natural disasters, a bloody civil war  elections were consistently held so that our republic could continue to progress.



The United States and Haiti are the oldest republics in the Western Hemisphere. Haiti is one of our nations oldest friends. We share over $2 billion in annual trade. Remittances to Haiti, the majority of which come from the U.S., are equivalent to a third of Haitis GDP. The mutual influence of American and Haitian customs and achievements are evident, and fewer than a thousand miles separate our borders.



One major commonality between the people in the United States and Haiti is our devotion to the idea of freedom. Citizens in both countries look back with pride at our forebearers who valued freedom above all else and risked everything to secure this inalienable right. Haitians and Americans fought and died for freedom and set out to design new visions for our respective republics that had never been achieved before.



Centuries later, the Haitian people are still fighting to see a free Haiti  a Haiti that is free from corruption, free from lawlessness, free from kidnappings, free from poverty, and free from unilateral governance.



We hear the demands of the Haitian people for the security, education, healthcare, jobs, transparency, and opportunity they deserve. My colleagues and I have taken the time to listen intently to the thoughts and fears of Haitians in Haiti as well as in the United States. Will a single election be the magic charm that cures all of Haitis problems? Absolutely not. And make no mistake  we know how fragile our democracies are. But this does not diminish the fact that Haiti is in dire need of democratic consistency and institutions that serve the people.



When I was in Haiti, I met with inspirational young leaders who each demonstrated an ingenuity, determination, and resilience that should be encouraged and nurtured. The youth are the hope and promise of Haiti, and the opportunities that they are afforded today will impact Haitis development for years to come. Prosperity simply cannot be achieved when the fundamental rules of democracy are manipulated or ignored. The creation and preservation of strong, democratic processes and structures are long-term institutional defenses against dictatorship, partisanship, and greed. Without stability and rule of law, Haiti will struggle to attract foreign direct investments and retain its brightest minds.



This is why we choose to invest in Haitis people and institutions over individual leaders and personalities. U.S. assistance in Haiti improves access to basic services, including health, water, education, nutrition, and security. In the last decade, the U.S. government has directly contributed billions of U.S. dollars toward the most immediate economic, nutrition, natural disaster, and COVID-19 response needs. In January, we announced an additional $75.5 million toward issues like democratic governance and agricultural development. But our investment in Haitis people will only be successful if Haitians also invest in their own democratic governance.



As living bridges between the United States and Haiti, you also have an important role to play in raising your voices to improve and strengthen Haitis democracy and economy. You can speak against violence. You can speak against corruption and impunity. You can speak against abuses of power and of civil and human rights. We also hope you will encourage Haitis political and civil society leaders to negotiate in good faith to find solutions toward a government that works for all Haitians.



The United States, too, will continue to raise our voice and join like-minded partners and international organizations to revive democracy in Haiti and around the world. We will unapologetically denounce authoritarianism, impunity, human rights violations, and corruption, and we will act against those responsible, as we did by sanctioning three former Haitian government officials in December 2020 under the Global Magnitsky Act. Haiti faces many obstacles on the long and arduous path to lasting stability and prosperity, but by joining together, we collectively make the work lighter and we come closer to reaching our shared goals.



Thank you."



HL/ HaitiLibre






















Haiti - News : Zapping...





218th anniversary of the flag, rain of messages

Rockefeller Vincent, Minister of Justice :

"- One People

- One Nation

- One Flag

- A community of destiny.

Antann pou n antann nou!

Happy Flag and University Day to all my fellow citizens "



Ms. Yvrose Pierre Mayor of Cap-Haitien :

"On the occasion of the feast of our flag, I consider it important that, in view of the major challenges of the current economic situation, to be able to surpass ourselves and let ourselves be penetrated by the spirit of unity which animated our Founding Fathers , May 18, 1803. Happy Flag Festival to all !"



Charlot Jacquelin Junior Secretary of State for Youth

"In the name of our proud, brave and valiant ancestors, on this day we celebrate the 218th anniversary of our Flag. May this day be a moment of meditation and recollection for our people."



Permanent Mission of Haiti to the OAS :

"Happy Commemoration of the 218th Anniversary of Our Dear Bicolor to All Our Compatriots of the Region"



Embassy of the United States in Haiti :

"On the occasion of the Haitian Flag Festival, we underline the ideals of freedom, unity & individual liberty which led to the creation of the flag on May 18, 1803. We call on Haitians to unite in this spirit of unity to restore peace & prosperity in Haiti."



Former President Michel Martelly:

"On May 18, let us remember all the sacrifices that our ancestors made, to leave us a strong Nation with a symbol of union. Today it's our turn to unite and make our flag proud."



Cannot bug a phone in Haiti

Maarten Boute, the President of Digicel revealed this week that his company receives every day from the Central Directorate of Judicial Police (DCPJ) a dozen requests on the location of the kidnappers. However, he informs that the information provided is not not of much use, the kidnappers using the phones of their victims. In addition, he recalls that in any case, telephones cannot be tapped, Haiti does not have the necessary equipment for this purpose.



French Guiana : New schedule for the Haitian Consultate

The Consulate General of Haiti in French Guiana is advising the general public and users in particular that its usual work schedule has been changed due to the two-week confinement established by the local authorities. From now on, its various services operate on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays from 8:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. for the duration of the confinement. Anyone requiring a particular service is asked to call 0694 26 67 55 to make an appointment.



Dom. Rep : Tribute to the painter Fritzner Cedon

Tuesday, May 18, during the celebration of National Flag Day and Smith Augustin University, the Ambassador of Haiti in the Dominican Republic took the opportunity to pay a worthy tribute to Fritzner Cedon as a wonderful, magical and patriotic painter and also as a symbol of Haitian-Dominican friendship.



Thanks to the Mayor of Niagara Falls

On May 18, 2021, being declared Haiti Day in Niagara Falls, the mayor of the city Jim Diodati proceeded to the rise of the Haitian bicolor to the town hall of Niagara Falls. On this historic day, the Haitian flag flew alongside the flags of Canada and Ontario. The Ambassador of Haiti to Canada, Weibert Arthus, who was unfortunately unable to physically accompany Mayor Diodati under the circumstances, due to the Covid, welcomed this gesture of friendship and this great honor of the city from Niagara Falls to Haiti. Recall that on May 18, from 9.45 p.m., the Niagara Falls were illuminated with the colors of Haiti (blue and red) in honor of the 218th anniversary of the Haitian flag https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-33587-haiti-canada-niagara-falls-will-be-illuminated-with-the-colors-of-haiti.html



HL/ HaitiLibre


















Update Required

To play the media you will need to either update your browser to a recent version or update your Flash plugin.
Published on 2021/05/18 | Source

Oh Jung-se who has won two consecutive awards for supporting actor at the Baeksang Arts Awards, has decided to star in TV CHOSUN's new drama "Uncle".

TV CHOSUN said on the 18th that Oh Jung-se, Jeon Hye-jin-II, Park Sun-young, Lee Sang-woo and Hwang Woo-seul-hye will appear in the new drama "Uncle".

Based on the British drama of the same name, "Uncle" tells the story of an uncle who takes care of his nephew, an elementary school student with anxiety disorder and obsessive compulsive disorder, due to his sister's divorce.

Oh Jung-se plays the uncle Wang Joon-hyeok, who was swindled and put on the edge of a cliff, while Jeon Hye-jin-II plays Wang Joon-hee, who chose to divorce after 12 years of marriage to protect her child from domestic violence.

Park Sun-young plays Park Hye-ryeong, the chairman of a mom cafe and the neighborhood's 'queen bee', Lee Sang-woo plays Joo Kyeong-il, a father who raises his daughter alone after his wife's death, and Hwang Woo-seul-hye plays Kim Yoo-ra, the face manager of the mom cafe and Hye-ryeong's right-hand woman.

The production team of "Uncle" said, "It is a work that will give sympathy and healing to all generations through common interests such as family, conflicts in residential spaces, education problems, and rising status".

The drama airs in the second half of the year.
By William Schwartz | Published on 2021/05/18

On May 17th actress Jeon Yeo-bin made a post on Instagram Story featuring her inside a subway terminal. Jeon Yeo-bin herself is not recognizable, wearing a mask and a hoodie, and appears to be traveling incognito. The main point of interest in the photo is a subway advertisement congratulating the cast of "Vincenzo" on the completion of the drama. In the attached message, Jeon Yeo-bin simply writes thank you.

It was not clear from the photo alone where the picture was taken or who paid for the ad. "Vincenzo" was a big acting break for Jeon Yeo-bin, her first headlined leading role in a drama at the age of thirty. Jeon Yeo-bin also appeared in the film "Night in Paradise" back in April. Both projects were released via Netflix. Jeon Yeo-bin's next project, also with Netflix, will be the comedy thriller "Glitch" where her character will investigate unidentified flying objects.

Written by William Schwartz
We're always interested in hearing about news in our community. Let us know what's going on!

Submit
A Senate panel voted Wednesday to give themselves and their colleagues a big increase in their allowance  and do it as soon as possible.

You voted:
Preservation commission continues work in area

Havre Laundry and Dry Cleaning owner Ron Brenna holds Tuesday the certificate and St. Jude Thaddeus Church historic ornament presented to him by Havre/Hill County Historic Preservation Commission.

Havre/Hill County Preservation Commission presented an award to the longest-operating family business in the region, also the longest-operating laundry company in the state as one of its activities during National Historic Preservation Month.

Historic Preservation Officer Becki Miller presented Havre Laundry and Dry Cleaning owner Ron Brenna and his son, Grayson, with a centennial business award and a sold-out St. Jude Thaddeus Church historical Christmas ornament Tuesday.

Ron Brenna said the business, which has been in his family since 1942, in the same location where it opened in 1904, looks to stay in the family with Grayson coming back to Havre from college in Iowa, learning the business and preparing to take over.

The business started in 1904 with six partners and one of the partners, Walter MacKenzie, bought out the other partners in 1931.

In 1934, Brenna's grandfather Ralph Sleeter started working for the company and bought it from MacKenzie in 1946.

Numerous family members have worked in the business, including Brenna's father, Neal, who started in the family business in the early 1960s,

Neal Brenna was president from 1976 to 1995, when he retired and Ron Brenna took over the position.

Ron Brenna started working there in 1982 while in college, on breaks while he attended Montana State University and then when he transferred to Northern Montana College, now Montana State University-Northern, where he earned a business degree.

And now the next generation, Grayson Brenna, is learning the business.

Ron Brenna said the business has changed over the years, with additions to the building and new equipment - he said last month they retired a washer first installed in 1968 and Grayson Brenna said they recently retired a pants presser installed in 1952 - but the basics of serving their customers remains the same.

Ron Brenna said much of their work now is commercial, reflecting changes in society. At one time, people regularly wore formal clothes, to work, to church, to weddings and so on, and more professional cleaning was needed.

People do more of their own laundry now, and Havre Laundry and Dry Cleaning continues to adapt, as it has for more than a century, he said.

He said it can be difficult to balance expansion with the work force, if they get more business and need more workers will they be able to find them?

Automation can help with that, Brenna said, but the key is the employees, who have stuck with the company including during the COVID-19 pandemic.

"We have a really great crew," Brenna said.

The company has cut its service area down a bit at the moment, cutting back from the northeastern corner of Montana, but is still looking for more business from other areas, as well.

He said the area they serve - they still go as far as the Glasgow area to the east - involves a lot of driving, but that is normal.

"We're used to driving those miles," Brenna said.

He said he is encouraged that other families are continuing their businesses and younger people coming back to work.

"Small towns like this on the Hi-Line, we need to spur it along," Brenna said.

He said Havre Laundry did fairly well during the pandemic, although it slowed a bit, but it will continue and continue to adapt, as it has through recessions and the Depression.

"We'll survive," Brenna said. "... We have a long time."

Historic Preservation Commission continues activities

Havre/Hill County Historic Preservation Commission hasn't been sitting still in recent months.

The commission provided the Hill County Courthouse and the Masonic Temple with historic district signs, it said in a press release. The signs are through the Montana Historical Society National Register Sign Program. Both the courthouse and the Masonic Temple are contributing buildings in the Havre Historical Residential District and were eligible. The signs provide a brief history of the building and their importance. Signs will be mounted either on or next to the buildings for display.

Havre Historical Residential District Banners

Havre Daily News/Tim Leeds Havre/Hill Coujnty Historic Preservation Commission Officer Becki Miller presents a certificate and a historical Christmas ornament to Havre Laundry and Dry Cleaning owner Ron Brenna as Grayson Brenna looks on.

After windy spring conditions damaged some of the green Havre Historical Residential District banners, the release said, NorthWestern Energy generously agreed to remove all of the banners around town so they could be cleaned and repaired. Joe Ross of Cavalier's volunteered to stitch and repair the damaged banners. Ross even purchased an exact matching thread at his own expense, the release said. Once the repairs are completed, NorthWestern Energy will rehang the banners.

"The (Havre/Hill County Historic Preservation Commission) would like to extend a huge thank-you to these businesses for their community support," the release said, "This project would not have been successful without their efforts."

2020 Annual Christmas Ornament

The commission selected St. Jude Thaddeus Catholic Church for the 2020 Christmas Ornament, and the first 100 ornaments sold out within weeks. An additional 150 ornaments were ordered but eventually sold out as well. This was the highest number, most popular ornament, sold in the past 10 years, the release said.

The commission uses the proceeds to support local preservation projects in the community.

The ornament design for 2021 is expected to be selected in August and start going on sale in September.
Editor,

The Blackfoot Clearwater Stewardship Act currently being debated in Congress is a piece of legislation that is critical in order to further protect and sustain Montanas public lands for recreational enjoyment for all Montanans. Specifically, the bill authorizes protection of an additional 79,000 acres of land in the vicinity of the Bob Marshall Wilderness area, opens an additional 3,800 acres for mountain biking, 2,000 acres for snowmobiling, and authorizes further access of recreationists to Lolo National Forest through a new, updated comprehensive trail plan.

As Montanans, we are very passionate about public lands and outdoor recreation opportunities that allow us to appreciate and experience the natural beauty endemic to our state. Public lands are essential to everyday life in Montana and our culture and are major sources of revenue for our state. It is essential that we raise awareness of the Blackfoot Clearwater Stewardship Act and ensure that all of Montanas Congressional delegation is on board with enacting further protection of state lands that must remain open for all Montanans to enjoy.

Go to http://blackfootclearwater.org/ to submit your comment in support of the BCSA and protecting Montanas public lands.

Will Borghesani

Missoula
Mental health, drug treatment may get federal Rescue Plan money

Although Henderson County commissioners still have limited information on how they can spend $22 million in American Rescue Plan Act money, they are leaning toward investment in mental health treatment needs that the coronavirus pandemic has compounded.

During a budget workshop on Wednesday, Assistant County Manager Amy Brantley reported that the U.S. Treasury Department had issued preliminary guidelines on how local government bodies can spend the ARPA money. In the coming weeks, the county expects to receive $11 million, the first installment of a two-year allocation of $22 million designed to help communities recover from the business slowdown caused by the pandemic.

Among the ARPA-eligible recipients, Brantley said, are programs that provide mental health, substance abuse and behavorial health services. That means grants of $50,000 for the mental health at the jail, $200,000 to First Contact Ministry's substance abuse treatment and $100,000 for the new Hendersonville Connections Center could win the county's blessing.

"There is an opportunity certainly to partner with the municipalities (to fund the Connections Center) because obviously everyone is affected and if a successful effort was put forth everyone would benefit," County Manager Steve Wyatt said.

The treasury department is committed to aggressively auditing the spending, Brantley said, through what it called marshals. The county has until Dec. 31, 2024, to commit to spending; it could fund a capital project by that date that would be completed by Dec. 31, 2026.

"I have a feeling these funds are going to be looked at with a lot of scrutiny," she said.

"With the marshals, I'm concerned about that because they're going to be making this up as they go along," Wyatt said. "So we need to be very careful. If there are substantial things, I think we ought to ask them ahead of time  this is what we're thinking about doing."

County Attorney Russ Burrell cautioned that the guidance Treasury released this week was an "interim final rule" that is likely to be updated, possibly several times. "You're going to be throwing a dart at a dartboard that's moving," he said.

"I continue to be very frustrated," Chairman Bill Lapsley said. "I get phone calls and I'm sure my colleagues do from a lot of nonprofits. They have a project and they're wanting to know if they may be eligible and I can't answer. It's a bad situation. I guess all I can say to everybody out there is be patient."

Commissioner Daniel Andreotta said the uncertainty is a product of "what happens when the federal government does you a favor."

"This money is not a windfall, it's not a gift," he said. "I made the comment in another setting that I wish it wasn't coming. It's the mortgaging of my grandchildren's future at a cost we don't know yet."
Cemetery Commission probes complaints about Shepherd Memorial Park

Karen Proffitt planned to pay respects at a headstone on Sunday, the second anniversary of her mothers death. But like other people whose loved ones are buried in Shepherd Memorial Park, she learned that the cemetery was locked up.

Related Stories



Im 60 years old and Ive never known those gates to be closed, Proffitt said, attributing the action to Melody Shepherd, co-owner of Thos. Shepherd & Son Funeral Directors. I dont know what kind of game shes playing but shes hurting a lot of people. She can make the hours but Saturday and Sunday is the day people dont work, when they go (visit loved ones graves). I dont see how she can stop us if we bought those plots. Thats our land, those two plots.

One day after good Samaritan landscapers mowed the overgrown cemetery grounds and trimmed weeds around headstones, the cemeterys owners locked the gates.

Effectively immediately and until further notice, due to recent events and threat to the safety of our staff and security of the property Shepherd Memorial Park will be closed on Saturdays and Sundays when there are no services in progress, a sign said.

There was no explanation of the threat and security issues. The Lightning tried to reach Shepherd Memorial Park for comment. The voicemail box of the cemetery phone was full and unable to accept messages.

Proffitt filed a complaint with the N.C. Cemetery Commission, one of several the regulatory agency had received over the past week.

An official with the commission said that the board had received five complaints about the Asheville Highway cemetery on Monday.

We did get five complaints in today regarding the grounds and the property being locked up over the weekend, said the employee, who said she did not want to be identified for security reasons. They have 20 business days to respond to us in writing. Because of the volume of complaints weve gotten, I anticipate theyll probably be heading out there at some point.

A member of the Cemetery Commission, Ebbie Whitley Hendren of Concord, said in an email response that she had read the Lightning's coverage of the cemetery problems.

"However, the Commissioners have not met since the article and there may be NCCC Shepherd complaints and details I have not reviewed," she said. "The community has really rallied behind these families. The volunteer landscapers are to be especially commended!"



Thos. Shepherd & Son Funeral Directors on Church Street has had its license suspended since last November. A hearing on numerous violations a state Board of Funeral Services inspector documented last summer could occur next month, the state agencys director said earlier this month.

Evelyn Russell also planned to file a complaint about Shepherd Memorial Park on Monday.

I went Mothers Day and the grass was almost to my knees, could not see the markers, the vase on my grandmothers grave was gone, she said. We have an ongoing problem with my grandfathers grave sinking that they have never fixed and it has sunk even more.

I was greatly impressed with those gentlemen that took their time out and went out there and cut the grass and got no thanks from the people at Shepherd at all, she said.

When she called the cemetery office, she got a call back from someone who shed light on part of the problem.

The lady was very kind, Russell said. She said, Im so sorry. We have one groundskeeper out here that has to open all the graves when theres a service, cut all the grass, take care of all the maintenance, and she said, Its just more than he can handle. Cemetery managers, the caller told Russell, advertised for help but could not get anyone to apply.

SUBHED

Landscapers step up

The bright side of the story was the work by two young landscape company owners who voluntarily mowed the graveyard.

Sam Byrnside and Aaron Owensby, owners of L&S Landscaping and A to Z Landscaping respectively, dropped a day of paid work and brought a crew of six to mow and weed whack every blade of grass.

Well, Henderson County gave us so much support by calling us with landscaping needs, Byrnside said. As small business owners, we wanted to show our support to our community. We felt the need to step up (and show) that were here for everyone.

Byrnside, 31, said as far as he knows he has no family members at the cemetery; most of his are at a family plot on Old Union Church Road in Edneyville.

There was a lot of land to cover, he said. We had three mowers up and running and we had three weed-eaters at the same time.

A few people who saw the crew working stopped by to thank the workers and the gratitude from families was spreading as fast as the grievances had.

We thank them for all the kind words, Byrnside said. It really means a lot to us.

Owensby, a 23-year-old East Henderson High School graduate, had a similar explanation for the act of paying back.

We were just try to give back to the community thats given us everything we had, he said. We felt like it was right to give back and try to do some good in a world thats so negative right now.

l felt like it was right to give back to the community, he said. I felt like I gain more not really by losing money but helping people out more than anything.

-30-
Free access for current print subscribers

As a home delivery subscriber, you get free unlimited digital access to premium content on HenryHerald.com, including local news, local sports, obituaries, legal notices, local features, and the e-edition.

All you need is your print subscription account number and your last name.

Don't know your subscription number? Email access@henryherald.com with your delivery address.

Activate your account now.
Huntington, WV (25701)

Today

Scattered thunderstorms this morning, then mainly cloudy during the afternoon with thunderstorms likely. High 79F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 80%. Rainfall possibly over one inch. Locally heavy rainfall possible..

Tonight

Scattered thunderstorms this evening with some fog possible late. Low 67F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 60%.
Huntington, WV (25701)

Today

Scattered thunderstorms during the morning becoming more widespread this afternoon. High 79F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 80%. Rainfall near an inch. Locally heavy rainfall possible..

Tonight

Scattered thunderstorms early, with fog developing late. Low 67F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 60%.
Huntington, WV (25701)

Today

Scattered thunderstorms this morning, then mainly cloudy during the afternoon with thunderstorms likely. High 79F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 80%. Locally heavy rainfall possible..

Tonight

Scattered thunderstorms this evening with some fog possible late. Low 67F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 60%.
Note: We've recently updated our online systems. If you can't login please try resetting your password. You must login with an email address. If you don't have an email associated with your account email customercare@heraldandnews.com for help creating one.
Anderson, IN (46016)

Today

Foggy this morning, then partly cloudy this afternoon. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. High 89F. Winds N at 5 to 10 mph..

Tonight

Mostly clear. Low 67F. Winds NE at 5 to 10 mph.
Uniontown, PA (15401)

Today

Rain showers early with scattered thunderstorms arriving for the afternoon. High 73F. Winds ESE at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 80%..

Tonight

Cloudy skies early, followed by partial clearing. Low near 60F. Winds E at 5 to 10 mph.
Please be aware that Cache Valley Publishing does not endorse, and is not responsible for alleged employment offers in the comments.

Recommended for you
Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items.

Please be aware that Cache Valley Publishing does not endorse, and is not responsible for alleged employment offers in the comments.
A pioneer in the field of all-natural beef production and sales and one of the nicest men on
An unexpected disturbance on a JetBlue flight was caused by an anti-masker seen with a controlled substance identified as cocaine, reported Newsweek via MSN. The crew had to deal with the offending individual until the plane landed in Minnesota.

According to NBC New York, after JetBlue flight 915 bound from New York City to San Francisco made a stop in Minnesota last Sunday, Mark Anthony Scerbo, of Mechanicville, New York, was charged for illegal drug possession.

NBC New York said that a clip posted on Twitter by Matt Kawashima, one of the passengers, showed a flight crew member explaining what had happened before Minneapolis-Saint Paul (MSP) Airport Police took 42-year-old Scerbo from the flight.

Uhhh my @JetBlue flight JFK-SFO just got diverted to MSP because an anti-masker was snorting coke in the bathroom and sexually harassing another passenger... props for to the crew for dealing with this maniac. @OneMileataTime @garyleff pic.twitter.com/CABOec8P3j  Matt Kawashima (@mattkawashima) May 16, 2021

The video captured the unruly passenger making menacing gestures to several co-passengers with no provocation. His behavior unsettled others on the plane. A passenger saw him snorting a white substance identified as cocaine.

Read also: Ousted Republican Liz Cheney Says Donald Trump Will Not Be President Again

One crew member mentioned that the disconcerted man even dared to touch one woman that made her uncomfortable. He added, "The flight attendants were able to relocate the passenger to make her feel more at ease, after the unruly passenger made the unwelcome advances," as reported by the Daily Beast.

When asked to wear his mask, the unruly passenger went to the bathroom several times but was seen taking drugs inside the cubicle, remarked one flight crew on board.

Another crew member said, "The four flight attendants confirmed that they were all uncomfortable as to what was going on. There is a boy up there, as well as the other passengers were getting ill at ease."

The collective action of the cabin crew got cheers when they noticed that something needed to be done to control Scerbo. "This was the closest place to go, so we made the choice as a group to come here... and that's what happened," said the narrator.

"Uhhh my @JetBlue flight JFK-SFO just got diverted to MSP because an anti-masker was snorting coke in the toilets and inappropriately touching another passenger... credit for the crew for dealing with this psychopath," Kawashima wrote alongside the video that he posted on his Twitter, cited Law and Crime.

He also posted an image of the flight diverted to Minneapolis shortly before 10 p.m. UTC (6 p.m. ET).

A JetBlue spokesperson told NBC New York that the man was removed from the flight after he "began acting erratically and aggressively toward crewmembers and other customers."

In a statement, airline spokesperson Derek Dombrowski said to WPDH, "The flight was met by police officers, the passenger was removed, and the flight continued on to San Francisco."

Once the plane touched down, MSP Airport Police promptly arrested Scerbo for the illegal drugs and other counts of felony.

According to Patrick Hogan, Metropolitan Airports Commission spokesman, the FBI could include additional charges for Scerbo over his alleged behavior.

Related article: Ousted Republican Liz Cheney Says Donald Trump Will Not Be President Again

@ 2021 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
On Tuesday afternoon, the House passed the anti-Asian hate crimes bill to counter the surge of violent acts against Asians, with a bipartisan vote of 364-62. The bill now goes to President Joe Biden's desk, where he is scheduled to sign it by the end of the week after the Senate passed it last month with just one downvote from Republican Sen. Josh Hawley.

Anti-Asian hate crimes bill speeds up the investigation

The bill does more than only combat anti-Asian racism; it also orders the Departments of Justice (DOJ) and Health and Human Services to provide new recommendations on increasing violence against Asians due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The bill speeds up the Department into Justice's investigation of anti-Asian hate crimes. It also appoints an individual to be in charge of the operation, as per Daily Mail.

On the sixth day of his administration, Biden signed an executive order titled "Memorandum Condemning and Combating Racism, Xenophobia, and Intolerance Against Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders in the United States," just days after his inauguration. Attorney General Merrick Garland ordered a review of how the DOJ would better use its resources to fight hate crimes against Asian-Americans in late March.

Around the same time, the Biden administration announced that $49.5 million from COVID-19 relief funds would support victims through community services.

Last month, Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga raised the rise in hate crimes in the United States with Biden during their in-person bilateral meeting, telling reporters that he had taken it up with him.

Stop AAPI Hate, which stands for Asian-American and Pacific Islander, released a report in March stating that 3,795 cases were registered to the organization between March 19, 2020, and February 28, 2021. One source of worry is that hate crimes remain underreported. According to one bill provision, the DOJ would collaborate with local law enforcement and community groups to exchange data about hate crime reporting.

Read Also: Senate Breaks Filibuster on Anti-Asian American Hate Crime Bill

A bill was introduced to combat the surge in Asian hate crimes

Per The Hill, Sen. Mazie Hirono (D-Hawaii) and Rep. Grace Meng (D-New York) introduced a bill that would create a position at the Justice Department to expedite a review of COVID-19-related hate crimes, provide grants to states to provide hotlines for reporting hate crimes, and law enforcement training on how to prevent and identify hate crimes. The bill's passage came less than two months after a gunman opened fire in three Asian-owned spas in Atlanta, killing eight people, six of whom were Asian women. The House also intends to pass a special resolution condemning the March 16 massacre in Georgia.

Authorities said the 21-year-old man accused of the killings was a frequent visitor to at least two spas, while other assaults were spontaneous. Many of those committing these offenses in New York, according to investigators, has a history of mental illness.

Stories of hate crimes targeting Asian Americans have risen dramatically in the last year. "After a year in which we've had 6,600 recorded anti-Asian hate crimes and incidents. And after a year of the Asian American community crying out for support, today, Congress is taking historic action to pass long-overdue hate crimes law," said Rep. Judy Chu, D-Calif., chair of the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus, USA Today reported.

Despite increased mainstream attention and political action against anti-Asian hate, violence against Asian American and Pacific Islander groups has increased. As COVID-19 spread, an increase in anti-Asian aggression was first recorded in March 2020.

According to a report from California State University, San Bernardino's Center for the Study of Hate and Extremism, there was a more than 164 percent surge in anti-Asian hate crime complaints to police in the first quarter of 2021 compared to the same period last year in 16 major cities and jurisdictions.

Related Article: Asian Hate Crime in New York: Man in Critical Condition at Hospital Following Attack

@YouTube

@ 2021 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
A top general said North Korea's nuclear and missile tests could resume forcing the United States to loosen sanctions. North Korean leader Kim Jong Un may see a chance to push diplomacy with the US, but he may also take "coercive action," according to the general chosen to command American forces in Korea.

"Given everything else going on, it seems silent, but I have no doubt that the adversaries in the North are seeking to protect his country and his legacy. If confirmed, one of the things I'll have to keep an eye on is all of his combat capabilities. Both conventional and nuclear, that could jeopardize our task," General Paul LaCamera of the United States Army testified before the Senate Armed Services Committee, as per The Sun.

Kim Jong Un recently boasted of advanced weapons, including intercontinental ballistic missiles capable of targeting the United States, said LaCamera. North Korea performed two missile tests in 2017, capable of flying over 3,500 miles, but has not conducted any since.

Following a meeting with former President Donald Trump in 2018, Kim vowed to suspend testing and move for denuclearization. However, LaCamera said the country had taken no "concrete steps" toward denuclearization.

The general stated that US forces under his command must continue their attempts to persuade Kim Jong Un to abandon his nuclear programs. If confirmed, the general will succeed Army Gen. Robert Abrams later this year. He also discussed the US role in assisting South Korea in its defense. During Trump's meeting with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un in 2018, the former president decided that the US will not hold large-scale training exercises with South Korean troops.

Read Also: Kim Jong Un Orders Farmers to Collect Urine to Combat Fertilizer Shortage

North Korea' quiet' but testing of long-range missiles could resume

Per Stripes, military tensions on the Korean Peninsula are minimal. Still, the general nominated to command American forces in Korea testified Tuesday that North Korea might resume testing long-range missiles and nuclear weapons to coerce US officials into easing diplomatic or sanctions. The general will take on one of the most critical and sensitive roles the Pentagon has to offer, with President Joe Biden and his team still struggling to set their agenda for the turbulent region in motion. Added to that is the issue of how to deal with the North's growing ballistic missile and nuclear warhead arsenal.

With over 1 million troops, North Korea has one of the world's biggest conventional armies, with over 70 percent of them stationed along the DMZ, Washington Times reported. North Korea continues to invest in upgrading its firepower, although much of its equipment is outdated by today's standards. General LaCamera told lawmakers that most of the country's long-range arsenal is within range of Seoul and its 25 million people.

Analysts say North Korea to test new weapons soon

Analysts in the South believe North Korea might perform a military provocation during the upcoming US-South Korea summit in Washington or during planned joint drills on the peninsula. At a meeting of the National Unification Advisory Council in Seoul on Tuesday, Park Young-ja, a research fellow at the state-owned Korea Institute for National Unification, said Pyongyang could lift tensions to draw attention to the US-sanctioned regime.

Per UPI, Kim Jong Un's chances of conducting further nuclear experiments, according to Park, are "relatively low." According to the analyst, North Korea is more likely to test new missiles.

North Korea could intensify tensions with Seoul and Washington in August, according to Lee Ho-ryung, a research fellow at the Korea Institute for Defense Analyses. According to the report, North Korea is likely to avoid launches of intercontinental ballistic missiles, which may result in further sanctions, and instead test new cruise missiles, such as the upgraded KN-23 or KN-25 Iskander-class missiles. A missile test may occur around the time of the summit on Friday, said Lee Jung-Chul, a political scientist at Seoul National University.

Related Article: Kim Jong Un's Ex-Bodyguard Accused of Molesting, Killing Female Student



@YouTube

@ 2021 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
Flood warnings and watches remained in effect on Tuesday for parts of the south-central USA following a day of torrential rain that left streets and houses flooded and cars stranded. According to the National Weather Service, over 30 million people are threatened by flooding this week throughout Louisiana, Texas, Arkansas, and Oklahoma. It was an event Accuweather touted as "historic."

Rain, Flooding in Louisiana

Residents in southern Louisiana were bracing for more rain on Tuesday following heavy downpours, swamped cars, and the closing of a major interstate. Lake Charles was hammered once again by nature's anger in a coastal zone still recuperating from consecutive hurricanes last autumn and a deep freeze in February.

According to the National Weather Service, South Lake Charles in western Louisiana witnessed 12 to 15 inches (30 to 38 centimeters) of downpour for 12 hours on Monday. Elsewhere in the parish, about 10 inches (25 centimeters) fell. According to East Baton Rouge Parish mayor-President Sharon Weston Broome, as the rain moved east, about 13 inches (33 centimeters) of rain fell overnight in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.

Continuous rain has brought upon fatal flash flooding and a state of emergency throughout Louisiana. Governor John Bel Edwards announced a state of emergency on Monday as rounds of extreme rain, isolated tornadoes, and thunderstorms threatened the southwestern part of Louisiana.

In Baton Rouge, the fire department responded to over 300 calls overnight. These were from people trapped in homes or cars that were starting to get flooded, reported WWAY 3.

Read Also: Powerful Winds, Isolated Tornado Possible Across Gulf Coast, Midwest

According to AccuWeather meteorologist Adam Sadvary, "Rounds of rain and thunderstorms have inundated much of the south-central US since Monday, especially for many in Texas and Louisiana, and relief is not expected until late this week." Louisiana was hit particularly hard on Monday. A flash flood emergency was announced overnight by the weather service for the southeast Baton Rouge area on Monday. Up to a foot of rainfall was estimated to have poured on Baton Rouge, reported USA Today.

The waters by Tuesday had largely receded. However, more rain is expected throughout the region this week. The condition is mind-boggling, according to Lake Charles resident Patrick King. He was at a car rental office on Tuesday when his truck on Monday was flooded. He has yet to move back into his house after it got flooded during Hurricane Delta. However, he had recently had new furniture delivered to his home when it flooded again.

According to Lake Charles Mayor Nic Hunter on Tuesday, "We are a very resilient people. We are a very strong population. But, you know, eventually you do kind of get to a point where you ask Mother Nature: What more can you do to us?" reported US News.

Photographs and videos circulating online displayed local streets turned into rivers. This forced drivers to abandon their cars. Other people traveled by boat.

A person died in a car accident in Port Allen. Another individual is missing following their car crashing into a canal on Monday night, stated Louisiana State Police.

Related Article: Cyclone Tauktae: India Brace for Severe Storm

@ 2021 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
A new study from New York University indicated that COVID-19 vaccines produced by Pfizer and Moderna work against the variant that originated in India known as B.1.617 and drove its devastating recent surge. Despite a worrying mutation, all mRNA vaccines will neutralize the variant's spike protein, the infectious surface component of the virus that allows it to enter human cells.

With the findings, Fauci reiterates the importance of getting vaccinated

Dr. Anthony Fauci outlined the results at a White House press conference on Tuesday, calling the findings "another really good argument why we should be getting vaccinated." Even though the B.1.617 version is more contagious and could be outcompeting other versions elsewhere globally, the United States may be able to overcome it via continued vaccination, Daily Mail reported.

In early April, the United States reported the first case of B.1.617, the variant in India. This variant was discovered in northern California by Stanford researchers. Cases have been found in Iowa, Nevada, and other states since then. Several of these incidents have been related to foreign travel, prompting the Biden administration to impose a travel ban on India.

However, some of these variant cases were seen in Americans that had not traveled recently, suggesting that the B.1.617 variant is still circulating among US populations. As of April 24, the B.1.617 variant was found in 0.7 percent of cases in the United States, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). As of May 8, modeling figures placed the variant's prevalence at 1.1 percent.

Since variant data is still slow, the actual number of B.1.617 cases in the country may be higher, particularly in the states where these cases have been recorded so far. On May 10, the World Health Organization (WHO) designated this version as a "variant of concern." According to the WHO, this version has a higher rate of transmission, which means it can travel from person to person more rapidly and efficiently.

In the United Kingdom, a race is on to contain the variant, which has already devastated India with many cases. According to UK health officials, the strain could kill up to 1,000 people every day, and it could be 50 percent more transmissible than the 2020 strain.

Containment activities can also conflict with the government's efforts to remove coronavirus restrictions. "We are expected to make some difficult decisions if the virus becomes significantly more transmissible," Prime Minister Boris Johnson told reporters last week, as per NY Post.

Moderna recently released the findings of a clinical trial that found that giving the vaccine a third shot increased its efficacy against variants first discovered in Brazil and South Africa. The firm said in its statement that it was prepared to tweak the vaccine when new mutations appeared.

Read Also: CDC Lifts COVID-19 Mask and Social Distancing Restrictions for Fully Vaccinated Americans

Fauci admits he still wears a mask outside

Dr. Anthony Fauci said that the recently revised CDC guidelines for completely vaccinated people had made him feel more relaxed being seen without a mask when inside and that he "didn't want to appear like I was sending mixed signals" before. His remarks come as the CDC is under fire for the timing of its mask update, with some wondering whether it was done for political reasons.

The improvement was based on science, according to Fauci and the agency's director, Dr. Rochelle Walensky. "I am much much more relaxed with people seeing me indoors without a mask," Fauci said Tuesday on Good Morning America, explaining why he continued to wear a mask indoors until the CDC's recommendation shift. "I didn't want to appear like I was sending mixed messages," he said. "However, as a fully vaccinated individual, the risks of me being sick in an indoor environment are exceedingly slim, which is why I now feel better not wearing a mask in indoor settings because I'm fully vaccinated," as per Fox News.

On Monday, President Joe Biden's administration tried to clarify the mask mandate, stating that wearing a mask when fully vaccinated under current rules is a personal option. Governors have also voiced disappointment at the agency's sudden shift of guidance, with Christopher Sununu of New Hampshire saying he heard of it from the press.

Related Article: FDA Approves Pfizer's COVID-19 Vaccine for Younger Teens Ages 12-15; Pharma Claims It Is 100% Effective



@YouTube

@ 2021 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
The F-111 Tactical Strike Aircraft of the General Dynamics Aerospace, which developed the F-16 Fighting Falcon years later, was made under the USAF and US Navy requirements in the '60s, that served well into the 1990s.

F-111 Tactical Strike Aircraft called the Flying Pig

It was developed with an emphasis on the medium-range, multi-purpose tactical strike aircraft, which came from the TFX (Tactical Fighter "X") with specifications from the Army and Navy. During the Cold War, the plane filled the niches of a smaller tactical strike bomber, electronic warfare, reconnaissance missions in then-Soviet Bloc territories, reported Airforce Technology.

The F-111 performed its first flight in December 1964 and started service with the United States Air Force in 1967. After 566 jets were built in different configurations, manufacturing ended in 1976. The Aardvark stayed in service with the United States Air Force up to 1998.

An Australian variant was delivered in 1968. In 1973, more units were in the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) service. Difficulty with structural integrity and political issues had delayed the delivery of these planes. RAAF had about 21 of the Pig's fighter bombers but will be phased out in 2010. Back in 2007, the newer F/A-18F Super Hornets became the frontline multi-mission strike fighters, noted Military.

Weapons on the Aarvard

For its generation, the F-111 Tactical Strike Aircraft had a dizzying array of armaments at its disposal. It had an internal weapons bay that was rare in a fighter its size, with several weapons it can load inside. For combatants like the EF-111A or FB-111A/F-111G, it had an internal M61 Vulcan 20mm cannon with a 2,084 round ammunition tank. However, it was never used, so it was omitted from its equipment.

Read also: F-14 Tomcat: A Dual Engine, Naval Interceptor and Cold War Warrior

Inside the bomb bay are Mk 117 type (340kg) bombs and up to Mk 118 (1,400kg), including free-fall nuclear bombs like the B43, B57, and B61 bombs. Its design cannot have weapons on the wings and undercarriage. It can launch AGM-142 Popeye stand-off missile, AGM-84 Harpoon anti-ship missile, and AGM-88 HARM anti-radiation missile from its internal bay.

Sleek and ugly but deadly

Its nose that was long and slightly overturned, was the reason for its weird name. Like the F-14 Tomcat, it had wings that can move during flight, close to the body for higher speeds, and is made of aluminum, titanium steel. It is equipped with an internal weapons bay, side-by-side pilot seating, and an escape crew capsule.

The Aardvark is built with the all-weather capability to attack and enter low-level flight under the enemy radar to deliver anti-radar missiles, running at high speeds until leaving the danger zone on full afterburners. Missions like this entail looking for enemy planes and anti-aircraft missiles. This mission is similar to the F-4G Wild Weasel, mentioned AirForce Mag.

Powering it to supersonic speeds are dual Pratt & Whitney TF30 afterburning turbofan engines. If one engine gets damaged, the other one can still function. A terrain-following radar system is included in all versions. General Dynamics and Northrop Grumman partnered on the fuselage, landing gear, aircraft assembly, and certification.

Development of the F-111 Tactical Strike Aircraft for the US Air Force, a supersonic strike aircraft/tactical fighter-bomber, and a long-range interceptor is planned for the US Navy.

Related article: US Air Force Chooses F-15EX Eagle to Mount Hypersonic Missiles

@ 2021 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
Last Tuesday, District Attorney Andrew Womble, representative of the court, said the deputies are cleared of the Andrew Brown Jr. shooting. The panicking black man was trying to avoid arrest, and they acted in self-defense.

Andrew Brown Jr. Shooting, police shot in self-defense

According to DA Womble, the officers were forced to defend themselves after Brown did not allow them to arrest him. He tried to get away by going through them, moving police training to kick in, reported CNN via MSN.

He gave this statement noted by WRCBtv, "Mr. Brown'sBrown's death, although unfortunate, was reasonable because three authorities believe it was necessary to use deadly force to protect themselves and others as a result of his acts."

Pasquotank Sheriff Tommy Wooten said last Tuesday what will become of the officers. He added the three deputies who will be reinstated and retrained after the incident, cited by USA Today. Furthermore, the officers will have disciplinary action against them.

Wooten stated, according to AP News," While the district attorney established that no criminal laws were broken, it was a terrible and tragic conclusion, and we can do better." Also, During the altercation, two deputies neglected to enable their body cameras.

Chantel Cherry-Lassiter, the Brown family attorney, remarked the deputies did not follow policies; the entire episode was done without the correct response to avoid the shooting. They were saying that the authorities don't know what discipline to apply.

Lassiter said that firing the deputies is not enough but severely disciplined. Brown'sBrown's family is "outraged and upset" by the verdict, told the council to CNN about the Andrew Brown Jr. shooting.

Read also: COVID-19 Vaccine Now Available To New York Teens 16 and Up

The DA explained that the victim used his car as a deadly weapon, ignoring the officer's commands.

Brown was critically wounded by Pasquotank County sheriff's deputies in Elizabeth City, North Carolina, on April 21, including once in the back of the head, when they tried to serve two felony warrants and a search warrant explained Womble.

Womble reached his judgment based on findings of a North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation into the incident. The SBI noted that the report is not considered a public record and will not be publicly disclosed.

Last Tuesday, the DA also described four body-camera footage to the public for the first time. The video captures the key moments of the incident, which lasting 44 seconds from the moment police officers exit their car until Brown is removed from his.

According to the incident, three of the seven deputies on the scene discharged a minimum of 14 bullets at Brown. He argued Brown'sBrown's conduct posed a risk, necessitating the cops to shoot, and he gave a comprehensive view of what police officers are legally authorized to do.

He added that using a car against arresting officers as a deadly weapon makes the driver a threat. In most cases, a car is a dangerous weapon if there is intent to harm anyone.

His legal finding directly conflicts with Brown'sBrown's family and attorneys, who have said that images show Brown was attempting to flee from authorities and was not a threat. The killing has been termed an "execution" to drum up public outrage and misinformation.

The Andrew Brown Jr. shooting has started protests in Elizabeth city denouncing police brutality and the government's lack of openness in refusing to make the footage public.

Related article: Man Arrested for Possession of 62 Fake COVID-19 Vaccination Cards

@ 2021 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
ISIS remains a lurking danger in Afghanistan and claims they caused the school blast that killed many school girls.

ISIS remains a lurking danger in Afghanistan

According to Charge d'Affaires Ross Wilson, one of Washington's top diplomats who told AFP about the threat the Islamic radicals present, reported AFP via MSN.

American forces prepare to depart, and the Taliban has indeed been condemned for rising violence across the war-torn nation, accusing them of betraying agreements in peace talks.

"ISIS is a potent force here," He said in an interview with AFP, "that is one of many reasons why we continue to provide protection and counter-terrorism support to the Afghan government."

He blamed the organization for the explosions that massacred more than 50 people outside of a girls' school in Kabul on May 8 and a weekend explosion at a mosque on the outskirts of the city that killed 12 worshippers.

Despite Taliban denials and IS claims of involvement, the Afghan government routinely criticizes the Taliban for attacks against civilians, saying that IS was wholly defeated in Nangarhar province two years ago.

No one acknowledged the school attack, but the mosque explosion was proclaimed by IS.

They first appeared in Afghanistan in 2014 after NATO combat soldiers left the country and handed the reins over to Afghan security forces.

"The school attack and the mosque explosion a few days later appears to be very obviously the handiwork of the so-called Islamic State," Wilson said, adding that "traces of Al-Qaeda" are still active in the nation, noted Yahoo News. The fact ISIS remains a lurking danger in Afghanistan makes a repeat not far-fetched.

Read also: US General Says Withdrawing From Afghanistan Is a Problem

"That's not to exonerate anyone, particularly the Taliban, for the violence in that they are deeply associated, or for the extremism and carnage ecosystem in which they are really, truly, truly complicit," he continued.

US Withdrawal from Afghanistan

With US and NATO forces beginning a final troop pullout on May 1, which is expected to be completed by the 20th anniversary of the September 11 attacks, bloodshed has escalated, the Taliban and Afghan government forces battling on numerous occasions, reported CNBC.

Biden announced in April that all US troops would be out of Afghanistan by September 11, bringing an end to America's longest war.

Information from the US Central Command, the US has completed up to 20% of the process of leaving from the country. The conflict between Israel and Hamas, stated the Biden administration, will not derail the operation.

The American command handled the transfer of about 115 loads of freight from C-17 Globemaster transport aircraft. Over 5,000 types that will not be handed over to the Afghan military have also been turned over to the Defense Logistics Agency to be scrapped.

The US has transferred over five installations to the Afghan forces. Mentioned the Central Command, completion of 13 and 20 percent of the pullout procedure so far.

The departure of around 3,000 US troops will be on the 20th anniversary of the September 11 terrorist attacks, spurring America to enter lengthy wars in the Middle East and Central Asia.

Biden's pullout schedule differs from a projected timeframe agreed between the Trump administration and the Militants last year. Under that deal, all foreign forces would have had to leave Afghanistan by May 1. Still, ISIS remains a lurking danger in Afghanistan that is a problem.

Related article: Explosion in Afghan Capital, Near Girl's School, Kills 30

@ 2021 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
China calls the US warship in the Taiwan Strait a provocative threat to peace in the region. This comes as the US destroyer conducts another Freedom of Navigation (FONOPS) in the disputed sea lane.

China calls the intrusion of US warship a challenge

For the nth time, The Chinese regime called out the US last Wednesday, as one of its destroyers passed the Strait in defiance of the claims of Beijing, reported Reuters.

Beijing charged the US that it is not helping gain stability in the region by demonstrating support for Taiwan while passing the politically sensitive waterway.

The action that comes amidst rising tensions between the two nations was met with strong disapproval and outrage by a spokesman for China's Eastern Theatre Command.

The CCP believes Taiwan's democratically elected administration is committed to proclaiming the island's independence, which Beijing views as a red line that should not be crossed.

USS Curtis Wilbur

The USS Curtis Wilbur, an Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer, conducted a "regular Taiwan Strait transit" on Tuesday, according to the US Navy's 7th Fleet. American ships have to do FONOPS with their Quad partners in the Indo-Pacific to show unity in the face of China's unlawful occupation in the South China Sea.

America's 7th Fleet is one of the most potent battle groups assigned to the Indo-Pacific as a show of support for US allies.

"The ship's transit through the Taiwan Strait exemplifies the United States' resolve to a free and open Indo-Pacific. Wherever international laws allow, the US military will keep flying, sail, and operate "It was stated, noted Business World. China calls the intrusion of the US warship a threat to the region's stability.

Read also: Upgraded American F-16s to Deter Aggression in the Taiwan Strait

According to the spokesman for China's Eastern Theatre Command, its forces tracked the ship's movement as it sailed.

Whatever happens, the CCP will not allow Taipei to become independent from mainland China and keep the One China policy recognized by other nations.

Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen says that their island is already called the Republic of China (ROC) as its formal name. These declarations usually infuriate the CCP to no end, who sees the island as an extension of the mainland.

The US ship went in a southerly direction via the Strait, said the Taiwanese Defense Ministry, and the "situation was normal." It was confirmed in an article by NDTV.

A recent FONOPS by the US Navy is the usual operations which are conducted with regularity recently.

No formal ties

Although the United States does not have formal diplomatic relations with the island nation, it is its most important international backer and a significant arms supplier.

Taiwanese-Beijing military hostilities have escalated in recent months, with Taipei charging Beijing of repeatedly dispatching its air force into Taiwan's air defense zone.

Usually, the Chinese Air Force has a habit of testing Taiwanese air defenses to check for weak spots by dispatching combined groups of fighters and bombers headlong, but never too long.

Beijing has claimed that its activities in the contested Strait are intended to protect China's sovereignty. Taiwan's government has denounced it as an attempt at intimidation. It includes China calls intrusion of US warship as provocative moves to support the island.

Related article: US Admiral Forecasts China Could Soon Takeover Taiwan

@ 2021 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
The mouse plague crisis hits Eastern Australia and causes $100M Damages; PETA asks farmers not to kill the rodents. It infuriates others that the animal right group propose such a ludicrous idea.

Mouse plague crisis hits Eastern Australia, and farmers are not happy

A weird plea from a global animal rights organization PETA or People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA), asks not to kill the mice running amok in regional Australia, arguing that the animals have a right to eat and not be starved to the "dangerous ideology of human supremacy," reported News.

PETA's comment was a source of condemnation as the mice plague, as farmers, prompting the Deputy Prime Minister to ignore the protestors as "idiots who have never been outside of the city."

A persistent rodent invasion is on track to cost up to $100 million in losses but has already worsened the region's mental health crisis.

As the mice chew through, they can get their teeth on; some farmers have lost as much as $300,000 in ruined harvests.

They urge rural communities to consider the mice's welfare and avoid harming them, instead recommending that they be gently captured and released unharmed.

PETA spokeswoman Aleesha Naxakis stated to NCA NewsWire, "These bright, curious creatures are just looking for food to survive."

She thinks the government should take responsibility for increasing mouse numbers and investing inhumane population control methods. The mouse plague crisis hits Eastern Australia, but they seem out of touch.

Read also: Chicago Sets Loose 1,000 Feral Cats to Control Increasing Rat Infestation

"In the meantime," She said, told News Chant, "we encourage farmers and residents to avoid killing these animals."

"Not only does this horrible euthanasia procedure subject innocent mice to excruciating suffering, but it also offers a risk of bacteria spreading in water when mouse carcasses appear in water tanks.", said the PETA spokeswoman.

One suggestion is to use humane traps to catch the mice and release them unharmed. But the Deputy Prime Minister Michael McCormack instead was not pleased with such ideas, remarked News Deal.

Cormack criticized the organization as the real rats and called their ideas very silly. They were saying that farmers suffering from the rodent invasion are very condemnable.

He added, "You got people who have never left the city but wouldn't know what to do if their backsides were all on flames, but now they're advising farmers what to do."

He said further that dead rats are better to stress his point about the animal welfare groups' ludicrous suggestions.

Xavier Martin, a Gunnedah farmer, pushed PETA to try the catch-and-release method if it even worked.

He was the same mind as McCormack remarked," "It is not the wellbeing of mice that we should be concerned about; it is the welfare of people."

The NSW Deputy Premier John Barilaro said this of the PETA's suggestion was "absurd" and an "insult" to people living in the countryside, according to NSW Deputy Premier John Barilaro.

CSIRO mouse expert Steve Henry told a farmer that using zinc phosphide can kill rats, but households have to use over-the-counter mouse bait as an option to control rodents.

Every ten years or so, Australia is hit by a severe mouse epidemic. In 1993, a similar mouse outbreak is the same as the current on now.

According to a survey conducted by NSW Farmers, nearly all 1300 people polled have baited for mouse control since the spring.

As this mouse plague crisis hits Eastern Australia, PETA still wants the farmers to avoid killing the pesky rodents.

Related article: Big Cat Public Safety Act, if Approved, Will Ban Keeping Tigers as Pets

@ 2021 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
Nuclear cooperation shows China, Russia determined to tackle climate change -- experts

Xinhua) 15:55, May 19, 2021

BEIJING, May 19 (Xinhua) -- Nuclear cooperation between China and Russia demonstrates their firm determination and the sense of responsibility to deal with climate change, which will play a constructive role in achieving the global sustainable development goals, overseas experts said.

Chinese President Xi Jinping and his Russian counterpart, Vladimir Putin, on Wednesday witnessed the ground-breaking ceremony of a bilateral nuclear energy cooperation project of Tianwan nuclear power plant and Xudapu nuclear power plant, via video link.

Today, China and Russia can be considered pillar countries that are able to push forward the development of nuclear energy on a global scale, said Anton Khlopkov, director of the Russian Center for Energy and Security, noting that Russia is an important technological partner of China in the nuclear energy sector.

Both countries have the political will to continue cooperation in the nuclear sphere, to find new forms of cooperation both at the old Tianwan sites and at the new ones, the Russian expert added.

Fatih Birol, executive director of the International Energy Agency, said China has made recently huge achievements in clean energy technologies, such as solar, hydropower, and nuclear, which are all very good examples.

Noting that China has a lot of experience in many clean energy technologies, Birol said that China will play an important role in energy-saving and emission-reduction, new clean energy innovation and investments.

It is important for China and other countries to work together and jointly promote research and development, he added.

Anri Sharapov, professor at the Tashkent State University of Oriental Studies, told Xinhua that the cooperation between China and Russia in nuclear energy will enhance the confidence of the international community in jointly coping with climate issues.

Sharapov also said the smooth construction of the nuclear energy cooperation project shows that the Chinese government is constantly taking measures to use more clean energy, adding that it also shows that the country has always been an active participant in the global climate cause.

Carl Fey, professor of international business at Aalto University School of Business in Finland, expressed his belief that China and Russia have great potential for increased collaboration.

The nuclear power plants are evidence of how serious China is in taking steps to peak its carbon dioxide emissions by 2030 and achieve carbon neutrality by 2060, said the expert, adding that it also shows how serious China now about improving its environment and the environment for the entire world.

China is placing great efforts to creatively explore and expand capacity in other clean energy sectors, Fey added.

(Web editor: Shi Xi, Liang Jun)
You bet - Ill be there all weekend.

I plan to be there at least part of the time.

Im still a little leary because of the crowds.

Vote

View Results
Copyright 2021 at Sun Newspapers. Digital dissemination of this content without prior written consent is a violation of federal law and may be subject to legal action.
Anchor/Multimedia Journalist

Hello! I am the weekend anchor as well as a reporter for Your News Now! You can reach me with news tips (or just to say hello!) at khonigford@wlio.com.
Now Open

19 May 2021

The first Avani hotel in Indonesia will open in Seminyak, Bali next month.

Scheduled to open on 1 June 2021, the Avani Seminyak Resort will feature 21 brand new residence-style accommodation and 16 private pool villas, just a short walk away from area's stylish beach hub and renowned nightlife.

The resort is also only a 10-minute walk to Seminyak beach, a 30-minute drive from Ngurah Rai International Airport (DPS), and approximately an 1.5-hour drive from the Balinese mountain town of Ubud.

Facilities at the Avani Seminyak include a restaurant, gym and swimming pool.

Avani Seminyak Bali Resort will open with an introductory rate starting from USD 100 per room per night, inclusive of breakfast.

The resort will join the brand's rapidly growing collection of 33 properties around the globe, including the recently opened FCC Angkor by Avani in Cambodia, Avani Central Busan Hotel in South Korea, Avani Ao Nang Cliff Krabi Resort and Avani+ Mai Khao Phuket Suites & Villas in Thailand.
Now Open

19 May 2021

Award-winning concept Zoku opens doors in Copenhagen and launches its first location outside of The Netherlands. Facilitating global living and working for the traveling professional, Zoku, which is Japanese for family, tribe, or clan, has created a new category in the hotel industry - a home-office hybrid, also suitable for long stays, with the services of a hotel and the social buzz of a thriving neighborhood.

Designed in collaboration with Concrete, Zoku Copenhagen offers a relaxed place to live, work and socialize with like-minded people while getting wired into the city.

Now open on Copenhagen's Amager Island, Zoku creates a new hub for travelers and locals to meet, collaborate and connect over a cup of coffee. Zoku Copenhagen has 160 Lofts in five different sizes. Offering both style and space consciousness, the Zoku Loft has customizable interiors that shift the focus from the traditional hotel bed to a practical living space. The central feature of the room is a four-person table that can be used to work, dine, entertain or just hang out.

The Zoku Loft also features a fully-equipped kitchen, cleverly designed extensive storage spaces, an alcove with office supplies, and an elevated, lofted sleeping space, which can be accessed by a retractable staircase and screened off to feel cozy, business-like or something in between. The Zoku Loft will feature furnishings from Danish design brand HAY. Zoku guests can add a finishing touch to their Loft by choosing their own artwork to hang on the walls, making the space truly personal.

The hybrid hotel offers the perfect blend for individuals and businesses who are in need of a venue that seamlessly balances work and leisure. They offer unique 'Social Spaces', designed for coworking, dining, hosting meetings and events, and socializing - all located on the 5th floor rooftop showcasing a picture perfect view of Copenhagen. Under the name WorkZoku, the Social Spaces will also attract internationally minded locals looking for community building and networking within communal work areas. By creating these adaptable spaces facilitated by an on-site Community Manager, Zoku solves the rigid nature of traditional hotels, ending the limitations of working from home and spearheading the 'work from anywhere' revolution.
Appointment

19 May 2021

Aimbridge Hospitality, the leading, global, third-party hotel management company, announced that Jamelia Lehn has been promoted to Senior Vice President of Belonging, Inclusion & People Strategies where she will lead and manage all of Aimbridge Hospitality's diversity and inclusion efforts.

Lehn will build momentum around Aimbridge's commitment to a culture of diversity, inclusion, belonging, and soci al responsibility at all levels within the company. She will manage the implementation of strategy, best practices, programs, initiatives, and training to achieve a more diverse and inclusive workplace. Lehn will also act as a strong voice on behalf of diversity and inclusion for Aimbridge and the industry overall, in addition to working in tandem with Aimbridge's Talent Acquisition and Learning and Development teams to integrate all diversity and inclusion efforts throughout the employment experience.

Lehn joined Aimbridge Hospitality in Central Accounting and was later promoted to Corporate Controller in 2018. She is also a co-founder and Chair of Aimbridge's WLEAD (Women's Leadership Empowerment and Development) program. Prior to Aimbridge, Lehn held roles with Goldman Sachs, Ashford Hospitality Trust, and Prime Income Asset Management.
Appointment

19 May 2021

Crowne Plaza Terrigal Pacific has appointed Ben Hislop as Director of Sales & Marketing, joining the team in Terrigal in April 2021. Hislop's return to his native Central Coast follows more than a decade of work for parent company IHG Hotels & Resorts across a number of Crowne Plaza and Holiday Inn hotels in Australia. Most recently, Hislop opened the brand-new Crowne Plaza Sydney Darling Harbour as Director of Sales & Marketing.

Hislop's appointment comes in the wake of a $3 million refurbishment of all conference and event facilities in September 2019 and a $4 million refurbishment of the ground floor beachfront venue, Terrigal Beach House, redesigned by Design Madgwick and completed in January 2021.
Appointment

19 May 2021

Four Seasons Hotel New York Downtown, the award-winning hotel located in the heart of Manhattan's TriBeCa neighborhood, has hand-selected Maria Tampakis for the role of Executive Chef. A lifelong culinarian, Tampakis brings a wealth of global experience to the role, reinforcing Four Seasons Hotel New York Downtown as a lifestyle destination.

As Executive Chef, Tampakis is responsible for overseeing the hotel's culinary experiences with the mission to elevate the lifestyle proposition through various collaborations and partnerships with other iconic New York City Chefs. Tampakis will also be responsible for the creation and execution of new menu offerings and culinary experiences for the residents of 30 Park Place, the residential component.

A Brooklyn, New York native, and the daughter of a celebrated Pastry Chef, Tampakis grew up surrounded by some of the most talented and award-winning chefs, motivating her to pursue a culinary career that began at a local pizzeria. Following her graduation from the University of Delaware's Hotel and Restaurant Management Program in 2008, she went on to complete the Culinary Arts program at the Institute of Culinary Education in New York City, where she started a career training program. Upon graduation, she joined globally renowned Chef Jean-Georges Vongerichten's team in Midtown Manhattan, gaining the skill set required to thrive in New York City's demanding hospitality industry.

Over the last decade, Tampakis has worked with an impressive roster of internationally acclaimed Chefs including sensory cooking pioneer Heston Blumenthal (Dinner by Heston at the Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park) and leading Celebrity Chef Gordon Ramsay (Heddon Street Kitchen, Bread Street Kitchen). Most recently, Tampakis held the highly coveted role of Global Culinary Director for the Estiatorio Milos restaurant group, overseeing culinary operations domestically and internationally.
Press Release

19 May 2021

Netherlands, DC and Toronto, CA  Hospitality Net, the most trusted source for hospitality industry news, and Knowingli Market Research today revealed the results of an exclusive Housekeeping and Hygiene survey, sponsored by Knowcross. The findings, compiled in a comprehensive new report, titled, The New Landscape of Housekeeping and Hygiene: Communications and Protocols are Key to Gain Travelers' Confidence, examine the perspective of guest expectations and reveal key indicators of the industry's success and recovery.

Advertisements

Download the Free Report

Based on over 400 survey responses, hospitality's long-awaited comeback hinges predominantly on safety, trust, and transparency. Over 93% of those surveyed say that they expect each hotel to outline its safety measures. When it comes to areas of concern, elevators and guest rooms are at the top of the list, with doors, gyms, and restaurants not far behind. Occupancy limits and touch-free tech are also priorities when it comes to building confidence.

Henri Roelings, the founder of Hospitality Net, said, "It seems that the definition of loyalty has really changed amidst the pandemic. It's now as much about communication and safety. Once more guests get a taste of that, there's a whole baseline that is set for hotels and travel that we'll see moving forward."

Other notable trends that emerged in the research:

Over 86% of respondents plan to book a hotel stay in the next 12 months

More than 50% are satisfied with how the hotel industry has addressed sanitation, cleanliness, and hygiene

91% are more likely to stay at a hotel that took the initiative to help their employees who permanently/temporarily lost their jobs during the COVID-19 outbreak

"This shift in guest expectations is not like a rubber band. It's not going to snap back any time soon even when we get through COVID," explains Alan Young, co-founder of Knowingli. "Of those planning to travel over the next 12 months, over 80% intend to look at health and safety protocols before choosing a hotel. Moreover, over 57% would pay more for a room that is certified clean. Understanding these expectations enables hoteliers to anticipate and respond to the enduring changes that will transform our industry."

Rethinking operations and re-designing housekeeping operations using technology is the only way to achieve the productivity and quality that is required, said Nikhil Nath, the Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Knowcross, a leader in SaaS technology for the global hotel industry. At Knowcross, we focus on three central housekeeping areas: staff productivity, cleaning quality, and guest experience. We have moved swiftly to enhance our products to adapt to the negative impact COVID-19 has had on each of these areas.

To download the report, The New Landscape of Housekeeping and Hygiene: Communications and Protocols are Key to Gain Travelers' Confidence, click here.

About Knowingli

Knowingli is a market research agency focused on delivering intelligence that fuels smart business strategies, content, marketing, and sales. With access to over 40,000 data points, 18 million panelists, 4000 brands, across over 46 countries, as well as custom survey-led research capabilities, we help companies across all industries to grow their business with better insights into their customers, prospects, trends, and emerging market demands.

Our data partners are the global gold standard used by companies like Google, Slack, Facebook, LinkedIn, Spotify, CDC, Sutter Health, Goldman Sachs, BMW, NBA, StubHub, Cirque du Soleil, Emirates, Hello Fresh, and eMarketer. Knowingli has reimagined the idea of integrated market research and content marketing services to make them accessible and affordable for companies and budgets of all sizes.

Knowingli has reimagined the idea of integrated market research and content marketing services to make them accessible and affordable for companies and budgets of all sizes. To learn more visit knowingli.co.

About Knowcross

Founded in 2002, Knowcross is a global leader in hotel operations optimization software, developing proven service quality management solutions to maximize efficiency, productivity and elevate guest service - with a direct impact on increasing the bottomline.

The innovative Knowcross cloud-based (SaaS) platform includes a suite of pioneering applications including KNOW Service, KNOW Housekeeping, KNOW Glitch, KNOW Mobile, KNOW Inspection, KNOW Tenant and KNOW Maintenance. All Knowcross solutions support multiple languages, can be fully customized, and seamlessly interface to the leading PMS systems, in-room control systems, staff safety devices, messaging gateways, and fire alarm systems.

With a global customer base across 40+ countries, Knowcross is a trusted partner to some of the worlds most well-known global brands including Aqua-Aston Hospitality, Capella Hotels & Resorts, Cheval Residences, Generator, Hoxton, Hyatt, Hilton, IHG, Kempinski, Minor Hotel Group, Oberoi Hotels & Resorts, Radisson Hotels, Rosewood, Sydell Group, Taj Hotels, The Doyle Collection, Sutton Place Hotels, Shangri-La and Sydell Group; as well as marquee independents such as Angad Arts Hotel, Dolder Grand Zurich, Inn at Perry Cabin, The Greenbrier, Le Barthelemy Hotel & Spa, Le Bristol Paris, Mandarin Orchard Singapore, Ojai Valley Inn, The Curtain London, The Mark New York, The Ned London and The William Vale Brooklyn.

To learn more visit knowcross.com.
Press Release

19 May 2021

Expedia Group reveals key insights shaping post-pandemic travel decisions, including emerging behaviors on searching and booking to new expectations on transportation and on-property experiences. The research, called What Travelers Want in 2021, surveyed 16,000 respondents in eight markets. The research was first launched in 2020 and tracks traveler preferences presenting new data year-over-year.

Advertisements

Travel was put on hold in 2020 when the COVID-19 outbreak changed the plans of travelers all around the world. However, early this year, domestic and international searches began to increase. The desire for travel is high with 41% of respondents saying that they would give up watching sports, 39% would stop online shopping, and 37% would cut social media for one month in exchange for a vacation. Also, three-fourths of travelers said vacation would make them happier than a new smartphone.

Year-long lockdowns have created pent-up demand, and travel is expected to surge mid-year, as many will take the summer vacation they could not take last year. As our industry continues to rebound, it is critical to stand out to travelers when they are looking for new experiences on their accommodation options, said Melissa Maher, senior vice president of Marketing and Industry Engagement at Expedia Group.

Traveler considerations

Nearly half (45%) of travelers are considering a beach vacation in the next 18 months, while more than a third (36%) would prefer a major city, and a third (33%) would prefer a small town. Regardless of the type of destination, a top decision factor for respondents is a drivable destination somewhat close to home. After the preference for nearby destinations, travelers are also likely to choose a longer stay, outdoor tours or activities and to travel to a once-in-a-lifetime" destination for their next vacation.

Factors shaping travel decisions

Cleanliness is the top factor shaping booking decisions among the respondents. Nearly half (42%) of travelers say cleanliness guidelines are important to them. The flexibility factor saw the most dramatic rise in importance from 2020 to 2021. Nearly two-thirds (60%) of travelers say they are unlikely to book a non-refundable room in exchange for a reduced rate. This is a near-complete shift from 2020, when two-thirds (66%) of travelers said they were likely to book a non-refundable room.

The research also reveals how travelers expectations for on-property experiences impacts booking decisions. While more than eight in 10 travelers say, there is room for improvement among kid-friendly hotels, nearly three-fourths (71%) say they would return for another stay if the hotel got kid-friendly right, and more than a third (34%) would stay longer.

Additionally, nearly all travelers (94%) see room for improvement among pet-friendly hotels. Delivering a pet-friendly experience is a clear opportunity for properties: more than half (60%) say they would stay again, nearly half (42%) would stay longer, and almost a third (31%) would pay more per night.

Also, more than three-fourths (77%) of travelers say accommodations must have key technology amenities if they are to book a stay, while one in three travelers would be willing to pay extra for high-speed internet. Streaming services are especially important to: Generation Z (38%) and millennials (42%), those who travel with children (42%) or their in-laws (40%), and respondents in Mexico (61%).

Rebuilding traveler trust

The research also reveals the importance that travelers place on trust. Properties who communicate clearly are likely to see fewer cancellations, happier guests, and better reviews. 40% of travelers say reviews are more important today than before the pandemic. Almost all travelers (91%) say property owners and managers should reply to negative reviews.

Although travelers are excited to get away this year, how people search, book, travel, and stay has shifted. We want to better understand what it takes to make travelers feel confident in post-pandemic travel, said Maher. If we are willing to listen and respond to what travelers want, we can all usher in a swift, safe, and exciting new chapter in the travel industry!

Download the full What Travelers Want in 2021 report here.

Methodology

Expedia Groups What Travelers Want in 2021 research was conducted by Wakefield Research in February 2021. Respondents included 16,000 nationally representative adults ages 18+ from eight countries: Australia, Japan, France, Germany, the United Kingdom, Mexico, Canada, and the United States.
External Article

19 May 2021

The hotel industry is being hampered in its recovery by a shortage of labor.

Advertisements

The global pandemic is being blamed for the issue because many employees left the sector as hospitality businesses were forced to shut for months on end in 2020 and, again, in the first few months of 2021.

Other workers may have health concerns about returning to work safely and a portion, especially in the U.S., are still receiving unemployment support from government.

A recent survey from the Hospitality Asset Managers Association reveals availability of staff as the top concern followed by customer demand and labor costs.

The concern was echoed during recent earnings calls with one senior hotel executive describing it as one of the most important issues currently.

Chris Nassetta, president and CEO of Hilton, went on to say that it is constraining recovery at certain times because hotels cant secure enough staff to service properties.

He also said it would lead to pressure on wages at least in the short term but that the situation would stabilize and work itself out.

A recent note from credit ratings company Fitch confirmed similar staff shortage issues in the U.K. also highlighting Brexit as a cause, and said it expected the cost of hiring and training to increase in the short term.
Press Release

19 May 2021

African hotel development continued its growth trend in 2020, with 82,000 rooms in 447 hotels in the pipeline at the beginning of 2021. This is according to the 13th annual survey by W Hospitality Group, acknowledged as the industrys most authoritative source on growth and development. Whilst the Covid-19 outbreak had a profoundly negative impact on Africas hotel operations, the impact on deal signing was, surprisingly, much less  there were 71 deals with 10,000 rooms signed since the last study, down only 30 per cent on the previous year.

Advertisements

Whilst the continued activity by the chains in expanding their footprint contributed to the increase in the pipeline, another factor was the reduction in the number of hotels opening. It was anticipated at the beginning of 2020 that 90 hotels with 17,000 rooms would open across Africa during the year, but in the event only about 25% of those opened their doors. The reasons for that are well known.

W Hospitality Groups Managing Director, Trevor Ward, said: The growth of the chains presence in Africa has been a very positive story since we started this analysis in 2009. It is quite clear from the numbers that the chains, the developers, the investors  and all of us at W Hospitality Group!  continue to believe in the opportunities that Africa presents in the hotel and tourism industry, even in the face of the serious impact of COVID-19 on demand.

We knew that 2020 would see a slowdown in signings, it was just inevitable because so many of the players were locked down, but it wasnt nearly as bad as we feared. And although hotel openings in Africa were far fewer than expected  again, pretty inevitable  most of the pipeline is delayed, not cancelled, and we are looking at a record 217 hotels with 32,000 rooms scheduled to open between now and the end of 2022.

This years African Hotel Chain Development Pipeline survey has 40 international and regional hotel contributors across the 54 countries in north and sub-Saharan Africa, and in the Indian Ocean islands. It reveals a 5.3% increase on the 2020 pipeline.

The findings of the 2021 Pipeline report, together with a mid-year podcast update, will be discussed in depth at the Arabian and African Hospitality Investment Conference (AHIC), organised by bench, to be held in person on 20-22 September in Dubai. This event will bring together the Africa Hotel Investment Forum, the leading hospitality investment conference in Africa, with the Arabian Hospitality Investment Conference, the Saudi Arabia Hospitality Investment Conference and the Global Restaurant Investment Forum. The event will connect business leaders to serious investors, driving funds into tourism projects, infrastructure and hotel development across the MEA region.

This years report reveals that, whilst France-based Accor and the USAs Marriott annually compete for the number 1 slot in the Pipeline, this year its the Europeans that win, with Marriott a close second, a reverse of last years result. Whilst Accor has slightly fewer hotels than Marriott, it records 3 per cent more rooms in its development pipeline, because of a larger average number of keys per hotel.

Photo: Bench Digital

Both Accor, with its 43 brands (globally, not all in Africa) and Marriott, with a total of 31 brands and collections, have clearly positioned themselves as the dominant players on the continent, both with their existing hotels and also the additions from their pipeline signings:

Photo: Bench Digital

These top 5 chains account for two thirds of the total hotels in the Pipeline, and over 70 per cent of total rooms.

Egypt has by far the largest pipeline, more than double second placed Nigeria, and with almost a quarter of the total pipeline rooms on the continent:

Photo: Bench Digital

Trevor Ward said: Hospitality is an enormously important industry in Africa, not just in the Top 5 but in several other countries as well, because of the direct and indirect jobs that it creates and sustains, as well as its strong foreign currency earnings. We are anxious to see a return to growth, particularly in existing hotels reopening and new ones entering the market, and getting back to contributing to the African growth story.

Matthew Weihs, Managing Director of bench, which is staging the Arabian and African Hospitality Investment Conference, said: After a difficult year, I am truly excited to be looking forward to an in-person event that brings all our audiences together in one, safe and secure, environment. For the savvy investor this is actually a real moment of opportunity as hotels are a long-term investment. As we near the bottom of the economic cycle this is such an opportune moment to come together and lay the foundations for deals across the Middle East and Africa. See you there!

About W Hospitality Group

The Lagos-based W Hospitality Group, a member of Hotel Partners Africa, specialises in the provision of advisory services to the hotel, tourism and leisure industries, providing a full range of services to clients who have investments in the sector, or who are looking to enter them through development, acquisition or other means. In sub-Saharan Africa W Hospitality Group is regarded as the market leader due to the market and financial expertise of its staff, its worldwide knowledge and its commitment to its clients. In Africa, W Hospitality Group has to date worked in 40 countries on the continent, from its Lagos and Addis Ababa offices.

About AHIC  Arabian and African Hospitality Investment Conference

Under the new banner of the Arabian & African Hospitality Investment Conference (AHIC), these four communities  AHIC, SHIC, AHIF & GRIF- will come together in Dubai on 20-22 September 2021. Together, these communities will bring a larger group of investors, industry leaders, private equity firms, franchise owners, and leading stakeholders, creating a robust buyer and seller platform with more opportunities under one roof. With their presence, we can have the much-needed conversations to rise from this pandemic together, enhancing the value of market insights, networking, time spent, and the potential of partnerships and opportunities.
Press Release

19 May 2021

The boutique hotel brand uses storytelling and creative interpretation of local history and culture to offer guests a unique perspective and inspire them to discover the locale

Advertisements

Hotel Indigo is the hospitality industry expert in bringing local to life in rich, design-led and creative experiences. Inspired by the colours, textures, history, buildings, and people that make up the neighbourhood, the worlds largest boutique hotel brand offers the most diverse array of curious, warm and inviting retreats in neighbourhood destinations across the globe. Bespoke designs both educate and inspire, encouraging guests to discover the world within the neighbourhood, while exploring locally or within the hotel itself.

In a time when many people have gotten to know their own neighbourhood better than ever, they have also discovered how the nuances and details of each area are what defines it and brings it to life. As our guests return to travel, they are hungry to have these local experiences beyond the better-known areas. Weve brought together some of the best examples of how Hotel Indigo brings the neighbourhood to life inside their hotels. Whether touring the destination for leisure, stopping by for a bite or spending a single night there on business, guests can always take something of the magic of the place with them on their next stop.

Hotel Indigo Columbus At Riverfront Place, Georgia, US

In the nearly two centuries since its foundation, Columbus has maintained the endearing charms of its origins, while allowing its residents to shape its modern form. Its storied history begins with its origins in manufacturing and sprawling buildings in Columbus manufactured everything from textiles to steam engines, mattresses and grills. Hotel Indigo Columbus At Riverfront Place conjures images of the towns manufacturing past with woven art as a nod to the textile industry and wood flooring similar to what would be found in an old mill. Old pine wood at the elevator entrance was repurposed from one of the mills belonging to Columbus resident and magnate W.C. Bradley. The design of the rooftop bar is inspired by legendary blues artist and Columbus native Gertrude Ma Rainey. The hotel also has many nods to the local military history from Columbus Fort Benning; once the residence of the US Calvary and today, its home to multiple specialties. Nightstands have green woven handles, similar to a military duffel bag found at Fort Benning, whilst green parachuting toy army men in the guestroom artwork is a playful nod to the nearby US Airborne School, which trains paratroopers.

Hotel Indigo Miami Brickell, Florida, US

The Brickell neighbourhood in the citys financial district is a mosaic of old and new treasures  from the ancient treasures, to gleaming high-rises nestled beside bungalows. Hotel Indigo Miami Brickell was designed by internationally recognised architect and fashion designer Angel Sanchez of Coleman+Sanchez Studio. Guest room artwork and circular rugs draw inspiration from the Miami Circle, an archaeological site discovered in 1998 and considered to be the only known evidence of a prehistoric structure built by the Tequesta around 2,000 years ago.

Hotel Indigo Dubai Downtown, United Arab Emirates

From pearl-diving and fishing, to trading and shipping, Dubai Creek has been the citys epicentre of trade, telling the story from old to glistening modern architecture. Even before entering the hotel, the driveway of Hotel Indigo Dubai Downtown evokes the locale using a blend of colours to resemble the water of the creek. Four dining plates greet guests upon entering the hotel, paying homage to Emirati culture and its importance on hospitality and families coming together to share a meal together. Created by local artist Nevien Mostafa, the lobby chandelier uses Bedouin weavings and plumage in the UNESCO-recognized Al Sadu style. Each reception desk brings to life separate elements of the neighbourhood: The first carved in deep walnut wood, conjuring images of the large wooden gates in Emirati homes in Nad el Sheba; the second covered in marquetry; the third has a metal lattice pattern, s inspired by the face coverings worn by Emirati women and the fourth has a mother-of-pearl inlay, in homage to Dubais pearl diving history. Guestrooms conjure Dubais rich trading history with shipping crates and mother of pearl tiles, also in homage of the neighbourhoods pearl diving past. The wardrobe uses a Mashrabiya (wooden latticework window) pattern, and the vanity counter features a flamingo woodcarving as a nod to the neighbourhood of Ras Al Khor. Basins in the bathrooms are made of a hand beaten metal, which is inherent to Emirati culture.

Hotel Indigo Singapore Katong, Singapore

Katong was shaped by the migrants who streamed into booming 1920s Singapura, bringing a diverse mix of Chinese, Peranakan, and Eurasian culture. As one of Singapores first chosen Heritage Towns, Joo Chiat Road has successfully retained its strong Peranakan culture and artistic charm. It features an abundance of street art and colourful rows of traditional two-story shophouses dating back to the early 1920s. The neighbourhood storytelling starts the minute you arrive at Hotel Indigo Singapore Katong, where art in the lobby is inspired by the Peranakan pottery, while lanterns adjacent to the lifts are similar to those found along local shophouse corridors. A courtyard living room is influenced by a traditional shophouse, and the hanging chandelier showcases the lanterns and colourful rice dumplings hung within and outside Joo Chiat Road. Guests can admire them trying out traditional games from the neighbourhood, such as Five-Stones and Pick-Up Sticks. In bedrooms,large-scale murals have been created by a local artist and depicts daily life from the neighbourhood. Rooms also feature typical pantry cabinets, a Carom Board table, and Pintu Pagar patterns, which are traditionally found on Peranakan doors.

Hotel Indigo Hakone Gora, Japan

Hakone Gora is known for its rejuvenating onsen waters, but these waters also brought with them a neighbourhood filled with fascinating residents, from entrepreneurs, labourers, poets and playwrights, all looking to benefit from this unique, healing space in nature. To immerse guests in nature, Hotel Indigo Hakone Gora uses natural, pastel and seasonal colours. Other natural features in the hotel include a firefly-inspired art installation, a fish-shaped pothook and encased floor-to-ceiling rocks. The carpets are designed to feel like a nature walk, featuring earthy green tones, blue hues inspired by the flowing water, and shapes of the boulders found in Goras mountains. Yosegi-zaiku, a traditional-type of marquetry, began in Hakone Gora during the Edo period in the second half of the 19th century. Artisans bind wood from different types of trees then slice them into colourful mosaic-like sheets. Examples can be found throughout the hotel on the furniture, restaurant walls and minibars in the guest rooms. Even the floor numbers in the elevator lobbies showcase the intricate designs of yosegi-zaiku.

Hotel Indigo Krakow, Poland

This neighbourhood has thrown its heart and soul into twenty-first century reinvention and renewal. Inspiration abounds in this neighbourhood, driven by a dynamic spirit of art and culture. Strolling on these enchanting ancient streets, it's easy to see why UNESCO honoured historic Krakow with World Heritage status. Guest rooms at Hotel Indigo Krakow were created in homage to some of the neighbourhoods greatest creatives, including Stanislaw Wyspianski. He was a Polish playwright, painter, poet and furniture designer who successfully combined the modernism trend using themes of Polish folk tradition and Romantic history. Rooms features Polish tapestry, with tapestry hoops are translated into an art installation, throws on the bed featuring traditional Polish lace, and flooring with a lace-inspired pattern.

Hotel Indigo The Hague, Netherlands

A champion of elegant and refined living, The Hague has always rejected the frantic self-reinvention and fad-chasing of other cities in favour of a quiet confidence and stately style. Hotel Indigo The Hague displays the same approach, nodding to the history and lifestyle of the locality and of the building it which it sits. The Noorrdeinde Dutch Royal Palace sits directly across from the hotel and is a working palace today and the royal influence is felt in the hotel with velvet upholstered furniture is inspired by the prestige of the royal palace. The hotel itself has a history of prestige and power - it was formerly a bank that protected the fortunes of local families for generations. Gold and brass accents around the building highlight the buildings past as a bank and guest rooms celebrate the buildings history by preserving panelling from the bank managers office and transforming it into guestroom headboards. The minibars resemble a bank vault, while the bathroom mirror is an outline of the Euro. A playful interpretation of the Dutch Guilder appears at the end of the corridors and details from the Guilder can also be found in guest bathroom artwork. Corridor light fixtures resemble bicycle wheels, a nod to the Dutch culture of biking everywhere.

Hotel Indigo Shanghai on The Bund, China

The Bund is an iconic waterfront area situated alongside the Huangpu River. The docks on the Bund were once the life blood of the city. Today, walking the halls of the Hotel Indigo Shanghai on The Bund, fragments of a reclaimed, dismantled old Shanghai riverboat can be seen embedded into the walls, leaving a timeless and evocative memory of this important neighbourhood story. Shikumen architecture is typical in this area of Shanghai, and combines elements of traditional Jiangnan residential buildings with those of British terraced houses of the era. The style was first seen in the 1860s, and examples of it can still be found in the French Concession (Huangpu District) and the Old City area. The hotel uses bricks carefully sourced from old Shikumen neighbourhoods in the guestrooms to evoke the spirit of those buildings.
Opinion Article

19 May 2021

Exciting recommendations following the unusually successful EHL remote wine tasting session with EHL's Associate Professor, Dr Philippe Masset.

Advertisements

HyFlex wine tasting

Passionate in-class discussions awaits each cohort of the Wine Economics & Finance course at EHL. This year unfortunately, the course was held remotely making it impossible to conduct the usual tastings. Nevertheless, a compelling alternative, which exploits the possibilities and immediacy of exchanges offered by the HyFlex teaching model was created together with the students. Namely, a positive class dynamic was maintained through the sharing of wine experiences and tastings via the online chat function of MS Teams. Whats more, it allowed us to concoct a unique list of wicked and sometimes alternative wines that we happily share with the readers of this article.

Diversity

With a student body of 120+ nationalities, the wines tasted by the Wine Econ & Finance community were not only diverse in terms of origins, but also styles and prices. Unsurprisingly, Bordeaux was an attractive appellation to the cohort. Highlights include Boyd-Cantenac 2005 and Fontenil 1999, both at the apex of their drinking plateau, whilst Pontet Canet and Figeac 2014 demonstrated the potential of this often overlooked yet perfectly balanced vintage.

As a sign of the times, several second wines were tasted and thoroughly appreciated. Among these, Clos Canon 2009 revealed a particularly interesting quality on top of an appealing pleasure-price tradeoff. Wines from the closer-to-Switzerland regions of Burgundy and Rhone Valley also appeared to be particularly pleasurable for our students. To nominate a few for the consideration of our reader's cellars: Domaine Jacques Prieurs Beaune premier cru 2009, Domaine Durands Saint Joseph Les Coteaux 1999, Paul Jaboulet Aines Les Cassines 2015.

Other regions, especially Vaud, Piedmont and Tuscany were also very well represented. More "exotic" wines from the USA, Argentina, New Zealand, South Africa, Slovakia and even Czech Republic were also discovered in this expedition of appellations.

Did you say apero?

Besides the origin of a wine, the inspiration leading to a tasting is fascinating to analyze. In these times of pandemic and social distancing, wine lends itself to a good moment with the complements of friends and family. As one student aptly suggests, "never skip apero hour"! With another adding "what else than a good Chasselas from Domaine du Daley with a few friends to start the weekend quietly?". The Grenache blanc Vieilles Vignes from Clos des Fees also provides a near-perfect mid-afternoon apero to share with a good friend. If only because of its name, the cuvee En Attendant les copains (Domaine du Petit Oratoire) deserves its place in this article, "lightly effervescent, [it] tastes like the earth after the rain".

Sources of inspiration

With the repatriation of spring, the desire for a BBQ rises from the ashes and as our students found out, some wines pair particularly well with grilled meat, such as a Cahors from Chateau Lagrezette. In a similar style, the Cuvee Les Vignals from L'Ostal Levant seems more than recommendable, "short maceration and therefore very juicy, like you'd grab a handful of ripe grapes and a few dark berries and squeeze the juice out. You could literally drink this endlessly."

Interestingly, it seems that some students also found their inner Moliere at the bottom of some vintages Guest speakers offer another source of inspiration, as one group of students noted "after the presentation from Dr. Haberle, we had a strong craving for Italian wines. A Moscato d'Asti from Saracco and a Barbaresco Rombone from Luigi Oddero seem to have been particularly appreciated in this context. Several other Italian wines were also very much enjoyed: a nice Barbera d'Asti from Tenuta Olim Bauda with distinctive aromas of wild strawberry, as well as a powerful and bold Merlot from Vigna Fodera (the Marsala area in Sicily) displaying aromas of ripe cherries, plum and chocolate.

Back to nature

This list would be incomplete were it not for the company of some organic, nature and so-called orange wines - sometimes from obscure origins. Many local producers are trying their hand at this novelty of wine. Of particular note is Laura Paccot, an EHL alumni, who produces wines that are as elegant as they are complex. Markedly, Her Gamay displays enticing fragrances of red currant and cherry. One student, fond of nature wines praised two wines from Strekov and Milan Nestarec wineries located in Slovakia and Czech Republic respectively. The former is easy to drink, fruity, earthy yet light. Little spicy after taste as it is a natural wine, while the latter parades as a light rose (direct press red blend and some riesling fermenting on skins) with some red fruit notes and nice minerality. Perfect summer wine. Finally the cuvee Nur (Trebbiano, Verdicchio, Malvasia) from La Distesa results in a very approachable orange wine, mineral, cloudy, citrusy.

Emotions

Certain wines go beyond a description of pleasurable - they unearth emotions, as discovered via the students' anecdotes shared on MS Teams. Obviously, they are very personal but here are a few:

Chateau d'Yquem: a special wine for special occasions.

Chateau Bon Pasteur: a small yet highly qualitative estate from Pomerol.

Klein Constantia Vin de Constance: for some good memories from AP.

Barolo from Elio Sandri: for their sense of terroir.

Meyer-Nakel, us de la meng: described as our family favorite... always reminds me of home and long and late evenings.

Last but not least, the Professors favorite is Irma la douce, a poetic blend of mint, lavender and other mountain herbs from Al Canton, a tea producer located in Val Poschiavo. Alas, the list is at an end but it is not difficult to comprehend that a good wine shared with a friend may help transcend through thick and thin, the burden of a pandemic.
AFP, HO / TNS

Iran said it will soon export oil from a new port that allows it to bypass the Strait of Hormuz, as nuclear talks between Tehran and other world powers show signs of progress.

State-controlled National Iranian Oil Co. will start shipping crude from the Jask terminal on the Gulf of Oman coast next month, according to a statement. NIOC is already pumping oil into a 1,000-kilometer (620-mile) pipeline connecting Jask with the southwestern energy hub of Goreh, Managing Director Masoud Karbasian said.
LAS VEGAS  The Las Vegas Strip and surroundings will fully reopen to vaccinated diners, dancers, shoppers and club-goers beginning June 1.

Clark County lawmakers on Tuesday followed CDC guidelines and dropped plans to tie business occupancy to coronavirus vaccination rates.

The unanimous vote came after public speakers expressed anger and frustration with pandemic restrictions  especially their effects on schoolchildren.

Nevada Gov. Steve Sisolak on Friday aligned state requirements with CDC recommendations issued a day earlier. The CDC says fully vaccinated people can stop social distancing and mask-wearing outdoors in crowds and in most indoor settings.

Most Las Vegas casinos have already returned to 100% occupancy and no social distancing under oversight of the Nevada Gaming Control Board.

___

THE VIRUS OUTBREAK:

 Biden coronavirus adviser says teen son has lingering COVID-19 symptoms, encourages young to get shots

 UAE to offer booster shot to recipients of China's Sinopharm vaccine

 Changed by pandemic, many US workers wont return to old jobs

 India reports record day of virus deaths as cases level off

 Follow more of APs pandemic coverage at https://apnews.com/hub/coronavirus-pandemic and https://apnews.com/hub/coronavirus-vaccine

___

HERE'S WHAT ELSE IS HAPPENING:

KYIV, Ukraine  Ukrainian lawmakers have voted to dismiss the health minister who has faced criticism for the slow pace of the nations coronavirus vaccination effort.

Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal held Health Minister Maksym Stepanov responsible for the failure to quickly procure more vaccine. Shmyhal says the nation of 41 million people so far has received only 2.3 million doses, and only 948,3300 Ukrainians had received at least one shot as of Tuesday.

Stepanov argued in his defense that the ex-Soviet nation has faced tough competition as nations try to procure vaccines amid the pandemic. Supplies of the Indian-made AstraZeneca vaccine were suspended after infections in India surged.

Ukraine has registered more than 2.1 million infections and 48,469 deaths from COVID-19.

___

AUSTIN, Texas  Texas governor says public schools must end mask requirements starting in June and is ordering Texas cities and counties to drop nearly all face covering mandates by the end of the week.

Tuesdays announcement from Gov. Greg Abbott does not affect private businesses, which can still require customers or workers to wear masks. But the change is the biggest rollbacks of Texas pandemic safeguards since Abbott ended a statewide mask mandate in March.

Public hospitals, jails and state-supported living centers will still be allowed to require masks.

The move comes as Texas coronavirus cases and COVID-19 deaths continue to plunge and vaccines are being made available to children as young as 12.

Some Texas school have already ended mask mandates. The Texas State Teachers Association criticized Abbotts decision as premature.

___

MEXICO CITY -- Mexico is mounting a final push to get all of the countrys 3 million school teachers vaccinated so it can reopen schools, perhaps by the second half of June.

President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador said Tuesday that getting kids back into classrooms is an urgent necessity, as much for their social development as anything else. He says: School is like a second home, and we need all students at all levels to return to in-person classes..

Officials estimate 2.1 million teachers at private and public schools have already been vaccinated, and hope to inject almost 520,000 this week and a similar number in the last week of May.

Schools in four of Mexicos least-affected states have gone back to in-person classes, but on a very limited scale. The other 28 states have been giving online classes since early last year.

___

PORTLAND, Oregon -- Oregon health officials say businesses and churches can choose to no longer require masks and social distancing for fully vaccinated people, but those places must have individuals show proof of vaccination and review it.

Under new rules announced Tuesday, people will still be required to wear masks while on public transportation and in schools, hospitals and clinics, homeless shelters, correctional facilities and long-term care facilities.

Oregonians have been required since last summer to wear masks inside public spaces such as grocery stores, shops, gyms and restaurants and outside in situations where people cannot remain six feet apart.

___

CONCORD, N.H.  New Hampshire will end its participation in all pandemic-related federal unemployment compensation programs June 19 but will offer signing stipends totaling $10 million to encourage people to find jobs.

The state was among the first to expand eligibility for unemployment benefits when the pandemic first struck. Between March and April 2020, its unemployment rate jumped from 2.7% to over 16%, but as of this month, was back down to 2.8%.

Gov. Chris Sununu said Tuesday that unemployed workers who find full-time jobs will get $1,000 bonuses after completing eight weeks of work and part-time workers will get $800 until the $10 million bonus fund is depleted.

Connecticut is offering a similar incentive, though it is maintaining the federal $300 supplemental payments for those who remain unemployed.

___

LOS ANGELES -- Five more California counties will move to less restrictive pandemic rules because of improving COVID-19 conditions.

The state Department of Public Health said Tuesday that Orange, Santa Cruz, Santa Clara and Amador counties are moving from the orange, or moderate, tier to the yellow, or minimal, tier. Tehama County is improving from the red, substantial, tier to orange.

The moves will put 13 counties in yellow, 35 in orange and 10 in red. No counties are in the purple, or substantial, tier.

___

WASHINGTON  A top White House adviser for the coronavirus is encouraging young people to get vaccinated, sharing his sons struggles after acquiring the virus.

Andy Slavitt revealed during a White House briefing Tuesday that one of his sons was diagnosed with the virus late last year and still suffers from lingering side effects.

Hes appealing to younger Americans to roll up their sleeves, even if they feel theyre at less risk than older Americans for serious medical consequences.

Slavitt says his teenage son was young and fit and in the prime of his life. But six months later, he still suffers from tachycardia, shortness of breath, and ongoing and frequent flu-like symptoms. His hands are cold to the touch.

Slavitt adds: Many young people are in this situation, and many, many have it worse. According to the CDC, more than 3 million kids under 17 have contracted COVID-19.

___

ATLANTA  A U.S. government report finds rural counties are behind urban counties in their coronavirus vaccination efforts, a gap that could slow the fight against the coronavirus.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported Tuesday that 39% of adults in rural counties had received at least one shot compared to 46% in urban counties as of April 10. The rural lag holds up in women, men and both younger and older adults.

Polling suggests rural Americans are more likely than others to say theyll avoid vaccination. The CDC report says rural Americans may have more trouble traveling to distant vaccination sites.

Early in the pandemic, the coronavirus hit large cities. By September, it spread throughout the country and case rates in rural areas eventually surpassed urban centers. Some research suggests rural Americans may be more vulnerable to serious infection and death from COVID-19.

The CDC says public health departments should work with doctors, pharmacies, faith groups and employers in rural areas to address the gap in coverage.

___

WASHINGTON  Federal health officials are releasing $3 billion to help states cope with rising substance abuse and mental health impacts of the coronavirus pandemic.

The money approved by Congress in President Joe Bidens coronavirus relief bill will be equally divided between the Community Mental Health Services Block Grant and the Substance Abuse Prevention and Treatment Block Grant, roughly tripling the federal commitment to the programs, officials say.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recently reported 90,000 overdose deaths for the 12-month period ending last September, which represents 20,000 additional lives lost compared with the same period a year earlier.

Reported episodes of anxiety and depression were up sharply last year, and more people experienced suicidal thoughts. But there was a drop in the use of mental health and substance abuse treatment. Although people are using mental health services again, it hasnt returned to pre-pandemic levels.

The money will be distributed through the federal Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration.

___

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates  The United Arab Emirates says it will offer booster shots six months after vaccination for those who received the Chinese state-backed Sinopharm shot.

The announcement Tuesday comes after some in the UAE received a third shot amid concerns of a low antibody response from the vaccine.

Last month, Chinas top disease control official, in a rare acknowledgement, said current vaccines offer low protection against the coronavirus.

China has distributed hundreds of millions of doses of domestically made vaccines abroad and is relying on them for its own mass immunization campaign. The state-owned company has not publicly published peer-reviewed data on the final stage clinical trial research and been criticized for a lack of transparency.

The UAE initially said the vaccine was 86% effective in the first public release of information on the shots efficacy. But in the time since, it has offered no study data to support its figures.

___

NEW DELHI  The Serum Institute of India says it hopes to start delivering coronavirus vaccine doses to the U.N. backed effort known as COVAX and to other countries by the end of the year, which will significantly set back global efforts to immunize people against COVID-19.

In March, Indias Serum Institute, the worlds biggest vaccine maker and the main supplier of COVID-19 vaccine doses to COVAX, said it was postponing all exports of coronavirus vaccines to deal with the explosive surge of cases on the subcontinent. At the time, the World Health Organization and Gavi announced the delay would affect about 90 million doses of COVID-19 vaccines, but they expected deliveries to resume by June.

SII has delivered more than 200 million doses, the company said in a statement posted to its Twitter account. It says in the past few days, theres been intense discussion on the decision of the Indian government and vaccine manufacturers about the possible export of vaccines.

We continue to scale up and prioritize India, the company says. We also hope to start delivering to COVAX and other countries by the end of the year.

___

GENEVA  More than 60 countries want the World Trade Organization member states to temporarily ease protections on the know-how behind vaccines, medicine and tests for the coronavirus.

They are appealing to approximately 140 other members to step forward as soon as possible to flesh out a text for the proposal. The 62 WTO member states -- mostly developing countries -- have rallied around a proposal first made by India and South Africa that garnered some support from the Biden administration when it comes to vaccines.

A joint statement from the countries says theyll soon present a revised proposal on the issue that aims to get coronavirus help to the neediest people -- whether in rich or poor countries.

The 62 states also pledged flexibility on the issue to ensure swift outcomes that would suit a majority of WTO member states. However, the WTO operates by consensus -- meaning any single country could block the proposal. Some have expressed strong opposition.

Wealthy countries with strong pharmaceutical industries say such a temporary intellectual property waiver could have a long-lasting impacting innovation and would take months to carry out -- rendering it ineffective against urgent supply shortages faced in many countries. They say a better solution would be immediate donations of vaccines from rich countries that have extra doses.

Proponents insist capacity to scale up production of vaccines exists, but the protections under WTO rules prevent it.

___

NICOSIA, Cyprus  Cyprus health minister says private doctors can administer the AstraZeneca shot against COVID-19 to anyone over age 20 to expedite its vaccination program.

Constantinos Ioannou says the governments online vaccination appointment program will re-open for all ages so anyone who missed out the first time around can make the arrangement.

So far, 45.2% of its 875,000 population has received at least one shot and 15.5% have completed their vaccination. Ioannou says the governments target to vaccinate two-thirds of the population by the end of June remains on track.
The first long-haul flight powered by biofuels took off Tuesday, another sign of the quickening global shift from fossil fuels.

The Air France-KLM flight from Paris to Montreal used a mix of petroleum-based jet fuel and a synthetic aviation fuel made from used cooking oils produced by French oil major Total. If this so-called sustainable aviation fuel is adopted across the industry, it would significantly reduce carbon dioxide emissions from air transportation, Total said.

The development of biofuels is part of Total's broad-energy strategy for decarbonizing the transportation industry, Total CEO Patrick Pouyanne said in a statement. By directly reducing the carbon intensity of the energy products used by our aviation industry customers, we are actively working with them to achieve our ambition to get to net zero by 2050, together with society.

The biofuel-powered flight comes as nations, particularly those in Europe, are tightening regulations around greenhouse gas emissions to combat climate change. Aviation is considered one of the hardest industries in which to lower carbon dioxide emissions, but oil companies and commercial airlines are working on alternatives to jet fuel, including biofuels and hydrogen.

The shift from traditional aviation fuel would have broad implications for Houstons oil and gas industry, which is already facing increasing pressure from the rise of electric vehicles and their threat to gasoline demand. Biofuel-powered airplanes, like electric vehicles, represent a miniscule portion of the market today, but are expected to grow in the future.

Air France-KLM, which flew 78 short- and medium haul flights using biofuels between 2014 and 2016, said it is working toward a future where all its airplanes are powered by a blend of petroleum and biofuel.

TRANSITION: Chevron, Toyota look to partner on hydrogen

Total began producing aviation biofuels last March, adapting its refineries to prepare for growing demand from aviation industry in the coming decade. Europes Green Deal legislation calls for European countries to increase use of aviation biofuels to 2 percent by 2025 and 5 percent by 2030.

Other refiners are converting plants to produce biofuels as gasoline margins get squeezed and the companies prepare for a low-carbon future.

Phillips 66 of Houston in November said it will convert its refinery outside San Francisco to produce biofuels from used cooking oil and animal fats. Marathon Petroleum, the Ohio-based spin off of Houston company Marathon Oil, is converting an oil refinery in North Dakota to a biofuel refinery.

San Antonio refiner Valero Energy operates the largest renewable diesel plant in North America, and is planning to more than double the capacity of the Louisiana facility while developing another in Port Arthur. Both Royal Dutch Shell and BP are investing in biofuels.

Analysts predict biofuels production will nearly double to 5 billion gallons a year by 2025, which would amount to 8 percent of current diesel production.

Ready to go

Total said it produced its aviation biofuel from used cooking oil at its La Mede biorefinery in southern France and at its Oudalle factory near Le Havre, without using virgin plant-based oil. The biofuel makes up 16 percent of the blended jet fuel, which reduced the Paris-to-Montreal flights carbon dioxide emissions by 20 tons, Total said.

Using the biofuel required no modifications to the aircraft or its engines, or airport fuel storage and distribution facilities, Air France-KLM CEO Benjamin Smith said.

Together with the renewal of our fleet, sustainable aviation fuels constitute our main lever in the medium-term for reducing our carbon dioxide emissions per passenger per kilometer by half by 2030, Smith said in a statement. These two actions are therefore central to our strategy, alongside eco-piloting and achieving carbon-neutral ground operations.
U.S. crude inventories increased by 1.3 million barrels last week, pushing oil prices down Wednesday. Oil prices fell more than 4 percent Wednesday morning, trading at about $62.98 around 9:35 a.m. Central.



The nations commercial crude inventories increased to 486 million barrels during the week ended May 14 from 484.7 million barrels the previous week, the Energy Department said Wednesday.

IEA: No more oil and gas wells if world is to reach climate target

Crude stockpiles are about 1 percent below the the five-year average for this time of year, the Energy Department said.



Gasoline inventories decreased by 2 million barrels last week and are about 2 percent below the five year average for this time of year. Jet fuel inventories rose by 2 million barrels last week as the airline industry continues to battle effects of the pandemic.



Refineries took in an average of 15.1 million barrels a day last week, some 96,000 barrels per day more than the previous period, the Energy Department said. Refineries operated at about 86.3 percent of capacity. Over the past four weeks, refineries have produced 8.9 million barrels a day of gasoline, about 33.9 percent more than during the same period last year, when much of the nation was shut down amid the pandemic.
CB2, a retailer selling modern style home furnishings and decor as part of Crate and Barrel Holdings, will make its Houston debut in June in Rice Village.

The store will lease the 10,084-square-foot space at 2414 University #130 at the corner of Kelvin Drive, according to landlord Rice Management Co.

The online retailer said it has experienced an increase in its customer base in the Houston region over the past few years. Customers will be able to shop online and pick up in store, and consult with CB2s design specialists.

RELATED: January retail spending grew in Houston even as the pandemic raged

We see Houston as a city that celebrates creativity and culturesomething we identify with as a company and in our designs," CB2 President Ryan Turf said in an announcement. Opening a brick-and-mortar in a historic shopping district such as Rice Village allows us to connect even further with the city, add another layer of access for the Houston area customers we have already come to know and build a new network of services for Houstons trade professionals in-store and online.

The expansion comes a few months after Ballard Designs, an online retailer selling home furnishings with a European influence, opened a Houston store in the River Oaks Shopping Center.

The CB2 store is part of an ongoing transformation of Rice Village designed to bring experiences to shoppers with new restaurants and retailers, public gathering areas and events such as a farmer's market. The shopping district, located just west of Rice University, dates to 1938.

Other new Rice Village tenants include Love Sac, Van Leeuwen Ice Cream and West Elm. West Elm, a subsidiary of Williams-Sonoma selling modern style home decor and furnishings, will open in the 11,500-square-foot space previously occupied by Urban Outfitters on University Boulevard this summer.

Burdette Huffman of Blue Ox Group represented Rice Management. Kim Bernick of Transwestern represented the tenant.

CB2 has expanded to 22 locations across the U.S and Canada including stores Dallas, Austin and soon Houston.
Lupe Mendez and Jesse Lott, both from Houston, have been named Texas poet laureate and Texas state three-dimensional artist, respectively, by the Texas State Legislature.

The Houstonians are two of the eight announced appointments the legislature made Tuesday. Others honored are Fort Worth singer Leon Bridges (Texas state musician), San Antonios Eva Ybarra (Texas state musician), Arlingtons Celia Alvarez Munoz (Texas state two-dimensional artist), Austins Cyrus Cassells (Texas poet laureate), Dentons Annette Lawrence (Texas state two-dimensional artist), and San Antonios Jennifer Ling Datchuk (Texas state three-dimensional artist).

Four will serve one-year terms in 2021 in their categories, while the other four will replace them in their categories in 2022.

Alvarez Munoz, though based in North Texas, has a local connection. Shes a non-Houstonian but she received a Lifetime Achievement Award from Art League Houston, said Anina Moore, Texas Commission on the Arts director of artist services and communications.

The positions were created by Senate Bill 1043 of the 77th Legislature and formally announced through Senate Resolutions at the Texas Capitol in Austin on May 18. House resolutions to follow later this month.

All Texas citizens are able to nominate  or self-nominate  artists for the awards.

Texas Commission on the Arts mission Texas Commission on the Arts supports a diverse and innovative arts community in Texas, throughout the nation and internationally by providing resources to enhance economic development, arts education, cultural tourism and artist sustainability initiatives. For more information on TCA and its programs, please visit arts.texas.gov. See More Collapse

Moore says TCA received a total of 422 nominations this year. Overall, the response was nearly on par with previous years. Its a little bit lower, but not by much.

The TCA notifies nominees and gives them an opportunity to submit links to work samples and bios for consideration. After that, panels of experts from various disciplines convene to narrow the nominations. Then a committee appointed by the governor, lieutenant governor and speaker of the Texas House of Representatives make their final selections. The next opportunity to submit nominations will be fall 2022.

It really is a recognition of their work over anything, Moore says. It has widened the recognition of their career. Sometimes an artist gets a gallery show or publication opportunities. Sometimes the poet laureates are invited to be part of events  but, thats all indirect.

TCA, which aims to help cultivate a diverse and innovative arts community throughout the state, has been charged with conducting the nomination and selection process since 1999. Its mission is to advance the states economic and cultural achievements by investing in a creative Texas.

Moore notes that the tradition of designating a Texas Poet Laureate dates back to the 1930s.
Pastor Steve Wells started a tradition at South Main Baptist Church. During a baptism, he first asks the family to stand in honor of the person about to receive the rite.

Then, he summons the entire congregation to its feet. Its a moving show of support from the whole church family for an individuals personal faith journey, Wells explained.

Baptism is a profession of faith, but its also the whole church claiming that person, he said. The symbols are important; the rituals are important. And weve lost that for a year.

COVID-19 put baptism on hold. When church doors shuttered for the lockdown, the ritual was placed on pause. As churches reopened, some found new ways to baptize.

For others, like South Main in Midtown, baptisms were completely halted for more than a year - and are only now making a comeback.

Now that all South Mains ministers are fully vaccinated, baptisms for vaccinated parishioners (the Baptist church does not believe in infant baptism) will return this month.

On HoustonChronicle.com: 'God puts us together': Houston-area adoption program helps build families

Were very eager to start baptizing again, Wells said.

Returning to group baptisms on Pentecost

The same is true for Rev. Becky Zartman, canon missioner for evangelism and formation at Downtowns Christ Church Cathedral.

On Pentecost, Sunday, May 23, baptisms return to their normal time slot and in their usual group style.

Baptism is finally back where it belongs, she said. Were back where we should be, and Im just so happy. For me, its a sign of vitality and life.

At Christ Church Cathedral, she explained, the Episcopal faith focuses on infant baptisms, but also traditionally offers the sacrament to adults during the Easter vigil  until last year.

That was the first time we were like, What are we going to do for baptism? Everything was so uncertain, she recalled. There were a couple of babies waiting.

As the pandemic continued, the need to baptize became more pressing, Zartman explained.

Luckily, she said, an answer was waiting in the 1928 prayer book that served the Episcopal Church for 50 years, until being rewritten in 1978. In the older version, private infant baptism were the norm, and Christ Church Cathedral, following those guidelines, was able to offer small services for 10 family members at a time.

In January, as the church reopened, scheduling limited group baptisms on Saturdays. A few months later, Zartman is more than ready for group baptisms to resume on Sundays joined by the whole church as individuals make the commitment.

Its about connection ultimately, she said. Being apart made me realize how much the sacrament of baptism is about being together.

NEWSLETTERS Join the conversation with HouWeAre We want to foster conversation and highlight the intersection of race, identity and culture in one of America's most diverse cities. Sign up for the HouWeAre newsletter here.

The ritual is foundational in forming an identity as an Episcopalian, Zartman added, in vowing to love thy neighbor, serve God and lead by example in serving others.

This is a huge part of who we are, she said. By your baptism, you are empowered to go out, serve others, proclaim the gospel and change the world.

The Church of St. John the Divine Episcopal will also resume group baptisms during Pentecost.

Vice rector the Rev. Reagan Cocke said the congregation canceled all scheduled baptisms, when the building closed in March 2020. When the church reopened in June, baptisms were limited to 10 people and held in the larger sanctuary, instead of the chapel, to allow greater air flow.

Adapting to COVID-19 caused him to rethink baptism and find new aspects worth keeping: In the past, parents would hand their babies to him, before pouring water on their heads; during the pandemic, parents held their babies the entire time.

The babies were way better behaved, and parents could see their childs face the whole time, he said. I have decided to keep that practice.

On RenewHouston.com: Houston family launches foundation for toddler's rare disease

Hes also sticking with livestreaming, which allowed more families to be present when baptism attendance was limited. Similarly, he plans to continue online baptism classes.

Whats been helpful to me is to rethink practices, how we did things before, he said. We learned some good new things.

A new life

Baptism classes have resumed in person for the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houstons deaf ministry, explained chaplain and program director the Rev. Len Broniak.

At the beginning of the pandemic, he said, doors shut at their regular place of worship, Warren Chapel at St. Dominic Village, located near the Texas Medical Center.

For the first half of the year, everything pretty much just shut down, Broniak added. We stopped all classes. Baptism, marriage, confirmation, everything ended.

Then, he personally tested positive for COVID-19, contracted pneumonia and remained in the hospital for two weeks. It was kind of rocky there for a while, he said.

While Mass returned eventually, taped for Facebook and YouTube, classes did not restart until right before Easter.

Since then we have had several inquiries for baptism classes, marriage preparation and even some RCIA [the Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults] inquiries, Broniak said.

Currently, the ministry is using space at Holy Ghost Church located near Meyerland, since the chancery is still closed to large groups. We hope that we will be able to return sometime this late summer, Broniak added.

Being able to return to in-person classes is especially important for the deaf ministry. While the content is similar, the course is more interactive, Broniak explained. There are several opportunities for students to ask for clarification in sign language.

To live in a world without sound means you rely a lot on the visual, Broniak said. Seating is important. Lighting is important. The physical, real world is our stage, which helps a lot in explaining the sacraments.

He said celebrating baptisms again on Easter Sunday was like having life return to the congregation.

On HoustonChronicle.com: 'There is light shining out of the tomb.' Despite darkness, chaplains are hopeful ahead of Easter

The whole past year was about praying for those who had died. But now we were praying for those who would live, he exclaimed. And to ground that in our faith, where we see the death and resurrection of our Lord Jesus giving life and meaning to our own lives. Our celebrating baptism has given us all a renewed sense of hope, for which we are most grateful.

Sandy Higgins, Office of Worship director for the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston, said baptism is a life-changing transformation  both for infants and their parents who renew their commitment to Catholicism.

Baptism is our entry to a life with Christ, she said. Were being brought into this new life filled with grace and hope. We are joined with Christ in his mission, who calls us to holiness and leads us to look at our lives through a lens of faith.

For the past year, she added, people had time to think about what they value, what brings joy to their lives. That caused them to turn to the church and to faith.

I think the joy theyll have in coming back to church will be so evident that its a joy everyone will want, she said. And I hope we will eagerly take on our role of bringing others to God.

Message of hope

Almost everyone knows when they were born - but not as often is their date of baptism on the calendar, explained the Rev. James Burkart, pastor for Christ the Good Shepherd Catholic Community in Spring.

He hopes to change that.

I make a big deal about remembering the date of baptism, Burkart said. Every creature on earth is born, but not every creature is baptized. Your baptism date is more important than your birthdate. Its your birth date into Heaven.

During COVID-19, his attitude didnt change. He still treats baptism like a pep-rally  just one with limited attendance. When church reopened at 25 percent capacity, he said, baptisms were smaller, with new protocols. Instead of using a baptismal font, water was taken from the vessel and placed into separate sterilized bowls for each child or adult taking part in the sacrament.

Guidelines have not changed. People are ready, but were not quite there yet, he said.

Still, the message of baptism remains clear, Burkart added. People need to hear messages of hope, he said.

Pastor Wells at South Main Baptist Church is confident that there will be more professions of faith in the future.

Every time you go to a baptism, its an opportunity to remember, he said. And if ever we needed newness of life, its right now. What happens when the culture goes through something like this, is we turn to our faith. Not because we need a crutch, but because we need lungs. We need heart.

God gives us strength to persevere, Wells said.

God is renewing the world - and Hes renewing us, he said. So theres hope, and if you have that kind of hope, nothing can break it.

Lindsay Peyton is a Houston-based freelance writer.
Pasadena ISD trustees have unanimously approved raises for district employees for the 2021-22 school year as well as authorizing a boost in hourly pay for summer school teachers.

All employees will benefit from a 3 percent raise based on the midpoint of their respective salary ranges for the 2021-2022 school year.

The salary for starting teachers will jump from $56,130 to $57,619 next school year.

On HoustonChronicle.com: Vaccines during the school day? It's happening at Spring Branch ISD.

Hourly pay for summer school teachers will increase by $2 to $30.

The decisions were made during a recent budget workshop meeting in which Superintendent DeeAnn Powell said the increases will help the district retain and recruit teachers next year as well as persuade educators to work this summer following a challenging year in which many students suffered academically because of the pandemic.

Were just trying to get people motivated to help us out with closing those gaps this summer, she told board members.

Powell said the employee raises for the next school year are a way to reward staff who have worked so hard and stepped up in a big way during this most challenging of years. Its also a great way to address recruitment and retention.

The district has 8,113 employees, including 3,754 teachers.

On HoustonChronicle.com: What Gov. Abbott's mask mandate ban means for Houston-area schools

Federal funds to cover cost of raises

The superintendent told board members the district can sustain the bump moving forward because Pasadena ISD has been alerted it will receive $147 million in government Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ESSER) funding, which was passed as part of the CARES Act stimulus package.

The funds aim at helping close student learning gaps caused by virtual learning related to the pandemic.

Powell said these funds can be used to pay for needed summer school classes, technology for teachers and for additional teachers salaries to ensure class sizes stay within reasonable limits as well as other classroom- and instruction-related needs that sprang from the impact of COVID-19.

We need to leave our class sizes small to address those education needs, she said.
The Shenandoah City Council will have one new member added to its roster on May 26 with the swearing in of the newest elected official, John Escoto, following the May 1 election.

Escoto, a 10-year city resident who was on the citys Planning and Zoning Commission before the election, will be sworn into his two-year term on the council with fellow winners Charlie Bradt and Ted Fletcher, both of whom were uncontested.

On HoustonChronicle.com: Escoto brings law enforcement experience to Shenandaoh council bid

There was only one contested race in Shenandoah this election season, with the vacated seat of Position 2 council member Dean Gristy up for grabs. Gristy has purchased a new home outside the Shenandoah city limits, making him ineligible to hold office.

Escoto defeated his lone challenger, Jon Samuelson, by a wide margin in unofficial results from the May 1 election.

On HoustonChronicle.com: Montgomery County voters decide close race on May 2021 ballot

In an interview, Escoto said he is excited about his term on the city council and is ready to get to work, having a solid background of city issues from his time on the Planning and Zoning Commission.

It is a good feeling (to win). It is positive that the residents of Shenandoah elected me with the margin that they did, Escoto said. I made it a point to walk the city and campaign, knock on doors and talk to people at open forums, to let them know who I was and what my plans are as part of the council.

He listed several platforms and issues of importance, notably growing traffic flows and congestion.

One of my main goals is trying to alleviate traffic congestion, especially on Research Forest and the Interstate 45 corridor. That is paramount, he added. My goal it work with the council alongside city staff and work with Mr. (Charlie) Riley and Mr. (James) Noack to try to coordinate some sort of (traffic mitigation) efforts. I know there are (improvement) plans in the works, and I support anything to help relieve that (congestion) in our community. I know those plans are being addressed by developers as well as the city.

Samuelson, who had only resided in the city for less than a year after relocating from a home in The Woodlands, said he was happy for Escoto and that the voters had spoken.

When I filed to run I simply wanted to offer my unique qualifications to Shenandoah in order to help keep it the wonderful place that it is to live and make improvements where appropriate, Samuelson said in an email. To my supporters who either saw the values of my special qualifications and/or simply wanted some change or independence or areas of concern addressed, thank you so much. I hope that by my running there will be some improvements made and the city of Shenandoah and its residents will be even better.

Neither Bradt nor Fletcher responded to requests for comment. Both incumbents won their third terms in office with 100 percent of the votes cast.

Escoto adds experience

Although this will be Escotos first time holding elected office, he has deep knowledge of government from his decades in law enforcement at the local, state and federal levels.

Escoto retired in 2012 from his role as a contractor for the U.S. Treasury Office of Technical Assistance Economic Crimes Team where he was a criminal investigations adviser and instructor. Prior to that position, he was the acting Deputy Assistant Director and Supervisory Criminal Investigator for the Department of Homeland Security and ICE Office of International Affairs, Foreign Operations Division, based in Washington D.C. from 2004-2006.

His career also included stints as a criminal investigator for U.S. Customs Service; several years as a Louisiana state trooper and detective; and five years with the Jefferson Parish Sheriffs Office as a deputy and detective. He was in the U.S. Army Reserves for 17 years and on active duty as both an infantryman and military police officer for eight years.

He lives in Shenandoah with his wife, Eileen, who herself is also a retired special agent who worked at many of the same agencies as Escoto did.

Desire to help

His 2021 bid for a council seat was not his first foray into politics. Escoto lost a 2013 campaign for a seat on the five-member council, falling in a close race to former council member Jean Teague.

Despite that setback, Escoto said he remained involved in local issues, leading him to join the citys Planning and Zoning Commission in 2020.

On HoustonChronicle.com: Shenandoah re-examining its comprehensive plan

Escotos 10-months on the commission are over, though, as he was required to resign from the commission after his election. The city council appointed Stephen Seay on May 12 as Escotos replacement.

Now, he said he is ready to help lead the city into a new era of growth and a likely population increase. The city has more than 3,000 residents but is expected to see that number surge when three new townhomes and apartment complexes open in the next few years.

I am looking forward to joining my fellow council members and moving forward and finding solutions to whatever problems we may face here with growth, Escoto added. Both population growth and commercial growth.

The swearing in ceremony for Escoto, Bradt and Fletcher will occur during the May 26 meeting of the Shenandoah City Council. Meetings begin at 7 p.m. inside the city complex facility.

jeff.forward@chron.com
MADISON, Wis. (AP)  Wisconsin remains a priority state for a Democratic group focused on redistricting that is backed by former President Barack Obama, even though Republicans can't draw and enact whatever maps they want like they did 10 years ago.

Eric Holder, Obama's former attorney general who has run the National Democratic Redistricting Committee since it was created in 2017, said in an interview Wednesday that he was cautiously optimistic that fair maps could be drawn in Wisconsin this year. But he said those maps would likely come from the result of lawsuits, not any compromise between the Republican-led Legislature and Democratic Gov. Tony Evers.

The outlook for the possibility of fair maps is better in Wisconsin than it is in Texas, Holder said. But Wisconsin is still among the most gerrymandered, or (is) the most gerrymandered, state in the country. And thats why it remains a state of primary interest.

Wisconsin Republicans have insisted they will fairly redraw voting districts used for U.S. House and state legislative elections based on the latest U.S. census population figures that states will receive in August and September.

Mark Jefferson, executive director of the Wisconsin Republican Party, said third party groups like the one Holder leads have a long history of doing dirty work for the Democrats on redistricting in the state.

Eric Holder doesnt want fair maps, Jefferson said. He wants maps that are tilted to Democrats favor.

As the once-a-decade redistricting conflicts heat up in Wisconsin and across the country, Republicans and Democrats are wrestling with how far to press their advantages in a fight as consequential as any election. For Republicans, that means building on the success of 10 years ago  even as some population and political trends work against them. For Democrats, its a test of their commitment to the changes theyve long argued are needed to create a level playing field.

Any maps passed by the Wisconsin Legislature would need Evers' signature. In the likely event of a veto, lawsuits from groups like the one Holder leads are expected, which would put a court in position to approve the maps. Holder's group has already filed lawsuits in Minnesota, Louisiana and Pennsylvania asking the courts to begin preparing to redraw maps, in the likely event that their legislature and governor cant agree on a plan.

Other priority states for the group this year are Arizona, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, Ohio and Texas.

The NDRC has raised tens of millions of dollars to help elect Democrats and fight Republicans over redistricting over the past four years. It has been active in Wisconsin on a variety of fronts, including spending money on political campaigns and suing Walker in 2018 when he didn't call special elections for a pair of legislative vacancies.

Wisconsin Democrats, with the help of the NDRC, achieved two of their biggest goals ahead of redistricting this year: winning the governor's office in 2018 and ensuring Republicans didn't secure veto-proof majorities in the Legislature in 2020. With Evers able to veto any maps the Republican Legislature passes, Democrats hope for either a compromise that would avoid GOP gerrymandering or more balanced maps approved by courts.

Because Evers can veto the GOP-drawn maps, Wisconsin has not been in the same redistricting spotlight as states where one party controls the entire process. Southern states from Texas to North Carolina are expected to be the premier battlegrounds during this round of redistricting.

In Wisconsin, Evers created a redistricting commission that held hearings across the state and is preparing to release its own map of legislative districts. He also called for nonpartisan redistricting in his state budget, but Republicans have already killed that idea. The Legislature is also not required to consider the maps created by Evers' commission, which he has touted as nonpartisan but which Republicans have said is designed to help Democrats.

In New York, Democrats are having second thoughts about the nonpartisan redistricting commission there and are looking to make it easier to overrule it so they can draw more favorable district boundaries.

Holder, who supports nonpartisan redistricting commissions and testified at the first meeting of the one in Wisconsin, said Wednesday that he supports following whatever the commission recommends in New York.

Democrats scored a victory last week when the Wisconsin Supreme Court unanimously rejected a Republican-led effort to fast track state lawsuits over redistricting. And a district court judge last month ruled that Republican lawmakers cannot hire attorneys at taxpayers' expense before any redistricting lawsuits have been filed.

___

Follow Scott Bauer on Twitter: https://twitter.com/sbauerAP
Chronicle file

It was on this day in 1975 when Six Flags Inc., announced it was taking over operations of Astroworld by signing a long-term lease on the site with Astroworld USA.

And in more grim news, details emerged in the murder trial of Ronald Clark O'Bryan, who poisoned his son on Halloween 1974. O'Bryan was eventually convicted of the killing and was executed in 1984.
Three years after a mass shooting at Santa Fe High School tore at the fabric of a small, rural community, those devastated are still trying to process losing family members, friends and colleagues.

A memorial for the 10 shooting victims was unveiled Tuesday during a dedication ceremony in the high school auditorium, with future, more ambitious remembrance plans in the offing. The Unfillable Chair  an 8-foot aluminum chair that signifies the loss of eight students and two teachers  will stand on the schools campus, the victims names emblazoned and backlit.

Reagan Gaona, a former Santa Fe student who helped design the memorial along with members of the Santa Fe Ten Memorial Foundation, made note of the epitaph inscribed on the chair: In life we loved you dearly, in death we loved you still.

This piece is very personal to me, as well as the others who participated, said Gaona, who dated Chris Stone, one of the students killed. (The Unfillable Chair) is inherently symbolic and a solemn gesture of solidarity to the families in the community that suffered such a tremendous loss on May 18, 2018.

The absence of the victims families at the ceremony was noticeable, as clear an indication as any that the passage of time is not always a salve for the unfathomable pain of losing a child or a spouse. Only the family of Cynthia Tisdale, a substitute teacher killed during the shooting, attended the ceremony.

A group of four mothers whose sons were killed during the shooting  Gail McLeod, Rosie Y. Stone, Shannan Claussen, and Pamela Stanich  purposefully planned a vacation retreat during the anniversary. Staying close to home on Tuesday was too much to bear. Other surviving family members kept their distance from planning or participating in the somber pageantry, choosing to grieve on their own terms.

I basically do it every year. I dont stay in Santa Fe for the 18th, its just not something that I can handle, said Rosie, Chris Stones mother. This is something that we wanted to do for us, because we are so close. So this is our first year doing it. Hopefully well continue doing it.

Meanwhile, the slow churn of the criminal justice system has taken its own toll on the families. The accused shooter remains in custody in a mental health institution in Vernon, not yet competent to stand trial for capital murder. And most of the families still have no knowledge of the circumstances of their loved ones deaths.

In Texas, a widely used exception to the states public information law gives prosecutors broad discretion to withhold information about felonies from the public, news media, victims of crimes, even defendants, until trial. But several people affected by the shooting have been lobbying to change that.

A bill co-sponsored in the Texas House of Representatives by Rep. Mayes Middleton, R-Wallisville, and Rep. Greg Bonnen, R-Friendswood, would change the Texas Public Information Act to allow prosecutors to disclose video evidence as well as autopsy records to immediate family of homicide victims.

Obviously theres a lot of pain in not knowing (what happened during the Santa Fe shooting) with victims families, Middleton said. It doesnt, of course, solve anything but it does help bring some peace of mind and a small degree of closure for victims families.

Middleton said he was approached by Scot Rice, Steve Perkins, and Joe Tisdale, all of whom had loved ones injured or killed during the shooting at Santa Fe High School, about changing the law. The bill, if passed, would allow all of them to finally get a clear timeline of the shooting and view autopsy records.

Ive been fighting since Day One to see what happened to Ann, said Perkins, speaking of his wife, a substitute teacher killed at the high school. I cant see the medical examiners report, I cant see any video, I cant see anything.

Jack Roady, the Galveston County district attorney who is prosecuting the capital murder case against the accused shooter, also lobbied for the bills passage despite shielding information from the families in accordance with the law.

The hope is that (the) legislation would at least tweak the statutes in such a way that we could share some additional information without worrying about having information go public and possibly having it affect the trial, Roady said.

But while Middleton said the bill has garnered broad interest among his colleagues in the House, it did not make it onto the legislative calendar before the end of the 2021 session. He said he is committed to getting it passed during the 2023 session.

In the meantime, the Santa Fe community is galvanizing around memorials such as the Unfillable Chair. There are plans for a larger memorial with a meditative grove and 10 feather-shaped monoliths filling the space. Each would reflect age and exact longitude and latitude coordinates of the birthplace or hometown of each the 10 victims.

Megan Grove, who chairs the Santa Fe Ten Memorial Foundation, said the group is working to raise $1.2 million to construct the larger memorial.

After the dedication ceremony Tuesday, students filed out of the auditorium and walked across the campus to where the chair was installed. Ten green and white feathers  a nod to the high schools Indians mascot as well as the 10 victims  were placed on the seat of the chair as students, parents and Santa Fe residents posed for pictures, some crying and embracing each other.

Each year comes along and you find other people to talk to, people I havent talked to in a long time, try to have a good conversation about (the shooting), talk to my parents about it, make sure they know that Im okay, said Bailey Link, a former Santa Fe student who graduated in 2018. Being together as a community and people our age who went through it, definitely makes it easier for me.

nick.powell@chron.com
Gustavo Huerta, Houston Chronicle / Staff photographer

Early in the pandemic, it seemed that might be possible: A small, early study from China suggested that blood Type A was more susceptible to COVID, and Type O less so. Later studies werent conclusive: Some pointed toward yes, some toward no.

But now, people with blood Type A can rest easier. This week finally brought a great big study, which means an answer thats likely to be definitive. In the April 5 JAMA Network Open, a research group led by Dr. Jeffrey Anderson looked at the records of roughly 108,000 people tested for COVID at Intermountain Healthcare, a system of 24 hospitals and 215 clinics in Utah, Idaho and Nevada. Of those, more than 11,000 tested positive.
The CDC recommends waiting about 90 days.

"While there is no recommended minimum interval between infection and vaccination, current evidence suggests that the risk of SARS-CoV-2 reinfection is low in the months after initial infection but may increase with time due to waning immunity," the CDC states.

WASTE NOT: What Houston's wastewater can teach researchers about COVID-19

Theres no data to support a minimum wait time yet, said Namandje Bumpus, director of the pharmacology and molecular sciences department at Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore. However, public health entities such as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommend waiting 90 days, especially if a patient has been treated with convalescent plasma or antibody infusions, because lingering antibodies may provide temporary immunity.

With there being a lower supply of vaccine, people can decide to talk to their health care provider and potentially wait up to a few months before getting vaccinated, said Bumpus, who runs a drug development lab that researches treatments and prevention of infectious diseases.

Find out the answers to your coronavirus questions at the Houston Chronicle's COVID Help Desk.

robert.downen@chron.com

twitter.com/RobDownenChron
Marie D. De Jesus, Houston Chronicle / Staff photographer

Plenty of people live in mixed-vaccination status households. For doctors and nurses who have spent day-in and day-out stripping off their PPE, washing scrubs and getting COVID tests, a vaccine is a relief.

Those who live with someone who has been vaccinated are fairly safe from getting the virus, especially if the household member is more than two weeks past the second Pfizer or Moderna dose or four weeks past the Johnson & Johnson shot, said Dr. Melanie Mouzoon, managing physician of immunization practices at the Kelsey-Seybold Clinic.
A working group of community, business and civic leaders is recommending Rice University put millions of dollars toward affordable housing and support for Black, Latino and women entrepreneurs as part of the universitys new Ion tech hub in Midtown.

The recommendations are included in a report to be released Wednesday that calls for Rice to dip into its $6.2 billion endowment fund to help preserve affordable housing around the Ion and ensure Black and brown communities are represented within the schools planned tech district.

The report was produced by a 13-person working group created by Rice Management Co.  which oversees the universitys endowment  in response to concerns raised by residents, students and advocates that the Ion development will displace nearby Third Ward residents by spiking home values and accelerating gentrification of the predominantly Black neighborhood.

On HoustonChronicle.com: Turner relying on federal relief money to give firefighter raises, plug holes in $5.1B budget

The recently completed Ion facility, located at the site of the former Sears department store on Main Street, will serve as a gathering place for startups and venture capitalists while anchoring a 16-acre innovation district in the surrounding blocks.

The groups proposals include the creation of a fund to preserve and construct affordable housing in the Third Ward through low-interest loans for nonprofit and small private developers. The effort will likely require an investment of several million dollars, the group wrote, without specifying an exact figure.

The recommendations, if approved by Rice and Houston city council, would go into a legally binding community benefits agreement between the city and university.

The working group also recommended Rice put several million dollars into a venture fund that would provide startup financing for Black and Latino entrepreneurs. And it proposed that the university spend at least $1 million to create a tech job training program for Black, Latino, women, low-income and formerly incarcerated workers, along with $500,000 for a so-called accelerator program to support minority-owned startups in the early stages.

Sam Dike, manager of strategic initiatives for Rice Management Co., said the group generally supports all of the recommendations. Rice and city officials soon will begin negotiating the terms of the agreement using the report as a foundation, said Dike, who led the working group.

We had really strong community and civic leaders who are very familiar with these topic areas, and they helped us come up with a great set of recommendations, Dike said. We believe that these are things that were well-positioned to do.

Members of the working group include Laura Murillo, president and chief executive of the Houston Hispanic Chamber of Commerce; Rev. Rudy Rasmus, co-pastor of St. Johns Church; and Paul Charles, executive director of the Neighborhood Recovery Community Development Corporation, a nonprofit focused on housing and economic development in the Third Ward area.

The group also recommended that Rice provide $500,000 to $1 million in one-time funding for groups that provide supportive housing for the homeless population and low-income residents around the Ion district, along with $250,000 for eviction protection and housing counseling services in the area.

Dike said Rice Management Co. could end up spending $15 million out of the universitys endowment on a combination of grants, loans and other direct funding related to community benefits around the Ion district.

Other recommendations include setting certain baseline requirements for hiring minority- and women-owned businesses for design and construction of the district, and having Rice put $250,000 toward local organizations dedicated to Mayor Sylvester Turners neighborhood revitalization program, Complete Communities, in Third Ward.

Under the working group recommendations, Rice would form a community advisory council to monitor and track progress on each part of the community benefits agreement, and publish annual reports containing metrics on affordable housing loans and development, job training and placement, and other areas.

The report recommends putting the affordable housing fund under the management of a Black-led financial institution or a lender designated as a community development financial institution, which provide loans to low-income communities.

Dike said the city also would be responsible for enforcing the provisions of the community benefits agreement once it is signed.

A spokeswoman for Turner said the mayors office received a copy of the recommendations Tuesday but Turner had yet to review them.

jasper.scherer@chron.com
A flood of demonstrators on Tuesday evening poured into Houstons Greenway Plaza and shut down nearby roadways, including a busy portion of the U.S. Highway 59 access road, in a massive show of support for Palestinians facing violence across Israel and occupied territories.

Hundreds of protesters marched in the streets near the Consulate General of Israel, repeating chants of Free, Free Palestine that emanated from bullhorns and loudspeakers. Many held signs pleading for an end to the rising number of deaths in the region. Dozens of Palestinian flags rose above the crowd. The spectacle caused a steady stream of rush-hour commuters to honk their horns in support.

Now Playing: Video: Brett Coomer/Houston Chronicle

Organized by the Palestinian Youth Movement, the Houston rally was among many held across the world, including several U.S. cities, in response to a call from Palestinians in Jerusalem to support the latest moment of resistance. While Houston residents marched, Palestinians in Israel and the occupied territories joined in a rare collective protest amid the ongoing barrage of rockets and missiles between forces in Israel and Gaza, according to the Associated Press.

Meanwhile, roughly 20 miles away from the Houston rally, faith leaders gathered with the consul general of Israel to the Southwest United States, Gilad Katz, at Gulf Meadows Church to advocate for peace for the Middle East.

Katz blamed Hamas, the militant group that rules Gaza, for escalating tension and deaths, pointing to the launching of thousands of rockets from the group.

Israelis, Jews, Muslims  it doesnt matter, they are responsible, he said.

Israeli airstrikes on the Gaza Strip have killed hundreds over the last week, according to news reports. Twelve people have been killed in Israel, including a 5-year-old boy, in rocket attacks launched from Gaza, the AP reports.

Rawan Aljaouni, a 17-year-old protester whose parents are Palestinian, said she has been heartbroken to hear friends there speak of near-death experiences.

People dont realize that these are more than numbers, she said while marching along the U.S. 59 access road. These are human beings losing their lives.

Aljaouni said some of her friends who live there have survivors guilt.

NEWSLETTERS Join the conversation with HouWeAre We want to foster conversation and highlight the intersection of race, identity and culture in one of America's most diverse cities. Sign up for the HouWeAre newsletter here.

Because theyve lived and their family, friends  people theyve known forever, people they went to school with  have died, she said. And theyre in the building right next to them.

The Associated Press reported Tuesday that Israeli airstrikes had killed at least 200 Palestinians  including 63 children  and injured more than 1,500 people, according to information from the Gaza Health Ministry.

Israeli officials have indicated they will continue the attacks targeting Hamas, according to the AP report.

Its the fourth round of major conflict between Israel and Hamas since 2008, with the tiny enclaves of more than 2 million Palestinian residents bearing the brunt of the deaths and the destruction, the AP reported.

Tuesdays rally was latest demonstration in the Houston area to show support for Palestinians. Thousands gathered Saturday for a march from Discovery Green to City Hall. Many demonstrators on Tuesday issued a blanket condemnation of the occupation of Palestinian territoriesand the killing of innocent civilians.

Any occupation, any genocide, any ethnic cleansing is wrong, and we should stand up for that, said Bisma Parvez 34. We should be against it, because if it can happen in one place, it can happen in any place.

Houston residents Magda and Sam Hussein, both from Palestinian territories, showed up at the rally with their two sons. They said it was unfair for Palestinians to face the worst of the conflict.

We need our land back and we want our people to live in peace, Sam said. Thats what we want  like any other nation in the world.

Mohammed Faisal Khan, 45, said he had been crying throughout the day because of the deaths. He saw a good friend at the rally whose cousin was killed in the conflict earlier that day, he said.

Were keeping them in our prayers and thats our strongest weapon, he said. This a matter of humanity and changes need to be made.

Some demonstrators also criticized the United States government for failing to take decisive action to stop the bloodshed.

President Joe Biden this week expressed support for a cease-fire between Israel and Hamas militants in Gaza but stopped short of demanding one, according to the New York Times. Biden has continued to assert that Israel has a right to defend itself. The Associated Press reported Tuesday that U.S. officials said the Biden administration was privately encouraging Israel to wind down its bombardment of Gaza.

Its sad to see how we are just enjoying our lives here and there are people across the sea suffering so much, regardless of any religion, said Madiha Mirza, 37. Its a wake-up call for all humanity, and its a shame that our government  their hands are soaked in blood.

At Gulf Meadows Church, Katz, the consul general, urged the international community to hold Hamas accountable and support Israel.

Despite the recent violence, he said he remains hopeful of accomplishing peace. Israel has faced many difficult periods and terrorism over more than a century, he said.

Even though were going through challenging times, we must be strong. We must believe in ourselves. We must believe in our values, he said. And we will overcome.

julian.gill@chron.com

alejandro.serrano@chron.com
After being in and out of jail in recent years, Jaquaree Simmons planned to be home for his mothers birthday.

I love you, the 23-year-old texted Larhonda Biggles the day prior. Happy early birthday momma.

The next day he woke her up and reminded her he wanted to celebrate by taking her out. Those minutes on the morning of Feb. 10 were among the last Biggles shared with her son, who suffered from some mental health issues.

Seven days later, during the deep freeze in Texas, he died following an altercation with corrections officers at the Harris County Jail; police had arrested him on the morning of Biggles birthday on suspicion of being a felon in possession of a weapon.

Jail staff distributing lunch Feb. 17 found Simmons face down in his cell, where he was alone for COVID-19 quarantining. Staffers started life-saving measures, but a death report does not identify any symptoms or irregularities beyond Simmons being unresponsive. Eventually paramedics arrived and took Simmons to Lyndon B. Johnson Hospital.

A doctor there pronounced him dead at 1:27 p.m.

Three months after authorities announced Simmons death, they have not said much else, to the public or Biggles. But six sheriffs employees have been put on administrative duty, records show the jail didnt document required observations, a spokesman says there is no video footage of the altercation and a report says Simmons death was caused by law enforcement/correctional personnel.

On Thursday, the sheriffs office announced it had concluded an internal probe into the death and any possible disciplinary actions were expected to be handed down in following days. The Harris County Institute of Forensic Sciences confirmed the manner of Simmons death had been ruled a homicide, the term for a person causing the death of another person.

We want people to know that we lost somebody and we dont have no answers, Biggles said. Its like Ok, he died, hes buried  thats it. No. Were not going to let that be like that, you understand what Im saying. Somebody needs to be held accountable for what happened to my son.

Records raise questions as probe continues

A criminal investigation being conducted by the Houston Police Department remains active. The findings of the sheriffs inquiry have not been made public; they were presented to a committee May 13 that determines whether any staffers violated office policies. If any did, the committee recommends disciplinary actions for consideration.

Harris County Sheriff Ed Gonzalez reviewed the recommendations and any disciplinary actions are anticipated to be carried out in the coming days, according to the office. Investigators collected 73 statements from 37 employees and 20 jail detainees; identified footage that showed all staffers who entered Simmons cell block; and reviewed jail phone records and round sheets.

The circumstances surrounding Mr. Simmons death warranted a complete and thorough investigation, which I am confident our team has provided, Gonzalez said in a statement. We hold our duty to ensure the safety of all those entrusted into our care as sacred. Mr. Simmons family deserves a full, unvarnished explanation of his death, and our community has a right to full transparency. Anyone found to have violated our communitys trust will be held accountable.

The autopsy had not yet been released Thursday, but a medical examiner spokeswoman confirmed the manner of death was a homicide; the primary cause of death blunt force injuries of head with subdural hematoma.

Records show the jail did not properly document face-to-face observations for a period of more than four hours on the day of Simmons death.

Sheriffs spokesman Jason Spencer said he did not know if the officer who found Simmons unresponsive was the first to see him following the fracas, after which Simmons had been evaluated by jail medical staff before returning to his cell.

Records obtained by The Chronicle raise questions about how Simmons was checked on following the episode, which authorities previously said ended with him hitting the floor.

State code requires all jail facilities must have established procedure for documented, face-to-face observation of all inmates by jailers no less than once every 60 minutes. Observation shall be performed at least every 30 minutes in areas where inmates known to be assaultive, potentially suicidal, mentally ill, or who have demonstrated bizarre behavior are confined.

An inspector wrote in a report from the jail standards commission dated April 5 that such observations were not properly documented between 7:15 a.m. and 11:24 a.m., upon review of video and written documentation from the day of Simmons death. And it was not the first time the issue was flagged to the jail in recent months.

According to an inspection conducted by the commission between Nov. 30 and Dec. 4, 2020, the jail was found to be out of compliance on the issue. A re-inspection report dated April 9 showed both half-hour and hourly face-to-face observations were being conducted as required.

In response to numerous questions, including whether a medical doctor evaluated Simmons after the altercation and about the lapse in documenting observations, Spencer said he could not answer due to the ongoing investigation. He noted the jail is currently in compliance of jail standards.

The worst call

It wasnt the call that Biggles awaited.

She had not heard from Jaquaree, who usually called daily, in two days. She was without power and thought he might not be able to call due to the winter storm.

After charging her phone in her car, she just missed a call. There was a voice message from the chaplain at the jail. She called back and, confused, asked her daughter nearby to listen, too.

Im his mother, Biggles told the chaplain.

The voice on the other lined continued. There had been an accident involving Simmons and he was found unresponsive. After trying CPR, medics rushed him to the hospital.

 where unfortunately the voice said.

Biggles threw her phone and ran away.

Carmel, Simmons 21-year-old sister, picked up the phone.

The voice continued: Unfortunately, Simmons had been pronounced deceased.

Carmels screams stopped Biggles, who was about three steps down a set of stairs next to her apartment. She ran back.

I said, Mam please tell me what happened to my son. What happened? Biggles remembered. She said, Im sorry, I dont know. I just know that he was pronounced deceased. And yeah, that was the worst call we ever got in our lives.

Biggles still doesnt know exactly what happened.

I was getting through

At a court hearing in early March, Kevin Howard, a defense attorney, didnt know the whereabouts of his client.

After a few calls he learned.

What do you mean? Howard asked when Biggles said her son was dead following an incident with jail guards.

How? Howard wondered. Simmons was 5 foot 2, 120 pounds, according to court records.

I cant see him creating any kind of physical, strength-wise problem for strong jailers, Howard said. Because I knew him and because I knew how small he was, I  really could not understand how he got into some kind of, you know, kerfuffle with guards such that it would require a level of force such that he ultimately died from it.

When Howard was first appointed to represent Simmons, he said, he did something he tries to do with all his clients whove been arrested multiple times: Show them a picture of all their mugshots so they can see changes to their own face.

I showed him that as well to try to get him to see where his life was coming from and where it was going, Howard said. And I was getting through.

By the time Howard met Simmons, he had been arrested numerous times on charges of possessing drugs, theft and trespassing. Those who knew Simmons had also observed a change in the most recent months before his arrest in February, when he was out on bond from a felony case.

He remained careful of the curfew imposed by his release conditions. Hed spend more time at home and often talked about trying to find a way toward success, which included ensuring his mother and sisters were happy and buying his first vehicle, ideally a Tesla like the ones that always captured his attention.

At restaurants or stores, he would ask employees if the establishment had any openings, and if so for a job application.

It made us laugh because it was like OK, OK, Biggles said, hes really trying to change.

And he had his challenges, relatives and friends say, but hed been restless to advance his life in recent months, even as he dealt with diagnosed and undiagnosed mental health issues.

One time while venting, he cried to his best friend.

Bro, whats wrong with me? he asked Joel Wilson. Is something wrong with me or something?

This is what Gods throwing at us right now, Wilson recalled advising his friend of about 10 years.

The dread and disappointment emerged again in February when Simmons called Wilson from jail. Why did he keep getting in trouble?

Wilson said his friends last days on this Earth were hell.

He always wanted to make it out of this life. Thats why it hurts me so much, Wilson said. Its not supposed to be over. He was 23 years old. He never got to get his first car.

alejandro.serrano@chron.com
Mayor Sylvester Turner said Wednesday he would ask City Council to raise the salaries of Houston firefighters by 18 percent over three years, circumventing the collective bargaining process typically used to negotiate fire department contracts.

Under Turners proposal, the firefighters would receive a 6 percent raise effective July 1, the start of the next city fiscal year. Houstons surplus of federal stimulus funds would cover the initial cost of the raises, which Turner said would amount to $115.3 million across three years.

First-year firefighters, who currently make $43,528 a year, would see their salaries rise to about $51,000 by the third year, Turner said.

Asked what would happen to the firefighters pay once the stimulus money runs out, Turner deferred to the mayor who succeeds him after his term ends in 2023.

Well, the next City Council and the next mayor will have to balance their budget, Turner said. Do you not want us to give them a pay raise now?

Houston Professional Fire Fighters Association President Marty Lancton characterized the proposed raise as merely a bonus for firefighters that is not even close to making them whole for their stagnant pay.

The citys firefighters, who have been locked in a pay dispute with Turner for much of his time as mayor, have received raises totaling just 3 percent since 2011, after rejecting offers they say included too many concessions. Since the fire unions most recent contract lapsed in 2017, firefighters have tried to secure raises through binding arbitration, a pay parity ballot measure approved by voters and by having a trial court judge determine their pay, all of which Turner has opposed.

Lancton again questioned the timing of Turners announcement of the proposed raises, noting that it came less than two weeks after a Texas appeals court appeared to clear the way  barring an appeal by the city  for a trial court judge to set the pay for firefighters for up to a year and compensate them for past losses.

The Houston fire union had sought to use that mechanism, a key part of Texas collective bargaining law, after Turner declined to enter binding arbitration in 2017.

We appreciate that firefighters are getting a bonus through the federal stimulus, but the mayor knows what he needs to do, Lancton said. The 14th Court of Appeals was very clear in their ruling. We've been saying it all along, and we look forward to the mayor resolving these issues  the past liability that the firefighters and their families are owed under the law, not what Mayor Turner thinks.

Turner said Wednesday he had yet to decide whether to appeal the collective bargaining ruling to the Texas Supreme Court. He argued that even without an appeal, his proposed pay raise would make it unnecessary for a judge or arbitrator to grant firefighters a raise.

If what people have said  is that firefighters in the city of Houston are making below the market rate, and today this announcement addresses that delta, then what is the argument now? Turner said. And what are you asking a court to do, or an arbitrator to do? I cant answer that question, but the numbers speak for themselves.

Lancton said the citys data was factually incorrect, and contended the two sides still need to agree on a contract to address a number of other provisions beyond salaries. Those include health and safety issues and the terms of a trust fund that covers firefighters out-of-pocket medical expenses.

Meanwhile, Houston firefighters are appealing a separate court ruling that struck down Proposition B, the voter-approved pay parity measure that granted them the same pay as police of similar rank and seniority. That case remains pending.

Asked if city council would approve the 18 percent raises all at once or in annual increments, Turner said only that the city is committing ourselves to the three-year pay raise this year. Lancton contended that the raises can only be made binding through a union contract, meaning the city could halt the pay increase in future years without consent from the union.

Turner said the city has the authority to grant pay raises outside the traditional negotiation process, a claim backed up by Richard Carlson, an employment law professor at South Texas College of Law in Houston, who has said he is unaware of anything under state law that would prohibit it.

In the private sector, which is governed mainly by federal law, it would generally be illegal for the employer to say I dont care about collective bargaining, I will simply decide to give you a raise, here it is. Because that would undermine the collective bargaining process, Carlson said. But these are firefighters who are not governed by federal law. They are governed by state law, which has many fewer regulations of the bargaining process.

The mayor said that within three years, the raises would bring firefighters hourly pay in line with that of other major Texas fire departments, when adjusted to reflect that Houston firefighters begin receiving overtime pay after fewer weekly hours than firefighters in other cities. However, the citys figures are disputed by the fire union and assume the firefighters in other cities will not negotiate their own raises within the next three fiscal years.

Turner said he went around the usual negotiation process because the firefighters elected not to come to the table for collective bargaining. Fire union officials dispute that claim and have repeatedly pushed for binding arbitration to settle the stalemate.

There is no question firefighters deserve a pay raise, Turner said Wednesday. They have families, they have obligations. Because of the federal dollars that we are receiving, we have dollars available where we can do that right now. And so instead of waiting any further, any longer, were going to do that.

jasper.scherer@chron.com
Collins Aerospace will build a manufacturing facility and startup incubator at the Houston Spaceport, infusing more momentum into a years-long effort to create a hub of aerospace activity.

The announcement, coupled with Axiom Spaces pledge to produce its commercial space station from the Houston Spaceport, is providing a manufacturing footprint that city leaders hope will attract more companies, create a specialized workforce and help diversify the local economy.

Actual rocket science: Inside the hundreds of hours of testing for this engine's 15 minutes of flame

Aerospace is going to be a growing component of technology worldwide, said Mario Diaz, director of Houston Airports, which manages and operates the spaceport. Houston needs to be at the center of that.

City Council on Wednesday approved $25.6 million for the 8-acre, roughly 120,000-square-foot facility. The city is financing the project with bonds it sold in 2011 for airport construction and airport-related facilities.

Charlotte, N.C.-based Collins Aerospace, a subsidiary of Raytheon Technologies Corp., will repay the $25.6 million plus interest. It will also spend $5 million to furnish the new building and fill it with specialized equipment.

The company is expected to begin construction in June and complete the new facility by the end of 2022, Diaz said. Then its roughly 120 Houston employees currently working from 18050 Saturn Lane, where they develop and produce systems for NASAs human spaceflight programs, will move to the Houston Spaceport, which is located at Ellington Airport. Collins Aerospace is at capacity in its current Houston location. The new building can accommodate another 250 employees, though Collins Aerospace said it doesnt have current plans to hire more people.

It will use the new facility to manufacture life-support systems for civil space and to work more closely with others at the spaceport.

We saw that as a good opportunity to enhance our collaboration and our innovation with our industry partners as well as NASA, said Allen Flynt, vice president and general manager of civil space and sea systems for Collins Aerospace.

The Houston Spaceport became the nations 10th FAA-licensed commercial spaceport in June 2015. Its location in the middle of a major city means it will not be home to vertical rocket launches, though it could one day support spacecraft that take off or land like planes.

As such, Houston Airports is working to attract a cluster of aerospace companies that can invent, develop and manufacture space technologies. For several years, Houston-based Intuitive Machines has been the only company located at the spaceport. Intuitive Machines is developing a lunar lander that will deliver commercial cargo and NASA-provided payloads to the moon.

The spaceport has been considered  but passed over  for a handful of opportunities, including a Blue Origin rocket engine manufacturing facility and the U.S. Space Command headquarters.

More on Space Command: Space Command makes unexpected selection for new HQ

To help make the spaceport more attractive, roughly $20 million was spent to build streets, utilities and other infrastructure. Most of these funds came from Houston Airport System revenues, such as money made by airport concessions, parking and rent paid by airlines, but it also included a $1 million federal grant.

Collins Aerospace is the second company announced as an anchor tenant at the spaceport. The first anchor tenant, Houston-based Axiom Space, was announced in December. Axiom Space said it would build a 14-acre headquarters campus to train private astronauts and for production of its commercial space station, called Axiom Station.

City Council also approved appropriating money for Axiom Space on Wednesday. It will provide $4 million to finance a hangar that would be used to work on its commercial space station. The exterior structure of the space station modules will be made in Turin, Italy, by Thales Alenia Space, an aerospace company that manufactured parts of the International Space Station. The remainder of the work on these modules, which include installing and testing their various systems, will occur in Houston.

The city will own Axiom Spaces hangar and Collins Aerospaces new campus.

Later this year, Diaz expects the city will provide additional financing for Axiom Space development. Those details are still being worked out.

The fact that we are revitalizing the space industry here in Houston is remarkable, said City Council Member Abbie Kamin. That were bringing business, were bringing jobs and space exploration back to Space City.

These larger anchor companies  Diaz hopes to announce a third soon  should attract smaller companies that will provide specialized components and services, Diaz said. Then the 10,000 square-foot incubator for spaceflight startups located in the Collins Aerospace campus will help foster local innovation and the creation of new companies.

Thats the food chain, Diaz said. Were creating an ecosystem in aerospace at the spaceport.

Collins Aerospace will not run the incubator. The city will find an organization to host programming, Diaz said, and Collins Aerospace will be available to provide mentoring and support.

Innovation: Houston startup designing spaceplane that could fly from LA to Tokyo in 1 hour

The San Jacinto College EDGE Center is training an aerospace workforce that will support these companies, and other universities have expressed an interest in participating.

For Diaz, seeing this progress makes him feel vindicated. He wasnt taken seriously when he first pitched Ellington Airport as a spaceport in 2011.

There were a lot of people at the time who laughed and giggled, he said. I had a sense then that aerospace was going to be very, very important.

andrea.leinfelder@chron.com

twitter.com/a_leinfelder
Texas lawmakers called for wide-ranging reforms Tuesday to the states largest corporate tax incentive program to ensure that more than $10 billion in tax breaks go to companies that truly need them.

I think that this program is run amok, and its time to start over with an absolute clean slate, said state Sen. Lois Kolkhorst, a Brenham Republican and a member of a Senate committee that met in a hearing Tuesday to consider a bill to renew the program.

Kolkhorst and others at the hearing cited a Houston Chronicle investigation published last week that revealed how companies are receiving billions in tax breaks to do business in Texas  despite some firms announcing dozens of projects or even starting construction before applying for the incentives.

The investigation also found that lawmakers repeatedly undercut the programs job and wage goals, creating a system in which nearly two-thirds of projects get minimum job-creation rules waived and a fifth keep their subsidies despite paying workers less than the local prevailing wage.

The newspapers series, Unfair Burden, examined the Chapter 313 program, named for its place in the Texas Tax Code. The investigation found that tax breaks granted under Chapter 313 are projected to save companies more than $10 billion in school property taxes over the 10-year life span of each deal, with no limits on the programs exponential growth.

On HoustonChronicle.com: Read Unfair Burden, the Chronicles investigation on Chapter 313

Chapter 313s gatekeepers  the Texas comptrollers office and local school boards  rarely deny applications, and only one company has ever had to repay a tax break for failing to meet its job-creation target, though dozens have fallen short of those targets.

At Tuesdays senate hearing, Kolkhorst and other members of the Senate Committee on Natural Resources and Economic Development were considering a bill that would renew Chapter 313 for two years. They said that time should be spent studying and reforming the program, which is used mostly by wind and solar farms and manufacturers, led by huge oil and gas companies.

Certainly, I concur that it is a challenging program, said state Sen. Brian Birdwell, the committees Republican chairman, whose own bill seeking changes in the program has not advanced this session. It does need to be looked at very carefully. I do think we need to get the reforms that we were looking for.

Chapter 313 will expire next year if lawmakers don't renew it. Birdwell filed a new draft of the legislation seeking to lengthen the programs renewal by an additional year, meaning it would not need to be renewed until the 2025 session, as the Legislature meets only in odd-numbered years. Lawmakers could thus improve Chapter 313 during their 2023 session, Birdwell said, and decide whether those changes helped before weighing the program's expiration in 2025.

NEWS GAME: Just how easy is it to save millions on taxes? Exploit the Texas tax code like a billionaire

Brent Bennett, a policy director at the conservative Texas Public Policy Foundation, questioned the need for the additional year of study Birdwell proposed.

Weve had a few decades of experience with this program, its been clear throughout this session that theres a lot of problems with it and that itd be better to start with a clean slate, he said. Two years is enough time, given how much experience we have, all the information we have, all the studies that have been done, to go back and look and see, What else can we do?

The programs defenders say Chapter 313 is an important economic generator for Texas. Tony Bennett, president and CEO of the Texas Association of Manufacturers, told senate committee members that competition is not going away and the program helps lure high-paying manufacturing jobs to Texas.

This is the only tool that really brings it home to our Texas communities, Bennett said.

Dick Lavine, senior fiscal analyst for the left-leaning research group Every Texan and a longtime critic of the program, said Chapter 313 sometimes works as intended and attracts marquee companies to Texas. The laws stated purpose of economic growth is worthwhile, Lavine said.

Problem is, 313 has lost touch with that, he added.

Its wasteful, very poorly administered, and I am looking forward to working with all of you to try to start from scratch to do something that actually might accomplish what 313 was intended to do, Lavine told lawmakers.

Morning Report: Get the top stories on HoustonChronicle.com sent directly to your inbox

Some senators zeroed in on the role of school districts, which ultimately must approve the agreements. School officials often have no reason to reject a Chapter 313 deal because companies seeking the tax breaks offer districts additional payments. The result is a $1.5 billion windfall for school districts across Texas that participate in the Chapter 313 program.

But most districts dont attract the sorts of investments that qualify for the program and miss out on these benefits. The Chronicles investigation found that just six districts will collect fully half of all supplemental payments companies make this year, all of them petrochemical hubs along the Gulf Coast.

Birdwell called for an end to some of the extra payments. Kolkhorst echoed his concern.

School districts are getting money that doesnt show up in the (states school funding) formula, she said, and it truly makes each child that has a 313 more valuable than a child in a school district that doesnt  and I represent both.

Kolkhorst also noted that the typical school districts tax rate has fallen by a third since Chapter 313 was created two decades ago, undercutting the programs rationale.

We never made adjustments in this program in the spirit of what it was supposed to be, she said. I do think theres great room for improvement.

Sen. Juan Chuy Hinojosa, D-McAllen, also noted that the state ultimately has no control over the costs created by local school trustees under the program.

We end up having to make up the difference in billions, Hinojosa said. My hope would be that this time wed be making some substantive reforms during the interim to make sure we fix this problem and not continue extending this program year after year and not getting, quite frankly, what its worth in terms of taxpayer incentives.

Birdwell said the committee could vote on the Chapter 313 legislation as early as Friday.

john.tedesco@chron.com
Misuse of millions

Regarding Texas tax-break program falls short of promises, (A1, May 17): Thank you, Houston Chronicle, for again elucidating how Austin politicians manipulate policy-making to return billions of tax dollars to wealthy corporations, while starving the majority of Texas citizens of money for needed health care insurance, quality education and even the barest minimum of mental health care crisis services  all conditions you have clearly exposed over the past months in your excellent reporting. Not only does your reporting demonstrate in-depth research, it does the work that the state comptrollers office and legislators should have been doing as basic quality assurance over a 20-year-old program, Chapter 313. It is infuriating to see this deliberate misuse of millions of Texas tax dollars. All of which underlines the need for elections to bring new government to Texas.

Mary E. Schultz, Houston

An emotional issue

Regarding Abbott is set to sign abortion legislation, (May 14): If there is a more emotional issue than abortion, both pro and con, I dont know what it is. Yet amid deep social division, the Texas Legislature hands us another weapon with which to attack each other. Incredibly, the Texas Heartbeat Act apparently allows anyone to sue an unrelated party for aiding or abetting an abortion. So, rather than simply being able to argue, lobby and vote in keeping with our personal points of view on abortion vis-a-vis state regulation, we can now individually file suit and force people on the other side of the issue to incur, at a minimum, defense costs which are unrecoverable whether they ultimately win or lose. This is yet another example of politicians retaining power by keeping citizens busy fighting each other. Divide and conquer is alive and well in Texas government.

Maureen Wharton, Houston

Digital disadvantages

Regarding Digital divide in rural Texas grows, threatens areas economic expansion, (A1, May 16): The front page article by Rebecca Carballo highlights the acute disadvantages of living without internet in rural America.

We can take a lesson from history. The development of electricity and its dissemination to the public in the 1920s was just as revolutionary as the world-wide internet is today. But the electric companies would not extend electric lines to rural areas because it was not cost efficient. It took the Rural Electrification Act of 1935 to give electric companies the federal assistance needed to extend electrical services to all American homes.

According to Sundays article, we appear to be headed in the right direction for bringing rural America into the 21st century. In Walker County, she writes, Four internet providers will receive $3.3 million in federal subsides, pending approval by the Federal Communications Commission.

It took 15 years, from 1920 to 1935 for electricity to be seen as a necessity on rural farms and not a luxury. Public awareness and discussions will help us to see the internet as a necessity and not a luxury as well.

Kathleen Wetsel, Pearland
The tab for Texas is finally in, and its officially one of the costliest winter storms ever. With early estimates of record-breaking losses, the storm could easily topple Hurricane Harvey as the costliest disaster in state history, and it claimed nearly 200 lives, which was nearly twice the initial estimate.

The unexpected winter blast was the latest addition to a growing list of increasingly unparalleled natural catastrophe losses.

Weve all been so distracted managing a worldwide pandemic, did you know 2020 was in the top 10 for worst natural catastrophe losses in the last 50 years? For insured losses, it was the fifth worst. No wonder we all were ready to close last years calendar. But turning the page wont turn the tide on the trend  and the underlying climate change that is contributing to it.

As a reinsurer, we at Swiss Re act as a financial backstop for many of the insurers that consumers have policies with to protect homes, cars and even their loved ones. We play an important role in helping insurers, governments and society as a whole recover financially when bad things happen, like natural disasters that were constantly monitoring for and evaluating the damage for once they strike. While no single hurricane, winter storm, wildfire or drought can be attributed to climate change, were seeing an undeniable uptick in frequency and severity of many different weather events.

Lets put the previous year into context. Consider the tropical cyclone records broken or tied in the North Atlantic basin alone: most tropical storms (31), most named storms (30), most landfalls in contiguous U.S. (12), most landfalling hurricanes in contiguous U.S. (6), highest number of major hurricanes forming since the beginning of October (4) and latest Category 5 hurricane on record (Iota).

And thats just one part of the story. Wildfire losses experienced in California since 2017 have been the worst on record. The recent frigid temperatures impacting large portions of Texas and various other states were consistent with the increased waviness that may be coming from the result of increasing Arctic temperatures.

Not insignificantly, theres a lot at stake economically too. According to a recent analysis by the Swiss Re Institute, the global world economy stands to lose 18 percent of GDP if no action is taken against climate change. Were talking about upwards of a $23 trillion problem.

The private sector has unique strengths in meeting multifaceted and sprawling needs like climate change mitigation. So does the public sector. Think about when this country came together to complete the transcontinental railroad, the Hoover Dam and the Interstate Highway System. But you also cant fix a problem until you agree you have one, and climate change has so far been vexing.

The insurance industry is in a prime position to tackle this issue through its history of bridging the private and public sectors. Plus, the reinsurance industry is highly incentivized to play an important role in mitigating climate change, as we are constantly assessing the risks and impacts of climate change first-hand through our modeling of natural catastrophes. It behooves us to be right, or as right as possible, when it comes to modeling out realistic loss scenarios, and the models are showing a concerning trend of increased natural catastrophes due in part to climate change.

Thats why insurers need to support net-zero initiatives and projects that will alleviate climate change impact. At Swiss Re, we just announced a complete phase-out of coal in our insurance coverage by 2040, while increasing renewable energy investments by $750 million. Were teaming up with other industry leaders on other projects. The Green River Wind Farm  through a partnership with Apple, Akamai and Swiss Re  generated 591,910 megawatt hours in less than two years, which is the equivalent electrical usage of 65,000 Illinois homes.

At the same time, insurers must keep pushing to design simpler products that average Americans understand, and that meet their unique consumer needs. Take the example of floods. Swiss Re emphatically supports the National Flood Insurance Program, which is how the vast majority of Americans buy flood insurance. But while 43 percent of Americans believe their homeowners policy covers flood, in reality only 15 percent do. This means that a full 85 percent of Americans are vulnerable to the increasing risk of flood (and perhaps even worse, this means that 28 percent of Americans falsely believe they are covered against flooding). Our industry needs to better educate American homeowners on the most important issues like the fact that having the security of flood insurance means buying additional coverage beyond regular homeowners insurance.

From its earliest days, insurance was about pooling risk so together communities would be stronger and more resilient against disasters. We implore insurers to join us on this mission to mitigate climate change, before tragic events like Texas seem quaint by future examples.

Isherwood is the CEO of Swiss Re Americas.
Both the Texas House and Senate have agreed in large part to the concept of so-called constitutional carry legislation to allow most Texans to carry a handgun without a permit.

But there has been a split in the two chambers over amendments added into the bill by the Senate to ease opposition from law enforcement groups and win more support from lawmakers.

We are so close to getting this done, said Andi Turner, legislative director for the Texas State Rifle Association.

On HoustonChronicle.com: Texas Legislature passes bill to protect religious displays in yards

While the differences have yet to be settled, Turner said his group is fully behind the legislation and is encouraging its members to talk to lawmakers to get the bill to the finish line.

None of the changes has diminished the fierce opposition to House Bill 1927 from most Democrats and gun control advocacy groups who have been largely powerless in stopping the bill so far. Many in law enforcement also continue to oppose the bill.

The Texas Police Chiefs Association remains strongly opposed to the unlicensed carry of handguns, a letter from the group to lawmakers stated.

But which of the Senate amendments are causing the most trouble in GOP circles is largely a mystery given the debate over it in conference committee is happening in closed-door sessions away from public view.

TEXAS TAKE: Get political headlines from across the state sent directly to your inbox

At any time, the conference committee could declare a deal has been struck on the measure. Or the legislation could die, along with hundreds of other bills that will be shelved over the next two weeks.

Here is a closer look are the key amendments added to House Bill 1927 by the Senate that resulted in the House rejecting the Senates version, and the ongoing negotiations.

Amendment 1

One of the most important amendments to the Senate bill was heavily pushed for by law enforcement groups and involves disarming people.

The House version prohibited police from taking a gun from a person who enters a police station unless the department has a gun locker to store the weapon. The Senate, noting some police facilities do not have a locker area for visitors to store arms, added a phrase that says police have to secure it in a gun locker or other secure area.

GOP LAWMAKERS CLASH: Texas House rejects Senates amended version of constitutional carry bill

The Sheriffs Association of Texas has argued its members must have the ability to disarm people whether there is a gun locker or not.

The ability for law enforcement to temporarily disarm a person lawfully detained, with any kind of weapon, was imperative, says a letter sent to state Sen. Charles Schwertner by the group. Schwertner, R-Georgetown, is the lead sponsor in the Senate of the bill. He added the amendment to the bill as well as other provisions that are also under debate.

Amendment 8

Another substantive problem for critics in the House has been Senate Amendment 8, which ups the penalties for felons and domestic violence offenders carrying a gun illegally. More specifically, the punishment for a felon caught carrying a gun illegally would go from two to 10 years of incarceration to a five- to 20-year sentence.

For people who have previously been convicted of domestic violence or have a protective order against them, illegally carrying a gun would jump from a misdemeanor to a third-degree felony.

Those increased penalties were a must for some members of the Senate like Sen. Jane Nelson, R-Flower Mound, who in floor debates expressed concern about the safety of domestic violence victims. Nelson was the author of legislation years ago that allowed judges to disqualify domestic violence offenders  or those with protective orders against them  from obtaining a handgun license.

One of my biggest struggles has been with the issue of domestic violence victims, Nelson said.

To secure her vote and others, Schwertner upped the penalties  a move also pushed by law enforcement groups.

But some gun rights organizations say theyve gone too far.

We think it unreasonably harsh to give a possible 20-year jail sentence to someone for mere possession of a neutral object , the Texas chapter of Gun Owners of America said in a statement to its members opposing the amendment before Schwertner first offered it back on May 5.

The Senate has since tried to soften that amendment by targeting felons with violent crimes in their backgrounds.

Amendment 14

Adding to the debate over the bill is Senate Amendment 14, added by Schwertner. It requires that the Texas Department of Public Safety develop and post on the departments website a course on firearm safety and handling that is free to the public.

As innocuous as that seems, it has put the bill in jeopardy in the House, which has strict rules to prevent lawmakers from incorporating a wide array of changes into a single bill. When Rep. Matt Schaefer, R-Tyler, brought the bill up for a vote in the House with the Senate amendments, Rep. Chris Turner, a Democrat from Grand Prairie, was quick to issue a point of order arguing that Amendment 14 was not germane to the rest of the bill.

Turner lost that initial fight, but Schaefer ultimately refused to accept the Senate amendments and sent the whole bill to the conference committee.

Amendment 7

Another key difference between the bills is how to address people who are carrying guns while intoxicated.

Sen. Brian Birdwell, R-Granbury, was able to add Senate Amendment 7 that would make it a crime to carry a handgun while intoxicated, but made clear it only applies when a person is not on his or her property or on someone elses private property with consent.

The Texas Gun Owners America has opposed the intoxication provision, saying it was too broadly written and should only apply to public locations.

The House version has no such provision barring intoxicated people from carrying guns in public.

jeremy.wallace@chron.com
A free chance to win $1 million or more in lottery

Free tickets to sporting events

A paid day off work

I'm anti-vax and think incentives are a distraction

Vote

View Results
Chicago, IL (60637)

Today

Mostly sunny. High 83F. Winds ENE at 5 to 10 mph..

Tonight

Some clouds. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. Low 66F. Winds ENE at 5 to 10 mph.
As an existing print subscriber it is easy to get FREE access to all our online content.

When you click get started below it will walk you through creating an online account to attach your print subscription number to.

After your account is created it will ask you to either add a subscription for online access or click on the print subscriber button. Click the print subscriber button header and it will open a dropdown, now click on get started. The page will reload and you will be prompted to enter an account number and a zip code.

IT IS VERY IMPORTANT TO USE THE NUMBER OFF OF THE MOST RECENT ISSUE OR ANYTHING AFTER JANUARY 28, 2019 TO GAIN ACCESS!

OLD ACCOUNT NUMBERS WILL NOT WORK

The account number and zip code are easily available on your most recent issue of the High Plains Journal or Midwest Ag Journal in the address fields as is shown here. Sometimes the account number has extra zero's in front of it, just ignore those.
Subscribing to our services is a three step process. First you have to create an account and then you have to pick if you want to subscribe to digital and or print.

Some people only want to be a digital subscriber to get access online and others want to also receive the print edition.

If you are already a print subscriber and want online access, it is free, you simply have to create an online account and then attach your print subscription account number to the online account you create.
Weather Alert

...HEAT CONTINUES TODAY WITH HEAT INDICES OF 95 TO 100 DEGREES... The heat wave will linger this morning into the afternoon. Temperatures will be in the lower 90s again, with heat indices near 95 degrees. The most oppressive heat for active people will be in the late morning to early afternoon. Drink plenty of fluids. Stay in an air-conditioned room, stay out of the sun, and check up on relatives and neighbors. People and pets should never be left unattended in vehicles under any circumstances.
Hudson, NY (12534)

Today

Mainly cloudy. A few peeks of sunshine possible. High 76F. Winds S at 5 to 10 mph..

Tonight

Considerable cloudiness. Occasional rain showers after midnight. Low 57F. Winds S at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 60%.
musicFIRST warns Congress of radios misleading narrative on rights to sound recordings

US advocacy group musicFIRST is calling foul on a letter sent by Reps. Kathy Castor and Steve Womack (and possibly crafted by the National Association of Broadcasters) encouraging those on Capital Hill to back the Local Radio Freedom Act, which would help cement the US practice of not recognizing performance rights for the use of sound recordings by terrestrial radio.

Guest post by Emmanuel Legrand of Legrand Network

US artists advocacy group musicFIRST has warned members of Congress about attempts to mislead policy-makers on the issue of performance rights for sound recordings on US AM and FM radio stations.

musicFIRST reacted to a letter sent by Representatives Kathy Castor and Steve Womack to their colleagues on Capitol Hill, urging them to support the Local Radio Freedom Act (LRFA), which would enshrine into law that US radio stations should not be subject to new performance fees or taxes. The US is one of the last few countries in the world that does not recognise performance rights for the use of sound recordings by terrestrial radio.

The letter boasts about the strong relationship between the music industry and radio stations where free music for free promotion has benefited both parties for nearly a century and continues to do so today.

musicFIRST believe the letter was crafted by the National Association of Broadcasters, which represents over 10,000 radio stations in the US. musicFIRST claimed that it was an attempt to secure congressional support for legislation that says artists, labels and other music creators should not be paid when their music is played on traditional radio.

The letter, according to musicFIRST, contains a series of false and misleading claims about traditional radio and how artists are discovered. musicFIRST said one of the letters most outrageous claim was to imply that artists were satisfied with the relationship with radio stations.

Creators thrive when they get paid fairly for their work, writes the organisation. In addition, that the NAB has the gall to tell artists they are better off not getting paid is a remarkable expression of entitlement. Artists should get to make that decision  and not have to settle for exposure bucks from multi-billion corporations.

It also objects to the assertion from the letter that FM/AM radio is the top source for how new artists are discovered. In reality, countered musicFIRST, creators are much more likely to be discovered on sites such as streaming platforms or digital platforms such as YouTube or TikTok.

In conclusion, musicFIRST quoted Jennifer Dorning, President of the Department for Professional Employees at union AFL-CIO, who in a recent letter urged Congress to stand by music creators. American terrestrial radio stations have long profited from playing songs without compensating the artists and musicians who performed these creative works, she wrote. These recording artists are not guaranteed a share of the advertising revenue their performances help generate.

She added, The LRFA would enshrine this injustice by mis-classifying fair payments for the use of recording artists works as a tax. Just as you would not consider nurses pay to be a tax on hospitals, you should not accept the premise, put forward by the LRFAs supporters, that frees them of the responsibility to pay artists and musicians for use of their recorded performances.

Share on:
In the latest act of continued repression and intimidation by the regime, the authorities have on Monday targeted the largest independent media outlet Tut.by. At least 15 outlet workers have been detained, Its domain has been blocked, offices and private apartments of their staff searched, and a criminal case against its leadership opened.

Recent actions against other independent media and journalists, including the detentions of Alexander Burakov, a freelance reporter for Deutsche Welle, Vladimir Laptsevich, a journalist with online news portal Mogilev Region and Tatyana Kapitonova, a freelance photojournalist and Lyubov Kasperovich, a Tut.by journalist detained while covering a court trial, shows the complete disregard by the Belarusian authorities for freedom of expression. These actions of the Belarusian authorities contradict the core international commitments undertaken by Belarus including within the UN and the OSCE.

The harassment of journalists must stop and all those detained must be immediately released, together with all political prisoners. The EU also calls for an end to violence and repression against peaceful protesters and various segments of the society, including human rights defenders or representatives of minorities as well as the members of the political opposition.

There can be no impunity for perpetrators of human rights abuses. The EU, together with the international community, is coordinating efforts to hold them to account.

The EU continues to stand by the people of Belarus in their call for respect of human rights and fundamental freedoms and will continue to support civil society and independent media.
Pittsfield motorists rejected the concept of one lane and 'floating' parking spaces on North Street. A second state grant is being used to some of the concerns.

Pittsfield Making North Street Fixes With 2nd Safe Streets Grant

PITTSFIELD, Mass.  Driven by feedback from the public, the city will be reconfiguring the downtown corridor once more by making it all one-lane traffic and pushing on-street parking over to the curb.

This project is being paid for by a recently awarded $162,880 state Shared Streets and Spaces Grant  the second one Pittsfield has secured  and corrects issues that surfaced with the pilot installations launched last fall that changed segments of North Street into one lane and moved on-street parking away from the curb.

"We're taking care of three main issues that we noticed and heard from the public and we noticed happening," Commissioner of Public Services & Utilities Ricardo Morales said on Monday. "One of them is the discontinuity between the pilot installations that we did in the fall. We're not ditching the pilot from the fall, we're just correcting some issues."

The new will address discontinuity and lack of signage between the pilot areas, bike lanes and parking, improvement of the parklets built to aid outdoor dining, and a full comprehensive evaluation of the plan.

About $140,000 will be used for the street work, $16,000 to build up the parklets to sidewalk level, and $6,000 for the study with an engineering firm.

Morales said the city aims to have the improvements done by the end of May, as the project has been awarded and a meeting is set with the contractor, but is realistic about possible setbacks that may come into play.

Last fall, the city received $238,826 for Shared Streets and Spaces projects from the state Department of Transportation to support 20 placemaking projects and the pilot was applied to two sections of the downtown corridor right after Park Square and in front of the Pittsfield Family YMCA.

These segments were made into one-lane traffic and feature a bike lane next to the sidewalk and parking spaces in between that and the travel lane.

The grant program provides grants as small as $5,000 and as large as $300,000 for cities and towns to quickly implement or expand improvements to sidewalks, curbs, streets, on-street parking spaces, and off-street parking lots in support of public health, safe mobility, and renewed commerce in their communities.

Residents and business owners expressed concern for the new configuration, especially with the sudden change of two lanes down to one and the parking spaces that floated in between the bike lanes and travel lanes.

The new configuration will feature parking by the curb, a buffer, a bike lane, and then another buffer before the travel lane. This will be continuous throughout the downtown corridor  which runs from Park Square to Waconah Street  for traveler comfort.

The improvements also address outdoor dining parklets that were installed as extensions to the sidewalks, as they will be built up to sidewalk level. Morales said that section of the project is "a little difficult" because of the current inflated price of lumber but the grant will make it possible.

"It was great that we were able to get grant money again and not spending city, taxpayer money to make those changes to address the concerns that we saw and to expand it," he said. "Without this grant, we probably would have just corrected, somehow, what we had installed, and that's it."

Though these changes are driven by public comment, Morales made it clear that there is additional public input to come. The city presented the project to the downtown merchant community through Downtown Pittsfield Inc. about a month ago and it was "well-received."

"They do recognize that going down to one lane is not a bad idea, and that no one liked the one-lane setup we had with the bicycle lane on the inside, there was too much of a change for people here apparently, and I understand that," Morales said. "And no one in the merchant community liked not having that continuity, so those things are all being addressed."

Downtown Pittsfield Inc. was informed that work had been awarded and what would be happening on each block. There will also be additional public sessions where residents can voice their opinions on the changes. Construction will be done at night and at low traffic times in the next few weeks to avoid disruption.
Children ride patriotically decorated bikes in the 2019 Memorial Day parade. Last year's parades were canceled across the state but Cheshire is planning to have one this year.

Cheshire to Hold Memorial Day Parade

CHESHIRE, Mass.  There will be a Memorial Day parade in Cheshire this year.

The small town has traditionally held the parade through town and up to the cemetery on West Mountain Road with veterans, town and state officials, police, firefighters, Shriners, children on red-white-and-blue decorated bicycles and the Hoosac Valley High School band.

Like so many events of the past year, Memorial Day was silent in 2020. But with Gov. Charlie Baker's lifting of capacity limits and mask wearing outdoors as of May 29, town officials are hoping for a parade this year on May 31.

The Board of Selectmen took up the issue at Tuesday's meeting. In light of the updated COVID-19 guidance from the state, Chairwoman Michelle Francesconi noted that Cheshire had the opportunity to host a parade on Memorial Day. Board members pushed for the parade to happen, saying it would be nice to give Cheshire residents a "sense of normalcy" after the year of pandemic restrictions.

This year the parade will end at Town Hall instead of the cemetery on West Mountain Road.

Despite likely challenges in getting the band for the parade at such short notice, the board unanimously voted to hold a parade. Francesconi said Cheshire would likely be "the only [town] in Berkshire County" to hold such a parade.

With the end of the pandemic on the horizon, the board also convened in a hybrid mode on Tuesday, the first since governor's emergency order in March 2020, meaning some town members were in attendance. The board members have been gathering while keeping social distancing but the public had not been able to attend. The meeting was still held online over Zoom for those who could not make it in person.

In other business, Highway Superintendent Robert Navin announced plans to apply for a grant from the state to finish patching up parts of Route 116.

 The Board of Selectmen briefly discussed the search for a new town administrator. Of the 11 applicants, three have been selected to proceed to final interviews. These interviews will take place Thursday, June 3.

 Some town members came to the meeting to air complaints about rats and other rodents within their neighborhoods.

One resident said he had been living in Cheshire for 18 years and had not had any problems with rats before recently. Without naming any houses, residents, or streets, the resident said several condemned houses are acting as breeding grounds for rats and other rodents.

The board argued that this was a discussion for the Board of Health and members pushed to include members from the Board of Health to attend a later meeting.

 Ronald DeAngelis was appointed as the third member of the Conservation Commission by the Board of Selectmen.

 The board reviewed the fiscal year 2022 final draft budget.

 Francesconi discussed the need to upgrade the town's information technology, saying it needs to be protected against ransomware. She noted that another town in Massachusetts was struck by ransomware and was forced to pay $5 million. Francesconi said, "having those safeguards in place is really really important, especially nowadays."
Adams Forest Warden Johnnie Harris Jr. holds a fawn firefighters saved Monday while containing the fire on Pine Cobble. The fawn was taken to a wildlife rehabilitator.

Firefighters Save Fawn From East Mountain Wildland Fire



Firefighter Frank Levesque carries the fawn he found between some rocks on Monday. NORTH ADAMS, Mass.  It was a bleating sound that attracted Savoy firefighter Frank Levesque's attention on Monday as the crew he was with worked to contain the state's largest wildland fire in two decades.

The sounds were coming from a fawn in distress and the firefighters were able to quickly get the baby into the hands of a wildlife rehabilitator.

"We were just taking a break around noontime, and we were waiting for some of the four-wheelers, to bring water and food up and we like started hearing this noise out, out in the woods," Levesque said on Tuesday, adding that he and his wife keep some farm animals and it sounded like a goat. "And then I realized it was a baby deer bleating."

Levesque and his fellow Savoy firefighters were working in a hand crew with Clarksburg, Hinsdale, Florida and the Adams Fire Wardens. They were working the Pine Cobble side, what he described as a rough and rocky terrain. A volunteer firefighter for three years, Levesque said Monday was his first  and only  day working the East Mountain fire.

"Me and a couple others started walking out to try to find it and we found it was between a couple of rocks, and was severely dehydrated," he said. "You can tell by the skin tension and its ears were flopped back. So we had this off-road vehicle to bring me down the mountain to get it to a rehabilitator."

Levesque was sure the fawn had been abandoned for a least a couple of days because of its condition and its cries. Deer will often leave their fawns hidden away for hours at a time but the mother may have been spooked by the fire or the more than 100 firefighters out in the woods with equipment and helicopters.

The fire that started Friday night off Henderson Road in Williamstown spread over East Mountain and into Clarksburg State Forest, consuming 947 acres of brush and ground cover before it was contained late Monday night. Despite the coverage, the blaze was not particularly fast moving and swept under and around trees and rocky areas. The fawn wasn't burnt but the smoke and heat from the fire likely affected it.

"It was out there for at least a good day or two without the mother," Levesque said. "When the rehabilitator got it, she said that she was severely dehydrated and wouldn't have been able to make it too much longer."

He didn't want to name the rehabilitator but said he has been in contact with her to check on the fawn, who appears to be doing well.

Wildlife rehabilitators frequently caution not to pick up or remove wild baby animals because their parents are usually close by, nor should you feed them or give them water because it may exacerbate their condition. The best bet is to call a licensed rehabilitator if the animal is obviously in distress.

In the case of the fawn the firefighters found, it was obviously in distress and they knew they had to get it to someone who could take care of it.

"A fawn that young, it can't just drink water, that actually will further dehydrate them," Levesque said. "They have to get milk from their mother or some sort of substitute."
Difficult years: Brazil's fishing communities struggle to stay afloat during pandemic

by Michael Fox

May 19,2021 | Source: The World

From a small, wooden shack at the top of the dunes, a few men keep watch over the half-moon bay of Pantano do Sul on the southern tip of the island of Florianopolis.



For this fishing community, its the most exciting time of the year: the return of the tainha or mullet.



Its a big operation recently overshadowed by the COVID-19 pandemic. Since last year, the virus has hit hard the small-scale fishers who work up and down the Brazilian coast.



The entire community eats, said Amarildo Monteiro, a local fisherman who helps run Arantes, a family bar and restaurant right on the beach. The whole community comes down to the beach to help pull in the net, and everyone gets fish. Its all of Pantano do Sul who eat the tainha from the communal catch.



The large fish spawn in brackish, inland waters hundreds of miles south. They travel in huge schools that get close enough to the coast to be hauled to shore with massive nets.



The fishers watch the ocean and wait for their arrival. When its time, they send out WhatsApp messages, and the entire fishing village of Pantano do Sul soon pours onto the beach.



Residents line the coast and heave on a giant net dropped by boats rowing parallel to the shore. Dozens of men stand knee-deep in chilly water, slowly dragging in the net with hundreds of tainha.



The fish often exceed a foot long and weigh 10 pounds or more. As they flop on the sand, fishers and villagers pick them up, two at a time, and carry them up the beach to be divided among the group. One catch can sometimes round up thousands of fish.



Its a tradition thats been carried on for generations.



From the time of our grandparents, our ancestors, Monteiro said. We use a boat with just one oar. And we are surviving despite the big, motorized fishing boats. We are surviving.



Local COVID-19 regulations say the fishers should be wearing masks and socially distancing. Monteiro said they follow all of the required safety protocols. But its not always that easy.



In a video of a communal catch last week on Gravata beach, several miles north, roughly two dozen people haul in the net at close proximity. No one is wearing a mask.



Thats a concern just as Brazil seems to be getting the pandemic under control. The country has an average of 63,286 cases of the coronavirus a day. While death rates have dropped in recent weeks, they began to spike again over the past weekend.



Days in boats fishing or crowding on coastal beaches to help haul in fish is worrisome, said Federal University of Santa Catarina infectologist, Gustavo Pinto. We know that a good number of these fishermen are younger people who have not been vaccinated. Its not likely that they are following more rigid protocols, and the possibility of outbreaks in these boats and communities increases a lot.



The Island of Marinheiros, 400 miles south of Florianopolis, is at the mouth of Brazils largest lagoon where the tainha are born and bred.



Viviane Machado Alves  a fisherwoman and a leader in the Brazilian Movement of Small-Scale Fishermen and Women  said there are areas where almost everyone has been infected by COVID-19.



There are no deaths, thank God, she said. But a lot of cases, and the vaccination, like everywhere in Brazil, its very slow.



She said their biggest issue lately is that theyve been having a hard time selling their catch. Its shrimp season, but since there are no tourists, she said, theyve lost a lot of income.



We have to sell to the middlemen, she said. We have to sell to them at very low prices, under the market rate.



Last year, the government provided a substantial emergency monthly stipend for informal workers, including fishers. It was cut, then brought back  but highly reduced.



Fishers have had to expose themselves more to the virus, said Cristiano Quaresma, a member of the Monitoring Group on the Impact of Coronavirus on Fishing Communities. In having to go out and sell the fish, they are exposed to the public, and this causes an increase in infections.



Fishing communities in northeastern Brazil have had it particularly hard.



On the edge of the small fishing village of Siribinha, Ceudes Reis dos Santos pushes his boat out into the estuary. He and his wife are out crabbing most days of the week in the mangrove forest a short ride from their home.



Reis dos Santos spoke to The World in late 2019 about the impact of a massive oil spill that covered Brazils northeastern coastline for more than 1,500 miles. Out of fear of contamination, Brazilians there stopped buying fish and seafood. Small fishers like Reis dos Santos found it hard to stay afloat. This was just a few months before the pandemic.



Difficult years, difficult years, Reis dos Santos said. We had some hard times. Stores closed. Here in Siribinha, we had some cases. The doctors say that 80% of the community had it ... Tourism fell a lot. But we were able to sell some of our catch. Not a lot, but little by little.



Cristiano Ramalho, a professor at the Federal University of Pernambuco, blames the governments lack of support for fishing families.



The arrival of the pandemic found these communities that were already suffering from a historic lack of public policies, and the huge impact of the oil tragedy, Ramalho said. Without a doubt, it made the coastal communities some of the most vulnerable for COVID-19 in Brazil.

 2021 The World from PRX.

Theme(s): Communities and Organisations.
Northern Ireland fishermen say incomes lost over licence delays

by Conor Macauley

May 19,2021 | Source: BBC

A County Down fisherman in Northern Ireland has said he has lost his livelihood due to a delay in issuing licences for him and others to access Irish waters.



Ian Brown's crab boat, Amity, has been tied up since January and he said he had lost his entire income.



Other boats in Kilkeel are said to be similarly affected.



The issue is also having an impact on Irish-registered vessels which want to fish close to the coast of Northern Ireland.



The rights to reciprocal cross-border access for inshore waters were retained under the UK/EU Brexit deal.



But the boats now have to be licensed by the respective authorities and that has not happened.



"It materialised in late January that we needed a piece of paper [the licence]," Mr Brown said.



"We had to remove all our pots from southern waters.



"We were told it was maybe a two-week process to get this done...and three and a half months later we're lying here not making a penny."



The list of vessels that the UK and Irish authorities want licensed have been swapped, but there has been no further movement.



The sheltered waters of Dundalk Bay are important to small boats that fish for shellfish such as crab and lobster.



It is a safe place to work and boats can be there and back in a day from Kilkeel which is just five miles from Irish waters at Carlingford Lough.



Mr Brown said he was deeply frustrated by the delay in having the licences issued.



It's not the first time reciprocal cross-border access to inshore waters has proven controversial.



In 2019 Mr Brown's boat was one of two impounded by the Irish Navy for fishing inside the six-mile zone.



A 50-year-old gentleman's agreement, which covered the practice, had broken down after a legal challenge in the Irish Supreme Court.



It took controversy over the impounding to see it fixed with a change in Irish law.



Then Taoiseach (Irish PM) Leo Varadkar said he was sorry the boats had been detained and he'd work to ensure it didn't happen again.



Mr Brown acknowledged that the law was changed but said the licensing situation meant he was effectively disbarred from the Irish waters which he considered his traditional fishing grounds.



Many fishermen voted for Brexit but reciprocal access for Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland vessels to each others' waters was written into the wider agreement.



The only additional requirement are the licences.



Alan McCulla of the Anglo North Irish Fish Producers Organisation urged the authorities to get on with issuing them.



He said the Northern Ireland Protocol gave a trading advantage to fishermen in NI, but in order to sell their seafood they had to be able to catch it first.



Mr Brown said he could set his pots in Northern Ireland waters but that would affect fishermen who already used those grounds and might adversely affect stock sustainability.



He said he also risked losing expensive pots to boats dredging for scallops.

 2021 BBC

Theme(s): Fisheries Development and Aquaculture.
Yangtze protector works to replenish stocks of rare fish

by CANG WEI

May 19,2021 | Source: China Daily Global

Over the past two decades, Zheng Jinliang has released more than 160 million fish into the Yangtze River in Jiangsu province at his own expense.



Now in his 60s, the former businessman has witnessed fish stocks of rare species dwindle over the past 50 years.



Zheng, who has lived in the riverside city of Jiangyin his entire life, said as a result delicacies such as the Chinese tapertail anchovyknown as daoyu, or knife fish by localshave skyrocketed in price.



Degradation of the aquatic environment and overfishing caused by high demand have driven the price of the fish to more than 10,000 yuan ($1,500) a kilogram.



"I used to see fishermen carry baskets of fresh fish to sell when I was a little boy," Zheng said.



"The knife fish were sold for 0.6 yuan a kilogram. My mother often asked me to carry a basket of vegetables to exchange for the knife fish on fishing boats."



When he was young, Zheng would hear fishermen singing as they approached the dock with large catches.



"You could tell that their songs were happy," he said. "They usually came back with boats that were full of fish and shrimp as rewards for a day's hard work.



"But they caught less and less fish, and eventually many varieties disappeared in the Yangtze. They were not only delicacies, but also species that cannot be replenished."



Zheng said he felt sad about the situation and wondered what he could do to bring back fish stocks.



In 2000, he left his steel business to get into the aquaculture industry. He took boats along the Yangtze to find rare broodstocks, or parent fish, and in late spring he would spend 15 hours a day on the water.



For Zheng, who had only finished junior high school and had no experience in the industry, tracing broodstocks seemed to be an impossible task. But he ignored other people's criticism and stuck to his mission.



Over the next 20 years, he purchased rare broodstocks, usually at high prices, from fishermen who had accidentally caught them. He also sourced rare species from overseas. Zheng conducted his own research on different methods to hatch various fish eggs, including the knife fish.



In June 2002, he released the first batch of 400,000 puffer fish into the Yangtze to help restore their stocks. "Some people said I had lost my mind pouring money into the river, but I knew I was doing the right thing," said Zheng.



Following his example, many individuals, companies and organizations have joined the volunteer efforts to replenish fish stocks. In 2007, the Jiangyin government designated June 12 as Yangtze River Fish-Release Day.



In 2008, the year he was elected a representative of the Jiangsu Provincial People's Congress, Zheng submitted proposals to ban fishing in the Yangtze to protect biodiversity.



He said he was excited to hear that a 10-year fishing ban on key areas of the country's longest river took effect in January last year. The ban extended to the entire Yangtze mainstream and key tributaries starting this year.



To publicize knowledge about rare fish in the Yangtze, Zheng has established a museum. He often patiently explains to children visiting the museum how important it is to protect the environment and restore biodiversity.



In October, Zheng was given Jiangsu's Most Beautiful Ecology and Environment Protector award by the Jiangsu Department of Ecology and Environment and the Wuxi Information Office.



Zheng Bingqing, his granddaughter, is a great supporter of his work. The 26-year-old has decided to carry on with Zheng's efforts to restore fish numbers.



"Like my grandfather, protecting the mother river will become my mission and career," she said. "His dream all those years ago was to witness more varieties of fish swim in the Yangtze. I won't let him down."

 1995 - 2021 China Daily Information Co (CDIC)

Theme(s): Fisheries Resources.
Your support is needed now more than ever

Help support your local news

Local news sources need your help. Stay in the know on Coronavirus, local updates, and more.
We've recently updated our online systems. If you can't login please try resetting your password. You must login with an email address. If you don't have an email associated with your account email circulation@idahopress.com for help creating one.
Note: We've recently updated our online systems. If you can't login please try resetting your password. You must login with an email address. If you don't have an email associated with your account email circulation2@journalnet.com for help creating one.
China urges U.S. politicians to stop playing 'political tricks'

CGTN) 17:06, May 19, 2021

China urges certain U.S. politicians to stop making use of the Olympic Games and playing "political tricks," said a Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson on Wednesday.

Zhao Lijian, speaking on behalf of the ministry, made the remarks after U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi called for a boycott of the Winter Olympics in Beijing citing so-called human rights abuses.

(Web editor: Meng Bin, Hongyu)
WA allowing restaurants, bars, and wineries to give booze to vaccinated patrons at no cost
Palestinian journalist Yusef Abu Hussein was killed after the Israeli military bombed his house in the Sheikh Radwan neighborhood of Gaza, while Turkish Anadolu Agency photojournalist Mohammad Dahlan was injured after an Israeli military bombing in the Tel al-Hawa neighborhood of Gaza.

The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) and the Palestinian Journalists Syndicate (PJS) condemn the killings and continued attacks on journalists and call on the international community to hold Israel responsible for its crimes.

According to the PJS, Yusef Abu Hussein, a presenter in a Palestinian Radio channel lost his life during an air raid that targeted the Sheikh Radwan neighborhood in Gaza City, where he lived.

He was among the four victims of Wednesdays bombing of Gaza, as Israel continued its bombardment of the besieged enclave. He is the first journalist killed since the current round of violence began in Gaza.

In a separate bombing, Mohammad Dahlan, a photojournalist for the Turkish news agency Anadolu was hit and during an Israeli missile attack on the Gaza Strip, the news agency reported. The PJS confirmed he sustained injuries but his life is not in danger.

IFJ General Secretary, Anthony Bellanger, said: We mourn the death of our colleague Yusef Abu Hussein and send our deepest condolences to his family, friends, and colleagues. Hes yet another innocent victim of the brutal bombing that the Israeli military is carrying out in Gaza. This wave of violence must stop. The targeting of journalists must end."

The PJS said in a statement: The syndicate extends deep condolences and condolences to his family, to Al-Aqsa Radio colleagues, and to the whole journalists' community. The message and the truth will never be silenced. Journalists will continue their mission and report the crimes of the Israeli occupation against Palestinian civilians.
Following recent attacks on media in Palestine, International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) affiliates across the world have expressed solidarity with Palestinian journalists and pushed their national governments to take action.

The SNJT in Tunisia co-organized a demonstration on May 18 in front of the Tunisian parliament along with the Tunisian Trade Union Federation and has published numerous solidarity statements. On the same day, the JPA in Jordan organized a solidarity meeting among unions in the region to discuss joint campaigns.

For its part, the PFUJ in Pakistan called for a country-wide protest against the Israeli crimes against the media in Gaza.

Statements and actions of solidarity with journalists reporting from Gaza and with Palestinian journalists working in the West Bank came from several Arab IFJ affiliates, including the KJA in Kuwait, YJS in Yemen, the LJS in Lebanon, the IJS in Iraq, the SNPM in Morocco, the SJM and AJM in Mauritania as well as the EJS in Egypt.

In Europe, the NUJ in the UK promoted the IFJs call on the UNs Security Council to urge Israeli to stop targeting media facilities in Gaza and Palestinian journalists in the West Bank, while 17 MPs tabled a motion in the UK parliament in support of our position.

Similar actions were taken in Belgium and France. The AJP/VVJ met the Belgian government to urge them to take action while the SNJ mobilized to call on the French government and its delegation to the United Nations to respond to the attacks on media in Gaza.

Many other European unions joined the IFJ call and raised their voice against the Israeli crimes against media freedom: the JUADN in Greece, FAPE, CCOO and FeSP in Spain, the NJ in Norway and the FNSI in Italy, the BHJA in Bosnia, and the UBJ in Bulgaria.

Spanish union ELA also called for a demonstration in solidarity with Palestine, Colombia, Western Sahara and Kurdistan on Sunday May 23 in the city of San Sebastian (Basque country).

Regional federations of journalists' unions such as the Federation of African Journalists (FAJ), the South East Asia Journalists Unions (SEAJU) and the Federacion de Periodistas de America Latina y el Caribe (FEPALC), which represent dozens of journalists unions have also spoken up in defense of Palestinian journalists rights. The MEAA in Australia also joined the IFJ condemnation of the Israeli attacks against media facilities while the Media Organisations Collective, which includes the IFJs three Sri Lanka affiliates, FMETU, FMM and SLWJA, published a joint statement of solidarity with Palestinian journalists.

Journalists unions across the Atlantic showed solidarity with their Palestinian counterparts and joined the IFJ call for justice and reparation for them, including the CWA in Canada and FENAJ in Brazil, among others.

IFJ actions
Benefits trump perks in a pandemic.

Novel, creative perks can make a company a fun place to work, but this past year, many of the nation's top employers swapped the fully stocked fridges and the in-office fraps with mental health days and subscriptions to wellness apps. They responded to Covid-19 by going back to basics and making sure their employees felt truly supported during a time of crisis.

That was the main takeaway from Inc.'s annual Best Workplaces survey, which was conducted in the first quarter of 2021, in partnership with Quantum Workplace, an employee success software company. While 429 companies made Inc.'s 2021 Best Workplaces, a list of the best U.S. companies to work for as measured by employee engagement, 422,000 employees from more than 3,000 companies in North America took part in the survey.

Here are five key benefit trends, among all companies surveyed:

1. Prioritizing mental health

With the pandemic taking its toll on millions of workers' mental health, it should come as no surprise that most of this year's Best Workplaces--70 percent--provide access to counselors, mental health providers, and other employee assistance programs. Just one example: Since the pandemic started, Cedar, a New York City-based health care financial engagement platform, has partnered with a clinical psychologist to offer small virtual group counseling sessions. At the San Francisco-based video game development platform Unity, both full-time and part-time employees have access to professional mental health care.

2. Scrapping the 9-to-5 model

The vast majority of Inc.'s 429 Best Workplaces recognize that enforcing strict working hours isn't a winning strategy--especially in a pandemic. Ninety-six percent of the Best Workplaces offer their workers flexible working hours. Many companies made this policy a priority just in the past year, as increasing flexible work scheduling was one of the most frequently added benefits among the companies on the 2021 list.

Benefits by the Numbers 96 percent offer their employees flexible working hours. 70 percent provide access to counselors, mental health providers, and other employee assistance programs. 97 percent offer qualified retirement programs. 70 percent of those companies at least partially match their employees' contributions. 58 percent offer unlimited paid time off to their employees.

3. Enhancing pet policies

Pets have been welcome additions to many of Inc.'s Best Workplaces for years, but some companies on the 2021 list took their own pet policies a step further. At New York City-based Noom, a wellness and weight-loss app, Pet Obesity Awareness Day (October 14) is a company holiday. Meanwhile, Incline Village, Nevada-based Ridgeline, an investment-management software maker, grants employees two days of paid time off when they adopt a pet. The latter company, presciently, began offering the pet-friendly policy just ahead of the pandemic.

4. Prioritizing retirement

Retirement programs have long been table stakes for Inc.'s Best Workplaces. This year was more of the same, with 97 percent of companies on the 2021 list now offering a 401(k), Simple IRA, or another qualified retirement program. Employer matching isn't far behind, as 70 percent of those companies now match their employees' contributions. Kirkland, Washington-based financial services company Sound Planning Group recently added an additional annual contribution based on the previous years' earnings, similar to profit sharing.

5. Embracing unlimited PTO

More than half of this year's Best Workplaces--58 percent--offer unlimited paid time off to their employees. San Francisco-based fraud prevention software maker Sift designated at least one workday per month as a company holiday or mental health day. "This provides time and space for employees to better manage their work/life needs and levels of burnout, in a time when they may not think to take time for themselves," says the company.

EXPLORE MORE Best Workplaces COMPANIES
After a year away due to the coronavirus pandemic, the Eurovision Song Contest returns on Saturday (22 May) with 26 artists representing their countries in the grand final.

And now, for the first time, US audiences will be able to watch the contest, with Peacock getting the rights to both the 2021 and 2022 competitions. This includes the first semifinals on 18 May, the second semifinals on 20 May and the finals on 22 May.

As reported by Vulture, the streaming platform announced today (18 May) that all three nights of this years contest will be live and on-demand for later viewing.

As previously reported, the competition will still be a little different to what were used to, as organisers say they have a determined yet realistic plan for 2021.

Along with the City of Rotterdam and Dutch broadcasters, the EBU (Eurovision Broadcasting Union) has come up with a number of alternative scenarios that would allow the contest to take place.

The Eurovision Song Contest will definitely make its welcome return this May despite the pandemic but, in the prevailing circumstances, it is regrettably impossible to hold the event in the way we are used to, said Martin Osterdahl, Executive Supervisor of the Eurovision Song Contest.

Were grateful for the renewed commitment and backing from the City of Rotterdam and the ongoing support of all the participating broadcasters. We very much hope to be able to gather in Rotterdam in May and will do all we can in the coming weeks to achieve this. With an ever-changing situation we are taking our time to ensure that we can host the Eurovision Song Contest in the best and safest way possible.

The Eurovision semi-finals will be staged on Tuesday 18 and Thursday 20 May at the Ahoy Arena, while the Grand Final, featuring 26 songs, will take place on Saturday 22 May.

You can find all the acts competing here.
It feels like talk of the Friends reunion has been around forever, so youre probably wondering when and how youll be able to watch it.

The special was filmed last month, long after it was first announced, due to lockdown.

Months later, the episode, which is unscripted and reunites the shows stars for an emotional celebration of the sitcom, is now broadcasting.

The broadcast went ahead in the US on HBO Max on Thursday (27 May) and is still available to stream there.

When can I watch the Friends reunion in the UK?

In the UK, Sky One also broadcast the show on 27 May, but at the local time of 8pm BST.

However, it is still available to stream on NOW.

Better yet, you can watch it for free in the UK through NOW (formerly NOW TV). Joining Sky specifically for this would cost you at least 25 a month for 18 months.

With NOW though, a membership will only set you back 9.99 per month. But you can currently claim a free seven-day trial with the subscription-based streaming service.

All six of the main cast members  Jennifer Aniston, David Schwimmer, Courteney Cox, Matthew Perry, Lisa Kudrow, and Matt LeBlanc  were present at the reunion.

Jennifer Aniston and Courteney Cox will be present at the Friends reunion (Warner Bros Television Distribution)

A previously unveiled trailer left fans feeling emotional thanks to a moment in which Aniston reassured a choked-up Perry, who could be seen saying: Yep, Im gonna cry now.

The special, titled Friends: The Reunion, marks the first time all members of the main cast have reunited on-screen since the show ended in 2004.
CoinMarketCap and Coindesk, online resources for finding the price of cryptocurrencies, have gone down.

The websites crash comes amid another crash of cryptocurrency values; bitcoin, ethereum, and other digital currencies dropped dramatically in the wake of a coming Chinese crackdown on the use and trading of virtual currencies.

The price of bitcoin specifically has dropped by over $10,000 in the last few hours, with customers reporting difficulties in accessing accounts.

CoinMarketCap listed market cap, price, volume, supply, 24-hour price change, and a graph of that price over 24 hours. Now, however, visitors are met with a 500 Internal Server Error.

Sorry for the inconvenience. Please report this message, an error message reads on the website.

The Independent has reached out to CoinMarketCap for comment. Coindesk was not immediately available for comment.

Before the website went down, it reported that the amount of trading had increased as people sought to sell their coins and make some of their money back before the plunge continued.

More than $250 billion of cryptocurrency has been traded over the last 24 hours, it showed, representing a near 40 per cent increase.

In China, three state-backed organisations  which include the China Banking Association  had issued a warning that digital currencies are not real, and that they should not and cannot be used as currency in the market.

The statement also said that the speculation activities that have surrounded virtual currencies were putting peoples property and the normal order of economy and finance at risk.

The governor of the Bank of England had recently issued a similar warning: that cryptocurrencies have no intrinsic value and people who invest in them should be prepared to lose all [their] money.

Tesla CEO Elon Musk, who had historically been an advocate of digital currencies, also recently announced that the car company would not be accepting payment in cryptocurrency, causing a smaller crash in the market.
Chers rescue of an elephant long held in dismal conditions is a one-of-a-kind story, as would be expected from the singular star.

Even she was surprised by what her efforts  in concert with a team of animal aid groups, wildlife veterinarians and Pakistans legal system  achieved for Kaavan, she said during a panel discussion taping.

'I dont know anything about this. Im just an entertainer. I cant save this elephant,' Cher recalled thinking when the animals plight was brought to her attention by what she calls the kids on her Twitter feed.

They demanded Kaavans release from a ramshackle, now-closed zoo in Islamabad Pakistan which launched the quest detailed in Cher & the Loneliest Elephant, debuting Wednesday on the Smithsonian Channel.

Cher accepted the challenge after seeing a photo of the 4-ton animal chained in a solitary, cramped enclosure and in apparent ill health, both physical and emotional.

Recalling a brief meeting with businessman Mark Cowne and his interest in wildlife, she sought his help. The result was Free The Wild, an organization co-founded by Cher, Cowne, Gine Nelthorpe Cowne and Jennifer Ruiz to advocate for Kaavan, which turned into a four-year effort.

(Free The Wild's expanded mission is to stop the suffering of wild animals in captivity and gain their release to sanctuaries or better-equipped zoos, according to its website.)

Cher recorded a song, Walls, to amplify the growing social-media clamor for Kaavan's release, and her involvement went far beyond her comfort zone: She flew to Pakistan amid the COVID-19 pandemic when, she said, the government made it a condition of Kaavans transfer to a sanctuary in Cambodia after the zoos court-ordered closure.

Her trademark candor is on exhibit in the documentary, in which she admits to hesitation about the journey that she and a small group of intimates were about to make.

I kept saying to my friends  Are we really going to Pakistan? Is this really happening? she recounted during the panel discussion about her efforts and the documentarys production. Then I just went, Yeah, come on, youre doing it. Stop playing around and just do it."

It wasn't just trepidation weighing on her, Cher said. There had been so many times that it looked like the effort would fall short that she honestly began to wonder if anybody would be all that interested in what was being attempted.

Her unstinting effort resulted in an endearing scene in which Cher is coaxed by veterinarian Amir Khalil to bond with Kaavan by feeding him watermelon and singing the elephant's favorite song: My Way, made famous by Frank Sinatra.

The chart-topping pop star balked at the impromptu performance because she hadn't sung recently. The other reasons: The song choice, and her duet partner, the admirable but out-of-tune Khalil, who lovingly tended Kavaan during his daunting transfer to a new life.

Cher & the Loneliest Elephant" debuts at 8 and repeats at 10 p.m. EDT Wednesday on the Smithsonian Channel. It will air again at midnight EDT Thursday and is available on Smithsonians video-on-demand channel and on the Paramount+ streaming service.
 Close Robert Jenrick: The Prime Minister is reviewing the data as we speak

The UK has reported another 7,540 coronavirus cases, the highest number since late February. A further six people have also died from Covid, the latest release of government data showed today.

It comes as Professor Neil Ferguson said that new modelling data submitted to the Government suggests a risk of a substantial third wave of coronavirus infections in the UK.

Speaking at a media briefing on Wednesday, Prof Ferguson said: Basically it (the modelling) is saying there is a risk of a substantial third wave, (but) we cannot be definitive about the scale of that - it could be substantially lower than the second wave or it could be of the same order of magnitude.

Meanwhile, the link between infections, hospital admission and deaths has been "broken" by the rollout of the vaccine, the chief executive of NHS Providers, Chris Hopson, has said.

He told Times Radio that hospitals were reporting treating patients who were younger and less sick than before and suggested that they may now be able to cope with the level of infections.

Read more:
DUBAI, United Arab Emirates  Kuwaits government is barring unvaccinated residents from traveling abroad starting later this month, the latest attempt to tame the spiraling coronavirus outbreak in the Gulf Arab sheikhdom.

The Cabinet decision, to take effect May 22, sparked instant anger and confusion, coming just after health authorities announced that global vaccine supply shortages would force them to delay distribution of second vaccine doses. Those who received the first Pfizer-BioNtech dose must wait six weeks for their second, and Oxford-AstraZeneca recipients must wait 3-4 months.

The government said those unable to get the shot for any reason would be exempt from the new travel ban. Already, authorities have banned the entry of expatriates into the Gulf state, stranding many foreign workers and their families abroad.

Kuwait is grappling with a surge in virus cases despite its vaccination campaign and tough restrictions, including a prolonged nightly curfew. The country has recorded over 277,800 infections and 1,590 deaths.

___

THE VIRUS OUTBREAK:

 Horrible weeks ahead as Indias virus catastrophe worsens

 FDA expected to OK Pfizer vaccine for teens within week

 Virus cases plunge and LA, San Francisco come back to life

 Follow more of APs pandemic coverage at https://apnews.com/hub/coronavirus-pandemic and https://apnews.com/hub/coronavirus-vaccine

___

HERES WHAT ELSE IS HAPPENING:

COLOMBO, Sri Lanka  Sri Lanka has received its first batch of Russias Sputnik V vaccine following a delay in getting COVID-19 vaccines from India

The 15,000 doses were flown in early Tuesday. Sri Lanka has ordered 13 million Sputnik doses, and Channa Jayasuma, the state minister for drug regulation, said he was hopeful Sri Lanka would receive the total order in the future.

Sri Lanka is short 600,000 doses of the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine. It has administered the first shot to 925,242 people, but the health ministry has about 350,000 doses, leaving people short the required second dose after a delay in getting the vaccines ordered from India.

Meanwhile, coronavirus infections have spread rapidly. Sri Lanka has banned public gatherings and parties, schools are closed, and supermarkets and shopping complexes are limited to 25% of their customer capacity. It has counted 111,753 cases with 696 fatalities.

___

SEOUL, South Korea -- Isolated North Korea is warning its people to brace for a prolonged struggle against the coronavirus, claiming that broadening outbreaks and muddled immunization programs in other countries show vaccines arent the ultimate solution.

The column published by Pyongyangs official Rodong Sinmun newspaper came amid questions on when and how vaccines would arrive in North Korea.

The U.N.-backed program to ship COVID-19 vaccines worldwide said in February that North Korea could receive 1.9 million vaccine doses in the first half of this year. However, COVAX has since warned of global shortages because the Serum Institute of India, which is licensed to produce the AstraZeneca vaccine, is putting its supplies into domestic demand while Indias virus caseload is surging.

The North has claimed a perfect record in keeping out COVID-19, but outside experts have doubted the claim, given its poor health infrastructure and a porous border it shares with China, its economic lifeline.

The state newspaper took an apparent shot at Indias anti-virus campaign without naming the country. It said a certain nation that had exported vaccines it produced while publicly insisting that it considers the evil virus as defeated, was now experiencing an explosive surge.

The cases of other countries provide further proof that vaccines arent an all-around solution, the newspaper wrote.

___

OLYMPIA, Wash. - More people will be allowed at indoor and outdoor spectator events and indoor religious services if there are designated COVID-19 vaccination sections, under new guidance issued by Washington Gov. Jay Inslee.

The change that took effect Monday affects capacity at sporting events, graduations and other events for counties in the second and third phases of the states economic reopening plan.

A vaccination card or other documentation that proves vaccination status will be needed for access to vaccination sections.

While previously there were only limited circumstances where spectator events were allowed to reach 50% capacity, under the new guidance, outdoor facilities may add vaccinated sections until their total capacity  including vaccinated and unvaccinated sections  is at 50% or 22,000 people, whichever is lower. There can be no more than 9,000 unvaccinated people at the outdoor event.

For indoor facilities, vaccinated sections can also be added until their total capacity is 50% maximum, though the maximum number must not exceed 2,000 people, and the number indoor unvaccinated spectators varies depending on the size of the room and what phase of the states economic opening plan a county is in.

___

GENEVA  The World Health Organization is set to decide this week whether to approve two Chinese vaccines for emergency use against COVID-19, a top WHO official says.

Such an approval would mark the first time that a Chinese vaccine had ever been granted a so-called emergency use listing from the U.N. health agency, and would trigger a broader rollout of Chinese vaccines that are already being used in some countries other than China.

Mariangela Simao, assistant director-general for access to medicines, vaccines and pharmaceuticals, says some final arrangements remain to be made before the crucial word from a WHO technical advisory group comes on the Sinopharm and Sinovac vaccines.

We expect that well have both decisions by the end of this week, she said.

WHO has said it expects a decision on the Sinopharm vaccine to come first, and Sinovac afterward.

We know that some countries depend on this decision to proceed with their vaccination, Simao said.

___

NEW YORK  Gov. Andrew Cuomo said New York Citys subway will begin rolling all night again and capacity restrictions for most types of businesses will end statewide in mid-May as COVID-19 infection rates continues to decline.

Cuomo announced last week that the subways would close from 1 a.m. to 5 a.m. so trains and stations could be disinfected. The change was also intended to make it easier to remove homeless people from trains where many had been spending the night.

The overnight closure was scaled back to 2 to 4 a.m. in February.
Surge testing and vaccination have been deployed in coronavirus hotspots around the UK, as health authorities battle to prevent the highly infectious Indian variant from sweeping across the country.

As weekly Covid case rates doubled in Bolton  the town worst hit by the B1.617.2 strain  efforts to clamp down on the variant were stepped up in Bedford, Burnley, Leicester, Kirklees, North Tyneside, Glasgow, Moray and Hounslow in west London.

But test and trace chief Dr Jenny Harries insisted that the fight against the Indian variant was not lost, despite Public Health England figures showing that 135 areas of England saw rising case rates in the week to 15 May.

Boris Johnson also said there was increasing confidence that vaccines were effective against the strain, in a boost to hopes that remaining lockdown restrictions can be lifted in England as planned on 21 June.

However, epidemiologist Professor Neil Ferguson, a member of the governments Scientific Pandemic Influenza Modelling Group (SPI-M), said that the target reopening date was very much in the balance because of the surge in variant cases.

The scientist said the importation of the new strain showed that the system of home quarantine for people arriving from abroad  now applied to most countries in the world under the governments amber list rules  basically didnt work.

Health secretary Matt Hancock said that increasingly sophisticated biosecurity surveillance techniques  including analysis of wastewater from toilets  was allowing areas of concern to be identified much more swiftly than the mutant strain that emerged in Kent in the autumn.

He announced in parliament that 2,967 cases of the Indian variant have now been confirmed in the UK  up from about 1,300 at the weekend. Some 25 people are now in hospital in Bolton with Covid-19 symptoms, with the majority of patients unvaccinated. But Mr Hancock said that nearly 90 per cent had not had two vaccine jabs, suggesting that some individuals are in hospital despite having had both doses.

Bolton topped the Public Health England list of areas with the fastest overall rate of growth in Covid-19 cases, with 920 new positive tests in seven days. It was followed by Indian variant hotspots Bedford, Blackburn and Burnley, fuelling scientists concern that the new strain is much more infectious than earlier types and could become dominant across the UK if not contained.

Deputy chief medical officer Jonathan Van-Tam said that it was unlikely to become clear until next week exactly how much more transmissible the new variant is than the Kent strain. But he said most experts feel it will be somewhere in the middle of a range from a few percentage points to 50 per cent more infectious.

Prof Van-Tam told a Downing Street press conference that the UK was now facing a straight race between the transmissibility of B1.617.2 and the speed of NHS vaccination delivery. He stressed that transmission can be slowed down by testing and tracing and by cautious behaviour and urged people in areas of concern not to tear the pants out of it when enjoying the new freedoms available since Monday.

I would advise the residents in those areas to think very carefully about the freedoms they have, he said. Weigh up the risks and be very cautious.

Dr Harries, chief executive of the UK Health Security Agency, said Britain was in a completely different place compared to last year in terms of authorities ability swiftly to pinpoint outbreaks of variant virus.

With that very precise testing, we can follow backwards, follow chains of transmission, undertake very enhanced contact-tracing so people are using shoe leather going door-to-door, working in these areas to support individuals, increase the testing capacity, she said.

Indian variant cases in the Sefton area of Merseyside were now coming down in response to this kind of intervention, raising hopes that the variant can be contained, she said.

It is not a game lost at all, she said. Its very much one to fight and there are huge resources and huge amounts of effort, particularly from the public in all of these areas, and we should continue to do that.

Mr Hancock told the press conference that almost 14,000 vaccines have been given in Bolton and Blackburn and Bolton since Friday, and over 26,000 in the last week the highest weekly total in these areas, while 75,000 extra tests have been delivered to these two areas alone, with 12 testing sites and a 100-strong team going door to door

UK news in pictures Show all 51 1 /51 UK news in pictures UK news in pictures 8 June 2021 REUTERS UK news in pictures 7 June 2021 A pedestrian wearing a face covering walks over Westminster Bridge near the Houses of Parliament in central London AFP/Getty UK news in pictures 6 June 2021 Isobel Salamon, founder of the Edinburgh Cinema Club, poses alongside the Leith Trainspotting murals in Quality Yard, Leith, Edinburgh, for the programme launch of the Cinescapes Festival which starts on July 4 with a Trainspotting 1 and 2 double bill PA UK news in pictures 5 June 2021 A long exposure photograph captures the rotation of the earth as the stars blur into circles over Knowlton church ruins in Dorset Nick Lucas/SWNS UK news in pictures 4 June 2021 Balloonists take flight during the opening of the Midlands Air Festival in Alcester, Warwickshire PA UK news in pictures 3 June 2021 Members of the Household Cavalry during the Major General's annual inspection of the Household Cavalry Mounted Regiment in Hyde Park, London PA UK news in pictures 2 June 2021 Hannah Vitos of the Blenheim Art Foundation, poses for a photograph next to artist Ai Weiwei's Gilded Cage (2017) sculpture in the grounds of Blenheim Palace in Woodstock, Britain Reuters UK news in pictures 1 June 2021 People swim in the Sky Pool, a transparent swimming pool bridge across two exclusive residential blocks standing next to the US Embassy in Nine Elms, in London, Tuesday, June 1, 2021 AP UK news in pictures 31 May 2021 People enjoy the hot weather at Brighton beach Reuters UK news in pictures 30 May 2021 People venture into the sea as they enjoy themselves during a hot day on Brighton Beach AP UK news in pictures 29 May 2021 Swimmers at the Stonehaven Open Air Pool in Aberdeenshire, which reopens after lockdown restrictions were eased PA UK news in pictures 28 May 2021 Britain's Prime Minister Boris Johnson gestures as he meets Hungary's Prime Minister Viktor Orban at Downing Street in London REUTERS UK news in pictures 27 May 2021 White Pelicans in the sunshine in St James's Park, London PA UK news in pictures 26 May 2021 Boats are seen at Southsea Moorings in Portsmouth Reuters UK news in pictures 25 May 2021 York Glaziers Trust employees Kieran Muir (left) and Emily Price (right) remove a stained glass window panel at the start of a new five year, 5m project to conserve York Minsters South East Transept and its medieval St Cuthbert Window PA UK news in pictures 24 May 2021 Dark rain clouds above an oast house at Bewl Water reservoir near Lamberhurst in Kent during one of the rainiest Mays on record, with the UK seeing 131 per cent of the usual months rainfall already PA UK news in pictures 23 May 2021 The Premier League trophy with the Manchester City club colour ribbons on, at Etihad Stadium, prior to the last Premier League match of the season. City will finally pick up the trophy after they won the league on 11 May Getty UK news in pictures 22 May 2021 Gary Kenny lifts the Buildbase FA Vase Trophy after Warrington Rylands won the FA Vase Final against Binfield at Wembley Stadium Getty UK news in pictures 21 May 2021 A family buffeted by the wind whilst crossing the the Millennium Bridge in London, with wind and rain forecast to ravage the UK on the first Friday that people have been allowed to meet in large groups outside in England PA UK news in pictures 20 May 2021 Devon And Cornwall Police Demonstrate Their Skills For Policing The G7 Summit Getty Images UK news in pictures 18 May 2021 An employee stands before a costume for the Queen of Hearts by Bob Crowley on display at the Alice: Curiouser and Curiouser exhibition at the Victoria and Albert Museum in London PA UK news in pictures 17 May 2021 Passengers prepare to board an easyJet flight to Faro, Portugal, at Gatwick Airport after the ban on international leisure travel for people in England was lifted following the further easing of lockdown restrictions in England PA UK news in pictures 16 May 2021 Emergency workers at the scene of a suspected gas explosion, in which a young child was killed and two people were seriously injured, on Mallowdale Ave Heysham which caused 2 houses to collapse and badly damaged another PA UK news in pictures 15 May 2021 Pro-Palestinian activists and supporters let off smoke flares, wave flags and carry placards during a demonstration in support of the Palestinian cause as violence escalates in the ongoing conflict with Israel, in central London AFP via Getty UK news in pictures 14 May 2021 Member of staffs tighten screws and paint a Marlin skeleton, before it goes on display at the Natural History Museum in London, as the museum prepares to reopen to the public on 17 May, following the further easing of lockdown restrictions in England PA UK news in pictures 13 May 2021 A worshipper at the Baitul Futuh Mosque in Mordon, south London, ahead of Eid al-Fitr. The celebration marks the end of the Muslim month of fasting, called Ramadan. PA UK news in pictures 12 May 2021 A couple have wedding photos taken in Westminster, London Getty UK news in pictures 11 May 2021 The sun rises on Coquet Island, off Amble on the Northumberland coast, where as many as 35000 seabirds cram onto this tiny island to breed PA UK news in pictures 10 May 2021 Newly elected for a second term Mayor of London Sadiq Khan during his signing in ceremony at Shakespeare's Globe Theatre on Londons Southbank PA UK news in pictures 9 May 2021 People mill around St. Michael's tower on top of Glastonbury Tor as it is seen through blooming yellow rapeseed on a day of mixed weather in Glastonbury, Somerset PA UK news in pictures 8 May 2021 Wales First Minister Mark Drakeford elbow bumps newly elected MS Labour candidates Elizabeth Buffy Williams, Rhondda, left, and Sarah Murphy, Bridgend & Porthcawl Labour, right, as they meet in Porthcawl, Wales PA UK news in pictures 6 May 2021 A group of five Sisters from Carmelite Monastery in Dysart cast their vote in the Scottish Parliamentary election at Dysart Community Hall, West Port, Dysart PA UK news in pictures 5 May 2021 Leader of the Labour Party Sir Keir Starmer (centre) with West Midlands Metro Mayor candidate Liam Byrne (far right) and Labour Deputy Leader, Angela Rayner (far left) during a visit to Birmingham, whilst on the election campaign trail PA UK news in pictures 4 May 2021 Artists Heather Ackroyd and Dan Harvey stand within 100 oak saplings which form part of a living art installation entitled Beuys' Acorns by the UK-based artist duo, outside the Tate Modern in London PA UK news in pictures 3 May 2021 Scottish Liberal Democrat leader Willie Rennie feeds the Gentoo penguins during a visit to Edinburgh Zoo on the campaign trail for the forthcoming Scottish Parliamentary Election on May 6 PA UK news in pictures 2 May 2021 Chelsea players celebrate their fourth goal during the Womens Champions League semi-final second leg against Bayern Munich, at Kingsmeadow Stadium in south west London. The Blues won the game 4-1, (and the tie 5-3 on aggregate) sending them through to their first Champions League final AFP/Getty UK news in pictures 1 May 2020 Demonstrators during a march through London during a 'Kill the Bill' protest Angela Christofilou UK news in pictures 30 April 2021 Shoppers queue outside Primark in Belfast as shops reopen and hospitality is able to open outdoors in Northern Ireland where lockdown restrictions have begun to gradually ease PA UK news in pictures 29 April 2021 Specialist operators at the Royal Air Force Museum Cosford, near Telford, Shropshire, clean the Hawker Hunter aircraft displayed within the museum's National Cold War Exhibition, during annual high-level aircraft cleaning and maintenance PA UK news in pictures 28 April 2021 Millions of tulips in flower near Kings Lynn in Norfolk, as Belmont Nurseries, the UK's largest commercial grower of outdoor tulips, offers socially-distanced visits to its tulip fields at Hillington to raise funds for local charity The Norfolk Hospice Tapping House PA UK news in pictures 27 April 2021 Paula Laughton checks one of the newly installed Lego models in the new Lego Mythica land at Legoland Windsor Resort PA UK news in pictures 26 April 2021 A red panda rests on a tree at Manor Wildlife park, which reopened its doors as lockdown restrictions continue to ease, in Tenby, Wales Reuters UK news in pictures 25 April 2021 Sheep climb the hillside as flames from a moor fire are seen on Marsden moor, near Huddersfield AFP via Getty UK news in pictures 24 April 2021 Supporters protest against Manchester United's owners, outside English Premier League club Manchester United's Old Trafford stadium in Manchester AFP via Getty UK news in pictures 23 April 2021 People enjoy the warm weather at City Hall near Tower Bridge in central London PA UK news in pictures 22 April 2021 Uyghurs during a demonstration in Parliament Square, London, which is being held ahead of a House of Commons debate, bought by backbench MP Nus Ghani, on whether Uyghurs in China's Xinjiang province are suffering crimes against humanity and genocide PA UK news in pictures 21 April 2021 People walk at the Taihaku Cherry Orchard in Alnwick REUTERS UK news in pictures 20 April 2021 People stand in front of anti Super League banners outside Anfield as twelve of Europe's top football clubs, including Liverpool, launch a breakaway league Reuters UK news in pictures 19 April 2021 Women enjoy sunny weather in Greenwich, amid the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak, in London, Britain, Reuters UK news in pictures 18 April 2021 Stephen Maguire (right) of Scotland interacts with Jamie Jones of Wales during day 2 of the Betfred World Snooker Championships 2021 at The Crucible, Sheffield PA UK news in pictures 17 April 2021 Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburghs coffin, covered with His Royal Highnesss Personal Standard arrives by Landrover Defender at St Georges Chapel carried by a bearer party found by the Royal Marines during the funeral of Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh at Windsor Castle Getty Images

The advantage we have now, compared to the autumn when the Kent variant first arrived, is we just know so much more about it so much faster because of this extraordinary surveillance capability, so we could spot the rise in cases very, very early, said the health secretary.

However, he held back from promising that further relaxations of lockdown would go ahead on 21 June, saying that a final decision would not be made until a week in advance.

Mr Hancock announced the launch of the worlds first trial of booster vaccines for Covid-19, with nearly 3,000 volunteers in the UK taking part in tests of seven possible jabs, backed by 19.3m of government money.

Results are expected in September, and will inform a large-scale booster programme pencilled in for the autumn.

I urge everyone who has had both doses of a Covid-19 vaccine, and is eligible, to sign up for this study and play a part in protecting the most vulnerable people in this country and around the world for months and years to come, said the health secretary.

More than seven in 10 British adults - 36.9m people - have now had their first Covid-19 vaccine, with almost two-fifths (39.6 per cent) having had both doses, the Department for Health and Social Care announced.
Colonial Pipelines CEO has defended the companys decision to pay a bitcoin ransom to hackers after a cybersecurity attack shut down the pipeline.

It was the right thing to do for the country, CEO Joseph Blout told The Wall Street Journal. I didnt make it lightly. I will admit that I wasnt comfortable seeing money go out the door to people like this.

This was the first public statement from the Georgia-based company that admitted to paying the $4.4 million in bitcoin ransom to DarkSide, a Russian-based hacking group.

Mr Blout said his company decided to pay the ransom on the same day of the attack even though it was a highly controversial decision.

Typically a ransomware attack involves hackers locking up computer systems by encrypting data and paralysing networks before asking for a large ransom from the targeted company to unscramble it.

The FBI has long advised companies against paying a ransom when hit by a ransomware attack, as paying the hackers gives them more incentive to target other organisations.

The FBI does not support paying a ransom in response to a ransomware attack, the FBI states on its website. It also encourages perpetrators to target more victims and offers an incentive for others to get involved in this type of illegal activity.

The ransomware attack led to the shutdown of Colonial Pipelines 5,500 mile pipeline for six days, causing gas shortages and prices to increase in parts of the US.

Mr Blout told The Wall Street Journal that his company decided to pay the ransom on the day of the attack after consulting with experts whove previously dealt with DarkSide. But the CEO declined to name these experts to the publication.

After DarkSide received payment from Colonial Pipeline, the hackers provided the operator with a decrypting tool that would restore the companys computer network, thus allowing for pipeline services to resume, Bloomberg first reported. But the company also reportedly used its own backups to restore the system due to how slowly the provided tool worked.

Although the pipelines service, which runs between Texas and New Jersey delivering more than 100 million gallons of fuel per day, was restored, the company was still unable to bill customers due to the aftermath of the cyberattack.

Colonial Pipeline has also lost all anonymity with the public.

We were perfectly happy having no one know who Colonial Pipeline was, and unfortunately thats not the case anymore, Mr Blount said. Everybody in the world knows.
The family of Howie Liebengood, a Capitol Police officer who died by suicide following the 6 January riot, have called for Congress to establish the proposed commission to investigate the events of that day.

Virginia congresswoman Jennifer Wexton, who represents the family, published the statement on their behalf, noting that Mr Liebengood would still be alive today were it not for the attack on the Capitol.

We believe a thorough, non-partisan investigation into the root causes of and the response to the January 6th riot is essential for our nation to move forward, the family writes.

Howies death was an immediate outgrowth of those events. Every officer who worked that day, as well as their families, should have a better understanding of what happened.

The statement continues: Uncovering the facts will help our nation heal and may lessen the lingering emotional bitterness that has divided our country. We implore Congress to work as one and establish the proposed Commission.

Further to their calls for an official investigation into the violent insurrection that saw Capitol Police officers overwhelmed and attacked by pro-Trump rioters, the family is proud of the progress that has been made on supporting the mental health of the force.

Additionally, improved mental health for USCP officers has been one of our goals for the past four months, they wrote. Through the tireless efforts of Congresswoman Wexton, we are honoured a wellness program bearing Howies name has been proposed in the security supplemental along with more resources for the program.

We welcome and support the new funding and staffing initiatives that will help prevent future tragedies among the USCP.

Mr Liebengood was the son and namesake of a former Senate Sergeant-at-Arms, lobbyist and Hill staffer. He was on duty during the assault on the Capitol and took his own life in the days afterward.

A second officer, Jeffrey Smith, also took his own life in the days after the attack.

Senior Republicans including Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell and House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy have come out against the establishment of a commission to investigate the riot.

Five other people lost their lives during the events surrounding the insurrection, including Officer Brian Sicknick who died of a stroke after the assault on the building.

US Air Force veteran Ashli Babbit was shot by an officer while climbing through a barricaded door, and Rosanne Boyland was deemed to have died from an amphetamine overdose after reports she had been trampled.

Kevin Greeson and Benjamin Philips passed away from heart conditions in the crowds outside the building.
The FBI is investigating potentially illegal contributions supporting Republican senator Susan Collins' 2020 re-election campaign from a defence contractor.

The investigation was revealed thanks to newly unsealed search warrants. Axios first reported on the warrant.

The warrant was filed on 7 April in the US District Court for the District of Columbia. It demands access to a hard drive as part of an investigation into a contractor called Navatek, which is based in Hawaii. The group rebranded itself last year and is now known as Martin Defense Group.

The investigation is probing whether or not the company's former CEO, Martin Kao, illegally funded Ms Collins' campaign by moving money from Navatek through a shell company and into a political action committee supporting the senator.

Ms Collins has previous ties to the company.

In 2019, she announced that Navatek would receive an $8m contract from the Defence Department, which she said she "strongly advocated" in a press release regarding the contract.

Three months later, Mr Kao's wife, Tiffany Lam, started an LLC named The Society of Young Women Scientist and Engineers which was used to move $150,000 from Navatek into Ms Collins' 1820 PAC, according to a warrant.

It is illegal under campaign finance law for contractors to make political campaign contributions, and it bars individuals from making donations under someone else's name.

Investigators have claimed that Mr Kao reimbursed several family members for their donations to Ms Collins' campaign totaling $44,000.

A Navatek official, Clifford Chen, allegedly gave his mother money and instructed her to donate to Ms Collins' campaign. The mother did so, which she revealed to investigators.

A spokeswoman for Ms Collins issued a statement saying the senator had "absolutely no knowledge of anything alleged in the warrant.

Another spokesperson, representing the Martin Defense Group, told The Washington Post that Mr Kao and other individuals involved in the probe were "no longer employees" of the company, and said it was "fully cooperating with the government investigation."
Fox News says its journalists covered both sides of Donald Trumps election defeat and false allegations of faulty voting machines, run by Dominion Voting Systems.

In a court filing on Tuesday, the cable news channel also called for the dismissal of Dominions $1.6bn (1.1bn) defamation action against it, citing its responsible journalism.

The American people deserved to know why president Trump refused to concede despite his apparent loss, lawyers for Fox News wrote, [and] as responsible journalists, Fox covered both sides.

In a suit against Fox News for amplifying false allegations of election fraud in March, Dominion said it suffered from enormous and irreparable economic harm following the allegations of tampering and faulty software.

Lies have consequences, Dominions lawyers wrote in the court filing. Fox sold a false story of election fraud in order to serve its own commercial purposes, severely injuring Dominion in the process.

In the months following the former US presidents defeat, Fox News anchors aired allegations of faulty voting machines and software  run by Dominion  and of tampering.

The allegations were first aired by Trump aides and allies, including former lawyers Rudy Giuliani and Sidney Powell, all of whom denied Mr Trumps defeat.

The filing by Fox News, written by lawyers Charles Babcock and Scott Keller, added that a free press must be able to report both sides of a story involving claims striking at the core of our democracy.

It also went on to say that Fox had fairly and extensively covered the former presidents false allegations of election fraud just as it had reported the election results.

Mr Babcock and Mr Keller referred to Fox News calling Arizona for Joe Biden, on the night of the election, before others did so  also facing criticism from the Trump campaign for it.
The New York Attorney Generals office has said it is expanding its civil probe into former president Donald Trumps business empire, and that it is now actively investigating the Trump Organization in a criminal capacity.

Attorney General Letitia Jamess office, which was already conducting a civil investigation of Mr Trumps company, suggested that the probe is in conjunction with an ongoing criminal investigation on him by the office of Manhattan District Attorney Cyrus Vance Jr.

"We have informed the Trump Organization that our investigation into the organisation is no longer purely civil in nature," Fabien Levy, a spokesman for the attorney generals office, said in a statement.

"We are now actively investigating the Trump Organization in a criminal capacity, along with the Manhattan DA," he said.

For two years, the civil investigation has been probing whether the Trump Organization manipulated property values to secure loans and obtain economic and tax benefits.

The new development come as an additional potential liability for Mr Trump, who continues to tease the prospect of running again for office in 2024. He has previously said he is beyond seriously considering a run but cannot announce it yet from a legal standpoint.

A separate investigation by Manhattans Mr Vance has been looking into similar allegations over the business dealings done by Mr Trump during his pre-presidency period spanning about two years. The allegations were first made by the former presidents personal lawyer Michael Cohen.

Mr Cohen reacted to the development by sharing a photoshopped picture of Mr Trump behind bars in jail, saying the troubles for Donald Trump will keep on coming.

Soon enough, Donald and Associates will be held responsible for their actions, he said in a tweet.

In February, the Supreme Court refused an attempt to block Mr Vances team from getting access to Mr Trumps tax returns from the past eight years, as well as his financial records, as a part of the probe into potential bank, tax and insurance fraud.

Ms James' investigation started in 2019 when Mr Cohen said in a congressional hearing that Mr Trump has inflated the value of assets to banks to secure better insurance and loan deals, while at the same time undervaluing them to cut taxes.

Her investigations involve several Trump properties including the Trump International Hotel and Trump Tower in Chicago as well as 40 Wall Street in New York City.

Mr Trump has previously dismissed the investigations, conducted by Democrats Ms James and Mr Vance, by calling them politically motivated.
A secret army of around 60,000 is carrying out domestic and foreign operations for the Pentagon in a programme aimed at minimising threats to US security, it has been reported.

The force, said to be ten times the size of the CIA's clandestine element, is made up of operatives working undercover, with some of them embedded in top companies around the world, according to Newsweek.

Agents in the "signature reduction" programme, developed by the Pentagon over the past 10 years, are engaged in online as well as real life assignments and are often soldiers, civilians and contractors who evade detection with false identities.

Newsweek reports that the secret army is carrying out its duties without the knowledge or consent of Congress.

North Korea, Russia and Iran are believed to be just some of the counties seen as hostile to the US where the agents are working. The agency has a reported budget of $900 million.

One intelligence officer, who is unnamed, says the army operates in signature reduction, although the term is not officially recognised by the Department of Defense. It is, however, used to define "measures that are taken to protect operations".

Although some of the agents work in the shadows, Newsweek pointed to the case of Ryan Fogle as an example of when agents get caught.

Mr Fogle is an alleged CIA agent who was detained in Russia for allegedly trying to recruit a Russian intelligence officer.

Footage of Mr Fogle being berated by plain-clothes FSB interrogators was released to Russian television channels in May 2013, along with photographs and video footage of a bizarrely old-school array of spying tools, including two wigs, a compass, a map of Moscow and a stack of 500 Euro notes.

At the time, the state department confirmed one of its agents had been detained, but refused to be drawn on claims they were actively engaged in trying to recruit Russian operatives.

Newsweek's investigation also revealed how a company based in North Carolina trains agents how to change their age and appearance using disguises and equips them with a silicone sleeve that allows them to alter their fingerprints.

According to Newsweek, up to 30,000 of the country's signature reduction troops are operating around the world from Pakistan in the Middle East to West Africa in the south.

The Independent has contacted the state department for comment.
Ted Cruz was blasted for joking about the awesome Cancun vacation he took during the Texas winter storm that left at least 111 people dead.

The senator tweeted his excitement at a report that an airline is now offering cheap flights from Houston, where he has a family home, to the Mexican beach destination.

Excited to travel again? This airline can hook you up with a cheap flight to sunny Cancun or even Las Vegas! tweeted ABC13 Houston.

Awesome! Cruz responded in a tweet.

Mr Cruz was widely criticised for leaving Texas with his family during the historic February storm, that saw thousands of his constituents left for days without power and water.

He later apologised after the controversy caused him to cut short his trip after 24 hours and return to the US alone.

It was obviously a mistake. In hindsight, I wouldnt have done it, he said, before explaining that it was his two daughters who talked him into the misguided trip.

Twitter users were quick to criticise Mr Cruz for his latest tweet, and to point out the human cost of the storm in the state, which saw an 11-year-old boy die from hypothermia.

A child froze to death, replied @Marty_Shannon on twitter.

You spend so little time in Texas Im curious if you could find it on a map, tweeted @tony68729098

Next time a crisis hits Houston, you can get out of town even cheaper! Wrote @lesmatthews.

The people of your state were in dire straits when you wilfully abandoned them. The fact that you are joking about it confirms that you have no regrets. You are what you are, sir, tweeted @larsp2740.

Abandoning your constituents as punch line. How Ted Cruz, tweeted @FieldingFishly.
Donald Trump slammed prosecutors for what he called their desperate criminal investigations into his business and family in a new 900-word statement.

The former president reacted angrily to the New York attorney generals confirmation that its probe into the Trump Organization is now a criminal one.

Mr Trump said that he had just learned, through leaks in the mainstream media of the investigation, despite the attorney generals office saying that it had directly informed the Trump Organization.

There is nothing more corrupt than an investigation that is in desperate search of a crime. But, make no mistake, that is exactly what is happening here, he said.

He then attacked New York attorney general Letitia James, who he claimed literally campaigned on prosecuting Donald Trump even before she knew anything about me.

Mr Trump then also criticised Ms James for going after me through his former fixer, Michael Cohen, whom he described as a lying, discredited low life, who was not listened to or given credibility by other prosecutorial offices, and sentenced to three years in prison for lying and other events unrelated to me.

These investigations have also been going on for years with members and associates of the Trump Organization being viciously attacked, harassed, and threatened, in order to say anything bad about the 45th President of the United States, he added.

And he accused prosectors of trying to prevent him from running for the White House again in 2024.

That is what these investigations are all about  a continuation of the greatest political Witch Hunt in the history of the United States, he said.

Working in conjunction with Washington, these Democrats want to silence and cancel millions of voters because they dont want Trump to run again.

The one-term president also claimed that New York prosecutors were only going after him becasue those in Washington had failed.

After prosecutorial efforts the likes of which nobody has ever seen before, they failed to stop me in Washington, so they turned it over to New York to do their dirty work, he said.

This is what I have been going through for years. Its a very sad and dangerous tale for our Country, but it is what it is, and we will overcome together.

Mr Trump, who referred to himself in the third person seven times in the lengthy statement posted on his blog, added: I have built a great company, employed thousands of people, and all I do is get unfairly attacked and abused by a corrupt political system.

And he told prosecutors that if they focused on real issues, crime would be obliterated, and New York would be great and free again!

The New York attorney generals investigation is running parallel to one being conducted by the Manhattan district attorney Cyrus Vance.

Earlier this year Mr Vances investigators won access to Mr Trumps personal and business tax returns, which he had fought to keep secret and has refused to make public like previous presidents.
As the coronavirus pandemic rages on, health officials have pushed the importance of Covid-19 vaccines in an effort to protect a majority of Americans, and the rest of the world, against the novel virus.

Already 158 million Americans, or 47.7 per cent, have received at least one dose of a Covid-19 vaccine and 124 million Americans, or 37.5 per cent, are fully vaccinated against the virus, according to data released by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Health officials would now have to reach those who are hesitant about the vaccine, as the country works to reach herd immunity. But questions still remain among some people about the available vaccines safety and efficacy.

The Independent has answered some of the most searched questions about the Covid-19 vaccines.

Is the Covid vaccine FDA approved?

A recurring issue among the vaccine-hesitant is the difference between FDA emergency use authorisation versus full approval for the Covid-19 vaccines.

Currently, there are three pharmaceutical companies that have emergency use authorisation (EUA) for their Covid-19 vaccines: Pfizer/BioNTech, Moderna, and Johnson & Johnson.

Usually, the FDA can take one year or longer to give a drug full approval. But the pandemic encouraged the federal health agency to issue emergency use authorisation to the three different companies for their Covid-19 vaccines. The emergency use authorisation allowed for companies to apply for the approval with just two months of clinical data.

For an EUA to be issued for a vaccine, for which there is adequate manufacturing information to ensure quality and consistency, FDA must determine that the known and potential benefits outweigh the known and potential risks of the vaccine, the FDA states on its website.

The federal health agency has maintained, though, that safety standards were not loosened when issuing emergency use authorisation to the available Covid-19 vaccines.

Covid-19 vaccines are undergoing a rigorous development process that includes tens of thousands of study participants to generate the needed non-clinical, clinical, and manufacturing data, the agency said.

Pfizer announced earlier this month that it has applied for full approval for its Covid-19 vaccine in people ages 16 years and older from the FDA. Moderna has also indicated it will submit its application for full approval in the coming weeks.

If approved, the companies could then market their shots directly to consumers and possibly alter the pricing of the doses. Currently the vaccine is available for free to Americans through the federal government.

The approval would also allow the vaccines to remain on the market after the pandemic because they would no longer have emergency authorisation.

 Barack Obama urges Americans to get vaccinated in TV special

Is it safe to get the Covid vaccine when pregnant?

When Covid-19 vaccines first received emergency use authorisation in December, researchers knew little about how the jab could impact pregnant women. This was because pregnant women were excluded from initial clinical trials.

Several studies have since come to light and have shown positive preliminary results of the vaccines impact for pregnant women.

In one study, published in JAMA: The Journal of the American Medical Association earlier this month, Pfizer and Modernas vaccines sparked a robust immune response in pregnant and lactating women. The results also indicated that the vaccines protected the women against the novel virus.

Then a second study, published in the journal Obstetrics & Gynecology last week, revealed that there was no evidence the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine caused damage to the placenta in pregnant women.

Based on the current data available, the CDC and FDA have authorised the vaccines for anyone who is pregnant or planning to become pregnant. But the health agencies do recommend for women to consult with their healthcare provider if they are unsure about the potential effects of the vaccine.

You might want to have a conversation with your healthcare provider to help you decide whether to get vaccinated. While such a conversation might be helpful, it is not required before vaccination, CDC states on its website.

(AFP via Getty Images)

Which Covid vaccine is better?

According to clinical data, the Pfizer vaccine is 95 per cent effective in preventing Covid-19 disease two weeks after the second dose of the jab. Modernas vaccine is 94 per cent effective in preventing Covid-19 disease two weeks after the second dose.

A new study released by the CDC has also found that a single dose of Pfizers or Modernas Covid vaccine was 80 per cent effective in preventing infections.

The single-dose Johnson & Johnson vaccine is 66 to 72 per cent effective in preventing Covdi-19 disease about two weeks after the jab.

So Pfizer and Modernas vaccines have demonstrated a higher effectiveness against the novel virus, but that doesnt mean they are necessarily better to get.

Johnson & Johnsons vaccine has a higher efficacy against severe disease from Covid-19 compared to its effectiveness against disease from all symptoms related to the novel virus, which health experts have called a game changer.

The overall efficacy for severe disease was 85 per cent, Dr Anthony Fauci said during a White House Covid press briefing in April. There were essentially no hospitalisations or deaths in the vaccine group, whereas with the placebo group there were. We have a value-added vaccine candidate.

Experts have also pointed out that none of the three vaccines have gone head-to-head in determining which was the most effective. Instead, the vaccines were tested differently in clinical trials around the world, making comparing the three jabs nearly impossible.

 Pfizer CEO says oral Covid vaccine could be ready by next year

Is it safe for 12 year olds to get the Covid vaccine?

Pfizers Covid-19 vaccine is the only vaccine currently available in the US that has received emergency use authorisation for children ages 12 to 18 years old.

Both Moderna and Johnson & Johnsons vaccine are approved for emergency use in those ages 18 years and older.

Federal health officials authorised the Pfizer vaccine for children ages 12 to 15 years old last week after clinical trials showed the jab was safe and effective against the novel virus for that age group. Since then, the US has administered more than 600,000 vaccines to that age group, CDC Director Dr Rochelle Walensky revealed on Tuesday.

So yes, the vaccines have been found to be safe in children 12 years and older.

Children are more likely to be asymptomatic or develop mild symptoms from Covid-19 if they contract the novel virus. But some children have still experienced severe symptoms or transmitted the virus to others, which is why health officials prioritised vaccinating all age groups.

How long does the Covid vaccine last?

Studies are ongoing about how long immunity lasts after people are fully vaccinated against Covid-19.

Recent data released by Pfizer has indicated the immunity from its vaccine lasts at least six months after the second dose. In the study, there was minimal antibody decline after six months. Similarly, results from Moderna showed that participants had a high level of antibodies in their system after six months of becoming fully vaccinated.

Critics have taken this information and concluded that it means the vaccines only offer six months of protection against the virus, but this conclusion is incorrect.

Given these are breakthrough vaccines that have only been administered to large segments of the public since December, the data is limited for researchers to determine how long immune response lasts. Experts hypothesise immune response could last months longer.

Covid-19 variants are also another variable experts are considering when determining immunity. Several highly transmissible variants are circulating the US and around the world, but there is no indication yet that these will diminish vaccine efficacy.

Pharmaceutical companies are researching potential booster shots to their vaccines that would increase someones antibody count in the future, which could be used if antibody count and vaccine efficacy diminish.

 Biden announces Covid vaccines available for all adults

Where to get the Covid vaccine?

The Biden administration has worked alongside state governments and pharmacies to provide Americans with easy access to the available Covid-19 vaccines.

Vaccines.gov is an online website developed by the CDC to assist people in finding a location near them offering vaccination appointments. Additionally, individual states also have their own portals that detail vaccine sites in someones surrounding area and if appointments are available.

Large pharmaceutical chains like CVS, Walgreens, and RiteAid have also collaborated with the federal government to provide Covid-19 vaccines to customers.

Individuals looking to receive a vaccine at a pharmacy can go directly to the stores website to set up an appointment at a nearby location.

Is it safe to not wear a mask after getting the Covid vaccine?

For the most part, the CDC guidance states that fully vaccinated Americans are allowed to participate in normal activities without wearing a mask or social distancing.

"If you are fully vaccinated, you can start doing the things that you had stopped doing because of the pandemic," Dr Walensky said during a White House press briefing last week when announcing the new guidance.

According to the CDC, vaccinated individuals no longer have to wear a mask for indoor and outdoor activities, including eating at a restaurant, participating in an exercise class, and attending an outdoor event like a concert.

This same guidance also applies to social distancing.

Previous guidance recommended for vaccinated individuals to wear a mask when indoors if they were around other people who have yet to receive a vaccine. But Dr Walensky said this would no longer be required.

"The science demonstrates that if you are fully vaccinated, you are protected. It is the people not vaccinated who are not protected," she said.

"The science is also very clear about unvaccinated people: you remain at risk of mild or severe illness, of death, or of spreading the disease," Dr Walensky added. "You should still mask, and you should get vaccinated right away."

The CDC still requires all Americans to wear masks when on aeroplanes or other public transportation like trains and busses.
Attacks by Israeli forces on residential homes in Gaza should be investigated as war crimes, Amnesty International said on Monday.

Calling the attacks crimes against humanity, the human rights body said that Israel was displaying a shocking disregard for the lives of Palestinian civilians.

Amnesty International has appealed to the International Criminal Court (ICC) to investigate the deadly attacks by Israel on the residential homes without prior warning. The death toll in Gaza is more than 200 now. More than 1200 have been injured in the latest spate of violence. In Israel, 10 people have lost their lives.

Saleh Higazi, Amnesty Internationals deputy director for the Middle East and North Africa, said: There is a horrific pattern emerging of Israel launching airstrikes in Gaza targeting residential buildings and family homes  in some cases, entire families were buried beneath the rubble when the buildings they lived in collapsed.

He added that in some cases no prior warning was given to the civilian residents to allow them to escape. Under international humanitarian law, all parties must distinguish between military targets and civilian objects and direct their attacks only at military objectives. When carrying out attacks, parties must take all feasible precautions to minimise harm to civilians.

Israels brazen deadly attacks on Gaza, Amnesty International said, demonstrates a callous disregard for the lives of Palestinian civilians who are already suffering the collective punishment of Israels illegal blockade on Gaza since 2007.

According to Al Mezan Center for Human Rights, at least 152 residential properties in Gaza have been destroyed since 11 May. The Palestinian Ministry of Public Works and Housing in Gaza said, Israeli strikes have destroyed 94 buildings, comprising 461 housing and commercial units while 285 housing units have been severely damaged and rendered uninhabitable.

More than 2,500 people have been made homeless due to the destruction of their homes and more than 38,000 people have been internally displaced and have sought shelter in 48 UNRWA (Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees) schools across Gaza, the Amnesty statement to the media read.

The global human rights body also blamed Palestinian armed groups for indiscriminate rocket-fire towards civilian areas of Israel that killed and injured civilians.

The statement also said that Amnesty International has previously published evidence that the Israeli military had a deliberate policy of targeting family homes during the 2014 conflict.

The US President Joe Biden, meanwhile, has expressed support for a ceasefire in a phone call with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Monday. The airstrikes between Israel and Hamas continue as fighting enters the second week.
Its been three years since that sunny bank holiday weekend when the world watched Prince Harry and his Californian bride, Meghan Markle, walk down the aisle at St Georges Chapel in Windsor.

We pored over every much-publicised detail. Her Givenchy dress; the Botswana diamond ring; a bouquet of Princess Dianas favourite forget-me-nots; Prince Charles accompanying Meghan to the altar; the conspicuous absence of her own father.

Today, by contrast, we expect the relationship milestone to be shrouded in more privacy. No anniversary social media post (the Sussexes had to forgo their official Instagram page when they stepped back from royal duties  the perfect punishment for rebellious young people); no behind-the-scenes video of Meghan eating breakfast in bed unwrapping her leather-themed present; and no congratulatory message on Twitter from the in-laws. At most, perhaps, another themed charity fundraiser added to the Archewell portfolio  for Archies birthday, the couple requested money for vaccine equity (when did kids stop wanting Scalextric?).

This is the new era of the Sussexes. Harry and Meghan 2.0: the Montecito years. We should not be surprised that the couple are simultaneously leaning more into the private family life they said they always wanted, while continuing to give themselves (and their work) enough publicity to turn a profit and pay the bills without support. And yet the world is incensed.

In making a bid for freedom, the couple have entered a PR purgatory, where they are roundly criticised no matter what they do. If they share nothing, theyre condemned for withholding from the public. If they overshare, they are accused of relentlessly courting publicity. If you thought there was a middle ground where they could perhaps share a little without compromising their boundaries, the reaction to the single, sepia-toned photo of Archie on his second birthday  criticised for obscuring his face  proves otherwise.

With the upcoming birth of their daughter, the writing is already on the wall. Given the couple resisted many of the traditional expectations around Archies birth despite still being in the royal fold  giving birth at the Lindo Wing, the photographs on the hospital steps, the public christening, sharing the godparents names  it would be entirely logical to deduce they will go even further to protect their second child. Especially one who arrives after the tragedy of a miscarriage.

We can already see that the duke and duchess are likely to take their time in deciding how and when to release information about their daughter, perhaps waiting days or even weeks to do it on their own terms. Given theyve not even specified the month of her due date, this shouldnt be impossible. In time we might get a photograph, but if youre expecting a Facebook album uploaded from the birthing pool, think again.

However they approach the birth, we should know by now that they are damned if they do and damned if they dont. However much, or little, they decide to share, the criticism will continue all the same.

Since stepping back, Harry and Meghan are no longer just public figures but pantomime villains for the haters, and moral crusaders for the fans. In the world of the Sussexes, there are no floating voters. A fairly damning video made by YouTubers Josh Pieters and Archie Manners demonstrated just how entrenched the court of opinion is, as royal commentators analysed and derided the content of the Oprah Winfrey interview, while reportedly not yet having seen it.

Indeed the narrative around Meghan and Harry is no longer about how they behave, only about how it further entrenches each camps position. Whether or not what Harry and Meghan choose to do is entirely reasonable or actually quite annoying, the headlines remain the same.

If theyd flown the gilded nest at a cost to the public purse, theyd have been riding the palace gravy train. Instead theyve cut ties and are now doing their best millennial job hunter act (perhaps they, too, write their CV while watching reruns of Homes Under The Hammer), and still theyre accused of everything from plagiarising childrens books to cashing in on their royal status. When they keep mental health struggles a secret, theyre accused of lying; when they talk about them openly, news bulletins scream Royal whinger: Prince Harry at it again.

Their partnerships with Netflix, Spotify, Apple TV, and others, have been viewed in some quarters as the ultimate monetisation of the royal brand, serving up a slice of the Queen to Silicon Valley capitalists. But would critics rather that they settle for something less in your face? A rattan armchair collab with John Lewis? A legend of banter slogan T-shirt range on QVC? It is clear that all the options on the table come with a side order of critique.

Fundamentally, for them to want to make money to pay their mortgage with the best offers available, to wish to correct false representations in the press, but to also keep their family life behind closed doors is not an inherent contradiction or a wildly ambitious ask. Yet in trying to take control of the narrative, theyve sealed their own fate and put a target on their backs.

Many people dont want the Sussexes to have it all, for the plan to have worked out and for them to ride into the sunset to live happily ever after. Instead they are forever baying at the sidelines, ready to give a thumbs down. To shout into the echo chamber and hear back: you were right all along.
Since 1963, The Independent has helped create a great community!

Since our founding in September of 1963, The Independent has been dedicated to giving Livermore, Pleasanton, Dublin, and Sunol readers the news they need to be in-the-know about what's going on in the Tri-Valley region.


remaining of

Thank you for Reading! On your next view you will be asked to log in to your subscriber account or create an account and subscribepurchase a subscription to continue reading.
Mam | Media And Advertising

Publicis Worldwide India wins creative mandate for Godrej ProClean After a hotly contested pitch, Publicis Worldwide India has been chosen by Godrej Consumer Products Ltd. (GCPL) to manage the integrated creative duties for Godrej ProClean, a newly launched range of floor, toilet, and bathroom cleaners. Godrej ProClean marks GCPL's foray into the Rs.2600 crore surface cleaning and disinfecting solutions market that has witnessed fast growth after the pandemic hit last year. Read More...

Mam | Media And Advertising

Vodafone Idea appoints Reema Jain as chief digital officer Vodafone Idea Ltd has appointed Reema Jain as its chief digital officer. She will lead the company's digital strategies, execution, and adoption. Jain will report directly to managing director and chief executive officer Ravinder Takkar. Read More...

Mam | Marketing

Nivedita Basu to head content and acquisition with Biiggbang Amusement Biiggbang Amusement, the recently launched short-form OTT content platform has appointed Nivedita Basu as the head of content and acquisition. In her new role, Basu will be in charge of strengthening the platform's content library. Read More...

Mam | Marketing

iProspect India wins digital mandate for AU Small Finance Bank iProspect, the digital-first end-to-end media agency from the house of dentsu India, has won the digital mandate for AU Small Finance Bank, a Scheduled Commercial Bank and Fortune India 500 Company. As per the mandate, the agency will handle the entire gamut of digital duties for AU Bank including performance and branding campaigns. Read More...
The study carried out by the Carlos III Health Institute in Spain has concluded that the under-60s who have already received one shot of the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine can be safely administered the Pfizer-BioNTech medication for their second dose. The recommendation comes after the Spanish Health Ministry suspended the use of AstraZeneca among this age group due to associations with rare cases of blood clots. Read more

18 Lions Missing And 100s Of Chicks Dead In Greater Gir

BCCL

Cyclone Tauktae's destructive shadow has also touched wildlife. At least 18 lions are missing from the districts of Amreli, Gir Somnath and Bhavnagar, as per TOI. These areas took the maximum hit. Senior forest officials said 18 lions were reported missing from Rajula and Jafrabad taluka of Amreli, Una and Kodinar talukas in Gir Somnath and Mahuva taluka of Bhavagar. 40 lions made these areas home, as per reports. Read more



Singapore Tells Kejriwal To 'Stick To Facts'

PTI

In what could be a major diplomatic embarrassment for India, Singapore foreign minister Vivian Balakrishnan slammed Delhi CM for his tweet on a dangerous variant in Singapore and said he should "stick to facts." The Delhi CM also demanded the Centre to ban flights from Singapore, claiming that they might carry the new strain of virus into India. Such a public statement has seemingly irked the Singapore government, which wasted no time to register its protest on the issue. Read more



What Happens If The Gap Between Two COVID-19 Vaccine Doses Exceed?

PTI

If you are someone who has been administered the first dose of the vaccine and are trying to schedule an appointment to book the second dose  but are also afraid that you will miss the stipulated time interval between the doses  we may be able to answer a few questions that will allay your fears. It is always better to follow the ideal gap recommended by each vaccine manufacturer for the best antibody response. Read more



PM Modi's Approval Ratings Touches A New Low

PTI

Prime Minister Narendra Modis approval ratings have fallen to a new low, according to a survey, as the country grapples with the devastating second wave of the coronavirus pandemic. Narendra Modi, who swept to power in 2014 and was re-elected in 2019 with the biggest majority of any leader in three decades, has long fostered the image of a powerful nationalist leader. However, the mishandling of the second wave of the pandemic did put a dent to his image. Read more
In a shocking report from Beed, Maharashtra, a man fled with the body of his wife, who died of COVID, from the COVID ward of the civil hospital. But the body was brought back after police warned him.

Beed police booked him plus 3 relatives for illegally taking the body.

The woman, a resident of Gevrai taluka, died on May 17 at 5 am after her condition deteriorated in the last few days. She was admitted to the hospital on April 23, according to a TOI report.



iStock

Request denied amid COVID protocols

According to Additional Civil Surgeon, Sukhdev Rathod, the woman's husband had demanded her body to perform her last rites. However, his request was denied keeping in view Covid protocols.

"The man argued that his wife's report came negative in the antigen test conducted on Sunday and wanted to take the body to the home town. When his request was turned denied, he quietly sneaked out of the hospital with the body as hospital staff got busy with other duties," the report quoted Rathod as saying.

iStock

The matter came to light after the Class IV employees went to the ward to wrap up the body and take it to the morgue. The hospital authorities immediately contacted the police who in turn asked the man to hand over the body to the hospital.

Meanwhile, a hospital nurse has filed a complaint in this regard. The accused and three others have been booked under various sections of the IPC and Epidemic Diseases Act.


A massive ice sheet in Greenland, which is regarded as the second largest on Earth is on the verge of reaching the tipping point as it experiences accelerated melting due to climate change.

Reuters

Failing to take this seriously could result in the entire ice sheet melting completely, and could raise the global sea levels by 7 metres.



This is according to the researchers at the University of Copenhagen and the Arctic University of Norway (study published in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences) who were studying the Jakobshavn basin thats located in central-western Greenland and is one of the five largest basins on the island.

Researchers have been observing a variety of data going all the way back to the 1880s, noting height changes, temperature records as well as simulated modelling for this research.

In their analysis, they have found that the ice sheet that has been observed for the last 140 years is now suffering from a reduction in the height due to melting when exposed to warmer air than usual.

They believe that this could be resulting in a continuous loop, with warmer temperatures causing more of the ice to melt. This has also caused the ice sheet to experience further destabilisation.

Dr Niklas Boers, the lead author of the study explains, We might be seeing the beginning of a large-scale destabilisation, but at the moment, we cannot tell, unfortunately. So far, the signals we see are only regional, but that might simply be due to the scarcity of accurate and long-term data for other parts of the ice sheet.

Reuters

Researchers added in the study, We show that the melt-elevation feedback is likely to be responsible for the observed destabilization. Our results suggest substantially enhanced melting in the near future.



Boers and researchers highlight the need to monitor other parts of the Greenland ice sheet more closely to better understand the future evolution of the ice sheet.
File photo of author and physician Dr. Abraham Verghese posing as he presents his book "Rueckkehr nach Missing" (Return to Missing) at the International Book Fair in the central German city of Frankfurt am Main, on Oct. 14, 2009. (Michael Gottschalk/DDP/AFP via Getty Images)
Cameron Hunt and his father Calvin Hunt stand outside a building in midtown Manhattan on March 30 with signs of support for Asian Americans. The web portal Stop AAPI Hate logged 6,603 self-reported anti-Asian American hate crime cases from March 2020 to the end of March 2021. About 43 percent of the hate crime attacks were against Chinese Americans; bias-motivated crimes against Indian Americans made up 1.8 percent of the reported cases. (Michael M. Santiago/Getty Images)
People We Meet on Vacation

By Emily Henry

Berkley. 384 pp. $16

Reviewed by Alicia Rancilio

A truly good romantic comedy, whether it be a novel or a movie, justifies why two people are drawn to each other. It builds a case for the relationship so it makes sense why theyre together.

In Emily Henrys latest book, People We Meet on Vacation, the author of Beach Read does just that, introducing Poppy and Alex, two polar opposites who met in college but happened to both be from the same town in Ohio. Its a shared ride home for the summer (hello, wink to one of the greatest rom-coms ever, When Harry Met Sally) where they talk about everything and anything, and a friendship is born.

The two remain best friends even beyond college when their lives take them to different places. Poppy moves to New York to become a travel writer. Alex moves back home to teach. They establish a tradition to take a vacation together every year to catch up. Each time they reunite, Poppy and Alex reestablish their rapport, as if no time has passed. The vacation is a sacred ritual to look forward to, no matter whom theyre dating or what theyre doing.

Except something happened on their last trip to Croatia two years ago that caused a rift, and now Poppy and Alex havent spoken in two years. Poppy gets up the nerve to propose another trip with the hope of getting her friend back, and to her delight, Alex agrees.

The book jumps around in its timeline, to past vacations and present day  detailing their history and orbit around the other.

What Henry is especially skilled at is writing dialogue. The banter between Poppy and Alex is so natural, quick and witty that it would make Shonda Rhimes do a slow clap. It also reminds the reader why these two come alive with each other in a way that they do not with anyone else.

Whether or not Poppy or Alex can resolve their difference remains to be seen, but Henry creates a story where youll want to stick with it to see what happens.
Nicole Hurd, a historian of American religion who spent the last 15 years founding and leading an organization that broadened access to college for low-income and underrepresented students, will become the new president of Lafayette College in Easton this summer.

The college announced her hiring on Wednesday. Shell take the helm as Lafayette prepares to open for a fall semester expected to return campus life to close to its pre-pandemic status.

Well return to normal, but lets do normal even better, said Hurd, 51.

She will replace Alison Byerly, a Glenside native who led Lafayette for eight years and is leaving to become the president of Carleton College in Minnesota.

The leadership change is one of almost a dozen recently announced at area colleges or expected over the next year. They come as schools across the nation begin to emerge from the pandemic, having endured some of the most challenging financial, health, and enrollment issues in decades  not only from the pandemic, but also as the number of high school graduates declines. Colleges, like many other institutions, also are dealing with a racial reckoning and calls to improve conditions for students of color.

 READ MORE: Lafayette president raises money by doing cannonballs and rapping "Hamilton'

Lehigh University in April announced that Joseph Helble, a 1982 alumnus and provost at Dartmouth, would become the Bethlehem schools new president in August. Helble, who got a bachelors degree in chemical engineering at Lehigh, replaces John D. Simon, who will step down after six years.

Earlier this month, Dickinson College said its president, Margee M. Ensign, would resign effective June 30 after only four years. She said she will return to her previous job as president of American University of Nigeria (AUN), where she helped young girls who had been captured by the radical organization Boko Haram. She welcomed some of them to Dickinson, in Carlisle.

I felt called to continue the education and peace work we had started through the university, she said in a statement. The institution has been without a president for six months and conditions for education are deteriorating in the region. I will try to make a difference, to work for the common good.

John E. Jones III, chair of the Dickinson board of trustees and chief judge for the U.S. Middle District of Pennsylvania, will step in as interim president for two years, the college said. Jones, a 1977 Dickinson alumnus who was appointed to the federal post by President George W. Bush in 2002, will retire from the bench this summer and resign from the board, the college said.

 READ MORE: Dickinson College president open doors to former captives of terrorist group, and it's not the first time

Temple University also is expected to announce a new president soon. Richard M. Englert, the current president, said last summer that he would retire after 45 years in various roles at Temple.

The University of Pennsylvania also is expected to launch a search for a new president in the months ahead. Amy Gutmanns contract expires in June 2022. Gutmann, 71, who became president in 2004, will be Penns longest-serving president.

La Salle Universitys president, Colleen Hanycz is leaving next month to become president of Xavier University in Ohio. Moore College of Art & Design, Chestnut Hill, and Pennsylvania State University also announced recently that their presidents would be leaving next year, while Rutgers-Camden hired a new chancellor in April and Holy Family University, a new president the same month.

 READ MORE: Temple University launches search for new president

Hurd, who begins at Lafayette in July, said she will try to help students, faculty, and staff reset, renew, and recommit to each other as the school comes out of largely remote instruction this past academic year.

Part of leading is acknowledging when hard things have happened, she said. Its acknowledging the ways people have weathered this together and thinking about ways we can go forward together.

Hurd, a California native, got her bachelors degree in history from the University of Notre Dame, her masters degree in liberal studies from Georgetown, and her doctorate in religious studies from the University of Virginia. Her thesis work for her doctorate, which centered on St. Katharine Drexel, brought her to Philadelphia quite a bit, she said. She flew with some Sisters of the Blessed Sacrament to Rome in 2000 when Drexel was being canonized.

She is married and has two children, one a student at the University of Virginia and the other about to begin at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

Hurd is CEO of College Advising Corps, which she said has helped more than 525,000 students get into college with the aid of 800 recent college graduates who serve as advisers. She started the organization in 2005, when she was assistant dean and director of undergraduate excellence at the University of Virginia. It currently works with 31 colleges and universities, including Franklin & Marshall in Lancaster.

My journey has really been about making sure every student has access to the American dream and access to college, she said.
BRUSSELS  The European Union has agreed to open its borders to vaccinated Americans and others, after more than a year in which travel into the bloc has been severely restricted, a spokesman said Wednesday.

The decision represents a formal turning point away from the eerie, economy-sapping status quo of the coronavirus pandemic, when major cities in the 27-nation bloc have been empty of tourists.

Officials said the reopening could take effect within days of final approval, which is expected this week or next and is not in doubt after ambassadors agreed to the plan on Wednesday.

Today, E.U. ambassadors agreed to update the approach to travel from outside the European Union, European Commission spokesman Christian Wigand told reporters. The European Council now recommends that member states ease some restrictions, in particular for those vaccinated with an E.U.-authorized vaccine.

That means all the coronavirus vaccines available in the United States would allow travel, but vaccines manufactured in Russia and China would not be. The E.U. guidance is not binding, so some countries could choose to be more or less restrictive than the bloc as a whole.

Another matter that still needs to be sorted out: Some E.U. countries currently require quarantines of all new arrivals, regardless of vaccination status. Belgium and France, for instance, require seven days. But European policymakers are working on a plan to sweep away those rules. A full proposal is expected as soon as Friday, though it could take several weeks to implement.

Britain, which is no longer a member of the European Union, has a separate set of rules, with no special treatment yet for vaccinated travelers. A traffic-light system sets out requirements based on the risk presented by different countries. Americans can travel there, but they must quarantine for at least five days.

Europes vaccination campaign has lagged behind those of the United States and Britain, though it has picked up speed recently. Some officials have been reluctant to grant privileges to vaccinated foreigners that were unavailable to large portions of their own unvaccinated populations. But that worry is diminishing by the day  the E.U. pace is now faster than that in the United States.

 READ MORE: Philly rolls out plan for vaccinating seniors and disabled people at home as advocates ask what took so long

One-third of E.U. residents have received at least one dose of a vaccine, compared with 48% of U.S. residents. The E.U. percentage is where the United States was six weeks ago.

Within the European Union, Mediterranean countries have pushed hardest to find a way to reopen. Greece, Italy and Spain depend heavily on tourism, and that saw their economies contract more than their northern neighbors during the pandemic.

Greece decided it could not wait and last month opened to Americans and residents of dozens of other countries even while lockdown restrictions limited its appeal as a destination.

Some people in tourist-dependent countries now say the coordinated E.U. plan is welcome, but it may come somewhat late, making it hard to salvage the initial months of the travel season.

The actual expectations so far are pretty low that 2021 will resemble something normal, said Luigi Panella, 47, a limousine driver who deals mostly with British and American clients along Italys Amalfi Coast.

Massimo Pasqualetti, 45, who co-operates a food and wine tour group in Tuscany, said interest in his company is beginning to pick up; it is 10% of what it used to be. Across Tuscany, he said hes starting to notice the first trickle of tourists.

A month ago, we saw nothing. Nothing was moving, Pasqualetti said. But we are suddenly more optimistic than before.

He said that his income collapsed last year, and that the business survived only because he and his partner began offering online-based cooking classes: everybody in their own kitchen, around the world, cooking Tuscan ragu and pasta.

Our aim, this whole time, has been, Lets survive, lets survive, " he said. I think we are going to survive.

 READ MORE: Penn researcher explains why COVID-19 affects our sense of smell | 5 Questions

As part of the same decision on Wednesday, the European Union plans to expand a list of countries deemed to have the pandemic under sufficient control, such that people can travel from there regardless of their vaccination status. The new criteria for the list would still be tight enough that it would exclude the United States, though the country could conceivably make the cut sometime in June if cases continue to decline at their current pace.

The European Union will also implement what it is calling an emergency brake  an automatic halt to travel from countries where cases are spiking, in an effort to hold back more dangerous variants of the coronavirus.

E.U. countries are separately trying to streamline travel inside the bloc, which is stymied by a patchwork of rules about quarantines, tests and vaccines. Progress on what are officially known as green certificates, but informally understood as COVID-19 passports, could be announced as soon as Friday. The goal is for Europeans to be able to prove that they are vaccinated, have a recent negative coronavirus test or have recently had the disease and probably will not spread it. E.U. officials hope that the program will be operational by mid-June, and that it will reduce quarantining and testing requirements.

Because individual countries will still be able to set their own rules about what they require from aspiring visitors, it is possible that some of the more cautious ones will still ask vaccinated travelers to quarantine. But those kinds of rules will probably start dropping away as the European Union adapts its rules to diminishing fears that vaccinated travelers could still spread the virus.

Wednesdays decision gradually opens safe travel from and to the EU, tweeted Ylva Johansson, the top E.U. official charged with home affairs.

Harlan reported from Rome. The Washington Posts Quentin Aries in Brussels contributed to this report.
Philadelphias investigation into the treatment of MOVE victims remains will focus not only on the box discovered at the Medical Examiners Office last week, but also on a review of the citys handling of all remains from the infamous 1985 bombing  including those transferred between two Ivy League universities, Mayor Jim Kenney said Tuesday.

The investigation will go as wide and as deep as we can and will also scrutinize policies and procedures in the Medical Examiners Office, Kenney said during a meeting with The Inquirers editorial board.

This is  a 36-year-old incident that has been mishandled for a long time, he said. We would like to be the administration that gets to the bottom of everything that happened and put in place procedures and policies to keep it from happening again.

The nearly 40-minute interview with the mayor and members of his staff represented one of the most expansive explanations about the tumultuous week for his administration, which included Health Commissioner Thomas Farleys confession that he authorized the quiet cremation and disposal of MOVE victims four years ago  an admission that led to his ouster  and then the discovery of those remains intact in a basement office on Friday.

Kenney noted he was in his 20s when the police standoff with the West Philadelphia activist group led to the bombing and fire that killed six adults and five children and destroyed scores of surrounding homes.

We want this thorough and final, Kenney said. And then we also want to figure out a way to kind of deal with this heartbreak and this sin of Philadelphia thats never been dealt with directly or in an appropriate way as it relates to the death of these Philadelphians at the hands of the government and the death of these children.

The decades since have brought multiple inquiries, including the work of the MOVE Commission, a grand jury probe, and a long civil trial. The citys new investigation will defer to the previous commissions report for details of the bombing, and will only focus on the handling of victims remains, said Deana Gamble, a spokesperson for Kenney.

The mayor would not commit to a timeline for the investigation, which will be run by the Dechert law firm and include a lawyer representing the relatives of MOVE victims. But among the new details he did disclose Tuesday was that the cardboard box discovered in a refrigerated area Friday contained 11 different specimens and included both bone fragments and pieces of organs.

It was unclear whether the remains belonged to a single victim or multiple victims, he said. But the words MOVE and save had been written on the box. Kenney did not say who wrote them or why, but he did say how the box came to be found: by an employee in the Medical Examiners Office who had been on vacation when Farley resigned but returned to work Friday.

She told the medical examiner, I do believe I think I know where that box is, and went and retrieved it, he said.

Gamble said it is still unclear why Farleys 2017 order to dispose of the remains was not followed. Its a critical question we aim to uncover during the investigation, she said.

One of the specimens was marked with the name of a victim, Kenney said. The rest were labeled with letters that City Solicitor Diana Cortes said appear to correspond to folders of documents that were found in the second box, but city officials are not yet sure what the letters represented.

(Mike Africa Jr., a relative of the MOVE victims, told The Inquirer later Tuesday that the family had reviewed a box of documents related to the handling of the remains. He declined to discuss what he learned, except to say, Its much, much worse than we thought.)

Jim Engler, Kenneys chief of staff, said the investigation will also lead to changes in the Medical Examiners Office.

How do we put in place policies and practices going forward that are going to make us an example that we want to stand up to people? he said. Because obviously right now both the city and the medical examiner are not that.

Medical examiners typically keep small samples from an organ or other tissue from an autopsy after returning the body to the family or a funeral home, Kenney said. In Philadelphia, as in other medical examiners offices, those tissue samples are typically cremated and disposed without notifying relatives.

Kenney said the city will determine whether it is possible to have a policy of returning all remains to relatives. We might be the only Medical Examiners Office in the future that actually returns all the remains to the family, Kenney said.

The citys investigation will also look at how and why remains were handed over to other institutions.

The University of Pennsylvania has launched its own investigation, after disclosing that the remains of one child victim had been shuttled between it and Princeton University, and even used in classes. The Penn Museum has arranged to return the bone fragments.

The Dechert-led investigation will now be conducted in coordination with the investigations also underway by Penn and Princeton, Gamble said.

Farley had said in a statement last week that it was the news from the universities that made him reconsider and acknowledge his 2017 decision to order the remains destroyed. .

Even after learning about it, the mayor said, he never spoke directly with Farley about the matter, in part because he was angry. I didnt think there would have been a benefit for me at that particular point in my emotion to have that conversation, he said.

Kenney said the deaths of the five children and the mishandling of their remains have bothered him the most in the last week. On Tuesday, he choked up while discussing it.

I, the first couple nights, stayed up looking at the ceiling thinking about those kids, he said. And somebody told me that they believe that one of the explanations of all of this is that all of those folks are not at rest and have still been not at rest since the time they were killed. And that somehow we have to bring them to a point of rest and were going to do our best to do that.

Africa said Kenney cried during his meetings with the family last week, and said he would like to believe that his tears were genuine and that Kenneys desire to show sensitivity to the family is sincere.

But given the track record of the city I cant have any faith in that, he said.

Staff writers Sean Collins Walsh and Craig McCoy contributed to this article.
Crystal Heath logs the numbers in her calendar, each marking another day the murder of her only son remains unsolved.

This month, Heath, 56, is well past Day 2,000  and the sixth-year anniversary since Edwin J. Heath Sr. was shot and killed on May 13, 2015, in Bear, Del.

I could write one of these stories every day in Philadelphia and still not get to every mother. So what am I doing shifting my focus, even briefly, some 50 miles away?

Its the documenting of devastating loss that crosses every boundary, every town and city line.

While not everyone who loses a loved one to gun violence keeps this kind of tally, they know the torture of delayed justice.

For most of us, counting the days means counting down  to a birthday, a vacation, retirement. Its a journey to an endpoint, a recognition of light at the end of a tunnel.

But Heaths not sure when her somber ritual will end, or if it ever will.

So she fills up calendars with numbers, but also with endless efforts to keep her sons memory, and murder, from being forgotten.

Theres the advocacy organization she started two years after he died. The 5K walk/run she started in 2019 in memory of those lost to gun violence. The fellowship of families who know her pain.

Thats when my focus shifted a little bit, she said of connecting with other families. where I thought, OK, youre going to get through it because you have other mothers that you can support, and you can all support each other.

There are also the calls and meetings with the New Castle County Police Department, to whom Heath is no stranger.

Police Chief Vaughn Bond recalled the first time he heard Heath kept count of the days since losing her son.

It struck a chord with me, he said. It shows you the level of hurt that shes going through and the level of pain.

He said Heaths vigilance has been instrumental in keeping the case alive, despite few clues from a grainy video.

Miss Heath is very involved, she has dedicated a lot of her time, and shes holding us accountable, Bond said. Shes calling up and shes asking us: What is going on in my case? Can I get an update? Were you able to follow up with whatever information we last discussed?

He added this, both endearing and heartbreaking: She has a notebook that rivals a detectives notebook.

But Bond also conceded that police have hit a wall, and the fatal shooting of Edwin Heath, shot in the head in broad daylight in front of two of his children, then 6 and 9, has been moved to the departments cold case unit.

Until just a few years ago, most of the homicides handled by the department were solved, Bond said. But as community cooperation decreases, so do answers. Last year most of the countys 11 homicides went unsolved, and Bond fears they are on track to repeat that trend this year.

Heath, a school therapist, moved to Delaware from New York City when her son was still a teenager, never imagining that she would lose her son to a place she took them for a fresh start.

I thought it was a safe environment, she said. We had a two-bedroom apartment and it was big. That was the biggest apartment weve ever had in my life, so he had his space and I had my space and it was great.

Heath struggles to understand why anyone would hurt her son. Eddie was funny. He loved to talk. He made people laugh ... He knew a lot of people, she said, but mostly opted to spend time with his four children. He was engaged to his youngest childs mother, and had recently gone back to school to be a phlebotomist.

He would have turned 40 on May 25, a milestone that Heath plans to mark by making some of his favorite foods: homemade macaroni and cheese, collard greens, rice and beans, and oxtails.

On bad days, as she watches the numbers in her calendar increase, Heath fears that no number is high enough, that no one will ever answer for her sons murder.

Shes considered ending her ritual. What will all the counting amount to in the end, anyway?

But then she flips the calendar page and keeps counting, and hoping.
While Israel and Hamas are trading bombs and rockets, some Israeli commentators cite examples of Arab-Israeli coexistence.

There was the Palestinian head nurse in the Israeli town of Afula (a substantial number of Israeli doctors and nurses are Arabs) who recited the holy Shema Yisrael prayer to a religious Jew dying of COVID-19 whose family couldnt reach him. And the Jewish trauma surgeon in Tel Aviv who praised his mixed team of doctors and nurses who treated Arabs wounded by Jewish extremists and Jews wounded by Hamas rockets with the same professionalism. (The wife of one of the Palestinian doctors had had her car set on fire by Jewish extremists in Lod, a mixed Arab-Jewish town now wracked by inter-communal violence.)

Such Arab-Jewish cooperation is what should be encouraged by the Israeli government. Yet these examples obscure the realities on the ground.

 READ MORE: Abraham accord won't resolve Palestinian issue | Trudy Rubin

The current crisis grew out of Prime Minister Benjamin Bibi Netanyahus apparent belief that he could ignore Palestinian rights, whether those of West Bankers, Gazans, or Israeli citizens. Under Netanyahu, Jewish settlements have expanded on the occupied West Bank to the point where Palestinians are mostly confined to chunks of unconnected territory with no prospect of future statehood.

Encouraged by Donald Trump, Bibi mistakenly believed that deals with peacemaking Gulf Arabs made the needs of the Palestinians irrelevant. This approach collapsed this past week.

Writes columnist Jack Khoury in the Israeli paper Haaretz: The Israeli government, which has become used to treating the Palestinians as a divided and spineless people, will have to change its approach  or else what happened over the past week will look like just a preview.

Its possible: it only has to see them as human beings.

The violence traces back to Netanyahus declaration that all of Jerusalem will remain under Israeli control, including the Arab neighborhoods in the east of the city. (Proponents of a two-state solution had imagined an open Jerusalem that would be capital to both Israel and a disarmed Palestinian state.)

The latest Israeli effort to evict 169 residents from the Sheikh Jarrah neighborhood of East Jerusalem to make way for far-right Jewish settlers  part of an unending series of evictions and demolition of Arab homes without compensation  was already roiling the citys Arab residents.

 READ MORE: They marched for racial justice, and now they march for Palestine. Are policymakers listening? | Will Bunch

The tinder was lit when Israeli police officers raided the Al-Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalems Old City on May 7. The police pretext was that stones were being thrown. But who in their right minds attacks the third holiest mosque of Islam with bullets, tear gas, and stun grenades on one of the holiest nights of Ramadan? Who pulls such a dangerous stunt at a time when Jerusalems Palestinians are convinced by the evictions  and by Israeli far-right marchers shouting Death to Arabs  that Israel wants to kick all Arabs out of the city.

There is some speculation that Bibi greenlit the operation in order to (successfully) bury an opposition effort to displace him as prime minister after an inconclusive election. Perhaps. Or perhaps the reason for the attack was simply that Netanyahu believes the concerns of Palestinians are irrelevant. Perhaps he assumed police could suppress any protests if worshippers were gassed or wounded. He didnt even act to prevent a second, similar raid on the mosque a few days later.

Instead, the mosque attack gave Gazas radical Hamas movement  which was floundering  the perfect excuse to claim it was the defender of Jerusalem and fire rockets at Israeli towns and cities. Never mind the war crime of attacking Israeli civilians and the cost to its own people, who have no control over the Hamas rockets. Trading on Palestinian anger over Jerusalem, Hamas promoted itself as superior to the aging leadership of its rival for leadership, the Palestinian Authority in the West Bank.

So by treating Palestinians as irrelevant, Bibi pulled off a nasty trifecta: He strengthened Hamas, provoked violence that has killed hundreds of (mostly Palestinian) civilians and threatened Israeli cities, while improving his political prospects.

 READ MORE: As my family shelters in Tel Aviv, Im unsettled that progressive Americans arent speaking up for Palestinians | Opinion

But he also provoked an Arab-Jewish civil war inside pre-1967 Israel. And among the many tragedies of the past weeks fighting, this is one of the saddest. Because instead of building on the many areas of coexistence, Netanyahu has treated Arab citizens with the same indifference he has shown to Palestinians on the West Bank.

On Bibis watch, a Jewish nation-state law made clear that Arabs were viewed as second-class citizens of Israel. Also on his watch, substantial numbers of far-right religious-nationalist Jews have been moving into mixed Arab-Jewish cities such as Lod, building large apartment complexes, and creating fears they mean to drive the Arab residents out.

And on Bibis watch, Israeli Arab political parties that have been electing growing numbers of Knesset (parliament) members have been repeatedly rejected as coalition partners  because of their ethnicity. What could have been an experiment in real coexistence has been lost.

Sooner rather than later there will be an Israel-Hamas ceasefire. But the violence will simmer and explode again unless Bibi recognizes reality.

The Palestinian population in Israel, the West Bank, and Gaza nearly equals the Jewish population, and Palestinians wont be passive forever.

First step: Recognize them as human beings.
Pennsylvania Republicans have nominated a veteran appeals court judge to be their partys nominee for Supreme Court justice, setting the stage for a high-stakes fight for an open seat on the states highest court.

Commonwealth Court Judge Kevin Brobson of Dauphin County defeated two GOP rivals, the Associated Press projected Wednesday. He will face Superior Court Judge Maria McLaughlin, a Philadelphia Democrat who ran unopposed for her partys nomination, in Novembers general election.

Theyll vie for a seat being vacated by Chief Justice Thomas Saylor, a Republican who reaches the mandatory retirement age this year. Democrats hold a 5-2 majority on the court, so the balance of power isnt in play.

The Supreme Court primary was the highest-profile judicial race on the ballot Tuesday. The court in the past few years has issued decisions on contentious issues like partisan gerrymandering, the rules for the 2020 election, and Gov. Tom Wolfs emergency powers.

 READ MORE: Pennsylvania elects most judges. Heres how the process works.

Brobson, who was first elected in 2009 and had the support of the state Republican Party, defeated appeals court judge Patricia A. McCullough and Philadelphia trial judge Paula Patrick.

McLaughlin was elected in 2017 to Superior Court, one of two statewide appellate courts, and was previously a trial judge and longtime prosecutor in the Philadelphia District Attorneys Office.

Voters on Tuesday also cast ballots in primary elections for Commonwealth Court and Superior Court, the states two intermediate appellate courts. The courts hear thousands of appeals each year, and only a select few reach the state Supreme Court.

There is one open seat on the bench for Superior Court, which has 15 judges. Republican Megan Sullivan, a longtime prosecutor in the Chester County District Attorneys Office and former deputy state attorney general, won an uncontested primary for Superior Court.

Sullivan will run against Philadelphia trial judge Timika Lane, who the AP projected won the Democratic nomination for Superior Court against civil litigator Jill Beck and attorney Bryan Neft, both of Allegheny County.

There are two seats for the Commonwealth Court, which has nine judges.

Republicans Drew Crompton and Stacy Marie Wallace ran unopposed in the GOP primary. The four-candidate Democratic primary remained undecided Wednesday afternoon. Lori Dumas and David Purgeon had the most votes with 76% of the projected total votes counted, according to the AP. Sierra Street and Amanda Green Hawkins trailed.

In Philadelphia, 16 candidates ran in the Democratic primary for Common Pleas Court, which handles criminal and civil cases. There are eight available seats on the bench, and no Republicans were on the ballot in the heavily Democratic city. That means the primary election effectively decides the outcome.

As of Wednesday afternoon, the top vote-getters were Nick Kamau, Wendi Barish, Cateria R. McCabe, Betsy Wahl, Chris Hall, Craig Levin, Michele Hangley, and Daniel R. Sulman. All but Hangley were endorsed by the Democratic City Committee.

In the Democratic primary for Philadelphia Municipal Court, four candidates ran for three spots. Michael C. Lambert, Greg Yorgey-Girdy, and George Twardy were leading, according to unofficial returns.
Pennsylvanias looming loss of a congressional seat will ripple across state politics and shape the balance of power in Washington.

The state will officially drop to 17 U.S. House seats because of sluggish population growth, the Census Bureau said Monday. Redrawing the congressional map could have massive implications for sitting lawmakers, whose districts will all grow, altering the political leanings and potentially forcing two incumbents to compete for a single seat.

The impact goes beyond Pennsylvania. Republicans need to gain just five seats to take control of the House and likely stifle President Joe Bidens agenda. So as maps across the country are redrawn, squeezing even one seat out of Pennsylvanias evenly split delegation could be huge.

The national parties will be exerting a significant amount of pressure because control of the House is so narrow, said J.J. Balaban, a Democratic strategist from Philadelphia. The stakes are really high.

There are many ways the redrawing could play out. But early analyses by independent experts and Pennsylvania political operatives suggest one possible scenario is that two or three conservative districts, representing areas that are losing population, may get consolidated. That might look good for Democrats at first glance  three Republican-held districts turned into two  but the ripple effects mean parts of those conservative districts would likely be added to Democratic-held swing districts.

You could have a situation where a ... Republican seat is eliminated, but yet its easier for Republicans to pick up one of the remaining seats, Balaban said.

Mark Harris, a Pittsburgh-based GOP strategist, agreed, arguing that a reasonable Republican aim would be a map that breaks up a GOP-held district but nudges rightward the competitive, Democratic-held districts in Northeastern Pennsylvania, the Lehigh Valley, and the Pittsburgh suburbs.

Here are some of the key factors to watch as lawmakers in Harrisburg start drawing a new map:

The governor, the legislature, and the court

While most of the jousting will involve Democratic Gov. Tom Wolf and the Republican legislature, members of both parties say its very likely to come down to the Pennsylvania Supreme Court.

Given that the governor and the General Assembly cant even agree on who should sit on the Public Utility Commission, the idea that they will agree to a bipartisan congressional map is far-fetched, Balaban said.

Said Harris, Tom Wolf has made it very clear he has little interest in working with Republicans on much of anything.

That might suit Democrats, since the courts Democratic majority drew a map that thrilled the party just three years ago, ruling the old one an unconstitutional gerrymander. Republicans are still fuming over that.

Heated litigation seems inevitable  and the first shot has already been fired. Democratic elections lawyer Marc Elias on Monday preemptively sued Pennsylvania in anticipation of mapmaking deadlock.

A cascade effect

While the current map is a likely starting point, the loss of a seat means its not as easy as just tweaking boundaries  the districts need to grow by about 8% on average.

Everyone elses seat has to move around, said Michael Li, a redistricting lawyer at New York Universitys Brennan Center for Justice. Losing a district basically creates a cascade effect.

Some districts are more affected than others. Early speculation centers on the 9th, 12th, and 15th  all deeply conservative districts that sprawl across the population-shedding northern half of the states center.

But eliminating or merging districts means some voters will be absorbed by surrounding districts.

The swing seats

Pennsylvanias map is relatively new, so experts predicted the new lines are unlikely to change significantly.

Many seats will remain safely Democratic or Republican. Districts in Philadelphia and its suburbs have seen population growth and wont need to change dramatically. Other Republican-held seats in more rural areas need to grow, but are so conservative they are unlikely to become competitive.

That leaves several districts that are already closely divided and where even small tweaks can make a big difference:

Susan Wild (7th), Matt Cartwright (8th), and Dan Meuser (9th)

Operatives in both parties said the 9th, west of the Lehigh Valley and south of Scranton, is one obvious candidate to be dispersed. Partly thats because incumbent Republican Rep. Dan Meuser is widely expected to run for governor. If he leaves the seat, there wouldnt be a sitting House member for fellow Republicans to protect.

And while Republicans dont want to lose a seat, they could gain it back.

Some of Meusers conservative district would almost certainly be added to the neighboring district held by Democratic Rep. Matt Cartwright  who is already arguably the states most vulnerable member. The nonpartisan Cook Political Report, which uses presidential election data to characterize political leaning, rates his district R+5  leaning toward the GOP. (The Philadelphia district held by Rep. Dwight Evans, the most Democratic in the country, is D+41).

Cartwrights challenge is likely to get even steeper. In almost any direction the 8th can grow, it would expand into more conservative territory.

Rep. Susan Wild could be the next most at-risk incumbent. The Democrats Lehigh Valley district is rated even by Cook. If it expands westward, it would also add more of Meusers constituents.

Brian Fitzpatrick (1st) and Chrissy Houlahan (6th)

There are two theoretically competitive seats in the Philadelphia suburbs, but experts in both parties say the strong incumbents are unlikely to face much trouble.

The 6th, anchored in Chester County, is rated D+5, and incumbent Democrat Chrissy Houlahan has been a strong fit for the moderate seat. GOP lawmakers might try to add more of conservative Berks or Lancaster Counties, but with Chester Countys population still growing and trending leftward, its unlikely this district changes much, Balaban predicted.

In the Bucks-based 1st, Brian Fitzpatrick is the only Republican still standing in the Philly suburbs. Even though his district is rated even, Democrats havent been able to lay a hand on him. Its unlikely the district can shift enough to change that.

Conor Lamb (17th)

Rep. Conor Lamb holds a moderate district centered on the Pittsburgh suburbs, rated R+2. It could become a safer Democratic seat, or much more favorable for Republicans.

Extend the district east into Pittsburgh and it turns more blue. In that scenario, fellow Democrat Mike Doyle, who now represents Pittsburgh, might lose a piece of the city and gain some of its more conservative exurbs, but his district is already D+13. Democrats would emerge with two safe Western Pennsylvania seats, instead of one safe seat and one swing seat.

But extend the 17th north or south and the district adds Trump country.

Scott Perry (10th)

Democrats thought they could beat the deeply conservative Perry, of York County, as some of the central Pennsylvania suburbs got more liberal and his district added Harrisburg. But they failed in 2018 and 2020 and have probably missed their chance.

Almost any direction his district grows will add Republican votes.

The Senate and governors races

The map is also intertwined with Pennsylvanias 2022 races for Senate and governor.

Meuser (for governor) and Lamb and Houlahan (for Senate) are all considered potential statewide candidates. Normally, the safety (or difficulty) of their new districts would inform decisions about whether to run.

But they wont have the luxury of waiting. Anyone hoping to run statewide would likely have to launch a campaign in the next few months, and it could take until early next year to see the new districts.

If any of them do run, that could influence the map. Its a lot easier to break up someones district if theyre not seeking reelection.
Roughly $8.1 billion of the total $62.7 billion in losses suffered in New Jersey, New York, and Connecticut from Hurricane Sandy in 2012 can be attributed to sea-level rise caused by carbon dioxide emissions, according to a study published Tuesday by a team of researchers in Nature Communications.

The researchers, using computer modeling and reconstructions, found that warming caused by human activity raised sea levels about 4 inches in the New York area in the century preceding the storm. That was enough, they said, to force coastal flooding farther inland and deepen floodwaters.

Those heightened levels allowed the storm surge created by Hurricane Sandy in October 2012 to reach 36,000 more homes and affect 71,000 more people than if the rise had not occurred, the researchers found.

The authors, including researchers from Rutgers, Stevens Institute of Technology, and Climate Central, all in New Jersey, said the $8.1 billion estimate represented 13% of all losses. That number is the midpoint in a calculated range of losses attributable to climate change. They concluded that no less than $4.7 billion and as much as $14 billion in damage was caused by sea-level rise.

This study is the first to isolate the sea level rise effects attributable to human activities and put a dollar sign to the additional coastal flooding damage they cause, said Philip Orton, an associate professor of ocean engineering at Stevens who helped oversee the analysis. Orton said the research should make clear the need for urgency to act on climate change.

The authors said that the average global sea level rose about 18 centimeters (7 inches) from 1900 to 2012 and that the rise is continuing to accelerate.

Sea levels dont rise uniformly as if in a bathtub, but are influenced regionally by both local and global factors. In New Jersey, for example, land near the coast is also sinking naturally for geological reasons. So the impact of sea rise is compounded along the states coast.

A separate, recent Rutgers-led study found several South Jersey areas were among the most impacted along the East Coast, with the pace of sea rise accelerating in the 20th century to about 3.6 millimeters per year. Tide gauge data in Cape May show that from 1965 to 2020 the rate of sea-level rise was about 4.8 millimeters a year, or about 1.9 inches per decade.

Accordingly, all recent coastal floods start from a higher baseline water elevation than they otherwise would have, the authors of the study in Nature Communications wrote.

The peer-reviewed study notes that Sandy was a powerful hybrid cyclone that caused the highest water levels in at least 300 years in the New York City metropolitan area. Plus, the researchers point out, it struck at the worst possible time because it coincided with the evening high tide and a near worst-case storm track.

To conduct their study, the researchers used two approaches to estimate the impact of climate change, and they produced similar findings. The researchers then modeled a range of flood-damage estimates to see how much more Sandy-related damage resulted from sea-level rise. The researchers said they could state with confidence that human-caused sea level rise in the New York area over the past 100 years amounts to roughly four inches, or about 55% of all sea level rise observed in the area since 1900.

Just a hands width of sea level rise from climate change caused more than 10% of the damage from Sandys towering floodwaters, said Benjamin Strauss, chief scientist at Climate Central, a Princeton-based nonprofit composed of scientists and science journalists. The implications are enormous.

Strauss, who conceived the study, said that sea-level rise caused by humans is already making every coastal flood more destructive and costly. ... The costs of climate change are likely much greater than we appreciate today.

Daniel Gilford, a Rutgers climate scientist who helped perform the analysis, said the human impact of climate change is clear and costly.

He said greenhouse gas emissions have warmed the atmosphere and oceans.

As the effects of climate change grow more frequent and more severe, he said, documenting human impact ... is critical to understanding and reducing our adverse contributions to the climate system.
Woodbridge, VA (22192)

Today

Periods of rain. High near 70F. Winds ENE at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 100%. Rainfall near a half an inch. Localized flooding is possible..

Tonight

A steady rain this evening. Showers continuing overnight. Low 63F. Winds NE at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 80%. Rainfall around a half an inch.
Woodbridge, VA (22192)

Today

Cloudy with periods of rain. High near 70F. Winds ENE at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 100%. Rainfall may reach one inch. Localized flooding is possible..

Tonight

Rain likely. Low 63F. Winds NE at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 80%. Rainfall near a half an inch.
This time of year usually means one thing: graduation! Whether students are graduating from high school, community college or from a university, a new crop of talented and motivated individuals is entering the workforce. Workforce development has become a top-three priority for the Tucson Me
A Brooklyn landlord has been charged with manslaughter for the death of a tenant who jumped out of a window to escape a fire prosecutors said was caused by a space heater in a building that did not have heat.

Evener Leon, 62, appeared in court Tuesday to be charged with second-degree manslaughter among other charges in the death of 70-year-old James Yves Lalanne on Dec. 2, 2019, the New York Daily News reported.

Prosecutors said Leon stopped paying for utilities like heat in a building he owned in the West Indian neighborhood of Flatbush in Brooklyn. He instead supplied his tenants living on the third floor in illegally divided rooms with hot plates and space heaters.

Fire marshals said the cord of a space heater on the second floor of the building where Leon lived with his family started a fire early in the morning. The blaze spread to the third floor, trapping Lalanne, a tenant, in a front room with no exit.

Eight adults and five children escaped through a fire escape on the back of the building, though many were treated for injuries from smoke inhalation, prosecutors said. Lalanne jumped from the third story window and died from the fall.

This is an unfortunate incident, Alain Massena, an attorney for Leon, told the newspaper. Mr. Leon is a hard-working father and maintains his innocence, and will seek justice in the courts of law.

The court ordered Leon released without bail. He has a hearing June 30 and could face up to 15 years in prison if convicted, prosecutors said.

Copyright 2021 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Topics Abuse Molestation Arson
A storm that moved across eastern Canada from March 26-29 brought heavy rain and strong winds, causing C$50 million (US$41.5 million) in insured damage, according to initial estimates from Catastrophe Indices and Quantification Inc. (CatIQ).

Damage reports spanned the region  from flooded basements in southern Ontario to roofs torn off homes in western Newfoundland and Labrador.

Insured damage claims caused by March 2629 storm follow here by province:

Ontario: C$19 million

Quebec: C$21 million

New Brunswick: C$1 million

Nova Scotia: C$7 million

Newfoundland and Labrador: C$2 million

Insured losses related to natural catastrophic events averaged C$2 billion [US$1.7 billion] per year between 2009 and 2020, compared with an average of C$422 million [US$350.3 million] per year in the 1983 to 2008 period, commented Craig Stewart, vice-president, Federal Affairs, Insurance Bureau of Canada (IBC).

Last year alone, these losses were C$2.4 billion [$2 billion]. Thats more than a four-fold increase in such losses caused by severe weather events, which are increasingly attributed to climate change, he added.

Severe weather across Canada continues to highlight the financial costs of a changing climate paid by insurers and taxpayers, said the IBC in a statement.

Canadians are experiencing accelerating financial losses from the changing climate, said the IBC, noting that in 2020, the federal government created the Task Force on High-Risk Residential Flood Insurance and Strategic Relocation.

However, the IBC said this currently is a standalone effort. IBC believes it should be part of a larger climate adaptation plan that coordinates action by governments and the private sector to address the growing physical risks of climate change, the association said.

The IBC is the national industry association representing Canadas private home, auto and business insurers. Its member companies make up 90% of the property and casualty (P/C) insurance market in Canada.

Source: Insurance Bureau of Canada (IBC)

Topics Carriers Windstorm Canada
MEXICO CITY  Mexican billionaire Carlos Slims construction arm Grupo Carso faces scrutiny from accident investigators for the possible role it played in the building of a metro railway line that collapsed this month, killing 26 people.

While no officials have blamed Carso or any of the other companies involved in the construction of the line for the accident, the Mexico City attorney generals office said the probe it is leading would encompass everything from design and construction of the metros Line 12, the materials used, and cost overruns.

Inquiries will reach wherever the investigation led a spokesman for the attorney generals office told Reuters, when asked if that included the builders.

The head of Mexico Citys public works department, Jesus Esteva, identified Carso as the contractor in charge of the section where the accident happened.

The information we have is that it is Carso, Esteva told Mexican radio station Grupo Formula earlier this month. Thats the information provided to us by the Metro.

Mexico Citys public works department declined a Reuters request for comment or an interview with Esteva, but said his comments to Grupo Formula were correct.

The citys investigators said they will be accompanied by Norwegian external auditor DNV in determining what happened on Line 12, built by a consortium of Mexicos ICA, Slims Grupo Carso and French trainmaker Alstom.

Carso declined to comment on whether it had erected the section that collapsed. It also declined to comment on the potential consequences of the investigation and has not publicly said which parts of the rail line it built.

A spokesman for Slim, Latin Americas wealthiest man, declined to comment on questions about Carsos work on Line 12.

A Metro official shared with Reuters a screenshot of an undated Metro document titled general characteristics of the line that showed Carso built the section. The official declined to comment further.

ICA also shared another document with Reuters with a graphic showing it had built sections of Line 12 spanning 15 stations, and Carso five. Carsos section included where the track fell by the Olivos station, according to the undated document.

Responding to questions from Reuters, Alstom said the consortium was led by ICA and that its role was limited to power supply, signaling, monitoring and control systems and some depot equipment, as well as testing and commissioning of some electromechanical and track-work-sub-systems.

Alstom did not address what Carsos role had been.

Reuters could not establish how far the initial investigation into what caused the bridge to collapse has proceeded but Mexico City Mayor Claudia Sheinbaum told reporters last week it would be completed in five weeks.

Im sure well soon have the verdict on what went wrong, if the builder did a bad jobif it was due to lack of maintenance, if it was subsidence that caused the section, the steel girder, to fracture, President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador told a news conference last Wednesday.

Equities analyst and consultant Carlos Hermosillo said the potential fallout from the investigation, such as possible fines for the builders of the line, would be unlikely to have a major impact on Carso given its size.

But he said there was a potential risk Carso and the other companies in the consortium could be kept out of future public projects if the probe found they carried blame for the accident, Mexicos biggest train crash in years.

Carso shares have moved little since the incident.

Carso said in a statement the day after the incident it stood in solidarity with the crash victims, and would wait for expert opinion on the accident.

Line 12 had repeatedly been reviewed and declared safe by officials since it opened in 2012, but problems led to partial shutdowns from 2014 to 2015 for repairs. Audits from the city comptrollers office resulted in sanctions for 38 officials over a range of irregularities including delivery of unfinished works.

In one report commissioned by the city, engineering consultancy Systra found planning, design, construction, operational and maintenance failures, and placed responsibility on the construction companies as well as the Metro.

The consortium of ICA, Carso and Alstom, in a statement shared with media in 2014, denied wrongdoing, saying the finished line met specifications set by the city government for the project.

Any companies found responsible for the collapse are likely to be asked to provide compensation to people injured in the accident, and to the families of those who died, said Sergio Alcocer, an engineering expert at the National Autonomous University of Mexico. An official from the federal judiciary council confirmed to Reuters that the investigation could lead to monetary damages paid to victims and relatives.

The media have also asked former Mexico City mayor Marcelo Ebrard, the current foreign minister who oversaw the opening of Line 12 in 2012, and current mayor Sheinbaum, about what responsibility they might bear after the accident. Ebrard was in office during the projects construction and inauguration, while Sheinbaums administration has carried out the most recent inspections and maintenance on the line.

Both have urged the public to await the outcome of the investigation. Both are allies of Lopez Obrador and seen as potential presidential candidates in 2024.

(Reporting by Cassandra Garrison and Daina Beth Solomon; additional reporting by Gwenaelle Barzic in Paris, Lizbeth Diaz, Dave Graham and Raul Cortes in Mexico City; editing by Alistair Bell)

Photograph: Mexico Citys subway cars lay at an angle after a section of Line 12 of the subway collapsed in Mexico City, on Tuesday, May 4, 2021. Photo credit: AP Photo/Marco Ugarte.

Topics Construction Mexico
BANGKOK (AP)  The Thai affiliate of Paris-based insurance company AXA said Tuesday it is investigating a ransomware attack by Russian-speaking cyber criminals that has affected operations in Thailand, Malaysia, Hong Kong and the Philippines.

Meanwhile, a cyber attack on a public health provider in New Zealand took down information systems across five hospitals, forcing staff to cancel some elective surgeries and creating all sorts of other problems.

In Bangkok, Krungthai AXA said it has formed a team with AXAs Inter Partner Assistance to urgently investigate the problem. It was unclear how long it might take to evaluate the exposure of personal data after the criminals claimed to have stolen 3 terabytes of data including medical records, customer IDs and privileged communications with hospitals and doctors.

Read more: Pipeline Ransomware Attack Stirs Debate on Whether Insurance Attracts Hackers

Kanjana Anantasomboon, assistant vice president for corporate and internal communications at Krungthai-AXA Life Insurance, said the company handles some of its services inhouse, so only part, she declined to say how much, of its customer data was with Inter Partner Assistances claim service.

Other AXA affiliates in the Philippines, Malaysia and Hong Kong did not respond to requests for comment.

AXA Partners, the Paris insurers international arm, has given few details. It said Sunday that the full impact of the attack was being investigated and that steps would be taken to notify and support all corporate clients and individuals impacted. It said the attack was recent, but did not specify when exactly. It said data in Thailand was accessed.

In New Zealand, Waikato District Health Board Chief Executive Kevin Snee said its emergency department was now only taking urgent patients. He said administrators were working to resolve the issue but he gave no timeline for when the system might be restored.

Dr. Deborah Powell, the national secretary for two unions representing doctors and other health professionals, said the attack hit every part of the operation, with doctors unable to access clinical records to quickly assess patients.

Still, Powell said she didnt believe patients were at extra risk because staff were using workarounds.

Hospital discharges were being done by hand, and a pager system to alert multiple doctors when a patient suffered a cardiac arrest that was down was replaced by a system of personal mobile numbers. People trying to contact patients were encouraged to try calling their cell phones.

Powell said she was told it was a ransomware attack but she didnt have all the details. New Zealands Ministry of Health described it only as an attempted cyber incident.

It was unclear if the event was linked in any way to others, including a cyber attack that has nearly paralyzed Irelands national healthcare IT systems. Conti, a Russian-speaking ransomware group different from the one involved in the attack on AXA, was demanding $20 million, according to the ransom negotiation page on its darknet site, which The Associated Press viewed.

That gang threatened Monday to start publishing and selling your private information very soon.

The Irish governments decision not to pay the criminals means hospitals wont have access to patient records  and must resort mostly to handwritten notes  until painstaking efforts are complete to restore thousands of computer servers from backups.

News of the Asia attack was first reported by the Financial Times. The attackers used a ransomware variant called Avaddon. Avaddon threatened to leak valuable company documents in 10 days if the company did not pay an unspecified ransom.

So-called big-game hunters like Avaddon and Conti identify and target lucrative victims, leasing their ransomware-as-a-service to affiliates they recruit who do most of the heavy-lifting  taking more risk and a higher share of the profits.

AXA, among Europes top five insurers, said this month that it will stop writing cyber-insurance policies in France that reimburse customers for extortion payments made to ransomware criminals. It said it did so out of concern that such reimbursements encourage cyber criminals to demand ransom from companies they prey on, crippling them with malware. Once victims of ransomware pay up, criminals provide software keys to decode the data.

Ransomware attacks returned to headlines this month after hackers struck the United States largest fuel pipeline, Colonial Pipeline. The company shut it down for days to contain the damage.

Last year, ransomware reached epidemic levels as criminals increasingly turned to double extortion, stealing sensitive data before activating the encryption software that paralyzes networks and threatening to dump it online if they dont get paid.

That appears to be what happened to the AXA subsidiaries and Irelands health care system.

The top victims of ransomware are in the United States, followed by France, experts say. The extent of damage and payouts in Asian countries is unclear. Like most top ransomware purveyors, Avaddons ransomware is programmed not to target computers with Russian-language keyboards and enjoys safe harbor in former Soviet states.

Conti also enjoys Kremlin tolerance and is among the most prolific of such gangs. It recently attacked the school system in Broward County, Florida, which serves Fort Lauderdale and is one of the largest U.S. school districts.

___

Nick Perry contributed from Wellington, New Zealand. Elaine Ganley in Paris and Frank Bajak in Boston also contributed to this report.

Copyright 2021 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Topics Cyber Medical Professional Liability AXA XL
Howden Broking announced it has acquired Medical Professional Risk Solutions (MPRS), a specialist insurance broker for the primary care sector, for an undisclosed sum.

Howden said the acquisition adds further expertise to its Health & Care division.

Founded in 2014 by James Dunsby and Chesney Phelps, MPRS is a Bristol, England-based insurance broker for medical professionals and healthcare organizations across the UK. It provides accident & health, professional liability, medical malpractice, and commercial combined cover for general practice, private practice and GP federations.

We are delighted to welcome James, Chesney and the wider MPRS team to Howden. The acquisition of MPRS is consistent with our strategy of growing and creating specialist lines of business and developing our offering for clients, commented Mark Westgarth, chair, Howden Health & Care.

The events of the last 12 months have reminded us of the pivotal role both primary and social care providers play in our society. The acquisition reinforces our commitment to these essential services, and we are confident that together we can provide unrivaled support to medical professionals and healthcare organizations right across the UK.

In a joint statement, James Dunsby and Chesney Phelps of MPRS said: We are thrilled to announce our partnership with Howden, a business that feels like an instant cultural fit for the MPRS team and a natural home for an independent business like ours to flourish. We share the same approach to client centricity, innovation, and entrepreneurship, which is fundamental to our future success and our clients. The MPRS journey so far has been an exciting one, and we look forward to continuing the successful development of the business within Howden.

About Howden Broking

Howden Broking, the London-based independent re/insurance broker, comprises owned businesses across Europe, Asia, Africa, Latin America and the Middle East. Established in 1994, Howden employs more than 6,500 people worldwide. Together with network partners aligned to its specialty-led proposition, Howden operates in more than 90 territories.

Source: Howden Broking

Topics Mergers Agencies Medical Professional Liability
This wrap-up of international People Moves details recent appointments at Ed Broking, Price Forbes, NFP, Guy Carpenter & Co., and Specialist Risk Group (SRG).

A summary of these new hires follows here.

Ed, the London-based reinsurance, wholesale and specialty broker, announced the appointment of Elia Rahmita Price as director, developing markets of Ed Asia, effective immediately.

With more than 15 years of industry experience, both in broking and underwriting roles, Rahmita Prices expertise spans across offshore energy, power, telecoms and general property classes in the developing markets. Rahmita Price joins Ed from Howden Specialty Asia, where she held the role of associate director. Prior to this, she was responsible for the development of Marnix Insurance Brokers business across South East Asia as the senior reinsurance broker.

She will primarily focus on deepening relationships with existing customers, while also developing new opportunities in key markets such as Indonesia, Thailand and Vietnam.

***

Price Forbes recently announced three senior appointments  Nicolas Bardon in Bermuda and Martin Soto Quintus and Miguel Pizarro in Chile.

Named executive vice president, Bermuda, Bardon brings years of experience as a retro broker and industry loss warranty (ILW) specialist. Bardon will work closely with Nick Foden-Pattinson, president of Price Forbes Bermuda.

He joins from Bermuda Brokers where he was a producing broker across several product lines. Before that, he was a broker at JLT Re/Guy Carpenters retrocessional property team.

The ILW market has been very active since the beginning of the pandemic over a year ago. Last years price increases attracted the traditional markets as well as the start-ups to write ILWs and we anticipate that buyers appetite for these products will remain strong at renewal, said Bardon.

In two separate appointments, Price Forbes Chile announced it has hired Martin Soto Quintus as chief executive officer and Miguel Pizarro as chief broking officer.

Soto Quintus joins from Aon Reinsurance Solutions where he was initially facultative director but since 2015, has held the position of CEO, Chile. He brings extensive relationships with carriers and brokers across Latin America and an important technical background from his underwriting roles at Swiss Re and Berkley International.

Pizarro also joins from Aon Reinsurance Solutions where he has held the role of chief operating officer since 2017 and was previously specialty lines director. Pizarro is a qualified lawyer who has worked in a variety of underwriting and claims roles including at AIG, Crawford Chile and Seguros Security.

***

NFP, a New York-based insurance broker and consultant, announced that Suzy Pires has joined its Complex Risk Solutions (CRS) Group in Canada as senior vice president, programs.

Pires joins NFP with over 23 years of risk management experience. Prior to NFP, she served as senior vice president, national program leader, for Willis Towers Watson, and senior vice president at Marsh, both in Toronto. As part of the CRS Group, Pires will utilize her commercial P/C and programs expertise to advance the teams work and deliver value to clients across industries as they face complex risks. She will report to John Belyea, chief operating officer for NFP in Canada.

***

Guy Carpenter & Co., the reinsurance brokerage unit of Marsh McLennan, announced the appointment of Luca Tres as head of Strategic Risk and Capital Life Solutions, EMEA, effective June 1, 2021.

Tres will be responsible for driving continued growth in the development and delivery of non-traditional life solutions to clients throughout Europe, Middle East and Africa. Working closely with Guy Carpenters network of offices across the region, he will assist companies holistically in the evaluation and execution of transactions designed to best achieve their short and long-term capital, risk and financial objectives.

Based in Milan, Tres will report to Massimo Reina, CEO, Europe, Guy Carpenter.

Tres is highly experienced in the development of structured insurance and financial solutions. Most recently he was a partner at Securis Investment Partners, where he led the life origination and structuring area globally. Prior to this, he was vice president  Structured Insurance & Bank Solutions Europe at Deutsche Bank.

***

Specialist Risk Group (SRG), the London-based insurance intermediary, recently announced it has appointed Nikki Eastham as managing partner and head of the SRG M&A team.

Eastham joins after 12-years at Pricewaterhouse Coopers (PwC). Most recently, she was a director of the PwC Financial Institutions Group M&A team. Her experience spans strategic advisory, deal origination, target engagement, diligence, negotiation and integration support.

Topics Pricing Trends Willis Towers Watson
A federal judge on Tuesday questioned a $2 billion proposal by Bayer AG that would create a framework for resolving future claims that its Roundup weedkiller causes cancer, casting doubt on the plan a day before a key hearing.

Bayer and class action attorneys hope U.S. District Judge Vince Chhabria in San Francisco will give preliminary approval on Wednesday to create a class of people exposed to Roundup who could get sick in the future.

The agreement would provide free medical exams and up to $200,000 in compensation if a class member is diagnosed with non-Hodgkin lymphoma, a cancer.

Chhabria in a court filing asked if it was possible to contact the potentially millions of homeowners and farmworkers who have been exposed to Roundup to notify them they were going to be bound by the settlement.

He also wanted to know how he would determine if the compensation was adequate and whether he should evaluate the plan against other options, including Bayer adding a cancer warning label to Roundup, something the company has resisted.

Chhabria noted in his final question that jury trials have gone very well for plaintiffs. Given that, the judge asked why class members should agree to a settlement that requires them to present at future trials a report from a science panel that will spend the next four years determining if Roundup causes cancer.

The last question is a killer, said David Noll, a professor at Rutgers Law School.

The company has said decades of studies have shown Roundup and its active ingredient glyphosate do not cause cancer and are safe for human use. Consumer groups and personal injury lawyers have criticized the plan because it prevents lawsuits for four years and bars class members from seeking punitive damages.

Bayer said in a statement that judges often raise questions for parties to address prior to hearings.

We look forward to working with the court and the parties through the approval process to ensure the class plan is fair to all parties, the company said.

Chhabria said if his nine areas of concern were addressed at the hearing, a second hearing would be scheduled to deal with smaller concerns.

The company in June agreed to commit $9.6 billion to settle the existing 125,000 claims over Roundup, which is separate from the class settlement aimed at resolving future claims.

Bayer inherited the glyphosate-based herbicide Roundup, and the litigation, as part of a $63 billion acquisition of Monsanto in 2018.

(Reporting by Tom Hals in Wilmington, Delaware; Editing by Bill Berkrot, Noeleen Walder and David Gregorio)

Topics Legislation
A company with a Yukon, Oklahoma, facility has agreed to pay $395,000 in back wages under a settlement of allegations that it discriminated against Black, Asian, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander job applicants, the U.S. Labor Department reported.

Under the deal, Conduent Inc. will pay the settlement to 1,624 applicants, although they deny any violations.

Together, the U.S. Department of Labor and Conduent will ensure the company will take measures to comply with federal hiring and equal employment opportunity laws, said Melissa Speer, Dallas regional director of the Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs. Fair and equal consideration should be given to all applicants regardless of their race or ethnicity.

The company, which formerly operated as Xerox Commercial Solutions, was accused of job bias from March 2013 through March 2015.

In a statement, Conduent said it worked with the Labor Department to resolve the matter and noted the allegations occurred under previous ownership.

Copyright 2021 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Topics Oklahoma
Heavy rains that swept across southern Louisiana flooded homes, swamped cars and closed a major interstate on May 18. The brunt of natures fury was taken once again by Lake Charles, in a coastal zone still recovering from back-to-back hurricanes last fall and a deep freeze in February.

The Baton Rouge Fire Department responded to more than 300 calls overnight of people either trapped in cars or in homes that were starting to flood, The Advocate reported, although the waters largely receded hours later. The National Weather Service said parts of East Baton Rouge and Ascension parishes received as much as 13 inches (33 centimeters) of rain, the newspaper reported.

Parts of Interstate 10 were flooded and closed in the capital city of Baton Rouge, the Louisiana Department of Transportation tweeted.

The National Weather Service said in a Facebook post Monday that south Lake Charles in western Louisiana saw 12 to 15 inches (30 to 38 centimeters) of rain in a 12-hour period, while elsewhere in Calcasieu Parish, as much as 10 inches (25 centimeters) fell Monday.

The mayor of Lake Charles, Nic Hunter, told The Advocate that hundreds of homes were probably flooded. Hunter was mayor last year when the city was hit by Hurricane Laura on August 27 and then six weeks later by Hurricane Delta. Then in February, a deep freeze settled over the region, freezing pipes and causing widespread drinking water problems.

Some parents in Lake Charles picked up their children from school in kayaks on Monday because the roads were impassable, and other residents reported on social media taking winding trips through town to avoid flooded roads.

The rainy weather is expected to continue in southern Louisiana through the middle of the week.

The National Weather Services Little Rock office said on their Twitter feed, that parts of central Arkansas also had seen two to more than four inches (5-10 centimeters) of rain as of Monday morning. More rainfall is expected this week, the agency said.

Copyright 2021 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Topics Louisiana Flood
Sophomores will be able to participate in more school-sponsored career opportunities beginning with the 2021-2022 school year under legislation has signed into law. Sen. David Bullard, R-Durant, is the author of Senate Bill 619 allowing sophomores, 16 years or older, to apply for apprenticeships, internships, and mentorships through their school.

Currently, only juniors and seniors can participate in the job training program. SB 619 will allow school districts to purchase liability insurance coverage to extend these career opportunities to sophomores. Schools cannot charge participants or their parents for the insurance.

School districts are protected under the Governmental Tort Claims Act and any school board that does not obtain insurance will not be held legally liable.

Rep. Kevin West, R-Moore, was the principal House author of the measure.

The new law, which goes into effect July 1, 2021, further directs the State Board of Education to review apprenticeships, internships, and mentorships to determine their eligibility for academic credit towards graduation requirements.

Topics Education Oklahoma K 12
Some Mississippi lawmakers say they want Gov. Tate Reeves to call them back to the Capitol for a special session to revive the states initiative process. Others want a chance to quickly revive discussion of a medical marijuana program.

The state Supreme Court ruled Friday that the medical marijuana initiative is void because Mississippis initiative process is outdated. That effectively killed other initiatives for which people are already petitioning.

We 100% believe in the right of the people to use the initiative process to express their views on public policy, Republican House Speaker Philip Gunn said Monday in a statement that did not mention medical marijuana. If the Legislature does not act on an issue that the people of Mississippi want, then the people need a mechanism to change the law.

The Mississippi Legislature usually meets from January to April. Lawmakers can reconvene only if the governor calls them back to the Capitol.

A spokeswoman for Reeves said Monday that the Republican governor is still reviewing the case and has not decided about a special session.

At the heart of the ruling is the fact that initiatives need signatures from five congressional districts to get on the ballot, but because of Mississippis stagnant population, the state has only four districts.

The initiative process was added to the Mississippi Constitution in the 1990s as Section 273. It requires petitioners trying to get any initiative on the ballot to gather one-fifth of signatures from each congressional district. Mississippi had five congressional districts at the time that was written. But the state dropped to four after the 2000 census, and language dealing with the initiative process was never updated.

Republican Sen. Jeremy England of Vancleave said Monday that there seems to be a sense of urgency among lawmakers on both passing a medical marijuana program and restoring the ballot initiative process.

However, he said the ballot initiative issue could be a lengthy process. Because it would require a constitutional amendment, it would need two-thirds of support from lawmakers, England said. Then, the issue would need to be put on the ballot in the next statewide election, which is in November 2022.

A priority for a special session should be making sure some form of medical marijuana program is approved before the end of the year, England said.

About 1.3 million people voted in Mississippi in November, and more than 766,000 of them voted in favor of Initiative 65. Thats about 10,000 more residents than voted for Donald Trump, who won handily the presidential race in the state.

England said a huge amount of money and time has been spent by business owners and the Mississippi Department of Health to implement a medical marijuana program. The department was instructed in Initiative 65 with starting the program by the middle of this year.

England said he believes the language of Initiative 65 should be our base starting point for the legislation. However, he said he expects debate and negotiation, especially on issues like taxation.

Republican Sen. Scott DeLano of Biloxi said lawmakers should be prepared and willing to move forward with establishing a medical marijuana program this year that is consistent with the spirit of Initiative 65.

The only way for us to be able to do that before January of 2022 is if the governor calls for a special session, DeLano said Monday. Its what the public wanted; its what our constituents wanted and what they expected. I believe its my duty to do my part in making sure that the will of the voter is heard.

___

Willingham is a corps member for the Associated Press/Report for America Statehouse News Initiative. Report for America is a nonprofit national service program that places journalists in local newsrooms to report on undercovered issues.

Copyright 2021 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Topics Legislation Cannabis Mississippi
Opinion Policies

Editorials are longer opinion pieces that are written by a group of community members recruited across campus who address relevant issues on a local, national and international level. Editorials are research-based. The purpose of the Editorial Board is to promote discussion concerning relevant issues in the community while advising on possible solutions. Topics are chosen via relevancy and interests of the members, which are then discussed by the Editorial Board in order to reach a general consensus concerning the topic or issue.

Feedback policy

If you have a grievance concerning the content or argument of the Editorial Board, please contact either Opinion Editor Peyton Hamel (peyton.hamel@iowastatedaily.com) or the Editorial Board as a whole (editorialboard@iowastatedaily.com). Those wanting to respond to editorials can also submit a letter to the editor through the Iowa State Daily website or by emailing the letter to Opinion Editor Peyton Hamel (peyton.hamel@iowastatedaily.com) or Editor-in-Chief Sage Smith (sage.smith@iowastatedaily.com).

Column Policy

Columns are hyper-specific to opinion and are written by only columnists employed by the Iowa State Daily. Columnists are unique because they have a specific writing day and only publish on those writing days. Each column undergoes a thorough editing process ensuring the integrity of the writer, and their claim is maintained while remaining research-based and respectful. Columns may be submitted from community members. These are labelled as Guest Columns. These contain similar research-based content and need to be at least 400 words in length. The following requirements should be met: first and last name, email and relation or position to Iowa State. Emails must be tied to the submitted guest column or it will not be accepted or published. Pseudonyms are prohibited and the writer will be banned from submissions.

Read our full Opinion Policies here. Updated on 10/7/2020
Burma Food, Medicine Urgently Needed for Myanmar Refugees Fleeing Regime Forces

Residents of Mindat are hiding in the forest after junta troops seized the town. / CJ

Newly-built camps for internally displaced persons (IDPs) who have fled the mountain town of Mindat, Chin State, urgently need food and medicine. The number of IDPs is rising daily.

Beginning last Wednesday, a series of shootouts between junta troops and civilian fighters of Mindats Defense Force took place at Mindat over a period of several days.

On Saturday, the regimes troops seized the town after bombarding it with artillery. Following the shootouts, junta soldiers continued to fire randomly throughout the town for days. Meanwhile, they destroyed houses and looted the belongings of Mindat residents.

Due to the shootouts, 90 percent of Mindats population of 25,000 fled their homes. In addition, others who had been trapped in the town are now leaving daily, according to local residents.

About 8,000 to 10,000 people have been sheltered in seven newly-built IDP camps in the forest, according to volunteers at the camps. Many other residents had fled to homes of their relatives in nearby villages in the township after hiding in the forest for days.

We are unable to provide enough food for such an amount of IDPs. We have not enough food as road transports are blocked. So there are many IDPs who cannot have a regular meal, said a volunteer of the camps.

He said the camps also need medicine for the IDPs to protect from illnesses such as cholera and malaria. They also need nutritional supplements for several infants and pregnant women.

Local residents told The Irrawaddy on Wednesday that the town has been cut off from access to the water supply, though the random gunfire from junta soldiers in town has ceased.

Junta troops have also urged the remaining residents still left in the town to reopen their shops and markets, according to a member of Mindats People Administration.

On Tuesday night, a resident who had fled from Mindat died due to an underlying health condition after he had been unable to go to the hospital, according to local residents.

In addition, an 18-year-old boy who had been hiding in the forest died after falling from the mountain as the result of an epileptic seizure.

After learning that many of Mindats residents are sheltering in the temporary camps, Dr. Win Myat Aye, the minister of humanitarian affairs and disaster management of Myanmars civilian National Unity Government said on his Facebook page on Tuesday that the NUG is attempting to send humanitarian aid and food supplies to the refugees.

On Monday, a 10-year-old girl was seriously injured in Mindat after being shot in the neck while she was hiding in her house. She was hit by random gunfire from junta troops. The girl was not able to receive proper medical treatment for an entire day because of the presence of regime soldiers in the town. On Tuesday, she was sent to a hospital in Myingyan Township, Mandalay region after she was allowed by the junta troops to leave the town.

UNICEF in Myanmar has urged on Monday that all people, particularly children and young people, remaining in the area be allowed access to medical care and critical humanitarian services.

The shootouts between junta troops and civilian resistance fighters of Mindats Defense Force lasted for about five days.

During the battles, the military regime used heavy explosives, artillery, rocket-propelled grenades and automatic weapons, while reinforcements were flown into the town on helicopters.

In contrast, the Mindat civilian defense fighters were armed with old-fashioned, homemade hunting rifles.

During the shootouts, about nine civilian fighters were killed and about 20 were wounded.

Meanwhile, several junta soldiers were reportedly killed and at least about six military vehicles loaded with ammunitions and weapons were destroyed after being seized by civilian fighters.

You may also like these stories:

Notorious Myanmar Arms Broker Joins Military Leaders on Russia Trip

Myanmar Junta Forces Scour Forests in Search of Civilian Resistance

Myanmars Long History of Informants
Burma Myanmars Educators Resist Pressure From Junta to Reopen Universities, Schools

Teachers in Mandalay on May 4 staged a protest against the regime's plan to reopen schools. / CJ

Myanmars striking educators and administrative staff are continuing their anti-regime action despite pressure from the regime to return to work and reopen universities and schools.

The junta has recently targeted striking educators and administrative staff who refused to serve under military rule with arrests, warrants and suspensions from their jobs.

Since the last week of April, the regime has been issuing arrest warrants against teachers and education staff who joined the Civil Disobedience Movement (CDM) on charges of incitement.

As of Tuesday, 220 teachers, including professors, headmasters and headmistresses, education officers and officials, have been put on the list.

A number of teachers who went on the strike were recently arrested, charged or sentenced. Announcements of suspensions from their jobs were also issued.

Regardless of the growing threats, many striking educators and staff carry on their resistance against the junta.

Myanmar Teachers Federations said about 60 percent of the academics at universities and colleges resisted the juntas reopening of campuses. The junta announced the reopening on May 5 of universities and colleges that had been closed for more than a year due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Those striking academics, more than 19,000 out of a total of 35,000 teachers in universities, colleges, have been suspended from their jobs for carrying on their strike against the regime.

And in public schools for basic education, more than 100,000 teachers and education staff out of a total of 450,000 [that is around 27 percent] joined the CDM, according to an initial announcement by the Ministry of Education on April 23.

Starting on May 7, the junta has issued suspension orders to striking teachers and education staff at public schools nationwide. Among those who have been suspended are custodial staff, security officers at schools, lab technicians, teachers, principals and officials under the basic education department of Ministry of Education.

The reopening of the schools is just to show the country is well under the control of the military rather than concern for disrupted education, an official from the teachers federation, who asked to be anonymous, told The Irrawaddy.

He said that though some CDM teachers relented and returned to work in fear of being arrested after the junta ramped up detention, many of them would carry on the strike until the military regime collapses.

We are determined to continue the fight until the fall of the dictatorship and return of a civilian government elected by the people, said the official, who himself was recently suspended from one of Yangon universities.

A teacher from Yangon Region who was recently suspended from her job said she is proud to stand against injustice even though it meant she had to give up of a job she adored.

I will only return to work under our elected civilian government, she added.

Facing a shortage of educators, the military regime is recruiting lecturers and is planning to give promotions to non-CDM professors to replace striking academics. In public schools, the regime is calling for daily wage teachers to substitute for teachers on strike.

Meanwhile, the regime continues to pressure striking educators to give in. In some cases, the junta has arrested the relatives of teachers, holding them as hostages to force teachers to return to work.

Students boycott against militarys slave education

It is not only teachers, but also students who are boycotting the militarys slave education. Student protesters said they wont attend or enroll the classes under the regime whose forces have killed hundreds of youths including high school students and children.

The teachers federation predicted about 80 to 90 percent of university students boycotted classes by refusing to attend or enroll.

The junta also plans to open public schools on June 1, but many students have expressed that they dont want education under the dictatorship.

Parents have also expressed concern for the safety of their children due to the likelihood of violence amid the regime forces continuing brutal actions against civilians.

Making matters worse, a number of schools across the country were set on fire or bombed with homemade grenades by unknown attackers. The regime claimed that school attacks were carried out by rioters, using its label for anti-regime protesters. The Irrawaddy cant independently verify the juntas claims. Despite the attacks on schools, the regime still insists it will open schools as scheduled on June 1. During a press conference last week, a regime spokesperson said the regime would provide enough security for schools but refused to reveal any details, citing security matters.

Meanwhile risk of contracting COVID-19 is also another cause of concern as Myanmar still detects a dozen cases daily. The regime has said it would deliver facial masks and shields to students free of charge.

A high school student said he and his friends wouldnt return to school until the revolution prevails. We will go to school only when Grandma Suu [State Counselor Daw Aung San Suu Kyi who was put under detention at the time of the Feb. 1 coup] is released.



You may also like these stories:

Food, Medicine Urgently Needed for Myanmar Refugees Fleeing Regime Forces

Notorious Myanmar Arms Broker Joins Military Leaders on Russia Trip

Myanmar Junta Forces Scour Forests in Search of Civilian Resistance
Burma Myanmars Japanese Business Community Says Japan too considerate to Junta

Military personnel at an anti-coup protest in Hledan Township, Yangon in February. / The Irrawaddy

A survey of Japanese business people based in Myanmar reveals that they believe that Japans response to the coup and the deaths of hundreds of civilian protesters has been too considerate of the military and lacks concrete action.

The independent opinion survey asked 135 members of the Japanese business community in Myanmar their opinion on the current business climate, and on the Japanese diplomatic response to the juntas overthrowing of the civilian government.

A total of 71 percent of the respondents said that the Japanese governments response to the military regime has been weak. Only 23 percent of respondents said that Tokyo had taken appropriate action in regard to the military takeover in Myanmar, according to the survey, which was conducted in April.

Japan is the largest official provider of development aid and the fourth-largest investor in Myanmar. Given that, and a long history of close diplomatic ties and defense cooperation, the Japanese business community expected their government to be more pro-active in pressuring the coup leaders, rather than just criticizing the human rights abuses in the country.

They also expected Japan to make more concrete contributions to ending the human rights abuses and lethal crackdowns on pro-democracy supporters, in cooperation with other international players.

One Japanese investor said that they had noticed that Myanmar citizens are disappointed with the Japanese government for not taking stronger measures against the junta, including applying sanctions on the military.

Another investor said, I am disappointed. Criticism of the military is just talk, its the same as doing nothing.

I understand that they do not approve of the military, but are they not aware of the fact that not speaking out can be seen as approval, a Japanese business person said in the survey.

The government took a long time to make an official statement [about the coup] and no concrete action has been taken yet, noted another Japanese business man.

Following the coup, Japans Foreign Affairs Ministry immediately expressed its grave concern over the military takeover, as well as urging the junta to release civilian leaders and to swiftly restore democracy to the country. Moreover, Japan also endorsed a statement condemning the coup issued by the foreign ministers of the G7.

Japan has also condemned the militarys shooting of anti-coup protesters and urged the junta to stop the violence immediately. Later, the government decided to suspend all new development aid to Myanmar.

But Japan has not applied targeted sanctions to the coup leaders, unlike the United States, United Kingdom and the European Union. They have all imposed a series of targeted sanctions on military leaders and businesses controlled by the military, in an effort to cut the juntas financial lifeline

Many observers believe that Tokyo has so far avoided imposing sanctions out of fear that they would result in the junta seeking closer ties with China.

The Japanese government has treated the military politely so far but, in contrast, the military has not dealt with things that are also in the interest of Japan. It is as if the Japanese government is being lambasted, a Japanese investor said.

Another said, I believe that you [Japanese government] are exploring the possibilities. I expect and respect that but, the way I see it, Japan is being too considerate [to the military].

A total of 45.9 percent respondents said that the Japanese government should impose partial sanctions targeting companies and the junta, while 30.4 percent said that Japan should apply limited sanctions targeting key companies and people related to the military.

When asked about what the Japanese government should do about ongoing official development projects, 65.2 percent of the business community said it should stop some aid, especially that flowing to the military and its companies. A total of 20 percent of respondents suggested stopping all aid to demonstrate Japans opposition to the coup. Another 14.8 percent said that the aid should continue so as not to deter Japanese business people from investing in Myanmar.

While Japanese investors want to see more concrete action from their government, 57.8 percent think that Japans stance of maintaining dialogue with the military should be continued, saying that the government should push the military to restore civilian rule and to solve the political crisis through talks.

There is no value in having dialogue in the current situation where the national military [Myanmar military] is entrenched, however, considering the future political situation, it is worthwhile to continue to be open to dialogue and wait for the right moment when there is even the slightest possibility of dialogue, one Japanese investor said.

In order to prevent Myanmar from becoming like Cambodia [where Chinas influence is dominant] the Japanese government should continue its relationship with Myanmar. By continuing the relationship, we can find a foothold for democratization in the future, another investor said.

27.4 percent of respondents suggested that Japan should not engage in any dialogue with the junta, saying that they dont believe that the military has any interest in talks.



You may also like these stories:

ASEAN Must Engage With US, China

Regional Organizations Fall Short as Myanmar Continues to Bleed

KIA Attacks Seven Tankers Supplying Aviation Fuel for Regime
Burma Notorious Myanmar Arms Broker Joins Military Leaders on Russia Trip

U Tay Za (left) transfers a military sports stadium which was built and donated by his Htoo Group of companies and GDZR company at the Military Technology University in Pyin Oo Lwin Township, Mandalay Region in 2014. / U Tay Za

The Myanmar junta sent a high-ranking military delegation to Moscow this week. Air force chief General Maung Maung Kyaw led the team and was accompanied by other high-ranking military officers.

Joining the delegation was well-known Myanmar tycoon U Tay Za, according to several business sources in Yangon and Naypyitaw. Early this week, U Tay Za flew in from Singapore to Myanmars capital on a private jet and held a series of meetings with top brass before the Russia trip. Sources in Myanmar added that the delegation members will discuss with their Russian counterparts over 20 megaprojects including procurement of arms and military hardware.

U Tay Za, founder and chairman of the Htoo Group, has lived in Singapore for years and his connections with Myanmars present and past regimes are known to be deep.

Under the previous military regime in the 2000s, the Htoo Trading Company was involved in timber, transport, tourism, construction, property development, palm oil production and military arms deals.

U Tay Za made his fortune from the timber business and subsequently expanded his dealings with the State Peace and Development Council (SPDC), as the regime of the time was known, by supplying the military with aircraft parts through his company Myanmar Avia Export. The company is Myanmars sole representative for Russias Export Military Industrial Group, known as MAPO, and of the Russian helicopter company Rostvertol.

After China, Russia is the countrys second-largest supplier of arms, being the source of at least 16 percent of weaponry procured by Myanmar from 2014-19. The regime is now awaiting delivery of six Su-30 fighter jets ordered in 2019, and in January 2021 the two sides signed contracts for the purchase of a Russian air defense system and a suite of surveillance drones.

The US Treasury put U Tay Za on its list of sanctioned Specially Designated Nationals in 2008 for providing support to the junta, including the purchase of military equipment and aircraft, according to a statement at the time. Washingtons objections were spelled out in more detail in a leaked 2007 US diplomatic cable that accuses U Tay Za of earning hefty commissions from sales to the military of arms, ammunition, supplies, MI-17 helicopters and MiG-29 [fighter jets].

U Tay Za has admitted selling Russian-made MI-17s, and continues to hold the service contracts and provide spare parts to Myanmars military.

In the middle of 2013, U Tay Za was also in Moscow when commander-in-chief Senior General Min Aung Hlaing (leader of the recent coup and current head of the State Administration Council) visited Russia to settle arms deals.

Under the U Thein Sein administration and the ousted Daw Aung San Suu Kyi government, U Tay Za largely dropped out of sight from Myanmars business circles, relocating to Singapore and buying residences in Thailand.

He returned to prominence in July 2017 when Htoo Group signed a memorandum of understanding with Vietnams Petrolimex on the import and distribution of petroleum products.

Under the previous military regime, Myanmars crony tycoons worked closely with the military rulers; valued for their expertise at circumventing sanctions, they were richly rewarded by the junta, which granted them concessions ranging from forestry to car imports.

In July 2014 Forbes reported that U Tay Za had made payments to North Korea-linked companies on behalf of the SPDC.

The 2007 US cable, which was brought to light by WikiLeaks, portrayed U Tay Za as part of the former regimes inner circle. It called him Myanmars number one crony businessman and said he entertained regime leaders lavishly to curry favor and win the most lucrative contracts.



You may also like these stories:

Myanmars Japanese Business Community Says Japan too considerate to Junta

ASEAN Must Engage With US, China

Regional Organizations Fall Short as Myanmar Continues to Bleed
Burma Regional Organizations Fall Short as Myanmar Continues to Bleed

Riot police in Yangon in February.

The crisis in Myanmar has highlighted, among other issues, the ineffectiveness of regional forums such as ASEAN and BIMSTEC.

The 10-member Association of Southeast Asian Nations or ASEAN, which should have acted with utmost urgency to stop the bloodshed and violence and demand the release of detained civilian leaders, has done too little and too late. There had been a clear lack of unity and unanimity among the member states to condemn the Feb. 1 military coup in the largest Southeast Asian nation.

It took more than two months for the bloc to convene a special summit on Myanmar in late April, but that too courted controversy for not inviting representatives from the ousted National League of Democracy (NLD) government.

With only junta chief Senior General Min Aung Hlaing attending from the Myanmar side, the meeting lost much of its relevance even before it began on April 24. As soon as the summit was over, ASEAN leaders claimed some sort of breakthrough in their talks.

The much-touted breakthrough was achieved through five-point consensus that called for an immediate cessation of violence with all parties exercising restraint; constructive dialogue among the parties for a peaceful solution in the interests of the people; mediation facilitated by a special envoy of the ASEAN Chair with the assistance of the Secretary-General of ASEAN; humanitarian assistance by ASEAN through the ASEAN Coordinating Center For Humanitarian Assistance; and a visit to Myanmar by the special envoy and delegation to meet all parties concerned.

Sadly, all these lofty proclamations turned out to be a dud. There has been no let-up in the countrywide military crackdown since the junta chief returned from Jakarta. Worse, The Bangkok Post quoted Min Aung Hlaing as saying that he would implement the ASEAN plan when stability returns.

Myanmars shadow government has already refused to negotiate with the military regime, signaling that it would be against the will of the people. What started as peaceful civil disobedience against the junta regime could soon turn into a full-scale civil war as there are reports of people resorting to armed resistance against the military regimes crackdown in ethnic regions.

Since the Feb. 1 coup, more than 750 people have been killed by Myanmar military, also known as Tatmadaw, according to the Assistance Association for Political Prisoners.

More than 3,800 people, including elected leaders, election commissioners, doctors, journalists, writers and protesters and artists, have been detained.

Failure of ASEAN, BIMSTEC?

It seems that forums such as ASEAN and BIMSTEC have washed their hands of Myanmar. For instance, ASEAN whose motto is one vision, one identity, one community failed to display any community spirit when one of its family members was in danger. By not acting in time, it has allowed Myanmars wounds to fester to such an extent that proper healing might not be easy.

The fact that ASEAN is a divided house on the Myanmar issue is evident to the rest of the world. While members such as Malaysia, Indonesia and Singapore strongly condemned the Tatmadaws brutal crackdown on the civilian population, some leaders refrained from making comments purportedly because of the non-interference clause in the ASEAN charter.

However, this is not the first time that ASEAN has proved to be a toothless entity. The 1999 East Timor crisis had also exposed the lack of consensus within the bloc when some members backed the United Nations efforts to stabilize the situation, while others remained non-committal.

Even the Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC) has been of no use. The 17th meeting of the forum comprising India, Thailand, Myanmar, Nepal, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and Bhutan was held virtually on April 1. But the ongoing bloodbath in Myanmar found no mention in the meeting chaired by Sri Lanka.

Set up June 6, 1997 through the Bangkok Declaration, BIMSTEC emerged as an alternative to the South Asian Association of Regional Cooperation (SAARC), after the 2016 summit scheduled to be held in Islamabad was cancelled over Pakistans covert support to terrorism.

However, like ASEAN, BIMSTEC suffers from a lack of consensus over critical issues. Its response to the 2017 Rohingya exodus was far from satisfactory, prompting analysts to question its efficacy. Noted strategic analyst and author Bertil Lintner has said in the past that one should not expect much from regional forums such as BIMSTEC.

On the Rohingya issue, he had then expressed skepticism whether BIMSTEC as a regional group would make any difference when it came to influencing China in the region.

This is something BIMSTEC members do not talk about openly but there was a suspicion. However, I dont think as a group they can do that [though] people from various countries under BIMSTEC umbrella may talk about the issue. But that talk is informal, behind the closed doors. It is not structured, formal, Lintner was quoted as saying by Indian daily, The Hindu.

The China factor could also apply to ASEAN given that the April 24 consensus on Myanmar had received approval of the United Nations Security Council only after China and Russia gave their nod.

According to the news agency AFP, China and Russia ensured that the UNSC eliminate clauses that said it once again strongly condemned violence against peaceful protestors and reiterated their call on the military to exercise utmost restraint.

Needless to say, the UNSC has so far issued four statements on Myanmar since the Feb. 1 military coup and all of them were watered down at the behest of China.

(Jayanta Kalita is a senior journalist and author based in New Delhi. He writes on issues relating to Indias northeast and its immediate neighborhood. The views expressed are his own.)



You may also like these stories:

KIA Attacks Seven Tankers Supplying Aviation Fuel for Regime

Kachin State Militia Recruits for Myanmars Junta: Villagers

Myanmar Navy Deserters Speak Out Against Military Regime
Guest Column ASEAN Must Engage With US, China

An ASEAN regional forum in 2019. / ASEAN

On April 24 at the ASEAN Leaders Meeting in Jakarta, the ASEAN chair, Sultan Hassan Bolkiah of Brunei, instructed foreign ministers to hold special meetings with the US and China as soon as possible to further strengthen ASEAN centrality and unity with these most important dialogue partners. It was rather an unusual instruction as ASEAN had already planned to hold post-ministerial meetings with Washington and Beijing in August.

The call by the ASEAN chair manifested the urgency and importance of ASEANs engagement with external partners, especially the US and China, at this critical moment. A senior Thai diplomat described the groupings action as akin to making a great French croissant  the mixture of flour, butter, kneading and then heat and baking time must be perfect  leaving nothing to chance.

The two upcoming ministerial meetings, the ASEAN-US and ASEAN-China talks, are very significant. The virtual ministerial meeting with the US, scheduled for May 23, will rejuvenate bilateral ties, which have been left on the shelf for the past four years. Above all else, Washington needs to reassure the ASEAN leaders that President Joe Biden will treat ASEAN differently than did his predecessor. Obviously, at this meeting, the US has the opportunity to recalibrate its policy towards ASEAN by pledging that Biden will attend the virtual ASEAN-related summits at the end of October and quickly appoint an ASEAN ambassador to the ASEAN Secretariat after four years of absence.

As is well known, former President Donald Trump failed to attend the ASEAN summits during his term, except during his first year in 2017 when he attended, then left half-way through the summit in the Philippines. Worse still, Trump did not even bother to take part in the last summit in November with ASEAN even though it was held online.

After his confirmation by the Senate at the end of January, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken held video calls with the Philippines and Thailand, the two US allies in the Indo-Pacific region. He immediately expressed his desire to have ASEAN-US ministerial talks to introduce himself and lay out the US strategies toward ASEAN. But it did not work out, as a few days later, the Tatmadaw, Myanmars military, seized power and placed the whole country under emergency rule. The planned introductory meeting was postponed. As such, Blinken decided to hold talks with Brunei, Indonesia, Vietnam, Singapore and other ASEAN members.

Indeed, it required the tenacity of Laos, the US-ASEAN coordinating country, to press for the upcoming ministerial meeting with the US. ASEAN must work against time as the foreign ministers of ASEAN and China are already scheduled to meet in Chongqing, China, for three days from June. 6-8. The two sides are commemorating the 30th anniversary of their relations.

Sultan Bolkiah has been extremely cautious in handling ties with the US and China, especially at this juncture when the two are at each others throats in both word and deed. ASEAN does not want to be lured into the superpowers grand strategic schemes in Southeast Asia. Given the feisty US-China competition, ASEAN is searching for common ground for both powers to cooperate. In short, ASEAN wants the superpowers to use it as a platform for cooperation, not as a battlefield for hegemonic ambition.

For China, the face-to-face meeting in Chongqing will signal, in more ways than one, a new dynamic and even more intensified ASEAN-China ties in the post pandemic world. Last year, China requested that ASEAN upgrade its relationship to a comprehensive strategic partnership. Most of the ASEAN members have no problem but further deliberations are needed to clarify what the mutual benefits of Chinas new status for ASEAN would be.

While China-ASEAN cooperation has always been the most comprehensive of all the dialogue partners, ASEAN still feels that China could be more forthcoming on technical cooperation and know-how transfer for the region. To boost technical cooperation to a higher level, there have been some discussions about the possibility of China setting up offices of the China International Development Cooperation Agency in all ASEAN members. It is a fitting endeavor for this year, which has been designated as the ASEAN-China Year of Sustainable Development Cooperation.

The two special meetings provide a good opportunity for ASEAN to reiterate the groupings determination to walk its middle path, the ASEAN way. The ongoing Myanmar crisis, the fight and recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic and promoting sub-regional development could be new areas of cooperation among the two superpowers with ASEAN serving as a bridge. At the ASEAN level, these three areas could pull in available resources from the US and China for the regions common good.

At this juncture, it can be safely said that both Washington and Beijing are supporting the ASEAN process in finding a durable solution to the conflict in Myanmar. For the past four months, views from the US and China have augured well for regional efforts. They would like to see a stable Myanmar that integrates well into the ASEAN Community. So far, the two sides have not engaged in vitriolic mudslinging over the situation in Myanmar as with other global issues.

In the COVID-19 pandemic, both the US and China have pledged to provide both financial and material assistance to ASEAN to fight the virus and support the blocs economic recovery. ASEAN has been careful to ensure that neither country will exploit its shortcomings in public health care.

When Brunei was the ASEAN chair back in 2013, Sultan Bolkiah traveled extensively to meet with dialog partners to strengthen ASEAN centrality. This time, apart from the calling of special meetings with the US and China, he has tasked ASEAN foreign ministers with taking in the United Kingdom as a full dialog partner this August to signal the groupings readiness to enhance engagement with all great powers.

Kavi Chongkittavorn is a veteran journalist on regional affairs.

This article first appeared in The Bangkok Post.



You may also like these stories:

Regional Organizations Fall Short as Myanmar Continues to Bleed

KIA Attacks Seven Tankers Supplying Aviation Fuel for Regime

Kachin State Militia Recruits for Myanmars Junta: Villagers
Ethereum might have borne the brunt of a castigating breakdown over the weekend, falling to a negative 14.3 percent premium. It is Ethereum's lowest since listing, as indicated by top crypto investment fund for the digital asset, Grayscale Ethereum Trust, per Coingape.com.

This was attributed to Tesla CEO Elon Musk's announcement of discontinuing Bitcoin as a payment option for purchasing his company's products, as well as the Colonial Pipeline ransomware attack that shut down the nation's largest fuel pipeline with hackers paid nearly $5 million in untraceable cryptocurrency. These developments pulled down both Ethereum and the world's top cryptocurrency, Bitcoin, to record lows.

Ethereum Price Prediction: Gaining Momentum for a Bullish Trend

After that monumental fall from over $4,000 to $3,100, Ether's price movements have since been sluggish since Monday, but it has now settled at $3,391 and slowly gaining momentum for a bullish trend with a 1.4 percent increase. In the short term, however, Ether is at a terrible burden to breach $3,500.

Read Also: Ethereum Price Prediction After Latest Decrease: Investors See $8000 Value in 2021!

Ethereum Price Chart: Ethereum Forms 'Falling Wedge'

While Ether has formed a falling wedge, CoinGape.com noted a bullish trend that results from a downward price pattern on the 100 Simple Moving Average (SMA) four-hour chart. These falling trend lines, the website further said, create that wedge "connecting a series of lower highs and lower lows."

And before these trend lines converge, a breakout is expected. When the price hits around above the trend line, the bearish pressure would weaken, allowing investors to take over, hinting a spectacular upward trajectory. With a spike in trading volume, this breakout is viewed as certain.

As indicators point to an upward trend, a breach over $3,500 would draw more buyers, thereby allowing Ether to reach possible $4,000 levels.

However, bearish pressure remains on the horizon as the Moving Average Convergence Divergence (MACD) indicators would show, and this means Ethereum is not out of the woods yet. This means at least a $3,100 price level amid all the possible selling is needed to keep the uptrend.

Ethereum Price Stays Bullish Despite Fall

Ethereum price remains bullish, even with the temporary fall over the weekend. Forbes reported a relentless spot bid in Ethereum for the last few weeks that opened the cryptocurrency's interest and increased its price.

It is also growing, with developers building decentralized finance (DeFi) applications for the Ethereum network.

Ethereum, which was valued at $250 years back reached an all-time record high of $4,362.35 early May before its steep fall. As of Sunday afternoon, it was trading in the $3,000 levels.

Insider interest skyrocketed the digital token to astronomical levels. Current trading volume, as per Coindesk.com, is pegged $61.22 billion, while market capitalization is currently valued at $393.38 billion.

It remains to be seen if these predictions will come true. However, with the way the cryptocurrency market is trending and the overall improvements in the Ethereum ecosystem, there is reason to believe it can and will happen.

Related Article: Ethereum Mining Sees Soaring Profits: ETH Miners Making $10 Million More Than Bitcoin Miners!
The Android 12 Beta is now available! Get your hands on this early access version to try out exciting new features and improved privacy controls on your Android device. In addition, Google is asking for customer feedback, so they know what to improve before the official release.

For weeks now, rumors on the latest Android 12 have been the talk of the internet. With Apple releasing their iOS 14.5, expectation built up for Google's Android version. Note that around 70 percent of the smartphone devices run on an Android system. The Android 12 marks a revolutionary stage for most smartphone devices

Android 12 Beta Download

The early version, Android 12 beta, is now available for early download. Specifically, the Android 12 public beta is now live for the Google Pixel phone models: Pixel 5, Pixel 4a, Pixel 4a (5G), Pixel 4, Pixel 3a, Pixel 3a XL, Pixel 3, Pixel 3 XL.

To join the program, visit the Android Beta Program website and sign in to the Google account you are using on your smartphone. Google will give a few warnings on the risks of using the beta program. If you agree to the conditions, select "Agree" to submit.

Scrolling towards the bottom of the page would be the smartphone devices linked to your account that are compatible with the beta program. Click the smartphone you want and select "Opt-in." Next, accept the "Terms and Conditions." Lastly, recheck your details before clicking on "Confirm and Enroll."

After registering your email and device, you can start loading up the Android 12 beta to your smartphone. Grab your device and open "Settings." Select open "System" and "Advanced." Scroll until you see "System Update" and select "Check for Update." Your smartphone should indicate that a new update is available. "Install" it. After your phone reboots, it should now be running on the latest Android 12 version.

Cnet reported that some of Google's partners agreed to release the first beta on Android 12. The partners include Asus, OnePlus, Oppo, RealMe, Sharp, Techno, TCL, Vivi, Xiaomi and ZTE. However, each installation process would be different for each brand. It is recommended to wait for further updates from the Google developer's website for instructions to install the Android 12 to these specific smartphones.

Read Also: Is Your iPhone Spying on You by Taking Invisible Photos? Apple Explains Infrared Camera

How to Return to Android 11

If you don't like the new Android 12 beta, you can certainly leave the program. However, you will need to factory reset your phone back to Android 11. Remember to keep a backup for most of your personal data before doing the reset. Unfortunately, your phone might still lose some data during this transition.

As Cnet noted, to leave the beta program, you must head back to Google's beta program website first. Click the "Opt-Out" button from your selected device. Now, open up your smartphone and check on "Settings." Select open "System" and "Advanced." Scroll until you see "System Update" and select "Check for Update." Install the update.

This update will automatically factory reset your phone, so you will need to sign back into your Google account and manually restore your lost data. To avoid this inconvenience, you can wait for Android 12's final release before installing it on your smartphone



Related Article: Samsung Phones Next Generation: New Galaxy Can Fold Twice, Expand Up to 7.2 Inches!
IRS is releasing a new wave of money for millions of Americans. If you filed your 2020 federal tax return before March 11, you might be eligible for some unexpected IRS refund. Here is why you are about to get some money and how to check its delivery status.

The Biden Administration and its American Rescue Plan aims to provide financial support to needing American families during these challenging times due to the pandemic. Stimulus checks and unemployment insurance benefits remain the sole source of income for people who recently lost their job. Unfortunately, some of these count as taxable income and have automatically been deducted by the tax agency.

However, the IRS announced that they are "correcting tax returns for unemployment compensation income exclusion." Last month, a $10,200 tax exemption was implemented to ensure that the monetary support should reach American families. If you did not get that money, then refunds are coming your way.

IRS Tax Refund Status Tracker

BGR reported that the refunds will be coming in similar to the stimulus checks. Tax refunds would be distributed in waves, with the first phase being sent out May 18. IRS expects to take until the end of summer to finish reviewing and correcting the tax refund status of over 10 million families affected by this development.

The tax refund money should be coming in by direct deposit to the registered bank account provided by your 2020 tax return. If no bank account were provided, the refunds would be coming by mail to your registered address.

To ensure that you are getting the correct amount of money in your tax refund, head to the IRS website and immediately file your tax return. Follow the guidelines and complete the information required from both Forms 1040 and 1040-SR.

Read Also: Child Tax Credit Tracker: How to Get the $3600 Per Child in One Lump Sum Payment

How to Verify If You Are Getting Payment

To check on your federal income taxes and tax returns, USA.gov refers you to use the "Where's My Refund" tool or the mobile app "IRS2Go." The IRS has provided many different online tools to make your tax monitoring easier and efficient. For more details, you can check on this article.

You could also find out about your tax returns status by viewing your IRS online account or calling their representative at 1-800-829-1040. You can also look for emails or status updates from the e-filing website or software you used to file your tax returns.

Note, however, that if your money is missing or the refund is lower than you expected, the federal state government might have used the money to pay off some of your pre-existing debt. This is called tax refund offset. The tax refund offset could be applied to past-due federal tax, state income tax, state unemployment compensation debts, child support, spousal support, or certain federal nontax debts (i.e., student loans).

What to Do if Your Tax Refund Is Not Delivered?

Tax Refund Checks might be undelivered to you if you recently moved to a new address. To avoid this, check the "Where's My Refund" page if you have registered your correct address. Next, you must submit a "Change of Address - Form 8822" to the IRS and U.S. Postal Service (USPS). Refund checks might take a few days to process before the IRS sends it to your newly registered address.



Related Article: Fourth Stimulus Check Tracker: Possible $2000 Payment, Timeline and More Details
On Friday, officials with the Walker County Hospital District board announced that they have finalized a $7.8 million purchase of Huntsville Memorial Hospital. Do you feel like this is a good use of tax dollars, and is this the right direction for the struggling health care facility?

You voted:
Ithaca, NY (14850)

Today

Sunshine and clouds mixed. Slight chance of a rain shower. High 81F. Winds S at 5 to 10 mph..

Tonight

Variable clouds with showers at times, and perhaps a rumble or two of thunder, especially this evening. Low 61F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 50%.
The IT sector in Victoria is forecast to grow by 5.8% per annum over the next five years, above the national average (5.4%) and second only to Queensland (5.9%), a survey predicts.

The 2021 ACS Digital Pulse Report said Victoria employed 246,163 people in the tech sector, a small drop (0.30%) from 2020.

The report, drafted by Deloitte Access Economics for the Australian Computer Society, said the Victorian IT workforce was the second largest, behind NSW, and was catching up in numbers.

Despite the pandemic, the technology workforce in the country grew by 33,400 in 2020 to total 805,525, a increase of 4.3% year-on-year. In comparison, the workforce in professional industries grew by 1.3% while the overall number of workers nationwide fell by 1.7%.

Almost a third (31.4%) of technology jobs in the country are expected to be in Victoria by 2026.

The report found that 29% of tech jobs are held by women, compared to 47.5% in similar occupations in the professional, scientific and technical services industry.

"Based on current trends, it would take more than half a century (66 years) for technology occupations to reach the level of female participation in PST today," the report said.

Other key national findings:
Presagen is an Adelaide-based healthcare social network connecting clinics and medical data from around the world to build affordable, accessible AI-based healthcare products. Already the platform has seen its Life Whisperer improve IVF pregnancy outcomes with an AI baby born using its process.

Dr Michelle Perugini, Presagen CEO and co-founder addressed the AWS Online Summit today to explain how Presagen is using AWS global cloud infrastructure to improve womens healthcare outcomes a global scale.

Presagen enrolled in the AWS Activate program which provided the startup AWS credits and technical expertise, allowing them to build a world-class, global scale product.

Presagen's core product is a social network connecting clinics and medical data to drive AI-based healthcare products that are both accessible and affordable. An early success is Life Whisperer, a product that leverages artificial intelligence (AI) to improve embryo selection in IVF through assessment of implantation potential and genetic integrity.

Life Whisperer has reduced the time to pregnancy for patients by 15% on average and improved the accuracy in choosing an embryo by 25-30% over the current standard of care. It can also assess genetic abnormalities to a high degree of accuracy and in non-invasive means.

The first baby, Ebenezer Coriakula, was born in 2020 using this process. Previously, parents Lorraine and James had undergone IVF for two years before the clinic introduced Life Whisperer at the beginning of the year. I cant even explain holding him in my arms, Lorraine Coriakula said.

Toni Knowlson, Head of Strategic Initiatives, ANZ for AWS said, "Adelaide-based startup, Presagen is an incredible example of how innovative technology can make a positive impact on peoples lives by helping people around the world achieve their goal of having a family sooner. The scalability of AWSs global infrastructure, and support through the AWS Activate program has enabled Presagen to expand quickly around the world while remaining in South Australia."

Dr Michelle Perugini said The work that we do in women's health is incredibly inspiring, it's about improving women's healthcare outcomes at a global scale using technology. Women's health has been somewhat forgotten. Having them benefit from the technology that we've developed and changing what is quite a stressful and traumatic process for them and making that easier is just such an amazing opportunity.

Perugini explains, "We launched our Life Whisperer product in early 2020, and in October we had the news of the first baby being born by virtue of having used our technology. At that point, it really becomes real, because you can see the real-world benefit that the technology has had for those patients through that process of IVF.

Because we built this platform now, we can apply it to a whole range of different use cases and we are interested, initially, in women's health, and we have a whole range of products that we are looking at in the women's health space. But this platform can really be used to create products for any application area within healthcare, Perugini said.

Presagen is based in Adelaide and has built its global data platform using machine learning and image recognition, aimed at addressing important health issues for women. The startup seeks to have women benefit from the technology being developed, changing otherwise stressful and traumatic processes into something much easier.

Perugini shared on stage her own journey of trying to have children and taking around three years to achieve this, following a raft of treatments with mixed results.

Presagen's journey wasn't without challenges. An early problem was that of data privacy laws forbidding medical data from leaving the country of origin which proved difficult in machine learning. Here AWS global cloud infrastructure provided a solution with federated machine learning algorithms, training on data distributed all over the world without having to move or see that data.
Data centre owner and operator DCI Data Centers has announced plans to spend $70 million on a new data centre in South Australia, along with upgrades to its existing facilities on the site.

The new data centre will, according to DCI, be the state's first Tier-Ready III/IV secure cloud edge data centre meeting defence-grade security requirements.

The plan also includes acquiring additional land, plus power and other infrastructure upgrades.

It means DCI's Kidman Park site capacity will increase by 4MW to 5.4MW total IT load, with SCEC zone 3 to zone 5 physical security options.

The company claims the facility will set industry-leading benchmarks for water and energy efficiency.

"We are impressed that South Australia continues to lead the way in supporting industries to collaborate and innovate which has stimulated demand - hence our decision to invest in this state," said DCI ANZ CEO Malcolm Roe.

"It is forecasted that $3 billion will be spent on digital infrastructure this year in Australia alone,

and DCI is proud to be investing more than $70 million into South Australia."

He added "This new data centre will be the first of its kind in South Australia. It will provide mission-critical support to some of the state's priority growth sectors including the local defence, space and hi-tech industries, offering the highest levels of security so they can conduct business with certainty, using local infrastructure.

State Premier Steven Marshall today welcomed the announcement: "The investment in DCI Data Centers' expansion is significant and further contributes to South Australia's world-leading data analytics capabilities.

"South Australia continues to attract global companies to our great state and I look forward to seeing this new facility and sister projects unfold in the near future."

The new data centre is expected to be completed by mid 2022.
Get unlimited access to all content and features at ivpressonline.com with our Full Online Access Subscription. Read our E-Edition, the digital replica of the print newspaper online, access content in exclusive sections including Family, Teen, Business, Databases, Farm and more. This option does not include daily home delivery of the Imperial Valley Press newspaper. For home delivery service, please select Premium or Premium Plus.
FILE - in this Nov. 7, 2016 file photo, Ninth Circuit Solicitor Scarlett Wilson, speaks with lawyers during the murder trial of former North Charleston Police Officer Michael Slager in Charleston, S.C. Wilson said Tuesday, May 19, 2021, she is seeking outside opinions after reviewing official reports on the January jail death of a man with mental health issues. Video released by Charleston County officials last week show deputies repeatedly deploying stun guns and kneeling on Sutherland's back before he stops moving.
This Week in Review

A weekly review of the best and most popular stories published in the Imperial Valley Press. Also, featured upcoming events, new movies at local theaters, the week in photos and much more.
South Africa: SIU welcomes EC Education Department corruption arrests

The Special Investigating Unit (SIU) has welcomed the prosecution of four senior Eastern Cape Education Department officials and a businessman on charges of fraud and corruption.

The five are linked to the 2014 procurement of learner/ teacher supplementary resource material worth R59 million from Siegesmund Trust.

They businessman Johannes Smith, former Department head Mthunywa Ngonzo, former Chief Education Specialist Noxolo Gwarube, together with current department officials appeared before the East London Magistrates Court on Monday on charges of corruption, fraud, attempted fraud, theft and contravention of the Public Finance Management Act.

The current Department officials and suspects in the matter are Deputy Director General Raymond Tywakadi (Acting Superintendent-General/head of Department at the time), and IT services Deputy Director Tyronne Fourie also appeared in court.

They were released on R5000 bail each and the matter was postponed to 8 July 2021 for copies of the docket and to allow for Tywakadis legal representative to be confirmed.

The prosecution by the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) follows an intensive investigation conducted by the SIU in the Eastern Cape Education Department which uncovered evidence pointing to criminal action and in particular corruption against the five accused, said the SIU in a statement.

The evidence, as required by the SIU Act, was referred to the NPA and also to the Directorate for Priority Crimes Investigation (Hawks) for further attention.

The SIU is working closely with the NPA and Hawks in this regard and we will continue to work together to ensure that all role players identified through our investigations in the alleged crimes are held accountable.

The SIU also made six disciplinary referrals against education department officials, including the Acting Head of Department at the time. The Department confirmed to the SIU that disciplinary action against four officials has commenced, the Unit said.

In 2015, the SIU was directed in terms of Proclamation R598 of 2015, to investigate the procurement of or contracting for services by the education department and payments that were made in respect thereof.

The SIU investigation uncovered that the goods were procured unlawfully and/or irregularly, in contravention of the provisions of the SCM policy, Preferential Procurement Policy Framework Act No.5 of 2000, and section 217(1) of the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa.

The SIU investigation further revealed that the Siegesmund Trust had delivered the resource material as per the terms of the irregular contract which has since been reviewed and set aside.

As result, the SIU calculated the profit earned from the procurement contract and demanded it be paid back. Civil litigation was instituted by the SIU in the Grahamstown High Court to recover the monies.

The trustees of Siegesmund Trust agreed to pay back R3 million in three instalments plus interest and the agreement was made an order of the Grahamstown High Court in March this year.  SAnews.gov.za

This story has been published on: 2021-05-19. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article.
Like a flash in the night, Producer, DJ & Fashion designer, Steve Aoki brightens the world with his rhythms. Bulgari and Steve Aoki have decided to combine their values and their taste for celebration by developing an iconic and festive watch reflecting their own nature: Bulgari Aluminium Steve Aoki special edition.



The Bulgari Aluminium special series dedicated to Steve Aoki brings together the essence of the values driving both partners. The watch is fitted with a dial bearing the artists signature logo. Coated with Superluminova, it asserts itself in the darkness with a glorious radiance serving as a reminder that light always triumphs over obscurity. I couldnt be more proud and grateful to announce my partnership with Bulgari stated Steve Aoki.

Aluminium Steve Aoki Special Edition  Bulgari

This special creation bearing the signature of the international DJ embodies the shared spirit guiding Steve Aoki and Bulgari. Throughout its history, the Rome-based jeweller has played with colour in its creations, helping to convey a warm vibe by offering colourful models standing out from the prevailing aesthetic formalism.



Bulgari jewellery creations speak the language of the Mediterranean: warmth, conviviality, colours and joie de vivre. Producer, DJ & Fashion designer Steve Aoki expresses the very same fundamentals. His performances light up the night with a unique glow composed of sounds, rhythms and movement.



Bulgari Aluminium Steve Aoki special edition, with its aluminium case and rubber bezel, is a creation dedicated to lovers of life, optimism and movement. Its 42-hour power reserve will enable clubbers to dance until dawn.
MiMi-Sandra of Fort Worth, born 7 September 1945 in Jacksonville to Joe Selman Gore and Jeffie Gwendolyn (Lazenby) Gore. Preceded by her parents and five siblings. Survived by her husband, daughters, four siblings, nieces and nephews.




Donate Now As a public service during this pandemic, the Jewish News is providing free, unlimited access to all articles. Jewish News is a nonprofit publication that is owned by the community and relies on community support.
Veteran Wyoming journalist Kerry Drake has covered the state for more than four decades, previously as a reporter and editor for the Wyoming Tribune-Eagle and Casper Star-Tribune. He lives in Cheyenne. The views expressed here are solely his own.
Tom Hallberg covers a little bit of everything, from skiing to long-form feature stories. A Teton Valley, Idaho, transplant by way of Portland and Bend, Oregon, he spends his time outside work writing fiction, splitboarding and climbing.
Bonds were flat to start the overnight session, but moved higher right at the start of European trading. This has been a major theme in the past few sessions with Italian yields leading the way higher for core EU yields. By the time the move gets across the Atlantic, it's a highly diluted but still noticeable.

Perhaps Europe deserves some credit for a reversal as well. Shortly after the previous chart was snapped, German bund yields fell below the day's previous lows and Treasuries followed.

The net effect is an unchanged start for Treasuries. MB are also roughly unchanged (technically a tick weaker, but they'd gone out at the apex of an afternoon rally yesterday, so 1-2 ticks of weakness (0.03 - 0.06) is misleading.

The only relevant market mover on the calendar today is the 20yr Treasury auction. These have been notoriously unpredictable since their recent debut. Results will be out just after 1pm ET.
After long planning, work will begin in 2022 at an estimated cost of just under $2 million.
Teton County Reporter

Previously the Scene editor, Billy Arnold made the switch to the county beat where he's interested in exploring Teton County as a model for the rest of the West. When he can, he still writes about art, music and whatever else suits his fancy.
Connie Owen would love to hear your stories. Call or email her at 734-9512 or connie_owen@msn.com.
Jim is the chief meteorologist at MountainWeather.com and has been forecasting the weather in Jackson Hole and the Teton Range for the last 30 years.
Letters to the editor should be limited to 400 words, be signed and include a town of residence and a telephone number for verification. Letters are due by noon Monday. No thank yous or political endorsement letters. Guest Shot columns are limited to 800 words. Email editor@jhnewsandguide.com.
RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL - MAY 09: A sea turtle swims in the coast of the Guanabara Bay during a coronavirus quarentine, on May 09, 2020 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Nearly four year after Rio hosted the first Olympic games in South America, some Olympic legacy plans, including ridding Rio's bay of pollution have failed to materialize. Animals are seen more frequently in the city during the coronavirus pandemic.According to the Brazilian Health Ministry, Brazil has 155.939 positive cases of coronavirus (COVID-19) and a total of 10.627 deaths. (Photo : Photo by Bruna Prado/Getty Images)

What began as an environmental tragedy ended in a small hope. In a bold effort, conservation scientists from the University of Central Florida extracted 70 eggs from the body of a dead loggerhead turtle after it met with an unfortunate accident on a Brevard County beach.

Sea turtle struggled in search across suburbanized beach

The story appears to be a troubling case of how suburban development has clashed with the natural migration cycle of the endangered sea turtle species.

Prior to its accident, there was evidence that the pregnant loggerhead repeatedly struggled with creating a nest on several parts of the beach before venturing further inland towards the roads.

It is known that sea turtles travel over a thousand miles back to the same nests that they were born in and this phenomenon has been occurring on the shores of Florida long before the first colonial ship made landfall.

According to some experts, this may be due to their brains having a sort of magnetic compass that guides them across the seas.

Unfortunately, the rise of human settlements has gradually interfered with these migration patterns, as this latest incident appears to show. Sea turtles are well-adapted to seeing things underwater but this turns against them when they are out crawling on the beach during nesting season.

This makes them very prone to disorientation from artificial lights as well as the unfamiliar changes to the shore's landscape from human activity.

Also read: Ancient Turtle With Frog-Face That Lived 100 Million Years Ago Unearthed by Scientists

Saving sea turtle eggs

Female sea turtles can lay over 100 eggs in one nesting trip. This is made possible because they share the same intriguing ability to store sperm from mating sessions (much like some species of other reptiles).

Despite this, not all eggs hatch. And for those that do, the dangers have only begun. Baby turtles must then navigate a lifetime of survival crawling back into the water. They face not only their natural predators such as sharks, but also the hazards of fishing lines and plastic pollution.

It is the combined effects of all these factors that has led to the loggerhead falling under the protection of the Endangered Species Act in 1978. Fortunately, the numbers are gradually rising and the rescued eggs from the latest accidents could also add to the growing hope that these turtles will get back to healthier populations.

There are still a lot of obstacles to this, however. Recent relaxations on the Endangered Species Act from the previous administration has left many conservationist groups deeply concerned about the future of their efforts.

In the case of the loggerhead turtle, this has also culminated in a series of clashes with Florida's own Wildlife Commission who has been accused of neglecting the reality of turtles struggling to nest in radically reshaped beach areas.

Global warming is also seen as another threat to the species' survival, as melting glaciers and rising ocean temperatures are affecting the marine ecosystems on which these animals subsist.

Hence, more and more advocacy groups are piling the pressure for direct intervention that not only boosts the species' population but also reconsider projects that could interfere with their ancient nesting homes.

Also read: Sea Turtles Coated in Toxic Oil Spill Get Healed by Mayonnaise
Joplin, MO (64801)

Today

A mix of clouds and sun. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. High 92F. Winds SSW at 5 to 10 mph..

Tonight

Scattered showers and thunderstorms. A few storms may be severe. Low near 70F. Winds S at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 60%.
Social media has completely changed our perceptions of the world and how we view individuality. A tool comprising hundreds of different platforms that have now infiltrated every industry around the world. Our usage of social media as a form of marketing and advertising has now influenced and ultimately changed the way we buy products, obtain services, and acknowledge resources.

With major criticism coming from both public and governmental institutions regarding privacy and data protection - there is much we still need to learn and understand around the use of social media as a tool of influence. One industry or field which has received major traction with the use of social media is that of non-surgical cosmetic procedures. In a modern era, people such as Dr Enfry Salas from the Enfry Clinic have used social media platforms as a way to invite patients and clients to see the "reality" of what his clinics do.

As with many things in life, there's both good and bad for everything. Dr Salas is using social media as a way to inspire, openly communicate, and lessen social disapproval of non-surgical cosmetic procedures. With a global reach, and clinics in both Europe and the Dominican Republic, Dr Salas and his team of highly trained specialists are looking to broaden the understanding of "lift culture."

What is "lift culture" and why are we seeing more of this on social media?

"Lift culture'' has been around for decades, it's only recently become more commonplace in society with the introduction of social media. Looking at non-surgical cosmetic procedures, "lift culture" includes the use of fillers and micro-needling to enhance the aesthetic appearance of patients. "Lift culture" makes it possible for patients to have a non-surgical option to raise the tips, smooth a deviation, and fix impurities caused by accidents or surgical procedures.

With the use of social media, "lift culture" is not gaining more traction. Looking at Dr Salas and the Enfry Clinic which is completely on social media. Interested patients or returning clients know the Enfry Clinic completely from what they see on the internet, well for the most of it. Dr Salas and his team share an open and real-life look at what they offer, rather than spending money on advertisements in magazines, or social media ads.

"Lift culture" has fueled social media to become a place of advertisement for clinics and specialists in the field. It's augmented and influenced over patients, allowing them a better understanding and review of what the procedure they'll undergo.

How has social media influenced non-surgical cosmetic procedures?

What we need to understand here is that non-surgical cosmetic procedures include a host of various products, services, and practices. For most of it, Dr Salas and his professional team have been using social media as a tool to garner more clients and create a retainer program for satisfied patients.

Coined as the "social media clinic" by Dr Salas, this movement is better understood by young professionals in the field, and the use of social media to educate and convey the authenticity of their procedures.

People are more complacent when they can see the immediate results, while also having enough valuable knowledge to make a well-informed decision. For Enfry Clinic they encourage patients, those who are willing, to feature on their social media clinic. This is a 100% real and original view of what patients can expect from Dr Salas and his team of professionals.

What treatments are treatments that will remain timeless?

Yes, social media can rapidly create fandom around new trends, and this is easily said for most industries. But comparing that to cosmetic surgery, some treatments will remain timeless throughout the existence of the sector. For Dr Salas, he explains it as having and using more natural products and fillers. Looking more natural is probably something most people are after. Whether it be skin or lips, having that natural look after undergoing a non-surgical cosmetic treatment makes it more timeless, a philosophy the Enfry Clinic lives by.

Dr Enfry Salas uses his professional skill, with modern thinking to create a platform that invites the eyes of the world to view and examine his work.
Former Martinsburg-Berkeley County Parks and Recreation executive director Steve Catlett was one of several who addressed the Board of Education on Monday night in reference to the deputy superintendent pay index rate for the FY22 budget. The index and position became a point of contention later when the budget was up for approval.
The group of dedicated volunteers was able to collect up to two tons of garbage from the Keyes Gap  Keyes Ferry Acres area.
Opinion Columnist

Chris Powell has worked for the Journal Inquirer since 1967, first as a reporter, then as an editor, and now as a columnist. He was managing editor from 1974 until retiring from that position in 2018.
Having diversity in the front of the classroom benefits all students, especially the students of color who may not be used to seeing people like themselves in that position, said Mark Dawkins, CPA, Ph.D., professor of accounting at the University of North Florida and the first Black CPA, Ph.D., president-elect of the American Accounting Association.

Among other things, the person teaching the class can have a significant impact on whether students decide to try a course in that subject  and ultimately make it a career  because they see it is being taught by someone who likely embodies similar life experiences. For that reason, the first Black CPA Ph.D.s, and the professors they mentored or inspired, have played an important role in attracting generations of ambitious Black students to the profession.

Overcoming barriers

The earliest Black people to earn Ph.D.s in accounting faced numerous barriers. In fact, the first five had no chance at full-time positions in majority-white institutions when they got their start in the 1950s and 1960s, according to Theresa A. Hammond, Ph.D., accounting professor at San Francisco State Universitys Lam Family College of Business and author of A White-Collar Profession: African American Certified Public Accountants Since 1921.

That was the case for William Louis Campfield (19121993), who in 1951 became the first Black CPA Ph.D. He was also the first Black CPA in North Carolina and the first Black person inducted into the Beta Alpha Psi organization. His parents, graduates of the Tuskegee Institute and students of Booker T. Washington, were teachers, according to research by Dereck Barr-Pulliam, CPA, Ph.D., assistant professor of accountancy at the University of Louisville. Campfield and his eight siblings attended a school on the Institutes campus and then he was sent to live with relatives in Pittsburgh so he could attend a college preparatory high school. He enrolled in New York University, supporting himself by working at a bowling alley, then returned to teach at Tuskegee in 1933.

When it hired Campfield in 1951, the University of San Francisco had the distinction of being the first majority-white institution in the country to hire a Black Ph.D. in accounting, according to Hammond. However, he was hired as a lecturer, not a professor, even though no other faculty member, including the dean, had a Ph.D. A year later, Campfield returned to working in accounting in a government position and created a practitioner-in-residence program that allowed him and numerous other government accountants to take leave and teach accounting. He retired in 1972 as associate director of what was then called the U.S. General Accounting Office, now known as the Government Accountability Office, and in 2019 became the first Black accountant to be inducted (posthumously) into the American Accounting Associations Hall of Fame.

Succeeding through persistence

Another pioneer, Larzette Hale (19202015), showed similar determination. Sent to an orphanage at age 11 after her fathers death and when her mother could no longer care for her, she learned bookkeeping when the business offices accountant took an interest in her. She went on to study business in college, where an accounting professor became her mentor. Thanks to her, I fell in love with balancing the books and knew I wanted to study accounting in college, Hale told the Journal of Accountancy in 2009.

She faced a number of forms of discrimination. Although a resident of Oklahoma, Hale was barred from attending its two state universities because of her race, so she attended Langston University, the states only historically Black college. The state of Oklahoma would later pay her tuition to attend the University of Wisconsin for her masters degree, according to Hammond. While teaching at Clark College in Atlanta, she decided to get her CPA at the urging of her mentor, Jesse Blayton, an influential early Black accounting professor. When Hale took the CPA exam, she was asked to sit in the back of the room and wasnt allowed to use the lunchroom. In 1955, she became the nations first female Black CPA Ph.D. She ran a solo practice for a decade but was drawn to teaching. Hale would ultimately become the head of Utah State Universitys school of accountancy and also taught at Langston and Brigham Young. She was appointed a regent of the Utah Board of Higher Education, the first Black person in that role.

A first for a new generation

Dawkins, who met Hale early in his career, set out to follow the lead of these early pioneers. There are a lot of prominent and impactful faculty of color who may not have had an opportunity to serve in this role, so I stand on the shoulders of giants, he said. He said hes grateful for the chance to highlight issues and concerns related to diversity at a time when attention is being focused on racial injustice and economic inequity.

Dawkins promotes the advancement of future Black accountants through his involvement in the PhD Project, which aims to diversify corporate America by increasing the number of business professors from underrepresented minority communities and attract more minority students to college business courses. He was in graduate school before the PhD Project started, but he began attending the projects annual conference as soon as it began. Currently, he co-mentors four junior faculty members involved in the project, discussing questions they may have about research or teaching and helping them build the success they need to gain tenure. When the project began, Dawkins recalled that there were so few faculty of color that they would refer to each other by number based on the order in which they had become Ph.D.s. Today, we have 1,500, he said.

Expanding students knowledge base

To keep the momentum going, efforts are underway to nurture a new generation of diverse CPA Ph.D.s and provide them with the learning and tools they need to succeed. For example, Dawkins served on a task force for CPA Evolution, a joint initiative of the National Association of State Boards of Accountancy and the AICPA to transform the CPA licensure model to encompass the rapidly changing skills and competencies that accountants need now and in the future. That will include changing what is being taught. I believe accounting schools do a good job of giving students the basic toolkit they need, he said. But we will need a combination of schools better preparing students and firms enhancing employee training. Speaking of his work with the learning process and the PhD Project, Dawkins concluded, for me, its a lifelong commitment.

The Black CPA Centennial is a yearlong effort to honor, celebrate, and build upon the progress Black CPAs have made in shaping the accounting profession. The celebration is a collaborative effort of the AICPA, Diverse Organization of Firms, Illinois CPA Society, National Association of Black Accountants, and National Society of Black CPAs.

 Anita Dennis is a freelance writer based in New Jersey. To comment on this article, contact Ellen Goldstein, the Associations director-Communications & Special Projects, at Ellen.Goldstein@aicpa-cima.com.
If your nails seem abnormal, it could be a sign that you have been infected with COVID-19 previously, a lead investigator on the ZOE COVID-19 symptom study in the UK suggested.

Beau's Lines

You may have observed that when you visit the doctor, physicians will observe your nails sometimes. They aren't just observing them for manicures, but for symptoms of illness that can be noticed there.

Beau's lines are horizontal ridges that go across your entire nails. While they can be brought about by picking at the nails or infections all over the fingertips, they can also be a sign of severe illness, particularly if they are found across multiple nails. There are many illnesses that can prevent the growth of your nail, from the failure of the kidney to pneumonia. Most are accompanied by other observable symptoms, which people will probably notice long before the effect is seen in their nails.



Tim Spector, a principal Investigator proposes that similar kind of lines can be noticed in some people after COVID-19 infection. The Beau's lines have not officially been included as a symptom of COVID-19, although there are case studies that gave support to the notion that they could indicate a past infection. In one released in the Canadian Medical Association Journal, an old man, 45, showed the horizontal grooves on his toenail and fingers to doctors.

Also Read: Smell Training: How Can it Help COVID-19 Patients Recover Their Loss Senses?

Polymerase Chain Reaction Test

According to the report, the grooves were most pronounced over his big toenails bilaterally, in the previous three and a half months, a diagnosis of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) had been given to the old man following a positive nasopharyngeal swab PCR test (polymerase chain reaction), because of shortness of breath, fever and diarrhea symptoms, which continued for 10 days and did not need admission to hospital.

The rate of nail growth indicates that the researchers could reduce the number of possibilities when the ridge occurred. "As the growth of the toenails takes place at a rate of approximately 1.62 mm per month, the Beau's lines distance from the proximal nailfold in our patient reflects the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection timing," they wrote.

Other Infections That Can Occur After These Ridges Appear

As Spector highlighted, possessing these ridges can be signs of some other infections or because of other causes, both hypertension, serious malnutrition, chemotherapy, eczema, and epilepsy so it can't be used alone to identify if you have had COVID-19. Moreover, there is a need for the subject to be studied a lot further before drawing conclusions.

The lines themselves aren't dangerous and resolve when what causes the appearance of the lines are resolved, though they may take some months to grow out entirely. If you develop Beau's lines, or they occur again, it may be worth having a discussion with a health care provider or physician, in case they're a symptom of hidden or unknown conditions.

Related Article: Potentially Deadly 'Black Fungus' Keeps Appearing in COVID-19 Patients in India

For more news, updates about COVID-19 and similar topics don't forget to follow Nature World News!
Today

Scattered thunderstorms this morning, then mainly cloudy during the afternoon with thunderstorms likely. High 82F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 60%. Locally heavy rainfall possible.

Tonight

Scattered thunderstorms during the evening, with mostly cloudy skies after midnight. Low 66F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 60%.

Tomorrow

Thunderstorms. High 78F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 80%.
We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it.
Turkey rejected as absolutely unacceptable accusations by the US that President Recep Tayyip Erdogan made anti-Semitic remarks in his criticism of Israeli strikes in Gaza, his top press aide said Wednesday.

The latest tensions could further sour the relationship between two NATO allies Turkey and the United States.

The US statement about our President Erdogans remarks on the Israeli violence against Palestinian civilians is absolutely unacceptable, Erdogans press aide Fahrettin Altun tweeted.

The US State Department on Tuesday sharply criticised Erdogan for what it called anti-Semitic remarks, urging him and other Turkish leaders to refrain from incendiary comments, which could incite further violence.

The United States strongly condemns President Erdogans recent anti-Semitic comments regarding the Jewish people and finds them reprehensible, State Department spokesman Ned Price said in a statement.

Erdogan, whose political roots are in Islamism, has championed the Palestinian cause during his 18-year rule.

He has accused Israel of terrorism against the Palestinians.

Earlier this week he called them murderers, to the point that they kill children.

Altun slammed the charge of anti-Semitism targeting the president as appalling.

It is a cowardly statement to divert the international attention away from Israels crimes against humanity, he commented.

The foreign ministry also rejected unfair accusations Wednesday, urging the United States to try and stop Israels attacks happening before the eyes of the entire world.

Erdogan had spent the past few months trying to mend relations with Washington and reaching out to other Western allies after a year of sharp disputes.

But he lashed out at US President Joe Biden for his diplomatic support for Israel and his reported approval of a new arms shipment to the Jewish state.

Erdogan has been waging a diplomatic campaign to impose sanctions and other punishments on Israel for a military offensive that has claimed the lives of at least 219 Palestinians in Gaza since May 10.
The new law requires the US Department of Justice to focus on prosecuting hate crimes against Asians after the surge in attacks.

The US House of Representatives has approved legislation to prevent the increase in hate crimes against Asians during the coronavirus pandemic, and the bill was sent to President Biden on Tuesday for signature.

The measure previously passed in the Senate was passed by the House of Representatives with an overwhelming majority of 364-62. The new law directs the US Department of Justice to focus on prosecuting violent crimes against Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders.

In the past year, U.S. police have witnessed a surge in racially motivated crimes against Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders, including a shooting in Georgia in March. Killed six women Asian descent.

Grace Meng, the representative of the main sponsor of the bill, said in a statement: For more than a year, Asian Americans across the United States have been crying for help.

When the bill passed the Senate with a 94-to-1 vote, Meng said: We all heard disgusting stories and saw shocking videos of Asian Americans being beaten, hacked and spitting.

Law enforcement and Asian American advocates have Hate crimes against Asians on the rise The political rhetoric of former President Donald Trump and other Republican politicians who blamed China for the pandemic.

Hate crimes are well known hard Prosecute. The bill provides a hotline for local prosecutors to seek guidance and law enforcement training in such cases.

It also includes the Jabara-Heyer Prohibition of Hate Act, which improves enforcement reporting of hate crimes and expands community assistance and resources for victims of such crimes.

The bill is named after Khalid Jabara, a Lebanese American who was killed in 2016 in a racist neighbor in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Heather Haye Heather Heyer died in a vehicle attack during a white supremacist march in Charlottesville, Virginia in 2017. Initially, the two attacks were not classified as hate crimes, but they will be subject to the new law.

In California and New York, where many Asian Americans live, Shocking event Violence against Asians.

In March this year, a 75-year-old Asian-American Burhao was pushed to the ground and died while walking near his home in Oakland in the morning. The suspect will face assault charges, but will not be charged with hate crime charges.

In New York, a 65-year-old Filipino woman Was attacked in broad daylight When a man was walking on the street, he kicked her on the stomach and stepped on her head. The incident has been captured in a security video. She survived and he was arrested.

Last year, an Asian immigrant and his two young sons were stabbed and chopped while shopping in Midland, Texas.

The monitoring team Stop AAPI Hate reported 3,795 incidents nationwide from March 2020 to February 2021.
The Curtis Wilbur sailed through the strait on Tuesday and was referred to as a regular transit by the United States.

After the U.S. warship once again sailed in the ocean separating Taiwan and its major neighbors, China accused the United States of threatening peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait.

The US Navys Seventh Fleet said that the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer Cutis Wilbur conducted a routine crossing of the Taiwan Strait on Tuesday in accordance with international law.

It said in a statement on its website: The ship passed through the Taiwan Strait, demonstrating the United States commitment to a free and open Indo-Pacific. The U.S. military will continue to fly, sail and operate within the limits permitted by international law. .

A spokesperson for Chinas Eastern Theater Command expressed strong opposition on Wednesday as tensions between the two countries have increased.

He said: The actions of the United States sent the wrong signal to the independent forces in Taiwan, deliberately undermining the regional situation and endangering peace and stability on both sides of the Taiwan Strait.

He added that the Chinese army has been tracking and monitoring the ship during the entire voyage.

China believes that Taiwans democratically elected government is committed to formally declaring Taiwans independence, which is Beijings red line.

Taiwans President Tsai Ing-wen said that they are already an independent country called the Republic of China, the official name of the island.

The Ministry of Defense of Taiwan said that the destroyer sailed southward and crossed the strait, conditions are normal.

The U.S. Navy conducts such operations approximately once a month. The Seventh Fleet is stationed in Japan.

Like most countries, the United States does not have formal diplomatic relations with Taiwan, but it is its most important international supporter and a large number of arms sellers.

Over the past year, military tensions between Taiwan and Beijing have intensified, and Taipei has complained that China has repeatedly sent air forces to Taiwans air defense zone.

Some of these activities may involve multiple fighters and bombers.

China stated that its activities in Taiwan are aimed at protecting Chinas sovereignty. The Taiwanese government condemned Chinas actions as intimidation.
Quarantine free travel is now open between Australia and New Zealand. Flights started on the 20th of April, with many taking up the opportunity to visit family, and go on an overseas holiday again. There is a lot of excitement from Australians and New Zealanders about the start of the travel bubble, and interest from around the world. There are still some challenges though, one of those is travel insurance, and what is covered.

What Will Your Travel Insurance Cover?

Initially almost all travel insurance providers refused to cover any covid related costs when it became a 'known' issue back in January and February last year. Over time more and more have added varying levels of covid cover to their policies, usually at an extra cost.

Some countries now require travel insurance with covid or coronavirus cover (for medical expenses), as a condition of entry at the border. Some of the countries requiring covid cover are Singapore, South Africa, Thailand, Cambodia, Egypt, and French Polynesia. New Zealand and Australia have not yet required it from their residents going between the two countries.

Easy Travel Insurance has been one of the very few travel insurers that supporting travelers through the pandemic.

Cover More Australia, one of Australia's largest and most popular travel insurance providers, has stated that they will cover covid related medical costs in their policies. You can choose an 'add on' for covid cover, when selecting your level of cover. NIB, another large insurance provider in Australia, also offers covid cover (for medical costs).

Qantas has expanded it's cover to include covid related medical costs and up to $2500 (AUD) per person for other related expenses, such as quarantine. However, that amount is unlikely to cover all other expenses, or even the amount for two weeks quarantine.

Emirates has added a level of covid cover into their airline ticket prices, increasing prices by a small margin, so that everyone has it when they fly with them. Their cover does include emergency evacuation as well as medical expenses, but up to a certain limit.

It is important to read through your policy thoroughly before you travel, and consider which provider offers the most relevant/best value for money in relation to covid cover. They do tend to have slightly different limits, inclusions and exclusions among providers.

Many hotels and tourism providers, as well as airlines, are offering free/cheaper date changes with bookings, to encourage people to travel despite possible changes.

What Won't Your Insurance Cover?

While a growing number of providers do offer covid cover now, it is usually just for medical expenses. The occurrence of a sudden border closure is unlikely to be covered. This may mean that people are stuck somewhere for an unknown amount of time, until an outbreak is contained, at their own expense.

It could be that the city you are in goes up an alert level due to new cases in the community, and you then have to pay further living expenses. Borders between countries could also be closed, then you might wait longer for a spot in managed isolation upon your return.

The reason that it is very difficult for insurance providers to cover this type of event is time. It's impossible to know how long it will take a city or country to get an outbreak under control. It may be as little as one or two weeks, but it could also take months. Managed isolation costs in both Australia and New Zealand are high, and if someone tests positive they will often be required to stay longer than the usual two week period.

Should You Still Go?

Both governments, as well as tourism providers, are encouraging people to use the travel bubble. The economies of both countries do need people to use it. Tourism from Australia makes up the biggest portion of all tourism in New Zealand, and New Zealanders are a close second (after China) for the biggest group of tourists in Australia too. This one border opening will make a huge difference for tourism, and the economy in both countries.

For mental health as well, this is a good thing for residents of Australia and New Zealand. Being able to re-unite with family across the border, and knowing some travel is now possible, there won't be such a feeling of being stuck in one place for an unknown period.

Both Australia and New Zealand have covid alert levels and travel warnings shown on government websites. People can check whether the area they plan to go to is low risk, or has a community outbreak before they leave. Most airlines are not charging for date changes at the moment, even quite close to the flight date.

Neither government wants a border closure. They will generally try to contain any new outbreaks locally first. There may be exemptions to leave a local lockdown, if you self isolate at home on arrival back to your home country, or go into managed isolation. They might ask as little of you as just getting a covid test done before your flight.

There will always be some risks when travelling abroad, even just between two neighboring countries. However, those risks are considered minimal, hence opening the border. Do your due diligence when reading your insurance policy, and ask questions if you are unsure. That way you can enjoy your holiday with peace of mind.
Amritsar, India  In the event of an incredible shortage of medical oxygen, the Punjab government contacted Prime Minister Narendra Modi to facilitate the establishment of an oxygen corridor with Indias main neighbor Pakistan, Pakistan and the Northwest The Ministry of Governors has a border of 550 kilometers (342 miles).

The Chief Minister of Punjab State Amarinder Singh and other politicians in the state have asked Modi to purchase oxygen from Pakistan at least eight times. The city of Lahore in Pakistan is only 50 kilometers (31 miles) away from Amritsar.

The countrys prime minister, Imran Khan, provided assistance to India on April 25, which is a need to buy oxygen from Pakistan. The well-known Edhi charity in Pakistan has also voluntarily provided medical assistance in the event of an increase in COVID-19 cases in the country.

However, with the deadly second coronavirus wave causing thousands of deaths every day, Modis Hindu nationalist Baradia Janata Party (BJP) government refused to seek any help from its enemy country .

A technician unloads an empty oxygen cylinder in a hospital in Ludhiana [Gurkirat Singh/Al Jazeera]

Gurjit Singh Aujla, a member of Parliament in Amritsar, told Al Jazeera: It turns out that this kind of denial is fatal to patients in Punjab. They dont know the last breath.

Aujla first wrote to Modi on April 26, because it is geographically close, so it sought to establish a special oxygen channel with Pakistan. When he did not receive a reply from the prime minister, he wrote again on April 27, and then wrote more letters on May 2 and May 5.

At the same time, Singh also issued a statement on May 4 stating that the center rejected his proposal to allow local industrial groups in Punjab to import oxygen from Pakistan through the Ouaga-Atari border near Amritsar.

More than ten days have passed since the center refused, but the interruption of the oxygen supply chain in Punjab has not recovered.

Last week, at least three hospitals in Amritsar issued emergency calls, saying that their oxygen buffers had been exhausted. The local government arranged life-saving gas from nearby areas.

A government official who requested anonymity stated that he had forgotten the number of SOS messages released by the hospital in the past few days. He told Al Jazeera: Every few hours every day, a hospital receives calls for help.

Patients wearing masks wait in the lobby of a hospital in Batinda [Lalita Verma/Al Jazeera]

From 3,003 coronavirus patients in Punjab on April 13 to 6,947 patients on May 17, the states one-month infection rate has more than tripled.

As of Monday, there are 73,616 patients in Punjab, which may exceed 100,000 by next week.

State government data shows that in these active cases, at least 25% to 30% of patients require regular oxygen support. The Ministry of Health of India estimates that severe COVID-19 patients need 10-60 liters of oxygen per minute.

The managing director of the hospital, Sunil Devgan, told Al Jazeera that on April 24, after the facility ran out of oxygen, 6 patients died at the Neelkanth Hospital in Amritsar??? .

On April 23, the oxygen shortage in our hospital was shocking. Due to the pandemic, our consumption increased from 20 cylinders a day to 100 cylinders. On the evening of April 23, we would lose patients almost every half an hour. He says.

Of the six people who died in the hospital that night due to lack of oxygen, five were being treated for COVID-19.

Despite countless SOS calls, no one came to help us. Even now, after so many days, we still have difficulty getting oxygen on time. According to the instructions of the Punjab government, we do not accept severe COVID-19 patients now, Devgan Say.

On April 30, Punjabs daily oxygen consumption was 203.8 metric tons (MT). On May 7, it reached 250.6 tons, an increase of nearly 50 tons in a week. On May 17, it jumped to 304 tons.

However, the central government issued a two-week emergency request on May 11 to provide at least 300 metric tons of oxygen per day. The central government increased the oxygen limit in Punjab to 247 metric tons.

Of the 247 tons of oxygen allocated, nearly 70 tons of oxygen came from the Bocaro plant, which is located in the eastern state of Jharkhand, a distance of more than 1,750 kilometers (1,088 miles). The Punjab hospital said that the oxygen from Bokaro could hardly arrive on time.

As of May 7, due to logistical problems, other factories in the country also had an oxygen shortage of 211 metric tons. Officials said that Punjabs daily oxygen demand far exceeded the states daily oxygen demand.

In the logistical challenge of obtaining oxygen from Jharkhand, Singh once again urged Modi on May 10 to increase the total oxygen quota for plants in the states of Punjab.

In the case of oxygen shortage in Punjab, the doctor is checking the oxygen concentrator. Credit  Gurkirat Singh

Why can we get oxygen from Lahore, which is only 50 kilometers away, and why wait for Bokaro, 1758 kilometers away, to provide oxygen? Oira told Al Jazeera.

The congressman suggested that the two countries can establish a barter trade system where they can exchange the necessary resources they need.

He said: When the number of cases in Pakistan is also rising, this kind of resource sharing system through the Ouaga-Atari border can serve the two countries.

India has received aid from China and other Islamic countries. If it feels ashamed and cannot get help from its so-called enemies, then we can pay or exchange sugar or wheat for barter trade to Pakistan.

If we can provide vaccines to Pakistan, why not take oxygen from them? Who knows that this might improve our relationship with Pakistan, he said.

Since the Indian subcontinent gained independence from British rule in 1947, relations between the two countries have been strained and split into a Muslim-majority Pakistan through a bloody split.

The two nuclear-weapon states have fought two of the three major wars on the disputed Kashmir Himalayan territory. They claimed to have sufficient territory but ruled some of them. The tension between the two countries was in 2019. It reached its peak when the special status of India was cancelled. It controls the Kashmir region.

However, after a rare thaw in relations between the two countries at the beginning of this year, the two countries reaffirmed their commitment to reach a ceasefire agreement in 2003 along their disputed border in Kashmir. After the thawing, Modi and Khan exchanged letters, and the two leaders emphasized the necessity of dialogue and cordial relations.

In addition to writing to Modi, Aujla also sent several letters to Federal Minister of Health Harsh Vardhan. He also contacted Om Birla, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Parliamentary Spokesperson, led by Subrahmanyam Jaishankar on April 29. He said that only Birla answered him.

When Al Jazeera requested an official comment on the matter, the Indian Ministry of Foreign Affairs denied any correspondence with Punjab State that imported oxygen from Pakistan. Vardhan and other health secretaries also did not respond to e-mail inquiries sent by Al Jazeera.

BJP spokesperson Vijay Chauthaiwale said that since the matter is related to the bilateral relationship between India and Pakistan, he will not comment on the matter.

Oira was worried. The situation in Punjab is even worse than holding hands. The tragedy is waiting to happen, he told Al Jazeera.
Did Prince Charles SNUB Harry leave a message in the video?

Prince Charles shared a video message with a sweet snapshot of the Queen, William and George behind it, but there is no Prince Harry.

CharlesThe 72-year-old, in his office, provided an Australian charity with a video recording of his support, with a picture of himself and Royal family In the lens.

Charles attended the Australian Pension Institute Trustees Meeting in Adelaide in a pre-recorded video.

During the pandemic, people have seen the Prince of Wales make a video call from his office in Birkhall or Highgrove.

A series of family photos are usually seen behind him, including Harry, 36 and Megan 39-year-old Markle and their son Archie.

But today, in the photo behind Charles, the Sussex family and their son are gone.
The Ecuadorian Ministry of Environment said the collapse was the result of natural erosion.

Ecuadorian environmental officials said that Darwin Arch is a famous natural rock formation in the Galapagos Islands that collapsed into the sea due to erosion.

Photos posted on social media by the Ecuadorian Ministry of Environment show that the rubble on the top of the vault has collapsed into the ocean, and the two supporting pillars are still standing.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs wrote in Spanish on its Facebook page on Tuesday: We report that the iconic Darwinian arc has collapsed.

The 43-meter (141-foot) high rock formation named after the British naturalist Charles Darwin is located at the northernmost tip of the Galapagos Islands and is a popular place for divers.

The Arch was once part of the nearby Darwin Island and is known for its diverse underwater life, including a school of hammerhead sharks.

Obviously, everyone in the Galapagos Islands has nostalgia, because this is something we have been familiar with since childhood, and knowing that its changes are a bit shocking, the Galapagos Islands Nature Reserve is in charge Said Washington Tapia. However, from a scientific point of view, this is part of a natural process. The decline must be caused by external factors such as weathering and erosion, which is what usually happens on our planet.

The Galapagos Islands is a remote volcanic archipelago in the Pacific Ocean 600 miles (965 kilometers) west of Ecuador. It has a unique flora and fauna that inspired the evolutionary theory of British naturalist Charles Darwin.

234 islands, entrances and rocks are part of the Biosphere Reserve and World Heritage Site. Four of them are homes of approximately 30,000 people.
Putins government continues to expand its suppression of political dissent, entangled with one of Russias most iconic and respected institutions: Moscows famous ornate subway system.

In the past week, dozens (or even hundreds) of train drivers, mechanics, conductors, and other public transportation workers were dragged to the front of managers and told to resign or be fired.

The reason seems to be that they or their family members signed on the website requesting that Alexei Navalny, the arch enemy of President Vladimir Putin, be released from prison.

Their names were supposed to be confidential, but somehow the information was obtained by Russian security services.

Sergey Polyantsov, 37, said: What we all have in common is that all of us have registered on the Free Navy website. For the past 17 years, he has been Drive the train on the subway.

Polyantsov said that he was told later last week that he would be fired and there was nothing he could do about it.

Sergey Polyantsov has been a subway driver in Moscow for 17 years. He was told last week that he would be fired after registering on the Free Navy website, calling on the Russian government to release the opposition leader Alexei Navalny from prison. (Submitted by Sergey Polyantsov)

Prosecutors take action to shut down Navalnys operation

Navalny, a 44-year-old opposition leader and lawyer, took several years to discover and expose a huge kickback and corruption scheme involving Putin and his senior Kremlin deputy.

A video titled Putin PalaceThe website is reportedly owned by Russian leaders and has a huge mansion on the Black Sea, which has been viewed more than 100 million times on YouTube.

Navani survived an assassination attempt in August last year. Most Western countries believe that this was carried out by Russian secret service personnel. He was taken to Germany for treatment.

When he betrayed the Kremlin and returned to Russia in January, he was quickly sentenced to prison and many of his senior organizers were placed under house arrest.

Navani appeared in a cage in Moscows Babskindsky District Court on February 20. He was sentenced to prison after returning to Russia from Germany in January, and he received medical treatment after being assassinated. (Alexander Semlyanichenko/Associated Press)

In recent weeks, prosecutors have taken action to shut down Navanis Anti-Corruption Foundation (FBK) and dozens of political institutions across Russia, declaring that his network is an extremist organization, equivalent to al Qaeda or the Islamic State terrorist organization.

Polyantsov told CBC News: I have never seen anything like this, and I never thought it would happen in an organization like the Moscow Metro.

He said that his annual salary is about 25,000 Canadian dollars, which is a middle-class income in Russia.

Metro tourist attraction

Moscows subway is one of the busiest bus systems in the world, carrying nearly 7 million passengers a day, but it is known for the gorgeous and artistic design of many of its stations.

The subway is based on colorful granite floors, mosaics and detailed painted ceilings, as well as statues of famous Russian cultural and military figures. It is a tourist attraction in itself.

Mayakovskaya Metro Station, opened in 1938, is considered to be one of the most impressive stations in Moscows public transport system. (Colin Seminov/CBC)

The system is also known for its high efficiency. For most of the day, the waiting time between trains is two minutes or less.

Another dismissed worker, 38-year-old Alexander Ivanov (Alexander Ivanov), who has been driving trains for four years, said: Its hard to believe that in a workplace of this size, they would take such orders. Incredible action.

The Metro Employees Union said that so far, 37 workers have been formally fired, and at least 30 of them are unemployed.

Other employees driving trams, buses or working on the light rail system were also attacked. The union stated that by the end of the purge, hundreds of people may be fired.

I will sign for anything I want

After a union meeting in Moscow earlier this week, CBC News encountered several laid-off workers. Many people seemed shocked by the sudden turn of events, while others expressed indignation at the actions of the Russian authorities.

Ivanov said: This is political discrimination, nothing more.

This should not happen in the civilized world. Those who commit this crime should be punished.

The dismissed Moscow transit worker Alexander Ivanov (Alexander Ivanov) drove a subway train for four years. He said that this is political discrimination, nothing more. (Submitted by Alexander Ivanov)

He said that the speed of the Russian authorities from imposing some form of moderate dictatorship on the people to complete repression was so fast that he was shocked.

If someone told me three days ago that this would happen, I would say,Yes, things here are bad, but not too bad. But we dont have the answer yet.

Nevertheless, Sergey Polyantsov (Sergey Polyantsov) when thinking about how to find another job, said that he did not regret signing the Navani petition.

Today, they dont like me registering on theFree Navalny website. Tomorrow they will not like me subscribing to PornHub or other content. They will fire me again. I will register whatever I want, he said defiantly.

Polyantsov in the carriage on the Moscow Metro train. He wanted to know how he would find another job, but he said he did not regret signing the pro-Navalny petition. (Submitted by Sergey Polyantsov)

Restore remote workers

A spokesperson for the union representing transit workers told Reuters that the dismissal was the result of false accusations and would appeal to the Moscow court.

But the judge agreed that there are few opportunities to restore workers.

Russian prosecutors and courts have repeatedly lagged behind the orders of the Kremlin and imposed severe penalties on Navani and his associates and any activities related to his anti-corruption work.

Last month, a worker painted a picture of Navalny on a wall in St. Petersburg, Russia. The message read: Heroes of the New Era. Navalny, currently in prison, has been a sting by the side of Russian President Vladimir Putin. (Anton Vaganov/Reuters)

The Russian labor movement also seems to be ready to acquiesce in the Kremlins wishes.

At a press conference, the Moscow Metro State Unitary Enterprise, a union representing metro workers, stated that although it will try its best to provide financial support to the laid-off employees, it also considered that it would be inappropriate to over-politicize this issue.

The head of the Russian Federation of Labor, Boris Kravchenko, one of Russias top labor officials, declined to make a statement in an interview with CBC News.

The TASS news agency quoted Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov as saying that any worker who feels wronged has the right to appeal through the judicial system.

If the Labor Law is violated, and citizens believe that these illegal acts have occurred, they can freely apply to the prosecutors office.

Economic stagnation

Ora John Reuter, an associate professor of domestic political science at the University of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, called this a moment of instability for Putin and his government, which may explain Putins trend toward more repressive measures.

In an interview with CBC News, Reuters said: This is not the Putin prevalence between 75% and 80% three to four years ago. Now, it is hovering near historical lows.

Thousands of people participated in a rally in support of Navani in Moscow on April 21. (Victor Berezkin/Associated Press)

Therefore, even if they are not facing an organized and united opposition, the Kremlin is obviously worried about general dissatisfaction, especially in the context of continued economic stagnation.

However, Reuters said that the suppression of ordinary people rather than political activists would bring risks.

After the authoritarian regime, the authoritarian regime has appeared again and again, and we have seen how this has caused strong opposition.

Watch | Alexei Navalny was sentenced to prison for breach of parole:
According to the EU plan reached today, Britons are expected to travel to Europe this summer without testing or quarantine.

Brussels has approved a new plan that will put Britain on the white list of safe nations as early as Friday.

? Read our Coronavirus Live Blog About the latest update

4 British people who have been vaccinated may soon fly to Europe again Credit: PA

But diplomats warned that this date may be delayed as EU countries are nervously concerned about the spread of the Indian variant here.

The European states will retain ultimate control over the conditions of entry into their borders.

An EU source said: British travelers still need to study the national policies of the countries they are traveling to.

This new initiative aims to open up the mainlands hard-hit tourism industry in time before the peak summer season.

So far, Brussels has strictly prohibited non-essential travel from almost all regions of the world.

Only a handful of countries with lower Covid rates (such as Australia and New Zealand) are whitelisted.

The standards have now been relaxed, which means that due to our excellent vaccination work, the UK is likely to be eligible.

Brussels has set the new threshold at 75 cases per 100,000 people. The current rate in the UK is 22 per 100,000.

4 European countries eagerly welcome British tourists back Image Credit: Ben Queenborough / PinPep

4 Portugal opened its doors to the UK on Monday Credit: Reuters

However, there will be an emergency brake that allows member states to close their borders to rule out new variants.

EU diplomats said the worrying news from Downing Street about the Indian variant is making them rethink.

They feared that Britain was added to the list just to deport us within a few days.

Germany has classified India as a dangerous area because of the presence of Indian strains.

The EU spokesperson said that countries will relax some of the current restrictions, especially those that have been vaccinated with EU-authorized vaccines.

He added: The Security Council should also expand the list of non-EU countries with good epidemiological status as soon as possible in accordance with the new standards agreed today.

This will help to gradually resume international inbound travel if possible, while ensuring that rapid action is taken to deal with the spread of new virus variants.

When asked when the vaccinated passengers can start using the new regulations, he replied: These things can happen quickly.

All vaccines currently in use in the UK-Pfizer, AstraZeneca and Moderna-have been authorized by the European Medicines Agency.

The plan reached today says that member states should remove restrictions on non-essential travel of vaccinators to the European Union.

The report said: This reflects the latest scientific recommendations and shows that vaccination can largely help break the chain of transmission.

If member states decide to abandon the requirement for negative PCR tests and/or quarantine for vaccinated people within their own borders, they should also abandon such requirements for vaccinated travelers from outside the EU.

The policy is only a recommendation, which means that it is not legally binding on EU countries.

Currently, it is up to the states to decide whether to accept the NHS application as a vaccination certificate.

When the groups own vaccine passport is about to be up and running, the situation may change at the end of June.

From then on, the entire European Union will be able to enter into deals with countries such as the United Kingdom to mutually recognize the validity of each others Covid certificates.

No charge Angry red list passengers are forced to mix with green in the super spreader mix Organize your thoughts! As members of Congress fight over what substances are allowed to be used, the amber list becomes more and more chaotic. Green light From June 7th, more green list countries may announce holidays So flash Tripadvisor reveals the most picture-perfect hotel in the world Warning light Britons fly to Spain and Greeces Amber destination destinations-despite government warnings EU welcome Increased holidays throughout the European Union, allowing British people to use vaccine passports to be exempt from testing

The news was announced when the ministers were confused about allowing travel to the amber country.

They urge people not to go to those destinations-including holidays in almost all of Europe-but admit that there is no law prohibiting this.

So far, Portugal is the only EU country on the green list of non-quarantine holiday destinations.
The International Energy Agency outlined the path to net zero emissions this week, but some Asian countries and companies have backed down.

Asian energy officials objected to the call from the International Energy Agency (IEA) on Wednesday, believing that there is no new oil, natural gas and coal investment in the world until 2050 to achieve zero carbon net emissions, and that this approach is too narrow.

The International Energy Agency (IEA), which has previously advocated for the oil and gas industry, outlined this week the road to net zero emissions. The proposal recommends stopping new investment in oil, natural gas and coal supplies and phasing out fuel in developed economies by 2030. Coal power plants, and prohibit the sale of more new internal combustion engine vehicles by 2035.

Australias energy companies have the largest carbon emissions per capita among the wealthiest countries in the world. Officials in Japan and the Philippines have stated that there are many ways to achieve net zero emissions, although the IEA stated that its approach is the most technically feasible and the most costly. . -Effective and acceptable in society.

Akihisa Matsuda, deputy director of international affairs at the Japanese Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry said that the Japanese government has no plans to immediately stop investment in oil, natural gas and coal.

He said: The report puts forward a recommendation on how the world can reduce greenhouse gas emissions to zero net value by 2050, but this may not necessarily be in line with the Japanese governments policy.

Japan needs to protect its energy security, including a stable power supply, so we will strike a balance between achieving the goal of achieving carbon neutrality by 2050.

According to the BP Statistical Review of World Energy, Japan is the third largest carbon emitter in the region in 2019, after China and India.

There is no one for everyone

Australias largest oil and gas industry and mining lobby group said that there is no panacea for decarbonization.

The International Energy Agencys report did not consider future negative emission technologies and external offsets from the energy sector. Two things are likely to happen and will make the future of oil and gas fields vital and necessary development, the Australian Petroleum Production and Exploration Association CEO Andrew McConnell said.

Woodside Petroleum, Australias largest independent natural gas producer, said it still intends to make a final investment decision to develop new gas fields outside Western Australia in the second half of 2021 with an investment of A$11 billion.

A Woodside spokesperson said: For its part, Woodside is working with customers, all of whom are committed to achieving zero carbon emissions countries, to ensure that we can provide them with the energy they seek to The way to achieve their decarbonization..

Australia pledged on Wednesday to provide taxpayers with 600 million Australian dollars ($464 million) in taxpayer funds for the construction of a new gas-fired power station to support wind and solar power generation. Energy Secretary Angus Taylor (Angus Taylor) said this is a pragmatic move.

Philippine Energy Secretary Alfonso Cusi stated that even after the proposal to ban new coal-fired power plants, coal will still be the main source of power in the Philippines for many years, and the energy transition should be fuel and technology neutral. .

He said that cutting oil, gas and coal financing without considering efficiency and competitiveness will frustrate the Philippines desire to join the ranks of high-income countries.

Hendra Sinadia, executive director of the Indonesian Coal Mine Association, said that although the world is turning to renewable energy, as some countries are still building new coal-fired power plants, the demand for coal is expected to continue in the next few decades. Strong.
breaking news

after Katie Barlow





At 4:37 pm

Committee members swear oaths at Zooms first public meeting

President Bidens Supreme Court Committee held its first public meeting on Wednesday. Although the meeting mainly consisted of various forms of formalities, the commissioners previewed some of the issues they will study in the next six months, including increasing the number of judges, imposing term limits, reducing the courts jurisdiction or requiring the court to only account for the majority. proposal. Members of Congress can invalidate bills of Congress.

Biden Committee to appoint 36 members Many liberals call on Congress to expand the size of the courts or implement other reforms. The committee is composed of legal scholars, retired judges and practicing lawyers. Its task is to study various reform ideas and submit reports to the president, but the committee will not recommend or avoid any special measures.

Christina Rodriguez, co-chair of the committee, told the panel: We have not made specific recommendations. On the contrary, we will evaluate the strengths, weaknesses and legitimacy of the specific reform proposals being debated today.

Rodriguez, a professor of Yale University Law School and a former official of the Department of Justice, and Bob Ball, a professor of law at New York University and a former White House adviser to the President, served as the drivers seat. At the beginning of the virtual meeting, he was sworn in and approved the committees charter.

Then, some members summarized the five areas that the committee will study: (1) the origin of the reform debate, including why the reform of the Supreme Court has been a debate throughout the history of the United States, and what factors contributed to the recent debate, (2) the court The role in our constitutional system includes debates about the scope of judicial review and court authorization to invalidate the actions of other government departments; (3) service hours and judicial personnel turnover; (4) membership of the court, including the expansion of the court size Recommendations, and (5) the courts case selection procedures, Shadow dossierAnd the interaction between the court and the public.

The meeting was originally scheduled to last 90 minutes, but the committee adjourned for less than half an hour.

The committee will hold six public meetings in the next 180 days, at which time its final report will be released. Expired At least two of these meetings for the President, one in late June and one in late July, will have public testimony from 24 witnesses who will submit written statements and answer questions from the commissioner.

The committee will publish a draft report in its report. website along with recording Its public meeting. Bauer emphasized that the committee hopes to submit public comments in five key areas by August 15.

The committee will hold its next public meeting in late June and provide witness testimony.
Under pressure, the EU stated that compared with the proposed abandonment of patent rights, the EU now has another option to increase production more effectively, and the United States has now abandoned this proposal.

The European Union has proposed a plan that is believed to be more effective in helping to increase the production and supply of COVID-19 vaccines than the proposed abandonment of patent rights supported by the United States.

Under pressure from developing countries to abandon intellectual property rights for vaccines and treatments, the European Union proposed an alternative on Wednesday, focusing on export restrictions, vaccine developers commitments, and the flexibility of existing World Trade Organization (WTO) rules. .

WTO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus (Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus) said on Monday that the world has reached the vaccination apartheid situation, and poorer countries, which account for half of the population, only accept 17% of the vaccine.

EU Trade Commissioner Valdis Dombrovskis told the European Parliament that universal and fair access is a top priority for the international community.

In a debate on global vaccine access, Dombrovskis told parliamentarians that the EU is prepared to participate in the review of the temporary exemption from the WTOs Trade-Related Intellectual Property Agreement to the extent to which it has promoted the spread of vaccine .

Since October, India and South Africa have been urging other WTO members to cancel the intellectual property rights of vaccines to ensure their supply to the world.Last week, US President Joe Biden (Joe Biden) broke out on the issue again. Support this idea.

The EU and other opponents say this will not increase vaccine production.

The Vice President of the European Commission said that the most effective way to achieve universal use is to increase production, share more vaccines and make them affordable.

Dombrowskis said that the EU plan has three elements.

He said that export restrictions should be kept to a minimum, and emphasized that half of the vaccines produced in EU countries are exported. French President Emmanuel Macron urged Washington on Saturday to lift restrictions on exports of vaccines and vaccine ingredients.

Dombrowskis said that vaccine manufacturers and developers should also make specific commitments to increase supply to vulnerable developing countries at production costs.

Finally, Dombrovskis emphasized the existing WTO rules that countries can grant licenses to manufacturers even without the consent of the patent holder. If such manufacturers provide vaccines at cost prices, the right holders should not profit from any payables.

The committee will submit the plan to WTO members in early June. The committee stated that the speed of implementation of the plan may be much faster than the abandonment of the plan. This will require changes to WTO rules and may take several months. Time to complete.

The European Parliament will vote on an intellectual property exemption resolution in June, although Wednesdays debate revealed clear differences between green groups that favor left-leaning and green groups opposed to right-leaning.
Officials said the Indian navy ship had collected 22 bodies. The ship sank on a barge in Mumbai this week when it was blown ashore by a hurricane in Mumbai.

Navy spokesman Mehul Karnik said on Wednesday that the search continues to find 55 missing persons.

He said that the three ships and helicopters involved in the search rescued 184 people in the choppy seven-meter (25-foot) deep sea.

Hurricane Tauktae is the strongest storm to hit the area in more than two decades. It reached ashore in Gujarat State at speeds of 210 kilometers (130 miles) per hour on Monday night. The storm caused more than 50 deaths in Gujarat and Maharashtra.

After being rescued from a sunken barge in the Arabian Sea, members of the Indian Navy transported the personnel to an ambulance [Indian Navy/Handout via Reuters]

Naval Commander Alok Anand said that the weather has improved since then and the search for missing persons has been strengthened.

A survivor told the NDTV news channel that he jumped into the sea with a life jacket and was later captured by the navy.

The government said in a statement that in another operation, a naval helicopter rescued 35 crew members of another barge, GAL Constructor, which ran aground in northern Mumbai.

Both barges work at Oil and Natural Gas Corp., Indias largest crude oil and natural gas company.

The company said that the barge was transporting people for offshore drilling and their anchors were released during the storm. Indias largest offshore oil rig is located near Mumbai.

Indian newspapers reported that a hurricane in Gujarat State, the hometown of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, destroyed more than 16,000 houses, and an aerial survey was conducted on the storm-hit area on Wednesday.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi (Narendra Modi) #CycloneTauktae Disaster areas in Gujarat and Diu The Prime Minister is conducting aerial surveys in Una, Diu, Jafarabad and Mahuva today. He will also hold a review meeting in Ahmedabad later. pic.twitter.com/fJMJFDZJsf -ANI (@ANI) May 19, 2021

The storm has put pressure on the Indian authorities as they are struggling to cope with the massive increase in coronavirus infections and deaths, as well as the shortage of hospital beds and oxygen.

Authorities said that in Gujarat, one of the states worst hit by the second wave of coronavirus, the cyclone destroyed power towers, destroyed about 16,500 houses, and blocked more than 600 roads.

The states agricultural sector may also be hit, including Saurashtra, where mangoes are grown.

Officials said that the restoration of power supply and unobstructed access roads are underway, but certain parts are still being cut off.

Aayush Oak, a senior official in the Amreri district of Gujarat, told Reuters: Mobile phone networks are still paralyzed in many areas, and I dont think they will be restored today (Wednesday).

The Indian Meteorological Department said on Wednesday that the storm had weakened into a depression centered in southern Rajasthan and adjacent to Gujarat.

In neighbouring Nepal, authorities require climbers to descend from high altitudes because the storm may bring bad weather.

This month, hundreds of climbers, guides and staff are trying to climb various mountains in Nepal, and high altitude areas are usually the most favorable weather. Nepal has 8 of the 14 highest peaks in the world, including Mount Everest.

The Nepal Tourism Authority asked climbers and outfitting companies to monitor the weather and stay safe on Tuesday.

In 2014, blizzards and avalanches caused by hurricanes in India killed 43 people in the mountains of Nepal in the worst hiking disaster in the Himalayas.

It is believed that a blizzard was blown from the tail of the cyclone that hit the Indian coast a few days ago.

Snowstorms swept the popular Annapurna hiking trail, and hikers were caught off guard when the weather changed rapidly.
On May 15, Israeli air strikes razed the Al-Jalaa Tower, which is 11 stories high and houses Al Jazeera and Associated Press offices in the Gaza Strip. Just a few days ago, the Israeli military bombed the towers of al-Henday, al-Jawhara and al-Shorouk, which housed more than a dozen local and international news agencies.

The tower targeted by Israel is one of the few high-rise buildings built in the Gaza Strip in the past 20 years to meet the commercial, social and educational needs of local residents.

Before the attack, these towers were some of the few locations in the blocked enclave that had relatively uninterrupted service, especially those powered by their own generators. As a result, they attracted hundreds of families as residents, not only hosting many media offices, but also hosting several local businesses, law firms, medical laboratories and civil society organizations. They are also cultural and social hubs, vital to the daily lives of many young people in Gaza.

Due to the explosion, Gaza lost its social infrastructure, perhaps the most critical media infrastructure. Israel evacuated their offices for journalists working in Al-Jalaa Tower in just one hour, forcing them to abandon their large archives and equipment, and they were destroyed next to the building.

The bombing of Al-Jalaa Tower was criticized by international organizations, human rights organizations, and several governments including Israels allies.

The Israeli military claimed that the tower contained Hamas military intelligence assets and was therefore a legitimate target. However, as US Secretary of State Antony Blinken recently admitted as an example of Israels actions in defense of Israels actions, Tel Aviv has so far not released any evidence to support these allegations. The Associated Press firmly denied that Hamas was operating in the building.

However, regardless of whether Hamas has an office in the building or not, it uses missiles to target high-rise buildings in the center of dense cities where hundreds of civilians live. This is an indisputable violation of international law. By beating these vibrant towers, Israel once again demonstrated its determination to cause the greatest psychological harm to the residents of the besieged zone.

In addition, it targets the offices of local and international media organizations in Gaza and announces to the world that it is now willing to do everything necessary, including using its full military force to prevent reporters from reporting crimes against the Palestinians. people.

Israel has good reasons to try to silence the free media.

In recent decades, the media has become an indispensable tool for winning wars. Victory in modern conflicts depends not only on defeating the enemy on the battlefield, but also on controlling domestic and international public opinion.

Indeed, fact-based on-the-spot reports carefully study the narratives put forward by soldiers and the state, and are decisive for the progress and conclusions of many recent conflicts.

For example, during the Battle of Fallujah between the U.S. Army and the Iraqi insurgents in 2004, media reports from the scene proved to be critical to exposing the damage caused by U.S. air strikes and ground operations to civilians in the city, and ultimately led to the U.S. military. extract.

This [US] Fallujahs Marines have not been beaten by terrorists and insurgents, they have been effectively and accurately eliminated. They were defeated by Al Jazeera. After the battle, the retired U.S. lieutenant colonel Ralph Peters wrote. Peters did not admit that the media had the ability to hold the powerful army accountable, but claimed that Al Jazeera and others lied to the local situation. In order to prevent the United States from winning. He wrote: The media is often used as a strategic factor, but we are still not fully aware of its deadly power. 

Like the United States at the time, Israel is working hard today to stop the increasing spread of accurate information about attacks on civilians and violations of international law.

Thanks to the efforts of journalists from Palestine and other regions, and millions of Palestinians publishing their truth on social media, the true story of Palestine has finally been heard around the world. As a result, not only has global public opinion turned to support the Palestinians, but many international institutions and organizations that have long allowed Israel to control the narrative of the conflict also feel obliged to speak out for Palestine.

On May 17, the leading human rights organization Amnesty International condemned Israels continued attacks on Gaza, saying that the Israeli military expressed shock at the lives of Palestinian civilians, ignoring its air strikes on residential buildings, and in some cases killed the entire Families-including children, and causing wanton destruction of civilian property in attacks that may constitute war crimes or crimes against humanity.

The condemnation statement of the amnesty was issued in the context of a report issued by Human Rights Watch in April. The report stated that Israel was committing crimes against apartheid and persecution of humanity in its treatment of Palestinians. Therefore, the international community must reassess and Israels diplomatic relations. status.

Today, Israel is not only trying to stop the dissemination of accurate information in its attacks on Gaza in the process of bombing news organizations, but also through activities of false information.

For example, last week, a spokesperson for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu shared a video on Twitter, claiming that the video showed Hamas launching rockets into Israel from a densely populated area. . As the BBC said, the clip was actually shot in Syria in 2018 and has nothing to do with Gaza. Twitter subsequently labeled the tweet as controlled media.

In addition to sharing obvious fake news, the Israeli government is also trying to manipulate international and domestic public opinion by constantly peddling false statements about Hamas being an aggressor in the conflict, that Hamas is doing everything possible to avoid civilians. Casualties are just defending itself from terrorist organizations, and the current escalation is not a direct result of its illegal occupation.

Falsified videos and information distributed by the Israeli government have caused many Palestinians and Palestinian citizens in Israel to be attacked by far-right Israeli mobs. Pro-Israel governments around the world also use these false narratives to avoid condemning the apparently illegal actions of their allies.

The international community must take immediate action to protect journalists in the Occupied Palestinian Territory and Gaza Strip. The important and dangerous work done by journalists in these conflict areas is the only way to expose Israels continuing attacks on Gaza and its cruel acts of illegal occupation of Palestine over decades.

At the same time, however, Israels ability to bomb Gazas Tower of Truth with impunity should not despair those who wish to bring justice to Palestine. The increasing diversification and democratization of information resources means that Israel cannot win its battle for truth. In the final analysis, it cannot keep all of us silent.

The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect Al Jazeeras editorial stance.
Last year, Denmark reduced the number of farmed minks by killing them in hordes after coronavirus infections broke out amid the animals. But in the succeeding months, hastily buried mink remnants started rising up from the ground, moved skyward by the gases oozing from their decaying flesh, according to news reports.

Culling Farmed Minks

Danish authorities publicized a plan in November 2020 to reduce the number of all farmed mink in the country after over 200 farms reported SARS-CoV-2 infections amid their animals, Livescience reported previously. The virus, which brings about COVID-19 in humans, had picked up mutations while dispersing among the mink, and the Danish officials became disturbed that the mutant virus might be transmitted to humans and worsen the pandemic.

Professor in the department of infectious disease and global health at the Tufts University Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine in Massachusetts, Jonathan Runstadler in December told NBC News: "The other thing to be concerned about is having this virus contracted by an animal host that turns into a local or regional reservoir for viral infections."

Live Science previously reported that a few thousand mink got away from Danish farms every year, so some already infected mink could have possibly wandered into the wild and spread the virus to other animals.

Also Read: Mink Workers Infected With Coronavirus First Known Cases of Animal-Human Transmission

289 Mink Farms Affected

Recognizing these concerns, the Danish government in early November 2020 issued its order, and "mink on all 289 mink farms that were affected, and farms close to an assigned zone, by Nov. 25, were culled," as stated by the World Health Organization (WHO). Almost all of the approximately 17 million mink remnants were burned in waste incinerators, but because of limited capacity, around 4 million mink were rather buried in military regions in western Denmark, Reuters reported.

Reuters reported one of the mass graves is sited close to a swimming lake and the other close to a drinking water source, which brought about concerns of water contamination from local residents. And shortly after their first burial, the mink remnants began sticking out through the ground, just like a scene pulled from a flick of bad zombie, NBC News reported.

4 Million Minks to be Dug Out and Burned

Reuters reported that as a comeback to this disaster, the Danish government made a decision to dig the mass mink graves beginning May 2021, and that plan has finally started. Per the plan, by mid-July, the 4 million mink will be dug out and they will be burned at 13 central heating plants around Denmark.

Mink, either of two species belongs to the weasel family (Mustelidae) indigenous to the Northern Hemisphere. The American mink (Neovison vison) and the European mink (Mustela lutreola) are both highly rated for their luxurious fur. One of the pillars of the fur industry is the American mink and is raised in confinement throughout the world.

Related Article: Mink Mass Graves in Denmark may have Contaminated Groundwater

For more news, update about COVID-19 and similar topics don't forget to follow Nature World News!
The state government has been investigating whether the company misreported the value of assets to guarantee loans and obtain economic and tax benefits.

The New York Attorney Generals Office stated that it has begun a criminal investigation of the company of former US President Donald Trump, and its scope is beyond the scope of the initial civil investigation.

Attorney General Letitia James has been investigating whether the Trump Organization incorrectly reported real estate values ??in order to obtain loans and obtain economic and tax benefits.

Fabien Levy, a spokesperson for the attorney generals office, said in a statement on Tuesday: We have notified the Trump Organization that our investigation into the organization is no longer purely civil.

He said: We are now actively investigating the Trump Organization and the Manhattan DA in a criminal capacity.

The Trump Organization could not be immediately contacted for comment. Trump has stated that the investigation overseen by Democrat James (James) was politically motivated.

James has been investigating whether the Trump Organization exaggerated the value of some real estate to obtain better loans and lowered its value to obtain real estate tax relief.

In addition, the Manhattan District Attorney Cyrus Vance (Cyrus Vance) has been investigating Trumps pre-presidential business dealings for more than two years.

Vances office stated in court documents that it is investigating possibly widespread and prolonged criminal activities of the former President Trump Organization, including tax and insurance fraud and falsifying business records.

Vances investigation began when Michael Cohen, Trumps former lawyer and fixed person, paid quiet money to silence two women before he claimed to have sexual contact with Trump before the 2016 election.

Since Republican Trump lost to Democratic President Joe Bidens re-election, the pace of such investigations has accelerated.
Moscow took action after Armenia accused Azerbaijan of sending troops across the border last week.

Russian Foreign Minister Lavrov said that after Armenia accused Azerbaijan of invading the border, Moscow offered to mediate negotiations.

Armenia accuses Azerbaijan of sending troops across borders The fragility of the Russian brokers ceasefire was emphasized last week, which interrupted last years fighting between Armenians and Azerbaijanis for six weeks.

Azerbaijan denied crossing the border and stated that its troops were only defending itself.

But Armenia said Friday that Azerbaijan has not fulfilled its promise to withdraw troops that crossed the border.

Lavrov told reporters during a visit to Dushanbe, the capital of Tajikistan, on Wednesday: Russia first provided assistance to delimit the border.

He added that Moscow is proposing to establish an Armenian-Azeri joint committee, and Russia may participate as an advisor or mediator.

TASS news agency reported that Armen Grigoryan, secretary of the Armenian Governments Security Committee, stated that the demarcation work can only begin before the Azerbaijani forces leave Armenian territory.

However, according to Interfax news agency, the Armenian Defense Ministry said earlier on Wednesday that a dialogue between the Armenian Defense Minister and Azerbaijani defense officials is ongoing.

Without a peaceful resolution within a reasonable time-if the Azerbaijani army cannot be restored without any prerequisites, the Armenian armed forces have the right to resolve this issue by other means, including force, the Ministry of Health said.

After November, Moscow helped ensure a ceasefire During the battle, the Azerbaijani army drove the Armenians out of large tracts of territory Since the 1990s, they have been in control of the Nagorno-Karabakh area and surrounding areas.

Russia has a military base in Armenia and last year sent peacekeepers to the area to help implement the ceasefire.

It has strong ties and mutual defense treaties with Armenia, but it also maintains friendly relations with Azerbaijan.
Gaza City -Since May 10, the Israeli military has carried out violent air strikes on the Israeli Gaza Strip, causing widespread death and destruction.

The fighting took place in a tense situation that lasted for several weeks Threat of forced eviction Among the Palestinians in occupied East Jerusalem, Israeli forces stormed the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound, wounding hundreds of Palestinian demonstrators.

When Israel missed the deadline for Hamas, which rules Gaza, to withdraw its troops from the area, the organization fired rockets at Jerusalem.

The Israeli raid is now on its tenth day, killing at least 227 Palestinians, including 64 children, in the besieged coastal area. About 1,500 Palestinians were injured in Gaza.

At the same time, rocket attacks by Hamas and other Palestinian groups killed 12 people in Israel, including two children, and killed at least 300 people.

Several survivors of the Israeli air strike on Gaza shared their experiences with Al Jazeera. Many of them died from the rubble, while the families who were buried were mourned.

What did my child do to them?

On Friday, 37-year-old Mohammed al-Hadidis wife Maha al-Hadidi took their four children to visit the Shati refugee camp (coastal enclave) in Gaza City Uncles home in one of the most densely populated areas in China). Celebrate Eid al-Fitr, which is the end of the fasting month of Ramadan.

That night, most families were killed in Israeli bombings.

They were wearing Eid al-Fitr clothes and brought toys to celebrate the second day of Eid al-Fitr with their uncles children. Then they called me and asked to stay overnight there. I accepted, and they were overjoyed. Hadidi Tell Al Jazeera.

Al-Hadidi is only a few meters away from where his children sleep.

The strike happened at 1:00 in the morning [on Saturday] Its terrible. It shook the area, he said.

He added: I was going to the street to see one of my neighbors friends calling and telling me that my childs uncles house was attacked, which shocked me, what is going on.

36-year-old Maha and their children 8-year-old Abdel-Rahman, 14-year-old Suhaib and 11-year-old Yahya were killed. Only their five-month-old son survived.

Hadidi said: The rescue team rescued my five-month-old baby from the arms of my mother who was found dead in the rubble. The baby survived but suffered a face injury and a fractured right leg.

Hadidi said: They didnt warn them, the missile suddenly hit the house.

What did my child do to them? Did this five-month-old child launch a rocket at the rocket? [Israel]? He added.

Mahas brother Youssefs wife Youssef Abu Hatab (Youssef Abu Hatab), Youssefs wife Yasmin Hassan, 31, and their three children Yamen ( 5 years old), 10-year-old Bilal and 11-year-old Youssef were also killed.

The Israeli army said in a statement that the target of the airstrike was Youssef Abu Hatab (Youssef Abu Hatab), who is said to be the senior commander of the Qassam brigade of the Hamas armed forces.

But Hadidi told Al Jazeera: He is not a commander. This is a lie. He is a regular trader in electrical and construction materials and has no connection with armed groups.

The Israeli army cannot justify the mistake of killing innocent children.

Bomb without warning

On Friday, when the sun went down on the second day of Eid al-Fitr, 26-year-old Lina al-Mutrabaii set the table before dinner when her house was shaken by the explosion and the ceiling collapsed and covered She was in the rubble with her four-year-old daughter Sara Zaher.

Lina al-Mutrabaii, 26, and her four-year-old daughter Sara Zaher survived an Israeli raid and attacked an apartment in a residential building in Gaza Upstairs apartment without prior warning [Sanad Abu Latifa/Al Jazeera]

I quickly removed the rubble from my body, my arm and shoulder were injured, but at that moment I was thinking about my daughter. I held her, went to the lobby where my husband found us, and took us to the hospital

The Israeli raid-without prior warning-targeted an apartment directly above an apartment in a residential building in the center of Gaza City.

Sara Zahers shrapnel hit her back, leg and head, causing serious injuries.

My daughters injury is serious and she needs to be referred to Egypt for treatment. I hope this work can be completed as soon as possible. Al-Mutrabaii told Al Jazeera.

I am afraid that the hospitals in Egypt are not professional enough to treat [my daughters injuries], But Egypt is the only country willing to help. 

The joy of my life is gone

38-year-old Farhha Ibrahim Khalil Junaid (Farhha Ibrahim Khalil Junaid) was in the kitchen when she heard a drone missile hit a motorcycle on the street near her home. sound.

My two sons [Mohammed,11, and Salem, 17] The people playing on the roof started yelling to me: Mom! our brother died in the street!'

38-year-old Farha Ibrahim Khalil Junaid (Farha Ibrahim Khalil Junaid) sat with her five-year-old son. Her five-year-old son was attacked by Israel near his house in Gaza, northern Gaza, Israel. Survived the attack, killing 19-year-old son Moussa and severely wounding another 21-year-old son Wasim (Wasim) [Sanad Abu Latifa/Al Jazeera]

Junaid stayed in shock for a moment, then ran to the street and found her 19-year-old son Musa lying on the ground-shrapnel pierced his heart and he was killed immediately.

Her 21-year-old son Wasim suffered severe head and foot shrapnel injuries. She remained shocked and unable to speak. Her five-year-old son Ibrahim was injured by shrapnel in his stomach.

She also found two people were killed on motorcycles, and seven injured people were lying on the ground, including children. The only shop near her house was destroyed.

Junid said: Ibrahim cant eat anything. He lives on water and needs to be urgently transferred to a hospital in Egypt for better treatment.

She added: Wasim still doesnt know that his brother is already in trouble.

She said Wasim also needs to be treated outside Gaza.

Wasim is a smart student. He is studying IT in the third year, Junaid said.

Musa, who passed away, wanted to complete a bachelors degree in accounting in the first year of his university studies. He dreamed of a better future, she added.

Her husband, Khamis Junaid, a 38-year-old electrician, said: The joy of my life is gone.

I pray that no other parents will face the loss and grief I face.

I can hear the screams of my children

Riyad Eshkontana, 42, was in an apartment in Gaza City in the early hours of Sunday morning, watching the news, while his wife went to check on their sleeping children. At that time, red and yellow flashing lights illuminated the room and the building began to vibrate violently.

He recalled: I ran up to my child and yelled at my wife, asking her to take the child out of the room.

Riyadh said: But within a few seconds, the whole place collapsed and we were buried in rubble.

I spent about five hours under the ruins. I could hear my children screaming and calling for my help. But I could do nothing because the rubble covered my head, chest, and one of my fingers was Cut off. Eshkontana said.

His two young daughters, two sons and his wife were killed.

His seven-year-old daughter Souzi survived the disaster, but because she was pulled out of the rubble, she was unable to speak or eat.

After Eshkontana and his daughter destroyed their neighbourhood under the heavy damage of Israeli air strikes, they were pulled out of the rubble and were in Shifa Hospital. [Sanad Abu Latifa/Al Jazeera]

Eshkontana lives with his family Abu Aluf TowerIn an upscale residential area, the area was attacked by Israeli air strikes without prior warning, killing at least 42 Palestinians-the deadliest day in the latest round of fighting.

The missiles barrage also flattened at least four other buildings on the same street.

Eshkontana said: If I knew this was a military zone and there was no military action in this building, I would not be able to live with the children I love and want to protect.

All my neighbors are respected people, most of them are doctors-they are all good people, they were all killed in a raid.
The United Nations Security Council at its fourth meeting on Israel and Palestine conflictOnce again, there was no consensus on a joint statement calling for a ceasefire. The United States reportedly told the panel of experts that such a statement would not help stabilize the situation.

The Biden administrations firm support for Israel has been criticized. Israel carried out violent air strikes in Gaza, killing at least 219 Palestinians, including 63 children. In Israel, rockets fired from Gaza killed at least 12 people, including two children.

Tuesdays meeting was held after the U.S. Three blockades In a joint statement on violence, U.S. envoy Linda Thomas-Greenfield seemed confused by the prospect of a consensus in the near future.

According to reports, she said in a private meeting: With regard to further actions taken by the Security Council, we must assess whether any given action or statement will add to the icing on the cake to end violence. We dont think issuing a public statement now will help Downgrade.

Thomas Greenfield added that the United States is trying to ease the situation through its own diplomatic channels, including American envoys sent to Israel.

As one of the five permanent members of the Security Council, the United States has the ability to block joint statements and resolutions.

Despite American resistance, France said on Tuesday that the United Nations Security Council is the appropriate forum to promote a ceasefire.

The French President after a meeting with Emmanuel Macron, Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi and Jordanian King Abdullah Said: The UN Security Council must deal with this issue, and we also call for a vote on this issue.

France says it has proposed a resolution calling for a ceasefire to be coordinated with Israels neighbors Egypt and Jordan.

Beijings ambassador to the United Nations Zhang Jun told reporters that his team had listened to Frances ceasefire proposal, and China expressed support for it.

Another diplomat told AFP that the proposal would seek to end hostilities but also allow humanitarian access.

We did not keep silent

On Monday, US President Joe BidenpressureIn a phone call with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Israel expressed support for a ceasefire while continuing to defend Israels right to self-defense.

Progressives, and recent moderate allies in Bidens Democratic Party, came out to support the presidents declaration of a ceasefire.

In the continued bombing of the besieged Gaza Strip, the Biden administration is under increasing pressure to take a tougher line against Israel. The Gaza Strip has destroyed infrastructure and hundreds of Palestinian houses. Critics say this. Equivalent to collective punishment.

On Tuesday, the European Union except Hungary also called for a ceasefire.

Thomas Greenfield told the Security Council on Tuesday: We did not remain silent, nor did you.

Nonetheless, as Egypt and the UN mediator stepped up their efforts to ease tensions, there were few signs of progress.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reiterated on Twitter on Tuesday that the Israeli attack will continue as long as calm is restored.
Senior diplomats from the United States and Russia will meet in Iceland for the first time this week, as the relationship between the two countries has deteriorated sharply in recent months.

US Secretary of State Anthony Brinken and Russian Foreign Secretary Sergey Lavrov plan to hold talks on the sidelines of the Arctic Council meeting in Reykjavik, Iceland, on Wednesday. Reykjavik is a city with a long history of US-Russian relations.

Even before the meeting (which on the surface looks to be preparing for the summit between President Biden and Russian leader Vladimir Putin next month), the two diplomats took diametrically opposed positions at the meeting. Heralds a potentially difficult and controversial exchange.

Prior to this, due to the threat of US-Russian relations to return to the trough of the Cold War, a series of tit-for-tat diplomatic expulsions were successively carried out.

Nuclear powers disagree on numerous issues including Ukraine, the Arctic, Russias treatment of opposition figure Alexei Navani, and allegations of cyber misconduct, including claims that Russian hackers have ransomware attacks on key U.S. pipelines responsible for.

Brinken said on Tuesday: Building a more stable and predictable relationship with Russia will be our priority. At the same time, we are very clear if Russia chooses to adopt a reckless or reckless approach to the interests of us or its allies and partners. We will respond to aggressive actions. This is not for the purpose of seeking conflict or escalation, but because such challenges cannot be allowed to move forward with impunity.

Brinken also tweeted on Tuesday that the United States condemned Russias annexation of Crimea from Ukraine in 2014.

He wrote: We condemn Russias abuse in Crimea, especially on May 18th, because we commemorated the 77th anniversary of Stalins expulsion of countless Crimean Tas from his home peninsula.

Lavrov may be anticipating Lincolns position, and he made a foreword at a press conference in Moscow on Monday.

He said: Obviously, the United States has made a decision to promote a stable and predictable relationship with Russia.

But if this includes continuous and predictable sanctions, that is not what we need. Our attitude towards the United States includes hope that normalized relations will be based on concrete actions, rather than listening too much. .

Brinken said that his meeting with Lavrov will be an important opportunity to test the claim that the United States and Russia can cooperate on certain issues, such as climate change, the Middle East, Iran, and North Korea, although in others There are disagreements on the issue. At the time of the meeting, most of the world was discussing the conflict between Israel and Palestine.

Brinken pointed out that despite the hostility, the United States and Russia agreed to extend a key arms control agreement for five years as early as the Biden administration, and President Donald Trump refused to renew the agreement before leaving office.

Trump has left a clearly mixed legacy in Russia, including a friendly personal relationship with Putin, while his administration has imposed sanctions and other punitive measures.

Lavrov stated that Moscow will determine its own red line and emphasized that in the field of strategic stability, it will insist on placing offensive and defensive, nuclear and non-nuclear weapons on the negotiating table.

Another more direct disagreement in Reykjavik is the North Pole. The location of the famous summit meeting between President Ronald Reagan and Russian leader Mikhail Gorbachev in 1986 is the North Pole. Russia has always been there. Expanding military power and pursuing a policy of expanding its influence is largely a warning of the United States.

Brinken rejected Russias call to restore the military component of the Arctic Council and expressed concern about the increase in Russias military activities in the region known as the High North.

He said: We are concerned about some recent military activities in the Arctic. This increases the risk of accidents and miscalculations, and undermines the common goal of a peaceful and sustainable future in the region. Therefore, we must remain vigilant about this. .

In the blink of an eye, Russia also undertook the task of proposing new navigation rules for the region and condemned Lavrov for making comments. He refuted this criticism because the Arctic is our territory, our land.

We must continue to advance everyone, including Russia, based on rules, based on norms, based on our respective commitments, and avoid making statements that undermine these commitments, Brinken said.

Lavrov pointed out Russias dissatisfaction with Arctic military activities in Mondays comments.

For a long time, it has been known that this is our territory and our land. We are responsible for maintaining the safety of the Arctic coast. Everything Russia does here is absolutely legal. He says.

After the diplomatic expulsion, Moscow and Washington were also involved in a fierce dispute over the status of their embassies and consulates.

Russia has approved the United States to dissolve all non-US staff in its diplomatic mission before August 1. The United States said this will make its facilities almost non-operational.
University of Kansas students who celebrate Ramadan discuss the Muslim holy month, which ended as the spring semester came to an end.
A 5-year-old boy hit by a car in KCK has died. Officers say he was playing at Kensington Park when he wandered away and crossed state avenue. The driver didn't stop in time. Officers say it doesn't appear they were speeding.
KANSAS CITY, MO (KCTV) -- A Kansas City man faces multiple felony counts in connection with incidents downtown when he allegedly threatened or assaulted individuals with a gun.

Alf Cheffen, 48, faces three counts of unlawful use of a weapon, three counts of unlawful possession of a firearm, first-degree harassment and third-degree assault.

Kansas City police ID sexual assault suspect following incidents at parking garages The Kansas City, Missouri Police Department says they have identified a man they consider a sexual assault suspect.

According to court records filed late Tuesday, police responded to a reported armed robbery in the area of 12th Street and Central Avenue in downtown Kansas City on May 9 and found a woman who said she was crossing through a parking garage when a man walked toward her and stated he had a gun.

When she told him she was calling police, he slapped her in the face, knocking her to the ground, court records state.

Prosecutors say surveillance video of the parking garage showed the defendant carrying a black handgun in his right hand. The next day a woman was followed to her car in the parking garage connected to a downtown grocery. She got into the car and Cheffen knocked on her car window with a handgun, court records state.

She believed he was going to rob her, according to court records.

On Monday, detectives reviewed surveillance video of another downtown garage that showed Cheffen following a woman to her vehicle, carrying a bag and a handgun. Another victim told police that on May 13, she was approached by Cheffen in another parking garage and assaulted.

After releasing to the public photos of Cheffen, police received five tips identifying him.

Cheffen has been taken into custody. A bond of $100,000 has been requested.
A geomagnetic storm is expected to hit Earth in the next 24 hours due to a burst of radiation that exploded from the Sun just days earlier.

Fortunately, the storm is expected to be weak, with G1-class conditions predicted by the National Weather Service's Space Weather Prediction Center.

Solar Storm Rate

Geomagnetic storms are rated 1 to 5, with 1 being the weakest and 5 being the most dangerous. With the possibility of a G1 geomagnetic storm, there could be slight power grid disturbances and minor impacts on satellite operations.

Aurora, also known as the "Northern Lights," can be seen from northern Michigan and Maine to points north at high latitudes.

May 14 Geomagnetic Storm

This new geomagnetic storm threat is being driven by a coronal hole formed on the Sun on May 14 and the energy associated with it. Last night, an irrelevant solar wind from another coronal mass ejection reached Earth, but the effects were minor.

Coronal Holes

Coronal holes, or dark areas on the Sun, are now among the major generators of space weather. According to the Space Weather Prediction Center, coronal holes behave as dark areas on the Sun because they are colder than the surrounding plasma and have open magnetic field lines.

These dark regions occur in the Sun's corona, which is the outermost portion of the atmosphere. During the recent solar eclipse, the solar corona was also one of the primary aspects of the Sun that scientists were most interested in studying.

These properties can be seen in solar pictures in the extreme ultraviolet (EUV) and soft x-ray ranges.

Related Articles: Solar Storms: Are They Dangerous?

Solar Wind

Solar wind still flows from the Sun to Earth, but coronal holes release more powerful solar wind. Coronal holes can form anywhere in the Sun, but they are more prominent at a solar minimum. The Sun rotates once every 27 days, and coronal holes will last for many days.

Permanent coronal holes are typical at the Sun's north and south poles, but they can also extend towards the equator, resulting in the broader area.

Coronal holes at the Sun's equator usually result in faster solar wind reaching Earth. Coronal holes often emit G1-G2 geomagnetic storming levels, and on rare occasions, even G3 levels have been observed.

What Intensifies a Solar Storm?

NOAA forecasters examine these characteristics and must account for them in each forecast. If Earth is affected by a coronal hole and a coronal mass ejection is expected to hit the planet, the combined impacts could cause a larger effect more violent geomagnetic storming.

Forecasters can tell when the intensified solar wind from a coronal hole will arrive at Earth by analyzing data from the DSCOVR and ACE satellites. They look for a few items in the data to figure out where the intensified solar wind will reach Earth:

The speed of the solar wind increases;

the temperature rises;

particle density falls;

and the frequency of the interplanetary magnetic field (IMF) rises.

Aurora

If you're a space weather fan or an aurora chaser, you'll want to learn about coronal holes. They will continue to have a large portion of our geomagnetic activity in the future, and they will do so even during the solar minimum.

Aurorasaurus, which helps you post or receive warnings and photographs of aurora activity with a group of those involved in space weather, is a good resource for citizen scientists.

Possible Effects

Although these solar phenomena can light the skies with spectacular auroras, they can also damage batteries, power grids, and satellite and radio communications.

The incident badly disrupted the small electrical and communication lines available at the time; telegraph services worldwide collapsed, with some telegraph operators reporting electric shocks.

According to a June 2013 report by Lloyd's of London and Atmospheric and Environmental Research (AER) in the United States, losses in the United States could reach $2.6 trillion, or about 15% of the country's annual GDP, if the Carrington case occurred today.

Monitoring Institutions

Although the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and its National Weather Service (NWS) are best known for their weather predictions, they are also in charge of "space weather."

Though private entities and other organizations track and forecast space weather, the Space Weather Prediction Center is the primary source for space weather forecasts and warnings (SWPC). The SWPC is a support center of the NWS, which is part of NOAA and is based in Boulder, Colorado.

The Space Weather Prediction Center is one of nine National Centers for Environmental Prediction (NCEP) that monitor current space weather activity around the clock, 365 days a year.

Also Read: Molecule Commonly Found on Earth Discovered on a Distant Exoplanet WASP-33b

For more space news, don't forget to follow Nature World News!
Fans may be missing Song Joong Ki ever since their weekly fix of "Vincenzo" on Netflix ended, but they should not fret. The actor is set to take on new projects.

Below are the upcoming projects Song Joong Ki is going to work on, or already promised to work on. The actor is looking to have a very busy remaining six months for 2021.

Song Joong Ki Confirmed to Star in Heize's New MV

The actor is known for his kind ways - the reason why he's so successful, but PSY ("Gangnam Style") made sure everyone knows just how golden Song Joong Ki's personality is.

After his successful stint in "Vincenzo," the actor might be first seen in the music video of Heize. PSY made this announcement himself and thrown in a lot of compliments for the actor at the same time.

Earlier this month, PSY took to his social media to post a picture of himself with the actor and the up-and-coming star Heize.

READ MORE HERE: Song Joong Ki to Appear in Heize's Upcoming Music Video

The picture is accompanied by a long Korean caption, which can be translated as, "Heize is a respectable artist who has been single-handedly writing songs for her entire album long before joining us here at P NATION."

He then said that in looking for ways to support the new artist, he thought of tapping into Song Joong Ki's help. He did not know that the actor will readily agree.

Heize joined P Nation just last September 2020 and will be releasing her first work very soon.

How lucky can she be to be with "Vincenzo" in her music video?

YOU MIGHT ALSO LIKE: Baeksang Arts Awards 2021 Best Dressed Actors and Actresses who Slayed the Red Carpet

"Space Sweepers" Starring Song Joong Ki to Possibly Release a Sequel

Apart from "Vincenzo," the actor is lauded for his performance in Netflix's sci-fi movie "Space Sweepers."

Song Joong Ki and his co-star Kim Tae Ri's film "Space Sweepers" rose to number 1 on the world movie rankings just a day after it dropped.

Recent reports stated that a second installment for the film is in discussions.

In an earlier review, Director Jo Sung Hee hints at the chances of a sequel. He said that there was a lot of holding back in "Space Sweepers," mainly because he knows having a Korean being part of a big sci-fi movie with foreign actors on it is not that mainstream yet.

He added that his motivation behind adding Song Joong Ki's character into the movie in the first place was to see an ordinary Korean being part of a mission to save the planet.

However, he added that since K-dramas and K-pop have permeated so many parts of the world, people might already be used to seeing a Korean in the big theaters, even in a sci-fi film.

Meanwhile, it remains uncertain whether the original "Space Sweepers" cast will be part of the second installment.

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT: Song Joong Ki Reunites with Kim Sung Cheol in His Online Fan Meeting + Actors Channel Their Inner Tae Ho & Hwang Min Seong

For more K-Drama, K-Movie, and celebrity news and updates, keep your tabs open here at Kdramastars.

Kdramastars owns this article.

Written by Annie Dee
SALEM, Ore.  Five Oregon counties will qualify for Lower Risk status after hitting the vaccination target outlined by Governor Kate Brown earlier this month, the Governor's office announced on Tuesday.

Benton, Deschutes, Hood River, Lincoln, and Washington counties all reached 65 percent of residents 16 or older with at least one dose, enabling them to move to Lower Risk status on Friday. The counties also submitted vaccine equity plans to the Oregon Health Authority, another requirement.

Vaccines protect you, and they protect everyone around you. Its going to take all of us working together to make sure enough Oregonians are vaccinated to stop the spread of COVID-19 in our communities and end this pandemic, said Governor Brown. Id like to thank everyone in these counties, particularly their outstanding public health officials, health care workers, and volunteers who have led the way in making sure their communities are protected against COVID-19."

Tuesday's list notably did not include Multnomah County, though the Oregon Health Authority's vaccination progress dashboard showed the county's rate at the 65 percent threshold.

Southern Oregon counties are still some distance away from hitting the 65 percent mark as of this week, ranging from a low of 32 percent in Lake County to a high of 48 percent in Curry County.

Governor Brown announced the vaccination benchmarks for loosening restrictions on May 11. Alongside the individual county goals is a larger, statewide goal of 70 percent of adults vaccinated with at least one dose, which the Governor said would cause "most" restrictions to be lifted. According to OHA's dashboard, the state is currently just over 62 percent.

Brown's office said that the next risk level changes would be announced on Tuesday, May 25, and would take effect the following Friday.
ROGUE RIVER, Ore.  Multiple agencies have been called in to investigate a deadly officer-involved shooting near Wimer that happened Monday morning, according to the Jackson County Sheriff's Office.

Deputies were dispatched for reports of a domestic assault in the 1500-block of Queens Branch Road near Evans Creek Road just after 11 a.m., the Sheriff's Office said. Before officers arrived at the scene, the suspect reportedly left in a vehicle.

Several minutes after leaving, the suspect returned to the scene. A deputy reported "shots fired" shortly after. The Sheriff's Office says that the deputy was not injured, but the suspect died at the scene.

The Jackson County Major Assault Death Investigation Unit (MADIU) responded to the scene, with Medford Police taking the lead on the investigation into the shooting. They'll be assisted by elements of Oregon State Police, Rogue River Police, the Jackson County District Attorney's Office, and the Sheriff's Office.

The name of the suspect who was killed in the shooting is not being released until next of kin has been notified, the Sheriff's Office said. More information about the shooting is being withheld until the initial investigation is complete.
SALEM, Ore.  Anticipated guidance from the Oregon Health Authority governing fewer mask and distancing requirements for fully vaccinated people came through on Tuesday  but for business owners and venues, embracing the new guidance would require checking vaccination status of patrons.

Broadly speaking, the OHA guidance allows people who are fully vaccinated to not wear a mask indoors in public settings where vaccination status is checked. If vaccination status isn't checked, masks remain required just as before. Businesses and venues can choose to continue with previous mask requirements and forego the vaccination status check.

Masks continue to save lives and protect people who are not vaccinated. However, last weeks announcement from the CDC emphasizes the point that safe and effective vaccines are the very best way to protect people from getting and spreading COVID, OHA director Patrick Allen said. Thats why its safer for life to look more like normal for people who are fully vaccinated. And why people who havent had a chance to get vaccinated should do so as soon as they can.

A fully vaccinated individual is defined as someone who has received both doses of a two-dose COVID-19 vaccine or one dose of a single-dose vaccine, and at least 14 days have passed since the individuals final dose of COVID-19 vaccine.

State epidemiologist Dr. Dean Sidelinger said last Friday that a vaccination status check would likely require display of a completed vaccination card, but the guidance released Tuesday did not specify how it's supposed to be accomplished  as written, it requires businesses, employers and faith institutions to have a policy for checking proof, and follow through on requesting and reviewing said proof.

RELATED: New Oregon Health Authority dashboard tracks progress toward vaccination goals

In a follow-up briefing on Tuesday afternoon, Sidelinger said that proof could take the form of a completed vaccine card or a print-out from the healthcare provider  either paper documents or photos of those documents  but it must include the person's name and birthdate in addition to the vaccine records.

Also included in OHA's guidance was an announcement that masks will no longer be required for anyone who is outdoors, but masks are still recommended in crowded areas and at large gatherings. Physical distancing is also recommended in those settings.

Even for the fully vaccinated, masks and physical distancing are still required on public transportation, in schools, hospitals and clinics, homeless shelters, correctional facilities, and long-term care facilities.

In a statement responding to the new guidance, Senate Republican Leader Fred Girod made clear that he does not approve, calling it a "vaccine passport scheme."

Vaccine passports are completely contrary to Oregonians' sense of privacy, Senate Republican Leader Fred Girod (R-Lyons) said. In a democracy, having to present proper paperwork to engage in everyday activities is a complete violation of public trust and an invasion of privacy. This kind of dictatorial control over the everyday lives of Oregonians must stop. The Governor should immediately rescind this misguided edict and trust Oregonians.

Sen. Girod cited the Biden administration, which has said previously that it would not implement vaccine passports at the federal level. It's perhaps too soon to tell if states will adopt a method similar to Oregon for verifying vaccination status.

When asked about the decision to require proof rather than taking people's word, Dr. Sidelinger pointed to Oregon's current COVID-19 landscape  case rates that remain elevated, if gradually dropping; hospitalizations that have plateaued and remain above 300 since the spike in April; and less than half of the total population vaccinated.
MEDFORD, Ore. -- Veterans who were once in need now have a place to call home all thanks to ColumbiaCare.

Just the overall prevailing tone was just excitement and gratitude from everybody here. Just so thankful for the opportunity and just really looking forward to getting settled into this new place, said Veteran Services director Joseph Chick.

On Friday, ColumbiaCare announced that construction on a block of affordable housing units intended to serve local veterans is now complete. On Monday, five veterans moved into the units.

Means everything. I mean, it's hard to really work on any kind of goals or objectives or anything you want to accomplish without having a safe, comfortable place to stay every night. So, for a lot of these guys, you know, this might be the first time they've had that for years and just creates an opportunity to really work on any other goals they have  whether that's employment, education, reuniting with family, whatever it is, Chick added.

The Stewart Avenue Apartments will include an on-site Resident Manager to welcome new residents and support them while they live in the buildings, and features an office and community room for tenants to engage in social activities or classes once COVID-19 restrictions have eased.

I mean, we have guys that are, you know, working on employment goals. We have guys that are trying to get reunited with some family. Um, and this is just really that big first step. So, for, for them really at this point, the sky's the limit. This was just that, that beginning phase for them, Chick said.

Elias Montemayor is one of the veterans who have moved into the new housing units. He was in the service for three years. His time in the service included time in Camp Pendleton.

When I got out, even then life was tough because addiction goes way back, Montemayor said.

He said then life only got tougher with his addiction.

I was homeless and unemployed and it was really taxing on my mental health, Montemayor added.

One day he decided to make a change and reach out for help. Thats where he found ColumbiaCare.

That team banded together, without them I wouldnt be here, Montemayor said.

Montemayor has been living in Oregon for 33 years and his new home is giving him a new outlook on life.

Im celebrating a new lease on life . . . its a great experience, its a wonderful feeling, Montemayor concluded.
Less: Just look at London, Ont.

Same: We hear more bad news.

More: Canada is on the right path.

Vote

View Results
President Biden had visited a car plant and given a policy statement, but he couldn't leave Michigan without trying out a new electric pickup truck.

Hybrid Versions

He drove a hybrid version of Ford's classic F-150 truck around a test circle, demonstrating features that he and his administration believe would help persuade Americans to embrace a low-emission, electric-car future that extends from residential driveways rural back roads.

Before hitting the gas, Mr. Biden told reporters through an open window of the prototype truck, "This sucker is fast."

Road Bumps

However, the transition from gas guzzlers to plug-in powerhouses that he advocates would be anything but fast. Mr. Biden and Republican members of Congress are at odds about the president's $4 trillion economic plan and the right way to help America compete with China in the decades ahead.

Biden called for spending hundreds of billions of dollars on domestic production, electric car deployment, and studies into new developments like advanced batteries during remarks at the Ford Rouge Electric Vehicle Center on Tuesday.

Market Competition

He was flanked by trucks from the country's best-selling vehicle line and cheered on by Detroit automakers and autoworkers who want the government to assist the industry in leading what they see as an inevitable but difficult global competition to replace gasoline-powered cars with electric vehicles. Supply chain snags and autoworkers' concerns of job loss have also slowed the transition, which the president hopes to mitigate through his infrastructure plan.

Related Article: 'Jobs, Jobs, Jobs!' Says Biden, Claiming Climate Change Solution is Linked to Employment



Opposition

Conservatives continued to put the brakes on President Biden's electric-vehicle plans in Washington, where two of his cabinet secretaries met with Senate Republicans in an attempt to broker a compromise agreement on infrastructure investment.

Senate Republicans say their counterproposal to Vice President Biden's transit plan would provide any funding for electric cars, but they cannot match Mr. Biden's dollar amounts.

Senator John Barrasso of Wyoming, the top Republican on the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee and a co-author of the Republican infrastructure package, said, "The Biden administration is pushing costly fantasy jobs while killing existing ones at a time when America cannot afford to lose these jobs."

Job Plans

Mr. Biden's $2.3 trillion American Jobs Plan focuses extensively on physical infrastructure and government investment to accelerate the transition to an economy less reliant on carbon oil to tackle climate change. The proposal provides tax credits for low-emission cars, money to turn one-fifth of the nation's school bus fleet to electric power, money to install 500,000 electric charging stations around the country, and various other funding to promote electric car research, development, and rollout.

Mr. Biden has pledged that by 2030, the United States would have reduced its climate-warming emissions by half from 2005 levels, an ambitious target that will necessitate a dramatic restructuring of the country's economy, including a drastic transition by American drivers from cars and trucks powered by internal combustion engines to zero-emission electric vehicles.

The Biden administration expects to consider reinstating strict new mileage and tailpipe pollution requirements by midsummer. After the Trump administration scaled back Obama-era fuel-economy regulations designed to curb planet-warming vehicle emissions.

Also Read: US Gears Up To Reverse All Environmental Damages Caused by Previous Administration

For more news update about Environmental Action, don't forget to follow Nature World News!
Offer a personal message of sympathy...

By sharing a fond memory or writing a kind tribute, you will be providing a comforting keepsake to those in mourning. If you have an existing account with this site, you may log in with that below. Otherwise, you can create an account by clicking on the Log in button below, and then register to create your account.
LANE COUNTY, Ore. -- Lane County is inching very close to reaching its goal of getting 65% of the county vaccinated with at least one dose. Only 11,946 first doses remain.

KEZI spoke to Lane County Public Health spokesperson Jason Davis, who said the 65% goal could be reached by Friday if their mass vaccination clinics fill up this week.

A major change is being made to the vaccination count. Lane County will be including total tribal and VA vaccine numbers in the count moving forward. That brings the eligible population to 321,292. The 65% goal that needs to be met is 208,840 first doses. Currently, 196,894 first doses have been given out, according to Lane County: thats 61.33%.

I really hope people think and reflect deeply about what it means to do this because it affects all of us, Eugene resident Kristine Chadwick said. Everybody, and the actions of every one person, affects everyone else when it comes to the pandemic, and we all want it to end.

Chadwick said she and her family feel its a responsibility to their community to do their part at slowing the spread -- and that includes getting vaccinated. She said her 15-year-old son was eager to get the shot as soon as he became eligible, and they were in line the day that happened.

Health officials said theyve noticed a significant slowdown in COVID-19 cases over the past two weeks.

There's a lot of economic impact to it when businesses are able to operate, Eugene resident Marcus Kauffman said. Everybody in the community supports small businesses and being able to have those businesses thrive and vaccines are a part of that.

Kauffman said hes been pleased with how the county has made the vaccine so accessible. He said his 15-year-old daughter was thrilled to become eligible because it means she can see more of her friends, ride in their cars without a mask and just get back to some normalcy.

Lane County will also be launching a new and ongoing effort. They understand there are many who feel it is not safe to be vaccinated or have immunocompromised conditions that they need to talk to their doctor about first, so providers will become more widely available. According to officials, its called The Doctor Is In and is a live, interactive web broadcast designed to offer community members free access to an MD, NP, or specialist RN in order to discuss their fears, ask questions and generally find out more information about the vaccine in an open and welcoming environment.

We are making providers around the community available to you every week, Davis said. The idea right now is to do Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays with tomorrow being the first day were making that service available.

The service will be provided through virtual meetings. English and Spanish will be available. The sessions will be broadcast live on the Lane County Government Facebook page and the Lane County Health and Human Services Facebook page. The first session will take place Wednesday, May 19, from 7 to 8 p.m.

In our viewing area, Benton County has met the 65% vaccination target and has submitted an equity plan to the Oregon Health Authority. They are now eligible to to move to the lower risk category on Friday.
SPRINGFIELD, Ore.  More than three months have passed since the first students in Springfield schools returned to the classroom, and the district recently said about 90% of students are currently participating in hybrid learning.

In Ready Schools, Safe Learners coverage sponsored by the Oregon Department of Education, KEZI looks at how the transition has been for students and staff in the district. 

Springfield first welcomed back some younger students on Feb. 4, and Thurston Elementary School Principal Amber Mitchell said it did not take long for students to adjust.

Once the kids got in and settled, it was like nothing had ever changed, Mitchell said. School is still school. Having kids in the building is still the same. It just looks a little bit different.

RELATED: SOME SPRINGFIELD STUDENTS RETURN TO THE CLASSROOM FOR HYBRID LEARNING

Mitchell said kindergarten through third grade is in school four days a week. Fourth and fifth-graders are split into cohorts with two days in-person and two days of hybrid learning at home.

First grade teacher Kristin Archer said in-person learning has enabled some lesson plans and projects that werent feasible through virtual learning.

We were able to do many projects online, but not as many as in the classroom, Archer said.

She said in-person learning has helped with the instruction of reading, writing and math and activities that require manipulation and hands-on experience. Archers class is currently learning about the life cycle of butterflies by raising them in the classroom.

Were learning about caterpillars and butterflies. I really like butterflies so Im really excited, said Catlyn Marquardt, a first-grade student.

As many adults already know from experience, working from home can be distracting. Educators said the same is true for students, but having kids in a classroom under the supervision of teachers has made a big difference.

Students that were maybe having a harder time with the virtual instruction are now here in-person getting the support that they need, Mitchell said. We've had so many positive comments from families about just how much easier it has been on them knowing that the kids are here and things are going so well and things are starting to get back to some semblance of normal.

Families still have the option to keep their children in online-only school. At the moment, about one in 10 students are sticking with virtual learning throughout the district.
Last week, Forbes Africa released its list of richest African musicians. They ranked them with their net worth in 2021. The list that is mostly dominated by Nigerians saw Ugandas Bobi Wine named as the 16th richest musician in Africa but the richest in East Africa followed by Diamond Platnumz and Jose Chameleone in 18th place.

In East Africa, Bobi Wine is named the richest artiste with a net worth of $7.2 Million (Shs25 Billion) and in second place came Tanzanian Bongo Flava artiste Diamond Plutnumz with $6.7 million (Shs 23 Billion) and in third place was Ugandas music doctor Jose Chameleon with a net worth of $6.2 million (Shs 21 Billion)

This hasnt gone down well with Diamond Platnumz who questioned Forbes authenticity. The WCB boss has hit out at Forbes for ranking him in that position.

Read more: https://www.sqoop.co.ug/202105/four-one-one/diamond-blasts-forbes-over-net-worth-ranking-bobi-wine-named-richest-east-african-musician.html?fbclid=IwAR0wQy4k1sfc3znaj9PquBzrwHJso1i63xF5VT-nOQcLpIL-tT2f32X-JGM


Leonardo DiCaprio and a group of environmental foundations and organizations have promised $43 million toward a mass conservation attempt to rewild the Galapagos Islands.

Over 1 Million Species Pushed to the Brink of Extinction

The action is being taken on in coordination with Re:wild - discovered this year by DiCaprio - a longtime climate activist and a group of conservation experts - the Galapagos National Park Directorate, Charles Darwin Foundation, Ecuador's Ministry of Environment and Water, and Island Conservation.

Some Portion of Ecuador, the 19 islands sited in the Pacific Ocean are home to many enthralling wildlife, like the blue-footed booby, the great white sharks, and giant tortoise. Ninety-seven percent of the land is a national park, and 50,000 square miles of the nearby ocean is safeguarded by the Galapagos Marine Reserve.

Leonardo DiCaprio said: "When I visited the Galapagos Islands, I saw Paula Castano and other environmental heroes in Ecuador working during the day and at night to save one of the most unique places on the planet." He added that the wild is declining all over the world, and three-quarters of the wild places have been degraded and over 1 million species have been pushed to the brink of extinction. More than half of the remaining wild areas of the Earth could vanish in the next few decades if a decisive action is not taken.

Also Read: Why is the Galapagos Archipelago Extremely Ecologically Rich?

Reintroducing 13 Defunct Species

The pledge of DiCaprio and partners will go toward bringing back Floreana Island, which is home to 54 threatened species and also reintroducing 13 species that are defunct in the region. Among those is the first mockingbird reported by Charles Darwin - Floreana mockingbird.

The pledge will also sponsor a captive breeding initiative for the pink iguana, and also make effort to conserve and safeguard Galapagos marine life from the effects of ecotourism. Castano will be handling the Instagram and Twitter accounts of DiCaprio to point out the dangers the Galapagos Islands are facing and how his great audience can assist.

Environmental Heroes

"Up to 97% of the land region of the Galapagos Islands comes under the status of the national park. We are not making attempt to take humans away from the picture," Castano said. Castan added that they are making effort to all work together to rewild these ecosystems and assist the community too.

They want to be able to keep thriving together with nature."The heroes of the environment that the planet requires are already here," DiCaprio said. "Now we all must get up to the challenge and join them."

The Galapagos Islands, some portion of the Republic of Ecuador, are an archipelago of volcanic islands apportioned on either side of the equator in the Pacific Ocean encircling the center of the Western Hemisphere. Sited 563 mi (906 km) west of continental Ecuador, the islands are famous for their great number of indigenous species studied by Charles Darwin.

Related Article: Equatorial Undercurrent Could Explain Galapagos Islands' Unique Biodiversity

For more news, updates about islands and similar topics don't forget to follow Nature World News!
By Damali Mukhaye.

The chancellor of Makerere University, Prof Ezra Suruma has asked graduands not to feel sad because they have not been able to attend the graduation ceremony physically.

The University this year held a hybrid graduation ceremony with the majority not being able to attend the ceremony at freedom square.

Addressing the graduands on day three of the graduands ceremony, Prof Suruma says that when he graduated in 1969 from Fordham University in Newyork, he did not attend the graduation ceremony.

He says that he did not have a family member to cheer him up so he decided to be satisfied with the fact that he had achieved his objective.

He says that those out there feeling unhappy because there is no one to make them a party, should cheer up and think about him who also survived it and successes in life.

Students from the College of Business and Management Sciences, Computing and Information Sciences, and Veterinary Medicine, Animal Resources and Bio-security will graduate today.
President Museveni has told a group of African-American investors who are in the country to explore opportunities that investing in Uganda is a sure deal profitable venture.

The country, he said, has an excellent investment environment. The 16-member team was led by Senegalese-American celebrity and businessman Aliaune Damala Badara Akon Thiam, who met the President earlier in the week.

After the meeting, Akon, a musical star, left his wife Rozina Negusei with the business delegation that has been in the country for a week, scouring different opportunities.

President Museveni told the investors that Uganda is the right investment destination and boasts of a skilled, but affordable labor force, a large market from the East African region, Africa, the American market through the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA)  a legal framework for selected countries to export to the US tariff and quota-free.

Read more:https://www.sqoop.co.ug/202105/news/museveni-woos-us-investors-linked-to-akon.html
In the last year we've lost thousands of family members, friends and co-workers to COVID-19. We'd like to give you a chance to honor their memory.

Share a Memory
Woman in Kootenai County Jail after police find her in vehicle with granddaughter and purse full of illegal pills and heroin
A banned driver, who drove directly at a garda at a checkpoint, has lost his appeal against sentence for endangering the officer, and for endangering a mother and new-born baby when he sped through a red light moments later.

The Court of Appeal heard on Monday that Daniel OBrien (28) saw that the garda recognised him as he drove disqualified towards the checkpoint in Cork City.

Garda Ryan Dillon had told Cork Circuit Criminal Court that OBrien had swerved at speed towards him. Gda Dillon, who said he feared for his life, jumped out of the way, but OBriens wing mirror clipped his hand.

OBrien then overtook a vehicle at speed at a red light, narrowly missing a mother crossing the road with her baby in a buggy. She was forced to drag them both back to the footpath to avoid a collision.

The father of three of Bracken Court, Donnybrook, Douglas in Cork was sentenced in December for the two counts of reckless endangerment carried out on February 6th, 2019 at the South Douglas Road.

OBrien, who pleaded guilty, had 44 previous convictions, and was jailed last November for 18 months for slashing a man with a sharp object. He had been disqualified from driving for eight years and was uninsured at the time of this offence.

Judge Sean O Donnabhain jailed him for four years for reckless endangerment and also banned him from driving for 12 years. He yesterday appealed against that sentence to the Court of Appeal.

His barrister, Paula McCarthy BL, said that out of his mitigating circumstances, only her clients early plea had been taken into consideration at sentencing. She also argued that no consideration had been given to suspending a portion of the sentence.

Donal OSullivan BL responded on behalf of the DPP, noting that a sentencing judge did not have to suspend a portion of a sentence.

Court President Justice George Birmingham, who sat with Justice John Edwards and Justice Aileen Donnelly took some time to consider the case.

They said that they found no error in principle and dismissed the appeal.
WORTH COUNTY, Iowa - One person was killed Wednesday during a crash on Interstate-35 in northern Iowa.

The Iowa State Patrol said Mohamud Mohamud, 26, of St. Paul, Minnesota, was killed during the crash just before 4 a.m. at milemarker 203.

Authorities said the vehicle was southbound when it left the roadway for an unknown reason and struck the cable barriers before hitting concrete bridge pillars.

The driver was pronounced dead at the scene.
MASON CITY, Iowa - He's Mason City's favorite son, and put the River City on the music map.

May 18 marked Meredith Willson's 119th birthday, and during a steady rainfall on Tuesday, North Iowa Band Festival royalty and drum majors from both Mason City and Newman Catholic High Schools paid tribute to the Music Man at his gravesite at Elmwood-St. Joseph Cemetery.

Mason City senior Ethan Walthall grew up watching the parade during Band Fest each year. Now, the senior plays saxophone in the school band, and was elected band king for this year's festival. He's fully embracing Willson's status as a River City legend.

"I hope he'd be happy or prideful that we're still honoring and remembering him. He's like Mason City's hometown hero, so it's cool that we have that hero."

Newman Senior Ellie Determan was elected band queen this year, and has played percussion in previous parades. She's seen how Willson's influence in music and Americana has translated far beyond North Iowa.

"When I've gone on trips, I've seen specks of him everywhere. I think it's really interesting that we have such a hero and a music philathropist buried in Mason City."

To watch the tribute, click here.
CLEAR LAKE, Iowa  Flames caused tens of thousands of dollars in damage to a Clear Lake home Wednesday.

Firefighters were called to the 1500 block of North 24th Street just before 2 pm. The Clear Lake Fire Department says they arrived at the scene to find light smoke coming from an open overhead garage door and heavy fire showing in the kitchen. The blaze was quickly brought under control.

No one was injured in the fire. Estimated damage to the home is $40,000. The owner of the property was not at home when the fire began but returned to discover it and call for emergency help.

The Clear Lake Fire Department says it responded with one ladder company, one engine company, one medic unit, and one support truck with a total of 11 firefighters. One engine company from the Ventura Fire Department assisted and Clear Lake police and Alliant Energy were also at the scene.
A citizen receives a dose of COVID-19 vaccine at a vaccination site in Hefei, East China's Anhui province, May 16, 2021. [Photo/Xinhua] Since the country's first confirmed case of COVID-19 in more than three weeks was reported on May 13, medical workers and volunteers have conducted all-out efforts to contain the latest outbreak. By Tuesday afternoon, Anhui province had reported seven confirmed cases and seven asymptomatic cases, while Liaoning province had 13 confirmed cases and five asymptomatic cases, according to news conferences in the regions. Liaoning reported no new cases on Tuesday, while Lu'an in Anhui reported one asymptotic case. Thousands of local medical workers and volunteers have concentrated on massive nucleic acid testing, vaccination and helping people who are quarantined. In Yingkou, Liaoning, where 1,788 people were quarantined by the end of Monday, 52 teams of volunteers made more than 8,000 contactless deliveries of daily necessities, said Zhang Xianbin, vice-mayor of Yingkou. To ensure that the city was safe from a further outbreak, the municipal government of Shenyang, the provincial capital, declared on Tuesday afternoon the expansion of testing to areas beyond where the current four cases were found, with the support of over 1,400 medical workers. Tong Mingming, a nurse in Hefei, the capital of Anhui, said that after administering hundreds of doses of vaccines to residents, she was very tired but would continue to work. Tong had planned to take a vacation recently, since she had worked throughout the recent five-day May Day holiday. However, she was kept on duty after the new cases were found in the city's Feixi county and the neighboring city of Lu'an. Epidemic prevention and control authorities learned by tracking of the cases that they were related to two women who had traveled to Yingkou, and the city responded immediately. Wei Sheng, an expert from the Wuhan-based Huazhong University of Science and Technology in Hubei province, said in a China Central Television report on Monday that the outbreak probably began in the middle of April, and authorities were still looking for the earliest case. As the spread of the virus had been well contained in Hefei, which locked down only one hotel, the city has conducted an all-out vaccination effort, said Wang Wensong, the city's vice-mayor. Yaohai district, where nurse Tong works, administered 50,000 doses of vaccine in just five days, according to the local government. Zhang Xiaofeng, deputy director of Hefei's health commission, said on Friday that the city itself had been able to provide 200,000 doses each day. On Saturday, he said that 364,100 people had been vaccinated on Friday. There were enough vaccines to go around and people should remain calm, he said. Recalling the situation in early 2020, Tong, the nurse, said she feels safer working at the front line "because we are now more experienced in handling the situation and protected by the vaccines".


According to a news published by Fars News Agency on February 11, 2021, the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) Navy in a ceremony at Bandar Abbas port in Southern Iran on Monday received 340 new speedboats with the capability to fire different missiles and rockets and support diving operations.

Follow Navy Recognition on Google News at this link

IRGC Navy in a ceremony at Bandar Abbas with the new speedboats (Picture source: Twitter)

The ceremony was attended by Chief of Staff of Iran's Armed Forces Major General Mohammad Baqeri, IRGC Commander Major General Hossein Salami, IRGC Navy Commander Rear Admiral Ali Reza Tangsiri, Governor of Hormozgan province and other government and military officials.

The speedboats which are capable of carrying and firing various missiles and rockets and supporting diving operations joined IRGC Naval Combat Organization in Bandar Abbas.

The light, fast and offensive speedboats which were built in the centers affiliated to the IRGC Navy and in cooperation with the Defense Ministry will be ready for missions and operations in the Persian Gulf, the Sea of Oman and the Caspian Sea.

Rear Admiral Tangsiri had announced in October 2019 that Iran plans to manufacture speed boats in the near future which voyage at the speed of 100 knots per hour.

Former IRGC Navy Commander Rear Admiral Ali Fadavi, who is now the current IRGC deputy commander, had underlined in 2018 that the country's modern speedboats move at a speed of 80 knots (148 kilometers) per hour.

He added that while the speed-vessels across the world generally cruise at the speed of 35 knots, their Iranian counterparts voyage at the speed of 80 knots.

IRGC Navy has already Seraj-1 who is a military speed boat that was used by Iran Revolutionary Guard Corps. It is based on the British made Bradstone Challenger, a Bladerunner 51.
ROCHESTER, Minn. - The Rochester Public School Board has finalized the district's contract agreement with incoming Interim Superintendent Dr. Kent Pekel.

Dr. Pekel will earn a gross annual salary of $223,000 during his one-year tenure leading Rochester Public Schools. RPS Board Chair Jean Marvin says that amount is less than the current superintendent's pay, and is commensurate with Pekel's experience.

"This is less than the current superintendent is earning, but it is well within the parameters of what a superintendent of a district this size, and with the expertise that Dr. Pekel has, would expect to earn," Marvin said.

After being selected for the position unanimously by the school board, Dr. Pekel posted the following message on Twitter:

"I am excited and honored to help Rochester Public Schools re-engage through relationships as interim superintendent during the 2021-22 school year. Moving on from @SearchInstitute after 9 years is hard, but I know that what we will do together in Rochester will be extraordinary."

Chair Marvin says the school board believes Dr. Pekel has the qualifications and skills needed to lead the district as interim superintendent.

We feel Dr. Pekel will come into the position with an open mind, ready to listen, and committed to moving the District forward in our equity, diversity and inclusion initiatives, as well as continuing our commitment to academic excellence and opportunities for all students, said Jean Marvin, Board Chair. We look forward to working with Dr. Pekel here at Rochester Public Schools.

Dr. Pekel will begin his role as interim superintendent July 1st. His tenure is set to last one year, though he will be eligible to apply for the district's long-term superintendent opening.
ROCHESTER, Minn. - The mandate might be lifted in Minnesota but masking up is still a requirement on city buses. Luckily, Rochester Public Transit hasn't been having any issues. According to its communications coordinator Nick Lemmer, passengers don't mind wearing masks and appreciate the effort to keep folks safe.

"Our riders are very glad to see the safety protocols in place and are happy to continue operating with safety first," said Lemmer.

Since January, anyone riding public transit is required to wear a face mask under TSA rules, including drivers.

"It's the right thing to do for yourself, loved ones, and the operators of the transit vehicles. The public health officials have said, the disease is still circulating in our communities and I think we need to be cautious."

The City of Rochester is also requiring people to wear a mask inside its buildings.
KASSON, Minn. - The pandemic has been tough on small businesses, but one southeastern Minnesota native is deciding now is the right time to launch her unique gift shop in Kasson.

Smiling Moose Owner Kim White owned a gift shop in Alaska for 13 years.

When the cruise industry slowed because of COVID, White thought it was time to go back to her roots and bring her business to Kasson.

But opening during a pandemic comes with challenges - equipment delays, retail shortages, and price increases.

A lot of continually trying to do a lot of homework and research to find other sources for things that you really need to open up your business, White explains.

She thinks shoppers will find some things here they can't get anywhere else.

And when people come into the store, I want them to find a variety of things and things that they normally wouldn't see... variety and choice, says White.

Supporting local businesses is important to her - partnering with locally owned Trail Creek Coffee Roasters out of Kasson and Fiddleheads in Rochester.

White explains, We can each carve our own piece of the pie - there's enough business for everybody we all have our strengths and weaknesses, but if we all work together I feel like it'll make us all more successful so why not rise up together.

She says, I'm happy to be a part of it and I love the small town comradery community and the way that us local businesses work together.

Once the coffee shop is open, the gift shop will be open Monday through Saturday 6 am to 6 pm.

For more info, visit Smiling Moose Facebook page.

https://www.facebook.com/Smiling-Moose-105512948358036
MASON CITY, Iowa  A North Iowa man is sentenced for enticing a minor.

Eric James Dirksen, 35 of Mason City, was accused of sexual contact with a teen victim in January 2020. After being charged with two felonies, Dirksen agreed to plead guilty to enticing a minor, an aggravated misdemeanor.

Hes been sentenced to seven days in jail and fined $625.
FOREST CITY, Iowa  A Mason City man is pleading guilty to drug and gun crimes in Winnebago County.

Anthony Gregory Holmes, 34, was pulled over on May 17, 2020, in the 100 block of Indian Avenue in Forest City. After a K9 dog indicated drugs were inside Holmes vehicle, investigators say they found two baggies of marijuana and a 9 mm handgun under Holmes seat.

Holmes is now pleading guilty to possession of a firearm as a convicted felon and possession with intent to deliver marijuana. His sentencing is set for July 23.
IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP)  The boyfriend of a University of Iowa student testified Wednesday that he had nothing to do with her 2018 abduction and stabbing death, saying he had been out of town for work and was heartbroken by her slaying.

Dalton Jack, the longtime boyfriend of Mollie Tibbetts, was a key witness on the first day of the first-degree murder trial of Cristhian Bahena Rivera, the Mexican national charged in her killing.

Prosecutor Bart Klaver said in his opening statement Wednesday that video evidence, DNA analysis and a partial confession by Bahena Rivera, a dairy farm worker, will be crucial to proving his guilt. Tibbetts, 20, disappeared while out for a run in Brooklyn, Iowa, on July 18, 2018. Her body was recovered a month later in a cornfield.

During cross-examination, defense lawyers for Bahena Rivera worked to try to cast suspicion on Jack, painting him as a man with a temper who had a tumultuous relationship with Tibbetts and had cheated on her with at least one other woman.

But Klaver said a homeowners surveillance video will show Bahena Riveras black Chevy Malibu appearing to circle Tibbets as she ran. Bahena Rivera, now 26, told police that he drove past Tibbetts and turned around to get a second look because he thought she was hot, Klaver said.

Bahena Rivera admitted to investigators that he got out of his car and ran to catch up with her, and became angry and fought with her after she threatened to call police, Klaver said. Bahena Rivera said the next thing he remembered was driving his Malibu with her bloody body in the trunk, which he then carried over his shoulder and hid beneath stalks in a cornfield, the prosecutor said.

Klaver said blood found in the trunk matched Tibbetts DNA. He said an autopsy found that she had been stabbed from seven to 12 times in the chest, ribs, neck, and skull, and that she died from sharp force injuries.

If convicted, Bahena Rivera faces life in prison without parole.

The jury including three alternates comprises 12 white people and three of Hispanic, Latino or Spanish descent, according to demographic data released Wednesday. The case inflamed passions over illegal immigration, after then-President Donald Trump said Bahena Rivera had exploited lax immigration laws to enter the U.S. from Mexico as a teenager.

Jack, 23 and now an Army sergeant stationed at Fort Bragg in North Carolina, testified that he met Tibbetts at high school and had been dating her for three years. He described her as happy, bubbly, goofy, saying she liked to have fun and that she went running most days.

On the day she disappeared, Tibbetts was staying at the Brooklyn home where Jack and his older brother Blake Jack lived. She had been watching Blake Jacks dogs while the brothers were out of town that week for work.

Brooklyn hairdresser Kristina Steward testified that she drove past Tibbetts while she was running on a road outside Brooklyn at about 7:45 p.m. on July 18. She said she had known Tibbetts for years and her heart sank when she learned she was missing the next day.

The Jack brothers testified that they became concerned after learning on July 19 that Tibbetts had not shown up for work at a daycare, and she was not answering her phone. Both returned to Brooklyn to search for her before calling police.

Dalton Jack testified that he had been part of a crew building a bridge in Dubuque, about 140 miles (225 kilometers) from Brooklyn. He worked 12 hours on July 18 then drank beer and played yard games with the crew before going to sleep at a hotel, adding that he never returned to Brooklyn that night.

On cross-examination, Jack acknowledged he used to have a short fuse and would get into fights. He said that he had screwed up and cheated on Tibbetts once, and that she discovered the relationship after looking through his phone.

Jack said the two worked through the problem and never broke up but acknowledged Tibbetts told him three days before she disappeared that she remained sad and upset about his infidelity. On the day before she went missing, she had discussed one of his previous relationships with a second woman, Jack admitted.

With friends and police searching for Tibbetts, a woman with whom Jack has previously had a relationship sent him a text message asking, Dalton, is Mollie alive? defense lawyer Chad Frese said, calling the question odd.

Jack admitted that he initially told police that he was watching a movie in his hotel room on the night she disappeared and that he withheld information about his infidelity, calling it irrelevant. He also acknowledged that he told police his last communication with Tibbetts was a Snapchat he received at 10:30 p.m. that night, but phone records show it was after 1 a.m.

He also said he did not agree to voluntarily testify and required a subpoena because he didnt want to be in the same room as Bahena Rivera.

I am obviously not his biggest fan, he said. I wholeheartedly believe hes guilty.

Jack said he joined the Army three months after Tibbetts body was found because he was heartbroken and wanted to pretty much leave their hometown.

The trial at the Scott County Courthouse in Davenport is being livestreamed by Court TV and expected to last through next week.
Shenandoah, IA (51601)

Today

Thunderstorms. High 86F. Winds SSW at 10 to 20 mph. Chance of rain 80%..

Tonight

Cloudy skies early, then partly cloudy after midnight. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. Low 64F. Winds NNW at 10 to 15 mph.
BRITISH ambassador to Zimbabwe Melanie Robinson was last week reportedly summoned and reprimanded by Foreign Affairs minister Fredrick Shava on allegations of deviating from her diplomatic calling and meddling in national affairs.

A government official yesterday told NewsDay that government accused Robinson of mobilising several foreign ambassadors and requesting to meet Health minister Vice-President Constantino Chiwenga to discuss health issues.

Robinson reportedly met Shava on Friday last week where she was ordered to stop interfering with government affairs.

Government discovered that she was the one who had convened other ambassadors to meet the Health minister (Chiwenga) on issues to do with COVID-19. How we manage the pandemic has nothing to do with foreign embassies, therefore, she had to be reprimanded for that, the official said.

It is undiplomatic for her to incite other embassies to meddle on issues not of their concern. She is an ambassador of her own country and does not have the authority to tell other ambassadors what to do, the source said.

Efforts to get a comment from Robinson were fruitless. However, in reference to her meeting with Shava, she tweeted: Delighted to meet with Foreign minister Frederick Shava today to discuss UK-Zimbabwe relations, trade and how we can work together to tackle climate change, a global priority for the UK.

Presidential spokesperson George Charamba also tweeted that an unnamed Western diplomat had been summoned and reprimanded by the Foreign Affairs ministry.

Some Western ambassador was recently summoned to the Foreign ministry for chastisement after she had decided to turn herself into an activist pollster. She apparently forgot the host State, like her own, enjoys omnipresence, omniscience! She owned up and apologised profusely. We leave it at that for now, but remain vigilant!

Foreign Affairs spokesperson Constance Chemwayi said she was yet to get clearance from her superiors to comment on the matter.

At the weekend, Justice minister Ziyambi Ziyambi also lashed out at the European Union and the United States, accusing them of sponsoring non-governmental organisations to interfere with government activities, after the High Court ruled that Luke Malaba had ceased to be the countrys chief justice despite extension of his term of office by President Emmerson Mnangagwa.

Meanwhile, the Foreign Affairs ministry has terminated Moshe YitZhak Osdoichers appointment as an honorary consul of Zimbabwe in the Northern district of Israel. In a statement on Monday, the ministry said Osdoicher ceased to be Zimbabwes honorary consul on February 5, 2021.

The ministry did not give reasons for the termination of the appointment. This means that Mr Osdoicher does not hold any functions, privileges, and immunities attached to this post as expressed in the Vienna Convention on Consular Relations, 1963 and he no longer represents the government of Zimbabwe in any capacity. Newsday
BRENTWOOD, Mo. (KMOV.com) - The friend of a Town and Country doctor who was shot and killed outside a hotel and restaurant in Brentwood Saturday says his friend was waiting for an Uber when he was shot.

Dr. Sergei Zacharev was shot and killed outside the Drury Inn and Bonefish Grill in Brentwood after 11:30 p.m. Saturday night. A friend tells News 4 that Zacharev had been in Miami for part of the weekend looking for a home to retire in. His return flight to St. Louis got in late, before he ate at the Bonefish Grill. Friends say he was waiting for an Uber to pick him up outside the restaurant when he was shot and killed.

"Its a shock, not only to friends but to the community," said friend Alexander Kourbatov.

Kourbatov says Zacharev grew up in Belarus and came to the United States with a limited knowledge of English. Eventually, Zacharev became an anesthesiologist, most recently working at Christian Hospital. Kourbatov says Zacharev was very generous and watched out for others.

"He was the person who would come to you and tap you on the shoulder, 'Hey, are you doing okay? Can I help you in any way?' He always loaned money to people, and we're not talking about a couple of hundred bucks, he would loan lots of money," said Kourbatov.

Zacharev leaves behind a son in his early 20s and his girlfriend. Police believe Zacharev's death may be connected to the shooting death of Barbara Goodkin, who was shot inside a car with her husband Stanley on Delmar near I-170 in University City about an hour before Zacharev was shot. Barbara was a substitute teacher in the Parkway School District from 1992-2006.

CrimeStoppers is offering a reward of up to $30,000 for anyone who has information that leads to an arrest in connection with the shootings. Anyone with information can call CrimeStoppers at 1-866-371-8477 and leave an anonymous tip.
Yael Stepansky, a St. Louis native, has been living in Israel for the last 12 years and talks about her experience of living there during the unrest and military conflict in the country.
Two Easy Ways To Subscribe!

The Kodiak Daily Mirror offers full-service, five-day a week subscriptions with home delivery in addition to unlimited access to our online services (including our e-Edition). Online-access-only subscriptions include unlimited access to the Mirror's online services without delivery of the printed newspaper.

(Note: New users: You must register and login before purchasing a subscription.
CITIZENS returning to the country will now pay for isolation or quarantine as the fight against the spread of Covid-19 continues.

This is in line with the Statutory Instrument No 108 of 2021 in relation to the countrys ports of entry and exit.

In a post-Cabinet briefing yesterday, Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Minister Monica Mutsvangwa encouraged members of the public should to go to their nearest health facility to receive their Covid-19 vaccine.

She said this will help the country achieve the required herd immunity to control the spread of the disease.

Cabinet wishes to advise that citizens returning to Zimbabwe will now be quarantined at their own expense. Furthermore, those travellers found to be positive for Covid-19 will be isolated at an isolation centre at their own expense, she said.

With regard to stepping up surveillance of the public transport system, the nation is informed that the Vehicle Inspectorate Department, Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) and the Traffic Safety Council of Zimbabwe (TSCZ) are flushing out the unregistered vehicles.

She said 7 012 vehicles have been impounded for failure to display number plates and illegal operations (mshikashika).

Cabinet also wishes to inform the public that the Public Health (Covid-19 Prevention, Containment and (National Lockdown (No.2) Order, 2020 published in Statutory Instrument (SI) 200 of 2020 was amended on Friday 14 May 2021 and published in SI 119, she said.

The major highlight of the amendment is that it now defines persons entering Zimbabwe into three categories. These include returning citizens or residents of Zimbabwe; and nationals or ordinary residents of a Sadc country in transit through Zimbabwe to another Sadc country.

Cabinet also heard that a Covd-19 patient from Kwekwe died on arrival at Kwekwe General Hospital on May 12, 2021.

Contact tracing has detected positive cases in the family of the deceased, further there was a student who had arrived from India on the 29th of April 2021 and the student was PCR negative. Another test was conducted on the student after the death of the Covid-19 case and results were negative, she said.

Minister Mutsvangwa said to date, 11 Covid-19 cases are linked to the case of the person that died in Kwekwe.

She advised the nation that Genomic sequencing tests are being done to determine if there was an import of the Covid-19 strain that is wreaking havoc in India.

Minister Mutsvangwa said the country remains on course to conduct a census within the prescribed timeframe for the 2023 elections.

The Ministry of Local Government and Public Works is expected to conclude the boundary proclamations for Wards, Districts and Provinces in order to ensure that enumeration areas are correctly assigned. Thereafter, the Census Field Mapping Exercise can be finalised before actual enumeration proceeds, she said.

Census field mapping involves subdividing the whole country into smaller geographical units called enumeration areas with an average of 80 to 120 households.

Cabinet is pleased to report that 55 percent of the country has so far been successfully mapped, despite up to 10 months of programmed time having been lost to Covid-19 restrictions.

For the first time in the history of Zimbabwe, the Zimbabwe National Statistical Agency (ZimStat) will go paperless during census enumeration since the Computer Assisted Personal Interviewing (CAPI) technique will be employed during data collection.

Given that this is the first time Zimbabwe will use the paperless CAPI technique, more than one pilot census will be run to test the technology, with re-tests being conducted.

This will last up to the first quarter of 2022. The actual population census will therefore start in April 2022, with the Census results expected in August 2022, paving way for the Constituencies Delimitation in October 2022 as 31 December 2022 is the last day allowed for delimitation, she added. Herald
For copyright information, check with the distributor of this item, The Kansas City Star.
A picture of Sun Hee Engelstoft, then called Shin Sun Hee, before her adoption / Courtesy of Connect Pictures



By Kwak Yeon-soo



Sun Hee Engelstoft, who was born in Busan in 1982, was 4 months old when she was flown to Denmark to meet her white adoptive parents.



Her biological mother had given her up for adoption, and through no choice of her own, she became part of the large adoption exodus: more than 210,000 babies have been sent overseas for adoption since the end of the Korean War in 1953.



Engelstoft recalls that although she was the only Korean in her village, she has had a good life living in the midst of nature. She also lived for three years in a refugee camp in Botswana in the 1980s where her parents were volunteer workers.



"I have a strong bond with my adoptive family. I loved school, but I was always an outsider. When I would walk down the street, my schoolmates would touch my hair because it was dark and different from theirs. Overall it was a beautiful, but isolated time," she said during an interview with The Korea Times, Monday.



Having attended several schools for photography, she was accepted to the prestigious National Film School of Denmark, where she graduated in 2011.



"There was something about photography and film that spoke to me, because I'm afraid of losing my memory or people around me. I've always been interested in exploring personal questions, so I document things," she said.





A picture of Sun Hee Engelstoft arriving in Copenhagen Airport / Courtesy of Connect Pictures



It was in 2002, when she turned 20, that the Korean-born filmmaker finally returned to Korea with an aim of learning about her origins and finding her biological mother. Around that time, she also changed her name back to, Sun Hee, from Lisbeth, which had been given to her by her adoptive parents.



"I always wondered where I had come from. I had hopes of trying to understand and find my family. My trip to Korea was such a big shock to me because I felt like I belonged somewhere for the first time in my life," she said.



Engelstoft visited the major adoption agency Holt International and an orphanage in Busan to gather information about her biological mother, but later heard that her mother doesn't want to see her because she has started another family.



She wanted to understand her birth mother and answer the big question of "what makes a mother give away her baby?" So the 39-year-old filmmaker decided to make a documentary about unwed mothers in a shelter who face the same dilemma as her mother did several decades ago: "should I keep my baby or give them up for adoption?"



The director explained that the project started out with a plan to do a positive story, but she had no idea about the complexities she was getting into.



"At first, I wanted to find a mother who wants to keep her child. But every time I started filming, although some said they wanted to keep their child and they were strong women, something else happened, and they all ended up giving their children away. So the result was the opposite of my intention," she said.



Engelstoft stayed at the Aesuhwon shelter for single mothers 24/7 for about a year and a half and met women of all ages, from their teens to forties. According to her, it was a coincidence that the film ended up being centered on teenagers.





Sun Hee Engelstoft in a scene from "Forget Me Not" / Courtesy of Connect Pictures



Below is an excerpt from The Korea Times' interview with Engelstoft about her debut feature documentary, "Forget Me Not."



Q. What inspired you to tell this story?

A. In 2004, I was on a trip to Korea again with other adoptees. I remember the last stop on our bus tour was a Catholic shelter in the countryside. There, I met a pregnant mother who was expecting a child. She came up to me and asked, "Are you happy to be adopted?" I didn't know what to say. She wanted to know if it was okay to give away her baby for adoption. I couldn't answer the question with a "yes" or "no." From that time on, I had the idea that adoption was not really about me. It was something that had happened to my mother. To understand my identity and my life, I needed to go back and find answers and talk to the women in the shelter.



Q. What was your biggest discovery while filming the documentary?

A. My biggest discovery was to learn that women don't give up their children voluntarily. It is under extreme circumstances that they have to give up their children. There's no other option. They have to choose between their family, their own life and their baby's life. I always thought that my adoption was one single woman's choice, but I have learned that it's very different. There are so many people involved, including the baby's father, the grandparents, the extended family, shelters and the hospital. When somebody tells you that you're not good enough to raise a baby on your own, that's really a tough situation.



Q. Hundreds of babies are still sent abroad each year and society likes to phrase transnational adoption as a kind of "rescuing." What are your thoughts on this?

A. Unfortunately, I simply don't believe that anymore. There's been interest from the international market in obtaining Korean babies. The demand is very high, and that has created a way of making profit. So I'm afraid it has become a business. The number of children adopted from Korea to other countries amounts to over 200,000 over the years. It's the highest-ranking country in the world, in terms of the number of children adopted.





Sun Hee Engelstoft / Courtesy of Connect Pictures
Car accidents can be scary events, no matter how serious they are. Apart from the trauma and injuries you may have suffered, you have to start considering the legal process you will have to go through.

If you've been involved in an accident you should contact a car accident lawyer at diamondlaw.ca in Toronto, Canada, as soon as you can.

They operate on a contingency fee basis so will only charge you if and when they win your case. Their fee is a percentage of the final settlement.

Advantages of Hiring a Car Accident Lawyer

- He/she will know your legal rights as well as your state's laws and advise you on the unique legal issues related to hit and run accidents. These being significant criminal consequences for the runner and often complications for the victim.

- He/she will gather evidence for you.

- He/she will work with insurance companies (who tend to minimize compensation) on your behalf. If an insurer is offering you a minimal settlement or refusing to pay at all a company like Diamond and Diamond has personal injury lawyers who can do the negotiating for a favorable settlement, or file an injury lawsuit for you.

What Are The Unique Circumstances Of Hit and Run Accidents?

In ordinary traffic accidents, emergency services need to be contacted and when the accident is more serious the police need to be summoned to the scene. The obligation is also that those involved in the accident need to stop and remain at the scene.

The plaintiff of a hit and run accident can claim punitive damages. These are available when the person being sued intentionally or recklessly causes harm or acts in a shocking or reprehensible manner.

The plaintiff is entitled to compensation for medical expenses, pain and suffering, lost income, and other costs incurred because of the accident.

Medical expenses can be awarded for the following:

- Bruising and broken bones

- Whiplash

- Airbag injuries

- Strains and sprains

- Head, neck, and spinal injuries

- Torn ligaments and tendons

- Traumatic brain injuries or concussion

- PRSD

- Lacerations and scarring

- Death

The punitive damages are also paid on a means test so are larger if the defendant is richer and vice versa.

These damages are designed to punish and prevent bad behavior and serve as a warning to others.

Fleeing the scene is always seen as an intentional act that justifies punitive damages.

The reasons for fleeing an accident scene could be any of the following:

- Uninsured

- Drunk driving

- Afraid to lose license because of past offenses

- Driving without a license or a suspended license

- Driving a stolen or borrowed vehicle

- In possession of stolen goods or drugs

If someone flees after a motorcycle accident it is seen as more morally blameworthy as there are more likely to be severe injuries. This can lead to high punitive damages being awarded.

The criminal penalties for fleeing the scene of an accident can range from a misdemeanor (a minor offense) to a felony (which is a lot more serious). Here you could be facing a criminal conviction and a jail term.

Unfortunately, it is often the victim of a hit and run accident who is forced to claim from their own insurance companies for medical expenses, etc. This is where a car accident lawyer can step in and help.

Unless the running driver can be found through witness identification of their license plate, video footage from the accident scene, by turning themselves in, etc, there is no way to make him/her accountable.

Conclusion

Hit and run car accidents are extremely stressful and can be complicated to resolve. Getting an experienced personal injury lawyer makes the process a lot smoother and will resolve the matter a lot quicker.




North Korea condemned Japan on Wednesday for pushing to revise its pacifist constitution, calling the move a "declaration of war against humankind."







The North's Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) made the criticism as Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga mentioned the need to discuss the possible revision of its war-renouncing constitution earlier this month to officially recognize its self-defense forces by the law.







"Japan has made desperate efforts to turn itself, which renounced war, into a war-capable country, remaining unchanged in its wild ambition for launching reinvasion to avenge the past defeat," KCNA said in a commentary.







Calling the move "a frontal challenge to global peace and an open declaration of war against humankind," the North said it will "bring irreversible disasters to the world." (Yonhap)


President Moon Jae-in waves to the people before boarding the plane bound for the U.S. at Seoul Airport. Yonhap



President Moon Jae-in headed to the United States on Wednesday for summit talks with President Joe Biden on COVID-19 vaccine cooperation, North Korea, alliance issues and bilateral economic partnerships.



He is scheduled to hold the session at the White House on Friday afternoon (local time). It will mark their first face-to-face meeting. The two plan to announce the results of their talks in an ensuing joint press conference.



The summit is expected to set the tone for overall relations between the allies during the remainder of Moon's presidency to end in May 2022.



Moon hopes for an accomplishment in discussions on vaccines.



"I will use this visit to the U.S. as an opportunity to strengthen cooperation on vaccines and (for South Korea) to move toward the goal of becoming a global hub for vaccine production," the president said publicly earlier this week.



South Korea is striving to advance the shipment of U.S.-made vaccines under existing contracts, and it is also seeking to sign additional deals, including those on technology transfer for local production. Among the options under consideration is a vaccine swap deal.



North Korea is another key topic. Moon wants to ensure that the allies will keep in lockstep with each other in dealing with Pyongyang. He also hopes for a breakthrough in efforts to revive the long-stalled Korea peace process.



Observers are paying attention to whether Moon will secure Biden's commitment to inheriting the 2018 Singapore agreement between his predecessor Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un.



There may be an accord to adjust the schedule of a combined military exercise slated to open in the summer in order to send a signal to Pyongyang.



Biden may also nudge Moon to strengthen trilateral security cooperation involving Tokyo amid the drawn-out diplomatic standoff between the Northeast Asian countries over shared history.



Officials in Seoul have been guarded about whether the sensitive issue of the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue, or Quad, will be discussed in the summit. It is a forum of the U.S,. Japan, India and Australia that is widely regarded as aimed at countering China's growing influence. The U.S. is said to be moving to expand the Quad to include South Korea and some other "like-minded" nations in the Indo-Pacific region.



Moon and Biden are likely to talk about cooperation on such key industries as semiconductors, batteries and biohealth.



The CEOs of some related South Korean companies, including SK and LG, are accompanying Moon on this week's U.S. trip. They are likely to make public plans for large-scale investments in the U.S. on the occasion of the visit.



Moon plans to begin his official activities in the U.S. capital on Thursday morning with a visit to Arlington National Cemetery. He is to pay tribute at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.



He will also attend a groundbreaking ceremony for the construction of the Wall of Remembrance at the Korean War Veterans Memorial and meet with Nancy Pelosi, speaker of the House of Representatives, and Cardinal Wilton Gregory, the archbishop of Washington, D.C.



He is pushing for a stopover in Atlanta on his way back home to visit a factory of SK Innovation, a South Korean energy company.



He is to return to Seoul on Sunday night. The size of Moon's entourage for his "official working visit" to the U.S. has been minimized out of coronavirus concerns, according to his office.



Moon is making his first overseas travel in 1 1/2 years, having skipped foreign visits due to the coronavirus pandemic since a trip to China in December 2019. (Yonhap)


By Yang Moo-jin





During the press conference held to mark the fourth anniversary of his inauguration, President Moon Jae-in stated that he will find a way for the United States and North Korea to restart dialogue and cooperate towards peace. He also mentioned that he would do his best to restart the "peace clock" once again, if the opportunity is given to him. This remark shows that the April 21 Korea-U.S. summit is the last chance for the Moon administration to achieve a practical outcome.



To this end, I would like to suggest that the summit create a separate space for inter-Korean relations. History tells us that our approach to resolving the North Korean nuclear issue and improving inter-Korean relations has been most efficient when we put both issues together. The Korean Peninsula Peace Process that started with the PyeongChang Olympic Games led to the Panmunjeom Declaration, the Singapore Agreement and the Pyongyang Joint Declaration.



As it is important to restart dialogue between the U.S. and North Korea, creating space for inter-Korean relations will be an important step towards this process. So U.S. President Joe Biden's support for inter-Korean dialogue and cooperation will be an engine for restarting the peace process in general.



At the same time, Korea must persuade the U.S. of the usefulness of inter-Korean cooperation, as a corresponding measure for North Korea's denuclearization. South Korea must make it clear that we will share the burden with the U.S. concerning denuclearization. Inter-Korean cooperation is not only under the control of South Korea and the U.S., but there is also the selective exemption process and snapback clauses, which can work together as a safety net in case North Korea fails to follow the path to denuclearization.



These mechanisms will ensure that South Korea and U.S. have control over the denuclearization process. The development of inter-Korean relations also can reduce North Korea's dependency on China. It is a positive sign that the U.S. has mentioned the possibility of lifting part of the sanctions as a corresponding measure to North Korea's partial denuclearization. It is important to focus our discussion on how we can rationally lift sanctions, via the process of denuclearization.



I sincerely hope that an institutional framework to carry out humanitarian assistance will be established swiftly, since South Korea and the U.S. have already built up mutual understanding on this particular issue. There are people in the U.S. voicing their concerns that North Korean citizens may be facing a humanitarian crisis as a result of prolonged border closures due to the COVID-19 pandemic.



In the U.S., Sen. Edward J. Markey and Rep. Andy Levin introduced the "Enhancing North Korea Humanitarian Assistance Act" to Congress in March to ensure that sanctions do not stand in the way of humanitarian assistance. According to a report published by a panel of experts of the U.N. Security Council Sanctions Committee on North Korea, nongovernmental organizations assisting North Korea are concerned that the sanctions may pose unintended negative consequences to humanitarian assistance.



At least the international community has a common understanding that sanctions should not stand in the way of humanitarian assistance to North Korea. Democratic countries share the important principle that humanitarian assistance should be provided, regardless of the political situation.



I also hope that the South Korea-U.S. summit will be an opportunity to confirm that both countries share a common solution for denuclearization. Although the U.S.' North Korea policy review has not been completely revealed, it seems that the U.S.' goal is to achieve complete denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula by taking a gradual, phased, pragmatic and flexible approach through diplomacy, based on the Singapore Agreement. As this approach is in line with the South Korean government's approach in many ways, we should seize the opportunity to send a definitive signal to North Korea via a common policy toward the North.



What's equally important is North Korea's response to us. I hope that North Korea will make a wise and flexible decision, remembering that confidence is built up gradually. From the point of view of the U.S., which values democracy and human rights, efforts at humanitarian cooperation  such as returning the remains of soldiers who died during the Korean War, as well as restarting separated family reunions  are considered important and fundamental confidence-building actions. I sincerely hope that North Korea understands this when coming to the dialogue.



President Moon has stated that, during his visit to the U.S., he will work on ways to bring North Korea to a dialogue soon. My expectation is for South Korea and the U.S. to devise ways to bring North Korea to a dialogue again through close coordination. If we waste more time, North Korea will advance its nuclear capacity.



North Korea should also understand that restarting dialogue with the U.S. before the end of President Moon's term is favorable to them. With the Korea-U.S. summit, I wish that the warm spring wind that blew through the Korean Peninsula in 2018 will return once again.





Yang Moo-jin (yangmj@kyungnam.ac.kr) is a professor at the University of North Korean Studies and vice chairman of the Korean Association of North Korean Studies. He is also a standing committee member of the National Unification Advisory Council and policy consultant at the Ministry of Unification.


Kendallville, IN (46755)

Today

Sunshine to start, then a few afternoon clouds. High 87F. Winds light and variable..

Tonight

Mainly clear skies. Low near 65F. Winds light and variable.
Louisiana Revenue Estimating Conference members (from left) economist Stephen Barnes, Senate President Page Cortez, House Speaker Clay Schexnayder and Commissioner of Administration Jay Dardenne speak before a May 18, 2021, meeting.
BILLINGS - The Apsaalooke Nation Housing Authority is hosting outreach days for their Emergency Rental Assistance Program on May 18, 19 and 20.

The outreach days are being held at the Zimmerman Center, located in Pioneer Park, and run from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and from 4 to 8 p.m. each day.

Workers will be on hand to provide applications for Emergency Rental Assistance. They can answer questions about the program and also provide technical support if you need it.

Individuals must be below 80% of the area median income and be directly or indirectly impacted by COVID-19 to be eligible to apply, Interim Executive Director Joanie Rowland says.

For more information, call (406) 623-7145.
BILLINGS - Have you ever thought of running for city council, but weren't sure how to get started? Well, a group of Billings residents received tips on how to do that during a Candidate School session hosted by the Billings Chamber.

Fourteen potential candidates signed up for the seminar where a variety of speakers talked about resources and how to run a successful campaign.

Dan Brooks with the Billings Chamber says many people aren't sure how to start the paperwork, where to file and how to get financial forms put together.

Brooks says, for people who aren't ready for a city council election, they can start at the county level, serving on a board or commission to learn how things work.

But if you are ready for the next step, Tuesday's class can show you how to get there.

Coming up, weve got Kary Olsen with the realtors, to talk about how to mount a successful campaign involving knocking on doors, organizing volunteers, working with the media. So hopefully for a room full of first time candidates, thats the kind of information theyre looking for, Brooks, Business Advocacy Director for Billings Chamber, said.

If you missed Tuesday's session, you can reach out to Brooks for more information on how to run for office.
BILLINGS - May 18 is National CASA Day, the perfect time to sign up with your local CASA organization to become an Advocate in a child's life.

CASA stands for Court Appointed Special Advocate.

Anyone over the age of 21 who has a passion for helping out kids can volunteer to be assigned a foster child by a local judge.

Volunteers will be matched with one child, or siblings, checking on them at their foster home, schools and a variety of settings, making sure the child is safe and cared for.

It can take up to 18 months for a child's case to make its way through the court system, so it's vital to have an Advocate there to help navigate the process.

"They're changing foster homes multiple times, or they're changing schools multiple times, so having that person, that one person who, know you, who cares about you, who is with you through all of that change, it's life changing for these kids," Emily Gaudreau, Development Director for CASA of Yellowstone County, said.

Emily says CASA is trying to prevent kids from falling in between the cracks of the foster care system. That means looking out for the older kids aging out of the program as well.

"A lot of times, kids will end up homeless. Having an advocate on those cases especially can be life changing, so these kids aren't aging out into the streets. They have places to go, they have a job, somebody who can teach them how to do laundry, even the small things are really important," she said.

If you're interested in becoming an Advocate, you can reach out to CASA of Yellowstone County to sign up and begin your training.
RIVERTON, Wyo. - A group of Riverton business and community leaders are making Wyoming health care history with plans to build a new hospital in Riverton. A major step forward was taken Wednesday as the Riverton Medical District announced it has signed a Letter of Intent to pursue affiliation and clinical partnership with Billings Clinic.

As stated in a press release, the partnership with Riverton adds to Billings Clinics relationships in numerous Wyoming communities including Basin, Lovell, Powell, and two clinics in Cody.

Billings Clinic is an independent not for profit, physician-led and community governed organization that is affiliated with (not owned by) the Mayo Clinic as a member of the Mayo Clinic Care Network.

The Riverton facility would join 16 other health care facilities across Montana and Wyoming, in addition to the tertiary care center in Billings, as part of Billings Clinics growing health system.

This is not just a win, it is a mammoth victory to have signed a Letter of Intent with Billings Clinic to be our clinical and management partner. They are a nationally recognized health system with a laser focus on advancing care in local communities in Montana and Wyoming. They were our first choice as a partner, offering unique experience that will keep our hospital locally owned and governed, Corte McGuffey of the Riverton Medical District said. We reached out to other communities that work with Billings Clinic and received excellent feedback, including Beartooth Billings Clinic in Red Lodge.

In 2002, Beartooth Billings Clinic was looking for a partner who shared the same values as our Board and community. Lutheran Health Systems (now Banner Health) had exited our community in 1991 and we were leery of establishing another relationship. Billings Clinic not only shared our values, they guided our effort to achieve our ultimate goal  a new hospital. Today, ten years later, our organization is growing and thriving, Kelley Evans, CEO of Beartooth Billings Clinic, said.

We feel very fortunate to have the opportunity to partner with the Riverton Medical District because their core values align with ours. The ability to connect Riverton with the other communities we serve will help increase clinical services and advance patient care in the community, Regional Chief Medical Officer of Billings Clinic Dr. Clint Seger said. Sustaining and growing health care services locally is a top priority for Billings Clinic.

The next step for moving this project forward is approval of a low-interest loan of more than $40 million from the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). The Riverton Medical District has met with the USDA on several occasions and said the application process is fully underway.

Our community has been so supportive of our efforts, including our collaboration with the Eastern Shoshone Tribe to secure land, McGuffey said. We are grateful for this support and are excited to bring these plans to fruition.
BOZEMAN, Mont.  The Gallatin City-County Health Board received 13 applications for their health officer position and narrowed the list to three to be interviewed in an upcoming public forum.

The forum will be virtual and open to all starting at 6 p.m. on May 20 to provide transparency in the process and allow the public to weigh in on the selection.

You can register as an attendee for the virtual Zoom meeting here and verbal public comments are not permitted during the interview time. More ways to tune in to the meeting can be found here.

The interviews will be recorded and posted online for public viewing and public comments regarding the interviews will be collected via email as well.

You can submit public comment regarding the interview to BOHPublicComment@gallatin.mt.gov and comments will be collected until Wednesday, May 26 at 4 p.m.

The three finalists bios from the City-County Health Department:

Leslie Carroll, Ph.D., MPH, is the Director of the Center for Community Health at the Tulsa-City County Health Department. Previously, she was the Resource Development Coordinator, where she started the nonprofit arm to the health department leveraging resources and was awarded over $5 million in grants within five years. Leslie also led her organizations Community Health Improvement Plan and co-led the Accreditation Committee. In the academic setting, she was the Sponsored Projects Coordinator for NIH-funded Tribal Health and Resilience in Vulnerable Environment study at the University of Oklahoma. This study assessed the food and physical activity environments in two tribal nations. Before this position, she was the Senior Project Manager at the University of Tulsa, where she led a site for NIH-funded Infant Development Environment and Lifestyle study. This longitudinal study examined the developmental and cognitive effects of methamphetamine exposure in utero. Ms. Carroll has over 11 years of experience in research and 8 years in community organizing. Academically, she earned her BS in Psychology at Texas Christian University, a Masters and doctoral degree in Public Health and Health Promotion Sciences at the University of Oklahoma.

Lori Christenson, MPH, RS is currently the Director of Environmental Health Services at Gallatin City-County Health Department in Bozeman Montana. Lori has over 12 years experience in Public Health, 7 of those at GCCHD, and has extensive experience in program and prevention management, community leadership and engagement, and emergency preparedness. Prior to joining the Health Department, she worked to address social determinants of health as manager of the Gallatin Valley Food Bank, helping to expand and strengthen programs to address hunger among seniors, children, and others in need. Lori has successfully led quality improvement projects and performance management activities that have resulted in significant process and programmatic improvements. She has extensive experience in community enhancement through the development and facilitation of community coalitions. Lori has managed grants, designed and implemented outreach and mass media campaigns for cancer and tobacco prevention. Lori has taken on leadership roles in the COVID19 pandemic response, using her skills to serve as the Public Information Officer at the start of the pandemic, managed reopening efforts during the pandemic and is currently serving as Planning Section Chief for the Gallatin County COVID19 response. Academically she earned her masters degree in public health through New Mexico State University in Las Cruces and a BS in Resource Conservation through University of Montana, and is also a State of Montana registered sanitarian.

Junie Delizo, MD, MPH is currently in a contracted position as the Epidemiology Team Unit Lead at the New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services. Junie has had over 17 years of experience having been the Director of Emergency Preparedness/Public Health in a full service nationally accredited county health department near New York City and has extensive experience in epidemiology, public health preparedness, disease outbreak, crisis management and program administration, including fiscal and personnel management. He also has experience in strategic planning, continuous quality improvement, and community health assessment. Academically he holds a masters degree in public health from Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health in Baltimore, MD, a doctorate of medicine through Saint Louis University College of Medicine, and was a practicing physician in Baguio City, IT though not currently practicing in the USA.

Following the meeting, the board of healths interview committee will decide on a recommendation of a candidate. If there is a recommendation in time, it will be taken up by the entire board of health at the next regular meeting on May 27.

The plan is subject to change due to new laws passed by the Montana Legislature and signed by the Gov. Greg Gianforte, but the board will make its recommendation on a finalist, who would then be sent on to both the Bozeman City Commission and the Gallatin County Commission for final decisions.

There is no exact timeline on when the next permanent health officer will be chosen. Current Health Officer Matt Kelleys last day is June 6 and Lori Christenson will serve as interim health officer starting June 7 until the permanent replacement is chosen.

You can find the most accurate source of information on the GCCHD website here and more information on COVID-19 vaccines in here.
MONTANA - Earlier this month, kids 12 and older became eligible for the Pfizer vaccine. Then, the CDC issued new mask guidance for fully vaccinated people. Since then, parents have been asking the following: "What about schools?"

The Montana Office of Public Instruction (OPI) strongly recommends school districts across the Treasure State rescind any existing mask mandates for the upcoming school year. That's according to State Superintendent Elsie Arntzen, who read part of a letter being sent to other superintendents, on Wake Up Montana Wednesday morning.

"In light of the changes occurring across the state, as we move into the 2021-2022 school year, the OPI strongly recommends that school districts across Montana rescind, or allow to expire, any existing face covering mandates, and develop policies that make the wearing of face masks and other coverings optional, voluntary, and a matter of family choice," - Montana OPI Superintendent Elsie Arntzen wrote.

In the letter, obtained by Wake Up Montana, Arntzen credits Gov. Greg Gianforte's executive order 2-2021, which establishes a state of emergency, signed on Feb. 12. In the order, "access to school is essential to the development, social, mental, and educational needs" of students.

The order says schools should make "reasonable efforts to follow school guidelines and best practices recommended by the CDC and the Montana Office of Public Instruction."

"We cannot enter another school year subjecting our students to any additional loss of instructional time," Arntzen said. "We also cannot perpetuate the notion that masks will be a permanent feature in our state's classrooms."
ROME, MAY 19 - President Sergio Mattarella told pupils at a Rome primary school on Wednesday that he was looking forward to getting some rest when his seven-year term as head of State ends next year. "I was worried (when I was elected president) because I knew how tough the job was," the 79-year-old president said. "But two things helped me. I have excellent collaborators and, above all, there is the fact that, on the basis of the Constitution in Italy, there is not one single body that decides, the decisions are distributed among many bodies. "The president must know them all, follow them all, in order to be able to intervene with suggestions. "But in eight months' time my term as president ends. "I am old and in a few months I will be able to rest". (ANSA).
ROME, MAY 19 - Milan prosecutors on Wednesday requested that Silvio Berlusconi's case in the so-called Ruby Ter trial be separated from those of other defendants because the ex-premier is "seriously ill". The 84-year-old media billionaire has been in and out of hospital in recent months after suffering a bad case of COVID-19 last year. Berlusconi is accused of bribing witnesses to lie about his alleged "bunga bunga" sex parties at his home. He is among the 29 defendants, including several young women he allegedly bribed to say the parties were innocent affairs. "We believe that Berlusconi is seriously ill and affected by a severe pathology," said Prosecutor Tiziana Siciliano. "The medical certificates and the consultants say this". Berlusconi's defence team backed the request, saying the ex-premier needed a period of "absolute rest" with the creation of a "domestic-hospital" structure at his home at Arcore, near Milan. (ANSA).
MILAN, MAY 19 - Italian police on Wednesday made seven arrests in connection with a bank robbery in Milan in November. Police said they had caught the alleged thieves who broke into the Credit Agricole bank in Piazza Ascoli on November 3. Police said they caught them while they were set to carry out another bank robbery between Milan and Turin. The gang made off with around one million euros from the bank after forcing the director to open the vault. They then made off through the sewers in the northern Italian city - the same route they had come in on. Police said they had been identified thanks to CCTV footage. The seven face charges of robbery aggravated by threats. (ANSA).
MILAN, MAY 19 - A 45-year-old Arezzo man got three years in jail Wednesday for stealing the ashes of his ex-girlfriend's dog from her home in Varese, La Prealpina newspaper reported. The man, who had lived with the woman for just 10 days, also stole her jewels and stalked her, a Varese court found. He was caught after a high-speed chase with the dog's urn and jewels in a knapsack. Despite the brevity of their relationship, police said, he kept on phoning her and turning up outside her workplace. (ANSA).
ROME, MAY 19 - Libyan Prime Minister Abdel Hamid Dbeibah will visit Italy on May 31, Foreign Minister Luigi Di Maio told the House Wednesday. On the occasion, he said, there will be a business forum which will "enable the main Italian economic actors to talk with the Libyan premier and several members of his government". Di Maio also said Italy's consulate general in Benghazi will be reactivate don May 26 when consul Carlo Batori will take up his post, and an honorary consulate will be set up at Sebha, in the Fezzan region. (ANSA).
NEW YORK (AP)  ABC will air a short-run series Women of the Movement next season about Mamie Till-Mobley, whose son Emmett Till became a symbol of the civil rights movement after he was lynched in Mississippi in 1955.

The network, which announced its plans for the next television season on Tuesday, is also reviving The Wonder Years," this time with a Black cast that will feature Don Cheadle as the adult narrator.

ABC said its popular comedy black-ish will conclude its run next year after eight seasons. It will return in midseason so the final episodes can run straight through.

Till-Mobley made sure Americans didn't forget about her son, a Chicago resident killed while visiting relatives in the South, and memorably insisted upon an open casket to display his broken body. Actor Will Smith and rapper Jay-Z are on the production team working on the midseason series.

Fred Savage, who starred in The Wonder Years when it ran originally on ABC from 1988 to 1993, directed the pilot episode of the new version and is a producer of the series.
Also on this day in 2020 retail shops reopened in Brazil's biggest city after a two-month coronavirus pandemic shutdown aimed to contain the spread of the new coronavirus. See more top news photos as selected by the Associated Press.
RACINE  A 48-year-old man was arrested on alcohol-related charges, police said, after the car he was driving allegedly struck a stroller carrying a 1-year-old child near the intersection of Erie Street and Three Mile Road at about 2:35 p.m. Tuesday.

According to the Racine Police Department, a total of four pedestrians (including the one in the stroller, a 2-year-old and two adults) were injured.

Take advantage of this great offer! Just $5 gives you full access for 5 months to exclusive content from The Journal Times and journaltimes.com. The incredible deal won't last lo

Witness Eric McLaren said that the car, a Pontiac Bonneville, was northbound on Erie Street when it inexplicably swerved, drove over a curb and hit a stroller with a child in it in the parking lot of the strip mall that includes a Piggly Wiggly, Hometown Pharmacy, Dollar Tree and Main Moon Chinese Restaurant.

The woman pushing the stroller, who was carrying another young child, was taken to the hospital in a second ambulance, McLaren told The Journal Times.

IMG_2858.JPG After allegedly hitting a stroller carrying a child, the Pontiac Bonneville pictured here crashed into a sign, triggering the airbags and sust

The child who was in the stroller was later airlifted to Froedtert Hospital in Wauwatosa, according to the Racine Police Department.

After colliding with the stroller, the Bonneville then struck the strip malls sign and came to rest, sustaining heavy front-end damage.
The multiple angles of the footage, projected onto a screen behind Womble, depicted a chaotic scene of about 44 seconds. After six deputies approach Brown's car with guns drawn, the video shows one of them putting his hand on the driver's side door, then yelling and recoiling as Brown backs up.

Seconds later, the same deputy appears to be in the path of the car as Brown moves forward, though it's not clear how fast the car is moving. The deputy appears to avoid a direct hit after pushing his hand onto the moving car's hood and quickly moving aside. Gunshots are then heard, and officers appear to continue firing as the car moves away from them.

The quality of the projected video, even replayed later on news websites that filmed it, made it hard for a viewer to glean the level of detail described by either the Brown family or prosecutor when they watched the footage in person. The family continued its calls Tuesday for direct release of the video, which would make longer and higher-quality versions public.
Chicago will follow the state of Illinois in allowing fully vaccinated people to go maskless in most settings  but some businesses will be strongly advised to keep a requirement in place, public health officials announced a day after Gov. J.B. Pritzker loosened his mask mandate to match the latest federal guidance.

Under Tuesdays update to the citys mask guidance, those who are two weeks after their final vaccination dose can take off the mask except in hospitals, public transportation, jails and schools, public health Commissioner Dr. Allison Arwady said during a news conference. She cited strong evidence of the vaccines effectiveness before adding the caveat that many businesses do not have the ability or desire to regulate who is vaccinated and who isnt.

Because of that logistical challenge and the fact that only 38% of Chicagoans are fully vaccinated, those settings will be subject to an optional advisory to continue their masking policy until COVID-19 restrictions are lifted in the city, Arwady said. To avoid confusion, she said, all businesses are asked to post a sign informing customers what their mask policy will be so the public can choose whether to enter.
Champaign police said in a statement that two officers who were called to the scene of a domestic disturbance on the city's north side about 3:20 a.m. encountered an armed person after exiting their police cars and an exchange of gunfire followed.

The suspect was pronounced dead at the scene, while both officers sustained gunshot wounds and were taken to a hospital. One officer was in critical condition and the other was stable, police said.

Champaign police did not immediately release additional details on the shooting, which happened in the 2400 block of North Neil Street.

A message seeking additional information, including whether the officers' body cameras captured the shooting, was left for police by The Associated Press.

The (Champaign) News-Gazette reported that the shooting occurred at an apartment complex and it came days after Champaign Police Chief Anthony Cobb said he feared a shooting involving police could happen as the city deals with escalating gun violence.

There have been about 85 reports of shots fired, and many injuries, in Champaign so far this year, the newspaper reported.
City of Superior council members also planned to meet Tuesday to consider striking down the citys indoor mask mandate, which the city council agreed in April to extend until June 1, according to the Superior Telegram.

Some cities are keeping their mask mandates in place, at least for now. The city of Kenoshas current mandate remains in place through May 27, while the city of Whitewaters mask mandate also remains in place.

The city of Racines mandate stopped being enforced Friday, and was expected to be fully repealed Tuesday night.

Most other rural counties in Wisconsin never imposed a mask mandate, though many issued guidance during the pandemic on how to prevent the spread of COVID-19.
Gov. Tony Evers on Tuesday announced plans to use $100 million in federal stimulus funds to provide broadband expansion grants in the state.

The high-speed internet grants are in addition to the nearly $200 million in broadband expansion Evers has proposed in his 2021-23 biennial budget, which is now in the hands of the GOP-led budget committee.

As governor, Evers has full discretion over the federal funds. The Democratic governor announced earlier this year plans to spend $200 million in stimulus funds on infrastructure, with a large portion of that going toward expanding broadband access. However, that was before the state was informed last week it would receive $700 million less in federal COVID-19 dollars than was originally projected, which could impact Evers use of those dollars.

Between our Badger Bounceback agenda investments and these federal funds, were taking a major step toward connecting everyone in our state, Evers said in a statement. Im glad to be able to direct this funding to the (state Public Service Commission) so the folks in need of high-speed internet can get connected as quickly as possible.

Evers also urged Republican lawmakers to approve nearly $200 million in broadband expansion funding proposed in his budget.
Kyle Rittenhouse, the 18-year-old from Illinois accused of killing two people and wounding a third during unrest in Kenosha, is scheduled to make his first in-person appearance in a Kenosha County courtroom Friday.

Rittenhouse is expected to appear before Kenosha County Circuit Court Judge Bruce Schroeder at 10:30 a.m. Friday for a pre-trial hearing. The hearing is expected to be brief, with attorneys expected to discuss scheduling for the case moving forward. Rittenhouse is scheduled to go to trial Nov. 1.

Since he was extradited to Kenosha County in November 2020, Rittenhouse has made his court appearances virtually because of the COVID-19 pandemic. But in recent weeks, Schroeders courtroom has returned to in-person appearances.

In what has become one of the most politically divisive cases in the country, Rittenhouse is facing the possibility of spending the rest of his life in prison for killing two men and injuring a third during protests in Kenosha following the police shooting of Jacob Blake.

Rittenhouse, his attorneys and supporters have maintained that he was defending himself when he shot the men.
Police suspected the pair of the burglaries. They were stopped May 8 and officers executed a search warrant on their vehicle, where more than 100 keys were found. One had distinct markings connecting it to Rock Arbor State Park.

Neil Husom admitted to police that he had broken into the boxes and a number of different parks buildings. He also told officers that he had stolen two surveillance cameras set up by parks staff and thrown them off a bridge in Monroe.

Stephanie Husom told police that the pair would randomly look for locations, she would drop Neil off and he would break into pay boxes or buildings to look for money. Sometimes she would help with tools to pry open boxes.

Thefts were noted at Natural Bridge State Park, where a warden found a pay box had been emptied of visitors fees, and at Rocky Arbor State Park, where an office had been burglarized. A yellow self-pay tube had been damaged along the south shore of Devils Lake State Park, rangers also noted. In March 2019, workers found that another tube had been damaged in the CCC parking lot at the park. All of the pay stubs were missing and similar damage was found two more times within that week.
Maryland will be boosting the allowable amount of state funding available through the Agricultural Cost-Share Program for certain projects from 87.5% to 100%, effective July 1. Read more
Spotted lanternfly has been detected in Prince William County, Virginia. The isolated detection included egg masses and nymphs at one site within the county. Spotted lanternfly has also been found in the city of Winchester and the counties of Clarke, Frederick and Warren, which are all included in Virginias spotted lanternfly quarantine. At this time, Prince William County has not been included in the quarantine.

The Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services will continue to survey Prince William County to determine the extent of the lanternfly population. All homeowners, nurseries, related businesses and local governments are encouraged to scout for spotted lanternfly. If you find this pest, please report your findings on the Virginia Tech reporting site at bit.ly/LanternflyVT, by email at Spottedlanternfly@vdacs.virginia.gov or contact your local Virginia Cooperative Extension office.

The spotted lanternfly is an invasive insect pest. The states first discovery of this pest was in Frederick County in January 2018 and at that time, it was just the second known detection of the spotted lanternfly in the U.S.

The first occurrence of spotted lanternfly in the U.S. occurred in Pennsylvania in 2014. Since 2018, the Ag Department has been working with the USDA to survey and conduct treatments of spotted lanternfly-infested areas.

The spotted lanternfly is a native insect of Asia and prefers feeding on the invasive Tree of Heaven, but will also feed on more than 70 plants, including grapes, peaches, apples, maples, walnuts, hops, cucumbers and basil.

The insect causes damage to plants because of its method of feeding. The rapid buildup of large populations and the production of honeydew, a by-product of their feeding activity, serves as a medium for fungal growth.

The spotted lanternfly also has the potential to be a serious nuisance pest to homeowners when it is present in high numbers.
Kat Becker feeds hundreds of people with the vegetables she grows on her Wisconsin farm, and she wants to expand. But her ability to grow her business collides with her need for affordable health insurance and child care.

Becker has had to make difficult choices over the years: keep her farm income low enough so her children can qualify for the states public health insurance, or expand the farm and buy expensive private insurance. To look after her three young children, she could hire a cheap, but inexperienced babysitter, or spend a significant share of her income on child care and have peace of mind that the kids are safe from dangers on the farm.

The stable choice for my children to have health insurance is an irrational choice for my farm business, she said.

Weve heard numerous stories like Kats in our work as social scientists supporting the next generation of farmers. Through thousands of interviews, surveys and conversations with farmers across the country, we have documented how household expenses like access to health care and child care undercut investments that could increase food production across the United States.

As farmers continue to age and retire, the United States needs young farmers to take their place. The country has 3.4 million farm operators today, roughly 2% of the American population, and their average age is 58.

USDA has made concerted efforts to help young and beginning farmers, particularly with access to farmland, credit and marketing skills. But focusing on the technical side of farming misses a fundamental fact about farms: They are inherently social entities, and their success depends upon social infrastructure as much as biophysical or financial infrastructures. Bolstering food systems resilience means supporting individuals so they can grow food.

Our research indicates that health care and child care are two crucial ingredients for a successful food system.

Health Insurance: What Happens When Farmers Get Sick?

Economists find that healthier workers are more productive, adaptable and better able to cope with stress. Farming, meanwhile, is stressful, risky and physical work.

Our research found that two-thirds of farmers have a preexisting health condition, and one in three farms has a family member whose health problems make farming difficult. Farmers prioritize having health insurance  over 90% of farmers are covered  yet this number hides the details that plague the entire U.S. health care system.

In addition to farming, half of all farm families have at least one adult working an additional full-time job off of the farm, often primarily to get health insurance coverage. Its an affordable option, but pulls time and energy away from farm work.

Farmers in states as diverse as Mississippi, California and Nebraska have shared the lengths they have gone to stay eligible for public health insurance. For instance, in extreme cases, farmers have said they kept marriages secret. Often, farmers feel trapped because too much income can put them over the threshold for public benefits.

Nationwide, 68% of all personal bankruptcies are connected to health and medical expenses. Such personal and financial crises can have long-term consequences for farms. One in two farm families reported that they worried they would have to sell farm assets to pay health expenses.

Farmers report that covering health-care needs often means working into old age or selling land to the highest bidder. This often means large farms are buying up more of the available land, making it even harder for young farmers to get started.

Child Care: Who Watches the Kids?

As parents across the country discovered during the pandemic, productivity can suffer when working from home with children around. Magazine and grocery store advertisements of smiling farmers posing with young children obscure the reality that farm parents are working parents who also must navigate the complex world of child care.

Growing up on a farm has many benefits for children, but farms can also be dangerous. Every day, 33 children are seriously injured in agricultural-related incidents, and every three days a child dies on a farm. Child care is rarely discussed in conversations related to farm viability and farm safety, yet it underpins the very foundation of the family farm.

In a national study of farm parents before the pandemic, we found that two-thirds had struggled with the cost, availability and quality of child care. Surveying farm parents during the early months of COVID-19, we found 58% reported that taking care of children became harder during the pandemic, especially for women farmers and those with children under age 6.

Women are one of the fastest-growing groups of farmers, and their role as primary caregivers influences a farms success. In our research, women were almost twice as likely as men to report that child care was an important factor in farm decisions, 44% compared to 24% among men.

We also found that the majority of women farmers with child care problems operated small or medium farms and were significantly more likely to sell directly to consumers, such as at farmers markets. These findings have implications for the food system.

The Biden administrations new $1.8 trillion proposal to support families and women in the workforce includes resources for child care infrastructure. These investments could also deliver much-needed support for American farm families.

Prescription for Supporting the Next Crop of Farmers

Over the last 10 years, farm families have told us that public insurance options, making insurance easier for self-employed people to access, universal health insurance, and affordable rural child care would help them grow better food and stronger businesses.

These challenges parallel those faced by many Americans. Policymakers can leverage lessons from the social and economic crises triggered by COVID-19 to ensure that all Americans, including those who grow the nations food, have access to adequate and affordable health insurance and child care.

The USDA announced on April 21 that it was beginning an effort to improve and reimagine the supply chains for food production  including meeting the needs of agriculture workers and addressing the needs of mid- to small-size farms. This an opportunity to integrate health insurance and child care as core infrastructure that supports the future of farmers and rural communities, along with the U.S. food supply.

The Conversation is an independent and nonprofit source of news, analysis and commentary from academic experts.
If Elisabeth Moss were a character in a network pilot, shed win high marks for her relatability.

On a sludgy late-winter evening, the actress shows up at a restaurant near Lincoln Center looking casually stylish in an embroidered bomber jacket and motorcycle boots. Even though shes been holed up sick in her apartment for days, she orders a Moscow Mule. It has ginger in it, so its actually good for you, she reasons.

Moss, 34, is the right kind of enabler, gushing about the burrata on the menu and her favorite line of fancy sweats. Shes a fan of all The Real Housewives, but especially Lisa Vanderpump, and is obsessed with This Is Us. In other words, shes just your average seven-time Emmy nominee next door.

Full Coverage: Golden Globes 2018

Advertisement

Given her affinity for material that essentially defines brooding  think Mad Men or Top of the Lake  Moss sunny demeanor can seem surprising.

I appreciate in my own life having things not complicated. But in my work, thats boring, she says. Im happiest if Im on the ground crying or yelling at somebody.

Presumably, then, she was on cloud nine making The Handmaids Tale, premiering April 26 on Hulu. Based on Margaret Atwoods celebrated dystopian novel, the series is set in a near future in which, amid plummeting birth rates, the United States has been commandeered by a theocratic regime hostile to womens rights. Moss plays the narrator and protagonist, a still-fertile woman known as Offred (Of Fred), who is separated from her family and forced into procreative slavery as a handmaid.

Early episodes depict torture, gruesome public executions, and some of the most unsexy sex ever captured on film. (Theres also some mordant humor.) In other words, its right up Moss alley.

Still, it took a month of mulling before she accepted the role. Moss hadnt planned to return to television so soon, but the idea of them casting somebody else made me so upset and jealous, she says.

Moss also took the opportunity to ramp up her career as a producer on the series, inspired by actresses like Drew Barrymore and Reese Witherspoon  women who have taken their careers into their own hands.

1 / 62 Emilia Clarke (Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times) 2 / 62 Kerry Washington (Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times) 3 / 62 Tonya Harding, left, and Margot Robbie (Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times) 4 / 62 Tracee Ellis Ross (Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times) 5 / 62 Tom Hanks and Rita Wilson watch as Keith Urban and Nicole Kidman arrive for the 75th Golden Globe Awards. (Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times) 6 / 62 Claire Foy and Matt Smith (Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times) 7 / 62 Reese Witherspoon, left, Eva Longoria, Salma Hayek and Ashley Judd (Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times) 8 / 62 Kendall Jenner (Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times) 9 / 62 Justin Timberlake and Jessica Biel (Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times) 10 / 62 Loung Ung and Angelina Jolie (Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times) 11 / 62 Ava DuVernay (Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times) 12 / 62 Sally Hawkins (Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times) 13 / 62 Nancy Carell and Steve Carell (Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times) 14 / 62 Gwendoline Christie (Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times) 15 / 62 Kelly Clarkson (Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times) 16 / 62 Actors Natalie Portman, left, America Ferrera and Emma Stone, and former tennis player Billie Jean King, right (Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times) 17 / 62 Emilia Clarke, left, Aziz Ansari, Allison Janney (Left and center, Frazer Harrison / Getty Images | Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times) 18 / 62 Nicole Kidman, left, Salma Hayek and Ashley Judd, and Laura Dern (Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times | Jordan Strauss / AP) 19 / 62 Allison Brie and Dave Franco (Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times) 20 / 62 James Franco, left, Dwayne Johnson, Tom Hanks and Rita Wilson ( Jordan Strauss / Associated Press | Valerie Macon / Getty Images | Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times) 21 / 62 Catherine Zeta-Jones, left, Chris Hemsworth and Alicia Vikander. (Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times | Associated Press) 22 / 62 Activist Tarana Burke, left, and actress Michelle Williams (Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times) 23 / 62 Mariah Carey, left, Saoirse Ronan and Jessica Chastain ( Frazer Harrison / Getty Images | Jordan Strauss / Associated Press) 24 / 62 Issa Rae, left, Sarah Paulson and Amanda Peet, and Kit Harington (Jordan Strauss / Associated Press) 25 / 62 Laurie Metcalf, left, and Zoe Perry (Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times) 26 / 62 Mandy Moore (Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times) 27 / 62 Chrissy Metz (Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times) 28 / 62 Nick Jonas, left, Alexis Bledel, Ewan McGregor (Valerie Macon / Getty Images) 29 / 62 Heidi Klum (Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times) 30 / 62 Bob Odenkirk (Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times) 31 / 62 Joseph Fiennes (Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times) 32 / 62 Amy Poehler, left, and Saru Jayaraman (Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times) 33 / 62 Meryl Streep, left, and Ai-jen Poo (Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times) 34 / 62 Sebastian Stan (Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times) 35 / 62 Tracee Ellis Ross (Valerie Macon / Getty Images ) 36 / 62 Edgar Ramirez (Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times) 37 / 62 Sadie Sink (Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times) 38 / 62 Sterling K. Brown (Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times) 39 / 62 Noah Schnapp (Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times) 40 / 62 Caleb McLaughlin (Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times) 41 / 62 Gaten Matarazzo (Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times) 42 / 62 Finn Wolfhard (Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times) 43 / 62 Yvonne Strahovski (Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times) 44 / 62 Alfred Molina, left, Debra Messing and John Goodman (Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times) 45 / 62 Bill Pullman (Frederick M. Brown / Getty Images) 46 / 62 Sterling K. Brown, left, Reed Morano and Joseph Fiennes (Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times | Getty Images) 47 / 62 Poppy Jamie and her purse (Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times) 48 / 62 Sterling K. Brown and Ryan Bathe (Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times) 49 / 62 Simone Garcia Johnson (Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times) 50 / 62 Mario Lopez, left, and voice actor Tom McGrath (Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times) 51 / 62 Alessandra Mastronardi (Valerie Macon / AFP/Getty Images) 52 / 62 Tanika Ray, left, and Renee Bargh (Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times) 53 / 62 Laura Marano (Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times) 54 / 62 Giuliana Rancic (Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times) 55 / 62 Allison Williams (Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times) 56 / 62 Laura Marano (Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times) 57 / 62 Jane Campion (Jordan Strauss / Invision/AP) 58 / 62 Carly Steel (Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times) 59 / 62 Missi Pyle (Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times) 60 / 62 Al Roker, left, Sheinelle Jones, Natalie Morales and Carson Daly (Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times) 61 / 62 Al Roker gets a last-minute touch-up on the red carpet during arrivals at the 75th Golden Globes at the Beverly Hilton Hotel. (Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times) 62 / 62 The scene Sunday from the red carpet at the 75th Golden Globes at the Beverly Hilton Hotel. (Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times)

Though the L.A. native has acted professionally for most of her life  she played Sandra Bullocks daughter in the 1990 miniseries Lucky Chances  this is the first time shes been attached to an adaptation from such a well-known source.

Advertisement

And to say readers have strong feelings about The Handmaids Tale, a controversial modern classic thats been banned numerous times, is, well, a massive understatement. Case in point: the minor uproar that ensued when a man, Bruce Miller, was named show runner.

Unlike the largely forgotten 1990 film starring the late Natasha Richardson, this adaptation appears to have the makings of a breakout hit. Hulu has been promoting the series heavily, starting with a trailer that debuted during the Super Bowl  usually the domain of commercials for cars and beer rather than works of speculative feminist fiction implicitly critical of Americas Puritan origins.

But the news itself has done perhaps more to boost interest in the series (and its source material) than any ad campaign. The Handmaids Tale arrives at what is probably the most politically fraught moment since the books release in 1985.

Sales of the book have surged since the election. In February, it topped the Amazon bestseller list, where, in a perfect snapshot of the United States in 2017, it sat alongside Milo Yiannopoulos not-yet-released (and now canceled) memoir and George Orwells 1984.

Advertisement

Like Atwoods novel, which referred to historical events in order to make the nightmare more plausible, the series makes mention of Islamic State, the suspension of constitutional rights in the name of fighting terror and scenes of disarray at airports. Sound familiar?

Moss inherent relatability is essential to the it-could-happen-here message of The Handmaids Tale, says Atwood, who served as a consulting producer on the series and can be seen slapping Offred in a cameo in the pilot. (Naturally, Moss urged Atwood to hit harder.) [Offred] should have an everywoman look, says the author by phone. This is not some outstanding Amazonian superstar. This is not Wonder Woman here. Its somebody who could be you or me.

Given that Offred is primarily seen in her handmaid costume  a floor-length red dress and white bonnet  and is living under a brutally repressive regime, it was essential to find an actress who could express a lot with very little, says show runner Miller. I was looking for someone who has a main circuit cable that connects their heart to their face. I couldnt have found a better match than Lizzie, who can show an astounding range of complicated emotions on her face even whilst feeling like shes trying not to show anything.

There are few actresses as well-equipped for bonneted emoting as Moss, whose highly expressive features have inspired many of her collaborators. Director Alex Ross Perry, who first collaborated with Moss on 2014s Listen Up Philip, chose to open his 2015 film Queen of Earth with a long, uninterrupted close-up of Moss mascara-streaked face as her character was getting dumped. Perry describes her face as a secret weapon.

Advertisement

It was something we tried to lean into as much as possible, he says, by putting the camera a foot or so away and forcing viewers to see the eye twitches and the mouth quivers.

Actress Elisabeth Moss (Patrick T. Fallon / For The Los Angeles Times)

But for all the awe her performances inspire, Moss describes her craft in a way that is refreshingly demystifying. Everything I do, somebody writes and imagines, and then I do it, she says at one point. Its a silly thing to take too seriously, I think. Moss considers herself the opposite of a Method actor and takes pride in the ease with which she switches in and out of character.

She recalls watching some dailies of a dramatic, tearful scene from The Handmaids Tale. Right before they say action, I was recommending places for the DP to go on vacation with his family.

Advertisement

Its possible to see Offred as a sister of sorts to the defiant female roles Moss is already known for  perhaps none more so than secretary-turned-accidental trailblazer Peggy Olson on Mad Men, a character who has become a latter-day feminist folk hero inspiring Etsy crafts and countless Internet memes.

Moss remarks on the number of times shes played women who, like Offred and Peggy, have lost or given up their children. Moments later, a boy  perhaps 7 or 8  wanders up to the table, says hello, then walks away. Moss doesnt miss a beat: This is my son. Didnt I tell you? (Shes joking.)

Peggys status as a cultural icon is still weird to me, says Moss, recalling how she once accidentally pulled up a GIF version of herself as Peggy on her phone. It seems slightly outside of me. At the same time, it was also the thing that interested me the most as an actor, the feminist story. ... What I loved the most was when women in their teens, 20s and 30s and 40s would be like, Thats me now.

Nearly as indelible was her performance as Robin Griffin, a cop investigating the disappearance of a pregnant 12-year-old in the Sundance miniseries Top of the Lake. And after Mad Men, she jumped into the Peggy-esque title role in the Broadway revival of The Heidi Chronicles, Wendy Wassersteins Pulitzer Prize-winning play about a feminist art historians journey from the 60s to the 80s and eventual embrace of motherhood.

Advertisement

Moss, who will also be seen opposite Liev Schreiber in May in the film Chuck, about boxer Chuck Wepner, technically calls Manhattan home but work has turned her into a bit of a nomad. Before filming The Handmaids Tale in Toronto, she was in Sydney making Top of the Lake: China Girl with writer-director Jane Campion, which will air on Sundance later this year. The actress agreed to another season of the drama on one condition: It had to be even darker than the thoroughly menacing original.

Over the past year or so, Moss has grown more politically outspoken, voicing support for Hillary Clinton, Planned Parenthood and the Womens March on social media. One suspects that her characters may be rubbing off on her  a contention she doesnt dispute.

I feel passionately about my choices in life being protected, she says. I think women in my generation have had a real wake-up call: Oh wait, were not always going to have the things that our moms and grandmothers fought for? Oh, you mean you can take that away from us?

meredith.blake@latimes.com

Advertisement

Twitter: @MeredithBlake

ALSO:

See the first stylish look at Elisabeth Moss and Joseph Fiennes in The Handmaids Tale

Elisabeth Moss gets dystopian in The Handmaids Tale

Advertisement

See a steely Elisabeth Moss in Hulus Super Bowl ad for The Handmaids Tale
Heres some expert advice for would-be fathers: If possible, wait to have kids until you hit your mid-twenties. Becoming a parent sooner raises the chances of an early death, new research suggests.

After analyzing health records of more than 30,000 fathers from Finland, researchers determined that men who had their first child before age 22 were 26% more likely to die between the ages of 45 and 54 than men who waited until they were at least 25. The youngest fathers were about 50% more likely to die early than men who put off having kids until they were at least 30.

Parenting can be challenging for men  especially at an early age, said University of Helsinki sociologist Elina Einio, leader of a team that reported the findings this week in the Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health.

The fathers in the study were a representative sample of the Finnish population and were born between 1940 and 1950. Researchers used information from Statistics Finland, a public agency, to determine the age at which each of the men became fathers and whether they died between the ages of 45 and 54.

Advertisement

The pattern was clear: Men who fathered children at the youngest ages were more likely to die early, regardless of other factors like their marital status, education level, total number of children and region where they lived. Men who waited until they were at least 30 to have children were the most likely to survive past middle age.

Is there something about early parenthood that takes years off a fathers life? Or is there some other social factor, like growing up in poverty, that simultaneously makes men more likely to have kids early and have health problems that increase their chances for an early death?

To address this question, the researchers combed through their group of fathers and identified nearly 12,000 men who had at least one brother. By looking at the mid-life death rates for brothers who had children at different ages, the researchers could largely rule out factors like genetic traits and early-life social experiences that could affect the age at which men have kids and their age at death.

The researchers found that the link between early fatherhood and early death was particularly strong among siblings. In this group, men who became fathers before age 22 were 73% more likely to die in middle age than their brothers who put off parenthood until at least age 25. The data suggested that men who waited until their 30s were even more likely than the 25-year-old fathers to survive middle age, but the difference wasnt large enough to be statistically significant.

Many of the children born to the youngest fathers in the study were the result of unplanned pregnancies in the 1960s and 1970s, Einio said. Back then, there was significant social pressure for couples to get married if they accidentally conceived a child.

Suddenly taking on the combined role of father and breadwinner may have caused considerable psychological and economic stress for a young man, Einio said. Parenting at a young age can be difficult, and it is important that other family members and health professionals recognize that not only young mothers but also young fathers may need support.

Of the fathers who died between ages 45 and 54, the leading causes of death were heart disease (21% of deaths) and alcohol-related disease (16% of deaths).

Some of the risky behaviors that can lead to early fatherhood, such as unprotected sex and alcohol consumption, may also contribute to premature death, said Dr. Craig Garfield, a health researcher and pediatrician at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine who was not involved with the study.

Advertisement

The finding that young fathers tend to die earlier is cause for attention in the healthcare system, he said. In the United States, young men are the least likely of any demographic group to get regular healthcare, he added.

Pediatricians who see young fathers with their babies should encourage the men to take care of their own health in addition to their new families well-being, Garfield said.

There are very few things that you can do in medicine or in society that would give you as good a return in investment as making sure parents are both healthy, Garfield said. Thriving parents lead to thriving children.

For more science news, follow me on Twitter @sasha_hl and like Los Angeles Times Science & Health on Facebook.
Five officials from El Salvador were mentioned by the U.S. States Department in their list of public servants from Central America who are "credibly alleged" corrupt. Apart from the Salvadoran's, 12 were also accused by the States Department to do the same act from Guatemala and Honduras, which is composed of current and former members of their government.

Al Jazeera reported that the report or list was released by the office of U.S. Representative Norma Torres on Tuesday. The list included former and current public servants from El Salvador, Guatemala, and Honduras.

READ NEXT: Kamala Harris Virtually Meets With Guatemala's President as U.S. Sanctions Other Officials From the Country

Who Are the El Salvador Officials Accused of Corruption?

In the list provided by Torres' office on Tuesday, the accused officials from el Salvador were current and former members of the Salvadoran government and were allies of President Nayib Bukele.

Current Chief of Cabinet Carolina Recinos, former Vice Minister for Foreign Investment and Financing for Development and Legislator Jose Luis Merino, and current legislator from the GANA party Guillermo Gallegos were mentioned in the list of Salvadoran corrupt officials. However, details regarding what they specifically corrupted were not furthered in the list.

Current Minister of Security and Justice Rogelio Rivas was also accused after awarding his own private construction company several noncompetitive and unadvertised contracts. The said contracts were made to build police stations and other infrastructures that are under his capacity and inflated the cost of materials.

Meanwhile, a former legislator from the FMLN party, Sigfrido Reyes was also accused of corruption. Torres' office cited credible sources saying that Reyes laundered fraudulent travel expenses.

Guatemala and Honduras "Corrupt Officials"

Torres' list of corrupt Central America Officials also included public servants from Guatemala and Honduras. In Honduras, six current members of the Honduran National Congress were accused by the States Department to embezzle money and be involved in a narcotrafficking organization.

Juan Carlos Valenzuela Molina, Welsy Milena Vasquez Lopez, Milton Jesus Puerto Oseguera, Gustavo Alberto Perez, and Gladys Aurora Lopez were accused of embezzling at least $800,000 each from various government agencies. Meanwhile, Oscar Najera was the one involved in the narcotrafficking organization.

In Guatemala, the States Department accused at least six former and current public servants. Former Guatemalan Minister of the economy Acisco Vallardes was accused to launder about $10 million in cocaine profits for traffickers as well as paying to corrupt politicians. Carlos Danilo Preciado Navarijo was accused of drug trafficking and relationship with cartels in Colombia and Mexico.

Boris Roberto Espana Caceres from the Guatemalan Congress since 2012, former First Secretary of Guatemalan Congress Felive Alejos Lorenzana, former Presidential Chief of Staff Gustavo Adolfo Alejos Cambara, and former Congressman Mari Amilcar Estrada Orellano were also included in the list of corrupt officials.

Congresswoman Norma Torres on the List

Torres emphasized the importance of the list as it placed the actors in corruption on notice while advancing the prospect of accountability.

"We cannot expect the people of El Salvador Guatemala, and Honduras to thrive at home while their elected officials are more focused on self-enrichment than serving the public," said Torress in the press release issued the same day the list of Corrupt Central America officials.

READ MORE: Peru's Congress Bans Former President Following Vaccine Scandal Allegations

WATCH: Northern Triangle: The Origins of America's Migrant Crisis - from Foreign Policy Association
An Oregon woman lost her life due to a shooting incident that stemmed from an argument over laundry. Authorities identified the victim as Alexandra Arb-Bloodgood, 29. Newsweek reported that Arb-Bloodgood was shot in the head by her brother-in-law on Sunday.

The incident happened at a home in 8000 block of North Newman Avenue in North Portland, Oregon. Officers responded at the scene at around 8:30 a.m. on Sunday after a report from a neighbor.

READ NEXT: Oregon Pastor Refuses to Close Church Following a COVID Outbreak in the Congregation

How Did the Oregon Woman Get Shot?

The Portland Police Bureau said the shooting incident resulted from an argument over laundry between the suspect Shane Finnell, 25, and his brother Jordan Arb, the victim's husband. Arb reported that Finnel threw a potted plant when they were arguing. On the other hand, Arb-Bloodgood was sitting on a chair on the patio facing away from the house.

After the brothers argued, Arb emphasized that Finnel walked behind Arb-Bloodgood and shot the victim at the back of her head at a close range, using a revolver. When the officers arrived at the scene, they discovered the Oregon woman dead inside the home.

Chief Medical Examiner Dr. Sean Hurst confirmed that the cause of death of the Oregon woman was a gunshot wound in the head. The expert further noted that the bullet's entry point was, in fact, at the back of the victim's head.

Law & Crime highlighted that a neighbor identified as Jacob Chow went down upon hearing the gunshot. Chow saw Finnell on the porch looking distraught, so he checked what was going on.

The court documents noted that Chow asked where was the gun he used in the crime, and the defendant disclosed its location.

Finnel was also the one who instructed his neighbor to call 911 while he was sitting in the front yard. Police noted that Finnell remained in his position until the authorities arrived and took him into custody.

"It's a shock of something that should never happen to anyone," said the victim's brother, Matt Bloodgood.

What are the Consequences Finnel Faces After Shooting the Oregon Woman?

Finnel was held in custody at the Multnomah County Detention Center after the officers arrested him at the scene where he shot his sister-in-law. He was charged with unlawful use of a weapon and second-degree murder.

"I did a horrible thing," Finnell allegedly told the officers while in custody.

Law & Crime noted that the statement and the alleged admission of the suspect to the crime were spontaneous.

Newsweek reported that the Oregon woman was shot a day after Portland Police Chief Chuck Lovell announced a joint effort with Multnomah County District Attorney to control the gun violence in the city.

Meanwhile, the shooting that stemmed from a laundry argument marked the 32nd homicide in Portland in 2021. Among these numbers, 23 were reported to involve gunfire.

READ MORE: Capitol Rioter Faces Arrest for Killing a Mountain Lion in Colorado

WATCH: Patterns of Gun Violence in the United States - From Research Square
BEIJING, May 19 -- The US missile destroyer Curtis Wilbur sailed through the Taiwan Strait on May 18 and hyped it publicly. China is firmly opposed to it, said Air Force Senior Colonel Zhang Chunhui, spokesperson for the PLA Eastern Theater Command, in a written statement on Wednesday.

Snr. Col. Zhang pointed out that the US warships action sent erroneous signal to the Taiwan Independence force, deliberately disrupted and undermined the regional situation, and jeopardized the peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait. China is firmly opposed to it, added Zhang.

The troops under the PLA Eastern Theater Command have conducted whole-process tracking and monitoring on the US destroyer. They keep high alert all the time, ready to respond to any threats and provocations, stressed Snr. Col. Zhang at the end of the statement.
The White House on Tuesday continued to maintain that private and diplomatic conversations were the best way the U.S. could end the Israel-Hamas fighting as President Joe Biden expressed support to a cease-fire.

However, the White House has still not released a statement on what Biden wanted to happen in the situation, ABC News Go reported.

On Monday, the White House has issued a statement, stating Biden's support for a cease-fire between the Israel-Hamas fighting. The president made the remark during a phone conversation with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

After the phone call, the White House released a statement and announced Biden's support for Israel's right to defend itself against indiscriminate attacks.

READ NEXT: COVID-19 Death Toll Hits 2 Million Globally

Israel-Hamas Attacks

Israel had released a new wave of airstrikes in the pre-dawn hours of Tuesday. The Israeli military said that it launched 100 bombs and missiles against 65 targets, The Guardian reported.

The Israeli military had also fired at a drone approaching the Israeli border in the northeast. They did not know exactly where the drone came from.

The army could not immediately be reached for comment. However, it could possibly come from Syria, according to reports.

Gaza also launched an attack on Tuesday, leading to the deaths of two Thai workers inside a packaging plant in Israel. It has also wounded another seven people, according to police.

Israeli reports suggested that Israeli military forces wanted to continue their operations for a day or two before withdrawing.

Netanyahu said that Israel would continue to launch attacks on terror targets in Gaza as long as needed to return calm and security to Israeli citizens.

Hamas started firing rockets toward Jerusalem, which prompted Israeli assault on Gaza.

Gaza health officials had recorded the Palestinian death toll at 213, with 61 children and 36 women since attacks had started last week.

Egyptian President Abdel Fatah al-Sisi has long acted as a mediator between Israel and Hamas. Fatah al-Sisi said that a cease-fire could be within reach.

Cease-fire

Biden said that he will still speak with Netanyahu about the ongoing fight between Israel and Hamas. However, he would still have to say more about the issue.

A group of 28 Democratic senators called for an immediate stop to the ongoing fight between Israel and Hamas. CNBC News reported that the senators urged a cease-fire to prevent any further loss of life and escalation of conflict.

United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said the violent conflict is appalling and called for an immediate cease-fire.

Netanyahu defended Sunday the airstrike on Saturday that collapsed a 12-story building, which housed international media.

The Israeli prime minister mentioned intelligence that Hamas used a portion of the building to plan for their next attacks. He explained that it is a perfectly "legitimate target."

Meanwhile, White House press secretary Jen Psaki would not confirm whether the Biden administration had sided with Israel's intelligence assessments.

Psaki said they are looking at how the U.S. can help bring an end to the violence. She noted that the government's approach is quiet and intensive diplomacy.

READ MORE: IMF Economic Outlook: Latin America GDP to Drop by 8.1 Percent

WATCH: Israel-Gaza Conflict: Biden Finally Joins Calls for Ceasefire as Civilian Death Toll Rises - From Global News




The top energy regulators in California said the state is better prepared to prevent the rotating blackouts experienced by the state last summer.

However, they cautioned that the power grid of the most populous state is still vulnerable because of extreme heat waves. The energy regulators noted that the heat waves could force more outages later this year.

State officials also mentioned that they had acquired an additional 3,500 megawatts of capacity ahead of a likely blazing summer that threatens the increasing demand beyond what the grid can handle.

It also includes 2,000 megawatts of batteries designed to store energy generated from renewable sources like solar. Reports said that one megawatt of energy is already enough to power hundreds of homes, depending on how it is generated. But these sources of renewable energy stop working, especially solar, when it gets dark.

According to Associated Press, the president and CEO of the California Independent Systems Operator, Elliot Mainzer, told state lawmakers during an oversight hearing Tuesday that it does not mean they are already "in the clear."

Mainzer noted that the most significant risk factor for grid reliability remains extreme heat, specifically heat spreading across the broader western United States. Mainzer also said that it gets hotter every year.

Aside from the inconvenience, power outages during a major heat wave can also be deadly for those vulnerable individuals, especially those who depend on electricity.

During the pandemic, the online transactions were greatly appreciated, which means that even the business sector can also be affected if there will be power outages.

READ NEXT: Los Angeles Officials Arrest Palisades Fire Suspect

California Blackouts

Blackouts have become more common in California as utility companies will often intentionally turn off the power when it gets too windy during the dry summer months in preventing powerlines from starting wildfires.

It is what happened in 2018 when the incident killed 85 people and destroyed the majority of the town of Paradise.

Also, the blackouts in August were the first in close to 20 years due to an energy shortage. It put the state of California in the quest to have 100 percent of its energy come from renewable sources under more scrutiny.

Assemblyman Chris Holden, a Democrat from Pasadena and chair of the Assembly Utilities and Energy Committee, noted that this summer would be an important test for California.

He said that the state is at the vanguard of renewable energy policy. Holden added that not only the nation but the whole world as well are watching how California will integrate renewable sources and ensure its reliability moving forward, The Seattle Times reported.

The California Public Utilities Commission president, Marybel Batjer, also told lawmakers on Tuesday that the plan of California is to survive the summer, including the purchasing of power from places even they are not clean.

She did not specify those sources, but she stated that the regulators chose to buy them because they wanted to do everything they could to prevent blackouts this summer.

Batjer also clarified that their planning and implementation of their clean energy progress would only accelerate in the months and years to come, CBS San Francisco reported.

READ MORE: 28-Year-Old Yusef Jacobs Gives Solar-Powered Appliances to Unbanked Families in Mexico

WATCH: California Once Again At Risk For Rolling Blackouts - From CBS Sacramento
Luxury department store chain Bloomingdale's is one of the recent retailers to follow the "Chrissy Teigen Canceled" trend after the model-actress got involved in a bullying scandal.

Chrissy Teigen allegedly bullied reality star Courtney Stodden and other individuals over Twitter. According to Daily Mail, the model had allegedly messaged Courtney Stodden via Twitter in 2011 and told her to kill herself.

Teigen was due to sign a deal to host a promotional event at Bloomingdale's Manhattan store. However, it was canceled on Monday.

One insider familiar with the matter told Page Six that they had it together, but the deal had to be canceled. The Daily Wire reported that Bloomingdale's had to cancel the event due to the "toxic press" surrounding the star.

READ MORE: Prince Harry, Meghan Markle Are Expecting Their Second Baby

Chrissy Teigen Bullying Scandal

Macy's, which shares a parent company with the luxury department store, seemed to have also dropped Teigen's "Cravings by Chrissy" cookware line this week - after Stodden revealed that the model-actress had encouraged her to kill herself when she was just 16 years old.

Courtney Stodden specifically cited Teigen's message, like not being able to wait for her to die, Fox News reported.

On Wednesday, Chrissy Teigen apologized on Twitter, saying that not many people are lucky to be held accountable for their past mistakes in front of the whole world.

Chrissy Teigen also said that she was mortified and sad at who she used to be. She added that she was insecure and seeking attention, noting how embarrassed she is for her behavior.

But Teigen said that it is nothing compared to how she made Stodden feel. One source said that Macy's had pulled out Teigen's cookware line from its site as people were venting their issues and concerns about the Stodden bullying scandal in product reviews.

The source added that the company has yet to decide whether the model's products will be available at Macy's once again in the future.

Stodden mentioned that Teigen has not yet apologized to them privately and has called for known brands to cut off their deals with Teigen, saying that it won's look good for companies to be associated with someone who encourages a minor to commit suicide.

Courtney Stodden also criticized Chrissy Teigen, saying that she had made her career out of apologizing and questioned the sincerity of her public apology on Twitter.

Target had also reportedly broken off their contract with Teigen. However, the retailer said that they decided to do so before the bullying scandal had erupted.

Courtney Stodden became known after she married then-51-year-old actor Doug Hutchinson at the age of 16, Page Six reported.

On the other hand, Teigen had married musician John Legend in 2013. The couple had two children. Last year, Teigen had opened up about her recent miscarriage, calling it "utter and complete sadness."

They had lost their unborn baby named Jack in late September, according to Today. Teigen detailed that a partial placenta abruption caused the pregnancy complications.

Aside from Stodden, Chrissy Teigen also reportedly took a swipe at other public figures inside and outside of Hollywood, including Lindsay Lohan and former Alaska governor Sarah Palin.

READ MORE: Meghan Markle Reveals She Had a Miscarriage in July, Sparks Heartless Reactions

WATCH: Chrissy Teigen Apologizes to Courtney Stodden Over Past Behavior - From E! News






Darwin's Arch has collapsed into the seas due to natural erosion. This was confirmed by Ecuador's Ministry of environment, according to CNN.

Darwin's Arch Collapses

Darwin's Arch, located in the northern portion of the Galapagos Islands, is considered as one of the most famous rock formations.

The images of the structure, which now consists of only two pillars, were posted on social media. On their account, the Ministry of Environment for Ecuador posted a photo of the remaining structure of the rock formation, confirming the news.

"The collapse of Darwin's Arch, the attractive natural bridge found less than a kilometer from the main area of Darwin Island, was reported," the ministry tweeted.

The ministry also added that Darwin's Arch is made of natural stone that at one time would have been part of Darwin Island. But it is not open to visits by land.

Moreover, Darwin's Arch is considered as one of the best diving spots in the Pacific Ocean. It is part of Ecuador, although located hundreds of miles off the country's coast. The famous rock formation was named after English biologist Charles Darwin.

The Guardian reported that Darwin visited the Galapagos archipelago in 1835 on HMS Beagle. He supposedly developed his famous theory of evolution by examining Galapagos finches.

ALSO READ: Border Patrol Rescues 23 Illegal Migrants From a Boat Off San Diego Coast

Galapagos Rock Formation, an Icon

Galapagos Conservation Trust member Jen Jones expressed sadness over the collapse of Darwin's Arch. Jones is a marine biologist and has a long-standing passion for the conservation of the area.

Jones said that Darwin's Arch was an icon of the Galapagos landscape and a marker for one of the most awe-inspiring wildlife experiences on Earth. Jones shared that beneath the waves, people will discover one of the largest aggregations of sharks in the world.

Furthermore, Jones emphasized that the collapse of the arch is a reminder for the people of how fragile the world is. She mentioned that despite the fact there is only a little capability for humans to stop geological processes in the area, especially erosion, she encouraged individuals to instead protect the marine life of the Islands.

Jones then shared that Galapagos Conservation Trust is working with partners in order to protect these sharks not only within the Galapagos marine reserve but also on their migrations outside in the wider eastern tropical Pacific.

Tour Group Witnessed the Collapse

Tour company Aggressor Adventures, a company that organizes group trips to various destinations around the world, indicated on a Facebook post that one of its tour groups witnessed the incident. Visitors on a diving boat Galapagos Aggressor III saw the arch falling into the sea, where the two pillars were only left. But they clarified that no divers had been harmed, Scuba Diver Life reported. The tour company also mentioned that some in the dive & travel industry are already referring to the rock formation as 'The Pillars of Evolution'.

Meanwhile, aside from its breathtaking view mentioned by visitors, the UNESCO World Heritage site is also known for its many endemic animal and plant species. Aside from sharks, the arch is also famous as a diving spot for underwater encounters with sea turtles, whale sharks, manta rays, and dolphins.

RELATED ARTICLE: Mysterious Handprints Discovered in Ancient Mayan Cave in Mexico

WATCH: Darwins arch in galapagos island collapses FROM-

Ug Spexx


Since the announcement of Bill Gates and Melinda Gates' divorce early this month, some allegations involving the Microsoft founder surfaced, including ignoring Jeffrey Epstein's reputation as he thought he could help him get the Nobel Peace Prize.

According to Daily Mail, Bill Gates and Jeffrey Epstein attended a meeting at the home of former Norwegian Prime Minister Thorbjrn Jagland in Strasbourg in 2013.

Representatives of IPI were also present during the meeting. IPI is a think tank focusing on healthcare and vaccination.

Reports said that Epstein had introduced Gates to the IPI representatives. After the meeting, the think tank received millions from The Gates Foundation to help fund a polio eradication project.

READ NEXT: Bill Gates Faces Sexual Misconduct Claims After Divorce

Bill Gates' Nobel Prize Ambitions

A former employee of The Gates Foundation had divulged that the Nobel Prize is what Bill Gates wants more than anything else in the world, according to Daily Beast.

"I think he was ultimately disappointed it didn't work out," the sources told The Daily Beast.

Reports have shown that the two men met multiple times starting in 2011 and discussed a proposal from Jeffrey Epstein to help raise funds for The Gates Foundation. However, it never came to fruition, People reported.

Jagland said that it was Bill Gates who asked for a meeting as he visited Strasbourg. The former prime minister noted that Gates has been interested in the Council of Europe's work to ensure medicines for everyone.

He said that Gates and Epstein had arrived together. Jagland noted that he introduced the European system for controlling medicines during the meeting, and "the conversation advanced further" after that.

The foundation's communications team was alerted of Gates and Epstein's friendship, and the anonymous former employee said they were told it was a move to try to get Gates a Nobel Prize, New York Post reported.

The ex-staffer of The Gates Foundation noted that people knew back then that Jeffrey Epstein was not "squeaky clean."

The former staffer said that Melinda Gates was humiliated with the connection and did not like the connection that Bill Gates had with Jeffrey Epstein.

Meanwhile, Gates' spokesperson told The Post Tuesday that the Microsoft founder regrets "ever meeting" with Jeffrey Epstein.

The spokesperson added that it is "absolutely false" to state that Gates "set the Nobel Prize as a goal or campaigned for it in any way."

Bill Gates and Melinda Gates Divorce

Bill Gates and Melinda Gates' divorce has been announced on May 4 as they wanted to end their 27-year marriage. The announcement had shaken the world, being the most powerful and well-funded philanthropists. The couple had three children.

Bill Gates and Melinda Gates' divorce had also potentially thrown the future of The Gates Foundation into question, despite its some $50 billion endowment, CNET reported.

The two had met in 1987 at Microsoft, where Gates was a co-founder and CEO. Melinda, at the time, was a marketing manager for multimedia products, such as the Encarta multimedia encyclopedia, as well as the famous Microsoft Bob software. They got married in 1994.

In 2015, Melinda Gates had started an investment firm outside the foundation. The firm was focused on supporting women and families in the U.S.

In the announcement of their separation, they said that they no longer believe that they can grow together as a couple in the next chapter of their lives.

Since 2019, Melinda Gates had been reported to have meetings with lawyers as she planned for their divorce.

READ MORE: Ghislaine Maxwell Seen With 'Black Eye' in First Pic From Prison

WATCH: Bill Gates Facing New Accusations Amid Divorce - From TODAY




Arizona auditors had retracted their claims that key voter data has been deleted from Maricopa County's election servers. They admitted in a Senate Republican hearing on Tuesday that the data is intact and that they had been looking the wrong way.

The claim of deleted databases was earlier enlarged by former U.S. President Donald Trump and his supporters, believing conspiracy theories about election malpractice, according to an ABC News Go report.

Founder of a computer forensics firm overseeing the audit, Ben Cotton, told the key senators that he had recovered all data.

The admission was only revealed a day after Maricopa County officials released a letter saying the auditors could not retrieve data because they did not know where to look.

Cotton, founder of CyFIR LLC., said that he has the information he needs from the recovery efforts of the voters' data.

State Senate President Karen Fann and the Republicans had sought the audit.

Maricopa County officials had explained that those conducting the audit had made a technical mistake, and the database was never deleted.

Cotton did not directly note that the auditors had made a mistake and that stating that the files were deleted was false, according to a CNN report.

Cotton spoke at a livestreamed hearing called by Republican Senate President Fann.

Meanwhile, the GOP-controlled county Board of Supervisors refused to show up and has held a meeting of their own to refute allegations.

They called the audit a "sham" and dubbed Fann's auditors as incompetent.

Fann had hired Cyber Ninjas to do the investigation. The said firm is led by a Trump supporter who has promoted conspiracy theory about the election.

READ MORE: Republicans Against Overturning Election Results Should Leave GOP, Rudy Giuliani Says

U.S. Election 2020 Results

Trump had complained that his loss during the presidential election in Arizona was marked with fraud.

Fann had used the Senate's subpoena power to take control of the 2.1 million ballots, counting machines, as well as hard drives full of voters' data from Maricopa County.

The Senate has agreed to pay Cyber Ninjas $150,000 for the said audit of the votes in Arizona, according to an Associated Press report.

Cyber Ninjas founder Doug Logan has acknowledged that it was not enough to cover his costs. However, he refused to state how much the audit is costing or who is funding it.

Fann said she is not looking to overturn or decertify the election results. Instead, she wants to find ways to improve the election process in the future.

Fann's statement had sparked fears among Democrats, citing that the GOP might push for legislation that might suppress Democratic votes.

Judiciary Committee Chairman Warren Petersen said that the Maricopa County audit will be a model for lawmakers in the future.

Petersen noted that it will be a completely smooth process from start to finish when the next forensic audit is done.

Board Chairman Jack Sellers said that the state Senate is running a grift masked as an audit.

Sellers said that it is time to be done with the said "craziness" of the situation.

READ NEXT: Arizona Certifies Presidential Election Results, Sealing Biden's Victory in the State

WATCH: Shambolic Arizona Ballot Spectacle Becomes Embarrassment For State Republicans - from MSNBC
As part of a global day of action and demanding the United States cease military funding of Israel, a protest was held Tuesday by the local chapter of the Palestinian Youth Movement in Downtown San Diego.

The group made their way through the streets of downtown San Diego and gathered at the Edward J. Schwartz Federal Building, located on Front Street, to voice out their demands. Based on the Palestinian Youth Movement, the U.S. provides close to $4 billion in foreign military aid to Israel yearly.

According to CBS8, Rinad Taha, a member of the PYM, wrote in an email that Palestinians and their allies are protesting due to the military funding given by the U.S., which enabled Israel to initiate violence and show Israeli aggression in Jerusalem and Gaza. She also added that they are taking to the streets of San Diego to uplift Palestinian demand for justice. Taha also mentioned that they are just a part of the protest in more than 50 cities across the United States and Canada and around 150 demonstrations around the world.

Moreover, one protest leader stated amid the crowd of demonstrators who gathered said that the U.S. is linked to the genocide of their people through the direct economic link between Israel's military and the U.S.' taxes.

Even a resident of San Diego, Annie O'Brien, who is also among the protesters who marched through the streets Tuesday, shared that she felt empathy for individuals who are struggling because of the violence. She also added that it is tragic especially that there are children and families who lose their homes and are punished without any violation.

Meanwhile, the San Diego protest was endorsed by 12 local, civil, and human rights organizations.

ALSO READ: 3 Wanted for Murder of Missing Georgia Mom Arrested in Mexico

Violence Between Israel and Hamas Rulers

Hundreds of airstrikes were released by Israel's military since the violence between them and the Hamas rulers in Gaza broke off. The airstrikes are targeting militant infrastructures. Meanwhile, The Associated Press reported that more than 3,400 rockets had been fired by militants in Palestine.

Intense fights also started on May 10 after long-ranged rockets were fired towards Jerusalem by Gaza's militant Hamas rulers to support Palestine. This is also to protest the extreme policing of Israel around the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound.

The compound is known as a flashpoint, which is sacred to both Muslims and Jews. Jewish settlers also evicted dozens of Palestinian Families in the area.

Since the airstrikes started, the Gaza Health Ministry mentioned at least 213 Palestinians had been killed. This number includes 61 children and 36 women, with more than 1,440 individuals wounded. However, the data does not specify how many among them were fighters and how many were civilians.

President Biden mentioned in a phone call to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu this week that Israel has U.S. support in defending its right and the country, but he also expressed support for a ceasefire, The New York Times reported.

RELATED ARTICLE: Returned Migrants Are Targets for Abuse, Violence in Mexico After Being Denied Entry to U.S.

WATCH: Protest in San Diego condemns violence in Middle East - CBS 8 San Diego
The attempted kidnapping of a Florida man failed and led to his arrest based on the sheriff of Escambia County after the 11-year-old girl supposed victim fought back and escaped to safety on Tuesday morning.

During a news conference, the Escambia County sheriff stated that the girl fought and never gave up that is why she was able to escape in the hands of the suspect.

Later on, the suspect was identified as 30-year-old, Jared Paul Stanga, who now faces charges of attempted kidnapping of a child, battery, and aggravated assault. The sheriff also mentioned that Stanga had an object with him, which was believed to be a knife.

According to NBC News, Chip Simmons, the sheriff of Escambia County shared that the attempted abduction happened at around 7 a.m. at a bus stop. The time of the incident was confirmed after the attempted abduction was captured on a home surveillance video. Later on, the video also led investigators to the home of Stanga, where he was arrested.

Moreover, despite the arrest of the suspect, still, the County sheriff cannot believe what happened, because for him it rarely happens. He also said that when he saw the video, he was shocked that the attempted abduction happened in Escambia County.

In addition, the sheriff stated that the girl did everything right as he fought her way out of the hands of the abductor. She then ran to her parents and told them about the incident. The parents of the 11-year-old girl then informed the law enforcement about the incident.

ALSO READ: Oregon Woman Shot in the Head After Heated Argument Over Laundry

Furthermore, the captured video shows Stanga running toward the victim and tried to carry the 11-year-old on his back while moving towards his vehicle. But on his way back to his getaway vehicle, Stanga stumbled and run off without the girl.

'Blue Slime'

Before the attack happened, the girl was playing with her 'blue slime' toy until the attempted abduction occured. Based on the statement of the sheriff, at the time of the arrest, the deputies confirmed that the man had a blue substance on his arms, Metro reported.

Also, during the arrest, Simmons mentioned that the chrome bumper of the vehicle had been painted black. The sheriff stated that apparently, it is an effort to alter its appearance after a description of the bumper was given out during the initial investigation. It was not immediately clear if the 30-year-old suspect had an attorney late Tuesday.

On the other hand, after an initial assessment, the girl was said to be fine and only has minor scratches. But she also experienced some mental trauma.

Meanwhile. the sheriff of Escambia County, Simmons also mentioned that the suspect will never be free to do it again. But now their concern was the fact that this was not his first try of the suspect, Daily Mail reported.

About two weeks ago, the girl stated that the same white car approached her and the driver of the vehicle even tried to talk to her. After that incident, she reported it to her parents and to the school principal.

RELATED ARTICLE: Danny Masterson Trial: Woman Testifies She Woke up To Find 'That '70's Show' Actor Raping Her

WATCH: Attempted kidnapping in West Pensacola - FOX 13 Tampa Bay
Dear Amy: My best friend suffers from PTSD and other mental health issues, and has been suicidal.

This has been a particularly tough year for her, and she pushed away several friends after they hurt her, leaving me as one of her only remaining confidants (she isnt in touch with her family, for good reason).

We would text or talk daily, and she lives close to me, so shes a huge part of my life.

A month ago, she was having a bad day and I tried to cheer her up by saying this year would be a lot better than the last. That hurt her, and she told me (via text) that she needed space. I havent heard from her since.

Ive texted her several times since then to affirm that I understand her need for space, but that I care and am here for her.

Should I reach out beyond that?

I want to call or show up at her door, but doing so feels disrespectful of her need for space.

On the other hand, I worry that shell feel abandoned if I dont do more to reach out.

I know shes in pain and it kills me to not be able to be there for her. I miss her terribly, but I dont want to drive her further away. What should I do?

 Forlorn Friend

Amy Dickinson, author of the 'Ask Amy' column.TNS

Dear Forlorn: Your friend may have boxed herself into a corner by declaring that she needed space. She may still want to isolate  but she might not. Her depression may prevent her from taking what might seem like monumental steps to reach out.

I think you should call her. If she doesnt pick up, leave a message  not of the Im worried about you variety, but more general: Im just checking in. I was at the plant store yesterday and thought of you. Id love to swing by and pick you up and we could go smell the lilacs or meet for coffee if youre up for it. Let me know?

Suggest something simple that reminds her of your friendship and affection, and let her know that you see her as more than being consumed by her illness.

You want to open the door  and keep it open  hoping that she will walk through it when she is ready.

Dear Amy: I have an 18-year-old son who is 10 feet tall and bulletproof, especially regarding COVID.

Last December, 5 of the 6 of us contracted COVID. Guess who didnt?

We followed CDC guidelines and isolated within our house, so he had no contact with any of the rest of us for the two-week period.

He wont get his blood tested to find out if he contracted it. Now were all getting vaccinated. Except him.

I give him all the statistics. Ive even tried to bribe him to get his shot.

He says its his body and that he chooses not to get this vaccine.

I have three daughters also, and have always made sure everybody knows boundaries with respect to their bodies. How can I argue with him?

How can I make an 18-year-old boy understand its not all about him?

 Bullet-proofs Mom

Dear Mom: Your 18-year-olds behavior is typical of an older adolescent: conveying his immaturity and poor judgment through arrogance.

This is what compels young people to drink and drive, engage in risky sex, and ignore common sense and their parents entreaties.

Unfortunately, the more you focus on him  talking, bribing, and begging  the more you convey that it really IS all about him.

Stop.

At some point, hell likely try to join a university or workplace that will require proof of vaccination. And then hell come running to you to hold his hand while he gets his ouchy.

Dear Amy: I am responding to Frustrated who wondered why so many middle-age folks/baby boomers are resistant to mental healthcare, while millennials are open to it.

I am a baby boomer and I just lost my beautiful, kind, millennial nephew to suicide. No one, except perhaps his mother, knew of his mental illness.

Ive also read statistics that show suicide rates among millennials are rising. Mental health is a crisis in this country and needs to be addressed.

 Sad Aunt

Dear Aunt: I agree with you. I let Frustrated express his point of view without challenging them appropriately. In fact, recent research shows that millennialspeople born from roughly 1981 to 1996are more likely to die prematurely from suicide and drug overdoses than previous generations were.

(You can email Amy Dickinson at askamy@amydickinson.com or send a letter to Ask Amy, P.O. Box 194, Freeville, NY 13068. You can also follow her on Twitter @askingamy or Facebook.)

2021 Amy Dickinson. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

Read more advice:

Ask Amy: Separated soulmates are eager to connect

Dear Annie: Looking to hop off the hamster wheel

Dear Abby: Children cut off stepmother with dads power of attorney
Female Democratic candidates swept the Bethlehem City Council race, making 2021 the year of the women in the Christmas City.

There were four seats up for grabs and only two incumbents running: Councilwoman Grace Crampsie Smith and Councilman Bryan Callahan, who lost his bid for a third council term Thursday night, according to unofficial results in Lehigh and Northampton counties.

Incumbents Olga Negron and Council President Adam Waldron did not seek reelection.

Callahan was unseated by newcomers Hillary Kwiatek, a West Bethlehem resident and Lehigh University communications specialist, Fig Bethlehem director Kiera Wilhelm and Southside resident Rachel Leon, who is a veteran and Northampton Community College student.

As of 9:44 a.m., Crampsie Smith led the group with 4,339 votes total from Lehigh and Northampton counties, followed by Wilhelm with 4,329 votes, Kwiatek with 4,041 and Leon with 3,961, according to unofficial results.

The four women face no Republican challengers in the November general election.

Callahan had been considering a run for mayor, but the Bethlehem Area School District teacher ruled it out due to recently opening a new driving school business.

Crampsie Smith, an Easton Area High School counselor, was already running unopposed to fill a two-year council term when Councilman Shawn Martell resigned in September 2019. Council appointed her to fill the short-term vacancy until the November election.

Crampsie Smith then won the two-year term  created when Eric Evans resigned to become city business manager  and was sworn in January 2020.
A handful of Pennsylvania state prisons will being allowing in-person visits over the next two weeks, the state Department of Corrections announced.

On-site visits have been suspended since March 13, 2020, and replaced with free video visits because of the COVID-19 pandemic. More than 11,000 inmates were sickened and 138 died from the virus, according to data provided by the state.

SCI Laurel Highlands will be the first prison to allow face-to-face visits starting Saturday, followed by SCI Waymart on May 27, SCI Muncy on May 30, SCI Cambridge Springs on May 31, and then the Quehanna Boot Camp on June 3.

Laurel Highlands, Waymart and Muncy were the first state prisons to offer COVID-19 vaccines to inmates and staff, since they are federally designated long-term care facilities and were in Phase 1A of the states vaccination plan. Other inmates started getting vaccinated in April.

Visits will need to be scheduled online at least three days in advance and can last at least one hour long; information on how to schedule a visit can be found here. Secretary John Wetzel warned that initial demand will be high, and available time slots will be limited.

Visitors will be required to complete a COVID questionnaire and temperature screening, while all inmates and visitors ages 2 and older must wear a disposable facemask that will be issued at the facility.

At the county level, Lehigh County Jail and Northampton County Prison are not planing to allow in-person visits at this time. Both facilities starting vaccinated inmates in the past few weeks.

As of Wednesday, there were 42 active COVID-19 cases among the more than 37,000 state prison inmates.

COVID-19 vaccinations are voluntary, and 27.5% of inmates and 78.4% of prison staff have not been vaccinated, the department reports.

Officials dont want to see a another wave of infections behind bars, so other facilities will be allowed to restart in-person visits depending on inmate vaccination rates, the percentage of COVID-19 cases among inmates, and results from the departments wastewater testing program that monitors for elevated levels of the COVID-19 virus.

Reintegrating visitation in a methodical, staggered manner  along with enhanced safety measures -- allows the DOC to monitor wastewater testing results and use objective data to ensure facilities have continued success managing COVID-19, Wetzel said in a news release. COVID-19 remains a significant threat, particularly in congregate settings like prisons.

The departments Bureau of Community Corrections and Parole Field Services will also move to less restrictive COVID-19 mitigation requirements.

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

Sarah Cassi may be reached at scassi@lehighvalleylive.com.
Nicole Hurd had three key words at the heart of her first speech as the next president of Lafayette College: dreams, hopes and sparks.

The college introduced Hurd as the 18th president of the institution on Wednesday morning at a small in-person ceremony that was also broadcasted virtually. Hurd replaces Alison Byerly, who is taking the same position at Carleton College in Minnesota. Byerly opened Wednesdays remarks.

In a 10-minute speech, Hurd laid out her dreams and hopes for Lafayette College, as well as the sparks the college can provide. Her primary message was amplifying who the community at Lafayette is across the country. I cannot wait to recruit, support and retain students, faculty and staff at this amazing institution, she said.

Hurd, who confessed she was in love with the school already, said Lafayette students, staff and alumni can be sparks of change in Easton, from politics and business to education and the arts. She said she was confident they can also be leaders in these fields globally. A Lafayette leader is someone who makes sure there are more seats at the table, she said.

One of Hurds first tasks will be leading Lafayette out of the COVID-19 pandemic, which is waning, but not gone. She acknowledged the upcoming challenges in her address: We will get through this together, she said. This is a resilient, amazing community. Thank you for what youve done over the last 15 months, its one of the reasons Im coming here.

Hurd is most well-known in the education field as the founder and Chief Executive Officer of the College Advising Corps, an organization geared towards assisting high school students from underrepresented communities make their college choice.

Prior to founding CAC, she was an Assistant Dean and Director of the Center for Undergraduate Excellence at the University of Virginia, the school from which she received her doctorate in Religious Studies. Hurd, originally from San Francisco, received her undergraduate degree from the University of Notre Dame and a masters degree from Georgetown University.

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

Connor Lagore may be reached at clagore@njadvancemedia.com.
UPDATE: 3 deaths at Bethlehem hotel appear to be drug-related: DA

Responding to a request to check on three people Wednesday morning in a Southside Bethlehem hotel, authorities found them dead, Northampton County Coroner Zachary Lysek said.

It was labeled a hazardous materials incident at the Comfort Suites at 120 W. Third St. Lysek said it was a haz-mat scene to determine if something hazardous played a role in the deaths.

The public was not in danger, nor were other guests at the hotel, he said.

Nearby rooms were evacuated, but the entire hotel was not cleared, police said. Asked if anyone reported feeling ill, police said they would not comment because it was an ongoing investigation.

The first call came in at 10:48 a.m. Wednesday, a Northampton County dispatch supervisor said.

Officers entered one room and found the three people deceased, Lysek said. Bethlehem fire, EMS, police and the police forensics unit responded. Bethlehem Emergency Management Coordinator Bob Novatnack said city fire Chief Warren Achey was at the scene.

The coroner will determine the cause and manner of the deaths and notify family members.

Bethlehem police Capt. Tim Cooper said there were indications of drug use in the room. There wasnt immediate evidence of other crimes having taken place, he added.

Before 1 p.m., crews were already dismantling a decontamination area set up in the hotel parking lot, and emergency vehicles were starting to clear the scene.

Surrounding streets were open to traffic.

A decontamination area is set up May 19, 2021, in the parking lot of the Comfort Suites in South Bethlehem.Sarah Cassi | For lehighvalleylive.com

This is a breaking news post and will be updated as more information becomes available.

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

Sarah Cassi may be reached at scassi@lehighvalleylive.com.

Tony Rhodin can be reached at arhodin@lehighvalleylive.com.
A 34-year-old old Bethlehem man, who is charged with a College Hill break-in and the attempted sexual assaults of two Lafayette College students is now charged in the rape of a Lehigh University student, Northampton County District Attorney Terry Houck announced during a Wednesday morning news conference.

Houck said the Lehigh University victim saw Clement Swaby crouching in a stairwell at her Hillside Avenue home in Bethlehem at 5:50 a.m. May 19, 2020.

He allegedly told the victim not to scream and not to do anything stupid, Houck said. Then he raped her and took her cell phone, Houck said. The victim contacted friends on Facebook messenger and told them to call police, Houck said. Houck charged Swaby with the rape Wednesday, May 19, 2021.

This is a significant day. We got a very dangerous predator off the street, Houck said.

Swaby, of the 600 block of Hayes Street in Bethlehem, is being held in lieu of $300,000 bail in the Easton case, the second of two break-ins within two weeks in the 400 block of McCartney Street. He allegedly wielded a knife during the March 5 break-in and attempted sexual assaults of two 22-year-old Lafayette students. No one is charged in a Feb. 22 break-in.

Swabys DNA matches that of DNA recovered from a 21-year-old victim in a sexual assault in Orange County, Florida, on March 17, 2016. Houck said Florida authorities intend to come to Pennsylvania to obtain their own DNA sample as part of an investigation into the Florida case.

Easton police Lt. Matt Gerould said DNA obtained from a West Conshohocken sexual assault and the Feb. 22 break in on College Hill is in the Pennsylvania State Police lab and could lead to more charges against Swaby.

Clement Swaby is charged with the rape of a Lehigh University student and the attempted sexual assault of two Lafayette College students.Courtesy photo

Houck said Swaby wielded a serrated butcher knife during the Lehigh and Lafayette cases. Hes concerned other victims may come forward after seeing news reports about Swaby.

This is every womans worst nightmare, to wake up out of a sound sleep and see something like this standing by their bed, Houck said.

Gerould said police are tracking Swabys movements from Florida up the East Coast as part of ongoing investigations to see whether Swaby committed more crimes.

Hes also charged with involuntary deviant sexual intercourse, sexual assault (two counts), aggravated assault, indecent assault (two counts), burglary (two counts), possession of an instrument of crime and terroristic threats in the Bethlehem case.

Swaby on Monday gave up his right to a preliminary hearing in the Easton case from March 5 and the charges were forwarded to county court. Attorney Shaka Mzee Johnson represents Swaby for the March 5 charges. He didnt immediately return a phone message seeking comment on the rape and sexual assault charges filed Wednesday.

The person suspected of committing the Bethlehem sex assault was wearing a brown hooded Lehigh sweatshirt with white lettering and a medical-style mask, city and university police said.

Houck thanked the Easton Police Department; Bethlehem Police Department; Lehigh University police; Lafayette College police; Philadelphia Police Department; Phillipsburg Police Department; Pennsylvania State Police; New Jersey State Police; West Conshohocken police; Winter Park, Florida, police; and the Federal Bureau of Investigation for their help with the case.

This was a concerted effort to get a very dangerous person off the street, Houck said.

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

Rudy Miller may be reached at rmiller@lehighvalleylive.com.

Tony Rhodin can be reached at arhodin@lehighvalleylive.com.
Im calling attention to the mislabeling of the recent article about congressman Charlie Dent. You meant turkey and not trophy, right?

I voted for Mr. Dent in the past, and over time realized his so-called moderate positions were aligned with Democrats, not Republicans. He resigned just as he was about to be voted out of office. His joining of the political manifesto Call for American Renewal is the last gasp of an elitist vestige of the GOP. Look at the other supports, which includes Christine Todd Whitman, the wealthy blue blood New Jersey politician who told ground zero workers the air was safe. Others include George Conway and Liz Cheney.

The media really misses President Trump as now it cant help but mention him in every article. Its time you realize that the Republican Party is mainstream, and it is the Democratic Party that is run by wealthy tech giants and entertainers who has forsaken our Constitution and American values. It promotes divisiveness under the guise of diversity.

Perhaps the lehighvalleylive.com should expand its own outlook?

Susan Kurtz

Williams Township
A prisoner who assaulted a prison officer received a four month sentence at Portlaoise District Court on Thursday.

Celyn Eadan of the Midlands Prison Portlaoise was charged with assault of a Prisoner Officer there on September 1, 2020. He appeared in court via video link from the prison.

The court heard that he struck a prisoner officer, Michael Moore in the back of the head. He had handcuffs on him at the time.

The Victim Impact Report from the Prison Officer said that it was a completely unprovoked attack.

As a result he stated in the report that he was now more apprehensive and cautious. He had to stop going to the gym and was constantly on his guard. It added to his stress.

The court heard that Mr Eadan had 13 previous convictions, one of which was for manslaughter.

He had received a 16-year sentence for it, two of which were suspended.

Appearing for Mr Eadan, solicitor Philip Meagher said that the assault happened at a time when he had difficulties.

There was now light at the end of the tunnel. His release date was this September.

He had originally been convicted of murder, but this conviction had been found unsafe by the Supreme Court. A plea to manslaughter was subsequently accepted.

A number of conditions has been set out under which he was to abide for the term of the suspended part of the sentence of two years.

He had demonstrated an inability to control his emotional responses.

There was life for him now back in the community, and the interests of the community would be served by him engaging with the Probation Services. He is remorseful.

Judge Staines asked him why he assaulted the Prison Officer. Mr Egan replied that all the prisoner officers were annoying me.

Judge Staines said it was a totally unprovoked attack. It was an assault on a Prison Officer who was carrying out his duties.

She noted that he had pleaded guilty at the earliest opportunity and had apologised. However, he has to abide by the rules of the prison. She imposed a four month prison sentence and ordered that 500 be paid to the Prison Officer, Michael Moore. A recognisance of 100 was fixed in the event of an appeal.
Students from Arles National School in Laois have been awarded Engineers Ireland's STEPS Young Engineers Award for their Smart Windmill project which aims to help livestock farmers harness clean wind energy to heat water and to make their daily work easier.

The Windtastic Windmills team, made up of Rosie Rogers, Patrick ONeill, Beckie Kennedy, Rian Murphy and Grace Kelly from third and fourth classes at the school, came up with their winning project idea having noticed how much hard work their parents and local farmers have to do on livestock farms.

The team set about developing a Smart Windmill to heat water using green energy to help give farmers quick access to hot water to generate heat for heat mats, needed by new-born piglets, and for sterilisation of milking machines and bulk tanks.

By creating an efficient and sustainable hot water system, the students said that the project will give farmers more free time to sleep and spend with their families.

The Arles NS students faced stiff competition from 169 schools from across Ireland who submitted over 600 projects to this years STEPS Young Engineers Award, which is coordinated by Engineers Ireland's STEPS programme - funded by Science Foundation Ireland, the Department of Education and Skills and industry leaders ARUP, ESB, Intel and Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII).

The nationwide primary school competition encourages third- and fourth-class pupils and their teachers to explore the world of engineering by developing an engineering project that would help to improve their local community. Now in its third year, students at Arles NS have now won the STEPS Young Engineers Award for the second year running, with last years students from Ms Holohans class developing an accessible and inclusive playground, powered by kid energy.

Each project team was recognised at a virtual awards ceremony on Engineers Irelands website and YouTube Channel, which also included an Engineering Spectacular show by Mark Langtry, Head of Science and Sport at Explorium.

More below picture of Patrick ONeill, Rosie Rogers, Rian Murphy, Grace Kelly and Beckie Kennedy from Arles National School

Caroline Spillane, Director General of Engineers Ireland, commented: There was a high calibre of entries submitted by third- and fourth-class pupils to this years STEPS Young Engineers Award and we were so pleased to see such a high level of creative and innovative projects. It is my hope that each of the students who participated in this years STEPS Young Engineers Award thoroughly enjoyed this experience. I hope they will be encouraged to continue their exploration of the exciting world of engineering into the future and explore the limitless opportunities a career in the engineering sector can offer. Ms Spillane also extended a warm congratulations to Aidan Kenny and his family, on his achievement today of an individual STEPS Young Engineers Award.

Additionally, Ms Spillane praised each of the volunteer engineers who visited schools virtually to assist students with their projects: At Engineers Ireland, our volunteers are the lifeblood of our organisation and we are incredibly grateful to our volunteer engineers who visited schools to help students with their projects. I would also like to pay tribute to our volunteers from Bristol-Myers Squibb, Intel, Tandem and Jacobs Engineering who assisted with the judging process.

Margie McCarthy, Head of Education & Public Engagement at Science Foundation Ireland, commented: I would like to congratulate all the third and fourth-class pupils, teachers and volunteers who participated in this years STEPS Young Engineers Award competition, which is proudly supported by Science Foundation Ireland. Todays primary school students will soon become tomorrows innovative leaders, creative thinkers, and problem solvers. We are proud to support this award as it strives to empower students to create solutions for their local community by exploring STEM subjects and using their creative and critical thinking skills.

For more information and to get involved in the STEPS Young Engineers Award, visit:

https://www.engineersireland. ie/Schools/Get-involved/Young- Engineers-Award
A protest is planned for Portlaoise this weekend in support of Palestinian people as the violent conflict with Israel in the Middle East continues.

Naeem Iqbal, a former Laois County Council local election candidate, set out what will happen.

"A peaceful protest is being organised in solidarity with Palestine. The protesters will gather outside SS Peter & Pauls Roman Catholic Church, Portlaoise. The protestors will walk from the Church on the main road to the Laois County Council building.

"Outside the Laois County Council building, the representatives will express their solidarity with the people of Palestine and put their demands to the Irish Government," he said.

Mr Iqbal said the protest aims to raise awareness of what is happening in Palestine. He said the organisers want to urge the Irish government to pass the occupied territories bill and terminate the status of the Israeli ambassador.

He said it also aims to encourage the Government to cease any trade and ban the purchase of Israeli products and services and use Ireland's UN security seat to sanction Israel.

Mr Iqbal says he has jointly organised the protest with Emaan Sami Khan a young University Student

The protest takes place on Saturday, May 22. Anyone who wants to take part is asked to gather at the parish church at 3pm.
The impact of extensive road resurfacing in Portarlington during June should be minimised by the decision to complete the work in the evenings and at night.

Laois County Council's Senior Executive Engineer Philip McVeigh informed councillors that road resurfacing works will take place at night between 7 pm and 6 am from Monday, May 31 and will last for about three weeks.

The work commences at the Barrow Bridge on French Church Street and continues through the Market Square, along the Link Road to the junction at Bank of Ireland and up to the Kilnacourt Roundabout.

Footpaths will remain accessible, councillors on the Portarlington Graiguecullen Municipal District were informed at their monthy meeting in Portlaoise.

Work on the new footpaths along Upper and Lower Main Street will continue over the next three months.
Twenty years since the acclaimed Vanishing Ireland project began, author and historian, Turtle Bunbury is creating a new series of profile interviews with Irelands elders to share their life stories. Kindly supported by SuperValu, former broadcaster and nations favourite Anne Doyle, are putting the call out to the people of Ireland to propose family members or friends over the age of 70, who would like to share their stories.

Vanishing Ireland with Turtle Bunbury is a podcast series of interviews with Irelands over 70s, celebrating their life stories, challenges, courage, kindness and humour. The series seeks to document the very often, extraordinary lives of our older population in a way that celebrates the past while informing younger generations in shaping the future. This new series aims to highlight the wealth of humour, resilience and wisdom from Irelands elders. Created in audio format, Turtle will discuss life and its learnings with people across Ireland, saving and celebrating their voices for future generations.

Kilcullens very own Bridget Aspell (who passed away in 2014 at the grand age of 104) had her interview included in Vanishing Ireland, Friendship and Community: Volume 4 published in 2013. A former shop assistant and housewife, Bridget spoke candidly of her upbringing in Yellow Bog, Kilcullen. If there was ever a person who epitomized the term having a good heart, it was Bridget Aspell, as everyone who crossed her path had nothing but a good word to say and would recall her kind and unique soul.

Speaking about the Vanishing Ireland Series, Bunbury says: Twenty years ago, I teamed up with the renowned photographer James Fennell to create what became the first Vanishing Ireland book. We knew how important it was to chronicle the experience of our older generations, so many of whose fascinating lives were literally vanishing, unrecorded. Introducing the voices of Vanishing Ireland to the podcast generation is an entirely new departure for our elders but is deeply exciting and very much in keeping with our aims. It is my great hope that listening to these interviews - the wisdom, the humour, the memories - will enhance the way we live our own lives."

Given the unique position SuperValu has as part of so many communities and its national reach with campaigns such as Tidy Towns, GAA, the Autism Community and others, it is uniquely placed to bring this project nationwide appeal with a solid footprint in community.

Ray Kelly, Marketing Director, SuperValu said: The Vanishing Ireland project has a robust track record in championing local heroes and strengthening the bond between the generations. We are a resilient nation who appreciate our older generations and embrace traditions while also looking to the future for a better Ireland for everyone. SuperValu understand inter-generational communities who are diverse and inclusive as we are lucky to see it every day in our stores around the country and in campaigns such as Tidy Towns, which brings everyone together. We are delighted to support Turtle with this series.

Taking part in the launch former broadcaster Anne Doyle added, this is such a special series documenting the stories of the past so that they are captured in history forever. I am delighted to work alongside SuperValu and Turtle Bunbury to ensure these stories are available for many generations to come.

I encourage you to enter family members to be part of this wonderful series. Its high time we hear from our older generation and revisit our past with its rich history. We can all learn something from the experience.

The mission of Vanishing Ireland has always been to preserve the stories of the older generations, bringing to life the world that our grandparents knew in a manner that appeals to a 21st century audience. The hope is for Vanishing Ireland supported by SuperValu to inspire children and grandchildren to listen to the stories of their own parents and grandparents, as well as older friends and neighbours, creating a record of memories for future generations.

Those who would like to put forward friends or family over 70s, are asked to email podcast@ vanishingireland.com or visit www.vanishingireland.com . Closing date for entries is Friday, 4th June 2021.
Leixlip Garda were yesterday conducting random checks on train services in the locality with Irish Rail Revenue Protection officers.

A total of 12 tickets were issued to people who were travelling without a ticket.





Community Gardai from Naas conducted proactive patrols over the weekend onboard trains and at train stations between Sallins, Hazlehatch and Newbridge.

Gardai said these patrols were targeting anti social behaviour and crime prevention and helping to make commuter lines safer in conjunction with Irish Rail.

Earlier this month, gardai from Kildare Division supported by the Garda Dog Unit and along with Irish Rail staff carried out patrols yesterday evening on commuter rail services from Heuston Station.

A Kildare Garda spokesperson said that further operations are planned for the month as travel restrictions are eased and train capacity increases.

He added: "The purpose of the operations are to prevent anti-social behaviour on trains and at stations and to prevent and detect the use and transportation of drugs."

Gardai have been regularly patrolling stations and trains during Level 5 restrictions to ensure that journeys are essential.
Kildare Co Council may consider using its own resources to build a second bridge in Newbridge, it emerged today.

The project, which includes a 1km link road crossing the River Liffey, failed to get funding under the Urban Regeneration and Development Fund (URDF) in March.

Senior Council officials recently received feedback from the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage on why the proposal was unsuccessful.

It's understood the Council officials have sought further clarification around this issue.

The May meeting of the local municipal district heard today that the Council may proceed to progress the project which is intended to be essential for the growth of Newbridge town.

Director of Services Joe Boland told local councillors that the Council may consider bringing the proposed development to planning permission.

He added: "This is a decision that will have to be considered. This project is absolutely essential to the sustainable growth and development of Newbridge.

Cllr Fiona McLoughlin Healy commented that Newbridge was the largest town on a river in Ireland which only had one bridge.

Cllr Noel Heavey said he hoped to see the project come to fruition.

Mr Boland added: "I appreciate the importance of this issue to councillors."

The Council had submitted a comprehensive application to the Urban Regeneration and Development Fund (URDF) on behalf of the Southern Relief Road project which incorporates second bridge over the Liffey and a one kilometre section of road between the Athgarvan Road and Great Connell Road.

Other applications sent by the council were successful: the Naas Town Renewal Masterplan received 3.49m, Maynooth Town Centre Renewal was awarded 1.90m and the Celbridge to Hazelhatch Link Road was allocated 10.23m.

Acting Director of Services, Roads, Transportation & Public Safety Department Celina Barrett told councillors at a recent meeting that a significant amount of time and effort was put into the application.
Tesco is calling on shoppers across Kildare to support this years Great Irish Bake fundraiser to raise much kneaded dough for the little heroes in CHI at Temple Street. Customers visiting Tesco stores between Monday, 17th May and Sunday, 23rd May can support the annual fundraising initiative by donating 1 at the till or at the checkout online, with 100% of the funds raised going to Childrens Health Foundation Temple Street.

Throughout the Great Irish Bake week, Tesco has set an ambitious fundraising target of 150,000. Over the past six years, Tesco stores across Kildare have hosted the Great Irish Bake fundraising events and raised 50,551.38 all of which has gone to purchasing life-saving equipment to support sick children from all across Ireland who visit CHI at Temple Street.

Rosemary Garth, Communications Director, Tesco Ireland said: The Great Irish Bake for Childrens Health foundation Temple Street is a fundraiser that we continue to be hugely passionate about which is why at Tesco, we have made it easier than ever for our colleagues and customers to get involved and support it in any way they can. While we cannot host the Great Irish Bake sale in our stores at the moment, colleagues and customers can still donate 1 at the till or online checkout to raise vital funds to support CHI at Temple Street.

Denise Fitzgerald, Chief Executive of Children's Health Foundation said: Funds raised from the Great Irish Bake provide a vital lifeline to so many critically ill children in our hospitals, and this year we need those funds more than ever. Your bakes and donations will fund essential equipment in CHI at Temple Street - equipment that makes an enormous difference for the diagnosis and treatment of children, like ultrasound machines, pumps, patient monitors and so much more. Thanks to Tesco for everything they do and have done throughout our partnership  now, lets have a Great Irish Bake!

Since the partnership began in 2014, Tesco colleagues and customers across Ireland have helped to raise over 6million through various fundraisers, helping to purchase much-needed equipment for the hospitals theatres, wards, laboratories and intensive care units.

There are other ways that customers can support Childrens Health Foundation Temple Street throughout the year. From this week (Wednesday, 12th) shoppers in select* Tesco stores can purchase a pack of adult or childrens F&F face coverings. This year, Tesco has pledged to donate all profits from F&F branded face coverings to Childrens Health Foundation Temple Street, with over 94,000 donated since August 2020.

Each year CHI at Temple Street treats over 147,000 children from across the country. For thousands of children, CHI at Temple Street is the only hospital in Ireland they can be treated in. Through the charity partner programme, Tesco colleagues and customers can help sick kids from all over Ireland get better and be real-life heroes to children attending the hospital.
The jurors in the trial of a woman accused of the murder of her three children will continue their deliberations on Thursday.

Deirdre Morley of Parson's Court, Newcastle, Co Dublin, has pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity to the murder of her sons Conor McGinley (9) and Darragh McGinley (7) and her daughter Carla McGinley (3). The children's bodies were discovered at the family home just before 8pm on January 24 last year.

Jurors had begun deliberations this afternoon (Wednesday), but did not reach a verdict.

Earlier today, they heard evidence that Deirdre Morley believed it was morally right to smother her three children as she believed she had irreparably damaged them and had to put an end to their suffering.

Psychiatrist Dr Brenda Wright from the Central Mental Hospital told her murder trial at the Central Criminal Court that the accused was suffering with bipolar affective disorder at the time and fulfils the criteria for a special verdict of not guilty by reason of insanity.

The witness also said that the accused woman, who was a highly trained nurse specialising in renal care at Our Lady's Children's Hospital in Crumlin, did not know her actions were wrong as part of her psychotic state and would have been unable to refrain from them at the time.

On Tuesday, the court heard that Ms Morley had unsuccessfully attempted to drug her three children on the previous evening, having formulated a plan to then suffocate them in their sleep. She crushed six to eight morphine tablets to put in the boys cereal and put a Tylex tablet containing codeine in her daughter's sippy cup.

However, the accused told gardai in her interviews that the boys spat it out when they tasted the food and Carla had not consumed much of the drink.

In what the State said was "a desperately sad case", the jury heard that on the next day Ms Morley used tape, plastic bags and cushions to smother the children, two of whom were killed in a play tent.

Diagnosis

On the second day of the trial (Wednesday) Dr Wright told defence counsel Michael Bowman SC that she interviewed the accused on three occasions at the Central Mental Hospital following the killing of her three children. She diagnosed her with suffering from bipolar affective disorder, which is characterised by a depressive episode with at least two hyper manic episodes.

Dr Wright said that Ms Morley had between 1998 and 2017 experienced anxiety symptoms in response to the stresses of life and work, bullying at work and adapting to parenting.

The expert witness said Ms Morley developed significant depressive symptoms in 2018, which persisted and deteriorated in October of that year and she was put on antidepressants.

In 2019, Dr Wright said the accused experienced depressive themes in her thinking and described being overwhelmed.

She felt she was inadequate in her role as a wife and mother and was concerned that her own mental health problems were impacting negatively on her children, said the witness.

During the middle of 2019, Ms Morley began experiencing suicidal ideation, which led to her first psychiatric admission and her mental health deteriorated again from November of that year, she said.

"Her illness continues and she expressed a belief that her illness was damaging her children," she added.

Dr Wright said the accused displayed recurring thoughts of death and had a passive death wish in the months prior to the killings and began to think about suicide. She had experienced suicidal ideation and felt the plan to kill herself and her children was necessary and urgent and could identify no alternative, she added.

The witness said Ms Morley had a mental disorder, specifically depression and she knew the nature and quality of her actions and that it would result in the deaths of her three children.

Psychotic State

However, Dr Wright said that the accused did not know that her actions were wrong as part of her psychotic state and believed they were morally right.

"She believed she had irreparably damaged her children and had to put an end to their suffering," she said.

Dr Wright said Ms Morley was unable to refrain from her actions as a result of her depressive psychosis and fulfilled the criteria for a special verdict of not guilty by reason of insanity.

In her opening address, prosecuting counsel Anne-Marie Lawlor SC said the jury's primary concern would be the accused's mental state on January 24 and there was no issue in the case as to what happened to the children and how they died.

Detailing the evidence that would be heard, Ms Lawlor said the accused's mental health had deteriorated very significantly and she suffered a breakdown in July 2019 and was admitted to St Patrick's Hospital in Dublin as an inpatient for four weeks.

"In the days before the children's deaths, there was a belief that her mental health had improved significantly and psychiatrists will assist you in that was not the case," she indicated.

On the day of the killings, the eldest boy Conor McGinley told her "Stop Mammy" as she suffocated him by putting a plastic bag over his head and she had replied "I'm sorry", the jury also heard.

The Central Criminal Court was also told that her husband Andrew McGinley discovered the bodies of his three children in the house, two of them upstairs in his bedroom and one downstairs in a play tent.

Two notes written by the accused had been left in the house, one at the bottom of the stairs, to urge whoever came through the door of the family home not to go into the front room or upstairs and to phone 911 instead.

Ms Morley told gardai that she wanted to save her children from the pain and suffering she felt lay before them because of her shortcomings as a parent, and that she had intended to kill herself after she had killed her children.

Evidence was given that she had been struggling with her mental health in the year leading up to the tragedy and Clondalkin Mental Health Services and the Swiftbrook Medical Centre had also written to St Patrick's Hospital requesting that Ms Morley be readmitted to inpatient psychiatric care due to concerns about her mental health.

Ms Morley, the court heard, had been finding it difficult to cope with stress at work and had taken the loss of a child in her ward particularly badly.

The trial took place this week before Mr Justice Paul Coffey and a jury of ten men and two women.
A man was caught attempting to bring a stolen shotgun into a rehabilitation centre, a court has heard.

Darren McDonnell (38) had been resident at the centre for two days when he went missing from the grounds and burgled a home. An employee noticed that he had a shotgun concealed in his trousers when he returned to the grounds of the centre.

Dublin Circuit Criminal Court heard that McDonnell was arrested a few days later in Dublin after carrying out a knife-point robbery in a shop.

McDonnell, of Macroom Avenue, Coolock, pleaded guilty to burglary at a home in Curraheenduff, Thurles, Co Tipperary, on November 4, 2020, and to robbery and possession of a knife at Spar, Tonlegee Road, Coolock, on November 9, 2020.

He has over 40 previous convictions, including convictions for robbery and unauthorised taking of a motor propelled vehicle.

Garda Anne-Marie Coogan told Joe Barnes BL, prosecuting, that McDonnell went missing from the grounds of the recovery home two days after arriving and on his return, a pastor working there noticed he was concealing a shotgun in his trousers.

Gda Coogan said that when confronted, McDonnell admitted the burglary and handed over the shotgun as well as shotgun cartridges and a tablet he had also stolen. The pastor drove him to a train station and contacted gardai after the accused had left.

The victims, who live in a rural area, were not aware that their house had been burgled until they were contacted by gardai.

Gda Coogan commented that the treatment centre is known locally as a Bible school. She said the residents were treated through prayer and that it is not for everybody.

Garda Eoin Duffy told Mr Barnes that several days later, McDonnell entered the Spar shop in Coolock, picked up a number of items and went to the till.

Gda Duffy said that once the till was opened, McDonnell produced a knife and demanded the contents. McDonnell stole 280, but was apprehended shortly thereafter when gardai spotted him running away from the scene.

Gda Duffy agreed with John Moher BL, defending, that his client was declared unfit for interview following his arrest due to the drugs in his system. He agreed his client told gardai he had started 2020 clean, but had relapsed during the second lockdown.

Mr Moher said his client has a long-standing heroin addiction. He said his client's aunt organised his stay in the rehabilitation centre, which he admitted could hardly have been less successful.

Counsel said his client does well in custody, but has found the challenge of keeping that up while in the community too much.

Judge Elma Sheahan remanded McDonnell in continuing custody and adjourned the matter for finalisation on June 14, next.
A 32-year-old Clare man has appealed against his conviction for raping a schoolgirl at his sisters 18th birthday party more than five years ago, arguing that Gardai failed to examine the scene.

Richard OMara (31), with an address at Walnut Avenue, Kingswood, Tallaght, Dublin was jailed for 12 years for twice raping the teenager on October 18th, 2015.

He had pleaded not guilty to both counts of rape at Ballymulcashel, Kilmurry, Sixmilebridge, Co Clare but was found guilty by a Central Criminal Court jury last year.

The schoolgirl said that she was so afraid of seeing him again that she did not leave her bedroom for two months afterwards.

Justice Tara Burns described what happened as a vicious, horrifying attack in which OMara had used deceit, violence and force in the first rape before subjecting her to an even more vicious rape later.

She sentenced OMara to 14 years imprisonment but suspended the final two years on strict conditions. Restrictions were lifted at the time to allow the publication of OMaras name.

He appealed his conviction to the Court of Appeal on Tuesday.

His barrister, Michael Delaney SC, focused on the refusal of the court to stop the trial in light of the failure of Gardai to conduct any examination at the scene when the rape allegation was first made to them several months later.

He said that the complainants statement had raised the possibility that she had bled at the scene and that semen had been deposited on a sofa there. However, Gardai had not conducted any technical examination, he said.

The investigating officer, Detective Garda David Lang, had testified that such an examination would not have been beneficial eight months after the event, but confirmed that no advice had been sought from the forensic science laboratory before this decision was taken.

Mr Delaney quoted from a report prepared for the defence by forensic scientist Orla Sower after the trial.

For a quantity of semen soaked into the weave of the sofa fabric or the underlying foam, as long as the enzyme activity is not lost through washing, abrasion due to use of the sofa or heat generated by someone sitting on the sofa, then it is possible that semen could remain detectable for nine months, she wrote.

Gardai could have found out if it was washed or how much it was used, suggested Mr Delaney. The bottom line here is that its entirely possible that semen could be detected nine months later.

Maurice Coffey SC responded on behalf of the DPP.

He said that the applicable test had not been met by the appellant, being that the absence of the missing evidence deprived the accused of a realistic opportunity of an obviously useful line of defence.

The court, presided over by President George Birmingham, reserved judgment.
A man who set fire to his neighbour's apartment before shouting: I knew I was going to get her one way or another has been jailed for four years.

Robert Coughlan (45) got a can of petrol and doused the floor outside his neighbour's flat before setting fire to it, burning his hands in the process, Dublin Circuit Criminal Court heard on Tuesday.

The woman, finding herself trapped in her top-floor apartment, considered trying to escape via a window before her brother came to her aid and extinguished the fire with multiple saucepans of water, Detective Garda Paul Daly told the court.

Coughlan, with an address at Castle Avenue, Clontarf, Dublin, pleaded guilty to one count of arson at the same address on August 8, 2020. It is an offence that carries a maximum sentence of life imprisonment. Coughlan has two previous convictions for minor offences.

Sentencing Coughlan, Judge Martin Nolan said it seemed there was some enmity between Coughlan and his upstairs neighbours, whom he described as kindly, well-intentioned people.

The judge accepted that at the time of the incident, Coughlan's judgment was heavily affected by his mental illness, alcohol and anti-depressants and that as a result, his moral culpability was reduced.

If he had set this fire with the intention of harming (the victim) this court would have imposed a sentence of eight to 10 years, Judge Nolan said. Instead, the judge handed down a sentence of eight years and suspended the final four years on a number of conditions.

The court heard Coughlan caused about 20,000 worth of damage to the Georgian house, which was home to seven flats.

Det Gda Daly told Fiona McGowan BL, prosecuting, that Coughlan moved into the basement flat in 2011 and initially got on well with his neighbours. However, he eventually started having disputes, particularly when he was intoxicated, which eventually led to him being issued an eviction notice.

The landlord took pity on Coughlan and delayed this eviction. She, along with the victim and the victim's brother, who also lived in the house, were kindly, well-intentioned people with Mr Coughlan's best interests at heart, Judge Nolan noted. They tried to help him with his difficulties when he was sober, the court heard.

On the day in question, the victim was in her flat when her brother saw Coughlan acting suspiciously on the landing before he noticed a fire outside his sister's door. His sister came to the door before the extent of the inferno caused her to retreat and consider another means of escape.

Her brother got a number of saucepans of water and eventually extinguished the blaze before Dublin Fire Brigade arrived on the scene.

When approached by the victim's brother, Coughlan said I knew I was going to get her one way or another, Ms McGowan said.

Coughlan had burned his hands badly in the process of setting the fire and was taken to hospital for treatment. He has been in custody since shortly after the incident.

Dean Kelly SC, defending, handed up a number of medical reports outlining his client's lengthy history of mental illness. At the time of the offence, he was on a number of anti-depressants. He also had a long-standing alcohol addiction, the court heard.

Mr Kelly said it was in dispute that Coughlan said what he did about his victim. He submitted Coughlan did not know that anybody was in the flat when he lit the fire. When questioned by gardai he had little memory of the event.

He feels regret and shame for his actions on the day in question, Mr Kelly said.
The fight is back on to retain the former garda station in Dromahair for community and public use.



The building is set to go to auction in September this year, after previous plans for a handover to the community fell through when the station was closed in 2013.

Cllr Mary Bohan asked members of Manorhamilton Municipal District along with the Leitrim County Council to write to Minister Patrick ODonovan to withdraw the building from auction this week.

Cllr Bohan said a community group is putting together a business plan to take it over.

Read: Three former Leitrim garda stations prepare for auction



Cllr Frank Dolan assured members there is no great danger this building will be sold. He said the keys were handed over in 2013 to the community and what happened was ridiculous.

He said Minister ODonovan wont allow this to happen again and is looking for a business plan and a committed group to take it over.



Cllr Bohan agreed with the Fine Gael councillor that a business plan is needed but repeated she would like to see the building taken off the list of those heading to auction in September.

Cllr Felim Gurn said he understood there was great interest in former garda stations and two Leitrim stations had already been sold. He agreed Dromahair Garda Station should be taken off the auction list.

Cllr Frank Dolan again assured members the minister has no interest in selling it.



Chairperson of the meeting Cllr Sean McDermott said since the timeframe for the auction is not until Autumn, maybe they could investigate the situation and discuss at the next meeting in June.

Mary Quinn from Leitrim County Council said she would establish the exact position.

Frank Dolan said he would like to reassure everyone that it is the wish of the minister to hand it over to a community group.

But, he added he will not hand it over like before.

He said there was shuffling about who would take it over and then it was dropped. He asked the people of Dromahair to come together.



Background

Minister of State Brian Hayes officially handed over the keys of the former Garda Station in Dromahair for community use on July 19, 2013.

The intervening years have seen the group engage with the OPW but have been unsuccessful in their bid to secure a lease for the building.

They were offered a short term licence but this was not deemed acceptable to the group who required a lease in order to be eligible for grant aid.



The committee were awarded a licence to operate the building as a community facility by the OPW in 2015 but were told they would not be able to secure a lease for the building meaning funding would not be available to them.

In 2017 Peace IV funding fell through over issues with the lease.

The latest national review saw a decision to dispose 28 of the 40 garda stations closed in 2012 and 2013.

Dromahair is one of threeLeitrim stations listed for auction in September this year.





Also read: E-tender submitted for SNLR Greenway through Leitrim
Some of the phone lines at Sligo University Hospital are not working at the moment and this is having an impact on people trying to telephone the hospital.

The hospital is working to resolve the issue as soon as possible and apologises for the inconvenience caused to patients and their families.

Updates will be available on www.saolta.ie and www.hse.ie as well as Twitter @saoltagroup and @HSELive and the Leitrim Observer.

Also read: Disruption to services at Sligo University Hospital to continue this week
AN ESTEEMED Limerick architect has released a fiction book in aid of the night nurses of the Irish Cancer Society.

Architect John Curran sadly lost both parents to cancer in recent years. In 2014, his mother, Alice Curran, passed away and John explains that he wouldnt have been able to cope without the help of the brave night nurses.

The night nurses are supposed to keep some emotional distance, but in the end, they were as upset as we were to see my mother, Alice Curran, slip away, John explained to the Leader.

He continued: They were gentle, kind and always mindful about the dignity of the person they were caring for. My family will never forget that time. They showed a great gift for caring.

John says that the kindness of the night nurses left such a deep impression on him and his family that he knew he wanted to give something back.

Skip forward to Covid-19 and an abundance of time on most of our hands, John decided it was the perfect time to begin writing his book.

The book, entitled Atlantic Telegrams, is a collection of connected short stories. They are set in a range of different time periods and are easily digestible to readers of all types.

Its not a heavy read, John remarked. Its intended to give people a lift. Some proofreaders said they went to bed crying with laughter. That's the kind of feedback I was hoping for. There is something in there to appeal to a broad readership  comedy, intrigue, romance, in different historical and modern settings.

John lived in Shanghai for ten years and only returned home in March of last year. He says his return home opened his eyes to creativity and writing,

The breathtaking landscapes of this country, the stories we tell, and the humour we share, its all a kind of medicine, helping us cope and overcome all the adversity thrown our way. The more we travel the world, the more we realise just how special our Atlantic island truly is. The watercolours in the book are a gentle reminder that we are a people and land full of colour.

Every cent this book receives will be donated to the Irish Cancer Society and specifically the night nurses. John explained that they need the money now more than ever. We have to bear in mind that these charities need our sustained support throughout the year. Charities like the Irish Cancer Society have been decimated by the effects of the pandemic. They have never needed our support more than now.

If you would like to purchase Atlantic Telegrams by John Curran, you can do so on Amazon Kindle.
IRISH Cement has been told it can burn just 12 types of waste material in the production of the building material.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has imposed a reduction on the company, from the 63 it initially had permission to use, down to just 12 now.

It comes as the firm saw its 10m plans to switch away from fossil fuels in favour of solid recovered waste approved by the environmental regulator.

A previous An Bord Pleanala-led oral hearing into the proposals heard that Irish Cement was initially seeking to burn up to 115 different types of waste.

A list revealed then included items like animal faeces, urine, and manure, (including spoiled straw), effluent, collected separately and treated off-site.

The EPA initially reduced the numbers of waste types down to 63, and it has further cut it to 12 in its updated licence terms, which were published this morning.

Now, it says Irish Cement is only allowed to burn a limited number of types of waste.

These include tyres, paper and cardboard, plastic and rubber, wood, textiles, and sludge from water clarification.

However, animal tissue waste remains on the list, with Irish Cement permitted to incinerate up to 90,000 tonnes annually.

It remains to be seen if the new measures will satisfy some of the groups opposed to the proposals, with the burning of waste leading to concerns over public health due to the fumes from different elements entering the local environment.

Irish Cement has long maintained that because the burning would be taking place at such an extreme temperature, any impact on the local environment would be negligible.

Its been told it cannot allow incineration to fall below 850 degrees Celsius.

A number of other strict conditions have been imposed on the firm should it wish to go through with the change of process.

These include that Irish Cement puts in place a public awareness programme, including specific outreach to local residents.

A community liaison must also be put in place, the EPA has stated.

Real-time data from process monitoring must also take place, as must a weekly summary of the monitoring data.

No landfilling is allowed to happen on site, while only waste originating in Ireland is allowed in Mungret.

Left over waste must be returned to its origin within 48 hours, with no odour-causing waste permitted.
AS the number in Limerick awaiting a driver theory test approaches 5,000, Deputy Richard O'Donoghue has clashed with a Government Minister on the issue.

In addition, 2,200 people await a driving test in Limerick. Only 270 of whom have a scheduled appointment, according to the Road Safety Authority in correspondence with the Independent TD.

In a statement, Deputy O'Donoghue said Minister of State for Public Procurement and eGovernment Ossian Smyth told him that theory tests are available but only for "essential" persons.

"I am bitterly disappointed with the minister of state, who says the theory test is not essential. That is a ludicrous statement by a government minister.

"What about the farm this year? What about the farmers, whose sons and daughters want to help with the silage and the like? That is essential. Those sons and daughters can get their theory tests when they are 16-years-old and can then drive tractors on their own farms.

"The minister of state thinks that is not essential, but that just proves the point I have been making since I was elected - he and this government knows sweet damn all about farming, or the rural way of life."

Deputy ODonoghue continued: "The minister of state has just proven that by saying that he thinks a driver theory test is not essential. Why? It is because he does not understand about farming and he does not understand the people in our areas who do not have transport.

"They need to get to college, to the grocery shops and to their part-time jobs, but the Minister of State is saying the people of Ireland are not essential. That is exactly what he has just said, because he does not understand the situation."

The Banogue native said the Road Safety Authority is awaiting the go ahead to resume driver theory testing, which has been "off the road" since January 1.

In Limerick, theory test appointments are full for May/June/July, with only limited availability for August. Already those with slots for the remainder of this month have been reallocated dates for July, at the earliest," said Deputy O'Donoghue.

In normal times, Limerick has the capability to process around 1,800 driver theory tests per month.

It has been mentioned that the piloting of on online theory testing will happen in the autumn. The Independent TD urged the government to bring forward its implementation as "a matter of extreme urgency".
How It Works (Image credit: Future) This article is brought to you by How It Works.



How It Works is the action-packed magazine that's bursting with exciting information about the latest advances in science and technology, featuring everything you need to know about how the world around you  and the universe  works.

Australia is famed for its weird and wonderful animals. From the alien blue-ringed octopus, which carries enough venom to kill 26 adult humans within minutes, to the duck-billed platypus with it's patchwork anatomy, Australia is packed with species that, to the rest of the world, don't make a lot of sense.

This is because these strange species often aren't found anywhere else on Earth. About 87% of Australia's mammals, 93% of its reptiles and 45% of its bird species can be found only in Australia, according to the Australian Wildlife Conservancy.

During Earth's geographical evolution, the smallest of the seven continents, modern-day Australia, broke away from a supercontinent called Gondwana that dominated the world's landscape hundreds of millions of years ago. This meant that the species living in Australia didn't evolve in quite the same way as animals elsewhere on Earth, with the exception of migrating species that could fly or swim beyond the shores of Australia. This has resulted in some of the most fascinating, frightening and downright odd animals to ever walk the planet.

Ocean sunfish (Mola mola)

(Image credit: Getty Images)

Although not endemic to Australia, these strange creatures can be seen swimming around the southern shores of the continent. Sunfish are the heaviest-known bony fish on Earth, with one species, Mola alexandrini, reaching a whopping 5,000 pounds (2,300 kilograms).

What's most notable about these fish are their incredibly large dorsal and anal fins, making them over 13 feet (4 meters) tall. These ocean giants deep-dive into very cold waters to feed on zooplankton and avoid predators. To warm themselves back up, they move close to the surface to bask in the sun's heat, according to the Smithsonian magazine .

Giant centipede (Ethmostigmus rubripes)

(Image credit: John Hill)

Over 6 inches (16 centimeters) long and made up of 27 body segments supporting up to 23 pairs of legs, Australia's giant centipede is one of the biggest in the world. To sustain their body size, these arthropods feed on insects, snails and worms.

To capture and kill their prey, the centipedes have modified legs called forcipules that curve around the head and can deliver a potent venom, according to Australian Geographic . The venom is strong enough to kill a large animal quickly, and can cause severe pain to humans if the insect is disturbed or handled, according to the Australian Museum .

Net-casting spider (Deinopis ravidus)

(Image credit: Louise Docker)

Australia is famous for its many scary spiders , but net-casting spiders are among the most innovative. Rather than building a silken web and passively waiting for prey to become entangled, these spiders take a proactive approach, using a net of silk to trap their food.

These spiders typically use their nets to capture ants, beetles and even other spiders during the night, according to the Australian Museum . To help them see in the dark, the unusual arachnids have two large eyes , Live Science previously reported, earning them the nickname "ogre-faced spider." Before the sun rises, net-casters will consume their nightly catch, including the net to recycle the silk.

Peacock spider (Maratus volans)

(Image credit: Jurgen Otto)

Peacock spiders are found in the south of Australia and are well known for their elaborate courtship dance , Live Science reported. Males wave around their third pair of legs and reveal their vibrant abdomen to attract a female. The spiders are tiny, measuring around an eighth of an inch (a few millimeters) long.

Giant fishkiller (Lethocerus insulanus)

(Image credit: Canley)

As the name suggests, these aggressive-looking water bugs have a taste for small fish, along with tadpoles, frogs and snails. To catch their prey, they sit on a plant stem that's submerged underwater , grabbing passing fish using their long, needle-tipped front legs, according to the Australian Museum . They then inject digestive enzymes into the prey's body to liquefy tissues, making it ready for consumption.

Short-beaked echidna (Tachyglossus aculeatus)

(Image credit: Getty)

Echidnas are not only one of the strangest animals in Australia, but possibly the entire world. These hedgehog-like creatures are one of only two kinds of mammals on Earth that lay eggs, according to San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance  the other is the duck-billed platypus.

Adding to their oddities, echidnas have toothless jaws, so they crush their insect prey  of which they eat around 40,000 per day  between their tongue and the roof of their mouth. Echidnas feed during the night to avoid the high daytime temperatures and to maintain their low body temperature of 90 degrees Fahrenheit (32 degrees Celsius).

Giant panda snail (Hedleyella falconeri)

(Image credit: Naturalis Biodiversity Center)

Named for their long pair of black stalks, giant panda snails are Goliaths in the mollusk world, with shells reaching up to 4 inches (10 cm) long, making them the largest land snails in Australia, according to the Atlas of Living Australia . Giant panda snails spend their time in subtropical rainforests in eastern Australia, feeding on fungi on the forest floor after or during rainfall.

Spiny leaf insect (Extatosoma tiaratum)

(Image credit: Getty Images)

Masters of camouflage, these insects have evolved an exoskeleton that mimics the foliage of their forest habitat. Males can fly away when they feel threatened, but females are flightless so are completely reliant on their ability to blend into their environment, according to the Australian Museum .

They have been found to sway in the wind to mimic the movement of vegetation in order to stay hidden from predators. Spiny leaf insects also curl up their abdomen to look like a scorpion.

Arafura file snake (Acrochordus arafurae)

(Image credit: Matt)

These stealthy serpents can grow up to 8 feet (2.5 m) long and spend their time swimming through the waters of lagoons, pools and flooded grasslands. Arafura file snakes feed almost exclusively on fish and can spend hours at a time hunting underwater.

To immobilize their prey, they wrap around and constrict fish weighing up to 2.2 pounds (1 kg) before ingesting them. They are helped in this by their rough skin  which is where file snakes got their name, Kakadu National Park said on its website.

Marsupial mole (Notoryctes typhlops)

(Image credit: Getty Images)

Meet Australia's unusual mole. Unlike its cousins from around the world, this small mammal has a life cycle that is closer to that of a kangaroo than a common mole . As a marsupial, fetuses are partly developed in the womb, before emerging into the mother's pouch to suckle milk until they have grown up enough to leave. However, there have been no recorded sightings of any marsupial mole pups in the wild, so it remains unclear how long they stay in their mother's pouch.

Little is known about marsupial moles, according to Animal Diversity Web . It is not known whether they create residential networks of tunnels or a permanent burrow, or whether they are solitary nomads. They are believed to continually burrow through sand, simultaneously filling in the tunnel behind them, Australia's Northern Territory government said in a fact sheet. They have evolved in such a way that enables them to survive on the small percentage of oxygen between the grains of sand.

Blue-tongued skink (Tiliqua scincoides)

(Image credit: Getty Images)

Found roaming through tussock grass and forest leaf litter, at around 24 inches (60 cm) long, this lengthy lizard is famous for sticking out its blue tongue. Skinks use their brightly colored tongues to ward off predators, flattening their tongues and puffing out their bodies to appear larger and more threatening, the Australian Museum said.

The front of the tongue reflects ultraviolet (UV) light, according to San Diego Wildlife Alliance . This suggests that common predators of the skink, such as bird species that can see UV rays, will be dazed by a flash of UV and think twice about attacking them.

Dugong (Dugong dugon)

(Image credit: Getty)

Often referred to as sea cows, these marine mammals spend most of their time hoovering up seagrass from shallow coastal waters. Unlike their manatee cousins, dugongs sport a dolphin-like tail and do not live in freshwater.
These levitating spheres may appear red, purple or green at first glance, but in actuality, all 12 orbs are the same bland shade of beige.

Shrinking the image exaggerates this illusion, while zooming in minimizes the effect, according to David Novick, the creator of the image and a professor of engineering education and leadership at the University of Texas at El Paso. But why do we perceive the spheres as anything but their true color , beige?

This skewed perception stems from a phenomenon known as the Munker-White illusion, Novick told Live Science.

Related: The most amazing optical illusions (and how they work)

In essence, the illusion works because "our acuity for shape is better than our acuity for color, which means that we perceive the shapes with more detail and the colors with less detail," Novick said.

So, while the outlines of the spheres all appear identical, as they are, "the color sort of bleeds over, or assimilates, to adjacent spaces," Novick said. Specifically, the color of the spheres gets "pulled" closer to the color of the stripes crossing over them, in the foreground. In this particular image, called "Confetti Spheres 5," an array of green, red and blue stripes cut across the spheres and warp our perception of their actual hue.

The illusion relies on the hue of the foreground stripes, not the colors in the background behind the spheres. So, if you remove the crisscrossing stripes, the illusion disappears, leaving only identical beige balls.

Very nice! This neatly matches the original with the foreground stripes removed. pic.twitter.com/ZcwflVhj6OJune 15, 2019 See more

The illusion works very similarly when you convert all of the colors to grayscale. In fact, "White's illusion," in isolation, refers to the perceived changes in the lightness of a shape  ranging from white to black  caused by the lightness of shapes overlapping it, according to a 2010 report published in the journal Colour: Design & Creativity . For instance, when you run white stripes over a gray rectangle, the gray appears lighter, or closer to white; but when you run black stripes over the same rectangle, it appears darker, or closer to black.

Psychologist Michael White became known for describing this effect in the 1960s. And in 1970, Hans Munker, another psychologist, demonstrated a similar effect with colored shapes and stripes, in which the foreground stripes warp the perceived hue of the background shape, according to the 2010 report.

Scientists have competing theories about what's happening in the brain to cause this shift in perception. Some think the illusion sets in early during visual processing, when light first hits the retina , while others think the effect takes hold later as the brain processes the data. It could be a combination of both, the 2010 report notes.

Whatever the exact cause of the illusion, it's fun to play with, Novick said. By tampering with both the lightness and the color of the foreground stripes, you can "amplify" the apparent color change, causing the background shapes to look wildly different from their true colors.

That said, "it's much easier to get differences in apparent colors for some hues than others," Novick noted. For instance, if the background shape and foreground stripes are complementary colors (opposites on the color wheel), like red and green, their colors will actually cancel out, so the spheres will end up looking white or grey instead, he said.

Novick is currently studying which color combinations generate the largest apparent change in the color of the background shape to maximize the effects of the illusion. In addition, he and his collaborator Akiyoshi Kitaoka, a psychology professor at Ritsumeikan University in Kyoto, Japan, are comparing how the Munker-White illusion affects 3D shapes, as in "Confetti Spheres 5," as compared to flat, 2D shapes.

This image, called "Confetti 1," demonstrates how the Munker-White illusion works on 2D shapes. (Image credit: David Novick)

"The illusion seems more perceptible, or vivid, with the spheres rather than the flat discs. And we don't know why," Novick said. "At this point, I don't think anybody does."

Novick was originally inspired to craft illusions after seeing and reading about Kitaoka's work. Kitaoka's website dances with vivid patterns that appear to swirl and undulate as you stare at them; text along the top of the page warns, "Should you feel dizzy, you had better leave this page immediately."

Upon studying these baffling illusions, Novick became interested in folding them into his own research program on human-computer interaction. In summer 2017, he began crafting new versions of the illusions on his own and, for fun, posted some to his Twitter account. One of these posts  a 2D version of the confetti illusion  went "unexpectedly viral" on July 18, 2018.

"I first learned about this when my wife came in and said, 'You're in the newspaper in England,'" Novick said, noting his surprise. To this day, Novick tweets about two new illusions each week, and his older posts periodically get rediscovered, go viral and sometimes make the news, he said.

Originally published on Live Science.
A sun-studying spacecraft nabbed its first footage of a solar outburst before its science mission has officially begun.

Solar Orbiter , a mission jointly run by the European Space Agency (ESA) and NASA, launched in February 2020 and has made its first two close approaches of our star, most recently on Feb. 10. Scientists are still digging through that data before the spacecraft begins its formal science work in November. But they've already spotted something special in data from just after the February close approach: two coronal mass ejections, which occur when the sun spits large blobs of its atmosphere out into space.

At the time, the spacecraft was about half the distance from the sun as Earth and on the opposite side of our star as our planet. That location meant Solar Orbiter was able to see parts of the sun completely invisible to scientists on Earth, but it also meant that sending data home was a slow process, and scientists are still digging into what the spacecraft saw.

Related: Solar Orbiter: The US-European mission to explore the sun's poles in photos

An image compiles views of a coronal mass ejection from three different instruments on the Solar Orbiter spacecraft. The footage was captured Feb. 12 and Feb. 13, 2021. (Image credit: Solar Orbiter/EUI Team/Metis Team/SoloHI team/ESA & NASA)

Researchers had already found a couple coronal mass ejections in spacecraft data from when the probe was farther away from the sun. But then, scientists noticed that three of Solar Orbiter's instruments spotted two coronal mass ejections soon after the close approach, according to an ESA statement .

These were the first such events observed by the Solar Orbiter Heliospheric Imager (SoloHI) instrument, which filmed the flow of material bursting out of the sun. That instrument was only gathering data by chance, when SoloHI was observing with only one of its four detectors and quite sporadically, according to a NASA statement , just 15% as frequently as it will gather data during the main mission.

The instruments were able to capture particularly stunning views of one of the coronal mass ejections on Feb. 12 and Feb. 13. Each of the three instruments on Solar Orbiter focuses on a different region, so their views stretch from the visible surface of the sun all the way out to more than 20 times the width of the sun itself, according to ESA .

Still farther afield, three other spacecraft observed the same event: NASA's STEREO-A , ESA's Proba-2 and the joint mission Solar and Heliospheric Observatory (SOHO). Taken together, the four missions' observations of the coronal mass ejection offer the sort of global perspective on the sun and its surroundings that has been difficult for scientists to come by so far.

Like other types of space weather , the broad category of effects across the solar system caused by the sun's activity, coronal mass ejections are of interest to scientists and engineers because they can potentially damage spacecraft and harm unprotected astronauts, especially beyond the orbit of the International Space Station.

So far, scientists have limited capabilities to monitor and predict space weather  hence the strong interest in missions like Solar Orbiter that should improve researchers' understanding of how the sun works. Solar Orbiter's unique contribution to this quest will be its skewed orbit, which will allow scientists to image the sun's poles for the first time.

Email Meghan Bartels at mbartels@space.com or follow her on Twitter @meghanbartels. Follow us on Twitter @Spacedotcom and on Facebook.
Though he started life as a slave, Frederick Douglass became an abolitionist, orator, writer, statesman and ambassador. He liberated himself in 1838 and in 1845 published his first autobiography, " Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass, an American Slave ," (The Anti-Slavery Office, 1845). The book, alongside his work for the abolitionist movement and the Underground Railroad, helped him become one of the most famous African American men of his era.

Born into slavery

Frederick Augustus Washington Bailey was born around February 1818, although no records exist of the exact date) in Talbot County, Maryland. His mother was sent away to another plantation when he was a baby, and he saw her only a handful of times in the dark of night, when she would walk 12 miles to visit him. She died when he was seven years old.

Douglass was moved several times throughout his childhood, living on several Maryland farms and in households in the city of Baltimore. Douglass would later claim in his autobiography that his move to Baltimore "laid the foundation, and opened the gateway, to all my subsequent prosperity."

Related: 4 myths about the history of American slavery

One slaveholder, Sophia Auld, took a great interest in Douglass when he was 12 and taught him the alphabet, but her husband disapproved of teaching slaves to read and write. Eventually, Auld ceased her lessons and hid his reading materials.

But Douglass continued to find ways to learn, trading bread with street children for reading lessons. The more he read, the more tools he gained to question and condemn slavery. By 1834, while working on a new plantation, Douglass set up a secret Sunday school where around 40 slaves would gather and learn to read the New Testament. After neighboring plantation owners became aware of these clandestine meetings, they attacked the group with stones and clubs, permanently dispersing the school.

In 1837, Douglass met Anna Murray, a free Black woman in Baltimore who was five years his senior. The pair quickly fell in love and Murray encouraged him to escape. The following year, in 1838, aged 20, Douglass made his break from the shackles of slavery.

Escape and the abolitionist movement

Portrait of Frederick Douglass taken between 1847 and 1852. (Image credit: Samuel J. Miller)

In under 24 hours Douglass traveled from Maryland, a slave state, to New York, a free state, boarding northbound trains, ferries, and steamboats. Along the way, Douglass even disguised himself in a sailors uniform to avoid detection. Upon setting foot in New York, Douglass was free to decide the direction of his own life for the first time. Murray joined him and they were quickly married, settling on the new name "Douglass." According to his autobiography, the new surname was inspired by Sir Walter Scotts poem "The Lady of the Lake."

Moving between abolitionist stronghold towns in Massachusetts, the pair became active members of the church community attended by many prominent former slaves, including Sojourner Truth and later Harriet Tubman.

By 1839 Douglass was a licensed preacher, a role in which he honed his speaking skills. He was also an active attendee of abolitionist meetings and, at age 23, gave his first anti-slavery speech at the Massachusetts Anti-Slavery Society Convention in Nantucket.

Related: What shaped Martin Luther King Jr.'s prophetic voice?

As one of few men to have escaped slavery with a willingness and ability to speak about his experiences, Douglass became a living embodiment of the impacts of slavery and an image of Black stature and intellect.

In an interview with PBS , historian David W. Blight, author of Frederick Douglass: Prophet of Freedom, (Simon & Schuster, 2018), claimed that certain white abolitionists "wanted Douglass to simply get up and tell his story, to tell his narrative on the platform. They didn't want him to speak about Northern racism, to take on the whole picture of the anti-slavery movement as much as he did." This strained Douglass relationships with some other major abolitionists. Nevertheless, Douglass continued to recognize the power of challenging and reshaping harmful caricatures of Black people.

Frederick Douglass in the 1840s. Douglass sat for more portraits in the 1840s than even Abraham Lincoln as he strove to change the negative impression of Black men in the United States. (Image credit: Public domain, photographer unknown)

Douglass published his autobiography in 1845. Its subsequent success and acclaim led historian James Matlack to describe it as "the best-known and most influential slave narrative written in America" in a 1960 article from the journal Phylon .

As his fame grew  and as threats to his life and freedom from pro-slavery groups also grew, according to a memoir written by his daughter Rosetta Douglass Sprague in a 1923 edition of The Journal of Negro History  Douglass left his family and spent two years touring Ireland and Britain between 1845 and 1847. He spent the trip lecturing and meeting with members of Britains abolition movement. It was during this time that Douglass gained legal freedom and protection from recapture, with English acquaintances raising the funds to officially buy his freedom.

He returned to the U.S. with an additional 500 donated by English supporters and used it to set up his first abolitionist newspaper, "The North Star." Alongside this, he and his wife were active in the Underground Railroad, taking over 400 escaped slaves into their home.

Women's suffrage

An artist's rendition of the signing of the 15th amendment to the US Constitution, which prevented state and federal governments from denying the vote to men on the basis of race or previous enslavement. (Image credit: Library of Congress/Popular Graphic Arts)

Douglass was an advocate for dialogue and alliances across ideological divides. Notably, he was a supporter of womens suffrage campaigns and was a close friend of women's suffrage campaigners Elizabeth Cady Stanton and Susan B. Anthony.

Related: Women's suffrage anniversary: Which countries led the way?

However, Douglass came into conflict with the women's suffrage movement through his support of the Fifteenth Amendment , passed on Feb. 26, 1869, which gave Black men the right to vote, but not women. Douglass's stance on the Fifteenth Amendment, and the opposition of some women's suffrage campaigners to Black suffrage, caused a rift within the American Equal Rights Association (AERA), which broke up in 1869 , according to the Arlington Public Library.

Douglass continued to argue in his book " Life and Times of Frederick Douglass ," (De Wolfe, Fiske & Co. 1892) that the disenfranchisement of women was equally damaging to the United States as the denial of Black citizens' right to vote. "I would give woman a vote, give her a motive to qualify herself to vote, precisely as I insisted upon giving the colored man the right to vote," he wrote.

The Fourth of July speech

What, to the American slave, is your 4th of July? ...To him, your celebration is a sham. Frederick Douglass

On July 5, 1852, Douglass gave one of his most famous speeches, " What to the slave is the Fourth of July ," to the Ladies Anti-Slavery Society of Rochester, New York.

"I do not hesitate to declare, with all my soul, that the character and conduct of this nation never looked blacker to me than on this 4th of July!" he said. " What, to the American slave, is your 4th of July? I answer: a day that reveals to him, more than all other days in the year, the gross injustice and cruelty to which he is the constant victim. To him, your celebration is a sham."

In the speech, Douglass made the case that positive statements about the U.S. and its independence were an affront to enslaved people, who could not share in the nations celebration of liberty.

Political career

Douglass published three versions of his life story, in 1845, 1855 and 1881 (with a revised edition in 1892). By the outbreak of the American Civil War in 1861, he was one of the most famous Black men in the U.S. as well as both an ardent supporter and honest critic of Abraham Lincoln. Later, during the Reconstruction era, Douglass received several political appointments, including President of the Freedmans Savings Bank.

Related: What if Lincoln had lived?

Douglass supported Ulysses S. Grant's 1868 presidential campaign amid a violent period of backlash against newly emancipated slaves and the rise of the Ku Klux Klan. Later, in 1889, President Harrison appointed him as the U.S. Minister Resident and Consul-General to Haiti, and the charge daffaires to Santo Domingo.

In 1872 he became the first African American to be nominated for vice president of the United States (though without his knowledge or approval).

Later years and legacy

Frederick Douglass with his second wife, Helen Pitts, and her sister. (Image credit: Public Domain)

The end of Douglass' life was turbulent. According to the U.S. Library of Congress timeline of his life, he was forced to flee into exile after being accused of collaborating with radical abolitionists who attempted to raid Harpers Ferry in 1859. In 1872, per the New York Times, his home was burned down in an arson attack, causing him to move to Washington, D.C. with his family.

His family life also became a focus of gossip and scandal: According to Smithsonian magazine, he was rumored to have had two affairs with white women while his wife Anna was alive. She died in 1880, and Douglass was married again less than two years later to Helen Pitts, a white suffragist and abolitionist 20 years his junior.

His affairs and controversial second marriage tainted Douglass reputation. Later accounts like Rosetta Douglass Spragues memories of her mother cast a sympathetic light on their mother, Anna Douglass, who remained Douglass most ardent supporter through controversy and infidelity.

Douglass continued touring and traveling, speaking and campaigning into his final days  to his very last moments. After receiving a standing ovation for a speech on womens suffrage in 1895, the 77-year-old Douglass collapsed from a heart attack. Thousands passed by his coffin to pay their respects, and he continues to be honored by countless statues, remembrances and plaques across the globe.

This article was adapted from a previous version published in All About History magazine, a Future Ltd. publication. To learn more about some of history's most incredible stories, subscribe to All About History magazine.
Unlike most images of the fire, footage captured by amateur photographer Harold Schenck showed the burning Hindenburg from nose to tail, in the moments after a hydrogen leak set the airship ablaze.

When the enormous German airship Hindenburg burst into flames on May 6, 1937, during a flight over New Jersey, it ignited in seconds before crashing to the ground in front of horrified onlookers. Now, footage that captured the early moments of the disaster, which will be aired on television for the first time, could offer new clues as to what sparked the blaze.

On the day of the accident, news photographers were already filming the Hindenburg at the Naval Air Station in Lakehurst, New Jersey. When they realized the airship was burning, they rushed to record images of the rapidly spreading blaze, and the best-known footage and photos of the disaster all show it from a similar angle.

However, an amateur photographer named Howard Schenck was also at the scene with a Kodak 8-millimeter consumer film camera  but he was at a different spot on the field. Schenck realized that the Hindenburg was on fire and began filming earlier than the newsreel photographers, and his wide-angle lens and side view of the airship captured the Hindenburg's entire length as it burned, offering a perspective that was missing in the news cameras' coverage.

Related: In photos: The history of the Hindenburg disaster

Schenck's astonishing view of the burning Hindenburg  and what it could show about the accident  is revealed in the NOVA documentary " Hindenburg: The New Evidence ," premiering on PBS tonight (May 19) at 9 p.m. EDT. The previously unseen angle provided investigators with clues about the longstanding mystery of what generated the spark that set the hydrogen ablaze, PBS representatives said in a statement.

On that day in May, the Hindenburg had just arrived in New Jersey after a three-day journey from Frankfurt, Germany. The airship dropped its landing lines at about 7:17 p.m. local time, according to the Royal Society of Chemistry (RSC). Four minutes later, the Hindenburg was suddenly engulfed in flames and plummeted to the ground. It took just 32 seconds for the zeppelin to be completely incinerated. When the smoke cleared, 35 people on the airship and one member of the ground crew were dead.

Airships like the Hindenburg were made of a metal frame covered with a varnished cotton "skin" that was then inflated with hydrogen, and hydrogen is highly flammable if it is exposed to air and mixes with oxygen , according to the RSC. German and American investigators determined at the time that the cause of the disaster was a spark caused by static discharge, which then ignited a hydrogen leak, the RSC reported.

In part, the tragedy unfolded as it did because the officers who were flying the airship didn't follow well-established safety protocols that made airship flight safe  or at least, as safe as it could be, said Dan Grossman, an aviation historian and writer, and one of the documentary's experts.

"It was never going to be 'safe,' you can never safely operate a flying bomb," Grossman told Live Science. "But the Germans had developed very deliberate and careful protocols for how to operate an airship, and many of those were ignored," he said.

There was a thunderstorm that day, creating an electrically charged environment that increased the risk of static discharge . The operators also had good reason to believe that hydrogen was escaping near the Hindenburg's tail, as there was unusual heaviness in that area that could have indicated a leak, Grossman said. Given these circumstances, they should not have attempted what is known as a high landing  in which an airship would drop its landing ropes while still at a high altitude, and would then be winched to the ground  a practice that had a higher risk of generating sparks than a low landing.

"You can never operate a hydrogen airship in complete safety, and you can certainly never operate one in complete safety where there are thunderstorms," he said. "But you can operate it in a safer or a less safe manner, and they chose the less safe manner by choosing a high landing rather than a low landing."

Details on the print of the 8 mm film enabled archival experts to confirm that Schenck's footage was genuine. (Image credit: PBS/NOVA)

A new angle

In 2012, Grossman was attending a 75th anniversary memorial service for the Hindenburg disaster in Lakehurst, when he was approached by Bob Schenck, who said that he had home movie footage of the accident that had been shot by his uncle Howard. At the time of the accident inquests in 1937, none of the investigators were interested in Schenck's footage, likely because they already had footage from the news cameras and didn't care about seeing multiple angles of the event, Schenck said in the documentary.

When Grossman first saw the Schenck footage, "my reaction was just  wow. I can't believe we have this angle," Grossman told Live Science. "The footage begins earlier than any other film footage, so it shows more of the accident from an earlier point," Grossman said.

Schenck's film camera also captured a full broadside view of the ship from nose to tail, showing the Hindenburg during its final seconds of level flight as it was engulfed in flames, until it hit the ground as a flaming shell.

"Because of where the newsreel photographers were, which was very close to the bow, or nose, of the airship, you just don't see that," Grossman said.

Schenck's footage began earlier than that of the news cameras, and while it doesn't capture the moment of ignition, it does show the dropping of the ropes. This prompted the documentary's investigators to question if the ropes might have conducted enough electricity to spark the fatal fire, Gary Tarpinian, the documentary's executive producer, said in the statement.

"Thanks to this stunning new footage, we were able to revive a cold case investigation surrounding one of the most iconic disasters of the 20th century," Tarpinian said.

The wider angle of Schenck's footage also emphasizes how quickly the shocking event unfolded, and how the disaster must have looked to the horrified spectators who were at the scene.

"One moment there was this big, beautiful airship safely coming in to land  and then the next moment there was this incredibly dramatic fire. And then within about a minute there's nothing left of it," said Grossman. "You really get a sense of what it would have been like to see it with your own eyes, which I don't think you get quite the same way from the tight closeup shots that you see in the newsreels."

"Hindenburg: The New Evidence" airs on Wednesday, May 19 at 9 p.m. EDT/8 p.m. CT on PBS and is available to stream online starting on May 19 at PBS.org .

Originally published on Live Science.
A tangled mass of what looked like discarded yellow rope recently washed up on a beach in Texas. But this peculiar knotty pile wasn't garbage. It was a colorful sea whip  a type of soft, flexible coral.

Rebekah Claussen, a National Park Service (NPS) guide at the Padre Island National Seashore near the Gulf of Mexico, found one of these "rope balls" partly buried in the sand, and the park shared her photo on Facebook on Feb. 1.

Sea whips can be red, yellow, orange, violet, lavender or purple, according to the Marine Species Identification Portal . However, "we mostly see the yellow and red varieties washing up on our beaches," NPS representatives wrote in the Facebook post.

Related: 13 bizarre things that washed up on beaches

The term "sea whip" can refer to several genera of soft corals in the order Gorgonacea, but the species that washes up in North American coastal regions is a colorful sea whip (Leptogorgia virgulata). Sea whips' vibrant color comes from colonies of polyps  tiny, soft-bodied animals with eight tentacles forming a ring around their mouths. When these colonies cluster together they secrete proteins that form a dark-colored skeleton, which branches into whiplike stalks measuring up to 3 feet (0.9 meters) tall, according to the Tybee Island Marine Science Center (TIMSC) in Georgia.

Colorful sea whips live close to the shore, and L. virgulata can be found in waters as far north as New Jersey and as far south as the Gulf of Mexico, according to TIMSC. Polyps feed on plankton, and sea whips typically cling to ledges made of rock and limestone at depths between 10 and 66 feet (3 and 20 m), according to the Smithsonian Marine Station at Fort Pierce in Florida.

World of Animals Annual: $22.99 at Magazines Direct The animal kingdom is a fascinating, beautiful and complex world, but it faces an uncertain future. In the past few years, weve seen Japan resume whaling and scientists warn that the next decade could prove pivotal for the Earths environment and its inhabitants. This annual explores some of the threats faced by 25 of the worlds most endangered creatures and meets the animals that owe their continued existence to the vital Endangered Species Act of 1973. View Deal

Red sea whip in a coral reef in West Papua, Indonesia. (Image credit: Giordano Cipriani/Getty Images)

But when sea whips are torn from their ocean habitats and deposited on beaches, they're easy to mistake for discarded fishing line, nets or cable. Several people who commented on the Facebook post mentioned that they had encountered sea whips while cleaning up a local beach, and they mistakenly collected it, thinking that it was garbage.

"Generally speaking, most of it is dead when it washes up," Claussen told Live Science in an email. "To my knowledge, the reason that the coral has washed up is that it has broken off and therefore no longer alive. I'm not sure that you would be able to tell even if it was alive," she added. "We recommend just leaving the sea whip on the beach because it is natural and will decompose and help the island," Claussen said.

"So the next time you're out for a stroll on the beach, look for the sea whip and remember, it's not trash!" NPS representatives wrote in the post.

Originally published on Live Science.
In the early solar system, solar wind particles may have become trapped in metals that eventually formed Earth.

For the past 4.5 billion years, energized particles from the primordial sun have lurked in Earth's core, a new study suggests.

Researchers made the discovery by analyzing ancient particles within an iron meteorite , which came from a space rock that had an iron core, just like Earth does now, making the meteorite a good proxy for our planet's innards. The meteorite had "striking excesses of solar helium and neon ," which are noble gases, or gases that are colorless, odorless, tasteless and nonflammable and occupy group 18 on the periodic table , the researchers wrote in the study.

Past research has tied the exposure of solar wind  the stream of plasma and charged particles that flows from the sun  to an elevation in helium and neon and the ratios in which they appear. So, it's likely that when the solar system's planets were still forming, the solar wind irradiated this meteorite with noble gas particles, which then became embedded in the meteorite's metals, the researchers said. Likewise, "Earth's core may have incorporated solar noble gases," the researchers wrote in the study.

Over millions of years, these noble gases likely spread from the core and into Earth's mantle, the layer between the core and the upper crust, the team also discovered.

Related: Meteorites: Rocks that survived fiery plunge to Earth

The meteorite, which was discovered in 1927 in Washington County, Colorado, falls into a rare class of "ungrouped" iron meteorites that make up just 5% of known meteorites discovered on Earth. Most of these meteorites are mere fragments of larger asteroids, which formed metallic cores during the solar system's first 1 million to 2 million years.

The Washington County iron meteorite, however, is larger than most meteorites in its class. Originally, it looked like a metal discus that was about 5.9 inches by 7.8 inches (15 by 20 centimeters) in diameter and 2.3 inches (6 cm) thick and weighed about 12.5 lbs. (5.7 kilograms), according to a 1928 report in the journal American Mineralogist .

In the 1960s, research found that the Washington County meteorite contained "a remarkable excess" of unusual helium and neon isotopes, variations of elements that have a different number of neutrons in their nuclei. In 1984, another study showed that these isotopes had ratios similar to those seen in solar wind.

The six noble gases (light orange boxes) are on the far right side of the periodic table. (Image credit: Alfred Pasieka/science Photo Library)

For the new study, the researchers studied just a few of the Washington County meteorite chunks, including one 1.1-inch-long (3 cm) slab. The team used a noble gas mass spectrometer to measure the ratio of noble gas isotopes. The helium and neon isotopic ratios were typical for those from the solar wind, the researchers confirmed.

Figuring out which of the noble gases in the meteorite came from the solar wind versus other sources, however, is a tricky business. For instance, noble gases can originate from other places in the cosmos.

"The measurements had to be extraordinarily accurate and precise to differentiate the solar signatures from the dominant cosmogenic noble gases," study first author Manfred Vogt, a postdoctoral researcher at the Institute of Earth Sciences at Heidelberg University in Germany, said in a statement.

It's likely that the solar-wind particles in the early solar system became trapped in the precursor materials that eventually became the asteroid, the team said. Then, these noble gases likely dissolved in the liquid metal, which later became the asteroid's solid metal core.

Earth's iron core probably went through a similar process when it was forming, the researchers said. To investigate this idea further, the team consulted their record of solar-wind helium and neon isotopes found in igneous rock from volcanic eruptions on oceanic islands, such as Hawaii in the Pacific and Reunion in the Indian Ocean.

Related: Hidden seafloor feature uncovered with satellites (photos)

The rocks they studied came from a special kind of volcano that is powered by plumes deep within Earth's mantle. These plumes have high solar gas ratios, which makes them different from shallow mantle volcanic activity seen at midocean mountain ridges, which have low solar gas ratios, the researchers said.

Now, the researchers have multiple threads of evidence indicating that Earth has solar noble gases in its core and mantle. In effect, the iron-cored Washington County meteorite has solar noble gases, so it's likely that Earth's iron core does too. And solar noble gases are found in volcanic rock that originated deep in the mantle, suggesting that some of the solar particles hanging out in Earth's core have since migrated to the mantle, the researchers found.

If Earth's core had "just 1% to 2% of a metal with a similar composition as the Washington Country meteorite," that could "explain the different gas signatures in the mantle," Vogt said. This finding suggests that the core influences the mantle's geochemistry in a previously unknown way, the researchers said.

The study was published online May 14 in the journal Communications Earth & Environment .

Originally published on Live Science.
This skeleton of a soldier was found on a beach at Herculaneum in 1982. Recent research suggests that the soldier may have been part of a rescue mission.

The skeleton of a soldier found on a beach at Herculaneum, an ancient town that was buried when Mount Vesuvius erupted in A.D. 79, may be that of a rescue-party member sent by Roman naturalist and military officer Pliny the Elder to help evacuate people, a researcher has suggested based on a recent analysis.

However, scholars who were not affiliated with the research had mixed reactions, with some supportive of the idea and others very skeptical.

When Mount Vesuvius erupted in A.D. 79, it buried Pompeii , Herculaneum and other nearby settlements, killing thousands of people but preserving many of the bodies. Among the dead was Pliny the Elder (A.D. 23-79), who was leading a naval rescue mission to save people from the destruction.

Related: Preserved Pompeii: Photos of a city covered in ash

Pliny's nephew, Pliny the Younger (A.D. 61-113), wrote a letter to the Roman historian Tacitus (A.D. 56-120) discussing the rescue mission. Copies of that letter survive to the present day and are often used by historians studying the eruption.

In A.D. 79, Mount Vesuvius erupted, burying the ancient town of Herculaneum (shown here), Pompeii and other nearby settlements. (Image credit: Photo courtesy Parco Archeologico di Ercolano)

Archaeologists discovered the skeleton of the soldier, positioned with its face down, on a beach in Herculaneum in 1982, said Francesco Sirano, an archaeologist at the Archaeological Park of Ercolano in Italy who leads a research team at Herculaneum. Recently, Sirano and his team used X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy (XRF), a technique that can determine the chemical composition of an object, to examine the remains of the soldier's armor.

The tests showed that part of the soldier's armor was decorated with precious metals such as silver and gold. That finding suggests he was of a high rank, which is unusual because historical records don't indicate that Herculaneum had a large military force, Sirano told Live Science in an email written in Italian.

Recent research shows that the soldier's armor was decorated with gold and silver, suggesting that he may have been a high ranking officer. (Image credit: Photo courtesy Parco Archeologico di Ercolano)

Sirano also re-examined the artifacts originally found with the soldier and found that he was carrying a bag of carpentry tools, which would have been used frequently on a Roman ship. The man was also found with 12 denarii, or silver coins, and two gold coins  an amount that would have equated to a month's salary for a member of the Praetorian Guard, a special unit whose tasks included guarding Rome and the emperor, Sirano said. The fact that he had elaborate armor and an amount of money equal to a month's worth of Praetorian Guard pay suggests that the soldier may have been a member of the unit but researchers cannot be certain.

The skeleton was located near the remains of a boat that may have been used by the Roman military. In addition, the skeleton, and others found near it, were positioned in such a way that the people seem to have died while heading toward the town rather than fleeing it. Given these findings, Sirano believes the man was likely part of the rescue force, possibly a senior officer.

Scholars react

Live Science talked with 10 scholars who were not associated with Sirano's research, to get their thoughts on Sirano's conclusions.Several scholars noted a logistical issue with the scenario Sirano set up. According to the letter written by Pliny the Younger, the naval force led by Pliny the Elder was forced to land at Stabiae, a town located about 14 miles (22 kilometers) from Herculaneum.

Related: Photos: The bones of Mount Vesuvius

That is a 4- to 5-hour walk  "in full armor and in the densely dark conditions that Pliny [the Younger] describes," said Roy Gibson, a professor of classics and ancient history at Durham University in England who has written extensively about Pliny the Younger. As for whether the skeleton found at Herculaneum was that of a member of Pliny the Elder's rescue force, it's "possible, but very unlikely," Gibson said.

In fact, the volcanic ash may have buried Herculaneum before Pliny the Elder's rescue force even managed to land at Stabiae, said Pedar Foss, a professor of classical studies at DePauw University in Indiana who is writing a book on the famous eruption of Mount Vesuvius. The wording of Pliny the Younger's letter, Foss said, suggests that Herculaneum was buried as Pliny the Elder was sailing by it. "The soldier would not have arrived in time to be on the beach, unless Elder Pliny sent an earlier detachment in that direction," Foss said.

However, some scholars did agree with Sirano's interpretation of the skeleton remains, saying the soldier could have been part of Pliny the Elder's rescue force. Andrew Wallace-Hadrill, a classics professor at the University of Cambridge who has conducted extensive research and conservation at Herculaneum, said there is a "very strong" chance that the soldier is from Pliny the Elder's rescue fleet. The soldier "was no ordinary squaddy and probably a member of the Praetorian Guard," Wallace-Hadrill said. Pliny the Elder's fleet was the largest group of ships in the Mediterranean, and Pliny as commander would "have had such a guard. So there is a good chance that this is one of his staff, sent to help," Wallace-Hadrill said.

Some scholars said we may never know for certain whether this soldier was a member of that rescue fleet.

Archaeologists found weapons, armor, and gold and silver coins near the soldier's remains. (Image credit: Photo courtesy Parco Archeologico di Ercolano)

"In theory, it is just about possible that someone from his fleet managed to reach Herculaneum despite the pumice. But that's about as far as I feel we can take this story at this point," said Daisy Dunn, an author who has written extensively about the eruption and who holds a doctorate in classics and art history from University College London. "As exciting as the idea of an identification is, it would be very tricky, if not impossible, to say conclusively that a specific skeleton belonged to one of Pliny's men  even if it actually did," Dunn said.

The team will be conducting new excavations on the beach site this year. The skeletons and artifacts are in storage.

Originally published on Live Science.
We could soon start getting answers to some vexing UFO questions.

Over the past few years, we've learned that U.S. Navy pilots commonly see unidentified flying objects , some of which appear to be far faster and more maneuverable than their own aircraft.

You've probably seen footage of a few such encounters , thanks to Christopher Mellon, who served as deputy assistant secretary of defense for intelligence under President Bill Clinton and President George W. Bush.

Related: 7 things most often mistaken for UFOs

In 2017, after he had left his position with the U.S. government, Mellon gave three recently declassified Navy UFO videos to the New York Times, the CBS news program "60 Minutes" reported on Sunday (May 17) . The Times then published a blockbuster story about the videos and the Advanced Aerospace Threat Identification Program (AATIP), a Pentagon project tasked with investigating such sightings.

Mellon told "60 Minutes" that he took this step because he was concerned that not enough was being done to investigate UFOs, or UAPs ("unidentified aerial phenomena"), as they've been rebranded in U.S. military parlance.

"It's bizarre and unfortunate that someone like myself has to do something like that to get a national security issue like this on the agenda," Mellon told "60 Minutes" reporter Bill Whitaker.

And it is indeed a national security issue, U.S. Senator Marco Rubio (R-Fla.) told Whitaker. "Anything that enters an airspace that's not supposed to be there is a threat," Rubio said. After all, the reported UAPs might be some kind of advanced aircraft developed by an adversary nation such as Russia or China. (Mellon told Whitaker that the vehicles were definitely not developed by the Pentagon.)

That's not the only possible explanation, of course. For example, experts have also suggested that the sightings might arise from issues with the Navy jets' instruments (although pilots report seeing the UAPs with the naked eye as well). And then there's the idea that the UAPs could represent some sort of alien technology . Occam's Razor may relegate this idea toward the bottom of the list of possibilities, but it remains there nonetheless.

People like Mellon, Rubio and former AATIP official Luis Elizondo, who declassified the three videos that Mellon passed to the Times, are eager to get to the bottom of the mystery. At the very least, they hope that finding an explanation will help determine if the UAPs could pose any threat to national security. And Rubio has taken some action on this front.

In December, Rubio asked the Pentagon and the U.S. director of national intelligence to investigate the UAP issue and deliver an unclassified report to Congress within six months. (Rubio led the Senate's intelligence committee at the time. Democrats took control of the Senate after the last election, so the committee is now chaired by Virginia Democrat Mark Warner; Rubio serves as vice chair.)

That six-month stretch is almost up. The report is due next month, and Rubio seems eager to see it.

"I want us to take it seriously and have a process to take it seriously," he told Whitaker, who had asked what Rubio wanted done about UAPs. "I want us to have a process to analyze the data every time it comes in  that there be a place where this is cataloged and constantly analyzed until we get some answers. Maybe it has a very simple answer. Maybe it doesn't."
Denham Springs, LA (70726)

Today

Sunshine and clouds mixed. High 91F. Winds SW at 5 to 10 mph..

Tonight

A few passing clouds. Low 73F. Winds WSW at 5 to 10 mph.
Heart of Fire: An Immigrant Daughter's Story

By Mazie K. Hirono

Viking. 397 pp. $28

- - -

Thomas Jefferson was one of the first Americans to write a political memoir. Penned late in his life to settle debts, it sold tens of thousands of copies. Ulysses S. Grant, dying of throat cancer, also sought to raise money for his heirs by writing an account of his Civil War experiences. Grant's hugely successful "Personal Memoirs" earned the equivalent of $12 million today.

Since then the political memoir genre has exploded. In the past 50 years more than 100 senators have written them, including, most memorably, Margaret Chase Smith, Barry Goldwater, Bill Bradley, Gary Hart, John McCain, Alan Simpson, Paul Tsongas, Lowell Weicker and Paul Wellstone.

Some use their political memoirs to settle scores, others to advance their careers. The most successful and satisfying make a significant political argument or draw back the curtain to reveal previously unknown details and truths about the authors and the events they have witnessed. In this regard "Heart of Fire," which traces Mazie Hirono's journey from poor immigrant to U.S. senator, is partially successful.

When Hirono writes about her childhood, her mother and family, their arrival in Hawaii from Japan, and the poverty, hardship, fear and struggle they faced, "Heart of Fire" is a revelatory, evocative, deeply moving book.

The sections dealing with Hirono's political rise in Hawaii and her time in Congress are more guarded and less compelling. It is no surprise that Hirono, a Democrat who has been an outspoken critic of Donald Trump and Republicans in media interviews, frequently uses colorful and salty language in expressing her opposition to them here.

Hirono does call out some political allies and others she believes have crossed her or let her down along the way. But as a Democratic senator she clearly feels constrained from making significant criticisms or revelations about her own party and leadership. The most candid political memoirs are often written once someone is out of power - the most recent example being former House speaker John Boehner's "On the House."

Hirono, 73, has surely lived a memoir-worthy life. The Senate's first Asian American woman and Buddhist, she is also the only immigrant currently in the Senate. She launched her political career 40 years ago and has served as a Hawaii state representative, lieutenant governor, member of the U.S. House and, since 2013, U.S. senator.

Hirono describes her father as an abusive alcoholic and compulsive gambler. Her mother fled Japan when Hirono was 9, bringing her children to Hawaii and working menial jobs for low wages to keep them fed. Hirono writes that her childhood insecurity strongly influenced her decision to enter politics: "It helped fuel my desire to study law and to position myself in rooms where I could advocate for those who were as vulnerable as our family had once been." She has also been a fierce advocate for anti-discrimination legislation and this spring sponsored a bill to combat coronavirus-inspired hate crimes against Asian Americans, which passed the Senate 94 to 1 on April 22 and cleared the House 364 to 62 this past week.

Hirono's "deep emotional connection" to her mother, Laura Chieko, is evident throughout the book, which is dedicated to the woman "who dared everything, and whose compass is my surest guide." Hirono credits her mother's love and constant support with enabling her accomplishments and teaching her that "we should not be afraid of that which is hard, because struggle builds character." She writes that her mother "had lived as if nothing was truly impossible, and her determination - the heart of fire she carried within her ... had set a powerful example for us. She had worked tirelessly to make it possible for me to become a woman with outsize dreams."

Like her mother, Hirono is clearly a no-nonsense, hard worker who does not indulge in self-pity. Nowhere is this more evident than in her brief description of her 2017 battle with Stage 4 kidney cancer, which required the removal of a kidney and part of a rib. Worrying that then-Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) would call a vote on repealing the Affordable Care Act while she was recuperating, she writes that she was "fully prepared" to be wheeled from her hospital bed to the Senate to cast a vote. While that proved unnecessary, Hirono was back in her Capitol Hill office two weeks after surgery.

During debate on the measure she shared her personal story, and it was a watershed moment for Hirono. Previously she tried to use the "restrained civility" expected of a woman in politics and of someone with her cultural background. But the 2016 election unleashed her and motivated her to publicly take on Trump, his political appointees and her GOP Senate colleagues, prompting Trump to label her "nasty," a term he has used to describe many other women including Nancy Pelosi, Kamala Harris and Hillary Clinton.

One of the few revelatory anecdotes in the book involves Clinton and her book about the presidential campaign, titled "What Happened." When Hirono attended Clinton's 70th birthday party a year after the 2016 election, she asked her to sign the book and told Clinton there were two words missing from the title. "Hillary didn't miss a beat. 'I know right? What the F--- Happened!' " she replied.

Like Clinton, Hirono doesn't mince words when it comes to Trump and congressional Republicans. "There was no end to the cruelty, compulsive lies, and outright fraud perpetrated by Trump and his enablers. ... Our nation had entered the Twilight Zone, a dark place filled with simpering Republican zombies ... cowardly sycophants who had abdicated their responsibility to the American people by refusing to hold the rogue president accountable for his offenses."

In many ways "Heart of Fire" is two books: Hirono's courageous and vivid depiction of growing up in Hawaii as a poor immigrant, and her account of a political life, laden with details but lacking the same vibrancy and candor. Uniting the two, however, is the fire Hirono inherited from her mother, which she has used to oppose Trump and congressional Republicans. Hirono now sees herself "as a fighter in the resistance ... intent on doing all I [can] to stop the wrongs committed against the people I had pledged to serve."

- - -

Linda Killian, a Washington journalist and author, is an American University doctoral candidate focusing on the founding period and political history. Her most recent book is "The Swing Vote: The Untapped Power of Independents."
Click here to read the full article.

Fox News filed a motion Tuesday to dismiss a massive $1.6 billion lawsuit from by voting-technology firm Dominion Voting Systems, citing concerns about freedom of speech and introducing a new development to the closely-watched case.

In the motion, Fox News said Dominion failed to identify any actionable defamation by Fox News and did not stipulate facts that Fox News presented the items Dominion challenges with actual malice.

The freedoms of speech and press would be illusory if the prevailing party could obtain billions of dollars from the press because it provided a forum for the losing side, said Chip Babcock and Scott Keller, two attorneys representing Fox News Media in the matter.

Dominion Voting was not able to provide immediate response.

Dominion filed its lawsuit in March in the Superior Court of Delaware, alleging Fox News falsely claimed the company had rigged the 2020 election, repeated items about the matter and subsequently refused to engage as Dominion made efforts to set the record straight. The 2020 election was not rigged and its results were certified by multiple legal processes. In its case, Dominion cited appearances by Trump aides Sidney Powell and Rudy Giuliani on Fox News programs anchored by Maria Bartiromo and Lou Dobbs, during which they made false claims about Dominions role in the election..

Dominion said in its suit that it emailed corrections and facts to reporters and producers, including those who oversaw and managed content for Fox shows Lou Dobbs Tonight, Sunday Morning Futures, Mornings with Maria, Justice w/ Judge Jeanine, Hannity, and numerous other Fox shows. An email was sent directly to Bartiromo as well, the company said, and Dominion also communicated with Fox News Media CEO Suzanne Scott and President Jay Wallace.

Another voting company, Smartmatic, has filed a $2.7 billion suit against Fox News on similar grounds. Fox News has sought to have that matter dismissed.

Foxs motion to dismiss also states that Dominion failed to state a claim under any applicable pleading standard and said Fox News coverage of the matter was protected because it addressed statements regarding matters of public concern.

Damages sought in the case are significant, and other news companies have been hurt by defamation suits. Walt Disneys ABC News in 2017 grappled with a $1.9 billion lawsuit from a South Dakota meat producer that alleged the news operation defamed Beef Products Inc. about the safety of low-cost processed beef trimmings referred to in a report as pink slime. Disney subsequently disclosed costs of $177 million related to the settlement of the case.

Sign up for Varietys Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
Click here to read the full article.

Last Fridays re-release of Nicki Minajs breakout 2009 mixtape Beam Me Up Scotty comes as a growing number of popular artists open up their back-catalogs to streaming platforms. For artists whose profile grew at the height of the blog era, many of these early releases offer a look at important moments of experimentation. The Weeknds House of Balloons and Jhene Aikos Sailing Soul(s) mixtapes hit streaming in March; Lil Waynes iconic 2009 mixtape No Ceilings last August; a smattering of Drake loosies were collected into his Care Package compilation in 2019. The re-release of Beam Me Up Scotty comes with three new songs, plus much of the original tape, creating fertile ground for discovery and re-discovery across the Nicki Minaj fandom.

Its also a reminder of a different time. Minajs ascent came as rap made by women seemed to be on the decline. The number of women signed to major labels reportedly went from more than 40 to just three between the late eighties and 2010; after her arrival, Minaj became a singular figure in music for almost a decade. Pink Friday, Minajs debut studio album released in 2010, became the first solo album by a woman rapper to go platinum in seven years.

Beam Me Up Scotty paved the way for that accomplishment. While it was the mixtapes Lil Wayne feature, I Get Crazy, that made it to the rap charts, Itty Bitty Piggy stands out as the classic record. On the re-release, it replaced I Get Crazy as the first track of the mixtape cuts. On her remix of Soulja Boys Donk, Nicki masterfully raps over the pummeling, hyperactive production. Across both tracks she establishes her wit and vocal dynamism as indelible instruments. Theres her theatrical delivery, like when she raps: So Im up in Mandalay, eating mang-ohhs/Keep a couple pink toes in my sand-olhhs/Got some bangles all over my ank-olhhs/Such a star, they singing the Star Spang-olhd Ba-ba-ba-ba-ba-banner! on I Get Crazy, with prissy elongation. And her playful charm, like on Itty Bitty Piggy, when she sings nursery rhymes to her haters. These bitches so cranky/Get em a hanky/M-mommy, Im cold/Gimme my blankie.

At the same time, Minaj brought a more down to earth humanity to her persona with revealing spoken interludes. In the end, its not going to be about my talent, you know? she says gently on Intro, a poignant moment on the tape. Its gonna be about who wants it the mostand I want it the most.

Beam Me Up Scotty also takes listeners to a time before any of Minajs varied transgressions, proven and alleged, had come to the surface. The most sinister accusation, as reported by the Daily Beast, is that associates of hers and her husband spent months in 2020 harassing the woman he was convicted in 1995 of sexually assaulting. Minaj claimed that her husband, Kenneth Petty, was wrongfully accused. The survivor is adamant that Petty attempted to rape her, and that she never tried to recant her report, as Minaj claimed on a 2019 episode of her Apple Music show Queen Radio. The survivor also says that a barrage of harassment and intimidation led her to move three times last year, eventually out of state. On Fractions, a new song bundled in the Beam Me Up Scotty re-release, Minaj seems to take account of these claims: Im the one who run the city where they armed and vicious/Accusations on them blogs and they all fictitious, are her first bars on the track.

Minaj also oversees a brazen fan army, the Barbz, who will cyberbully her critics with or without her provocation. In the summer of 2018, while Nicki promoted her last studio album, Queen, Minaj sent an insult laden DM to a freelance writer who mildly critiqued her output on Twitter. After the writer publicly condemned the messages, she said she received distressing comments across her social media, email, and cellphone, targeting not only her, but her four-year-old daughter. And while Nicki made critics the opposition, she cozied up with rap-villian Tekashi69, even after he pled guilty to a sex crime against a child, and again after he testified against the gang affiliates that aided his ascent.

Twelve years after Beam Me Up Scotty, there are many more women making popular rap music and theres no doubt that Nicki Minajs success has inspired the variety and competition that exists now. From harsh critic Azealia Banks to Latto (f.k.a. Mulatto), a self-proclaimed Barb, there has been a parade of women rappers that have been molded by Nicki Minaj since shes broken out. Rising artists like Yung Baby Tate and Iamdoechii and new stars like Doja Cat and Megan Thee Stallion are her lineage. Women across rap explore the contours of their voices, building on a framework established by Nicki. They complement their raps with delicate singing. They have tapped into her over-the-top wardrobe and wigs. Many came up remaking Nickis songs and at their most fortunate, theyve been able to collaborate with her. Now, the current landscape of women in rap outshines Nicki Minajs seminal mixtape.

Today, theres a more seamless integration of disparate genres and moods across rap by women; there are more modern and intricate production choices; theres a wider array of flows and cadences; there are rappers with stronger singing chops. The re-release of Nicki Minajs breakout mixtape is a ploy of nostalgia, and for many a welcome one, but its most valuable as a reminder of how far rap music has come  and that it could be headed to a place where Nicki Minaj may become obsolete.

Sign up for Rolling Stone's Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
Click here to read the full article.

For the third edition of its Key Buyers Event, a three-day content market showcasing the latest Russian productions to international buyers, state film promotion body Roskino is expanding the co-production market it introduced last year.

The revamped event is the result of a collaboration with When East Meets West, the Trieste Film Festivals co-production forum, which is dedicated to fostering partnerships between producers in the former Eastern Bloc and their counterparts in the more developed industries of the West.

Running parallel to the Key Buyers Event, which takes place online June 8-10, WEMW Goes to Russia will feature roughly 20 Russian projects in search of foreign co-producers, and up to 10 international projects in advanced stages of financing that will be pitched to prospective Russian partners.

Roskino topper Evgenia Markova says that when it came time to discuss the details of the collaboration with When East Meets West, Our interests matched perfectly.

As its name suggests, the Key Buyers Event was originally conceived in 2019 as a showcase for new Russian content primed for the international market. Last years virtual event attracted roughly 200 foreign buyersa nearly fourfold increase from the inaugural editionincluding execs from companies such as RTL Group, AMC Networks, CGV Mars, Wild Bunch, Beta Film, and Chinese streaming service iQIYI.

But in the year that spanned the two editions, Markova saw the growing potential to use the Key Buyers Event as a platform for closer collaborations between Russian producers and their foreign counterparts. It was the right choice, she says, because the market got more mature in this [period]. We saw it from the [Russian] market. And from the global market, we saw the demand for these co-production projects.

Last years co-production market showcased more than 40 Russian projects in development, including feature, documentary, and animated films, as well as live-action and animated series, from leading production outfits such as Metrafilms, Yellow, Black and White, and Wizart Animation.

For WEMW Goes to Russia, Roskino received more than 70 submissions from Russian producers; internationally, nearly 60 projects from 25 countries applied for the forum.

Along with pitching sessions for selected projects, the program will include a host of presentations and panel discussions that will help foreign producers get a better understanding of co-production and funding opportunities in Russia, a country that has moved aggressively in recent years to become more accessible for international partners, and more open, according to WEMW head Alessandro Gropplero.

In 2019, the Russian government introduced a cash rebate of up to 40% in order to woo foreign producers to the country; that same year, the culture ministry launched a fund to support Russian minority co-productions. The application deadline for that fund was moved this year from March to August, ensuring that co-productions born out of the WEMW Goes to Russia forum will have the opportunity to apply.

A vast country of nearly 150 million with a booming domestic production sector, Russia has the potential to be a sleeping giant for global production, according to Gropplero. I have the feeling that its starting to wake now.

There are more and more high-profile directors with stories with international potential, he continues. Very strong producers and companies behind [them] that know exactly how to co-produce, and what they need in terms of co-productions. A prime example is Petrovs Flu (pictured), an ambitious international co-production from Russian director Kirill Serebrennikov (Leto), which festival watchers have tapped for a Cannes premiere.

With Russia selected as the focus country for the 2022 edition of When East Meets West, Gropplero stresses that our idea of collaboration is not just a single event. Its perfect to start now, he adds, in order to make it more organic, to make it [have] more impact, andin order to create a partnership with two different and complementary events.

Sign up for Varietys Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
Click here to read the full article.

The late EDM star Avicii was not just an arena act  hes now an arena namesake. A venue in his native Sweden formerly known as the the Ericsson Globe has been renamed the Avicii Arena, the Stockholm facility announced Wednesday.

Said Klas Bergling, the father of Tim Bergling, aka Avicii, It was a significant milestone in Tims career when he played here nine years ago, and he would be extremely proud that this iconic building from today will bear his name.

The venue will become a symbol for a new initiative with partners for preventing mental illness for the young people of Sweden, the naming announcement said. Klas Bergling said the hub for sharing ideas and host activities with the focus on young peoples mental health, said Bergling.

Avicii died by suicide in April 2018. His father founded the Tim Bergling Foundation after the DJs death, along with his wife, Anki Liden. The Bergling Foundation and ASM Globals Stockholm Live joined forces in agreeing on the naming rights, with Trygg-Hansa and Bauhaus as sponsors.

Klas Bergling hopes to see the landmark on the Stockholm skyline become a hub for awareness of mental health issues among the young. Globally, suicide is the second most common cause for death among the 15-29 age groups, he said. This highly distressing statistic must be changed. Its only together we kind find a way to make a difference #ForABetterDay.

To celebrate the arenas new moniker, the Royal Stockholm Philharmonic Orchestra has released a new symphonic version of Aviciis song For a Better Day with vocals by 14-year-old Kristianstad native Ella Tiritiello, accompanied by a laser-filled music video filmed atop the venue.

The Tim Bergling Foundation initiated a survey last year that is due to be presented to Swedens Prime Minister this summer. It is only by listening to the young people and working with them that we can really make a difference, Klas Bergling said. We will start from that in everything we do. We call the collection of young peoples thoughts For a Better Day because we focused our surveys on what they need for a better tomorrow, and their answers will form the basis of our work inside and outside the Avicii Arena.

Sign up for Varietys Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
Click here to read the full article.

Manolo Cardona has come a long way since Beverly Hills Chihuahua. The Colombian actor had a recurring stint on Netflixs Narcos and has now returned to the streamer headlining one of its hottest Spanish language series: Quien Mato a Sara? (Who Killed Sara?).

There, he plays Alex Guzman, an ex-convict, a hacker extraordinaire and the titular characters brother. Cardona is by no means a stranger to being a leading man, having starred in San Sebastian International Film Festival, Sundance Film Festival and Goya Award-winning Spanish language and indie films, as well as playing notorious playboy Porfirio Rubirosa and Jesus on TV back to back. But this is the first time Cardona has entered the global stage, front and center, in a series that millions are viewing  and whose May 19 second-season drop they are eagerly awaiting.

What did you think of your character and how he handles grief when you first read the script?

I found him to be a fascinating and multi-faceted character  and many of those facets evolve or come forth over different stages of his life in the show. I think that is what makes the dramatic arc of the character compelling. [Creator] Jose Ignacio Valenzuela is incredible at writing multidimensional characters who go through dramatic mood shifts along the way of finding out what happened to Sara.

Did you have to learn any computer skills for the job of playing your character? How about action sequences?

The work I put into the character was done over several small stages, and it involved researching and mostly talking. I was able to chat with people who had those kinds of experiences  who had convictions that had gone in their favor and those who had been wrongfully convicted. I spoke to many psychiatrists and psychologists regarding certain mental illnesses and disorders that transpire in some people who have been in prison for many years that have been accused of something that they did not commit.

I also had to do a lot of physical work because Alex Guzman is a personal gym trainer, that is how he meets Rodolfo. Thats how they became friends. So, I had to train for many months to get in peak fitness shape. As far as computing, I had some prior knowledge, but I studied certain sequences and algorithms and topics like hacking for many months, to make it as current and as believable as possible.

How, if at all, has your perception of Alex changed from Season 1 to Season 2?

As a young man, Alex is charismatic, good-natured, innocent and has a good vibe. But, after what happens to his sister and the aftermath, he has this whole personality change and practically becomes another person. We first meet Alex when he is preoccupied with finding out what happened to Sara and detaching himself from the Lazcano family. In the second season, theres an interesting turn because Alex finds out things he didnt know before, information he didnt have in the first season, and it is going to alter quite a bit what he thought his motivations were and how he is going to start re-entering society.

This series challenges the idea of justice, and how you get it. Do you consider Alex to be a vigilante hero?

I looked for certain subtleties to humanize him so that people would feel empathy for him amid the significant pain he has gone through while also carrying out this grand mission. I cant judge the character because, obviously, I have to interpret him in the best way and accompany him on his journey. But, if youre asking me, Manolo Cardona, well, I believe in forgiveness, reconciliation, empathy and love. But, were talking about Alex Guzman, who is completely blinded by his quest to deal with his problems by finding what he thinks is justice.

Why do you think Who Killed Sara functions as an intriguing, addictive mystery?

It is well-written, and I think it helps that it is full of suspense and mystery. It combines the best of Agatha Christie with lots of action, romance, and drama, and it also touches on taboo subjects that perhaps had not been explored in Latino TV in this way. I think many people connect with and relate to the traumas that these characters are going through. I also think it is exceptionally well-produced, directed, acted, photographed  it is a series that we are so proud and grateful for, and Im ready to take on many more like it.

Was any part of the filming process during COVID-19? What were some of the obstacles the cast and crew faced during the pandemic?

Oh God, there were several. When we were filming the first season we were about a month from wrapping up before the pandemic hit. We had to pause filming for almost six months, and we had to re-shoot a lot of the first season, as well as finish it. The good thing is that Netflix had seen what we had filmed prior to the pandemic and they liked it so much, they approved the second season. So, we ended up filming both and I think it was a blessing and the best thing that could have happened to the show, because now fans dont need to wait too long for the second season to come out. I think it is something that the audience appreciates a ton because theyre ready for the second season and havent forgotten anything from the first one.

What do you think about the surge of interest and demand for Spanish-language content in the United States?

I feel very honored, happy and proud. We hope that the show parts the seas, so to speak, for Latin American content. Breaking these barriers is only achievable through a platform like Netflix because it reaches so many people worldwide. And if it goes viral, and if lots of people are connecting to it, then its a testament to how good a Latin American series can be. Hopefully, Who Killed Sara? is one of many that permeates the global market. So, Im incredibly proud to present this Latino show to the rest of the world.

Things you didnt know about Manolo Cardona:

Age: 44

Hometown: Popayan, Cauca, Colombia

Whats in a name? Manolo isnt just his stage name, its also his family nickname. The actor was born Manuel Julian Cardona Molano but has been referred to as Manolo all his life.

Knack for drama: In addition to performing, Cardona also hosted Telemundos version of Temptation Island in the early aughts.

Jetsetter: Cardonas career has taken him all over Latin America and across the globe  some of his passport stamps include Peru, Mexico, Panama, Spain and the United States.

This interview has been translated from Spanish and condensed for clarity.

Sign up for Varietys Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
The U.S. Department of Education announced that over $430 million will be made available for institutions of higher education before the end of May, with TAMIU and Laredo College and receiving $29,210,965 and $26,538,441, respectively.

This means that additional grants for students will be available to apply for which will help with expenses resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic throughout this past year.

TAMIU President Dr. Pablo Arenaz said that with food and job insecurity along with rent presenting issues to students statewide, the grants will be available to help. He added that a number of emergencies originated amid the pandemic, many heartbreaking, and that the CARES Act and these additional funds would help.

The American Rescue Plan outlined different ways of using the funds that would have the greatest impact on students. The first and most straightforward is financial grants for students with exceptional needs, specifically for students and/or their families that have experienced housing and/or food insecurity, loss of employment, reduced income and other unexpected expenses.

Under this option, the ARP also states that institutions can also consider students who did not complete a FAFSA application.

Education institutions can also divert funds into retention plans that focus on providing students academic or mental health support in order to retain them and reengage them.

Institutions can reengage students by discharging student debts at their institution accrued during the pandemic so students can re-enroll, continue their education or obtain their official transcript to continue their education, transfer to another post-secondary institution, and/or secure employment, the Department of Education states.

Lastly, colleges and universities can procure items and procedures for evidence-based practices in order to prevent and mitigate the spread of COVID-19, while also including efforts to vaccinate students and the campus communities.

According to Laredo College Associate Vice President for Instruction Dr. Fred Solis, the LC funds will be divided evenly between students and the college. Students can apply for direct aid grants, while the institution uses the institutional portion to procure laptops, hotspots and other tech-focused items.

He added that with the increased expansion of who can receive the direct aid, LC will also look into providing aid to non-credit students, dual-enrolled students and Dreamers.

At TAMIU, Arenaz paralleled the move regarding the expansion of students who can receive aid, adding that international students and students relegated to online-only programs will be eligible. Over the next year, TAMIU will have to give out $14.7 million to students in emergency financial aid, and the expansion will help reach more students.

In the efforts to retain students, a focus on readjustments to a return to face-to-face classes will be funded. Additionally, the counseling staff at the university has been expanded in order to address the stress students have had during the past year.

In response to the COVID-19 pandemic and to mitigate its impact, TAMIU will be expanding its vaccination operations and will host vaccinations during their face-to-face summer orientation, Arenaz said. It will focus on students who want to get vaccinated but could not during the months prior.

As of Tuesday, institutions have not received the funding, but they now have a firm idea of when to expect it thanks to the Department of Education.

During a virtual Conversation with Cuellar event Tuesday morning held by Laredos Rep. Henry Cuellar, college and university leaders discussed the plans regarding the funds provided, how the grant process will work and what it will cover. According to Cuellar, $36 billion will be allocated to nearly 3,500 public and private higher education institutions across the nation as part of the American Rescue Plan.

An additional $3 billion will be distributed at a later date, Cuellars office states, that will target Hispanic serving institutions, historically black colleges and universities, tribal colleges and universities, and other under-resourced institutions.

The success of our local colleges and universities is critical to the success of our students and to the strength of this community, Cuellar said. The American Rescue Plan makes a historic investment that will secure the future of these valued institutions and provide struggling students with urgent relief that will allow them to stay on track and complete their education. I am proud that we were able to deliver this critical support for institutions of higher education, and I applaud the Biden-Harris Administration for its relentless focus on defeating the pandemic and building back a better economy.

The colleges and universities in and around Texass 28th District receiving funding under the American Rescue Plan are:

Atascosa County:

Coastal Bend College: $8,677,507.

Bexar County:

Northeast Lakeview: $7,779,472.

Northwest Vista College: $26,961,264.

Our Lady of the Lake University: $6,094,516.

San Antonio College: $32,143,060.

Texas A&M University - San Antonio: $18,061,798.

University of the Incarnate Word: $15,294,334.

University of Texas at San Antonio: $86,579,734.

University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio: $4,017,841.

Webb County:

Laredo College: $26,538,441.

Texas A&M International University: $29,210,965.

Rio Grande Valley:

South Texas College: $73,866,947.

University of Texas Rio Grande Valley: $101,411,829.

cocampo@lmtonline.com
On Tuesday, Texas Gov. Greg Abbott issued an executive order, effective June 4, removing the ability for city or county governments to require masks. The order also states that public schools will also no longer be allowed to require students or staff to wear a mask on campus.

David Garcia, UISDs Associate Superintendent for Human Resources, said that the districts position is simply to adhere to the governors executive order and not mandate the use of masks from the effective date on. He adds that the district will begin to inform teachers, staff and parents about the order and its changes.

Theres the fact that come August, basically we are going to be going face-to-face. There will be no requirement of any individuals, students or parent that walk into one of our facilities to wear a mask, Garcia said. Now if there is voluntary wearing of the mask as a precautionary measure by any individual, of course we are not going prohibit those individuals from doing so.

LISD provided a statement saying that they will be awaiting further guidance from the Texas Education Agency on Abbotts executive order but that it had also begun planning a return to school plan prior to the announcement.

Garcia said that in cooperation between the city, UISD and other agencies across Laredo, vaccinations will still be promoted and encouraged throughout the summer. He said that while the vaccination is voluntary, UISDs reasoning supports and provides options to receive the vaccine during their scheduled clinics.

All of us have been informed of the risks that are involved if we do not vaccinate, and of course we will always be advocates for the health, safety and well-being of the general public, but more especially of the students that we are entrusted to serve, Garcia added.

Both UISD and LISD have recently started vaccinating students 12 years and older after the Pfizer vaccine was approved for the younger demographic. They will continue to hold vaccine clinics in May, with more information regarding future dates.

LISD stated that another vaccine clinic is slated for Friday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Zachry Elementary for students 12 and up. A second dose clinic for students 16 and up will be held at Shirley Field at the same time. Students attending the Shirley Field clinic will need their vaccine cards.

Harmony Public Schools also issued a response stating that they will keep the current mask requirements until June 4 in accordance with Abbotts order.

Thereafter, the use of masks on Harmony campuses is strongly recommended for non-vaccinated individuals, but ultimately a matter of personal choice, said Harmony in a statement. As school leaders, we fully intend to respectfully support the personal choice of our students and staff in regards to mask use and know that others in the Harmony community will do so respectfully as well.

According to Ovidia Molina, the Texas State Teachers Association President, the order is premature as the Pfizer vaccine for children 12 years and up was only recently approved and there is still no word on approval for those who are younger. There is no other vaccine authorized for those age ranges as of Tuesday.

The Texas State Teachers Association believes Gov. Greg Abbotts order ending all masking requirements in Texas public schools, effective June 4, is premature, Molina said. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has recommended that schools require masks and social distancing for the remainder of the school year because many students have not been vaccinated and will not complete their two-dose regimen of Pfizer vaccines until well into the summer. And many of these children will be attending in-person summer school.

Molina believes that the order should have waited until the CDC issued new mask guidelines for the next school year.

We know some school districts already have ended their mask mandates, and we believe that also is ill-advised, She concluded. The health and safety of our students, educators and communities must remain our first priority as we attempt to emerge from this pandemic.

Additionally, the Texas Faculty Association also disagreed with Abbotts order.

The Texas Faculty Association urges Gov. Greg Abbott to reconsider his order ending mask requirements in government facilities, including universities, said the TFA in a statement. We urge him to allow colleges and universities to continue requiring masks, at least until a larger number of Texans are vaccinated against the coronavirus.

Many Texans are not vaccinated, and university faculty and employees have no way of knowing who is and who isnt vaccinated on their campuses and in their classrooms. Our health and safety and the health and safety of our families are extremely important to us, and that must be a top priority for the governor. We must remain careful as this pandemic continues to run its course.

cocampo@lmtonline.com
GAZA CITY, Gaza Strip (AP)  The Gaza Strips already feeble health system is being brought to its knees by the fourth war in just over a decade.

Hospitals have been overwhelmed with waves of dead and wounded from Israels bombardment. Many vital medicines are rapidly running out in the tiny, blockaded coastal territory, as is fuel to keep electricity going.

Two of Gazas most prominent doctors, including the No. 2 in Gazas coronavirus task force, were killed when their homes were destroyed during barrages since fighting between Hamas and Israel erupted 10 days ago.

Just as Gaza was climbing out of a second wave of coronavirus infections, its only virus testing lab was damaged by an airstrike and has been shut. Health officials fear further outbreaks among tens of thousands of displaced residents crowded into makeshift shelters after fleeing massive barrages.

At one U.N.-run school where 1,400 people were taking shelter, Nawal al-Danaf and her five children were crammed into a single classroom with five other families. Blankets draped over cords crisscrossed the room to carve out sleeping spaces.

The school is safe from the war, but when it comes to corona, with five families in a room, everyone infects each other, said al-Danaf, who fled Israeli tank shelling on the northern Gaza town of Beit Lahiya a few days ago.

Blankets and laundry dangled from the railings of the schools balcony, as women looked down into a yard where children were playing and men sat chatting. No one wore a mask or could do any social distancing in the cramped quarters.

The Gaza Strips health infrastructure was already collapsing before this latest war, said Adnan Abu Hasna, a spokesman for UNRWA, the U.N. agency that provides vital assistance to the 75% of the enclaves population who are refugees. Its frightening, he said.

The sector has been battered by three previous wars between Israel and Gazas Hamas rulers.

This war began May 10 when Hamas fired long-range rockets toward Jerusalem in support of Palestinian protests against Israels heavy-handed policing of the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound, a flashpoint site sacred to Jews and Muslims, and the threatened eviction of dozens of Palestinian families by Jewish settlers.

Since then, Israel has struck hundreds of targets across the Mediterranean coastal strip, and Hamas has fired thousands rockets at Israel. Israel says it seeks to cripple Hamas by targeting its leaders, and military infrastructure, while trying to avoid civilian casualties. But the powerful bombs dropped on crowded Gaza have caused significant damage to the territory's infrastructure.

During each of the wars, hospitals and clinics were damaged or destroyed, and medical personnel killed. And after each, authorities had to slowly rebuild, hampered by the blockade imposed by Israel and Egypt since Hamas took power in 2007.

Other turmoil also weighed on the system. More than two years of weekly Friday Palestinian protests at the border with Israel against the blockade produced a constant stream of casualties from Israeli fire  more than 35,000 injured, many with lifelong disabilities and around 100 still awaiting reconstructive surgery and amputations.

Now health facilities are struggling to handle both the casualties of war and the everyday needs of Gazas 2 million people.

"Its layer-upon-layer of crisis. And there never is really enough time between each crisis to rebuild," said Matthias Schmale, the UNRWA director in Gaza. "The (health care) system has gradually been quite significantly weakened. I wouldnt say its on its knees, but getting close."

Gaza health officials say at least 227 Palestinians, including 64 children, have been killed in airstrikes and more than 1,600 wounded. Twelve people in Israel have been killed by rockets.

The bombardment has driven more than 56,000 Gazans from their homes, fleeing into 59 schools run by UNRWA. The U.N. agency is providing them with water and basic hygiene supplies, including face masks. Unknown numbers more have taken refuge with relatives.

UNRWA learned from the last war, in 2014, when some 292,000 displaced people crammed into its schools and other shelters during 50 days of fighting. Since then, the agency has installed showers, more bathrooms and extra water and electricity capacity into some of the schools in case they might be needed again for shelters, officials said.

So far, the current onslaught has not been as directly destructive to health facilities as 2014, when multiple hospitals and clinics took direct hits from Israeli bombing, as did U.N. schools housing the displaced.

Still, Israeli attacks this time have damaged at least 18 hospitals and clinics, the World Health Organization said. Nearly half of all essential drugs have run out. Schmale said at least three health care centers have been leveled, including a trauma and burn center run by Doctors Without Borders.

Among the sites damaged was the main health care clinic, the only site in Gaza where tests detecting COVID-19 can be analyzed, said Dr. Majdi Dhair, head of preventive medicine at the Health Ministry. As a result, coronavirus testing has halted.

Its like a ticking bomb because people are not tested, and those who are infected wont know that they are infected, Dhair said.

As of Monday, when the clinic was damaged, Gaza had recorded more than 105,000 coronavirus infections, including 986 deaths. Some 80 people were in critical condition with the virus.

Gazas COVID-19 vaccination drive, already slow, has stopped, said WHOs top official in Gaza, Sacha Bootsma.

Just under 39,000 people, or 2% of Gaza's population, have received vaccinations. There are only enough doses to vaccinate another 15,000, and those expire in June, raising fears they will be unusable by the time they can be given.

In a war, there are responsibilities to protect health institutions and health care workers, Schmale said.

He said this week a senior lab technician who works at a main UNRWA health clinic was seriously wounded in an airstrike as he rushed home to help his wife evacuate. He is in intensive care with severe brain damage.

"The price the civilian population is paying is unbearable and unacceptable, and health care workers are an element of that," Schmale said.

"Our staff are as terrified as the rest of the population. They are really afraid to go to work after heavy nights of shelling or bombing."

Only about half of government-run primary care centers are operating. Sixteen of UNRWAs 22 health care centers were working as of Wednesday. Most of Gaza relies on the U.N. centers, according to UNRWA.

All of the governments 13 hospitals are running, though some have sustained damage, and as of Monday, 16 private or NGO-run hospitals were working.

But all are badly in need of emergency medical supplies. WHO listed some 40 key medicines and medical supplies that it is waiting for, including anesthetics, antibiotics, sutures and blood bags. Gazas border with Israel has been closed throughout the fighting.

Also urgently needed is fuel. Electricity output in Gaza has dropped some 60%, forcing hospitals to rely more on fuel-thirsty generators, UNICEF Executive Director Henrietta Fore said in a statement.

During one brief opening, UNRWA was able to bring in five fuel trucks, enough to help it run its facilities for a few weeks. But other trucks of food and medicine could not enter, reportedly prevented by ongoing shelling. Two days ago, Egypt sent in a supply convoy that included medical supplies and fuel, but that fuel is expected to run out Thursday.

If the border stays closed, supplies will begin to run out and we will need so-called humanitarian corridors open to bring stuff in, Schmale said.

___

Batrawy reported from Dubai, United Arab Emirates.
The City of Laredo and the Laredo International Airport are proud to announce a new trial program, through a partnership with the United Parcel Service, that will increase efficiencies in cargo operations.

During a press conference held on Tuesday, city leaders and special guests discussed improvements on the Air Cargo Dual Customs Inspection Program that will save time and costs.

Those in attendance included the honorable Mayor Pete Saenz, Councilmember for District V Ruben Gutierrez Jr., City Manager Robert A. Eads, U.S. Consul in Nuevo Laredo Political and Economic Officer Preston Savarese, Consul General from Mexico in Laredo Juan Carlos Mendoza, UPS District Executive Elia Garcia, and Airport Director Jeffrey Miller.

During this pilot period, the local airport will enhance the Air Cargo Dual Customs Inspection Program with the purpose of increasing efficiency while maintaining security by utilizing UPS existing supply chain within the U.S. to ship cargo from Laredo to the Guadalajara International Airport in Mexico.

Furthermore, merchandise will be pre-cleared in Laredo so that it arrives to Mexico as a domestic shipment. Cost savings are accomplished by utilizing a consolidated shipper and their existing flight route structures in the U.S., which will lower costs for customers.

This efficient and secure pre-clearance pilot will support businesses and economic prosperity on both sides of the border, helping communities to bounce back faster from the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, states Maria Luisa Boyce, Vice President for UPS Global Public Affairs. UPS applauds all the work done by the U.S. and Mexico governments to improve trade facilitation, and we are proud to play a role in these new and exciting developments.

The Laredo International Airport is considered to be the seventh busiest cargo airport in Texas and 55th busiest in the United States. It has also been ranked as the fifth airport in the U.S. for volume of cargo flying to/from Mexico.

The Air Cargo Dual Customs Inspection Program will be a continuous cooperation between the United States and Mexico to increase trade efficiency between both countries.

The City of Laredo is committed to innovating and introducing new procedures for more efficiency in the shipments of cargo and trade.
/

U.S. Border Patrol agents arrested a suspected gang member convicted of manslaughter as he tried to enter the country illegally via south Laredo, authorities said on Tuesday.

Agents had detained a group of six people who had crossed the border illegally. One individual was identified as Pedro Santiago Rivera, a 30-year-old Mexican citizen.
A migrant who crossed the border illegally faces up to life in prison for a failed human smuggling attempt where another migrant died, the U.S. Attorneys Office said on Tuesday.

A federal grand jury charged Jesus Martinez-Villela, 23, with conspiracy to transport 12 undocumented citizens resulting in death. He is expected to appear for his arraignment before a U.S. magistrate judge in Laredo in the near future.

Homeland Security Investigations conducted the investigation with assistance from the U.S. Border Patrol and Texas Department of Public Safety. Assistant U.S. Attorney Yoona Lim is prosecuting the case.

The case unfolded on April 22, when agents assigned to the Cotulla Station received a notification about a pursuit involving Texas DPS. Troopers had attempted to pull over a white Dodge Ram 2500 for a speeding violation at about 7 a.m. between the La Salle and Webb County lines.

The driver went off road and through a private ranch near the intersection of U.S. 83 and Texas 44. DPS later discovered that the Dodge had crashed about one mile into the ranch. Troopers also discovered that the vehicle was reported stolen.

Troopers observed a man with injuries laying on the ground near the crash site. Then, an unresponsive man was found in the bed of the Dodge. He was later pronounced dead and determined to be a Mexican citizen who was in the country illegally.

Twelve migrants were apprehended in the surrounding area. Three received medical treatment for various injuries. Martinez-Villela was initially interviewed as a witness in the case. He claimed to have crossed the border illegally with three others, contradicting the information provided by other immigrants apprehended.

He was re-interviewed on April 23. He then stated information consistent with the rest of the group, states the affidavit. His cellphone appeared to have many of the phone calls and messages deleted, according to court documents.

Material found on his cellular phone indicated Martinez-Villela has been living in the Dallas, Texas area for several months, which contradicted his earlier statement that he was smuggled on this occasion and with this group of 13 others, states the affidavit.

Martinez-Villela denied involvement in the human smuggling attempt. But two immigrants identified Martinez-Villela as the driver of the Dodge.
3 1 of 3 Peter Bischoff/Getty Images Show More Show Less 2 of 3 AP Show More Show Less 3 of 3





SUGAR LAND, Texas (AP)  A Texas man accused of torturing and killing four kittens had worked as a geometry teacher at a Houston-area high school before his arrest, the school district said.

Graham Reid, 29, of Sugar Land, faces four counts of felony cruelty to non-livestock animals. He was arrested in late April, and the Fort Bend Independent School District said this week that Reid is no longer employed with the district.
The principals of Dairy Flat and Wainui Schools have taken no comfort from the Governments recent proposed Setting of Speed Limits Rule, which it says will make streets outside schools safer.

The proposed rule changes are designed to improve the way Waka Kotahi/NZ Transport Agency and regions implement speed management changes.

Included is a proposal to require speed limits outside urban schools to reduce to 30kph (or a maximum of 40kph where appropriate), and a maximum of 60kph around rural schools.

Dairy Flat School principal Debbie Marshall says the school lobbied for years to get the 80kph speed limit on Dairy Flat Highway where it goes past the school gate, to be reduced to 60kph at pick up and drop off times. Flashing signs were put up five years ago to that effect, but Debbie says although this has improved things, it is still unsafe.

A lot of big trucks go past the school, and it is dangerous at pick up and drop off times, she says. Children at rural schools generally dont walk or cycle because of the distances, the lack of cycleway/walkways and traffic volume and speeds.

She wants the speed outside the school to be reduced to 50kph at pick up and drop off.

If a city child is only safe at 40kph, why is 60kph ok for rural children? she asks.

Traffic roars along at 80kph on the section of Waitoki Road that goes past Wainui School  this was reduced from 100kph in the last six years after intense lobbying from principal Gillian Bray and Wainui School parents.

We had to push for that, and we are now in a campaign to get it dropped to 40kph at drop off and pick up times, Gillian says.

Recently representatives of the school board and parent group met with an Auckland Transport (AT) engineer, Police and MP Chris Penk to discuss the issue.

They are talking about 60kph in a couple of years, and we cant wait that long, Gillian says. We want the speeds dropped and flashing signs.

AT spokesperson Mark Hannan says AT is working on a speed limit review for the road outside Wainui School and expects changes to be included in a future bylaw change next year.

We proposed interim measures to improve driver awareness of the Wainui School entrance, Mark says. This will include reviewing the location of school signs. We will upgrade the signs and will also provide additional road markings, including a red band across the road with the word slow on it.

He says nothing specific has been proposed for Dairy Flat School at this stage, but it will be considered as part of the wider roll-out of speed changes around schools.

Gillian says it is unfortunate that rural schools have to fight for these measures.

The number of fast trucks, trade vehicles and traffic volumes are increasing as the area grows. Its too unsafe to suggest walking, even from close by and way too unsafe to bike. This is health and safety  it shouldnt be a fight.

The Setting of Speed Limits Rule 2021, is open for public consultation until Friday, June 25. Info: www.nzta.govt.nz/speedrule2021

Backstories November 14, 2018; June 15, 2016
Logan, WV (25601)

Today

Rain showers in the morning with thunderstorms developing for the afternoon. High 76F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 100%. Rainfall near an inch. Locally heavy rainfall possible..

Tonight

Thunderstorms likely this evening. Then a chance of scattered thunderstorms overnight. Low 68F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 70%.
Logan, WV (25601)

Today

Rain showers this morning with numerous thunderstorms developing during the afternoon hours. High 76F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 100%. Locally heavy rainfall possible..

Tonight

Thunderstorms likely this evening. Then a chance of scattered thunderstorms overnight. Low 68F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 70%.
Sinn Fein TD for Longford Westmeath and Spokesperson on Defence Sorca Clarke for has said that her partys proposals would make housing affordable again.

Speaking in the Dail, Deputy Clarke said: Government is failing on housing. It has become unaffordable for most ordinary workers, while homeownership is out of the reach of a whole generation of young people.

It is becoming increasingly difficult to buy a home as the cost of housing has increased by 30% since 2016, while the cost of renting has increased by 44% in the same period.

Here in the Midlands, house prices have increased by 6.7% in one year, the region outside of Dublin with the highest price increase.

We need to get house prices under control after years of Fianna Fail and Fine Gaels failure and give first time buyers - and others trying to secure a home - a chance.

In Budget 2019, government allocated 300m to deliver 6000 affordable purchase homes by 2021. To date not a single affordable purchase home has been delivered from this funding.

It does not have to be this way. Sinn Fein has the solutions to remedy successive failures and to take immediate steps to make housing affordable again.

We need action now to ensure first time buyers and other working people are able to access affordable homes to rent and buy in both our suburbs, our cities and our towns and villages.

An end to the tax breaks enjoyed by the vulture funds can be implemented immediately while changes to our planning laws will take longer to effect. To add serious insult to injuries inflicted by these funds on our citizens, it transpires that not only was the welcome mat decorated with tax breaks rolled out to greet them but taxpayers money was given to these vultures to allow them to price home buyers out of the housing market.

Sinn Feins Spokesperson on Finance Teachta Pearse Doherty, has called on the Minister for Finance to clarify the level of funding he has provided through the Irish Strategic Investment Fund and Home Building Finance Ireland, to investment funds that have proceeded to snap up new homes.

We also demand an end to the sale or gifting of residential public land to private developers, to ensure that all homes on such land are social, affordable cost rental and affordable purchase.

If the government takes on board our proposals, we can make housing affordable again.
Ensure you get a print copy of the Loudoun Times-Mirror delivered weekly to your home or business!

Complete online access is included with all print subscriptions purchased online. Plus, up to four other members of your household can share online access through this subscription with their own, individual linked accounts at no additional charge.

(Are you a current advertiser? Ask your sales rep for our special advertiser rate code!)
(Alliance News) - The following is a round-up of London-listed company director and manager changes announced on Wednesday and not separately reported by Alliance News:







Distribution Finance Capital Holdings PLC - Manchester-based bank providing personal savings products and working capital to dealers and manufacturers - John Baines resigns as non-executive chair and as a director, effective immediately, having served as chair since July 2017. Senior Independent Director Mark Stephens is appointed interim non-executive chair while a search for a new chair is conducted. Stephens notes that Baines led DF Capital through its initial public offering and the securing of a UK banking license in 2020. DF Capital held its annual general meeting on Wednesday. Resolutions allowing directors to allot shares and granting authority to disapply pre-emption rights in share issues both received 54% support from shareholders. The former resolution passed, as it required only a majority, while the latter failed, as it required 75% support. DF Capital says it will consult with shareholders about the reasons for both votes.







Imperial Brands PLC - Bristol-headquartered tobacco products - Confirms that Lukas Paravicini starts on Wednesday as chief financial officer, replacing Oliver Tant. Paravicini was CFO of agricultural commodities merchant ED&F Man Holdings Ltd. He originally was supposed to start in August, but Imperial Brands last month said his starting date had been moved up.







Abcam PLC - Cambridge, England-based life science research reagents and tools - Senior Independent Director Louise Patten retires. Giles Kerr, on the board since 2018, is promoted to senior independent director.







Alpha FX Group PLC - London-based foreign exchange risk management and international payments - Hires Vijay Thakrar as independent non-executive director, effective immediately. Thakrar, an accountant who was a partner at EY and Deloitte, sits on the board of London listings Alumasc Group PLC, Sanderson Design Group PLC and Treatt PLC.







Redx Pharma PLC - Macclesfield, England-based discovery of treatments for cancer and fibrotic disease - Hires Natalie Berner as non-executive director, starting immediately. Berner is managing director for Therapeutics at venture capital and private equity firm Redmile Group LLC.







Intelligent Ultrasound Group PLC - Cardiff, Wales-based artificial intelligence tools for diagnostic medical ultrasounds - Hires Ingeborg Oie as non-executive director. Oie is CFO of surgical robotics firm CMR Surgical. Prior to that, she was a medical devices and healthcare services analyst at Goldman Sachs Group Inc and Jefferies Financial Group Inc. Oie is a non-executive director of Georgia Healthcare, part of London-listed Georgia Capital PLC.







Tasty PLC - London-based casual dining restaurant chains dim t and Wildwood - Hires Harald Samuelsson as independent non-executive director, starting immediately. Samuelsson was joint managing director of the Cote and Bill's restaurant chains in the UK.







Sportech PLC - Edinburgh-based betting technology - Chris Rigg steps down as non-executive director from May 31, having joined the board in January 2019.







Iconic Labs PLC - London-based media and technology company - Hires Christoph Manthe as non-executive director, effective immediately. Says Manthe has long experience in fund raising, financing, and real estate investing.







Airea PLC - West Yorkshire-based floor coverings manufacturer - Hires Ryan Thomas as finance director and company secretary, starting June 11 and replacing Paul Stevenson, whom Airea previously said was stepping down. Thomas was the finance director of the European division of Eco-Bat Technologies Ltd, a producer and recycler of lead.







By Tom Waite; thomaslwaite@alliancenews.com

Copyright 2021 Alliance News Limited. All Rights Reserved.
(Alliance News) - An EU court on Wednesday said the European Commission failed to make its case when approving the bailouts of KLM and TAP, handing a rare victory to low-cost Irish carrier Ryanair Holdings PLC.

The bloc's Luxembourg-based General Court ordered the EU regulator to redo its paperwork, and offer clearer arguments on why the bailouts conform with competition law.

The court "annuls the Commission's decision to approve the Netherlands financial aid for the airline KLM amid the COVID-19 pandemic on the grounds of inadequate reasoning", a statement said.

"However, the effects of the annulment (including recovery of the aid) are suspended pending a new decision" by the EU, it added, meaning the airlines are not on the hook to pay back the subsidies for now.

The TAP decision involved a low-cost loan from the Portuguese government of EUR1.2 billion, while KLM received a loan and state guarantees worth EUR3.4 billion, the court said. Dutch carrier KLM is part of Air France KLM SA.

Separately, Ryanair lost a challenge to a EUR10 billion rescue fund in Spain for local carriers.

The cases were part of a legal onslaught across Europe by Dublin-based Ryanair to stop bailout deals for the bloc's legacy airlines.

Ryanair has long railed against the support given to national champions, and is often backed by the European Commission which requests that companies make concessions a such as giving up valuable flight slots in busy airports a in return for state aid.A

But state aid rules have been considerably weakened to fight the pandemic and Ryanair had until Wednesday lost all its cases at EU courts.

"Today's rulings in 2 of more than 20 appeals filed to date before the General Court are an important victory for consumers and competition," a company spokesperson said.

Ryanair a Europe's biggest airline in terms of passenger numbers a is also seeking to undo Germany's massive bailout of Lufthansa in the EU courts.

Ryanair last month estimated the total state aid to airlines approved by Brussels since the beginning of the pandemic at more than EUR30 billion, including EUR11 billion to Lufthansa, EUR10.6 billion to Air France-KLM, EUR3.5 billion to Alitalia and EUR1.3 billion to SAS.

Based in Ireland but hugely popular in the UK, Ryanair was able to get a GBP600 million emergency loan back by the UK government in May last year.

source: AFP

Copyright 2021 Alliance News Limited. All Rights Reserved.
(Alliance News) - British Prime Minister Boris Johnson said Wednesday that Covid-19 vaccines are proving effective against a variant that has spread like wildfire in India and denied that the government was being lax on travel from hotspots.

Johnson has been under particular pressure for delaying restrictions on travel to and from India last month, at a time when he was still planning to head to a trade-focused summit in New Delhi.

The trip was eventually called off as India succumbed to a devastating new wave of infections, and it was then quickly added to the UK's "red list", meaning arriving travellers have to quarantine in hotels at their own cost.

But more than 100 flights have arrived from India since then and the variant has been spreading in Britain, especially in areas with large South Asian communities, potentially endangering plans to reopen the economy fully from June 21.

"We have increasing confidence that vaccinations are effective against all variants including the Indian variant," Johnson said in parliament.

"We have one of the strongest border regimes anywhere in the world," he added, after a day of confusion from ministers on Tuesday about whether travel is allowed to "amber" countries including most of Europe.

Travel to amber countries should only be undertaken for "any emergency or extreme reason" such as family illness, the prime minister said.

Health Secretary Matt Hancock meanwhile is under pressure to explain his claim that the rise of the Indian variant in Britain is due to a refusal by some people to get vaccinated.A

Official data has shown the variant actually took hold due to travellers coming from India, raising more questions about the government's delay in adding the country to the red list when Pakistan and Bangladesh were already on it.

The data shows that positive tests among travellers coming from India were higher than those from Bangladesh and comparable to Pakistan, well before the new restrictions took effect for India on April 23.

Hancock told parliament on Wednesday that 2,967 cases of the B1617.2 variant have now been identified in Britain, up nearly one-third since Monday.

Announcing "surge testing" in several more areas, he said "the race between the virus and the vaccine has got a whole lot closer".

But so far the government has insisted it remains on track to lift virtually all restrictions on public life from June 21, after a successful vaccination campaign.

On Wednesday Britain recorded another 2,696 cases of Covid-19 and three more deaths, taking the total to 127,694, one of the world's worst tolls.

jit/jwp/A jz

source: AFP

Copyright 2021 Alliance News Limited. All Rights Reserved.
Take a few minutes and scroll through some of the local news from the past week:
A low-flying airplane similar to this one was performing aerial spaying of wooded areas in several Macomb County communities Wednesday morning.

FACEBOOK PHOTO -- STANLY COUNTY AIRPORT
Macomb/St. Clair Michigan Works! and the Macomb/St. Clair Workforce Development Board have announced the appointment of Justin Al-Igoe as executive director of Macomb/St. Clair Michigan Works! effective May 10.

Al-Igoe has worked with several Michigan Works! Agencies in southeast Michigan. Starting his career as a case manager with Washtenaw County Michigan Works!, he has also served as the assistant director for Livingston County Michigan Works! and the policy and operations manager for Michigan Works! Southeast.

- Advertisement -

Al-Igoe brings nearly 13 years of workforce development experience to Macomb County. Prior to that, he worked on community action programs in Washtenaw County. He is also an officer in the United States Navy Reserve and has completed two overseas tours to the Middle East and Africa.

"Macomb/St. Clair Michigan Works! is an influential organization supporting the Macomb and St. Clair County community, Al-Igoe said. It is an honor to help continue the great work and service that the organization provides to local employers and job seekers. I look forward to leading this organization, which is dedicated to adapting the programs and services it offers in order to meet the evolving needs of our community.

"We want to welcome Justin to Macomb County," Macomb County Executive Mark Hackel said. "His experience and passion for workforce development will be an asset to Macomb/St. Clair Michigan Works!. Working with our great network of partners, Justin will aid us in expanding opportunities for workers and businesses across our community."

"I look forward to working with Justin in his new role at Macomb/St. Clair Michigan Works!," said Jeff Bohm, chair of the St. Clair County Board of Commissioners. "Together, we can create positive momentum for our local business community and workforce."

The Macomb/St. Clair Workforce Development Board administers the Michigan Works! Service System in Macomb and St. Clair counties. Macomb/St. Clair Michigan Works! is an equal opportunity employer/program. It is supported in part by state and/or federal funds and is a partner of the American Job Center network.

Computer coding could count for foreign language credit under bill LANSING (AP)  Instead of learning a foreign language, Michigan students could take computer coding classes to replace the high school graduation requirement, under a bill that passed the state House Tuesday.

Fauci: Reasonable for businesses to keep masks WASHINGTON  The nation's top infectious disease expert is acknowledging "confusion" after the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention last week said fully vaccinated people don't need to wear masks in most instances, even indoors.

Michigan poll: 70% of residents vaccinated or in process; Ford Field COVID vaccine site closes While the mask mandates in Michigan have been lifted for the fully vaccinated, the goal remains to get the COVID vaccine in the arms of 70% of the states eligible population.
A teenager with penchant for helping pets, people  and soon, the planet  is the recipient of the very first Harrison Township Hometown Hero award.

Sidney Bates, 13, was honored at a recent Harrison Township Board of Trustees meeting where she received the award for her charitable work.

The youngster has raised about $11,000 for homeless cats and dogs through a donation drive to benefit Warren-based rescue All About Animals. Her new fundraising efforts will help homeless people and the environment.

- Advertisement -

That's why Harrison Township officials decided to recognize the important work being done by someone who is closer in age to playing with Barbie dolls than registering to vote.

"I just love animals," Sidney said of her passion. "There's a ton of cats in our area and I have my own. After realizing there are so many outside and seeing how they can suffer during a harsh winter, I wanted to make their lives a little easier."

Sidney Bates lives with her parents, Mark and Gretchen Bates, and older brother, Logan, in Harrison Township.

When she was 9, Sidney held a For the Love of Pets collection drive to help All About Animals, a nonprofit dedicated to ending pet overpopulation. In addition to covering the cost of having animals spayed and neutered, the rescue group helps to find homes for animals. The drives were conducted through lemonade and cookie stands in summer months.

With the help of corporate sponsors, Kroger, the Harrison Township Public Library, and Romanelli's International Martial Arts of Clinton Township as well as students in the L'Anse Creuse Public Schools, she's kept the drives going. In March, she took nearly 600 items  kitty litter, canned and dry food, and toys  totaling about $4,600 for the rescue.

More recently, she's turned her efforts to the homeless human population, collecting thermal blankets and other necessities in backpacks being distributed to homeless shelters.

"Our family really values community service," said Sidney's mother, Gretchen Bates. "People need to eat. Kids need toys to play with. People need warn coats and warm boots to wear in the winter. We've put our time and money where our mouths are."

Before Sidney was born, the Bates had a second son, named Jamie, who grew up with special needs as he had Down syndrome, which causes developmental delays and disabilities. He died when he was 2.

To help overcome the grief of his passing, the family started a charity called Jamie's Smiles, which raised $250,000 and distributed the money to organizations that worked with special needs kids.

Harrison Township officials launched the Hometown Heroes program earlier this year in an effort to recognize positive developments going on in the community. A committee consisting of Melissa Goins from the public library, Sue King from the Beautification Committee, Deputy Township Clerk Teri Salgot and township Trustee Brian Batkins were in agreement on who the inaugural award should go to

"The award speaks for itself," Batkins said. "For someone so young who is doing such good in and around the township, Sidney's awesome."

Sidney also received a tribute from the Michigan Legislature from Mark Kay Sogge, a constituent relations director for state Rep. Steve Marino.

Sidney, who attends an online private school and next year will go to a Math, Science and Technology program at Frederick V. Pankow Center, has been an honor student.

She says her next venture will likely be to find ways to combat sewage overflows into Lake St. Clair.

"I looked at how much is going in, it's like 16 billion gallons a year going into the lake and feeds into the Great Lakes, which makes up 21% of the world's freshwater," she said.

"It's a really big problem."

Advancing Macomb and library partner to offer grant resources to nonprofits Nonprofits seeking grant assistance in the harsh financial environment of COVID-19 can now utilize a unique resource, thanks to a partnership 

Computer coding could count for foreign language credit under bill LANSING (AP)  Instead of learning a foreign language, Michigan students could take computer coding classes to replace the high school graduation requirement, under a bill that passed the state House Tuesday.
E-NEWSLETTERS

Keep up with the latest news with one or more of our free email newsletters.

Click Here to Sign up!
Jefferson, GA (30549)

Today

Partly to mostly cloudy with scattered showers and thunderstorms developing this afternoon. High around 85F. Winds W at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 40%..

Tonight

Considerable clouds this evening. Some decrease in clouds late. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. Low near 70F. Winds W at 5 to 10 mph.
Editor

Darren Marcy, a journalist since 1992, is the editor of the Manchester Journal. A New Mexico native, he previously worked for newspapers in the Land of Enchantment before moving to Vermont in 2004. He joined the Journal in October 2018.
By Xin Jianqiang

The conflict between Palestine and Israel has been escalating in recent days, and it is urgent to cease fire and stop the violence. The bloody tragedy once again tells people that only a comprehensive, just, and lasting solution to the Palestinian question can the Middle East truly achieve lasting peace and universal security. While all parties are trying to cool down the situation, the facts once again make it clear that the US's unjust Middle East policy is an important reason why the Palestinian question has not been fairly resolved for a long time.

This round of conflict is the largest between Palestine and Israel since 2014. In the past eight days,about 200 Palestinians were killed in the conflict, and half of them were women and childrenIn addition, about 1,300 people were injured. As for theIsraeli side, ten people were killed, and hundreds were injured.

Over the past 70 years, Palestine and Israel have fallen into a violent cycle of retaliation and counter-retaliation, and bloody conflicts have continued. The situation in the Middle East has generally tended to ease for a period of time, and the number of large-scale bloody conflicts between Palestine and Israel has remained small. This sudden outbreak of conflicts may be surprising, but it is inherently inevitable.

The Palestinian question has never been fairly resolved. Especially in recent years, the Middle East peace process has deviated from its original track, and UN resolutions have not been effectively implemented. In particular, the right of the Palestinian people to establish an independent state has been continuously violated, and the plight of the Palestinian people has further deepened.

The continued Israeli-Palestinian conflict has profound and complicated historical, religious and ethnic reasons. However, at the geopolitical level, the long-standing, unjust US Middle East policy has been criticized by the international community.

During the Trump administration, the US moved its embassy in Israel to Jerusalem and recognized Jerusalem as the capital of Israel. The US also recognized the legal status of Jewish settlements and launched the so-called Middle East Peace Plan, which was cleverly packaged but actually subverted the basic principles of the two-state solution. The US closed the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) office in Washington, cut all funding to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA). Each and every one of these acts seriously harms the interests of the Palestinians.

The Biden administration has always claimed to make adjustments to the practices of its predecessor since taking office; however, he has not taken any actions. After the outbreak of this round of conflict, the Biden administration emphasized that Israel has the right to self-defense. The US became the only country in the UN Security Council that vetoed a joint Palestinian-Israeli ceasefire statement. This not only made the Palestinians in distress angry and disappointed but also drew a lot of criticism within the US and its allies. Le Monde, Frances pre-eminent daily, newspaper pointed out in an editorial that the US government "has no intention of trying to resolve the conflict."

In this round of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, it can be seen that the US government continued its partiality over the Palestine-Israel issue and even openly approved the export of precision-guided weapons worth hundreds of millions of dollars to Israel when civilians, including women and children, were killed and injured. Turkish President RecepTayyip Erdogan said: "You are writing history with your bloody hands."

The famous Syrian poet and philosopher Adonis once said that the Israeli-Palestinian conflict is a metaphor of an era that has condensed human hatred and bigotry, parochialism and selfishness. These words are very thought-provoking.

Only fairness and justice and the consideration of the interests of all parties can reach a plan that is acceptable to all parties on the Palestine-Israel issue. If the Palestinian question is not resolved justly from its root causes, the cycle of returning violence with violence will continue.
MANISTEE  The Manistee real estate office Dwelling Realty has joined the Keller Williams  Northern Michigan team of Realtors.

As the broker/owner of Dwelling Realty  KW Northern Michigan, Brandon Ball has been selling real estate in the Manistee area since 2006.

He was recently named the 2020 REALTOR of the Year by the Mason, Oceana, Manistee Board of Realtors. He specializes in selling resort properties and second homes having earned the RSPS Certification.

Judy Ball has 30 years of experience in marketing and the last five years in the real estate industry.

"As a homeowner, business owner and marketing professional, combined with extensive knowledge of the area and a love of people, Judy Ball is uniquely suited to serve real estate clients and provides an extraordinary experience for buyers and sellers," reads a news release.

Jesse Miller was born in Traverse City and, after being raised most of his life in Nebraska, he returned to Michigan where he received his BSBA from Central Michigan University.

Miller loves real estate, because it is a great way to see the world and to help make other's dreams come true.
Mankato, MN (56001)

Today

Cloudy skies this morning followed by scattered showers and thunderstorms during the afternoon. High around 85F. Winds SW at 10 to 20 mph. Chance of rain 50%..

Tonight

Some clouds this evening will give way to mainly clear skies overnight. Low 63F. Winds NNW at 10 to 15 mph.
A missing woman was found dead off the coast of Cape Cod on Tuesday, authorities said.

A person discovered the womans body in Falmouth Harbor shortly after 10:15 a.m. She was later identified as 34-year-old Sharee W. Daluze, according to a statement from the Falmouth Police Department.

Daluze was last seen around 10:30 p.m. Monday, walking in a parking lot near the Clam Shack off Scranton Avenue, the department said.

Falmouth police and Massachusetts State Police detectives as well as the Cape and Islands District Attorneys Office and the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner are investigating the womans death, according to authorities.

The district attorneys office said theres nothing at this time to suggest foul play, WCVB reported.

We will await the results of an autopsy performed by the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner, the prosecutors office said, according to WCVB.
MASHANTUCKET, Conn.  A former Springfield dentist forced to retire after a 2016 fall at Foxwoods Resort Casino has won a $1.3 million settlement.

Gary Goodman slipped on an accumulation of a liquid substance while walking on the casinos Grand Pequot concourse near Dunkin Donuts, attorney James Harrington of Waterford, Conn., told The New London Day.

Casino surveillance footage was a major factor in the outcome of the case in Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Court, he said.

The footage from June 28, 2016 showed a liquid, probably water, had been dropped by a casino patron and was ignored by multiple employees who failed to clean it up for some 20 minutes when Goodman slipped on it, Harrington said.

Goodman fractured his lower left leg, tore tendons and dislocated his left ankle, which was permanently impaired, his lawsuit against Foxwoods stated.
SPRINGFIELD -- A City Council committee has scheduled a Town Hall remote meeting intended to hear from residents and businesses about how they were harmed by the coronavirus pandemic and how the city might help with grants and other aid.

The virtual meeting is scheduled next Tuesday, May 25, at 7 p.m., being presented by the councils COVID-19 Response Committee.

Committee Chairman Jesse Lederman said that with Springfield expected to receive more than $100 million in COVID-relief funds, it is important to hear from residents and businesses on how they have been impacted by the pandemic and how the City of Springfield can leverage incoming resources to support a strong and equitable recovery.

The meeting is scheduled as new coronavirus cases, hospitalizations and deaths have significantly declined in the city, state and nation, and vaccinations continue to expand.

The COVID-19 pandemic has impacted every aspect of our lives for more than a year, but we are poised to make a strong recovery in the year ahead, Lederman said in a prepared release. The experiences of our community are going to be vital in informing efforts towards that recovery.

The virtual meeting is expected to help provide that platform, Lederman said. City councilors, city departments heads, residents and business owners are expected to be among the participants.

Those wishing to participate in the forum live via Zoom, should visit https://bit.ly/3bFzAiD

Council President Marcus J. Williams said that a dynamic effort on the part of residents has helped lower the COVID-19 rates in Springfield.

As some level of normalcy seems within sight, this town hall will allow residents the opportunity to reflect on the past year and ask city officials whats to come amid changing guidelines, Williams said. The COVID-19 Response Committee has brought together factions of the city to address this pandemic head-on, and this will be another example.

Those wishing to just watch the event live on YouTube, but not participate via zoom, can visit https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V4Z3Qui_Xtg

In addition to councilors, officials expected to join the event are Springfield Commissioner of Health and Human Services Helen Caulton-Harris, Chief Administrative & Financial Officers T.J. Plante, Economic Development Director Timothy Sheehan, and Director of Parks, Building, and Recreation Patrick Sullivan. The Department Heads will provide brief updates at the beginning of the program.

Those residents and businesses who would like to share their input by email can send the information to Lederman at JLederman@springfieldcityhall.com.

A community task force conducted a town hall virtual meeting in March to provide detailed information about coronavirus vaccines and to dispel myths about it.

Related:
HAMPDEN  Vero Health & Rehab of Hampden has been under an admissions freeze since May 11, according to records kept by the state Department of Public Health.

The facility sent a letter to residents families this week saying it had 14 positive cases of COVID-19 among residents, nine cases among staff members and one resident died due to complications from COVID-19.

According to the Department of Public Health, the states Rapid Response Team is helping.

The letter from Vero urges families to give permission for residents to get COVID-19 vaccinations.

Neither Vero Health & Rehab of Hampden nor the corporate headquarters returned calls for comment Tuesday.

Vero is one of eight facilities statewide with an admissions freeze, and the only one of the eight in Western Massachusetts.

Another Vero location, Vero Health & Rehab Worcester on Oriol Street, is also on the list.

Vero Health & Rehab of Hampden this month was also under a visitor restriction due to COVID-19 cases at the facility.

Related content:
Dr. Jay Burton, a primary care physician in Greater Springfield well-known for his efforts to help cancer survivors like himself remain healthy, will take part in A Conversation with Survivors: Lets Talk About Cancer Survivorship, Wednesday, May 26, from 6 to 7 p.m.

The virtual presentation is open to the public who can register at yalecancercenter.org/event/73427/.

The event is a collaboration among Survivor Journeys, the Smilow Cancer Hospital at Yale New Haven Health and the Yale Cancer Survivorship Clinic. It will include a discussion across disciplines addressing what those with a cancer diagnosis at any point in their life should be aware of, and engage in, in terms of continued health and include a time for questions and answers with survivors.

Burton, who founded Survivor Journeys to assist cancer survivors through support groups, educational seminars and other programs, is a survivor of adult acute myeloid leukemia, a type of cancer in which the bone marrow makes abnormal white or red blood cells or platelets.

He is asked here about his own cancer journey and how he helps cancer survivors be aware of medical and other supports needed to remain healthy over time as they transition away from treatment.

What does it mean to be 11 years out from your cancer being in remission?

I feel extremely fortunate to be alive, I have been able to experience so many important family and life events that I never thought would happen. I have met so many interesting people and made new friendships that have led to great life memories. I was able to return to work as a primary care physician.

Founding Survivor Journeys to help provide emotional, social, and educational support for cancer survivors, their families, and caregivers has given my life even more purpose.

I have lived long enough to develop another life limiting condition, Interstitial Lung Disease, that is not related to my cancer or treatment, but requires me to make life adjustments due to symptoms of shortness of breath and additional medications. I have learned not to focus on obstacles, just work to find ways around them.

What care plan have you followed for yourself?

After my first round of chemotherapy in June 2010, I developed pneumonia and lost 50 pounds. When I recovered, I regained 20 pounds and have been able to maintain that healthier weight since then.

I do eat healthier but I am not fanatic about it. I have never been a big red meat eater and that continues. No more than once a week. I eat more green vegetables. I hydrate with at least 1.5 liters (1.5 quarts) of fluid per day. I was walking at least 30 minutes, three-to-four times per week until 2018, but due to my lung illness this has changed to using a foot cycle for 6,000-to-7,000 steps per day and shorter, more infrequent walks.

I am an active participant in my care. I was able to have a Zoom meeting with my primary care physician, pulmonary and kidney physicians this spring because there were four pressing decisions to be made. This was the most efficient method for all involved to discuss the issues together. It was the best medical visit of my life and I encourage people to try to schedule this type of visit at least once a year.

My physicians did think this was a very effective to interact and make decisions, especially with the patient hearing the discussion and being involved in options for care.

Your own year-long-quarantine from a stem cell transplant was 10 years ago this October. What advice to you give those diagnosed with cancer in terms of knowing they are getting the best treatment for their cancer?

When someone receives a diagnosis of cancer, there is an immediate feeling of losing control. That person needs to find small ways to resume control while a plan to treat the cancer is developed and beyond.

Well-meaning friends and family will contact you with cancer treatment stories, including oncologists and cancer treatment centers that you must go to, and this can make your head spin and create even more anxiety.

Most people are not medically trained, so the information is overwhelming. Your plan will be determined by the acuteness of your illness and the comfort level you have with cancer care in your community.

In my case in 2010, the initial treatment for acute myeloid leukemia had been the same everywhere in the world for decades. I felt comfortable initiating chemotherapy locally. However, I needed a stem cell transplant for an attempt at curative treatment and that was not an option locally. I received that stem cell transplant at Brigham & Womens Hospital /Dana Farber Cancer Institute and I have never looked back.

My advice is to educate yourself with regard to your cancer and the treatment options by asking probing questions of your physicians. Also, look at reputable sites on the internet, such as the National Cancer Institute. Do not look at travel outside of your community as a barrier. Look at it as a possible pathway to extend your life.

Get one or more second opinions or more if you do not feel comfortable with what you are hearing. Do not worry that you will offend your physician. Most physicians welcome this. After all, this is your life, and you want to feel that you are doing everything you can to come up with the best decisions.

Always bring someone with you to your medical and test visits. This is easier to do now that COVID-19 restrictions are more relaxed. Four sets of ears and two brains are better than two and one, respectively, when it comes to remembering details of medical visits.

What has been your message during the worst of the pandemic to survivors undergoing treatment?

Follow Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines with regard to masking, social distancing, handwashing, and getting two COVID-19 vaccinations. One important caveat: If you are taking immunosuppressive medications for any reason (including non-cancer conditions) at the time of your COVID-19 vaccinations, there is a high likelihood that you have not formed sufficient antibodies in response to the vaccinations.

The CDC recommendations for this population is to discuss this issue further with their physicians.

I have not formed antibodies to the two COVID-19 vaccinations. I will continue to wear a mask in indoor settings other than my home, as well as socially distance. If I cant socially distance outdoors, I will then wear a mask. Again, this is what I have decided to do. I advise others to speak to their physician for a plan. I also would advise the CDC website for any change in guideline recommendations.

What inroads do you feel Survivor Journeys has made during the last six years?

We started with two support groups (breast and blood cancer) in March 2015. We now have eight support groups, including a caregiver support group, that are all held virtually on Zoom. We have developed a mentoring program in which people who are further along on their cancer journey mentor those that are struggling. We joined Volunteer Management in Cancer Care, a national group of 77 member organizations that are non-profits and cancer centers. If we do not have a local mentor, then we can reach out to the other organizations for a potential match.

Survivor Journeys also has a pet therapy program and Cancer Survivorship 101, an educational event, that is now a series of monthly virtual presentations by national leaders in cancer survivorship speaking on topics essential to our target audience. All of our programs are free.

We have recognized that cancer survivorship support programs have not reached populations in which English is not spoken, or it is a second language. To address this, we started a Spanish-speaking any cancer support group earlier this year.

How much is being done overall to address survivorship for those diagnosed with cancer?

Unfortunately, there is no uniformity to survivorship care. There are robust programs at some cancer treating hospitals and minimal or no programs at other facilities.

There needs to be greater engagement and collaboration by oncologists and primary care providers in survivorship care. Cancer treating centers need to recognize the value of cancer survivorship care for patients. Survivorship care plans or treatment summaries must be provided to patients and primary care physicians at the end of active cancer treatment.

There needs to be more education about cancer survivorship care in the primary care community, as well as interest by these providers to understand the uniqueness of this care and to incorporate it within the primary care practice.

What are you most proud of in your work with survivors and what keeps you going with this work?

I have a unique perspective regarding cancer survivorship because I have experienced cancer and I have been a primary care physician for more than 30 years. I know what services and programs are available and what are not. I am proud of all of the work that our support group facilitators, staff, and our volunteer board members have accomplished throughout our six-year existence.

There are approximately 17 million cancer survivors in the United States and only a fraction of them have been exposed to quality cancer survivorship care or support services.

Survivor Journeys will continue to reach out to those affected by cancer to provide support services and education to create more awareness about the distinct care they require and deserve.

We have collaborated with much larger organizations, cancer centers, and researchers in cancer survivorship to bring much needed cancer survivorship support programs and education to our community. In return, the national cancer survivorship community is aware of Survivor Journeys and this helps us grow which benefits our community.

Related content:
A person convicted of animal abuse could not own an animal or work in a position where animals are present for up to 15 years based on the number of offenses, under a bill advocates pitched Wednesday as a way to protect the safety of animals and prevent abuse.

The legislation, which differs slightly between House and Senate versions (H 1824 / S 1111), was filed by Rep. Tram Nguyen and Sen. Michael Moore. At least 38 other states and Washington D.C. already have some form of animal possession ban statutes in place and supporters of the measure urged lawmakers to align state laws with what they say is a national trend.

Possession bans are key to protecting animal victims and potential future animal victims because theyre one of the most effective ways to ensure that a person convicted of animal cruelty does not reoffend, Nguyen said at a Judiciary Committee Hearing. I want to emphasize that this legislation would protect potential future animal victims without further incarceration. It simply limits a convicted animal abusers access to animals.

The House and Senate versions of animal possession bans largely do the same thing: An individual convicted of dogfighting, mutilation, torture, or other animal abuse cannot own, possess, adopt, reside with, or foster an animal, or engage in a paid or unpaid occupation at any establishment where animals are present.

The House version sets the ban length at not less than five years after the persons release from custody for a first offense and not less than 15 years after the release from a second or subsequent offense. The Senate version places the minimum ban length at five years and both proposals include a fine of up to $1,000 for each unlawfully held animal.

These timelines reflect the serious nature of the crimes that would trigger a ban while also recognizing the potential for offenders to make meaningful strides towards change after their conviction, Moore said at the hearing.

State law prohibits individuals convicted of animal cruelty from working with animals and only allows courts to ban possession of, or access to animals after an animal sexual abuse conviction, according to the Animal Defense Legal Fund. Nguyen said the bipartisan possession ban bill would extend existing preventative measures to place reasonable restrictions on those convicted of serious animal cruelty crimes.

Prosecutors and judges have the option to include possession bans in probationary conditions and Nguyen said the legislation aims to standardize the process of post-conviction animal possession bans so that theres no disparity depending on which court you go to.

Laura Hagen, Massachusetts state director for the Humane Society of the United States, said passing or upgrading possession ban laws has been a nationwide trend. Between 2018 and 2019, 12 states created or strengthened their existing statues and last year, California, Mississippi, Tennessee, and Washington expanded their existing possession ban laws.

While these bills do not create any new crimes in Massachusetts, they do update our existing law and follow a nationwide trend that recognizes that prohibiting possession of animals is a preventative measure, and it places reasonable restrictions on those convicted of the most egregious animal cruelty crimes, Hagen said.

Rep. Brad Hill also proposed a trio of bills (a href=https://malegislature.gov/Bills/192/H1651>H 1651 / H 1652 / H 1656) that would also ban convicted animal abusers from receiving, purchasing, adopting, or sheltering animals following their conviction. It also includes language preventing animal breeders, shelters, or stores from knowingly offering, selling, delivering, or providing animals to people convicted of animal abuse crimes.

One of his bills (H 1651) sets a fine of not less than $1,000 and imprisonment for not more than one year for a person who violates the law the first time and a fine of not less than $5,000 and imprisonment for up to five years for subsequent offenses.

These bills have been around for a long time and we think maybe now that COVID is over and the state budgets is about to be over, that we can start concentrating back on some legislation that we havent been able to address in a while, the Ipswich Republican said. I think this is a huge issue, ensuring that these convicted animal abusers do not get near our animals.

Animal Cruelty Citations

Animal right advocates also pushed legislators to pass legislation (S 1097) expanding civil citation authority for animal control officers and law enforcement personnel in the case of animal abuse.

The states animal cruelty law is a felony that carries the possibility of seven years in prison, two and a half years in a house of correction, or a fine of up to $5,000, said Allison Blanck, director of advocacy at Animal League of Boston.

Blanck said there needs to be a lesser penalty so that law enforcement or animal control officers can intervene earlier when animal abuse or neglect is occurring. She cited a 2016 case in Westport where more than 20 tenants of a property were reportedly chronically neglected animals.

Those tenants and the owner of the Westport farm were eventually indicted on 151 counts of animal cruelty, making it the largest investigation of its kind in New England, according to the attorney generals office.

Hundreds of animals on this farm were kept in deplorable and dangerous conditions, with inadequate food, water, or shelter, many of them suffering from severe health ailments that required them to be euthanized, Attorney General Maura Healey said at the time.

Blanck argued that had there been the ability to issue civil citations, law enforcement or animal control officers could have intervened earlier.

In the case of many of these animals, there was no ability of animal control officers or law enforcement to intervene until the situation became dire, she said.

Under the legislation, responding officers could issue citations with fines of up to $50 for the first offense, not more than $200 for the second offense, and up to $500 for the third and subsequent offenses. After the third violation, the animal could be subject to impoundment at a local shelter.

Civil citations already exist for dogs, but advocates say state law needs to expand to include other animals.

As somebody that goes out in the field daily, its only a small percentage of the situations [involving] dogs, said Hilary Cohen, a Norfolk animal control officer for over 25 years. We would love to be able to correct the behavior of the owner prior to felony charges when appropriate. I know that the law has worked for dogs in the past ... and it has helped clear up situations that may have ended up in court. We would like to be able to solve that ahead of time.
CHICOPEE  Local high school students reported being less than satisfied with remote learning in a survey conducted shortly before state officials ordered all secondary schools to return to full-time, in-person classes.

The Student Advisory Council, made up of students from a variety of grade levels at Comprehensive and Chicopee High Schools, conducted two surveys of their classmates during the COVID-19 pandemic. The overall results show students on average rated learning remotely at about 5.7 on a scale of 1 to 10, said Timothy Wagner, a Comprehensive High senior and president of the council.

The group released the results of the second survey to the School Committee and school administrators this month.

The council first asked students about their opinions on remote learning after the majority spent nearly a year attending class by computer. They received results in February, just as the School Department was in the process of switching to a hybrid system where students were invited to attend in-person classes at least two days a week in person.

The second survey collected data from the students who opted to stay full-time remote and those who decided to attend classes in person after February, Wagner said.

The group said they feel their data is valuable and, after receiving the endorsement from the School Committee and administrators, said they plan to send it to Jeff Riley, commissioner for the state Department of Elementary and Secondary Education.

He was handed immense power in regard to what learning models school districts can use and I think it is very important that he have this data, Wagner said.

The Massachusetts Board of Elementary and Secondary Education in March voted to give Riley the authority to determine when hybrid and remote learning, which were used by most school districts for the past year to prevent the spread of the coronavirus, would no longer count toward educational requirements.

Riley then determined all school districts should return to full-time in-person learning for elementary schools on April 5, middle schools on April 28 and high schools on May 17. Waivers were granted for some schools  mainly inner-city schools that had few or no students in the buildings since the start of the pandemic  allowing them to begin with a mix of in-person and remote learning.

Students were also given the option of continuing all-remote learning, which about 30% of Chicopee families selected.

In the second survey, the Student Advisory Council received responses from about 1,200 students, 54% of whom were attending at least some in-person classes. They broke the responses down between those who were all-remote and those who were in the building.

Students who remain remote now rate their learning experience at 5.9 out of 10, which is a slight increase from the 5.5 rating received in the previous survey, Wagner said.

They gave a variety of reasons for not returning to in-person classes, with 61% reporting they or a family member were more at risk from COVID-19. Some said they decided against returning so late in the academic year, he said.

Among the teens who have returned to in-person learning, 87% said they preferred being in the classroom and rated the experience 7.3 on the 1-10 scale, he said.

It reinforces our previous assessment of the student population would welcome the change in learning models, he said, adding the caveat that many students who returned to in-person classes made that choice themselves so they were likely unhappy with remote learning.

When asked about safety, 94% who have been in school said they were comfortable that the protocols in the building helped them from being infected with COVID-19. A number admitted they did not like wearing masks for hours at a time, Wagner said.

Student Advisory Council members developed the survey themselves, with multiple members suggesting questions that they felt would give educators the best data, he said.

Two issues that came up during the survey were 71% of remote students said they had no problem reaching teachers and 68% said they felt teachers paid equal attention to them and their classmates who were in-person, Wagner said.

While the numbers were strong, Wagner said the council is concerned that about 30% of remote learners felt shortchanged by teachers, and plans to discuss the issues with principals.

School Committee member Sandra Peret thanked the council for the research project and the useful information.

Thank you for the survey and your hard work. It is valuable to us and (state education officials), said Mary-Elizabeth Pniak-Costello, vice chairwoman of the School Committee. You are giving us important data.

Related content:
HOLYOKE  The City Council delayed a vote on a charter change that would permit a recall of elected officials who serve four-year terms. The order was sent back to committee for further consideration.

The council twice approved Councilor At-large Michael J. Sullivans proposal, but former Mayor Alex B. Morse refused to sign it.

Sullivan resubmitted the order at the councils Tuesday virtual session. The order drew the support of Councilors David Bartley, Howard Greaney Jr., and Linda Vacon. Morse resigned March 26 to become town manager of Provincetown, leaving open the possibility acting Mayor Terence Murphy would sign the document.

If approved, the charter change goes to the Massachusetts Legislature for review and a vote. Councilor At-large Joseph M. McGiverin asked that Sullivans order be returned to the committee as members did not have the latest copy for Mondays meeting.

Sullivan countered that the order was word-for-word and identical to the previous document filed with the City Clerks Office. Bartley offered to take up the order at the March 24 Development and Government Relations Committee meeting.

If were going to send this to committee and do this just to look at the exact same document, of which everyone had a copy, thats fine, Sullivan said. Vacon offered a motion to adopt Sullivans order.

The order fell short of the needed nine votes or a supermajority required for a charter change. A follow-up motion sent the order to Bartleys committee for further review or scrutinizing the unaltered document.

Murphy was one of the seven votes in favor of the charter change.

Sullivans order stated: Any person who holds elected city office, whose term is four years with more than 12 months remaining of the term of office, maybe recalled from the office, by the voters, in the manner provided in this section.

A petition with 250 or more signatures from Holyoke registered voters would trigger a recall, which must bear the name of the person facing recall. The City Clerk would have 24 hours to file and submit a copy of the petition to the Registrar of Voters.

Following City Council certification, the elected official has 10 days to resign their office after notification. If the person does not resign, an election is called for November but excludes the November election held during the final year of the officers term.

While the elected official would remain in office, they cannot enter the recall contest. If the recall effort fails, the officer holder retains their seat. However, if voters approve the recall, the elected official has five days to vacate the office.

A recall petition cannot be filed six months into a newly elected officials term.

After the Development Committee initially approved Sullivans order in September 2020, Morse issued a statement before the meeting.

At this time, I will not be signing any charter changes into law, and as the Council knows, no home rule petition moves forward without the approval and consent of the chief executive, the mayor stated.

Sullivans order came in the wake of allegations that Morse had past relationships with students while an adjunct lecturer at the University of Massachusetts Amherst. The same group of councilors that supported Sullivans charter change also filed a resolution condemning Morses behavior.

At the time, Morse was challenging incumbent U.S. Rep. Richard E. Neal (D-Springfield) in the Sept. 15 primary.

Morse asserted the allegations were a political smear campaign led by Neals campaign, which the congressman refuted. Ward 4 Councilor Libby Hernandez filed a censure order against the resolutions authors.

The order gained the two-thirds majority in past votes, but the document went unsigned on Morses desk.

Related:
BOSTON  The state Board of Higher Education has approved Linda Thompsons appointment as the new president of Westfield State University.

State approval is normally a formality, though the board retains right of final approval. Thompson will begin her tenure as the 182-year-old universitys 21st president on July 1.

She will succeed Roy Saigo, who served as interim president through the 202021 academic year, following Ramon Torrecilhas retirement in 2020.

Final approval came on May 18, three weeks after the universitys board of trustees chose Thompson from a list of five final candidates.

We thank the Board of Higher Education for its swift approval to endorse our selection, Westfield State trustees chair Kevin Queenin said.

Thompson has served as dean of the College of Nursing and Health Sciences at the University of Massachusetts Boston since 2017 and previously held a similar position at West Chester University in Pennsylvania. At both institutions, she developed and implemented a comprehensive five-year strategic plan to increase enrollment, expand partnerships and academic programs, secure funding, and increase diversity among students and faculty.

I am honored and thrilled for this upcoming opportunity to work with faculty and staff at Westfield State University to elevate its student-centered mission and make it one of the best regional universities in the country, Thompson said.

She has taught nursing and public health at 10 colleges and universities. Her administrative experience includes appointments as provost and vice chancellor at North Carolina A&T State University, dean of nursing at Oakland University in Michigan, and associate dean at the University of Maryland School of Nursing.

Thompson previously served as director of occupational medicine and safety in Baltimore, where she developed programs and policies to promote the health of the citys workforce. At the state level, she served as special secretary for Children, Youth, and Families.

Many of her programs have been duplicated through her advisory and consulting roles in Brazil, China, India, Korea and the Caribbean. Thompson has published more than 100 articles, books, book chapters and abstracts.

Related content:
Does our nations Constitution guarantee a womans right to have her pregnancy terminated?

The answer to that question has long depended, of course, on whom you ask. But since 1973, one opinion has been paramount. Thats when the U.S. Supreme Court decided Roe v. Wade, the landmark case that allowed women the right to choose to end their pregnancies. Not that Roe was the last word, however. Ever since, abortion opponents have wanted to find some way either to overturn or limit the ruling.

Now, with the Supremes having agreed to hear what may well turn out to be the most consequential abortion case in years, and with six of the nine justices clearly to the right of center, abortion foes believe that they may finally see the moment theyve so long been waiting for.

Consider that mix -- the most significant abortion rights case in years to be decided by the most conservative court in memory -- and one sees easily why abortion foes are feeling emboldened.

The court has agreed to hear a challenge to a 2018 Mississippi law that bans abortion after 15 weeks of pregnancy. Since justices arent generally in the business of choosing to hear cases that will just waste their time, much of the national commentariat worked itself into a lather after Mondays news that the court would take the case. Still, anyone whod bet on whats ahead is playing a suckers game.

While Roe is the high courts most-discussed ruling on abortion, its a case from nearly two decades later, 1992s Planned Parenthood v. Casey, that will likely be at center stage when the high court decides the Mississippi case. Casey held that a state cannot impose an undue burden on women seeking to terminate their pregnancies.

Expect lots of talk going forward focusing on Roe, painting a black-and-white picture -- will the court uphold or overturn its 1973 decision? Whats more likely, and a better question, too: How exactly will the court refine Casey?

The court will hear the case in its next term, which begins in October. As such, it will likely render a decision some 13 months from now, roughly five months before the 2022 midterm elections.

This means that abortion will be front and center on the campaign trail and in fund-raising for the next year and a half. At least.

Other editorials:
The Hopkinton Police Department on Wednesday released the recording of the 911 call made the morning of April 18, when teenager Mikayla Millers body was discovered in the woods, along with other records outlining law enforcements immediate response to the 16-year-old girls death.

Miller, who was Black and a member of the LGBTQ+ community, was found dead by a person jogging on a path near 34 West Main St. in Hopkinton around 7:45 a.m. Sunday, April 18, according to Middlesex District Attorney Marian Ryans office.

In the nearly three-minute-long 911 call released Wednesday, a dispatcher can be heard talking with a Massachusetts State Police trooper, who said he had a caller on the line who believed there was a deceased male hanging from a tree.

The dispatcher can also be heard questioning the jogger who found Miller dead. The individual believed the body he found was that of a male.

Not a good way to start our Sunday morning, the dispatcher said.

Later in the call, after the jogger was asked where he was, he answered, Im in the woods, up a pathway to his body. The dispatcher then told him to go back to his car and wait to flag down the officer.

Mobile users: Having trouble viewing the video? Click here.

Sources confirmed for MassLive this week that the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner ruled Millers death a suicide and listed asphyxia by hanging as the cause. However, questions linger in the girls case.

A fight broke out between Miller and two other teenagers in a recreational area of the apartment complex she lived in the hours before her death. Three more teenagers were present in or around the complex at the time of the altercation. Authorities have said the whereabouts of all five individuals during the girls death have been confirmed. None of them were near 34 West Main St., the district attorneys office has noted.

Millers mother as well as numerous others in the community are calling for an independent investigation into the case, noting how the prosecutors office released minimal information about the teenagers death until pubic scrutiny started to mount. At a press conference earlier this month in which she laid out a timeline of events leading up to the discovery of the teenagers body, Ryan promised transparency in the case.

Hopkinton Police Chief Joseph Bennett wrote in a statement Wednesday that the police department was notified Tuesday of the medical examiners findings on the cause and manner of Millers death.

According to Bennett, the department reached out to a representative of Millers family and continues to offer its sincerest condolences and support during this unspeakable time.

In response to the significant public inquiry into the case by members of the press and community, Bennett noted, he ordered the release of certain records considered germane to the investigation that show the departments response to, logging of and role in investigating Mikaylas death.

The records include a recording of the 911 call to the police station concerning Miller death on April 18, police and dispatch radio transmissions that day as well as recordings of the Hopkinton Fire Departments response, law enforcements log and separate call entries concerning the girls death and the Police Departments cruiser dashboard camera footage for the entire morning shift on April 18 with no edits or redactions.

The law enforcement department is committed to transparency in policing, according to Bennett, who noted that careful consideration was made prior to the release of the records.

However, Chief Bennett believes the release of records is the prudent course of action given the volume of records requests received and the amount of public commentary already made regarding this case, he said. The public should have faith that its municipal police department responded to this tragic circumstance promptly and treated it with due care and consideration. The Police Department also communicated with the District Attorneys Office to ensure that the release of these records would not adversely affect the ongoing investigation.

Certain records, Bennett said, couldnt legally be released during the initial death investigation, and some records remain restricted to the general public by law.

Under the Domestic Violence Act of 2014, the police chief claimed, an incident that occurred the day before Millers death that has generated significant attention and inquiry must be excluded from the departments public log.

Reports regarding that incident are prohibited from public disclosure as a matter of law due to the existence of a dating relationship, Bennett explained.

Related Content:
Truth and transparency: Thats what a prominent civil rights attorney and the family of Mikayla Miller, the Hopkinton teenager whose death has swept the news and sparked questions among community members, are calling for in the girls case.

Attorney Ben Crump helped the families of Breonna Taylor and George Floyd, both Black Americans killed at the hands of police, win multimillion-dollar settlements. Alongside the law firm of Colucci and Colucci, hes now representing Millers mother, Calvina Strothers, who is seeking answers about her daughters death.

During a press conference Wednesday afternoon, only hours after the Hopkinton Police Department released the 911 call made the morning Miller was found dead as well as other records, Strothers said she isnt entertaining at all the idea her daughter died by suicide. That determination was made by the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner has come to, MassLive confirmed Tuesday.

I want to be really clear that the only thing I want out of all of this is to find the truth, Strothers said through tears. The conclusion that they made yesterday is the conclusion they made the first day they walked into my house. Theres no difference. But I know the truth, and its not what they say.

A jogger found Miller dead in the woods off a path on West Main Street around 7:45 a.m. Sunday, April 18. In the 911 call made that morning, the man initially told dispatchers the body he found hanging from a tree was that of a male.

The Office of the Chief Medical Examiner ruled the girls death a suicide, listing asphyxia by hanging as the cause.

However, Strothers, other loved ones of the girl and activists  including Crump, former Boston city Councilor Tito Jackson and community organizer Monica Cannon-Grant, all of whom spoke during Wednesdays press conference  are questioning that determination and calling for an independent investigation into the death of Miller, who was Black and a member of the LGBTQ+ community.

According to Cannon-Grant, Violence in Boston, the nonprofit she founded, funded an independent autopsy before Millers body was cremated. That findings of that autopsy were given to the girls family and have yet to be released.

Cannon-Grant pointed out at Wednesdays press conference that minimal information was released by Middlesex District Attorney Marian Ryans office to the public in the days following Millers death, only that a Hopkinton teenager had died and foul play wasnt suspected in her death.

I would also like to thank the press, mainly because if it hadnt been for you, we wouldnt have any information in this case, Cannon-Grant said. I became involved with this case because there was absolutely no coverage from the very beginning, except for one small article, simply stating, Death of a teenage girl found over the weekend; DA says no foul play is suspected. A weird thing to say in a case that had yet to be investigated.

Multiple weeks after the girl was found dead, as public scrutiny mounted and the words Justice for Mikayla Miller were shared widely over social media, Ryan held a press conference in which she laid out a timeline of the events that led up to the teenagers body being discovered. The district attorney also promised transparency in the case and said theres no evidence leaning, either way, suggesting her death was a hate crime.

Mikayla Miller

Mikaylas death is an unspeakable tragedy for her loved ones and for the entire community of Hopkinton, Ryan said at the time. From the beginning of this investigation, our investigators have been fully committed to determining exactly how Mikaylas precious and promising life ended.

In the hours before Millers death, on the evening of Saturday, April 17, she and two other teenagers got into a fight in the recreational area of the apartment complex she lived in, authorities said. Three other teenagers, one of whom was in a relationship with Miller, were in and around the complex. All five individuals whereabouts at the time the girl died have been confirmed, and they werent in the area of 34 West Main St., where her body was discovered, officials noted. No arrests have been made in the case.

After the fight, Strothers called the police to report that her daughter had been jumped. In an interview with officers, Miller said she had been pushed and punched in the face. A mark of blood was seen on her lip, consistent with what she told law enforcement, according to the district attorney.

We know that there are many questions, inconsistencies, Jackson said, also claiming that Ryan didnt reach out to Millers mother until 12 days after her daughters death. One of the things that is indisputable is that Mikayla was assaulted by five... other young people prior to her death, within hours of her death. That is indisputable, and we know to date that those individuals have not been charged.

Those who spoke during Wednesdays press conference also claimed Millers body was discovered standing upright with a belt tied around her neck that was tied to a tree. They argued it was neither tall nor sturdy enough to withstand her body weight and that the belt didnt belong to either the teenager or her mother.

Pointing to reporting from NBC Boston, Cannon-Grant added that video cameras usually operating in the clubhouse of the apartment complex Miller lived in werent working the night she died.

The camera footage was not available, the activist said. This is a very high-end apartment complex, so the likelihood of the camera footage mysteriously disappearing is unlikely. There have been so many inconsistencies in this case going forward, which is the reason behind demanding an independent investigation and accountability and transparency in this case.

In this photograph, attorney Ben Crump attends the memorial service for George Floyd. Crump, who represented Floyd's family, is now representing the family of Mikayla Miller, the Hopkinton, Massachusetts teenager whose death has sparked public scrutiny. Miller was Black and a member of the LGBTQ+ community, and she was beat up in the hours before her death, which authorities have determined was a suicide. (Bebeto Matthews/AP)AP

Crump, whose legal accomplishments include winning $12 million and $27 million settlements for the families of Taylor and Floyd respectively, also echoed Cannon-Grant, Jackson and Strothers calls for transparency in the investigation into Millers death.

To Calvina, I far too often am talking to the parents of young Black people who have been killed in unbelievable ways, who leave this earth without any answers, the civil rights attorney said. So, we are trying to get transparency, which is paramount.

Calling Millers death highly suspicious, Crump said he and others want to see the basis of law enforcement and the medical examiners conclusion that her death was a suicide.

Mikaylas mother and her family do not believe that she committed suicide, especially being found standing upright, not hanging and a belt tied around her neck. It defies common sense, the lawyer said.

He noted theres a national community of people who care about the life and dignity of Black people and who are invested in Millers case.

If it was your child, wouldnt you want to know the truth? Wouldnt you want every i dotted, every t crossed? Crump asked.

Related Content:
A triple shooting in a Fall River park Tuesday afternoon left a 14-year-old boy and 29-year-old dead and a third victim wounded, according to authorities.

Fall River police received 911 calls shortly after 4:20 p.m. about reports of shots fired in the vicinity of Griffin Park. When first responders arrived at the scene, they found two victims suffering from gunshot wounds, the Bristol District Attorneys Office said in a statement.

The two victims, the 29-year-old Fall River man and a 14-year-old boy, were rushed to Saint Annes Hospital and Charlton Memorial Hospital, respectively. Both individuals were declared dead by emergency room physicians Tuesday evening, according to the district attorneys office.

The third person who was shot, a 19-year-old Fall River man, was taken to Saint Annes Hospital via a private vehicle. He has since been taken to Rhode Island Hospital in Providence for further treatment, the prosecutors office said.

Fall River police, Massachusetts State Police detectives and prosecutors in the homicide unit of the district attorneys office are actively investigating what they called a double-homicide.

No further information was released Tuesday.
SPRINGFIELD  Faced with what he describes as a lack of cooperation from federal officials, Hampden District Attorney Anthony Gulluni filed a lawsuit Wednesday seeking records from the U.S. attorneys office in Boston that could identify police officers who used excessive force and then lied about it.

The suit stems from last summers U.S. Department of Justice report on the Springfield Police Departments narcotics unit. Based on a two-year investigation, the report outlined numerous allegations of city police officers physically abusing suspects and filing false reports, and supervisors looking the other way. The report was met with considerable public outcry, as well as pledges from city officials to change how the department operates.

But while the report, released on July 8, 2020, described several cases of cops behaving badly, it stopped short of identifying any specific officers or witnesses.

And that is the information Gulluni wants, but the U.S. attorneys office has refused to turn over.

It has resulted in us not knowing exactly who is bad in the eyes of the DOJ, who filed false reports, (and) who committed abuses, Gulluni said in an interview with The Republican. That creates a major issue for us, on past cases that resulted in convictions, and obviously on present and future cases, because the officers who the DOJ reportedly learned are not working aboveboard are not known to us.

In a criminal trial, prosecutors are required to provide defense attorneys with any exculpatory evidence that could help a defendants case. Such evidence includes information showing an officer has filed false reports, lied or routinely violated peoples civil rights.

Gullunis lawsuit, filed in U.S. District Court in Springfield, seeks to have the courts order the U.S. attorneys office to release all records and information about falsified reports, abuse and misconduct cited in the Justice report.

It names Nathaniel R. Mendell, acting U.S. attorney for the district of Massachusetts, as the defendant. Mendell, though, argues Gulluni can get what he needs from city officials.

The Springfield Police Department has offered to provide District Attorney Gulluni with all materials it produced to us in our investigation, Mendell said in a statement Wednesday. We have explained to the District Attorney that DOJ regulations prevent us from disclosing the information to him, in part because this remains an ongoing investigation and the requested documents belong to the police department.

But while the city has indeed agreed to supply Gulluni with the tens of thousands of documents it sent to the Justice Department  including 26,000 arrest reports, 1,700 prisoner injury reports, and 700 use-of-force reports  Gulluni argues that approach is a nonstarter. His office would essentially have to retrace the Justice Departments steps, starting from scratch to sift through the information, he said, and his office doesnt have the time, personnel or budget of the U.S. attorney.

It would take us upwards of two years, he said. We dont know what they did, what they looked at, or who they talked to. To replicate their conclusions, in our opinion, is literally impossible.

Gullunis lawsuit isnt seeking the entire body of documents the police provided to the Justice Department; instead, it asks for police reports and other materials that federal investigators determined were false, or inconsistent with other evidence.

The district attorneys office reached out to the U.S. attorneys office for the materials almost immediately after the release of the report last summer. According to the suit, Justice officials initially said they would consider the request. But written requests from Gulluni to then-U.S. Attorney Andrew Lelling were denied in August and September.

In a letter to Gulluni, Lelling said the documents were subject to the work product privilege because they reflect the thoughts and impressions of DOJ attorneys, paralegals and investigators, and that such thoughts and impressions are not factual findings and legal conclusions binding on, or admissible in, any court.

Moreover, Lelling wrote, fulfilling Gullunis request would reveal investigative records compiled in connection with an open and ongoing civil investigation ... and would interfere with these ongoing law enforcement proceedings.

In October, wrote to Gulluni to say the documents belong to and originate with the SPD, and that they were provided to the Justice Department under a confidentiality agreement that was part of the federal investigation. He recommended Gulluni seek the documents from the police department.

The suit notes Gulluni made a request for records to Springfield Police Commissioner Cheryl C. Clapprood, who then forwarded it to city solicitor Edward M. Pikula. Pikula responded to Gulluni on Dec. 10, telling the district attorney the Justice Department never gave the city specific information about case numbers, officer names or the names of people bringing complaints of misconduct.

Gulluni said this is the first time in his 6 years as district attorney that he has sued the Justice Department. He is not aware of any of his predecessors doing the same.

We feel we are at a step where there is no other choice, he said.

The 28-page Justice report was based on a review of the operations of the police departments narcotics unit between 2013 and 2018. The report said the unit engages in a pattern or practice of using excessive force, adding: Specifically, our investigation identified evidence that Narcotics Bureau officers repeatedly punch individuals in the face unnecessarily, in part because they escalate encounters with civilians too quickly, and resort to unreasonable takedown maneuvers that, like head strikes, could reasonably be expected to cause head injuries.

Meanwhile, the report said, officers falsified reports to disguise or hide their use of force.

The investigation was launched amid the community outcry that followed The Republican / MassLives publication of videos showing narcotics detective Gregg Bigda threatening to beat, plant drug evidence on and falsify charges against a teenage boy accused of stealing an unmarked police car in February 2016.

Bigda is suspended from duty without pay while he awaits trial in federal court for civil rights violations against that teen and two others involved in the incident.

The Justice report touched off a concerted effort among city officials to reform the police department and its reputation.

The narcotics unit was reassembled with new detectives and supervisors. New protocols were put in place for reporting prisoner injuries, and the department created an online portal for citizen complaints.

The Justice report contained several recommendations, but stopped short of requiring action by the city or enacting any penalties. Since then, city officials have been meeting regularly with Justice officials about reforms.

William Baker, communications director for Mayor Domenic J. Sarno, said Wednesday that those meetings are ongoing. While there has been progress, he said, the work continues, and the city and feds have not reached a final settlement.

Related content:
The House approved a proposal Tuesday that aims to relieve employers this spring from major unexpected unemployment system costs, while punting the decision on whether to deploy one-time federal funds to address a benefits system that sagged under the weight of pandemic unemployment.

In a move that business groups described as a solid first step, representatives voted 157-0 to shuffle the distribution of unemployment claims costs so that they can be covered over two decades of borrowing and so businesses will not be in line for huge bills in the short term.

After weeks of review, the House on Tuesday also revived plans for an emergency paid leave program that would make participants eligible for up to one week of paid leave if they or a family member needs it to deal with COVID-19 issues, including self-isolation, seeking a diagnosis, or obtaining an immunization. The House sent the bill to the Senate after rejecting amendments to the measure sought by Gov. Charlie Baker.

The legislation (H 3702) addressing a spike in solvency rate assessments on businesses aims to achieve the same goal as an unemployment system stabilization bill Baker signed on April 1, before it became apparent that the original pass failed to fully prevent business cost spikes tied to unprecedented pandemic job losses.

Before the pandemic, employers that laid off more workers typically received higher experience ratings that increased the amount they owe into the states unemployment system. However, the U.S. Department of Labor told states not to apply those penalties for losses stemming from COVID-19 impacts. Massachusetts, as a result, spread out the costs across all industries through the solvency fund assessment, which in the past had been used to cover benefits that cannot be charged directly to employers, such as dependency allowances and state extended benefits.

In a typical year, this is a small factor, but as we all know, this year was anything but typical, said Labor and Workforce Development Committee Co-chair Rep. Josh Cutler, who was the only lawmaker to speak about the proposal during Tuesdays session.

Many businesses were blindsided when they opened their first-quarter unemployment contribution bills and found the solvency assessment rate had jumped from 0.58 percent in 2020 to 9.23 percent in 2021, raising costs in many cases by hundreds or thousands of dollars.

Under the legislation approved Tuesday, the state would shift all COVID-related unemployment claims from the solvency fund into a new COVID claims fund and the solvency fund would revert to its original function. Lawmakers already authorized $7 billion in bonding over 20 years as part of the original unemployment stabilization bill Baker signed, so the state would borrow to cover the newly created account.

Employers, who fund the states jobless aid system, will still be on the hook in the long term, and a COVID-related assessment on businesses will kick into effect for 2021 and 2022. However, lawmakers believe the legislation will correct huge spikes in solvency fund charges that hit businesses in March and April.

For many, the quarterly bills will return to an amount roughly in line with 2020 rates, Cutler said. Some businesses may even owe less than they did last year.

As a result of the change, the solvency assessment rate should fall from 9.23 percent to about 1.1 percent, a figure much closer to its historic levels, Cutler said.

The state Department of Unemployment Assistance would recalculate and resend bills to every employer. The bill would also postpone the due date for first-quarter bills, already delayed by about a month, from June 1 to July 31. Employers who already paid the inflated version of their bills will receive a credit for the difference, Cutler said.

Any new unemployment claims filed after Aug. 1 would be charged to employer accounts, essentially reverting to how the system functioned before the pandemic and the federal guidance.

Business leaders and some lawmakers have pushed to use some of the billions of dollars Massachusetts will receive from the American Rescue Plan to replenish the unemployment insurance trust fund after a historic spike in job losses during last years mandatory economic shutdowns.

States are empowered to use the relief money to restore unemployment funds under federal guidance, and some have already done so, but -- to the chagrin of several business leaders -- the House opted not to pursue that option in its legislation Tuesday.

Were not relying on federal money here, Cutler said in an interview. This is a solution that does not rely on federal funds. Weve come up with a solution that works with our own resources and does not rely on federal funding for this. That door is still open, but today this action does not rely on federal money.

Industry groups offered mixed reviews of the bill, praising the relief it will bring in the coming weeks while calling for additional action to soften the burden businesses will need to carry over the next two decades.

You could characterize this as a short-term solution. Some might characterize it as a long-term solution, but I think those that do that are not looking at the big picture, Retailers Association of Massachusetts President Jon Hurst told the News Service. If anybody thinks this is the only solution, that would not be acceptable in employers minds.

Hurst contested Cutlers description that the fix uses our own resources, arguing that the costs over the next 20 years will still fall to current and future employers for claims that were not their fault, brought on by government-ordered capacity limits and business closures. He urged Beacon Hill and Capitol Hill leaders to work together and direct taxpayer dollars to offset the costs, whether by using ARPA funding or a new package aimed specifically at unemployment trust funds.

Im not saying the entire $4.5 billion ARPA money or the entire trust fund deficit must be paid by state and federal government or socialized, or that employers cant pick up part of the tab, but it would be an absolute failure and we would be an outlier among other states if we expected employers to pay the entire bill for the COVID crisis, Hurst said.

Christopher Carlozzi, state director for the National Federation of Independent Businesses, said the plan unveiled Tuesday is another step towards providing employers with immediate UI tax relief.

We are thankful that it will help many employers avoid those astronomically high first quarter bills, however a long term solution will still be necessary, he said in a statement, adding that many job losses were a result of COVID restrictions. The state must be required to use some of the billions in federal aid to help offset costs for business owners who, under this proposal, are still solely responsible for refilling the unemployment trust. Other states used federal CARES Act and ARPA money to refill depleted unemployment funds, Massachusetts should help struggling businesses by following their example.

Lawmakers, industry heads, labor leaders and other experts are already working on a big-picture analysis of the states unemployment system. A 21-member commission created under the original stabilization bill convened its first meeting last week, and it is tasked with submitting recommendations by Dec. 15 on how to ensure the unemployment insurance trust funds permanent solvency.

Cutler said on the House floor that the Senate and the Baker administration collaborated on the legislation approved Tuesday, an approach that could make reaching a final agreement on the matter easier.

Senate President Karen Spilkas office said Monday that she believes the legislation is a sound proposal.

Once received from the House, we look forward to reviewing and discussing this proposal with our colleagues and advancing a fix to ensure stability for our employers, a Spilka spokesperson said in a statement.

Baker spokesperson Terry MacCormack said in a statement that the administration feels strongly that this issue needs to be addressed quickly and is pleased to work with our colleagues in the Legislature to accomplish that goal and will review the final legislation that reaches the Governors desk.

The Senates next session is Thursday, but its unclear if the proposal will surface for consideration then.

The House on Tuesday also turned back Bakers calls to exclude municipal employees from an emergency COVID-19 paid leave program and to provide reimbursement for paid leave costs through an employee tax credit. The underlying proposal, paired in the same bill with the unemployment insurance system fixes, requires employers to provide up to one week of emergency paid leave based on the number of hours an employee works, and under a cap that limits total pay to $850 per week.

Employee advocates for more than a year have been calling for a paid leave program, with groups like Raise Up Massachusetts saying too often essential workers were choosing to work so they could make money rather than staying home and seeking COVID-19 testing if they were exhibiting symptoms of the virus.

The Legislature included COVID-19 paid leave protections in the initial unemployment insurance stabilization bill in April, but Baker returned that section with amendments. The Houses return to the plan more than a month later comes as COVID-19 cases fall and millions of residents have secured vaccinations against the virus.

The House stands firm in supporting our municipal workers, Cutler said from the House floor. Our municipal employees including teachers, DPW workers, police officers, firefighters, health agents, janitors, veterans agents, counseling on aging workers, librarians, and many others have been essential to the states COVID-19 response and certainly are just as deserving of these benefits.

Employees would be eligible for paid leave if they need to self-isolate, seek a medical diagnosis, obtain an immunization, comply with a quarantine order or determination by a local, state or federal public official, if they are unable to telework because of a COVID-19 diagnosis, or if the employee needs to care for a family member who needs to self-isolate, needs a medical diagnosis, or is subject to a quarantine.

The Baker administration has defended its proposed exclusion of municipal workers from the program, arguing that municipal workers have strong leave protections in place already and that many municipalities can access federal funds to implement their own leave programs that could align with state and federal leave guarantees.

Baker also proposed to convert the program funding to a $40 per employee tax credit for all companies unable to access federal credits, regardless of whether the employee uses the leave benefit. The governor said this would not add to the cost of the program, but would prevent it from abruptly ending when the $75 million proposed for employer reimbursements runs out.
Red Sox manager Alex Cora has always enjoyed a good relationship with longtime Yankees general manager Brian Cashman and recently gave him a call to rib him for allowing Boston to nab two talented young pitchers from their rivals in Decembers Rule 5 draft.

In December, the Red Sox selected righties Garrett Whitlock (in the major-league phase) and Kaleb Ort (in the Triple-A phase) from New York. While Whitlock has grabbed headlines with a stellar first six weeks in the majors (1.77 ERA, 21 strikeouts in 20  innings), Ort has also been impressive, recording four saves an nine strikeouts in six innings for Triple-A Worcester in the first two weeks of the Triple-A season.

Hes a guy that got my attention in spring training, Cora said. Just like Garrett, a great citizen. In the clubhouse, in the weight room, in the training room.

Actually, when we went to New York, I gave (Cashman) a call and I was like, Man, those two guys are amazing, Cora said. Jokingly, I said Thank you.

Ort, 29, went undrafted out of Aquinas College in Michigan and started his career in independent ball in 2016 before signing with New York in May 2017. He posted a 3.01 ERA in 96 relief appearances over three years in the Yankees system before the Sox nabbed him as a Rule 5 pick and invited him to major league spring training.

Ort wont be found on any top prospect lists but has a chance to contribute in the majors at some point this year. The 6-foot-4, 240-pound pitcher has turned heads in both Worcester and Boston.

Hes a good one, Cora said. His stuff plays. I really like what I saw. Velocity got better in spring training and he was throwing the ball well down there. Hes a guy were looking at, obviously, for the right reasons. Were very excited with what hes doing, what he did in spring training and what he can do, probably, in the future.

Related links:

Boston Red Sox playing regular season series at Blue Jays spring training facility in Dunedin, Fla.: Its a different environment

Boston Red Sox activate Kike Hernandez from injured list, option Jonathan Arauz to WooSox

Boston Red Sox injuries: Christian Arroyo nearing rehab assignment with WooSox, Chris Sale really excited about recent progress
Springfield Mayor Domenic Sarno is abating parking tickets recently given out on Dunmoreland Street in Springfield after residents told MassLive they had been given no warning.

I was like, Whoa, whoa. What is going on? said James Evans, adding that he saw six people walking down both sides of the street giving out tickets before he noticed the new signs. They didnt give us no warning.

The 72-year-old has been living on Dunmoreland Street for more than 50 years, always parking his car on the street because he lives in a multi-family house and others park in the driveway.

I got back problems. I got a handicap sticker, Evans said. So, that means a lot for me; dont have quite a walk to the door.

A few signs appeared on the street before but werent legible and not in the same quantity there are now, residents said.

The signs say there is no parking from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. and are placed down Dunmoreland Street. The city, however, said no parking signs have been posted since the 70s and provided the traffic regulations for the street to MassLive.

No parking regulations were put in place in 1971 for the east side of the street and 1972 for the west side of the street, according to those documents.

On Wednesday, MassLive reported there were a few signs on the street before but werent legible and not in the same quantity there are now. There were also old poles in some peoples yards but there hasnt been a sign on it in recent memory, residents told MassLive.

Some of them now have signs, although others remain without a sign.

Some of the poles continue to not have signs.

Community Activist Jynai McDonald said on Wednesday that she has offered to pay the parking tickets of Dunmoreland St. residents.

She announced she will be running for Ward 4 City Council in February.

This is sad. A more thoughtful process to the solution could have occurred and the decision should have been made in conjunction with the residents, McDonald said. At the very least, the City should have offered a warning to residents first.

She also said shes willing to assist residents with petitioning the Traffic Commission and City Council.

Later Wednesday morning, however, Sarno announced the $25 tickets previously given out were being wiped.

I understand the rationale behind the replacement of the signs and enforcement, however, we need to give our residents proper notification and notice to adjust accordingly, Sarno said in a statement. I want to thank Ward 4 City Councilor Malo Brown for working with my office to ensure that the residents voices were heard.

The city said the no parking statute was originally made to ensure that ambulances, police, fire trucks and school buses could safely pass through. Recently, the city said, there was an ambulance call and a school bus that reported issues navigating down the street that prompted enforcement.

Working in collaboration with Mayor Sarno, we were able to make certain that our constituents were not negatively impacted by this change and that we listened to their concerns together and worked out a solution, said Ward 4 City Councilor Malo Brown.

Still, even with proper notice, some residents said they are without another option for parking.

Related Content:
It wasnt an unusual call for paramedic Rejeanne Boissonneault, but life-threatening nevertheless.

A man at a homeless shelter on Worthington Street in Springfield had gone into cardiac arrest after overdosing on heroin in a public area. Thankfully, Boissonneault and her colleagues were able to rush to his aid.

In the middle of the facility, in front of most of the residents there, the paramedics were able to resuscitate the man, bring his pulse back at the scene and take him to the hospital moments later, saving his life.

For Boissonneault, its just part of the job of being a paramedic, a line of work thats currently being honored as part of the 46th annual National EMS Week.

It is a thankless job, but when you have weeks where theres recognition for EMS, I think its a great way for people who may have not been having a good run of things to know theres support, she said.

Boissonneault, has worked at American Medical Response in Massachusetts for nine years and now serves as an operations supervisor. She was one of 100-plus AMR paramedics and EMS professionals honored Tuesday morning in Springfields Symphony Hall for the high-caliber care they provide and their dedicated service to their communities.

More than 100 awards were presented to the dozens of paramedics and EMS workers as they sat in the seats of Symphony Hall mask-clad and uniformed. Some, like Boissonneault, were recognized for their clinical excellence in saving the lives of patients, while others were credited with helping bring new life into the world.

The group of emergency medical personnel sitting in the Springfield concert hall Tuesday helped deliver a collective 14 babies in the past two years, AMR noted.

The events of the last year has made us all realize just how valuable EMS providers are and how we are truly people that care and are there in that time of need, Patrick Pickering, the Northeast regional director of AMR, told the audience of paramedics and EMS personnel Tuesday.

The importance of Boissonneaults profession has only been highlighted by the coronavirus pandemic. Over the course of the public health crisis, she and her colleagues were sent from Western Massachusetts to New York City to help respond to medical emergencies and to Boston to assist at mass COVID-19 testing sites.

Pickering explained how the pandemic has taken a toll on the lives of so many paramedics and EMS workers, who have had to not only care for the most vulnerable residents in the communities they serve, but also be careful to not put their loved ones at risk while serving on the frontlines of the global public health crisis.

The last year for us has absolutely been the biggest challenge, not just professionally, but personally as well, he said. In addition to providing care for the folks of Baystate Health and the city of Springfield, our EMTs and paramedics are faced with taking care of their families and making sure that they didnt bring home any infections to their families. So, that added stress and their commitment to their profession is a testament to them.

In honor of National EMS Week, Springfield Mayor Domenic J. Sarno, Fire Commissioner BJ Calvi and Police Commissioner Cheryl Clapprood joined AMR, the city and Baystate Healths primary ambulance provider, at Symphony Hall to recognize the often unnoticed work of emergency medical workers.

AMR also took time to recognize its newest class of paramedics and graduates of the award-winning Earn While You Learn program, which is designed to ease the transition for those wanting to become EMS professionals.

As part of the initiative, 30 participants are hired as full-time employees while attending AMRs basic certification course. Theyre later promoted and given a pay increase after successfully completing the program and getting their state certification.

This years graduates of the NCTI paramedic training program in Springfield worked roughly 10,000 hours collectively, responding to medical emergencies, delivering babies and learning the ropes of the profession. They worked across the Pioneer Valley, in Amherst, Holyoke, Longmeadow and elsewhere.

You pretty much cant throw a rock in Western Massachusetts and not hit an NCTI student, said Emily Chandler, AMR NCTI program director.

Those who were honored Tuesday walked on stage against the backdrop of a gigantic United States flag to shake hands with their colleagues as well as Sarno, Calvi and Clapprood, all of whom spoke at the event and thanked the emergency medical workers for their service to the city.

Sometimes, we dont take the time to step back and say a heartfelt thank you, Sarno said. EMS individuals, God bless you. I dont envy what you do, but I respect what you do. You see people at their worst times. Many are very appreciative of that. Some are not, even though youre helping them out, and you have to put in that professionalism, that compassion, grin and smile and make them feel good.

The common thread of three city officials addresses to the more than 100 paramedics and EMS professionals was that their profession is thankless, yet crucial nevertheless.

EMS is often the forgotten leg of the public safety triangle. Fire, police, EMS, we all work together in the field, providing services to the citizens of our communities, and its important to recognize EMS for the hard, dedicated work they do every day, taking care of individuals in all sorts of diverse situations, Calvi said.

Related Content:
For Kathryn Doan, Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month is a chance to celebrate the history that was never talked about at the dinner table growing up.

Doan was born in Vietnam during the war and said her parents never really talked about culture or heritage. Growing up in California and moving to Alabama during high school, Doan found a love of history in school.

Thats why I love living in Massachusetts because this is where everything started. History is here. I love history. I love U.S. history, world history, because I never had a history. I never really got to know Vietnam. All I heard about was the war and how we lost our country and how we had to come to America to find freedom, said Doan, who co-chairs the Asian Employee Resource Group at UMass Memorial Health with Jay Fong, a physician who specializes in pediatric gastroenterology.

The resource group has helped Asian Americans at UMass Memorial find their voice and a seat at the table, Doan said. After more than a year of strain from the COVID-19 pandemic, and on the backdrop of rising hate crimes against Asian Americans, Doan said that for her, this particular May comes with a sense of gratitude.

I think the AAPI month means more for us to say thank you. Thats what I think of when I think of May, she said. To thank everybody and let them know that we appreciate them standing in solidarity with us, appreciate them giving us a seat at the table to make a decision to approve whats happening and to involve us so we feel valued and we have a place.

Across the nation, there has been an increase in Anti-Asian hate crimes, including a mass shooting in Atlanta that killed six women of Asian descent. It led Massachusetts lawmakers to push a bill that would expand and clarify hate crime laws. Stop AAPI Hate, a website that tracks attacks targeting Asian people, reported nearly 3,300 incidents in 2020, including 96 in Massachusetts. The organization received reports of another 503 incidents that occurred in 2021.

Doan said her group has not had to report any such crimes to authorities, but that it is unknown if possible crimes are being underreported.

Silence isnt an option, she said. We dont know youre hurting if you dont tell us.

For Fong, AAPI month generally is a time to raise the visibility of Asian Americans, especially as UMass Memorial employees, like other essential workers, have been on the front lines throughout the pandemic.

Part of the heritage month is to reaffirm contributions and indelible American history that the Asian diaspora has been a part of all this time and all these decades, almost a century as well. Its a part of American history, Fong said. Especially in these divided times, it seems, especially since Asian Americans seem to be having a tougher go about it since the pandemic started, its always great to review and affirm that Asian Americans have been a larger fabric of American history in the past century or so.

Fong said the heritage month offers a chance to highlight contributions from Asian Americans, like the creation of the countrys railroad structure around the turn of the 20th Century.

People sometimes need to be reminded of the mark left by Asian Americans in history, Fong said.

At some point, I would like to see the day where my children dont need a special month, Fong said, that it just becomes a part of the American history in all schools, about Asian contributions to culture, to society, to a lot of the infrastructure of modern-day society in America.

To celebrate the month, people can read up on history and support local Asian businesses, Fong suggested.

You might learn something about the culture, you might discover a new love, a new appreciation for the culture in general, and help out some businesses that have been really overlooked, particularly during this horrible pandemic like so many businesses have, Fong said. We can build bridges by just starting some dialogue with each other. We probably have more similarities than differences.

10 Worcester community gathers outside city hall to support Asian Americans

UMass Memorials Asian Employee Resource Group made the decision not to have a large celebration to mark the heritage month, Doan said. Instead, the group plans to meet with hospital leadership and continue to recognize group members who go above and beyond in the community.

Working through the pandemic, Fong said, has been a reminder that most people just want to make things better for everyone.

Help comes from all different areas of society and all cultures as well, so its been very affirming to be on that front line, he said. It absolutely gives me hope that we can be united in something higher than ourselves despite any differences in ourselves.

My concern is that this will take a toll on the Asian American self-esteem as a group, of our worthiness to belong to American society, Fong said. Im just concerned that its shaking some of that belief.

Fong said he reminds himself that most people are good-natured at heart, and that who the community feels attacked by does not represent the majority of decent Americans.

Any persecution anywhere is persecution against everyone, Fong said. Thats part of why his work in health care has provided hope for humanity, he said.

That lens transfers into Fongs role as a physician. As a doctor who works for children who cannot advocate for themselves, Fong said he works with parents to find the best way to get patients what they need.

Doan said that in the past year, Asian Americans have listened to the news and then grappled with fear about going to the grocery store, library or other public locations. Local businesses have suffered. That makes kindness and compassion from the employers and the community all the more important, she said.

We are just as deserving as any other people to forge our own American dream while appreciating some of the gifts of the culture of my parents and grandparents as well, Fong said. Its a legacy and a strength all in one.

Fong noted that Worcester County in general has a diverse population, and may not see the acts of violence that have appeared nationally. But residents still feel the sting of seeing those events happen.

Its just almost a subtle reminder that were Americans, too, Fong said. We are here. Were not going anywhere and our allegiance should not be questioned. We just want to make society better and just want to leave our contributions behind as well. Just uplift everyone.

In America, Doan said, a time of upheaval tends to bring people together.

You have an option to hate or love, Doan said, and you should always choose love.

Related Content:
Bourbon and cider come together to create one of the cocktail worlds more simple but obscure serves. From Connecticut to east London, we explore the hazy life of the Stone Fence.

Breton Cider is a powerful beast. The hazy, fermented apple juice can make you do interesting things. For me, it was the catalyst for an unexpected evening at a Slipknot gig in Ally Pally; for Kevin Armstrong of Satans Whiskers, it forms part of his Stone Fence cocktail.

During lockdown, the Bethnal Green bar got together with Makers Mark bourbon to create a bottled limited edition version. Combining Makers Mark, cider, lemon cordial, ginger and orange bitters, I found it the perfect 2pm livener for a lazy Easter Sunday.

Chasing history

Despite having reportedly been around since the 18th century, the Stone Fence is still a relatively unknown cocktail. Its like an obscure classic, says Noel Venning of fellow east London bar Three Sheets, where the cocktail has been on and off the menu since its opening in 2016.

Indeed, its origins are opaque. According to the intrepid drinks historian David Wondrich in an article for Esquire: The name Stone Fence alludes to the effect produced by getting outside too many of these, which is not unlike that produced by running downhill into one.

He goes on to explain how the drink also called the Stone Wall has its origins in the volatile atmosphere of revolutionary America when in 1775 a group of New Hampshire colonists known as the Green Mountain Boys decided to seize Ticonderoga fort from its well-armed British garrison. To prepare, the gang needed a little Dutch courage.

Wondrich writes: What do you drink before taking on a garrison of well-entrenched professional soldiers, a garrison that has 100 cannon to your none, with nothing more than a gang of high-spirited part-timers? According to the Green Mountain Boys, you drink cider. Hard cider. In fact, hard cider with a hefty shot of rum in it. A lot of it. And so the Stone Wall was born. Over time, the drink evolved to include whiskey and became the now-known Stone Fence.

Rock solid recipes

Its appeared in various forms ever since. In 1872s Cooling Cups and Dainty Drinks by William Terrington, it features in the Cobblers and Smashes section with a simple recipe of a gill (quarter pint) of whiskey, half pint of cider and half pint of shaved ice.

However, in Louis Fouquets 1896 Mixellanys Annotated Bariana the cocktail calls for Cognac and sweet cider; while Harry Johnson in his famous 1900 Bartenders Manual instructs the reader to gather a whiskey glass for serving, one wine glass of whiskey, two or three lumps of broken ice and to: Fill the glass with cider, stir up well, and serve; as a rule it is left to the drinker to help himself to the whiskey if he so desires. A cider and whiskey chaser, if you will.

More modern iterations include that of Jim Meehan in his 2017 book Meehans Bartender Manual combines cider, bourbon whiskey, grade A dark amber maple syrup, and the option of adding a dash or two of Angostura bitter, the latter becoming more mainstream in modern serves.

Devils play

The first time Armstrong put a Stone Fence on the menu was during his time in charge of the bars at Match Bar Group. I looked after all the recruitment training menus for Milk and Honey, Trailer Happiness, etc and one of the people that was working as a consultant was Dale DeGroff [American master mixologist, award winner and King of Cocktails]. Whenever we did a Matchbar menu we would do a Dales page which had some of his originals. At one stage we put an entire page of Stone-related drinks, using the same recipe but different base spirit.

During the pandemic, Armstrong wanted a bottled bourbon drink that wasnt a Manhattan or an Old Fashioned (high booze content, a little bit boring) and was looking for something lighter: Everything we did was about creating a range of drinks that could be drunk at midday, 2pm or 1am, 2am. There arent that many long carbonated good cocktails so the Stone Fence is comfortably more accessible. We have a brilliant in-house recipe so we thought, lets work on that and see if we can make it work in a bottled cocktail.

Ginger juice was replaced with a clarified ginger syrup; fresh lemon was dried and then rehydrated into a sugar syrup; followed by lemon, ginger and orange essences; pressed apple juice was added as was a blend of Breton cider and West Country ciders for extra dryness; and a healthy slug of Makers Mark topped it off. Makers Mark was really excellent with getting the balance right and it also comes in at a lower ABV than some other bourbons, says Armstrong.

The riffs keep on coming

Over at Three Sheets, the recipe for its Stone Fence cocktail has evolved over the years while also keeping regulars happy. We always have the ability to serve it, explains co-owner Venning who credits his brother Max with creating the original bar recipe. We always keep a batch of the drink on hand because we have regulars who drink it exclusively.

Describing it as a good summer-to-autumn drink, Venning reckons its changed three times since 2016. A recipe in a previous bar he was at the helm of used pear with Calvados. Now the Three Sheets recipe calls for 25ml bourbon, 5ml Merlet Peche, 5ml 2:1 sugar syrup, 25 ml lemon juice, 5ml egg white, two dashes Angostura bitters, 50ml soda water and a Breton cider top. Served in a chilled water or fizz glass, the first six ingredients are shaken with ice until diluted. Soda water is added to the bottom of the glass, then the shaken ingredients are double-strained over it, left to settle and topped with the Breton.

Hopefully the rise in popularity of American whiskeys  will see the Stone Fence become somewhat less obscure than it has been in recent years. Venning is hopeful too: Its a bit left field, but I think bars are trying to increase knowledge of it.

How to make a Stone Fence (from Meehans Bartenders Manual)

90ml good quality still dry cider*

60ml Makers Mark bourbon

7ml grade A dark amber maple syrup

Dash or two Angostura Bitters (optional)

Build together in a Collins glass, fill with ice and garnish with an apple fan.

*Recipe calls for unfiltered hard apple cider which is usually dry and still. If your cider is sweeter then cut back on the maple syrup; if it sparkles, then its probably fine to use. Its the quality that matters.
Sherry Hassler, 55, of Lindsay, died Sunday, June 6, in Oklahoma City. The family will welcome friends at Brumley-Mills Funeral Home in Hartshorne for viewing and visitation on Thursday from 6:00 to 7:00 p.m. Memorial services will be held on Friday, June 11, at 10:00 a.m. at Brumley-Mills F
Submit A Press Release

$25.00 / for 2 days

Ensure your press release runs prominently on our website and in our E-mail Newsletter. Gauranteed placement on these platforms is $25.

Note: All submissions will go through our editorial approval process before being posted.
William G. Lako, Jr., CFP, is an Executive in Residence at Kennesaw State Universitys Coles College of Business and a principal at Henssler Financial and a co-host on Atlantas longest running, most respected financial talk radio show Money Talks airing Saturdays at 10 a.m. on AM 920 The Answer. Mr. Lako is a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER professional.
Decatur, GA (30030)

Today

Showers this morning then scattered thunderstorms developing during the afternoon hours. High 82F. Winds W at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 60%..

Tonight

Cloudy skies this evening followed by isolated thunderstorms overnight. Low around 70F. Winds W at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 30%.
Atlanta, GA (30303)

Today

Variable clouds with thunderstorms, especially during the afternoon hours. High 83F. Winds W at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 60%..

Tonight

Scattered showers and thunderstorms. Low near 70F. Winds W at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 40%.
Roswell, GA (30075)

Today

Scattered thunderstorms developing this afternoon. High 83F. Winds W at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 60%..

Tonight

Scattered thunderstorms. Low near 70F. Winds W at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 40%.
Atlanta, GA (30342)

Today

Cloudy this morning. Scattered thunderstorms developing this afternoon. High 84F. Winds W at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 50%..

Tonight

Scattered showers and thunderstorms. Low around 70F. Winds W at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 40%.
A conversation Allen Morris had with his father when he was 13 years old echoes through the lives of his family and, by extension, our community.
Offer a personal message of sympathy...

You'll find individual Guest Books on the page with each obituary notice. By sharing a fond memory or writing a kind tribute, you will be providing a comforting keepsake to those in mourning. . From a Guest Book, you may log in with your user account to leave a message. If you have an existing account with this site, you may log in with that. Otherwise, it's simple to create a new one by clicking on the Create "Sign up" button and following the simple steps on the Sign Up page.
Note:

We have changed our commenting system. If you do not have an mdjonline.com account, you will need to create one in order to comment.
Marietta, GA (30060)

Today

Cloudy skies this morning followed by scattered showers and thunderstorms during the afternoon. High 82F. Winds W at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 50%..

Tonight

Scattered showers and thunderstorms. Low near 70F. Winds W at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 50%.
TORONTO

May 18, 2021

Canada

Canada

Canada

Ali Mohamed

Canada's

Canada

Canada

Canada's

British Columbia

Jack Nathan

Kelowna

Canada

Canada

Jess Moran

Jess Moran

/PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- Lyte Medical ('Lyte'), a leading Canadian virtual medical clinic, is proud to announce the launch of a first-of-its-kind Canadian Telehealth Association, the Telemedicine Association of('TAC' or 'Association'), which is open to patients, provincial and federal health authorities and other areas of government, hospitals, clinics, doctors, and medical professionals alike.The global pandemic has exposed weaknesses in the provision of safe and effective healthcare around the world. In, only 0.15% of billable medical services were conducted virtually prior to the pandemic. The Canadian Medical Association (CMA) found that 47% of Canadians have used "virtual care" during the pandemic, with 91% claiming to be satisfied with the experience they received. According to the Canadian Attitudes on Healthcare and Telemedicine Report, 70% of Canadians believe telehealth represents the future.has been historically slow in the adoption of new medical technologies and therapies. One silver lining of this global event has been the uptake and endorsement of telehealth by everyday Canadians" says, CEO of Lyte and Founder of the TAC. "We want to ensure that advances and innovations in the Telemedicine domain are delivered safely, securely, reliably, and promptly to all Canadians."The TAC is leading the conversation about digital technology's potential to transform not onlyhealthcare system, but also accessibility to every Canadian family - to a level they've come to expect and deserve. The Association is committed to reviewing, assessing and conquering barriers to the widespread adoption of virtual care from coast to coast.Parties interested in supporting the foundation and growth of the TAC are welcomed to contact the Association at http://www.telemedicineassociationofcanada.ca.About the Telemedicine Association ofThe Telemedicine Association ofhas a mission to advise, support and fulfill the needs of member physicians and clinics in the Canadian telemedicine space. With an accomplished multidisciplinary team of experts, the association will guide members to industry best-practices, along with assistance in adaptation to individual and association needs, in terms of telehealth operation, technology or platforms. For more information, visit the TAC website and follow on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and LinkedIn.About Lyte MedicalLyte Medical was founded in 2017 and has quickly become one ofleading virtual medical clinics; bolstered by two physical locations in, with their flagshipcentre in. With its cutting-edge platform, Lyte Medical is able to see patients across 9 provinces - with services covered under a patient's Provincial Health Coverage Plan. Helping over 5,000 patients annually, Lyte Medical brings healthcare online, in-home, and into the community through pharmacy and clinic partnerships. Lyte Medical sees patients from the most remote places inthrough their virtual clinic platforms. This allows them to become a leader in connecting rural parts ofto doctors and helping them gain access to physician support without the travel or the wait. You can visit Lyte Medical online, or on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn.Media Contact:, Founder JESSCO 1 (519) 494-5379 jess@jessmco.com, Lyte Medical, 5194945379, jess@jessmco.comSOURCE Lyte Medical
Arjun Kapoor and Neena Guptas movie Sardar Ka Grandson follows the journey of a US-returned grandson (Arjun) who leaves no stone unturned to fulfill his grandmother's wish. Its a very different concept wherein the grandmother requests the grandson to take her to her ancestral home in Lahore as she had spent her younger days in the neighbouring country. When Arjun doesnt get permission to take Sardar to Lahore, he decides to move the ancestral home to Amritsar.





Well, the critics didnt approve of the film as they found it sloppy and didnt find the movie worth investing time in but the audiences are of a different viewpoint. They are calling it a family entertainer and are loving the concept of the movie. They are recommending the movie because its a film that is light-hearted and is spreading love and positivity in such testing times.

Heres how people are reacting after watching the movie:

 Twitter

 Twitter

 Twitter

 Twitter

 Twitter

In a conversation with Outlook, Arjun Kapoor said that he could completely relate to this character. He said, I related to the film because I was a partner in crime with all my grandparents both paternal and maternal side. They have always pampered me and spoilt me and there is a history of my grandparents hailing from Pakistan too. So, there was a definite connection that drew me to the film from Prithviraj Kapoors time and I literally felt that I am travelling with the time. It was like a personal journey. So, it felt like a personal tick mark in my head to do this film.

Rakul added, When I first narrated the story of Sardar Ka Grandson to my father, he said dadu always wanted to do this and just go back and have a look at his home in Pakistan. The family bond that is shown in the film, I think every family understands those equations. My grandfather always wanted to go back to his house in Pakistan, but unfortunately, my father could never take him because my father was serving in the Indian Army. By the time my father retired from the army, my grandfather was a little too old to travel. The moment I heard that the story was something like this, it was like joining the dots for me.

Are you planning to watch this movie after such positive reviews? Let us know in the comments below.
While Twitter continues to be a battleground over COVID, a new diplomatic row broke out after Arvind Kejriwal posted a cautionary tweet about a new variant that has taken over Singapore, asking the center to cancel air services.

               ,           



    :

1.          

2.                Arvind Kejriwal (@ArvindKejriwal) May 18, 2021

Following this, there was a strong response by Singapore's Foreign Minister Vivian Balakrishnan, where he asked Kejriwal to 'stick to facts'.

Politicians should stick to facts!

There is no Singapore variant. https://t.co/SNJaF7wkwC https://t.co/pNgw4bkV4H  Vivian Balakrishnan (@VivianBala) May 19, 2021

Singapore also summoned the Indian envoy and expressed its strong objection on the same.

Singapore Government called in our High Commissioner today to convey strong objection to Delhi CM's tweet on "Singapore variant". High Commissioner clarified that Delhi CM had no competence to pronounce on Covid variants or civil aviation policy.  Arindam Bagchi (@MEAIndia) May 19, 2021

However, the drama did not end there. Minister of External Affairs, S. Jaishankar, reacted to the same in a strongly worded tweet, where he appreciated Singapore's role as a logistics hub and oxygen supplier in the battle against COVID.

Singapore and India have been solid partners in the fight against Covid-19.



Appreciate Singapore's role as a logistics hub and oxygen supplier. Their gesture of deploying military aircraft to help us speaks of our exceptional relationship. @VivianBala https://t.co/x7jcmoyQ5a  Dr. S. Jaishankar (@DrSJaishankar) May 19, 2021

Following that, he also added a scathing sidenote, where he directly called out Kejriwal for his remarks and said: "Delhi CM does not speak for India."

However, irresponsible comments from those who should know better can damage long-standing partnerships.



So, let me clarify- Delhi CM does not speak for India.  Dr. S. Jaishankar (@DrSJaishankar) May 19, 2021

Twitter obviously was on flames, and people were quick with their opinions. While some attacked Kejriwal for the alleged 'speading of fake news', others decided to throw MEA under the bus.

Is there any law for such fake news? Or it is not applicable for politicians?  Tulshiram Choudhari (@trchoudhari) May 19, 2021

Thank you Sir, quick response. Some people want to damage India image deliberately...  Anil Sonkar (@AnilSonkar7) May 19, 2021

Big fan Jaishankar ji.

Forget India, haraami Kejri should not even speak for Delhi!

May be should not speak at all!

Should not be the CM at all!

Should not be anywhere above the post of a peon or a bus conductor!!  Made in Thane Mobile Factory (@AichyagavatRaga) May 19, 2021

I think @ArvindKejriwal is saying right.

He is also a father.



It's my appeal to all parents , kindly take care of your children.



I suppose @ArvindKejriwal.

He is right.  Vivek Arya (@arysvivek) May 19, 2021

Sir thoda to sharm kar kariye & sikhiye singapore se, jab various countries like aus, uk,etc restrictions laga di travel from india se tab bhi aapse unko kuch nhi bola gaya ab singapore variant ka jikr matr se aap safai kyu de rahe h. Sher baniye aur maniye prblm h.  Rahul Sharma (@rahulraj_88) May 19, 2021

An elected CM doesn't speak for India? Wow. Is India someone's father's property now?  Amresh Kumar  (@kamreshAK) May 19, 2021

There have been multiple rounds of back and forth over this, and looks like this will not stop anytime soon. What do you think?
Meridian, MS (39302)

Today

Some sun this morning with increasing clouds this afternoon. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. High near 90F. Winds WSW at 10 to 15 mph..

Tonight

A few clouds. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. Low 71F. Winds light and variable.
Photo taken on May 19, 2021 shows explosions following an Israeli airstrike in the southern Gaza Strip city of Rafah. (Photo by Khaled Omar/Xinhua)

Israeli army had found Hamas military chief on 2 occasions in past 10 days of bombardment in Gaza but failed both, as he escaped just minutes before each operation began, a Gazan source says.

GAZA, May 19 (Xinhua) -- Israel tired in vain to assassinate the commander of Hamas' armed wing al-Qassam Brigades during the past 10 days of military operation in the Gaza Strip, a Gaza security source said Wednesday.

The source, who asked not to be named, told Xinhua that the Israeli army had found Mohammed Deif on two separate occasions but failed to kill him, noting he managed to escape just minutes before each Israeli operation began.

As Hamas military chief, Deif has been wanted by Israel for more than 25 years for planning terrorist attacks against Israeli citizens.

The health authorities in Gaza said 218 Palestinians have been killed, including 63 children and 36 women, and 1,510 others injured since the start of Israeli-Palestinian military confrontation on May 10.

Meanwhile, the Gaza militants have fired more than 3,500 rockets into Israel, claiming the lives of 10 Israelis.

This is the most intensive fighting between Israel and Hamas since 2014, prompting international concern that the situation could spiral out of control.
In summer 2020, The New York Times coordinated a nationwide project to document the lives of Americans out of work because of the COVID-19 pandemic. The study involved collaborating with 11 other local newsrooms around the U.S. The Messenger-Inquirer was the only newspaper from Kentucky in the collaboration. The resulting collection of stories was published Oct. 23, 2020, in the New York Times print edition and at nytimes.com/outofwork. The following list is the Messenger-Inquirer's local unemployment coverage from that time period; read more by clicking the "New York Times Project" header. Click on "Out Of Work In America" to go to the full
Chiles Senate will this week discuss a proposal recently approved in its lower house to introduce a controversial mining royalty bill that could see sales of copper taxed at an effective rate of more than 32%, Don Lindsay noted.Now we understand that the bill that has been passed by the chamber of deputies that will start discussion this week in the Senate in Chile does not include any references to tax stability agreements that are in place in the country, Lindsay told Bank of Americas Global Metal, Mining and Steel conference on Tuesday May 18.

We trust the Chilean institutions  the stability agreements were offered on a transparent and uniform basis under Chilean law and therefore are theoretically not negotiable, he...
According to the union leader, the introduction of a dynamic tax tied to copper prices is an "elegant" way to ensure private mining companies contribute with more resources for the country. He said that was a response to protests against more expensive public services and overall cost of living that took place in October 2019.

"This is not a new subject in Chile, it's something we were meant to discuss a long time ago, and the [Covid-19] pandemic worsened the situation," Briones said. "Royalties in Chile...
Miami, FL (33127)

Today

Sunshine and clouds mixed. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. High 87F. Winds SSE at 10 to 15 mph..

Tonight

Partly cloudy early with increasing clouds overnight. Low 77F. Winds S at 10 to 15 mph.
Miami, FL (33127)

Today

Sunshine and clouds mixed. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. High 89F. Winds SSE at 10 to 15 mph..

Tonight

Partly cloudy skies early will give way to cloudy skies late. Low 77F. Winds S at 5 to 10 mph.
Muskegon County Family Child Care Home License Summarily Suspended

Muskegon County Family Child Care Home License Summarily Suspended

Media Contact: LARA Communications (517-335-LARA (5272))

Email: mediainfo@michigan.gov

May 19, 2021 - The Dept. of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA), Child Care Licensing Bureau (CCLB), has summarily suspended and issued a notice of intent to revoke the family child care home license of Melisa Hoxsie, located at 3685 Haymeadow Avenue, Ravenna.

Effective May 18, 2021, the summary suspension order prohibits Hoxsie from operating a family child care home at 3685 Haymeadow Avenue, Ravenna, or at any other address or location. Accordingly, she may not accept children for care after that date and time. The order also requires the licensee to inform all parents of children in her care that the license has been suspended and that she can no longer provide child care.

LARA's actions resulted from a May 17, 2021 complaint investigation conducted by the Child Care Licensing Bureau (CCLB) at the family child care home. The investigation found violations of the Child Care Organizations Act and administrative rules, including but not limited to the following:

Concerns with care and supervision

Ratio of caregivers to children

Suitability of household members

Failure to have complete and accurate child information cards

It was critical to take emergency action to protect the health, welfare, and safety of the children at the Hoxsie family child care home.

Since LARA has summarily suspended the license, an administrative hearing will promptly be scheduled before an administrative law judge with the Michigan Office of Administrative Hearings and Rules (MOAHR).

To learn more about child care licensing and regulations, or how to file a complaint, please visit www.michigan.gov/cclb.
A Message from the Michigan Black Leadership Advisory Council on Voter Suppression

A Message from the Michigan Black Leadership Advisory Council on Voter Suppression

May 18, 2021

Media Contact: Camara Lewis, 517-930-4928

The members of the Michigan Black Leadership Advisory Council (BLAC) assert that the right to vote is the most sacred foundation of American citizenship. But that right is under attack by elected officials here in Michigan and nationwide who are seeking to suppress voters.

This vicious attack was the result of robust Black voter turnout in the 2020 presidential election in Michigan and other states, votes that were a repudiation of voter suppression. Election audits have proved that the election was fair. But members of the Michigan Legislature have introduced 39 bills that, if adopted, would lead to the disenfranchisement of all Michiganders, especially Black voters, in future elections.

The bills claim to solve problems that do not exist. For instance, they would:

Empower elections officials to remove or prohibit drop boxes.

Ban prepaid postage on absentee ballot return envelopes.

Require that a photocopy of identification be included with mailed absentee ballot applications.

Cut off vote-counting at noon on the day following an election, a move that likely would disenfranchise voters in large cities such as Detroit, where votes take longer to tally.

Limit the secretary of state's ability to help voters request an absentee ballot.

Require video surveillance of drop boxes for absentee ballots.

Lawmakers ignored pleas from Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson and other election officials to allow election volunteers to have 10 hours to pre-process absentee ballots before Election Day so that all votes can be counted on Election Night.

It is clear that these 39 bills are designed to intimidate Black voters. It is clear that these egregious tactics here in Michigan and everywhere are designed to limit the number of voters participating in our most democratic process.

That is the goal. It is un-American. And the clerks who run elections have criticized it. Chris Swope, president of the Michigan Association of Municipal Clerks, has said the package of bills contains, "Some of the most egregious voter suppression ideas Michigan has seen."

What a shame for Michiganders who adopted a constitutional amendment just three years ago that expanded voting rights in 2018! This attempt to suppress votes is a slap in the face to all voters.

Gov. Whitmer has pledged to veto the bills, but its promoters met her pledge by declaring that they would gain more than 340,000 signatures to overturn her veto.

BLAC strongly opposes the bills. The council strongly opposes efforts to suppress votes, especially the votes of Black Michiganders.

We are calling on residents across the state to flood these legislators with phone calls and emails expressing outrage.

The leaders of three dozen major Michigan companies, including General Motors, Ford, Blue Cross Blue Shield, and Quicken Loans, denounced the voter suppression efforts in Michigan and other states, without singling out any specific bills.

We call on residents across the state to contact the CEOs of companies across the state to oppose this mission, which is nothing short of an attack on our American way of life.

Visit BLAC's website to learn more and subscribe for updates.
Despite challenges, Michigan food and agriculture exports boomed in 2020

Total exports grew by $340 million, or 18.7%

For immediate release: May 19, 2021

Media contact: Jessy Sielski, 517-331-1151

Program contact: Jamie Zmitko-Somers, 517-284-5738

LANSING, MI - Despite all the challenges and uncertainties the COVID-19 pandemic brought with it, Michigan's agricultural exports saw considerable growth in 2020. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, Michigan's agricultural exports totaled $2.16 billion in 2020, an increase of 18.7 percent from the previous year's total of $1.82 billion.

"Through a once-in-a-century pandemic, Michigan's resilient farmers and dynamic agricultural industry stepped up to continue feeding the U.S. and the world," said Gov. Gretchen Whitmer. "Our agricultural exports topped $2.1 billion in 2020, a massive increase from 2019, despite the hardships and constantly changing circumstances brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic. I am grateful for the sacrifices Michigan's extraordinary farmers made to keep the rest of us going. Their hard work and grit feeds millions of families worldwide and supports thousands of jobs in rural communities across Michigan."

Significant increases in exports were seen in dairy products, soybeans, sugar beet byproducts, and wheat byproducts. Canada and Mexico remained Michigan's top export markets, largely due to the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA), which was recently renewed. Exports to South Korea and China saw renewed growth, moving up to the third and fifth positions, respectively. Michigan companies continue to seek opportunities to develop and grow export markets around the world.

"I think this really speaks to the strength, resilience, and global demand for Michigan's high-quality foods," said MDARD Director Gary McDowell. "Last year was a difficult time for people, communities, and businesses, so it's reassuring when we receive positive news like this, especially for an industry that supports so many families and rural areas."

Michigan's top exports include processed food products ($365 million); soybean, sugar beet, and wheat byproducts ($253 million); cereals, baked goods, and pasta ($208 million); soybeans and soybean meal ($193 million); and dairy products ($180 million).

"Michigan's food and agriculture export numbers haven't been this high since 2014," said Jamie Zmitko-Somers, director of MDARD's Agriculture Development Division. "As we approached the summer and fall seasons, there were legitimate concerns about Michigan's supply chain, but with almost no exceptions, it came through with remarkable growth. Across the state, foods were harvested, processed, and delivered right on time. This definitely played a role in the success of our exports."

The Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD)'s International Marketing Program assists Michigan food and agricultural businesses in expanding their marketing efforts both domestically and internationally. Working with various partners and services providers, the International Marketing Program offers Michigan businesses a variety of programs and services, including one-on-one consultations, export education, export assistance, and market entry activities and programs. For more information, visit Michigan.gov/AgExport or email MDARD-AgD@michigan.gov.

###

Like us on Facebook | Follow us on Twitter | Join us on LinkedIn

Follow us on Instagram | Subscribe to our Youtube Channel
May 19, 2021

Michigan Department of Natural Resources conservation officers assisted in a multi-agency search and rescue that concluded Tuesday for an angler who was reported missing Monday.

Conservation Officer Cole VanOosten received a call from the Chippewa, Luce and Mackinac Counties Central Dispatch at 9:40 p.m., Monday, reporting a 64-year-old angler, from Free Soil, located near Manistee failed to meet up with his fishing partner earlier in the day.

The man, who is not being identified by the DNR, was reported missing at 8 p.m. by his fishing partner.

VanOosten and Conservation Officer Colton Gelinas reported to the Luce County Sheriff's Office Incident Command Post that was established near the angler's last known location, near the intersection of Luce County Road 421 and the Tahquamenon River.

VanOosten and Gelinas kayaked the river until the search was postponed at 1 a.m. Tuesday. At 7:30 a.m., Conservation Officers Mark Zitnik and Cpl. Kevin Postma, Luce County Sheriff's Office and U.S. Border Patrol agents joined VanOosten and Gelinas to continue searching the river.

At 1 p.m., a Michigan State Police helicopter arrived and within 20 minutes located the missing angler.

VanOosten, Gelinas, Zitnik, and Postma received the angler's GPS coordinates and began the three-quarter mile hike towards the angler from the command post. It took the conservation officers 45 minutes to reach the missing man, who was dehydrated and extremely happy to see the officers.

Conservation officers carried the man piggy-back style until they neared the helicopter.

The man told the officers that he left the river Monday afternoon and tried to go cross-country back to the anglers' truck but he became disoriented. Once he realized he did not know the way out and it was getting dark, he found a small piece of high ground, started a fire and settled in for the night.

"This is a great example of a missing person who used good survival skills to preserve his own strength," said Chief Gary Hagler, Michigan DNR Law Enforcement Division. "Conservation officers receive unique search and rescue training to conduct searches in difficult terrain, such as the dense, swampy areas encountered during this search.

"Once the man realized he was lost, he stayed put, started a fire, and waited for help. Often when people become lost, they keep going farther away from where they started and from where a search would logically begin. We're all happy this had a positive outcome, it was a team effort by all agencies."

Led by Luce County Sheriff's Office, other assisting agencies included the Luce County Auxiliary, Luce County EMS and the Luce County Emergency Management Coordinator, the Michigan State Police Aviation Unit and Central Dispatch.

Michigan conservation officers are fully commissioned law enforcement officers who provide natural resources protection, ensure recreational safety and protect citizens by providing general law enforcement duties and conducting lifesaving operations in the communities they serve.
There were several police related issues brought up during the last Ubly Village meeting.

Village Trustee Sara Schmidt noted how dangerous it is for the crossing guard and for the students at the school. She reported students have had some close calls.

Chief of Police Dave Rothe said he will talk to the school and have them turn on the warning lights on M-19.

It was noted the issue of turning on the warning lights had been requested before but they have not been turned on.

During public participation, Jim Zulauf said the village should demand the school turn on the warning lights for the school crossing guard, for the safety of the guard and the children.

Doreen Zulauf also asked if the police department could talk to the school about the students parking on the sidewalk by the parking lot.

It is an issue because people either have to walk in the grass or go around the cars in the way, she explained.

Rothe said he would address the issue.

Rothe reported Officer Matt Clarks last day with the village as a full-time officer was April 30th.

Clark has taken a position with the Caro Police Department, but he will still work part time for the village, according to Rothe.

In other police matters, the police committee met and recommended to the council to hire Anthony Wood from Harbor Beach for the position of a full-time police officer in the village.

Wood, who has 22 years of experience, is currently working in Owendale.

After discussion, the council approved hiring Wood as a full-time police officer for the village.

In addition, Rothe explained the process of issuing a blight citation.

The first step is for the police to give the homeowner 14 days to clean up the blight. If that is not done, then a citation is issued.
NEW YORK (AP)  Even by Bitcoin's standards, Wednesday was pretty wild.

The price of the famously volatile digital currency fell nearly 30% at one point after the China Banking Association warned member banks of the risks associated with digital currencies. The decline narrowed to below 10% in the afternoon, but Bitcoin had still lost about $70 billion in market value in 24 hours.

Bitcoin has lost about 38% of its value since April 13 when it hit a high of more than $64,800, according to Coindesk. The China warning was just the latest headwind: Before Wednesday, Tesla's decision to not accept the digital currency as payment for cars  after it said it would  and murmurings in Washington about tighter regulation of digital currencies had put pressure on Bitcoin. The price is still up about 31% in 2021 and nearly 300% from a year ago.

Heres a look at Bitcoin and digital currencies in general:

___

HOW BITCOIN WORKS

Bitcoin is a digital currency that is not tied to a bank or government and allows users to spend money anonymously. The coins are created by users who mine them by lending computing power to verify other users transactions. They receive Bitcoins in exchange. The coins also can be bought and sold on exchanges with U.S. dollars and other currencies. Some businesses take Bitcoin as payment, and a number of financial institutions allow it in their clients' portfolios, but overall mainstream acceptance is still limited.

Bitcoins are basically lines of computer code that are digitally signed each time they travel from one owner to the next. Transactions can be made anonymously, making the currency popular with libertarians as well as tech enthusiasts, speculators  and criminals.

Bitcoins have to be stored in a digital wallet, either online through an exchange like Coinbase, or offline on a hard drive using specialized software. According to Coinbase, there are about 18.7 million Bitcoins in circulation and only 21 million will ever exist. The reason for that is unclear, and where all the Bitcoins are is anyones guess.

___

WHAT HAPPENED TO THE PRICE?

On Wednesday, a statement posted on the Chinese Banking Association's website said financial institutions should resolutely refrain" from providing services using digital currencies because of their volatility.

Virtually every cryptocurrency fell after the industry group's statement.

As of 4:15 p.m. eastern time Wednesday, Bitcoin was down more than 7% at around $40,310 per coin. Most cryptocurrencies lost between 7% and 22% of their value and shares of Coinbase dropped 5.4%.

It's not unusual for the value of Bitcoin to change by thousands of dollars in a short time period, though swings totaling around $20,000 in one day are extreme. On the last trading day of 2020, Bitcoin closed just under $30,000. In mid-April, it flirted with $65,000.

___

DOESN'T ELON MUSK HAVE A ROLE HERE?

Yes, and a fairly big one. Musk announced in February that his electric car company Tesla had invested $1.5 billion in Bitcoin. In March, Tesla began accepting Bitcoin as payment. Those actions contributed to the run-up in Bitcoin's price, and Musk also promoted the digital currency Dogecoin, which also spiked in value.

However, Musk reversed course in just a short time, saying last week that Tesla would stop accepting Bitcoin because of the potential environmental damage that can result from Bitcoin mining. The announcement sent Bitcoin falling below $50,000 and set the tone for the big pullback recently in most cryptocurrencies.

A number of Bitcoin fans pushed back on Musks reasoning. Fellow billionaire Mark Cuban said that gold mining is much more damaging to the environment than the mining of Bitcoin.

A 2019 study by the Technical University of Munich and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology found that the Bitcoin network generates an amount of CO2 similar to a large Western city or an entire developing country like Sri Lanka. But a University of Cambridge study last year estimated that on average, 39% of proof-of-work crypto mining was powered by renewable energy, primarily hydroelectric energy.

There had been some concern among Bitcoin investors that Tesla would sell some or all of its Bitcoin holdings, but Musk indicated in a tweet Wednesday that Tesla was sticking with its investment.

___

BUT SOME COMPANIES ARE USING BITCOIN?

The digital payment company Square and its CEO Jack Dorsey  also the CEO of Twitter  have been big proponents of Bitcoin. Overstock.com also accepts Bitcoin, and in February, BNY Mellon, the oldest bank in the U.S., said it would include digital currencies in the services it provides to clients. And Mastercard said it would start supporting select crypto currencies on its network.

Bitcoin has become popular enough that more than 300,000 transactions typically occur in an average day, according to Bitcoin wallet site blockchain.info. Still, its popularity is low compared with cash and credit cards.

___

THERE IS SKEPTICISM AROUND BITCOIN?

Yes, plenty of it. Tracking Bitcoin's price is obviously easier than trying to figure out its value, which is why so many institutions, experts and traders are skeptical about it and cryptocurrency in general. Digital currencies were seen as replacements for paper money, but that hasn't happened so far. Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell has said the central bank prefers to call crypto coins crypto assets, because their volatility undermines their ability to store value, a basic function of a currency.

While some banks and financial services companies are getting in on it, others are staying away.

___

COULD A DIGITAL CURRENCY SELL-OFF CAUSE WIDESPREAD DAMAGE?

Regulators arent very worried about a possible crash in digital currencies dragging down the rest of the financial system or economy.

Even with the recent sell-off, digital currencies have a market value of about $1.72 trillion, according to the website coinmarketcap.com. But that pales compared with the $46.9 trillion stock market, $41.3 trillion residential real estate market and nearly $21 trillion Treasury market at the start of the year.

The European Central Bank said Wednesday that the risk of cryptocurrencies affecting the financial systems stability looks limited at present. In large part, thats because theyre still not widely used for payments and institutions under its purview still have little exposure to crypto-linked instruments.

Earlier this month, the Federal Reserve said a survey of market contacts found roughly one in five cited cryptocurrencies as a potential shock to the system over the next 12 to 18 months. Thats a turnaround from the fall, when a similar survey found none mentioning cryptocurrencies.

HOW MUCH OVERSIGHT IS THERE?

Washington officials have been talking about regulating digital currencies more, and worries about a heavier hand have played a role in the recent swoon in prices.

Gary Gensler, who took over as chairman of the Securities and Exchange Commission last month, has said that cryptocurrency markets would benefit from more oversight to protect investors.

In a hearing before the Houses financial services committee earlier this month, Gensler said neither the SEC nor the Commodity Futures Trading Commission, which he used to head, has a regulatory framework for trading on cryptocurrency exchanges yet. He said he thought Congress would ultimately have to address it because "theres really not protection against fraud or manipulation.

___

HOW BITCOIN CAME TO BE

Its a mystery. Bitcoin was launched in 2009 by a person or group of people operating under the name Satoshi Nakamoto. Bitcoin was then adopted by a small clutch of enthusiasts. Nakamoto dropped off the map as bitcoin began to attract widespread attention. But proponents say that doesnt matter: The currency obeys its own internal logic.

___

Reporters Matt Ott, Ken Sweet and Stan Choe in New York contributed.
REYKJAVIK, Iceland (AP)  The Biden administration imposed sanctions Wednesday on Russian companies and ships for their work on a European natural gas pipeline adamantly opposed by the U.S., but President Joe Biden angered many Democratic and Republican lawmakers by opting not to punish the German company overseeing the project.

Waiving penalties regarding ally German in the Nord Stream 2 project was in line with our commitment to strengthen our Transatlantic relationships as a matter of national security, Secretary of State Antony Blinken said in a statement.

The U.S. has battled for years to block the pipeline, now 95% complete, though construction has not yet started on its German leg. The pipeline will carry natural gas from Russia to Germany, increasing Russia's leverage as a vital energy supplier in Europe. The U.S. argues that the pipeline threatens European energy security, heightens Russia's influence and poses risks to Ukraine and Poland in bypassing both countries.

Critics of the pipeline had hoped to stop it by targeting the German company and its top executive.

Sen. Bob Menendez, a New Jersey Democrat and chair of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, said he opposed Bidens waiver for Germany. Senior committee member Sen. Jeanne Shaheen, a New Hampshire Democrat, said the pipeline allows Russia to further spread its malign influence."

Oh, my God, enable Russia! Sen. Joni Ernst, an Iowa Republican, exclaimed at the decision. Joe Biden, thank you so much for allowing Russia to export their goods, she said, sarcastically.

Blinken said the Biden administration would continue to fight the pipeline. Our opposition to the Nord Stream 2 pipeline is unwavering, he said.

Biden's administration has emphasized strengthening alliances internationally to deal with foreign policy challenges. U.S. relations with Germany were unsettled by President Donald Trump's frequent affronts to Germany and other European allies and Trump's enthusiasm for Russian President Vladimir Putin.

German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas, who spoke with Blinken by phone Tuesday, praised the decision regarding the German interests involved.

We perceive this to be a constructive step that we will gladly continue to discuss with our partners in Washington, Maas told reporters in Berlin on Wednesday.

The administration was making public the sanctions as Blinken prepared to sit down in Iceland for his first face-to-face meeting with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov. Their meeting was already expected to be contentions amid a sharp deterioration in ties between Washington and Moscow.

The sanctions named eight Russian ships and companies. The German company, Nord Stream 2 AG, and its German chief executive also were identified as violating U.S. law. But Biden is using presidential authority to waive sanctions on them under a national interest exemption in the legislation.

German Chancellor Angela Merkel has defended the project, noting that Russian gas already flows freely into Europe along other routes, including the existing Nord Stream 1 pipeline under the Baltic Sea to Germany.

Nord Stream 2 is owned by Russian state company Gazprom, with investment from several European companies. Domestic critics in Germany have argued that the pipeline should be abandoned because of Russia's treatment of opposition leader Alexei Navalny.

In choosing not to hit Germany with sanctions and focus on Russian companies, the administration has exacerbated a battle with lawmakers, some of whom have now placed holds on the nominations of several of the administrations picks for senior State Department positions and are threatening to block others.

In Germany, the two leading contenders to succeed Merkel after the country's Sept. 26 general election have contrasting positions on the pipeline.

___

Lee reported from Reykjavik, Iceland. Knickmeyer reported from Oklahoma City. Associated Press writers Lisa Mascaro in Washington and Geir Moulson in Berlin contributed to this report.
WASHINGTON (AP)  Senate Republicans are signaling that they will try to block  or at least slow down  a Democratic effort to create a 9/11-style commission on the deadly Jan. 6 insurrection at the U.S. Capitol, threatening the chances of a deeper, independent look at the siege and how it could be prevented from happening again.

Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell said Tuesday he is pushing the pause button, on the legislation to form the commission, which is expected to pass the House this week despite the opposition of House Republican Leader Kevin McCarthy. That means the bill is likely to have a more difficult path when it reaches the Senate, where majority Democrats will need at least 10 GOP votes to pass it.

McConnell told reporters that his caucus is undecided but willing to listen to the arguments about whether such a commission is needed. He questioned whether the panel's work would interfere with the hundreds of criminal cases stemming from the Jan. 6 attack and whether the fine print of the bill would ensure that both parties on the commission have an equal say.

He also questioned a separate, $1.9 billion spending bill that the House is expected to pass this week for security upgrades. We're not sure what to spend the money on yet, McConnell said.

McCarthy's opposition and McConnell's hesitancy will almost certainly mean fewer Republicans will support the commission in both chambers. Most in the party are still loath to upset former President Donald Trump, who had encouraged his supporters to head to Capitol Hill that day to stop the counting of the electoral votes and overturn his defeat to Democrat Joe Biden.

Trump released a statement Tuesday night urging Republicans against approving what he called a Democrat trap.

The commission will also expose divisions in the party, as some Republicans have said they think an independent review is necessary. In private GOP caucus meetings across the Capitol on Tuesday, members argued for and against the idea.

Several Republican lawmakers joined McCarthy in speaking against the commission early Tuesday during a meeting of House Republicans, according to one Republican familiar with the private session who was granted anonymity to discuss it. The Republican who negotiated the bill with Democrats, New York Rep. John Katko, argued in favor.

I recognize there are differing views on this issue, which is an inherent part of the legislative process and not something I take personally, Katko said in a statement. However, as the Republican Leader of the Homeland Security Committee, I feel a deep obligation to get the answers U.S. Capitol Police and Americans deserve and ensure an attack on the heart of our democracy never happens again.

McConnell said his caucus had a good discussion in their closed-door lunch.

Some Republicans, such as Missouri Sen. Roy Blunt, recommended that his colleagues oppose the commission. Blunt, the top Republican on the Senate Rules Committee, is working on a bipartisan report with his Democratic colleagues that will include some recommendations for security upgrades. He said an independent investigation would take too long and frankly, I dont think there are that many gaps to be filled in on what happened on January 6th, as it relates to building security.

Other Senate Republicans have signaled support for the commission. Utah Sen. Mitt Romney said earlier Tuesday that given the violent attack, we should understand what mistakes were made and how we could prevent them from happening again.

Modeled after the investigation into the 9/11 terrorist attacks, the bill would establish an independent 10-member commission that would make recommendations for securing the Capitol and preventing another insurrection. The panel would have to issue a final report by Dec. 31.

The debate over the commission comes at a time when some Republicans have begun to downplay the severity of the Jan. 6 attack. And many Republicans say the commission should only be established if it can investigate other violent acts, including protests last summer in the aftermath of the death of George Floyd. McConnell declined to answer a question about whether he agreed with that, saying only that Republicans were evaluating what is appropriate.

Some have suggested that McCarthy himself could be subpoenaed by the panel because he talked to Trump as the Capitol was breached. Wyoming Rep. Liz Cheney, who was booted out of GOP leadership last week for her criticism of Trumps false claims of a stolen election, suggested as much in an interview with ABC News, saying she wouldnt be surprised if McCarthy was questioned in the investigation. Cheney has backed the commission.

Cheney and Katko are two of 10 Republicans who voted to impeach Trump after the insurrection for telling his supporters that day to fight like hell to overturn his defeat. The Senate later acquitted him.

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi called McCarthy's opposition to the commission cowardice and said he doesn't want to find the truth. She released a February letter from the GOP leader in which he asked for an even split of Democrats and Republican commissioners, equal subpoena power and no predetermined findings or conclusions listed in the legislation. The bipartisan legislation accommodates all three of those requests, she said.

Leader McCarthy wont take yes for an answer, she said.

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer vowed to bring the House measure for a vote. Republicans can let their constituents know: Are they on the side for truth or are they going to cover up? Schumer said.

He questioned why Republicans even negotiate with Democrats if the Republican leaders are just going to throw their lead negotiators under the bus.

The Biden administration said it supports the legislation and that the American people deserve such a full and fair accounting to prevent future violence and strengthen the security and resilience of our democratic institutions.

___

Associated Press writer Steven Sloan contributed to this report.
The talk of using manure from dairy cows to produce natural gas in the Thumb continued recently, as another out-of-state company made its intentions known.

Three representatives from the Mendon, New York-based Rev LNG spoke at this months Huron County Planning Commission meeting about their intent to install anerobic digesters to create natural gas in the county.

Bill Melick, a project manager with Rev LNG, said the company wanted to partner with dairy farms in Michigan and other states to use manure to create pipeline quality natural gas to offset the use of carbon-burning and diesel gases and to help dairy farms be carbon neutral.

How the anerobic digesting process works is that manure is placed in a digester and stored at a temperature of about 100 degrees. Microscopic organisms break down the organic material in a space without oxygen, the biogases produced are extracted and trailers move them offsite so that they can go into natural gas pipelines or be used for vehicles that run on natural gas.

Every gallon of diesel we displace in California takes several gallons of water to produce, Melick explained during the planners meeting. Another benefit is the long duration manure stays in the tank, which is 18 days. Storing it at that temperature kills pathogens like E.coli, which is a big concern in the area.

The leftover material from the process, digestate, is returned to the farmers for use as nutrient-rich fertilizer.

Melick said the digesters would be 100 feet by 25 feet by 30 feet and can hold up to two million gallons of manure. Sand that would be used in this process would be constantly cleaned and reused and the water that comes out of this would be used as part of cow feed.

Such plans for digesters would have them on individual farms rather than one digester for a group of farms. Melick dealt with a situation like that in Wisconsin where the farms were not close enough for underground pipes to be practical and they did not want create emissions from hauling manure to a digester.

Other questions that the planners asked the Rev LNG representatives included whether these digesters were made in the United States, what would happen if anything in the digester system broke down, what kinds of federal carbon credits would be involved, and what kinds of educational outreach would be in place about the natural gas produced.

According to Rev LNGs website, the company has sold 24,109,118 gallons of liquified and compressed natural gas, has 27 renewable natural gas projects in development, owns 48 natural gas transport assets, and operates in 29 states and Canada.

There have been previous reports of another company, the Raleigh, North Carolina-based Bioenergy Systems, planning to install eight to 10 anerobic digesters in the county for the same purpose.

Despite the planners enthusiasm for the potential of anerobic digesters, Jeff Smith, the planning and zoning director for the county, said that after talking to Kyle McCarty of the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, MDARD has not taken a position on digester operations like this, with McCarty not knowing if digesters are protected by the Right to Farm act.

The Right to Farm act allows for growing and raising farm products, which are plants and animals useful to human beings as determined by the Michigan Commission of Agriculture. Smith is not sure if the natural gas produced would be included in that and wants specific language to draw from to justify allowing digesters should complaints arise.

If my phone is off the hook, how do I defend the countys actions? Smith said, suggesting that such digesters possibly be listed as part of the countys infrastructure like the wind turbines.

Planning Commission Chairman Bill Renn said that is something the planners need to be work out along with contact MDARD about.
DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP)  The United Arab Emirates announced Tuesday it will offer a third shot to recipients of the Chinese state-backed Sinopharm coronavirus vaccine six months after their initial two-dose regimen. The move appears to make the UAE the first country worldwide to formally introduce the booster.

The brief statement comes after some residents in the UAE reported receiving a third shot amid concerns about an insufficient antibody response. Chinas top disease control official acknowledged last month that the country's locally produced vaccines offer low protection against the virus, adding to growing questions over the shots efficacy.

The Sinopharm vaccine has become the linchpin of the UAE's vaccination campaign, among the fastest in the world per capita. The country, home to the oil-rich capital Abu Dhabi and glitzy city-state Dubai, has raced to widespread immunity in hopes of a swift economic reopening. Dubai draws heavily from the service-heavy tourism and aviation industries, which have been clobbered by the coronavirus.

Aside from efficacy numbers, the Chinese manufacturer has released very little public data about its Sinopharm vaccine, prompting criticism for its lack of transparency. Nonetheless, the shot is at the heart of China's own mass immunization campaign and its vast vaccine diplomacy efforts.

The World Health Organization granted the Sinopharm shot emergency approval earlier this month, potentially paving the way for millions of doses to reach needy countries through the U.N.-backed COVAX vaccine program. A range of governments, including in Hungary, Pakistan, Serbia and the Seychelles, an island nation in the Indian Ocean, already administer Sinopharm.

This spring, the UAE became the first in the world to manufacture its own local version of the Sinopharm vaccine. Widespread vaccination also plays a key role in preparing Dubai to host the long-awaited World Expo in October this year, expected to draw some 25 million visitors.

As part of the states proactive strategy to provide maximum protection for society, the door has been opened for the public to receive an additional supportive dose of the Sinopharm vaccine for people, said Dr. Farida al-Hosani, an Emirati health spokeswoman, in a statement broadcast on state television.

The government statement did not reveal any further information, saying only that all approved vaccines undergo strict safety tests. In the first public release of information on the shot's efficacy last year, the UAE said the vaccine was 86% effective against the virus based on its review of an interim analysis, without providing further details.

In March, an official from a state-linked Emirati company distributing Sinopharm set off a storm of confusion when he acknowledged on Dubai's state-owned radio that a very small number of residents had already received booster shots of Sinopharm. As vaccine recipients became worried about their antibody levels, authorities cautioned the public against mixing different coronavirus vaccines.

Last month, the head of international cooperation at China National Biotec Group, which is a subsidiary of Sinopharm, described the UAE's use of booster shots as not included in our clinical plan.

"The country made their own decision that they found for some immunocompromised part of the population or the elderly group, if they found they have low levels of antibodies then they may give a third dose, but it is not recommended in our formal schedule, Li Meng said.

Chinese officials made no immediate new comments on the UAE's decision to drastically expand its booster shoot program.

At first, Abu Dhabi exclusively used Sinopharm for its rollout, while the neighboring emirate of Dubai offered other options, including Pfizer-BioNTech and Oxford-AstraZeneca. However, in recent weeks, Abu Dhabi has started to offer Pfizer as well. Across the country, the majority of low-paid workers from Africa, Southeast Asia and the Middle East who power the UAE's economy received the Sinopharm vaccine.

Infections in the UAE have gradually declined from peaks reached in January as tourists fleeing lockdowns back home flooded the country's bars and beaches. But daily counts of new cases still hover over 1,000 a day, far above last year's levels, even as the country has administered 117 vaccine doses per 100 residents. Unlike other countries with rapid vaccination drives, like Israel and the United Kingdom, the UAE remained open for business after emerging from a strict lockdown a year ago.

Earlier this month, health authorities in Bahrain, another small Gulf Arab sheikhdom that has relied on Sinopharm for its speedy campaign, reported that a booster shot will soon be made available to individuals, with the aim of strengthening herd immunity.

After the Emirati announcement Tuesday, Bahrain said the third shot for its Sinopharm recipients would initially go to a prioritized group, including first responders, residents older than 50 and those with underlying health conditions.

___

Associated Press writers Jon Gambrell in Dubai and Huizhong Wu in Taipei, Taiwan, contributed to this report.
MIDDLETOWN  Lt. Gov. Susan Bysiewicz visited Vinal Technical High School recently to highlight Gov. Ned Lamonts proposal for the use of federal COVID-19 recovery funding that Connecticut is receiving from the American Rescue Plan Act.

The American Rescue Plan Act is the sixth federal COVID-19 relief bill passed in the last year and is by far the largest infusion of resources to the state, according to a press release.

The Lamont-Bysiewicz administration developed a number of proposals with the goal of ensuring that the states recovery efforts are oriented toward transformative initiatives that enable Connecticut to emerge from the COVID-19 pandemic stronger, healthier, and ready to resume the progress that has made the state a leader in many areas and a desirable place to live, it said.

The full proposal makes investments in five key areas: defeating COVID-19, investing in the future, creating a more affordable Connecticut; economic growth that works for all and modernizing state government, the release said.

One specific plan will allocate $3.7 million to extend the operating hours at the states technical high schools.

Bysiewicz, Middletown Mayor Ben Florsheim, and state Sen. Matt Lesser joined Connecticut Technical Education and Career System Superintendent Jeffrey Wihbey and Principal Javette Giannelli-Allen to highlight the investment May 27, the news release said.

The investment could allow us to open more Career Academies across the state for young people to get training and earn industry-recognized credentials that will provide them with a better career pathway in life, Wihbey said.

This funding will allow Vinal Tech and other CTECS schools to expand career technical education opportunities to more learners of diverse ages, backgrounds, regions and learning needs, Giannelli-Allen said.

The funding will provide increased opportunities for students to participate in after-school, career training programs by building on the Career Academy program, which assists students with obtaining industry-recognized credentials in one of four in-demand trade areas: manufacturing, facilities carpentry, culinary, and automotive collision and repair, according to the statement.

In addition, money will support expanding apprenticeship training programs across the state that provide related instruction for all license categories in the following areas: electrical, heating/cooling, plumbing, sheet metal and barbering.

Our technical high schools are already doing an amazing job. We see a 97 percent graduation rate from the Connecticut Technical Education and Career System, Bysiewicz said in a prepared statement.

Vinal Tech, like our entire Vo-Tech system, is a real gem, said Lesser said in the release. We should prepare our workforce to take full advantage of the federal infrastructure package.

Middletown is very proud of the schools work and to be their host community. Vinal Tech is an outstanding and unique educational institution, Florsheim said.
PHOENIX (AP)  Firms hired to run a partisan audit of the 2020 election for Senate Republicans in Arizona said Tuesday that data was not destroyed, reversing earlier allegations that election officials in the state's most populated county eliminated evidence.

The claim of deleted databases was amplified by former President Donald Trump and his supporters, who believe conspiracy theories about election irregularities.

Ben Cotton, founder of a computer forensics firm working on the audit, told key senators that he had recovered all data. The revelation came a day after Maricopa County officials released a scathing letter saying the auditors couldn't find the data because they didn't know where to look.

I have the information I need from the recovery efforts of the data, said Cotton, founder of CyFIR LLC.

He spoke at a livestreamed hearing called by Republican Senate President Karen Fann to demand answers from county officials about the allegation of deleted data and improper documentation of ballot storage.

The GOP-controlled county Board of Supervisors refused to show up, instead holding a blistering meeting of their own Monday to refute the allegations. They called the audit a sham and said Fann's auditors are incompetent.

After Trump complained without evidence that his loss in Arizona was marred by fraud, Fann used the Senate's subpoena power to take control of 2.1 million ballots, counting machines and hard drives full of data from Maricopa County, which includes the Phoenix area. She hired Cyber Ninjas, a firm led by a Trump supporter who has promoted conspiracy theories about the election, CyFIR and other firms to review the ballots and data.

The ballot count is on hold this week while the aging arena where it's taking place is used for high school graduations.

At the Senate's hourlong meeting Tuesday, Fann and Judiciary Committee Chairman Warren Petersen, also a Republican, asked friendly questions of Cotton, Cyber Ninjas founder Doug Logan and Ken Bennett, a former Republican secretary of state serving as the Senate's audit liaison. The meeting was broadcast online but was not open to the press or public. Neither senators nor auditors answered questions from the media.

County officials have refused the Senate's demand to provide administrative passwords to vote-counting machines and internet routers, saying the county doesn't have the passwords and releasing the routers would compromise sensitive data.

The hearing did not shed light on a central question of the audit: who's paying. The Senate has agreed to pay Cyber Ninjas $150,000, but Logan has acknowledged that's not enough to cover his costs. He has refused to say how much the audit is costing or who is contributing. At least two fundraisers, one organized by a pro-Trump cable network and the other by a prominent Trump donor, have claimed to have raised hundreds of thousands of dollars.

While many Trump supporters hope the audit will turn up evidence that he was the rightful winner of the 2020 election, Fann said she's not looking to overturn or decertify the election results. Rather, she wants to identify ways to improve election procedures in the future, which has prompted fears among Democrats that the GOP will push for legislation that suppresses Democratic votes.

Petersen, the Judiciary Committee chairman, said the Maricopa County audit will be a model for lawmakers in the future.

When the next forensic audit is done, it will be a completely smooth process from start to finish," Petersen said.
MCALLEN, Texas (AP)  Domingo Antonio Zeledon traveled for nearly three weeks from his hometown in Nicaragua, leaving behind his wife and three youngest children to come to the United States with his 17-year-old son.

The 39-year-old couldn't support his family on earnings equivalent to $5 a day. Even after crossing the border in Texas' Rio Grande Valley and receiving a COVID-19 test while detained, he didn't think he would be allowed to stay in the U.S. to seek asylum. Other migrants assured him he would not.

I dont know why I was not expelled like others, Zeledon said at a shelter in McAllen, Texas, last week as he prepared to leave for Wisconsin to join a friend and work construction.

As migrants face uncertainty about who is allowed to stay and who isn't, the Biden administration is reshaping how it's using pandemic-related powers known as Title 42, named for a section of an obscure 1944 law that former President Donald Trump tapped to effectively end asylum while health officials sought to prevent the coronavirus from spreading.

The Department of Homeland Security on Tuesday confirmed it was taking steps to ease more than a year of asylum restrictions that have led border authorities to rapidly expel single adults and many migrant families with older children from the country. Unlike Trump, President Joe Biden has exempted unaccompanied children.

An attorney for the American Civil Liberties Union said Monday that the changes were a result of negotiations to settle a lawsuit that the organization filed in federal court in Washington, D.C.

The Biden administration has agreed to eventually let about 250 people a day through southern border crossings to seek refuge in the United States. Homeland Security said it was working to streamline a system for identifying and lawfully processing particularly vulnerable individuals who warrant exceptions for humanitarian reasons under the Title 42 order. They will be allowed to seek humanitarian protection through a consortium of nongovernmental organizations after being tested for COVID-19.

About 2,000 people have already been exempted from expulsion and allowed to enter the country to pursue asylum or other forms of protection in the United States, said ACLU attorney Lee Gelernt.

While these concessions will hopefully save lives, they are not a substitute for eliminating Title 42 and restoring asylum processing fully, Gelernt said.

The government also has stopped flying migrant families from the Rio Grande Valley, the nation's busiest corridor for illegal crossings, to El Paso and San Diego to be expelled to Mexico. The U.S. can resume flights if it deems the circumstances warrant, both sides said.

Homeland Security said in a statement that flights were initially halted based on operational needs and that negotiations resulted in continued suspension.

Biden has faced criticism from progressives for keeping asylum off-limits to many and creating policies that encourage parents to send children across the border alone. Enforcement-minded critics say exempting unaccompanied children from expulsion led to record numbers crossing the U.S.-Mexico border and that further lifting restrictions will invite many more people to come.

Immigration advocates have ratcheted up pressure to end expulsions entirely, arguing that they cannot be defended solely on the grounds of protecting public health. Migrants are typically expelled to Mexico within two hours of getting picked up by Border Patrol agents.

Administration officials have insisted that the pandemic powers are in place for public health reasons but have been vague on the humane asylum system that Biden promised during his campaign. Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas told lawmakers last week that improvements are needed.

It has been a yearslong challenge preceding the Trump administration, preceding the Obama administration, that the time of adjudication of asylum claims is too long, Mayorkas said. We need to shorten that, but not at the expense of permitting individuals to develop their legitimate claims through the recovery from the trauma that they might have suffered, and so many, in fact, have suffered.

Melissa Crow, an attorney for the Southern Poverty Law Center, said people on informal waiting lists to seek asylum at official border crossings with Mexico should be allowed to enter the United States. The Strauss Center at the University of Texas, Austin, issued a report Tuesday that estimates nearly 19,000 migrants were on such waiting lists in eight Mexican border cities this month, a 15% increase from February.

As asylum-seekers, these individuals are inherently vulnerable and should be covered by the consortium process," said Crow, who represents migrants on waiting lists in a federal lawsuit in San Diego. But due to the lack of any concerted outreach to such individuals by either the government or the consortium organizations, most of them have no idea that the consortium process exists or that they might be eligible for it.

The Border Patrols more than 173,000 encounters with migrants on the Mexican border in April were the highest level since April 2000, though the numbers arent directly comparable because more than six of 10 last month had been expelled. Being expelled carries no legal consequences, so many people try to cross multiple times.

Authorities encountered 17,171 children traveling alone in April, the highest number since an all-time high of 18,960 in March.

There were about 50,000 people encountered in families in April. About one of every three families was expelled to Mexico. The rest were allowed to remain in the United States to seek asylum.

___

Spagat reported from San Diego.
President Joe Biden's efforts to persuade Benjamin Netanyahu to halt military strikes against Hamas in Gaza are plunging the two leaders into a difficult early test of the U.S.-Israeli relationship.

The two have had other moments of tension over the years, and their current differences over the war in Gaza create a challenge that Biden was trying mightily to avoid.

Biden told Netanyahu in a telephone call Wednesday that he expected significant de-escalation of the fighting by day's end, according to the White House. But the prime minister came right back with a public declaration that he was determined to continue" the Gaza operation until its objective is achieved.

Netanyahu did allow that he greatly appreciates the support of the American president, but said nonetheless that Israel would push ahead.

This is not where Biden had hoped to expend his time and energy.

Early in Bidens term, foreign policy has taken a back seat. The president has tried to avoid getting bogged down in an interminable effort to establish an elusive Mideast peace that many of his White House predecessors have dedicated precious time to without much success.

This is not the first time Biden and Netanyahu have been publicly at odds.

As vice president, Biden kept Netanyahu waiting for a dinner meeting after the Israeli leader embarrassed President Barack Obama by approving the construction of 1,600 new apartments in disputed east Jerusalem in the middle of Bidens 2010 visit to Israel.

Netanyahu sought to patch up hurt feelings at the dinner. But after the meal, Biden admonished the prime minister in a statement, saying the move undermined a U.S. effort to persuade the Palestinians to resume peace talks.

Later, Obama and Netanyahus relationship cratered as White House aides questioned the Israeli's willingness to find accommodations with Palestinians and Sunni Arab countries to build a lasting peace in the region. Netanyahu, for his part, was furious about White House efforts to reach a nuclear deal with Iran.

Amid the tension between Obama and Netanyahu, Biden went out of his way during a 2014 speech before the Jewish Federations of North America to say that he and Netanyahu were still buddies, albeit with a somewhat complicated relationship. Biden noted that he had once inscribed a photo for Netanyahu with Bibi I dont agree with a damn thing you say but I love you.

In late 2019, during a question and answer session with voters on the campaign trail, Biden called Netanyahu counterproductive and an extreme right leader. But he also accused Palestinian leaders of fomenting the conflict and baiting everyone who is Jewish. And he suggested that some on the U.S. political left give the Palestinian Authority a pass when criticizing Israeli leadership.

Netanyahu had a notably better relationship with President Donald Trump, whom he praised for moving the U.S. Embassy to Jerusalem from Tel Aviv and brokering a normalization of relations between Israel and Gulf neighbors Bahrain and the United Arab Emirates as well as Morocco and Sudan.

Biden's call on Netanyahu to de-escalate the fighting came as political and international pressure mounted on the U.S. president to intervene more forcefully to push for an end to the hostilities. Biden, until Wednesday, had avoided pressing Israel more directly and publicly for a cease-fire, or conveying that level of urgency for ending Israeli airstrikes targeting Hamas in the thickly populated Gaza Strip.

His administration has relied instead on what officials described as quiet, intensive diplomacy, including quashing a U.N. Security Council statement that would have addressed a cease-fire. The administrations handling opened a divide between Biden and some Democratic lawmakers, dozens of whom have called for a cease-fire.

Egypt and some others have worked without success to broker a halt to fighting, while Hamas officials indicated publicly they would keep up their rocket barrages into Israel as long as Israel continued airstrikes.

Netanyahu, in his statement, made clear he had no plans to immediately wind down Israeli strikes targeting Hamas leaders and supply tunnels in Gaza, a 25-mile by 6-mile strip of territory that is home to more than 2 million people.

With every passing day we are striking at more of the terrorist organizations capabilities, targeting more senior commanders, toppling more terrorist buildings and hitting more weaponry stockpiles, Netanyahu said.

The White House did not respond directly to Netanyahu's statement but said top Biden advisers continued to be in hour by hour contact with their Israeli counterparts.

The State Department said Secretary of State Antony Blinken spoke Wednesday with Israeli Foreign Minister Gabi Ashkenazi and reinforced the message that the U.S. expects to see de-escalation on the path to a ceasefire.

Biden's relationship with Netanyahu could be further complicated for the president by a shifting tide on Israel among some congressional Democrats. Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez of New York has called Israel an apartheid state, and Rep. Ilhan Omar of Minnesota has labeled Israeli airstrikes terrorism." Biden, during a visit to a Michigan on Tuesday, had an animated conversation about the ongoing fighting with Rep. Rashida Tlaib, who has family in the West Bank. Tlaib told Biden that his administration must do far more to protect Palestinian lives, according to a person familiar with their conversation,

Soon after Netanyahu announced he planned to continue operations, Reps. Ocasio-Cortez, Tlaib and Mark Pocan of Wisconsin introduced a resolution opposing the sale of $735 million in military weaponry to Israel that's already been approved by the Biden administration. Separately, 138 House Democrats on Wednesday signed a letter, organized by Rep. David Price of North Carolina, urging Biden and his administration to boldly lead and take decisive action to end the violence.

The fighting, the worst Israeli-Palestinian violence since 2014, has killed at least 219 Palestinians and 12 people in Israel.

Top Biden administration officials have stressed to the Israelis in recent days that time is not on their side as international objections mount to their operations and domestic pressure builds on Biden, according to a person familiar with the ongoing discussions,

-

Associated Press Writers Alexandra Jaffe in New London, Connecticut, and Lisa Mascaro in Washington contributed reporting.
RIO DE JANEIRO (AP)  A former health minister denied receiving any direct orders from President Jair Bolsonaro during his 10 months in the post, providing the first day of his Senate testimony Wednesday that analysts saw as an attempt to shield Brazils leader from any blame over the governments pandemic response.

Eduardo Pazuellos testimony to the Senate committee investigating the Bolsonaro administrations handling of COVID-19 had been among the most widely anticipated. He was Brazils top health official from May 2020 to March 2021.

The actions were all mine, Pazuello said, adding that the president never issued an order to do anything other than what I was doing.

The president told me and every minister several times: The person who discusses health issues is Minister Pazuello. So never, never -- and I will repeat -- not once was I called to get guidance from the president in a different way, he said.

The comments appeared to contradict comments Pazuello made during a Oct. 22 live Facebook broadcast when, sitting beside Bolsonaro, the then-health minister said their relationship was simple. One orders, he said, pointing to Bolsonaro. The other obeys, he said, pointing to himself.

Pazuellos time as health minister was the longest of the four who have served during the coronavirus pandemic. The active-duty army general had no prior public health experience, instead possessing a background in logistics. He left the post amid a surge in COVID-19 deaths and following a series of moves criticized by health experts.

Asked why he left the job, Pazuello had a short answer: Mission accomplished.

If the mission was to protect the president, he fulfilled the mission, political consultant Thomas Traumann said on Twitter.

The most tense moment of Wednesdays testimony came after Sen. Eduardo Braga, considered to be a moderate, accused Pazuello of giving wrong, deceitful information about the city of Manaus oxygen supply crisis in January. The difficulties of the Amazon city drew global notice as COVID-19 patients died breathless for weeks.

Pazuello calmly said the issue was solved after three days, visibly upsetting Braga, who represents Amazonas state.

You were there and you saw with your very eyes. The people of Amazonas state died because of the lack of oxygen, Braga shouted as other senators nodded in agreement. We werent short of oxygen for three days, it was more than 20 days. Just look at the number of dead. Just look at the desperation.

Pazuello proved more compliant as minister than his two predecessors who left amid disagreements with Bolsonaro, particularly over prescription of chloroquine to treat COVID-19. Pazuellos ministry backed the use and distribution of the unproven malaria pill.

Marco Antonio Teixeira, a professor of political science at Brazils Getulio Vargas Foundation, said the testimony was inconsistent with that given by other witnesses before the Senate committee.

Pazuello is trying to limit the responsibility to the ministry and prevent it from reaching the presidential palace, Teixeira told The Associated Press. It will be difficult for him to succeed. Other testimony in the probe and Bolsonaros own comments have shown the opposite.

Last week, Bolsonaros former communications director, Fabio Wajngarten, said a letter sent by Pfizer in September offering a contract for 70 million vaccine doses went unanswered for two months. But he blamed bureaucratic red tape for the delay.

Sen. Renan Calheiros, who is in charge of summoning the investigations witnesses, asked Pazuello several times to explain why the government delayed in responding to the offer from the pharmaceutical giant.

Pazuello said his ministry spent the time analyzing the proposal. We were busy with discussions about the clauses of the vaccine contract in September and October, he said.

Brazil has recorded almost 440,000 deaths from the virus, with a peak of more than 3,000 daily deaths in mid-April, several weeks after Pazuellos departure. The number of deaths has since retreated, but remains near 2,000 each day and is the worlds second-highest tally.

During another testy exchange with lawmakers on the Senate commission, Pazuello denied that Brazils president ordered him to scrap plans to purchase vaccines made by Chinese pharmaceutical company Sinovac and bottled by Sao Paulo states Butantan Institute.

Bolsonaro said Oct. 21 on Twitter that he decided to cancel the purchase, but Pazuello said a formal order never materialized.

The president never asked me to undo any contract with Butantan, he told the lawmakers.

Frustrated lawmakers asked him again if there was an order from Bolsonaro. A post on the internet is not an order, Pazuello responded.

His testimony had been expected to run at least into late Wednesday, but it was cut short in the afternoon.

The chairman of the inquiry, Sen. Omar Aziz, who is a physician, told journalists that Pazuello needed medical attention but would resume his testimony Thursday morning.

___

Associated Press writer Marcelo Silva de Sousa reported this story in Rio de Janeiro and AP writer Mauricio Savarese reported from Sao Paulo.
SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP)  Nearly a third of California's restaurants permanently closed and two-thirds of workers at least temporarily lost their jobs as the pandemic set in more than a year ago and Gov. Gavin Newsom imposed the nation's first statewide lockdown, a legislative committee reported Tuesday.

Few business sectors were more battered than the dining industry, which before the pandemic included more than 76,000 eating and drinking establishments employing 1.8 million people, according to the California Restaurant Association.

But with the shutdown, as many as a million of those workers were quickly furloughed or laid off, the association told the state Senate's Special Committee on Pandemic Emergency Response.

COVID-19 has upended all of our lives, but its impacts have been felt more acutely in the restaurant industry, said Democratic state Sen. Josh Newman, who heads the committee and led the hearing on the issue. It is clear that recovery will take time.

Restaurant employment is still down one-quarter from before the pandemic, according to the latest numbers from the state Employment Development Department.

Industry leaders said they fear a lack of labor may shutter more establishments as the economy reopens.

The state initially closed nonessential businesses, though it allowed food-serving establishments to continue offering takeout meals. Its color-coded tier system for reopening the economy later allowed restaurants to offer outdoor seating or indoor dining at various levels of capacity as coronavirus cases eased.

With infections dwindling, vaccinations increasing and a positivity rate below 1%, officials say California is on track to lift most remaining restrictions on June 15.

Yet many restaurants are struggling to serve the customers already allowed under current capacity limits because of a lack of staff, the committee said.

Potential employees may be able to make ends meet with unemployment and federal stimulus benefits instead of going back to work, it said in its report. Some may fear for their safety during the pandemic, while others may want more stable career paths after being repeatedly furloughed.

Right now were just at the beginning of feeling this crunch, said Matthew Sutton, California Restaurant Association senior vice president for government affairs and public policy.

Without providing specifics, he said lawmakers might want to use part of the state's massive budget surplus to create an incentive program for employees to return to work. Other committee witnesses said they're hoping for more direct aid either through stimulus or tax relief funding.

The industry is expected to eventually rebound, the restaurant association reported, creating another 160,000 jobs by 2029, for a total of nearly 2 million statewide.

This is a two- to three-year recovery, Kevin McCarney, founder and chief executive officer of Southern California's Poquito Mas restaurant, told the committee. In the meantime, restauranteurs said they have to recover from the revenue they lost while their fixed costs like rent and insurance continued.

Its not a given that were going to survive," said Laurie Thomas, executive director of the Golden Gate Restaurant Association and owner of two popular restaurants. "Were all digging out from so much the past 15 months.

With a lack of specifics from the state on the June 15 reopening, she fears restaurants will be allowed to return to full capacity only with vaccinated customers, leaving their staff to become the new ID police expected to check vaccination cards  a role she and others said they can't handle.

Several witnesses expressed frustration with the state's changing shutdown rules or lack of information on assistance programs, though Greg Dulan, owner of Dulans Soul Food Kitchen in Los Angeles County, said the state-funded Great Plates food delivery program saved his business during the pandemic.

Health officials abrupt shutdown orders gave restaurant owners no time to ramp down employment or distribute food, beverages and other supplies they had just acquired, witnesses said at the hearing.

In hindsight, the state lacked evidence to back up its decision to close outdoor dining and that rationale was not effectively communicated, said Marin County Public Health Officer Dr. Matt Willis, though he said the evidence of virus transmissions during indoor dining was much more clear.

With no time to collect data on the risk of transmissions from open air contact, health officials had to use their best judgment at the time but now understand that the risk of outdoor transmission is low, said Willis and California Conference of Directors of Environmental Health executive director Justin Malan.

"We may not have had all the right answers ... but remember, this was a novel coronavirus," said Malan. "We didnt have a blueprint on how to respond to this.

Restaurants said they adapted to a new business model on the fly during the pandemic.

They could offer curbside deliveries or deliveries off-site, or expand into outdoor areas like patios, sidewalks, parking lots and closed-off streets with local approval  innovations that may remain for some time.

Some adopted disposable menus or ones customers could view on their smartphones. And Sutton said improvements restaurants made to their indoor airflow and filtering will remain long-term.
In 2019 and again in 2020, Oregon Republicans walked out of the state Legislature to prevent a vote on cap-and-trade climate bills. The legislation was meant to drive down the states carbon emissions, but Republicans feared the bills would place the greatest burden of higher fuel prices on sparsely populated rural communities.

In 2008, the center-right party in British Columbia, actually named the Liberal Party, created a carbon tax to reduce emissions. More than a decade later, it has helped lower emissions without disproportionately hurting rural B.C. residents.

This year, climate legislation remains a tense topic of debate in the Pacific Northwest politics. Why has a carbon-pricing program worked in British Columbia but not in Oregon?

Protests rooted in rural apprehensions

In 2020, members of the populist group #TimberUnity flooded the streets of Salem, Ore., blaring air horns from big rig trucks. They were rallying at the state Capitol to protest a cap-and-trade climate bill. Many of the groups members, which included Republican legislators, felt that rural communities were overlooked in climate legislation forged by the Democratic majority.

Todd Stoffel is a trucker and the vice president of the Timber Unity Association. While some residents and businesses would have received so-called carve-outs, which exempted them from increased fuel costs, he was concerned about those who would have to pay more.

The people that didnt get carve-outs, the cost of it is going to fall on their backs. And dumping more stuff on the backs of the taxpayer is not right, Stoffel said during a 2020 interview on Oregon Public Broadcastings Think Out Loud.

The Republican walkouts effectively killed the climate bills by depriving the Senate of a quorum and preventing votes the opponents were nearly certain to lose. One of those lawmakers was Republican state Rep. David Brock Smith from Oregons southwest coast. Brock Smith was the minority representative on the Legislatures carbon-reduction committee. Today hes still concerned rural Oregonians would shoulder the biggest financial burden of a cap-and-trade law as more expensive fuel drives up prices for groceries and other commodities.

So that apple in Brookings would be more expensive to buy than it would be in Portland, just for the basic fact that its farther away, he said. He also worries rural Oregonians wouldnt benefit from the green energy jobs advertised in the past legislation.

The proponents of the bill never put pen to paper on where those jobs were going to come from, where these investments in rural Oregon were going to go, Brock Smith said.

Even after two years of legislation and months of debate, Oregons cap-and-trade proposals could not achieve one of the key aspects of British Columbias success  bringing business interests and rural residents on board.

Despite similar, initial concerns in British Columbia, the provinces 2008 carbon tax actually had less impact on rural communities than on urban residents, political scientists say.

By now, we have a bunch of studies that have shown that it didnt hurt British Columbias economy, it wasnt regressive, which is often a concern, and it did reduce emissions below what they would have been otherwise, said Kathryn Harrison, a professor of political science at the University of British Columbia who has written about British Columbias carbon-tax program and currently is writing a book about carbon taxes.

So, what is preventing carbon-pricing proponents from winning enough support in Oregon?

Oregons cap-and-trade attempts

Carbon taxes and cap-and-trade programs are different ways to put a price on greenhouse gas pollution. Both are meant to reduce emissions by forcing polluters to pay more for the waste they create.

Washington state tried and failed  twice  to pass a carbon tax by voter initiative. There are currently no U.S. states with a carbon tax.

Cap-and-trade programs are being used by the European Union, as well as by a consortium of 11 East Coast states. California also has a functioning cap-and-trade system, and the Washington Legislature enacted one this spring.

In Oregon, Democratic lawmakers tried their own cap-and-trade plans in 2019 and 2020.

Basically, cap-and-trade programs set a limit on how much pollution can be released in the state annually. Industries get allowances for how much they can pollute. If they want or need to pollute more, they are forced to buy allowances from other industries that are emitting less.

Over time, the level of pollution allowed in the state would be reduced and force industries to clean up their businesses.

Like a lot of bills, it put a price on carbon and, therefore, offered a market incentive for reducing emissions and a trading mechanism for selling them, said Oregon state Sen. Jeff Golden, who worked on the 2019 legislation.

The average Oregonian would feel the impact when businesses passed their costs along to consumers  at the gas pump, for instance. State forecasts from 2019 estimated Oregonians would pay 22 cents more per gallon of gas in 2021, and that amount would increase in subsequent years. The expectation is that more expensive gas will motivate people to adopt more fuel-efficient, less polluting vehicles.

British Columbias conservative-led carbon tax

Unlike Oregon, which pursued cap and trade, British Columbia opted for a simpler carbon-pricing program.

In 2008, conservatives proposed a carbon tax that applied to almost all fossil fuels in the province, including gas, diesel, natural gas and even coal used by power plants.

According to Harrison, the University of British Columbia political scientist, the B.C. business sector didnt fight the tax because it applied equally to business and individuals.

One of their conditions for not fighting a carbon tax was that it be applied broadly across the economy with the same price applying to everyone, Harrison said.

The other big appeal for British Columbians was that the carbon tax was revenue neutral. Whatever people paid in carbon taxes, they paid less in income taxes, corporate taxes or business taxes.

Its designed to increase taxes on bad things, in particular, carbon pollution, and reduce other taxes, said George Hoberg, professor of public policy at the University of British Columbia. So, businesses actually got as much or, in some cases, more money back than they spent on the carbon tax, and so did individuals.

Research also has shown that rural communities in British Columbia not only were made whole by the programs tax cuts, but benefited more from them than did their urban counterparts. A 2016 article in the journal Ecological Economics describes a myth of unfairness, which asserts that benefits created for rural residents in northern interior British Columbia overcompensated rural households, such that these households are net beneficiaries from the carbon tax. 

So, in fact, it was a misperception that the carbon tax, in British Columbias case, was costing rural residents more, Harrison said.

Both Harrison and Hoberg acknowledge the carbon tax was not universally liked. Conservative politicians in British Columbia suffered politically after it passed. Starting in 2013, lawmakers froze the carbon tax, preventing it from increasing for five years. But still, both professors said, it has made a difference. While British Columbia hasnt met its overall greenhouse gas reduction goals, the carbon tax has likely slowed the increase of emissions.

In Oregon, Democrats made concessions for how rural residents would be affected by cap and trade. For example, the 2020 bill offered funding to help truckers convert to lower-emission fuels. Setting gas prices regionally also meant residents in Oregons largely rural east side wouldnt see fuel increases at all. And there were tax credits designed to increase benefits to rural communities and offset gas costs for low-income residents around the state.

Looking back, Golden, the state senator, said the cap-and-trade bills downfall may have been its complexity, which made it vulnerable to misinformation.

The more details, the more twists and turns and bells and whistles, the more opportunities there are to distort it, Golden said.

In contrast, a carbon tax like British Columbias is relatively simple.

West Coast states push for carbon pricing

This year, Oregons Democrats are proposing scaled-back climate legislation, partly in hopes of avoiding more protests from Republicans. While cap-and-trade legislation is off the table for 2021, two bills being debated would create different policies to decarbonize Oregons electric grid by transitioning to 100% emission-free electricity by either 2040 or 2050.

Critics of Oregons climate bills argue the states relatively low emissions in the face of overall global climate change make any carbon-pricing program inconsequential and not worth the economic costs.

But Harrison at the University of British Columbia said when neighboring jurisdictions create their own carbon-pricing programs, it builds political momentum and helps expand the impact of such programs. Today in Canada, all the provinces and territories have their own carbon-pricing program or follow a federal backstop requirement to limit emissions.

In Washington state, lawmakers passed their own cap-and-trade program after partisan debate in April. With Californias carbon market and British Columbias carbon tax, Oregon is the lone West Coast holdout.

The stakes of these bills and the costs of opponents sabotaging them are high, Harrison said.

If they believe climate change is real, and God knows scientists are well convinced of that, she asked, do they really want to score cheap points at the expense of future generations?

___

This report is contributed by Jefferson Public Radio, a partner in Getting to Zero, InvestigateWests yearlong reporting initiative.

___

Getting to Zero: Decarbonizing Cascadia is a yearlong project by nonprofit news organizations in the Pacific Northwest and British Columbia led by Seattle-based InvestigateWest. To be notified when stories in this series are published, subscribe to a weekly newsletter for updates: bit.ly/invw-newsletter
UNITED NATIONS (AP)  Chads deputy foreign minister warned the U.N. Security Council on Tuesday that mercenaries and foreign fighters from Libya are crossing into the Sahel, threatening to undermine gains in fighting terrorism by five West African nations and plunge the region into violence that will be difficult to control.

Oumar Ibn Daoud also said a worsening situation in the Sahel would be harmful to Africa as a whole and could turn the continent into a battlefield and base for international terrorism.

The incursion of mercenaries from Libya into Chad that led to last month's death of the Chadian president of three decades, Idriss Deby Into, is a perfect illustration of what could happen throughout the Sahel if appropriate measures arent taken by the international community. He said more than 400 people have been killed in attacks in Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger since March.

One instrument to defeat the terrorists in the Sahel is the five-nation African force fighting terrorism in the region, which Daoud said needs sustained financing and a U.N. logistical and operational support office financed by assessed contributions from the U.N.s 193 member nations.

Support for a U.N. office to provide long-term financing for the G5 Sahel force from Chad, Mali, Burkina Faso, Niger and Mauritania was also voiced by the force commander, Nigers U.N. ambassador and other African council members, France, and U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, who has repeatedly urged U.N. financing for the joint force.

U.S. Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield said the Biden administration, like other council members, is alarmed by the rising violent extremism, terrorist attacks and inter-communal violence across the Sahel. But she said the U.S. believes U.N.-assessed peacekeeping funds are not a viable source of financing for the joint force" and it should continue to be supported by a trust fund and bilateral funding.

Since the G5 force was established in 2017, Thomas-Greenfield said, the U.S. has committed more than $588 million in security assistance and other efforts to counter violent extremism in the five countries. She said stability also requires good governance, economic opportunity and protecting the rule of law and the U.S. has provided more than $2 billion in health, development, security and humanitarian assistance to support the Sahel.

Nigers U.N. ambassador, Abdou Abarry, said more than 2,440 civilians and members of the defense and security forces lost their lives in the border area between Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger in 2020, which was the most deadly for civilians.

He stressed the need to fight this cross-border terrorism, the ramifications of which are of great concern for the rest of Africa.

Brig. Gen. Oumarou Namata, the G5 commander, told the virtual council meeting that the now 5,500-strong force has undertaken 25 operations since it was established in 2017, including 11 major campaigns since the end of 2019 with very respectable results.

Besides neutralizing hundreds of terrorists and seizing or destroying a large amount of their equipment that disrupted their logistical capacity, 79 people were arrested or captured between November 2020 and April 2021 and are currently undergoing legal proceedings, he said.

But Namata added that eradicating terrorism is a long-term struggle. Though progress is being made slowly, many challenges remain, and the G5 force is in great need of its own air assets that are essential for its work, he said.

The intelligence system is another weakness of the joint force, Namata said.

French Ambassador Nicolas De Riviere, whose country has its own terrorist-fighting force in the region that cooperates with the G5, expressed concern at the worsening situation in the Sahel.

Terrorist groups, although hard hit, continue with their acts of violence and are attempting to extend their control, he said. The threat now extends to southern Mali, but also to Ivory Coast, Ghana, Togo and Benin. The effects of poverty and climate change are exacerbating these tensions.

Despite efforts by France and others, De Riviere said, the humanitarian crisis in the Sahel is worsening, with 29 million people in need of emergency assistance -- 5 million more than last year and 10,000 extra people per day since January.

He said military actions must be accompanied by increased efforts to improve governance, development and humanitarian assistance, and he urged the U.N. to mobilize its agencies to tackle these challenges.
LEWISTON, Idaho (AP)  A judge has ordered a 16-year-old boy stand trial as an adult on a murder charge after police believe he was involved in a home invasion and fatal shooting in Lewiston earlier this year.

Nez Perce County Magistrate Judge Michelle Evans said Tuesday that there was probable cause to believe that Demetri X. Ewing was one of the two people who rode bikes from a motel on Jan. 8 to a home in Lewiston, broke in, shot Samuel Johns, then rode back to the motel, The Lewiston Tribune reported Wednesday.

Magistrate Judge Sunil Ramalingam made the same determination on Friday after a preliminary hearing for Ewing's father, Clyde K. Ewing, 43. Nez Perce County Prosecutor Justin Coleman said Tuesday that his office is considering filing a motion to join the two cases.

Greg Rauch is representing Demetri X. Ewing, and Rick Cuddihy is representing Clyde Ewing.

Rauch on Tuesday challenged the credibility of Patricia Labombard, who testified that two people dressed head-to-toe in dark clothing broke into Johns home, held her at gunpoint and attempted to restrain her with zip ties while the shooting happened in another room.

Labombard testified that she, Johns and two other people were smoking marijuana before the shooting, and Rauch questioned whether she could rely on her memory. Labombard said she could.

Rauch also questioned Labombard about her statements to police that the person who held her at gunpoint sounded like a young girl and was about 4 or 5 inches (10 or 12 centimeters) taller than Ewing.

Lewiston Police Department Detective Brian Erickson said an Idaho State Police crime lab report found a shell casing in a backpack in the Ewings' motel room matched the shell casings found at the murder scene.

Rauch objected to the admission of that report, but the judge overruled the objection.

Evans also found that video surveillance shows a cohesive progression and timeline of two darkly dressed people leaving the area near the Ewings' motel room on bikes. Rauch also unsuccessfully objected to the video evidence.

Demetri Ewing is scheduled for arraignment on Wednesday. Clyde Ewing is scheduled for arraignment on Thursday.
WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. (AP)  Faculty members of a North Carolina university want an explanation for the school's reported decision to back away from offering a tenured teaching position to journalist Nikole Hannah-Jones, whose work on the countrys history of slavery has drawn the ire of conservatives.

Hannah-Jones was offered a position as the Knight Chair in Race and Investigative Journalism at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, the school announced last month. Hannah-Jones is an investigative journalist who won the Pulitzer Prize for her work on The 1619 Project for The New York Times Magazine.

But the school changed its offer from a tenured position to a five-year term as a professor with an option for review at the end of that time, as first reported by NC Policy Watch on Wednesday.

In a statement issued in response to the story, faculty members of the university's school of journalism and media said the decision was especially concerning given that Hannah-Jones had the full support of the journalism school's dean, Susan King. They said the decision also violated established tenure and promotion procedures at UNC-Chapel Hill.

We call on the universitys leadership to reaffirm its commitment to the university, its faculty and time-honored norms and procedures, and its endorsed values of diversity, equity, and inclusion, the statement said. The university must tenure Nikole Hannah-Jones as the Knight Chair in Race and Investigative Journalism.

King said in a statement on Wednesday that the journalism school is delighted to have Hannah-Jones join the school in the fall despite the change.

While I am disappointed that the appointment is without tenure, there is no doubt in anyones mind that she will be a star faculty member, King's statement said. I am more than delighted that she will be here at UNC, teaching our next generation of journalists, working with our graduate students, and sharing her perspective with us all. I can only imagine how our students will benefit from her wisdom and experience.

University spokesperson Joanne Peters Denny declined comment on the situation, saying faculty hiring processes are personnel protected information. But she added that the school looks forward to welcoming Hannah-Jones to campus.

The 1619 Project is an initiative of The New York Times Magazine that began in August 2019, the 400th anniversary of the beginning of American slavery. The magazine describes the project as one which is designed to reframe the countrys history by placing the consequences of slavery and the contributions of Black Americans at the very center of our national narrative.

The project was converted into a popular podcast. Materials were developed for schools to use and The Pulitzer Center partnered with the Times to develop 1619 Project lesson plans. However, objections to The 1619 Project have morphed into legislative efforts to prevent its presentation in public schools.

In February, an Arkansas House panel rejected legislation that would have banned schools from teaching the project. The measure failed on a voice vote on the same day the state Senate rejected a resolution that cited the countrys ongoing positive record on race and slavery and attacked Democrats history on civil rights issues.

Former President Donald Trump created a commission in response to The 1619 Project that promoted patriotic education and played down Americas role in slavery. After taking office, President Joe Biden revoked a report from the so-called 1776 Commission. Widely mocked by historians, the commission glorified the countrys white founders and played down the role of slavery.
In 2008, Guilford High Schools Music Department chairman Tom Boates found himself without a bass player in the jazz band. Laura Nygren played bass in the orchestra. He asked if she would give it a shot.

Neither could have imagined that, a little more than a decade later, shed be hopscotching across Europe with various bands, double bass in tow (at least until 2020), as an Amsterdam-based musician. Or that, as a singer, composer, and producer, shed be releasing her first album, Show Pony, to critical acclaim.

Id been taking violin lessons for six or seven years and then I found myself really intrigued with rhythm and jazz, and I started playing bass, she said in a recent interview from her home in Amsterdam. So getting the chance to play in the jazz band was great.

Following her graduation from Guilford High School, she studied for a year at Skidmore College.

It wasnt really my thing, she said. I was mostly spending my time practicing.

It was through her bass teacher, East Hamptons Michael Asseta, that she learned about Quirijn van Regteren Altena, a world-renowned double bassist known for his versatility.

The way he played just fit with the way I wanted to play, she said.

A leap of faith later, she found herself at the Conservatory of Utrecht, where Regteren Altena was teaching classical double bass. She took to the bike culture of the medieval city and, it seems, what she could do as a musician.

I got really interested in electronic music and computer music, she said. I like the possibility you can find in electronics. You can create your own sound universe without needing a lot of sound instruments.

Her masters degree, in live electronics, was about combining double bass with electronics because for me, the combination of acoustic and electronic instruments is fascinating and really fascinating to listen to, she said, citing influences like Radiohead, the Beatles, and Esperanza Spalding.

By then, she was writing songs and working on her own projects. The seemingly indefatigable 30-year-old, whos now fluent in Dutch, has performed with Sinfonia Rotterdam and the Berlin-based ensemble Stargaze, and toured across Europe with Britpop darling Damon Albarn of the Gorillaz, as well as guitar hero Simon Tong of The Verve. She also founded the chamber music trio T R O M P O and the indie-folk duo Woo Girls.

The pandemic, while precluding any live performances, afforded her the opportunity to work on Show Pony, released on May 6 at the Rewire Festival.

She produced the album in the basement studio of the artist No Compliments, otherwise known as Australian composer and trumpet player Allison Wright. The result, she said, combines my musical personalities, involving double bass playing with vocals and synthesizer to explore a vividly personal artistic universe.

The reviews so far have been stellar. Glamcult praised Show Ponys internal duality: a technical combination of the double bass alongside electronic music. And Popronde lauded its melange of indie melodies, classical licks, electronics, and the occasional beat, describing the music as Bjork on a good day.

Nygrens plans include the creation of a video concert series with T R O M P O, funded by commissions from American composers Nick Dunston and Sarian Sankoh, and, if COVID allows, performing at the Hempiness Music Festival in Italy this summer, as well as starting work on another album.

While shes undecided about whether shell eventually move back to the shoreline, shes certain about its impact on her.

Growing up in Guilford and attending the public schools there was integral to my development as a musician, she said.

For his part, Boates said he was looking forward to listening to Show Pony and, it seemed, just plain proud of his former student.

I didnt know she was going to go into music necessarily  you never know  but shes been doing some really wonderful things, he said.

Show Pony is available at https://www.lauranygren.com/store-2/p/show-pony-digital-download. For more information, visit www.lauranygren.com.
MIDDLETOWN  The man charged in connection with a May 1 shooting near downtown, where the victim was hit in the leg multiple times, was rearrested Tuesday for his apparent role in a gunfire incident several days earlier, police said.

A number of people were in the area of Maplewood Terrace when the April 28 late-night shooting occurred, but no one was injured, authorities said.

Antwan Rufus, 33, of Main Street, was charged with suspicion of first-degree criminal attempt to commit assault, criminal possession of a firearm, unlawful discharge of a firearm, first-degree reckless endangerment, and commission of an A, B, or C felony with a firearm.

He is in the custody of the state Department of Correction on pending charges in connection with the May 1 incident on Williams Street, authorities said. Rufus was served with a warrant Tuesday at Middlesex Superior Court, where he was arraigned and is being held in lieu of a combined $1,177,500 bond, according to the criminal clerks office.

Rufus was originally arrested May 5 on a warrant charging him with criminal attempt at first-degree assault, second-degree assault, unlawful discharge of a firearm, criminal possession of a firearm, first-degree reckless endangerment and commission of a Class A, B, C felony with a firearm in connection with the May 1 incident.

Police have said they believed the two shootings were related.

Rufus has several pending cases at Superior Court in Middletown, including marijuana possession, possession of drugs in a school zone, sale of hallucinogenics and various traffic violations, according to judicial records. He pleaded not guilty to all charges.

Rufus was found guilty of first-degree assault/discharge of a firearm, criminal possession of a revolver and violation of probation stemming from a September 2017 arrest.

He pleaded guilty to the felony discharge of a firearm and criminal possession of a revolver offenses, and not guilty to violation of probation, according to court records.

Rufus was sentenced Nov. 20, 2018, to 12 years in jail, execution suspended after two years, and five years of probation for the firearms conviction, and two years in jail for criminal possession of a revolver.
BEIJING (AP)  China on Wednesday protested the latest passage by a U.S. Navy ship through the Taiwan Strait, calling it a provocation that undermined peace and stability in the region.

The U.S. Navy's 7th Fleet said that the guided missile destroyer USS Curtis Wilbur conducted a routine Taiwan Strait transit on Tuesday in accordance with international law. The passage "demonstrates the U.S. commitment to a free and open Indo-Pacific.

"The United States military will continue to fly, sail, and operate anywhere international law allows," the Navy said in a statement.

While the strait is in international waters, China claims self-governing Taiwan as its own territory and regards the U.S. Navys presence in the area as a show of support for the islands democratic government.

In a statement on the Defense Ministry website, spokesperson for the Eastern Theater Command Col. Zhang Chunhui said the U.S. actions were sending wrong signals to the Taiwan independence forces, deliberately disrupting and sabotaging the regional situation and endangering peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait.

He said Chinese forces tracked and monitored the ship and strictly guarded against all threats and provocations.

China last month complained that activity by U.S. military ships and surveillance planes directed at it has increased significantly under President Joe Biden.

It was particularly disturbed by close-in observation of the Chinese aircraft carrier Liaoning and its battle group by a U.S. destroyer in the South China Sea, as advertised by a widely distributed photo of U.S. officers relaxing on deck with the Chinese flattop well within sight.

China accused the U.S. of having seriously interfered with the Chinese sides training activities and seriously threatened the safety of navigation and personnel on the both sides.

Foreign Ministry spokesperson Zhao Lijian added to the criticism at a daily briefing Wednesday, saying China's determination to defend national sovereignty and territorial integrity is unwavering."

The U.S. action is not a commitment to so-called freedom and openness, but a deliberate interference and sabotage of regional peace and stability," Zhao said. The international community will have its judgement."
The state Medical Examining Board on Tuesday issued $5,000 fines to two physicians, including one who failed to further evaluate a lesion found by an MRI in the vertebra of a patient; and slightly loosened the restrictions placed on a Torrington doctor who successfully completed a five-year probationary period.

Gabriel Abella, a doctor practicing physical medicine and pain management, provided care to a patient from August to October 2017, state Department of Public Health documents show. During that time, the patient received an MRI which showed a suspicious lesion within the vertebrae, the DPH said. But Abella did not acknowledge the radiologists report that indicated there was a lesion and didnt order any further follow-up care to evaluate the lesion, DPH documents show.

In addition to the $5,000 fine, the board reprimanded Abellas license and placed it on probation for one year. During the probationary period, Abella is required to have a monitor review 20 percent of his patient files for the first three months and then quarterly, according to a consent decree. He currently is employed at Orthopedic Partners in North Franklin.

The board also issued $5,000 fine to a Florida physician who had practiced telemedicine in Connecticut until 2018.

Dr. Manoj Dhariwal came under scrutiny after a pharmacist on behalf of the Missouri-based Express Scripts reported that there were improprieties in Dhariwals prescribing habits, DPH documents said. Dhariwal had never practiced in-person medicine in Connecticut, but had prescribed medications on a telehealth platform through a third party to 37 patients in the state from January to November in 2018, documents show.

A review of five of the Connecticut patients revealed that Dhariwal had no direct or indirect contact with the patients, failed to document care, failed to gather adequate medical histories and failed to provide each patient with appropriate counseling or monitoring on the effects of the drugs he was prescribing, documents said. He currently is practicing family medicine in Florida, the DPH said.

The board also agreed to relax one of the restrictions placed on a Torrington physician accused in 2015 of alcohol abuse and of having a personal relational relationship with a staff member, which led to the theft of his prescription pad.

Dr. James OHalloran III had his license to practice medicine permanently restricted in 2016 after the incidents, which occurred in his part-time private practice, documents said. OHalloran also was working full-time as a physician within the states prisons at the time, DPH officials said.

The restriction required OHalloran to only practice medicine in a setting where there were other physicians present. He also was required to avoid alcohol and drugs unless prescribed, attend individual therapy and support groups for substance abuse and provide urine samples during a five-year probationary period, DPH documents show.

OHalloran successfully completed the five-year probation in February but must remain under the terms of the 2016 order, DPH officials said. He now will be allowed to practice in-person and telehealth medicine without another physician physically present as long as a doctor is available by video or in person to check in with him, the board agreed Tuesday.

The board also agreed to reprimand the Connecticut license of a California physician who was accused of dispensing prescriptions to 1,300 Maryland residents without a permit. Maryland officials fined Dr. Vishal Verma $50,000 and placed his license on probation for six months. Verma does not practice in-person medicine in Connecticut, but has maintained his license to practice telemedicine in the state, DPH officials said.

This story was reported under a partnership with the Connecticut Health I-Team (c-hit.org), a nonprofit news organization dedicated to health reporting.
MADISON  Voters approved an $88.4 million budget Tuesday night, agreeing to increases in both town and education spending, which resulted in the Board of Finance voting Wednesday to increase property taxes.

The total spending plan includes a more than 2 percent increase over current levels, or about $1.8 million in fiscal year 2021, according to budget documents posted to the towns website.

Spending increased more on the town side of the budget  3.7 percent (or $1 million)  as officials sought more money to fully reopen the E.C. Scranton Memorial Library, and pay for salary increases for police and paramedics.

The proposed budget called for a 1.2 percent increase in spending by the Board of Education, or $720,336 over current levels.

Voters approved the town budget by a margin of 811 to 305, and the education budget by a vote of 810 to 311.

Turnout for the referendum was 8.9 percent, according to the preliminary results.

First Selectwoman Peggy Lyons said turnout was not what officials had hoped for, which she attributed to greater focus on the lightening of pandemic restrictions. Peoples minds are in other places nowadays with other things going on, she said.

In an early morning meeting following the vote, finance board members voted to increase the towns tax rate, measured in mills, from 28.35 to 28.85, for a total increase of 1.7 percent.

The vote was 5-0, with board member Judith Friedman not in attendance, according to Director of Finance Stacy Nobitz.

One mill is equal to $1 property tax levied per $1,000 of a propertys assessed value. That means a homeowner with property assessed at $500,000 would owe $14,425 for the fiscal year beginning July 1, an increase of $300 over their current tax bill.

Last year, there was no increase.

Among those increases was a nearly $400,000 to help reopen the Scranton Library, which completed a $15 million renovation last year that nearly doubled its size, only to have its operations scaled back due to the pandemic.

Lyons said the increase to the librarys budget, which is about 34 percent higher than pandemic-era spending levels, represents not only a return to full service, but the added cost of new library services, such as self-checkout kiosks, a cafe area and renewable energy systems.

The expectation was that July 1, 2020, you would have a big grand opening, Lyons said. This year, were getting [the librarys budget] up to what we think is right for the inaugural.

Other spending increases aimed at boosting pay for police and paramedics represent lessons learned by the town during the pandemic, as well as more general adjustments made to help recruit and retain staff, Lyons said. Public safety areas were just critical in getting us through the pandemic.

In another area of town that became subject to greater appreciation in the last year  its beaches  Lyons said officials dedicated an additional $38,558 to ensure that they could be open seven days a week this summer.
COLCHESTER  The Colchester Public Schools resource officer position at was deemed unnecessary, and was removed from the 2021-22 education boards budget earlier this year, causing major backlash from the police commission.

On March 30, just days after the original fallout, Superintendent Jeffrey Burt added the SRO discussion to the Board of Educations meeting agenda, according to an audio recording. That evening, members voted to reinstate the position. On May 11, a new agreement was reached between the police and schools, outlining the responsibilities and guidelines for the SRO, who will be stationed at Bacon Academy high school.

In the original budget for this coming year, SRO funds were set to be absorbed by the police department. This meant the current SRO would be out of a job due to the position being eliminated. This caused a great backlash from First Selectman Mary Bylone and the police commission, especially since members felt SROs were needed.

Another issue that arose is eliminating the position was not a public decision, and did not include either the first selectman or police commission.

Bylone said during an April meeting she was not aware of this decision, according to the audio.

I was not part of any meeting in which I was asked or gave input on removing the SRO position, Bylone said. I was told by the superintendent that the position was going to be removed, she said, adding that after that conversation, she let everyone on the commission know.

The decision was originally discussed at the commission meeting March 22, where it received members disapproval. Board of Finance member Andrea Migliaccio spoke at the police commission meeting, saying she did not understand the move, as it was not a public decision, and seemed to be coming from the superintendent.

I feel like this is coming from the defunding the police programs, where theyre just removing the police from the school system completely, Migliaccio said in the meeting recording. It seems crazy to me what theyre all doing, to be honest with you.

Other members agreed and Resident Trooper Sergeant Mike Rondinone called the decision extremely poor.

Rondinone added that the school has a false sense of security, because police recently gained full access to facilities through keycard passes, however theres no police presence at the locations.

Did somebody forget about Newtown? Rondinone asked. Basically a SRO is there to do the community policing function, but we would pray that he has the quickest response and reaction, or she, to deal with an emergency situation.

He also said that if the SRO was removed, an officer would have to be dedicated to the school because of incidents. An example he gave was the SRO working on sexual assault cases, telling the commission they would be amazed at the amount of such instances in schools, and how much time these take up.

It was revealed in the April meeting that Commissioner James Stavola was notified Feb. 4 there was a danger that the SRO position was going to be eliminated. This led to a heated confrontation with fellow member Carol Vaillancourt, who said Burt told her that a meeting was held in January about the position, however, she did not know it was going to be eliminated.

Bylone then told Vaillancourt the superintendent was considering eliminating the role.

Burt said Wednesday an agreement was reached with the police commission, Colchester and state police. As for why the role was originally eliminated, Burt called it a cost savings measure.

At the time, it wasnt really meeting the needs of the district, so we just kind of felt ... we would try to look for other solutions. But, you know, through some good discussion and deliberation, we were able to come to a really, really good point here, Burt said.

As for allegations that Burt made the decision himself, he said that the budget process is an internal one until the budget is presented. The Board of Education budget was presented in March in a public session, and four public meetings were held. He said a lot is done behind the scenes, but, as the budget is developed, stakeholders are contacted as necessary.

Burt contacted the first selectman and had a discussion that they were moving in this direction, but the public first became aware of it in March, which he termed appropriate. Theres a misunderstanding from some people that the decision was done in private and lacked transparency, he said.

The characterization of it not being not transparent, well theres functions of the school system that we dont do in public, right? Burt said. I cant have people just sitting in my office observing me all day as I try to conduct business, so thats really sort of a misconception on people that this was hidden and there was some sort of conspiracy, which is not accurate.

christine.derosa@hearstmediact.com
While polar bears and pandas make plenty of headlines, many other endangered species are at risk  and with Endangered Species Day on May 21, now is the perfect time to learn about them.

Jim Knox, curator of education and zoologist at the Beardsley Zoo, explained that Endangered Species Day is celebrated not just nationally, but around the world. It is a celebration of endangered species successes and also a reminder that we all have a lot of work to do to ensure the protection or the conservation of these species, he said.

Knox said that each species serves a different role that maintains natures different needs. Every species, whether we know it or not, every single species out there on the planet has a job to do, and that job means in one form of another they make the world go round. They aerate our soil so our plants will grow well, they filter water so that we have clean water for drinking. We have animals like turkey vultures who mitigate the spread of disease through transmission of bacterial laden carcases, he said. Different species have different functions, but all species contribute to the function of our planet.

According to Connecticuts Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP), the Nutmeg state is home to 23 endangered species, whether theyre sporting scales or wings. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service defines an endangered species as one that is in danger of extinction throughout all or a significant portion of its range.

Connecticut is home to animals like the barn owl, long-eared owl, northern harrier, sharp-shinned hawk, bog turtle, leatherback sea turtle, timber rattlesnake, eastern spadefoot, blue-spotted salamander, North American least shrew and puritan-tiger beetle  all among the list of endangered critters.

While 23 endangered species might not seem like a lot, across the United States alone the Environmental Protection Agency claims that there are more than 1,300 endangered and threatened species. The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) estimates that there are more than 37,400 species currently at risk of becoming extinct.

Knox said that the Beardsley Zoo is home to different endangered and threatened species and currently has 25 different Species Survival Plan (SSP) programs designed to raise those populations and get them back into the wild.

One of the zoos SSP programs focuses on red wolves  like resident red wolf, Peanut. We want to highlight the status and the tenuous hold red wolves have out there in the wild, but also the hope we have for red wolves in the future, Knox said. Theyre at a very interesting juncture at their conservation right now. Theyre the rarest wolves on the planet. He added that there are fewer than 300 red wolves in the entire world, but with conservation efforts theres still hope for the species.

Knox said there are many things people can do to help protect wildlife and explained that the first step is education. An educated public is a conservation-oriented public and a public that takes action to protect their own backyard, he said.

Knox said people can get involved in local conservation groups land trusts and citizen science programs. He also noted that by visiting zoos, aquariums and museums visitation translates into conservation directly and explained that 25% of the zoos admission cost goes directly to fund conservation efforts.

The Beardsley Zoo, Mystic Aquarium and Maritime Aquarium are all hosting special programs for Endangered Species Day.

Beardsley Zoo

Knox will hold a lecture called The Rarest Wolf of All on May 21 at 6 p.m. to educate folks about the red wolf and how the species population has dwindled to having less than 300 wolves left. The lecture is free, but donations are accepted. Register for the lecture online.

Mystic Aquarium

In celebration of Endangered Species Day, the aquarium will be hosting a program from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. that recognizes animal conservation. From vaquitas to African penguins, well be celebrating the conservation efforts that are in place to help save some of our most threatened, the aquarium states on their website. The program is free with aquarium admission.

Maritime Aquarium at Norwalk

To celebrate Endangered Species Day the aquarium is encouraging the public to participate in the Endangered Species Coalitions chalk art contest. On May 22 the aquarium will have an Endangered Species Day activity table running from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. to educate visitors about endangered sea turtles. The program is free with admission.

tinamarie.craven@hearstmediact.com
The U.S. Air Force has awarded a $14 billion contract to Lockheed Martin to build new F-16 Fighting Falcon fighter jets for five countries through 2026.

The service on Monday announced a contract for the production of 128 Block 70/72 jets, the latest and most advanced version of the venerable fourth-generation fighter, on behalf of Bahrain, Slovakia, Bulgaria, Taiwan and Morocco.

Lockheed moved its production line from Texas to its Greenville, South Carolina, plant in 2019 to centralize its manufacturing of F-16s. The aircraft has been updated since the last jet was delivered to the Air Force in 2005, and the service "has seen an uptick of our partner nations requesting detailed information and requests for U.S. Government sales," Col. Anthony Walker, senior materiel leader for the service's international division, said in a release.

Read Next: 2 US MIlitary Pilots Eject from Qatari F-15 at Illinois Airport

"This new production line is very significant," added Col. Brian Pearson, integrated product team lead for F-16 foreign military sales within the Air Force Life Cycle Management Center's Fighters and Advanced Aircraft Directorate.

"There are 25 nations operating F-16s today, and they have a lot of expertise with the airframe," Pearson said in the release. "The line helps us meet the global demand that a number of nations have for [F-16] aircraft and gives us the additional capability to provide the aircraft to countries interested in purchasing it for the first time."

The new block configurations are expected to come off the production line next year, the release states.

The service will simultaneously work to upgrade more than 400 aging F-16s for four partner nations to the new "F-16V" configuration, which includes the APG-83 Active Electronically Scanned Array, or AESA, radars.

The F-16V made its maiden flight with the Northrop Grumman Corp.-made radars in October 2015. The advanced AESA on the F-16V, known as the Viper, helps achieve better performance during air-to-ground missions, according to Northrop. Raytheon also manufactures the radars.

The Air Force has ambitious goals to build up a network of coalition partners who fly similar aircraft.

While touting the service's light attack effort in 2018, then-Chief of Staff Gen. David Goldfein said partners around the world cannot always afford state-of-the-art aircraft like the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter but want to build on interoperability as part of a joint effort.

"F-16s are operational across the globe and are a key capability fortifying the security of our international partners," Brig. Gen. Dale White, the program executive officer for Fighters and Advanced Aircraft, said in the release.

The Air Force is in the process of determining the right mix of fourth-, fifth- and future-generation aircraft, with plans to eventually downsize from seven types of fighter jets or attack aircraft.

"My intent is to get down to about four," Chief of Staff Gen. Charles "CQ" Brown said during a panel last week.

Brown called the initiative "four plus one," including the F-35, F-16 and A-10 Warthog, as well as the F-15EX Eagle II, which entered the service's inventory last month, and the Next Generation Air Dominance program, which defies the traditional categorization of a single platform, featuring a network potentially including an advanced fighter aircraft alongside sensors, weapons or drones.

Noticeably absent from his list were the F-22 Raptor stealth fighter and F-15E Strike Eagle.

-- Oriana Pawlyk can be reached at oriana.pawlyk@military.com. Follow her on Twitter at @Oriana0214.

Related: Air Force Chief Hints at Retiring the F-22 Raptor in Fighter Downsize
After three U.S. Army soldiers were accused of conspiring to buy firearms in Tennessee and illegally sell them in Chicago, two local activists are calling for politicians to come up with new legislation to screen people joining the armed services.

Tio Hardiman, executive director of Violence Interrupters, and Paul McKinley, of Voice of the Ex-Offender, held a news conference outside Chicago police headquarters on Tuesday in response to a criminal complaint filed May 10 against Demarcus Adams, 21, Jarius Brunson, 22, and Brandon Miller, 22, soldiers stationed at Fort Campbell in Clarksville, Tennessee. They were charged with multiple offenses, including wire fraud, transferring a firearm to an out-of-state resident, money laundering, conspiracy and other gun-related counts, according to the complaint.

If convicted, the soldiers face up to 20 years in prison, according to a news release from the U.S. Department of Justice.

Im asking members of Congress to organize and work on some new type of legislation to make sure that we screen people that want to join the armed services, Hardiman said. And the (Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives) should do a better job at intercepting the illegal gun traffic in here, which results in people being killed on the streets of Chicago.

Hardiman said he planned to reach out to several politicians including Sen. Dick Durbin and U.S. Reps. Danny Davis, Jan Schakowsky and Mike Quigley, who represent parts of Chicago.

Hardiman had unsuccessful runs for the Democratic nomination for Illinois governor in 2018 and 2014. Hardiman is also the former director of CeaseFire, now known as Cure Violence, where he served from 2009 to 2013 until he was arrested on a domestic battery charge, which was later dismissed by a Cook County judge.

McKinley also had an unsuccessful run as a GOP candidate for Congress in 2013.

The federal investigation began when Chicago police recovered firearms after a shooting that killed one man and injured seven people just after midnight on March 26 on the Southwest Side, the complaint said. At least two people opened fire at a gathering in the 2500 block of West 79th Street.

Of the weapons recovered at the scene, five were found to have been purchased from dealers in the Clarksville area by Adams, Brunson, Miller and a fourth man who has not been charged, the complaint said.

Federal agents determined that the three soldiers bought about 91 firearms in Tennessee and Kentucky between September and April, according to the complaint.

Those 90 guns have been traced to some killings in Chicago, Hardiman said. Thats what Im talking about. So its unacceptable, and Im standing up as a community leader letting the whole world know we have to bring an end to this type of crazy stuff taking place out here.

This article is written by Paige Fry from Chicago Tribune and was legally licensed via the Tribune Content Agency through the Industry Dive publisher network. Please direct all licensing questions to legal@industrydive.com.
A hero of the Korean War who went on to mentor and train generations of Army Rangers will receive the nation's highest award for combat valor in a ceremony Friday.

President Joe Biden will present his first Medal of Honor in office to 94-year-old Ralph Puckett, who taunted death as a first lieutenant in 1950, mounting a tank in view of the enemy to inspire his men, and later intentionally drawing enemy fire as a distraction so his troops could seize the upper hand.

The news that Puckett's Distinguished Service Cross would be upgraded to the Medal of Honor was first made public earlier this month.

Read Next: Free Health Care for All Troops Is Key Priority, National Guard General Tells Congress

Puckett, who retired from the Army as a colonel in 1971 and became the national programs coordinator of Outward Bound Inc., continued to stay involved in the Ranger community in the following decades as an icon and mentor, earning induction into the U.S. Army Ranger Hall of Fame in 1992 and serving from 1996 to 2005 as the first "Honorary Colonel of the 75th Ranger Regiment."

A statement released by the White House on Wednesday underscored Puckett's daring and heroism in Korea more than 70 years ago.

During a daylight attack on a rise called Hill 205 on Nov. 25, 1950, Puckett's 8th U.S. Army Ranger Company took incoming mortar, machine-gun and small-arms fire.

"To obtain supporting fire, First Lieutenant Puckett mounted the closest tank, exposing himself to the deadly enemy fire. Leaping from the tank, he shouted words of encouragement to his men and began to lead the Rangers in the attack," the White House statement reads. "Leaving the safety of his position and with full knowledge of the danger, First Lieutenant Puckett intentionally ran across an open area three times to draw enemy fire, thereby allowing the Rangers to locate and destroy the enemy positions and to seize Hill 205."

That night, the enemy launched a four-hour counterattack. But the Rangers' spirits were buoyed by Puckett's "extraordinary leadership and courageous example," according to the statement.

"As a result, five human wave attacks by a battalion strength enemy element were repulsed," it reads.

Puckett was wounded by grenade fragments in a first enemy surge, but he kept directing artillery fire and refused to be pulled away and treated. When, during the sixth enemy onslaught, Puckett realized the Rangers' position wouldn't hold, and having sustained "grievous wounds" from two mortar rounds, he ordered his men to leave him behind. But the Rangers refused, coming together to pull him from the foxhole while the barrage of enemy fire continued. When they reached a position at the bottom of the hill, Puckett continued to call for "devastating" artillery fire on the enemy to press the fight.

"First Lieutenant Puckett's extraordinary heroism and selflessness above and beyond the call of duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of military service," the White House said in its statement.

Friday's Medal of Honor presentation will be different from traditional medal ceremonies in one key way: Biden will be joined by Moon Jae-in, president of the Republic of Korea. To this day, South Korea finds ways to honor the U.S. and its military for their aid against North Korean invaders during the Korean War.

Puckett, who has also served as an Ambassador of Goodwill for the Western Hemisphere Institute for Security Cooperation and founded a leadership development program known as Discovery Inc., now lives in Columbus, Georgia, with his wife Jean.

-- Hope Hodge Seck can be reached at hope.seck@military.com. Follow her on Twitter at @HopeSeck.

Related: Army Ranger Legend to Receive Medal of Honor at 94
The top Republicans on the Senate and House Armed Services Committees rebuffed a proposed full-time National Guard quick reaction force, which would be ready to immediately combat future emergencies in Washington, D.C.

"We firmly oppose creating a D.C. National Guard quick reaction force," Sen. Jim Inhofe of Oklahoma and Rep. Mike Rogers of Alabama, the ranking members of the committees that oversee the military, said in a joint statement.

The two lawmakers said a civilian force would likely be a cheaper solution and much more useful, possibly with improved law enforcement capabilities. Many Guardsmen deployed to the U.S. Capitol have little or no law enforcement training and often have military jobs unrelated to security.

Read Next: As Afghanistan War Ends, General Sees New Opportunities for Special Operations

The pair noted Congress hasn't held any hearings to examine the cost of such a mission, which would likely require multiple states to deploy troops or the District of Columbia National Guard to remain on a constant domestic deployment. Either would be hard on Guardsmen, who must juggle civilian careers and are not eligible for government-provided child care.

"The National Guard went above and beyond to protect the Capitol since January 6, but it's time they return home and focus on their core mission," they added. "Use of the uniformed military in D.C. and the Capitol Complex is subject to complex statutory restrictions, and for good reason. We cannot and should not militarize the security of the Capitol Complex."

The joint statement comes after House leaders proposed a $200 million plan to stand up a Guard quick reaction force.

Related Video:

The proposal is a part of a massive $1.9 billion plan from Rep. Rosa DeLauro, D-Conn., who chairs the House Committee on Appropriations. Her bill followed recommendations by a task force that examined the U.S. Capitol's security measures in the aftermath of the pro-Trump Jan. 6 insurrection. The measure includes a vast roster of boosted security features.

"If Democrat leadership wants to spend an additional $200 million on the National Guard, it would be better spent on rebuilding Guard readiness that suffered as a result of this over-long deployment to Capitol Hill," Inhofe and Rogers added. "We look forward to continuing this discussion with our colleagues."

The Guard's mission has drawn wide bipartisan scorn after five months of the Capitol resembling a militarized zone. Gen. Daniel Hokanson, the Guard's top officer, has joined some lawmakers in criticizing the mission. He has called for troops to be withdrawn amid a lack of specific threats, saying the part-time military force has been stretched thin after a year of pandemic relief, protests and ongoing operations overseas. Hokanson was overridden by the Defense Department.

The Guard's mission in D.C. is set to end Sunday. There are roughly 2,000 troops deployed in the area, compared to the 27,000 who initially responded to the deadly assault on the Capitol.

President Joe Biden's nominee to be the next secretary of the Army believes that the National Guard may be stretched too thin and nearing the breaking point after a year of nonstop activations.

"I am concerned about the possibility of unreasonable demands [on] the Guard. I would want to look closely on how that strain is manifesting," Christine Wormuth told senators at her confirmation hearing last week.

Wormuth's concerns mirror comments made last week by Army Chief of Staff Gen. James McConville when he told lawmakers that a combination of two decades of war and activations at home might be too much.

"Our force has been heavily committed over the past 20 years in Iraq, Afghanistan, Syria and around the world," he said during a House Appropriations Committee hearing on the service's budget. "My concern is we want to make sure we reduce the op tempo of our troops, including the National Guard who have been heavily employed, whether that's home or overseas."

-- Steve Beynon can be reached at Steve.Beynon@military.com. Follow him on Twitter @StevenBeynon.

Related: National Guard Needs a Break and Health Care, Top Brass Tell Congress
If Sen. Marco Rubio of Florida has his way, the public will soon know more of what U.S. military intelligence already knows about UFOs.

The Pentagon and Director of National Intelligence are due to deliver by June 25 a non-classified report with a detailed analysis of unidentified aerial phenomena data collected by the Office of Naval Intelligence and the FBI.

Rubio was head of the Senate Intelligence Committee when he wrote a provision into the Intelligence Authorization Act requiring the report as part of the $2.3 trillion coronavirus relief and government funding bill that President Donald Trump signed into law in December.

Rubio appeared in a segment on CBS 60 Minutes on Sunday, in which several former U.S. Navy pilots recounted seeing strangely-shaped objects with no wings or exhaust, flying in ways that defy known technology.

Men and women we have entrusted with the defense of our country are reporting encounters with unidentified aircraft with superior capabilities, Rubio said in a statement to the Tampa Bay Times. We cannot allow the stigma of UFOs to keep us from seriously investigating this. The forthcoming report is one step in that process, but it will not be the last.

Former Navy pilot Lieutenant Ryan Graves, whose squadron captured an image of an object off the coast of Jacksonville in 2015, told 60 Minutes that pilots believe theyre either a classified U.S. technology, spy vehicles from another country, or something not from this planet.

In previous interviews, Rubio has said he is not focused on theories about extra-terrestrials, but he is concerned about the threat the objects pose to national security, especially if they represent a giant technological leap by a foreign adversary.

Anything that enters an airspace thats not supposed to be there is a threat, he told 60 Minutes. And, he has said, the public deserves to know as much as possible about it. The provision in the Intelligence Authorization Act requires the non-classified report be made public.

The report, which will go to the Senate intelligence and armed services committees, must include data from the Unidentified Aerial Phenomena Task Force that was launched by the Department of Defense last August.

That task force is a successor to the Pentagons Advanced Aerospace Threat Identification Program, launched at the behest of then Senator Harry Reid in 2007. The shadowy program was revealed in 2017 after Chris Mellon, a former Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Intelligence, leaked the declassified videos of UFOs to the New York Times.

UFO sightings have long been written off as weather balloons, drones or optical illusions, but firsthand accounts by former pilots, along with confirmation by the Pentagon that the videos are real, and yet unexplained, has brought more credible media coverage and attention to the phenomena in recent years than ever before.

Imagine a technology that can do 6-to-700 g-forces, that can fly at 13,000 miles an hour, that can evade radar and that can fly through air and water and possibly space, Luis Lue Elizondo, the former intelligence officer who ran the Pentagon program, told 60 Minutes while describing what the program studied. Thats precisely what were seeing.

Rubio has said there is a stigma on Capitol Hill around the topic, but he wants to see it taken more seriously, with cooperation between the military and intelligence agencies and a better process for cataloging and analyzing the data.

Maybe it has a very simple answer, he told 60 Minutes. Maybe it doesnt.

Rubio and Sen. Mark Warner, the current head of the Senate intelligence committee, are among the lawmakers who have received classified briefings on the phenomena.

A Rubio spokesman told the Tampa Bay Times that the senator does not believe the unidentified phenomena are us, as in classified American technology.

If that was the case then we probably wouldnt be talking about it in the way that we are now, since wed know the answer to the question, Rubio said in April, speaking to Mystery Wire, a Nexstar Media site dedicated to producing journalistically vetted stories on strange, unknown and unsettling subjects. You certainly wouldnt see this demand for more attention to be paid.

Warner told Mystery Wire that unlike past eras, the military has seen enough things where theyre actually now encouraging pilots to report it. He said he agrees with Rubio in that, on some level, the non-classified report should be made public.

Seth Shostak has for two decades dedicated his career to the search for extra-terrestrial intelligence as the senior astronomer at the SETI Institute, which since 1984 has searched for signals from advanced civilizations far from Earth.

Were trying to find E.T. as well, Shostak said, we just dont think that theyre here.

Shostak is confident life exists elsewhere in the universe, and expects the evidence will come from one of three places: antennas picking up alien transmissions, exploration  such as the Curiosity rover on Mars finding remnants of extinct bacteria  or new and powerful telescopes, such as the soon-to-be-launched James Webb Space Telescope, detecting oxygen, or other clues, on faraway planets.

He does not expect it to come in the form of UFOs or a government report.

Were not debating if the videos are real, its what do they actually show, he said. I think when the report comes out it will likely be that some of this we might understand, and some we dont. ... I dont think the government will say, yes, these are Klingons from a planet 17 light years away.

This article is written by Christopher Spata from Tampa Bay Times, St. Petersburg, Fla. and was legally licensed via the Tribune Content Agency through the Industry Dive publisher network. Please direct all licensing questions to legal@industrydive.com.
The struggle to free Marine Cpl. Thae Ohu from the brig is over, but her family says their fight for justice isn't.

Ohu was released under a plea agreement last week after nearly a year in pretrial confinement at the Navy Consolidated Brig in Chesapeake, Va., on charges of attempted murder, aggravated assault and other offenses stemming from an April 2020 attack on her then-boyfriend. The attempted murder charges were dropped as part of the deal.

The 27-year-old's case drew widespread attention last year after her family publicly called for the Marine Corps to release her into mental health treatment, saying the assault came amid a psychological breakdown.

Ohu had suffered severe post-traumatic stress disorder and other issues since she was raped by a Marine supervisor in Japan five years ago, her advocates said.

"Although we cannot and will not overlook the failures of the United States Marine Corps and DamNeck leadership, we are overjoyed Thae is released from their toxic control," the family said in a statement on the website Justice for Thae Ohu.

Ohu had been assigned to the Marine Corps Intelligence Schools at Dam Neck Naval Base in Virginia.

Advocates for rape survivors and others have criticized Ohu's treatment as emblematic of the military's mishandling of sexual assault and mental health issues.

Her sister Pan Phyu posted a video to a TikTok account with 27,000 followers last month, saying she was eager for a trial so the defense could detail its allegations about the command's negligence and "toxic leadership."

"#JusticeForThaeOhu isn't over yet!" Phyu said in a Facebook post last week after Ohu's release. "We still need to correct the measure that took place in [her] circumstances."

The victim of Ohu's attack, Michael Hinesley, also a Marine, had called for the case to be dropped. In a statement to the court published on the Justice for Thae Ohu site, he described her command as more focused on fast-tracking her out of the service, rather than giving her proper care.

Ohu had a history of mental illness before the service, but Hinesley said her condition worsened after the 2015 sexual assault in Okinawa. Locking her up for last year's assault "stripped away" any progress she'd made in treatment, he said.

In 328 days in the brig, Ohu spent 160 in "special quarters" after threatening to hurt herself, she said in sworn testimony last week. She described the quarters as a bare room with a hole in the middle of the floor for a toilet, Marine Corps Times reported.

"I felt like I was an animal," she said, claiming she sometimes spent days with feces on her smock, mattress and blanket, and that guards mocked her as "Uhni babooni."

But after she was put on proper medication her behavior suddenly improved, said Petty Officer 1st Class Sayth Mason, a guard who testified on her behalf, the news site reported.

The Marine Corps' lead prosecutor in the case, Maj. Zachary Phelps, argued that Ohu's actions were not the result of mental illness, but a sign of "complete disrespect for the law," and that she deserved punishment to deter would-be offenders.

In the April attack, she chased Hinesley through their shared Virginia home wielding a knife and stabbed at a bedroom door where he barricaded himself to call the police, Marine Corps Times reported. It cited court testimony in which she said she'd grabbed the knife with suicidal intentions, but then confused her boyfriend for the man who attacked her in Okinawa and became enraged.

Ohu was treated in a long-term psychiatric care program after the assault, but called and visited Hinesley again when she was released in July, violating a protective order.

Then in forced hospitalization, she broke free from restraints and used them to break a window.

She pleaded guilty to aggravated assault with a dangerous weapon for the April incident, two charges of assault consummated by battery, and destruction of military property for the hospital incident, as well as a charge with two specifications of willfully disobeying a superior officer, Marine Corps Times reported.

She also pleaded guilty to communicating a threat, but judge Lt. Col. Michael Zimmerman approved the withdrawal of that charge, Marine spokesman Capt. Sam Stephenson said in an email confirming the charges and pleas.

Two specifications each of attempted murder and violating a protective order, and charges of burglary and violating a lawful general order were dismissed under the deal.

She was sentenced to time served, reduction in rank to E-1 and a bad conduct discharge, but Zimmerman recommended the discharge be suspended for six months, citing her significant mental health history as extenuating and mitigating circumstances.

A bad conduct discharge would make Ohu ineligible for guaranteed veteran benefits and her attorneys argued that medically retiring her instead would let her keep those benefits and allow her to get the help she needs.

Zimmerman's recommendation allows the general who convened the court-martial to hold off on the punitive discharge for a probationary period, after which it would be canceled if Ohu doesn't violate terms of the suspension. No decision had been made as to the suspension yet, Stephenson said Tuesday.

Hinesley had sought "intervention, not jail time" from the beginning, he said in his statement. He'd had "no choice but to call the police in order to defuse" the attack, but hadn't wanted the Marine Corps to prosecute or reprimand her, he wrote, pleading for the court's mercy.

"I can't begin to tell you about the nightmares of regret that I would face if this court places a conviction on Corporal Ohu," he wrote. "It is like you are leaving a wounded Marine on the battlefield."
WASHINGTON  The Department of Homeland Security has sent a request to the Defense Department to keep troops at the U.S.-Mexico border beyond Sept. 30, which is the end of the fiscal year, the National Guard's top general said Tuesday.

Sen. Susan Collins, R-Maine., said during a Senate Appropriations Committee hearing on National Guard and Reserve forces that the Defense Department received a request from Homeland Security to continue the Guard's border deployment into the 2022 fiscal year.

She asked Gen. Daniel Hokanson, chief of the National Guard Bureau, to share details on the status of the planning to extend the Guard's mission at the southern border.

"We received that request recently. I know it's going through the Office of Secretary of Defense right now to determine how that's going to be resourced going forward," Hokanson said.

The general said active-duty troops could be called up to provide support in place of Guard members, and the department is "looking at all options."

"We're making sure that we do this as quickly as possible to notify those forces so there's no break in coverage," Hokanson said.

Pentagon spokesman Chris Mitchell said Tuesday that the department has received a formal request but did not provide further details.

About 4,000 National Guard troops are now providing infrastructure support, operational support, detection and monitoring support and air support along the U.S.-Mexico border, Mitchell said last week.

About 180 Guard troops in Arizona and 600 Guard troops in Texas are also performing state missions along the border, he said.

Collins said at the hearing that she supports the move to keep troops at the southern border, due to the influx of migrants that are crossing from Mexico into the United States.

"It is evident that the border patrol agents -- though they work so hard -- are overwhelmed and really need assistance. So, I hope that will be approved or that active-duty forces will assist," the senator said.

It was unclear Tuesday how many troops have been requested to stay at the border or for how long. However, Homeland Security officials told the Government Accountability Office during a review in February of the Pentagon's mission at the border that they want troops to remain there for the next three years.

"DHS anticipates needing at least the current amount of [Defense Department] support for the next three to five years, possibly more," according to the report on the cost and readiness implications of continued DoD support to U.S. Customs and Border Protection.

When President Joe Biden took office in January, he rolled back former President Donald Trump's national emergency declared at the border. That declaration from February 2019 and other policies from Trump on the border served as the Pentagon's basis for approving Homeland Security's support requests, according to the report.

However, the Pentagon has said Biden's actions have not impacted the mission or the presence of troops at the border.
Michael H.C. McDowell is a Fellow in New America's International Security Program.

A major congressional hearing early this month revealed that Maj. Gen. Robert Castellvi has been temporarily removed from his duties as Marine Corps Inspector General following outrage at his being exonerated in the horrific drowning deaths of eight Marines and a Navy corpsman in an amphibious assault vehicle, or AAV, off the California coast last July.

Tellingly, no official announcement was made until Rep. Jackie Speier, a key Armed Services subcommittee chairperson, put Assistant Commandant Gen. Gary Thomas on the spot, asking him directly about Castellvi's standing, and got a clearly reluctant confirmation.

Sadly, this encapsulates the lack of true "leadership" -- not only in the Marine Corps, but in all the services -- when truly bad things happen. The instinct of many generals and admirals is to protect their fellow "stars," instead engaging in a shameful game of shifting blame down -- dishing out penalties to lower-ranking officers and noncommissioned officers but almost never to themselves.

Castellvi, in one of the worst military training disasters ever on U.S. soil, was found to "bear some responsibility" for the lack of safety training. His job description prioritized readiness, preparedness and safety. But Lt. Gen. Steven Rudder, head of Marine Corps Forces Pacific, who endorsed the disaster inquiry report, recommended no action be taken against him.

At Castellvi's change of command ceremony at Camp Pendleton, California, less than two months after the drownings, he said, "The division is at its most ready state."

At the same event, his boss, Lt. Gen. Karsten Heckl, praised Castellvi for exceptional performance, saying, "'Cas' has been exceptional from readiness, across the board."

Heckl, addressing Castellvi, continued, "Are you leaving this command in a better place than you found it? That's an unequivocal yes."

Really?

Full disclosure: My son, Marine 1st Lt. Hugh Conor McDowell, 24, was needlessly killed at Camp Pendleton in an earlier, preventable training disaster, when his Light Armored Vehicle, or LAV, rolled over. He was killed instantly, as the vehicle toppled into a hidden crevasse that range inspection had overlooked. My wife, Susan Flanigan; my son's fiancee, Kathleen Bourque; and I all met Castellvi at Conor's memorial at the base. We were uncomfortable with the way he handled the Line of Duty report, despite it exonerating Conor from any blame.

We are indeed proud that Conor's men, who loved him, told us in person and in signed official documents that "he saved our lives." Heartbreakingly for us, Conor couldn't save himself.

Conor loved the idea of the Marine Corps but, in a few short months, he became disappointed with his chain of command; cynical; and frustrated at the chronic lack of readiness of the LAVs he was to lead, which were often in wretched condition and dangerous. Conor was a positive, happy, smart warrior, but the reality of Pendleton changed his sunny initial perspective. Castellvi was also in charge of the LAV unit.

Only pressure from the grieving families of the nine young men who died in the AAV accident, some of them still in their teens, and anger from Speier and Rep. John Garamendi, both D-Calif., led to Castellvi's suspension.

But the rest of the Marine "leadership" also must answer for shirking accountability and responsibility and shifting criticism to those below them.

The old boys' network at the general officer level has regularly allowed "leadership" to rot, like a fish, from the head down. Throwing Castellvi under the bus is not good enough. His superiors must not be allowed to escape unscathed and use him as their sacrificial lamb.

Importantly, Gen. David Berger, commandant of the Marine Corps, specifically appointed Castellvi to the key post of inspector general, which conducts major inquiries and inspections. It beggars belief that he did so after the fiasco in the ocean that claimed nine lives.

Let us look at Berger's public comments on readiness and safety. In a Feb. 21 Washington Post opinion article with Gen. Charles "CQ" Brown, the Air Force chief of staff, Berger wrote, "The U.S. military must define 'readiness'. ... Every year the United States commits billions to building it, developing metrics to measure it, and striving to create and maintain more of it -- but what exactly is readiness? ... Readiness is fundamentally about preparedness for combat -- having the right equipment, training and maintenance to succeed on current and future battlefields. Unfortunately, the high operational tempo of the past two decades has distorted the understanding of readiness. Readiness has become synonymous with availability. In other words, a ready unit is one that is available for immediate deployment -- prepared to 'fight tonight.'"

Speier and Garamendi complained rightly that, by passing blame down, generals and admirals create a toxic culture where warnings from below about safety, readiness and preparedness will be treated with scepticism and may possibly lead to demotions and damage the careers of those who shout "Stop!"

"We are not going to rest until people are held accountable," Speier said. "It was conduct at the highest levels that allowed the AAVs to be deployed [in the deaths last year]."

She further complained that the military regularly "transfers" senior commanders who make major mistakes. "Maybe we need to speak to some of those who have been fired to find out where the pressure was coming from that required them to move forward with this exercise. This was a death trap in which were put these service members, nine of whom are now dead."

At the same hearing, AAVs were also called "death traps" by Rep. Ruben Gallego, D-Ariz., a former enlisted Marine who worked in them for seven months in Iraq.

Rep. Seth Moulton, D-Mass., a former Marine officer, commented that he and his men refused to ride inside an AAV when it was in the ocean, fearing it would sink, and instead sat outside the vehicle so they could escape to safety if necessary.

Then why are these death traps still being used? There are no new ones.

It is time for the American people, through their elected representatives, to hold our military leaders far more accountable and responsible when reckless training creates preventable deaths.

It is the least the nine mourning families and their sons deserve.

-- The opinions expressed in this op-ed are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of Military.com. If you would like to submit your own commentary, please send your article to opinions@military.com for consideration.
Joe McFarland is a Marine and Desert Shield/Storm Veteran and Lowes Executive Vice President of Stores.

I would like to take this opportunity to say thank you to our military families for your service to our country. No one demonstrates a more selfless pledge to making home  these United States of America  better for all than our military community. In doing so, military families like you are often on the move and need to recreate a feeling of home in new surroundings.

I am the son of a Marine and Marine Corps veteran myself, so I understand that May is an important time. The nation is recognizing Military Appreciation Month and Memorial Day while so many service members and their families are preparing their next Permanent Change of Station (PCS) assignment.

I will always advocate for finding ways to recognize and honor military associates and customers. It is important for companies to demonstrate that they value military service and celebrate associates and customers alike who have served.

Here are some ways national retailers can support military families throughout the year, including as military families prepare for what can be a stressful PCS season:

1. Helping Families Feel #ALWAYSHOME

Retailers can help ease the stress and burdens of relocating while helping military families create that unmistakable sense of home. For example, Lowes offers a 10% discount every day  both online and in-store  to active-duty military personnel, veterans and their spouses. This discount saves military families more than $1 billion each year on home improvement projects.

2. Provide Quality Jobs

I know firsthand that transitioning from military service to a civilian career can be challenging. Veterans and their spouses are attracted to employers who support their unique needs during the onboarding process. National retailers are well-positioned to provide quality jobs for a lot of transitioning veterans due to their size and scale, and commitment to the professional development of veteran employees.

Employers of choice for military families are investing heavily in teams that can translate military specialties into current job openings and targeting their recruiting efforts by creating an online presence specific to their military veteran hiring efforts. Retailers also are positioned uniquely to support veteran-owned suppliers through supplier diversity programs and by participating in programs with the National Veteran-Owned Business Association (NaVOBA), and Disability:IN. Click here for the military career portal for Lowes, which proudly employs nearly 20,000 associates in the military community.

3. Celebrate Employee Service

Its important to understand the celebration of service does not end when companies hire transitioning veterans or military spouses. Retailers can create special ways to recognize military associates and foster a military-friendly culture. For example, Lowes recognizes veteran employees by offering an optional camouflage vest for military associates to wear in celebration of their service.

Military families know better than anyone: No matter how many times you move, youre always home when you take what matters with you. It is incumbent upon national retailers to continue to honor and support our military families, especially in times of inherent stress.

Thank you for your service.

Join Our Team

No matter your career path, our military-focused recruiters and resources can help you align your skills and experience with future goals. Get started here.
The Giants have moved infielder Tommy La Stella to the 60-day injured list and claimed right-handed reliever Trevor Hildenberger from the Mets, Maria Guardado of MLB.com was among those to report. San Francisco subsequently optioned Hildenberger to Triple-A Sacramento.

La Stella went on the 10-day IL with a left hamstring strain on May 4, and Tuesdays switch to the 60-day version means he wont return until at least July. Thats obviously less-than-ideal news for him and the Giants, who signed La Stella to a three-year, $18.75MM contact in free agency. The 32-year-old hit a disappointing .235/.297/.353 with one home run in 75 plate appearances before suffering his injury. The Giants have relied on Wilmer Flores and Mauricio Dubon at the keystone in La Stellas place, but they should soon reinstate Donovan Solano, who has been on the IL with a calf strain since April 22.

Hildenberger, 30, threw just 2 1/3 innings with the Mets this year before they designated him for assignment last weekend. Also a former Twin, Hildenberger has pitched to a 5.52 ERA (with a much more encouraging 3.60 SIERA) and recorded a 22.5 percent strikeout rate, a 7.1 percent walk rate and a 48.4 percent groundball rate over 133 2/3 frames in the bigs.
LANSING, MI -- A former higher-up in Michigan State Universitys police force has found herself on the other side of the law.

On Wednesday, Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel announced charges against Valerie OBrien, a former captain with the MSU Police Department, following an arrest for drunken driving in February.

According to a press release, OBrien is charged with one count of operating a motor vehicle with a high blood alcohol content (BAC), a 180-day misdemeanor; and one count of carrying a concealed pistol under the influence with a BAC of 0.10 or more, a 93-day misdemeanor.

OBrien is set to be arraigned at 8:30 a.m. on June 7 in the Ingham County 55th District Court.

In February, OBrien was arrested after failing a field sobriety test and refusing a preliminary breath test. She had pulled onto the shoulder of I-96 and the Michigan State Police inquired if she needed assistance, the press release states.

MSP reported a blood test later showed she had a BAC of 0.251 -- above the high BAC limit of 0.17 set by Michigan law. OBriens police-issued pistol was in the back seat of her car at the time of arrest.

Ingham County Prosecutor Carol Seimon petitioned for a special prosecuting attorney after the arrest and the Michigan Department of Attorney General retained prosecution of this case.

My office stands ready to ensure law enforcement officers are upholding the oath they took to protect and serve, Nessel stated.

More from MLive:

Suspect arrested, stolen guns retrieved in Jackson County home invasion

Then and now drone video: A year after historic Midland County flood

Eastbound M-14 near Ann Arbor closed due to crash

There is a tick explosion underway in Michigan, heres why
LEELANAU COUNTY, MI -- A Michigan man accused of assaulting a news crew following an event attended by Gov. Gretchen Whitmer has pleaded not guilty to charges of assault, destruction of property and disturbing the peace.

According to UpNorthLive, Michael Harrison, 39, appeared in court Tuesday to face the charges and enter his not guilty plea. The charges stem from a May 6 incident in which Harrison allegedly grabbed a microphone out of the hand of a reporter and threw it across a parking lot. As police placed Harrison in handcuffs he can been seen on video spitting on the camera the news crew was using.

The news crew is part of UpNorthLive and was covering the Whitmer event.

The crew encountered Harrison during the event as he could be heard heckling Whitmer and allegedly shouting profanities. The UpNorthLive crew began asking Harrison questions along with other reporters before he allegedly grabbed the microphone.

In a separate matter, Harrison is also accused of making threatening calls to the Grand Traverse County Health Department and Traverse City Area Public Schools in April, according to UpNorthLive.

READ MORE:

Two drivers die in crash north of Muskegon

Vehicle crashes into building in Muskegon County, killing driver

Family of Kalamazoo man killed during alleged break-in says he went there to play poker
Momentum for a fourth round of stimulus checks is building in the halls of Congress as more than 80 Congressional Democrats and Vice President Kamala Harris have now expressed support for additional payments to Americans.

According to Newsweek, the latest sign of support came Monday when six members of the House Ways and Means Committee sent a letter to President Joe Biden calling on additional payments to be made as Americans continue to work through the COVID-19 pandemic. The letter called the direct payments a lifeline to Americans whove been impacted by the pandemic and went on to say consistent sources of relief are imperative right now.

The pandemic has served as a stark reminder that families and workers need certainty in a crisis, reads a portion of the letter. They deserve to know they can put food on the table and keep a roof over their heads.

Those who signed the letter also argued that a possible fourth and fifth check could keep an additional 12 million people out of poverty, according to Newsweek. Those checks could potentially reduce those in poverty from 44 million to 16 million when combined with measures from the American Rescue Plan, such as the upcoming Child Tax Credit payments.

Mondays letter marked the third time Biden has been petitioned by lawmakers about a fourth round of checks. Earlier this month, White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki was asked about a possible fourth check and while she didnt commit either way, she did say it was essentially up to Congress to make the next move.

Well see what members of Congress propose, but those are not free, Psaki said.

Newsweek reports Democrats may push to tie the stimulus checks to the proposed $1.8 trillion American Families Plan that Biden has been pushing in recent weeks. That plan would include money for education, child care and paid family leave.

Any fourth stimulus check round would have to be approved by both the House and Senate before it lands on Bidens desk to be signed into law. Democrats may face an uphill battle, however, as the split in the Senate is 50-50, with the Democrats holding the tiebreaker via Harris, who would cast a vote in the event of a split vote.

If just one Senate Democrat were to not support the proposal, it would likely not pass as every Republican Senator -- aside from Alaska Sen. Dan Sullivan, who did not vote -- voted against the last bill that included stimulus checks.

Newsweek reports at least 21 Senate Democrats support recurring payments, but it is unclear if the entire caucus would vote in support.

READ MORE:

Already have your third stimulus check? You could still be eligible for new plus-up payment

Plus-up stimulus payments may not be worth as much as you expect, heres why

Waiting for your tax refund? Heres how to track the status of your payment
A Calumet man was sentenced to serve six years in prison after he pleaded guilty to charges of vehicular manslaughter and failing to report a fatal accident. David Torgenson, 29 was also placed on probation for two years following his release from prison for his role in the death of 39-year-old Peter McKenney of Minnesota.

McKenney was walking home from the grocery store last September when he was hit by a car being driven by Torgenson. The crash took place in Fargo, North Dakota.

Charges of criminal vehicular homicide were originally filed against 33-year-old Shanyell Headswift after she was found behind the wheel of the car following the crash. However, those charges were dropped after police learned Torgenson was actually driving the car and fled the scene after hitting McKenney.

Headswift eventually pleaded guilty in January to hindering law enforcement. She received a one-year probation sentence.

Torgenson was given credit for 237 days served on his sentence.

READ MORE:

Michigan man who heckled Whitmer pleads not guilty to assaulting news crew

Two drivers die in crash north of Muskegon

Vehicle crashes into building in Muskegon County, killing driver

Family of Kalamazoo man killed during alleged break-in says he went there to play poker
ANN ARBOR, MI -- Discussion regarding the Ann Arbor City Councils failure to condemn U.S. military aid to Israel continued at the Monday, May 17 council meeting.

City Council on May 4 voted 10-1 to indefinitely table a resolution from Council Member Kathy Griswold, D-2nd Ward, asking for a forum on Palestinian human rights.

In 10-1 vote, Ann Arbor council punts on delving into Israeli-Palestinian conflict

Some residents said at Mondays meeting they still think the council should take a stand against aid to Israel.

I am a long time defender of Palestinian human rights. I dont remember any time that I wasnt in my life, said Mozhgan Savabieasfahani, who frequently speaks about the Israeli-Palestinian issue at meetings. The United States has been helping Israel to destroy the people. Any of you who have reservations about cutting off military aid to Israel, reach down inside you and find out what kind of beast lives there, and get rid of that beast. You can become human again.

Others suggested city council is right to stay out of the fray.

Recognizing its not your job to be a white savior or convener or de-facto facilitator or of a geopolitical crisis is a good thing, Ann Arbor resident Decky Alexander said. You may have to listen weekly to the barrage of hateful speech, but you dont need to nurture it, because then you are indeed complicit, a co-pilot in todays ongoing hate war.

Council Member Ali Ramlawi, D-5th Ward, shook his head at Alexanders comments, later expressing his own view of the situation.

I wasnt really prepared to speak on it tonight, I dont have any prepared statements, but Ive been troubled, and all my brothers and sisters throughout the world are troubled, said Ramlawi, who is Palestinian. What is occurring in Gaza and what is occurring in the occupied territories is nothing short of a war crime.

You have a nuclear power, who has complete control over another population who has no control over anything. Not their borders, not the food that comes, not the water they drink, not the roads they travel on, nothing.

Council Member Jeff Hayner, D-Ward 1, also expressed his dissatisfaction with the councils position. He said the council must say something about the ongoing Israeli-Palestinian unrest, adding that he is against U.S. military aid to Israel.

The notion that its not up to a white man to say something is ridiculous, because if Im endowed with this white privilege then I need to use that privilege, and the voice thats heard over the voice of somebody in Palestine who theyre digging out from underneath the rubble, to make my feelings known, and call for the right things and call for the right action, Hayner said.

Griswold said shes received support from the community since her resolution was indefinitely tabled.

I want to thank everyone whos reached out to me so far, Griswold said. Its been a very, very productive conversation with very few exceptions. Im more than willing to table (the resolution) and move forward working with the community outside of council, as long as its not considered behavior unbecoming of a council member.

The United States provided about $3.8 billion to Israel in 2020, according to a memo from the Congressional Research Service, which accounts for about 20% of the countrys defense budget.

Protesters in Kalamazoo call for end of U.S. funds for Israeli military

Israel and Hamas, the leadership in Gaza, have traded artillery strikes since May 10. There have been 212 people killed in Gaza, 15 people in the West Bank and 10 in Israel, as of May 17, the Washington Post reported.

Read more:

As violence spikes between Israel and Palestine, Grand Rapids group gathers in protest

Ann Arbor council member proposes community forum on Palestinian human rights

Black Lives Matter sign outside Ann Arbor-area farm destroyed in less than 12 hours
PITTSFIELD TWP., MI  Police investigating a shooting originally believed to have occurred at a Pittsfield Township apartment complex discovered the victim was actually shot in Detroit.

Police were called at about 8 p.m. Thursday, May 13, to St. Joseph Mercy Hospital for a reported gunshot victim being treated at the hospital, according to the Pittsfield Township Police Department.

The victim, a 25-year-old Pittsfield Township man, suffered a gunshot wound to the arm that was not considered life threatening, police said.

The shooting was originally believed to have occurred in the 2100 block of Glencoe Hills Drive, police said.

After investigating the scene throughout the night and conducting numerous witness interviews, police determined the shooting had not occurred in Pittsfield Township but in Detroit instead, police said.

A discarded handgun and a vehicle damaged by gunfire was found during the overnight investigation. Both have been turned over to the Detroit Police Department, police said.

The Washtenaw County Sheriffs Office and the Redford Police Department assisted in the investigation.

More from MLive:

Woman accused of trying to hire hit man to kill ex-husband heads to trial

Drunk-driving suspect charged in fatal crash with animal control officer heads to trial

Sheriffs deputy reportedly shoots suspect in stolen car
FLINT, MI -- The citys former Department of Public Works director is asking a Genesee District Court judge to reconsider recusing himself from the criminal Flint water crisis case against him and is using the words of a lead prosecutor to bolster his case.

Attorneys for Howard Croft filed the motion for reconsideration earlier this month after both Judge William H. Crawford, who is assigned the cases of Croft and former Gov. Rick Snyder, and Chief Genesee District Court Judge Christopher R. Odette ruled Crawford should not be disqualified from the case because he is a Flint resident and potential victim of the water crisis.

Croft, 55, had responsibility for oversight of the Flint water system while the city was being run by emergency managers appointed by Snyder in parts of 2014 and 2015. He was charged in January with two counts of willful neglect of duty, misdemeanors punishable by up to one year in prison and a $1,000 fine.

Attorney Alexander S. Rusek requested the review on Crofts behalf, saying in his court filing that the judges may not have been aware of a recusal under similar circumstance by a federal court judge and that he has obtained additional information that the court should review, particularly comments by Fadwa Hammoud, a lead Flint water prosecutor.

Rusek cited an interview recorded in November 2019 in which Hammoud said, At the end of the day, listen, we look at everybody in Flint as a victim ... everybody in Flint has been assaulted.

Although prosecutors argued against Crawfords disqualification in the Croft case, saying he had no interest to speak of given the diffuse nature of the harm of the water crisis, Hammouds interview shows Crawford is someone that has been assaulted, according to Crofts request.

A spokeswoman for Hammoud declined to comment on the filing, citing a court rule that the opposing party cannot respond to the reconsideration in court.

In addition to the Hammoud comment, Crofts attorneys say the disqualification of Crawford would be consistent with U.S. District Court Judge Mark A. Goldsmiths decision in 2016 to recuse himself as the judge in a lawsuit filed by the Concerned Pastors for Social Action and others against the city of Flint and the state of Michigan.

Goldsmith recused himself from the Concerned Pastors case because, Although neither the undersigned nor his staff has filed any claims against the state defendants, they theoretically could do so.

As a Flint resident, Crawford could also make a claim for a part of a $641-million settlement of civil lawsuits tied to the water crisis.

Under all the circumstances, an objective person might reasonably question the Courts impartiality, making disqualification the appropriate course to take, Goldsmith wrote in recusing himself from the Concerned Pastors case.

As DPW director during the water crisis, Croft was a chief defender of the quality and safety of city water even though testing showed it had elevated levels of lead, bacteria, and chlorination byproducts.

To show his confidence in the citys water, he once drank it from a plastic bottle that had been brought to City Hall by a resident who complained about its smell and taste.

Read more on MLive:

Flints ex-DPW director wants judge disqualified from hearing water crisis case against him

Former Flint DPW director charged with two counts of neglect of duty in water crisis probe

Flint water supervisor warned state of problems before switch to river
LAPEER COUNTY, MI -- Roadwork will close eastbound I-69 Wednesday from Lake Pleasant Road to Capac Road in Lapeer County.

Crews are expected to begin the closure at 3 a.m. Wednesday, May 19, and reopen the section of eastbound I-69 by noon, according to a Michigan Department of Transportation news release.

Drivers are asked to follow a posted detour using Lake Pleasant Road, Newark Road, M-53, Imlay City Road and Capac Road, per the release.

The roadwork will address emergency pavement repairs on the median crossover used to maintain traffic while work is ongoing.

It is part of a $28 million investment made possible by Gov. Gretchen Whitmers Rebuilding Michigan program to rebuild the state highways and bridges that are critical to the states economy and carry the most traffic, the release states.

Read more on MLive:

Man surrenders to police after three-hour standoff in Shiawassee County

Davison Township police chief to retire after more than 30 years in law enforcement

Fallen officers honored at 61st annual Peace Officers Memorial Day in Genesee County

Victims come forward after seeing alleged abuser caught in Genesee County sex-trafficking sting
A 37-year-old Kent County man sentenced to life incarceration in October has died in prison from an apparent suicide.

George Yzaguirre died May 16, a Michigan Department of Corrections spokesperson confirmed.

He was sentenced in October after pleading guilty to first-degree murder and felony murder.

Related: Clearly a monster, judge tells man who killed Kentwood roommate, then another man

Yzaguirre repeatedly stabbed his longtime friend and roommate, David Isner Jr., 34, at their Kentwood duplex in late November, 2019. Police said he later admitted to the killing and told detectives he did it because he was offended by something Isner said to him.

Sometime before turning himself in on Dec. 3, 2019 , Yzaguirre went to the mobile home residence of another man, 63-year-old Ed Fuller, and ended up stabbing him to death as well. Police said Yzaguirre admitted that he went to Fullers residence in the Pinegate Village Mobile Home park, intending to rob him.

More from MLive

Judge dismisses final Michigan election fraud suit, says that doesnt mean there werent problems

Woman who died after scooter fall had blunt abdominal injury, medical examiner says
JACKSON COUNTY, MI-- A much-debated anti-discrimination policy focused on hiring practices passed in a split vote at Tuesdays Jackson County Board of Commissioners meeting.

During the May 18 meeting, five commissioners voted for the policy thats been in the works for 10 months, while four voted no.

Commissioners voting no were Daniel Mahoney, D-Jackson; Darius Williams, D-Jackson; Rodney Walz, R-Grass Lake, and Tony Bair, R-Sandstone Township. Voting yes were Earl Poleski, R-Spring Arbor Township; Corey Kennedy, R-Leoni Township; Phil Duckham, R-Brooklyn; Ray Snell, R-Blackman Township, and Chairman James Steve Shotwell Jr.

The policy focuses on equal opportunity in employment regardless of race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, disability, age or political affiliation, among other attributes. The policy applies to county government employment, not the broader community.

Mahoney voted no based on his disappointment in the policy, he said.

I wont be supporting this because it is literally saying that the county is not going to do anything different than what its already been doing, Mahoney said.

Mahoney pointed to the policy section which states the county shall continue its program of recruitment, hiring, and promotions of highly qualified employees and applicants, and may consider training projects based on available resources, while complying with the terms of this policy.

Mahoney said the policy uses the phrase if possible too many times.

To me, either you do or you dont. I feel like this is a weightless policy, Mahoney said.

The anti-discrimination policy committee was formed in June 2020 at the height of protests over the police killing of George Floyd. At the time, the board declined to call racism a public health crisis and supported the anti-discrimination policy instead.

RELATED: Jackson County prepares anti-discrimination draft policy for review

Poleski, Kennedy and Williams, joined four county residents to create the policy. A draft was then issued this March, with commissioners seeking legal guidance on it in a closed session meeting, after which they unanimously agreed to have lawyers modify the document.

The policy includes annual reports on the countys hiring demographics, which Kennedy said he is looking forward to seeing.

Its about being fair and giving everyone an opportunity and, if actions or discrimination happen, it clearly states what you should do, said Kennedy, who supported the policy.

The countys human resources department is tasked with compiling demographic reports on the countys population, applicants for county work and the county employee base. Human resources will also look at internal applicant flow and Equal Employment Opportunity Commission compliance.

Applicants can file a discrimination complaint with the human resources department, while current employees can begin the process within their department.

Comments at the meeting from commissioners and the public focused on the definition of equity, which the policy defines as the quality of being fair and impartial and the value or stake hold in an organization, generally referring to the value of shares in a company.

Bair defined equity as its defined in the policy, saying conflict on that definition is a political issue.

Equity isnt a political issue or a race issue, Mahoney said, using an analogy to explain the difference between equality and equity.

So if a deaf person walks into a store, equality says were in America, were going to speak English, Mahoney said. Equity says, we need to have someone who speaks sign language to communicate with that person to fit their specific needs. Equity is what that individual needs not equality, because if they cant hear you, it does you no good to talk to them.

On the topic of equity, Kennedy brought up prior discussion of racism as a public health crisis, which he said is not the case in Jackson County.

RELATED: Is racism a public health crisis? Jackson prepared to say yes, county unsure

Im not ignorant, I know what equity means, Kennedy said. The definition is in there clearly what it is. Im not looking to redefine it. Im sure as hell not trying to adopt a leftist, Marxist ideology like Washtenaw County.

Washtenaw County declared racism a public health crisis in July.

RELATED: Racism is a public health crisis, Washtenaw County declares and calls for equity in budgeting, sheriffs office

The anti-discrimination policy goes into effect immediately.

READ MORE FROM THE JACKSON CITIZEN PATRIOT:

Man in stolen vehicle shot, killed by police after pursuit ends in neighboring county

There is a tick explosion underway in Michigan, heres why

Michigan road worker deaths rise in 2020 as families grapple with devastation left in their wake

Pets of the week: Gentle Denise loves to give kisses. Bess is a love bug, too
ALBION, MI  Albion College students, faculty and staff must be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 before returning for the fall semester, college officials announced Wednesday, May 19.

Our focus has been, and remains, managing the risk associated with COVID-19, and prioritizing the health and safety of our entire campus community to ensure we are able to offer the in-person experience our students know and love, Albion College President Mathew Johnson said in a statement.

This vaccination requirement is a continuation of that commitment. We are extremely proud of the way our students and entire campus community have responded to our safety protocols, and were eager to return to full in-person instruction for the fall semester.

Students and staff must present proof of vaccination by Aug. 1. More details about where documentation should be submitted will be available in the summer, officials said. All three vaccines  Moderna, Pfizer and Johnson & Johnson  are being accepted, with medical and religious exemptions being honored.

Albion College worked closely with the Calhoun County Health Department in a phased rollout of vaccinations for students, faculty and staff through seven on-campus and nearby clinics in March.

A student survey conducted this spring found that almost 80% of respondents said they would sign up for a vaccination appointment, and close to 10% said they had already scheduled an appointment or been vaccinated. Most faculty and staff have also received vaccinations, officials said.

Classes for the fall semester at Albion will be 100% in person, the college announced in March. Albion will also return to a standard academic calendar from the module approach it used during the 2020-21 school year.

Larger schools in the state like Oakland University and the University of Michigan have announced COVID-19 vaccine requirements for students living on campus or in university housing but have stopped short of requiring all students, faculty and staff to be vaccinated. A petition calling for COVID-19 vaccine mandates on more than a dozen university campuses in the state has more gotten more than 2,300 signatures.

Petition for COVID-19 vaccine mandates gaining steam at Michigans public universities

READ MORE:

100% in-person classes coming to Albion College for fall semester

Albion College returns 500-year-old Mayan urn to Mexican government

Racist graffiti found in college dorm condemned by Albion community leaders
KALAMAZOO, MI  Residents are invited to a virtual meeting to hear about a cleanup project scheduled to begin next month at the Allied Paper landfill in Kalamazoo.

The city government will host a virtual meeting from 7-8:30 p.m. Monday, May 24, with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy. The purpose of the meeting is to answer questions and provide updates on an upcoming project to clean up and consolidate contaminated material at the Allied Paper landfill, the city of Kalamazoo said in a news release.

The former landfill is part of the Allied Paper/Portage Creek/Kalamazoo River Superfund site that is contaminated with PCBs.

In December 2017, EPA administrators said the Allied Paper/Portage Creek/Kalamazoo River Superfund site was selected as one of 21 contamination sites nationally to receive immediate and intense attention.

A $245 million cleanup for the Kalamazoo River Superfund site was approved in 2019.

The meeting will be streamed live on Kalamazoos Facebook Page and the citys YouTube channel.

Community members are invited to submit questions for discussion before the meeting by emailing hello@kalamazoocity.org, posting on the Facebook event page or by calling 269-226-6573 and leaving a recording, starting at noon on May 24. Questions can also be submitted by commenting on the live stream during the town hall.

The meeting will be recorded and available for viewing on the city of Kalamazoos Facebook page and YouTube channel after the virtual meeting as well.

Cleanup activities are expected to start in June. The current owners of the site, the Lyondell Environmental Custodial Trust, will be conducting the cleanup with EPA oversight. The cleanup plan includes consolidating and capping material containing PCBs and other contaminants, and installing a groundwater monitoring network.

After the cleanup, areas of the former landfill would be available for future reuse and redevelopment, the news release states.

EPA anticipates the construction of the new landfill to take four years and anticipates the city of Kalamazoo to take ownership of the property after the cleanup is complete. For more details about the Superfund site, visit www.epa.gov/superfund/allied-paper-kalamazoo.

Read more:

Dino Park on Western Michigan University campus offers window into Mesozoic Era

Family of Kalamazoo man killed during alleged break-in says he went there to play poker

7 great things to do with kids at Sleeping Bear Dunes
KALAMAZOO, MI  Sharpshooters, sterilization and deer birth control are among the options residents are considering while putting together a proposed deer management plan to present to city officials, according to Oakland Drive/Winchell Neighborhood Association President Pete Kushner.

We have to look at lethal and non-lethal ways to control the deer population, so everythings on the table, Kushner said in an interview with MLive on Tuesday, May 18.

However, some residents are not in favor of spending time or money on the issue.

To put it simply, I havent been provided any evidence to think its anything more than a nuisance to a few homeowners in mostly well-off neighborhoods, Kalamazoo resident and Environmental Concerns Committee Vice Chair Ian Magnuson said.

The city shared a survey on Facebook this week, which the citizen group is using to gauge community interest in the proposed deer management plan.

Kushner, who ran for city commission in 2019, said he is working on this issue because people in the area brought concerns to him about deer and their impact in Kalamazoo.

He said he worked with the city to determine the best way to approach the issue, and was guided to creating a citizens committee that could propose a plan. He is contacting other neighborhood association leaders as he works on the plan, Kushner said. The committee includes about 15 neighborhood association board members or their designees, he said.

Our goal goal isnt to kill all the deer, our goal isnt to save all the deer, our goal is: How do we come up with an effective and acceptable short-, medium- and long-term deer management program that the city commission will implement? Kushner said.

Donna Keller said she and her husband have lived in Kalamazoo their entire lives, and in the Winchell neighborhood for 25 years.

When we were kids, we almost never saw deer in the city, Keller said. Even when we first moved to the neighborhood, we only occasionally saw deer. Now its remarkable if we dont see deer daily.

She once counted 17 deer in the yard, Keller said. Two deer have died in the woods behind her house. One curled up next to the house and died during extremely cold weather several years ago, she said.

Another likely was hit by a car, stumbled into our neighbors yard and down his hill, thrashing violently, and eventually died, she said. One deer with a shattered leg miraculously survived months with the dangling limb, often finding refuge in our yard.

Many neighbors have similar stories of witnessing car-deer collisions and their aftermath, she said.

Keller is restoring her yard with native plants in an attempt to regain some of the natural balance that has been lost, she said. The pollinator- and bird-friendly plants are often decimated by hungry deer that visit almost daily, Keller said.

I can appreciate the concerns of many of my neighbors about a deer cull, as I once shared those concerns, she said. I dont have a strong preference for the method used, but I do feel strongly that it is time to reduce the herd, both to mitigate their suffering and to help restore a balance that has been lost.

In Ann Arbor, the city has used a sharpshooter program to cull the deer herd. The action has drawn protests, with people holding signs with messages like No shooting deer here.

Protestors hold signs and chant during the Friends of Ann Arbor Wildlife in Nature deer cull protest in front of City Hall in downtown Ann Arbor on Monday, Jan. 6, 2020. This is the fifth annual Friends of Ann Arbor Wildlife in Nature deer cull protest. Mary Lewandowski| MLive.com

The city of Kalamazoo is playing a supporting role at this point, and any plan would have to be approved by the city commission before it is put into action, city of Kalamazoo spokesman Ryan Bridges said.

At this point, were trying to do whatever we can to support those that are being impacted by this, Bridges said.

The city disseminated the survey as a way to encourage more people to share their experiences, he said.

Westwood resident Elizabeth VanderRoest, 29, said she looked through the survey, and it included a few good points, but she believes other city issues are more important.

I feel there are bigger fish to fry in our city, she said. If deer are that overpopulated then, plain and simple, double the tags allowed for hunters for one season and see if thats helping. But deer are going to still carry disease and still eat native plants; its nature and thats not going to change.

Making real changes in our city regarding affordable housing and more police de-escalation training are real changes we can make.

The deer issue has been talked about since Magnuson joined the Environmental Concerns Committee about three years ago, he said.

Were fortunate to have some excellent nature preserves in town like Asylum Lake and Kleinstuck, he said. One of the costs of living near nature is that sometimes it shows up in your yard. Im sure its annoying to have expensive landscape gnawed on by deer occasionally, but there doesnt seem to be any evidence that theres anything more to be concerned about than that.

Individuals can attempt strategies to keep deer off their properties, but I dont see the need to expend city energy and resources on this, especially including hiring sharpshooters, Magnuson said. With the upcoming city sustainability plan and ongoing need for racial justice and a robust housing solution, the city commission should focus on more important things than this.

Kushner said his conversations with other neighborhood association leaders have suggested deer are an issue in other parts of the city as well.

Some of the most viable, non-lethal options would include contraception or sterilization of the deer, he said.

The lethal option would involve shooting the deer. In a rural area, hunters could be allowed to do it, Kushner said. But a more urban place like Kalamazoo would need to use a sharpshooter instead, he said. Sharpshooters can use firearms or bows, he said.

A sharpshooter with White Buffalo, Inc. awaits deer at Narrow Gauge Way Park in Ann Arbor on Jan. 2, 2018.Jacob Hamilton

Kushner said discussion of the proposal has also included talk of educating the public about not feeding deer and other ways to discourage them from coming around, exploring possible changes to allow deer fences in the city and discussion of what happens to deer remains after they are killed, such as in a car crash.

The group is receiving guidance from the Kalamazoo Nature Center and Michigan Department of Natural Resources, he said.

Our committee knows its going to be a hot-button issue, Kushner said. There are people who want to save all the deer at all costs and say, They were here first. And there are others who are like, Well theyre eating my hostas, lets get rid of them all.

Kushner estimated the deer management proposal for Kalamazoo will be ready to submit to the city commission for consideration later this year, or by early 2022.

Read more:

Kalamazoo groups want public access to all arrests and outcomes, with location and racial data

City commission approves $840K budget for Shared Prosperity Kalamazoo
BAY CITY, MI - Health officials and community organizations are spearheading an extra push to encourage Bay County residents to get vaccinated during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Bay County Health Department and the Bay Area Community foundation has partnered with area groups to host a massive vaccination drive at the end of this week called the Drive to Get Vaccinated.

As a part of the Drive to Get Vaccinated initiative, giveaways and incentive prizes totaling $18,500 will be awarded at special clinics being hosted from May 20-22, including a two-year paid car lease on a 2021 Buick Encore, $500 Best Buy gift card, and more, according to a press release from the Bay County Health Department.

With the end of mask mandates for fully vaccinated persons and the high transmission rate of the recent variants, vaccination is more important than ever, said the health department in the press release. Bay County residents should get vaccinated as soon as it is offered to them. Recent studies have demonstrated that the COVID19 vaccines are effective against the variants. With this in mind, Bay County organizations are joining forces to provide vaccine clinics in areas throughout Bay County to drive vaccination rates higher.

Everyone vaccinated at a Drive to Get Vaccinated clinic will receive a free gift and will be eligible to win additional prizes, according to the press release.

Bay County residents who are already vaccinated can enter into the drawing by filling out a form at a Drive to Get Vaccinated clinic or by submitting an online form through the Bay County Health Department.

The Drive to Get Vaccinated clinics are as follows:

Thursday, May 20

 Apostolic Life Church (3360 E. Midland Rd., Bay City), 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. (Pfizer)

 Bay City Academy (301 N. Farragut St., Bay City), 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., (Moderna)

 Bay County Health Department (1200 Washington Avenue, Bay City), 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. (Pfizer) Friday, May 21

 Bay City Academy (301 N. Farragut St., Bay City), 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., (Moderna)

 Pinconning Community Center (200 N Mable St, Pinconning, MI 48650), 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. (Pfizer)

 St. Hyacinth (1515 Cass Ave, Bay City), 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. (Pfizer)

Saturday, May 22

 Bay County Community Center/Riverside Activity Center (800 JF Kennedy Drive, Bay City), 9 am to noon (Pfizer)

 Delta College Planetarium (100 Center Avenue, Bay City), 9 am to noon (Pfizer)

No appointment is needed to attend these clinics.

Minors (12 years of age and older) are approved to receive the Pfizer vaccine. For those between the ages of 12-15, a consent form must be signed and a parent/guardian must accompany the youth. For minors 16 and older, a signed consent form is needed.

Event partners include the Bay Area Chamber of Commerce, Bay Arenac Intermediate School District, Bay County Department on Aging, Bay Future, City of Bay City, Delta College, Disability Network of Mid-Michigan. Do-All, Inc., Dow, Great Lakes Bay Health Centers, Historic Second Baptist Church, Labadie Auto Co., McLaren Bay Region, NAACP - Bay City Branch, and United Way of Bay County.

More from MLive:

Temper tantrums and vaccinated stickers: How Michigans first mask-optional weekend went over

If youre fully vaccinated against COVID-19, how safe are you really without a mask?

Michigans push for permanent COVID-19 rules sparks battle with business leaders
In exchange for leniency, a Michigan man has agreed to help prosecutors in their efforts to convict fellow members of a militia group accused of plotting to kidnap Gov. Gretchen Whitmer.

Maxwell Wyckoff, 22, of Clarkston, a Wolverine Watchmen militia member whose associates are accused in the kidnap plot, is charged with converting a semiautomatic weapon to an automatic weapon, a felony punishable by up to four years in prison; and possessing a muffler or silencer device, a felony punishable by up to five years in prison.

The plea includes the assurance that Wyckoff will cooperate with the Departments ongoing investigation into the Wolverine Watchmen and the eight members involved in the alleged plot to kidnap the governor, announced the Michigan attorney generals office said.

It is not alleged that Wyckoff was involved in supporting the alleged plot. Rather, his charges stem from a search warrant conducted on Wyckoffs Clarkston home as part of the ongoing investigation into members of the group.

Nessel said her office will recommend the judge sentence Wyckoff under the Holmes Youthful Trainee Act. If the judge agrees and Wyckoff complies with all requirements of his court-ordered punishment, his felony record will eventually be cleared. The Holmes Youthful Trainee Act is usually applied in cases involving young offenders with no significant prior criminal history.

Wyckoff accepted the plea deal and pleaded guilty during a remote hearing in Oakland County Circuit Court on Tuesday, according to online court records.

Investigators have not indicated what information Wyckoff has that may be important to the AGs prosecution of eight men charged in Michigan for their roles in the alleged kidnap plot. Six others are charged in federal court.

I dont know specifically what information he has, and I dont think that we can presume to know exactly what it is that he has or who its against, said Sarissa Montague, a legal expert and criminal defense attorney who works for the Levine & Levine law firm based in Kalamazoo. He definitely has something that the government wants though, and part of the agreement, Im sure, is that he provides truthful information, and if the information he provides is found to not be truthful, then my assumption is that the government could withdraw from the agreement.

MLive has left a message requesting comment from Wyckoffs attorney, Michael Manley

All 14 defendants facing federal and state cases in connection with the plot were members or affiliates of the Wolverine Watchmen, an anti-government faction of group who met to conduct armed training exercises and made plans to kidnap Whitmer with the hope of sparking a civil war, according to investigators.

At least one member of the Wolverine Watchmen worked as an informant for the FBI, relaying encrypted cellphone text discussions, audio recordings, photos and video that was used as the basis for the initial prosecution after most of the suspects were arrested during statewide sweeps on Oct. 8.

State police and federal agencies cooperated during the investigation that resulted in the arrests. A federal judge previously said evidence or testimony in the case that was revealed by witnesses during secret grand jury testimony in federal court couldnt be disclosed to state prosecutors.

According to court testimony and records, the alleged plotters discussed putting Whitmer on trial and leaving her in the middle of Lake Michigan in a disabled boat. The suspects also considered blowing up a bridge by Whitmers house to slow police response  and engaging in fire fights with police.

Upset by coronavirus lockdown orders in place in Michigan and Virginia, the men are also accused of discussing the kidnapping of Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam.

More on MLive:

New charges: Weapons of mass destruction

Twins charged in kidnap plot to remain tethered

West Michigan brothers accused in Whitmer kidnapping plot now out of jail

Michigan man says he surveilled Gov. Whitmers home in kidnap plot

He cant believe he got involved in Gov. Whitmer kidnap plot, attorney says

Accused Whitmer kidnapping plotters attended BLM rally to protect protesters from police, attorney says

Judge denies bond for alleged leader in Whitmer kidnapping plot, described as violent extremist
SAGINAW, MI  The Saginaw Police Department is hosting the first in a series of summer front porch roll call this evening.

The roll call is taking place at 6 p.m. on Wednesday, May 19, at Beacon of Hope Church, 2109 W. Michigan Ave.

Citizens who attend are encouraged to meet and interact with the police officers who patrol their neighborhoods. Residents can ask questions, share perspectives, and voice concerns.

Its another tool were using to engage the community so we can get input and the community can understand what were doing as police officers, said Saginaw Police Chief Robert M. Ruth. Its a good community-engagement tool.

Officers will also be sharing details of crime trends and how to build a team approach to addressing them.

Ruth said the roll call will be held outside to allow for proper social distancing and adherence to COVID-19-related restrictions. The department in the fall held these front porch roll calls, but they were halted by the epidemic, Ruth said.

We will have more of these as the summer goes on and it gets a little bit warmer, Ruth said.

Read more:

Police say man at-large in suspected Saginaw Township homicide armed and dangerous

If we hate, we will never get to a solution of love, mom of murdered pregnant woman tells killer as he heads to prison

CMU professor who lost job over use of racial slurs speaks out on climate of fear and confusion
SANFORD, MI  As she reflects on the events of the past year, Midland County flood survivor Anna Merillat searches for the right word to describe how she feels.

Maybe there isnt one.

When I look back on it, I see, probably, the worst, one of the worst, things I have lived through and also the best, if that can make any sense at all, said the Sanford resident and small business owner. I just feel, I dont know, like that. Whatever that name of that feeling is that I cant quantify.

When floodwaters swept through Merillats hometown of Sanford last May, some of the places she cared about most  her house, her parents house and her new business, Three Diamonds Bridal Boutique  were all damaged.

Owner Anna Merillat walks out of Three Diamonds Bridal Boutique on Thursday, May 13, 2021. (Kaytie Boomer | MLive.com)Kaytie Boomer | MLive.com

Life, already upset by the recently declared pandemic, was turned upside down.

In the months that followed, she and thousands of others affected by the flood in Midland and surrounding counties worked to rebuild their lives and communities.

Im not a person whos been emotional about the flood. Ive been very, lets get to work, you know, like that. Put your nose to the grindstone, get it done, and we can cry later, Merillat said. But, as I thought back on this year, wow. I got very emotional.

Some of Merillats memories of the flood and its aftermath are as clear as if they happened yesterday, while others are a blur. Merillat pointed out the experience was nothing short of horrific.

But then I think about the year since that and how blessed Ive been, she said. Ive met some people that I didnt even know a year ago, and now I would say theyre my best friends or some of my best friends, and weve worked alongside each other and done things for the community and helped rebuild, and weve gotten to know our neighbors and care for them in a different sort of way. So, in that way, its the best.

Bridal Consultant Renee Smith, owners Hannah Merillat and Anna Merillat pose for a photograph in Three Diamonds Bridal Boutique on Thursday, May 13, 2021. (Kaytie Boomer | MLive.com)Kaytie Boomer | MLive.com

Driving through the Village of Sanford today, one almost wouldnt know dam failures and catastrophic flooding destroyed homes, businesses and infrastructure, prompting the evacuation of more than 10,000 people just 12 months ago.

What followed the historic May 2020 flood event were months of cleanup and recovery in Sanford and beyond.

Residents who lost their homes moved into hotels, trailers and other temporary housing.

Businesses rebuilt or relocated.

People came together to help their neighbors.

Donations poured in.

Its been a weird year, said Jack Brady, owner of Jacks Hometown Pizza in Sanford. I actually try not to think about it too much because it was just terrible for so long. Im just glad its over.

Bradys restaurant, located at 245 W. Saginaw Road, reopened in the fall, thanks, in part, to the donations and community support he received.

A view of the flood level inside JackOs Hometown Pizza in Sanford on Tuesday, May 11, 2021. (Kaytie Boomer | MLive.com)Kaytie Boomer | MLive.com

Meanwhile, other businesses have reopened or are working to reopen.

Sanford Hardware, which has been operating out of a temporary location, is expected to reopen downtown soon, and plans for a new park and even a new business or two are in the works.

Its nice to drive downtown Sanford and see pretty much everything back to normal, Brady said. Its just nice to go downtown and it looks like it used to.

Village President Dolores Porte said things are getting better every day.

The hardwares getting ready to open. Thats, you know, kind of a big milestone. We call it almost like an anchor store for the village, she said. Were really moving along, I think, pretty quickly.

Community leaders and residents are planning a series of Sanford Rising events to mark the anniversary, and theyre making some long-term improvements, too, including the addition of Porte Park, named after the village president.

Sanford Village President Dolores Porte poses for a photograph in the future Porte Park in Sanford on Thursday, May 13, 2021. (Kaytie Boomer | MLive.com)Kaytie Boomer | MLive.com

Everyones, I think, very excited about the progress, Porte said. Were trying to really put the town on the map, I guess, in a very positive way.

The Sanford Rising schedule of events, which spans Wednesday, May 19, through Saturday, May 22, includes a Unity Walk from Sanford Dam to the veterans memorial, a blood drive, a volunteer cleanup effort downtown, a parade, hot air balloons, live music and other festivities.

I think theyre recovering. I think they have hope. I think we have hope for the future. I think were coming back stronger, said Merillat, the events coordinator. But I say that with all due respect because theres people who have not come back stronger. Theyve lost and theyre still recovering.

One thing that has not recovered is Sanford Lake.

Tonia Uphold used to admire the lake every day.

She and her fiance Howard Brackett bought and moved into their Sanford home, their first home, five months before the flood. To own a home near the water had been a dream of theirs.

Now, the lake is gone.

Related: Costs to repair Sanford and Edenville dams lower than expected, says Four Lakes Taskforce

Uphold and her family were among the thousands of people who were forced to evacuate, leaving most of their belongings behind as the floodwaters moved in.

When it was safe to return, Everything was just gone. Everything was destroyed, she said.

After the disaster, Uphold and her family lived with friends, then at a hotel with help from the American Red Cross, and later in a donated camper parked behind what remained of their home as they worked to rebuild it.

They were finally able to move back into their house in late September before they even had a furnace.

Howard Brackett, Emily Lilly and Tonia Uphold hang out in their renovated home in Sanford nearly a year after the flood on Friday, May 14, 2021. (Kaytie Boomer | MLive.com)Kaytie Boomer | MLive.com

Now, a year after the flood, its still a work in progress, but theyve come a long way.

Were doing really good right now. Were still working on the house. Its been a really long project. Still have our ups and downs. It really seems like over the past year its just been a daily challenge, Uphold said. It does feel like home, but, at the same time, it doesnt because its not completed and thats the biggest struggle.

When the two dams broke, thousands of Midland County homes were reported damaged and hundreds of families were displaced from their primary residences, according to an initial assessment, said Holly Miller, president and CEO of United Way of Midland County.

As of mid-December, the organization was aware of 25 families still living in short-term housing, the latest available estimate.

Data from the federal government has since provided a clearer picture of the devastation.

For instance, 1,363 homeowners and 128 renters in Midland County reached out to the Federal Emergency Management Agency, FEMA, for individual financial assistance, Miller said. Because it was declared a major disaster, more than $49 million in FEMA assistance and low-cost U.S. Small Business Administration loans were funneled into Midland alone.

Weve come so far since that first day, yet we are not done. There is still lots of work to be done, Miller said. Recovery is a living, breathing, community thing, and were dealing with people, right, and people recover at different levels and at different time frames and in different ways.

In addition to federal dollars, Midland Countys Long Term Disaster Recovery Group and local organizations, donations and volunteers have all made a difference.

Miller said the United Way of Midland County has documented nearly 30,000 volunteer hours invested by more than 5,600 people. That doesnt include small community groups and neighbors helping neighbors every day. And the documented value of in-kind donations, such as food, water, siding, roofing materials, paint, is $2.9 million.

When I think about where we are one year later, I have so much gratitude, and I think we have a lot to celebrate as a community, Miller said. Weve really seen people at their best, and this has been a collective impact. It is taking all of us working together.

Anyone still displaced by the flood or in need of assistance should call disaster case managers at 989-374-8000 or dial 2-1-1.

We want to connect folks that have a need with the resources that can help, Miller said. We recognize that recovery is more than just dollars, and we have great resources that can help people on their recovery journey. We want to walk alongside them and help.

Uphold said the flood taught her never to take anything for granted, among other lessons.

Where were at now versus where we were almost a year ago, I am so grateful, she said. Theres so many people to thank that have helped us that its unreal. And I dont like to ask for help, but, if this flood has taught me anything, its that its OK to ask for help. You can only do so much yourself.

Emily Lilly, Tonia Uphold and Howard Brackett pose for a photograph outside their renovated home in Sanford nearly a year after the flood on Friday, May 14, 2021. (Kaytie Boomer | MLive.com)Kaytie Boomer | MLive.com

After a year of hardship, Uphold is counting the days until she can celebrate Sanford Rising with her friends and neighbors.

Weve been through so much that we need something to look forward to, to celebrate, she said.

Merillat, who volunteered to organize the anniversary events, will lead the Unity Walk at 5 p.m. on May 19.

The occasion will commemorate the flood and celebrate the communitys continued recovery.

Weve come so far in a year that I didnt think wed come this far in five years, so I have every hope that its going to continue to grow. Theres a momentum here thats healthy and positive, she said. I think were becoming something better than what we were.

Read more on MLive:

Then and now drone video: A year after historic Midland County flood

Michigan town devastated by 500-year flood pulls together to rebuild community

A Sanford flood survivor tells her story of recovery from mid-Michigan dam failures

Bankruptcy judge OKs transfer of Boyce Hydro dams to local task force

Dam failures, flood impact havent subsided from these Mid-Michigan families 4 months later

Timeline: The Edenville Dam saga, before, during and after the break

How a spring rainstorm became a 500-year flood event in mid-Michigan
SAGINAW TWP, MI  Police have released the name of a Saginaw Township woman found dead in her apartment, while their search for her husband and alleged killer continues.

Officers have identified LaResha C. Isom-Pittman, 29, as the woman found deceased in her unit at Camelot Place Apartments about 12:26 p.m. on Tuesday, May 18. Police had responded to Isom-Pittmans residence after a relative found her deceased and called 911.

Saginaw Township Police Chief Donald F. Pussehl Jr. described Isom-Pittmans manner of death as a homicide but has not elaborated on the method.

There was a visible injury that probably caused her death, he said. Were waiting for an autopsy to determine exactly what that was.

Pussehl added the suspect in the killing is Isom-Pittmans 33-year-old husband, Aaron C. Pittman, who was believed to have left the scene in a box-type van. Around 1 p.m. Tuesday, police located the van in the northbound lanes on top of the Zilwaukee Bridge, abandoned with its drivers side door left open.

Boats and dive teams from the Saginaw and Bay County sheriffs offices spent several hours searching the Saginaw River beneath the bridge but did not find Pittman, Pussehl said.

As a result, Pittmans status and location remain unknown.

With the condition of the river, its not unusual that if someone did jump, they might not be able to find them right away, Pussehl said. We just dont know.

The chief added his detectives will be seeking a warrant Wednesday for Pittman, which will the be entered into the Law Enforcement Information Network, or LEIN.

Our investigation is definitely continuing, Pussehl said. Theres a lot of followup still needed on it.

Police have described Pittman as armed and dangerous. Anyone with knowledge of his whereabouts is urged to call the Saginaw Township Police Department at 989-793-2310 or 911.

Read more:

Police say man at-large in suspected Saginaw Township homicide armed and dangerous

Police searching for homicide suspect after vehicle found abandoned on Zilwaukee Bridge

If we hate, we will never get to a solution of love, mom of murdered pregnant woman tells killer as he heads to prison
The last of many election fraud lawsuits filed in Michigan following the November 2020 presidential election was dismissed by an Antrim County Circuit Court judge Tuesday.

Antrim County Circuit Judge Kevin Elsenheimer, a former Republican state lawmaker, said the plaintiff, William Bailey of Central Lake Township, had either been granted what he sought or is not entitled to further relief in the case.

Granting judgement to the plaintiff on his claims would have no practical legal effect, as the audit available ... has already been done, Elsenheimer said. Theres reason to do it twice ...

By deciding this motion, the court is not saying that there were no problems in the way Antrim County conducted its November 2020 election ... Nor am I saying that the processing of election data here wasnt corrupted or corruptible. I dont have the facts to make that determination.

Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson took the dismissal as affirmation that the election was fair and secure.

The dismissal of the last of the lawsuits attempting to undermine democracy in furtherance of the Big Lie affirms that despite intense scrutiny, and an unprecedented misinformation campaign, the 2020 election was fair and secure, and the results accurately reflect the will of the voters, said Benson, a defendant in the lawsuit.

Antrim County initially released incorrect unofficial election results, which were quickly caught and corrected and determined to have been caused by human error when the County Clerk made an update to some, but not all, of the countys vote tabulation machines.

Elsenheimer noted the recent computer hack that shut down the Colonial Oil pipeline and indicated election-results hacking is something policymakers should be looking into in the future.

If election results could be held for ransom in the future, one could only imagine what might happen, the judge said.

Attorney General Dana Nessel said the judges ruling should be the nail in the coffin for any remaining conspiracy theories surrounding the election.

Prior to the dismissal, the Secretary of States Office, county clerk and a hired analyst from the University of Michigan maintained errors in Antrim County following the Nov. 3 election were caused by human error. A report filed by the plaintiffs attorney in the lead-up to Elsenheimers ruling Tuesday claimed otherwise.

Dominion Voting Systems corruption uncovered, a post on plaintiff attorney Matthew DePernos website still says. We have the proof that voting machines used in the 2020 elections can be compromised and votes easily transferred from one candidate to another.

We can flip votes at the tabulator/precinct level. We can flip votes at the county level. The American people are losing their voice for the future of our democracy. We must fight together for free and fair elections.

The proof comes by way of a May 9 report completed by analyst Jeffery Lenberg, whos described in court filings as an expert in application security, systems and generally accepted programming practices.

Lenberg reviewed data collected by DePernos hired team during a previous audit of the Antrim County results, voting machines and software.

Titled, Preliminary Report of Subversion in Antrim County Election Management System, Results Tallying and Reporting Application, the report claims the Dominion Voting Systems software that compiled the individual precinct results and issued incorrect totals was subverted in a fashion to purposefully ignore voter manipulation.

A previous report released by Secretary of State Jocelyn Bensons Office found that Antrim County had last-minute changes to certain election ballots, but failed to properly update the indexing template that tells the machines how to properly read the paper ballots. This resulted in votes being counted for the incorrect candidates and results that erroneously showed President Joe Biden winning the Republican-leaning County.

The error was exposed the next morning and following a recount, it was discovered Trump actually won, but the Antrim County error was used to illustrate unfounded claims of voter fraud across the nation.

Benson said the initial, incorrect results were preliminary and the mistake would have been caught during the certification and auditing process.

The state hired a third-party analyst, J. Alex Halderman, a computer security and systems specialist and professor at the University of Michigan, to review what caused the Antrim County election issues. his March 26 report, Analysis of the Antrim County, Michigan November 2020 Election Incident, supported Bensons claims that computer-related flaws caused by human error resulted in incorrect election night totals.

The final results match the poll tapes printed by the individual ballot scanners, and there is no evidence that the poll tapes are inaccurate, except for in specific precincts where particular circumstances I explain affected small numbers of votes, mainly in down-ballot races, Halderman wrote.

Halderman blamed the election night debacle on the mishandling of last-minute ballot design changes, but said its unlikely to have occurred widely in Michigan during the 2020 election.

The Lenberg report claims Halderman does not accurately describe the conditions that occurred in the Antrim election. It was submitted as part of the DePernos response to the dismissal request.

The J. Alex Halderman report is debunked, the attorneys brief said.

The voting tabulators in each precinct collect the paper ballots and record results on a removable data drive and a printout that is delivered to the county clerk for entry into compiling and reporting software.

Lenbergs report states he tried to replicate what happened in the Antrim election, intentionally causing votes to shift to an incorrect candidate. When data was entered into the tabulators, his report said it issued an error and shut down immediately, but when he entered the same data into the compiling software, no error was detected and the erroneous votes were reported as blanks (undervotes), instead of generating a critical error.

Lenberg said the scenario and test should have generated votes for a third-party candidate or a system error.

Neither of these occurred because the (compiling software) was subverted in a fashion to handle such an error silently and treat and treat that situation as an undervote, he wrote.

DePerno claims the report exposes fraud.

Lenberg said the evidence of a subversion warrant an expert review of the source code ... to determine the extent of the subversion and breadth of the configuration options available to the malicious actors that would employ it.

He said the program was designed to mute error reporting, a subversion technique that is common among malicious actors seeking to proactively handle error conditions that would jeopardize their ability to modify softwares performance.

Dominion Voting Systems previously issued DePerno and others who were making claims of unproven election tampering a cease-and-desist order and threatened a defamation lawsuit.

Sheryl Guy, the Antrim County clerk who oversaw the election there, is a Republican.

Elsenheimer stayed remaining motions in the lawsuit pending a potential appeal by the plaintiff.

More on MLive:

SOS Benson asks to be excused from deposition

Cyber Ninjas refute Michigan election audit

Judge reins in sprawling election lawsuit case

Clerks allege fishing expedition

Communications with Trump campaign are irrelevant, judge rules

Zuckerberg and wife donated millions to Michigan election clerks

SOS ordered to turn over communications with big tech

Plaintiff claims SOS is withholding records

Antrim County hand recount results in 12 new votes for Trump

Software isnt good at detecting human error

"
Pending legislation in the Michigan Senate would ban state and local health departments from requiring students to get a COVID-19 vaccine under emergency public health orders.

Senate Bill 457, sponsored by Sen. Lana Theis, R-Brighton, would prevent the Department of Health and Human Services and local health departments from mandating COVID-19 vaccinations for minors, according to a news release from Theis office.

The state shouldnt be able to require a minor to get a COVID-19 vaccine, nor should having a vaccine be conditional for youth to attend school or anything else, for that matter, she said in a statement. This is entirely a decision that should be made by families alone.

Its the latest effort in the Republican-led Legislature to limit the scope of the health departments ability to issue pandemic-related emergency orders and preemptively stop the state from requiring COVID-19 vaccines.

In the House, lawmakers have debated legislation to ban state agencies, departments, districts or other government entities from requiring a COVID-19 vaccination passport for state programs or other activities. A separate House-passed higher education spending bill would bar public universities from requiring vaccination for enrollment, university housing or in-person instruction, a move some university employees are calling for.

Gov. Gretchen Whitmers office has said her administration is not exploring the vaccine passport concept.

Children aged 12-15 recently became eligible to receive Pfizers two-dose COVID-19 vaccine.

Pfizers vaccine was first granted emergency use authorization in December after clinical trials showed the vaccine to be safe and effective against COVID-19 in individuals 16 years and older.

Since then, Pfizer conducted clinical trials involving more than 2,000 youths age 12 to 15 years old. More than 1,100 received two doses of the Pfizer vaccine, while the other 1,100 received a placebo.

The vaccine was 100% effective in preventing COVID-19 in the vaccinated participants. There were serious adverse events reported in five out of 1,131 vaccinated participants, and two out of 1,129 placebo recipients, though no SAEs were judged to be related to vaccination.

Clinical trials are also underway to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of the COVID-19 vaccines in younger children, including infants.

Experts say pediatric vaccination is key to returning children to normal activities safely and slowing the spread and evolution of coronavirus.

Michigan currently has vaccine requirements for several diseases for children attending school, although parents and guardians can submit a nonmedical waiver form for religious or philosophical reasons.

Because COVID-19 vaccines are currently under emergency use authorization, some doctors told MLive the conversation about whether to require it in K-12 schools will likely be on hold until they are given full FDA approval.

Related coverage:

Vaccinating youth will be key in reducing COVID-19 spread, new variants

Petition for COVID-19 vaccine mandates gaining steam at Michigans public universities

House hearing on COVID-19 vaccine passport ban includes testimony invoking Holocaust

Pfizer COVID-19 shot expanded to U.S. children as young as 12 years old

Backdoor to a mandate: Protesters, Republican lawmakers oppose COVID-19 vaccine passports

CDCs advisory group recommends use of COVID-19 vaccine in teens 12-15
Michigans congressional and legislative districts will soon be redrawn by an independent commission for the first time  and members of that commission are seeking specific input from residents to inform how they map new political boundaries.

The commission is brand new, and the lines they ultimately come up with have major implications for future political races at state and federal levels.

Michigan is losing a congressional seat this redistricting cycle, meaning the political makeup of many existing seats could change drastically. And a redrawing of state House and Senate districts could have implications for which party ultimately controls the state Legislature.

Public input on the maps is baked into the process  at this stage, commissioners are hearing from residents in 16 public hearings scheduled through July 1. The commissions goal is to get at least 10,000 in-person and virtual comments.

In addition to more traditional means of public comment, the commission is encouraging residents to draw their own preferred district maps and communities of interest that should be considered in the process via an online public comment portal.

Many already have. Some have focused on specific regions or communities, while others have tried their hand at mapping out the entire state.

Want to join them? Below are some tips on how to get started.

Related: Michigan voters chose to take politicians out of the redistricting process. The time has come to weigh in.

1) Decide what district(s) you want to draw

Michigans independent redistricting commission  made up of four Republicans, four Democrats and five independents from around the state  are tasked with drawing lines for the states congressional, state House and state Senate districts.

Michigan has 110 state House seats and 38 state Senate seats that are divvied up evenly by population every 10 years based on updated U.S. Census data.

Michigan currently has 14 Congressional seats, although the state will lose a U.S. House seat in the next reapportionment process due to lagging population growth compared to other states.

For reference on what the current district lines look like, see the maps below:

Congressional (Click here for mobile version)

State House (Click here for mobile version)

State Senate (Click here for mobile version)

2) Identify potential communities of interest

Once the commission takes public comment on the maps and gets full results from the 2020 census, they will work on redrawing maps, and are required to follow a specific series of criteria:

Complying with federal requirements, including making each district an equal population size.

Making districts geographically contiguous.

Keeping communities of interest together.

Not favoring any political party or candidate for office.

Considering county, city and township lines.

Making the districts reasonably compact.

Because communities of interest are high up on the commissioners list to consider and are loosely defined, public input on what communities should be included in the same political districts is especially critical for commissioners to consider.

In public comments submitted to the commission so far, communities of color, church groups, adjacent counties, people working in specific industries, school districts, rural regions, neighboring cities and more have been proposed as possible communities of interest for the committee to consider.

The University of Michigans Center for Local, State and Urban Policy, which built a database of possible communities of interest available upon request, suggests communities of interest include populations sharing cultural or historical characteristics, economic interests or bonds through policy issues that would be affected by legislation.

The center offers the following examples as possible communities of interest: Historical communities; economic communities; racial communities; ethnic communities; cultural communities; religious communities; immigrant communities; language communities; geographic communities; neighborhoods; economic opportunity zones; tourism areas; school districts; outdoor recreation areas; communities defined by natural features; creative arts communities; and media markets.

3) Start drawing

You dont need a pen and paper to draw proposed maps of political districts or communities of interest for the commission.

The states public comment portal connects people directly to the website Districtr, which lets users create their own district and communities of interest maps with available demographic data, including race, partisan lean and voting-age population.

Users are given the ideal population size of the district, depending on whether theyre drawing House, Senate or Congressional districts, and can choose to draw as few or as many proposed districts as they want in their map, which are color-coded to delineate district boundaries.

The site can also show various boundary lines on the map that could factor into redistricting, such as county lines, tribal governments and school districts.

A similar tool is available to map out proposed communities of interest, although communities of interest are not limited by specific population size and, unlike proposed political districts, can overlap with other communities of interest.

Other similar websites offering free options for making political district maps include Representable, DistrictBuilder and Daves Redistricting. Maps drawn on any of those sites can also be uploaded into the public comment portal.

Watch the commissions demonstration video on how to use Districtr below:

4) Upload the maps

Once a map is finished, users are encouraged to submit their proposals to the commissions public comment portal, where all submissions are displayed as separate icons on the website.

There is an option to create tags for submitted maps and public comments to allow the proposals to be searched by a particular region or a community.

Commenters are required to submit a name and email to post a submission to the portal, although email addresses are kept confidential. People are also encouraged to share their city or county and zip code.

23 First independent redistricting commission public hearing

Other ways to weigh in

In addition to the online public comment portal, Michigan residents can show up to one of the commissions ongoing public hearings in person or sign up to testify virtually. People who address the commission directly are also encouraged to submit their written comments and proposed maps to the online portal.

The commission is holding 16 public hearings total at this stage - the first two took place in Jackson and Kalamazoo last week. The hearings are scheduled for 6 p.m. on Tuesdays and Thursdays.

To testify virtually at the hearings, residents must sign up by noon the day of the hearing. In-person commenters have until 8 p.m. the day of the hearing to register to comment.

Public commenters will have up to two minutes to address commissioners. Those attending in person are subject to COVID-19 precautions, including mask-wearing and social distancing.

For more information, Michiganders are encouraged to check out the commissions website or call 833-968-3729, although formal comments on the redistricting process cannot be taken over the phone.

Residents without internet access can mail their feedback to the commission at MICRC, PO Box 30318, Lansing, MI 48909.

Future hearings are listed below:

May 20: Gaylord - Treetop Resorts, 3962 Wilkinson Rd.

May 25: Midland - Great Hall Banquet & Convention Center, 5121 Bay City Rd.

May 27: Lansing - Lansing Center, 333 E. Michigan Ave.

June 1: Flint - Dort Financial Center, 3501 Lapeer Rd.

June 3: Dearborn - Ford Community and Performing Arts Center, 15801 Michigan Ave.

June 8: Novi - Suburban Collection Showplace, 46100 Grand River Ave.

June 10: Pontiac - Centerpoint Marriott, 3555 Centerpoint Pkwy.

June 15: Detroit - The Village Dome at Fellowship Chapel, 7707 W. Outer Dr. June 17

Detroit - TCF Center (formerly Cobo Hall), 1 Washington Blvd.

June 22: Port Huron - Blue Water Convention Center, 800 Harker St.

June 24: Warren - MRCC Banquet Center, 23401 Mound Rd.

June 29: Muskegon - VanDyke Mortgage Convention Center, 939 Third St.

July 1: Grand Rapids - DeVos Place, 303 Monroe Ave NW

See a map of all the public hearing dates below, or click here to view it on mobile.

Read more on MLive:

Michigans redistricting commission prepares to take in-person input on redrawing political maps

Volunteer movement helped carry redistricting proposal to the ballot

Michigan independent redistricting commission will seek more time to draw political maps

Michigan redistricting commission could be model for other states, SOS says

What losing a congressional seat means for Michigan

13 commissioners randomly selected to draw new district lines for Michigan House, Senate, congressional seats

Meet the 13 commissioners who will redraw Michigans electoral lines
Amid controversy over Gov. Gretchen Whitmers trip to Florida earlier this year, Republican senators are proposing she and future top executives notify lawmakers when they leave the state.

The legislation, Senate Bill 458, was introduced Wednesday by Sen. Tom Barrett, R-Charlotte, and would require the governor to notify House and Senate leadership in both parties in writing when leaving Michigan and report the expected duration of the travel for any purpose.

The bill also stipulates the governor identify who will assume the powers and duties of the office in their absence.

Related: Whitmer visited her father in out-of-state trip

Barretts legislation comes as Whitmer continues to face criticism for a March trip to Florida to visit her father.

Whitmers office disclosed the trip was paid for by a nonprofit corporation originally formed to fund Whitmers inauguration ceremony and other events, according to the Associated Press. A disclosure form on its website indicates the travel cost $27,521, with Whitmer paying $855 of that amount.

The Associated Press and other outlets have reported Whitmer traveled on a Gulfstream 280 business jet registered to Air Eagle, whose agent is John Nicholson, executive vice president of Detroit-based PVS Chemicals.

During a recent press conference, Whitmer said the trip was necessary to help her father and declined to elaborate on specific details, citing security concerns.

Conservative groups have criticized the governor for a lack of transparency surrounding the trip and that she took it during the COVID-19 pandemic despite state recommendations discouraging out-of-state travel until a person is fully vaccinated. Whitmer received her second dose of the vaccine April 29.

Two other Whitmer officials in Whitmers administration, Michigan Department of Health and Human Services Director Elizabeth Hertel and Chief Operating Officer Tricia Foster, have also faced criticism for taking out-of-state vacations.
As promised, Michigans Unemployment Insurance Agency is reinstating the work search requirement for unemployment benefits.

Those receiving unemployment benefits must prove they are searching for work starting Sunday, May 30, the Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity announced Wednesday.

Work search is required for those receiving benefits under the states regular unemployment insurance program as well as federal benefit programs.

If claimants do not submit at least one of the following work search requirements, they will not receive benefits for that week:

Submitting a job application.

Interviewing with an employer.

Attending a job fair or employment workshop.

Applying for the new Clean Slate program.

Participating in reemployment services through Michigan Works! or creating an account on job search sites such as MiTalent.org

The work search requirement was suspended in March 2020 to help get benefits to those who became unemployed due to the pandemic.

If an individual has an approved waiver, they are exempt from the work search requirement. There are COVID-19-specific exemptions those who are self-employed, unable to work due to COVID-19 or parents with children attending school remotely because the school is closed.

The availability of the COVID-19 vaccinations and the reopening of workplaces allows more opportunities for Michiganders to be safe and successful in their job search, said UIA Acting Director Liza Estlund Olson.

There were 700,000 Michiganders claiming unemployment benefits for the week of April 17 - the most recent data available - all while employers complain of a widespread worker shortage. Some employers have complained of ghost applicants, who apply for a job, but never show up for an interview.

Related: Long hours, health risks and ghost applicants lead to desperate staffing situations at Michigan restaurants

Michigan currently offers up to $662 per week to eligible unemployed workers, including $300 in federally funded benefits from the $1.9 trillion American Rescue Plan. The extra $300 and the federal unemployment programs  including the Pandemic Unemployment Assistance program and Pandemic Emergency Unemployment Compensation program  expire in September.

Michigans Republicans congressional representatives wrote to Gov. Gretchen Whitmer this week to ask her to end Michigans participation in the federal unemployment program in order to boost labor force participation.

Unfortunately, these benefits remain so robust that employees are more incentivized to stay home and collect unemployment than to go back to work, Republicans wrote to Whitmer on Monday.

Canceling the PUA and PEUC programs would toss more than a half-million Michiganders off unemployment.

Last week, the Michigan chapter of the National Federation of Independent Business also called on Michigan to join the four other states that dropped out.

Whitmers office said her administration does not support ending federal unemployment benefits.

More on MLive:

Republicans call on Michigan to end supplemental federal unemployment checks

Cancel extra $300, federal unemployment programs, Michigan business group urges

Michigans push for permanent COVID-19 rules sparks battle with business leaders

Weve failed low-wage workers: Restaurant owners raise pay in wake of labor shortage
Listen to article

Private legal practitioner, Abraham Amaliba, one of the lawyers defending the opposition National Democratic Congress embattled Member of Parliament for the Assin North Constituency in the Central Region, James Gyakye Quayson, in the dual citizenship case, has withdrawn his services to him.

He made known his decision to the court on Tuesday, May 18, 2021. The reasons for his decision are however unknown.

The Cape Coast High Court 3 subsequently adjourned the case to June 1, 2021.

The Central Regional Secretary of the New Patriotic Party, Tekyi Mensah, in an interview with the media after Tuesdays proceedings, claimed that the move by the lawyers of the respondent is part of attempts to delay the trial.

A motion came from the lawyers of the first respondent, Mr. James Gyakye Quayson, who had asked for a stay of proceedings. That application was slated for hearing today [Tuesday], only for us to appear in court to have another application filed by Abraham Amaliba, a lawyer for the respondent saying he wants to withdraw from the case. That application is slated for June 1, 2021.

James Gyakye Quayson, Assin North MP

This is a clear attempt by the first respondent and his legal team to delay the case, but we are confident about the case. No matter what they do, we are of the view that the case will be dealt with expeditiously and the final judgement would be given, he said. Background

Michael Ankomah-Nimfa, a resident of Assin Bereku in the Central Region, filed a petition at the Cape Coast High Court seeking to annul the declaration of Mr. James Gyakye Quayson as the Member of Parliament for the Assin North constituency.

In November last year, a group calling itself 'Concerned Citizens of Assin North' petitioned the Electoral Commission in the Central Region to withdraw the candidature of Mr. Quayson, arguing that he owes allegiance to Canada.

He was challenged for holding dual citizenship contrary to the expressed provision of Article 94 (2) (a) of the 1992 constitution of Ghana, which states, A person shall not be qualified to be a member of Parliament if he or she  (a) owes allegiance to a country other than Ghana.

If found guilty by the court, the MP would be removed from Parliament and serve a jail term.

The National Democratic Congress, NDC, had insisted that their MP is a full citizen of Ghana who owes no allegiance whatsoever to any other country. He is a Ghanaian in law and in fact and qualifies to be a Member of Parliament according to the laws of Ghana. Order Assin North parliamentary election rerun

At an earlier sitting last week, the petitioner, Michael Ankomah-Nimfa, asked the court to order another parliamentary election to be conducted in the constituency.

One of his lawyers, Henry Nana Boakye, in briefing the media after the court hearing indicated that their request is supported with case evidence and that they have already filed their closing addresses.

He was hopeful that the judgement on the matter would be in favour of the petitioner.

One of the reliefs we are seeking is for the court to order for re-election to be conducted in Assin North. We have stated our case forcefully, and we have supported it with case evidence. We have even filed our closing addresses, and we are sure that the respondents will be served. All of these are just delay antics and just to drag the matter behind. But we are forthright and resolute that this matter will be determined, and it will be determined on the merit of the case; and based on the 1992 constitution and the relevant laws regarding the qualification of an aspirant to be a candidate or to be elected as a Member of Parliament, he said.

citinewsroom
Spain stepped up diplomatic pressure on Rabat Tuesday as its prime minister flew into Ceuta, vowing to "restore order" in the North African enclave after a record 8,000 migrants reached its beaches from Morocco.

With diplomatic ties already strained between the two nations over a political spat linked to Western Sahara, Spain's top diplomat summoned Morocco's ambassador to express her "displeasure" after thousands of migrants were able to enter the enclave as Moroccan security forces turned a blind eye.

"I reminded (the ambassador) that border control has been and must continue to be the joint responsibility of Spain and Morocco," Foreign Minister Arancha Gonzalez Laya told a news conference.

Soon after, Morocco's foreign ministry said it had recalled its ambassador from Spain.

Moroccan migrants rally by a border fence in the northern town of Fnideq in an attempt to cross the border from Morocco to Spain's North African enclave of Ceuta. By FADEL SENNA (AFP)

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez flew into Ceuta after the record influx which has overwhelmed the tiny peninsula.

"We will restore order in the city and along our borders as quickly as possible," Sanchez vowed before he was also set to visit Melilla, Spain's other coastal enclave which lies some 400 kilometres (250 miles) to the east.

Spain's interior ministry said that nearly 8,000 migrants had arrived in Ceuta since Monday morning, but half that number had already been sent back to Morocco.

It added that Madrid will send an additional 50 police officers to reinforce the 200 already deployed on Tuesday, while another 150 were on standby.

The government said it had set up a system to "streamline" the return of migrants to Morocco that could "operate 24 hours a day".

'Serious crisis'

Moroccan migrants climb a rocky cliffside as a policeman watches in the northern town of Fnideq as they attempt to cross the border from Morocco to Spain's North African enclave of Ceuta on May 18, 2021.At least 5,000 migrants, an unprecedented influx at a time of high tension between Madrid and Rabat, slipped into Ceuta on May 17, a record for a single day, Spanish authorities said. They reached the enclave by swimming or by walking at low tide from beaches a few kilometres to the south, some using inflatable swimming rings and rubber dinghies.. By FADEL SENNA (AFP)

"This sudden arrival of illegal migrants poses a serious crisis for Spain and for Europe," warned Sanchez, who cancelled a Tuesday trip to Paris to attend an Africa financing summit.

Ceuta and Melilla have the European Union's only land borders with Africa, making them popular entry points for people fleeing poverty and war in Africa.

EU home affairs commissioner Ylva Johansson urged Morocco to act to halt the "worrying" increase in arrivals, while European Council chief Charles Michel voiced solidarity with Madrid, tweeting "Spain's borders are the European Union's borders".

Analysts said it was clear Morocco had turned a blind eye to the human tide surging into Ceuta to put diplomatic pressure on Spain to recognise its sovereignty over Western Sahara.

Most of the migrants had crossed into Ceuta largely unimpeded by Moroccan security forces on Monday, but by Tuesday morning, Rabat had deployed reinforcements at the Fnideq border crossing who fired tear gas to disperse those trying to slip across, an AFP correspondent reported.

"The situation is much calmer. The Moroccan authorities are blocking their nationals from coming along the beach," a source at the Spanish government delegation in Ceuta told AFP.

One migrant drowned as hundreds attempted to swim or wade along the coast to reach Spanish soil in Ceuta. By FADEL SENNA (AFP)

He said the arrivals had stopped by midday, but live footage from Spain's RTVE public television appeared to show a different reality, with scores of migrants wading through the water.

Early Tuesday, another 300 migrants tried to cross into Melilla by scaling a high barrier, with 86 making it through.

'Cross or die trying'

The migrants reached Ceuta by swimming or by walking at low tide from Moroccan beaches a few kilometres to the south, some using inflatable swimming rings and rubber dinghies.

One man drowned en route, Spanish officials said.

Ouarda, a 26-year-old single mother from the nearby town of Tetouan, said she "saw on Facebook that it was possible to cross the border, so I took a taxi here with my friend as I can't feed my family anymore."

"I'm not scared -- I'll either die or I'll cross."

The migrants reached Ceuta by swimming or by walking at low tide from Moroccan beaches, some using rubber dinghies. By FADEL SENNA (AFP)

Another was 18-year-old Amal who rushed to the border with his brother and two friends.

"Many of our friends managed to get across," he told AFP. "We tried to climb over the mountain but the police blocked us."

Videos on social media showed dozens setting off from rocky outcrops, some wearing just beachwear.

Western Sahara spat

Map locating the Spanish enclave of Ceuta in Morocco, and the town of Fnideq in Morocco.. By (AFP)

The crisis comes against the backdrop of soaring tensions with Rabat over Madrid's decision to provide medical treatment for the leader of the Western Sahara independence movement who has been seriously ill with Covid-19.

Rabat was infuriated when news leaked that Polisario Front leader Brahim Ghali had flown to northern Spain in mid-April and was being treated in hospital.

The Polisario Front has long fought for the independence of Western Sahara, a former Spanish colony that is mainly under Moroccan control.

The Moroccan authorities have long wanted Spain to acknowledge their authority over Western Sahara, as Washington did in December under former president Donald Trump, and were using the Ghali spat to put pressure on Madrid.

In allowing the migrant surge into Ceuta, Morocco had sent a "strong message", said Isaias Barrenada, an international relations professor at the Complutense University of Madrid.

"The message is 'without Morocco's cooperation in the control of migrants, Spain has a problem so Spain should listen to Morocco's demands'," he told AFP.

But Spain's foreign minister insisted Rabat had "assured" Madrid there was no connection between the migrant surge and Ghali's presence in Spain.

burs-hmw/jv/dl
Founder and leader of the Liberal Party of Ghana (LPG), Mr Kofi Akpaloo has said the decision of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) to stay away from the Electoral Commissions two-day post 2020 election meeting which started today, Tuesday May 18 has led to a well-mannered programme.

Mr Akpaloo told Dzifah Bampoh on the First Take Programme on 3FM Tuesday, May 18 that the NDC is noted for creating confusion and engaging in unnecessary arguments in meetings that are organized by the EC.

Therefore, he said, their decision to boycott the event was a blessing in disguise.

The NDC absented themselves from the programme. The absence of the NDC in this meeting is very helpful because you could see that everything is cordial, everybody is contributing.

At the end of the day people will love whatever the outcome will be from this meeting. Their absence is helpful because everything there is cordial, there is no much unnecessary argument. Everybody is comporting himself.

Their stock-in-trade is just to cause unnecessary tension in the whole meeting so it is very good.

At the meeting, Chair of the EC, Mrs Jean Adukwei Mensa said it is not the duty of the elections management body to provide security for elections in Ghana.

She said the work of the EC as indicated in the constitution do not include providing security during polls.

She however, expressed concerns about the deaths that characterized the 2020 general elections .

During the polls, a total of 61 electoral and post-electoral incidents were recorded nationwide, the Ghana Police Service announced in a statement on Wednesday, December 9, 2020.

The statement said 21 of the incidents were true cases of electoral violence, six of which involved gunshots, resulting in the death of five.

The Polices statement further noted that there were several fake news about supposed electoral violence.

However, between 0700 hours of 7th December, 2020 and 1000 hours of 9th December, 2020; the Joint Operation Centre of the NESTF has recorded a total of sixty-one (61) electoral and post electoral incidents nationwide. Twenty-one of the incidents are true cases of electoral violence, six of which involve gunshots resulting in the death of five, the statement from the Police emphasized.

Mrs Adukwei Mensa said An exceedingly disturbing challenge is the violence which led to the death of citizens of our country.

And we say never again. Never again should we go to an election and have anybody lose their lives. Here also, there is a tendency for fingers to be pointed at the EC when security is not the core mandate of the EC.

I have read the constitution and security is not part of our core mandate. I use this occasion to clarify that the EC is not responsible for election security, although the entire election and its success rest on the shoulders of the Commission. Our mandate as entrenched in the Constitution does not include security.

She further proposed that polls should close at 3PM rather than the 5 PM.

We propose closing the polls at 3pm rather than 5pm. In 2019, we announced our decision to close the polls at 3pm rather than 5pm, in the 2020 Elections . Nonetheless, owing to the COVID-19 pandemic and the stringent, and necessarily time-consuming safety protocols we instituted at our polling stations, we were compelled to put this proposal on hold.

Over the past months, however, this proposal has re-surfaced from various sections of the public, and indeed, our own experience from the 2020 Elections has revealed that it is a workable proposal, as by 1pm, most polling stations were empty, suggesting that this is a workable proposal. Therefore, this is a reform we intend to put forward.

----3news.com
A Paris summit Tuesday promised to help Africa overcome the Covid pandemic with a "New Deal" using global financial firepower to replenish depleted coffers and ramp up a sluggish vaccine rollout.

The summit, which brought together African leaders and global financial institutions, launched "a New Deal for Africa and by Africa", host French President Emmanuel Macron told a news conference.

Africa's populations have been less badly hit by the pandemic than other regions -- with a total of nearly 130,000 dead compared with almost 3.4 million worldwide, according to the latest AFP tally from official sources.

But the economic cost has been devastating, with the International Monetary Fund warning in late 2020 that Africa faces a shortfall of $290 billion up to 2023, undermining all efforts at development.

Meanwhile a slow vaccine rollout has raised fears that variants could emerge on the continent that would hit Africans and then spread worldwide.

The summit was dominated by fears that while richer nations were launching economic recovery packages, Africa lacked the means to follow suit, and risked increased inequality and consequently insecurity.

"We cannot afford leaving the African economies behind," said the summit's final declaration.

'Unfair, inefficient'

Macron said there was also great inequality in terms of limited African access to coronavirus vaccines, and the summit hoped that patents would be lifted so Africa could begin to produce its own jabs.

Citing the slow pace of vaccination as a major problem for the continent, Macron staked out an aim of vaccinating 40 percent of people in Africa by the end of 2021.

Nigeria's President Muhammadu Buhari (L) salutes World Trade Organization chief Okonjo-Iweala at a Paris summit aimed at mobilising financing and vaccines for Africa. By Ludovic MARIN (POOL/AFP)

"The current situation is not sustainable, it is both unfair and inefficient," he said.

"We are asking the WHO, the WTO and the Medicines Patent Pool to remove all these constraints in terms of intellectual property which blocks the production of certain types of vaccines," Macron added.

Senegal President Macky Sall hailed a "change of mentality" in the approach, with G20 nations realising their own wellbeing depended on vaccine progress in Africa.

"We have a common responsibility; vaccinating one's own populations does not guarantee health security," he said.

IMF chief Kristalina Georgieva warned that failure to accelerate the vaccine rollout in Africa would also have economic consequences.

"It is clear that there is no durable exit from the economic crisis unless we exit the health crisis," she said.

On the finance front, "we will leverage on the international financial system to create the much-needed fiscal space for African economies," the closing statement said.

Macron with South African counterpart Cyril Ramaphosa, among more than two dozen African heads of state attending the summit. By Ludovic MARIN (AFP)

The signatories said they would now push for the rapid general allocation of $650 billion worth of special drawing rights (SDRs) by the IMF to all its members, of which around $33 billion would go to Africa.

SDRs are a reserve asset used to bolster the financial position of IMF members, based on a basket of currencies, which can be converted for much-needed dollars.

The United States has been pushing for such an IMF payout to counter the economic impact of Covid-19, including for low-income countries.

Macron told the news conference that several rich countries had agreed to turn their share of the SDRs over to African countries because $33 billion "is too little", hoping that voluntary contributions could boost the African share to $100 billion, to which the IMF could add some of its gold reserves.

Some experts criticise SDRs for being easy money for fiscally irresponsible nations, and Tuesday's declaration urged countries "to utilise these new resources transparently and effectively".

'Champion of global growth'

Summit leaders promised that they would seek to complement the SDRs with "flexibility on debt and deficit ceilings", but they also urged countries to undertake "necessary reforms at the national level".

Italian Prime Minister Mario Draghi, a former boss of the European Central Bank, promised the summit's proposals would be supported by G20 group of countries, and "in all multilateral institutions around the world".

Debt restructuring would feature large in efforts to help Africa, Draghi said.

Georgieva said there was "a very dangerous divergence between advanced economies and developing countries, especially Africa".

African economic growth was on course for just 3.2 percent this year, far behind the rest of the world's projected six percent, she said.

The summit welcomed a moratorium on the service of public debt agreed in April by key global lenders.

The summit came a day after a conference on Monday attended by several heads of state that aimed to rally support for the Sudan government.
The Managing Director of GCB Bank Ltd, Mr Kofi Adomakoh, has described Ghanas digital transformation agenda as laudable.

He cautioned that, while pursuing digitilisation goals, we must take cognisance of the inherent risks associated with digital transformation such as cyber-security, fraud, data and privacy breaches.

Addressing the 5th CEO Summit in Accra in the presence of the Vice-President of Ghana, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, Mr Adomakoh stressed the need to continually invest in security infrastructure and other capacity building opportunities to keep all stakeholders abreast of the risks.

GCB is a platinum sponsor of the 5th edition of the annual CEO Summit organised by the CEOs Network/Company.

The GCB MD noted that while the Government of Ghana has put in place policies and structures through institutions like the Data Protection Commission to safeguard personal data, corporate organisations also have a responsibility.

He pointed out that Ghanas digitilisation drive could be anchored strategically around three interrelated stakeholder points.

These include digitally-enabled government, a digitally-enabled private sector and a digitally-enabled citizenry.

A credible and comprehensive identity system has implications for every aspect of our national life; from mitigating identity fraud, fighting crime and improving tax compliance, he added.

Mr Adomakoh explained that apart from being the foundation for a more comprehensive digitilisation strategy, it will unlock new level of credit access and provide the platform for building a reliable credit scoring system.

He expressed excitement at the addition of digitisation to the name of Ministry of Communications saying that it would give impetus to Ghanas Africa Beyond Aid goal of becoming a leader in innovative digital technology by 2023.

Touching on G-Money, GCBs mobile wallet, Mr Adomakoh announced that G-Money had recorded one million plus customers just after a year of being introduced.

GCB, he said, has been at the forefront of the financial inclusion agenda for the past 67 years, diligently meeting the financial needs of Ghanaians with great success.

While expressing appreciation to GCB and G-Money customers for assisting to push Ghanas cash-lite agenda, he explained that the feat achieved by GCB as a prove of commitment to offer the public not only bank-based financial services, but also provide a more broad based platform to serve others outside the banking system.
The Asokwa Municipal Health Directorate in the Ashanti region has affirmed its preparedness to administer the second dose of COVID-19 vaccinations to its populace.

President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo on Sunday May 16 2021 announced that Ghana will commence the second phase of the COVID-19 vaccination exercise on Wednesday, May 19,

Delivering his 25th televised address to the nation on measures his government has put in place to fight against the novel Coronavirus , the President indicated that, the vaccination exercise will take place in 43 districts.

Akufo-Addo said the Ghana Health Service (GHS) will issue a directive on the vaccination in the coming week.

The vaccination is said to end on Wednesday, May 26, 2021.

I am happy to announce that beginning Wednesday, May 19 to Wednesday 26 May, the deployment of the second dose of vaccines will take place across the designated vaccination centres in the 43 districts approximately 12 weeks after the first jab as the science prescribes. More details of the deployment will be communicated by the Ghana Health Service in the coming week, Akufo-Addo said on Sunday, May 16, 2021.

He added, ...The target is to vaccinate some 20 million Ghanaians at the end of the year.

Asokwa preparedness

In an exclusive interview with the Asokwa Municipal Health Director, Mrs Bernice Osei, she reiterated their readiness to administer to all recipients of the first jabs in the second dose exercise.

She told Otec news reporter Benjamin Kusi on Monday, May 17, 2021 that the Municipal is yet to receive its quota but assured that their share of the vaccines will be ready as soon as possible.

She said though some people encountered some challenges but has assured they are ready to manage any such problems.

She entreated all recipients of the first jabs to go for the second jabs when it begins.
Listen to article

Our attention has been drawn to the plot by a political blackmailer and psychopath, Mr. Reno Omokri and his sponsors to desecrate and ridicule the office of Nigeria's President and its current occupant, President Muhammadu Buhari before the international community in Paris, the French capital.

Recall that President Buhari had on Sunday, May 16, 2021, traveled to Paris to attend the African Finance Summit whose focus was on reviewing African economy; following the shocks of Coronavirus Pandemic as well as getting relief for the increased debt burden of the continent.

The Summit hosted by the French President, Mr. Emmanuel Macron will draw major stakeholders in the global finance institutions and some Heads of Government, who will collectively discuss external funding and debt treatment for Africa as well as private sector reforms in the continent.

President Buhari and his French counterpart, Emmanuel Macron will also discuss the growing security threats in the Sahel and Lake Chad regions, political relations, economic ties, climate change and partnerships in buoying the health sector, particularly in checking the spread of Covid-19 with more research and vaccines.

In a statement released to newsmen in Asaba on Monday night by the South-South Coordinator of the National Youths Coalition, Mr. Jude Enebraye, the group warned that it will harass the family members of Reno Omokri out of Nigeria if the political merchant tries to ridicule Nigeria again before the international community through his villainous 'Harass Buhari out of Paris' rascality.

The group warned that Mr. Omokri, whose parents never contributed anything towards the Independence struggles of Nigeria will not be allowed to subject the country and it's ancestors to international odium and embarrassment because of his mercantile interest.

We call on the Nigerian community in France to defend the image of their country in Paris by doing the needful to Omokri upon sighting him in Paris with his rascality.

Again, we challenge the felonious Omokri to confront the allegation of abandoning his wife and mother of three children, Mrs Tuokpe Omokri in the United States for another strange woman in the United Kingdom who recently gave birth to an illegitimate child for him in London.

Finally, if Mr Omokri and his sponsors cannot wait for another round of elections to test their popularity through the ballot but insist on continuing with their odiferous acts of rascality, we will have no option than to defend our democracy.

Hence, the anti-democratic forces need not be reminded that the tree of liberty is refreshed from time to time with the blood of patriots and tyrants because the fear of Aluta is the beginning of wisdom.
Plans are far advanced by the government to dredge the Owabi and Barekese Rivers in the Atwima Nwabiagya South District As the Sanitation Minister, Mrs. Cecilia Abena Dapaah, has disclosed.

What was left was the feasibility studies, and fortunately for us the studies are ready. The report is coming out in a week or two and then we will hit the road.

According to her, the dredging works will commence with Owabi. She explained that this has become necessary because of siltation.

As you know it was constructed with a depth of 22.5 feet and now we have 6 feet. So dangerously dredging is needed immediately so we are going to have it done, she said.

Mrs Dapaah made this disclosure while speaking to journalists after paying a working visit to the Owabi and Barekese Dams which construction dates back to the 1960s.

Earlier, the minister visited the Oda river in Odaso in the Ashanti Region where she lamented about the fact that about 140,000 people were being deprived of safe potable water in Obuasi Municipality and its surroundings, all because of the menace of galamsey.

She attributed this worrying situation to galamsey on river Oda in Odaso in the Obuasi Municipality, which was not making it possible for the Ghana Water Treatment plant close to the river to operate at full capacity.

Looking at the fact that the capacity of the water treatment plant is four (4) million gallons of safe water a day, but instead it is doing one (1) million gallons for the whole of Obuasi and its surroundings all because of galamsey on the river Oda is sad and worrying, she bemoaned.

She was sad at the condition and state of river Oda which provides potable water for thousands of residents in Obuasi and its satellite communities.

We have all seen the state of the Oda river and it is not only bad but a very worrying spectacle, she lamented.

According to her, due to the unhealthy state of the river, Ghana Water Company Limited (GWCL) whose water treatment plant, sited at Odaso, incurs a huge cost in treating the water for consumption.

As a result of galamsey which has polluted the Oda river, the treatment plant of GWCL in Odaso does cleansing of the water on a monthly basis, which hitherto was done once in a year. And this comes at a huge cost to the water company, she worryingly expressed.

Consequently, Madam Dapaah emphasised that the destructive nature of galamsey enjoyed all of us to speak out against it and support the Presidents war on galamsey.

We must not sit down but all of with one voice must speak against galamsey which continues to destroy our water bodies, she stated.

She said her interactions with residents of Odaso indicated that they were constantly being threatened with machetes and locally manufactured guns by the galamseyers. when they speak out against the canker.

She, therefore, lashed out at galamseyers for arrogating onto themselves powers to the extent that they can even threaten law-abiding citizens who spoke against their evil deeds.

In fact, the residents were not the only ones threatened by the galamseyers but also GWCL officials who also complain are threatened with matches and guns by the illegal miners.
The outbreak has also caused the Japanese economy to contract 5.1 percent in the first three months of 2021.

A public opinion poll published Monday by Asahi Shimbun newspaper revealed more than 80 percent of Japanese are opposed to the games, with 43 percent wanting them canceled and another 40 percent calling for them to be postponed again. Only 14 percent of those want the games to proceed as scheduled.

The current surge has prompted authorities to place Tokyo and several other prefectures under a state of emergency, leading to a growing demand among the general public to cancel the Olympics, which are scheduled to begin July 23 after a one-year delay because of the pandemic.

The Tokyo Medical Practitioners Association posted an open letter Monday to Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga warning that hospitals in the Japanese capital city "have their hands full and have almost no spare capacity." The group that represents about 6,000 primary care doctors and hospitals urged Suga to convince the International Olympic Committee that holding the games would be "difficult" and that it should be called off.

With little more than two months to go before the opening ceremony of the Tokyo Olympic Games, a major Japanese medical association is calling for the cancellation of the event due to the current surge of new COVID-19 infections.

 Taiwan to Close Schools

Meanwhile, health officials in Taiwan said Tuesday it will close all schools and education centers in the island due to the surge of new coronavirus infections. The closures, which also include all daycare centers, take effect Wednesday and last through May 28.

The self-ruled island had been held up as one of the world's few success stories in containing the spread of the coronavirus, with just 2,017 total cases and 12 deaths, according to Johns Hopkins Coronavirus Resource Center. But it has been dealing with an outbreak of new infections which authorities have connected to outbreaks among flight crews with state-owned China Airlines and a hotel at Taoyuan International Airport.

Taipei reported 240 new COVID-19 cases Tuesday, down from Monday's record-high 335 new infections. COVID-19 is the disease caused by the coronavirus.

 Pfizer, Moderna Vaccines

On the vaccine front, a group of U.S. scientists say the COVID-19 vaccines developed by Pfizer and Moderna are highly effective against the B.1.617 and B.1.618 variants first detected in India. The lab-based preliminary study conducted at New York University's Grossman School of Medicine used serum samples collected from eight people who had recovered from COVID-19, six people fully vaccinated with the Pfizer vaccine and three people fully vaccinated with Moderna's.

The researchers found the antibodies from people who had been vaccinated were working "well above" the serum level from those who had recovered from COVID-19. The study has not been peer-reviewed.

Meanwhile, the European Union's drug regulator announced Monday the Pfizer vaccine can be stored much longer at temperatures higher than previously recommended. The European Medicines Agency said unopened vials of the two-shot vaccine can be stored between five and 30 days at temperatures between 2 and 8 degrees Celsius, as opposed to ultra-cold temperatures between minus 70 and 80 degrees Celsius. The new storage recommendations will make it easier to distribute the vaccine among the EU's 27-member states, many of whom have been mired in slow inoculation rates.

Johns Hopkins is reporting more than 163.6 million total COVID-19 infections worldwide, including more than 3.3 million deaths. The United States leads the world with more than 32.9 million confirmed infections and 586,359 deaths. India has topped 25 million total infections, putting it second behind the U.S., while Brazil is third with more than 15.6 million confirmed cases. Brazil is in second place in total deaths with 436,537, while India is third with 278,719 deaths.


The Greater Accra Regional Coordinating Council (GARCC), in collaboration with security agencies, Accra Metropolitan Assembly (AMA), Ablekuma Central, and Korle Klottey Municipal Assemblies, has begun an operation to decongest and rid the capital of filth.

Also part of the exercise were security agencies including the Ghana Armed Forces (GAF), Ghana Immigration Service (GIS), Ghana Navy together with workers of Zoomlion Ghana Limited (ZGL),

The exercise kicked-off simultaneously on Tuesday, May 19, 2021, in the Korle Klottey and Ablekuma North Municipal Assemblies.

And it was under the Lets Make Accra Work Project initiated by the Greater Accra Regional Minister, Henry Quartey, which forms part of his agenda to sanitise Accra.

It is aimed at paving the way for clean-up exercises to be carried out smoothly by the waste management companies in the various municipal assemblies within the Greater Accra Region.

Led by the regional minister and the Municipal Chief Executive (MCE) of Korle Klottey, Nii Adjei Tawiah, the team begun the exercise at the Graphic Road where unathorised makeshift containers were cleared on the shoulders of the road.

Some of the participants swept the shoulders of the road while others de-silted the choked gutters.

Also, people who were without nose masks were asked by the security personnel to partake in the exercise.

Speaking to journalists on the sidelines of the exercise, Mr Quartey admonished residents in Accra to embrace and actively participate in the Lets Make Accra Work campaign to make Accra look like the New Yorks and Californias.

According to the regional minister, many unauthorised structures in the capital city have become nuisances to lots of legally operating businesses.

That situation, he lamented, was regrettable, looking at the fact that these businesses pay taxes to the government and have employees to take care of their salaries.

The regional minister could not fathom why pointed out why owners of these makeshift structures had refused to go and do business at new location provided for them by the government.

The Greater Accra General Manager of Zoomlion, Mr Ernest Morgan Acquah, clarified that it was a decongestion exercise and not a demolition operation.

According to him, the municipal assemblies within the capital city were littered with loads of unauthorised structures, a situation which was hindering their work.

He said waste management was a shared task and not for an individual company, noting that what we are doing is to pave the way for the service providers to work to ensure that the capital is clean.

On sustainable the exercise, he categorically stated that a lot of tightening including security measures have been put in place to make sure these unauthorised structures do not find their way back to the municipalities.

In Ablekuma North at Darkuman Junction (Kokompe) where auto parts dealers were located, the team together with the assembly decongested and cleaned up the entire enclave.

In all, the exercise will be done in all the twenty-nine municipal assemblies of the Greater Accra Region. So far six (6) municipal assemblies have benefitted from the decongestion operation.
The National Organiser of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Mr. Sammi Awuku, yesterday hosted the Executive Committee of Wisconsin University TESCON as part of their familiarization tour at his office.

The purpose of the visit was for the new Executives to officially introduce themselves, seek his blessings and tap into his vast experience.

Mr. Awuku expressed his commitment to the desire of the executives to re-brand Wisconsin TESCON towards breaking the eight-year political cycle.

He made a cash donation of 5,000 cedis and further pledged to support WIUC TESCON with all his might towards the realisation of their vision. He further promised to grace their upcoming symposium.

The TESCON president, Prince Sadat, on behalf of the executives, also outlined the vision of the TESCON branch for the next one year and further pledged to make TESCON attractive to all by the end of their tenure.

He also expressed their gratitude to CAPO DE SUPREMO, as he is affectionately called for his support and wise counsel. Other Executives present were Benny Ato Sam (Vice President), Gabriel Nyarko (Organiser), Belinda Naana Abrome (Women Commissioner), Rhoda Eshun (Treasurer), Hamza Sisse (Narasa Coordinator), and Florence Sackey (Deputy Women Commissioner)
Listen to article

The Group President and CEO of MTN, Ralph Mupita has saluted the Ghana Stock Exchange (GSE) for its role in the Ghana Cares national socio-economic priorities that is going to be critical for Ghanas development going forward.

We are encouraged by the progress we have seen in the development and deepening of the capital markets in Ghana, Mr Mupita said. He noted that capital formation and capital markets are critical in economic development of countries. We salute the Ghana Cares national socio-economic priorities that is going to be critical to Ghanas development going forward.

He made the remarks on Tuesday 18 May 2021 when he visited the GSE to pay a courtesy call on the Managing Director, Mr. Ekow Afedzi, as part of a three-day working visit to one of MTN Groups key markets. He also used the opportunity to get a first-hand account of the performance of Scancom Plc (MTN Ghana) shares since the Initial Public Offer (IPO) in 2018.

Mr. Mupita was grateful for the support MTN Ghana had received since its listing on the bourse. On behalf of the MTN Group we would like to thank the GSE for the support we have received since listing in September 2018, he said.

MTN Ghanas performance on the Ghana Stock Exchange in 2021 has been nothing short of excellence, accounting for 86% and 77% of total volume and value traded on the Ghana Stock Exchange as at 18 May 2021. The companys share price has gained 49 pesewas this year representing a year to date return of 76.6%.

The MD of the GSE, Mr. Ekow Afedzi applauded MTN Ghanas stellar performance. He commended the company for being the most liquid and driver of liquidity on the market.

MTN Ghana listed on the Ghana Stock Exchange in 2018 and is the third largest company by market capitalization. This represents about 23% of the total market capitalization of the listings on the Ghana Stock Exchange.

The MTN Group CEO was accompanied on his visit to the GSE by the VP for MTN WECA Region, Mr Ebenezer Asante, Chief Enterprise Business Officer, Mr Sam Addo representing Selorm Adadevoh Chief Executive Officer, and the Chief Corporate Services Officer, Mr Samuel Koranteng.

About MTN Ghana

MTN Ghana is the market leader in the increasingly competitive mobile telecommunications industry in Ghana, offering subscribers a range of exciting options under Pay Monthly and Pay as You Go Services and Mobile Financial Services. The company has committed itself to delivering reliable and innovative services that provide value for subscribers in Ghanas telecommunications market. Since its entry into Ghana in 2006, MTN has continuously invested in expanding and modernizing its network in order to offer superior services to a broad expanse of the nation.
The Managing Director of GCB Bank Ltd, Mr. Kofi Adomakoh, has described Ghanas digital transformation agenda as laudable.

He cautioned that, while pursuing digitilisation goals, we must take cognisance of the inherent risks associated with digital transformation such as cyber-security, fraud, data and privacy breaches.

Addressing the 5th CEO Summit in Accra in the presence of the Vice-President of Ghana, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, Mr Adomakoh stressed the need to continually invest in security infrastructure and other capacity building opportunities to keep all stakeholders abreast of the risks.

GCB is a platinum sponsor of the 5th edition of the annual CEO Summit organised by the CEOs Network/Company.

The GCB MD noted that while the Government of Ghana has put in place policies and structures through institutions like the Data Protection Commission to safeguard personal data, corporate organisations also have a responsibility.

He pointed out that Ghanas digitilisation drive could be anchored strategically around three interrelated stakeholder points.

These include digitally-enabled government, a digitally-enabled private sector and a digitally-enabled citizenry.

A credible and comprehensive identity system has implications for every aspect of our national life; from mitigating identity fraud, fighting crime and improving tax compliance, he added.

Mr Adomakoh explained that apart from being the foundation for a more comprehensive digitilisation strategy, it will unlock new level of credit access and provide the platform for building a reliable credit scoring system.

He expressed excitement at the addition of digitisation to the name of Ministry of Communications saying that it would give impetus to Ghanas Africa Beyond Aid goal of becoming a leader in innovative digital technology by 2023.

Touching on G-Money, GCBs mobile wallet, Mr. Adomakoh announced that G-Money had recorded one million-plus customers just after a year of being introduced.

GCB, he said, has been at the forefront of the financial inclusion agenda for the past 67 years, diligently meeting the financial needs of Ghanaians with great success.

While expressing appreciation to GCB and G-Money customers for assisting to push Ghanas cash-lite agenda, he explained that the feat achieved by GCB as a proof of commitment to offer the public not only bank-based financial services but also provide a more broad-based platform to serve others outside the banking system.
The Ghanaian-German Centre for Jobs, Migration and Reintegration (GGC), in partnership with the Ministry of Employment and Labour Relations (MELR), has launched the hybrid edition of the Ghana Job Fair at a ceremony held in Accra.

The launch, which was also streamed live on the Facebook page of the GGC, offered opportunity for the organisers of the fair to throw more light on what people should expect at this years event scheduled to take place in July 2021.

The Ghana Job Fair, which is now extended to three days and slated from 27 -29 July, 2021, is targeted at young jobseekers, entrepreneurs, technical; and vocational artisans, etc, and aims to help tackle unemployment and underemployment, improve skills and promote entrepreneurship among the youth. It would also complement the efforts of the Ghanaian government in finding lasting solutions to youth unemployment. The job fair is hinged on four core areas: digital skills, employability, entrepreneurship, and networking between jobseekers and industry.

In his remarks, the Coordinator of the Network for Inclusive Economic Development (NIED) Cluster at GIZ, Gerald Guskowski, reiterated the German governments commitment to working with the government of Ghana to fulfil the aspirations of the youth, particularly in the area of employment and skills development. Germany is one of Ghanas most important development partners. For us, Ghana is a key partner in Africa and based on our shared values, we continue to work together to create decent jobs, especially in small and medium-sized businesses. Mr. Guskowski said.

On his part, the Senior National Programme Coordinator for Programme Migration for Development, David Tette reiterated the Centres commitment to assist Ghanaian youth in their skills enhancement to use their potential in the most purposeful way. In our engagement with the youth since the opening of the Centre in December 2017, one thing stands out  the Ghanaian youth is so full of great potential and given the right tools, platform and exposure, there is so much they can do. For us at the Ghanaian-German Centre and in collaboration with our partners, we want to and are happy to be the ones providing this platform to enable them to achieve their dreams. On the extension of the job fair to three days, David Tette said its mainly in response to the request of our job fair participants and beneficiaries. The feedback we received from last years virtual edition pointed to the fact that the one-day was not enough to make use of the wide variety of services and inputs rendered at the virtual fair.

The Ghana Job Fair 2021, Hybrid edition will feature seasoned speakers from the private sector and will give participants rare opportunity to engage with speakers through in-person and virtual workshops, panel discussions, among others all on one platform. The Ghanaian-German Centre for Jobs, Migration and Reintegration is commissioned by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) and implemented by the Deutsche Gesellschaft fur Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) in Ghana in collaboration with the Ministry of Employment and Labour Relations (MELR).

The Ghanaian-German Centre (GGC)

The Ghanaian-German Centre for Jobs and Reintegration (GGC) is part of the global project Programme Migration for Development (PMD), which is commissioned by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) and implemented by the Deutsche Gesellschaft fur Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) in Ghana in collaboration with the Ministry of Employment and Labour Relations (MELR). GGCs objective is to support Governments effort at improving living conditions and provide opportunities to enhance job prospects, now and in the future. This entails activities to promote education, training and employment opportunities. The support is aimed not only at the local population and internally displaced people, but also at those returning home from Germany.
The country was recently awash with the sorrowful story of the heinous crime of kidnap and gruesome murder of the innocent job seeker and University of Uyo graduate, Iniubong Umoren recently somewhere in Akwa Ibom State.

Nigerians were shocked to their marrows when it became apparent that one Frank Uduak Akpan was responsible for not only raping her but killing and burying her in a shallow grave somewhere in the State. The police declared the said Frank wanted but arrested his father who was suspected as an accomplice when it became apparent that Frank was on the run. As God would have it, he was eventually arrested through the effort of one Kuffre Effiong and the police who lured and promised him that he will receive the co-operation of the police if he is innocent as he originally claimed.

It is of utmost interest to note that Frank's arrest was at somewhere in Shelter Afrique Junction, Uyo, not in a hotel or a house of anybody.

This story is so tormenting and horrendous that emotions naturally went high when the sad news was broken both on the traditional and social media. The prayer of everyone was that whosoever was responsible for this heinous act for whatever purpose should be brought to justice and no one born of a woman who has blood running in his veins will want this kind of crime to be covered up, no matter the personality/ties involved.

However, it is astonishing and profoundly wicked for any being, let alone a trained journalist to sit in the comfort of his home or office in far away America and concoct lies just to drag the name of Senator Akpabio and his dear wife in the murder saga just to satisfy whosoever is paying him for that kind of "dirty job".

At what point does fiction transform into a reality and to what end can any sane being market cock and bull story to un-discerning members of the public? It is still shocking that mere conjectures of a journalist has been made to develop a life and be termed factual without any shred of evidence linking the crime to the Akpabios. The only snag in all these though, is that marketing fictions today through the social media has become the pastime of evil doers and the un-discerning members of the public have become so gullible that these tortoise stories are taken in, line, hook and sinker without any pinch of salt.

In a short while, we will analyse this story as put out by this David Hundeyin who is said to be a Nigerian Investigative Journalist resident in America from where he has perfected his nasty habit of running people down with his fictional stories about matters he has no knowledge of, maybe for money or just to garner fame. Reading many of Hadley Chase books is very good, but the danger is when the reader cannot distinguish between fiction and reality.

By the way when his lies fell like pack of cards, he is alleged to have hurriedly pulled down the story of linking senator Godswill Akpabio and his dear wife to the murder allegation from his blog or someone's blog by name Newswirengr where he titled the story "Murder in Uyo: Who Killed Hiny Umoren?" He has a right to refute the story of having pulled it down.

In his report, the journalist claimed that he analyzed the telephone calls of the prime suspect in the murder case, Akpan . According to him, Akpan called a number of people after the murder of the female graduate. He stated that the said Kuffre Effiong works with Niger Delta Civil Service. He further alleged that the killer and the said Kuffre Effiong met physically at a certain 58G, Ewet Housing Estate in Uyo. His "investigative skill" revealed that Akpan the alleged killer worked for an "illegal organ trafficking ring to feed the booming global black market organ trade".

His fictional story line continued from his Twitter handle on 11th of May where he further published his falsehood as follows " It has just come to my attention that Davok Suites, the hotel at the centre of the 58 Unit G/S 9, Unit G, Ewet Housing Estate nexus involving Kuffre Effiong and Frank Uduak is owned by none other than Ekaette Akpabio, wife of Godswill Akpabio"

As evidence of pure insanity occasioned by excessive use of terrible and self destructive drugs, the said David Hundeyin continued, "In other words, this place where Frank Uduak Akpan, fresh from murdering Ini Umoren came to meet Kuffre Effiong, belongs to the wife of Kuffre's boss and Federal Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Godswill Akpabio. So which politician has Kuffre been running errands for?"

Before analyzing David Hundeyin's super script meant for Nollywood, this writer is very grateful to God that the said culprit, Mr Frank Akpan, his cousin Kuffre Effiong and one Local Government Chairman of Uruan in the State who is a relation to both Kuffre and Frank are all alive, and happily too the culprit is presently in the custody of the Nigerian Police Authority for proper investigation. These people have made and are still making useful statements to the police authority whom we implore to employ extreme and painstaking professionalism in investigation and come up quickly with their findings, including what steps should be taken to ensure justice to the family of the bereaved. The girl's death as a matter of fact, must surely be avenged by the Authorities.

This innocent victim sought to be gainfully employed instead of engaging in anything illegal or criminal like some do, but met her end in an unfortunate circumstance that demands remedy and justice.

Back to David Hundeyin's story. He said "he analyzed the telephone calls of the prime suspect and he found out that the suspect called several persons after the murder". One of the persons he allegedly called, according to him, was Kuffre Effiong who worked with Niger Delta Civil Service. Having found out that the said Kuffre works with Niger Delta Civil Service, he must have been told by his co-conspirators who specialize in smearing Senator Akpabio's name to go ahead and link by all means the heinous crime to him in order to make headline and give them a false sense of victory. If only men were God?

In no distant time, his collaborators fed him another lies that the alleged killer, Mr Frank Akpan met Kuffre in a hotel named Davok Suites at Ewet Housing Estate in Uyo and they mentioned the address of the place. The Hotel according to him belongs to the wife of senator Godswill Akpabio. With that, he ran to the market with the story that Akpabio and his dear wife were certainly the ones responsible for the heinous murder of the innocent girl, more so since they must have been engaged in his imaginative illicit global market specialising in trading on human parts!

Fortunately the culprit has made both written and oral statements which the police authority are in custody of. The cousin, Mr Kuffre Effiong has also issued a comprehensive statement on his Facebook Page which can be seen online by those who want to know the truth and the Local Government Chairman who is in opposing political party with Senator Akpabio has also issued a statement on the incident. By virtue of their various statements, the following are the emerging truth about this case pending when the police will conclude their investigation:

(a) The alleged culprit Mr Frank Akpan, Mr Kuffre Effiong and the Local Government Chairman of Uruan are all related as they are cousins. None of them have any relationship with the Akpabios either remotely or directly. None of them has ever met Senator Godswill Akpabio or his wife or their existence known to the couple.

(b) The culprit Mr Frank Akpan was arrested at Shelter Afrique Junction by the Nigerian Police in conjunction with the said Mr Kuffre Effiong, a cousin to the culprit who used his relationship to lure the culprit into police reach for the seamless arrest.

(c) The culprit was taken to the house of the Local Government Chairman of Uruan which is at Ewet Housing Estate in company of the DPO, one ASP and Mr Kuffre Effiong who facilitated the arrest. Taking the culprit to the house of the Chairman at Ewet Housing Estate was the suggestion of the said DPO of the nearby Police Station who felt that it will be a proper place and method to use to calm the suspect down in order to elicit his co-operation.

(d) The alleged Davok Suites, a hotel in Uyo which from the story as stated by the parties in this case was never utilized either before, during and after the crime, has never been owned and is presently not belonging TO THE WIFE OF SENATOR AKPABIO. That the said hotel is alleged to be owned by Her Excellency Mrs Akpabio has been a myth used by the patronizers of the hotel to boost their ego as to the quality of the hotel they patronize in Uyo. The Akpabios have nothing to do with the hotel in terms of management or ownership. Most importantly in this fictional story of the said Hundeyin, is the fact that the hotel was never used either before, during or after the crime by the culprit or his alleged accomplices.

(e) To exhaust this issue and make an open show of the concocted cock and bull story of the Investigative journalist David Hundeyin, let me go further to give him the benefit of the doubt that assuming but not conceding that the said Kuffre Effiong, a relation of the culprit who from his own account only assisted the Nigerian Police to arrest the culprit, works in Niger Delta Ministry, does that mean that any crime he allegedly commits will be attributed to the Minister of the said Ministry? How stupid is that kind of assumption, especially in criminal jurisprudence which requires mens rea(intention) and actus reus(act of the accused) to establish criminal liability? In the absence of any conspiracy, direct or circumstantial evidence, no individual can be convicted of a crime he knows nothing about in Nigeria. None here was established in the said story.

(f) Let me extend my generosity further to Mr Hundeyin by assuming but not conceding that the alleged Hotel, Davok Suites is owned by the wife of Senator Akpabio. Will this mean that any crime committed in the hotel by a user who has no legal, biological or any direct or indirect relationship with the owner will be legally established against the owner of the hotel? In other words, in the absence of any established conspiracy, direct or circumstantial evidence against the owner, can our jurisprudence be suddenly transformed to hold the owner of a hotel criminally liable for any crime committed using his or her hotel in the absence of any mens rea and actus reus as earlier explained?

Few months ago, I was aware of the several meetings called by certain persons in Nigeria where activists, top journalists and chronic critics were recruited to engage in public smearing of Akpabio's name by all means. The battle has been on, they started with the case of the Professor who was recently convicted for alleged electoral fraud during the last Senatorial Election in Akwa Ibom State. When the attempt to link the said fraud with Senator Godswill Akpabio failed like pack of cards as superior and more logical arguments were presented, they recoiled and came up with this one that sounds more stupid and idiotic. We never knew that they can descend into a pit like this, all in a bid to destroy a man for whatever reasons, known to them.

The Nigerian Police, hopefully are on top of this Umoren's unfortunate death. They should be allowed to carry out a full scale investigation as to who and those behind the gruesome rape and murder of that innocent girl. Using the unfortunate incident to run down Senator Godswill Akpabio and his family has failed woefully. The truth of the matter that "No weapon fashion against Senator Godswill Akpabio whether now, tomorrow or in the future will stand". The reason for this is, "No man can curse a man whom God has marked out for blessings".

Mr Hundeyin has committed both criminal and civil wrongs in this campaign of calumny against Senator Akpabio and that of his wife. If he thinks that by being in far away America he can utilise the social space to malign someone and escape justice, he has committed a grievous error. The arms of the law will ultimately catch up with him if he fails, refuses and neglects to withdraw his cock and bull story about the involvement of the Akpabios in the unfortunate incident of Ini's death and apologize to them, he stands all the legal risks associated with such criminal and civil defamation. It is his choice!

Enough said.

Written by Mr. Smart Chizurum, a socio-political commentator and analyst writes from Akwa Ibom State
A steady stream of migrants tried to swim to the Spanish enclave of Ceuta Wednesday, after a record influx of arrivals sent diplomatic tensions soaring between Madrid and Rabat.

A European commissioner vowed that the continent would not be "intimidated" after some 8,000 migrants rushed into Ceuta since Monday.

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez vowed to "restore order" after the unprecedented surge, and said Wednesday that some 4,800 migrants had been sent back.

The influx comes against the backdrop of soaring tensions with Morocco over Madrid's decision to provide medical treatment for the leader of the Western Sahara independence movement, Polisario Front, who has been seriously ill with Covid-19.

It has revived the thorny issue of migration into the EU, with the Vice President of the European Commission, Margaritis Schinas, saying Wednesday the continent "won't be intimidated by anyone."

Spanish soldiers stand guard as migrants stand on rocks off the shore of the Spanish enclave of Ceuta, on May 18. By Antonio Sempere (AFP)

Speaking on Spanish radio, he said there have been "a few attempts by third countries... over the past 15 months" to leverage the migrant issue.

In a veiled reference to Rabat, Schinas said on Spanish radio that Europe would "not be a victim of these tactics".

"Ceuta is Europe, this border is a European border and what happens there is not a problem for Madrid, but a problem for all" Europeans, he said.

"No one can intimidate or blackmail the European Union," he said. "We cannot tolerate this."

'Viva Espana'

On the ground, people continued to gather on the Morocco border with Spain Wednesday.

Migrants arriving in Spain. By Gal ROMA (AFP)

As the sun rose, a handful of people were swimming to reach the Spanish side, their slow progress carefully watched by dozens of soldiers deployed along the beach with riot shields and batons, according to an AFP correspondent on the scene.

It was not clear how many managed to cross, but those who made it to shore were immediately picked up by soldiers and escorted to where medics were offering help, although few appeared to need it.

Noone appeared to be hurt, but some seemed exhausted by the effort.

They were then frogmarched back to the border fence where they were sent home.

Although the distance between African territory and Europe technically involves a swim of barely 200 metres, many tried to push beyond the nearest beach to avoid the waiting troops.

rightSide#photo3

"Viva Espana" yelled one repeatedly, before starting to call for help in increasingly panicked tones to a nearby rescue boat.

Through the border fence, large crowds of hundreds of people were massed on the neighbouring Moroccan beach.

Sharp cracks rang out as tear gas canisters arched through the air leaving a trail of smoke as they landed on the beach.

By the border post on the Spanish side, a group of some 50 Moroccan youngsters, many of them teenagers, hung around aimlessly, waiting to be sent home.

One slept on a stone bench, covered by a red blanket, a tray of half-eaten food at his feet, his hard-won dream of reaching Europe about to end as the heads of dozens more hopefuls bobbed in the water.

Blind eye

Analysts said it was clear Morocco had turned a blind eye to the human tide surging into Ceuta to put diplomatic pressure on Spain to recognise its sovereignty over Western Sahara.

Most of the migrants had crossed into Ceuta largely unimpeded by Moroccan security forces on Monday, but by Tuesday morning, Rabat had deployed reinforcements at the Fnideq border crossing who fired tear gas to disperse those trying to slip across.

The migrants reached Ceuta by swimming or by walking at low tide from Moroccan beaches a few kilometres to the south, some using inflatable swimming rings and rubber dinghies.

One man drowned en route, Spanish officials said.

The crisis comes after Madrid allowed Polisario Front leader Brahim Ghali to fly to northern Spain in mid-April to be treated for Covid-19, angering Rabat.

The Polisario Front has fought for the independence of Western Sahara, a former Spanish colony that is mainly under Moroccan control.

The Moroccan authorities have long wanted Spain to acknowledge their authority over Western Sahara, as Washington did in December under former president Donald Trump, and were using the Ghali spat to put pressure on Madrid.

burs-jv/yad
Listen to article

Four members of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) in Jomoro of the Western Region have submitted their documents to contest the incumbent Municipal Chief Executive (MCE), Mr. Ernest Kofie for the position of the next MCE.

The 1992 Constitution in Article 243(1), and Section 20(1) of the Local Government Act 1993 (Act 462) give the president power to nominate Metropolitan, Municipal, and District Chief Executives (MMDCEs) to administer the various localities in the country.

The processes leading to the selection of MMDCEs have commenced across the country and interested members of the NPP have already expressed interest.

In the Jomoro Municipality, Mr. Ernest Kofie who is the sitting MCE has already applied to seek re-nomination.

Some residents and members of the Party were with the full conviction that Mr. Ernest Kofie would contest the position unopposed.

They however received the news of the other four persons with utmost surprise.

The four persons are; Ms. Louisa Iris Arde, Jomoro NPP Constituency Communications Director from Ndumsuazo, Ms. Vida Nvida, a staunch NPP member from Half Assini, Mr. Francis Adjei, former Jomoro NPP Constituency Secretary from Half Assini, and Mr. Emmanuel Amihere, Jomoro NPP Researcher and Director of Elections at Tikobo No.2.

Confirming the news to the media on Monday, May 17, 2021, the Jomoro NPP Deputy Communications Director, Mr. Alswell Quarshie said four personalities have successfully submitted their documents to be considered for the position.

"As at 3:20 pm, the following personalities have successfully submitted their documents to be considered for the position of Municipal Chief Executive (MCE)", he confirmed.

Meanwhile, some residents have been rooted for the incumbent MCE Mr. Ernest Kofie.

According to them, Mr. Ernest Kofie has delivered numerous developmental projects in the Jomoro Municipality.

They believe re-nominating and confirming Mr. Ernest Kofie as their MCE will help the Municipality to develop rapidly.

They stated that they need Mr. Ernest Kofie who is a unifier and a peace-loving person to administer the affairs of the Jomoro Municipal Assembly for another four years.

"Ernest Kofie as Jomoro MCE has helped built three-unit classroom block at Mpasem, built Articulator terminal at Elubo, built three-unit classroom block at Ellenda, built three-unit classroom block at Ellenda Wharf and many more so I will plead with President Akufo-Addo to retain Ernest Kofie to complete the remaining projects", Joseph Ackah told this reporter.

Meanwhile, the Western Regional MMDCEs Vetting Committee has been instituted and its Chairman is the Regional Minister, Mr. Kobby Okyere Darko-Mensah.

The Vetting Committee is expected to all the prospective candidates on Friday, May 21, 2021, at the Western Regional Coordinating Council (WRCC).
Some health workers of the Ghana Health Service (GHS), Environmental health and Zoomlion Ghana Limited NAMCOP unit staff in the Volta and Oti regions have benefitted from the ongoing national Larval Source Management (LSM) training aimed at complementing the governments efforts to reduce the spread of malaria in the country.

The one-day training programme held on Monday, 17th May, 2021 in the Volta regional capital, Ho, brought together about one hundred and ten (110) participants from the two regions.

It was organised by Zoomlion Ghana Limited and its partners of the National Malaria Control Programme (NMCP) of the Ghana Health Service with experts drawn from the Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research (NMIMR) and Zoomlion Ghana Limited (ZGL).

The Regional Environmental Health Officer, Volta Region, Mrs Stella Kumedzro, speaking to journalists after the programme, said the LSM training will enhance the capacity of the participants in the fight against malaria.

She said this was crucial in the light of the rising malaria cases that continues to overwhelm the Out Patients Department (OPD) of the hospitals and clinics.

Compared to the previous training, this one is unique and more practical and useful, she added.

There is no reason for panic. We just want to ensure that malaria cases are reduced in our communities, districts, municipalities, regions and Ghana as a whole, hence the reason for this training," she said.

Against this background, Mrs Kumedzro called on Ghanaians to support the exercise which will be done in the various communities so that we can fight malaria.

we are pleading with community members to facilitate cordial relationship, she urged.

The Deputy Regional Director of Health Services in charge of Public Health (DDPH), Volta Region, Dr Kwesi Djokoto, recounted that this intervention was initiated two years ago.

According to him, LSM as a malaria control measure looks at the environment and deals with the vector, which is the mosquito, which transmits the disease.

He said to effectively fight the disease, six (6) districts where malaria cases are high in the Volta Region namely: Keta, Anloga, Central Tongu, Hohoe West, South Tongu and another have been selected.

after mapping, we will spray to fight against the development of the larvae to eliminate mosquitoes, he said.

Malaria, he contended, remained one of the diseases that continued to have socio-economic implications on the country.

This has seen the government spend so much in managing the disease, he noted.

Dr Djokoto said the LSM training was very necessary as it will complement other malaria control interventions.

For his part, the Municipal Environmental Health Officer, Ho, Volta Region, Dr Aaron Kofi Amedzo, said the training will offer participants the requisite LSM skills and techniques.

This training comes as a refresher and also as an orientation to facilitate our job, he said.

In this regard, he appealed to the organisers to include local dialects in the training to help those who were not too good in the English language.

This, Dr Amedzo indicated, will enable them explain more thoroughly the essence of the LSM in fighting malaria in the communities.

The General Manager of Zoomlion, Volta Region, Mr Solomon Denyo, expressed satisfaction with the programme, and thus recommended that the training be organised regularly to equip health workers with more knowledge in fighting mosquitoes.

"We need to update our knowledge on their [mosquitoes] movement and how they act and react to their environment," he averred.

He used the opportunity to call on Ghanaians to ensure that their environs are clean, stating this is one essential ingredient to prevent malaria.
France has called for a United Nations Security Council resolution to end the hostilities between Israel and Palestinian militants in Gaza.

A statement by the Elysee Palace late Tuesday said the motion had been tabled in coordination with Egypt and Jordan, following a meeting between the leaders of the three countries.

French President Emmanuel Macron and his Egyptian counterpart Abdel Fattah Al-Sissi held talks in Paris on the sidelines of a summit on African economies, before seeking the support of Jordan's King Abdullah II, who they met via video conference.

The three countries agreed on three simple elements: the shooting must stop, the time has come for a ceasefire, the UN Security Council must take up the subject, the Elysee said, adding the trio had also agreed to launch a humanitarian initiative for the people of Gaza, in conjunction with the UN.

US resistance

The Security Council has so far failed to adopt a declaration calling for an end to more than a week of violence, with the United States rejecting three draft statements proposed by China, Norway and Tunisia.

The US, a close ally of Israel, has insisted that such a declaration would not help diplomatic efforts to end the conflict between Israel and Hamas militants.

Media reports say the French resolution could be circulated to Security Council members as early as Wednesday and put to a quick vote.

Meanwhile cross-border fighting continued Wednesday with Israeli air strikes on Gaza being met with rocket fire from Hamas.

Medical officials in Gaza say 217 Palestinians have been killed, including 63 children, since the fighting began on 10 May. Authorities in Israel say 12 people have been killed, including two children.
Politics can be interesting and thrilling when its actors take the people for granted and make sweeping remarks with the hope of making electoral gains.

A couple of days ago an NDC MP was on television 'lamenting' about how a teenager died because there was no ambulance to convey him to hospital.

It is sad when death is occasioned by the absence of appropriate facilities or drugs. While we sympathise with the deceased family and regret the occurrence, we would be quick to add that the incumbent administration has done exceedingly better than its predecessor in terms of improving health delivery system in the country.

The Ghana Ambulance Service was rescued from the verge of collapse with the importation of real ambulances, equipment et al fitted from the assembly line.

We recall effortlessly how so-called ambulances imported by the NDC government docked without the necessary facilities. These were cargo vans which required refitting to make them come close to ambulance standards.

Such hypocrisy should be stopped forthwith because they debase the noble occupation of politics.

When politics is reduced to this level of lies and mind-games by bad politicians, we can justifiably condemn such pastime as irresponsible and insulting to the citizenry.

Why would such politicians think that we as citizens of this country have so soon forgotten about the state of this country when they were exiting the helm?

The healthcare delivery system was on the verge of collapse, the National Health Insurance Scheme nowhere near functioning as effectively as it was when it was inaugurated.

It appeared it was deliberately ignored in the scheme of things, the NDC's lies about a so-called one term premium impossible to execute.

Today, an NDC member attempts whipping ill-sentiments against the government over what in his opinion is a malfunctioning health system.

Let them not think the citizens of this country are not observing the changes which have happened since their party, bankrupt of innovations exited the helm.

The healthcare system is by all standards in a better shape than it was when cargo vans were imported in the name of ambulances.

If they have not been queried for mismanaging this country let them not push their luck.

A little over four years since the incumbent government took up the reins is not too long as to allow for amnesia to cloud the thoughts of the people.

President Akufo-Addo stands out as one of the outstanding leaders on the continent or globally whose innovative healthcare system enabled him to manage the COVID-19 pandemic to the admiration of the watchers of the subject internationally.

That we are where we are today in terms of the management of the pandemic is by the courtesy of a wonderful healthcare delivery system in place.

Let them either shower plaudits on the government for a better management of the healthcare system, of which the ambulance service is a part or simply shut up.
Dominic Nitiwul

Listen to article

The Minister of Lands and Natural Resources Abu Jinapor says Government has vowed not to bring an end to the war against illegal mining popularly known as galamsey.

He said, during the third phase of the operation, River Offin, River Oda and River Birim, were covered.

In a day, he said the military were pulling out about 700 excavators from the forests.

"Most of the people who engaged in the illegal mining activities are not ordinary Ghanaians but rather rich men sitting in Accra and London," he noted.

He said some excavators were being hired for about Ghc 6,000 or Ghc 7,000 each.

The minister made this known while giving an update on phase three of Operation Halt II.

According to him, during the third phase of the Operation, 40 excavators all working within the Birim River were burnt.

He stated that 228 Chanfangs, 87 water pumping machines, 76 wooden structures; one container; seven generators; motorbikes, hunter guns, were burnt.

In the Eastern Region, he said the miners were carrying out illegality with impunity.

He said illegal miners in the Eastern Region refused to take out their equipment from sites despite hearing about the operations of the military.

He stated that River Birim has been virtually destroyed.

According to him, aerial inspections revealed that there are serious destructions to river bodies and environment in the mining communities.

Some of the illegal miners, he said, have resorted to mining in the night.

The Minister added that one Chinese was arrested during the four-day operation.

Some big companies are doing the wrong thing. The impact of Operation Halt II has been huge," he emphasised.
The Minister for Defense, Dominic Nitiwul said the illegal miners popularly known as galamseyers have diverted the river into ponds they have created to wash their gold, leaving the river bed dried.

He indicated that the illegal miners have virtually destroyed the tributaries of the Birim river.

The Minister made this known at a press conference held at the Information Ministry in Accra on Wednesday, May 19, 2021.

He noted that a responsible mining company will sink boreholes.

He stated that mining companies should be able to construct boreholes for their communities and themselves.

Responding to concerns on the burning of Galamsey excavators, he said Members of the Ghana Armed Forces don't enjoy seeing equipment being destroyed.

Today, he said, people who are living by water bodies are compelled to buy water to drink or wash their things.

If government doesn't take proactive steps, the entire southern belt of Ghana will loose its water in the next three to five years because people have realized the craze for money is more important than human lives.
Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection has terminated the appointment of the Acting National Coordinator of the Ghana School Feeding Programme (GSFP) Gertrude Quashigah.

A copy of a letter dated May 18, 2021, signed by the Minister, Sarah Adwoa Safo directed her to handover any official documents or property in her custody to the Chief Director of the Ministry.

You will be paid one months salary in lieu of notice as stipulated in your contract agreement, the letter stated.

The reason for her removal was not given.

The School Feeding Programme has recently come under severe criticisms for food supplies meant for Free SHS were diverted by headmasters, headmistress, accountants and bursars of SHSs.

Read the termination letter below
The National Democratic Congress (NDC) office in the Volta Region has taken a swipe at the Regional Minister Hon. Dr. Archibald Yao Letsa for watching desks supposed to be distributed to schools to rot.

The NDC Volta in a press release has disclosed that the Coastal Development Authority provided the dual desks to be distributed to schools last year with the belief that the desks would be allocated to schools to improve infrastructure deficit.

Unfortunately, after a year, the desks procured at great cost to the taxpayer are left to rot while several schools in the region are in need of desks to improve learning.

According to the NDC Volta, the neglect of the school desks is an indictment on Dr. Archibald Letsa and situations like this are why the Ghanaian youth are angered and calling on the government to fix the country.

This is clearly one of the reasons why the youth are calling on the government to fix the country. Leaving these desks at the mercy of the weather is an incredible indictment on the performance of the Regional Minister, Dr. Archibald Letsa, part of a release from the NDC Volta reads.

The NDC Volta wants the Regional Minister to as a matter of urgency fix the problem and ensure these desks reach schools in need.

The NDC Volta is calling on the Volta Regional Minister, Hon Dr. Archibald Yao Letsa, to fix the problem by making sure the Regional Director of Education takes the necessary steps to get the desks allocated to the various schools within the shortest possible time, as part of his oversight responsibilities over education in the region, the NDC Volta release concludes.

Read the full press release from the NDC Volta below:

LEAVING DESKS TO ROT, AN INDICTMENT ON THE VOLTA REGIONAL MINISTER

Ghanaian youth as never before in the history of the country, are going through an era of deepening frustration and disappointment as a result of the high cost of living precipitated by the high level of unemployment among them, which is compelling them to call for the fixing of the economy. The youth cannot be wrong in their call when they see things that should be fixed by the government, with less effort being left unattended to, much to the dismay of the taxpayer who gets little or no value for his money.

The current waves of agitation demand that leadership expedites action on doing what is appropriate to fix the plethora of problems confronting the nation.

One would have thought that with this massive wave of agitation from the youth, the government would do what is expedient in order to assuage the frustration and anger of the youth. Unfortunately, the government appears to be at its wits end about the problem thereby aggravating the anger and frustration among the youth.

It is a shock to many in the Volta Region that despite the fact that our Basic and Junior High Schools are confronted with problems such as the unavailability of textbooks to facilitate quality teaching and learning, absence of capitation grant to schools since last year 2020, inadequate desks for students, lack of training on the new curriculum for teachers to implement the common core programmes at the JHS level, desks procured at great cost to the taxpayer are left to rot. Lack of desks is one of the biggest problems confronting schools in the region. Unfortunately, several hundreds of desks have been left at the mercy of the weather at the premises of Department of Urban Roads to rot away, whiles some classrooms in the region remain amazingly empty.

One would have thought that directives on the allocation of these desks to deserving schools would be a priority in these difficult times to improve the teaching and learning environment.

The Coastal Development Authority which provided the dual desks to be distributed to schools did so last year with the belief that the desks would be allocated to schools to improve the situation, but never.

This is clearly one of the reasons why the youth are calling on the government to fix the country. Leaving these desks at the mercy of the weather is an incredible indictment on the performance of the Regional Minister, Dr. Archibald Letsa.

The NDC Volta is calling on the Volta Regional Minister, Hon Dr Archibald Yao Letsa, to fix the problem by making sure the Regional Director of Education takes the necessary steps to get the desks allocated to the various schools within the shortest possible time, as part of his oversight responsibilities over education in the region.

#FixTheCountry

#voiceofvolta

Signed:

Sorkpa K. Agbleze

(NDC Regional Communication Officer)

Delali Bright Kugbeadzor

(Deputy Regional Communication Officer)
Ivory Coast's exiled former rebel chief and prime minister Guillaume Soro went on trial in absentia on Wednesday along with around 20 supporters over an alleged 2019 "plot" to overthrow the government.

Soro, 49, who was also speaker of parliament in the West African country from 2012 to 2019, has lived in exile for the past two years and is thought to be in France.

He is charged with fomenting a "civilian and military insurrection" as he was planning a return to the country in December 2019 to run for president -- a bid that was quashed by the Constitutional Court.

His co-defendants include two of his brothers; former minister and MP Alain Lobognon who was considered his right-hand man; and several other former MPs, all of whom have been held awaiting trial for the past 18 months.

Soro's lawyer, former minister Affoussy Bamba, is also in exile and being tried in her absence.

They face life imprisonment if convicted.

All have denied any wrongdoing.

The team of lawyers defending Soro dismissed the trial as a "sham" in a statement on Tuesday, calling it a "political settling of scores" aimed at sidelining Soro and his movement from political life.

Since last October's tense election, the former French colony has seen relative calm, with dialogue between the government and opposition parties and various opposition figures released from detention.

Soro and his supporters however remain in the dock.

Former allies: Soro, left, with Ouattara in 2016. By ISSOUF SANOGO (AFP/File)

President Alassane Ouattara, who won re-election to a third term after initially stepping aside, said in October that Soro -- a former ally -- would be jailed for life.

Ouattara, now 79, had said after his second term he planned to make way for a new generation, but the sudden death of his chosen successor prompted him to seek a third mandate.

Soro, whose rebel forces controlled northern Ivory Coast in the 2000s, helped Ouattara militarily during the country's post-election crisis of 2010-11.

Incumbent Laurent Gbagbo had refused to concede defeat to Ouattara after the 2010 election, sparking a bloody conflict that claimed some 3,000 lives in the world's top cocoa producing country, formerly a beacon of stability and prosperity in the region.

Since then, Soro and Ouattara gradually drifted apart, until early 2019 when the rupture became final, analysts say, over Soro's presidential ambitions.

Soro was sentenced in April to 20 years in prison for "concealment of embezzlement of public funds", a conviction that torpedoed his candidacy.
Listen to article

The Kaneshie District Court has ordered the State to serve a bill of indictment on the accused person in the murder trial of UG law professor, Yaw Benneh.

This is the document containing the offences brought against the accused person.

The State was today, Wednesday, May 19, 2021, expected to begin committal proceedings against Ebenezer Kwayisi, the sole suspect in the murder trial.

This could however not happen as the accused person had not been served with his indictment bill.

The first accused person in the murder trial, James Nana Womba passed on in October last year while in police custody shortly after falling into relapse from earlier treatment.

Earlier in September 2020, three other accused persons, Christian Pobee, Isaac Botchwey and Adam Mensah were however discharged after the State substituted charge sheets that did not incriminate them.

The late Mr. Womba was however indicted in the new charge sheet together with Apambuor Agyabadu Nkansah.

Mr. Nkansah had also suffered ill-health while in police custody.

Presiding Judge Ama Adomako Kwakye has thus adjourned the case to June 9, 2021, with the directive that the bill of indictment is served on the accused person.

---citinewsroom
The family of Ishmael Mensah, an 11-year-old boy who was allegedly killed by two teenagers for money ritual purpose, has expressed disappointment over the slow prosecution of the case by the Ofaakor Circuit Court in the Ga South Municipality of the Greater Accra Region.

The spokesperson for the family, Samad Akalilu, said the Attorney Generals office has received dockets regarding the matter, yet, prosecution of the case has not progressed.

We cannot be happy as a family that is looking for an expeditious trial. As a family that has always been calling for the finality of the case, we are not happy that there is a snail pace approach to this case, he said.

Ishmael Mensah was allegedly killed by two teenagers in early April, 2021.

Reports indicate that the teenagers lured the deceased into an uncompleted building and smashed his head with a club and cement blocks, killing him instantly.

They subsequently buried him in the building.

Police said the suspects planned to recover the victims body later that night for the supposed money rituals.

The two suspects made their first appearance in court on April 6, 2021.

In connection with the killing, Charity Mensah, a traditional priestess, was also arrested. She was granted bail on the basis that she is a nursing mother.

She is required to regularly present herself to the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) to assist with the investigation.

---citinewsroom
The truth is that the New Patriotic Party (NPP) failed and continues to fail as far as communication theory is concerned. Constituency, Regional and National Communication officers just talk without communicating.

My old and dusty Webster's' Dictionary of Contemporary English defines Communication Theory as the discipline that studies the principle of transmitting information and the method by which it is delivered (as print, radio, television etc).

If we are to go by this definition, then one is right when he says the NPP communicators woefully failed the party in the run-up to the 2020 general election and after the success of the party.

NPP Parliamentary Candidates and their respective Constituency Communication teams could not differentiate between the President's campaign messages and those of the Parliamentary candidates in the run-up to the 2020 general election. Take the issue of Free Senior High School, Teacher Trainees and Nursing Trainees allowances for example. This particular issue was the brainchild of the President but sadly wherever you went during the campaigning period, all what you hear from Constituency Communication Officers, their Parliamentary candidates and Regions Communication Officers were the introduction of Free SHS, Teacher Trainee Allowances and Nursing Trainee Allowances. They never mentioned what their Parliamentary candidate did or will do when voted to power.

That to me was a misplaced priority. That was the more reason why many of them lost their seats. People asked: Yes it is true the President has introduced free SHS and given allowances to Teacher trainees and Nursing trainees. What did you also do or bringing on board? And these were genuine questions.

Barely five months into the second term of the President the communicators have gone quiet at the issues again. Instead of taking the battle to their opponents, they are silent and if they speak they speak on issues that have already been settled. Who in Ghana, including the NDC supporters can say the free SHS has not been a success story? Who is not aware that the President has kept almost all the promises he made to Ghanaians? In fact, who can put his or her hand in the fire and say Ghana under Nana Akufo Addo is not rated among the comity of nations moving towards the right direction in the combat against Covid-19?

The sages say no matter how well the hen dances it cannot please the hawk. So you have to expect the loser who is standing small to continue to bastardize whatever success chalked by the President and his team. After all, the devil finds work for the idle hands. And should NPP communicators too stay idle when there is a job to be done like informing the people on a regular basis?

What is left for the Constituency, Regional and National Communication Officers is to gird up their loins and work according to the Communication theory. If they sit down and start making ugly noises a few months to election 2024, no one will take them serious as they did the last time. The One District One Factory is sprouting like mushroom on an ant hill in some districts but sadly we do not see them on our television screens. Constituency Communicators should lobby for well-meaning and well to do party members to pay for air time to show off these factories. You don't wait for the government to bring money before you show Ghanaians what is happening in your constituency and you don't wait for election to come knocking on our doors before you begin to brag.

The last time I visited the two northern regions recently I was very much surprised at the rate at which dams were built in some villages. Those sitting in Accra and other big cities do not know what is happening there and I do not blame them. The government should as a matter of urgency commission the GTV to go round these villages where dams are being built and others completed and show them to Ghanaians. If the Ministry of Information thinks sitting in Accra and organizing press conferences are the only way of informing the populace then I am sorry they have hit a rock and they will surely dislodge boulders. Times have changed and they must move with time. People want to see but not to hear because they have heard enough.

When the free SHS was introduced and enrollments in schools astronomically increased, the government in her own wisdom introduced the Double Track system to solve the high intake for the meantime. Candidate John Mahama teasingly referred to the system as traffic light system of education and mocked at the President wherever he went to campaign. Today, many schools are no more practicing the Double Track system because MMDAs have built classroom blocks and dormitories to accommodate students. The NDC evil-minded communicators are still using the issue as if nothing is being done and the NPP communicators are not talking of the issue, giving the NDC communicators license to fool around. And yet they call themselves NPP Constituency, Regional and National Communication Officers. Apuu! As for me I will continue to use this column to propagate the Gospel According to St. Nana Addo and Prophet Dr. Bawumia. Those of you who decide to keep silent have the liberty to do so. I only need a stick of Joya de Nicaragua Antano cigar to sooth my soul whiles I write my epistles.

By Eric Bawah
Defence Minister, Dominic Nitiwul is warning illegal miners working at night.

He said they do so at their own risk.

At a press briefing in Accra on Wednesday morning, Mr. Nitiwul noted that the military has been equipped to deal with such recalcitrant miners.

We know that they do that from 9 pm to 4 am. Thats how brave they are. We know and we know the towns they are doing it in so we will come after you. Dont try it, Mr. Nitiwul warned.

So if you go out there to mine, I cannot guarantee your safety when the soldiers are going to apprehend you. So I will advise you to not go out. It is not worth it.

Mr. Nitiwul also reiterated and defended the decision of the military to burn the mining equipment of licensed small scale miners.

He indicated that licensed mining companies operating near water bodies will be treated like illegal miners.

What they did not know is that we are not touching the licenses. It is the illegalities we are touching. Our target was protecting water bodies and their tributaries, not your licence.

You can have a license but if you were destroying the water bodies, the soldiers were supposed to make sure that they take out the equipment that you were using. So soldiers were not out to inspect licenses, the minister explained.

He cited a company called Kibi Goldfields which had authentic documentation but was operating unlawfully.

You have diverted the water and are polluting the water bodies so they burned their equipment, Mr. Nitiwul said.

The ministers comments follow complaints made by Xtra Gold Mining Limited about the burning of their excavators by the military. They claim that destroying their equipment falls outside the mandate of the Operation Halt task force.

Chief Executive Officer of the company, Kate Gyamfuah, who currently serves as the National Womens Organiser for the New Patriotic Party (NPP), said she was considering legal redress.

Mr. Nitiwul stressed that the NPP executives company was not the only one that had been affected by the actions of the task force.

Maybe because they [other mining companies] dont have a political voice, they were not making noise. But their equipment was destroyed as well, he said.

---citinewsroom
The Ghana Catholic Bishops Conference has been petitioned over the assault on Caleb Kudah by National Security operatives and the invasion of the premises of CITI FM and Citi TV.

The Christian Council of Ghana (CCG), which has already been petitioned, says it has taken a keen interest in the matter.

Management of the media house formally notified the Christian council after invoking the jurisdiction of the National Media Commission (NMC) to probe or cause a probe into the case.

The Secretary-General of the National Ghana Catholic Bishops Conference, Reverend Father Lazarus Anondee, said the Bishops will review the petition and revert to the media house.

We sympathize with the station and the journalists who were affected by the incident. We acknowledge what you have brought to us; we will review as bishops and revert on the outcome of our deliberations.

We want to thank you for recognizing the importance of the conference. And we pray for peace and democracy for this country.

About 15 organizations including civil society organizations and political parties, have condemned the incident and backed calls for investigations, whiles calling for reforms in the national security setup.

Citi FM and Citi TV have specifically petitioned the NMC to use its mandate under the constitution that enjoins it to ensure the safety of journalists, to investigate or cause to be investigated the two incidents, and recommend appropriate actions.

Mr. Kudah was arrested at the National Security Ministry on Tuesday for filming abandoned MASLOC vehicles parked at the premises of the Ministry.

He was at the Ministry to verify a claim by an official of MASLOC that all the cars had been given out.

This was after Caleb Kudah had complained about the wastage of public funds on social media.

A team of heavily-armed SWAT police officers subsequently were dispatched to arrest Citi News' Zoe Abu-Baidoo Addo at the premises of Citi FM/Citi TV.

This is because Caleb had forwarded some of the footage he captured to Zoe via WhatsApp.

Mr. Caleb Kudah in an interview with Bernard Avle on The Point Of View on Citi TV indicated that he was slapped several times by the security officers.

He also insisted that he was hit in the groin by one Lieutenant Colonel Agyeman.

The National Security Ministry says it has initiated a probe into the case.

---citinewsroom
The French Senate on Tuesday approved the government's controversial Covid health passes, which will allow people to attend large events, such as festivals. The measure is part of a law that will see France gradually lift its state of emergency.

Dominated by the right-wing opposition, the Senate voted 221 in favour and 102 against the proposed bill, after making several changes and specifying that health passes must only be required for venues that are unable to respect social distancing.

Initially meant as a document for people leaving or entering the country, the passes are to serve as proof that a person has been vaccinated, has tested negative for Covid-19, or has recovered from the virus.

French health minister Olivier Veran has said the health passes would be applied to events with crowds over 1,000 people.

Under changes made by the Senate, officials will have restricted access to the medical information contained on the passes, which may be presented either on paper or in digital form.

Discrimination fears

Politicians from both sides of the spectrum have voiced fears the passes will be used as a condition of freedom, and will result in discrimination.

Far-right MEP Florian Philippot, founder of the Patriots party, described the measure as a "monstrous apartheid principle" in a Twitter post following the vote.

"Shame on the Senate for approving the health pass ... The people will have to get rid of this tool of shame themselves."

Eric Coquerel, of the far-left La France Insoumise (Unbowed France) party, earlier warned: "We are told this bill will manage our exit from the health crisis, yet it is the most coercive measure of control since the beginning of the crisis.

The vote approving the passes came the night before restaurants, cinemas and museums across the country opened for the first time in six months.

The government has said the measure is intended to help it manage potential super-spreader events, adding it will not affect a person's day-to-day life.

France's National Committee for Scientific Research, a government advisory body, had previously approved the idea of setting up a digital certificate for verifying a person's Covid vaccination and testing status.

The Senate voted that the state of emergency linked to the health crisis would stay in place until 30 June, to include the existing curfew.

An intermediate regime will replace the state of emergency from 1 July until 15 September, which would allow for the government to impose restrictions if the number of infections goes up again.
Migrants were still massed along the border of the Spanish enclave of Ceuta Wednesday, as Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez denounced Morocco's "disrespect" to Spain and the European Union.

A few migrants were still trying to swim from Morocco into Spanish territory, despite the soldiers patrolling the beaches there ready to march them back over the border.

But even as the numbers trying to breach Spain's border dwindled after the 8,000 or so who crossed on Monday, one European commissioner vowed the EU would not be "intimidated".

The record numbers of migrant arrivals have sent diplomatic tensions soaring between Madrid and Rabat.

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez vowed to "restore order" after the unprecedented surge, as the government said some 5,600 migrants had already been sent back.

"This is an act of defiance," he told parliament Wednesday, a day after he visited Ceuta.

Migrants were still trying to swim over to the Spanish enclave of Ceuta earlier Wednesday. By Antonio Sempere (AFP)

"The lack of border control by Morocco is not a show of disrespect of Spain, but rather of the European Union."

The influx comes against the backdrop of increased tensions with Morocco over Spain's decision to provide medical treatment for the leader of the Polisario Front. The head of the Western Sahara independence movement has been seriously ill with Covid-19.

The row revived the issue of migration into the EU, but the Vice President of the European Commission, Margaritis Schinas, said Wednesday the continent "won't be intimidated by anyone".

There have been "a few attempts by third countries... over the past 15 months" to leverage the migrant issue, he said on Spanish radio.

But Europe would "not be a victim of these tactics", he added.

"Ceuta is Europe, this border is a European border and what happens there is not a problem for Madrid, but a problem for all" Europeans."

'Little work'

On the ground, people continued to gather on the Moroccan border with Spain Wednesday.

A handful of people, mostly Moroccan, swam to reach the Spanish side, their slow progress carefully watched by dozens of soldiers deployed along the beach with riot shields and batons, according to an AFP correspondent on the scene.

It was not clear how many managed to cross, but those who did make it to shore were immediately picked up by soldiers and escorted to where medics were offering help, although few appeared to need it.

Spanish soldiers stand guard as migrants stand on rocks off the shore of the Spanish enclave of Ceuta, on May 18. By Antonio Sempere (AFP)

They were then frog-marched back to the border fence and sent home.

Although the swim from African to European territory is a swim of barely 200 metres (yards), many tried to push beyond the nearest beach to avoid the waiting troops.

Near the border fence, hundreds of people were massed on the neighbouring Moroccan beach.

"There is very little work in Morocco," said Othman, a 24-year-old barber from the northern city of Tetouan as he waited to be returned to Morocco from Ceuta.

"There is work for us in Spain," he added.

'Steep price'

Analysts said it was clear Morocco had turned a blind eye to the human tide surging into Ceuta to put diplomatic pressure on Spain to recognise its sovereignty over Western Sahara.

Most of the migrants crossed into Ceuta largely unimpeded by Moroccan security forces on Monday, but by Tuesday morning, Rabat had deployed reinforcements at the Fnideq border crossing.

Spanish enclaves in Morocco. By (AFP)

Overnight Wednesday, police on the Moroccan side of the border blocked dozens of youths from crossing over, who responded by throwing rocks.

To reach Ceuta, the migrants swam or simply walked at low tide from Moroccan beaches a few kilometres to the south. Some used inflatable swimming rings and rubber dinghies.

But one man drowned making the attempt, Spanish officials said.

The crisis comes after Madrid allowed Polisario Front leader Brahim Ghali to fly to northern Spain in mid-April to be treated for Covid-19, angering Rabat.

The Front has fought for the independence of Western Sahara, a former Spanish colony mainly under Moroccan control.

Morocco's minister of state for human rights, Mustapha Ramid, said Wednesday it was "clear" Spain had favoured its ties with the Polisario and Algeria over those with Morocco by hosting Ghali.

"Spain must also know that the price for discrediting Morocco is steep," he added in a Facebook post.

Morocco's authorities have long wanted Spain to acknowledge their authority over Western Sahara, as Washington did in December under former president Donald Trump.

Spain maintains that a solution to the issue can only come from a United Nations-brokered agreement.

During a radio interview on Wednesday, Spanish Foreign Minister Arancha Gonzalez Laya said Madrid "could not" change its position because Spain "respects international law".

burs-ds/jj
Ethiopian soldiers interrogated patients at a hospital in the country's war-hit Tigray region twice this week in an apparent search for enemy fighters, two doctors told AFP Wednesday.

The incidents occurred Sunday and Monday in the city of Axum, disrupting treatment and prompting some patients to flee, said the doctors, who spoke to AFP on condition of anonymity for safety reasons.

The soldiers removed bandages and intravenous fluids from some patients, entered and contaminated an operating room and pointed their guns at doctors and nurses who objected, one doctor said.

"Our staff are so frightened that we are not able to do our treatment activities," he said.

Medical charity Doctors Without Borders, which is supporting the Axum hospital, confirmed in a statement that soldiers arrived Sunday and Monday and "went ward by ward looking for patients, intimidating caretakers and threatening health staff".

The group, known by its French acronym MSF, said it was "very concerned about the frequent violations of the neutrality of the medical mission by armed groups" in Tigray.

Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed, winner of the 2019 Nobel Peace Prize, sent troops into Tigray last November to detain and disarm leaders of the region's once dominant ruling party, the Tigray People's Liberation Front (TPLF).

He said the move came in response to TPLF attacks on federal army camps.

Though he vowed the conflict would be brief, more than six months later fighting continues and world leaders are warning of a potential humanitarian catastrophe.

The soldiers in Axum appeared to be looking for pro-TPLF fighters, the doctors said, adding that they did not take any patients away with them.

"If they see any wounded patient, they go to that patient and ask, 'Are you a soldier with TPLF?'" one doctor said.

The Axum hospital was featured in a recent report by CNN, and the doctors said they suspected that is why it was targeted.

The head of a military command post in Tigray and a spokeswoman for the region's interim administration did not immediately respond to requests for comment Wednesday.
One of the famous youth icons in Ashanti and the General Secretary of Kumasi Youth Association (KuYA), Mr Kwabena Frimpong last weekend was honored by organizers of the National Young Achievers Awards as an inspirational leader.

In a citation read before the physical presentation of a plaque to Mr Frimpong, the group described the youth icon as someone whose life is committed to seeing the wellbeing of his folks.

They also described Mr. Frimpong as someone who had carved a niche for himself as spearheading the development of the youth by occupying influential positions and capacities for the same.

The group noted that awarding such a youth development agent was easy because of the passion he exudes in life.

The group added that Mr. Frimpong has for almost a decade and half dedicated himself to issues bothering the youth and their development.

They noted that he had also availed himself to lead efforts aimed at youth development and empowerment.

The statement stressed that the youth icon had made himself a servant to Asanteman and had been honoring the Kingdom with his dedication and commitment to the development of the youth.

Touring almost all regions of the country on youth issues, officials of the National Young Achievers Award group said Mr Frimpong was like a light shining brightest on the youth.

Receiving the award, Mr Frimpong thanked the group for the honor bestowed on him and others who had also won in the categories nominated.

This recognition, the youth activist posited would spur him on to give off his best in the area he has chosen to concentrate his passion.

He called on the government to continue to grow the economy so that it can become an enlarged one which would be ready to offer opportunities for jobs and skills training for the youth.

It is true that this country is for the youth but I ask that it not become only a cliche but l
Plans are far advanced by government to dredge the Owabi and Barekese rivers in the Atwima Nwabiagya South District of the Ashanti Region.

This assurance was given by the Sanitation Minister, Mrs Cecilia Abena Dapaah.

What was left was the feasibility studies, and fortunately for us, the studies are ready. The report will be coming out in a week or two, and then we will hit the road, she said.

According to her, the dredging works will commence with Owabi.

She explained that this has become necessary because of the siltation of the water bodies.

As you know, it was constructed with a depth of 22.5 feet, and now we have 6 feet. So dredging is needed immediately, so we are going to have it done, she said.

Mrs Dapaah made this disclosure when she spoke to journalists after paying a working visit to the Owabi and Barekese Dams which construction dates back to the 1960s.

Earlier, the minister visited the Oda river in Odaso in the Ashanti Region where she lamented the fact that about 140,000 people were being deprived of safe potable water in Obuasi Municipality and its surroundings, all because of the menace of illegal small scale mining, also known as galamsey.

She attributed this worrying situation to galamsey on river Oda in Odaso, which was not making it possible for the Ghana Water treatment plant close to the river to operate at full capacity.

The water treatment plant has the capacity to process four (4) million gallons of safe water a day, but instead it is doing one (1) million gallons for the whole of Obuasi and its surroundings all because of galamsey on the river Oda. This is sad and worrying, she bemoaned.

She was sad at the condition and state of river Oda which provides potable water for thousands of residents in Obuasi and its satellite communities.

We have all seen the state of the Oda river, and it is not only bad but a very worrying spectacle, she lamented.

According to her, due to the unhealthy state of the river, Ghana Water Company Limited (GWCL) whose water treatment plant, sited at Odaso, incurs a huge cost in treating the water for consumption.

As a result of galamsey which has polluted the Oda river, the treatment plant of GWCL in Odaso does cleansing of the water on a monthly basis, which hitherto was done once in a year. And this comes at a huge cost to the water company, she said.

Consequently, Madam Dapaah emphasised that the destructive nature of galamsey enjoins all of us to speak out against it and support the President's war on galamsey.

We must not sit down but all of with one voice must speak against galamsey which continues to destroy our water bodies, she stated.

She said her interactions with residents of Odaso indicated that they were constantly being threatened with machetes and locally manufactured guns by the illegal miners when they speak out against the canker.

She, therefore, lashed out at illegal miners arrogating onto themselves powers to the extent that they can even threaten law-abiding citizens who spoke against their evil deeds.

In fact, the residents were not the only ones threatened by the galamseyers but also GWCL officials who also complain are threatened with matches and guns by the illegal miners.

---citinewsroom
NDC suspends Salaga South Constituency Chairman, others following gun violence at party office

By NDC Salaga South Constituency
Listen to article

Political Activist Emmanuel Abankwah Kesse popularly known as Olumanba has fired a section of Ghanaians who are criticizing the Church of Pentecost for building Police cells and Prisons.

According to him, Hebrews 13:3 asks us to do that for those at the prisons.

"What the Church of Pentecost did is laudable because Hebrews 13:3 says 'Continue to remember those in prison as if you were together with them in prison and those who are mistreated as if you yourselves were suffering"

Olumanba has also condemned the rate at which people stigmatize ex-convicts in our societies.

"We should stop the habit of stigmatizing ex-convicts because if society keeps on rejecting them, they may see no better option than to go back to where they will be accepted (Prision)"

He, has, therefore, encouraged all and sundry to emulate the example the Church of Pentecost has set.
President Akufo-Addo has called for a reform of the Global Financial Architecture (GFA) to enable it respond better to the needs of Africa better.

He has also called for the cancellation of debts owed by African countries, in the wake of COVID-19.

The President, who made the call on Tuesday when he addressed the Summit on Financing African Economies, in Paris, France, pointed out that the global financial architecture, created by the Bretton Woods Conference, had proven to be unfavourable to Africa over the past 77 years and should be overhauled.

He noted that the economies of Europe, America, and Asia had grown significantly during the period, whilst those of Africa had not due to the collateral damage from the Cold War, inequity in the global economic system, an economic relationship built on power and resource grab, as well as leadership and governance issues on the continent.

These challenges have resulted in a global economic system that has proven to be incapable of supporting lives and livelihoods, and allocating sufficient long-term resources to support Africa's economic transformation.

President Akufo-Addo noted further that Africa's development finance cost does not reflect its economic fundamentals, credit, or default cost, citing the case of Ghana where the country's sovereign debt is more expensive than that of the similarly-rated Belarus, which pays some 100 basis points less than Ghana.

He stressed that the structural inequities confronting African economies had been worsened by COVID-19, evidenced by the fact that a mere two per cent of the 1.3 billion vaccine doses administered globally, at the end of April, were in Africa.

The pandemic has also ensured that the total fiscal deficit of Africa rose from 4.7% of GDP in 2019 to 8.7% in 2020; overall debt levels are also estimated to have increased from 57% of GDP in 2019 to 70% in 2021. Without the fiscal room to breathe, Africa could truly become 'the forgotten continent, and that is why there is urgent need for comprehensive debt relief and debt cancellation.

Just as the Bretton Woods institutions helped to rebuild the post-war global economy, and rekindled international economic cooperation, 77 years ago, there is now a historic opportunity to reset the global financial system's economic rules to give African countries an equal chance at development, in the wake of the pandemic,  he said.

President Akufo-Addo proposed an overhaul of the current global financial architecture to provide for access and equity to long-term finance to support economic transformation in Africa.

This, he said, should include the establishment of an African Stability Mechanism, akin to the European Stability Mechanism, which would stand as a permanent firewall for Africa to safeguard and provide instant emergency access to financial assistance for countries in financial difficulty.

The President also suggested the bridging of the immediate liquidity and potential insolvency issues confronting the African continent and its financial institutions.

I urge the IMF to on-lend twenty-five to thirty per cent of new six hundred and fifty billion dollars (US$650 billion) SDRs, to support low and vulnerable middle-income countries before the 2021 annual meetings, increase IDA funding to strengthen the balance sheet of the World Bank, replenish the African Development Bank and Afreximbank to support investment in green investments, facilitate trade, and support the private sector to create jobs and build back better, he added.

With Africa projected to be the home of a quarter of the world's population, and with more than half of the global youth population, and, potentially, having a GDP of some twenty-nine trillion United States dollars by 2050, President Akufo-Addo told the gathering that it is, thus, in our collective interest to create the conditions that will enable such a development to be of benefit to the entire globe.

---GNA
The chiefs of Owabi and Odaso in the Ashanti Region have been summoned by the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, to explain the pollution of the Oda and Owabi Rivers by illegal mining and real estate activities.

Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, who was visibly unhappy about the development, could not fathom why the chiefs in these two catchment areas would allow the pollution of these water bodies, which provide safe drinking water for an appreciable number of people in the region.

The Asantehene gave the order when the Minister of Sanitation and Water Resources (MSWR), Mrs Cecilia Abena Dapaah, and her deputy Minister-designate, Alhaji Amidu Chinnia, visited to pay a courtesy call on him at the Manhyia Palace on Wednesday, May 19, 2021, and also furnished Otumfuo with a report of threat of galamsey and real estate activities to the Oda and Owabi Rivers.

While expressing gratitude to the Asantehene for the warm reception, the minister used the opportunity to officially introduce her deputy minister-designate, and the managing directors (MDs) of the Ghana Water Company Limited (GWCL), Water Resources Commission (WRC), and Community Water and Sanitation (CWS), who accompanied her to the palace to Otumfuo.

Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, therefore, charged the government to speed up dredging works, especially in the Owabi River, to help protect the river from further siltation.

An earlier inspection tour by the minister at the Owabi Dam revealed that the river which original depth was 22.5 feet was now at just 6 feet due to loads of silt.

The ministers visit to Manhyia Palace formed part of her four-day working tour in the Eastern and Ashanti Regions to inspect water bodies and the state of GWCL water treatment facilities.

Addressing journalists later, Mrs Dapaah, commended Otumfuo for his continuous efforts in protecting the Barekese River.

However, she described as quite disquieting the serious galamsey activities ongoing just twenty (20) metres away from the River Oda in the Odaso community.

This is not good for the Oda River. In fact, the galamseyers have muddied the Oda River with their operations which continue to put a lot of strain on the water treatment plant close to the river. And this practice must cease, she stressed.

She, therefore, advised Ghanaians to go back to the traditions and norms that protected water bodies in the communities.

It is also important that we all support President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo on his declared war on galamsey, she urged.

Mrs. Dapaah is being accompanied on her tour by the MD of GWCL, Ing. Dr. Clifford Braimah, the Executive Director of WRC, Mr. Ben Yaw Ampomah, the Chief Director of MSWR, Mr. Noah Tumfo, the Public Relations of GWCL, Mr Stanley Martey and the head of CWS.
Mr Theophilus Nii Ankamah Densu-Tetteh, former Independent Parliamentary Candidate for Tema East Constituency in Election 2016 on Wednesday explained reasons for re-joining the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC).

According to him, he resigned from the party in 2016 to prove a point that the party structures at the time were not working and decided to contest as an independent candidate.

He said: I actually returned to my mother party in the build up to Election 2020 after Mr Isaac Ashai Odamtten, the current Member of Parliament (MP) for Tema East Constituency won the party's primaries and sought for my support.

"The MP reminded me that we are both from one mother and father so why were we trying to divide ourselves in the Constituency; we can do it better when we come together," he intimated.

Mr Densu-Tetteh told the Ghana News Agency in an interview at Tema that he had no intentions of contesting in any race like primaries while Mr Odamtten remained as the NDC MP.

I may consider to contest only if the MP, Mr Odamtten decides not to contest for the seat again, he said.

In a related interview, Mr Odamtten, told the GNA that Mr Densu-Tetteh was coopted in the capacity as aide; he has shown commitment to the party's cause and had been part of all activities of the party.

He said, "If a party member is ready to serve, you must allow and I am proud of the contributions he is making and I am happy to refer to him as my aide because the reality is he is giving me a lot of assistance."

Mr Odamtten noted: "I came into the NDC Primaries from the background as a former TMA Metropolitan Chief Executive Officer so I understood a few challenges of the constituency and I didn't have to be self-concerted to believe that I can do it all so recognizing his track record I approached him and smoked the peace pipe.

"I told him in the past if nobody saw your talent, I know what you are made of, and you carry something that can help the cause of the NDC in Tema East."

According to Mr Odamtten, his election as MP was won by the people as God brought a lot of people his way to help and was grateful to them for their support in capturing the seat and believed together the constituency would develop.

---GNA
Listen to article

The refreshing controversies surrounding what appears to be the questionable removal of the Ashanti Regional Security Coordinator from office may not be ending anytime soon.

The latest twist to the vacillating impasse between the acting National Security Coordinator and the Ashanti Regional Security Coordinator, Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCOP) Kwaku Ayesu Opare-Addo, is that the latter has released a list of professional achievements and records to dispute the formers attempt to discredit his competence.

Major General Francis Adu Amanfo (rtd), the National Security Coordinator, had said that DCOP Opare-Addos tenure in office had expired, but his mandate was not renewed due to non-performance and his own criminal activities.

Without giving further details about the supposed criminality, the National Security boss justified the forceful removal of DCOP Opare -Addo maintaining that it was as a result of his refusal to hand over his duties to a newly appointed person for that office.

However, in a statement issued on Wednesday, May 19, 2021, DCOP Opare-Addo said those claims against him were preposterous and a deliberate ploy to taint his personal and professional image.

Ordinarily, I would not have responded to such accusations, but I find the comments by Major-General Adu Amanfo distastefully unprofessional and a direct attack on my unblemished professional career spanning over three decades in the Ghana Education Service and the Ghana Police Service.

Commenting on accusations that he had a pile of criminal record that has been subjected to scrutiny, DCOP Opare -Addo indicated that alleged criminal activities are completely false and a figment of his imagination.

For him, his work experience has been achieved on the basis of professionalism and integrity without any iota of criminality and non-performance.

I have always exhibited high professional standards in my work and my record in the various capacities is there for all to see.

With over two decades of service as a senior police officer in the Ghana Police Service, there was not a single allegation against my hard-earned reputation, and for this reason, I find the comments made by the Acting National Security Coordinator as a misrepresentation of facts and unfortunate cultivated lies by an Officer of the ilk of a retired Major-General, he said.

Find below work experience as outlined by DCOP Opare-Addo prior to his role as Ashanti Regional security liaison officer:

I joined the Ghana Police Service through their officer's cadet programme in 1989 and passed out in 1990 as an Assistant Superintendent of Police and was assigned as the Secretary to the then Inspector General of Police, J.Y.A. Kwofie. I served in this capacity for almost seven years and the longest-serving secretary to the longest-serving IGP in Ghana. Deputy Commandant/Directing staff of Ghana Police College Head of Interpol, Deportation and Extradition Unit, CID Headquarters Divisional Police Commander-Mampong, Ashanti Region Deputy Regional Police Commander, Ashanti Region Regional Police Commander, Brong Ahafo Region Regional Police Commander, Greater Accra Region Regional Police Commander, Ashanti Region Director General, Legal Directorate at the National Police Headquarters Director General, Technical, National Police Headquarters Barrister- at- Law for twenty-one years

He added that apart from his regular work:

I am a Special Consultant and designer of the Security Sector Reform Participants' Manual on Reform, Restructuring and Rebuilding of Police Institutions, an 86-page manual with an accompanying 24 page Facilitators Notes at the Kofi Annan International Peacekeeping Training Centre in Accra. I have facilitated several training programs for the Kofi Annan International Peacekeeping Training Centre, Facilitated the Security Sector Reform (SSR) Police Course in Lilongwe, the Republic of Malawi. Also, I facilitated the Security Sector Reform(SSR) Police course in Banjul, the Gambia. I was Civilian Police Adviser and Ghanaian Police Contingent Commander for UNMIL: LIBERIA, CP 15. I also developed teaching manuals for the Liberian Police College:

The constitution of Liberia; Summary and comments

Rules of Evidence

International Criminal Investigation Standards

Legal Aspects of Criminal Investigations

---citinewsroom
President Uhuru Kenyatta on Wednesday appointed judge Martha Karambu Koome as Kenya's first woman chief justice, making her the first woman to head any of the three branches of government.

Koome, 61, a calm but staunch women's rights crusader, takes over the judiciary ahead of next year's general elections and would likely play a decisive role in adjudicating any eventual election disputes.

She inherits a Supreme Court that in September 2017 annulled the presidential election results in a historic ruling under her predecessor David Maraga that strained its relationship with the executive.

The University of London-trained appeals court judge was seen as an unlikely candidate in a list of 10 including the lawyer who represented Kenyatta in the 2017 case.

Kenyatta gazetted her appointment hours after parliament okayed her nomination, setting the stage for her to be sworn in in the next few days.

Koome made a name for herself during the autocratic regime of the late president Daniel arap Moi when she represented political detainees including opposition veteran Raila Odinga.

She joined the judiciary in 2003 after practising as a lawyer for over a decade and in eight years rose to the Court of Appeal following stints at the environmental and family division courts.

In 2019, Koome was part of a five-judge bench that dismissed an appeal seeking to block the registration of an organisation to defend gay rights.

Koome argued that no one should be told whom to love, regardless of their sexual orientation.

As a chairwoman of a special taskforce on children, Koome helped review the East African country's Children's Act.

All eyes will be on the soft-spoken judge as she assumes office days after a High Court ruled that Kenyatta's planned constitutional reforms, popularly known as the Building Bridges Initiative (BBI), were illegal.

The government has said it will appeal the decision, if need be, all the way to the Supreme Court.

During her vetting, Koome promised to rid the judiciary of corruption and safeguard its independence.

"I am a judge who looks at society and Kenyans will feel safe with me," she said.
No Business as Usual (NBU) has organized a town hall meeting for residents at Asokore Mampong Municipality of the Ashanti region.

The Town Hall Meeting was aim at making the elected Assemblymember account to the people on development and progress since he resume office.

The town hall meeting, according to NBU will be held for all electoral areas within the Municipality to hold the Assemblymembers accountable to the electorates.

The Municipal Director of the National Commission of Civic Education (NCCE) Mr Matthew Agbenu charged residents to support the assembly member to perform.

Mr. Agbenu urged the people to be citizens and not spectators in the affairs of the Assembly.

He further urged them to protect government projects and properties within their area, as well as abiding by rules and regulations governing their localities.

The Assemblymember of the area, Hon. Oheneba Kofi Nti recounted his achievements insppite of the Covid-19 Pandemic. "The first term was challenging but I still saw some major drives."

According to him, there have been numerous successes in light of projects such as education infrastructure, sanitation, health, water among others.

He reiterated his outfit will continue to do everything necessary within his capacity to bring developments to the area.

He called for collaborative support from the electorate to accelerate progress in the area.

The Coordinator of NBU project Madam Roberta Aryeetey indicated that NBU is committed to harnessing and enhancing the capabilities of the youth.

She indicated that thousands of youth have been trained and supported to open businesses to improve their standard of living.

She advised the community to encourage their young ones to join the training to develop their skills that will enable them maintain a better future.
Members of the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) chapter of the Kufuor Scholars Program (KSP) have paid a courtesy call on the Vice Chancellor of the institution Prof. Rita Akosua Dickson.

The scholars were at the Vice Chancellors office to introduce the program to her and to seek the university managements support in the implementation of various activities.

Also present at the meeting was Dr. Wilson Agyare who is Dean of Students and other management members.

President of the KNUST Chapter of the KSP Gail Cann-Woode told the Vice Chancellor the Kufuor Scholars Program is an initiative of former President John Agyekum Kufuor to imbibe quality leadership skills in the youth of the country. He said as students, they hope to emulate the extra-ordinary leadership traits of the former president to help accelerate the countrys development.

The Vice Chancellor told the group she is very passionate about helping ensure good leadership for the country. She observed there is a huge responsibility on leaders to lead lives that others can emulate. She said leaders must practice what they preach because followers buy into a leaders personalities before they buy into his or her vision.

Prof. Rita Dickson told the scholars they are fortunate to be part of the KNUST brand, and urged them to make good use of it. The Vice Chancellor said KNUST was working on improving teaching, as well as provide high quality research, entrepreneurship training and internship placements for the benefit of students.

She observed it was through quality research that KNUST was able to help the country in the fight against the Covid-19 pandemic through the production of the cheapest and most reliable hand sanitizers for public use, as well as the setting up of a Covid-19 testing center. She said respirator prototypes are also being built by the College of Engineering for use in hospitals to help Covid-19 patients recover.

Other scholars present at the meeting were Stanley Nana Kesse Arthur, Emmanuel Akueteh, Emmanuel Nawintis Fella, Eugenia Amegbanu, Christiana Teiko Nargei, and Mark Atta Boakye Senior. The rest were Joanna Okoampah Pipimaa, Afia Nsenkyire Bonsu Prempeh, Dennis Kofi Neizer, and Favour Peters.
The Ghana Medical Association (GMA) has warned that it will be forced to take action if the management of the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (KATH) and the Ministry of Health give in to the demands of laboratory scientists at the hospital for two specialists who were posted to the department two years ago.

The association in a statement said the demand of the lab scientists is ill-informed and unacceptable.

GMA said the lab scientists do not have the prerogative to decide who should be assigned any responsibility or where staff are to be posted to, hence cannot insist that the two medical specialists should be moved from the LSD and the Haematology Unit.

The demands by the Ghana Association of Medical Laboratory Scientists (GAMLBs) KATH chapter to have these Haematologists (Laboratory Physicians) who are currently at post at the laboratory removed and further going on to threaten an industrial action if their demands are not acceded to by the hospital management is ill-informed and completely unacceptable, the GMA statement said.

It said it stands against the threats and harassment being meted out to its members everywhere including the two at the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital.

We will not stand aloof while our members are threatened or harassed wherever they find themselves We hereby serve notice to the Ministry of Health, the management of KATH and all other stakeholders that the GMA will respond appropriately should this illegality on our members be acceded to, it added.

While urging all of its members across the country to be on standby for a directive on the ongoing issue, the Ghana Medical Association said it is confident in Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospitals ability to address the issue and create a favourable working environment for its staff.

The GMA calls on all doctors and dentists in the public sector to standby for further directives in this regard. This unfortunate situation when on Labour Union threatens the members of another should stop forthwith, it added.

Meanwhile, the members of the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital Chapter of the Ghana Association of Medical Laboratory Scientists (GAMLS-KATH), have officially declared a one-week sit-down strike starting Thursday, May 20, 2021, over the matter.

They insist that should authorities fail to agree to their demands, they will take further action.

---Citinewsroom
Since the beginning of the pandemic in March 2020, the World Bank has contributed to Ghanas efforts to contain the spread of COVID-19. The Government managed to keep fatality rates low, specifically at 0.75 percent, as of March 4, 2021. The most vulnerable groups continued to receive essential health and nutrition services, despite the disruption in the first three months. According to a survey, Responding to COVID-19 in Africa: Using Data to Find a Balance - Part II, almost 90 percent of respondents reported that they were satisfied with the Governments response.

Challenge

The prolonged COVID-19 pandemic is exacerbating poverty, disparities, and social conditions in Ghana, disproportionately impacting the poor and vulnerable. Gross domestic product (GDP) growth is expected to have slowed to 1.1 percent in 2020, after averaging 7 percent per year from 2017 to 2019. Ghanas labor market has also been hard hit by the pandemic, leading to job losses and lower incomes. In the first three months of the crisis, 77 percent of the population reported a decline in household incomes. The COVID-19 pandemic also threatened to disrupt the provision of essential health services due to barriers in the supply of, and demand for, services. If the disruptions in essential health and nutrition services had continued, including child immunizations, it is estimated that both maternal and child mortality in Ghana could have increased by 21 percent during 2021.

Approach

The project contributes to the safe reopening of socioeconomic activities, including schools. It applies a multisectoral approach, convening line ministries and technical agencies in various sectors, including decentralized government agencies to improve equity and reduce disparities. It aligns with other World Bank-supported projects in education, social protection and jobs, water and sanitation, and digital development, which are a part of the World Bank Groups overall support for Ghanas COVID-19 emergency response and resilient recovery. The project was among the first set of emergency support operations approved by the World Banks Board of Executive Directors on April 2, 2020 under the dedicated Fast-Track COVID-19 Facility. As the project has been implemented, its design has been adjusted to incorporate lessons learned. Lessons include using a decentralized approach and adjusting to the disruption in routine services.

Frontline workers prepare for receiving passengers at the Kotoka International Airport on the eve of the airport reopening. Photo: Ghana Health Service.

Results

The key results include:

The project contributes to the containment of the virus. As of March 4, 2021, 86,465 positive cases were reported, with a 93.6 percent recovery rate and 647 deaths  bringing the case fatality rate to 0.75 percent.

The capacity of the laboratory system has been expanded through the use of streamlined digital solutions for timely case detection, diagnosis and reporting. Overall, a total of 925,611 tests have been performed. The number of laboratories was expanded from two to sixteen nationwide in less than a year.

The capacity of the contact tracing system was strengthened, with 1,340 surveillance officers trained during the first three months of project execution.

Case management capacity has been reinforced with the establishment of 21 treatment centers and 129 Intensive Care Unit (ICU) beds in 10 of the 16 regions. This includes the Greater Accra Region, which is the epicenter of COVID-19, as well as the border regions, such as the Western, Volta and Upper East regions.

Timely support for the Inter-ministerial Coordination Committee enabled policymakers to develop policies and legislative instruments, as well as to enforce public health measures to contain the virus. When the first cases were detected on March 12, 2020, the Government responded with drastic restrictions on movements, starting with the strict border closures, the three-week partial lockdown in the two biggest cities (Accra and Kumasi), and the ban on public gatherings. The ban also included religious activities and funerals, which are at the center of Ghanas rich and diverse culture and traditions. At the same time, Ghana was the first African nation to lift the lockdown on April 20, 2020 after the Government developed the capacity to analyze disease transmission. The Government has also adjusted self-quarantine protocols for asymptomatic patients according to the epidemiology, thus avoiding the overwhelming of health facilities.

The project supports extensive, nationwide awareness campaigns delivered in sign language and local languages, including wide dissemination of the information, education, and communication materials, some of were also translated into Braille. The Government promptly launched a designated official website on COVID-19 three days after the first cases were detected. This helped to establish trusted communication channels for the media and the population. The Minister of Information and technical experts conducted daily and then semi-weekly briefs with a sign language on local TV and social media. Furthermore, the President has delivered periodic briefs in both English and local languages to inform citizens of social and public health measures on Sunday evenings. Call Centers and COVID-19 Information Centers were established in all 16 regions. Communication caravans also went around the country to disseminate information about preventive measures and where to seek care.

As a result of these extensive awareness campaigns, a recent survey showed that 97 percent of respondents were aware of COVID-19. Indeed, 70 percent knew the symptoms, and 83 percent reported to have sufficient information about COVID-19.

By December 2020, over 20,000 people with a disability had received psychosocial support, wheelchairs, and protective equipment to prevent the infection.

The project also supports the continuity of essential health and nutrition service delivery and the reopening of socioeconomic activities, especially school reopening. Specifically, the project supported specific infection prevention and control measures at health facilities and schools.

Photo: Rodney Quarcoo, World Bank

World Bank Group Contribution

The World Bank provided US$232.5 million in International Development Association (IDA) financing. Additionally, Japans Trust Fund, the Policy and Human Resources Development Fund (PHRD), provided US$1 million.

Partners

As the lead of the Health Development Partners in 2020, the World Bank intensified its coordination among the development partners, including United Nations (UN) agencies, GAVI, the Global Fund to Fight Against Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS), Tuberculosis and Malaria (the Global Fund), the United Kingdoms Foreign and Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO), the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), the United States Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), and the European Union (EU). Weekly meetings dedicated to COVID-19 updates and a resource mapping tool facilitated dialogue with the Ministry of Health and the Ghana Health Service. The World Bank also enhanced its support using the Pandemic Emergency Financing Facility (PEF) of US$3.3 million. These resources were channeled through the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the United Nations Childrens Fund (UNICEF) and the World Health Organization (WHO).

Moving Forward

The first six-months of project implementation provided key lessons that were incorporated into the design of the first Additional Finance (AF). The AF is a response to emerging needs, promoting equal access to routine primary health care services. The project also plans to expand digital solutions. In the longer term, the World Bank plans to support the establishment of the Ghana Center for Disease Control. The second AF will continue to address this critical need, including the nationwide deployment of the COVID-19 vaccines.

Persons living with disabilities receiving personal protective gear, sanitizers, tissue paper, liquid soap, wheelchairs and crutches to protect themselves from infection. Photo: Anthony Theophilus Seddoh, World Bank.

Beneficiaries

This project reached all Ghanaian citizens through intensive communications and inclusive community engagement. The project provided psychosocial support, wheelchairs, and protective gear to over 20,000 persons with disabilities.

Source: https://www.worldbank.org/en/results/2021/03/17/saving-lives-and-protecting-people-in-ghana-and-boosting-the-covid-19-response
Speaker of Parliament, Mr Alban S.K. Bagbin has charged the government to develop and promote indigenous language and values to help preserve the countrys cultural heritage.

He stressed that, no country had developed relying on another countrys cultural identity.

Mr. Bagbin noted that African countries had over the years followed the ideas and value systems borrowed from other cultures that do not conform to our way of life.

The Speaker made the call when a section of the leadership of the Tijaniya Muslim Council of Ghana led by Sheik Muhammed Mutawakil Iddris paid a courtesy call on him in Parliament.

Tijaniya is one of the contemporary forms of the Sufi movement which came from the teachings of Sidi Ahmad al Tijani in North Africa but now increasingly prevalent in West Africa, predominantly in Senegal, The Gambia, Mauritania, Mali, Guinea, Niger, Chad, Sudan and Northern Nigeria. Its devotees are called Tijani.

The delegation was in Parliament to among other things discuss issues of mutual cooperation and also congratulate Mr Bagbin on his elevation to the high office of the Speaker of Parliament.

The Speaker noted further that Ghanaians and Africans talk a lot about using the measures or benchmark of the western world to champion their development which was not realistic.

That he said had led to the continents underdevelopment because the poverty in Africa is not the poverty of wealth or property but rather it is the poverty of the mind.

He urged a radical approach to change the mindsets of Africans, particularly the youth.

The youth according to Speaker Bagbin are always tagged as being less patient, emotional and more prone to violence, but this he said must be blamed on the kind of systems the youth are pushed into which must see a paradigm shift.

The Leader of the delegation Sheik Muhammed Mutawakil Iddris expressed gratitude to the Speaker for the support he has over years given the Tijaniya Muslim Council and also appealed to him to continue to support the many initiatives and programmes of the council in the areas of Agriculture, Education and youth empowerment.

---citinewsroom
The Enchi District Magistrate court has remanded a 22-year-old farmer, Tettey Kwasi into Police custody for possessing suspected narcotics drug and instruments intended for unlawful entry.

The accused whose plea was not taken is to reappear before the court on Friday May 21, 2021.

Prosecuting, Police Detective Inspector Joseph Kwadwo Agyare told the court, that the complainant in the case is the District Police Commander of Enchi, Superintendent Benard Yaw Akotoge while the accused live at Kourdjour in the Aowin Municipality of the Western North Region.

He said on April 3, this year, the Enchi District Police night patrol team were detailed for duty at Kourdjour and it's environs, and while going about their task they spotted accused around 0200 hours loitering in town.

According to the Prosecution, the team became suspicious and arrested the accused who had in his possession a jack knife and a small bag.

Inspector Agyare said the Police also found quantity of dried leaves suspected to be Indian hemp and a cutlass hidden in his trousers.

Prosecution said when accused was interrogated he could not explain why he had those implements on him.

He said investigations conducted on Tettey revealed that he is a known criminal at Kourdjour who usually break into people homes.

The prosecution said the exhibits had been forwarded to the Police Forensic Science Crime Laboratory for examination and report.

---GNA
Day after Prime Minister Narendra Modi released Rs 2,000 each to 9.50 crore farmers under the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Sanman Nidhi Scheme on May 14, the peasantry was hit by an unexpected bolt from the blue.

Barely 24 hours after the PM's nationally-televised event, and the ensuing interactions and laudatory messages from the BJP leaders, all major companies in the country effected a steep hike in prices of different categories of fertilisers  a key farming ingredient  on May 15.

Many companies, whole-sellers and retailers by the weekend had implemented the new prices of fertilisers, just as the farming community was preparing for the upcoming monsoon sowing three-four weeks hence.

As the impact of the price hikes  ranging from 20-60 per cent for certain varieties or brands  sunk in, farmer leaders said that it could put a huge strain on the already over-burdened peasantry and compound the agro-crisis across the country.

The first to red flag the issue, the Nationalist Congress Pary (NCP) has written to Union Minister for Chemicals & Fertilisiers, D.V. Sadananda Gowda, flaying the price hike as an "unfortunate decision" and demanding its immediate rollback.

NCP President and former Union Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar said on Tuesday that it (price hike) would hamper the pre-sowing farming activities and rub salt on the wounds of the farmers.

Backing Pawar, Shiv Sena's farmer face and Vasantrao Naik Sheti Swavalamban Mission (VNSSM) President Kishore Tiwari  who has been accorded MoS status  said the price hikes by the fertiliser companies "appears to be pre-planned and done hand-in-glove with government support".

"What was the need to do it just one day after the PM's highly-publicised but meager handout to the farmers? Why is the PM and the minister (Gowda) silent on this, knowing the current grave crisis afflicting the country on all fronts," Tiwari asked.

"The second wave of the Covid-19 pandemic has badly impacted our people, devastating their every means of livelihood," Pawar told Gowda, adding that the farming community is reeling under one of the worst-ever crises and its issues need be addressed on priority.

Maharashtra Congress President Nana F. Patole said that the Modi government has acted on expected lines "for the benefit of a handful of crony industrialists" at the cost of the tillers.

"This is the second time in less than 12 months that the BJP government has backstabbed the farmers  last year it was the three farm laws, and now on the threshold of monsoon, a surreptitious hike in fertiliser prices After giving Rs 2,000, the government will now take away more than five times of that amount from the peasantry," Patole said.

Under the ambitious PM-KISAN Scheme, the Prime Minister released the eighth instalment of Rs 2,000, which amounted to a financial benefit of over Rs 19,000 crore for 9.50 crore farmers across the country for the 2021-2022 fiscal.

Launched in December 2018, PM-KISAN is a central sector scheme with 100 per cent funding from the Centre, for an income support of Rs 6,000 per year in three instalments of Rs 2,000 each to small-marginal farmers having a combined land holding of up to two hectares.

Taking umbrage at the government move, Pawar said that instead of helping the distressed farming community, the Centre has taken the decision to increase the prices of fertilisers exponentially even as the lockdowns have already crumbled the marketing system.

"As the monsoon is right at the doorsteps, the unfortunate decision would directly hamper the pre-sowing agricultural activities and in future affect the production cost and productivity of the crops," Pawar said, seeking Gowda's personal intervention in the matter.

Patole and Tiwari  both hailing from farming backgrounds like Pawar  contended that the farmers who got the Rs 2,000 handout would actually be forced to shell out around three-four times more under the revised rates for all types of fertilisers.

Disclaimer: Information, facts or opinions expressed in this news article are presented as sourced from IANS and do not reflect views of Moneylife and hence Moneylife is not responsible or liable for the same. As a source and news provider, IANS is responsible for accuracy, completeness, suitability and validity of any information in this article.
The income-tax appellate tribunal (ITAT), while dismissing a submission of income-tax (I-T) authorities, ruled that the jewellery sales and receipts from the demonetisation day submitted by a jeweller for taxation cannot be treated as cash credit.

Deleting the addition of cash credit under Section 68 of the I-T Act, the Visakhapatnam bench comprising NK Choudhry and DS Sunder Singh, says , "...we have no hesitation to hold that the cash receipts represent the sales which the assessee has rightly offered for taxation. We have gone through the trading account and find that there was sufficient stock to effect the sales and we do not find any defect in the stock as well as the sales. Since, the assessee has already admitted the sales as revenue receipt, there is no case for making the addition under section 68 or tax the same under section 115BBE again."

The case relates to Hirapanna Jewellers from Visakhapatnam, which had filed its return of income on 4 November 2017, admitting total income of Rs95.59 lakh. On 27 March 2017, the deputy director of income-tax (DDIT) (investigation) conducted a survey in the business premises of Hirapanna Jewellers. He found that the firm had deposited Rs5.72 crore in high denominations of specified bank notes (SBNs) post-demonetisation.

Hirapanna Jewellers explained the sources of cash deposits as cash sales and the advances received on 8 November 2016 against its sales. In support of its explanation, the jeweller also produced the sale bills and books of accounts before the DDIT.

However, the DDIT was not satisfied with Hirapanna Jewellers explanation of sales, since the jeweller could not furnish proper know-your-customer (KYC) documents of the buyers during the survey and the average sales of the firm were not matching with peak and non-peak seasons. Even on special occasions like Akshaya Tritiya, Dhanteras or Ugadi.

The I-T department contended that average sales of Hirapanna Jewellers were Rs1.5 crore to Rs2 crore and on 8 November 2016, on a single day, the sales increased by Rs4.72 crore between 7.50pm and 12am, consisting of 270 bills and the cash was received only in high denomination notes which were banned by the Indian government from 9 November 2016.

Further, the DDIT submitted that no details of the customers such as phone number, or address or signatures were obtained in sale acknowledgements of the ornaments. "There were no tag number details for some bills and CCTV footage was also not available to support the entry of a large number of customers on 8 November 2016. Since, the managing partner of Hirapanna Jewellers was unable to produce these details to support the increased sales by Rs4.72 crore, the I-T dept opines that the jeweller has taken shelter of sales to divert the black money of the assessee as well as his friends."

During the assessment proceedings, the assessing officer (AO) conducted one more survey on 16 September 2019 and interrogated Mahendra Kumar Jain, partner of Hirapanna Jewellers. Mr Jain explained that the sale of jewellery on 8 November 2016 was for Rs5.50 crore and business was done till midnight and the shop was closed at 1am and the jeweller had made separate counters to meet the increased demand of customers.

Mr Jain also submitted that the CCTV camera footage automatically gets deleted after 15 days, therefore, it was not possible to supply the CCTV footage of 8 November 2016 in September 2019. Regarding KYC and mobile numbers, the managing partner also stated that they did not insist on mobile numbers or addresses of customers, since it was not mandatory in the case of sales below Rs2 lakh and all the sales that were made on 8 November 2016 was below Rs2 lakh only.

He further explained to a question that the sales between 8pm and 12am on 8 November 2016 were extraordinary due to the announcement of demonetisation.

Since Hirapanna Jewellers failed to furnish the evidence of CCTV footage and KYC documents for abnormal sales on 8 November 2016, the AO believed that the sales stated to have been made between 8.15pm to 11.58pm amounting to Rs4.71 crore consisting of 270 bills are nothing but unexplained cash credits representing unaccounted money brought into the business in the guise of jewellery sales and the paper work was done, merely to give the colour of authenticity of sales.

Accordingly, the AO made the addition of Rs4.71 crore under Section 68 with respect to Section 115BBE of the I-T Act and taxed it at 60%.

Hirapanna Jewellers then filed an appeal before the commissioner of I-T (CIT). It submitted that the jeweller had made the sales and had offered it as revenue receipt in the return of income. "Since the sale proceeds were offered and admitted as income, the AO is not permitted to make the same amount as addition under Section 68 of the Act, which amounts to double addition once as sales and secondly as unexplained cash credit," the jeweller contended.

Further, Hirapanna Jewellers argued that since it is engaged in the jewellery business and has no other source of income, the AO is not permitted to tax it under Section 115BBE of the I-T Act as income from other sources.

The CIT (A) found merit in the arguments of Hirapanna Jewellers and agreed with the jeweller's argument that due to unexpected announcement of demonetisation on the night of 8 November 2016, the public largely purchased jewellery as an alternative to exchange of currency. The CIT held that since the sales were credited in the Hirapanna Jewellers books of accounts as revenue receipt and offered for taxation, the same amount cannot be taxed again under Section 68 of the Act as unexplained cash credit.

However, not satisfied with the ruling by the CIT (A), the tax authorities filed an appeal before the ITAT.

Advocate GVN Hari, counsel for Hirapanna Jewellers, contended that the entire sum of Rs5.5 crore sales made on 8 November 2016 was credited in the books of accounts and offered for taxation. "The AO had accepted the books of accounts and also the sales, hence, the AO cannot make the addition of the same amount under section 68, which amounts to double addition," he submitted.

The ITAT bench observed that Hirapanna Jewellers had explained the source as sales, produced the sale bills and admitted it as revenue receipt. Hirapanna Jewellers is engaged in the jewellery business and is maintaining regular stock registers.

"Both the DDIT (Inv) and the AO have conducted the surveys on different dates, independently and no difference was found in the stock register or the stocks of Hirapanna Jewellers....Once there is no defect in the purchases and sales and the same are matching with inflow and the outflow of stock, there is no reason to disbelieve the sales. The assessing officer accepted the sales and the stocks," it says.

The bench says, "Though certain suspicious features were noticed by the AO as well as the DDIT (Inv), both the authorities did not find any defects in the books of accounts and trading account, profit and loss (P&L) account and the financial statements and failed to disprove the contention of the assessee. Suspicion, however strong it may be, it should not be decided against the assessee without disproving the sales with tangible evidence."
India's sharp rise in infections will disrupt earnings recovery of companies recorded over the past six months, a research report by Moody's Investors Service has said.

A prolonged and wider lockdown will have a more severe effect on earnings recovery

India's largely regional and less stringent lockdowns amid the second wave of coronavirus cases so far have had a limited impact on economic activity.

If infections fail to decline to more manageable levels, however, lockdowns may be prolonged and widen, which will have a more severe effect on companies' earnings recovery, according to the new report.

"Movement restrictions and weaker consumer sentiment amid the second virus wave will hit housing and automobile sales as well as transportation-fuel demand temporarily. Still, rising consumer preference for remote working and personal mobility solutions will drive long-term demand for bigger homes and entry-level cars," said Sweta Patodia, a Moody's Analyst.

"Demand for IT and telecommunication services will remain strong despite our expectation of a slowdown in economic activity over the next few months."

"Strong global demand could boost exports from Indian steel-makers given relatively weaker demand from automotive and white-goods manufacturing in the current quarter. Exports are therefore an attractive opportunity because domestic steel prices are lower than international prices," said Kaustubh Chaubal, a Moody's Vice President and Senior Credit Officer.

Meanwhile, Tata Steel Ltd. (Ba2 stable) and JSW Steel Limited (Ba2 stable) have diverted part of their capacity in oxygen production toward medical use amid shortages, but their large oxygen-producing plants will limit the impact on steel production.

At the same time, a slowdown in construction activity will cut cement demand. Cement consumption growth in the fiscal year ending March 2022 may be lower than Moody's previous forecast of 10%-12% growth.

Still, high government infrastructure spending and supportive housing demand underpin the sector's fundamentals and support UltraTech Cement Limited's (Baa3 negative) earnings, the report said.

Refinancing risk will be manageable for most issuers given their strong access to funding markets because of their strong balance sheets or status as government owned/linked companies. However, refinancing could be a problem for companies with weaker balance sheets, Moody's said.

The government has not declared loan moratoriums, which supported liquidity in 2020, so far in the current year. This could further pressure liquidity for weaker entities, the report said.

Disclaimer: Information, facts or opinions expressed in this news article are presented as sourced from IANS and do not reflect views of Moneylife and hence Moneylife is not responsible or liable for the same. As a source and news provider, IANS is responsible for accuracy, completeness, suitability and validity of any information in this article.
VIRGINIA CITY - A Montana man is accused of killing his girlfriend and burying her body on a remote corner of a ranch.

Court documents filed in early December say Stanley Gordon Bernardini abused Michelle Sorrows before he killed her this summer.

Sorrows was last seen in Ennis on July 30, and reported missing on Aug. 3.

A confidential informant came forward in November and told detectives that Bernardini killed Sorrows after a fight on a property on the Braxton/Jumping Horse Ranch property.

The informant said Sorrows regained consciousness while in the back of a pickup and tried to jump out and escape, but Bernardini "finished her off" before burying her body in a grave he dug using a company backhoe.

Bernardini allegedly researched ways to cover up the crime, including using black electrical tape to hide the taillights on the backhoe, and bleach to remove bloodstains.

Forensic investigators found evidence of blood on the walls and floors throughout the apartment where the murder is alleged to have taken place. They say they also found marijuana.

Searchers have not been able to find the alleged grave.

Bernardini is charged with tampering with evidence and drug possession.

The Madison County Sheriff's Office asks that anyone with information on Sorrows' disappearance come forward and call 406-843-5301.

-Jackie Coffin contributed to this report
GREAT FALLS, Mont. - A man has been charged after pointing a realistic fake gun that was painted black at a victim.

Court documents say a Great Falls Police Officer has dispatched to the area of 1901 10th Ave. South Tuesday morning for a report of a man who pointed a gun at a passerby.

The man was described as having dark skin and wearing a green jacket and was last seen walking down 19th St. South.

After arriving on the scene, the officer noticed a man wearing a green sweatshirt in a group of people walking north near 19th Ave. South carrying something black in his hands.

Documents say the man entered an apartment on 9th Ave. South and was later detained after leaving the apartment.

The man identified himself as Audie Desjarlais and when the officer told him he was looking for a man who had a gun, Desjarlais reportedly immediately stated the actual guy with the gun had run off towards 9th Ave. South.

The officer asked dispatch to provide a description of the man again, and the officer was told the man was described as having dark skin, wearing a green sweatshirt and had a buzz cut, which documents say matched Desjarlais.

Desjarlais reportedly then described the man who he said ran off with the gun as being dark-skinned, like me, Native American wearing a nicer green sweatshirt and wearing shorts. The officer affidavit notes that Desjarlais described himself.

When the officer spoke with the victim over the phone, she stated she was leaving the drive-thru at Taco Bell on 10th Ave. South and noticed a man holding a gun who pointed it directly at her. The victim said she was in fear of her life that the man was going to shoot her.

Court documents say the victim described the gun as being black in color and similar in style to an AR-15, but smaller.

Another witness interviewed by the officer stated he saw Desjarlais walking around the front of the apartment complex with an SMG style toy gun that was painted black.

The witness said he did not see Desjarlais point it at anyone, however, they agreed that if the toy gun were pointed at someone, they would probably think it was real.

When the officer spoke with Desjarlais again, he admitted to having a fake gun on his person and described the gun as a water gun that was painted black.

Desjarlais reportedly denied pointing the gun at anyone and admitted that he went back to the apartment and throwing the gun in the closet.

Documents say the fake realistic gun was recovered, and that it was almost fully painted black and in the style of an AR-15 that was missing its stock.

Audie Lee Desjarlais has been charged with assault with a weapon.
DEARBORN, Mich. (AP)  President Joe Bidens efforts to spotlight his big infrastructure plans are suddenly being overshadowed by the escalating violence between Israel and the Palestinians, the conflict sparking protests during his visit to a Ford electric vehicle center in Michigan on Tuesday as the White House faced growing pressure to intervene.

Biden, who planned to use the two week-stretch before Memorial Day to build Republican support for his $2.3 trillion package, visited a Ford plant in Dearborn to make his case that his plans could help steer the country toward a bright electric-car future.

But any presidential script is subject to real-world rewrites, and Biden faces rising pressure to weigh in more forcefully to stop the Middle East violence  as, by a scheduling quirk, he visited a city that is almost half Arab American.

In a speech at the plant, Biden made only passing mention of the conflict, warmly addressing Democratic Rep. Rashida Tlaib of Michigan as she sat in the audience, saying he would pray that her grandmother and other relatives were well in the West Bank.

I promise you Im going to do everything to see that they are, Biden said.

Biden also met Tlaib and fellow Michigan Democratic Rep. Debbie Dingell earlier at the Detroit airport, where all three huddled on the tarmac for several minutes in what appeared to be an animated conversation. Tlaib has publicly pressed Biden to get behind a U.N. Security Council resolution calling for a cease-fire  a measure that the U.S. has blocked from moving forward.

He was very compassionate  he listened, Dingell said of Biden. Hes deeply concerned.

The Biden administration has been conducting what it calls quiet diplomacy while declining to press for an immediate cease-fire by close ally Israel and Hamas. But privately, Biden administration officials have encouraged the Israelis to wind down their bombardment of Gaza.

Officials have been told by the Israelis that the operations could conclude in a matter of days.

The White House has made the calculation that the Israelis will not respond to international resolutions or public demands by the U.S. and that the greatest leverage is behind-the-scenes pressure, officials said. At the same time, the White House is mindful that the longer the conflict goes, the greater chance of a very-high-casualty event or other provocative action by either side that could make reaching a cease-fire more difficult.

All the while, Hamas rockets and Israeli airstrikes continued for a ninth day. At least 213 Palestinians and 12 people in Israel have died.

To this point in Biden's young term, foreign policy has taken a back seat. The president has stressed the need to first focus on domestic matters  taming the COVID-19 pandemic and reshaping the economy  to prove that democracies can still compete with global autocracies, namely China.

But the intractable conflict in Gaza has derailed that narrative.

Aboard Air Force One for the flight to Michigan, White House press secretary Jen Psaki was peppered with questions about the administration's response to the violence before she was asked about electric cars. She defended Biden's cautious approach to this point.

Hes been doing this long enough to know that the best way to end an international conflict is typically not to debate it in public," she said.

During his tour of the Dearborn facilities, Biden kept the focus on jobs. The president, a car enthusiast, marveled at the new technology  he even took a truck for a quick test drive  while stressing the importance of his infrastructure plan.

The future of the auto industry is electric. Theres no turning back, Biden said. "The real question is whether well lead or well fall behind in the race to the future.

There were protests outside in Dearborn, which is 47% Arab American, most of them Muslim, the highest percentage among cities in the U.S. Outside the local police department, about 3 miles (4.8 kilometers) from where Biden spoke, hundreds of people of Arab descent chanted, Free, Free Palestine! and waved Palestine flags. Amer Zahr, leader of a group called New Generation for Palestine, said Biden is not welcome in Dearborn today.

He is funding the murder of our families," Zahr said. "Its ethnic cleansing. Its that simple. This is not very complicated."

Biden wanted to orient his foreign policy around American workers, but the Israel conflict has underscored the challenges of combining his domestic and international agendas. The violence has not just been a disrupter of his messaging but also of his policy foundations.

The Biden White House has prided itself on message control and carefully scripting its approach to legislation. The first two months of his term were focused on passing the $1.9 trillion COVID-19 relief bill and dramatically increasing the nation's vaccination program.

The pivot was then to Biden's two-part infrastructure and family plan, which totals roughly $4 trillion. The president has set a soft deadline of Memorial Day to gauge whether there is Republican support. Not one GOP lawmaker backed the COVID-19 bill, though it had strong public support. There have been a few, if fleeting, signs of possible Republican support for the infrastructure plan.

Last week, a group of Republican senators met with Biden and were set to again sit down with White House officials and Cabinet members on Tuesday. There are some hopes for bipartisan agreement on hard infrastructure  like highways and broadband  before Democrats push forward their family plan on a party-line vote. At minimum, aides have said, they want to make a show of reaching across the aisle to reassure moderate Democrats leery of pushing through massive spending bills using a legislative strategy that bypasses Republicans entirely.

Biden's plan would help transform the automotive sector by making vehicles more mainstream that don't burn gasoline. He also sees a shift toward electric vehicles as a major part of his plan to fight climate change, and his visit came the day before Ford was expected to release details of an all-electric version of its F-150 pickup truck called the Lightning.

The president also has to overcome a major hurdle before his electric vehicle, zero emission future becomes reality: the lack of stations where people can plug in and juice up their engines. To that end, Biden has proposed $174 billion for electric vehicles. That money includes rebates and incentives for consumer purchases, along with money to build 500,000 charging stations by 2030.

The White House says the U.S. has just a fraction, about one-third, of the electric vehicle market share that China has, and far fewer public charging points  and needs to catch up before it can take the lead.

At Ford, its F-Series pickups  including heavy-duty versions  have been the top-selling vehicles in the U.S. for 39 straight years. Last year, the company sold more than 787,000 of the trucks, even though it had to close factories for eight weeks at the start of the coronavirus pandemic.

The F-150 Lightning electric truck, due in showrooms in the middle of next year, will come at a time when few Americans have been willing to switch away from gasoline-powered vehicles. Through April of this year, automakers have sold only 107,624 fully electric vehicles in the U.S.



Lemire reported from New York; Boak reported from Washington. Associated Press writers Aamer Madhani in Chicago, Tom Krisher in Detroit and Mike Householder in Dearborn, Mich., contributed to this report.
HELENA, Mont. (AP)  A southwestern Montana man who pleaded guilty to killing his girlfriend and burying her body near the Madison County ranch where he worked has been sentenced to 100 years in prison without the possibility of parole, the Montana Department of Justice said Tuesday.

Stanley Gordon Bernardini, 58, was sentenced Monday by District Judge Luke Berger in Virginia City for the July 2018 death of Michelle Sorrows, 37, of Ennis.

Bernardini pleaded guilty to deliberate homicide and evidence tampering on the first day of his trial in October 2020, saying he killed Sorrows after they fought at his apartment.

After Sorrows was reported missing in August 2018, informants told investigators that Bernardini had told them he and Sorrows fought after using methamphetamine and alcohol and that he used a backhoe to bury her on a remote part of the ranch.

Bernardini was charged with evidence tampering in November 2018 after a search of his apartment turned up evidence of blood spatter and efforts to clean it up, prosecutors said. He received a concurrent 10-year prison sentence for that charge.

Sorrows remains were located in June 2019.
Thank you! You've reported this item as a violation of our terms of use.

This content was contributed by a user of the site. If you believe this content may be in violation of the terms of use, you may report it.
May 19, 2021

Open Thread 2021-038

News & views ...

Posted by b on May 19, 2021 at 17:48 UTC | Permalink

Comments

next page 
Lorain City Charter Commission members met May 18, 2021, and will take a break as consulting attorney Garry Hunter compiles their suggestions to a draft charter. The Commission will reconvene June 22 to consider that document.
Students await for dismissal May 3 at Horizon Science Academy of Lorain. As the school year winds down, Horizon announced a summer school program for students in grades K-12.
Fisher-Titus will host a drive-thru hiring event from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. and 4 p.m. to 5:30 p.m., June 2, to fill open food service worker and 
LOS ANGELES (AP)  Rapper T.I. and his wife Tameka Tiny Harris are under investigation by police in Los Angeles after a sexual abuse allegation.

Los Angeles Police Officer Rosario Cervantes said Tuesday that an active investigation is underway. The investigation comes after a woman in Los Angeles and another in Las Vegas filed a police report that accused the couple of sexual assault.

A report was taken April 8 for a sexual assault involving the couple that occurred in 2005, Cervantes said. The police did not provide any additional details.

Las Vegas police received a report this month of a sexual assault incident in 2010 involving the couple. But the case was closed because it was reported outside the statute of limitations.

Steve Sadow, the attorney for T.I. and his wife, said his clients steadfastly deny and repudiate all the allegations. He said the couple has not spoken or been contacted by police in Los Angeles, Las Vegas or any other jurisdiction in the country.

The LAPD accuser once again remains anonymous, thereby preventing us from being in a position to disprove or refute her allegations  or even examine them, Sadow said. Meanwhile, although we now have for the first time a name of an accuser, who apparently filed a police report with (Las Vegas Metropolitan Police), we have essentially no specifics about her or her claim, and her attorney has thus far refused to disclose a copy of the report for public scrutiny.

The Associated Press generally does not identify people who say they have been sexually assaulted.

In March, attorney Tyrone A. Blackburn said more than 30 women contacted him accusing T.I. and his wife of forced drugging, kidnapping, rape and intimidation in at least two states, including California and Georgia. He said the allegations span more than 15 years.

A spokesperson for T.I. and Tiny denied those accusations.

Production for the VH1 reality series T.I. & Tiny: Friends & Family Hustle was suspended in February amid the sexual abuse allegations.
DENVER (AP)  The FBI has revealed that it is investigating the 2017 death of an Asian American teenager in Colorado as a possible hate crime, a grisly case in which local authorities said she was purposefully set on fire and burned alive in her familys mountain community home.

The FBI said in a statement Monday to Denver news station KCNC-TV that it was looking into the death of 17-year-old Maggie Long as a hate crime matter.

Longs death was ruled a homicide, and authorities later released composite sketches of at least three men they believed were involved in her death. No arrests have been made.

The FBI did not provide any information about why agents are looking at the possibility of a hate crime and did not immediately respond to telephone and email messages from The Associated Press on Tuesday.

Longs body was found inside her familys home in December 2017 in Bailey, a mountain community about 45 miles (72 kilometers) southwest of Denver. A fire had broken out following a report of a disturbance.

Investigators believe there was altercation between Long and her attackers before the fire started. Park County Sheriff Tom McGraw has said that Long was purposely set on fire and burned alive.

A Beretta handgun, an AK-47-style rifle, 2,000 rounds of ammunition, a safe and jade figurines were stolen from the home, authorities have said.

The FBIs hate crime investigation into Longs death comes as a series of attacks have targeted Asian Americans nationwide since the coronavirus took hold in the U.S. after surfacing in China.

Longs sisters, Lynna and Connie Long, said they did not notice any overt Asian discrimination when they lived in the community.

Lynna Long said she hoped the shift in the investigations focus would encourage people to reconsider interactions they may have had around the time her sister was killed and if anyone expressed bias toward Asian Americans.

This is an angle that wasnt looked into in the past, and at this point, it is no stone left unturned. Looking at the extent of violence in this crime, that is certainly an angle to look more closely into, she said.
Susan Walsh/AP

WASHINGTON (AP)  The Democratic-led House on Wednesday approved a resolution condemning attacks in March that killed six women of Asian descent at Atlanta-area massage businesses, which they characterized as a grim reminder of a surge in violence directed at Asian Americans.

The resolution by Rep. Judy Chu, D-Calif., was approved on a 244-180 vote. It commemorates the eight who were killed and lists them by name, while condemning any racism and sexism that motivated the gunman. It also rebuked local law enforcement officers who downplayed the potential that the attacks were a hate crime.
DENVER (AP)  A Colorado man arrested in the death of his wife who disappeared last year was charged Tuesday with first-degree murder and tampering with a human body, as well as other evidence in the case.

According to a complaint filed by prosecutors, Barry Morphew, 53, is accused of killing his wife, Suzanne Morphew, sometime between May 9 and May 10, 2020. The mother of two daughters was reported missing on May 10, which was Mother's Day. Prosecutors say Morphew tampered with her body around that time and tampered with other evidence in the case from last May through early March, about two months before he was arrested.
MEXICO CITY (AP)  There are two ways of remembering the Spanish siege of Tenochtitlan, the Aztec capital now known as Mexico City: as the painful birth of modern Mexico, or the start of centuries of virtual enslavement.

The world-changing battle started on May 22, 1521, and lasted for months until the city finally fell to the conquistadores on Aug. 13. It was one of the few times an organized Indigenous army under local command fought European colonizers to a standstill for months, and the final defeat helped set the template for much of the conquest and colonization that came afterward.

The fall of Tenochtitlan opened the modern history of the West, said historian Salvador Rueda, director of the citys Chapultepec Museum.

One way of remembering the event is symbolized by a plaque that stands in the citys Plaza of Three Cultures honoring Indigenous Mexico, Spanish colonialism and the modern mixed-race Mexico that resulted from the conquest.

The three cultures are represented by three buildings: a ruined Aztec temple, a Spanish colonial church built atop the ruins and a modern government office building constructed in the 1960s. It was neither a triumph nor a defeat. It was the painful birth of the Mestizo (mixed-race) Mexico today, the plaque reads.

That sentiment, preached by the government since the 1920s  that Mexico is a non-racial, non-racist, unified nation where everyone is mixed-race, bearing the blood of both conquerors and conquered  has aged about as well as the 1960s office building.

It is largely roped off because shards of its marble facing regularly shear off and come crashing to the ground, and Indigenous or dark-skinned Mexicans continue to face discrimination by their lighter-skinned countrymen.

A much more enduring and perhaps accurate message is found a few blocks away on the wall of the tiny church of Tequipeuhcan, a place whose very name in the Aztecs Nahuatl language sums it all up.

Tequipeuhcan: The place where slavery began. Here the Emperor Cuauhtemotzin was taken prisoner on the afternoon of Aug. 13, 1521, reads the plaque on the church wall.

Mexico Citys current mayor, Claudia Sheinbaum, put it this way: The fall of Mexico-Tenochtitlan started a tale of epidemics, abuses and 300 years of colonial rule in Mexico.

That was to become the rule throughout the hemisphere over the next three centuries. Colonizers stole the land from indigenous peoples and made them work it, extracting the wealth for the benefit of the colonizers.

The Spaniards seemed so convinced this model worked well that (Cortes' lieutenant Pedro) de Alvarado was set to go launch an invasion of China from the port of Acapulco when he got tied up in another battle in west Mexico and died, said David M. Carballo, professor of archaeology, anthropology, and Latin American studies at Boston University and author of the book Collision of Worlds.

He said the conquest of Mexico truly made the world globalized, as it connected the transatlantic to transpacific world and all the habited continents. That kicked off what we now call globalization.

Cortes and his 900 Spaniards  plus thousands of allies from Indigenous groups oppressed by the Aztecs  started the siege on May 22, 1521. They had entered Mexico City in 1520, but had been chased out with great losses a few months later, leaving most of their plundered gold behind.

But the Spaniards were uniquely prepared for a war of conquest. They had spent much of the preceding seven centuries fighting wars to reconquer Spain from the Moors. Amazingly, they were even able to bring their experience with naval warfare in the Mediterranean to bear in the battle for the Aztec capital, located in a high-mountain valley more than 7,000 feet above sea level and hundreds of miles from the sea.

Tenochtitlan was completely surrounded by a shallow lake crossed by narrow causeways, so the Spaniards built attack ships known as bergantines  something akin to floating battle platforms  to fight the Aztecs in their canoes.

It bogged down into a brutal, monthslong series of battles for control of the elevated earthen causeways that led into the city.

The campaign was never a predetermined defeat for the Aztecs. They scored a number of victories, took scores of Spaniards prisoner and even used captured Spanish weapons against the conquistadores.

At one point they took about 60 captured Spaniards and sacrificed them one by one  probably by tearing their still-beating hearts from their chests  on battlements or temple platforms in full view of the rest of the Spanish. Even the conquistadores admitted the effect was terrifying.

But the Spaniards were able to draw on their experience of sieges during the recently concluded Christian Reconquista of Muslim Spain. They cut off supplies of fresh water and food for the city. Just as importantly, the bulk of their troops were Indigenous allies tired of paying tribute under Aztec domination.

The most powerful weapon in their arsenal was not their horses, dogs of war or primitive muskets. It was not even the deceit they used to capture the Aztec Emperor Moctezuma  who died in 1520  or later, the Inca Emperor Atahualpa. The Europeans most effective weapon was smallpox.

During Cortes brief stay in Mexico City in 1520, the Aztecs had begun to be infected with smallpox, purportedly carried by an African slave the Spaniards had brought with them.

Carlo Viesca, a medical historian at Mexicos National Autonomous University, said at least 150,000 of the citys 300,000 inhabitants probably died before the Spaniards were able to reenter the city, and when they did, he quoted one Spaniard as saying, We were walking on corpses.

In the end, Viesca says, Cuauhtemoc  the last Aztec emperor  had few troops with the strength left to fight.

Medical anthropologist Sandra Guevara noted that smallpox assumed a form so virulent among Indigenous people not previously exposed to it  and with no immunological defenses against it  that even those who survived were probably blinded or developed gangrene in their feet, noses and mouths.

By the time the city fell, there were so many corpses the Spaniards couldnt occupy the city fully for months. The only way to get rid of the stench was to demolish the Aztec houses to bury the dead in the rubble.

Cuitlahuac, a respected leader who succeeded Moctezuma and preceded Cuauhtemoc, died of smallpox in late 1520, before the siege began.

If Cuitlahuac had not died, the history of Mexico would have been different, Guevara said.

Emperor Cuauhtemoc  Cuauhtemotzin to the Aztecs  took over and fought on and skillfully led the Aztec resistance in the 1521 siege.

But in August, chased to the eastern edge of the city, he either surrendered or was captured. He was tortured, because the Spanish wanted to find the gold they had briefly looted but had to abandon in 1520. Stoic to the end, Cuauhtemoc purportedly handed the Spaniards a dagger and asked them to kill him.

He remains a figure so tragic yet revered that Mexicans have been encouraged for centuries to repeat his futile self-sacrifice. When six lightly armed army cadets were surrounded by U.S. troops at a hilltop military academy in Mexico City during the 1847 invasion, rather than surrender, they reportedly flung themselves to their deaths from the parapets. They too remain national heroes.

The failed battle to defend Tenochtitlan set the template for the ultimate futility of indigenous groups trying to fight Europeans with huge standing armies, fixed positions and sieges. Apart from some fights between Spanish and Inca armies during Francisco Pizarros 1536 conquest of Peru, Indigenous resistance in the Americas  and much of the world  would largely be reduced to guerrilla tactics, periodic raids and retreats into remote or difficult-to-access areas.

Some of the last armed Indigenous resistance  both in Mexico and the United States  would not be defeated until the early 1900s.
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP)  More than two dozen farms in southern New Mexico have applied for a program that will pay them not to plant their fields as water managers look for new ways to stretch resources in the drought-stricken state.

Its the first phase of a multiyear pilot project being managed by the Office of the State Engineer. State Engineer John DAntonio has described the program as essential for ensuring the aquifers in the lower Rio Grande remain at sustainable levels in the future.

The Legislature approved funding for the effort last year and the state began accepting applications from farmers in the fall. The Interstate Stream Commission is now processing 27 contracts totaling more than $900,000 and covering just over 2 square miles (5 square kilometers) of farmland.

While that represents just a fraction of the agricultural real estate that stretches from Elephant Butte Reservoir south to the Texas border, state officials are looking to develop more tools that can be used to better manage water, especially during extended drought. New Mexico also is on the hook for ensuring a certain amount of water is delivered via the Rio Grande to Texas each year as part of a decades-old water sharing agreement.

Officials pointed to the mega-drought that's persisted since the late 1990s, suggesting everything from rotating which fields are not planted to recharging underground water reserves and infrastructure improvement should be considered because agriculture is the biggest water user in the state. It represents about three-quarters of all water withdrawals in New Mexico.

The lower Rio Grande Valley has received about one-tenth of an inch (one-quarter of a centimeter) of precipitation since the beginning of the year, according to the National Weather Service. That has exacerbated the conditions that have resulted from back-to-back dismal summer monsoon seasons across the southwestern U.S. and limited snowpack over the winter.

Like New Mexico, large swaths of the Southwest are dealing with extreme and exceptional drought  the two worst categories  as water managers are warning of limited supplies from the region's major rivers, the Rio Grande and Pecos to the Colorado River.

Farmers in central Arizonas Pinal County already have been fallowing land amid the drought and improving wells to pump groundwater in anticipation of reductions that could come if a federal shortage is declared on the Colorado River. Most operations there are family farms that are among Arizona's top producers of livestock, dairy, cotton, barley, wheat and alfalfa.

In New Mexico, shrinking rivers and reservoirs also put more strain on regional aquifers as farmers are forced to pump more to irrigate their crops.

Under the pilot program, farmers will receive grants from $400 to $800 per acre to stop pumping groundwater for a year. The Office of the State Engineer will monitor the use of water through site visits, photos, remote sensing and meter readings.

Agency staff are scheduled to brief lawmakers on the effort during a meeting later this week.
UNITED NATIONS -- Chinas U.N. ambassador says France is seeking a U.N. Security Council resolution calling for a cease-fire between Israel and Palestinian militants who control Gaza.

Zhang Jun, the current council president, confirmed that Frances U.N. Ambassador Nicolas De Riviere informed the council during the third round of closed consultations Tuesday on the conflict that a resolution was being prepared.

The United States has blocked the U.N.s most powerful body, which is charged with maintaining international peace and security, from issuing a press statement calling for a halt to the violence, insisting that it would not help diplomatic efforts to end the conflict between Israel and Hamas.

Diplomats said the 14 other council members supported the statement proposed by China, Tunisia and Norway. But Security Council press and presidential statements require approval of all 15 members. Resolutions, which are legally binding, do not. They require at least nine yes votes and no veto by a permanent member. This would put the United States in the position of voting in favor, abstaining, or vetoing a cease-fire call.

Zhang told reporters that China, Tunisia and Norway havent given up our effort ... and that draft statement stays there on the table, and we will continue to make our effort, making sure that the Security Council is fulfilling its mandate and responsibilities.

He said U.S. President Joe Bidens support for a cease-fire is consistent with what we are proposing in the Security Council, and China will support all efforts facilitating the cease-fire, facilitating the ending of the crisis, and the coming back of peace in the Middle East.

The proposed French resolution, drafted in coordination with Egypt and Jordan, could be circulated to council members as early as Wednesday and put to a quick vote, diplomats said, speaking on condition of anonymity because discussions were private.

___

UNITED NATIONS -- The Palestinian ambassador to the United Nations is challenging the Biden administration to show results from its diplomatic efforts to achieve a cease-fire between Israel and Gazas militant Hamas rulers, pointing to the U.S. repeatedly blocking U.N. Security Council action on grounds it would interfere with its diplomatic efforts.

Riyad Mansour said if the Biden administration can exert all of their pressure to bring an end to the aggression against our people, nobody is going to stand in their way.

But he said the facts speak for themselves, and nobody has succeeded yet, so the U.S. argument that a council statement would interfere with efforts to achieve a cease-fire does not hold water.

Mansour spoke at a press conference Tuesday as the Security Council again met in closed consultations at the request of China, Norway and Tunisia who have been pressing for the U.N.s most powerful body to respond to the Gaza conflict, now in its second week. But council diplomats, speaking on condition of anonymity because the discussion was private, said the United States reiterated again that a statement would not help diplomatic efforts despite the 14 other members calling for council action.

___

JERUSALEM  Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu says Palestinian militants have been dealt unexpected blows in more than a week of Israeli bombardments in the Gaza Strip.

Netanyahus office released a video of the prime minister speaking in front of an F-16 fighter jet at an air force base in southern Israel on Tuesday.

I have no doubt that we set them back many years, Netanyahu said. I am sure that all our enemies around us see the price we have levied for the aggression against us, and I am sure they will learn the lesson.

___

BEIRUT  Scores of Palestinians and Lebanese protesting along the border with Israel threw rocks and climbed the cement wall snaking around the frontier, and drew tear gas from Israeli forces Tuesday.

Lebanons National News Agency said five people were injured and others suffered from smoke inhalation. A number of protesters in the Lebanese border village of Adaisseh had climbed the wall to plant Lebanese flags and the yellow flags of the militant Hezbollah group.

It was the fifth straight day of protests along the border as support for the Palestinians swelled against an Israeli military campaign in the Gaza Strip.

Hundreds of protesters also marched in Lebanon's capital on Tuesday in support of Gaza, which has been under Israeli airstrikes since last week. The march went from Beirut's refugee camp of Mar Elias toward the city center.

On Monday, rockets fired from Lebanon fell inside Lebanese territory.

Last week, the Israeli army shot and killed one protester along the border. The Lebanese militia Hezbollah later identified the person killed as one of its fighters.

___

RAMALLAH, West Bank  The Palestinian Health Ministry says a Palestinian protester was killed and dozens more were wounded when gunshots rang out at a large demonstration in the occupied West Bank.

The Israeli military says protesters opened fire at troops at Tuesdays demonstration. It says two soldiers were shot in the leg and had to be hospitalized. Palestinian protesters often clash with Israeli troops in the West Bank but the demonstrators are rarely armed.

The Health Ministry identified the deceased as 25-year-old Muhammad Hamid. It says 46 others were wounded, including 16 with bullet wounds. It says four of them are in serious condition.

Hundreds of protesters had gathered on the outskirts of Ramallah, where the Palestinian Authority is headquartered, to protest against Israels actions in Gaza and Jerusalem. They burned tires and hurled stones at the Israeli troops, who fired tear gas at them.

At one point, seven shots rang out, but it was unclear where they came from. Israeli soldiers on a hillside opposite the protest could be seen taking cover behind mounds of sandbags.

Tensions are soaring over the latest Gaza war, as well as recent clashes in Jerusalem and cities across Israel. A general strike on Tuesday was observed by Palestinians in Israel and the occupied territories.

___

CAIRO  Egypts President Abdel Fattah el-Sissi has announced the allocation of $500 million for reconstruction efforts in the Gaza Strip.

El-Sissis office said in a Facebook post Tuesday that Egyptian firms would contribute in the re-building efforts.

Egypt, which is leading mediation efforts to reach a cease-fire, has sent some two dozen trucks carrying humanitarian aid and medical supplies to Gaza through the Raffah crossing point.

It has also received wounded people from the latest round of violence to be treated in Egyptian hospitals.

___

REYKJAVIK, Iceland  U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken says Israel has given the United States information about its bombing of a Gaza building housing The Associated Press and other media outlets.

Israel had claimed that Hamas had a military intelligence office in the Gaza building which it leveled in a weekend airstrike. But Israel has not publicly provided any evidence backing up that claim. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Israel would share any evidence of Hamas presence in the targeted building through intelligence channels.

Blinken said from Iceland on Tuesday that we have received some further information through intelligence channels. He declined to characterize the material, saying "thats not something I can comment on.

Press freedom groups condemned the attack, which leveled the building and marked a new chapter in the already rocky relationship between the Israeli military and the international media.

AP President Gary Pruitt has called for an independent investigation into the attack.

___

GAZA CITY, Gaza Strip  Israeli police say two Thai workers inside Israel have been killed in a strike launched from the Gaza Strip.

Another seven people were wounded in that attack Tuesday afternoon that hit a packaging plant in southern Israel, authorities said.

Militants from Gaza have launched thousands of rockets at civilian targets in Israel since last week. Israel has responded with airstrikes against what it says are militant targets in Gaza.

___

VIENNA  Austria has summoned the Turkish ambassador to complain about comments in which Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan blasted Austrian officials decision to fly the Israeli flag over government buildings as a signal of solidarity.

The Israeli flag was raised over the chancellery and foreign ministry in Vienna on Friday amid rocket attacks by the Hamas militant group on Israel. In a televised address to the nation on Monday, Erdogan said: I curse the Austrian government which raised the Israeli flag over its (chancellery) building.

He added that flying the flag of a terrorist nation over such an official (building) is akin to living a life with terror. Presumably the Austrian government is trying to make Muslims pay the price of their own genocide against the Jews. The latter is a reference to the fact that, after its annexation in 1938, Austria was part of Nazi Germany.

The Austria Press Agency reported that Foreign Minister Alexander Schallenberg said Turkeys ambassador was summoned Tuesday over these absurd comments by President Erdogan.

Schallenberg added that it wont be possible to solve the Middle East conflict while foaming at the mouth. He said that instead of pouring oil on the fire, Turkey is urgently called on to contribute to de-escalation.

___

GENEVA The U.N. humanitarian agency is describing an increasingly dire situation inside the Gaza Strip as the war between Israel and the territorys Hamas rulers rages with no end in sight.

Jens Laerke, a spokesman for the U.N. Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, says nearly 47,000 Palestinians have fled their homes during more than a week of heavy Israeli airstrikes. Hamas and other militants have fired more than 3,400 rockets into Israel.

Laerke says electricity across Gaza is only available for six to eight hours a day.

Citing Palestinian authorities, he said 132 buildings comprising 621 housing and commercial units have been destroyed in Gaza. He says another 316 housing units have been severely damaged and rendered uninhabitable.

Israel and Egypt have imposed a crippling blockade on Gaza since Hamas seized power from rival Palestinian forces in 2007. Israel says the closures are needed to keep the group from rearming, while rights groups view it as a form of collective punishment.

Laerke welcomed Israels decision to open Gazas main commercial crossing, allowing essential supplies to flow in for the first time since war broke out on May 10.

COGAT, the Israeli military body that coordinates civilian affairs in Gaza, said the crossing was closed after a mortar attack, several hours after it had been opened in order to allow medical equipment in.

___

ISLAMABAD  Pakistans foreign minister visited Turkey on Tuesday seeking to mobilize international pressure on Israel to halt attacks on the Gaza Strip.

The latest development comes a day after Pakistans lower house of parliament passed a unanimous resolution denouncing Israels attacks on Palestinian people.

Before leaving on his diplomatic mission, Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi said Pakistan stands firmly with the Palestinians.

Qureshi will also travel to New York to address the U.N. General Assembly later this week on the matter.

A day before, Pakistans opposition parties and the government issued a call for nationwide rallies on Friday to express solidarity with Palestinians.

Pakistan is among those countries that does not have diplomatic relations with Israel.

___

MOSCOW  Russian President Vladimir Putin says it is imperative to end the violence between Israel and the Palestinians.

Speaking at a ceremony with new foreign ambassadors at the Kremlin on Tuesday, Putin noted that the outburst of confrontation between the Palestinians and the Israelis has already led to a large number of casualties among civilian population, including children.

We consider it imperative to end violent actions on both sides and to actively seek a solution based on a relevant resolution of the United Nations Security Council and universally recognized principles of international law, Putin said.

___

WASHINGTON  President Joe Biden expressed support for a cease-fire between Israel and Gazas militant Hamas rulers in a call to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

But the American leader stopped short of demanding an immediate stop to the eight days of Israeli airstrikes and Hamas rocket barrages that have killed more than 200 people, most of them Palestinian.

Bidens carefully worded statement, in a White House readout Monday of his second known call to Netanyahu in three days as the attacks pounded on, came with the administration under pressure to respond more forcefully despite its determination to wrench the U.S. foreign policy focus away from Middle East conflicts.

Bidens comments on a cease-fire were open-ended and were similar to previous administration statements of support in principle for a cease-fire.

___

GAZA CITY, Gaza Strip  Palestinians across Israel and the occupied territories went on strike in a rare collective action against Israels policies on Tuesday as Israeli strikes rained down on Gaza and militants fired dozens of rockets from the Hamas-ruled territory.

With the war in Gaza showing no sign of abating and truce efforts apparently stalled, the general strike and expected protests could again widen the conflict after a spasm of communal violence in Israel and protests across the occupied West Bank last week.

Tuesdays airstrikes toppled a six-story building that housed libraries and educational centers belonging to the Islamic University, leaving behind a massive mound of rebar and concrete slabs. Desks, office chairs, books and computer wires could be seen in the debris. Residents sifted through the rubble, searching for their belongings.
SANTA FE, Texas (AP)  A memorial honoring the 10 people who were killed during a shooting at a Texas high school in 2018 was unveiled on Tuesday, the third anniversary of the deadly incident.

On May 18, 2018, eight students and two teachers were killed at Santa Fe High School, when another student opened fire inside the campus about 55 miles (88 kilometers) southeast of Houston. Thirteen other people were wounded in the shooting.

The memorial, called the Unfillable Chair, is comprised of an aluminum chair that stands 8 feet (2.44 meters) tall, with the empty seat being 4 feet (1.22 meters) wide by 3 feet (0.91 meters) deep. The names of the victims are displayed on the front of the chair.

The empty chairs exaggerated height re-enforces the concept that the chair will never be filled and will sit in commemoration of those lost too soon, according to a foundation of current and former students as well as parents and community members behind the memorial.

The chair was designed by a group of five current and former students.

During a ceremony at the high school on Tuesday, Reagan Gaona, one of the chairs student designers who graduated last year, said while the 10 victims are no longer... with us, well always have a place for them in our hearts.

The chair, which will sit outside on the campus, was set to be part of larger memorial comprised of a meditative grove and 10 concrete, feather-shaped monoliths for each victim. The foundation is still raising funds for the larger memorial.

The former student accused in the shooting, 20-year-old Dimitrios Pagourtzis, has been receiving mental health treatment at the North Texas State Hospital in Vernon since early December 2019. Doctors say Pagourtzis remains incompetent to stand trial on state charges.

Pagourtzis also faces federal charges in a sealed criminal case.
A Texas fugitive has been captured in Chihuahua City in connection with a homicide three years ago in Midland, Mexican authorities said.

The arrest last week by Chihuahua state police occurred after an exchange of information between Interpol, the Mexico attorney general's office and the U.S. Marshals Service.

Julio Cesar L.B., 30, was taken into custody by state police narcotics investigators on a charge of possession of crystal methamphetamine, the Chihuahua attorney general's office said.

He will be turned over to Mexican federal agents to face extradition to the United States.

Mexican authorities did not reveal his full name because of rules regarding the identification of crime suspects.

The first name, last-name initials and the year of the homicide cited by Chihuahua officials coincide with a fatal shooting in a Whataburger parking lot in Midland in summer 2018.

Midland police identified the homicide suspect as Julio Cesar Lopez-Beltran, who was originally from Chihuahua and was believed to have possibly fled to Mexico.

Lopez-Beltran allegedly got into a dispute with two men that escalated into gunfire, resulting in one man being wounded and the death of David Morales, 29, of San Antonio, according to a Midland Reporter-Telegram news article.

Lopez-Beltran, who is partially blind with one clouded eye, was wanted in Midland on charges of murder and attempted murder.

--

This article originally appeared on El Paso Times: West Texas fugitive in Midland Whataburger homicide captured in Chihuahua City, Mexico

--

Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
We'll keep you connected to all the updated local news and information about what's happening in Murfreesboro and Rutherford County!

Click Here to Subscribe!
We're always interested in hearing about news in our community. Let us know what's going on!

Contact us
Cherokee Nation employee, Cherokee speaker and Cherokee National Treasure Dan Mink was among the first tribal citizens to receive the COVID-19 vaccine. Since mid-December the Cherokee Nation has administered more than 60,000 vaccines. Cherokee Nation Principal Chief Chuck Hoskin Jr. hopes to increase the number of vaccinated tribal government employees by rewarding those vaccinated with a $300 incentive.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Clay Compton presents Haley Norman, co-owner and chief financial officer of Direct Traffic Control Inc., a check that represents a portion of the restitution owed by a former employee convicted of mail and tax fraud after diverting money from the company to his personal use.
The Missouri Bicentennial Time Capsule seeks submissions from clubs, schools, community groups, businesses and government agencies to commemorate Missouris bicentennial this year.

The deadline to submit to the time capsule is Aug. 10, Missouri Statehood Day. All Missouri-based profit and nonprofit organizations are eligible to participate. The time capsule is sponsored by the State Historical Society of Missouri and the St. Louis Ambassadors with a goal to collect items that document Missouris past, present and future. The two organizations are asking for public participation in this project.

Organizations and businesses are invited to participate by contributing three items: one to represent their past, one to represent their present and a note to future Missourians. Items should measure no larger than 8.5x14 inches  i.e., no larger than legal size paper  and combined be no more than a quarter-inch thick. All submissions need to be in printed form and not electronic.

An online registration form on missouri2021.org is required for all submissions and items should be mailed to: The State Historical Society of Missouri, Attn: Time Capsule, 605 Elm St., Columbia, MO 65201.

All participants will be notified of their successful submission and receive a certificate for participating in the time capsule.

An event to commemorate the time capsule will be held Aug. 27 in St. Louis. Once sealed, the time capsule will be housed at the State Historical Society of Missouri until Aug. 10, 2046, when it will be reopened and shared with the public 25 years later.
Discuss this article with your neighbors or join the community conversation.

Click here to get access
Discuss this article with your neighbors or join the community conversation.

Copyright 2021 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.
PARIS (AP)  Its a grand day for the French. Cafe and restaurant terraces reopened Wednesday after a six-month coronavirus shutdown deprived residents of the essence of French joie de vivre  sipping coffee and red wine with friends.

The French government is lifting restrictions incrementally to stave off a resurgence of COVID-19 and to give citizens back some of their world famous lifestyle. As part of the plan's first stage, France's 7 p.m. nightly curfew was pushed back to 9 p.m. and museums, theaters and cinemas reopened along with outdoor cafe terraces.

President Emmanuel Macron took a seat at a cafe terrace, chatting with customers. Prime Minister Jean Castex, who planned to attend a cinema later Wednesday, projected a mood of measured optimism.

Lets get used to try and live together," Macron told reporters. "If we manage to get well organized collectively and continue vaccinating, have a common discipline as citizens, theres no reason why we can't continue moving forward.

Actor Emmanuelle Beart went to a movie theater opening in Paris where her latest film L'Etreinte ("The Embrace") was showing. The appetite for seeing movies was such that many in Paris lined up at breakfast to see a movie instead of getting their morning croissant.

Moviegoer Michael Souhaite, who works in the industry, set his alarm clock to make sure he would make a 9 a.m. showing of Drunk.

I really need to go to the movies, he said. I go to movies maybe twice a week, minimum. So for me, it was really, really, really important... Today, its almost emotional to be here.

France is not the first European country to start getting back a semblance of social and cultural life. Italy, Belgium, Hungary and other nations already allow outdoor dining while drinking and eating indoors began Monday in Britain.

Eateries in France have been closed since the end of October, the longest time of any European country except Poland, where bars and restaurants reopened Saturday for outdoor service after being closed for seven months.

Still, the French government has put limits on how much fun can be had. Movie theaters can only seat 35% of capacity, while museums must restrict entries to allow space between visitors. Restaurants can fill only 50% of their outdoor seating and have no more than six people at a table.

Top figures in Frances restaurant industry were frustrated over the governments perceived failure to protect their prized gastronomy from the worst. Yet many, like Michelin-starred chef Alain Ducasse, have chosen to hold their ire over the crippling six-month closures to imagine instead the future of buzzing dining areas and swilled bottles of wine.

Has (the government) done enough? The answer is No... (But) optimism is a decision. We have decided to be optimistic. French gastronomy will continue," he said.

Starting on June 9, the French government plans to move the curfew back to 11 p.m. and to permit indoor dining. Also on that date, France will begin to welcome tourists from non-EU destinations provided they have some sort of coronavirus passport or health pass. The final phase of the three-stage reopening plan is scheduled for June 30, when the curfew will end and all other restrictions will be lifted, if pandemic conditions allow.

Macron's plans to bring France out of the pandemic arent just about bringing long-closed restaurants, boutiques and museums back to life, but also about preparing his possible campaign for a second term. Before next year's presidential election, Macron is focusing on saving jobs and reviving the pandemic-battered French economy.

France has recorded more than 108,000 deaths due to COVID-19, among the highest tolls in Europe. But virus deaths, admissions to critical care units and the coronavirus infection rate are now on the decline.

Dr. Michel Slama, chief of the intensive care unit at Amiens Hospital, said his stance, like Macron's, was optimistic but prudent.

We are attentive about the reopening but worried is not the word," he told The Associated Press. "There has been a significant drop in emergency hospital admissions for the virus in France. Thats good news. The high vaccine rate now, we hope, will help us avoid a new wave.

About 40% of France's adult population has received at least one COVID-19 vaccine dose  but that rate is still well behind Britain's 70% and behind several other EU nations.

Tourists waited with excitement and palpable emotion as the cordon around the world's most visited museum and home of the Mona Lisa, the Louvre, was finally lifted.

I am extremely moved. In fact, just as I entered the Louvre, really just in the gallery, I immediately started crying. Real tears of joy, said Pauline Lacroix, a psychotherapist.

It means a lot, you know. It means COVID-19 is starting to finish, when it's the opening of all museums and public areas, said another visitor, Walid Hneini.

Paris resident Benoit Puez was more understated about the opening up, giving it a Gallic shrug.

Maybe I didnt really miss it, but we are happy its reopening. Its a stage, he said.

___

Thomas Adamson reported from Leeds, England. Masha Macpherson, John Leicester and Jeffrey Schaeffer in Paris contributed.

___

This version corrects the spelling of French actor Beart's first name to Emmanuelle, not Emmanuel.

___

Follow APs pandemic coverage at:

https://apnews.com/hub/coronavirus-pandemic

https://apnews.com/hub/coronavirus-vaccine
Senior White House COVID-19 adviser Andy Slavitt added to the good news, noting case numbers this past week were down in all 50 states also for the first time in the pandemic.

During a White House COVID-19 Response Team briefing, Walensky said the most recent figures indicate "we should all have cautious optimism."

U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Director Rochelle Walensky Tuesday said the United States appears to be on a path out of the pandemic, noting the most recent seven-day average of new COVID-19 cases and deaths is the lowest since the pandemic began.

While vaccination rates have slowed, Walensky said the U.S. continues to vaccinate 1.5 and 2 million people per day. She said in less than a week since the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and the CDC authorized and recommended use of the Pfizer vaccine for adolescents 12 and older, more than 600,000 young people received the vaccine.

Walensky also noted that 60 percent of all Americans 18 or older have received at least one shot, a good sign the nation will easily meet U.S. President Joe Biden's goal of having 70 percent with at least one shot by the 4th of July.

During the same briefing, Senior White House Medical Advisor Anthony Fauci sought to reassure Americans about the efficacies of the COVID-19 vaccines. He presented recent studies showing the current vaccines available in the U.S. are proving effective in providing protection against variant strains of the virus, including the B.1.6.7 variant, originally identified in India.

Walensky said the CDC is working on its guidance for U.S. school-age children for when they return to school later this year or, perhaps, attend summer camps in the next few months. She said the guidelines will be based on how many young people may be vaccinated in the next few months, so they are still being developed.
Overnight reports from Jacksonville police:

 Benjamin L. Clinton, 36, of 609 E. Independence Ave. was arrested on a charge of criminal damage to government property after being accused of breaking a window in the 300 block of North Clay Court at 11:24 p.m. Tuesday.
A semitrailer traveling through Scott County near mile marker 44 landed on its side in a ditch after striking a deer just before 10:45 p.m. Tuesday, according to Illinois State Police.

The driver, Kelnery C. Haragrove, 32, of Hampton, Virginia, was treated for minor injuries and cited for improper lane use.
But you dont look sick.

Its often called invisible illness, because people live every day looking perfectly normal on the outside while inside, and in private, they battle an illness or disease that no one can see.

Imagine having so much pain that sometimes just getting off the couch stops you in your tracks, paralyzing you, so you cant move until the pain subsides. How about a headache so severe you are throwing up in bed for days, unable to move or function, or extreme exhaustion so bad it feels like you got hit by a truck? What if I told you that if you met the person dealing with all of this, you might never know they are even sick?

Chronic disease often manifests in physical changes to the body which make it obvious a person is sick; however, that is not always the case.

Many people living with chronic disease look fine, dare I say great, on the outside, while on the inside a constant battle rages on. Invisible illness can wreak havoc inside the body, resulting in cognitive, physical, and functional limitations which are imperceptible to the casual observer. This contradiction creates a unique stigma of public scrutiny that visible illness does not.

But you dont look sick.

That pretty girl in the grocery store looks happy and healthy. What you dont know is that it took hours for that girl to get ready to go out because this is the first day in a long time she has felt well enough to go out in public. What you dont see is that most days, she hasnt been able to take a shower, never mind put makeup on. Some days, she struggles to do even simple things and complete basic tasks. But, on this day, the day you see her, she wanted to feel beautiful again, like her old self, the self she lost a long time ago to chronic disease. Although she is sick, she does everything she can not to look sick. She wont let chronic disease steal her pride too.

We dont know what we dont know.

Some chronic diseases feel like a roller coaster ride, with ups and downs, good days and bad days. Doctors may use the term relapsing-remitting to describe the disease cycle when symptoms are worse at times (relapsing) and other times improved (remitting). Because disease symptoms come and go, sufferers can be fooled into believing they are better or even cured, when actually they are only in short-lived remission.

On bad days, just doing a load of laundry or taking a shower may be extremely difficult or impossible. On good days, a person might almost feel like their old self, and be able to accomplish tasks and take part in social activities.

Because the good days of feeling almost normal are fleeting, a person is tempted to do everything they want or need to do and live their life to the fullest while they have a chance. Unfortunately, even a small increase in activity can exacerbate symptoms and trigger a relapse. So even the good days have a shadow cast over it because the sufferer knows they may have to pay the price for having a good day.

Each day is a delicate balance of accepting and living with limitations while also trying to maintain some quality of life and dignity.

We dont know what we dont know.

But you dont look sick.

Is this an accusation or a compliment? I guess it depends on whos asking.

Laurie Bosworth is editorial assistant for the Journal-Courier, and recipient of an Illinois Press Association award for column writing.
Watertown, SD (57201)

Today

Thunderstorms, some strong during the morning will give way to partly cloudy skies this afternoon. High 82F. Winds W at 10 to 20 mph. Chance of rain 100%..

Tonight

A clear sky. Low 54F. NW winds at 10 to 20 mph, decreasing to less than 5 mph.
Review: Eric Bana riveting in Aussie crime drama The Dry View Photo

A headline and a letter draw a big city federal agent, Aaron Falk (Eric Bana), back to his hometown of Kiewarra after 20 years away in the compelling Australian crime drama  The Dry. His childhood friend Luke (Martin Dingle Wall) is presumed to have murdered his wife and young son before killing himself. Only the infant was spared. A note from Lukes father, Gerry (Bruce Spence) implores Aaron to come to the funeral, alluding to a lie he knows they told.

Lukes parents want Aaron to look into it: The mother doesnt believe that he could have done it; The father worries that he did. And Aaron is reluctant to stay. Twenty years ago, when he was just a teenager, he left the town after one of his and Lukes friends turned up dead in the lake. Their alibi was suspicious enough to raise doubt and everyone just started assuming that one of them did it.

That lake where she was found and where they used to hang out is dried up now, as are all of the streams and bodies of water in Kiewarra. After a year-long draught, it looks like a desert. The besieged country farming community is well on its way to becoming a ghost town, and theres the ever-looming threat of a single spark causing a brush fire that will burn everything down. Just because its not the most subtle metaphor doesnt make it any less of a truth that the townspeople also harbor secrets that could destroy them. Its no wonder that the film is based on a book, written by Jane Harper and published in 2016. Robert Connolly directed and is credited for the adaptation with Harry Cripps.

Aaron is greeted with hostility from some of the longtime residents of Kiewarra. Ellies (BeBe Bettencourt) death 20 years age is still an open wound, especially for her father (William Zappa) and brother (Matt Nable). But he soldiers on, working with the very green local cop Greg (Keir ODonnell) on the investigation. The screenplay does an excellent job of teasing out new leads, many of which are red herrings, while also endearing us to those in this odd little town, like Gretchen (Genevieve OReilly), who rounded out the teenage foursome with Aaron, Luke and Ellie. Gretchen, a single mom and schoolteacher now, has her own theories of what happened then. Gerry worries that the presumed murder-suicide could have been prevented had Luke been held accountable for what happened 20 years ago.

The Dry also often cuts back to the days surrounding Ellies death, adding tension to the present-day investigation as we wonder whether Luke or Aaron did in fact kill the girl, or play any part in her death. Aaron is a somewhat shy teen and Luke is the volatile alpha, which on paper seems like a simple case but on film, you still harbor doubts.

Bana is excellent as the reluctant outsider determined, haunted and empathetic  and hes surrounded by ace character actors. There is some much-needed moments of humor, too, especially with the local bar and hotel owner, and even a little romance teased out. Its not just a grim murder case and is stronger and more human for it.

Anyone hooked on Mare of Easttown and looking for a holdover in between episodes would be well-served by the intrigue of The Dry. Its actually a bit of a wonder that it wasnt stretched out into a television series itself, but Connolly has a command on the pacing and The Dry never feels rushed or undercooked. This is an import thats worth seeking out.

The Dry, an IFC Films release in theaters and on demand, is rated R by the Motion Picture Association of America for for violence, and language throughout. Running time: 117 minutes. Three stars out of four.

MPAA Definition of R: Restricted. Under 17 requires accompanying parent or adult guardian.

Follow AP Film Writer Lindsey Bahr on twitter: www.twitter.com/ldbahr

By LINDSEY BAHR

AP Film Writer
Indian navy recovers 26 bodies from barge that sank in storm View Photo

NEW DELHI (AP)  Indian navy ships recovered 26 bodies of people who were aboard a barge that sank off Mumbai as the most powerful storm to hit the region in more than two decades blew ashore this week, officials said Wednesday.

The search is continuing for 49 more people who are missing after the cyclone hit Monday, navy spokesman Mehul Karnik said.

He said five ships, a surveillance aircraft and three helicopters involved in the search had rescued 186 people in rough seas with waves of up to 7 meters (25 feet).

A navy statement said 125 survivors and two bodies have arrived in Mumbai and others are expected to get there late Wednesday.

Cyclone Tauktae packed sustained winds of up to 210 kilometers (130 miles) per hour when it came ashore in Gujarat state. It left more than 50 dead in Gujarat and Maharashtra states.

The weather has improved, and the search operation for those who are missing has intensified, navy Cmdr. Alok Anand said, adding that some of the survivors had received minor injuries.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi saw the damage caused by the cyclone by flying over the worst-hit areas and later met with state officials in Ahmedabad, a key city in western Gujarat state.

Government is working closely with all the states affected by the cyclone, he tweeted.

The Hindu newspaper reported that more than 16,000 houses were damaged in Gujarat state, while thousands of trees and electric poles were uprooted by the force of the wind.

A survivor told the New Delhi Television news channel that he jumped into the sea with his life jacket and was later picked up by the navy.

In another operation, a navy helicopter rescued 35 crew members of another barge, which ran aground north of Mumbai, a government statement said.

Both barges were working for Oil and Natural Gas Corp., the largest crude oil and natural gas company in India.

The company said the barges were carrying personnel deployed for offshore drilling and their anchors gave away during the storm. Indias biggest offshore oil rigs are located off Mumbai.

Navy helicopters also provided food and water to nearly 300 crew members of a support station and drilling ship that were being towed back to Mumbai by the companys support vessels, the statement said.

The storm has weakened into a depression centered over the south of Rajasthan state and adjoining Gujarat region, the Indian Meteorological Department said Wednesday.

In neighboring Nepal, authorities asked mountaineers to descend from high altitudes because the storm might bring severe weather.

Hundreds of climbers, guides and staff are trying to climb mountains in Nepal this month, when weather is usually the most favorable in the high altitudes. Nepal has eight of the worlds 14 highest peaks, including Mount Everest.

Nepals Department of Tourism on Tuesday asked climbers and outfitting agencies to monitor the weather and stay safe.

In 2014, snowstorms and avalanches triggered by a cyclone in India killed 43 people in Nepals mountains in the worst hiking disaster in the Himalayan nation.

The snowstorms were believed to be whipped up by the tail end of a cyclone that hit the Indian coast a few days earlier.

The blizzards swept through the popular Annapurna trekking route, and hikers were caught off-guard when the weather changed quickly.

___

Associated Press writer Binaj Gurubacharya in Kathmandu, Nepal, contributed to this report.

By ASHOK SHARMA

Associated Press
US sanctions former Albania leader Berisha over corruption View Photo

TIRANA, Albania (AP)  The United States on Wednesday sanctioned former Albanian Prime Minister Sali Berisha for alleged significant corruption and barred him and his wife and children from entering the U.S.

Berisha, 76, who also served as Albanias president from 1992 to 1997, is currently a lawmaker representing the opposition Democratic Party.

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said in a statement that during Berishas 2005-2013 tenure as prime minister, the politician was involved in corrupt acts, such as misappropriation of public funds and interfering with public processes, including using his power for his own benefit and to enrich his political allies and his family members.

The statement alleged that Berishas own rhetoric demonstrates he is willing to protect himself, his family members, and his political allies at the expense of independent investigations, anticorruption efforts, and accountability measures.

In response, Berisha deplored Blinkens accusations and urged the U.S. administration or anyone in the world to make public any proof or document that supports the U.S. sanctions.

Berishas successor as leader of the Democratic Party, Lulzim Basha, also called for full transparency on any proof or document linked to the U.S. decision. He described Berisha as the Albanian leader who made the most distinguished contribution to the countrys development and strengthening of democracy.

Berisha was the first leader of the center-right Democratic Party, which was created in December 1990 after a student protest ousted Albanias communist regime.

He was elected as Albanias second post-communist president in 1992. During his presidency, a pyramid scheme in which many Albanians lost their life savings took the country to the brink of anarchy.

The Democratic Party won the 2005 election and Berisha became prime minister for two terms until 2013. Since then, he has been a member of parliament, most recently winning reelection last month.

Berisha is Albanias fourth top official to be barred from entering the United States because of alleged corruption involvement, following former prosecutor general Adriatik Llalla, former lawmaker Tom Doshi and Vangjush Dako, former mayor in the western port city of Durres.

Fighting corruption has been post-communist Albanias Achilles heel, strongly affecting the countrys democratic, economic and social development.

Former President of Albania Sali Berishas corrupt acts undermined democracy in Albania, Blinken tweeted Wednesday.

An essential reform of the judiciary was approved in 2016 after direct involvement from Washington and the European Union. Many judges and prosecutors have been dismissed for alleged corruption and illegally earning property and money.

With this designation, I am reaffirming the need for accountability and transparency in Albanias democratic institutions, government processes, and the actions of Albanian public officials, Blinken said of the sanctions against Berisha.

___

This story has been corrected to show that Berisha was Albanias second president after the fall of communism, not the first.

___

Follow Llazar Semini at https://twitter.com/lsemini

By LLAZAR SEMINI

Associated Press
Colombia rebel group claims leader Jesus Santrich slain View Photo

BOGOTA, Colombia (AP)  A rebel leader who abandoned the 2016 peace accord with Colombias government and had been at large for three years was killed by Colombian troops in Venezuela, his new armed group said Tuesday.

Seuxis Hernandez  known more commonly by his nom de guerre of Jesus Santrich  was one of the chief negotiators for the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia in peace talks with the Colombian government. But he gave up on the peace deal less than two years following its signing after he was indicted in the U.S. for alleged cocaine trafficking.

In a statement posted on its website, Santrichs new rebel group, the Second Marquetalia Movement, said the 53-year-old insurgent was killed Monday by a Colombian commando unit that illegally entered Venezuelan territory.

The group said Santrich was riding in a vehicle in the western Venezuelan state of Zulia when he was attacked with grenades and gunfire by Colombian soldiers. The troops cut off Santrichs pinky finger before returning to Colombia in a yellow helicopter, the statement said.

Colombias government did not immediately comment on the groups claim, which would constitute a major breach of Venezuelas sovereignty and heighten tensions with President Nicolas Maduros socialist government. There also was no comment from the Venezuelan government.

Earlier Tuesday, Colombias defense minister said the government was trying to confirm reports that Santrich had been killed in a battle between rebel groups operating in Venezuela.

Several other versions of Santrichs death were published by Colombian media, including one account that said he was killed by mercenaries who wanted to capture him and claim a $10 million reward offered by the U.S. State Department last year.

Santrich was a member of leftist youth groups in Colombia and entered the FARC in the early 1990s, after one of his fellow student leaders was killed by a Colombian police officer in the city of Barranquilla. Santrich was going blind from a genetic condition by the time the rebel group began peace talks with Colombias government, but had established himself as one of the groups leading ideologues.

Soon after the peace accord between the FARC and Colombias government was signed, Santrich ran into problems with law enforcement. He was arrested in April 2018 after U.S. authorities in New York charged him with conspiring to traffic 10 tons of cocaine to the United States. The charges were based on videos and audio recordings obtained by undercover agents who met with Santrich in 2017, prosecutors said.

But Santrich was released from jail before he could be extradited after Colombias peace tribunal determined that U.S. authorities had not provided enough evidence. Under the terms of the peace deal, former rebels cannot be extradited for crimes committed during the war, but can be held responsible for any crimes committed afterwards.

Santrich, who accused the Colombian government of attempting to frame him, briefly took possession of a congressional seat awarded to the FARC as part of the peace deal. But during a visit to a village for former rebels near the border with Venezuela, he abandoned his security detail and disappeared.

In August 2018, he appeared on a Youtube video in which a group of former FARC rebels brandishing machine guns announced that they would continue to fight the government, accusing if of failing to fulfill promises made in the peace accord. They called their new organization the Second Marquetalia Movement in a nod to the peasant village that in the 1960s gave birth to the original FARC guerrilla movement.

Santrichs group was widely rejected by former FARC leaders who stuck with the peace deal and have now formed a political party that has 10 seats in Colombias congress.

Colombian officials say Santrichs faction of former FARC dissidents is attempting to take over illegal mines and drug trafficking routes along a remote stretch of Colombias border with Venezuela.

Colombia has long accused Venezuela of providing refuge to former FARC fighters, including Santrich and Ivan Marquez, the leader of the Marquetalia movement who is also wanted by the U.S. as part of the same drug indictment. But lately the Venezuelan army has also been engaged in fighting with another faction of former FARC fighters led by Gentil Duarte, which captured eight Venezuelan soldiers in May.

By MANUEL RUEDA

Associated Press
Calaveras and Tuolumne remain in the Orange Tier of the States Blueprint for a safer economy but Stanislaus is finally able to move from the Red Tier to the less restrictive Orange Tier. The State released this weeks Blueprint update today with data for the week ending May 29th. Tuolumne Countys Case Rate decreased to 2.2, and the Test Positivity Rate is at 1.4 percent. Calaveras Case Rate increased to 6.5 with a Test Positivity Rate of 4.3 percent. The tier level system will go away June 15, reopening the economy with restrictions only on mega-events over 5,000 people indoors or 10,000 outdoors.

Tuolumne County  Tuolumne County Public Health reports two new community cases today, a woman age 30 to 39 and a woman age 40 to 49 who were not vaccinated. A total of eight cases are isolating including one who is hospitalized. Tuolumne County has a total of 4,177 cases split between 2,762 community cases and 1,417 Sierra Conservation Center (SCC) inmate cases, the California Department of Corrections reports no active cases. Total community cases released from isolation increased two to 2,685 total and the total number of tests administered is 99,569. The county reports 19,693 fully vaccinated residents and 3,725 individuals partially vaccinated.

Calaveras County  The Calaveras public health reports no new cases since yesterday with the countys total COVID cases at 2,195. Active cases decreased two to five total and recoveries increased two to 2,134 total. No Calaveras residents are hospitalized with Covid. The total number of people over 65 years old identified with Covid is 453 since the pandemic began. Calaveras reports 35,146 vaccinations given and 44,114 Covid tests conducted.

Vaccines  Upcoming Covid clinics in Tuolumne are June 10, 2021  Johnson & Johnson at the Tuolumne County Public Health, June 14, 2021  Moderna at the Tuolumne County Memorial Hall, June 16, 2021  Pfizer at the Tuolumne County Memorial Hall, June 18, 2021  Johnson & Johnson at the Groveland Evangelical Free Church. In Tuolumne, Calaveras, and Mariposa schedule an appointment for a Covid vaccine by going to myturn.ca.gov. You can also call 833-422-4255 if you dont have an email (Mon to Fri 8 AM to 8 PM, Sat and Sun 8 AM-5 PM) for assistance. Vaccine eligibility is open to everyone 12+ (Pfizer) and 18+ (Moderna and Johnson & Johnson) More information about the vaccines is here. Public health encourages everyone to get vaccinated to help keep you and those around you protected from Covid-19, as well as reduce the spread of disease in the community, and help get the county to a less restrictive tier. Employers and event organizers may ask if a person is vaccinated, individuals may decline to answer.

Testing  Sonoras COVID testing is now at the Tuolumne Memorial Hall. The hours are Sundays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays from 7 AM to 7 PM. The Groveland testing site remains open at the Youth Center, 18950 Hwy 120 on Thursdays from 7 AM to 7 PM. Due to low utilization and reopening of the youth center, this location will likely be relocated soon. Individuals can select the site location when making their appointment at www.lhi.care/covidtesting or by calling 888-634-1123. More details, including Calaveras testing information, are in our events calendar here.

Vaccines  Tuolumne is holding COVID-19 Johnson & Johnson vaccination clinic on May 19 in the Groveland area. For more details and to register for an appointment, visit myturn.ca.gov. Individuals in Calaveras and Mariposa may also register at myturn.ca.gov to schedule appointments. You can also call 833-422-4255 if you dont have an email (Mon to Fri 8AM to 8PM, Sat and Sun 8AM-5PM) for assistance. Due to technical issues, those who live in the 95223 area (Arnold) should enter 95222 as their zip code when searching for a location.

Vaccine eligibility is open to everyone 12+ (Pfizer) and 18+ (Moderna and Johnson & Johnson) with photo ID, not currently sick with COVID-19 or had a flu shot within the last 14 days. More information about the local pharmacies and other places offering the vaccine are here.

County/Date

Tier Color Active

Cases New Cases

Total Cases COVID

Deaths Amador 6/4 11 5 1,806 38 Calaveras 6/8 5 0 2,195 56 Mariposa 6/8 2 0 461 7 Mono 6/8 1 0 1,034 4 Stanislaus 6/8 169 26 56,417 1,068 Tuolumne 6/8 8 2 4,179 69
Israels Netanyahu determined to continue Gaza operation View Photo

GAZA CITY, Gaza Strip (AP)  Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu vowed Wednesday to press ahead with a fierce military offensive in the Gaza Strip, pushing back against calls from the United States to wind down the operation that has left hundreds dead.

Netanyahus tough comments marked the first public rift between the two close allies since the fighting began last week and could complicate international efforts to reach a cease-fire. His pushback also plunges the pair into a difficult early test of the U.S.-Israel relationship.

Israel continued to pound Hamas targets in Gaza with airstrikes, while Palestinian militants bombarded Israel with rocket fire throughout the day. In another sign of potential escalation, militants in Lebanon fired a rocket barrage into northern Israel.

After a visit to military headquarters, Netanyahu said he appreciated the support of the American president, but he said Israel would push ahead to return calm and security to Israeli citizens.

He said he was determined to continue this operation until its aim is met.

He spoke shortly after U.S. President Joe Biden told Netanyahu that he expected a significant de-escalation today on the path to a cease-fire, the White House said.

Biden had previously avoided pressing Israel more directly and publicly for a cease-fire with Gazas Hamas militant rulers. But pressure has been building for Biden to intervene more forcefully as other diplomatic efforts gather strength.

Egyptian negotiators have also been working to halt the fighting, and an Egyptian diplomat said top officials were waiting for Israels response to a cease-fire offer. The diplomat spoke on condition of anonymity in line with regulations.

Moussa Abu Marzouk, a top Hamas official, told the Lebanese station Mayadeen TV that he expected a cease-fire in a day or two.

Meanwhile, German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas said he would fly to the region Thursday for talks with Israelis and Palestinians.

Israels Foreign Ministry said the foreign ministers of Slovakia and the Czech Republic would join him after being invited to express their solidarity and support for Israel.

Earlier in the day, the Israeli military said it was widening its strikes on militant targets in southern Gaza to blunt continuing rocket fire from Hamas. At least nine people were killed Wednesday in the Gaza Strip.

The current round of fighting between Israel and Hamas began May 10, when the militant group fired long-range rockets toward Jerusalem after days of clashes between Palestinian protesters and Israeli police at the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound, a flashpoint site sacred to Jews and Muslims. Heavy-handed police tactics at the compound and the threatened eviction of dozens of Palestinian families by Jewish settlers had inflamed tensions.

Since then, Israel has launched hundreds of airstrikes that it says have targeted Hamas infrastructure, and Hamas and other militant groups embedded in residential areas have fired some 4,000 rockets at Israeli cities, with hundreds falling short and most of the rest intercepted or landing in open areas.

At least 227 Palestinians have been killed, including 64 children and 38 women, with 1,620 people wounded, according to the Gaza Health Ministry, which does not break the numbers down into fighters and civilians. Hamas and Islamic Jihad say at least 20 of their fighters have been killed, while Israel says the number is at least 130. Some 58,000 Palestinians have fled their homes.

Twelve people in Israel, including a 5-year-old boy, a 16-year-old girl and a soldier, have been killed.

The rockets fired by militants in Lebanon into northern Israel threatened to open up a new front in the fighting. The rocket attack, which drew Israeli artillery fire in response but did not cause any injuries, raised the possibility of dragging Israel into renewed conflict with the powerful Lebanese militant group Hezbollah to its north.

No one claimed responsibility for the attack, and Hezbollah, which fought a monthlong war against Israel in 2006, has stayed out of the fighting for now. The rockets were widely believed to be fired by Palestinian factions based in south Lebanon.

But they cannot operate without Hezbollahs tacit consent, and the barrage appears to be carefully calibrated to send a political message that the group, which has tens of thousands of missiles, could join the battle at any time. Israel considers Hezbollah to be its most formidable threat and has threatened widespread destruction in Lebanon if war were to erupt.

In Gaza, one of the Israeli airstrikes destroyed the home of an extended family.

Residents surveyed the piles of bricks, concrete and other debris that had once been the home of 40 members of al-Astal family in the southern Gaza town of Khan Younis. They said a warning missile struck the building five minutes before the airstrike, allowing everyone to escape.

Ahmed al-Astal, a university professor, described a scene of panic, with men, women and children racing out of the building.

We had just gotten down to the street, breathless, when the devastating bombardment came, he said. They left nothing but destruction, the childrens cries filling the street.  This is happening, and there is no one to help us.

Another strike in nearby Deir al-Balah killed a man, his wife and their 2-year-old daughter, witnesses said. Iyad Salha, a brother of the man who was killed, said the family had just sat down for lunch when the missile hit.

Among those killed Wednesday were a reporter for Hamas-run Al-Aqsa radio and two people who died when warning missiles crashed into their apartment.

The Israeli military said it was striking a militant tunnel network in southern Gaza, with 52 aircraft hitting 40 underground targets.

Military officials, meanwhile, said a mysterious explosion that killed eight members of a Palestinian family on the first day of the fighting was caused by a misfired rocket from Gaza. This wasnt an Israeli attack, said Lt. Col. Jonathan Conricus, a military spokesman.

Since the fighting began, Gazas infrastructure, already weakened by a 14-year blockade, has rapidly deteriorated. Medical supplies, water and fuel for electricity are running low in the territory, on which Israel and Egypt imposed the blockade after Hamas seized power in 2007.

Israeli attacks have damaged at least 18 hospitals and clinics and destroyed one health facility, the World Health Organization said. Nearly half of all essential drugs have run out.

Among the buildings leveled by Israeli airstrikes was one housing The Associated Press Gaza office and those of other media outlets.

Netanyahu has alleged that Hamas military intelligence was operating in the building. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said Tuesday that Israel had given the U.S. information about the bombing, without elaborating.

The AP has called for an independent investigation. The news organizations president, Gary Pruitt, has said the AP had no indication Hamas was present in the building.

The fighting, the worst since a 2014 war between Israel and Hamas, has ignited protests around the world and inspired Palestinians in Israel and the occupied territories to call a general strike Tuesday. It was a rare collective action that spanned boundaries central to decades of failed peace efforts. Israel captured the West Bank, east Jerusalem and Gaza in the 1967 Mideast war, territories the Palestinians want for their future state.

___

Krauss reported from Jerusalem. Associated Press writers Bassem Mroue and Zeina Karam in Beirut, Isabel DeBre in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, Samy Magdy in Cairo and Frank Jordans in Berlin contributed to this report.

By FARES AKRAM and JOSEPH KRAUSS

Associated Press
Report: Tenure offer revoked from slavery project journalist View Photo

WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. (AP)  Faculty members of a North Carolina university want an explanation for the schools reported decision to back away from offering a tenured teaching position to journalist Nikole Hannah-Jones, whose work on the countrys history of slavery has drawn the ire of conservatives.

Hannah-Jones was offered a position as the Knight Chair in Race and Investigative Journalism at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, the school announced last month. Hannah-Jones is an investigative journalist who won the Pulitzer Prize for her work on The 1619 Project for The New York Times Magazine.

But the school changed its offer from a tenured position to a five-year term as a professor with an option for review at the end of that time, as first reported by NC Policy Watch on Wednesday.

In a statement issued in response to the story, faculty members of the universitys school of journalism and media said the decision was especially concerning given that Hannah-Jones had the full support of the journalism schools dean, Susan King. They said the decision also violated established tenure and promotion procedures at UNC-Chapel Hill.

We call on the universitys leadership to reaffirm its commitment to the university, its faculty and time-honored norms and procedures, and its endorsed values of diversity, equity, and inclusion, the statement said. The university must tenure Nikole Hannah-Jones as the Knight Chair in Race and Investigative Journalism.

King said in a statement on Wednesday that the journalism school is delighted to have Hannah-Jones join the school in the fall despite the change.

While I am disappointed that the appointment is without tenure, there is no doubt in anyones mind that she will be a star faculty member, Kings statement said. I am more than delighted that she will be here at UNC, teaching our next generation of journalists, working with our graduate students, and sharing her perspective with us all. I can only imagine how our students will benefit from her wisdom and experience.

University spokesperson Joanne Peters Denny declined comment on the situation, saying faculty hiring processes are personnel protected information. But she added that the school looks forward to welcoming Hannah-Jones to campus.

The 1619 Project is an initiative of The New York Times Magazine that began in August 2019, the 400th anniversary of the beginning of American slavery. The magazine describes the project as one which is designed to reframe the countrys history by placing the consequences of slavery and the contributions of Black Americans at the very center of our national narrative.

The project was converted into a popular podcast. Materials were developed for schools to use and The Pulitzer Center partnered with the Times to develop 1619 Project lesson plans. However, objections to The 1619 Project have morphed into legislative efforts to prevent its presentation in public schools.

In February, an Arkansas House panel rejected legislation that would have banned schools from teaching the project. The measure failed on a voice vote on the same day the state Senate rejected a resolution that cited the countrys ongoing positive record on race and slavery and attacked Democrats history on civil rights issues.

Former President Donald Trump created a commission in response to The 1619 Project that promoted patriotic education and played down Americas role in slavery. After taking office, President Joe Biden revoked a report from the so-called 1776 Commission. Widely mocked by historians, the commission glorified the countrys white founders and played down the role of slavery.

By TOM FOREMAN Jr.

Associated Press
Top US, Russia diplomats spar firmly but politely in Iceland View Photo

REYKJAVIK, Iceland (AP)  Top diplomats from the United States and Russia sparred politely in Iceland on Wednesday in their first face-to-face encounter, which came as ties between the nations have deteriorated sharply in recent months.

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Russias longtime Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov spoke frankly but calmly of their differences as they held talks on the sidelines of an Arctic Council meeting in the Icelandic capital of Reykjavik, a city with deep history in U.S.-Russian relations.

We seek a predictable, stable relationship with Russia, Blinken told Lavrov, echoing comments made by President Joe Biden, who has proposed a summit with Russian leader Vladimir Putin next month. We think thats good for our people, good for Russian people and indeed good for the world.

Its also no secret that we have our differences and when it comes to those differences, as President Biden has also shared with President Putin, if Russia acts aggressively against us, our partners, and our allies, well respond  and President Biden has demonstrated that in both word and deed, not for purposes of escalation, not to seek out conflict, but to defend our interests, Blinken said.

The meeting took place just as the Biden administration notified Congress of new sanctions on Russia over a controversial European pipeline. The administration hit eight Russian companies and vessels with penalties for their involvement in the Nord Stream 2 pipeline, while sparing two German entities from similar penalties, which would have a more significant effect on the project.

We have serious differences in the assessment of the international situation, we have serious differences in the approaches to the tasks which have to be solved for its normalization, Lavrov said. Our position is very simple: We are ready to discuss all the issues without exception, but under perception that the discussion will be honest, with the facts on the table, and of course on the basis of mutual respect.

Even before Wednesdays talks the two diplomats had laid down near diametrically opposed positions for the meeting, previewing what was likely to be a difficult and contentious exchange over myriad issues including Ukraine, the Arctic, Russias treatment of opposition figure Alexey Navalny and accusations of cyber malfeasance, including claims that Russia-based hackers were responsible for a ransomware attack on a key U.S. pipeline.

The meeting also followed a spate of tit-for-tat diplomatic expulsions as U.S.-Russian relations threaten a return to Cold War lows.

After the meeting, which ran for a longer-than-expected hour and 45 minutes, the State Department said Blinken had called for Russia to release two Americans it holds, Paul Whelan and Trevor Reed. He also raised deep concerns about Russias military buildup on the Ukraine border and its actions against the Voice of America and Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, the department said.

Lavrov, meanwhile, told Russian reporters after the meeting that the talks had been constructive and that Russia has proposed starting a new and broad strategic dialogue. There is a lot of rubble, its not easy to rake it up, but I felt that Antony Blinken and his team were determined to do this. It will not be a matter for us, he said, according to the news agency Tass.

A senior U.S. official called the meeting a good start with no polemics that had allowed both sides to tee-up a lot of the issues that the two presidents may have the opportunity to discuss. But, neither side offered any update on progress toward a Biden-Putin summit, saying only that discussions about its logistics continue.

Perhaps anticipating Blinkens position and the expected sanctions announcement, Lavrov had offered a prebuttal at a news conference Monday in Moscow.

Apparently, a (U.S.) decision was made to promote stable, predictable relations with Russia, he said. However, if this includes constant and predictable sanctions, thats not what we need.

Blinken said his meeting with Lavrov would be an important opportunity to test the proposition that the U.S. and Russia can work collaboratively on certain issues, like climate change, the Mideast, Iran and North Korea, despite bitter disagreements on others. The meeting comes as much of the world is focused on the Israel-Palestinian war.

Blinken noted that despite the vitriol, the U.S. and Russia had agreed early in the Biden administration to a five-year extension of a key arms control pact that President Donald Trump had declined to renew before he left office. Trump left a decidedly mixed legacy on Russia that included a friendly personal relationship with Putin, while his administration still imposed sanctions and other punitive measures.

Another, more immediate area of disagreement in Reykjavik, the site of the famous 1986 summit between President Ronald Reagan and Russian leader Mikhail Gorbachev, is the Arctic, where Russia has been expanding its military presence and pursuing policies to expand its influence, to the alarm of the Americans.

Blinken noted that the U.S. and Russia have cooperated in the past on Arctic issues, although he glossed over deep American opposition to Russias increased military activity in the area and its proposal to renew a long-suspended military dialogue within the eight-nation Arctic Council.

Blinken rejected Russian calls to resume a military component of the Arctic Council and expressed concerns about Russias increasing military activity in the region known as the high North. On Wednesday, in successive meetings with foreign ministers from other Nordic Council members, Blinken repeatedly referred to the importance of continuing to maintain this region as one of peaceful cooperation.

We have concerns about some of the recent military activities in the Arctic, he said. That Increases the dangers of accidents and miscalculations and undermines the shared goal of a peaceful and sustainable future for the region.

Blinken also took Russia to task for proposing new navigational regulations for the region and decried Lavrov for comments in which he dismissed such criticism because the Arctic is our territory, our land.

We have to proceed all of us, including Russia, based on the rules, based on norms, based on the commitments that weve each made and also avoid statements that undercut those, Blinken said.

In his comments Monday, Lavrov noted the grievances about Russias military activities in the Arctic. It has long been common knowledge that this is our territory, our land. We are in charge of keeping the Arctic coast safe. Everything Russia is doing there is absolutely legal, he said.

Moscow and Washington are also embroiled in a bitter dispute over the status of their respective embassies and consulates after the diplomatic expulsions. Russia has given the U.S. until Aug. 1 to get rid of all non-American staff at its diplomatic missions, something the U.S. says will make it nearly impossible for its facilities to function.

___

Associated Press writers Vladimir Isachenkov and Jim Heintz in Moscow contributed to this report.

BY MATTHEW LEE

AP Diplomatic Writer
HEMET, Calif. (AP)  A woman was fatally shot and four other people were wounded during a fight in a Southern California neighborhood, authorities said Wednesday.

The violence erupted Tuesday evening in the Riverside County city of Hemet. No one was immediately arrested and the motive remained unknown, police said.

Dispatchers began receiving calls about a group of females fighting just before 6 p.m. and then calls reporting gunfire. The number of people involved was estimated at six to eight.

Officers found three adults with gunshot wounds at the scene and a Hemet hospital reported two more gunshot victims had made their way there.

One of the victims at the scene was a 27-year-old woman who had been shot in the head and died after being flown to a county trauma center, police said.

Her name and those of the other victims were withheld.

A male victim found at the scene with serious gunshot wounds to a leg and his back was also taken to the trauma center. The third victim at the scene was taken to the Hemet hospital for treatment of a wound to his arm.

There were no further details about the other two victims, but no other deaths were expected, police said.

Police described the investigation as fluid and noted there was no immediate evidence that the shooting was gang-related.

Hemet is about 75 miles (121 kilometers) southeast of Los Angeles.
DEARBORN, Mich. (AP)  President Joe Bidens efforts to spotlight his big infrastructure plans are suddenly being overshadowed by the escalating violence between Israel and the Palestinians, the conflict sparking protests during his visit to a Ford electric vehicle center in Michigan on Tuesday as the White House faced growing pressure to intervene.

Biden, who planned to use the two week-stretch before Memorial Day to build Republican support for his $2.3 trillion package, visited a Ford plant in Dearborn to make his case that his plans could help steer the country toward a bright electric-car future.

But any presidential script is subject to real-world rewrites, and Biden faces rising pressure to weigh in more forcefully to stop the Middle East violence  as, by a scheduling quirk, he visited a city that is almost half Arab American.

In a speech at the plant, Biden made only passing mention of the conflict, warmly addressing Democratic Rep. Rashida Tlaib of Michigan as she sat in the audience, saying he would pray that her grandmother and other relatives were well in the West Bank.

I promise you Im going to do everything to see that they are, Biden said.

Biden also met Tlaib and fellow Michigan Democratic Rep. Debbie Dingell earlier at the Detroit airport, where all three huddled on the tarmac for several minutes in what appeared to be an animated conversation. Tlaib has publicly pressed Biden to get behind a U.N. Security Council resolution calling for a cease-fire  a measure that the U.S. has blocked from moving forward.

He was very compassionate  he listened, Dingell said of Biden. Hes deeply concerned.

The Biden administration has been conducting what it calls quiet diplomacy while declining to press for an immediate cease-fire by close ally Israel and Hamas. But privately, Biden administration officials have encouraged the Israelis to wind down their bombardment of Gaza.

Officials have been told by the Israelis that the operations could conclude in a matter of days.

The White House has made the calculation that the Israelis will not respond to international resolutions or public demands by the U.S. and that the greatest leverage is behind-the-scenes pressure, officials said. At the same time, the White House is mindful that the longer the conflict goes, the greater chance of a very-high-casualty event or other provocative action by either side that could make reaching a cease-fire more difficult.

All the while, Hamas rockets and Israeli airstrikes continued for a ninth day. At least 213 Palestinians and 12 people in Israel have died.

To this point in Biden's young term, foreign policy has taken a back seat. The president has stressed the need to first focus on domestic matters  taming the COVID-19 pandemic and reshaping the economy  to prove that democracies can still compete with global autocracies, namely China.

But the intractable conflict in Gaza has derailed that narrative.

Aboard Air Force One for the flight to Michigan, White House press secretary Jen Psaki was peppered with questions about the administration's response to the violence before she was asked about electric cars. She defended Biden's cautious approach to this point.

Hes been doing this long enough to know that the best way to end an international conflict is typically not to debate it in public," she said.

During his tour of the Dearborn facilities, Biden kept the focus on jobs. The president, a car enthusiast, marveled at the new technology  he even took a truck for a quick test drive  while stressing the importance of his infrastructure plan.

The future of the auto industry is electric. Theres no turning back, Biden said. "The real question is whether well lead or well fall behind in the race to the future.

There were protests outside in Dearborn, which is 47% Arab American, most of them Muslim, the highest percentage among cities in the U.S. Outside the local police department, about 3 miles (4.8 kilometers) from where Biden spoke, hundreds of people of Arab descent chanted, Free, Free Palestine! and waved Palestine flags. Amer Zahr, leader of a group called New Generation for Palestine, said Biden is not welcome in Dearborn today.

He is funding the murder of our families," Zahr said. "Its ethnic cleansing. Its that simple. This is not very complicated."

Biden wanted to orient his foreign policy around American workers, but the Israel conflict has underscored the challenges of combining his domestic and international agendas. The violence has not just been a disrupter of his messaging but also of his policy foundations.

The Biden White House has prided itself on message control and carefully scripting its approach to legislation. The first two months of his term were focused on passing the $1.9 trillion COVID-19 relief bill and dramatically increasing the nation's vaccination program.

The pivot was then to Biden's two-part infrastructure and family plan, which totals roughly $4 trillion. The president has set a soft deadline of Memorial Day to gauge whether there is Republican support. Not one GOP lawmaker backed the COVID-19 bill, though it had strong public support. There have been a few, if fleeting, signs of possible Republican support for the infrastructure plan.

Last week, a group of Republican senators met with Biden and were set to again sit down with White House officials and Cabinet members on Tuesday. There are some hopes for bipartisan agreement on hard infrastructure  like highways and broadband  before Democrats push forward their family plan on a party-line vote. At minimum, aides have said, they want to make a show of reaching across the aisle to reassure moderate Democrats leery of pushing through massive spending bills using a legislative strategy that bypasses Republicans entirely.

Biden's plan would help transform the automotive sector by making vehicles more mainstream that don't burn gasoline. He also sees a shift toward electric vehicles as a major part of his plan to fight climate change, and his visit came the day before Ford was expected to release details of an all-electric version of its F-150 pickup truck called the Lightning.

The president also has to overcome a major hurdle before his electric vehicle, zero emission future becomes reality: the lack of stations where people can plug in and juice up their engines. To that end, Biden has proposed $174 billion for electric vehicles. That money includes rebates and incentives for consumer purchases, along with money to build 500,000 charging stations by 2030.

The White House says the U.S. has just a fraction, about one-third, of the electric vehicle market share that China has, and far fewer public charging points  and needs to catch up before it can take the lead.

At Ford, its F-Series pickups  including heavy-duty versions  have been the top-selling vehicles in the U.S. for 39 straight years. Last year, the company sold more than 787,000 of the trucks, even though it had to close factories for eight weeks at the start of the coronavirus pandemic.

The F-150 Lightning electric truck, due in showrooms in the middle of next year, will come at a time when few Americans have been willing to switch away from gasoline-powered vehicles. Through April of this year, automakers have sold only 107,624 fully electric vehicles in the U.S.

___

Lemire reported from New York; Boak reported from Washington. Associated Press writers Aamer Madhani in Chicago, Tom Krisher in Detroit and Mike Householder in Dearborn, Mich., contributed to this report.
NEW DELHI (AP)  Indian navy ships recovered 26 bodies of people who were aboard a barge that sank off Mumbai as the most powerful storm to hit the region in more than two decades blew ashore this week, officials said Wednesday.

The search is continuing for 49 more people who are missing after the cyclone hit Monday, navy spokesman Mehul Karnik said.

He said five ships, a surveillance aircraft and three helicopters involved in the search had rescued 186 people in rough seas with waves of up to 7 meters (25 feet).

A navy statement said 125 survivors and two bodies have arrived in Mumbai and others are expected to get there late Wednesday.

Cyclone Tauktae packed sustained winds of up to 210 kilometers (130 miles) per hour when it came ashore in Gujarat state. It left more than 50 dead in Gujarat and Maharashtra states.

The weather has improved, and the search operation for those who are missing has intensified, navy Cmdr. Alok Anand said, adding that some of the survivors had received minor injuries.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi saw the damage caused by the cyclone by flying over the worst-hit areas and later met with state officials in Ahmedabad, a key city in western Gujarat state.

Government is working closely with all the states affected by the cyclone, he tweeted.

The Hindu newspaper reported that more than 16,000 houses were damaged in Gujarat state, while thousands of trees and electric poles were uprooted by the force of the wind.

A survivor told the New Delhi Television news channel that he jumped into the sea with his life jacket and was later picked up by the navy.

In another operation, a navy helicopter rescued 35 crew members of another barge, which ran aground north of Mumbai, a government statement said.

Both barges were working for Oil and Natural Gas Corp., the largest crude oil and natural gas company in India.

The company said the barges were carrying personnel deployed for offshore drilling and their anchors gave away during the storm. Indias biggest offshore oil rigs are located off Mumbai.

Navy helicopters also provided food and water to nearly 300 crew members of a support station and drilling ship that were being towed back to Mumbai by the company's support vessels, the statement said.

The storm has weakened into a depression centered over the south of Rajasthan state and adjoining Gujarat region, the Indian Meteorological Department said Wednesday.

In neighboring Nepal, authorities asked mountaineers to descend from high altitudes because the storm might bring severe weather.

Hundreds of climbers, guides and staff are trying to climb mountains in Nepal this month, when weather is usually the most favorable in the high altitudes. Nepal has eight of the world's 14 highest peaks, including Mount Everest.

Nepal's Department of Tourism on Tuesday asked climbers and outfitting agencies to monitor the weather and stay safe.

In 2014, snowstorms and avalanches triggered by a cyclone in India killed 43 people in Nepals mountains in the worst hiking disaster in the Himalayan nation.

The snowstorms were believed to be whipped up by the tail end of a cyclone that hit the Indian coast a few days earlier.

The blizzards swept through the popular Annapurna trekking route, and hikers were caught off-guard when the weather changed quickly.

___

Associated Press writer Binaj Gurubacharya in Kathmandu, Nepal, contributed to this report.
Peter Bischoff/Getty Images

SUGAR LAND, Texas (AP)  A Texas man accused of torturing and killing four kittens had worked as a geometry teacher at a Houston-area high school before his arrest, the school district said.

Graham Reid, 29, of Sugar Land, faces four counts of felony cruelty to non-livestock animals. He was arrested in late April, and the Fort Bend Independent School District said this week that Reid is no longer employed with the district.
Surely you place Michael Burry as the eccentric investor played by Christian Bale in the movie 'The Big Short' (2015). He predicted the 2008 mortgage crisis and is now so sure of Tesla's falling stock that he made a bearish bet against Elon Musk's company .

A report filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) on Monday shows that Scion Asset Management , the investment management company run by Burry, held put options for 800,100 Tesla shares, worth $ 534 million last year. March 31st.

Put options , also known as a ' put option' , give their owner the right to sell an asset at a predetermined price. This allows you to generate profits in case of a fall of said asset in the market below the price determined by the option.

The report does not specify when Michael Burry acquired the options, but in December 2020 he admitted that he bet against Tesla and advised Musk to issue more shares, as in his opinion the price was "ridiculous ."

Image: Michael Burry via Twitter.

Additionally, Burry left hints of his pessimism about Tesla last February.

My last big bet is getting bigger and bigger. Only today Tesla increased its capitalization by 60,000 million dollars, which is equivalent to one GM, two Hershey's, three Etsy, four Domino's, 10 Vornadoes. Enjoy it while it lasts , Burry warned on Twitter that month.

However, in mid-March the famous investor decided to delete his Twitter account after being investigated.

Tweeting and being in the news lately has apparently made the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) visit us , and he finished off the message with the hashtag #nomoretwitts, meaning 'no more tweets'.

Is Michael Burry's Tesla Prediction Coming True?

In 2020, the price of Tesla shares It skyrocketed more than eight times, hitting an all-time high of $ 883 on January 26, 2021. Since then, the electric car company's shares have been falling.

This Wednesday, May 19, Tesla shares are trading at $ 563 per unit, which represents an approximate 36% drop in their price in less than 4 months.

Image via Yahoo Finance.

To date, Elon Musk's company reports a market capitalization of $ 542.798 million , according to data from Yahoo Finance . Meanwhile, the founding mogul of SpaceX and Starlink stopped being the second richest person in the world and fell to third place on the Bloomberg Millionaires Index , surpassed by Bernard Arnault , president of LVMH.

Tesla's downward streak could be a sign that Burry once again anticipated the behavior of the stock market and made the right bet again.

Who is and what did Michael Burry do?

A neurologist by profession and founder of the Scion Capital fund, Burry rose to fame for predicting the bursting of the 2008 housing bubble, which caused a severe financial crisis from 2007 to 2010.

But they well say that 'a troubled river, fishermen gain'. During the subprime crisis, the investor personally made about $ 100 million and generated more than $ 700 million in profits for his clients.

Copyright 2021 Entrepreneur.com Inc., All rights reserved
The cryptocurrency craze has hit our local pizza places.

Bitcoin Pizza is launching in 10 cities  including Houston  for one week only starting May 22.

IN HOUSTON: Houston's OMG Hip-Hop Food Fest is a gimmick, but could be more

For the (understandably) extremely confused, you don't actually need bitcoin to buy Bitcoin Pizza, nor is it made to look like Bitcoin, whatever that would mean.

Investor/bitcoin enthusiast Anthony Pompliano and the other creators of Bitcoin Pizza are commemorating the first bitcoin transaction ever while raising money for the Human Rights Foundation's Bitcoin Development Fund, which supports cryptocurrency developers.

It's wildly believed that the first bitcoin transaction ever was when programmer Laszlo Hanyecz spent 10,000 bitcoin on two Papa Johns pizzas (I bet he regrets that now).

And much like bitcoin is disrupting modern currency or whatever, Bitcoin Pizza is here to disrupt the pizza industry?

"For decades, Big Pizza (Domino's, Pizza Hut) has ruled the pizza industry, displacing beloved mom-and-pop shops with their corporate mumbo jumbo," Bitcoin Pizza's website says. "Bitcoin Pizza is the first decentralized pizza brand uniting our favorite neighborhood pizzerias under one roof to take on Big Pizza."

I don't know. I still don't understand cryptocurrency.

Bitcoin Pizza will arrive in a special bitcoin-themed box and comes in five different flavors: Satoshi's Favorite (pineapple, Canadian bacon and bacon); Laser Eyes (pepperoni); Capital Greens (mushrooms, onions, green peppers, black green, green olives, and fresh tomatoes); Lightning Meat (pepperoni, Canadian bacon, ground beef, and Italian sausage); and No Keys, No Cheese (cheese, obviously).

'NO STORE DOES MORE': H-E-B now offers free curbside delivery for orders under $35

Bitcoin Pizza didn't directly say which Houston pizza places it was partnering with, but I searched the addresses of the three Houston Bitcoin Pizza locations. Pepperoni's near the Galleria, Two Guys Pizzeria on West Holcombe, and BB's Tex-Orleans on Westheimer seem to be the ones making these crypto-pizzas from May 22 until May 29.

Bitcoin Pizza is available for pick-up and delivery, but there will be only 10,000 pizzas available. You can order one for pick-up or delivery at EatBitcoinPizza.com. Pre-orders are already open.

And no, it doesn't look like you can pay with bitcoin.
One probably wouldn't expect a food truck that doesn't seem to follow any rules to be successful at executing delicious dishes. But Franklin Jacks is an exception to that rule  and creating a cuisine of their own.

The white truck, which the Express-News describes as looking like "a police surveillance van you would see in the movies," presents a menu that mixes Texas burgers with East Coast lobster rolls, Tex-Mex dishes, and even a Nashville-style hot chicken sandwich Chuck Blount dubbed "superb."

READ MORE: Bill Miller Bar-B-Q heir proposing 8-story downtown tower on historic site

Besides main courses, also found at the spot on the Northeast Side are treats like double-fried truffle parmesan fries, mini churros, funnel cakes, and Flamin' Hot Cheetos mac 'n' cheese.

Big bucks for micheladas

Lone Star Beer announced its first ever michelada making contest in honor of Fiesta's return to San Antonio. It's pretty simple: those (of drinking age, please) are asked to whip up an original michelada recipe to be entered using the company's Mexican-style brew, Rio Jade.

The contest, dubbed Riochelada, will be judged at an uber exclusive event (the location hasn't been announced) in San Antonio on June 17.

But don't get too tipsy in the kitchen  participants have to register their creations online, post a picture of it on their Instagram account, and tag @lonestarbeer and use hashtags #riochelada, #riojade, and #contest.

The first place winner will take home $5,000, second place grabs $1,500, and third place will receive $100 and Lone Star swag.

In case you missed it...

HASH Vegan Eats, the city's first dry bar (as in non-alcoholic, not a blow dry bar) reflects on their first months in business, and their vision of being a safe place for all.

Texas Monthly trekked to San Antonio to visit Tonys Fiesta and checked in on La Fonde de Jaime. The magazine raves about the nostalgic dive-bar vibes of the "seedy but welcoming" Tony's and the kimchi-garnished bulgogi trompo tacos and birria de chivo at the property's food truck.

Soak up the newest East Asian- and Pacific-inspired fare in downtown San Antonio, all on the same property. House of Ma, a Vietnamese restaurant, and Hugman's Oasis, a tiki bar, are making "the River Walk feel like a beach," with tropical bites and flower laden cocktails.

TripAdvisor would like everyone to know they had nothing to do with that whole barbecue map incident, thank you very much. That viral map, which was inaccurately attributed to the travel review site, took the internet by storm last week. ""We're a victim here in this story," said a rep

Have more food news to share? Email us at mysa@mysa.com.
Reporting on stories about San Antonio for KABB 29 and WOAI News 4 is Gloria DeLeon's job. But when the camera's are off, she's telling a new story  one that's personal.



DeLeon was at the beginning of her pregnancy when doctors broke the news to her: DeLeon's son would be born with a cleft lip and palate. The news brought her instantly to tears.



"I didnt know what it meant exactly. But, hearing anything could be wrong with your child is both heartbreaking and horrifying," DeLeon told MySA. "I started wondering what I did or didnt do, to cause this. I had to mourn the idea of having a 'perfectly healthy baby."



DeLeon makes clear that her son is healthy, but the idea of having a 'perfect' pregnancy and only having to go to the doctor for babys checkups, went out the window for her.

MORE MOM THINGS FROM CANDICE: Texas mom working to normalize motherhood through hilarious TikTok videos

Courtesy Gloria DeLeon

"Im faced with the unknown of the extent of his cleft lip and possible palate and weekly appointments with a perinatal specialist. Im now a high-risk pregnancy," she said. "And then, having to explain this to dad, was equally as heartbreaking. And then, each grandparent, it was emotionally exhausting."



According to the Centers for Disease Control, about 1 in every 1,600 babies is born with cleft lip or cleft palate in the United States.

The CDC says the causes of orofacial clefts in infants are still unknown. More studies are being conducted into birth defects, such as cleft lip and cleft palate, and how to prevent them. Generally, the condition can impact speech and eating.

On November 17, 2020, her son Archie Paul was born. DeLeon was a little reserved when it came to sharing photos of her baby on social media.



"Hes perfect to me, but of course I had reservations at first. How would people react?" she said. To her surprise, she opened up a platform for other families, who were experiencing the same cleft journey, to share their stories.



"I cant tell you the number of people whove reached out to me to tell me about their own cleft journey or about their kids, cousins, siblings, etc. Its been amazing," DeLeon said.



After seeing how many people shared the same experience, DeLeon decided to to start a blog to document Archie's journey.

Courtesy Gloria DeLeon

"As many of you know, he was born with a unilateral cleft lip & palate. But, let me tell you, that hasn't slowed this little munchkin down, at all," she put in a a Facebook post along with the new blog  "Chasing Archie."



The blog allows the San Antonio reporter to express raw emotions, a process she finds very therapeutic.



"Yes, Im revisiting every feeling I went through when it all started, but its a way for me to actually verbalize how I felt, what I was thinking and just my overall state of mind," she told MySA.

READ ALSO: San Antonio TV personalities celebrate their first Mother's Day



But her main goal for "Chasing Archie" is helping others.

"I want to help other parents who may be going through the same thing. I was super ignorant to what a cleft lip and cleft palate was. I was terrified, when I heard about it, because I didnt know anything about it," she said. "Google can be a very scary place, when you dont really know what youre looking for. So, I hope I can ease someones mind and maybe even validate some of the feelings they have, after hearing their babies may be born with a cleft."

DeLeon says the responses so far have been amazing.

"The feedback on my blog has blown me away, so much support. Even people who dont have a personal experience with someone born with a cleft, tell me its educating them. Theyre learning through our journey."

Courtesy Gloria DeLeon

The new mom recently showed more of her strength. Last week, Archie underwent surgery number one.

"It was hard. To think of my 5-month-old having to undergo anesthesia and to have surgery is scary. I was terrified. There are tons of risks for surgery. Anything can happen," she said. "Seeing him in his hospital gown for the first time was heartbreaking. I did my best to stay as calm as possible and to hold back my tears, so Archie would stay calm. I didnt want him to sense my anxiety right before going in. I couldnt get enough kisses and hugs in, before he went."

Two hours later, Archie was out of surgery.



"When I saw him after and he started waking up from the anesthesia, I cant explain the relief I felt. Pure joy."



This won't be the only surgery for Archie, DeLeon says since he had both a cleft lip and cleft palate, he will have several surgeries ahead. His next will be his palate repair, which will most likely happen later this year. Then, hell have various surgeries through childhood, as he grows.



Archie is now 6 months old, healthy and happy as you can tell from photos DeLeon shares of her baby boy on social media.



"I hope it lets another mama out there know, they arent alone. Their feelings and emotions are valid. And at the end of the day, it will be okay."
As summer approaches and COVID-19 policies loosen up nationwide, San Antonio may be on the travel itineraries of people anxious to break out of their pandemic bubbles.

The interest in the Alamo City may be getting an extra boost from a "U.S. News & World Report" list which recently named the city as one of the South's best weekend jaunts as well as the No. 1 destination in Texas.
Local officials hopes that the borders would soon reopen have been dealt another blow.

On Tuesday, the bridge closure was extended until June 21. Its the 15th straight month the restrictions will remain in place for non-essential travel at land ports of entry between the U.S. and Mexico.

The decision was made after Mexican Secretary Marcelo Ebrard expressed concern over the non-essential travel from Mexico with Rep. Henry Cuellar, saying that those concerns pressure the U.S. to adhere to the southern border policy, even if it doesnt agree.

The Mexican Office of Foreign Relations issued the notice in a tweet at 11 a.m. Tuesday morning citing COVID health issues and the number of vaccinated citizens from both countries.

Cuellar discussed the decision in his Conversation with Cuellar media briefing at the same time.

In a letter to Department of Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas, Cuellar stated that the prolonged closure of the borders has affected small businesses along the border and requested the DHS to attempt to lift the ban. However, Ebrards reasoning is still unknown, and Cuellar said that during a talk with Dr. Anthony Fauci, both were not aware of any problem that could not be solved and have the borders reopened.

Despite non-essential travel from the U.S. to Mexico already being allowed, Cuellar believes there are safety policies that can be placed to allow Mexican nationals to visit. He finds it baffling and frustrating that the land travel to the U.S. is still being postponed, while air travel from Mexico into the U.S. is acceptable.

If somebody flies into the United States, what do they do? They just show they the COVID negative test, Cuellar said. We could do the same thing at the bridges.

Cuellar continued stating that in addition to the Mexican government allowing American tourists from traveling to their country, visiting their vacation sites and spending money, Mexicans along the border cannot travel to the U.S. to see their families or spend their money here.

Miguel Conchas, President and CEO of the Laredo Chamber of Commerce, said that the prolonged closure has had a serious impact on the local economy. And with Mexico citing health issues but allowing Americans to cross without issue and the U.S. placing travel restrictions regarding COVID, confusion engulfs the decisions.

He added that while large corporate businesses continue to flourish, small businesses around Laredo have suffered.

During the conversation, the upcoming meeting between Vice President Kamala Harris and Mexico President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador on June 8 was discussed, where Cuellar said he hopes that the reopening of the borders is a topic of discussion between the two.

Despite Harris focus on immigration and how to address the illegal entry from Mexico and Central American countries, there is hope that the pertinent U.S.-Mexico border discussion will also take place and result in changes possibly before June 21.

cocampo@lmtonline.com
MINNEAPOLIS (AP)  Something will be missing when the Minnesota Legislature reconvenes next month to finish its work on a new budget  the fence that has surrounded the Capitol since the unrest last summer following George Floyd's death.

But officials havent yet decided whether the Capitol will reopen to the public in time for the special session, which Gov. Tim Walz is expected to call for June 14 or sooner.

The fence will start coming down June 1, Curt Yoakum, assistant commissioner of the Department of Administration, which runs the Capitol complex, said Tuesday. The Capitol closed in March 2020 as the COVID-19 pandemic took hold, but Walz has recently lifted virus restrictions, including the state's mask mandate.

I think all of us want to be as transparent as possible, Lt. Gov Peggy Flanagan, who chairs a Capitol oversight board, told reporters Tuesday. The session feels different when theres people not inside the building. And so were in conversations right now with leadership about what is possible there to make sure that Minnesotans can feel seen and heard and valued and able to participate.

The Legislature adjourned its regular session Monday without completing its main task for the year crafting a balanced two-year budget. Leaders said they favor transparent negotiations over the unfinished work but acknowledged thornier disputes would be addressed in private.

Besides deciding how to spend $52 billion, lawmakers also need to determine if there's enough common ground between the House Democratic and Senate Republican majorities to pass police accountability legislation. Democrats want to build on the momentum following the murder conviction of former Minneapolis police Officer Derek Chauvin in Floyd's death.

The halls and hearing rooms of the Capitol complex are typically full of citizens and lobbyists making their voices heard, but the complex was largely empty this year as lawmakers met and voted remotely.

We will be happy to invite the public back into this building." Democratic House Speaker Melissa Hortman, of Brooklyn Park, told reporters, noting the unusually high number of lawmakers and journalists present Monday. "To have members of the public here in this building, making lots of noise while were doing our work, is how it is supposed to be.

Republican Senate Majority Leader Paul Gazelka, of East Gull Lake, said he didn't oppose allowing spectators into the public galleries for the special session.

This is the peoples house, Gazelka told reporters.

The House included several policing measures in its public safety budget bill; the Senate never gave them a hearing. Gazelka acknowledged in his closing speech on the Senate floor that there were strong passions on both sides, but indicated that less controversial measures could make it into the final package.

We are not going to do anything that we perceive as anti-police, but we are going to look at things that are police accountability that would make sense," Gazelka said.

The chambers lead negotiator on the public safety budget, Republican Sen. Warren Limmer, of Maple Grove. told reporters he expects a lot of conversations with his House counterpart, Democratic Rep. Carlos Mariani, of St. Paul, but warned, there's going to be some items that we're not going to agree on.

Limmer said he would have a little trouble swallowing a Democratic proposal to remove the statute of limitations on civil liability for police officers. But he said there are quite a few House proposals he could accept if they can work out the details. He declined to say which ones, but said they fall into the good government category.

Democratic Senate Minority Leader Susan Kent, of Woodbury, urged other leaders to ensure a transparent run-up to the special session. Minnesotans and the media did not have sufficient access during the regular session, but it's important that everyone has confidence in the next budget, she said in a floor speech.

"We will do that better if we actually do that in front of the people of Minnesota, Kent said.
FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. (AP)  The Navajo Nation has by far the largest land mass of any Native American tribe in the country. Now, it's boasting the largest enrolled population, too.

Navajos clamored to enroll or fix their records as the tribe offered hardship assistance payments from last year's federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act. That boosted the tribe's rolls from about 306,000 to nearly 400,000 citizens.

The figure tops the Cherokee Nation's enrollment of 392,000. But it, too, has been growing, said tribal spokeswoman Julie Hubbard. The Oklahoma tribe has been receiving about 200 more applications per month from potential enrollees, leaving Navajo's position at the top unstable.

The numbers matter because tribes often are allocated money based on their number of citizens. Each of the 574 federally recognized tribes determines how to count its population. Navajo, for example, requires a one-quarter blood quantum to enroll. Cherokee primarily uses lineal descent.

Tribal governments received $4.8 billion from the CARES Act based on federal housing population data for tribes, which some said was badly skewed. The Treasury Department recently revised the methodology and said it would correct the most substantial disparities.

The Shawnee Tribe of Oklahoma, one of three tribes that sued the Treasury Department over the payments, said it's satisfied with an additional $5.2 million it's set to receive. The Miccosukee Tribe of Indians in Florida and the Prairie Band Potawatomi Nation in Kansas would get $825,000 and $864,000 under the new methodology. Both said those amounts didn't make sense when broken down to a per-person figure. They plan to continue their fight in court.

We just cannot accept this as it is, Carol Heckman, an attorney for Prairie Band, said in a court hearing last week. We're happy to keep talking about it, but Treasury would have to sweeten the pie.

The Treasury Department will avoid much of the problems it encountered with CARES Act funding in the distribution of the $20 billion for tribes under the American Rescue Plan Act. The department said it will use tribally certified enrollment figures to pay out $12.35 billion and tribal employment data for $6.65 billion.

Another $1 billion will be divided equally among eligible tribal governments, the Treasury Department said. Alaska Native corporations, which own much of the Native land in Alaska under a 1971 settlement, aren't eligible for any of the $20 billion in funding. The U.S. Supreme Court is deciding whether the corporations will get a slice of the CARES Act money.

The Treasury Department set a Monday deadline for tribal governments to submit their information online for the American Rescue Plan funding. It acknowledged that no formula perfectly can capture the needs of tribes, which have suffered disproportionately during the pandemic.

Tribes also won't be under as tight of a deadline to spend the money as they were for the CARES Act and will have more flexibility. They can spend the money to replace lost revenue and improve water, sewer and broadband infrastructure that often lags behind the rest of the U.S.

The Navajo Nation is on track to get the largest share of the enrollment-based funding. About half of its members live on the vast 27,000-square-mile (70,000-square-kilometer) reservation that extends into New Mexico, Arizona and Utah.

The tribe opened the hardship assistance program in November, up against an initial deadline to spend federal virus assistance by the end of the year. It required that applicants be enrolled as Navajo citizens. The response was huge, with the tribe paying out more than $322 million to more than 293,000 applicants, the tribal controller's office said. Adults received up to $1,350 and children up to $450.

On the American Rescue Plan Act funding, Navajo Nation President Jonathan Nez questioned the fairness of awarding more money to tribes that enroll people with less than one-fourth blood quantum.

Here on Navajo, we verify blood quantum, and that's a requirement, he told The Associated Press. If they had that same requirement, one-quarter Cherokee, just imagine.

The U.S. Census reflects higher numbers for Native Americans than tribes' enrollment records because it allows people to self-identify as Native American and Alaska Native and report ties to multiple Indigenous groups across North America, Central America and South America. Not all of those 5.2 million people are eligible to enroll in tribes. The 2010 count put the Cherokee Nation around 820,000 and Navajo at 332,000.

Cherokee Native Principal Chief Chuck Hoskin Jr. said the recent higher enrollment figure from the Navajo Nation government shows Natives are strong and an important force for economies, education and environment.

It's truly a positive anytime our citizenship grows and thrives, he said in a statement.
Update 1:55 p.m.:

The victim's family released a statement through the San Antonio Police Department.

"The Rosenstein and Starr families appreciate the diligent efforts of the San Antonio and Shavano Park Police Departments that resulted in the arrest of a suspect in Lisas death."

Original story:

San Antonio Police have made an arrest in the death of the daughter of a prominent San Antonio developer.

On Tuesday, May 18, police arrested Joel Angel Zaragoza, 23, in the death of Lisa Rosenstein. The 53-year-old woman was jogging along the Loop 1604 access road around 7 a.m. on May 2 when a driver later identified as Zaragoza hit her with his Ford Focus.

The impact reportedly knocked Rosenstein into a grassy area along the access road. According to the arrest affidavit, a bicyclist along the access road later saw Rosensteins body, called 9-1-1, and attempted to perform CPR until paramedics arrived.

Rosenstein later died of her injuries. She was the daughter of David Starr, a local developer and one of the biggest low-income housing landlords in the state, according to the San Antonio Express-News.

Zaragoza never stopped, police said, and has been charged with failure to stop and render aid resulting in death.

Authorities said they were able to identify Zaragoza as the suspect after finding pieces of his vehicles headlamp at the scene. An unnamed source also reported him to police after noticing damage to his vehicle.
Reader GM, who has an aura-of-burning-rubber resume (membership of several elite scientific institutions) and hangs with scientists who have published dozens of cutting-edge immunology papers, including on topics directly relevant to the intricacies of Covid pathogenesis, has provided, through a series of e-mails, a damning critique of US Covid policy. Thanks to Americas status in the global economy, it is well nigh impossible for other countries to pursue a markedly different path. As he described in a recent e-mail:

The question that I have no answer to is when exactly was it decided to not contain it. If you remember, some information came out about early and mid-February 2020 closed Senate meetings, after which senators were selling their shares in hotels and airlines, i.e. what was going to happen in late March was known at that time. But it was not in fact too late to contain it in early February, it could have been done with test-trace-isolate. So maybe it was perceived at the time that it could not be, assuming the decision was made as late as possible within that timeline. But the earlier that decision happened, the more nefarious motivations one would have to suspect were involved, because why would you not at least try to contain it when it was eminently doable? After all SARS-1 was contained even though it reached hundreds of cases in Canada and the US. And then what followed was the outright sabotage of testing and detection by the CDC,1 the CDC allowing strongly suspected to be infected people to just get off their flight and walk right back into the community, and a rather long list of other such absurd actions. Maybe one day internal information will leak and we will learn the truth, who knows Also, this all becomes even more gruesome when one realizes that the decision of the US to allow it to become endemic meant the same decision was imposed on most of the rest of the world, as the US controls it. As I said above, Eastern Europe (except for Belarus and Russia) took it very seriously early on and locked down before it had gotten out of hand, and was in fact very close to elimination. Montenegro, which eventually ended up being one of the worst affected countries, actually did eliminate it in May 2020. But once it became clear the US will not eliminate and the EU will not eliminate, those countries had no choice, although they could have at least held out for vaccines instead of letting it rip. There was never going to be a world in which the EU and Latin America have indefinitely banned travel out of the US, not with US military bases stationed all over Europe. And there was never going to be a world in which Bulgaria and Romania ban travel from Germany. The really sad part is that a country like Russia supposedly does have that independence, and could have gone for elimination and closed borders and a bubble with China. But modern Russia is not the USSR, its just as, if not more neoliberal than the US, so they let it rip too, for the same reasons as in the US And now some the countries that did the right thing  Taiwan, Vietnam, and Laos  are encircled and battling their worst outbreaks since the start, which is heartbreaking to watch.

Even this site, early on, inferred that both the Trump and Biden Administrations were relying on magic Covid vaccines as pretty much their only Covid strategy. Policy-makers and public health officials were unwilling and/or unable to pursue a path of eradication, which in practice is aggressive minimization: hard lockdowns, followed up by opening only areas where new infections are effectively nil, testing at-risk populations often, and engaging in contact tracing and quarantines. Our rejection of quarantines was a tell that the chosen path instead was simply to keep hospitalizations to a manageable level.2 And bugger any consideration of morbidity.

Quite a few of those who are neither in the Biden-aligned PMC bubble nor anti-vaxxers/anti-maskers, like the biggest nurses unions in America, are upset and confused by the Biden Administrations Covid Mission Accomplished directive of ditch masks and social distancing if you are among the fully vaccinated cool kids group.3 Even if you buy the proposition vaccines alone can vanquish Covid, this was utterly irresponsible messaging. Where was the warning that the vaccinated will need another shot by early-mid fall?

So far, the main propagator of the notion that boosters are coming has been the drug companies themselves, rather than public health officials. But my impression is that even then, no one has been willing to suggest more than an annual shot.

By contrast, former Harvard Medical School/Harvard School of Public Health professor William Haseltine in Forbes warned that booster jabs for mRNA vaccines to combat variants were probably needed six months after the second shot .

Haseltine recaps new research from Moderna, whose vaccine confers the best immunity. It shows that immunity to new variants, as shown by antibody levels, is likely to last only 6 months from the initial shots, and for The Original Covid, eight months. Some researchers argue that T cell and memory B cell immunity could last longer; Haseltine isnt willing to bet the farm on that.

This finding is consistent with our uninformed layperson best guess. We repeatedly pointed out that experts estimated that immunity after having contracted Covid lasts six to eight months. Even though we accepted the notion that vaccine-conferred immunity would be more robust (as in would enable the recipient to combat higher viral loads and might also offer more protection against variants), that didnt amount to proof that vaccine-conferred immunity was longer-lived.4

From Haseltine:

The majority of new infections in the US, Europe, and most other countries are now driven by variants. A new preprint study conducted by Moderna describes both the hope and challenge of booster vaccines as an approach to the solution to the problem of variants. Their booster shots appear to be effective at neutralizing at least two of the new variants, B.1.351 and P.1. But importantly, their preprint study also revealed the first-generation Moderna vaccine doesnt protect against the variants for as long as we initially hoped When tested for its ability to neutralize the P.1 and B.1.351 strains, the antibodies generated by the Moderna vaccine against the original strain dropped to low or undetectable levels six to eight months after the second doseIf two doses of the Moderna vaccine amount to six months of protection against the variants, other vaccines are likely to guarantee less.

So not only is the Biden Administration failing to prepare the public that those whove gotten their shots will need to take another in a few months, theyve also effectively trash-talked what proved to be pretty effective public health strategies of masking and social distancing. Look at how New York City went from being a Covid disaster area to a good performer before vaccinations were readily available. Yet Team Biden has effectively endorsed the Covid-denier line that wearing masks is oppressive.

GM warned where the combination of infection level and vaccine effectiveness lead:

Unfortunately, with many respected scientists jumping on board of the optimism hype train (it was quite noticeable how the mood shifted on purely scientific matters that had absolutely nothing to do with politics a few months ago), the wrong message has already been once again sent to the public, and we can expect disaster in the future. Non-sterilizing vaccines mean the virus will not only get the chance to evolve complete escape but will be channeled in that direction. But it also may be channeled in the direction of being much more virulent as a side effect of its fight with the vaccines (this can get quite detailed on a molecular level so I will not go into it right now). The math does not look good  the unmitigated-spread R_0 in February 2020 was much closer to 6.0 than to the usually cited 2.0. But the current variants have undergone adaptation and are much more contagious. Lets say we have R_0 = 6. And lets say we reach 70% vaccination (its hard to see how we will get higher), and that transmission is cut by 80% (this, however, is simplistic  it is quite likely that transmission is cut by 80% in the first couple months after vaccination, but then the first thing that will wear off is protection from infection, with protection from severe disease going away last). Thats 56% effective vaccination. But the herd immunity threshold for R_0=6 is 85%, a lot higher, i.e. it will continue to spread. It might in fact continue to spread even with 100% vaccination with a full return to 2019 in terms of lack of social distancing. So we should absolutely never have gone down the path of solving this crisis with vaccines and not doing anything to stop transmission. The vaccines should have been used as one of the tools to eliminate the virus, but in combination with NPIs. If evolution featured in the thinking of our overlords, they would not have settled on this as the solution to the problem. But either it does not, or they just dont care. P.S. Some more sobering simple math. Lets say the vaccine is 90% protective against severe disease over a period of two years. Then one can expect to have on average three serious COVID episodes by the time he is 60 even if he is always up-to-date with his biannual vaccinations (and there is no knowing how much more virulent to young people it will have become in the future with all the serial passaging). We now see what round #1 of mass reinfections looks like in India. So that is the solution being offered right now. However, it will probably not happen as one giant apocalyptic wave so it can be pushed to the background as a non-problem.

Mind you (and GM has discussed these on other threads), there is a promising nasal vaccine under development that should be able to achieve sterilizing immunity, and that could even start being distributed if everything goes right by end of 2022. That sort of vaccine could be a game-changer. The current ones are enablers of life with Covid and not life after Covid.

IM Doc has pointed out that past great pandemics had a first wave, then a more acute second wave, and somehow the virus and humans reached an accommodation. So its possible Mother Nature will bail us out after we go through some more collective pain.

Another avenue the US has not taken all that seriously is treatments. We reported yesterday, for instance, of a retroviral treatment developed in Queensland that reduced Covid viral loads in mice by 99.9%. IM Doc is a bit leery since hes seen retroviral based treatments go spectacularly south in some cancer and autoimmune disease patients. But biomedical professor KLG had speculated earlier that ivermectin and another (one or two) antivirals that attack other parts of the viral replication pathway will be one answer to COVID-19, each given at a relatively low dose and working synergistically: This is how AIDS was turned into a manageable chronic infection in most HIV/AIDS patients.

So there is hope of eventually getting off the inertial path, but make no mistake, the one our putative leaders have put us on is not pretty. GM made this call on May 8, the week before the Mission Accomplished reversal:

GM made this call on May 8:

.the path forward . personal choice on how much you can protect yourself, but nothing will be done to stop transmission aside from vaccination. The US will easily tolerate 100-200K deaths a year, probably even more, as long as hospitals do not collapse. And the truth is that while they were close to collapsing on several occasions, at no point did it become an India-like situation. And that is fine as far as the powers that be are concerned  the only real constraint there ever was was that there should be no people dying on the street outside of hospitals because that is very bad PR and it runs the risk of the public waking up and demanding that an elimination program be implemented (which is fundamentally impossible without the absolutely abominable idea of taking from the rich and giving to the poor). How many people die overall does not matter (especially given that we know very well which people will be doing the dying and which people will be living comfortable secluded from it all lives). BTW, this has a corollary  expanding hospital capacity is something that we do not want in the West, because what it means is a lot more people dying and becoming disabled for life in absolute terms, as it raises that tolerance limit. This is one reason the late-2020 wave was met with a lot less restrictions than the Spring 2020 one. Even though it killed 2-3X as many people. Hospitals were prepared. Again, this perverse logic works in the West. In less privileged places people will be left to die on the streets. This also highlights the more generally perverted logic of Western medicine and healthcare systems  we only care about treatment, not about the actual health of people. Of course nobody wants to listen, so a lot of suffering lies ahead.

Yes, well get through Covid collectively, but many people and families will suffer unnecessarily due to weak and incompetent leadership and lack of concern for the general good. This is yet another product of neoliberal cognitive capture.

____

1 From GM in a different thread:

For the record, to those of us in the molecular biology world, what the CDC was doing in January and February 2020, when it simultaneously could not put together a working test for the six to eight long crucial weeks of silent undetected spread, while preventing others from developing their own, looked like deliberate sabotage of containment. It was hard to explain in any other way  Ive mentored high school students who were successfully doing much more complex designs of molecular biology reagents in 9th grade, it is not rocket science, plus there were already working designs from other countries, and it was quite literally a copy-paste matter to adapt those. And then there is the question of why would you possibly not allow others from working out their own tests and also demanding that samples be sent across the country to Atlanta, when literally every minute was of the utmost importance?

2 Please do not present New Yorks quarantine as a counterexample. I went in and out of New York City several times while it was on (to see doctors). It was a joke. I did not have to change a single thing I had planned, for example.

3 The plural of anecdote is not data, but I am seeing even some resistance among my tiny sample here. I saw an older but fit looking woman at the drugstore wearing a serious-looking mask and thanked her for doing so. She said she was fully vaccinated but thought it was way too soon to stop masking. I assume her logic was to model appropriate behavior.

4 Mind you, getting Covid is a really bad idea; we are simply leery of the over-hyping of the vaccines.
Yves here. Thomas Neuberger raises a question that has troubled us for some time: how much do we have to give up of our modern lifestyles to save the planet? On the one hand, if we dont, Little Home on the Prairie-level civilization is likely to be a good outcome circa 2250. But on the other, few are willing to give up much. As an illustration, a friend who ought to know better is adamant that she wont live in an Amsterdam-sized apartment with no dishwasher. And thats before getting to massive collection action problems.unless you can go prepper (which requires a decent level of physical fitness and cultivatable land), its hard not to be a big part of the problem.

By Thomas Neuberger. Originally published at Gods Spies



Companies are involved in these activities to make money.  What theyre actually talking about is sustaining high-energy ways of life at the expense of the natural world. Bright Green Lies, trailer

Not long ago I wrote about the problem of stopping climate change, or at least mitigating its worst results, and concluded:

The climate crisis threatens to end our economic system not only if its ignored. It threatens to end our system if its addressed.

This is the Catch-22 that makes the coming climate crisis different from a meteor strike, for example. In the meteor case, the current economic order is destroyed only if the meteor lands. Diverting its impact preserves the economic status quo.

Not so the climate. In that case, preserving the economic status quo guarantees collapse, as does the meteor strike, but addressing it effectively also guarantees a different economic and political order, since the current economic and political system cannot address it at all. Quite a dilemma for those presently in charge.

Is the Ruling Class the Problem, or the Economy Itself?

But I think the problem is greater than that; it cant be fixed only by changing the economic order and removing the current ruling class from power. The problem that needs to be fixed is, in fact, modern life itself  specifically, high energy life. Watch the trailer for the new film, Bright Green Lies, to see what I mean.

Theres a book associated with the film, also called Bright Green Lies, available at a number of places, including here. Its premise is simple:

The only way to build the bright green narrative is to erase every awareness of the creatures and communities being consumed. They simply dont exist, and if they do exist, they dont matter. Take, for example, the Florida yew whose home is one single 15-mile stretch, now under threat from biomass production. Or the Scottish wildcat who number a grim 35, all at risk from a proposed wind installation. Progress, Chickasaw writer Linda Hogan reminds us, is a sort of madness that is a god to people. Decent people commit horrible crimes that are acceptable because of progress. And so our culture hurtles towards are new industrial paradigm, and the wildcats are consigned to history. The true facts about supposedly renewable energy are hard, and worse than inconvenient. The first truth is that industrial civilization requires industrial levels of energy. The second is that fossil fuelespecially oil is functionally irreplaceable. Scaling the current renewable energy technology, like solar, wind, hydro, and biomass, would be tantamount to ecocide. Consider that 12 percent of the continental United States would have to be covered in windfarms to meet current electricity demands. But electricity is only one-sixth of the nations energy consumption. To provide for the U.S.A.s total energy consumption, fully 72 percent of the continent would have to be devoted to wind farms. In reality, solar and wind development threaten to destroy as much land globally as expansion of urban sprawl, oil and gas, coal, and mining combined by 2050. Third, solar, wind, and battery technology are, in their own right, assaults against the living world. From beginning to end, they require industrial-scale devastation: open-pit mining, deforestation, soil toxification thats permanent on anything but a geologic timescale, extirpation and extinction of vulnerable species, and use of fossil fuels. In reality, so-called green technologies are some of the most destructive industrial processes every invented. They will not save the earth. They will only hasten its demise. [emphasis added]

Dont miss the detail buried in the second paragraph. First, theres not enough land left  after the land required to sustain a seven-billion-plus population  to provide solar and wind farms. Second, building those energy farms is itself a high-energy, destructive industrial process.

So the question were left with is simple: Is industrial civilization incompatible with a habitable planet?

The film, which so far Ive only seen in part, seems to be clear in its answer: If we try to have both, well have neither. Partly because of the reasons hinted at above, and partly because of the definition of life itself. (How bound up in each other are the hundreds of billions of living things on the earth? How much is the life of any of them dependent on the lives of them all? If so, whats really alive? The individuals? Or the system itself?)

A Truly Open Question

But I want to leave the question of the viability of industrial civilization open for now, because the implications are so broad. I want to see the numbers on which the conclusion depends, which I think the book provides, though I suspect the authors are way beyond right. It just seems so likely that manufacturing our way out of the problem encapsulates and enshrines the problem itself  manufacturing.

Must we surrender manufacturing to survive? If so, how does that happen?

As many have pointed out, even if an enlightened politician were president (we dont have one), the surest way to get unelected in a hurry is to ask for sacrifice from the modern American people. As Yves Smith pointed out at Naked Capitalism, The only hope we have of non-catastrophic outcomes is radical conservation, and just about no one in a position of influence is willing to say that. After all, we live in a society where some regard mask-wearing as an unbearable hardship.

My plan is to read the book, watch the film, and make a decision after that. I encourage you to do the same.

And if the answer to the question I posed in the title turns out to be no, Ill try to address that as well. If were going to be witness to a spectacular sunset-of-the-species, we should at least be attentive and thoughtful about what were seeing. And even in the direst of circumstances, action  intelligent and well-designed  is always better than passive and pained acceptance.

What Does Bright Green Mean?

The term bright green describes the kind of environmentalist who proposes industrial solutions to ecological problems. According to the book, these are the classes of environmentalists across the full spectrum:

DEEP GREENS The living planet and nonhumans both have the right to exist. Human flourishing depends on healthy ecology. To save the planet, humans must live within the limits of the natural world; therefore, drastic transformations need to occur at social, cultural, economic, political, and personal levels. LIFESTYLISTS Humans depend on nature, and technology probably wont solve environmental issues, but political engagement is either impossible or unnecessary. The best we can do is practice self-reliance, small-scale living, and other personal solutions. Withdrawal will change the world. BRIGHT GREENS Environmental problems exist and are serious, but green technology and design, along with ethical consumerism, will allow a modern, high-energy lifestyle to continue indefinitely. The bright greens attitude amounts to: Its less about nature, and more about us. WISE USE / ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGERS Ecological issues exist, but most problems are minor and can be solved through proper management. Natural resources should be protected primarily to enable their continued extraction and human well-being. CORNUCOPIANS The earth is made up of resources that are essentially infinite. Ecological problems are secondary. Technology and the economic systemwhether free-market capitalism or socialismwill solve all ecological problems. TECHNOCRATS / TRANSHUMANISTS Humans should transcend biology by investing heavily in technology. We can also avoid the possibility of human extinction by leaving planet Earth behind, and we should ultimately move toward cybernetic enhancement and uploading human consciousness into machines in order to defeat death.

I hope you will watch the film and/or read the book with me. Ill have much more to say on this subject later.
Yves here. Although Andrew Bacevich does a very good job of documenting how military spending undermines social safety net spending, its frustrating to see it take the notion of Biden reformist/activist claims at face value. Biden is engaging in an only marginally improved version of the Obama strategy, of conceding 75% of what the Republicans want before he starts negotiating (Biden seems to start at 60-70%). However, even before you get to the usual budgetary excuses that wind up prioritizing war spending, Bachevich is correct to point out that a President has only so much political capital. Pushing an aggressive domestic agenda (charitably assuming Biden had one) becomes difficult if an Administration has too many foreign policy irons in the fire. Bacevich is also too kind to Biden here, underplaying his aggressive moves shortly after entering office, such as the disastrous Alaska summit with China, calling Putin a killer, and placing non-cosmetic conditions on Iran for the US to rejoin the JCPOA.

Is President Biden afflicted with the political equivalent of a split personality? His first several months in office suggest just that possibility. On the home front, the presidents inclination is clearly to Go Big. When it comes to Americas role in the world, however, Biden largely hews to pre-Trumpian precedent. So far at least, the administrations overarching foreign-policy theme is Take It Slow.

Joe Biden Is Electrifying America Like F.D.R. So proclaimed the headline of a recent Nicholas Kristof column in the New York Times. Even allowing for a smidgen of hyperbole, the comparison is not without merit. Much like President Franklin Delano Roosevelt during his famous First Hundred Days in office in the midst of the Great Depression, Biden has launched a flurry of impressively ambitious domestic initiatives in the midst of the Great Pandemic  an American Rescue Plan, an American Jobs Plan, an American Families Plan, and most recently an environmental restoration program marketed as America the Beautiful.

Bidens Build Back Better domestic campaign qualifies as a first cousin once removed of Roosevelts famed New Deal. To fix an ailing nation, FDR promoted unprecedented federal intervention in the economy combined with a willingness to spend lots of money. As then, so today, details and specifics took a back seat to action, vigorous and sustained, not sooner or later but right now.

Of course, FDRs Hundred Days did not actually end the Great Depression, which lingered on for the remainder of the 1930s. From the outset, however, the New Deal captured imaginations, especially among progressives. It invested national politics with a sense of hope and excitement. As historians subsequently came to appreciate, the New Deal was also rife with internal contradictions. Nevertheless, in terms of both style and substance, Roosevelt became and remains the beau ideal of the activist president. As press depictions of Joe Biden as our latest FDR proliferate, one can easily imagine the president happily filling his scrapbook with newspaper clippings.

That said, any political leader who embarks on an aggressive domestic reform program has to prevent the outside world from getting in the way. Roosevelt largely succeeded in doing so through his first two terms. Activism at home did not translate into activism abroad. Eventually, however, the outbreak of war in Europe and in the Far East famously prompted FDR to retire Dr. New Deal and don the mantle of Dr. Win-the-War. In doing so, he was bowing to the inevitable. The New Deal was already running out of gas when the danger posed by a global struggle against Nazi Germany and Imperial Japan brought it to a screeching halt. FDR wisely chose to accommodate himself to that reality.

In the ultimate irony, defeating those enemies made good on various unfulfilled New Deal aspirations, restoring both American prosperity and self-confidence. Yet war inevitably imposes its own priorities and creates its own legacies. World War II did so in spades. If postwar America bore the imprint of the New Deal, it also differed substantially from what New Dealers back in the 1930s had envisioned as the purpose of their enterprise.

Not least of all, during the ensuing Cold War, standing in immediate over-armed, over-funded readiness for the next war became a permanent priority. As a consequence, domestic matters took a backseat to a fundamentally militarized conception of what keeping Americans safe and guaranteeing their freedoms required. As the self-designated guardian of the Free World, the United States became a garrison state.

That Bitch of a War

A generation later, a reform-minded president fancying himself FDRs rightful heir faced a variant of Roosevelts dilemma, but demonstrated far less skill in adapting to it.

In the mid-1960s, Lyndon Baines Johnson conceived of a domestic reform plan that would, he believed, out-do the New Deal. His vision of a Great Society would guarantee abundance and liberty for all, while ensuring an end to poverty and racial injustice. And that, Johnson insisted, would be just the beginning:

The Great Society is a place where every child can find knowledge to enrich his mind and to enlarge his talents. It is a place where leisure is a welcome chance to build and reflect, not a feared cause of boredom and restlessness. It is a place where the city of man serves not only the needs of the body and the demands of commerce but the desire for beauty and the hunger for community.

Here was a promise of nothing less than a federally designed and federally funded utopia. And for a brief moment, it even seemed plausible.

Winning the presidency in his own right in 1964  he had first gained it as vice-president when John F. Kennedy was assassinated  elevated LBJ to a position in American politics not unlike FDRs 30 years earlier. Senator Barry Goldwaters abysmal showing as the Republican presidential candidate that year left his party in disarray. Democrats enjoyed clear majorities in both houses of Congress. Assuming he could steer clear of complications related to the ongoing Cold War, the way seemed clear for LBJ to Go Big as a domestic reformer.

As it turned out, this was not to be. Within a year of unveiling his Great Society, Johnson made a fateful decision to escalate U.S. military involvement in an ongoing war in Vietnam. In effect, LBJ laid down a huge bet, calculating that Going Big on the home front would prove compatible with fighting a major war in Southeast Asia. He wagered that Dr. Great Society could simultaneously serve as Dr. Win-the-War, so long as that war remained manageable.

Over the course of several agonizing years, Johnson discovered that the two roles were incompatible. The conflict he came to call that bitch of a war doomed his Great Society, destroyed his presidency, and left a legacy of bitterness and division from which the nation has yet to fully recover. Rather than ranking alongside his hero FDR, Johnson ended up being roundly despised by conservatives and liberals alike, by those who had served in Vietnam and those who had opposed the war. In the estimation of many, Dr. Great Society ended up as Dr. Callous and Cruel.

Recall, however, that Johnson chose to go to war in Vietnam, even while persuading himself that politically he had little choice but to do so. The trivial Tonkin Gulf Incident of August 1964 did not even faintly replay Pearl Harbor, yet LBJ pretended otherwise. His misguided decision to use that pseudo-event as a pretext for armed intervention stemmed from a wildly ill-advised reading of contemporary politics. An ostensibly savvy pol, Johnson backed himself into a corner from which he could find no escape.

The imperatives of the Cold War seemingly dictated that, if the United States allowed Vietnam to go Communist, the sitting commander-in-chief and his party would incur unacceptable political damage. In Washington and across much of the country, the prevailing mood demanded toughness in confronting the Red Threat. Better to fight them in the jungles of Indochina than in the suburbs of San Francisco  so went the thinking at the time.

That a conflict between two recently minted Southeast Asian nations, neither of them democratic but each claiming to represent the Vietnamese people, could determine the fate of the entire Free World will strike most readers today (schooled by more recent debacles like the invasion and occupation of Iraq) as preposterous. In the mid-1960s, however, Lyndon Johnson judged the risks of saying so out loud too great for him to chance. So he sent hundreds of thousands of G.I.s off to fight an unwinnable war and put the torch to his own presidency.

Will Joe Biden Be Dr. Build Back Better?

To most Americans today the Vietnam War has become a distant memory. Let me suggest that its lessons remain notably relevant to our reform-minded administration of the present moment.

Johnsons mistake was to defer to an entrenched but deeply defective national security paradigm when the success of his domestic reforms demanded that he reject it. President Biden should take heed. To preserve his status as the latest reincarnation of FDR, Biden will have to avoid the errors in judgment that consigned LBJs Great Society to historys junkheap.

On the foreign-policy front, the Biden team can already claim some modest, if tentative achievements. President Biden has indeed preserved the New Start nuclear agreement with Russia. Unlike his predecessor, he acknowledges that climate change is an urgent threat requiring concerted action. He has signaled his interest in salvaging the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, more commonly known as the Iran nuclear deal. Perhaps most notably, he has ordered the complete withdrawal of U.S. forces from Afghanistan, ending the longest war in American history. Implicit in that decision is the possibility of further reductions in the U.S. military footprint across the Greater Middle East and much of Africa, all undertaken pursuant to a misguided post-9/11 Global War on Terror.

That said, so far President Biden has left essentially untouched the core assumptions that justify the vast (and vastly well funded) national security apparatus created in the wake of World War II. Central to those assumptions is the conviction that global power projection, rather than national defense per se, defines the U.S. military establishments core mission. Washingtons insistence on asserting global primacy (typically expressed using euphemisms like global leadership) finds concrete expression in a determination to remain militarily dominant everywhere.

So far at least, Biden shows no inclination to renounce, or even reassess, the practices that have evolved to pursue such global military dominion. These include Pentagon expenditures easily exceeding those of any adversary or even plausible combination of adversaries; an arms industry that corrupts American politics and openly subverts democracy; a massive, essentially unusable nuclear strike force presently undergoing a comprehensive $1.7 trillion modernization; a network of hundreds of bases hosting U.S. troop contingents in dozens of countries around the world; and, of course, an inclination to use force unmatched by any nation with the possible exception of Israel.

Military leaders like to say that the armed services exist to fight and win the nations wars, a misleading claim on two counts. First, based on the results achieved since 9/11, they rarely win. Second, their actual purpose is to satisfy various bureaucratic and corporate interests, not to mention ideological fantasies, all captured in the awkward but substantively accurate phrase military-industrial-congressional-think-tank complex.

Put simply, ours is a nation in which various powerful and influential institutions are deeply invested in war. If President Biden genuinely aspires to be Dr. Build Back Better, he would do well to contemplate the implications of that fact, lest he willy-nilly find himself sharing LBJs sad fate.

In Washington and various quarters of the commentariat, an eagerness to get tough with China and/or Russia and/or Iran  a veritable Axis of Evil!  is palpable. Biden ignores these tendencies at his peril. Indeed, if genuinely committed to prioritizing domestic reforms, he should actively resist those intent on diverting him onto a path pointing to military confrontation.

Jake Sullivan, Bidens national security adviser, says that his boss has tasked us with reimagining our national security. Of course, reimagining presumes a high level of creativity along with an ability to cast aside obsolete habits of mind. Whether Sullivan, Secretary of State Antony Blinken, Pentagon chief General Lloyd Austin, or Biden himself possesses the requisite level of imagination remains, at best, an open question. Little in their collective backgrounds suggests that they do. In the meantime, somewhere out there in the South China Sea, the Donbas region of Ukraine, or the Persian Gulf, some variant of a Tonkin Gulf event lurks, ready to sink the administrations domestic agenda.

If Biden wants to be Dr. Build Back Better, he should assume the additional role of Dr. Curb the War Habit. That means rejecting once and for all the illusions of military dominion to which too many in Washington still pay tribute, whether cynically or out of misguided conviction. Doing so will require not only imagination but gumption. Still, if President Biden intends to Go Big at home, he will need to Go Big in changing U.S. policies abroad as well.
(Natural News) The opioid epidemic in America is something that has been around in recent years, longer than the actual pandemic virus in itself that the world is still recovering from.

(Article by Nick Monroe republished from ThePostMillenial.com)

Leading drug companies have since then faced lawsuits over their role in causing a sizable portion of the US population to become addicted to painkillers. At the end of 2020 two members of the Sackler family, owners of OxyContin maker Purdue Pharma, attempted a public apology in this regard.

Fast forward to today, another one of Americas largest drug companies, AmerisourceBergen, is in hot water because its revealed their executives reportedly mocked opioid addictions.

AmerisourceBergen is being sued by West Virginia for getting people hooked on their drugs, as Daily Mail puts it.

This litigation is how company emails came out.

One email in 2011 from a Joseph Tomkiewicz, who was working as a corporate investigator for the company at the time, included a rhyme to the tune of The Beverly Hillbillies theme song in which a poor mountaineer named Jed barely kept his habit fed and traveled to Florida to buy Hillbilly Heroin  a nickname for OxyContin.

Elsewhere, the emails described Kentucky as OxyContinville and a regional director for Amerisource said One of the [Kentuckys] hillbillys must have learned how to read :-) when the state passed restrictions in response to the opioid crisis.

But the most infamous takeaway from the Daily Mail article is from Chris Zimmerman, whose job title is described as enforcing AmerisourceBergens legal obligation to halt opioid deliveries to pharmacies suspected of dispensing suspiciously large amounts of drugs.

After Florida passed opioid restrictions, he remarked Watch out George and Alabama, here will be a max exodus of pillbillies heading north.

Zimmerman clarified in court that pillbillies meant drug dealers and not the users. He says he regrets sending it.

U.S. District Judge David Faber denied the prosecution being allowed to introduce further emails as evidence after it was argued that they were being taken out of context.

Read more at: ThePostMillenial.com and BigPharmaNews.com.
(Natural News) The sand dunes of Mars looked blue in a stunning photo that the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) shared on April 8. Captured using a special infrared camera onboard NASAs Mars Odyssey orbiter, the breathtaking image covered an area of 19 miles somewhere on the Martian north pole.

In the image, a sea of windswept sand dunes could be seen stretched out across the Martian surface. But instead of looking at the Red Planets trademark orange color, the dunes were tinged with a mix of gold and blue. As it turned out, the thermal image was digitally colored to highlight the wide-ranging temperatures there. Areas tinted in blue represent colder regions while warmer areas were tinted in orange and yellow, NASA said in a statement.

NASA releases images of electric blue dunes on Mars to mark 20 years of Odysseyhttps://t.co/vPLwB7NT7o pic.twitter.com/cEP9enB1Yc  Mint (@livemint) April 13, 2021

The intricate scene comprised only a small fraction of the entire Martian north pole, which covers an area as wide as Texas, according to NASA. The colorful photo was a composite of several shots taken between December 2002 and November 2004. NASA shared it to celebrate the 20th anniversary of Odyssey in space, which left Earth on April 7, 2001. The probe continues to operate to this day and is the longest-working Mars spacecraft in history.

Among its many accomplishments, Odyssey transmitted more than a million thermal images of Mars back to Earth during its two-decade flight, according to NASA. Data from the orbiter also allowed the space agency to pick the ideal location for landing the Perseverance rover, which reached Mars last February after less than seven months of trekking space. (Related: Why did Mars dry out? NASA space telescope reveals insights.)

The Martian poles

As on Earth, the Martian poles are the coldest regions on the Red Planet, with temperatures dropping to minus 220 degrees in winter, according to the National Weather Service. Both the north and south poles are covered with permanent caps made of water ice and dry ice (solid carbon dioxide).

Scientists initially believe that the south pole cap consists only of dry ice. But data from the European Space Agencys (ESA) Mars Express, which entered orbit around the planet in 2003, shows that hundreds of square miles of permafrost surround the south pole. Permafrost is water ice mixed into the soil and frozen solid. This is why past observations have failed to detect water ice  the soil does not reflect light easily.

The Martian poles are some of the most visually stunning and mysterious regions on the planet. Satellite images of the south pole frequently feature large spider-like patterns that can extend several thousands of feet. These patterns have baffled scientists since they were discovered two decades ago. Only recently have researchers confirmed that these patterns crop up whenever dry ice gets heated and form cracks.

Last December, a gigantic angelic figure complete with a pair of wings and a halo was spotted at the south pole. The spectacular figure was captured by Mars Express just in time for last years Christmas season. It appeared in dark, brooding red  in stark contrast to the light, tan color of the sand around it. According to the ESA, the dark hue was due to the composition of the sand dunes, which are made of minerals also found on Earth, such as pyroxene and olivine.

The south poles nether regions are equally fascinating. Last September, an explosive study suggested that four hypersaline lakes might be hiding below the south pole. The biggest of those lakes, which scientists previously claimed to exist, measured around 12 by 18 miles. The rest were much smaller, with dimensions of about six by six miles. Researchers suggested that if the lakes were remnants of the water that was once on the surface, then they might be ideal locations for scouting signs of alien life, both living or dead.

Space.news has more amazing facts about Mars.

Sources include:

LiveScience.com 1

Twitter.com

ESA.int

LiveScience.com 2

CBSNews.com

Space.com
(Natural News) The latest data from EudraVigilance, a European vaccine injury and death database, suggests that more people are now getting sick and dying from Wuhan coronavirus (Covid-19) injections than from the virus itself.

The side effects resource shows that as of May 8, 2021, 405,259 people have become injured from Chinese Virus jabs while another 10,570 have died. The database also breaks down injuries and deaths associated with each specific type of jab, including those offered by Moderna, Pfizer-BioNTech, AstraZeneca, and Janssen (Johnson & Johnson).

Through May 8, the Pfizer-BioNTech injection has caused some 170,528 injuries and 5,368 deaths. Among the most common injuries are musculoskeletal and connective tissue disorders, blood and lymphatic disorders, gastrointestinal disorders, respiratory and thoracic disorders, and vascular disorders.

During the same time period, the Moderna injection caused 22,985 injuries and 2,865 deaths. The same deadly side effects associated with the Pfizer-BioNTech injection are also associated with this one, along with infections, eye disorders, psychiatric disorders, reproductive problems, and skin conditions.

As for AstraZenecas shot, a whopping 208,873 injuries were reported along with 2,102 deaths. At the bottom of the list, ironically, is the J&J injection with 2,873 injuries and 235 deaths.

You can keep up with the latest news about injuries and deaths caused by Wuhan coronavirus (Covid-19) injections at ChemicalViolence.com.

Americas Frontline Doctors publishes video linking covid vaccine push to increased mortality

To help people better understand the effects of these injections, Americas Frontline Doctors (AFLDS) put out a video  see below  that illustrates how increased mortality is being seen everywhere in the world where Chinese Virus shots are being widely administered.

The data contained in the video comes from healthdata.org as well as The Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation (IHME), an independent population health research center at UW Medicine.

In nearly every country evaluated, death rates spiked almost immediately after Wuhan Flu shots were introduced. So much for saving lives.

At Health Impact News, there is also an extensive list available of some of the most well-publicized cases of Wuhan coronavirus (Covid-19) vaccine injuries and deaths. Rapper DMX is listed there, along with Eric Clapton and many, many others.

The latest data from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), which goes a few days beyond what EudraVigilance published, shows an even higher death count. More than 4,434 people, the CDC admits, have died from Wuhan flu shots as of May 10.

How many more people need to get sick and die before someone in a position of power steps up to say enough? If the whole point of this mass vaccination campaign is to save lives, then why is nobody putting a stop to it now that we know the injections are destroying lives?

In the comment section at Health Impact News, one woman claims to have been injected with a Chinese Virus shot without permission while she was under the knife for a hernia repair surgery at Sturgeon Hospital in Alberta, Canada. Is this a widespread phenomenon as well?

I told the surgeon two weeks prior that I did not want or require the shot but they injected me anyway, this person wrote, distressed about the situation. I feel like my body and soul were violated.

Now I sit and wait in stress for negative side effects. What makes it more difficult for me is that I suffer from CPTSD (complex post-traumatic stress disorder) and now refuse to book a post-surgery appointment with this surgeon.

Another responded by calling this invasion of bodily autonomy a Dr. Mengele-type attack since it happened without consent.

I recommend praying Psalm 91 and Psalm 23 over and over during the day and take to heart the Gospel of John as well as Romans, responded another.

Sources for this article include:

HealthImpactNews.com

NaturalNews.com
(Natural News) Short for laser-assisted in situ keratomileusis, LASIK surgery is the most commonly performed laser refractive procedure to correct vision problems. It uses a special type of cutting laser to precisely change the shape of the cornea, the dome-shaped clear tissue at the front of the eye.

LASIK offers a way out of wearing contact lenses and eyeglasses. But for some who have undergone surgery, it has brought more harm than good. Now, those people are putting the word out about the dangers of LASIK eye surgery.

LASIK complications and their link to suicide

Paula Cofer had LASIK two decades ago because she wanted to stop using eyeglasses and contact lenses. But a month after the surgery, she was back in glasses. Today, she continues to suffer from poor night vision, chronic dry eye and eye pain.

From day one, it was a disaster, Cofer told Healthline. I felt tricked. [The LASIK industry is] very deceptive. People think glasses are a hassle? Wait until they have complications.

In 2018, television meteorologist Jessica Starr committed suicide two months after getting SMILE surgery, a newer type of laser refractive eye procedure based on LASIK. In the lead-up to her death, Starr was struggling with her slow recovery and complained of dimming vision and dry eyes. Her husband, Dan Rose, believes that a negative experience with LASIK led to Starrs depression and suicide.

Prior to the procedure, Jessica was completely normal, very healthy, Rose told FOX 2, the media outlet that Starr used to work for. There was no depression, there [were] no antidepressants, there was no underlying issue  I want to make that absolutely clear.

In 2015, Max Cronin decided to have LASIK surgery shortly after serving as a soldier in Iraq. He thought the procedure would allow him to study easier as a petroleum engineer student. His mother, Dr. Nancy Burleson, supported the procedure and even paid for it.

But after the surgery, Cronin developed complications that led to impaired vision, severe eye pain and dry eyes. He eventually dropped out of school and was unable to find work. In 2016, he was found dead of a single, self-inflicted bullet wound. In his suicide note, he wrote that his struggle with the aftereffects of LASIK surgery was one of the reasons he ended his life. (Related: Lasik eye procedures may result in disruptive visual symptoms.)

Burleson, an OB-GYN and a proud member of the medical community, published his sons story online to spread awareness about the side effects of LASIK. She has also met nearly a dozen others who lost a loved one to suicide after a bad experience with LASIK.

LASIK complications more common than FDA reports

Many eye specialists maintain that they encounter very few patients who had serious, permanent eye problems after getting LASIK surgery. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) also said that only one percent of people who took the procedure experience long-term complications.

But Morris Waxler, a former FDA reviewer who was part of the approval process for LASIK, said that the actual number is much higher. As he wrote in a report a few years ago, manufacturers data submitted to the FDA indicate that double-digit percentages of LASIK customers suffer late onset and/or persistent complications six to 12 months after surgery.

Waxler estimated that around 43 percent of people who had LASIK surgery experience vision distortion like halos, starburst, haziness and loss of night vision. Dry eyes and eye pain are also fairly common. But Waxler said that the FDA is burying the actual number deep in report summaries.

Learn more about the dangers of LASIK and other kinds of eye surgery at DangerousMedicine.com.

Sources include:

Healthline.com

MayoClinic.org

Fox2Detroit.com
Why Arent More Speaking Out? US Military Losing Moral High-Ground

(Natural News) (Article by L Todd Wood republished from CreativeDestructionMedia.com)

The Long Gray Line has never failed us. Were you to do so, a million ghosts in olive drab, in brown khaki, in blue and gray, would rise from their white crosses thundering those magic words, DutyHonorCountry.

General Douglas MacArthur, final address to West Point

U.S. military officers betraying their oath to the Constitution, and supporting, even just enabling the Marxist infiltration currently underway in the Department of Defense, need to be fully aware the Nuremberg defense will not hold up in a courts martial.

I was just following orders, is not going to cut it, when those orders command the destruction of the nation you swore to defend, against foreign and DOMESTIC enemies.

Every lie will be revealed.

You will be held accountable, eventually.

With the removal from command of Lt Col Lohmeier, USAF, for eloquently warning of this infiltration in his book Irresistible Revolution, there is no longer any doubt about what is happening. There is no longer any place to hide.

By supporting the racist ideology, the cultural Marxism of critical race theory, being pushed by our enemy in Beijing  the Chinese Communist Party  you are committing treason against the American people.

You will pay the price for this diabolical deception.

For the life of me, I cannot understand why more officers are not stepping up, and speaking out.

Do you have no courage?

Do you have no honor?

Are you being paid?

Are you worried about your career, so you turn a blind eye while the current Marxist military leadership destroys the greatest republic in the history of mankind?

The U.S. military used to held to a higher moral ground. Not any more. You are squandering the legacy of millions who died before you defending our beloved republic.

There are no more excuses.

Live up to your oath, or face the eventual wrath of America.

Read m0re at: CreativeDestructionMedia.com and Treason.news.
Mass Vaccination triggers sharp spike in Cases and Deaths

(Natural News) (Article by Mike Whitney republished from Unz.com)

Covid cases have risen sharply in nearly every country that has launched a mass vaccination campaign.

(Please watch this short video before YouTube removes it)

Why is this happening?

Mass vaccination was supposed to reduce the threat of Covid but in the short-term it appears to make it much worse. Why? And why is Covid now surging in 4 of the 5 most vaccinated countries? According to Forbes magazine:

Countries with the worlds highest vaccination ratesincluding four of the top five most vaccinatedare fighting to contain coronavirus outbreaks that are, on a per-capita basis, higher than the surge devastating India, a trend that has experts questioning the efficacy of some vaccines  and the wisdom of easing restrictions even with most of the population vaccinated. (Covid SurgesHeres why the US should Worry, Forbes)

Worse than India? How can that be? And why have 8 fully vaccinated members of the New York Yankees tested positive for Covid? Heres the story from the Associated Press:

New York Yankees shortstop Gleyber Torres tested positive for Covid-19 despite being fully vaccinated and having previously contracted the coronavirus during the offseason. Torres is among eight so-called breakthrough positives among the Yankees  people who tested positive despite being fully vaccinated. (NBC News)

And if thats not confusing enough, check out whats going on in Cambodia. Cambodia began its vaccination campaign in early February after having compiled zero fatalities. Thats right, the country had no Covid deaths until March, a few weeks after it started its vaccination program. And thats when the deaths started piling up as you can see in the eye-popping chart below.

So, lets see if we can figure this out. There were zero fatalities before the launching of the vaccination campaign, but soon after the injections began, the fatalities started to mount. Do you think there might be a connection here? Do you think that, perhaps, the deaths are linked to the vaccines?

Of course, they are. And, thats why the media is trying to sweep this story under the rug. It doesnt fit with the official narrative about the vaccines, so theyve decided to vanish the story altogether. Poof and its gone! And, actually, its worse than a cover-up because shortly after Biden took office the CDC changed its testing methodology making it harder to test positive. In other words, they rigged the system so it would look like fewer fully vaccinated people had contracted Covid after inoculation. Dr. Joseph Mercola explains whats going on behind the scenes:

Now, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has lowered the CT even further, in what appears to be a clear effort to hide COVID-19 breakthrough cases, meaning cases in which fully vaccinated individuals are being diagnosed with COVID-19. (CDC embarks on a new Covid Coverup, Mercola. com)

Its all a big shell game. Theyre gaming the system to make it look like the vaccines are stopping infection when the evidence proves the opposite. And notice the deliberately-misleading moniker the media invented for the people who get Covid after being vaccinated. They call them Breakthrough cases.

Breakthrough? Really?

If cases surge in nearly every country that launches a mass vaccination campaign, then theres nothing breakthrough about it. Its the predictable result of a failed experiment. Heres more from an article titled: Covid rates post-vaccination around the world:

 the government assumed that if you vaccinate lots of people and the problem goes away, but the questioners among us did not assume that. Especially having read the FDA Briefing Document for the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine for example, many of us had questions after reading it; on Page 42, it states: Suspected COVID-19 cases that occurred within 7 days after any vaccination were 409 in the vaccination group vs 287 in the placebo group. It is possible that the imbalance in suspected COVID-19 cases occurring in the 7 days post-vaccination represents vaccine reactogenicity with symptoms that overlap with those of COVID-19. Overall though, these data do not raise a concern that protocol-specified reporting of suspected, but unconfirmed COVID-19 cases could have masked clinically significant adverse events that would not have otherwise been detected. (Covid rates post-vaccination around the world, Inform Scotland)

WTF!?!

So, the FDA KNEW that vaccinated people were more likely to contract Covid than those in the placebo group, but they approved the vaccines anyway?!? Is that criminal negligence or just plain old stupidity?

Please. read the above paragraph again and decide whether you would have given these sketchy injections the green light or not? Heres more from the same article:

The following show data from around the world from some selected locations. It is, of course, vital to stress that correlation is not causation. And that there are countries where vaccine rollout does not precede or coincide with increased infections. However, I have been unable to find any nation where covid rates have begun to drop after vaccination started, or where a drop coincided with vaccination starting. In Indonesia, for example, the covid rate was falling when vaccination started and seems to have been unaffected in its trajectory by the vaccine being rolled out. The reader can look up these charts for him/herself on the website. Have a look at these and see what you make of them. (Covid rates post-vaccination around the world, Inform Scotland)

Okay, so the author is trying to put the most charitable spin on vaccine performance as possible. He says, correlation is not causation, which means, Dont trust your eyes when you look at the charts because if you do youll draw the obvious conclusion that the vaccines greatly increase your chances of getting Covid in the few weeks afterwards. The charts will also convince you that Fauci, Biden and the media have been lying through their teeth about the effectiveness of the vaccines. (Please, check out the charts in the article and judge for yourself.) Heres more:

What is very clear looking at data worldwide, is that vaccinations are certainly not associated with a reliable fall in covid cases in any predictable timeframe. This, alongside the observations in the trial, surely must be addressed. What is happening here? Is it just that vaccinations are coincidentally being rolled out at the same time as outbreaks are due? In very many places? Or is the vaccine not working immediately? If not, why not?  Or is the vaccine making people more susceptible to infection? If this is the case  is this a temporary effect? What causes it?  How long does it take for any increased susceptibility to diminish?We are told that everyone must be vaccinated (but) How can free informed consent be given under these conditions? (Covid-rates Post Vaccination around the World, Inform Scotland)

These are all good questions, unfortunately, Dr. Fauci and Co. dont plan to answer any of them. Instead, their allies in the media are doing everything they can to disappear the story and deflect attention to the elusive variants, which is the diversion du jour. Am I being too harsh?

Maybe, but maybe not harsh enough. Take a look at this clip from a piece at Conservative Woman titled Every reason to doubt the vaccine makers reassurances:

I have reported previously on an astonishing spike in deaths that occurred alongside an intensive vaccination campaign in Gibraltar, where the small community consequently developed the highest Covid death rate in the world. We also know that thousands of deaths have been seen in the US, EU and UK in the wake of Covid vaccinations, often immediately after the jab has been administered. The manufacturers, leading medical journals and most governments insist these deaths are unrelated to the vaccine. In many instances, the deaths and serious illness have been attributed to coincidental infection with the virus. But evidence is mounting that for some, especially the weak and elderly, the vaccine itself is creating or worsening the very illness against which it is supposed to be protective. a worrying phenomenon which appears consistently in Covid vaccine studies is a spike in purported infections which occurs precisely during that three-week period, and usually immediately following the jab...The researchers raise the possibility that the jab may trigger symptoms likened to Covid-19 symptoms including fever in those recently exposed to the virus... He suggests the mechanism may be a depression in immunity caused by a loss of white blood cells post-jab, observed in both the Pfizer and AstraZeneca trials, making the vaccinees more vulnerable to the virus in the short term. (Every reason to doubt the vaccine makers reassurances, Conservative Woman)

Okay, so the author arrives at the same conclusion as the previous author; maybe the vaccine makes people more susceptible to the virus by lowering their defenses and, thus, inviting infection. Thats certainly one possibility, but there are other possibilities that could be infinitely more serious. Take a look:

It has not been generally acknowledged that the jab is designed to protect us by provoking our cells into producing the very toxin that makes the virus more dangerous than its predecessors in the coronavirus family. This toxin, known as the spike protein, can damage not just the lungs but may also affect organs such the brain, heart and kidneys. The reasoning behind administering the jab is that temporary exposure to the toxin may provide long-term protection against becoming ill from the virus. Early indications are that this strategy is working, although it is not at all certain yet to what extent the fall-off in infection rates seen in intensely vaccinated populations is seasonal and related to the waves of infection, or if it is a lasting benefit. But there is also a very real possibility, supported by animal experiments as well as by the studies cited above, that the vaccine itself may produce symptoms in vulnerable people which are then attributed to Covid-19. The damage to health may be especially severe in an individual who has been recently or is concurrently infected with the actual virus. There is therefore every reason to doubt the manufacturers assurances that the deaths and injuries seen to be accompanying vaccination, and that in some instances look like and are being attributed to Covid-19, are unrelated to the jabs. The situation is serious enough for some doctors and scientists to be calling for a moratorium on further Covid vaccinations until it has been properly investigated. (Every reason to doubt the vaccine makers reassurances, Conservative Woman)

So, it could be, that something in the vaccine itself is killing people. That is one distinct possibility. Sure, the drug companies and public health officials dismiss the idea with a wave of the hand, but medical professionals and scientists think the danger is significant enough to demand that the mass-vaccination program be temporarily terminated.

Some readers will recall that the Salk Institute recently released a study which showed that SARS-CoV-2s distinctive spike protein.. damages cells, confirming COVID-19 as a primarily vascular disease. Heres an excerpt from the article dated April 30, 2021:

In the new study, the researchers created a pseudovirus that was surrounded by SARS-CoV-2 classic crown of spike proteins, but did not contain any actual virus. Exposure to this pseudovirus resulted in damage to the lungs and arteries of an animal modelproving that the spike protein alone was enough to cause disease. Tissue samples showed inflammation in endothelial cells lining the pulmonary artery walls. (Note Vascular endothelial cells line the entire circulatory system, from the heart to the smallest capillaries.) The team then replicated this process in the lab, exposing healthy endothelial cells (which line arteries) to the spike protein. They showed that the spike protein damaged the cells by binding ACE2. This binding disrupted ACE2s molecular signaling to mitochondria (organelles that generate energy for cells), causing the mitochondria to become damaged and fragmented. Previous studies have shown a similar effect when cells were exposed to the SARS-CoV-2 virus, but this is the first study to show that the damage occurs when cells are exposed to the spike protein on its own. (The novel coronavirus spike protein plays additional key role in illness, Salk.edu)

The significance of this report cannot be overstated. The Salk researchers are confirming that the main damage from Covid is caused by the spike protein not the virus. And, if thats the case, then why are we injecting people with vaccines that teach their cells to make spike proteins?

It makes no sense at all.

And how does this effect our understanding of the phenomenon that weve seen in countries around the world, that is, the sharp rise in cases following mass vaccination?

Allow me to offer a plausible, but as-yet unproven explanation:

The sharp rise in cases and deaths following mass vaccination is NOT related to Covid the respiratory illness, but Covid the vascular disease. The vascular component is mainly the result of spike proteins produced by cells in the lining of the blood vessels (Endothilium) that are activating platelets that cause blood clots and bleeding. The other main factor is autoimmune reaction in which the killer lymphocytes attack ones own body triggering widespread inflammation (and potential organ failure.). In short, the post-injection fatalities are caused by the spike proteins produced by the vaccines and not by Covid. Once again, look at the chart of Cambodia. There were no deaths prior to vaccination. All the deaths came afterwards. That suggests that the fatalities are attributable to the vaccines.

One final thought: 118 million Americans have now been injected with a clot-generating spike protein. At present, no one seems to know of how long these potentially-lethal proteins remain trapped in the lining of the blood vessels or what damage they might eventually do. Keeping that in mind, wouldnt this be a good time to exercise a bit of caution? Now that cases have dropped sharply across the country, why not ease up on the vaccinations until we have a better grasp of the long-term risks? That would be the sensible approach, right? Just postpone further injections until product safety can be assured.

If there was ever a time for caution, this is it.

Read more at: Unz.com and VaccineDeaths.com.
(Natural News) The state of Utah announced that it will no longer mandate students to wear face masks for the upcoming school year. Republican Gov. Spencer Cox said the announcement followed rising vaccination rates  a sign for some school districts to loosen restrictions. Parents have previously protested mask-wearing orders for schools in the Beehive State.

Speaking to the Associated Press, Cox defended his decision to eschew mask mandates for students. We now have the ability for those that have concerns about the virus to protect ourselves much more. We have better masks available and opportunities for people to make those decisions, he said. Students with a higher risk of infection will now have the option to either wear N95 masks while attending classes or continue distance learning if available  following the announcement.

Coxs remarks appear to be a complete 180-degree turn from his earlier pronouncements. Deseret News reported in April 2021 that the Republican governor defended mask mandates in schools. If we were to remove masks, there are a whole bunch of vulnerable kids and vulnerable parents who would have to take their kids out of school, and we dont want that to happen, he said.

The governor cited the success of the mask mandate as a key factor in federal guidance reducing social distancing in classrooms. Lets not make the mistake of pulling back too early. Lets make sure that we keep kids in school [and] keep kids safe, Cox commented.

According to research, young children transmit the Wuhan coronavirus less frequently than older children and adults. Studies have also found that children who wear masks often undermine their protectiveness by touching and taking them on and off. Mask-wearing children furthermore reported breathing difficulty, irritation and low peer acceptability.

Many school districts around the country have already eschewed mask-wearing orders. Others have also expressed their intention to make them voluntary. Half of all the U.S. states nevertheless still have statewide mask orders and many school districts still mandate students to mask up. (Related: Teachers union rep nearly PASSES OUT from wearing a mask while demanding everyone wear more masks.)

West Virginia is following Utahs move to do away with statewide mask mandates

The Utah State Legislature passed a law lifting the statewide mask mandate effective April 10. But the Utah Department of Health clarified that mask mandates for students will remain in place until June 15. The Utah Education Association meanwhile said in a statement that mask-wearing orders for teachers, students and school staff should remain in place until public health experts signal it is safe to remove them.

It is unclear if school districts or individual schools will be able to impose mask-wearing rules. But in the situation that COVID-19 cases surge, Cox remarked that state lawmakers could convene to impose restrictions once more.

Later, West Virginia announced a similar measure to repeal its statewide mask mandate. Gov. Jim Justice announced on May 7 that the Mountain State will lift its state-wide mask mandate on June 20. The date also coincides with the anniversary of West Virginias admission into the union.

According to an AP report, the decision followed state officials projecting more than two-thirds of eligible West Virginians getting vaccinated against COVID-19 by June 20. Well be close enough. Were going with that date, period, Justice remarked.

A report by WVNews.com added the June 20 target date the governor announced is set in stone. But Justice commented that it would be necessary to pivot if the Wuhan coronavirus whiplashes around on us. He also noted that those who wish to continue masking up can do so and private businesses will still have the right to require customers to mask up.

Itll naturally be your choice whether youre going to have the mask or not, but the mandate will be lifted, Justice said.

The move is another complete 180-degree turn from Justices signing of an ultra-mandatory mask mandate back in December 2020. He signed Executive Order 77-20 early that month, which amended an earlier rule he issued in July 2020. I will issue a mandatory requirement to wear a face covering indoors in all public buildings at all times. This is not just when social distancing cannot be maintained, this is mandatory wearing your face covering in all buildings, at all times, other than your home, Justice said in a statement.

The West Virginia governor added that businesses must call the police if patrons do not mask up. He also threatened businesses that do not comply with the mandate that they will face closure and obstruction of justice charges.

Visit Pandemic.news to read more articles about mask mandates statewide and in school districts.

Sources include:

TheEpochTimes.com

APNews.com 1

Deseret.com

APNews.com 2

WVNews.com

WakingTimes.com
(Natural News) Some of Americas biggest corporate retailers will still force customers to wear masks despite the CDCs decision to relax mask wearing for vaccinated people.

(Article by Niamh Harris republished from NewsPunch.com)

According to reports, Macys, Target, and Starbucks are among those saying theyll still make masks mandatory for shoppers and workers in their stores.

Other Democrat-supporting companies that have boasted they will keep their mask mandates include:

 Kroger

 Home Depot

 Publix

 Dollar General

Breitbart.com reports: The report follows CDC Director Dr. Rochelle Walenskys announcement regarding the easing of mask mandates. Walensky noted that fully vaccinated people are still required to wear masks on modes of transportation such as airplanes, buses, and trains.

Anyone who is fully vaccinated can participate in indoor and outdoor activities, large or small, without wearing a mask or physical distancing, Walensky said told reporters during a Thursday press conference. If you are fully vaccinated, you can start doing the things that you had stopped doing because of the pandemic. We have all longed for this moment when we can get back to some sense of normalcy.

This is an exciting and powerful moment, it could only happen because of the work of so many who made sure we have the rapid administration of three safe and effective vaccines, she added.

However, some states such as New York are keeping mask mandates in place as state health officials review the CDCs new guidelines.

In New York, we have always relied on the facts and the science to guide us throughout the worst of this pandemic and in our successful reopening, Cuomo said in a statement.

Dr. Anthony Fauci, director of the U.S. National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases and the chief medical advisor to the president, reacted to the CDCs announcement with a warning of his own: Parents should ensure that their children still wear masks while playing outside with friends to combat the spread of the coronavirus.

Yeah, the children do when theyre out there playing with their friends and, you know, and  particularly in an indoor situation, they do, Fauci told CNN host Jakes Tapper on Thursday when asked if children should still wear masks.

Read more at: NewsPunch.com and Wokies.news.
(Natural News) Conservative social media personality Daniel Lee had been censored by Rumble over his video posts centered on a controversial verse from the Holy Bible.

The verse in question was Leviticus 20:13, which states: If a man lies with a male as with a woman, both of them have committed an abomination; they shall be put to death, their blood is upon them.

Its a very controversial law, Lee said during his May 6 podcast. Its a very good and awesome law. Apparently Rumble didnt like that.

Rumble sent Lee an email on May 5, saying that two of his videos violated the platforms policy standards. Those videos had been removed. (Related: INSANE: Twitter bans mom for criticizing anal sex guide published by TEEN VOGUE.)

YouTube has already censored me, and now Rumble, Lee said. Because Rumble, just like YouTube, hates Gods laws. And I love Gods laws. I promote the laws of Jesus Christ, including Leviticus 20:13.

Rumble also warned Lee that he will lose his account if he commits another violation.

Lee condemned his trolls that reported his videos to Rumble.

You are opposing not just me. Youre opposing God and His law, specifically Leviticus 20:13, he said. All the other trolls who claimed to be Christians and attacking me, youre aligning with people who are attacking Leviticus 20:13. Think about that.

When one door closes, another opens

Lee is now planning to phase out his account on Rumble and transfer to a new social media platform called Frank, short for frankspeech.com.

Frank was launched Monday, May 10, at Mitchells Corn Palace with nearly 1,700 people in attendance.

The man behind the new site, My Pillow CEO and Minnesota native Mike Lindell, led the launching and presentation of the platform. Lindell said his new social media platform is needed because of the suppression of the truth by the media and the cancel culture.

Radio talk show hosts Joe Piscopo, Eric Metaxas and Brannon Howse joined Lindell at the event, while Ben Carson, the former secretary of Housing and Urban Development, spoke to the crowd via video.

Lindells new social media platform can be found at www.frankspeech.com. Lee will be one of the new platforms influencers. All people that will subscribe to Frank will be instantly subscribed to Lees account.

The cool thing about it is I think I will have the capability of block controls. All those trolls will be a distant memory, Lee said.

Ex-gay tosses $150,000 homosexual engagement ring into Pacific Ocean

On Lees May 6 podcast, he shared news about ex-gay Milo Yiannopoulos tossing his four-carat, $150,000 homosexual engagement ring into the depths of the Pacific Ocean off the coast of Hawaii.

My checking account has about $800 in it right now, and the last ten years have exhausted my savings. But this is something I had to do, wrote Yiannopoulos on his YouTube posting.

Yiannopoulos, a far-right pundit and former Breitbart editor, called the ring the Sodomy Stone. (Related: California middle schools now teaching 10-year-olds how to put on condoms, engage in sodomy and use sex toys.)

The more I looked at this gigantic, four-carat money pit, the more I thought, this is a perfect example of some of the lies I bought into in my previous life,' he said. For example, I bought into the lie that I could be a rabid culture warrior for the right, and a sodomite, at the same time. I cant.

Yiannopoulis had originally hoped to cast his Sodomy Stone into an active volcano, but that plan turned out to be unfeasible.

Ive been thinking a lot lately about whats real and not real in my life, and about the trappings of my former life that would be a good idea to get rid of, Yiannopoulis said. Ive prayed, drunk an enormous amount of vodka, and reminded myself that nothing beautiful and true can be made or grow on a foundation of wickedness.

Yiannopoulos made a surprising revelation in March when he told LifeSiteNews that he is now ex-gay and devoting his life to St. Joseph.

It feels as though a veil has been lifted in my house  like theres something more real and honest going on than before. Its been a gradual uncovering, rather than a dramatic reveal. Maybe that lack of theater or spectacle is a sign the gay impulses truly are receding, said Yiannopoulos. I dont mean to suggest its been easy, just simple: Our Lord endured worse than any of us.

Yiannopoulos said the best advice he can give others in a similar situation is to check their pride.

So often its vanity or conceit or self-satisfaction that gets in the way of accepting Christ. Learn to catch it before it takes root, and difficult things suddenly dont seem so difficult, he said.

Follow Censorship.news for more news and information related to Big Tech censorships.

Sources include:

Brighteon.com

Kelo.com

LifeSiteNews.com
(Natural News) The global computer chip shortage has stalled vehicle production in dozens of factories across the U.S., driving up car prices amid high demand and causing temporary layoffs.

Research firm Autoforecast Solutions estimated that automakers cut the production of more than 1.2 million vehicles in North America because they couldnt get enough microchips used for essential car components, such as safety systems, brakes and engines.

Dealer lots are now nearly empty while customers are forced to wait weeks or months for their orders to arrive. Justin Bates, a 42-year-old general contractor, has yet to receive his new GMC Sierra pickup truck after ordering it four months ago.

Im absolutely aggravated, Bates said. GM [General Motors] has 100 commercials going on for two or three months  yet nobody can provide a truck.

At the same time, car dealers posted one of their best two-month stretches in March and April as Americans bought new cars in near-record numbers.

We may just be in the greatest new-car market of our existence and were doing it with no cars, Philadelphia-area car dealer David Kelleher told The Wall Street Journal.

Sales figures at his dealership increased over the last two months, but Kelleher is concerned about his prospects this summer because he is running low on stocks. He bared that only 98 vehicles are parked on his lot instead of the usual 700 heading into the summer.

That really shook me up in a bad way, he said. This is going to be longer and more difficult than most people think.

Demand pushed the average price for a new vehicle to $37,572 in April, up by nearly seven percent from last year and a record for the month, according to research firm J.D. Power.

Miami car dealer Ed Williamson disclosed that some models of GMs Cadillac XT4 were priced at $5,000 above the sticker price. This came after the XT4 inventory dropped to roughly 2,000 nationwide last month, less than a third of the normal level.

Ford Motor Companys car production was predicted to shrink in half in the second quarter after a fire last March took out its Japanese semiconductor supplier. Chief financial officer John Lawler said that the company expects to lose around 1.1 million units this year due to the chip scarcity. (Related: Fire at Japanese chipmaker adds to collapsing microchip supply lines for automakers.)

In all, dealers had fewer than two million vehicles on the ground or en route to stores at the end of last month. That was roughly half the normal number and the lowest level in more than three decades, according to research firm Wards Intelligence.

Automakers making chip-less cars, closing factories amid chip shortage

Some car companies dropped certain features that require scarce semiconductors to circumvent inventory shortages. GM, for instance, said that it was making some full-size pickup trucks without the software that manages fuel consumption.

By taking this measure, we are better able to meet the strong customer and dealer demand for our full-size trucks, a spokeswoman for the company said.

Stellantis N.V. also shipped some Ram pickup trucks to dealers without an electronic blind-spot detection system, according to Kelleher. He said that one buyer abandoned his purchase because the $60,000 truck lacked the feature. The buyer then returned hours later as no other car dealer had that truck. (Related: Top selling vehicles are being held back, made without computers as semiconductor shortage sweeps the globe.)

Meanwhile, other automakers made some models without computer chips and then parked them until the chips were available to install. Tens of thousands of these cars sat at airport lots, quarries, racetracks and other temporary holding pens near assembly plants in the South and Midwest.

Ford Super Duty pickup trucks, for instance, were parked bumper to bumper a few weeks ago on the Kentucky Speedway, which is roughly 50 miles from a Ford factory in Louisville where they are built. At the end of March, Ford parked more than 20,000 vehicles near company factories while waiting for chips, a spokesperson said.

Many car companies closed some of their factories or drastically reduced production capacity, forcing temporary layoffs. A GM factory near Kansas City, Missouri that made the XT4 had been closed since February as the company shuffled chip supplies to prioritize more popular models.

A Ford factory in Chicago that manufactured the Ford Explorer also went dark in the middle of last month. Assembly line worker Danyelle Anderson was among those put out of work by the shutdown. The single mother of four said that her check had been delayed by weeks, causing her to miss her rent, car and cellphone service payments.

Car parts manufacturer Eypex Corporation had to cut the workweek to three days and reduce the workforce to about half from the start of the year after the closure of Fords Chicago plant, which is one of its biggest customers. At the start of the year, orders were so plentiful that its president had to help box shipments on the factory floor.

Read more stories about the global semiconductor shortage at MarketCrash.news.

Sources include:

WSJ.com

CNBC.com
(Natural News) Medical workers in the state of Connecticut are having to sign a special liability form upon getting injected with the Wuhan coronavirus (Covid-19) that makes them solely responsible for their own negative health outcomes, whether that be injury or death.

The form contains a questionnaire asking vaccine recipients to indicate if they feel sick, have received a previous injection for the Chinese Virus, are allergic to polyethylene glycol (PEG), and if they have ever tested positive for the Wuhan Flu.

Do you have a weakened immune system caused by something such as HIV infection or cancer or do you take immunosuppressive drugs or therapies? another of the questions asks.

The list reads like something one might fill out at a doctors office before going in for an appointment. However, upon closer examination, its purpose is to basically have the signer sign away his or her life in the event that the jab causes life-threatening illness or death.

An immunocompromised person with allergies, for example, might still be told to get the injection but to wait around for 30 minutes afterwards rather than the usual 15 minutes. Should anything horrific occur after this time, the entity that administered the shot will be off the hook for any adverse events that may arise.

Responses to these questions are not (on their own) contraindications or precautions to vaccination, the questionnaire emphasizes. However, healthcare professionals should be prepared to discuss information and options with patients based on their responses to the following questions.

(See full-sized image here)

Covid shots may cause feelings of impending doom, questionnaire warns

At the very bottom of the questionnaire is a list of the types of side effects jab recipients could experience. These include skin reactions such as pruritus, urticaria, flushing, and angioedema, as well as neurological dysfunction such as confusion, disorientation, dizziness, lightheadedness, weakness and loss of consciousness.

Some recipients may feel shortness of breath, wheezing, bronchospasms, stridor, or hypoxia, while others might experience hypotension, tachycardia, nausea, vomiting, abdominal cramps or diarrhea.

One of the strangest symptoms is feeling of impending doom, which the questionnaire warns could arise within 15 to 30 minutes post-injection. Other possible side effects include unusual body temperature, clamminess, difficulty breathing, tunnel vision and hearing problems.

In patients who experience postvaccination symptoms, determining the etiology (including allergic reaction, vasovagal reaction, or vaccine side effects) is important to determine whether a person can receive additional doses of the vaccine (including the 2nddose of an mRNA COVID-19 vaccine) the document explains in the fine print.

Providers should use their clinical judgement [sic] when assessing patients to determine the diagnosis and appropriate management.

If this does not make you want to hop off the fence and line right up for your injection, we do not know what will. That was sarcasm, of course. Were people being told the full truth about what could happen to them after the syringe leaves their arm, chances are that far fewer people would willingly be getting needled.

The problem is that informed consent was killed by the Chinese Virus and replaced with medical fascism. Corporations and their government partners are now using every coercion tactic in the book to try to persuade the hesitant to get injected based on the promise that everything will go back to normal if they do.

Holding people hostage like this under duress of getting an experimental (gene therapy) vaccine is what authoritarian regimes do, not what governments by the people and for the people do. Clearly the Biden regime is not a government by the people and for the people.

To read more stories like this one, check out ChemicalViolence.com.

Sources for this article include:

portal.ct.gov

NaturalNews.com
(Natural News) New research published in the International Journal of Vaccine Theory, Practice, and Research has identified numerous pathways through which the messenger RNA (mRNA) injections from Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna could cause serious neurological conditions such as mad cow disease.

Dr. Stephanie Seneff, who works in the Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence Laboratory at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), along with colleague Greg Nigh from Naturopathic Oncology in Portland, Ore., identified a signature motif within the injections that they say increases the risk that misfolding will occur, creating toxic oligomers. They call this the glycine zipper motif.

It is characterized by a pattern of two glycine residues spaced by three intervening amino acids, represented as GxxxG, they explain.

The bovine prion linked to MADCOW has a spectacular sequence of ten GxxxGs in a row  (and) the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein is a transmembrane protein, and it contains five GxxxG motifs in its sequence  (and, thus) it becomes extremely plausible that it could behave as a prion.

The two mRNA vaccines from Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna were specifically designed with an altered sequence of these amino acid strands, where two adjacent amino acids in the fusion domain were replaced with a pair of prolines.

This is done intentionally in order to force the protein to remain in its open state and make it harder for it to fuse with the membrane, the scientists revealed. This seems to us like a dangerous step towards misfolding potentially leading to prion disease.

Expect a wave of mad cow disease among the covid vaccinated

In case you are unfamiliar with prions, they were first described as the method by which mad cow disease causes brain degeneration due to the misfolding of proteins inside the body. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) says that prion diseases are usually rapidly progressive and always fatal.

Perhaps more disturbing is that prion diseases like mad cow can remain dormant for years, or even decades, before unleashing their deadly attack. This implies that those who were jabbed for the Chinese Virus could suffer deadly side effects on a delayed schedule.

While Pfizer insists that the RNA fragments in its injections will not result in expressed proteins due to their alleged rapid degradation, Seneff and Nigh found that they can still contribute to the cellular stress that promotes prion-associated conformational changes in the spike proteins that are present.

The paper also cites the work of Dr. J. Bart Classen, who was the first to publish a research paper just last month on the possibility of Chinese Virus injections inducing prion-linked brain degeneration. Classen was bashed by the media and told to listen to the science from Pfizer that its vaccine is 100 percent safe and effective.

It is worth noting that the largest case of healthcare fraud in history was committed by Pfizer, resulting in a massive $2.3 billion settlement having to be paid out for damages. This occurred in 2009.

Not even a full 12 years later and people are once again trusting this company to safely and effectively vaccinate them against Chinese Germs, not realizing that what is contained within those vials could, and probably eventually will, kill them.

I wonder if mad cow disease was really the result of mRNA testing on cows, one commenter speculated about the true origin of mad cow disease. This shot is a killer. If not lethal, it will make you a perpetual patient with side effects that will plague you for the rest of your life. Just evil.

More related news about the deadly effects of taking a Wuhan Flu shot can be found at ChemicalViolence.com.

Sources for this article include:

IJVPTR.com

NaturalNews.com
(Natural News) Hong Kong residents have stood up against an order mandating quarantine for apartment dwellers if someone tests positive for COVID-19 in the building. Under the mandate, all residents of a building are sent to a quarantine camp to stay up to 21 days. But the citys government caved into a petition and permitted apartment dwellers to isolate themselves in their own units.

The South China Morning Post (SCMP) reported that dozens of residents at two Hong Kong apartments were allowed to stay at home overnight. It followed a petition by more than 4,900 people to Hong Kong authorities. Around 2,800 residents of the Royalton I in Pok Fu Lam and 2,100 residents of an apartment block at Caribbean Coast in Tung Chung launched the petition. They urged the government to permit occupants of two housing blocks to isolate themselves in their own apartment units.

The petitioners from Caribbean Coast said they were losing income while isolated and that the health of elderly residents had been affected. They added that students living in the complex were unable to take university admission tests. Meanwhile, two-thirds of the Royaltons 120 residents had been sent to camps as of the afternoon of May 6.

Royalton resident Jonathan Cummings told SCMP that he and some neighbors had sent a letter to Hong Kong Secretary for Food and Health Sophia Chan Siu-chee. The letter asked the citys health chief to allow Cummings and other residents to quarantine in their homes. We are not disputing the quarantine request, we just want to be allowed to do so from where we feel the safest  in our homes, Cummings said.

The residents of Royalton expressed willingness to adhere to guidelines under the special quarantine arrangement. They said they were willing to be sealed within their homes for a three-week period and wear tracking devices. Furthermore, they also committed to sharing CCTV footage from the building with health authorities.

Occupants from the two apartments were forced to evacuate after a domestic helper tested positive for the Wuhan coronavirus. Analysis found that helper contracted a strain with the N501Y and E484K mutations. The mutations are present in the South African B1351 and Brazilian P3 coronavirus variants.

A clinical professor dubbed the quarantine orders straight out of mainland China as a nuisance

The citys government took increasingly draconian measures to prevent the spread of COVID-19 in Hong Kong after pressure from Beijing. Returning residents are required to quarantine themselves for two to three weeks at government-approved hotels. Those coming from mainland China are exempted from this rule, however. Aside from this, Hong Kong ordered that all inhabitants of a housing block must quarantine if one case is found in the building.

University of Hong Kong associate professor Dr. Christian Fang Xinshuo told SCMP that his family of four and their helper received their quarantine order on May 5. They were sent to the Pennys Bay quarantine facility on Lantau Island the next day. Fang added that he saw two others being loaded on a bus and eight of his neighbors on another one.

The associate professor slammed the quarantine measures as a nuisance to apartment residents. Its a nuisance to residents and a waste of resources to transfer so many people to quarantine centers. Why not seal off the building so everyone can stay inside their homes? This could help prevent cross-infection during transfer, he remarked.

The Hong Kong Department of Health defended its decision to quarantine all apartment residents if a COVID-19 case is found. It argued in a written response that it had taken the stronger precaution of isolating asymptomatic residents to prevent the variant from spreading further.

Infectious disease specialist Dr. Joseph Tsang Kay-yan remarked that the government should not be blamed for taking the highest precautionary measure. He explained that it was unclear whether there were still any traces of the virus in public spaces where domestic helpers congregated. Tsang also warned that allowing residents to isolate at home would also entail a large operation. Authorities would have to ensure that no one left the building and all residents underwent COVID-19 testing.

Officials at the special administrative region also said they were reviewing a controversial order directed at the citys domestic helpers. The order required helpers to get COVID-19 tests and undergo immunization against the disease if they wanted to renew their work contracts. Most migrant worker groups did not take too kindly to the order and called it discriminatory and unjust.

Hong Kong Chief Executive Carrie Lam said during a May 4 Executive Council meeting: We need to first establish a justification [for the order.] [We] also need to communicate with the consular general offices of these countries where the domestic helpers come from, to weigh the pros and cons. The government, as a decision-maker, will also need to weigh this with the primary objective of safeguarding public health.

Visit MedicalTyranny.com to read more articles about mandatory quarantine orders.

Sources include:

Bloomberg.com

SCMP.com

StraitsTimes.com
(Natural News) Researchers from a slew of top universities have signed onto an open letter agreeing that it is entirely possible that the Wuhan coronavirus (Covid-19) escaped from a Chinese lab.

While the governments official story is that it came from bats, experts from numerous Ivy League and other top schools say it could have come from the Wuhan Institute of Virology (WIV) where Anthony Fauci was paying for a dangerous gain of function research to take place on bat coronaviruses.

Published in the journal Science, the letter is signed by 18 prominent biologists from schools like Harvard University and the University of Cambridge who say the Wuhan lab escape hypotheses cannot simply be ruled out as conspiracy theories.

Anyone who asserts a strong opinion one way or another cant really be basing it on a whole lot of good data, says David Relman, a microbiologist from Stanford University and one of the letters organizers.

According to Relman, many who signed this letter feel the same way that researchers simply just dont have enough information to make a definitive ruling about where the Chinese Virus originated. At the same time, the lab escape theory could be valid.

Lets try to refrain from offering speculation where we really dont have a basis for it, especially when were trying to maintain our credibility has purveyors of good science, he further clarified.

While admitting that there could be some truth to the Wuhan lab escape theory, the letter makes clear that yet more investigation is still needed to determine the origin of the pandemic.

Theories of accidental release from a lab and zoonotic spillover both remain viable. Knowing how COVID-19 emerged is critical for informing global strategies to mitigate the risk of future outbreaks, the letter reads.

Scientists blast WHO, China for failing to properly investigate

Both the World Health Organization (WHO) and communist China are put on notice in the letter for their failure to conduct a proper and legitimate investigation into the situation. The letter explains that the lab escape theory was not given balanced consideration, which is a scientific disgrace.

There has also been minimal inquiry into Faucis involvement in unleashing the plandemic through his illicit gain of function research, which he denies ever even happened.

Only four of the 313 pages in the WHOs report on the origins of the Wuhan coronavirus (Covid-19) make any mention about the possibility of a laboratory accident, the letter explains, and the final conclusion was that this theory is extremely unlikely to have happened.

A proper investigation should be transparent, objective, data-driven, inclusive of broad expertise, subject to independent oversight, and responsibly managed to minimize the impact of conflicts of interest, the scientists letter contends.

What needs to happen next, they say, is that is public health agencies and research laboratories need to reopen their records and actually conduct a real investigation this time.

Communist China is obviously upset about the letter, insisting its implications are false and out of line. A representative from WIV even issued a statement claiming that it is unacceptable and never should have been published.

Who can provide an evidence that does not exist? asked Shi Zhengli, the chief scientist for emerging disease at WIV. Its really sad to read this Letter written by these 18 prominent scientists.

This kind of claim will definitely damage the reputation and enthusiasm of scientists who are dedicated to work on the novel animal viruses which have potential spillover risk to human populations and eventually weaken the ability of humans to prevent the next pandemic, she added.

More related news about the Wuhan Flu can be found at Pandemic.news.

Sources for this article include:

DailyMail.co.uk

NaturalNews.com
(Natural News) A reporter for the Associated Press, stationed in Morocco, has a history of posting anti-Semitic tweets, reporting from Breitbart reveals. While photojournalist Mosaab Elshamy has since deleted the tweets, they contained language that plays on old insults against the Jewish people.

(Article republished from ThePostMillenial.com)

While these revealed tweets are from a decade ago, a perusal of his current tweets exhibits a similar sentiment.

German media outlet @dwnews, led by @dw_Limbourg and @ManuelaKC, instructs reporters never to use the word "apartheid" to refer to Israel, despite both @hrw and @btselem deeming it so. https://t.co/DrOfI4g3CE  Antoun Issa (@antissa) May 16, 2021

Under the handle @mosaaberizing, he wrote in November 2010, in reply to a since deleted account, that The filthy pigs theory was, surprise surprise, a joke as well  I think it should only be applied to Zionists (and their women).

Additional, now deleted, tweets from 2011, take aim at Jewish children and families playing what he calls the holocaust card, used as a means to distract you from the slaughter I commit daily

Elshamy seemed to think this sentiment about Jews being killed in a 20th century European genocide was amusing enough to post it twice.

Another posted in June 2011 shows Elshamy replying to an open thread from Al Jazeera, asking their audience what they would ask an Israeli soldier. Elshamy replied that ht would ask How many babies do you eat for breakfast?

Elshamy wrote that Israel has enacted apartheid on Palestinians, which is a sentiment repeated by far-leftist American lawmakers like Reps. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Rashisa Tlaib, Ayanna Pressley, and Ilhan Omar. This is a view that Elshamys Twitter posts still show him holding today.

Elshamy retweet a tweet from AOC that read Apartheid states arent democracies in May 15, 2021.

Elshamy also tweeted about burning the flag of Israel multiple times.

Elshamy began his career in photojournalism during the Arab Spring in 2011. his images have been used by TIME Magazine, Paris Match, The New York Times, Rolling Stone and Aljazeera English, and are available through Getty, AFP, and EPA. One of his images was named a TIME Magazine photo of the year in 2013, along with 10 others.

Breitbart reported that After the publication of this article, Elshamy deleted some of the tweets. They also obtained a statement from AP, which read:

AP condemns antisemitism and all forms of discrimination. We require all of our journalists to follow APs News Values and Principles and social media policy. See here: https://www.ap.org/about/news-values-and-principles/downloads/ap-news-values-and-principles.pdf And here: https://www.ap.org/assets/documents/social-media-guidelines_tcm28-9832.pdf

AP was unaware of such tweets, which were sent prior to his joining AP, but as soon as we became aware we took steps to ensure they are deleted. The tweets do not reflect the views of the AP, which strives to cover the Israeli-Palestinian conflict fairly and factually.

Mosaab Elshamy did not respond to a request for comment to The Post Millennial by the time of publication.

Read more at: ThePostMillenial.com and Journalism.news
(Natural News) A report has found that China emitted more greenhouse gases than the U.S. and other developed countries combined in 2019. The May 6 report by New York-based research firm Rhodium Group found that China produced more than two times the amount of the U.S.s total emissions. Projects under the Chinese regimes Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) contributed to its excessive emissions levels.

According to the Rhodium Group report, China accounted for more than 27 percent of total global emissions. This was more than twice the amount coming from the U.S., which followed at 11 percent. India placed third with 6.6 percent of emissions, while the entire European Union accounted for 6.4 percent.

The report also noted that China emitted almost 14.1 gigatons of carbon dioxide equivalents in 2019. The amount was more than triple the emission levels of 1990 and a 25 percent increase over the past decade. Chinas per capita emission reached 10.1 tons in 2019  constituting an almost three-fold increase over the past two decades.

While final global data for 2020 is not yet available, we expect Chinas per capita emissions exceeded the [Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development] average in 2020, the report remarked. It also pointed out that as Chinas net greenhouse gas emissions rose around 1.7 percent, those of other nations declined sharply amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

Sen. Rick Scott responded to the Rhodium Groups findings through a tweet. Communist China is the worlds worst polluter and we cant trust it will do anything to change course, he wrote.

The lawmaker also warned against working with China toward climate change. Scott continued: Addressing our changing climate requires real solutions, but we cant pretend toothless agreements with mega-polluters like Communist China will do anything to advance that work.

According to the nonprofit group Global Energy Monitor, China had 1,082 coal-fired power plants in service as of January 2021. The communist country is also building 92 more power plants as of writing. An additional 135 coal-fired plants are also in the pre-construction phase. These figures only cement Chinas position as the worlds largest coal producer and user. (Related: NASA images reveal massive DROP in pollution in China following coronavirus outbreak.)

Chinas Belt and Road Initiative incidentally lines up with a coal-powered energy initiative

China has also funded power plants run by fossil fuel in countries that signed up to the BRI, also known as the One Belt, One Road project. A blog post by the nonprofit Council of Foreign Relations (CFR) pointed out that most of Chinas energy financing goes toward non-renewable sources. It cited Chinas involvement in 240 coal plants in BRI countries in 2016  a figure that has likely grown over time.

The CFR blog post elaborated: Since the creation of the BRI, billions of dollars in Chinese funds have flowed toward fossil fuel projects around the world. These investments promise to make climate change mitigation far more difficult. (Related: Eco-fascist Greta protects China from emissions scrutiny, playing into the hands of the communists that are polluting the planet.)

China established the BRI in 2013 to connect it with Africa, Asia and Europe. According to the CFR post, the initiatives focus on coal is driven by excess Chinese capacity and demand among developing nations. These developing nations consider fossil fuels as a cheaper and more reliable energy source  making them the perfect customers for Chinese coal-fired plants. BRI-funded coal plants in turn create new markets for the coal China exports.

In addition, the BRI push toward fossil fuels allows Chinese firms restricted by environmental regulations to recoup their losses. One case mentioned in the CFR post involved an unprofitable Chinese coal plant being disassembled and shipped to Cambodia to resume operations there.

The blog post also put down some suggestions to fight Chinas push toward coal. These included the U.S. working with allies and partners to make China commit to its green energy pledge for the BRI. True enough, China and the U.S. pledged to work together to fight climate change.

A trip by U.S. Special Presidential Envoy for Climate John Kerry in April 2021 highlighted the two countries collaboration. Days later, Chinese president Xi Jinping participated in an April 22 climate summit led by the U.S. He said that China would strictly limit its coal consumption from 2021 to 2025 and phase it down from 2026 to 2030. Xi also reiterated his September 2020 pledge to make China carbon-neutral by 2060.

Visit CommunistChina.news to read more about Chinas greenhouse gas emissions.

Sources include:

TheEpochTimes.com

RHG.com

Twitter.com

CFR.org
(Natural News) In March of 2020, the Scientific Pandemic Influenza Group on Behavior instructed government officials across Europe to instill fear in the population and increase the perceived level of personal threat. As countries prepared to lock down, the science committee told government ministers a substantial number of people still do not feel sufficiently [and] personally threatened by covid-19. In order for the controlling lockdowns to work, the committee instructed government officials to use fear to their advantage.

Now, just a year later, the Scientific Pandemic Influenza Group on Behavior (SPI-B) REGRETS using fear to control people and admits they used unethical and totalitarian methods to isolate, defraud and intimidate people into submission.

One of the groups members, psychologist Gavin Morgan, said, Clearly, using fear as a means of control is not ethical. Using fear smacks of totalitarianism. Its not an ethical stance for any modern government.

Government dictators are beginning to feel the backlash from the public

These confessions come at a time during intense public backlash. The people are accusing their government officials of ramping up fear of infectious disease risk to unlawfully detain individuals and deprive them of their civil liberties. These government fear tactics used intimidation to discriminate and lock down select businesses and activities, coercing people to abide by inconsistent and asinine medical edicts. People across the United Kingdom are clamoring to hold government officials accountable for illegal, totalitarian methods that led to human rights abuses.

UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson has been pressured to announce a public, independent inquiry into the Covid-19 scandal. Johnson confirmed that the Government will establish an independent public inquiry on a statutory basis, with full powers under the Inquiries Act of 2005. This inquiry will take oral evidence in public under oath and compel all relevant materials to be produced, beginning in 2022.

SPI-B is the sub-committee that initially fear-mongered to Sir Patrick Vallance, the chief scientific adviser for the Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies (SAGE). The fear mongering was used to manipulate populations to comply with government authorities. One SPI-B scientist testified, In March [2020] the Government was very worried about compliance and they thought people wouldnt want to be locked down. There were discussions about fear being needed to encourage compliance, and decisions were made about how to ramp up the fear. The way we have used fear is dystopian. The use of fear has definitely been ethically questionable. Its been like a weird experiment.

One SPI-B member admitted that the committees purpose is to use psychology for mind control. Thats what we do clearly we try and go about it in a positive way, but it has been used nefariously in the past, the member said.

The fear, control and loss of liberty are contributing factors to sickness, hospitalization and death, not solutions

Another SPI-B member said the pandemic was used by government to grab power. We have to be very careful about the authoritarianism that is creeping in, the advisor said. The fear of pathogens and fear of government led to a loss of liberty that was a contributing facto to sickness, hospitalization, and death. The government pretends these methods are for everyones safety but these methods have not proven to be public health solutions in the slightest. Instead, the control caused public disorder, drug addictions, domestic abuse, overdoses, suicides, high blood pressure, weight gain, and a myriad of health problems that are often the underlying factor for covid-19 mortality.

Indeed, governments inundated the public with only fearful news, broadcasting case counts, but never coming clean about how the covid-19 PCR tests were falsely calibrated with a high cycle to generate an onslaught of false positives. The number of people who recovered was never broadcast either, and no information was provided to encourage a healthy immune response and effective recovery.

The government used data on hospitalizations and deaths, but did not sort out the reasons why people were hospitalized in the first place or discuss the contributing factors that went into their hospital death. Death was used for political gain and to generate more fear, even though medical systems were fraudulently counting people who died with covid as people who died from covid. The truth was always buried and covered up by an agenda of fear and control. The constant bombardment of fear and control destroyed countless lives, oppressing natural immune function, and making people mentally and physically susceptible to sickness and complications. This is an unacceptable way for governments to treat their people.

Sources include:

Telegraph.co.uk

Telegraph.co.uk

NaturalNews.com

NaturalNews.com
Sign up to get breaking news, weather forecasts, and more in your email inbox.

Sign Up Now
Laura Duclos / Houston Chronicle

The Grace Farms Foundation, and the Organization of Chinese Americans of Fairfield County (OCAFC) are having a free webinar event titled: Hope Over Hate, Inspiring Allyship for Asian American Communities, on Wednesday, May 26, from noon to 1 p.m.

There will be an interdisciplinary conversation about how all people can work to build awareness around antiAsian discrimination, indentify ways to make a difference and come together as a community to create lasting social change.
BOISE, Idaho (AP)  Lt. Gov. Janice McGeachin announced Wednesday that she is running for governor, aligning her campaign with an emphasis on individual liberty, state sovereignty and traditional conservative values sure to play well in the deeply conservative state.

My proven experience shows that I will always defend these principles, the 58-year-old Republican said in a speech in Idaho Falls where she and her family own several businesses.

McGeachin, who served in the Idaho House of Representatives from 2002 to 2012, planned additional speeches in Boise and Coeur d'Alene later in the day.

McGeachin made her announcement and frequently attacked coronavirus restriction decisions following about 50 minutes of speeches by several other speakers and was followed by a Republican state representative who gave his endorsement.

McGeachin strongly contested Republican Gov. Brad Littles coronavirus pandemic strategy when COVID-19 patients threatened to overwhelm the states healthcare system last year and took them on again in her campaign announcement.

You will certainly not be required to wear a mask in the governor's office if she wins, she said. Simply put, the status quo has got to go. Idahoans are tired of being ignored, shut out of the process, declared nonessential and discriminated against by the state.

Little never issued a statewide mask mandate, but early last year he issued a stay-at-home order and declared some jobs nonessential as COVID-19 patients threatened to overwhelm the state's hospital system. The move was credited for bringing down the state's coronavirus caseload, but unemployment rose. Coronavirus infections then surged again in the summer after Little lifted the restrictions.

McGeachin during her speech frequently criticized pandemic restrictions as evidence of an out-of-control government. She did not mention the 190,000 Idaho residents who have been infected with the virus or the more than 2,000 that have died.

There are no statewide coronavirus restrictions currently in place and many local government entities have lifted mask mandates as more people get vaccinated. But Idaho has one of the lowest vaccination rates among U.S. states  31%.

McGeachin said that Idaho officials should reject federal funding for a wide variety of programs to preserve state sovereignty, a position that aligns her with the far right of the Idaho Republican party.

The state receives billions of dollars annually from the federal government for everything from healthcare to education to roads. McGeachin did not provide details on how big cuts to state services that would lose the federal funding would be avoided or handled.

We must do our part to get our fiscal house in order even if it means weening ourselves of the federal teat, she said, without going into details.

She added: We don't have a tax problem here in Idaho. We have a spending problem."

McGeachin also said she wants to eliminate the state's occupational licensing requirements covering jobs ranging from plumbers to medical professionals. The licensing rules are aimed at ensuring that workers can competently perform their jobs without risking the health of others.

We can open more doors to success by removing occupational licenses and other regulations which stand in the way of personal and business achievements, she said.

She said she would be a strong advocate of Second Amendment gun rights, an essential position for Republicans seeking office.

McGeachin drew criticism during the 2019 legislative session for posing with members of an antigovernment group in the Statehouse near her office and posting the images on social media.

Later, after fulfilling her role as lieutenant governor presiding over the Senate, she fled from reporters seeking comment and stayed locked in her office the rest of the day as reporters waited outside.

McGeachin last month formed the Task Force to Examine Indoctrination in Idaho Education, something hardline conservative Republicans focused on during the recently concluded legislative session. They claim students are being forced through critical race theory to adopt beliefs that make them hate their country.

Little is in his first term and has not announced whether he plans to seek a second term.

But on the same day as McGeachins announcement, he issued a statement promoting his conservative credentials that highlighted legislation he signed involving tax relief, infrastructure investments and conservative budgeting.

The GOP holds its gubernatorial primary in May 2022 and the winner moves on to November 2022 general election but is almost certain to beat whoever the Democrats nominate.

Idaho's last Democratic governor was Cecil Andrus, who served in the 1970s and again in the late 1980s to mid-1990s.
Town Council set the date for a referendum on May 17 for Wednesday, June 2, while two attorneys  both paid by New Canaan taxpapers  disagreed about the legality of it.

Proponents of the referendum want to reverse a vote that was taken at the Town Council budget meeting on Thursday, March 31, to overturn a vote on the $92.3 million school budget and return it to the Board of Finance for re-approval.

The Board of Education is the only town body with the authority to change line items on the school budget, according to state law, so the Board Finance only has the authority to change the total.

Proponents claim that their goal is not to reduce the budget  in fact some want to increase it  but rather to force the board to reconsider the scenarios for healthier start times being considered.

Board of Education attorney Andreana Bellach wrote to town attorney Ira Bloom questioning the legality of a referendum after saying that the budget had been completed when the Town Council unanimously approved the budget in March.

Once an educational appropriation has been set according to the legal process, there is no authority under the Town Charter or Connecticut law to reduce said appropriation, Bellach wrote to Bloom. This is by design and operates to protect the stability of educational funding.

Ballach called any attempt to try to reduce the Board of Educations appropriation an ultra vires act, which is Latin for "beyond the powers."

Town Council Chairman John Engel told Hearst Connecticut Media that Bloom confirmed the legality of a referendum action in a conversation before the Monday meeting, so the council went ahead and set the date for June 2. Engel said he did not have a written response from the town attorney on the matter, but discussed it with Bloom before the Monday meeting. We spoke, he said.

Town Council agreed that the polls will be open from 12 p.m. to 8 p.m at the New Canaan High School auxilliary gym.

Councilman Steve Karl helped oversee the arrangements for the referendum and said organizers wanted to make sure residents were back from Memorial Day getaways, and the day was chosen since schools are in session half days on Wednesday for teacher education.

Two town councilmen, Mark Grzymski and Tom Butterworth, abstained on the Town Council vote to move forward the referendum, saying they wished to hear Blooms full opinion on the matter.

The question for the referendum will read Shall the action of the Town Council, at its March 31, 2021 meeting, which did not reduce the Board of Education budget by $463,337 be overruled and returned to the Board of Finance for reconsideration?

This is to undo a vote taken after Councilman Mike Mauro made a motion, seconded by Maria Naughton, to reduce the Board of Education operating and health by $463,337, the amount projected for a change in start times midyear in the 2021-22 academic year.

Bellach said the fatal procedural flaw in the petition is that the legislative act of setting the initial educational appropriation was subject to review by referendum according to the Town Charter, no petition was filed for review of that action. The petition only sought review of the Town Councils negative action on Mr. Mauros motion

According to town charter, Town Council had to set a date for the referendum within 30 days from the date of the filing with Town Clerk Claudia Weber, which was on Friday, May 7, meaning a vote should be held before June 6.

Weber verified the 682 signatures, or five percent of electors needed, to force a referendum on the school budget and confirmed the total had been collected and counted on May 11.

Bellachs letter referred to the The Board of Educations reservation of rights to challenge any action to reduce the Towns educational appropriation or to infringe on its exclusive educational policy authority.

The BOE is not taking the town to court. They are putting us on notice that, in their attorneys opinion, their budget cannot be reduced through this referendum, Engel told Hearst.

The Chairman of the Board of Education Katrina Parkhill said the board fully respects the referendum process and reserves the right to challenge any action it deems unlawful.

Town Council authorized that there would be explanatory language, however the actual wording is left to Weber.

For the referendum to pass, there needs to be a majority of those voting and equal to at least 15 percent of the number of electors in town, equaling approximately 2,055 votes.

Referendum proponent Giacomo Landi said the school board should focus on the feedback it received from the community via the 1,000 signatures to the petition rather than engagement of legal teams at the town and taxpayer expense to attempt to avoid citizen feedback via a referendum.

Proponents of the referendum believe there are better alternatives to the school start time scenario, which the budget is based on. The school board should focus on that instead of what they appear to be focused on, Landi said.

Even if the referendum is not a success, Landi hopes a much broader and more inclusive discussion will take place to find a solution that fits better with New Canaan.

Id really rather avoid a referendum, Engel told Hearst in May when the issue was initially raised.
Wymondham honours Far East prisoners of war Wymondham honours Far East prisoners of war

An ecumenical memorial service at St Thomas of Canterbury in Wymondham heard about the shift of mental furniture of one Far East prisoner of war.

Fr Pat Cleary, parish priest of St Thomas of Canterbury, hosted the service for Far East prisoners of War, which was organised by Peter Wiseman. He was joined by Fr Denis Gallagher and an Anglican guest, Rev Pauline Simpson.



The church had been built in 1952 by Fr Cowin, who was himself a prisoner of war in Thailand, and used to say a daily Mass for those who died in Japanese camps. This practice has turned into an annual service which now takes place on the Sunday closest to May 14, the anniversary of the liberation of Rangoon (now Yangon) in 1945.



The church is unique in being built as a memorial to prisoners of war and civilian internees who suffered in Japanese camps. Around 36,000 names are listed in the books of remembrance which are kept in the church.



Fr Pat read an address written by Michael Ipgrave, the Anglican Bishop of Litchfield, whose father was a prisoner of war captured in Singapore. He was put to hard labour on the railway, wrote the bishop, and experienced terrible conditions of deprivation, overwork and brutality there; he was fortunate enough to survive, but his health was permanently damaged, and I believe that what he went through deeply scarred him. How could it not?



Although Geoff Ipgrave never appeared to harbour resentment towards the Japanese, he did not have warm feelings towards them either. When he was 65, he finally visited Japan. He met with people of his own generation who had experienced in their own country the brutality which he had encountered as a PoW  Anglicans in wartime Japan had been regarded with great suspicion as fifth columnists of the Allies, and the Church and its priests had been persecuted as a result.



The bishop said that he could almost see the mental furniture being shifted around in my fathers mind and he became committed to reconciliation with Japan and the Japanese people.



Although surviving prisoners of war are now too elderly to attend, their relatives from around the country laid a series of wreaths on their behalf.



Towards the end of the service, the East Anglian connected was highlighted by a link to the the Battle of Kohima. It was the 1944 defensive actions at Kohima of the 18th Division, largely East Anglian, which prevented a Japanese advance into India. This was the first time the Japanese had been defeated in battle, and it marked the turning point of the war in south-east Asia. After Jeremy Lightowler had played the Last Post on the bugle, the congregation read the Kohima Epitaph.



Rev Pauline Simpson concluded the service by scattering petals in front of the memorial.



Pictured above are Fr Pat Cleary and Rev Pauline Simpson



You can see a Flickr gallery of pictures from the service by clicking here or on the image below.

Eldred Willey, 18/05/2021


MU brings hygiene service to Kings Lynn hospital MU brings hygiene service to Kings Lynn hospital

A patient at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Kings Lynn decided to start a Mothers Union project there. Eunice Norwood tells her story.

Last September I was admitted to hospital in Kings Lynn in the early hours of the morning, on the eve of my grand-daughters wedding. As I live alone and was too ill to gather essentials together, I arrived without all the hygiene necessities I would need.



The first two days or so following the op it really didn't matter that I could not wash myself, comb my hair or brush my teeth, but as I began to recover, I so desperately needed to feel human again and visits from family were difficult at that time because of Covid restrictions.



There were two others in the ward in a similar situation, and as staff were so busy, it felt selfish to ask them to produce a toothbrush and paste or a hair comb. One patient was a young mum; her husband was minding three very young children so could not visit. Another was an elderly lady living in an apartment she had only just moved into, so did not know neighbours, and her daughters lived in London.



I realised that throughout the hospital there could be many more in a similar situation, perhaps a homeless person taken ill on the streets, a tourist injured in a car accident, or a service engineer travelling from another county for work. I felt that here was an opportunity that I, as a long-standing Mother's Union member, might be able to help with.



I wanted to give something back to the hospital for the wonderful care they gave me, and I talked the situation over with a nurse on the ward. Together we came up with a list of hygiene products that could be very useful to patients on the wards.



I contacted the Mothers' Union Trustees in Norwich to seek their support and after several weeks of correspondence with the hospital a list of useful products was produced. Since then Mothers' Union Trustees have granted a start-up fund of 200 for the project to which we hope that those who are grateful to a hospital may wish to contribute. Eventually we hope to offer the project to other hospitals in the county.



The Hospital Chaplain, the Rev Lee Gilbert, and volunteers working on the wards, will collect a list of things required by patients. When stock of any product is running low, these will be sent direct to the Amazon Locker at the hospital for Rev Lee to collect on site. Where possible I try to purchase products that are 'green' a good example being inexpensive bamboo toothbrushes"



Donations from grateful patients towards this invaluable project can be sent to The Treasurer, Mothers' Union Office, Diocesan House, 109 Dereham Road, Easton. Norwich NR9 5ES. Please mark cheque with Hospital Hygiene Project. If online banking preferred contact our Treasurer for account details via email at mund@thelashleys.com



Pictured above is Eunice Norwood



Eldred Willey, 19/05/2021
Hampton - Douglas M. LaPorte, 63, of Hampton, passed away on Sunday, June 6, 2021 at his home. He was born in Albany, NY on October 6, 1957 a son of Earl LaPorte and Rosemary (Pomakoy) Snyder. Doug was a volunteer firefighter in NY in his younger years and went on to work for various Walmart
By PTI

NEW DELHI: Social media giant Facebook on Wednesday said it is expanding its 'COVID-19 Announcement' in India that will help health departments of states and union territories share essential COVID-19 related updates with their communities.

India is the second country after the US to launch this feature. Facebook said it has partnered with 33 states and union territories to roll out this tool in their respective jurisdictions.

"The COVID-19 Announcement feature will give health departments the ability to push out timely, credible COVID-19 and vaccine information to people in their local communities/ state jurisdictions.

States will be able to issue these alerts statewide or to specific cities within their state," it added.

The rollout of the COVID-19 Announcement tool in India is part of the company's ongoing efforts to support the public health authorities' work to keep people safe and informed during the coronavirus public health crisis, it said.

"When posts by state health department pages on Facebook are marked as COVID-19 Announcements, we amplify their reach so that people located in the community are more likely to see them.

We will send notifications to people located in the affected area, and will also show that information on the COVID-19 Information Center," Facebook said.

This will help distribute important and urgent updates related to COVID-19 or COVID-19 vaccination efforts to people in the community, it added.

Facebook said COVID-19 Announcements can be used to communicate information on existing COVID-19 resources such as helplines; updates on hospital bed availability in districts such as Intensive Care Unit (ICU) beds and oxygen supported beds; and changes to existing COVID-19 rules and regulation that can impact communities and day-to-day actions like lockdowns, night curfews and changes to treatment protocols.

The tool can also be used to share information about vaccine eligibility and registration, and the logistics of acquiring a vaccine; providing accurate information on COVID-19 appropriate behaviour; and suggesting preventive behavioural health measures to stop the spread of COVID-19, it added.

Previously, the social media giant had said it would roll out a vaccine finder tool on its mobile app in India to help people identify places nearby to get inoculated.

The company had also announced a USD 10 million grant for emergency response efforts for COVID-19 situation in the country.
Anuradha Shukla By

Express News Service

NEW DELHI: Ahead of the GST council meeting on May 28, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman has asked the Revenue Department to come up with revised GST revenue shortfall numbers for this financial year given the Covid-induced lockdowns imposed across states. A fresh assessment of the GST collection shortfall is required ahead of the Council meeting. While some emergency situations were accounted for, the second wave had been more devastating and longer than expected. We will be ready with the numbers ahead of the meeting, a senior official from the revenue department told TNIE.

Earlier, the finance ministry had projected GST revenue shortfall to be to the tune of Rs 1,56,164 crore for the current financial year (FY22). However, it had not taken into account the severity of the second Covid-19 wave. As such, a fresh estimate has to be made before the Council meeting.

According to sources, the accumulation in compensation kitty had been falling short even before the pandemic broke out. Fresh lockdowns in industrial pockets like Gujarat, Chennai, Mumbai, Delhi-NCR and Bengaluru are bound to further hit collections. Moreover, states have also been pressing for waiver of GST on critical items such as vaccines.

In April, the GST collection came in at Rs 1.41 lakh crore, 14 per cent higher than that in March 2021. While this was a record high, experts said the clear picture regarding GST collections for April would emerge only in May and June. Last week, West Bengal finance minister Amit Mitra also highlighted this matter in a letter addressed to Nirmala Sitharaman.

May I point out that among many matters that need to be discussed most urgently at the GST Council, is the alarming shortfall that is expected in the compensation to states. As per GoI, the shortfall was expected to be to the tune of Rs 1,56,164 crore in 2021-22 without taking into consideration the impact of Covid Wave-2, Mitra wrote in the letter to Sitharaman Even last year, the compensation issue became a sticky point. But after several heated discussions, both the Centre and the states agreed to meet an estimated GST revenue shortfall of Rs `1.10 lakh crore.
By Online Desk

For those who have failed to win their Co-win battles, travel agents are now offering a two-in-one vaccination and vacation trip to Russia.

These agents say that Russian authorities have made it possible for tourists to visit their country and take the Russian-made Sputnik-V vaccine.

The report comes a week after Reuters reporting that the tiny Republic of San Marino had launched vaccine tourism with Sputnik V as the vaccine on offer.

A Delhi-based travel agency's tour package has in fact gone viral on WhatsApp. Priced at Rs 2.2-2.4 lakh per person for a 24-day stay at 3-star hotels in Moscow (20 days) and St Petersburg (4 days), it includes sightseeing and guided tours.

ALSO READ: Vaccine tourism is here

Those who book the tour will be taken to Moscow for two shots of the vaccine, according to a report in the Times of India (TOI).

Indians can travel to Russia after getting an RT-PCR test done. The travel agents claim the first shot will be administered on the day of arrival in Moscow.

The first batch, a group of 30 people left on May 15 and have received their shot already, they say. According to the TOI report, the second batch, mostly Delhi-based doctors, will be leaving on May 29.

ALSO READ: China to permit Indians and people from 19 countries to return only if they take Chinese vaccines

The group spends three days in St Petersburg and the remaining days in Moscow. The package includes the cost of air tickets on Aeroflot flights from Delhi, breakfast, dinner and a few days of local sightseeing. The visa fee of Rs 10,000 is excluded," the paper quoted an official from the travel agency as saying.

At present, Russia is one of the very few countries that allow Indians to enter its country.

The official Sputnik V twitter handle had earlier indicated in a tweet that they will be throwing open vaccinations for travellers, with followers of the handle being given top priority. The only catch, the tweet was put out on April 1.
S Lalitha By

Express News Service

BENGALURU: The major racket unearthed this weekend at the Divisional Railway Hospital involved four staffers who put the lives of COVID-19 patients at risk by stealing over 70 vials of the life-saving anti-viral drug Remdisivir and sold them at exorbitant rates outside.

Two hospital staffers as well as a nurse and ambulance driver (contract worker) were arrested and remanded to judicial custody for their involvement in the racket which began in April. A doctor is also being suspected of colluding with them and investigations are still on, said a senior railway source.

RPF personnel conducted a decoy operation wherein potential buyers were sent in front of the hospital to scout for Remdesivir and found a driver and another staffer willing to sell a vial for Rs 50000. They let out the other names after being caught red-handed. The packaging on the medicines they had on them revealed they all belonged to consignments supplied to the hospital, explained an official.

ALSO READ: Parents in hospital, kids and domestic help pull through in this Bengaluru family

Explaining how the staff got hold of them, the source said that 6 or 7 doses of Remdisivir are usually prescribed for a moderate or severe COVID-19 patient by the doctor. A staff member goes to buy the drug from the medical shop located in the hospital premises. The prescription lists the number of doses clearly, either one or two for a patient for the specific day. The staffer purchased it but the patients were not administered them thanks to collusion with others, he explained. They generally give the patient three or four doses instead of the prescribed six and take the rest out of the hospital, he added.

What was dangerous was that a wrong entry had been made in the patients' file stating that the dosage had been administered, misleading the other duty doctors.

Railway employees, past and present, and their families are treated free of cost at the railway hospital. The cost of the drug in private hospitals (for non BBMP earmarked beds) presently ranges between Rs 1000 and Rs 3,800 depending on the brand being purchased.

Cases have been booked by the RPF against them under Section (3) of the RPF Act which deals with unlawful possession of any railway property.

Elaborating on Remidisivir usage, Senior Physician at K C General Hospital Dr K G Suresh said it was imperative that the patient is given 600 mg or 700 mg of the drug spread over 5 or 6 days. It prevents the replication of the virus. The protocol by the Indian Council of Medical Research and the state government is that two doses are given the first day and one dose for consecutive four days. It has been changed to five days and 700 mg recently. If it is stopped midway, the efficacy of the drug is affected and the patient will not benefit completely from the drug," he said. A 100 mg dosage is mixed with 100 ml of IV fluid and administered to the patient, the doctor added.
Bala Chauhan By

Express News Service

BENGALURU: Oxygen concentrators are the main medical cargo that are currently being imported during the second wave of the pandemic. Customs officials at the Kempegowda International Airport here have cleared 12,000 imported oxygen concentrators between April 26 and May 16, said informed sources.

The oxygen concentrators have been imported largely by private entities such as small hospitals, NGOs and individuals from several countries, said the sources.

This apart, the Customs have cleared the import of 61,000 kg of Molecular Sieve (Zeolite) by Tata Advanced Systems Ltd between May 16 and 17 for the fabrication of Medical Oxygen Plants (MOPs) by the Defence Research & Development Organisation (DRDO). In a bid to fulfill the oxygen needs of Covid-19 patients, the DRDO has decided to set up 500 MOPSs across the country within three months under the PM-CARES fund.

The premier R&D organisation has initiated fabrication of 380 MOPs with the release of supply orders to Tata Advanced Systems Ltd, Bengaluru for for 332 MOPs and to Trident Pneumatics Pvt Ltd, Coimbatore, for 48 of them, with a target of producing 125 plants per month. Zeolite molecular sieves are used in industrial applications as highly efficient adsorbents for separation processes in gas or liquid phase.

Last year, soon after the pandemic broke out, there were huge consignments of personal protection equipment (PPE), masks, gloves, active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) to manufacture essential drugs for Covid-19 management, ventilators among other medical equipment which were being imported into India. This time, its oxygen concentrators, ventilators and some number of humidifiers which are being imported from across the world.

OVER 50,000 KG OF ZEOLITE REACHES KIA

Bengaluru: Four chartered flights from Rome, carrying a total of 50,575 kilograms of zeolite, a crucial component used in oxygen generation, reached Kempegowda International Airport, in the last two days. An airport source said, The flights on Monday carried 34,200 kilograms of Zeolite while those that reached on Tuesday carried 16,375 kgs of it. All of them came in drums with each one accommodating 125 kgs of the mineral.  All are bound to Malur
Omjasvin MD By

Express News Service

CHENNAI: 80-year-old Gnanasekar, a senior citizen in Mylapore, got rations, Chief Minister Relief funds and groceries, all delivered at his doorstep.

The delivery was not by any e-commerce platform but DMK cadre, following the instructions of local MLA Mylai T Velu.

The MLA had shared his phone number with all residents and asked us to message him if we need any help at our doorsteps. As I couldnt go out due to my age to get CM relief funds, I messaged him and his cadre brought it to my house, Gnanasekar told The New Indian Express.

In order to help residents, mainly COVID-19 patients and senior citizens, during the lockdown, the MLA began an initiative four days ago to share his number with all locals through cadres, contacts and WhatsApp groups.

ALSO READ: Tamil Nadu gets 9.62 lakh more COVID-19 vaccine doses, may begin inoculating 18+ soon

Many residents shared their mobile screenshots with The New Indian Express, showing the messages sent to the MLA and his instant response in providing the essentials.

A couple, Rajinikanth and Kalaiselvi, and their family had tested positive for COVID-19 and could not venture out to get the CM relief funds and essentials.

My wife sent a message to the MLA. He responded instantly and got us both the CM relief funds and essentials, said Rajinikanth.

Screenshots shared by residents Geetha Krishnan, Hema Venkatachari, Rajan and others also showed that they had messaged the MLA for COVID-19 essentials and DMK cadre had gone to their houses and distributed it.

Rajan, a resident of Appu Street in Mylapore, and three others in his house are COVID-positive. He messaged the MLA requesting that the garbage, which had collected at the house for the past two days, be cleared. Velu had replied within two hours and by evening it was done.

Residents said they feel empowered to convey their complaints and requests directly to the MLA. It is very nice that he is responding to us. This is the first time we are having such communication with MLAs, Rajinikanth said.

When contacted by The New Indian Express, Velu said he had involved all the party cadres in 13 divisions for this work.

This is a WhatsApp number I created four days ago just for COVID-19 relief and I directly get the message. About 14 to 15 people have called every day so far, he said.

The MLA said the move is mainly to help quarantined patients and senior citizens, who may not be able to go out due to lockdown and restrictions, get essentials and benefits at their doorsteps.

I also pass the information to necessary officials to get the job done for the residents, he added.
Nirupama Viswanathan By

Express News Service

CHENNAI: Chennai corporation officials in the Perungudi zone, which houses several firms, took up bulk vaccination of those above 45 at a private firm on Wednesday. Officials said other such camps are lined up for the coming week.

At the end of the day, around 300 staff were vaccinated. The firm, Brookfield Properties, had informed eligible employees a week earlier to ensure that they are able to come to the firm for the vaccination.

"It is only now that fear has set in and firms and residential complexes are contacting us themselves without us having to approach them," said a corporation official.

ALSO READ: Now, Tamil Nadu allows inter-district travel for weddings

The zonal health officer S Venkatraman who arranged the camp along with the monitoring officer of the zone said that residents should refrain from insisting on one or the other of the two vaccines.

"We advise residents to take whichever vaccine is available. There is no need to wait for one particular vaccine. Under these circumstances, they should get vaccinated as fast as possible," he said.

The city corporation has also begun vaccinating at residential complexes with over 30 people who are eligible for the vaccines. With requests coming in for door-to-door vaccination from those in individual houses, corporation officials said that it may not always be feasible.

"We are required to monitor those who have been vaccinated for a 30-minute period to observe Adverse Effects Following Immunisation (AEFI) which may sometimes happen for those with protein allergies. When we vaccinate at a house, they go back inside once it's done and we can't keep an eye on them," said a corporation medical official.

"That is why we undertake bulk vaccination in firms and residential complexes where we seat them for half an hour and check for allergies," the official added.

Companies or residential associations looking to have similar vaccination drives on their premises may fill up the form at https://forms.gle/Bb5VGvRxUXuvmEvi8 or contact zonal authorities.
By PTI

NEW DELHI: COVID-19 has not spared even a single family and still central government's officers are living in "ivory towers" oblivious of ground realities, observed the Delhi High Court which on Tuesday was of the view that manufacturing of Sputnik V vaccine in India is giving an opportunity to the nation staring at shortage of vaccines.

"God bless this country", was another remark of a bench of Justices Manmohan and Navin Chawla which castigated the Centre for not being alive to the pandemic situation that is taking so many lives.

The bench said the collaboration of Panacea Biotec with Russian Direct Investment Fund (RDIF) for manufacturing of Sputnik V vaccine should be seen as an opportunity to ensure its usage here and in such matters instructions are to be taken from the highest authorities that too within 30 minutes.

It said "no one is applying its mind" when there is an opportunity for the government to get millions of vaccines and it should use this as a window.

"Otherwise, deaths will continue to happen. Every day you are castigated by each and every court and still you are not awake.

"Which bureaucrat is giving you instructions. Is he not alive to the situation? God bless this country. That is why we are facing this situation. In such matters instructions are to be taken from the highest authorities that too within 30 minutes," the bench said.

It added, "Does your officer not see so many deaths are taking place in the country and we are short of vaccines.

Your client is not alive to the situation." The bench, which was critical of the Centre's stand on the issue, said "You (government) are so short of vaccines and you are not taking it through. May be it is an opportunity for you. Don't be so negative. It is like a raging fire and nobody is bothered. You people don't understand the larger picture or what.

"Tell your officers it is an opportunity for you, don't lose it. No one is applying its mind. The virus has not spared any single family. Your officers are living in ivory towers," the bench said.

The high court's observations came while hearing a plea of Delhi-based Panacea Biotec seeking to modify a July 2020 order, by which the firm had undertaken not to prosecute further the execution proceedings instituted by them in relation to an arbitral award, running into crores of rupees, passed in its favour and against the Centre.

The company, in its fresh application, sought release of the arbitral award saying it needs funds at the earliest in the larger interest of humanity as it has already manufactured trial batches of COVID vaccine Sputnik V in collaboration with RDIF and the process of manufacturing scale-up batches is on.

The bench said "This court is of the view that in today's time there is acute shortage of vaccines in India and the collaboration of applicant (Panacea Biotec) with RDIF gives India an opportunity to ensure that the vaccine manufactured by the applicant is used for sale in India."

The court issued notice to the Centre and asked it to examine the plea and file a reply within a week and listed it for hearing on May 31.

The company, represented through senior advocate Sandeep Sethi, said, "If the awarded amount is not released, the whole process of manufacture of vaccine at the fastest pace may get derailed and delayed which will not be in the larger interest of humanity."

Additional Solicitor General Balbir Singh, representing the Centre, submitted that the manufacturing of Sputnik V will not benefit the country as it will be for global supply by RDIF.

He claimed that certain misleading statements were made in the plea and there was no urgency as the vaccines are to be sold outside India.

The Centre was also represented through advocates Rajesh Ranjan and B S Shukla.

Sethi, however, responded that no manufactured vaccines can be exported without the government's consent.

He said these vaccines are meant only for Indian use and it will benefit the government as the firm is one of the largest manufacturers of vaccines which supplies domestic and international markets.

On the Centre's objection to the plea, the bench said the government is short of vaccines and this company says they are willing to manufacture and deposit 20 per cent of sale proceeds in the court, so it should be taken as an opportunity.

The application was filed in a pending appeal of the Centre challenging a single judge's order dismissing its petition on a limited point of limitation period.

Before the single judge, the Centre had challenged the arbitral tribunal's award which was in the favour of Panacea Biotec and Bharat Biotech International Ltd and Serum Institute of India relating to an earlier agreement for pandemic H1N1 influenza vaccines in 2010.

In its plea before the division bench, Panacea Biotec mentioned that Serum Institute and Bharat Biotech are also exporting COVID-19 vaccines to various countries and now there is huge shortage of vaccines which is not readily available for citizens of the age of 18 years and above, though officially it has been declared that they are eligible for vaccination since May 1.

"It is one of the greatest challenge the humanity is facing which can only be overcome by vaccination and by following other protocols.

Unless timely steps for manufacture of COVID-19 vaccine are taken, the death toll can go up to astronomical figures," it said while maintaining that 100 million doses per year of Sputnik V vaccine for the global market would be manufactured.
By PTI

NEW DELHI: The AAP on Wednesday alleged that the BJP and its government were more concerned about their image abroad than the children in India after the saffron party accused Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal of serious violation of constitutional propriety with his remarks on COVID strain in Singapore.

The two parties sparred after Singapore called the Indian envoy and conveyed to him its strong objections to the "unfounded assertions" by Kejriwal and External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar ticked off the Delhi chief minister, saying he does not speak for India and irresponsible comments from those who should know better can damage long-standing partnerships.

In his controversial tweet, Kejriwal had on Tuesday called for cancelling all air services with Singapore with immediate effect, saying "a new strain" of coronavirus found there could reach Delhi and was "very dangerous" for children.

"Meddling in foreign policy matters which is as per the Constitution of India is not a state subject amounts to serious violation of constitutional propriety," BJP spokesperson Gaurav Bhatia said.

He charged Kejriwal with seeking political mileage at the cost of India's image with his "irresponsible" tweet and said the Delhi chief minister keeps making "hue and cry" over one issue or another so that nobody questions him on his "all-round failure" in dealing with the COVID-19 pandemic in the city.

"Kejriwal has presented his toolkit of spreading confusion and anarchy and seems to be competing with the Congress in propagating lies and destabilizing the country," Bhatia charged.

ALSO READ | We are satisfied by Indian government's clarification: Singapore envoy on Kejriwal's comments

The Aam Aadmi Party fielded Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia and Health Minister Satyendar Jain to defend Kejriwal.

"Vaccines would be available for the adults as well as children in the country, had our foreign ministry shown same swiftness in procuring vaccines from other countries, with which it has reacted to Kejriwal's statement," Sisodia said.

He said the BJP-led government needs to prioritise children, instead of playing politics and "fixing its image" abroad.

Jain too claimed there was a "different strain" of coronavirus spreading in Singapore.

"There are many strains of coronavirus in India at present. Their presence is ascertained through genome sequencing. It is a different strain (in Singapore) indeed. Whether it is from Singapore, Delhi, America or London, what's important is that the strains are different," he told reporters.

Sisodia said, "Kejriwal talked of Singapore strain and the children. The issue is not Singapore but safety of our children," he said.

The deputy chief minister further alleged that the Centre had failed to act when scientists and doctors alerted about the "London strain" of COVID which has now led to large number of deaths in India.

Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal rightly notified two facts to the public- firstly, the development of new strain in Singapore and secondly how this strain might affect children and India needed to be careful, Sisodia said.

"However, instead of preparing or taking any action on this important input, the Central government has shown condemnable behaviour by playing cheap politics of blame and lies," he alleged.

The Delhi unit of BJP slammed Sisodia saying he was indulging in "melodrama" to save Kejriwal from "embarassment" "The denial by Singapore government has left CM Arvind Kejriwal shamed before the world and Manish Sisodia today tried to give the issue a melodramatic turn to save him from further embarrassment in Delhi," Delhi BJP spokesperson Praveen Shankar Kapoor said.

Sisodia, however, lashed out at the BJP for "ridiculing" Kejriwal.

"It only indicates that party and and its central government are more worried about Singapore and how Singapore views us. They will not bring vaccines for children but worry about Singapore," he said.

Bhatia alleged the AAP government believes in the PPP model of "publicity, cheap politics and panic" as Kejriwal did not even try to verify before posting his controversial tweet.

In its statement, the Singapore foreign ministry said there is no "Singapore variant" and that the strain prevalent in many of the COVID-19 cases in recent weeks is the B.1.617.2 variant.

ALSO READ | Netizens in Singapore accuse Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal of 'spreading misinformation' on COVID-19, seek apology

MEA Spokesperson Arindam Bagchi said the Indian High Commissioner conveyed to the Singapore government that the Delhi chief minister had no competence to comment on COVID variants.

After Kejriwal's tweet, Aviation Minister Hardeep Puri had reminded him that all international flights have been stopped since March 2020 and there isn't even an air bubble arrangement with Singapore.

Only a few flights are being operated between the two countries under Vande Bharat Mission to bring stranded Indians back, he added.

"We are still keeping an eye on the situation. All precautions are being taken," Puri had noted.

Meanwhile, the Delhi High Court Wednesday cautioned the Delhi Government from stretching any further the issue that a third wave of COVID-19 could be coming from Singapore or some other country, saying India already has its own variants of the virus and does not need any other nation for it.

"Let's be clear, there is no wave from Singapore" and "we don't need any other country, we have our own variants," said a bench of Justices Vipin Sanghi and Jasmeet Singh which interjected when Delhi government's counsel was making submissions that the next wave could be coming from Singapore or some other country.

After the remarks by the bench, senior advocate Rahul Mehra, representing the Delhi government, replied "from wherever" the second variant is from India only.

Stressing on the need for vaccination, he also said "Until and unless everyone is safe, none is safe."

The court was hearing the plea over the condition of subordinate judiciary's judicial officers who are at risk of contracting COVID-19 owing to the nature of duties.

ALSO READ | Singapore says no truth in Kejriwal's claim of 'new Covid strain'

On Tuesday, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal had called for cancelling all air services with Singapore with immediate effect, saying a strain of coronavirus found in that country could reach Delhi in the form of a third wave.

He had said the new form of coronavirus in Singapore is said to be very dangerous for children.

However, the statement drew criticism even as the Singapore government conveyed to the Indian High Commissioner its strong objection.

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said the Delhi chief minister does not speak for India.

Earlier in the day, MEA Spokesperson Arindam Bagchi said the Indian High Commissioner conveyed to the Singapore government that the Delhi chief minister has no competence to comment on COVID variants.
By PTI

NEW DELHI: Amid criticism over Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal's Singapore COVID-19 variant remark, Delhi Health Minister Satyendar Jain on Wednesday claimed there was a "different strain" of coronavirus spreading in that country.

Jain's comments came hours after the Singapore government conveyed to the Indian High Commissioner its strong objection to Kejriwal's comments about a "Singapore variant" of COVID-19.

The Delhi chief minister on Tuesday called for cancelling all air services with Singapore with immediate effect, saying a strain of coronavirus found in that country could reach Delhi in the form of a third wave.

ALSO READ | Netizens in Singapore accuse Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal of 'spreading misinformation' on COVID-19, seek apology

"There are many strains of coronavirus in India at present... Their presence is ascertained through genome sequencing. It is a different strain (in Singapore) indeed. Whether it is from Singapore, Delhi, America or London, what's important is that the strains are different," Jain told reporters.

"It is wrong to say it is not a different variant... The picture will be clear in some time. We will inform you about it," he said.

The minister said the Delhi government had also called for cancelling flights from the UK last year.

"Then also, it was considered an unwarranted demand. I think we should do whatever possible to protect the country."

Earlier in the day, MEA Spokesperson Arindam Bagchi said the Indian High Commissioner conveyed to the Singapore government that the Delhi chief minister has no competence to comment on COVID variants.

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said the Delhi chief minister does not speak for India.

"Singapore Government called in our High Commissioner today to convey strong objection to Delhi CM's tweet on 'Singapore variant'.

High Commissioner clarified that Delhi CM had no competence to pronounce on COVID variants or civil aviation policy," Bagchi tweeted.

Kejriwal had Tuesday tweeted in Hindi, "The new form of coronavirus in Singapore is said to be very dangerous for children. It could reach Delhi in the form of a third wave. My appeal to the central government: 1. Cancel all air services with Singapore with immediate effect 2. Work on vaccine alternatives for children on a priority basis. In its reaction, the Singapore Health Ministry said there was no truth in the claim."
By PTI

NEW DELHI: Days after she put out an SOS message on Twitter asking for an ICU bed for herself, Jamia Millia Islamia professor Nabila Sadiq lost her battle to coronavirus at the age of 38.

She is the fifth serving professor from the varsity to have succumbed to the virus in the last one month.

Sadiq had lost her mother Nuzhat to the virus on May 7 and is survived by her 85-year-old father Sadique, who is 80.

Sadiq was an assistant professor at the Sarojini Naidu Centre for Women's Studies at the varsity.

She had put out a message on May 4, "Any icu bed leads? For myself."

Later, she tweeted that she had got an ICU bed.

Her students and well-wishers had arranged a bed for her at Alshifa Hospital where she also tested positive for coronavirus.

Later, she was shifted to a hospital in Faridabad where she passed away on Monday night.

Mohammad Waqar, a former student of the varsity and who knew her since he had worked as a research assistant at the Sarojini Naidu Centre, was one of those who was instrumental in arranging a bed for her.

"She was admitted to Alshifa Hospital where the CT scan showed that 21 per cent of her lungs were damaged. She had asthma since childhood which made her condition critical. We arranged for a bed in Faridabad hospital where she was admitted on May 7. Initially, she was bipap, then she was put on NIV and later on ventilator but she could not survive. She was quite friendly and would always stay in touch with friends and relatives," he said.

Since her condition was critical, she was not informed about her mother''s demise.

Her father, Sadique, had also tested positive for the virus, but was discharged from the hospital.

"Her father was informed about her demise on Tuesday morning by neighbours. He is a very strong man. He was a professor at Aligarh Muslim University and then at Jawaharlal Nehru University," Waqar said.

Sadiq was a former JNU PhD scholar.

Former JNUSU president Aishe Ghosh expressed condolence on her demise.

"Our beloved Professor Nabila Sadiq is no more. Rest in Power," she posted on Twitter and Facebook.

Retired JNU Professor Kamal Chenoy, in a Facebook post, called her bright and "committed to academics" and condoled her demise along with his wife Anu Chenoy.

"How does one begin to condole the completely untimely and completely preventable death of a student, of a daughter of a valued colleague, the sister of another brilliant young student? There are few words but a lot of emotion," he said in a Facebook post.
By Express News Service

NEW DELHI: The police have arrested a 33-year-old cab driver and his two associates for allegedly killing a 50-year-old man Kenyan national near the Indira Gandhi International (IGI) airport over taxi fare. The foreign national had come to India for treatment of his heart disease.

The accused have been identified as driver Virender Singh alias Monu (33), Gopal Singh (34) and Dilbagh alias Billu (35), all residents of Rangpuri village in Delhi. The incident took place on Monday.

Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) IGI Airport, Rajeev Ranjan said, On May 17, a PCR call was received at IGI Airport Police Station informing that a person was lying dead near the Centaur Hotel. Upon reaching the spot we found the body. There was a mobile phone lying nearby and the last dialled number from it was to one Manoj Sah, a travel agent.

After contacting the agent the police identified the deceased as Jama Said Farah, a citizen of Kenya. He had booked a ticket through the agent for the Delhi-Somalia flight on May 17.

After the travel agent informed Farahs daughter about the incident, the latter called Sub-Inspector Sanjeev Chaudhary and informed that her father had come to India two weeks ago for treatment. Due to the pandemic the treatment was postponed. Hence, Farah planned to return to his country via Somalia.

"However, he was denied immigration clearance at the IGI Airport due to lack of a Somalian visa and was off-loaded by the airline, said the DCP. Police said, Farah came outside the terminal and took a taxi to a hotel in Mahipalpur. Gopal Singh and Dilbagh were already in the cab with driver Monu. Later, the trio had an altercation with the Kenyan national over taxi fare when they reached near Mahipalpur. Thereafter, the three accused beaten the Kenyan national to death and threw him out of the car near the Centaur Hotel and escaped.

Police said the trio took away the luggage and other valuable items of the deceased to hide the victims identity. After sustained interrogation, the accused men confessed to their involvement in the offence, said DCP Ranjan.
Shainu Mohan By

Express News Service

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Lockdown restrictions and pandemic containment efforts have derailed pre-monsoon sanitation drive in the capital. Almost all low-lying areas in the city were flooded in the recent incessant rain with every canal overflowing due to accumulated silt. According to officials, it wouldnt be easy to complete the cleaning activities before monsoon sets in due to the shortage of workers

With hardly two weeks left for the monsoon to arrive, the pre-monsoon sanitation drive -- which is crucial for preventing communicable diseases and flash floods in the capital -- is progressing at a snails pace. The recent flooding has exposed how vulnerable the capital is to heavy showers. According to civic officials, they are saddled with multiple responsibilities as Covid-19 is raging in almost every part of the capital.

It is learnt that community kitchens, recently opened relief camps, CFLTCs and DCCs are keeping the health wing under the city corporation on their toes, which is also one reason for the slowdown in the pre-monsoon preparations. We are not able to mobilise workers for undertaking emergency work because of the lockdown. Migrant labourers have returned to their home states. All these are affecting the pre-monsoon activities, said a senior official of the corporation.

Though cleaning activities are ongoing to unclog the drains, there is no respite from flooding because of the silt accumulation in canals and drains. Ever since the lockdown, there has been a slowdown in the ward-level sanitation activities because of the lack of workers.

Many workers are under quarantine and some of them have tested Covid-19 positive, the official said. So far, around 250 sanitation workers have tested Covid positive. Though the city corporation had launched the pre-monsoon sanitation drive several weeks ago, the second wave of the pandemic had adversely affected the activities in every ward. We kicked off the efforts in March and listed around 1,200 works. We were able to complete around 70 per cent of them in every ward. We had allotted `1.35 lakh for each ward, said a senior official.

We had launched `7 lakh worth of cleaning activities in the Amayizhanchan canal stretching from Thampanoor to Bakery Jn. Attakulangara -Pazhavangadi-Pattoor stretch is being cleaned right now. But silt removal is yet to happen. A recent meeting chaired by the chief secretary has assigned minor irrigation department to remove the silt from the canal, said the corporation official.

LACK OF INTERDEPARTMENTAL COORDINATION

Lack of coordination between various departments including irrigation, NHAI (National Highways Authority of India) and public works (PWD) is the main reason for the water-logging faced by the capital. On Tuesday, the civic body convened a meeting with the various departments to expedite various cleaning activities to prepare the city to face the upcoming monsoon. There was no representation from the PWD and NHAI.

The majority of the major roads and drains are managed by these two departments. We are not satisfied with the way they are handling the cleaning activities, especially the NHAI.

The contractors are not carting away the waste removed from the NHAI drains which again ends up in the drains creating waterlogging in the adjoining areas. We will finish our work before the monsoon but other departments should also do their job, said the official.
By Express News Service

VIJAYAWADA: Krishna district police arrested a four-member gang, including two private hospital staff, for selling Remdesivir injections at inflated price in the black market in Machilipatnam on Tuesday.

Five Remdesivir (COVIFOR) vials and a car used for the transaction were seized from their possession.

According to Krishna district SP M Ravindranath Babu, the four accused were identified as Mattakoyya Saibabu (24), working as a general duty nurse in Andhra Hospitals in Vijayawada, Kurella Rukmini (29), a staff nurse in Andhra Hospitals main branch, Palaparthi Gopiraju (27) earlier worked in Vijayawada GGH on contract basis and currently, in search of employment and Markapudi Mohan Rao (46).

After seeing reports that the Remdesivir injections are not available in the market and are sold at higher prices between Rs 25,000 and Rs 40,000 each, the gang members decided to cash in on the situation and kept aside some injections meant for Covid-19 patients admitted to the hospitals.

Till now, they sold more than 10 vials at a cost of Rs 30,000 each. Acting on a tip-off that the accused indulged in illegal sale of Remdesivir injections, the special branch police laid a trap and nabbed the accused and seized five vials from their possession.

A case has been booked against them under relevant sections of the IPC and the Disaster Management Act, the SP said. He urged the public to bring such incidents to the notice of the police through Dial 100 to curb black marketing.
By ANI

WASHINGTON: British model Naomi Campbell announced on Tuesday (local time) that she welcomed her first kid, a baby girl.

"An excellent little gift has picked me to be her mom, So regarded to have this delicate soul in my life there are no words to depict the deep-rooted bond that I presently share with you my heavenly messenger. There could be no more prominent love," she captioned a photograph of herself holding the infant's feet in an Instagram post.

As reported by Page Six, it is unclear who the dad is and whether Campbell conceived a baby, hired a surrogate or adopted the little one.

"Naomi has been needing to be a mother for quite a while and it finally happened. She is the godmother to numerous friends' kids and has consistently looked forward to the day of beginning her own family," a source told the outlet.

Scores of Campbell's celebrity friends sent their well-wishes after she shared the news.

Zoe Saldana commented, "oh my goodness congrats lady! What a blessing!!!" Marc Jacobs wrote, "Oh my God!!!!! Today is the day?? How absolutely incredible. How lucky she is and how lucky you are! What a wonderful Mother you will be. Blessings all around."

Andy Cohen chimed in, and left red heart and clapping hands emoticons.

Fellow new mom Sophie Turner left a simple red heart on the post, while Jodie Turner-Smith wrote, "many many many congratulations to you and to your family-- the village that will now rally around you and support you in cultivating that little angel!!!! what an incredible blessing!!! "

As revealed by Page Six, Hoda Kotb, who turned into a mother at 52 years old when she adopted daughter Haley Joy in 2017, teared up on Tuesday's 'Today'show while talking about Campbell's newborn baby and reflected the first time when she had the option to tell a stranger that she was a mother.

"Literally I dead-stopped when that lady asked me, 'Do you have children?' and I took a look at her and I go, 'I do.' ... It was so moving," said the 56-year-old creator Kotb.

Campbell has been open in the past about wanting to welcome a baby into her life.

"I consider having children constantly. However, presently with the manner in which science is, I want to do it when I want," she revealed to Evening Standard magazine in May 2017.

Campbell later told WSJ. Magazine in October 2019 that she was open to whatever "the universe brings" her.

Page Six revealed that the 50-year-old businesswoman was previously linked to former One Direction vocalist Liam Payne, businessmen Vladislav Doronin and Flavio Briatore, Oscar winner Leonardo DiCaprio and U2 bassist Adam Clayton.
By ANI

MUMBAI: Evergreen actor Anil Kapoor on Wednesday celebrated his wedding anniversary with his wife Sunita Kapoor and penned down a heartfelt note, terming his wife 'bedrock of our combined families' to mark the occasion.

The 'Mr India' actor took to Instagram and shared a carousel of pictures that features beautiful memories of the much-in-love couple.

The first picture is a snap of the couple as they can be seen posing amid an exotic location. Sunita is seen wrapping her arm around Anil as he holds a glass and calls for a toast.

The second picture is an all-smiles family photo that features Boney Kapoor, Sanjeev Kapoor, Sridevi, and Sonam Kapoor along with Anil and his wife, among others.

The 'Ram Lakhan' star shared another monochromatic snap featuring daughters Rhea, Sonam and her husband Anand Ahuja, son Harshvardhan, posing with Sunita and himself.

The last snap is a throwback picture from his early days. In the image, Anil is seen all suited up as he stands close to his wife Sunita dressed in an off-white saree.

Along with the photos, the 'Slumdog Millionaire' star penned a sweet message to mark the wedding anniversary.

He wrote, "All the love stories and quotes about love fall short in front of our love story. With you by my side I know I'm safe, loved & happy! You are the bedrock of our combined families and we don't know what we'd do without you in our lives!"

The actor added, "I promise to spend my life making you feel loved and treasured in the way that you deserve it...Happy Anniversary!! @kapoor.sunita," with two black heart emoticons.

Celebrity followers including Neena Gupta and more than 42 thousand fans liked the post within 29 minutes of it being shared.

Commending the vocabulary used by Anil, filmmaker Farah Khan Kunder chimed into the comments section and quipped, "Papaji ur using words like bedrock.. truly Sunita has done well with u," and added (laughing with teary eyes emoticon).

Meanwhile, on the work front, Anil was last seen in Anurag Kashyap's 'AK Vs AK', which streamed on Netflix. The comedy-thriller also featured his daughter Sonam. He will be next seen in Raj Mehta's directorial 'Jug Jugg Jeeyo' along with Varun Dhawan, Kiara Advani, and Neetu Singh in the lead roles.

Besides this, Anil will also be starring in Sandeep Reddy Vanga's 'ANIMAL' along with Ranbir Kapoor and Bobby Deol.
A Sharadhaa By

Express News Service

Cinema Bandi, the latest Telugu film to release on OTT on May 14, has received praises from various Telugu stars and actors, including Samantha Akkineni.

This is Praveen Kandregulas directorial debut and is currently the topmost watchable film on Netflix. Interestingly it has a Karnataka flavour with a handful of Kannada actors, including the leads, part of the cast.

The films story explores the life of an autrickshaw driver, who gets hold of a high-end camera and desires to make a film in his village. The film is set in the interiors of Kolar, and the language is a mix of Kannada and Telugu.

I used to stay in Bengaluru for 3 years, and I would find Telugu shopkeepers had a different way of speaking the language the accent was quite cute. It is slang that has never been used in Telugu films. Since I was also looking for freshness in he film, location and language, I thought this was the perfect bet. Secondly, Vikas Vasishta, who plays the main lead role as Veerababu is a familiar face in Kannada, who has worked in serials and also as a production manager. The character Manga, the vegetable seller is played by Uma Y G, who comes from a theatre background, says Praveen, adding.

A few actors who are from Karnataka were chosen because they were thorough with the slang, which was a basic necessity in our film.

About the setting of the film in Kolar, Praveen explains that he was searching for a proper village that would suit the story. They then finalised on a place in Mulbagal.

Gollapalli was a very small village with just 20 houses and was a convenient place for shooting. We were also able to use sync sound. The entire village supported us a lot, he adds.

Praveen says that Kannada film Thithi was one of his inspirations. The other two was Harishchandrachi Factory and Supermen of Malegaon. Praveen is overwhelmed with the response he has been getting for the film, especially at a time like this.

Content is king, and Cinema Bandi is proof. A good film will always get noticed, says the director, who also gives credit to the producers Raj and DK, and the streaming platform.

OTT has been a good platform to showcase our product. Having said that, like every filmmaker, we also wanted a theatre release. However, with new faces it is difficult to attract an audience, and that will take time, he adds.
Shilajit Mitra By

Express News Service

Comedies with absurd premises must work twice as hard to keep us hooked. If youre going to rest it all on emotion  as Robert Zemeckis does in the West  then at least those individual chords should ring out. Otherwise, it just feels like a farce.

This is the problem with Sardar Ka Grandson, a film with an ambitiously mad plot but little else to back it up.

Its also a film trying the impossible: making a comic lead out of Arjun Kapoor. After 2017s Mubarakan and 2018s Namaste England, this is the third time hes playing a boisterous Punjabi lad on screen.

Arjuns last film in theatres, Sandeep Aur Pinky Faraar, leaned cleverly into his dour and reticent qualities. This is the only mode he seems to know. To put him on a wrecking ball in Lahore is probably as bad an idea as asking Ranveer Singh to dress down.

Arjun plays Amreek, an LA bloke who moves back to Punjab to be with his family. His grandmother, 90-year-old Sardar (Neena Gupta), is reeling from a tumour. Shes a blast all the same  one of the running gags involves her reminding people to be nice to her, so she can write them into her will.

Sardar announces that, before dying, she wants to see her old home in Lahore. The Pakistan High Commission rejects her visa application, at which point Amreek, working his empty head, comes up with a plan.

Using hydraulic jacks and a truck, he plans to move the entire structure to India. Its a ridiculous idea, so much so that you can see director Kaashvie Nair and co-writer Anuja Chauhan scrambling to give some explanation.

Amreek watches YouTube videos on structural relocation; his fiancee, Radha (Rakul Preet Singh), who runs a transport service, flies down to help him. Yet engineering isnt the problem here  the bigger question is of setting.

Why would India and Pakistan, never on best terms and certainly not in the last five years, agree to such a move? The film struggles to explain. Instead, it slaps us with the same Indian man gone viral montage familiar from Bajrangi Bhaijaan.

The 2015 Salman Khan movie is not the only point of reference. Sardar Ka Grandson often resembles Sameer Sharmas delightful Punjab-set comedy Luv Shuv Tey Chicken Khurana.

In both films, theres an emigrant Punjabi boy who is compelled to return home. Both have huge casts  here, its Kanwaljit Singh and Soni Razdan as Amreeks parents, Divya Seth as his aunt, and Ravjeet Singh and Mahika Patiyal (often funny) as his cousins.

Even the flashbacks  with Aditi Rao Hydari as young Sardar and John Abraham as her late husband  seem based on an idea from the 2012 film.

But they lack the magical charm of Luv Shuv; the writing is bland and colourless, and, apart from a scene where Amreek crosses the border and imagines Sardar passing him, we feel no pull between past and present.

Kumud Mishra turns up in the Pakistan portions and lends the film some edge. Amreeks home, back in Amritsar, has upturned charpais  presumably out of use in winter. Neena Gupta undercuts Sardars wholesomeness with a sly tongue.

Sardar had dropped Amreek as a child, a funny explanation for his doltish manners. The indoor scenes are frequently amusing; anything outside will put you to sleep. I was discomfited by the crowded set-pieces, and a pointed shot of a hospital facade. Is this all a corona advisory?
By PTI

SHEOPUR: A group of farmers blocked the convoy of Union Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh Tomar in Sheopur in Madhya Pradesh on Tuesday demanding that the Centre scrap three new agri marketing laws.

Tomar was on his way to the district hospital when a dozen farmers blocked his vehicle, an official said.

Tomar spoke to the farmers while being seated in his car, after which the group was removed by the police and the convoy moved ahead, he said.

One of the protesters, Anil Singh, claimed they had demanded time from the administration to meet Tomar but permission was denied.

Talking to reporters later, Tomar said 11 rounds of talks had been conducted with farm groups over the three new laws but some of those opposing them "don't want to accept the interests of farmers, and we do not have a solution for this attitude".

Some sections have been opposing the Farmers' Produce Trade and Commerce (Promotion and Facilitation) Act, 2020, the Farmers (Empowerment and Protection) Agreement on Price Assurance and Farm Services Act, 2020 and the Essential Commodities (Amendment) Act, 2020, claiming these are aimed at giving the corporates and private firms a stranglehold on the sector.
Rajesh Asnani By

Express News Service

JAIPUR: Senior Congress MLA and former minister Hemaram Choudhary on Tuesday resigned from the Rajasthan Assembly. A Sachin Pilot loyalist, Hemaram, an MLA from Gudhamalani, was among the 19 legislators, who had rebelled against chief minister Ashok Gehlot last year. Sources said he was upset with the party for not giving him any important post.

Choudharys resignation set social media abuzz with speculations, while sources said the move was aimed at pressuring the high command to start the process of much-delayed Cabinet reshuffle and political appointments in the state. While his resignation does not pose any threat to the Gehlot number, which would still command 105 seats in a House of 200, it is likely to show the leadership in poor light.

The Congress government still has the support of 13 independent members, one RLD and two CPM MLAs to go past the magical figure of 101. I had resigned earlier, too, but it was not accepted. Now, I have been an MLA for two and a half years. Enough is enough, it does not matter whether I serve the remainder of my term. The reason will be explained after its acceptance, Choudhary said.

He had previously resigned on February 14, 2019, but the party had convinced him to stay. The resignation was not even made public then. To ward off a recurrence, it seems he has announced his resignation publicly as well.
By PTI

NEW DELHI: At least 22 personnel on board accommodation barge P305 that went adrift in Cyclone Tauktae fury before sinking in the Arabia Sea off Mumbai coast are dead and 65 still missing, a Navy official said on Wednesday.

The Navy said its personnel, battling extreme weather, have so far rescued 186 of the 273 people who were onboard barge P305 and also two from tugboat Varaprada.

"Search and rescue operations are still on and we haven't lost hopes of bringing them ashore," an official said.

However, the chance of finding survivors is getting bleaker as the hours pass by, he added.

All personnel on board two other barges and an oil rig rendered adrift hours before the "very severe cyclonic storm" made landfall on the Gujarat coast are also safe, a Navy spokesperson said.

The 22 bodies, which the spokesperson called Brave Nature's Victims (BNV), were brought to Mumbai along with 125 of the barge P305 survivors, he said.

Navy warship INS Kochi reached Mumbai on Wednesday carrying the bodies and 125 of the 186 rescuees from P305.

ALSO READ | 'I thought I wouldn't survive': Rescued workmen from barge recall cyclone horror in sea

"As of Wednesday morning, 186 personnel of barge P305 have been rescued. INS Teg, INS Betwa, INS Beas, P8I aircraft and Seaking helicopters are continuing with the search and rescue operations," a Navy spokesperson said.

All the 137 personnel on barge GAL Constructor were rescued on Tuesday by the Navy and Coast Guard.

The 196 personnel on barge SS-3 and 101 personnel on board oil rig Sagar Bhushan are safe, the official said.

Offshore vessels hired by ONGC and SCI towing then to safety.

INS Talwar is also in the area to assist in the SAR ops, he added.

The accommodation barge P305 which was servicing ONGC offshore operations sank on Monday evening, the official said, adding 184 of the 273 personnel on board have been rescued so far.

Three barges and an oil rig with 707 personnel on board went adrift on Monday.

These included barge P305 with 273 persons, cargo barge GAL Constructor with 137 personnel on board, accommodation barge SS-3 with 196 personnel on board and the Sagar Bhushan oil rig with 101 personnel on board, the official said.

Deputy Chief of Naval Staff Vice Admiral Murlidhar Sadashiv Pawar said the ongoing SAR is among the most challenging search and rescue operations in the last four decades.

Navy ships were deployed on Monday after receipt of a request for assistance for barge 'P305' adrift off Heera oil fields in Bombay high area with 273 personnel on board.

The oil fields are around 70 km southwest of Mumbai.

ALSO WATCH:
By PTI

MUMBAI: Delhi University's associate professor Hany Babu, an accused in the Elgar Parishad-Maoist links case, moved the Bombay High Court on Wednesday seeking medical aid for an eye infection which he developed after contracting COVID-19.

Babu's counsel senior advocate Yug Chaudhry approached a vacation bench comprising Justices S J Kathawalla and S P Tavade, seeking an urgent hearing on the ground that Babu, who tested positive for coronavirus last week, had also developed an eye infection due to black fungus.

Mucormycosis, also known as black fungus, is a rare but serious infection, which has been found in several COVID-19 patients.

Babu had been admitted to the state-run GT Hospital here and was being treated for COVID-19, but not for the eye infection.

ALSO READ | Bhima Koregaon case: Accused professor Hany Babu tests positive for COVID-19

"Hany Babu is suffering from eye infection due to the black fungus. For nine days he suffered in jail," advocate Chaudhry told the HC.

"At the moment, he is in the GT Hospital. He is being treated only for COVID-19 and not the eye infection. He may lose his eye sight. He is an academician," he said.

The bench then directed the GT Hospital's dean to remain present before the court via video-conferencing at 3 pm on Wednesday.

Babu, 55, who was arrested in July last year, was admitted to the government-run J J Hospital last week and later moved to the GT Hospital.

As per his family and lawyer, Babu developed an acute eye infection on May 3, and is yet to receive appropriate medical care.

Last week, Babu's wife Jenny Rowena, said in a press conference that his family was struggling to get information from prison authorities and the NIA, which is conducting a probe into the case, on his health condition.

Babu was arrested by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) in July 2020.

The Elgar Parishad case relates to alleged inflammatory speeches made at a conclave held in Pune on December 31, 2017, which the police claimed triggered violence the next day near the Koregaon-Bhima war memorial in the district.

The Pune police claimed the conclave was backed by Maoists.

The case was later taken over by the NIA.

Several other activists, including Sudha Bharadwaj and Varavara Rao, had been arrested in the case.
Sumi Sukanya Dutta By

Express News Service

NEW DELHI: The Centre has asked states to prepare a district-wise and vaccination centre-wise plan for the administration of Covid vaccine till mid-June, and publicise it, in order to avoid overcrowding at inoculation centres.

The figure shared by the Union government said that between May 1 and June 15, a total of 5,86,29 000 doses will be provided to the states under the central quota. While 70% of the vaccine doses are to be used for the second jabs of the most vulnerable 45 plus population, 30% is to be used for administering first jabs to those in this population group.

No vaccine doses supplied by the Centre however, can be used for administering shots to the 18-44 year age group.

In addition, as per information received from vaccine manufacturers of Covishield and Covaxin, a total of 4 crore, 87 lakh and 55 thousand doses are available till end of next month for direct procurement by states.

Last week, the government said that it is supplying states with 1.92 crore doses of Covid vaccine between May 16 and May 31, which includes 162.5 lakh doses of Covishield and 29.49 lakh doses of Covaxin.



ALSO READ | India could get fourth Covid vaccine as Zydus Cadila set to seek nod for ZyCoV-D

The Centre on Wednesday asserted that it has already shared a clear supply timeline with states till June and in order to ensure efficient and judicious utilization of available doses for successful implementation of Covid vaccination drive, states have been asked to prepare a clear plan for this period.

Apart from preparing a district-wise and vaccination centre-wise plan for administration of Covid vaccines, states have also been instructed to use multiple media platforms for dissemination of such a plan to enhance awareness among the masses.

Also, states and private vaccination centres have been advised to publish their vaccination calendar on CoWIN digital platform in advance, while desisting from publishing single day vaccination calendars.

It also said that the states should see that there is no overcrowding at vaccination centres and the process of booking appointments on CoWIN is hassle-free.

As of now, the states should make advance plans for administration of Covid vaccine till June 15, said the health ministry.

The vaccination exercise as a tool to protect the most vulnerable population groups in the country from Covid continues to be regularly reviewed and monitored at the highest level, said the government.

Till Wednesday morning, India has administered a total of 18,58,09,302 vaccine doses of which nearly 64 lakh jabs have been given to those in the 18-44 age group.


By PTI

LUCKNOW: The All-India Muslim Law Board and the UP Sunni Central Waqf Board on Tuesday alleged that the administration in Uttar Pradesh's Barabanki pulled down a mosque and demanded a judicial probe into it.

Meanwhile, the authorities said they demolished an illegal structure on court orders.

"The century-old Garib Nawaz mosque in Ram Sanehi Ghat tehsil was demolished by the administration without any legal justification on Monday night in the presence of police," claimed All-India Muslim Law Board (AIMPLB) working general secretary Maulana Khalid Saifullah Rehmani in a statement.

There was no dispute relating to the mosque. It is also listed with the Sunni Waqf Board. The SDM of Ram Sanehi Ghat had asked for papers of the mosque from the mosque committee in March against which the mosque management committee had approached the Allahabad High Court," he said, adding that the mosque was pulled down by the administration without any notice.

He demanded a judicial inquiry into the case by a sitting High Court judge and suspension of officials responsible for the action.

He also asked for stopping the process of removing the debris from the spot and ensuring that no other structure is allowed to come up on the land.

"It is the duty of the government to construct the mosque at the place and hand it over to the Muslims," he said.

Meanwhile, District Magistrate Adarsh Singh described the construction, said to be a mosque and its residential area, as illegal.

"A notice was served on people concerned on March 15, giving them an opportunity to put forth their views over the ownership but those residing there fled after receiving the notice," the DM said in a statement.

The tehsil administration got its possession on March 18, the DM said.

He said the The Lucknow Bench of the Allahabad High Court had disposed of a petition filed in this connection on April 2, which proved that the construction was illegal.

The DM said later a case was filed in the court of the SDM, Ram Sanehi Ghat, and its orders were complied with on May 17.

Joint magistrate Divyanshu Patel also termed the construction as illegal.

The building was brought down on court orders, he said.

The UP Sunni Central Waqf Board also condemned the incident, terming it as the misuse of power.

"The mosque near the tehsil premises has been demolished by the Ram Sanehi Ghat SDM in the name of removing encroachment. I strongly condemn this illegal and arbitrary action," said Waqf Board chairman Zufar Farooqui, adding that they will soon file a case in the court in this regard.
By PTI

GUWAHATI: A COVID-19 recovered patient died of black fungus infection, the first such case reported in Assam, at a private hospital in Guwahati on Wednesday, officials said.

The 27-year-old male patient was admitted to the hospital on May 16 in a critical condition and he had all the symptoms of black fungus infection, the hospital said in a statement.

It said that the person hailing from Nagaon district had diabetes and tested positive for COVID-19 on May 6, following which he was admitted to a Covid care centre in the district.

"Subsequently, he tested Rapid Antigen Test negative on 12th May 2021 and was discharged from the centre. From 15th May 2021, he developed decreased vision in both eyes and other post-Covid complications at his home," the statement said.

The patient was brought to the emergency of the hospitals on May 16 "in a very critical state" and was admitted in the ICU.

"In spite of the best efforts by the clinical team, the patient expired at 6 am," the statement added.

When contacted, a senior official of the hospital told PTI that enough symptoms of black fungus infection like black patches on the face and loss of vision were there with the patient when he arrived.

"Clinically speaking, we can say that the patient had black fungus. But we can say it definitely only after studying the fungal culture. His samples have been sent for testing and it will take around four days for the report to come," he added.

A senior official of the Directorate of Health Services said that the government does not have any data as of now on black fungus infection as it has not been made a "notified disease" in the state.

"We are working on this and there is no need to panic. We have enough stock of medicines in the state to treat the infection," the official told PTI.

Mucormycosis or black fungus is a complication caused by a fungal infection.

People catch the infection by coming in contact with fungal spores in the environment.

It can also develop after the fungus enters the skin through a cut, burn or other types of skin trauma.

It can affect areas from where it can be inhaled -- through the nose, sinus, or lungs.

If it enters from a wound or skin, it can cause local infection, but if it enters from the sinus, it can affect the eyes and brain.

Meanwhile, a government release said the Health Department has instructed a team of medical experts to study the development related to black fungus in the state and submit a report by Wednesday night.

"We will issue necessary directives after receiving the report. We are very serious about infection by black fungus and keeping a close watch. I request the public not to panic as black fungus is not a communicable disease," Health Minister Keshab Mahanta said.

The state reported 89 deaths due to COVID-19 on Wednesday, while the number of coronavirus cases rose sharply with 6,143 persons testing positive, pushing the total number of infections to 3,47,001, the National Health Mission (NHM) said.

With 26 persons in Kamrup Metropolitan, eight each in Dibrugarh and Kamrup, Karbi Anglong (6),Cachar (5), three each in Jorhat, Morigaon, Sonitpur and Tinsukia, two each in Barpeta, Charaideo, Goalpara, Hojai, Kokrajhar, Nagaon, Sivasagar and Udalguri, and one each in Biswanath, Bongaigaon, Darrang, Dhemaji, Dhubri, Hailakandi, Nalbari and South Salmara, the total number of deaths rose to 2,433 persons.

NHM said 1,347 more COVID-19 patients have died till now, but the government's Death Audit Board has not included them in the tally of deaths caused by the COVID-19 virus as they had other ailments too.

With detection of 6,143 patients against testing of 1,02,040 samples on Wednesday, Assam has reported a positivity rate of 6.02 per cent for the day, the NHM daily bulletin said The state had reported 5,835 coronavirus positive cases on Tuesday against testing of 90,251 samples.

Currently, the state has a total of 48,390 active cases and they are being treated at different hospitals and Covid Care Centres (CCCs) across the state along with some being at home isolation.

Out of the new cases, the highest 913 patients were detected from the state capital, followed by 448 in Nagaon, 438 in Cachar and 397 in Dibrugarh.

With 3,47,001 total COVID-19 positive cases in Assam, the overall positivity rate stands at 3.55 per cent against total testing of 97,76,474 samples so far.

The Kamrup Metropolitan district, which primarily comprises the Guwahati city, has so far reported a total of 93,144 cases of COVID-19.

During the day, the state reported fewer recoveries than the number of new infections at 4,057 discharges, NHM said in its daily bulletin.

In Assam, 2,94,831 COVID-19 patients have so far recovered and were discharged from different hospitals and CCCs.

The NHM further said a total of 35,68,912 doses of vaccines have been administered.

This includes 28,15,146 first doses and 7,53,766 second doses.

It said that a total of 38,235 persons were vaccinated on Wednesday, down from 60,772 shots on Tuesday.
"The president expressed his support for a cease-fire and discussed U.S. engagement with Egypt and other partners towards that end," a White House statement said.

In a phone call Monday with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, U.S. President Joe Biden reiterated support for Israel to "defend itself against indiscriminate rocket attacks," while also encouraging Israel to "ensure the protection of innocent civilians."

U.S. officials have spoken about efforts to work behind the scenes to calm the situation, including coordinating with other countries in the region. White House press secretary Jen Psaki told reporters Monday, "We want to deescalate as quickly as possible," and that actions would be required from both Israel and Hamas to end the violence. "The most effective way we feel we can do that is through quiet and intensive diplomacy, and that is what our focus is on at this point in time," Psaki said.

The fighting has brought statements of concern from the international community and diplomatic efforts to halt the violence. European Union foreign policy chief Josep Borrell is holding talks Tuesday with EU foreign ministers to discuss how to best support de-escalating the conflict.

There were no immediate reports of casualties from the latest attacks. The Israeli strikes were again focused on Gaza City, while militant rocket fire set off sirens in southern Israel.

Israel carried out airstrikes early Tuesday in the Gaza Strip, while Palestinian militants fired rockets into Israel, continuing a wave of violence between the two sides that has stretched on for more than a week.

Since the fighting began on May 10, at least 200 Palestinians have been killed, including at least 59 children and 35 women, according to Gaza's Health Ministry. At least 10 Israelis have been killed in the rocket attacks, including a 6-year-old child.

French President Emmanuel Macron said he will have talks with Netanyahu in the coming days and called for a cease-fire "as soon as possible." He added that France is supporting Egypt's mediation in the conflict, which has been key in ending previous rounds of fighting between Israel and Palestinian militants. German Chancellor Angela Merkel said she spoke Monday with Netanyahu and expressed her support for Israel's right to self-defense.

The Israeli military said Monday it destroyed 15 kilometers of tunnels in Gaza used by Hamas, as well as a five-story building housing the Hamas-run Religious Affairs Ministry, and killed Islamic Jihad's armed commander for north Gaza, Hussam Abu Harbeed. In response, Islamic Jihad fired rockets at the Israeli coastal city of Ashdod, and officials said seven people were injured.

Netanyahu said in an address Monday after meeting with top defense officials that Israel will "continue to strike terror targets" and will "continue to operate as long as necessary in order to return calm and security to all Israeli citizens."

The armed wing of Hamas promised more rockets. "The criminal Zionist enemy intensified its bombing of homes and residential apartments in the recent hours, and therefore, we warn the enemy that if it did not stop that immediately, we would resume rocketing Tel Aviv," spokesman Abu Ubaida said, according to Reuters.

Also Monday, an Israeli man died of his wounds after being attacked last week by a group of Arab citizens in the central city of Lod, a mixed Jewish-Arab community that has become a flashpoint area during the latest fighting.

In further violence, Israel's military said six rockets were launched Monday from Lebanon but fell short of crossing the border into Israel. The situation in the area is calm, the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon said on Twitter. It said it was coordinating with the Lebanese Armed Forces to increase patrols in the area. The United Nations said more than 38,000 Palestinians have been displaced in Gaza by Israeli airstrikes and more than 2,500 people have been made homeless. UN spokesman Stephane Dujarric said those displaced have sought protection in 48 schools run by the U.N. agency for Palestinian refugees. He said 41 of those facilities have been damaged.

Also Monday, UN General Assembly President Volkan Bozkir said the 193-member body would meet Thursday to discuss the situation at the request of the Organization for Islamic Cooperation and the Arab League.

The latest outbreak of fighting began last Monday after conflicts in east Jerusalem last month. Palestinian clashes with police erupted in response to Israeli police tactics during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan and Jewish settlers threatening to evict dozens of Palestinian families. A focal point of the unrest was the Al-Aqsa Mosque, located on a hilltop compound that is revered by both Muslims and Jews.


By PTI

AHMEDABAD: Cyclone Tauktae, which claimed the lives of 45 persons in Gujarat, has also caused a huge damage to standing summer crops, with the Kesar variety of mango that is mainly grown in the coastal districts of Gir Somnath and Junagadh, bearing its brunt along with the coconut and banana plantations in parts of the state, farmers said.

Coconut plantations in Junagadh, Gir Somnath, parts of Amreli and Bhavnagar, and banana plantations in Bharuch, Tapi, Vadodara, Anand and parts of Kheda, among other districts, were badly hit, in addition to other standing summer crops, they said.

Hundreds of mango trees were uprooted in plantations across Junagadh, Gir Somnath and Valsad districts, with nearly all the mangoes falling to the ground from the trees in the cyclone that made a landfall Monday night, the growers said.

Kirit Patel, who owns 75 acres of mango farm at Talala in Gir Somnath district, said that mango plantations in Junagadh and Gir Somnath districts, known for Kesar mangoes that are supplied across the country and also exported in large quantities, have suffered a massive damage due to the cyclone.

"Nearly 40 per cent of Kesar mango trees have been uprooted, which is a huge damage, as a tree takes nearly 15 years for crop.

Almost all the mangoes on the trees fell to the ground, and these unripe mangoes are of not much use to the growers," Patel, who is also the Talala APMC chairman and a BJP leader, said.

A mango grower from Visavadar in Junagadh district, also known for Kesar variety said, "There is not a single mango left on the trees. Many trees have been uprooted. We hope the government will provide us with some assistance."

Valsad district, where both Kesar and Alphonso varieties of mangoes are grown, also suffered a massive damage, the growers said.

The situation of banana plantations has been no different.

Gusty winds destroyed the entire plantations of this fruit.

"There were 14,000 banana plants, out of which 9,000 were completely uprooted and destroyed," said one grower at Upleta in Rajkot district. Another farmer said there were 21,000 plants, out of which 10,000 were flattened due to the cyclone, which he said, came at a time when the crops were almost ready. He said last year also they had suffered losses due to the coronavirus-induced lockdown.

Sagar Rabari, a farmer leader and president of Gujarat Khedut Samaj, said, "The state did not witness such a cyclone in a long time, which caused a massive damage to the horticulture as well as summer crops."

All the crops that were damaged were almost ripe and ready to be stored at home or hit the markets, he said.

Chief Minister Vijay Rupani had on Tuesday assured farmers that the government will undertake an immediate survey of the damages caused by the cyclone to the summer crops and mango, coconut and banana plantations, and assistance will be provided accordingly.

Summer crops, such as bajra, moong, urad, summer groundnuts, sesamum, as well as vegetables and guar gum are mainly grown in Saurashtra and north Gujarat regions of the state, while north Gujarat districts grow bajra and groundnut.

Paddy and bajra are also grown in large quantities in central Gujarat districts, which also grow mung.

In Saurashtra, bajra, moong, groundnut, and sesamum are grown in large quantities during summer. Vegetables are grown across all the regions of Gujarat during this season. The cyclone made landfall between Diu and Una town of Gir Somnath district in Gujarat on Monday night.

As many as 45 persons lost their lives in cyclone-related incidents in the state as it left behind a trail of destruction along the coast, uprooting electric poles, trees and damaging thousands of houses and roads.
By Online Desk

A day after Singapore Health Ministry objected Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal's claim of a Singapore variant of Covid-19 strain, the External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Wednesday said 'Delhi CM does not speak for India.'

The Union Minister, while condeming Kejriwal's comments said, "Singapore and India have been solid partners in the fight against Covid-19. However, irresponsible comments from those who should know better can damage long-standing partnerships"

Singapore and India have been solid partners in the fight against Covid-19.



Appreciate Singapore's role as a logistics hub and oxygen supplier. Their gesture of deploying military aircraft to help us speaks of our exceptional relationship. @VivianBala https://t.co/x7jcmoyQ5a  Dr. S. Jaishankar (@DrSJaishankar) May 19, 2021

Asserting that the Delhi Chief Minister had no competence to pronounce on Covid variants or civil aviation policy, MEA Spokesperson Arindam Bagchi said, "Singapore Government called in our High Commissioner today to convey strong objection to Delhi CM's tweet on "Singapore variant".

On May 18 Arvind Kejriwal tweeted that a "new Covid strain found in Singapore is dangerous for children. It could come to India in the form of a third wave."

"My appeal to the Central government: 1. Cancel all air services with Singapore with immediate effect 2. Work on vaccine alternatives for children on a priority basis," Kejriwal further added.

In its reaction, the Singapore health ministry said there was is no truth in the claim.

ALSO WATCH:

(Inputs from ENS)
By PTI

CHANDIGARH: Haryana Deputy Chief Minister Dushyant Chautala on Wednesday said the intent of the 40 farmer leaders -- spearheading the stir against Centre's three new farm laws -- is not to resolve the issue, but to serve their own interests.

Chautala was reacting to the recent statement by senior BJP leader and former Union minister Birender Singh that there should be no further delay in finding a solution to the farmers' issue.

He said these leaders have convinced several farmers to protest at various border points, but refrained from coming forward for talks for nearly four months.

"I had earlier also requested the prime minister in writing that a team should be constituted. Centre has also sent messages on many occasions to the 40 (farmer) leaders that they should come forward for talks on the issue," Chautala said.

"It has been nearly four months since January 26 (farmers' tractor rally) and those 40 leaders have put thousands (of people) at various borders but are not coming forward for talks. This shows their intent is not to save farming, but to serve their own interests," he added.

The Samyukta Kisan Morcha, an umbrella body of various farmers' unions, is spearheading the stir against the Centre's new farm laws.

The protesting farmers, who have been camping at various border points of the national capital including Singhu and Tikri, are demanding a rollback of the farm laws.

Hitting out at the Congress, Chautala said they and "other small parties in the state are grinding their political axe through this (farmers') agitation".

Congress has in the past accused Chautala, whose party Jannayak Janata Party (JJP) is a coalition partner of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in Haryana, of clinging to power and not openly standing with the farmers.

The JJP leader also accused the farmer leaders of spreading falsehoods that mandis will shut down and farmers will be destroyed while he shared the details of the recent crop procurement and said the process was concluded smoothly.

He said an amount of nearly Rs 16,000 crore had been directly credited into farmers' accounts, something on which questions were earlier raised.

"When we took this decision to credit the amount directly into farmers' accounts (Direct Benefit Transfer) for their procured crops, Centre appreciated us in writing and said the Haryana model should be replicated," he said.

He said those who were opposing direct payment being made to farmers should also take into account that even the Congress government in Punjab has procured 136 lakh metric tonnes (LMT) of wheat and the entire payment has been made directly into the accounts of farmers.

"Are these things not an answer to those who used to say mandis will shut down and opposed direct payment into farmers' accounts," he said.

Giving details of procurement in Haryana, he said of the 85.30 LMT of wheat arrival, 82.10 LMT has been put in warehouses and as committed, 9 per cent interest was given to farmers for delayed payment.

Thus, an additional Rs 77 lakh has been paid to farmers due to delayed payment which took place because of technical glitches or other reasons, he said.

He said sunflower crop procurement will start from June 1 in seven designated mandis.

Meanwhile, with Haryana under lockdown since May 3 to curb the surge in COVID cases, Chautala said the sale of diesel and petrol has reduced by 27 and 30 per cent respectively due to the restrictions.

Replying to another question, he said the excise financial year was to conclude on May 19 but has been extended till the time the state continues to be under lockdown.

With liquor vends closed in the state during the lockdown period, he said proper monitoring of distilleries is being done and their entire record is being maintained.

However, he said as vends are open in neighbouring Punjab and Rajasthan, "we have asked our police to step up strictness on inter-state borders" to ensure there is no smuggling.
By PTI

PANAJI: A sessions court in Goa on Wednesday said it will pronounce the verdict in the Tarun Tejpal case on May 21.

The former Tehelka editor-in-chief is accused of sexually assaulting a female colleague inside the elevator of a luxury hotel in Goa in 2013.

The additional district court was to pronounce the verdict on April 27 but judge Kshama Joshi had adjourned the verdict to May 12.

On May 12, it was further adjourned to May 19.

The court had earlier said the adjournment was due to lack of staff due to the coronavirus pandemic.

The Goa police registered an FIR against Tejpal in November 2013 following which he was arrested.

Tejpal has been out on bail since May 2014.

The Goa crime branch had filed a charge sheet against Tejpal.

He faced trial under IPC sections 341 (wrongful restraint), 342 (wrongful confinement), 354 (assault or criminal force with intent to outrage modesty), 354-A (sexual harassment), 354-B (assault or use of criminal force to woman with intent to disrobe), 376(2)(f) (person in position of authority over women, committing rape) and 376(2)k) (rape by person in position of control).

He had earlier moved the Bombay High Court, seeking a stay on the framing of charges against him, but his petition was dismissed.
Rajesh Kumar Thakur By

Express News Service

PATNA: Bihar's Leader of the Opposition Tejashwi Yadav on Wednesday said he has turned his official government residence at 1-Polo Road in Patna into a full-fleged COVID Care Centre from his own legislator fund.

Sharing the information with the media, Tejashwi Yadav said he took the decision as people are struggling to get beds and oxygen in government hospitals in Patna after testing positive for COVID-19.

Offering it to the state government, he said the beds at the residence, located at Polo Road, have oxygen facilities and medicines.

"This centre at my residence has beds and all other facilities made available by me from my legislator fund. Now, I appeal to the government to take it over as an isolation ward and quarantine centre," he said.

"Not only this, as a responsible opposition, we are ready to support whatever arrangements are needed for the treatment of patients," he said.

He also said that had had written to the government several times about it, but so far no response was received.
By PTI

GWALIOR: The Hindu Mahasabha on Wednesday postponed its plan to install a statue of Nathuram Godse at its office here in Madhya Pradesh commemorating the 112th birth anniversary of the assassin of Mahatma Gandhi, a functionary said.

This programme was postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Hindu Mahasabha national vice president Jaiveer Bharadwaj told reporters. He said activists of the Mahasabha observed the birth anniversary of Godse at the outfit's office in Daulatganj area with only four persons in attendance due to the pandemic curbs.

Bharadwaj claimed the anniversary was observed in 5,356 houses associated with the Mahasabha where diyas or lamps will be lit in the evening. In 2017, the Mahasabha had installed a statue of Godse at its office in Gwalior which was seized by the district administration and police.
By PTI

PATNA: An innovative Home Isolation Tracking (HIT) App developed by the Bihar government to keep an eye on the condition of COVID patients recuperating at their residence has drawn special praise from Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Modi came to know about the HIT App while talking to Patna district magistrate Chandrasekhar Singh during an interaction with officials of several districts of nine states on Tuesday. Impressed with the concept, the prime minister ordered to send its details to the union health ministry for its utilisation across the country, Singh said.

"The health department has sent one-page detail of the HIT COVID App to the union health ministry," Additional Chief Secretary, Health, Pratyaya Amrit told PTI on Wednesday. Chief Minister Nitish Kumar had launched the "HIT COVID App" on Monday to reach out to coronavirus patients undergoing treatment for the deadly disease in home isolation.

As part of the project, health workers at the grassroot level visit patients in home isolation to record their temperature and oxygen level on a daily basis and the data is fed to the App. Based on the information, necessary action is taken by the health department for the ailing persons.

The HIT App has been developed by the Bihar State Electronics Development Corporation (BELTRON) under the guidance of the health department. Amrit said the App was initially launched in five districts on a trial basis and seeing its success, it has been expanded across the state.

A nodal officer has been appointed in every district, where a special team has been constituted for better upkeep of home quarantined sufferers.

As part of the exercise, 80,000 ASHA or Auxiliary Nurse Midwife workers and 15,000 rural health workers trained by the National Institute of Open Schooling (NIOS) have been engaged for a door-to-door survey of COVID patients in home isolation, the additional chief secretary added.

NIOS is an autonomous body which functions under the guidance of the union ministry of education. It provides a number of vocational, life enrichment and community oriented courses besides general and academic courses at secondary and senior secondary level.

Amrit said the scheme helped in identifying two critically ill COVID patients in Supaul district, who were provided timely medicare against the virus. "The App is a big help in fighting the COVID spread in rural areas of Bihar for more effective day-to-day monitoring of COVID patients," Amrit said.

About the rural health workers roped in as foot soldiers in the fight against the pandemic, NIOS Director Sanjay Kumar Sinha told PTI over phone from Delhi that they have been given a crash course for one year by MBBS doctors.

He said that those enrolled in the one-year course were imparted classes in the treatment of basic health problems in Primary Health Centres. Sinha said the project was launched in Bihar in 2015 when he was posted as Regional Director of NIOS at Patna.

Over 15,000 in Bihar have cleared the examination conducted by the NIOS and they have been given a certificate of community health worker, he said. Sinha, however, said that these community health workers are strictly directed to provide basic medical assistance to the needy only and help them reach a hospital if the problem is serious.
Ranjani Madhavan By

Express News Service

BENGALURU: Close to 512 deaths have taken place between April and May 16 either due to lack of oxygen, shortage or denial in India during its second wave of Covid-19, a community of open data professionals have estimated.

The open data tracker made by Data Meet was created with an aim to "archive lost lives due to the lack of oxygen and counter the ongoing denial and erasure of these deaths in official and government narratives."

The publicly available tracker estimated that the highest number of oxygen related deaths (83 deaths) took place across five medical colleges in Goa. Karnataka reposted 54 such deaths till May 16, including 36 persons at Chamarajanagar Institute of Medical Sciences, 4 patients at KBN Hospital at Kalaburagi, 2 patients at Arka Hospital in Bengaluru, 5 at Shri Bhanji D Khimji Lifeline Hospital in Hubballi, 4 at Kalaburagi government hospital and 3 at Belagavi government hospital.

"We started this project in May and have covered deaths that have taken place since April 2021, releasing updated data every Sunday night. We noticed the number of deaths due to shortage of oxygen and we wanted to record it, so it will not get lost a few years from now. They deserve to be noticed," said Bengaluru-based Thejesh GN, founder of Data Meet, which also made a similar tracker of deaths during the 2020 nationwide lockdown, caused by hunger during migration, suicide, lathicharge and other similar factors.

The tracker has reported 59 deaths in Maharashtra, 30 in Madhya Pradesh, 59 in Delhi, 46 in Uttar Pradesh, 52 in Andhra Pradesh, 22 in Haryana, 4 in Jammu and Kashmir, 6 in Punjab, 37 in Tamil Nadu, 16 in Gujarat, 5 in Uttarakhand, 9 in Rajasthan, 8 in Bihar, 15 in Telangana, 1 in Chhattisgarh, 1 in West Bengal and 5 in Jharkhand.

The oxygen related deaths recorded are based on reports from newspapers and news media in English and regional languages, social media, and networks of volunteers working on the ground, as per the website projects.datameet.org/covid19/.

The team comprises independent group of volunteers, researchers, lawyers, journalists, students, and activists. They have been tracking the sources, verifying details, checking for duplication, and extracting necessary information from these reports, with the hope that this documentation will provide lessons, now and in the future.

"In cases where government agencies or hospital authorities have denied that deaths were because of oxygen denial, we have relied on multiple media reports to assess facts," their website read.
By PTI

JALNA: Three teachers posted at a vaccination centre in Maharashtra's Jalna district have been suspended for dereliction of duty after a probe revealed that a 72-year-old man was administered jabs of two different COVID-19 vaccines, causing a health scare, a Zilla Parishad official said on Wednesday.

The senior citizen, a resident of Khandvi village, was administered the first dose of Covaxin on March 22 but instead of getting the second dose of the same vaccine, he was given the Covishield jab on April 30 at Shirti vaccination centre in Partur tehsil of the district, he said.

The glaring lapse came to light after the vaccine recipient developed a rash on his body, accompanied by pains and fever.

The victim's son approached the district health officer after he received two certificates specifying that his father was administered the first dose of Covaxin and the second dose of Covishield, the official said.

"A probe revealed that the three teachers who were deputed at the vaccination centre were absent from duty assigned to them.

Taking a serious view, the Zilla Parishad chief executive officer has issued orders suspending the trio," the official said.

The erring teachers neglected the duty in the COVID-19 pandemic and did not follow the orders of their seniors, resulting in the vaccine mix-up, which tarnished the image of the health department, the official said quoting the suspension order.
By PTI

MUMBAI: As many as 90 people have died of the fungal infection `mucormycosis' in Maharashtra so far and there is a shortage of a key medicine needed to treat it, state public health minister Rajesh Tope said on Wednesday.

More than 200 patients of mucormycosis (also called Black Fungus) were detected in the last one week and he had urged the Union government to increase the supply of Amphotericin-B injection which is used in its treatment, he said.

"So far, 90 people have died due to mucormycosis in Maharashtra. It is serious. It should not be taken lightly," he told reporters here, without specifying the period during which these deaths were reported.

The rare but fatal fungal infection is seen mostly in COVID-19 patients or survivors.

"Indiscriminate use of steroids to treat COVID-19 patients should be avoided," the minister added.

"Maharashtra in the last week added some 200 to 500 patients of mucormycosis. Of 1,500 patients detected so far, some 500 have recovered while another 800 to 850 are still under treatment," the minister said.

The state needs 1.50 lakh to two lakh vials of Amphotericin-B right now, but has received only 16,000 from the Centre, he claimed.

The available vials have been disbursed to all the districts as per the number of mucormycosis patients in each district, he said.

The Centre entirely controls the allocation of the medicine, he said.

"Maharashtra has placed an order for 1.90 lakh vials of the medicine, but delivery is the problem because its supply is controlled by the union government. Our demand is do anything, but give more vials to Maharashtra because cases of Black Fungus infection are on rise," Tope said.

Two companies are going to supply the medicine to Maharashtra after May 31, therefore the next 10 days are critical, he said.

He had spoken to Mansukh Mandaviya, Union Minister of Statefor Chemicals and Fertilisers and asked him to increase the supply of raw material for the medicine, Tope said.

"There are some pharma units in Wardha and Palghar districts where the medicine can be made. From one kilogram of raw material, 20,000 injections of Amphotericin-B can be produced," he said.

"The state has made two kg of raw material available but it takes 20-25 days to manufacture the injection," Tope added.

The state government has decided to bear the cost of the treatment as well as medicines for mucormycosis patients irrespective of their income levels, he said.

"Depending on the severity of the infection, the requirement of the injections varies from 60 to 100," the minister said, adding that the state has decided that nobody should be deprived of treatment for want of money.

"All these patients will be treated under the state government's Mahatma Phule Jan Arogya Yojana, for which an official order has already been issued," he said.

"Prime Minister Narendra Modi is going to speak (through video link) with the collectors of some 15-17 districts in the state where cases of mucormycosis have been found in large number," Tope added.

The state reported 34,031 new COVID-19 cases on Wednesday, which took the infection tally to 54,67,537, while the death of 594 patients pushed the toll to 84,371, the state health department said.

On Tuesday, the state had recorded 28,438 cases and 679 deaths.

As compared to the previous day, the single-day death toll of the state dropped by 85, but the case count rose by 5,593 on Wednesday.

A total of 51,457 patients were discharged from hospitals during the day, which took the recovery count to 49,78,937.

With this, the number of active cases in the state is now 4,01,695, the department said.

The COVID-19 recovery rate of the state improved to 91.06 per cent from 90.69 per cent a day ago, while the death rate remained at 1.54 per cent, the statement said, adding that the positivity rate is at 17.15 per cent.

While 30,59,095 people are currently in home quarantine, 23,828 others are in institutional quarantine, the department said.

Of the total number of fatalities reported during the day, 335 occurred over the past 48 hours, while 259 fatalities took place last week, but were added to the toll today, it said.

Mumbai city logged 1,329 new cases, taking its tally to 6,91,352, while 57 deaths pushed the toll to 14,373, it added.

Mumbai division, which comprises Mumbai city and its satellite townships, reported 3,446 COVID-19 cases and 94 deaths, of which 12 were from Thane municipal limits.

Pune division added 9,317 cases and 103 deaths.

This is the highest number of cases added by any division on Wednesday.

Pune city reported 1,223 cases, while 2,551 and 2,598 cases were added by Pune rural and Satara district respectively.

Solapur rural also added 2,130 cases.

Out of 103 deaths, Solapur rural reported 37 followed by 25 in Pune rural, 24 in Pune city and 11 in Satara district, the department said.

Nashik division reported 6,623 new cases and 81 casualties, of which 22 each were reported in rural parts of Nashik and Ahmednagar.

Ahmednagar city added 2,878, followed by 1,091 from rural parts of Nashik district.

Kolhapur division reported 3,552 COVID-19 cases, of which 1,491 were from Sangli rural.

The division also reported 118 deaths, of which 68 were from Solapur alone followed by 26 in Sangli rural.

Kolhapur had reported 115 deaths on Tuesday.

In Marathwada, Aurangabad division added 1,853 cases and 48 deaths, of which 21 were in Aurangabad rural, while 10 in Parbhani district, the department said.

Beed district in Latur division reported 950 cases and 32 deaths.

Latur rural recorded 11 fatalities.

Akola division logged 4,150 cases and 35 deaths.

Amravati and Buldhana districts added 1,086 and 1,028 cases respectively.

Nagpur division's caseload went up by 2,898 cases, while the fatality count grew by 53, the department said.

As 2,85,647 COVID-19 tests were carried out during the day, the overall test count increased to 3,18,74,364.

Maharashtra's coronavirus figures are as follows: Positive cases: 54,67,537; new cases: 34,031; death toll: 84,371; discharged: 49,78,937; active cases: 4,01,695; people tested so far: 3,18,74,364.
By PTI

CHANDIGARH: The entire rural population of Punjab will undergo Rapid Antigen Test (RAT) as COVID-19 positivity rate in the state's villages is rising at an alarming rate, Health Minister Balbir Singh Sidhu said on Wednesday.

The drive will be conducted under 'Mission Fateh 2' as part of efforts to break the chain of transmission of the coronavirus, according to an official statement.

Under 'Mission Fateh 2', additional deputy commissioners have been nominated as nodal officers of their respective districts to conduct RAT on the rural population, it said.

'Mission Fateh' symbolises the resolve of the people of Punjab to halt the spread of the coronavirus.

Its first leg was launched by the state government in June last year, the statement added.

Sidhu said community health officers (CHOs) have been directed to ensure monitoring of all patients in home-isolation.

'Corona Fateh Kits', containing medicines and other supplements to deal with COVID-19, will be provided to every patient for speedy recovery by the health department, he said.

An active surveillance survey will be done in every village to detect influenza-like illnesses or severe respiratory infections by accredited social health activists (ASHA), the minister said.

Data of symptomatic patients will be shared with CHOs and senior medical officers, he added.

Sidhu further said deputy commissioners would constitute three-member committees at block levels which would depute teams for sampling at the village level.

The minister said ASHA workers will go door to door in every village to check for symptoms of COVID-19 such as fever, cough and shortness of breath.

The total number of villages in Punjab is 12,729.

The state on Wednesday registered 208 more fatalities due to COVID-19, pushing the death toll in the state to 12,525, according to a medical bulletin.

The infection count climbed to 5,17,954 with 6,407 new cases.

The number of daily cases was lower than the 7,143 fresh cases that were registered on Tuesday.

The state's single-day recoveries, which were registered at 7,872, again surpassed the single-day infections of 6,407.

The number of active cases dropped from 72,277 on Tuesday to 70,499, according to the bulletin.

Twenty-seven deaths were reported from Ludhiana, 23 from Bathinda, 18 from Sangrur, 16 from Patiala and 15 each from Mohali and Muktsar, among fatalities witnessed in the past 24 hours.

Ludhiana reported the maximum of 731 cases, followed by 661 in Jalandhar, 658 in Bathinda, 603 in Mohali and 530 in Fazilka, among other fresh cases.

The state's positivity rate stood at 8.71 per cent, the bulletin stated.

With 7,872 recoveries, the number of cured persons reached 4,34,930, as per the bulletin.

There are 405 critical patients who are on ventilator support, 1,130 other critical patients and 7,939 are on oxygen support, the bulletin said.

A total of 84,10,481 samples have been collected for testing so far in the state, it said.

Meanwhile, Chandigarh registered 414 cases, taking the tally in the Union Territory to 56,927, according to a medical bulletin.

The number of fresh infections was lower than 526 cases reported on Tuesday.

Nine more people died of COVID-19, taking the toll to 656.

The number of active cases dropped from 7,035 on Tuesday to 6,570, the bulletin said.

With 870 patients being discharged after recovering from the infection, the number of cured persons reached 49,701, as per the bulletin.

A total of 4,70,962 samples have been taken for testing so far and of them, 4,12,862 tested negative while reports of 104 samples were awaited, the bulletin said.

Meanwhile, the state has also allowed any individual or a group to open a makeshift COVID hospital in the state with a view to ramp up the bed capacity, a senior official said here on Wednesday.

'Invest Punjab' will grant permission, subject to clearance from the health department, to interested parties in opening up temporary COVID hospital within 24 hours.

"The person or group, who intends to open a temporary hospital, can apply to 'Invest Punjab' by filling an application form and submitting self-declarations," Rajat Agarwal, CEO, Invest Punjab, said in a statement here.

Established in 2013, the Punjab Bureau of Investment Promotion also known as 'Invest Punjab' is a single point of contact for facilitation of investors looking to set up a business in the state.

It has been made the nodal office to facilitate issuance of all requisite NOC or in-principle approvals from all concerned departments for setting up of temporary COVID hospitals.

The first such in-principle approval to immediately start construction was granted to M/s Mohali Medical Group Private Limited for setting up an 80-bedded temporary hospital in Mohali, said Agarwal.

'Invest Punjab' facilitated approval of the project by coordinating with all concerned departments and the required NOCs were made available to the Department of Health for granting approval within 24 hours, he added.
By PTI

BENGALURU: Senior Congress leader M Veerappa Moily on Wednesday said his party should have struck an alliance with Mamata Banerjee's TMC in the recent West Bengal elections, even as he expressed anguish over "ad- hocism" in the grand old outfit.

The former Union Minister also sought action against West Bengal Pradesh Congress Committee President Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury for the poll debacle in the state, describing him as a "weak leader with no grass-root touch".

In an interview to PTI, Moily cited wrong selection of alliance for the "wipe-out" of the party in the state, where it had aligned with the Left and the Indian Secular Front.

Referring to Banerjee as "our lady" -- she was with the Congress before floating TMC, he said his party could have had "better liaison" with her despite the fact that "she may have taken our MLAs (earlier)".

"When she is fighting against the BJP, our right partner would have been Mamata", Moily, a former Karnataka Chief Minister, said.

Attacking Choudhury, Moily said he has no "grass-root touch" and is "credited as a leader only for using abusive words against Mamata Banerjee.

"That was not appreciated by people and our cadre. Even our own voters shifted away to Mamata in our strongholds where traditionally Congress used to get elected", he said.

"And the man (Choudhury) is not punished. He continues to be PCC president, and leader of Congress in Lok Sabha. Who will care for the party if you don't take action and make them accountable?", Moily asked.

He was also unsparing in criticism of his party over election strategy, made a strong pitch for developing regional leadership and indicated that failure to project Chief Ministerial candidates in Assembly elections in Assam and Kerala cost the Congress dearly.

Making no secret of his displeasure, Moily said the Congress tends to make the same mistakes in selection of candidates in elections.

"We select our leaders in various States depending on their ability to raising cash (resources) and capable of mobilising their respective caste. I don't think the Congress can win elections like this," he said.

Moily was of the view that people no longer vote for a party looking at its central leadership; they want to know their Chief Ministerial candidate.

In Kerala elections for example, the Congress was confused about selection of Chief Ministerial face and people backed Pinarayi Vijayan again, according to him.

Also in Assam, the Congress did not project any Chief Ministerial face.

In Tamil Nadu, the Congress jumps for one alliance to another (with DMK) but makes no effort to strengthen the party organisation after elections, he said.

The Congress "threw away" too many seats to its alliance partner DMK in Puducherry, where that party had "not much presence".

On Assembly election setbacks in West Bengal, Assam, Tamil Nadu, Kerala and Puducherry, Moily said somebody should be made accountable at the AICC and State levels.

"Election management machinery. Right from AICC to both level is not done in Congress. Everything is done with ad- hocism", he lamented.

On lessons that the Congress should learn from the poll debacles, Moily said the party has to be revamped from the booth to top level.

"Ad-hocism will not take you anywhere. Facing a strong ruling party like the BJP. And we have to strengthen regional leadership", he suggested.
By PTI

MUMBAI: Battling tidal waves as high as 15 metres and strong winds while trying to stay afloat in the cyclone-hit rough Arabian Sea for almost 12 hours, workmen rescued from a sinking barge near here narrated their horrifying experience in their quest for survival.

One of the survivors said the incident was similar to the scenes from the movie 'Titanic' that depicted the sinking of the RMS Titanic ship in 1912 in the North Atlantic Ocean, while some others said that they had almost lost the hope of making it alive back home.

At least 22 personnel on board accommodation barge P305 that went adrift in Cyclone Tauktae fury before sinking in the Arabia Sea off Mumbai coast are dead and 65 still missing, a Navy official said on Wednesday.

The Navy said its personnel have so far rescued 186 of the 273 people who were onboard barge P305.

"People might have watched in 'Titanic' movie the occupants jumping out of the sinking ship to save themselves and dead bodies floating, but we saw all this unfold before our eyes," Vishwajeet Bandgar (28), who worked on the barge as a welder, said after his rescue by the Navy.

ALSO READ | Cyclone Tauktae: Police to probe why barge P-305 didn't move away despite warning; Mumbai greenery sees massive destruction

"It was worse than the Titanic, as dead bodies of our colleagues, who worked with us, could be seen floating in the water," he said.

They had jumped into the water before us and we saw their life boat was also broken, said Bandgar, a native of Mangalwedha town in Maharashtra's Solapur district.

Thanking the Navy for rescuing him and several of his colleagues, Bandgar said the Navy is like God to them.

"We were not sure if we could be rescued until help came. During that horrific situation, we kept supporting each other by saying that we will be alive and there is no need to worry," he said.

"I was in the water holding on with the life jacket for more than 14 hours. There were gusty winds and waves of more than 15 metres," he said.

Talking to reporters here, workman Manoj Gite said, "It was a horrific situation on the barge. I had not thought I would survive. But, I swam in the waters for seven to eight hours with the determination to stay alive and was rescued by the Navy."

Gite (19), a resident of Kolhapur, said as the barge started sinking, all workmen got worried and he along with others wore a life jacket and jumped into the waters.

The workman, who had joined as a helper on the barge only last month, said said he lost all his documents and mobile phone in the cyclonic storm.

Asked if he would return to the rig again, Gite said he is not keen to go back and is contented to be alive after the nightmarish experience.

Another workman, who was injured in the incident, thanked the Navy for saving his life.

"It is because of the Navy that we all are alive and safe today, otherwise we don't what would have happened to us," the workman said while fighting back his tears.

One of the officials on the barge had claimed the cyclone was "not huge", another workman said.

"The official is now missing. We tried to search for him, but in vain," he said.

Another rescued workman said as their barge started sinking, he jumped into the waters in the middle of the night and tried to stay afloat.

"I swam for about 12 hours before the Navy team rescued me," he said.

Another personnel, who works as a fitter at the rig, said the sea waves were higher than the height of the barge and there were high speed winds blowing around.

"Before the Navy ship arrived, we were not sure what was going to happen. As we saw the naval ship coming towards us for rescue, our confidence went up. I was sure they will save me, hence I jumped into the waters and started swimming," he said.

ALSO READ | Cyclone Tauktae hits Gujarat farmers hard; mango, banana plantations worst hit

When asked whether the personnel on the barge had any idea about the impending cyclone, Bandgar claimed that they had enough information about it and except P305, all other barges had already started moving towards the shore before the cyclone.

"But the company did not inform about it," he said.

Bandgar said before they got know about his rescue, his family members kept crying till he called them to inform that he was safe, he said, adding his kin were coming to Mumbai to see him.

Meanwhile, the oil ministry on Wednesday constituted a high-level committee to enquire into the sequence of events leading to the stranding of three vessels of a contractor of ONGC in cyclone 'Tauktae'.

Three barges of Afcons, a contractor working on ONGC fields off the west coast with more than 600 people on board, were stranded in offshore areas during the severe cyclone.

"The stranding, drifting and subsequent events have led to loss of several lives," a ministry statement said without giving details.

A committee comprising Amitabh Kumar, Director General of Shipping; SCL Das, Director General of Hydrocarbons, and Nazli Jafri Shayin, Joint Secretary, Ministry of Defence has been constituted to enquire into the incidents.

The panel may co-opt any other member, and take assistance of any person it deems necessary.

"The committee shall submit its report within one month," it said.

It has been asked to "inquire into the sequence of events leading to the stranding and drifting of these vessels, and subsequent events.?"

"Whether the warnings issued by Meteorological Department and other statutory authorities were adequately considered and acted upon" will also be looked into by the panel, the statement said.

The panel will also enquire if "the Standard Operating Procedures for securing the vessels and dealing with disaster management were adequately followed," it said adding lapses and gaps in the systems leading to the stranding and drifting of the vessels will also looked into.

ALSO READ | 'I thought I wouldn't survive': Rescued workmen from barge recall cyclone horror in sea

The Navy said its personnel, battling extreme weather, have so far rescued 186 of the 261 people who were onboard barge P305 and also two from tugboat Varaprada.

So far 26 bodies have been recovered and 49 people who were on the barge P305 which sank on Monday are missing.

TPM Modi announces Rs 1,000 crore for immediate relief in cyclone-hit Gujarat; NCP, Shiv Sena hits out at Centrehe Navy had so far maintained that there were 273 persons on board the barge but an official on Wednesday evening said that the company which operated it has informed that there were 261 personnel on board the ill-fated barge.

"The Navy's Search and Rescue (SAR) operations off Mumbai and Gujarat entered its third day today.

Naval ships and aircraft are presently undertaking SAR of the missing crew members of Accommodation Barge P-305, which sank on Monday 35 miles off Mumbai," the spokesperson said.

Warships INS Kochi, INS Kolkata, INS Beas, INS Betwa, INS Teg, P8I maritime surveillance aircraft, Chetak, ALH & Seaking helicopters are involved in the SAR operations.

"INS Kochi which entered Mumbai harbour on Wednesday to disembark 125 survivors and mortal remains of four crew members, was immediately sailed out in the evening again to continue the search effort.

"INS Kolkata is scheduled to enter Mumbai harbour during the night to disembark the remaining survivors rescued from barge P-305 and Tug 'Varapradha' as well as the mortal remains of 18 crew members recovered during the operation," he said.

On completion of its operations off Gujarat coast, INS Talwar has also been diverted to conjoin the other three naval ships searching for the missing crew of barge P-305, off Mumbai.

INS Talwar was the 'OnScene Coordinator' off Gujarat coast and assisted Support Station 3 (SS-3) and Drill Ship Sagar Bhushan, which are now being safely towed back to Mumbai by ONGC support vessels, he said.

Food and water to the 300 odd crew members of these vessels was also provided by naval helicopters from Mumbai, earlier in the day," he said.

"As of now, 186 crew members of Accommodation barge P-305, and two from Tug 'Varapradha' have been rescued by Navy ships and aircraft.

A total of 26 mortal remains of the crew of Barge P305 have been recovered so far," he said.

"Search and rescue operations are still. However, the chances of finding more survivors are getting bleaker by the hour," an official said.

All personnel on board two other barges and an oil rig rendered adrift hours before the "very severe cyclonic storm" made landfall on the Gujarat coast are also safe, a Navy spokesperson said.

After reaching Mumbai, the rescuees recounted how they battled tidal waves as high as 10 metres and strong winds while trying to stay afloat in the cyclone-hit rough Arabian Sea for two days.

Workmen rescued from barge P305 narrated their horrifying experience in their quest for survival.

Some said they had almost lost the hope of making it alive back home.

"It was a horrific situation on the barge. I had not thought I would survive. But, I swam in the waters for seven to eight hours with the determination to stay alive and was rescued by the Navy," workman Manoj Gite told reporters here.

Gite (19), a resident of Kolhapur, said as the barge started sinking, all workmen got worried and he along with others wore a life jacket and jumped into the waters.

Asked if he would return to the rig again, Gite said he is not keen to go back and is contented to be alive after the nightmarish experience.

Another workman, who was injured in the incident, thanked the Indian Navy for saving his life.

"It is because of the Navy that we all are alive and safe today, otherwise we don't what would have happened to us," the workman said while fighting back his tears.

ALSO READ | PM Modi announces Rs 1,000 crore for immediate relief in cyclone-hit Gujarat; NCP, Shiv Sena hits out at Centre

All the 137 personnel on barge GAL Constructor were rescued on Tuesday by the Navy and Coast Guard.

The 196 personnel on barge SS-3 and 101 personnel on board oil rig Sagar Bhushan are safe, the official said.

Three barges and an oil rig with 695 personnel on board went adrift on Monday.

These included barge P305 with 261 persons, cargo barge GAL Constructor with 137 personnel on board, accommodation barge SS-3 with 196 personnel on board and the Sagar Bhushan oil rig with 101 personnel on board, the official said.

Deputy Chief of Naval Staff Vice Admiral Murlidhar Sadashiv Pawar said the ongoing SAR is among the most challenging search and rescue operations in the last four decades.

Navy ships were deployed on Monday after receipt of a request for assistance for barge 'P305' adrift off Heera oil fields in Bombay high area with 273 personnel on board.

The oil fields are around 70 km southwest of Mumbai.
By PTI

JIND: A number of locals in a village in Haryana's Jind district on Wednesday allegedly defied COVID-19 lockdown norms with some of them marching through the streets, and giving various reasons for their act.

Police said lockdown norms were violated for a while in Danoda village of the district, but they persuaded the locals that it was not in anybody's interest to get into such acts that could endanger lives amid the raging pandemic.

The villagers told reporters that they took the decision based on several grounds, including to protest against Sunday's incident in Hisar town, where several people were left injured during a clash as farmers were stopped from marching towards the venue of the COVID hospital inaugurated by Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar.

To protest against the incident, Hisar's Data village also appeared defiant and villagers on Wednesday announced that they will not obey the lockdown restrictions.

The village panchayat held a meeting and decided to extend "non-cooperation" with the authorities and not to allow any health or police teams entry into the village.

The Data villagers condemned the alleged police lathi-charge on farmers in Hisar on Sunday.

Commenting on a COVID isolation centre set up in their village, some villagers alleged that it was serving no purpose and lacked facilities for COVID-19 treatment.

Earlier, villagers of Masudpur in Hisar district had reportedly said they would defy the lockdown as well and keep all the shops open in the village.

Many had said they were upset with the policemen issuing challans to villagers riding bullock carts and going to their fields.

Meanwhile, in Danoda village, after marching through the streets, villagers who were joined by some small shopkeepers held a dharna.

They also blocked the Hisar-Chandigarh road for a while.

Addressing the dharna, many villagers claimed that when the Chief Minister went to inaugurate the COVID hospital in Hisar there was a "big gathering" of people at the venue.

"Why are COVID-related guidelines not enforced at such events?" asked a Danoda villager.

Another villager said when the government gives a plea that COVID cases have increased and imposing lockdown is a must, then the Chief Minister too could have inaugurated the Hisar hospital through virtual mode.

"Why are rules thrust upon us only?" he wondered.

Another villager said the lockdown was causing financial loss to the small shopkeepers in their area.

The villagers asked shopkeepers to open their shops too.

Notably, the ongoing lockdown has been imposed in Haryana since May 3 and is currently enforced in the state as a measure to bring down the spread of the virus after the recent surge in cases.

A police official, who reached the spot where the villagers were holding a dharna, appealed to them not to violate lockdown norms.

He also pointed out to the gathering that only a few amongst them were wearing masks while most were not following social distancing norms.

Later, when contacted, SHO (Sadar-Narwana) Raj Kumar said they persuaded the villagers not to defy the lockdown rules.

"We told them if they continue to do so, we will have to proceed and take action as per law. We made them understand that such acts could not only put their life in danger, but also endanger other people's lives too as the pandemic was still raging," the policeman said.

Kumar said the villagers later agreed and said they would obey the norms.

Haryana on Wednesday reported 153 fresh COVID-19 fatalities, taking its cumulative death toll to 7,076, and 6,818 new cases, pushing the state's infection tally to 7,16,507.

According to the health department's daily bulletin, the latest deaths include 22 from Karnal, 15 from Gurgaon, 14 from Hisar and 10 from Panipat.

Among the districts reporting a big spike in new infections are Gurgaon (1,161), Hisar (565) and Faridabad (435), it showed.

The total number of active cases stands at 70,758, while the count of recoveries has reached 6,38,673.

The state's COVID-19 positivity rate is 8..50 per cent and the recovery rate 8914 per cent, the bulletin showed.
T M Thomas Isaac By

The consecutive second term for the LDF government in Kerala provides a rare opportunity for continuity in policy and a chance to complete the agenda for transforming the economic base of the state. There is a growing realisation that the redistributive strategy of development had reached a dead end and could be further pursued only by rapidly modernising the base into a high productivity knowledge-skill-service based economy that will generate quality jobs for educated unemployed youth.

The redistributive strategy of development has ensured a much higher quality of life and welfare to the people in the state. In the SDG achievement ranking, Kerala tops in India with a score of 70. In the world ranking, while India is way below at 117, Keralas score would give it a rank equivalent to 73. The state is poised to reach the SDG goals by 2030 in most of the sectors, particularly in health, education, hunger and poverty. Kerala can now put forth the agenda to eradicate absolute poverty by providing every family housing, electricity, drinking water, sanitation, at least minimum food, education and healthcare.

The local governments play a key role in the provision of the above basic needs and protection of livelihoods at the local level. During the past 25 years, after the launch of Peoples Plan Campaign, Kerala has consistently been the front-ranking state in devolution. Even the Reserve Bank of India, in its State Finances Annual Report 2020, deemed it fit to laud the role of local governments in Keralas Covid response success. They provide a broad platform for people cutting across political divides to cooperate in addressing local problems. The outcomes so far have been encouraging enough to make the state recommit itself to strengthening the democratic decentralisation process further.

High budgetary expenditure in social sectors has been at the expense of capital investment. Kerala has for a long period been one of the lowest capital expenditure-GDP ratio states in the country. As a result, it is woefully backward on infrastructure development, whether it is roads, bridges, public buildings, electricity, railways or industrial parks. This has been one of the factors holding down private investment along with a low rank in ease of doing business. The last government put forward a new strategy of mobilising resources outside the Budget through Kerala Infrastructure Investment Fund Board (KIIFB) for infrastructure investment.

The KIIFB is on the same model as the Development Financial Institution (DFI), which has been set up by an Act of Parliament recently to raise Rs3-4 lakh crore for infrastructure investment. The major difference between the two is that the Central government intends to privatise the DFI after a period while KIIFB will continue to be a public entity. The latter would be open to CAGs or any investigative agencys scrutiny, unlike the DFI. It must have been the success of KIIFB that prompted the opposition to hatch controversies. They have all died down since the elections. The completion of Rs60,000 crore projects being financed by KIIFB will enable Kerala to overcome its infrastructure handicap within a few years.

The next challenge is how to leverage the new infrastructure to transform Keralas economic base. The last Budget laid down a clear road map for this purpose. Thus, for example, KIIFB finances the K-fone project to provide assured broadband internet connectivity to all institutions and households as well as electricity projects to overhaul the transmission and distribution lines. Their completion will create the preconditions for Kerala to reap employment opportunities that are being opened for working from home in the digital world. Before Covid, around 50 lakh employees were working from home. Now the number has increased to more than three crores. It is expected to rapidly expand to 18 crores in another five years. A massive digital skilling programme for the educated unemployed and educated women who have withdrawn from the labour force into household chores will be launched. A new institution, K-DISK, is being readied for this purpose. It will also negotiate with global employers for hiring the skilled whose details would be provided on a digital platform. Their social security burden will be borne by the government of Kerala. The target is to secure employment for 20 lakh people in digital home work. This programme would make IT the most important employment sector in the state.

A massive programme for the promotion of start-ups and private investment into knowledge-, skill- and service-based industries also will contribute to the transformation of Keralas economic base. The transition to the knowledge economy would also entail restructuring of higher education by setting up autonomous centres of excellence in the university system and a large-scale postdoctoral program with generous monetary benefits. The expatriate Malayalees working in outside universities, labs and research institutions will be playing a very important role in this process.

Today, Kerala presents a picture of high social achievements on a weak economic base and unacceptable levels of unemployment. The case of Gujarat may be a picture in contrasta rapidly industrialising and growing state but very poor social attainments and deprivation for the poor. Of course, there are the BIMARU states that have neither growth nor equity. Kerala is on a course to create an economy that ensures high growth and equity. We call it Nava Kerala or the New Kerala Model. This is the agenda for the new government.

T M Thomas Isaac

Finance Minister in the outgoing Kerala Cabinet

(drthomasisaac@gmail.com)
In a big knock to our international standing, India has just lost its stake in Irans Farzad-B gas field in the Persian Gulf. For years, ONGC Videsh Ltd (OVL) has been working on the project and invested over $400 million in prospecting the gas field. However, when it came to commercially developing the gas find, the National Iranian Oil Company dumped ONGC and preferred to sign a $1.8 billion contract with local company, Petropars. The OVL consortium began work on the Farzad-B block in 2002 and discovered the massive 23 trillion-cubic-feet gas field in 2008. However, its $11 billion development plan dragged on and came unstuck after US sanctions in 2018 did not allow technical studies to be conducted.

Something similar happened to developing Irans 620-kilometre $2 billion railroad connecting Chabahar Port to Zahedan in Afghanistan. While the Chabahar port moved ahead, the railroad languished. Finally, after complaints and threats, Iran dumped India last year and decided to go ahead on its own. Not only did we lose a possible $400 million contract for rolling stock and locomotives, we also squandered a logistical opportunity. The Chabahar rail link would have given India direct trade connectivity with Afghanistan, bypassing Pakistan.

While there may be differences between India and Iran on commercials, a deeper dive will show that India has not been able to stand up to the pressures of the US-Saudi Arabia axis over isolating Iran. Suspicions have mounted since 2019 when Indian Oil failed to renew its term contract for the import of Iran crude. Not only did we lose a cheaper alternative to Saudi oil, we also missed out on lower freight charges and softer payment terms. For the Chabahar Port and railroad, though the US allowed a carve-out to its boycott-Iran policy, it appears India went slow on the latter. Trumps 2018 sanctions have also taken a toll on the Farzad-B gas field project. It has been repeatedly proven that Indias domestic interests are best served if it remains non-aligned in international superpower disputes. Unfortunately, the lesson has not been learnt and we have suffered commercially once again.
Anusha Ravi By

Express News Service

BENGALURU: To help citizens who have lost their livelihoods and incurred losses due to the COVID19 second wave lockdown, the Karnataka government announced an economic relief package on Wednesday.

Chief Minister BS Yediyurappa said at a cost of Rs 1250 crores, financial compensation, food security and moratorium has been extended to the most vulnerable sections of the citizenry in the State to mitigate the adverse impact of the lockdown. Karnataka has been under corona curfew since April 24.

"The economic relief package is to help farmers, unorganised sector workers and comes at a cost of more than Rs 1250 crores. Despite the financial crunch we are facing we are announcing this package," BS Yediyurappa said. Rs 10,000 compensation has been announced for floriculture and horticulture farmers for losses due to the lockdown. Some 20,000 floriculture farmers and 69,000 horticulture farmers are expected to benefit out of this announcement, the Chief Minister said.

"Licensed and registered auto drivers and cab drivers will be given Rs 3000 financial assistance. About 2.10 lakh persons are estimated to benefit out of this. Rs 3000 will also be transferred to the bank accounts of construction workers registered with construction workers welfare board," BS Yediyurappa said.

Rs 2000 financial assistance has also been announced for unorganised sector workers like barbers, washermen, mechanics, leather workers, carpenters, tailors, coolies, ragpickers, household helps and street vendors. An estimated 3.04 lakh persons from the unorganised sector and 2.2 lakh street vendors registered with Atmanirbhar funds are set to benefit from the announcement, the chief minister said.

Artists and artist groups registered with Kanada and culture department will receive Rs 3000. Schedule for repayment of loans availed by farmers and self-help groups from cooperative societies, land banks etc have been extended by three months. Apart from distributing five-kilo rice for each beneficiary already registered under Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Yojana and antyodaya scheme for May and June months free of cost, the State government will include an additional 30 lakh beneficiaries under this scheme and spend Rs 180 crore so benefits are extended to them.

Those who have applied for BPL ration cards but haven't received it yet will be given free 10 kilo rice for May and June while those awaiting APL cards will be given subsidised 10 kilo rice at Rs 15 per kilo.

The Karnataka government last year during the first COVID19 lockdown had announced an economic relief package of Rs 1610 crore which included electricity subsidies for MSMEs, citizens and small businesses apart from financial assistance to vulnerable sections.

ALSO WATCH :
Dhinesh Kallungal By

Express News Service

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The incessant rain triggered by Cyclone Tauktae has forced 5,235 people of 1,479 families to seek shelter in relief camps opened by the state. As many as 397 (8%) of them were either Covid positive or had suspected symptoms of the infection, according to the data available with the state government. As there are hardly two weeks left for the onset of Southwest Monsoon in the state, the rising Covid cases would be a headache for the state authorities.

According to sources, these were known cases even before shifting them to camps. It is not known if there were any unidentified Covid patients among the displaced as it was not possible to hold tests for them in the hour of emergency. But it is sure that if the primary or secondary contacts of positive cases are taken into account, the number of suspected cases would be quite high.

Last year, though the local self-government institutions were directed to arrange buildings to accommodate people as per four categories  Covid positive, quarantined, those with suspected symptoms, and the general public  a good number of them failed to ensure this.

Speaking to TNIE, a senior officer with the Kerala State Disaster Management Authority (KSDMA) said there were some lapses in implementation on the ground level last year, which was very minimal considering the number of total local bodies in the state. But taking a cue from the previous experience, we have prepared an orange book, consisting of the guidelines to be followed in the event of disasters, which would be released on May 25, he said.

The state-level monsoon review meeting held last week has chalked out an action plan, which would be passed on to the respective district collectors in a meeting to be held this week. It is up to them to ensure ground-level preparedness ahead of peak monsoon. In addition, just like last year, local bodies would be instructed to identify buildings to accommodate people of the four categories this time as well, he said.

Meanwhile, seven people were killed in rain-related incidents in the state in the last three days. The rain has also damaged around crops in 14,444.9 ha, 310.3km of LSGD roads, 34 anganwadi buildings, 10 schools and 11 primary health centres. Further, 1,464 houses were damaged partially and 68 houses fully in the rain, according to revenue authorities.

Rain havoc

175 relief camps set up

1,479 families (5,235 people) displaced

397 Covid cases or people with suspected symptoms

7 killed in rain-related incidents

EXTENT OF DAMAGE

14,444.9 ha crops

310.3km of LSGD roads

34 anganwadi buildings

10 schools

11 primary health centres

1,464 houses damaged partially

68 houses fully
CYNTHIA CHANDRAN By

Express News Service

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The ball is now in the court of the Congress high command to select the next legislative party leader after two central observers Mallikarjun Kharge and V Vaithilingam apprised the party national leadership of the choices of the 21 newly-elected MLAs from Kerala.

It is learnt that a section of the young MLAs questioned the decision of leaders of the I and A groups to rally behind Ramesh Chennithala to continue as the Opposition leader during the one-to-one meetings with central observers on Tuesday. They are believed to have favoured VD Satheesan. The two factions came up with a formula of having Chennithala continue as the Opposition leader and senior A group leader K C Joseph as the next state Congress president.

This has obviously not gone down well with a section of young A group MLAs who told their leader Oommen Chandy that if the Congress has to bounce back after the humiliating defeat, a change is imminent.

Kharge and Vaithilingam were closeted with state Congress president Mullappally Ramachandran, vice-president Sooranad Rajasekharan who was also the chairman of the Election Management Committee, working president K V Thomas and senior political affairs committee leaders Prof P J Kurien and K C Joseph before meeting the newly-elected MLAs. A senior leader close to Chennithala told TNIE that he has got the majority support.

After the individual meetings with the MLAs, the central observers also called a meeting of all legislators including MPs. A resolution was passed unanimously that a final decision on the next CLP leader will be taken by the Congress high command. Except Satheesan and Sunny Joseph, the rest of the MLAs supported Chennithala, said a senior Congress leader.

However, Satheesan camp claimed that he has got the support of 11 MLAs. Senior MLAs Thiruvanchoor Radhakrishnan and P T Thomas are learnt to have pitched their own names. The two central observers have since returned to Bengaluru. The Congress high command is expected to announce the next CLP leader in New Delhi within two days.

Both claim majority

A leader close to Chennithala said the incumbent Oppn leader has got majority support.

Satheesan camp claimed he has got support of 11 MLAs.

Senior MLAs Thiruvanchoor Radhakrishnan and P T Thomas have pitched their own names.
By Express News Service

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The CPM state secretariat is learnt to have reached an understanding on allocation of portfolios to the new ministers in the Pinarayi Vijayan cabinet. Veena George is likely to get the health portfolio which is being vacated by K K Shailaja.

Veena, a journalist-turned-politician and the youngest member of the cabinet, will be capable enough to handle the crucial portfolio in this hour of crisis, felt the senior leadership. A formal announcement of portfolios will be made by CM Pinarayi Vijayan later. Pinarayi Vijayan will continue to hold Home, Vigilance, IT and environment portfolios like in the first term.

ALSO READ: Pinarayi Cabinet 2.0: Know your ministers

K N Balagopal, who has proved his mettle as the Rajya Sabha MP, will be new finance minister while P Rajeeve, who was another CPM strongman in the Rajya Sabha, will handle the industries portfolio. M V Govindan, who is the second in seniority in the cabinet, will get local self government and excise portfolios. K Radhakrishnan, a former minister and speaker, is tipped for Devaswom and SC/ST welfare.

The Chief Ministers son-in-law and Beypore MLA Mohammed Riyaz is set to get two crucial portfolios  PWD and Tourism. Dr R Bindu, wife of CPM acting secretary A Vijayaraghavan, will handle higher education and V Sivankutty will handle the general education portfolio. Saji Cherian is the minister for fisheries and cultural affairs while V N Vasavan will handle cooperation and registration.

PICTURE STORY: All cabinet members of 'Pinarayi 2.0'

The CPM assigned the power portfolio to constituent JD(S) and its nominee K Krishnankutty will be the power minister. Antony Raju of the Democratic Kerala Congress will be the transport minister while the NCPs AK Saseendran will get the forest department. Ahammed Devarkovil will handle zoo and ports while V Abdurahman will be the minister for minority affairs and Haj.

K Rajan of the CPI will be the new revenue minister. P Prasad and G R Anil of the CPI will get agriculture and food and civil supplies respectively. J Chinchu Rani of the CPI is tipped for animal husbandry and legal metrology.
By Express News Service

KOCHI: The Kerala High Court has directed the state government to strictly follow all the Covid protocols, guidelines, circulars and notifications during the swearing-in ceremony of the Pinarayi Vijayan-led LDF government on Thursday.

Issuing the order on a petition filed by Dr. KJ Prince, general secretary of Thrissur-based Chikitsaneethi, an organisation for protecting the health right of the citizen, the Kerala HC observed that dignity will not be lost when the swearing-in ceremony is witnessed from home. The court said that the political parties should decide as to whether all the MLAs are required to be present in the swearing-in ceremony.

The Division Bench observed that though states like West Bengal and Tamil Nadu, with more number of legislators in the Assembly, have performed the swearing-in ceremony with a lesser number, the government of Kerala, a forerunner in Covid management, should restrict the number to the maximum to avoid the spread Covid.

On the decision to allow 500 attendees to participate in the event, the court said if such a contention is accepted, then even marriages can be performed with the participation of 500 people with RT-PCR test conducted 48 hours before solemnisation of the marriage in any big Marriage Hall or open place, which can accommodate people more than 500. So also, the final rites and obsequies ceremonies, in the case of death. "We do not see any difference as to whether it is a government function," the court observed.

ALSO READ | Pinarayi 2.0: Veena George to handle Health, Balagopal Finance; CM to keep Home and IT

The High Court said that the political parties should decide as to whether all the MLAs are required to be present in the swearing-in ceremony. The spouses and relatives of all the MLAs, except the designated ministers, are not required to participate in the swearing-in ceremony. The ceremony can be viewed from the residence of the respective MLAs. The court observed that the spouses of the MLAs do not have to be present in the swearing-in ceremony. At the same time, it may be a proud moment, for the spouses or the relative of the designated ministers to be present in the ceremony.

"Why the spouses or relatives of each of the MLAs are required to be present in the ceremony and when they are not, indispensable, either for the performance of the ceremony or for witnessing. Considering the present Covid-19 Pandemic situation, velocity and vigour of the virus, test positivity rate in various districts and uncontrolled rise in the death, such persons ought not to have been included in the list of participants," the court said.

The court held that the Government officials required for the performance/participation in the ceremony alone shall be permitted. As the Government has not come out with the details of special invitees, other than the Judges, Secretaries to the Government up to the level of Principal Secretaries, Police officials up to the level of Additional Director General of Police, Senior Law Officers, the Chief Secretary, Government of Kerala should consider whether the presence of all the special invitees, including the member of the State Committee of the political parties is required to be present, given the utmost adverse situations prevailing due to the pandemic. The direction also applies to all the special invitees including persons who have contributed to the Chief Minister's Disaster Relief Fund.


By Express News Service

ROURKELA: Amid inadequate stock of Covid-19 vaccines, inoculation of people over 45 years of age has been hit and vaccination for 18+ age group in three urban pockets of Sundargarh district is yet to start.

Making things worse for both the staff associated with vaccination and people is the frequent changes being made to the inoculation schedule.

As of now, vaccination of the 18-44 age group is underway through eight centres in Rourkela. Vaccination of above 45 years age group is being done across the district as per vaccine availability. Vaccination of 18+ age group in Rourkela city started from May 11. While it is being carried out thrice a week, people above 45 years of age are allowed to take a second dose on the remaining three days.

On Monday many people reached the Rourkela Government Hospital (RGH) vaccination centre for a second dose but they returned after being informed that the duration of the second jab has been extended by 84 days. They resented for not being given prior information. Similar scenes were witnessed at the Sundargarh District Headquarters Hospital (SDHH).

Sundargarh MLA Kusum Tete said the Covid-19 vaccination drive has become chaotic and bulk of the vaccination indents are being diverted to Rourkela. Stating that every adult person of the district has equal right over the vaccine, Tete resented exclusion of the Sundargarh town for 18-44 years age group, while those over 45 years continue to face harassment in getting first or the second dose.

Social activist Kunal Gourav claimed that while Birmitrapur town bordering Jharkhand has been ignored by Odisha, the Jharkhand government is able to vaccinate people in its nondescript Baunsjor village. Those associated with the vaccination programme said frequent change in guidelines and experimentation has turned a roadblock in formulating new schedules and maintaining coordination.

At Rourkela under the new schedule, on one day the morning session is fixed for 18-44 age group and afternoon session is for 45 years age group, but the next day it is reversed. So far about 2.99 lakh doses have been administered in the district.
B Anbuselvan By

Express News Service

CHENNAI: Three days after curbing inter-district travel, the State government on Wednesday relaxed transportation for weddings.

In view of the lockdown imposed from May 10 to 24, inter-district travel was restricted from May 17 except for emergency cases such as medical emergencies, elderly care and death and post death rituals.

Although on May 14, the government said the inter-district transportation for weddings will be allowed, it reversed its decision on May 17 as the States per day positive cases of Covid remained above 30,000.

Following the requests from the general public, the government enabled provision for e-registration thereby allowing people to travel for weddings.

However, the government said only one registration should be made for all the guests attending the event. E-registration has been enabled for all vehicles from various parts of the state in a single registration. The portal is https://eregister.tnega.org

ALSO READ | Covid vaccination drive for 18+ in TN from Thursday

The eRegistration shall be made only by a person (applicant) who is directly connected to the marriage (like the bride, groom, mother, father, mother-in-law, father-in-law, etc.). The applicant's name mustbe printed on the wedding card and a copy of the wedding card has to be necessarily uploaded, said the advisory issued on the website.

In case of eRegistration made by giving false information or documents, or more than one eRegistration made for the same event, the applicant is liable for action (both civil and criminal) under the Epidemic Diseases Act, 1897 and/or Disaster Management Act, 2005, said the government.

While registering the applicant should provide details of all the vehicles such as registration number, driver name, mobile number, all passenger name and one identity proof (Aadhar, Ration card, Driving License, PAN Card, and Passport).

A senior official from Tamil Nadu e-Governance Agency said, Any violation would be looked at seriously. Number of participants should not exceed the cab of 50 fixed by the government.
By Express News Service

MADURAI: At least three to seven Covid patients, who were on Oxygen support at the ICU, died during Monday midnight at Government Rajaji Hospital here due to Oxygen shortage, alleged the relatives of the patients. As per the latest guidelines, only patients who have saturation below 90 are admitted to government hospitals in the district.

Of the 2,205 oxygen beds earmarked for Covid patients, 2,027 have been occupied and 178 are remaining vacant. Similarly, 758 of the 801 ICU beds have been occupied and 43 are remaining vacant, as on May 17 report. According to the family of patients undergoing treatment at GRH, there has been a shortage of oxygen since Sunday. Pressure of oxygen supply was going down since Sunday evening and past midnight there was no oxygen supply at all. This caused breathlessness to many. After a gap of around 20 minutes, the supply resumed but the pressure was very low, said Ramesh (name changed), attendant of a Covid patient.

Meanwhile, the hospital staff brought in oxygen cylinders. But some patients, who are critical, needed high-pressure oxygen which could not be supported using cylinders, he said, adding that a few attendants later made arrangements to bring in private cylinders to save their loved ones. They also complained that doctors only visit twice a day and were not available for round-the-clock service for critical patients.

Sources from GRH, on condition of anonymity, confirmed the incident but denied giving exact number of casualties. They said Minister P Moorthy along with Madurai MP Su Venkatesan rushed to the hospital and stayed past midnight to make arrangements to bring in medical oxygen from private suppliers and manufacturing units. Just a few minutes before the lorries arrived, the oxygen in the storage tank turned empty. We made alternative arrangements.

This could have turned to an incident of mass casualty but was prevented with timely intervention, hospital sources said. Similarly, there was also a delay in the arrival of lorries from Chennai and other districts on Monday at noon. They should have reached by noon but were delayed by three hours. However, as the tank was refilled the previous night, we were able to manage it, sources added.

Speaking to media, GRH Dean J Sangumuni (before being transferred to Sivaganga) denied the allegations and said there was no casualty due to oxygen shortage. He added that they have enough cylinders in the backup and the hospital administration made alternative arrangements when there was a delay. Speaking to Express, MP Su Venkatesan said the allocation of medical oxygen to Madurai has been reduced recently and steps are being taken to bring adequate oxygen.

Meanwhile, Finance Minister PTR Palanivel Thiagarajan tweeted that with the support of Tamil Diaspora, TN received 80 MT of oxygen, of which 20 metric tonnes were allocated to Madurai. He added the government was in pursuit of the goal of oxygen self-sufficiency for the Madurai by June.
Omjasvin MD By

Express News Service

CHENNAI: Six Tamil Nadu districts are now recording an average of more than 1,000 cases daily since May 8.

According to data shared by the Health Department with The New Indian Express, Chennai, Coimbatore, Chengalpet, Tiruvallur, Madurai and Trichy districts are recording more than 1,000 cases daily.

Chennai's daily average is the highest at 6,872. However, lately, cases in the city have come down to close to 6,000.

In Coimbatore, the average is 2,828, and it is 1,080 in Tiruchy and 1,170 in Madurai. In Chennai's neighbouring districts, the daily average of cases is 2,261 in Chengalpet and 1,448 in Tiruvallur.

This means Chennai, Chengalpet and Tiruvallur alone are recording an average of close to 10,000 cases (33 percent approximately) a day out of the 30,000 odd cases in Tamil Nadu.

ALSO READ: Amid demand for Covid vaccines, hesitancy prevails in TN

An analysis of the weekly rise in cases shows that these districts have shown an increase in cases between May 11 and 17, compared to May 4 and May 10.

Between May 4 and 10, Chennai recorded 47,060 cases while in the next week, it recorded 47,596.

However, it is to be noted that the citys case growth has slowed down from 3 percent on May 10 to 1.3 percent on May 17. This indicates the slowing down of the speed of transmission and that discharges are more than fresh cases.

On the other hand, Coimbatore recorded at least 5,000 more cases in the second week at 20,872, compared to the first week, when it recorded 15,114.

Chengalpet, Tiuvallur, Madurai, Kancheepuram and Thoothukudi districts too continue to show a marginal rise in cases.

Virologist Jacob John says TN is just about turning the curve downwards and the data suggests that cases may come down further. The momentum of cases had already peaked compared to data from last week and this week, and it is slowing down, he added.

Dr. John added that the government can even reconsider the extension of the lockdown.

Health department officials say that the new lockdown measures and strict enforcement of it by police officials will show a massive change in the coming weeks.

Except Coimbatore, the case growth is not massive in any of the other districts. In Chennai too, it is being contained and cases are decreasing despite tests being higher, the official said, pointing out that people staying indoors and vaccination drives too will aid in slowing down the infection's progress.
By Express News Service

SALEM: At a time when hundreds of patients are waiting to get beds with oxygen support, two private hospitals in Salem have come under the scanner. The Salem health department on Wednesday withdrew permission to the two hospitals for treating new COVID-19 patients after finding that they were not using medical oxygen judiciously.

COVID-19 cases are on the rise in Salem, with patients waiting for beds in Salem Government Mohan Kumaramangalam Medical College Hospital (GMKMCH) and in private hospitals.

ALSO READ: Tamil Nadu gets 9.62 lakh more COVID-19 vaccine doses, may begin inoculating 18+ soon

Meanwhile, allegations were raised against some private hospitals that they were not using medical oxygen properly. It was alleged that they admit more patients without having required oxygen facilities and after the patient's health condition becomes critical, they send them to GMKMCH. This was one of the key reasons for more COVID-19 deaths being reported in the district. A few private hospitals were also accused of providing oxygen support to patients who did not require it.

Following the allegation, the Salem district administration officials and Joint Director of Health Services Malarvizhi Vallal conducted an audit on the usage of medical oxygen in treating COVID-19 patients on May 16 and 17 in private hospitals, including at Manipal Hospital on the Salem-Bengaluru National Highway in Dalmiya Board and at Kurinji Hospital on Five Roads in Salem City.

During the audit, it was found that the medical oxygen was not used rationally in these two private hospitals. The audit reveals gross mismanagement of medical oxygen, which is referred to as an essential public health commodity by the Ministry of Home Affairs.

Following this, the health department directed these two private hospitals not to admit any new COVID-19 patients. Patients who are currently being treated in these hospitals would be discharged after completion of the treatment following the protocols and medical ethics. The hospitals were told not to discharge any patients prematurely, said the health department in its notice issued to them.

The hospitals have deviated from the standard operating procedures for COVID-19 patient management, so they are temporarily suspended for treating new patients until further orders, the health department added.
Donita Jose By

Express News Service

HYDERABAD: With hundreds of small hospitals too taking the plunge to treat Covid-19 patients, there has been an unprecedented demand for oxygen supply to these hospitals. Many of these hospitals contend that they face problem with with oxygen dealers on a daily basis as they prefer large orders to small ones seeking 10 to 30 cylinders.

We are routinely facing difficulty in getting liquid medical oxygen refills. Almost every two to three days, we have a panic-like situation as the routine dealers are expressing helplessness in honouring the order for fewer number of large cylinders, said the owner of a hospital in Warangal district, which has 10 oxygen and ICU beds for Covid-19 patients.

We have to either buy an entire new cylinder for about Rs 35,000 to Rs 40,000 in black or ask patients to shift out or make arrangements for small cylinders. It is a very panicky situation, he added.What further amplifies the problem is the fact that the dealers, who routinely supply oxygen to the hospitals, themselves are facing supply shortage across the districts.

Earlier, they used to charge between Rs 700 and Rs 800 to refill a large cylinder. Now, the charges have gone up to Rs 4,000 and above. The dealers prefer to give it to larger hospitals. Small hospitals miss out, explained another hospital executive from Mahbubnagar.

In Nalgonda too, a similar situation has been persisting for a while. With such erratic costs to bear, the hospitals are having no option but to put the burden on patients. They sounded an SOS to the district administration to regulate the supply.

Currently, the districts officials call us everyday to know how much oxygen we used and how many patients we have to regulate per person supply and arrest wastage. The monitoring mechanism is very robust. However, why are they still putting the onus to procure oxygen and Remdesivir on us when the supply is poor? Why not assign one dealer to a bunch of hospitals in each area so that we do not have to compete with other hospitals, added a doctor of a childrens hospital, which now treats Covid-19 patients.

A fortnight ago, a 50-bed hospital in Nalgonda was forced to borrow cylinders from other hospitals after a near calamity-like situation prevailed and the district administration has now roped in the police force to manage such panic situations.

The oxygen demand is high, so the refilling frequency is higher. The small hospitals must be linked with local police who will ensure that suppliers dont default. Otherwise, the situation can be tough for them with lesser bargaining power to manage refills, added another doctor from Nalgonda. Owing to such fluctuations, hospitals are now procuring oxygen concentrators, cost of which again would be passed on to patients.
By Associated Press

DEARBORN: President Joe Bidens efforts to spotlight his big infrastructure plans are suddenly being overshadowed by the escalating violence between Israel and the Palestinians, the conflict sparking protests during his visit to a Ford electric vehicle center in Michigan on Tuesday as the White House faced growing pressure to intervene.

Biden, who planned to use the two week-stretch before Memorial Day to build Republican support for his $2.3 trillion package, visited a Ford plant in Dearborn to make his case that his plans could help steer the country toward a bright electric-car future.

But any presidential script is subject to real-world rewrites, and Biden faces rising pressure to weigh in more forcefully to stop the Middle East violence  as, by a scheduling quirk, he visited a city that is almost half Arab American.

In a speech at the plant, Biden made only passing mention of the conflict, warmly addressing Democratic Rep. Rashida Tlaib of Michigan as she sat in the audience, saying he would pray that her grandmother and other relatives were well in the West Bank.

EXPLAINER: Are Israel, Hamas committing war crimes in Gaza?

I promise you Im going to do everything to see that they are, Biden said.

Biden also met Tlaib and fellow Michigan Democratic Rep. Debbie Dingell earlier at the Detroit airport, where all three huddled on the tarmac for several minutes in what appeared to be an animated conversation. Tlaib has publicly pressed Biden to get behind a U.N. Security Council resolution calling for a cease-fire  a measure that the U.S. has blocked from moving forward.

He was very compassionate  he listened, Dingell said of Biden. Hes deeply concerned.

The Biden administration has been conducting what it calls quiet diplomacy while declining to press for an immediate cease-fire by close ally Israel and Hamas. But privately, Biden administration officials have encouraged the Israelis to wind down their bombardment of Gaza.

Officials have been told by the Israelis that the operations could conclude in a matter of days.

The White House has made the calculation that the Israelis will not respond to international resolutions or public demands by the U.S. and that the greatest leverage is behind-the-scenes pressure, officials said. At the same time, the White House is mindful that the longer the conflict goes, the greater chance of a very-high-casualty event or other provocative action by either side that could make reaching a cease-fire more difficult.

ALSO READ: Rockets from Gaza rain havoc on Israeli cities in latest war

All the while, Hamas rockets and Israeli airstrikes continued for a ninth day. At least 213 Palestinians and 12 people in Israel have died.

To this point in Biden's young term, foreign policy has taken a back seat. The president has stressed the need to first focus on domestic matters  taming the COVID-19 pandemic and reshaping the economy  to prove that democracies can still compete with global autocracies, namely China.

But the intractable conflict in Gaza has derailed that narrative.

Aboard Air Force One for the flight to Michigan, White House press secretary Jen Psaki was peppered with questions about the administration's response to the violence before she was asked about electric cars. She defended Biden's cautious approach to this point.

Hes been doing this long enough to know that the best way to end an international conflict is typically not to debate it in public," she said.

During his tour of the Dearborn facilities, Biden kept the focus on jobs. The president, a car enthusiast, marveled at the new technology  he even took a truck for a quick test drive  while stressing the importance of his infrastructure plan.

The future of the auto industry is electric. Theres no turning back, Biden said. "The real question is whether well lead or well fall behind in the race to the future.

There were protests outside in Dearborn, which is 47% Arab American, most of them Muslim, the highest percentage among cities in the U.S. Outside the local police department, about 3 miles (4.8 kilometers) from where Biden spoke, hundreds of people of Arab descent chanted, Free, Free Palestine! and waved Palestine flags. Amer Zahr, leader of a group called New Generation for Palestine, said Biden is not welcome in Dearborn today.

He is funding the murder of our families," Zahr said. "Its ethnic cleansing. Its that simple. This is not very complicated."

Biden wanted to orient his foreign policy around American workers, but the Israel conflict has underscored the challenges of combining his domestic and international agendas. The violence has not just been a disrupter of his messaging but also of his policy foundations.

The Biden White House has prided itself on message control and carefully scripting its approach to legislation. The first two months of his term were focused on passing the $1.9 trillion COVID-19 relief bill and dramatically increasing the nation's vaccination program.

The pivot was then to Biden's two-part infrastructure and family plan, which totals roughly $4 trillion. The president has set a soft deadline of Memorial Day to gauge whether there is Republican support. Not one GOP lawmaker backed the COVID-19 bill, though it had strong public support. There have been a few, if fleeting, signs of possible Republican support for the infrastructure plan.

Last week, a group of Republican senators met with Biden and were set to again sit down with White House officials and Cabinet members on Tuesday. There are some hopes for bipartisan agreement on hard infrastructure  like highways and broadband  before Democrats push forward their family plan on a party-line vote. At minimum, aides have said, they want to make a show of reaching across the aisle to reassure moderate Democrats leery of pushing through massive spending bills using a legislative strategy that bypasses Republicans entirely.

Biden's plan would help transform the automotive sector by making vehicles more mainstream that don't burn gasoline. He also sees a shift toward electric vehicles as a major part of his plan to fight climate change, and his visit came the day before Ford was expected to release details of an all-electric version of its F-150 pickup truck called the Lightning.

The president also has to overcome a major hurdle before his electric vehicle, zero emission future becomes reality: the lack of stations where people can plug in and juice up their engines. To that end, Biden has proposed $174 billion for electric vehicles. That money includes rebates and incentives for consumer purchases, along with money to build 500,000 charging stations by 2030.

The White House says the U.S. has just a fraction, about one-third, of the electric vehicle market share that China has, and far fewer public charging points  and needs to catch up before it can take the lead.

At Ford, its F-Series pickups  including heavy-duty versions  have been the top-selling vehicles in the U.S. for 39 straight years. Last year, the company sold more than 787,000 of the trucks, even though it had to close factories for eight weeks at the start of the coronavirus pandemic.

The F-150 Lightning electric truck, due in showrooms in the middle of next year, will come at a time when few Americans have been willing to switch away from gasoline-powered vehicles. Through April of this year, automakers have sold only 107,624 fully electric vehicles in the U.S.
By AFP

GAZA CITY: Israel is studying whether conditions are right to stop bombing Palestinian militants in Gaza but is preparing for "more days" of strikes if necessary, an Israeli military source said Wednesday.

"We are looking at when is the right moment for a ceasefire," said the source, who spoke on condition of anonymity, amid an international diplomatic push to broker a truce after more than a week of bloodshed.

Deafening air strikes and rocket fire once more shook Gaza early Wednesday in the conflict that has claimed the lives of 219 Palestinians and 12 people in Israel, according to authorities on each side.

But Israel was now evaluating whether its objective of degrading the capabilities of Gaza's Hamas rulers had been achieved, the military source said, and "whether Hamas understands the message" that its rocket barrages towards Israel cannot recur.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Tuesday that Israel's air campaign had set Hamas back "many years" since it began on May 10 in response to the start of Hamas rocket fire on Israel.

Warplanes hit Gaza City again in the pre-dawn hours, as the Israeli military kept targeting militant leaders and infrastructure in the crowded enclave which has been under Israeli blockade for nearly 15 years.

Gaza mother-of-seven Randa Abu Sultan, 45, recounted how her family crowded into one room to sit out another night of fear.

"We're all terrified by the sound of explosions, missiles and fighter jets," she said. "My four-year-old son tells me he's scared that if he falls asleep, he'll wake up to find us dead."

- 'Blows they didn't expect' -

The United States, a key Israel ally, has repeatedly blocked adoption of a joint UN Security Council statement calling for a halt to hostilities.

US President Joe Biden told Netanyahu on Monday that he backs having a ceasefire, but he stopped short of openly demanding a truce.

A UN Security Council meeting broke up without issuing a statement late Tuesday, but France then said it had proposed a resolution calling for a ceasefire, in coordination with Israel's neighbours Egypt and Jordan.

Zhang Jun, Beijing's ambassador to the UN, told reporters his team had heard the French ceasefire proposal and China was "supportive"

Another diplomat said the proposal would seek to end hostilities, but also "allow humanitarian access".

EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell backed mounting calls for a ceasefire and urged the Israeli military to act in a "proportionate" manner.

Netanyahu, speaking at an air force base in southern Israel on Tuesday, said Hamas and Gaza's second biggest armed group, Islamic Jihad, had "received blows they didn't expect".

"We'll continue as long as necessary to bring... quiet back to the citizens of Israel," he added.

- Humanitarian crisis -

Hamas has launched nearly 3,700 rockets at Israel since May 10, prompting many people living in communities near the border to hide in bomb shelters virtually around the clock.

Palestinian rocket fire has killed 12 people in Israel, including one Indian and two Thai nationals, and injured 333, Israeli authorities said.

Overnight, armed groups fired 50 rockets towards southern Israel, 10 of which fell short and struck inside Gaza, the Israeli military said.

The Israeli army said it had attacked "40 underground Hamas targets" overnight in the southern Gaza Strip.

Israeli air strikes have killed at least 219 people in Gaza, including 63 children, and wounded 1,530, according to health ministry figures.

In the enclave's north, a journalist working for Hamas-linked Al-Aqsa radio was killed when an Israeli strike hit his home, authorities said.

Israel's bombing campaign has also left Gaza's two million population desperate for relief.

Hospitals in the territory have been overwhelmed by patients, there are frequent blackouts and sewage from broken pipes has flooded some areas.

Some 72,000 civilians have fled their homes, seeking refuge in UN-run schools and other public buildings, the United Nations says.

An international aid convoy that started rolling into Gaza from Israel Tuesday was halted when Israel swiftly ended its reopening of the Kerem Shalom border crossing, citing a mortar attack on the area.

An air raid Monday knocked out Gaza's only Covid-19 testing laboratory, the health ministry said, and the Qatari Red Crescent said a strike damaged one of its offices.

- 'Day of anger' -

The latest escalation was sparked after clashes broke out at east Jerusalem's flashpoint Al-Aqsa mosque compound, one of Islam's holiest sites.

This followed violence over the planned evictions of Palestinian extended families from homes in Jerusalem's Sheikh Jarrah district.

The conflict has since sparked mob violence between Jews and Israeli Arabs, and sharply heightened tensions in the occupied West Bank.

Palestinians clashed with police in multiple towns and in annexed east Jerusalem Tuesday after Palestinian president Mahmud Abbas's Fatah movement had called for a "day of anger".

The Palestinian health ministry said Israeli forces shot dead four Palestinians, including one the Israeli army said had attempted to attack soldiers.

The death brought to 24 the Palestinians killed in the territory since May 10.

The Palestinian Red Crescent said its teams had treated more than 150 people in Jerusalem and the West Bank, including 35 with bullet wounds.

The Israeli army said troops came under fire north of Ramallah, and two of its soldiers were wounded.
By Associated Press

BEIRUT: Lebanon's acting foreign minister stepped down on Wednesday amid a diplomatic row with Gulf Arab countries after he suggested in a TV interview this week that they had provided backing to extremists, helping the rise of the Islamic State group.

Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and Kuwait summoned Lebanese ambassadors in their capitals to protest Charbel Wehbe's remarks during an interview with Alhurra news channel. They accuse Wehbe of violating diplomatic norms and making derogatory and racist statements.

In the interview late Monday, Wehbe said that "friendship and brotherhood countries" brought Islamic State militants to Syria, Iraq and Lebanon. When asked if he meant that Gulf countries financed IS, he retorted sharply: "Financed by me then?"

When a Saudi commentator interviewed along with Wehbe criticized Lebanon's president, the minister became agitated, saying that as a Lebanese, he couldn't accept being insulted by a "Bedouin"  a term he used derogatorily to describe Gulf Arab nationals. He walked out of the studio but returned to finish the interview.

Wehbe's remarks came amid already tense relations between Lebanon and traditional ally Saudi Arabia. Only last month, the kingdom banned produce from Lebanon after unveiling a large shipment of amphetamine pills smuggled inside pomegranates.

Saudi Arabia is locked in a regional struggle with Shiite power Iran, the main ally of Lebanon's militant Hezbollah group. Riyadh and other GCC countries have imposed sanctions on Hezbollah.

Lebanon's outgoing government resigned last August, following a massive explosion at Beirut's port that killed 211 people. Political disagreements have so far prevented the formation of a new government.

Wehbe said in a brief statement Wednesday that he had met with President Michel Aoun and asked him to relieve him of his duties, "out of concern that these comments be used to defame Lebanon and the Lebanese." It is not clear if a replacement would be named.

Wehbe, whose comments were ridiculed on social media, offered an apology, saying he made the comments while irate over offensive accusations against his president.
By Associated Press

BEIJING: Chinese nationalism on the internet has a new target: Netflix and its popular Thai drama Girl from Nowhere.

Comments online Wednesday complained the series' Facebook page showed the flags of Taiwan, the island democracy claimed by the ruling Communist Party as part of its territory, and of Hong Kong, where the party is trying to crush pro-democracy activism.

Netflix joins a growing list of foreign retailers, airlines, hotels and other companies that have been attacked online in China over Taiwan, Xinjiang, Tibet, human rights and other politically charged issues.

Some comments complained the flags show support for splitting China, or promoting formal independence for self-ruled Taiwan.

The flags, with the those of Singapore and other markets, appear beside Thank You" in local languages for the series' popularity.

The advertisement says nothing about whether they represent countries.

This is a (profanity) split! said a comment signed Tang Sugar Sugar Tang 123 on the popular Sina Weibo social media service.

Does China need to say thank you for this? Bah! This is a blatant split! Nanno I like you a lot, but sorry, you crossed my line.

Goodbye, said another comment on Sina Weibo signed Huadu, referring the series' main character.

Think clearly about what kind of country China is before getting benefits from us.

 Netflix didn't respond to questions left on its website.

The outcry highlights China's unusual mix of nationalism and pervasive censorship.

The ruling party increasingly demands global companies conform in public to Beijing's political positions, including on websites abroad that the ruling party's internet filters block most people in China from seeing.

Facebook can be seen in China only by people with virtual private network software used to evade the filters.

Girl from Nowhere can be seen in China on bilibili.

com, which allows users to upload their own videos.

It doesn't appear on other services that show movies and TV series approved by Chinese censors.

It wasn't clear how many people have watched Girl from Nowhere, but Douban.

com, a website where users leave reviews, says more than 60,000 people have commented on the first season and 30,000 on the second.

The average rating is 8.4 points out of 10, which is unusually high.

The Global Times, a newspaper published by the ruling party, showed the offending advertisement on its website but that image didn't appear on other Chinese sites or in the newspaper's Chinese-language edition.

The ruling party says Taiwan must unite with the mainland and has threatened to invade if it tries to make its independence official.

Beijing has menaced the island this year by sending fighters and bombers on flights close to and around Taiwan.

In Hong Kong, the party is trying to crush pro-democracy sentiment following protests that began in 2019.

Advocates including tycoon Jimmy Lai, whose company publishes the pro-democracy Apple Daily tabloid, have been sentenced to prison.
By PTI

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan authorities on Wednesday decided to allow educational institutions to reopen from next week in districts with less than 5 per cent coronavirus positivity ratio.

The decision was taken at the meeting of the National Command and Operations Centre (NCOC), country's chief anti-corona body, chaired by Minister for Planning Asad Umar and attended by health officials from all provinces.

After a detailed review of the pandemic situation, it was decided to allow schools to reopen from May 24 in districts with less than 5 per cent positivity, while educational institutions in the rest of the country will reopen from June 7, according to a statement by NCOC.

All matric and intermediate exams will be held from June 20, while all professional and non-professional exams will take place on a case-to-case basis as recommended by the Ministry of Education.

The meeting also decided that outdoor restaurants will reopen from May 24 on a daily basis and be allowed to operate till 11:59 pm but takeaways will be allowed 24/7.

Similarly, the tourism sector will be allowed to operate under strict COVID-19 protocols from next week and outdoor marriage ceremonies with an upper limit of 150 individuals will be allowed from June 1.

However, shrines, cinemas, indoor dining, indoor gyms, amusement parks, contact sports, festivals, cultural and other events, and indoor/outdoor gatherings will remain banned till further notice.

Pakistan imposed a lockdown in the country during the Eid holidays from May 10-16 but allowed businesses to reopen from May 17 with strict SoPs.

The total number of fatalities in Pakistan reached 19,856 after 104 new deaths were reported in the last 24 hours.

A total of 41,771 tests were performed during the period, registering 3,256 new COVID-19 cases with a positivity rate of 7.8 per cent, according to the Ministry of National Health Services.

The total confirmed COVID-19 cases in the country has reached 886,184.

However, 799,951 people have recovered across the country.

Meanwhile, Minister Umar inaugurated a mass vaccination center in Islamabad with facilities to vaccinate 7,000 people per day.

Urging people to get registered for jabs, he said 46,00,000 people have been vaccinated so far and there have been no side effects of the vaccine in Pakistan.
By Associated Press

RAMALLAH, WEST BANK: Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas says Israel is carrying out organized state terrorism and war crimes in Gaza that are punishable under international law.

In a televised address Wednesday, he said the Palestinians will not hesitate to pursue those who commit such crimes in front of international courts.

Abbas is the head of the internationally backed Palestinian Authority, whose forces were driven from Gaza when the militant Hamas group seized power in 2007. The PA has limited autonomy in parts of the Israeli-occupied West Bank.

Earlier this year, the International Criminal Court launched an investigation into possible war crimes committed by Israel and Palestinian militants during the last Gaza war, in 2014. It has expressed concern about the latest round of fighting.

Abbas accused Israel of brutal attacks on civilians and deliberate bombardment of homes. Israel says it only strikes militant targets and makes every effort to avoid harming civilians, including by warning people ahead of some strikes.

Hamas and other militant groups have launched hundreds of rockets into Israel. The indiscriminate fire is widely seen as violating international law.
By PTI

UNITED NATIONS: India said on Wednesday that problems of terrorism and instability faced by Africa, like the rest of the world, are a reminder to the UN Security Council why epicentres of radicalisation must not be allowed to operate with impunity.

Addressing a UN Security Council open debate on 'Peace and Security in Africa: addressing root causes of conflict while promoting post-pandemic recovery in Africa' under China's Presidency of the 15-member Council, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said the initiative for an open debate on peace and security in Africa that addresses root causes of conflict while promoting post-pandemic recovery is a timely one.

"Like the rest of the world, Africa too faces problems of terrorism and instability. It is a reminder to this Council why epicentres of radicalisation must not be allowed to operate with impunity," Jaishankar said.

"India's support to Africa is expressed through our peacekeeping presence in South Sudan, Somalia, Abeyi, Western Sahara and Democratic Republic of Congo," Jaishankar said, adding that India endorses the call of the Secretary General for a mandate under Chapter VII to support African counter-terrorism operations with sustained financing, including through assessed contributions.

Jaishankar underlined the strong and deep solidarity between India and Africa, saying it reflects the bonding of the Global South.

While New Delhi's close collaboration is expressed through the India-Africa Forum Summit, in the G77 and the Non-Aligned Movement, Jaishankar said the close ties are more evident in the United Nations itself than elsewhere.

He termed as regretful Africa's exclusion from the permanent membership of the Security Council.

"It is a matter of continuing regret for us that the voice of Africa is not given its proper due in its most pivotal institution. Our support for the Common African Position, as stated in the Ezulwini Consensus and the Sirte Declaration, is sincere and unambiguous," he said, underlining the need for the issue of reformed multilateralism to be given utmost priority.

The African Union Committee of Ten Heads of State and Government (C-10) is a Committee setup by the African Union (AU) with mandate to advocate and canvass the African Common Position on UN Security Council reform.

The African Common Position, also known as Ezulwini Consensus and the Sirte Declaration, is named after a valley in Swaziland where the agreement was made by African Leaders in 2005, before it was adopted at an Extraordinary Session of the Executive Council of the African Union in Addis Ababa.

The Consensus underscores Africa's goal to be fully represented in all decision making organs of the UN particularly the Security Council.

It consists of the claim of two additional seats in the category of the non-permanent members and two seats in the category of permanent members with same rights, privileges and obligations accorded to the current permanent members of UNSC, including the right to veto, according to the African Parliamentary Alliance for UN Reforms website.
By AFP

PHNOM PENH: At least 11 Cambodian villagers have died after drinking toxic home-brewed rice wine, a health official said Wednesday, amid a government ban on alcohol sales imposed to fight coronavirus.

The victims drank the hooch at a funeral in their village on May 10, head of the health department in Kandal province told AFP.

Since then 11 people have died and another was rushed to a hospital in Phnom Penh in a critical condition on Wednesday morning, he said.

The victims were tested negative for Covid-19, but laboratory tests of the wine that the victims had been drinking found it contained high levels of methanol, said Kouy Bunthouen.

Unlike ethanol -- the usual form of alcohol found in drinks -- methanol is highly toxic, and can cause blindness even in very small doses.

Cambodia is one of Asia's poorest countries and health and safety standards are virtually non-existent outside of major cities.

Even when regular alcohol sales are permitted, homemade rice wine is popular in rural areas at wedding parties, village festivals and funerals, because it is cheap to make.
By AFP

LONDON: British Prime Minister Boris Johnson said Wednesday that Covid-19 vaccines are proving effective against a highly contagious variant from India as he was pressed on why the government is allowing travel from hotspots.

Johnson has been under particular pressure for delaying restrictions on travel to and from India last month, at a time when he was still planning to head to a trade-focused summit in New Delhi.

The trip was eventually called off as India succumbed to a devastating new wave of infections, and it was then quickly added to the UK's "red list", meaning arriving travellers have to quarantine in hotels at their own cost.

ALSO READ | Simple Covid life hacks: How to stop worrying and start living

But more than 100 flights have still arrived from India since then, and the variant has been spreading in parts of northwest England with large South Asian communities, potentially endangering plans to reopen the economy fully from June 20.

"We have increasing confidence that vaccinations are effective against all variants including the Indian variant," Johnson said in parliament.

"We have one of the strongest border regimes anywhere in the world," he added, after a day of confusion from ministers on Tuesday about whether travel is allowed to "amber" countries including most of Europe.

Travel to amber countries should only be undertaken for "any emergency or extreme reason" such as family illness, the prime minister said.

Health Secretary Matt Hancock meanwhile is under pressure to explain his claim that the growing prevalence of the Indian variant in Britain is due to a refusal by some people to get vaccinated.

Data has shown the rise of the variant is instead heavily linked to travel from India, raising more questions about the government's delay in adding the country to the red list when Pakistan and Bangladesh were already on it.


By Associated Press

BERLIN: German authorities searched more than 40 apartments and other buildings in Berlin on Wednesday in connection with the spread of child abuse images, after receiving tips from the U.S. authorities.

The German news agency dpa quoted Berlin's criminal police office as saying that 250 investigators were involved in raids against 42 suspects  all of them men between the ages of 17 and 84.

Two-thirds of the men were already known to police, half of them in connection with sexual offenses, senior investigator Norma Schuermann said. The raids were the result of several separate investigations rather than a concerted probe into a single network, she said.

Investigators confiscated computers, smartphones and other data storage devices.

Schuermann said the likelihood of people involved in distributing child abuse images getting caught "is getting higher and higher."

She said Berlin police worked together closely with authorities in the United States and that German authorities receive tens of thousands of notices regarding suspects in Germany from the U.S. National Center for Missing and Exploited Children.
By PTI

LONDON: Thousands of volunteers will receive a booster COVID-19 vaccine in a new clinical trial launching on Wednesday to study the impact of the third jab to protect against the deadly virus, UK Health Secretary Matt Hancock has announced.

The Cov-Boost study will trial seven vaccines to provide data on the impact of a third dose on patients' immune responses, as Britain confirmed 2,967 cases of the B1.617.2 variant first discovered in India  up from the 2,323 on Monday.

During a briefing from 10 Downing Street in London, Hancock reiterated UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson's earlier statement from the House of Commons that there is "increasing confidence" that the vaccines currently being administered are effective against the B1.617.2 variant, which has been found to be "more easily transmissible from person to person".

"Strong evidence shows the vaccines protect you and your loved ones from serious illness and they also reduce transmission, which is why we've introduced additional surge measures in the areas with rising cases of the variant first identified in India," said Hancock.

"Vaccines are turning the tide against this pandemic and I'm incredibly proud the UK has one of the highest uptake rates in the world, with 90 per cent of people saying that they have had or will have the jab," he said.

Relaying latest data, the health minister said that hospitalisations and deaths from COVID-19 remain "very low" but there was a need to proceed with "vigilance".

Health services across the UK have now administered a total of 57.8 million vaccines between December and May, including 36.9 million people with their first dose (70.2 per cent) and 20.8 million with both doses (39.6 per cent).

"The UK vaccination programme has been a phenomenal national effort, with seven in 10 UK adults now having had their first COVID-19 jab. It is vital that we continue to support the world-renowned British research sector that has contributed to its success," said Hancock.

"We will do everything we can to future-proof this country from pandemics and other threats to our health security, and the data from this world-first clinical trial will help shape the plans for our booster programme later this year.

I urge everyone who has had both doses of a COVID-19 vaccine, and is eligible, to sign up for this study and play a part in protecting the most vulnerable people in this country and around the world for months and years to come," he said.

The Cov-Boost study will be led by University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust and backed by 19.3 million pounds of government funding through the Vaccines Taskforce.

Dubbed a world-first, it is designed to give scientists from around the globe and the experts behind the UK's COVID-19 vaccination programme a better idea of the impact of a booster dose of each vaccine in protecting individuals from the virus.

The study will take place at 16 National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) supported sites across England, and also within Health and Care Research Wales and NHS Research Scotland sites.

It will include a total of 2,886 patients and participants are to begin being vaccinated from early June.

All participants will be monitored throughout the study for any side effects and will have bloods taken to measure their immune responses at days 28, 84, 308 and 365, with a small number having additional blood tests at other times.

All sites will have an electronic diary for all participants that will send alerts to the team in real time if needed and a 24-hour emergency phone to a doctor on the study, who can provide further clinical advice.

The initial findings, expected in September, will help inform decisions by the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) on plans for a booster programme from autumn this year, ensuring the country's most vulnerable are given the strongest possible protection over the winter period.
Help support your local hometown newspaper/website. Independent local news reporting matters. Please log in, or sign up for a new account and purchase a subscription, for as little as $3, so we can continue to provide independent local reporting on our communities.
We all know that Nikola Tesla was a misunderstood genius of his day. To sample a button: modern scientists have just found new uses for one of their inventions.

According to the journal Nature Communications this Monday, scientists studied one of his inventions of more than 100 years and have found modern uses for it.

According to a report by CNet , the so-called "Tesla valve", a device that the Croatian designed to pass fluid from one place to another without moving parts. It is a kind of conduit in which a main channel is interspersed with a series of teardrop-shaped diversion loops. The loops are oriented in such a way that fluids flow easily in one direction, but when reversed, the flow is almost completely blocked.

Simply put, Tesla's design is that with no moving parts like springs or gears, there is no wear in the conventional way.

Image: Nature Communications

"While Tesla is known as a wizard of electrical currents and electrical circuits, his lesser-known work in controlling fluid flows or currents was really ahead of its time," explained Leif Ristroph, associate professor at the Courant Institute of Sciences. New York University Mathematics, as reported by CNet .

Ristoph reported that by experimenting with replicas of the valve, patented in 1920, his team found that the valve's flow-blocking capabilities "kick in" creating turbulence and vortex eddies in the conduit at a certain flow rate.

The scientists explained that this valve could be used to harness vibrations in engines and machinery to pump fuel, coolant, lubricant, or other gases and liquids.

Ristroph summed up Nikola Tesla perfectly, Nature Communications notes: "It is remarkable that this 100-year-old invention is not yet fully understood and may be useful in modern technologies in ways that have yet to be considered."

Copyright 2021 Entrepreneur.com Inc., All rights reserved
BRIDGEWATER  A six-year dispute in town is expected to be resolved in two days, with one vote. At 6 p.m. May 20, residents will be able to cast their vote about the future of Bridgewater Grange Hall  a historic landmark in town.

The vote will take place at the annual town meeting, held outside at the Pratt Pavilion, 2 Sarah Sanford Road East. Voter verification begins at 5 p.m.

The vote pertains to the ongoing dispute between the town and a group called The Bridgewater Preservation Association over whether the Grange should be renovated or torn down.

First Selectman Curtis Read said the building is not salvageable, and he would like it taken down and turned into a community center.

The town was awarded a Connecticut Small Town Economic Assistance Program (STEAP) grant for $100,000 to demolish the Grange, excavate the oil contamination and develop detailed plans for a new building on the same site.

The only contingency is that the Connecticut Historic Commission and Attorney Generals office would have to allow this to happen, according to Read.

The state and BPA group are insisting on a simple Yes or No vote to sell the towns asset with appropriate conditions for $1. We presume a No vote would enable the town to control the future of our own property and release the states prohibition against demolition, said a press release sent out by the town.

Lisa Burns, secretary of the BPA, said if the town agrees to sell the building to the Bridgewater Preservation Association, the selectmen will negotiate the final terms.

So, its not a one and done, Burns said. We want to to work with the town on this.

She added the building has been used for about 120 years as the home of the Bridgewater Grange  and therefore, has a long history in the town.

Its a building where farmers met to discuss crop prices. It was a meeting house, it was a school house, and it served as the town hall, Burns said.

Were very excited to hear what the people have to say, she added.

sfox@milfordmirror.com
Free access for current print subscribers

As a home delivery subscriber, you get free unlimited digital access to news-daily.com including stories, photos, obituaries, e-edition and more on your computer, tablet or phone.

All you need is your print subscription account number and your last name.

Don't know your subscription number? Email access@news-daily.com with your delivery address.

Activate your account now.
popular

Just 1 Question | How much damage has pandemic done to your economy?
One of Editor & Publishers 10 That Do It Right 2021
Reporter

Mary Schenk is a reporter covering police, courts and breaking news at The News-Gazette. Her email is mschenk@news-gazette.com, and you can follow her on Twitter (@schenk).
Reporter

Debra Pressey is a reporter covering health care at The News-Gazette. Her email is dpressey@news-gazette.com, and you can follow her on Twitter (@DLPressey).
U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken, center, waves after disembarking from his airplane upon arrival at Copenhagen Airport in Copenhagen, Denmark, Sunday, May 16, 2021, on his first stop on a five-day European tour.
Since its emergence in Wuhan, China, in December 2019, severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), the causative agent of COVID-19 (coronavirus disease 2019), is rapidly spreading, with numerous variants being observed around the world. A high transmission rate would indicate an undergoing process of positive selection of variants, which might allow the virus to acquire some advantageous genetic traits. Emerging variants are likely to be more transmissible, more pathogenic, and more likely to escape natural immunity or vaccine immunity.

Therefore genomic surveillance of SARS-CoV-2 and its variants is essential. It provides insights into the mechanisms behind viral dissemination worldwide. The variants include N501Y, E484K, or L452R mutations on gene coding to the viral spike protein. The two new Indian variants recently identified are N440K and the E484Q and L452R mutations associated with impaired antibody response and immune reactions.

Researchers discovered the first N440K variant and the new E484Q and L452R Indian variants isolated in France in a recent study. They presented the genetic mutations in the isolated genomes and the phylogenetic tree, including these strains among different SARS-CoV-2 clades. This work is posted on the bioRxiv* preprint server.

"Real-time close monitoring variants could help the scientific community to prevent fast-spreading and raise alarms towards potentially harmful variants."

The two new variants with N440K and E484Q and L452R mutations are associated with impaired antibody response and immune reactions. These were first identified in India. Alphabio's medical laboratory in Marseille (France), in collaboration with the Agence Regionale de Sante PACA, Marseille, began a real-time genomic survey of the SARS-CoV-2 circulating variants based on high-throughput whole-genome sequencing from the first of March 2021.

The project aims to characterize specific clusters and identify new emerging variants responsible for increased infectivity and/or immune escape. In this study, the researchers described the characterization of the two immune escape variants for the first time.

They isolated the first N440K escape variant from a 36-year-old French woman and her 37-year-old husband on the 16th of March, 2021. Both had mild symptoms, including asthenia and cough, without comorbidity or severity factors and were recovering. They were not vaccinated against the COVID-19 virus, and they did not have any history of travel abroad.

The researchers isolated the second E484Q - L452R variant from a 37 year-old Indian man from Mumbai, who arrived in Marseille to embark on a ship as a crew member. On the 19th of March, 2021, upon developing mild symptoms including asthenia (physical weakness and lack of energy) and cough without comorbidity or severity factors, he was tested positive for the first time for SARS-CoV-2. He was immediately isolated in quarantine in a city hotel.

Analysis of the whole genome sequencing revealed that these belonged to the lineages B.1.1.420 and B.1.617.1 - these strains belong to the Clade 20B and 20A, respectively and are distant from other variants of concern.

The researchers emphasize that accurate and timely detection of new variants that may show greater infectivity or worse clinical symptoms, including immune escape, will be extremely important to prevent a worsening of the pandemia.

"In this study, the discovery of the first N440K variation isolated in France within infected subjects presenting no history of recent travelling highlights the importance of monitoring the impact of new viral variants," the researchers pointed the significance.

Notoriously the N440K mutation has been reported in India to be resistant to class 3 monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) C135 and REGN10987, in addition to have an enhanced binding affinity to the ACE2 (angiotensin-converting enzyme) receptor in humans. It may also have the potential for a higher transmission rate.

While it is not known yet whether the mutation affects the replicative fitness of the virus, the researchers warn that as a new emerging variant, its low prevalence could also be explained by the lack of sequencing in the infected population carrying this mutation. Thus leading to an underestimation of the spread of this variant, they hypothesized that the emergence of the N440K variant is the result of an intrahost evolution.

The latter case of the identification of the B.1.617.1 genome with the combination of the two RBD mutations 135 E484Q or L452R noted in this study raises the question of the lack of real control over the mobility of people from areas where variants of concern are circulating.

"Considering the immune escape conferred by the N440K, E484Q and L452R mutation, these new variants must be further surveyed."

Despite vaccines and mitigation measures, the COVID-19 pandemic continues, with more variants and more infections daily. If it is a variant accelerating the spread of the virus in human populations, necessary action needs to be taken rapidly to mitigate the epidemic. More coronavirus genomes need to be sequenced across the globe to identify the emergence of these mutations and other variants accurately.

*Important Notice

bioRxiv publishes preliminary scientific reports that are not peer-reviewed and, therefore, should not be regarded as conclusive, guide clinical practice/health-related behavior, or treated as established information.
Invasions by alien insect and animal species have much in common with outbreaks of infectious diseases and could tell us a great deal about how pandemics spread, according to a research paper published today.

Biological invasions, where animals, insects, plants and microorganisms are transported around the globe by humans, are becoming more common and have a global annual cost of at least 118billion.

An investigation by an international team of scientists, including the University of Leeds' School of Biology, says the emergence of human diseases share many of the same challenges as species invasions and that studying them together could provide solutions.

Integrated approaches that take into account the health of humans and that of animals, plants and the environment are urgently needed to prevent future pandemics and the spread of invasive species across the globe. Cross-fertilization between the two disciplines could improve prediction, prevention, treatment, and mitigation of invasive species and infectious disease outbreaks, including pandemics, such as COVID-19." Dr Alison M. Dunn, Study Co-Author and Professor, Ecology, School of Biology, University of Leeds

The paper, which is published today in the journal, BioScience, says the prevention of species invasion requires analysis of how it will arrive into a new region (primary spread) and how it spreads to the surrounding region (secondary spread).

But this dual pathway classification has seldom been used to look at emerging infectious organisms in humans - even though it is well known that factors such as behaviour, income, tourism and trade can influence transmission.

Invasive insects are the most frequent transmitters of organisms causing human diseases. The tiger mosquito has spread to all inhabited continents through trade and has been responsible for the spread of dengue fever, yellow fever, West Nile virus, and chikungunya.

Pathogens that cause these diseases go through the same stages as invasive species but can spread much more quickly, leading to pandemics, say the researchers.

Even the patterns of spread of re-emerging "native" diseases, such as Ebola in West Africa, share similarities to those of invasive species.

The paper concludes that biosecurity is key to preventing the spread of invasive species and of infectious diseases in humans and calls for medical scientists and ecologists to work together to learn more about both.

Professor Montserrat Vila, researcher at the Estacion Biologica de Donana and lead author of the study, said: "Pandemics such as COVID-19 and biological invasions have much in common. They are often linked by the same global change drivers, and they are showing similar features. This paper gives a detailed review of the parallels between scientific approaches to invasions and human epidemics.

"Given increasing rates of emerging infectious pathogens and biological invasions worldwide and the ongoing global health crisis caused by coronavirus, the need for integrative and interdisciplinary approaches to biosecurity has never been greater."
According to the World Health Organization, cervical cancer is the fourth most common form of cancer affecting women worldwide, and those in developing countries face a higher risk of dying from it. If detected early, cervical cancer responds well to treatment, however not everyone receives cancer screenings.

A team of researchers, including those from Penn State College of Medicine, took a closer look at cervical cancer in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) to determine the prevalence and key factors that influence cancer screenings. The group found that despite high mortality rates, cancer screenings are substantially low, and there are multiple reasons why.

In a new study, published in Cancer Epidemiology, the researchers reviewed demographic and health surveys from nearly 30,000 women, ages 21 to 49, living in the Ivory Coast, Benin, Kenya, Namibia and Zimbabwe. According to the findings, 19% of women underwent cervical cancer screenings from 2011 to 2018. However, the rates varied greatly by country, ranging from less than 1% in Benin to nearly 46% in Namibia.

To the best of our knowledge, this is one of the few comprehensive studies, and perhaps the largest to date, to examine the prevalence and determinants of cervical cancer across multiple SSA countries. The low prevalence of cervical-cancer screening among childbearing-aged women is concerning and suggests that there is a large group of women who remain unscreened with an increased risk of cervical cancer." Djibril Ba, Study Lead Author and Epidemiology Doctoral Student, Penn State

According to the researchers, there were several key determinants to accessing cancer screenings in SSA. Women who visited health care facilities within the past year were more likely to undergo procedures. The researchers found that older women and individuals with health insurance, higher socioeconomic status and a higher level of education were more likely to have cancer screenings. They suggest that increasing screenings across the region may be beneficial and lifesaving.

"Interventions aimed at increasing cancer screenings are needed in countries that traditionally prioritize infectious conditions over chronic conditions," said Edeanya Agbese, coauthor and research project manager from the Department of Public Health Sciences. "The resulting variation of screening presented in this study, coupled with the increased cancer burden in SSA, highlights the importance of such interventions, which can lead to early treatment options."
Residents of central Pennsylvania had the information they needed to slow the spread of COVID-19 early on in the pandemic, but were overwhelmed with worries about mixed messages and distrust of some sources, according to Penn State College of Medicine researchers. The researchers said the results from a late March 2020 survey may be useful for refining health messaging approaches during COVID-19 resurgences and in planning for future pandemics.

Dr. Robert Lennon, associate professor of family and community medicine at the College of Medicine and adjunct faculty at Penn State Law, and Dr. Lauren Van Scoy, professor of medicine, humanities and public health sciences, studied survey responses collected early in the COVID-19 pandemic from nearly 6,000 people living in central Pennsylvania. Their goal was to determine if people had adequate knowledge about the coronavirus, where they received their information from, their willingness to comply with public health recommendations and their level of trust in information sources.

Effective communication is essential for successful pandemic management," Lennon said. "Failure to ensure key messages are received and trusted may result in overuse of health services, spread of fear and misconceptions and failure by the public to comply with public health recommendations." Dr. Robert Lennon, Associate Professor of Family and Community Medicine, College of Medicine and Adjunct Faculty at Penn State Law

The researchers developed a survey to assess participants' basic knowledge of COVID-19  including measures to slow its spread  from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). In addition to answering knowledge questions and providing demographic information, participants provided written responses to three questions on what may have prevented them from following CDC recommendations, what worried them most about the pandemic and how they felt about how information regarding COVID-19 had been delivered to them. A total of 5,948 participants completed the survey between March 25 and 31, 2020.

The team found that four out of five respondents were likely to have adequate knowledge about COVID-19 and that people with a bachelor's degree level of education had higher odds of responding to questions correctly. Their results were published in Annals of Family Medicine on May 13. Despite most people having sufficient information, the researchers said many respondents felt they lacked a proper understanding of managing symptoms of COVID-19.

"Early in the pandemic, there was a real fear of the unknown and focus on severe cases," Lennon said. "But the knowledge most people needed, aside from prevention measures, was how and when to get tested for COVID-19 and how to manage their symptoms if they tested positive and were symptomatic."

Approximately 43% of respondents indicated government websites were their most trusted source of information, followed by 27% who said that news media was their most trusted source. Van Scoy said that although people seemed to have sufficient knowledge of COVID-19 early in the pandemic, there was a mistrust of messages from certain sources and concern about mixed messages.

"We found that some people had negative feelings about how the pandemic was portrayed in the news," Van Scoy said. "Others were concerned that people had politicized the pandemic response and expressed a distrust of information provided by the executive branch of the government."

In their open-ended responses, participants expressed three key worries as the pandemic began to unfold: fears that they or a family member would contract COVID-19; public health concerns like asymptomatic spread of the virus and community members not practicing social distancing; and worries about economic and social disruptions. Many participants also reported feeling a sense of information overload.

The researchers said one limit to their study was a lack of responses from racial and ethnic minorities. Survey data showed there were possible knowledge disparities in these groups, but they said that further research is needed. According to Lennon, consistent messaging from trusted sources that can reach all audiences will be needed to address COVID-19 resurgences and future pandemics.

"Panic and pandemic fatigue are real problems, especially when it comes to health communication," Lennon said. "An important question to ask is, when the time comes for key information to be communicated, will people be able to hear the messages public health officials and government leaders try to send amidst so many competing and conflicting messages?"

Erin Miller, Bethany Snyder, Emily Wasserman, Vernon Chinchilli, Aleksandra Zgierska, David Rabago, Courtney Lennon, Daniella Lipnick, Olubukola Toyobo and Mack Ruffin of Penn State College of Medicine also contributed to this research.

This research was supported by Penn State Huck Institutes of the Life Sciences, Penn State Social Science Research Institute and the Department of Family and Community Medicine at Penn State College of Medicine. Family and Community Medicine faculty were involved in study design and manuscript production. The researchers disclose no other conflicts of interest.

The REDCap database used in this project was funded by Penn State Clinical and Translational Science Institute through the National Centers for Advancing Translational Science (Grant number UL1 TR002014).
Exposure to a chemical found in the weed killer Roundup and other glyphosate-based herbicides is significantly associated with preterm births, according to a new University of Michigan study.

The study, published in Environmental Health Perspectives, found that the presence of the chemical in women's urine in late pregnancy was linked to an increased risk for premature birth, while the association was inconsistent or null earlier in the pregnancy.

Since most people are exposed to some level of glyphosate and may not even know it, if our results reflect true associations, then the public health implications could be enormous." John Meeker, Study Senior Author and Professor of Environmental Health Sciences and Senior Associate Dean, School of Public Health, University of Michigan

First author Monica Silver conducted the study while a postdoctoral fellow at the School of Public Health.

"It is well understood that infants who are born preterm have an increased risk for adverse long-term health effects, and the results of this study indicate the need for further investigation," she said.

Meeker said a couple of years ago he and his collaborators were driving near the northern coast of Puerto Rico, visiting local clinics and research collaborators when he noticed a sign advertising a commonly used herbicide on a corner, the lush greenery of the tropical island as a backdrop.

"I'm like, I'm wondering if we can measure its main chemical, glyphosate, in our participants. Maybe that's high here," Meeker said.

Twelve years ago, Meeker and collaborators established the PROTECT pregnancy and birth cohort to look into what environmental factors predicted preterm birth in Puerto Rico, which had been rising in the island for the last couple of decades.

Over time, the interdisciplinary, collaborative team-;including dozens of collaborators in five clinics and two hospitals throughout the island-;have studied a broad range of environmental factors, including maternal stress, chemicals, metals, etc. Funding for the PROTECT study is provided by the Superfund Research Program from the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences.

After seeing the road sign, Meeker and his team searched the scientific literature and realized that while glyphosate is the most heavily used herbicide in the world and that there's mounting evidence of its negative effects on human health, very few studies focused on prenatal exposure and its impact on human reproductive and developmental outcomes.

The researchers decided to measure glyphosate and aminomethylphosphonic acid (AMPA)-;one of the primary degradation products of the herbicide-;by testing urine, since the chemicals are not metabolized by mammals. They tested the urine of 247 pregnant women at the first and third study visit of their pregnancy, at 16-20 weeks and 24-28 weeks.

Looking at preterm births (babies born at less than 37 weeks of pregnancy) and comparing them to controls, the research team found that the odds of preterm birth were significantly elevated among women with higher urinary concentrations of glyphosate and AMPA at the third visit, while associations with levels at the first visit were largely null or inconsistent.

The researchers say that AMPA is formed not only from the degradation of glyphosate, but from other common industrial chemicals as well. AMPA is also highly persistent and can take months to break down in the environment.

"Despite the potential for widespread exposure to glyphosate and AMPA, there is very little information regarding the health effects of exposure during pregnancy," Silver said. "Ours is the first study to measure AMPA, and only the second to measure glyphosate in relation to birth outcomes."

Meeker said that another small study from Indiana recently reported that higher exposures to glyphosate were correlated with reduced gestation age at birth.

"Our results are consistent with those findings when explored in a different study population and using a different study design, which lends some additional confidence to what we're observing, but more work is needed," he said.
Autism spectrum disorder is a neurodevelopmental condition involving impaired social abilities, and this makes it a fascinating subject for neuroscientists like Prof. Teiichi Furuichi of the Tokyo University of Science who study the neuroscience of social behavior.

Prof. Furuichi and his colleagues have previously worked on developing mouse models of autism to unravel the condition's neurochemical mechanisms, and in a paper recently published in the prestigious Journal of Neuroscience, they provide evidence that a genetic mutation associated with autism can impair the release of a peptide called oxytocin that plays an important role in regulating social behavior. This finding promises to broaden our understanding of the neurobiology of social behavior.

The gene that Prof. Furuichi's team chose to study is Caps2, which encodes a protein called Ca2+-dependent activator protein for secretion 2 (CAPS2) that regulates the release of brain chemicals (or "neurotransmitters"). Previous studies have shown that CAPS2 deficiencies in mice cause behavioral impairments such as reduced sociality, increased anxiety, and disrupted circadian rhythms. Furthermore, a study of Japanese patients with autism spectrum disorder revealed that some of them had Caps2 mutations that adversely affect the CAPS2 protein's functions.

Prof. Furuichi and his colleagues had previously discovered that the CAPS2 protein is expressed in neurons in the hypothalamus and pituitary gland that release the neuropeptide oxytocin. This information formed the basis of their recent study.

As Prof. Furuichi explains:

We hypothesized that CAPS2 deficiencies in mice should alter oxytocin release, which should in turn result in impaired social behavior."

To test this hypothesis, researchers Shuhei Fujima, Graduate Student at Tokyo University of Science; Yoshitake Sano, Junior Associate Professor at Tokyo University of Science; Yo Shinoda, Associate Professor at Tokyo University of Pharmacy and Life Sciences; Tetsushi Sadakata, Associate Professor in Gunma University; Manabu Abe, Associate Professor at Niigata University; and Kenji Sakimura, a Fellow of Niigata University, among others, led by Prof. Furuichi conducted a series of experiments involving mice that carried genetic alterations that prevented them from expressing the CAPS2 protein.

These mice had lower-than-normal oxytocin levels in their blood but higher-than-normal oxytocin levels in the hypothalamus and pituitary gland. The researchers interpreted this finding as evidence that CAPS2 deficiencies impede the normal release of oxytocin from these brain regions into the bloodstream.

Unsurprisingly, the reduced bloodstream levels of oxytocin had clear behavioral effects. When placed inside a rectangular box, the oxytocin neuron-specific CAPS2-deficient mice were unwilling to spend much time in the center of the box, and the researchers interpreted this as evidence of increased anxiety about the risk of a predator attacking them.

The CAPS2-deficient mice also exhibited diminished willingness to engage in social interactions when introduced to unfamiliar mice. Interestingly, spraying an oxytocin solution into the noses of the CAPS2-deficient mice acted to restore their willingness to socially interact with unfamiliar mice.

Based on these findings, Prof. Furuichi and his colleagues conclude that the CAPS2 protein plays a critical role in facilitating the release of peripheral oxytocin into the bloodstream. They similarly suggest that CAPS2 is also involved in the release of central oxytocin into the brain regions relating to the control of sociality. Given the key role that oxytocin plays in regulating social behaviors, this could help to explain how mutations in the Caps2 gene could lead to atypical patterns of social behavior in persons with autism spectrum disorder.

When asked about the social significance of his team's work, Prof. Furuichi remarks, "We believe that this research, although basic, is an important achievement that will contribute to the development of tools for the early molecular diagnosis and effective treatment of autism spectrum disorder."

Given the relatively high prevalence of autism and how extremely disabling severe cases can be, the development of effective treatments would have major benefits for people with autism and the society as a whole.
In a new study posted to the bioRxiv* preprint server, researchers from the United States report that two iminosugar glucosidase inhibitors have the ability to suppress the replication of the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) in tissue culture  at concentrations of at least 100 times lower than required for cytotoxic effects.

As the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic marches on, new antiviral agents effective against SARS-CoV-2 are urgently needed, despite a growing availability of vaccines. Remdesivir is still the only drug fully licensed for the treatment of affected individuals, but its effectiveness is controversial.

Iminosugar glucosidase inhibitors have their role in various viral diseases (e.g., hepatitis B and Ebola), as they prevent the folding process of a range of viral N-linked glycoprotein. Furthermore, they are competitive inhibitors of the host endoplasmic reticular (ER) glucosidases.

Since SARS-CoV-2 (but also the original SARS-CoV) utilize the angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) receptor, and both harbor highly N-glycosylated and essential spike polypeptides, a valid hypothesis is that SARS-CoV-2 would also be sensitive to ER glucosidase inhibition. In addition, they may potentiate anti-SARS-CoV-2 activity of direct antivirals, such as remdesivir.

Consequently, a research group from the University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Baruch S. Blumberg Institute and University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston decided to explore validity to these assumptions by two iminosugar glucosidase inhibitors  NBDNJ (Miglustat/Zavesca) and ureido-N-hexyl deoxynojirimycin (BSBI-19029).

Methodological approach

In order to assess the ability of the aforementioned iminosugars NBDNJ and BSBI 19029 to successfully halt SARS-CoV-2 replication in tissue culture, researchers utilized NBDNJ obtained commercially, while BSBI-19029 was synthesized from tert-butyl-dimethyl-silyl protected bromohexyl-alcohol.

For antiviral analysis, human alveolar basal epithelial carcinoma cells (i.e., A549ACE2 cells) and both wild type SARS-CoV-2 and a stable mNeonGreen SARS-CoV-2 (icSARS-CoV-2-mNG) were used. The SARS-CoV-2 activity has been observed by direct imaging method with a Perkin Elmer EnVision multimode plate reader.

Moreover, since remdesivir is already in pervasive use for managing COVID-19, the researchers also wanted to determine whether combinations of NBDNJ or BSBI 19029 with remdesivir are also effective in tackling this infection.

Combinations of NBDNJ and Remdesivir to suppress SARS-CoV-2. Human lung (carcinoma) A549ACE2 cells were infected with SARS-CoV-2 (USA-WA1/2020 strain) in the absence and presence of vary concentrations of drugs, and after 48 hours, stained with anti nucleocapsid antibody and images (20X) read in the blue filter to detect DAPI stain

Eliminating the SARS-CoV-2 signal

In this study, 5 micromoles of remdesivir almost entirely suppressed the detectable SARS-CoV-2 signal. However, an encouraging finding was that NBDNJ and BSBI 19029 also displayed substantial antiviral activity, repressing most of the SARS-CoV-2 signal at 1000 micromoles and 5 micromoles, respectively.

In addition, remdesivir repressed icSARS-CoV-2-mNG in a dose-responsive manner, with a half-maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50) estimated to be approximately 2 nanomoles in this assay. Both NBDNJ and BSBI 19029 also repressed icSARS-CoV-2-mNG in a dose-responsive, non-cytotoxic manner.

The important finding was that the combination of NBDNJ or BSBI 19029 in certain micromolar doses with remdesivir almost completely eliminated the SARS-CoV-2 signal, without any evidence of antagonism between these drugs. Actually, it was quite the opposite  both compounds seem to potentiate the anti-SARS-CoV-2 activity of remdesivir.

New players in town?

Even though the exact concentrations of drugs used in this study may not directly correspond to concentrations that are needed in vivo, the results presented are rather promising. Also, taking into account the iminosugars mechanism of action, it was not surprising that iminosugars potentiated the antiviral activity of remdesivir, albeit the exact dosage still needs to be elucidated.

Since NBDNJ is already a drug approved for human use, it is possible that evaluation of its value in managing SARS-CoV-2 could be explored in people fairly rapidly, say study authors in this bioRxiv paper. That it does not antagonize and may even potentiate remdesivir, which has been shown to be effective, but of limited therapeutic value, is particularly exciting, they add.

In any case, more research endeavors on the topic are warranted, especially considering the potential of the aforementioned compounds to cause gastrointestinal distress when applied in higher doses and for protracted periods of time. However, the results presented here offer a ray of promise in broadening our therapeutic armamentarium against COVID-19.

*Important Notice

bioRxiv publishes preliminary scientific reports that are not peer-reviewed and, therefore, should not be regarded as conclusive, guide clinical practice/health-related behavior, or treated as established information.
Despite the unprecedented impact of COVID-19 throughout the world, the approval of mRNA vaccines against severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has offered new hope in countries worst affected. Studies have shown over 90% immunogenicity and efficacy rates for mRNA vaccines in the immunocompetent population globally. However, the response of patients who have immune-mediated inflammatory diseases (IMIDs) and are on immunomodulatory medications is not clear. Patients with IMID are said to have attenuated immune responses to seasonal flu vaccination.

Investigating the cellular and humoral immune responses of patients with IMIDs on immunomodulatory medicines to mRNA vaccines

Researchers from Germany and the USA recently investigated the cellular and humoral immune responses of patients with IMIDs on immunomodulatory treatment to mRNA COVID-19 vaccines. The research is published on the medRxiv* preprint server.

As part of the study, 51 patients with IMID at NYU Langone Health receiving the BNT162b2 mRNA vaccine were evaluated at baseline and after the second dose of the vaccine. About 26 healthy individuals acted as controls. The researchers analyzed Immunoglobulin G (IgG) antibody responses to the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein. Cellular immune response to the virus was further analyzed using high-parameter spectral flow cytometry. A second independent cohort of 31 patients with IMID and 182 controls from Erlangen, Germany, were also assessed for humoral immune responses.

Anti-SARS-CoV-2 IgG levels in cohorts from New York City (A) and Erlangen (B) in healthy participants without immune-mediated inflammatory diseases (IMID; blue), IMID patients not receiving methotrexate (MTX; green), and IMID patients treated with MTX (yellow). Solid lines represent mean titer of each group. For the New York City cohort (A), adequate response is defined as greater than 5000 units and for the Erlangen cohort (B), adequate response is defined as greater than 5.7 (OD450nm), two standard deviations of the mean of controls. Percentages and group comparisons using chi squared test of independence reflect proportion of those achieving an adequate response within each group. * indicates p value less than .05. **indicated p value less than .001.

Results show reduced immunogenicity to BNT162b2 vaccination in IMID patients on methotrexate

The results showed that individuals with IMID on methotrexate showed up to a 62% reduced rate of immunogenicity to the BNT162b2 vaccination. Those who were on anti-cytokine or non-methotrexate oral medications showed similar immunogenicity levels compared to healthy controls who had over an immunogenicity rate of over 90%.

Similarly, the BNT162b2 vaccination did not induce an activated CD8+ T cell response in patients with IMID on methotrexate, unlike patients with IMID who were not receiving methotrexate and healthy controls.

In two geographically independent cohorts of IMID patients, we found that methotrexate, a widely used immunomodulator for the treatment of several IMIDs, adversely affected humoral and cellular immunogenicity to COVID-19 mRNA vaccines.

Patients with IMID on methotrexate may need different strategies to improve immunization efficacy

This study looked at the humoral and cellular immune responses to 2 doses of the BNT162b2 mRNA vaccine for COVID-19 in patients with IMID on immunomodulators and compared them with healthy controls. The findings showed that in 2 geographically independent cohorts of IMID patients, methotrexate - a widely used immunomodulator in the treatment of IMIDs - adversely impacted humoral as well as cellular immune responses of the patients to COVID-19 mRNA vaccines.

Although the exact level of immunogenicity that correlates with the efficacy of vaccines is yet to be established, these findings indicate that different strategies may need to be implemented in patients with IMID on methotrexate to improve their immunization efficacy against the SARS-CoV-2 virus.

The authors also recognize that the definition of adequate humoral and cellular immune response may need to be modified in the future when correlation with efficacy becomes evident. However, even after adjusting for these shortcomings, the negative effects of methotrexate on immunogenicity were still clear.

Strategies such as dose modification of methotrexate, temporary discontinuation of methotrexate, or additional vaccine doses need to be tested in patients with IMID for boosting immunogenicity of COVID-19 vaccines. Further studies are needed to explore the effectiveness of these alternative approaches on the immunogenicity of mRNA vaccine.

Taken together, our results suggest that the optimal protection of patients with IMID against COVID-19 will require further studies to determine whether additional doses of vaccine, dose modification of methotrexate, or even temporary discontinuation of this drug can boost immune response as has been demonstrated for other viral vaccines in this patient population.

*Important Notice

medRxiv publishes preliminary scientific reports that are not peer-reviewed and, therefore, should not be regarded as conclusive, guide clinical practice/health-related behavior, or treated as established information.
A new white paper, written by scientists at Liverpool ChiroChem (LCC), describes how the Asynt Illumin8 parallel photoreactor is being used to synthesise a range of new 2-Aryl N-Heterocycles.

Liverpool ChiroChem Logo



The discovery of a novel enantioselective synthetic pathway for reduction of pyridines to the corresponding chiral piperidines led to the formation of LCC in 2014. Since inception, LCC have enhanced their expertise enabling them to provide leading scientific organisations with access to chirally-pure compounds that play their part in small molecule drug discovery.

The white paper describes how using a combination of photoredox-mediated hydrogen atom transfer (HAT) and nickel catalysis - scientists were able to synthesise di- and tri-functionalised N-pyrrolidines of high interest to the drug discovery community.

Ross Goodyear, R&D chemist at Liverpool ChiroChem with the Illumin8 Parallel Photoreactor



Dr Shaun Smullen, a senior research chemist at LCC commented "Our initial photochemical reaction set-up using Kessil 40 W lamps was rather time consuming. The introduction of Asynts Illumin8 parallel photoreactor drastically improved our efficiency by allowing us to perform eight reactions simultaneously. The yields and selectivity of these reactions were comparable in both set-ups".

The Illumin8 parallel photoreactor is designed to be simple to set-up, flexible in operation and easy-to-use. It allows users to run up to eight photochemical reactions at a time in 6 mL borosilicate tubes. The unit mounts on a standard magnetic hotplate stirrer enabling powerful agitation and heating (up to 80 C). Easy to use connectors, on top of the Illumin8, allow for an inert atmosphere or vacuum to be applied to each reaction tube. Compact in size, the Illumin8 parallel photoreactor features a ring of eight high power UV (365 nm) or blue (450 nm) light emitting diodes (LEDs) with safety interlocks to ensure light tight photochemical reactions. With each LED positioned close to a corresponding reaction tube, Illumin8 efficiently delivers an even photon flux to each reaction enhancing the consistency of your photochemical reactions.

Illumin8 Parallel Photoreactor
In studying COVID-19 testing and positivity rates in West Virginia between March and September 2020, West Virginia University researchers found disparities among Black residents and residents experiencing food insecurity.

Specifically, the researchers found communities with a higher Black population had testing rates six times lower than the state average, which they argue could potentially obscure prevalence estimates. They also found that areas associated with food insecurity had higher levels of testing and a higher rate of positivity.

This could mean that public health officials are targeting predominately rural areas to keep tabs on how the pandemic will unfold in isolated communities within higher food insecurity." Brian Hendricks, Research Assistant Professor, School of Public Health's Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, West Virginia University

Hendricks said a unique element of this research is the Census-level data. While there are 55 counties in West Virginia, there are 484 Census tracts, which allowed the researchers to hone in on individual communities, almost on a scale of 1 to 100.

This allowed researchers to compare testing and positivity rates with demographic data such as income level, sex, race, etc. "This is community-level modeling," Hendricks said. "We're doing something at a very granular level. Most modeling is at a county-level or above."

Among tracts included in the spatial analysis, Hendricks and his team identified 14 Census tracts which had among the state's highest percent Black/African American populations and testing disparities (defined as one or less tests per 1,000 people), contained within the cities of Fairmont, Wheeling, Bluefield, Beckley, Huntington, Dunbar and Charleston.

These findings are in line with the study's overall findings of more testing occurring in higher food insecure locations with lower percent of the population identifying as Black/African American.

Hendricks said the team wanted to look at rurality and racial disparities, as adverse impacts of socio-economic and racial inequalities are oftentimes worsened in rural areas. Rural communities often have less access to healthcare, higher levels of food insecurity and poverty, and observe overall higher prevalence of pre-existing conditions, which can impact severity of COVID-19 infection.

The researchers incorporated a measure called the area deprivation index, which is essentially a scoring comprised of 17 socio-economic indicators, which indicates the extent which a community is vulnerable compared to other communities in the state. In addition to income, the measure controls for percent blue collar workers, household crowding, households with plumbing and transportation, and etc.

Before the vaccine was readily available, social distancing was the major defense against the virus.

"However, not all communities can socially distance equally," Hendricks said. "That was the motivating fire behind this paper -- where are these disparities?"

Recognizing this issue early in the pandemic, the West Virginia National Guard, the West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources, and local health departments began holding targeted testing events. A COVID-19 Advisory Commission on African American Disparities was also formed.

While rural Black/African Americans have historically utilized health care at lower rates than their white counterparts due to medical mistrust, access to care, and a myriad of other factors, the article concludes by stating further research is needed to determine the underlying barriers restricting coronavirus testing among Black communities, and to better understand the role food insecurity in isolated areas has on risk of COVID-19 infection.

"This paper is making traction, already informing what do we do next," Hendricks said. For example, a subsequent grant was awarded which focused on putting more testing in vulnerable communities.
Traditionally, an infection is thought to happen when microbes - bacteria, fungi, or viruses - enter and multiply in the body, and its severity is associated with how prevalent the microbes are in the body.

Now, an international research team led by Nanyang Technological University, Singapore (NTU Singapore) has proposed a new way of understanding infections. Their study of close to 400 respiratory samples from patients with bronchiectasis, a chronic lung condition, has shown that microbes in the body exist as a network, and that an infection's severity could be a result of interactions between these microbes.

Through statistical modelling of data from these respiratory samples, the scientists found that flare-ups of coughs and breathlessness (known as exacerbations) occurred more often when there were 'negative interactions' between communities of bacteria, viruses and fungi in the airways. A negative interaction occurs when the microbes compete rather than cooperate with one another.

These findings, published in one of the world's leading scientific journals Nature Medicine in April, bring the scientists one step closer to developing a new way of tackling infections, by targeting microbial interactions rather than the specific microbes.

Assistant Professor Sanjay Haresh Chotirmall from the NTU Lee Kong Chian School of Medicine, who led the study, said:

Our current understanding of infections is that they occur when harmful microbes enter our bodies. This model of understanding, however, fails to account for resident microbes or explain why some patients with infection respond to antibiotics to which the microbe is resistant in laboratory testing. We are therefore proposing that microbes exist as networks, where interactions happen and that the resistant antibiotic in this case targets another microbe with which the culprit is interacting. We therefore can potentially improve clinical outcomes by breaking such crosstalk. The findings of our study are the first steps in providing a more holistic view of how infections occur. While our study looked at patients with bronchiectasis, we believe this concept applies to all forms of infection - whether skin, lung, or a gastrointestinal infection. This way of looking at infections potentially changes our understanding of infection and may offer fresh ways of treating them."

Associate Professor John Abisheganaden, co-author of the study and Head of Department of Respiratory & Critical Care Medicine at Tan Tock Seng Hospital, said: "By applying an integrated and holistic method, this study provides a new and fresh approach to our understanding of respiratory infection. Applying this precision-medicine approach can help the managing physician better understand and choose the most appropriate antibiotic or other therapy to confer clinical benefit - in short, to guide us to the right treatment at the right time, and for the best outcome."

Microbial interactions and infection

For their study, the scientists looked at patients with bronchiectasis, a disease of high Asian prevalence, where airways dilate irreversibly and, where infection promotes progression. Targeting bacteria with antibiotics reduces bacterial load and accompanying inflammation, which in turn alleviates symptoms and improves clinical outcomes.

To investigate interactions between microbes in the airways of patients with bronchiectasis, the team collected respiratory (sputum) samples from 383 patients from Singapore, Malaysia, Italy, and Scotland, including samples before, during and after bronchiectasis flare-ups.

After analysing the genetic material from bacteria, fungi and viruses in the samples, the scientists assessed for possible microbial interactions and found that patients with frequent flare-ups had more negative interactions, where microbes compete rather than cooperate, and that the number of such negative interactions increased even further during a flare-up. While changes to interactions between microbes during flare-ups was detected, there was surprisingly minimal change to the type and quantity of microbes present during a flare-up, and even after antibiotics were administered.

New treatment possibilities

The scientists believe that these findings suggest that microbial interactions potentially drive frequent flare-ups in patients.

Using these findings, the scientists have developed an online tool

to help other researchers and physicians analyse microbial interactions in their own patient samples through the microbes' genetic sequences.

Asst Prof Chotirmall, who is also NTU Provost's Chair in Molecular Medicine, said: "We are proposing a fresh way to view infection, as networks rather than individual microbes. Targeting microbial interactions within an established network may promote more judicious antibiotic use and help curb rising antimicrobial resistance."

The team is currently exploring the use of probiotics to treat bronchiectasis by regulating microbiomes within the air passages.
With the controversy surrounding the dosing interval for the Oxford Astra-Zeneca vaccine against coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), a new preprint published on the pre-print server medRxiv* discusses the results of a study of antibody responses to the first and second dose of two currently available SARS-CoV-2 vaccines, Pfizer and Oxford.

These vaccines, also called BNT162b2 and ChAdOx1 nCoV-19, are built on a messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA) and a non-replicating adenovirus-vectored vaccine platform, respectively. Both are based on the spike protein of the virus, containing the receptor-binding domain (RBD), which is targeted by neutralizing antibodies.

Neutralizing antibodies are responsible for the inhibition of binding between the virus and the host cell receptor, the angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2). The detection of anti-nucleocapsid antibodies, raised against the most abundant and among the most immunogenic of the viral antigens, allows vaccine-induced seroconversion to be distinguished from antibodies elicited by natural infection.

COVID-19 Vaccine. Image Credit: M-Foto/Shutterstock.com

The reason for this study

Both vaccines were found to have high efficacy against the SARS-CoV-2, in terms of preventing both infections and symptomatic disease. Evidence is accumulating that they also prevent transmission to a significant extent. Data on immunogenicity has come in mostly from younger and healthier people who have received two doses of the vaccine, according to the manufacturers recommendations.

However, the UK first rolled out vaccines with two doses separated by 3-4 weeks. This interval was then extended to 8-12 weeks, to allow as many people as possible to receive at least one dose and the associated degree of immunity. However, the immune response to doses separated by 4-12 weeks remains an area relatively unknown, especially for the Pfizer vaccine.

Again, the immunogenicity of the vaccine among older people and those with comorbidities, such as diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and hypertension, as well as people from Black or Asian backgrounds, needs to be evaluated as these groups are at higher risk of disease and death from COVID-19.

The current study used data from a large community-based study, called Virus Watch, thus ensuring a wide range of subjects with different medical histories. Moreover, both vaccines were included, as well as different dosing intervals.

What were the findings?

The findings indicate that most vaccine recipients show seroconversion to the virus spike antigen by four weeks from the first dose of either vaccine, though earlier with the Pfizer vaccine. However, at four weeks, both show equivalent efficacy in terms of the proportion of seroconverted individuals in both groups (96%) and spike antibody titers at eight weeks.

The slightly lower seroconversion rates compared to the 97% and 99% rates reported at 14 or more days from one dose of the Oxford and Pfizer vaccines could be due to the heterogeneous nature of this cohort, including both those who are older and those with other illnesses.

The REACT2 study showed only 84% seroconversion after a single dose of the Pfizer vaccine, perhaps due to the use of a different assay. Modeling studies corroborate the findings of the current study.

At seven days after the second dose, both vaccines produced 99% seroconversion and high spike antibody levels, at 250 U/ml in most cases.

Lower seroconversion in some groups

Immunocompromised individuals show the lowest rates of seroconversion than others. Seroconversion occurred in 86% of the former vs 97% of the latter. Specifically, only a third of organ transplant recipients seroconverted, and a little over half of the radiotherapy recipients.

Over 83% of those on steroids or other immunosuppressants, including cancer chemotherapy and targeted therapy, were seropositive at 28 or more days from the first dose. Surprisingly, after two doses, most people were seropositive (95%-100%), though this dropped to 80% in those with blood cancers.

Lower antibody titers in some groups

The Pfizer vaccine elicited a median titer of 41 U/mL at 28 days as well as 42 days, compared to 30 and 35 U/mL with the Oxford vaccine at these time points. However, no difference could be observed at 56 days or beyond.

Along with diabetes and cardiovascular disease, suppressed immunity is also the most significant risk factor for lower spike antibody titers after the first dose.

Older adults (80 years) have lower antibody titers (26 U/mL) compared to 63 U/mL in those aged 18-34 years. This disparity has been suggested by earlier data. However, this does not have an obvious clinical impact in terms of the number of severe infections or death. This could be because even at baseline, older people are already at higher risk for poor outcomes.

Thus, the immunologic measurements indicating protective efficacy should be selected based on the actual outcome that is visualized, since some are more prone to age-dependent differences than others.

Females aged 65-79 years had a median titer of 43 U/mL vs 30 in males at 28 days or more from the first dose. Titers were also lower after one dose in those with other illnesses.

The decrease in vaccine efficacy in those with blood cancers, and, after one dose, in organ transplant recipients, indicates the need to look into further parameters of efficacy and immunogenicity for these groups. Such patients may need an earlier second dose, especially if spike antibodies really correspond to protection against infection.

Supporting data from earlier studies

UK data indicates that one dose of ChAdOx1 or BNT162b2 reduces the risk of infection by 64% and 78%, respectively, from the 21st day onwards. Reduced viral loads are also found from 12 days after one dose, which is thought to correspond to lower infectious potential.

Israeli data pushes back the onset of protection with the Pfizer vaccine to 14 days after the first dose, against both asymptomatic and symptomatic infection, at 52% and 66% protection from day 21 onwards. Significant protection, at 57%, is seen against symptomatic infection from 14 days onwards.

What are the implications?

Interestingly, the immunologic findings in the current study do not reflect real-life differences in vaccine efficacies between the two vaccines at 2-8 weeks.

Differences may be masked by the uncertainty in the available VE estimates, or it may be that, beyond a certain threshold that both vaccines achieve early on, S-antibody levels do not exactly correlate with protection.

This could be because T lymphocytes come into play even while the spike antibody responses to ChAdOx1 are lower than BNT162b2, and this is responsible for the observed comparable efficacies of both vaccines.

Similarly, the reduced activation of T helper lymphocytes could be partly responsible, at least, for the poor antibody response following vaccination of immunocompromised individuals. Thus, the best correlate of protection may be a combined measure of cellular as well as humoral immunity.

Work in this area will help better understand how vaccine-induced immunity occurs, and the immune phenomena underlying vaccine breakthroughs, using more detailed phenotypic assays of immune cells.

Observed disparities in antibody levels after the first dose by vaccine type, age, and comorbidities highlight the importance of ongoing non-pharmaceutical preventative measures such as social distancing, for partially vaccinated adults, particularly those who are older and more clinically vulnerable.

*Important Notice

medRxiv publishes preliminary scientific reports that are not peer-reviewed and, therefore, should not be regarded as conclusive, guide clinical practice/health-related behavior, or treated as established information.
Once dismissed as a conspiracy theory, the idea that the covid virus escaped from a Chinese lab is gaining high-profile attention. As it does, reputations of renowned scientists are at risk  and so is their personal safety.

t the center of the storm is Peter Daszak, whose EcoHealth Alliance has worked directly with Chinese coronavirus scientists for years. The scientist has been pilloried by Republicans and lost National Institutes of Health funding for his work. He gets floods of threats, including hate mail with suspicious powders. In a rare interview, he conceded that he can't disprove that the deadly covid-19 virus resulted from a lab leak at the Wuhan Institute of Virology  though he doesn't believe it.

"It's a good conspiracy theory," Daszak told KHN. "Foreigners designing a virus in a mysterious lab, a nefarious activity, and then the cloak of secrecy around China."

But to attack scientists "is not only shooting the messenger," he said. "It's shooting the people with the conduit to where the next pandemic could happen."

Yet what if the messengers were not only bearing bad news but also accidentally unleashed a virus that went on to kill more than 3 million people?

The generally accepted scientific hypothesis holds that the covid virus arose through natural mutations as it spread from bats to humans, possibly at one of China's numerous "wet markets," where caged animals are sold and slaughtered. An alternative explanation is that the virus somehow leaked from the Wuhan Institute, one of Daszak's scientific partners, possibly by way of an infected lab worker.

The lab leak hypothesis has picked up more adherents as time passes and scientists fail to detect a bat or other animal infected with a virus that has covid's signature genetics. By contrast, within a few months of the start of the 2003 SARS pandemic, scientists found the culprit coronavirus in animals sold in Chinese markets. But samples from 80,000 animals to date have failed to turn up a virus pointing to the origins of SARS-CoV-2  the virus that causes covid. The virus's ancestors originated in bats in southern China, 600 miles from Wuhan. But covid contains unusual mutations or sequences that made it ideal for infecting people, an issue explored in depth by journalist Nicholas Wade.

Scientists from the Wuhan Institute have collected thousands of coronavirus specimens from bats and registered them in databases closed to inspection. Could one of those viruses have escaped, perhaps after a "gain of function" experiment that rendered it more dangerous?

Daszak, who finds such theories specious, was the only American on a 10-member team that the World Health Organization sent to China this winter to investigate the origins of the virus. The group concluded its work without gaining access to databases at the Wuhan Institute, but dismissed the lab leak hypothesis as unlikely. WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, however, said the hypothesis "requires further investigation."

On Friday, 18 virus and immunology experts published a letter in the journal Science demanding a deeper dive. "Theories of accidental release from a lab and zoonotic spillover both remain viable," they said, adding that the Wuhan Institute should open its records. One of the signatories was a North Carolina virologist who has worked directly with the Wuhan Institute's top scientists.

That demand is "definitely not acceptable," responded Shi Zhengli, who directs the Center for Emerging Infectious Diseases at the Wuhan Institute. Who can provide evidence that does not exist? she told MIT Technology Review. Shi has said that thousands of attempts to hack its computer systems forced the institute to close its database.

Many leading virologists continue to believe that "zoonotic transmission"  from a bat or some other animal to a human  remains the most likely origin story. Yet the lack of evidence for that is troubling, 17 months after the emergence of covid, said Stanley Perlman, a University of Iowa virologist who was not among the Science letter signatories.

The fact that no bat or other animal has been found infected with anything resembling the covid virus, which suddenly swept through Wuhan at the end of 2019, "has put the lab leak hypothesis back on the table," although there is no evidence supporting that theory either, he said.

Alina Chan, a Broad Institute postdoctoral researcher who signed the Science letter, agrees that there is no "dispositive" evidence either way for covid's emergence. But a network of amateur sleuths have put together evidence, she said, that the Wuhan Institute has covid-like viruses in its collection that it has not deposited in global databases, as would be customary during a global pandemic. Chan and others are particularly curious about a bunch of SARS-like viruses that the institute collected from a cave in Yunnan province where guano miners suffered a deadly outbreak of respiratory disease in 2012.

"We don't have access to that data," Chan said. She and other scientists wonder why the covid virus was so ideally suited to human-to-human transmission from the onset without signs of an intermediate host or circulation in the human population before the Wuhan outbreak.

In a paper posted to a virology forum last week, Robert Garry of Tulane University, who doubts the lab leak hypothesis, brought forth a new fragment of "spillover" evidence: The WHO report shows that some of the first 168 cases of covid were linked to two or more animal markets in Wuhan, he said, with strains from different markets showing slight differences in their genetic sequence. "Maybe one animal was in a truck with a bunch of cages and then it spread it to another species and that's where the shift took place," Garry said.

Garry and other international scientists have worked with Shi and her lab for years. The evidence for Garry's supposition isn't airtight, he admitted, but it's more convincing than "contriving something where some of the world's leading virologists are covering up at the behest of the Chinese Communist Party," he said.

Shi has no greater defender in the United States than Daszak, whose EcoHealth Alliance was a wildlife protection organization when he joined it two decades ago. The group has since expanded its goals from protecting endangered animals to protecting humans endangered by the pathogens trafficked with those animals. The more than $50 million EcoHealth Alliance had received in U.S. funding since 2007 includes contracts and grants from two NIH institutes, the National Science Foundation and the U.S. Agency for International Development, as well as Pentagon funds to look for organisms that could be fashioned into bioterror weapons.

Daszak has co-authored at least 21 research papers on bat coronaviruses since 2005, finding hundreds of viruses capable of infecting people. He estimated that about 1 million people a year are infected with bat viruses  a number that's grown as humans encroach on bat habitats.

He recalled a 2019 visit to a cave filled with millions of bats. "Tourists were going in there in shorts, and we were in there in full PPE. They asked us, 'What are you doing?' and we told them, 'We're looking for viruses like SARS.'''

In April 2020, citing what he said was evidence of the virus's link to the Wuhan lab, President Donald Trump ordered the NIH to cancel a five-year, $3.7 million grant for EcoHealth Alliance's bat virus research. But about 70% of the group's annual $12 million budget continues to come from the U.S. government, Daszak said.

When the NIH grant was frozen, Daszak called the lab leak hypothesis "pure baloney," saying he was confident his Chinese scientific partners were not hiding anything. But he admits it is impossible to disprove.

"There are plenty of reasons to question China's openness and transparency on a whole range of issues including early reporting of the pandemic," he told KHN. "You can never definitively say that what China is telling us is correct."

Daszak said he thinks it more likely that China is covering up the role of the country's wildlife markets in covid's origin. Farming of these animals employs 14 million people, and the government has closed and reopened the markets since SARS. Following the covid outbreak, the Chinese authorities' investigation of Wuhan's animal markets, where the virus could have mutated after passage through different species, was incomplete, Daszak said.

"People don't realize how sensitive China is about this," he said. "It's plausible that they recognized there were cases coming out of a market and they shut it down."

A Controversy with roots

The scientific conflict over the lab hypothesis is partly rooted in a debate over gain-of-function experiments, work that in theory could lead to the creation and release of more infectious or deadly organisms. In such experiments, scientists in a lab can, for example, test a virus's ability to mutate by exposing it to different cell types or to mice genetically engineered with human immune system traits.

At least six of the 18 signatories of the Science letter are part of the Cambridge Working Group, whose members worry about the release of pathogens from the growing number of virus labs around the world.

In 2012, Dr. Anthony Fauci, who leads NIH's National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, came out in support of a moratorium on such research, posing a hypothetical scenario involving a poorly trained scientist in a poorly regulated lab: "In an unlikely but conceivable turn of events, what if that scientist becomes infected with the virus, which leads to an outbreak and ultimately triggers a pandemic?" Fauci wrote.

In 2017, the federal government lifted its pause on such experiments but has since required some be approved by a federal board.

In his questioning of Fauci in the Senate last week, Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.) cited a 2015 paper written by Shi, Ralph Baric of the University of North Carolina and others in which they fused a SARS-like virus with a novel bat virus spike protein and found that it sickened research mice. The experiment provided evidence of the perils that lurked in Chinese bat caves, but the authors also raised the question of whether such studies were "too risky to pursue."

.@RandPaul: "Dr. Fauci, do you still supportNIH funding of the lab in Wuhan?" Dr. Anthony Fauci: "Senator Paul, with all due respect, you are entirely and completely incorrect" Full video: https://t.co/ILTKlTSQdC pic.twitter.com/t0HxwsWXmm -; CSPAN (@cspan) May 11, 2021

Critics have jumped on this paper as evidence that Shi was conducting "gain of function" experiments that could have created a superbug, but Shi denies it. The research cited in the paper was conducted in North Carolina.

Using a similar technique, in 2017, Baric's lab showed that remdesivir  currently the only licensed drug for treating covid  could be useful in fighting coronavirus infections. Baric also helped test the Moderna covid vaccine and a leading new drug candidate against covid.

Research into covid-like viruses is vital, Baric said. "A terrible truth," he said, "is that millions of coronaviruses exist in animal reservoirs, like bats, and unfortunately many appear poised for rapid transmission between species."

Baric told KHN he does not believe covid resulted from gain-of-function research. But he signed the Science letter calling for a more thorough investigation of his Chinese colleagues' laboratory, he said in an email, because while he "personally believe[s] in the natural origin hypothesis," WHO should arrange for a rigorous, open investigation. It should review the biosafety level under which bat coronavirus research was conducted at the Wuhan Institute, obtaining detailed information on the training and safety procedures and efforts to monitor possible infections among lab personnel.

Fauci also told KHN, in an email, that "we at the NIH are very much in favor of a thorough investigation as to the origins of SARS-CoV-2."

Scaling the wall of secrecy

U.S.-China tensions will make it very difficult to conclude any such study, scientists on both sides of the issue suggest. With their anti-China rhetoric, Trump and his aides "could not have made it more difficult to get cooperation," said Dr. Gerald Keusch, associate director of the National Emerging Infectious Diseases Laboratory Institute at Boston University. If a disease had emerged from the U.S. and the Chinese blamed the Pentagon and demanded access to the data, "what would we say?" Keusch asked. "Would we throw out the red carpet, 'Come on over to Fort Detrick and the Rocky Mountain Lab?' We'd have done exactly what the Chinese did, which is say, 'Screw you!'"

Still, while China has shut off its laboratories to outside inquiry, that doesn't mean all investigative avenues are closed, Chan said. Many Chinese scientists were in contact with colleagues and journals outside the country as the pandemic emerged. Those communications may contain clues, Chan said, and someone should methodically interview the contacted individuals.

It's worth recalling that the only U.S. bioterror attack so far in the 21st century consisted of a U.S. bioterrorism researcher mailing anthrax spores to politicians and journalists. Hundreds of millions of dollars go into researching organisms around the world and there are risks of leaks, accidental or intentional, no matter how sophisticated the lab, Chan said.

But it would be unwise to limit support for global virus research, said Jonna Mazet, a University of California-Davis professor who led a USAID-funded program that trained scientists around the world to collect and research animal viruses. For her pains, she has received death threats and hacking attacks on her computers and home alarm system.

"If we don't do the work," she said, "we're just sitting ducks for the next one."
Count to three: one-one-thousand, two-one-thousand, three-one-thousand. Three seconds. This is how long it takes for another person to develop dementia somewhere in the world (Alzheimers Disease International (ADI), 2019).

Introduction

Image credit: istockphoto.com

Alzheimers disease (AD) is the third largest cause of death and disability for older people globally, behind cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases and cancers (Xiaoguang Du, Xinyi Wang and Meiyu Geng, 2018). There is currently no treatment to cure Alzheimer's disease or reverse the disease process in the brain although some therapeutics may partially alleviate some of the symptoms. Ultimately severe loss of brain function causes dehydration, malnutrition or infection and this will result in death. Estimates of the current number of people who suffer from the disease range from 35 million to 50 million (WHO, 2020; ADI, 2019), with 10 million new diagnoses expected every year (WHO, 2020). Of these, 58% live in low- and middle-income countries and by 2050 this will be 71% of the total. Eastern Asia and southern Asia will see dementia growth rates more than double in the coming 20 years, Latin America will see increases of 134% to 146% and North Africa and the Middle East can expect a 125% rise (ADI, 2019). The number of people living with dementia globally more than doubled from 1990 to 2016, mainly due to increases in population ageing and growth (GBD 2016 Dementia Collaborators, 2019).

15% of the US population who are over 60 years of age (5.3 million) were estimated to have prodromal AD in 2019, whilst a further 40% of this age group have preclinical AD (Cummings, Feldman and Scheltens, 2019). In the UK, 1 in 14 of those over 65 years of age (850 000) had a diagnosis of dementia in 2019. This has been forecast to almost double to circa 1.2 million people with a specific AD diagnosis by 2040 (Alzheimers Society, 2019). 8.8 million in EU-28 were diagnosed with AD across the EU-28 in 2019 (Alzheimer Europe, 2019).

These numbers may well underestimate the true prevalence of the disease as stigma associated with the disease has been associated with concealment of a diagnosis (ADI, 2019). Accurate estimation of the cost associated with managing AD is similarly difficult to do as many of the indirect costs (e.g. those relating to carer expenses and loss of productivity) are often not formally captured. Specifics aside, the AD-related costs are large. Cummings, et al (2019), for example, predicted costs of circa $259 bn in 2017 in the USA alone, rising to an anticipated excess of $1trn by 2050. The global cost is likely to be exponentially higher if the anticipated increase in incidence of AD in eastern Asia, Southern Asia, Latin America and North Africa and the Middle East are taken into account.

Know your adversary

Received wisdom holds that a solid understanding of ones adversary is necessary before they can be conquered. This is a lesson that everybody globally has had to face up to in some way over recent months in the COVID-19 pandemic. If a similar-sized healthcare and economic crisis centred around AD is to be averted in coming decades, it will be necessary to establish a better understanding of the complex and multifactorial pathways and systems-based interactions that combined to form the heterogenous state that is AD. Alzheimers disease is highly complex and poorly understood. Symptoms are defined as cognitive and functional impairment, which become more acute with disease progression.

A cursory glance at the outcomes of clinical trials and studies into AD since 1963 confirms that AD has continued to frustrate researchers best efforts to understand the disease and to develop an armoury of diagnostic and treatment tools despite extensive research efforts and targeted funding over the past decades.

The majority of these research efforts have honed in on molecular or biochemical aspects of amyloid-beta plaques, neurofibrillary tangles and cerebral atrophy however many individuals have such features, but never develop the disease. This research has included attempts to understand causal mechanisms and/ or formation processes of these plaques, tangles and/ or atrophy as well as development of pharmacological approaches that prevent formation of or removal of these plaques.

This line of inquiry has however not yet been successful. 99% of Phase 2-3 clinical trials into new therapeutics have failed and a failure rate of 100% has been reported for AD disease modifying therapies (Cummings, et al 2019). In contrast, little research attention has been paid to potential alternative mechanisms of action that might explain the disease in the context of the complexity of the multi-systems neural network.

The Antimicrobial Infection Hypothesis suggests one such alternative explantion. This hypothesis recognises the mutual impact of microbial infection and neuroinflammation on one another and postulates that pathogen interference together with an innate immune system response can be a significant contributor to the development of AD.

This white paper will highlight key hypotheses that have guided AD research and product development to date. The antimicrobial infection hypothesis will then be presented as a feasible explanation for some of AD heterogeneity that may provide a basis for a potentially more personalised intervention approach.

The Alzheimers Disease research journey to date

Image credit: istockphoto.com

Although the first clinical case study of AD was presented in 1906 and the term Alzheimers disease was coined in 1910, theories as to the cause and natural course of this disease only started to gain traction from 1963. Since then, theories revolving around the development and presence of extracellular amyloid-beta plaques and agglomerations of tau protein in brain tissue have taken the lions share of the global research attention in this field. Approved interventions for sporadic AD are limited to management of symptoms and only a handful of medications have received regulatory and marketing approval globally (ResearchAndMarkets, 2020). These medications include cholinesterase inhibitors (Donepezil, Rivastigmine and Galantamine), N- methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor antagonists (Memantine), an A A4 protein inhibitor (sodium oligomannate), or a combination of these (Memantine/Donepezil) (Xiaoguang Du, et al, 2018). A further 11 late stage pipeline products were proposed for launch in the coming months over the period 2020/ 2021 (ResearchAndMarkets, 2020). Disease modifying therapies are currently under development to target amyloid-beta levels in people with familial AD. These include fully human and humanised monoclonal antibodies (Aducanumab, Gantenerumab, Solanezumab). Their efficacy remains to be demonstrated.

The gaps

Much remains to be clarified and explained in our understanding of the underlying aetiology of AD. Whilst the initial hypothesising around the pathogenesis of AD was predicated on the back of strong genetic, biochemical and histopathological findings in the form of the amyloid-beta cascade- and tau hyperphosphorylation hypotheses (Fan, et al 2020), these outputs have not translated well into therapeutic interventions for the disease. Continued lack of clarity around causal factors, processes and end effects hampers design and development of drugs and other interventions that would allow patients to be more independent in everyday life, slow down the progression of the disease and, ideally, work towards a cure.

The vast majority of explanations to date for the aetiology and pathogenesis of AD have been based on the amyloid cascade- and tau hyperphosphorylation hypotheses (Fan, et al, 2020). Explanations for the disease have to date therefore been couched in biochemical concepts around gene expression, neurotransmitter functioning or pathways that contribute to the formation of amyloid plaques, neurofibrillary tangles and cerebral atrophy. Approximately 40% of clinical trials, for example, have focused on the amyloid and neurotransmitter hypotheses (Xiaoguang Du, et al, 2018).

Details of both established and emergent hypotheses that have been proposed to explain AD pathogenesis are summarised in Table 1 and Table 2, respectively. An overview of the theoretical stance taken across AD clinical trials up to 2019 is shown in Figure 1.

Table 1 Summary of established hypotheses for Alzheimers Disease pathogenesis

Hypothesis (originator) Essence of the hypothesis Contribution Limitations Cholinergic*, ** (Peter Davies and A.J.F. Maloney, 1976) Inhibition of acetylcholine degradation to improve cognitive functioning. First demonstration of centrality of cholinergic system failure as central in AD. Temporary symptomatic treatment only; Unable to slow disease progression. Amyloid*, ** (John Hardy and David Allsopp, 1991) A pathogenic mutation in the amyloid-beta precursor protein (APP) gene on chromosome 21 has been linked with deposition of amyloid-beta plaques and/ or aggregations of tau protein in the brains of some people with AD. A causal link is being questioned between amyloid aggregations and AD symptoms. Amyloid-beta is viewed as an inherently abnormal by-product that accumulates in the brain with age in this hypothesis. High concentrations of amyloid-beta are neurotoxic and cause dendritic and axonal atrophy in mature neurons and ultimately cell death. Current thinking suggests amyloid-beta should be treated purely as a pathological feature rather than from a mechanistic perspective. This hypothesis shifted the explanation of AD from being descriptive to mechanistic. Treatment frequently worsened cognition and induced side effects. Immunotherapy** Use of monoclonal antibodies to bind and/ or trigger clearing of soluble amyloid-beta. To be determined once this course of intervention has been approved and implemented. No approved mAbs yet for AD. Neurotransmitter modulation*, ** Modulation of neurotransmitters to improve cognitive function (e.g. acetylcholine, N-methyl-D-aspartate) to sustain the action of the neurotransmitter within the synaptic cleft. Acknowledges the critical role of acetylcholine and cholinergic neurons in the physiological processes of attention, learning, memory, stress response, wakefulness and sleep. Symptomatic treatment means that effects are short-lived; Side effects are often experienced, including impaired learning and memory as a result of synaptic dysfunction and induced hyperphosphorylation of tau protein as a result of oxidative damage to synaptic membranes. Tau propagation*, ** (Clavaguera, et al, 2009) Tau-containing neurofibrillary tangles are a pathological feature of AD. Hyperphosphorylated tau protein aggregations depolymerise microtubules and impact signal transmission within and between neurons. This potentially results in iron accumulation in neurons. Yet to be confirmed. Few agents in drugs targeting the tau protein have established proof-of-principle; Effectiveness of drugs in this hypothesis class not yet tested; Likely to face similar challenges to amyloid-beta drug trials. Mitochondrial cascade and related hypotheses*, ** (Swerdlow and Khan, 2004) - Mitochondrial dysfunction may impact the expression and processing of APP and the accumulation of amyloid-beta in Sporadic AD. Mitochondrial damage results in increased reactive oxygen species (ROS) production; -Epigenetic dysregulation; -Impaired mitophagy in AD May be a link between cholinergic hypothesis, amyloid hypothesis and tau propagation hypothesis. Reduced glucose metabolism is a result rather than a cause of amyloid-beta accumulation; No treatment strategy or approach is suggested by this hypothesis. Calcium homeostasis*, ** (Mattson, et al, 1992) Calcium levels in neurons can be elevated by amyloid-beta, making the neurons more vulnerable to environmental stimuli. Calcium homeostasis has been associated with learning and memory. Rating of the effectiveness of drugs based on this hypothesis (e.g. Memantine) as low. Neurovascular*, ** Disruption to the delivery of substrates and removal of waste results in brain dysfunction more generally and is associated with impaired microcirculation, hypoperfusion, hypoxia and neurovascular inflammation. This may play a role in the development of AD. Impacts of hyperlipidaemia and hyperglycaemia recognised on the progression of AD. May only partially explain how AD is caused. Inflammatory*, ** Inflammatory factors released by microglial cells result in inflammation. Higher activity in microglial cells of AD patients has been observed. Impacts of inflammatory responses of microglia and astrocytes recognised on development of AD. Further clarification of details of this hypothesis may be warranted before other anti-inflammatory AD drug development is embarked upon. Metal ion* Dyshomeostasis of biometals in the brain interferes with several brain functions. Increased or decreased levels of zinc, copper and iron have been highlighted in AD brains and the effect of aluminium needs to be clarified. Biometals may influence AD pathogenesis either directly or indirectly. Could have an effect on oxidative stress (Wang, Yin and Liu, 2020). Incomplete explanations are provided by this hypothesis (e.g. effect of aluminium on amyloid-beta burden needs to be clarified). Lymphatic system* Age-related impairments in vascular and peri-vascular removal of waste products through the CSF result in accumulation of amyloid-beta in the brain meninges. Cognisance is given to the importance of clearance of amyloid-beta in addition to reducing deposition. Further validation of potential mechanisms and pathways is necessary. Endocrine pathway and vagus nerve as part of the gut-microbiota-brain axis** Close functional links exist between the gut as the bodys largest endocrine organ, its microbiota and the vagus nerve as a peripheral end point of the central nervous system. Hormone secretion impacting on brain functioning (e.g. corticosterone and adrenal hormones) arises from the gut and facilitates intestinal-brain information exchange between neurotransmitters including dopamine and acetylcholine that are produced in the gut and transmitted through the vagus nerve to the central nervous system. This hypothesis holds potential for new insights to be generated that can be translated into therapeutic avenues for AD (e.g. stimulation of the vagus nerve to attenuate pathophysiological changes and modulate homeostasis. Further clarification is needed of the feasibility of a causal relationship between gut-microbiota-brain axis- related inflammation and amyloidosis. Harnessing of bacteria-derived metabolites** Utilisation of naturally occurring microbiome metabolites (e.g. short chain fatty acids) to modulate peripheral and central pathological processes (e.g. reducing inflammation, modulate signalling pathways, production of proinflammatory cytokines that are associated with deposition of amyloid-beta and pathogenesis of AD). This hypothesis could feasibly provide an alternative explanation for the inflammatory component that is found in AD as well as form the basis for development of a sustainable intervention for AD. High quality clinical trials have not yet been carried out to validate the theoretical basis for using microbiota-directed therapies to ameliorate symptoms of AD and to clarify causality in the relationship between GMB-related inflammation and amyloidosis.

* Liu, P., Xie, Y., Meng, X. and Kang, J.-S. (2019) ** Xiaoguang Du, et al 2018

Table 2 Emerging alternate explanatory theories for AD***

Gamma oscillations Activation of local excitatory circuits and fast-spiking inhibitory neurons by rhythmic fluctuation of brain waves appear to be associated with higher order cognitive functions including memory formation and selective attention. Potential to manipulate neural network oscillation disturbances presents an alternative approach from which to develop an intervention for AD. Investigations have not yet been translated from animal to human studies; It is not yet clear how gamma oscillations relate to initial deposition and/ or clearance of amyloid-beta in neurons. This hypothesis may relate to development of AD interventions rather than describe the initial pathogenesis of the disease. Prion transmission Amyloid-beta and tau protein appear to spread between brain regions with a similar pathogenic conformation to prion protein by cross-synaptic transmission. Recognition of the acknowledged effects of prion protein on neurodegeneration (e.g. Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease). Further studies are required before the concept in this hypothesis can be applied to development of a therapeutic for AD. Interaction between amyloid-beta and hippocampal ghrelin/GHSR1 signalling GHSR1 (Ghrelin receptor signalling contributes to learning and memory processes in the hippocampus. Early findings suggest it may contribute to neurogenesis by attenuating hippocampal pathology, has links with hippocampal metabolic processes and calcium signalling, may indirectly drive hippocampal damage and affect hypothalamic function. Hippocampal lesions appear early in AD. GHSR1 may therefore be a novel target for AD intervention. Further studies are required to characterise these GHSR1 signalling deficits more fully in the brains of people with AD; Does not prevent hippocampal lesions or functional cognitive losses (Tian, Wang, Wang, Guo and Du, 2019). Cerebral vasoconstriction Reduced cerebral blood flow and angiogenesis damage are proposed as the initial two changes in brain function in AD (Zhu et al, 2012). Capillary contraction along with significantly reduced grey blood flow promotes amyloid-beta production that in turn generates reactive oxygen species (ROS) and evokes pericyte contraction. This is a proposed novel mechanism of action to explain vasoconstriction processes in AD. As such it may provide a new avenue for intervention in AD. Early stage research needs expansion and validation before it can be taken into the clinic. Infection*, *** Amyloid-beta has been shown to be an antimicrobial peptide with the function of protecting the brain from microbial agents (e.g. HHV-6A, Porphyromonas gingivalis, Candida albicans) in healthy brains. APP mutation may result in a loss of this biological function and lead in turn to further infections and/ or a decreased innate immune function. This hypothesis introduces the possibility to explain AD pathogenesis beyond the biochemical and genetic perspectives that have been used to date. Experimentation in this hypothesis is as yet early stage and requires translation into in vivo and human trials.

*** Fan, et al (2020)

Figure 1 Distribution of proposed theories of AD aetiology in clinical trials prior to 2019*

Figure credit: Liu, P., Xie, Y., Meng, X. and Kang, J.-S. (2019) History and progress of hypotheses and clinical trials for Alzheimers disease, Signal Transduction and Targeted Therapy, 4(29), https://doi.org/10.1038/s41392-019-0063-8.

Antimicrobial Infection Hypothesis

The proposition

This relatively recent hypothesis takes the well-established AD feature of neuroinflammation as its starting point and aims to evaluate the proposition that AD-related changes are triggered by a microbial agent. Early findings in studies have suggested several immune-related genetic risk factors that could contribute to the inflammatory process and noted increased production of cytokines in AD (Shi, Sabbagh and Vellas, 2020). Microbial infections (e.g. HHV-6A human herpes virus infections, Porphyromonas gingivalis infections) have been linked to AD. Similarly, chronic inflammatory diseases (e.g. rheumatoid arthritis) have been associated with a combination of periodontal disease and higher incidences of AD (Fan et al, 2020).

Notwithstanding the possibility that neuroinflammation may be viewed as part of the aging process and may therefore occur independently or in the absence of an infectious agent (Moir, et al, 2018), the antimicrobial infection hypothesis deserves further research attention.

It calls into question the traditional one-size-fits-all approach which has been used to date to understand AD pathogenesis and treat the functional symptoms of the disease. Instead, this hypothesis offers potential for a more personalised approach to managing the disease, potentially guiding a range or combinations of different therapies such as anti-amyloid-beta interventions, anti-inflammatories and/ or anti-infectives as appropriate.

Research gaps to be addressed

Gaps that need to be filled in this existing research base include whether bacterial pathogens exert an initiation and causative effect on development of AD, description of the mechanisms by which local and remote microbial pathogens could potentially impact neurodegenerative processes in AD (e.g. whether innate immune-mediated inflammation plays a role in the propagation of neurodegeneration in AD) and identification of potential candidate therapeutics targeting the regulation and control of pathogen-associated networks and molecules in AD.

A novel programme of research

A UK-based international multidisciplinary consortium has taken up the challenge to address some of these gaps with a submission to the NIHs "Research on Current Topics in Alzheimer's Disease and Its Related Dementias research programme. The Biophys Ltd-led microbiome-based proposal was under NIH review at the time of this paper. If successful, this programme of work could open new avenues of exploration for AD with potential to explain discrepant single system findings from previous research. It holds potential to generate invaluable insights into causal relationships in AD, mechanisms of action and translation of these into foundations for interventions.

References

Alzheimer Europe (2019) Dementia in Europe Yearbook 2019, Luxembourg: Alzheimer Europe.

Alzheimers Disease International. 2019. World Alzheimer Report 2019: Attitudes to dementia. London: Alzheimers Disease International.

Alzheimers Society Annual Report (2019) https://www.alzheimers.org.uk/about-us/strategy-and-annual-reports/annual-reports.

Cummings, J., Feldman, H.H. and Scheltens, P. (2019) The rights of precision drug development for Alzheimers disease, BMC, 11: 76, https://alzres.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s13195-019-0529-5.

Fan, L., Mao, C., Hu, X., Zhang, S., Yang, Z., Hu, Z., Sun, H., Fan, Y., Dong, Y., Yang, J., Shi, C. and Xu, Y. (2020) New insights into the pathogenesis of Alzheimers Disease, Frontiers in Neurology, 10 (Article 1312), https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fneur.2019.01312/full.

GBD 2016 Dementia Collaborators (2019) Global, regional, and national burden of Alzheimer's disease and other dementias, 19902016: a systematic analysis for the Global Burden of Disease Study 2016 The Lancet Neurology, 18(1):88-106.

Jing Tian, Tienju Wang, Qi Wang, Lan Guo and Heng Du (2019) MK0677, a Ghrelin mimetic, improves neurogenesis but fails to prevent hippocampal lesions in a mouse model of Alzheimers disease pathology, Journal of Alzheimers disease, 72(2); 467-478, doi: 10.3233/JAD-190779, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7153492/.

Liu, P., Xie, Y., Meng, X. and Kang, J.-S. (2019) History and progress of hypotheses and clinical trials for Alzheimers disease, Signal Transduction and Targeted Therapy, 4(29), https://doi.org/10.1038/s41392-019-0063-8.

Moir, R.D., Lathe, R. and Tanzi, R.E. (2018) The antimicrobial protection hypothesis of Alzheimers disease, Alzheimers & Dementia, 14(12): 1602-1614.

Shi, J., Sabbagh, M.N. and Vellas, B. (2020) Alzheimers disease beyond amyloid: strategies for future therapeutic interventions, BMJ, 371, m3684 doi:10.1136/bmj.m3684.

Wang, L., Yin, Y.L., Liu, X.Z., Shen, P., Zheng, Y.G., Lan, X.R., Lu, C.B. and Wang, J.Z. (2020) Current understanding of metal ions in the pathogenesis of Alzheimers disease, Translational Neurodegeneration, 9(10), https://translationalneurodegeneration.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s40035-020-00189-z.

Wang, W., Zhao, F., Ma, X., Perry, G. and Zhu, X. (2020) Mitochondria dysfunction in the pathogenesis of Alzheimers disease: recent advances, Molecular Neurodegeneration 15(30), https://doi.org/10.1186/s13024-020-00376-6.

WHO (2020) https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/dementia#:~:text=Worldwide%2C%20around%2050%20million%20people,60%E2%80%9370%25%20of%20cases.

Xiaoguang Du, Xinyi Wang and Meiyu Geng (2018) Alzheimers disease hypothesis and related therapies, Translational Neurodegeneration, 7:2, DOI 10.1186/s40035-018-0107-y.

Zhu, X.H., Qiao, H., Du, F., Xiong, Q., Liu, X., Zhang, X., Ugurbil, K. and Chen, W.(2012) Quantitative imaging of energy expenditure in human brain, Neuroimage, 60:210717. doi: 10.1016/j.neuroimage.2012.02.013

About Biophys Ltd.

Biophys Ltd is a consultancy that works with medical device and biotechnology businesses to create solutions to technical, business management and leadership challenges. These solutions can include overseeing commercial progress, providing interim management to oversee periods of change, project management of research, infrastructural or business critical aspects, providing input into IP strategy and development, technical strategy development, contributing to and troubleshooting in product development, advising on biosafety and biosecurity and production of corporate and scientific communications to establish their brand.

The company was born in South Africa in 1996 as a contract research organisation to raise funds for and the profile of early career researchers. Initial expertise in food processing and aquaculture broadened into the life sciences sector with extensive work with enzyme-based diagnostics, natural product purification, small molecule drug development for therapeutics and involvement with product development, quality management, risk assessment and regulatory conformity for lateral flow diagnostics, chemical diagnostics, dry inhalers, transdermal drug delivery devices and injectable medical devices.

We know that market development is just as important as these technical research and development and have therefore assisted medical device and biotechnology companies to evaluate potential markets, position their brand in the UK life sciences arena and, where appropriate, to access available funding.

This information has been sourced, reviewed and adapted from materials provided by Biophys Ltd.

For more information on this source, please visit Biophys Ltd.
Pell City, AL (35125)

Today

Cloudy this morning with thunderstorms developing this afternoon. High 83F. Winds WSW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 70%..

Tonight

Variably cloudy with scattered thunderstorms. Low 69F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 50%.
Jeffersonville, IN (47130)

Today

Rain showers in the morning with thunderstorms developing for the afternoon. High near 85F. Winds WNW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 70%..

Tonight

Some clouds this evening will give way to mainly clear skies overnight. Low near 70F. Winds NW at 5 to 10 mph.
What's Included

With a Digital Only subscription, you'll receive unlimited access to our website and e-edition. Our digital products are available 24/7 and are accessible anywhere, anytime.

If you have any questions or need further assistance, please call our customer service team at 574-583-5121 or email cgrace@thehj.com.
(Newser)  If you're an Alexei Navalny fan and work for Moscow's subway system, make sure management or the Kremlin doesn't get wind of it. Per the CBC, dozens of workers with the "famously ornate" Moscow Metro, some who've been employed by the transit agency for years, were summoned over the past week before higher-ups and told to submit their resignations. This apparently took place because they or a relative had signed up on a website pushing to free the 44-year-old dissident, serving out a 2 1/2-year sentence in a penal colony on charges he says were trumped up by the Kremlin. Dozhd TV reached out and got confirmation from at least 33 now-former Metro workersthe Moscow Times reports it could more than 100that they'd been told by management to sign papers saying they were quitting and waiving their rights to termination benefits, per Radio Free Europe.

story continues below

If they didn't, they say they were told, they'd be fired for being insubordinate, which would look worse on their records. A rep for the subway workers' union tells the Times the ex-employeeswhich include train conductors, ticket agents, station attendants, and mechanics, among othersbelieve their firing is linked to a database leak that exposed hundreds of thousands of names of Navalny supporters. The union plans on challenging the firings with the Moscow Metro prosecutor's office and possibly via lawsuits. RFE notes the terminations are part of the Kremlin's more wide-ranging efforts to crush the pro-Navalny movement that opposes Russian President Vladimir Putin. Meanwhile, Navalny's lawyers say a court hearing on a request to label that movement "extremist," originally set for May 17, was delayed until June 9 after a Moscow prosecutor presented a slew of new evidence, per Reuters. The dissident's attorneys say they need more time to review the new materials. (Read more Alexei Navalny stories.)
(Newser)  Ten House Republicans, in defiance of coronavirus rules imposed in January, removed their masks in the chamber Tuesday. Three of themBrian Mast of Florida, Beth Van Duyne of Texas, and Mariannette Miller-Meeks of Iowawill be fined $500 for going maskless on the House floor, and face $2,500 fines if they break the rule again. The rest were issued a warning and will be fined if it happens again, USA Today reports. They are: Thomas Massie of Kentucky, Lauren Boebert of Colorado, Marjorie Taylor Greene of Georgia, Chip Roy of Texas, Bob Good of Virginia, Mary Miller of Illinois, and Louie Gohmert of Texas. The House Sergeant of Arms first asked Mast to put on a mask and he refused, followed by others.

story continues below

The White House changed its mask requirements after the CDC announced that vaccinated people need not wear masks indoors, but the House did not, and the GOP lawmakers appeared to be rebelling against that, Fox News reports. "Speaker Pelosi, in my opinion only wants it done where people can see you on TV," Mast said of the mask rule, a claim Massie echoed on Twitter. They say the mandate does not apply elsewhere in Congress, including the House gym. The maskless Republicans were apparently gleeful at their move, tweeting grinning selfies and the hashtag #FreeYourFace. Pelosi has indicated she has no plans to change the mask rule, pointing out that it's not clear whether every lawmaker is vaccinated. CNN could only confirm that 44.8% of Republicans are; Massie, for example, is not. (Read more House Republicans stories.)
(Newser)  Vanessa Bryant is going too far in her lawsuit against Los Angeles County over photos from the site of her late husband Kobe Bryant's helicopter crash, the county says in a new court filing. Bryant, in her pursuit of information about sheriff's deputies and fire department employees who allegedly shared gruesome photos from the site, is conducting a "scorched earth ... fishing expedition that is taking first responders away from their jobsand subjecting them to public harassment and threats," the filing says, per USA Today. Bryant had, last week, asked for more time to gather evidence in the case as new information had come to light, Reuters reports.

story continues below

She wants the trial pushed back to April, but in the new filing, the county notes that the defendants are "eager to have their day in Court and put an end to this" and argues that there is no basis for an extension of the discovery period. The filing argues that only government personnel and one friend saw the photos, and that they were never publicly disseminated. "Plaintiff has dedicated countless hours to meaningless discovery disputes and posting recklessly about the Defendants on social mediaall while taking the position that her 50 depositions cannot begin until she has every single document in the Countys possession," the filing says. "Plaintiff posted the Deputy Defendants names online, and they were subjected to harassment and threats." (Read more Vanessa Bryant stories.)
(Newser)  One half of the couple who brandished guns at racial injustice protesters outside their St. Louis mansion last year is now running for Senate. Personal injury lawyer Mark McCloskey, a Republican, announced his candidacy Tuesday during an interview with Fox News' Tucker Carlson. "God came knocking on my door last summer disguised as an angry mob, and it really did wake me up," he said, adding he was inspired to become a politician while campaigning for former President Trump. Speaking at the Republican National Convention in August, McCloskey expressed dismay that he and his wife were charged with felonies "for daring to defend our home." They'd pointed guns at protesters described as peaceful. Their trial is set for November, though Missouri Gov. Mike Parson has said he'll pardon the couple if they're convicted of unlawful use of a weapon and evidence tampering, per the AP.

story continues below

"You have to send people to DC who are willing to tell the truth and fight for our values," McCloskey told Carlson, per WRCB. "Cancel culture, the poison of critical race theory, the lie of systemic racism, backed up by the threat of mob violence, attacks on the Second Amendment, erosion of election integrity, are all intentionally designed to destroy all we hold near and dear," he adds in a campaign ad, in which he claims protesters were trying to "kill my family." In a tweet, he says he's "a proven fighter against the mob." He's hoping to fill the Missouri seat occupied by GOP Sen. Roy Blunt, who won't seek a third term in 2022. State Attorney General Eric Schmitt and former Gov. Eric Greitens have already announced their plans to run in the Republican primary. Greitens, who resigned amid allegations of sexual misconduct and campaign finance violations in 2018, has hired Kimberly Guilfoyle, girlfriend of Donald Trump Jr. and a former Trump campaign aide, as a national campaign chair. (Read more Missouri stories.)
(Newser)  A Virginia OB-GYN accused of performing unnecessary hysterectomies and other procedures without his patients' consent was sentenced Tuesday to 59 years in prison, following his November conviction on 52 counts of health care fraud and other crimes after a three-week trial, reports the Washington Post. "Justice is done and whatever he gets in prison now, he deserves," former patient Anita Fuller says of Javaid Perwaiz's sentence, per WAVY, which notes the 71-year-old has been ordered to pay restitution of nearly $21 million to the private and government insurance companies he bilked. Court records show that after Perwaiz's conviction, the government seized property, a Bentley, and more than $2 million from his assets, per the New York Times. Among the unwanted and unneeded procedures that prosecutors say Perwaiz performed were irreversible hysterectomies, D&Cs, improper sterilizations, and tubal ligations, causing permanent damage for multiple patients.

story continues below

All this, prosecutors say, so he could collect insurance money. Perwaizwho'd enjoyed a 40-year career in Hampton Roads, with two private offices and admitting privileges at two area hospitalswas arrested in the fall of 2019 when an FBI probe uncovered the fraud he'd been involved in for nearly a decade. Prosecutors say he would trick patients into the unnecessary procedures by using faulty equipment or by telling them they had cancer that could be addressed via those procedures. "Motivated by his insatiable and reprehensible greed, Perwaiz used an arsenal of horrifying tactics to manipulate and deceive patients into undergoing invasive, unnecessary, and devastating medical procedures," says Raj Parekh, acting US attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia, in a statement. Perwaiz, who during his trial insisted everything he'd done was for the good of his patients, intends to appeal. (Read more health care fraud stories.)
(Newser)  Australian authorities are hoping to get to the bottom of one of the 20th century's most intriguing cold cases: that of the still-unidentified Somerton Man, a suit-clad, 40-something man who was found dead on a beach near Adelaidepossibly by poisonon the morning of Dec. 1, 1948. Now, authorities believe advances in DNA make exhuming the body for testing worthwhile, so that's exactly what they're doing, reports the BBC. South Australia Attorney General Vickie Chapman said the decision to do so was made in April due in part to "intense public interest" in the case. More:

That's likely in part to the smattering of odd clues tied to the case: the man had calf muscles like a dancer's, missing teeth, and a scrap of paper on him featuring the Farsi words "Tamam Shud," meaning "the end." Police determined they were ripped from a translated copy of the Persian poet Omar Khayyam's Rubaiyat.

story continues below

The exhumation took place Wednesday at West Terrace Cemetery in Adelaide. The Australian AP reports it took 12 hours to complete the process. The Major Crime Investigation Branch will handle the case, which is part of Operation Persevere, which is trying to identify all remains that are still nameless in South Australia.

Detective Superintendent Des Bray recounts the theories: "There was talk about whether he was a Russian spy, whether he was involved in the black market, whether he was a sailor." Others suggested a spurned lover.

Bray told Australia's ABC that if the bones yield a DNA profile, "a forensic case meeting will be held to formulate the most appropriate DNA strategy, which will then require considerable investigation work to have any chance of identifying the man or where he originated from."

What could make it tough to get his DNA: The Somerton Man's remains were embalmed using formaldehyde, and it's possible the process of doing so destroyed the bulk of his DNA.

(Read more cold cases stories.)
(Newser)  Your European summer vacation plans may be a go. The European Union on Wednesday took a step toward relaxing tourism travel for visitors from outside the bloc, with EU ambassadors agreeing on measures to allow fully vaccinated visitors in. They also agreed on easing the criteria for nations to be considered a "safe" country, from which all tourists can travel regardless of whether they've been vaccinated. Up to now, that list included only seven nations, among them Australia and Singapore. The European Council "will now recommend that member states ease some of the current restrictions" for those who've been vaccinated with Pfizer, Moderna, AstraZeneca, or Johnson & Johnson vaccines, said EU Commission spokesman Christian Wigand, per the AP.

story continues below

NBC News boils this down: The US will likely not be declared a safe country. That's because we don't yet sync with the new requirement that there be a maximum of 75 new COVID cases per 100,000 people in the last 14 days (the figure was previously 25). But fully vaccinated Americans will be granted entry, and they wouldn't have to quarantine or be tested. Greece, which is heavily reliant on tourism, has already lifted quarantine restrictions for the US, Britain, Israel, and other non-EU countries as negotiations between governments and EU lawmakers to introduce COVID-19 certificates aimed at facilitating travel across the region this summer continue. A deal is required by the end of the month to ensure the system will be up and running by the end of June.

(Read more European Union stories.)
/

Israel Is Trying to Assassinate a Man It Just Can't Kill

There have been at least 8 attempts on Mohammed Deif's life over the years
(Newser)  A soldier with ties to the extreme right went missing in Belgium on Monday, and he took a cache of weapons with him. Police say Jurgen Conings, 46, removed four rocket launchers, a submachine gun, a pistol, and a bulletproof vest from his barracks, and while police on Tuesday night found his Audi, they have yet to find Conings. "The most worrying weapons"apparently the rocket launchers"were found in the car," officials say, per the Guardian, but the level of concern remains high: Reuters reports he was last seen Monday morning at his home near the Dutch border, and Conings' girlfriend turned over two suicide letters she found at his home. They said life wasn't worth living "in such a society ruled by politicians and virologists" and that he would "join the resistance and would not surrender without a fight."

story continues below

As far as virologists go, Conings is said to have targeted one of them in the past: Marc Van Ranst, who is considered the most high-profile virologist in the country. Conings tweeted a request for Van Ransts address earlier this year. He was disciplined and temporarily moved to a desk job. Van Ranst says there is evidence that Conings spent several hours scouting out his town and home; Van Ranst and his family have been moved to another location. The BBC says questions are being asked as to why Conings, a shooting instructor, was given access to weapons even as his support for the extreme right was known. Local media said he allegedly said he needed arms from the Leopoldsburg base to conduct a target practice. Wednesday's search was focused around the 46-square-mile Hoge Kempen national park. (Read more manhunt stories.)
(Newser)  Voters in five Oregon counties delivered big wins for the Greater Idaho movement Tuesday. All five countiesMalheur, Sherman, Grant, Baker, and Lakeapproved measures to at least consider joining Idaho, the more conservative state to the east of them, the Hill reports. All five of the mostly rural counties voted for Donald Trump in 2020, unlike Oregon as a whole. Two other Oregon counties, Jefferson and Union, voted last year for county officials to promote joining Idaho. Supporters of the Greater Idaho plan want up to 22 Oregon counties to join Idaho, along with conservative counties in eastern Washington and northern California.

story continues below

"This election proves that rural Oregon wants out of Oregon, Mike McCarter, president of Move Oregon's Borders for a Greater Idaho, said in a statement, per the Oregonian. "If Oregon really believes in liberal values such as self-determination, the Legislature wont hold our counties captive against our will." The group says the fact that turnout was twice as high in counties where the issue was on the ballot shows that rural Oregonians are passionate about the proposal. But before any Oregon counties can actually join Idaho, the move will have to be approved by the legislatures of both states, along with Congress. (Read more Idaho stories.)
(Newser)  Counselors were made available to students at a Houston-area school after news broke that a former teacher at the school had been arrested for killing his kittens. Graham William Reid, 29, is said to have had four kittens named Cabbage, Parsnip, Carrot, and Broccoli, and investigators say all met brutal ends between the ages of a few months and one year. Reid, who previously taught geometry at Ridge Point High School but is no longer employed by Texas' Fort Bend ISD, is accused of using a metal bar, a cat scratching post, and a litter box scooper to beat the animals to death, allegedly telling investigators he did so to feel "powerful" in periods when he was stressed. He also reportedly said he had been bullied as a child.

story continues below

ABC13 reports a tip placed to an animal cruelty task force led police to Reid, who was arrested April 28 and charged with four counts of felony cruelty to non-livestock animals. He posted a $25,000 bond that same day. Students tell the Houston Chronicle he was at work April 29 but gone the next day. "The principal came into school and said he had quit for unknown reasons. We never got any more info from the school besides that since then," one student says. Reid, of Sugar Land, has a June 14 court date. (Read more animal cruelty stories.)
(Newser)  Two former officers involved in the rough arrest of a 73-year-old Colorado woman with dementia last year will face criminal charges, online court documents showed Wednesday. Arrest warrants have been issued for Austin Hopp and Daria Jalali over the June 2020 arrest in Loveland, a city about 50 miles north of Denver, the AP reports. Hopp is facing charges of second-degree assault and attempting to influence a public servant. Jalali is facing charges of failing to report a use of force, failing to intervene, and official misconduct. They were among three officers who resigned last month after a federal lawsuit filed by the woman's family triggered anger in the community and two independent investigations.

story continues below

Hopp arrested Garner after she left a store without paying for about $14 worth of items. His body camera footage shows him catching up to her as she walked through a field. After she turned away from him, he quickly grabbed her arm and pushed the 80-pound woman to the ground. She suffered a dislocated shoulder, according to the lawsuit. An outside investigative team has scheduled a news conference Wednesday to announce the results of a review of the arrest.The outcry over how the woman was treated comes amid a national reckoning over use of force by police, including against people with mental and physical health conditions.

(Read more Colorado stories.)
(Newser)  On Tuesday, New York prosecutors announced they're working on a criminal investigation of the Trump Organization, after starting out with a civil case. On Wednesday, former President Trump made his feelings about that development clear. "There is nothing more corrupt than an investigation that is in desperate search of a crime," Trump said in a statement. "But, make no mistake, that is exactly what is happening here." New York Attorney General Letitia James' office said it's working with the Manhattan district attorney's office. Trump said James "campaigned on prosecuting Donald Trump even before she knew anything about me." The state investigation made a discovery that suggested a crime, NBC reports, so two lawyers from James' office will work with District Attorney Cyrus Vance's staff.

story continues below

Both offices have been investigating for some time. Vance won a look at Trump's tax returns in a battle that went to the Supreme Court twice, and James has been investigating whether the Trump Organization misstated the value of its assets. Information from Michael Cohen, former personal lawyer for Trump, sparked both inquiries. Trump didn't mention him by name in his long statement, per the Hill, but referred to Cohen as "a lying, discredited low life." Trump said prosecutors are working with Washington Democrats to silence voters and keep him out of office, "a continuation of the greatest political Witch Hunt in the history of the United States." They should worry instead about people "being killed on the sidewalks of New York at an unprecedented rate," as well as the city's "drugs and crime of all kinds," he said. The prosecutors' offices had no comment. (Read more Donald Trump stories.)
(Newser)  President Biden will award his first Medal of Honor this week to a retired colonel for acts of bravery during the Korean War, the White House announced Wednesday. Biden will bestow the nation's most prestigious military honor on retired Col. Ralph Puckett Jr., who held Hill 205, a strategic position near Unsan, over two days in November 1950 while fighting off numerous attacks during the battle in which he endured multiple wounds, the AP reports. South Korean President Moon Jae-in will attend the ceremony, the White House said. Moon will be in Washington for a summit with Biden at the White House on Friday. Puckett, 94, lives in Columbus, Georgia, with Jean, his wife of 68 years.

story continues below

Puckett was a first lieutenant and commander of the 8th US Army Ranger Company when his unit launched a daytime offensive on Hill 205. Enemy forces directed mortar, machine gun, and small arms fire against Puckett and his men in return. At one point, Puckett intentionally ran across an open area multiple times to draw enemy fire to allow his Rangers to find and destroy enemy positions and seize Hill 205, the White House said. Puckett was seriously wounded when mortar rounds landed in his foxhole, llimiting his mobility. He ordered his men to evacuate and leave him behind, but they refused. While under enemy fire, the Rangers retrieved Puckett from the foxhole and brought him to the bottom of the hill, where he directed operations against the enemy.

(Read more Medal of Honor stories.)
Benee recently performed on a string of major US talk shows including The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, The Ellen Degeneres Show and Late Night With Seth Meyers.

A press release announcing the Aotearoa Tour said that Benee had "recognised that fans outside the main centres don't often get the opportunity to experience full-scale pop concerts in their own backyards", and intended to rectify that with these shows.

The multi-Aotearoa Music Award winner sold out Auckland's Spark Arena twice last year, but this time will be headlining at lesser-known venues in places like Nelson, Porirua, Invercargill and Palmerston North.

Tickets go on sale Thursday, May 27.

Benee Aotearoa Tour Dates:
KJ Apa's French girlfriend Clara Berry has revealed she is pregnant with the couple's first child.

The 27-year-old model shared a series of photos of her baby bump to Instagram, tagging Apa's name on her stomach.



"She's pregnant btw," Apa commented on his girlfriend's post, before sharing his own.
Nurses threatening to move to Australia for better pay after the Government offered them less than one-tenth of the hike they're after might not be bluffing.

The pay across the ditch is indeed much better.

"There's only so much capacity we have right now," Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said on Monday, asked why the district health boards (DHBs) aren't offering more.

"COVID has cost this country a lot. As much as I would wish to be in a position to be able to reward everyone who has worked so hard, I have to keep that in mind as well - I can't."

The current pay rates were set in 2018. The nurses have been pushing for 17 percent hikes, saying without them staff will head across the Tasman, now that the borders between New Zealand and Australia are open.

"I worked there [Australia] for a year and I was able to work one day less a week, so four days a week, have three day weekends," registered nurse Helen Kemp told The AM Show on Wednesday.

She also had "wonderful working conditions where you were guaranteed you would get your breaks on time".

So, what will it take to avoid an exodus, let alone the planned strike for June 9?

How pay differs between New Zealand and Australia

According to the Government's careers.govt.nz website and the nursing union's collective agreement with DHBs, graduate enrolled nurses - those with a diploma - at a DHB start on about $48,632 a year. Once they've had two years on the job, they're paid between $51,333, rising to a maximum of $57,047 after four.

Registered nurses - those with a degree - start on $54,034. After a few years, they typically get between $62,138, rising to a maximum of $77,386. Those with more responsibility can be paid up to $130,653, after eight years in the job.

The work can involve "eight- to 12-hour shifts, including nights, weekends and public holidays" and they "may work in stressful situations, and be in contact with distressed people, diseases and body fluids", according to careers.govt.nz.

Community nurses and midwives start on $54,034, maxing out after eight years at $82,957.
"This is the fourth death reported to CARM - the earlier three have been assessed by CARM as being unrelated to the vaccination," he said in a statement.

"Due to the sudden nature of the death it has been referred to the Coroner's Office and we await their determination... For privacy reasons, we cannot confirm any details of the deceased person, including the persons age and where they live."

Asked about the death at a press conference on Wednesday, COVID-19 Response Minister Chris Hipkins said just because an investigation was being carried out didn't mean it was linked to the vaccine.

"The issue is wherever somebody passes away or has an adverse reaction after receiving the vaccine, that is always investigated," he told media.

"That doesn't mean it's linked to the vaccine, and sometimes there can be other, good explanations for why something has happened."

More than 321,000 people in New Zealand had received at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine by Wednesday, with 152,000 having received their second dose.
The Institute of Environmental Science and Research (ESR) undertakes regular wastewater testing across sites in Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch, Rotorua, Hamilton and Queenstown as an additional surveillance tool in the ongoing fight against COVID-19.

According to ESR, traces of the virus shed from a single recovered person can be picked up by wastewater testing.

"It's important to remember the basic public health measures which keep communities protected: wear a mask on public transport, stay home when sick, wash hands frequently and use good sneeze and cough etiquette," the spokesperson continued.

"It's critically important individuals keep a record of where they've been by scanning QR codes or keeping a manual diary of their movements. It can help contact tracers quickly find potential close and casual contacts if there is a positive COVID-19 case."

Further wastewater samples in Wellington are being tested.

A number of testing sites in the Wellington region are open on Sunday, including:

Wellington central, 196-200 Taranaki St, 10am - 4pm: booking centre operates 9am - 4.30pm, 0800 885 022

Porirua, 178 Bedford Street, Cannons Creek, 2pm - 5pm: walk-ins accepted, bookings preferred, 0508 672 862

Hutt Valley testing call centre, opens again on Monday, May 17: bookings able to be made on Sunday from 1:30pm - 4pm, 04 576 8619

Wellington Region Primary Health Organisations will extend testing centre hours if required.

One new case in managed isolation

One new arrival has tested positive for COVID-19 in a managed isolation facility since Friday, the Ministry of Health said.

No new cases of the virus have been picked up in the community.

The new arrival returned their positive result due to routine testing on day three of their stay in managed isolation. They arrived on May 10 on a direct flight from the US and are quarantining in Auckland.



With no recoveries to report, the new imported case brings the total number of active infections in New Zealand to 19. To date, the country has recorded a total of 2290 cases.

Since January 1, 2021, 474 people have tested positive for the virus in New Zealand. However, 60 of those have been classified as historical cases, meaning they were not infectious at the time of their positive result.

Melbourne community case

The ministry maintains the public health risk to New Zealand is low after a Melbourne resident tested positive for COVID-19 in the community on Tuesday, May 11.

Quarantine-free travel between New Zealand and the state of Victoria has been able to continue, although additional precautions have been implemented.

Information and advice for anyone who was at one of the locations of interest in Melbourne at the specified times - including advice for anyone who has travelled to New Zealand from Melbourne since May 6 - can be found here.
"There's incremental changes, but it's not good enough to be a little bit better than we were a few years ago," Janet McAllister, Child Poverty Action Group spokesperson, tells The Project. "There are still children suffering."

For Budget 2021 to make a real impact, she says there are key areas that need a financial boost.

"In a nutshell, liveable incomes for all families and whanau with children. So we need to lift benefits, we need to lift family assistance."

For the Government to get an A on the Budget, economics commentator Bernard Hickey says there are two areas it needs to address.

"It needs to deliver on the recommendations of the Welfare Advisory Group to increase benefits by $5 billion a year," he says.

"Secondly, it needs to outline how it's going to build the 50,000 to 100,000 houses that are needed to even start to deal with our housing crisis."

Raising benefits is also what Children's Commissioner Andrew Becroft wants to see and says this is "now non-negotiable and must happen". Housing is also an important issue for him.

"Housing's a huge driver for family poverty and affects children. I wish we could magic up more houses tomorrow, but we can't," he says.

"One thing we could do is link the accommodation supplement to actual housing costs, and I think to ensure it didn't go direct to landlords - we don't want them gobbling up any increase - I think we need to see some form of rent rules, rent regulations that would control rent at the lower end of the market."
The Education Minister has been applauded in Parliament for saying he doesn't feel threatened by Maori history being taught in New Zealand schools - and that it should include "the good, the bad, and the ugly".

It comes amid concern from the ACT Party about draft history curriculum that it believes "threatens to indoctrinate students in left-wing ideas".

Back in September 2019, Jacinda Ardern announced New Zealand history would be taught in all schools and kura by 2022, with key themes such as early colonial history and the history of the Treaty of Waitangi.

The draft curriculum content went out for consultation in February, with Education Minister Chris Hipkins saying at the time that the Government wanted to hear from as many Kiwis as possible.

The proposed curriculum includes 'three big ideas' which will remain consistent across different year levels:
Ngarewa-Packer then shut down the heckler when he interrupted her.

"You, sir, are a visitor on my whenua. Mind your place! Mind your place! Because the aroha of my people have continued to manaaki the people who do the same to you that they do to us.

"We also fight voices in the hallways of this place that tell us we don't matter, that tell us we run two separate states, that tell us that we're separatists, that we're segregated. We're not. We're not, sir.

"We are merely tangata whenua, people who deserve to live with dignity."

Ngarewa-Packer said just because she's pro-Maori does not mean she's anti-Pakeha.

"Therein lies the real challenge - all we're asking for, in support for you, like ourselves, is freedom for Palestine - the freedom to be who we are.

"We need a Government that has the courage to stop racism - stop racism out here, stop racism over there, and stop racism in the whare in Parliament."

The heckler, Nigel Woodley, says he doesn't hate Palestinians, but "does love the truth".



"I am not a crazy zealot, but I admit I did look and sound like one on that day," he told Newshub.

"My wife and all my kids are Maori. I married late and Jo had the kids - we gained two more Maori boys through fostering. Half of my Church is Maori. A bit of respectful recognition on her part would be appropriate as I have been caring for her people in my whare on their whenua."

The Embassy of Israel in New Zealand says Hamas "pretends to represent Palestinians but is consistently depriving them of their most basic needs ever since it took Gaza by force in 2007, thus exposing their clear inability to provide stable governance for its civilians".

It said Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will "continue to take action and will do so as long as necessary to restore quiet and security to the citizens of Israel".

Ghahraman tried to have her motion discussed in Parliament on Wednesday but there was objection. National and ACT didn't support. ACT's opposition was based on a tweet by a Green MP it considered to be anti-Israel.

Foreign Affairs Minister Nanaia Mahuta said the Government was "open to supporting a motion that recognised and supported the right of the Palestinian people to self-determination and statehood".

Mahuta said she understood the Greens were looking to create wording that "could be agreed by everyone".

While New Zealand does not recognise the State of Palestine, it accepts the Palestinian Authority, led by Mahmoud Abbas, as representing the people.

"We have a warm relationship with the Palestinian Authority," Mahuta said. "But as in line with the criteria of statehood under international law - we have not recognised Palestine as a State."
It comes as fighting continues between Israel and Hamas, the group that governs the Gaza Strip, a territory considered to be occupied by Israel, however the extent of self-rule has led some to describe it as a de facto independent state.

New Zealand does not officially recognise Palestine as a state and has Hamas listed as a terrorist group. However, New Zealand does believe in the 'two-state solution', which envisions an independent State of Palestine alongside the State of Israel.

Green Party foreign affairs spokesperson Golriz Ghahraman said granting statehood is "part of a two-state solution" that would "uphold and celebrate the inherent rights and dignity" of Palestinians.

"This is about acknowledging the humanity and dignity of Palestinians at a time when they are facing extreme violence and degradation, once again, at the hands of Israeli occupying forces," Ghahraman said.

"It would allow that strong and resilient community to move forward to a future where Palestinian children can look forward to building their lives free from violence, with hopes and dreams that they so richly deserve."

The office of House Leader Chris Hipkins told Newshub the motion is "under consideration".

Foreign Affairs Minister Nanaia Mahuta said the Government was "open to supporting a motion that recognised and supported the right of the Palestinian people to self-determination and statehood".

She added: "We understand the Greens were looking to create some wording that could be agreed by everyone."

While New Zealand does not recognise the State of Palestine, it accepts the Palestinian Authority, led by Mahmoud Abbas, as representing the people.

"We have a warm relationship with the Palestinian Authority, but as in line with the criteria of statehood under international law - we have not recognised Palestine as a State," Mahuta said.

The Greens have the support of the Maori Party, but both National and ACT will not support the motion, and for ACT is has to do with a controversial tweet.

ACT's foreign affairs spokesperson Brooke van Velden wrote to Ghahraman saying the "primary reason" for not supporting the motion was a tweet by Green MP Ricardo Menendez March.
He grows the trees, he thins them, he picks them and he prunes them - but he's been stuck in Southland since the COVID-19 pandemic began.

Tropical Cyclone Harold devastated his island of Malo, in the north of Vanuatu, last April.

"Everything is damaged, our homes - everything," he explained.

It also wiped out the island's main sources of income: the coconut and cocoa trees. That means he's the only one providing money for his family and others in the village as they try to rebuild.

"I have a family. I miss them, I want to go back," he said.

It's the same story for Leo Dangisi, who makes daily video calls to his wife and daughter back home.

"Yeah it's hard. It's not easy. But you know, no more choice - if I go back, who's going to help my family?" he said.

His wife was pregnant when he came to New Zealand in summer 2019, giving birth to their first baby near the end of the level 4 lockdown.

"He's seen this baby grow up for the last 12 months over Zoom. And that's a pretty tough call," says Melrose Orchard owner Peter Vernon.
A landmark skyscraper in the Chinese city of Shenzhen started to shake on March 18, leading hundreds to flee.

Emergency services in the city said they received reports the 300-metre tall, 79-floor building was swaying and authorities were still investigating the cause.

The Shenzhen Emergency Management Bureau stated there was no earthquake in the city when the shaking started just before 2pm and the wind speed in the city was recorded to be around 27km per hour, not likely to cause the swaying of skyscrapers.

The SEG Plaza is similar in height to the Empire State Building in New York and is located in one of the world's largest hardware and electronic markets.

In video footage uploaded to Chinese social media, hundreds were seen fleeing the building. No reports of casualties, injuries or property losses have been reported.
Let us know what you're seeing and hearing around the community.

Submit here
Choo, a parakeet belonging to Henri Devoe, escaped the C&R warehouse fire and was found in another pipe yard four days later.
The abandoned Polaris building is considered by locals to be an eyesore of downtown Fairbanks. City officials are looking at ways to collaborate with the Innovative Readiness Training program as a means to demolish the building. Alena Naiden/News-Miner
Underwood at work on the Mastodon Trail in 2016. The trail, at 38 mile Chena Hot Springs Road, was under construction 2011-2019.
New procedures for arrivals from India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal and Sri Lanka to Bahrain

New procedures for arrivals from India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal and Sri Lanka to Bahrain

TDT | Manama

The Daily Tribune  www.newsofbahrain.com

The task force noted the procedures for arrivals from India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal and Sri Lanka to Bahrain, including transit travellers aged six and above.

Travellers arriving from those countries must present a negative PCR test result certificate containing a QR code, no later than 48 hours before the departure time.

They must also conduct a PCR test upon arrival, a second PCR test for those who will stay in Bahrain for a period of more than five days, and a third PCR test 10 days after the date of arrival, for arrivals who will stay in Bahrain for a period of more than 10 days.

In addition, passengers arriving in Bahrain from those countries should also quarantine in their own residences, or at one of the hotels designated for precautionary quarantine licensed by the National Health Regulatory Authority for a period of 10 days.
Bill Gates leadership roles stay intact despite allegations

SEATTLE | Despite damaging allegations suggesting Bill Gates pursued women who worked for him, dont expect changes to his roles at the two iconic institutions he co-founded, Microsoft and his namesake philanthropic foundation.

Critics say the revelations raise accountability concerns, though it remains unclear how much the dent to Gates reputation might affect the institutions that are so closely associated with him.

The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation says it is not investigating the allegations in the media, as the reported incident involving one of the worlds largest, most influential nonprofits was made by an anonymous former employee.

The foundation has never received any formal complaints regarding Bill Gates, the spokesperson noted in a statement to AP. When we do receive an allegation of misconduct, we take it very seriously, conduct an investigation, and take deliberate actions appropriate to the situation.

The New York Times and Wall Street Journal over the weekend detailed Gates reported behavior toward women, ranging from a full-blown affair at Microsoft to dismissiveness toward his now-estranged wife and foundation co-chair, Melinda French Gates, as well as asking out women who felt uncomfortable with his advances at both institutions.

Microsoft Corp. said the company hired a law firm in late 2019 to conduct an investigation after a Microsoft engineer alleged in a letter that she had a sexual relationship with Gates over several years.

Gates private office spokesperson called it an affair almost 20 years ago which ended amicably.

India scours sea after barge sinks, 2nd adrift after cyclone

NEW DELHI | The Indian navy is working to rescue crew members from a sunken barge and a second cargo vessel that was adrift Tuesday off the coast of Mumbai after a deadly cyclone struck the western coast.

The navy said it has rescued 177 of the 400 people on the two barges in the Arabia Sea. Three warships, maritime patrol aircraft and helicopters joined the rescue operations and were scouring the sea, the navy said.

Both barges were working for Oil and Natural Gas Corp., the largest crude oil and natural gas company in India.

The company said the barges were carrying personnel deployed for offshore drilling and their anchors gave away during the storm.

Cyclone Tauktae, the most powerful storm to hit the region in more than two decades, packed sustained winds of up to 130 miles per hour when it came ashore in Gujarat state late Monday. Four people were killed in the state, raising the storms total to 16.

Residents emerged from relief shelters Tuesday to find debris strewn across roads, trees uprooted and electricity lines damaged. The coast guard rescued eight fishermen who were stranded at sea near Veraval, a fishing industry hub in Gujarat state.

In Maharashtra, six people were killed Monday but the states capital, Mumbai, was largely spared from major damage even as heavy rains pounded the citys coastline and high winds whipped its skyscrapers. Over the weekend, the cyclone killed six people in Kerala, Karnataka and Goa states as it moved along the western coast.

The cyclone has weakened, but the India Meteorological Department forecast heavy rainfall for many parts of Gujarat and Maharashtra in the coming days.

Spain, Morocco square off after 8,000 migrants arrive

CEUTA, Spain | Spain deployed its military to the Moroccan border Tuesday and expelled nearly half of the thousands of migrants who jumped fences or swam onto European soil over two days after Rabat loosened border controls amid a deepening diplomatic spat.

Overwhelmed soldiers separated the adults from the young and carried children in their arms while Red Cross workers helped an endless trickle of migrants who were emerging from the water shivering and exhausted. One unconscious woman laid on the sand before she was carried away on a stretcher.

The sudden influx of migrants has fueled the diplomatic spat between Rabat and Madrid over the disputed Western Sahara region and created a humanitarian crisis for Ceuta, the Spanish city of 85,000 in North Africa on the Mediterranean Sea, separated from Morocco by a double-wide, 32-feet fence.

McConnell hits pause on Dems effort to create Jan. 6 panel

WASHINGTON | Senate Republicans are signaling that they will try to block  or at least slow down  a Democratic effort to create a 9/11-style commission on the deadly Jan. 6 insurrection at the U.S. Capitol, threatening the chances of a deeper, independent look at the siege.

Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell said Tuesday he is pushing the pause button, on the legislation to form the commission, which is expected to pass the House this week despite the opposition of House Republican Leader Kevin McCarthy. That means the bill is likely to have a more difficult path when it reaches the Senate, where majority Democrats will need at least 10 GOP votes to pass it.

McConnell told reporters that his caucus is undecided but willing to listen to the arguments about whether such a commission is needed. He questioned whether the panels work would interfere with the hundreds of criminal cases stemming from the Jan. 6 attack and whether the fine print of the bill would ensure that both parties on the commission have an equal say.

He also questioned a separate, $1.9 billion spending bill that the House is expected to pass this week for security upgrades. Were not sure what to spend the money on yet, McConnell said.

From AP reports
Visitors to the Saint Joseph Museums may see a few new faces this summer after five interns have started work.

Interviews for internships started in February after Danielle McGaughy set up the Robert and Cecilia McGaughy Black Archives Diversity and Inclusion Internship to sponsor an individual.

Sara Wilson, the executive director, said the museums received 10 applications, and so it was difficult to just chose just one person. The museum were able to arrange for four other interns to be sponsored by the Missouri Humanities Council, Wilson said.

Its an indication (that) one person like Danielle McGaughy stepping up to say, I want to do this, and how that can grow exponentially into now we have five interns, Wilson said.

Wilson said each intern has a unique background, ranging from a sophomore to another person who is in between getting her first and second college degrees.

Theyre all going to get a little taste of each section, but each student has been assigned a staff mentor, Wilson said.

April Cowan, a sophomore at Missouri Western and an intern at the St. Joseph Museums, said as an artist herself, she wants to help set up exhibits so visitors can connect with artwork and artifacts.

I really am interested in learning how to put together an exhibition that everyone can view and understand in a way that evokes emotion because thats kind of one of the most personal things to me is how artwork makes people feel, Cowan said. Because when I make my artwork ... I always want to make something that makes people feel.

Solveig Klarin, who is pursuing a masters degree in history at the University of Missouri  Kansas City, said she is interested in the education and interpretation aspect.

I think museums are a very tangible way to experience the past, which is partly why Im so excited about this internship. I think its gonna really help me figure out different ways to communicate that love of history that I have, and sort of the passion for learning and hopefully continue to inspire other people to learn and experience history, Klarin said.

The other interns include Cameron Masseion, Keevan Gibson and Ruquael Williams.
A sales tax championed as a way to level the playing field for local businesses while also bringing in money for state and local governments is awaiting Gov. Mike Parsons signature.

A statewide online sales tax, known by many as the Wayfair Tax, passed the Missouri General Assembly, and, if signed by the governor, will allow localities to collect revenue on out-of-state online purchases.

Presiding Buchanan County Commissioner Lee Sawyer said he sees benefits from the new legislation.

If youre a small business and you charge sales tax but somebody can go online and buy the same product and not pay any sales tax, it makes it kind of hard for the local guy, Sawyer said. (The revenue) would go into our general fund, so we would certainly look at things that we could do to have an impact with that money.

Conversely, Paul Hamby, who owns a mail-order company based out of Maysville that distributes dairy farm equipment, believes the legislation is unconstitutional and said policing an out-of-state business would be tricky.

This is essentially taxation without representation, Hamby said. How are the people in Jefferson City going to go to Montana where they have no sales tax and enforce the Missouri law on a seller in Montana ... Are we going to send the sheriff from here? Are we going to send that Missouri Highway Patrol and arrest the business owner in Montana?

There is a threshold in sales that has to be met for the tax to be charged. If a small business is selling a product from Kansas, for example, and its annual sales are lower than $100,000, then it would not be required to charge sales tax in Missouri.

Im empathetic to the local businesses that are having trouble competing with online sellers, but the reality is that sales tax is a very small percentage of the reason consumers choose to buy, Hamby said.

Hamby said he also believes if every state implements similar legislation, it may make it more difficult for out-of-state vendors to compete across the country.

The original move toward obtaining an online sales tax came in a 2018 South Dakota v. Wayfair Supreme Court ruling. Since that decision, lawmakers in Jefferson City have been discussing implementation in Missouri.

This was kind of a long time coming, Sawyer said. I think it just makes it kind of more fair for everybody.

Both Buchanan County and the City of St. Joseph already have use taxes in place, which is the second part of obtaining the additional out-of-state online revenue at the local government level.

Unless the bill is vetoed by Parson, it will go into effect on July 1 and the tax will begin in January of 2023.

Bill sponsor Missouri House Representative J. Eggleston, R-Maysville, has been working on the legislation for the past three legislative sessions.
Missouri has passed a prescription drug monitoring program, which will help track opioid prescriptions and prevent possible abuse.

The bill was sponsored by Sen. Holly Rehder, R-Scott City, and supported by many legislators statewide and locally. Sen. Tony Luetkemeyer, R-Parkville, said the registry is important especially as Missouri sees so many opioid-related fatalities.

Having a statewide solution just made a lot more sense. Again this is a critical issue of public safety, making sure that were keeping people healthy and preventing unnecessary tragedies where people may overdose from opioids, he said.

Missouri was the last state nationally to pass a drug monitoring program. The bill will limit access to private information that is provided to medical professionals and would keep the registry from being used for purposes like denying firearm purchases. Luetkemeyer said ironing out privacy protection details was part of the delay in the passage of the legislation.

There were some questions about just patient privacy that arose during the legislative process. One of the things I will say is that we put a lot of patient protections in there to make sure all the medical information in there is governed by HIPPA, he said.

But more importantly, it wont be easy for people who try to abuse opioids to do so, he said.

If somebody is getting a prescription filled at one pharmacy then they hop over to another pharmacy and another doctors office, each of those medical providers needs to have that information at their fingertips to make sure that they arent overprescribing people and potentially putting them in a life-threatening situation.

Before the statewide legislation was passed, cities and counties were able to use programs to track opioid prescriptions locally, but flaws arose if people left the area.

The opioid epidemic has really swept all of Missouri, and certainly St. Joseph and Buchanan County have not been immune to that, Luetkemeyer said. We see increases in opioid-related deaths statewide, so this is one of those epidemics that unfortunately spares no community and I think that the PDMP is just one additional tool for physicians and other prescribers to make sure that theyre making the best possible medical decisions for the patients.

The passage of this bill also gives hope to those responding to opioid overdoses. Steve Groshong with Buchanan County EMS said emergency responders hope this will help with the increase in overdoses and look forward to seeing the registry in effect.
To show its appreciation to active service members, Missouri State Parks is participating in the Blue Star Museums program, which offers free tours to the nation's active-duty personnel and their families, according to a press release.

The Blue Star Museums program is a collaborative effort of the National Endowment for the Arts, Blue Star Families, the Department of Defense and more than 2,000 museums across the U.S.

Those currently serving in the United States military and their families receive free tours to museums and historic sites that are part of the Missouri State Parks system by showing their military IDs.

The 2021 program began on Armed Forces Day, Saturday, May 15, and ends on Labor Day, Monday, Sept. 6. For more information about participating locations, visit mostateparks.com/page/69416/blue-star-museums-program. Around Kansas City, sites include Thomas Hart Benton Home and Studio, the Battle of Lexington State Historic Site, and Watkins Woolen Mill State Historic Site, Lawson.

In addition to the Blue Star Museums program, Missouri State Parks also offers a military camping discount. Military members and veterans receive a $2 discount year-round at state parks campgrounds. The military discount is given to retired, veteran and active-duty military personnel, as well as family members of active-duty military personnel, by showing a military ID.

For additional information about the military camping discount and 2021 camping rates, visit mostateparks.com/page/83631/missouri-state-parks-honors-veterans.
A few days after the May 25, 2020 murder of George Floyd, Connecticut Treasurer Shawn Wooden published an op-ed piece in which he called on corporate America to use its power to help tackle the countrys racial injustices and inequities.

Nearly a year later, Westport-based hedge fund giant Bridgewater Associates, insurance powerhouse The Hartford and many other companies are responding to his challenge.

The Corporate Call to Action: Coalition for Equity & Opportunity, a social justice initiative launched last year in response to Woodens piece with a membership that includes Bridgewater, The Hartford and 16 other major financial-services, announced Tuesday several commitments to advance economic and racial equity in financial services and the broader economy.

Those goals include diversifying their suppliers and business partners, investing in underserved communities, building diverse talent pipelines and improving equity and transparency in their workforces. In total, the group is aiming to produce up to $30 billion in economic impact for communities and business owners of color during the next five years.

We have an opportunity in our state and country to translate a lot of pain into a sense of purpose and do something about it and not just let it be a moment, Wooden said in an interview Tuesday. Lets move into making deep structural change that will be lasting.

Coalition objectives include committing a total of $10 billion across financial services to increase spending with businesses owned by people of color, particularly Black-owned businesses. At the same time, the coalition wants to support the financial well-being of more than 30,000 people of color working in service sectors.

The time has come for corporate leaders to step up  it is long overdue. Bridgewaters culture is rooted in equity and rewards based on merit, said Alan Bowser, Bridgewaters chief diversity officer and co-head of the Americas region. Theres a natural alignment between our way of being and the goals of the Corporate Call to Action. We dont claim to have all the answers on the biggest societal questions. But as a founding member of the CCA, we are committed to ongoing improvement and to collective action that increases equity and opportunity.

At the same time, the group has promised to launch or grow programs that both partner with and invest in underserved and undercapitalized communities of color to bolster economic opportunity and equity and create generational wealth.

Building a diverse workforce and nurturing an inclusive culture is a moral imperative, a powerful business requirement  a top priority for The Hartford, said Susan Johnson, the companys head of diversity, equity and inclusion. We are dedicated to continuing to lead the diversity, equity and inclusion conversation in the industry and saw an opportunity to partner with other corporations to advance the dialogue and elevate our efforts. Through the Coalition, we are able to exchange ideas and best practices with other like-minded business leaders. The initiatives put forth by the group address societal and economic inequities impacting the Black and Latinx communities locally in Connecticut and extend across the country.

In workforce development, the coalitions commitments include providing mid-career professionals with the skills needed to launch a high-growth career in financial services. They also intend to support career development for more than 10,000 Black and Latinx students every year through internships, micro-internships and other programs.

I commend these efforts, said Fred McKinney, the Carlton Highsmith chairman for innovation and entrepreneurship at Quinnipiac University. But I do think that if you say something like this, there should be some accountability. I think they need to track these commitments. And if they track these commitments and are delivering on these commitments, thats so much more the better. Quite I frankly, I think that we need every major corporation in Connecticut making commitments like this.

To help measure the impact of its initiatives, the coalition vowed to improve transparency related to diversity data. In their first set of commitments in January, the groups members agreed to publicly disclose workforce demographic data being reported to the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission.

What was critical is that we not just have more statements and more press releases sympathizing or acknowledging pain and tragedy but that we have solutions and that we create those in a manner in which they would be deep, sustainable and measurable, Wooden said.

Building a coalition

Russ Bynum / Associated Press

Wooden said that he started working on his op-ed, which was published in the Hartford Courant, shortly after the killing of Ahmaud Arbery, a 25-year-old Black man who was fatally shot in February 2020 while going for a jog in a coastal Georgia community. The three white men charged with his murder are scheduled to go on trial in October.

He finished the piece after the murder of Floyd. Former Minneapolis Officer Derek Chauvin was convicted last month of murder and manslaughter for pinning the 46-year-old Floyd to the pavement with his knee on Floyds neck.

I never expected that my son, a runner, would ask if it was safe to jog while Black, Wooden wrote in the piece, which noted that he was the only African-American elected state treasurer in the U.S. Sadly, Ahmaud Arberys murder isnt shocking. Neither is the failure of Georgias criminal justice to respond until after a video emerged publicly. In the case of George Floyd, fortunately, his brutal killing by Minneapolis police officers was captured on tape, too.

The nationwide protests last year set off by the killings of Black Americans such Floyd, Arbery and Breonna Taylor and the pandemics disproportionate impact on minority communities prompted many companies to acknowledge that they needed to do much more to support Black Americans, other people of color and other underrepresented groups.

Reflecting that shift within corporate America, Wooden said that he immediately noticed the strong reaction to his piece. Soon after its publication, he talked with a number of the CEOs of the companies that ended up joining the coalition. Those conversations included talks with Bridgewater CEO David McCormick and The Hartford CEO Christopher Swift, according to Wooden.

The state has investments and/or contractual relationships with all of the coalition members except Bridgewater, The Hartford and TIAA, according to the Treasurers Office.

I manage a $42 billion pension system, and Im the issuer of the states debt. So theres lot of intersectionality, which is an incentive, Wooden said. Theyll always return my calls.

Woodens discussions with the CEOs led to the coalitions launch last September. The Treasurers Office partnered with the nonprofit Ford Foundation to create the organization.

In addition to Bridgewater and The Hartford, the coalitions other members include Aberdeen Standard Investments; AllianceBernstein; Bank of America; BlackRock; Citigroup; Franklin Templeton; Goldman Sachs; Invesco; Morgan Stanley; Schroders; State Street Global Advisors; TIAA; T. Rowe Price Group; UBS; Vista Equity Partners; and Wellington Management.

They cumulatively represent more than $27 trillion in assets and 750,000 employees globally.

Wooden said he wants the coalitions work to extend well beyond his time in office. The first-term Democrat will be up for re-election in November 2022.

I do believe we will make significant change in the coming years, Wooden said. What this coalition has been about, from day one, is real solutions and a commitment thats long term.

pschott@stamfordadvocate.com; twitter: @paulschott
DANBURY  Ed Chromczaks brother tricked him into taking a flying lesson when he was 17, and he fell in love with being in the air.

I had to get my license, he said. I couldnt live without it.

Decades later, the 84-year-old Beacon Falls resident still flies. Hes among about 1,500 80-and-over pilots in the country who still do.

Members of the United Flying Octogenarians  known as the UFOs  flew into Danbury Municipal Airport on Wednesday morning for an annual gathering in the city and the groups first meeting since the coronavirus pandemic hit.

After about 17 planes flew in, roughly 35 people gathered around Dunkin coffee and doughnuts to share stories of accidents and mishaps at Danbury Municipal Airport and reflect on their decades in the air.

Some shared memories that Mike Safranek, airport administrator, couldnt recall.

What are you a historian, Wikipedia? he joked to one member, who recalled various stories from the Danbury airport.

The UFOs formed in 1982 and have at least 1,500 pilots nationwide who have held an airmans flight certificate in a fixed or rotary wing, sport, balloon or glider aircraft after turning 80, according to the UFOs website. Members range from military veterans to commercial pilots.

You meet some very, very interesting people and see some very interesting planes, said Richard Klein, 83, of Yorktown Heights, N.Y.

The oldest member is 106 and lives in Katonah, N.Y., said Bob Barker, the executive vice president northeast region manager for the organization. The 106-year-old was supposed to come to Danbury, but wasnt feeling well on Wednesday.

Taking after his father, Barker started flying around 26-years-old. He said he enjoys the freedom flying gives him and the perspective you get from being above the earth instead of on the earth.

Its a demanding activity and we all have a passion for it, said Barker, 90, of Stamford.

He joined the organization on his 80th birthday, although he no longer flies because of the medicine he takes.

It keeps me young

Marvin Levine, 81, took a 20-minute flight from New Jersey to Danbury. He became a pilot in 1972 after serving in the U.S. Army during the Vietnam War.

It keeps me young, he said. Im only 49. Im just making believe.

Ken Johnson, 84, served in the U.S. Air Force and worked for American Airlines for 31 years. He sold his plane a couple weeks ago, but plans to buy another.

Its a good career, said Johnson, who drove to Danbury from his home in Kent. What kind of a career would they give you a multi-million dollar toy to play with, and then pay you money to take this toy to some resort, and then set you up in a nice hotel, pay you for the food you eat, and then, the next day you bring this toy home?

Klein, a retired middle school industrial arts teacher who got his pilot license in 1973, flies twice a week when the weather is good and every 10 days in the winter.

Its a dying hobby, I think, unfortunately, he said.

Millennials are more interested in fancy cars and it takes time to learn, Klein said. Other pilots said their kids arent into flying.

The Piper Dakota aircraft Klein bought with his friend in June 2001  in the height of the market before the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks  is based out of Danbury Municipal Airport, so he drove to the city and taxied from one side of the airport to the other.

Klein said he enjoys the convenient location of Danbury Municipal Airport and that the place is well-kept.

Its a perfect airport for general aviation, he said.

Flying into Danbury Municipal Airport on Runway 35 is particularly difficult because pilots go through a valley and trees block the airport tower from seeing the planes, Safranek said. Its a runway pilots love, he said.

It is so challenging and it is a fun approach to flying, he said.

Chromczak, meanwhile, served in the U.S. Army and flew as part of his training, but never in combat, he said. He has his Wright Brothers Master Pilot Award from the Federal Aviation Administration, which goes to pilots who have shown professionalism, skill, and aviation expertise for at least 50 years.

Hes a member of a flying club in Oxford and usually flies out of the airport in that town, but he drove to Danbury on Wednesday to catch up with his friends, like Art Templeton, an 87-year-old who served as co-pilot on his flight from New Jersey.

Templeton served nine years in the U.S. Marine Corps and was a crew chief and co-pilot on helicopters during the Korean War. After paying off his house and getting his kids through college, he started flying small planes as a hobby.

Its that freedom you get in the air, that every day people dont get, said Templeton, adding he has a floor mat at his house that reads a pilot and a normal person live here.
DANBURY  For five years, Dean Esposito has been the mayors right-hand man.

Now, the mayors chief of staff is seeking the top job himself.

Dean Esposito announced Tuesday that hes running for mayor on the Republican ticket.

I have the experience, the drive and the courage to stand with our entire community to face our challenges head on, he said Tuesday evening outside City Hall after Mayor Joe Cavo announced he would not seek the seat.

This is the second time Esposito has sought to become mayor. In 2005, he ran unsuccessfully as a Democrat against Republican Mark Boughton. Esposito said he switched parties a few years later.

Esposito served five terms as a City Council member and is Danburys former town clerk. Hes a distant cousin of John Esposito, Jr., one of three Democratic candidates for mayor.

Having been supported by both political parties at one point during his long career of service, Dean is truly a candidate for all, said Mike Safranek, chairman of the Republican Town Commitee.

Cavo supports Esposito, who the current mayor said is his logical successor because of how closely the candidate has worked with Cavo and Boughton, longtime mayor.

Dean Esposito has done an outstanding job working as my chief of staff for both me and Mayor Mark, Cavo said. His insititutional knowledge of Danbury goes above and beyond most because of his experience as a long time city council man, town clerk and chief of staff since 2016.

Cavo took over as mayor in December after Boughton departed to be the states tax commissioner.

Cavo has led the city through the recent months of the coronavirus pandemic, as well as the approval of the $99 million career academy and a $267 million budget. Construction on the long-anticipated downtown streetscape is also beginning.

What an incredible five months its been to be mayor of this great city, Cavo said.

But he said he prefers being retired and serving the city part-time. Hes running to return to City Council as an at-large candidate.

If elected, Esposito would focus on education and working with the school board to approve budgets  an issue that was controversial this year. He said he supports the plan to build a $99 million career academy for the middle and high school.

He would also invest in the citys roads, sidwalks and bridges.

But most important, well invest in our people by launching new programs and ideas, Esposito said.

From Democrat to Republican

Esposito and his wife, Sharon, are celebrating their 30th anniversary next week and have two adult children, Chloe and Chase.

Esposito was born and raised in Danbury, but has lived in recent years in Brookfield. He and his wife moved back to Danbury to downsize.

He comes from a family that has been active in Danbury politics. His grandfather ran for mayor in the 1950s and his dad, Donald Eposito, served as a state representative for Danburys 110th district.

I was a Democrat at birth, Esposito said. In the Esposito family originally, instead of a nametag on your bassonatie, they put a D.

But he said he became more conservative as he grew older and changed parties to support Boughton.

Esposito was named Danburys director of consuper protection and sealor of weights in 2006. He later became community services coordinator and then chief of staff in 2016.

Without Boughton, the race is shaping up to be one of the most competitive in years. Three Democrats are running for the seat, and its likely that party could see a primary.

The fact that Esposito used to be a Democrat shows how hes willing to reach across the aisle and how the Republicans are looking for the best person for the job, not party affiliation, Safranek said.

He realizes the Republicans have done a great job and at heart, he realizes this is a great choice to make, he said.

The Danbury Democratic Town Committee has endorsed City Council member Roberto Alves for mayor, although the party wont nominate a candidate until July. John Esposito, a City Council member, and Sedeaka Lawrence , a political newcomer, have said they would challenge Alves in a primary.

The Democratic candidates have emphasized supporting the schools and improving the citys infrastructure, among other issues.

Dean Esposito said its a little nerve wracking to think about running against his relative, John Esposito, Jr. He had been contemplating running when the Democrat announced his run.

Dean Esposito talked to John Esposito, Jr. before announcing his candidacy.

I congratulated him on putting his name in because its a big thing to do, step up and do that, Dean Esposito said. I also mentioned to him, in the overall picture, John, if you end up running against me, the city wins because they get an Esposito.

John Esposito, Jr. posted on Facebook Tuesday evening congratulating his distant cousin.

While Dean is a relative of mine, his announcement doesnt change anything for me, he wrote. I hope to have your support so I can serve our community as your Mayor of the great City of Danbury.
PHOENIX (AP)  A budget deal struck between Republican leaders of the Arizona Legislature and Gov. Doug Ducey includes implementing a flat 2.5% income tax that cuts $1.5 billion a year from state revenue and keeps higher-earning taxpayers from having to directly pay a new 3.5% surcharge to fund schools.

The agreement would cap the maximum any taxpayer will owe with a new voter-approved tax surcharge for education at 4.5%  the current top tax rate. It envisions using $836 million in state general fund revenue in the coming budget year to make up the difference so the full 3.5% surcharge voters approved in November in Proposition 208 will go to schools, if the measure survives a state Supreme Court challenge.

The deal struck by Senate and House leaders with the Republican governor essentially cuts 25% from personal income tax revenue, with most of the savings going to higher-earning taxpayers.

The deal also cuts commercial property tax rates, pays down state pension and other debts and will increase the state's super-low weekly unemployment benefit from $240 to $320 a week once a set of triggers are met. Lawmakers had been considering a pair of competing proposals to raise unemployment pay.

Republicans who hold one-vote majorities in both the House and Senate were briefed on the package Monday, and House Majority Leader Ben Toma said late Monday night that GOP House members were mulling over the package. The budget has not been formally introduced.

Some Republicans were wary, while others were supportive even before receiving the full details.

"We have a state that has a massive surplus, and we can take care of the needs of the state and at the same time give money back to the taxpayers, Rep. Jeff Weninger, a Chandler Republican, said Monday.

Republican Sen. Paul Boyer of Glendale was critical of several parts of the plan, including the tax cut.

Not enough ongoing for Universities, Boyer said in a text message Tuesday, after being briefed. Need more fiscal responsibility in paying down debt, more in the Rainy Day fund. Not prudent to cut so much in taxes.

Democrats are virtually certain to unanimously oppose the deal, since it envisions a huge tax cut they dislike because they consider state government massively underfunded, especially K-12 schools. They instead want to boost teacher pay, which is among the lowest in the nation, and invest in other state priorities.

Giving away $1.5 billion in long-term permanent tax cuts is something that we would not support, Rep. Reginald Bolding, the House minority leader, said. We believe that those dollars could be re-invested in teacher salary. Lets make Arizona teachers Top-25 in the nation, and add a $7,000 pay increase. (Democrats) had a budget that would do that.

Toma led the charge on the income tax cuts, which eliminate the state's graduated income tax structure in favor of a one-level tax rate that's lower than the current bottom tier rate of 2.59%. The current maximum rate is 4.5%, which would reach 8% with the Proposition 208 surcharge.

Toma said the new maximum rate of 4.5% would not affect the new revenues created by the 3.5% Invest in Education initiative because the budget deal taps general fund revenue to make up the difference. Proposition 208 imposes a 3.5% tax surcharge on income above $250,000 for individuals or above $500,000 for couples. Supporters say it could raise about $940 million a year for schools, although the Legislatures budget analysts estimate it would bring in $827 million a year.

It changes where part of the money comes from, Toma said. It doesnt actually change the total money available to education.

The changes are possible because of a big increase in revenue from income and sales taxes, which occured in Arizona and other states despite fears the pandemic would hammer state revenues. The Legislature's budget analysts show revenue for the budget year that ends on June 30 is running nearly $700 million above projections and they estimate fiscal year 2022 revenues will be nearly $1 billion above forecasts, on top of a current budget surplus.

Ducey in Janaury proposed $600 million in income tax cuts phased in over three years. His $12.6 billion proposal for the budget year that starts July 1 would shave nearly 10% of revenues by the time it is fully phased in.

In contrast, the deal Ducey made with the Legislature would cut about 25% of the state's income tax revenue. It will be phased in by the 2024 budget year. Toma said spending would be about $13 billion.

Toma laid out the basics of the new budget deal in an interview with The Associated Press, without providing the actual documents. They were later obtained by the AP. In addition to the income tax cut, the deal also lowers the property tax rate for commercial buildings. Most of that cash goes to local governments, but rising property values mean there should not be a major revenue impact.

The deal also fully exempts veterans pensions from imcome tax, which Ducey proposed last year before the pandemic forced a speedy end to the legislative session after lawmakers passed a bare-bones budget that included only basic spending. That proposal got pushback from some Republicans before the coronavirus sidelined regular budget talks.

The new deal would provide raises for state troopers and corrections officers, and to thousands of state Department of Economic Security, child safety and select other state workers. Most state workers haven't had a raise in a decade. It will use $300 million to shore up the pension plan for state law enforcement officers.

Infrastructure spending also gets a big influx of cash, with $200 million earmarked for new highway and bridge construction, $100 million for roadway repaving and $140 million for internet broadband projects to serve rural areas. The deal also includes $200 million for a new drought mitigation fund.

Universies and community colleges would get an additional $130 million for various programs. And there is new money for a chronically underfunded K-12 building and maintenance fund.

There's also about $100 million in new K-12 school spending, but there is no provision to repay the full $930 million schools are still owed from budget gimmicks used a decade ago. Tens of thousands of teachers went on strike in 2018 and won a 20% pay increase but also demanded other boosts and said there should be no new tax cuts until state school funding greatly improved.
DENVER (AP)  A police officer who pushed a 73-year-old Colorado woman with dementia to the ground after she left a store without paying for items worth about $14 is facing charges of using excessive force, while a second officer is accused of failing to stop or report his actions, prosecutors said Wednesday.

Austin Hopp is facing charges of second-degree assault, attempting to influence a public servant and official misconduct in last year's arrest of Karen Garner in Loveland, a city about 50 miles (80 kilometers) north of Denver. Daria Jalali, who arrived after Garner was handcuffed, is facing charges of failing to report use of force, failing to intervene and official misconduct.

A person who answered the phone at the law firm representing Hopp said the office would not comment on the case. Court records did not list a lawyer for Jalali, and a telephone number listed for her did not work.

They were among three officers who resigned last month after a federal lawsuit filed by the woman's family and police video released by their lawyer triggered anger in the community and two independent investigations. The June 2020 arrest was captured on Hopp's body-worn camera, and the three officers also were shown talking about the arrest, laughing and joking in police station surveillance video.

The outcry over how Garner was treated comes amid a national reckoning over use of force by police, including against people with mental and physical health conditions.

Garners daughter, Allisa Swartz, said through tears that her mother is traumatized.

You can see in the video how theyre laughing at my mom, Swartz said at a news conference. I feel like they think that they are above the law, and they are the ones who are supposed to be protecting all of us. I just want justice for my mom.

The Garner family is relieved that charges will be filed, but more people should be held accountable, including Loveland Police Chief Robert Ticer, said family attorney Sarah Schielke. She said what happened was not something done by one rogue officer, but a reflection of systemic problems with the Police Department. She called for Ticer to resign.

How could something like this go on to be celebrated, laughed about, reviewed by multiple levels of supervisors and chain of command and then swept under the rug for nearly a year? Schielke said.

Ticer said he supports the charges, adding that the officers actions and attitudes are contrary to the departments goals. He sidestepped a question at a news conference about calls for his resignation, saying he knows theres a lot of emotions out there and a lot of a lot of desire for justice and accountability.

Ticer said he has requested a third-party internal affairs investigation that will be overseen by the citys human resources department. He also said the majority of his officers completed Alzheimers disease awareness training after the video surfaced and that they will get more de-escalation training in June.

Obviously, when we have an incident where former police officers are charged with a crime, were going to have broken trust," Ticer said. "We recognize that. We understand that. ... Our department wants to restore that trust.

Hopp arrested Garner after she left a store without paying for about $14 worth of items. His body camera footage shows him catching up to her as she walked through a field. She shrugged and turned away from him, seeming not to understand him, and he quickly grabbed her arm and pushed the 80-pound (36-kilogram) woman to the ground.

The lawsuit claims Hopp dislocated Garners shoulder by shoving her handcuffed left arm forward onto the hood of his patrol car and that she was denied medical treatment for about six hours.

When Hopp has Garner pushed against the hood of his car, she tried to turn around and repeated that she was trying to go home. He then pushed her back against the car and moved her bent left arm up near her head, holding it, saying, Are you finished? Are you finished? We dont play this game.

About 30 seconds later, Garner began to slump toward the ground. Jalali said, Stand up! Were not going to hold you.

Investigators found that Hopp filed reports to mislead his superiors and protect himself, according to his arrest affidavit. He did not mention Garners shoulder injury in an initial report. In a report filed after being told that she was going to the hospital, he wrote that Garner was asked several times if she wanted medical attention but that she did not answer.

Hopp also showed fellow officers his body camera footage and said, Ready for the pop?

District Attorney Gordon McLaughlin said he only brought charges he felt he could persuade a jury to convict on.

While peace officers are permitted to use reasonable force to effect an arrest, the investigation in this case showed that Austin Hopp used excessive force," he said.

McLaughlin, who became district attorney in January, said he did not know about the arrest or the video until the lawsuit was filed in April. He then asked for an investigation led by police in nearby Fort Collins.

He said a member of the district attorney's office did watch the video last year as part of its decision to dismiss criminal charges in the shoplifting case. McLaughlin said he has made it clear to his employees that he will not tolerate anyone "looking the other way on evidence like that.

___

Associated Press writers Thomas Peipert and Brady McCombs contributed to this report.
When President Joe Biden arrives at the U.S. Coast Guard Academy in New London Wednesday, protesters will be assembled just outside the academys front gate raising objections to the presidents handling of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and his proposed military spending.

Jewish Voices for Peace and multiple groups from local mosques, churches and student organizations plan to demonstrate against what they believe is Bidens unfair support for Israel amid escalating violence in the region. Organizers said more than 100 people are expected to attend.

A separate protest against U.S. support for Israel is planned for the Stamford Government Center Wednesday evening, where U.S. Rep. Jim Himes, D-4, has an office.

The protests will follow a day of demonstrations by Arab Americans in Dearborn, Michigan, where Biden visited a Ford plant on Tuesday. Similar demonstrations were also held in Hartford on Saturday.

We are urging the administration to have Israel stop its violence and illegal evictions against the Palestinian people and engage in sincere efforts toward peace, said Uniz Bakar of Windsor, one of the organizers of the New London protest. Bakar, who is Palestinian-American, said his parents lost their business and home to Israelis before they emigrated to the U.S.

The Jewish Federation of Greater Hartford and the Jewish Community Relations Council of Greater Hartford issued a strong statement condemning violence targeting Israelis on Tuesday.

Hundreds of rockets launched from Gaza have caused mounting deaths and injuries and forced millions to huddle in bomb shelters, the groups said. We stand in solidarity with Israel, which has the right to defend itself against violence and terror, as does any sovereign nation.

RELATED: Why Connecticut is a top demonstration for Biden administration visits

Fighting between Israeli forces and Palestinians militants continued Tuesday with Israels military dropping 110 guided bombs on the Gaza strip overnight, while Hamas  a group the U.S. has called a terrorist organization  fired rockets in return, CNBC reported. The violence in recent days has led to the deaths of more than 200 Palestinians, Gaza authorities said.

When reporters in Michigan asked Biden Tuesday if they could ask him a question about Israel, Biden said No, you cant. Not unless you get in front of the car as I step on it. Im only teasing.

Biden spoke to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Monday and expressed his support for a cease-fire and reiterated his firm support for Israels right to defend itself against indiscriminate rocket attacks, according to a White House summary of the call. Biden also spoke to Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas on Sunday and reiterated his commitment to a two-state solution.

The U.S. government is now considering a $735 million weapons sale to Israel, multiple outlets reported, a small piece of Americas larger military support for the key ally. Biden has also restarted economic and humanitarian aid to Palestinians in the West Bank and Gaza.

Biden is scheduled to deliver commencement remarks at the U.S. Coast Guard Academy in New London on Wednesday in his first official visit to Connecticut as president. White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki stressed Tuesday that the administration is engaging in quiet intensive diplomacy behind the scenes in the region.

But a growing collection of domestic and international voices are calling for an immediate cease-fire. U.S. Sen. Chris Murphy, D-Conn., called for a cease-fire on Monday, as did more than 20 other senators.

While many Republicans have pressed for Biden to be more supportive of Israel, the protracted conflict has divided some Democrats. Progressives have called for more solidarity with Palestinians, framing Isaelis as an occupying force, while other Democrats have offered steadfast and unwavering support for Israel. The American Israel Public Affairs Committee is one of the most powerful lobbying groups on Capitol Hill.

Hamas has launched more than 3,000 rockets against Israel, and yet again has initiated hostilities in the region. Hamas is terrorist organization and as always, Israel has the right to defend itself against these attacks, U.S. Rep. John Larson, D-1, said Tuesday. Leaders from both sides of the conflict must get the message that they cannot drag the region back into an endless cycle of violence.

Larsons challenger, Democrat Muad Hrezi, said he plans to atend the protest in New London Wednesday. He said Biden was enabling a right-wing Netanyahu government and should condition U.S. military assistance to Israel on human rights standards.

I am extremely dissatisfied in President Joe Bidens response so far to Israeli aggression against Palestinians when Israelis have provoked the Palestinians during their holy month, Hrezi said.

Farhan Memon, board chair for the Connecticut chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations, said his organization has coordinated a rally in Stamford scheduled to start at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday for supporters in Fairfield County to attend. He blasted Bidens response to the conflict as non-existent.

The Voluntown Peace Trust has organized another protest outside the Coast Guard Academy in McKinley Park calling on Biden to cut military spending, end the production of nuclear weapons and invest in local communities. Both protests are planned for Wednesday morning.

emilie.munson@hearstdc.com; Twitter: @emiliemunson
PROVIDENCE, R.I. (AP)  Rhode Island Education Commissioner Angelica Infante-Green has asked the superintendent of the Providence public schools to resign over his hiring of an administrator now charged with assault, a spokesperson said Wednesday.

Superintendent Harrison Peters has been under fire for hiring an administrator who has been charged with misdemeanor simple assault for allegedly giving a teenage boy an unwanted foot massage at a Warwick fitness center in April.

Peters acknowledged this week that he knew about a similar incidents in Hillsborough County, Florida, where Olayinka Alege was accused in 2009 of pulling on the toes of five male students as a form of discipline. He was not criminally charged.

After conversations with Governor McKee and community members, yesterday the Commissioner asked Superintendent Harrison Peters for his resignation," Victor Morente, a spokesperson for Infante-Green said in an email.

McKee and Mayor Jorge Elorza have also called for Peters' resignation.

Peters and Alege had worked together in Florida.

I thought I knew him, Peters said at state Senate oversight committee this week. But I was wrong. My hiring of Dr. Alege as a network superintendent for Providence Public Schools was an error in judgment. I want to sincerely apologize for any pain or worry this incident has caused students.

Some lawmakers asked for Peters' resignation.

A email seeking comment was left with Peters.

In the Warwick incident, Alege pleaded not guilty and was released on personal recognizance. His lawyer said The allegations are not what they appear to be." He also resigned from his job.

Peters was hired by Infante-Green in January 2020 to turn around a school system that was deemed one of the worst in the nation by an independent review. The state has taken over the city schools.
FAIRFIELD  Just weeks before Wednesdays graduation, nursing student Arianna Heonis had to put her classroom knowledge to a real world test  administering to her mom while her mother was having a heart attack.

Heonis, 22, from Branford, Conn., was one of about 200 students on Wednesday afternoon to graduate from Sacred Heart University with a bachelor of science degree in nursing.

This spring, Heonis and her mom were on vacation when the nursing student recognized her mom was exhibiting symptoms that could be life-threatening.

Heonis said her Sacred Heart education helped prepare her for her real-life emergency.

3 1 of 3 Ned Gerard / Hearst Connecticut Media Show More Show Less 2 of 3 Ned Gerard / Hearst Connecticut Media Show More Show Less 3 of 3





You can have textbook knowledge, and not understand how to apply it, because you dont do well in crisis, she said. You need to be able to do well under pressure.

Originally from Old Saybrook, Heoniss interest in nursing budded as a child accompanying her mom, who has lupus, on doctor appointments to manage the long-term autoimmune disease.

There, she said, she noticed flaws in the healthcare system and medical professionals bedside manner that she wanted to change from within.

Heonis finished her last semester of undergraduate nursing school this spring, while she was working three jobs  as a patient-care associate at Yale, server at Stoney Creek Brewery in Branford and babysitter.

When classes wrapped a couple of weeks ago, Heonis said she and her mom were on a trip to Florida when her mom felt symptoms of stomach pain, nausea and hot flashes.

With lupus comes every day aches and pains, said Heonis. This woman does not show pain the minute that she told me she was in unbearable pain, thats when I knew something was wrong.

Her mom lost her balance, said Heonis, who made the decision to call 911.

As she waited for an ambulance to arrive, Heonis applied what she learned in school: She positioned her mothers body with pillows and asked follow-up questions.

Does your chest hurt? Is it hard to breathe? Heonis remembered asking.

I know from my textbooks, from my classes, from my clinicals, those are the cardinal symptoms of a heart attack, she said.

When the emergency medical technicians arrived, Heonis said she was at first hesitant to get involved.

I had an instinct that something was not OK, she said. I wanted to voice that, but I felt as though it wasnt my place; these are experienced people.

But the thing we were taught is to have to confidence in your instincts, confidence in your feelings, she said. My professors really stressed it throughout school.

When they got to the hospital, Heonis said the doctor told her she recognized the severity of the situation just in time  that 10 minutes longer could have been too late.

She was a trooper with her mother, said Alex Heonis, Ariannas dad. I wasnt there; she was.

It shows a lot of courage. A lot of strength, he said.

Heonis and her mom, who is still recovering, flew back to Connecticut this week. Heonis has continued to care for her mother since getting back, including cooking meals for her that are good for the heart.

Heonis, meanwhile, is also trying to savor her final moments as a college student  that last week, worry-free, with all of my friends, she said.

Next, the nursing graduate hopes to land a job in an emergency department or intensive care unit.

Arianna was faced with an extremely stressful and scary situation, but she handled it with grace, compassion and professionalism so her mother could receive the best care possible, said Mary Alice Donius, dean of SHUs Susan L. Davis, R.N., and Richard J. Henley College of Nursing. We prepare all our nursing students to react to life-threatening situations the way Arianna did.

We wish her mother a speedy recovery and congratulate Arianna on graduating, she added. We know she will continue to do great things.
CARSON CITY, Nev. (AP)  Laid-off casino and hotel workers picketed at the Nevada statehouse on Tuesday to demand state lawmakers pass a bill to require their former employers bring them back at pre-pandemic wages rather than hire new workers.

Thousands of workers in the tourism and hospitality industry were laid off in the early months of the pandemic, when Nevada's unemployment rate rose to a record 29.5% in April. Now, as tourists return and the Las Vegas economy rebounds to pre-pandemic levels, hospitality and tourism industry workers are back in demand.

Culinary Union Local 226 and other unions that have negotiated wages and benefits for their workers want resorts and casinos to re-hire their members who had worked for at least six months before being laid off under the terms of their old contracts, rather than bring in new workers who can be paid less.

Matthew Seevers, who worked as a bartender at Stations Casino for 15 years before being laid off last spring, said workers who dedicated years to their workplaces deserve to be hired back when businesses need more workers because the circumstances of the pandemic were not their fault.

"The economy has grown again. Why should we not have our jobs back when these places open up?" he said. We put our time in and we were a family. Now they dont care. They just throw us away to the curb.

A proposal to mandate workers be given the right to return and receive priority in the re-hiring process has pitted the powerful labor union against chambers of commerce, casinos and the Nevada Resort Association. Opponents argue that a Right to Return law could bring about unnecessary litigation and make it more difficult to return Nevada's economy to pre-pandemic levels.

The bill would further damage Nevadas recovery efforts by placing an arduous burden on employers through needless, time-consuming and counter-productive requirements that will significantly slow down rehiring and further delay bringing more Nevadans back to work, Nevada Resort Association President Virginia Valentine told the Nevada Current in April.

Phil Jaynes, president of the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees Local 720, told demonstrators Tuesday that union members who had worked in showrooms, theaters and lounges on the Las Vegas Strip before being laid off had years of institutional knowledge and made Las Vegas a premier destination.

"It makes no sense why they wouldnt call these people back," he said. This is right for everybody. Its right for corporations and its right for the workers"

Barry Lieberman, an attorney for South Point Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas, testified in April that it was unfair to mandate the re-hiring of former workers and discriminate against prospective workers who didn't work at casinos before the pandemic.

There are many qualified Nevadans who are unemployed and trying to support their families. (The bill) will have the effect of discouraging the hiring of anyone who was not previously employed by the South Point and is a disservice to those people seeking employment to support their families, he wrote to the committee.

The proposal has won backing from powerful Democrats in the statehouse, including Senate Majority Leader Nicole Cannizzaro, who presented it during an April committee hearing and told demonstrators on Tuesday that there were ongoing discussions about the bill and she intended to ensure it moved forward.

It has not been put up for a vote in the state Senate, Assembly or any legislative subcommittees.

___

Sam Metz is a corps member for the Associated Press/Report for America Statehouse News Initiative. Report for America is a nonprofit national service program that places journalists in local newsrooms to report on undercovered issues.
As Connecticut sees some of the lowest numbers of COVID-19 infections in the past 15 months, a broad easing of restrictions Wednesday may offer the first glimpse of life after the pandemic.

Restaurants can return to full capacity, people can gather in groups small and large, houses of worship can return to regular services, people can crowd in for a ballgame. And for those vaccinated, they can leave their mask  a constant symbol of safety throughout the pandemic  at home.

Id like to think Connecticut has really earned the right to get back to this normal, Gov. Ned Lamont said Tuesday.

Connecticut officials had planned since late April to ease these restrictions on Wednesday as people quickly filled vaccine slots and continued to abide by the rules to limit the spread of the virus.

As more people were vaccinated, state officials pointed to a dropping number of infections, and, just as important, a sharp decline in the number of people hospitalized with the virus to show Connecticut was ready for what Lamont has described as a new normal.

By Tuesday, those numbers were some of the lowest since a lull in infections last summer. Hospitalizations were down to 168 patients and the positivity rate for new COVID-19 tests was 1.12 percent. Four more deaths were recorded for a total of 8,198.

The sweeping restrictions, which Lamont established in March 2020 with his extraordinary executive powers during a state of emergency, shuttered many businesses, ordered people to wear masks and socially distance and largely kept people home.

But a slow lifting of those restrictions over the past 12 months will culminate Wednesday with the least restrictive environment Connecticut has seen since before the first cases of COVID-19 were reported in the state.

Here are answers to some questions as restrictions are lifted:

Is it safe to lift restrictions?

State officials have pointed to declining COVID-19 metrics and an increase in vaccinations when saying Connecticut is ready to lift restrictions.

Both hospitalizations and new infections have dropped. There have been more deaths, but officials said that remains a lagging indicator.

Through the weekend, nearly 50,000 new COVID-19 tests were administered and 662 came pack positive, state statistics show. Hospitalizations have dropped by more than 300 net patients in the past month.

By Monday, more than 2 million Connecticut residents have received a first dose of the vaccine and nearly 1.7 million are fully vaccinated.

Connecticut is one of the most vaccinated states in the nation, and I couldnt be more proud of the people of our state who have made the common-sense decision to be vaccinated, as well as all of our health care workers who have done an incredible job rolling the vaccine out as quickly as possible, Lamont said.

Will you have to wear a mask?

Falling in line with the recent Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidance, Lamont said vaccinated people will no longer be required to wear masks indoors as of Wednesday. The guidance was loosened last week by the CDC, but Lamont said it would take until Wednesday to amend the executive order regarding masks.

For those gathering outdoors, masks are not required for anyone.

But, theres still cause to wear masks. Lamont said that businesses, along with local and state offices and events may still require people to wear masks. Certain settings, like health care facilities, schools and public transportation, will also require masks.

A number of prominent businesses, including Target, Walmart, Trader Joes, Costco and Stew Leonards have said they will not require customers to wear masks. Other chains and smaller businesses have not yet said how they will address the lifting of the mask requirement.

What will happen with restaurants and bars?

Restaurants will no longer have restrictions on Wednesday. Previously, they had to follow mask requirements and social distancing. Among the requirements was a limit of no more than eight people at a table. A curfew, which had last been pushed back to midnight, will also be lifted.

Bars that do not serve food have been shuttered for most of the pandemic. But as of May 1, they were allowed to have outdoor operations, and on Wednesday, they can open fully with no restrictions.

Are there limits on gathering sizes?

One of the many restrictions lifted on Wednesday will be caps on the number of people who can gather both in personal settings and in commercial areas.

Both had been limited throughout the pandemic. The most recent requirement for commercial venues was that outdoor gatherings be capped at 200 people and indoor gatherings be capped at 50 percent occupancy or 100 people. For personal gatherings, the indoor cap was 25 people and the outdoor cap was 100 people.

The state Department of Public Health has been working on guidance for large gatherings.

Will stadiums and theaters be open to full crowds?

The restrictions on stadiums and theaters, both indoor and outdoor, will also be lifted. Both previously had a cap on the number of guests. Outdoor event venues were limited to 50 percent capacity up to 10,000 people and indoor venues were restricted to 10 percent capacity.

Some outdoor venues have established how they will handle the lifting of restrictions. The Yard Goats, who play at Dunkin Donuts Park in Hartford, said masks will not be required at their games as of Wednesday and they will follow guidance.

Similarly, DPH is working on guidance for these events.

Lamont has recommended that people continue to wear masks in certain settings with a lot of people, but there is no requirement to do so.

If you still want to get vaccinated, is it difficult?

Since someone needs to be fully vaccinated to go without a mask indoors, some will be wondering if they can still get vaccinated.

Providers said appointments are readily available at sites and clinics across the state. In recent weeks, demand for the vaccine has fallen, but the supply remains steady.

Does anything change with out-of-state travel?

The warm weather and holiday weekend later this month means people will likely be traveling. And the state has no strict rules on travel after easing restrictions in March. There are changes slated for Wednesday.

People are not required to quarantine or get tested if they have traveled. But state officials recommend people who arent vaccinated still get tested and quarantine if needed.
New York, US (PANA) - Despite a deteriorating security situation and the reverberating effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, regional troops deployed to combat terrorists in Africas Sahel region have scaled up the tempo of their operations in recent months, efforts that must be matched by a spirit of solidarity among their global partners, the senior UN peacekeeping official told the Security Council on Tuesday
3 1 of 3 Newtown Hook & Ladder Show More Show Less 2 of 3 Newtown Hook & Ladder Show More Show Less 3 of 3





NEWTOWN  An investigation is underway after a car crashed into a tree and a house Tuesday morning, according to police.

Emergency personnel were called to a West Street residence around 10:30 a.m. for a report of a motor vehicle crash with injuries.
The Blockchain Research Institute (BRI) is launching three new global partnerships to establish international think-tanks in Africa, the Middle East, and Korea. BRI Africa will be launched in partnership with Standard Bank Group, while BRI Middle East will be launched in partnership with Konnect & Co., and BRI Korea will be launched in partnership with BOSAGORA Foundation.

TORONTO, May 18, 2021 /CNW/ -- The Blockchain Research Institute (BRI), the world's largest independent blockchain think-tank, is launching a new wave of global expansion into Africa, the Middle East, and Korea. BRI Africa will be launched in partnership with Standard Bank Group, while BRI Middle East will be launched in partnership with Konnect & Co., and BRI Korea will be launched in partnership with BOSAGORA Foundation.

These new global partnerships will establish Blockchain Research Institute think-tanks to promote education, innovation and adoption in their regions of expertise. The BRI will work with global partners in Africa, the Middle East, and Korea to coordinate sustainable innovation in their regional ecosystems, alongside current global partners in Europe and Brasil.

"The world is poised for a post-pandemic, economic expansion and technological renaissance and industrial disruption. Now is the time for us to help companies and governments around the world navigate the turbulent waters ahead" said Don Tapscott, Co-founder and Executive Chairman of the BRI.

"Standard Bank Group has been a pioneer in leveraging blockchain and distributed ledger technologies to bring speed and transparency to our large and growing customer base across Africa. We believe that this development will form a key part of our efforts to drive digital transformation and will be of great benefit to both our clients and the continent that we call home," said Ian Putter, Head of Blockchain at Standard Bank Group.

Taking a decentralized approach to driving digital transformation, the BRI and its global partners will establish hubs of innovation to research, educate and strategize how blockchain and other emerging technologies can be implemented across business, government and society.

"By collaborating with leading regional partners who share our vision and ambition, we are bringing together diverse voices to steward these technologies toward a better, more sustainable world," said Dr. Joan Bigham Ed.D., Global Managing Director of the BRI.

"The world is taking a big leap towards a new era of artificial intelligence and the internet of value with blockchain being at its heart. The time is right now for the Middle East to join and be part of this historical change. Konnect & Co is proud to play the major role in this shift by associating with the world leader in Blockchain Research and Technology, the BRI," said Aline Daoud, Managing Director of Konnect & Co.

With a growing member community featuring enterprises, governments and start-ups from around the world, the BRI and its global partners will bring together industry leaders, academics, policymakers and entrepreneurs to undertake research on blockchain technology, bridging the gap between the technical functionality of blockchain and real market solutions.

"There is tremendous value to be unlocked here and we want to help businesses and governments worldwide navigate, accelerate and lead the blockchain revolution," said Alex Tapscott, Co-founder of the BRI.

"Korea is one of the most wired countries, and also has the most crypto-friendly population among other countries. By establishing BRI Korea, we believe we can bring good research work to share with all, as well as contribute to the development of the blockchain ecosystem in Korea," said Inhwan Kim, President of BOSAGORA Foundation.

The BRI will continue to seek partnerships with leading organizations to launch international think-tanks. To learn more about BRI Africa, BRI Brasil, BRI Europe, BRI Middle East, and BRI Korea, please visit http://www.blockchainresearchinstitute.org/globalpartners

Contact

Noah Lehman

Director of Communications

Blockchain Research Institute

[email protected]

SOURCE Blockchain Research Institute
Changes in use of 6 GHz band will help improve quality and affordability of telecom services this year

OTTAWA, ON, May 19, 2021 /CNW/ - More than ever, Canadians are relying on a good Internet connection for work, school, finances and health care, making access to high-quality and affordable services essential. That is why the Government of Canada is making spectrum available to support competition, rural connectivity and the effective deployment of Wi-Fi and 5G technologies.

Today, the Honourable Francois-Philippe Champagne, Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry, announced the decision to open the 6 GHz band to support greater choice and affordability of wireless broadband for Canadian consumers. The decision will allow an additional 1200 MHz of spectrum, tripling the spectrum available for Wi-Fi.

More spectrum available for Wi-Fi means Canadians will benefit from increased speed and connectivity for working from home, participating in online education and accessing health care services remotely. This decision also allows for more affordable deployment of broadband technology in rural areas and increased access to the spectrum for Canadian businesses and innovators looking to use it.

The government has been clear that greater affordability, competition and innovation in the Canadian telecommunications sector is important. This decision will result in cost savings that can be passed on to consumers in the form of lower prices.

Quote

"High-quality and affordable wireless services have never been more important in the everyday lives of Canadians. That's why we're making more spectrum available to support greater choice and affordability of wireless broadband. This decision will make staying connected easier for Canadians who rely on their Wi-Fi for accessing school, work and health care from home."

 The Honourable Francois-Philippe Champagne, Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry

Quick facts

Access to this 6 GHz spectrum will support higher capacity (more users) and higher speeds (in the gigabits per second) for wireless devices connected to Wi-Fi routers.

With this decision, Canada will be a world leader in Wi-Fi spectrum, further supporting Canadians in staying connected from home during the COVID-19 pandemic and beyond.

will be a world leader in Wi-Fi spectrum, further supporting Canadians in staying connected from home during the COVID-19 pandemic and beyond. The decision to open the 6 GHz band will allow an additional 1200 MHz of licence-exempt spectrum, which will triple the spectrum available for Wi-Fi and similar technologies.

The government is committed to making spectrum available to support the deployment of Wi-Fi and 5G technologies.

The 3500 MHz spectrum auction is scheduled to start on June 15, 2021 .

Associated links

Stay connected

Follow Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada on Twitter: @ISED_CA

SOURCE Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada

For further information: John Power, A/ Director of Communications, Office of the Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry, [email protected]; Media Relations, Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada, [email protected]

Related Links

http://www.ic.gc.ca/eic/site/icgc.nsf/eng/home


OTTAWA, TRADITIONAL UNCEDED ALGONQUIN TERRITORY, ON, May 19, 2021 /CNW/ - Indigenous Services Canada (ISC) is committed to supporting Indigenous communities in their response to COVID-19 and is working closely with Indigenous organizations, and provincial and territorial governments.

With warmer weather approaching and more people spending time outside, it remains essential that everyone follow public health measures to keep our loved ones, our communities and ourselves safe. This includes minimizing in-person interactions with people outside your immediate household, avoiding crowded places, wearing a mask and washing your hands frequently.

In First Nations communities, as of May 18, ISC is aware of

28,710 confirmed positive COVID-19 cases

864 active cases

27,514 recovered cases

332 deaths.

There are no active cases in Nunavik, Quebec and 17 active cases in the Northwest Territories. As of May 18, the Government of Nunavut is reporting 63 active cases of COVID-19 in Iqaluit and one in Kinngait.

As of May 18, 2021, more than 21.9 million COVID-19 vaccine doses have been distributed across the country. As of May 18, 452,043 vaccine doses have been administered in 687 First Nations, Inuit and territorial communities. Based on Statistics Canada's 2020 population projections, over 62% of adults in First Nations communities, as well as over 69% of adults living in the territories, have received at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine.

Across the country, the vaccine roll-out is well underway. Increased efforts are in place to enhance vaccine confidence to promote the uptake of vaccines in areas that may be experiencing hesitancy, a high number of cases and low vaccine coverage. First Nations in Alberta continue to report high numbers of vaccinations in their communities and more urban clinics are being planned. Clinics targeted toward Indigenous Peoples living in urban areas have also been running in many parts of the country. In Ontario, Indigenous Peoples living in urban areas are now eligible to receive their second dose of the vaccine, including at clinics in Barrie and Orillia. In addition, in Calgary, Alberta, anyone over the age of 12 who is Indigenous can now sign up for a vaccine dose.

Provinces and territories are making plans to vaccinate youth following Health Canada's recent authorization of the Pfizer vaccine for those aged 12 to 15. New Brunswick has announced that First Nations individuals aged 12 to 15 with parental or guardian consent are currently eligible for the vaccine. Furthermore, Anishnawbe Health Toronto, an Indigenous health and wellness centre, began administering doses to eligible youth at a local school last week. To support youth vaccination, the Indigenous Youth COVID-19 Vaccine Uptake Working Group was established by ISC and Indigenous partners. The group is comprised of Indigenous youth from across the country and works collaboratively to provide advice to the Government of Canada and other organizations to increase vaccine uptake among First Nations, Inuit and Metis youth.

The Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) continue to assist Indigenous communities across the country. The CAF is helping vaccination teams with the accelerated pace of immunizations in a number of on-reserve First Nations communities in northern Manitoba. So far, the CAF has assisted 11 communities with the delivery of the first dose. This week, the CAF is supporting second-dose clinics in Manto Sipi First Nation and Berens River First Nation.

In Ontario, six Canadian Rangers were activated in the community of Lac Seul First Nation on May 4, 2021, to provide assistance in dealing with a COVID-19 outbreak. The Rangers are working alongside First Nations partners to provide humanitarian assistance and address the immediate needs of this remote community. Similarly, Canadian Rangers were activated in the Moose Cree First Nation on May 10 and CAF support will also be provided to Neskantaga First Nation in Ontario to provide assistance with COVID-19 response efforts in the communities. The Government of Canada will continue to support communities in whatever capacity is required and whenever they are needed. ISC has also purchased and deployed nine BLU-MED structures and nine Matrix Aviation Solutions structures for 16 First Nations communities in Ontario to be used in the communities' COVID-19 responses, including for screening and isolation purposes. ISC also procured and delivered two new COVID-19 isolation units to Neskantaga First Nation, which are now fully operational. ISC has also funded 46 additional structures to support the needs of First Nations communities. These units provide additional capacity in communities as alternate-care facilities to help contain the spread of COVID-19.

The Canadian Rangers are also assisting communities in the Northwest Territories in response to the flooding of the Mackenzie River.

Associated links

Stay connected

Join the conversation about Indigenous Peoples in Canada:

Twitter: @GCIndigenous

Facebook: @GCIndigenous

Instagram: @gcindigenous

Facebook: @GCIndigenousHealth

Twitter: @Min_IndServ

You can subscribe to receive our news releases and speeches via RSS feeds. For more information or to subscribe, visit www.isc.gc.ca/RSS.

SOURCE Indigenous Services Canada

For further information: Adrienne Vaupshas, Press Secretary, Office of the Honourable Marc Miller, Minister of Indigenous Services, [email protected]; Media Relations, Indigenous Services Canada, 819-953-1160, [email protected]

Related Links

https://www.aadnc-aandc.gc.ca


OTTAWA, ON, May 19, 2021 /CNW/ - From traveling to medical appointments, getting goods to market, distributing PPE and medical supplies, or delivering vaccines, Canadians rely on safe and well-maintained local airports to support vibrant communities. These airports also provide essential air services, more so during this Covid-19 pandemic, including community resupply, air ambulance, search and rescue, and forest fire response.

The Honourable Jim Carr, Minister and Special Representative for the Prairies, on behalf of the Minister of Transport, the Honourable Omar Alghabra, today announced that the Government of Canada is making important safety investments at airports in Alberta.

Through Transport Canada's Airports Capital Assistance Program (ACAP), the Government of Canada will provide over $20 million to the following Alberta airports for safety-related projects:

Fort Chipewyan

Rehabilitation of airside pavement - $11,021,416

Grande Prairie

Replacement of generator and airport signage - $612,871

Replacement of sand storage shed - $134,680

Lethbridge

Rehabilitation of airfield pavement - $7,379,719

Lloydminster

Purchase of a de-icing trailer - $105,000

Medicine Hat

Rehabilitation of airfield electrical system - $957,241

For 2021-2022, Transport Canada has allocated ACAP funding to 63 airports for 86 safety-related projects, including runway and taxiway repairs/rehabilitation, lighting enhancements, purchasing snow clearing equipment and firefighting vehicles and installing wildlife fencing.

Since the Airports Capital Assistance Program started in 1995, the Government of Canada has invested over $1.1 billion for 1,088 projects at 199 airports across the country.

Quotes

"We know how vital airports are to urban centres and remote communities. The investment our government is making will help ensure continued safe and reliable airport operations for residents, many of whom depend on their local airports not only for personal travel and business, but also for community resupply of essential goods and access to routine and emergency medical care in larger centres. This is part of how we build stronger more resilient and inclusive communities across Canada."

The Honourable Jim Carr

Minister and Special Representative for the Prairies

"Our Government recognizes that airports are major contributors to the economic growth and social well-being of smaller communities, and local airport workers. In addition to supporting personal travel, local airports are key connectors for business, health care, social services, and emerging resource development sectors. These investments will improve access to safe, reliable and efficient air transportation options, and will help us deliver our promise to build safer, healthier and stronger communities across Canada. This is more important than ever as we work towards reopening our economies affected by the COVID-19 pandemic."

The Honourable Omar Alghabra

Minister of Transport

Quick Facts

As announced in the Fall Economic Statement (FES) 2020, the Airports Capital Assistance Program received a one-time funding top-up of $186 million over two years.

over two years. As well, the FES announced the temporary expansion of eligibility for the Airports Capital Assistance Program to allow National Airport System (NAS) airports with less than one million annual passengers in 2019 to apply for funding under the Program in 2021-2022 and 2022-2023.

The eligible NAS airports are: Gander ; Charlottetown ; Saint John ; Fredericton ; Moncton ; Thunder Bay ; London ; and Prince George .

Associated Links

Transport Canada is online at www.tc.gc.ca. Subscribe to e-news or stay connected through Twitter, Facebook, YouTube and Flickr to keep up to date on the latest from Transport Canada.

This news release may be made available in alternative formats for persons living with visual disabilities.

SOURCE Transport Canada

For further information: Allison St-Jean, Press Secretary, Office of the Honourable Minister of Transport, Minister of Transport, Ottawa, [email protected]; Media Relations, Transport Canada, Ottawa, 613-993-0055, [email protected]

Related Links

http://www.tc.gc.ca/


OTTAWA, ON, May 19, 2021 /CNW/ - From traveling to medical appointments, getting goods to market, distributing PPE and medical supplies, or delivering vaccines, Canadians rely on safe and well-maintained local airports to support vibrant communities. These airports also provide essential air services, more so during this COVID-19 pandemic, including community resupply, air ambulance, search and rescue, and forest fire response.

The Honourable Jim Carr, Minister and Special Representative for the Prairies and Member of Parliament for Winnipeg South Centre, on behalf of the Minister of Transport, the Honourable Omar Alghabra today announced that the Government of Canada is making important safety investments at airports in Manitoba.

Through Transport Canada's Airports Capital Assistance Program (ACAP), the Government of Canada will provide over $21.9 million to the following Manitoba airports for safety-related projects:

Flin Flon

Replacement of sand storage shed - $287,071

Replacement of airport beacon to better identify the airport's location to pilots at night - $16,088

Gods Lake Narrows

Rehabilitation of airside surfaces and electrical systems - $12,872,635

Lac Brochet

Installation of wildlife control fencing - $1,156,265

Red Sucker Lake

Installation of wildlife control fencing - $1,000,203

Shamattawa

Rehabilitation of airside surfaces - $6,282,716

Thompson

Purchase of a sweeper to assist with the essential clearing of ice and snow from airside surfaces - $355,680

For 2021-2022, Transport Canada has allocated ACAP funding to 63 airports for 86 safety-related projects, including runway and taxiway repairs/rehabilitation, lighting enhancements, purchasing snow clearing equipment and firefighting vehicles and installing wildlife fencing.

Since the Airports Capital Assistance Program started in 1995, the Government of Canada has invested over $1.1 billion for 1,088 projects at 199 airports across the country.

Quotes

"We know how vital airports are to urban centres and remote communities. The investment our government is making will help ensure continued safe and reliable airport operations for residents, many of whom depend on their local airports not only for personal travel and business, but also for community resupply of essential goods and access to routine and emergency medical care in larger centres. This is part of how we build stronger more resilient and inclusive communities across Canada."

The Honourable Jim Carr

Minister and Special Representative for the Prairies and Member of Parliament for Winnipeg South Centre

"Our Government recognizes that airports are major contributors to the economic growth and social well-being of smaller communities, and local airport workers. In addition to supporting personal travel, local airports are key connectors for business, health care, social services, and emerging resource development sectors. These investments will improve access to safe, reliable and efficient air transportation options, and will help us deliver our promise to build safer, healthier and stronger communities across Canada. This is more important than ever as we work towards reopening our economies affected by the COVID-19 pandemic."

The Honourable Omar Alghabra

Minister of Transport

Quick Facts

As announced in the Fall Economic Statement (FES) 2020, the Airports Capital Assistance Program received a one-time funding top-up of $186 million over two years.

over two years. As well, the FES announced the temporary expansion of eligibility for the Airports Capital Assistance Program to allow National Airport System (NAS) airports with less than one million annual passengers in 2019 to apply for funding under the Program in 2021-2022 and 2022-2023.

The eligible NAS airports are: Gander ; Charlottetown ; Saint John ; Fredericton ; Moncton ; Thunder Bay ; London ; and Prince George .

Associated Links

Transport Canada is online at www.tc.gc.ca. Subscribe to e-news or stay connected through Twitter, Facebook, YouTube and Flickr to keep up to date on the latest from Transport Canada.

This news release may be made available in alternative formats for persons living with visual disabilities.

SOURCE Transport Canada

For further information: Allison St-Jean, Press Secretary, Office of the Honourable Minister of Transport, Minister of Transport, Ottawa, [email protected]; Media Relations, Transport Canada, Ottawa613-993-0055, [email protected]

Related Links

http://www.tc.gc.ca/


DARTMOUTH, NS, May 19, 2021 /CNW/ - Canadians want clean air and clean water for their children and grandchildren. When companies pollute our natural environment, they pay the price and the Government of Canada ensures that environmental good follows environmental harm by investing those fines in projects that benefit Canadians and their communities.

Today, Darren Fisher, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Economic Development and Official Languages (Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency) and Member of Parliament for Dartmouth-Cole Harbour, on behalf of the Honourable Jonathan Wilkinson, Minister of Environment and Climate Change, announced that the Government of Canada will invest $4,499,737 in Clean Foundation's Youth Climate Action Now (YouCAN) project.

With this funding, Clean Foundation and partners in the Atlantic provinces will engage with 70,000 youth to empower them to take climate action in their own lives and communities. Through regional, grade-appropriate climate action education, the YouCAN project will improve youth's climate awareness and understanding of climate science and solutions. A key pillar of this project will be to provide professional learning to 2,000 educators and give them tools to support youth in their climate action initiatives.

The Government of Canada's Environmental Damages Fund is the source of funding for this project under its Climate Action and Awareness Fund. The Climate Action and Awareness Fund was created from the $196.5-million fine paid by Volkswagen for circumventing Canada's environmental protection rules, the largest environmental fine in Canadian history.

The Climate Action and Awareness Fund is investing $37.8 million in climate change projects for youth across Canada. These projects will engage and empower youth to take real climate action in their communities and help Canada meet our target of net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050.

Quotes

"Young Canadians are at the heart of our approach to creating a healthier future and building a cleaner economy. With the tools acquired through this important project, youth will continue to be leaders in the fight against climate change and the preservation of healthy ecosystems in their communities across the country."

 Darren Fisher, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Economic Development and Official Languages (Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency) and Member of Parliament for Dartmouth-Cole Harbour

"Climate education is imperative for the next generation of Canadians to understand the science and solutions behind the global climate change challenge that will greatly affect them in their lifetime. YouCAN's collaborative regional approach to climate education allows local issues with local solutions to be highlighted, creating momentum across the Atlantic provinces on climate education programming, while connecting youth with opportunities to get involved in their communities."

 Shannon Harding, Director, Education and Engagement, Clean Foundation

Quick facts

This project will bring together partners from across the four Atlantic provinces to develop and deliver high-quality, regionally relevant Climate Action and Awareness programs for K12 youth, students and educators in Atlantic Canada .

. The Climate Action and Awareness Fund, which was created with an investment from the Environmental Damages Fund and the Climate Action Fund, will invest a total of $206 million in projects that will build youth awareness, engagement and action; support community-based climate action; advance climate science and technology; and support academia and think tank organizations.

in projects that will build youth awareness, engagement and action; support community-based climate action; advance climate science and technology; and support academia and think tank organizations. The newly funded youth awareness and engagement projects will address knowledge and/or program gaps in the Kindergarten to Grade 12 (Kindergarten to CEGEP in Quebec ) demographic in Canada . These projects will inform and engage youth in science-based activities and learning opportunities to foster a connection with their natural environment and encourage real action to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and fight climate change.

) demographic in . These projects will inform and engage youth in science-based activities and learning opportunities to foster a connection with their natural environment and encourage real action to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and fight climate change. The Environmental Damages Fund ensures that environmental good follows harm by investing in projects that focus on environmental restoration, environmental quality improvement, research and development, and education and awareness.

Associated links

Environment and Climate Change Canada's Twitter page

Environment and Climate Change Canada's Facebook page

SOURCE Environment and Climate Change Canada

For further information: Media Relations, Environment and Climate Change Canada, 819-938-3338 or 1-844-836-7799 (toll-free), [email protected]; Megan Blumenthal, Principal Assistant & Adviser Office of Darren Fisher, MP DartmouthCole Harbour, 613-295-8736, [email protected] ; Alana Milner, Director, External Relations, Clean Foundation, 902-483-3487, [email protected]

Related Links

http://www.ec.gc.ca


OTTAWA, ON, May 19, 2021 /CNW/ - Today, Health Canada authorized a submission from Pfizer-BioNTech to allow its COVID-19 vaccine to be stored at regular refrigerated temperatures (2-8C) at the point of use for up to one month. This change means that there will be more storage options available for the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine, which will allow for more flexibility in distribution plans.

Health Canada received the application from Pfizer-BioNTech to change the storage conditions of its COVID-19 vaccine on May 10, 2021. After conducting a thorough review of the submission, the Department determined that undiluted COVID-19 vaccine remains stable when stored at standard refrigerated temperatures for 31 days.

The vaccine was first authorized with a recommended storage temperature of between -80C to -60C (-112F to -76F) and thawed undiluted vials could be stored in the refrigerator for only up to 5 days. On March 3, 2021, Health Canada authorized a change to enable storage at -25C to -15C (-13F to 5F) for up to 2 weeks.

Since the initial authorization of the vaccine, the manufacturer has continued to develop additional, longer-term data on the stability of the product under different conditions. As a result of this research, Pfizer provided additional data to support more flexible storage conditions. This latest change will support additional flexibility in vaccine distribution.

Health Canada will continue to monitor the safety, efficacy and quality of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine, along with all other COVID-19 vaccines, and will not hesitate to take action if any concerns are identified.

SOURCE Health Canada

For further information: Media Relations: Health Canada, 613-957-2983, [email protected]
Tunis, Tunisia (PANA) - Tunisian President Kais Saied on Tuesday called for the cancellation of the debts of poor countries or reduction of a significant part of it, a statement from the Tunisian presidency issued in Tunis said
- Continued Gross Profit Gains and Debt Reduction; Foodservice Recovery Underway -

LUNENBURG, NS, May 18, 2021 /CNW/ - High Liner Foods Incorporated (TSX: HLF) ("High Liner Foods" or "the Company"), a leading North American value-added frozen seafood company, today reported financial results for the thirteen weeks ended April 3, 2021.

"Our Q1 results demonstrate the continued resilience of our business, improving gross profit and the foodservice recovery that is underway," said Rod Hepponstall, President and CEO of High Liner Foods. "In both our retail and foodservice businesses, we are executing against our strategy and driving profitability gains as a percentage of sales. Our efforts to build a strong, integrated supply chain and a diversified portfolio has served us well during this time of heightened global supply challenges."

"With the ongoing improvement in cash flow, we are investing in our business to support our growth and provide additional capacity to support our most successful and sought-after products. During the quarter, we strengthened our balance sheet, further improved our leverage ratio, and with the repricing of our Term Loan Facility, generated savings of approximately $2.0 million in annual cash interest expenses."

Key financial results, reported in U.S. dollars ("USD"), for the thirteen weeks ended April 3, 2021, or the first quarter of 2021, are as follows (unless otherwise noted, all comparisons are relative to the first quarter of 2020):

Sales volume decreased by 7.5 million pounds, or 9.7%, to 69.8 million pounds compared to 77.3 million pounds, and sales decreased by $25.2 million , or 9.4%, to $243.4 million compared to $268.6 million , reflecting the impact of COVID-19 on the entire first quarter of 2021 compared to the last two weeks of the first quarter of 2020;

, or 9.4%, to compared to , reflecting the impact of COVID-19 on the entire first quarter of 2021 compared to the last two weeks of the first quarter of 2020; Gross profit as a percentage of sales increased to 23.7% compared to 21.9% and gross profit decreased by $1.1 million , or 1.9%, to $57.7 million compared to $58.8 million ;

, or 1.9%, to compared to ; Adjusted EBITDA 1 as a percentage of sales remained consistent with the prior year at 11.4% and Adjusted EBITDA decreased by $2.9 million , or 9.4%, to $27.8 million compared to $30.7 million ;

as a percentage of sales remained consistent with the prior year at 11.4% and Adjusted EBITDA decreased by , or 9.4%, to compared to ; Net Debt 1 to rolling twelve-month Adjusted EBITDA improved to 2.9x at April 3, 2021 compared to 3.0x at the end of Fiscal 2020 and 4.2x at March 28, 2020 ;

to rolling twelve-month Adjusted EBITDA improved to 2.9x at compared to 3.0x at the end of Fiscal 2020 and 4.2x at ; Net income increased by $3.6 million , or 25.4%, to $17.8 million compared to $14.2 million and diluted earnings per share ("EPS") increased to $0.51 per share compared to $0.41 per share; and

, or 25.4%, to compared to and diluted earnings per share ("EPS") increased to per share compared to per share; and Adjusted Net Income1 decreased by $0.2 million , or 1.4%, to $14.1 million compared to $14.3 million and Adjusted Diluted EPS1 decreased to $0.40 per share compared to $0.41 per share, reflecting the impact of COVID-19.

Q1 Operational Update

Market conditions in High Liner Foods' retail and foodservice business in the first quarter of 2021 were markedly different from the same period in the first quarter of 2020. In retail, the surge in retail demand at the March 2020 start of the COVID-19 pandemic in North America was not repeated in March 2021. In foodservice, operators faced a full quarter of pandemic conditions during the first quarter of 2021, including closures and dining restrictions across North America, compared to a few weeks in the first quarter of 2020.

As a result, sales volumes declined year-over-year in both retail and foodservice business. However, in foodservice, the Company delivered its strongest performance in Q1 since the onset of the pandemic, which is attributed to the foodservice recovery that is underway, coupled with strong operator relationships and a compelling product offering. The volume decline was partially offset by new business wins and new product sales.

Despite global supply challenges that are impacting the food manufacturing and processing industry as a whole, High Liner Foods' overall supply chain continued to be robust, and no significant supply chain issues impacted the Company's financial performance during the first quarter of 2021.

Employee safety is High Liner Foods' top priority and as the pandemic continues to evolve, the Company will implement any further measures designed to protect the health and safety of its employees and mitigate disruption to the Company's supply chain and operations.



_________________________ 1 Please refer to High Liner Foods' Management's Discussion and Analysis ("MD&A") for the thirteen weeks ended April 3,

2021 for definitions of the non-IFRS financial measures used by the Company, including "Adjusted EBITDA", "Adjusted Net

Income", "Adjusted Diluted EPS" and "Net Debt".

Financial Results

For the purpose of presenting the Consolidated Financial Statements in USD, CAD-denominated assets and liabilities in the Parent's operations are converted using the exchange rate at the reporting date, and revenue and expenses are converted at the average exchange rate of the month in which the transaction occurs. As such, foreign currency fluctuations affect the reported values of individual lines on our balance sheet and income statement. When the USD strengthens (weakening CAD), the reported USD values of the Parent's CAD-denominated items decrease in the Consolidated Financial Statements, and the opposite occurs when the USD weakens (strengthening CAD).

Investors are reminded for purposes of calculating financial ratios, including dividend payout and share price-to-earnings ratios, to take into consideration that the Company's share price and dividend rate are reported in CAD and its earnings, EPS and financial statements are reported in USD.

The financial results for the thirteen weeks ended April 3, 2021 and March 28, 2020 are summarized in the following table:





Thirteen weeks ended (Amounts in 000s, except per share amounts, unless otherwise noted)

April 3,

2021

March 28,

2020 Sales volume (millions of lbs)

69.8

77.3 Average foreign exchange rate (USD/CAD)

1.2657

1.3414 Sales

$ 243,413

$ 268,588 Gross profit

$ 57,677

$ 58,768 Gross profit as a percentage of sales

23.7 %

21.9 % Adjusted EBITDA

$ 27,803

$ 30,705 Adjusted EBITDA as a percentage of sales

11.4 %

11.4 % Net income

$ 17,828

$ 14,227 Diluted EPS

$ 0.51

$ 0.41 Adjusted Net Income

$ 14,060

$ 14,288 Adjusted Diluted EPS

$ 0.40

$ 0.41 Diluted weighted average number of shares outstanding

35,117

34,404

Sales volume for the first quarter of 2021 decreased by 7.5 million pounds to 69.8 million pounds compared to 77.3 million pounds in same period in 2020. In our foodservice business, sales volume was lower due to the impact of COVID-19 on our foodservice customers for the entire first quarter of 2021, whereas COVID-19 only impacted the first quarter of 2020 beginning in late March. In our retail business, sales volume was lower due to the surge in demand related to COVID-19 in the last two weeks of March 2020 that did not repeat during the first quarter of 2021. The decline in sales volume was partially offset by new business and new product sales.

Sales in the first quarter of 2021 decreased by $25.2 million to $243.4 million compared to $268.6 million in the same period in 2020 due to the lower sales volumes mentioned above partially offset by changes in sales mix. In addition, the stronger Canadian dollar in the first quarter of 2021 compared to the first quarter of 2020 increased the value of reported USD sales from our CAD-denominated operations by approximately $3.2 million relative to the conversion impact last year.

Gross profit in the first quarter of 2021 decreased by $1.1 million to $57.7 million compared to $58.8 million in the same period in 2020 and gross profit as a percentage of sales increased by 180 basis points to 23.7% compared to 21.9%. The decrease in gross profit reflects the decrease in sales volume discussed above, partially offset by favorable changes in product mix reflected in the improved gross profit as a percentage of sales. In addition, the stronger Canadian dollar increased the value of reported USD gross profit from our Canadian operations in 2021 by approximately $0.9 million relative to the conversion impact last year.

Adjusted EBITDA in the first quarter of 2021 decreased by $2.9 million to $27.8 million compared to $30.7 million in the same period in 2020 and Adjusted EBITDA as a percentage remained consistent with the prior year at 11.4%. The decrease in Adjusted EBITDA is a result of the decrease in gross profit, and an increase in distribution expenses and SG&A expenses due to higher consumer marketing expenditures related to advertising in the U.S. retail business.

Reported net income in the first quarter of 2021 increased by $3.6 million to net income of $17.8 million (diluted EPS of $0.51) compared to $14.2 million (diluted EPS of $0.41) in the same period in 2020. The increase in net income reflects a decrease in finance costs primarily reflecting the gain on modification of debt related to the debt refinancing completed in March 2021 and a decrease in income tax expense, partially offset by the decrease in Adjusted EBITDA and an increase in share-based compensation expense.

Reported net income in the first quarter of 2021 included an expense of $0.3 million related to certain non-routine expenses classified as "business acquisition, integration and other expense compared to an expense of $0.5 million in the same period in 2020. Excluding the impact of these non-routine items, other non-cash expenses, share-based compensation and the gain on modification of debt in the first quarter of 2021, Adjusted Net Income in the first quarter of 2021 decreased by $0.2 million or 1.4% to $14.1 million compared to $14.3 million in the same period last year. Correspondingly, Adjusted Diluted EPS decreased by $0.01 to $0.40 compared to 0.41 in the same period last year.

Net cash flows provided by operating activities in the first quarter of 2021 increased by $24.6 million to an inflow of $26.6 million compared to an inflow of $2.0 million in the same period in 2020 favorable changes in net non-cash working capital, partially offset by lower cash flows from operations. The favorable changes in net non-cash working capital are the result of more favorable changes in accounts payable and accrued liabilities and accounts receivable, partially offset by less favorable changes in inventories.

Net Debt decreased by $23.2 million to $244.8 million at April 3, 2021 compared to $268.0 million at the end of Fiscal 2020, primarily reflecting repayments of long-term debt during the first quarter of 2021.

Net Debt to Adjusted EBITDA improved to 2.9x at April 3, 2021 compared to 3.0x at the end of Fiscal 2020. In the absence of any major acquisitions or unplanned capital expenditures in 2021, we expect this ratio to remain below the Company's long-term target of 3.0x at the end of Fiscal 2021.

Outlook

"We continue to operate in unprecedented times with ongoing uncertainty related to consumer behaviour, supply and demand dynamics and government restrictions. That said, we are seeing promising signs with foodservice recovery and remain confident that the execution of our strategy will enable us to continue on our path to profitability and growth," said Rod Hepponstall, President and CEO of High Liner Foods.

The Company is currently facing some global supply challenges that are largely due to macro-economic and pandemic related issues outside of the Company's control. High Liner Foods is managing the impact of the supply chain issues by drawing on the scale of its global supply chain and the diversification of specie, product, procurement and strong customer and supplier relationships to support its position. Despite these challenges, High Liner Foods remains confident in its ability to continue to drive Adjusted EBITDA growth in 2021.

With a strong balance sheet and further improved cash flow, the Company is well equipped to invest in the business, with anticipated capital expenditures of approximately $20.0 million in Fiscal 2021, an increase over the average capital investment in the business over the past three years as the Company sought to conserve cash and strengthen its financial position.

Furthermore, the Company remains confident in its liquidity position as a result of its prudent cash management, early refinancing of debt in late 2019 and the term loan facility repricing in March 2021 that is expected to save the Company approximately $2.0 million in annual cash interest expense at current borrowings and LIBOR rates. The Company does not have any impending debt maturities and will continue to utilize its $150.0 million working capital credit facility if required. The Company currently has no borrowings on this facility.

Dividend

Today, the Company's Board of Directors approved a quarterly dividend of CAD$0.070 per share on the Company's common shares, payable on June 15, 2021 to holders of record on June 1, 2021.

Conference Call

The Company will host a conference call on Tuesday, May 18, 2021, at 2:00 p.m. ET (3:00 p.m. AT) during which Rod Hepponstall, President & Chief Executive Officer and Paul Jewer, Executive Vice President & Chief Financial Officer, will discuss the financial results for the first quarter of 2021. To access the conference call by telephone, dial 647-427-7450 or 1-888-231-8191. Please connect approximately 10 minutes prior to the beginning of the call to ensure participation. The conference call will be archived for replay by telephone until Tuesday, May 25, 2021 at midnight (ET). To access the archived conference call, dial 1-855-859-2056 and enter the reservation number 8565124.

A live audio webcast of the conference call will be available at www.highlinerfoods.com . Please connect at least 15 minutes prior to the conference call to ensure adequate time for any software download that may be required to join the webcast. The webcast will be archived at the above website for one year.

The Company's Unaudited Condensed Interim Consolidated Financial Statements and MD&A as at and for the thirteen weeks ended April 3, 2021 were filed concurrently on SEDAR with this news release and are also available at www.highlinerfoods.com .

About High Liner Foods Incorporated

High Liner Foods Incorporated is a leading North American processor and marketer of value-added frozen seafood. High Liner Foods' retail branded products are sold throughout the United States and Canada under the High Liner, Fisher Boy, Mirabel, Sea Cuisine, and Catch of the Day labels, and are available in most grocery and club stores. The Company also sells branded products to restaurants and institutions under the High Liner, Mirabel, Icelandic Seafood and FPI labels and is a major supplier of private label value-added seafood products to North American food retailers and foodservice distributors. High Liner Foods is a publicly traded Canadian company, trading under the symbol HLF on the Toronto Stock Exchange.

Forward-looking statements can generally be identified by the use of the conditional tense, the words "may", "should", "would", "could", "believe", "plan", "expect", "intend", "anticipate", "estimate", "foresee", "objective", "goal", "remain" or "continue" or the negative of these terms or variations of them or words and expressions of similar nature. Actual results could differ materially from the conclusion, forecast or projection stated in such forward-looking information. As a result, we cannot guarantee that any forward-looking statements will materialize. Assumptions, expectations and estimates made in the preparation of forward-looking statements and risks that could cause our actual results to differ materially from our current expectations are discussed in detail in the Company's materials filed with the Canadian securities regulatory authorities from time to time, including the Risk Factors section of our MD&A for the thirteen weeks ended April 3, 2021, the Risk Factors section of our 2020 Annual Report and the Risk Factors section of our 2020 Annual Information Form. The risks and uncertainties that may affect the operations, performance, development and results of High Liner Foods' business include, but are not limited to, the following factors: compliance with food safety laws and regulations; timely identification of and response to events that could lead to a product recall; volatility in the CAD/USD exchange rate; competitive developments including increases in overseas seafood production and industry consolidation; availability and price of seafood raw materials and finished goods and the impact of geopolitical events (and related economic sanctions) on the same; the impact of the U.S. Trade Representative's tariffs on certain seafood products; costs of commodity products and other production inputs, and the ability to pass cost increases on to customers; successful integration of acquired operations; potential increases in maintenance and operating costs; shifts in market demands for seafood; performance of new products launched and existing products in the market place; changes in laws and regulations, including environmental, taxation and regulatory requirements; technology changes with respect to production and other equipment and software programs; enterprise resource planning system risk; adverse impacts of cybersecurity attacks or breach of sensitive information; supplier fulfillment of contractual agreements and obligations; competitor reactions; High Liner Foods' ability to generate adequate cash flow or to finance its future business requirements through outside sources; credit risk associated with receivables from customers; volatility associated with the funding status of the Company's post-retirement pension benefits; adverse weather conditions and natural disasters; the availability of adequate levels of insurance; management retention and development; and the potential impact of a pandemic outbreak of a contagious illness, such as the 2019 coronavirus/COVID-19 pandemic, on general economic and business conditions and therefore the Company's operations and financial performance. Forward-looking information is based on management's current estimates, expectations and assumptions, which we believe are reasonable as of the current date. You should not place undue importance on forward-looking information and should not rely upon this information as of any other date. Except as required under applicable securities laws, we do not undertake to update these forward-looking statements, whether written or oral, that may be made from time to time by us or on our behalf, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. We include in publicly available documents filed from time to time with securities commissions and The Toronto Stock Exchange, a discussion of the risk factors that can cause anticipated outcomes to differ from actual outcomes. Except as required under applicable securities legislation, we do not undertake to update forward-looking statements, whether written or oral, that may be made from time to time by us or on our behalf, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

The Company reports its financial results in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards ("IFRS"). Included in this media release are certain non-IFRS financial measures as supplemental indicators of operating performance. These non-IFRS measures are Adjusted EBITDA, Adjusted Net Income, Adjusted Diluted EPS and Net Debt. Please refer to the Company's MD&A for the thirteen weeks ended April 3, 2021 for definitions of non-IFRS financial measures used by the Company and reconciliation of these non-IFRS measures to measures that are found in our Unaudited Condensed Interim Consolidated Financial Statements.

The Company believes these non-IFRS financial measures provide useful information to both management and investors in measuring the financial performance and financial condition of the Company. These measures do not have a standardized meaning prescribed by IFRS and, therefore, may not be comparable to similarly titled measures presented by other publicly traded companies, nor should they be construed as an alternative to other financial measures determined in accordance with IFRS.

For further information about the Company, please visit our website at www.highlinerfoods.com or send an e-mail to [email protected] .

SOURCE High Liner Foods Incorporated

For further information: Paul Jewer, FCPA, FCA, Executive Vice President & Chief Financial Officer, High Liner Foods Incorporated, Tel: (902) 421-7110, [email protected]; Charlene Milner, CPA, CA, Vice President, Finance, High Liner Foods Incorporated,Tel.: (902) 421-7180, [email protected]

Related Links

www.highlinerfoods.com


Over $1 million in funding will allow these two Lac-Saint-Jean businesses that specialize in wild blueberrybased foods to enhance their productivity.

SAINT-FELICIEN, QC, May 18, 2021 /CNW Telbec/ - Canada Economic Development for Quebec Regions (CED)

The SaguenayLac-Saint-Jean region counts a number of dynamic businesses and organizations with innovative ideas that help create a strong local economic fabric. Some organizations have succeeded in adapting to the pandemic and are prospering, while others have had to reduce their operations. Today, as we plan for the economic recovery, they need support now more than ever to ensure their communities remain robust. The Government of Canada is committed to assisting them as they pursue their activities and to fostering their growth and success.

With this in mind, the Honourable Pablo Rodriguez, Quebec Lieutenant and Leader of the Government in the House of Commons, on behalf of the Honourable Melanie Joly, Minister of Economic Development and Official Languages and Minister responsible for CED, today announced financial support for Bleuet Nordic and La Maison du Bleuet.

Contribution details are as follows:

Bleuet Nordic, a business specializing in the secondary processing of wild blueberries, is receiving a repayable contribution of $666,400 . CED's support will enable the business to expand its factory, acquire new processing equipment and conduct a study on enhancing the performance of its dryer.





. CED's support will enable the business to expand its factory, acquire new processing equipment and conduct a study on enhancing the performance of its dryer. La Maison du Bleuet, a business offering products made from organic wild blueberries, is receiving a repayable contribution of $359,000 . CED's support will enable the business to acquire and fit out a building and purchase production equipment, and will lead to the creation of six jobs.

The Government of Canada recognizes and supports businesses and organizations that are a source of pride in their communities. Quebec's economic recovery relies, among other things, on an agri-food sector with organizations that have a strong grounding in the regional economy. The key players in this industry are major contributors to growth, in addition to being key assets in rebuilding a stronger, more resilient and more just economy for all.

Quotes

"Since the start of the pandemic, the federal government has been there to protect jobs and assist our SMEs. Now, as we prepare for the economic recovery, we continue to be there to help businesses innovate and create well-paying jobs for local families. This is exactly what we are doing right here. We are investing in order to allow the Lac-Saint-Jean region to move on from the pandemic, and to create good jobs for local families."

The Honourable Pablo Rodriguez, Member of Parliament for HonoreMercier, Quebec Lieutenant and Leader of the Government in the House of Commons

"One of our government's missions is to help the country's businesses and regions weather the economic crisis caused by the pandemic and embrace the post-pandemic economic recovery. That is why we support them in their efforts to develop their assets, which are specific to the different regions of Quebec. And this is exactly what we are doing right here in the Lac-Saint-Jean region, by providing over $1 million for Bleuet Nordic and the Maison du Bleuet. Leveraging these assets is key to ensuring a robust recovery and creating good jobs in all of our communities. We will always be there for our small businesses across the country."

The Honourable Melanie Joly, Member of Parliament for Ahuntsic-Cartierville, Minister of Economic Development and Official Languages and Minister responsible for CED

Quick facts

The Honourable Melanie Joly , Minister of Economic Development and Official Languages, is also the minister responsible for the regional development agencies (RDAs), including CED.





, Minister of Economic Development and Official Languages, is also the minister responsible for the regional development agencies (RDAs), including CED. Funds have been granted under CED's Regional Economic Growth through Innovation program. This program targets entrepreneurs leveraging innovation to grow their businesses and enhance their competitiveness, as well as regional economic stakeholders helping to create an entrepreneurial environment conducive to innovation and growth for all, across all regions.





The success of the economic recovery will depend, among other things, on as many Canadians as possible getting vaccinated. For more information: Vaccines for COVID-19





CED is the key federal partner for regional economic development in Quebec . With 12 regional business offices, CED helps businesses, support organizations and the regions of Quebec prepare for the economy of tomorrow.

Associated links

Stay connected

Follow CED on social media

Consult CED's news

SOURCE Canada Economic Development for Quebec Regions

For further information: Media Relations, Canada Economic Development for Quebec Regions, [email protected]; Catherine Mounier-Desrochers, Press Secretary, Office of the Minister of Economic Development and Official Languages, [email protected]
Visitors reminded to plan ahead and make safe choices to ensure a safe and enjoyable experience

GATINEAU, QC, May 18, 2021 /CNW/ - Spending time in nature and outdoors has a number of health and wellness benefits. As Canadians do their part to limit the spread of COVID-19, having access to national historic sites and national parks to get outside while following the guidance of public health experts, has been more important than ever.

As Parks Canada prepares to kick off its 2021 visitor season over the May long-weekend, the Minister of Environment and Climate Change and Minister responsible for Parks Canada, Jonathan Wilkinson, took the opportunity to remind Canadians of the importance of getting outdoors while following public health guidance and staying safe.

The health and safety of visitors, employees and all Canadians remains of the utmost importance to the Government of Canada. Parks Canada is following the advice and guidance of public health experts and continues to make every effort to limit the spread of COVID-19.

In 2020, Parks Canada took health and safety measures including operating campgrounds at a reduced capacity, adjusting the capacity and visitor flow of indoor spaces such as visitor centres, historic buildings and washrooms, and modifying interpretative activities, to ensure that Canadians across the country could continue to enjoy nature. This season will once again be different than previous years. Visitor access and services will vary across the country depending on local circumstances and only services where health and safety risks can be properly managed will be opened.

Before visiting, there are a few things that everyone should remember:

Plan ahead. The Parks Canada website provides detailed information on what locations are open, what to expect, how to prepare, and what services are available. Be sure to check the website before you visit.

The Parks Canada website provides detailed information on what locations are open, what to expect, how to prepare, and what services are available. Be sure to check the website before you visit. Follow travel restrictions and respect the guidance of public health experts. We all need to do our part to limit the spread of COVID-19 and keep one another safe. It is important to always follow travel restrictions, even when visiting national parks and national historic sites.

We all need to do our part to limit the spread of COVID-19 and keep one another safe. It is important to always follow travel restrictions, even when visiting national parks and national historic sites. Make safe choices. Choose activities that correspond with your level of experience in order to help minimize the demands on emergency response, search and rescue teams, and on the health care system.

Choose activities that correspond with your level of experience in order to help minimize the demands on emergency response, search and rescue teams, and on the health care system. Be self-sufficient . Pack a kit that includes extra hygiene supplies such as hand sanitizer, soap, masks or face coverings, garbage bags and a tablecloth. You should be prepared to bring your own water and food.

. Pack a kit that includes extra hygiene supplies such as hand sanitizer, soap, masks or face coverings, garbage bags and a tablecloth. You should be prepared to bring your own water and food. Leave no trace . Help us keep these special places clean by using appropriate garbage containers or by taking all your garbage with you.

. Help us keep these special places clean by using appropriate garbage containers or by taking all your garbage with you. Respect wildlife. Learn more about the wildlife in the park or site you will be visiting, remember to never feed wildlife, always give them space, maintain a clean campsite, respect closures and speed limits, and keep your dog on a leash at all times.

Further information and tips for a safe and enjoyable visit are available on the Parks Canada website at: https://www.pc.gc.ca/en/voyage-travel/securite-safety/covid-19-info/covid-19-visite-visit.

Quotes

"Over the past year, so many Canadians have benefited from the health and wellness benefits that come from being outdoors and in nature. I too have taken every opportunity to get outside. National historic sites, national parks, and national marine conservation areas offer countless opportunities for Canadians to safely connect with nature and history while following the guidance of public health authorities to help limit the spread of COVID-19. I am looking forward to the 2021 visitor season as Parks Canada invites Canadians across the country to enjoy the outdoors and create lasting memories close to home."

The Honourable Jonathan Wilkinson

Minister of Environment and Climate Change and Minister responsible for Parks Canada

"For Parks Canada, the health and wellbeing of visitors, employees, and all Canadians are of the utmost importance. The Parks Canada team is working extremely hard to provide a safe, clean, and healthy experience and everyone can play an important role. Visitors should make every effort to plan ahead, respect travel restrictions, follow the guidance of public health experts, make safe choices, and leave no trace when visiting outdoor spaces. By working together, we can ensure a safe and enjoyable 2021 visitor season for all."

Ron Hallman

President & Chief Executive Officer, Parks Canada

Quick Facts

Parks Canada protects a vast network of cultural and natural heritage places that include 171 national historic sites, 47 national parks, five national marine conservation areas and one national urban park.

protects a vast network of cultural and natural heritage places that include 171 national historic sites, 47 national parks, five national marine conservation areas and one national urban park. Parks Canada is responsible for protecting nationally significant examples of natural and cultural heritage in Canada and sharing the stories of these treasured places.

is responsible for protecting nationally significant examples of natural and cultural heritage in and sharing the stories of these treasured places. Through the largest infrastructure investment in the history of Parks Canada, the Government of Canada is protecting and conserving national treasures, while supporting local economies and contributing to growth in the tourism sector.

is protecting and conserving national treasures, while supporting local economies and contributing to growth in the tourism sector. This investment means many Canadians will enjoy new and improved visitor experience opportunities this season, including the first front country campground in Mount Revelstoke National Park , the renewed Visitor Centre developed in collaboration with local Indigenous peoples in Riding Mountain National Park , new and improved hiking trails in Kejimkujik National Park , and many more.

, the renewed Visitor Centre developed in collaboration with local Indigenous peoples in , new and improved hiking trails in , and many more. The Parks Canada app makes trip planning for first-time visitors to Parks Canada locations across the country even simpler. Visitors can now find Learn-to Camp content in the app and can obtain information on proper camping equipment, tips, and recipes. Visitors can even plan their entire trip itinerary and create a camping checklist.

Related Links

SOURCE Parks Canada

For further information: Moira Kelly, Press Secretary, Office of the Minister of Environment and Climate Change, 819-271-6218, [email protected]; Media Relations, Parks Canada Agency, 855-862-1812, [email protected]

Related Links

www.pc.gc.ca


OTTAWA, ON, May 19, 2021 /CNW/ - The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) is committed to using cutting-edge research, technology, products and services put forward by Canadian small businesses to solve important challenges faced by the Agency and benefit businesses.

Through the Innovative Solutions Canada Program, the CFIA has launched several challenges that will improve the health of Canadians, our plants and our animals, including:

A challenge to develop a handheld device that detects food borne pathogens throughout the farm-to-fork continuum.

A challenge to develop a system that uses artificial intelligence to help specialists determine which vaccination strain would be most successful at preventing and controlling field outbreaks of foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) in livestock (cattle, sheep and swine).

A challenge to develop a phytosanitary treatment for the control of quarantine plant pests that could destroy our forests or food crops.

During Canadian Innovation Week, the CFIA is pleased to announce that the following companies are receiving funding to develop their innovative concepts:

Approximately $150,000 in grant funding to Precision Biomonitoring , in Guelph, Ontario , to develop a handheld device to detect bacterial foodborne hazards .

in grant funding to Precision Biomonitoring in , to develop a handheld device to detect bacterial foodborne hazards Approximately $100,000 to Shaddari Inc., in Montreal, Quebec , to develop a computer model that could support vaccine matching technologies for FMD in Canada .

to Shaddari Inc., in , to develop a computer model that could support vaccine matching technologies for FMD in . Approximately $150,000 in grant funding to HPP West Coast Facility, in Port Coquitlam, British Columbia , to develop a high pressure processing (HPP) technology that could safely control plant pests that are regulated and/or of quarantine significance in Canada to support industry in exporting products to international markets.

Quotes

"Through the Canadian Food Inspection Agency's Innovative Solutions Canada program, we are supporting Canadian-made innovation. We're partnering with these trailblazers to find innovative ways to protect Canadians, by quickly detecting food borne pathogens, develop new technologies, and keeping our food supply safe."

-The Honourable Patty Hajdu, Minister of Health

"Foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) is a very serious disease of livestock that has the potential for significant economic impact on the agricultural industry. Although FMD is not currently found in Canada, it is extremely important to be prepared for it. Through the Innovative Solutions Canada program, the Government of Canada is funding this project to support a response to FMD by the Canadian agriculture industry and protect the health of animals. This new computer model has the potential to allow the CFIA to access technologies that could support mitigation measures for FMD in Canada and around the globe."





-The Honourable Marie-Claude Bibeau, Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food

"Protecting Canada's plant resources helps to maintain food security and environmental sustainability, and supports continued economic growth. The CFIA is excited about the potential of high pressure processing, an innovative concept for managing the risk associated with quarantine pests. If successful, this innovation could provide a more effective option to control plant pests of concern to Canada, including those that spread via trade pathways such as cargo and containers."

- Dr William Anderson, Chief Plant Health Officer for Canada

"Our Government is committed to supporting entrepreneurs and small businesses whose innovative ideas address some of today's biggest challenges in a variety of fields, such as food safety, disease prevention in livestock and protection of Canada's forests and food crops. Through the Innovative Solutions Canada program, we are concretely supporting companies and the development of Canadian innovations across the country."

-The Honourable Francois-Philippe Champagne, Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry

Related Products or Associated Links

Stay connected

Twitter: @InspectionCan

Facebook: CFIACanada

LinkedIn: canadian-food-inspection-agency

SOURCE Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA)

For further information: Cole Davidson, Press Secretary, Office of the Minister of Health, 613-957-0200; Jean-Sebastien Comeau, Press Secretary, Office of the Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, 343-549-2326; John Power, Director of Communications, Office of the Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry, [email protected]; Media Relations, Canadian Food Inspection Agency, 613-773-6600, [email protected]

Related Links

http://www.inspection.gc.ca


Covid-19 is the biggest challenge India has faced in these past two years. From big cities to rural areas, the pandemic has left everyone helpless. Amid these difficult times, organisations like Population Foundation of India have been helping to spread awareness on various key healthcare issues. NewsX recently interacted with PFIs Executive Director Poonam Muttreja as part of its special series NewsX India A-List, wherein she shared PF Is efforts towards community building and sensitisation in detail.

Speaking about PFIs efforts towards spreading awareness on key healthcare issues, especially family planning, in the rural sector amid Covid-19 pandemic, Ms Poonam said, PFI took the responsibility of doing both- Covid-related information, which was desperately needed and the government asked us to help develop materials from the time India went into lockdown in March. We did simultaneously on family planning and reproductive sexual health issues. So, the first thing we did was that we found out that reproductive health services have totally stopped because of the onslaught of Covid and the whole health system, especially frontline healthcare workers, being engaged with fighting this unexpected pandemic that came up upon us. We did a quick field survey and got back to the Government of India, we wrote a letter to the prime minister, health minister and to the health ministry, explaining what was happening in the field, how women werent getting deliveries, family planning services had stopped and even government data was showing that. We used data and Im very happy to tell you that the health secretary was headed by a woman at the time and the additional health secretary Vandana Gurnan, both of them took one day to write a letter to every health secretary in every state to start at least minimal services and they put all these issues, including family planning, under essential health services.

She added, We do policy work, we give feedback to the government in a constructive way with evidence, persuade them to change, change quickly mid-course but, most importantly, what we did was for the state government, on menstrual health management, on family planning. We had a lot of materials on using condoms and so on. We immediately sent it to states across the country to use that material, which was sent through sms, WhatsApp messages to people. Second, for instance, in states like Bihar, where we do a lot of work, we requested the government to distribute condoms to migrants who were reaching in large numbers. I have experienced that the minute migrants go for a holiday during Chatt, Diwali or any festivity, thats when pregnancies happen. We ourselves supported some of our community, for example, adolescent girls. In Bihar, they set up a bank of sanitary pads because schools distribute sanitary pads. Suddenly, with the closure of schools, the primary healthcare centers were not being available to give free sanitary pads. We sent a lot of messages to Ashas, tried to assure that goods that were stuck in lines of trucks, were hurried up, sending contraceptives materials and so on and so forth. But, our main work was using digital media and helping government using digital media across the country through both NGOs to prevent Covid and raise issues like violence against women and the need for preventing pregnancies, taking carte and so on and so forth. It was a firefighting operation we did, because everything was closed. We had to develop films during the lockdown. We made a very encouraging film on frontline health workers, which millions of people saw to honour them and make people realise what a great job these 3.3 million women were doing. Globally and in India, it went viral. People like Smriti Irani, Minister for Women and Child Development, tweeted it.

When asked about how the foundation has been driving attention towards the need for vaccination drive in rural areas, Ms Poonam said, We recognise that there is vaccine hesitancy and that people dont know the positive and preventive aspects of the coronavirus vaccine. We developed behaviour change material for both the state governments and we are using it through our state offices across three states. We have to educate people. Right now, there is a huge need to educate people on the importance of vaccine and removing the myths and misconceptions. We have again developed some very interesting spots, which are being shared with people in the community by NGOs. We have enlisted a large number of NGOs across the country, who are going to use it, especially those who believe that vaccine is a very very important preventive and projective measure. What we are doing is that we are in touch with a large number of NGOs, which have set up groups. These groups that are going to work in the field on even providing services once the vaccines are available. Third, we are doing translation of materials in Hindi because CoWin is in English. We are translating it and putting it out in Hindi. Right now, it is through NGOs but state governments have agreed to use our material. As I speak to you, we have developed the material and we are transferring it. We have also done a campaign with Facebook, on all the handles on vaccines.

Talking about her own journey till now, she expressed, Since I was in school, I got sensitised to the fact that, we the middle class, are immune to poverty and suffering around us. We just think that it happens in the villages but I fortunately was exposed to the domestic science lab worker, a lady who I discovered earns Rs 50, she is a widow and her children dont go to school. After that, there was no looking back. I gave her my pocket money so that her 5 kids could go to school and you have no idea what pleasure it gave me and there was no turning around. So, what I do is, I respond to the needs of the most marginalised communities in the institutions I have set up, the movements I have been involved with. I dont think of what is going to be my career path, none of that till today. I think about the need and what struck me were Dalits and untouchability. I started by designing and working with leather workers on developing products. In villages, I discovered that women had no livelihoods or agency so I started working on women empowerment and I set up an NGO called Dastakaar, which works with artisans but we brought women in big way. My thing is bring people to work with you and Dastakaar had a great team of people. Im still associated with the NGO but what I do is that I set up NGOs. When Mrs Gandhi was assassinated and there were riots in Delhi against the Sikh community, I jumped in and we started an organisation called Nagre. So, you have to respond to what is the crisis in the community and what are the real issues. At the heart of what I do is Gender, particularly women. We have to now work on scale. Time for conversations is gone. We have to really make changes and scale, if we want to change the reality. 50% of people in country are women. We have to take advantage of the talents and the ability, capability and multitasking, doing great jobs is a huge potential.
The prime minister also said that ongoing efforts are being made to significantly increase Covid vaccine supply and that efforts are being made to provide states with a 15-day advance schedule of the program so that they can prepare accordingly.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi1 described state and district officials as field commanders in the fight against COVID-19 on Tuesday, saying localized containment zones, aggressive testing, and sharing correct and complete information with people are weapons to defeat the pandemic.

The prime minister also said that ongoing efforts are being made to significantly increase Covid vaccine supply and that efforts are being made to provide states with a 15-day advance schedule of the program so that they can prepare accordingly.

Interacting with them via video-conferencing at a meeting attended by district magistrates from 46 districts across nine states, Modi stated that they were free to innovate to meet their local needs and encouraged them to provide feedback on any policy changes.

Also Read:China extends support to Vaccine Patent Waiver Plan: What is Xi plotting next?

Last week the Centre had pledged that over 2 billion doses of Covid vaccines would be available in India during the last five months of this year, Experts across the country have questioned the projections, calling them impractical, if not impossible.

The country currently produces only 2.3 million doses of Covid vaccine per day, but government projections indicate that this will increase by 50%.

V K Paul, member of Niti Aayog and head of the National Covid task force, had said in a press conference last week on Thursday that 2.16 billion doses of Covid vaccines will be available in the country between August and December, enough to cover nearly 95 percent of Indias adult population.

Those who have been following Covid vaccine developments over the years, on the other hand, have a major concern: how can production be ramped up so quickly!

But its not just the experts who are skeptical. In an affidavit filed with the Supreme Court last week, the Union government stated that Covaxin production per day will increase from 0.3 million to 3.3 million in the next 8-10 months.

And its not just these two vaccines whose capacity escalation appears to be difficult; most others, which are expected to be plentiful, have yet to even be developed.
The role of China in sinking the world into an unprecedented crisis is making the headlines once again. In a recent development, the debate over biological warfare has emerged after Chinese documents allegedly revealed that Chinese military scientists discussed weaponizing SARS coronavirus in 2015.

According to Chinese virologist Dr. Le-Meng Yan, the coronavirus was discovered after a lot of investment by Chinas Peoples Liberation Army (PLA) and was intentionally released from a lab as a bio-weapon. Yan, a former postdoctoral fellow at Hong Kong University, fled to the United States in April of last year. She claimed in a paper published in September of last year that coronavirus was created by China in a research lab. When people realize the virus came from a lab, Chinas goal, according to Yan, is to deny the allegations and use misinformation to mislead the world.

Also Read: Amid Vaccine shortage in India,Biden pledges US support for COVAX supplies during ongoing COVID crisis

American Journalist Barton Gellman had once said In the field of biological weapons, there is almost no prospect of detecting a pathogen until it has been used in an attack. COVID is plaguing the world for almost one and a half years now, millions have succumbed to it, across the globe people have shared horrible experiences, countries have gone under phases of lockdown, movements have halted, all these due to a microscopic virus.

The surfacing of the documents from China has raised serious questions for China. A question that China has always found to be irksome. When Australia last year had raised questions over Chinas handling of the Covid, An irked China responded snarkily that Australia wanted to present China in a bad light.

Now, with the revelation of these documents a debate has raged again on the origin of the Virus. China this time should find a constructive and truthful answer. An in-depth article by science journalist Nicholas Wade has also made a strong case for the lab-engineered virus theory. The Wuhan Institute of Virology, a possible source of the virus, is thought to have previously collaborated with the Chinese Army on a massive project to investigate animal viruses.

With the revival of QUAD and Joe Bidens earnest appeal to the QUAD nations to work together, we may see top nations of the world working together to build an Anti-Bio Terror strategic command. And guess who does not like QUAD  CHINA.
As nations try to figure out how to cope with vaccine scarcity. UK study has found the first study to directly compare immune reactions between Pfizer and AstraZeneca's COVID-19 vaccines. Strong and broadly similar antibody responses in over-80-year-olds after a first dose of either shot. Whether or not this will relate to an improved immune response, we dont know yet, said Matthew Snape, an Oxford pediatrics. Study that has yet to show how well such a cocktail will defend against the virus.

As many low- and middle-income nations try to figure out how to cope with vaccine scarcity, researchers and public health officials are examining strategies such as blending two different shots of Pfizer and AstraZeneca.

UK study has found the first study to directly compare immune reactions between Pfizer and AstraZenecas COVID-19 vaccines. They found strong and broadly similar antibody responses in over-80-year-olds after a first dose of either shot, scientists said on Wednesday.

The UK study likewise tracked down that a critical component of the immune system known as T cells showed a more upgraded reaction in the individuals who got the AstraZeneca vaccine than in the individuals who got the Pfizerone.

Also read: DRDO rolls out 1st batch of drug 2-DG on Monday, Will its efficacy and use become game changer in treatment of Covid?

Mixing doses of two leading Covid-19 vaccines reacted on patients with those who got a first dose of AstraZeneca followed by Pfizer.

More short-lived side effects such as fatigue and headaches were reported four weeks later with most of them mild.

Whether or not this will relate to an improved immune response, we dont know yet; well be finding out those results in a few weeks time, said Matthew Snape, an Oxford pediatrics and vaccinology professor whos leading the trial.

As per Snap, the study didnt highlight any safety issues and the stronger results disappeared following a couple of days, he said on a conference call. The outcomes recommend, in any case, that mixed doses schedules could bring about an expansion in work absences the day after vaccination.

Findings from a study that has yet to show how well such a cocktail will defend against the virus. Unfortunately, assurance that mismatched shots are still safe and effective would make it easier for governments to be at ease with the seriousness of cases and deaths due to COVID.
With seasonings ranging from chipotle lime, cinnamon fireball whiskey and garlic parmesan, the chicken wings at Alexs Lounge III, set to open in South Norwalk at the end of May, will be the must-try menu item, according to owner Alejandro Tepetitla.

Tepetitla, who already has two locations of Alexs Lounge just across the state border in White Plains and Elmsford, N.Y., has been planning the opening of the Connecticut location for more than a year.
STAMFORD  Dr. Josh Bilenker, the founder and former CEO of Stamford-based Loxo Oncology, one of the most influential cancer-focused startups of recent years, has launched another locally based oncology firm.

Treeline Biosciences aims to prioritize molecular targets in oncology that are validated but difficult to drug and if successful, we believe that our approaches could apply to other therapeutic areas as well, Bilenker and Treelines other founder, Dr. Jeff Engelman, wrote in a message posted on the firms website.

The (Treeline) name is meant to connote the outer edge of scientific possibility, where conditions are challenging but the metaphorical trees still grow, Bilenker and Engelman also wrote.

Treeline will have a corporate presence in Stamford, with lab operations in San Diego and Watertown, Mass., the founders said.

Bilenker is Treelines CEO, according to his LinkedIn profile. Engelman is the CSO, according to his LinkedIn profile  an acronym that often refers to a biotech firms chief scientific officer. Engelman previously served as global oncology head at the Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research.

As a sign of Treelines progress, Bilenker and Engelman said in their message that the firm recently closed on a Series A funding round. They did not disclose the amount raised, but said that RCH Venture Partners, GV and OrbiMed led the financing. Other investors included Access Industries, Ajax Health/Zeus, Casdin Capital, funds and accounts advised by T. Rowe Price Associates and Aisling Capital.

Michael Cummo / Hearst Connecticut Media

In their message, Bilenker and Engelman also outlined key features of Treelines research and development.

Our efforts will incorporate both established and emerging technologies, across disciplines, including biology (big data genetics, CRISPR, cell biology), chemistry (covalent modifiers, molecular glues, degraders, allosteric approaches), structural biology (Cryo-EM, NMR, X-ray crystallography) and computation (in silico docking, molecular dynamics, machine learning/AI), they wrote. Many components of this toolbox did not exist even 5 years ago, and our industry is only beginning to integrate these capabilities into the routine drug discovery cascade.

In response to an inquiry from Hearst Connecticut Media, a spokesman said that Treeline was not conducting any interviews at this time.

There is a ton of work to do, both in building a team and launching the science, Bilenker and Engelman added in their message. Please forgive us in advance for keeping a low profile. Well report back from the tree line once weve marked some new trails.

Treelines launch follows Bilenkers 2013 founding of Loxo Oncology, which was acquired for $8 billion in 2019 by pharmaceutical giant Eli Lilly & Co.

The acquisition of Loxo showed the widespread belief in the potential of Loxos drugs, which have been praised by doctors for offering personalized, gene-based cancer treatment. Vitrakvi, which was approved by the Food and Drug Administration in November 2018, comprised a first-of-its-kind medication for adult and pediatric patients with solid tumors that have the TRK fusion genetic mutation.

Participants in Vitrakvis clinical testing in 2017 included a Bridgeport baby, Rihanna Plaza. The drug cured the cancer that had threatened to disable now-4-year-old Rihannas right arm.

Christian Abraham / Hearst Connecticut Media

This will be part of Rihannas life forever, Enrique Plaza, Rihannas father, said in a December 2018 interview. Rihanna could be an example for other kids to get this medicine.

Today, Loxo operates as the research-and-development organization for oncology within Lilly. Its second drug, Retevmo, was approved by the FDA in May 2020.

The firm has about 55 Stamford-based employees, with downtown offices at 281 Tresser Blvd. Jake Van Naarden, formerly Loxos chief operating officer, took over as Loxo CEO at Lilly earlier this year. Lilly is not involved in Treeline.

Stamford is the home city of a number of other biotech firms. In a filing to the Securities and Exchange Commission, Treeline listed a business address of 68 Southfield Ave., in the citys Waterside section. Those offices are in the same complex of buildings as the recently opened laboratory of health care information firm Sema4.

Other promising bioscience companies headquartered in the city include Cara Therapeutics and SpringWorks Therapeutics.

Treelines decision to have a presence in Stamford is another example of how folks in this industry believe in this state, said Dawn Hocevar, CEO and president of BioCT, a nonprofit advocacy group for the biotech industry. Its very exciting to see whats happening with biotech in Connecticut.

pschott@stamfordadvocate.com; twitter: @paulschott
Another cheesy one bites the dust as Taco Bell fans are mourning the removal of a cult-favorite menu item.

After making its long-awaited return earlier this year, the fast food giant announced that the Quesalupa will no longer be available.

Fans are encouraged to satisfy their Quesalupa craving before it leaves Taco Bells menu later this month, a spokesperson said.

But judging by internet outrage, it seems that the beloved crunchy item has already been removed from the menu at Taco Bell locations across the country.

Taco Bell got rid of the quesalupa my life is over  Big Tucson Dad (@BigTucsonDad) May 18, 2021

I just got a Taco Bell notification that the quesalupa is disappearing soon, please send thoughts and prayers at this difficult time. (Also yes I have my notifications on for Taco Bell, let me live)  Katie Lady (@keshastwin) May 12, 2021

taco bell just told me that the quesalupa is no longer available and now im crying on my way home from work to breathe (taylors version)  dani (@dani_crear) May 12, 2021

taco bells quesalupas are officially gone brb crying  kenz (@kenziemartini) May 12, 2021

they took away the quesalupa i'm sick....  (@kottonkandyyy) May 15, 2021

Can the CDC bring back the quesalupa to @tacobell or is that to far fetched  Lisa (@HighImLisa) May 14, 2021

Taco Bell brought back the potatoes just to rip my heart out AGAIN by discontinuing the quesalupa. I will being wearing all black during this time of mourning.  emily (@emnamenye) May 12, 2021

the quesalupa is no longer at taco bell, im not crying you are!  Audrey Whalen (@aaudreyyyyyy) May 10, 2021

The quesalupa is half quesadilla, half chalupa  just like its name would suggest  and consists of a chalupa shell stuffed with cheese and wrapped around seasoned beef, lettuce, tomatoes, sour cream and of course, more cheddar cheese.

The Quesalupa first launched on Taco Bell menus in Toledo, Ohio in 2015 before making its nationwide debut in 2016, and as the fast-food giant said itself, the hype was real. It was eventually removed from menus, and it made its long-anticipated return to stores in early May of this year.

Taco Bell announced the Quesalupa was coming back this year from its hiatus more craveable than ever, with 50 percent more cheese inside its famous double-layered shell after being soft-launched last fall at a Taco Bell test kitchen in Tennessee.

The Quesalupa costs $2.99 for an individual order, or you can get it in a $6.99 combo meal consisting of a Quesalupa, two tacos and a large drink.

Copyright 2021 Entrepreneur.com Inc., All rights reserved
NEW HAVEN  After two homicides and three shootings in five days, city clergy were compelled to speak out.

The continuing violence is, as the Rev. Boise Kimber put it, a state of emergency.

Members of the Greater New Haven Clergy Association Wednesday called for greater investment in the lives of people at risk of becoming involved in violence, both block by block and as a city.

Kimber, leader of the First Cavalary Baptist Church, and the Rev. John Lewis, head of Life Center Ministries, urged residents to band together to dissuade people from violence, and called on Mayor Justin Elickers administration to bring all stakeholders to the table, including the clergy, in planning how to address it.

Lets get it together, lets collaborate and lets stop the violence. The way we stop it is by increasing the love, said Lewis. The reason why our children are able to assassinate each other  its reflective assassination. ... If you dont love youself, its easy for me to kill somebody that looks like me. ... Weve got to give (young people) opportunity to understand themselves more and educate them, so they can really understand the value in how important they are to the community.

We are our neighbors keeper, said Kimber. If we dont do somethng as a community, then the bleeding is going to continue. Were going to continue to lose young men and women in our community  and thats where we are today.

Kimber said Elicker needed to do a better job of building a relationship with the community, including the clergy.

He also suggested the Police Department was not appropriately following community policing, including having officers step out of squad cards and become known in their neighborhoods, or promoting enough Black officers to leadership positions.

Im asking the mayor to stop chasing funerals and put something things in place that will help our community and help the people of our community, said Kimber. As John had said, this is 911. It is a state of emergency in New Haven when there have been 11 murders in the first five months of the year. We havent even gotten to the summer  and we dont have a plan. What is the plan? What is the relationship?

At a larger level, people need jobs and educational opportunities, Lewis and Kimber said.

Lewis noted the number of officers that left New Haven in recent years and the decision to decrease the police budget by $4 million, saying the loss needed to be made up for with increased investment in those aspects of life.

The city, by asking people who have grown up in a violent environment to step away from that path, is trying to get people to overcome generational trauma, Lewis said  a significant step that requires commitment and fellowship among city organizations.

It needs to be done, he said, and if its not, residents should hold their leaders accountable.

Stop band-aiding this situation or the circumstances that were dealing with this. This goes real deep. And we need the support of everybody; we need the support of the mayor, the government, everybody, to allow us to deal with our community and our family, Lewis said. (Its) got nothing to do with race. It has everything to do with what weve got to do to heal ourselves from the trauma that we have caused on one another that comes from the systemic trauma that has been placed on us for generations... it is time for us to step up and do what is right.

Elicker said Wednesday that the city had allocated $2 million in summer reset funding from the federal government toward public safety, including funds for street intervention workers, and $1.5 million toward youth programs, including jobs corps for young people to work in city neighborhoods and support for nonprofits.

The city also recently opened a re-entry center to help people returning to New Haven from prison, he noted.

He said he and Acting Chief Renee Dominguez had also recently increased walking beats and bike patrols for the summer months, with changes expected to take effect next week. Police had been working hard under challenging circumstances, he said.

Dominguez could not be reached for comment Wednesday.

Elicker noted the weight of the violence in New Haven, noting that he often responds to shootings and attends the funerals of those lost.

This is something we deeply care about and are working hard to address, said Elicker.

There have been two homicides in New Haven in recent days, as well as three other shootings.

Jack Hopeton, 44, with a last known address in Waterbury, was fatally wounded shortly before 6 a.m. on George Street near Orchard Street Tuesday, according to police.

Mariyah Inthirath, 20, died after suffering a single gunshot wound on Sheffield Avenue Saturday.

There have been 11 homicides so far this year in New Haven.

Before the deaths of Hopeton and Inthirath, Alfreda Youmans, Jeffery Dotson, Jorge Osorio-Caballero, Marquis Winfrey, Joseph Mattei, Kevin Jiang, Angel Rodriguez, Dwaneia Turner, and Alessia Mesquita had been killed in the city to date this year.

william.lambert@hearstmediact.com
HAMDEN  At $19,021 per person, Hamden had more debt per capita during the 2019 fiscal year than any other Connecticut municipality, a new state report says.

Thats some $2,500 more than New Haven, the second-most indebted municipality at $16,513 per person, according to the data. The list is part of an annual Municipal Fiscal Indicators report released by the Office of Policy Management.

Scott Jackson, Hamdens former mayor and current finance director, said historical underfunding of the towns pension plan is a big contributor to its current debt.

We failed for, you know, not years but decades to appropriately fund our pension obligations, he said. The reality is we undertaxed for decades.

Ned Gerard / Hearst Connecticut Media

Though the town now is paying for past mistakes, the pension fund has come a long way, according to Jackson.

This year that were in is the first one that anyone can remember that we actually fully funded the pension, he said.

Sometime in the coming years, Hamdens debt service payments will go up to roughly $30 million and stay there for about a decade, according to financial adviser Barry Bernabe.

Bernabe said $30 million is the towns natural debt service. But as a result of a debt restructure, a process in which debt payments are pushed farther into the future, Hamdens actual payment for the coming fiscal year is expected to be $17.5 million.

If used carefully, Bernabe said, restructurings can be important tools. The towns latest restructuring was part of a plan to generate a surplus and build its struggling fund balance.

Municipalities can get into trouble, however, if they become too reliant on restructurings and use them to mitigate other budget increases, pushing debt to future generations, according to Bernabe.

He said Hartford became addicted to the mechanism and artificially brought its debt service to zero. When that number was going to jump up to $40 million, Bernabe said, the city could not handle the increase and required a state bailout.

You cant push it down indefinitely, he said. If you do it too much like Hartford did, it blows up on you.

According to Bernabe, Hamden sometimes has used restructuring to mitigate other increases, though not to the same degree as Hartford. Jackson said he partially agreed, but that restructurings have benefited taxpayers by preventing sharp rises in payment.

Without another restructure, Hamdens debt service would increase to $28 million by the fiscal year ending in 2023. To mitigate the shock of an increase and create a surplus to build the fund balance, Bernabe had advised over-budgeting the debt service payment, gradually increasing the line by $2 million each year.

The council followed his advice last week during budget deliberations.

Once Hamden reaches the $30 million, it will be a lot less painful to keep it there than to increase it, Bernabe said. However, if the town were to borrow more money, that number could climb higher.

Despite Hamdens towering debt, Bernabe said he believes the towns biggest problems are building the fund balance and creating structurally balanced budgets. He said Hamden historically has struggled with creating budgets in which expenses and revenues balance out.

In the past they kind of had some phantom revenues, if you will, he said. Theres a lot of pressure to not increase taxes so much ... what happens over time is the towns just a little short with the revenues

An audit for the last fiscal year showed Hamdens expenses exceeded its revenues by around $5 million, pushing the fund balance into the red by about $2.3 million. Thanks to bond premiums, that number has since gone up to about half a million dollars, still a tiny rainy day fund for a town of Hamdens size, according to Jackson.

Jackson said the town has made strides in improving its budgeting practices.

There are some things that we used to do that weve gotten out of the habit of doing, he said.

For example, to ward off fiscal cliffs the budget proposal currently under review does not include any one-time revenues, according to Jackson.

I do think that in terms of structural balance both the budget proposed and the budget passed by council achieved that goal, he said.

With a tax rate of around 51.9 mills , many local politicians have raised alarms about Hamdens budgeting practices and financial outlook. But Mayor Curt Balzano Leng contends the town is turning a corner.

With the expected federal aid, he contends the town is set to have the healthiest fund balance in years.

Fixing decade old problems is never an easy task, Leng said in a written statement to the New Haven Register. Thankfully, we have been able to accomplish a great deal to put the town on solid financial footing. Budgets are balanced, our fund balance is already being restored. ... Hamden is in a more stable and positive financial position than we have been in many years.

According to Jackson, revenues for the current fiscal year are currently $8.7 million less than budgeted, but expenditures are $8.2 million less than budgeted.

While that would mean a $500,000 deficit, Jackson said the town still is collecting department and tax revenue. With that income, along with the anticipated federal aid, he expects to end the fiscal year without a deficit. .

meghan.friedmann@hearstmediact.com
BATON ROUGE, La. (AP)  The National Weather Service warned Wednesday that more rain is expected this week in Louisiana, Texas, Oklahoma and Arkansas, including areas where flooding has already caused misery this week.

Forecasters said 2 to 4 inches (5 to 10 centimeters) of rain could fall in southeast Texas and southwest Louisiana on Thursday and Friday, two areas already hard hit. Flash flood watches stretched from southwest Louisiana and east Texas northward into Arkansas and Oklahoma Wednesday evening. The weather service said they would be in effect through Thursday evening there and along the western and central Gulf of Mexico coast.

Rainy weather and flooding are suspected factors in at least four Louisiana deaths. And one person was missing after a car went into a canal.

In central Arkansas, at least 15 people were rescued from flash flooding after heavy rainfall late Tuesday and early Wednesday, emergency officials said. There were no reports of injuries.

Downpours earlier this week swamped vehicles and closed a major interstate highway in southwest Louisiana, including the Lake Charles area. It's an area still recovering from back-to-back hurricanes last fall and a deep freeze in February. Twelve to 15 inches of rain fell in parts of Lake Charles in a 12-hour period Monday, the weather service said.

In Baton Rouge, Louisiana, piles of ruined furniture, carpet and clothing lined the street in a neighborhood where residents were beginning to clean up from the earlier storms, WBRZ-TV reported. One man, David Earl, told the station that so much water flowed into his home through cracks and a dog door that his furniture began to float.

Some schools in Louisiana were closed on Wednesday in anticipation of severe weather.

It is mind-boggling, said Patrick King of Lake Charles. He was at a car rental office Tuesday after his truck was flooded Monday. He still hadnt moved back into his house after it flooded during Octobers Hurricane Delta, but recently had new furniture delivered to the home. Now it's been flooded again.

Lake Charles Mayor Nic Hunter estimated that 400 to 500 structures flooded during Mondays downpours. Hunter was mayor last year when the city was hit by Hurricane Laura on Aug. 27 and then six weeks later by Delta. Then in February, the deep freeze froze pipes and caused widespread drinking water problems.

Louisiana State Police said investigators believe an automobile crash that killed the driver and a toddler Wednesday may have been caused in part by driving too fast for the weather. It was raining when the car ran off U.S. 90 and hit a tree in St. Mary Parish between Morgan City and Amelia, Trooper First Class Derek Senegal said in a news release.

Earlier, the Calcasieu Parish coroner said a 61-year-old man was found in a vehicle submerged under water. The body of 33-year-old Justin Blaine Thompson was found in a vehicle submerged in water under a Baton Rouge overpass, another coroners office said. And near Port Allen, 40-year-old Alvarado Morentes Hermelindo died and another person was missing after their car crashed into a canal Monday evening, Louisiana State Police said.
BATON ROUGE, La. (AP)  After two votes and a slew of rewrites, a wide-ranging effort to restructure Louisiana's hunting and fishing licenses and boost fees charged on recreational and commercial license-holders won backing from the state House on Tuesday.

The Department of Wildlife and Fisheries is pushing the measure by Republican Rep. Tony Bacala to help raise millions more annually for the agency and fill some of its budget gaps. The proposal was initially estimated to raise more than $20 million a year, according to a nonpartisan financial analysis. But lawmakers made several changes on the House floor that would lessen the money raised.

The House initially voted 68-28 for the bill, but it needed 70 votes to pass. Fee increases require a two-thirds vote in the 105-member chamber. After Bacala agreed to a series of amendments that stripped out some fee hikes and lengthened the phase-in period for the changes, the chamber reversed course and approved the bill in a 79-20 vote. It heads next to the Senate for debate.

Its still a very good bill, and were trying to continue to have Wildlife and Fisheries fully funded without having to battle every year, he said after the second vote.

Bacala, of Prairieville, said the effort would help keep the Department of Wildlife and Fisheries as a user-pay system, rather than a system financed with general tax dollars paid by people who don't hunt or fish.

Opponents expressed concerns about the price hikes.

Rep. Gabe Firment, a Republican from Pollock, objected to raising the cost for a lifetime hunting and fishing license for residents to $1,000. The combination lifetime hunting and fishing license is currently $500, or $300 each for a lifetime hunting license or a lifetime fishing license.

It seems like a pretty dramatic increase in the lifetime license, Firment said. I can tell you theres not going to be many people in my district (who) can afford that at $1,000.

Bacala agreed to strip the increased cost for the lifetime hunting and fishing license from the bill.

Rep. Beryl Amedee, a Houma Republican, opposed the fee hikes on commercial fishermen, saying that would worsen problems attracting younger people to a profession where she said the average age is 54.

The industrys been in a downward spiral since 1985, Amedee said.

Bacala said the department tried to address as many concerns from industry as possible, short of killing the bill. He also noted the license fees haven't been raised for decades.

Commercial fishermens rates were last set in 1986, which is probably before a few of yall were even born, he said.

Lawmakers removed license increases for commercial shrimpers and for the wild crawfish industry from the measure. Bacala stretched out the remaining fee hikes so half the increases would start on June 1, 2022, and the remaining half would start on June 1, 2024.

Department Secretary Jack Montoucet proposed a smaller license restructuring two years ago to consolidate licenses, reduce the types of permits and increase some costs, but the House rejected it.

Since then, the agencys financial problems have worsened.

The Department of Wildlife and Fisheries relies on the Conservation Fund as one of its primary sources of financing. But collections for the fund have continued to fall annually since the 2015-16 budget year. The agency says revenue from oil and gas drilling in wildlife management areas is declining, and the state is seeing fewer dollars each year from licensing fees as more people buy lifetime hunting and fishing licenses.

___

The bill is filed as House Bill 691.

___

Follow Melinda Deslatte on Twitter at http://twitter.com/melindadeslatte.
BOISE, Idaho (AP)  A scheduled June execution for an Idaho man who is dying of terminal cancer has been canceled so the state's Commission of Pardons and Parole can consider whether to commute his sentence.

Gerald Ross Pizzuto Jr. was scheduled to die by lethal injection on June 2 in connection with the 1985 murders of two people at a remote Idaho County cabin. On Tuesday, the Idaho Commission of Pardons and Parole granted Pizzuto's request for a commutation hearing, and attorneys for the state and Pizzuto agreed that the execution should be stayed until the hearing is concluded.

The hearing will be held in November, the commission said.

We are so grateful Mr. Pizzuto will not be executed on June 2, and that the Commission has granted a clemency hearing for him. We look forward to proving that he deserves mercy," Deborah Czuba, a supervising attorney with the Federal Defender Services of Idaho's Capital Habeus Unit, said in a statement.

Pizzuto, 65, has terminal bladder cancer, diabetes and heart disease and is confined to a wheelchair. Hes been on hospice care since 2019, when doctors said he likely wouldnt survive for another year.

Mr. Pizzuto has spent 35 years on death row and is now dying from cancer and other diseases," Czuba said. "He also was brutalized throughout his childhood by his stepfather, a serial pedophile and sadistic man who beat, raped and humiliated him on a regular basis for years. Our hope is that he will be allowed to die naturally in prison.

Court records show Pizzuto's life was marred by violence from childhood. Family members offered gruesome testimony that Pizzuto was repeatedly tortured, raped and severely beaten by his stepfather and sometimes by his stepfathers friends, and he sustained multiple brain injuries.

Pizzuto was camping with two other men near McCall when he encountered 58-year-old Berta Herndon and her 37-year-old nephew Del Herndon, who were prospecting in the area. Prosecutors said Pizzuto, armed with a .22 caliber rifle, went to the Herndon's cabin, tied their wrists behind their backs and bound their legs to steal their money. He bludgeoned them both, and co-defendant James Rice then shot Del Herndon in the head. Another co-defendant, Bill Odom, helped bury the bodies and all three were accused of robbing the cabin.

Pizzuto is one of eight people on Idahos death row.

Idaho has executed three people since capital punishment was resumed nationwide in 1976.

Keith Eugene Wells was executed in 1994, Paul Ezra Rhodes was executed in 2011 and Richard Albert Leavitt was executed in 2012.
BEIRUT (AP)  Lebanons acting foreign minister stepped down on Wednesday amid a diplomatic row with Gulf Arab countries after he suggested in a TV interview this week that they had provided backing to extremists, helping the rise of the Islamic State group.

Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and Kuwait summoned Lebanese ambassadors in their capitals to protest Charbel Wehbe's remarks during an interview with Alhurra news channel. They accuse Wehbe of violating diplomatic norms and making derogatory and racist statements.

In the interview late Monday, Wehbe said that friendship and brotherhood countries brought Islamic State militants to Syria, Iraq and Lebanon. When asked if he meant that Gulf countries financed IS, he retorted sharply: Financed by me then?

When a Saudi commentator interviewed along with Wehbe criticized Lebanons president, the minister became agitated, saying that as a Lebanese, he couldnt accept being insulted by a Bedouin  a term he used derogatorily to describe Gulf Arab nationals. He walked out of the studio but returned to finish the interview.

Wehbes remarks came amid already tense relations between Lebanon and traditional ally Saudi Arabia. Only last month, the kingdom banned produce from Lebanon after unveiling a large shipment of amphetamine pills smuggled inside pomegranates.

Saudi Arabia is locked in a regional struggle with Shiite power Iran, the main ally of Lebanons militant Hezbollah group. Riyadh and other GCC countries have imposed sanctions on Hezbollah.

Lebanon's outgoing government resigned last August, following a massive explosion at Beiruts port that killed 211 people. Political disagreements have so far prevented the formation of a new government.

Wehbe said in a brief statement Wednesday that he had met with President Michel Aoun and asked him to relieve him of his duties, out of concern that these comments be used to defame Lebanon and the Lebanese." It is not clear if a replacement would be named.

Wehbe, whose comments were ridiculed on social media, offered an apology, saying he made the comments while irate over offensive accusations against his president.
KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP)  A southwestern Missouri pastor is pleading for money to help the owners of a former girls reform school who are facing dozens of criminal counts accusing them of abuse.

The Rev. Jerry Pyle, of Bible Baptist Church of Vernon County, sent a letter earlier this month to supporters of Circle of Hope Girls Ranch and its owners, Boyd and Stephanie Householder, asking for money to fund their legal defense, the Kansas City Star reported.
WEST HAVEN  In order to celebrate 100 years as a city, a resident believes its time to look back roughly 250 years.

Steven Mullins, a commissioner on the citys Planning and Zoning Commission, has informed the City Council of a proposal to adopt a new flag in honor of the citys centennial celebration this year.

I have always been interested in West Havens colonial past, even during my childhood, said Mullins.

His proposed flag is a composite of five images  in four corners, Mullins suggests 13 stars to represent the original 13 Colonies, the Connecticut state flag, the old West Haven town hall and the Union Jack flag of Britain. In the center would be the citys current seal, which depicts West Haven teenager Thomas Painter spotting the British as they approached Bradley Point in 1779.

Mullins said the emphasis on Britain is to promote the love and compassion exemplified by British adjutant William Campbell in 1779. While fleeing the British, minister Noah Williston of First Congregational Church broke his leg, but Campbell successfully argued for sparing the ministers life to his fellow soldiers. Today, Campbell Avenue is named after the adjutant.

For years I brought my children to the Campbell grave on Wade Street every July 5, said Mullins.

Lee Tiernan, the citys corporation counsel, said Mullins proposal raises some legal questions that his office is investigating.

We just have to ensure were not violating any other statutes or laws before we make a recommendation as to what action the City Council wants to take and what actions the City Council wants to engage in to take those actions, he said.

Tiernan said it was not initially clear whether adopting a new flag would require approval from the state or any other authorities.

Some city officials also have expressed concern as to whether adopting a flag proposed by an individual citizen is the best idea.

Even if this turns out to be a legislative body (council) decision, I believe a matter such as this, recommended changes to our city seal and/or flag, should be a referendum question decided by our citizens, said City Council Chairman Ron Quagliani.

Mullins urged the council to adopt the flag before the city celebrates its centennial, 100 years after separating from Orange to form its own city. West Haven, with a population of about 55,000 residents, is the states youngest city. But it has always had its own unique economy, noted persons, industries, social structure, government and religious leaders and political impact. according to the West Haven Historical Society.

City Treasurer and Centennial Committee member Mike Last said that as a traditionalist he does not believe there should be a change to the official flag and that Mayor Nancy Rossi already had unveiled an official logo of the centennial.

I would support a special edition flag using the centennial logo. I am very proud of the history of West Haven and the current flag and logo define the citys settlement in 1648, and its incorporation, as West Haven, by the Connecticut General Assembly in 1921, Last said.

I like the current city flag but a special edition centennial flag would be a nice touch also, he said.

brian.zahn@hearstmediact.com
NEW HAVEN  Described by her family as outgoing, energetic and up for anything, Mariyah Inthirath had dreamed of one day becoming a model.

But Inthirath, 20, a Bridgeport native, never got the chance. She was killed Saturday, her death becoming New Havens 10th homicide of this year.

But out of high school and with freedom on her hands, Inthirath did spend plenty of time enjoying life, according to her family.

She was vibrant, and she was alive, said Khanthaly Inthirath, a relative who goes by Lah. She loved to live life. She wanted to live life.

Contributed photo / Aaliyah Niobe

Police said Inthirath died Saturday after she was shot and dropped off at Yale New Haven Hospital following reports of gunfire on Sheffield Avenue.

Her mother, Miylena Inthirath, described Mariyah - her only daughter and a sister to three brothers - as her best friend.

She was always there to talk to me. She always knew when I was down, when I was sad, Miylena Inthirath said.

The two often went shopping together, and Mariyah Inthirath had no trouble picking out clothes. While experimenting with different outfits and styles of hair and makeup, she loved posing for photos, her family members said.

But she wasnt a girly-girl, her mother said, adding that Mariyah Inthirath hated the color pink and rarely wore dresses.

Contributed photo / Inthirath family

Instead, she wore sneakers everywhere, though she had started to try out her moms heels, according to Miylena Inthirath, who said her daughter typically would kick them aside after wearing them around the house for a few minutes.

Mariyah Inthirath had another passion: music, preferably loud music. She could spend all day listening to it in her room, Miylena Inthirath said.

She said her daughter loved R&B and also inherited her taste in songs from the early 1990s.

Mariyah Inthirath had not yet gotten the chance to go to a concert, Miylena Inthirath said.

Im sure she would have loved to. Thats one thing we definitely didnt get to do.

Meghan Friedmann / Hearst Connecticut Media

Her daughter also never got the chance to visit Laos. Thats where Miylena Inthirath, who said she immigrated to the United States when she was just two months old, was born.

But Mariyah Inthirath had a bright energy and frequently was out with friends, her mother said.

She had a lot of them, according to her family.

No matter what your situation, she was always gonna be there for you, Miylena Inthirath said, later adding, You would have loved her.

Khanthaly Inthirath described Mariyah Inthirath as a true friend.

On Sheffield Avenue, where the shooting apparently took place, Inthiraths friends have been gathering every evening to light candles near a makeshift memorial, according to Kathryn Hutchings, who said she helped set up the display.

Meghan Friedmann / Hearst Connecticut Media

Hutchings, whose relatives live in a house overlooking the site, was out on the porch Tuesday afternoon. She said her grandson is friends with one of Inthiraths brothers.

She was a beautiful girl, Hutchings said. Beautiful girl, beautiful family. They didnt deserve this.

She said she wants justice in Inthiraths death and hopes an arrest will be made soon.

Khanthaly Inthirath called for anyone with knowledge of the shooting to come forward.

If anyone has any info about what happened, please come together and  stop the violence, she said.

New Haven Chief of Police Renee Dominguez said in a press conference Tuesday that there had been no developments in the Inthirath case.

Meanwhile, Miylena Inthirath is missing her daughter.

Im always just waiting for her to call, she said, adding that she misses having Mariyah Inthirath bothering her, asking to borrow jewelry.

Im gonna bury her with my two jewelries which she loved the most, Miylena Inthirath said - a butterfly necklace and butterfly earrings.

Since her death Saturday, police reported New Havens 11th homicide of 2021. The victim, identified as 44-year-old Jack Hopeton, was killed early Tuesday on George Street near Orchard Street, according to police.

Anyone with information on either crime is asked to call the citys detective bureau at 203-946-6304 or its toll-free tip line at 1-866-888-TIPS.

meghan.friedmann@hearstmediact.com
MADISON, Wis. (AP)  Republican legislators reinstated a requirement Wednesday that unemployed people look for work in order to qualify for benefits, advancing part of a broader GOP effort to alleviate a statewide worker shortage.

The Legislature's Republican-controlled rules committee voted to reinstate the requirement beginning Sunday, pushing aside Democratic members' complaints that the move is premature and won't help employers fill vacancies.

Its not onerous to ask people to look for work while receiving unemployment benefits, committee co-chairman Rep. Adam Neylon, a Republican from Pewaukee, said during a hearing ahead of the vote. Were trying to be responsive to the conditions out there. What we hear is we need more workers.

Wisconsin law requires people seeking unemployment benefits to search for work at least four times a week. Democratic Gov. Tony Evers issued an executive order suspending the requirement in March 2020 as the COVID-19 pandemic was taking hold and businesses shut down.

Lawmakers have extended the suspension through emergency rules. But Wisconsin's unemployment rate has fallen as the pandemic has waned  it now stands at 3.8%, far below the national average of 6%  and employers can't find workers.

Republicans argue that generous unemployment benefits are encouraging people to stay home. Labor experts say it's not just the benefits; some have been reluctant to return to work because they're afraid of catching COVID-19, many women have left the workforce to care for their children and others have found new occupations, they say.

The work-search requirement was set to automatically take effect again in July, but Republicans don't want to wait that long as businesses struggle to fill vacancies.

State Department of Workforce Development Secretary Amy Pechacek urged the committee during the hearing to just let the requirement come back into play in July. She said the agency is training new staffers on how to track work searches after turning off their tracking systems last year, and is preparing an outreach campaign to let recipients know they'll need to start looking for work again.

Reinstating search requirements immediately will result in claims being delayed or denied because they won't meet the requirements, she said. She also argued that unemployment benefits aren't keeping recipients out of the job market.

Bill Smith, director of the Wisconsin chapter of the National Federation of Independent Businesses, told the committee that employers are struggling. Reinstating the search requirement won't solve the problem but would help, he said.

Republican committee members argued that the Biden administration earlier this month announced it would work with states to reinstate work-search requirements but Wisconsin Democrats don't like the requirements and are trying to get around them.

When a person is receiving unemployment, should they also be looking for a job? Sen. Duey Stroebel of Saukville bluntly asked Pechacek. Yes or no?"

Yes, Pechacek said.

All six Republicans on the committee voted for reinstatement. All four Democrats voted against it.

The vote was one prong of a larger Republican plan to erase generous pandemic-related unemployment benefits. The GOP on Tuesday unveiled a bill that would end a $300 weekly federal unemployment supplement. The payment is on top of the state's weekly $370 unemployment benefit.

The supplement is set to expire Sept. 6, but Assembly Speaker Robin Vos has said he's worried it could be extended. More than a dozen states with Republican governors have already moved to eliminate the federal supplement.

The bill also would prohibit the DWD from waiving work-search requirements for any reason related to COVID-19.

Vos has said the bill could get floor votes as early as next month. Evers opposes it, however, and said Wednesday he was strongly considering vetoing the measure.

The governor called the GOP push to restore the work-search requirement and eliminate the federal supplement Republican talking points." The real problem is Wisconsin just doesn't have enough people, he said.

We all know in order for us to have a robust economy we need more people in the state of Wisconsin, Evers said, "and one of the ways we can draw people to Wisconsin is to ensure we have a high quality of life. And if we focus on that instead of the drumbeat of Lets take money away from people who are unemployed, I think we will be better off.

___

Associated Press writer Scott Bauer contributed to this report.
Aijaz Rahi/AP

SINGAPORE (AP)  Singapore criticized an Indian politician on Wednesday for making unfounded claims on social media that a new COVID-19 variant in Singapore was particularly harmful to children and could cause a fresh surge of infections in India.

Singapores Foreign Ministry said it summoned Indias high commissioner over the comments made by Arvind Kejriwal, the chief minister of Delhi, India's capital territory.
CEUTA, Spain (AP)  Thousands of migrants who have become pawns in a diplomatic spat between Morocco and Spain awoke to an uncertain future on Wednesday, after sleeping where they could find shelter following their massive border breach to reach the European countrys north African enclave of Ceuta.

Social services for the small city perched on an outcropping in the Mediterranean buckled under the strain after more than 8,000 people crossed into Spanish territory during the previous two days.

Exhausted by either scaling a double-wide border fence or risking their lives by swimming around a breakwater to reach a beach on the European side, many migrants spent the night in overcrowded warehouses under the gaze of Spanish police.

We have never seen such an arrival of this magnitude, Red Cross spokeswoman Isabel Brasero told the AP. The city has the means to take care of all the people that arrive to its shores, but you never imagine that you will face this type of situation.

Spains Interior Ministry said that it had returned more than half of the migrants. Those included some teenagers who appeared to be under 18 and whom Associated Press journalists saw Spanish police usher back across the border.

Paloma Favieres, spokeswoman for Spain's CEAR, a non-profit organization that receives government and private funding to care for asylum-seekers and refugees, said that these forced returns are not legal.

It seems that among the 4,000 sent back (on Tuesday) there were underage children ... Children should be immediately put in custody of the citys child welfare providers," she told the AP.

Spains Interior Ministry said authorities on the ground are using all the established legal procedures legally corresponding to each case.

While Morocco tightened its frontier controls, some people kept coming, forcing Spanish authorities to increase their criticism of counterparts in Rabat.

This is an act of defiance, Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez told Spains Parliament, a day after he visited Ceuta. The lack of border control by Morocco is not a show of disrespect of Spain, but rather for the European Union.

Over the decades, Spain has built a close relationship with Morocco to crack down on illegal border crossings, but also to increase economic ties and fight extremism.

But on Wednesday, Foreign Minister Arancha Gonzalez Laya said for the first time in public that Spain believes Morocco loosened its border control to retaliate for Spain having given medical assistance to the head of the liberation movement for Western Sahara, a disputed territory to Moroccos south.

It tears our hearts out to see our neighbors sending children, even babies (because) they reject a humanitarian gesture on our part, Gonzalez Laya told Spanish public radio.

Moroccos loosened border watch came after Spain decided to grant entry for medical treatment to the chief of a militant group that fights Morocco for the independence of Western Sahara. Morocco annexed the sprawling region on the west coast of Africa in 1975.

Moroccos Foreign Ministry had said Madrids move to assist Brahim Ghali, head of the Polisario Front, was inconsistent with the spirit of partnership and good neighborliness and vowed there would be consequences.

In the first public comments on the situation in Ceuta by a Moroccan official, Mostapha Ramid, minister for human rights, said in a Facebook post Tuesday night that Spains move to receive the Polisario leader was reckless, irresponsible and totally unacceptable.

What was Spain expecting from Morocco when it hosted an official from a group that is carrying arms against the kingdom? he asked.

Ramid told the AP on Wednesday that he posted the comments as a Moroccan citizen and senior official upset by Spains decision to host Ghali, but not on behalf of the Moroccan government.

But Moroccan lawmaker Youssef Gharbi, who serves on the parliamentary foreign affairs committee, told the AP on Wednesday that the decision to allow Ghali to receive medical treatment: was the drop that made the cup spill over."

We cannot cooperate in various fields such as security and trade and at the same time accept a stab in the back, the lawmaker said. In the past, Morocco stated clearly that it was against the independence of Catalonia. ... We expect Spain to behave in a positive way.

It was unclear if Ghali, who is reportedly in a hospital in northern Spain recovering from COVID-19, will appear before a judge in Madrid on June 1 to testify on a 2019 lawsuit accusing him of tortures and an old genocide probe reopened this week at the request of an association of Saharawi campaigners against the Polisario Front.

European officials supported Spain with a harsh message for Morocco in a crisis that had echoes of the dispute the EU had with Turkey over the Syrian refuge crisis five years ago.

Nobody can blackmail the European Union, European Commission Vice President Margaritis Schinas told Spanish National Radio.

Many of those who decided to leave their homes have been left without work since the border was closed because of the pandemic, hurting the local economy that depends on the flow of goods, often carried by hand, from one side to the other.

The surge had become a trickle after Moroccan border guards enforced the frontier divided by the double-wide, 10-meter (32-feet) fence. Still, hundreds were still trying to find their way across the frontier. Spanish officers fired tear gas into the buffer zone between the countries to dissuade more crossings. Some people rowed small wooden boats to reach the beach where officers waited.

At least 5,600 Moroccans adults were returned to Morocco, in line with a decades-old agreement between the two countries to expel all those who swim across the border.

We went to Ceuta twice and they sent us back. We are looking for solutions with all these young people have suffered too much said 32-year-old Abdelmouniim El Ouali, who had been pushed back across the border after he traveled three days from Taounate  about 300 kilometers (185 miles) away.

We want to return to Ceuta he said, adding that while in the enclave the security forces shot rubber balls at those who crossed.

Hundreds spent Tuesday night in the streets, parks or on the hills bordering the city. Around 2,000 minors were sent to warehouses run by charity groups. AP journalists saw unaccompanied children sleeping on the floor of a warehouse, as well as in tent beds set up by the Red Cross.

Many shops were closed in Ceuta, a city with a population of 85,000 and an area of 20 square kilometers (7.7 square miles). City head Juan Jesus Vivas said that school attendance dropped by 60% on Tuesday with families concerned for what Vivas called an invasion.

Among the arrivals were sub-Saharan Africans, who often migrate to flee poverty or violence at home and saw the suddenly porous border as a chance to avoid an even more deadly sea journey to the Spanish mainland.

Aisha Diakate, 25, fled conflict in Mali between 2018 after rebels killed her parents. She ended up in Morocco where she struggled to find work and had to beg to survive.

She walked from Tangiers and then swam across the border with her small child in arms. Now, after sleeping outside a warehouse, she was crushed to hear that she could be deported.

I swam here with my child, why are they now asking me to go? Thats not right, Diakate said.

We have nothing. If we return to Morocco, it is just suffering.

___

Houda Benalla reported from Fnideq, Morocco and Joseph Wilson reported from Barcelona, Spain. Tarik El Barakah and Hassan Alaoui in Rabat, Morocco, Mosaab Elshamy in Fnideq, Morocco, Aritz Parra in Madrid, and Angela Charlton in Paris contributed to this report.

___

Follow APs global migration coverage at https://apnews.com/hub/migration

___

A previous version of this story has been corrected to show that the spelling of the Moroccan official's last name is Ramid, not Hamid.
WEST HAVEN  The city received the inaugural Share The Shore award from Audubon Connecticut in recognition for its efforts to protect and preserve beach birds along Long Island Sound.

In 2003, the citys Sandy Point Beach & Bird Sanctuary officially was recognized as an Important Bird Area by Audubon Connecticut for its importance to nesting Piping Plovers, Least Terns and American Oystercatchers, hundreds of migrating Semipalmated Sandpiper, and a large variety of other shorebirds and waterfowl.

The City of West Haven provided space for volunteer training and a local resident offered up her garage for storing materials. This one effort was so successful that after two years, the bulk of Sandy Point visitors had learned how to protect vulnerable species like Piping Plovers, said Corrie Folsom-OKeefe, director of bird conservation for Audubon Connecticut, in a statement.

According to Audubon Connecticut, there were multiple reasons why West Haven won the award, dating back to 2003. Some of the pivotal moments, according to the organization, included implementing new tide gates on Old Field Creek in 2009 to improve foraging habitat for birds downstream; the revival of the West Haven Watershed Restoration Committee following Hurricane Irene and Superstorm Sandy in 2011 and 2012; and the hiring of high school students to act as official bird monitors beginning in 2016.

Mayor Nancy Rossi said the citys beaches make up its crown jewels.

Unlike the crown jewels of the worlds monarchies, we do not keep them under lock and key. We share them with other species, she said.

State Rep. Dorinda Borer, D-West Haven, thanked the citys volunteers who helped to transform a dirt parking lot to a beautiful natural sanctuary.

According to Audubon Connecticut, vulnerable beach birds rely heavily on Long Island Sound to hatch their chicks, which can weigh less than a single scoop of ice cream. Audubon Connecticut said their research shows the population of vulnerable species grows 2 to 34 times faster at stewardship sites such as Sandy Point than at protected areas without known stewardship.

Katie Dykes, commissioner of the state Department of Energy and Environmental Protection, said she believes the pandemic awakened a desire in many people to reestablish a connection with nature, something made possible in part by West Havens conservation efforts.

West Haven shares the honor with Hempstead, N.Y., this year.

brian.zahn@hearstmediact.com
Associated Press

The threatened eviction of Palestinian families in the Sheikh Jarrah neighborhood of East Jerusalem. The invasion of the Al Aqsa mosque by Israeli troops, firing rubber-coated steel bullets, tear gas and stun grenades. The bombing of the building in Gaza which housed the Associated Press and Al Jazeera press organization. All during the pandemic raging in Gaza. Its all a pattern of erasure that is part and parcel of Israel circa 2021. Erasure of any trace of Palestinian presence between the Mediterranean Sea and the Jordan River. Erasure of Jerusalems status as a holy city for three faiths. Erasure of news reporting of whats going on in Gaza.

At the same time, Israel attempts to use its self-description as a Jewish state to erase any criticism of its crimes by labeling such criticism as anti-Semitic. But it is this state that is corrupting the meaning of Judaism and is dangerously fanning the flames of anti-Semitism worldwide.
Niagara Falls, NY (14301)

Today

Partly cloudy. High around 80F. Winds NNE at 10 to 15 mph..

Tonight

Mainly cloudy. Slight chance of a rain shower. Low 61F. Winds ENE at 10 to 15 mph.
President Joe Biden walks from the podium after speaking about distribution of COVID-19 vaccines, in the East Room of the White House on Monday in Washington. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)
In this Oct. 2, 2019. file photo, an abortion opponent sings to herself outside the Jackson Womens Health Organization clinic in Jackson, Miss. (AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis, File)
The Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammad Saad Abubakar, has said that the country will not go into war again in spite of agitations. The Sulta...





The Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammad Saad Abubakar, has said that the country will not go into war again in spite of agitations.

The Sultan said that the country will not go into a second civil war again in spite of agitations from different quarters calling for the disintegration of the country.

The Sultan, who spoke at the Second Quarterly Meeting of the Nigeria Inter-Religious Council (NIREC) in Abuja, said that he would always advocate dialogue as a way to achieve peace.

People have been talking about war; there will not be war in Nigeria, who is going to fight who? In families we have Christians and Muslims, you have ethnic nationalities in your country, you have inter-married.

So, all these noise people are making are trying to draw attention to what they can get out of this country, and if you look at them, they are in minority.

In this country, there are excellent people that mean well for the common man and humanity, and that is what God created us to do, he said.

The Sultan, who is also the Co-chairman of NIREC said that he is a believer of dialogue which his religion taught him.

So, lets continue to work together, lets continue to sit together, lets continue to dialogue, I am a total believer in dialogue and nothing will change my mind because my religion teaches me to always dialogue.

I believe no problem is too big enough not to be resolved when we sit down and talk because even wars are fought to bring peace.

But if you know you can bring peace without fighting war, then why do you have to take up arms.

Peace is the most important aspect of our lives because without peace we cannot even worship, he said.

Abubakar, however, acknowledged that things were bad in the country, as insecurity had affected the countrys growth adversely.

It is a very trying time for our country Nigeria with so many reasons, most notably insecurity which does not allow anybody to do what he or she wants and at the time and place he or she wants.

Thats why we are very worried with the way things are in our great country at this time because things are really very stressful and there is no doubt about it.

You dont have to tell anybody that things are bad, and I believe that the authorities know much better than we do, he added.

The President of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Rev Samson Ayokunle, said that insecurity had paralysed activities across the country.

Ayokunle, who is also the Co-chairman of NIREC, said that food security had been threatened as farmers were being killed by bandits in their farms.

Many things are not right with the nation; the most challenging one today is insecurity which has almost paralysed all human activities apart from the havoc the restriction of COVID-19 brought.

To travel short distance today calls for serious prayers, and travelling with perhaps every security personnel because of kidnapping for ransom, ritual killing, armed robbery, insurgents attack, banditry and other forms of violent attack.

Farmers lives are threatened on their farms while some have been killed while farming.

The result of attacks on farmers is the scarcity of farm products which will lead to famine if care is not taken by those in authority, he noted.

While expressing worry over the daily killings of innocent citizens, Ayokunle called on religious leaders to unite and speak against the deplorable state of the nation.

He cautioned that breaking up the country might not solve the problem, but the government should be proactive in addressing issues that cause agitations.

The CAN President also called for more funding of security forces and close monitoring of how the funds were being spent.

Intelligence gathering which we have been shouting about as panacea to the activities of the criminals, and in order to identify where these criminals are, has never been taken seriously by the government both federal and state.

Religious leaders, this is the time for us to unite and speak in unison against all these evils before being wiped away by the criminals.

The daily bloodshed is worrisome and must stop.

While we commend our security forces for doing their best, we urge the government to fund them better and monitor the utilisation of such fund so that it might be spent on what it is released for.

Breaking the nation into fragments may not be the answer, however, pro-activeness of those in power to prevent the causes of agitation for secession is the right step to keep the nation as one, he added.

The Secretary to the government of the Federation, Mr Boss Mustapha, said that the level of insecurity in Nigeria was so high that religious and traditional rulers must assist the government to tackle it.

Mustapha, who was represented by the Permanent Security, SGF, Mr Morris Mbaeri, said, in every ethnic group, there are good people and there are criminal elements.

While the leaders in each ethnic group should caution their children, religious leaders should publicly reject the ideology of those who claim to be killing in the name of religion by giving counter-narrative.

He charged NIREC to go beyond statutory meetings to assisting the government with useful information because security is the concern of everybody, no matter where you come from and the religion you practice, he said.
The driver of a compact car was seriously injured after crashing into a tractor-trailer on Route 80 West in Bergen County, authorities said.

The crash occurred shortly after 5 p.m. Tuesday in Elmwood Park, according to New Jersey State Police.

Preliminary information indicates that in the area of milepost 60.8, a Volkswagen Jetta struck the rear of a tractor-trailer (and) overturned, Sgt. First Class Lawrence Peele said in an email.

The driver of the Volkswagen was seriously hurt and taken to St. Josephs University Medical Center in Paterson, Peele said.

The cause of the crash remains under investigation, according to State Police.

Thank you for relying on us to provide the journalism you can trust. Please consider supporting NJ.com with a subscription.

Anthony G. Attrino may be reached at tattrino@njadvancemedia.com.
Utility companies are telling residents to set up payment plans to avoid shut-offs or a large bill if Gov. Phil Murphys utility moratorium ends June 30.

Murphy said last week he would let the latest public health emergency he enacted expire if lawmakers pass legislation that allows the state to continue its recovery efforts. The governors declared emergencies have allowed him to issue dozens of executive orders since the start of the coronavirus pandemic, like the utility shut-off moratorium.

Alyana Alfaro, a spokeswoman for the governors office, did not comment directly on if the utility shut-off moratorium would end June 30 when NJ Advance Media asked about it. She said the Murphy administration is committed to working with legislators on solutions for those impacted by the moratoriums.

The Governors office is coordinating with Legislative leadership on legislation that will determine which provisions and protocols put in place under the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency will remain in effect after that emergency ends, said Alyana Alfaro, a Murphy spokeswoman. Details will be forthcoming.

The utility shut-off moratorium  which was last extended in March this year  prevented public and private utility companies from turning off gas, electric and water service for nonpayment.

State officials said residents should start looking into assistance programs or repayment plans now instead of last-minute. The Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program, for example, has a June 30 deadline.

If you need help paying your energy bills or arrearages please do not wait until the moratorium on shut-offs is lifted  apply for help now, said Lt. Gov. Sheila Oliver, who serves as state Department of Community Affairs commissioner.

Companies like PSE&G have set up a deferred payment arrangement for more flexible payment options over a 12, 18 or 24-month period. PSE&G said it plans to deploy community outreach teams door-to-door to make customers aware of resources to help pay utility bills too.

We have seen the number of customers seriously behind on their bills double since the pandemic began and we are here to support our customers as we all move forward and recover from the pandemic together, said PSE&G Customer Operations Executive DirectorFred Daum.

JCP&L, which services 1.1 million customers in New Jersey, has representatives available at 1-800-662-3115 to assist residential customers with payment arrangements or needs-based programs. Some programs include forgiveness of all or part of a customers overdue balance to avoid a large bill once the moratorium ends.

Under the utility shut-off moratorium, cable or telecommunications providers have not been able to disconnect services to a New Jersey resident who entered into a payment plan and made timely payments.

The state Board of Public Utilities has also been partnering with water, electric and gas service providers to inform customers of state assistance programs and other resources, which include the following:

Local journalism needs your support. Subscribe at nj.com/supporter.

Rebecca Panico may be reached at rpanico@njadvancemedia.com.
Police in Vineland are asking for the publics help in locating a man missing for nearly two weeks.

Eddie Melendez, 53, was last seen on May 7, police said.

He is described as Hispanic, 5 feet 8 inches tall, 230 pounds, with brown eyes and black hair.

He was last seen wearing a dark blue shirt with white stripes, blue jeans and white sneakers.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Detective Tim DeLouise at 856-691-4111, ext. 4181.

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

Matt Gray may be reached at mgray@njadvancemedia.com.
A schools superintendent in Ocean County says it is time for students and teachers to ditch their masks as coronavirus cases continue to decline.

Central Regional Superintendent Triantafillos Parlapanides sent a letter to Gov. Phil Murphy on Tuesday asking him to rescind his executive order requiring face coverings for everyone inside school buildings in New Jersey.

Parlapanides wrote that fewer than 10% of documented COVID-19 cases in the United States have been between the ages of 5 and 17, and that infected children mostly report either no symptoms or mild illness.

All teachers that wanted to be vaccinated have been vaccinated so teachers are now safe in the classroom, Parlapanides wrote.

He asked Murphy to rescind the mask requirement so that students can breathe and that at graduation, parents can see their childrens smiling face.

Parlapanides sent his letter on the same day school districts with full-time, in-person instruction outnumbered districts with hybrid or remote learning schedules for the first time since schools reopened in September.

New Jersey is among a handful of states continuing with indoor mask requirements in public places, nearly a week after updated federal coronavirus guidelines stated that those who are fully vaccinated no longer need to wear face coverings or socially distance under most circumstances.

Murphy lifted the outdoor mask requirement on Monday and, on Wednesday, most indoor and outdoor capacity limits were limited.

As of Wednesday, the states seven-day average for new confirmed positive COVID-19 tests was 651  down 33% from a week ago and 77% from a month ago.

Please subscribe now and support the local journalism you rely on and trust.

Rob Jennings may be reached at rjennings@njadvancemedia.com.
A Newark man who fatally shot a Jersey City senior coming to the aid of his wife will not be getting a new trial.

An appellate court panel rejected a bid for a new trial by Joshua Higgins, who pleaded guilty to gunning down 63-year-old George Smith on Danforth Avenue in Jersey City in 2014. Higgins was sentenced to 40 years in prison, 30 for the fatal shooting and 10 years for an unrelated carjacking in Bayonne in 2013.

Smith and his wife had just returned home when Higgins and two others grabbed his wifes purse. When Smith tried to get the purse back, Higgins shot him twice. At sentencing, a tearful Higgins said Im sorry for what happened ... Nobody was supposed to be hurt. Things just happened so fast... I was startled and it was dark and I didnt expect Mr. Smith to run after me.

The 26-year-old Higgins earlier motion with the trial court for post-conviction relief  claiming that his attorney failed to review the discovery with him, failed to prepare for trial and improperly pressured him into pleading guilty by failing to investigate and support his alibi  was denied.

The trial court judge said Higgins offered no evidence to support these claims, and in fact, his attorney did investigate his alibi and that Higgins was not pressured into a guilty plea.

Higgins appeal said the court erred in denying his claim his counsel pressured him into pleading guilty without holding an evidentiary hearing. That argument was rejected by the appellate panel.

Higgins, who is incarcerated at New Jersey State Prison in Trenton, is eligible for parole in 2048 under the No Early Release Act.
Thousands of dollars were stolen from a supermarket ATM on West Side Avenue in Jersey City early Wednesday morning.

Jersey City police responded to the store just after 7 a.m. and were told by the owner that the business alarm company alerted him at 4 a.m. that there had been a break-in, police said in radio transmissions.

Police found a ladder and evidence that the burglars entered the store through the roof, according to the radio transmissions.

Jersey City spokeswoman Kimberly Wallace-Scalcione said the amount of money stolen was unknown, but the store owner said $20,000 was stole, police said in the radio transmissions.

The store manager became uncooperative with the police Wednesday morning and refused further police action, Wallace-Scalcione said.
New York state finally passed a cannabis legalization law that puts it on track for creating a regulated adult-consumer marketplace. That said, there are many questions ahead on how this multi-billion dollar industry will take shape in the Empire State.

To answer many of those questions, weve produced a half-day conference Thursday from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., featuring some of New Yorks most influential power players. This is your last chance to sign up to NY Cannabis Insider presented by Hance Construction, which also features serious networking sessions throughout the morning. Register and purchase tickets here.

Heres the lineup of speakers and panels:

Keynote speakers

New York State Assembly Majority Leader Crystal Peoples-Stokes, who for years has led the charge on legalizing adult-use cannabis in the state.

Dasheeda Dawson, cannabis czar for the City of Portland, Oregon, founder & chair of Cannabis Regulators of Color Coalition, chief strategist for CHEM, and best-selling author.

Panels

What you need to know about entering the cannabis space.

Arthur Hance, founder and president of founder and president of Hance Construction , Inc. which provides material erected, turnkey construction management and general contracting services to the industrial, commercial and cannabis markets in New Jersey, New York and Pennsylvania.

Sam Andras , senior principal & partner at , senior principal & partner at MJ12 Design Studio/2WR + Partners , both national architectural and interior design firms. MJ12 specifically provides services to the cannabis industry both domestically and internationally.

David Serrano, a decorated U.S. Navy veteran, a pioneer in the cannabis industry, and a fierce advocate for social and environmental justice. He is the founder and chief of Business Development at , a decorated U.S. Navy veteran, a pioneer in the cannabis industry, and a fierce advocate for social and environmental justice. He is the founder and chief of Business Development at Harvest 360 and H360 Labs. Harvest360 is NY Cannabis Insiders social equity partner for this event

Insights into what comes next from industry insiders

On our virtual networking floor well have some 12 roundtables, hosted by sponsors and partners.

Hance Construction was selected to build one of the first cannabis grow facilities in New Jersey, and has since worked on other medical cannabis projects, offering consulting and site-location services.

SUNY Morrisville offers a Cannabis Industry minor, providing students a vast understanding of the cannabis space by combining portions of its agricultural science, horticulture and business programs.

Beak & Skiff Research is a vertically integrated manufacturer of high-quality and consistent CBD products including its new CBD infused line of sparkling water

Harvest 360, NJ Cannabis Insiders Social Equity Partner, is a cannabis consulting company that specializes in application preparation and licensing management, working to reduce barriers of entry for communities most impacted by the War on Drugs.

Trichome Analytical, headquartered in Mount Laurel Township, offers the highest standard in accurate, compliant and comprehensive cannabis and industrial hemp testing and consulting services for cultivators, processors, retailers and regulatory agencies.

Weedmaps, a leading technology and software infrastructure provider to the cannabis industry, is an online marketplace to discover and explore products and brands, and to find dispensaries and doctors.

Eaze, a California-based technology platform that connects adult consumers with local licensed retailers for on-demand delivery of legal cannabis products.

The Cannabis Health Equity Movement (CHEM), which includes a coalition of BIPOC cannabis industry leaders working and innovating in the field. It recently launched CHEM Global Campus, a White House supported project, in partnership with Southern University Law Center to produce customized curriculum development for tomorrows cannabis leaders.

Marino PR, is a full-service communications firm with offices in New York and Los Angeles with a leading cannabis practice.

New York State Cannabis Growers and Processors Assn. is an industry association that represents farmers, processors and other businesses in cannabis, giving emphasis to the importance of environmental sustainability.

Click here for more details and to purchase tickets. Space is limited.

The half-day conference is hosted by Advance Media New York, the company that publishes The Post-Standard, syracuse.com and NYUP.com, in collaboration with NJ Cannabis Insider, a weekly online trade journal and events group covering New Jersey and the Northeast region.

Click here for more details to purchase tickets.

Read more on New York cannabis at syracuse.com:
A woman who was hit by a vehicle as she bicycled in Hopewell Borough last week died from her injuries Monday, Hopewell Township police said.

Susan Waskow, 59, was struck last Thursday, May 13, shortly after 4 p.m. on East Broad Street, police said.

Waskow, who lived in Hopewell, was riding east when a westbound vehicle hit her as it made a left turn onto Princeton Avenue. She died Monday at a local hospital, police said.

The vehicle was being operated by a 67-year-old Hamilton man, officials said.

The circumstances of the crash are still under investigation by Hopewell Township police and the Mercer County Prosecutors Office.

No charges have been filed in the incident, township police said.

Waskow worked for Princeton University, and in her obituary, her family described her passing this way: Susan Ellis Waskow was a woman of action whose adventures ended at age 59 on May 17, 2021.

The obituary describes Waskow as an outgoing adventurer who lived in many places and connected with an assortment of interests and causes.

She was born in Syracuse, New York, spent her formative years in idyllic Sewanee, Tennessee and graduated from Muhlenberg College in Allentown, Pennsylvania.

She lived in Buffalo, New York and Coconut Grove, Florida and met her husband, Darryl Waskow, in Anchorage, Alaska, while both worked at a regional theater.

Susan Waskow was active in social justice, attending the 2017 Womens March in Washington, D.C. with the tallest possible sign she could construct, was a leader at her synagogue, serving as president, and attended sailing regattas at the Jersey Shore and in the Caribbean.

She was the familys storyteller, and could animatedly retell a story ripe with nuances and long forgotten details, the obituary said. Starting as a child, she was the protector of her special needs brother, once confronting a bully, armed with only her trusty metal lunch box.

Susan lived with great enthusiasm and a can-do attitude. She learned how to play flute in her 40s. She knitted numerous blankets for Project Linus, loved learning new dance steps and cooked Iron Chef style concoctions, the obituary said.

Susan Waskow was an organ donor. She is survived by her husband, two children, and a large extended family. A memorial service is planned for Thursday at the Star of David Memorial Chapel of Princeton. More details can be found by clicking here.

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

Kevin Shea may be reached at kshea@njadvancemedia.com.
Update: The contractor installed a new driveway on May 20.

Vijay and Punam Bhargava are often on the lookout for contractors they may need to hire someday.

In 2018, Vijay Bhargava saw a paving companys sign at a neighbors home, and it looked like a job well done, he said.

The couple jotted down the companys number and held onto it until August 2020, when they decided it was time to repave their own driveway.

Bhargava said he called Josephs Paving on Aug. 8 and later that day, a man who identified himself as Joseph and said he was the owners son, came to the couples Cedar Grove home.

He measured the driveway and gave me an estimate of $7,200 and asked for a deposit of $4,000 for the paving material, Bhargava said. The rep set a date of Aug. 17 to do the paving.

Bhargava signed a contract and gave the man a $4,000 check, post-dated until Aug. 14, for $4,000, documents show. It was cashed on that date, Bhargava said.

When Aug. 17 came, no one showed up to do any work.

I called and the son answered and said that he was very sick and was being tested for COVID-19. I wished him luck and called a day later, Bhargava said. The son informed me that he did not have COVID-19 and he was still very sick and the owner Joseph would take care of the paving.

On Aug. 20, the company called to say it would be there two days later. But no one showed up, so Bhargava called again.

This time, Bhargava said he was told the company was busy finishing up another job but would take care of their job soon.

On Aug. 26, the homeowner said he was told it would get done on Labor Day weekend, but that didnt happen, either. The contractor claimed the paving material supplier was closed for the holiday weekend, so the job couldnt be done, Bhargava said.

Since Labor Day, we have called every week and he does not answer the call or return phone calls if we leave a message, he said. Most of the time we cannot even leave a message.

The couple filed a complaint with Cedar Grove police and the Division of Consumer Affairs, and in April, they asked Bamboozled for help.

Tracking the company

Josephs Paving is registered to Brook Joseph, according to public records. She is linked to a Garfield address that appears on the companys website.

She and Joseph George  we know the names are confusing  live in Dover, public records show.

Joseph George has several companies registered to his name. According to public records, he registered two paving companies with similar names  Roadworx and Roadworxx  in March at the same Dover address.

There are four lawsuits against Josephs Paving, according to public records. All were in 2020 or 2021 and resulted in default judgments against the company.

The Better Business Bureau has one complaint against the company, and the Consumer Affairs has one complaint, which it said remains open and under review.

Josephs Paving does have an active Home Improvement Contractor registration in New Jersey, as required by law.

The police report noted that the officer tried to call the company. Two of the numbers were out of service, the officer wrote, and a third number had a constant busy tone.

After reviewing the companys history, we reached out to Joseph George using a phone number listed on the companys Facebook page.

There was a constant busy tone. Four other numbers associated with the owners were out of service.

Messages sent on Facebook for Brook Joseph and Joseph George were not returned. But an unidentified person did answer a Facebook message sent to Josephs Paving, saying they would call. They never did, and subsequent requests went unanswered.

Then Bhargava got a call from a Consumer Affairs investigator.

She is sending a notice of violation to Joseph, Bhargava said. If he does not respond in two weeks, the state will demand full restitution.

Update: George reached out to Bhargava and he agreed to replace the driveway on May 20. The homeowner said he paid George the balance of the job  $2,700 less a $500 discount for the trouble  and the work was completed the same day.

Please subscribe now and support the local journalism YOU rely on and trust.

NJ Advance Media Research Editor Vinessa Erminio contributed to this report.

Karin Price Mueller may be reached at KPriceMueller@NJAdvanceMedia.com.
Some people may believe that the newest business to open in Lambertville encourages fun rather than exercise.

But those behind Pedego Electric Bikes say it does both.
A wildfire that burned more than 400 acres in Burlington County was contained Tuesday, according to state fire officials.

The blaze near Pea Patch and Turkey Buzzard roads in Brendan T. Byrne State Forest broke out late Monday, the New Jersey Forest Fire Service said.

In an update Tuesday night, the forest fire service said officials were investigating what sparked the Pine Barrens wildfire, which was contained to 407 acres. There were no immediate reports of any injuries.

Spanning more than 38,000 acres, Brendan T. Byrne State Forest, in Pemberton, is New Jerseys second largest state forest. The incident marked the second major forest fire in the state in two days. An inferno that broke out Sunday in Bass River State Forest and scorched 617 acres in Little Egg Harbor was contained as of early Tuesday, according to officials.

The cause of that fire was also under investigation.

WILDFIRE UPDATE: Brendan T Byrne State Forest The New Jersey Forest Fire Service has achieved 100 percent containment... Posted by New Jersey Forest Fire Service on Tuesday, May 18, 2021

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

Noah Cohen may be reached at ncohen@njadvancemedia.com.
It wont be an easy job.

Youll have to keep an eye on nearly a dozen prisons across New Jersey. Thousands of tips, questions and complaints will need to be assessed. Youll contend with corrections dense bureaucracy and a sometimes mercurial Legislature.

Officers may not trust you. Prisoners may not trust you. Everyone will question you.

Gov. Phil Murphy is on the hunt for a new Corrections Ombudsperson, a prison watchdog recently granted broad new powers to investigate abuse behind bars. In interviews, five advisors to the office said candidates will need a range of skills to dig into a long list of issues, from deadly bacteria in the water to power outages, a backed-up complaint system, questions about the rights of transgender prisoners and allegations of beatings.

At the same time, officials are finalizing an agreement with the U.S. Department of Justice which will likely lead to federal oversight of the states only womens prison, meaning the gig comes with a long-standing responsibility to reverse years worth of well-documented sexual abuse.

Right now is an unprecedented opportunity that we dont get back, said Rev. J. Amos Caley, an advisor to the office who works with the nonprofit Salvation and Social Justice.

The positions independence will be crucial, said state Assemblywoman Yvonne Lopez, D-Middlesex, who helped lead the charge to beef up prison oversight. If you dont have the heart and the passion and the compassion, that persons going to fail, and I dont want to see that again.

The current ombudsman, Dan DiBenedetti, will formally step down in August after lawmakers excoriated him for failing to flag problems at the Edna Mahan Correctional Facility in Hunterdon County.

Hed previously faced criticism for appearing hesitant to subpoena witnesses and documents, hold public hearings, track systemic issues and report the findings publicly  all elements of a new law that experts say could make the office one of the strongest in the nation.

Those powers can help head off problems before they become lawsuits, Maggie Aguero, who led the office from 1988 through 2001, previously said in an interview.

That point is increasingly relevant since taxpayers now have to pay hundreds of thousands of dollars to one outside law firm, millions to another and potentially tens of millions to women who said they were abused at Edna Mahan.

The law also created a nine-person advisory board for the office, which is now fully staffed since the governor announced three final appointments last week.

The agency needs to be prepared to take calls 24 hours a day, seven days a week, said advisor Gale Muhammed, head of the nonprofit Women Who Never Give Up, which advocates for prisoners and their families.

You have to have a mindset that you just cant throw away human beings, Muhammed said. Everybody is salvageable.

That empathy was missing from the offices most recent report, said Ron Pierce, a fellow with the New Jersey Institute for Social Justice. The reports second sentence used the dehumanizing phrase committed sexually violent predators to describe an entire group of people, he said.

The ombudsperson must be trusted by both sides if theyre gonna be impartial, but you cant be impartial if youre not doing real investigations, Pierce said.

Current and former prisoners and their families have repeatedly told NJ Advance Media theyve either never heard of the office or gave up calling long ago.

Rebuilding trust would be crucial, advisors said.

The office needs to follow up on every call, no matter how seemingly frivolous, and to have boots on the ground at the facilities, said Kathy White, Chief Operating Officer for Volunteers of America Delaware Valley, which helps recently released people reenter society.

They also need to be ready to recommend new policies and laws to the governor and the Legislature, said Tess Borden, an attorney with the American Civil Liberties Union of New Jersey whos represented prisoners in court.

The new law disqualifies candidates whove worked for, or had any financial relationship with the prison system within the last five years. But it doesnt write off former employees entirely, and a job posting earlier this year for an assistant ombudsperson actually required five years of experience in a correctional setting providing direct service to inmates.

That would be the wrong approach, several advisors said. While good candidates need to have an understanding of the department, prisoners wouldnt trust somebody from the system.

Both New Jersey and Washington were highlighted in a new report about prison oversight nationwide in The American Journal of Criminal Law.

The two states do a good job of giving outside inspectors enough authority to enhance transparency and accountability, wrote Michele Deitch, a senior lecturer at the Lyndon B. Johnson School of Public Affairs at the University of Texas.

Washingtons ombudsperson, Joanna Carns, has issued a flurry of inspections and reports in recent years.

In a message to NJ Advance Media, Carns wrote that the job required someone with a strong internal moral compass and a strong backbone to stand up to political pressure.

The positions salary in New Jersey at the end of last year was $116,600, according to pension records. The office currently has nine staff but needs more, DiBenedetti said during a recent public hearing. The governors budget proposal would increase the annual budget to more than $1.3 million.

Murphy is currently fielding resumes and interviewing candidates, said Lopez, the Assemblywoman. A Murphy spokeswoman didnt respond to a question about where they are in the hiring process.

Other recently appointed members on the offices advisory panel include Carolyn Chang, an attorney and former mayor of Westampton Township, Edward Neafsey, a former Superior Court judge who teaches at Rutgers Law School, Robert Baran, managing director for the New Jersey Coalition Against Sexual Assault, and Patricia Teffenhart, the coalitions former executive director.

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

Blake Nelson may be reached at bnelson@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter at @BCunninghamN.

Have a tip? Tell us at nj.com/tips.
Police on Monday arrested a 72-year-old Paterson man who allegedly sexually assaulted two children, including one from years ago who is now 43, authorities said.

On Monday, police arrested Juan Milton Cordero-Rivera and charged him with first degree aggravated sexual assault, two counts of second degree sexual assault and two counts of second degree endangering the welfare of the child, Passaic County Prosecutor Camelia M. Valdes said in a statement.

Cordero-Rivera is being held in the Passaic County Jail pending a detention hearing, which is set to be scheduled for this week, the statement said.

The investigation that uncovered Cordero-Riveras alleged crimes started with a tip late April, the statement said.

On April 26, the prosecutors office was told that a 14-year-old child was brought to St. Josephs University Medical Center by the childs mother after the child said they had been sexually assaulted by Cordero-Rivera, the statement said.

As the office investigated, they found that a 43-year-old victim had also said they had been sexually assaulted by Cordero-Rivera years earlier, when the victim was a child, the statement said.

The alleged assaults happened at different homes in Paterson, according to the statement.

Anyone with information is asked to call the Prosecutors Office tips line at 1-877-370-PCPO.

Thank you for relying on us to provide the journalism you can trust. Please consider supporting NJ.com with a voluntary subscription.

Rodrigo Torrejon may be reached at rtorrejon@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @rodrigotorrejon.
Watertown, NY (13601)

Today

Light rain this morning. Then remaining cloudy. High 76F. Winds N at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 90%..

Tonight

Considerable cloudiness with occasional rain showers. Low 57F. Winds NE at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 40%.
A group representing cross-border businesses in Nogales called on President Biden to lift ongoing travel restrictions at the border in a lette
The Louisiana House of Representatives killed a bill 47-48 Tuesday that would have taxed recreational cannabis if it were legalized, indicating the legalization effort in the state legislature is likely over this session.

House Bill 434 by Rep. Richard Nelson, a Mandeville Republican, would have applied a 15% tax to retail sales of cannabis. Under the bill, half of that tax would have gone to the state general fund, 30% would have gone to the local government where the sale was made and the rest would have gone to local law enforcement in that area.

Since the bill was a tax measure, it would have needed a two-thirds vote to advance out of the House, but ultimately it fell significantly short of the 70 needed.

Its companion bill, House Bill 699 also by Nelson, would have legalized recreational cannabis for adults 21 years or older, as well as the licensed manufacturing and sale of cannabis products. The House did not vote on that bill Tuesday.

Though the taxation measure failed, the fact that it made it to the House floor suggests that attitudes toward cannabis are changing among Louisiana legislators. Previous efforts to allow recreational cannabis in Louisiana have died in committee, but some Republican lawmakers appear to be coming around to the idea.

Last week the House overwhelmingly passed a measure by Rep. Cedric Glover, a Shreveport Democrat, that would reduce penalties  and take away the possibility of jail time  for the possession of up to 14 grams of cannabis.

Still, support among state legislators for legalization is significantly lower than that of their constituents. According to a March survey by polling firm JMC Analytics, 67% of Louisiana residents favor legalizing cannabis for both recreational and medicinal use. The number was up significantly from the 54% who said the same in the firms 2020 survey. Medical cannabis is already legal in the state in several forms.

In 2012, both Washington and Colorado became the first states to legalize recreational cannabis. So far, 16 states and Washington, D.C. have legalized it.

A separate bill by Rep. Candace Newell, a New Orleans Democrat, would have removed criminal penalties for possessing or distributing cannabis but only if the legislature developed a regulatory system for selling, distributing and taxing cannabis.

Louisiana House advances bill that would reduce penalties for small amounts of cannabis The Louisiana House of Representatives overwhelmingly passed a bill Tuesday 67-25 that would loosen penalties for possession of up to half an 
Salvage crews have finished draining the Seacor Power of more than 20,000 gallons of diesel fuel, clearing the way for the lift boats removal from the Gulf of Mexico as federal investigators continue probing its deadly capsizing.

The U.S. Coast Guard stopped short of providing an exact timeline for the next stage in salvage operations of the ill-fated vessel, saying in a news release Wednesday that moving the boat depended on several factors, including weather and any changes to the structure of the wreckage. But the agency said it did not expect the jack-up boat to be raised out of the water this month.

For now, the Coast Guard said, salvage crews plan to focus on removing debris from the site and then refloating the Seacor Power, which would allow inspectors to examine the remains of the vessel as they try to home in on the cause of the tragedy.

+3 Seacor Power crew tried to drop vessel's legs, anchor to seafloor when it capsized, NTSB says A squall was passing over the Seacor Power in the Gulf of Mexico, the wind pounded and visibility from the wheelhouse of the massive lift boat

The Coast Guard said it remained on the scene of the capsizing monitoring for any oil discharges. The boat's owner, Seacor Marine Holdings Inc., also has a group standing by to recover any oil if necessary.

Workers removed the diesel by drilling holes into the Seacor Powers fuel tanks and using a hose to transfer the fuel to portable tanks. The submerged vessel still contained more than 4,500 gallons of hydraulic fluid in tanks which were intact but inaccessible as of Wednesday. The plan is to remove that fluid after the Seacor Power is raised.

The Coast Guard continues to block off a one-mile radius around the boat, while the Federal Aviation Administration is restricting aircraft from coming within a five-mile radius or flying below 2,000 feet around the site. Both restrictions run until June 15.

The Seacor Power jack-up barge was used to service oil platforms and its three giant legs could be lowered nearly 200 feet into the seafloor, raising the deck. It left Port Fourchon on April 13 to deliver supplies to an oil platform about 40 miles east of Venice.

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

Seacor Power crew members started that day expecting winds of 10 to 14 miles per hour as well as 3-foot seas while out on the water, the National Transportation Safety Board said in a preliminary report released Tuesday.

The report left unclear how frequently the crews leaders checked the weather following that initial forecast. But forecasters later warned of a rare, potent weather event known as a wake low occurring in the area where the Seacor Power was heading.

Within three hours of departing, the nine crew members and 10 contractors on the Seacor Power ultimately ran into winds exceeding 92 miles per hour  hurricane strength  and up to 12-foot seas, the NTSB report said. The Seacor Powers commanders made the desperate decision to try to drop the ships massive legs and anchor them to the seafloor, but the plan quickly went awry.

As the Seacor Powers crew tried to turn into the wind, the ship capsized, the NTSB said Tuesday.

Though six crewmen were rescued, another six were recovered dead, and seven havent been found. The families of some of the dead and missing have sued Seacor Marine as well as Talos Energy, the company that had contracted the Seacor Power to service a platform when disaster struck.

The NTSBs preliminary report didn't assign blame for the tragedy, though the board said it had gathered information for a more detailed assessment expected in several months.
Susan M. Taylor, director of the New Orleans Museum of Art, will receive the Ordre des Arts et des Lettres at the rank of chevalier (knight) from the Consulate General of France.

This award recognizes her achievements in the promotion and the enhancement of French culture and history in New Orleans, such as The Orleans Collection exhibition. This endeavor reunited works from the most prominent French cultural institutions in order to commemorate the tricentennial of New Orleans in 2018.
A man out on bail while awaiting retrial in a fatal shooting outside a Frenchman Street nightclub has been arrested on a slew of new domestic violence counts.

Police allege that Dominique Jenkins barged into his childs mothers apartment in New Orleans East on May 7, threatened and attacked several people present and fired a handgun. He was booked into the Orleans Justice Center on Tuesday.

Jenkins, 27, has been accused of a violent crime before. He was one of dozens of Orleans Parish defendants whose convictions were overturned as a result of a U.S. Supreme Court case invalidating split-jury verdicts.

In Jenkins case, a jury voted 10-2 to convict him of manslaughter in the fatal shooting of 7th Ward man Julius Dunn after an encounter outside the nightclub Vaso in the 500 block of Frenchman Street on June 25, 2014.

+11 In killing of Edna Karr senior and stepsister, New Orleans police arrest a suspect New Orleans police have arrested a suspect in a triple shooting that left an Edna Karr High School senior and his stepsister dead.

In September, Jenkins conviction and 38-year sentence were tossed as a result of the Supreme Court decision. Former Orleans Parish Criminal District Court Judge Paul Bonin set Jenkins bail at $100,000, which he posted in late December.

His time on bail came to an end after a May 7 incident at the Laguna Run apartment complex in the 6900 block of Lake Kenilworth Drive in New Orleans East.

Officers accuse Jenkins of bursting into his ex-girlfriends apartment at a meeting where he was supposed to drop off clothes for their five-year-old son.

Jenkins is accused of arguing with the woman and another person in the house while displaying a small-caliber, yellow handgun. When the womans mother arrived, Jenkins became extremely irate and started hitting her in the head with his fists. He then began hitting the other adults in the house, according to an arrest warrant. Police allege that when the woman tried to leave the apartment with their child, Jenkins fired his gun at least four times.

Police said they did not observe any obvious physical injuries to anyone in the apartment, and found no shell casings or damage consistent with gunshots.

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

Jenkins attorney, Gary Wainwright, said the story his accusers told police doesnt jibe with the lack of evidence. He said Jenkins ex-girlfriend would have been aware that he was out on bail.

Everybody knows all they have to do is pick up the phone and say you had a gun in your hand, and all hell will break loose, Wainwright said. We look forward to the resolution of this domestic dispute, and of course we have a bigger fish to fry.

+17 Cardell Hayes walks free on bail, despite objections from wife of slain Saints star Will Smith Cardell Hayes walked out of the New Orleans jail on bond Thursday to cheers from relatives and the prospect of a summer retrial in the killing

Only a fraction of Orleans Parish defendants with split-jury convictions whose cases were overturned as a result of the Supreme Court decision have been released on bail, but Jenkins is at least the second to run into trouble.

Breyiana Brown, 25, was only weeks out of prison on bail when she was killed along with her stepbrother in an Algiers apartment complex parking lot on March 28. Like Jenkins, Brown had been convicted of manslaughter, but the Supreme Court decision invalidated that verdict.

Both cases are unrelated to Orleans Parish District Attorney Jason Williams undoing Jim Crow juries project, where he is using his power as a prosecutor to reverse split-jury convictions that have been finalized.

Gunman sentenced to 38 years in Frenchmen Street fatal shooting Dominique Jenkins, convicted of manslaughter in the drive-by shooting death of a 21-year-old man outside a Frenchmen Street club in 2014, was 

Jenkins and Browns appeals were still pending at the time of the April 2020 Supreme Court decision, and prosecutors had no say in their convictions being overturned.

In addition to the killing of Dunn on a crowded stretch of Frenchmen Street, Jenkins now faces six counts of aggravated assault, four counts of domestic abuse aggravated assault and two counts of simple battery.

A magistrate commissioner set Jenkins bail on those counts at $100,000. As of late Tuesday he remained behind bars. District Judge Kimya Holmes has set a June 2 hearing to reconsider Jenkins bail in the homicide case, Wainwright said.
In an indication that plea deals may be in the works, three men charged in the shooting death of an armored truck guard outside a New Orleans bank in 2013 are scheduled to be rearraigned on May 25, according to an order filed in U.S. District Court this week.

Lilbear George, Chukwudi Ofomata and Curtis Johnson pleaded not guilty to charges of murder, robbery and conspiracy to commit robbery in 2017. The hearing suggests the men may have reached a deal with prosecutors to change their pleas to guilty in hopes of securing more lenient punishments. A trial date has been set for June 7.

Attorneys Ralph Whalen, Sarah Ottinger and Bruce Whittaker, who represent Johnson, Ofomata and George, respectively, declined comment Tuesday.

The change of plea hearing before U.S. District Judge Lance Africk is scheduled to take place two years after jurors convicted Jeremy Esteves of helping to plan and carry out the robbery that cost Loomis guard Hector Trochez his life.

At the same trial in November 2019, jurors found a fifth defendant, Robert Brumfield III, guilty of helping plan the deadly stickup. But they acquitted him of actually participating in robbery.

+2 1 convicted in 2013 armored truck guard murder; 1 guilty of planning robbery but acquitted of murder A federal court jury Wednesday night convicted a man of helping to plan and carry out a robbery that led to the shooting death of a Loomis arm

Esteves is facing mandatory life imprisonment but hasnt been sentenced because of delays due to the pandemic. Brumfield, who is Esteves cousin, faces up to 20 years behind bars and is also awaiting sentencing.

Federal prosecutors were at one point pursuing the death penalty against George, Ofomata and Johnson, who  as a result  were not tried alongside Esteves and Brumfield. But last week, months after President Joe Biden was sworn in, Africk granted a motion from prosecutors to abandon its pursuit of the death penalty for the men.

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

Trochez, 45, was killed in a shootout with three masked gunmen who showed up in a stolen Chevrolet Tahoe and ambushed him on Dec. 18, 2013. He and his partner were delivering $265,000 to the Chase Bank branch at South Carrollton and South Claiborne avenues.

Another man drove the robbers away from the scene. The four men then abandoned the Tahoe and left in another getaway car. DNA left on screwdriver in the Tahoe gave investigators a key break, allowing them to connect George to the case.

That lead, along with informants, cellphone records, surveillance and other evidence, set the stage for the government to file charges in November 2017 alleging that Ofomata, George and Johnson fired guns at Trochez before fleeing with the help of Esteves and Brumfield.

A girlfriend of George, Jasmine Theophile, was also charged with trying to thwart the investigation by destroying a cellphone, and she pleaded guilty shortly before Esteves and Brumfield were tried.

Prosecutors said Trochezs killers received help from an employee of the bank, Thierry King, who had been in touch with Brumfield and Esteves ahead of the holdup. But prosecutors have stopped short of charging her, instead describing her as an unindicted co-conspirator.

In addition to the federal charges, Ofomata is awaiting trial on state murder charges connected to the 2008 shooting deaths of a couple whose burned bodies were found in a torched SUV.

Killers in 2013 armored truck robbery in New Orleans had inside help, FBI agent testifies The men who killed an armored truck guard during a robbery outside a Chase Bank in Carrollton nearly six years ago had help in orchestrating t
In a sign that he has struck a deal with federal prosecutors, one of two Indianapolis men accused of trying to steal painkillers at gunpoint from an Uptown drugstore and trading gunfire with New Orleans police is set to change his not guilty plea in court Tuesday.

The rearraignment of Richard Sansbury, 28, in U.S. District Court is scheduled less than three weeks before the June 14 trial date for him and co-defendant, Alan Parson, 20.

Sansbury and Parson previously pleaded not guilty to conspiracy, attempted robbery of a pharmacy and firing a gun during a violent crime. At rearraignments, defendants almost always plead guilty, usually in hopes of improving their chances for a more lenient sentence.

It is not certain whether Sansburys rearraignment, before Judge Greg Guidry, follows a deal with prosecutors requiring him to cooperate against Parson. Neither Sansbury's attorney nor Parsons could be reached for comment.

Prosecutors say Parson and Sansbury started to plan the robbery of the 24-hour CVS in the 4900 block of Prytania Street by early June 2019. Investigators suspect the pair, with help from others who have not been publicly identified, timed the robbery for 6 a.m. to catch employees during a shift change because the safes containing pharmaceuticals would be open then.

+3 Feds indict two men in Uptown pill robbery that led to bloody shootout with police, manhunt The two men accused of robbing an Uptown drugstore of painkillers at gunpoint last month, sparking a dramatic shootout with New Orleans police

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

Equipped with hoodies, gloves and pistols, Sansbury and Parson stormed the store the morning of June 17, bound a cashier with zip ties and forced him into a restroom, authorities say. The robbers forced the pharmacist to the floor, bound his feet, went behind the counter and stuffed a bag with hydrocodone, morphine and hydromorphone pills.

But they didnt realize that another person in the pharmacy had called 911. Police arrived within three minutes and cornered them inside the store. A shootout erupted, leaving Sansbury, Parson and officer Chad Clark wounded. No store workers were hurt.

Parson and Sansbury blasted their way past police and leave the store, authorities say. Officers soon arrested Parson when he collapsed nearby. Sansbury was caught several blocks away after a manhunt that shut down a pocket of Uptown for hours.

+11 Intense bodycam footage: CVS robbery suspects begin shootout in Uptown store, run through crossfire Two men trying to steal a trove of pills from an Uptown drugstore last week demanded that New Orleans police blocking the exit back up befor

Both have been in custody without bond set since their arrest.

Clark has since recovered from his gunshot wound and returned to work.
Louisiana state troopers can be seen on a dark roadside stunning, punching and dragging a Black man as he apologizes for leading them on a high-speed chase  body camera video of the moments leading up to the man's death that The Associated Press obtained after authorities refused to release it for two years.

"I'm your brother! I'm scared! I'm scared!" Ronald Greene can be heard telling the white troopers as the unarmed man is jolted repeatedly with a stun gun before he even gets out of his car.

Louisiana trooper kicked, dragged Ronald Greene before he died, body camera footage show A Louisiana State Police trooper has been suspended without pay for kicking and dragging a handcuffed Black man whose in-custody death remains

The 2019 arrest outside Monroe, Louisiana, is the subject of a federal civil rights investigation. But unlike other in-custody deaths across the nation where body camera video was released almost immediately, Greene's case has been shrouded in secrecy and accusations of a cover-up.

Louisiana officials have rebuffed repeated calls to release footage and details about what caused the 49-year-old's death. Troopers initially told Greene's family he died on impact after crashing into a tree during the chase. Later, State Police released a one-page statement acknowledging only that Greene struggled with troopers and died on his way to the hospital.

Only now in the footage obtained by the AP from one trooper's body camera can the public see for the first time some of what happened during the arrest.

The 46-minute clip shows one trooper wrestling Greene to the ground, putting him in a chokehold and punching him in the face while another can be heard calling him a "stupid motherf---."

Louisiana trooper recorded saying he beat the 'ever-living f---' out of Black man who then died In graphic, matter-of-fact chatter picked up on his body-camera mic, a Louisiana State trooper implicated in the death of a Black man can be h

Greene wails "I'm sorry!" as another trooper delivers another stun gun shock to his backside and warns, "Look, you're going to get it again if you don't put your f---- hands behind your back!" Another trooper can be seen briefly dragging the man facedown after his legs had been shackled and his hands cuffed behind him.

Instead of rendering aid, the troopers leave the burly man unattended, facedown and moaning for more than nine minutes, as they use sanitizer wipes to wash blood off their hands and faces.

"I hope this guy ain't got f------ AIDS," one of the troopers can be heard saying.

Can't see video below? Click here.

After a several-minute stretch in which Greene is not seen on camera, he appears again, limp, unresponsive and bleeding from his head and face. He is then loaded onto an ambulance gurney, his arm cuffed to the bedrail.

In many parts of the video, Greene is not on screen, and the trooper appears to cut the microphone off about halfway through, making it difficult to piece together exactly what was happening at all times. At least six troopers were on the scene of the arrest but not all had their body cameras on.

"They murdered him. It was set out, it was planned," Greene's mother, Mona Hardin, said Wednesday. "He didn't have a chance. Ronnie didn't have a chance. He wasn't going to live to tell about it."

An attorney for Greene's family, Lee Merritt, said the footage "has some of the same hallmarks of the George Floyd video, the length of it, the sheer brutality of it."

"He apologized in an attempt to surrender," Merritt said.

Ronald Greene's family views graphic video of his death in Louisiana State Police custody BATON ROUGE, La. (AP)  Family members viewed long-secret body-camera video this week of a Black man who died in Louisiana State Police custod

A State Police spokesman declined to comment, citing the federal investigation.

State Police brass initially argued the troopers' use of force was justified  "awful but lawful," as ranking officials described it  and did not open an administrative investigation until 474 days after Greene's death.

"Police departments have got to stop putting roadblocks up to information that is, in the public's eye, questionable. They have to reveal all that they know, when they know it," said Andrew Scott, a former Boca Raton, Florida, police chief who testifies as an expert witness in use-of-force cases. "It suggests that you're hiding something."

While noting Greene "was not without fault" and appeared to resist the troopers' orders, Scott said dragging the handcuffed man facedown by his ankle shackles was "malicious, sadistic, completely unnecessary."

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

+2 Louisiana trooper who faced firing in Black man's death dies in 1-vehicle crash A Louisiana state trooper has died following a single-vehicle highway crash that happened just hours after he learned he would be fired for hi

"That should never have never happened," he said. "You've got the guy completely compromised. He's not hurting anybody."

Charles Key, another use-of-force expert and former Baltimore police lieutenant, questioned the troopers' decision to leave Greene unattended, handcuffed and prone for several minutes, calling the practice "just dead wrong."

"You don't leave somebody lying on the ground, particularly after you've had this fight," Key said. "The training has been for a number of years that, as soon as you get someone under control, you put them on their side to facilitate their breathing ... and particularly this guy, because he was very heavy. "

Gov. John Bel Edwards allowed Greene's family to view the same body camera footage last year and pledged to release it to the public after the federal investigation runs its course.

Greene's family has filed a federal wrongful-death lawsuit alleging troopers "brutalized" Greene, and "left him beaten, bloodied and in cardiac arrest" before covering up the cause of death. His family has released graphic photographs of Greene's body on a gurney, showing deep bruises and cuts on his face and head.

Greene, a barber, failed to pull over for an unspecified traffic violation shortly after midnight on May 10, 2019, about 30 miles south of the Arkansas state line. That's where the video obtained by AP begins, with Trooper Dakota DeMoss chasing Greene's SUV on rural highways at over 115 mph.

Seconds before the chase ended, DeMoss warned on his radio: "We got to do something. He's going to kill somebody."

As DeMoss and Master Trooper Chris Hollingsworth rush Greene's SUV, he can be seen appearing to raise his hands and saying over and over, "OK, OK. I'm sorry."

Hollingsworth shocks Greene with a stun gun within seconds through the driver's side window as both troopers demand he get out of the vehicle.

Greene exits through the passenger side as the troopers wrestle him to the ground. One trooper can be heard saying "He's grabbing me" as they try to handcuff him. "Put your hands behind your back, bitch," one trooper says.

Hollingsworth strikes Greene multiple times and appears to lie on one of his arms before he is finally handcuffed.

At one point, Trooper Kory York yanks Greene's leg shackles and briefly drags the man on his stomach even though he isn't resisting.

York was suspended without pay for 50 hours for the dragging and for improperly deactivating his body camera. York told investigators the device was beeping loudly and his "mind was on other things."

Hollingsworth, in a separate recording obtained by AP, can be heard telling a colleague at the office that "he beat the ever-living f--- out of" Greene.

"Choked him and everything else trying to get him under control," Hollingsworth is heard saying. "He was spitting blood everywhere, and all of a sudden he just went limp."

Hollingsworth later died in a single-vehicle highway crash that happened hours after he learned he would be fired for his role in the Greene case.

DeMoss, meanwhile, was arrested in connection with a separate police pursuit last year in which he and two other troopers allegedly used excessive force while handcuffing a motorist.

Exactly what caused Greene's death remains unclear. Union Parish Coroner Renee Smith told AP last year his death was ruled accidental and attributed to cardiac arrest. Smith, who was not in office when that determination was made, said her office's file on Greene attributed his death to a car crash and made no mention of a struggle with State Police.

The AP last year also obtained a medical report showing an emergency room doctor noted Greene arrived dead at the hospital, bruised and bloodied with two stun-gun prongs in his back. That led the doctor to question troopers' initial account that Greene had "died on impact" after crashing into a tree.

"Does not add up," the doctor wrote.
A Terrytown man is accused of gunning down his child's maternal grandmother in Harvey Tuesday afternoon.

Dwight Berry, 24, was arrested after a car and foot chase across the West Bank that ended in Algiers, according to the Jefferson Parish Sheriff's Office.

Berry was booked with second-degree murder in the death of Tamika London, 44, said Capt. Jason Rivarde, a Sheriff's Office spokesman.

The shooting occurred just before 4:30 p.m. at London's home in the 4000 block of North Indigo Drive in Harvey. Berry shares at least one child with London's 22-year-old daughter, authorities said.

Sheriff's Office investigators did not say what triggered Tuesday's violence. But Berry and the London family had been having an ongoing dispute, Rivarde said.

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

Berry has previously been accused of beating and choking London's daughter while she was pregnant, according to court records. He was arrested Jan. 8, 2019, and booked with domestic abuse battery involving a pregnant victim and domestic abuse battery involving strangulation, though the charges were later refused because of insufficient evidence.

On Tuesday, Berry is accused of shooting London with a pistol as she stood outside of her residence, then fleeing the scene in a vehicle, authorities said. London was taken to the hospital where she died, Rivarde said.

The Sheriff's Office began searching for Berry and spotted his getaway vehicle in the neighborhood where the shooting occurred, authorities said. Deputies tried to stop the car, but Berry led them on a pursuit that was joined by State Police troopers and other area law enforcement agencies.

Berry eventually made his way to the intersection of Behrman Highway and Anson Street in Algiers where he crashed the car. He tried to run from officers, but was quickly detained, Rivarde said.

In addition to the murder charge, Berry was booked with two counts of being a convicted felon in possession of a firearm, flight from an officer using a motor vehicle, possession of marijuana and eight traffic attachments.

He was being held Wednesday at the Jefferson Parish Correctional Center in Gretna in lieu of a $804,300 bond.
With the school year winding down, more than 500 students, staff and faculty were put in quarantine in New Orleans public schools this week as the number of COVID-19 cases crept up among the district's nearly 80 charters.

NOLA Public Schools reported 22 active cases of the virus. But those cases led to 501 students being ordered to stay home because of possible exposure to the virus, the Orleans Parish school district reported, marking the most active cases reported since mid-March and the largest number of students in quarantine since December.

"We will continue to monitor the data that measures the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and do everything we can to ensure our K-12 students remain in in-person and hybrid learning," NOLA Public Schools officials said in a statement Monday.

Quarantine numbers also jumped in Jefferson Parish, officials reported, with 284 students and staff currently at home.

The weekly update came just days after mask mandates were lifted in New Orleans and the rest of Louisiana, although students in public schools are still required to wear them.

In mid-March, however, NOLA Public Schools adopted looser CDC guidelines in schools, in part by lessening the recommended physical distance between students from six feet to three feet, except during certain situations, such as when they are eating, exercising or in band practice.

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

Last week, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control approved the COVID-19 vaccine for children ages 12 and older, but younger kids still don't have access to one. When asked about vaccination requirements for schools, a spokesperson for one district, Jefferson Parish Public Schools, said that directive would come from the Louisiana Department of Health, which oversees school vaccination requirements and hasn't yet mandated the COVID-19 vaccine.

In New Orleans, half the quarantines came from cases at two schools, and both reported staff members being infected.

At Homer Plessy Community Schools French Quarter campus, two student cases and one staff case have forced 149 people to isolate, while 130 quarantines came out of one reported staff case at Akili Academy.

In Jefferson Parish, student quarantines also jumped last week, from 136 for the week ending May 8 to 284 for the one ending May 15. The 284 quarantines represent the highest number since April 24, when 287 were reported. But its far less than the school district was reporting during the winter surge, when during some weeks more than 1,000 students were sent home out of caution.

Cases among students did not show a corresponding a jump; the system reported only 13 new infections for the week ending May 15, five fewer than the week before.

A Jefferson Parish school district spokesperson declined to speculate on the reason for the jump in quarantines, saying only that quarantining was among the system's best methods for preventing the spread of coronavirus.

In St. Tammany, quarantines remained low, with 105 students sent home during the week through May 13. New infections were also low, with just 10 new student infections reported.
After decades under lax regulation, the Louisiana House voted 67-28 Wednesday to require the state's largest commercial fishery to cast its nets farther from the state's fragile coastline.

Louisiana waters supplied 40% of the menhaden caught in 2019 across the United States, a catch worth tens of millions of dollars, according to National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration data. In a given year, the industry's 180-foot-long vessels and 1,500-foot-long nets ensnare 700 million to 1 billion pounds of the tiny, dart-like silver fish off the state's shores.

+5 Big business of catching tiny fish won't be restricted in coastal waters, Louisiana leaders decide A growing conflict over Louisianas largest but perhaps least-known commercial fishery came to a head this week when state leaders rejected a 

But if House Bill 535 becomes law, Louisiana would forbid menhaden trawling within a half mile of shore, to reduce coastal erosion and limit damage to shallow nurseries of popular game fish species such as redfish and speckled trout. The bill now goes to the Senate. (Here's how the House voted.)

Menhaden, also known as pogies or shad, are a keystone species in marine ecosystems, providing food for a wide range of larger fish and birds. When caught commercially, the oil-rich fish is ground up into animal feed, health supplements and fertilizers.

The effort to create an exclusion zone for menhaden boats off Louisiana's coast has gained steam over the past two years, as complaints from recreational fishers have grown. Bloated, floating bodies of dead reds and specks left behind by commercial fishing vessels seem to have increased in volume and proximity to shore in recent years, exclusion zone advocates Chris Macaluso and David Cresson said.

"Frankly, it's disgusting to see anywhere from a dozen to 50 or more dead redfish floating in the surf or washing up on beaches," said Macaluso, the Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership's marine fisheries director. "People get angry when they see that, and they should get angry."

In negotiating the latest bill's text, menhaden industry representatives stood firmly behind a quarter-mile exclusion zone, stating reports from recreational anglers were hyperbolic. Omega Proteins owns two of the three menhaden reduction plants on the Gulf Coast; Daybrook Fisheries owns the other. Louisiana hosts one in Abbeville and one in Empire.

Omega Proteins' public affairs manager, Ben Landry, said a half-mile exclusion could cut into the industry's bottom line as almost one fifth of menhaden harvest occurs within a half mile of the coast. That means some could lose jobs.

Environmental news in your inbox Stay up-to-date on the latest on Louisiana's coast and the environment. Sign up today. e-mail address * Sign Up

"I'm not saying some of that won't be made up outside of that half mile," Landry said. "But I can't promise you that. Who's family around here could face a 20% cut and then be told, 'Oh, that's not going to impact you.'"

Rep. Joseph Orgeron, R-Larose, authored the bill after listening to conversations among lawmakers, recreational fishers and the pogie industry and seeing failed attempts to compromise without legislation.

"I understand how important the menhaden industry is, so there's got to be a compromise and a solution," Orgeron said. "There's no attempt to diminish their quota, their season in any way, shape or form. We still want them to be able to do their business."

Louisiana is the only Gulf state without any exclusion zone for menhaden. The half mile one would align with Texas restrictions but remain more liberal than those of Mississippi, Alabama and Florida. An attempt to create a one-mile buffer failed to pass the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries Commission last fall amid concerns that it would be overly burdensome to the industry.

In two specific places, long-standing, informal agreements are supposed to keep the menhaden fleet away from the coast: three miles from the Grand Isle's popular beaches and one mile from Elmer's Island. But Macaluso said GPS readings in 2020 showed some ships repeatedly encroaching on Elmer's shores. Those specific limits are now codified into the Orgerson's bill, with support from the industry.

"That buffer zone is where so many of our critical life processes for fish, birds and for other wildlife originate and take place ... on those very nearshore waters," said Cresson, CEO of Coastal Conservation Association Louisiana. "Being the only state that allows this, it's not too much to ask that we have a reasonable buffer in place where this very industrialized style of harvest would be prohibited."

+7 Shrimpers need not install turtle-saving devices just yet Rule for equipment to save threatened, endangered species delayed until Aug. 1
Orleans Parishs Holy Cross School, St. James Parishs burial sites and Lincoln Parishs World War II internment camp are a few of Louisianas most historically significant, vulnerable sites, according to an annual list unveiled this week by the Louisiana Trust for Historic Preservation.

If something isnt done, these sites wont be here in 5 to 10 years, said LTHP executive director Brian Davis.

A statewide preservation coalition, the LTHP launched in 1979 and has solicited nominations for its annual collection of endangered Louisiana places since 1999. Since then, approximately 150 places have been placed on Louisianas Most Endangered Places list. Some, like the 7th Wards Circle Food Store and Monroes Miller-Roy building, have been restored and returned to public use.

+19 Circle Food Market, once facing different future, reopens as traditional grocery With grocery aisles stocked, produce bins full and new murals high on the walls, Circle Food Market quietly opened its doors last week.

"About one-third of the places are off the endangered list because they have been rehabilitated," Davis said. "Looking at the list shows how diverse our culture is. From Native American to African American to Creole (cultural sites), you name it, we have something on that list."

The lists purpose is to raise public awareness and help secure funds via grants, donations and state and federal tax credits for the preservation of these buildings. Though their under-the-radar nature and little-known histories may tempt the general public to explore the sites, Davis advises against in-person visits.

We dont encourage folks to visit the sites because many might be unsafe and on private property, Davis said.

The LTHP accepts nominations for the Most Endangered Places list each year. A review committee narrows down the list, and LTHP makes the final selections based on the sites vulnerability, historic significance and potential to make a positive impact.

Were here to help to see buildings and owners get what they need to help these get back into the community, Davis said. We get surprised each year with nominations. So many things have been lost from demolition, neglect, hurricanes, fire  having something tangible helps us learn from our collective history and understand the people whose lives were connected to this building in the past.

Nominate an endangered Louisiana site here, and keep reading to see this years list.

1. Buena Vista & Acadia Plantation Cemeteries (St. James, St. James Parish)

Situated in sugar-cane fields on former plantation grounds near River Road, these two cemeteries contain the remains of enslaved people. Opposition from the Corps of Engineers delayed construction of a $9.4 billion plastics complex there, and its proposal also triggered concerns of environmental racism from the United Nations.

Judge delays crucial permit for Formosa plastics plant; requires deeper analysis of racial impacts A state district judge sent critical air permits for a $9.4 billion Formosa Plastics complex back to state environmental regulators so they ca

2. Holy Cross School (Lower 9th Ward, New Orleans)

Holy Cross School has been abandoned since 2005, when Hurricane Katrina and the federal levee failures flooded the Lower 9th Ward. Architect James Freret designed the boarding and day school in 1895.

3. Columbia Free Methodist Church (Columbia, Caldwell Parish)

The "free" descriptor alludes to three practices of this circa-1948 church: it was anti-slavery; it didn't rent pews to families (a common practice at the time) and it represented a break with the Methodist Episcopal Church. The concrete-block structure has stood empty for 20 years.

4. Camp Ruston POW Buildings (Ruston, Lincoln Parish)

Environmental news in your inbox Stay up-to-date on the latest on Louisiana's coast and the environment. Sign up today. e-mail address * Sign Up

This 750-acre camp housed 4,315 prisoners of war, primarily Nazi Germans from Erwin Rommel's Afrika Korps, during its peak in 1943. In 1947, prison laborers from Angola converted the compound into a tuberculosis sanitarium, and today it is part of Grambling State University.

5. Kerner House (Gretna, Jefferson Parish)

Vegetation cloaks this circa-1840 Greek Revival and Italianate-styled cottage, which is located in a historic district. German indentured servant and butcher Charles Kerner built the raised house after he earned enough money to buy his freedom. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the structure is falling victim to decay and termites.

6. Mary & J.W. Thomas House (Natchitoches, Natchitoches Parish)

Black educator J.W. Thomas lived in this cottage in the early 1900s, when he was opening the Lincoln Institute as well as teaching at the school for Black youths. "He was a proponent of getting education to the African American community when it wasn't being provided by the school board at the times," Davis said.

7. St. Marys Chapel (Union, St. James Parish)

Sugar maker, architect and Civil War veteran Louis Chauvin II built this Gothic Revival church in 1875 on one of the first Acadian landings. The leaky cypress church hasn't hosted a service since 1998.

8. Frank Young House (Franklin, St. Mary Parish)

Frank Young, grandfather of Civil Rights leader and politician Andrew Young Jr., lived in this circa-1900 Queen Anne cottage and served as an advocate and proponent for education and health care for his Black community.

9. Franklin Lodge No. 57 F&AM (Franklin, St. Mary Parish)

Transom windows, a crenelated parapet, inset panels with basketweave brick pattern, corbeling, and square and compass iconography are a few notable features in this circa-1895 Masonic temple, which stands vacant on Franklin's Main Street.

10. Husser School & Community Center (Husser, Tangipahoa Parish)

This century-old pine schoolhouse held classes until 1942 and served as a community center until the 1980s. It's listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

11. Gueydan Museum & Cultural Arts Society (Gueydan, Vermilion Parish)

Built in 1902 by the Bank of Gueydan, this Romanesque Revival building has also housed Southern Bell Phone Company, a Masonic lodge, medical offices and most recently, a museum. The 2020 hurricane season took a toll on the building, and fundraising by the Gueydan Museum & Cultural Arts Society is underway.
Two Port Sulphur men, one described by authorities as a repeat offender, were fined this week for harvesting oysters in a polluted area of Plaquemines Parish.

A Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries patrol team used an aerial surveillance drone to spot Nelson C. Williams III, 43, and James Garrison, 39, dredging oysters from a boat near Two Sisters Bayou, a marshy area a few miles west of Port Sulphur, on Dec. 29. The area is closed to shellfish harvesting due to high concentrations of fecal coliform bacteria.

The state agents seized five sacks of oysters and returned them to the water.

Judge Kevin Connor of the 25th Judicial District Court in Pointe a La Hache fined Williams, the boats captain, $900 plus court costs and revoked his oyster licenses until 2026. Garrison, the deckhand, was fined $200 plus court costs.

It was the fifth time Williams has been caught taking oysters from a polluted area, according to Wildlife and Fisheries.

Environmental news in your inbox Stay up-to-date on the latest on Louisiana's coast and the environment. Sign up today. e-mail address * Sign Up

The polluted area had been closed by the state Department of Health. The source of the contamination is unclear, but common sources include leaky septic systems, waste dumped from boats and animal feces.

Fecal contamination typically closes several hundred acres off the Louisiana coast at any one time. Health officials regularly test for fecal contamination in oyster-growing areas. Closures usually last 21 days before additional testing is done.

Wildlife and Fisheries agents have been using drones for surveillance since March 2018. In January, agents used a drone to catch two Houma residents harvesting oysters in polluted Terrebonne Parish waters.
I only knew Buddy Roemer as an ex-governor, someone whod already risen and fallen in spectacular fashion.

There was still a good bit of disappointment in the air back when I first started covering Louisiana politics in the mid-1990s, not because Roemer had attempted ambitious reforms but because hed blown the politics of the job  first losing his chosen leadership in the state Senate and then falling short in the 1991 primary for reelection, leaving voters with the awful choice of David Duke or Edwin Edwards.

Four years later, the onetime Democrat tried on a hard-right persona as he ran again on a platform that included support for bringing chain gangs to Louisiana. It wasnt him. Roemer wasnt a knee-jerk ideologue. He was much more interesting than that. And he was much better.

I finally got a glimpse of the Roemer whod taken the 1987 governor race by storm when I called him to talk about some other politician I was covering. Still largely on the outs, he was jokingly offended but clearly thrilled to be asked, and to share some of the best stories, the sharpest wit and most revealing insights about the process Id heard. The other thing that came through during that and subsequent check-ins over the years was that he never stopped being engaged in the fight to improve his states lot, even as he embarked on a successful career in banking  and even if it meant returning to his old habit of taking on sacred cows.

Roemer, who died this week at 77, did embark on a brief second act in politics, a quixotic run for president in 2012 inspired in part by his fellow maverick and onetime congressional pal John McCains 2008 campaign. Like in 1987, he donned the reformer mantle, this time railing about the corrosive effects of big money in politics in both major parties. He was passionate, accessible and quirky, even offering some supportive thoughts for the Occupy Wall Street movement of the day and teaming up with comedian Stephen Colbert in a satirical ad skewering Super PACs. Once again he became a media darling  although mostly on MSNBC, which doesnt bode well for a Republican  but this time the voters didnt follow, and he dropped out after the New Hampshire primary.

He did, though, say something that needed to be said, just as he often did when he was in a position to turn his beliefs into policy.

As governor, Roemer thought that teachers should be better paid, that government should practice fiscal responsibility, and that the state should protect the environment even if it meant going up against powerful polluting industries. He made tough calls, including a courageous veto of what would have been the most severe abortion restrictions in the country.

He pulled Louisiana out of a budget hole and instituted reforms such as the Revenue Estimating Conference, which still forces lawmakers and governors to base their budgets on the money they actually expect to take in.

He had some success in office and some disappointments, but even where he fell short, he moved the conversation and helped set up future progress.

It wasnt surprising during his post-gubernatorial years to see him join other ex-governors and speak up against then-Gov. Bobby Jindals effort to slash higher education funding, and for the premise behind environmental lawsuits targeting oil and gas companies.

They [the oil companies] do what is best for capitalism, that is to maximize their profits. And the job of the regulators and the citizens is to make sure that damage done is repaired, he said at an appearance at Loyola University in 2014. And that should figure into the cost of profit, and its not done now, and Louisiana is particularly egregious in this matter.

Thats the sort of utterly sensible and entirely unapologetic language that was a Roemer signature, and that thrilled those who agreed and irritated those who didnt. But Roemer was really just calling it as he saw it, and not worrying about whose feathers might be ruffled.

For better or worse  most often for better  he always did.
Norman, OK (73070)

Today

Sun and clouds mixed. Hot and humid. High 93F. Winds S at 10 to 20 mph..

Tonight

Considerable clouds this evening. Some decrease in clouds late. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. Low 72F. Winds SSE at 10 to 15 mph.
This Thursday, May 20 from 2:30 to 5:30 p.m., the Wellsboro Growers Market is opening for the 2021 season on the front lawn of the First Presbyterian Church at 130 Main Street in Wellsboro, next to the Green Free Library.

Ann Vayansky of Growin Native will be at this Thursday's market with shrubs, small trees and flowering plants that are native to North Central Pennsylvania and ready for planting. Among them are flowering perennials - sneezeweed and swamp milkweed; flowering plants - Monarda and Zizia; shrubs - Indian currant and nannyberry; and small trees - witch hazel, pawpaw and hazel.

Frank Maffei will be hosting tastings of his Staggering Unicorn wines, which will be sold by the bottle. He is bringing elderberry and black raspberry, the only dry wines he makes; fruited wines, such as pineapple strawberry, cherry, lemon and mixed berry, and specialty wines, like maple.

At the Between Two Rivers Maple Products booth will be Sally and Jeff Jones with their maple syrup, maple cream and maple candy.

Liz McLelland of Yorkshire Meadows is bringing an array of goodies, including her lemon, orange and lime curd, carrot cake, Eccles cakes, scones, caramel shortbread bars, pecan sandies, assorted cookies and pastries, her new summer fruit preserve, raspberry mango jam, triple berry jam and other British delights.

Kathy Siegrist of Bakery 303, "the pound cake lady" is offering lots of new treats. In addition to bringing her classic butter, lemon glazed, serious chocolate, chocolate stout and pecan streusel swirl pound cakes, she is introducing her newest flavor, spicy jalapeno chocolate pound cake, which is made with jalapeno beer, and her new supersized pound cake, great for sharing because its soooo big. Also new will be caramel twirl chocolate dipped pretzels and different flavored cake pops, such as lemon cake pops dipped in chocolate and chocolate cake pops dipped in a melted peanut butter candy coating.

Offered at the New View Farm booth will be Linda Sweely's artisan breads, herb focaccia, bagels (plain, cinnamon raisin and everything) and Boston cream cupcakes as well as jams and jellies, honey, maple syrup products, homemade sauerkraut, ground horseradish and sprouts. Shortsville Green Growers, a no-spray, chemical-free operation, will have microgreens, such as pea shoots, organic black oil sunflowers, broccoli and daikon purple radish, salad greens and some vegetable plants that home growers can buy. At the CBJ Collective booth will be hand-poured scented candles in a wide variety of fragrances, wax melts, liquid and bar soaps, hand lotion and bath scrubs, as well as crocheted items. Among the most popular scents year-round is pumpkin apple butter. People also enjoy combination scents, such as basil, sage and mint; cucumber melon; mandarin peach; and white tea and ginger. Udder Merry Mac Farm may be at this Thursday's market, too. Goodies For Our Troops will have yard sale items at the market and is holding a prize raffle. Customers are asked to wear face masks and maintain six feet of distance between themselves and others. "Our Growers Market is a rain or shine event," said Thomas Putnam, event organizer. "When there are rain showers, we stay outside under the trees. If there is a downpour or constant, heavy rain, the market will be cancelled." The market will be every Thursday from 2:30 to 5:30 p.m. through October 14, weather permitting. For updates on who and what will be at the market, email wellsborogrowersmarket@gmail.com or visit the Wellsboro Growers Market Facebook page. Growers and others who want to participate at an upcoming market are asked to contact Putnam for more information at 570-439-2000 or email him at wellsborogrowersmarket@gmail.com.




Today is primary election day across Pennsylvania.

Many important local positions are on the ballot, and today will determine who the Republican or Democratic nominees will be for each respective office up for election this year.

In addition, very important questions are to be decided by voters which may or may not amend Pa's constitution.

Related reading: All Pa. voters eligible to vote on constitutional amendments May 18.

But according to Forrest Lehman, Lycoming County director of elections and registration, he says so far the county is having "Relatively low turnout."

"But we won't know until the polls close," Lehman mentioned.

Lehman encouraged more people to get out and vote today as part of their civic duty.

County Commissioner Scott Metzger also had a message for Lycoming County voters.

"Voting is such an important part of a democracy. It is the citizens opportunity to vote who they choose to represent that."

Metzger also was keen to mention that people should vote on the proposed changes to the states constitution.

"Important ballot issues that affect your lives are often on the ballot such as the ones presented this year," Metzger said.

"Make a difference. Get out and vote."

Lehman also wanted to remind voters to "Treat your poll workers nice." Poll workers are the front line workers on election day who help make sure our votes get counted, if you vote in person. Lehman also reminds citizens they can volunteer to be a poll worker, which does pay a small stipend for the 13 hour shift on election day.

Exclusive local election night coverage is provided by On The PULSE.

Lycoming County residents may view results in the county by refreshing the page on the Voter Services website.

To view election results statewide, you may visit the Pennsylvania Department of State.

If you do not vote, but are ready to make your voice heard, Register to Vote.
The Giant Company announced today that shoppers and employees who are fully vaccinated will no longer be required to wear masks inside their stores, according to PennLive.

The May 19 announcement comes after the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention issued guidance last week stating those who are fully vaccinated do not have to wear masks in most places including crowded outdoor events.

Initially, Giant said it was keeping a mask policy in place as company representatives reviewed the updated guidance.

In a press statement released today, the Carlisle-based grocery retailer said, fully vaccinated team members and customers will no longer be required to wear masks inside our stores, in accordance with the CDCs guidance, unless it is mandated by state or local regulations. This guidance will be communicated via new store signage, according to PennLive.

Other retailers that eased mask requirements for fully vaccinated shoppers include Walmart and Target.




Looking to get out on the Susquehanna River this year, but dont know where to go? The Susquehanna Greenway Partnership (SGP) is excited to announce the release of a new booklet showcasing paddling itineraries of the Susquehanna River Water Trail  Confluence Area.

The Susquehanna River Water Trail is a state-designated water trail for motorized and non-motorized on-water recreation. The new booklet showcases five paddling itineraries along the West Branch, Lower North Branch, and Middle Susquehanna sections of the Susquehanna River Water Trail. These three sections converge near Sunbury, Pa. at a region known as the Confluence and offer a variety of landscapes and paddling experiences.

Each itinerary features a unique paddle route along one of the three sections. Itineraries include the length and estimated time for paddling the route, a map of the route, put-in and take-out locations, suggested area outfitters for kayak rentals, a difficulty rating, and trip highlights to look for along the way.

The interest in kayaking on the Susquehanna River has been on the rise for the past few years, says SGP Executive Director Corey Ellison. With the onset of COVID-19 that interest grew exponentially, and we want to make sure that our areas paddlers have access to the tools and resources needed to get outside and continue to explore the water trail.

In addition to the itineraries, the booklet also provides an overview of the confluence region, plus general information on each branch of the Susquehanna River Water Trail, including an introduction on the experience of river island camping on the Middle Susquehanna.

SGP is partnering with the Susquehanna River Valley Visitors Bureau (SRVVB) and the Columbia-Montour Visitors Bureau (CMVB) to distribute the booklets. They will be available for free at either location.

The Susquehanna River Valley Visitors Bureau is thrilled to partner with the Susquehanna Greenway Partnership in the production of their newly released Confluence Booklet that details river routes for avid paddlers, explains SRVVB Director Andrew Miller.

With outdoor recreation reaching an all-time high in 2020, and with no signs of letting up this year, outdoor recreation in the Susquehanna River Valley will attract adventurers to enjoy our amenities and support local businesses with visitor spending. The Confluence Booklet is available at the perfect time for canoers and kayakers to make plans to explore the water trail routes in our region. The Susquehanna River Valley Visitors Bureau will promote the Confluence Booklet online and in our Visitor Center to make trip planning easy for paddling enthusiasts.

Geographically, the Susquehanna River Water Trails confluence is located where the 228-mile West Branch meets the 444-mile main stem of the Susquehanna River. The itineraries within this booklet extend from this point with two trips located on the West Branch in Union County, two up along the lower North Branch in Columbia and Montour counties, and one just below the confluence point on the Middle Susquehanna which borders Snyder and Northumberland counties.

For those new to paddling or those who need a refresher, the final page of the booklet outlines a paddling checklist to help jumpstart the planning process for any kayaking or canoeing excursion.

The paddling checklist included within the booklet is an especially valuable tool to both new and experienced paddlers, says Otto Kurecian, CMVB Executive Director.

Considering the recent influx of first-time paddlers looking to get outdoors, the new paddling guidebook produced by SGP will help people prepare not only for an enjoyable adventure on the river, but also a safe one. The inclusion of five pre-planned river itineraries will make it easy for paddlers to navigate the river.

The Confluence Booklet is just the beginning of what SGP has to offer in 2021.

On July 24, SGP is collaborating with Pennsylvania Master Naturalist on a new program designed to enhance your paddling skillset and develop your knowledge of river ecology. The Paddlers Toolkit is a great opportunity for novice and veteran paddlers alike to expand their Paddlers Toolkit with new information and resources for their next paddling adventure. The workshop will be held at the Montour Preserve on July 24 with presentations in the morning and a paddle in the afternoon on Lake Chillisquaque. Registration is $35. For more information, visit susquehannagreenway.org/toolkit.

SGP is also looking forward to the release of our waterproof Susquehanna River Water Trail  West Branch Map & Guide. This highly anticipated resource has been undergoing a year-long update with expected release in July 2021.

For a more guided group experience on the water trail, SGP is also hosting several paddling events this upcoming season. The first will be Susquehanna Float & Films on June 26, which offers participants a chance to kayak the river, watch the best of international paddling films, or both for a full day experience! Tickets range $12-28 and can be purchased at susquehannagreenway.org/pff.

The Confluence Area Booklet and other resources will be available for free at all SGP events throughout the 2021 season. To stay up-to-date on SGPs events, visit susquehannagreenway.org/events, sign up for email announcements at susquehannagreenway.org/onlinecontact, or follow Susquehanna Greenway on social media.

You may also request a booklet by contacting either visitors bureau. For the Susquehanna River Valley Visitors Bureau, call 570-524-7234 or email info@visitcentralpa.org. For the Columbia-Montour Visitors Bureau, visit itourcolumbiamontour.com/request-a-brochure.
Tillamook, OR (97141)

Today

Periods of rain. High 59F. Winds SSE at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 100%. Rainfall around a quarter of an inch..

Tonight

Rain showers this evening with overcast skies overnight. Low 52F. Winds SSE at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 70%.
Instant unlimited access to all of our content on www.northcoastcitizen.com.

The North Coast Citizen E-Edition Newsletter emailed to you each week, the night before the paper hits the street!

This subscription is for NEW or RENEWING online subscribers.

The charge will appear as "Country Media Inc." on your credit card statement.
La Fayette, GA (30728)

Today

Cloudy skies this morning followed by thunderstorms during the afternoon. High 81F. Winds WSW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 70%..

Tonight

Partly to mostly cloudy skies with scattered thunderstorms during the evening. Low 68F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 50%.
Education

Green extolls growth of graduation rate at GHC during farewell news conference

Don Green Dana Nichols

A graduation rate that has jumped dramatically over the last five years is one of the things Don Green is proud of as he leaves Georgia Highlands College at the end of June.

During a virtual interview with Green and GHC interim President Dana Nichols, he said he is most proud of the colleges faculty and staff.

These are people who would run through a brick wall to help a student, Green said.

During his seven year term as president, they kept an emphasis on growing the baccalaureate programs and keeping the acquisition of a college degree affordable.

The graduation rate at GHC has grown significantly over the last five years, he said.

In 2017, the number of graduates was up by 9%. In 2018 that percentage increased by 10%, then by another 9% in 2019. It was up again, by 14%, in 2020. Green said that, when summer classes are over this year, the 2021 graduation rate should be up by another 14% or more.

The rearrangement of the college from different divisions into different schools allowed the rapid development of new programs, Nichols said.

The college combined its business and professional studies schools, and the stand alone math division program was moved into the school of science, engineering technology and mathematics.

A new entrepreneurship program in the works within the school of business and a customizable bachelors program in health sciences is already seeing significant growth.

And a new bachelors program in building information modeling management will go before the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools for certification this fall. Slated to come online in January, it is one of just two programs of its kind in the nation. The other is at Purdue University.

Nichols stressed that growing the number of baccalaureate programs available at GHC is a major goal going forward, but a focus on the number of students who actually complete their degrees is the highest priority.

Graduation is life changing and we know that, Green said. Im very proud of our institution and Im very proud of our people.
Rome, GA (30161)

Today

Cloudy skies this morning followed by thunderstorms during the afternoon. High 83F. Winds W at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 70%..

Tonight

Scattered showers and thunderstorms. Low 69F. Winds W at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 60%.
Europa Oil & Gas ( ) CEO Simon Oddie joins Proactive London to discuss the latest developments on the Wressle oil production site after announcing that all the necessary consents have been received by the Operator, Egdon Resources for the commencement of the proppant squeeze operation.

The plan is now to proceed with the final stage of operations at Wressle to achieve optimum production levels from the Ashover Grit reservoir. Subject to the results of the upcoming operation, Europas overall production across all four of its producing UK onshore fields is set to be scaled up to over 200bopd.
Napoleon, OH (43545)

Today

Sunshine and clouds mixed. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. High 89F. Winds NE at 5 to 10 mph..

Tonight

Clear to partly cloudy. Low near 65F. Winds ENE at 5 to 10 mph.
Lenovo has confirmed that it still plans to release the 18 GB version of the Legion 2 Pro, its latest gaming smartphone. The flagship will launch for CNY 5,999 (~US$932), over 60% more than the basic Legion 2 Pro costs.

4 Reviews , News , CPU , GPU , Articles , Columns , Other "or" search relation. 5G , Accessory , Alder Lake , AMD , Android , Apple , ARM , Audio , Business , Camera , Cannon Lake , Cezanne (Zen 3) , Charts , Chinese Tech , Chromebook , Coffee Lake , Comet Lake , Console , Convertible / 2-in-1 , Cryptocurrency , Cyberlaw , Deal , Desktop , Exclusive , Fail , Foldable , Gadget , Galaxy Note , Galaxy S , Gamecheck , Gaming , Geforce , Google Pixel , GPU , How To , Ice Lake , Intel Evo / Project Athena , Internet of Things (IoT) , iOS , iPad Pro , iPhone , Jasper Lake , Lakefield , Laptop , Launch , Linux / Unix , Lucienne (Zen 2) , MacBook , Mini PC , Monitor , MSI , OnePlus , Opinion , Phablet , Radeon , Renoir , Review Snippet , Rocket Lake , Rumor , Ryzen (Zen) , Science , Security , Smart Home , Smartphone , Smartwatch , Software , Storage , Tablet , ThinkPad , Thunderbolt , Tiger Lake , Touchscreen , Ultrabook , Virtual Reality (VR) / Augmented Reality (AR) , Wearable , Windows , Workstation , XPS , Zen 3 (Vermeer) Ticker

Lenovo will finally release the Legion 2 Pro with 18 GB of RAM this month. According to the company's Weibo account, the device will arrive on May 20 in black and white, the same colours in which it sells other Legion 2 Pro variants.

The 18 GB of RAM model also has 512 GB of UFS 3.1 flash storage, matching the 16 GB of RAM version. The Legion 2 Pro starts at CNY 3,699 (~US$575) in China, but the new 18 GB of RAM version will retail for CNY 5,999 (~US$932), 62% more than the entry-level edition.
There is no word on if NVIDIA will re-release the RTX 3090 , but all RTX 3060 Ti , RTX 3070 and RTX 3080 that ship in May should have a halved Ethereum hash rate. NVIDIA explains that:

our GeForce partners are labelling the GeForce RTX 3080, RTX 3070 and RTX 3060 Ti cards with a 'Lite Hash Rate', or 'LHR', identifier. The identifier will be in retail product listings and on the box.

We should stress that these restrictions will not apply to RTX 3060 Ti, RTX 3070 and RTX 3080 cards that have already been sold. Hence, NVIDIA does not plan to roll out any firmware updates to halve the ETH hash rate on these cards. NVIDIA has not acknowledged this yet, but GALAX lists these LHR cards as having new GPUs with '2' suffixes. The new GPU model numbers are as follows:
Roseburg, OR (97470)

Today

A steady rain this morning. Showers continuing this afternoon. High 64F. Winds SE at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 90%. Rainfall around a quarter of an inch..

Tonight

Cloudy. Periods of light rain early. Low 54F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 60%.
British Lithium's Andrew Smith joins Proactive London's Katie Pilbeam to discuss their first patent application for their sustainable process to extract lithium from granite.

Smith also says there are 'three more to come', as the firm continues to work on their sustainable way of extracting lithium following three years of research and development.

The company has filed a patent application at the UK Intellectual Property Office for its low-energy, chemical-free process for physically separating the mica in granite that contains lithium.
Maddy Scott, of Harrisonburg, practices using a fire extinguisher with guidance from Rockingham County Fire Lt. Karen Will during the 2018 Camp LIT.
INDIANAPOLIS  Discount retailer Five Below will locate a Midwest distribution center in central Indiana, creating more than 470 new jobs by the end of 2025, the company and the state announced Wednesday.

The Philadelphia-based company plans to invest more than $100 million to establish distribution and e-commerce operations in Shelby County, officials said. The 1 million-square-foot is expected to begin operations in summer 2022.

"Ship Center Indiana is going to be an incredible facility filled with state-of-the-art technology, and great for boosting the local economy by creating jobs," Five Below CEO Joel Anderson said in a news release.

The Indiana Economic Development Corp. offered Five Below up to $2.8 million in conditional tax credits based on the company's plans to create up to 473 jobs, the agency said. The IEDC will also offer up to $1 million to support local infrastructure improvements. Shelby County approved additional incentives.

Five Below also has distribution centers located in Georgia, New Jersey, Mississippi and Texas and one under construction in Arizona.

Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0

Be the first to know Get local news delivered to your inbox! Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy.
McDermott said he hopes for a large turnout. Several speakers will address the crowd.

"Coming together to peacefully protest will show the Franciscan Alliance leadership how important this cause is for everyone in Northwest Indiana," he said. "Franciscans financial goals should not trump the health care of thousands.

He said CEOs of other health care systems had reached out about the former St. Margaret Hospital, and speculated that Franciscan was demolishing much of the hospital rather than letting it be repurposed or selling it to prevent new competition from coming in to serve the community.

"It's weird that they're demolishing the hospital building on their way out so no other hospital chain can come in," he said.

Franciscan Health spokesman Robert Blaszkiewicz said the hospital had only been operating at about a fourth of capacity in an era where outpatient procedures replaced longer hospital stays.
HAMMOND  A two-week delay has been announced in the federal bribery conviction sentencing of former Portage Mayor James Snyder, who is now arguing prosecutors are attempting to use inadmissible and "less than accurate" evidence against him.

U.S. District Judge Matthew Kennelly of the Northern District of Illinois, who was brought in to oversee the local case, granted Snyder's request for additional time to file a more-detailed response of what he claims are "other inaccuracies" in prosecutors' response to his call for an acquittal or at least a third trial, according to court records.

Snyder's defense team was given until May 24 to file a response of no more than 10 pages, the judge said.

Sentencing was delayed from July 1 to July 16 because Kennelly said he will be unavailable due to a jury trial.

Prosecutors filed challenges Sunday to Snyder's attempt to reverse his March conviction on a federal bribery charge, or at least be granted a third trial on the accusations.

Snyder, 43, a Republican, has been found guilty twice of accepting a $13,000 check from Great Lakes Peterbilt in Portage seven years ago to corruptly influence the purchase of $1.125 million in garbage trucks.
Varga asked if being scared gave her license to lie, and she said, "No, it doesn't."

The woman testified Hobson, who is her cousin by marriage, smoked marijuana with her and Adams after arriving at their apartment.

She noticed Adams was putting on his shoes to leave, and she insisted on going with him because she and Adams were inseparable, she testified.

The three of them got into a dark-colored sedan driven by Hobson, who stopped at one location, got out, left the car running and returned a short time later, she said.

Hobson then drove to another location, where he turned off the car and got out, she said.

She and Adams also got out and followed Hobson as he walked down a trail or alley. She was holding Adams' hand when Hobson stopped, turned around and pointed a gun at Adams, she said.

The woman testified she put her hands up and told Hobson not to do anything "stupid," because she was pregnant.

"I get down on my knees. I hear a gunshot. I could see Antonio fall," she said, as she fought back sobs.

She heard another gunshot and saw Hobson walk up to her, she said. She felt a blow to her head and felt pain in her face, she testified.
It states Higgs has yet to be served with a copy of the protection order.

The protection order does not yet appear on the states court document system.

This comes nearly one year after Herbert filed a police report against Higgs alleging Higgs verbally abused her and walked towards her in an intimidating fashion at an August 2020 public event in the citys Columbia Park.

She said it all stems back to her campaign to unseat Higgs as the 3rd District City Councilman in 2015. Higgs defeated her 773 votes to 651 votes in the spring Democratic primary.

Higgs sought his own protective order that year against Herbert, claiming she was stalking him.

Higgs dropped that action after Mayor Thomas McDermott Jr. and a majority of City Council members censured Higgs for trying to use the court to silence a critic.

Higgs lost his 3rd District council seat in 2019 to Democrat Barry Tyler Jr.

Higgs is currently suing the Lake County Board of Commissioners for firing him last fall as building manager of the county courthouse on Russell Street in Hammond.
The UK is requiring ten days of isolation with two tests for passengers coming from almost all EU countries

EU officials agreed on Wednesday to lift the ban on non-essential travel coming from outside the bloc, including from the UK.

The Commission is due to release a list of approved countries soon, Reuters reported.

Currently, each country makes their own rules, with Portugal, Italy and Greece having already dropped mandatory isolation for UK passengers.

However, most European countries are on Westminsters amber list, meaning that people returning to the UK have to present a negative COVID-19 test on arrival, quarantine for ten days and take additional tests on days 2 and 8 of isolation, which adds up to the normal costs of a holiday.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson said people should not travel to amber countries for recreational purposes.

"I think it's very important for people to grasp what an amber list country is: it is not somewhere where you should be going on holiday, let me be very clear about that, he was reported as saying by the BBC.

"And if people do go to an amber list country, they absolutely have to for some pressing family or urgent business reason, then please bear in mind that you will have to self-isolate, you'll have to take tests and do your passenger locator form and all the rest of it."

The statement came after environment secretary George Eustice said Britons could travel to amber countries as long as they quarantined on their return.

There have been reports that thousands of people went to France, Greece, Spain and the US after the ban on non-essential travel was lifted on Monday, with 150 departing on that day.

Meanwhile, analysts at Liberum upped their target price for Ryanair PLC ( ) to 17 from 16 after increasing revenue estimates for the year to March 2023 by 3% to 8.9bn.

However, they cut estimates for the year ending next March by 7% to 4.9bn due to international travel restrictions being lifted slowly.

While there is undoubtedly pent-up demand for leisure and social travel, much of it is going unfulfilled for the time being. We continue to assume a rebound in capacity from the September quarter, in anticipation of the restrictions on international travel being relaxed to a much greater extent, the broker commented.

In this scenario, capacity in the quarter would be at 75% of 2019 levels, surging to 90% in the six months to March 2022.

Shares in Ryanair were down 1% to 16.16 on Wednesday at noon.

--Adds EU decision update--
Smith said his company has monitored thousands of individuals for the last 11 years, but it was only after Martinez took office in 2017 that his company has been "portrayed as incompetent."

"When the sheriff first became sheriff, he went to the judges without cause and asked them to cancel our contract," Smith said.

Smith said his company was monitoring 10 to 12 people when it first opened in 2010. Today, ICU monitors about 350 individuals, he said.

"We know that the jail is full of black and brown people that have issues with recidivism," Smith said. "So what we're trying to do is break that cycle of recidivism."

'We didn't let anybody escape'

Martinez said he has highlighted his concerns with ICU since taking office, but he "did not create this situation."

"As sheriff, I cannot simply tolerate these types of concerns when lives could be at risk," Martinez said. "The citizens of Lake County simply deserve more from a company entrusted with securing offenders on home confinement."

In a letter to commissioners dated Feb. 12, Martinez wrote he consulted with a number of other law enforcement agencies that spoke highly of Sentinel Offender Services LLC.
HAMMOND  As police followed up on leads Wednesday in the search for Kyrin Carter, the 12-year-old boy who went missing over the weekend from a local hotel, his father pleaded for his safe return.

"At this point, I feel my son has been taken and I need to know the next steps to get my son back," Leslie Carter said Wednesday. "We've walked this whole area. They've been out here with drones, helicopters, dogs. There's been over 2,000 people out here. He didn't just vanish. It's been over five days."

Hammond police spent Wednesday searching the banks of the Little Calumet River starting at 5 a.m., with assistance from several local agencies and many volunteer searchers, said Lt. Steve Kellogg. Kyrin, who has autism, was last seen Saturday at the Best Western, which sits near Cline Avenue and Interstate 80/94. A statewide Silver Alert was issued for him that day.

"If he's not found today, tomorrow will be more of the same," Kellogg said Wednesday.

Leslie Carter said he believes there is no way his son could have been in the area without coming out for food or water.

Somebody has my son, he said. We need to get him back. If you have him, please send him home.
Martinez said, "Unlike other offices, we have more than 600 confined people in the jail and we have to protect them from having COVID-19 enter the jail."

He said they have been able to keep infection to low levels in the jail by examining new inmates and putting them in temporary quarantine.

Martinez said persons wishing to visit inmates now do so through a video and audio link and are no longer allowed personal contact with inmates.

He said members of the public still enter the sheriff departments offices to pick up documents or to speak with county police staff. He said they will still need to be masked.

Lake Auditor John Petalas said Wednesday he will decide before the end of the month whether to mandate masks in his office.

Lake Recorder Gina Pimentel said face masks will be optional in her office. Pimentel said as many as 200 individuals visit her office daily to search for officials documents, although much of that activity can now be done online.

Also Wednesday, commissioners awarded Gariup Construction a contract to rebuild the handicap access ramp at the east entrance of the government center in Crown Point to ensure it is compliant with the Americans with Disability Act.
About 8,000, including 2,000 believed to be minors, reached Ceuta in the past two days by swimming or paddling in small boats around breakwaters separating the two countries. Most were Moroccans, though there were also migrants from sub-Saharan Africa.

Spain deployed troops and armored vehicles to the border on Tuesday, rounding up migrants on a beach and sending many of them back to Morocco through a gate in the border fence. The Red Cross says one young man died and dozens were treated for hypothermia.

WHAT IS BEHIND THE SURGE?

Morocco has said little about why it relaxed the border controls, though it was widely seen as retaliation against Spain for having allowed the leader of a militant group, Brahim Ghali, to receive medical treatment in a Spanish hospital.

Two Moroccan officials made that link in public comments on Wednesday. Ghali heads the Polisario Front, which is fighting for an independent Western Sahara, a former Spanish colony that Morocco annexed in the 1970s. He was hospitalized in the Spanish city of Logrono last month in a move that angered Moroccos government, which warned there would be consequences.
Since the retirement in 2018 of Justice Anthony M. Kennedy, a cautious supporter of abortion rights, state legislatures have enacted scores of restrictions and bans in the hope that personnel changes at the Supreme Court will spur it to reconsider its abortion jurisprudence.

President Donald J. Trump vowed to name justices who would overrule Roe, and three of his appointees now sit on the court. Two of them  Justices Neil M. Gorsuch and Brett M. Kavanaugh  dissented from the Louisiana decision last year.

The justices considered taking the Mississippi case more than a dozen times during their private conferences before deciding to do so, a possible indication of continued sharp divisions among the courts conservatives about how boldly to address the constitutional status of abortion rights.

The Supreme Courts next term now includes two blockbusters: the abortion case and one on whether the Second Amendment protects a constitutional right to carry guns outside the home.

The Republican-appointed justices appear to be moving even quicker than analysts predicted to make good on their supermajority status, Brian Fallon, the executive director of Demand Justice, a progressive advocacy group, said in a statement.

Responding to calls to expand the size of the Supreme Court to counteract recent conservative gains, President Biden has appointed a commission to consider ways to overhaul its structure and processes. Mr. Fallon said the courts docket reflected its lack of concern about the commissions eventual report.

In opting to hear major cases next term on guns and now abortion, he said, the Roberts court conservatives have issued their verdict on President Bidens commission: They consider it a complete nothing burger.
A humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza

Now into its second week, the battle between Hamas militants and the Israeli military has left Gaza facing a humanitarian crisis that touches nearly every one of its two million residents. Here are the latest updates.

Dozens of schools have been damaged or forced to close, there is a shortage of clean water, and fetid wastewater from destroyed sewage systems is coursing through the streets. In one of the most striking examples of the devastation, an Israeli airstrike damaged the only laboratory in Gaza that processes coronavirus tests.

Palestinians in Israel, the occupied West Bank and Gaza went on strike on Tuesday in a rare display of unity to protest their shared treatment by Israel. And Arabs across the world are using social media to speak out against Israels actions.

Diplomacy at work: There are some signs that Israel and Hamas may be edging toward a cease-fire, with Egypt and the United Nations working to restore calm, according to a person involved in the talks. E.U. foreign ministers called for an immediate cease-fire.
Amazon said Tuesday that it would indefinitely prohibit police departments from using its facial recognition tool, extending a moratorium the company announced last year during nationwide protests over racism and biased policing.

The tool has faced scrutiny from lawmakers and some employees inside Amazon who said they were worried that it led to unfair treatment of African-Americans. Amazon has repeatedly defended the accuracy of its algorithms.

When Amazon announced the pause in June, it did not cite a specific reason for the change. The company said it hoped a year was enough time for Congress to create legislation regulating the ethical use of facial recognition technology. Congress has not banned the technology, or issued any significant regulations on it, but some cities have.

The primary suppliers of facial recognition tools to police departments have not been tech giants like Amazon, but smaller outfits that are not household names.
Fox News Media, the Rupert Murdoch-controlled cable group, filed a motion on Tuesday to dismiss a $1.6 billion defamation lawsuit brought against it in March by Dominion Voting Systems, an election technology company that accused Fox News of propagating lies that ruined its reputation after the 2020 presidential election.

The Dominion lawsuit and a similar defamation claim brought in February by another election company, Smartmatic, have been widely viewed as test cases in a growing legal effort to battle disinformation in the news media. And it is another byproduct of former President Donald J. Trumps baseless attempts to undermine President Bidens clear victory.

In a 61-page response filed in Delaware Superior Court, the Fox legal team argues that Dominions suit threatened the First Amendment powers of a news organization to chronicle and assess newsworthy claims in a high-stakes political contest.

A free press must be able to report both sides of a story involving claims striking at the core of our democracy, Fox says in the motion, especially when those claims prompt numerous lawsuits, government investigations and election recounts. The motion adds: The American people deserved to know why President Trump refused to concede despite his apparent loss.
The Scottish group owns online platform Scotch Malt Whisky Society

(ART) has announced plans to raise 16mln with small investors as part of a listing on AIM in early June.

The Scottish outfit, which owns the Scotch Malt Whisky Society (SMWS), has launched an offer on Primary Bid where it will place new shares at between 112p and 121p

Existing shareholders will also sell their shares to raise a similar amount, UK Investor Magazine reported.

Its not clear yet what size the whisky group will be valued.

SMWS, which sells spirits online, has a presence in over 30 international markets and counts 28,300 members.

Customers can choose whiskies carefully curated by a dedicated tasting panel.

SMWS releases regular batches of new whiskies throughout the year and hosts events for both members and non-members.

It also offers other drinks, such as single cask Bourbon, Indian and Japanese whisky, as well as single cask Armagnac, Cognac, gin and rum.

Last month it appointed Mark Hunter, previously president and chief executive of Molson Coors, as its new chairman.
A political firestorm erupted in Arizona this week after Republican-backed reviewers of the November election in Maricopa County, the states largest, suggested that someone had deleted a crucial data file from election equipment that had been subpoenaed as part of the inquiry.

The countys chief official, himself a Republican, called the charge outrageous. Former President Donald J. Trump, who has promoted the lie that the Arizona vote was rigged against him, boasted that the allegation was devastating evidence of irregularities.

But on Tuesday, a contractor for the Republican-controlled State Senate, which is conducting the review, said the claim had become a moot point. The file had been found on a set of four computer drives in the election equipment, the contractor, Ben Cotton, said at a meeting on the review convened by Republican senators.

Mr. Cottons effort to downplay the brouhaha fit the theme of the livestreamed meeting, in which the senators sought to cast the widely ridiculed review as a civics-lesson effort to improve election administration, not a bid to placate angry Trump supporters who refuse to accept his loss in the state.
The challenges are immense: Many poor defendants who appear in housing, family and immigration courts do not have legal representation, or are represented by incompetent or disengaged counsel, while the quality of criminal representation by court-appointed public defenders varies widely from locality to locality, according to researchers and advocates for the poor.

The result, legal experts say, is a two-tier legal system in which affluence often determines outcomes, especially if the defendant is Black, Latino or a migrant.

About 90 percent of landlords have legal representation in eviction hearings, for example, compared with 10 percent of tenants, according to a study by the Institute for Research on Poverty at Harvard.

Only 37 percent of all immigrants and 14 percent of detained immigrants are represented by counsel at hearings on residency and deportation, according to a 2016 American Immigration Council study.

For decades, a patchwork of nonprofit legal aid groups, covering a range of clients, have cobbled together federal, local and private contributions to staff their defense teams.
In a victory for same-sex couples, the State Department on Tuesday said it would grant U.S. citizenship to babies born abroad to married couples with at least one American parent  no matter which parent was biologically related to the child.

The new policy effectively guarantees that American and binational couples who use assisted reproductive technology to give birth overseas  such as surrogates or sperm donations  can pass along citizenship to their children.

Earlier rules had left couples like Allison Blixt and Stefania Zaccari in a precarious  and often unexpected  legal situation.

Ms. Blixt, who is American, and Ms. Zaccari, who is Italian, sued the State Department after their older son, Lucas, was denied citizenship. Lucas was conceived and carried to birth by Ms. Zaccari, while his younger brother, who was conceived and carried by his American mother, was given U.S. citizenship when he was born.
Covid cases in New Delhi have dropped, but worries are shifting to Indias countryside.

An Israeli airstrike damaged Gazas only lab for processing coronavirus tests, officials said.

Citizens of India living in the U.S. are stranded by travel rules.

Get the latest updates here, as well as maps and a vaccine tracker.

Masks and the honor system

The new mask rules from the C.D.C. amount to an honor system of sorts, where only unvaccinated people are expected to keep wearing masks in most places. But many Americans are wondering whether they can trust others to do the right thing.

In social psychology, theres a well-established principle that a common enemy is supposed to bring people together. But shortly after the pandemic arrived, the U.S. saw a partisan divide over masks, screaming crowds outside state capitols and death threats against health officials.

It quickly became apparent that, even in a crisis, Americans were finding it difficult to come together. So its no wonder that the federal governments new mask guidance has been greeted with reluctance  especially when fewer than half of Americans over 12 are fully vaccinated.

Celeste, a newsletter reader from Dayton, Ohio, wrote in with her own experience.

The first day of The Great Unmasking at work went exactly as youd expect: people who have previously bragged about not being vaccinated walking around without masks on, she wrote. Assuming people would act unselfishly to protect others goes against everything weve seen so far this pandemic.
A Virginia obstetrician and gynecologist was sentenced Tuesday to 59 years in prison after being convicted on federal charges of performing medically unnecessary surgeries including hysterectomies and improper sterilizations on scores of patients over nearly a decade, prosecutors said.

In November 2020, a federal jury also convicted the doctor, Javaid Perwaiz, of Chesapeake, of 52 counts of health care fraud and false statements for procedures he performed from 2010 through 2019, according to the U.S. attorney in the Eastern District of Virginia.

Prosecutors said the procedures had cost insurance programs more than $20 million in losses. The government seized assets including more than $2 million, a Bentley, two properties in Chesapeake and medical equipment after Dr. Perwaizs conviction, according to court records.

Motivated by his insatiable and reprehensible greed, Perwaiz used an arsenal of horrifying tactics to manipulate and deceive patients into undergoing invasive, unnecessary, and devastating medical procedures, Raj Parekh, acting U.S. attorney in the Eastern District of Virginia, said in a statement. In many instances, the defendant shattered their ability to have children by using fear to remove organs from their bodies that he had no right to take.
Middle East experts and former United States officials say that many of Mr. Bidens calculations are rooted in a different era of American-Israeli relations  when Israels security concerns commanded far more attention than Palestinian grievances  and that his approach has less to do with the military situation on the ground than with domestic politics and his broader foreign policy agenda, including nuclear talks with Iran.

For his part, Mr. Netanyahu is fighting for his political life at home while trying to sustain support for his country in Washington. With Mr. Biden now in the Oval Office, the men are again trying to sustain mutual trust amid larger forces driving them apart.

Martin S. Indyk, a former United States ambassador to Israel, said that Mr. Biden had bought himself private space to persuade Mr. Netanyahu to wind down the strikes in Gaza, which were launched in retaliation for Hamass indiscriminate rocket attacks on Israeli cities. Mr. Indyk also said that Mr. Biden was trying to get the Israeli leader to agree to a cease-fire by making clear publicly that he was in Israels corner, that Israel has a right to defend itself, and that he has Netanyahus back.

That was very important for the moment that has now come, in which he has to turn to Netanyahu and say, Time to wrap it up, Mr. Indyk said.

Mr. Biden and Mr. Netanyahu have been through countless highs and lows together.

After Mr. Netanyahu faced his first electoral defeat, in 1999, Mr. Biden sent him a letter, praising him for having shown political courage during talks with the Palestinians that were hosted by the United States in Maryland. Mr. Netanyahu replied, and gratefully noted that Mr. Biden was the only American politician to write to him after his defeat.
WASHINGTON  When Fuad El-Hibri, founder and executive chairman of Emergent BioSolutions, appears Wednesday before a House subcommittee to explain how the companys Baltimore plant ruined millions of doses of coronavirus vaccine, he will be questioned by lawmakers he and his employees spent tens of thousands of dollars helping to elect.

Since 2018, federal campaign records show, Mr. El-Hibri and his wife, Nancy, have donated at least $150,000 to groups affiliated with the top Republican on the panel, Representative Steve Scalise of Louisiana, as well as Mr. Scalises campaigns. At least two other members of the subcommittee received donations during the 2020 election cycle from the companys political action committee, which has given about $1.4 million over the past 10 years to members of both parties.

Mr. El-Hibri and his wife have made additional donations totaling more than $800,000 over the same period, with the majority going to Republican candidates and organizations.

Political giving is nothing new in Washington. But with the federal government as Emergents prime customer, Mr. El-Hibri and the company he founded have spent years cultivating ties on Capitol Hill, helping Emergent carve out a lucrative niche market as a government contractor under both Democratic and Republican administrations.
BOGOTA, Colombia  A prominent former commander of Colombias largest guerrilla group, who was known by the nom de guerre Jesus Santrich, has been killed in Venezuela, according to three senior Venezuela government officials close to the countrys security forces.

The officials, who requested anonymity to discuss national security issues, did not say how he died. The armed group he ran confirmed his death in a message on its website, blaming the killing on Colombian special forces, without providing any evidence. Colombian officials say they are still working to confirm his death, and did not immediately respond to the groups allegation.

The rebel leader, whose real name was Seuxis Hernandez Solarte, helped lead the leftist Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia, or FARC, before becoming one of the negotiators who struck a peace deal with the Colombian government in 2016, ending five decades of war.

He then turned against the deal, and returned to arms.

Mr. Hernandez  recognizable throughout the country because he often wore dark glasses and a checkered scarf  was, in many ways, a symbol of the difficult balance Colombia has had to strike as it works to leave behind the bloody conflict that displaced millions, killed at least 220,000 and defined the nation for generations.
BRUSSELS  European Union foreign ministers overwhelmingly called for an immediate cease-fire between Israel and the Palestinians in an emergency meeting on Tuesday, according to the blocs foreign policy chief, Josep Borrell Fontelles.

All of the member states except Hungary backed a statement that condemned rocket attacks by Hamas and supported Israels right to self-defense but also cautioned that it had to be done in a proportional manner and respecting international humanitarian law, Mr. Borrell said at a news conference.

He said that the number of civilian casualties in Gaza, including a high number of women and children, was unacceptable. And he said that the European Union, as part of the quartet with the United States, Russia and the United Nations that seeks peace in the Middle East, would push to restart a serious diplomatic process.

The priority is the immediate cessation of all violence and the implementation of a cease-fire, Mr. Borrell said. Foreign policy in the European Union works by unanimity, so Mr. Borrells comments, despite Hungarys opposition, were an effort, he said, to reflect the overall agreement.
The company welcomes the long-term relationship with Sinochem Fertilizer Macao Limited which is expected to create an important supply channel for Agrimins SOP into the worlds largest SOP market.

This represents the largest offtake volume to date for any Australian sulphate of potash project.

( ) has signed a binding offtake agreement with Sinochem Fertilizer Macao Limited for the annual supply of 150,000 tonnes of sulphate of potash (SOP) produced from the Mackay Potash Project for sale and distribution in China.

Sinochem Fertilizer Macao is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Sinofert Holdings Limited, which is listed on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange (HKEX:00297) and whose controlling shareholder is China National Chemical Corporation Limited, a Chinese state-owned enterprise.

China is the worlds largest SOP market and currently accounts for more than half of all global SOP demand.

Sinofert is the countrys largest crop nutrition company and plays a pivotal role in liaising with global potash suppliers to ensure uninterrupted potash supply.

Important supply channel

Agrimin CEO Mark Savich said: Sinochem Fertilizer Macao is a Tier 1 offtake partner and we welcome this long-term relationship with Chinas main importer of potash to create an important supply channel for Agrimins SOP into the worlds largest SOP market.

This large tonnage, long-term supply deal with Sinochem Fertilizer Macao is testament to the quality and scale of the Mackay Potash Project.

It is also further evidence of the considerable interest in the environmental and organic credentials of Agrimins SOP product.

We are at an advanced stage of negotiations with other major fertiliser companies in different regions and we expect to announce further developments in the near term to underpin project financing.

Offtake agreement

This agreement represents the largest offtake volume for any Australian SOP project.

Price negotiation for the 10-year term offtake agreement will be quarterly based on the Chinese SOP price index quoted by an international marketing group.

The offtake quantity covers one-third of Agrimins planned SOP production of 450,000 tonnes per annum and supports a balanced offtake book.
GAZA CITY  The nine-day battle between Hamas militants and the Israeli military has damaged 17 hospitals and clinics in Gaza, wrecked its only coronavirus test laboratory, sent fetid wastewater into its streets and broke water pipes serving at least 800,000 people, setting off a humanitarian crisis that is touching nearly every civilian in the crowded enclave of about two million people.

Sewage systems inside Gaza have been destroyed. A desalination plant that helped provide fresh water to 250,000 people in the territory is offline. Dozens of schools have been damaged or closed, forcing some 600,000 students to miss classes. Some 72,000 Gazans have been forced to flee their homes. And at least 213 Palestinians have been killed, including dozens of children.

The level of destruction and loss of life in Gaza has underlined the humanitarian challenge in the enclave, already suffering under the weight of an indefinite blockade by Israel and Egypt even before the latest conflict.
RAMALLAH, West Bank  Hundreds of thousands of Palestinian citizens of Israel stopped work for the day on Tuesday, as did other Palestinians across the occupied West Bank and in Gaza, protesting violence against Arab Israelis, the unfolding Israeli military campaign targeting Hamas militants in Gaza and the looming eviction of several families from their homes in East Jerusalem.

Streets were deserted in Arab areas across both Israel and the occupied territories, as shopkeepers shuttered stores along the waterfront in Jaffa, in central Israel; the steep roads of Umm el-Fahm, an Arab town in northern Israel; and West Bank cities such as Hebron, Jenin, Nablus and Ramallah.

Demonstrators gathered instead in central squares, waving Palestinian flags, listening to speeches and chanting against Israeli policies. Outside Ramallah, a group of Palestinians who had gathered separately from the protesters set fires on a major thoroughfare and later exchanged gunfire with Israeli soldiers, officials said.

Since hundreds of thousands of Palestinians fled or were expelled from their homes in 1948, they have been divided not only by geography, but also by lived experience.
Most government authorities in Texas will soon be prohibited from requiring people to wear masks, Gov. Greg Abbott announced on Tuesday, days after federal health officials announced new guidance that encourages people who have been completely vaccinated to forego masks in most situations.

The executive order Mr. Abbott announced on Tuesday would prevent counties, cities, public health authorities and local government officials from requiring people to wear masks beginning on Friday. Violators could be fined $1,000.

Hospitals owned or operated by the government, state-supported living centers and jails and other criminal justice facilities are exempt from the order. Schools can continue their current mask policies until June 4, the end of the school year in some Texas districts, after which they will not be allowed to compel anyone to wear a mask. The C.D.C. also recommended that masks remain universally in use in K-12 schools until the end of the current school year.

Only a third of Texans are fully vaccinated, below the U.S. average of 37 percent, according to a New York Times database. No Covid-19 vaccines have been authorized yet for children under 12.
Dr. Aaron Stern, a psychiatrist who as head of Hollywoods movie rating board in the early 1970s established himself as a kind of filmgoers sentry against carnal imagery and violence, died on April 13 in Manhattan. He was 96.

His death, in a hospital, was confirmed by his stepdaughter Jennifer Klein.

From 1971 to 1974, Dr. Stern  a professor and management consultant familiar with Hollywood executives  was the director of the self-policing Classification and Rating Administration of the Motion Picture Association of America, which had been founded only a few years earlier. It replaced the rigidly moralistic Production Code, which was imposed in the early 1930s and censoriously administered by Will H. Hays, a Presbyterian deacon and former national Republican Party chairman.

The new ratings board, which was struggling to gain credibility when it began, graded films by letter to let moviegoers know in advance how much violence, sexuality and foul language to expect on the screen.

The boards decision that a film merited a rating of R, or restricted, might lure more adults, but would immediately eliminate the pool of unchaperoned moviegoers under 17; an X rating would bar anyone under 17 altogether.
Fifteen objects from cultural institutions passed through Sothebys at auction on Wednesday, showing that the debate among museum and industry leaders over deaccessioning hasnt stopped these sales from occurring.

One work, Thomas Coles The Arch of Nero (1846) from the Newark Museum of Art, was a highlight, going for $988,000 with fees to a private foundation operated by the Florida-based collectors Thomas H. and Diane DeMell Jacobsen, in a sale of American art totaling $15 million. Last week, Sothebys made a combined $703.4 million from its contemporary, impressionist and modern art auctions. Its competitor, Christies, had similar successes, reaching more than $775.2 million for the week.

Talk of deaccessioning, the sale by museums of artworks to cover some operating costs, had been divisive earlier this year. The Newark Museum of Arts decision this month to consign the Cole and 16 other artworks (including pieces by Thomas Eakins, Marsden Hartley and Georgia OKeeffe) drew criticism from more than 80 curators and historians who signed a public letter that described the sale as inflicting irreparable damage on the institution.

The Newark Museum of Arts director, Linda Harrison, defended the plan earlier this month, calling it thoughtfully considered and saying it represented a loss of less than 1 percent of the institutions 130,000 artworks.
This article is part of our latest special report on Museums, which focuses on reopening, reinvention and resilience.

Several eminent New Yorkers were by my side on a recent visit to the Guggenheim Museum.

From bottom to top, the building is like a crescendo, the actress Maggie Gyllenhaal told me as I climbed the rotundas massive, spiraling walkway. Later, I ran my fingers along the bumpy edge of the footpaths low outer wall. The highest overlook may be the most tactile spot in the whole space, Ms. Gyllenhaal said.

Although this film star is not an acquaintance, she was speaking directly into my ear. Thanks to headphones and the internet, I was listening to her voice  and those of the actors Bobby Cannavale, BD Wong and Jeremy Pope, among others  on Minds Eye: A Sensory Guide to the Guggenheim New York.

A 10-track downloadable audio recording released last fall, the guide features detailed descriptions of the sights, sounds and surfaces encountered on an ascending walk through the museum. Conceived as an addition to the Guggenheims Minds Eye programs for the blind and partially sighted, the guide is like an album or a podcast: It can be played at home or inside the museum. It also provides an intriguing experience for visitors with normal vision, like me.
This article is part of our latest special report on Museums, which focuses on reopening, reinvention and resilience.

Giving a luxurious designer evening gown the central position in an exhibition about Katharine Graham, former chief executive of the Washington Post Company, may at first seem as logical as highlighting a pair of aviator glasses in a show about Gloria Steinem. Yes, each fashion choice was worn by a famous woman, but did it really have much to do with her power and influence?

For Mrs. Graham, the answer is a resounding yes.

That is one of the revelations in Cover Story: Katharine Graham, CEO, an exhibition at the New-York Historical Society that illustrates both her courage and tenacity as the first woman to lead a Fortune 500 company and the museums reinvention as an institution committed to womens history.
Ms. Bourgeois wasnt Jewish but the museums director, Claudia Gould, felt the shows focus on Freudian analysis made it a good fit. I am always looking for opportunities to broaden the diversity of people we show and how we show them, she said, adding, Im not sure this would have been able to happen in her lifetime.

In the parlor of Ms. Bourgeoiss townhouse, preserved just as she left it, Mr. Larratt-Smith pointed to the top of a set of high shelves from which the artists longtime assistant had pulled down the first batch of psychoanalytic writings in 2004 (a second group was unearthed in 2010 in an upstairs hall closet).

Louise presumably had forgotten about them and the rediscovery of these writings was a revelation for her as well, said Mr. Larratt-Smith, who would sometimes read to her from the sheets or ask her questions about them. Louise lived very much in the present, but the past was always right around the corner. It didnt take much to trigger it.

In 1982, at age 70, Ms. Bourgeois received a MoMA retrospective and became lionized in the art world.

But early on, as the exhibition at the Jewish Museum elucidates, Ms. Bourgeois struggled with the conflicting demands of establishing herself as an artist and being a mother to three sons and a good wife to Robert Goldwater, the influential art historian with whom she immigrated to New York from Paris in 1938.

The unexpected death in 1951 of her father, who had carried on a decade-long affair with Ms. Bourgeoiss English tutor, Sadie Gordon Richmond, only six years her senior, plunged the artist into a depression. She began her psychoanalysis the next year with Dr. Henry Lowenfeld.
The brilliance of Cosimo I de Medici was the way he employed culture both to create a sense of legitimacy and as a means of assuring Florence a place in a transformed political map, said Keith Christiansen, the chairman of the department of European paintings at the Met. He nurtured the idea of Florence as the intellectual powerhouse of the Renaissance and the Medici as the key players.

That shaped the exhibition, focusing it on that new court culture and how it affected the way the Florentine elite had themselves depicted, Mr. Christiansen said.

But are you relevant to us in the 21st century? Well, you certainly know about pandemics. You survived the plague, as the wealthy did. But Max Hollein, the director of the Met, answered a question about your aptness differently. He said your skill  constructing, through patronage, your identity  leads directly to the 21st century.

We are surrounded by imagery that is constructed  we expect that in any kind of election, he said. For us to see how the High Renaissance rulers cemented their power through commissioning art and associating with artists and culture is important. A fairly calibrated image was being presented to enhance the idea of their rulership even then. That gets forgotten. These works are taken out of context and put up in museums to be admired for their aesthetic merits.
When John le Carre died last year at 89, he had published 25 novels over the span of six decades, and he was still writing. He left one complete, full-length novel behind.

Viking, his publisher, said on Wednesday that the novel, Silverview, would be out in October.

This is the authentic le Carre, telling one more story, Nick Cornwell, le Carres youngest son and an author who writes under the pen name Nick Harkaway, said in a news release announcing the novel. The book is fraught, forensic, lyrical and fierce, at long last searching the soul of the modern Secret Intelligence Service itself. Its a superb and fitting final novel.

Silverview follows Julian Lawndsley, who has given up a big city job for a quieter life running a bookshop in an English town by the sea. After a few months on this new path, he is visited by Edward, an emigre from Poland who possesses an unusual amount of knowledge about Julians family and an unusual amount of interest in his shop. A spy chief in London receives warning of a treacherous leak, and the investigation leads to this coastal town.

Le Carre was a grand master of spy novels, books so good they transcended the genre. Philip Roth declared his 1986 book A Perfect Spy the best English novel since the war. Le Carre did not allow his work to be entered for literary prizes  when he was nominated for the Man Booker International Prize in 2011, he asked that his name be withdrawn  and he called state honors like a knighthood absolutely fatuous. But he was widely considered to be one of the greatest British novelists of his time.
The contract with South African mining company Kumba Iron Ore, an Anglo-American subsidiary, will see ParaZero patented SafeAir drone parachute technology used to enhance drone safety practices.

It is the companys first customer contract in South Africa.

( ) has signed its first customer contract in South Africa with Kumba Iron Ore Limited, a subsidiary of Anglo-American, for its patented SafeAir drone parachute technology.

The contract will see Delta Drones safety specialist brand ParaZero use SafeAir in the enterprise mining sector with Kumba to deploy the technology at scale to enhance drone safety practices.

SafeAir technology comprises independent sensors to constantly monitor and analyse a drones flight patterns, so in the unlikely event of a drone failure, a parachute is automatically activated to land safely, including over people and moving vehicles.

Closer to international goal

Delta International CEO Christopher Clark said: Leveraging the contacts of our parent entity Delta DroneSA (France) to sign ParaZeros first customer contract in South Africa moves us a step closer to achieving our goal of becoming a truly international drones-as-a-service provider.

Ensuring our customers in-house drone systems not only comply but exceed the most stringent safety standards set by the worlds civil aviation regulators is of the utmost importance to our business and is a testament to our research and development team who consistently work to create the newest innovations in drone safety technology.

As the world continues to further embrace drone technology, we will continue to play a leading role in helping the drone industry ensure safety and compliance through our patented safety solutions.

Delta Drone International

Delta Drone is a multinational drone-based data service and technology solutions provider for the mining, agricultural and engineering industries.

The company provides aerial surveying and mapping, security and surveillance, blast monitoring and fragment analysis through an artificial intelligence (AI) based data platform.
1. International pressure is growing on Israel and the Palestinian militants to halt their 10-day-old conflict.

President Biden spoke with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu  their second phone call in three days  telling the Israeli leader he expected a significant de-escalation today on the path to a cease-fire, administration officials said.

After visiting Israeli military headquarters, Netanyahu said he was determined to continue this operation until its aim is met. A senior Hamas official said that he expected a cease-fire agreement within a day or two, while Israeli media has reported that Israeli officials do not expect the bombing to stop until Friday at the earliest.
Biden seeks significant de-escalation in Israel

The U.S. president called Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of Israel on Wednesday and told him he expected a significant de-escalation today on the path to a cease-fire. Netanyahu did not give any assurance during the call that this might happen, according to a senior administration official.

After visiting Israeli military headquarters, Netanyahu said he was determined to continue this operation until its aim is met.

An Israeli military spokesman said that the country had tried several times to kill the commander of Hamass military wing, Mohammed Deif, a longtime target who has spent decades underground while surviving eight attempts on his life.

Israel and Hamas have signaled a willingness to reach a cease-fire, diplomats involved in the discussions say. France is leading efforts to call for one at the U.N. Security Council, but it remains unclear when a resolution will be put to a vote.
PARIS  Less meat in French cafeterias. Bans on short-distance flights. Gas heaters on cafe terraces would be outlawed.

As President Emmanuel Macron moves to make France a global champion in the fight against climate change, a wide-ranging environmental bill passed by the French National Assembly this month promises to change the way the French live, work and consume.

It would require more vegetarian meals at state-funded canteens, block expansion of Frances airports and curb wasteful plastics packaging. Polluters could be found guilty of ecocide, a new offense carrying jail terms of up to 10 years for destroying the environment. If Mr. Macron gets his way, the fight against climate change would even be enshrined in the French constitution through a referendum.

But those lofty ambitions are running into a barrage of resistance.

Environmentalists and politicians from Frances Green party, rather than backing the legislation, have accused Mr. Macrons government of watering down ambitious measures and putting corporate interests above tough proposals by a 150-person citizens climate panel, which Mr. Macron himself convened last year to address climate concerns.
He added that office workers represent the first wave of a very essential layering of the density of New York City thats needed to bring this city back.

Still, people will be returning to a new type of corporate environment. Saks started making changes to its office in the fall, when it had been contemplating a broader return until the pandemic took a turn for the worse. It has added amenities like a nail and hair salon and subsidized lunches to ease the lives of employees. It is also pursuing a fully open floor plan, where only a handful of people, including Mr. Metrick, will have offices. Other offices will be converted into Zoom rooms or in-person conference rooms.

Its literally round tables with five chairs and people can plop down there with their laptops, Mr. Metrick said. Its kind of like a student union in college would have been. Its a very social and open work environment.

Mr. Metrick, who has led Saks since 2015, said that the retailer has hit a wall with Zoom, comparing its popularity to when cigarettes went mainstream.

It wasnt until a few years later that people realized, Oh my god, this stuff kills you, he said.

Mr. Metrick said he did not agree with recent comments by WeWorks chief executive, Sandeep Mathrani, who said at a Wall Street Journal event last week that the least engaged employees are the ones most comfortable working from home.

Saks, like many consumer-facing businesses, has a close and collaborative work environment based on its business model, where its not as easy to draw lines about where responsibility ends and where the next persons responsibility begins, Mr. Metrick said. He has been more concerned about company culture than how hard employees have been working at home, especially as new hires have joined Saks, he said.

Zoom and the virtual world is a culture killer for companies, Mr. Metrick said. It doesnt mean the individual is engaged or not engaged, or working hard or not working hard, or productive or not productive  but culture is so important to a business. And theres no way that having 900 people dispersed and only existing in an intentional Zoom world with no unintentional conversation is good for a culture.
Zombie forest fires are on the rise.

According to a study published Wednesday in the journal Nature, fires in far northern forests that smolder throughout the wet, cold winters and pop up again in the spring could become more common because of climate change. That presents challenges  but also opportunities  for fire management, and for minimizing the release of greenhouse gases, the researchers say.

Most of us think of forest fires as being contained within a single year. And for the most part, they are. But in the Arctic-boreal forests of Alaska, Siberia, Canadas Northwest Territories and similar landscapes, fires can burn deep into the carbon-rich soil where they linger and lurk, often undetected.

When you think about a forest fire, most people think about trees burning, said Sander Veraverbeke, a researcher at VU Amsterdam and an author of the paper.

The phenomenon has remained somewhat mysterious. Rebecca C. Scholten, a researcher at VU Amsterdam and lead author of the paper, said that when she first set out to study what are also known by the less catchy term overwintering fires, I was doubtful I was researching a phenomenon that exists. Now, she said, she has ample evidence, and knows that they are connected to climate change and they are happening more often.
The pandemic was, among other things, a huge uncontrolled experiment in replacing unmediated human encounters with online meetings or transactions. The boom in online retail was predictable, but most of us were surprised by how smoothly office life continued without the office. Our country may be on the brink of a drastic shift toward working from home that will have repercussions for real estate, transportation, tax revenues and about a thousand other things.

While you can work and shop online, though, you cant eat online. You can order food and eat it at home, as millions of people did. The home delivery and takeout market is busy now trying to consolidate its pandemic gains. Meanwhile, though, dining rooms are as busy as Ive ever seen them, especially downtown; reservations at new spots and old favorites are tight, and theres a slightly febrile exuberance everywhere as New Yorkers remember what its like to leave the house for dinner and why we still bother to do it.

Those crowds and those difficult reservations may not last into the summer, but I suspect they will. And I think theyre a sign that those restaurants that have survived without going too far into debt will come back stronger than before, even some of the ones near office towers where entire floors are now empty.

We want to see other people. We want to sway next to them at concerts, scream next to them in movie theaters and eat next to them in restaurants.

Up until the vaccines came out, there was a lot of finger-wagging on social media directed toward restaurant diners. A lot of it was simply indignation that people were choosing to eat out during the pandemic when they could have kept everyone safer by staying home. Some of it was wrapped up with the idea that eating out is a bourgeois indulgence.

I was one of those who chose to go to restaurants following state and federal safety guidelines, so the finger-waggers rubbed me the wrong way. But I also thought they missed the whole point of going out. People in almost every society I can think of have a desire to eat together in public. If you spend any time observing that desire, youll see right away that it is much stronger than any wish to be waited on and then walk away when its time to do the dishes. It is why there were customers for indoor dining even when public-health experts were telling us how dangerous that was.
Jim Clendenen, a larger than life, globe-trotting winemaker who through the force of his flamboyant personality and the understated beauty of his wines helped put the Santa Barbara region on the map, died on May 15 at his home in Buellton, Calif. He was 68.

His daughter, Isabelle Clendenen, said the cause had not been determined.

Mr. Clendenen and a partner, Adam Tolmach, founded their winery, Au Bon Climat, in 1982 in an old dairy barn outside of Los Alamos, Calif., about 50 miles northwest of Santa Barbara.

The region was home to barely a dozen producers back then. Santa Barbara County had thrived as a viticultural area in the 19th century, but that ended in 1920 with the enactment of Prohibition. Not until the 1960s would vineyards again be planted. Today, almost 300 wineries operate there.

Au Bon Climat was at first a two-man operation. Without vineyards, the partners bought grapes and, with rudimentary equipment, made the wine using methods that Mr. Clendenen had absorbed while working in Burgundy on several trips to France. He had developed a passion for chardonnay and pinot noir, the main grapes of Burgundy, and they became his focus.
As concerns have grown about violent crime, she released a policing and public safety plan that includes hiring a civilian police commissioner and creating a new commission to decide whether to fire officers accused of misconduct. She was early in urging Mr. de Blasio to fire his police commissioner, Dermot F. Shea, after his aggressive response to last years protests.

Yet she has also distanced herself from the defund slogan, saying the term means different things to different people. In contrast, Ms. Morales has embraced the movement and pledged to slash the $6 billion police budget in half  a stance that has endeared her to left-leaning voters, less so to more moderate ones.

At the same time, some business and civic leaders fear that Ms. Wiley is too liberal; in a poll of business leaders, Ms. Wiley was near last place with just 3 percent. They also question whether Ms. Wiley has enough experience as a manager to run a sprawling bureaucracy with a $98 billion budget.

Maya is terrific, but business is looking for a manager, not an advocate, said Kathryn Wylde, the leader of a prominent business group.

At the moment, Ms. Wiley is simply looking to connect to as many voters as she can, in person and on social media, where she posts campaign diaries recorded at home.

She lives in Ditmas Park, Brooklyn, with her partner, Harlan Mandel, in an elegant house built in the Prairie School architectural style made famous by Frank Lloyd Wright. They have two daughters, Naja, 20, and Kai, 17. Ms. Wiley is Christian and Mr. Mandel is Jewish, and they belong to Kolot Chayeinu, a reform congregation in Park Slope.

The last woman who came close to being mayor, Christine Quinn, a former City Council speaker, said she regretted that she tried to soften her hard-charging personality during her campaign. Her advice for Ms. Wiley was to be herself.
Theaters and large venues like ballparks can return to full capacity if they require proof of vaccination. Broadway theaters will fully reopen in September.

Do I still need to wear a mask?

That depends on where you are and whether youre vaccinated. Masks are still mandatory on public transit and in schools, homeless shelters, correctional facilities, nursing homes and health care settings.

Fully vaccinated people dont need to wear masks indoors or outdoors, though private businesses can still require them.

Some vaccinated New Yorkers plan to keep their masks on regardless.

How safe is New York?

As of Tuesday, the seven-day average of positive cases in the city was 1.47 percent, Mayor Bill de Blasio said. Nearly 40 percent of city residents are fully vaccinated, according to The New York Timess database.

Still, despite the new guidelines, epidemiologists recommend wearing masks indoors.

Although New York City is now averaging about 600 new cases a day, Dr. El-Sadr said that the city is almost where we were last summer, back when there were 300.

But we are not there yet, she said.

From The Times

New Yorks Attorney General Joins Criminal Inquiry Into Trump Organization

Andrew Giuliani Enters the Republican Primary for Governor
Over the weekend, the people of Chile voted in a historic election to select the members of a body tasked with drafting a new Constitution to replace the one written in 1980 under the dictatorship of Augusto Pinochet.

The final tally dealt a severe blow to the followers of General Pinochet, many of whom make up the center-right and right-wing coalition Chile Vamos, backed by the current president, Sebastian Pinera, which won just 37 of the 155 seats for the Constitutional Convention. Chileans, especially the young, also rejected the traditional center-left parties as insufficiently responsive to peoples craving for a more egalitarian society and overly compromised with the status quo.

The victors were a group of parties of a new-left coalition, Apruebo Dignidad (I Approve Dignity), which elected 28 representatives, and numerous independent candidates who had been active in the ongoing protests calling for reforms in education, health and pensions, and an end to the neoliberal economic model that has dominated Chile for almost half a century. The independent, left and center-left candidates secured a combined 101 seats, more than two-thirds of the Constitutional Convention. They would have enough power to propose broad economic reforms to land and water rights, the pensions system and the exploitation of natural resources. Chile is one of the most unequal countries among advanced economies.

All signs indicate that the foundational document they will draft will enshrine principles of civic participation, justice, gender equality and Indigenous rights that have long eluded this South American nation.
Hong Kong: New commissioner welcomed

Chief Executive Carrie Lam today welcomed the Central Peoples Governments appointment of Liu Guangyuan as Commissioner of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region.

Mrs Lam said with the Office of the Commissioner of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in the Hong Kong SAR's support, the Hong Kong SAR has been developing its external affairs in accordance with the Basic Law proactively since its establishment.

This included participating in international organisations and international conferences using the name Hong Kong, China, and signing a number of bilateral or multilateral agreements with other economies.

She noted that on numerous occasions in recent years when the Hong Kong SAR Government was subject to unfair attacks by some foreign government officials and politicians, the office strongly refuted them to set the record straight.

It has also been maintaining close contact with the Hong Kong SAR Government to render assistance to Hong Kong residents in distress abroad.

Recently, the office has helped promote the development of Hong Kong's young people, including arranging for the citys young civil servants to take up positions in the United Nations as Chinese personnel.

The Chief Executive said Mr Liu is a veteran diplomat and she strongly believed that under his leadership, the office would continue to work closely with the Hong Kong SAR Government to take forward various work.

Mrs Lam also thanked former Commissioner Xie Feng for his contributions during his tenure and wished him every success in his new post.

This story has been published on: 2021-05-19. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article.
The drilling across regional exploration targets is incorporated into a larger 4,000 metres reverse circulation (RC) program that includes mineral resource drilling at both the Wattle Dam Gold Mine remnant stockwork mineralisation and the Larkinville Project.

The company expects to complete the drilling at Yilmia and Karramindie in around two weeks.

Resources Ltd ( ) has commenced a 1,200 metres RC drilling program across selected regional exploration gold targets at its Spargoville tenements, which is 24 kilometres from Kambalda, Western Australias premier gold and nickel mining district.

The Yilmia and Karramindie regional exploration targets are incorporated into a larger 4,000 metres RC program, which includes mineral resource drilling at both the Wattle Dam Gold Mine remnant stockwork mineralisation and the Larkinville Project.

expects to complete the drilling at Yilmia and Karramindie in around two weeks and will announce assay results as they are received.

Yilmia drilling

Maximuss planned 800-metre Yilmia RC drill program is testing for a potential repeat of Karora Resources ( ) Spargos Reward, along an interpreted shear zone, 16 kilometres north of Wattle Dam.

Spargos Reward contains numerous historical underground workings, and a resource of 112,000 ounces (785,800 tonnes at 4.4 g/t gold) indicated resource and 19,000 ounces (151,000 tonnes at 4.0 g/t gold) inferred resources.

Mineralisation at Spargos Reward is positioned on the contact of felsic volcaniclastics along the north-northeast trending Spargos Shear Zone, which the Yilmia drill program is targeting.

Regional geological interpretation infers that the Spargos shear zone continues northeast across the Yilmia target, which will be tested on two separate northings, traversing east-west across the interpreted Spargos Reward shear zone.

Karramindie drilling

Karramindie drilling will target a coincident soil anomaly and recently mapped outcropping interflow sediments, which are adjacent to a regional structure and along strike from Anglo Australia Resources ( ) Mandilla Gold Project.

The Karramindie RC program is targeting recently mapped surface outcropping interflow sediments similar to that seen at the companys Redback and Wattle Dam Gold Mine.

The regional exploration program is a part of the larger 4,000 metres RC drill program targeting Wattle Dam North extension and mineral resource drilling for Wattle Dam Stockwork and Larkinville development studies.

Within the Karramindie target, two small historical workings have been mined on the sheared interflow sediments.

The targeted area is within a litho-structural corridor bound by the interflow sediments and the Karramindie shear zone.

A +50 ppb gold in soil anomaly is bound by the interflow sediments, suggesting that deformation along contacts of the interflow sediments have focused fluids, like that observed at Redback and Wattle Dam.
If you oppose war crimes only by your enemies, its not clear that you actually oppose war crimes.

Thats a thought worth wrestling with as many experts suggest that both Hamas and Israel are engaging in crimes of war in the current Gaza conflict. For the same reason that we deplore Hamass shelling of Israel, shouldnt we also demand that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of Israel accept a cease-fire and stop bombings that kill far greater numbers of innocents?

The United States was the first country to recognize Israel upon its founding in 1948, and one of the few things that Democrats and Republicans have mostly agreed on over the decades is unwavering support for Israel.

The deep bonds of friendship between the U.S. and Israel remain as strong and unshakable as ever, President Barack Obama wrote soon after taking office.

Yet today, especially within the Democratic Party, those bonds are shaking as Netanyahu resists a cease-fire in Gaza. He leaves us wondering: Why should our tax dollars subsidize a rain of destruction that has killed scores of children, damaged 17 hospitals and clinics and forced 72,000 people to flee their homes?
Nearly 30 years later, it should now be clear that the process is going nowhere. And so the Palestinian people are moving on, whether or not their leadership comes with them.

To be clear, all Palestinian factions  including Fatah, which dominates the P.L.O.  are part of the Palestinian body politic. They will be necessary parties to whatever comes next. But the Palestinians who can most shape the future now are in the streets and squares, speaking to one another and the world directly, and making clear that the green line that divided Israel and the occupied territories was an instrument of division, not liberation.

The energy of this moment represents an opportunity to wed Palestinian aspirations with a growing global consensus. According to a 2018 poll by the University of Maryland, 64 percent of Americans would support equal rights in a single state if the two-state solution fails. That number climbs to 78 percent among Democrats. Among scholars and experts on the Middle East, one recent poll found, 66 percent say there is a one-state reality. There is also a growing shift in mainstream organizations that have been hesitant to call for greater change: The Carnegie Endowment for International Peace recently released a report calling for a break from the two-state approach.

Many diplomats and analysts around the world I have spoken to in recent years understand that the two-state solution is dead. Israel has killed it. When I ask why they dont call for equal rights for Palestinians to end what is increasingly obviously a de facto apartheid system, they point out the official Palestinian position remains for a separate state. When they ask me what the Palestinian leadership is waiting for, I have no good answer.

The two-state peace process has acted as a convenient excuse for third parties who would rather pretend it presents a viable path to peace  no matter how clear its failures have been  than ever hold Israeli leaders to account. But the curtain is falling: The Palestinians have moved on, and many people in America and around the world are ready to do so, too. Now Palestinian officials should do the same. They would be far from the first to abandon the two-state paradigm  after all, Israel buried it under settlements long ago. But there are also no prizes for being last.

Eventually, the bombs and rockets will subside, and this familiar round will appear to be over. Israel, Washington and some Palestinian officials might try to pretend that nothing has changed, but make no mistake: Something has.

Yousef Munayyer (@YousefMunayyer) is a writer and a scholar at the Arab Center Washington DC, a research organization.

The Times is committed to publishing a diversity of letters to the editor. Wed like to hear what you think about this or any of our articles. Here are some tips. And heres our email: letters@nytimes.com.

Follow The New York Times Opinion section on Facebook, Twitter (@NYTopinion) and Instagram.
At the end of the day, Binder continued,

We probably shouldnt be surprised that public criticism of the Jan. 6 events only briefly looked bipartisan in the wake of the violence. G.O.P. elites decision to make loyalty to Trump a party litmus test (e.g., booting Rep. Cheney from her leadership post) demands that Republicans downplay and whitewash Trumps role, the violence that day, and the identity of those who stormed the Capitol. Very little of American political life can escape being viewed in a partisan lens.

Alexander G. Theodoridis of the University of Massachusetts-Amherst wrote in an email that the half-life of Jan. 6 memory has proven remarkably short given the objectively shocking nature of what took place at the Capitol that day. This results in part from the fact that

there is now seemingly no limit to the ability of partisans to see the world through thick, nearly opaque red and blue colored lenses. In this case, that has Republicans latching onto a narrative that downplays the severity of the Capitol insurrection, attributes blame everywhere but where it belongs, and endorses the Big Lie that stoked the pro-Trump mob that day.

A UMass April 21-23 national survey asked voters to identify the person or group you hold most responsible for the violence that occurred at the Capitol building. 45 percent identified Trump, 6 percent the Republican Party and 11 percent white nationalists. The surprising finding was the percentage that blamed the left, broadly construed: 16 percent for the Democratic Party, 4 percent for Joe Biden and 11 percent for antifa, for a total of 31 percent.

The refusal of Republicans to explore the takeover of the Capitol reflects a form of biased reasoning that is not limited to the right or the left, but may be more dangerous on the right.

Ariel Malka, a professor at Yeshiva University and an author of Who is open to authoritarian governance within western democracies?, agreed in an email that both liberals and conservatives engage in biased reasoning on the basis of partisanship, but, he argued, there is still a fundamental difference between left and right:

There is convincing evidence that cultural conservatives are reliably more open to authoritarian and democracy-degrading action than cultural liberals within Western democracies, including the United States. Because the Democratic Party is the party of American cultural liberals, I believe it would be far more difficult for a Democratic politician who favors overtly anti-democratic action, like nullifying elections, to have political success.

These differences are transforming the Republican Party into an anti-democratic institution, according to Malka:

What we are seeing in the Republican Party is that mass partisan opinion is making it politically devastating for Republican elites to try to uphold democracy. I think that an underappreciated factor in this is that the Republican Party is the home of cultural conservatives, and cultural conservatives are disproportionately open to authoritarian governance.

In the paper, Malka, Yphtach Lelkes, Bert N. Bakker and Eliyahu Spivack, of the University of Pennsylvania, the University of Amsterdam and Yeshiva University, ask: What type of Western citizens would be most inclined to support democracy-degrading actions?

Their answer is twofold.

First,

Westerners with a broad culturally conservative worldview are especially open to authoritarian governance. For what is likely a variety of reasons, a worldview encompassing traditional sexual morality, religiosity, traditional gender roles, and resistance to multicultural diversity is associated with low or flexible commitment to democracy and amenability to authoritarian alternatives.

Second,

Westerners who hold a protection-based attitude package  combining a conservative cultural orientation with redistributive and interventionist economic views  are often the most open to authoritarian governance. Notably, it was the English-speaking democracies where this combination of attitudes most consistently predicted openness to authoritarian governance.

Julie Wronski of the University of Mississippi replied to my inquiry about Jan. 6 suggesting that Democrats appear to have made a strategic decision against pressing the issue too hard:

If voters concerns over Jan. 6 are fading, it is because political elites and the media are not making this issue salient. I suspect that Democrats have not made the issue salient recently in order to avoid antagonizing Republicans and exacerbating existing divides. Democrats focus seems more on collective action goals related to Covid-19 vaccine rollout and economic infrastructure.

Democrats, Wronski continued, appear to have taken

a pass on the identity-driven zero-sum debate regarding the 2020 election since there is no compromise on this issue  you either believe the truth or you believe the big lie. Once you enter the world of pitting people against each other who believe in different realities of win/lose outcomes, its going to be nearly impossible to create bipartisan consensus on sweeping legislative initiatives (like HR1 and infrastructure bills).

In a twist, Wronski suggests that it may be to Democrats advantage to stay out of the Jan. 6 debate in order to let it fester within Republican ranks:

Not all Republican identifiers are strong partisans. Some people may align with the party for specific issue, policy reasons. Their identity is not as tied up in partisanship that an electoral loss becomes a loss to self-identity. This means there are intraparty fractures in the Republican Party regarding the big lie.

Republican leaners seem to be moving away from the party when hearing about intraparty conflict regarding the legitimacy of Joe Bidens win, Wronski wrote, citing a May 14 paper by Katherine Clayton, a graduate student in political science at Stanford.

Clayton finds that

those who call themselves not very strong Republicans or who consider themselves political independents that lean closer to the Republican Party demonstrate less favorable opinions of their party, reduced perceptions that the Democratic Party poses a threat, and even become more favorable toward the Democratic Party, as a result of exposure to information about conflict within their party.

Wronski writes that

the implication of these results would be for the Democratic Party to do nothing with regards to their messaging of January 6 and let the internal Republican conflict work to their benefit. In a two-party system, voters who do not espouse the big lie and are anti-Trump would eventually align with the Democratic Party.

Jeff Greenfield, writing in Politico, takes an opposing position in his May 12 article, A G.O.P. Civil War? Dont Bet On It:

Its getting harder to detect any serious division among rank-and-file Republicans. In Congress, and at the grass roots, the dominance of Donald Trump over the party is more or less total.

More significant, Greenfield continued,

History is littered with times that critics on the left, and in the pundit class, were positive the Republican Party was setting itself up for defeat by embracing its extremes, only to watch the party comfortably surge into power.

Despite Trumps overt attempt to subvert the election, Greenfield observes, and

despite his feeding the flames that nearly led to a physical assault of the vice president and speaker of the House, the Republican Party has, after a few complaints and speed bumps, firmly rallied behind Trumps argument that he was robbed of a second term.

The challenge facing Democrats goes beyond winning office. They confront an adversary willing to lie about past election outcomes, setting the stage for Republican legislatures to overturn future election returns; an opponent willing to nurture an insurrection if the wrong people win; a political party moving steadily from democracy to authoritarianism; a party that despite its liabilities is more likely than not to regain control of the House and possibly even the Senate in the 2022 midterm elections.

The advent of Trump Republicans poses an unprecedented strategic quandary for Democrats, a quandary they have not resolved and that may not lend itself to resolution.
To the Editor:

Re Cheating Charges at Dartmouth Show Pitfalls of Tech Tracking (front page, May 9):

When Dartmouths Geisel School of Medicine tried to prevent cheating on its remote examinations, the goal was to give all students a level playing field and to achieve fair exam results. Dartmouth tried to ensure fair results by monitoring (and thus preventing) student access to information during the examination.

This method strikes me as close to impossible: Monitoring of internet use is fallible. And how can one hope to control access to books and to knowledgeable roommates?

I suggest that a second way might show more promise. Examinations could use questions on which cheating would be of no help: Ask students questions that require analytical thinking and encourage them to use any books and internet resources that they desire to answer these questions. They will thus be tested on their analytical thinking and also on their ability to access information  both skills that are important for doctors (and for everyone) in the world today.

Alice L. Givan

Brooklyn

The writer is a retired research associate professor at Dartmouths medical school.
To the Editor:

Re Elise Stefanik Is Playing a Dangerous Game With Her Career, by Elizabeth Benjamin (Opinion guest essay, nytimes.com, May 14):

By elevating Elise Stefanik to a high post, the Republican Party is trying to move forward by having the party not focus on whether it is pro- or anti-Trump, but rather on what it needs to do to defeat enough Democrats to flip the House and get rid of Nancy Pelosi as speaker.

Ms. Stefanik has proved herself to be not only a remarkable fund-raiser for Republican candidates, but also someone who can organize campaigns and get Republicans elected. Although Liz Cheney was a loyal conservative, she kept dwelling on the past and was tearing the party apart  a very counterproductive move. That the Democrats fear a reinvigorated Republican Party is only too evident in the spate of nasty and critical articles that have come out against Ms. Stefanik.

I never thought I would hear the liberal media praising the likes of Liz Cheney, the archconservative from Wyoming, but lo and behold, she gets accolades on a regular basis now as they are desperate to denounce the Republican rising star, Elise Stefanik.

Mary Sykes

Rye, N.Y.

To the Editor:

Re G.O.P. Replaces a Trump Critic With a Trump Convert (news article, May 15):

I am a moderate Republican who has traditionally voted for my partys line of candidates. I now fear that our party is in trouble. With the removal of Liz Cheney our party has shown that it cares more for the hard right of Republican voters than it does for the truth. This is going to disenfranchise a substantial number of traditional Republican voters like me.
As soon as I see the name on my phone, it all comes back to me.

I remember the nights we spent outside his hospital room, adjusting his ventilator settings. I remember the anxious call to his family when he started to bleed into his lungs, and we did not know if he would make it. I can still picture the guide to Islamic end-of-life rituals that his nurses passed from shift to shift, the way it grew dog-eared and tattered.

Somehow, my patient survived Covid-19. He saw his son off to college. He was even able to return to work part-time as the manager of the liquor store near his home. In a way, his life is back to normal. But he is still haunted by the delirious hallucinations that make him feel as if hes still in the intensive care unit. Theyre his only memories of the experience.

Now his family has called me to say he wants to return to the intensive care unit. He wants to see how it feels in the room where he spent nearly two months of his life, to see the doctors and nurses who knew his body in a way that was at once profoundly intimate and oddly impersonal.

It has been a year, and to move forward, my patient and his family need to look back.

It might seem counterintuitive. Even as the C.D.C. lifts its recommendations on masks for vaccinated Americans, paving the way for a return to normalcy, our mental health work force has never been busier. The pandemic provided many of us with a sort of momentum and singular focus. All we needed to do was to get through it, to survive. But we are now in the world of after. And as we all emerge from this long tunnel, we need to recognize the invisible scars of critical illness and to marshal the resources necessary to improve the quality of the lives that were saved.
[theme music]

dan jones

From The New York Times, Im Dan Jones.

miya lee

And Im Miya Lee. This is the Modern Love podcast. Todays essay comes from a writer named Kacey Vu Shap.

dan jones

I remember when this story first came in, I was immediately taken by the power of it. It was clearly the most important story in his life. And it wasnt about traditional romantic love, but more about self-acceptance through friendship.

miya lee

Yeah, I was struck by his bravery in sharing it, and just kind of the beauty of his ability to process the trauma he experienced in childhood and come to a really positive place.

dan jones

Yeah.

miya lee

Its called, Why Did She Leave Me There? Its written by Kacey Vu Shap, and its read by Keong Sim.

keong sim

The gate to the orphanage was smaller than I remembered. Nearly 25 years had passed since I lived there. I wondered if coming back was a good idea. My best friends, Phu, Francis and Will, had planned this trip to Vietnam and invited me to come. I met them 15 years earlier when I was in high school. They were in college and had started a support group for young gay Asian men. At the time, I was rocking blonde highlights, blue contacts and Abercrombie & Fitch T-shirts with baggy ripped jeans. Phu and Francis thought I was trying too hard, but they let me tag along. Now they had become my overprotective brothers, nagging me about everything. My friends knew Id lived in an orphanage near Ho Chi Minh City. They suggested that we try to visit as part of our trip. And they wanted to do a Kickstarter campaign to raise money for the orphans who now live there. I thought that was crazy. We were set to leave in a week. And I had no desire to return to a place I had spent most of my life trying to forget. This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, Francis said. You wont be alone. Well be with you.

[music]

They were able to talk me into it. Within days, we had raised more than $5,000 to buy clothes, toys and other essentials. The next week, we were greeted by tiny faces and bony outstretched hands as we unloaded the donations from a rented truck. We made our way inside the orphanage. How odd that I once had been among those scared, excited faces, vying for attention from a stranger like me. Back then, the big building was dilapidated, the white paint covered in dirt and the walls battered. The orphanage had since been fixed up and expanded. But one thing remained  the distinct odor of baby powder, sweat, urine, decay, hopelessness and despair. I was five when I arrived at the orphanage. I was too small to quarter with the older children, but too big to be with the babies. So they put me with those with deformities, missing limbs or mental illnesses. The memories came rushing back as my friends and I walked inside. My eyes began to swell. My heart pounded. And my anxiety kicked in. Before long, I was fleeing to the gated entrance, my friends calling after me. As a child, whenever I told people I was adopted, I used to say I came premade. I simply appeared on one summer night at the Baltimore airport to be greeted by my mom, dad and sister, who were bearing candies, flowers and kisses. It was easier to sanitize my story by speaking only of my life as Kacey, who is loved and wanted, than to tell people of my life as Vu, who was abandoned and undesired. I never knew my birth mother. She died when I was two in the delivery room, along with my brother. I hardly knew my birth father. He was a migrant worker who was never around. When I was five, my older sister drowned in a river near my grandmothers home. I watched from 10 feet away, as she thrashed and then disappeared in the murky water. I had pleaded with her to play in the river with the other children, despite my grandmother forbidding us from going when she wasnt around. I wish it had been me who drowned that day. Then it was just my grandmother and I living together in a poor farming village in southern Vietnam. If my grandmother were a cat, I was her tail because wherever she went, I followed. I loved being near her in the kitchen. Exotic spices mingling with seasoned meat and fresh herbs would cocoon us in their delicious embrace, as I peppered my grandmother with questions about our favorite subject: my mother. Grandma, you have my eyes, my nose and my cheeks, I said. Do you think my mother also looked like me? Of course, silly. Who do you think gave you and your mother such handsome features? She beamed her toothless grin. Then she stopped chopping vegetables and said, Can I tell you a big secret? Your mother was my favorite of all my children. She always tried to make everyone laugh. I want you to be good like your mother, yes? OK, I said. After my sister died, I learned that my father had died, too. And it wasnt long before my grandmother told me to pack my things for a trip. I was delighted, having never been on a trip before. Eventually, we arrived at a big white building full of children. After touring the place, my grandmother seemed reluctant to leave. Finally, she bent down and said, Im going home, but you are staying here. I stood there, frozen. My grandmother cupped my cheeks with her leathery hands and directed my face toward hers, her normally fierce eyes filled with sadness. She took a floral pattern handkerchief from her neck and wrapped it around mine. It was her favorite, infused with her familiar scent. Then she stood up and walked away, without looking back. I tried to follow, but strong hands gripped me. I screamed for my grandmother, begging her to take me home. After she left, I waited for days at the gated entrance, hoping for her return. Some months later, a Jewish couple in northern Virginia was in the final stages of an adoption that fell through. They were devastated and on the verge of giving up when they received my photo from the adoption agency. They decided they wanted me as their child. It was a difficult process that took two years. I was entirely unaware of my adoption until the day I was taken to the airport. I would later learn that of the hundreds of children at the orphanage, only a handful made it to America. Most were babies. I was seven. A quarter century has passed since my grandmother left me that day. I still carry her handkerchief, safely tucked away with me wherever I go. But her scent has since faded. There are so many things that Ive wanted to share with her of my American life, my loving parents, friends, dog, Los Angeles apartment and freshly minted PhD in social psychology. There are also so many questions I have wanted to ask her. Whenever I told people I was adopted, I didnt tell them about the day I was abandoned or of my fear that my friends and family would discover that I had been worthless enough to deserve that. Now, my friends had seen it. They knew. When they came out and found me by the gate, they asked why I had left so abruptly. I knew that once you saw my orphanage, I said, youd think less of me and wouldnt want to be my friends anymore. Seriously? Phu said. We traveled across the globe, covered in mosquito bites, soaked in sweat and youre worried we might think less of you? Weve been subjected to worse. Theres Kacey whos always late, Kacey with a big head, and Kacey who chases after emotionally unavailable men. If all of that didnt scare us off, nothing will. My friends surrounded me, wrapping me in their warm embrace. Youre family, Francis says. We love you. Besides, being friends with you is like catching herpes. Its very contagious, easily treatable, but impossible to get rid of. And weve been treating it for over 15 years now. Then Will said, And maybe your grandmother did love you. Maybe letting go of you was her final act of love so that you could have a chance at a better life. Its something I had long wondered. Had she left me because I was a burden or to spare me from a brutal life of poverty? My friends then told me that while I was outside, they had been able to find my grandmothers last known address in the orphanages records. There was a chance she still might be there, only 30 minutes away. If my grandmother were still living there, I could have my answer. I thought about that and also about the love and support of my friends, family and others who had made this possible. No, I said. I dont need to know her address. We can go now. For once, I could choose not to be defined by my abandonment. With that, we left the orphanage and spilled out into Ho Chi Minh City. The sweet scent of sizzling pork mingled with the laughter of children chasing each other, as if the streets were one giant playground.

miya lee

Kacey Vu Shap is a writer, researcher and social entrepreneur in Los Angeles. After the break, Kacey talks with his friends Francis, Phu and Will.

kacey vu shap

3, 2, 1. Hey, Phu, Francis and Will. Welcome. Welcome.

will conlu

Hey.

francis labra

Hi.

will conlu

Long time no see.

kacey vu shap

Im looking forward to talking about our favorite topic  me!

[laughter]

will conlu

Love it.

kacey vu shap

I wanted to kind of start with our origin story, like who you is. How did we meet each other? Phu, you can start first.

phu nguyen

We met at a youth pride day at AQUA booth, which is Asian Queer United for Action. Then, just, it just blossoms, friendship over time.

francis labra

This is Francis. I remember meeting Kacey a few years after you and I dated. It was this 18 and up club that we went to in D.C. Remember that?

phu nguyen

Oh.

francis labra

And then Kacey showed up and there was a sense of effervescence about you. You were just bouncy and 

kacey vu shap

Beautiful. Handsome. You know, Im just filling in.

francis labra

So thats how we met, initially.

will conlu

Well, I met Francis at a party. This is Will, by the way. Pronouns, any, all.

francis labra

You know whats funny, though, now that I think about it? We kind of found each other when we were all just trying to come out.

interposing voices

Yeah. Mm-hmm  yeah.

francis labra

Like, you found Kacey and Will and I found each other when we were just trying to come out, yeah. I think when I first met you, you were struggling.

kacey vu shap

Yeah.

francis labra

Its so beautiful to see how much youve evolved from that dark space that you were at to where you are now.

kacey vu shap

Mm, thank you. Yeah, I want to talk a bit more about our trip to the orphanage and how that came to be. So what was your impetus for wanting to go to Asia?

francis labra

Will, right? You and me. It was  we wanted to do an Asia birthday trip.

will conlu

Yeah, it was like, hey, lets do it.

francis labra

The reason why I really wanted us to go to the orphanage was like, you said what your fondest memory of being in the orphanage is when strangers would come and give you gifts. And you light up when you say that. And my intention was, oh my God. Like, you know? Even though it was a dark time for you, you found beauty in that moment, you know? And if we could be that for those kids and give that same hope to those children, why not? Look where you are now. We will never know whats going to happen to those kids, but hopefully what we did sparked some kind of same feelings that you have. And you held on to those memories. Well, so I was grateful that you said yes. I know it wasnt easy. But yeah, that was just how it all started, I think.

kacey vu shap

Yeah, and I just remember us riding to the orphanage. And my first thought was just gratitude. You walked by my side, and we would explore the orphanage together. And it was just you saw the ugliest part of my life, but yet you still didnt care. And thats when it was too much, and I just had to leave.

will conlu

I was like, can you imagine if we left him? No, Im just kidding.

[laughter]

speaker

You know what? Well just  bye, Will.

phu nguyen

That was a big ploy to just bring you back to the orphanage.

[laughter]

will conlu

Just kidding.

phu nguyen

And leave him there.

speaker

Oh my God.

francis labra

My favorite moment had to be when they found your photo in the records. Because we were all just kind of holding our breath. We hoped, like, oh, its still there. And I remember as you kept flipping through it, I was hoping, too  I think we were all hoping that we would find your photo.

kacey vu shap

Yeah, and at the time, the orphanage was managed by a Christian nun group. And then when I left, they had transferred to the Vietnamese government. And its been 20 plus years. And the records probably not going to be there. And as we kept flipping through the pictures and I recognized some of the kids, and it was like, oh, they were in my village. They came with me. And I would flip through. It was like, oh, I used to hang out with this kid. And then when they flipped over and I see these vacant eyes staring back at me, and then everyones like, its you, its you, its you!

speaker 1 Everyones just like, oh my God. Its you! speaker 2 Wow. Oh my God. Wow. Thats so cool.

francis labra

Everyone was so happy to have found it, remember? The whole room were just so happy for you. Like, there you are!

kacey vu shap

Yeah.

phu nguyen

It was beautiful.

kacey vu shap

It was amazing, because seeing my photo there was validation that I didnt make all this up, that I was there. Like, I was there. And it was just you guys sitting there with me. It was just  its just  that was the day I was abandoned. And it was just  I dont know how to describe the feeling of worthlessness. But I know its the feeling of gratitude and also the feeling of love all in one place. And yeah, it was really just me being there, seeing that photo and then seeing you guys. And were all just like, its you! Were here with you. Youre not alone. And its like, ha, OK.

francis labra

I remember we ended that with a nice lunch. And we went to that restaurant. And Phus uncle was like, we cheers to you. Remember that?

kacey vu shap

Yeah.

francis labra

And then Phus uncle was like, right now, Kacey is the happiest man in the world. And I was like, aw, thats so true. You know?

will conlu

But for you, Kacey, what about you? How has that trip transformed you?

kacey vu shap

You know, afterward, I felt like I became a better friend. I didnt know what it was like to be there for other people in the way that you guys were with me. And I looked at how you guys were treating me and how I want to treat you guys. And I just  and had lots of therapy. And Im so proud just that I could talk about it, that Im not ashamed, that I can tell you about my emotions. Or Im not ashamed about my past. And its so crazy because I couldnt get there without having you guys along with me in the journey. I am so glad I took it because I took the chance with the fear that you guys might leave me, but you guys didnt. And then I just realized I was never abandoned. I always just loved all along, you know? Different people loved me differently. And its an honor to feel that were part of something larger and that people care about us. You know what I mean? Thats why I had to write the story. And its really, I wanted to write a story that honored the friends and people in my life and that who I am today is a composite of their wisdom and the love and the kindness. And I wanted to honor it in the most meaningful way. And that trip, to me, was life-changing.

will conlu

Mm. Snap, snap, snaps.

francis labra

That feels so good. You have no idea. To be on the receiving end of that, you have no idea. So thank you for that, too.

kacey vu shap

Youve been touched by Kacey.

[laughter]

kacey vu shap

Phu, Francis, Will, I really appreciate your time for this. And thank you so much for just being here with me and dissecting the story. And well see each other again.

interposing voices 1

Love you, Kacey! Any time. Love you. Thank you.

interposing voices 2

Bye, guys. Bye. I love yall.

[music]

miya lee

Modern Love is produced by Julia Botero with help from Hans Buetow. Its edited by Wendy Dorr, music by Dan Powell. This episode was mixed by Corey Schreppel. This weeks essay was written by Kacey Vu Shap and read by Keong Sim. Special thanks to Phu Nguyen, Francis Labra, Will Conlu, and Kacey Vu Shap. And also to Julia Simon, Mahima Chablani, Bonnie Wertheim, Anya Strzemien, Sam Dolnick, Choire Sicha, and Ryan Wegner at Audm.

dan jones

Im Dan Jones.

miya lee

And Im Miya Lee. Well be back next week with more stories for Modern Love.

dan jones
This article is part of the On Tech newsletter. You can sign up here to receive it weekdays.

If Amazons Alexa thinks you sound sad, should it suggest that you buy a gallon of ice cream?

Joseph Turow says absolutely no way. Dr. Turow, a professor at the Annenberg School for Communication at the University of Pennsylvania, researched technologies like Alexa for his new book, The Voice Catchers. He came away convinced that companies should be barred from analyzing what we say and how we sound to recommend products or personalize advertising messages.

Dr. Turows suggestion is notable partly because the profiling of people based on their voices isnt widespread. Or, it isnt yet. But he is encouraging policymakers and the public to do something I wish we did more often: Be careful and considerate about how we use a powerful technology before it might be used for consequential decisions.

After years of researching Americans evolving attitudes about our digital jet streams of personal data, Dr. Turow said that some uses of technology had so much risk for so little upside that they should be stopped before they got big.
Three Alabama prison inmates died in less than a week this month from injuries that resulted from encounters with other inmates as the state faces continued scrutiny by the U.S. Justice Department over its prison conditions.

The men died in separate episodes at different prisons in five days, Kristi Simpson, a spokeswoman with the Alabama Department of Corrections, said in a statement on Tuesday. The deaths were results of apparent inmate-on-inmate assaults, she said, and are being investigated by Departments Law Enforcement Services Division.

Ms. Simpson said that the exact causes of each of these deaths are all pending full autopsies.

The Department of Corrections identified the three inmates who were killed as: Ian Rettig, 23, who died on May 4 and was an inmate at Fountain Correctional Facility, serving an 18-month sentence for multiple convictions; Jody Potts, 58, who died on May 6 and was an inmate at the Limestone Correctional Facility, serving a life sentence for murder; and Regial Ingram, 32, who died on May 8 and was an inmate at Bullock Correctional Facility, serving a 21-year sentence for second-degree robbery.

Mr. Rettig was scheduled to be released from prison the day after his death, according to The Associated Press.
Were doing everything the same here, said Elisabeth Ocasio, 51, a server at the restaurant La Isla in the Bronx. We dont know whos vaccinated and whos not.

Even so, the day was a milestone after more than a year of being savaged by the coronavirus. One year ago, testing was limited, hospitals were full and thousands were dying every day. New Yorkers confined themselves to their apartments, and the city became a shadow of itself. In total, the known death toll in the city has topped more than 33,000.

Mayor Bill de Blasio said he planned to keep mask rules in place at city offices because there would be a mix of vaccinated and unvaccinated people there, and that he planned to wear a mask in most situations out of an abundance of caution.

When youre not sure, my personal advice is wear a mask, the mayor said, adding, Weve done it, for gods sakes, for a year. We can do it a little bit longer to finish the job.

Scenes of unease played out across the city. Byong Min, the owner of du Pont dry cleaners on the Upper West Side of Manhattan, spent 90 days in a hospital battling Covid-19 last year and has a scar from his tracheotomy visible above his collar. This morning, a customer arrived and asked if she could she enter without a mask.
The transaction provides an immediate value for the companys holding in Argentina while retaining a very solid presence in Latin America with its flagship Maricunga Lithium Brine Project in Chile.

Lithium Power will receive a cash payment of US$700,000 and C$250,000 worth of shares in Vertex Lithium Corporation

( ) (OTCMKTS:LTHHF) has executed a sales agreement with Canada-based Vertex Lithium Corporation to divest its remaining 70% interest in lithium exploration properties on the Centenario Salar in Argentina.

Earlier in 2018, the company had sold a 30% interest in the Centenario properties to ASX-listed ( ).

The company will now focus on developing its flagship Maricunga Lithium Brine Project in Chile.

Immediate value for our holding in Centenario

Lithium Power chief executive officer Cristobal Garcia-Huidobro said: This transaction with Vertex provides LPI with an immediate value for our holding in Centenario while retaining a very solid presence in Latin America with our flagship Maricunga lithium brine project in Chile.

We remain committed to our strategy to be a diversified lithium explorer and developer, with projects now in Chile and Western Australia.

They provide the considerable potential to expand the company.

The release of value from Centenario is more effective means deploying of the companys capital.

Terms of the transaction

The Centenario transaction with Vertex releases the company from future annual exploration spending obligations set under Argentinean regulations.

It also removes the cost of holding the asset in a foreign jurisdiction in which the company has no plans to conduct future exploration.

The key terms of the transactions include:
PITTSBURGH  Ed Gainey, a five-term Pennsylvania state representative, is poised to become the first Black mayor of Pittsburgh, having won the Democratic primary on Tuesday night by defeating a two-term incumbent on a campaign of unequivocal progressivism.

A city is changed when we all come together to improve the quality of life for everybody, Mr. Gainey told his supporters, sounding a theme he has focused on for months. Thats why I ran for mayor, because I believe we can have a city for all.

In a city that is roughly a quarter Black, Mr. Gainey won 46 percent of the vote. The incumbent, Bill Peduto, an outspoken liberal with a national profile, trailed with 39 percent, the first Pittsburgh mayor to lose a bid to stay in office since 1933. There is no declared Republican candidate for the general election in November.

Though Pittsburgh routinely shows up on various lists as one of the countrys most livable cities, the mayoral campaign was fought largely around one short question: Livable for whom?
A City Council member in North Carolina, accusing deputies of retaliating against him for protesting the killing of Andrew Brown Jr., said he captured video footage of a deputy urinating on his property.

Gabriel Adkins, a member of the City Council in Elizabeth City, said on Wednesday that he believed he was being targeted by deputies in the Pasquotank County Sheriffs Department because he had voiced and expressed his support for Mr. Brown, a Black man whom deputies fatally shot on April 21.

This murder has caused tremendous pain and suffering to the family and our community, Mr. Adkins, who is Black, said in an emailed statement. Im ashamed of our county officials and sheriff department. Furthermore, I feel like Im being targeted by sheriff deputies coming on my property to urinate which is clearly against the law.

In a video obtained by The Raleigh News & Observer, a deputy can be seen stepping out of his car and walking to the side of a shed on the property of a funeral home that Mr. Adkins owns. While there, the deputy appears to relieve himself before walking back to his vehicle. The time stamp on the video reads May 16.
PHILADELPHIA  The overwhelming Democratic primary victory on Tuesday of Larry Krasner, the Philadelphia district attorney whose opponent tried to paint him as soft on crime, represented a major step forward for the growing progressive prosecutorial movement of which Mr. Krasner is a leader, advocates of criminal justice reform said.

With some ballots still to be counted, Mr. Krasner was winning by nearly 50,000 votes out of about 160,000 votes cast, indicating that even with gun crime rising sharply, voters were willing to stick with a candidate who had stopped prosecuting several categories of low-level crime and had pledged to further change the system that he argued locks up too many people for too many minor offenses.

We hear all this talk about how somehow progressive prosecution cant survive, Mr. Krasner said in his victory remarks on Tuesday night. Thats not what I see. What I see is that traditional prosecution cant survive.
President Biden delivered the commencement address at the U.S. Coast Guard Academys graduation ceremony in New London, Conn., on Wednesday, his first speech at a service academy since becoming president in January.

The president saluted cadets for persevering through the Covid-19 pandemic, noting that last years class had not been able to hold graduating ceremonies. He also chided them, in jest, for not clapping at a joke he made at the expense of the Navy.

You are a really dull class, Mr. Biden said. Come on, man, is the sun getting to you? I would think you would have an opportunity when I say that about the Navy to clap.

He went on to praise the class and the Coast Guard, citing its role in safeguarding global trade and responding to the pandemic and to national disasters, like hurricanes and wildfires, exacerbated by climate change.
If U.S.D.A. does not compensate lenders for such disruptions or avoid sudden loan payoffs, the likely result will be less access to credit for those seeking U.S.D.A. guaranteed loans in the future, including U.S.D.A. farmers/ranchers, they wrote to Mr. Vilsack in April.

The U.S.D.A. has shown no inclination to reverse course. An agency official said that obliging the banks would put an undue burden on taxpayers and that the law did not allow the agency to pay interest costs or reimburse secondary market investors. The agency hopes to be able to begin the debt relief process in the coming weeks, according to the official, who requested anonymity because they were not authorized to comment on the program.

The relief legislation that Congress passed in March provided sums as may be necessary from the Treasury Department to help minority farmers and ranchers pay off loans granted or guaranteed by the Agriculture Department. Most of the loans are made directly to farmers, but about 12 percent, or 3,078, are made through lenders and guaranteed by the U.S.D.A.

The Congressional Budget Office estimated that the loan forgiveness provision would cost $4 billion over a decade.

While Americas banks have flourished in the last century, the number of Black-owned farms has declined sharply since 1920, to less than 40,000 today from about a million. Their demise is the result of industry consolidation as well as onerous loan terms and high foreclosure rates.

Black farmers have been frustrated by the delays and say they are angry that banks are demanding additional money, slowing down the debt relief process.

Look at the two groups: You have the Black men and women who have gone through racism and discrimination and have lost their land and their livelihood, said Bill Bridgeforth, a farmer in Alabama who is on the board of the National Black Growers Council. And then you have the American Bankers Association, which represents the wealthiest folks in the land, and theyre whining about the money they could potentially lose.
WASHINGTON  The chief executive of Emergent BioSolutions, whose Baltimore plant ruined millions of coronavirus vaccine doses, disclosed for the first time on Wednesday that more than 100 million doses of Johnson & Johnsons vaccine are now on hold as regulators check them for possible contamination.

In more than three hours of testimony before a House subcommittee, the chief executive, Robert G. Kramer, calmly acknowledged unsanitary conditions, including mold and peeling paint, at the Baltimore plant. He conceded that Johnson & Johnson  not Emergent  had discovered contaminated doses, and he fended off aggressive questions from Democrats about his stock sales and hundreds of thousands of dollars in bonuses for top company executives.

Emergents Bayview Baltimore plant was forced to halt operations a month ago after contamination spoiled the equivalent of 15 million doses, but Mr. Kramer told lawmakers that he expected the facility to resume production in a matter of days. He said he took very seriously a report by federal regulators that revealed manufacturing deficiencies and accepted full responsibility.

No one is more disappointed than we are that we had to suspend our 24/7 manufacturing of new vaccine, Mr. Kramer told the panel, adding, I apologize for the failure of our controls.
Covid News: New Cases in Nursing Homes Fall Dramatically After Vaccinations Prosecutors widen the coronavirus-related probe of Gov. Andrew M. Cuomos administration. More than 100 million Johnson and Johnson doses in the U.S. are on hold. Europe will open to vaccinated visitors.

Vaccinations sharply cut the spread of the virus in U.S. nursing homes, study says. The Marigold nursing home in Washington, D.C., in April. Researchers said that the use of vaccinations appeared to protect nursing home residents who did not get immunized. Credit... Nate Palmer for The New York Times Nursing home residents, considered among the most vulnerable to Covid-19, appear to receive significant protection from vaccination, according to research published on Wednesday in the New England Journal of Medicine. In a letter to the editor, the researchers said that the use of vaccinations also appeared to protect nursing home residents who did not themselves get a shot. That finding suggests, researchers said, that unvaccinated residents benefit when others around them are immunized. These findings show the real-world effectiveness of the Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna vaccines in a vulnerable nursing home population, the researchers wrote. The findings conform to recent guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention about the protective benefit of vaccination. The federal agency, in hoping to encourage widespread immunizations, has said that those who get inoculated face sharply reduced risk, but considerable risk remains for those who do not. The nursing home population has been one of the hardest hit during the pandemic, with the virus spreading rapidly in close quarters among people with weakened immune systems. More than 132,000 U.S. nursing home residents have died during the pandemic, about one-third of all the countrys deaths from Covid-19. The study published on Wednesday drew from more than 20,000 residents of 280 nursing homes in 21 states. Of those, almost 4,000 were unvaccinated and the rest received either the Pfizer or Moderna vaccines. About 70 percent had received two doses. The study looked at residents of nursing homes that had received at least one dose as of Feb. 15 and anyone at the facilities present on the first day of their vaccination clinic who had not yet been vaccinated as of March 31. After receiving a first dose, 4.5 percent of residents still contracted the virus, although most cases were asymptomatic, researchers wrote. Of those receiving the second dose, only 0.3 percent got the virus after 14 days. The benefit carried over to those in the same nursing homes who did not get vaccinated. Their rate of infection dropped to 0.3 percent from 4.3 percent. For all groups, most infections were asymptomatic; and the rate of both symptomatic and asymptomatic infections decreased over time. Robust vaccine coverage among residents and staff, together with the continued use of face masks and other infection-control measures, is likely to afford protection for a small number of unvaccinated residents, the researchers wrote.

Oregon tells businesses to check for the vaccination status of customers if they let them go maskless. Downtown Lake Oswego, Ore., in early April. Oregon is lifting its indoor mask mandate for people who have been fully vaccinated against Covid-19. Credit... Gillian Flaccus/Associated Press Oregon has lifted its mask mandate for people who have been fully vaccinated against the coronavirus, but is requiring businesses, workplaces and houses of worship to verify the vaccination status of individuals before they enter buildings without a mask. This statewide mandate, one of the first of its kind in the country, raised concerns that the procedure of verifying vaccinations could be too cumbersome for workers. Many states have lifted mask requirements without requiring confirmation that individuals have been vaccinated after new federal guidance last week said vaccinated people could choose to go maskless in most cases. New York adopted that guidance on Wednesday, though businesses will be allowed to enforce stricter rules. Some Republican governors, like Gov. Greg Abbott of Texas, have instead not only lifted mask rules but banned local governments from enforcing their own. Gov. Ron DeSantis of Florida, also a Republican, issued an executive order last month prohibiting businesses from requiring vaccine documentation. The notion of relying on the honor system, which some states and businesses have adopted, has raised its own questions. And business groups in Oregon expressed concerns that a mandate to check vaccination status could become  like mask enforcement  a difficult and potentially dangerous proposition for workers. We have serious concerns about the practicality of requiring business owners and workers to be the enforcer, said Nathaniel Brown, a spokesman for Oregon Business and Industry, which represents companies like Nike, as well as small businesses. We are hearing from retailers and small businesses who are concerned about putting their frontline workers in a potentially untenable position when dealing with customers. The Oregon Health Authority said in new guidance on Tuesday that effective immediately, businesses would be required to continue to enforce mask requirements unless they had established a policy to confirm proof of vaccination using a card or photo of one before individuals can enter the building without a mask. Gov. Kate Brown, a Democrat, said last week that Oregonians who were fully vaccinated no longer needed to wear masks in most public settings, except in places like schools, public transit and health care settings. But she quickly noted that businesses would have the option of lifting mask requirements only if they instituted verification. Some businesses may prefer to simply continue operating under the current guidance for now rather than worrying about vaccination status, and thats fine, she said. A spokesman for Fred Meyer, a grocery store chain in the Pacific Northwest owned by Kroger, said that it would continue to require customers and employees to wear masks in its stores. New York has created the Excelsior Pass, a digital proof of Covid-19 vaccination, which will be used at some sites like Madison Square Garden and Radio City Music Hall. Jen Psaki, President Bidens press secretary, reiterated on Monday that the federal government would not be issuing vaccine passports, the development of which she said should be left up to the private sector. Charles Boyle, a spokesman for Governor Brown, said that businesses that do not want to implement vaccine verification can keep current health and safety measures in place, which includes masks and physical distancing for all individuals. Asked if businesses would face penalties for allowing customers to go maskless without checking their vaccination status, Mr. Boyle said that in the past year state agencies have issued fines for businesses that are out of compliance with health and safety guidance.

Advertisement Continue reading the main story

Scarred but resilient, New York City tiptoes toward normalcy. Slide 1 of 19 1 / 19 Credit... John Taggart for The New York Times Slide 1 of 19 1 / 19 Credit... John Taggart for The New York Times

Slide 2 of 19 2 / 19 Credit... John Taggart for The New York Times

Slide 3 of 19 3 / 19 Credit... John Taggart for The New York Times

Slide 4 of 19 4 / 19 Credit... John Taggart for The New York Times

Slide 5 of 19 5 / 19 Credit... John Taggart for The New York Times

Slide 6 of 19 6 / 19 Credit... John Taggart for The New York Times

Slide 7 of 19 7 / 19 Credit... John Taggart for The New York Times

Slide 8 of 19 8 / 19 Credit... John Taggart for The New York Times

Slide 9 of 19 9 / 19 Credit... John Taggart for The New York Times

Slide 10 of 19 10 / 19 Credit... John Taggart for The New York Times

Slide 11 of 19 11 / 19 Credit... John Taggart for The New York Times

Slide 12 of 19 12 / 19 Credit... John Taggart for The New York Times

Slide 13 of 19 13 / 19 Credit... John Taggart for The New York Times

Slide 14 of 19 14 / 19 Credit... John Taggart for The New York Times

Slide 15 of 19 15 / 19 Credit... John Taggart for The New York Times

Slide 16 of 19 16 / 19 Credit... John Taggart for The New York Times

Slide 17 of 19 17 / 19 Credit... John Taggart for The New York Times

Slide 18 of 19 18 / 19 Credit... John Taggart for The New York Times

Slide 19 of 19 19 / 19 Credit... John Taggart for The New York Times From the Bronx to Staten Island, Chinatown to Fifth Avenue, in Michelin-starred restaurants and humble corner diners, hardware stores and funeral homes, New York moved gingerly toward reopening on Wednesday, with scenes of a remembered normalcy played out alongside those of caution. It was a moment that so many people had hoped for, whether aloud over countless Zoom calls or in the frustrated silence of a line of shoppers outside a store. It was less a grand gala than a soft opening, a finish line at the end of a long race that no one wanted to be the first to cross. New York shut down 423 days ago, on a Sunday night in March 2020 when it accounted for half the nations coronavirus cases, and Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo ordered all nonessential workers to stay home and indoors. The city has partially reopened in recent months, but Wednesday was the first day businesses were allowed to operate with fewer restrictions and at near capacity. The new rules easing mask mandates and capacity limits were widely superseded by the personal comfort levels of millions of people. The reopening was messy and inconsistent and confusing  in short, it was New York City. Many business owners chose to continue requiring customers to wear masks, making Wednesday look and feel not all that different from Tuesday. But the reopening was also cause for celebration. Julie Ross, 63, in the garden shade of the Museum of Modern Art, described the day in a word. Fabulous, she said. The streets feel more alive, a little bit. Right? The tentative first day arrived amid lowering restrictions in the region, with Connecticut and New Jersey rolling out similar plans, as case numbers continue to fall around the country and overseas. The European Union, looking ahead to summers tourist season, agreed on Wednesday to reopen its borders to visitors who have been fully vaccinated or who are coming from a list of countries considered safe from a Covid-19 perspective. And yet, the virus continued to ravage India, which recorded 4,529 Covid-19 deaths on Tuesday, the pandemics highest single known daily death toll in any country so far. The clashing good-news, bad-news headlines seemed to leave many New Yorkers disinclined to lower their guard  or their masks. Facial coverings were no longer a hard requirement, but many people were still wearing them, whether in the big-box stores and tiny boutiques of Manhattan or the shaded paths of Prospect Park in Brooklyn, and they remained on the signs at the entrance of many stores like Victoria, selling clothing in the Bronx.

More than 100 million J.&J. doses are on hold as U.S. regulators inspect them, an executive testifies. Robert Kramer, the chief executive officer of Emergent BioSolutions, at a hearing on Capitol Hill on Wednesday. Credit... Stefani Reynolds for The New York Times The chief executive of Emergent BioSolutions, whose Baltimore plant ruined millions of coronavirus vaccine doses, disclosed for the first time on Wednesday that more than 100 million doses of Johnson & Johnsons vaccine are now on hold as regulators check them for possible contamination. In more than three hours of testimony before a House subcommittee, the chief executive, Robert G. Kramer, calmly acknowledged unsanitary conditions, including mold and peeling paint, at the Baltimore plant. He conceded that Johnson & Johnson  not Emergent  had discovered contaminated doses, and he fended off aggressive questions from Democrats about his stock sales and hundreds of thousands of dollars in bonuses for top company executives. Emergents Bayview Baltimore plant was forced to halt operations a month ago after contamination spoiled the equivalent of 15 million doses, but Mr. Kramer told lawmakers that he expected the facility to resume production in a matter of days. He said he took very seriously a report by federal regulators that revealed manufacturing deficiencies and accepted full responsibility. No one is more disappointed than we are that we had to suspend our 24/7 manufacturing of new vaccine, Mr. Kramer told the panel, adding, I apologize for the failure of our controls. Mr. Kramers appearance before the House Select Subcommittee on the Coronavirus Crisis, which has opened a broad inquiry into his company, offered the public its first glimpse of the men who run Emergent, a politically connected federal contractor that dominates a niche market in biodefense preparedness, with the U.S. government as its prime customer. Testifying virtually, Mr. Kramer was joined by the firms founder and executive chairman, Fuad El-Hibri, who over the past two decades has expanded Emergent from a small biotech outfit into a company with $1.5 billion in annual revenues. Executive compensation documents made public by the subcommittee show that the companys board praised Mr. El-Hibri, who cashed in stock shares and options worth more than $42 million last year, for leveraging his critical relationships with key customers, Congress and other stakeholders. Among those members of Congress is Representative Steve Scalise of Louisiana, the No. 2 House Republican and the top Republican on the House subcommittee. Federal campaign records show that since 2018, Mr. El-Hibri and his wife have donated more than $150,000 to groups affiliated with Mr. Scalise. The companys political action committee has given about $1.4 million over the past 10 years to members of both parties. Mr. El-Hibri expressed contrition on Wednesday. The cross-contamination incident is unacceptable, he said, period. Mr. Kramers estimate of 100 million doses on hold added 30 million to the number of Johnson & Johnson doses that are effectively quarantined because of regulatory concerns about contamination. Federal officials had previously estimated that the equivalent of about 70 million doses  most of that destined for domestic use  could not be released, pending tests for purity. Sheryl Gay Stolberg and

The federal inquiry into Cuomo widens to examine virus tests for specials. Gov. Andrew Cuomo of new York at a news conference at Radio City Music Hall on Monday. Credit... Mike Segar/Reuters Federal prosecutors have been looking into whether Gov. Andrew M. Cuomos administration granted special access to rapid coronavirus test results to his family and other influential individuals, according to two people with knowledge of the discussions. Investigators from the Eastern District of New York had been looking into how Mr. Cuomos office handled data on Covid-19 deaths in nursing homes in the state. More recently, the investigations focus has expanded, according to the people, to include questions surrounding a priority testing program that benefited Mr. Cuomos close family members, including his brother, Chris Cuomo, in the early weeks of the pandemic. Those who received special access to testing and fast results during that period also included Giorgio DeRosa, a top Albany lobbyist and the father of the governors most senior aide, Melissa DeRosa, according to two people with knowledge of the tests who spoke to The New York Times. The governors office has not disputed that the governors family and others received priority access to testing in the pandemics early weeks. But the special treatment for Mr. Cuomos family has lasted far longer than previously known, through at least last month, The Times found. A spokesman for the Eastern District of New York declined to comment. The inquiries by federal prosecutors about special access to testing were reported by The Wall Street Journal.

Advertisement Continue reading the main story

Heres what the new rules in New York mean as the state reopens. At Carmine's restaurant on the Upper West Side on Tuesday, plastic dividers were in between tables. Credit... James Estrin/The New York Times New York State is taking its biggest step yet toward normalcy, or a new version of it. Starting Wednesday, 14 months after pandemic restrictions began, most businesses can return to 100 percent capacity if customers maintain six feet of distance. The biggest change will be seeing the faces of New Yorkers again: Vaccinated people in most cases no longer have to wear masks, indoors or outdoors, unless businesses mandate them. Theaters and other large venues, including ballparks, can return to full capacity, up from one-third, if they require patrons to show proof of vaccination. House parties will be allowed: Up to 50 people can gather indoors in private homes. This is an exciting moment; this has been a dark, dark hellish year, Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo said on Monday, after announcing the end of the mask mandate. But that was yesterday, and we are looking at a different tomorrow. But the reopening wont be a sudden return to prepandemic life. Many New Yorkers will prefer to keep wearing masks. And some restaurant owners, like Annie Shi of King, a small restaurant in the West Village, said that with distancing requirements, 75 percent or 100 percent doesnt mean a whole lot. Sal Rao, the owner of Mama Raos in Borough Park, Brooklyn, said that he and his staff  who all got vaccinated on one day, closing the restaurant to do it  will remain masked, but they will let patrons take off their masks on the honor system. We are going to let them come in and enjoy some of the privileges of being human again, Mr. Rao said. Masks, following new federal guidance, will continue to be mandatory on public transit and in schools from prekindergarten to 12th grade, in homeless shelters, correctional facilities, nursing homes and health care settings. Mayor Bill de Blasio of New York City said on Wednesday morning that he planned to keep mask rules in place at city offices because there would be a mix of vaccinated and unvaccinated people there, and that he planned to wear a mask in most cases out of an abundance of caution. When youre not sure, my personal advice is wear a mask, the mayor said, adding weve done it, for gods sakes, for a year, we can do it a little bit longer to finish the job. In the coming weeks, major venues like Radio City Music Hall and Madison Square Garden will be opening or raising capacity at indoor concerts, shows and sporting events. Patrons will have to show either a paper vaccination card, the New York State digital Excelsior Pass or another digital form to enter or, in venues that allow unvaccinated attendees who test negative for the virus, to sit in vaccinated sections. Restaurants will be allowed to place tables closer together to reach 100 percent capacity if five-foot-tall solid partitions are placed between them, Mr. Cuomo said. But some restaurants feel that using partitions compromises the dining experience, and Plexiglas can be expensive. Mia Jacobs, a 23-year-old who lives in Crown Heights, Brooklyn, said the reopening feels hopeful. She works in social media in the restaurant and hospitality industry, and said she hopes that with the lifting of restrictions, people will feel more encouraged to go to the restaurants theyve been wanting to go to for an entire year. Even though she is fully vaccinated, Ms. Jacobs said she would probably continue to wear a mask, and that it would take time for her to get reacquainted with being surrounded by many people. Mr. Cuomo said Wednesday that effective immediately that child care programs, and day and overnight camps, must conduct daily health screenings for all staff and visitors, including daily temperature checks. Unvaccinated people 2 and older must wear face masks unless they are eating, showering, swimming or sleeping, he said. Staff members who have not been vaccinated should stay six feet away from vaccinated staff, and each program or camp should have a capacity limit specific to their property that allows people to stay socially distanced. Still, the lifting of restrictions meant to curb the spread of a virus that devastated the city comes as a welcome sign of New Yorks progress. Cases are plummeting as more New Yorkers get shots  about 43 percent of people in New York State are fully vaccinated, according to C.D.C. data. Nationally, about 38 percent of Americans are fully vaccinated, as of Wednesday. Mr. Rao, the restaurant owner, said it was tough doing temperature checks and contact tracing throughout the pandemic. I think we are over that now, he said. I hope to God this is over. Bryan Pietsch, Sharon Otterman, Daniel E. Slotnik and

A vaccine maker in India signals it wont export doses before years end, slowing aid to the worlds poorest. People waiting to receive their second dose of Covishield vaccine in Kolkata, India, last week, which is manufactured by the Serum Institute of India. Credit... Rupak De Chowdhuri/Reuters The vaccination woes of some of the worlds poorest nations will continue as the Serum Institute of India, a crucial manufacturing pillar in the plan to supply two billion doses of Covid-19 vaccines to low-income countries, signaled that it would not be able to provide vaccines beyond India before the years end. The revelation, tucked into a statement by the vaccine manufacturing giant that attempted to deflect mounting criticism, was another setback for Covax, the global vaccine partnership for the poor. It is already more than 140 million doses behind schedule, and the Serum Institutes announcement suggested it was all but impossible to meet the goal of two billion doses by the end of the year. The announcement once again underscored the glaring contrast of inequality: As some of the richer nations tout levels of vaccinations that allow them to reopen their society, most of the poorer nations have barely gotten a start. We continue to scale up manufacturing and prioritize India, the Serum Institute of India said in the statement on Tuesday. We also hope to start delivering to Covax and other countries by the end of this year. The Serum Institutes manufacturing capacity is at the heart of Covax, run by a global alliance that includes the World Health Organization. The institute received hundreds of millions of dollars to expand its facilities and manufacture the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine, licensed to it with the commitment that a large share would go to poor nations. As part of its plan to have two billion doses by the end of the year, Covax has been counting on hundreds of millions of the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine produced by Serum Institute, as well as hundreds of millions of a second vaccine being developed with an American company, Novavax. After Indias devastating second wave of coronavirus infections, the institute diverted all its manufacturing powers to domestic needs, falling behind on commitments to the Covax partnership as well as on bilateral commercial deals with many countries. The institute played down each delay as temporary. But Tuesdays statement makes clear it is unlikely to meet commitments before the end of the year. So far, the Covax alliance has supplied only 65 million vaccines, spread across 124 countries, according to the World Health Organization. The W.H.O. said the global alliance was already 140 million doses behind and likely to miss another 50 million doses in June. Once the devastating outbreak in India recedes, we also need the Serum Institute of India to get back on track and catch up on its delivery commitments to Covax, said Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, the chief of W.H.O. For its part, the Serum Institute has said its failure in international commitments has been due to the scale of the demand in India. But Indias vaccination drive has been slow and is facing shortages despite all of Serums production capacity. Vaccinating a nation of 1.4 billion was always going to be a mammoth task that has been made more difficult by the governments mismanagement of the crisis. India has administered about 180 million doses of vaccines, or only about 5 percent of the countrys adult population. The vaccination rate has fallen to about 1.8 million doses a day, which means it would take the country more than three years to vaccinate 80 percent of its population.

French protesters continue occupying theaters as museums and cinemas reopen. Protesters performed during a demonstration by entertainment and cultural workers outside the occupied Odeon Theater in Paris last month. Credit... Stephane De Sakutin/Agence France-Presse  Getty Images While many cultural attractions in France were reopening on Wednesday as coronavirus restrictions were partially lifted, about a hundred state-funded theaters around the country remained under occupation by protesters, most of them actors, theater workers and students, forcing some institutions to cancel shows and raising worries of a prolonged crisis. When the demonstrators first occupied theaters in Paris, Strasbourg and elsewhere several months ago, reopening theaters was one of their main demands, but now the protests may be keeping them closed. The anger has since coalesced around larger complaints that have pitted cultural workers against the French government, especially over an unpopular overhaul of unemployment benefits. The protesters, who worry that they will lose leverage and visibility if they move out, have vowed to continue their occupations. The Odeon Theater in Paris, one of the main protest points, said this week that it had no choice but to cancel performances of The Glass Menagerie by Tennessee Williams, featuring Isabelle Huppert, as long as the 40 or so protesters continued to occupy the space day and night. Stephane Braunschweig, the director of the theater, said in a statement on Tuesday that it was impossible to stage evening shows with adequate safety and sanitary conditions if the occupation continued, and that his offer to let the protesters occupy the theater during the daytime only had been rejected. Last week, after the government announced new subsidies and measures to support cultural workers, Mr. Braunschweig and the directors of other large state-funded theaters in Lyon, Nice and in Marseille, where shows were canceled at the Criee Theater this week, had called for the occupations to end. The social struggle, whatever its legitimacy, cannot for us prevent the resumption of cultural life, they wrote in a joint statement. Protesters at the Odeon accused the director of refusing to consider solutions that would let the occupation continue alongside performances. Management is trying to place the blame of the cancellation on us even though we are asking exactly the opposite, Denis Gravouil, a representative for the C.G.T. union, told reporters in front of the theater on Wednesday. Mr. Gravouil noted that theaters were opening at below half capacity because of coronavirus restrictions, meaning that many actors and technicians still couldnt resume their jobs, and he said the government hadnt fully addressed the pandemic-related loss of income for many of them. We dont want to block shows, we want everyone to work, he said.

Advertisement Continue reading the main story

In Germany, an early vaccine shot comes with disapproving looks. A vaccination in Castrop-Rauxel, Germany, on Wednesday. Credit... Friedemann Vogel/EPA, via Shutterstock When a young woman showed up at Hamburgs giant Covid vaccination site last week, the city officials who check whether people are eligible were skeptical. She was in her mid 20s; shots are being given mainly to those 60 and older. But she said she qualified for an exemption because she was caring for her infirm mother and produced a form to make her case. Without a signature from her mother, the form was invalid and the officials turned her away. But she returned quickly, a little too quickly, with the document signed. This time she claimed to have a sister who was vaccinated for the same reason, but a spot check of inoculation records showed that to be false as well. She could not get out of here fast enough, said Martin Helfrich, a spokesman for the city who witnessed the scene. Officials at the center have become adept at spotting people who are trying the most un-German of activities: cutting in line. At state-run sites like the one in Hamburg, those over 60, those with pre-existing conditions and frontline workers are allowed to get shots. But officials at the Hamburg center recently reported that roughly 2,000 ineligible people had sought shots in just one week, either because they did not understand the rules  or were trying to cheat. In a country that prides itself on keeping order, the news was shocking enough to make national headlines. Even Chancellor Angela Merkel waited her turn. She was vaccinated in April and only once people of her age bracket  she is 66  were eligible. Ugur Sahin, the 55-year-old chief executive of BioNTech, the German company that designed the Pfizer vaccine, has said he will also wait his turn.

N.Y.C. businesses are now freed of most restrictions, but many indicate they will only return to normal gradually. Employees and customers wearing masks inside Jesus Barber Shop Beauty and Nails in the South Bronx. Credit... Desiree Rios for The New York Times New York City businesses, and the workers who make them run, have had to navigate shifting regulations from the city and state since the start of the pandemic. For many of those businesses, the struggle for safety was paired with the struggle for solvency. Most of those regulations came to an end on Wednesday, when the state removed most capacity restrictions from businesses statewide and adopted federal guidelines that allow people who have been vaccinated to largely eschew masks, indoors and out, in most situations. The reaction from many city dwellers was cautious, after more than a year in which the citys known virus death toll climbed to more than 33,000 people. Workers at many businesses around the five boroughs expressed similar reluctance to leap back into normal behavior. Chris Polanco, 32, a clerk at Melrose Hardware in the Bronx, said he will keep his mask and the plastic curtain in front of the cash register, and would continue asking people to mask up in his store, offering masks to people who do not have them. You never know if theyre vaccinated or not, unless they have their papers, and there are forgeries, Mr. Polanco said. Caution also prevailed in much of the Corona neighborhood of Queens, one of the hardest-hit areas in the country. Irene DeBenedittis owns Leos Latticini, an Italian deli there. She said that even though she and her staff had been vaccinated she planned to keep requiring masks, as a courtesy and a precaution. I am a bit confused about the rules, and also concerned about the customer, Ms. DeBenedittis said. For now, we are keeping the mask on so we feel safe and our customers feel safe too. Representatives for far larger groups of workers also said they planned to move slowly. Robert W. Newell Jr., the president of a union that represents 17,000 workers, mainly in supermarkets and food production, said, Ive asked everyone to keep their masks on, at least for another couple of weeks. One of the citys largest employers, its municipal government, will also keep masks for now, Mayor Bill de Blasio said on Wednesday morning. Of course it is difficult to distinguish who has and has not been vaccinated. Vaccine passports like New York States Excelsior Pass are not widely in use, and many consider a vaccine honor code flimsy. Even if proof of vaccination is bolstered somehow, it may be harder for individual business owners to enforce mask rules when they are no longer universal. Rebecca Robertson, executive producer of the Park Avenue Armory, said the indoor performance venue would retain its strict masking policy for Wednesdays opening night performance of Afterwardsness, a modern dance piece in which patrons sit nine feet apart. The venue plans to continue to require all audience members to wear masks for the foreseeable future. Ms. Robertson noted that the state continues to strongly recommend masking when a mix of vaccinated and unvaccinated people are together indoors, which to her is just a shade below a requirement. If the government says to you it is strongly recommended, for us its like a mandate, Ms. Robertson said. Not all businesses were so hesitant  some have spurned the rules for much of the pandemic. One of them is Macs Public House, a Staten Island tavern that became a symbol of much of the boroughs defiance to virus regulations when it refused to follow the governors curfew and indoor dining bans last year. The bar lost its liquor license and was told to close, but kept serving customers indoors, channeling the defiance that many Staten Islanders held for the regulations. Danny Presti, Macs manager, was arrested twice, and the bar was finally closed down. On Wednesday Mr. Presti seethed as nearby restaurants and bars reopened while Macs remained padlocked. Its frustrating, Mr. Presti said. Its not like I was this lifelong criminal, it was all for businesses, bringing attention to the situation. Nate Schweber, Sharon Otterman, Kimiko de Freytas-Tamura and Sadef Ali Kully contributed reporting.

Advertisement Continue reading the main story
House Democrats defeated a Republican-led effort on Wednesday to urge the attending physician to update the chambers mask mandate, panning the attempt and seizing the opportunity to point out the minority partys paltry vaccination rates.

Republicans, led by Representative Kevin McCarthy of California, the minority leader, and a slate of doctors who now serve as lawmakers, tried to turn the tables on Democrats and paint them as being opposed to science after leadership decided to abide by an existing rule requiring lawmakers to wear masks on the House floor.

They introduced a bill directing the attending physician to take timely action to provide updated mask-wearing guidance consistent with new recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention stating that fully vaccinated individuals no longer need to wear masks indoors.

The continued House mask mandate sends the erroneous message that the efficacy of the vaccines cannot be trusted, Mr. McCarthys resolution read, adding, Those who have not yet received the vaccine pose no real threat to those who have been vaccinated.
His reversal reflected broader efforts by the party to put the assault on the Capitol behind them in political terms, or recast the rioting as a peaceful protest, amid pressure from Mr. Trump and concerns about the issue dogging them in the 2022 elections.

Proponents, including 35 Republicans, hailed the move to establish the commission as an ethical and practical necessity to fully understand the most violent attack on Congress in two centuries and the election lies from Mr. Trump that fueled it. Modeled after the body that studied the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attack, the 10-person commission would take an inquiry out of the halls of Congress and deliver findings by Dec. 31.

I was on the Capitol floor, the speaker was in the chair and a howling mob attacked the United States Capitol, Representative Zoe Lofgren, Democrat of California and the chairwoman of a committee already studying the attack, said in an animated appeal before the vote. She reminded colleagues of the pounding on the doors and maimed police officers.

We need to get to the bottom of this to not just understand what happened leading up to the 6th, but how to prevent that from happening again  how to protect the oldest democracy in the world in the future, Ms. Lofgren said.

Among the Republicans voting in favor of the commission were a familiar group of moderates and stalwart critics of Mr. Trump, but also several longer-serving members from safe conservative districts who were rattled by the attack. The most notable was Representative Liz Cheney of Wyoming, who was run out of the party leadership last week because she refused to stop criticizing Mr. Trump for his attempts to overturn the election.
All initial samples at the Mt Palmer Project in Western Australia have been dispatched to the assay laboratory and results are expected in mid-June.

The Mt Palmer Project has historically produced 158,000 ounces at 15.9 g/t and has been left largely undisturbed since 1944.

( ) non-executive chairman Piers Lewis has demonstrated his faith in the companys gold strategy with an on-market purchase of shares.

Lewis acquired 75,000 shares valued at $21,375 on May 18 in an indirect interest, increasing the total number of securities held in that interest to 700,000 shares with another 76,219 ordinary shares held in another indirect interest.

Shares today were as much as 9.1% higher to 30 cents up from 23.5 cents at the market close on May 5.

First drill program at Mt Palmer

The company has completed a reverse circulation (RC) drilling campaign at its 100%-owned Mt Palmer project, which is around 40 kilometres ESE of Southern Cross in Western Australia.

There were 32 holes completed for 2,563 metres designed to test for extensions to specific lodes in and around the historic mine and extensions north and south of the mine footprint.

All initial samples have been dispatched to the assay laboratory and results are expected in mid-June.

Mt Palmer has a history of high-grade production, producing about 158,000 ounces of gold at 15.9 g/t before ceasing commercial operations in 1944.
The new information suggests that Mr. Nunes, whose office has not responded to a request for comment, may not have had any role in the subpoena. The two law enforcement officials, speaking on condition of anonymity, said it stemmed from an online threat last fall to Mr. McConnell, a Kentucky Republican who was the majority leader at the time, when he drew the ire of liberals by rushing to confirm Justice Amy Coney Barrett to the Supreme Court just before the election after the death of Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg.

The offending post had since been deleted or removed, one of the officials said. The other said that the primary offending post had not been written by the user of @NunesAlt, but that the account may instead have amplified it.

In a Twitter direct message, the user of @NunesAlt expressed continued bewilderment, writing, Ive been searching my tweets also for anything that could be interpreted as threatening and havent been able to find anything.

The user also said that he or she had also tweeted about Mr. McConnell a fair amount and that it was possible some of those posts had been deleted. The user also noted that there had been online joking in October about photographs showing Mr. McConnells hands bruised and discolored, and pointed to a post riffing on that topic that is still available.

Another Twitter user had posted a picture of Mr. McConnells discolored hand and written: This confirmation is totally illegitimate because Mitch McConnell is an undead rotting corpse. Undead votes dont count. #DeatherMovement. The @NunesAlt user retweeted that, adding: When Mitch McConnell does the pull my finger trick, you get to keep the finger.
A look ahead at camp

After a year of isolation, many children are looking forward to summer camp with more than the usual excitement. Whether they have been stuck at home, blocked from recess or kept distant from friends, camp will offer a chance to escape their parents and teachers closer-than-usual supervision and connect with their peers.

At a recent barbecue for new campers at Camp Kinder Ring, a Jewish overnight camp in Dutchess County, New York, one 10-year-old couldnt wait to interact with other kids without being surrounded by a clear plastic barrier, said Marc Rauch, the camps director.

But of course, the pandemic is not over, and many campers will still be unvaccinated, so camp wont look the way it did in 2019. (Many camps, including most overnight camps, didnt operate last year.) So what protocols will be in place this summer?

Its very dynamic right now, said Tom Rosenberg, the president of the American Camp Association.

Some states have not yet released regulations for camps. The C.D.C. issued guidance last month, but some experts criticized it as overly draconian. Now, in the wake of the agencys advice last week that vaccinated people dont have to wear masks, the agency has said it will update its camp recommendations very soon.
Robert Coplan, a professor of psychology at Carleton University in Canada, said that people who have been sheltering in place with others might not realize their irritability and stress could be tied to lack of alone time. Dr. Coplan has termed the craving for solitude while surrounded by others aloneliness, which he calls the mirror image of loneliness.

Allowing someone 24 hours of rest, or even just a few hours of undisturbed time with themselves, can change the way they can show up for others, said Nedra Tawwab, a therapist in Charlotte, N.C., and author of Set Boundaries, Find Peace: A Guide to Reclaiming Yourself. Many parents dont have the downtime needed to restore themselves. Its restorative to do nothing, and to be granted the ability to do nothing is a loving act.

Free time for parents can extend to separate vacations, in which partners trade off staying home with the kids. Jessica Griscavage, owner of Runway Travel in McLean, Va., said she is booking more solo vacations. Everybody needs some alone time, especially after the year weve had, she said.

Trinita Brown, owner of D.C.-based travel agency Dream Vacations, is also seeing an uptick this year of spouses booking separate trips, and friends reuniting to travel. Normally I arrange larger tours, she said. But now Im seeing a newer phenomenon of smaller groups of women friends who have not seen each other, who want to be face to face, have some wine, hug each other.

Ms. Brown mentioned that even her husband, who usually doesnt vacation separately with friends, is considering it this year. He has always wanted to go to Vegas with his friends during the N.C.A.A., she said. He missed it last year, obviously. I told him, Start planning.

Offering the gift of free time has multiple benefits, said clinical psychologist Jodie Eisner, who treats patients in New York and Florida. A day of total freedom is both an opportunity to connect with your individual self, and helps foster feelings of empowerment, which is a powerful antidote to the helplessness that a lot of us have felt during the pandemic, she said. It expands your recently narrowed comfort zone by reminding you that youre capable and independent.

Its helpful to establish a few loose rules when giving or exchanging the gift of free time, Dr. Eisner said. Offer your partner full freedom to use their time however they want. While a gift for you might mean having the house to yourself, for your partner it may mean a day at the beach. You dont have to understand your partners decisions in order to support them.
When the history of this global moment is written, there will need to be an entire chapter on police forces spectacular own goals as force for change.

Around the world, the police have cracked down violently on protests  only to discover that their attacks, captured on camera and shared across social and conventional media, have been the catalyst that helped turn issue-based campaigns into mass movements.

Movements like Black Lives Matter in the United States, the 2019 uprising in Chile that led to a new constitution, and, now, Colombias protests grew out of political wounds unique to each society. But each was transformed into a broad, potentially generation-defining cause once protesters were confronted with police violence.
BRUSSELS  The European Union agreed on Wednesday to reopen its borders to visitors who have been fully vaccinated with an approved shot and to those coming from a list of countries considered safe from a coronavirus perspective, permitting broader travel just in time for the summer tourism season.

Ambassadors from the 27 member states of the European Union endorsed a plan that would allow visits from tourists and other nonessential travelers, who have been mostly barred from entering the bloc for more than a year.

The move has been seen as an economic imperative for tourism-dependent countries such as Greece and Spain, and it has been months in the works. Other E.U. nations that are less reliant on tourists for jobs and income, particularly in northern Europe, had been eager to maintain higher barriers for nonessential visitors to keep the coronavirus at bay. But they relented as vaccinations advanced and after they were promised the ability to reverse course if cases surge again.

The new rules are set to become formal policy next week after clearing some bureaucratic hurdles, and, depending on how well each country has prepared to welcome tourists, could be implemented immediately. Some countries, like Greece, have already said that they will remove testing and quarantine requirements for vaccinated visitors. But most countries are likely to implement such changes more slowly and conservatively.
PARIS  Declaring that their work has become increasingly dangerous because of the governments failure to address Frances underlying social problems, thousands of police officers protested in Paris on Wednesday in a show of force that left politicians scrambling.

Police union leaders demanded tougher laws for violence against officers and stiffer sentences against convicted criminals as thousands massed in the rain in front of the National Assembly, issuing warnings to political leaders who were present but were not invited to speak.

Your presence is an important sign, Fabien Vanhemelryck, the secretary general of Alliance Police, a right-leaning union whose members appeared to dominate the protest, said from a stage next to a giant screen. It must not be a sign of future elections, but a wake-up call, a sense of responsibility, of change and a return to safety.

The protest, organized by 14 police unions, came after the recent killings of an officer and a police employee, even as pressure has been mounting to reform a force often criticized for its brutal tactics and racist behavior.
HAMBURG, Germany  When a young woman showed up at Hamburgs giant Covid vaccination site last week, the city officials who check whether people are eligible were skeptical.

She was in her mid 20s; shots are being given mainly to those 60 and older. But she said she qualified for an exemption because she was caring for her infirm mother and produced a form to make her case. Without a signature from her mother, the form was invalid and the officials turned her away. But she returned quickly, a little too quickly, with the document signed.

This time she claimed to have a sister who was vaccinated for the same reason, but a spot check of inoculation records showed that to be false as well.

She could not get out of here fast enough, said Martin Helfrich, a spokesman for the city who witnessed the scene.
BRUSSELS  A diplomatic flurry from the White House and Europe added pressure on Israel and Palestinian militants in Gaza on Wednesday to halt their 10-day-old conflict before it turned into a war entangling more of the Middle East.

President Biden spoke with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of Israel  their second phone call in three days  telling the Israeli leader he expected a significant de-escalation today on the path to a cease-fire, administration officials said. Although they portrayed the call as consistent with what Mr. Biden had been saying, his decision to set a deadline was an escalation.

And in Europe, France and Germany, both strong allies of Israel that had initially held back from pressuring Mr. Netanyahu in the early days of the conflict, intensified their push for a cease-fire.

A senior Israeli official familiar with the negotiations said that Israel and Hamas will most likely reach a cease-fire agreement within the next two days. Two others corroborated that account. A cease-fire would include halting all Israeli attacks on Hamas infrastructure, and stopping Israeli attempts to kill senior Hamas members. Hamas would agree to halt all operations, including rocket fire at Israeli cities, the officials said.
The interim scoping study will form the basis of a pre-feasibility study for the 4.7-million-ounce Korbel Main gold deposit.

( ) (OTCMKTS:NVAAF) is making significant progress on an interim scoping study for its flagship Korbel Main gold deposit in Alaska, with the report set to be released by July.

Korbel Main is Novas main focus at its wider, highly prospective Estelle Gold Project, based in Alaskas famed Tintina Gold Province, a gold belt that stretches for more than 1,000 kilometres across the northern part of the North American Cordillera, a mountainous region along the western side of the Americas.

In an update to shareholders, Nova CEO Chris Gerteisen said the scoping study would be delivered by July and form the basis of a pre-feasibility study.

Scoping study on track

The study is currently underway and on track for delivery in July, Gerteisen said.

This study will be based on the current 4.7-million-ounce resource at Korbel Main, and the conceptual process flow sheet as reported marks a major milestone in delivering a key input towards the completion of this study.

The study is intended to provide a snapshot in time to demonstrate a potentially viable pathway to production while acting as a stepping-stone towards a PFS, which will commence forthwith.

On-site prep-lab

Gerteisen said Nova was working on an on-site sample prep-lab facility, with construction nearing completion.

The first samples are expected to be processed through the lab and shipped out in coming weeks.

The prep-lab will provide significant savings due to an owner-operator cost structure, as well as significantly reduced freight costs, with samples being 1/10th the original weight.

A drastic improvement in turnaround times for assay results has been a key motivator in establishing our on-site prep-lab.

As we await the commissioning of the on-site prep-lab, we have temporarily started to ship out samples from the ongoing 2021 drilling program to the commercial lab.

We expect these assay results to be returned over the coming weeks and, geologically, some of these samples are looking very promising, showing encouraging gold grade indicators in terms of mineralogy and high vein densities.

Technical improvements = more gold

As previously reported by Proactive, Nova Minerals has been busy refining the way it will produce gold at Korbel Main.

Gerteisen told Proactive its test-work was designed to refine the way it extracts gold from the ground beneath its feet.

Having resources is all well and good but youve got to know how youre going to get the gold out, he said.

Thats why this flowsheet is so important and since mid last year weve been looking at different ways of processing the ore to recover the most gold out of it, whilst also saving on time, costs and waste that hamper many other gold explorers.

The results were impressive, with 95.4% of gold recovered into a concentrate with 5.1% of the flotation feed mass.

A high flotation concentration ratio is important as it allows fine grinding and intensive leaching of a small flotation concentrate, at a reasonable cost.

Not just Korbel Main

Korbel Main is just one of Novas tenements at Estelle and in his update, Gerteisen outlined the potential with additional drilling planned on other targets within the Korbel Valley, including Isabella, You Beauty and Cathedral.

Nova is also advancing the extremely promising RPM prospect towards resource delineation, with a rig expected to be mobilised in the coming weeks to commence drilling aimed at completing a maiden resource estimate this year.

This will add serious depth to the project with the potential of significantly increasing the global resource inventory, possibly opening up a second deposit for resource development, Gerteisen said.

Over 20 kilometres of highly prospective mineralised strike length separate Korbel and RPM and is paved with 15 other known prospects and numerous, unnamed gold showings throughout.

Geological mapping and sampling teams are waiting to hit the ground in coming months to begin advancing these prospects with the aim of creating further drill targets.

- Daniel Paproth
GAZA CITY  Riad Ishkontana had promised his children that their building on Al Wahida Street was safe, though for Zein, his 2-year-old son, the thunder of the airstrikes spoke louder than his reassurances.

The Israelis had never bombed the neighborhood before, he told them. Theirs was a comfortable, tranquil area by Gaza City standards, full of professionals and shops, nothing military. The explosions were still far away. To soothe them all, he started calling home the house of safety.

Mr. Ishkontana, 42, tried to believe it, too, though around them the death toll was climbing  not by inches, but by leaps, by housefuls, by families.

He was still telling the children about their house of safety all the way up until after midnight early Sunday morning, when he and his wife were watching more plumes of gray smoke rising from Gaza on TV. She went to put the five children to bed. For all his attempts at comforting them, the family felt more secure sleeping all together in the boys room in the middle of the third-floor apartment.
Foreign workers have long faced precarious living conditions in Israel, especially during military conflict. And on Tuesday, a Hamas rocket attack killed two Thai workers and wounded at least seven others in a packaging house in southern Israel, Thai and Israeli officials said.

Businesses near the border with Gaza are allowed to operate if they have access to a bomb shelter or a safety room, but a local official said the agricultural community where the Thai workers died did not have such a space.

That is often the case with such setups, an expert on foreign labor in Israel said.

Thai workers come to Israel on temporary programs and live in caravans and containers that are often overcrowded and in poor sanitary conditions, said Yahel Kurlander, a researcher at Tel-Hai College who specializes in Thai workers in Israel.

These housings dont have the safety rooms required by law or outlined in the contracts of these workers, who dont have anywhere to hide, she added.
Israel and Hamas May Reach Cease-Fire Soon, Officials Say Both sides said they were close to an agreement to end more than a week of fighting. President Biden and other world leaders intensified calls to end the conflict, which has killed at least 227 people in Gaza and 12 in Israel.

Israeli officials say cease-fire may be reached within two days. An Israeli bomb squad inspects a house in Sderot that was damaged by rocket fire from Gaza. Credit... Tsafrir Abayov/Associated Press Israel and Hamas will likely reach a cease-fire agreement within the next two days, according to a senior Israeli official familiar with the negotiations and two others who corroborated the account. The cease-fire under discussion would come in stages. The first would include the cessation of all Israeli attacks on Hamas infrastructure and facilities, and an end to Israeli attempts to kill senior Hamas members, the officials said. Hamas would halt all rocket fire at Israeli cities. Israel is also demanding that Hamas stop digging attack tunnels toward Israel and halt violent demonstrations on the Gaza-Israeli border, said the officials, who asked not to be named because they were discussing negotiations still underway. The agreement also aims to include later stages, after a cease-fire takes effect, including returning the bodies of two soldiers held by Hamas and two Israeli civilians detained by the group. In return, the officials said, Israel would allow the passage of goods and funds into Gaza. Officially, Israel has denied the existence of negotiations or the imminent signing of a deal, but that may be a tactic designed to put pressure on Hamas by showing that Israel does not fear further escalation. The senior Israeli representative in the negotiations is the national security adviser, Meir Ben-Shabbat, who is considered very close to Prime Minister Netanyahu and was recently dispatched to Washington to try to convince the Biden administration not to sign a new nuclear agreement with Iran. The two senior Hamas figures running the negotiations have close ties to Egyptian intelligence. The current commander of Hamas military forces, Marwan Issa, spent a lot of time at the Egyptian intelligence headquarters in Cairo during 2011, when the Egyptians worked one of the most difficult issues between Israel and Hamas: the abduction of an Israeli soldier, Gilad Shalit. But delays in reaching a possible cease-fire have taken place because the Egyptians, who are helping coordinate the negotiations, have had trouble contacting senior Hamas officials. The officials have feared Israeli attempts to kill them, leading them to hide, often underground, while trying to avoid the use of any electronic devices.

Biden tells Netanyahu that he expects a significant de-escalation today. Palestinians who sought refuge on Wednesday in a school run by the United Nations in Gaza City. Credit... Hosam Salem for The New York Times President Biden told Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Wednesday that he expected a significant de-escalation today on the path to a cease-fire in the conflict between Israel and Hamas, the White House principal deputy press secretary told reporters onboard Air Force One. Our focus has not changed, the press secretary, Karine Jean-Pierre, said. We are working towards a de-escalation. Ms. Jean-Pierre said Mr. Biden wanted the situation to reach a sustainable calm. She said the call, which came before the president departed from Washington to address graduates at the United States Coast Guard Academy on Wednesday morning, did not reflect a shift in administration policy as it pertains to a cease-fire. This is what we have been calling for for the past eight days, she said. Mr. Netanyahu did not give any assurance during the call that Mr. Biden could expect a cease-fire, according to a senior administration official who received a readout of the call shortly after it happened. After visiting Israeli military headquarters, Mr. Netanyahu said he was determined to continue this operation until its aim is met. Still, the presidents call to the Israeli leader added to a growing chorus of international parties urging the Israeli military and Hamas militants to lay down their weapons as the conflict stretched into its 10th day. France is leading efforts to call for a cease-fire at the United Nations Security Council, but it remains unclear when a resolution would be put to a vote. The German foreign minister, Heiko Maas, said he hoped to fly to Israel on Thursday for talks with Israelis and Palestinians. Taken together, the developments represented a more determined Western effort to halt the conflict between Israel and Hamas militants in Gaza, the impoverished coastal territory of two million Palestinians ruled by Hamas since 2007. It has been a chronic flash point in the long-running Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Israel and Hamas have signaled a willingness to reach a cease-fire, diplomats privy to the discussions say, but that has not reduced the intensity of the deadliest fighting in Gaza since 2014. At least 227 people in Gaza have been killed, including 64 children, and 1,620 have been wounded as of Wednesday afternoon, according to the Gaza health ministry. Israeli airstrikes and shelling have destroyed or damaged homes, roads and medical facilities across the territory. Hamas militants continued to fire rockets into Israeli towns on Wednesday, sending people scurrying for shelter. More than 4,000 rockets have been fired from Gaza since the conflict began, according to the Israeli military, killing at least 12 Israeli residents. Video Israeli airstrikes leveled homes in Gaza, and Hamas militants fired rockets into Israeli towns, as fighting continued into Wednesday. At least 227 people have been killed in Gaza and 12 in Israel, officials said. Credit Credit... Khalil Hamra/Associated Press Mousa Abu Marzouq, a senior official of Hamas, told an Arabic television channel that he expected cease-fire talks to succeed in the next one or two days. Israeli media has reported that Israeli officials do not expect the bombing to stop until Friday at the earliest. With Israeli warplanes firing into the crowded Gaza Strip, in a campaign that Israeli officials say is aimed at Hamas militants and their infrastructure, the humanitarian crisis has deepened for people inside Gaza. The United Nations said that more than 58,000 Palestinians in Gaza had been displaced from their homes, many huddling in U.N.-run schools that have in effect become bomb shelters. Israeli strikes have damaged schools, power lines, and water, sanitation and sewage systems for hundreds of thousands of people in a territory that has been under blockade by Israel and Egypt for more than a decade. Covid-19 vaccinations have stopped, and on Tuesday an Israeli strike knocked out the only lab in the territory that processes coronavirus tests. There is no safe place in Gaza, where two million people have been forcibly isolated from the rest of the world for over 13 years, the U.N. emergency relief coordinator in the territory, Mark Lowcock, said in a statement. Jim Tankersley, Rick Gladstone, Shashank Bengali and

Advertisement Continue reading the main story

International pressure for a cease-fire had been growing. Amna Hadayed standing next to an unexploded Israeli bomb that fell inside her daughters home on Thursday in Khan Younis, southern Gaza. Credit... Samar Abu Elouf for The New York Times As the humanitarian situation for the two million people living in the Gaza Strip grew more dire by the day, international pressure mounted to find a way to persuade Israel and Hamas to end a cycle of violence in which civilians are bearing a heavy cost. President Biden spoke with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of Israel on Wednesday, telling the Israeli leader that he expected a significant de-escalation today on the path to a cease-fire, administration officials said. On Thursday, Mr. Biden spoke with President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi of Egypt, whose nation has acted as an intermediary in the negotiations as neither the United States nor Israel deal directly with Hamas. And at a special meeting of the United Nations General Assembly, Secretary General Antonio Guterres called for a halt to the bloodshed and destruction. The fighting must stop immediately, he said. I appeal to all parties to cease hostilities, now and I reiterate my call on all sides for an immediate cease-fire. Video transcript Back bars 0:00 / 0:51 - 0:00 transcript U.N. Secretary General Calls For Israel-Hamas Cease-Fire At a special meeting of the United Nations General Assembly on Thursday, Secretary General Antonio Guterres called for a halt to the fighting between Israel and Hamas. He cited more than 200 Palestinian deaths, including 60 children, since the conflict started. The past 10 days have witnessed a dangerous and horrific surge in deadly violence in the occupied Palestinian territory, particularly Gaza, and in Israel. I am deeply shocked by the continued air and artillery bombardment by the Israeli Defense forces in Gaza. As of 19 May, these have claimed the lives of at least 208 Palestinians, including 60 children, and injured thousands more. The fighting must stop immediately. I appeal to all parties to cease hostilities now, and I reiterate my call on all sides for an immediate cease-fire. The hostilities have caused serious damage to vital civilian infrastructure in Gaza, including roads and electricity lines contributing to a humanitarian emergency. At a special meeting of the United Nations General Assembly on Thursday, Secretary General Antonio Guterres called for a halt to the fighting between Israel and Hamas. He cited more than 200 Palestinian deaths, including 60 children, since the conflict started. Germanys foreign minister, Heiko Maas, met with Mr. Netanyahu on Thursday and also pressed for peace. Since the start of the conflict 11 days ago, Israeli airstrikes have killed more than 200 Palestinians, including over 60 children, according to the Gaza health ministry. The Israeli military said that more than 130 of those killed were combatants. Hamas rocket attacks have killed more than a dozen people in Israel, including two children, according to the Israeli authorities. Hamas has launched more than 4,000 rockets at southern Israel  the vast majority shot down by Israeli defenses, falling short of their targets or landing in unpopulated areas. That steady onslaught appeared to slow overnight, with Israeli military officials recording 70 rockets between 7 p.m. and 7 a.m. Israel has targeted around 1,000 sites in Gaza that it claims hold significant military value, according to Israeli military officials. However, the campaign has also caused widespread destruction of homes and critical infrastructure, displacing tens of thousands from their homes and causing dire shortages of water and medical supplies. While the pace of the air assault eased overnight, Israeli warplanes launched several airstrikes before dawn, sending fiery explosions and huge plumes of smoke into the night. The continued fighting highlighted how fraught the final hours before any cease-fire deal can be  with the risk of miscalculations high and last-minute attempts to strike a blow derailing diplomatic efforts. Ronen Bergman, Marc Santora and

In a flash, an unimaginable loss leaves two bloodied survivors in Gaza. Riad Ishkontana, 42, kissed his daughter, Suzy, 7, at Shifa Hospital in Gaza City on Tuesday. They were pulled from the rubble of their home after an Israeli airstrike killed his wife and their four other children. Credit... Abdel Kareem Hana/Associated Press GAZA CITY  Riad Ishkontana had promised his children that their building on Al Wahida Street was safe, though for Zein, his 2-year-old son, the thunder of the airstrikes spoke louder than his reassurances. The Israelis had never bombed the neighborhood before, he told them. Theirs was a comfortable, tranquil area by Gaza City standards, full of professionals and shops, nothing military. The explosions were still far away. To soothe them all, he started calling home the house of safety. Mr. Ishkontana, 42, tried to believe it, too, though around them the death toll was climbing  not by inches, but by leaps, by housefuls, by families. He was still telling the children about their house of safety all the way up until after midnight early Sunday morning, when he and his wife were watching more plumes of gray smoke rising from Gaza on television. She went to put the five children to bed. For all his attempts at comforting them, the family felt more secure sleeping all together in the boys room in the middle of the third-floor apartment. Then a flash of bright light, and the building swayed. He said he rushed toward the boys room. Boom. The last thing he saw before the floor gave way beneath him and the walls fell on him, then a concrete pillar, then the roof, was his wife pulling at the mattress where she had already tucked in three of their children, trying to drag it out. My kids! she was screaming, but the doorway was too narrow. My kids! Iyad Abuheweila and

An Israeli campaign targets a Hamas commander who has escaped death many times. A 2014 Israeli airstrike in Gaza that targeted Mohammed Deif, the commander of Hamass military wing, killed his wife and infant daughter. Credit... Mohammed Abed/Agence France-Presse  Getty Images As Israel has focused its firepower on Hamass warren of underground tunnels and infrastructure in the Gaza Strip, it has simultaneously been engaged in a parallel clandestine strategy: a targeted killing campaign against Hamass military leadership. Israel has tried several times in the current fighting to kill Mohammed Deif, the commander of Hamass military wing, a spokesman for Israel Defense Forces said Wednesday. Mr. Deif, a shadowy figure who has been atop Israels most-wanted list for nearly three decades, has become a symbol of the militant groups resilience. Throughout the operation, we have tried to assassinate Mohammed Deif, said the spokesman, Brig. Gen. Hidai Zilberman. Israeli commandos have come close a few times over the years, and Mr. Deif has been wounded, but he has always survived. A senior Israeli army officer said that Mr. Deif, 55, had played a pivotal role in the latest conflict, including ordering the firing of 130 rockets at Tel Aviv last Wednesday, one of the harshest attacks on Israels commercial capital since the fighting began. Mr. Deif, revered among many Palestinians for his strategic prowess and ability to evade Israeli efforts to kill him, has spent decades underground. He has survived at least eight attempts on his life, including by ambush, bombings of safe houses where he was staying and missiles fired at his car, Israeli intelligence officials said. The officials, like others quoted in this article, spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss operational details of an active mission. Image In 2006, Mr. Deif was wounded in Israeli raids in Gaza City. Credit... Mahmud Hams/Agence France-Presse  Getty Images During those attempts, he has lost an eye and a hand, sustained neurological damage from shrapnel, suffered hearing damage and was left with a limp, according to a current and a former Israeli intelligence official. A senior Israeli intelligence official said that since the last Israeli incursion into Gaza in 2014, Israel had several opportunities to kill him but had refrained from doing so for fear of setting off a war. Even before Israel was founded as an independent state in 1948, those fighting for its creation had long engaged in targeted killings. But the program has raised moral quandaries internally and internationally about the ethics of such actions. In August 2014, Israeli warplanes dropped at least five bombs on a house in the Sheikh Radwan neighborhood in Gaza where Israel believed Mr. Deif was staying. The house was reduced to rubble, and one of his wives, Widad, 28, and their infant son, Ali, were killed, along with another resident and her two teenage sons. Israel thought that the strike had killed him. Although he survived  and subsequently fell into depression, according to the intelligence official  the attack fanned rumors of a security leak among Hamass leadership. Security experts believe that Mr. Deif avoids detection by eschewing digital devices, using notes and couriers, and limiting his contacts to a tight, secret inner circle. The commander, born in the Khan Younis refugee camp in Gaza, rose quickly through the ranks after joining the Islamist organization that became Hamas in the late 1980s. He has orchestrated numerous attacks against Israel, including a series of deadly bus bombings that derailed the peace process in the mid-1990s. He is also credited with building Hamass military wing, the Qassam Brigades, into a fighting machine that can lob rockets against Israel, deploy commandos for naval missions and outmaneuver Israel in the warren of Gazas underground tunnels. Dan Bilefsky and

Advertisement Continue reading the main story

An airstrike killed a 2-year-old and her parents in Gaza, adding to a growing toll. Mourners on Wednesday carried the body of Hassan Salem, who was killed during Israeli bombing of Gaza City. Credit... Hosam Salem for The New York Times Most of the bombing and rocket fire have taken place at night, but violence between Israel and Palestinians continued to flare through the day on Wednesday, despite negotiations for a cease-fire. In Deir al-Balah, a city in central Gaza, an Israeli airstrike on a residential building on Wednesday evening killed a married couple and their 2-year-old daughter, and wounded others, according to Palestinian health authorities. They said the woman was pregnant and her husband had a disability.

Near the West Bank city of Hebron, Israeli soldiers killed a Palestinian woman who had opened fire with an automatic rifle near the entrance to a Jewish settlement, according to the Israeli military. No one else was injured.

Four rockets were fired into northern Israel from Lebanon, and the Israeli military returned fire with artillery, but there were no reported casualties. It was the third such small-scale attack from Lebanese territory since the conflict in Gaza began. It was not clear who was responsible, but Hezbollah has said it did not fire the rockets.

Since May 10, the bombardment in Gaza has killed 227 people, including 64 children, and injured 1,620 people, in addition to leaving thousands homeless, Palestinian authorities said. In addition, they said Israelis had killed 27 Palestinians on the West Bank in unrest that began on May 7.

In Israel, 12 people have been killed by rockets fired from Gaza.

Israeli-Palestinian strife feeds a spate of anti-Semitic acts in Europe. Police officers standing guard outside a synagogue in Frankfurt last week during a demonstration in support of Palestinians. Credit... Kai Pfaffenbach/Reuters Rocks thrown at doors of a synagogue in Bonn, Germany. Israeli flags burned outside a synagogue in Munster. A convoy of cars in North London from which a man chanted anti-Jewish slurs. As the conflict in Israel and Gaza extended into a 10th day on Wednesday, recent episodes like these are fanning concerns among Jewish groups and European leaders that the latest strife in the Middle East is spilling over into anti-Semitic words and actions in Europe. Thousands of demonstrators have gathered on the streets of Paris, Berlin, Vienna and other European cities in mostly peaceful protests over the Israeli bombardment of Gaza, which has killed at least 212 Palestinians, including 61 children. Pro-Palestinian activists and organizers say that solidarity with Palestinians should not be confused with anti-Semitism, and they denounce what they say are attempts to use accusations of anti-Semitism to try to shield Israel from criticism. They say they aim to hold Israel accountable for what they characterize as atrocities against Palestinians. But Moshe Kantor, the president of the European Jewish Congress, warned on Tuesday against geopolitical events 3,000 miles away being used as a pretext to attack Jews. By attacking Jewish targets, they demonstrate they dont hate Jews because of Israel, he said, but rather hate Israel because it is the Jewish homeland. In Germany, where historical memory runs especially deep because of the Holocaust, pro-Palestinian rallies have been held in cities across the west of the country and in the capital, Berlin. Several have descended into violence, including anti-Semitic chants, calls for violence against Israel, desecration of memorials to Holocaust victims and attacks on at least two synagogues. The Central Council of Jews in Germany tweeted a video last Thursday showing protesters in Gelsenkirchen, in western Germany, waving Palestinian and Turkish flags and shouting anti-Jewish slurs. The times in which Jews were cursed in the middle of the street should have long been over, the group wrote. This is pure anti-Semitism, nothing else! The United States on Tuesday criticized President Recep Tayyip Erdogan of Turkey over remarks he made about Israel at a news conference this week. They are murderers, to the point that they kill children who are 5 or 6 years old, he said, and are only are satisfied by sucking blood. Fears that the latest Middle East conflict will aggravate anti-Semitism have also been pronounced in France, which has Europes largest Jewish and Muslim populations, and where the situation in the Middle East has previously boiled over into violence on the countrys streets. In 2014, during Israels invasion of Gaza, protesters in Paris and its suburbs targeted synagogues and Jewish shops, lit smoke bombs, and threw stones and bottles at riot police officers. Some chanted Death to Jews. In London over the weekend, thousands of mostly peaceful demonstrators marched from Hyde Park to the Israeli Embassy in West London. But in an area of North London with a large Jewish population, members of a convoy of cars honked horns and shouted anti-Jewish sentiments. One man chanted that Jewish daughters should be raped. Londons Metropolitan Police said in a statement that four men had been arrested. Owen Jones, a prominent British columnist who has been a vocal supporter of Palestinian rights, warned against conflating Israels actions with Jews as a whole. If youre holding British Jews responsible for the crimes committed by the Israeli state, and trying to terrorize Jews because of what is happening in Palestine, he wrote on Twitter, youre not a Palestinian solidarity activist, youre a nauseating anti-Semite who needs to be comprehensively defeated.

Hamas rocket attack kills two Thai workers in Israel. A Hamas rocket that hit an agricultural community in southern Israel on Tuesday killed two Thai workers. Credit... Maya Alleruzzo/Associated Press Foreign workers have long faced precarious living conditions in Israel, especially during military conflict. And on Tuesday, a Hamas rocket attack killed two Thai workers and wounded at least seven others in a packaging house in southern Israel, Thai and Israeli officials said. Businesses near the border with Gaza are allowed to operate if they have access to a bomb shelter or a safety room, but a local official said the agricultural community where the Thai workers died did not have such a space. That is often the case with such setups, an expert on foreign labor in Israel said. Thai workers come to Israel on temporary programs and live in caravans and containers that are often overcrowded and in poor sanitary conditions, said Yahel Kurlander, a researcher at Tel-Hai College who specializes in Thai workers in Israel. These housings dont have the safety rooms required by law or outlined in the contracts of these workers, who dont have anywhere to hide, she added. Thais make up most of Israels agriculture work force, and tens of thousands live in the country as part of an agreement between the two nations. Investigations by news outlets and rights groups have highlighted their squalid living conditions, low pay and dangerous working situations including the spraying of chemicals. The two workers killed on Tuesday were part of a group of 25 foreigners working at the plant and living in caravans nearby, according to Kan, the Israeli public broadcaster. Thai workers usually do not speak Hebrew and English, Dr. Kurlander said, and are among the most vulnerable populations in Israel. The workers deaths came a week after a Hamas strike killed an Indian woman who worked as a caregiver in Ashkelon. Previous Hamas rocket attacks killed a Thai agricultural worker in Israel in 2014 and injured another in 2018. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said in a briefing on Wednesday that the recent deaths of the foreign workers were one more manifestation of the fact that Hamas indiscriminately targets everyone. Israel has likewise been criticized for the killing of civilians in Gaza in military airstrikes. Those strikes in the past 10 days have killed over 200 Palestinians and wounded more than 1,500 others.

Advertisement Continue reading the main story

An Israeli airstrike killed a Palestinian journalist. Video A funeral was held for Yusef Abu Hussein, a Palestinian reporter working in Gaza overnight who was killed in an Israeli airstrike. He was the first journalist to be killed in the latest Israeli bombardment of the territory. Credit Credit... Mohammed Abed/Agence France-Presse  Getty Images An Israeli airstrike killed a Palestinian reporter working in Gaza overnight Tuesday, the first journalist to be killed in the latest Israeli bombardment of the territory. Throughout the 10-day conflict, journalists working in Gaza have faced increasingly perilous conditions and the Israeli government has faced international criticism for endangering their safety. After an Israeli airstrike destroyed a 12-story building that housed the offices of news organizations including The Associated Press and Al Jazeera on Saturday, the White House press secretary, Jen Psaki, said the United States had raised the issue with the Israeli government. We have communicated directly to the Israelis that ensuring the safety and security of journalists and independent media is a paramount responsibility, Ms. Psaki wrote. Although the building was evacuated, the A.P. said that it had narrowly avoided a terrible loss of life. The journalist killed overnight Tuesday, Yusef Abu Hussein, was a Gaza City resident who worked as a radio journalist at the Hamas-run Aqsa Voice station. The assault also killed three other Palestinians, according to the local news media. On Monday, Israeli warplanes bombed a building that housed the offices of Nawa Online Women Media Network, a news platform affiliated with a womens rights and youth organization, according to a Facebook post from the outlet. In less than a week, Israel has bombed the offices of at least 18 media outlets, Ignacio Miguel Delgado, the Middle East and North Africa representative for the Committee to Protect Journalists, said in a statement on Tuesday. Its difficult to reach any conclusion other than that the Israeli military wants to shut down news coverage of the suffering in Gaza. On Tuesday, Israeli forces assaulted a Palestinian reporter while she was filming an arrest in East Jerusalem, according to her employer, the website Middle East Eye. In a video shared on social media, the reporter, Latifeh Abdellatif, appears in a heated interaction with two Israeli officers before one of them pushes her. Middle East Eye said the officers had then pulled down Ms. Abdellatifs hijab and struck her knee with a baton. Several reporters were also injured in separate incidents last week, according to the Committee to Protect Journalists. That included at least seven injured by rubber bullets fired by Israeli soldiers trying to remove demonstrators from the Temple Mount on May 7, according to Reporters Without Borders.

In Pictures: A day of protest and solidarity. Ramallah, West Bank Nasser Nasser/Associated Press Jaffa, Israel Corinna Kern for The New York Times Hawara checkpoint, near Nablus Jaafar Ashtiyeh/Agence France-Presse  Getty Images Nablus, West Bank Majdi Mohammed/Associated Press Jerusalem's Old City Mahmoud Illean/Associated Press Hebron, West Bank Hazem Bader/Agence France-Presse  Getty Images Bethlehem, West Bank Agence France-Presse  Getty Images slide 1 slide 2 slide 3 slide 4 slide 5 slide 6 slide 7 Palestinians across Israel and the occupied territories rallied together in solidarity on Tuesday. A general strike was followed by street demonstrations.

Israel criticized Chinese state media over a video that asked whether Jews had a powerful lobby. Damaged apartment buildings that Israeli aircraft destroyed in central Gaza this week. Credit... Samar Abu Elouf for The New York Times The Israeli Embassy in Beijing criticized the Chinese state news media on Wednesday for spreading what it called lies and racism in a segment that said successful Jewish businesspeople had too much influence on American foreign policy. In a video posted to its official Twitter account on Tuesday, the overseas arm of Chinas state-owned China Central Television asked why the United States has defended Israel. Jews dominate finance, media and the internet, said a reporter for CGTN, the state broadcaster. So do they have the powerful lobby that some say? Possible. In a response posted on Twitter on Wednesday, the Israeli Embassy in Beijing said that it was disappointed to see these types of messages, and that it hoped CGTN would take down this insulting video that spreads lies and racism. During Israels bombing campaign in the Gaza Strip this month, China has spoken out against the Biden administrations support for Israel. President Biden has not publicly called on Israeli forces to halt their attacks, which Israel says are aimed at Hamas militants and their infrastructure in Gaza, although on he took a tougher stance in a phone call with President Benjamin Netanyahu of Israel on Monday, according to two people familiar with the conversation. Wang Yi, Chinas foreign minister, led a meeting on Sunday to discuss the conflict at the United Nations Security Council, where China holds the rotating presidency this month. Mr Wang called on Israel to lift its blockade of Gaza, a crowded coastal territory where more than two million Palestinians live. The Chinese state news media has condemned the United States for its support of Israel, accusing it of hypocrisy in going after the Chinese government for human rights abuses in Xinjiang while not coming to the aid of Palestinians in the Gaza conflict. In an editorial this week, the Global Times, a Chinese government mouthpiece, wrote that the Biden administration was slapping its own face as it shows indifference to the human rights of Palestinians. It holds the banner of human rights high as the core of this administrations foreign policy, the editorial continued, but turns a blind eye when the human rights of Palestinians are trampled on.

Advertisement Continue reading the main story

Extremists are using WhatsApp groups to plan attacks on Arabs in Israel. A police officer inspecting the car of an Arab Israeli man whom a Jewish mob injured in an attack in Bat Yam last week. Credit... Amir Levy/Getty Images Since violence between Israelis and Palestinians began escalating last week, at least 100 new WhatsApp groups have been formed for the express purpose of committing violence against Palestinians, according to an analysis by The New York Times and FakeReporter, an Israeli watchdog group that studies misinformation. The groups on WhatsApp, the encrypted messaging service owned by Facebook, have names like The Jewish Guard and The Revenge Troops and have added hundreds of new members a day, according to The Timess analysis. The groups, which are in Hebrew, have also been featured on email lists and online message boards used by far-right extremists in Israel. While social media and messaging apps have been used elsewhere to fuel hate speech and violence, these WhatsApp groups go further, researchers said. They explicitly plan and execute violent acts against Arab Israelis. That is far more specific than past WhatsApp-fueled mob attacks in India, where calls for violence were vague and generally not targeted at individuals or businesses, the researchers said. Even the Stop the Steal groups in the United States that organized the Jan. 6 protests in Washington did not openly direct attacks using social media or messaging apps, they said.

On a tarmac in Detroit, Representative Rashida Tlaib confronted Biden on U.S. support for Israel. President Biden talking with Representatives Rashida Tlaib, left, and Debbie Dingell, right, on Tuesday ahead of a visit to the Ford Rouge Electric Vehicle Center. Credit... Doug Mills/The New York Times Representative Rashida Tlaib, Democrat of Michigan, confronted President Biden on Tuesday over his support for Israel amid its bombing campaign against Hamas in Gaza, urging him to stop enabling a government that she said was committing crimes against Palestinians, according to a Democratic aide familiar with the exchange. During a conversation on a tarmac in Detroit, where Mr. Biden had arrived to visit a Ford factory near her congressional district, Ms. Tlaib echoed a scathing speech she delivered last week on the House floor, telling the president that he must do more to protect Palestinian lives and human rights, said the aide, who spoke on the condition of anonymity to describe her remarks. Her comments came as Israel has scaled up its bombing campaign in the past week. Among Democrats in Congress, attitudes toward Israel have grown more skeptical as the party base expresses concern about Israels treatment of the Palestinians. Several high-profile progressive lawmakers including Ms. Tlaib have become increasingly vocal in criticizing Mr. Biden for his stance. There was no immediate comment on the exchange from the White House. Mr. Biden has expressed support for a cease-fire between Israel and Hamas militants in Gaza, but he has not demanded one, and he has continued to assert that Israel has a right to defend itself. Ms. Tlaib told the president that the status quo was enabling more killing, and that his policy of unconditional support for the Israeli government under Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was not working, the aide said. Representative Debbie Dingell, Democrat of Michigan, whose district is home to the Ford F-150 factory that Mr. Biden was visiting and who also greeted him on his arrival, later said that the exchange on the tarmac was part of an important dialogue. It was a very compassionate, honest discussion, she said in a brief interview. But the president doesnt deal with these kinds of issues in public, and he doesnt negotiate in public. Mr. Biden shook Ms. Tlaibs hand after the conversation, and later praised the congresswoman during his public remarks at the factory in Dearborn. I admire your intellect, I admire your passion and I admire your concern for so many other people, Mr. Biden said before referring to Ms. Tlaibs grandmother Muftia Tlaib, who lives in the West Bank. From my heart, I pray that your grandmom and family are well. I promise you, Ill do everything to see that they are. Luke Broadwater and

Advertisement Continue reading the main story
As Israel has focused its firepower on Hamass warren of underground tunnels and infrastructure in the Gaza Strip, it has simultaneously been engaged in a parallel clandestine strategy: a targeted killing campaign against Hamass military leadership.

Israel has tried several times in the current fighting to kill Mohammed Deif, the commander of Hamass military wing, a spokesman for Israel Defense Forces said Wednesday. Mr. Deif, a shadowy figure who has been atop Israels most-wanted list for nearly three decades, has become a symbol of the militant groups resilience.

Throughout the operation, we have tried to assassinate Mohammed Deif, said the spokesman, Brig. Gen. Hidai Zilberman.

Israeli commandos have come close a few times over the years, and Mr. Deif has been wounded, but he has always survived.
Rocks thrown at doors of a synagogue in Bonn, Germany. Israeli flags burned outside a synagogue in Munster. A convoy of cars in North London from which a man chanted anti-Jewish slurs.

As the conflict in Israel and Gaza extended into a 10th day on Wednesday, recent episodes like these are fanning concerns among Jewish groups and European leaders that the latest strife in the Middle East is spilling over into anti-Semitic words and actions in Europe.

Thousands of demonstrators have gathered on the streets of Paris, Berlin, Vienna and other European cities in mostly peaceful protests over the Israeli bombardment of Gaza, which has killed at least 212 Palestinians, including 61 children.

Pro-Palestinian activists and organizers say that solidarity with Palestinians should not be confused with anti-Semitism, and they denounce what they say are attempts to use accusations of anti-Semitism to try to shield Israel from criticism. They say they aim to hold Israel accountable for what they characterize as atrocities against Palestinians.
Greece

State of the virus

Greece is recovering steadily from its latest coronavirus wave, which reached its peak in early April. As of May 18, the average daily case count had fallen to just over 2,000, down from a peak of more than 3,000 on April 5. Similarly, the share of coronavirus tests that are positive dropped to 4.3 percent on May 13 from 6.8 percent on April 1.

Nearly 28 percent of the Greek population had received at least one dose of vaccine as of May 18, while more than 16 percent were fully vaccinated. Those who work in the countrys tourism industry have been prioritized in the vaccine rollout, as have a number of the islands. The countrys health minister announced last week that residents of tourist-heavy islands such as Mykonos, Santorini and Corfu are next in line to receive their doses.

Entry requirements

On arrival in Athens, travelers will need to present a certificate of vaccination, a negative coronavirus test no more than 72 hours old, or proof of recovery from Covid-19 within the past nine months. Passengers may also be subject to random rapid testing at the airport; anyone who tests positive will be put up at a local hotel for at least 10 days, along with their traveling companions, at the expense of the Greek government. Details on the rules of entry can be found here. Anyone planning to fly within the country will be subject to the same requirements as those arriving from abroad.

Greece, like Croatia and five other members of the European Union, began offering vaccination certificates to its citizens on June 1. The certificate program is not yet available to travelers from the United States.

Medical facilities

Greeces medical facilities, which have struggled from years of underfunding, were severely strained during the recent spring Covid-19 wave, but the pressures have eased over the past few weeks. Seventy-eight percent of Greeces intensive care beds were occupied as of May 12, down from 88 percent in late April, according to the Greek governments Covid Observatory. Any visitor who tests positive while in Greece should self isolate and contact a local doctors office if needed; in a medical emergency, dial 166.
Impact on legal abortion States with trigger laws and others deemed likely to ban abortion Abortion clinic Abortion clinic predicted to close Areas farthest away from open abortion clinics will see the sharpest declines in access. States likely to eliminate abortion Predicted decline in legal abortions -40 -35 -30 -25 -20 -15 -10 -5% no change States likely to eliminate abortion Abortion clinic Abortion clinic predicted to close Predicted decline in legal abortions -40 -35 -30 -25 -20 -15 -10 -5% no change States likely to eliminate abortion Abortion clinic Abortion clinic predicted to close Predicted decline in legal abortions -40 -35 -30 -25 -20 -15 -10 -5% no change Source: Researchers estimates

The Supreme Courts decision Monday to hear a case about a Mississippi law that would ban most abortions after 15 weeks could end up weakening or even overturning Roe v. Wade. Depending on the ruling, legal abortion access could effectively end for those living in much of the American South and Midwest, especially those who are poor, according to an analysis updated this week.

In more than half of states, though, legal abortion access would be unchanged, according to the analysis, a version of which we first covered in 2019. (We've updated our reporting along with the analysis.)

A post-Roe United States isnt one in which abortion isnt legal at all, Caitlin Knowles Myers, an economist at Middlebury College and a co-author of the research, said in our earlier report. She obtained and analyzed the new data for The New York Times recently. Its one in which theres tremendous inequality in abortion access.

Today there is at least one abortion clinic in every state, and most women of childbearing age live within an hours drive or so of one, the analysis found. If Roe were overturned, abortion would be likely to quickly become illegal in 22 states. Forty-one percent of women of childbearing age would see the nearest abortion clinic close, and the average distance they would have to travel to reach one would be 279 miles, up from 35 miles now.

Impact on legal abortion States with trigger laws and others deemed likely to ban abortion Kan. Mo. Va. Ky. N.C. Tenn. Okla. S.C. Ark. Miss. Ga. Ala. Clinic predicted to close Texas La. Abortion clinic Fla. Areas farthest away from open abortion clinics will see the sharpest declines in access. States likely to eliminate abortion Predicted decline in legal abortions -40 -35 -30 -25 -20 -15 -10 -5% no change N.C. Tenn. Okla. S.C. Ark. Ala. Miss. Ga. Texas La. Abortion clinic Fla. Clinic predicted to close Predicted decline in legal abortions States likely to eliminate abortion -40 -35 -30 -25 -20 -15 -10 -5% no change Kan. Mo. Va. Ky. Tenn. Okla. S.C. Ark. Miss. Ga. Ala. Texas La. Abortion clinic Clinic predicted to close Fla. States likely to eliminate abortion Predicted decline in legal abortions -40 -35 -30 -25 -20 -15 -10 -5% no change Source: Researchers estimates

As distances to clinics increase, abortion rates decline, research shows. Women who cant afford to travel to a legal clinic or arrange child care or leave from work for the trip are most affected. Also, remaining clinics would not necessarily be able to handle increased demand. A study from a different research team on the effects of abortion clinic closings in Wisconsin showed a similar relationship between increased drive times and the number of abortions performed at clinics.

Without Roe, the number of legal abortions in the United States would be at least 14 percent lower, Professor Myers and her colleagues estimated. That could mean about 100,000 fewer legal abortions a year, they found. The number is impossible to predict precisely, because new clinics could open on state borders, and some people could order abortion pills by mail, or obtain illegal surgical abortions, which may be dangerous.

How changes in driving distance affected the number of abortions in Texas If the clinic originally was ... 250 miles away Chg. in abortion 200 miles away -5% -10% 150 miles away -15% -20% 100 miles away -25% In counties where the clinic was initially five miles away, a 100-mile increase in distance reduced abortions by about 30 percent. -30% 50 miles away -35% -40% 5 miles away -45% +50 miles +100 mi. +150 mi. +200 mi. +250 mi. +300 mi. Chg. in driving distance 250 miles away If the clinic originally was ... Chg. in abortion 200 miles away -5% -10% 150 miles away -15% -20% 100 miles away -25% -30% 50 miles away -35% -40% 5 miles away -45% +50 miles +150 mi. +250 mi. Chg. in driving distance 250 miles away If the clinic originally was ... Chg. in abortion 200 miles away -5% -10% 150 miles away -15% -20% 100 miles away -25% -30% 50 miles away -35% -40% 5 miles away -45% +50 miles +150 mi. +250 mi. Chg. in driving distance

Ordering pills by mail has become easier during the pandemic: The Biden administration has said doctors can use telemedicine to prescribe pills that cause abortions early in pregnancy. The doctors can then mail the pills directly to patients, easing the usual requirement for an in-person visit. That could increase abortion access in states that continue to allow the procedure, but the policy is tied to the Covid-19 public health emergency, and is not permanent. States that seek to ban or regulate abortions could restrict telemedicine abortions, too, and many already do.

The Mississippi law that the Supreme Court will consider would ban most abortions after 15 weeks (women usually find out theyre pregnant after at least four weeks). That is about two months earlier than Roe and later decisions allow a ban (the exceptions are for a medical emergency or severe fetal abnormality). The justices will consider whether laws restricting abortions earlier than the Roe threshold of fetal viability are unconstitutional.

The court could decide to reaffirm Roe; or to chip away at abortion rights while upholding Roe; or to overturn it completely. Legal scholars said the appointment of Justice Amy Coney Barrett, who replaced Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg last year, might have changed the calculus of whats possible, as has the courts decision to take this case. The decision is likely to be delivered sometime next year. In her confirmation hearings, Judge Barrett declined to give her views on abortion law.

If the Mississippi law is upheld, it will allow other states to enact or enforce similar laws. In the last few years, many states have passed laws limiting access to abortion. Gov. Greg Abbott of Texas on Wednesday signed a bill that would ban abortion as early as six weeks into a pregnancy, before many women know they are pregnant, and allow individuals to sue abortion providers who break the law. Analysts said that it was a new strategy intended to slow down abortion providers by forcing them to respond to lawsuits.

I think its more likely now that we would see them frontally reverse Roe v. Wade than even a year ago, said Katherine Franke, director of the center for gender and sexuality law at Columbia. But they dont need to. They could certainly accomplish the same end by keeping Roe on paper, but they would have hollowed it out so entirely that it would give a green light to conservative state legislatures to enact laws that essentially overrule Roe.

Anti-abortion activists and politicians who have sought the elimination of Roe have long pinned their hopes on this strategy, because passing abortion restrictions through Congress has proved difficult. Nationwide, a majority of Americans support legal abortion access in some or all cases. But in addition to restrictions based on time limits, as in Mississippi, states have passed laws that require abortion providers to have hospital admitting privileges; require women seeking abortions to wait for long intervals; or restrict the kinds of abortion procedures that are allowed.

It would be a whole lot better for abortion policy if the states were allowed to have their regulations stood up and unchallenged, Charmaine Yoest, a former president of Americans United for Life, said in our earlier report. You would have the laws reflecting the folks in those states, and thats what American federalism is supposed to be.

Ms. Yoest noted that not every state that would pursue new abortion regulations would necessarily ban the procedure.

Long travel distances are already a challenge for women in some areas. In parts of Missouri and Mississippi, where state officials have worked hard to limit abortions, many women live 250 or more miles from the nearest abortion clinic, far enough that their access wouldnt be changed much if abortion were outlawed. In other parts of the country, like the Northeast and the West Coast, where there isn't much support for abortion restrictions, abortion access is also unlikely to change.

Ten states have passed so-called trigger laws, which would automatically ban all abortions without Roe. An additional 12 states are considered highly likely to pass new abortion bans in a new legal environment, based on recent legislative action and state court rulings. Changes in state politics have made other states, like Wisconsin, less likely to do so.

In a post-Roe United States, greater power to regulate abortion is turned to the states, Professor Myers said, and state politics becomes even more important.

The estimates are based on two elements: research of how recent clinic closings in Texas affected abortion rates among women whose driving distance to providers increased, and two sets of assumptions about which states might outlaw abortion if Roe were overturned.

The research was published in 2019 in the journal Contraception by Professor Myers; Rachel K. Jones, a sociologist at the Guttmacher Institute, a research group that supports reproductive rights; and Ushma Upadhyay, an associate professor at the University of California, San Francisco. It was updated for The New York Times last year by Professor Myers to account for changes in state laws and the locations of abortion clinics. Since then, despite extensive state legislative activity on abortion regulation, no state has passed a law that would change its category.
Any day now, our insect neighbors will host a once-in-a-cicada-lifetime party. Billions of cicadas, part of a cohort called Brood X, will emerge from underground tunnels to sing, mate and die across the eastern United States. Like any good party, the emergence will be loud. It will be crowded. And everyones invited.

The Activities

SingingThe party will be announced by a cacophony of cicada song, as the males begin to gather in a treetop chorus to call for mates.

MatingThe Brood X females wont sing in the chorus, but they have plenty of other activities to keep them occupied. After mating, a female cicada needs to choose a tree that will safely harbor her offspring for the next seventeen years. Then she will use a saw-like appendage called an ovipositor to insert her eggs into a young branch.

DyingThe frenzy of singing, mating and egg laying will last just four to six weeks. Then the adult cicadas will die and fall to the ground, creating piles of brown carcasses underneath the trees.

The Soundtrack

The Brood X cohort actually consists of three different cicada species. The males of each species sing a distinctive song to attract others to their chorus. Males also have additional songs for courting nearby females, and they can make a rough, buzzing alarm if theyre picked up or handled.

Calling song of each Brood X cicada species Magicicada cassini Magicicada septendecim Magicicada septendecula Source: University of Connecticut

Male cicadas sing by using their muscles to flex ribbed structures called tymbals. A hollow air chamber inside the abdomen is thought to amplify their song. Females dont have tymbals and cant sing, but they respond to males by flicking their wings to make a faint clicking sound. Tymbal Air chamber 0.25 inches

Directions

Brood X  or the Great Eastern Brood  is one of the largest periodical cicada broods in the United States. The insects are expected to emerge this year in at least 15 states, including in cities like Baltimore, Indianapolis, Cincinnati and Washington, D.C.

Periodical cicadas occur throughout the eastern United States but are relatively rare across the world. Outside of North America, there are eight year periodical cicadas in Fiji and four year cicadas in India.

Brood X Other periodical cicada broods N.Y. Mich. Pa. Philadelphia N.J. Baltimore Ohio Del. Ill. Indianapolis Washington, D.C. Md. Cincinnati W.Va. Ind. Va. Ky. N.C. Tenn. S.C. Ga. Brood X Other periodical cicada broods N.Y. Mich. Pa. Philadelphia N.J. Baltimore Ohio Del. Ill. Indianapolis Washington, D.C. Md. Cincinnati W.Va. Ind. Va. Ky. N.C. Tenn. S.C. Ga. Brood X Other periodical cicada broods N.Y. Mich. Pa. Philadelphia N.J. Baltimore Ohio Del. Ill. Indianapolis Washington, D.C. Md. Cincinnati W.Va. Ind. Va. Ky. N.C. Tenn. S.C. Ga. Brood X Other periodical cicada broods N.Y. Mich. Pa. Philadelphia N.J. Ohio Baltimore Del. Indianapolis Washington, D.C. Md. Cincinnati W.Va. Ind. Va. Ky. N.C. Tenn. S.C. Ga. Brood X Other periodical cicada broods N.Y. Mich. Pa. N.J. Ohio Del. Ind. Md. W.Va. Va. Ky. N.C. Tenn. S.C. Ga. Source: U.S.D.A. Forest Service  Note: Published in 2013. Brood distributions can change or even disappear completely if environment conditions become unsuitable. Some cicadas emerge several years early or late.

Throughout history, periodical cicadas have been carefully tracked and mapped by agencies like the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Today, many scientists use community science projects like the Cicada Safari phone app to track the broods. Anyone using the app can take a photo of their neighborhood cicadas to contribute to the mapping effort.

The Menu

Thousands of Brood X cicadas will be eaten by hungry predators ranging from birds to small mammals  likely even some household pets. These cicadas have few defenses. They dont bite or sting, and they arent toxic or poisonous. Instead, their survival strategy seems to consist of emerging in such overwhelming numbers that the areas predators cant possibly eat them all. As for the cicadas themselves, they feed by drinking a watery fluid inside the xylem of trees and plants.

Attire

As Brood X begins to emerge, you may see brown, cicada-shaped suits attached to trees or on the ground. These are leftover casings shed by the immature cicadas as they become adults.

During their 17 years in the ground, Brood X cicadas shed their skin four times as they move through their life cycle. The immature underground cicadas, called nymphs, also leave behind tunnels from their journey to the surface, which you may notice as tiny holes in the ground.

When they first crawl out of their nymphal skin, adult cicadas are the color of a slightly green toasted marshmallow. As they complete their transition into adults, their bodies will gradually harden and turn black. Brood X cicadas are known for their charismatic red eyes, though a rare few may have other colors, like blue or white. Newly emerged adult Shed nymphal skin 0.5 inches

R.S.V.P.

The Brood X cicadas are due to appear aboveground from early May into June, depending on the weather. Although some stragglers can emerge early, the mass emergence usually begins after the soil temperature warms to 64 degrees Fahrenheit.

If you miss this party, the next one wont be until 2024, when Broods XIII and XIX emerge throughout Illinois, other parts of the Midwest as well as the southern United States.
Matt Kucharski

In the June 2020 issue of ODwyers, my colleagues at Padilla and I laid out six predictions that we believed would come to bear once we emerged from the COVID-19 pandemic. Our intention was to look beyond the challenge of the day and share thoughts on what professional communicators would be managing over the long term. In the interests of holding ourselves accountable, we thought we would see how we did roughly one year later.

First, lets acknowledge where we missed:

Our predictions were written and submitted before George Floyd was killed by policeand before the nation experienced subsequent protests, violence and destructionlaying plain the long-simmering frustration of racial injustice and social inequities present in our society. These events sparked a widespread evaluation and acceleration of DE&I commitments and actions that we hope will continue.

We had a presidential election that was anything but routine, with allegations of fraud, a sitting president unwilling to concede and an unprecedented attack on the Capitol. The wave of attempted state-level election reformsmost based on unfounded claimshas resulted in corporate leaders speaking out against voter suppression, which affirms that companies who had normally tried to remain under the radar now are being compelled to make their opinions known to employees, customers, investors and communities.

And this damn pandemic. I think most of us were hopeful that we would be returning to some sense of normalcy at the beginning of the year, but here we are well into 2021 and while theres light at the end of the tunnel and many of us have gotten at least that first jab, the fatigue is reaching its limits.

This article is featured in O'Dwyer's May '21 PR Firm Rankings Magazine

(view PDF version)

To be fair, we werent the only ones who werent able to predict these events, so that being said, lets look at where we hit the mark and whats next for brands and communicators.

New stakes for engagement and culture

The Prediction: Smart businesses would use the stress of the past year to anticipate and adjust to what kind of employer they wanted to be over the long term, emphasizing the need for employees to be agile and resilient and involving them in shaping the future.

The Evidence: A recent article in Beckers Hospital Review highlighted how health systems across the country are using employee feedback to bounce back from the pandemic and using the strategic communications tools they created during COVID-19.

LinkedIn is leveraging Microsoft Viva, an analytics tool, to survey employees and use that feedback to improve employee well-being after the pandemic more accurately and continuously. Given numerous studies point to a post-pandemic exodus of employees from their current jobs, an emphasis on employee experience and workplace culture will continue for the foreseeable future.

Reinventing the customer experience

The Prediction: Innovations introduced during COVID-19 to prevent lost revenue, including re-imagination of digital experiences, would not revert after the pandemic.

The Evidence: OkCupid frequently uses customer surveys to gauge values and behaviors. The online dating app leveraged that feedback to incorporate a new feature related to finding a date who is passionate about climate change. For every Advocate Profile Badge that someone adds to their dating profile, OkCupid will donate a dollar to earthday.org.

Audi has launched a new flagship store where the latest innovations from the fields of sustainability, architecture and digitalization intersect. Digital points of contact throughout the location make it more than your average auto showroom. For many companies, the pandemic ushered in changes to the customer experience that theyve been wanting to implement for years.

Fighting anxiety with clarity, transparency

The Prediction: Companies requiring financial communications will need to be more diligent about communicating at key inflection points to reduce uncertainty and put important events in perspective.

The Evidence: More than 60 leading public companies have signed on to support the World Economic Forums Stakeholder Capitalism Metrics, which outline a commitment to adopt a set of universal, comparable disclosures of Environmental, Social and Governance factors and help assure progress toward U.N. Sustainable Development Goals.

A few short years ago, it would have been unheard of for companies from different industries to agree to adhere to common metrics on social responsibility.

The rise of legal disputes

The Prediction: Lawsuits challenging how businesses and government entities respond to re-opening would require legal and communications departments to stay in lockstep.

The Evidence: Next to public relations professionals, some of the busiest people during this pandemic have been in the legal profession. New Jersey parents have sued to re-open schools after COVID-19 closures. The State of California has sued the countrys largest chain of senior living communities for misleading consumers on quality ratings relating to COVID-19, and theres a cottage industry of lawyers writingand challengingemployee and customer liability waivers.

Community relations gains relevance

The Prediction: Corporate community relations will shift toward addressing inequities in food, health, education and other basic needs. The pandemic and the death of George Floyd exposed gaps in these systems.

The Evidence: Examples exist across the board in every state and in every industry. Retail giants Walmart and Sams Club are teaming with Feeding America. A coalition of 35 Minnesota-based companies pooled resources to deliver $2.35 million in grants to address the states digital divide. The University of Minnesota launched a $5 million anti-racism health equity research program with funding from Padilla client Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota.

Whats next?

The challenge for communicators is to hold onto the strategic seat at the table they earned by being essential to their companys success during the pandemic. Across a wide range of industries, were seeing communicators rise to the occasion and engage more strategically and more meaningfully with the C-Suite, which is a positive outcome after an incredibly challenging 18 months.

***

Matt Kucharski is President of Padilla, based in Minneapolis with six offices across the U.S. Padilla is part of the AVENIR GLOBAL network of agencies.
Duluth, Minnesota is looking for a marketing agency that can elevate the citys brand and inspire visitors to choose the location for their next travel experience.
The companys MOU with China-based C&D Group Co Ltd contemplates the purchase of 600,000 tonnes per annum of high-grade silica sand from the Beharra Project.

The company has three sites for high purity silica and construction sand products all based in Western Australia

( ) substantial holder Delphi Unternehmensberatung AG has increased its stake in the silica sand explorer and developer from 8.22% to 11.56%.

German-based Delphi, a prolific investor in Australian resources companies, increased its holding to 55.1 million shares from 39.1 million through purchases made this month at A$0.08.

MOU for Beharra silica sand offtake

The company recently signed an MOU with China-based C&D Group Co Ltd, which covers indicative interest to purchase 600,000 tonnes per annum of high-grade silica sand from the Beharra Project in Western Australia.

C&D Group is a wholly-owned division of Xiamen C&D Co and its core business is supply chain sourcing and operations, with activities in a broad array of business sectors, including:

Metals and minerals;

Pulp and paper;

Food and Textiles;

Agriculture; and

Energy and chemicals.

Looking forward

Negotiations around final product attributes, product pricing and payment terms will progress in coming months, with more definitive pricing discussions subject to the outcomes of the recently announced white-sand testing program, for which a drilling program is being finalised.

Results of the white sand only bulk metallurgical testing program that will underpin these product and pricing discussions is expected to be finalised in July 2021.
The US Agency for International Development seeks PR partners to help bolster democracy in Ukraine and the country's integration into Europe.
Chris Myers, Chad Horrell

DCI Group selects Chris Myers and Chad Horrell to serve as co-chairs of its new bipartisan state and local practice group. Myers, who has been with DCI since 2005, advises clients on public affairs and government relations strategies. Before joining DCI, he was executive director of the Progress for America 527, deputy national political director for President George W. Bushs reelection campaign and senior press aide to the Senate Republican Conference and chairman Rick Santorum. Horrell manages DCIs multi-faceted issue advocacy campaigns focused on federal and state legislative affairs. He also worked on the successful election of Tim Kaine as governor in Virginia. As we begin to reimagine our next 25 years, we will continue to prioritize and reshape our company to most effectively serve the evolving needs of our clients at the federal, state, and local levels. Announcing Chris and Chad as our bipartisan co-chairs is the first step in that direction, said DCI Group co-founder and CEO Doug Goodyear.

Ali Marmaduke

Hill+Knowlton Strategies appoints Ali Marmaduke as creative strategist. Based in Amsterdam, Marmaduke will work with teams across Continental Europe and be part of the global network of creative, content, media, data and digital specialists. He previously worked as a planner and brand strategist at advertising and design agencies including Havas Lemz, Isobar and DesignBridge. "With his deep experience and wide industry recognition, Ali will add new perspective to H+K's creativity agenda in the region and help clients meet the challenges of complex issues and assignments in bold and innovative ways, said H+K SVP Continental Europe Melanie Faithfull Kent. Marmadukes hire follows the creation of the agencys Amsterdam Innovation + Creative hub.

Katelyn Davis

Antenna Group, a PR and digital marketing agency specializing in cleantech, mobility, real estate, health and emerging B2B technology, appoints Katelyn Davis as director of mobility. Davis will be the first Antenna member based in Detroit. She was previously director, automotive & mobility at Lambert. At Antenna, Davis will provide strategic counsel across the agencys mobility client portfolio and support business development and client networking initiatives. Katelyn brings an exciting mix of automotive marketing and public policy experience to the Antenna team, as well as a fantastic network of industry relationships, said Antenna CEO Keith Zakheim.

Shea Gorden

Dunn Pellier Media promotes Shea Gorden from publicist to director of public relations. Gorden has been with the agency since 2017. In her new role, she will focus on leading the culture, training, and development of the agencys workforce. She will also continue to consult with clients and guide Dunn Pelliers account services team. Shea has kept some of our longest-running clients happy and satisfied with her results-oriented campaigns, said Dunn Pellier CEO and founder Nicole Dunn. Her individual commitment to a collaborative group effort to strengthen our public relations teams and systems enabled us to work together with the common vision of company growth.
Brazils competition authority (CADE) has invited the OECD to assess the Brazilian public procurement framework in light of the OECD Recommendation and the Guidelines for Fighting Bid Rigging in Public Procurement. During the process, the OECD assessed the main rules governing public procurement in Brazil at the federal level as well as procurement practices of major federal procurers. The OECDs assessment was presented in a report including recommendations to improve competition in public procurement and an accompanying highlights brochure. As part of the project, the OECD also: trained senior public procurement officials on the risks of bid-rigging, the forms it can take and OECD good practices to design competitive tenders;

trained senior officials from various public organisations on actions for damages for harm caused by anticompetitive acts; and

delivered a training manual for procurement officials. Background Bid rigging in public tenders involves firms conspiring to raise prices or lower the quality of their bid. It is an illegal anti-competitive practice which costs governments and taxpayers billions of dollars every year across the world. A significant share of cartel enforcement in many OECD countries concerns bids rigging cases. This shows that there is awareness of the importance of stopping collusive practices, but also that there is room to improve compliance with competition rules in public procurement and ensure that the public sector buys the right thing, at the right price. The OECD Recommendation and the Guidelines for Fighting Bid Rigging in Public Procurement were designed to reduce the risks of bid rigging through careful design of the procurement process and to help detect bid rigging conspiracies.


COUNCILLOR Frank Moran has asked Offaly county council to procure the Bank of Ireland in Clara for the purposes of setting up a working hub. He said this could be done under the rural regeneration fund.

"The Ulster Bank is gone from Clara and the Bank of Ireland is finishing in September. That has all the infrastructure in place to produce a remote working hub in Clara with all the infrastructure in place,'' he said at this month's meeting of Tullamore Municipal District.

"Rather than waiting until it closes. Could we link in with them for the benefit of the town of Clara," he asked.
Offaly County Council are hosting a children's workshop to discuss the heritage of one of Offaly ruined castles.

Offaly County Council actually owns two castles one in Blundell Park in Edenderry and one at Syngefield, Birr where there are earthworks and footings of the building to be seen.

The castle at Blundell is currently fenced off and visually divided from the park. The plan is to carry out conservation works and to have it as part of the park which is also undergoing improvements.

"As part of this project, we are arranging some community outreach events that are being led by the Irish Heritage School  with current restrictions we are starting with an online childrens workshop and then an online talk. As the year progresses we hope to have more on-site activity," the council said.

On May 29, the council are hosting a family-friendly "Life in Medieval Times" children's workshop, and on May 31,will host a public information evening on the castle, discussing both the historical context, as well as the current site works and future plans.

Further information is contained HERE where reservations for each event can also be made.
Met Eireann has issued a number of weather warnings as stormy weather is set to hit Ireland in the coming days.

A Status Yellow Wind Warning has been issued for Cork and Kerry.

Met Eireann is warning that from midnight on Wednesday to midnight on Thursday, southerly winds, later veering westerly, will reach mean speeds of 50 to 65 km/h with gusts of 80 to 110 km/h. Higher gusts possible in coastal areas

Met Eireann has also issued a Status Yellow Rainfall warning for Clare, Cork, Kerry, Waterford, Galway and Mayo.

Met Eireann is warning that from midnight on Wednesday to midnight on Thursday, there will be rainfall amounts of 30 to 50 mm with some localised flooding. Highest totals in mountainous areas

Status Yellow -  Wind & Rainfall Warning 



To view our latest warnings visit our website & click on the relevant tab each day https://t.co/l8JdKfwZt9https://t.co/njxY3RB9TQ pic.twitter.com/3i2TpLwx6H  Met Eireann (@MetEireann) May 19, 2021

There is also a Yellow Marine Warning in place. Southeasterly winds veering westerly will reach gale force 8 at times on all Irish coastal waters and on the Irish Sea, reaching strong gale force 9 from Carnsore Point to Roches Point to Loop Head. The gale warning is for all coasts of Ireland and on the Irish Sea from 1am on Thursday until 9am on Friday.

There is a Status Orange Storm force warning from Mizen Head to Valentia. This warning is in place from 10am on Thursday until 7pm on Thursday
What's Included

With a Digital Only subscription, you'll receive unlimited access to our website and e-edition. Our digital products are available 24/7 and are accessible anywhere, anytime.

If you have any questions or need further assistance, please call our customer service team at 716-372-3121 or email nfinnerty@oleantimesherald.com.
AZI is an emerging ASX-listed exploration and development company focused on unlocking dormant value at the Gorno Zinc Project in northern Italy.

Alta aims to extend thick high-grade mineralisation at Pian Bracca and Ponente zones within Gorno Project to underpin a new resource estimate.

( ) managing director Geraint Harris has demonstrated his confidence in the companys base metals strategy by participating in a recent placement.

The company received commitments from professional and sophisticated investors for a placement to raise $3.75 million before costs on March 24.

Following the approval of shareholders at a general meeting on May 18, Harris acquired 20 million direct shares with a total value of $100,000 in a direct interest, increasing the number of securities held to 100,344,298.

New drill targets at Gorno Project

The company recently outlined a large chargeability response over an area of 750 metres by 250 metres, which extends the exploration footprint of the Gorno Zinc Project in northern Italy.

Positive results were received from a geophysical survey over an untested area between the historic mining areas at Ponente (west), Pian Bracca (south) and Malanotte (north).

Based on this success, Alta is confident that the method can be further utilised at several other sites across the companys exploration licence to quickly and efficiently explore for potential mineralisation which may offer further rapid resource growth.
Canada's chief public health officer said Tuesday she expects Canadians who got the Oxford-AstraZeneca in the first round of vaccinations will be able to choose which vaccine they get for their second dose.
Laws are meant to protect civilians during war and alleviate their suffering. Australia must ensure both Hamas and Israel are held accountable when they breach them.
Former president Donald Trump faces two probes into his companys finances, one by the Manhattan District Attorney and another by New Yorks attorney general Letitia James.
The US President greatly increased pressure on Israel to end the war with the Palestinians, telling Benjamin Netanyahu that he expected significant de-escalation by days end.
A busy morning in Englands top flight also saw Arsenal and West Ham win with the top five and a final-day scramble set to decide the European spots.
Families from both sides of the latest escalation of violence in Israel and Gaza are struggling to provide stable living conditions for their children, with some refusing to leave their homes for safety.
The Irish budget carrier, a vocal critic of state bailouts for legacy competitiors, hailed the ruling by judges in Luxembourg. It said aid granted to TAP and KLM only succeded in "rewarding inefficiency."
Agrimin Ltd (ASX:AMN) is listed on the Australian Securities Exchange.

Agrimin signs binding offtake agreement with Chinas major potash importer

Agrimin Limited (ASX:AMN) has signed a binding offtake agreement with Sinochem Fertilizer Macao Limited for the annual supply of 150,000 tonnes of sulphate of potash (SOP) produced from the Mackay Potash Project for sale and distribution in China.

Sinochem Fertilizer Macao is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Sinofert Holdings Limited, which is listed on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange (HKEX:00297) and whose controlling shareholder is China National Chemical Corporation Limited, a Chinese state-owned enterprise.

China is the world's largest SOP market and currently accounts for more than half of all global SOP demand.

Sinofert is the country's largest crop nutrition company and plays a pivotal role in liaising with global potash suppliers to ensure uninterrupted potash supply.



"Important supply channel"

Agrimin CEO Mark Savich said: "Sinochem Fertilizer Macao is a Tier 1 offtake partner and we welcome this long-term relationship with China's main importer of potash to create an important supply channel for Agrimin's SOP into the world's largest SOP market.

"This large tonnage, long-term supply deal with Sinochem Fertilizer Macao is testament to the quality and scale of the Mackay Potash Project.

"It is also further evidence of the considerable interest in the environmental and organic credentials of Agrimin's SOP product.

"We are at an advanced stage of negotiations with other major fertiliser companies in different regions and we expect to announce further developments in the near term to underpin project financing."
Staunch conservative Friedrich Merz has lost many power struggles within the Christian Democratic Union. Now he's throwing his weight behind struggling chancellor candidate Armin Laschet  to get what in return?
Franziska Giffey has resigned after coming under fire over allegations of plagiarism for a dissertation submitted in 2010. The minister maintains that she wrote her thesis in good faith.
A nurse who cared for UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson when he was in intensive care after being diagnosed with COVID-19 has resigned from the profession.
The U.S. Secretary of State and Russia's foreign minister will meet ahead of a proposed summit between President Joe Biden and Vladimir Putin.
Australians can donate to a number of relief efforts underway to help those impacted by the escalation in fighting in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
Eurasia Review 12 May 2021

By Dr. Alon Ben-Meir*



When Biden was running for president, he made it clear that if elected he would chart a new course..
Sky News 19 May 2021

The Eurovision Song Contest is officially under way this year, with the first semi-final taking place in Rotterdam on Tuesday..
A network of barbers and stylists in Maryland combat vaccine hesitancy by removing barriers and leveraging trust in communities of color.


Thousands of migrants spent the night in shelters after arriving in the Spanish city. Spain and the EU are pointing the finger at the Moroccan border authorities.
More people from outside the EU may soon be able to visit the bloc if they meet certain COVID-19 requirements. Member states must..

Deutsche Welle 03 May 2021
Various clinical and pre-clinical trials are coming up across its two main drug candidates

( ) ( ) said it is confident that it is well positioned to advance its drug development programs "to their next respective value inflection points".

In final results on Tuesday the company said it continued to progress a pipeline of drugs to treat rare cancers and autoimmune and inflammatory diseases.

One of these is an investigational new technology to treat COVID-19 infections by using a nasal delivery system to directly deliver monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) into the lungs.

Preclinical studies are ongoing and Tiziana said it hopes to begin a trial investigating the delivery of an anti-IL-6R mAb to the lungs using a portable nasal delivery system.

This treatment could be useful for different variants of COVID-19 and we are exploring these in an upcoming preclinical study, it said.

Tiziana also plans to develop subcutaneous delivery of anti_IL-6R mAb for treatment of acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) and other inflammatory conditions.

On Foralumab, the companys lead product candidate in immunology, Phase 2 studies are due to shortly begin with orally administration of the drug for Crohn's Disease and nasally administered Foralumab for progressive multiple sclerosis.

For Milciclib, where intellectual property has been in-licensed from Nerviano Medical Sciences, a Phase 2b clinical trial is planned in people with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) with Milciclib in combination with a Tyrosine kinase inhibitors such as Regorafenib or Sorafenib.

The company said it also intends to evaluate Milciclib in combination with standard of care treatments for other solid tumour indications.

An agreement was recently made with Takanawa Japan for a strategic business development plan to identify a clinical partner for further clinical development of Milciclib for treatment in advanced HCC patients.

We believe the positive clinical activity in advanced HCC and other cancers warrant immediate further development in Japan and other Asian countries where the prevalence of this cancer is relatively high, and the current available therapies are not entirely satisfactory, the company said.

The accounts showed cash of 48.2mln in the bank at the end of December, after a year when the company made a loss before tax of 21.8mln as R&D and operating costs increased.
Eurasia Review 29 May 2021

By Michael Eisenstadt*



Since the creation of the Islamic Republic in 1979, Iran has distinguished itself (along with..
Boris Johnson has said post-Brexit trade deals provide a "massive opportunity" for UK farmers - rejecting a claim from the SNP that a tariff-free agreement with Australia would see farmers "lose their livelihoods".
The US president stepped up pressure on Israel during a call with prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu, according to the White House.
Eurasia Review 17 May 2021

I lived as best I could, and then I died.

Be careful where you step: the grave is wide -- (Epitaph for a Palestinian..
Lawmakers condemned recent antisemitic incidents in Germany and said Israel has a right to self-defense. Some political leaders called for a two-state solution for Israelis and Palestinians.
The New York AG joining the Manhattan DA in a criminal investigation into the Trump Organization is just the latest legal issue for the ex-president.


Eurasia Review 08 May 2021

By Jason Hamilton, Rosemarie Wilde, and Jason Wimberly*



Since the start of the Arab Spring, Russia has sought increased..
The US president told Israel's prime minister that he expects a "significant" reduction in the military confrontation with Palestinians, marking a sharpening of public tone from the White House toward the close US ally.
By RNZ Covid-19 Response Minister Chris Hipkins is still optimistic all New Zealand adults will be vaccinated against the coronavirus by the end of the year, despite a report suggesting otherwise.A review by the Auditor-General...
If enough evidence is found, the Trump Organization could face criminal charges from two New York prosecutors: the New York State Attorney General and the Manhattan District Attorney.
The company has signed a binding HOA to acquire the La Sorpresa III tenement which is contiguous to the northwest licence boundary of Comets main Santa Teresa Gold Project tenement.

La Sorpresa III was historically mined at recovered grades of up to 280 g/t gold and produced between 100,000 and 200,000 ounces.

Comet Resources Limited ( ) has executed a binding heads of agreement (HOA) with American International Ventures Inc (AIVN) for the proposed 100% acquisition of the La Sorpressa III tenement in Mexico.

The tenement lies to the northwest of Comets Santa Teresa Gold Project tenement, sharing a tenement boundary proximate to the area of historical drilling at the Santa Teresa project.

Comet has a 90-day exclusivity period under the HOA to conduct due diligence in return for payment of a non-refundable exclusivity fee of US$25,000 and upon completion of the transaction, the La Sorpresa III tenement will be transferred from AIVNs Mexican subsidiary into a newly established Mexican company.

Notably, La Sorpresa III was historically mined at recovered grades of up to 280 g/t gold and produced between 100,000 and 200,000 ounces with mineralisation interpreted to be an extension of the system that hosts the companys existing JORC resource at Santa Teresa - providing scope for a potential resource upgrade.

Resource upgrade potential

The Aurora and Princessa veins are both on the La Sorpresa III tenement which Comet managing director Matthew OKane said made the addition of the tenement to the project very exciting.

He said: The addition of La Sorpresa III to the Santa Teresa Project is potentially transformational.

Our existing JORC resource is in the northwestern corner of our existing tenement package and it's open at the boundary with La Sorpresa III.

With La Sopresa III we will have the opportunity to test the interpreted northwestern extension of mineralisation for inclusion into future resource updates.

The mineralised system of quartz veins upon which Comets existing JORC mineral resource estimate for the project is based is interpreted to extend onto the tenement being acquired, providing a clear opportunity for resource upside.

Santa Teresa Gold Project showing the historical drilling and JORC resource locations, as well as the location of the La Sorpresa III tenement and the location of historical underground workings on that tenement.

Drilling planning underway

The drilling permit for the Santa Teresa Gold Project has recently been issued by the Environmental Impact and Risk department of the Baja California Sub-Delegation for Environmental Protection and Natural Resources.

This milestone paves the way for the commencement of diamond drilling at the project.

Comet is now finalising the details of its proposed Santa Teresa drilling program and engaging a drilling contractor to perform the works, with the aim that the program begins as soon as possible.

Acquisition terms

The terms of the acquisition include:

(Comet has the right to acquire a 51% interest in the tenement through acquiring 51% of the shares in the new company (first option shares), free from encumbrances, in consideration for Comet paying AIVN a total of A$600,000 to be satisfied with $400,000 in Comet Shares at an issue price equal to the 20-day VWAP prior to first completion; and $200,000 in cash, at first completion;

The Comet shares issued in accordance with clause (a) will be subject to a voluntary holding lock and may only be traded as: One third  freely trading from first completion; One third  escrowed for 6 months from first completion; and One third  escrowed for 12 months from first completion.

Pursuant to the HOA Comet will have the right to acquire the remaining 49% interest in the tenement, at any time after first completion, through acquiring the remaining 49% of the shares in Newco (second option shares), free from encumbrances, in consideration for Comet paying AIVN a total of A$500,000 to be satisfied as follows: $300,000 in Comet shares at an issue price equal to the 20 day VWAP prior to second completion; and $200,000 in cash, at second completion and, in addition to the above, Newco granting to AIVN a 1.5% net smelter return royalty.

The Comet shares issued in accordance with clause (c) will be subject to a voluntary holding lock and may only be traded as follows: One third  freely trading from second completion; One third  escrowed for 6 months from second completion; and One third  escrowed for 12 months from second completion.

Subject to first completion occurring, Comet agrees to free carry AIVN in relation to all company expenditure incurred by the new company for three years following first completion (the dilution formula in the formal agreements will apply); and

A standard form shareholders agreement or JV agreement will be entered into as part of the formal agreements, which will cover, amongst other things, Comet being appointed manager of the tenement throughout the term of the formal agreements, board or management committee representatives, rights of pre-emption, funding calls to shareholders from the manager, dilution for non-participating shareholders at a rate of 1% for each A$12,000 and matters requiring unanimous consent etc.

The agreement will also provide that, if a shareholder reduces its interest to 10% or less in the new company through dilution, that shareholder will immediately transfer its remaining shares to the other shareholder and will be granted a 1.5% net smelter return royalty.
The U.S. and Russian foreign ministers are meeting in Iceland on Wednesday evening to gauge the enormous gulf between the rival powers and confirm a potential summit between Presidents Joe Biden and Vladimir Putin...
EXCLUSIVE: Former President George W. Bush told Fox News on Wednesday that Iran is "dangerous" for stability in the Middle East and the world, while warning that a two-state solution amid the Israeli-Palestinian conflict will be "very difficult at this stage."
Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto on Tuesday condemned the EUs one-sided statements on Israel, as his European counterparts called for a ceasefire between Israel and the Palestinians. I have a general problem with these European statements on Israel, Szijjarto told AFP in an interview. These are usually very much one-sided, and these statements do not []
The US and Russian foreign ministers are meeting in Iceland on Wednesday evening to gauge the enormous gulf between the rival powers and confirm a potential summit between Presidents Joe Biden and Vladimir Putin. Statements preceding the face-to-face talks on the sidelines of the Arctic Council meeting in Iceland do not bode well for the []
It was only 200 metres from the Moroccan beach to Spains Ceuta enclave but swimming fully clothed is exhausting, with many calling for help from a nearby police rescue boat. Daylight is just beginning to break over Tarajal beach on Ceutas southern border with Morocco and about 50 metres out, dozens of heads are bobbing []
 2008-2021 One News Page Ltd.

All rights reserved.

One News is a registered trademark

of One News Page Ltd.
(MENAFN - Gulf Times) The Biden administration has been weighing changes to sweeping travel restrictions that bar much of the..

MENAFN.com 20 May 2021
Garry Tate spent almost 1,000 on the trip to Spain but was unable to board his flight at Cardiff Airport

Wales Online 20 May 2021
More than a week into their fourth war, Israel and the Hamas militant group already face allegations of possible war crimes in Gaza. Israel says Hamas is using Palestinian civilians as human shields, while critics say Israel is using disproportionate force. (May 18)


The integrated healthcare company said the Health Canada, FDA EUA authorized test was now available for people booking a flight

Empower added that it was "in various levels of advanced discussions" with further national airlines

Empower Clinics Inc ( ) (FRA:8EC) ( ) said its at-home saliva COVID-19 RT-PCR test is now available for passengers to buy on the website of Canada's largest airline - - and also updated on the progress of its clinic expansion in the country.

The integrated healthcare company said the Health Canada and US Food and Drug Administration Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) authorized test was now available for people booking a flight as they are referred to the Kai Care websites.

"Using the R&D capabilities of Kai Medical Laboratory, we brought to market in record time, a home-based Saliva RT-PCR test kit that is ideally suited to support airlines, to support Air Canada and its travellers as they navigate the guidelines of the global executive travel orders. We are thrilled to see our offer for Kai Care live and available on their site," said Steven McAuley, CEO Of Empower Clinics in a statement.

Empower added that it was "in various levels of advanced discussions" with further national airlines.

Also in the statement, the company, which provides body and mind treatment at its clinics, along with digital and telemedicine care, said it now had a pipeline of 22 clinics in Canada, which were at various stages of development.

It has two signed leases in Ontario, and six pending leases, which are expected within two to four weeks, it told investors.

Eight leases and letters of intent for locations in Ontario are pending and expected within four to six weeks, while locations at Keswick, Ottawa, Scarborough, Richview, North York, and Waterford are offered but pending due diligence by the company.

Empower added that it will be opening primary care, plus para-medical healthcare services in each of the locations, with a target of four to six medical doctors, and four to six paramedical practitioners per location.

"Working so closely on a plan with pharmacy organizations takes time to materialize, it requires a collective effort with all constituents, but as everyone now knows, we have not been idle, we have not been complacent, we have been diligent, respectful and focused on building a long-term strategy," said McAuley.

"I am so impressed with our business development team and their recruitment of twenty (20) plus medical doctors to date, that will serve so many communities and neighbourhoods. We seem to be building a collective of healthcare centers, a collective of medical professionals, a collective of knowledge and expertise, focused on the health outcomes of people in the markets we serve."

Empower added it has plans to add dermatology and cardiology-specialized services to further strengthen the quality of healthcare at each location.

Contact the author at giles@proactiveinvestors.com
Pressure builds on Biden amid Gaza violence as more lawmakers call for a cease-fire. The House will vote on safety measures and a commission after the January insurrection, New York's attorney general investigates the Trump Organization in a 'criminal capacity.'


During the president's visit to her home district, the first woman of Palestinian descent to serve in Congress shared her harsh assessment of Israel's role in escalating the violence.
The White House on Monday made statements in favor of legal abortion and the Equality Act.



Earlier on Monday, the Supreme Court had agreed to consider a challenge to Mississippis ban on most abortions after 15 weeks of pregnancy. Asked about the courts decision to take up the case, White House press secretary Jen Psaki...
The Israeli military used stun grenades, rubber bullets and 'skunk water' to disperse the protestors who assembled in Damascus.
France has proposed a resolution at the United Nations Security Council, in coordination with Egypt and Jordan, calling for a ceasefire in the Israel-Gaza conflict, the president's office has said.
Israeli airstrikes killed at least six people across the Gaza Strip and destroyed the home of a large extended family early today. The military said it widened its strikes on militant targets to the south amid continuing rocket fire...
Eurasia Review 19 May 2021

Life for many expats in the Gulf/West Asian countries is part of a larger struggle against ever-increasing odds of daily..
The children, aged five to 15, were killed in their homes in Gaza, according to the Norwegian Refugee Council.
Israels Embassy in China is protesting what it describes as blatant anti-Semitism on a program run by the overseas channel of state broadcaster CCTV discussing the ongoing violence in Gaza and elsewhere.
CEO Green said with the proceeds from the warrant exercise, HighGolds working capital now stands at C$18 million

Darwin said the company has an excellent financial footing' as it launches its Johnson Tract drill program

Mining Inc ( ) ( ) announced that it has recently received C$1.9 million from the exercise of 2,709,027 warrants held by key strategic shareholders, including a senior gold producer.

The Vancouver, British Columbia-based mineral exploration company said the exercised warrants priced at $0.70 were originally issued as part of HighGolds go-public financing.

Of the 8,500,000 two-year warrants that were issued, approximately 2,800,000 remain unexercised, said the company. It encouraged the holders of the remaining warrants to exercise them before the September 19, 2021 expiry.

With the proceeds from the warrant exercise, HighGolds working capital now stands at approximately C$18 million, providing the company with excellent financial footing and flexibility as we launch our 2021 Johnson Tract drill program, said HighGold Mining CEO Darwin Green.

We are grateful for the ongoing support of key strategic shareholders and very much look forward to an exciting year ahead.

The company also announced the issuance of 1,682,500 stock options with an exercise price of C$1.43 per share for the purchase of up to 1,682,500 shares of the company. HighGold said that 40,000 of the stock options have a two-year term and the remaining 1,642,500 options have a five-year term. All the stock options are subject to vesting conditions over a two-year period, noted the company. The stock options are being issued to directors, officers, employees, and consultants.

HighGolds flagship asset is the high-grade Johnson Tract Gold project located in accessible south-central Alaska. The company also controls one of the largest junior gold miner land positions in the Timmins, Ontario gold camp that includes the Munro-Croesus Gold property, which is known for its high-grade mineralization, and the large Golden Mile and Golden Perimeter properties.

Contact the author Uttara Choudhury at uttara@proactiveinvestors.com

Follow her on Twitter: @UttaraProactive
BBC News 19 May 2021

African countries have struggled to get vaccines, but some now plan to throw away thousands of doses.
US President Joe Biden told Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu that he expects a "significant" reduction in the military confrontation with Palestinians, the White House said.
SWNS STUDIO 28 May 2021

A surfer's GoPro camera which was lost when he got wiped out by a huge wave has been found buried on a beach FIVE YEARS later - and..
Bridgewood (UK) Ltd, East Yorkshire based Vacuum Formed Thermoplastics experts achieve the highest possible (Platinum) level supplier performance award from Global giant Caterpillar. The accreditation (CAT SQEP or Supplier Quality Excellence Program  awards from Bronze, through Silver, Gold & Platinum levels) which has only ever been achieved by a select group of Caterpillars global supply base, focuses on sustained Delivery and Quality performance metrics. Having been awarded Bronze and Silver 
The Oregon Health Authority on Tuesday reported four COVID-19 deaths and 484 new cases as Gov. Kate Brown announced five counties can ease various restrictions because of high vaccination rates.

Benton, Deschutes, Hood River, Lincoln and Washington counties have at least partially vaccinated 65% of residents 16 and older, according to the state. Reaching that benchmark, combined with writing plans to ensure equity in vaccinations, gives counties the green light to ease restrictions on businesses and gathering sizes.

The state has approved the five counties to move into the lower-risk tier of restrictions, regardless of local case rates (which remain particularly high in Deschutes County). That risk level imposes the least-restrictive measures to slow coronavirus spread of four designations.

Vaccines protect you, and they protect everyone around you. Its going to take all of us working together to make sure enough Oregonians are vaccinated to stop the spread of COVID-19 in our communities and end this pandemic, Brown said in a statement. Id like to thank everyone in these counties, particularly their outstanding public health officials, health care workers, and volunteers who have led the way in making sure their communities are protected against COVID-19.

The five counties approved by the state are technically eligible to ease restrictions beginning Friday but a final call to do so is up to local officials, a spokesman for Brown said.

Brown has said she intends to lift most restrictions statewide when 70% of the statewide population age 16 and older is at least partially vaccinated. The rate as of Tuesday stands at 58.9%.

The Oregon Health Authority on Tuesday also unveiled its latest written guidance for not wearing masks, requiring businesses to verify customers and workers are fully vaccinated if they dont want to don face coverings indoors. The agency lifted mask requirements for anyone outdoors.

Vaccines: Oregon reported 26,637 newly administered doses, which includes 19,088 Monday and the remainder from previous days.

Where the new cases are by county: Baker (1), Benton (1), Clackamas (29), Columbia (1), Coos (6), Crook (4), Curry (4), Deschutes (35), Douglas (20), Grant (4), Harney (3), Jackson (39), Jefferson (5), Josephine (4), Klamath (21), Lake (3), Lane (29), Lincoln (1), Linn (25), Malheur (2), Marion (39), Multnomah (76), Polk (5), Tillamook (2), Umatilla (26), Union (2), Wallowa (1), Washington (79) and Yamhill (17).

Who died: Oregons 2,591st death linked to COVID-19 is a 55-year-old Multnomah County woman who tested positive April 29 and died May 14 at Legacy Mount Hood Medical Center.

The 2,592nd fatality is a 71-year-old Linn County woman who tested positive May 10 and died May 13 at Samaritan Lebanon Community Hospital.

Oregons 2,593rd death is a 70-year-old Klamath County man who tested positive April 28 and died April 28 at Sky Lakes Medical Center.

The 2,594th fatality is a 55-year-old Clackamas County man who tested positive April 26 and died May 14 at Legacy Mount Hood Medical Center.

State officials are confirming if each person had underlying medical conditions.

Hospitalizations: 331 people with confirmed cases of COVID-19 are hospitalized, down 11 from Monday. That includes 79 people in intensive care, down two from Monday.

Since it began: Oregon has reported 196,390 confirmed or presumed infections and 2,594 deaths, among the lowest per capita numbers in the nation. To date, the state has reported 3,589,416 vaccine doses administered, fully vaccinating 1,620,407 people and partially vaccinating 465,559 people.

To see more data and trends, visit https://projects.oregonlive.com/coronavirus/

-- Brad Schmidt; bschmidt@oregonian.com; 503-294-7628; @_brad_schmidt
EUGENE  A lawsuit filed by a woman living in Lane County who rented from a Bell Real Estate subsidiary alleges the property owner harassed her then coerced her into having sex with him to avoid eviction.

The woman claims the company did nothing when alerted to the situation, The Register-Guard reported.

In a federal lawsuit filed in U.S. District Court for the District of Oregon in Eugene in March, a woman claims Pinewood Properties owner and manager Richard Sorric coerced her into a sexual relationship to keep her home then retaliated and asked for back rent when she refused to keep having sex with him.

The suit uses a pseudonym, citing the nature of the allegations.

She started renting from Pinewood Properties in November 2018 and moved out of the property over a year ago, said Meredith Holley, her attorney.

Attorneys representing Bell Real Estate, Pinewood Properties and Sorric deny nearly all of the womans claims in legal filings and say her lawsuit fails to state a claim and was filed too late for damages.

Sorric absolutely and categorically denies the defamatory allegations made against him in the plaintiffs Complaint, Jeffrey Daly, one of his attorneys, wrote in an email.

Daly added that Bell also has denied all wrongdoing in this matter, and will continue to do so.

Bell Real Estate is now suing her for back rent and other costs.

--The Associated Press
Two Portland residents were charged Tuesday with a slew of criminal animal neglect charges after investigators allege they mistreated and neglected animals at their pet care facility.

Tori Head and Samantha Miller both face 157 counts of second-degree animal neglect, 13 counts of identity theft and 15 counts of second-degree forgery. The pair owns Woofin Palooza, which court documents describe as a training, boarding, rescue and daycare for pets in Northeast Portland.

The charges come several months after Multnomah County Animal Services seized nearly 120 cats and dogs from Woofin Palooza.

Investigators found unsanitary and overcrowded conditions in the facility, as well as evidence that the owners gave false documentation of animals vaccines, according to court documents. Many animals from the facility also got sick and died, court documents said.

A probable cause affidavit states that Multnomah County Animal Services began investigating Woofin Paloozas Northeast 82nd Avenue facility last summer after a customer adopted a dog on June 20 and had to take the animal to a veterinary hospital the next day because she had distemper.

The dog was euthanized a few days later, and the customer reported the disease and death to the county animal services department. The department received six other complaints about Woofin Palooza during the month of July.

An investigator wrote during an Aug. 1 boarding facility inspection that it appeared Woofin Palooza was getting overwhelmed with all the animals in their possession.

Then, on Aug. 11, Multnomah County Animal Services, the Portland Police Bureau and the Multnomah County District Attorneys Office executed a search warrant at Woofin Palooza, seizing 65 cats and 52 dogs.

A veterinarian who helped search the facility noted that cats were housed in cramped kennels or spaces, and dogs were in overcrowded areas without spaces to use the bathroom away from their bedding or food, according to court documents.

The veterinarian said many animal enclosures had urine and feces on the floor, and soiled kennels were stacked on top of one another, allowing urine and feces to run into other kennels.

The veterinarian also noted that young animals with immature immune systems were housed with adult animals, raising the risk of spreading infectious diseases and unwanted pregnancies, according to court documents.

Dogs and cats were inappropriately housed in the same location leading to stress, increasing the chances of immune system suppression, which can also lead to the spread of disease, the veterinarian said.

Investigators also allege that vaccine records Head and Miller provided for adopted animals were fraudulent, bearing the signatures or names of various veterinarians.

Head and Miller are scheduled to appear in court July 16.

Jayati Ramakrishnan; 503-221-4320; jramakrishnan@oregonian.com; @JRamakrishnanOR
A flood of Portland police cars responded late Monday to break up a report of a gang fight at the doors to Legacy Emanuel Medical Centers emergency department, where four people with gunshot wounds had just arrived.

The scene was reminiscent of scenarios two decades ago when officers, street outreach workers and pastors routinely headed to the hospital to cool tensions between rival gangs.

Those days are back, say police, former gang members and community leaders.

The city is on track to shatter its record annual homicide count of 70 in 1987. So far this year, 33 people have died in homicides and about 130 have been wounded in more than 400 shootings. Four people have been killed in the city since a week ago Sunday.

Investigators suspect shots were fired at a group gathered outside a McDonalds Restaurant on Swan Island in retaliation for the brazen killing of 33-year-old Jalon Yoakum in Northeast Portland. Yoakum was the stepson of local Pastor J.W. Matt Hennesee, an outspoken activist against gun violence, who is married to Yoakums mother, Twauna Hennessee.

Its overwhelming, said Antoinette Edwards, who responded to the scene of Yoakums killing last Wednesday and summoned other community crisis response volunteers to be with his family.

Were in crisis mode, said Edwards, who retired in 2019 after 10 years as director of the citys Office of Youth Violence Prevention. This is something unprecedented.

The pace of the shootings, the boldness of shooters attacking people in daylight hours and the number of innocent bystanders killed or wounded all set this spasm of violence apart from recent years, police said.

The extent of the retaliation also particularly alarms police.

Police said shooters arent waiting for the typical tit-for-tat targeting of a rival.

Instead, theyre actively seeking people from opposing groups to shoot regardless of whether their rivals have struck back in the meantime, said North Precinct Sg. Ken Duilio, who has been with Portland police for 23 years and on the bureaus gun violence reduction team and prior gang enforcement team for 10 years.

He pointed to the killing in Gresham last month of 22-year-old Alejandro Barajas, followed the next night by a shooting of seven people attending a vigil for him at the same spot.

That was an example of shooters going back to hunt, Duilio said.

IT GOT PRETTY CHAOTIC

The tense showdown Monday at Legacy Emanuel followed a gathering of about 60 people outside a McDonalds on Swan Island.

Many of the people had attended the funeral for 21-year-old Jemare Lowell Manns. He was shot May 9 while at a party at a home in Southeast Portlands Lents neighborhood.

About 9:45 p.m., someone is suspected of firing into the crowd outside the restaurant and others fired back, investigators said. Four people were hit.

Police said they found 55 shell casings in the lot. They were from different caliber guns, indicating multiple shooters. Investigators determined that at least two occupied semi-tractor trailer vehicles were struck by bullets, as were buildings on the island.

Its most likely retaliation from the recent shootings that have been going on, Duilio said.

Once the victims started showing up at the hospital, others followed. Fights broke out. Some people pushed their way into the emergency department, Duilio said.

One guy was seen with a gun inside the hospital. It got pretty chaotic, he said.

Police called for immediate cover from officers citywide, drawing all available officers to Legacy Emanuel.

Dozens of police cars filled the parking lot as officers stood blocking the doors. Outreach workers and crisis team volunteers also responded to try to restore calm.

Police worried that other rival gang members or affiliates might show up to challenge those already there, Duilio said.

All four of the people shot are expected to survive their wounds, police said.

The large crowd and emotional response to the shooting interfered with the orderly operation of the emergency department and ambulance bay and created a need for an increased response to restore peace at the hospital, police spokesman Lt. Greg Pashley said in a statement.

Individuals were combative with staff and created a disruptive and potentially dangerous scene, Pashley said. Several members of this crowd were reported to be armed.

About an hour after police responded, officers were sent back to take regular calls. Police left the hospital by 12:23 a.m., he said.

IM REALLY ANGRY AND FRUSTRATED

The Legacy Emanuel lockdown and massive police presence reminded retired Portland gang enforcement officer Dave Barrios of the city in the 1980s and early 1990s.

The North Portland hospital was a hotspot, he said. Its right in the community. Its accessible and the victims families are vulnerable.

Loved ones clamoring for information on their wounded relatives would converge along with people angry that their friends got shot, he said.

Its a combustible mix  and a symptom of the deeper community problem, Barrios said.

Lionel Irving, a former gang member who provides support to the families of shooting victims, said the successive shootings, is starting to take a toll.

Im really angry and frustrated, he said.

Investigators suspect many of the recent retaliatory shootings involve the Rolling 60 Crips, Hoovers and Bloods, as well as the relatively newer gang Young Come Ups, made up of East African, Latino, Asian and white members.

The violence traumatizes teenagers and younger kids he sees at the homes he visits, Irving said. He worries that they may one day pick up guns themselves out of anger without more intervention.

It takes a village to raise a child, and a village is not doing its job, Irving said. I dont see collective efforts. What I see is the city playing a political game with our children.

Some vocal church and community leaders and police continue to bemoan last Junes budget cuts to the Police Bureau and the dismantling of the Gun Violence Reduction Team. The officers on the team worked to build relationships on the street and get to know people involved in the shootings.

The City Council eliminated the team, citing concerns about its disproportionate arrests of people of color.

As the shooting toll mounts, Edwards and others working to stem the violence said they dont understand the delay in instituting Police Chief Chuck Lovells plan from December to re-establish a uniformed team of officers to do more proactive enforcement to get guns out of the hands of shooters. The team is supposed to have a new mechanism for community oversight but that hasnt materialized yet.

One of the barriers has been controversy over the creation of a community advisory committee, which is being overseen by the mayors office. City commissioners were asked to recommend members. Commissioner Jo Ann Hardesty has raised objections and said her office wont be involved. She contends the move is reinventing what she had previously set out to do as part of the Local Public Safety Coordinating Council -- creating a nine-to-11-member citizen committee to track gun data and arrests.

Instead of giving any additional money to police, the City Council provided millions of dollars to community organizations for anti-violence work and to hire two dozen unarmed park rangers.

The infusion of money to those programs is better than giving more money to police, said Mac Smiff, a Black Lives Matter organizer and activist.

Gun violence of this proportion isnt solved by raising billboards or passing the buck, Smiff said. It is solved by providing those directly involved in these shootings with the immediate counseling, support and resources necessary to help them grieve, communicate and end the cycles of violence.

STOP PLAYING POLITICS

State and federal prosecutors are continuing to review each and every shooting with local law enforcement weekly.

Theyve noticed a lot more bullets fired at each shooting scene, and very prompt and swift retaliations, particularly in gang-related shootings, said Kirsten Snowden, a Multnomah County chief deputy district attorney.

Were trying really hard to make the cases against those responsible for repeat gun violence, she said.

Investigators have found the same gun used in a half a dozen repeat shootings in quick succession, she said.

Were now a lot more involved in the front end of the investigations, she said. But everyone is really taxed.

Those working with victims and their families and responding to crime scenes express frustration.

Edwards said its past time for city officials to tip toe around the fact theres a gang problem in the city.

Police and community working together have identified strategies that can help with this chaos, former state Sen. Avel Gordly wrote to Mayor Ted Wheeler and city commissioners in an email Tuesday.

Gordly, the first Black woman to serve as a state senator , urged the city to work with the Interfaith Peace and Action Collaborative, a group of clergy, community, business and police who strive to bring safety to the city streets. The collaborative supports Lovells idea for a renewed uniformed team to address the gun violence.

They understand what is needed in partnership now with strengthened community policing, Gordly wrote. Recent statements made by a council member about the police not having a role in crime prevention are foolish and harmful. The entire council should reject that thinking and say so out loud.

While the addition of a handful of FBI agents to help Portland police respond to gang-related or suspected retaliatory shootings is welcome, some officers said the agents arent familiar with the people committing the shootings and must play catch-up.

The city should stop playing politics and start inviting people like me to the table, said Irving, who has direct dial to former and present gang members who he says have influence in the streets.

On Tuesday, police and outreach workers were preparing for the end of the week and weekend.

Thursday is the funeral of a 30-year-old mother of two who police said was shot in a domestic violence-related killing. Friday is the viewing for Yoakum and his funeral is Saturday, before a March Against Murder is planned Saturday afternoon.

Because weve seen retaliation at both funerals and vigils, were concerned about that, Duilio said, so were trying to plan how best to support the victims families and trying to provide a police presence to deter any violence.

Oregonian Staff Writer Shane Dixon Kavanaugh contributed to this story.

-- Maxine Bernstein

Email mbernstein@oregonian.com; 503-221-8212

Follow on Twitter @maxoregonian
Incumbents faced challenges from newcomers with expansive war chests in school board races across the metro area Tuesday and partial returns show at least four sitting board members lost to well-funded opponents as of 9 a.m. Wednesday.

Campaign finance records show incumbents in Washington County raised about $54,000, close to one-third the $142,000 their challengers did.

In Beaverton, Jeannette Schade lost in her bid to unseat Susan Greenberg in Zone 1.

Schade raised more than $42,000, according to campaign finance filings. She won 34% of the vote, according to partial returns reported as of 9 a.m. Wednesday, giving Greenberg an easy victory at 66%.

Schade and her family were her largest contributors, at $9,750, with more than $8,000 from the candidate herself. Free Oregon, a political committee that favors individual liberties, and the Oregon Firearms Federation were also among her chief donors.

Greenberg raised $15,000 and spent $13,000 in the race. Her largest donor, at $2,000, was the Beaverton teachers union.

Ugonna Enyinnaya, also the teachers unions pick, won her bid to unseat LeeAnn Larson in Zone 5, spending $12,000 and taking 60% of the vote. Larson raised less than $4,000, including $250 from Superintendent Don Grotting.

Enyinnayas largest donors were the state and district teachers unions, which together gave $4,000 to help defeat the three-term incumbent who was unopposed in 2013 and 2017.

Three incumbents in the Hillsboro district faced well-funded challengers.

In Position 1, Erika Lopez appears to have won her reelection bid against Joe Everton, who raised and spent $19,000 to her $14,000. Lopez eeked out a win by fewer than 150 votes, according to partial returns reported as of 9 a.m. Wednesday, taking 50% of the vote to Evertons 49%.

Her largest financial backers included Stand for Children, the Washington County Democrats and the statewide teachers union.

Nearly three-fourths of Evertons donations came from Communities for Sensible Schools, a well-funded political committee that got 80% of its money from Bart Rask, an orthopedic doctor who was endorsed by Republican officeholders during two unsuccessful runs for Beaverton school board.

Ben Wolfe, who also got most of his money from Citizens for Sensible Schools, spent $22,000 in a bid to unseat Mark Watson in the Position 2 contest.

Watson largely self-funded his $7,000 campaign fund and received $1,000 from the teachers union.

The race remained too close to call Wednesday morning as each candidate captured 50% of the vote with fewer than 30 ballots separating the two. Oregon law triggers an automatic recount if final results show the two top vote-getters within 0.2% points of each other, as the two are, according to partial returns reported so far.

In the Position 6 race, Jaci Spross appears to have lost reelection to Monique Ward, taking 48% of the vote according to preliminary results. Ward raised and spent $22,000, more than 60% of it from Communities for Sensible Schools. Her campaign had three times as much money as Sprosss, campaign finance records show. Like Lopez, Spross was backed by the state teachers union, Washington County Democrats and Stand for Children.

In the Sherwood district, Oregon Health Authority Director Patrick Allen also appears to have lost his bid for a third term in the Position 4 race against Duncan Nyangoro, an auditor for the SAIF Corporation who promised to fully open schools in the fall and criticized Allen and Gov. Kate Brown for not doing so earlier.

Allen took 46% of the vote and Nyangoro won 54%, who spent about twice as much on his campaign, around $9,000.

Nyangoros largest donor by far was Oregon Right to Life, which through two political committees gave him nearly $2,000. He also drew financial support from opponents like himself of restrictions such as mask wearing and school distancing protocols, which Allen has championed. Allens contributions were all in the form of small donations, all but one beneath $400.

Also in Sherwood, incumbent Eric Campbell was losing the Position 2 race against Krista Thorne, who spent $9,000 on her campaign. Campbell spent about $1,300 while Thorne had nearly 10 times as much: $12,000. Like Nyagoro, Thornes largest funder was Oregon Right to Life. Nyangoros campaign also funneled $1,465 to hers, campaign finance disclosures show.

Throne claimed 46% of ballots cast, while Campbell netted 42% and a third candidate, Janice Hayes, got 12%, preliminary returns posted as of 9:30 a.m. Wednesday show.

In the Position 3 race, Abby Hawkins won a three-way race with Vince Habeck and James Grothe, taking 52% of the vote. None of the candidates reported fundraising with the secretary of states office for the open seat.

In Portlands David Douglas district, board member Andrea Valderrama won her uncontested race with 95% of the vote, according to partial returns. Shes also Portlands representative in the Oregon House.

Valderrama was appointed to fill the House seat vacated by Diego Hernandez, who resigned after investigators said he created a hostile work environment at the Capitol.

Valderramas board colleague, Donna Barber, won her bid for reelection against Viktor Georgiyev and Rhonda Abernathy, capturing 64% of the vote. Georgiyev took 23% and Abernathy took 12%.

Hoa Nguyen won in David Douglas districts Position 3 race with 55% of the vote. The newcomer raised $18,000. Only one of her opponents, Deian Salazar, filed a campaign finance disclosure with the secretary of states office.

Salazar spent $1,000 and took 17% of the vote. Jane Guajardo-Hays took 27%.

Elsewhere in Multnomah County, Gresham-Barlow board member and former state lawmaker Carla Piluso appears to have won her bid for reelection. She took 34% of the vote based on partial returns.

Julie Frediani took 31% of the vote. Joe Demers captured 20% of the vote and Jeff Jones took 15%.

Piluso had extensive leadership experience going into the race, not only as an incumbent board member but also as a three-term member of the Oregon House and Greshams former police chief. She served as the House representative for Gresham from 2015 until 2021.

In the Position 1 race, Robyn Stowers lost her reelection bid against Holly Riegelmann, earning 38% of the vote. Stowers raised $4,200 to Riegelmanns $6,200.

In Position 5, Blake Peterson prevailed in his reelection campaign against Jasia Mosley with 69% of votes cast.

Mayra Gomez won reelection to Position 6 against Adam Sorensen, who did not fundraise in his bid to unseat her. Gomez reported spending $2,400 as of Tuesday.

--Eder Campuzano | 503-221-4344 | @edercampuzano | Eder on Facebook

Eder is The Oregonians education reporter. Do you have a tip about Portland Public Schools? Email ecampuzano@oregonian.com.
A group of protesters gathered at Sugarmans Corner in downtown Klamath Falls on Saturday, preparing to welcome a 25-car caravan of mostly Klamath Tribal members calling for solutions to the Klamath Basins water crisis.

A man walked by the demonstrators, eyeing their signs with statements like Peace and Healing in the Klamath Basin, Water Justice is Social Justice and Undam the Klamath.

What are you holding those signs for? he asked.

No one responded  its hard to answer any question about water in the Klamath Basin in a five-second sidewalk exchange.

Especially in recent years, as extended droughts have heated up local conflicts over water  both figuratively and literally  Klamath Tribal members have tried to stay out of the debate as much as they could. Beyond tribal council issuing an occasional press release and entering into litigation to protect endangered Cwaam and Koptu (Lost River and shortnose suckers) in Upper Klamath Lake, they felt the environment in the Basin was unwelcoming to Native people and their voices.

For Joey Gentry, a member of the Klamath Tribes who helped organized Saturdays Caravan for the Klamath, the demonstration was about the areas original people breaking that silence.

Our members have been silent over the years out of respect for ag and to keep the peace. Today is just a time for us to unite together with our community, she said. Our people need to speak.

Based on the lowest inflows to Upper Klamath Lake in recent memory, the Bureau of Reclamation announced last Wednesday that no water would be available to the Klamath Project from the lake this summer. Normally, that water satisfies more than 150,000 acres of farm and ranchland, along with wetland habitat at Lower Klamath National Wildlife Refuge for millions of migrating birds on the Pacific Flyway. This is the first year in the Projects 100-plus-year history that a majority of its farmers will receive no irrigated water.

Reclamation said the water needed to remain in the lake to ensure Cwaam and Koptu have adequate access to water quality refuge areas during algae blooms expected later in the summer. Flows to the lake were so low this spring that it never reached an elevation required under the Endangered Species Act to allow lake-spawning suckers to reach prime shoreline spawning habitat.

The lake is nearly two feet lower than what its supposed to be this time of year.

The caravan from Chiloquin was about 25 cars strong.Alex Schwartz/Herald and News

Flows released from Link River Dam and into the Klamath River are operating at a drought-year baseline, and the agency has said no flushing flow will occur to mitigate a salmon disease outbreak and fish kill currently unfolding downriver. Salmon are culturally and economically important to the Karuk, Yurok and Hoopa Valley tribes in Northern California.

A judge recently denied the Klamath Tribes injunction request to reduce flows out of Link River Dam as part of an ESA-related lawsuit against Reclamation.

Though the caravan had been in the works for more than a week, some tribal members became concerned about the optics of the demonstration following Wednesdays announcement. Though they were happy that Reclamation would intend to maintain minimum habitat requirements for Cwaam and Koptu, they didnt want to gloat at irrigators or downriver tribes struggles.

This is not a celebration of the BOR decision that theres no irrigation allocation this season, Gentry said. We want the community to know and understand that.

Gentry, sister of tribal chairman Don Gentry, takes no comfort in the agricultural communitys suffering. As a hemp farmer herself who works 12 acres in Klamath Irrigation District, she hasnt grown a crop for the past two years largely because of irrigation curtailments. She believes there has to be a future for ag, but that the Basin needs to take better care of its endemic species.

This has never been about ag versus tribe, Gentry said. This is about preservation of species, preservation of culture ... theres no greater feeling in the world than standing in a field amongst the crop youve grown. I get it. We get it.

The Klamath Tribes depended on Cwaam and Koptu  which exist in no other watershed on earth  as traditional foods for millennia. Colonization brought massive alterations to their environment too quickly for them to adapt to, and their numbers have been on the decline since the mid-20th Century.

Along with government policies that mismanaged the old Klamath Reservation, shipped a generation of children off to abusive boarding schools to eradicate tribal culture and the termination of the Tribes federal status, tribal members say the decline in first foods has decimated their community and culture.

We empathize more than anyone could possibly understand with what (irrigators) are going through, Gentry said. We want to work together, we mourn for you and we understand.

The caravan arrived from Chiloquin and did a loop along South 6th Street and Main Street, concluding at Veterans Memorial Park. Whooping and honking their horns, drivers proudly waved flags containing the Klamath Tribes insignia and displayed signs that said One River, One Life, Save the Cwaam and Honor the Treaty, among others.

Given how contentious the water situation is locally, tribal members were concerned about how theyd be received in Klamath Falls. Gentry said public forums and Facebook comments are full of degrading, dehumanizing language directed at the Tribes. And recent protests touching on racial equality and social justice  like last Mays Black Lives Matter demonstration  have been met with armed opposition.

Charlie Wright, a Klamath Tribal member and organizer of the caravan, said she thinks it's time for tribal members to speak up more often on water issues in the Klamath Basin.Alex Schwartz/Herald and News

I think our silence is part of the toll that hostility has taken on us, Gentry said.

Though the Tribes feared that things could devolve, they got more support than they expected. Several people passing by the gathering at Veterans Park made supportive gestures.

We were kind of worried about what we were going to meet in town with the BORs decision last week, said tribal member Charlie Wright, the caravans lead organizer. At the same time, we really need to stand up and be heard.

Tribal council member Willa Powless said growing up in Klamath Falls, she saw how negatively tribal people were treated. She expected to encounter some racist behavior on the caravan, but instead she largely saw support from the community.

What we did today, that was one of the most powerful things Ive felt in a long time. Going around in that caravan, I wanted to do it again 20 times, Powless said in a speech to the group. We had a lot of support, and it actually kind of surprised me.

Powless added that, in some ways, tribal members censor themselves. Reeling from the impacts of generational trauma inflicted by the boarding school system, many may still feel ashamed to be Indigenous. She hopes having more gatherings like this can change that.

We need to be loud and boisterous and unapologetic, Powless said.

For tribal leadership, the decline of Cwaam and Koptu is a direct violation of the 1864 treaty with the U.S. government, when the Tribes ancestors ceded millions of acres of land in exchange for a small reservation and an assurance that they would be able to hunt, fish and gather on that land. Tribal members havent been able to fish Cwaam and Koptu for subsistence in nearly half a century due to the collapse of their fishery, and tribal members feel the United States has allowed that to happen.

Until this day weve always upheld our end of the bargain, Powless said. But they never have.

I dont think our treaty signers would have envisioned that we wouldnt have the salmon anymore, Tribal Chairman Don Gentry said to the group. I dont think they wouldve ever imagined that our Cwaam and Koptu would be in the perilous place that theyre at now ... were praying for a time of justice and rightness, and that people would rally behind us in protecting the resources that are important to us.

Tribal council member Clay Dumont said that similar to the treaty signers, todays tribal members gathered to do what they felt was necessary to protect their homelands.

All were asking for is to have our home respected and to respect us for trying to defend our home, he said. Every living thing tries to defend its home. Poke a bees nest. Put your arm in a beavers den. See what the heck happens.

Charlie Wright was pleased with how the caravan and gathering went, and she said she hopes to help organize similar events in the future. As far as shes concerned, mums no longer the word for tribal members, and they hope to add something of value to the conversation around water.

Its not just an ag community, Wright said. Theres a much older voice in the Klamath Basin  an Indigenous one, (a voice) of reason that says we have to take care of our land if were ever going to have a future.

--Alex Schwartz | Herald and News
( ) ( ) is seeking to become the global leader in data intelligence, as it looks ahead to promising financial results from the June quarter.

The software business, which listed on the ASX in 2014, originally captured, analysed and visualised customer behaviour data through publicly available wifi networks, to provide retailers with actionable insights to drive informed decision making.

But it has since greatly diversified and is now able to deliver insights to its clients - which include major retailers, airports and even stadiums - across about 100 different data integrations.

The Skyfii 411

These days, Skyfii helps physical venues use data to measure, predict and influence visitor behaviour, through cloud-based software that allows clients to streamline their operations, drive marketing results and improve customer experience.

It is based in Australia, but also has offices in the UK, US, South America and South Africa with its technology deployed in shopping centres, airports, retailers, universities, in smart cities and in hospitality venues.

Skyfii CEO Wayne Arthur explained to Proactive how the company has garnered such a large and ever-expanding list of clientele.

Though we started out providing insights gathered from use of public wifi, hence our name, over the last six years weve diversified to about 100 other data integrations, from things like security cameras to beacons, scanning technology to apps, he said.

We can provide physical venues with a comprehensive picture of the people moving in, around and out of a space, and we can pull all the different sources together into one software platform, providing a much more accurate and detailed view of their space, providing a greater understanding of the behaviour of people in those environments.

We solve fundamental problems for physical venues, which traditionally have had to use three or four different platforms to manage things like security, public wifi, their POS, their CRM, the list goes on.

We are agnostic and we integrate across every enterprise product in the market, so that means we can take care of all the above and more in one place, which reduces costs and makes it easier to manage the movement of people, as well as providing high-level insights that inform decision making around store setup, marketing and customer behaviour.

Global pandemic? No worries

Arthur said Skyfii managed to emerge from 2020 and the COVID-19 pandemic not only unscathed but in an even better position.

As venues were required to accurately count occupancy, Skyfiis software gained another use case.

Were now deployed in around 12,000 venues around the world, Arthur said.

Demand increased during COVID for us because venues like supermarkets needed to be able to accurately count occupancy.

Skyfiis technology not only allows this but also gives clients the ability to create heat maps to see where their highest levels of foot traffic are.

We came out of 2020 stronger than we anticipated, Arthur said.

We werent immune to the market conditions and for three or four months we didnt experience much growth, but if you look at it over a 12-month period, weve grown substantially.

Impressive financials

Skyfiis latest quarterly report, released in late April, showed a 24% growth in recurring revenue compared with the previous quarter, leading the company to forecast double-digit growth across all key metrics for the 2021 financial year.

It also made a key acquisition during the quarter in CrowdVision, a highly complementary US and UK-based AI, computer vision and video analytics company focused on airports, stadiums, transportation hubs and large-scale resort hotels and casinos.

We see CrowdVision as a really key part of our growth story, Arthur said.

We will be focused on integrating the CrowdVision business into our core business over the following 3-6 months, and as people around the world receive the vaccine, and venues continue to reopen, we expect to see strong growth.

Skyfii ended the March quarter with A$4.03 million in cash receipts, up 19% on the previous quarter, completed a A$10 million placement and recorded pro forma annualised recurring revenue of A$13.3 million.

It has forecast FY21 total revenue of up to A$16.5 million and recurring revenue of up to A$12 million.

- Daniel Paproth
This weeks events lean a bit toward families and teens with a play for high schoolers and for families, and a concert for small children. Also check out a virtual reading and discussion with award-winning author Kaitlyn Greenidge.

Oboist Catherine Lee

This May, oboist and improviser Catherine Lee released her second solo album, Remote Together. In it, Lee offers a range of genres and styles that take the listener on an evolutionary journey responding to pandemic culture. Audiences can listen to Lees work during a streamed concert moderated by All Classical Portlands Robert McBride.

5 p.m. Friday, May 21; streaming on the Extradition Series YouTube page; free.

The Portland Youth Philharmonic in a file photo from 2011. (Heidi Hoffman For The Oregonian) LC- Heidi Hoffman For The Oregon

Cushion Concert classical music for kids

The Portland Youth Philharmonics Young String Ensemble and conductor Ines Voglar Belgique welcome families and with young children for a fun introduction to classical music. The annual Cushion Concerts will take place virtually and are meant for children ages 2-8. This years concerts celebrate living women composers including Laura Brackney, Sakari Dixon Vanderveer, Polina Nazaykinskaya, and Keyla Orozco. The concert also includes instrument demonstrations and a few recognizable works from popular films.

10 a.m. Saturday, May 22; pay-what-you-can tickets required. Link will be sent directly to ticket holders; portlandyouthphil.org/family.

Janelle Rae plays the insidious Coyne, in addition to a handful of other quirky characters in the upcoming Bag n Baggage production of "The Ballad of Aurelie The Bold." (photo by Casey Campbell Photography)

The Ballad of Aurelie The Bold

Hillsboros Bag n Baggage Productions offers a digital theater event for young audiences; The Ballad of Aurelie The Bold: a Grimm Brothers Story of Iron & Gold. The original show is by Elliot Lorenc, with original music by Jesse Groat. The show is an adaptation of the Grimm Brothers Iron John tale offering comedy, music, puppetry, and good fun for the whole family.

Streaming on demand all days, May 22-June 13; pay-what-you-will tickets at bagnbaggage.org

Polaris Dance Theatre. File photo by BMAC PhotographyBMAC Photography

HEART: Dance by Polaris

HEART is a celebration of Mental Health Awareness Month. This month-long virtual art-gallery event and mini-event series features women in visual arts, musicians, film, dance, comedy and street arts. In this event, Polaris will present a dance performance streamed via the HEART website.

7 p.m. Wednesday, May 26; eventbrite.com/e/heart-dance-performance; donations requested.

Kaitlyn Greenidge

Roundabout Books presents the author of Libertie: A Novel, in conversation with Raquel Gutierrez, MFA creative writing instructor at Oregon State University Cascades. The critically acclaimed and Whiting Award-winning author of We Love You, Charlie Freeman presents a new novel set in Reconstruction-era Brooklyn, that centers on one young Black girls attempt to find a place where she can be fully, and only, herself.

Event is 4 p.m. Thursday, May 27, via Zoom webinar; tickets $27 include a hardcover copy of the novel; via Eventbrite link.

Image courtesy of Oregon Children's Theatre.

Alex Getting Better

The Young Professionals Company at Oregon Childrens Theatre offers its final production of the 2020-21 season. The online play by Audrey Lang deals with the healing process following sexual assault and is not meant for small children. Teens in the company have spent the COVID pandemic pushing to challenge themselves and grow as artists, as well as becoming adaptable to the changing theatrical landscape, artistic director Dani Baldwin said in a recent release.

The show centers on a college sophomore who talks with several old friends about overcoming past sexual trauma. The play is recommended for ages 14 and older as it discusses past sexual assaults and includes terms that may be triggering for some viewers.

Stream on-demand Thursday, May 20, through Monday, May 31; free but donations are encouraged; octc.org/alex-getting-better

If you have live or virtual events youd like to see highlighted at OregonLive.com or in the weekly printed A&E section of The Oregonian, please email submissions to events@oregonian.com at least three weeks prior to the start of your event. Digital images or links to videos are helpful.

 Rosemarie Stein, events@oregonian.com
A car crashed into a utility pole on the north side of Southeast Hawthorne Boulevard Wednesday morning around 2 a.m., Portland police said.

Four people were taken to hospitals with serious injuries, police said.

Southeast Hawthorne Boulevard is closed between Southeast 9th Avenue and Southeast 12th Avenue as officials investigate the crash this morning.
Motutama Sipelii

Sipelii, a senior studying pre-med health sciences, is president of Associated Students of Portland State University.

When I was elected president of Portland State Universitys student government last spring, I was excited to work on student engagement and getting more students involved in campus activities.

The pandemic had other plans. The full term of my Associated Students of PSU presidency has been conducted remotely. While the other officers and I have worked hard to make sure students still felt engaged, most of my time has been spent connecting students with emergency funds, listening to their challenges and trying to find ways to keep them enrolled.

Portland State students are struggling. Forty percent of us are part-time students. Many are trying to finish degrees while holding down two or three jobs, raising kids and trying to make ends meet. Pandemic anxieties and the traumatic events that underpin our national social justice movement have taken a toll on our mental health. Statewide freezes to stop the spread of COVID-19 resulted in students losing their jobs and forced others to choose between pursuing their degree and the needs of their children. Our international students, who pay the most in tuition, deal with regulatory uncertainty and pandemic travel restrictions while our students covered by the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals Act cross their fingers that a new presidential administration will provide some security.

With the help of the PSU Foundation, my colleagues and I have raised hundreds of thousands of dollars in hardship funds that were claimed by desperate students in less than 30 minutes. The need has far outweighed the supply.

As I near the end of my term I, like many of us, am exhausted, upset and frustrated.

I am frustrated by how alone students feel. I am frustrated that our state and national leaders are investing so little in the long-term sustainability of higher education. I am frustrated that tuition continues to rise every year, that there are so many unexpected fees piled on students at every turn and that all we hear about is the continued defunding of higher education.

The pandemic only accelerated issues that already existed. It took away the part-time jobs that helped students cobble together the funding they needed to continue their education, uncovered disparities in housing and technology access and added lifetimes of anxiety and trauma.

But make no mistake  things were already hard.

As the first Pacific Islander student president at Portland State, I represent the most diverse student body of any public university in Oregon; 37% of us are the first in our families to attend college. Nearly half of undergrads receive Pell Grants and 70% receive some kind of financial aid.

I have grown to love Portland and PSU. This university is the bright beating heart of the largest city in Oregon. But the brilliant students that come here to make a change in their lives and their communities need support.

I call on the Oregon Legislature to fund the states higher education system to keep facilities operational and stop tuition from continuing to skyrocket. But we cant stop there: I challenge leaders to study the entire student experience to better understand their needs and the systematic changes needed to support all students in achieving their degree.

The COVID-19 pandemic will eventually subside, but the demand for accessible and affordable higher education will intensify. Education should be a fundamental human right. But with increasing costs, a university degree will continue to be a privilege reserved for those who can afford it.

Please do not let the future of my generation be one of the casualties of the pandemic.

Sign up for our free weekly Oregon Opinion newsletter. Email:


Andrea Valderrama and Rob Nosse

Valderrama represents District 47-outer East Portland in the Oregon House. Nosse represents District 42-Southeast Portland in the Oregon House. Both are Democrats.

For the last 13 months amid a global pandemic, a national reckoning with racism and extreme wildfires, Oregons essential workers masked up, did their jobs and got us through all these emergencies. They kept services and essential retail running, hospitals staffed and the economy moving forward often at great risk to their own personal safety and their families safety. A recent study from the University of California San Francisco found that the risk of death for essential workers outside of health care increased more than 20% during the pandemic. Sadly, many jobs that are essential are also not highly paid.

There has been little more than lip service to recognize their efforts, and its time for that to change. Thats why we are supporting the Essential Work Pay proposal that is before the Oregon Legislature. Under this plan, the state would use one-time federal funds to issue checks of $1,000 to $2,000 to qualifying workers. Its a way to say thank you to those who stepped up to get us all through these crises and to show that their economic stability matters to us.

Thanks to President Bidens American Rescue Plan, our state Legislature has billions of dollars in one-time funds that we can use to jumpstart a recovery and invest in our future. Among the many worthy ideas for how to spend this money, we believe we must prioritize essential work pay. Not only is it the right thing to do, but this new round of stimulus checks will improve our economy and make our recovery fair and equitable.

The CARES Act showed us that direct payments to individuals help boost the economy and prevent a slide into a recession. By targeting essential workers, we can ensure that the money gets into the hands of the people who need it most who will then spend it. Essential workers are more likely to be Black, Indigenous, and other people of color. Many lost health care coverage and contracted COVID at a disproportionate rate. Our recovery should center the people most impacted by the pandemic. Essential Worker Pay does just that.

Over the last year weve heard countless stories about the challenges of working through a pandemic be it bus drivers, or grocery story workers or folks that take care of the elderly or people with disabilities.

Here is a recent example that jumped out at us that illustrates what we are trying to do. Nutrition services workers at Portland Public Schools are among the lowest paid workers in the school district. They were also some of the only employees who couldnt work remotely. Instead, they showed up every day to keep essential programs like school lunch available to the community. They put up with wildfire smoke, the cold and the rain, all while interacting with the public on a daily basis. Portland Public Schools, which also received significant financial support from the federal government, just recognized these workers with a one-time payment of $1,000. Similar stories have played out at workplaces across Oregon, but most workers never received even a basic acknowledgment. They should, and that is the point with this proposal.

We can make this right. Thats why were asking our colleagues in the Legislature and Gov. Kate Brown to support the Essential Worker Pay proposal. We called these essential workers heroes. Lets pay them and treat them like heroes.

Sign up for our free weekly Oregon Opinion newsletter. Email:


A 17-year-old who was airlifted last week from the scene of a shootout between law enforcement officers and a man suspected of kidnapping the teen has died, troopers say.

Kenneth Peden III, the man accused in the kidnapping, is expected to be charged Friday in the teens death. Court records filed last week allege Peden tried to kill the teen and seriously injured the teen using a handgun.

The records do not provide further details about the teens injuries, and authorities have not said whether the teen suffered any injuries in the exchange of gunfire.

The Oregon State Police has not publicly identified the teen. But social media posts from family members and an online fundraiser identified the teen as Oliver Ollie Taylor.

The Taylor family posted a tribute to their child on social media Wednesday:

Molly Ollie was granted (the) final desire of donating organs. We appreciate the prayers, meals, phone calls, and other messages of support. Molly/Ollie is such an amazing child with a quirky sense of humor, who impacted so many people, and we will miss (Molly/Ollie) terribly as we try to move forward, but we are comforted by the knowledge that we will be with (Molly/Ollie) again someday.

Taylor was a student at Gervais High School and involved in a variety of activities, including FFA and track and field, according to the GoFundMe page.

A candlelight vigil in honor of Taylors memory is scheduled on the Gervais High lawn after an FFA banquet at 8 p.m. Thursday, May 20.

The incident leading to Taylors death began about 4:45 p.m. on May 12 when Gervais police responded to a disturbance in the 1000 block of Depot Court, according to the state police, which is investigating the shooting.

When officers arrived they found Arik Reed, 22, suffering from a gunshot wound. Reed was taken to Salem Hospital.

Reeds father told KPTV (12) his son was trying to stop the alleged kidnapping when he got shot.

Officers also learned that Peden, 20, of Woodburn, had kidnapped Taylor after the shooting and left the area in his truck.

The information was broadcast to all Marion County law enforcement and, shortly afterward, a Marion County sheriffs deputy located the truck occupied by Peden and Taylor.

Peden fled from law enforcement officers, according to the state police. Troopers said he fired multiple rounds toward the law enforcement officers while traveling through Silverton.

Peden stopped on Oregon 214 near Forest Ridge Road Northeast, troopers said, and he exchanged gunfire with a county deputy and two Silverton police officers.

Peden was arrested and taken to the Marion County Jail. Taylor was flown from the scene for treatment of life-threatening injuries.

Peden is accused of first-degree attempted murder with a firearm, second-degree attempted murder with a firearm, unlawful use of a weapon, first-degree kidnapping and fleeing and attempting to elude in a vehicle.

No officers were hurt during the exchange of gunfire, though bullets hit some of their vehicles, state police said.

The officers involved in the shooting have been identified as Deputy Ron Cereghino, who has 23 years in law enforcement, and Silverton police officers J.J. Lamoreaux and Braden Anderson. Lamoreaux has 14 years in law enforcement and Anderson one year.

The state police has in news releases referred to Taylor using gender information that appears to be incorrect.

 The Oregonian/OregonLive
Five eastern Oregon counties voted Tuesday in favor of considering becoming part of Idaho. Baker, Grant, Lake, Malheur and Sherman counties join Union and Jefferson, which voted last year to require county officials to study or promote joining Idaho.

Grant voted 1,471 to 895 for county officials to meet and discuss relocating Idaho border.

Lake voted 1,341 to 463 for the relocation of Idaho border to be taken up in county board of commissioners meetings.

Malheur voted 3,050 to 2,572 for county court meetings regarding relocation of Oregon-Idaho border.

Sherman voted 429 to 260 in favor of promoting moving Oregon-Idaho border.

Baker voted 3,064 to 2,307 for county commissioners to meet three times per year to discuss a proposal to include 18 counties, including Baker, as part of Idaho, the Baker City Herald reported. Baker County results are not yet available from the Oregon Secretary of States Office.

The grassroots group Move Oregons Border for a Greater Idaho wants to flip Oregons mostly rural eastern and southern counties -- plus a few northern counties in California -- into Idaho, believing theyd be better off in Idahos more conservative political environment. Its hoping that political pressure from county initiative votes will lead to negotiations between Oregon and Idaho to move the border between the two states, putting up to 22 of Oregons 36 counties in Idaho.

This election proves that rural Oregon wants out of Oregon, lead petitioner Mike McCarter said in a statement. If Oregon really believes in liberal values such as self-determination, the Legislature wont hold our counties captive against our will. If were allowed to vote for which government officials we want, we should be allowed to vote for which government we want as well.

The signature-gathering effort to gain political refuge from blue states was hampered last year due to the coronavirus pandemic, but its now picking up some momentum. Several prominent elected officials in Idaho, including Gov. Brad Little, have expressed support for the movement.

Its a lifestyle/values judgment between urban and rural more than anything else, McCarter told The Oregonian/OregonLive last year. He calls the movement a peaceful revolution.

Despite the many jurisdictional, economic and bureaucratic difficulties that redrawing the border would involve, Move Oregons Border for a Greater Idaho says the movement has spurred a passionate response, noting that the average turnout in the counties that voted on the issue in the May 2021 special elections was nearly twice as high as in other Oregon counties.

Moving Oregon counties into Idaho remains a long shot, for no matter how many Oregon counties say they want to be part of Idaho, the two state legislatures -- and ultimately the U.S. Congress -- would have to give their approval.

-- Douglas Perry

dperry@oregonian.com

@douglasmperry
A long-time state lawmaker, Democrat Rep. Brad Witt, of Clatskanie, did not intend to tell a colleague that hed vote for her bill in exchange for sexual favors, an investigator hired by the Oregon Legislature has concluded.

But the investigator did find that Rep. Vikki Breese-Iverson, R-Prineville, was not unreasonable to interpret Witts text message as sexual harassment.

According to screenshots of messages sent between the two lawmakers on April 12, Breese-Iverson asked Witt to support a bill she sponsored that would ease red tape for the owners of a reservoir located in her district. The bill was scheduled for a vote that day.

Witt declined, citing his commitment to sustainability. Breese-Iverson continued to push for his support, and at one point Witt replied, We probably need to go for a beer sometime.

Breese-Iverson did not address that comment, but continued to advocate for her bill.

Witt responded: Im not wedded to beer by any means. Could be dinner or .?

Or what? Breese-Iverson texted back.

Ive made two offerings, Witt responded. If you wanna meet, find something better than dinner or beer.

Trying to get a vote count, Breese-Iverson texted, in the last message that was included in the report.

Later that week, Breese-Iverson filed a formal complaint with the Legislature, alleging that Witts texts constituted a quid pro quo, in which he was seeking sexual favors in exchange for his support of the bill.

The report, which was posted on the legislatures website Wednesday, was written by Sarah Ryan, a Portland attorney hired by the Legislative Equity Office to investigate the complaint.

Ryan wrote that Witts text messages were not invited or welcome, and that Complainant was offended, uncomfortable, shaken and anxious as a result.

But the investigator does not think Witt was actually offering to trade his vote for a date or sex.

I also find that respondent did not intend to offer his vote on complainants bill, in exchange for a date or sexual favors, or to comment on sexual matters, she writes.

What happens next will be discussed in a June 1 meeting of the House Committee on Conduct. In April, the committee briefly addressed the complaint, and discussed whether Witt should be stripped of his position as chair of the House Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee.

After the Conduct Committee decided not to take that step, Witt offered to turn over his gavel voluntarily.

Im gratified that the investigation dealt with the facts at hand and came to a conclusion on that basis, Witt said in a written statement. I am looking forward to the final resolution to this matter in the near term and completing the work that lies ahead in this legislative session.

Breese-Iverson took issue with the investigators conclusions.

The report appears to justify Rep. Witts inappropriate actions with excuses, she said in a written statement. It takes real leadership to stand up and say that this is wrong. Women deserve to be treated fairly and equally. We should not be subjected to unwanted, suggestive text messages. Rep. Witt knows what he did. I believe the text messages that were included as evidence speak for themselves.

House Bill 2616, which was the subject of Witt and Breese-Iversons text exchange passed the House, with Witt joining 18 other lawmakers, all Democrats, in voting against it. A Senate committee held a hearing on it, but it has not been scheduled for a work session, meaning the measure is effectively dead for the 2021 session.

Chris Lehman clehman@oregonian.com
The first thing to know about Seal Rock is that the giant rock there is not called Seal Rock  that would be Elephant Rock and, no, it doesnt seem to be named for elephant seals.

Much confusion surrounds Seal Rock State Recreation Site, a state park on the central Oregon coast, but one thing is certain: Its one of the best, most fascinating little beaches on this rocky stretch of the coastline.

With tide pools, fascinating rock formations and some odd stories, the beach is great for either a quick stop or a long afternoon on the sand. Its not big  the beach stretches only about .3 miles to the south, with another .3 miles beyond some rocks  but theres plenty to see, especially if you go at low tide.

Tide pools here are filled with colorful sea stars and anemones, and are naturally frequented by gulls. Most birds, however, hang out at the top of towering Elephant Rock (a confusingly common name in the Pacific Northwest) where they gather in great numbers.

Seal Rock, both the park and the surrounding town, are named for the Seal Rocks, a rock formation along the coastline where seals and sea lions were known to gather  although these days youd have better luck finding them at the Historic Bayfront in Newport.

A stretch of sandy beach runs along Seal Rock State Recreation Site on the central Oregon coast. Jamie Hale/The Oregonian

Two sea stars are found in the tide pools at Seal Rock State Recreation Site on the central Oregon coast.Jamie Hale/The Oregonian

Gulls gather in tide pools, with jagged rock formations in the surf, at Seal Rock State Recreation Site on the central Oregon coast. Jamie Hale/The Oregonian

Tide pools fill the rocky shoreline just beyond the beach at Seal Rock State Recreation Site on the central Oregon coast.Jamie Hale/The Oregonian

Elephant Rock dominates the northern end of the beach at Seal Rock State Recreation Site on the central Oregon coast. Jamie Hale/The Oregonian

A fairly steep hill descends from the parking lot to the beach, though much of the path is paved and safe to walk. There are also two ADA accessible viewpoints at the park, one overlooking the beach and another just off the parking lot on the north side of Elephant Rock.

Restrooms, picnic tables and a fairly large parking lot (theres room for roughly 30 cars) make it a reliable pit stop between Newport and Waldport.

And like many other areas on the Oregon coast, theres some strange history at Seal Rock. In 1935, large sea monsters were reported at the beach, described as sea serpents of enormous proportions, according to Beach Connection. The alleged creatures were reported to have spooked the local sea lions and earned a headline in the local newspaper.

If you go to Seal Rock with the hopes of finding sea serpents, youll probably leave disappointed. What you will see are some excellent views, a taste of coastal wildlife and a nice stretch of beach. What more could you ask for?

Seal Rock State Recreation Site is open daily for day use, located on the west side of U.S. 101 at Northwest Parkview Street in the town of Seal Rock. There is no fee for parking. Find more information at stateparks.oregon.gov or 541-867-7451.

--Jamie Hale; jhale@oregonian.com; 503-294-4077; @HaleJamesB
Ottumwa, IA (52501)

Today

A mix of clouds and sun during the morning will give way to cloudy skies this afternoon. Hot. High 93F. Winds SSW at 5 to 10 mph..

Tonight

Variable clouds with scattered thunderstorms. Low 68F. Winds WNW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 60%.
Do you appreciate the work we do as the only independent media outlet dedicated to serving OU students, faculty, staff and alumni on campus and around the world for more than 100 years?

Then consider helping fund our endeavors. Around the world, communities are grappling with what journalism is worth and how to fund the civic good that robust news organizations can generate. We believe The OU Daily and Crimson Quarterly magazine provide real value to this community both now by covering OU, and tomorrow by helping launch the careers of media professionals.

If youre able, please SUPPORT US TODAY FOR AS LITTLE AS $1. You can make a one-time donation or a recurring pledge.
(Francis William Martin was born July 11, 1934, in the Porath Hospital located on Larkin Street in the small town of Midland, Michigan. His mom and dad were Elizabeth (Lambie) and Cletys Martin. His great-grandfather was Simeon Kent, a Civil War veteran (1861 to 1865) who lost an arm fighting in the war. Frans maternal grandfather was Dr. Francis Lambie, who emigrated from Scotland to Canada in 1892, and eventually came to Midland, Michigan. Midlanders all, they settled in the small town of Midland, which one day would be the home of The Dow Chemical Company, a giant in the world of chemicals. Frans story continues.)

Each year, the Martins would drive to Coleman to visit Joe and Maude Carter. Cletys mother and step-father. They spent Christmas with them, having the traditional oyster stew while sitting on the enclosed porch.

The fact that Frans mom, Elizabeth, was a teacher was an important part of his life. She taught at the original Dow School until it burned in 1945 and then returned after a new brick schoolhouse was built. She taught the 4th and 5th grades. Alec Brandt was the principal. Later Elizabeth taught at Eastlawn, retiring in 1969.

When Fran entered Junior High then on Grove Street, he walked over to his grandparents home at 1010 Ashman for dinner. Lambie and Harriet doted on Fran and looked forward to the noontime visit of their grandson. Fran said, They always had their big meal at noon so I didnt just have a lunch.

During World War II Fran remembers the Red Cross asking to borrow cots. The Martins loaned them one and after the war ended, they got a cot back, but not the same one they had loaned.

Guy Shipps bought some property off Sugnet on Dykeman Street and Cletys and Elizabeth bought a lot. They had seen the house that Bill and Sylvia Bridge lived in and Elizabeth fell in love with it. Consequently, the new Martin house on Dykeman was almost identical.

In Senior High, Fran was a member of the Switchboard Club. Fran said, We actually were paid by the School Board for our work of lighting at events, the scoreboard and lighting the stage for plays and musicals.

From age 14 to 18, Fran belonged to the DeMolay, an organization sponsored by the Masons for boys in the 10th, 11th and 12th grades in high school.

Graduating from high school in 1952, Fran enrolled in Case Institute of Technology. (Now Case Western Reserve.)

Fran remembers hearing stories about his grandfathers work as a veterinarian. At one time there was a coal mine in the Bay City area and mules were used to haul the coal cars underground. When a mule got sick, Dr. Lambie was called. Fran said, It was easier for my grandfather to go down in the coal mine than to bring a sick mule up from the coal mine.

Summers found Fran working at Dow Corning and he and Don Bartos would meet in the cafeteria before work and have a cup of coffee and a roll. Don was dating a girl in Bay City and he didnt have a car. Fran wasnt dating anyone but he had a car. So Don got a blind date for Fran with a young woman named Elizabeth Oblender, which turned out so well that they fell in love and were married July 14, 1956.

Fran wanted to buy an engagement ring for Betty for Christmas of 1955, but he didnt have the money so he approached his grandparents (Lambie and Harriet Irene) for $325. He got the money and Betty got the ring.

During his four years in college, Fran was in ROTC and when he graduated from Case, he also had the rank of second lieutenant in the Air Force. He went into the Air Force, serving from 1956 to 1959.

In October 1956, Fran was working at The Dow Chemical Company and he was called into the Air Force. He had boot camp in Illinois and just before New Years Eve of 1956, he and Betty went to Sault Ste. Marie. From January to August of 1957 Fran and Betty were in Sault Ste. Marie and their first son, Timothy, was born there on June 26, 1957. From Sault Ste. Marie, he was sent to the village of Armstrong, Ontario, population 300 people.

At the same time, an officer was preparing to leave Armstrong and had a trailer for sale. Fran bought it and Betty and Timothy moved to Armstrong, Ontario, Canada. The Martin family was there until August 1959, when Fran was released from the service.

Returning to Midland, they moved into the house at 115 West Carpenter St., where they lived one year and bought their first house where they lived until 1967.

Fran was transferred to the Dow plant at Allyns Point in Connecticut from 1967 to 1974. The village was Gales Ferry on the Thames River. Dow purchased the entire Allyns Point farm including the family cemetery. The area had been the historical point where Benedict Arnold and his men had attacked the small town. In the cemetery were headstones with the etched words: Murdered by traitor Arnold and his marauding corps. (During the Revolutionary War, Benedict Arnold had betrayed the American colonies and joined the British forces.)

In 1974, another Dow transfer took the Martin family to the Ludington plant in Michigan. Fran retired from Dow in 1986, but the Martin family continued living in Ludington until 1991, when they returned to Midland.

Frans sister, Mary Irene, was the first bride to walk down the main aisle of the new Memorial Presbyterian Church on Ashman Street in Midland. Married to John Hinson on March 23, 1953, they raised four children, three boys and one girl. Mary Irene passed away Nov. 1, 2012, at the age of 82. John passed away Aug. 14, 2018, at the age of 87.

Today, Fran and Betty live on Berkshire Court in Midland. Their three sons, Timothy, Robert and Thomas, live in Ludington, and their daughter, Ruth, lives in Midland. Proud of his Midland roots, he cherishes the memories of his great-grandfather Simeon Kent, his grandfather Dr. Francis Lambie and his father and mother Cletys and Elizabeth Martin. His boundary lines have fallen in pleasant places.

Midland Remembers is penned by Virginia Florey, a freelance writer from Midland.
For Midlander Andy Yao, history is not confined to the past. The Dow High School student recently won the senior paper division of the Michigan History Day contest with his essay, Speak No Evil: Communication in the Holodomor.

Yao began the project last summer as something to pass the time. He recalled reading about the Holodomor, a famine-genocide in Ukraine in the early 1930s, in a history book. Yao became fascinated by what he found and continued to conduct more research.

Its unique as it was larger in scale than Europe had seen before, Yao said.

Yao ideally hoped to talk directly with a Holodomor survivor, but due to the ongoing pandemic and time constraints, obtaining a first-hand account wasnt feasible. Instead, he pored over articles, a congressional study from the 1970s and 1980s which included interviews and books written by survivors. The research involved reading and translating Ukranian into English, culminating to no less than 30 hours put into the essay.

A thing with a lot of books, you have to look through all of it, or else you might miss something, Yao said. It took me longer than it should have, but it was worth it.

The theme of this years Michigan History Day contest centered around communication. Yao focused on how a lack of communication facilitated the Holodomor. He explained that historically, people organize an uprising if they become hungry and upset enough against the ruling government. However, while the Soviet Union increased grain production quotas and left very little for the farmers themselves, they also limited travel. Therefore, Ukranians were unable to muster an effective response.

The soviets had this policy in effect in a lot of places, Yao said. Basically, the Holodomor affected more than just the Ukraine. It ties into the Soviet Union a lot.

Yaos research highlighted one main famine that lasted from the summer of 1932 to the following summer, during which the Soviets confiscated so much food that there wasnt enough to plant the next year.

It didnt take long for many people to die, which is one of the more traumatizing parts of its impact, Yao said, adding that the Holodomor killed at least 10% of Ukraines population.

In addition to becoming a national finalist, Yaos essay received a special award for Best Use of Economic History or Impact. The effects of Holodomor continue to this day, said Yao. The event altered the Ukranian psyche and empowered Ukranian identity.

Even if it doesnt impact you, its important to know, Yao stated. It allows me to see from more perspective than the one were born with.

Yao will make some adjustments to his essay and will submit it to the National History Day contest, which will take place in June.
Humans from the beginning of time have been foragers seeking edible plants in order to survive, and foraging in the wild remains a highly popular outdoor pastime today.

When spring finally makes its appearance after a lengthy winter, foraging in the wild becomes a primary focus for a whole lot of folks, myself included. Great books are available today to enlighten potential foragers on how to go about searching for edible plants and, most importantly, how to properly identify them.

Most likely at the forefront is morel hunting, and May is well known for being morel month," especially here in Michigan. One thing I know for certain is that springtime weather and temperatures, especially, play a key role as to when morels will make their first appearance.

Weather also determines the quantity of morels that will be out. Super dry springs, such as this year's, can slow and even suppress growth.

Just the same, a friend of mine found morels during the latter part of April, and the other day another friend found a payload of them in his woods, so there is really no way to accurately assess where and when they can be found, at least in my humble opinion.

My method is to keep looking and hope for the best, and Ive found that morels tend to naturally blend in with their surroundings. They can even be in plain sight and still be hard to see!

There definitely is a skill level to acquire to become frequently successful. Yep, folks, Im still working at obtaining that skill level!

The black morel tends to be the first to pop up, and the yellow morel typically shows up a couple weeks later. The black and the yellow are the ones which I encounter most often, but there are other species and Im not a mushroom expert by any means.

There is also the white (common) morel, which I may have confused at times with a yellow morel, but that is no matter to me. Morels are easy for me to identify as being edible, and no matter the species, I love to eat them all!

In fact, morels are the only springtime fungi which I search out and know that I can safely eat.

A "true" morel will have the notable sponge-like top adjoined to the stem, while "false" morels have a separate cap which is quite evident. And a true morel, when split in half, will be hollow, whereas a false morel usually isnt.

False morels, although not considered edible, have been consumed by some humans with no ill effects, but this could eventually have an impact on a frequent consumer.

A prime example is the beefsteak morel, which happens to be very popular with many folks, and the question of whether it is safe to eat is definitely quite controversial.

The fact is, the beefsteak morel is officially classified as a false morel, has a solid core, and is not considered edible by most experts. It contains a chemical when ingested, which is the same component used in rocket fuel.

One beefsteak morel fan told me that proper cooking will always burn off the possibly harmful chemicals. Some folks have been able to consume it without ill effects for their entire lives, while others were not so lucky. Exposure over time, I guess, can sometimes catch up to certain folks.

A case in point is an avid mushroom hunter I knew who had consumed beefsteak morels for years, and he dearly looked forward to their appearance each spring. Then came the moment during a dinner while consuming cooked beefsteak morels, when he suddenly became seriously ill and had to be rushed to the hospital, where he was put on life-support and nearly died.

His skin still had a yellow pallor (clearly identifying a liver issue) for months after his lengthy recovery, and the experience sure aged him some. His wife and daughter had eaten the same cooked mushrooms without any ill effects whatsoever. Needless to say, however, beefsteak morels were out for them from then on.

When it comes to morel picking, I always use a knife to cut the stem just above the ground. Trying to simply pluck or pinch it off with your fingers can damage the root system, causing an adverse effect for future morels.

I also once read that a few morels should be left in a favorite patch to allow eventual spores to be released by them to assist with reproducing. However, I must admit Im a tad guilty for not wanting to leave any hard-to-find morels behind. But Im sure I naturally miss enough of them to do the job.

Another springtime delight I enjoy foraging for is the wild leek, which is also called a ramp." Ramps are wild onions which have a mild garlic-like flavor, and the entire plant, including its leaves, is edible, raw or cooked.

Care must be taken in harvesting ramps because you are digging the entire plant up, and it can be easy to completely deplete and eventually destroy a patch. While legal on private lands, it is illegal to forage for ramps on public lands in Michigan because you are harvesting the entire plant.

I do have my favorite ramp hotspots where I have permission to forage on private property, and like foragers everywhere, Im quite secretive about those locations. The fact is, avid foragers are among the most secretive folks I have ever encountered!

Ramps, which grow in clumps, are quite easy to identify and feature green, blade-shaped leaves and reddish stems. To double-check, crush a leaf with your fingers and there will be a distinct onion/garlic odor, and the root is a bulb-like affair.

The roots can be small, usually much smaller than those of garden leeks, but they are quite flavorful! I like to use the raw leaves and diced roots in salads, and the ramp roots fried in butter with fresh morels are one of my favorite springtime recipes.

I use a garden spade to carefully dig up ramps, avoid annihilating a clump, and put the soil back in place. I dont believe it is wise to leave matters to appear as if a hog had been rooting around.

Wild asparagus is another plant I regularly forage for in the spring. It is a non-native plant species, having been brought in by European settlers to this country way back when.

Asparagus prefers a good dose of sunlight and, here in my Thumb area, is commonly found along roadsides, ditches and fencerows. I have some special spots in fencerows and on the ditch on my farm, and when properly picked on a regular basis, asparagus comes right back year after year. And nothing beats foraging for it in the wild!

As summer eases in, my foraging efforts lean towards foraging for various wild berries (which is legal on public land, where some of my favorite spots are located). Elderberries, blueberries, blackberries and raspberries are definitely on the list. And those small wild strawberries, when I find them, are the most flavorful and sweetest ever.

Yep, folks, a day spent doing some wild foraging is a great, and even at times, quite a challenging way to enjoy the great outdoors, which I truly look forward to each year.

Email Tom Lounsbury at tlounsburyoutdoors@gmail.com
A member of the Trine University Class of 2021 was honored by the Indiana Section of the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) during its annual section meeting earlier this month.

A. Jackson Huckeby of Freeland, who will graduate with a civil engineering degree from Trine at the end of the year, received section awards for his contribution and dedication to ASCE during the virtual meeting.
WASHINGTON (AP)  President Joe Biden and progressive Democrats have proposed to lower Medicares eligibility age to 60, to help older adults get affordable coverage. But a new study finds that Medicare can be more expensive than other options, particularly for many people of modest means.

There are two reasons: Traditional Medicare has gaps in coverage that most people fill by purchasing supplemental plans, which means they pay added premiums. And premiums for the Obama-era Affordable Care Act have come way down recently due to Biden's COVID relief bill. That's made the ACA more attractive for older adults who haven't reached Medicare's eligibility age of 65.

Simply expanding Medicare eligibility does not guarantee premium affordability, concluded the study by Avalere Health for The Associated Press.

It found that many older adults with low to modest incomes can already find cheaper premiums in Obamacare's markets, while those in the solid middle class would be more likely to benefit if they could get into Medicare.

Lowering the Medicare eligibility age to 60 is politically popular, with nearly 2 in 3 Americans backing the idea in a Kaiser Family Foundation poll late last year. That included about half of Republicans. But in Congress the proposal has little support from Republicans, meaning that it would be up to Democrats to try to advance it. Liberals are enthusiastic, but moderates worry that tinkering with Medicare's complex financing could have unintended political consequences.

The Avalere analysis did find that traditional Medicare has an important advantage over Obamacare because hospitals and doctors nationwide accept it, whereas coverage through private insurers generally relies on restrictive networks. Another potential plus: the combination of traditional Medicare and a supplemental Medigap policy provides more generous coverage than the ACAs midlevel plans.

Avalere, a market analysis and consulting firm, compared Obamacare premiums to premiums for Medicare coverage in Houston, Miami, Los Angeles, and Chicago for a hypothetical 60-year-old nonsmoker and a 65-year-old enrolled in Medicare. Because the ACA's financial assistance is keyed to income, the study looked at individuals making about $18,000 a year, those making about $32,000, and those around $52,000. It also took into account Medicare Advantage, the private insurance option that nearly 4 in 10 Medicare enrollees pick.

Medicare was generally the better deal for those in the solid middle class, those around $52,000.

In Houston, a 60-year-old making $32,000 can get a midlevel ACA silver plan for $88 a month, compared with either $284 for traditional Medicare plus a Medigap supplement and a prescription plan, or a Medicare Advantage plan starting at $149. For a resident of the same city making $52,000, the Obamacare plan would cost $344, making Medicare the better deal.

A hypothetical 60-year-old in Los Angeles making $18,000 can now get a silver plan for a monthly premium of $1, compared with $277 for traditional Medicare and its added wrap-around coverage. But for an Angeleno making $52,000, traditional Medicare would work out to about $70 less per month than the ACA plan.

Simply expanding Medicare as it is to younger people does not always mean those patients are getting a better deal, said Chris Sloan, an industry analyst at Avalere. The things that the Biden administration has done to increase the Obamacare subsidies thru 2022 have made it really affordable.

Biden is asking Congress to permanently extend the more generous financial assistance that has brought down the cost Obamacare premiums.

The Avalere analysis also found that uninsured people make up only 8% of the 24.5 million adults ages 60-64 who would qualify for Medicare by lowering the eligibility age. Of the total, about 6 in 10 currently have employer coverage.

The Biden administration, through the Department of Health and Human Services, had no comment.

Economist John Holahan of the Urban Institute think thank said the new research illustrates an important point.

Medicare as it stands right now is a sort of complicated beast with a separate drug plan and no out-of-pocket caps," he said. "The nation has that in the ACA, and at a pretty heavily subsidized amount.

Without other changes, lowering the Medicare eligibility age may not really solve coverage or affordability problems, said health policy expert Katherine Hempstead of the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation.

It's hard to see a lot of obvious situations where Wow, this is a great deal for someone, or a big improvement over the status quo, she said.

But Rep. Ro Khanna, D-Calif., a progressive advocating a Medicare for All national health insurance plan, said the study framed the question too narrowly. A new tax-financed plan modeled on Medicare and offering comprehensive coverage with no premiums or deductibles would be better for consumers, he said. And the U.S. would reduce health care spending because Medicare pays doctors and hospitals less than private insurance.

The ACA is still basically a subsidy for private insurance, said Khanna. What we don't want to be doing is entrenching private insurance companies that are a drain on American competitiveness and have failed to deliver comprehensive coverage to Americans.

In other findings, the study showed that in Miami, the ACA could offer slightly lower premiums than traditional Medicare even for a solid middle-class individual making $52,000, a potential savings of about $40 a month.

And in Chicago, the traditional Medicare combination would cost a lower-income person $268 a month. But they could find ACA coverage starting at $1.
MIAMI (AP)  A judge in Colombia has sentenced three Venezuelan men to six years in prison for helping organize an ill-conceived plot to remove President Nicolas Maduro involving former American Green Berets.

The sentence handed down late Tuesday was the minimum allowed for the crimes, according to an attorney for the three co-defendants who spoke to The Associated Press on Wednesday.

In March, the men pleaded guilty to working alongside Jordan Goudreau, a former U.S. Green Beret and Iraq war veteran, in organizing a rag tag army of a few dozen Venezuelan military deserters intent on overthrowing Venezuelas socialist leadership. Plans included raiding military installations as well as the presidential palace.

The so-called Operation Gideon  or the Bay of Piglets, as the bloody fiasco came to be known  ended with six insurgents dead and two of Goudreaus former Special Forces buddies behind bars in Caracas. But the plot really never stood a chance of succeeding against Maduros loyal and heavily armed military after having been thoroughly infiltrated months earlier.

Two of the men sentenced Tuesday, National Guard Maj. Juvenal Sequea and Juven Sequea, are the older brothers of the confessed commander of the failed May 3 incursion, Capt. Antonio Sequea, who is jailed in the Venezuelan capital of Caracas. The third person, Rayder Russo, has long sought Maduros armed overthrow.

As part of the plea bargain agreement reached in March the men accepted a single charge of providing logistical support to an illegal armed group. Charges for a more serious offense of providing military training were dropped as part of their collaboration.

None of the men participated in the failed raid, having abandoned the secret camps in northern Colombia where the rebels were gathering, in some cases months before it was launched. Testimony from other Venezuelan deserters, one of whom was arrested transporting a weapon and a large number of cellular phones, nonetheless placed each of the men in leadership positions of the plot alongside Goudreau and the plots ringleader, retired Venezuelan Army Gen. Cliver Alcala.

A fourth defendant in the Colombian investigation, Yacsy Alvarez, is fighting charges that she helped smuggle weapons to the volunteer army. She has accused Colombian authorities of being in constant contact with Alcala.

Alvarez served as Goudreaus translator during his visits to Colombia and the two opened an affiliate of his small Florida security firm Silvercorp, in mid-2019. It listed its address at an upscale hotel in Barranquilla, according to Colombian public records.

She also flew with Goudreau and the two other former Green Berets  Luke Denman and Airan Berry  to Barranquilla aboard a Cessna jet belonging to her boss, businessman Franklin Duran, who has a long history of deal-making with the Venezuelan government. At the time, Alvarez was living in the Caribbean coastal city and working as a director in a unit of Durans auto lubricants company.

According to the sentence read in court, the Colombian investigation was prompted by the March 23, 2020 seizure of a cache of 26 assault rifles and tactical equipment it was later revealed were dispatched by Alvarez and destined for the rebels in the desert-like La Guajira peninsula that Colombia shares with Venezuela.

The man coordinating the clandestine effort, Alcala, took responsibility for the weapons hours before turning himself in on March 26 to face U.S. drug charges.

Alcala, who is now awaiting trial in New York, said the weapons belonged to the Venezuelan people. He also lashed out against opposition leader Juan Guaido, accusing him of betraying a contract he had signed with American advisers to remove Maduro.

The U.S. has denied any direct role in the attempted raid just as Venezuelas opposition has taken distance from Goudreau, despite having previously signed with him an agreement to conduct a snatch and grab operation inside Venezuela.

Other than a $50,000 payment for expenses, Silvercorp was never paid. And Goudreau during the raid acknowledged going ahead with the invasion without Guaidos support even though he later sued one of Guaidos aides, Miami-based political analyst J.J. Rendon, for breach of contract.

___

Follow Goodman on Twitter: @APJoshGoodman
To the editor:

This is a letter in support for the completion of the extension of Sugnet between Main Street and Dublin.

We understand that our councilman, Mr. Arnosky, is not in favor of this extension. He does not speak to his constituents who fully support this project. He does not live in this area and apparently does not understand that this is a safety issue, not a convenience issue.

When Dublin Avenue was shut down for sewer improvements nine years ago, our only egress out of the neighborhood was Tittabawassee River Road. It was a muddy, oily mess, riddled with potholes. Several residents sustained damage to their vehicles during this time. The number of residents in the neighborhood has more than doubled in that time so this egress is not viable.

Dublin Avenue south of Saginaw has continued to develop over the years. The increase in traffic is substantial, and there are over 100 more houses planned for the area that will use only Dublin Avenue for access.

We believe that the completion of Sugnet will also reduce congestion on Saginaw Road, especially by Dow High School. Many people will use this as a shorter route to work or other areas of the community.

Would this benefit Northwood? Probably. But this extension would most certainly benefit the residents that live off Dublin Avenue. The most important benefit is the safety of the neighborhood by having alternate outlet.

DAVID AND JANET THOMPSON

Midland
To the editor:

The third mobile food pantry by the Midland County Emergency Food Pantry Network this year was hosted on May 3 in the parking lot of Wheeler Road Church of Christ, 1123 E. Wheeler Road, Midland. Because of the pandemic guidelines, our mobile food pantry events continue outside as drive-thru, no-contact distributions. Masks are worn by all the volunteers.

The giveaway of approximately 17,000 pounds of food was provided at no cost (i.e. federally sponsored) from the Food Bank of Eastern Michigan in Flint. The 30 volunteers served 71 families with generous amounts of grapes, tomatoes, raisins, watermelon, potatoes, eggs, milk, frozen meats, canned beans, peanut butter and bagged chips. After the distribution at the church, non-distributed food was shared with four nonprofits in Midland for use in their ministries: Shelterhouse, Caregiving Network, The Salvation Army and Midland's Open Door.

The network is very grateful to the many donors of food, money and time to the network's mission of "Always food in every home." The next drive-thru MFP is tentatively scheduled for June 8 in the parking lot of Blessed Sacrament Church on the corner of Ashman and Swede roads. Midland County residents in (financial) need of food during the year may dial 211 and request the Midland County Emergency Food Pantry Network for food assistance or may dial the network directly at 989-486-9393 and press 1 to leave a message.

SALLY ANN SUTTON

Midland County EFPN
One of the greatest failings of Congress is its inability to confront the institutional challenges affecting the countrys political system in general  and itself in particular.

Internal congressional procedures, despite periodic reform attempts, remain cumbersome and inefficient, subject to manipulation by the whims of each successive majority.

For the two decades since the 9/11 attacks, lawmakers have refused to deal with the danger that a terrorist attack could decimate the House of Representatives, leaving it unable to function for months.

More recently, partisan wrangling has prevented the authorization of the necessary investigation into the Jan. 6 insurrection that threatened dozens of lawmakers as they sought to perform their constitutional duty of finalizing last Novembers presidential election.

As with most congressional failings, the blame is bipartisan, though Republicans bear the main responsibility. Most have shown little interest in a probe, presumably because former President Donald Trumps role in inciting the attack would inevitably be a major focus.

Their resistance is one of the key underlying issues in the internal dispute that prompted Rep. Liz Cheneys ouster from the House GOP leadership. Cheney, one of 10 House Republicans who voted to impeach Trump, favors confining any investigation to the events of Jan. 6, while other top Republicans want to broaden it to include the violence surrounding racial justice protests in many U.S. cities last summer.

What happened on Jan. 6 is unprecedented in our history, and I think that it's very important that the commission be able to focus on that, Cheney told a recent GOP gathering in Florida.

But Speaker Nancy Pelosi, a strong proponent of a probe, also bears some blame for the fact that, four months after pro-Trump mobs invaded the Capitol, no investigation has yet been authorized.

 Please log in to keep reading. Enjoy unlimited articles at one of our lowest prices ever.

The powerful speaker initially proposed a panel with a majority of Democratic appointees, reflecting her partys control of the presidency, House and Senate. But the best hope for a credible investigation lies in making it as bipartisan as is possible in todays heated environment.

That means an equal number of Democratic and Republican appointees, as was done on the high-level panels that probed the 9/11 attacks and President John F. Kennedys assassination. Pelosi has now proposed giving both parties authority to subpoena witnesses and started negotiations seeking a bipartisan agreement.

The biggest hang-up remains the GOPs insistence that any probe also include last summers protests in many American cities after the murder in Minneapolis of George Floyd.

House GOP Leader Kevin McCarthys position is especially tricky since, besides representing the opposition of his House Republican colleagues, he is a potential witness who could provide essential information about Trumps role in the insurrection to any investigating panel.

Thats because of the mid-afternoon Jan. 6 telephone conversation in which he reportedly urged Trump to take action to quell the uprising. According to a statement that surfaced during Trumps impeachment trial by Washington state Rep. Jaime Herrera Beutler, McCarthy told her he advised the president to publicly and forcefully call off the riot.

McCarthy also said the president bears responsibility for what happened Jan. 6.

In recent weeks, Pelosi has said that, unless Republicans agree to a bipartisan 9/11-style panel, she will create a committee like the House Select Committee Republicans formed in 2014 to investigate the 2012 murder of four Americans by terrorists in Benghazi, Libya.

Naming a select panel wont end the political wrangling. Any probe will likely encounter substantial resistance and trigger legal fights when it tries to obtain testimony from Trump and his top aides about what happened that day.

That would be unfortunate. The first step toward preventing a repetition of what became the greatest modern threat to our democratic processes is to make clear what actually happened -- and who was responsible.

Carl P. Leubsdorf is the former Washington bureau chief of the Dallas Morning News. Email carl.p.leubsdorf@gmail.com.

Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0
BLOOMINGTON  Bloomington has until June 23 to decide whether to ask the state's highest court to reconsider an April ruling that elected officials and executive staff violated the Open Meetings Act in 2017 when they gathered behind closed doors to discuss ending the Metro Zone agreement with Normal.

A choice to file the request  called a petition for leave to appeal  with the Illinois Supreme Court comes after the 4th District Appellate Court on Wednesday denied the city's request to rehear the case.

Bloomington filed the latter ask, known as a petition for rehearing, with the Springfield-based appellate court on Monday.

The three-member appellate court on April 26 issued a unanimous opinion agreeing with a previous binding opinion from the Illinois Attorney General's Office and reversing a lower court ruling.

The justices found that the Bloomington City Council did not comply with the act when it convened Feb. 20, 2017, for one hour and 21 minutes in a closed session over probable litigation," because "absent from the closed session was any discussion of legal theories, defenses, claims, or possible approaches to litigation."

Reached by email and phone Wednesday afternoon, Bloomington City Attorney Jeff Jurgens said its too early to definitively say whether the city will appeal to the Illinois Supreme Court.

"We're still figuring out some direction and getting a little guidance," Jurgens said. "But it won't take the full 35 days to make a decision."

Whether to let the litigation die or push ahead adds to the ongoing fallout from the since-dissolved Metro Zone agreement.

The Pantagraph was the first to report in April that Bloomington City Manager Tim Gleason and Normal City Manager Pam Reece have been in discussion for weeks over at least $500,000 in unremitted sewer charges stemming from customers within the former zone.

A resolution to those conversations  a memorandum of understanding between the city and the town to pay for an independent audit of how much is owed  is being formulated, Deputy City Manager Billy Tyus confirmed with The Pantagraph this week.

Gleason in a statement emailed Wednesday said "there is a new administration and council that are all focused on collaborating not only with the Town but all of our vital governmental partners."

Recording of meeting still under seal

What's at stake in whether to appeal to the high court is the release of an audio recording of the near hour-and-a-half closed-door meeting that took place in 2017.

The Pantagraph this month filed a request under the Freedom of Information Act for a copy of the recording. The request was denied because the recording and all other documents, including the city's petition for rehearing, are sealed under court record.

That seal was also extended to the city's May 17 petition for rehearing, according to an appellate court order obtained by The Pantagraph.

 Please log in to keep reading. {{featured_button_text}} Enjoy unlimited articles at one of our lowest prices ever.

Support Local Journalism Your membership makes our reporting possible. {{featured_button_text}}

Under the OMA, public release of the recording is also prohibited unless the city "has made a determination that the verbatim recording no longer requires confidential treatment or otherwise consents to disclosure."

The recording, which would reveal which city leader said what during the meeting, could also be released if the city does not appeal to the Supreme Court and the appellate court issues a specific mandate to release it.

"I do not envision the City needing 35 days to decide on an appeal and would therefore anticipate release of the recording in the near future," Jurgens said in a statement.

"While the City disagrees with the opinion of the court on whether our finding of probable litigation was properly supported, we are now four years past this situation and I believe many feel it is time to move on," Jurgens said.

The council during the closed meeting was weighing whether to pull out of the Metro Zone agreement  a deal made with Normal in 1986 to share revenue and expenses stemming from development in an area on the municipalities' west sides  and not litigation, which was the reason cited for convening the meeting.

A week later, Council voted on Feb. 28, 2017, to dissolve the partnership. A day after the vote, then-McLean County State's Attorney Jason Chambers wrote the AG's public access bureau, referencing citizen complaints that the council's Feb. 20 closed meeting was improper. On June 26, 2017, then-Attorney General Lisa Madigan issued a binding opinion that the council violated the act. The city asked for a circuit court to review the binding opinion, which it reversed. The AG then appealed that ruling to the appellate court.

After reviewing the recording of the session, the appellate justices found that council members "did not reasonably believe that litigation was probable or imminent." They pointed to one council member noting there was "no clear cut road" to litigation, another council member characterizing possible litigation as a minor issue and another calling a lawsuit threat from Normal a negotiating tactic.

The council, former Mayor Tari Renner, former City Manager David Hales and Jurgens also discussed two options  a joint resolution with Normal, or unilaterally ending the 30-year agreement  and "how to peddle the issues to their constituents," according to the court.

Renner, whose second term ended in April, has said that he "respectfully disagree(s)" with the court's opinion.

Language used by the closed session attendees included: may result in better public relations, Normal will savage the City, politically not palatable and we have talking points, the court found.

The council also discussed suspending payments pursuant to the agreement, "whether a suspension would cost Bloomington more in the future, the perceived unequal payments Bloomington previously made under the agreement, whether the amount at issue was significant, and which of the options described would be the most economical."

Justice Peter Cavanagh also wrote that six of the nine council members expressed concern about how their actions would be perceived by the public.

The language they used, Cavanagh wrote, "covered the gamut of terms evidencing the concern for how to best handle inquiries and criticism."

Contact Timothy Eggert at (309) 820-3276. Follow him on Twitter: @TimothyMEggert

Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0
NEW LONDON, Conn. (AP)  President Joe Biden on Wednesday used his first commencement address as commander in chief to tell Coast Guard Academy graduates they will play a vital role as the United States reasserts itself on the world stage.

Biden, speaking at the Coast Guard's sun-soaked Connecticut campus, told the 240 graduates that the world is changing and told them that they are at significant inflection point.

The best way to meet the wide array of threats we meet today is by investing in Americas enduring advantages," said Biden, "and ensure were operating from a position of strength.

 Please log in to keep reading. {{featured_button_text}} Enjoy unlimited articles at one of our lowest prices ever.

The president used the speech to position the United States as a defender of global rules, trade and marine law, specifically in the South China Sea and the Arctic. Following the inward-looking presidency of Donald Trump, Biden has pushed for the U.S. to prove that democracy still works at home so it can lead by example across the globe and compete with rising autocracies.

But Biden made no mention of several current global hotspots, including the ongoing conflict between Israel and the Palestinians, for which hours earlier he called for a cease-fire. Biden, who also spoke at the New London academy as vice president in 2013, did stress that the Coast Guard played in responding to more frequent extreme weather, such as hurricanes, due to climate change.

In good spirts, Biden relished the stage, telling stories about his late son Beau  an Army veteran and teasing the graduates for not laughing at his jokes, smiling as he declared them a really dull class. But he turned serious when he praised them for navigating the COVID-19 pandemic, declaring that "you met the threat head on, you adapted, you showed resilience, you led.



Lemire reported from New York.

Copyright 2021 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.
GAZA CITY, Gaza Strip (AP)  Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Wednesday vowed to press ahead with a fierce military offensive in the Gaza Strip, pushing back against calls from U.S. President Joe Biden to wind down the operation that has left hundreds dead.

Netanyahu's tough comments marked the first public rift between the two close allies since the fighting began last week and could complicate international efforts to reach a cease-fire.

After a visit to military headquarters, Netanyahu said he "greatly appreciates the support of the American president," but said Israel will push ahead "to return the calm and security to you, citizens of Israel."

He said he is "determined to continue this operation until its aim is met."

He spoke shortly after Biden told Netanyahu "that he expected a significant de-escalation today on the path to a ceasefire," the White House said.

Biden had previously avoided pressing Israel more directly and publicly for a cease-fire with Gaza's Hamas militant rulers. But pressure has been ramping up on him to intervene more forcefully as other diplomatic efforts also gather strength.

Netanyahu has repeatedly vowed to press ahead with the operation, and his tough response to Biden signaled he had no intentions of stopping. In another sign of potential escalation, militants in Lebanon fired a barrage of rockets into northern Israel on Wednesday.

Egyptian negotiators have also been working to halt the fighting, and an Egyptian diplomat said that some of the country's top officials are waiting for Israel's response to a cease-fire offer. The diplomat spoke on condition of anonymity in line with regulations. Meanwhile, German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas said he hoped to fly to Israel for talks Thursday with Israelis and Palestinians.

Earlier in the day, the Israeli military said it was widening its strikes on militant targets in southern Gaza to blunt continuing rocket fire from Hamas. At least nine people were killed in the Gaza Strip on Wednesday.

The current round of fighting between Israel and Hamas began May 10 when the militant group fired long-range rockets toward Jerusalem after days of clashes between Palestinian protesters and Israeli police at the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound, a flashpoint site sacred to Jews and Muslims. Heavy-handed police tactics at the compound and the threatened eviction of dozens of Palestinian families by Jewish settlers had inflamed tensions.

Since then, Israel has pounded Gaza with hundreds of airstrikes it says are targeting Hamas' militant infrastructure, and Hamas and other militant groups embedded in residential areas have fired more than 3,700 rockets at Israeli cities, with hundreds falling short and most of the rest intercepted.

At least 227 Palestinians have been killed, including 64 children and 38 women, with 1,620 people wounded, according to the Gaza Health Ministry, which does not break the numbers down into fighters and civilians. Hamas and Islamic Jihad say at least 20 of their fighters have been killed, while Israel says the number is at least 130. Some 58,000 Palestinians have fled their homes.

Twelve people in Israel, including a 5-year-old boy, a 16-year-old girl and a soldier, have been killed.

On Wednesday, militants in Lebanon fired a barrage of rockets into northern Israel, threatening to open up a new front in fighting.

The rocket attack, which drew Israeli artillery fire in response but apparently did not cause any injuries, raised the possibility of dragging Israel into renewed conflict with the powerful Lebanese militant group Hezbollah to its north.

 Please log in to keep reading. {{featured_button_text}} Enjoy unlimited articles at one of our lowest prices ever.

No one immediately claimed responsibility for the attack, and Hezbollah, which fought a monthlong war against Israel in 2006, has stayed out of the fighting for now.

But the barrage appears to be carefully calibrated to send a political message that the group, which has tens of thousands of missiles, could join the battle at any time. Israel considers Hezbollah to be its most formidable threat, and has threatened widespread destruction in Lebanon if war were to erupt.

The rockets are widely believed to be fired by Palestinian factions based in south Lebanon. But they cannot operate without Hezbollah's tacit consent.

In the Gaza Strip, one of the Israeli airstrikes destroyed the home of an extended family.

Residents surveyed the piles of bricks, concrete and other debris that had once been the home of 40 members of al-Astal family in the southern Gaza town of Khan Younis. They said a warning missile struck the building five minutes before the airstrike, allowing everyone to escape.

Ahmed al-Astal, a university professor, described a scene of panic, with men, women and children racing out of the building. Some of the women didn't even have time to cover their hair with Muslim headscarves, he said.

"We had just gotten down to the street, breathless, when the devastating bombardment came," he said. "They left nothing but destruction, the children's cries filling the street. ... This is happening, and there is no one to help us. We ask God to help us."

The Israeli military said it struck a militant tunnel network around the towns of Khan Younis and Rafah, with 52 aircraft hitting 40 underground targets.

Among the nine people killed Wednesday was a reporter for Hamas-run Al-Aqsa radio and two people who died when warning missiles crashed into their apartment.

Military officials, meanwhile, said a mysterious explosion that killed eight members of a Palestinian family on the first day of the fighting was caused by a misfired rocket from Gaza. "This wasn't an Israeli attack," said Lt. Col. Jonathan Conricus, a military spokesman.

Since the fighting began, Gaza's infrastructure, already weakened by a 14-year blockade, has rapidly deteriorated. Medical supplies, water and fuel for electricity are running low in the territory, on which Israel and Egypt imposed the blockade after the Islamic militant group Hamas seized power in 2007.

Israeli attacks have damaged at least 18 hospitals and clinics and destroyed one health facility, the World Health Organization said. Nearly half of all essential drugs have run out.

The Gaza Health Ministry said it had salvaged coronavirus vaccines after shrapnel from an Israeli airstrike damaged the territory's only testing facility, which also administered hundreds of vaccines. The operations were relocated to another clinic.

Dr. Majdi Dhair, head of preventive medicine at the ministry, said the territory was already struggling to recover from a coronavirus wave that hit in February, with more than 4,200 active cases. At least 986 people have died from COVID-19 in Gaza, which only has enough supplies to vaccinate some 55,000 people out of a population of 2 million.

Among the buildings leveled by Israeli airstrikes was one housing The Associated Press' Gaza office and those of other media outlets.

Netanyahu alleged that Hamas military intelligence was operating in the building. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said Tuesday that Israel had given the U.S. information about the bombing, without elaborating.

The AP has called for an independent investigation. The news organization's president, Gary Pruitt, has said the AP had no indication Hamas was present in the building and that "this is something we check as best we can."

The fighting, the worst since a 2014 war between Israel and Hamas, has ignited protests around the world and inspired Palestinians in Israel and the occupied territories to call a general strike Tuesday. It was a rare collective action that spanned boundaries central to decades of failed peace efforts. Israel captured the West Bank, east Jerusalem and Gaza in the 1967 Mideast war, territories the Palestinians want for their future state.

Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0
McHenry County board members voted Tuesday to continue keeping federally detained immigrants at the county jail, despite impassioned calls from people who called the practice inhumane.

The 15-8 vote, which took place at a contentious meeting that lasted more than three hours, maintains the countys contract to keep detainees for U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, known as ICE, while they await immigration hearings.

An emotional debate featured comments from immigrants and family members who pleaded to the board to stop participating in a system that takes people away from their families, often jeopardizing their income and housing. At the same time, they objected to the county making money from the federal government, which pays $95 per day per detainee under a contract worth up to $10 million some years, but much less now due to COVID-related reductions.

Amanda Garcia, an immigration attorney from Crystal Lake, spoke of the threat facing immigrants like Meydi Guzman Rivas, 19, who was a Crystal Lake high school student when she was separated from her father and kept in the jail on immigration charges in 2019. She is seeking asylum from gangs in Honduras she said threatened to kill her.

It is time for this county to stop drinking from a poisonous well, Garcia said.

Another speaker, Johannes Favi, said he came from the West African country of Benin in 2013 on a visitor visa, and was in the process of applying for a green card sponsored by his U.S. citizen wife. But immigration agents held him in custody in Kentucky in 2019, the AP reported, in connection with a 2015 financial crime to which he pleaded guilty. He said he was snatched from his family for almost a year, and missed the birth of his second child.

It is a shame for this great country  he said. Detention is not and never will be the solution for a civil matter like immigration.

A letter from ICE last year stated that 73% of detainees in McHenry custody had a criminal conviction, though an ICE official later clarified that number was higher than usual because of COVID-related reductions in detentions.

 Please log in to keep reading. {{featured_button_text}} Enjoy unlimited articles at one of our lowest prices ever.

But most ICE detainees who had a record were for misdemeanors or other minor offenses, and all are adjudicated through the criminal court system, not ICE, which only handles immigration disputes, said Fred Tsao, senior policy counsel for the Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights.

ICE data showed that most immigrants show up for their hearings, Tsao said, showing how unnecessary it is to keep them behind bars for a civil infraction, and he argued that the county should not be complicit in an unjust process.

Countering that argument, Brian McCann spoke of how in 2011 his brother was struck and killed in Chicago, allegedly by a drunken driver and immigrant living in the U.S. illegally, despite five deportations and a prior drunken driving conviction. McCann said hed taught many immigrant children in Chicago Public Schools and wished them well, but added, People dont want their families broken up  neither do I.

In any event, if McHenry were to stop accepting ICE detainees, they would not be released, but would be transferred to another facility, such as the Pulaski County jail downstate, which also houses people for ICE.

New board member John Collins said detention criminalizes a civil matter, calling it unjust. Board member Joseph Gottemoller said ending the contract would not solve the problems objectors raised, adding, This county board doesnt have the ability to solve the immigration problem in this country.

Advocates for ending the contract said it would put pressure on the issue from the bottom up, and make clear how people feel about it McHenry County, a traditionally conservative Republican area in the suburbs and farmlands northwest of Chicago.

Were going to throw a pebble in the water  that will begin to ripple, board member Michael Vijuck said. For me to be able to sleep tonight, I cant continue this contract.

But board member Jim Kearns countered that he couldnt sleep knowing detainees would be transferred to points unknown, where conditions might be worse.

A group called the Coalition to Cancel the Ice Contract in McHenry County said it delivered more than 2,000 signatures on a petition to end the contract, and protested repeatedly in recent months, including outside the board meeting. Members said they would keep pushing to end the deal despite the vote.

A state bill expected to be considered this month may override the county. The Way Forward Act, supporters said, would prohibit such contracts to house ICE detainees.

Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0
CHAMPAIGN  A Champaign police officer with Decatur ties died Wednesday after being shot by a suspect in a domestic disturbance who also was killed in an exchange of gunfire that left a second officer wounded, a police chief said.

Champaign police Officer Chris Oberheim, 44, passed away due to injuries sustained while on-duty," Police Chief Anthony Cobb said in a statement. Oberheim began his law enforcement career as a member of the Decatur Police Department.

Cobb said Oberheim was struck by gunfire early Wednesday while responding to a domestic disturbance. His only intention was to serve, protect and help provide care before he was senselessly fired upon and killed."

Oberheim joined the Champaign Police Department in September 2008.

"Officer Oberheim served on the City of Decatur Police Department for 7 years before joining the Champaign Police Department. Please keep Officer Oberheim's family, fellow officers and all those in Law Enforcement in your thoughts and prayers. Thank You for your dedicated service Officer Oberheim," the Decatur department said in a Facebook post.

Oberheim, a 1994 graduate of Stephen Decatur High School, lived in Monticello with his family.

Vic Zimmerman, superintendent of the Monticello School District, issued the following statement after learning of Oberheim's passing.

"It is with deep sadness that we process the news of the passing of Chris Oberheim while working as a Champaign Police Officer early this morning. Chris was a parent in our school district and was very involved in the lives of his four daughters, three of which currently attend our schools. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family during this difficult time. Police Officers, Firefighters, and other first responders put their lives on the line every day to ensure that the rest of us are safe - they are there when we need them during our most difficult times and are often not appreciated for their daily work. Tragedies like this bring out the best in all of us as we rally around them and their families during difficult times. The Monticello School District, the City of Monticello, and all of Officer Oberheim's fellow officers will rally around the Oberheim Family during this time. RIP 703."

 Please log in to keep reading. {{featured_button_text}} Enjoy unlimited articles at one of our lowest prices ever.

Support Local Journalism Your membership makes our reporting possible. {{featured_button_text}}

The suspect who opened fire on Oberheim and another officer was killed in the exchange of gunfire about 3:20 a.m. at an apartment complex on Champaigns north side. The second officer was wounded and reported in stable condition.

Champaign police did not immediately release additional details on the shooting, which happened in the 2400 block of North Neil Street.

The (Champaign) News-Gazette reported that the shooting came days after Cobb said he feared a shooting involving police could happen as the city deals with escalating gun violence.

There have been about 85 reports of shots fired, and many injuries, in Champaign so far this year, the newspaper reported.

Champaign police said Illinois State Police will lead the investigation into the shooting, with assistance from Urbana police, the Champaign County Sheriffs Office and the University of Illinois Police Department.

The Champaign Police Departments officers were equipped with body cameras in 2017, and those cameras are activated when an officer responds to service calls or is engaged in any law enforcement-related encounter, according to information posted on the departments website.

Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul in a statement said: "These events should serve as a reminder to all that police officers go to work each day not knowing if they will return home to their families. I learned about this tragedy as I was meeting with federal and local prosecutors and other law enforcement authorities to focus on how we can collaborate to fight the increase of violent crime in central Illinois. We must recognize the courage and service of officers who are on the front lines of this effort, and we pray for their safety as they protect our communities."

The Associated Press contributed.

Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 1
CHAMPAIGN  McLean County law enforcement are honoring a Champaign police officer fatally shot early Wednesday while responding to a domestic disturbance call.

Authorities said gunfire erupted at 3:20 a.m. in a North Neil Street apartment complex.

Officer Chris Oberheim, 44, was killed and another officer was wounded in the exchange of gunfire.

The suspect killed in the shootout, Darion Marquise Lafayette, 24, of Champaign, was pronounced dead at the scene, the Champaign County coroner said. Autopsies on Oberheim and Lafayette are scheduled for Thursday.

Police have not released the name of the wounded officer.

Oberheim joined the Champaign Police Department in September 2008 after working for the Decatur Police Department for seven years.

"A true professional and devoted public servant, Officer Oberheim is remembered for his heroism, bravery, and the oath of office he honorably upheld in his commitment to duty," Champaign Chief of Police Anthony Cobb said in a statement.

The shooting was days after Cobb said he feared a shooting involving police could happen as the city deals with escalating gun violence. There have been about 85 reports of shots fired, and many injuries, in Champaign so far this year.

Normal Police Chief Rick Bleichner said he didnt know many details of the shooting as of late Wednesday morning, but it obviously gets your attention because of the tragedy and its proximity.

Its certainly sad. I mean, its very sad; the loss of life, but its something that law enforcement leaders have been talking about for a long time  the violence thats going on, the carrying of firearms  those types of things, Bleichner said. And we have been talking about it in this community how weve seen a rise in gun violence, people carrying guns, and until those things settle down, until those types of behaviors stop, unfortunately, the potential for this to happen is going to continue to increase.

 Please log in to keep reading. {{featured_button_text}} Enjoy unlimited articles at one of our lowest prices ever.

Support Local Journalism Your membership makes our reporting possible. {{featured_button_text}}

Several Central Illinois communities have experienced an uptick in gun-related crimes this year.

Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul said he was told about Oberheim's death "as I was meeting with federal and local prosecutors and other law enforcement authorities to focus on how we can collaborate to fight the increase of violent crime in Central Illinois."

"Officer Oberheim lost his life today serving his community, and we honor his bravery. May his memory be a blessing to those who knew and loved him," Raoul said.

Said Bloomington Interim Police Chief Greg Scott, in a statement to The Pantagraph: We are deeply saddened to hear of our fellow officer who laid down his life in service to his community, Scott said in a statement to The Pantagraph. ... "These heartbreaking events are a stark reminder life is precious and can be taken away in a heartbeat. It is a heavy cost for Champaign and the law enforcement community to bear."

Bleichner said he has not addressed the Normal Police Department about the shooting because of the lack of details thus far, but there may be a time for that, because some Normal police officers have ties to the Champaign Police Department.

He added that the incident is a reminder of the rise of gun violence in the area, and for that to decrease, residents need to be involved in the effort.

I think its a community-wide approach that has to be done, Bleichner said. If you have family members or if you have friends, or if you have individuals in the community that know about people that are illegally carrying firearms and utilizing them, for them to not provide information or try and make some kind of assistance there, theyre complicit in it.

Scott also added that the department encourages other officers and community members to seek help if they are having a difficult time processing the loss of Officer Oberheim.

Oberheim, a 1994 graduate of Stephen Decatur High School, lived in Monticello with his four daughters.

The Decatur Police Department in a Facebook post said: "Please keep Officer Oberheim's family, fellow officers and all those in Law Enforcement in your thoughts and prayers. Thank you for your dedicated service Officer Oberheim."

Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0
The Illinois State Board of Education has adopted a resolution requiring daily in-person learning next school year with limited exceptions for remote learning.

Though some Board members expressed reservations about the resolutions language during an hour-long discussion, they voted unanimously in favor.

The vote came after several parents asked the board to reject the proposal in consideration of children who may still be too young in the fall to receive COVID-19 vaccinations.

A draft of the resolution states that all schools must resume fully in-person learning for all student attendance days, provided that ... remote instruction be made available for students who are not eligible for a COVID-19 vaccine and are under a quarantine order by a local public health department or the Illinois Department of Public Health.

ISBE spokeswoman Jackie Matthews said the resolution was based on feedback from the field and supports a declaration by State Superintendent Carmen Ayala which is enforceable. She also pointed to a state law that gives the superintendent the authority to declare a requirement to use remote learning days or blended remote learning days for a school district, multiple school districts, a region, or the entire State during a gubernatorial disaster proclamation.

In a message Tuesday, Ayala said the plan begins to transition us toward a future in which we are no longer under a gubernatorial disaster proclamation and the pandemic-related remote learning statutes no longer apply.

With the Boards support, I anticipate making the declaration at the conclusion of the current academic year, Ayala wrote. The change will not take effect until next school year.

Ayala encouraged school districts to use the resolution to plan for next school year and said she recognized that different school districts have had varied experiences with remote learning.

Some students have benefited from the flexibility or change in environment. School districts that would like to continue to offer remote learning to students on an individual basis  if that will best meet the students learning needs  may do so under other parts of the law, Ayala wrote, citing parts of the state school code that allow districts to offer remote or blended learning to individual students.

Some students with medical conditions who are eligible for a COVID-19 vaccine or who arent under quarantine order may meet criteria for home or hospital instruction.

According to the school code, a child qualifies for home or hospital instruction if it is anticipated that, due to a medical condition, the child will be unable to attend school, and instead must be instructed at home or in the hospital, for a period of 2 or more consecutive weeks or on an ongoing intermittent basis.

Though a growing list of higher education institutions have announced COVID-19 vaccine requirements for students or employees, ISBE is not currently issuing guidance mandating vaccines, Matthews said.

The state, like many local school systems, has instead focused on vaccine education and access, encouraging school districts to host vaccination events.

During ISBEs meeting Wednesday, several parents implored the board not to adopt the current language of the resolution but to allow more flexibility for students who were too young to receive vaccines.

 Please log in to keep reading. {{featured_button_text}} Enjoy unlimited articles at one of our lowest prices ever.

Support Local Journalism Your membership makes our reporting possible. {{featured_button_text}}

Katharine Eastvold, a mother of four from Springfield, said she her family decided to keep the children in remote learning through the remainder of this school year to protect them and others, and that many people in their community made similar decisions at professional or financial cost.

Her oldest child is fully vaccinated as of Wednesday, and the middle two children got their first shots last week, she said. But her youngest is 10, and she worried vaccines would not be approved for that age group in time to be fully protected by the first day of next school year.

Many children have fallen off the radar, she said, acknowledging the ways remote learning has not served all families. She said shes not asking for remote learning to continue indefinitely, but to allow districts to offer it for a finite period of time for students unable to be vaccinated, until a reasonable amount of time had passed to allow them to reach full immunity.

David Wendeln, the father of a fully remote kindergartner, said he agreed with many premises of the resolution supporting the benefits of in-person learning, but that he did not agree with its mandate. He said he would not feel comfortable sending his son to first grade in person until he had the vaccine.

He listed immunizations the Illinois Department of Public Health requires of public school children: including diphtheria, pertussis, tetanus, polio, measles, rubella mumps and several others.

COVID-19 is more prevalent, more infectious and has more severe possible outcomes than... many on that list, he said. How can the board allow, let alone require, students to return if the COVID-19 vaccine isnt available to them?

Calling the proposed requirement reckless and inexcusable, he asked the board to please explain to me how on earth you can justify this resolution.

Chicago Public Schools, the biggest school district in Illinois and third in the U.S., has already been planning for a mostly in-person fall and has said it will provide a virtual option for students with extenuating circumstances.

We are pleased that ISBE is guiding districts to provide five days a week of in-person instruction, CPS spokesman James Gherardi said in a statement this week. This is what the district has been working towards and there seems to be a consensus at all levels of government that opening schools full-time in the fall is a critical priority and our position has always been that we would be offering a remote learning option for all students who are unable to return when class resumes in the fall.

Since CPS started its phased-in reopening plan, the district has made in-person learning optional and used a hybrid model, with each student in person two to four days a week. Only about 22% of district students attended in-person classes the week of April 19, according to CPS data. Of Illinois 849 school districts, 423 are providing blended or hybrid learning, 398 are fully in person and only 28 are fully remote, according to state data updated May 3.

The ISBE resolution notes the state is expected to move to Phase 5 of the Restore Illinois plan on June 11, at which point businesses and public gatherings would be allowed to operate normally. ISBE expects the Illinois Department of Public Health to provide new guidance for schools in Phase 5.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has also said it will issue updated guidance for schools in the coming weeks to help with planning for the fall.

In the meantime, the CDC has said that schools should still require face coverings for the rest of this school year even as fully vaccinated people are allowed to ummask in more public settings.
SPRINGFIELD  Following a February survey of school districts that illustrated a persistent teacher shortage in the state, the Illinois Association of Regional Superintendents of Schools has released policy recommendations calling for better benefits and more lenient certification in an effort to reverse the trend.

The IARSS, which serves as an intermediary between local school districts and the Illinois State Board of Education, had the survey conducted between September and October to see how school districts were faring with the supply of professional and substitute teachers during the 2020-21 school year amid the coronavirus pandemic.

Illinois was split into seven regions for the purpose of the survey, and school districts reported the shortage was worst in west central and southeastern Illinois.

White papers developed in response to the survey give seven policy recommendations as ways to combat it from the local to statewide level. The two primary methods discussed in the white paper are improving teacher pay and lessening the restrictions on certifications teachers need in order to get hired.

Compensation

When it comes to compensation, its not as simple as just increasing teachers salaries, according to IARSS President Mark Klaisner.

One of the misnomers has been that you can just throw money at salary, Klaisner said in an interview with Capitol News Illinois.

It was just two years ago that Illinois passed a law raising teacher pay, with a mandated minimum of $40,000 by the 2023 school year. Representatives of the IARSS filed witness slips in opposition to the minimum wage increase during committee hearings on the matter in 2019.

While Klaisner said that action was taken in an effort to address the teacher shortage, he believes it actually had the opposite effect in many places, particularly in the rural, less affluent regions of the state.

Unfortunately, small school districts were reporting to me, that didn't solve a problem it caused a problem, because if I have to pay a minimum of ($40,000), I'm going to let a couple teachers go so I have money to meet the 40 threshold, Klaisner said. Now my class sizes go up, so education's not better. All I've done is I've moved a problem from one column to the other column.

According to Klaisner, without additional funding, schools in rural areas have to make the difficult choice between offering a lower relative salary  which makes them less competitive than their metro counterparts  and cutting some positions to add the difference to core positions to attract applicants.

The National Education Association lists the states average teacher salary at $68,000, and the average starting salary at $40,484. But in the most rural and underserved areas of the state, particularly in the west central and southeastern regions, open positions offer the states bare minimum, which is increasing from $32,000 in the current school year to just under $35,000 for the 2021-22 school year starting in August.

We know theres certain sectors of the state thats suffering more than others, John Meixner, a regional superintendent who oversees Fulton, Hancock, McDonough and Schuyler counties said in a podcast on education.

A normal teaching position opens up and an applicant pool up in (Cook County) may have, instead of 150 applicants you might only have 20, whereas instead of having 10 we have zero, he added. I mean literally we've had positions, dozens of positions where zero applicants apply.

Longstanding problems with the Teachers Retirement System  the pension plan for all Illinois public school teachers outside of the Chicago Public Schools district  have also served as a barrier to attracting applicants to the profession.

The Tier II retirement system available to those hired after 2010 requires teachers work until they are 67 years old to receive full benefits. It also provides less compensation in retirement as their contribution to the plan also works to pay down the unfunded liability of teachers enrolled in the previous pension plan.

On the salary front, IARSS is recommending school districts lobby the state to approve state-funded loan forgiveness programs for teachers who take jobs in underserved areas, as well as experiment with signing bonuses to attract new applicants.

The IARSS also recommends amending the pension plan to allow teachers to retire at 55 years of age for reduced rates.

Certification

Currently, becoming a teacher in Illinois requires a Professional Educator License. To receive one, a prospective teacher requires at least a bachelors degree, student teaching experience, the completion of a state-approved teaching program and a licensing test.

Licensing tests are split into several grade levels, and teachers certified in one grade level are not considered suitable for hire under a different grade level unless they successfully pass a license exam for that as well.

An educator certified for early childhood can hold a position teaching from birth to grade 2, while an elementary certified educator can teach from grade 1 to 6, and a middle grades educator from grades 5 to 8.

 Please log in to keep reading. {{featured_button_text}} Enjoy unlimited articles at one of our lowest prices ever.

Support Local Journalism Your membership makes our reporting possible. {{featured_button_text}}

During the pandemic, ISBE, in conjunction with the Illinois Community College Board and Illinois Board of Higher Education, granted endorsement waivers as part of Gov. J.B. Pritzkers emergency order to allow schools to fill positions with teachers certified for grade levels or subjects other than the ones they were hired to teach.

IARSS recommends continuing this practice as a temporary measure as well as auditing whether current licensing restrictions are unnecessary or have exacerbated shortages.

For endorsement areas with a high rate of unfilled positions, such as special education, mathematics and school psychologists, IARSS has recommended ISBE look at increasing funding for higher education programs offering certificates in those fields, as well as creating pipelines to transition students from rural school districts to nearby colleges to become teachers in short-staffed positions.

Education budget

After initially keeping funding for K-12 education flat at about $8.8 billion for the fiscal year in his initial February budget proposal for the 2022 fiscal year, Pritzker reversed course earlier this month and announced he was calling for $350 million to be added to the budget for education.

Thats in line with the evidence-based school funding model of 2017, which calls for that amount of money to be added to the formula each year.

Education advocates, including bipartisan members of the General Assembly, have strongly praised the evidence-based funding model, which allocates state dollars to districts according to the gap between them and what the state considers to be a required level of adequacy. Each districts adequacy target is determined by a school districts ability to fund proper staffing, student resources and moderate class sizes, among other factors.

Klaisner suggested the state should use that evidence-based formula to distribute federal COVID-19 stimulus dollars, including around $5 billion for education received as part of the American Rescue Plan signed by President Joe Biden. Pritzker, as well as the U.S. Department of Education, has placed parameters on how funding should be spent, and both have strongly discouraged using the stimulus money to pay salaries.

So far, school districts have used the stimulus money they have received in ways as varied as the school districts themselves. According to Klaisner, one school district used what he called flash in the pan money  one time funds that should be used for one-time expenditures and not long-term costs like teacher salary  to replace its decade-old fleet of buses.

In Collinsville, a city of under 30,000 in the Metro East region near St. Louis, the school district used $300,000 in stimulus funds to construct a broadband tower, creating a private network to provide high-speed internet access to underserved students and their families throughout the school district.

Ongoing inequities

While an analysis shows the teacher shortage has actually improved over the last four years, particularly in suburban and urban parts of the state, there continues to be a great disparity in the availability of teachers between rural and metropolitan regions.

A post-survey analysis by the IARSS shows geographic location was the number one factor negatively impacting recruitment, ahead of salary and pension. Over 50% of school districts said their geographic location had a negative impact.

In 2019, Cook County and surrounding collar counties had 240 unfilled or underfilled positions, while that number was 228 for the west central region. By 2020, Cook County had reduced that figure to just 91, while the west central region had 257 unfilled positions.

The disparities also exist along racial lines. When controlling for the size of the district, the IARSS analysis found that the racial makeup of the student body  even more than location  was the number one predictor of whether positions in that district would be underfilled or have below-average retention rates for staff.

The higher the proportion of white students a school district had, the fewer underfilled positions.

The analysis also concluded that there was no association between vacancies and the proportion of low-income students, and that racial demographics were also a greater factor than the proportion of English-learning or English-as-a-second-language students.

Klaisner noted that research shows students who belong to an ethnic or racial minority benefit when at least one of their instructors belong to the same racial or ethnic group as them.

We see all over the state, the demographics are very clear that oftentimes our staffs don't represent the students that they serve, and we feel like that would be a value add, if not essential, he said, pointing to policies like minority teacher grants and ISBE initiatives to recruit teachers of color.

Despite this, the IARSS white paper concluded the most important predictors of success when it came to hiring and retaining staff was educator pay and how close the school district was to a teacher preparation program. Stakeholders should focus on addressing these factors, according to the analysis.

While districts may not be able to change their geography or student demographics, they do have some control over teacher salaries, and institutions of higher education have some role to play in working to serve the states higher education deserts, the IARSS said in their report.

Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0
SPRINGFIELD  All high schools in Illinois would be required to offer instruction in how to understand and evaluate news and social media as part of their computer literacy courses under a bill that advanced out of a Senate committee Tuesday.

Sen. Karina Villa, D-West Chicago, argued in the Senate Education Committee that the bill is needed because vast changes in the media landscape that have occurred in recent years.

In the digital age, the internet has become the primary public square, she said. Young people consume, create and share news throughout digital media. They debate and discuss social issues, politics and civic issues in online spaces. Theyre also vulnerable to persecution and misinformation.

During the lame duck session in January, lawmakers passed an education reform bill backed by the Illinois Legislative Black Caucus that was aimed at improving racial and ethnic equity in education. That bill, which Gov. J.B. Pritzker signed into law in March, included a requirement that all schools provide developmentally appropriate computer literacy instruction.

Villa said House Bill 234 would add to that requirement by including media literacy within the definition of computer literacy, beginning in the 2022-23 school year.

According to the bill, that would include instruction on accessing information across various platforms; analyzing and evaluating media messages; creating their own media messages; and social responsibility and civics.

But Sen. Terri Bryant, R-Murphysboro, questioned how objective schools could be in teaching students how to evaluate news stories by separating factual news from fake news.

Whats fake news and what is not fake news, she asked.

Villa replied that teachers are trained in how to instruct students in media usage and that the difference between fake news and real news is the same as the difference between fiction and nonfiction.

So the teachers themselves would be deciding whats fake news, by their own opinion, Bryant asked.

She asked hypothetically what would happen if a district decided CNN anchor Anderson Cooper was a liar. They could basically say that anything Anderson Cooper says is fake news, Bryant said.

Villa, however, said the instruction would just be designed to teach students how to verify information in a news story in order to evaluate for themselves what is accurate and what is not.

 Please log in to keep reading. {{featured_button_text}} Enjoy unlimited articles at one of our lowest prices ever.

Support Local Journalism Your membership makes our reporting possible. {{featured_button_text}}

The bill passed out of the committee by a vote of 7-2 and now heads to the floor of the Senate. It previously passed the House, 68-44, on March 20.

Seclusion and restraint

The committee also advanced a bill that would require the Illinois State Board of Education to adopt rules to greatly curtail the use of time-outs, isolated time-outs and physical restraint in all public schools and nonpublic special education facilities.

That is an issue lawmakers tried to tackle during the lame duck session in January when a bill passed unanimously out of the Senate but stalled in the House.

The State Board of Education adopted rules in 2020 that were intended to phase out the use of seclusion and prone, or face-down, restraints by July of this year. House Bill 219, which passed out of the House, 113-0, on March 22, would actually give the state board another two full years, until the 2023-2024 school year, to phase out those practices.

Sen. Ann Gillespie, D-Arlington Heights, the lead Senate sponsor of the bill, acknowledged that the extension has created some opposition to the bill. She said she plans to amend the bill further before it goes to a final vote, including shortening the phase-in period so it would take effect in the 2022-23 school year.

The use of isolation and restraint in school settings has long been criticized by advocates for students with disabilities.

Cheryl Jansen, public policy director for the disability rights organization Equip for Equality, said the practice of physical restraints in particular has been shown to be dangerous, and even lethal in some situations. She said restraint is used disproportionately on students with disabilities, and a disproportionate share of those students were Black or Latino.

Guy Stephens, who leads a group called the Alliance Against Seclusion and Restraint, said he became active in efforts to ban the practices after his autistic son was traumatized by the use of seclusion and restraint in school.

Prone restraint is dangerous. It can lead to severe trauma and significant injuries in students, teachers and staff, he said. While school staff sometimes report that they need restraint to keep everyone safe, the data tells a different story. Every time restraint and seclusion is used, there's an increased likelihood of injury, so students and teachers are more likely to be injured when using restraint.

The bill passed out of the committee on a vote of 13-1, with Gillespies assurance that she would bring it back to the committee after amending it on the Senate floor.

Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0
President Joe Biden's Republican critics charge that he has foisted a "bait and switch" on voters  that he campaigned as a moderate but veered abruptly to the left after he arrived at the White House.

They're right on one count: Biden is pushing an ambitious progressive program while making it sound, well, moderate.

But their charge of false advertising is bogus. Biden never concealed his big-government goals; they were all in plain sight in his platform.

It's still on the campaign website for anyone who wants to check. Candidate Biden called for more than $4 trillion in new federal spending, beginning with an immediate stimulus to help the economy recover from the COVID-19 pandemic. It included massive proposals to combat climate change, rebuild infrastructure, reduce poverty, subsidize child care and provide universal pre-K education.

Sound familiar? All those planks resurfaced in Biden's proposals this year: his $1.9 trillion COVID-19 relief bill, his $2 trillion-plus jobs plan and his $1.8 trillion family policy plan.

"None of this should have come as a surprise," Greg Schultz, Biden's campaign manager during last year's primary season, told me. "My only surprise is that people weren't listening."

Plenty of progressives didn't quite believe it, either.

After all, during the primaries Biden had presented himself as a moderate, pragmatic alternative to Sen. Bernie Sanders of Vermont.

 Please log in to keep reading. {{featured_button_text}} Enjoy unlimited articles at one of our lowest prices ever.

Biden's Democratic rivals chastised him for centrist positions he took decades ago: his 1970s opposition to mandatory busing to desegregate schools, his 1994 vote for then-President Bill Clinton's punitive crime bill. Those ancient controversies made him sound like an out-of-touch relic.

But they were forgetting one of Biden's most striking features: his adaptability. He is  as critics used to say about FDR  something of a political chameleon.

Over 51 years in politics, Biden has always positioned himself at his party's center  which has required a steady evolution toward the left.

The Biden of 2008 who ran as Obama's running mate was more progressive than the Biden of 1994 who voted for Clinton's crime bill. The Biden of 2012 who declared himself a fan of same-sex marriage was more progressive than the Biden of 2008.

When he pondered entering the 2016 presidential race, he intended to run to Hillary Clinton's left and Bernie Sanders' right  a classic Biden gambit to seek his party's center point.

By the time Biden ran in 2020, two things happened to push him even further.

One was the COVID-19 pandemic, which made it clear to both parties that big spending would be needed to rescue the economy. After Republican leaders, including then-President Donald Trump, approved more than $3.8 trillion in coronavirus relief last year, GOP complaints about big-money requests from the new president sounded hollow.

The second was Democrats' unexpected capture of 50 seats in the Senate, which meant the new president could pass much of his program without Republican votes. Yes, Biden had promised to seek bipartisan compromises  but now he no longer had to worry about obstructionist Republicans whose only goal was to stop his program in its tracks.

And that  not spurious charges of a "bait and switch" on policy  is probably what makes Mitch McConnell so grouchy.

Doyle McManus is a columnist for the Los Angeles Times. Email doyle.mcmanus@latimes.com.

Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0
This service applies to you if your subscription has not yet expired on our old site. You will have continued access until your subscription expires; then you will need to purchase an ongoing subscription through our new system. Please contact the Parsons Sun office at (620) 421-2000 if you have any questions
In March Patently Apple posted a report titled "In 2020 Apple Watch was the Global Leader, Tripling Second Place Huawei's Shipments." Apple crushed the competiton including Huawei, Samsung and Fitbit. Apple tripled Huawei and double Samsung+Fitbit combined. In what would seem like a desperate move, Google announced today at their Google I/O developer conference that they, including Fitbit would be forming a common watch platform with Samsung.

Google noted in their press release today that "Samsung and Google have a long history of collaboration. Now, were bringing the best of Wear (OS) and Tizen (OS) into a single, unified platform." Below is the segment of the Google I/O keynote about this announcement.

The press release further noted that "By working together we have been able to take strengths of each and combine them into an experience that has faster performance, longer battery life and more of the apps you love available for the watch.

For performance, our teams collaborated and made apps start up to 30% faster on the latest chipsets with smooth user interface animations and motion. To achieve longer battery life, weve worked to optimize the lower layers of the operating system  taking advantage of low-power hardware cores to enable better battery life. That includes handy optimizations like the ability to run the heart rate sensor continuously during the day, track your sleep overnight and still have battery for the next day.

Finally, our unified platform will make it easier for developers to build great apps for the watch. This isnt just for Google and Samsung. All device makers will be able to add a customized user experience on top of the platform, and developers will be able to use the Android tools they already know and love to build for one platform and ecosystem.

These updates will begin rolling out later this year. From a unified platform with Samsung, to a new consumer experience, and a world-class fitness service from Fitbit, this is a new era for the wearables ecosystem [ they hope]."

For more on this, read the full Google press release here and the Samsung press release here.
Over the years Samsung has beaten Apple to market with the Phablet, Galaxy Note with S Pen support, Galaxy Watch and the Galaxy Z and Flip foldable smartphones with a tri-fold Galaxy smartphone in-the-works. On the smartwatch front, being first hasn't done much for them, as Apple continues to dominate this product category. In March Patently Apple posted a report titled "In 2020 Apple Watch was the Global Leader, Tripling Second Place Huawei's Shipments." Apple crushed the competiton including Huawei, Samsung and Fitbit. Apple tripled Huawei and double Samsung+Fitbit combined. That's why Samsung and Google announced that they're now combining Samsung's Tizen OS with Google's WearOS into a unified platform so as to better take on Apple's watchOS starting later this year.

With the Google-Samsung unified platform in place, you have to wonder if these two tech giants will extend their unified platform through to future wearables such as smartglasses.

Having Google's UI and research teams assisting Samsung with WearOS for smartglasses would greatly assist Samsung in getting the leap on Apple's future eyeware devices.

Over the last year Patently Apple has posted two reports on Samsung's patents on smartglasses. One covered the design of their smartglasses supporting prescription lenses and the other covered the invention of a new circular UI specifically for smartglasses.

Yesterday, Patently Apple discovered that Samsung was granted a design patent for AR Glasses. Although design patents never reveal details about the components that will make up their smartglasses, the design patent does provide us with a series of patent figures of the design from different angles as presented below.











While Apple's entry into the Head Mounted Device market will begin with a Mixed Reality headset that's closer to an Oculus-style of device, Apple is certainly working on smartglasses in tandem that could arrive on the market in the next 3 to 4 years if all goes well. All of Apple's patents to date on the two kinds of headware can be reviewed here.

Samsung originally filed for this design patent on July 9, 2019. Yesterday, the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office granted and published Samsung's design patent.
The ECOWAS Bank for Investment and Development (EBID) has granted a 50 million US dollar facility to the Consolidated Bank Ghana Limited (CBG) to support Ghanas road infrastructure development. The President and Chairman of the Board of Directors of EBID, Dr. George Agyekum Donkor, and the Managing Director of CBG, Mr. Daniel Wilson Addo, signed this historic deal at the Head Office of CBG in Accra, Ghana.



The granting of this line of credit embodies EBIDs development commitments in the ECOWAS member states to address the huge infrastructure deficit within the sub-region. This is in alignment with Ghanas developmental agenda to boost socio-economic growth with the improvement of road infrastructure as a key driver. Consequently, this line of credit to CBG will provide an impetus to bolster the governments development initiatives.



As of date, EBID has invested over two billion, eight hundred thousand united stated dollars (USD 2.8 billion) to promote the development of various sectors in the ECOWAS community in the areas of health, agriculture, energy, hospitality, trade, telecommunications, manufacturing, infrastructure among others.



CBG, with a balance sheet size of GHC10billion and 114 branches across the 13 regions of Ghana, is one of the largest banks in Ghana. The bank has rapidly established a reputation for excellence in banking and particularly in providing lending and digital solutions to SMEs. CBG is also actively leveraging its balance sheet and reach to facilitate governments post COVID recovery agenda.



The facility from EBID will be used to augment its financing scheme to private construction companies in the execution of key road projects within the country. Throughout the six-year tenor of the facility, EBID and CBG will undertake to ensure that the road infrastructure projects to be financed comply with the provisions of the national and international institutional framework on sustainable development and environmental protection.

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.

Featured Video
Dr Steve Manteaw, the Co-Chair of the Ghana Extractive Industry Transparency Initiative, has asked the government not to overly depend on natural resource revenue as a source of funding education.



He said the government needed to redirect its attention to other sectors for funds to sustain the free Senior High School (SHS) policy.



He said over-reliance on natural resource revenues, especially petroleum funds, could be risky on account of the volatile nature of commodity prices.



The mining sector, he explained, had some potentials to contribute to secondary education financing and advised that corporate social responsibility spending be re-directed to education.



Dr Manteaw said sustainable financing of pre-tertiary education would also entail the prudent management of assigned resources and called for a collective approach to harmonize the management of the pool of resources accruing to the GetFund with other revenue streams intended to fund the free SHS policy.



He gave the advice on Monday at the launch of the 2021 Global Action Week Celebration on Education in Accra by the Ghana National Education Campaign Coalition (GNECC) on the theme: Sustaining Financing for Inclusive Pre-tertiary Education.



Dr Manteaw, who is also a former Chairman of the Public Interest and Accountability Committee (PIAC), said available data indicated that sustainable financing of Free SHS was feasible and that it only required political will, collaborative efforts, and diversification of funding sources.



Cocoa Board ought to be engaged to restore its educational support programme for farmers children and to direct the resources for the programme to support Free SHS implementation, he said.



To ensure that quality pre-tertiary education was provided in Ghana, Mr Palhim Oyiye, a Programme Officer, Ghana National Association of Teachers, entreated duty bearers to be good observers and key participants in Ghanas educational system.



He called on the government to consider an inclusive policy in education to bring hope and life to persons with disability and address the revenue leakages in the educational system to generate enough funds for the state.



Mr Richard Kwashie Kovey, Chairman of the National Association of Graduate Teachers, Ga West Municipal, said the theme on financing education was apt as the non-availability of funds for a school became a burden on the teacher.



Sometimes the teachers use personal earnings to support the school because they dont want the school to be regarded as a non-performing one, he said.



He appealed to Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies to consider challenges special children went through in education and facilitate the provision of a friendly and inclusive learning environment for them.



Mr Vitus Adaboo Azeem, the Executive Director of the Ghana Integrity Initiative, said the country ought to pay more attention to financing education and give special focus to pre-tertiary education, which he explained was the basis and foundation of Ghanas educational system.



We must also intensify revenue mobilisation efforts. Sometimes those who talk about expanding the tax base do not pay taxes. Businesses dont see the need to pay taxes and people exploit tax laws, he said.



He said corruption had also taken root among tax collectors themselves, adding: It is ridiculous that GRA borrows money to show that it has achieved its targets.



Dr Yaw Osei Adutwum, the Minister of Education, in a speech read on his behalf, said the government was working towards procuring textbooks for SHSs.

He said they would put in place mechanisms to invest in teachers with more virtual skills training programmes.



He appealed to well-meaning civil society organisations and individuals to suggest new avenues through which government could source funds to enhance its free SHS policy and entire educational sector.



Mr Joseph Atsu, National Chairman, GNECC, reiterated the need for government to invest in technical and vocational education and training to reduce the rate of unemployment in the country.

Source: GNA









Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority.

Featured Video
The Director-General of the Ghana Health Service, Dr Patrick Kuma-Aboagye, has urged those who receive their second vaccination against COVID-19 to continue observing the safety protocols, including wearing face masks.



"The second jab can give you some protection but not 100 per cent. Even the vaccine with the highest efficacy is about 94 per cent, which means that six per cent of those who have the vaccines may still be exposed to the virus," he explained.



The AstraZeneca vaccines can provide about 76 per cent protection against COVID-19.



Dr Kuma Aboagye was answering questions at the Ministry of Information-organised press briefing to update the nation on COVID-19 management, especially the second phase of the vaccination programme.



On whether those who were fully vaccinated could stop wearing face masks, he said, that policy would be made by the Government in due course - on the attainment of national herd immunity.



He, however, emphasised the importance of taking the vaccination, saying it protected beneficiaries from a viral infection, severe sickness and hospitalisation and death.



The GHS boss said a total of 852,047 people were vaccinated and captured into the GHS database during the first phase.



However, about 360,000 people would receive their second jab in the second phase of the exercise, scheduled to take place from Wednesday, May 19, to May 26, 2021.



They include frontline health workers, persons with underlying health conditions, frontline security personnel, media practitioners and those who are 60 years and above.



Members of the Executive, Legislature and Judiciary are also beneficiaries.



Dr Kuma-Aboagye explained that those who took the first dose should go to the vaccination centres with their unique COVID-19 Vaccination Cards.



However, those whose cards were missing could still go there with any of the national ID cards to facilitate the easy searching of their names in the database.



He said the GHS had already sent text messages to those who were due for the second dose, and had specified the vaccination centre and the date one could visit the centre.



He said after taking the second dose, one's COVID-19 Card would be replaced with a new one, which had enhanced features, such as a hologram and QR Code on it to aid validation.



So far, he said, the GHS had dispatched all the logistics to the designated centres, while vaccinators and field officers had undergone refresher training to improve service delivery.



The GHS, he said, had also prepared infographic data of the vaccination centres of the 26 districts in the Greater Accra Region,19 districts in the Ashanti Region and two districts in the Central Region to enhance the tracing of the vaccination centres.



He noted that the side effects experienced upon taken the first jab could still be felt, adding that, it took three weeks for the full immunity of the vaccine to take effect in the body.



Dr Kuma-Aboagye announced that the government was still engaging in bilateral discussions to secure more vaccines, even though Ghana would get more vaccines under the African Union COVAX Facility, which was free.



He said at the moment the country had 16,000 doses of the Russian Sputnik V vaccines and was expecting 300,000 more soon.



The GHS Boss said all the necessary measures had been put in place to prevent the vaccines from going to waste as 580 doses got waste during the first phase.



Ghana took delivery of 350,000 AstraZeneca vaccines on Friday, May 7 from DR Congo's 1.7 million leftovers, which are expected to expire on June 24.



The country intends to immunise about 20 million people.



As of May 15, 2021, Ghana's COVID-19 active cases stood at 1,325, declining from 8,000 cases witnessed during the peak period of the second wave of infections in February, this year.



So far, 93,456 cumulative cases have been recorded, with 91,384 recoveries/discharges, representing 97.4 per cent recovery and 771 deaths.



Ghana recorded its first Covid-19 cases on March 12, 2020.









Source: GNA









Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority.

Featured Video
Despite many African countries struggling to obtain enough Covid-19 vaccines, some have thousands of expired doses which they have been unable to use.

Some countries are now destroying these vaccines, in line with the latest World Health Organization (WHO) advice.



Which countries have unused vaccines?

Malawi has destroyed almost 20,000 doses of the AstraZeneca vaccine, while South Sudan has 59,000 doses which it also plans to discard.



The vaccines had been donated through the African Union but had not been administered by their expiry date of 13 April.



The WHO had originally asked for the vaccines to be kept while it investigated whether the expiry date could be safely extended.



But it now says vaccines already sent out by the manufacturer and which are expired should be thrown away.





"While discarding vaccines is deeply regrettable in the context of any immunisation programme, WHO recommends that these expired doses should be...safely disposed [of]," the WHO says in a statement.



The Democratic Republic of Congo, meanwhile, says it cannot use most of the 1.7 million AstraZeneca doses it received under the global Covax scheme for poorer countries.



Only about 1,000 of the doses had been administered by the end of April.



Most of this batch - with an expiry date of 24 June - is now being sent to other countries, with some already delivered to Ghana and Madagascar.



Why have vaccines not been used?



The AstraZeneca vaccine can be stored safely in refrigerated conditions for up to six months after production.



And the African Union redistributed batches originally delivered to South Africa in February, which had a 13 April expiry date.



The South African government decided not to use them, concerned the vaccine offered insufficient protection from the variant prevalent in the country.



New variants causing concern in Africa

And, in late March, the one million doses it had were sold on to the African Union to give to other African countries.



But some, such as South Sudan, say they were not made aware of the expiry date.



Nigeria, meanwhile, said it would be unable to use all the doses in time. So some were reassigned to neighbouring Togo and Ghana.



And some were even sent to Jamaica.



The WHO says only Togo and The Gambia have confirmed they used all these doses by the expiry date.



And information about what has happened to the rest is currently unavailable.



What caused delays in using vaccines?



Many countries failed to prepare adequately before receiving the vaccines, Phionah Atuhebwe, from the WHO in Africa, says.



"That is one of the reasons we are seeing the slow pace of rollout," she says.



And some countries also faced financial challenges.



Africa Centres for Disease Control head John Nkengasong says countries need more support to increase the numbers of health workers and obtain supplies, such as personal protective equipment.



And those who have vaccines approaching or beyond their expiry date should contact the WHO or Africa CDC.



"The continent as a whole knows how to vaccinate and has been vaccinating for other diseases," he says.



"But the key is how do you scale that up - and... at speed?"

Source: bbc









Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority.

Featured Video
Executive Secretary of ASEPA, Mr Mensah Thompson is calling for the arrest and public trial of the Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP), Samuel Kojo Azugu for exerting violence on Citi FMs Journalist Caleb Kudah.



According to him, Caleb Kudah did nothing wrong by secretly taking pictures and filming the abandoned MASLOC vehicles which are public properties and not bona fide properties of the Deputy Superintendent of Police to violently discharge his men to assault the Journalist.



Speaking on Okay FMs 'Ade Akye Abia' Morning Show, Mr Mensah Thompson emphasized that DSP Azugu must be arrested and tried as this is not the first time he has displayed such brutality on a civilian, recalling his role in the violence that ensued in the Ayawaso West Wuogon by-election.



I am going to emphasize this call again; Azugu must be arrested and publicly tried for exerting violence. This is not the first time. Do you remember the Ayawaso West Wuogon by-election violence? This is the same Azugu who led men to go and brutalize civilians at Ayawaso West Wuogon, and now he is turning the beatings on Journalists, he said.



Condemning the action of the National Security against the Citi FM Journalist, Mr Mensah Thompson called for a seizure in the country where security people will put the law into their hands to abuse citizens and get away with it as we are not a banana republic.



We dont live in a banana republic; we cannot live in a country where security people can put the law into their own hands and abuse any citizen and go escort-free. We dont have to entertain it. I dont want us to have a conversation about whether the Journalist was right or wrong. There is no circumstance that should have let them treat the Journalist the way they did. What crime did he commit?, he bemoaned.



Even if the journalist has made a mistake, what stopped the national security after he had shown his identity to phone the management of Citi FM to inform them that they have in their custody a Journalist from their end and so they should come with another colleague he sent the photos to resolve the issue? This is how a civil society behaves and not the Rambo style in which they stormed Citi FM to arrest the female journalist, he suggested.





Watch video below





Source: Daniel Adu Darko/Peacefmonline.com









Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority.

Featured Video
The Ashanti Regional Minister, Mr Simon Osei Mensah has indicated that there was no attempt to influence what the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II was to say at the dialogue on illegal mining in Kumasi last week.

There has been suggestions that Mr Osei Mensah and the Minister of Lands and Natural Resources, Mr Samuel Abu Jinapor had attempted to 'gag' the Asantehene and persuade him to desist from exposing some of the people behind illegal mining [galamsey].



Otumfuo Osei Tutu II had been invited to give the opening address of a Dialogue between the government and stakeholders in the small-scale mining sector.



The dialogue was about the illegal mining [galamsey] disaster that Ghanaians have inflicted upon themselves.



Before Otumfuo Osei Tutu II mounted the dais to deliver his speech, the two government officials Messrs Osei Mensah and Samuel Abu Jinapor had gone to him the previous day and pleaded that he should please observe protocol and stick to his script.



But as soon as he stood before the microphones, he revealed, extempore, in Asante Twi, that the government officials had approached him earlier, to stick to his script. But before doing that, he would just want to say a word or two.



And he continued to charge that a high percentage of the people in the room  perhaps 30 percent  not only knew who were carrying out galamsey in the country, but that some were themselves involved in the dastardly practice. They should stop forthwith, for he was minded to name and shame them!



Following the revelation by the Asantehene, there has been suggestions that the two government officials had wanted to gag the Asantehene.



Osei Mensah's explanation



In a radio interview monitored by Graphic Online on Accra based Okay FM on Tuesday morning, Mr Osei Mensah denied attempting to influence the Asantehene's speech and said he had no locus to prepare the Asantehene's speech.



According to him, he [Osei Mensah] and the Minister of Lands and Natural Resources, Mr Samuel Abu Jinapor had only sought to appeal to the Asantehene to stick to his script, so that the function would not have delayed.



He said their plan was to ensure that the event did not go more than one hour or one and half hours since the Asantehene himself had other functions to attend that day.



He said it was the Manhyia Palace that prepared the speech for the Asantehene and not the sector minister or the Regional Coordinating Council.



Watch a video of what the Asantehene said at the dialogue





Source: graphiconline.com









Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority.

Featured Video
A Place for All Conservatives to Speak Their Mind.
Over the last week, the Director General honored an invitation from The Ministry of the Russian Federation for Civil Defence, Emergencies and Elimination of Consequences of Natural Disasters (EMECOM) . This invitation was to attend a conference and exhibition programme at Moscow in Russia.



The conference took into perspective, modern day disaster- management solutions , with an exhibition of technology, tools and equipment best suited for effective disaster management . It also included simulation exercises in response to mudslides, earthquakes , flood and fire disasters.



On the sidelines of the conference, the delegation from Africa met with a team from the Russian Direct Investment Fund led by Vladimir Primark. This meeting was meant to discuss issues related to the roll out of the Sputnik V vaccine, with emphasis on its efficacy and economic advantages for the continent.



As leader of the Ghanaian delegation, He also engaged Madam Njoupouo Yap Mariatou of Cameroon, the Secretary General of The International Civil Defence Organisation (ICDO). This intergovernmental organisation is responsible for natural and man-made disasters. We discussed how possible ICDU can assist NADMO- Ghana in its new earthquake response and preparedness plan.



To climax the events, a plaque was presented to the Minister responsible for EMECOM Russia, Yevgeny Zinichev for their continued collaboration with NADMO-Ghana over the last 4 years.

The delegation comprised of Mr. Shaibu Mahama, Deputy Director General in Charge of DVGs, Mr. Collins Osei Bonsu, Ahafo Regional Director, Madam Claudia Owusua , Director of Transport and Nana Asafo Adjei Ayeh , Director of International Relations and Protocol.

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.

Featured Video
A Nigerian judge was on Tuesday kidnapped from inside a court in the northern state of Katsina, local media report.



The Sharia court judge, identified as Alhaji Husaini Samaila, is said to have been kidnapped in the afternoon local time after armed attackers broke into the court in Zakat village.



It was not clear why the judge was inside the court at a time when judicial workers were observing a nationwide strike.



A police spokesman told the Punch newspaper that the judge did not request protection and "nobody was aware of his visit to the court".



The spokesman added that the court had already been moved to another town because of insecurity.



Katsina is one of the states worst affected by attacks in the northern region.



States across Muslim-majority northern Nigeria use both secular law and Sharia law, which does not apply to non-Muslims.

Source: BBC









Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority.

Featured Video
The Ghana Police Service has received a donation of some items including 100 packs of bullet-proof vests from the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of A-Plus Business in Newark New Jersey, Thomas Yeboah and a Youth Organizer aspirant of the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP) Prince-Kamal Gumah.



The body armour is to help security officers who have recent times suffered attacks in the discharge of their duties and sometimes resulting in death.



The items were handed over at a short ceremony held at the police unit in Accra.



The police service expressed gratitude to Prince Kamal and Thomas Yeboah who double as the NPP Deputy Youth Organizer of United States Branch and NPP New Jersey chapter member respectively for the kind gesture.



Prince Kamal also lauded Thomas after describing him as a citizen not a spectator in President Nana Addos quest to build a better Ghana.







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.

Featured Video
President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has called on the Bretton Woods institutions to reset the global financial system rules to give African countries an equal opportunity to develop, in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.

He said just as the institutions helped to rebuild the post-war global economy and rekindled international economic cooperation 77 years ago, there was now a historic opportunity to restructure the global financial architecture to also respond better to the needs of Africa.



The President, who made the call at the Summit on Financing African Economies in Paris, France, yesterday, said the Bretton Woods Conference, which took place as World War II drew to a close, created a global financial architecture which, over the last 77 years, had proved to be unfavourable to Africa.



President Akufo-Addo said inequity in the global economic system, as well as leadership and governance issues, have not been favourable to the continent.



These challenges have resulted in a global economic system that has proved to be incapable of supporting lives and livelihoods, including allocating sufficient long-term resources to support Africa's economic transformation, he added.



Structural inequalities



President Akufo-Addo further said the cost of Africa's development did not reflect its economic fundamentals, credit,or default cost, citing the case of Ghana where the sovereign debt is more expensive than that of similarly rated Belarus, which pays some 100 basis points less than Ghana.



The structural inequities confronting African economies, he said, had been worsened by the COVID-19, evidenced by the fact that a mere two per cent of the 1.3 billion vaccine doses administered globally at the end of April were in Africa.



The pandemic has also ensured that the total fiscal deficit of Africa rose from 4.7 per cent of GDP in 2019 to 8.7 per cent in 2020; overall debt levels are also estimated to have increased from 57 per cent of GDP in 2019 to 70 per cent per cent in 2021.



Without the fiscal room to breathe, Africa could truly become the forgotten continent, and that is why there is the urgent need for comprehensive debt relief and debt cancellation, he added.



Solutions



The President proposed two solutions at the conference to help address the situation confronting Africa.



Beyond some two pillars announced by President Emmanuel Macron of France, President Akufo-Addo suggested a third pillar, which he said should focus on the restructuring of the current global financial architecture to provide for access and equity to long-term finance to support the economic transformation of Africa.



This should include the establishment of an African Stability Mechanism, akin to the European Stability Mechanism. The African Stability Mechanism will be a permanent firewall for Africa to safeguard and provide instant emergency access to financial assistance for countries in financial difficulty, he said.



The second solution proposed by the President was the bridging of the immediate liquidity and potential insolvency issues confronting Africa and its financial institutions.



I urge the IMF to on-lend 25 to 30 per cent of new $650 billion SDRs to support low and vulnerable middle-income countries before the 2021 annual meetings, increase IDA funding to strengthen the balance sheet of the World Bank, replenish the African Development Bank and the Afreximbank to support investment in green investments, facilitate trade and support the private sector to create jobs and build back better, he added.



With Africa becoming home to a quarter of the world's population in 2050, more than half of the global youth population and, potentially, having a GDP of some $29 billion, President Akufo-Addo told the gathering that it is, thus, in our collective interest to create the conditions that will enable such a development to be of benefit to the entire globe.









Source: graphiconline.com









Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority.

Featured Video
The Okyenhene, Osagyefuo Amoatia Ofori Panin, has underscored the need for Ghanaians to respect nature to ensure that their communities and traditional areas are clean and healthy.

In the olden days, our mothers woke up around 4 a.m. and swept the compound. There was nothing like the dumping of refuse into gutters, and for that reason our gutters were clean and tidy, he said.



However, he said, it was regrettable that Ghanaians had brushed aside those values and were rather dumping refuse into gutters and polluting water bodies, and lamented the fact that now there was no respect for the rule of law.



The negative attitude, he said, posed various health risks to the citizenry.



We can deal with these sanitation problems if, as a country, we will defend and believe in the rule of law and, more importantly, respect the rule of nature in our traditional areas, he stressed.



Courtesy Call



The Okyenhene made the call during a courtesy call on him at the Ofori Panin Fie in Kyebi last Monday by the Minister of Sanitation and Water Resources, Mrs Cecilia Abena Dapaah, who was accompanied by some chief directors of the ministry.



The visit was part of the ministers four-day working tour of the Eastern and the Ashanti regions, aimed at assessing the state of water bodies and checking water treatment plants in the two regions.



According to the Okyenhene, what worked for our forefathers and ancestors was that they had enormous respect for Gods creation, adding that practices such as farming 200 feet away from water bodies went a long way to protect water bodies.





And that worked even in an era when there were no law enforcers. The practice even saw our forefathers drinking from these water bodies, he recalled.



Safeguard water bodies





He insisted that it was imperative that water bodies in the country be safeguarded at all cost.



We must, therefore, not sit down and allow our water bodies to be destroyed by the practice of galamsey, he averred.



The Okyenhene, who was very passionate about the need to protect the countrys waters, said the lack of jobs should not be used as an excuse by the youth to venture into galamsey.



While commending President Akufo-Addos administration for its concerted effort to nip galamsey in the bud, he appealed to it to look for funds to reclaim lands wantonly destroyed by illegal miners.



Reclaiming these lands can be done by engaging the youth to plant trees on them, which will be job opportunities for them, he submitted.



Furthermore, the Okyenhene added his voice to calls for the country to be decentralised to bring governance to the doorstep of the people.



Filth and traffic



For example, decentralising the country will help decongest and rid Accra of the loads of filth and traffic. There is a limit to Accra, he said.



Decentralising the country will mean that the ministries of Sanitation and Water Resources, Lands and Natural Resources, Local Government and Rural Development, Food and Agriculture, among others, can be moved to other regions, he suggested.



That, he said, would ensure efficiency in the governance system.



What business, for instance, are the ministries of Local Government and Rural Development, Food and Agriculture and Lands and Natural Resources doing in Accra? he asked.



Consequently, Osagyefo Ofori Panin said it was important that we change our attitude to help support the government fix the country.



Water treatment



Earlier, Mrs Dapaah had explained that the essence of her visit to the Eastern Region was to look at the condition of the water treatment plants of the Ghana Water Company Limited (GWCL) and also assess the state of water bodies in the region.



She said President Akufo-Addo was committed to and working hard to improve the lot of Ghanaians.



She was particularly happy with the state of cleanliness of Kyebi and applauded the Okyenhene for his efforts in that respect.



Immediately after the courtesy call, Mrs Dapaah and her delegation inspected a GWCL water intake facility in Kyebi, not far from the Ofori Panin Fie, the Bunso Water Treatment Plant and finally the Osino Water Treatment Plant, all in the Eastern Region.



From the Eastern Region, Mrs Dapaah will move to the Ashanti Region, where she and her delegation will undertake a similar exercise.









Source: graphiconline.com









Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority.

Featured Video
The President has been urged to remain resolute in his commitment to combat the illegal mining (galamsey).



According to an environmentalist, Nana Dwomoh Sarpong, there were so many individuals and interest groups in the illegal business, including politicians and other state actors who might want to use various means to dissuade the President form his renewed position on illegal mining.



But, I will encourage President Nana Addo Dankwah Akufo-Add to remain steadfast in his commitment to see the end of the menace, he said.



Speaking to the Daily Graphic in Accra on the activities of Operation Halt so far, Nana Sarpong, who is also the President of Friends of Rivers and Water Bodies, an environmental non-for-profit organisation, said: The journey appears a long one, but we will surely get there as we all join the President in his efforts to sanitise the mining [email protected]



Directives



In April, this year, the Ghana Armed Forces, on the directive of President Akufo-Addo, launched a nationwide operation dubbed Operation Halt to clear illegal miners out of the water bodies and forest reserves.



Presdient Akufo-Addo has authorised the Ghana Armed Force to commence an operation to remove all persons and logistics involved in mining from Ghanas water bodies, a statement signed by the Minister for Information, Mr. Kojo Oppong Nkrumah, said.



The statement said the Presidents instruction was in line with the resolutions reached in a recent stakeholder dialogue on small-scale mining, to ensure that mining in water bodies was halted immediately.



Tough decisions



Stressing how seriously illegal miners had damaged the countrys water bodies and environment, the environmentalist said combating it needed tough decisions and actions.



Some of the tough decisions being taken by the military have come under criticisms from certain quarters, but I dare say that such actions are the way to go looking at the task ahead, he said.



He said the government had a duty to protect lives and properties so if certain machinery and equipment are being used to pollute the river and pose a threat to the health of the people, there was every reason to destroy such machinery.



Putting chlorine into the rivers in the name of illegal mining is criminal and offenders must suffer for their acts, he said.



He further emphasised the ned for the state to go beyond destruction of mining equipment and prosecute offenders to serve as deterrent to others.



Extend operations



The environmentalist further urged the government not to put attention on the big rivers alone but extend the activities of operation halt to other small rivers and other water bodies.



That, he said, was because a concentration of activities of illegal miners on the rivers as being done now alone, might not realise the overall objectives.



Some of the illegal miners are mining in streams and tributaries of the rivers and the security agencies must be allowed to go after them, he said.



The Operation Halt started on the River Pra in the Central and Western regions of Ghana with 200 officers of the Ghana Armed Forces. Since then, it has moved to other rivers such as the Ankobra and Birim

Source: graphiconline.com









Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority.

Featured Video
Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Vodafone Ghana, Patricia Obo-Nai, has been honoured with the Women Leadership Excellence Award at the just-ended Ghana CEOs Network Summit held at the Kempinski Hotel, Accra.



The award is in recognition of her remarkable contribution to the advancement of the telecommunications industry since she took over the reins of Vodafone Ghana two years ago.



Patricia was acknowledged for her remarkable leadership, drive and passion for creativity and innovation. She is celebrated for introducing several sustainable initiatives that are positively impacting the lives of Ghanaians, in line with her vision of driving Ghanas digitalisation agenda. She is also known for her continuous advocacy for more female involvement in STEM-related roles and drive for the youth to acquire digital skills.



This recognition is the latest among a long list of local and global honours that Patricia has amassed so far in her role as Vodafone Ghana CEO.



An engineer by profession and a former Chief Technical Officer (CTO) as well as acting Director of the Commercial Business Unit (CBU), Patricia has brought her technical and commercial expertise vis-a-vis her remarkable people skills to bear as Chief Executive of the technology communications firm.



Under her leadership, Telco has seen steady commercial growth and a significant restructuring process aligned to the companys shift in ethos from a traditional Telco to a digital technology services company.



She is presently the Telecom CEO of the Year at the Ghana Information Technology and Telecommunications Awards (GITTA). She has also won several awards including Best Female Technologist at the Ghana Telecom Awards, STEM Leadership Award at the Sustainability and Social Impact Awards and Telecommunications Personality of the Year at the National Communications Awards.



Founded in 2016, the GHANA CEO SUMMIT is the foremost business conference for decision-makers, CEOs, Heads of State, entrepreneurs, business leaders, shareholders, investors, ministers, heads of financial institutions, top consultants and Policy Makers. It is designed to provide a common platform for deliberations, review and development of the business terrain in Ghana. It also rewards and celebrates businesses and individuals who have excelled within the year under review.

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.

Featured Video
Police in Ivory Coast says 22 people have been jailed for trafficking children to work on cocoa plantations.



Five of the traffickers were sentenced to 20 years in prison. The others for five.



They were arrested following a swoop earlier this month in which nearly 70 children were rescued.



Ivory Coast is the world's top cocoa producer, commanding more than 40% of the market.



Up to six million people work in the cocoa sector, many from neighbouring Mali and Burkina Faso.



A recent study estimated that about 800,000 of them are children.



There are fears that the numbers have increased during the coronavirus pandemic, as schools were closed leaving children more vulnerable to trafficking.



Some 2,000 children have been rescued from cocoa plantations in the past two years.

Source: BBC









Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority.

Featured Video
It was a worrying moment when videos of a woman in labour being carried on a wooden door from Abrokyire, a farming community in the Aowin Municipality of the Western North Regio to a nearby clinic at Boinson, went viral.



Subsequently, Adom News paid a visit to the community which is about six miles from the health centre to gather details about the situation.



Led by regional correspondent Augustine Boah, Adom News discovered the road and environment were very bad.



Relating to the particular health incident, it was revealed residents volunteered to carry the pregnant woman, identified as Hagar Gyamfi, to the clinic, as they have to travel miles to access taxi, and hours more to get to the clinic due to bad road network.



Madam Gyamfi, speaking in Sefwi dialect, recounted how the pain of contraction rendered her immobile, leaving her with no option than to rely on the services of the volunteers.



Her husband also narrated how every passing second of the journey was a nightmare.



Despite the communitys name suggesting overseas states, residents claim that they are far from comfort, disclosing it is a norm for residents to carry patients on wooden doors or tied to motorbikes to be transported to health facilities.



Aside the heavy weight of patients, volunteers have to travel over river Boin and several others, a situation which most times lead to mortalities on the part of the patients.



Some beneficiaries, who spoke under anonymity to Adom News, said they lived in fear of losing their lives along the way, adding that they will forever be indebted to the volunteers.



Consequently, Abrokyire residents are pleading with the government to divert attention to their municipality and improve their standard of living.



Meanwhile, the woman successfully gave birth to a bouncy baby boy and has since been discharged.

Source: adomonline.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.

Featured Video
Drama unfolded at the Enchi District Magistrate Court when four Nigerians wept uncontrollably after the court ordered the Police to hand them over to the Ghana Immigration Service for their repatriation from Ghana.



The convicts; Amanda Johnson, 27, Emerald Percious 23, Angel Ainu, 24, Jennifer Emeka, 32 and Patrick Arthur, were also sentenced to a fine of GH600.00 each or in default serve nine months imprisonment each.



Their accomplice, Esther Diamond, 27 and Anthony Kofi Lucky, 32, who refused to show up in court after they were granted bail got convicted to jail in absentia.



The court has issued a bench warrant for the arrest of the two.



All the convicts were earlier charged for keeping a brothel but they pleaded not guilty.



However, the court presided over by Mr Eric Baah Boateng at the end of the trial found them guilty and convicted all accordingly.



Prosecuting, Detective Inspector Joseph Kwadwo Agyare told the court that, Amanda, Emerald, Angel, Jennifer and Esther are all Nigerians and residents at Abokyia in the Aowin Municipality in the Western North Region.



He said Anthony is the husband of Esther while Arthur is the landlord of the convicts.



According to Detective Agyare, the complainant, Catherine Joseph, is a 19-year-old Nigerian and currently resides at Amakom, a suburb of Kumasi in the Ashanti Region.



The prosecution said two weeks ago, Amanda paid a visit to Nigeria and convinced the complainant that she had secured a job for her as a cleaner in Ghana.



He said the complainant agreed and when the two arrived in Ghana, Amanda told her she was going to work as a commercial sex worker.



Inspector Agyare informed the court that Amanda subsequently took the complainant to a riverside and made her swear an oath that she would not flee to Nigeria.



The prosecution said the complainant who was not pleased with what she had been forced into managed to escape from the Banaso community to Ashanti Region where she narrated her ordeal to a private radio station based in Kumasi.



He said officials of the radio station later assisted her to lodge a formal complaint with the Ghana Police Service at Enchi where Amanda was arrested in a wooden structure which they were using as a brothel.



The prosecution said in the course of the arrest, Anthony was found in Esther's room where four boxes containing 144 condoms and lubricants were retrieved.



He said Amanda and Emerald during interrogations said they rented the brothel from Arthur, leading to his arrest.





Source: GNA









Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority.

Featured Video
The Chiefs and residents of Gomoa Fetteh in the Gomoa East District of the Central Region, who are the custodians of Gomoa Buduburam, have asked the government to consider demolishing the enclave perceived to be a den of criminal activities for years. The traditional authority is concerned about the constant criminal activities involving some inhabitants in the area, and wants the government to consider demolishing enclave to reduce crime.



The Buduburam enclave, which used to host mainly Liberians who sought asylum in Ghana during the unrest in that country, is now hosting other foreign nationals from Nigeria, Senegal, Ivory Coast, and some Ghanaians. There have been several calls by various traditional leaders for the enclave to be demolished because it is believed to be contributing to the high crime rate within the Kasoa area and its environs.



The Kasoa Divisional Police Command has made several swoops in the area with the recent one being the arrest of over 300 suspected criminals mostly Nigerians inside the camp.



At a press conference to drum home their demand, the the Gomoa Fetteh Traditional Council urged the government to consider demolishing the Buduburam camp to raid the area of criminal elements.



According to the Omanhene, several criminal activities including armed robbery, prostitution, the sale of narcotic drugs among others, have become the order of the day at the camp.



The government must demolish the Buduburam camp so that it could be used for other things. We are pleading with Nana Akufo-Addo to help us in that direction. What happens there does not speak well of Gomoa Fetteh, Nana Abor Attah told Citi News.



The Omanhene is optimistic that getting rid of the place will help reduce crime in the Gomoa Buduburam area as well as Kasoa.



We offer our unflinching support to the government of Ghana to take the necessary and lawful action to weed out the haven of criminals in Buduburam. The enclave has a bag tag, and this is preventing potential investors who have intentions of settling and working in Buduburam, Nana Abor Attah added.



The Omankrado of Gomoa Fetteh, Nana Kwesi Quansah, indicated that the traditional council is giving the government three months to demolish the enclave, adding that they are ready to offer the place for markets, a lorry park and schools.



The place can be used by the government for social amenities like market centres, schools, hospitals among others which will improve economic activities in the area. We are giving the government three months to demolish structures in the camp, Nana Kwesi Quansah said.



He urged the government to give them the go-ahead to demolish structures inside the camp if they are not ready after the three-month period.



We are ready to embark on the demolition if the government is not ready by the three months period we have given to them, the Omankrado of Gomoa Fetteh told Citi News.



Facts about Budumburam

The Buduburam Camp became the home of Liberian refugees in the 1990s. Opened by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees(UNHCR). The camp was home to some 12,000 refugees during the first Liberian Civil War from 1999 to 2003.



In April 2007, the UNHCR began pulling out of the camp slowly withdrawing all UNHCR services making way for the official cessation of the refugee status for refugees.



In 1997, Liberia held peaceful elections, and the United Nations decided to send the refugees back home since there was peace in the once volatile area. The Buduburam camp was handed over to the Traditional authorities, but till now, some refugees still remain in the camp making way for other nationals to also join.

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.

Featured Video
The Odorkor Divisional Police facilities have seen a recent facelift with the expansion and renovation of the divisional headquarters, and the construction of a new Investigation Centre. The Oppong-Boanuh Investigation Centre, named after the Inspector General of Police Mr. James Oppong-Boanuh, was constructed by ZEN Petroleum, which also contributed to the renovation of the divisional headquarters with the donation of paints and air-conditioning units.



Commissioned by Madam Yaa Tiwaa Addo-Danquah, the Director-General, Welfare of the Ghana Police Service, the new Investigation Centre houses the Domestic Violence & Victim Support Unit (DOVVSU) and the Station CID Investigations Unit, which have hitherto had to work in cramped conditions. The expansion of the facilities marks an important step in ensuring that police work within the division is done effectively, efficiently and in a conducive environment.



Speaking at the commissioning ceremony, Mr. Prince Awuley Retail Director for ZEN Petroleum said, The Oppong-Boanuh Investigation Centre and the renovated Divisional Headquarters are a token of our commitment to giving back in ways that benefit our community and our people.



Given that there are few pillars as crucial to the social fabric as the police service, it is important for us to contribute towards building a strong and well-equipped police service that works effectively for all. He added, Through our ZEN 2 Community programs, we will continue to play our part in ensuring that pillars of our communities, such as the police service, are well equipped to work better for the benefit of society as a whole, as we conduct business safely, responsibly and with a passion to develop our motherland Ghana.



In his remarks, the Divisional Commander for the Odorkor Divisional Command, ACP Baffour Apenteng-Nyamekye thanked ZEN Petroleum for their contribution to the expansion and renovation of the divisional headquarters. He noted the vital need for more support and resources from stakeholders to enable the police carry out their duties more effectively.



ZENs support of the police service forms part of its ZEN to Community (Z2C) programs, which have included the donation of personal protective equipment (PPE) and medical supplies during the COVID-19 pandemic, tuition fee scholarships for students returning to school during the pandemic, the construction of a public library for the Perseus Mining resettlement village in Ayanfuri, as well as an ongoing partnership with educational charity Lead For Ghana, focused on the education development in communities across Ghana, amongst others.

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.

Featured Video
Managing Editor of the Insight newspaper, Kwesi Pratt Jnr. has expressed disappointment in the African Presidents who are currently attending a summit in France.



The President of the Republic, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, left Ghana on Sunday, May 16, 2021 for a nine (9) day official working visit to France, Belgium and South Africa.



These working visits are part of the President's efforts to re-engage with the world following the outbreak of the Coronavirus pandemic and further highlight Ghana's impressive business-friendly environment to the world.



In France, President Akufo-Addo is attending a Summit on Financing African Economies hosted by French President Emmanuel Macron on Tuesday, May 18.



The Summit brings together various African and European leaders and heads of international financial institutions to devise strategies for Africa's recovery.



Speaking on Peace FM's 'Kokrokoo' on Tuesday, Kwesi Pratt questioned the logic in organizing the summit in France.



He asked why the African leaders would leave Africa to attend a summit on COVID-19 in France, asking if there is no place in West Africa where they could have held the summit.



To Mr. Pratt, this sends a wrong signal, hence stressing Africa must wake up and stop the neocolonialism.



"So, if there is an outbreak of COVID in West Africa and we want to discuss issues about it, we have to go to Paris. We couldn't organize it in Ghana, Lagos or Abuja, unless we send it to Paris. Why? Emmanuel Macron is doing this because he knows what he wants. You know what, all the French-speaking African countries' foreign reserves are stored in the Central Bank of France to the extent that the French-speaking African countries save up their foreign reserves in France, go back for a loan and pay interest on it. This arrangement between us and the former colonial metropolis doesn't help West Africa," he said.







Source: Ameyaw Adu Gyamfi/Peacefmonline.com/Ghana









Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority.

Featured Video
Chiefs in Birem North have today voted against the re-nomination of Raymond Nana Damptey as their District Chief Executive (DCE).



The Chiefs held a meeting over some allegations leveled against them by the DCE, captured in an audio recording and played during the meeting.



The audio, leaked from his camp, contained some threats against the Chiefs in the area.



On the audio recording, an assign of the DCE named Ama Abrafi could be heard warning President Nana Akufo-Addo not to trust the Chiefs because they are all saboteurs of his government.



Ama Abrafi stated emphatically that she has organized a gang, with some members from Nima and other places, to attack and beat the Chiefs.



The DCE was also heard challenging the Chiefs to dare write a petition to the President, threatening to expose the ''corrupt'' ones among them.



''If you dare send a petition, you will hear from me. Dare send the petition and we will mention all your names. As for the Chiefs, we have respect for them, so we will withhold their names for now but if they refuse to heed my warning and go ahead with their petition, I will mention names. You challenge me'', a voice purported to be the DCE's warned.



Forty-two (42) Chiefs gathered and voted for or against the Birim North DCE and out of the number, 4 voted in his favor while 37 voted against him; one vote was rejected.



The Chiefs, by majority decision, voted against the DCEs re-nomination on grounds of his gross disrespect to them.



They raised the following concerns against Mr. Raymond Damptey.



1. Lack of respect for the Chiefs by refusing to attend to their calls anytime an invitation is extended to him.



2. Involvement of the DCE in Chieftaincy disputes and cited Abodom and Ntronang as examples. In most of these disputes, it turned very violent and bloody.



3. The DCEs attack on the Chiefs on his Ananse FM station and during assembly meetings and also attack by the various assigns of the DCE. They cited the attack on the Chiefs and the President of the Republic by one staunch supporter of the DCE by name Ama Abrafi.



4. Refusal of the DCE to recognize the Chiefs in making key decisions affecting the district.



In view of the aforementioned complaints filed against the DCE, the Association of Chiefs in Birim North District led by Obrempong Kwasi Amo Tweretwie said ''we, the Chiefs, are not allowed by law to engage in party politics but we have the right to vote...Now, we are consternated and filled with fears but we have committed no wrong. We scare for our lives because of somebody's unguarded utterances and search for power''.

Some Constituency Executives have also appealed to the President, in a letter, to heed the Chiefs' call.They however suggested for the President to appoint a certain Chairman Banor as the new DCE.We (NPP Abirem Constituency Executives: Constituency Chairman, Secretary, Assistant Secretary, Deputy Organizer, Youth organizer, Deputy Youth Organizer, Treasurer, Financial Secretary, Communication Officer, Nasara Coordinator and Deputy Nasara Coordinator) write to kick against a re-nomination bid by Raymond Nana Damptey as Birim North District Chief Executive (DCE).Your Excellency Mr. President, kindly accept our congratulations for your re-election and successful swearing-in for a second term as the President of the Republic and the Commander-in-Chief of the Ghana Armed Forces (GAF) and Vice President, H.E. Alhaji Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia.We trust and have no iota of doubt in our minds that you will deliver on your mandate, thus we wish you all the very best.We emphatically maintain that several reasons make it impossible for the former DCE to be reappointed.

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.

Featured Video
The National Coordinator of the Ghana School Feeding Programme (GSFP), Gertrude Quashigah, has been fired.



The Minister of Gender, Children and Social Protection, Sarah Adwoa Safo, terminated her appointment on Tuesday 18 May 2021.



She has been ordered to handover any official document in her custody to the chief director of the Gender Ministry.



You will be paid one months salary in lieu of notice as stipulated in your contract agreement, the letter said.



We appreciate your support towards the execution of the mandate of the Ghana School Feeding Programme during the period, it added.



No reasons were given for her dismissal.



However, Asaaseradio.coms sources at the Ghana National School Feeding Programme said there are a lot of issues bedeviling the programme under her watch including non payment of caterers, poor working relationship with directors of the programme and her deputy, taking unilateral decisions without consulting the minister.



Quashigah is yet to comment on her exit.

Source: asaaseradio.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.

Featured Video
James Kwabena Bomfeh, a former Acting General Secretary of the Convention People's Party (CPP), has reiterated his position on the government's fight against galamsey menace in Ghana.



As a result of the galamsey activities, the country's river bodies have been polluted making it difficult to get drinkable water.



Aside the contamination of the river bodies, the illegal miners have also destroyed the forest reserves.



Their activities are having bad effects on the health and development of the nation.



Due to this, two hundred (200) soldiers have been deployed to the mining areas to remove all persons mining illegally as part of the government's efforts for the river bodies to return to their natural purest state and the forest reserves to be restored.



The soldiers, commencing their work, have engaged an operation dubbed ''Operation Halt'' aimed at stopping all galamsey activities.



As part of Operation Halt, the soldiers have been sanctioned to burn all excavators belonging to the illegal miners.



Recently, a video surfaced on social media showing some excavators allegedly owned by the National Women's Organizer of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Kate Gyamfua set on fire.



These actions are to serve as a deterrent to prospective illegal miners.



But to Kabila, burning the excavators is unlawful.



Speaking on Peace FM's ''Kokrokoo'', he outlined how the Military should handle the machines belonging to the illegal miners.



He accentuated that the taskforce must apply the laws of the land in executing the President's directive to remove the illegal miners and their machines.



Kabila argued burning the excavators is an illegality which shouldn't be condoned by the government.



To him, this is sending a wrong signal to the public and so cautioned the government not to justify the actions of the taskforce, stressing it will boomerang on them.



''Mark my words; I'm going to be prophetic. Continue burning, it will come to haunt you," he warned.





Source: Ameyaw Adu Gyamfi/Peacefmonline.com/Ghana









Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority.

Featured Video
Former Central Regional Minister, Kwamena Duncan, has condemned the invasion of Police officers at Accra-based media house, Citi FM/Citi TV, on Tuesday, May 11, 2021.



The Police Officers arrested Caleb Kudah, a broadcast Journalist with Citi FM and Citi TV.



According to the Police, he was arrested for filming at the premises of the National Security Ministry, a restricted security zone.



About seven heavily armed officers stormed the premises of Citi FM/TV to arrest another broadcast Journalist named Zoe Abu-Baidoo who works with the media house.



They claimed Zoe Abu-Baidoo had received some files from Caleb Kudah.



The two were accompanied by the Citi FM/TV management to the Ministry of National Security for interrogation but Caleb was detained for several hours while Zoe was released.



Citi News Security Correspondent, Anass Seidu, narrated how the incident happened.



Caleb Kudah who had visited someone at the National Security was arrested after filming at the premises of the Ministry. After he was arrested, the operatives detected that he had sent whatever he had filmed to another colleague, Zoe Abu-Baidoo. They moved to Citi FM with heavily armed men to arrest Zoe. When they got here, the management of Citi FM and Citi TV joined the team back to the National Security Ministry with Zoe. After some interrogation, Zoe was allowed to leave. Caleb Kudah was being interrogated at the time we left, he said.



Touching on the arrest of the Journalists, Kwamena Duncan decried the Police's action saying it was distasteful for armed officers to have gone to Citi FM/TV premises to arrest a Journalist.



He cautioned against the rambo style by the National Security operatives stressing the situation should have been handled in a professional manner.



"We (National Security) could have handled it in a better way than we did . . . for them to have armed themselves just to go and invite a small unarmed lady journalist, invade the whole premises of a media house; it was unnecessary. It was needless. They could have done it in a better way than they did.



''Every agency, every department, every individual, government connected in anyway making any move; please let us stay on the path of the law. Let us stay on the path of what democracy requires of us. Let us stay on the path of what will not give the mince meat," he said on Peace FM's 'Kokrokoo' programme.





Source: Ameyaw Adu Gyamfi/Peacefmonline.com/Ghana









Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority.

Featured Video
Founder and Leader of Perez Chapel International, Bishop Charles Agyinasare, is amazed at the COVID-19 protocols in the United Kingdom.



In his view, the system is working in London to ensure every citizen complies with the COVID-19 protocols.



In a video he shared on Facebook, the man of God, who is on holidays, said immediately he touched down with his family, they were given an order to self-isolate for some time before they can go out.



Bishop Agyinasare said he could go out after his second COVID-19 test was negative.



When you go out, you are fined 2,000. The system is working 24/7, he added.

VIDEO-













Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority.

Featured Video
Eno Boakyewaa Foundation donated dozens of boxes of sanitary pads to the Pantang JHS students. The kind gesture was received with excitement by the staff and students of the school.



Founder and President of Eno Boakyewaa Foundation, has led her group to donate dozens of their sanitary pads to Pantang JHS.



According to the Founder and President of the Eno Boakyewaa Foundation, Abena Kyei Boakye the gesture was part of a program dubbed 'Pad A Girl Project', We saw the need to do an extension of high levels by donating sanitary pads to schools to support our young girls especially in these hard times of COVID 19."In Ghana , many girls miss school during their periods. By giving them the knowledge and means to manage their menstrual hygiene effectively, were making sure they dont miss out on an education.



Photos that were taken during the donation exercise show that the gesture was much appreciated by both the staff and students at Pantang JHS.



Although everyone put on a mask, careful observation reveals that the students were particularly excited, owing to the fact that they wouldn't need to spend a dime on pads for some time.

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.

Featured Video
Whether or not you wear a mask now boils down to the honor system.

Across the nation, major retailers have eased rules regarding face coverings, unless required by local and state law.

The policy change comes after a May 13 announcement by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention saying fully vaccinated people no longer need to wear masks in most places, including indoors. The agency still advises partially vaccinated or unvaccinated people to wear masks.

The shift, while praised by those eager for a post-pandemic return to normalcy, has left others puzzled. It has also put retailers, who have no way to determine whether employees and shoppers have been fully vaccinated, in a tough spot.

Part of the confusion rests in the fact the CDCs guidance does not override state and local rules on mask wearing. In Pennsylvania, Gov. Tom Wolfs administration has emphasized it is not lifting the states mask mandate until 70% of the adult population is vaccinated.

Stores such as Costco and Trader Joes have wasted no time changing their messaging to mask-free shopping, while others such as JC Penney and Ulta Beauty say they are keeping pandemic rules such as mask wearing in place.

Also, some central Pennsylvania grocery stores, including Weis and Karns, have said they will continue to require customers to wear masks. On Tuesday, The Giant Company eased its policy to say those who are fully vaccinated no longer need to wear face coverings.

Theres a lot of unanswered questions, said Alex Baloga, president and CEO of the Pennsylvania Food Merchants Association, last week. I think people are still trying to figure out and process it. Its so new, people are trying to figure out how it affects them and how to implement it.

Pennsylvania Acting Secretary of Health Alison Beam has said businesses, offices and schools can still require masks if thats what they want to do.

If you are fully vaccinated, it is an incentive to be able to remove your mask, but businesses and workplaces may still require this added layer of protection for their employees or customers that may have underlying conditions that continue to make them vulnerable to this virus, she said.

So far, about half of Pennsylvanians 18 years and older are fully vaccinated, while 5.9 million have received at least one dose. Roughly two-thirds of Pennsylvanias adults are at least partially vaccinated, according to the Wolf administration.

Over the weekend, CDC Director Rochelle Walensky said on FOX News the decision evolved from science and was not done under political pressure.

I can tell you it certainly would have been easier if the science had evolved a week earlier and I didnt have to go to Congress making those statements. But Im delivering the science as the science is delivered to the medical journals, she said.

Heres a breakdown of some retailers policies:

Aldi

The chain no longer mandates the use of face coverings for customers who are fully vaccinated against COVID-19, unless required by state or local jurisdictions.

Best Buy

It also updated its policy to now say fully vaccinated customers and employees are no longer required to wear face coverings in its stores, except where otherwise mandated by state or local order. We recognize that the CDCs new recommendations are a signal that things are indeed improving. Our goal now is to navigate through this period of transition as safely as we possibly can, for our employees and our customers.

CVS

CVS Pharmacy announced that effective May 17, customers who are fully vaccinated are no longer required to wear face coverings inside stores, unless it is mandated by state or local regulations. A CVS store on Derry Street in Swatara Township has a sign posted saying masks are still required despite the new CDC guidelines.

A sign posted May 18 inside Costco in Lower Paxton Township outside of Harrisburg, Pa. The chain has updated its mask policy to say customers who are fully vaccinated no longer need to wear masks. Photo by Sue Gleiter | sgleiter@pennlive.com

Costco

The Seattle-based chain has eased its mask policy. A sign at the Lower Paxton Township store says the retailer is following the CDC guidance and state and local regulations and that members and guests who are fully vaccinated may enter without a face mask or face shield. Proof of vaccination is not required. Face coverings are still required in the stores healthcare settings including pharmacy, optical and hearing aid sections.

Giant Company

Starting May 19, employees and shoppers who have been fully vaccinated will no longer be required to wear masks inside the Carlisle-based chains stores.

Giant said its team members who are not fully vaccinated will continue wearing masks, something they kindly request customers to practice. In addition, the chain said it will continue to practice enhanced safety and cleaning measures in stores.

Home Depot

The chain said customers and associates who are fully vaccinated are not required to wear masks or facial coverings in Home Depot stores, except where its mandated by state or local ordinances. With that said, a sign at Home Depot in Swatara Township asks shoppers to wear face coverings while shopping in stores, including those who have received the COVID-19 vaccine.

Target

Target stores said they have dropped mask policies for fully vaccinated customers and employees, except in areas where its required by local ordinances. In a statement on its website, Target said it strongly recommends those who are not fully vaccinated to continue wearing face coverings.

Walmart

Walmart has said fully vaccinated customers do not need to wear masks. However, in Pennsylvania Walmart stores are mirroring guidelines adopted by the state. So Walmart customers still need masks, in accordance with the states requirements until a 70 percent vaccination rate are reached.

More from PennLive

COVID-19 vaccines are available for kids 12 and up in central Pa.; find out where and when
A day after Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal said a new strain of COVID-19, which is suspected to affect more children, had been detected in Singapore, external affairs minister (EAM) S Jaishankar said his remarks were "irresponsible" and that the Delhi CM did not speak for India.

"Singapore and India have been solid partners in the fight against Covid-19. Appreciate Singapore's role as a logistics hub and oxygen supplier. Their gesture of deploying military aircraft to help us speaks of our exceptional relationship," he tweeted.

"However, irresponsible comments from those who should know better can damage long-standing partnerships. So, let me clarify- Delhi CM does not speak for India," his tweet further read.

Singapore and India have been solid partners in the fight against Covid-19.



Appreciate Singapore's role as a logistics hub and oxygen supplier. Their gesture of deploying military aircraft to help us speaks of our exceptional relationship. @VivianBala https://t.co/x7jcmoyQ5a  Dr. S. Jaishankar (@DrSJaishankar) May 19, 2021
Pennsylvania voters said yes to two constitutional amendments that would give lawmakers much more power over disaster declarations, to apply whether the emergency is another pandemic or natural disaster.

Pennsylvania voters became the first in the nation to impose restrictions on a governors authority under an emergency disaster declaration. The vote on Tuesdays primary ballot came as Republican lawmakers across the country have sought to roll back the emergency powers governors wielded during the COVID-19 pandemic.

With 73% of precincts reporting, the two questions led with almost 54% of the vote. More than 2 million ballots were cast.

Gov. Tom Wolf had opposed them, but has no say in what proposals lawmakers put on ballots to amend the state constitution.

The two questions ask voters to end a governors emergency disaster declaration after 21 days and to give lawmakers the sole authority to extend it or end it at any time with a simple majority vote.

Currently, the constitution requires a two-thirds majority vote by lawmakers to end a governors disaster declaration. Under the law, a governor can issue an emergency declaration for up to 90 days and extend it without limit.

Wolf and his emergency disaster director have called the proposals reckless and a threat to a functioning society that could prevent a fast and wide-ranging response to increasingly complicated disasters.

Republicans have accused Wolf of fear-mongering.

The Legislature did not hold hearings on the measures, and they may end up in court if voters approve them because their effect is in dispute.

Republicans claim the governor cannot order shutdowns without a disaster emergency in effect. Wolf disagrees, saying a governors authority during a public health emergency rests on separate public health law and is unaffected by the ballot questions.

More:

Pennsylvania Primary 2021: Latest on statewide races, ballot questions

COVID vaccine hesitancy continues to be a major barrier in rural areas, new CDC study finds

Pa. voters back bid to ban race discrimination in constitution
A Delaware familys therapy dog was stolen by their neighbor and found dumped in Pennsville early last month, police alleged.

Cynthia Yalisove, 63, of Hockessin, Del., was charged on May 14 by New Castle County Division of Police with one count of felony theft, and additional charges for animal cruelty were also drafted by Pennsville Police Department, the New Castle County Division of Police announced Tuesday.

Officers were called to Hockessins home on April 6 for a report of theft and were told by the family that their 6-month-old Pyredoodle had gone missing the day before, police said. The animal was a therapy dog for the familys child. The family had searched throughout the night for the dog and reported it missing through social media, police said.

On April 7, they family was contacted by a person in Pennsville, N.J., who said the dog was found on the side of the road, authorities said. They went to retrieve the dog, and the person who found it told them it had been dumped from a large black Chevy SUV with a Delaware license plate, police said.

Officers alleged the SUV belonged to Yalisove, a neighbor of the family, and on May 14, she was arrested at her home and taken to New Castle County Police headquarters, police said. She was later released on her own recognizance.

Chris Sheldon may be reached at csheldon@njadvancemedia.com.
EAST STROUDSBURG, Pa. (AP)  A man opened fire on a group of people who entered his eastern Pennsylvania home to rob him, killing one and seriously wounding another, state police said.

Police in Monroe County said the residents confrontation with the five intruders happened at about 5:45 p.m. Monday in the home near East Stroudsburg.

Police say a 23-year-old New Jersey man was killed in the shooting. His name wasnt immediately released. A 23-year-old Scranton man was wounded. He was arraigned Tuesday on charges of burglary, robbery, aggravated assault, theft and related counts. The other three men fled but their identities are known, police said.

The 26-year-old resident had a minor injury but didnt require medical treatment, police said.

Police say the robbery and shooting are under investigation and no charges have been filed.
The results are in from Lebanon County, and here are the winners of the major races.

One of the key races was a special election for the 48th district of the Pennsylvania State Senate, won by Republican Christopher Gebhard with nearly 60 percent of the votes cast. The position was left open following the death of Sen. Dave Arnold in January. The 48th district includes all of Lebanon County as well as portions of Dauphin and York County.

In several of the races across Lebanon County, candidates ran unopposed in primary elections, such as Democratic Party candidate Cesar B. Liriano and Republican Party candidate Sherry Capello, both of whom won uncontested nominations for their respective parties for mayor of the city of Lebanon.

In several other races, particularly among school board races, candidates cross-filed with both major parties. The move is allowed for positions that are considered non-political, though it did not go without comment among some in Lebanon County.

READ MORE: 2021 primary election in Lebanon County: Heres what you need to know

A total of 28,435 ballots were cast, with 5,476 of them either mail-in or absentee ballots. That total is just over 30 percent of the 90, 401 eligible voters in the county. 19,603 of the votes came from registered Republicans, 6,951 from registered Democrats, and 1,881 were from voters not affiliated with either major party.

Below are the results we have for the contested races, with all 60 of Lebanon Countys precincts reporting in:

Cannot see the results? Click here.
Dauphin County voters in the primary election Tuesday cast their votes for an array of candidates for county, municipal, school district and district judge offices.

While it may be an off year without any high profile races, those who cast ballots picked people who will help set local tax rates, establish school policies and rule on criminal cases. In many ways, these votes determine who will be deciding matters that you care about on a day-to-day basis.

Winners of the primary election advance to the general election this fall. Here are the results:

Cannot see the results? Click here.
Shes a bit of a law and order candidate at a time of a national reckoning for policing.

There was a time late last year, when the 67-year-old retired state employee was publicly hinting at plans to end her career in public service.

She was a distant fourth place in fundraising for this mayoral campaign.

But all those facts notwithstanding, Harrisburg City Council President Wanda Williams scored a historic and close win in a fiercely competitive Democratic mayoral primary Tuesday night. She emerged with a 56-vote victory over two-term Mayor Eric Papenfuse, who conceded late Tuesday night. Williams automatically becomes the heavy favorite to become Harrisburgs second Black and second female mayor next year.

In her first remarks after a raucous victory celebration at the S Club in Uptown Tuesday night, Williams said she hopes the residents of Harrisburg view her win as their victory.

Yes, I am surprised, Williams allowed at one point after the remarkably tight results came in. Of the four top-tier serious candidates, all garnered between 20 and 30 percent of the primary vote.

But I worked hard. We worked hard, Williams continued. And regardless of how it turned out I felt good about the campaign we had. It was a good campaign. We didnt discredit anybody or bash anybody. It was about doing the right thing; putting the right message out there to the residents of Harrisburg. That is what I want to be; the servant for them.

There is one more step to take.

Republican Tim Rowbottom won the Republican nomination for mayor Tuesday, ensuring Williams a general election challenger. But Harrisburg hasnt elected a Republican as mayor since 1977. The city boasts a 6:1 Democrat to Republican voter registration edge. Williams enters the fall campaign as the odds-on favorite.

But first, Williams noted, she will serve out the remainder of her current council term.

That will be a different dynamic for the next six months, as Papenfuse will now be the lame-duck mayor dealing with a council president who will likely succeed him in January 2022. In a voice mail message late Tuesday, he offered congratulations to Williams, and vowed to do everything possible to make their transition as smooth and seamless as possible.

During her primary campaign, Williams promised to focus on infrastructure, creating more affordable housing in the city, and attacking crime.

While Harrisburg has a lot of challenges ahead, the city will be helped over the next two years by the scheduled receipt of $48 million in American Rescue Act funding. Williams, during the campaign, spoke about using that money to cushion the costs to residents of major sewer system upgrades required by Chesapeake Bay water quality mandates.

On Tuesday night Williams, a 16-year council member, pledged to work closely with the next City Council as mayor, and said she hoped to build better relationships with Dauphin County commissioners.

Im elated, and Im happy.... I had a great bunch of people - all of these individuals who helped me. Neighbors, friends, cousins, relatives, kids - kids- grandkids.

With that, Williams declared herself ready to go home and get some sleep.

Wont you be too keyed up to sleep? a reporter asked.

I am going to be able to sleep, Williams assured. Let me tell you something. I can sleep.

More from PennLive

Pa. voters back bid to ban race discrimination in constitution

Harrisburg City Council candidate field narrowed from 13 to 4 after primary

Harrisburg School Board candidates chosen in primary
York County commissioners cited a few factors contributing to ballot shortages at several of the countys polling places in Tuesdays primary election.

They pointed to high voter turnout, especially among Republicans. Some voters surrendered their mail-in ballot to vote in-person on Tuesday. County officials said Wednesday they intend to take a deep dive to find what led to the shortage that left voters standing in lines waiting for more ballots to arrive.

But as York County President Commissioner Julie Wheeler said, What happened yesterday was unacceptable and we need to put measures in place to fix it.

York County wasnt the only county in Pennsylvania that encountered ballot shortages and other problems in administering the election.

Lancaster County reported a printing error that made 15,000 ballots unable to be scanned. That forced a bipartisan team of election officials and observers to transfer the candidate selections on those ballots to new ballots so they could be scanned.

Another 2,700 mailed ballots in that county failed to include instructions about putting postage on return envelopes, while voters in Mount Joy and Marietta received mail ballots with someone elses name on the return envelope.

Some ballots in Fayette County lacked the barcode that enabled them to be scanned so they had to counted by hand. Luzerne County had an electronic ballot for Republican voters that had a Democratic screen header on it, even though the correct slate of GOP candidates was listed on the ballot.

Officials in other counties, including Dauphin and Perry counties, said their elections went smoothly and were not plagued by the problems other counties experienced.

But the isolated voting issues across the commonwealth angered House Majority Leader Kerry Benninghoff, R-Centre County, and House State Government Committee Chairman Seth Grove, R-York County.

The lawmakers said they were more determined than ever to make the election system better for voters and those running it.

It is crystal clear that our Election Code is in dire need of significant reform focused on accountability, security, and training, the lawmakers said in a statement issued on Tuesday evening. This is why we will be advancing election reform measures in the coming weeks. Pennsylvanians deserve to show up to their polling place trusting in the election process. They deserve the ability to leave their polling place knowing that their vote was cast accurately.

Despite the isolated problems that occurred, Department of State officials regard Tuesdays election as extremely successful.

Anyone who works in elections will tell you there is no such thing as a perfect election, said department spokeswoman Wanda Murren. This is especially true in Pennsylvania where the elections are administered by 67 county boards of elections, each making the decisions they deem best for their voters and based on their available resources.

She said county officials and poll workers did a phenomenal job and the overwhelming majority of voters cast their ballots without a hitch in an election that drew 2 million voters with over 593,000 of them casting mail ballots.

That said, our goal is always to make voting as easy and accessible as possible for every voter, Murren said. As part of our normal after-action review with the counties, we will be looking at what worked well and what needs to be improved.

Both chambers of the Legislature have held hearings focused on election reform following the multitude of issues that arose out of the 2020 election cycle that Republicans say eroded voter confidence in the integrity of the states elections. Addressing those issues is a top priority for the GOP in both chambers.

The Senates select committee on election reform is due to issue its report within the next few weeks, which will begin the chambers process of considering next steps, said Senate GOP spokeswoman Erica Clayton Wright.

Some Democratic lawmakers have argued allowing county officials to pre-canvass mail-in ballots would help election officials as more people vote by mail. Democrats are also concerned that Republicans will be pushing legislation that will make it harder for people to vote, including measures aimed at minority groups.

In York County, more Republicans turned out to vote than the total number of voters who cast ballots in the 2019 primary, Wheeler said. She attributed the strong voter interest to the four statewide ballot questions as well as the special election to fill the open 48th state Senatorial District seat.

While not able to share specific numbers on how many ballots polling places were short, Wheeler said the county followed the state law that she said requires them to have enough ballots on hand as the highest number of voters in the last three municipal primary elections held in odd-numbered years, plus 10%.

(Murren clarified state law requires counties to print a number of ballots equal to their highest number of ballots cast in any of the past three elections of the same type  presidential primary, municipal primary, etc.  plus 10%.)

Were working with the elections department right now to verify exactly what was ordered, Wheeler said. We plan based on the statute and what the guidance was given. Thats not to say planning couldnt have been better. We certainly know we had an issue yesterday.

She was unable to say how many polling places ran out of ballots as early as 1:30 p.m. on Tuesday. But Wheeler and the other two commissioners said none of them had received a phone call or email from anyone claiming they were unable to vote or went home from the polls without voting.

Commissioner Doug Hoke shared at the polling places he visited he saw an enthusiastic response from voters who were happy the ballots arrived so they could vote.

Other potential causes that the commissioners mentioned as contributing to the ballot shortage were voters who messed up completing their ballot at the polling place and requested a new one, as well as a high number of voters who surrendered mail-in ballots to vote in-person.

In one small precinct, Commissioner Ron Smith said 96 people who were sent mail-in ballots showed up at the polls to vote.

So how do you anticipate moving forward to compensate for that in any formula, Smith said. Those are the things that were going to struggle to have to figure out.

On a positive note, Wheeler highlighted improvements made to the election system to address problems that arose in the November general election that were overshadowed by the ballot shortage.

After hearing of long lines at Springfield, Hopewell and East Manchester townships during the general election, they split up the poll books to allow voters to move through the check-in more efficiently. In another improvement, the countys election website was improved to make it more user-friendly.

Just as they responded to those issues, Wheeler said the county will look at what the root causes of the ballot shortage were and make sure weve got mechanisms in place so that this doesnt happen. Certainly we know were going to need to print more ballots.

The Department of State spokeswoman said state election officials would like to see changes to the law setting the formula counties use to determine the number of ballots to prepare.

We believe that the Legislature should revise this minimum standard, Murren said.

* This post was updated to include comments from Department of State spokeswoman Wanda Murren.

Jan Murphy may be reached at jmurphy@pennlive.com. Follow her on Twitter at @JanMurphy.

More from PennLive

GOP lawmakers hail votes limiting Pa. governors powers in emergencies, but what comes next?

Battle over voter ID in Pennsylvania is heating up again
The Hershey Company is expanding its portfolio again.

On Tuesday, the company announced it plans to acquire Lilys, a low-sugar confectionery brand with milk and dark chocolate bars, baking chips, peanut butter cups and other products. In a news release, Hershey said Lilys fits with the companys multi-pronged better-for-you snacking strategy.

Lilys falls under a growing better-for-you snacks category that includes potato chips, ice cream and cookies. Hersheys said the Lilys acquisition will allow the company to accelerate growth in the category.

Many small candy companies are focused on reduced-sugar confections. Lilys no-sugar added products are sweetened with Stevia, a zero-calorie natural sweetener, and made from non-GMO and gluten-free ingredients.

Hershey is focused on developing a BFY confection portfolio that offers a variety of choices to meet the evolving needs of our consumers, said Chuck Raup, the companys president U.S. in a statement. Lilys is a great strategic complement to our existing offerings in this growing segment of the confection category.

Lilys is based in Boulder, Colorado and was co-founded by Cynthia Tice, who decided to raise awareness about better-for-you foods through Center Foods, a natural foods store she opened in Philadelphia in 1978. In 2012, she launched four Lilys chocolate style bars nationally in Whole Foods Markets.

Today, the line is sold at retailers across the country catering to consumers looking for low-sugar candies.

Over the past several years, Hershey has made several deals and acquired brands such as Brookside Dark Chocolates, SkinnyPop, Pirate Booty and ONE Brands, a line of low-sugar and high protein bars.
Wendys is joining a mixed-use development project in Dauphin County.

The burger chain is constructing a 2,400 square-foot, state-of-the-art restaurant at the Susquehanna Union Green in Susquehanna Township, according to Landmark Commercial Realty.

The Vartan Groups 58-acre village-style development project at the corner of Progress Avenue and Linglestown Road includes room for 24 commercial/retail buildings. It will eventually be home to a mix of restaurants and shops, offices, homes, public parks and green space.

Wendys joins other tenants including a stand-alone Panera Bread along Linglestown Road and ZeroDay Brewings 5,000 square-foot brewery with food service by Shakedown BBQ. Other tenants include Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Homesale Realty, which is under construction.

Recently, Wendys announced it is expanding its design options to include drive-thru-only units, dark kitchen, Frosty treat carts and parking-lot transactions centers, mostly fueled by the pandemic, according to Nations Restaurant News.

The trends that were coming before the pandemic, Abigail Pringle, Wendys president for international and chief development officer, told the site. What COVID did is it accelerated at an unbelievable pace customer behaviors that were already evolving.

READ MORE: Burger King restaurant coming to Dauphin County

She added Wendys is targeting growth to 8,000 outlets by 2025. The Dublin, Ohio-based brand operates about 6,800 units now.

Landmark said it is looking to attract a mix of national and local retailers including specialty grocer anchor, restaurants, personal services, fitness, and daycare as well as a variety of office and medical uses at the development.

The Vartan Group, which is based in Susquehanna Township, has said the entire project is expected to create 400 construction jobs and 350 permanent, full-time jobs. The project has been in the works for years.

It is being constructed in this order: Phase 1, the infrastructure improvements is what is under construction currently; Phase 2, which has already begun, and Phase 3, which will be the construction of commercial buildings. Phase 4 will be for multi-family senior living and Phase 5 will be the single-family residential component of the development.
Cheyenne Products has recalled Mainstay brand folding chairs and barstools sold at Walmart.

According to an announcement with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, a weld attaching the legs to the seat bottom can break and cause the user to fall.

The firm has received 41 reports of incidents of the weld connecting the legs to the bottom of the chair breaking, resulting in 19 injuries, including four reports of fractures and one report of a torn ligament.

The chairs were sold at Walmart stores nationwide and online from January 2014 to April 2021 for between $30 and $42.

Product details are:

UPC 5027699339, Cheyenne Product model number FB1477, black with beige padding, seat height 18 inches.

UPC 5027699671, Cheyenne Products model numbers FB1477-R and CPFB1477-R, black with beige padding, seat height 18 inches.

UPC 5027699448, model numbers FB1477FL-COM and CPFB1477FL-COM, black with brown padding, seat height 18 inches.

UPC 5027699344, model number FB1479-24, bronze with beige padding, seat height 24 inches.

UPC 5027699669, model numbers FB1479-R-24 and CPFB1479-R-24, bronze with beige padding, seat height 24 inches.

UPC 5027699341, model number FB1479, bronze with beige padding, seat height 29 inches.

UPC 5027699670, model numbers FB1479-R-29 and CPFB1479-R-29, bronze with beige padding, seat height 29 inches.

UPC 5027698486, model numbers FBS99-24 and CPFBS-24, bronze with beige padding, seat height 24 inches.

UPC 5027699446, model numbers FBS99-24FL-COM and CPFBS99-24FL-COM, gun metal gray with brown padding, seat height 24 inches.

UPC 5027699447, model numbers FBS99-29FL-COM and CPFBS99-29FL-COM, gun metal gray with brown padding, seat height 29 inches.

UPC 5027698487, model numbers FBS99-30 and CPFBS99-30, bronze with beige padding, seat heigh 29 inches.

UPC 5027698488, model numbers FBS133-24 and CPFBS133-24, bronze with beige padding, seat height 24 inches.

UPC 5027699449, model numbers FBS133-24FL-COM and CPFBS133-24L-COM, bronze with beige padding, seat height 24 inches.

UPC 5027699450, model numbers FBS133-29FL-COM and CPFBS133-29FL-COM, bronze with brown padding, seat height 29 inches.

UPC 5027698489, model numbers FBS133-30 and CPFBS133-30, bronze with beige padding, seat height 29 inches.

Consumers should contact Cheyenne to receive a refund. For more information, contact Cheyenne at 833-351-1707 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. CT Monday through Friday, send an email to cheyennerecall@nbg-home.com, or online at www.cheyenneproducts.com and click on Recalls for a complete listing of recalled styles.

Cheyenne Products has recalled folding metal chairs and barstools sold at Walmart.

READ MORE
A day after Rajiv Pratap Rudy, the BJP MP from Saran held a media conference in Delhi, the Jan Adhikar Party (JAP) claimed that it (the presser) was his confession pertaining to ambulance theft. The Bihar government should register an FIR and arrest him.

Raju Danveer, the president of the JAP state youth wing said: "Rajiv Pratap Rudy admits that the ambulances were kept in the office in the absence of the drivers after JAP president Rajesh Ranjan alias Pappu Yadav raided Rudy's Amnaur office in Saran district. Now, after 11 days, Rudy came out with another explanation that the ambulances did not have fitness certificates. Both the statements are contradictory. He is misleading the authorities and the people of Bihar," Danveer said.

During the raid, Pappu Yadav pointed out that the ambulances were purchased through the MP Fund and only the district magistrate, civil surgeon and an official appointed by the district magistrate are authorized to keep the ambulances. Under what capacity has Rudy kept the ambulances in his own premises, he asked.

"Our leader Pappu Yadav raised the same question. The corona patients are struggling for ambulances. Many persons were seen taking the patients on carts, bicycles etc. The ambulance mafias are charging Rs 10,000 to Rs 15,000 for a distance of 2 to 3 km. On the other hand Rajiv Pratap Rudy kept the ambulances in his office premises under covers," Danveer said.

"Rudy also claimed that the Bihar government is not doing its job properly, hence he is doing it in the interest of the general public. Bihar has had a double engine government for the last 16 years," he said.

"He admits that the ambulances did not have fitness certificates. Such an admission by him is a confession of his crime. Earlier he claimed that the ambulances were stationed there due to the absence of drivers. The Bihar government should book him under Sec 302 and the Epidemic Disease Act and arrest him," he said.
Please note the following article contains explicit language.

Chrissy Teigen reportedly never reached out to Courtney Stodden after news broke that she had repeatedly harassed them when they were only 16 years old.

Stoddenwho identifies as nonbinarycontradicted Teigens claims that she had apologized to her directly for her past behavior.

The drama began after the Daily Beast published an interview with Stodden in which they detailed the harassment they experienced as a teenager. One of the main culprits was Teigen, who repeatedly encouraged Stodden to commit suicide.

She wouldnt just publicly tweet about wanting me to take a dirt nap but would privately DM me and tell me to kill myself, said Stodden. Things like I cant wait for you to die. And not only her, but Joy Behar had a field day with calling me a slut. Courtney Love told me I was a whore.

Teigen promptly received backlash across social mediaand eventually had her branded cookware line pulled from both Target and Macysupon the articles publication, prompting her to publish a lengthy Twitter thread addressing the issue.

I have tried to connect with Courtney privately but since I publicly fueled all this, I want to publicly apologize, reads one of Teigens tweets. I am so sorry, Courtney. I hope you can heal now knowing how deeply sorry I am of you.

However, the New York Posts Page Six reports that this simply isnt true. Stodden states that they have never heard from [Teigen] or her camp in private. Not only that, but Teigen has actually blocked them on Twitter.

All of me wants to believe this is a sincere apology, said Stodden. But it feels like a public attempt to save her partnerships with Target and other brands who are realizing her wokeness is a broken record.
Storage Wars star Jarrod Schulz has been charged with one count of misdemeanor domestic violence battery against his ex-girlfriend and former onscreen partner, Brandi Passante.

The charge stems from a confrontation that reportedly unfolded inside a California bar in Orange County on April 30. Law enforcement sources told TMZ that Passante was already at the watering hole with a couple of friends when the 43-year A&E star arrived.

A conversation between the two quickly turned heated, prompting Passante to request the bouncers remove Schulz from the bar. Witnesses on the scene said he refused and allegedly pushed his former flame on two different occasions.

Police were called to the scene, but Schulz had already left the bar by that time. He spoke to authorities a few days later and denied ever putting his hands on Passante.

The Orange County District Attorneys Office has since charged him in connection with the incident.

The former couple have starred on Storage Wars since season one premiered in 2010. They also appeared in their own spin-off series, Brandi & Jarrod: Married to the Job, which ran for eight episodes in 2014.

When Storage Wars returned for season 13 last month, Passante revealed the couple were no longer together.

Im not with Jarrod anymore, Passante said during the April 20 premiere.

In a separate interview, Schulz added: Just because me and Brandi arent together anymore, doesnt mean we cant go to an auction  but separately.

The former couple share two children together.
By FARES AKRAM and JOSEPH KRAUSS, The Associated Press

GAZA CITY, Gaza Strip (AP)  Israeli airstrikes killed at least six people across the Gaza Strip and destroyed the home of an extended family early Wednesday. Despite growing international pressure for a cease-fire, the military said it widened its strikes on militant targets in the Palestinian territorys south to blunt continuing rocket fire from Hamas.

Residents surveyed the piles of bricks, concrete and other debris that had once been the home of 40 members of al-Astal family in the southern Gaza town of Khan Younis. They said a warning missile struck the building five minutes before the airstrike, allowing everyone to escape.

Ahmed al-Astal, a university professor, described a scene of panic before the airstrike hit, with men, women and children racing out of the building. Some of the women didnt even have time to cover their hair with Muslim headscarves, he said.

We had just gotten down to the street, breathless, when the devastating bombardment came, he said. They left nothing but destruction, the childrens cries filling the street. ... This is happening, and there is no one to help us. We ask God to help us.

The Israeli military said it struck militant targets around the towns of Khan Younis and Rafah, with 52 aircraft hitting 40 underground targets. Gazas Health Ministry said a woman was killed and eight people were wounded in those strikes.

An Israeli artillery unit fires toward targets in Gaza Strip, at the Israeli Gaza border, Tuesday, May 18, 2021. (AP Photo/Tsafrir Abayov)AP

Hamas-run Al-Aqsa radio said one of its reporters was killed in an airstrike in Gaza City. Among the six killed Wednesday were also two people who died when warning missiles crashed into their apartment.

The latest strikes came as diplomatic efforts aimed at a cease-fire gathered strength and Gazas infrastructure, already weakened by a 14-year blockade, rapidly deteriorated. Medical supplies, water and fuel for electricity are running low in territory, on which Israel and Egypt imposed the blockade after the Islamic militant group Hamas seized power in 2007.

The Biden administration was privately encouraging Israel to wind down its bombardment of Gaza. Egyptian negotiators also were working to halt the fighting, and while they have not made progress with Israel, they were optimistic international pressure would force it to the table. Officials discussed the sensitive diplomacy on condition of anonymity.

But it was still unclear if or how soon those efforts would yield results. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Israel hopes to restore quiet quickly but did not exclude the possibility of further escalation.

You can either conquer them, and thats always an open possibility, or you can deter them, he told foreign ambassadors. We are engaged right now in forceful deterrence, but I have to say, we dont rule out anything.

A Palestinian man inspects the damage of a six-story building which was destroyed by an early morning Israeli airstrike, in Gaza City, Tuesday, May 18, 2021. Israel carried out a wave of airstrikes on what it said were militant targets in Gaza, leveling a six-story building in downtown Gaza City, and Palestinian militants fired dozens of rockets into Israel early Tuesday, the latest in the fourth war between the two sides, now in its second week. (AP Photo/Khalil Hamra)AP

The fighting began May 10 when Hamas fired long-range rockets toward Jerusalem after days of clashes between Palestinian protesters and Israeli police at the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound, a flashpoint site sacred to Jews and Muslims. Heavy-handed police tactics at the compound and the threatened eviction of dozens of Palestinian families by Jewish settlers had inflamed tensions.

At least 219 Palestinians have been killed in airstrikes, including 63 children and 36 women, with 1,530 people wounded, according to the Gaza Health Ministry, which does not break the numbers down into fighters and civilians. Hamas and Islamic Jihad say at least 20 of their fighters have been killed, while Israel says the number is at least 130. Some 58,000 Palestinians have fled their homes.

Twelve people in Israel, including a 5-year-old boy and a soldier, have been killed in rocket attacks.
Two downstate Illinois men charged with breaching the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6 said they were there to tour the historic site and went out of their way to avoid the violence, even stopping to ask a cop for directions to the nearest bathroom.

Douglas Wangler, 53, and Bruce Harrison, 58, both of the Danville area, were charged in a criminal complaint unsealed in U.S. District Court in Urbana on Friday with entering a restricted building and disorderly conduct on Capitol grounds.

A judge released both men on their own recognizance with orders to appear on the charges in Washington, court records show.

At least eight Illinoisans have now been federally charged as part of the ongoing investigation into the Capitol attack, which prosecutors have described as one of the largest criminal investigations in American history.

According to the complaint filed last week, Wangler and Harrison decided at the last minute to drive to Washington to attend President Donald Trumps rally decrying the legislatures vote to certify the Electoral College results from the 2020 presidential election.

Wangler told the FBI in an interview last month that as they walked to the Capitol building after Trumps speech, he heard several loud bangs that sounded to him like a civil war re-enactment and saw protesters fighting with police and trying to breach barricades surrounding the building.

The friends avoided the violence by walking around to the other side of the building, according to Wanglers interview. He told the FBI that as they were walking, he saw a man pounding on one of the buildings windows and he told the man to knock that (expletive) off, the complaint stated.

Eventually, they entered the Capitol through an open door that had broken-out windows on either side, according to the complaint. Multiple images from the scene showed Harrison and Wangler roaming around the Capitol Crypt, taking photos and video by a white marble sculpture of John Stark and a bust of Abraham Lincoln, the complaint stated.

At one point, Wangler said he asked a police officer if they were going to get in trouble for being inside the building. According to Wangler, the officer shrugged and said something to the effect of, It doesnt matter now, the complaint stated.

Harrison, meanwhile, told the FBI that while they were in the Capitol he asked another officer where the nearest restrooms were located. The officer pointed in a certain direction but the friends were not able to reach the bathroom because that area of the building had been blocked off, according to the complaint.

Harrison told the FBI they decided to leave after about 15 minutes because they had gotten caught up in the moment and realized they should probably not be inside, the complaint stated. They took a taxi back to their hotel and drove back to Illinois the next day.

The FBI later identified Wangler and Harrison from tipsters and the distinctive clothing they were seen wearing in surveillance images, including Harrisons red, white and blue New England Patriots jacket, which he said hed chosen because of its patriotic colors, the complaint stated.

A friend of the men interviewed by the FBI said Wangler had confided that he and Harrison had walked around for a little while inside the U.S. Capitol building to take a tour of some of the sights and then left, according to the complaint.

The friend told the FBI that Wangler also said, If walking around and singing some patriotic songs is a crime then I guess I am guilty.

An attorney for the men did not immediately return calls seeking comment on Monday.

Both Wangler and Harrison are scheduled to have an initial appearance in U.S. District Court in Washington on May 28.

____

Jason Meisner of the Chicago Tribune wrote this story.

2021 Chicago Tribune. Visit at chicagotribune.com.

Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
By FELICIA FONSECA, The Associated Press

FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. (AP)  The Navajo Nation has by far the largest land mass of any Native American tribe in the country. Now, its boasting the largest enrolled population, too.

Navajos clamored to enroll or fix their records as the tribe offered hardship assistance payments from last years federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act. That boosted the tribes rolls from about 306,000 to nearly 400,000 citizens.

The figure tops the Cherokee Nations enrollment of 392,000. But it, too, has been growing, said tribal spokeswoman Julie Hubbard. The Oklahoma tribe has been receiving about 200 more applications per month from potential enrollees, leaving Navajos position at the top unstable.

The numbers matter because tribes often are allocated money based on their number of citizens. Each of the 574 federally recognized tribes determines how to count its population. Navajo, for example, requires a one-quarter blood quantum to enroll. Cherokee primarily uses lineal descent.

Tribal governments received $4.8 billion from the CARES Act based on federal housing population data for tribes, which some said was badly skewed. The Treasury Department recently revised the methodology and said it would correct the most substantial disparities.

The Shawnee Tribe of Oklahoma, one of three tribes that sued the Treasury Department over the payments, said its satisfied with an additional $5.2 million its set to receive. The Miccosukee Tribe of Indians in Florida and the Prairie Band Potawatomi Nation in Kansas would get $825,000 and $864,000 under the new methodology. Both said those amounts didnt make sense when broken down to a per-person figure. They plan to continue their fight in court.

We just cannot accept this as it is, Carol Heckman, an attorney for Prairie Band, said in a court hearing last week. Were happy to keep talking about it, but Treasury would have to sweeten the pie.

The Treasury Department will avoid much of the problems it encountered with CARES Act funding in the distribution of the $20 billion for tribes under the American Rescue Plan Act. The department said it will use tribally certified enrollment figures to pay out $12.35 billion and tribal employment data for $6.65 billion.

Another $1 billion will be divided equally among eligible tribal governments, the Treasury Department said. Alaska Native corporations, which own much of the Native land in Alaska under a 1971 settlement, arent eligible for any of the $20 billion in funding. The U.S. Supreme Court is deciding whether the corporations will get a slice of the CARES Act money.

The Treasury Department set a Monday deadline for tribal governments to submit their information online for the American Rescue Plan funding. It acknowledged that no formula perfectly can capture the needs of tribes, which have suffered disproportionately during the pandemic.

Tribes also wont be under as tight of a deadline to spend the money as they were for the CARES Act and will have more flexibility. They can spend the money to replace lost revenue and improve water, sewer and broadband infrastructure that often lags behind the rest of the U.S.

FILE - In this April 30, 2020, file photo, a sign marks Navajo Drive as Sentinel Mesa, homes and other structures in Oljato-Monument Valley, Utah on the Navajo Reservation, stand in the distance. Navajos clamored to enroll or fix their records as the tribe offered hardship assistance payments from last year's federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster, File)AP

The Navajo Nation is on track to get the largest share of the enrollment-based funding. About half of its members live on the vast 27,000-square-mile reservation that extends into New Mexico, Arizona and Utah.

The tribe opened the hardship assistance program in November, up against an initial deadline to spend federal virus assistance by the end of the year. It required that applicants be enrolled as Navajo citizens. The response was huge, with the tribe paying out more than $322 million to more than 293,000 applicants, the tribal controllers office said. Adults received up to $1,350 and children up to $450.

On the American Rescue Plan Act funding, Navajo Nation President Jonathan Nez questioned the fairness of awarding more money to tribes that enroll people with less than one-fourth blood quantum.

Here on Navajo, we verify blood quantum, and thats a requirement, he told The Associated Press. If they had that same requirement, one-quarter Cherokee, just imagine.

The U.S. Census reflects higher numbers for Native Americans than tribes enrollment records because it allows people to self-identify as Native American and Alaska Native and report ties to multiple Indigenous groups across North America, Central America and South America. Not all of those 5.2 million people are eligible to enroll in tribes. The 2010 count put the Cherokee Nation around 820,000 and Navajo at 332,000.

Cherokee Native Principal Chief Chuck Hoskin Jr. said the recent higher enrollment figure from the Navajo Nation government shows Natives are strong and an important force for economies, education and environment.

Its truly a positive anytime our citizenship grows and thrives, he said in a statement.

More:

Israeli airstrikes kill 6, level large multi-generational home in Gaza

Galapagos Island rock structure Darwins Arch collapses, officials say
Going to the polls on Tuesday meant Pennsylvanias registered voters had a chance to not only say who they wanted to represent them but also tell Gov. Tom Wolf how they thought he managed the COVID-19 pandemic.

There are three constitutional amendments and one state referendum on the ballot, as well as local referendums in certain locations. Because Pennsylvania is a closed primary state, where only registered Democrats and Republican voters can select candidates, individuals registered under another party can only cast their vote on the ballot issues.

But that was enough for Brad Wastler, a Libertarian in Cumberland County. He said he unequivocally voted Tuesday to express his disdain of Wolfs COVID-19 response.

Im here because the Governor has exceeded his authority to an almost illegal level and that needs to be clamped down on, the Hampden Township resident said. People should have individual rights to choose how they want to behave regardless of what the circumstances are.

The three constitutional amendments include: the termination or extension of disaster emergency declarations, which allows the General Assembly to end or continue a disaster emergency without the Governors approval; disaster emergency declaration and management, which incorporates disaster emergency declaration and management powers directly into the Constitution; and prohibiting against denial or abridgement of equality of rights because of race or ethnicity.

The statewide referendum asks for voters approval to allow municipal fire and emergency medical services companies loan eligibility.

We vote in every election, said Gail Jackson, standing outside her polling location in Susquehanna Township.

Specifically, the couple said they wanted to have a say in possible changes to the Pennsylvania Constitution.

I had an opinion on which way I wanted them to go, Scott Jackson said.

The parking lot at Thomas Holtzman Elementary School in Dauphin County was nearly full as of 3 p.m. on Tuesday. Republican Bob Kindler said he votes every year, but he also understands that turnout is lower during off-election years.

I wanted to vote against all of the ones that gave Wolf the power, he said.

Voters in the city of Harrisburg saw things differently. The focus was on the mayoral, city council and school board races.

I would like to see some changes made, and I would like to see someone new in certain positions, said Rhonda Brown.

Brown, who lives about a block away from the Susquehanna Art Museum, where she voted, said she worries about her sons safety. He is 29 and is a Black man.

He travels a lot, she said. Im always concerned for his safety after a certain hour.

Crime in the city is often on her mind, she said. Having voted in primary elections before, she said she does believe that her vote matters.

Im concerned for my own safety, too, she said.

Slow foot traffic was to be expected today as mail-in absentee ballots remain an option during the pandemic.

Cumberland County officials are expecting 17 to 20 percent of the countys 182,000 registered voters will cast ballots by any means during this off-year election that lacks a major national race, county spokeswoman Samantha Krepps said.

As of Monday at 4:30 p.m., the county received 12,243 mail-in ballots. The final number remains unknown because voters have until 8 p.m. to drop them off at the countys administrative office, located at 1601 Ritner Highway, Suite 201, in Carlisle.

Election officials in the county are pre-canvassing until 8 p.m. - opening the ballot, making sure the security envelope is there, and preparing the ballot to be counted, Krepps said.

This is the first time that we are pre-canvassing on election day, she said. We chose to not do that last year in the primary and general election because we had so much going on. We had COVID-19, new voting machines, new voting laws, and we had 60,000 mail-in ballots in the presidential General Election. The Board of Elections said we were well-equipped to try pre-canvassing on election day this time.

After 8 p.m. the ballots will be counted. Unofficial results will be uploaded to the countys website for all 118 precincts, but Kreppss said shes not sure when the counting will end. It could take more than a day before it is finished.

In Dauphin County, between 12,000 and 13,000 mail-in ballots have been received, Election Director Gerald Feaser, Jr. said. Mail-in ballots for Dauphin County can be sent to:

Dauphin County Administrative Building, 2 S. Second St. in downtown Harrisburg. Open 24 hours.

The elections office, 1251 S. 28th St., Harrisburg. Ballots can be returned up until 8 p.m.

Northern Dauphin Human Services Center in Elizabethville, 295 State Dr.

No major problems with voting machines have been reported in either county. Voters have until 8 p.m. to vote in-person and drop off their mail-in absentee ballots.
Kevin Brobson, a Commonwealth Court judge from Dauphin County, appears to have picked up the Republican nomination in a three-way race for the state Supreme Court seat.

He had about 52% of the votes while Commonwealth Court judge Patricia McCullough of Allegheny County had 34% and Philadelphia Common Pleas Court Judge Paula Patrick had about 14%.

Democrat Maria McLaughlin, a Superior Court judge, was uncontested for her partys nomination.

The seat is open due to the retirement of Justice Thomas Saylor. A conservative, Saylors retirement leaves the court with just one justice elected as a Republican and five elected as Democrats.

Election issues and gun rights have been prominent topics on the campaign trail.

There are also seats open on the other statewide appellate courts.

One seat is open on the Superior Court, which handles criminal and civil appeals from county courts.

Democrats must settle a three-way contest and pick their partys nominee from among Philadelphia Common Pleas Court Judge Timika Lane and two lawyers in private practice, Bryan Neft of suburban Pittsburgh and Jill Beck of Pittsburgh.

As of 1 a.m., Lane had 46.89% of the vote and Beck had 41%. The Associated Press has not called the race as only 61% of precincts have reported results.

Republican Megan Sullivan is uncontested for the nomination.

Two seats are open on the Commonwealth Court, which handles lawsuits and appeals involving state agencies and governmental bodies.

Democratic voters must choose two from among four primary candidates: Common Pleas Court Judge David Lee Spurgeon and lawyer Amanda Green Hawkins of Allegheny County and Common Pleas Court judges Lori Dumas and Sierra Street of Philadelphia.

As of 1 a.m., the race remained too close to call. Dumas had a slight lead with 29%, Spurgeon and Green Hawkins each had about 27%.

Republicans Drew Crompton and Stacy Wallace are uncontested in the primary.

ALSO READ: Pa. voters back bid to ban race discrimination in constitution

ALSO READ: Republican Chris Gebhard declares victory for Pa. Senate 48th District seat
A former South Carolina fugitive will spend the rest of his life, and then some, in Pennsylvania prisons after the 2018 rape and murder of 87-year-old Virginia Barbour, an Adams County judge decided Wednesday.

Kristopher Gartrell, 50, was also deemed to be a Sexually Violent Predator at his sentencing hearing on Wednesday, a designation given by the state Sexual Offender Assessment Board, according to Adams County District Attorney Brian Sinnett.

Barbour was attacked when Gartrell went into her unlocked home in November 2018, in the 100 block of Peach Glen Idaville Road in Huntington Township, according to police.

Gartrell has admitted to tying her up, raping her twice and setting her house on fire before he ran away.

Court documents filed against Gartrell show that a cleaning lady found Barbours house in disarray and couldnt find Barbour on Nov. 21, 2018.

Investigators found Barbours body wrapped in a sheet under a bed in the home, according to court records.

Police also learned $1,200 in coins, several guns and a car were stolen from her home.

The state police investigation led them to Gartrells girlfriend, who admitted to knowing about the killing but said Gartrell threatened to hurt her and her family if she didnt help him.

Gartrell was arrested at a Gettysburg motel and found with some of Barbours stolen items, according to the affidavit.

In November 2020, Gartrell pleaded guilty to second-degree murder, rape, aggravated arson and burglary, resulting in a life sentence with an additional 20 years, according to online court dockets.

Sinnett said in a statement that the crimes committed by Gartrell are as bad as any we have seen during my time as a prosecutor in Adams County.

Gartrell was a fugitive from South Carolina, where is committed other sexual assaults, Sinnett said.

It is tragic that he found his way into our community and took the life of someone so beloved, Sinnett said.

Gartrells girlfriend, Sheila Schriver, has charges pending for her role as an accomplice, Sinnett said. She is scheduled to be in court on May 27.

Read more on PennLive:
This article is made possible through Votebeat, a nonpartisan reporting project covering local election integrity and voting access. This article is available for reprint under the terms of Votebeats republishing policy.

By Marie Albiges of Spotlight PA

HARRISBURG  Pennsylvanias primary this week hardly resembled the election of six months ago, when local officials were furiously counting millions of mail ballots while handling record-breaking turnout with the nations eyes on the state.

By all accounts, Tuesday was just another typical off-year, relatively drama-free election, which was welcome news to those who oversaw it.

Many of the problems counties faced during the high-turnout, high-intensity November presidential election werent repeated, mostly because fewer people voted in person and by mail.

Still, several counties reported issues with polling locations, ballots, and machines  routine problems, according to state officials and outside experts, though Republican lawmakers who cast doubt on the integrity of the 2020 election said they raised alarms.

Isolated incidents or significant voting issues?

Apart from a few mishaps that are almost certain to occur on Election Day  poll workers not showing up, equipment malfunctions, trouble opening polling stations  the day ran smoothly, Acting Secretary of the Commonwealth Veronica Degranffenreid said Tuesday night.

The states voter helpline answered more than 1,100 calls, mostly related to voter registration status, polling place locations, or mail ballots, she said during a news conference.

The nonpartisan Pennsylvania Election Protection Coalition, which ran hotlines in several languages, said its volunteer lawyers fielded calls about inconsistencies and confusion related to official voting precincts, including many that didnt open on time. Allegheny County and Philadelphia generated the most calls.

In Southwestern Pennsylvanias Fayette County, a printing issue caused scanners to reject both Democratic and Republican ballots, a county commissioner told KDKA.

And voters in Luzerne County, located in the northeast, reported issues with voting machines improperly labeling the headers of Republican ballots as Democrat while the GOP races still appeared.

The elections director, Bob Morgan, said his staff discovered the coding error made by the vendor, Dominion Voting Systems, when polls opened Tuesday. Morgan said Dominion hadnt given him the full details of why the error occurred, but the company issued a statement saying it was a data entry mistake and that all ballots would be correctly counted.

The error affected all of the countys 700 machines, and voters were given the option of voting by emergency or provisional ballot if they didnt want to use the machines.

It was not quite the launch I was hoping for, said Morgan, who started as Luzerne Countys election director April 5, a mere six weeks before Election Day.

Another new director, Christa Miller, faced challenges in Lancaster, where local media outlets reported that the countys vendor printed multi-sheet ballots in the wrong order. Election workers will need to hand count approximately 14,000 ballots rather than scan them into machines for automatic counting.

And polling places in several areas, including York County, ran out of ballots, so voters were given the option of voting on a machine or by provisional ballot.

Counties are required to print at least 10% more ballots than the highest number of votes cast in any of the previous three municipal primary elections. Degraffenreid said one solution to shortages would be for counties to have access to on-demand ballot printers.

She called these isolated incidents, though the department will conduct an after-action review to find out why and how the errors occurred.

Chris Deluzio, policy director at the University of Pittsburgh Institute for Cyber Law, Policy, and Security, said administrative hiccups are common in elections, and Tuesdays primary was no exception.

As a general matter, what was reported for yesterdays election struck me as a pretty ordinary, generally well-run election across the commonwealth, he said.

Still, two top House Republicans  Majority Leader Kerry Benninghoff and Rep. Seth Grove, who controls a committee through which all election-related legislation must pass  called Tuesdays primary a mess with significant voting issues.

Deluzio said he was skeptical of the GOPs rhetoric around elections, adding Republicans seemed to be using any evidence they can to erect barriers to voting.

I dont think they are relying on good-faith arguments about improving elections, he said.

Pat Christmas, policy director at the good-government group Committee of Seventy, said he wasnt surprised counties experienced problems Tuesday, especially as election workers continue getting used to the major changes the General Assembly made to the Election Code in 2019 and 2020, including allowing no-excuse mail voting.

I think its also fair to say the counties remain extremely stretched  stretched for personnel, stretched for funding, stretched for time  and thats going to increase the risk that mistakes are made, Christmas said.

Workers count Philadelphia's mail ballots for the May 18 primary election.

Voter turnout surpasses 2 million and counting

Unofficial results as of Wednesday morning showed that at least 2 million people voted on ballot questions open to all registered voters  not just Democrats or Republicans  though a Department of State spokesperson said turnout couldnt be estimated until we hear from most of the counties. County boards of elections have until June 7 to certify the election results to the secretary of the commonwealth.

More than 8.5 million Pennsylvanians are registered to vote, putting Tuesdays turnout at around 22% currently. In the two most recent municipal primaries, turnout hovered around 1 million voters.

At least 587,000 voters returned mail ballots

The Department of State did not have final numbers as of Wednesday morning, but at least 587,353 people voted by mail while 820,900 people applied for a ballot. Thats a return rate of about 72%  similar to the 68% rate seen during last years primary, the first in which no-excuse mail voting was available.

Wednesdays initial numbers show Democrats cast mail ballots at more than three times the rate as Republicans across the state, with the bluest counties  Allegheny, Philadelphia, and citys collar counties  returning the most.

We dont know how many mail ballots wont count

Under state law, counties can only accept mail ballots that arrive by 8 p.m. on Election Day. But last fall, anticipating unprecedented voting by mail and U.S. Postal Service delays, the Pennsylvania Supreme Court ruled officials could count ballots that arrived up to three days after the election.

That grace period is gone, and ballots had to arrive at county election offices by 8 p.m. Tuesday to count. Its too soon to say how many ballots will come in after that deadline, but in last years general election about 10,000 ballots arrived during that three-day period.

Most counties finished counting mail ballots Tuesday night

The states universal mail voting law gave Pennsylvanians a new way to cast a ballot in 2020, but it also put increased pressure on county election offices. Local officials repeatedly pleaded with lawmakers to pass a bill giving them time before Election Day to begin processing, or pre-canvassing, these ballots.

But in the end, no such change was made, and it took some counties days to get through millions of ballots, giving former President Donald Trump a window to falsely claim the election was stolen from him.

County election departments once again couldnt start processing mail ballots until 7 a.m. Tuesday, but many were able to count most or all of their mail ballots by the time polls closed, thanks to low turnout.

Some counties, including Beaver and Monroe, chose not to begin counting mail ballots until Wednesday, with election officials saying they wanted their staff to focus on running the in-person election.

Mercer County Election Director Thad Hall said his staff will count the countys approximately 4,000 ballots Wednesday and conduct an audit by hand with the two major political parties on Friday.

Changes to Pa.s election law are expected soon

Republicans in the General Assembly have spent the past six months calling for changes to Pennsylvanias Election Code.

Many of those same lawmakers urged the states congressional delegation to object to Pennsylvanias Electoral College votes for President Joe Biden, while some repeated Trumps false claims that the November presidential election was fraudulent.

Grove, the Republican chair of the state House committee that considers election bills, released a report last week that floated a stricter voter ID law, earlier voter registration deadline, and mandatory signature verification on all mail ballots as possible changes.

In the meantime, lawmakers from both major parties have filed at least 44 election-related bills, ranging from allowing same-day voter registration to eliminating no-excuse mail voting.

Grove and Benninghoff, the House majority leader, said in a statement Tuesday they would advance reform measures in the coming weeks.

While results are still coming in, it is crystal clear that our Election Code is in dire need of significant reform focused on accountability, security, training, the lawmakers said.

Any election-related proposals need the approval of Democratic Gov. Tom Wolf, who has said hes opposed to stricter voter ID laws as well as any legislation that would make it more difficult to vote.

WHILE YOURE HERE... If you learned something from this story, pay it forward and become a member of Spotlight PA so someone else can in the future at spotlightpa.org/donate. Spotlight PA is funded by foundations and readers like you who are committed to accountability journalism that gets results.
WILLIAMSPORT  The Lycoming County district attorney has confirmed his preliminary determination police were justified in using deadly force against a Texas man on Feb. 11 following a pursuit that was preceded by an armed robbery.

District Attorney Ryan C. Gardner did so Wednesday when he released the results of a joint investigation by his office and state police into the fatal shooting of Clifford E. Wilbur Jr., 38, in Williamsports west end.

The report contains details not previously made public. This is Gardners summation of the investigation:

State police were dispatched at 8:04 p.m. Feb. 11 to the Harvest Moon Trailer Park off Route 220 west of Williamsport for a reported aggravated assault.

The victim, Fred Peterson, reported Wilbur had pistol-whipped him using a handgun. Wilbur is his brother-in-law.

Wilbur also made statements he was going to kill Peterson, his wife, son and dog and then drive to his home in Texas and kill his wife and father.

Petersons wife Barbara related Wilbur had told her earlier in the day he was going to die tonight.

As troopers were looking for Wilbur, they were sent to the nearby Sheetz along Route 220 for an armed robbery.

State police fatally shot Clifford E. Wilbur Jr. after a chase Feb. 11, 2021.

During the robbery, Wilbur pulled a handgun from his pocket, placed it on the counter in front of a juvenile clerk and indicated he was not paying for two 24-ounce cans of beer.

The clerk had the wherewithal to push the panic button and back away from the counter as Wilbur then fled the scene.

While responding to the Sheetz store, a trooper observed a car matching the description of Wilburs leaving and turning onto South Pine Run Road.

Despite the activation of emergency lights and sirens, Wilbur failed to stop and a pursuit ensued toward Williamsport on Route 220.

Troopers had deployed spike strips prior to the Fourth Street exit that flattened all four tires of Wilburs car.

He stopped his vehicle in the area at the beginning of the exit ramp and a trooper gave numerous commands to get out.

At one point, Wilbur opened his drivers side door and brandished a handgun.

He continued to ignore the troopers commands, closed the car door, reopened it a few moments later and pointed the gun upward toward his chin.

He closed the door again and with police in pursuit, traveled down the exit ramp, turned around, took Route 220 south to a crossover, turned around again and drove down the Fourth Street exit until his tires disintegrate.

He lost control riding on the rims and the car hit a utility pole on the south side of West Fourth Street just inside the Williamsport city line.

The drivers side door was pinned against the pole as Wilbur continued to spin his tires and rev the engine.

Once Wilburs vehicle is immobilized, troopers establish a perimeter and use spotlights, headlights and emergency lights to illuminate it.

Wilbur is observed moving around in the vehicle and consuming what is believed to be a beer he stole from Sheetz. Various troopers plead with him to exit his vehicle but he does not comply.

Two city police officers discharged non-lethal pepper balls into the car as a means to persuade Wilbur to get out.

He opened and shuted the passenger side door while continuing to ignore commands to get out. He was told help would be provided to him.

The passenger door again opened and Wilbur waved a handgun in the direction of troopers and city police officers.

Gun is announced and the troopers and officers open fire. Wilbur was pronounced dead at the scene. Lycoming County Coroner Charles E. Kiessling Jr. said he died from multiple gunshots.

Wilburs assaultive behavior coupled with his alarming statements, repeated display of a handgun, erratic driving and refusal to comply with the very reasonable demands of law enforcement demonstrate he was both homicidal and suicidal, Gardner said.

A black gun was discovered between Wilburs legs with a finger on the trigger, Gardner had previously revealed.

His office is certain that no one in law enforcement desired the tragic outcome that occurred, he said.

Texas court records show Wilbur had changed his address to the trailer park in January.

He was required to register for life as a sex offender because he was convicted in 2000 of aggravated sexual assault of a child with the victim being 12 years old.

ALSO READ: Man continues to fight conviction for 2013 Williamsport homicide he claims was self-defense

ALSO READ: Death of Pa. woman found in hot tub is under investigation
Northbrook, IL -- (SBWIRE) -- 05/19/2021 -- According to a new market research report "A2P Messaging Market by Component (Platform and A2P Service), Application (Authentication, Promotional and Marketing, and CRM), Deployment Mode, SMS Traffic (National and Multi-Country), End User, and Region - Global Forecast to 2025" published by MarketsandMarkets, the global A2P messaging market size to grow from USD 62.1 billion in 2020 to USD 72.8 billion by 2025, at a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 3.2% during the forecast period.



The global A2P Messaging market shows a significant growth in the forecast period. A2P messaging is a powerful medium for businesses or enterprises in the communication industry to connect with mobile consumers. Businesses use text messaging to notify the users about updates for improving the user experience, which results in the revenue growth of the company. SMS helps in generating leads, increasing sales, and building better customer relationships across a wide range of industries, such as BFSI, retail and eCommerce, travel and tourism, hyperlocal business delivery services, eGovernance, and healthcare. In a hyper-converged connected world, enterprises' business model has changed radically that demands a robust and resilient infrastructure to cope with changing customer behavior.



Factors contributing to the high growth rate in these regions are growing number of mobile subscribers, increasing number of advertising and marketing companies, and growing use of A2P messaging among major industries. These factors are also expected to shape the future of the global A2P messaging market. However, the market also faces several challenges, including the increasing competition from global OTT vendors, and SMS fraudulent activities, such as SMS phishing, and SMS spamming.



Browse in-depth TOC on "A2P messaging Market"

220 - Tables

62 - Figures

237  Pages



Download PDF Brochure @ https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/pdfdownloadNew.asp?id=44



Among end user, the e- Governance segment is expected to grow at the highest CAGR during the forecast period



Based on end user, the e- Governance segment of the A2P messaging market to hold a higest CAGR during the forecast period. A2P messaging helps government enterprises inform citizens by a simple communication channel. Governments use the A2P messaging service to send messages to public users; use cases are security monitoring, smart cities, environmental monitoring, animal tracking, asset tracking, and real-time notification. A2P messaging can also be used to alert public and private administrators across the country about emergency crisis or national disasters. It is a fast and ubiquitous channel to address all people across a country. Through SMS services, the government can inspire citizens toward the social and economic development of the weaker sections. Two-way messaging service via mobile enables the government sector to enable its citizen to access information on any topic, be it a new government scheme, traffic information, or critical alerts.



By deployment mode, cloud segment is expected to dominate the market during the forecast period



By deployment mode, cloud segment segment of the A2P messaging market is expected to record a large market size during the forecast period. The cloud deployment model is very reliable, scalable, secure, and cost-effective. It also provides a variety of services and support functions for the A2P messaging application. It is expected to benefit the end users and A2P software application providers, in terms of operational and maintenance costs. The cloud platform is available on the public, private, and hybrid clouds. The cloud-based A2P messaging solution can help MNOs and SMS aggregators secure the illicit SMS traffic, prevent the grey route and Subscriber Identity Module (SIM) box, and improve spoofing spam detection.



Request Sample Pages @ https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/requestsampleNew.asp?id=44



Middle East and Africa(MEA) to record the highest CAGR during the forecast period



The MEA A2P messaging market is estimated to have strong growth rate in the future. The GCC Arab States lead the region in terms of subscriber penetration. Mobile data consumption in MEA will grow rapidly, supported by increased smartphone adoption and the availability of high-speed networks. MEA has observed a growth of A2P business, with players appearing as aggregators and resellers, penetrating the market with illegal routes, and opening room for fraudsters to make illegitimate profits from this business. The growing mobile subscriber base, adoption of advanced technologies across businesses, increasing government initiatives for digitalizing society, rising Foreign Direct Investment (FDI), and growing economy of the region are expected to fuel the growth of the A2P messaging market in MEA.



Market Players



Major vendors in the A2P messaging market include AT&T(US) ,Sinch(Sweden), China Mobile (China), Infobip(UK), Orange (France), Route Mobile (India), Comviva (India), Twilio(US), BICS (Belgium), Monty Mobile (UK), Syniverse (US), Global Message Services (Switzerland), Tyntec(UK), Silverstreet (Singapore),Vonage (US), Genesys (US), TATA Communications(India),Cequens (Egypt),Mitto(Switzerland),ClearSky Technologies (US), Sify Technologies (India), MSG91 (India), Textlocal (UK), Clickatell (US), Kaleyra (Italy), MessageBird (The Netherlands).



About MarketsandMarkets

MarketsandMarkets provides quantified B2B research on 30,000 high growth niche opportunities/threats which will impact 70% to 80% of worldwide companies' revenues. Currently servicing 7500 customers worldwide including 80% of global Fortune 1000 companies as clients. Almost 75,000 top officers across eight industries worldwide approach MarketsandMarkets for their painpoints around revenues decisions.



Our 850 fulltime analyst and SMEs at MarketsandMarkets are tracking global high growth markets following the "Growth Engagement Model  GEM". The GEM aims at proactive collaboration with the clients to identify new opportunities, identify most important customers, write "Attack, avoid and defend" strategies, identify sources of incremental revenues for both the company and its competitors. MarketsandMarkets now coming up with 1,500 MicroQuadrants (Positioning top players across leaders, emerging companies, innovators, and strategic players) annually in high growth emerging segments. MarketsandMarkets is determined to benefit more than 10,000 companies this year for their revenue planning and help them take their innovations/disruptions early to the market by providing them research ahead of the curve.



MarketsandMarkets's flagship competitive intelligence and market research platform, "Knowledge Store" connects over 200,000 markets and entire value chains for deeper understanding of the unmet insights along with market sizing and forecasts of niche markets.



Contact:

Mr. Aashish Mehra

MarketsandMarkets INC.

630 Dundee Road

Suite 430

Northbrook, IL 60062

USA: 1-888-600-6441

Email: sales@marketsandmarkets.com

MnM Blog: https://mnmblog.org

Content Source: https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/PressReleases/premium-a2p-mt-and-p2a-mo-sms-mms-messaging-market.asp
Pennsylvania reported 1,257 new COVID-19 cases on Wednesday, down from 2,179 one week ago.

As of early Wednesday, 1,427 people were hospitalized with COVID-19 in Pennsylvania, down from 1,712 a week earlier.

The state reported 54 new COVID-19 deaths on Wednesday, bringing Pennsylvanias total to 26,925. Pennsylvanias seven-day daily average for deaths is 40, about a dozen per day more than in late March, but far below the peak of about 220 per day in mid-January.

Pennsylvania is averaging about 62,000 COVID-19 vaccine shots per day, down from a peak of more than 100,000 per day.

As of Wednesday morning, 49.4% of Pennsylvanians 18 and older are fully vaccinated, the health department said in its daily update. Pennsylvania has 12.8 million people.

In the 66 counties not including Philadelphia, which has a separate supply and distribution effort, just under 9.9 million vaccine doses have been given.
A Juniata County man saved his infant daughter from a house fire, then rushed into their burning home to save his wife.

According to abc27, Andrew Ciecierski first saved his 15-month-old daughter when a fire broke out in their McAlisterville home. After handing the baby to a neighbor, he then went back inside to find his wife.

I just ran towards the noise and then I kinda blacked out, Ciecierski told abc27. And I dont remember much else except right there next to the sidewalk I was stooped over top of her.

The fire, possibly an electrical fire that began in the kitchen, destroyed their home. While the baby was unharmed, both Andrew and Daris Ciecierski suffered burns from the ordeal, and Daris is still in a coma.

They both have a lot to recover from, reads an entry on a GoFundMe page, created to collect donations to the Ciercierskis recovery efforts. Daris will be months of surgeries and skin grafting, as she has been burned over 89% of her body.

Andrew Ciercierski is a teacher at East Juniata High School, but despite the ordeal his family has been through, his colleagues are currently unable to donate to him any of their sick days or vacation time. According to abc27, the unions rules and district policy guidelines do not allow for those donations.

For more information on the GoFundMe drive or how to make a donations, click here.
You can listen to the latest episode of Today in Pa at this link, or on any of your favorite apps including Alexa, Apple, Google, Spotify, and Stitcher. Episodes are available every weekday on PennLive. Feel free to subscribe, follow or rate Today in Pa. as you see fit!

Today in Pa. Daily Podcast | May 19, 2021

A man in East Stroudsburg shot at would-be robbers invading his home, injuring one and killing another. A man who not only faked being an Army combat veteran but also stole $17,000 from an American Legion post has landed a six- to 12-year prison sentence. Penn States Faculty Senate voted to drop all gendered and binary terms from course and program descriptions. And one Pennsylvanian city finds itself the setting of a goat escape.

Those are the stories we cover in the latest episode of Today in Pa, a daily weekday podcast from PennLive.com and hosted by Claudia Dimuro. Today in Pa is dedicated to sharing the most important and interesting stories pertaining to Pennsylvania that lets you know, indeed, whats happening today in Pa.

Todays episode refers to the following articles:

If you enjoy Today in Pa, consider leaving us a review on Apple Podcasts or on Amazon. Reviews help others find the show and, besides, wed like to know what you think about the program, too.
Wegmans announced today that all of its Pennsylvania pharmacy locations have started offering COVID-19 vaccination appointments to individuals ages 12 and over.

Online appointment scheduling for minors is open now, with availability beginning Thursday, according to a press release. Children under the age of 18 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian.

Walk-in COVID-19 vaccination appointments for individuals age 18 and older also are available at Wegmans during normal pharmacy hours, no appointment needed, while supplies last. Beginning tomorrow, walk-in appointments also will be available for ages 12-17, the release said.

The Pfizer vaccine is available for individuals age 12 and older, and the Moderna and Johnson & Johnson vaccines are available for individuals age 18 and older, according to the release.

Appointments can be scheduled by calling 800-207-6099 or accessing the website at www.wegmans.com/pharmacy.

ALSO READ: If youre fully vaccinated, you wont need a mask to shop in Karns soon


Staff at a judges office in Ephrata Borough received a bomb threat Wednesday morning, according to police.

The threat was made by phone around 9:25 a.m. at Magisterial District Judge Tony Russells Office, 609 East Main Street. There were no reported injuries or arrests made.

Both the judges office, as well as The Shopping News, which is also housed in the building, were evacuated, police said.

Ephrata Borough police officers, along with the assistance of Lancaster City Police explosive detection K-9, cleared the building.

The building reopened at 1 p.m., police said.

Ephrata Borough police are investigating.

Read more from PennLive

Video shows 11-year-old girl fighting off attempted kidnapping at school bus stop

Pa. man shoots at 5 intruders in home; 1 dead, 1 wounded: Police
NOTE: This story has been updated to include that an appeal has been filed

WILLIAMSPORT  Pilot negligence was a contributing factor that caused the 2015 crash of a small plane in North Carolina that killed a Sunbury attorney, his wife and his father-in-law, a judge has ruled.

As such, the estates of Michael M. and Christine Apfelbaum are not entitled to recover damages, U.S. Middle District Judge Matthew W. Brann ruled Tuesday.

He found based on evidence adduced from experts, Apfelbaum should not have been flying in instrument conditions.

His decision to fly constituted a breach of his duty of care, the judge wrote in explaining his reasons for granting the governments motion for judgment on partial findings.

The ruling ended the seven-day non-jury trial in the wrongful death suit against the federal government stemming from the Sept. 7, 2015, crash that killed the couple and Clarence Imgrund.

Apfelbaum was piloting the Beach A36 Bonanza that crashed near Kernersville, North Carolina, on an approach to the Piedmont Triad International Airport in Greensboro, North Carolina.

Apfelbaum planned to stop in Greensboro for fuel on a flight home from Sarasota, Florida.

The couples estates in their suit contended communications by air traffic controller Kendall Garland exacerbated the pilots spatial disorientation, causing the crash.

There is no evidence showing that Garland would have been able to avoid the plane crash, Brann wrote.

The judge did not rule out spatial disorientation as a causal factor but said without expert testimony he had no basis to find Apfelbaum suffered from that condition.

He had found the plaintiffs spatial disorientation expert witness to be unreliable and precluded him from testifying.

The estates claimed Apfelbaum would have landed safely had he been told to alter his course by a few degrees rather than make a wider turn.

They also contended Garland was negligent by not telling Apfelbaum to level his wings. There was nothing that showed he could have complied with such an instruction, Brann said.

In his opinion that details the last moments of the flight, the judge found there was a lack of evidence Garland could have or should have been aware that Apfelbaum was facing an emergency because he did not declare one.

Brann also noted Apfelbaums flight instructor had warned him not to fly the Bonanza until he gained more experience with it.

The government, which maintained from the outset pilot negligence caused the crash, moved for judgment after the plaintiffs Friday rested in the trial that featured a number of expert witnesses.

Government attorney Alan D. Mattioni in his opening statement claimed Apfelbaum lost control after disengaging the autopilot.

The plane, which was low on fuel, banked at angles in excess of 50 degrees, stalled and spun to the ground, court documents state.

The National Transportation Safety Board found the cause of the crash was deficient Federal Aviation Administration air traffic control training on recognition and handling of emergencies and Apfelbaums spatial disorientation.

Attorney Lane R. Jubb Jr., on behalf of Brianna Apfelbaum Kula, Leah Apfelbaum and JonSidney Apfelbaum, the administrators of the estates, filed an appeal Wednesday of Branns decision with the U.S. 3rd Circuit Court of Appeals.

Brann was precluded from considering those findings in reaching his decision.
A Harrisburg district judge who remains suspended from office won her re-election bid Tuesday in the 2021 Pennsylvania primary.

District Judge Sonya McKnight scored the most votes against her six other Democrat competitors vying for the seat. McKnight was suspended from office pending trial on criminal charges that include official oppression.

Of the 975 votes cast for the Democratic nomination, McKnight garnered 234, or 24% of the vote for Magisterial District 12-04-04. The vote breakdown was as follows:

Sonya McKnight: 234 votes, 24%

Jennifer Smallwood: 221 votes, 23%

Leon C Wilkerson III: 185 votes, 19%

Shakira E Jennings: 150 votes, 15%

Ellis R Rick Roy: 130 votes, 13%

Brianna Smith: 43 votes, 4%

Anthony Harrell: 12 votes, 1%

She also won the Republican nomination.

Prior to the race, McKnight said she was running on her record as a judge and on her service and investment in the community.

McKnight announced her re-election bid seven days after another district judge ordered her to trial in Dauphin County Court on the oppression charge and counts of tampering with evidence and obstruction of law.

Those charges stem from a traffic stop of her son last year. Harrisburg police said McKnight got the keys to her sons car from an officer, retrieved a pill bottle from his front seat without anyone telling her she could not, locked her sons car and left after several minutes.

Her lawyer said McKnight never invoked her title as a judge. The officer who handled the traffic stop testified during her preliminary hearing that she addressed McKnight as judge during the incident. McKnight claimed she had permission to remove the pill bottle, which she said contained medication prescribed for her son.

McKnight didnt mention her legal battle in her campaign announcement. She has not been convicted of any crime, so there is nothing to prevent her from seeking a second six-year term as a judge. A conviction could render her ineligible to hold the office, however.

McKnight hasnt been permitted to sit on the bench since December. Her initial suspension with pay was converted to a suspension without pay by the state Court of Judicial Discipline in early February. That decision was based on the traffic stop incident and the resulting criminal charges filed by the state attorney generals office. McKnight can contest the discipline courts actions and seek a public trial before that court.

The traffic stop case is not the first time McKnight has been the subject of an investigation by the attorney generals office.

Another probe by that agency cleared McKnight of any illegality for a May 2019 shooting of her estranged husband at her home. Investigators concluded McKnight acted in self-defense when she shot him in the groin. He recovered from his wound.
WALDORF, Md.  Two Maryland sheriffs deputies were in good condition Tuesday after being shot multiple times a day earlier while trying to serve a warrant for a probation violation, a spokeswoman said. The shooter was found dead hours later.

The Charles County Sheriffs deputies were stable and in good condition thanks to a bulletproof vest, the officers who were able to get them out of the situation and good doctors and nurses, spokeswoman Diane Richardson said.

Richardson identified the wounded deputies as a 10-year-veteran assigned to patrol and an officer with less than one year of experience, also assigned to patrol. Their names were not released.

According to a news release on Tuesday, a family member of the man had recently contacted the Charles County States Attorneys Office to say the man was violating his probation on an assault conviction. A warrant was subsequently issued, after which a relative called 911 and reported the man was at the home, the news release said.

Deputies responded to the 911 call at 3:47 p.m. Monday. Additional deputies were dispatched because there were concerns about the mans mental condition and the danger he might pose, Richardson said. He was said to be experiencing a mental health episode, she said, citing the call.

The deputies coordinated a plan to take the man into custody as safely as possible, but when the family member let them inside and they began going upstairs, the suspect came out of a room and opened fire, Richardson said. The two deputies who were shot were removed from the house by their colleagues and then flown to a hospital for treatment.

The officers returned fire, but its not clear yet how many shots were fired or if any of them hit the suspect, Richardson said.

The man, identified as Denzell Nathan Clarke, 28, then barricaded himself inside the home and deputies were not able to make contact with him, Sheriff Troy Berry told reporters at a briefing Monday evening.

Eventually, authorities used a drone to determine that Clarke was dead with a gun nearby, Richardson said in a news release Tuesday. The 9 mm handgun was a Polymer ghost gun made from kits that are sold online and have no traceable serial numbers. Officers also recovered an extended magazine containing 22 live rounds, the news release said.

Richardson said its not known if Clarke was shot by deputies or if he took his own life. That determination depends on an autopsy, she said.

As for video from the incident, Berry said his deputies arent equipped with body cameras.

Waldorf is an unincorporated community 25 miles south of Washington.

ALSO READ: Men charged for breaching the Capitol during Jan. 6 attack asked cop for directions to the bathroom, feds say

ALSO READ: Pa. teacher saves family from fire, but cant borrow sick days from his co-workers as they recover
Following the Texas renewable energy fiasco of February 2021, which left 4.5 million homes and businesses without heat and electricity for several days during a record-breaking cold wave, one would expect Pennsylvanians to be wary of jumping on the solar energy bandwagon. Nonetheless, Gov. Tom Wolf has announced a clean energy initiative for Pennsylvania, with plans to build seven new solar energy arrays around the state.

While solar power does not directly emit greenhouse gases, it comes with a slew of environmental impacts. Most solar cells today start as quartz, which is extracted from industrial mines, with the associated landscape destruction, water contamination, habitat loss and health hazards to workers. The manufacture of photovoltaic solar cells requires a lot of energy, with the attendant emissions, and uses hazardous chemicals that endanger workers and are not always disposed of properly, especially in China, where most of the worlds solar panels are manufactured. Solar Energy Isnt Always as Green as You Think - IEEE Spectrum

Solar panels are inactive at night and produce only 10-25% of their normal energy output on cloudy days and when covered with snow and ice. Solar energy generates huge quantities of hazardous waste. Most solar panels end up in landfills, where toxic heavy metals used in their production create a waste disposal problem and leach into the soil.

This is only a short list. Before applauding the governors clean energy initiative, Pennsylvanians should educate themselves on the true cost of solar energy to the environment in Pennsylvania and elsewhere around the world.

Juliet Perrin, Albrightsville, Pa.
David Randy Padfields job may have just gotten a lot harder. As Director of the Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency, hes charged with helping the state prepare for when the worst happens  everything from flooding to an explosion at Three Mile Island.

Padfield likes to know whos calling the shots and providing the resources so his team can respond as quickly as possible to public safety emergencies. That used to be the governor. But after Tuesdays referendum to curtail the governors powers in an emergency, Padfield could find himself waiting for his new bosses in the state legislature to allow his team to save lives and property in a disaster.

Randy Padfield is Director of the Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency.

If theres one thing Padfield knows, its disasters happen.

I tell my staff, the further away we are from the last disaster, the closer we are to the next one. Padfield and his colleagues at PEMA are always preparing for the next potato famine or worse. And the threats keep changing.

After Sept. 11, 2001, they were worried about international terrorism and preventing foreign actors from bombing planes or plowing into skyscrapers. But in this age of pandemics and protests, the threats to public safety have only increased and intensified.

Members of PennLive's Editorial Board meet with Randy Padfield, director of the Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency (PEMA).

Padfield met recently with members of PennLives Editorial Board in an event carried live on Facebook, and he said PEMA is now focused on three potential threats that could require immediate and possibly sustained emergency response. Here they are:

Justin Grosko, 14, and Laura Weigle, 14, wade through flood waters in their back yard along Swatara Creek Road in Middletown, Sept. 18, 2004. (Sean Simmers, PennLive.com)PN

Weather related disaster resulting from climate change

Emergency management experts are concerned about increasingly unpredictable and frequently violent weather, including everything from stronger hurricanes along the Gulf Coast to wildfires in California. Closer to home, PEMA is worried about heavy rains and snowstorms that could bring severe flooding, leading to power outages and road closures.

If these natural disasters are so severe that localities cant manage them alone, PEMA steps in to provide help, once the governor authorizes it. Under the new Constitutional amendment voters approved Tuesday, the legislature could rescind the governors disaster declaration, stopping Padfields work. And he would have to await legislative approval to continue with emergency help if the disaster lasts longer than 21 days.

In an aerial view, fuel holding tanks are seen at Colonial Pipeline's Dorsey Junction Station on May 13, 2021 in Washington, D.C. The Colonial Pipeline has returned to operations following a cyberattack that disrupted gas supply for the eastern U.S. for days, after the company paid nearly $5 million to the hackers. (Drew Angerer/Getty Images/TNS)TNS

Cyberattacks

Natural disasters in the real world arent the only threats. PEMA also now worries about disasters from the virtual world. Cybercriminals can wreak havoc on everything from power grids to pipelines, as we witnessed just last week with the cyberattack that shut down Colonial Pipeline, the nations largest gasoline pipeline. President Joe Biden said the attackers were Russian, but they could come from anywhere, at any time and strike any company or government agency.

The Colonial Pipeline sends gas between Texas and New Jersey and supplies almost half of the East Coast. Reports are the company paid nearly $5 million in ransomware to get service restored. Pennsylvania doesnt have that kind of money to buy off cybercriminals. Thats why cyberattacks are definitely a growing concern for PEMA and similar agencies throughout the nation. We are likely to see more cyberattacks from lone wolves as well as from international cybercrime networks. Considering the number of potential attackers around the globe, this threat may be even more likely than a second pandemic.

FILE - In this Wednesday, Jan. 6, 2021 file photo, Trump supporters try to break through a police barrier at the Capitol in Washington. Right-wing extremism has previously mostly played out in isolated pockets of America or in smaller cities. In contrast, the deadly attack by rioters on the U.S. Capitol targeted the very heart of government. It brought together members of disparate groups, creating the opportunity for extremists to establish links with each other. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez, File)AP

Violent domestic extremists

Pennsylvania seems to be well endowed with extremists groups that PEMA sees as a real and present danger. The federal Office of Homeland Security agrees. The Southern Poverty Law Center lists what it says are more than 36 hate groups in Pennsylvania, including the white nationalist H.L. Mencken Club in Elizabethtown, the American Freedom Union in Hampden Township and the Loyal White Knights of the Ku Klux Klan throughout the state.

Theres also the Revolutionary Black Panther Party in Philadelphia and the Soldiers of Odin, an anti-Muslim hate group operating throughout the state.

It would be ideal if PEMA or any other agency could prevent these threats from becoming a natural or man-made disaster. But we all know, as Padfield does, that there will be another public safety emergency that demands PEMAs response.

The hope is that voters have not unwittingly made it more difficult for PEMA to save lives and limit suffering when the disaster no one wants to imagine actually happens.

Follow Joyce Davis on twitter @byjoycedavis or on Facebook

Quality local journalism has never been more important. You deserve the best. Not a subscriber yet? Please consider supporting our work.
Bern, Switzerland -- (SBWIRE) -- 05/19/2021 -- WICKED WATCH CO., a Swiss watchmaker has proudly announced the launch of its all-new watch called Pearl Diver. This remarkable new bronze automatic wristwatch is introducing LUMICAST into the world of microbrands, and the Swiss watchmaking company has recently launched a crowdfunding campaign on Indiegogo, welcoming generous support and backing for the new watch.



"Followed by our successful Kickstarter campaign for the PEARL DIVER, we are now proudly offering you a chance to support the WICKED WATCH CO. on Indiegogo and receive your bronze diver at exclusive offerings." Said the spokesperson of WICKED WATCH CO., while introducing this project to the Indiegogo community. All watches pre ordered get a 3 year warranty and Pearl Diver was conceived as a watch that everyone can afford.



Following are the most remarkable features of Pearl Diver:



Case is made of CuSn8 Bronze

Uni-directional 120 clicks bezel

Screw-down crown

Drilled lugs for easy strap removal

Up to 200 m / 20 ATM waterproof

Comes with 2 variations

Bronze Diver is a limited Edition of 500 pieces per color and movement

Unique serial number engraved on each case back

Features SEIKO'S NH35A Movement

The STP1-11 Features mechanical movement made in Switzerland

And much more



The Indiegogo Campaign is located on the web at: www.indiegogo.com/projects/pearl-diver-automatic-bronze-dive-watch and backers from around the world can become a part of this project by making generous pledges and donations. Moreover, the goal of this Indiegogo campaign is to raise a sum of Fr 10,000 CHF and the company is offering these watches as a reward for the backers with worldwide shipping. Furthermore, more details are available on the Indiegogo campaign page of the project.



About WICKED WATCH CO.

WICKED WATCH CO. is a Swiss watchmaking company, and its all-new Pearl Diver is an exciting new bronze automatic watch with a wide range of cutting-edge features. The company is currently crowdfunding a limited edition of this watch on Indiegogo with special features and a 3 year warranty, and it is welcoming generous support and backing.



Contact:

Contact Person: Pascal

Company: WICKED WATCH CO.

Country: Switzerland

Email: pascal@wtimepieces.ch

Website: http://www.indiegogo.com/projects/pearl-diver-automatic-bronze-dive-watch
Beaver Lake in Stanley Park is shown in this handout image. Police are hoping DNA technology may help solve the so-called Babes in the Woods murder in Vancouver's Stanley Park seven decades ago.THE CANADIAN PRESS/HO-Vancouver Police *MANDATORY CREDIT*
Brothers Carlos, left, and Erick Fryer are shown in this composite undated handout photo. The RCMP have confirmed that two men found dead near a small community in British Columbia's southern Interior last week were brothers. The Mounties' say they are releasing the names of 29 year-old Erick Fryer and 31-year-old Carlos Fryer in an effort to help their ongoing investigation. THE CANADIAN PRESS/HO, RCMP *MANDATORY CREDIT*
Thank you for reading the Philadelphia Tribune.

You have exhausted your free article views for this month. Please press the "subscribe" button below and see our introductory price of $0.25 per week for 13 weeks. Otherwise, we look forward to seeing you next month.
Recent results based on data from ESAs Gaia mission have revealed that the stellar content of the inner halo of our Milky Way Galaxy is dominated by debris from satellite dwarf galaxies, such as the Gaia-Enceladus (also known as the Gaia Sausage). The merging event with the Gaia-Enceladus/Sausage galaxy is now purported to be one of the most important in the Milky Ways history, shaping how we observe it today. In a new analysis of data from NASAs Kepler mission as well as from the Gaia and APOGEE surveys, astronomers were able to identify the most precise ages currently possible for a sample of about a hundred red giant stars in the Milky Way; they found that our Galaxy had already formed a substantial population of its stars  which now reside mainly in its thick disk  before the collision with the Gaia-Enceladus/Sausage galaxy around 10 billion years ago.

Our evidence suggests that when the merger occurred, the Milky Way had already formed a large population of its own stars, said Dr. Fiorenzo Vincenzo, an astronomer in the Center for Cosmology and Astroparticle Physics at the Ohio State University.

Many of those homemade stars ended up in the thick disk in the middle of the Galaxy, while most that were captured from Gaia-Enceladus/Sausage are in the outer halo of the Galaxy.

The merging event with Gaia-Enceladus/Sausage is thought to be one of the most important in the Milky Ways history, shaping how we observe it today, added Dr. Josefina Montalban, an astronomer in the School of Physics and Astronomy at the University of Birmingham.

In making the calculations, the astronomers used asteroseismology data from the Kepler satellite in combination with data from the Gaia and APOGEE surveys. All three are set up to gather data to help scientists map and characterize stars in the Milky Way.

Asteroseismology is a relatively new technique, which measures the relative frequencies and amplitudes of the natural modes of oscillation of the stars.

This enables scientists to assemble information about the stars size and internal structure, which enables accurate estimations of the stars age to be made.

In this research, the authors used information on the individual oscillation modes of each star, rather than averaged properties of their pulsations.

They were also able to use asteroseimology in combination with spectroscopy  which enables the chemical composition of the stars to be measured.

We have shown the huge potential of asteroseismology in combination with spectroscopy to deliver precise, accurate relative ages for individual, very old, stars, said Professor Andrea Miglio, an astronomer at the University of Bologna.

Taken together, these measurements contribute to sharpen our view on the early years of our Galaxy and promise a bright future for Galactic archeoastronomy.

By calculating the age of the stars, the researchers were able to determine, for the first time, that the stars captured from the Gaia-Enceladus/Sausage galaxy have similar or slightly younger ages compared to the majority of stars that were born inside the Milky Way.

A violent merger between two galaxies cant help but shake things up, Dr. Vincenzo said.

The results showed that the merger changed the orbits of the stars already in the Galaxy, making them more eccentric.

The scientists compare the stars movements to a dance, where the stars from the former Gaia-Enceladus/Sausage move differently than those born within the Milky Way.

The stars even dress differently, with stars from outside showing different chemical compositions from those born inside the Milky Way, Dr. Vincenzo said.

The findings were published in the journal Nature Astronomy.

_____

J. Montalban et al. Chronologically dating the early assembly of the Milky Way. Nat Astron, published online May 17, 2021; doi: 10.1038/s41550-021-01347-7
Montgomery County voters decide two district judge contests, set stage for November battles in three others
Images

Sorry, there are no recent results for popular images.
Niklas Astedt Clinches Second GGPoker Super MILLION$ Title

May 19, 2021 Matthew Pitt

It took Niklas Astedt 43 attempts to get his hands on the first-place prize of the GGPoker Super MILLION$. Now he has two Super MILLION$ titles in the space of a months.

Astedt won this tournament on April 11 and walked away with $1,095,741, a massive prize due to the event having a $25,000 buy-in. Now he has another title and $313,907 in prize money, taking his total winnings from the Super MILLION$ alone to a ridiculous $3,354,273.

Super MILLION$ Final Table Results

Place Player Country Prize 1 Niklas Astedt Sweden $313,907 2 Sam Greenwood Canada $248,746 3 Ramiro Petrone Uruguay $197,111 4 rushaakkandqq Austria $156,195 5 Elio Fox Mexico $123,772 6 Mikita Badziakouski Belarus $98,079 7 Mario Mosboeck Austria $77,720 8 Bruno Volkmann Brazil $61,587 9 judd trump China $48,802

The nine-handed final table began with both "judd trump" and Bruno Volkmann on life support with short stack. unsurprisingly, these were the first two players out of the door.

"judd trump" crashed out in ninth-place when they pushed all-in for 177,874 chips with ace-queen from under the gun during the 20,000/40,000/5,000a level. Ramiro Petrone clicked it back to315,748 with ace-jack, only for "rushaakkandqq" to four-bet all-in for 1,167,500 with pocket jacks. Mario Mosboeck let his pocket tens go, while Elio Fox folded eights. Petrone relinquished his hand also. judd trump flopped an ace but their opponent flopped a set, which held to reduce the player count by one.

Volkmann headed for the exits shortly after judd trump's demise. rushaakkandqq opened to 88,000 with ace-queen, and Volkmann defended his big blind with king-ten, leaving himself eight big blinds behind. Volkamm flopped an open-ended straight draw, which meant his opponent improved to top pair. Volkmann check-raised all-in and lost when both the turn and rifer missed his hand.

2021 WSOP Online Dates Announced; 66 Bracelets to be Won Across WSOP.com & GGPoker

Astedt Running Hot

It took another hour before a the seventh-place finisher was decided. Mosboeck was that player, busting at the hands of Astedt. The Swedish legend made it 100,000 to go at the 25,000/50,000/6,000a level before calling Mosboeck's raise to 245,000. Astedt check-called a one-sixth pot bet on the paired flop. All the chips went in on the deuce turn, which gifted Astedt's ace-four a straight. Mosboeck's ace-six needed help, which did not arrive.

Ace-four was not as kind to Mikita Badziakouski because it was his exit hand. The action folded to Badziakouski in the small blind, and he jammed for 1,287,589 with ace-four, the equivalent of 18.4 big blinds. Astedt snap-called from the big blind with the dominating ace-queen, spiked a queen on the flop, and Badziakouski was drawing dead on the turn.

Two Big Hands Slay Fox

Fifth place and $123,722, the first six-figure prize of the evening, went to Fox. First, Sam Greenwood doubled through him with ace-king versus ace-queen, which left Fox with 12 big blinds. Those chips went into the middle with king-queen against Astedt's pocket tens, and Astedt does not lose coinflips!

rushaskkandqq was the next player heading to the showers, doing so during the 70,000/140,000/17,500a level. They shoved for 1,117,930 on the button with ace-five, and Greenwood called with ace-four. A chopped pot looked the most likely result, but a four on the flop put paid to those ideas.

Andres "chokitin" Korn Adds Circuit Ring to his WSOP Bracelet at GGPoker

Start of the day chip leader Petrone crashed out in third to send the tournament heads-up. Petrone saw Greenwood double through him before committing his chips with ace-ten against Astedt's pocket sevens. We already ascertained Astedt is the King of Flips.

Astedt went into the one-on-one section of the tournament holding a mammoth-sized chip lead, his 13.3 million chips eclipsing Greenwood's 2.4 million. Try as he might, Greenwood just could not claw his way back into contention.

The final hand took place during the 125,000/250,000/30,000a level. Greenwood limped with king-queen, Astedt ripped it in, and Greenwood called off the 2,612,048 chips he had behind. Astedt's ace was enough to win his second Super MILLION$ title, and resigned Greenwood to a runner-up finish.
Support Local Journalism

Now, more than ever, the world needs trustworthy reportingbut good journalism isnt free. Please support us by subscribing or making a contribution.
Itemizer-Observer

POLK COUNTY  While providing a summary look back at 2020, Sheriff Mark Garton pointed out that crime overall was down in Polk County while property crimes were on the rise.

In addition, although his patrol and jail divisions were fully staffed, Garton shared his concern when he gave the presentation to the Polk County Board of Commissioners on May 11 about the shrinking pool of future and reserve candidates.

The biggest contributing factor to crime levels last year was COVID.

Due to COVID protocols that mirrored all correctional facilities throughout the state, this past year we saw a decrease in the total number of bookings, Garton explained. The Patrol Division booked 407 less inmates into the jail than in 2019. In alignment with that, bookings are down for all agencies within Polk County.

He added when looking at the crimes that are being charged on patrol side, crime in general in 2020 was down.

Patrol division calls for service went down 25% from the previous year, from 23,087 to 18,535. The number of arrests also were down 13%. Garton attributes the decline to Governor Kate Browns stay at home order. As a result, traffic stops, citations and warnings were down from 2019s numbers.

In all, there were 1,849 bookings in 2020 compared to 3,252 in 2019. However, property crimes were up across the county.

Property crimes were up 29% and residential burglaries rose by 16%. The only other crime to rise in 2020 were elude crimes, which doubled from 10 to 20 over the previous year.

Total calls are down by 5%, including a decrease in the number of DUIIs (Driving Under the Influence of an Intoxicant) from 186 to 115.

Garton said the entire criminal justice system was affected by COVID, adding there were several factors that led to the decrease in overall arrests, including:

The courts were not operating at normal capacity for a long period of time

Prosecution of crimes were delayed.

For lower-level crimes, criminal citations were issued for people to appear in court (virtually) instead of making a physical custody arrest.

Jails across the state adopted polices to help limit the potential infection of COVID with inmates and staff. In a congregate setting, extra care was needed to ensure transmission does not occur.

However, even with the coronavirus, Garton said his office was still able to accomplish community outreach programs, including the PCSO Toy Drives, Shop With the Sheriff and inmates gift wrapping presents for their kids.

While he was able to create two corporal positions within the patrol and jail divisions, which are essentially used for pre training for supervisor positions, Garton was unable to bolster staffing in other areas.

Our reserve and volunteer programs suffering a bit in terms of keeping people was a big issue last year because of COVID, Garton said.

The Sheriffs Auxiliary & Law Enforcement Team (SALT) consists of 23 members. In 2020, they volunteered over 1,800 hours. Members of SALT help in various ways, including transporting evidence to and from the Oregon State Police Crime Lab, court scanning, fingerprinting, civil paper service, and towing of abandoned vehicles.

We will be hiring another group of those to get it up to 30. We dont seem to be having an issue filling this program, he said.

But reserves are down to about 10. Garton said 10 years ago there were 30 reserve deputies.

Reserve Deputies can volunteer on patrol and ride along with full-time Patrol Deputies. Reserves can also volunteer in the jail, working alongside full-time Corrections Deputies. In addition, the Reserve program is responsible for Marine Patrol functions on the Willamette River.

But were doing okay in terms of numbers compared to other agencies who have no reserves, Garton said.

Board Chair Craig Pope asked what Garton thought the issue was with the low reserve numbers. Garton pointed to several.

One is, who would want to be a cop at this point? That sentiment is out there, Garton said. Volunteering is down across the board. Different mindsets, different generations. And, you hire a reserve, and they turn around and get hired by a full time agency or we hire them. We were getting great people. But really, theyre looking for anybody that would want to do this job.

Pope took the question of who would want to be a law enforcement officer these days a step further.

Im guessing like any other industry out there, that youre seeing a challenge of getting a pool of highly qualified candidates, Pope said.

Garton said the pools are definitely lower than they once were.

We, even before COVID and after the levy passed, didnt have all the issues other agencies were having at the time. They were all complaining about number of people applying, yet we had big pools, he said. Were now to that point were seeing lower pools. Other agencies are seeing little to none. We still get a good group of people. Also, we hire a bit differently in terms of what we look for in a person. Its not just your math, reading and writing. It also includes your personality in looking for the right people to do the job. It doesnt mean that theyre the perfect, ideal candidate for other agencies, but they fit look like what we want here.

Pope added his guess is its only going to get tougher, which requires an ongoing conversation about the reality of the world Garton manages right now and how it translates to the rest of the civilian population.

Im very worried when the vacuum of no law enforcement exists. As our workforce goes down and the calls for service dont go down, there will be other means for folks try to protect themselves. Its a very dangerous thing coming, Pope said.
Itemizer-Observer report

DALLAS  Just before 10 a.m. Saturday, neighbors to 288 SW Applegate Trail called 911 when they saw smoke and heard the smoke alarms sounding from inside the house.

Dallas Fire & EMS responded and on arrival immediately requested a second alarm as there was a large column of smoke coming from the house, according to a Dallas Fire news release. A call for a second alarm adds more resources that are not initially dispatched to assist.

There was conflicting information on whether the resident was home or not. Firefighters quickly made entry, began searching for the resident and received information she was not home during their search.

Firefighters then immediately began putting out the fire and within minutes had it knocked down. Unfortunately the family cat was found deceased upon a secondary search of the residence.

The cause of the fire was due to the stove top accidentally being left on. The residence sustained heavy smoke and fire damage.

Dallas Fire & EMS was assisted by Dallas Police, SW Polk Rural Fire Protection District, Polk County Fire District No. 1, and the Red Cross.
Oregon Capital Bureau

SALEM -- Gov. Kate Browns signature awaits a bill that gives tenants more time to pay past-due rent stemming from the coronavirus pandemic and protects their future ability to rent.

The Oregon House sent Senate Bill 282 to the governor on a 39-17 vote on Tuesday.

Tosha Morgan-Platt  who lives in Portland with three children, one of them with disabilities  was among the tenants who submitted testimony in favor of the bill. She lost her job during the economic downturn that resulted from the pandemic more than a year ago, and subsequent work has not helped her earn enough to eliminate $3,000 in past-due rent.

The bill allows Morgan-Platt and others an extended grace period until Feb. 28, 2022  instead of June 30  to pay past-due rent going back to April 1, 2020. It does not forgive any rent, and it requires renters to be current on payments after July 1. But it would extend until Feb. 28, 2022, a moratorium on evictions for nonpayment of rent during the pandemic.

This is a huge weight off my shoulders and will give me or my landlord enough time to apply for rental assistance to cover the back rent, Morgan-Platt said in a statement furnished by Stable Homes for Oregon Families. There are so many Oregonians in similar situations who lost jobs or income during COVID through no fault of our own and are still struggling to catch up. As Oregon continues to face a statewide housing crisis and our communities are suffering, SB 282 is going to be a lifeline to protect us from eviction.

Rep. Julie Fahey, a Democrat from Eugene and chairwoman of the House Committee on Housing, said the bill banks on millions coming in state and federal aid to tenants and landlords.

It is a reasonable compromise bill that sets the stage for a more equitable recovery, Fahey, the bills floor manager and chief sponsor in the House, said. By passing this bill, we can ensure that Oregon tenants and landlords can get the full benefit of rental assistance coming to our state and help prevent the fallout from the pandemic following the most vulnerable Oregonians for years to come.

A Dec. 21 special session of the Legislature extended the evictions moratorium from Dec. 30 to June 30, and also set aside a total of $200 million for assistance  $150 million for landlords and $50 million for tenants. The Oregon Department of Housing and Community Services reported to the House committee on May 4 that $40 million was paid from the landlord compensation fund in the first round in March.

Congress also passed two rounds of federal assistance for renters, the latest round approved in March. Oregons senators announced May 10 that the state will be in line for $222.5 million from President Joe Bidens pandemic recovery plan, which became law in March. The state would get $156.5 million, Portland, $15.5 million; Multnomah County, $3.8 million, Washington County, $14.2 million, and Clackamas County, $9.9 million. Other amounts will go to the counties that include Eugene, Salem and Medford.

The policies we passed last year have likely prevented many thousands of people from being evicted from their homes during the pandemic, Fahey said. Because we know that public health research has shown that eviction moratoriums helped prevent the spread of COVID-19, we know that in addition to keeping people stably housed, those policies have saved lives.

Other provisions

Among other provisions of SB 282, which was brokered by Sen. Kayse Jama, D-Portland, with tenant and landlord advocates:

 Potential landlords would be barred from screening out applicants based on COVID-era evictions. The bill would allow sealing of evictions during COVID from a tenants record.

 Credit history reports would be barred on any late payments during the moratorium. Landlords would be barred from screening out tenants based on nonpayment of past-due rents during the eviction moratorium and grace period.

 Landlords could not evict tenants for doubling-up/occupancy limits that are narrower than current law, during the COVID period when people have had to share housing due to the pandemic and wildfires.

 Increased damages would remain in effect temporarily for retaliation violations by landlords during the COVID era.

All of the votes against the final version were cast by Republicans, although three Republicans joined Democrats to vote for it.

This bill has another side that has not been given any consideration, Rep. Kim Wallan, R-Medford, said.

A move by Republicans to send the bill back to committee failed on a party-line vote.

Rep. Jack Zika of Redmond, said he sought an amendment that would have allowed landlords to check some tenant records unrelated to finances. He said his intent was not to block the bill itself, and that he felt an agreement was close.

Nobody wants to see anybody evicted, he said.

Rep. Wlnsvey Campos, D-Aloha, said that as a case manager, she works with prospective tenants to help them apply for rental housing.

I know there are backstops in place for checking on the past rental history of tenants, she said.

What I do know, from doing the work I do, is that if we do not pass this, it will cause harm to our communities. We all know that bad actors exist, but I also know that folks want to be able to pay their rent so they can stay in housing.
A longtime James Island restaurant will serve its last meals on May 21 as the owners search for a new location.

Kickin' Chicken at 1175 Folly Road is closing at the end of its long-term lease after serving area residents for the past 18 years.

Owners Chip Roberts and Bobby Perry also pointed to the shifting population and development patterns on the island as reasons for shutting down the restaurant.

They are trying to relocate employees to other restaurants in Mount Pleasant, North Charleston, Summerville and West Ashley.

Sign up for our new business newsletter We're starting a weekly newsletter about the business stories that are shaping Charleston and South Carolina. Get ahead with us - it's free. Email

Sign Up!

Another of its venues will open by late summer at 45 Romney St. near the Charleston Neck area. The chicken chain shuttered its downtown location in 2020 after 21 years on King Street.

The James Island restaurant was the second one in the Charleston-based chain to open after the original location launched in 1997 on the upper peninsula.
COLUMBIA  Columbia leaders heard from doctors both in support of and opposed to a proposed ban on the professional practice of therapy seeking to change a minor's sexual orientation or gender identity.

There are no education or ethics standards for practicing conversion therapy "because it's something that's been discounted time and time again," a caller identified as Dr. Edwin Hayes told Columbia City Council on May 18.

"It has the efficacy of snake oil, and I think its utility is something that just brings about bad outcome," said Hayes, an infectious disease specialist and primary care doctor. "And that's something I see with my patient population."

City Council unanimously gave initial approval to an ordinance banning conversion therapy on May 4.

The ordinance would make it illegal for licensed therapists and counselors in the city to professionally practice on those younger than 18 therapy that seeks to change someones sexual orientation or gender identity.

Violating the rule would be a civil infraction punishable by a fine up to $500.

A final vote has not yet been scheduled. The council received legal advice on the ordinance during a private session of its meeting May 18 but didn't talk about it publicly beyond hearing from three members of the public.

After Hayes, another caller who identified himself as Dr. Richard McCain said he disagreed with Hayes and "the science simply doesn't support this direction." He urged the council to be cautious and that a state medical board or state labor department might be better to address the practice than the local elected officials.

State Sen. Joshua Kimbrell, R-Boiling Springs, introduced a bill in the Statehouse before the General Assembly adjourned seeking to override the city's ordinance. He also wrote to Attorney General Alan Wilson on May 13 asking the state's top lawyer to intervene and challenge the city's proposal as unconstitutional.

A federal appeals court in November struck down two similar local bans passed in Florida, siding with two therapists who brought the case who argued the rules violated free speech rights. A federal judge in 2019 threw out a lawsuit challenging Marylands ban on the practice of conversion therapy on minors.

Hayes was joined in supporting the city's effort to ban conversion therapy by Dylan Gunnels, a former City Council candidate and founder of Agape Table, a Columbia nonprofit started with the goal of addressing the lack of LGBTQ inclusion in churches.

Gunnels told council members about still receiving therapy at 28 because of trauma caused by experiences from childhood.

"I'm queer, and I went through conversion therapy without choice," Gunnels said as part of his remarks. "It didn't help me, it only harmed me."
This is part of The Post and Couriers Daily Digest series, in which one of our food reporters asks a local to describe a day of eating in detail.

Christine Sinanan lives in West Ashley and is a regional marketing manager for Adams Outdoor Advertising.

I usually start my day with a kombucha, which packs a punch and wakes me right up. Charleston's own Dalai Sofia is one of my go-to brands, and I had the Fat Beets flavor this morning. This one is a blend of locally sourced beets, turmeric, ginger, thyme and lemon.

While sipping on it, I responded to emails and started to get to a bit of my freelance work. I like to get a large chunk of work done during the morning just in case my afternoon gets too busy. Im not much of a morning eater, but dont get me wrong, I still love breakfast foods.

On most days, I dont eat until around 2 p.m. I guess Ive developed an intermittent fasting habit without really trying.

For my late lunch today, my fiance put together a charcuterie board, which happens to be a staple in our home. When I say that, I mean it, we cant stop into the store without ensuring there is always a variant of meat and cheese headed to the checkout with us.

For this board, we had prosciutto, a bit of pate, a buttery havarti and a few slices of brie. We also had some crumbles of a BellaVitano merlot left that he tossed that on there, as well. If a cheddar and a parmesan had a baby and soaked in merlot, this would be that cheese.

We completed the board with some local honey from Boone Hall Farms Market. I added a dap of Dijon mustard and a baguette from EVO Bakery, along with some mixed olives, and that was lunch.

Sign up for our food & dining newsletter. We publish our free Food & Dining newsletter every Wednesday at 10 a.m. to keep you informed on everything happening in the Charleston culinary scene. Sign up today! Email

Sign Up!

We hung out on the patio for a bit, munching, getting some wedding planning done and maybe sneaking the dog some pate.

After wrapping lunch, I had plans for drinks at Bar George on James Island with a few friends. I had a couple of delicious cocktails. One of them was the House Dirty made with vodka, jalapeno and Yuzu. Think martini but double the flavor.

I wrapped up there and headed back home as the sun was setting, which is my absolute favorite time of day. My fiance and I are huge foodies, and we both love to cook. We usually cook dinner together when our schedules line up.

For dinner tonight, I decided on a dish we often cook during the warmer months: Chimichurri steak and cilantro lime rice bowls.

My fiance grilled up a skirt steak he had marinating in a chimichurri he whipped up earlier today. He also grilled a few ears of corn and a couple of poblanos for our street corn salad.

I focused on the other components of the dish in the meantime. I made pico de gallo, cilantro lime rice, pinto beans and crema. The bowls were assembled and topped with a drizzle of chimichurri and the crema. We enjoyed dinner while catching up on "Hell's Kitchen."
Among 354,422 adolescents from 92 low- to middle- and high-income countries, only 30.3% were found to practice appropriate hand hygiene.

Over 150 years ago, the Hungarian physician and scientist Ignaz Semmelweiss first demonstrated the effectiveness of a seemingly simple intervention, hand washing, in preventing healthcare-associated infections.

Since then, hand washing with soap and water at key times is heralded as one of the most cost-effective measures to reduce the global burden of gastrointestinal and respiratory diseases.

While examining the population hand hygiene practices is of interest in its own right, it is particularly important to explore these practices in young people, as they are the silent carriers who unknowingly play a major role in community transmission of infections.

There was a renewed emphasis on adequate hand hygiene with COVID-19, said Dr. Yaqoot Fatima, a researcher in the Institute for Social Science Research at the University of Queensland and the Centre for Rural and Remote Health at James Cook University.

We used data from the Global School-based Student Health Survey from 92 countries across the six WHO regions to examine the prevalence and correlation of hand hygiene practices in adolescents worldwide.

Our results highlight that globally, adolescents practice suboptimal hand hygiene.

The researchers examined 354,422 adolescents (13-17 years) from the Global School-based Student Health Survey.

Hand hygiene practices were categorized as appropriate, inappropriate and lacking based on the information about hand washing before eating, hand washing after using the toilet, and hand washing with soap.

Globally, only 30.3% reported practicing appropriate hand hygiene, whereas 60.4% and 9.4% of the adolescents reported practicing inappropriate hand hygiene and lack of hand hygiene, respectively.

The study also showed that both school (bullying, exercise) and family-level factors (parental supervision and parental bonding) influence hand hygiene practices.

Although access to soap and water was an issue, around 60% of adolescents were not practising appropriate hand hygiene even when they had access to water and soap, Dr. Fatima said.

While access to handwashing facilities and knowledge of proper hygiene is important for practising adequate hand hygiene, the study showed that the knowledge-behavior gap is a major reason for sub-optimal hand hygiene practices.

The findings were published in the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health.

_____

Santosh Jatrana et al. 2021. Global Variation in Hand Hygiene Practices Among Adolescents: The Role of Family and School-Level Factors. Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 18 (9): 4984; doi: 10.3390/ijerph18094984
ROEBUCK  A German industrial conglomerate reasserted its commitment to Spartanburg County early this week with completion of a $36 million expansion.

Berlin-based Siemens, which competes with General Electric and is consistently among the five biggest companies in Germany, recently finished a 52,000-square-foot addition to its low-key plant nestled in a largely residential area off Interstate 26. It plans to hire 180 people at a 50-year-old plant on Old Georgia Road in Roebuck.

Gov. Henry McMaster showed up for a ribbon-cutting ceremony on May 17.

According to an announcement from the South Carolina Department of Commerce, Siemens secured job development credits from the state for the expansion. These credits reimburse companies up to $3,250 in personal withholding taxes for each new worker they hire to pay for building and land development costs, according to the commerce department. That's a deal worth up to $585,000 for Siemens with this expansion.

Spartanburg County also landed a $200,000 "set-aside" grant from the commerce department to assist Siemens with site prep and construction costs.

Siemens has operations all over the United States in the areas of power generation and industrial support technology, among other things, with more than 40,000 employees and a U.S. presence dating back to the 19th Century. The company, which got its start in electronics and continues to dominate in that sector, describes its Spartanburg site as a "key energy infrastructure manufacturing hub" for the United States. Siemens had 13 jobs posted on May 18, including a production supervisor for switchboards, a wiring and mechanical assembler for switchboards, and a switchboard tester.

Long-time Spartanburg County Councilman David Britt called Siemens a "tremendous economic partner" in a prepared statement for the state's announcement.

"Their expansion proves that theyve found success doing business in Spartanburg County and proves that our international industries are thriving," Britt said.

Quick hits

In other economic development news, a North Carolina dump-truck operator announced May 18 it would be moving its headquarters to Cherokee County. Kerns Trucking said in an announcement circulated by the state's commerce department that it would invest $7.9 million and bring 136 jobs to the facility. The family-owned business was launched in 1933 and specializes in transportation and logistics. Its new corporate offices will open in late 2022.

said in an announcement circulated by the state's commerce department that it would invest $7.9 million and bring 136 jobs to the facility. The family-owned business was launched in 1933 and specializes in transportation and logistics. Its new corporate offices will open in late 2022. Bon Secours St. Francis Health System has opened a new primary-care clinic near downtown Greenville that will serve students and staff of the Legacy Early College charter school. Located at 1010 Woodside Ave., the health center will have a nurse practitioner and medical assistant on site 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays. The hospital systems plans long-term to expand services to the surrounding City View community. The clinic opened May 17.

has opened a new primary-care clinic near downtown Greenville that will serve students and staff of the Legacy Early College charter school. Located at 1010 Woodside Ave., the health center will have a nurse practitioner and medical assistant on site 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays. The hospital systems plans long-term to expand services to the surrounding City View community. The clinic opened May 17. As expected, Greenville County property owners face no tax increase from public schools in the coming year. The vast majority of school-related taxes are levied on commercially owned real estate as owner-occupied homes pay no taxes for school operations. Trustees for Greenville County Schools approved a 2021-2022 spending plan on May 18 that totals $714 million. All 10,000 of the school district's employees received a pay raise in the budget, which benefited from a $10 million boost in state funding. The 76,000-student school district is also dipping into its reserves to the tune of $14.7 million to balance its budget.

approved a 2021-2022 spending plan on May 18 that totals $714 million. All 10,000 of the school district's employees received a pay raise in the budget, which benefited from a $10 million boost in state funding. The 76,000-student school district is also dipping into its reserves to the tune of $14.7 million to balance its budget. Look for a jobs report to be released May 21 from the South Carolina Department of Employment and Workforce. It will show the state's employment situation through April. The jobs report in March said the unemployment rate at that point was 5.1 percent, down from 5.2 percent in February. South Carolina is doing better than the U.S. as a whole, which has a 6.0 percent jobless rate. Still, nearly 30,000 fewer South Carolinians were working in March compared to March 2020.

Sign up for our Greenville development newsletter. Get all the latest updates on the Upstate real estate market, more openings and closings, exclusive development news and more in your inbox each week. Email

Sign Up!

From the release

Children's book publisher In The Book has cobbled together a national interactive map that shows where people can donate books. Locally, Greenville County has 19 organizations that collect books. Check out the map here: https://www.inthebook.com/en-us/book-donation-map/

The rundown

Here are some of the bigger Post and Courier business headlines from across the state over the past week.

From Myrtle Beach, reporter Jay Rodriguez wrote about the staggering increase in second-home purchases and why it's happening. The number of buyers nationally who locked in mortgage rates for second homes grew 178 percent year over year in April. The statistics were released earlier this month by Redfin.

BMW's X5 numbers were down in 2018, but it had nothing to do with faltering demand for the South Carolina-made SUVs. A fire three years ago in a Michigan auto supplier's plant caused supply-chain disruptions that ultimately cost BMW hundreds of millions of dollars in lost manufacturing time, according to a lawsuit filed earlier this month in Spartanburg County. Business reporter David Wren wrote the latest on damages the German automaker is seeking from Meridian Magnesium.

Reporter David Slade provided the latest news about (and a brief history of) Clemson University's Restoration Institute in North Charleston. Wind farms, he wrote, are proliferating as the U.S., and this could give a boost to Clemson's wind-turbine testing facility in North Charleston, the nation's largest. The Clemson University facility tests the giant machines that turn wind into electricity at the Dominion Energy Innovation Center. The Duke Energy eGRID in the same facility tests the compatibility of wind and solar power systems with electrical grids.

7-figure home sales

The Upstate's four million-dollar home sales this week include a lake house, a mountain house and an unfinished three-story townhouse with 10-foot ceilings in Greenville's Verdae community.

Back for more next week. Email your tips, releases and newsy bits to rgilchrest@postandcourier.com and amitchell@postandcourier.com.
ROEBUCK  A German industrial conglomerate reasserted its commitment to Spartanburg County early this week with completion of a $36 million expansion.

Berlin-based Siemens, which competes with General Electric and is consistently among the five biggest companies in Germany, recently finished a 52,000-square-foot addition to its low-key plant nestled in a largely residential area off Interstate 26. It plans to hire 180 people at a 50-year-old plant on Old Georgia Road in Roebuck.

Gov. Henry McMaster showed up for a ribbon-cutting ceremony on May 17.

According to an announcement from the South Carolina Department of Commerce, Siemens secured job development credits from the state for the expansion. These credits reimburse companies up to $3,250 in personal withholding taxes for each new worker they hire to pay for building and land development costs, according to the commerce department. That's a deal worth up to $585,000 for Siemens with this expansion.

Spartanburg County also landed a $200,000 "set-aside" grant from the commerce department to assist Siemens with site prep and construction costs.

Siemens has operations all over the United States in the areas of power generation and industrial support technology, among other things, with more than 40,000 employees and a U.S. presence dating back to the 19th Century. The company, which got its start in electronics and continues to dominate in that sector, describes its Spartanburg site as a "key energy infrastructure manufacturing hub" for the United States. Siemens had 13 jobs posted on May 18, including a production supervisor for switchboards, a wiring and mechanical assembler for switchboards, and a switchboard tester.

Long-time Spartanburg County Councilman David Britt called Siemens a "tremendous economic partner" in a prepared statement for the state's announcement.

"Their expansion proves that theyve found success doing business in Spartanburg County and proves that our international industries are thriving," Britt said.

Quick hits

In other economic development news, a North Carolina dump-truck operator announced May 18 it would be moving its headquarters to Cherokee County. Kerns Trucking said in an announcement circulated by the state's commerce department that it would invest $7.9 million and bring 136 jobs to the facility. The family-owned business was launched in 1933 and specializes in transportation and logistics. Its new corporate offices will open in late 2022.

said in an announcement circulated by the state's commerce department that it would invest $7.9 million and bring 136 jobs to the facility. The family-owned business was launched in 1933 and specializes in transportation and logistics. Its new corporate offices will open in late 2022. Bon Secours St. Francis Health System has opened a new primary-care clinic near downtown Greenville that will serve students and staff of the Legacy Early College charter school. Located at 1010 Woodside Ave., the health center will have a nurse practitioner and medical assistant on site 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays. The hospital systems plans long-term to expand services to the surrounding City View community. The clinic opened May 17.

has opened a new primary-care clinic near downtown Greenville that will serve students and staff of the Legacy Early College charter school. Located at 1010 Woodside Ave., the health center will have a nurse practitioner and medical assistant on site 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays. The hospital systems plans long-term to expand services to the surrounding City View community. The clinic opened May 17. As expected, Greenville County property owners face no tax increase from public schools in the coming year. The vast majority of school-related taxes are levied on commercially owned real estate as owner-occupied homes pay no taxes for school operations. Trustees for Greenville County Schools approved a 2021-2022 spending plan on May 18 that totals $714 million. All 10,000 of the school district's employees received a pay raise in the budget, which benefited from a $10 million boost in state funding. The 76,000-student school district is also dipping into its reserves to the tune of $14.7 million to balance its budget.

approved a 2021-2022 spending plan on May 18 that totals $714 million. All 10,000 of the school district's employees received a pay raise in the budget, which benefited from a $10 million boost in state funding. The 76,000-student school district is also dipping into its reserves to the tune of $14.7 million to balance its budget. Look for a jobs report to be released May 21 from the South Carolina Department of Employment and Workforce. It will show the state's employment situation through April. The jobs report in March said the unemployment rate at that point was 5.1 percent, down from 5.2 percent in February. South Carolina is doing better than the U.S. as a whole, which has a 6.0 percent jobless rate. Still, nearly 30,000 fewer South Carolinians were working in March compared to March 2020.

From the release

Children's book publisher In The Book has cobbled together a national interactive map that shows where people can donate books. Locally, Greenville County has 19 organizations that collect books. Check out the map here: https://www.inthebook.com/en-us/book-donation-map/

The rundown

Here are some of the bigger Post and Courier business headlines from across the state over the past week.

From Myrtle Beach, reporter Jay Rodriguez wrote about the staggering increase in second-home purchases and why it's happening. The number of buyers nationally who locked in mortgage rates for second homes grew 178 percent year over year in April. The statistics were released earlier this month by Redfin.

BMW's X5 numbers were down in 2018, but it had nothing to do with faltering demand for the South Carolina-made SUVs. A fire three years ago in a Michigan auto supplier's plant caused supply-chain disruptions that ultimately cost BMW hundreds of millions of dollars in lost manufacturing time, according to a lawsuit filed earlier this month in Spartanburg County. Business reporter David Wren wrote the latest on damages the German automaker is seeking from Meridian Magnesium.

Reporter David Slade provided the latest news about (and a brief history of) Clemson University's Restoration Institute in North Charleston. Wind farms, he wrote, are proliferating as the U.S., and this could give a boost to Clemson's wind-turbine testing facility in North Charleston, the nation's largest. The Clemson University facility tests the giant machines that turn wind into electricity at the Dominion Energy Innovation Center. The Duke Energy eGRID in the same facility tests the compatibility of wind and solar power systems with electrical grids.

7-figure home sales

The Upstate's four million-dollar home sales this week include a lake house, a mountain house and an unfinished three-story townhouse with 10-foot ceilings in Greenville's Verdae community.

Back for more next week. Email your tips, releases and newsy bits to rgilchrest@postandcourier.com and amitchell@postandcourier.com.
Summerville, SC (29483)

Today

Partial cloudiness early, with scattered showers and thunderstorms during the afternoon. High 92F. Winds WSW at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 50%..

Tonight

Isolated thunderstorms early, then partly cloudy after midnight. Low 73F. Winds WSW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 30%.
Kingstree, SC (29556)

Today

Partly cloudy early followed by scattered thunderstorms this afternoon. High 89F. Winds WSW at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 40%..

Tonight

Scattered showers and thunderstorms. Low 71F. Winds SW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 50%.
South Carolina reported 181 new confirmed cases of COVID-19 and 10 new deaths Wednesday.

Here's the latest on the pandemic in South Carolina.

Richland County will keep mask mandate despite governor's order banning most local rules Richland County will continue to require residents and visitors to wear masks into June, despite a governor's order seeking to end local mandates.

3:30 p.m.  Richland County will continue to require residents and visitors to wear masks into June despite a governors order seeking to end local mandates. Read more.

DHEC says about 9,000 SC teens 12 to 15 have been vaccinated against COVID-19 Tens of thousands of teenagers 19 years old and younger have been vaccinated in South Carolina  about three times the number of young adults ages 20 to 24 who have gotten at least one dose.

2:45 p.m.  A week after the final hurdle cleared to begin administering Pfizer's COVID-19 vaccine to children ages 12 to 15, the S.C. Department of Health and Environmental Control said 8,949 South Carolina kids in that age group have gotten a shot. Read more.

Masks become optional in Charleston County buildings for SC's fully vaccinated residents Charleston County announced that beginning May 18, masks will be optional, but encouraged, on its property for both residents and employees. That includes the libraries.

Tuesday, 1:45 p.m.  Not long after the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention released new guidelines around mask-wearing for fully vaccinated people, Charleston County has decided to change its requirements for face coverings inside its public buildings. Read more.
LITTLE RIVER  The Little River man accused of storming the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6 has been indicted by a federal grand jury, according to court documents.

Nicholas Languerand, 26, was arrested by the FBI on April 15 on multiple charges in connection with the U.S. Capitol riot that lead to five deaths, numerous injuries and questions about security around one of the country's most storied government buildings.

Languerand, who lives in the community north of Myrtle Beach, is one of at least six South Carolinians charged with direct or indirect involvement in the riot.

Court records said a grand jury found enough evidence to formally charge Languerand with seven counts including: civil disorder; assaulting or resisting officers using a dangerous weapon; and engaging in an act of physical violence in the Capitol grounds or buildings.

Federal Magistrate Judge Thomas Rogers III ordered Languerand last month to remain in custody due to the weight of evidence against him, history of violence and his use of alcohol or substance abuse.

FBI agents searching Languerands Little River home found tactical gear, drugs and weapons  including an AR-15 assault weapon with a 60-round capacity.

Rogers order accused Languerand of making previous comments directed at law enforcement that showed disrespect and a willingness to be confrontational and threatening.

According to a federal criminal complaint, the FBI received a tip on Feb. 25 that Languerand posted a picture on Instagram of himself at the U.S. Capitol during the riots.

The complaint against Languerand said that pictures and videos taken from the Capitol building that day show a man throwing objects at law enforcement, including a large orange traffic barrier, a canister of pepper spray and a "stick-like object.

He is also accused of holding a police shield and hitting it against the ground.

Languerand has requested a court-appointed attorney, the judges order said.

Most of the others from South Carolina charged in connection with the riot were arrested after videos and photos surfaced.

Andrew Hatley was charged with breaking into the U.S. Capitol building after investigators used GPS data and a selfie Hatley allegedly took inside the Capitol.

William Robert Norwood III, 37, of Greer faces charges, including theft of government property for allegedly stealing an officers helmet and tactical vest, which an FBI agent said were later found in a storage trailer in Greenville. Norwood is accused of bragging in a family Facebook chat that he assaulted law enforcement and stole police equipment inside the Capitol, authorities said. He said beforehand that he planned to dress in black as Antifa. Afterward, he said, It worked ... I got away with things that others were shot or arrested for.

A pair of Rock Hill men  Elias Irizarry, a 19-year-old freshman at The Citadel, and Elliot Bishai, a 20-year-old Army recruit  were each charged with knowingly entering or remaining in any restricted building without lawful authority, knowingly engaging in disorderly or disruptive conduct in any restricted buildings, and violent entry and disorderly conduct on Capitol grounds. They were released on bond.

James Giannakos Jr., 47, pleaded guilty to making threatening phone calls to a former federal prosecutor over information released on the leader of the alt-right group Proud Boys, who was himself acting as a government informant.

During a search of Giannakos Lexington County residence, FBI agents found multiple items, including a U.S. Capitol Police shield, which federal law enforcement said in court documents showed probable cause that Giannakos participated in the mob that overran the Capitol, according to court filings.

Giannakos faces up to five years in prison and a $250,000 fine. But federal prosecutors agreed to a lower sentence in exchange for his cooperation in identifying and testifying against others involved in crimes of which he has knowledge, which could include other Capitol riot participants.
Would you like to receive breaking news notifications from The Post and Courier?

Sign up to receive news and updates from this site directly to your desktop.

Breaking News Columbia Breaking News Greenville Breaking News Myrtle Beach Breaking News Aiken Breaking News

Click on the bell icon to manage your notifications at any time.

Success! Please click the 'Allow' button in the 'Show Notifcations' alert in your browser if one is available. Thank you for signing up!

Please enable notifications in your browser and reload the page.
South Carolina education leaders are encouraging teachers to foster meaningful conversations in the classroom sparked by the fast-moving pace of world events.

In a panel discussion hosted by The Reagan Institute, state Education Superintendent Molly Spearman spoke about the value of civic learning and engagement in schools. While extracurriculars such as Palmetto Girls State and Palmetto Boys State allow students to learn about their government, Spearman said true civics education is about creating a classroom environment that allows for open dialogue about current events.

She pointed to a high school classroom she recently visited before Gov. Henry McMaster signed an order making masks optional in schools. A student shared her opinion that masks should not be required. After a moment of silence, another student raised his hand and shared that he disagreed.

"They held a very civil conversation which was helpful to me, and we need more of that happening," Spearman said.

Although Spearman said fostering an environment that promotes conversations about difficult topics is the key to getting students involved in civics, there are other initiatives educators are working on to improve civic learning.

Albert Robertson, president of the S.C. Council for the Social Studies, pointed to the Center for Law and Global Policy Development at River Bluff High School in Lexington County.

The center draws students from multiple high schools and focuses education on international policy and legal professions. The students are challenged to solve real-world problems using the Constitution.

"They constantly are looking at the world around us and have discussions, Socratic seminars, debates, and really dig into the Constitution and the structure of the government," he said.

Programs such as the center at River Bluff are key to having South Carolina stick out in the world of civic education and engagement, Robertson said.

"This is something that could be replicated throughout our state and throughout our nation," he said.

Although South Carolina has been able to create areas of strong civic education, the onus is on the students to seek out many of those opportunities.

Jeremy Ward, a 2021 graduate of the University of South Carolina, said he wouldn't be as engaged as a citizen without some of the experiences he had in college.

Ward pointed to two organizations that pushed him to be more open-minded and civically engaged: the S.C. Student Legislature, an organization that allows college students across the state participate in a mock legislative session, and the Euphradian Society, a literacy society that allowed students to work on public speaking and debates.

"It's one of those areas that without a student seeking it out personally is lacking in our education system," he said. "We have become increasingly insulated and not willing to learn from or hear from others that don't have the same ideas."
Syndicated and guest columns represent the personal views of the writers, not necessarily those of the editorial staff. The editorial department operates entirely independently of the news department and is not involved in newsroom operations.
The Post and Couriers Shamira McCray did a superb job last week describing the commercial abuse of Cape Romain, the federal preserve established in 1932 to protect migrating birds. The battle to save an ancient crab and a threatened shorebird at one of Americas most important national wildlife refuges illustrates the need for constant vigilance to prevent exploitation of our public lands.

Bird migration has long been celebrated as one of the planets great wonders. Throughout history, scientists have struggled to understand the periodic disappearance and reappearance of birds in the fall and spring. Aristotle proposed that European swallows hibernated in holes in trees and in the ground. Olaus Magnus, a 16th century Swedish archbishop, proposed a variation on Aristotles theory: Swallows bury themselves at the bottoms of lakes during the winter.

One hundred years later, English educator Charles Morton, having failed to extract a single mud-covered swallow from British lakes, developed a different hypothesis: that swallows travel to the moon and back every year. Morton calculated that the trip would take about 60 days, assuming an impressive average speed of 125 mph, facilitated by the lack of atmosphere and gravity.

Centuries of observation and technological advances have helped to disprove theories of avian moon flights. We now know that migration is more amazing even than swallows sleeping in the mud. Scientists have discovered that billions of birds move across the planet twice a year, relying on sight, sound, memory and the Earths magnetic fields, exhibiting truly miraculous navigational and biophysical capacities.

These biannual journeys range from the 300-yard downhill migration of Montanas blue grouse to the Arctic terns 55,000-mile annual flight from the North Pole to the South Pole and back, traveling farther in a lifetime than the distance between the Earth and the moon. Charles Morton should feel partially vindicated.

South Carolina hosts its own long-distance avian traveler: the red knot. Weighing only 4 ounces, this shorebird flies 18,000 miles a year between the Arctic Circle and Tierra del Fuego at the tip of South America. The journey requires courage and a remarkable anatomical transformation. While the red knot gorges on food, doubling her mass ahead of departure, she also shrinks her gizzard to save weight and space.

Along the way, she must find soft, nutritious food to sustain many weeks of flight. Thus, the red knot synchronizes her travel with the annual egg-laying of a vastly older creature: the horseshoe crab. Limulus polyphemus  an arthropod more closely related to spiders than crabs  has wandered the ocean floor for nearly half a billion years, going largely unnoticed, unchanged and unthreatened until a few decades ago.

Sign up for our opinion newsletter Get a weekly recap of South Carolina opinion and analysis from The Post and Courier in your inbox on Monday evenings. Email

Sign Up!

In the 1990s, Charles River Laboratories, a multibillion-dollar company based in Massachusetts with an outpost in Charleston, began harvesting horseshoe crabs to extract their blood, and in the process, killing 30% of the captured animals.

The purpose is to derive a special chemical used for medical testing. But synthetic alternatives have been available for almost 20 years, including one manufactured by pharmaceutical giant Eli Lilly.

The unnecessary extraction and bleeding of horseshoe crabs, at precisely the time their eggs fuel the red knot migration, has contributed to a 90% collapse of the red knot population. If this exploitation continues, it will almost certainly cause the extinction of the threatened shorebird.

Last summer, the Southern Environmental Law Center and Defenders of Wildlife filed suit to stop Charles Rivers destruction of horseshoe crabs in Cape Romain. The federally protected refuge is one of the most important migratory stopovers for the red knot, along with hundreds of other species of birds. On May 12, U.S. District Court Judge Bruce H. Hendricks wisely granted the groups motion for a preliminary injunction, blocking a planned harvest of horseshoe crabs while the case is pending.

Judge Hendricks ignored a bizarre, last-minute attempt by S.C. Attorney General Alan Wilson to delay the courts decision. Wilsons motion argued for allowing Charles River Laboratories to move forward with this seasons extraction and bleeding, potentially putting the nail in the coffin of the red knot.

The lawsuit to save the crab and the red knot continues decades of advocacy on behalf of Cape Romain National Wildlife Refuge. As the challenge plays out this season, Lowcountry beachgoers and boaters can once again witness the beauty of bird migration at Cape Romain.

With care, vigilance and hard work by groups like Defenders of Wildlife and the Southern Environmental Law Center, this wondrous event will continue for millennia to come.

Dana Beach is a conservationist and Charleston resident.
Jamal Sutherlands death has raised a lot of questions, but we have yet to see many answers.

Particularly from Sheriff Kristin Graziano.

Sutherland died on Jan. 5 inside the Charleston County jail, as deputies were trying to extract him from a cell for a bond hearing on a misdemeanor charge. They pepper-sprayed and repeatedly shocked a man struggling with schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. He died a few minutes later.

This happened just hours after Graziano took office, and no reasonable person could blame her. But plenty of people question her actions since.

Congresswoman Nancy Mace accuses Graziano of being less than transparent, nonchalant and lacking in empathy.

Why did Sheriff Graziano wait almost five months to hold a press conference? This is one of the greatest civil rights injustices of our time  how do you NOT hold a press conference when this horrific incident happened? Mace asked on Twitter.

Mace is simply giving voice to the concerns many other local officials privately have. The more diplomatic concede the sheriff is making rookie mistakes, and Graziano is giving her detractors a lot of ammunition.

Even Sutherlands mother, Amy, told WCSC-TV late Monday that shes waited months for answers she still doesnt have.

I think people tried to cover up everything that happened with my child. We were asking questions from Day One. No answers, Mrs. Sutherland said. Once politics gets involved  thats the only reason they took action.

Last week, the sheriff held a news conference that was short on answers for a case thats lingered more than four months. In fairness, there are things she cant say mid-investigation, but Graziano raised more questions than she put to rest.

Graziano said she didnt release the horrifying video of Sutherlands death, in part, because she had a confidentiality agreement with attorneys participating in civil mediation. That agreement was signed May 10, four days in advance of the mediation with county officials  and didn't cover the four months prior.

The sheriff also mentioned an internal affairs investigation, and some questioned when that inquiry began and whether it was continuously active. Her office says a Professional Standards investigation began the day of the incident and inspectors are now awaiting SLED's final report to incorporate into their findings.

Sign up for our opinion newsletter Get a weekly recap of South Carolina opinion and analysis from The Post and Courier in your inbox on Monday evenings. Email

Sign Up!

Graziano initially suspended two deputies involved in the incident, then later brought them back on administrative duties. The sheriff said Friday she had only 30 days to make a decision, and since SLED hadn't finished its investigation, made the call to put them back to work (but not in contact with prisoners, or residents, as Graziano calls them).

Several officials note there is no law forcing such decisions within a month. Then, on Monday, three days after the Sutherland family demanded it, she fired the two deputies. But she didnt reveal a specific reason.

I must weigh the interest of public safety for the community against any incident that creates even the perception of an impairment to the operation of the Detention Center for the safety of all residents, staff and our community, Graziano said.

That isnt particularly transparent; its practically opaque. If the statement sounds like it got lawyered to death, it probably was. And thats one of the problems here  too many lawyers are involved, and some seem more worried about liability than transparency.

On Monday, protesters marched to 9th Circuit Solicitor Scarlett Wilsons office demanding charges be brought against the deputies. It was a peaceful, respectful demonstration that showed just how many people have serious concerns about Sutherlands death. Which they should.

But perhaps theyre asking the wrong person. Yes, Wilson has the power to charge the deputies, but she needs to make sure it's a case she can win under South Carolina law before going to court.

She couldve accepted the SLED report, which lists the cause of death as undetermined, and concluded there were no charges to be filed. Instead, Wilson last week announced shes consulting with more experts, and getting second opinions. Thats responsible due diligence.

So maybe shes not the person to protest.

Graziano has announced some positive changes to jail policy, including an end to the ridiculous provision that defendants must attend bond hearings in person.Now she needs to release the internal report as soon as possible, and give the reason those deputies were fired. It could have a bearing on the criminal case.

One day after people got up and said they were going to march, something was done that should have been done a long time ago, Sutherlands mother told WCSC.

She's right. There are widespread perceptions the sheriff could clear up fairly easily. She could answer many of the questions about this case, ease community unrest and help determine how we make sure this never happens again.

Members of the public, and Sutherlands family, deserve that much.
Goose Creek, SC (29445)

Today

Partly cloudy early followed by scattered thunderstorms this afternoon. High 91F. Winds WSW at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 50%..

Tonight

Scattered thunderstorms early, then partly cloudy after midnight. Low 73F. Winds WSW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 40%.
A first-year student in the University of Guam's master of public administration program earned top marks in an international contest simulating a deadly infectious disease outbreak.

Renee Carpela and her team of four other students from around the world competed at the 2021 NASPAA-Batten Student Simulation Competition, which a release from UOG said challenges graduate students in public policy-related fields to test their leadership, negotiation and critical thinking skills in a time-sensitive, fast-paced scenario using real-world data.

More than 400 students from 120 universities in 30 countries competed in the virtual competition. After taking first place in a regional meet, Carpela's team placed first out of four groups included in a global all-star round.

"The experience was intense and rewarding," Carpela said. "Although the day of the competition was nerve-racking, I knew that my team would be able to deliver a great response to the simulation."

The teams were tasked with creating a policy memo and presentation based on this year's topic, "The Pandemic Game 2.0." They were evaluated for their teamwork, organization, decision-making and policy presentations.

Carpela said her team  graduate students from China, Bangladesh and New Zealand  worked well together because they were able to respect each other's expertise, understand their strengths and effectively communicate with one another.

"The biggest impression (on me) was knowing that people who come from different backgrounds and governmental structures were able to work toward a common goal with an ultimate understanding of how our policies would affect the people of our simulated country," Carpela said.

As part of the winning team, Carpela will receive $1,100, a certificate and a letter of recommendation.
Insights

What counts as culture? Is it simply the original culture, as we understand it, or should it include the cultural features introduced over time? Read more
Welcome to our new website. We have a new login system for you to access the full newspaper online. Please click here to learn how to activate your new account. Bear with us as we move into this new site and bring over all our old articles and photos.
Note: We've recently updated our online systems. If you can't login please try resetting your password. You must login with an email address. If you don't have an email associated with your account email circulation@postregister.com for help creating one.
RECOGNITION

Citadel presents Heart of Learning Award to 21 teachers

Citadel Credit Union presents Heart of Learning Award to 21 teachers

Program was expanded this year to include teachers from across the region
@PottstownNews on Twitter

Evan Brandt has been a staff reporter for The Mercury for more than 20 years. He covers municipal, school district, political, state government, federal government and environmental news.
FILE - In this Sept. 18, 2020, file photo, Alexandria residents wait in a socially distanced line to cast their ballots for the November presidential election on the first day of early voting in Virginia, at the Voter Registration Office in Alexandria, Va. As Republicans roll back access to the ballot, Democratic lawmakers have been quietly moving to expand voting rights. In Virginia, Maryland, Nevada and other states where Democrats have control, lawmakers are pushing to make it easier to cast ballots by mail, increase early voting and require greater oversight over changes to election law.
Attorney Harry Daniels speaks during a press conference outside the Pasqoutank County Public Safety building in Elizabeth City, N.C., Tuesday, May 11, 2021, after family of Andrew Brown Jr. viewed about 20 minutes of video from the police shooting death of Brown in April. Family attorneys said the longer, redacted video showed Brown did nothing to threaten or provoke deputies and his hands were visible when they approached his car.
Eugene Kontorovich is professor at George Masons Antonin Scalia School of Law, specializing in constitutional and international law. He is director of Scalia Law Schools Center for the Middle East and International Law. Before coming to George Mason, he had been a professor at Northwestern University School of Law for 11 years.

In the interview with RT below, Professor Kontorovich explain[s] why Israel is not violating international law with its strikes on Gaza. The video was [t]aken down for a day by YouTube for violating unspecified community standards.

The video was brought to my attention by Washington Free Beacon stories  one (May 17) on its removal, one (May 18) on its restoration. In the second story, the Free Beacon reports that YouTube blamed automated systems for the removal of the video.

As part of our response to COVID-19, YouTube explained, we are temporarily relying more on technology to help with some of the work normally done by reviewers. In this case, automated systems removed content that did not violate our policies, and we worked to quickly reinstate it.

Professor Kontorovich condenses an informative truth blast into the six minutes of the video. One is left to wonder what automation triggered its removal and whether adjustments been made. One guesses not.

Mainstream news organizations report Gaza casualties based on numbers provided by the Gaza Health Ministry. Thats what the AP does (At least 219 Palestinians have been killed in the current fighting, including 63 children and 36 women, with 1,530 people wounded, according to the Gaza Health Ministry, which does not break the numbers down into fighters and civilians). Thats what the New York Times does (More than 200 Palestinians have been killed and 58,000 displaced in Israels bombardment of Gaza). Thats what FOX News does (214 Palestinians have been killed so far).

And thats what the RT interviewer does. Professor Kontorovich does not concede the reliability of the number. Rarely is it noted that the Gaza Health Ministry is itself an arm of Hamas, which has a long record of lying about casualties and statistics.
Axios reports that the Biden administration will waive sanctions on the corporate entity and CEO overseeing the construction of Russias Nord Stream 2 pipeline into Germany. This means, in all likelihood, that the pipeline will become operational.

Thats a huge win for Vladimir Putin. Why? For one thing, as Axios says, Russian gas currently has to pass through Ukraine on its way to Europe. Bypassing Ukraine with a direct pipeline to Germany is an opportunity for Russia to advance its goal of isolating its former client state, now a fledgling democracy, from Western Europe.

In addition, the pipeline increases Russian leverage over the rest of Europe. Axios quotes a State Department official who says: The Biden administration has been clear that the Nord Stream 2 pipeline is a Russian geopolitical project that threatens European energy security and that of Ukraine and eastern flank NATO allies and partners.

Indeed, the Biden administration is on the record as stating:

Our position on Nord Stream 2 has been very clear, and it remains unchanged. President Biden has made clear that Nord Stream 2 is a bad deal. Its a bad deal because it divides Europe, it exposes Ukraine and Central Europe to Russia  Russian manipulation, and because it goes against Europes own stated energy and security goals.

Yet, Team Biden no longer intends to stand in the way of the deal. Bidens tough talk about Russia turns out to be just talk  his specialty.

Bidens decision overturns that of former president Trump. Trump was determined to block the pipeline. The morons and liars who claimed Trump was doing Putins bidding, pursuant to alleged collusion, couldnt reconcile Trumps position on the pipeline with their zany, slanderous conspiracy theories, so they ignored the issue.

Now, I assume, they will ignore the contradiction between Bidens tough talk on Russia and his willingness to allow a project vital to Putin to proceed.

To its credit, Axios isnt ignoring the contradiction. It states correctly and unequivocally that the completion of Nord Stream 2 would be a huge geopolitical win for Putin and give him substantial new leverage in Europe.

Joe Biden has now seemingly ensured that Putin will have that huge win and substantial new leverage.
When Americans think of failed cities, places like Portland, Seattle, Detroit and Baltimore come to mind. But Minneapolis is, at a minimum, flirting with a similar status. The problem is out-of-control crime. Last Saturday night, six people were shot in Minneapolis, including a nine-year-old girl. Alpha News has the straight story:

A nine-year-old Minneapolis girl is in the hospital after she was struck by gunfire over the weekend, making her the second child to be shot in the city in under a month. The girl was shot in the head while she played with friends on a trampoline around 8:30 p.m. Saturday on the 2200 block of Ilion Avenue North. According to Minneapolis police spokesperson John Elder, someone in a red, four-door Ford fired at the house where the girl was playing, KARE 11 reported. Crime Watch Minneapolis reported that someone from the house ran outside and returned fire. Police transported the girl to North Memorial Hospital where she was in very critical condition as of Sunday.

Police officers are coming under attack by criminals:

Multiple police officers were injured throughout the night while responding to calls. In one case, officers were maced by someone with a party can of pepper spray when responding to a stabbing around 2:15 a.m. outside the Pourhouse on Hennepin Avenue, according to Crime Watch Minneapolis. Two officers were taken to the hospital about an hour earlier when a group of street racers threw rocks at the first responders.

Civic authorities can no longer ignore the chaotic situation in Minneapolis. On Monday, Mayor Jacob Frey and Police Chief Medaria Arradondo made a public appearance to address safety issues. The police chief pleaded with local judges to stop releasing violent criminals back onto the streets:

Chief Medaria Arradondo pleaded with judges to stop releasing violent offenders at a press conference today following a violent weekend in Minneapolis. pic.twitter.com/FyPlumTIcF  Alpha News (@AlphaNewsMN) May 17, 2021



Arradondo also acknowledged that his department is short of officers, being down by about one-third. The Minneapolis City Charter includes a provision requiring the city to maintain a police force of at least a certain number, as a percentage of the citys population. A lawsuit has been brought by the Upper Midwest Law Center on behalf of residents of a high-crime area of the city, alleging that the current administration is violating that requirement.

Far-left City Council President Lisa Bender attended the Mayor and Police Chiefs press conference and found it puzzling. Incredibly, she still thinks the problem that needs to be addressed in Minneapolis is police violence:

Minneapolis is in desperate trouble, and there is no sign that the people now running the city have any ability to solve the citys problems.
N.S. Lyons writes about political upheaval in France and reflects on its possible implications for the U.S. In France, two despairing letters  one by retired military officers, the other by active-duty personnel  have triggered controversy. In essence, the letters complain that France is disintegrating and in danger of civil war.

The retired officers argue that Islamists in the immigrant-heavy suburbs are detaching large parts of the nation and turning them into territory subject to dogmas contrary to our constitution. French civil authorities no longer actively police these areas.

But Islamism may not be the worst of it. The letter decries a certain anti-racism that in reality has only one goal: to create on our soil a malaise, even a hatred between communities. The retired officers accuse the hateful and fanatical supporters of this ideology of despis[ing] our country, its traditions, its culture, and want[ing] to see it dissolve by tearing away its past and its history. Their goal, according to the authors, is racial war.

Given these development, the letter warns of a coming civil war.

Old people tend to equate change with deterioration. Thats particularly true of those who spent their professional careers upholding the status quo.

However, the second letter, which endorses the views of the first, comes from more than 2,000 soldiers who are currently serving. They describe themselves as part of the generation deployed abroad in Frances fight against Islamist forces in Mali, and Afghanistan, where they lost comrades who offered their lives to destroy the Islamism to which you [the government] have made concessions on our soil.

These service members have also protected that soil directly  French subways, schools, and synagogues. In doing so, they have seen. . .the abandoned banlieues where France means nothing but an object of sarcasm, contempt or even hatred.

Their letter argues that France is becoming a failed state. It too warns of civil war, prompted by not from military rebellion but from a civil insurrection.

I believe the claims in these letters have a firm basis in reality. But are they exaggerated?

I dont know. I visit Paris fairly often and even in the center city, its easy to notice how much it has changed in a relatively short amount of time.

Ive also been in mixed neighborhoods and have heard some chilling first-hand stories from residents. But my only visit to a true Parisian suburb occurred more than 30 years ago, and the area in question was mostly Vietnamese at the time.

However, its worth noting, as Lyons emphasizes, that although the two letters were widely condemned by the French establishment, few challenged their basic premise that France is in a state of growing fracture and even dissolution. Instead, says Lyons, the focus of controversy was on the military taking a political position.

I want to conclude by considering America. To what extent might America disintegrate along the lines alleged in the two French letters?

Of the two toxins described in the letters  an implacably hostile immigrant population and hostile lefty dogmatists  America need worry about only one, in my view. Illegal immigration is a major problem here, but it raises no clash of civilizations concerns. By and large, our low-income immigrants share our values and one of our major religions. They are not future jihadists.

However, the complaints about a certain anti-racism that in reality has only one goal: to create on our soil a malaise, even a hatred between communities applies in full force to the U.S. So does the related grievance about those who despise our country, its traditions, its culture, and want to see it dissolve by tearing away its past and its history.

Indeed, I think this movement is further along in the U.S. than in France. (As we will see below, Lyons argues that it was born in France but matured here.) One of our two major political parties  the one currently in power  is flirting (at a minimum) with these anti-racists and despisers.

To my knowledge thats not true in France. President Macron, for example, is a powerful defender of Frances traditions and culture.

Of the two toxins in question, the hostility of left-wing dogmatists is the more dangerous. In fact, it spills over into the immigration question. Our new immigrants wont despise the U.S. on religious grounds. But if instructed as our left would like to see, they wont think highly of this country, either. Instead, they will be taught to believe that America is systemically racist and unjust, and to blame America for their struggles.

Finally, theres the question of policing. The French letters note that some neighborhoods are no longer subject to the civil authorities. Our civil authorities havent abandoned American neighborhoods, to my knowledge.

But that may be where were headed. City councils in major cities have flirted with the idea of disbanding the police. Thats still a fringe idea, but replacing some portion of the police force with social workers and the like isnt. A scaled-back police force aided by social workers wont be able effectively to police crime-ridden neighborhoods.

And able is only one dimension of the problem. Theres also willing. In the current environment, the incentives increasingly are against patrolling high-crime neighborhoods. The course of least resistance  the one that makes most sense  is to pull back.

And because nature abhors a vacuum, civil authority likely will be replaced by some sort of uncivil authority. Like in France, though minus the religious trimmings (one hopes).

Ill leave the final word on the French-American comparison to Lyons. He writes:

[N]o revolution has ever remained contained by national borders. The New Faith (alternately referred to as Anti-Racism, the Social Justice movement, Critical Theory, identity politics, neo-Marxism, or Wokeness) is a trans-national ideological movement, which can no more remain confined to the United States than it remained confined within the American academy where it matured (it was arguably born in, well France). And it is more than capable of rapidly adapting itself to and flourishing within whatever national context it penetrates. But, wherever it goes, its just as disruptive to the foundations of social and political order.
Yes, no matter what

Yes, but it depends on variety

No, for medical reasons, uncertainty

No, principle

Vote

View Results
ADVERTISEMENT

Nigeria has produced 30 million bags of 50 kg fertilizers under the Presidential Fertilizer Initiative since 2017, the Nigeria Sovereign Investment Authority (NSIA) has said.

The PFI has also facilitated an increase in the number of participating blending plants, which rose to 44 from less than seven at inception, the NSIA said in its 2020 audited financial results published last week.

Amidst the effort to resuscitate Nigerias moribund fertilizer blending plants in order to boost local production, food production and as well achieve food security targets, President Muhammadu Buhari announced the commencement of the PFI on December 14, 2017, during his Budget presentation.

That was preceded by the visit of the King of Morocco, Mohammed VI, to Nigeria on December 2, 2016, of which several agreements were reached by the two leaders.

One of these agreements concerned a partnership between the Fertiliser Producers and Suppliers of Nigeria (FEPSAN) and OCP, a state-owned Moroccan company and a world leader in phosphate production and its derivatives.

By implication, the OCP would supply discounted phosphate to Nigeria, so as to help boost the domestic blending of Nitrogen, Phosphorus and Potassium (NPK) fertiliser in the form of NPK 20:10:10, starting in 2017.

According to the PFI guidelines, the goal is to achieve the local production of one million metric tonnes of blended Nitrogen, Phosphorus and Potassium (NPK) Fertiliser for the 2017 wet season farming, and an additional 500,000 metric tonnes for dry season farming.

By February 4, 2017, the first shipment of potash arrived in Nigeria from Europe, while the second shipment arrived in early March.

The good, the bad and the ugly

While Nigeria has recorded progress in boosting the production of affordable fertilizer necessary for agriculture activities through the PFI programme under the watch of the NSIA, efforts to increase the supply and reduce the cost of the commodity were in some cases truncated by middlemen.

By implication, a large chunk of farmers across the country lamented that they could not access or purchase the products at the government-approved rates.

While this subsists, checks by PREMIUM TIMES revealed that Nigerias fertilizer value chain through the PFI initiative has witnessed significant restructuring, different from what it used to be before.

The NSIA said its involvement in the next phase of the PFI will be reduced, as more of the responsibilities of the sector would be transferred to the approved fertilizer blenders who will be operating based on the enshrined guidelines of the initiative.

Completed restructuring of the PFI, the Authority embarks on the next phase of PFI, which substantially reduces NSIAs involvement and transfers more of the responsibility to the fertilizer blenders, the NSIA said.

Also, it noted that the NSIA implementation company for the PFI NAIC-NPK, has been spun off to the Ministry of Finance Incorporated (MoFI), hence it is shown from 2020 as a discontinued operation on NSIAs financial statements.

READ ALSO: Minister

By this recent development, experts along the fertilizer value chain stated that theres likely to be a significant hike in the prices of fertilizer this year different from the price it was sold in the previous years under the PFI as the wet season commences.

Fertilizer would be available this year, but it will be more expensive, a source familiar with the development who asked not to be named, said.

The year 2020 was the third full year of implementing the PFI with about 6.5 million 50kg bags of NPK 20:10:10 delivered, bringing total delivered products to 20 million 50KG bags of NPK 20:10:10 since the inception of the programme in 2017.

List of approved fertilizer blending plants in Nigeria and locations

S/N Selected Blenders Location Year of inclusion Capacity 1 Akwa-Ibom Fertilizer (Greenwell Technologies) Akwa Ibom 2018 73440 2 Albarka Fertilizer Kebbi 2019 82080 3 Alelawa Fertilizer Sokoto 2018 47520 4 Al-yuma Fertilizer Kano 2017 190080 5 Al-yuma Fertilizer (Zamfara) Zamfara 2018 115200 6 Barbedos Limited Kaduna 2020 194400 7 Bauchi Fertilizer Company Bauchi 2018 - 8 BE JAFTA Group Nigeria Jos 2017 - 9 Benue Organic Fertilizer (SORA) Benue 2018 95040 10 Citizens Fertilizer Kano 2018 69120 11 Continental Fertilizer Co Ltd Kano 2021 - 12 Crystalizer Nigeria Limited Niger 2021 - 13 Ebonyi State Fertilizer Ebonyi 2017 95040 14 Edo State Fertilizer (WACOT) Edo 2017 17280 15 Enar Suhura Nasarawa 2021 - 16 Fertilizers & Chemical Kaduna 2017 276480 17 Funtua Fertilizer Katsina 2017 125280 18 Golden Fertilizer Lagos 2017 544320 19 Golden Fertilizer (Kaduna) Lagos 2018 57600 20 Gobaru Agro Allied Limited Katsina 2021 - 21 Greentide Agro Limited Katsina 2020 181440 22 Hamdala Fertilizer Kano 2020 155520 23 Jargaba Fertilizer Katsina 2020 116640 24 J Marine Logistics Limited Niger 2021 - 25 KASCO Kano 2017 190080 26 Kwandare Fertilizers Nasarawa 2021 - 27 Linkside Elhtatt Limited Kaduna 2021 - 28 Malam Alu Agro Jigawa 2020 90720 29 Matrix Fertilizer Kaduna 2019 120960 30 MFB Fertilizer Kaduna 2017 51840 31 Morris Limited Niger 2017 246240 32 Notore Chemical River 2019 86400 33 Premium Agro Lagos 2020 302400 34 Savannah Fertilizer Niger 2019 60480 35 Shenzhen Global Limited Kano 2021 - 36 Space Age Continental Nasarawa 2021 - 37 Superphosphate Fertilizers Kaduna 2017 108000 38 TAK Agro Ajaokuta Kogi 2020 272160 39 TAK Gombe Gombe 2021 - 40 Waraka Fertilizer Kano 2021 - 41 ZAM Agrochemicals Zamfara 2020 - 42 Zaria Fertilizer Kaduna 2020 86400
ADVERTISEMENT

Polaris Bank Limited has launched a new digital platform, called VULTe.

The virtual and physical event tagged unveiling of the VULTe digital bank was held on Tuesday in Lagos.

According to the bank, the new digital bank is set to grow its market share, targeting a new generation of digital natives and immigrants who are socially and financially aware of innovations in self-service and stress-free transactions.

Reacting to this development, Innocent Ike, the acting managing director/CEO of the bank, said the new platform is returning all powers to the customer as king.

He said customers are now at liberty to enjoy an unhindered, contactless and refreshing banking experience all at the tip of their fingers thanks to the newly launched VULTe app.

With VULTe, we affirm our resolve to serve the customer better and make their banking experience more pleasurable.

Therefore, we will continue to launch an array of banking products to cater to the varying needs of our diverse customers.

Ultimately, VULTe represents our bold declaration to hand over CONTROL of banking services to our customers and allow them to serve themselves as they would want to be served, Mr Ike said.

According to him as a Polaris Bank customer, you are at liberty to determine your banking experience since we have put the Bank in your hand 24/7. You now have total CONTROL to serve yourself; its no more customer service but customer self-service.

Are you opening an account, setting limits on your account, verifying your identity documents, registering your biometrics, making inquiries, taking an instant loan? You are in total control.

You do it at your own time, at your convenience, and on your terms you determine how delightful your banking experience will be, he said.

While speaking at the event, Muhammed Abdullahi, Executive Director, Abuja and Northern Region of the Bank, announced special reward packages for early users of the VULTe app.

He said, For your loyalty and positive acceptance of VULTe and all other banking services offered by Polaris Bank, on behalf of the Board, Management and Staff, Im happy to announce some mouthwatering offers to everyone following us to mark this occasion.

Consequently, please note that the first 2000 persons who download VULTe from Appstore or PlayStore and make a transaction on the platform, stand to win a collection of beautiful mementoes like mugs, Michael cable charger, key rings, pop socket among other collections of gifts, he added.
ADVERTISEMENT

The Edo State Governor, Godwin Obaseki said the state is set to benefit from a U.S. governments financing to the tune of $250 million for oil palm and cassava value chain development.

Mr Obaseki said that the facility would also be invested in special agro-processing zones and renewable energy infrastructure in Edo.

The governor disclosed this on Tuesday at the Fayus Oil Palm Plantation expansion inauguration ceremony in Ewan Usi community, Uhunmwonde Local Government Area of the state.

He said his administration was committed to providing a conducive environment for investors in the state, as part of concerted efforts to diversify the states economy and provide jobs for its teeming youths.

Mr Obaseki, who was represented by the Head of Service, Anthony Okungbowa, noted that the state was keen on providing necessary incentives to investors in the oil palm and cassava value chain in the state.

He added that the state government had set up the Edo State Oil Palm Programme to create the necessary interface to harness its arable land in driving economic activity and creating wealth.

The chairman, Fayus Nigeria Limited and Fayus Inc., Sacramento, California, Fatai Yusufu, said the company has invested in oil palm plantation, milling, refinery and cassava processing facilities in the state.

He said the company has an oil palm nursery and plantation expansion plan in Ewan Isi community in Uhunmwonde Local Government Area and an oil palm plantation project in Owan West Local Government Area, with financing support from the U.S. government.

Also, Tunji Bello of Shine Bridge Global Inc., Chesapeake, Virginia, said that the $250 million facility was driving the investment in Edo, adding that the investment would improve the livelihood of people in the state.

The Chief Executive Officer, AfricaGlobal Shaffer, Adam Cortese, said the political will of the state government and the commitment to the Edo State Oil Palm Programme was instrumental in attracting the investment.

He noted that it was an opportunity to strengthen government-to-government trade and investment for oil palm and high-quality cassava flour used in consumer packaged goods.

(NAN)
ARISS contact is scheduled with students at Lycee Jean Moulin, Les Andelys, France

Amateur Radio on the International Space Station (ARISS) has received schedule confirmation for an ARISS radio contact with astronauts.

ARISS is the group that puts together special amateur radio contacts between students around the globe and crew members with ham radio licenses on the International Space Station (ISS).

This will be a Multipoint Telebridge Contact via Amateur Radio between the ISS and students from Lycee Jean Moulin. Students will take turns asking their questions of ISS Astronaut Thomas Pesquet, amateur radio call sign KG5FYG, during the ARISS radio contact. French is the language that will be used for this contact. The downlink frequency for this contact is 145.800 MHZ and may be heard by listeners that are within the ISS-footprint that also encompasses the ARISS radio telebridge station.

ARISS team member David Payne, using call sign NA7V in Portland, Oregon will serve as the relay amateur radio station. Each student asking a question on the ARISS radio will be conferenced in from home or social-distanced at school.

The ARISS radio contact is scheduled for May 20, 2021 at 10:38 am CEST (Les Andelys, France) (8:38 UTC, 4:38 am EDT, 3:38 am CDT, 2:38 am MDT, 1:38 am PDT).

Lycee Jean Moulin (LJM) is a rural, vocational school with about 1000 students ages 15 to 20 years. Students in the local primary and junior high schools will also participate in the ARISS contact. LJMs educational programs include STEM courses that lead to vocational baccalaureate degrees in various science and technology fields. The school also offers internship opportunities in the aeronautics and space industry. LJM partners with ArianeGroup, an aerospace company, and the Normandy Aerospace Club that has supported the schools students in various aerospace and engineering projects. Some of these include building and programming a Mars Rover, developing scale models of Ariane rockets, robotic programing, and developing star-tracking technology for a telescope. LJM also partners with members of the Radio Club de Vernon who will be supporting the ARISS contact.

As time allows, students will ask these questions:

1. Cela vous fait quoi d'etre le premier francais nomme commandant de bord de l'ISS?

2. Quelles sont vos preparations physique et mentale pour votre mission sur l'ISS?

3. Quels sont les impacts de lapesanteur sur le corps a long terme?

4. Quels sont les impacts psychologiques de la vie dans l'espace?

5. Quelle est le deroulement de vos journees?

6. Comment sont les lits dans l'ISS?

7. Quel est le type d'experiences scientifiques que vous faites durant votre mission?

8. Comment peut-on identifier les etoiles dans L'ISS?

9. Le corps vieillit plus vite dans lespace. Avez-vous eu des problemes lors de votre precedente mission?

10. Lespece humaine peut-elle se reproduire en Impesanteur?

11. Y'a-t-il des points communs personnels entre les astronautes?

12. Comment vivez-vous le fait d'etre loin de votre famille?

13. Comment se passe le retour sur terre?

14. Quavez-vous envie de faire en premier quand vous redescendez sur terre?

15. En tant que Normand quelle est votre fromage prefere?

16. Est-ce que vous avez du fromage deshydrate? Et si oui il est aussi bon que sur terre?

17. Que repondez-vous aux theories des  Platistes ?

18. Qu'est ce qui est le plus difficile de faire comme mission dans l'espace?

19. Avez-vous vu la Terre se degrader au fur et a mesure du temps passe dans l'ISS?

20. En 2023 Vernon est la presidente des villes Ariane a quelques kilometres de notre lycee. Pourriez-vous venir nous voir et nous raconter votre experience?

Translation

1. How does it feel to be the first Frenchman to be appointed as ISS captain?

2. What are your physical and mental preparations for your mission on the ISS?

3. What are the impacts of weightlessness on the body in the long term?

4. What are the psychological impacts of living in space?

5. What is your day like?

6. What are the beds like in the ISS?

7. What kind of science experiments do you do during your mission?

8. How can we identify the stars from the ISS?

9. The body ages faster in space. Did you have any problems on your previous mission?

10. Can the human species reproduce in Zero-gravity?

11. Are there any personal common points between astronauts?

12. How do you feel about being away from your family?

13. How is the return to earth going?

14. What is the first thing you want to do when you come back down to earth?

15. As a Norman, what is your favourite cheese?

16. Do you have dehydrated cheese? And if so, is it as good as on earth?

17. How do you respond to the theories of the "platists"?

18. What is the most difficult thing about doing a mission in space?

19. Have you seen the Earth deteriorate as you spend time on the ISS?

20. In 2023 Vernon is the president of the Ariane cities a few kilometres from our high school. Could you come and tell us about your experience?

ARISS  Celebrating 20 Years of Amateur Radio Continuous Operations on the ISS

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 Lab-Space Station Explorers, and NASAs Space communications and Navigation program.

The primary goal of ARISS is to promote exploration of science, technology, engineering, the arts, and mathematics topics. ARISS does this 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 take part in hands-on learning activities tied to space, space technologies, and amateur radio. For more information, see www.ariss.org

Media Contact:

Dave Jordan, AA4KN

ARISS PR

Like us on Facebook. Follow us on Twitter. Search on Amateur Radio on the ISS and @ARISS_status.
ADVERTISEMENT

The Akwa Ibom State Government has discontinued its free treatment for COVID-19 patients in the state.

The state governor, Udom Emmanuel disclosed this on May 14 during an interview programme in Uyo.

No more free lunch, Mr Emmanuel said in the programme broadcast live via radio and television stations, including Facebook.

Mr Emmanuel said his administration could not continue indefinitely to offer free COVID-19 treatment because of the huge financial cost on the state government.

Whatever has a beginning must also have an end. We may not continue with that level of treatment. It cost us a whole lot of money to treat one patient who is COVID-19 positive, he said.

Over a year, we have been treating COVID patients free, without charging them even one naira.

You could see that in other places, once you fall under the positive outcome of the test, a lot of them take care of themselves, take care of their expenses and so on. We had to show Akwa Ibomites how we respond to issues like this and how much we love them.

The governor urged residents of the state to go out and get vaccinated and also advised them to follow COVID-19 protocol.

Please let us not lose sight, let us still be so much on alert. It is just by the grace of God that we are where we are today. Please still follow the COVID-19 protocol.

We believe people will not lay down their guards so that this would not ravage us again.

Our prayer is that let the new variant not reach us as a country. I dont think we can handle it, judging from what we have seen in other places of the world, he said.

Akwa Ibom as of May 16 has recorded 1,893 cases of COVID-19 infection and 14 related deaths, according to the data from the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control.

Out of that number, 1,853 people have been treated and discharged from the hospitals.

There are only 26 people currently on admission for the viral infection.
The Nigerian government has recovered over $700 million (about N288 billion) stolen funds stashed in foreign countries in the past four years, the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, has said.

He said the recoveries were made possible through proactive and collaborative efforts of foreign nations such as the United States, the United Kingdom, Bailiwick of Jersey, Switzerland, and Ireland.

Mr Malami spoke on Tuesday at the International Conference on Illicit Financial Flow (IFF) and Asset Recovery organised by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC).

He disclosed that developing countries in Africa lost over $148 billion to corruption annually partly due to IFFs.

Nigeria, through proactive and collaborative efforts with other countries has recovered and ensured the return of over $700 million from the United States, the United Kingdom, Bailiwick of Jersey, Switzerland, and Ireland in the past four years.

We are still working with our international partners and other countries to ensure that all Nigerias assets that are identified are recovered, he said.

Mr Malami had also, on Tuesday, said that the country had received a fresh 4.2million (at N2.9billion at unofficial exchange rate) from the United Kingdom recovered from the convicted former Governor of Delta State, James Iboris associates and family members.

His spokesperson, Umar Gwandu, disclosed this in a statement sent to journalists.

Many Nigerians have, however, repeatedly expressed concerns about the true state of the recovered loot and its transparent utilisation especially as the government junkets around the globe to borrow funds.

For instance, the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) in August 2020, sued President Muhammadu Buhari over failure to disclose information and documents relating to the names of people from whom N800 billion in looted public funds have been recovered, specific dates of the recovery, and details of projects on which the money has been spent.

Worries over IFF

Meanwhile, at the conference, Mr Malami, who was represented at the virtual conference by the Senior Special Adviser to the President on Justice Sector Reforms, Juliet Ibekaku-Nwagwu, expressed worries that IFFs have become rife and growing at 20.2 per cent annually in Africa because of weak national and regional capacity to stem the tide.

He lamented that the illicit movement of huge funds out of Africa had resulted in underdevelopment and insecurity across the continent.

No doubt, the impact of such criminal flow of funds means lack of health and education services, low levels of growth, high level of poverty and lack of infrastructure in many African countries.

The minister also said the government was using different mechanisms, including a voluntary asset declaration process approved by President Buhari in Executive Order 008.

He said, In this way, we believe that if Nigerians or Nigerian entities come forward to declare their assets wherever located, the government will apply a levy against those assets.

And also bring the assets within the tax regime. We are also considering different ways to apply non-conviction based procedures in asset recovery to make it less cumbersome and to reduce the time spent in court.

The focus of law enforcement should be to move towards contemporary developments in international lawone of which is to move against assets that are illicit with or without a criminal conviction, especially where there is a voluntary declaration, a plea bargain or where the person in question has absconded.

In his remarks, the ICPC Chairman, Bolaji Owasanoye, noted that the effect of IFFs on developing countries in Africa was huge.

ADVERTISEMENT

He stressed that the need to tackle the menace, which falls under the mandate of the commission, had become paramount in order to shore up the dwindling revenue of the federal government.

He said, Estimates of the quantum of IFFs lost globally vary, but it is generally agreed that a significant proportion of the loss is suffered by developing countries. African countries are particularly affected by loss through IFFs thus depriving the continent of much-needed resources for development.

Foreign minister weighs in

Also speaking at the conference, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Geoffrey Onyeama, who was represented by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Gabriel Aduda, said the ministry was working assiduously to ensure the return of stolen funds and assets to Nigeria.

Mr Onyeama said IFFs are responsible for many of the countrys societal ills and underdevelopment, adding that the federal government had put in place measures to block illicit outflows of funds.

He said, Illicit Financial Flows deny developing countries of vital resources that belong to them; resources that should have been spent on their development priorities. It reduces tax revenues, hinders development endeavours, undermines constituted authorities and threatens the stability and sustainable development of all affected states.

IFFs also provide the financial network that supports terrorist activities, fuels conflict and leads to internal displacement and refugee conditions, divert money from public priorities and hampers government effort to mobilise domestic resources.

The most effective deterrent remains to ensure that proceeds of IFFs are recovered and returned to countries of origin. It is for this reason that the government of Nigeria will continue to call on leaders whose countries are the main destination for IFFs to take concrete steps to prevent and stop the receipt of such funds into their countries, assist in tracing, freezing, seizing and returning illicit assets and its proceeds, already in their countries.

The minister reiterated that Nigeria will not succumb to any stringent condition as it fights to ensure the return of funds and assets stolen from the country by corrupt people.

According to him, Let me also add that any imposition of tough conditions for returning proceeds of illicit origin, in the face of the current financial difficulties and the economic hardship and recession occasioned by the rampaging impact of COVID-19 pandemic would be counter-productive. I, therefore, encourage representatives of countries of destination to consider waiving, or reducing to the barest minimum, the processes and costs of recovery.

Anti-corruption activist speaks

In his contribution, Olanrewaju Suraj, Chairman, Human and Environmental Development Agency (HEDA) said the political will of African states was important in stemming the tide of IFFs, while suggesting serious and aggressive combat of the menace.

Mr Suraj, who said that some governments in Africa had shares in the big companies that engage in IFFs thereby slowing down the progress of stopping it, charged victim countries to challenge beneficiary countries as encouragers of IFFs.

He suggested that law enforcement agencies and the civil society organisations of victim states should collaborate with their counterparts in beneficiary states to be able to exert enough pressure.
ADVERTISEMENT

The Nigeria Labour Congress has suspended its five days warning strike in Kaduna State.

The NLC President, Ayuba Wabba, Wednesday evening, said the decision is to honour the invitation of the Federal Government on Thursday to mediate in the dispute between labour and the Kaduna State Government.

PREMIUM TIMES reported how the federal government said it was concerned with the crisis in Kaduna State between workers and the state government.

The labour minister, Chris Ngige, in a statement Tuesday called on both parties to observe a ceasefire.

PREMIUM TIMES reported how the two major labour coalitions, NLC and TUC, commenced a one-week total strike in Kaduna on Monday leading to the shutdown of electricity, airports, schools and so on in the state.

The workers are opposed to the plan of the state government to sack thousands of workers.

But the Kaduna governor, Nasir El-Rufai, however, says there is no going back on the rightsizing, saying over 90 per cent of the states federal allocation is currently being spent on civil servants.

The governor also declared the leaders of the NLC, led by Ayuba Wabba, as fugitives who should be arrested.

We hope and also pray the Kaduna state Governor not to escalate matters to such a level where it becomes uncontrollable. We also appeal the to the leaders of the labour centres to step down action to make way for discussion, Mr Ngige said in the Tuesday statement by his office.

More details shortly
The Judiciary Staff Union of Nigeria (JUSUN) on Wednesday reviewed its 44-day-old nationwide strike and vowed to continue the crippling industrial action until its demand is met.

Courts at both the state and federal levels have been paralysed across the country since when the strike began on April 6.

JUSUNs resolution to continue the strike comes barely 24 hours after the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Tanko Muhammad, appealed to the union to return to work.

The resolution also comes on the heels of the unions May 8 resolution rejecting the 36 state governors proposed template for the implementation of the judiciarys financial autonomy which the workers are pressing for.

Resolutions

Rising from the meeting of its National Executive Council (NEC) on Wednesday, the union in its communique penned in a-fight-to-the-finish tone, insisted that the strike would not be called off until its demand for the judiciarys financial autonomy was achieved.

NEC-in-Session vows to continue with the ongoing industrial action until the provision of the constitution is fully complied with as the provisions of the constitution are non-negotiable, the unions communique signed by its National Deputy President, Emmanuel Abioye, and its General Secretary, Isiah Adetola, read in part.

It threatened to deal with any of its state chapters found not fully complying with its directive on the ongoing strike action while commending members to remain resolute.

It also warned that no member of any branch or chapter of the union should be victimised on account of this ongoing strike.

Perhaps, sensing that some state Chief Judges might have shown disposition to compromise on the full implementation of the constitutional provision of the financial autonomy of the judiciary, the union also said it frowned on the attitude of some state Chief Judges on their anti-constitutional disposition on the full implementation of the financial autonomy of the judiciary.

The CJN had, after meeting with the labour minister, Chris Ngige, called on JUSUN to call off its strike.

Mr Muhammad, in a statement by his spokesperson, Ahuraka Isah, said his appeal for an end to the strike was informed by the briefing he received from Mr Ngige, who leads the Federal Governments negotiation team that engages with the leadership of the union.

While rejecting the various appeals to call off the strike on Wednesday, JUSUN, however, commended the CJN, Mr Ngige, the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF), Abubakar Malami, the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) as well as the Secretary of the Presidential Implementation Committee of the Financial Autonomy, Ita Enang, on efforts geared towards the full implementation of the financial autonomy of the judiciary as provided in the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended).

NEC-in-Session commends the National President and all members of the National Working Committee (NWC) of the union on the discussions so far and efforts to resolve the ongoing strike action with stakeholders, the communique added.

Warning to Kaduna, Ebonyi governors

The union also commented on fallout of the lingering industrial crisis in Kaduna State triggered by the threat by the governor, Nasir el-Rufai, to reduce the states workforce.

NEC-in-Session condemns the anti-labour disposition of his Excellency, the Governor of Kaduna State, Mallam Nasir el-Rufai, and for illegally declaring the National President of Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Comrade Ayuba Wabba, mni, wanted, the union stated.

It also condemned what it described as the continued anti-labour disposition of the Ebonyi State governor, Engr. Dave Umahi and therefore demands for immediate payment of the withheld August 2020 salary and release of check off duties accruing to the union.

Strike

The strike, which the judiciary workers embarked upon on April 6 to agitate for the financial autonomy of the judiciary particularly at the state level, is now over six weeks.

ADVERTISEMENT

Courts at both the state and federal levels across the country have now been shut for 44 days as a result of the strike.

The CJN has met with the leadership of JUSUN on two occasions since the strike started.

At the end the meetings, the union had insisted on going on with the strike until its demand for strict compliance with constitutional provision that prescribes direct funding of state judiciaries and legislatures directly from the federation account.

Despite meeting with the union leaders on different occasions, the labour minister too has not been able to convince them to call of the strike.

JUSUN recently rejected the 36 state governors proposed template for the implementation of judiciarys financial autonomy being demanded by the workers.

The governors, in their proposal, seek the creation of a State Account Allocation Committee (SAAC) to oversee the distribution of funds to the three arms of government at the state level.

But in a communique the union issued after a May 8 meeting of its National Working Committee (NWC), the union insisted on its demand that funds meant for the state judiciaries must be deducted directly from the federation account and paid to the heads of courts through the National Judicial Council (NJC).

It maintained that the provisions of the constitution cannot be negotiated, doctored, manipulated and therefore must be obeyed.

As a condition to end its ongoing strike, the union insisted that all the state judiciaries funds for October 2020 till May 2021 must be deducted directly from source, the federation account, and paid to the heads of courts through the NJC as prescribed by the constitution.
ADVERTISEMENT

A Max Air aircraft on Tuesday crashed landed with the Emir of Kano, Aminu Ado-Bayero, and many passengers onboard.

The plane reportedly made an emergency landing 10 minutes after taking off from the Aminu Kano International Airport (MAKIA), Daily Trust reported

The aircraft with the number VM1645, which was slated for take-off at 1:30 p.m., had a 30 minutes delay and was only about 10 minutes in the air when it reportedly began to swerve until it made a detour.

The Director of Maintenance of the airliner, Muhammad Mubaraq, in an interview with Daily Trust, debunked media reports that the plane developed an engine fault and that that the passengers had a near death experience.

Mr Mubaraq said What actually happened was that during take off, we had a bird strike and the number two engine ingested some birds and damaged the blade.

Our pilot followed the normal procedure and made an air return on landing. When he landed, the engineers inspected it and replaced the damaged blade. They carried out normal maintenance procedures and released the aircraft.

As I am talking to you, I flew the same aircraft to Abuja. It is very wrong to say they had a near death experience, the newspaper quoted the official as saying.

According to him, there was nothing untoward with what happened. He said bird strike is a common occurrence and the pilot did the right thing by making an air return.

He added that the passengers were disembarked safely without any risk.

The pilot calmly took the plane back to the Kano airport. It was repaired and the plane took off to Abuja and just landed safely in Abuja, one of the passengers told Daily Trust.
The federal government says it is concerned with the crisis in Kaduna State between workers and the state government.

The labour minister, Chris Ngige, in a statement Tuesday called on both parties to observe a ceasefire.

PREMIUM TIMES reported how the two major labour coalitions, NLC and TUC, commenced a one-week total strike in Kaduna on Monday leading to the shutdown of electricity, airports, schools and so on in the state. The workers are opposed to the plan of the state government to sack thousands of workers.

The Kaduna governor, Nasir El-Rufai, however, says there is no going back on the rightsizing, saying over 90 per cent of the states federal allocation is currently being spent on civil servants.

The governor also declared the leaders of the NLC, led by Ayuba Wabba, as fugitives who should be arrested.

We hope and also pray the Kaduna state Governor not to escalate matters to such a level where it becomes uncontrollable. We also appeal the to the leaders of the labour centres to step down action to make way for discussion, Mr Ngige said in the Tuesday statement by his office.

Read the full statement below.

FG WADES INTO NLC/KADUNA FACE-OFF; HOPEFUL ON RESOLUTION OF JUSUN STIKE THURSDAY.

The federal government has waded into the national strike and picketing in Kaduna State by the two labour centres, appealing to the Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, President of the Nigerian Labour Congress, Ayuba Wabba, as well as President of the Trade Union Congress, Qadiri Olaleye, to immediately cease fire.

The Minister of Labour and Employment, Chris Ngige, made the appeal Tuesday in a statement by the Deputy Director, Press and Public Relations in the Ministry, Charles Akpan .

We are not unaware of what is going on in Kaduna State. It is a labour issue which has snowballed into a national strike and picketing by the two labour centres and affiliate unions.

We hope and also pray the Kaduna state Governor not to escalate matters to such a level where it becomes uncontrollable. We also appeal the to the leaders of the labour centres to step down action to make way for discussion.

My Ministry is wading into the matter and therefore calls on the two warring parties to give peace a chance.

The minister also appealed to all workers on essential duties including doctors and nurses not to join the strike.

Importantly, I appeal to workers in critical sectors not to tamper with electrical or water installations so as not to bring more sufferings to the people of Kaduna and the nation at large.

This is because we have it on good authority, following a complaints by the Minister of Power that workers have threatened to trigger a nation-wide blackout by interfering or switching off the national grid.

Similarly, the federal government says it is confident that a week-long fruitful consultations with all the critical stakeholders will end the debilitating strike by the Judicial Staff Union of Nigeria (JUSUN) and the Parliamentary Staff Association of Nigeria when conciliation resumes Thursday.

Addressing the press on the issue today, the Minister of Labour and Employment, Chris Ngige, said he has together with the Secretary of the Presidential Implementation Committee on the Autonomy of the Judiciary and State legislature, Eta Enang, held consummate consultations with all stakeholders, including the Chairman of the Nigeria Governors Forum, Kayode Fayemi, Chairman of Northern Governors Forum, His Excellency, Simon Lalong, officials from the Governors Forum Secretariat, Chairman of Speakers of the State Houses of Assembly as well as the Administrative Secretary of the Conference of Speakers of State Houses of Assembly.

ADVERTISEMENT

 Today, we have deepened the discussion with a meeting with the Chief Justice of Nigeria and the President of the Court of Appeal and other judges who are heads of courts  President of the Federal High Court , President of the National Industrial Court of Nigeria and we looked at the positions canvassed by each of the components  judiciary, legislature and the Governors Forum.

 At the moment, we have distilled on a holistic basis, what this Ministry regards as a conciliatory cocktail position  a mix of ideas from all sides, of constitutional positions, and even part of Presidential Executive Order No.10.

We have come out with a position and given same to all sides, including the body of Chief Judges of States through their representatives, the Chief Judge of Bayelsa as proposals to study and come back. It contains the positions which each group proposed and which in our joint committee, in our wisdom, we felt was necessary to make for the independence- fund wise of the state judiciary and legislature without breaching the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

We have done something that will make the state legislature, judiciary and even the NJC operate optimally.

We have agreed to reconvene for all sides to cross the ts and dot the is on this MOU we have drawn up. We are very hopeful the two unions will call off their strike so we can have industrial peace in the states, open our courts and the state assemblies so that even the state laws contained in the MOU will be enacted as soon as possible, within the 48 days execution period allowed the states to formalise it.

Charles Akpan

Deputy Director Press and Public Relations
ADVERTISEMENT

The Oluwo of Iwo, Abdulrosheed Akanbi, has suggested death penalty for bandits and other gunmen arrested for threatening the security of Nigeria.

Mr Akanbi made this suggestion Tuesday while speaking at a farmer-herder summit held in Iwo Local Government of Osun State.

He said there must be the death penalty for kidnappers and no Human Rights advocate should kick against that. Government must begin to kill corrupt people irrespective of their ethnicity, be it Fulani Hausa, Yoruba or any tribe.

If the security forces cannot enforce the law, then there would be anarchy, ritualists, corrupt people, kidnappers should be killed henceforth.

He also charged herders in his local government to work hand in hand with him to ensure that criminals perpetrating abductions and killings in Iwo get arrested.

I want you to work with me to identify criminals penetrating your ranks so that I would not join those who are calling for your expulsion in the Southwest

You would chase the criminals always by working with the chiefs, and security agencies. I still stand by my words that Fulani should come and stay in Iwo, but I dont want criminals because we cant identify with them, he said.

The monarch also called for the recruitment of more policemen and community policing.

Security challenges would be significantly solved if the government gives traditional rulers constitutional power. I also prefer devolution of power, not restructuring. Then we also need State Police.

Government must recruit more policemen. Nigeria must become a police state, Mr Akanbi said.
ADVERTISEMENT

The National Lottery Regulatory Commission (NLC) is partnering with anti-corruption agencies to curb fraud in the lottery system, its Director-General, Lanre Gbajabiamila, has said.

According to him, the collaboration with the National Information Technology and Development Agency (NITDA), the Economic Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) will help to combat cyber fraud that is associated with lottery in the country.

A statement signed by Magnus Ekechukwu, assistant director, Public Affairs, of the commission, quoted Mr Gbajabiamila as saying on Tuesday that part of the plan to tackle fraud is setting up of a central monitoring system.

Revenue boost

This, he said, would ensure that all earnings due to government on lottery were collected with precision.

Mr Gbajabiamila said with the new system, all the loopholes and drains in the lottery business would be blocked to ensure that all taxes and revenues payable to government are fully collected and remitted.

He said this could make the commission become one of the top revenue earners for Nigeria.

I am upbeat that in a matter of some few years, lottery shall become a major source of revenue for Nigeria,

Mr Gbajabiamila said further that with the arrangements being put in place by the commission, lottery would soon be contributing significantly to the federal treasury as it is being done in advanced countries like America, UK and Spain.

Commission raking in billions

He also claimed that that the commission under his watch had been reogarnised and raking in billions of Naira for the government and it has continued to grow steadily since then.

The Director General said the commission under his leadership was totally committed to the goals of the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari on the diversification of Nigerias economy.

We have remained tirelessly ingenious in engendering means of improving on revenue earnings for Nigeria and bettering lottery business in all ramifications, he said.

He said both the management and staff members of the commission were already being trained and given enhanced welfare package for the workers.

He assured that in addition to the recently approved Peculiar Allowance for members of staff of the commission, the enhanced salary structure permitted for them since 2015 would become implementable after the realisation of the new monitoring system as the commission would then have sufficient funds to meet its obligations.

The Director General further revealed that work is at advanced stage on the establishment of an indigenous National Game with all the benefits of higher revenues for the government, greater dividends for players and profound growth in the industry, generally.

He commended the Minister of Special Duties, George Akume, who supervises the commission, and the Governing Board of the commission led by Fatai Ibikunle, as well as the management and staff members for what he described as their supportive roles.
The management of Adamawa State University has failed to reinstate the students press club operating in the institution one year after banning its operations.

Belmond Benson, the universitys spokesperson, told PREMIUM TIMES the case is still being handled by the appropriate quarters.

Due process is being followed, Mr Benson said when asked for an update on the lifting of the ban.

They have written so its being processed. Before the school went on lockdown they were looking for them and they couldnt reach the students so they left the matter like that until we resume now.

And there are lots of issues that are coming up again. The matter is being handled by the management, he said.

Mr Benson, however, refused to state when the press club would be reinstated.

Premium Times earlier reported that the management banned the press club for three months for allegedly posing a threat to the security of other students on campus.

In a letter forwarded to the president of the press club, signed by the Acting Registrar, Ahmed Ghaji, it stated that Management has received with dismay the report on the activities of the Press Club and the threat it poses to the security of other students on campus.

According to the statement, the press club was banned from operating on campus for three months with effect from January 27.

Mr Ghaji directed the press club to immediately stop every activity and ensure strict compliance by all members.

Freedom on campuses

During this years World Press Freedom Day, the National Union of Campus Journalists reiterated its condemnation of the move by the school management and student union government to gag press freedom on campus.

The union rejects all forms of attacks on campus press organizations and students journalists and other actions that may stifle free press on campus, it said in the statement.

At NUCJ, we shall continue to promote freedom of the press and protect the collective interests of campus journalists across Nigeria.

In May 2019, a student of Akwa Ibom State University (AKSU), Ikot Akpaden, was suspended indefinitely from the school for allegedly calling the university vice-chancellor foolish on Facebook.

In February 2019, six students of the Madonna University, Okija, Anambra State, were arrested and detained for posting offensive messages on Facebook. They have been released on bail.

In October 2020, PREMIUM TIMES reported how the Taraba State University expelled a first-year student, Joseph Israel, after he repeatedly criticised the state governor, Darius Ishaku, on Facebook.

In November 2020, the management of the Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta, (FUNAAB) in Ogun State, expelled one of its students over a Facebook post drawing the attention of the public to the alleged indiscriminate arrest of his colleagues by the police and incessant robbery attacks on campus.

Last year, the State Security Services (SSS) arrested and charged Ayoola Babalola, a campus journalist, to court for allegedly publishing articles in a campus newspaper called GAPOSA Trumpet in which he served as the editor. Mr Babalola was remanded in Ibara Maximum Prison in Abeokuta and later released on bail.

ADVERTISEMENT
New York, May 18, 2021  Israeli forces must immediately stop bombing the offices of media outlets in Gaza and do their utmost to protect all members of the press, the Committee to Protect Journalists said today.

Yesterday, Israeli warplanes bombed and damaged a Gaza City office building housing the office of the Nawa Online Women Media Network, a news website affiliated with the womens rights and youth organization Filastiniyat, according to a Facebook post by the outlet and a report by the Skeyes Center for Media and Cultural Freedom, a regional press freedom group.

Israeli forces did not send any prior warning of the bombing, which killed two civilians identified as a man and his daughter, the outlet wrote in its Facebook post. Last week, Israel bombed three buildings housing at least 17 local and international media outlets in Gaza City, including Al-Jazeera and The Associated Press.

Separately, today, Israeli forces in East Jerusalem assaulted Latifeh Abdellatif, a Palestinian reporter for the news website Middle East Eye, while she was filming those forces making arrests, according to her employer and footage of the incident posted on social media.

In less than a week, Israel has bombed the offices of at least 18 media outlets, and its difficult to reach any conclusion other than that the Israeli military wants to shut down news coverage of the suffering in Gaza, said CPJs Middle East and North Africa representative Ignacio Miguel Delgado. Israel must stop bombing the offices of news outlets and step up efforts to ensure that local and international journalists can work safely and freely.

Wafa Abdel-Rahman, editor-in-chief of the Nawa Online Women Media Network, told Skeyes that the outlets employees were unable to reach the remains of the office because of the damage inflicted in the bombing.

According to the testimony of the buildings security guard, who survived miraculously, no prior warning was given and the building was bombed at 6 p.m., Abdel-Rahman said.

Today in Jerusalem, Abdellatif was covering a protest at the Old Citys Damascus Gate when she saw Israeli forces detaining a child and his father, and other Palestinians trying to free them, according to her employers report and the footage of her assault. As she attempted to film the arrest, Israeli security officers shoved her, hit her in the knee with a baton, and pulled down her headscarf, despite Abdellatif identifying herself as a member of the press, according to those sources.

Middle East Eye did not immediately respond to an email from CPJ inquiring about the extent of the journalists injuries.

Separately, last week, Mohammad al-Louh, a reporter for the Fatah-affiliated radio station Al-Shabab Radio, and Elias Karram, a correspondent for the Qatari broadcaster Al-Jazeera, were each injured while reporting.

Al-Louh told Skeyes that he was covering the destruction of a home in the Gaza City neighborhood of Tel Hawa on May 11 when an Israeli warplane dropped a bomb nearby.

Shrapnel from the bomb penetrated al-Louhs right leg, fractured his rib, and bruised him; he was taken to Gazas Al-Shifa Hospital for treatment, according to the journalists posts and pictures on Facebook, and a statement by Palestinian press freedom group MADA.

The bombing caught me by surprise, because there was no warning, he told Skeyes.

On May 13, a rocket fired from Gaza exploded near Karram while he was reporting near the southern Israeli city of Ashkelon, according to Skeyes and Al-Jazeera footage that Karram shared on his Facebook account. The rocket knocked Karram to the ground, resulting in bruising on his left knee, according to those sources.

Those Al-Jazeera reports show that Karram was treated at the scene and was not seriously injured.

CPJ is also investigating Israeli forces bombing yesterday of a Gaza City apartment building that housed Mashareq, an advertising and media production company.

The outlets website is currently down and CPJ was unable to determine whether the company produced journalistic content; on its Facebook page, it has published videos including a public service announcement covering Chinas handling of the COVID-19 pandemic and a promotional video for a local human rights group.

In a video posted on Facebook by Mashareq, a missile can be seen hitting the companys office building and causing it to collapse immediately. Hazem Abu Hamid, director of the audio production team at Mashareq, told Skeyes that no one had been notified of the attack in advance.

ADVERTISEMENT

We didnt expect the bombing because we are a media and civilian company. There was nobody in the building, but we lost all the equipment, including computers, printers, and the filming equipment, not to mention that all 60 employees of the company are now unemployed, Abu Hamid said.

CPJ emailed the Israel Defense Forces North America desk and the Hamas information office for comment, but did not immediately receive any reply.
Hawaiian special event

Several Hawaiian Amateur Radio operators will activate the special event station K6K to celebrate 'King Kamehameha the Great and Hawaii's Rich History' on June 11th, between 06:00am HST - (1600z) until 10:00pm HST (0600Z).

Excerpts from a press release by Michael, KH6ML, states [edited]: Amateur Radio Operators will activate special-event station K6K to celebrate King Kamehameha the Great and Hawaii's rich history. K6K special event station will give HAMS a chance to add Hawaii to their logs to earn WAS or DCXX awards.

Successful radio contacts are eligible to receive a special and inscribed a certificate bearing the full-color rendition of K6K: King Kamehameha Celebration.

After hearing about the cancellation of all King Kamehameha Celebration parade events statewide, Michael Miller - KH6ML , a community emergency coordinator, spoke with amateur radio operators and a few people with the

Commission to see if there was a level of interest to make the event happen. This station is authorized by the King Kamehameha Celebration Commission as an official event.

The Kamehameha Day Holiday was proclaimed by King Kamehameha I's grand-son, Lot Kapuaiwa - King Kamehameha V, in 1871, followed by an inaugural celebration of events on June 11, 1872. Years later, in 1939, the Commission was formed under the Hawai'i Territorial Legislature.

TO VIEW A SHORT CLIP OF 2020 lei draping and short history, see:

https://fb.watch/4rB_6oMA7H

Operating Rules:

* This is not a contest. The idea is to allow as many operators as possible to reach the contact station operators and learn about King Kamehameha the Great and why he is celebrated in Hawaii.

* All radio operators must operate their stations strictly in accordance with their countries' or FCC regulations. Any authorized amateur radio frequency may be used.

* Stations should listen for K6K calling "CQ K6K"

* The main modes will be SSB, FM, FT-8, and Winlink. Other Modes may be added.

* QSLS: eQSLs are available via LoTW. NO Paper QSLs.

* CERTIFICATES: Are self-printed (by you) for contacts with our Special Event Station. If you contact our Special Event Station, look up your callsign on the following link and print your own certificate: (Link to follow). Please allow 30 days for all logs to be processed.

For more info see: https://sites.google.com/view/k6khawaii

OPDX
ADVERTISEMENT

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) says it has arrested a 23-year-old movie producer, Emmanuel Eneji, and 19 others for alleged internet fraud in Calabar, Cross River State.

The commission said in a statement on Wednesday that the suspects were arrested by its operatives in the Uyo Zonal Office on Tuesday.

The other 19 suspects, according to the statement signed by EFCCs spokesperson, Wilson Uwujaren, are between 19 and 36.

They include, Okonkwo Chukwudi Charles, Obua Akwo Promise, Angba Murphy, Adie Stephen, Success Otu Edem, Asukwo Emmanuel, Godspower Akwo, Anibiet Nna, Jesam Akpama and Dennis Jerry.

The rest are, Princewill Sunny, Godbless Olulu, Charles Onwuneme, David Njoku, Victor Francis, Goodluck Alabo, Happiness Otu, Nwadike Kelechi and Obasi Ugochukwu.

The suspects were picked up at different locations within the state capital, namely Ekorimim, Ifete junction, Parliamentary by Car Park and Behind Zone 6 by Monty Suit.

Their arrest was facilitated by credible intelligence regarding their nefarious activities, the statement added.

It also disclosed that items recovered from the suspects included one unmarked black Toyota Corolla car, one red Toyota Avalon with registration number-CHR 56 AF, various sophisticated mobile phones, laptops, one WiFi Router, one Modulator-demodulator and flash drives.

The suspects will be charged to court as soon as the commission concludes its investigation, it also stated.

Earlier

EFCCs raid of various locations for the arrest of suspected cybercrime offenders, widely known as Yahoo Boys, appears to be a daily routine across major Nigerian cities, including Calabar.

READ ALSO: EFCC arrests 20 suspected internet scammers in Imo

Many of the suspects, according to EFCCs updates on the operations, are sometimes of diverse professional background, including the military.

In August 2020, the EFCC disclosed in a statement that it arrested a serving soldier, Ajayi Kayode, a lance corporal, and 26 others for alleged internet fraud in the Lekki axis of Lagos State.

Earlier on Tuesday, the anti-graft agency said its operatives arrested a former soldier, Adebisi Jamiu, and 33 others for alleged internet fraud in Osogbo, the Osun State capital.
The ongoing five-day warning strike by labour unions in Kaduna State will cost the state huge economic losses, a university don has warned.

Terhemba Wuam, a professor of Economic History at Kaduna State University, gave the warning in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Kaduna.

He said the poor masses would be left to bear the burden.

NAN recalls that the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) on Monday began a five-day warning strike over a plan to sack civil servants by the state government.

The strike, which entered day three on Wednesday, had crippled economic activities in the state with the government and business owners counting their losses.

According to the professor, the suspension of electricity supply, closures of petrol stations and the shutdown of economic activities will have huge economic consequences for the government and the people.

The state government says it is rightsizing its civil service so as not to be spending a larger portion of its money on civil servants.

Labour, on the other hand, is saying, do not sack our members in the name of right sizing.

While both are right in their arguments, there is something both parties are missing in this unending debate  the strategic role of recurrent expenditure in the development of the state.

He said the labour unions failed to put up an argument that when the government pay salaries, it is not only the civil servants that consume what the state gets from the federation account.

Mr Wuam explained that when the government pays salaries, it workers use the money in training millions of children in primary, secondary and tertiary institutions, critical in human capital development.

The labour union should tell the government that it is the money they earn as salaries that service half of the state in terms of ensuring that education, health and other government services are delivered.

Both labour unions and the government are missing this point, he said.

The lecturer further pointed out the overwhelming emphasis on the importance of capital projects, stressing, however, that recurrent expenditure could even be more important.

He noted that although capital projects might provide the buildings, the roads and other infrastructure, at the level of the countrys growth and development, the multiplier effect might be limited.

For example, when you pay a Chinese company N10 billion for capital projects executed, that money goes to China.

But if you pay Kaduna State civil servants that N10 billion, they train your citizens, provide health services to the citizens, collect taxes and the money is retained within the economy.

The government has its valid point, but the labour unions have to make the government understand, through dialogue, that what they are fighting for will contribute to the states development agenda, he said.

ADVERTISEMENT

Mr Wuam advised the state government and the labour unions to consider going to the negotiating table as fast as possible as a better option in the interest of both parties and residents of the state.

He said the most important thing at this point was for both parties to reach a middle ground so that what they were fighting for would be for the development of Kaduna State.

The economic historian further stressed the need for a rethink around the economy.

He said that considering the level of states and federal governments financial obligations, simply downsizing or managing the national cake as it was would no longer be sufficient.

According to him, economic productivity will have to be doubled within a decade or stand the risk of total collapse.

He said the fundamentals for doubling the rate of economic growth exists and must be tapped by the government, people of the state and the country.

(NAN)
ADVERTISEMENT

A bill for an Act to alter the 1999 Constitution to allow judges of the High Court elevated to the Court of Appeal to conclude criminal matters despite such elevation, passed second reading in the House of Representatives on Wednesday.

The bill, if it becomes law, will provide quick dispensation of justice, Onofiok Luke (PDP, Akwa Ibom), the sponsor of the bill, said.

He also said when passed, it would help in the completion of criminal matters by judges of High Court before their elevation to the Court of Appeal.

The lawmaker said a criminal case being tried by a judge of a High Court should be allowed to be dispensed notwithstanding his promotion to the Appeal Court.

The Chairman House Committee on Rules and Business, Abubakar Fulaka, in his contribution, said it was a common practice that judges would be elevated whenever there was vacancy.

He however added that the bill was important so as to forestall the decision of the court from sending any criminal case back to the drawing board because of an elevated judge handling the case.

The decision of the court often set us back to where we had left. It is in this view to give liberty to the judge handling criminal case in the High Court, he said.

He added that since a judge had been elevated to Appeal Court, it was only imperative to allow the judge return to the High Court to continue hearing the criminal matters.

Abdulrasaq Namadas (APC-Adamawa), in his contribution, said three months should be given to the elevated judge to handle and dispense the case.

ALSO READ: Nigerian stocks add N34 billion as bull run continues

He said this was necessary in a bid to expedite action on dispensation of justice, stressing that the bill should be considered as a positive revolution in the countrys criminal justice system.

Solomon Bob (PDP-Rivers) said it was an interesting bill because it had to do with dispensation of justice, adding that justice delayed is justice denied.

He said the bill should be looked into to address the anomaly in the criminal justice system.

After debate, the House passed the bill for second reading and asked the constitution review committee to further look into it.

(NAN)
ADVERTISEMENT

The lawmaker representing Aboh Mbaise/Ngor Okpala federal constituency of Imo State, Bede Eke (PDP, Imo), on Wednesday, said members of his constituency are threatening to recall him over the electoral bill.

Mr Eke, citing order six rule two and one (point of privilege), said his constituents are threatening to recall him if he should fail to discuss the continued delay by the House of Representatives to consider the report on the Electoral Act.

In March, the report on the bill was laid by the Chairman of the House Committee on Electoral and Political Matters, Aisha Dukku (APC, Gombe).

There was a plan by the committee to lay the report in February, but it was postponed.

Spokesperson of the House, Benjamin Kalu (APC, Abia), explained that the presentation was postponed to allow APC members to conclude the membership validation and registration process.

The panel, however, presented the report in March but the House has yet to consider it because of frequent holidays embarked by the lower legislative chamber.

While raising his point of order, Mr Eke said the deadline of the first quarter set for the passage of the bill already passed. He urged his colleagues to keep to their words to pass the bill.

Mr Speaker, I am getting calls from my constituents. They threatened to recall me if I dont raise this matter. I want to beg this House because I believe this is a responsible House. I know this House as a House that keeps to her promise. Since that report has been laid, let us consider and pass this bill so that the president can assent to the bill, Mr Eke said.

The lawmaker was ruled out of order by the presiding officer, Deputy Speaker Idris Wase (APC, Plateau), who said other reports before the House were also important.

I want to guide you. Every report before the House is important. To insinuate that this House is not keeping to its word is wrong. I hereby rule you out of order.

Section 69 of the 1999 constitution as amended gives the power of recall to constituents.

The said bill suffered several setbacks in the 8th Assembly.

All attempts to amend the bill by the legislature failed as President Muhamadu Buhari rejected the bill on different occasions.
ADVERTISEMENT

The House of Representatives has resolved to investigate allegations of negligence against two local airlines, Max Air and Aero Contractors.

The decision to investigate the two airlines followed a motion of urgent public importance moved by Bala Umar (APC, Kano), on Wednesday.

In his motion, Mr Umar said the Emir of Kano, Aminu Bayero and 139 others escaped death while flying Max Air on Tuesday from Aminu Kano International Airport, Kano to Nnamdi Azikwe Airport, Abuja due to reported engine failure.

He stated that 90 people also escaped crash while on Aero Contractors.

According to the lawmaker, the Boeing 737-500 was struck by a bird 10 minutes into the flight but had to return to base.

Mr Umar said the investigation aims to investigate allegations of negligence on the part of the airlines, and to prevent cases of bird strikes, particularly at the Aminu Kano airport.

This, the lawmaker said, is to eliminate air accidents resulting from engine failure and bird strikes in order to safeguard the lives and properties of Nigerians.

This deliberation comes on the heels of air mishaps, mostly involving military jets.

In February, King Air 350 crashed after reporting engine failure en-route Minna. Seven personnel of the Nigeria Airforce died in the crash.

Meanwhile, following the adoption of the motion, the House Committee on Aviation was mandated to investigate the matter.
The Federal High Court has said its scramble to catch up with the trend of adoption of virtual hearing amid the closure of physical courts during the ongoing judiciary workers nationwide strike, is being hampered by lack of fund.

PREMIUM TIMES understands that the Federal High Court is among many Nigerian courts that still sparingly embrace virtual hearing despite putting in place the COVID-19-motivated practice directions recognising remote proceedings since last year.

This newspaper learnt that the Chief Judge of the court, John Tsoho, had directed his colleagues to deliver judgements via virtual court sitting while the judiciary workers strike which entered its seventh week on Tuesday, lingers.

But the court told our reporter that it could not fully join the trend being adopted by other courts due to paucity of fund.

Limited facilities

The courts Chief Information Officer, Catherine Nwandu, said lack of funds had hampered the installation of virtual court facilities across all its jurisdictions.

Mrs Nwandu, however, said the courts divisions in Abuja, Kano, Lagos and Port-Harcourt had been delivering judgements through virtual proceedings.

Our judges have been delivering judgements via virtual court proceedings while the strike lingers, but where we have Internet facilities are Lagos, Abuja, Port-Harcourt and Kano Divisions.

Because of lack of funds, the rest of the courts divisions cannot sit virtually. We are still trying to cope with essential needs; because of financial constraint, we decided to look at Abuja, Lagos, Port-Harcourt and Kano jurisdictions, she said.

She attributed the funding problem to the yearly fall in the courts allocations.

The budget of the Federal High Court has been on a downward trend; it kept going down whereas we keep recruiting more judges. The budget has been going down for years now, she said.

Mrs Nwandu explained that the courts judges had been delivering judgements on time-bound cases like political matters.

During the coronavirus pandemic, the National Judicial Council (NJC) constituted a committee on virtual court sitting, which the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court, Justice John Tsoho is a member, she said.

But she added that with the Federal High Court having divisions in all the 36 states of the federation and the Federal Capital Territory of Abuja, to replicate virtual court proceedings facilities across all the divisions require funds.

Incidentally, workers under the Judiciary Staff Union of Nigeria (JUSUN), embarked on the ongoing nationwide strike on April 6 in agitation for the financial independence of the judiciary which they hope would lead to more allocation of funds to the third arm of government.

COVID and virtual hearing

During last years COVID-19 lockdown, the courts Chief Judge, like heads of many other courts in the country, guided by the NJC, issued a practice direction adopting virtual proceedings in May 2020.

The Federal High Courts version of the practice direction also recognised electronic means of serving court documents and hearing notices during the COVID-19 pandemic period.

ADVERTISEMENT

Despite having this in place, many courts barely embraced virtual hearing before they fully reopened as the lockdown eased up last year.

But with the judiciary workers strike persisting, many of those courts are now racing to join the trend of remote hearings amid rising concerns about judges missing deadlines for delivery of judgments and huge backlog of cases left unaddressed.

The Supreme Court, the Court of Appeal, and the National Industrial Court, all federal institutions, have held skeletal virtual proceedings during the ongoing strike which started on April 6.

Among them all, only the National Industrial Court stands out as the only one that has fully adopted virtual hearing even before the ongoing strike began.

Judiciarys quest for improved funding

In November 2020, the NJC identified poor allocation of fund as the bane of the judiciarys efforts to digitise its operations.

Appearing for the budget defence at the House of Representatives Committee on Judiciary, the commissions Executive Secretary of the council, Ahmed Saleh, appealed to the legislative and executive arms of government to increase the funding for the judiciary in line with the realities of the times.

He said some of the challenges facing the judiciary include the non-disbursement of the financial relief promised in the wake of the pandemic.

Mr Saleh also stated that the Supreme Court had, at the time, increased its judges from 12 to 20 which according to him requires more expenses.

He added that the COVID-19 pandemic caused the judiciary to continue to leverage on ICT which requires more money.

Ex-CJNs lament insufficient funds

A former Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Aloma Mukhtar, had during the Supreme Courts new legal year ceremony held on September 23, 2013, lamented the poor funding of Nigerias judiciary.

She said budgetary allocation to the judiciary had steadily declined from N95 billion in 2010 to N85 billion in 2011, N75 billion in 2012 and to N67 billion in 2013.

A situation where budgetary allocation to the judiciary continues to drop while the general government budget is on a steady increase every year is clearly an impediment to the quick dispensation of justice in Nigeria and on the whole a setback to the current effort at transforming the judiciary, she had said.

Similarly speaking on the issue years later in 2016, Ms Mukhtars successor, Mahmud Mohammed, said budgetary challenges permeating the nation, no doubt affects the Judiciary more than any other arm of government, and remains a perennial challenge to judicial independence and the effective performance of our constitutional roles.
The price of Bitcoin, the worlds most popular cryptocurrency, fell further below the $40,000 on Wednesday after China on Tuesday announced that no banks or online payments channels are permitted to offer clients any services involving cryptocurrency.

The institutions must not provide saving, trust or pledging services of cryptocurrency, nor issue financial products related to cryptocurrency, China said in the statement.

Recently, crypto currency prices have skyrocketed and plummeted, and speculative trading of cryptocurrency has rebounded, seriously infringing on the safety of peoples property and disrupting the normal economic and financial order, China said.

Like Nigeria, China has banned crypto exchanges and initial coin offerings but has not barred individuals from holding cryptocurrencies.

On February 5, the Central Bank of Nigeria had directed banks in the country to close all cryptocurrency-related accounts.

The CBN later explained that it banned cryptocurrency-related transactions in the country because the digital currency could be used for money laundering and terrorism.

As the names imply, while Central Banks can issue Digital Currencies, cryptocurrencies are issued by unknown and unregulated entities, the CBN said.

At around 8:44 AM Nigerian time, data from coinmarketcap.com showed that the price of Bitcoin had slumped by 12.02 per cent in the last 24 hours and 30.96 per cent in a week, while the market capitalization dipped by 11.44 per cent ($748,245,751,295.07).

In the past 24-hour, Bitcoin hit a low of $38,717.16 and oscillated to a high of $45,688.28 before settling at $40,260.17 on Wednesday 08.52 AM Nigerian time, this represents a 10.44 per cent change in price within this period according to coinmarketcap.com.

It is lowest the currency would trade for since mid April.

Bitcoin and other crypto currencies have faced pressure since Teslas owner, Elon Musk, last Thursday announced that the electric car company had suspended vehicle purchases using Bitcoin, saying, We are concerned about the rapidly increasing use of fossil fuels for Bitcoin mining and transactions, especially coal, which has the worst emissions of any fuel.

He said Cryptocurrency is a good idea on many levels and we believe it has a promising future, but this cannot come at great cost to the environment.

Tesla will not be selling any Bitcoin and we intend to use it for transactions as soon as mining transitions to more sustainable energy. We are also looking at other cryptocurrencies that use <1% of Bitcoins energy/transaction, Mr Musks comments read.

Meanwhile, three months ago the electric car maker revealed it bought $1.5 billion worth of bitcoins, and that it will start accepting payments in bitcoin for its products.

Other Cryptocurrencies too

The prices of other cryptocurrencies such as Ether, XRP and Doge also plummeted sharply.

Within the last 24 hours, Ethereum, XRP and Doge coins fell by 16.04 per cent, 3.88 per cent and 15.37 per cents respectively.

Similarly, in the past seven days Ethereum, XRP and Dogecoin slumped by 31.35 per cent, 1.18 per cent and 18.29 per cent respectively, according to data gleaned from coinmarketcap.com as at 09.20 Am Nigerian time.

Iniobong Williams, a cryptocurrency analyst, who runs WillyWealth crypto masterclass in Abuja, said a number of things could have triggered the drop in the prices of crypto assets.

ADVERTISEMENT

Mr Williams said, From a technical perspective price had shown significant weakness around the $60,000 region for a couple weeks.

He said it is normal at this point for certain investors and traders to sell off existing positions for profits, and that this action usually leads to decline in price.

The crypto space has also seen somewhat negative tweets from CEO of Tesla billionaire, Elon Musk on the increasing use of fuel fossils for Bitcoin mining and transactions which goes against his belief on environmental safety and preservation, Mr Williams told PREMIUM TIMES via WhatsApp interview.

Influential figures over the years have the ability to influence the market by just comments because of their huge followings on social media. His comments may have triggered a lot of other investors to sell off their positions, he said.

However, Mr Williams believes that there will always be a rebound in the market as the market operates on the laws of demand and supply.

$30,000 to $20,000 should be a region to anticipate for fresh demand in the market, he added.
ADVERTISEMENT

A Nigerian broadcaster and human rights advocate, Ahmed Isah, popularly known as Ordinary President, who anchors the popular Berekete family show on Human Rights radio Abuja, has publicly apologised for hitting a lady on his show.

Mr Isah on Wednesday during the show apologised to Nigerians for his actions. He was joined by several listeners, some of whom called in to apologise on his behalf.

A BBC documentary that premiered on May 17, 2021, showed Mr Isah, losing control and slapping a lady identified as Susan who was accused of burning her little nieces hair who she claimed is a witch. From the documentary, the little girl suffered a major burn on her head.

Following this documentary, many Nigerians flayed Mr Isah for his violent reaction while interviewing the suspect on his show. Some, however, commended Mr Isah for his many humanitarian works.

Ahmed Isah apologises on Brekete show

Mr Isah, while apologising on his show on Wednesday, however, accused Peter Nkanga, the reporter who shot the documentary of trying to set him up with his wife.

Peter Nkanga, because he knows I like women, it appeared he wanted to set me up with his wife who at a time called me continuously saying some kind things and when I asked she told me she was his wife and a lawyer

Mr Isah also announced that the Brekete show would no longer continue after this month.

I do not know how this will sound to you all. I did not consult with anyone but by the first of next month we will stop the programme; since the programme (Brekete show) is their problem.

He, however, rescinded his decision of stopping the show after listeners pleaded with him not to give the enemy what they wanted.

When this reporter tried to reach Mr Nkanga for comments, he continuously declined calls. He also did not respond to a text message sent to his mobile number as of the time of filing this report.

Meanwhile, while apologising on the Brekete show, Mr Isah accused some unnamed persons of plotting to kill him.

According to him,  I got a security call from someone in Anambra asking me not to come, that the people who were pressuring me had planned to kill me

Mr Isah made these comments in response to a story of eight young boys who were allegedly taken from their homes in Anambra State 20 years ago by a one time senator of Anambra North.

According to the BBC report, these boys were taken from their homes for allegedly throwing fireworks at the ex-senator who responded by sending vigilantes to round them and since 2001 no one has seen them.
ADVERTISEMENT

Some unknown persons in the early hours of Wednesday attacked and set ablaze two offices of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Ebonyi State, Nigerias South-east.

The offices are located at Ezza North and Izzi local government areas of the state.

INEC spokesperson in Ebonyi State, Cornelius Ali, confirmed the attack to reporters in Abakaliki.

Mr Ali said the fire destroyed power generating sets, voting cubicles and other materials in the affected facilities.

The commissions officials in the state have visited the facilities to assess the level of damage, Mr Ali said.

He, however, allayed fears that the attack might jeopardise the forthcoming continuous voter registration exercise slated for June.

Early this morning, we got a report that some persons have attacked and set our local government area offices in Ezza North and Izzi LGAs ablaze, destroying valuables belonging to the commission.

READ ALSO: Gunmen set another police facility ablaze in Imo

When we got there, we saw that buildings housing our offices have been razed while generators, cubicles and other INEC materials in these offices have been completely destroyed, Ali said.

The spokesperson said the arsonists had inflicted heavy loss on the commission but noted that the attack would not deter it from carrying out its statutory responsibilities to the people.

The police spokesperson in the state, Loveth Odah declined comment on the incident when contacted by NAN.

INEC offices have been similarly attacked in other states in the South-east and the South-south regions lately.

The attacks, including those targeted at police and other security agencies, appeared to have been deliberately planned to undermine state institutions and authorities in the regions.

(NAN)
ADVERTISEMENT

The Chairman of the Fiscal Responsibility Commission (FRC), Victor Muruako, has accused some revenue-generating agencies of the federal government of failing to remit over N1.2 trillion to the Consolidated Revenue Funds.

Mr Muruako blamed the abuse of the fiscal regime by the MDAs on the defects in the Fiscal Responsibility Act, 2007.

He noted that some government-owned enterprises are failing to remit 80 per cent of the operating surplus as stipulated by the Fiscal Responsibility Act.

Mr Muruako made this known while briefing journalists on Wednesday in Abuja.

He stated that over N2.15 trillion had been remitted by some agencies since the law came into effect.

From our records, the total figure paid as Operating Surplus since the establishment of the FRC to date is beyond N2.15 trillion which, by the way, could not have been possible without the Act and the Commission, given that there would have been no law, rule, regulation or institution requiring such returns.

Sadly, many MDAs persist in defaulting and practically keeping money away from the federal governments reach for funding its budgets. Our records indicate that over N1.2 trillion is still in the hands of defaulting MDAs, Mr Muruako said.

He explained further that 60 per cent of MDAs are failing to comply with the Medium-Term Expenditure Framework, thereby taking more projects they have the capacity for.

According to him, this inability to comply with MTEF is responsible for abandoned projects.

Over 60 per cent of government agencies do not associate their annual budgets with a Medium-Term Expenditure Framework. This is responsible for some agencies simultaneously undertaking more projects than they can handle per time.

The penchant of approving new contracts by new Governments to the detriment of existing contracts as well as inadequate funding lead to a litter of abandoned projects, he said.

Another defect with the existing FRA, according to the chairman, is the lack of standard debt limit criteria for states and local governments.

He said the debt-GDP ratio currently being used is not efficient to determine the debt limit for states, adding that some states do not have accurate data on GDP.

We understand that the fact that states are yet to have data on their GDPs is part of the challenge in setting the debt limits. While the Debt Management Office (DMO) relies on the globally acknowledged index of debt-to-GDP-ratio for measuring the sustainability of the nations debt profile, the sustainability of debts of respective states is left unmeasured, Mr Muruako said.

The chairman said there was a need for the FRA to be amended to address the defects in the principal law.

The bill to amend the FRA Act was introduced on Wednesday, during the plenary.
Fanon did not live to see his adoptive country become free from French colonial domination, something he believed had become inevitable.

by Hamza Hamouchene (Review of African Political Economy)

Sixty years after the death of the revolutionary Frantz Fanon and the publication of his masterpiece, The Wretched of the Earth, Algeria is undergoing another revolution. In the first of a two-part blogpost, Hamza Hamouchene provides a brief historical account of Fanons anti-colonial thought, his critique of the postcolonial ruling elites and the new popular movement (Hirak) engulfing Algeria.

During the upheavals that the North African and West Asian region witnessed a decade agowhat has been dubbed the Arab Spring- Fanons thought proved to be as relevant as ever. Not only relevant, but insightful in helping to grasp the violence of the world we live in, and the necessity of a sustained rebellion against it.

Fanons wrote during in a period of decolonisation in Africa and elsewhere in the Global South. Born in Martinique, a French colony in the Caribbean, though Algerian by choice, he wrote from the vantage point of the Algerian revolution against French colonialism and of his political experiences on the African continent. Today, we might ask: can his analyses transcend the limitations of time? Can we learn from him as a committed intellectual and revolutionary thinker? Or should we just reduce him to another anti-colonial figure, largely irrelevant for our post-colonial times?

For me, as an Algerian activist, Fanons dynamic and revolutionary thinking, always about creation, movement and becoming, remains prophetic, vivid and committed to emancipation from all forms of oppression. He strongly and compellingly argued for a path to a future where humanity advances a step further and breaks away from the world of colonialism and European universalism. Fanon represented the maturing of anti-colonial consciousness and he was a decolonial thinker par excellence.

Despite his short life (he died at the age of 36 from leukaemia in 1961), Fanons thought is rich and his work, in books, papers and speeches, prolific. He wrote his first book Black Skin, White Masks in 1952, two years before ien Bien Phu (the defeat of the French in a crucial battle in Vietnam) and his last book, The Wretched of the Earth in 1961. His 1961 classic became a treatise on the anti-colonialist and Third-Worldist struggle, one year before Algerian independence, at a moment when sub-Saharan African countries were gaining their independencean experience in which Fanon was deeply and practically involved.

In Fanons intellectual journey, we can see the interactions between Black America and Africa, between the intellectual and the militant, between theory and practice, idealism and pragmatism, individual analysis and collective action, the psychological life (he trained as a psychiatrist) and physical struggle, nationalism and Pan-Africanism and finally between questions of colonialism and those of neo-colonialism.

Fanon did not live to see his adoptive country become free from French colonial domination, something he believed had become inevitable. Yet his experiences and analysis were the prism through which many revolutionaries abroad understood Algeria and helped to turn the country into the mecca of Third World revolution.

Six decades after the publication of his masterpiece The Wretched, Algeria is witnessing another revolution, this time against the national bourgeoisie that Fanon railed against in his ferocious chapter The Pitfalls of National Consciousness.

Fanon and colonial Algeria

The Algerian independence struggle against the French was one of the most inspiring anti-imperialist revolutions of the 20th century. It was part of a wave of decolonisation that had started after the Second World War in India, China, Cuba, Vietnam and many countries in Africa. The wave of decolonisation inscribed itself in the spirit of the Bandung Conference and the era of the awakening of the South, the Third world as it was then known, which has been subjected to decades of colonial and capitalist domination under several forms, from protectorates to settler colonies.

Frantz Fanon methodically unpicked the mechanisms of violence put in place by colonialism. He wrote: Colonialism is not a thinking machine, nor a body endowed with reasoning faculties. It is violence in its natural state. According to him, the colonial world is a Manichean world (to see things as having only two sides), which goes to its logical conclusion and dehumanises the native, or to speak plainly it turns him into an animal.

What followed the insurrection on November 1, 1954, launched by nationalist forces against the French, was one of the longest and bloodiest wars of decolonisation, which saw the widespread involvement of the rural poor and urban popular classes. Huge numbers of Algerians were killed in the eight-year war against the French that ended in 1962, a war that has become the foundation of modern Algerian politics.

Arriving at Blida psychiatric hospital in 1953 in French controlled Algeria, Fanon realised quickly that colonisation, in its essence, produced madness. For him, colonisation was a systematic negation of the other and a refusal to attribute humanity to them. In contrast to other forms of domination, the violence here was total, diffuse, and permanent.

Treating both French torturers and liberation fighter, Fanon could not escape this total violence. This led him to resign in 1956 and to join the Front de liberation nationale (FLN). He wrote: The Arab, alienated permanently in his own country, lives in a state of absolute depersonalisation. He added that the Algerian war was a logical consequence of an abortive attempt to decerebralise a people.

Fanon saw colonial ideology being underpinned by the affirmation of white supremacy and its civilising mission. The result was the development in the indigenes evolues (literally the more evolved natives) of a desire to be white, a desire which is nothing more than an existential aberration. However, this desire stumbles upon the unequal character of the colonial system which assigns places according to colour.

Throughout his professional work and militant writings, Fanon challenged the dominant culturalist and racist approaches on the native: Arabs are lazy, liars, deceivers, thieves, etc. He advanced a materialist explanation, situating symptoms, behaviours, self-hatred and inferiority complexes in a life of oppression and the reality of unequal colonial relations.

Fanon believed in revolutionary Algeria. His illuminating book A Dying Colonialism (published in 1959) or as it is known in French LAn Cinq de la Revolution Algerienne, shows how liberation does not come as a gift. It is seized by the popular classes with their own hands and by seizing it they are themselves transformed. He strongly argued the most elevated form of culturethat is to say, of progressis to resist colonial domination. For Fanon, revolution was a transformative process that created new souls. For this reason, Fanon closes his 1959 book with the words: The revolution changes man and renews society, has reached an advanced stage. This oxygen which creates and shapes a new humanitythis, too, is the Algerian revolution.

Bankruptcy of the post-colonial ruling elites

Unfortunately, the Algerian revolution and its attempt to break from the imperialist-capitalist system was defeated, both by counter-revolutionary forces and by its own contradictions. The revolution harboured the seeds of its own failure from the start: it was a top-down, authoritarian, and highly bureaucratic project (albeit with some redistributive aspects that improved peoples lives in the reforms carried out in the first years of independence).

However, the creative experiences of workers initiatives and self-management of the 1960s and 1970s were undermined by a paralyzing state bureaucracy that failed to genuinely involve workers in the control of the processes of production. This lack of democracy was connected with the ascendancy of a comprador bourgeoisie that was hostile to socialism, workers control and staunchly opposed to genuine land reform.

By the 1980s, the global neoliberal counter-revolution was the nail in the coffin and ushered in an age of deindustrialization and pro-market policies in Algeria, at the expense of the popular classes. The dignitaries of the new neoliberal orthodoxy declared that everything was for sale and opened the way for mass privatization.

Fanons work still bears a prophetic power as an accurate description of what happened in Algeria and elsewhere in the Global South. Fanon foretold the bankruptcy and sterility of national bourgeoisies in Africa and the Middle East today. A profiteering caste, he wrote, that tended to replace the colonial ruling class with a new class-based system replicating the old structures of exploitation and oppression.

By the 1980s, the Algerian national bourgeoisie had dispensed with popular legitimacy, turned its back on the realities of poverty and underdevelopment. In Fanons terms, this parasitic and unproductive bourgeoisie (both civilian and military) was the greatest threat to the sovereignty of the nation. In Algeria, this class was closely connected to the ruling party, the FLN, and renounced the autonomous development initiated in the 1960s and offered one concession after another for privatizations and projects that would undermine the countrys sovereignty and endanger its population and environmentthe exploitation of shale gas and offshore resources being just one example.

Today, Algeriabut also Tunisia, Egypt, Nigeria, Senegal, Ghana, Gabon, Angola and South Africa, among othersfollows the dictates of the new instruments of imperialism such as the IMF, the World Bank and negotiate entry into the World Trade Organisation. Some African countries continue to use the CFA franc (renamed Eco in December 2019), a currency inherited from colonialism and still under the control of the French Treasury.

Fanon predicted this behaviour of the national bourgeoisie when he noted that its mission has nothing to do with transforming the nation but rather consists of being the transmission line between the nation and capitalism, rampant though camouflaged, which today puts on the masque of neo-colonialism. Fanons analysis of the class basis of independence speaks to the contemporary postcolonial reality, a reality shaped by a national bourgeoisie unabashedlyanti-national, opting he added, for the path of a conventional bourgeoisie, a bourgeoisie which is stupidly, contemptibly and cynically bourgeois.

Fanon also noted in 1961 the international division of labour, where we Africans still export raw materials and continue being Europes small farmers who specialise in unfinished products. Algeria remains in a extractivist model of development where profits are accumulated in the hands of a foreign-backed minority at the expense of dispossession of the majority.

The Hirak and the new Algerian revolution

Fanon alerted us sixty years ago that the enrichment of this profiteering caste will be accompanied by a decisive awakening on the part of the people and a growing awareness that promised stormy days to come. In 2019 Algerians shattered the wall of fear and broke from a process that had infantilised and dazed them for decades. They erupted onto the political scene, discovered their political will and began again to make history.

Since 22 February 2019, millions of people, young and old, men and women from different social classes rose in a momentous rebellion. Historic Friday marches, followed by protests in professional sectors, united people in their rejection of the ruling system and their demands of radical democratic change. They must all go! (Yetnahaw ga), The country is ours and well do what we wish (Lablad abladna oundirou rayna), became two emblematic slogans of the uprising, symbolising the radical evolution of a popular movement (Al Hirak Achabi). The uprising was triggered by the incumbent president Bouteflikas announcement that he would run for a fifth term despite suffering from aphasia and being absent from public life.

The movement (Hirak) is unique in its scale, peaceful character, national spreadincluding the marginalised south, and participation of women and young people, who constitute the majority of Algerias population. The extent of popular mobilisation has not been seen since 1962, when Algerians went to the streets to celebrate their hard-won independence from France.

The popular classes have affirmed their role as agents in their own destiny. We can use Fanons exact words to describe this phenomenon: The thesis that men change at the same time that they change the world has never been as manifest as it is now in Algeria. This trial of strength not only remodels the consciousness that man has of himself, and of his former dominators or of the world, at last within his reach. The struggle at different levels renews the symbols, the myths, the beliefs, the emotional responsiveness of the people. We witness in Algeria mans reassertion of his capacity to progress.

The Hirak succeeded in unravelling the webs of deceit that were deployed by the ruling class and its propaganda machine. Moreover, the evolution of its slogans, chants, and forms of resistance, is demonstrative of processes of politicisation and popular education. The re-appropriation of public spaces created a kind of an agora where people discuss, debate, exchange views, talk strategy and perspectives, criticize each other or simply express themselves in many ways including through art and music. This has opened new horizons for resisting and building together.

Cultural production also took on another meaning because it was associated with liberation and seen as a form of political action and solidarity. Far from the folkloric and sterile productions under the suffocating patronage of authoritarian elites, we have seen instead a culture that speaks to the people and advances their resistance and struggles through poetry, music, theatre, cartoons, and street-art. Again, we see Fanons insights in his theorisation of culture as a form of political action: A national culture is not a folklore, nor an abstract populism that believes it can discover the peoples true nature. It is not made up of the inert dregs of gratuitous actions, that is to say actions which are less and less attached to the ever-present reality of the people.

The struggle of decolonisation continues

Leaving aside largely semantic arguments around whether it is a movement, uprising, revolt or a revolution, one can say for certain that what is taking place in Algeria today is a transformative process, pregnant with emancipatory potential. The evolution of the movement and its demands specifically around independence, sovereignty and an end to the pillage of the countrys resources are fertile ground for anti-capitalist, anti-imperialist and even ecological ideas.

Algerians are making a direct link between their current struggle and the anti-French colonial resistance in the 1950s, seeing their efforts as the continuation of decolonisation. When chanting Generals to the dustbin and Algeria will be independent, they are laying bare the vacuous official narrative around the glorious revolution and revealing that it has been shamelessly used to pursue personal enrichment. We see a second Fanonian moment where people expose the neo-colonial situation and emphasise one unique characteristic of their uprising: its rootedness in the anti-colonial struggle against the French.

Slogans and chants have captured this desire and made references to anti-colonial war veterans such as Ali La Pointe, Amirouche, Ben Mhidi and Abane:  Oh Ali [la pointe] your descendants will never stop until they wrench their freedom! and We are the descendants of Amirouche and we will never go back!

The struggle of decolonisation is being given a new lease of life as Algerians lay claim to the popular and economic sovereignty that was denied to them when formal independence was achieved in 1962. In Fanons prophetic words: The people who at the beginning of the struggle had adopted the primitive Manichaeism of the settlerBlacks and Whites, Arabs and Christiansrealise as they go along that it sometimes happens that you get Blacks who are whiter than the whites and the hope of an independent nation does not always tempt certain strata of the populations to give up their interests or privileges.

Hamza Hamouchene is an Algerian researcher-activist and commentator, he works as the North Africa Programme Coordinator for the Transnational Institute (TNI).
Local residents have narrated how armed bandits on Tuesday invaded a Sharia Court in Baure-Zaka in Safana Local Government Area of Katsina State and kidnapped the judge.

Although courts in the state are closed due to the nationwide strike by judiciary workers, the judge, Huseini Samaila, was said to have decided to clear the backlog of cases before his court.

He was at it on Tuesday when the gunmen reportedly arrived on motorcycles, dragged the judge out of the courtroom and and took him away on their motorcycles, the courts deputy registrar, Ibrahim Shillo, told PREMIUM TIMES.

The gunmen were yet to contact the relatives of the judge for ransom, the official added.

According to residents, gunmen had earlier, in February, attacked the same court and took away a suspect from the dock, who was believed to be their kinsman.

Following that incident, the authorities moved the court from Baure-Zaka to Safana town, which is considered to be more secure.

However, Mr Shillo said the bandits returned at around 3 p.m. on Tuesday, apparently having got wind that the judge had returned to hold an extraordinary sitting of the court in Baure-Zaka.

The Chief Registrar of Katsina State High Court, Kabir Shuaibu, said he could not comment on an incident that happened while courts in the state had been officially shut due to the judiciary workers strike.

As far as I am concerned, courts in Katsina are not in session. Thats all that I can say, Mr Shuaibu said.

Operations of court in troubled Katsina communities

Resident said courts rarely open in troubled Katsina communities because judges are reluctant to handle cases involving Fulani herders out of fear of abduction.

The locals also said the thin presence of government institutions, including security formations, has been exploited by armed bandits to operate unabated.

The Shariah court in Baure-Zaka presides over cases from communities such as Babban Duhu, Tsaskiya, Umadau, Zakka, lllela, Muniya , kirtawa, Marina, Kukar samu, Bare Bari and Wagini.

Residents of Batsari and Kurfi local government areas also use the court.

The court in Safana town also handles cases from Runka A, Runka B, Yar lillo, Garin Magaji ,Maikada Kunamawa, Guzurawa, Kunamawa, Dan nagaiyya, and Kun kunna amongst others.

Residents said the long closure of courts has contributed to the escalation of anarchy in the area.

It is difficult to provide security  Police

The police spokesperson in Katsina, Gambo Isah, said the community where the judge was abducted on Tuesday was one of those that security agents had officially marked as insecure.

The judge should have contacted the security personnel before revisiting the area that had been announced unsafe for their operation, the police spokesperson said.

Mr Isah said the court was relocated because security agents cannot provide cover for far-flung settlements in the state.

ADVERTISEMENT

Many of the vulnerable communities are three hours journey from their council headquarters and the settlements contain few households with no social amenities.

He said in spite of warnings to avoid such communities, some people still go there to farm because of the fertile land.
ADVERTISEMENT

The Senate has suspended plenary sessions for one week to allow its members participate in the public hearings on the Review of the 1999 Constitution.

The Senate President, Ahmed Lawan, announced this during Wednesdays plenary.

We shall be devoting the entire week to the constitution review exercise, he said.

He said the public hearings would be conducted in 12 centres across the country on May 26 and 27.

The Committee is headed by the Deputy Senate President, Ovie Omo-Agege (APC, Delta).

Mr Lawan appealed to Nigerians to take advantage of the exercise, adding that the National Assembly had no pre-conceived agenda.

He said the legislature was open to suggestions from them on how to move the country forward.

Mr Omo-Agege recently announced that the upper legislative chamber would hold the public hearings simultaneously across 12 state capitals with two of the exercises in each geo-political zone.

He said Jos and Minna would host the public hearings in the North-central geo-political zone while Bauchi and Gombe would host those of the North-east zone.

He also said the public hearings in the North-west zone would hold in Kaduna and Sokoto while those of the South-west would hold in Akure and Lagos.

READ ALSO:

The deputy senate president said while Owerri and Enugu would host the public hearings in the South-east zone, Asaba and Port Harcourt would be the venues for the exercise in the South-south zone.

He also said the national public hearing would be held in Abuja, the nations capital.

The 1999 Constitution was drafted by the military administration of Abdulsalami Abubakar, who handed over power to the democratically-elected government of Olusegun Obasanjo, a retired army general.

The document came into effect in May 1999 when the Obasanjo administration assumed office.

The National Assembly began the process of amending the Constitution in 2000 when the late Chuba Okadigbo was the senate president.
ADVERTISEMENT

Air France-KLM, on Tuesday, flew its Airbus A350 from Paris to Montreal on biofuel by mixing sustainable aviation fuel petroleum with a synthetic jet fuel derived from waste cooking oils.

The passenger jet took off from the airport with its fuel capacity being made up of 16 per cent sustainable aviation fuel (SAF), one that was produced in France from used cooking oil by Total, AFP reported.

Air-France said such a flight was its first long-haul and the feat was unprecedented. The company said the effort was to show readiness to adopt low-emission fuel in the bid to spur the aviation industrys sluggish pace to adopt the policy.

The move is seen as a breakthrough in the industry and it is believed to tip regulators and governments on the options they have as they look to reduce greenhouse emissions.

AFP reported that Air France-KLM announced its initiative by the tarmac at Charles de Gaulle Airport in Paris, an announcement that featured the companys CEO, Benjamin Smith, and his counterparts at Total, Patrick Pouyanne, and Airbus, Guillaume Faury.

The flight signalled a shared ambition to decarbonize air transportation and to develop a SAF supply chain in France, AFP quoted the the companies as saying in a joint statement with airport operator ADP.

Frances transport minister, Jean-Baptiste Djebbari, said in a tweet Wednesday that the alliance was proof that there is another way. We show that the biggest part of the solution lies in technological innovation.

Il est 15h40. Le vol AF342 vient de decoller de Roissy, direction Montreal. Cest le tout premier vol long-courrier avec du biocarburant aerien durable produit en France.  Jean-Baptiste Djebbari (@Djebbari_JB) May 18, 2021

Total also tweeted a video, saying Sustainable Air Fuel (SAF) is a concrete way forward to reduce the carbon footprint of air transportation.

 Sustainable Air Fuel (SAF) is a concrete way forward to reduce the carbon footprint of air transportation. By teaming up with major players in the sector, we can accelerate its development together! pic.twitter.com/msuwMwLxWc  Total (@Total) May 18, 2021

Airlines have a major responsibility to cut emissions, Air France-KLM Chief Executive Ben Smith told Reuters, adding that We have to be on a level playing field. We cant have a situation where airlines that are based outside Europe can undercut us, (and) that is a real concern.

Other airlines and plane-makers have started testing different levels of biofuels and sustainable fuel to see the best variant that can be effective and cost effective.

These jet fuels produced either from biomass or synthetically from renewable power could slash carbon emissions as countries look to meet the Paris agreement.

Global risk-assessment group CDP said most cities are not prepared to meet this target.

France remains a leader in the drive, the group said, as the country looks to ensure flights departing its airports use 1 per cent SAF, ahead of European Unions goal to reach 2 per cent carbon emission by 2025 and 5 per cent by 2030 under the blocs Green Deal policy.

Although, the experimented jet fuels will cost more than the usual kerosene used by airplanes. Aviation players, particularly in Europe, would have to choose between cutting emissions and cost implications. Analysts believe the latter choice might be daunting for smaller airlines.
ADVERTISEMENT

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) on Wednesday said it intercepted 4,995,200 capsules of tramadol weighing 2,498.2kilogrammes at the Onne port, Port Harcourt, Rivers State.

The spokesperson of the agency, Femi Babafemi, disclosed this in a statement in Abuja.

He said efforts by the NDLEA to block access and availability of illicit substances led to the interception of the container conveying the illicit drugs.

Mr Babafemi said the seizure of the illicit drug concealed in 1,387 cartons on Tuesday, May 18 followed a joint examination by NDLEA operatives and Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) personnel.

He said the drugs were concealed in a container marked MRKU 0764717 which had been on the agencys watch list.

In another development, a 42-year-old man, Muntari Hamidu, has been arrested in Nyibango, Jimeta, Yola, Adamawa state with 13 sacks of cannabis sativa weighing 166kg, the NDLEA spokesperson said.

Mr Babafemi said another person, a 35-year-old man, Sani Musa, was nabbed with 16.1kg of skunk at Ngurore, Yola South Local Government Area of the state.

The two suspects, according to him, were arrested on May 16.

He said a team of NDLEA operatives from Ondo State Command also arrested a man, James Godspower with 36.5kg of cannabis sativa in Faloye, Ogbese, Akure North Local Government Area of Ondo State.

He quoted the Chairman, NDLEA, Buba Marwa as lauding the renewed synergy between the agency and other security agencies in its operations.

Mr Marwa, according to the statement, commended the officers and men of the Port Harcourt, Port Command, as well as those of Adamawa and Ondo State Commands for their resilience and commitment to work.

He charged the officers of the agency to remain vigilant in the course of their assignment.

(NAN)
ADVERTISEMENT

Royal Dutch Shell will offload the last of its Nigerian assets in a move to rein back risks including sabotage attacks, crude thefts and litigations with host communities linked to operating in the turbulent investment climate of Africas largest oil producer and commit its future to cleaner energy elsewhere, the oil super-major said Tuesday.

But the government wants Shell, with which it runs a joint venture vehicle called Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC), to at least retain onshore operations for now rather than undertake a complete exit from the country.

Nigeria is in its talks with Shell include handing over Shells stakes in the assets to the Nigerian Petroleum Development Co., the upstream arm of state oil firm Nigerian National Petroleum Co., or NNPC, inviting bids from Nigerian indigenous producers, or having a mixture of local firms and foreign independent producers to bid for the assets, Minister of Petroleum and Natural Resources Timipre Sylva told journalists in Abuja.

Getting to a point where Shell has completely divested from a sector is not good for us, he added.

Shells divestment could deal a fresh blow to the fiscal plan of the Nigerian government, about 90 per cent of whose revenue comes from oil, as it rebalances from the oil crash of 2020.

The company, which holds a 30 per cent stake in SPDC, translating to 156,000 barrels per day in 2020, has sold nearly half of its Nigerian investments in the past 10 years and considers its Nigerian operation a headache on account of endless litigations arising from oil spills.

Shell is Nigerias biggest oil producer, accounting for around 40 per cent of the West African countrys total crude and condensate output capacity of 2.2 million barrels per day and the divestment could have a big impact on the OPEC members oil output, according to energy industry watcher S&P Global Platts.

Ben van Beurden, its CEO, hinted at the energy giants resolve to put the stormy days behind it at all costs during its Tuesdays annual general meeting, according to Reuters.

We cannot solve community problems in the Niger Delta, thats for the Nigerian government perhaps to solve. We can do our best, but at some point in time, we also have to conclude that this is an exposure that doesnt fit with our risk appetite anymore, he said.

We have drawn that conclusion, and we are now talking to the Nigerian government on the way forward.
ADVERTISEMENT

The Kaduna State Government says bandits have killed eight residents and razed buildings in Chikun Local Government Area of the state.

The Commissioner for Internal Security and Home Affairs, Samuel Aruwan, made the announcement in a statement he issued on Wednesday in Kaduna.

Mr Aruwan said: Security agencies have reported that bandits attacked Ungwan Gaida community, near Kurmin Kaso, Chikun Local Government Area.

As of the time of this update, eight residents have been confirmed killed in this attack.

According to him, a worship centre was razed by the bandits, along with several houses.

In another development, the Nigerian Navy troops stationed in the Kujama General Area killed three bandits and arrested two accomplices after repelling an attack on Wakwodna community, near Kasso village, Chikun Local Government Area.

According to operational feedback to the Kaduna State government, the troops stationed at the Kujama Checkpoint responded to reports of an attack on Wakwodna village, and swiftly deployed for intervention.

He explained that the bandits fled into surrounding bush on sighting the troops and abandoned some rustled cattle, which were rounded up and returned to their rightful owners.

The troops engaged the bandits just before Kaso village and in the gunfight, three bandits were neutralised.

Two locals who were injured in the exchange were evacuated for medical attention, the commissioner said.

Mr Aruwan said: during the operation, the troops arrested a suspected bandits informant, Kapido Halilu, and a logistics supplier, Umar Maipashi.

Food and medical supplies meant for the bandits were confiscated. The suspects were taken into custody for further investigation.

The Commissioner said that Governor Nasiru el-Rufai noted the report of the attack on Ungwan Gaida with sadness, and condoled with the families of the slain citizens.

The governor further condemned the attack on the place of worship, and directed the State Emergency Management Agency to carry out an urgent assessment of the damage in the area for intervention.

el-Rufai commended the Nigerian Navy troops for their swift response in Wakwodna and the successful operations, Mr Aruwan said. (NAN)
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Wednesday released the immediate-past governor of Kwara State, Abdulfatah Ahmed, after detaining him for two nights over corruption allegations .

PREMIUM TIMES had reported how Mr Ahmed was detained by the operatives of the anti-corruption agency after he honoured an invitation by the agency at about 10a.m. on Monday.

The sources said the commission had invited Mr Ahmed in connection with a case involving alleged diversion of N9billion from the coffers of Kwara State government during his tenure as governor of the state between 2011 and 2019.

This newspaper was reliably informed that the former governor was grilled by a crack team of the commission up till about 7 p.m. on Monday at the commissions headquarters in Abuja.

He was said to have written statements during the interrogation session.

And for the past seven hours, he has been in the interrogation room, writing statements, an EFCC top official informed our reporter on Tuesday.

Release

Sources familiar with the matter informed this newspaper that the former governor was released on bail at about 5 p.m. on Wednesday.

He (Mr Ahmed) has been released on bail today (Wednesday). He left the Commission building at about 5 p.m. this evening after spending two nights with us at the EFCC headquarters.

He spent the nights here with us as our officers were interrogating him over the alleged criminal offences during his time he served as both the governor and Commissioner of the state, the source said.

Efforts to reach the spokesperson for the EFCC, Wilson Uwujaren, was unsuccessful. He did not respond to phone calls or text messages as of press time.

Alleged N9 billion diversion

Although the details of the case are still sketchy as of press time, sources disclosed that the case was about alleged diversion of N9billion belonging to Kwara State under his watch as the governor.

The administration of Mr Ahmed, a political godson of a former Senate President, Bukola Saraki, who is also a former governor of Kwara State, has been under the searchlight of the EFCC for some time.

In January, the commission arraigned the Commissioner for Finance under Mr Ahmeds administration on charges of N411million money laundering.

The anti-graft agency alleged that the ex-commissioner, Ademola Banu, committed the crime in 2018 by conspiring with others to launder the said sum belonging to the Kwara State Government.

Mr Ahmed, before becoming the governor, had served as the commissioner of finance in the then administration of Mr Saraki as the governor of the state.

I was not questioned about any N9billion fraud

Meanwhile, Mr Ahmed has denied being questioned by the EFCC in respect of any N9billion fraud.

He issued the denial tweet via his verified Twitter account on Tuesday.

ADVERTISEMENT

He also confirmed in the tweet that he had been granted bail as of Tuesday, but his release from custody came about 24 hours after.

In response to an invitation by the commission via a letter dated 26th April 2021, I voluntarily visited the EFCC in Abuja yesterday about a complaint about a contract awarded by Kwara State Government while I was the State Commissioner for Finance. I was not accused of any wrongdoing. Neither was I questioned about any N9b transaction. I have since been granted bail, the tweet read.

In response to an invitation by the commission via a letter dated 26th April 2021, I voluntarily visited the EFCC in Abuja yesterday with regard to a complaint about a contract awarded by Kwara State Government while I was State the Commissioner for Finance.  Alh Abdulfatah Ahmed (@AbdulfataAhmed) May 18, 2021
ADVERTISEMENT

With these demands from the South, a new power bloc is emerging, and going forward no one group can intimidate the other without anything in return, while regional competition will engender development and balance things up. There is no doubt that the current situation where powers and resources are concentrated at the centre and devolved at the whim of the president is no longer tenable.

Ever since the Southern Nigerian Governors Forum called on the Federal Government to convene a national dialogue and ban open grazing in the South, the group has been inundated with cautious support from a broad spectrum of leaders. Senators from the southern region have declared their support for the governors demand too. Except for Governor Abdullahi Ganduje of Kano State, who has consistently maintained that open grazing has become archaic, the Northern governors as a group do not have a formal position that can be referenced.

The latest to give fillip to the idea is ex-President Goodluck Jonathan who at an event in Benin, did not just throw his weight behind the Southern governors, but cautioned that they should operate within the context of the nations quest and aspirations. The former president, in his postulation, said: the coming together of all the governors at a round table to discuss and proffer solutions to issues affecting Nigeria would go a long way in helping the president to address some of the issues affecting the nation. Governors themselves should continue to meet. I dont really love a situation where the Northern governors will meet, then the Southern governors will cry foul. Then the Southern governors will meet, then the Northern governors will cry foul. That will not help the country. The Governors Forum should meet; they are the people who run this country, the president is just one person in Abuja. Ever so modest, the former president even tried to absolve President Buhari of responsibility and blame.

Ditto for Atiku Abubakar, who in his support for the governors of the South, said what our present challenges call for is not fragmentation but concentration. We must concentrate and focus our national willpower and resolve towards fighting these unNigerian tendencies, having in another breadth called on Nigerian governors to stop waiting on Abuja to make changes, and instead convene a national unity summit of all Nigerian governors to iron out the thorny issues affecting the destiny of our nation until they figure out a way to resolve them.

Both leaders  Jonathan and Atiku  were once at the helms and didnt implement the solutions they are now preaching. Jonathan went beyond mere mouthing it to starting a national confab, which took far-reaching national decisions but failed woefully to implement the confab report. The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governors also never bothered about a national confab when they were in charge at the national level. To be fair to them all, things were not this bad then and the security situation was still at the level of containment. Yet, not doing enough when they had the opportunity to does not detract from their stand at this momentous time.

The Asaba declaration, as it is now known in some quarters, among others, talked about not only convening a national dialogue; it resolved that Southern Nigeria remains committed to the unity of Nigeria on the basis of justice, fairness, equity and oneness and peaceful coexistence between and among its peoples, with a focus on the attainment of shared goals for economic development and prosperity.

So, the idea of a national conference or dialogue to determine how to co-exist, which started as minority voices by fringe groups, sometimes in the name of activism, has gained so much traction that the consensus of opinions as espoused by the governors of Southern extraction, favours a roundtable talk  whether national dialogue, restructuring or debate; with the exception of those around President Muhammadu Buhari, who the present arrangement appears to be working for, perhaps.

The Asaba declaration, as it is now known in some quarters, among others, talked about not only convening a national dialogue; it resolved that Southern Nigeria remains committed to the unity of Nigeria on the basis of justice, fairness, equity and oneness and peaceful coexistence between and among its peoples, with a focus on the attainment of shared goals for economic development and prosperity.

The group also justified their renewed agitation, thus: Development and population growth have put pressure on available land and increased the prospects of conflict between migrating herders and local populations in the South. Given this scenario, it becomes imperative to enforce the ban on open grazing in the South, including cattle movement to the South by foot. No one can fault the fact of conflicts arising from open grazing. The difference is in the aloofness of leaders from the North, as against the Souths renewed effort to curtail or stop it in its entirety.

For a long time, the group had been redundant almost to the point of irrelevance. Now that the shared challenge of insecurity has brought them together, it is hoped that they will become a force to reckon with in the scheme of things in Nigeria, such that they can challenge and spur their Northern counterparts to action.

while the Southern governors have come up with solutions, even if unpalatable to some people, their Northern counterparts have kept mute, waiting till another set of school children are abducted. You cannot blame the Southern leaders for their decision, as the challenge at hand requires extreme measure too.

However, questions are being asked about their demands, in contrast with a few ambitious persons from the zone, who are not prepared to rock the boat, such as Tinubus ambition to be president of Nigeria. This is pertinent in view of the political exigency of the moment, that underscores the All Progressive Congress (APC)s power structure, which makes Tinubu the de facto leader of the South.

Besides, the pervasive insecurity that engendered the Southern governors extreme measure, as it were, has its root in the North, but while the Southern governors have come up with solutions, even if unpalatable to some people, their Northern counterparts have kept mute, waiting till another set of school children are abducted. You cannot blame the Southern leaders for their decision, as the challenge at hand requires extreme measure too.

Over time the Northern governors have played the ostrich, pretending that all is well, though they seem more united, visionary and proactive when it comes to strategising for political contest and control of the levers of powers and resources, and not for altruistic reasons. Again, this happens more when a Southerner is in charge as president, as we witnessed during the formation of APC and merger of political parties in 2014 to oppose the government of the day. Unfortunately, thats where their assumed unity of purpose ends. In terms of strategic plan for growth and development of the region, the Northern governors are laid back and appear to lack the willpower to act, especially when power resides in the North, as it is today with Buhari at the helms in the country. So, when it comes to grabbing political power, the North is adept at it, but fails woefully at doing what is right for its people when it matters most.

With these demands from the South, a new power bloc is emerging, and going forward no one group can intimidate the other without anything in return, while regional competition will engender development and balance things up. There is no doubt that the current situation where powers and resources are concentrated at the centre and devolved at the whim of the president is no longer tenable. And this is not a fight for the governors of the South alone; it is a collective challenge that requires the inputs of all and sundry. And sitting on the fence, as leaders of the North are doing, wont change the fact of the matter at hand.

Zainab Suleiman Okino is chairperson of the Editorial Board of Blueprint newspaper. She can be reached through zainabokino@gmail.com
El-Rufai should not be left to confront this issue alone. The Federal and State Governments need an urgent summit on how to strike a balance between paying civil servants and allocating resources to the needs of the majority.

Governor Nasir El-Rufai is fighting a new war that both the Federal Government and other 35 States government and the leadership of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) are shying away to confront, choosing instead to cower in fear of the blackmail of labour.

How much of state resources should be spent on governance, in paying salaries, pensions and other emoluments of civil servants and political appointees? 40 per cent, 60 per cent, 80 per cent, 90 per cent or even all?

Aregbesola confronted this question as governor of Osun State, leading to his innovative formula of paying a percentage of workers emoluments, as he allocated resources to building roads, schools and other infrastructure. His government was badly cash strapped and he could not even do anything for the people of Ilesa, his hometown, who rewarded him by snubbing his party in the 2018 governorship election.

Despite the efforts by President Buhari to spread State debts over 30 years, giving them a huge financial relief, the States are back with the same problem, inability to pay salaries.

Kwara State has refused to pay the minimum wage of N30,000. Gombe also announced a default. Kano recently announced wage cuts. Many States are groaning, as the workers demand full payment for their services.

My state of Ogun has a huge bill of N50 billion in pension arrears. I laughed when Governor Abiodun said he would reduce the bill by N2 billion every year, which means that in eight years, he would have paid just N16 billion, with the bill growing bigger and bigger every year.

Government must think out a solution. El-Rufai has taken a route that Federal and States avoid, by deciding to rightsize the civil service. The pandemic has been an eye-opener, when workers were ordered to stay at home. It became clear that government does not need the thousands of people on its payroll.

No one begrudges workers for demanding full payment for working for government, some spending 35 years in service. They retire, awaiting retirement benefits or the contributory pension that many states are not paying. Their plight is pitiable and we have seen pathetic scenes of retirees dying on the queue, while waiting for their emoluments.

Government must think out a solution. El-Rufai has taken a route that Federal and States avoid, by deciding to rightsize the civil service. The pandemic has been an eye-opener, when workers were ordered to stay at home. It became clear that government does not need the thousands of people on its payroll.

If everyone had taken a rational decision by asking the redundant workers to go, this would have freed money to enable governments provide roads, hospitals, schools and others.

Resources are shrinking for these hugely critical capital heads, a reason that our roads and schools are failing and hospitals have become worse than consulting centres.

The way out is what El-Rufai is saying in Kaduna to striking workers.

KDSG will not submit its treasury to the entitled minority. We will reform and rightsize our public service to meet the needs and resources of the Kaduna State, even if the NLC strikes ad infinitum.

How much percentage of a state resources should go into salaries?.. I will say that anything above 30 per cent should send the alarms ringing, as it will cause the acute social and economic problems we have today, when government has become a total failure in catering for the masses.

The government remains committed to using all the resources it can generate to serve the interests of the majority of its citizens, providing social services beyond paying salaries, always putting the interests of the many ahead of the few.

El-Rufai should not be left to confront this issue alone. The Federal and State Governments need an urgent summit on how to strike a balance between paying civil servants and allocating resources to the needs of the majority.

Back to my question: How much percentage of a state resources should go into salaries?

I will say that anything above 30 per cent should send the alarms ringing, as it will cause the acute social and economic problems we have today, when government has become a total failure in catering for the masses.

For now Governor El-Rufai wins my trophy for courage.

ADVERTISEMENT

Bayo Onanuga is the Managing Director of Independent Communications Networks Limited (ICNL).
Sri Lanka is continuing its soldier modernisation plans continuing with the initiatives that it attributes to its success in defeating the LTTE insurgency. This article based on remarks by Colonel HP Ranasinghe at IQPCs Soldier Modernisation Asia 2011.

Colonel HP Ranasinghe, Commander Special Forces Brigade, Sri Lanka Army stated, [The] Special Forces of Sri Lanka rely principally on human skills blended with little equipment and technology. Skill and will being the policy due to compelling economic constraints. However, looking into the security challenges of the future, the Special Forces are contemplating upgrading programmes, designed to blend human skill with the right technology.

The key unit in recent operations has been the Special Infantry Operations Team (SIOT). The SIOT was developed as a concept by the infantry to fight and defeat the LTTE in sub conventional, guerrilla and counter insurgency warfare. The concept exploited the inherent nature of the infantryman, born and bred in villages and possessing the same attributes as a guerrilla.

The SIOT saw the employment of specially trained infantry teams in four man, eight man and twelve man units as a means of surveillance, target acquisition and a human guidance system for delivery of effective combat power within LTTE controlled areas. The operational range and endurance of these small infantry groups covered a distance 5-6km over a period of four days. With replenishment, some of the teams extended operations to five days depending on circumstances.

The Sri Lankan military attribute the effectiveness of SIOTs to seven main factors; operational endurance of the Soldier including hygiene, nutrition and medical factors; merging with the terrain with improved camouflage; reducing their signature by appearing as locals in terms of their tracks; extending the range of communications; improved power sources, more effective remote control devices and a better night operations capability.

An improvement to rations was achieved simply by innovating using local food to extend operational range, duration and scope. Local solutions to nutrition were applied to ensure that lightweight energy and nutrients could be provided, utilising dried meat with honey as well as yams and tree roots. The expertise of locals in herbal medicine was also studied such as in the treatment of snake bites. This was noted as particularly useful for individuals during escape and evasion.

To enhance operational endurance, caches of food were established, initially for experimental purposes. Due to the lack of proper sealing methods, some items deteriorated and some were sniffed out by animals until the problems were identified and rectified.

Camouflage uniforms initially worn by Special Forces were olive green fatigues which were clearly visible in the jungle as a dark patch when wet and did not blend easily with most of the terrain. As a response, a new camouflage was used that better merged with most surroundings, focusing on a design that was complementary with the bark of trees.

Many tactical problems occurred due to the signature of military boot prints. Experiments were conducted on how to reduce the signature of the boot. Finally a plain rubber sole similar to the slippers used by the locals were selected with significant results.

Communication ranges was often insufficient, with an average range of 45 Km using HF. To overcome this deficiency intensive research was conducted Army with three communications sets employed in a relay method. An extended antenna, dubbed Slim Jim was used which extended ranges to 54 km.

Individual hands free communication systems are now being sought as are improved HF communication systems with burst transmission capability for data and a more reliable satellite phone. Low cost commercial mobile telephones were often used to complement and at times supplement radio communications. It was noted that the LTTE extensively utilised commercial off the shelf satellite communications.

The direction of indirect fires was a priority task given to the SIOTs with VHF communications being the primary communication system. Although direct communications connected the SIOT teams with battalion level mortar batteries, access to artillery support was only achieved by relaying target information through an artillery fire coordinator to the gun position.

SIOT teams are being provided with two VHF radio sets and one Sat phone to support this and other tasks and more secure links are also being sought.

Remote control devices were experimented with for years, using commercially available devices produced locally. After modification by the Sri Lanka Army these were regularly used to enhance the effectiveness of ambushes.

Most night operations were confined to ambushes due to insufficient equipment and at times equipment had to be pooled between units. An upgrade plan is currently being contemplated with the aim of improving the ability to conduct movement at night and add a limited night fighting capability, integrated on personal weapons, an area which will also be enhanced with the addition of new day sights to enable precision engagement in an urban environment. Since night vision equipment was used on a scale of one per team, this required team members to follow virtually blind. On most occasions, movement through the jungle was conducted during the day due to this lack of individual night vision devices. The jungle terrain also reduced the efficiency of image intensifiers and use of infra-red devices was detectable, due to the close nature of the terrain and the activeness of the system.

Other improvements will include the introduction of a Light Weight Under Barrel Grenade Launcher fitted to personal weapons on the basis of two per eight man team. The teams currently use 40mm Grenade Launchers as an additional weapon, which enhanced the firepower of the team but was found to be cumbersome.

In terms of navigation, existing weapons are to be upgraded with digital compass fitted on each personal weapon and integrated on day/night sights. Integration of the compass and GPS on individual weapons systems will enable effective navigation whilst preserving the ability to respond effectively to sudden contacts without impeding the carriage and use of personal weapons.

Cheap civilian utility range finders with ranges up to 300 m were used effectively by the LTTE. The Sri Lankan military is considering considering their use on laser designators on the basis of one range finder per team.

Commercial mini-solar equipment to recharge the batteries of the communication sets as well as GPS and SAT phones was also introduced. In operations however this had limited endurance and a more rugged optimised solutions had to be provided.

For Power, interoperable batteries and a common recharging system for equipment are being sought. During recent operations, power was preserved to support operations over a period of three to four days with the use of strict radio discipline, communicating only when required. Sri Lanka is seeking lightweight, interoperable batteries for communications systems, night vision and range finders will also be used to support the support the goals of the reduction of soldier load and overall sustainability.

In operations, lightweight armour providing protection from fragments were preferred, as it supports mobility and flexibility.
ADVERTISEMENT

Over two-thirds of the States in the country have stopped paying regular salaries. Others are paying part salaries, with the promise to refund the difference at a later date that would clearly not be soon, if ever. Many States have gone back on the promise to pay the new minimum wage and there are allegations that even the NLC is not paying this.

The labour crisis in Kaduna over mass sacking (the Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, language) or rightsizing (the government language) has become very ugly. Hired thugs were brought in to attack protesting workers, challenging their right to peaceful assembly and protest. The Kaduna State governor, who never runs away from a fight, declared the NLC president, Ayuba Waba, wanted for sabotage and economic crimes. Waba declared his readiness to be arrested and turned around to declare Nasir El Rufai, the Kaduna State governor, wanted for crimes against the people. Meanwhile, electricity in the State has been cut, people are suffering and it has become a nasty and dirty ego war between the protagonists, and the real issues are not on the table for discussion.

For me, the real issue is that Nigeria is facing one of the most severe cash crunches in its history. The Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) wrote a letter to the Accountant-General of the Federation, dated April 26, indicating that it would not make any remittance for April and May to the Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC) after paying fuel subsidy from its revenue. Payments for fuel subsidy have become the last straw that is emptying the treasury. In its response, the Nigeria Labour Congress said it will not accept the withdrawal of subsidy. For much of my adult life, I must confess that I have also fought against the withdrawal of petroleum subsidy. Actually, the Federal Government withdrew subsidy in March 2020, when the price of petrol had gone down due to the COVID-19 pandemic but was harassed into restoring it when the price went up again.

The Buhari Presidency has been essentially begging for loans to run the government. This week, President Muhammadu Buhari is asking the National Assembly to approve a $6.18 billion additional foreign loan. Currently, Nigerias total external debt is $33.348 billion, while the total public debt stock, as of December 30, 2020, which was released by the Debt Management Office (DMO) in March 2021, stood at N32.915 trillion. The reality is that we are completely broke and cannot maintain current levels of public expenditure. We must all THINK about what our options are in this context.

The fiscal problems we have are not going to go away until we take drastic policy measures to address our crisis. Currently, the National Assembly is creating new agencies and institutions every quarter, knowing fully well there is no money to fund them.

For a politician, Nasir El-Rufai has one weakness, he says what he believes, and his response to the financial crunch is to cut the workforce of Kaduna State  an act that trade unions by nature have to oppose. What is the alternative? In Kogi State, the governor announced an audit of the payroll and without announcing any cuts in the public service, quietly stopped paying a significant part of the civil servants, claiming he could not find evidence they are government workers. He used ruse. He is not alone. Over two-thirds of the States in the country have stopped paying regular salaries. Others are paying part salaries, with the promise to refund the difference at a later date that would clearly not be soon, if ever. Many States have gone back on the promise to pay the new minimum wage and there are allegations that even the NLC is not paying this. The most distressing aspect is that our elders, the pensioners, are for the most part not receiving their pensions at a time when so many of them are vulnerable and sick.

For many people, the problem in Kaduna State has been reduced to Governor Nasir El-Rufai. He definitely has his problems and at times like these, his fight to finish attitude is not the best. For others, the problem is President Waba of the NLC, who is said to be wicked for cutting electricity supply and closing hospitals. A friend called me from Kaduna to complain that El-Rufai has generators but the poor women who cant get their beans ground to prepare and sell akara for subsistence or prepare maize flour to feed their families are the real victims. The NLC is not the villain because Nigerian governments never perform without a show of force from labour, so what do we expect them to do?

To move forward, labour and governments have to re-learn the process and practice of negotiations based on policy options. Secondly, we the ordinary citizens have to be more conscious of what the policy options are, so that we can lend our voices in a sensible manner. El Rufai and Waba, stop the street fight, talk policy.

The fiscal problems we have are not going to go away until we take drastic policy measures to address our crisis. Currently, the National Assembly is creating new agencies and institutions every quarter, knowing fully well there is no money to fund them. The report of the Oronsanye Committee on the rationalisation of federal agencies has been on the shelves for eight years without implementation. We have been arguing about petroleum subsidy and have demonstrated over thirty times on the matter in three decades. Our political leadership a engaged in the mega looting of public resources, as if there is no tomorrow. As a recent research shows, for most of them, there is not future in Nigeria and they have bought houses in Dubai they will move to when Nigeria collapses.

To move forward, labour and governments have to re-learn the process and practice of negotiations based on policy options. Secondly, we the ordinary citizens have to be more conscious of what the policy options are, so that we can lend our voices in a sensible manner. El Rufai and Waba, stop the street fight, talk policy.

A professor of Political Science and development consultant/expert, Jibrin Ibrahim is a Senior Fellow of the Centre for Democracy and Development, and Chair of the Editorial Board of PREMIUM TIMES.
ADVERTISEMENT

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) says it has arrested five suspected internet fraudsters, including four students of the Kwara State University (KWASU), Malete.

The suspects, Oladosu Olakunmi Olamilekan, Olaoye Jamiu Olarewaju, Alimi Abiodun, Toheed Muritala and Afolabi Kamaldeen were nabbed at the Ilorin International Airport.

The arrest was sequel to intelligence obtained by the Commission about the arrival of the suspects who flew into Ilorin from Lagos on Monday, May 17, 2021, the statement issued by the commission read.

Four of the arrested suspects are students of Kwara State University, KWASU, Malete, while the fifth suspect is a student of Kwara State Polytechnic, Ilorin.

Items recovered from them include a Mercedes Benz C300, mobile phones and a laptop computer.

The anti-graft agency said the suspects have volunteered useful statements and will be arraigned in court as soon as investigations are concluded.
ADVERTISEMENT

Niger State Governor Sanni Bello says three soldiers have been killed by bandits in Magama Local Government Area of the state.

Mr Bello added that some of the bandits were killed and two bodies recovered when security agencies were trailing the rest of the bandits.

He said this while addressing journalists after a meeting with security chiefs in the state at the Government House, Minna, on Tuesday.

According to the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Mary Noel-Berje, 25 displaced communities are returning back home.

Respite has begun to return to communities that were displaced by banditry activities in Shiroro, Munya and Mariga local government areas even as 25 displaced communities are returning to their ancestral homes, she said in a statement on the governors interaction with the journalists.

Governor Bello, who pointed out that he has monitored the movement of the IDPs, said there was no cause for alarm as everything was moving smoothly.

I am happy to announce that we have seen tremendous improvement, a lot of IDPs have gradually moved to their villages especially in Shiroro, Munya and Mariga local governments.

We have at least 25 communities that have relocated back to their various homes, he said.

The governor, however, said security threats remain in some communities, but assured that the security agents were working tirelessly to curtail the situation.

It doesnt mean we still do not have some challenges, we have a few communities under threat but the security agencies are doing their best to contain the situation, he stated.

Mr Bello said if more security personnel are deployed by the Federal Government to the state, more grounds will be covered.

The governor allayed the fears of food shortage in the state, stressing that the IDPs that were returned to their homes are major agricultural producing areas believing that they will engage in their farming activities immediately.

The governor commended the efforts of the service chiefs at the federal and heads of security in the state for their efforts in the fight against banditry activities in the State.
The Delta State Governor, Ifeanyi Okowa, has explained why he recently sacked his entire cabinet.

Mr Okowa said he had noticed some division within the cabinet.

In the last two years, we needed to be able to ensure that we reduce the level of distractions in governance and if we do not take that action, I may have an exco that may be divided in the next two years and that will not enable me to achieve my vision, the governor said Wednesday in Asaba during a media interaction.

So, I thought that there was a need to re-work the exco in such a manner that we will operate within the least stress where those in exco will know that their minds are focused more at what we are able to achieve in the next years rather than in their private ambitions and beliefs.

And, that was a key factor, otherwise the gentlemen that worked with me, who also include the ladies were very good; they worked hard, they meant well for the administration and I truly thank them for all that we have done, Mr Okowa said.

The governor did not say what caused the division in his cabinet. However, he appeared to be referring to political alignments for the 2023 general elections when he talked about cabinet members pursuing private ambitions.

The governor was asked if it was true that he intended to have an Ijaw man succeed him.

Its only God Almighty that knows who will be governor after me, he responded.

I cannot pretend to be God, for I am not; I dont know who God is going to bring and I dont have the intention of playing the role of God.

You will hear a lot more things just as they said I want to hand over to an Ijaw man. I dont think that I have the strength to play God but the issue is when the politics starts politics will be played and God Almighty will take the decision on who will be governor.

But as I said, at some point in time as a political party, because I can only speak for my party, we will sit down to look at issues to find out what truly will be fair, what truly will be justified and what should equity really mean, he added.

Mr Okowa also spoke about power rotation in Delta State.

ALSO READ: Okowa announces full autonomy for Delta judiciary

He said there was no formal agreement signed and no formal meeting ever held where the issue of zoning was discussed and agreed upon.

He said the succession politics in the state would be based on equity and fairness.

Mr Okowa also spoke about the recent meeting of the southern governors in Asaba.

The decisions of the southern governors was for the good of Nigeria, not just the south, he said.

They were decisions that will help to bring further development and decisions that will help to improve on the security situation in this nation and decisions to reaffirm our belief in the unity of this nation.

And I believe too that they were decisions that will stir hope to our people across Nigeria, the governor said.

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT

The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has identified 10 local government areas in Cross River State that fall under the probable flood risk areas in view of the Annual Flood Outlook for 2021.

The agency also identified two local government areas in the state that falls under the highly probable risk areas for 2021.

The Director-General of NEMA, Muhammadu Muhammed, said this in Ikom Local Government Area while distributing relief materials to victims of windstorm in the area.

Mr Muhammed, who was represented by Godwin Tepikor, the zonal coordinator of NEMA, South-south, urged the state government to immediately commence their preparedness, mitigation and response activities to mitigate the impact.

He mentioned the 10 local government areas to include Yakurr, Calabar Municipal, Akpabuyo, Obubra, Bakassi, Ogoja, Biase, Etung, Odukpani and Ikom.

He said the two local government areas in the state that fall under highly probable risks areas were Calabar South and Abi.

The state should immediately commence their preparedness, mitigation and response activities so as to mitigate the impact of the predicted flood on the vulnerable local government areas, he said.

The agency distributed relief materials to over 1,000 households affected by windstorm in four communities in Ikom local government area of Cross River.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reported that the distribution followed the windstorm disaster that occurred on May, last year, in Ogomogom, Akorofono, Nkarasi and Abinti communities, all in Ikom Local Government Area.

The director general said the items were approved by President Muhammadu Buhari, following the recommendation from the agency as humanitarian assistance to the affected persons.

The items distributed were bags of rice, beans and garri, tomato paste, kegs of palm oil, wrappers, blankets, bundles of roofing sheets, cement, bags of nails, zinc and ceiling boards.

He urged the beneficiaries to make judicious use of the items.

In his remark, the Director General, Cross River State Emergency Management Agency, Princewill Ayim, thanked NEMA for its intervention.

The Chairman of Ikom Local Government Area, Kingsley Egumi, thanked President Buhari and NEMA for the timely response to the concerns of their people, pledging that the items would be judiciously utilised.

Mfam Akong, who responded on behalf of the beneficiaries, thanked NEMA for its assistance.

(NAN)
ADVERTISEMENT

Governor Willie Obiano of Anambra State has imposed a 7 a.m. to 6 a.m. curfew on two warring communities in the state.

The affected communities are Omor and Anaku in Ayamelum Local Government Area.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reported that a violent clash broke out on Sunday between residents of both communities.

The Secretary to the State Government, Solo Chukwulobelu, said in a statement on Tuesday that the curfew would be in place till further notice.

The curfew begins on Monday. Residents of the two communities should obey the order as security personnel are on strict orders to enforce the curfew directives, Mr Chukwulobelu.

Three persons have been killed in the clash, according to the police.

The police spokesperson in Anambra, Tochukwu Ikenga, told NAN on Sunday in Awka that normalcy has since been restored in the area.

The Police Public Relations Officer in Anambra, Tochukwu Ikenga, told NAN in Awka on Sunday that normalcy has since been restored in the area.

Mr Ikenga, a deputy superintendent of police, said the Commissioner of Police in the state, Chris Owolabi, personally led a team of operatives to quell the crisis between the neighbouring communities.

He said the police were gathering information on the extent of damage, while assuring that efforts were on to avoid deterioration of the situation and to ensure lasting peace.

Normalcy has been restored in the area and our men are still on ground to ensure (the) safety of life and property. So far, we have recovered three bodies which have been deposited at the morgue, he said.

Meanwhile, the state government said it has lifted a curfew earlier imposed on Igbariam, Aguleri, Umueri, Nteje, Awkuzu and Umunya on April 26, following the restoration of normalcy in the communities.

(NAN)
ADVERTISEMENT

The police in Enugu State said they have arrested a man accused of vandalising rail tracks.

The suspect has been identified as Ejike Okeke, 18, from Nkwubor-Nike community, Enugu East Local Government Area of the state.

He is said to belong to a syndicate which specialises in vandalising rail tracks in the state.

One locally-made pistol with one live cartridge was recovered from Mr Okeke who was arrested May 9 at about 11 a.m., according to a statement on Wednesday from the police spokesperson in the state, Daniel Ndukwe.

Mr Ndukwe, an assistant superintendent of police, said the suspect was arrested by police operatives attached to the Enugu Metro Area Command, in conjunction with members of a local vigilante group.

He said that Mr Okeke and others, who ran on sighting the operatives were found attempting to vandalise railway tracks at Nkwubor rail-line, adding that investigation was ongoing to apprehend other gang members.

In another development, operatives attached to Awkunanaw Police Division on May 11 at about 7:30 a.m., recovered one custom-coloured Toyota Camry Car with registration number: ENU 556 MH, along Amagugwu Road, Awkunanaw, Enugu.

Preliminary investigation shows that the car was stolen from where it was parked at Abakaliki Road, Enugu, by the criminal gang, who abandoned the vehicle and fled due to intense pressure mounted by operatives, the police spokesperson said.

The incident is being investigated by the police, he said.

Also, on May 7, operatives attached to New Haven Police Division at 4:20 a.m. recovered one yellow-coloured Bajaj Tricycle with UWN 468 VJ; MD2A25BY9LWG94183 and AN-101177 as its registration, chassis and engine numbers, respectively.

The tricycle, suspected to have been stolen, was abandoned by its occupants at Chime Avenue, Enugu, after a hot chase by police operatives, Mr Ndukwe said.

The owners of the vehicle and the tricycle have been advised to visit the respective police divisions with relevant documents to identify and claim them.

(NAN)
Members of the Lagos State House of Assembly resumed from the Sallah break on Tuesday with a call on President Muhammadu Buhari to address the nation over issues relating to insecurity and rising sectional agitations across the country.

The House also said it was standing by the decisions reached by the southern governors at their recent meeting in Asaba, Delta State.

Calling the attention of his colleagues to the communique released by the governors after the meeting, the Deputy Leader of the House, Noheem Adams, noted that the Lagos Assembly had always called for the establishment of state police.

Mr Adams urged his colleagues to support the governors, saying the latter had shown that they are alive to their responsibilities.

Mr Adams, however, urged the governors to start restructuring in their states by implementing autonomy for state legislatures and judiciary.

He recalled how the Speaker of the House, Mudashiru Obasa, as chairman of the Conference of Speakers of State Legislatures, led his colleagues to the president to seek autonomy for state legislatures and judiciary. He lamented that the governors had yet to implement it.

Mr Obasa, who presided over the sitting, commended the governors for coming out at a period when insecurity had taken the front seat of discussions. He also commended some members of the National Assembly for supporting the governors.

Mr Obasa lamented the rise in the number of groups agitating for secession adding that Nigeria can be restructured if there is the willpower.

People are getting tired of the call for constitutional conference because nothing had happened to previous ones, he said adding that Nigeria needs true federalism at this stage.

The Speaker said it was disheartening to know that two neighbouring states like Ogun and Lagos cannot unite to meet some of the needs of the people simply because such could be on the exclusive list.

Earlier in his contribution, Kehinde Joseph suggested that the National Assembly needed to amend the Act establishing the Nigeria Police Force for the creation of state police.

Speaking also, Jimi Mohammed, who supported the motion, said the decision of the southern governors boils down to insecurity, adding: We cant clamour enough for the calls for state police.

On his part, Sanni Okanlawon said the governors had made a statement by calling for the ban on open grazing which he described as archaic and has led to the death of many.

He said the restructuring of the country was long overdue. He also commended the southern governors for their other decisions.

Ajani Owolabi supported the motion and opposed those arguing that the constitution makes provision for freedom of movement. According to him, people who move must be citizens and must not move with the aim to damage. He,however, lamented that the herdsmen had failed in these two areas.

Adedola Kasunmu, while supporting the motion, urged that some items such as power be moved from the exclusive list to concurrent.

Our national grid is getting weak and if the opportunity is given to states, it would help. If you fix power, you have fixed everything, he said.

ADVERTISEMENT

Sentonji David said the country urgently needed to act against insecurity. This is the time for us to have a restructured country, he said.

The leader of the House, Sanai Agunbiade, added: A country cannot be drifting this way and the President is quiet. The President must address this country and assuage nerves.

The National Assembly should come up with a bill to address the issue of state police. The bandits are multiplying like amoeba.

Adewale Temitope noted that the issue of insecurity had progressed rapidly and sent shivers down spines.

He commended the governors but urged them to also establish autonomy for state legislatures and judiciary.

He also lamented that most of the police officers in Lagos are from a particular region of the country and as such, they hardly understand the terrain and the people they are meant to protect.

Abiodun Tobun noted: Cattle rearing is a private business. So it is supposed that you cannot use your business to stop my progress or movement.

If truly we are practising true federalism, then each state should be allowed to secure its area.
ADVERTISEMENT

The All Progressives Congress has appointed a former governor of Lagos State, Akinwunmi Ambode, the deputy chairman of the south-west subcommittee of the Contact and Strategy Committee of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

Mr Ambode made this known via his verified Twitter handle on Tuesday evening. He said his appointment will strengthen and unite the party in the south-west region.

I was recently appointed as Deputy Chairman of the Southwest subcommittee of the Contact & Strategy Committee of our great party (APC), to help deepen & consolidate gains of the party in the region, prepare it as a strong & viable institution for the present & foreseeable future, he said.

The committee comprises 61 members.

Some members of the committee are Governors Yahaya Bello of Kogi State, Babagana Zulum of Borno, Inuwa Yahaya of Gombe State, Aminu Masari of Katsina, Simon Lalong of Plateau, Hope Uzodinma of Imo, Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos, David Umahi of Ebonyi, and Abdullahi Ganduje of Kano.

The Deputy Senate President, Ovie Omo-Agege, and two former Speakers of the House of Representatives, Dimeji Bankole and Yakubu Dogara, will also serve on the committee.

According to the APC Caretaker and Extra-Ordinary Convention Planning Committee (CECPC), National Secretary, John Akpanudoehede, the committee constitutes as part of efforts to rebuild and reposition the party ahead of the 2023 general elections.

Mr Ambode has been largely quiet after the APCs controversial decision to deny him a second-term ticket to contest as governor.

His replacement and the incumbent governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, floored him in the partys primaries.

Mr Sanwo-Olu scored 970,851 votes against Mr Ambodes 72,901.
During an unscheduled stop at a Ford test sight after he toured the Rouge Factory May 18, President Joe Biden was given an opportunity to drive the new Ford F-150 Lightning prior to it's formal release to the public.

Biden appeared driving fast in a grey-ish F-150 lightning truck.

This suckers quick," Biden told the assembled media through the truck window.

- Advertisement -

He then said the car goes 0-60 in about 4.4 seconds and asked a Ford representative for clarification on the exact number. The Ford rep said that info wasnt public until the official reveal tomorrow but said thats ok and laughed.

Sign up for our daily morning newsletter Click here and then look to the right side for the sign up to the morning newsletter for The News Herald, and you can get the top headlines de

When asked if the media could ask him about the situation in Israel, he made a joke before driving off.

No, you cant. Not unless you get in front of the car as I step on it. Im only teasing," he said.

Biden then said, Okay, here we go. Ready?

And then he floored it. Biden eventually turned around and honked as he went by.

President Joe Biden to tour Ford Rouge plant today President Joe Biden will be making his first appearance in Dearborn since taking office when he tours the Ford Rouge plant Tuesday, ahead of t

+4 Thousands gather in multiple protests in Dearborn demanding a 'Free Palestine' Hundreds of demonstrators gathered at the Arab American National Museum in Dearborn on Saturday afternoon to show solidarity with Palestinians

+2 None injured in Dearborn Heights house fire Dearborn Heights Firefighters were called to the 5400 block of Kinmore for an attic fire at about 6 p.m. May 15.
Though not highly popular, and ironic, Oli looks better poised to form a Government. And the Himalayan State needs one

by Ashok K Mehta

The five most powerful and, according to a study of the Nepalese media, easily the most despised Prime Minister Nepal has ever had among the 43 who made it, was sworn in for the third time as a minority Governments Prime Minister on May 14. Oli had defiantly dissolved the House in December and ordered elections for April-May when the Supreme Court restored the House in February, describing his actions as unconstitutional. Instead of resigning on moral grounds, Oli typically refused to do so in the face of massive criticism and revulsion while a full House sat between March 7 and April 19, twiddling their thumbs, and was prorogued a second time.

Against the might of five former Prime MinistersSB Deuba, Prachanda, Madhav Nepal, Jhalanath Khanal and Baburam Bhattaraiand the entire Opposition, Oli sailed through the no-confidence vote on May 10 with dissidents within his party and outside, not daring to change the status quo. In this high-stakes political stage show, the Mahanta-Thakur and Rajendra Mahato faction of the Janata Samajwadi Nepal with 15 lawmakers could have been kingmakers providing Oli the magic number of 136 parliamentarians and with independents to comfortably form a majority Government.

The Oli swearing in of a minority Government was made justiciable on grounds of erroneous swearing-in by a pliant president, Bidya Devi Bhandari, when Oli skipped the oath I solemnly and sincerely pledge. Seven Ministers sworn in a second time had ceased to be lawmakers when Oli lost his confidence vote, since non-lawmakers can be Ministers only once. Another constitutional hassle is about former Maoist and Home Minister Ram Bahadur Thapa contesting a National Assembly seat. Oli has shown that, like a cat, he has nine lives and will, before June 15, prove his majority in the House. The greatest quirk of Nepalese politics has just played outa Left Government that was destined to rule with a two-thirds majority for a full term was crippled by the ego and the lust for power of two ambitious politiciansOli and Prachanda. A Nepali Times survey and Himal Media public opinion poll blamed both for putting democracy at risk. A national survey showed 65.5 per cent Nepalese do not trust political leaders, of which 44.9 per cent did not trust Oli.

Oli, nurtured by India, was once New Delhis blue-eyed boy. After the 2015 economic blockade, he switched sides enthusing Chinas rise in Nepal till his political domination in the party was seriously challenged from within the party. Oli made a tactical tilt towards India last year despite the shrewd counter-manoeuvrings of Chinese Ambassador Hou Yanqui.

Olis biggest challenge is managing his most visible spectacular failureCovid19 pandemic. His letter to The Guardian and interview with the CNN are riddled with factual inaccuracies on the actual state of the pandemic, which is interwoven with the catastrophic spike in Indias second wave. Olis conspicuous lack of governance was exposed during the last one year that included corruption in the acquisition of medical equipment and the Government misleading people that COVID was viral influenza, whose cure was drinking turmeric laced warm water. Instead of building health infrastructure, the Government invested in building view towers, idols of Hindu gods and goddesses and telling the people that Lord Pashupati will take care of them. Oli has picked up Hindutva as his main agenda for the next election, claiming that Chitwan in Nepal is the real birthplace of Ram. He is playing the devout Hindu, visiting Pashupati temple; the same Oli who once said that the only God was Karl Marx though he did not believe in one.

Nepal needs a strong and stable Government to face the twin challenges of the pandemic and misgovernance. Oli has prioritised his political survival over the existential threat of COVID-19 just when Indias capacity for assistance has exhausted and New Delhi has sent out an SOS for oxygen, ventilators and other medical equipment. This is an opportunity for Beijing whose Foreign Minister Wang Yi has conducted at least three virtual meetings of the Saarc countries, excluding Maldives, Bhutan and India, on COVID-19 assistance. China has donated 8,00,000 doses of its vaccine to Nepal, which has signed a contract of 2 million doses with the Serum Institute of India, of which only 1 million have been delivered.

Engulfed by the pandemic, these are ugly times and made worse by an inept Government whose focus is on regime extension, not defeating the once-in-a-century scourge. By June 15, either the contours of a majority Oli Government should be in sight or a coalition Government of the Opposition parties, failing which the House will be dissolved and fresh elections ordered when 20 months are still left in the life of this House. A majority and stable Government is imperative to fight COVID-19, not any elections, for the time being. Ironically, Oli looks better poised to form a Government.

(The writer, a retired Major General, was Commander, IPKF South, Sri Lanka, and founder member of the Defence Planning Staff, currently the Integrated Defence Staff. The views expressed are personal.)
A big-time Division 2 regional final on Thursday at Trenton featured two teams with a combined record of 29-5-3. And history was going to be made as neither Dearborn Divine Child nor South Lyon East had ever won a regional championship.
Ahead of President Bidens visit to the Ford Rouge Complex in Dearborn on Tuesday afternoon, faith and community leaders gathered at the American Moslem Society to voice their concern for his administrations position towards the Israel-Palestine conflict.

The event featured leaders from various community and political action groups who spoke about the need for policy change towards the Palestinians. The event was one of several in the past week aimed at protesting for a free Palestine. Arab American community members have criticized U.S. military support for Israel as the country launches airstrikes on Gaza following weeks of increased conflict with Palestinians.

We are here today to welcome the president to our backyard, said Abdallah Sheikh, president of American and Muslim American Political Action Committee. We invested and helped elect Joe Biden. We believe that he is fair, believes in justice, and is a true leader. We are asking the president for a ceasefire and to help end the war in Gaza. We are asking him to help stop the settlers from using aggression on the native Palestinians.

- Advertisement -

Sheikh added that tax dollars from his community should be used to improve the U.S. instead of aggressive nations.

This flag means justice, he said, motioning towards a small American flag on the podium. This flag means helping people, not killing people.

Imad Hamad from the American Human Rights Council spoke at the event and said the purpose of the protests are to show the president loud and clear that they expect him to do what is right.

Sign up for our daily morning newsletter Click here and then look to the right side for the sign up to the morning newsletter for The News Herald, and you can get the top headlines de

American values stand for equal rights and dignity for all, he said. Palestinians under the occupation should not be the exception. Time is due for justice. Israel has three choices  either one state that treats all citizens equally, a two state solution and coexistence, and the third choice is what Israel has chosen for the past 73 years. We tell our president today that our fight will continue. What is good for Israel is good for Palestinians, the value of a human life is not measured by its ethnicity, faith, or nationality.

Other participating organizations included American Muslims for Palestine, American Center for Justice, American-Muslim Leadership Council, as well as groups from the Pakistani and Yemeni communities.

Two other events were held as Biden visited the Ford Rouge Complex, upon the announcement of Fords electric-powered F-150 truck. Demonstrators gathered at the Dearborn Police Department and Lapeer Park, which is near the plant, to voice their opposition to U.S. foreign policy under Biden.

+9 Rallies held in Dearborn to protest President Bidens stance on Palestine More than 1,000 people gathered in front of the Dearborn Police Department on May 18, chanting Free, free Palestine, as speakers began to ta
Dearborns 97-year-old patriotic tradition of commemorating Memorial Day will continue in a new way in 2021 with a solemn remembrance ceremony followed by a patriotic concert at 7:30 p.m. May 30.

The public is invited to the free outdoor program, which will be presented at the Veterans Park and War Memorial in front of the Henry Ford Centennial Library, 16301 Michigan Ave. The public is asked to bring their own lawn chairs and to follow safety protocols.

The Sunday night remembrance ceremony will be in conjunction with the Dearborn Allied War Veterans Council (DAWVC), Dearborns longtime partner in hosting Memorial Day events. World War II veterans will receive special acknowledgement during the ceremony.

- Advertisement -

Concert includes march written for Dearborn WWII soldier

The 60-minute patriotic concert will be performed by the Motor City Brass Band (MCBB), led by musical director and conductor Craig Strain. Adding meaning to the Sunday night concert will be the premiere of a concert march composed in honor of Staff Sgt. Robert A. Godfrey, who died in World War II and is one of Dearborns 347 fallen heroes.

The concert march was composed by Sandor Hendriks, a musician who lives in The Netherlands and who cares for Godfreys grave in a military cemetery in that country, a longstanding practice to express gratitude for the sacrifice American soldiers made in Europe. Godfrey served with the 406th Infantry Regiment, 102nd Infantry Division Anti-Tank Company.

Lisa Lark, founder of the Dearborn Memorial Project, had been in contact with Hendriks while researching information on Godfrey. She passed along the piece, called Angels from the Sky, to the MCBB.

The MCBB will also be playing American Salute, God Bless the USA, Midway March and the Armed Forces Salute.

347 luminaries honor Dearborns War Dead

A meaningful part of the Sunday night commemoration will be the lighting of 347 luminaries lining the border of the Veterans Park and War Memorial, representing Dearborns 347 fallen heroes from WWI, WWII, Korea and Vietnam.

Dearborns patriotic tradition

The Sunday, May 30 program will stand in for Dearborns Memorial Day Parade, which was cancelled due to safety concerns related to COVID-19. The parade has been presented for 95 years but was cancelled in 2020 and 2021.

More information

For more information on the May 30 program, call 313-943-2285 or visit www.cityofdearborn.org.

For more information on the Motor City Brass Band, visit http://www.mcbb.org/.

For more information on the Dearborn Memorial Project, visit: https://www.dearbornmemorialproject.com/

The Dearborn Memorial Project can assist families, organizations and businesses with creating their own tribute to one of the 347 Dearborn people who died in service to our country. A photo and a graphic template can be provided to those wanting to make lawn signs or social media posts featuring an individual from the War Memorial. Contact Lisa Lark at lisaalark@gmail.com.

 Source: City of Dearborn

+9 Rallies held in Dearborn to protest President Bidens stance on Palestine More than 1,000 people gathered in front of the Dearborn Police Department on May 18, chanting Free, free Palestine, as speakers began to ta

Wear your life jacket to work Friday! Friday, May 21 is National Wear Your Life Jacket to Work Day  an annual social media event the day before National Safe Boating Week. Wear Yo

+2 Biden seemingly enjoys driving new Ford F-150 Lightning During an unscheduled stop at a Ford test sight after he toured the Rouge Factory May 18, President Joe Biden was given an opportunity to driv
More than 1,000 people gathered in front of the Dearborn Police Department on May 18, chanting Free, free Palestine, as speakers began to take the stage.

This was just days after one of the largest rallies in the citys history had taken place Sunday, and was happening simultaneously to a visit from President Joe Biden to the south end of the city.

- Advertisement -

"They asked us to save democracy from Donald Trump and now we are asking everyone to please save Palestine from Joe Biden," said protest organizer Amer Zahr. "He is participating in and funding the murder of our families."

While the multiple rallies held in the city over the weekend were about freeing the Palestinian people from Israel, the rally in front of the Police Department was much more about the Biden administrations policy on the issue between the two groups.

Biden has been pro Israel in the first four months of his tenure, including recently approving $735 million in weapons sales to them.

Protesters called on Biden to end military support for Israel, whom the U.S. gives nearly $4 billion annually. Israel is launching airstrikes on Gaza in response to Hamas rocket fire into Israel after weeks of increased conflict following Israeli evictions of Palestinians in an East Jerusalem neighborhood, Sheikh Jarrah.

Part of the complaint from those protesting is that the Arab population of America, and specifically Dearborn, heavily supported Biden in November's election, based partially on promises of changing the U.S. stance on who to support in the Middle East.

Many of the protesters were draped in Palestinian flags, or carrying them, along with protest signs. While the majority of the signs were about Free Palestine, there were several political statements about Biden and his administration, as well.

On such sign, carried by a young boy wearing sunglasses and a face mask, read Biden was supposed to be better than Trump, but hes letting Israel kill Palestinian kids too!

Other anti-Biden signs read Biden, stop funding genocide, and You did it Joe, you did it, along with dollar bills and a drawing of Biden wearing clown makeup and a rainbow Afro.

Early in the rally, the crowd was asked to turn toward the south end of the city, where Biden was touring the Ford Rouge Factory, and try to chant loud enough for him to hear.

Can everyone look that way, and with the loudest voice you can say, Free free Palestine, Zahr said.

After several rounds of the chant, the rally started in earnest with several people speaking.

The rally continued to grow as more people kept arriving. Eventually the protesters marched from the police parking lot down Michigan Avenue.

A second rally was taking place at the same time at Lapeer Park, near the Rouge Plant.

Lapeer Park

Detroit Will Breathe activist Jae Bass spoke at the event, calling for a free Palestine and relating the struggles of Palestinians to African Americans.

We are committed to eradicating all forms of oppression, he said. It comes in all forms: surveillance, displacement, militarized tactics used on citizens, state-sanctioned violence against protesters. Since day one, Arab American activists have been right there on the front lines (with Black Lives Matter) because they know that our struggle is one. We demand that Biden care about the Palestinian people. Almost $4 billion going to Israel every year for what? While communities are underfunded, we as taxpayers are funding the apartheid state of Israel.

Dearborn resident Ismail Abdurrahman spoke at the protest about his experience being displaced from his home in Palestine. Born in Palestine in 1948, Abdurrahmans early life was shaped by conflict and displacement.

I am here because I am a witness of the Nakba, he said. I remember how in 1967 it was Israeli forces coming into my town and lining everyone on the main street. Immediately, they brought their buses and forced us on them and drove us all the way to the River Jordan. I will return to my homeland, to my town, whether Biden likes it or not!

Sign up for our daily morning newsletter Click here and then look to the right side for the sign up to the morning newsletter for The News Herald, and you can get the top headlines de

Palestine wasnt the only call to action for protesters. Organizers called for the U.S. to help end the Saudi blockade on Yemen, which has led to famine and disease in the war-torn nation. Dearborns south end has a large population of Yemeni Americans. Biden announced an end to U.S. involvement in the war in February of this year, but the allys blockade on imports still remains.

Indigenous and environmental activists called for Biden to strike down the Line 5 oil pipeline that operates in the straits of Mackinac. Gov. Gretchen Whitmer ordered the shutdown of Line 5, but Enbridge Energy is defying the order, arguing the federal government must step in.

After roughly a dozen speakers, organizers led the hundreds of protesters through the residential streets of south Dearborn. Mostly Palestinian and some Yemeni flags waved down the street as the crowded chanted to drum beat.

We need money for our schools, not for Israels deadly tools, and Saudi, Saudi you cant hide, we charge you with genocide, were two of many chants. Some residents cheered the marchers on from their porches.

+4 Biden visits Ford Rouge Plant, talks about infrastructure during Dearborn trip My name is Joe Biden, and Im a car guy, the president declared during remarks at Ford Motor Co. on Tuesday.

+2 Biden seemingly enjoys driving new Ford F-150 Lightning During an unscheduled stop at a Ford test sight after he toured the Rouge Factory May 18, President Joe Biden was given an opportunity to driv
White Bear Lake, MN (55110)

Today

Cloudy skies this morning followed by scattered showers and thunderstorms during the afternoon. High near 90F. Winds SW at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 40%..

Tonight

Scattered thunderstorms during the evening. Partly cloudy skies after midnight. Low 62F. Winds NNW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 50%.
McKENZIE DELISLE/STAFF PHOTOAssemblyman D. Billy Jones (D-Chateaugay Lake) speaks at the North Country Chamber of Commerce, asking state officials to allow New York to vaccinate essential workers of Canada. Jones and Chamber President Garry Douglas said the move would mimic that of other northern border states, like North Dakota and Michigan, which recently began inoculating essential Canadians. They hoped to first target Canada's truck drivers, who pass through New York daily, and later "essential travelers," including those with U.S. properties and/or families.
PHOTO PROVIDEDIn a photo taken several years ago, Tracy Simmons (right) sits at a table with her mother, Mary Sharpe, while holding her adopted daughter, Jasper. Sharpe, a Canadian resident, died of lung cancer earlier this year. Due to restrictions at the northern border crossing, Simmons was unable to visit her beforehand. "It's not something pleasant to think about, but I wanted to  my mother was a very giving person, so I wanted to give back to her and I was not able to do this. I wanted to be able to help my mother in her last days of life and I lost that opportunity with the border being closed."
A service for Simon G. Perry will be held at Heald Funeral Home on Thursday, June 17, 2021, from 4 to 6 p.m. On Friday, June 18, 2021, a Mass service will be held at St Alexander's Church in Morrisonville at 10 a.m. with a funeral procession to Saranac Cemetery. There will be a reception hel
Folwing article based on an Open Letter to President Gotabaya Rajapaksa

by Dr Parakrama Waidyanatha

Your recent endeavor to rush the country from conventional farming to total organic farming, compelled me to write this letter to give a balanced view of the issues at stake. I should on the outset say that no well  informed agricultural scientists is against organic agriculture knowing the benefits of organic matter in the improvement of the physical, chemical and microbial properties of the soil which are critically important for sustained and productive crop production. However, the large majority of them are concerned about the possible negative consequence of substantially decreased productivity, leading even to hunger and starvation, if the mission is not based on achievable goals.

Industrial Pollution

If you are driven for organic farming because of the negative aspects of conventional farming such as environmental pollution and human health; from an economic and sustainability perspectives, correcting the negative aspects of the latter and continuing with it should be far more beneficial, because organic farming is not devoid of those negatives.

Please consider the following:

1. The global organic farming scenario

Organic farming is confined to 1.5% the total global farmlands of which 66% is in pasture, and a mere 16 countries have achieved over 10% organic cover. Bhutan, for example, with access to substantial organic material such as leaf litter and farmyard manure, on account of its huge forest cover and animal population, set a target in2008 to reach 100% organic by 2020.The organic movement was supported by the royalty and the government. The country with a total area of 763,000 square kilometers has only 8% arable land. However, it was able to achieve only 10% of the target; and now the target date has been extended to 2035! It is critically important to review the global scenario before rushing into any decision.

2. The Taskforce.

A few days ago the organic taskforce you have appointed, some 40 odd people, bulk of them politicians,, met you, but a notable omission from it appears to be the senior scientists from the agricultural research and development institutions and the leading academics from the universities in the field. Of course there were several of the die- hard organic tribe therein! Interestingly, one of them was reported, some years ago, claiming to have discovered a swayanjatha wee( a self-generated rice variety ) that fed the dasa maha yodayas (the ten warriors) of king Dutugamunu. It was later identified as a sorghum variety by the rice scientists of the Agriculture Department! And the other was reported in a Sinhala newspaper as having said that the weed killer glyphosate even dissolved reservoir bunds, and what talk of kidneys! He claimed that glyphosate was an etiolating agent of the Rajarata kidney disease but it has now been totally disproved! So the quality of some scientists you have appointed is questionable! You should, ideally have a balanced team of proven agricultural and other experts in the taskforce in the relevant fields to seek tangible views on the feasibility of achieving your objective; and accordingly an action plan within a realistic time frame should be drawn. The large majority of agricultural scientists are for promotion of organic farming as far as feasible, but is of the firm view that no country can go fully organic in the current context of population expansion and increasing demand for food from the existing farmlands. Several expert calculations reveal that without chemical fertilizers half the global population cannot exist!

3. TheWasa visapandemic

The masses have been gravely mislead by the connotation wasa visa for any agrochemically- grown produce. The misinformation has spread like a pandemic! Apart from others, some of the key ministers are to be blamed for this fiasco and misleading the masses. For example, Hon. Chamal Rajapaksa, then Minister of Agriculture and Mahaweli Development, addressing farmers in Embilipitiya last year, had remarked that Sri Lanka is the country consuming the highest quantities of wasa visa in the world by way of agrochemical residues! Not to be undone, Hon. Mahinda Amaraweera, Minister of Environment recently remarked that our water bodies are highly polluted with agrochemicals. Surely, they should have sought advice and information from their officials before making faulty utterances. The evidence in the Tables attached below do not support their views. Then Dr Padeniya, a Pediatrician and strong supporter of organic farming has often claimed that agrochemicals are responsible for many of the non-communicable diseases. Can he provide evidence as to what the agrochemicals are and the associated diseases? He is also an ardent promoter of traditional rice varieties, purportedly because of some nutritional benefits. He was unaware of the fact that they yield less than half of our new improved varieties, and that some of the latter have many of the nutritional and health benefits of the old varieties! Anyway, the prime function of the staple is to provide the energy, and those nutritional and health benefits are easily obtainable from the other foods. Combining his prescription of organic farming with traditional varieties will decrease our national rice production to less than half, needless to say with dire consequences!

Sources: www.worldbank.org/indicator/AG.COM.Fert.2S; https//www.worldometers.info

As per the World Bank data in Table 1, we consume far less fertilizers and pesticides, than most countries in the region. Table 2 shows that after 2002, Sri Lanka has reduced by as much as 98%, the use of the most toxic pesticides of Classes 1, and substantially increased the use of less toxic pesticides.

Source: Dept. of Agriculture

On the whole, the pesticide residue levels reported, are not alarming as evident from Table 3. However, there should be a strong division within the Central Environmental Authority or under the Health Ministry that regularly monitor pesticides in the food and environment, establish tolerance limits, and at the same time, be responsible for enforcing the tolerance limits in the food and environment. Such effective and regular services are sadly lacking in Sri Lanka and should be of highest priority.

This is not to say that everything is hunky dory with conventional farming. Misuse of agrochemicals is a serious concern, and this subject will be examined later.

4. CKDu-agrochemical myth

Then there is the other widespread myth of agrochemicals causing the kidney disease of the Rajarata. Regrettably, a 2013 WHO Report on the matter stated that several pesticides were above reference levels in the urine of CKDu patients and some of them are nephrotoxic (toxic to kidneys) implicating pesticides in the causation of CKDu . Surprisingly the Report did not have the pesticide residue data of people in the non-CKDu (Hambantota) area. However, subsequent re-analysis of the data (see Table 4) revealed that their urine had more than double or treble the pesticide residue levels compared to that of CKDu subjects! So agrochemicals are most unlikely to be the cause.

Table 4

Then, the International Consultation on CKDu that was held in 2016 in Sri Lanka, in its Final Report stated that there was no evidence to implicate agrochemicals in the causation of CKDu.

The most convincing finding was that people who drank water from the reservoirs, rivers and wells in the plains did not contaminate the disease, whereas those who consumed water from dug wells on high ground did so. It was dramatically established by the finding from two adjoining villages in Girandhurukotte, namely, Ginnoruwa on high ground and the other, Sarabhumi, in the plain, the people of the latter who drank water from the river or adjoining wells did not contaminate the disease, whereas those from the former village who exclusively consumed well water did! It was subsequently established that the hard water and high fluoride contents in those wells were responsible for causation of the disease. Eventually when these people stopped drinking well water but harvested rain water, no new cases of the disease were reported! In addition, research of the Medical Faculty , Peradeniya University with rats fed water from these wells as against distilled water, contaminated the disease! So agrochemicals are not the aetiolating agent of CKDu!

4. Agrochemicals & their misuse

Hardly any chemical fertilizer is harmful to human health and to other living organisms if its quality conforms to specified safe standards and used in the correct amounts. It is excess use of fertilizer that can be harmful. Chemical fertilizer has been used successfully by all countries for almost two centuries to meet their food demand, and countries moved away from organic farming as it could not produce it. We are not aware of a single country that has banned use of chemical fertilizers or of contemplating such action at this point of time. Furthermore, if we ban chemical fertilizers to protect our people from consuming toxins, we should also ban importation of wheat flour from Canada, milk powder from New Zealand and chilli, onion and masoor dahl from India and Pakistan as these countries use chemical fertilizers liberally.

The real problem with agrochemicals is their misuse. Most farmers work on the premise that more is better! An outstanding local example of this is the rampant excessive use of fertilizers by vegetable growers, especially the potato farmers, who use 5-10 times the recommended quantities of fertilizer. The excess fertilizer via erosion and leaching ends up in the downstream lakes in the Rajarata causing algal booms which interfere with water use, and also secrete toxins which are reported to damage the liver and kidneys. Misuse of pesticides is probably a more serious problem. An FAO study conducted in Indonesia, Sweden and Canada many years ago established that 50-60 percent of the pesticide used can be cut down without loss of crop.

What is critically needed is exhaustive training of farmers and the extension workers in the judicious use of agrochemicals. Sadly, the farmers get their instructions from the agrochemical sellers in the villages and not extension workers. The extension services deteriorated following its provincilization, and strengthening this service as also the research and development systems in the country is critically needed. These are matters the government should address as a matter of highest priority rather than switching to organic farming!

5. The unsaid side of organic farming.

Some of the products used in organic farming are as toxic as conventional agrochemicals. Sodium nitrate used in organic farming as a nitrogen fertilizer is mined in South America. It carries highly toxic sodium perchlorate as an impurity, which is known to enter the soil and water bodies. Then, sulphur, copper and copper sulphate are toxins for pests allowed for use in organic farmlands and the latter is a Class 1 toxin, which can also bio-accumulate.

Further, as large amounts of farmyard manure and other organic material of the order of 20-30 tonnes/ha are added seasonally, much larger quantities of heavy metals such as cadmium, arsenic and lead can enter the soil than through chemical fertilizer.

Further, rotenone and pyrethrum being natural pesticides are used in organic farming. However, rotenone is suspected to cause Parkinsons disease and pyrethrum is carcinogenic. In short, natural pesticides can be as toxic as synthetic ones.

A serious problem with organic agriculture is the surreptitious mixing of chemical insecticides with organic ones. Some time ago, Prof. Nioki Motoyama of the University of Tokyo, showed that eight of the so-called organic pesticides in the market, contained abemectin and other highly toxic chemical pesticides.

So, when expanded on a national scale organic farming can lead to as many problems of the same scale as conventional!

Non-agricultural environmental pollution

It is regrettable that hardly any attention has been paid to air and other non-agricultural pollution issues which can be as serious as agricultural pollution. Significant pollution with increased industrial and population growth is obvious. For example, release of toxins from coal power plants locally is substantial. About 3 tons of mercury, 2 tons of arsenic, 2.9 tons of chromium and 5.7 tons of lead are reported to be spewed out annually from them.

Waterways are getting increasingly polluted with human sewage, and air pollution within cities such as Colombo and Kandy, especially with regard to ozone gas and fine particles, is a serious problem not addressed. The quality of air we breathe not only affects the health of our lungs but also other organs!

Motor vehicles have increased 20 times over the last thirty years of which the three wheeler increase is the highest being 88 fold! Thus, the importance of overall environmental pollution control cannot be overstressed.
LONDON, May 13, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- The United Arab Emirates has widened its travel ban to include Pakistan, Nepal and Sri Lanka. The ban came into effect on May 12th. The announcement comes after the UAE banned Indians from travelling to the country to curb the spread of the India COVID variant. However, this ban will not include long-term residency holders (such as the Golden Visa) and diplomats. Those that consider the UAE their home base but are not holders of the visa or hold citizenship must find alternative solutions to the restrictions.

Since the UAE banned travellers from India, there has been skyrocketing demand for private jets from wealthy individuals stuck abroad. While there are still charter flights available, they can only hold up to nine travellers and must get approval from the appropriate authorities beforehand, after submitting passenger details. There is no information for how long the ban will last, leaving many UAE-based companies to shift their short-term hiring plans, sourcing talent locally instead of hubs in South Asia like India.

Over the last year, the pandemic has triggered mass uncertainty across the globe. To combat this, high net-worth individuals and their families have increasingly invested in second citizenship as an insurance policy to protect their future financially and physically. Citizenship by Investment Programmes, in particular, have become a popular route to achieving this. Under this initiative, wealthy investors can become legal and lifelong citizens within two to three months once making a qualifying investment into either a government fund or buying selected real estate options.

CS Global Partners, a London-headquartered immigration firm specialising in citizenship by investment, has noted an uptick in applications since the start of the pandemic. "For many wealthy individuals, the pandemic is the first time that they recognise the undeniable need for a Plan B. It's not only a matter of protecting your family's immediate safety but ensuring that your eggs are not all in one basket financially. Second citizenship can provide all of this," says Micha Emmett, CEO of CS Global Partners.

St Kitts and Nevis introduced the world's first and, now, the longest-standing CBI Programme in 1984. With nearly four decades of experience, the programme is recognised within the investment migration industry as a "Platinum Standard" brand. Not only is it a trusted product, but it remains to be one of the fastest citizenship programmes globally, as highlighted in the 2020 CBI Index. It also ensures its due diligence framework is robust and multi-tiered, accepting only those of the highest moral character.

Under the Sustainable Growth Fund, investors who choose St Kitts and Nevis can also take advantage of a limited time offer that confers citizenship to a family of four for only $150,000 instead of $195,000.

07824029952, [email protected], www.csglobalpartners.com

SOURCE CS Global Partners
SAN JOSE, Calif. and BENGALURU, India, May 19, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Happiest Minds Technologies Limited (NSE: HAPPSTMNDS), a 'Born Digital. Born Agile', digital transformation and IT solutions company announced, it has successfully executed a digital transformation project for Coca Cola Bottling Company United for streamlining its order management with RPA in Microsoft Power Automate.

Coca-Cola Bottling Company United (Coca-Cola United) has a long history of supplying Coca-Cola products directly to retailers and restaurants. But when Coca-Cola introduced its new Freestyle vending machine, Coca-Cola United, a privately owned company that isn't owned by Coca-Cola, was challenged to streamline its order and invoicing procedures. It rose to the occasion quickly, using Microsoft Power Automate robotic process automation (RPA). Coca-Cola United is advancing the strategic Freestyle initiative with process automation that matches the individuality and innovation that the product represents.

"While building this solution, we resurrected high-value strategic projects that we couldn't tackle before because of the constraints of legacy apps. We feel empowered to take advantage of any future opportunities that the business provides us," says Bob Means, Director of Business Solutions

Helping every customer with Power Automate RPA

The company faced two challenges as it explored solutions.

"It was too costly to create APIs for our legacy applications like SAP and others, and we also had to navigate a third-party website," explains Allan McDaniel, Manager of Development for BI and Master Data at Coca-Cola Bottling Company United. "We used Power Automate RPA bots to fill these gaps and automate the process."

Desktop flows in Power Automate automates repetitive processes in Windows and web applications  a perfect fit for high-volume but mundane data entry and transfer. Coca-Cola Bottling Company United collaborated with Happiest Minds to create a master automated service agent they've dubbed 'Asa,' which consists of several bots. Built on Microsoft Azure and Microsoft Power Platform, 'Asa' uses Azure Key Vault to help secure and control passwords and other sensitive data, and it relies on Azure DevOps for continuous integration and continuous delivery (CI/CD).

The new, simplified process frees the dedicated CRM agent, allowing orders from all channels, such as inbound and outbound call center agents, field service sales representatives at customer sites, and via a customer self-service portal.

"We avoided having to hire 10 full-time employees. Better still, the existing CRM agent is now free to work on other projects." - Allan McDaniel, Manager of Development for BI and Master Data, Coca-Cola Bottling Company United.

"Our team collaborated well, and the synergies led to the deployment of one of a kind solution, leading to realization of business benefits for our customers. We at Happiest Minds work as a partner with each of our customers in their digital journey and deliver solutions tailormade to the requirement of the respective customers." - Huzefa Saifee, Chief Technology Officer, Digital Business Services, Happiest Minds.

Using Power Virtual Agents, Happiest Minds helped the company develop a bot that served as an intelligent front end to the new solution. Power Automate was used to drive the entire process. And by interoperating with other Azure services, such as Azure Key Vault, the system was able to securely access both internal and external systems and orchestrate the entire order process, from purchase order to reconciliation, in SAP.

Kaylan Cannon, Customer Service Manager, Coca-Cola Bottling Company United, is enthusiastic. "We are very excited about this solution," she says. "It will dramatically reduce labor costs, minimize the various points of error in our current solution, and will allow us to rapidly expand the local Freestyle campaign to better support our customers."

"It has been a very innovative and productive journey for us to work with Coca Cola Bottling Company United to automate their order management with RPA. Happiest Minds always strives to use technology as a tool to enable businesses to accelerate adaption of digital technologies and help modernize and transform their current environment."  Rajiv Shah, Chief Executive Officer, Digital Business Services, Happiest Minds.

About Happiest Minds Technologies:

Happiest Minds Technologies Limited (NSE: HAPPSTMNDS), a Mindful IT Company, enables digital transformation for enterprises and technology providers by delivering seamless customer experiences, business efficiency and actionable insights. We do this by leveraging a spectrum of disruptive technologies such as: artificial intelligence, blockchain, cloud, digital process automation, internet of things, robotics/drones, security, virtual/augmented reality, etc. Positioned as 'Born Digital . Born Agile', our capabilities span digital solutions, infrastructure, product engineering and security. We deliver these services across industry sectors such as automotive, BFSI, consumer packaged goods, e-commerce, edutech, engineering R&D, hi-tech, manufacturing, retail and travel/transportation/hospitality.

A Great Place to Work-Certified Company, Happiest Minds is headquartered in Bangalore, India with operations in the U.S., UK, Canada, Australia and Middle East.

Media Contact:

[email protected]

About Coca Cola Bottling Company United

Founded in 1902 and headquartered in Birmingham, Alabama, Coca Cola Bottling Company United is the third largest bottler of Coca-Cola products in the United States. Our 10,000 associates located across the southeast are engaged in the production, marketing, sales and distribution of some of the world's most refreshing and recognized beverages.

Coca-Cola UNITED is one of the largest bottlers and distributors of Coca-Cola products in the United States. It has also been one of the fastest growing. While the company has been around for almost 120 years, most of its growth has occurred within the span of just four years. Microsoft Power Platform has turned out to be a key tool in helping Coca-Cola UNITED navigate this amazing growth.

To learn more about Coca Cola Bottling Company United, please visit: https://cocacolaunited.com/

Click here to view the case study featured on Microsoft Customer Portal

Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1327416/Happiest_Minds_Logo.jpg

SOURCE Happiest Minds Technologies
Adjusted Net Income Increased 23.1% to Reach RMB781.6 Million

ZTO Reports First Quarter 2021 Unaudited Financial Results

SHANGHAI, May 19, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- ZTO Express (Cayman) Inc. (NYSE: ZTO and SEHK: 2057), a leading and fast-growing express delivery company in China ("ZTO" or the "Company"), today announced its unaudited financial results for the first quarter ended March 31, 2021[1]. The Company delivered a parcel volume growth of 88.5% and expanded market share by 1.5 percentage points to 20.4% while maintaining high quality of service and customer satisfaction. Adjusted net income beat market expectations by growing 23.1% to reach RMB781.6 million. Cash generated from operating activities was RMB477.0 million.

First Quarter 2021 Financial Highlights

Revenues were RMB6,472.5 million ( US$987.9 million ), an increase of 65.3% from RMB3,915.9 million in the same period of 2020.

( ), an increase of 65.3% from in the same period of 2020. Gross profit was RMB1,096.5 million ( US$167.4 million ), an increase of 33.9% from RMB818.7 million in the same period of 2020.

( ), an increase of 33.9% from in the same period of 2020. Net income was RMB533.5 million ( US$81.4 million ), an increase of 43.8% from RMB371.0 million in the same period of 2020.

( ), an increase of 43.8% from in the same period of 2020. Adjusted EBITDA [2] was RMB1,468.1 million ( US$224.1 million ), an increase of 25.1% from RMB1,173.4 million in the same period of 2020.

was ( ), an increase of 25.1% from in the same period of 2020. Adjusted net income [3] was RMB781.6 million ( US$119.3 million ), an increase of 23.1% from RMB635.1 million in the same period of 2020.

was ( ), an increase of 23.1% from in the same period of 2020. Basic and diluted earnings per American depositary share ("ADS" [4] ) were RMB0.64 (US$0.10) , an increase of 33.3% from RMB0.48 in the same period of 2020.

) were , an increase of 33.3% from in the same period of 2020. Adjusted basic and diluted earnings per American depositary share [5] attributable to ordinary shareholders were RMB0.94 (US$0.14) , an increase of 14.6% from RMB0.82 in the same period of 2020.

attributable to ordinary shareholders were , an increase of 14.6% from in the same period of 2020. Net cash provided by operating activities was RMB477.0 million ( US$72.8 million ), compared with RMB177.8 million in the same period of 2020.

Operational Highlights for First Quarter 2021

Parcel volume was 4,475 million, an increase of 88.5% from 2,374 million in the same period of 2020.

Number of pickup/delivery outlets was approximately 30,000 as of March 31, 2021 .

. Number of direct network partners was over 5,350 as of March 31, 2021 .

. Number of line-haul vehicles was over 10,450 as of March 31, 2021 , which included over 10,050 self-owned vehicles and approximately 400 vehicles owned and operated by Tonglu Tongze Logistics Ltd., a transportation operator that works exclusively for ZTO.

, which included over 10,050 self-owned vehicles and approximately 400 vehicles owned and operated by Tonglu Tongze Logistics Ltd., a transportation operator that works exclusively for ZTO. Out of the over 10,050 self-owned trucks, over 8,100 were high capacity 15 to 17-meter-long models as of March 31, 2021 , compared to approximately 7,900 as of December 31, 2020 .

, compared to approximately 7,900 as of . Number of line-haul routes between sorting hubs was over 3,650 as of March 31, 2021 , compared to over 3,600 as of December 31, 2020 .

, compared to over 3,600 as of . Number of sorting hubs was 95 as of March 31, 2021 , among which 84 are operated by the Company and 11 by the Company's network partners.

(1) An investor relations presentation accompanies this earnings release and can be found at http://zto.investorroom.com. (2) Adjusted EBITDA is a non-GAAP financial measure, which is defined as net income before depreciation, amortization, interest expenses and income tax expenses, and further adjusted to exclude the shared-based compensation expense and non-recurring items such as the gain on disposal of equity investment and subsidiary which management aims to better represent the underlying business operations. (3) Adjusted net income is a non-GAAP financial measure, which is defined as net income before share-based compensation expense and non-recurring items such as gain on disposal of equity investment and subsidiary in which management aims to better represent the underlying business operations. (4) One ADS represents one Class A ordinary share. (5) Adjusted basic and diluted earnings per American depositary share attributable to ordinary shareholders is a non-GAAP financial measure. It is defined as adjusted net income attributable to ordinary shareholders divided by weighted average number of basic and diluted shares, respectively.

Mr. Meisong Lai, Founder, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of ZTO, commented, "For the first quarter, China's express delivery industry benefited from the steady recovery and growth of domestic economy and achieved a 75% parcel volume growth against a low comparative base last year. With 4.5 billion parcels, ZTO grew its volume 13.5 percentage points faster than the industry average and expanded our market share by 1.5 percentage points to 20.4% from last year."

Mr. Lai added, "The competitive dynamics of China's express delivery industry continued to evolve. While profit level declined for the industry due to price competition that remained intense, those with stronger capacity and more stable partner network delivered better performance results. Since its early years, ZTO has devoted resources towards continuous development of infrastructure and cultivation of trust and loyalty by its network partners. Relying on our leading throughput capability and effective incentive policies across our network, we achieved healthy levels of market share expansion and earnings as we remained number one in customer satisfaction ranking. We firmly believe, our consistent strategy and execution through high quality of service backed by leading scale and efficiency will provide the winning edge going forward."

Ms. Huiping Yan, Chief Financial Officer of ZTO, commented, "We achieved RMB 782 million adjusted net profit that increased 23.1%. Our core express delivery business ASP declined by 12.4%, the least amount of drop compared with industry peers, yet we have achieved the most market share gain. The combined unit sorting and transportation costs efficiency gain was 5.2% despite the absence of favorable effects of ETC toll waiver policy that expired May last year, and our lean corporate structure continued to contribute positively to the bottom line."

Ms. Yan added, "Cash flow from operating activities increased 168.3% to reach RMB 477 million in the quarter. Capital expenditures was RMB 2.3 billion as we focus more on building comprehensive logistics service capabilities. We have set distinctive targets towards differentiating products and services across logistics landscape to serve a greater array of consumers and businesses in the next 3 to 5 years."

First Quarter 2021 Financial Results









Three Months Ended March 31,







2020









2021





RMB %

RMB US$

%







(in thousands, except percentages)





Express delivery services 3,406,410



87.0

5,672,809



865,840

87.6 Freight forwarding services 295,476



7.5

492,986



75,244

7.6 Sale of accessories 177,025



4.5

260,179



39,711

4.0 Others 36,978



1.0

46,563



7,107

0.8 Total revenues 3,915,889



100.0

6,472,537



987,902

100.0

Total Revenues were RMB6,472.5 million (US$987.9 million), an increase of 65.3% from RMB3,915.9 million in the same period of 2020. Revenue from the core express delivery business increased by 65.2% compared to the same period of 2020, as a combined result of an 88.5% increase in parcel volume and a 12.4% decrease in parcel unit price mainly driven by competition and per parcel weight decline. Revenue from freight forwarding services increased by 66.8% compared to the same period of 2020, driven by surging cross border e-commerce demand and improved pricing amidst the COVID-19 outbreak globally. Revenue from sales of accessories, largely consisting of the sales of thermal paper used for digital waybills' printing, increased by 47.0%, much lower than volume increase due to increasing usage of lower-priced single-sheet digital waybill that reduces carbon footprint. Other revenues were mainly derived from financing services and advertising services.









Three Months Ended March 31,







2020









2021





RMB % of

RMB US$

% of

revenues





revenues







(in thousands, except percentages)





Line-haul transportation cost 1,297,417



33.1

2,533,913



386,751

39.1 Sorting hub cost 965,756



24.7

1,511,370



230,680

23.4 Freight forwarding cost 287,613



7.3

436,393



66,607

6.7 Cost of accessories sold 74,475



1.9

74,575



11,382

1.2 Other costs 471,968



12.1

819,753



125,118

12.7 Total cost of revenues 3,097,229



79.1

5,376,004



820,538

83.1

Total cost of revenues was RMB5,376.0 million (US$820.5 million), an increase of 73.6% from RMB3,097.2 million in the same period last year.

Line haul transportation cost was RMB2,533.9 million (US$386.8 million), an increase of 95.3% from RMB1,297.4 million in the same period last year. The increase was mainly due to (i) expiration of federal toll road fee waiver policy from mid-February to early May 2020 during the pandemic, and (ii) lower domestic diesel price during the pandemic outbreak last year. As a result, the line-haul transportation cost per parcel increased by 3.6% to RMB0.57 net of positive effects from increased usage of more self-owned higher-capacity vehicles.

Sorting hub operating cost was RMB1,511.4 million (US$230.7 million), an increase of 56.5% from RMB965.8 million in the same period last year. The increase was primarily consisted of (i) RMB436.5 million (US$66.6 million) increase in labor-associated costs, and (ii) RMB61.8 million (US$9.4 million) increase in depreciation and amortization costs due to the increased number of installed automated sorting equipment. As of March 31, 2021, 349 sets of automated sorting equipment were in service, compared to 265 sets as of March 31, 2020. The sorting hub operating cost per parcel decreased by 17.0% to RMB0.34 benefiting from higher level of automation and improved economies of scale.

Cost of accessories sold was RMB74.6 million (US$11.4 million), relatively stable compared with RMB74.5 million in the same period last year as a combined result of package volume increase and per unit cost decrease as single-sheet digital waybill adoption rate increased.

Other costs were RMB819.8 million (US$125.1 million), an increase of RMB347.8 million (US$53.1 million) compared to the same period last year. The increase was mainly consisted of (i) an increase of RMB243.3 million (US$37.1 million) in dispatching costs serving enterprise customers which is reasonable against the associated volume increase of 117.3%, (ii) an increase of RMB84.0 million (US$12.8 million) in expenses related to the development of technology platform and (iii) an increase of RMB21.2 million (US$3.2 million) in tax surcharge.

Gross Profit was RMB1,096.5 million (US$167.4 million), an increase of 33.9% from RMB818.7 million in the same period last year. Gross margin rate was 16.9% compared to 20.9% in the same period last year as a net result of competition-led ASP decline of 12.4% for the core express delivery partially offset by related unit cost decline of 6.7%.

Total Operating Expenses were RMB463.7 million (US$70.8 million), compared to RMB446.6 million in the same period last year.

Selling, general and administrative expenses were RMB620.2 million (US$94.7 million), increased by 10.7% from RMB560.1 million in the same period last year, mainly due to an increase of RMB50.3 million (US$7.7 million) in salaries and accrued performance-based bonuses.

Other operating income, net was RMB156.6 million (US$23.9 million), compared to RMB113.4 million in the same period last year. Other operating income mainly consisted of (i) government subsidies and tax rebates of RMB89.7 million (US$13.7 million), and (ii) RMB56.6 million (US$8.6 million) of VAT super deduction.

Income from operations was RMB632.9 million (US$96.6 million), an increase of 70.1% from RMB372.0 million for the same period last year. Operating margin rate increased to 9.8% from 9.5% in the same period last year mainly due to improved operating leverage.

Interest income was RMB75.5 million (US$11.5 million), compared with RMB126.2 million in the same period last year.

Interest expenses was RMB15.6 million (US$2.4 million), compared with RMB0.3 million in the same period last year.

Gain from fair value changes of financial instruments was RMB15.8 million (US$2.4 million), which reflected fair value changes, assessed using redemption prices estimated by selling banks, on dual currency notes/deposits, foreign exchange options and forward contracts. There were no similar financial instruments in the same period last year.

Income tax expenses were RMB149.6 million (US$22.8 million) compared to RMB129.8 million in the same period last year.

Net income was RMB533.5 million (US$81.4 million), which increased by 43.8% from RMB371.0 million in the same period.

Basic and diluted earnings per ADS attributable to ordinary shareholders were RMB0.64 (US$0.10), compared to basic and diluted earnings per ADS of RMB0.48 in the same period last year.

Adjusted basic and diluted earnings per ADS attributable to ordinary shareholders were RMB0.94 (US$0.14), compared with RMB0.82 in the same period last year.

Adjusted net income was RMB781.6 million (US$119.3 million), compared with RMB635.1 million during the same period last year.

EBITDA was RMB1,220.1 million (US$186.2 million), compared with RMB909.3 million in the same period last year.

Adjusted EBITDA was RMB1,468.1 million (US$224.1 million), compared to RMB1,173.4 million in the same period last year.

Net cash provided by operating activities was RMB477.0 million (US$72.8 million), compared with RMB177.8 million in the same period last year.

Business Outlook

The Company makes no changes to its previously stated annual volume guidance. Based on the current market conditions and current operations, the Company's parcel volume for 2021 is expected to be in the range of 22.95 billion to 23.80 billion, representing a 35% to 40% increase year over year. Above estimates represent management's current and preliminary view, which are subject to change.

Company Share Purchase

On November 15, 2018, the Company announced a share repurchase program whereby ZTO was authorized to repurchase its own Class A ordinary shares in the form of ADSs with an aggregate value of up to US$500 million during an 18-month period thereafter. On March 13, 2020, the board of directors of the Company approved the extension of the active share repurchase program to June 30, 2021. On March 31, 2021, the board of directors has approved changes to the share repurchase program, increasing the aggregate value of shares that may be repurchased from US$500 million to US$1 billion and extending the effective time by two years through June 30, 2023. The Company expects to fund the repurchases out of its existing cash balance. As of March 31, 2021, the Company has purchased an aggregate of 17,395,023 ADSs at an average purchase price of US$23.14, including repurchase commissions.

Exchange Rate

This announcement contains translation of certain Renminbi amounts into U.S. dollars at specified rates solely for the convenience of readers. Unless otherwise noted, all translations from Renminbi to U.S. dollars were made at the exchange rate of RMB6.5518 to US$1.00, the noon buying rate on March 31, 2021 as set forth in the H.10 statistical release of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve Systems.

Use of Non-GAAP Financial Measures

The Company uses adjusted EBITDA, adjusted net income, adjusted net income attributable to ordinary shareholders and adjusted basic and diluted earnings per American depositary share, each a non-GAAP financial measure, in evaluating ZTO's operating results and for financial and operational decision-making purposes.

Reconciliations of the Company's non-GAAP financial measures to its U.S. GAAP financial measures are shown in tables at the end of this earnings release, which provide more details about the non-GAAP financial measures.

The Company believes that adjusted EBITDA, adjusted net income, adjusted net income attributable to ordinary shareholders and adjusted basic and diluted earnings per American depositary share help identify underlying trends in ZTO's business that could otherwise be distorted by the effect of the expenses and gains that the Company includes in income from operations and net income. The Company believes that adjusted EBITDA, adjusted net income, adjusted net income attributable to ordinary shareholders and adjusted basic and diluted earnings per American depositary share provide useful information about its operating results, enhance the overall understanding of its past performance and future prospects and allow for greater visibility with respect to key metrics used by ZTO's management in its financial and operational decision-making.

Adjusted EBITDA, adjusted net income, adjusted net income attributable to ordinary shareholders and adjusted basic and diluted earnings per American depositary share should not be considered in isolation or construed as an alternative to net income or any other measure of performance or as an indicator of the Company's operating performance. Investors are encouraged to compare the historical non-GAAP financial measures to the most directly comparable GAAP measures. Adjusted EBITDA, adjusted net income, adjusted net income attributable to ordinary shareholders and adjusted basic and diluted earnings per American depositary share presented here may not be comparable to similarly titled measures presented by other companies. Other companies may calculate similarly titled measures differently, limiting their usefulness as comparative measures to ZTO's data. ZTO encourages investors and others to review the Company's financial information in its entirety and not rely on a single financial measure.

Conference Call Information

ZTO's management team will host an earnings conference call at 8:30 PM U.S. Eastern Time on Wednesday, May 19, 2021 (8:30 AM Beijing Time on May 20, 2021).

Dial-in details for the earnings conference call are as follows:

United States: 1-888-317-6003 Hong Kong: 852-5808-1995 Mainland China: 4001-206-115 Singapore: 800-120-5863 International: 1-412-317-6061 Passcode: 8671970

Please dial in 15 minutes before the call is scheduled to begin and provide the passcode to join the call.

A replay of the conference call may be accessed by phone at the following numbers until May 26, 2021:

United States: 1-877-344-7529 International: 1-412-317-0088 Passcode: 10155754

Additionally, a live and archived webcast of the conference call will be available at http://zto.investorroom.com.

About ZTO Express (Cayman) Inc.

ZTO Express (Cayman) Inc. (NYSE: ZTO and SEHK:2057) ("ZTO" or the "Company") is a leading and fast-growing express delivery company in China. ZTO provides express delivery service as well as other value-added logistics services through its extensive and reliable nationwide network coverage in China.

ZTO operates a highly scalable network partner model, which the Company believes is best suited to support the significant growth of e-commerce in China. The Company leverages its network partners to provide pickup and last-mile delivery services, while controlling the mission-critical line-haul transportation and sorting network within the express delivery service value chain.

For more information, please visit http://zto.investorroom.com.

Safe Harbor Statement

This news release contains "forward-looking" statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and as defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements include but are not limited to the Company's unaudited results for the first quarter of 2021, ZTO management quotes and the Company's financial outlook.

These forward-looking statements are not historical facts but instead represent only the Company's belief regarding expected results and events, many of which, by their nature, are inherently uncertain and outside of its control. The Company's actual results and other circumstances may differ, possibly materially, from the anticipated results and events indicated in these forward-looking statements. Announced results for the first quarter 2021 are preliminary, unaudited and subject to audit adjustment. In addition, the Company may not meet its financial outlook included in this news release and may be unable to grow its business in the manner planned. The Company may also modify its strategy for growth. In addition, there are other risks and uncertainties that could cause the Company's actual results to differ from what it currently anticipates, including those relating to the development of the e-commerce industry in China, its significant reliance on the Alibaba ecosystem, risks associated with its network partners and their employees and personnel, intense competition which could adversely affect the Company's results of operations and market share, any service disruption of the Company's sorting hubs or the outlets operated by its network partners or its technology system. For additional information on these and other important factors that could adversely affect the Company's business, financial condition, results of operations, and prospects, please see its filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.

All information provided in this press release and in the attachments is as of the date of the press release. The Company undertakes no obligation to update any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, after the date of this release, except as required by law. Such information speaks only as of the date of this release.

UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL DATA

Summary of Unaudited Consolidated Comprehensive Income Data:









































Three Months Ended Mar 31,



2020

2021







RMB

RMB

US$



(in thousands, except for share and per share data)













Revenues

3,915,889

6,472,537

987,902 Cost of revenues

(3,097,229)

(5,376,004)

(820,538) Gross profit

818,660

1,096,533

167,364 Operating (expenses)/income:









Selling, general and administrative (560,051)

(620,224)

(94,665) Other operating income, net 113,403

156,571

23,897 Total operating expenses (446,648)

(463,653)

(70,768) Income from operations 372,012

632,880

96,596 Other income/(expenses):









Interest income

126,227

75,482

11,521 Interest expense

(291)

(15,582)

(2,378) Gain from fair value changes of financial instruments -

15,799

2,411 Foreign currency exchange gain/(loss), before tax 16,453

(333)

(51) Income before income tax, and share of loss in equity method

investments 514,401

708,246

108,099 Income tax expense (129,772)

(149,638)

(22,839) Share of loss in equity method investments (13,656)

(25,082)

(3,828) Net income

370,973

533,526

81,432 Net loss (income) attributable to noncontrolling interests 3,727

99

15 Net income attributable to ZTO Express (Cayman) Inc. 374,700

533,625

81,447 Net income attributable to ordinary shareholders

374,700

533,625

81,447 Net earnings per share/ADS attributable to ordinary shareholders









Basic

0.48

0.64

0.10 Diluted

0.48

0.64

0.10 Weighted average shares used in calculating net earnings per ordinary share/ADS







Basic

782,354,037

828,504,517

828,504,517 Diluted

782,553,924

828,504,517

828,504,517 Other comprehensive income, net of tax of nil:









Foreign currency translation adjustment 176,926

17,911

2,734 Comprehensive income 547,899

551,437

84,166 Comprehensive loss (income) attributable to noncontrolling interests 3,727

99

15 Comprehensive income attributable to ZTO Express (Cayman) Inc. 551,626

551,536

84,181

Unaudited Consolidated Balance Sheets Data:







































As of



December 31,

2020 March 31, 2021







RMB

RMB

US$







in thousands

















ASSETS











Current assets:











Cash and cash equivalents

14,212,778

11,074,124

1,690,241 Restricted cash

133,196

404,048

61,670 Accounts receivable, net

746,013

721,511

110,124 Financing receivables

492,159

531,534

81,128 Short-term investment

3,690,402

5,528,308

843,785 Inventories

53,070

51,833

7,911 Advances to suppliers

589,042

635,302

96,966 Prepayments and other current assets

2,334,688

2,520,114

384,645 Amounts due from related parties

73,278

55,078

8,407 Total current assets

22,324,626

21,521,852

3,284,877 Investments in equity investee

3,224,463

3,231,216

493,180 Property and equipment, net

18,565,161

19,286,227

2,943,653 Land use rights, net

4,360,673

4,740,924

723,606 Intangible assets, net

41,832

40,282

6,148 Operating lease right-of-use assets

876,259

871,501

133,017 Goodwill

4,241,541

4,241,541

647,386 Deferred tax assets

720,561

988,442

150,866 Long-term investment

1,842,000

1,974,680

301,395 Long-term financing receivables

1,970,340

1,947,143

297,192 Other non-current assets

537,294

756,104

115,404 Amounts due from related parties-non current

500,000

512,000

78,146 TOTAL ASSETS

59,204,750

60,111,912

9,174,870 LIABILITIES AND EQUITY











Current liabilities











Short-term bank borrowing

1,432,929

2,914,791

444,884 Accounts payable

1,635,888

1,551,327

236,779 Notes payable

326,200

100,980

15,413 Advances from customers

1,119,666

1,196,208

182,577 Income tax payable

48,628

-

- Amounts due to related parties

16,655

36,382

5,553 Operating lease Liabilities

246,394

240,127

36,651 Acquisition consideration payable

22,942

22,942

3,502 Dividends payable

11,198

1,365,307

208,387 Other current liabilities

4,487,084

3,869,612

590,615 Total current liabilities

9,347,584

11,297,676

1,724,361 Non-current operating lease Liabilities

502,481

520,760

79,484 Deferred tax liabilities

254,987

246,297

37,592 TOTAL LIABILITIES

10,105,052

12,064,733

1,841,437



























Shareholders' equity

























Ordinary shares (US$0.0001 par value; 10,000,000,000 shares authorized,

855,301,115 shares issued and 828,869,972 shares outstanding as of

December 31, 2020; 855,301,115 shares issued and 827,127,508 shares

outstanding as of March 31, 2021)

553

553

84 Additional paid-in capital

30,613,948

29,499,693

4,502,533 Treasury shares, at cost

(2,578,870)

(3,056,574)

(466,524) Retained earnings

21,038,753

21,541,857

3,287,930 Accumulated other comprehensive loss

(95,571)

(77,660)

(11,853) ZTO Express (Cayman) Inc. shareholders' equity

48,978,813

47,907,869

7,312,170 Noncontrolling interests

120,885

139,310

21,263 Total Equity

49,099,698

48,047,179

7,333,433 TOTAL LIABILITIES AND EQUITY

59,204,750

60,111,912

9,174,870

Summary of Unaudited Consolidated Cash Flow Data:

















Three Months Ended March 31,











2020

2021









RMB

RMB

US$





(in thousands)















Net cash provided by operating activities 177,791

476,952

72,797

Net cash used in investing activities (714,703)

(4,371,990)

(667,296)

Net cash provided by financing activities 297,654

993,968

151,709

Effect of exchange rate changes on cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash 17,315

33,268

5,078

Net decrease in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash (221,943)

(2,867,802)

(437,712)

Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at beginning of period 5,277,414

14,360,092

2,191,778

Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at end of period 5,055,471

11,492,290

1,754,066



The following table provides a reconciliation of cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash reported within the condensed consolidated balance sheets that sum to the total of the same such amounts shown in the condensed consolidated statements of cash flows:











As of









March 31,

2020 March 31,

2021









RMB

RMB

US$









(in thousands)



Cash and cash equivalents



5,020,188

11,074,124

1,690,241 Restricted cash,current



21,169

404,048

61,670 Restricted cash,non-current



14,114

14,118

2,155 Total cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash

5,055,471

11,492,290

1,754,066

Reconciliations of GAAP and Non-GAAP Results















Three Months Ended Dec 31,



2020

2021



RMB

RMB

US$



(in thousands, except for share and per share data) Net income

370,973

533,526

81,432 Add:











Share-based compensation expense (1)

264,154

248,027

37,856 Adjusted net income

635,127

781,553

119,288













Net income

370,973

533,526

81,432 Add:











Depreciation

392,580

495,708

75,660 Amortization

15,648

25,651

3,915 Interest expenses

291

15,582

2,378 Income tax expenses

129,772

149,638

22,839 EBITDA

909,264

1,220,105

186,224













Add:











Share-based compensation expense

264,154

248,027

37,856 Adjusted EBITDA

1,173,418

1,468,132

224,080













(1) Net of income taxes of nil















Reconciliations of GAAP and Non-GAAP Results





























Three Months Ended Dec 31,



2020

2021



RMB

RMB

US$



(in thousands, except for share and per share data) Net income attributable to ordinary shareholders

374,700

533,625

81,447 Add:











Share-based compensation expense (1)

264,154

248,027

37,856 Adjusted Net income attributable to ordinary

shareholders

638,854

781,652

119,303













Weighted average shares used in calculating net earnings per ordinary share/ADS











Basic

782,354,037

828,504,517

828,504,517 Diluted

782,553,924

828,504,517

828,504,517













Net earnings per share/ADS attributable to ordinary shareholders











Basic

0.48

0.64

0.10 Diluted

0.48

0.64

0.10













Adjusted net earnings per share/ADS attributable to ordinary shareholders











Basic

0.82

0.94

0.14 Diluted

0.82

0.94

0.14













(1) Net of income taxes of nil













For investor and media inquiries, please contact:

ZTO Express (Cayman) Inc.

Investor Relations

E-mail: [email protected]

Phone: +86 21 5980 4508

SOURCE ZTO Express (Cayman) Inc.
PHOENIX, May 19, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Advisor Group, the nation's largest network of independent wealth management firms, today announced the successful recruitment to its network of Azose Johnson & Associates. The Spokane, Washington-based firm, which includes three financial professionals, oversees $168 million in total client assets.

Azose Johnson & Associates has joined Advisor Group through its subsidiary and network member firm Royal Alliance Associates (RAA). Advisor Group also includes FSC Securities, SagePoint Financial, Securities America, Triad Advisors and Woodbury Financial Services.

Partners Maynard M. Azose and Amanda K. Johnson, along with financial professional Nick R. Fuller, support clients throughout the Spokane region and beyond with comprehensive financial, retirement and estate planning, investment management, educational funding and social security analysis.

Dmitry Goldin, President and CEO of Royal Alliance, said, "We are excited to welcome this high-energy group of financial professionals to the Advisor Group and Royal Alliance family. With their entrepreneurial approach and strong track record of providing impeccable service to their clients and community, Azose Johnson & Associates is exactly the type of firm we excel in supporting. We look forward to working with them to further accelerate their growth."

Azose Johnson & Associates was founded by 30-year industry veteran Jill A. Ruser, who partnered with Mr. Azose as part of her succession strategy before retiring in 2020. Mr. Azose now leads the firm along with Mrs. Johnson, who joined the firm in 2018 and serves as its Head of Operations.

Maynard Azose said, "After extensive consideration of all the options available to us, it was clear that Royal Alliance and Advisor Group offered the combination of best-in-class technology, innovative tools and programs and in-depth consulting services we needed to further strengthen our ability to support our clients and help them achieve their financial goals. We are very pleased to enter into this new partnership, and we look forward to everything that we, Advisor Group and Royal Alliance will accomplish together."

Amanda K. Johnson added, "The day-to-day operational support and back-office tools that Royal Alliance and Advisor Group provide made the decision to affiliate with Dmitry and his team easy. Their suite of solutions will enable us to spend more time engaging with our clients and growing our business. Just as importantly, we could tell right away that Advisor Group and Royal Alliance would be a perfect fit for our firm's culture."

Greg Cornick, Advisor Group's President, Advice & Wealth Management, said, "On behalf of the entire Advisor Group family, I am pleased to welcome Maynard, Amanda and their team to Royal Alliance. I also congratulate Dmitry and his team for bringing such a talented group of professionals to Royal Alliance. Financial professionals searching for maximum flexibility, innovative solutions and cutting-edge technology are choosing Advisor Group, not only for the powerful platform we offer, but because of our strong commitment to standing in their corner as they work to guide their clients and grow their businesses."

About Royal Alliance Associates

Royal Alliance Associates, Inc. is part of Advisor Group, the nation's largest network of independent wealth management firms, and a Registered Investment Advisor, member FINRA and SIPC. Royal Alliance has more than 3,600 affiliated independent financial advisors and is headquartered in Jersey City. It was founded in 1969 and employs a client driven approach focused on meeting the unique demands of businesses and individuals. For more information visit https://www.royalalliance.com.

About Advisor Group

Advisor Group, Inc. is the nation's largest network of independent wealth management firms, serving approximately 10,100 financial professionals and overseeing over $475 billion in client assets. The firm is mission-driven to support the strategic role that advisors can play in the lives of their clients. Cultivating a spirit of entrepreneurship and independence, Advisor Group champions the enduring value of financial professionals and is committed to being in their corner every step of the way. For more information visit https://www.advisorgroup.com.

Securities and investment advisory services are offered through the firms: FSC Securities Corporation, Royal Alliance Associates, Inc., SagePoint Financial, Inc., Triad Advisors, LLC, and Woodbury Financial Services, Inc., broker-dealers, registered investment advisers, and members of FINRA and SIPC. Securities are offered through Securities America, Inc., a broker-dealer and member of FINRA and SIPC. Advisory services are offered through Arbor Point Advisors, LLC, Ladenburg Thalmann Asset Management, Inc., Securities America Advisors, Inc., and Triad Hybrid Solutions, LLC, registered investment advisers. Advisory programs offered by FSC Securities Corporation, Royal Alliance Associates, Inc., SagePoint Financial, Inc., and Woodbury Financial Services, Inc., are sponsored by VISION2020 Wealth Management Corp., an affiliated registered investment adviser. Advisor Group, Inc. is an affiliate of these firms. 20 E. Thomas Rd., Ste. 2000, Phoenix, AZ, 85012. 866.481.0379.

Media Inquiries

Joseph Kuo / Chris Clemens

Haven Tower Group

424 317 4851 or 424 317 4854

[email protected] or [email protected]

SOURCE Advisor Group

Related Links

http://www.advisorgroup.com


The Australian government banned plastic bag usage in 2011. Vancouver also became the first major city in Canada to ban plastic straws, in a move towards the city's new Zero Waste 2040 initiative, while the European Union approved a ban on certain single-use plastics that will go into effect in July 2021.

The new material, coffee bio - composite made from coffee ground is considered an ideal material to replace the traditional plastic. AirXcoffee has been successful in sourcing coffee grounds to turn into Coffee Bio-Composite, which can be used to replace tableware, polystyrene cup, flowerpot and everything that can be made of plastics. In addition, the new material has applied a three-star OK Bio-based certification of TUV AUSTRIA, which has bio-based content between 60% and 80%. Also, the material is marked food safe by TUV Rheinland.

In order to make the material, coffee grounds from local coffee shops in Vietnam are collected, dried, and mixed with recycled materials, starch, cellulose, wood, natural resins, waxes, and oils. The resulting coffee composite is bio-based, recyclable, light, with a smell of coffee and the look of dark wood.

"The new material is more competitive than the traditional plastic. With 10% cheaper in price than oil-based plastic, coffee bio-composite is expected to help Vietnamese plastic industry to have better competitiveness in the global market. It also helps Vietnam to reduce reliance on fossil-based materials," Thanh Le, the founder, explained the advantage of his new material. "Coffee ground is popular in Vietnam. Being the world's second-biggest coffee exporter, Vietnam is the best place for us to produce this world's first coffee bio-composite," he added.

"When we decided to design a new material back in 2020, we knew early that we wanted a solution that uses local materials, is easy to produce and inexpensive, with the added bonus of being biodegradable."

The researchers believe the coffee bio-composite is a good alternative to the synthetic plastics currently in use. "With billions of disposable plastics already polluting city sidewalks and potentially entering our rivers and oceans, we urgently need an eco-friendly option to avoid making a massive impact on our environment," says Prof. Phu Huynh, Dean of the Faculty of Material, Ho Chi Minh City University of Technology.

The material is complete in the university lab, and a shift to cost-effective scaling and production will be ready in June 2021.

"The revolution is not only expected to help limiting the single-use plastic, but also preventing coffee grounds from going to landfills and releasing methane gas, which has a greenhouse effect 28 times higher than carbon dioxide", he cited a scientific research.

Before the coffee bio-composite material was introduced, the company has succeeded selling daily thousands of AirX Coffee Mask, the reusable face masks made of coffee to over 50 countries around the world.

For more videos and images, please see here:

http://bit.ly/MoreCoffeeLessPlastic

Media Contact

Dandelly Nguyen  Head of Marketing & Communications

Mobile/WhasApp/Viber: (+84) 916 149 070

Email: [email protected]

SOURCE AirXCoffee
The NEXT Gyudon is the world's first plant based substitute of the Japanese 'beef bowl', which is a staple dish in the country with many restaurants serving only that. However unlike the common beef bowl, the NEXT Gyudon is made from soy without any artificial additives--and perfectly replicates the texture as well as the addictive sweet and savory flavor of the real thing. This has made the NEXT Gyudon very popular among vegans and meat eaters alike.

IKEA is also well known for their efforts in being environmentally conscious, and their Japan branch is not an exception. From sourcing sustainable materials to reducing plastic waste, IKEA Japan is also on board with the company mission to make at least half of their food menus in the restaurant plant based by 2025. The upcoming collaboration at IKEA Japan's Sustainable Food Fair is one that reflects both IKEA and Next Meats' strong stance on introducing consumers to a more sustainable lifestyle.

Next Meats hopes that this collaboration with IKEA Japan will encourage more people to try plant based products and understand the dire connection between animal agriculture and environmental destruction.

IKEA Japan Sustainable Food Fair Information:

Starting: Thursday May 20th - Sunday, July 11th 2021

Locations serving the plant based curry with NEXT Gyudon: IKEA Tokyo Bay, IKEA Kohoku, IKEA Kobe, IKEA Tsuruhama, IKEA Shinmisato, IKEA Fukuoka Shingu, IKEA Tachikawa, IKEA Sendai, IKEA Nagakude

Link: https://www.ikea.com/jp/ja/stores/restaurant/sustainable-food-fair-for-meat-lover-pubabe72d90

About Next Meats

Based in Tokyo, Next Meats Co. is a food-tech venture company that specializes in the research and development of Japanese-style alternative meat products. Its journey of product development began in 2017, and the company was officially established in 2020.

Within ten months, Next Meats has signed an MOU with Toyota-Tsusho Corporation and is rapidly expanding to the United States, South East Asia, Europe, and other countries. They plan to research various types of alternative proteins in the future and aim to replace all animal meats by 2050.

Official website: https://nextmeats.us

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCckDSZupzEhmcphT5hcy-Aw

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nextmeatsjapan/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/MeatsNext

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/NextMeats

SOURCE Next Meats Co., Ltd.
VANCOUVER, BC, May 19, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Amicus.io , the fintech company on a mission to create a more generous world, today announced Mike Todd as Vice President of Sales, responsible for the company's business development and sales in Canada. Amicus.io is making charitable giving as easy as online banking, modernizing the charitable giving experience while vastly improving the economics of donor-advised fund (DAF) solutions for the ultimate benefit of the nonprofit ecosystem. Amicus.io has deep roots in Canada, as a wholly owned subsidiary of the Canadian company Global Relief Solutions, Inc., which was co-founded by Canadian philanthropist and former software executive Walt Ruloff and PR executive Paul Welsh.

Todd brings Amicus.io a unique blend of experience in wealth management and charitable giving. He spent nearly 20 years building relationships with financial advisors and senior management in the fields of wealth management and fintech, including a VP role at Fidelity Investments Canada and an Executive Director role at the Raymond James Canada Foundation. He also has nearly 10 years of experience in leadership roles in the charitable sector, most recently at Charitable Impact , a public foundation DAF sponsor, where he was responsible for building the securities program for their donor-advised fund offerings.

He has also served in a number of volunteer roles with the Canadian Association of Gift Planners, an organization dedicated to educating and helping individuals with strategic gift planning.

Todd's appointment comes as the Canadian DAF market is poised for tremendous growth, projected to grow to about $10B by 2026 , according to research from Toronto-based Investor Economics . As more funds are set up and investors continue donating to charities, Amicus.io is ready to meet demand from financial services firms to add philanthropic functionality alongside their current offerings, helping them both attract advisors and expand existing client relationships.

"We are excited to have Mike on board, helping bring the Amicus.io platform to Canadian retail and wholesale financial institutions," said Cor Hoekstra, Amicus.io co-founder, and CEO. "His understanding of the Canadian wealth management and philanthropic community will help us make the world an even more generous place."

Donor-Advised Funds

A tax-efficient tool to make a bigger impact with each charitable dollar, donor-advised funds have historically only been targeted to high net worth individuals through private banks and wealth management firms. As the DAF becomes an increasingly popular option for strategic giving among individuals of varying means, Amicus.io offers a cost-effective plug-and-play platform to democratize access to branded, DAF-based charitable giving solutions. The Amicus.io platform for DAF 2.0 lets all types of financial services organizations offer more of their customers a convenient, robust, and deeply gratifying charitable giving experience.

About Amicus.io

Amicus.io is the fintech company behind the platform for DAF 2.0, which makes philanthropy as easy as online banking. The Amicus.io DAF 2.0 platform aligns the incentives of donors, financial institutions and philanthropic organizations for charitable giving at scale - for a more generous world. Amicus.io was founded by Walt Ruloff and Cor Hoekstra in 2017 and is headquartered in Charlotte, North Carolina with offices in Vancouver, Canada and Tel Aviv, Israel.

Press contact:

Monica Miller

(415) 968-9690

[email protected]

SOURCE Amicus.io
WASHINGTON, May 19, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Federal lawmakers reintroduced legislation today to permanently ban horse slaughter in the United States and end the current export of American horses for slaughter abroad. Sponsored by U.S. Reps. Jan Schakowsky (D-Ill.) and Vern Buchanan (R-Fla.), the Save America's Forgotten Equines (SAFE) Act is supported by leading animal welfare groups, including the ASPCA (The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals), the Animal Welfare Institute (AWI), the Humane Society of the United States , the Humane Society Legislative Fund , and Return to Freedom Wild Horse Conservation .

"For centuries, horses have embodied the spirit of American freedom and pride. They are our companions, work partners, entertainers, and athletes. With such a special place in our nation's history it's beyond time that we end the brutal practice of slaughtering these majestic creatures as food for humans. I am proud to reintroduce the SAFE Act with Congressman Buchanan and offer legislation that will finally close a loophole to end the slaughter of American horses for human consumption, both domestically and abroad," said Congresswoman Schakowsky.

"The slaughter of horses for human consumption is a barbaric practice that has no place in America," Congressman Buchanan said. "I look forward to continuing to lead the effort with Congresswoman Schakowsky to ban domestic horse slaughter and end the export of horses abroad for the same purpose."

"The ASPCA is working resolutely to solve equine welfare issues on the ground, but we cannot fully succeed while the slaughter pipeline remains open," said Nancy Perry, senior vice president of Government Relations for the ASPCA. "An overwhelming majority of Americans oppose horse slaughter for human consumption and with May being Adopt a Horse Month, there is no better time than now to support at-risk horses by prohibiting this unnecessary and cruel practice. We are grateful to Representatives Schakowsky and Buchanan for their steadfast commitment to protecting our horses and we urge Congress to pass the SAFE Act to finally end this abhorrent practice."

"Each year, a huge number of American horses are shipped to foreign slaughterhouses to be butchered under shockingly inhumane conditions," said Cathy Liss, president of AWI. "Some are former racehorses who have been recently dosed with drugs considered unsafe for human consumption. The SAFE Act would ensure that both horses and people are protected. We are grateful to Congresswoman Schakowsky and Congressman Buchanan for their dedication to ending the slaughter of horses for human consumption."

"Only nine years ago, 160,000 American horses were exported abroad for slaughter. Due to awareness of this inhumane and predatory industry, that number has dropped dramatically with just over 35,000 shipped to slaughter in 2020. But one horse is still too many," said Sara Amundson, president of the Humane Society Legislative Fund. "Fortunately, Reps. Jan Schakowsky and Vern Buchanan have committed to passing this crucial animal and consumer protection bill which will end this grisly industry and protect these American icons from those who profit off their deaths."

"That almost 370,000 American horses  including an unknown number who once roamed freely on our public lands  were shipped to their deaths in foreign slaughterhouses over the past five years is an unnecessary betrayal of the animals that helped us build our country and continue to serve humanity," said Neda DeMayo, president of Return to Freedom Wild Horse Conservation. "RTF applauds Representatives Schakowsky and Buchanan for recognizing the public's overwhelming opposition to horse slaughter and continuing this bipartisan fight for the good of America's horses and for human health."

In recent years, the number of American horses shipped to Canada and Mexico to be slaughtered for human consumption in foreign countries has dropped, making this an opportune time for Congress to close this legal loophole that causes so much suffering. Last year, over 35,000 horses were exported for slaughter, and research published in 2017 found that 2.3 million Americans have the interest and resources to adopt a horse. America's equine adoption community is working swiftly to match the horses in their care with foster and adoptive families, increasing the number of adoptions every year. This means that every horse who might have been sent to slaughter could have a home waiting, if given the opportunity to find it.

The horse slaughter industry not only exploits horses, who endure grueling journeys to slaughter plants and an inhumane death. It also harms the broader equine community, including horse owners, riders, and rescues, who fear that their horses will end up in the slaughter pipeline despite their best efforts to keep them safe. Kill buyers  those who buy horses to ship to slaughter in Canada and Mexico  attend auctions and often outbid rescue groups trying to help vulnerable equines. Kill buyers have also been known to pose as good homes in response to ads from horse owners who can no longer care for their animals. Many owners are so fearful that they may even keep their horses beyond the point they can afford to prevent their sale to slaughter. Horses have even been stolen out of their stalls or pastures and shipped to slaughter.

The SAFE Act would also protect the public from dangerous American horse meat, which can be toxic to humans due to the common, unregulated administration of drugs given to horses. Horses are not raised for food and are routinely given hundreds of drugs and chemical treatments throughout their life that are banned by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in food items because of their toxicity to humans if consumed. Products routinely used to care for horses, such as fly repellent, pain medications, and wormers, contain banned, toxic ingredients that are dangerous to humans.

We encourage the public to contact their U.S. representatives to urge them to cosponsor the SAFE Act, and secure its swift passage, to protect horses, their caregivers, and consumers.

About the ASPCA

Founded in 1866, the ASPCA (The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals) was the first animal welfare organization to be established in North America and today serves as the nation's leading voice for vulnerable and victimized animals. As a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit corporation with more than two million supporters nationwide, the ASPCA is committed to preventing cruelty to dogs, cats, equines, and farm animals throughout the United States. The ASPCA assists animals in need through on-the-ground disaster and cruelty interventions, behavioral rehabilitation, animal placement, legal and legislative advocacy, and the advancement of the sheltering and veterinary community through research, training, and resources. For more information, visit www.ASPCA.org , and follow the ASPCA on Facebook , Twitter , and Instagram .

About AWI

The Animal Welfare Institute ( www.awionline.org ) is a nonprofit charitable organization founded in 1951 and dedicated to reducing animal suffering caused by people. AWI engages policymakers, scientists, industry, and the public to achieve better treatment of animals everywherein the laboratory, on the farm, in commerce, at home, and in the wild. Follow us on Facebook , Twitter and Instagram for updates and other important animal protection news.

About the HSUS

Founded in 1954, the Humane Society of the United States fights the big fights to end suffering for all animals. Together with millions of supporters, we take on puppy mills, factory farms, trophy hunts, animal testing and other cruel industries. With our affiliates, we rescue and care for tens of thousands of animals every year through our animal rescue team's work and other hands-on animal care services. We fight all forms of animal cruelty to achieve the vision behind our name: A humane society. Learn more about our work at humanesociety.org. Subscribe to Kitty Block's blog, A Humane World. Follow the HSUS Media Relations department on Twitter. Read the award-winning All Animals magazine. Listen to the Humane Voices Podcast.

About HSLF

The Humane Society Legislative Fund is a social welfare organization incorporated under section 501(c)(4) of the Internal Revenue Code and formed in 2004 as a separate lobbying affiliate of The Humane Society of the United States. The HSLF works to pass animal protection laws at the state and federal level, to educate the public about animal protection issues, and to support humane candidates for office. Visit us on all our channels: on the web at hslf.org , on our blog at hslf.org/blog , on Facebook at facebook.com/humanelegislation and on Twitter at twitter.com/HSLegFund .

About RTF

Return to Freedom Wild Horse Conservation (RTF ) is a national nonprofit organization dedicated to wild horse preservation through sanctuary, education, conservation and advocacy since 1998. It also operates the American Wild Horse Sanctuary at four California locations, caring for 500 wild horses and 51 burros. Follow us on Facebook , Twitter and Instagram for updates about wild horses and burros on the range and at our sanctuary.

SOURCE ASPCA

Related Links

http://www.aspca.org


ONTARIO, Calif., May 19, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- With the news that California will be opening up this summer, Animanga 2021 has confirmed its convention is on schedule at the Ontario Convention Center in California this July 30-Aug. 1.

Animanga 2021 at the Ontario Convention Center in California

The popular venue will allow attendees to enjoy the anime, gaming, and cosplay activities the convention is known for while maintaining healthy social distancing and sufficient space for vendors and attendees to fit comfortably. A breathtaking contemporary state-of-the-art venue with more than 225,000 square feet of convention space, the center is frequently used by filmmakers as an onsite location for movies and commercials.

Badges can be purchased online at AnimangaUSA.com or during the convention at slightly increased prices. Badges will give attendees access to:

Maid Cafe

Itasha Cars

Cosplay Contests

Retro Arcades

Artist Alley & Exhibitors

About Animanga USA:

Animanga 2021 is an annual three-day anime, cosplay and gaming convention held at the Ontario Convention Center in Ontario, California. The convention focuses on Japanese popular culture, primarily anime and manga, and, of course, lots of gaming. Animanga 2021 will bring competitions, panels, performances, casual gaming, and more Friday, July 30, through Sunday, Aug. 1.

Press Contact:

Dennis Gonzalez

Senior Convention Director

[email protected]

Related Files

Animanga 2021 - Press Announcement.pdf

Related Images

animanga-2021-at-the-ontario.jpg

Animanga 2021 at the Ontario Convention Center in California

Animanga 2021 at the Ontario Convention Center in California

SOURCE Animanga USA
SHENZHEN, China, May 19, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- BIT Mining Limited (NYSE: BTCM) ("BIT Mining" or the "Company"), a leading cryptocurrency mining enterprise, today announced that it has entered into a binding investment term sheet (the "Term Sheet") with Dory Creek, LLC ("Dory Creek"), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Bitdeer, Inc. to invest in a cryptocurrency mining data center in Texas (the "Texas Mining Center").

Pursuant to the Term Sheet, the Company will invest a total amount of US$25.74 million and jointly construct and operate the Texas Mining Center with Dory Creek. The total power capacity of the Texas Mining Center is 57.2MW, with more than 85% of its power generated by clean and low-carbon energy. As the electricity supply is further optimized in Texas, the Texas Mining Center will use higher proportions of electricity generated by clean energy.

BIT Mining is devoted to protecting the environment and lowering its carbon footprint. The Company's hydroelectric cryptocurrency data centers in Sichuan Province, China run 100% on clean energy. With the arrival of the rainy season in Sichuan Province, the company's hydroelectric cryptocurrency data centers can now fully utilize the excessive water flows once abandoned due to insufficient electricity demand. Through its business operation, the Company can contribute to the local economy and provide local employment opportunities. Upon completion of the Texas Mining Center, over 98% of the Company's total power capacity would be generated by clean and low-carbon energy. Going forward, BIT Mining intends to do its part, fulfill its obligations to achieving carbon neutrality and proactively seek out additional high-quality mining resources overseas.

About BIT Mining Limited

BIT Mining Limited (NYSE: BTCM) is a leading cryptocurrency mining company, with a long-term strategy to create value across the cryptocurrency industry. Its business covers cryptocurrency mining, mining pool, and data center operation. The Company has deployed bitcoin mining machines with a theoretical maximum total hash rate capacity of approximately 1,031.5 PH/s, owns three hydroelectric cryptocurrency data centers with a total power capacity of 435MW and owns the entire mining pool business operated under BTC.com, including the domain name BTC.com and the cryptocurrency wallet of BTC.com. The Company has also entered into a definitive agreement to acquire a 7-nanometer cryptocurrency mining machine manufacturer, Bee Computing (HK) Limited, to complete its vertical integration with its supply chain, increase its self-sufficiency and strengthen its competitive position.

Safe Harbor Statements

This news release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and as defined in the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements can be identified by terminology such as "will", "expects", "anticipates", "future", "intends", "plans", "believes", "estimates", "target", "going forward", "outlook" and similar statements. Such statements are based upon management's current expectations and current market and operating conditions and relate to events that involve known or unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors, all of which are difficult to predict and many of which are beyond the Company's control, which may cause the Company's actual results, performance or achievements to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements. Further information regarding these and other risks, uncertainties or factors is included in the Company's filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. The Company does not undertake any obligation to update any forward-looking statement as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required under law.

For further information:

BIT Mining Limited

[email protected]

Ms. Danni Zheng

Phone: +86 755 8633 8005

The Piacente Group, Inc.

Helen Wu

Tel: +86 (10) 6508-0677

Email: [email protected]

In the United States:

The Piacente Group, Inc.

Brandi Piacente

Tel: +1 (212) 481-2050

Email: [email protected]

SOURCE BIT Mining Limited
"For many of our members, the website is the first places they seek information," said Ryan O'Donnell, vice president of Member, Account and Provider Service at Blue Cross. "Our job is to remove any barriers between our members and the care they need and taking this step to minimize language barriers is one important way we're doing that."

The multi-phase translation plan began this month with the public Blue Cross website, including pages with information about health plans, mental health and substance use disorder resources, COVID-19 support, and more.

"Health care must be inclusive and accessible for diverse populations," said Tonya Webster, vice president and consumer experience officer at Blue Cross. "Making our resources for members available in several other languages is an example of our company-wide commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion, and it also demonstrates our focus on consumer experience for all our members."

Language selection

To determine which languages would be most useful for members, Blue Cross' Member Service team analyzed member calls and translation requests as well as broad member demographic trends, and identified Spanish, Portuguese, Russian, Chinese, and Vietnamese as initial priorities. The team will continue to review data and assess members' needs to determine what additional supports may be needed in the future.

Spanish-language call center now available

Also as part of Blue Cross' efforts to address disparities in health care, the company launched a fully in-house Spanish-language member call center on March 1. While multiple languages have always been available to members with the support of a language line partner, the catalyst to bring the service in-house was an employee suggestion at a company forum on diversity, equity, and inclusion. Approximately 80% of incoming calls requesting translation services are for Spanish.

"Translation service is about more than just answering a member's question in their desired language - it's also about being able to express empathy," said Vicki Tantillo, a senior manager in Member Service who helped launch the call center. "By bringing Spanish translation in-house, our team members can be more authentic in addressing members' needs and helping them solve whatever challenge they're facing."

In its first month, the Spanish-language call center team fielded more than 900 calls, all of which would otherwise have been diverted to a third-party language line. As the service evolves, the Member Service team hopes to also begin responding to member emails and social media questions in Spanish and exploring other language support options.

Broader efforts to address health inequities

Other ways Blue Cross is working to address racial inequities and health disparities include:

Investing in organizations that are advancing racial and social justice. The company contributed $1 million to the New Commonwealth Fund for Racial Equity and Social Justice and awarded $350,000 in new Racial Equity and Justice Grants to six nonprofits led by Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC).

to the New Commonwealth Fund for Racial Equity and Social Justice and awarded in new Racial Equity and Justice Grants to six nonprofits led by Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC). Collecting comprehensive, member-level race and ethnicity data that can be used to collaborate with the community and clinical partners to reduce racial and ethnic inequities. Blue Cross is the first health plan in the region to undertake this comprehensive effort.

Joining the Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce Pacesetters program, an ambitious collaborative initiative that seeks to close the racial wealth gap in one generation by partnering with businesses of color.

Chamber of Commerce Pacesetters program, an ambitious collaborative initiative that seeks to close the racial wealth gap in one generation by partnering with businesses of color. Continuing to build an inclusive company culture by further educating Blue Cross leaders about understanding and eliminating bias in hiring decisions and management practices, broadening cultural competency education for all employees to enhance awareness of unconscious bias and micro-aggressions, adding Juneteenth to the corporate holiday calendar, and more.

About Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts

Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts (www.bluecrossma.org) is a community-focused, tax-paying, not-for-profit health plan headquartered in Boston. We are committed to the relentless pursuit of quality, equitable and affordable health care with an unparalleled consumer experience. Consistent with our promise to always put our members first, we are rated among the nation's best health plans for member satisfaction and quality. Connect with us on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, and LinkedIn.BlueLinks for Employers

BlueLinks for Providers

BlueLinks for Brokers

Get Blue MA

Blue Cross Foundation

SOURCE Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts

Related Links

https://www.bluecrossma.org


Fashion icon, Nick Wooster, has officially dropped his first ever NFT in collaboration with Consumer Commodity, a Vancouver based consumer goods brand focused on apparel, personal care, and household essentials. Consumer Commodity aims to be at the forefront of consumer goods and blockchain / NFT. Their Nick Wooster NFT is a bold deep dive into the digital trading space to build community hype around their new product / brand launch.

VANCOUVER, BC, May 19, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Consumer Commodity's Nick Wooster NFT debuts the menswear fashion icon wearing Consumer Commodity apparel in the form of a digital motion art piece. There are 4 tiers to the Nick Wooster collectible NFT's, with a limited number available of each across Gold, Silver, Bronze, and Colour. They are available on RARIBLE as of May 19th. As only a limited number of Nick Wooster NFT's will be created, there's added value to the rarity of these collectibles while creating a totally unique brand experience.

While NFTs are still speculative in nature, there is added value for Consumer Commodity & Nick Wooster with this new approach. Being able to authenticate ownership of a digital art collectible will create a lasting piece of the brand that will live on the blockchain. There verifiable uniqueness of the Nick Wooster x CON-C NFT's also deepen the commemoration of their apparel/ products and reputable designer, London Alexander.

Consumer Commodity is offering 20% off all sweatsuit pieces (the same as Nick Wooster appears in via NFT) on their online shop, CON-C.

Nick Wooster x CON-C NFT will be available: May 19th 9:00 AM EST on Rarible.

Dates to note for media purpose:

May 12th-16th: Nick Wooster NFT Teasers x 4 to be released

May 17th & 18th: Nick Wooster NFT Images (Stills) x 4 to be released

May 19th: Nick Wooster NFT GIF to be released

Nick Wooster x CON-C Press Release

CON-C Press+Media Contact:

Emily [email protected]

Related Files

Nick Wooster x Con-C - 1 .pdf

Con-C x Nick Wooster - Press Release B.pdf

Related Images

nick-wooster-x-con-c.jpg

Nick Wooster x CON-C

nick-wooster-nft.jpg

Nick Wooster NFT

SOURCE Consumer Commodity / CON-C
The CMMC Insights Level 1 Course provides a learning portal to help government contractors prepare for assessment. Tweet this

The CMMC Academy

Celerium's CMMC Academy initiative, launched in January 2020, provides resources to help government contractors understand and navigate the CMMC requirements, including free videos and webinars.

Celerium is authorized by the CMMC Accreditation Body (CMMC AB) to create educational material for CMMC assessors via Celerium's Licensed Partner Publisher (LPP) designation. Celerium also is authorized to deliver training to CMMC assessors via its Licensed Training Provider (LTP) designation. Additionally, Celerium is a Registered Provider Organization (RPO) with the CMMC AB.

CMMC Insights Course

The first offering in Celerium's Supply Chain Cybersecurity Compliance Education Program is a CMMC Level 1 course for companies seeking CMMC Level 1 certification. This course is not for CMMC assessors, although a CMMC assessor course is forthcoming. A CMMC Level 3 course for government contractors will be available in July 2021.

The CMMC Insights Level 1 Course provides a learning portal to help government contractors prepare for CMMC Level 1 reviews by authorized CMMC Assessors. The course material will significantly enhance understanding of the requirements for meeting CMMC Level 1, including what a CMMC assessor will be looking for during an assessment. This is an online-only course with no live instructor, so it can be completed as is convenient. The online course is available for one year after purchase.

The CMMC Insights Course Learning Portal features rich educational and insightful material:

Instructional Material : The core of the course is online instructional material spanning eight modules, which can be completed in 7-10 hours. Included in this material are quizzes, a final exam, and a mock assessment.

: The core of the course is online instructional material spanning eight modules, which can be completed in 7-10 hours. Included in this material are quizzes, a final exam, and a mock assessment. Advanced Self-Assessment Tool: An advanced version of Celerium's CMMC Level 1 Self-Assessment Tool will help companies assess and keep track of their CMMC assessment readiness as they go through the instructional material. This is a secure, Excel-based tool that can also be used after completion of the course as companies prepare for their CMMC assessment.

An advanced version of Celerium's CMMC Level 1 Self-Assessment Tool will help companies assess and keep track of their CMMC assessment readiness as they go through the instructional material. This is a secure, Excel-based tool that can also be used after completion of the course as companies prepare for their CMMC assessment. Advanced Online Reference Guide: An advanced version of Celerium's CMMC Level 1 Online Reference Guide makes it easy to navigate the various CMMC domains and practices within CMMC Level 1.

An advanced version of Celerium's CMMC Level 1 Online Reference Guide makes it easy to navigate the various CMMC domains and practices within CMMC Level 1. CMMC Updates: As the CMMC program evolves, the course learning portal will provide updates and clarification on aspects of the CMMC model, such as reciprocity and scoping criteria.

As the CMMC program evolves, the course learning portal will provide updates and clarification on aspects of the CMMC model, such as reciprocity and scoping criteria. Emerging Threats : The CMMC model was created to help defend against cyber threats such as the recent SolarWinds/Orion breach. While this is not directly related to CMMC certification, the course learning portal provides supplemental information on emerging threats and how they may be interconnected to CMMC.

This course was fully beta tested by a variety of DoD suppliers with a range of auditing and assessment experience.

The CMMC Insights Level 1 course is now available for purchase. A CMMC Level 3 course will be released in July.

"President Biden's recent Executive Order on improving our nation's cybersecurity sends a clear message that federal government contractors need to fortify their cyber defense," said Tommy McDowell, Celerium's General Manager who has extensive experience in cybersecurity compliance programs and audits. "As cyber threats continue to grow, enterprise companies and their downstream suppliers need to be educated on cybersecurity practices that can help defend against cyberattacks. We're excited to introduce our CMMC Insights courses to help companies that contract with the U.S. government improve their cyber defense in an effort to secure key supply chains for defense and other agencies."

About Celerium

Celerium is focused on improving supply chain cyber defense for enterprise companies and critical infrastructure. Its Cyber Defense Network (CDN) family of solutions empowers organizations of all sizes to defend and protect against cyber threats via information sharing and cyber threat intelligence tools.

The CMMC Academy initiative, launched in January 2020, provides resources and information on the Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC) model. Celerium/CMMC Academy is a Licensed Partner Publisher (LPP), Licensed Training Provider (LTP), and Registered Provider Organization (RPO) with the CMMC Accreditation Body.

The CMMC Academy's International Alliance, which includes CenSec and the American Danish Business Council, brings together international organizations focused on facilitating the implementation of CMMC. Sponsors of the CMMC Academy include Bank of America and Citi Bank.

Learn more at www.celerium.com.

SOURCE Celerium

Related Links

www.celerium.com


SAUSALITO, Calif., May 19, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Charles A. Bonner is being recognized by Continental Who's Who as a Top Attorney for his outstanding contributions to the field of Law, his unwavering commitment to the legal community, and his professional excellence at The Law Offices of Bonner & Bonner.

Charles A. Bonner

A dynamic father and son practice, The Law Offices of Bonner & Bonner is committed to combating injustice, providing exceptional representation, and securing rightful compensation for their clients. Bonner & Bonner is highly recognized as a boutique practice with big firm tenacity, having served all-around clients nationally and internationally. The dedicated legal task force offers expertise to successfully assist people who have had their civil rights violated, been wrongfully terminated, worked in a hostile work environment, have been injured in an accident, or were injured because of exposure to toxic material.



Attorney Charles A. Bonner has been practicing Law as a Civil Rights and Environmental Attorney for 42 years. He has been the lead attorney in over 100 jury trials, involving civil rights cases, police misconduct cases, employment discrimination, and personal injury cases. Mr. Bonner is currently serving communities at The Law Offices of Bonner & Bonner alongside his son, Adam Cabral Bonner. A proud graduate of Stanford Law, Mr. Cabral has been a law partner with his father since 2006.



Mr. Bonner's unwavering commitment was inspired by his early involvement in the civil rights movement. Born in Selma, Alabama, Mr. Bonner joined the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC) at the age of 16, training, sitting in, and peacefully marching for equal rights, and doing community organizing for the right to vote.



He became a field director for SNCC'S Voter Registration Project in Wilcox County in 1965, conducting voter education and voter registration drives. He was one of the hundreds who were beaten on Sunday, March 7, 1965, by Alabama State troopers, rushing the marchers on horseback and on foot, wielding whips, nightsticks, and tear gas on the Edmund Pettis Bridge during the "Bloody Sunday" Selma to Montgomery March for the Right to Vote.



Mr. Bonner is still fighting against discrimination, environmental injustice, violence, slavery, and human rights. His book, Tip of the Arrow, The Selma Student Nonviolent Movement, documents the decisive impact the children, including him, made on the 1960s civil rights movement. His first book, The Bracelet, the Story to End Child Sex Slavery, is based on a case where a 16-year-old girl was held as a sex slave by a multi-millionaire, revealing how she cleverly freed herself.



In 1972 he earned a degree in Anthropology at Sonoma State University, finishing his last 12 units studying Kiswahili in a Tanzanian village and obtaining a Certificate of Fluency from the Government of Tanzania. Mr. Bonner returned to the United States to further his education, first enrolling in Stanford in the Education Department, leaving to pursue his law degree from the New College School of Law in San Francisco, CA. He is a member of the California Bar Association and has been admitted to the United States Supreme Court.

To learn more, please visit https://bonnerlaw.com/.



Contact: Katherine Green , 516-825-5634, [email protected]

SOURCE Continental Who's Who

Related Links

http://www.continentalwhoswho.com


PHILADELPHIA, May 19, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- The Comoto Family of Brands today announced a partnership with the Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation (PBTF) to support its 37th annual Ride for Kids. The collaboration will aim to inspire and bring awareness to PBTF's mission of finding a cure for pediatric brain tumors and transforming how children and their families are cared for. As a leader in the powersports community, Comoto will leverage its expansive network of riders, industry partners, and its brand capabilities to help increase fundraising efforts ahead of and throughout this year's Ride for Kids.

"The work that is being done by PBTF is both personally and professionally close to my heart," said Ken Murphy, President and CEO of Comoto Holdings, and Member of PBTF's Board of Directors. "By joining forces with industry giants like Honda, we hope to help inspire the entire powersports community to make Ride for Kids one of the industry's most prolific philanthropic events for years to come. We're grateful to be able to do our part, and hopefully, motivate our communities to make a difference in the lives of these children and their families."

To help make this year's ride a success, Comoto will actively involve each of its brands within the family. For example, Comoto will be making a direct donation to PBTF for every mile logged in the REVER app throughout the course of the month-long 2021 Ride for Kids Challenge starting August 12th. Additionally, Comoto social media, marketing, public relations efforts, and other Ride for Kids awareness programs will be activated throughout the summer to help meet PBTF's fundraising goals. Riders will have three ways to get involved: Ride with REVER and/or a local Ride for Kids event, donate directly to PBTF, and shop at Cycle Gear, J&P Cycles, and RevZilla stores on Sunday, September 12th, when 10% of all in-store sales will be donated to PBTF.

"Pediatric brain tumors are not only the deadliest form of childhood cancer, they're now the most common in children under 15. Finding a cure--one where kids have the opportunity to grow up without a lifetime of devastating side effects--is a global challenge the Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation can't solve alone," says Bob McNamara, National Director of Fundraising and Community Engagement at PBTF. "We're grateful to have committed leaders like the Comoto Family of Brands and American Honda riding alongside us, helping us raise the funds and awareness needed to fuel our mission. Together, we have an incredible opportunity to change the outcome for kids battling brain cancer, while revolutionizing what it means to ride for a reason."

For decades, PBTF has provided strategic leadership and funding to accelerate research, targeted therapies, and opportunities for children fighting brain cancer. Industry partnerships and ongoing support has helped equip families with the education, financial relief, and emotional support needed to navigate the challenges they face as they support their child's journey. Comoto's partnership and support of this year's Ride for Kids will tap into the influence and involvement of the entire powersports industry, ensuring fundraising success and another step towards a cure.

For more information on the Ride for Kids, and to see how you can participate, please click here .

About Comoto Cares

Comoto's mission is to serve the rider, fuel the industry, and inspire the community. That mission is baked into Comoto Cares. Comoto Cares promotes the positive impact of motorcycle enthusiasts on society by focusing donations of time, money, and resources in four categories: promoting powersports safety; supporting veterans' mental health and well-being; building an equitable pipeline for quality education and career advancement; and engaging our team members in meaningful volunteer service.

About the Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation

Every day, 13 children and teens are diagnosed with a brain tumor, the deadliest and most common form of cancer in kids under 15. Every day after, they are in a fight for their life. It's a fight the Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation is here to help families win. A leader in the brain tumor and childhood cancer communities, PBTF's mission of Care. Cure. Thrive. reflects its commitment to curing all pediatric brain tumors and transforming how children and their families are cared for. Since 1991, PBTF has provided strategic leadership and funding to accelerate the number of targeted therapies for children battling brain tumors today, while equipping families with the patient family education, financial relief, and emotional support they need to navigate their child's journey. A world without childhood brain tumors is possible when we stand together to effect real, meaningful change. Learn more at www.curethekids.org .

About Comoto Family of Brands

Comoto is America's largest and fastest growing omni-channel platform in the powersports aftermarket-products industry, dedicated to advancing the experience of moto enthusiasts across the globe. Comoto's brands, RevZilla, Cycle Gear, J&P Cycles, and REVER deliver premium products, dedicated expertise, engaging media, and passionate customer support of the rider community through best-in-class eCommerce and retail experiences.

SOURCE Comoto Family of Brands
MCLEAN, Va., May 19, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- CrossCountry Consulting, a leading business advisory firm, today announced that it has named noted financial expert Thomas Milbury to its Board of Advisors. Formerly a Partner at Deloitte and Arthur Andersen LLP, Mr. Milbury brings extensive experience serving large, global organizations with complicated accounting challenges. He will join a continuously expanding Advisory Board in the Boston market by supporting CrossCountry's management team with strategic perspectives on how to continue the firm's growth in accounting, risk, and transformational capabilities.

With more than 38 years of experience providing auditing services to leaders in a wide variety of industries including manufacturing, energy, technology, and hospitality, Mr. Milbury has extensive business and financial strategy development experience including mergers and acquisitions, corporate financing, and risk management.

"As an innovator and a leader, Tom brings insight and perspectives that are highly relevant to the work we do for our clients. With a demonstrated track record of developing trusted client relationships within the large commercial space, he will complement our already diverse and accomplished Board of Advisors," said Keith Linhart, Partner and Boston Office Lead at CrossCountry Consulting. "Having served his entire career in the New England area, Tom fully understands the nuances and challenges of the market, and his people-first focus complements our Better Experience model."

"CrossCountry Consulting has built a distinctive reputation and position in the national consulting marketplace over the past 10 years. I have had the opportunity to see the firm's work and evolution, and am particularly impressed with the focus on delivering quality client service and workplace culture," said Thomas Milbury. "I look forward to helping the firm build on this strong foundation and support the team as they continue to distinguish themselves as a trusted advisor to the CFO while also providing a culturally driven environment that attracts the market's top consultants."

Throughout his career in public accounting, Mr. Milbury built strong relationships with the management teams and board constituencies of his clients who valued his advice on technical accounting and business issues, SEC filing requirements, and the internal control requirements of Rule 404 of Sarbanes Oxley. Previously, he served as Senior Partner with Deloitte and Partner at Arthur Andersen LLP. He currently serves as Chairman of the Audit Committee and Vice Chair of the Board of New England Center and Home for Veterans. He is a CPA and holds an MBA from Babson College.

To learn more about CrossCountry Consulting, click here.



CrossCountry Consulting is a trusted business advisory firm that provides customized finance, accounting, human capital management, risk, operations and technology consulting services to leading organizations facing complex change. We partner with our clients to help them navigate pressing business challenges and achieve goals related to improving operations, minimizing risks and enabling future growth. For more information, visit www.crosscountry-consulting.com

Contact: Lea Hutchins, [email protected], (703) 244-8471

SOURCE CrossCountry Consulting

Related Links

http://www.crosscountry-consulting.com


"I am pleased to have Femi join our Eyemart Express executive team as our first Chief Growth Officer," says Michael Bender, Eyemart Express CEO. "Femi's track record in expansion-focused leadership roles across industries will be a tremendous asset for our team and our ambitious growth goals. His global experience and perspective will also enable us to find innovative solutions that will best help our customers see clearly."

Femi joins Eyemart Express after six years at Yum! Brands, the corporation behind KFC, Pizza Hut, Taco Bell, and other fast-food restaurants, where he served in various leadership roles aimed at expansion. Most recently, he oversaw finance and real estate teams as the Chief Development Officer for the KFC Division in South Africa.

"I am proud to join Eyemart Express and contribute to its expansion momentum," says Femi. "It has been exciting to watch Eyemart Express thrive and open new stores over the past year, which is counter to the current brick-and-mortar retail climate. I look forward to working closely with teams across the organization to disrupt the optical industry and extend the reach of accessible quality prescription eyewear."

About Eyemart Express

Eyemart Express, a national optical retailer known for providing high-quality prescription eyewear in as little as 30 minutes, has been improving people's lives by helping them see better for more than 30 years. With 231 stores in 42 states, Eyemart Express ranks among the top 10 optical retailers in the country with its family of brands: Vision 4 Less, Visionmart Express, and Eyewear Express. The company offers a robust frame selection for the whole family with more than 2,000 frames in every store from brands such as Ray-Ban, Coach, Nike, and Disney. On-site lens labs and skilled lab techs in every store can deliver high-quality glasses in as little as 30 minutes. Learn more about Eyemart Express at EyemartExpress.com.

SOURCE Eyemart Express
WASHINGTON, May 19, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Alejandro Mayorkas took an oath to defend and secure our country when he was sworn in as secretary of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) on February 2. In the past three and half months, he has failed to live up to that commitment and has instead presided over a reckless abandonment of border security and immigration enforcement, charged the Federation for American Immigration Reform (FAIR). The path forward is clear  it is time for him to go.

"Secretary Mayorkas serves at the pleasure of the president who appointed him and was clearly chosen to lead DHS because he shares the same objective of countless individuals within the White House and Democratic Party  a borderless nation and virtually no enforcement of immigration laws," stated Dan Stein, president of FAIR. "But ultimately, he works for the American people. He swore to do all that is reasonably within his power to safeguard the homeland and that duty must come first.

"Despite his use of lofty rhetoric to justify his actions, in fact, the policies that Mayorkas has either rescinded or implemented are strengthening criminal cartels that smuggle and traffic human beings, endanger the lives of women and children, and further destabilize governments in our region. Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador and Guatemalan President Alejandro Giammattei have both publicly rebuked the Biden administration for policies that enrich and embolden criminal cartels. In essence, Secretary Mayorkas sanctioned the abuse of our immigration system, becoming a cartel co-conspirator responsible for the largest alien and child smuggling operation in U.S. history. In every respect, Mayorkas has failed in his obligation to secure the nation while undermining the values of our country," Stein continued. "It is time for him to go."

"It is clear that Mayorkas will not secure the border or enforce the overwhelming majority of our nation's immigration laws. Thus, every day that he remains secretary of DHS, he is consciously violating his oath of office," Stein continued. "President Biden must ignore the open-borders puppeteers he has been surrounded with and terminate Secretary Mayorkas immediately. Time is running out."

A brief, and certainly far from comprehensive list of actions Mayorkas has taken as DHS secretary highlight the dereliction of his duty to defend and secure the homeland:

Border Security:

Suspension of the Migrant Protection Protocols program (MPP)

More than 42,000 illegal aliens have been released into the interior of the country as a result of this policy change.



Illegal immigration has skyrocketed, with 178,000 apprehensions recorded in April, numbers not seen in more than 20 years and a more than 944% increase from last April's figures.



The number of unaccompanied minor children in federal custody is at the highest level on record.

Termination of Asylum Cooperation Agreements (ACAs) with Northern Triangle

Asylum abuse is returning and the integrity of the nation's asylum system is now being compromised.

Not fully enforcing Title 42

Title 42 is a section of the U.S. Code that allows the United States broad powers in turning away migrants without court hearings from the southern border for health-related reasons. Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, the federal government has relied on this tool to keep migrants from entering the United States and potentially spreading the virus. Mayorkas decided to lift Title 42 restrictions for unaccompanied minors, fueling the current surge of minors at our border.

Cooperating in halting border wall construction

Mayorkas has refused to execute existing contracts for further construction of the southern border wall that have already been paid for, leaving vast stretches of the border unsecured. DHS resumed construction of certain sections of the wall, but insisted that it did so to prevent flooding, rather than to prevent aliens from reaching the United States .

Interior Immigration Enforcement:



Monthly figures for deportations fell to lowest on record  just 2,962 in April. These figures defy the spirit, if not the letter, of a court order that barred an early Biden administration effort to cease all deportations.

New limits set on immigration enforcement actions in courthouses. Under new DHS guidance, ICE and CBP officers cannot enforce immigration law at courthouses  tying the hands of our federal immigration enforcement officials and preventing them from exercising their Congressionally-mandated roles.

Mayorkas began abusing his parole power to reunite families for televised events to highlight the immigration efforts of the Biden administration. This authority delegated to the Secretary allows him to unilaterally admit otherwise inadmissible aliens into the United States , ostensibly for humanitarian or other reasons. Instead, Mayorkas is using this power for propagandizing purposes meant to shine a positive light on the Biden administration.

Mayorkas spearheaded the creation of a so-called "Family Reunification Task Force"

Under this guidance, illegal alien families can reunite and relocate to the U.S., receiving a range of benefits from tuition assistance to legal advice. This rewarded many of the family members who chose to abandon their children in the United States , confident that the Biden administration may one day let them reunite in the U.S. rather than in their home countries.

Betraying American Workers:

Mayorkas blocked the implementation of a crucial rule that would have prioritized H-1B admissions by salary, thereby increasing the cost of hiring a guestworker. Mayorkas' action protects the ability of American firms to replace American workers with cheap foreign labor at a time when unemployment remains high and as our economy is still struggling to recover from the crushing recession wrought by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Mayorkas increased H-2B visas by 22,000 even as unemployment remains high.

Backing the Wrong People at the Worst Time to Lead Crucial Immigration-Related Agencies:



U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) Nominee: Ur Jaddou who, worked at USCIS under Mayorkas in the Obama administration and then open-borders advocacy group America's Voice.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection Nominee: Chris Magnus who, as Chief of Police of Tucson, Arizona , claimed immigration enforcement makes the United States less safe.

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement Nominee: Ed Gonzalez , who as Sheriff of Harris County, Texas , opposed cooperation between local law enforcement and the very agency he has been nominated to lead.

Contact: Matthew Tragesser, 202-328-7004 or [email protected]

ABOUT FAIR

Founded in 1979, FAIR is the country's largest immigration reform group. With over 3 million members and supporters nationwide, FAIR fights for immigration policies that serve national interests, not special interests. FAIR believes that immigration reform must enhance national security, improve the economy, protect jobs, preserve our environment, and establish a rule of law that is recognized and enforced.

SOURCE Federation for American Immigration Reform (FAIR)

Related Links

http://www.fairus.org


Fetch, a dvm360 Conference, offers the ultimate 360-degree educational experience to network, brainstorm and learn. Tweet this

Fetch, a dvm360 Conference, offers the ultimate 360-degree educational experience to network, brainstorm and learn from over 40 nationally recognized faculty experts in veterinary medicine from across the country.

With more than 300 information-packed sessions to choose from, including a veterinary crossfire discussion with David Dycus, DVM, MS, CCRP, DACVS-SA and Fred Wininger, VMD, MS, DACVIM (Neurology), attendees will receive clear takeaways, resource materials and strategies to put what they learned into practice and provide the best possible patient care. Veterinarian professionals will have the chance to earn up to 26 high-quality, action-based continuing education credit hours over four days.



Track highlights of the conference include cardiology, controlled substances, exotics, leadership, neurology, nutrition, ophthalmology, oncology, orthopedics, practice management, surgery, technician programs and so much more.To view the full list of sessions, click here.

To kick off the conference, Betsy Charles, DVM, MA, and Mariana Pardo, MV, BVSc, DACVECC, will deliver powerful and inspiring keynote addresses that will renew veterinarians' passion for veterinary medicine.

The conference will also recognize the 2021 Hospital Design Competition overall and Merit Award winners during a special session on Friday August 27 at 12 p.m. CST. The VCA West Coast Specialty and Emergency Animal Hospital in Fountain Valley, California, and Fenton River Veterinary Hospital in Stafford Springs, Connecticut earned top honors as veterinary Hospitals of the Year. To learn more, click here.

With dvm360's new health and safety protocols, based on the advice of health experts and the latest guidelines and local regulations, attendees will be able to network and reunite with their peers, friends and colleagues, connect with expert faculty, interact with sponsors ,and explore products in the exhibit hall with one another for a safe, educational experience.

"I am beyond excited to finally meet our colleagues safely in person! We have incredible sessions with phenomenal Fetch faculty. I know I speak for the faculty when I say this, but we cannot wait to see you all and have fun," added Adam Christman, DVM, MBA, chief veterinary officer of dvm360.

For information on dvm360's health and safety precautions and to register for the conference, click here.

About dvm360

The leading media content provider in the veterinary market, dvm360 has been in operation for more than 50 years. It provides readers with top-of-the-line digital and print content that focuses on every aspect of a veterinary professional's life. In addition, dvm360 hosts continuing education (CE) conferences that provide a 360-degree educational engagement experience for veterinary professionals. These conferences include several Fetch dvm360 conferences and the Atlantic Coast Veterinary Conference, CE events that have been a staple in the veterinary community for decades. dvm360 is a brand of MJH Life Sciences, the largest privately held, independent, full-service medical media company in North America, dedicated to delivering trusted health care news across multiple channels.

dvm360 Media Contact

Alexandra Ventura, 609-716-7777

[email protected]

SOURCE dvm360

Related Links

http://www.dvm360.com


SAN JOSE, Calif., May 18, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Fourth Wave Energy, Inc. (OTCQB: FWAV) ("Fourth Wave" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that GeoSolar Technologies ("GST") has filed a registration statement with the Securities and Exchange Commission in connection with the spin-off of GST from Fourth Wave. Following the spin-off, GST and Fourth Wave will be two separate and independent public companies.

As part of the spin-off agreement with Fourth Wave, GST received all commercial rights to the GeoSolar Plus technology and patents in exchange for the issuance of approximately one share of GST common stock for each outstanding common share of Fourth Wave.

The GeoSolar Plus ("GSP") system is designed to significantly reduce energy consumption and associated greenhouse gas emissions in residences and commercial buildings, while improving indoor air quality by improving the building envelope, reducing energy loads, and generating on-site renewable solar energy. The GSP system is comprised of a number of system components including solar/PV and geothermal and produces more clean energy than it produces with no carbon.

The date for determining which shareholders of Fourth Wave will receive shares of GST in the spin-off will be determined shortly before the effective date of GST's registration statement. The shares of GST common stock will be issued to the Fourth Wave shareholders shortly after GST's registration statement is declared effective by the Securities and Exchange Commission. Fourth Wave shareholders will continue to retain their shares in Fourth Wave.

This Press Release is not an offer of any securities of GST and GST is not soliciting offers to acquire any securities of GST. The shares of GST's common stock have not been registered under the Securities Act of 1933 and may not be offered or sold in the United States absent registration or an applicable exception from registration requirements.

The registration statement of GeoSolar Technologies can be viewed on the SEC's website at www.sec.gov.

Investor Contact:

Fourth Wave Energy

Phone: +1 (0)408-213-8874

www.fourthwaveenergy.com

Email: [email protected]

SOURCE Fourth Wave Energy, Inc.
RALEIGH, N.C., May 19, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Global Data Consortium (GDC), provider of one point access to local, in-country reference data for instant verification to customers globally, welcomes multiple veteran leaders across all the business units within the company. The company continues to grow with revenue going from just over $1 million in 2016 to a projected $20 million or more in 2021 and these hires will help continue that growth as GDC continues to expand its global partner relationships. The current group of new hires follow the 2020 leadership expansion in the engineering and sales areas when Daniel Flowe was brought on as SVP Growth and Ramesh Menon as CTO.

Christopher Sundermeier, General Counsel and Chief Privacy Officer: Chris brings over 25 years of experience working with a variety of high-growth technology and internet companies to GDC. Prior to GDC, Chris served as the General Counsel, Chief Privacy Officer, Corporate Secretary at Reputation.com, Inc. for over 8 years, and as a litigation partner in the Palo Alto office of the Cooley LLP for over 15 years.

Dan London, Vice President, Marketing: Dan, a veteran of multiple Raleigh-area start-ups, previously served as Vice President of Revenue Marketing at Bandwidth, Inc. Prior to joining Bandwidth, Dan was an early employee, and held director positions at Ansible and ShareFile, both of which were acquired (Red Hat & Citrix) during his tenure.

Markus Bergthaler, Vice President, Product Strategy: Markus brings over 12 years of fraud knowledge to GDC. He previously was the Global Director of Programs at the Merchant Risk Council where he oversaw the development of all association program content, conference education, committee and community subject matter, website content, benchmarking, and online forum topics. He also played a key role in the fraud departments at Wizards of the Coast, E. Breuniger, and Amazon.

"As GDC looks to continue expanding its portfolio of customers globally, it is essential that we continue to make key hires across the organization," said Bill Spruill, President/Co-Founder. "With the hiring of Christopher, Dan, and Markus, along with the expansion of the Compliance Advisory Board, GDC is in the perfect spot to continue to meet the growth of the global digital economy by accurately verifying the identities of consumers and businesses regardless of country of origin."

In 2020, GDC formed the Compliance Advisory Board (CAB) to serve as a resource to help others in the industry navigate the challenges of protecting data privacy and maintaining compliance with other global regulations. In May of 2021, LeAnne Hoang, Chief Risk & Compliance Officer - Americas Region at Rapyd, joined the CAB bringing over 20 years of experience in risk management and strategy development to the group.

In the past six months, the CAB was expanded to include Abby-Gail Chaffatt, Director of Compliance at Patreon and Ben Gray, Chief Compliance Officer, Bank Secrecy Act Officer, and Regulatory Counsel at Square.

The expansion of the independent Compliance Advisory Board further underscores GDC's commitment to the industry and keeps GDC's professionals current with data compliance and regulatory requirements globally. This relationship helps GDC expand into multiple verticals across the world. More information on the CAB can be found on the GDC website (https://www.globaldataconsortium.com/complianceadvisoryboard/).

About Global Data Consortium

Global Data Consortium is the industry leader in electronic identity verification. Whether leveraging reliable and independent data sources in established financial markets or reaching deep into emerging markets for alternative data sources, we help bridge the gap between consumer financial journeys and financial service provider compliance requirements. We believe in the balance between preventing identity crimes and providing a seamless verification process, which we accomplish by leveraging local partnerships and expertise through a single-API.

Learn more at www.globaldataconsortium.com

SOURCE Global Data Consortium

Related Links

https://www.globaldataconsortium.com


DUBLIN, May 19, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- The "Domestic Couriers Global Market Report 2021: COVID-19 Implications and Growth to 2030" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.

The global domestic couriers market is expected to grow from $36.48 billion in 2020 to $39.86 billion in 2021 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 9.3%.

Major players in the domestic couriers market are, FedEx Corporation, United Parcel Service Inc., A-1 Express, SF Express Co. Ltd., UPS Limited, DHL Express, Yunda Holding Co., Ltd., Royal Mail and Japan Post Group.



The change in growth trend is mainly due to the companies stabilizing their output after catering to the demand that grew exponentially during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020. The market is expected to reach $68.48 billion in 2025 at a CAGR of 14%.



The domestic couriers market consists of the sales of the guaranteed express delivery services of small packages and parcels, in metropolitan areas, urban centres within a country. The market includes the sales of various courier and local delivery services which finds applications in various business models such as Business-to-Business (B2B), Business-to-Consumer (B2C) and Consumer-to-Consumer (C2C).



E-commerce trade is expected to be one of the major drivers of the global domestic courier service market. As the buying and selling of goods and services over the internet continues to grow, the courier or parcel volumes will increase and thereby drive the demand for courier delivery services. E-Commerce or electronic commerce or internet commerce refers to is the buying and selling of goods and services, or the transmitting of funds or data, over an electronic network, primarily the internet.

These business transactions occur either as business-to-business (B2B), business-to-consumer (B2C), consumer-to-consumer or consumer-to-business. Few examples of E- commerce websites include the online stores such as Amazon, Ebay, Quikr, Olx and more.

The emergence of ecommerce has made products easier to discover and purchase through online retailers and marketplaces and benefited Independent freelancers, small businesses, and large corporations by enabling them to sell their goods and services at a higher scale. Thus, the growing E-commerce industry is anticipated to drive the domestic courier market in the forecast period by enhancing the courier or parcel delivery service opportunities within the country.



In-house delivery networks are expected to restrict the growth of the courier and local delivery services market in the US. In-house delivery refers to the retailers using their own dedicated delivery staff and own fleet of vehicles to deliver orders to customers. For instance, Tesco, a British multinational grocery and merchandise retailer uses in-house delivery quite successfully and the other example includes pizza delivery by Domino's company. Thus, the increasing adoption of in-house delivery units by retailers is anticipated halt the growth of courier and local delivery service market in the forecast period.



E-locker delivery system is a computerized electronic locker system used for the security of delivering and retrieving or recovering parcels. Each locker station may include a set of individual lockers of various sizes, each with an electronic controlled release operated door latch. Each locker station has an input/output device(s) that is electronically connected to an internal computer. This makes an ideal solution for apartments, dormitories, businesses, and other applications that handle the ongoing delivery of packages and parcels.

For instance, Packcity is an automated electronic locker system that securely stores and distributes inbound parcels, informs recipients that a parcel has arrived and allows 24/7 collections. Packcity enables to store and distribute a large volume of incoming parcels. Its easy-to-use interface allows recipients to track parcels and inform them about the arrival of their parcel. Since the emergence of E-locker delivery system solves the problems of rising parcel deliveries, it is anticipated to be an important trend that drives the domestic courier market.



Key Topics Covered:



1. Executive Summary



2. Domestic Couriers Market Characteristics



3. Domestic Couriers Market Trends and Strategies



4. Impact of COVID-19 on Domestic Couriers



5. Domestic Couriers Market Size and Growth

5.1. Global Domestic Couriers Historic Market, 2015-2020, $ Billion

5.1.1. Drivers of the Market

5.1.2. Restraints on the Market

5.2. Global Domestic Couriers Forecast Market, 2020-2025F, 2030F, $ Billion

5.2.1. Drivers of the Market

5.2.2. Restraints on the Market



6. Domestic Couriers Market Segmentation

6.1. Global Domestic Couriers Market, Segmentation by Type, Historic and Forecast, 2015-2020, 2020-2025F, 2030F, $ Billion

Ground

Express

Deferred

6.2. Global Domestic Couriers Market, Segmentation by Application, Historic and Forecast, 2015-2020, 2020-2025F, 2030F, $ Billion

Business-to-Business (B2B)

Business-to-Consumer (B2C)

Consumer-to-Consumer (C2C)

6.3. Global Domestic Couriers Market, Segmentation by End User, Historic and Forecast, 2015-2020, 2020-2025F, 2030F, $ Billion

BFSI

Wholesale and Retail Trade

Construction

Manufacturing

Others

7. Domestic Couriers Market Regional and Country Analysis

7.1. Global Domestic Couriers Market, Split by Region, Historic and Forecast, 2015-2020, 2020-2025F, 2030F, $ Billion

7.2. Global Domestic Couriers Market, Split by Country, Historic and Forecast, 2015-2020, 2020-2025F, 2030F, $ Billion



Companies Mentioned

FedEx Corporation

United Parcel Service Inc.

A-1 Express

SF Express Co. Ltd.,

UPS Limited

DHL Express

Yunda Holding Co., Ltd.

Royal Mail

Japan Post Group

China Post

USPS

Deutsche Post AG

Canada Post Corporation

Eastern Connection ( United States )

) New Zealand Post

Allied Express ( Australia )

) Aramex ( United Arab Emirates )

) TFI International Inc.

Shanghai YTO Express (Logistics) Co. Ltd

For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/alzao1

Media Contact:

Research and Markets

Laura Wood, Senior Manager

[email protected]



For E.S.T Office Hours Call +1-917-300-0470

For U.S./CAN Toll Free Call +1-800-526-8630

For GMT Office Hours Call +353-1-416-8900



U.S. Fax: 646-607-1907

Fax (outside U.S.): +353-1-481-1716

SOURCE Research and Markets

Related Links

http://www.researchandmarkets.com


SAN FRANCISCO, May 19, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- A new market study published by Global Industry Analysts Inc., (GIA) the premier market research company, today released its report titled "Personal Care Appliances - Global Market Trajectory & Analytics". The report presents fresh perspectives on opportunities and challenges in a significantly transformed post COVID-19 marketplace.



FACTS AT A GLANCE

Edition: 16; Released: March 2021

Executive Engagements: 19139

Companies: 150 Players covered include Colgate-Palmolive Company; Conair Corporation; Dyson Ltd.; Havells India Ltd.; Helen of Troy Limited; Koninklijke Philips N.V.; Panasonic Corporation; Spectrum Brands Holdings, Inc.; The Procter & Gamble Company; The Wahl Clipper Corporation; Vega Industries Private Limited; Yongkang Xinji Hairdressing Appliance Factory and Others.

Coverage: All major geographies and key segments

Segments: Product (Hair Care, Hair Removal, Oral Care, Other Products); End-Use (Female, Male)

Geographies: World; USA; Canada; Japan; China; Europe; France; Germany; Italy; UK; Spain; Russia; Rest of Europe; Asia-Pacific; Australia; India; South Korea; Rest of Asia-Pacific; Latin America; Argentina; Brazil; Mexico; Rest of Latin America; Middle East; Iran; Israel; Saudi Arabia; UAE; Rest of Middle East; Africa.



Complimentary Project Preview - This is an ongoing global program. Preview our research program before you make a purchase decision. We are offering a complimentary access to qualified executives driving strategy, business development, sales & marketing, and product management roles at featured companies. Previews provide deep insider access to business trends; competitive brands; domain expert profiles; and market data templates and much more. You may also build your own bespoke report using our MarketGlass Platform which offers thousands of data bytes without an obligation to purchase our report. Preview Registry



ABSTRACT-



Global Personal Care Appliances Market to Reach $25.9 Billion by 2026

Personal care appliances include all electronic appliances that facilitate in personal care applications including hair care, oral care, and hair removal. With consumers increasingly becoming conscious about their health and looks, a wide range of personal care appliances have become part of their daily routines. While hair dryers and curling irons are widely among consumers, massagers, trimmers and electric toothbrushes are also gaining popularity, worldwide. Additionally, hair clippers, hair setters, and shaving systems with technologically advanced features are penetrating the market among all age groups and gender. Amid the COVID-19 crisis, the global market for Personal Care Appliances estimated at US$19.7 Billion in the year 2020, is projected to reach a revised size of US$25.9 Billion by 2026, growing at a CAGR of 4.7% over the analysis period. Hair Care, one of the segments analyzed in the report, is projected to record a 4.4% CAGR and reach US$11.1 Billion by the end of the analysis period. After a thorough analysis of the business implications of the pandemic and its induced economic crisis, growth in the Hair Removal segment is readjusted to a revised 4.6% CAGR for the next 7-year period.



The U.S. Market is Estimated at $5.2 Billion in 2021, While China is Forecast to Reach $2.8 Billion by 2026

The Personal Care Appliances market in the U.S. is estimated at US$5.2 Billion in the year 2021. China, the world`s second largest economy, is forecast to reach a projected market size of US$2.8 Billion by the year 2026 trailing a CAGR of 6% over the analysis period. Among the other noteworthy geographic markets are Japan and Canada, each forecast to grow at 4.3% and 3.9% respectively over the analysis period. Within Europe, Germany is forecast to grow at approximately 4% CAGR. As fashion trends continue to evolve, a growing number of consumers are opting for smart and aesthetically appealing self-grooming devices for personal care and hygiene. In the coming years, the launch of innovative and advanced products offering convenience and ease-of-use is expected to boost sales of personal care appliances. Rapid technological advances over the years have led to significant improvements in beauty appliances, in terms of effectiveness and convenience, thereby driving customers to splurge on these styling and grooming products.
"Our drilling campaign at El Orito continues to provide strong results, again showing high grade narrow intercepts, along with wider zones of potentially bulk mineable grades. Hole 20 is also exciting as it contains high gold values in addition to silver, which differs from the base metal zones which we've seen to date at El Orito," said Brad Langille, President and CEO. "We've also added IP geophysical imaging to our exploration toolbox at Los Ricos North, and we expect to see the benefits of those techniques in our current drilling."

Table 1: Drill Hole Intersections

Hole ID Area From To Length1 Ag Au Cu Pb Zn AgEq2



(m) (m) (m) (g/t) (g/t) (%) (%) (%) (g/t) LRGO-21-017 El Orito 460.5 466.1 5.6 26.5 0.04 0.06 0.94 1.90 120.5

including 464.5 465.5 1.0 104.0 0.09 0.23 4.05 8.21 501.1 LRGO-21-019 El Orito 137.0 139.5 2.4 17.9 0.02 0.07 0.90 0.13 51.4 LRGO-21-020 El Orito 155.8 167.5 11.8 168.1 2.02 0.02 0.16 0.14 330.6

including 160.8 162.5 1.8 832.2 11.63 0.05 0.51 0.21 1,728.9 LRGO-21-022 El Orito 242.0 249.3 7.3 6.0 0.01 0.02 0.46 1.08 55.3

including 242.0 242.6 0.6 24.5 0.03 0.09 2.63 4.65 251.5 LRGO-21-024 El Orito 76.8 87.4 10.6 34.4 0.12 0.02 0.04 0.06 49.3

including 85.9 87.4 1.5 88.9 0.62 0.03 0.05 0.11 143.1

and 146.5 156.2 9.7 93.9 0.42 0.02 0.15 0.09 134.5

including 152.0 155.2 3.2 173.7 1.09 0.02 0.15 0.10 264.4 LRGO-21-025 El Orito 260.0 264.5 4.4 5.7 0.01 0.02 0.24 0.90 43.9 LRGO-21-026 El Orito 184.5 221.5 35.6 46.9 0.05 0.28 2.07 1.41 173.6

including 186.5 208.8 22.3 65.3 0.07 0.41 2.96 1.52 230.2

and 249.8 250.8 1.0 95.2 0.20 0.32 3.26 0.97 250.4

and 289.5 290.4 0.9 566.8 2.09 0.06 0.59 0.76 768.0 LRGO-21-027 El Orito 164.2 217.6 53.4 57.2 0.10 0.24 2.19 0.16 145.0

including 174.9 179.1 4.2 150.0 0.06 0.47 7.07 0.29 376.2

and 240.9 245.1 4.2 44.3 0.04 0.04 0.44 0.33 72.4

Not true width AqEq converted using a silver to gold ratio of 75:1. Copper, Lead and Zinc converted using $3.66 /lb, $0.90 /lb and $1.26 /lb at 100% recoveries based on a silver price of $26.00 /oz

The holes that the Company has drilled to date at El Orito have shown mineralization averaging 30m in width over 700m in strike length and 200m in vertical depth from surface, and is open in all directions. The El Orito deposit is located about 1,000 meters to the west along strike from the El Favor deposit. The Company's exploration team is mapping and sampling the area to determine the connection between the two deposits. The El Orito deposit is unique in the Los Ricos district as it is the deeper part of the system where silver and base metals are present, while the other targets in the system to date have shown only silver and gold.

The known strike length of the El Orito  El Favor structure is now approaching 2,500 meters and is still open in both directions. The surface topography at El Orito is 400 to 500m lower compared to El Favor and is allowing the exploration team to see this large, mineralized structure over a vertical height of 750 meters when measured from the surface outcrops at El Favor to the intersections in the El Orito drill holes.

Table 2: Drill Hole Locations

Hole ID Easting Northing Elevation Azimuth Dip Length LRGO-21-017 584081 2336889 989.5 210 -50 501.1 LRGO-21-018 583564 2336982 845.0 210 -65 290.7 LRGO-21-019 583552 2336716 805.0 210 -55 152.0 LRGO-21-020 583653 2336930 890.0 210 -50 257.0 LRGO-21-021 583553 2336960 862.0 210 -55 252.9 LRGO-21-022 583528 2336731 790.0 210 -65 302.0 LRGO-21-023 583881 2336820 960.0 210 -50 220.9 LRGO-21-024 583574 2336954 860.0 210 -50 256.2 LRGO-21-025 583544 2336761 854.0 210 -65 327.0 LRGO-21-026 583859 2336861 930.6 210 -55 301.5 LRGO-21-027 583903 2336853 965.0 210 -50 302.1

VRIFY Slide Deck and 3D Presentation

VRIFY is a platform being used by companies to communicate with investors using 360 virtual tours of remote mining assets, 3D models and interactive presentations. VRIFY can be accessed by website and with the VRIFY iOS and Android apps.

Access the GoGold Company Profile on VRIFY at: https://vrify.com

The VRIFY Slide Deck and 3D Presentation for GoGold can be viewed at: https://vrify.com/explore/decks/9404 and on the Company's website at: www.gogoldresources.com.

Los Ricos District Exploration Projects

The Company's two exploration projects at its Los Ricos property are in Jalisco state, Mexico. The Los Ricos South Project began in March 2019 and an initial resource was announced on July 29, 2020 which indicated a Measured & Indicated Mineral Resource of 63.7 million ounces AgEq grading 199 g/t AgEq contained in 10.0 million tonnes, and an Inferred Resource of 19.9 million ounces AgEq grading 190 g/t AgEq contained in 3.3 million tonnes. An initial PEA on the project was announced on January 20, 2021 indicating an NPV 5% of US$295M.

The Los Ricos North Project was launched in March 2020 and includes drilling at the El Favor, La Trini, Casados and El Orito targets. During 2020, GoGold's exploration team identified over 100 targets on the Los Ricos North properties, demonstrating the significant exploration potential. The Company plans to drill 10 of these targets as part of its 2021 drilling program which is planned to exceed 100,000 metres of drilling and will be one of the largest in Mexico.

Procedure, Quality Assurance / Quality Control and Data Verification

The diamond drill core (HQ size) is geologically logged, photographed and marked for sampling. When the sample lengths are determined, the full core is sawn with a diamond blade core saw with one half of the core being bagged and tagged for assay. The remaining half portion is returned to the core trays for storage and/or for metallurgical test work.

The sealed and tagged sample bags are transported to the ActLabs facility in Zacatecas, Mexico. ActLabs crushes the samples and prepares 200-300 gram pulp samples with ninety percent passing Tyler 150 mesh (106m). The pulps are assayed for gold using a 50-gram charge by fire assay (Code 1A2-50) and over limits greater than 10 grams per tonne are re-assayed using a gravimetric finish (Code 1A3-50). Silver and multi-element analysis is completed using total digestion (Code 1F2 Total Digestion ICP). Over limits greater than 100 grams per tonne silver are re-assayed using a gravimetric finish (Code 8-Ag FA-GRAV Ag).

Quality assurance and quality control ("QA/QC") procedures monitor the chain-of-custody of the samples and includes the systematic insertion and monitoring of appropriate reference materials (certified standards, blanks and duplicates) into the sample strings. The results of the assaying of the QA/QC material included in each batch are tracked to ensure the integrity of the assay data. All results stated in this announcement have passed GoGold's QA/QC protocols.

Mr. David Duncan, P. Geo. is the qualified person as defined by National Instrument 43-101 and is responsible for the technical information of this release.

About GoGold Resources

GoGold Resources (TSX: GGD) is a Canadian-based silver and gold producer focused on operating, developing, exploring and acquiring high quality projects in Mexico. The Company operates the Parral Tailings mine in the state of Chihuahua and has the Los Ricos South and Los Ricos North exploration projects in the state of Jalisco. Headquartered in Halifax, NS, GoGold is building a portfolio of low cost, high margin projects. For more information visit gogoldresources.com.

CAUTIONARY STATEMENT:

The securities described herein have not been, and will not be, registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "U.S. Securities Act"), or any state securities laws, and may not be offered or sold within the United States or to, or for the benefit of, U.S. persons (as defined in Regulation S under the U.S. Securities Act) except in compliance with the registration requirements of the U.S. Securities Act and applicable state securities laws or pursuant to exemptions therefrom. This release does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy of any of GoGold's securities in the United States.

This news release may contain "forward-looking information" as defined in applicable Canadian securities legislation. All statements other than statements of historical fact, included in this release, including, without limitation, statements regarding the Los Ricos South and North projects, and future plans and objectives of GoGold, including the intention to undertake further exploration at Los Ricos North, and the prospect of further discoveries there, constitute forward looking information that involve various risks and uncertainties. Forward-looking information is based on a number of factors and assumptions which have been used to develop such information but which may prove to be incorrect, including, but not limited to, assumptions in connection with the continuance of GoGold and its subsidiaries as a going concern, general economic and market conditions, mineral prices, the accuracy of mineral resource estimates, and the performance of the Parral project. There can be no assurance that such information will prove to be accurate and actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such forward-looking information.

Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from GoGold's expectations include exploration and development risks associated with GoGold's projects, the failure to establish estimated mineral resources or mineral reserves, volatility of commodity prices, variations of recovery rates, and global economic conditions. For additional information with respect to risk factors applicable to GoGold, reference should be made to GoGold's continuous disclosure materials filed from time to time with securities regulators, including, but not limited to, GoGold's Annual Information Form. The forward-looking information contained in this release is made as of the date of this release.

SOURCE GoGold Resources Inc.

Related Links

http://www.gogoldresources.com/


NEW YORK, May 18, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- GTIS Partners LP ("GTIS"), a real estate private equity firm headquartered in New York City, with offices in Sao Paulo, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Atlanta, Paris and Munich, today announced a joint venture with Baker Development Corporation, a privately owned real estate development company based in Chicago, and Foundation Capital Partners, a real estate investment management firm with offices in New York and Miami, to develop Yuma|143, a logistics center in Goodyear, Arizona with an estimated cost of $45 million. The project is located within a Phoenix Qualified Opportunity Zone ("QOZ").

Yuma|143 will be a 490,000 square foot logistics facility in the Phoenix metro area adjacent to the Goodyear cargo airport runway. The project marks the thirteenth investment by GTIS Partners in the Phoenix metro area since 2009.

The joint venture underscores GTIS' continued focus on logistics and residential real estate investments in markets with rapid population growth like Phoenix. In addition to today's industrial/logistics investment, the firm recently announced the groundbreaking on a single family build-to-rent community in Mesa, AZ which is also located in an Opportunity Zone.

"Two sectors with tailwinds post-Covid are clearly industrial/logistics and residential housing," said Josh Pristaw, Senior Managing Director, Head of Capital Markets and Co-head of Brazil at GTIS Partners. "Yuma|143 is a perfect example of our strategy to pursue industrial/logistics assets that focus on the e-commerce needs of fast-growing consumer populations. The Phoenix area is one of our top market targets due to its job growth and demographics. The investment was made by our Qualified Opportunity Zone Fund and represents a long-term investment in the community."

"We are thrilled to partner with such an experienced and talented firm as Baker," said Stephen Tanenbaum, Head of Industrial/Logistics at GTIS. "This project represents the right product in the right location at the right time to serve the e-commerce needs of the fast-growing Phoenix consumer population."

"The Baker/Foundation team is excited to be partnering with GTIS on our next Phase at Airport Gateway at Goodyear," says Baker principal Daniel J. Slack. "Building on the brand we have successfully created at VB|143 nearby, Yuma|143 will bring the same value-driven delivery approach to our prospective tenants."

GTIS has so far committed over $400 million in equity to 12 projects to Opportunity Zone investments. The projects comprise over 5,300 residential units and 1.6 million square feet of commercial office and industrial distribution space and are predominantly located in fast growing Sunbelt markets such as Phoenix, Tampa and Charlotte.

About GTIS Partners

GTIS Partners is a leading real asset investment and development firm headquartered in New York with offices in Sao Paulo, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Atlanta, Paris and Munich. The firm was founded in 2005 by Tom Shapiro and is managed by President Tom Shapiro and Senior Managing Directors Thomas Feldstein, Josh Pristaw, Joao Teixeira, Rob Vahradian and Amy Boyle. The firm manages over $4 billion in gross assets and is active across a wide range of real estate sectors including single family and multifamily housing, office, industrial/logistics and hospitality as well as renewable energy infrastructure and opportunity zone investments. The firm invests at various points in the capital structure including credit, common equity and structured equity. In the US, GTIS has invested in over 130 assets across 40 unique markets including growth areas such as Phoenix, Dallas, Houston, Denver, Atlanta, Tampa and Charlotte. In Brazil, GTIS is among the largest real assets private equity firms with holdings including office, residential, logistics, hospitality and renewable energy investments. Marquee assets in Sao Paulo include the Infinity office building and Palacio Tangara, a five-star resort style hotel. For more information, please visit www.gtispartners.com.

About Baker Development Corporation

Baker Development Corporation is a privately owned real estate development company based in Chicago. Since its formation in 1985, BDC and its partners have been involved in the acquisition, development and construction of virtually every class of real estate, including high-rise residential, big-box retail, office, hotel, multi-family (rental and for-sale), mixed-use, loft conversions, townhomes, retail, adaptive reuse properties, fractured condominiums and brownfield redevelopment projects.

About Foundation Capital Partners

Foundation Capital Partners, with offices in New York and Miami, is an investment management firm focused on achieving opportunistic returns by its pursuit of a strategy dedicated to real estate across the United States. All of the firm's opportunities fall within its three themed investment approach: Distressed, Special Situations or Disruptive.

Media Contacts

Steve Bruce / Mary Beth Grover

ASC Advisors

(203) 992-1230

[email protected] / [email protected]

SOURCE GTIS Partners
TRIESTE, Italy, May 19, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- illycaffe presents the new illy Art Collection by Ai Weiwei, a personal interpretation of the renowned series of art cups by the Chinese artist who is one of the 21st century's most influential people.

illycaffe launches the new illy Art Collection by Ai Weiwei

This illy Art Collection has been inspired by Ai Weiwei's famous Colored Vases which he created in 2006, taking ancient Neolithic vases and dunking them into industrial paint tins to reshape their look and function. Using a process of appropriation and destruction, Ai Weiwei takes ordinary objects away from their daily context and transforms them into works of art.

"To express yourself needs a reason, but expressing yourself is the reason," the perfect summary of the life and the art of Ai Weiwei, which are closely entwined and have seen him become a conceptual artist, sculptor, painter, performer, photographer, architect and urban designer, collector, film director, actor, musician, writer and editor, blogger and selfie professional, investigative journalist, human rights activist and dissident  a kaleidoscope of experiences and perspectives. In his illy Art Collection, Ai Weiwei echoes all of this in a familiar object and, with one of his typical unsettling acts, he invites us to explore our "position" and the perspective from which we look at the world at a given point in space and time, even just for the time it takes to enjoy a coffee.

"I am very happy to be a part of the illy Art Collection. I think it is very important to give power to art and design while drinking good coffee, because it affects everybody's life. We should enjoy it," said Ai Weiwei.

"The project with Ai Weiwei is an exceptional event," said Massimiliano Pogliani, illycaffe CEO, "and we have celebrated it with a particularly valuable and refined illy Art Collection. From a great personality, that has had a huge impact on culture in recent years, speaking out about the complexity of contemporary society, often ironically, we get an optical illusion, a hidden beauty which becomes manifest if we learn to see without the misconception of using one single perspective only. To us, this is what the illy Art Collection project is: art providing an insight through beauty, and Ai Weiwei's artwork is new and brilliant evidence of this."

The collection by Ai Weiwei is available in May in the following formats:

4 espresso cups (decorated in gold, black, orange and green) $125.00

4 cappuccino cups (decorated in gold, black, orange and green) $135.00

2 espresso cups (decorated in gold and black) $65.00

2 cappuccino cups (decorated in gold and black) $70.00

About illy Art Collection

illy Art Collection began in 1992, based on an idea of Francesco Illy: it includes numbered art cups by over 100 international artists. Great artists such as Marina Abramovic, Michelangelo Pistoletto, Louis Bourgeois, Mark Quinn as well as young creative talents. As everyday objects, the cups designed by Matteo Thun are a blank slate and the protagonists of contemporary art get their inspiration, so that drinking an espresso becomes an experience involving both the senses and the mind.

About Ai Weiwei

Ai Weiwei was born in Beijing in 1957 and currently resides and works in Europe. He is renowned for making strong aesthetic statements that resonate with timely phenomena across today's geopolitical world. From architecture to installations, social media to documentaries, Ai uses a wide range of mediums as expressions of new ways for his audiences to examine society and its values.

illycaffe is an Italian family-owned company, founded in Trieste in 1933. Its mission has always been to offer the best coffee to the world. illycaffe produces a unique 100% Arabica blend, combining 9 of the best varieties in the world, selected by illycaffe: every day 8 million cups of illy coffee are served in over 140 countries around the globe, in the best cafes, restaurants and hotels, in single-brand cafes and shops, at home. As a result of its innovations, illycaffe contributes to the coffee technology progress at global level. In 1991, the "Premio Ernesto Illy de qualidade sustentavel do cafe para espresso" was launched in Brazil for quality espresso coffee. illycaffe has contributed to the sharing of the know-how, paying growers a premium price for the best quality selected by illycaffe. Since 2016, with the "Ernesto Illy International Coffee Award", the company has celebrated coffee growers all over the world that, according to illy, have produced the best sustainable coffee. Since 2013, the company has been in the list of the World Most Ethical Companies. In 2019, it enhanced its commitment to pursue a sustainable business model integrating the interest of people with the environment, adopting the status of Societa Benefit (Benefit Company) and adding this commitment into its own bylaw. In 2021, illycaffe was the first Italian company in the coffee sector to obtain the international certification as B Corp as a result of its commitment to comply with the highest standards of social and environmental performance. The company also founded the University of Coffee, which has the objective of sharing culture at all levels, offering a comprehensive and practical training to growers, baristas and coffee lovers. Everything that is "made in illy" is about beauty and art, the founding principles of the brand, starting from its logo, designed by artist James Rosenquist, up to illy Art Collection cups, decorated by over 100 international artists. In 2019, the company had 1405 employees and a turnover of  520,5 million. There are 269 illy single-brand shops in over 40 countries all over the world. In 2021, Rhone Capital became a shareholder of illycaffe with a minority share to support the company in its international growth.

SOURCE illy
Yusuf Henriques, founder and CEO of IndyGeneUS, shared how critical this work is. "We must move quickly to address the threat that COVID-19 and its variants pose to the entire continent of Africa. Our partners understand this urgency and are all aligned to support this mission."

"We must move quickly to address the threat that COVID-19 and its variants pose to the entire continent of Africa."

Capabilities include next-generation sequencing (NGS) -based genotyping, targeted sequencing and comprehensive bioinformatics analysis. Applications of our capabilities include comparative genomic analysis, disease genetics, epigenomics, and genome mapping. View our full capabilities here.

"These capabilities are pivotal for the Continent and the future of precision medicine," commented Bradford Wilson, PhD, Chief Scientific Officer at IndyGeneUS AI. He continued, "We are currently in negotiations with multiple major pharmaceutical companies who understand the value of what we are building to address infectious and non-communicable diseases alike."

In less than a year, IndyGeneUS AI has reached collaborative agreements with Kenyan entities including KAVI Institute of Clinical Research at The University of Nairobi and Afya Rekod. We have also partnered with Encrypgen which has developed a blockchain-encrypted marketplace for commercialization of insights gleaned from our repository and compensation of participants who contribute their data.

IndyGeneUS has rapidly identified the growing infrastructure need to build sequencing capabilities that support genomic surveillance efforts. The emergence of the COVID-19 variant strains led the World Health Organization (WHO) and the African Centres for Disease Control (Africa CDC) to launch a network of laboratories last year to boost the Continent's capacity to identify emerging variants of concern. These initiatives need more support and infrastructure. IndyGeneUS plans to leverage public and private partnerships to accelerate sequencing capability across Africa.

About IndyGeneUS AI

Headquartered in Nairobi, IndyGeneUS AI is a genomics company creating the world's largest block-chain encrypted repository of indigenous and diasporic African clinical and multi-omics data for disease prevention and detection, drug discovery and development, clinical disease management, and promotion of precision health equity. IndyGeneUS was founded by CEO, Mr. Yusuf Henriques, COO, Dr. Wilmot Allen and CSO, Dr. Bradford Wilson. With African American and African ownership, the company has U.S. operations in Washington DC and a presence in South Africa, through the Founder Institute. The Founder Institute is the world's largest pre-seed startup accelerator. Please visit https://indygeneus.ai for more information.

IndyGeneUS AI Media Contact: Madia Logan | [email protected] | 240.270.3313

SOURCE IndyGeneUS AI

Related Links

https://indygeneus.ai


Local search is exactly what it sounds like; Google searches made in your local area. One of Google's main factors for surfacing search results to a user is that user's proximity, as most people aren't concerned about businesses in places where they aren't. As searches are made in an area Google tends to understand which ones are the most popular, by virtue of which are clicked on the most and receive the most traffic. This gives the algorithm quantifiable data about what you may be looking for, based simply on what you're searching for and where you're doing it. But how does this connect back to your business? Well, as reported by Social Media Today , 86% of consumers rely on the internet to find a local business, and 78% of local mobile searches result in an in-store purchase. More recently, The FinTech Times reported that during Covid-19, 96% of consumers are said to support their local businesses. Not only are smaller local businesses in demand, but users are frequently discovering them through local search and have high odds of making a purchase.

Building SEO takes work, but is certainly not impossible, it just takes some research and a bit of persistence. Firstly you need a keyword plan, which is essentially what words you want Google to associate with you; like 'hardware store' or 'retro diner.' It's important to do research into these words using online SEO tools as there are likely others vying for the same Google correlations that you are. You may not be able to simply get 'hardware store' but you could try for something more nuanced like 'family hardware store' that not only adds character to your business but also connects you with like-minded customers. Deciding on these words is only the beginning though, as you then have to work to build that association within the search algorithm by generating content and using backlinks on your site or others.

In his guide, Jon Zacharias recommends prioritizing content that is focused locally and is in tune with your business. His primary advice is to initiate a blog, writing posts that cover recent events in your local area, have news about your brand, or even contain special offers to those who visit. Incentivize readers to visit your blog with compelling content, attractive visuals, and unique offers that will drive time spent on your site, click through rates, and shares; all of which improve your rankings. Of course, you should also try to incorporate your chosen keywords into these posts wherever possible, but not to the point of confusing a reader as to why you have to say 'family hardware store' in every sentence you write.

This next bit of advice may sound counterintuitive, but has found success for Zacharias in his work at digital marketing agency GR0 ; Jon suggests you write about other local businesses in your area. There is a fine line to ride on this one, as you're not trying to speak qualitatively about your competitors, and merely may want to reference their activities in relation to what you're doing. The intent is neither to build them up or to tear them down, but instead are close enough in proximity and category that they are relevant to what you do, but aren't explicitly your competitors. Your homey hardware store may not offer carpentry, but that isn't a reason to celebrate a milestone achieved by a local carpenter as he completes his 50th local area home. This is a great way to generate more content in your local area without coming off as 'SEO spam,' and instead pave the way toward organic SEO, which is far more valuable. In addition this is also a great avenue for networking, as it can potentially open the door for a collaboration, or even get them to post about your store's upcoming 10th anniversary.

Important to gaining SEO is also integrating keywords and valuable information onto the pages of your website, sometimes offering short, factual bits of information like an FAQ which Google will surface directly into its results. Beyond that, Zacharias also suggests that if your business has multiple locations in the area, or in different areas, that you create dedicated pages to each one, providing Google with a more specific destination to offer the searcher. This is also important to your business in that it keeps customers informed about where they can access you, which is crucial if you wish to expand your reach geographically.

The final bit of advice included is simple, but may also be overlooked by those who aren't careful; make use of ' Google My Business .' Google can provide a lot of integrated information into search results that doesn't require a user to click on anything, and instead directly offers an embed of Google Maps with nearby locations, or other similar listings. Google My Business is a free tool that allows you to manage your own listing for how you appear, including that your address, phone number, operating hours, and website link are all up to date. This also gives you an avenue to respond to customer reviews, whether they're negative or positive. In fact, Zacharias actually suggests that this step is the most important of them all, as using this feature enables you to directly build credibility with the search engine, as it is obviously most trusting in any information Google has verified itself.

Jon Zacharias has spent years working in digital marketing and advertising, and his latest venture GR0 is clear proof of that. He currently works with influencers across all sects to provide meaningful relationships between his clients and their potential audiences, and is constantly working to grow his portfolio. With over 50 employees, GR0 works to help brands improve their SEO rankings on Google and create quality online engagement between them and their customers.

Media Contact

Emma Lombardi

GR0

[email protected]

SOURCE GR0.com LLC

Related Links

https://gr0.com/


NEW YORK, May 19, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Studio Bosco Sodi and Kasmin are pleased to announce Tabula Rasa, a public artwork and performance by international artist Bosco Sodi (b. Mexico City, 1970). Enacted over a single day on May 23, 2021, Tabula Rasa will take place in Washington Square Park, New York, with the installation of 439 small-scale clay spheres, each symbolizing one day of the COVID-19 pandemic's duration.

The artist handmade 439 clay spheres for Tabula Rasa.

On view from 9 a.m.-1 p.m., the artwork will begin a second phase at 1 p.m., when New Yorkers passing through Washington Square Park will be invited to take home a single clay sphere from the installation, a gesture which allows each person to become a part of the performance. At sunset, once each of the works has been claimed by the participating public, the performance will come to a close.

The clay spheres comprising the artwork will be handmade by the artist. Bringing indigenous Mexican agricultural practices to the United States, the spheres are vessels for new life, containing three types of seedcorn, squash, and beanwhich sustain and nourish one another, finding an equilibrium that provides balanced sustenance. A potent metaphor for the necessity of cooperation and mutual assistance in times of need, these symbiotic plants encourage reflection on our own interdependence and reliance on both one another and also, crucially, on the natural world we inhabit.

Those who take the spheres home will be able to plant them in soil, activating another phase of the work during which the seeds will germinate and continue on into the cycle of life and death. Loaded with symbolism concerning new beginnings, transformation, and creative possibility, Sodi's Tabula Rasa is an offering, a gesture that acts to bring together the diverse individuals that make up the city's community as New York embarks on a second year of uncertainty and disruption.

Continuing Sodi's engagement in publicly-sited sculpture and representative of his abiding interest in organic processes beyond human control, Tabula Rasa translates from Latin to "clean slate"an opportunity to start over without prejudice. Sodi's belief that "Life will always prevail" is fundamental to Tabula Rasa, which is both a public artwork and a performance by the public, timed to coincide with the last frosts of winter as the city emerges into spring.

This is the artist's second installation in Washington Square Park. Tabula Rasa is envisaged as a second chapter to Muro , a work by Sodi presented in the same location in New York in 2017. For the piece, Sodi invited the public to dismantle an 8-meter-long wall, constructed with 1,600 unique clay timbers that Sodi fired by hand at his studio in Oaxaca, Mexico, with the help of local craftsman. The act of deconstructing this temporary wall, made and installed by Mexicans, rebuked the concurrent moves to limit border crossing into the United States and symbolized the breaking down of barriers between the two countries.

Clay's ancient resonance and material simplicity appeal to Sodi, whose ongoing dialogue with nature and landscape has been shaped by his interests in Japanese aesthetics and Abstract Expressionism.

For more information, please contact Molly Taylor at [email protected] or call (212) 563-4474.

www.kasmingallery.com

Related Files

BS_TabulaRasa_PR_2021_newswire.pdf

Related Images

bosco-sodi-tabula-rasa.jpg

Bosco Sodi Tabula Rasa

The artist handmade 439 clay spheres for Tabula Rasa.

tabula-rasa.jpg

Tabula Rasa

The artist's studio as Sodi prepares for the event.

SOURCE Studio Bosco Sodi
MADISON, Wis., May 19, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Ionic, the most widely used platform for building mobile and desktop apps using web technology, today announced the availability of Capacitor 3. The company's open source cross-platform native runtime makes it easy to build web apps that run on iOS, Android, and on the web as Progressive Web Apps (PWAs)  all powered by a single codebase, using familiar web languages. Capacitor 3 improves the developer experience with new features that dramatically enhance performance, and deliver updated native platform support.

Ionic introduced Capacitor in May 2019 as an alternative for developers using Apache Cordova/Adobe PhoneGap when deploying hybrid mobile and web apps to other platforms. Building on the cross-platform advantages pioneered by Cordova, Capacitor integrates an innovative, web-first approach with much greater native power and control, including full access to the native Android and iOS SDKs when needed, and first-class support for PWAs. Capacitor 3 is available now.

"Capacitor 3 is more than just the "next version" of Capacitor," said Max Lynch, CEO and co-founder of Ionic. "It's become the standard for web developers building mobile apps. These new capabilities represent a major evolution in mobile app development and are a testament to Ionic's commitment to making mobile development just as good as web development, and that's exactly what Capacitor enables."

Developers have adopted Capacitor as their tool of choice, rating it no. 1 in developer satisfaction for mobile technologies in the latest State of JS Survey. It is now poised to eclipse Cordova as the number one native runtime for hybrid mobile apps, with more than 500,000 monthly downloads. Capacitor powers some of the world's most successful apps, from consumer brands like Burger King and Tim Hortons to award-winning mobile apps like Sworkit.

Updates include:

Dramatically improved performance through reduced app bundle sizes, and a more modular design that loads only the parts of the app that are needed at the time.

An improved developer experience, with support for the latest iOS and Android platform versions, a new "run" command that increases development and testing speed, and the ability to set up separate development environments.

Expanded investment into the Capacitor community on GitHub that will host plugins, tools, and other projects  all contributed and maintained by the community.

Please join us for Ioniconf 2021 on June 23. Hear from innovative companies and dev leaders as they discuss how the cross-platform movement is making web and app development more accessible, collaborative, and enjoyable. Register here .

About Ionic

Ionic is a mobile app development platform that empowers professional developers and teams to build, secure, and deliver enterprise-grade apps in less time. Ionic's open source and commercial products are widely adopted and used by more than 5 million developers in over 200 countries, powering over 15% of all apps in the app stores.

With offices in Madison, WI (HQ), and Boston, the company is backed by premier investors including General Catalyst Partners, Arthur Ventures, and Founder Collective. For more information, visit ionic.io and follow the company on LinkedIn and Twitter.

Press contact:

Andrew Haire, VP of Marketing

[email protected]



SOURCE Ionic
DALLAS, May 19, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Jacobs (NYSE:J) was awarded a new contract to support the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) Mobile District Military Design and Construction (MILCON) Program. This is an Indefinite Delivery, Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ), Multiple Award Task Order Contract (MATOC) and supports task orders primarily involved in the design of facilities and infrastructure for construction at U.S. Army, U.S. Air Force, Special Operations Command, Defense Health Programs, and other Department of Defense programs and agencies primarily in the Southeast United States.

USACE estimates the shared program capacity at $249 million for a term not to exceed five years. The contract scope includes comprehensive planning services, engineering studies and investigations, design for building renovations and additions, and development of construction plans and specifications for new vertical construction projects.

"Mobile has a robust Military Design and Construction Program and we can aid USACE to deliver innovative, sustainable and resilient solutions," said Jacobs Federal & Environmental Solutions Senior Vice President and General Manager and retired USAF Major General Tim Byers. "This new contract will provide unique opportunities to highlight the technical expertise and thought leadership we can bring to Army and Air Force installations."

At Jacobs, we're challenging today to reinvent tomorrow by solving the world's most critical problems for thriving cities, resilient environments, mission-critical outcomes, operational advancement, scientific discovery and cutting-edge manufacturing, turning abstract ideas into realities that transform the world for good. With $14 billion in revenue and a talent force of approximately 55,000, Jacobs provides a full spectrum of professional services including consulting, technical, scientific and project delivery for the government and private sector. Visit jacobs.com and connect with Jacobs on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and Twitter.

Certain statements contained in this press release constitute forward-looking statements as such term is defined in Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and such statements are intended to be covered by the safe harbor provided by the same. Statements made in this release that are not based on historical fact are forward-looking statements. We base these forward-looking statements on management's current estimates and expectations as well as currently available competitive, financial and economic data. Forward-looking statements, however, are inherently uncertain. There are a variety of factors that could cause business results to differ materially from our forward-looking statements, including, but not limited to, the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and the related reaction of governments on global and regional market conditions and the company's business. For a description of some additional factors that may occur that could cause actual results to differ from our forward-looking statements, see our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended October 2, 2020, and in particular the discussions contained under Item 1 - Business; Item 1A - Risk Factors; Item 3 - Legal Proceedings; and Item 7 - Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations, and our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended April 2, 2021, and in particular the discussions contained under Part I, Item 2 - Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations; Part II, Item 1 - Legal Proceedings; and Part II, Item 1A - Risk Factors, as well as the company's other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The company is not under any duty to update any of the forward-looking statements after the date of this press release to conform to actual results, except as required by applicable law.

For press/media inquiries:

Kerrie Sparks

214.583.8433

SOURCE Jacobs

Related Links

http://www.jacobs.com


AUSTIN, Texas, May 18, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, Jungle Scout, the leading all-in-one platform for selling on Amazon, was named Best Ecommerce Apps and Software at the 25th Annual Webby Awards. Presented by the International Academy of Digital Arts and Sciences and hailed as the "Internet's highest honor" by The New York Times, The Webby Awards are the leading international awards organization honoring excellence on the Internet.

"To have the Webby's Academy choose us as the best among Ecommerce Apps and Software is an honor for us," said Greg Mercer, Founder & CEO of Jungle Scout. "We're incredibly proud of the innovative, data-driven solution our talented team has built and how much it has helped entrepreneurs and brands around the world build successful ecommerce businesses."

"Like I said in my award speech: 'Ecommerce insights create opportunities.'"

This year's Webby Awards received nearly 13,500 entries from all 50 states and over 70 countries worldwide. Jungle Scout was named a winner after placing among five finalists in the Apps and Softwares category, making it among the top 10% of projects entered from around the world.

After being founded in 2015, Jungle Scout has grown to be the largest, all-in-one platform for selling on Amazon. Most recently, Jungle Scout added an enterprise solution to its suite of products, Cobalt, and acquired an Amazon advertising platform, Downstream.

All Webby Award winners were announced at a virtual award ceremony hosted today by Jameela Jamil. Other winners include Dr. Anthony Fauci, breakout game Among Us, HBO Max, and more across categories including Websites and Mobile Sites, Video, Advertising, Media & PR, Apps and Software, Social, Podcasts, Games, and Virtual & Remotes.

About Jungle Scout

Jungle Scout is the leading all-in-one platform for selling on Amazon, supporting more than $8 billion in annual Amazon revenue. Founded in 2015 as the first Amazon product research tool, Jungle Scout today features a full suite of best-in-class business management solutions and powerful market intelligence resources to help entrepreneurs and brands manage their ecommerce businesses. Jungle Scout is headquartered in Austin, Texas and supports 10 global Amazon marketplaces. Read more at www.junglescout.com.

Media Contact:

Leslie Termuhlen

[email protected]

PR Strategist

Related Images

jungle-scout.jpg

Jungle Scout

Jungle Scout is the leading all-in-one platform for selling on Amazon with a focus on ecommerce data insights.

jungle-scout-wins-2021-webby-award.jpg

Jungle Scout Wins 2021 Webby Award for Best Ecommerce Apps and Software

SOURCE Jungle Scout
NEW YORK, May 19, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- On Tuesday, May 18, Junior Achievement of New York - the leading provider of real world education for K-12 students in New York City, Long Island, and the Lower Hudson Valley - honored Chris Levendos, Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer-Fiber of Crown Castle, with the 2021 Lower Hudson Valley Champions Award during the virtual Champions Celebration.

The 2021 Lower Hudson Valley Champions Celebration, presented by Crown Castle and PepsiCo, raised over $100,000 to provide access to financial literacy, entrepreneurship and work readiness programs for K-12 students across Westchester, Rockland, Orange, and Putnam Counties.

The Champions Celebration featured a dynamic panel discussion between members of the Black Women in Finance and Operations Affinity Group at IBM and Junior Achievement students focusing on developing leadership skills, finding mentorship, and building a network. Followed by a conversation with Dr. Edwin M. Quezada, Superintendent of the Yonkers Public Schools, highlighting the educational landscape in the Lower Hudson Valley. The evening ended with a Fireside Chat honoring Chris Levendos of Crown Castle with the 2021 Lower Hudson Valley Champions Award.

"Chris is a long-time champion of Junior Achievement of New York in the Lower Hudson Valley and we are thrilled to present him with the 2021 Champions Award," said Joseph Peri, President and CEO of Junior Achievement of New York. "He is the ultimate triple threat: a problem solver, a doer and a thought leader  and we are so grateful for his continued advocacy for young people across the Lower Hudson Valley."

Panelists and special guests included:

Chris Levendos , Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer  Fiber, Crown Castle

Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer  Fiber, Crown Castle Dr. Edwin M. Quezada , Superintendent, Yonkers Public Schools

Superintendent, Public Schools Oyin Ayobiojo, Financial Sales Executive, IBM Global Financing

Financial Sales Executive, IBM Global Financing Maileen DuBose , Accounting Analyst, IBM Finance  Accounting

Accounting Analyst, IBM Finance  Accounting Allenia Robinson , 2019-2020 Student of the Year, Junior Achievement of New York

2019-2020 Student of the Year, Junior Achievement of Marjorie Oporto, Student Ambassador, Junior Achievement of New York

Student Ambassador, Junior Achievement of Gabby Lawyerr, Student, Junior Achievement of New York

Student, Junior Achievement of Baran Ferahoglu, Student Ambassador, Junior Achievement of New York

For more information about the 2021 Lower Hudson Valley Champions Celebration, visit: https://secure.qgiv.com/event/2021lhvchamp/

About Junior Achievement of New York

Junior Achievement of New York is the local affiliate of Junior Achievement USA, the nation's largest organization dedicated to giving young people the knowledge and skills they need to own their economic success, plan for their future, and make smart academic and economic choices. We recruit, train, and mobilize thousands of corporate, community, and student volunteers annually to provide relevant, hands-on experiences that give students knowledge and skills in financial literacy, work readiness and entrepreneurship. JA New York delivers more than 57,000 student experiences per year to more than 240 NYC, Long Island and Lower Hudson Valley public schools. Visit www.jany.org for more information.

About the 2021 Lower Hudson Valley Champions Award Honoree

Chris Levendos was appointed Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of Network at Crown Castle in December 2020. Crown Castle's comprehensive portfolio of towers, small cells, and fiber gives people and communities access to essential data, technology and wireless service and opens the door to countless opportunities and possibilities. Prior to this, Chris served as Vice President of Network Engineering and Operations since 2018. Chris has more than 30 years of experience operating and leading large fiber network organizations, previously serving as Executive Vice President of Field Operations for Frontier Communications Corporation as well as leading network deployment and operations as an executive of Google Fiber Inc. Prior to his time with Google Fiber, Mr. Levendos spent most of his career at Verizon Communications Inc. in a variety of operating roles within the company's wireline division. He holds a B.A. in History from the State University of New York at Plattsburgh, a Master of Urban Planning degree from New York University and a Master of Telecommunications Management degree from Stevens Institute of Technology.

CONTACT: Alejandra Romero

PHONE: 646-500-3494

EMAIL: [email protected]

SOURCE Junior Achievement of New York

Related Links

http://www.jany.org


SAN DIEGO, May 19, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Nashvox experiential recording studio expanded its leadership team on April 2, 2021, to include Krishen Iyer as minority owner and advisor. Iyer brings years of experience as a serial entrepreneur and business consultant to Nashvox. He and the existing Nashvox team will steer the studio through COVID precautions and plans for future growth.

Have Fun

The Nashville establishment was founded by Teresa Smith and specifically caters to groups and parties, allowing more people to experience the thrill of recording music that has historically only been available to professionals. The recording location on 4th Avenue offers a music catalog of more than 19,000 songs from top artists like Luke Bryan and Lenny Kravitz and allows visitors to record original music. Each session is accompanied by a qualified sound engineer to guide the process.

Iyer feels confident in the studio's vision of making recording more accessible to the masses: "Whether you're part of a bridal party or a kid's birthday party, you're welcome. We want everyone of all ages to feel what it's like to record a track in an authentic Nashville studio."

To find out more or to book a session at Nashvox, visit www.nashvox.com.

About Nashvox

Nashvox is an experimental recording studio in Nashville, Tennessee, that gives locals and tourists alike the space to record their favorite songs with a professional sound engineer. Visitors receive their mixed track the same day and walk away with the behind-the-scenes experience of industry experts.

Contact:

Mandy Simone

559-213-3372

[email protected]

Related Images

even-bad-vocals-welcome.jpg

Even Bad Vocals Welcome

Have Fun

luke-b-on-the-catalog.jpg

Luke B on the catalog

Come in just to see the place - like a museum !!!

SOURCE Nashvox
Latest statistics show that India's COVID-19 cases have surpassed 25 million as mutations spread across the globe. What makes things worse is that the virus crisis is pushing up the cost of living as the shortage of daily supplies has been seen in many Indian cities. As part of KuCoin's charity initiative in India, the crypto platform has pledged 2 million worth of food and daily supplies, and these goods will be delivered to the families in need with the help of Unicas, the world's first crypto bank powered by Cashaa.

The first batch of food and daily supplies including wheat, rice, dal and salt has started to be distributed to people in Jaipur, Delhi, and Patna earlier today, and more families will be covered in the following days. It is noticed that each ration kit will be able to feed a family of four for up to two weeks.

"As a global exchange, we pay close attention to the COVID-19 situation as it spreads across the world," said Johnny Lyu, CEO at KuCoin Global. "Knowing its outbreak in India and considering the daily nutritional needs are at the edge for millions of people during the quarantine, as the People's Exchange, we are pleased to take our responsibility to help local people address these challenges brought by the COVID-19."

As the COVID-19 has continued to deteriorate in India since April, KuCoin launched a charity fund with an initial investment of 1 Crore on April 28, 2021. The fund is dedicated to assist local partners and NGOs in providing much-needed support to residents in those cities with insufficient resources to fight against the pandemic.

"Unicas started the initiative #NoOneSleepsHungry to address the root cause of hunger and that it does not become the reason for anyone to suffer amidst the ongoing COVID-19 crisis. With our distribution of 1,000 ration kits with essential food supply, the campaign has positively affected the lives of several people in Jaipur, however it's not enough," said Dinesh Kukreja, CEO of Unicas. "We are grateful to join hands with KuCoin to facilitate the underprivileged and needy in these dire times and extend this initiative to two other cities and provide support to 2,000 families."

As one of the first crypto trading platforms to enter the Indian market, KuCoin is committed to supporting local blockchain startups, listing promising crypto gems, providing Indian Investors with safe and easy-to-use trading services, as well as contributing to the mass adoption of blockchain. It believes that the technology has the potential to facilitate the free flow of value, upholding the well-being of all people.

As the next step of its charity initiative in India, KuCoin has partnered with Adim Sanskruti, a Pune-based Non-Governmental Organization (NGO), to extend the daily supplies distribution to Pune, the second largest city in Maharashtra in a few days, and it is anticipated that another 750 families will be benefited.

About KuCoin

KuCoin is a global cryptocurrency exchange for numerous digital assets and cryptocurrencies. Launched in September 2017, KuCoin has grown into one of the most popular crypto exchanges. It currently provides Spot trading, Margin trading, P2P fiat trading, Futures trading, Staking, and Lending to its 6 million users in 207 countries and regions around the world. In 2018, KuCoin has secured $20 million in Round A funding from IDG Capital and Matrix Partners. For more information, please visit www.kucoin.com

SOURCE KuCoin
ATLANTA, May 19, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Witherite Law Group will celebrate the Class of 2021 with its largest ever presentation of scholarships to South Atlanta High School seniors. Forty graduates will each receive $2500 "Making A Difference" College Scholarships, totaling $100,000, to further their academic studies. The students will receive oversized checks to commemorate their awards during a celebration at South Atlanta High School, 800 Hutchens Rd, SE Atlanta, on May 20, at 9:00 am.

Witherite Law Group founder and lead attorney Amy Witherite created the "Making A Difference" Scholarship in 2016 to provide financial assistance to students who have demonstrated leadership in their schools and communities. Over the past six years, Witherite has awarded nearly $250,000 in scholarships to 150 students in Georgia and Texas. Furthermore, any student who receives a "Making A Difference" Scholarship upon high school graduation is eligible to renew the award as long as they maintain a 2.5 GPA and take at least six credit hours.

"Witherite Law Group puts people first. That is our promise to our clients and our community. It is an honor for our firm to partner with South Atlanta High School over the past three years to provide 70 students with scholarships to pursue their dreams," said Witherite. "These students are passionate about changing the world and we are proud to be a part of their journey."

Scholarship recipients will attend colleges across the country from Georgia State to the University of the Virgin Islands and they plan to pursue careers in Nursing, Business, Biology, Communications and more. "The scholarships provided by Witherite Law Group are vital for our students, as they consider their postgraduation plans, said Michelle Coates, South Atlanta High School Business Manager. "Many of the recipients are first-generation college students, who depend heavily on financial aid and scholarships to fund their education. Also, the flexibility of the "Making A Difference" Scholarships ensures students can use the money for tuition, housing, books, transportation or anything else they need to be successful in their college careers."

Media is invited to attend the ceremony to capture photos, video, and interviews with Amy Witherite, students, parents and South Atlanta High staff.

SOURCE Witherite Law Group
AMSTERDAM, May 19, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Reflecting its commitment to its Netherlands-based clients and the European region, leading immigration firm Fragomen announced today that it is opening an office in Amsterdam. The office will be headed by Partner Christine Sullivan, who has led the firm's Netherlands Corporate Immigration Practice from Brussels for the past five years and who is now based in Amsterdam.

Fragomen has been providing Dutch-related immigration and mobility guidance and advice to multinationals, small and medium-sized enterprises and individuals for more than two decades through its Brussels-based Benelux practice. The new Amsterdam location enables Fragomen to establish a local presence in The Netherlands, an increasingly critical business hub in Europe.

"The launch of our Netherlands office advances our objective of strategic growth in Europe," said Lance Kaplan, Managing Partner of Fragomen's International Practice Group and member of the Firm's Executive Committee. "The Netherlands is one of the most dynamic markets in Europe, and indeed the world, and it continues to attract businesses and entrepreneurs who require strategic immigration advice."

"Given the practical and business-friendly approach with respect to Dutch immigration, we are able to partner with our clients to achieve their ambitious business goals, not just in The Netherlands but also across Europe," said Sullivan. "We look forward to providing the same superior service our clients within the region have come to expect, first through our Brussels office and now in Amsterdam."

Fragomen's Dutch and English speaking lawyers and immigration professionals have deep local and international legal knowledge and superior practical experience assisting companies wishing to establish and expand in The Netherlands. The office in Amsterdam will also further solidify the close relationships Fragomen has cultivated with Dutch immigration authorities  which began in 1999 when the Fragomen Brussels office was established, the first international office outside the U.S.  including the Immigration and Naturalization Service, the Dutch Labour Authority and relevant Ministries, among others.

"This is a significant milestone for the Firm and, importantly, our valued clients," said George Koureas, Fragomen's Managing Partner in Europe and member of the Firm's Executive Committee. "The Netherlands is a business- and immigration-friendly, progressive country and an important gateway to Europe. I am delighted to welcome Christine to the Partnership and I look forward to working with her to further strengthen our offering to clients in this fast-growing market and to delivering enhanced European strategic advisory services throughout the region."

Due to government-imposed travel restrictions and an abundance of caution, The Netherlands-based staff will operate remotely for the time being. Once those restrictions have been lifted, the office will physically welcome clients and staff at the following address:

Gustav Mahlerplein 2, 1082 MA Amsterdam, Netherlands.

**************

About Fragomen

Fragomen, a global immigration firm and member of the Am Law 100 and Am Law Global 100, is a leading firm dedicated exclusively to immigration services worldwide. The Firm has more than 4,100 immigration professionals and support staff in more than 50 offices across the Americas, EMEA and Asia Pacific. Fragomen offers immigration support in more than 170 countries.

The Firm also supports all aspects of global immigration for both corporate and private clients, including strategic planning, quality management, reporting, and case management and processing, compliance program counseling, representation in government investigations, government relations, complex matter solutions, and litigation. These capabilities allow Fragomen to represent a broad range of companies and organizations of all sizes, as well as individuals, working in partnership with clients to facilitate the transfer of employees worldwide. For more information, please visit www.fragomen.com.

SOURCE Fragomen

Related Links

https://www.fragomen.com/


BOSTON, May 19th, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Life is Good, the positive lifestyle and apparel brand, announced its partnership with REEF, an industry leader in beach and surf-inspired footwear. Just in time for warmer months ahead, this exciting collaboration celebrates fun, freedom, and the spirit of the beach.

New collection from Life is Good x REEF

The two brands, both founded by pairs of brothers, share similar values and the desire to spread good vibes through inspirational art and comfortable, accessible styles. REEF, known for innovative and comfortable footwear and apparel, will bring its craftsmanship to Life is Good's signature designs and aesthetic.

"What we wear is an expression of the energy and attitude we want to show the world," said Bert Jacobs, co-founder and Chief Executive Optimist of Life is Good. "With our new partners at REEF, we're excited to give people a choice to start their day with positive energy, one step at a time. This collaboration brings our message of optimism to life in a new way for Life is Good, while developing an even stronger relationship with the beach community."

The product assortment includes sandals and flip-flops for both men and women, featuring Life is Good's unique designs. The collection will be available starting today on Reef.com, Lifeisgood.com, and in Life is Good retail locations.

"The collaboration between REEF and Life is Good further solidifies our mission to encourage people to live comfortably, give back to their community and have a positive outlook every day," said Mike Jensen, president of REEF. "The design of this collection satisfied a simple goal for both of our teams  enabling consumers to slip on these sandals and instantly feel that 'life is good.'"

As with all Life is Good products, for every purchase of Life is Good + REEF footwear, the brand will continue to donate 10 percent of its annual net profits to the Life is Good Kids Foundation, which improves the quality of care for more than 1 million of the nation's at-risk youth. Additionally, REEF has donated $5,000 to the Foundation in honor of this exciting partnership.

To view all the designs and learn more about the collaboration, visit LifeisGood.com.

About Life is Good

Life is Good is the original positive lifestyle apparel brand dedicated to spreading the power of optimism through art and messaging. The company donates 10 percent of its net profits to help kids in need through the Life is Good Kids Foundation. The Foundation's signature Playmaker Program provides teachers, nurses, social workers, and other childcare professionals with training, support, and workshops that help them understand trauma and compassion-informed care. Over 12,000 childcare professionals are engaged in the Playmaker Program, which improves the quality of care for more than 1 million kids each year. Life is Good is a registered trademark of The Life is Good Company. Visit LifeisGood.com for more details, and follow Life is Good on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.

About REEF

REEF is the global footwear and apparel brand that encourages people everywhere to Beach Freely. United by the spirit of the beach since 1984, REEF designs innovative and comfort-driven products to celebrate the freedom and fun of the beach lifestyle.

REEF and Reef Beach Freely are trademarks of South Cone, Inc.

PR Contact

Life is Good

Jessica Greenhalgh  [email protected]

SOURCE Life is Good
AUSTIN, Texas, May 19, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Living Security, a provider of security awareness software and the leader in Cybersecurity human risk management, today announced it has added Denmark Francisco as the company's Chief Marketing Officer.

Francisco joined Living Security in October as a growth advisor and quickly took over as interim CMO before now taking on the role full-time. His addition comes on the heels of the company closing a $14 million Series B investment led by Updata Partners, to build out its Unify human risk management platform.

One of Francisco's top priorities will be driving demand for the new platform, which builds on Living Security's cybersecurity training platform to leverage behavioral data and analytics to measure and manage human risk.

"The human element of cybersecurity has been neglected for far too long," said Francisco. "Most companies do the bare minimum to train employees so they can meet compliance requirements, but they don't actually improve behavior and they certainly haven't stopped attacks and breaches, which continue at an alarming rate."

Francisco has an extensive background in cybersecurity, having served as a growth advisor at The Defence Works, which was acquired by Proofpoint, and former chief marketing officer at the largest provider of security awareness training organization. He joins a growing executive team at Living Security, which added Mark Collura as its first Chief Revenue Officer in January.

"As we pioneer the new human risk management category, Denmark is the perfect person to help us educate the market on this unmet need and drive demand for our new Unify platform," said Ashley Rose, CEO and co-founder of Living Security.

Learn more about how to enhance security awareness training with human risk management: https://www.livingsecurity.com/cybersecurity-human-risk-management

About Living Security

Founded in 2017, Living Security's mission is to help prevent cybersecurity breaches with a human risk management platform that does more than just meet compliance needs. It truly changes behavior. Living Security believes empowering people is the key to ending breaches. Gamified learning and immersive experiences engage and educate users, while the science-backed, tech-enabled platform uniquely provides CISOs the ability to measure effectiveness and program ROI.

Named one of Austin's Best Places to Work, the Living Security team is composed of 50+ cybersecurity professionals committed to transforming security awareness training as we know it and turning end users into the enterprise's greatest asset against cybercrime. Living Security is trusted by security-minded organizations like CVS Health, MasterCard, Verizon, MassMutual, Biogen, AmerisourceBergen, Hewlett Packard, JP Morgan and Target. Learn more at www.livingsecurity.com .

Media Contact:

Brad Hem

[email protected]

(281) 543-0669

SOURCE Living Security

Related Links

http://www.livingsecurity.com


LSO Final Mile, a leading regional courier and delivery company, has rebranded as Express Courier International. Tweet this

www.ExpressCourierIntl.com.

"We are excited to announce our rebrand and return to our original name, which has more than three decades brand recognition in our space. The name change reflects our company's renewed focus on delivering best-in-class final mile delivery and the addition of e-commerce solutions to our services," said Terry Douglas, Express Courier International CEO. "We recently completed a two-year project to optimize operational efficiency and expand capacity. We've significantly increased our investment in new technology, marketing, and our senior leadership team as we push for aggressive growth in 2021 and beyond."

Sherrie Bourgoyne, VP of Sales for ECI, who has been with the company for 34 years adds, "I'm excited that we are reclaiming our Express Courier name because it has such strong brand recognition and loyalty in our markets. Our recent improvements focus on better customer experience. We're ready to deliver excellence for new and existing customers and are excited to have dedicated branch locations landing pages for all of our branches."

About Express Courier International

Founded in Memphis, Tennessee in 1984, Express Courier International has grown from one employee and five drivers to over 250 employees and 750+ driver contractors, delivering more than 14 million orders a year throughout the Southeast. Our footprint includes 26 branch locations in eight states (Tennessee, Florida, Alabama, Mississippi, Arkansas, Louisiana, Texas, and Oklahoma). Over the years ECI transformed from a courier to a custom logistics and shipping company providing innovative, cost effective final mile, e-commerce, and supply chain solutions.

SOURCE Express Courier

Related Links

https://www.expresscourierintl.com


CAMBRIDGE, Mass., May 19, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Malta Inc. is teaming up with Duke Energy to study the socioeconomic, environmental and operational benefits of converting retiring coal units into long-duration, zero-emissions energy storage systems by integrating Malta's 100-megawatt, 10-hour pumped heat energy storage system into existing infrastructure at a Duke Energy coal plant in North Carolina.

A U.S. Department of Energy grant is funding the year-long study of the emerging technology.

Malta is developing a pumped heat energy storage system that leverages well-understood subsystems, components and thermodynamics in a novel energy storage application. By leveraging existing subsystems from well-established industries, the system relies on decades of performance data to ensure safe, resilient operations.

The system stores electricity either directly from a power plant or from the grid by converting electricity into thermal energy (heat and cold). Heat is stored in molten salt, a decades-old and proven method of storing thermal energy. Cold is stored in an antifreeze-like solution with components and subsystems widely used in the liquefied natural gas industry.

The system operates like a conventional power plant. When electricity is needed, the thermal energy powers a heat engine to produce clean, reliable energy.

"Malta is excited to work with Duke Energy to identify cost-effective, common-sense paths forward for fossil assets that consider all stakeholders," said Ramya Swaminathan, Malta's CEO. "For utilities like Duke Energy to meet their net-zero carbon emissions goals, major advancements in technology are needed. The Malta system could be part of the solution by providing zero-emissions, load-following technology that provides reliable, resilient and around-the-clock power."

Though the study will focus on the energy industry's current need for 10-12 hours of energy storage, the Malta system can be configured to store up to 200 hours of energy storage.

"Duke Energy is investing in innovation as part of our clean energy transformation plan to achieve net-zero carbon emissions by 2050," said Regis Repko, senior vice president of Duke Energy's Generation and Transmission Strategy organization. "For years, Duke Energy has actively evaluated emerging technologies, and the Malta study marks the first time we will evaluate long-duration thermal energy storage. We expect the results to influence the future of energy and apply to our larger generation fleet."

The study's deliverables include an engineering conceptual study, a technology maturation plan and a socioeconomic report on potential benefits, including:

Job retention. Incumbent workforces could transition from operating coal-fired plants to operating the mechanically similar Malta system.

Local economic impacts. An operating clean energy storage system could preserve some jobs and a portion of the local property tax base, offsetting some impacts from closing coal plants.

Environmental benefits. Adding more utility-scale, long-duration storage could allow the company to integrate more renewables like solar, particularly when the sun isn't shining.

Operational benefits. Long-duration energy storage could increase flexibility, reducing wear on generation assets by decreasing the number of times a unit needs to turn on and off.

The Department of Energy announced the grant in March, and the team is identifying which of Duke Energy's six coal plants in North Carolina is best suited to serve as the test site.

Malta Inc.

Malta is a developer of grid-scale long-duration thermal energy storage solutions. Incubated at X, the Moonshot Factory (formerly Google [X]), Malta is based in Cambridge, Mass. For more information, visit www.maltainc.com.

Duke Energy

Duke Energy (NYSE: DUK), a Fortune 150 company headquartered in Charlotte, N.C., is one of America's largest energy holding companies. Its electric utilities serve 7.9 million customers in North Carolina, South Carolina, Florida, Indiana, Ohio and Kentucky, and collectively own 51,000 megawatts of energy capacity. Its natural gas unit serves 1.6 million customers in North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Ohio and Kentucky. The company employs 27,500 people.

Duke Energy is executing an aggressive clean energy strategy to create a smarter energy future for its customers and communities  with goals of at least a 50% carbon reduction by 2030 and net-zero carbon emissions by 2050. The company is a top U.S. renewable energy provider, on track to operate or purchase 16,000 megawatts of renewable energy capacity by 2025. The company also is investing in major electric grid upgrades and expanded battery storage, and exploring zero-emitting power generation technologies such as hydrogen and advanced nuclear.

Duke Energy was named to Fortune's 2021 "World's Most Admired Companies" list and Forbes' "America's Best Employers" list. More information is available at duke-energy.com. The Duke Energy News Center contains news releases, fact sheets, photos and videos. Duke Energy's illumination features stories about people, innovations, community topics and environmental issues. Follow Duke Energy on Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram and Facebook.

Media contacts:

Malta Inc.

Matt Burke

[email protected]

Duke Energy

Heather Danenhower

Media line: 800.559.3853

Cell: 352.497.4534

Email: [email protected]

SOURCE Duke Energy
NEW YORK, May 18, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- New York University's Institute of Fine Arts is renaming the Great Hall of the James B. Duke House "Marica Vilcek Great Hall" in honor of the Vilcek Foundation's co-founder, vice chairman and secretary.

A photograph of Marica Vilcek in her office. Marica has chin-length blonde hair and wears a lavender suit.

Marica Vilcek has served on the Institute of Fine Arts' board since 2013 and was appointed board chair in 2015. Since being appointed to the board, she has supported numerous fellowships in art history, conservation, and archaeology. In 2018with her husband Jan Vilcek, cofounder, chairman and CEO of the Vilcek FoundationMarica endowed the Institute of Fine Arts' curatorial program. The Marica and Jan Vilcek Curatorial Program ensures the Institute of Fine Arts' position as a premier school in the training of curators for the global arts community.

"The Institute and the Great Hall serve as a home for students, young curators, and scholars as they begin their careers and a host for so many vital functions in the fine arts," says Marica. "It is a tremendous honor to be recognized by the Institute of Fine Arts in this manner. I am sincerely grateful to have my name affiliated in this meaningful way with the Institute."

Andrew Hamilton, President of New York University, stated, "As a board member and chair, Marica has steadfastly supported the Institute's mission: excellence in scholarship and development of the next generation of leadership in art history and curation, archaeology, and conservatorship. I cannot think of a more apt distinction than to name the Great Hall, the heart of the IFA's long-time home, after Marica, who has so devotedly sustained the heart of the Institute."

Christine Poggi, the Judy and Michael Steinhardt Director of the Institute of Fine Arts, observed: "It is particularly fitting to have Marica Vilcek's name grace our Great Hall because it's emblematic of her role at the heart of the Institute. It is in this iconic space that we host so many of the Institute's events, gatherings, and exhibitions. Future events and celebrations in this hall will take on a new meaning as we recognize such a devoted patron of the arts and of the Institute."

Marica Vilcek and her husband immigrated to the United States from the former Czechoslovakia in 1965. Upon arriving in New York, Marica began work as a volunteer with the Brooklyn Museum. Shortly thereafter, she accepted a position with the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the beginning of a career of 32 years with that institution. As the Metropolitan Museum of Art's associate curator in charge of the Accessions and Catalogue Department, she dedicated the majority of her time with the museum to collections management, and was responsible for processing and cataloging the museum's acquisitions. During her tenure at the Metropolitan, Marica authored the museum's procedural manuals on accessioning and cataloging and advised curators, administrators, and students on collections management. Since November 2012, she has served as an honorary trustee of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.

In addition to her career with the museum, Marica Vilcek has held consultant and board positions with multiple nonprofit organizations focused on conservancy and curation, education in the fine arts, and humanitarian endeavors. She has served as a consultant to the Commission for Art Recovery, the Jewish Museum in New York City, and the Jordan National Gallery in Amman; she is a member of the board of The Foundation for a Civil Society and the New York Youth Symphony.

Dr. Jan T. Vilcek and Marica Vilcek cofounded the Vilcek Foundation in 2000 with the mission to raise awareness of immigrant contributions in the United States and foster appreciation of the arts and sciences. This mission is inspired by the Vilceks' respective careers in biomedical science and in art history. The Vilceks also established the foundation to honor their personal experiences and express their appreciation for the opportunities that immigrating to the United States afforded them. Since its establishment in 2000, the Vilcek Foundation has awarded over $5.8 million in prizes to foreign-born individuals and has supported nonprofit organizations in the arts, sciences, and immigrant services with over $5.3 million in grants.

Read more at the Vilcek Foundation: Marica Vilcek honored by NYU Institute of Fine Arts.

Press Contact:

Elizabeth Boylan

Communications Manager

The Vilcek Foundation

[email protected]

(212) 472-2500

For all media inquiries, image use, or interview requests, contact Elizabeth Boylan at the Vilcek Foundation.

Related Images

marica-vilcek.jpg

Marica Vilcek

A photograph of Marica Vilcek in her office. Marica has chin-length blonde hair and wears a lavender suit.

SOURCE The Vilcek Foundation
RICHMOND, Va., May 19, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Markel Corporation (NYSE: MKL) announced today that Kelly Castriotta has been appointed Managing Director, Global Cyber Underwriting Executive, effective May 17. In her new role, Kelly will work across the organization leading the global underwriting strategy for affirmative cyber products as well as cyber risks impacting various lines of business for Markel.

Castriotta joined Markel in 2020 to help strengthen cyber underwriting best practices and lead various non-affirmative cyber initiatives at Markel. She replaces Kara Owens, who decided to leave Markel.

"The current environment dictates the need for a highly technical leader who is energetic, agile, and deliberate," said Robin Russo, Executive Vice President and Chief Underwriting Officer. "Kelly is a collaborative leader with fluency across disciplines and product lines and proven expertise in completing aspirational initiatives within complex global organizations."

"Kara pioneered this role for Markel in 2018 and accomplished so much during her three years working with our team. We truly appreciate her contributions," Russo added.

Castriotta has a multifaceted background spanning more than 15 years in underwriting, products, operations, claims, and litigation. Before joining Markel, Kelly held senior positions at Allianz Global Corporate & Specialty's North American operations as Head of Product Development for Financial Lines and the Head of Cyber, Tech, & Media Underwriting. In 2018, she led one of the industry's first implementations of "silent cyber" solutions by creating new products, training tools, and operational roadmaps for all internal disciplines as well as external trading partners.

Castriotta will report to Russo and is based out of Chicago.

About Markel

Markel Corporation is a diverse financial holding company serving a variety of niche markets. The company's principal business markets and underwrites specialty insurance products. In each of the Company's businesses, it seeks to provide quality products and excellent customer service so that it can be a market leader. The financial goals of the company are to earn consistent underwriting and operating profits and superior investment returns to build shareholder value. Markel is a registered trademark of the Markel Corporation. Visit Markel on the web at markel.com.

SOURCE Markel Corporation

Related Links

www.markel.com


MOUNT PLEASANT, S.C., May 19, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- The Congressional Medal of Honor Society regretfully announces that Charles C. Hagemeister, Medal of Honor Recipient, passed away Wednesday, May 19, 2021, at the age of 74 in Leavenworth, Kansas.

Then-Specialist Fourth Class Hagemeister was assigned as a medic to Headquarters & Headquarters Company, 1st Battalion, 5th Cavalry, 1st Cavalry Division (Airmobile), U.S. Army, in Vietnam's Binh Dinh Province when the enemy attacked at night on March 20, 1967. His platoon was sent to secure the village of Tan An and prevent the escape of North Vietnamese regulars. While they moved through the village's graveyard, the enemy surrounded them on three sides and initiated intense fire. His platoon quickly suffered heavy casualties. For the next seven and a half hours, Hagemeister unhesitatingly faced the heavy fire several times to reach the wounded, offering medical aid and encouragement.

Prevented from evacuating the wounded by the hostile fire, he seized a rifle and eliminated a sniper, an enemy machine gun, and three enemy soldiers trying to encircle his position. With his men pinned down, Hagemeister ran to secure help from nearby platoon and positioned them so that he could more safely remove the wounded. He continued to evacuate the wounded as the enemy continued firing.

For all the lives he saved on that day, Hagemeister was presented the Medal of Honor by President Lyndon B. Johnson on May 14, 1968, in a ceremony at the Pentagon in Washington, D.C. In a July 1968 interview with Army Digest, Hagemeister said, "The pressure of a crisis situation makes you realize what you're made of. If you do your job and a little bit for somebody else, you'll usually come through."

Hagemeister was born in Lincoln, Nebraska, on August 21, 1946, youngest of 4 siblings. He graduated from Lincoln's Southeast High School and was drafted into the Army in May 1966 while on a break from the University of Nebraska at Lincoln. He retired from active duty as a lieutenant colonel in June 1990. He served on the board of the Congressional Medal of Honor Society.

He is survived by his wife, Barbara, two children, and two grandchildren. Burial arrangements are pending.

There are 66 recipients alive today.

About the Congressional Medal of Honor Society

The Congressional Medal of Honor Society was chartered by Congress in 1958 and consists exclusively of the living recipients of our nation's highest award for bravery in combat, the Medal of Honor. The Society is a 501(c)3 organization dedicated to preserving the legacy of the Medal of Honor and its Recipients, inspiring America's youth and its Veterans, and supporting the Recipients as they connect with communities across the country. Those who wear this light blue ribbon and Medal around their neck are "recipients" of this prestigious award; they are not "winners." The name of the Medal is simply "Medal of Honor"  the word "Congressional" is sometimes mistakenly used because the Medal was created by Congress; however, the Medal is purely a military award. The Society was chartered by Congress, which is why the word 'Congressional' precedes the Society's name. Please visit us at www.cmohs.org.

Contact: John Falkenbury

[email protected]

SOURCE Congressional Medal of Honor Society

Related Links

https://www.cmohs.org/


ROYAL OAK, Mich., May 19, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- The Imams Council of Michigan condemns in the strongest terms the Israeli government's continued attacks on civilians and the resulting loss of innocent lives, including many women and children. We also condemn the provocation of worshippers at the Al-Aqsa Mosque and the Israeli government supported forced eviction of Palestinian families from the Sheikh Jarrah neighborhood in occupied East Jerusalem.

The continued and escalating aggression against the Palestinians, is considered to be a violation of international human rights law and international humanitarian law; citing for reference UN General Assembly resolutions A/RES/ES-10/20 adopted 13 June 2018 (Protection of the Palestinian civilian population) and A/RES/ES-10/19 adopted 21 December 2017 (Status of Jerusalem). The forced evictions of Palestinians in the Sheikh Jarrah neighborhood were a further violation of these UN resolutions.

The attack on unarmed worshippers using rubber bullets and tear gas at the Al-Aqsa Mosque, considered the third holiest site by Muslims, occurred on a Friday, the holiest day of the week, and during the final days of the holy month of Ramadan. To emphasize the enormity of this attack, it would be the near equivalent of attacking Christians praying at the Church of the Holy Sepulcher during Easter services. This is a clear violation of international human rights as well as an attack against a UNESCO World Heritage site.

The Israeli government's attack on Gaza, targeting areas and structures known to be occupied by civilians, was not only a violation of human rights, but also a violation of international norms of freedom of the press, by purposely bombing the office building which housed the Associated Press and other media outlets.

We call on politicians, faith leaders, interfaith partners and people of conscience at home and abroad, to stand in solidarity with Palestinian civilians, a vulnerable population whose lives are constantly under threat from the unfair and unjust policies of Israel.

As Americans, we are deeply concerned by the fact that billions of our tax dollars go to directly support the Israeli military on an annual basis. This support facilitates its ability to wage asymmetrical, disproportionately destructive strikes against Palestinians, raising concerns that the United States is complicit in the commission of crimes against humanity and furthering Israeli apartheid.

We, the Imams Council of Michigan, join people of conscience in offering our condolences to the families who have lost their loved ones. We continue to pray for those who have lost their homes and livelihoods. We also pray for a meaningful turn towards justice and the pursuit of peace in the region.

Contact:

Name: Shaykh Almasmari

Title: Chair of Imams Council of Michigan and Imam of the Muslim Unity Center

Phone: 510-472-4124

Email: [email protected]

SOURCE Imams Council of Michigan
More Noodles, More Rewarding. Noodles & Company continues to expand its member-exclusive benefits through its Rewards program, offering one of the most enticing programs in the industry. Anyone can sign up between now and June 1 to get first dibs to try the delicious new tortelloni dishes through the Noodles' Rewards program! New members can enjoy 600 bonus points (the value of a Small Shareable Reward such as Korean BBQ Meatballs) when they sign up online at noodles.com/rewards or by downloading the Noodles Rewards app from the Apple App Store or Google Play Store.

"We are thrilled to celebrate our Rewards members by giving them exclusive access to our most requested menu item ever," said Stacey Pool, chief marketing officer at Noodles & Company. "As we've listened and engaged with our guests, we have heard a lot of demand for a stuffed pasta option, and I am confident that our new chef-created tortelloni will overdeliver in every single way. From premium ingredients and indulgent flavors, to the added perk of unlocking free delivery all summer long just by trying it, we are excited to bring this delicious dish to our guests."

Free Delivery All Summer Long.

To sweeten the deal, Noodles Rewards members who order the exclusive new tortelloni dishes between now and June 1 via their Noodles Rewards account will unlock free delivery all summer long.* It's just one of the many perks of being part Noodles & Company's best-in-class rewards program.

The Scoop on Tortelloni.

Noodles Rewards Members now have access to three delicious new tortelloni dishes made with elevated flavors and fresh ingredients including:

3-Cheese Tortelloni Rosa: Tortelloni filled with a blend of ricotta, mozzarella, parmesan, onions and garlic in spicy tomato cream sauce with mushrooms, Roma tomato, spinach and parmesan.

tomato, spinach and parmesan. 3-Cheese Tortelloni Pesto: Tortelloni filled with a blend of ricotta, mozzarella, parmesan, onions and garlic in basil pesto cream sauce with garlic, mushrooms, tomato and parmesan.

Roasted Garlic Cream Tortelloni: Cheese-filled tortelloni in light roasted garlic & onion cream sauce with zucchini, mushrooms and spinach, finished with MontAmore cheese and parsley.

"Our tortelloni was carefully crafted to incorporate premium cheeses and fresh ingredients that truly make these dishes delicious," said Nick Graff, vice president of culinary at Noodles & Company. "While we tested other stuffed pasta options, such as ravioli and tortellini, we ultimately selected tortelloni because no other option could pack this much flavor. In offering our most loyal guests this anticipated dish, it was our goal to overdeliver in every way possible. In fact, our tortelloni not only outperformed every other stuffed pasta option in test, but it was also our top preforming test dish in the history of the Company."

For more details, visit https://www.noodles.com/rewards/

*Free delivery offer available for Noodles Rewards members who order the exclusive dish for orders placed between May 19 and June 1, 2021 through order.noodles.com and through the Noodles app. where delivery is available. Free delivery offer is valid from issuance through September 6, 2021. For full Noodles Rewards terms and conditions, please visit www.noodles.com/rewards .

About Noodles & Company

Since 1995, Noodles & Company has been serving noodles your way, with noodles and flavors that you know and love as well as new ones you're about to discover. From indulgent Wisconsin Mac & Cheese to better-for-you Zoodles and Other Noodles, the company serves a world of flavor in every bowl. Made up of more than 450 restaurants and thousands of passionate team members, Noodles was recently named one of America's Best Employers for Diversity Award 2021 by Forbes and also has been named one of the Best Places to Work by the Denver Business Journal for its unique culture built on the value of "Loving Life" which begins by nourishing and inspiring every team member and guest who walks through the door. Noodles has also earned the Women in the Lead Certification for its investment in women-empowering initiatives for its female team members and has proudly partnered with the Multicultural Foodservice & Hospitality Alliance to build cultural intelligence within its teams. To learn more and to find the location nearest you, visit www.noodles.com .

Media Contact: Danielle Moore, [email protected]

SOURCE Noodles & Company

Related Links

http://www.noodles.com


NEW YORK, May 19, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- OUTFRONT Media Inc. (NYSE: OUT) announced today that Jeremy Male, Chairman & Chief Executive Officer, is scheduled to present at the 2021 J.P. Morgan Global Technology, Media and Communications Conference on Tuesday, May 25, 2021, at 11:00 a.m. Eastern Time. A live and replay audio webcast will be available on the investor relations section of the Company's website at www.OUTFRONTmedia.com.

About OUTFRONT Media Inc.

OUTFRONT leverages the power of technology, location and creativity to connect brands with consumers outside of their homes through one of the largest and most diverse sets of billboard, transit, and mobile assets in North America. Through its technology platform, OUTFRONT will fundamentally change the ways advertisers engage audiences on-the-go.

Contacts:

Investors

Media Gregory Lundberg

Courtney Richards Senior Vice President, Investor Relations

PR & Events Specialist (212) 297-6441

(646) 876-9404 [email protected]

[email protected]

SOURCE OUTFRONT Media Inc.

Related Links

http://www.OUTFRONTmedia.com


OSLO, Norway, May 19, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Photocure ASA (OSE:PHO), the Bladder Cancer Company, today reported Hexvix/Cysview revenues of NOK 81.6 million in the first quarter of 2021 (Q1 2020: NOK 54.4 million), and EBITDA of NOK 18.1 million (NOK -4.8 million), following the continued successful launch in markets previously operated by Ipsen Pharma SAS. The third Covid-19 wave impacted operations in the quarter, but a strong March performance indicates the environment is improving.

"For the first quarter of 2021, Photocure delivered a 50% YoY increase in Hexvix/Cysview sales, unit growth in our U.S. segment, and positive EBITDA driven by the added revenue in Europe, cost containment, and the payment from Asieris to license Hexvix in China and Taiwan. I am pleased with this performance, particularly given the negative impact from the third wave of Covid-19 in January and February of this year, foreign currency headwinds during the quarter, and the difficult comparison to the same period last year when pandemic lockdowns and limited access to care did not occur until mid-March. While access is still closed or significantly restricted in many areas, strong performance in the last month of the quarter in both our U.S. and European segments suggests that the environment is improving," says Daniel Schneider, President & Chief Executive Officer of Photocure.

Photocure reported total group revenues of NOK 88.2 million in the first quarter of 2021 (NOK 55.0 million), with an EBITDA* before restructuring of NOK 18.1 million (NOK -4.8 million) including signing fees from Asieris totaling NOK 6.4 million for the commercialization of Hexvix in Mainland China and Taiwan. Hexvix/Cysview revenues were NOK 81.6 million (NOK 54.4 million) following the successful transition of the Ipsen territories, while unit growth in the U.S. increased 4% despite the limited access to hospitals and physicians due to Covid-19. EBIT grew to NOK 12.3 million (-10.5 million) and the cash balance at the end of the first quarter 2021 was NOK 329.5 million (127.6 million).

The installed base of blue light cystoscopes in the U.S. was 280 at the end of the first quarter, an increase of 42 units, or 18%, compared to the same period in 2020. Blue Light Cystoscopy (BLC) in the surveillance setting is a key priority for Photocure in the U.S. market. By the end of the first quarter, a total base of 41 flexible cystoscopes had been installed giving more patients access to the procedure with less constraints.

"Despite the ongoing commercial challenges, we continued to advance several initiatives to grow the installed base of Blue Light Cystoscope towers and to prepare for increasing procedure volumes when full access to care reopens. In the U.S., we installed 12 new towers during the quarter including 3 flexible Blue Light Cystoscope units. Our growing pipeline suggests the potential for acceleration of Blue Light Cystoscope installations during the remainder of the year, and we believe that the benefits of Blue Light Cystoscopy with Hexvix/Cysview offering superior detection and management of bladder cancer will continue to be adopted and become the standard of care, " Schneider adds.

The ongoing Covid-19 pandemic adds continued uncertainty to Photocure's near-term business forecast, but the Company believes that in places where procedures have been postponed due to the fear of exposure to Covid-19, the number of procedures is expected to rebound back to pre-Covid-19 growth rates in the U.S. and positive growth in the Company's newly acquired European markets.

"Our contracting strategies in the U.S. are also gaining traction and expected to lead to new account growth and higher penetration into our existing institutional customers and physician clinics. In Europe, where we are introducing Photocure as the new sponsor of Hexvix, we have had strong buy-in from leading key opinion leaders in target countries. Despite limited access to our new customers, we are seeing early indications of a turn-around in our key growth markets such as the UK, France, and Italy. As access improves, we will continue to staff our European operations and invest in order to generate additional growth in the region. Our performance in dealing with the ongoing business volatility, including the sales rebound that we saw in March, gives me confidence that we are taking the right steps to return to strong growth and to execute on our strategy to become a leader in the diagnosis and treatment of bladder cancer patients around the world" Schneider concludes.

Please find the full financial report and presentation enclosed.

EBITDA* and other alternative performance measures (APMs) are defined and reconciled to the IFRS financial statements as a part of the APM section of the first quarter 2021 financial report on page 23.

Photocure will present its first quarter 2021 report on Wednesday 19 May 2021 at 14:00 CET. The investor presentation will be streamed live and be hosted by Daniel Schneider, CEO and Erik Dahl, CFO.

The presentation will be held in English and questions can be submitted throughout the event. The streaming event is available through https://channel.royalcast.com/landingpage/hegnarmedia/20210519_6/. The presentation is scheduled to conclude at 14:45 CET.

For further information, please contact:

Dan Schneider

President and CEO

Photocure ASA

Email: [email protected]

Erik Dahl

Chief Financial Officer

Tel: +47 450 55 000

Email: [email protected]

David Moskowitz

Vice President of Investor Relations

Tel: +1 202 280 0888

Email: [email protected]

Media and IR enquiries:

Geir Bjrlo

Corporate Communications (Norway)

Tel: +47 91540000

Email: [email protected]

About Photocure ASA

Photocure: The Bladder Cancer Company delivers transformative solutions to improve the lives of bladder cancer patients. Our unique technology, making cancer cells glow bright pink, has led to better health outcomes for patients worldwide. Photocure is headquartered in Oslo, Norway and listed on the Oslo Stock Exchange (OSE: PHO). For more information, please visit us at www.photocure.com, www.hexvix.com, www.cysview.com

All trademarks mentioned in this release are protected by law and are registered trademarks of Photocure ASA.

This information is considered to be inside information pursuant to the EU Market Abuse Regulation and is subject to the disclosure requirements pursuant to section 5-12 of the Norwegian Securities Trading Act. This stock exchange announcement was published by Tolv Hillestad, Group Controller, Photocure ASA, on 19 May 2021 at 07:00 CET.

This information was brought to you by Cision http://news.cision.com

https://news.cision.com/photocure/r/photocure-asa--results-for-the-first-quarter-of-2021,c3349142

The following files are available for download:

https://mb.cision.com/Main/17498/3349142/1419118.pdf Release https://mb.cision.com/Public/17498/3349142/b6f0d906d2a1a652.pdf Photocure Q1 2021 Slide Deck Final https://mb.cision.com/Public/17498/3349142/bfdbae44591aa1bc.pdf PHO Q1 2021 REP vf

SOURCE Photocure
Key Highlights Offered in the Report:

Information on how to identify strategic and tactical negotiation levels that will help achieve the best prices.

Gain information on relevant pricing levels, detailed explanation of the pros and cons of prevalent pricing models.

Methods to help engage with the right suppliers and discover KPI's to evaluate incumbent suppliers.

Request a Free Sample Report for More Information

Insights into buyer strategies and tactical negotiation levers:

Several strategic and tactical negotiation levers are explained in the report to help buyers achieve the best prices for Polystyrene market. The report also aids buyers with relevant Polystyrene pricing levels, pros, and cons of prevalent pricing models such as volume-based pricing, spot pricing, and cost-plus pricing and category management strategies and best practices to fulfill their category objectives.

Insights on buyer strategies and tactical negotiation levers

Key Drivers and Trends Fueling Market Growth:

The pressure from substitutes and a moderate level of threat from new entrants have resulted in the low bargaining power of suppliers.

Price forecasts are beneficial in purchase planning, especially when supplemented by the constant monitoring of price influencing factors.

Identify favorable opportunities in Promotional Products TCO (total cost of ownership).

Expected changes in price forecast and factors driving the current and future price changes.

Identify pricing models that offer the most rewarding opportunities.

Some of the top Polystyrene suppliers listed in this report:

This Polystyrene procurement intelligence report has enlisted the top suppliers and their cost structures, SLA terms, best selection criteria, and negotiation strategies.

BASF SE

ExxonMobil Corp.

DuPont de Nemours Inc.

Saudi Basic Industries Corp.

INEOS Group Holdings SA

LG Chem Ltd.

Formosa Chemicals & Fibre Corp.

LANXESS AG

Chevron Phillips Chemical Co. LLC

Eni SpA

Related Report on Chemicals Include:

To access the definite purchasing guide on the Polystyrene that answers all your key questions on price trends and analysis:

Am I paying/getting the right prices? Is my Polystyrene TCO (total cost of ownership) favorable?

How is the price forecast expected to change? What is driving the current and future price changes?

Which pricing models offer the most rewarding opportunities?

Table of Content

Executive Summary

Market Insights

Category Pricing Insights

Cost-saving Opportunities

Best Practices

Category Ecosystem

Category Management Strategy

Category Management Enablers

Suppliers Selection

Suppliers under Coverage

US Market Insights

Category scope

Appendix

About SpendEdge:

SpendEdge shares your passion for driving sourcing and procurement excellence. We are the preferred procurement market intelligence partner for 120+ Fortune 500 firms and other leading companies across numerous industries. Our strength lies in delivering robust, real-time procurement market intelligence reports and solutions.

To know more https://www.spendedge.com/request-for-demo

Contacts:

SpendEdge

Anirban Choudhury

Marketing Manager

Ph No: +1 (872) 206-9340

https://www.spendedge.com/contact-us

SOURCE SpendEdge
SAN FRANCISCO, May 19, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- PostEra , a biotechnology company specializing in machine learning for drug discovery, today announced that it has received a grant of 100k from the independent medical charity LifeArc to support an international effort to rapidly develop a potential antiviral candidate for COVID-19.

The grant will be entirely dedicated to the COVID Moonshot initiative, which PostEra jointly leads alongside leading scientists from Diamond Light Source, Oxford University, Weizmann Institute, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center and MedChemica.

The aim of the COVID Moonshot initiative is to develop a globally accessible oral antiviral. In 1 year, Moonshot has gone from a fragment screen to several lead series. The initiative is currently optimising such leads and hopes to announce a preclinical candidate ready for clinical trial-enabling studies within 3 months.

Furthermore, the project aims to show the value of open science drug discovery, by producing an inexpensive and effective therapeutic given the lack of R&D costs to recoup. The project also shares all data in the open to put the broader scientific community on the front foot should another coronavirus pandemic emerge.

PostEra and the COVID Moonshot consortium are immensely grateful for LifeArc's support. "LifeArc's support will enable us to reach an important milestone, delivering a molecule ready for preclinical studies," said Alpha Lee, Chief Scientific Officer of PostEra. "Our open science model has enabled us to make rapid progress by establishing a wide net of collaborators. We look forward to working with visionary medical charities like LifeArc as our lead compound moves towards the clinic."

Dr Andy Merritt, Head of Chemistry at LifeArc said: "LifeArc plays a vital role in advancing medical research through funding, advice and scientific expertise to translate early discoveries into patient benefit. Since the beginning of the pandemic, LifeArc has contributed 27m to research projects to address the healthcare challenges of COVID-19 and we have been considering more ways in which we could apply our knowledge and expertise in this area. Our collaboration with the Moonshot consortium enables us to do this, as we seek to advance a potential antiviral candidate to first in patient trials and support the development of a framework for a response to future pandemics."

About PostEra

PostEra offers medicinal chemistry as a service powered by machine learning. Its technology is built upon pioneering academic research done at the University of Cambridge. The technology addresses some of the key challenges in drug discovery R&D by integrating molecular design with chemical synthesis. PostEra partners with drug hunters to help expedite their preclinical programs while also offering some of its synthesis technology via its Manifold web platform. PostEra also launched and now helps lead the world's largest open-science drug discovery effort; COVID Moonshot. Find out more about PostEra at postera.ai or follow us on LinkedIn or Twitter.

About LifeArc

LifeArc is a self-funded medical research charity. Our mission is to advance translation of early science into health care treatments or diagnostics that can be taken through to full development and made available to patients. We have been doing this for more than 25 years and our work has resulted in a diagnostic for antibiotic resistance and four licensed medicines.

Our success allows us to explore new approaches to stimulate and fund translation. We have our own drug discovery and diagnostics development facilities, supported by experts in technology transfer and intellectual property who also provide services to other organisations. Our model is built on collaboration, and we partner with a broad range of groups including medical research charities, research organisations, industry and academic scientists.

Two funds help us to invest in external projects for the benefit of patients: our Philanthropic Fund provides grants to support medical research projects focused on the translation of rare diseases research and our Seed Fund is aimed at start-up companies focused on developing new therapeutics and biological modalities. Find out more about our work on www.lifearc.org or follow us on LinkedIn or Twitter.

SOURCE PostEra

Related Links

https://postera.ai/


AUSTIN, Texas, May 19, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Award-winning branding agency, Push10, is thrilled to reveal Texas Legal Services Center's (TLSC) new brand, the result of a months-long collaboration between the organizations.

TLSC, a nonprofit that works to ensure equal justice is served for all Texans, was chosen from a list of nationwide applicants as the winner of Push10's semi-annual Unwrap a New Brand Campaign. The campaign awards a free branding project to a nonprofit doing exceptional work for the world.

Push10 provided research, brand strategy, positioning, and logo design services for the Texas-based nonprofit to help clarify their message, update their visual identity, and expand their mission to benefit more Texans.

"We really appreciate Push10 and all that you've done. Your work has really helped us. It's been a great process and we're so grateful," said Karen Miller, Executive Director of TLSC.

Offering branding, web design, and marketing strategy services, Push10 has helped expand the impact of several other notable mission-based organizations, including John Templeton Foundation, Philabundance, and the Girls First Fund.

Ken Beasley, Push10's Director of Business Strategy, said, "Collaborating with TLSC to produce this new brand has been deeply rewarding for our agency, and we are humbled to be able to provide support to an organization providing critical services to often underserved communities."

Follow this link to get a look at the completed project: Texas Legal Services Center's Rebranding

About Push10

Located in Philadelphia, PA, and Austin, TX, Push10 is an award-winning branding agency providing strategy, web design & development, corporate identity, graphic design, and more. As a dynamic team of experts, Push10 pushes the envelope for clients who demand unique solutions and creative thinking. push10.com

SOURCE Push10

Related Links

https://push10.com


 mySugr now allows control of the Accu-Chek Insight insulin pump directly via smartphone, starting in Austria, bringing more discretion and simplicity to the life of people with diabetes.

 With the mySugr Pump Control, people with diabetes can deliver standard bolus and view pump status in the same place where they keep their diabetes data.

 People with diabetes are given the possibility to share insulin pump data with their healthcare professionals for a more integrated and personalised approach to diabetes care.



- Picture is available at AP Images (http://www.apimages.com) -

BASEL, Switzerland, May 19, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Roche today announced the launch of the mySugr Pump Control, a new module within the mySugr app. The mySugr Pump Control is designed to enable people with diabetes to control an insulin pump directly via a smartphone: import its data, view its status, and remotely deliver a standard bolus. The mySugr Pump Control is an important building block within Roche's strategy of integrated Personalised Diabetes Management (iPDM) bringing true relief to people with diabetes by supporting their self-management of insulin pump therapy.

"When talking to people with diabetes, you realise that there is a real wish to carry as few therapy devices as possible, and that those devices should be as unobtrusive as possible," said Adham Kassab, International Business Leader at mySugr. "Controlling an insulin pump and viewing its status via smartphone allows people with diabetes to use a device which is usually close at hand. Using the mySugr Pump Control provides people with diabetes more discretion and simplicity with their everyday insulin pump therapy."

The mySugr app brings together insulin pump data with other diabetes-relevant data (e.g. blood glucose data from connected meters) in one place, which helps people with diabetes to make better informed therapy decisions. Users of the mySugr Pump Control are also able to get support from the mySugr Bolus Calculator, which calculates the needed amount of insulin for meal and correction boluses. It considers current blood glucose level, estimated carbohydrate amount and previous insulin injections (active insulin) based on data from the mySugr Pump Control.

"A challenge when it comes to diabetes care is ensuring that the care team has access to diabetes-relevant data of their patient. This is exactly where our strategy of integrated Personalised Diabetes Management, in short iPDM, sets in," stated Marcel Gmuender, Global Head of Roche Diabetes Care. "People with diabetes can either seamlessly share reports about their insulin pump therapy from the mySugr app with their doctors, or, in the near-future, pump data can also be directly transferred from the mySugr app into the RocheDiabetes Care Platform, the healthcare professional-facing key component of Roche's open ecosystem. We at Roche and mySugr aim to enable people with diabetes to discuss their therapy with their doctor more easily. At the same time, healthcare professionals are supported to adjust therapy based on their patients' needs."

The first pump to be controlled with the mySugr app is the Accu-Chek Insight insulin pump, which features pre-filled cartridges of insulin and a very low basal rate to suit individual needs. The mySugr Pump Control is now available in Austria and can be used on first selected Android smartphones as part of the mySugr app, which can be downloaded from the app stores. The launch in further European countries, such as the Netherlands, Spain, Germany, Italy and the UK will follow soon.

About Roche Diabetes Care



Roche Diabetes Care has been pioneering innovative diabetes technologies and services for more than 40 years. More than 5,500 employees in over 100 markets worldwide work every day to support people with diabetes and those at risk to achieve more time in their target ranges and experience true relief from the daily therapy routines.



Being a global leader in integrated Personalised Diabetes Management (iPDM), Roche Diabetes Care collaborates with thought leaders around the globe, including people with diabetes, caregivers, healthcare providers and payers. Roche Diabetes Care aims to transform and advance care provision and foster sustainable care structures. Under the brands RocheDiabetes, Accu-Chek and mySugr, comprising glucose monitoring, insulin delivery systems and digital solutions, Roche Diabetes Care unites with its partners to create patient-centred value. By building and collaborating in an open ecosystem, connecting devices and digital solutions as well as contextualising relevant data points, Roche Diabetes Care enables deeper insights and a better understanding of the disease, leading to personalised and effective therapy adjustments. For better outcomes and true relief.



Since 2017, mySugr, one of the most popular diabetes management apps, is part of Roche Diabetes Care.



About mySugr

Founded in 2012 in Vienna, Austria, mySugr is a digital health company that aims to simplify life with diabetes. mySugr gives people with diabetes the tools, know-how, and confidence to manage their diabetes therapy and health outcomes, making it quick and easy to collect relevant therapy data in one place through a growing number of connected devices, integrations, and manual entry. Available in 79 countries and 24 languages, mySugr has more than three million registered users and an average 4.6 star rating in the App and Google Play Store. The mySugr Logbook as well as the mySugr Bolus Calculator are both medical devices in the EU.

For more information, please visit www.rochediabetes.com , www.accu-chek.com and www.mysugr.com .



All trademarks used or mentioned in this release are protected by law.



Journalists are welcome to visit rochediabetes.com/media or to contact [email protected] .

- Soo-Jin Pak

- Yvette Petillon

- Sarah-Maria Richter

Contact:

Roche Diabetes Care

[email protected]

SOURCE Roche Diabetes Care
The culinary partnership between Chef Blais and Rubio's was born out of Rubio's Co-Founder Ralph Rubio's desire to continue pushing culinary boundaries to bring innovative, surprising tastes to the menu. Just as the Original Fish Taco was inspired 38 years ago by a journey to Baja, collaborating with Celebrity Chef Richard Blais was equally inspired by the brand's sense of adventure.

"After a year of quarantine and travel restrictions, we are all craving new adventures and tastes. The new Rubio's x Blais Street Tacos remind us of favorite destinations, from Hawaiian-influenced Hula Hula Carnitas to the craveable Blaised & Glazed Crispy Chicken, inspired by spicy Buffalo chicken wings, to the Ancho Po-Boy Shrimp, a modern take on the New Orleans classic," said Rubio's Co-Founder Ralph Rubio. "Demonstrating the signature creativity that won him the title of Top Chef All-Stars, Celebrity Chef Blais delivers unexpected taste twists and innovation. The bold flavors and incredible textures in Rubio's new, adventure-inspired street tacos are next-level delicious."

Rubio's Rewards members will be first to try the new Rubio's x Blais Street Taco Plate, with VIP early access. For one day, on May 19, Rubio's Reward members can place an order online at Rubios.com, or through the app, and get one FREE Blais taco or $5 off the Rubio's x Blais Street Taco Plate.

The trio of imaginative street tacos feature Chef Blais' sophisticated and daring cooking, infused with Rubio's signature Mexican flavors. Available both to-go, or for socially distanced dining in Rubio's restaurants and outdoor patios, guests can mix and match any three street tacos, served with a side of house black beans and warm tortilla chips.

"I moved to San Diego and couldn't wait to taste Rubio's iconic fish taco," said Chef Richard Blais. "The bar was set high to craft all-new tacos that not only rivaled the Original Fish Taco in craveability, but to create flavor and texture combinations that evoked memories of great travel adventures. We had so many ideas that we ended up leaving 17 taco recipes on the cutting room floor. The final three Rubio's x Blais Street Tacos are truly the best of the best."

The three new tacos include:

Hula Hula Carnitas: Inspired by Chef Blais' time in Hawaii , the Hula Hula Carnitas taco features pork marinated in a rich blend of gochujang, achiote, and garlic, wrapped in a banana leaf and slow-cooked, creating tender, juicy meat with an authentic Hawaiian Kalua flavor. It is served on a stone ground corn tortilla with mango salsa and garnished with black sesame seeds, cotija cheese and a slice of lime. The taste is a subtly sweet mash-up of authentic Hawaiian and Mexican flavors.



Inspired by Chef Blais' time in , the Hula Hula Carnitas taco features pork marinated in a rich blend of gochujang, achiote, and garlic, wrapped in a banana leaf and slow-cooked, creating tender, juicy meat with an authentic Hawaiian Kalua flavor. It is served on a stone ground corn tortilla with mango salsa and garnished with black sesame seeds, cotija cheese and a slice of lime. The taste is a subtly sweet mash-up of authentic Hawaiian and Mexican flavors. Blaised & Glazed Crispy Chicken: Delivering a tangy, zesty taco twist on Buffalo chicken, the Blaised & Glazed taco starts with Rubio's crispy chicken tossed in Frank's RedHot  sauce, the secret ingredient used in the original Buffalo wings created in Buffalo, NY in 1964. It is served on a warm flour tortilla with crisp shredded cabbage, homemade ranch sauce, and house pickled celery and jalapeno, garnished with cotija cheese and celery seed.



Delivering a tangy, zesty taco twist on chicken, the Blaised & Glazed taco starts with Rubio's crispy chicken tossed in Frank's RedHot sauce, the secret ingredient used in the original wings created in in 1964. It is served on a warm flour tortilla with crisp shredded cabbage, homemade ranch sauce, and house pickled celery and jalapeno, garnished with cotija cheese and celery seed. Ancho Po-Boy Shrimp: Named after New Orleans' most famous sandwich, the Ancho Po-Boy Shrimp taco is a modern take on classic New Orleans street food. The taco features flash fried ancho-lime shrimp with Cajun aioli, and is served on a warm flour tortilla with crisp shredded cabbage, salsa fresca and a slice of lime.

About Richard Blais:

Bravo TV's Top Chef All-Star Winner Richard Blais is a successful chef, restaurateur, James Beard-nominated cookbook author and television personality. In 2009, he created Trail Blais, a forward-thinking culinary consulting company that has consulted on, designed, and operated popular eateries across the country. Trail Blais also advises national brands on menu creativity, ideation and employee training sessions. In addition, Blais hosts the hit hospitality industry podcast, "Starving for Attention'" as well as a second Podcast, "Food Court."

About Rubio's Restaurants:

Rubio's first opened in 1983 in the San Diego neighborhood of Mission Bay. Today, Rubio's uses responsibly sourced seafood and continues to expand its menu with innovative recipes ranging from seafood tacos and burritos to California Bowls and crisp, fresh salads. In addition, Rubio's offers all-natural chicken, raised without antibiotics, and all-natural USDA Choice steak, "no fried" pinto beans, handmade guacamole, a variety of proprietary salsas, and craft beer and hard seltzer beverage options. The award-winning restaurant regularly receives accolades for its famous Original Fish Taco. It was also recently ranked as one of Fast Casual's "Top 50 Movers and Shakers" as well as one of the top five most loved fast casual chains ranked by Foodable Labs and Digital CoCo. Rubio's is headquartered in Carlsbad, Calif., has over 3,000 employees and currently operates over 150 restaurants in California, Arizona and Nevada.

Contact:

Lauren Holzman

Mint Publicity

[email protected]

858-688-6988

SOURCE Rubio's Coastal Grill

Related Links

http://www.rubios.com


DETROIT, May 19, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Silicone Expo is the World's first free to attend commercial trade show and conference for the Silicone industry. Brought to you by UK based Select Global Events, there will be 180+ global exhibitors from the entire manufacturing and extended supply chains (of elastomers, resins, fluids and gels) pitched face to face with 3,500+ buyers and delegates from a multitude of the industries served.

Nathan Reuby, Select Global Events' CEO, explained, "Silicones are amongst the world's most important and adaptable materials that are used in a huge amount of industries. All around us in everyday life is a silicone based product, yet, rather surprisingly this sector did not have its own dedicated meeting place. It does now and we are so excited to work with the industry and give it the platform it deserves.

The TCF Center, in downtown Detroit, has been chosen to host the event given its prime location in the manufacturing heartland of the US mid-west. Such a key and important region, with excellent domestic and international connections and access to a host of end user sectors ensured we are delighted to call Detroit the home of Silicone Expo.

The Detroit Metro Convention & Visitors Bureau, along with our hospitality community, is very pleased to welcome Silicone Expo and are proud to showcase how we host large, safe gatherings and consistently deliver outstanding event experiences," said Claude Molinari, president and CEO of the DMCVB. "Many of our industry segments will have a keen interest in attending this show. We sincerely thank Select Global Events for bringing the Expo and its 3,500-plus attendees to Detroit over the next three years, putting the spotlight on our city and generating great economic benefit for our region.

Silicone Expo will showcase two World-class free-to-attend conferences in manufacturing and application plus virtual roundtables and webinars in the build up to the event. 65+ Industry peers from around the world will be providing key insights, innovation, R&D, education and thought leadership discussions for one of the world's most important and adaptable materials."

Learn more about the event or request to join our early founding exhibitors Novagard, Silicone Engineering and Edge Sweets by visiting: www.silicone-expo.com/book-a-booth

SOURCE Detroit Metro Convention & Visitors Bureau

Related Links

http://www.visitdetroit.com


View our exclusive report on market scenarios, estimates, the impact of lockdown, and customer behaviour. Download FREE Sample Report!

The report on the semiconductor market in East Asia provides a holistic update, market size and forecast, trends, growth drivers, and challenges, as well as vendor analysis.

The report offers an up-to-date analysis regarding the current global market scenario and the overall market environment. The market is driven by the growth of the consumer electronics market, the growth of the LED segment in South Korea (Republic of Korea), and sustainable growth in the global semiconductor industry.

The semiconductor market in East Asia analysis includes End-user and Geography landscape segments. This study identifies the increase in the number of chip fabrication (fabs) worldwide, developments in sensor technologies and communication devices, and rapid technological advances are the prime reasons driving the semiconductor market growth in East Asia during the next few years.

This report presents a detailed picture of the market by the way of study, synthesis, and summation of data from multiple sources by an analysis of key parameters.

The semiconductor market in East Asia covers the following areas:

Semiconductor Market In East Asia Sizing

Semiconductor Market In East Asia Forecast

Semiconductor Market In East Asia Analysis

Companies Mentioned

GigaDevice Semiconductor Inc.

MediaTek Inc.

Qualcomm Inc.

Renesas Electronics Corp.

Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd.

Sharp Corp.

SK HYNIX Inc.

Sony Corp.

STMicroelectronics NV

TDK Corp.

Related Reports on Information Technology Include:

Discrete Semiconductors Market by Application and Geography - Forecast and Analysis 2021-2025: The discrete semiconductors market size has the potential to grow by USD 4.04 billion during 2021-2025, according to Technavio. Download PDF Sample

Semiconductor Market by Product and Geography - Forecast and Analysis 2020-2024: The semiconductor market size is expected to grow by USD 90.80 bn and record a CAGR of 4% during 2020-2024, according to Technavio. Download PDF Sample

Key Topics Covered:

Executive Summary

Market Landscape

Market ecosystem

Value chain analysis

Market Sizing

Market definition

Market segment analysis

Market size 2020

Market outlook: Forecast for 2020 - 2025

Five Forces Analysis

Five forces summary

Bargaining power of buyers

Bargaining power of suppliers

Threat of new entrants

Threat of substitutes

Threat of rivalry

Market condition

Market Segmentation by End-user

Market segments

Comparison by End-user

Memory - Market size and forecast 2020-2025

Foundry - Market size and forecast 2020-2025

IDM - Market size and forecast 2020-2025

Market opportunity by End-user

Customer landscape

Overview

Geographic Landscape

Geographic segmentation

Geographic comparison

China - Market size and forecast 2020-2025

- Market size and forecast 2020-2025 Taiwan - Market size and forecast 2020-2025

- Market size and forecast 2020-2025 Japan - Market size and forecast 2020-2025

- Market size and forecast 2020-2025 South Korea (Republic of Korea) - Market size and forecast 2020-2025

(Republic of Korea) - Market size and forecast 2020-2025 Rest of East Asia - Market size and forecast 2020-2025

- Market size and forecast 2020-2025 Key leading countries

Market opportunity by geography

Market drivers

Market challenges

Market trends

Vendor Landscape

Overview

Landscape disruption

Vendor Analysis

Vendors covered

Market positioning of vendors

GigaDevice Semiconductor Inc.

MediaTek Inc.

Qualcomm Inc.

Renesas Electronics Corp.

Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd.

Sharp Corp.

SK HYNIX Inc.

Sony Corp.

STMicroelectronics NV

TDK Corp.

Appendix

Scope of the report

Currency conversion rates for US$

Research methodology

List of abbreviations

Technavio suggests three forecast scenarios (optimistic, probable, and pessimistic) considering the impact of COVID-19. Technavio's in-depth research has direct and indirect COVID-19 impacted market research reports.

Register for a free trial today and gain instant access to 17,000+ market research reports.

Technavio's SUBSCRIPTION platform

About Us

Technavio is a leading global technology research and advisory company. Their research and analysis focuses on emerging market trends and provides actionable insights to help businesses identify market opportunities and develop effective strategies to optimize their market positions. With over 500 specialized analysts, Technavio's report library consists of more than 17,000 reports and counting, covering 800 technologies, spanning across 50 countries. Their client base consists of enterprises of all sizes, including more than 100 Fortune 500 companies. This growing client base relies on Technavio's comprehensive coverage, extensive research, and actionable market insights to identify opportunities in existing and potential markets and assess their competitive positions within changing market scenarios.

Contact

Technavio Research

Jesse Maida

Media & Marketing Executive

US: +1 844 364 1100

UK: +44 203 893 3200

Email: [email protected]

Website: www.technavio.com/

Report: https://www.technavio.com/report/semiconductor-market-in-east-asia-industry-analysis

SOURCE Technavio
HOUSTON, May 19, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Sewa International has announced $100,000 in aid to Nepal and $50,000 to Trinidad and Tobago for COVID -19 relief efforts as the second wave of the pandemic is gaining strength in the two countries. The COVID-19 second wave is rapidly spreading in Nepal and the test positive rate has crossed 47 percent.

Indian Ambassador to Nepal, Vinay Mohan Kwatra, inaugurated Sewa International's Nepal Covid Care Center in Kathmandu on Monday, May 17, 2021 Sewa International's COVID Care Center at Aggrawal Kendra in Kathmandu, Nepal

"Similar to our ongoing campaign to help India, we have launched 'Help Nepal Defeat COVID-19' campaign to raise funds to send oxygen concentrators, ventilators and other lifesaving equipment to Nepal," Sewa International's Vice President for Administration, Ashwani Garg said.

According to Swadesh Katoch, Sewa International's Vice President for Disaster Recovery, Sewa is planning to send 54 oxygen concentrators, 500 oximeters, 250 infrared thermometers, and 250 electronic blood pressure monitors to Trinidad and Tobago as the initial shipment in a week. Sewa International of Trinidad and Tobago is working with its partner organizations to distribute food, medicine, and other essentials to people who are in need.

"Sewa is working with the Nepal Medical Association, Aggrawal Sewa Kendra, Hindu Swayamsevak Sangh, and Upkar Sewa and our other partner organizations. Many Nepal related organizations in the US have been reaching out to Sewa to collaborate in this effort. Sewa International Nepal in collaboration with its partner organizations started our first COVID isolation center in Aggrawal Kendra in Kathmandu, Nepal on Monday, May 17. Vinay Mohan Kwatra, the Indian Ambassador to Nepal, inaugurated the center," Ashwani Garg said.

The COVID Care Center has 22 rooms that accommodate two patients each. It also has three big dormitories that house more than 80 beds. If required, bed capacity can be increased to 150 in these dormitories. Sewa International has also started work in three other places in Nepal where food and basic medicines are being distributed to people in need.

"Sewa carried out major disaster relief and recovery activities in Nepal during the 2015 earthquake and we have the experience working in Nepal and we have volunteers on the ground. We are grateful to Americans who gave their generous support to our India campaign and request them to extend their complete support to Nepal to fight COVID-19 at this hour as Nepal is not really equipped to face a crisis of this magnitude," said Arun Kankani, President of Sewa International.

Sewa's Director of Disaster Response, Achalesh Amar, and Anup Bhasin, Sewa's Houston Chapter Joint Coordinator, met Yuba Raj Khatiwada, Ambassador of Nepal to the United States in Houston on Monday May 17, and apprised him of the work being done by Sewa International in Nepal.

ABOUT SEWA INTERNATIONAL

Sewa International (www.sewausa.org) is a 501 (c)(3) Hindu faith-based charitable nonprofit that works in the areas of disaster recovery, education, and development. Sewa has 43 Chapters across the USA and serves regardless of race, color, religion, sex, age, disability, or national origin.

CONTACT:

Vidyasagar Tontalapur  1 - 720-526-9939

Viswanath Koppaka  1- 404-304-0563

Email: [email protected]

Web: http://www.sewausa.org

SOURCE Sewa International

Related Links

http://www.sewausa.org


NEWTON, Mass., May 19, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Sonesta International Hotels Corporation today announced the appointment of Elizabeth Harlow as the company's Chief Marketing and Brand Officer (CMBO). In this new role, Ms. Harlow will use her more than two decades of hospitality experience to strengthen Sonesta's market position and raise awareness of its portfolio of 15 diversified brands, approximately 1,200 locations and more than 100,000 guest rooms and its ranking as one of the largest hotel companies globally.

Ms. Harlow will work closely with Sonesta President and Chief Executive Officer, Carlos Flores, Chief Operating Officer (COO), Vera Manoukian, and Chief Commercial Officer, Garine Ferejian-Mayo, to expand Sonesta's brand recognition by leveraging Sonesta's highly-rated guest experience and illustrating the value proposition and impact of Sonesta's guest loyalty program, Travel Pass.

Ms. Harlow previously held leadership roles at travel and real estate organizations that include independent operators, Fortune 500 companies and some of the world's most recognizable hospitality brands, such as Starwood Hotels & Resorts (W Hotels, The Luxury Collection, Le Meridien, and St. Regis), The Leading Hotels of the World and MGM Resorts International (Bellagio). At Sonesta, she will be responsible for increasing Sonesta's brand recognition, implementing strategic objectives and revenue-driving marketing initiatives.

Vera Manoukian, COO of Sonesta made the following statement:

"Elizabeth's strong record of meaningfully engaging with customers will benefit Sonesta branded, managed and franchised properties. Her expertise in brand and service development, coupled with her understanding of both independent companies and large public enterprises, will be invaluable to Sonesta as we continue our journey of growth, expansion and increased market awareness."

About Sonesta International Hotels Corporation

Sonesta is one of the fastest-growing hospitality companies in the U.S., celebrating an approximate 350% increase in its managed hotel portfolio since August 2020. You will find nearly 300 Sonesta hotels across seven brands -Royal Sonesta; Sonesta Hotels & Resorts; Sonesta Select; Sonesta ES Suites; Sonesta Simply Suites; Sonesta Posadas del Inca; Sonesta Cruise Collection - operating in the U.S., Canada, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Egypt, Peru, and St. Maarten. With a full range of exceptional lodging options found in many of the most memorable destinations in the world, Sonesta proudly exceeds guests' expectations delivering an authentic experience time and time again. Sonesta also owns Red Lion Hotels Corporation, which has eight additional brands -Hotel RL; Red Lion Hotels; Red Lion Inn & Suites; Signature Inn; GuestHouse Extended Stay; Knights Inn; Americas Best Value Inn; Canadas Best Value Inn - with nearly 900 franchise properties across the U.S. and Canada. For more information about Sonesta and its locations, visit Sonesta.com or call 800.Sonesta (800.766.3782). For more information about Red Lion Hotels, visit Redlion.com

* High-resolution images are available at www.sonesta.com/media for all Sonesta hotels.

Media Contact : Lindsey Fecko, Weber Shandwick for Sonesta [email protected] | 609-218-2097

SOURCE Sonesta International Hotels Corporation

Related Links

http://Sonesta.com


DUILLIER, Switzerland, May 19, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Some time ago, Synova SA filed suit against Avonisys AG and its board members (notably all former employees of Synova) with the Swiss Federal Patent Court, because it believed that Avonisys infringes the Swiss part of the EP 1 833 636 B1. The defendants filed a counterclaim.

In the meantime, the Patent Court has issued a decision, which however is not yet final and against which Synova is appealing. The judgement states that:

Synova's patent EP 1 833 636 H1, which was limited during the proceedings, is valid  contrary to the counterclaim of Avonisys; This patent is not infringed, because the laser head "Avonisys Laser Micro Milling" does not provide the same technical effect as the laser head protected by Synova's patent; Some communication concerning the proceedings by Synova constituted an act of unfair competition.

Synova is convinced that the denial of Avonisys' patent infringement and the assessment of Synova's communication violates federal law and has filed an appeal with the Swiss Federal Supreme Court on 11 May 2021. Synova trusts that the Supreme Court will allow the appeal and either refer the matter back to the lower instance for reconsideration or adjudicate for patent infringement by Avonisys itself.

About Synova

Synova S.A., headquartered in Duillier, Switzerland, manufactures advanced laser cutting systems that incorporate its proprietary water jet guided laser technology (Laser MicroJet) in a true industrial CNC platform. Customers benefit from significant yield and improved cutting quality as well as enhanced capabilities for precision machining a wide range of materials. For more information, visit our website at www.synova.ch.

Picture is available at AP Images (http://www.apimages.com)

Contact:

Falk Braunmuller

IP Manager, Synova S.A.

[email protected]

SOURCE Synova S.A.
GURUGRAM, India, May 19, 2021 /PRNewswire/ --

Thailand Agricultural Tractor Market is expected to register a CAGR of 3.2% between 2019 and 2025. Two wheel and Four Wheel Tractor is expected to contribute 23% and 77% respectively by the end of 2025.

Thailand Combine Harvester Market is expected to register a CAGR of 6.6% between 2019 and 2025. Combine Harvesters with power above 150 HP is expected to contribute more than 40%. Followed by combined harvesters powered 75-105 Hp and 70Hp and below.

Impact of Covid-19: Country lockdown imposed in Thailand during the period April-May, lead to lesser farming activity in the country due to which companies observed a decline in demand of tractors, combine harvesters or rice transplanters in terms of domestic sales leading to an overall decline in the market. In addition to this, dealer outlets and retail stores were being shut further leading to decline in domestic agricultural machinery sales.

Investment in Smart Agricultural Machinery: Companies have been focusing on production of smart agricultural machinery that uses advanced technologies such as ICT and robot technology, and farm business software that can centrally manage information obtained from these agricultural machines.

Rising Demand of Two Wheel Tractors: Rise in sales of mid-range tractors is expected to ensure stable growth in revenues of Thailand Agricultural Tractor Market. Moreover, rising shift from traditional farming to farming through agricultural machinery leading to increasing demand of 2W tractors among small farmers will further contribute the rising sales of tractors in Thailand.

Sale of Rice Transplanters in Thailand is expected to decline in future as farmers have been focusing more on purchasing a used rice transplanter or to rent a rice transplanter as it has seasonal usage and can be only use to plant rice.

According to the report by Ken Research titled " Thailand Agricultural Machinery Market Outlook to 2025  Agriculture Tractor Market (By Type: 2W and 4W Tractors, By Power: 8HP-15HP, 20HP-35HP, 36HP-47HP, 48HP-75HP, 75HP-100HP, 100HP-120HP and Above 120HP), Combine Harvester Market (By Power: 70HP & Below, 75HP-105HP and Above 105HP), By Rice Transplanters (By Rows: 4Row, 6Row and 8Row), Agriculture Implements Market " the Online Grocery Delivery Market will be valued at USD 1.9 Billion by end of 2025F. The market will witness growth owing to expected improvement in prices of staple crops, transition from traditional to smart farming, increasing government support and innovative strategies adopted by service providers.

Key Segments Covered

By Products

Tractors



Combine Harvesters



Agriculture Implements



Rice Transplanters

By Tractors (Power)

8HP  15HP



20HP  35HP



36HP  47HP



48HP  75HP



75HP  100HP



100HP  120HP



Above 120HP

By Combine Harvesters (Power)

70HP and Below



75HP  105HP



Above 105 HP

By Combine Harvesters (Row)

4 Row RT



6 Row RT



8 Row RT

Companies Covered

Siam Kubota

Yanmar S.P.

Talaythong Factory Co.,Ltd

John Deere

Iseki

New Holland

TAMCO

Kaset Phattana

Sakpattana

Key Target Audience

Existing Agricultural Machinery Companies

New Market Entrants - Domestic OEMs

New Market Entrants - Foreign OEMs

Agricultural Machinery Financing Companies

Government Bodies

Investors & Venture Capital Firms

Agricultural Machinery Manufacturers

Agricultural Machinery Distributors

Agricultural Machinery Associations

Time Period Captured in the Report:-

Historical Period : 2013 - 2019

: 2013 - 2019 Forecast Period: 2020 - 2025

Key Topics Covered in the Report

Total Land Under Cultivation and Distribution by Major Crops (Rice, Cassava, Rubber and Sugarcane)

Changing Cropping Pattern in Thailand and Factors Driving Change

and Factors Driving Change Nature of Ownership, Farm Holding Structure and Regulatory Policies Impacting Farm Holding Structure in Thailand

Agricultural Practice in Thailand on the basis of Scale of Mechanization, Extensive and Intensive and Irrigated Land

on the basis of Scale of Mechanization, Extensive and Intensive and Irrigated Land Government Policy impacting the Agricultural Equipment Market in Thailand on the basis of Import Duty Structure, Subsidies, Taxes Certification and Emission Standards

on the basis of Import Duty Structure, Subsidies, Taxes Certification and Emission Standards Thailand Agricultural Machinery Market Size on the Basis of Revenue in USD Million and Sales in Units, 2013-2019

Thailand Agricultural Machinery Market Segmentation By Major Products on the Basis of Revenue in USD Million, 2013 - 2019

on the Basis of Revenue in USD Million, 2013 - 2019 Thailand Tractor Market Size on the Basis of Revenue in USD Million and Sales in Units, 2013 - 2019

Thailand Tractor Market Segmentation by Power on the Basis of Sales Volume, 2015 and 2019

Thailand Combine Harvester Market Size on the Basis of Revenue in USD Million and Sales in Units, 2013 - 2019

Thailand Combine Harvester Market Segmentation by Power on the Basis of Sales Volume, 2015 and 2019

Thailand Rice Transplanter Market Size on The basis of Revenue in USD Million , 2013 - 2019

Thailand Rice Transplanter Market Segmentation by power on the Basis of Sales Volume, 2015 and 2019

Thailand Tractor Implements Market Size on the Basis of Revenue in USD Million, 2013 - 2019

Market Share and competitive Landscape of Leading Manufacturers in Thailand Agricultural Equipment Market on the Basis of Sales Volume in Units, 2019

Agricultural Equipment Market on the Basis of Sales Volume in Units, 2019 Pricing Analysis of Major Brands

Marketing Strategies of Major Brands

Business Model of Leasing and Hire Purchase

List of Leasing and Hire Purchase Companies

Snapshot on Thailand Agricultural Machinery Second Hand Market

Analyst Recommendations

Operating Model Thailand Agricultural Machinery

Business Model Thailand Agricultural Machinery

Thailand Agricultural Machinery Distributors Model

Global Players Agricultural Machinery

Local Players Agricultural Machinery

2W Tractors Thailand Sales

4W Tractors Thailand Sales

Kubota Sales Thailand

Yanmar Sales Thailand

John Deere Sales Thailand

Iseki Sales Thailand

New Holland Sales Thailand

Rotavator Thailand Sales

Plough Thailand Sales

Harrow Thailand Sales

Fertilizer Spreaders Thailand Sales

Agricultural Machinery Central Thailand

Agricultural Machinery Northeastern Thailand

Leasing Agricultural Machinery Thailand

For More Information, Refer to this link

Thailand Agricultural Machinery Market Outlook to 2025

Related Reports:

Indonesia Agriculture Equipment Market Outlook to 2025 - By Tractors Market (2 Wheeled & 4 Wheeled Tractors; < 40HP, 40-70HP & >70HP Tractors; Combine Harvesters Market (Less than 70HP, 70HP and >70HP); Rice Transplanters Market; Implements Market (Rotavator, Plough, Harrow, Fertilizer Spreaders & Others); and Regional Demand of Agriculture Equipment (Java, Sulawesi, Sumatra, Kalimantan & Others)

The Reports covers the country overview, regulatory framework, agricultural overview of Indonesia, land under cultivation, changes in the cropping patterns, farm holding structure & scale of mechanization. Indonesia agriculture equipment market report concludes with the projections for the future of industry including forecasted sales value and volume; future projections by product type and regional demand by the year ending 2025, COVID-19 impact, and analysts' take on the future.

Philippines Agricultural Equipment Market Outlook to 2023- By Product Type (Tractors, Combine Harvesters, Planters, Seeders and Tillage Equipments and Tillage Equipment), By Tractor Segment (Upto 60 Hp, Between 61-130 Hp and above 130 Hp), By Production (Imported and Domestically Manufactured) and By Region (Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao)

The report covers various aspects including overview and market size, market segmentation, trends and development, issues and challenges, snapshots on (Equipments Financing and Rentals, Aftermarket services and Diesel Engines), competitive landscape, market share of major players (Kubota, Yanmar, Massey Ferguson, CNH, John Deere, McCormick and Landini) in agricultural equipment market. The report concludes with market projection and analyst recommendations highlighting the major opportunities and cautions.

South Africa Agricultural Equipment Market Outlook to 2025-By Product Type (Tractors, Tillage Equipment, Planters & Seeders, Sprayers, Combine Harvesters, Precision Farming and Others); By Domestic Sales and Import; By Region (Free State, Mpumalanga, Kwa Zulu Natal and others)

The report covers aspects such as market segmentation (by product type, by domestic sales & imports and by region) and various snapshot including major product features, agriculture equipment rentals space, second hand sales market, equipment financing, aftermarket services and others. Competitive landscape of major players including Falcon Equipment, Bell Equipment, Radium Engineering, John Deere, Massey Ferguson, Landini, Case IH, CLAAS, ARGO (PTY) Limited, BHBW (PTY) Limited and Northmec have been extensively covered mentioning company overview, major business strategies, USP, distribution network, after sales services, financials and various other parameters.

Brazil Agricultural Equipment Market Outlook to 2023 - By Product Type (Tractors, Combine Harvesters, Tillage Equipment, Precision Farming Equipments, Planters & Seeders and Others), By Domestic Production & Imports and By Region (South, North, Midwest and Mideast)

Brazil Agricultural Equipment Market plays an important role in the overall economy of Brazil by acting as a growth catalyst in GDP contribution. After going through a recession during 2014-2016, the market is currently in a recovery stage with a positive growth rate witnessed during 2017-2018. Domestic demand is principally being met through local manufacturing with almost all major international OEMs having plants within the country.

Contact Us:

Ken Research

Ankur Gupta, Head Marketing & Communications

[email protected]

+91-9015378249

SOURCE Ken Research
Among a collection of vehicles from the world's top manufacturers, the Supra received praise for its powerful 3.0-liter, inline 6-cylinder engine and comprehensive safety features. The 2021 Toyota Supra 3.0 Premium features an 8-speed automatic transmission with paddle shifters and a revised engine to take it from 0-60 in 3.9 seconds. Boasting an array of features, the Supra wows with a power boost and returned chassis continuing a tradition of an impressive ride/handling balance.

Accenting the Supra's concept car-inspired body are 19-inch forged aluminum 10-spoke wheels with Michelin Pilot super sport tires, and inside it features 14-way heated power-adjustable black leather-trimmed sport seats. At Auto Roundup, attendees experienced the vehicle's new safety and technology package with an enhanced touchpad control, a 12 speaker JBL audio system, and the Driver's Assist Safety Package featuring dynamic radar cruise control, blind spot monitoring, rear cross traffic alert and more.

This year's Texas Auto Roundup brought together 40 journalists to evaluate 35 vehicles at the Texas Motor Speedway. Vehicles from the world's top manufacturers were put to the test on this professional track and evaluated on interior, exterior, value, performance and personal appeal. Attendees that test drove the Supra took note of its speed, agility and performance combined with its electric power steering and vehicle stability control which makes it ideal for quick transitions and tight turns.

TAWA is a Texas-based nonprofit association for automotive journalists promoting professionalism and quality in journalism for more than two decades. TAWA has grown to become one of the most influential and recognized automotive journalist associates in the U.S. The group produces two annual events  Texas Auto Roundup and Texas Truck Rodeo  that allow members to experience vehicles from various manufacturers in one place, at one time.

For more information on the 2021 Supra 3.0 Premium, visit the Toyota Newsroom.

About Toyota

Toyota (NYSE:TM) has been a part of the cultural fabric in North America for more than 60 years, and is committed to advancing sustainable, next-generation mobility through our Toyota and Lexus brands plus our 1,800 dealerships.

Toyota has created a tremendous value chain and directly employs more than 47,000 in North America. The company has contributed world-class design, engineering, and assembly of more than 40 million cars and trucks at our 14 manufacturing plants, 15 including our joint venture in Alabama that begins production in 2021.

Through its Start Your Impossible campaign, Toyota highlights the way it partners with community, civic, academic and governmental organizations to address our society's most pressing mobility challenges. We believe that when people are free to move, anything is possible. For more information about Toyota, visit www.toyotanewsroom.com.

Contact:

Greg Thome

[email protected]

SOURCE Toyota
RARITAN, N.J., May 19, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- The Janssen Pharmaceutical Companies of Johnson & Johnson today announced updated data from the Phase 1 CHRYSALIS study showing treatment with amivantamab in combination with lazertinib led to a median duration of response (DOR) of 9.6 months in chemotherapy-naive patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) exon 19 deletion or L858R mutations whose disease had progressed after treatment with osimertinib.1 These data, which will be presented in an oral presentation at the 2021 American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) Annual Meeting on Friday, June 4, also provide new insights on the importance of biomarkers to identify a subgroup of patients more likely to respond to amivantamab and lazertinib (Abstract #9006). Results from the CHRYSALIS study have led to new studies to further evaluate the potential of amivantamab and lazertinib combination therapy, which include the Phase 3 MARIPOSA study and Phase 1/1b CHRYSALIS-2 study.2,3

"Typically, patients whose disease no longer responds to osimertinib therapy would have little opportunity to seek additional treatments, other than chemotherapy. However, the durable responses we are seeing with the combination of amivantamab and lazertinib suggest an additional targeted option may be possible," said Byoung Chul Cho, M.D., Ph.D., Yonsei Cancer Center, Yonsei University College of Medicine in Seoul, South Korea, and lead study investigator. "The results from this CHRYSALIS study cohort also offer promising insights that may help identify patients more likely to respond to an amivantamab and lazertinib combination regimen."

In the combination cohort of the Phase 1 CHRYSALIS study, 45 patients with NSCLC with EGFR exon 19 deletion or L858R mutations whose disease had progressed on osimertinib, but who had not yet received chemotherapy, received the combination dose of 1050 mg (for patients who weigh <80kg) or 1400 mg (for patients who weigh  80kg) amivantamab and 240 mg lazertinib.1 Of those patients, 36 percent (95 percent confidence interval [CI], 22-51) had a confirmed response (CR) (1 complete response and 15 partial responses [PR]) with the regimen.1 The median DOR was 9.6 months (95 percent CI, 5.3not reached), and the DOR greater than six months was 69 percent.1 The median progression-free survival (mPFS) was 4.9 months (95 percent CI, 3.79.5) and the clinical benefit response rate was 64 percent (95 percent CI, 4978).1

In the study, each patient's tumor was characterized through genetic testing of circulating tumor DNA and tumor tissue biopsy to identify the mechanism(s) of resistance to osimertinib. The study identified 17 patients with EGFR and/or MET-based resistance; of those patients, the overall response rate was 47 percent, median DOR was 10.4 months, clinical benefit response rate was 82 percent, and median progression-free survival was 6.7 months.1 Of the remaining 28 patients without identified EGFR or MET-based resistance, 29 percent of patients experienced a confirmed tumor response.1 Among these 28 patients, 18 had unknown mechanisms of osimertinib-resistance and 10 had non-EGFR/MET mechanisms of resistance.1 The study also examined 20 patients who had sufficient tumor tissue to do immune-histochemistry (IHC) staining for EGFR and MET expression. Among 10 patients whose tumors stained high for EGFR and MET expression, 90 percent had a tumor response. Janssen will prospectively validate both next-generation sequencing (NGS) and immunohistochemistry (IHC) based biomarkers to identify patients most likely to benefit from amivantamab and lazertinib in a cohort in CHRYSALIS-2 study.

The most common adverse events (AEs) were predominantly Grade 1-2 and included infusion-related reactions (78 percent), rash (acneiform dermatitis, 51 percent + rash, 27 percent) and paronychia (49 percent).1 Sixteen percent of patients experienced treatment-related Grade 3 AEs and included discontinuations (4 percent) and dose reductions (18 percent).1

In the post-platinum, EGFR exon 20 insertion mutation NSCLC setting, Janssen will present an indirect treatment comparison demonstrating that clinical trial patients treated with amivantamab monotherapy had a 10-month higher overall survival (OS) compared to those treated with real-world therapies such as immune checkpoint inhibitors, tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) and single-agent chemotherapies (Abstract #9052) in U.S. databases.4 In a separate study using French real-world data from the Epidemiological Strategy and Medical Economics (ESME) database, the prognosis for patients with NSCLC with EGFR exon 20 insertion mutations appears to be worse compared to those with the common EGFR mutations, exon 19 deletions and L858R (Abstract #9062).5

"Patients with non-small cell lung cancer and EGFR mutations continue to experience significant unmet need for treatment options and often face a poor prognosis," said Kiran Patel, M.D., Vice President, Clinical Development, Solid Tumors, Janssen Research & Development, LLC. "We remain committed in our efforts to transform the treatment of lung cancer through the ongoing investigation of amivantamab as a monotherapy and in combination with lazertinib as a potential treatment option for patients with various genetic alterations."

About the CHRYSALIS Study

CHRYSALIS (NCT02609776) is an open-label, multicenter, first-in-human Phase 1 study to evaluate the safety, pharmacokinetics and preliminary efficacy of amivantamab as a monotherapy and in combinations, including with lazertinib, in patients with advanced NSCLC with various EGFR mutations.6 The study enrolled 460 patients with advanced NSCLC.6 The study consists of two parts: The first consists of amivantamab monotherapy and combination dose escalations, and the second consists of amivantamab monotherapy and combination dose expansions.6

The results from the CHRYSALIS study have led to new studies to further evaluate the potential of amivantamab and lazertinib combination therapy. The Phase 3 MARIPOSA study (NCT04487080) will assess the amivantamab and lazertinib combination against osimertinib in untreated advanced EGFR-mutated NSCLC,2 and a Phase 1/1b study, CHRYSALIS-2, (NCT04077463) has been initiated to examine the combination in patients who have progressed after treatment with osimertinib and chemotherapy.3

About Amivantamab

Amivantamab is an investigational, fully-human EGFR-MET bispecific antibody with immune cell-directing activity that targets tumors with activating and resistance EGFR mutations and MET mutations and amplifications.7,8,9,10 Amivantamab is being studied as a monotherapy in patients with EGFR exon 20 insertion mutations.6 Amivantamab is also being studied in combination with lazertinib in adult patients with advanced NSCLC.6 Janssen has filed regulatory submissions in the U.S. and Europe seeking approval of amivantamab for the treatment of patients with NSCLC with EGFR exon 20 insertion mutations whose disease has progressed on or after platinum-based chemotherapy.11 These applications mark the first-ever regulatory submissions for a treatment for patients with NSCLC and EGFR exon 20 insertion mutations.12 Amivantamab is being studied in multiple clinical trials, including as first-line therapy in untreated advanced EGFR-mutated NSCLC in the Phase 3 MARIPOSA (NCT04487080) study assessing amivantamab in combination with lazertinib, the Phase 3 PAPILLON (NCT04538664) study assessing amivantamab in combination with carboplatin-pemetrexed for patients with advanced or metastatic EGFR-mutated NSCLC and exon 20 insertion mutations, and the Phase 1 PALOMA (NCT04606381) study assessing the feasibility of subcutaneous (SC) administration of amivantamab based on safety and pharmacokinetics and to determine a dose, dose regimen and formulation for amivantamab SC delivery.2,3,13

About Lazertinib

Lazertinib is an oral, third-generation, brain-penetrant, EGFR TKI that targets both the T790M mutation and activating EGFR mutations while sparing wild type-EGFR.14 Interim safety and efficacy results from the lazertinib Phase 1-2 study were published in The Lancet Oncology in 2019. In 2018, Janssen Biotech, Inc. entered into a license and collaboration agreement with Yuhan Corporation for the development of lazertinib.

About the Amivantamab Expanded Access Program (EAP) Protocol

The amivantamab EAP is for U.S. patients 18 years of age or older who have histologically or cytologically confirmed unresectable or metastatic NSCLC with an EGFR exon 20 insertion mutation; who are not amenable to curative therapy; whose disease has progressed during or after current standard of care platinum-based chemotherapy; and who may benefit from treatment with amivantamab prior to its potential FDA approval.15 The EAP has specific inclusion and exclusion criteria for patients to be considered for enrollment in the program, and patients must not be eligible for another amivantamab study.15 Interested patients should contact their physician to discuss whether they may be a candidate for amivantamab through the EAP.15 Additional information about the expanded access protocol can be found on clinicaltrials.gov (NCT04599712) and at https://www.janssen.com/compassionate-use-pre-approval-access.

About Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC)

Worldwide, lung cancer is one of the most common cancers, and NSCLC makes up 80 to 85 percent of all lung cancers.16,17 The main subtypes of NSCLC are adenocarcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma and large cell carcinoma.19 Among the most common driver mutations in NSCLC are alterations in EGFR, which is a receptor tyrosine kinase supporting cell growth and division.12 EGFR mutations are present in 10 to 15 percent 12,18,19,20,21 of people with NSCLC adenocarcinoma and occur in 40 to 50 percent of Asians.22,23 The five-year survival rate for all people with metastatic NSCLC and EGFR mutations who are treated with EGFR TKIs is less than 20 percent.24,25

About the Janssen Pharmaceutical Companies of Johnson & Johnson

At Janssen, we're creating a future where disease is a thing of the past. We're the Pharmaceutical Companies of Johnson & Johnson, working tirelessly to make that future a reality for patients everywhere by fighting sickness with science, improving access with ingenuity and healing hopelessness with heart. We focus on areas of medicine where we can make the biggest difference: Cardiovascular & Metabolism, Immunology, Infectious Diseases & Vaccines, Neuroscience, Oncology and Pulmonary Hypertension.

Learn more at www.janssen.com. Follow us at www.twitter.com/JanssenGlobal and www.twitter.com/JanssenUS. Janssen Research & Development, LLC and Janssen Biotech, Inc. are part of the Janssen Pharmaceutical Companies of Johnson & Johnson.

Dr. Cho has been a paid consultant to Janssen; he has not been paid for any media work.

Cautions Concerning Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains "forward-looking statements" as defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 regarding amivantamab and lazertinib. The reader is cautioned not to rely on these forward-looking statements. These statements are based on current expectations of future events. If underlying assumptions prove inaccurate or known or unknown risks or uncertainties materialize, actual results could vary materially from the expectations and projections of Janssen Research & Development, LLC, Janssen Biotech, Inc., any of the other Janssen Pharmaceutical Companies, and/or Johnson & Johnson. Risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to: challenges and uncertainties inherent in product research and development, including the uncertainty of clinical success and of obtaining regulatory approvals; uncertainty of commercial success; manufacturing difficulties and delays; competition, including technological advances, new products and patents attained by competitors; challenges to patents; product efficacy or safety concerns resulting in product recalls or regulatory action; changes in behavior and spending patterns of purchasers of health care products and services; changes to applicable laws and regulations, including global health care reforms; and trends toward health care cost containment. A further list and descriptions of these risks, uncertainties and other factors can be found in Johnson & Johnson's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended January 3, 2021, including in the sections captioned "Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements" and "Item 1A. Risk Factors," and in the company's most recently filed Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, and the company's subsequent filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Copies of these filings are available online at www.sec.gov, www.jnj.com or on request from Johnson & Johnson. None of the Janssen Pharmaceutical Companies nor Johnson & Johnson undertakes to update any forward-looking statement as a result of new information or future events or developments.

1 Bauml, J. et al. Amivantamab in combination with lazertinib for the treatment of osimertinib-relapsed EGFR mutant (EGFRm) non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and potential biomarkers for response. https://meetinglibrary.asco.org/record/196820/abstract.

2 ClinicalTrials.gov. A Study of Amivantamab and Lazertinib Combination Therapy Versus Osimertinib in Locally Advanced or Metastatic Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer (MARIPOSA). Available at: https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT04487080 . Accessed May 2021.

3 ClinicalTrials.gov. A Study of Combination Amivantamab and Carboplatin-Pemetrexed Therapy, Compared With Carboplatin-Pemetrexed, in Participants With Advanced or Metastatic Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer Characterized by Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor (EGFR) Exon 20 Insertions (PAPILLON). Available at: https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT04538664?term=PAPILLON&cond=NSCLC&draw=2&rank=1. Accessed May 2021.

4 Minchom, A et al. Amivantamab compared with real-world therapies in patients with NSCLC with EGFR Exon 20 insertion mutations who have progressed after platinum doublet chemotherapy. https://meetinglibrary.asco.org/record/200630/abstract.

5 Chouaid, C. et al. EGFR Exon 20 Insertion  Prognostic and Predictive Values in Advanced Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer, a Real World Study. https://meetinglibrary.asco.org/record/200675/abstract.

6 ClinicalTrials.gov. Study of JNJ-61186372, a Human Bispecific EGFR and cMet Antibody, in Participants With Advanced Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer. Available at: https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT02609776. Accessed May 2021.

7 Grugan et al. MAbs. 2017;9(1):114-126.

8 Moores et al. Cancer Res. 2016;76(13)(suppl 27216193):3942-3953.

9 Yun et al. Cancer Discov. 2020;10(8):1194-1209.

10 Vijayaraghavan et al. Mol Cancer Ther. 2020;19(10):2044-2056.

11 Janssen Submits Application to U.S. FDA Seeking Approval of Amivantamab for the Treatment of Patients with Metastatic Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer with EGFR Exon 20 Insertion Mutations. https://www.jnj.com/janssen-submits-application-to-u-s-fda-seeking-approval-of-amivantamab-for-the-treatment-of-patients-with-metastatic-non-small-cell-lung-cancer-with-egfr-exon-20-insertion-mutations. Accessed May 2021.

12 Remon, J et al. EGFR exon 20 insertions in advanced non-small cell lung cancer: A new history begins. Cancer Treatment Reviews. 90 (2020).

13 ClinicalTrials.gov. A Study of Amivantamab Subcutaneous (SC) Administration for the Treatment of Advanced Solid Malignancies. Available at: https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT04606381. Accessed May 2021.

14 Ahn, J. et al. Lazertinib in patients with EGFR mutation-positive advanced non-small-cell lung cancer: results from the dose escalation and dose expansion parts of a first-in-human, open-label, multicentre, phase 12 study. Lancet Oncology. 2019. 20 (12): 1681-1690.

15 ClinicalTrials.gov. Pre-Approval Access With Amivantamab (JNJ-61186372) in Participants With Metastatic Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer. https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT04599712?term=amivantamab&draw=2&rank=2. Accessed May 2021.

16 The World Health Organization. Cancer. https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/cancer. Accessed May 2021.

17 American Cancer Society. What is Lung Cancer? https://www.cancer.org/content/cancer/en/cancer/lung-cancer/about/what-is.html. Accessed May 2021.

18 Vyse, S., Huang, P.H. Targeting EGFR exon 20 insertion mutations in non-small cell lung cancer. Sig Transduct Target Ther 4, 5 (2019).

19 Bauml, JM, et al. Underdiagnosis of EGFR Exon 20 Insertion Mutation Variants: Estimates from NGS-based Real World Datasets. WCLC Poster #3399. January 2021.

20 Pennell NA, Arcila ME, Gandara DR, West H. Biomarker testing for patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer: Real-world issues and tough choices. Am Soc Clin Oncol Educ Book. 2019;39(39):531-542.

21 Burnett H, Emich H, Carroll C, Stapleton N, Mahadevia P, Li T. Epidemiological and clinical burden of EGFR exon 20 insertion in advanced non-small cell lung cancer: a systematic literature review. Abstract presented at: World Conference on Lung Cancer Annual Meeting; January 29, 2021; Singapore.

22 Zhang et al 2016 (Oncotarget, Vol. 7, No. 48) study which estimated prevalence of EGFR mutations across various patient subgroups, including Asians.

23 Midha et al. EGFR mutation incidence in non-small-cell lung cancer of adenocarcinoma histology: a systematic review and global map by ethnicity. Am J Cancer Res. 2015;5(9):2892-2911

24 Howlader N, Noone AM, Krapcho M, Miller D, Brest A, Yu M, Ruhl J, Tatalovich Z, Mariotto A, Lewis DR, Chen HS, Feuer EJ, Cronin KA (eds). SEER Cancer Statistics Review, 1975-2016, National Cancer Institute. Bethesda, MD, https://seer.cancer.gov/csr/1975_2016/, based on November 2018 SEER data submission, posted to the SEER web site.

25 Lin JJ, Cardarella S, Lydon CA, Dahlberg SE, Jackman DM, Janne PA, et al. Five-Year Survival in EGFR-Mutant Metastatic Lung Adenocarcinoma Treated with EGFR-TKIs. J Thorac Oncol. 2016 Apr;11(4):556-65.

Media Contacts:

Brian Kenney

Phone: +1 215-620-0111

Suzanne Frost

Phone: +1 416-317-0304

Investor Relations:

Christopher DelOrefice

|Phone: +1 732-524-2955

Jennifer McIntyre

Phone: +1 732-524-3922

U.S. Medical Inquiries:

+1 800-526-7736

SOURCE Janssen Pharmaceutical Companies of Johnson & Johnson

Related Links

http://www.janssen.com


SAN JOSE, Calif., May 19, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Vectra AI , a leader in threat detection and response, today released its 2021 Q2 Spotlight Report, Vision and Visibility: Top 10 Threat Detections for Microsoft Azure AD and Office 365. This new research details the top 10 threat detections that customers receive by relative frequency when Vectra detects abnormal behavior in a customer environment, which are then used by customers to help ratify attacks in cloud environments.

Highlights include:

The Top 10 Threat Detections seen across Microsoft Azure AD and Office 365 allow security teams to detect infrequent behavior that is abnormal or unsafe across their environments.

Regardless of company size, Office 365 Risky Exchange Operation detection was at or near the top of the list of detections seen by Vectra customers.

Common actions by actors in the Azure AD environment during a recent supply chain attack would map back to Vectra-defined detections and alert the security team about the threat.

"Deploying meaningful artificial intelligence (AI) as a core pillar when extracting informative data from your network, both on-premise and off, is critical in obtaining an advantage against malicious adversaries," said Matt Pieklik, Senior Consulting Analyst at Vectra. "Security teams must be armed with full visibility to detect potentially dangerous activity across applications, in real-time, from the endpoint to the network and cloud."

As a leader in the productivity space with over 250 million active users, Microsoft Office 365 has also piqued the interest of looming cybercriminals due to the platform's large audience. In fact, during a recent global survey of 1,112 security professionals, Vectra uncovered how criminals are regularly bypassing security controls including multi-factor authentication (MFA), proving that determined attackers are still able to gain access.

Solving the challenges organizations continue to see from cybercriminals involves understanding the behaviors adversaries are motivated to take. This means having the ability to collect and aggregate the data that uncovers these behaviors in a way that can be operationalized by security staff.

Vectra has answered this industry need through the creation of Cognito Detect for Office 365 and Azure AD, which automatically detects and responds to hidden cyberattacker behaviors, accelerates incident investigations, and enables proactive threat hunting. The application offers visibility into Power Automate, Teams, eDiscovery, Compliance Search, Azure AD backend, Exchange, SharePoint, third party Software-as-a-service (SaaS) providers, and more.

To learn more about the threats facing today's organizations, download the Vectra 2021 Q2 Spotlight Report or read our companion blog.

To hear a detailed assessment from Vectra's Technical Director, Tim Wade, join our webinar on Tuesday, June 8 at 8:00 am PT | 11:00 am ET | 4:00 pm BST | 5:00 pm CET. Register here.

About Vectra

Vectra is the leader in threat detection and response  from cloud and data center workloads to user and IoT devices. Its Cognito platform accelerates threat detection and investigation using AI to enrich network metadata it collects and stores with the right context to detect, hunt and investigate known and unknown threats in real time. Vectra offers four applications on the Cognito platform to address high-priority use cases. Cognito Stream sends security-enriched metadata to data lakes and SIEMs. Cognito Recall is a cloud-based application to store and investigate threats in enriched metadata. Cognito Detect uses AI to reveal and prioritize hidden and unknown attackers at speed. And Cognito Detect for Office365 and Azure AD finds and stops attacks in enterprise SaaS applications and the Microsoft 365 ecosystem. For more information, visit vectra.ai.

Media Contact

Allison Arvanitis

Lumina Communications for Vectra

[email protected]

SOURCE Vectra

Related Links

https://www.vectra.ai


BERLIN, May 19, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Infotecs, a leading international cybersecurity and threat intelligence platform provider will present its ViPNet IT security solutions at GISEC from May 31 to June 2, 2021 in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.

The number of cyber attacks has increased since 2020. The cyber criminals are taking advantage of the uncertainty of a global pandemic and remote work. That's why protecting the transmission of sensitive data via mobile devices as well as all IP-enabled devices is essential today. The risk for companies is too great that data of any form (voice or text messages, IP video data, exchanged business-critical documents, etc.) will be intercepted or even manipulated by cyber criminals.

At GISEC in Dubai at the end of May, Infotecs will present ViPNet mobile security solution. It provides market leading secure enterprise communication tools with the strongest available encryption combined with maximum convenience, functionality and usability. ViPNet provides fast, easy to use, reliable yet secure communication via email, chat, video and voice calls (VOIP). Our pure software based solutions deliver superior security by design based on symmetric key and point to point encryption approaches. The "Always On" solution provides fast & reliable secure connectivity even over low bandwidth or mobile networks.

"The pandemic accelerated the rise of the digital economy and forced governments around the world to rethink how various industries operate. Home office workspace became the New Normal," explained Josef Waclaw, CEO of Infotecs GmbH. "With our innovative solutions such as ViPNet Threat Detection & Response or ViPNet Mobile Security solutions, we can help many business players build a robust, cyber-resistant ecosystem."

The Gulf Information Security Expo and Conference (GISEC), the Gulf region's largest cybersecurity forum, has been held annually at the Dubai World Trade Centre since 2013. GISEC provides web security professionals from around the world the opportunity to find innovative solutions, share insights with industry experts, and equip themselves with the right tools to protect their businesses from ever-increasing cyber attacks.

The Infotecs team is looking forward to welcoming partners, customers and security enthusiasts at booth SS3-B10-7. You can get a free visitor pass here.

SOURCE Infotecs GmbH

Related Links

https://infotecs.de/


NEW YORK, May 19, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Weber Shandwick, one of the world's leading global communications and marketing solutions firms, today announced two leadership appointments to further integrate its practices, offerings and operations across North America to deliver powerful, intersectional solutions for clients. Pam Jenkins, president, Global Public Affairs and president, Weber Shandwick South, will take on the additional role of head of practice and sector integration for North America. Rana Komar, president, Weber Shandwick Central, will take on the role of general manager, North America.

The new, expanded roles will strengthen the agency's ability to adapt to the unprecedented challenges clients face and build upon the agile, multi-disciplinary, geography agnostic approach Weber Shandwick took last year to address rapidly shifting issues in real-time. Jenkins and Komar  both of whom lead key geographies that have driven significant growth for the firm in recent years  will also retain their current remits.

"Collaborative problem solving has always been in Weber Shandwick's DNA, but in order to respond to the intersectional challenges of 2020, we had to supercharge our efforts and harness the full power of our network to bring solutions to our clients with added speed and rigor," said Joy Farber Kolo, president, North America. "This past year proved that our magic lives at the intersections  of our experts, our offices and our offerings  and these new roles will help us ensure the excellence we've seen from our multi-disciplinary task force model are continued and accelerated. I am thrilled to have Rana's and Pam's partnership in building an even more cohesive, collaborative and catalytic North America region for the firm."

A 17-year veteran of the agency, Jenkins has provided strategic communications counsel on major multi-channel campaigns supporting policy agendas, driving behavior change and building advocacy. She played a pivotal role in Weber Shandwick's task force approach in 2020, which by leveraging expertise across the network  including public affairs, corporate issues, change management, digital, data intelligence and more  helped the firm deliver speed and excellence at scale as the challenges facing companies, communities and individuals mounted throughout the year.

In her new role, Jenkins will drive collaboration and integration between the agency's core practices and sectors, drawing on her experiences leading both the Global Public Affairs practice and the South region, which includes Baltimore, Dallas, and Washington, D.C.

"This past year, our teams demonstrated that by finding new ways to leverage our expertise, we can accomplish truly great things for our people, our clients and our communities," Jenkins said. "As I step into this new role, I will be laser-focused on finding opportunities to take this integration even further  across practices, sectors and verticals  so that we can respond with both speed and agility to meet our clients' changing needs and drive impact."

Throughout her 22-year tenure, Komar has worked with the agency's top clients across consumer marketing, retail, technology, commodity groups, consumer healthcare and professional services. She has served as the lead for the Central region for the past four years, in addition to overseeing Chicago, the agency's second largest office for the past seven years. During her tenure, Chicago's revenue has increased nearly 75%, and it received multiple top workplace awards, including being named a Top Workplace by The Chicago Tribune four times. As general manager, North America, Komar will work closely with regional and office leaders to drive business excellence from all 22 offices across the North America network. She will also collaborate with the HR and Workforce Innovation teams to put career and talent cultivation at the center of the agency.

"Weber Shandwick has vibrant operations all across North America. While every office brings a unique culture and value to our network, they are even more powerful when we're leveraging our individual units in an intentional way to strengthen our offer as a whole," Komar said. "I'm looking forward to working with leaders across the region to elevate our collective approach and deliver more for our clients and our people."

Weber Shandwick has received several of the most prestigious agency honors in North America in the past year, including being named to Ad Age's 2020 Agency A-List, honored as North America Agency of the Decade by PRovoke in 2020, recognized as PR Agency of the Year 2020 by Campaign U.S. and named an Honorable Mention in the 2021 Gartner Magic Quadrant for Global Marketing Agencies.

About Weber Shandwick

Weber Shandwick is a leading global communications network that delivers next-generation solutions to brands, businesses and organizations in major markets around the world. Led by world-class strategic and creative thinkers and activators, we have won some of the most prestigious awards in the industry. Weber Shandwick was named to Ad Age's Agency A-List in 2020 and Best Places to Work in 2019. Weber Shandwick was also honored as PRovoke's Global Agency of the Decade in 2020 and PRWeek's Global Agency of the Year in 2015, 2016, 2017 and 2018. The firm earned 25 Lions at the 2019 Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity. Data-led, with earned ideas at the core, the agency deploys leading and emerging technologies to inform strategy, develop critical insights and heighten impact across sectors and specialty areas, including brand and B2B marketing, healthcare marketing, change management, employee engagement, corporate reputation, crisis management, data and analytics, technology, public affairs, social impact and financial communications. Weber Shandwick is part of the Interpublic Group (NYSE: IPG). For more information, visit http://www.webershandwick.com

Contact: Jill Tannenbaum

Company: Weber Shandwick

Phone: 212-546-7815

Email: [email protected]

SOURCE Weber Shandwick
PALM BEACH, Fla., May 19, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- While most people tend to look at gold during a crisis, smart investors are keeping copper on their radar also. In fact, copper prices increased more than 11 percent during Q1, hitting their highest level since 2011. Demand expectations grew on the back of economic recovery from COVID-19, and as interest in the future of renewable energy and electric vehicles picked up pace. Copper started the year trading at US$7,918.50 per ton, hitting its lowest level of the quarter on February 2 at US$7,755.50. Throughout the three month period, prices trended higher on anticipation of higher demand as economies opened up following strict lockdowns in 2020 but then copper's price rally started in mid-February, and the red metal had jumped to a more than 10 year high by the end of the month. Its highest point of the quarter came on February 25, when the base metal was trading for US$9,614.50. An Investing News article focusing on copper had this to say: ""Copper surged in early 2021 and outperformed consensus forecasts," said Dan Smith of Commodity Market Analytics. "The main surprise was the strength of Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development manufacturing, with survey data pointing to rapid expansions in Europe and the US." Active mining stocks mentioned in today's commentary include: Ridgestone Mining Inc. (OTCQB: RIGMF) (TSX-V: RMI), BHP Group (NYSE:BHP), Rio Tinto Group (NYSE: RIO), Vale S.A. (NYSE: VALE), Freeport-McMoRan Inc. (NYSE: FCX).

The Investing News article continued: "Despite not being able to sustain its highest level, copper hovered around the US$9,000 mark for the rest of the period, ending the first three months of the year at U$8,850.50. That's a more than 11 percent increase  a stellar quarter compared to Q1 2020, when the metal declined over 20 percent. For Nick Pickens of Open Mineral, it is no surprise that copper prices have stopped rising and remain supported at around US$9,000, as the drivers haven't changed Healthy demand in China and government stimulus are supporting investor sentiment and hopes of a strong, green recovery."

Ridgestone Mining Inc. (TSX-V: RMI) (OTCQB: RIGMF) (FSE: 4U5) BREAKING NEWS - RIDGESTONE ANNOUNCES EXPLORATION COMPELTED AT REBEICO COPPER-GOLD PROJECT, MEXICO - Ridgestone Mining ("Ridgestone") is pleased to announce it has completed another phase of exploration at its wholly-owned Rebeico project in Mexico. The program, which was previously announced on April 13th, 2021, was comprised of geologic mapping, prospecting and sampling with assays expected in the coming weeks. Work to date has been positive and continues to suggest that the identified surface copper-gold mineralization on the Rebeico claims may be related to a much larger unexposed subsurface mineralized system.

Exploration Program Highlights:

The program included detailed geological mapping, prospecting and sampling around the past producing El Cobre copper mine, in addition to all significant chargeability and resistivity anomalies ('geophysical anomalies') identified from the 2018/2019 IP surveys which covered the New Year Zone, Elena Concession, and other significant mineralized areas.

A total of 93 samples were collected with assays anticipated in the coming two to six weeks.

El Cobre Mine - A total of fourteen (14) samples were taken from the main mineralized structure and historical dumps, and detailed geological mapping of the surrounding area was undertaken. The main mineralized structure is oriented north-south with a dip of 50 degrees to the east, varying in thickness from one to three metres. The system is characterized as a high sulfidation vein system, strongly oxidized on surface, with quartz veinlets with chalcopyrite, molybdenite, and pyrite. Historical samples taken in 1960 by the National Nuclear Energy Commission (Comision Nacional de Energia Atomica) reported copper grades from sampling of underground workings of 0.34%, 1.10%, 3.21%, 5.28%, 6.12%, 9.58%; and molybdenum values of 0.002%, 0.16%, 1.57%, and 1.58%. Additionally, a recent radiometric survey conducted by the Mexican Geological Survey over the area, indicated elevated potassium levels which may support the hypothesis that a porphyry system may be present below surface. Approximately four kilometres east of the El Cobre workings, a prominent, highly oxidized and altered gossan measuring 200 by 250 metres was mapped and twenty (20) rock-chip samples taken.

Regional Geophysical Anomalies - A detailed mapping and sampling program was conducted over a 5.25 square kilometre area, focusing on geophysical anomalies identified by past surveys. In 2018 and 2019 the Company completed 31 line-kilometres of Induced Polarization/ Resistivity surveys covering an area of approximately 9 sq kilometres. The surveys outlined a significant chargeability anomaly over an 800 metre by 1,200 metre area with depths ranging from near surface to 300 metres. The Alaska Vein, the mineralized New Year Breccia Zone and artisanal Elena copper workings all occur within the surveyed area. A total of eighteen distinct geophysical anomalies were identified for follow up on the current program, which were mapped and a total of 62 samples were collected. Over the majority of targets, significant mineralization was identified on surface. Taken in a regional context, with the presence of high sulfidation copper bearing veins, mineralized breccias that are interpreted as diatreme breccias and in conjunction with surface geochemistry and historical records, RMI finds that this may be evidence of a sub-surface porphyry-type system that is responsible for the numerous mineralized occurrences encountered in the project area. CONTINUED. Read this full release more news for Ridgestone Mining by visiting: https://www.financialnewsmedia.com/news-rmi/

In other mining news of note:

BHP Group (NYSE:BHP) BHP CEO recently announced: ""BHP's strong safety and operational performance continued during the quarter, with record year-to-date production at Western Australia Iron Ore, the Goonyella Riverside metallurgical coal mine in Queensland and concentrator throughput at Escondida in Chile.

We are reliably executing our major projects, bringing on new supply in copper, petroleum and iron ore. The Spence Growth Option and Samarco are ramping up and West Barracouta, in Petroleum, started production this month. First production from Petroleum's Ruby project is expected in the coming weeks and South Flank, with its higher grade and lump proportion, is on track to begin production in the middle of the year.

Rio Tinto Group (NYSE: RIO) Rio Tinto's ISAL smelter in Iceland has been certified by the Aluminum Stewardship Initiative (ASI) for meeting the highest internationally recognized standards for responsible aluminum production.

The certification continues Rio Tinto's leadership of the industry on responsible aluminum production from mine to metal, and means customers can be assured aluminum produced at ISAL meets independent environmental, social and governance standards. ISAL has achieved ASI Performance Standard certification with provisional status, following an independent, third party 'desk top' audit by ERM CVS. An onsite audit will be completed when possible after the easing of COVID-19 travel restrictions.

Rio Tinto was the first company to offer ASI Aluminum in 2018. It has led the establishment of responsible production certification for the aluminum industry as a founding member of ASI, working alongside customers and a broad range of stakeholders.

Vale S.A. (NYSE: VALE) the world's second-largest iron ore producer, is exploring spinning off of its base metals business as the global transition to clean energy and transport spurs demand for copper and nickel.

"We are in a phase of studying -- analyzing the possibility," Chief Executive Officer Eduardo De Salles Bartolomeo told analysts on a conference call Tuesday. The Rio de Janeiro-based miner, which is recovering from an iron-ore tailings disaster in 2019, continues to trade at a discount to its Australian-focused rivals BHP Group and Rio Tinto Group. Housing base metals operations in Canada, Brazil and Indonesia in a separate company may help unlock value as the company expands copper and nickel output and exits coal.

Freeport-McMoRan Inc. (NYSE: FCX) recently announced that it has posted its first-quarter 2021 financial and operating results press release on the Investor Relations page of its website

FCX is a leading international mining company with headquarters in Phoenix, Arizona. FCX operates large, long-lived, geographically diverse assets with significant proven and probable reserves of copper, gold and molybdenum. FCX is one of the world's largest publicly traded copper producers. FCX's portfolio of assets includes the Grasberg minerals district in Indonesia, one of the world's largest copper and gold deposits; and significant mining operations in North America and South America, including the large-scale Morenci minerals district in Arizona and the Cerro Verde operation in Peru. By supplying responsibly produced copper, FCX is proud to be a positive contributor to the world well beyond its operational boundaries. Additional information about FCX is available on FCX's website at fcx.com.

DISCLAIMER: FN Media Group LLC (FNM), which owns and operates Financialnewsmedia.com and MarketNewsUpdates.com, is a third party publisher and news dissemination service provider, which disseminates electronic information through multiple online media channels. FNM is NOT affiliated in any manner with any company mentioned herein. FNM and its affiliated companies are a news dissemination solutions provider and are NOT a registered broker/dealer/analyst/adviser, holds no investment licenses and may NOT sell, offer to sell or offer to buy any security. FNM's market updates, news alerts and corporate profiles are NOT a solicitation or recommendation to buy, sell or hold securities. The material in this release is intended to be strictly informational and is NEVER to be construed or interpreted as research material. All readers are strongly urged to perform research and due diligence on their own and consult a licensed financial professional before considering any level of investing in stocks. All material included herein is republished content and details which were previously disseminated by the companies mentioned in this release. FNM is not liable for any investment decisions by its readers or subscribers. Investors are cautioned that they may lose all or a portion of their investment when investing in stocks. For current services performed FNM was compensated forty five hundred dollars for news coverage of the current press releases issued by Ridgestone Mining Inc. by a non affiliated third party. FNM HOLDS NO SHARES OF ANY COMPANY NAMED IN THIS RELEASE.

This release contains "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended and such forward-looking statements are made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. "Forward-looking statements" describe future expectations, plans, results, or strategies and are generally preceded by words such as "may", "future", "plan" or "planned", "will" or "should", "expected," "anticipates", "draft", "eventually" or "projected". You are cautioned that such statements are subject to a multitude of risks and uncertainties that could cause future circumstances, events, or results to differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements, including the risks that actual results may differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements as a result of various factors, and other risks identified in a company's annual report on Form 10-K or 10-KSB and other filings made by such company with the Securities and Exchange Commission. You should consider these factors in evaluating the forward-looking statements included herein, and not place undue reliance on such statements. The forward-looking statements in this release are made as of the date hereof and FNM undertakes no obligation to update such statements.

Contact Information:

Media Contact

email: [email protected]

+1(561)325-8757

SOURCE FinancialNewsMedia.com
DUBLIN, May 19, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- The "Rescue Hoists and Cargo Winches Market Forecast to 2028 - COVID-19 Impact and Global Analysis By Type, Application, and End Users" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.

The increasing investment by government organization as well as growing demand from military forces is a major factor driving the growth of the rescue hoists and cargo winches market. Countries in various regions, such as Asia Pacific, Europe, North America, Middle East & Africa, and South America, are heavily investing in procuring the most advance and highly capable rescue hoists and cargo winches. Rescue hoists are used in approximately one in four government owned helicopters across the world. Rescue hoists and cargo winches are used to support the personnel during rescue, insertion, or extraction operation.



The rescue hoists and cargo winches market is segmented into type, application, and end users, and geography. Based on type, the rescue hoists and cargo winches market is further segmented into hoists, winches, and ground support equipment. In 2020, the hoists segment accounted for a significant share in the global rescue hoists and cargo winches market. Based on application, the rescue hoists and cargo winches market are further segmented into search and rescue, medevac, utility, and law enforcement and firefighting. In 2020, the search and rescue segment accounted for a significant share in the global rescue hoists and cargo winches market.

Based on end-users, the rescue hoists and cargo winches market are further segmented into military forces, law enforcement agencies, fire fighters, and medical evacuation crews. In 2020, the law enforcement agencies segment accounted for a significant share in the global rescue hoists and cargo winches market. Geographically, the market is broadly segmented into North America, Europe, Asia Pacific (APAC), the Middle East & Africa (MEA), and South America (SAM). In 2020, the North America segment accounted for a significant share in the global rescue hoists and cargo winches market.



The rescue hoist and cargo winches market players' businesses have been severely affected by destabilization in aircraft (both fixed wing aircraft and helicopters) production. The situation and cargo winches market players had been worsened by the substantial disruption in component supply chain. Since, the rescue hoist and cargo winches are electro-mechanical products, the disruption in electronics and mechanical parts supply chain due to border closures have negatively impacted the production volumes of rescue hoists and cargo winches.

This factor hindered the growth of rescue hoists and cargo winches market. The lower production of helicopter volumes resulted in less than usual demand for rescue hoists and cargo winches among the helicopter manufacturers. According to General Aviation Manufacturers Association (GAMA), the helicopter shipment dropped by 19.2% from 2019 to 2020. Further, several fixed wing aircraft such as Boeing C17 and Embraer KC-390 and others that use cargo winches also experienced lower production in 2020. Thus, lower output of fixed wing aircraft and helicopters resulted in a drop in demand for rescue hoists and cargo winches, thereby negatively impacting the growth of the market in 2020.



Breeze-Eastern, LLC; Dart Aerospace; KubanAviaService; Lift-It Manufacturing Company, Inc; VINCORION; Zephyr International; Collins Aerospace, a Raytheon Technologies Corporation Company; Honeywell International Inc.; Sika Interplant Systems Limited; and Lite Flite ApS are among a few major players operating in the global rescue hoists and cargo winches market.



Reasons to Buy

Save and reduce time carrying out entry-level research by identifying the growth, size, leading players and segments in the global rescue hoists and cargo winches market

Highlights key business priorities in order to assist companies to realign their business strategies

The key findings and recommendations highlight crucial progressive industry trends in the global rescue hoists and cargo winches market, thereby allowing players across the value chain to develop effective long-term strategies

Develop/modify business expansion plans by using substantial growth offering developed and emerging markets

Scrutinize in-depth global market trends and outlook coupled with the factors driving the market, as well as those hindering it

Enhance the decision-making process by understanding the strategies that underpin commercial interest with respect to client products, segmentation, pricing and distribution

Key Topics Covered:



1. Introduction

1.1 Study Scope

1.2 Research Report Guidance

1.3 Market Segmentation



2. Key Takeaways



3. Research Methodology

3.1 Coverage

3.2 Secondary Research

3.3 Primary Research



4. Rescue Hoists and Cargo Winches Market Landscape

4.1 Market Overview

4.2 Porter's Five Forces Analysis

4.2.1 Bargaining Power of Buyers

4.2.2 Bargaining Power of Suppliers

4.2.3 Threat to New Entrants

4.2.4 Threat to Substitutes

4.2.5 Competitive Rivalry

4.3 Ecosystem Analysis



5. Global Rescue Hoists and Cargo Winches Market - Key Market Dynamics

5.1 Market Drivers

5.1.1 Investment by Government Organization

5.1.2 Continuous Demand from Military Forces

5.2 Market Restraints

5.2.1 Weight of External Hoist Systems and Limited Attraction among Air Ambulance Service Providers

5.3 Market Opportunities

5.3.1 Investment in Research & Development by Manufacturers

5.4 Future Trends

5.4.1 Advancement in Hoists and Winches

5.5 Impact Analysis of Drivers and Restraints



6. Rescue Hoists and Cargo Winches Market - Global Analysis

6.1 Rescue Hoists and Cargo Winches Market Global Overview

6.2 Rescue Hoists and Cargo Winches Market Global Overview

6.3 Market Positioning - Five Key Players



7. Rescue Hoists and Cargo Winches Market - By Type

7.1 Overview

7.2 Rescue Hoists and Cargo Winches Market, by Type (2020 & 2028)

7.3 Hoists

7.3.1 Overview

7.3.2 Hoists: Rescue Hoists and Cargo Winches Market - Revenue and Forecast to 2028 (US$ Million)

7.4 Winches

7.4.1 Overview

7.4.2 Winches: Rescue Hoists and Cargo Winches Market - Revenue and Forecast to 2028 (US$ Million)

7.5 Ground Support Equipment

7.5.1 Overview

7.5.2 Ground Support Equipment: Rescue Hoists and Cargo Winches Market - Revenue and Forecast to 2028 (US$ Million)



8. Rescue Hoists and Cargo Winches Market Analysis - By Application

8.1 Overview

8.2 Rescue Hoists and Cargo Winches Market, By Application (2020 & 2028)

8.3 Search and Rescue

8.3.1 Overview

8.3.2 Search and Rescue: Rescue Hoists and Cargo Winches Market - Revenue and Forecast to 2028 (US$ Million)

8.4 MedEvac

8.4.1 Overview

8.4.2 MedEvac: Rescue Hoists and Cargo Winches Market - Revenue and Forecast to 2028 (US$ Million)

8.5 Utility

8.5.1 Overview

8.5.2 Utility: Rescue Hoists and Cargo Winches Market - Revenue and Forecast to 2028 (US$ Million)

8.6 Law Enforcement and Firefighting

8.6.1 Overview

8.6.2 Law Enforcement and Firefighting: Rescue Hoists and Cargo Winches Market - Revenue and Forecast to 2028 (US$ Million)



9. Rescue Hoists and Cargo Winches Market Analysis - By End Users

9.1 Overview

9.2 Rescue Hoists and Cargo Winches Market, By End Users (2020 & 2028)

9.3 Military Forces

9.3.1 Overview

9.3.2 Military Forces: Rescue Hoists and Cargo Winches Market - Revenue and Forecast to 2028 (US$ Million)

9.4 Law Enforcement Agencies

9.4.1 Overview

9.4.2 Law Enforcement Agencies: Rescue Hoists and Cargo Winches Market - Revenue and Forecast to 2028 (US$ Million)

9.5 Fire Fighters

9.5.1 Overview

9.5.2 Fire Fighters: Rescue Hoists and Cargo Winches Market - Revenue and Forecast to 2028 (US$ Million)

9.6 Medical Evacuation Crews

9.6.1 Overview

9.6.2 Medical Evacuation Crews: Rescue Hoists and Cargo Winches Market - Revenue and Forecast to 2028 (US$ Million)



10. Rescue Hoists and Cargo Winches Market - Geographic Analysis

10.1 Overview

10.2 North America: Rescue Hoists and Cargo Winches Market, Revenue and Forecast to 2028

10.3 Europe: Rescue Hoists and Cargo Winches Market Revenue and Forecast To 2028

10.4 APAC: Rescue Hoists and Cargo Winches Market, Revenue and Forecast To 2028

10.5 MEA: Rescue Hoists and Cargo Winches Market, Revenue and Forecast To 2028

10.6 SAM: Rescue Hoists and Cargo Winches Market Revenue and Forecast To 2028



11. Impact of COVID-19 Pandemic on Rescue Hoists and Cargo Winches Market

11.1 Overview

11.2 North America

11.3 Europe

11.4 Asia-Pacific

11.5 Middle East and Africa

11.6 South America



12. Industry Landscape

12.1 Overview

12.2 Market Initiative

12.3 New Product Development



13. Company Profiles

13.1 Breeze-Eastern, LLC

13.1.1 Key Facts

13.1.2 Business Description

13.1.3 Products and Services

13.1.4 Financial Overview

13.1.5 SWOT Analysis

13.1.6 Key Developments

13.2 Dart Aerospace

13.2.1 Key Facts

13.2.2 Business Description

13.2.3 Products and Services

13.2.4 Financial Overview

13.2.5 SWOT Analysis

13.2.6 Key Developments

13.3 KubanAviaService

13.3.1 Key Facts

13.3.2 Business Description

13.3.3 Products and Services

13.3.4 Financial Overview

13.3.5 SWOT Analysis

13.3.6 Key Developments

13.4 LIFT-IT MANUFACTURING COMPANY, INC

13.4.1 Key Facts

13.4.2 Business Description

13.4.3 Products and Services

13.4.4 Financial Overview

13.4.5 SWOT Analysis

13.4.6 Key Developments

13.5 VINCORION

13.5.1 Key Facts

13.5.2 Business Description

13.5.3 Products and Services

13.5.4 Financial Overview

13.5.5 SWOT Analysis

13.5.6 Key Developments

13.6 Zephyr International

13.6.1 Key Facts

13.6.2 Business Description

13.6.3 Products and Services

13.6.4 Financial Overview

13.6.5 SWOT Analysis

13.6.6 Key Developments

13.7 Collins Aerospace, a Raytheon Technologies Corporation Company

13.7.1 Key Facts

13.7.2 Business Description

13.7.3 Products and Services

13.7.4 Financial Overview

13.7.5 SWOT Analysis

13.7.6 Key Developments

13.8 Honeywell International Inc.

13.8.1 Key Facts

13.8.2 Business Description

13.8.3 Products and Services

13.8.4 Financial Overview

13.8.5 SWOT Analysis

13.8.6 Key Developments

13.9 Sika Interplant Systems Limited

13.9.1 Key Facts

13.9.2 Business Description

13.9.3 Products and Services

13.9.4 Financial Overview

13.9.5 SWOT Analysis

13.9.6 Key Developments

13.10 Lite Flite ApS

13.10.1 Key Facts

13.10.2 Business Description

13.10.3 Products and Services

13.10.4 Financial Overview

13.10.5 SWOT Analysis

13.10.6 Key Developments



14. Appendix

For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/77vni2

Media Contact:

Research and Markets

Laura Wood, Senior Manager

[email protected]



For E.S.T Office Hours Call +1-917-300-0470

For U.S./CAN Toll Free Call +1-800-526-8630

For GMT Office Hours Call +353-1-416-8900



U.S. Fax: 646-607-1907

Fax (outside U.S.): +353-1-481-1716

SOURCE Research and Markets

Related Links

http://www.researchandmarkets.com


A multi-family group of 25 elephants, who suddenly found themselves in direct human conflict with a nomadic African community, were emergency translocated from the edge of Maputo Special Reserve in South Eastern Mozambique to Zinave National Park located in the Northern part of the country.

This move was with, and in support of, Mozambique's National Administration for Conservation Areas (ANAC) and Peace Parks Foundation. "ANAC is doing an exceptional job restoring life to many of their national parks, and a translocation like this sets an important precedent for future conservation efforts," said Ivan Carter, ICWCA Founder.

Large populations of elephants in Africa live in unprotected areas. With the growing human population, these elephants often find themselves in unexpected conflict with humans. The objective of this translocation was to eliminate the elephant-human conflict, and to strengthen the elephant population in a park that has benefited from intense development and rewilding efforts over the last five years.

This translocation has served the elephants, the surrounding African communities and the park, by reducing the elephant-human conflict and expanding the elephant population in Zinave.

"We are thankful for the incredible professionalism exhibited by Conservation Solutions and their capture team in the elephant move," continued Carter. "We are also grateful to the Mozambique Wildlife Alliance for the veterinary capacity they provided to the entire operation. This move was the result of an extraordinary alliance of like-minded groups working together for conservation and towards the goal of establishing 'more wildlife in healthier ecosystems.'"

About The Ivan Carter Wildlife Conservation Alliance

Founded in 2016 by world-famous wildlife conservationist and TV host, Ivan Carter, The Ivan Carter Wildlife Conservation Alliance mission is to create "More Wildlife and Healthier Ecosystems." The ICWCA works with various, proven conservation groups throughout Africa creating measurable and tangible results in the fight to protect wildlife. To learn more please visit ivancarterwca.org

SOURCE The Ivan Carter Wildlife Conservation Alliance
LONDON and ATLANTA, May 19, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Accelerant Holdings, the parent company of a technology and data-driven insurance risk exchange, today announced the acquisition of Kinnell Holdings, Ltd. ("Kinnell") and its six subsidiaries to better meet the needs of niche small and mid-sized enterprises (SME) insureds in the United Kingdom.

Kinnell is a vertically integrated insurance group that primarily serves the building and remedial treatment industries, focused on the provision of home improvement consumer protection, including both deposit and post-completion warranty protection. Through the acquisition, Accelerant will acquire Kinnell's subsidiary Guarantee Protection Insurance Limited (GPI). Accelerant will also broaden its portfolio with the addition of Kinnell's other subsidiary companies, including two insurance intermediaries, a trade association, a repair company. Kinnell Holdings and its subsidiaries will form parts of the insurance distribution and underwriting sub-groups within Accelerant.

Kinnell Holdings will also adopt Accelerant InSightFull technology, Accelerant's proprietary underwriting and analysis platform, which is being rolled out across the Company's US, UK and European operations. Accelerant InSightFull facilitates secure and unabridged data flow from the retail broker to reinsurers and other risk bearing capital, allowing unique data transparency that is novel to the P&C insurance industry, while also delivering critical real-time information to managing general agency (MGA) Members with clarity and speed. Accelerant InSightFull also provides significant data regarding claims experience, loss information, premium flow and more, benefiting all the participants in the value chain that Accelerant is disrupting. The addition of Kinnell's offerings and capabilities will allow Accelerant to further sharpen its artificial intelligence and machine learning capabilities within a new line of business.

"We are pleased to have completed the acquisition of Kinnell Holdings, which marks an important step forward in our efforts to enhance our network and offerings," said Jeff Radke, CEO of Accelerant. "By expanding our portfolio with Kinnell's capabilities, we will be better able to serve our Members and their customers through their full lifecycle. The acquisition of Kinnell enables Accelerant to have additional capacity to serve our Members platforming the UK. We look forward to working closely with Andy and the rest of the Kinnell team as we continue to grow our offerings and coverage in the UK."

"This transaction is a testament to the transformation our company has undergone in the last 22 years, as we have evolved from a small-scale administration company to a conglomerate of specialty businesses providing a full range of products and services to association and corporate clients," said Andy Page, CEO of Kinnell Holdings. "We are pleased to have found a partner that shares our commitment to providing the highest possible quality service, and we look forward to the ample growth opportunities ahead for our company as part of the Accelerant portfolio."

"We are making significant progress toward building the premier, vertically-integrated platform, and with this transaction, Accelerant is even better positioned to continue its growth globally," added Sam Gaynor, Managing Director of Altamont Capital Partners, Accelerant's primary capital sponsor. "The acquisition of Kinnell, and more specifically GPI, will be integral to Accelerant's continued efforts to expand its offerings and build a global network of insurance companies that are leveraging technology and data analytics in a way that is not currently done in the industry."

About Accelerant Holdings

Accelerant Holdings is a technology-enabled and data-driven insurance platform that acts as a full-service risk exchange between its MGU Members and reinsurance partners. Accelerant supports a network of carefully selected, best-in-class underwriting teams across the US, UK, and Europe, with a current focus on coverages for small and medium-sized enterprises. Accelerant Insurance has been awarded an AM Best A- (Excellent) rating, giving Members and their customers confidence that they will have support when they need it most. For more information, please visit accelins.com.

About Altamont Capital Partners

Altamont Capital Partners is a private investment firm based in the San Francisco Bay Area with more than $2.75 billion of assets under management. Altamont is focused on investing in middle market businesses where it can partner with leading management teams to help its portfolio companies reach their full potential. The firm's principals have significant experience building business success stories across a range of industries, including financial services, healthcare, consumer/retail, industrials, and business services. Within the insurance industry, Altamont is either a current or past investor in McLarens Global Claims Services, Celestite Holdings, Embark General, Kuvare Holdings, and Accelerant Holdings.

MEDIA CONTACT:

Chelsea Allison

[email protected]

312-775-2856

SOURCE Accelerant
MOBILE, Ala., May 19, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- The American Equity Underwriters, Inc. (AEU, an Amwins Company), the leading provider of workers' compensation insurance for waterfront employers and program administrator for American Longshore Mutual Association Ltd. (ALMA), announced Adele S. Hapworth will succeed Michael L. Lapeyrouse as the company's Chief Executive Officer, effective June 1, 2021. Lapeyrouse will assume the role of Chairman for AEU.

As CEO, Hapworth will continue to build upon AEU's foundation of serving ALMA members through transparency, creativity and innovation.

Hapworth joined AEU in 2007 and has served in leadership roles including Director of Product Development, Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer.

"Adele has been instrumental in the success of every major strategic initiative at AEU over the past 14 years," said Lapeyrouse. "She has the operational knowledge and visionary mindset to lead AEU into its next chapter."

Lapeyrouse, who has served as President and CEO of AEU since its inception in 1993, was responsible for founding ALMA in 1997. As Chairman of AEU, he will continue to work closely with the AEU executive leadership team on key operational matters and strategic initiatives. He will remain in his role as President of ALMA and continue serving on ALMA's Board of Directors.

Under Lapeyrouse's leadership, AEU has grown to serve more than 1,400 waterfront employers with nearly $3 billion in payroll. Based in Mobile, Ala., AEU employs 138 individuals across the U.S. and has twice been named one of the Best Companies to Work For in Alabama.

"The growth and success AEU has experienced under Mike's leadership is extraordinary," said Hapworth. "I'm humbled to have the responsibility of driving the vision and culture of service that Mike so passionately created. I look forward to working together with him and our entire team on the exciting opportunities that lie ahead."

In addition to Hapworth's transition to CEO, H. Winchester Thurber, IV will join the executive leadership team of AEU in the newly created role of Chief Commercial Officer. Thurber joined AEU in 2012 to drive business development initiatives for AEU and brings decades of leadership experience in the maritime industry to this new role.

"Winchester's decades of experience building relationships with waterfront employers gives him a unique perspective on what our customers truly value," said Hapworth. "His leadership and perspective will be instrumental as we continue to differentiate ourselves further."

About The American Equity Underwriters, Inc. (AEU)

The American Equity Underwriters, Inc. (AEU), an Amwins Company, serves as program administrator for American Longshore Mutual Association Ltd., a group self-insurance fund authorized by the U.S. Department of Labor for waterfront employers in all 50 states under the United States Longshore and Harbor Workers' Compensation Act. Based in Mobile, Ala., AEU provides best-in-class services including claims handling, loss control, longshore consulting and other support. For more information, call (866) 238-8754 or visit amequity.com. Follow AEU on Facebook and LinkedIn.

About Amwins Group, Inc.

Amwins Group, Inc. is the largest independent wholesale distributor of specialty insurance products in the United States, dedicated to serving retail insurance agents by providing property and casualty products, specialty group benefit products, and administrative services. Based in Charlotte, N.C., the company operates through more than 155 offices globally and handles premium placements in excess of $24 billion annually. To learn more, visit www.amwins.com.

SOURCE AmWINS Group, Inc.

Related Links

www.amwins.com


PERM, Russia, May 19, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- AKVIS is proud to present AKVIS Refocus AI 11.0, the AI-powered focus adjustment software. Version 11.0 provides the new Motion Deblur AI mode, redesigned user interface, support for more RAW files, and increased stability.

AKVIS Refocus AI enhances the clarity and sharpness of out-of-focus and blurry photos and also applies spectacular bokeh and lens blur effects. The program works in five modes: Refocus AI, Tilt-Shift, Iris Blur, Motion Blur, and Radial Blur.

AKVIS Refocus AI 11.0 AKVIS Refocus AI 11.0

Now the software uses innovative technologies of artificial intelligence and machine learning! The program miraculously improves the most blurry and fuzzy photos recovering lost details and repairing motion blur. Now it's possible to easily save poorly shot photos and turn them into good ones.

AKVIS Refocus AI 11.0 offers two focus improvement options in Refocus AI mode: Motion Deblur AI and Image Sharpening. They can be applied separately or together.

The new Motion Deblur AI mode, based on cutting-edge artificial intelligence technologies, copes perfectly with motion blur and camera shake problems. Users are given control over the AI parameters. The focus adjustment algorithm of the previous versions is now available as Image Sharpening mode and allows users to improve the result obtained by AI.

The user interface has been redesigned according to modern trends. The interface elements are positioned much more conveniently and functionally which contributes to greater productivity. Also, the update provides support for more RAW files, some bug fixes and stability improvements.

Download AKVIS Refocus AI 11.0! For a free trial, AKVIS offers 10 days of fully functional use.

The software runs on Windows 7, 8, 8.1, 10 (64-bit); Mac OS X 10.10-10.11 and macOS 10.12-11.0 (64-bit). The product is available as a standalone application and as a plugin for photo editors: AliveColors, Adobe Photoshop, Corel PaintShop Pro, Affinity Photo, and others.

AKVIS Refocus AI comes in Home, Home Deluxe, and Business versions (lifetime licenses), with differing levels of functionality. The Home license sells for $ 39.00. The update is free for users who bought the software in the last 12 months. Users, whose licenses are older and are not valid for the new version, can get Refocus AI 11.0 for only $14.95. For more details about the software, please visit akvis.com.

AKVIS (akvis.com) specializes in the development of photo & video processing software. Since the company's launch in 2004, it has released a wide selection of successful products for Windows and Mac. The company always keeps up with the times and updates its products with cutting-edge technologies.

About the Program: akvis.com/en/refocus/index.php

Contact: Kat Kharina, AKVIS LLC, [email protected], 83422121661

SOURCE AKVIS Lab

Related Links

http://www.akvis.com


"We are thrilled to welcome our moms and dads to this latest and gorgeous senior living community," notes Steve Benjamin, CEO of Validus Senior Living, adding "the amenities and services provided are second to none, and the interior design is simply stunning." Situated on 11.3 acres, the 113,935 square foot building will boast a total of 127 apartments dedicated to senior living. The community features spacious 1- and 2-bedroom apartments, paired with resort-style amenities including upscale dining, a luxurious spa with salon and massage services, health and wellness programs, sports bar, library, and a multi-purpose theatre. The community also includes spacious balconies overlooking a courtyard complete with Bocce ball court, Koi pond, flower beds and sitting areas. The community is small pet friendly, with outdoor walking paths. An array of services includes housekeeping and in-home care options.

Safety and security are paramount at Alura by Inspired Living. The community is equipped with entry-area cameras, as well as 24/7 health monitoring systems for emergency assistance. Referring to the amenities Benjamin commented, "To ensure the safety and well-being of our residents and peace of mind for their families, we have incorporated state-of-the-art technology with sensible options for outdoor engagement in addition to wonderful programming and resort-like services to deliver a uniquely care-free lifestyle."

Alura by Inspired Living is part of an ongoing relationship with Premium Edge LLC. "Partnering with Premium Edge LLC to introduce our senior living lifestyle to the Rockledge community is an exciting opportunity," says Benjamin. Adriana Dall'Armellina of Premium Edge LLC shares the sentiment stating, "Inspired Living has a proven track record as an operator of these luxury communities. We are looking forward to a great long-term relationship providing beautiful new senior living communities in the various Florida markets."

Two Grand Opening events are scheduled in May with ribbon cutting ceremonies with local dignitaries. For details about Alura, call 321.549.3980 or visit Inspiredliving.care. Inspired Living is an upscale brand of Validus Senior Living Communities.

About Validus Senior Living

Validus is an owner, operator, and third-party manager of senior living communities throughout the Southeast and is based in Tampa, Fl. Validus merges visionary practices, state-of-the-art real estate, and progressive, personalized care plans for seniors. The company's Inspired Living, Inspirations and Superior Residences communities provide exceptional independent, assisted living, and memory care to moms and dads over 20 locations spanning Florida, Texas, Louisiana, and Georgia.

Contact:

Rebecca Wheeler, Corporate Growth Manager - 469.536.8767

Elisa Graber, Corporate Director of Communications  941.447.8722

SOURCE Validus Senior Living

Related Links

https://inspiredliving.care


FRANCESCAS, France, May 19, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- According to the ReviewTopDating.com research, with the amount of dating websites growing day by day, the number of online scammers who want to take advantage of people's loneliness increases proportionally.

How to avoid becoming their victim? Which methods do online scammers use today? ReviewTopDating team reveals 3 techniques online scammers use on dating websites.

1. The classical one: transferring money to help solve a problem

The scammer asks for a favor and provides legit reasons: an unexpected illness, blocked bank account, or simply the wish to see the new acquaintance, who lives in another city. Apparently, the person doesn't have money to pay for the ticket. Usually, it's a small amount of money which doesn't look suspicious. Moreover, the scammer promises to return it as soon as possible.

Take action: don't share your bank account details or the picture of your bank card. Don't share your security code or confirmation code from a text message. Stop the communication immediately and report the person to the support of the dating website, where you met them.

2. Digital blackmailing: threatening to post personal photos and chats

When chatting online, a lot of people become too relaxed and share personal information: photos, plans, even secrets. But at some point, a new acquaintance might give you an ultimatum: either you send a certain amount of money to their bank account or you will see the chat screenshots posted on the Internet. This kind of threat is especially devastating for married men and women, as such revelations could destroy their lives.

Take action: don't share your private information or intimate photos in the online chat. Block the blackmailer and report them to support of the dating website, where you met them.

3. Travel version: organizing a visit abroad

Many want to meet a foreigner to move abroad and change their lives. Date scammers take advantage of it. They engage in a conversation, chat, and then invite to visit them. They promise to pay for everything. However, the victim has to pay a certain amount of money: supposedly, because the payment should be in their name. After the payment has been made, the money disappears, as well as the scammer and hopes for a trip.

Take action: ask additional questions about the payment destination. Ask for an official document confirming the pending status of the payment. The best of all, however, is to simply stop communication.

ReviewTopDating contact details:

[email protected]

Related Images

reviewtopdating-com-dating-review.png

ReviewTopDating.com - Dating review site

ReviewTopDating.com - Dating review site

SOURCE ReviewTopDating.com
BERLIN, May 19, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Busking is a significant part of Germany's vibrant street music culture. But with the COVID-19 pandemic putting a halt to live gigs and street performances, buskers are finding new ways to engage audiences digitally. This May, Bigo Live Germany will be holding its first BIGO BUSKER Competition, aiming to provide an avenue for street artists to showcase their talent on the global live streaming platform.

All buskers in Germany are invited to participate in the BIGO BUSKER Competition, with the recruitment season starting in May 2021. Buskers will be given the opportunity to stage a one-hour live show to garner more exposure. As part of the competition, each performer will have an eight minutes period for self-introduction, talent showcase and self-promotion, followed by two minutes of support and jury time. Participants can also join in the Bigo Live Busker Online Concert, held in the live house once a month.

As a leading live streaming platform globally, Bigo Live is shaping up to be a diverse and inclusive medium that empowers ordinary people and artists on a broader virtual scale, beyond geographical restrictions.

No longer a niche market for gamers, live streaming is changing the way street busking is consumed as an art form, and this rising trend is unlikely to slow down even after lockdown measures are eased. Not limited to just music, Bigo Live also welcomes all creators across a variety of verticals, including dance, fitness, DJ'ing and more, to join their supportive in-app environment.

"Bigo Live has a wide international fanbase. I was surprised to find out that I can connect with people worldwide," said Cea (Bigo id: 731973559), a broadcaster in the local busking community. "Live streaming is a great alternative for street artists since busking is not permitted due to COVID-19. It allows me to play music and get my name out to people that are not just limited to Germany."

Through Bigo Live, users can also discover like-minded communities where people share similar interests and hobbies. One such individual is Elan Zack (Bigo id: Elan. zack), an Indonesian-born broadcaster who moved to Germany and found friendship within the BIGO community. He said, "I have connected with many musician friends who also are from a similar background on this app. It is an amazing experience that I would have never had if not for Bigo Live."

The event also comes with some rewarding benefits. The top three winning participants will get to take home US$1,500, US$800 and US$400 in cash prizes, respectively. In addition, the winners will have the chance to perform on BIGO's official global live house, which will attract viewers from all around the world. As many buskers have had their income hit by the COVID-19 outbreak, this can serve as an alternative source of earnings to help them tide over this difficult period.

To sign up for the BIGO BUSKER Competition or to learn about becoming a broadcaster, please contact [email protected] or [email protected] . For more updates, follow Bigo Live on Facebook and Instagram and download Bigo Live app via Google Play and Apple Play Store.

About Bigo Live

Bigo Live is a leading global live streaming platform where users can showcase their talents and interact with audiences worldwide in real-time. Launched in 2016, the app has seen massive popularity, with around 400 million users in more than 150 countries. Bigo Live is owned by BIGO Technology, one of the fastest-growing technology companies in Singapore.

Media Contact



Vicky Gan

[email protected]

+86-137-2536-8237

SOURCE Bigo Live
SALT LAKE CITY, May 19, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Blackrock Neurotech, the world's leading platform for brain-computer interface (BCI) technology and manufacturing, has closed a $10 million financing round, led by Christian Angermayer's re.Mind Capital with participation from Peter Thiel, German entrepreneur Tim Sievers, and Sorenson Impact's University Venture Fund II.

Christian Angermayer and Jan Hardorp of re.Mind, as well as Tim Sievers will join the Blackrock Neurotech Board of Directors. The funding will be used to further expand the number of programs on the Blackrock platform  including clinical studies and cutting-edge research  and to continue development of its technology platform to maintain a leading position in the market.

In addition to the investment announcement, Blackrock today will begin using the brand Blackrock Neurotech to better reflect the company's longstanding focus on neurotechnology and BCI. The company will keep the Blackrock Microsystems brand in place for continuity with its thriving research community.

"Blackrock is at the forefront of making BCI in humans a reality," said Marcus Gerhardt, CEO and co-founder of Blackrock Neurotech. "Dozens of human patients are currently using our implants and technology to accomplish things directly with their minds that were unimaginable ten years ago. We have spent over a decade developing our technology with several hundred of the world's leading research institutions and over 20 clinical partner centers."

Professor Florian Solzbacher, co-founder and Chairman of Blackrock Neurotech, added: "We have achieved all this by running a revenue focused business servicing our customers in the research community and supported by Friends & Family  but in essence we were bootstrapped. Now imagine where we are able to take things having closed our first institutional investment round. Our goal is to provide every person in need access to our technology by partnering with leading medical device companies and universities who are building applications on our unique platform."

Blackrock Neurotech has powered a wide range of "firsts" in human BCI applications: for example, the first to provide tetraplegic patients the ability to control robotic limbs directly from and with the brain; and the first to enable ALS patients, even completely locked-in ones, to communicate again via an auditory speller, directly controlled by their mind.

"Enabling people to walk, talk, see, hear and feel again is a massive market as more than 5 million people in the US are living with some form of paralysis," said Christian Angermayer, founder of Apeiron Investment Group and its mental health venture arm, re.Mind Capital. "Blackrock's first applications will enable patients with severe physical and neurological impairments to regain function and reclaim their lives."

Patients equipped with Blackrock's small in-brain implants have demonstrated usable lifetimes of over seven years. Blackrock is the only company in the world with an implantable penetrating array with almost 100 electrodes per device, that is already FDA cleared and used in humans. Some patients even use several devices.

"To date there have been 30 human patients around the world who are living with a BCI in their head, and 28 of those use Blackrock's technology," said Jan Hardorp, founding partner of re.Mind. "The first Blackrock device was implanted more than fifteen years ago, making their technology the go-to platform for the world's leading teams who are actively building BCI applications."

Angermayer concluded, "In the future, I can see BCI devices becoming more common than cardiac pacemakers are today. The ultimate potential of this technology is to be a fundamental input-output device used by large portions of society. We can responsibly unlock truly astonishing use cases and abilities and I believe Blackrock will be the one to take us there."

About Blackrock Neurotech

Blackrock Neurotech is dedicated to the company's accelerated efforts in clinical translation and brain-computer interface (BCI) technology. Blackrock, founded in 2008, is the world's leading platform company for BCI technology for teams developing implantable solutions to improve human lives. Blackrock's precision electrode technology is at the core of many worldwide innovations in BCI and has enabled dozens of early users (known as "BCI Pioneers") to SeeAgain, HearAgain, MoveAgain, TalkAgain and more. For more information, visit www.blackrockneurotech.com.

About re.Mind Capital

re.Mind Capital is the mental health venture arm of Christian Angermayer and his family office Apeiron Investment Group. Angermayer is best-known for his pioneering investments into psychedelics-based treatments for mental health, and is a co-founder of atai Life Sciences and seed investor of Compass Pathways. With re.Mind, together with partners Jan Hardorp and Max de Vere, he invests in companies with radical new ideas to improve mental health and wellbeing globally. www.apeiron-investments.com

Contact:

Karen Blondell

Lightspeed PR

[email protected]

SOURCE Blackrock Neurotech
NEW YORK, May 19, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Cancer drugs capable of weakening the body's immune defenses are no more likely to increase the risk of Covid-19 infection or death than breast cancer therapies that do not undermine the immune system, a new study shows. Researchers say the results challenge initial concerns that such treatments, which poison cancer cells, were too dangerous to continue during the pandemic.

Led by researchers at NYU Langone Health and its Perlmutter Cancer Center, the new investigation involving over 3,000 women treated for breast cancer at the height of the pandemic in New York City showed that only 64, or 2 percent, contracted the virus. Of this group, 10 died from COVID-19, a number the study authors say is low and expected for this age group, regardless of cancer.

Notably, those receiving cytotoxic, or cell-killing, chemotherapy were at about the same risk from coronavirus infection as those taking other classes of drugs with minimal impact on the immune system defenses.

"Our results show that patients can safely receive breast cancer therapy, including chemotherapy, during the pandemic," says study lead investigator and Perlmutter Cancer Center medical oncologist Douglas Marks, MD.

"As long as patients continue to take reasonable precautions such as wearing masks and social distancing, they should feel confident in continuing the treatment plan that they have chosen with their physicians," says study senior investigator and cancer center medical oncologist Sylvia Adams, MD.

Adams, a professor in the Department of Medicine at NYU Grossman School of Medicine, notes that breast cancer remains the leading cause of cancer deaths among women in the United States and kills approximately 45,000 every year.

At the onset of the coronavirus pandemic in the spring of 2020, lack of information regarding the risk factors for Covid-19 infection for these patients led to delays in treatment. Many physicians, the study authors say, were particularly concerned about giving standard chemotherapy regimens, potentially making patients more vulnerable to the virus. As a result, some delayed or even avoided treatment.

The new study, presenting online June 4 at the annual meeting of the American Society of Clinical Oncology, is believed to be the first large investigation to directly evaluate whether breast cancer therapies affect the risk of coronavirus infection and death, according to Adams.

For the investigation, the study researchers reviewed medical records for breast cancer patients receiving either chemotherapy or other drug therapies from February to May 2020 at Perlmutter Cancer Center in New York City and Long Island. The investigators then analyzed information including COVID-19 testing results, the extent of cancer, the presence of other illnesses, and survival.

Among the study results, the risk of coronavirus infection among breast cancer patients who received chemotherapy was not greater than the risk for those who received treatments that were not expected to hinder their immune systems. Treatment also did not increase their risk of death from COVID-19.

In addition, the study showed that elderly and overweight patients remained at increased risk of dying from coronavirus infection, a finding in line with previous research on COVID-19 mortality, according to the researchers.

Adams, also the director of the Breast Cancer Center at Perlmutter, cautions that the coronavirus pandemic is rapidly evolving and that enhanced infection precautions should remain in place at cancer centers.

Marks, an assistant professor in the Department of Medicine at NYU Long Island School of Medicine, notes that it remains unclear whether these findings will hold true in the case of newly emerging variants of the coronavirus, which the research team has yet to investigate. Marks is also medical director of the cancer clinical trials office at NYU Langone Hospital  Long Island.

Study funding was provided by NYU Langone and its Perlmutter Cancer Center.

In addition to Marks and Adams, other NYU Langone study investigators included Nibash Budhathoki, MD; John Kucharczyk, MD; Nina D'Abreo, MD; Maryann Kwa, MD; Magdalena Plasilova, MD; Shubhada Dhage, MD; Phyu Phyu Soe, MSN; Daniel Becker, MD; Alexander Hindenburg, MD; Megan Winner, MD; Chinyere Okpara, MS; Alison Daly, MD; Johanna Lee, MPH; Darshi Shah, BS; Angela Ramdhanny, MD; Marleen Meyers, MD; Ruth Oratz, MD; James Speyer, MD; Yelena Novik, MD; Freya Schnabel, MD; and Simon Jones, PhD.

Media Inquiries

Shira Polan

212-404-4279

[email protected]

SOURCE NYU Langone Health; NYU Langone Perlmutter Cancer Center

Related Links

http://www.med.nyu.edu


Republic National Distributing Company (RNDC), the nation's second largest beverage alcohol distributor of premium wine and spirits in the U.S., enjoys a longstanding reputation for its extensive brand building capabilities and knowledge of emerging marketplace trends.

Scott Lammert, Executive Vice President of Supplier Business Development at Republic National Distributing Company (RNDC) says, "Expanding the reach of buzzbox RTD cocktails aligns perfectly with our expertise in bringing lifestyle products to market. The buzzbox focus on eco-friendly packaging and commitment to no artificial fillers or preservatives makes it a unique quality product at a great price for consumers to enjoy wherever they go."

Spearheading buzzbox's commercial growth is Executive Vice President of Sales, Wes Tachibana. "This distribution agreement with RNDC marks another step forward along buzzbox's roadmap for exponential growth in the burgeoning RTD marketplace. We're excited to be working with RNDC to bring buzzbox's line of handcrafted, all-natural cocktails to retailers and consumers coast-to-coast."

About buzzbox

From the finest ingredients and top-shelf spirits on the inside, to the recyclable, carbon neutral packaging on the outside, every award winning buzzbox is crafted with quality and sustainability in mind. Made without preservatives, buzzboxes are gluten-free, certified kosher and vegan. With 9 classic cocktail flavors to choose from, there's a buzzbox for everyone: Perfect Margarita, Classic Greyhound, Long Island, Classic Cosmo, Cuban Mojito, Bloody Mary, Whiskey Lemonade, Hurricane and Vodka Lemonade. Shake it up and sip responsibly with buzzbox.

To learn more, visit buzzbox.com and follow us on Facebook or Instagram @buzzboxcocktails.

SOURCE buzzbox

Related Links

www.buzzbox.com


CHICAGO, May 19, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Americans are ready for the return of summer travel, according to Cars.comTM (NYSE: CARS), a leading digital automotive marketplace and solutions provider. More than half of Americans (60%) plan to get away this Memorial Day weekend, up more than 66% compared to last year, according to Cars.com's national survey . Despite growing vaccination rates and rising gas prices, 89% of travelers will drive to their holiday destination, up from 85% during Memorial Day weekend 2020.1

"It's clear that car ownership will prove to be a durable post-pandemic travel trend," said Jenni Newman, Cars.com's editor-in-chief. "Memorial Day marks the first major travel holiday since vaccination efforts began across the country, and Americans are excited to finally see family and friends in person. But even after widespread vaccination availability, we continue to see people prioritize travel by car because they don't quite trust other forms of transportation yet."

Additional insights revealed by Cars.com's survey on Memorial Day travel include:

The car is the star, regardless of rising gas prices. Only 12% of respondents say they will fly this year, and nearly half (46%) say that in the face of increasing costs at the pumps, they plan to drive anyway. 1





Only 12% of respondents say they will fly this year, and nearly half (46%) say that in the face of increasing costs at the pumps, they plan to drive anyway. Dosed and ready to travel. More than 40% of Memorial Day travelers are fully vaccinated, with 12% still in the process and 15% planning to get their shots before traveling. Only 21% plan to travel unvaccinated. 1





More than 40% of Memorial Day travelers are fully vaccinated, with 12% still in the process and 15% planning to get their shots before traveling. Only 21% plan to travel unvaccinated. Lack of rental car availability prompts travel in personal cars. More than 1 in 3 respondents say the limited availability of rental cars somewhat or greatly impacted their decision to drive a personal vehicle instead of flying to their destination. 1





More than 1 in 3 respondents say the limited availability of rental cars somewhat or greatly impacted their decision to drive a personal vehicle instead of flying to their destination. Family reunions? Check. For those leaving town, most (40%) say they will visit family, signaling a long holiday weekend filled with many overdue hugs. Travelers also plan to hit the beach (28%) and visit friends (24%). 1





For those leaving town, most (40%) say they will visit family, signaling a long holiday weekend filled with many overdue hugs. Travelers also plan to hit the beach (28%) and visit friends (24%). GET. ME. OUT. Last year's travelers focused on shorter trips close to home, contrasting with the 57% of road warriors who plan to travel as far from home as possible this year.1

"Despite the majority of vacationers reporting full or partial vaccination status, we still recommend that anyone traveling for Memorial Day weekend follow the guidelines outlined by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention," added Newman.

To learn more about the recent Memorial Day survey, great deals and other car-buying tips and tricks, please visit Cars.com/events/Memorial-Day .

1 Cars.com's survey conducted May 8-11, 2021; 1,365 responses

About Cars.com

CARS is a leading digital marketplace and solutions provider for the automotive industry that connects car shoppers with sellers. Launched in 1998 with the flagship marketplace site Cars.com and headquartered in Chicago, the Company empowers shoppers with the data, resources and digital tools needed to make informed buying decisions and seamlessly connect with automotive retailers. In a rapidly changing market, CARS enables dealerships and OEMs with innovative technical solutions and data-driven intelligence to better reach and influence ready-to-buy shoppers, increase inventory turn and gain market share.

In addition to Cars.com, CARS brands include Dealer Inspire, a technology provider building solutions that future-proof dealerships with more efficient operations and connected digital experiences; FUEL, which gives dealers and OEMs the opportunity to harness the untapped power of digital video by leveraging Cars.com's pure audience of in-market car shoppers, and DealerRater, a leading car dealer review and reputation management platform.

The full suite of CARS brands include Cars.com , Dealer Inspire , FUEL , DealerRater , Auto.com , PickupTrucks.com  and NewCars.com . For more information, visit www.Cars.com .

SOURCE Cars.com Inc.

Related Links

https://www.cars.com


DALLAS, May 19, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Pieces, a healthcare AI company, announced today that Catholic Charities of Pueblo has chosen Pieces Connect,, its industry-leading community referral and case management software. The technology will empower the large social service agency to streamline workflows, improve data capture, and enhance communication across its internal and external networks.

Catholic Charities of Pueblo serves over 12,000 individuals each year across 29 counties with the largest concentration of services offered in Pueblo County. As one of the main non-for-profit social service agencies in Southern Colorado, the organization operates 24 programs and services to address the needs of both children and their guardians. This multi-generational programming approach is representative of its goal of creating nurturing environments that support the full potential of children to prepare them for school and beyond.

As a key partner of Parkview Medical Center, a long-time customer of Pieces, Catholic Charities of Pueblo had already been receiving referrals from the hospital. However, those referrals were delivered via email rather than via Pieces Connect. Now, the organization will have its own instance of Pieces Connect which will enable team members to not only send and receive referrals in the case management system but also to close the loop on those referrals. This core capability ensures that individuals and families receive the help they need  in both the short and long-term.

"Our organization relies on referrals from members of our community network, like Parkview, to reach children and families in need," said Lindsay Reeves, Director of Early Childhood Programs at Catholic Charities of Pueblo. "We're confident that Pieces Connect will enable us to enhance collaboration with our community network, as well as enable us to increase efficiencies and gather more data about those we serve. We believe that Pieces will help us to help even more people  and empower us to continue to fulfill our mission of providing help and creating hope in the community."

According to Gail Abeyta, Parkview's Director of Care Management, partnerships between the hospital and leading community organizations like Catholic Charities are vital to treating the whole patient. "We're grateful to have had a strong, long-standing relationship with Catholic Charities of Pueblo. Now, we're even more grateful to further strengthen our collaboration with the support of Pieces technology to facilitate an even deeper, data-driven connection that will benefit our patients, their families, and the entire community," she said.

Pieces Connect is a scalable, cloud-based case management platform that helps organizations better address the social, economic, and behavioral determinants of health. The solution helps nonprofits to better manage and track their clients as they receive social services across a community, and delivers the data and reporting needed by these organizations looking to support growth and grant funding.

"Social service agencies with a broad reach like Catholic Charities of Pueblo are the critical, life-changing institutions that provide much-needed support for community members who are struggling," said Ruben Amarasingham, MD, Founder and CEO of Pieces. "We're incredibly pleased to partner with Catholic Charities of Pueblo, an inspiring organization, that has already done so much good work in the community. Even more importantly, we're excited that Pieces Connect can power them to drive even more meaningful change for Pueblo residents and their families."

About Pieces

Pieces, Inc. is a healthcare artificial intelligence and technology company that connects health systems and the community to address clinical and social determinants of health through community networks and intelligent software and services. Our solution interprets patient information in real-time and connects health systems and community-based organizations to support healthier outcomes, both inside and outside of hospital walls. Using cloud-based artificial intelligence with clinically-based natural language processing (NLP) and physician-supervised machine learning, our tools help streamline clinician workflows and improve patient outcomes. Combined, our solutions, Pieces Predict and Pieces Connect, create a comprehensive and unique solution for connected community health.

About Catholic Charities of Pueblo

Helping people since 1944, Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Pueblo is one of the main not-for-profit social service agencies in Southern Colorado. The organization serves 29 counties with our largest concentration of services offered in Pueblo County. Headquartered in Pueblo, it operates 24 programs and services primarily across Crowley, Fremont, Huerfano, Las Animas, Otero, and Pueblo counties. Catholic Charities of Pueblo serves families regardless of religious, ethnic, social or economic backgrounds. Families in its programs benefit from a 2Gen- approach, which focuses on creating opportunities and addressing needs of both children and their guardians. They proudly serve over 12,000 individuals each year.

Media Contact:

Todd Stein for Pieces

Todd Stein Communications

510-417-0612

[email protected]

SOURCE Pieces, Inc.

Related Links

https://piecestech.com/


ATLANTA, May 19, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Chicken Salad Chick, the nation's only Southern inspired, fast casual chicken salad restaurant concept, announced today its continued growth in Georgia with a new restaurant opening in Thomasville. Located at 2551 E. Pinetree Blvd, the Thomasville restaurant marks the brand's 33rd location in the state, with additional restaurants slated for later this year across Marietta, Atlanta, Bethlehem, Fayetteville and LaGrange. The Thomasville location, which features a drive-thru and patio seating, will celebrate its grand opening on June 15 by offering free chicken salad for a year to the first 100 guests.

During grand opening week, guests will experience the Southern hospitality that Chicken Salad Chick is known for, with giveaways and specials that include:

Tuesday, June 15  Free Chicken Salad for a Year  The first guest will receive one large Quick Chick of chicken salad per week for an entire year and can secure their spot in line by posting to the Thomasville Chick Facebook page once they arrive. The next 99 guests in line receive a free large Quick Chick of chicken salad per month.* Additionally, the first 50 guests to purchase a Chick Special through the drive-thru will receive a free Chick tumbler.** Guests can arrive starting at 7am for grand opening day only.

 Free Chicken Salad for a Year  The first guest will receive one large Quick Chick of chicken salad per week for an entire year and can secure their spot in line by posting to the Thomasville Chick Facebook page once they arrive. The next 99 guests in line receive a free large Quick Chick of chicken salad per month.* Additionally, the first 50 guests to purchase a Chick Special through the drive-thru will receive a free Chick tumbler.** Guests can arrive starting at for grand opening day only. Wednesday, June 16  The first 50 guests in line to purchase a Chick Trio will receive a free Chick hat.

 The first 50 guests in line to purchase a Chick Trio will receive a free Chick hat. Thursday, June 17  The first 50 guests in line to purchase two large Quick Chicks will receive a free small Chick cooler.

 The first 50 guests in line to purchase two large Quick Chicks will receive a free small Chick cooler. Friday, June 18  All guests to purchase a Chick Special will receive a free Chick Special redeemable on their next visit.

 All guests to purchase a Chick Special will receive a free Chick Special redeemable on their next visit. Saturday, June 19  All guests to purchase a Chick Special will have their meal upgraded to a Chick Trio.

Husband-and-wife-team Bob and Carolyn Gosselin of St. George Hospitality Co. III are the multi-unit franchise owners bringing Chicken Salad Chick to Thomasville. With career backgrounds in real estate and marketing, the duo opened their first Chicken Salad Chick restaurant in Tallahassee in 2013 after learning about the brand from the founders themselves, quickly expanding to a second location in the capital city two years later. Over these past eight years, the Gosselins have relished in Chicken Salad Chick's service mentality, supporting numerous local nonprofit organizations and embracing their role as a beloved business in their community. Earning loyal fans throughout Southern Georgia along the way, the Gosselins are ready to give guests what they have been asking for with the brand's first Thomasville restaurant.

"We have many devoted customers from Thomasville and the surrounding areas who have been visiting us in Tallahassee all along. Now, we're excited to be able to give them their Chick fix closer to home. It's also a bit of a homecoming for Carolyn, who was born in Thomasville and grew up around the corner in Monticello," said Bob Gosselin. "From opening our first restaurant, it is very rewarding to see just how far the brand's fresh, flavorful food and unmatched hospitality has reached over the years and we are thrilled to be welcomed with open arms into a community like Thomasville."

Chicken Salad Chick in Thomasville will be open Monday  Saturday from 10:30 a.m.  8 p.m. For more information, visit www.chickensaladchick.com. Follow Chicken Salad Chick on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram for the latest news and trends.

*Eligible winners must be over 16 years of age, purchase a Chick Special and are required to download the Craving Credits app. Redemption will start 6/21/21.

**One Chick tumbler per car.

For more information on giveaways and specials, visit https://www.facebook.com/ChickenSaladChickThomasvilleGA/.

About Chicken Salad Chick

Chicken Salad Chick serves full-flavored, Southern-style chicken salad made from scratch and served from the heart. With more than a dozen original chicken salad flavors as well as fresh side salads, gourmet soups, signature sandwiches and delicious desserts, Chicken Salad Chick's robust menu is a perfect fit for any guest. Founded in Auburn, Alabama by Stacy and Kevin Brown, in 2008, Chicken Salad Chick has grown to more than 190 restaurants in 17 states. Today, under the leadership of Scott Deviney and the Chicken Salad Chick team, the brand is continuing its rapid expansion with both franchise and company locations. Chicken Salad Chick has received numerous accolades including rankings in Franchise Times' Fast & Serious for the second consecutive year, Fast Casual.com's top Movers and Shakers from 2018 to 2020, QSR's Best Franchise Deals in 2019 and 2020, and Franchise Business Review's Top Food Franchises in 2020. See www.chickensaladchick.com for additional information.

Contact:

Shana Rosenthal

Fish Consulting

954-893-9150

[email protected]

SOURCE Chicken Salad Chick

Related Links

http://www.chickensaladchick.com


LEBANON, Pa., May 19, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- State Senator-elect Chris Gebhard released the following statement after winning today's Special Election to represent the 48th district.

"I want to thank the people of the 48th district for electing me to serve as their voice in Harrisburg. While I am incredibly humbled by the overwhelming support I received, I am wholly focused on rolling up my sleeves and going to work. There is a significant amount of work to do to enact an agenda focused on reducing taxes, eliminating wasteful regulations, getting our Commonwealth's businesses and schools reopen and push a Pennsylvania First agenda. We must pass legislation to restore integrity and confidence in our electoral system. That mission starts today.

"There are countless people to thank. First, I want to thank my family, especially my wife Sarah and our boys, Davis and Drew, for their tireless support. I have never been a politician or involved in politics, and our family had no idea what to expect on the campaign trail. They stood by me every step of the way on this journey. I also want to thank the countless volunteers, committee members and voters for supporting my candidacy.

"Last, I want to recognize the tragic reason this seat was vacant and pay respect to the late Senator Dave Arnold. Dave dedicated his life to public service and keeping our communities safe, and he left very big shoes to fill."

CONTACT: Michael Barley, 7175766733, [email protected]

SOURCE Chris Gebhard
SHENZHEN, China, May 18, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Nervos, China's leading blockchain, today announced the launch of a $50 million fund with CMB International (CMBI), a wholly-owned subsidiary of China Merchants Bank. The new fund, dubbed InNervation, will make early and growth-stage investments in startups building user-facing products based on blockchain technology. InNervation's investment focus will include decentralized applications (dApps), decentralized finance (DeFi) protocols, distributed ledger platforms, non-fungible token (NFT) marketplaces, and more.

As an early adopter of blockchain technology, CMBI has been exploring the use of decentralized applications with Nervos since 2019. CMBI was also an early investor in Nervos. This latest collaboration between CMBI and Nervos aims to expand the Nervos ecosystem through strategic investments.

The fund's launch comes as digital assets and blockchain technology see record adoption across all industries and verticals, from media and consumer apps to banking and enterprise software. As more technologies and use cases transition from centralized to decentralized infrastructures, InNervationthe first joint investment fund between a prominent financial institution and a layer 1 blockchainwill fund developers and entrepreneurs building innovative new solutions that appeal to the mainstream audience.

"As early supporters of Nervos, we've worked closely with the team both as partners and investors," said Samuel Wang, Chief Investment Officer at CMB International. "They've made no compromises in building their infrastructure, and we are committed to supporting Nervos and the expansion of its dApp ecosystem."

CMBI is backing the fund as a strategic partner to help bolster the Nervos ecosystem and will play an active role in the fund's investment decisions. The fund will be co-managed by Nervos and CMBI and make investments globally with a focus on real-world applications.

The $50 million fund will be deployed over a three-year period, with startups receiving initial investments between $200,000 and $2,000,000 to support their project's growth on Nervos and in the greater blockchain ecosystem. As part of its investment thesis, the fund will seek to make investments in projects and startups that have plans to integrate the Nervos blockchain into their long-term product roadmap.

"Our team has been working diligently to ensure developers and teams have access to a variety of tools so they can create, customize, and connect their dApps, protocols, and more across multiple chains," said Kevin Wang, co-founder of Nervos. "With CMBI's support, InNervation will be the catalyst for a new phase of development not just on Nervos but in the greater blockchain and crypto ecosystem."

To take advantage of the wealth of opportunities in the blockchain space, funded startups will have access to Nervos' suite of Layer 2 tools that have previously been in development and are now ready for use, including a decentralized exchange (DEX), an EVM-compatible layer called Polyjuice that enables developers to seamlessly port their existing Ethereum dApps to CKB, and a permissionless rollup framework, Godwoken. Force Bridge, a cross-chain bridge announced in Q4 2020, is expected to extend cross-chain support for Bitcoin, Tron, EOS, and Polkadot by the end of Q2 2021.

Through a variety of initiatives, including the Ecosystem Grants program, Nervos provides support for infrastructure projects and developer tooling to make it easier for developers to build on Nervos. With the underlying framework completed, the launch of the new fund marks a shift in focus to user-facing applications as the project enters the next stage of growth, welcoming both new startups to build and established projects to scale on the Nervos network.

About Nervos

The Nervos Network is a collection of protocols and public blockchain ecosystem aiming to solve the biggest challenges facing blockchains like Bitcoin and Ethereum today.

The Nervos Common Knowledge Base (CKB) is the layer 1, proof of work, public permissionless blockchain protocol of the Nervos Network. It allows any crypto-asset to be stored with the security, immutability, and permissionless nature of Bitcoin while enabling smart contracts and layer 2 scaling. Its unique crypto-economic model is designed to better align the interests of users, developers, and miners as compared to first-generation blockchains.

For more information on Nervos, visit www.nervos.org .

About CMB International

Incorporated in Hong Kong, CMB International (CMBI) is a wholly-owned subsidiary of China Merchants Bank ("CMB") for providing total quality financial services to global, local institutional and corporate clients as well as individual investors.

SOURCE Nervos

Related Links

http://www.nervos.org


SpendEdge's reports now include an in-depth complimentary analysis of the COVID-19 impact on procurement and the latest market data to help your company overcome sourcing challenges. Our Air Travel Market procurement intelligence report offers actionable procurement intelligence insights, sourcing strategies, and action plans to mitigate risks arising out of the current pandemic situation. The insights offered by our reports will help procurement professionals streamline supply chain operations and gain insights into the best procurement practices to mitigate losses.

Information on Latest Trends and Supply Chain Market Information Download Our FREE Sample Report

Insights into the Market Price Trends

Suppliers in this market have moderate bargaining power owing to moderate pressure from substitutes and a moderate level of threat from new entrants.

Buyers can benchmark their preferred pricing models for Air Travel Market, Procurement, Management with the wider industry information and identify the cost-saving potential.

Insights to help buyers identify and shortlist the most suitable suppliers for their Air Travel Market requirements. This procurement report answers the following questions:

Am I engaging with the right suppliers?

Which KPIs should I use to evaluate my incumbent suppliers?

Which supplier selection criteria are relevant for?

What are the Air Travel Market category essentials in terms of SLAs and RFx?

Grab your Free Sample now to unlock further information on other key aspects of this market

Insights into strategies that will help buyers optimize their category management practices. The report answers the following questions:

What should be my strategic procurement objectives, activities, and enablers for the Air Travel Market category?

What negotiation levers can I pull for cost-saving?

What are Air Travel Market procurement best practices I should be promoting in my supply chain?

Some of the top Air Travel Market suppliers enlisted in this report

This Air Travel Market procurement intelligence report has enlisted the top suppliers and their cost structures, SLA terms, best selection criteria, and negotiation strategies.

Air France-KLM Group

American Airlines Group Inc.

China Eastern Airlines Co. Ltd.

China Southern Airlines Co. Ltd.

Delta Air Lines Inc.

Deutsche Lufthansa AG

International Consolidated Airlines Group SA

Southwest Airlines Co.

The Emirates Group

United Airlines Holdings Inc.

Get access to regular sourcing and procurement insights to our digital procurement platform- Contact Us .

Table of Content

Executive Summary

Market Insights

Category Pricing Insights

Cost-saving Opportunities

Best Practices

Category Ecosystem

Category Management Strategy

Category Management Enablers

Suppliers Selection

Suppliers under Coverage

US Market Insights

Category scope

Appendix

About SpendEdge:

SpendEdge shares your passion for driving sourcing and procurement excellence. We are the preferred procurement market intelligence partner for 120+ Fortune 500 firms and other leading companies across numerous industries. Our strength lies in delivering robust, real-time procurement market intelligence reports and solutions. To know more https://www.spendedge.com/request-for-demo

Contacts

SpendEdge

Anirban Choudhury

Marketing Manager

US: +1 630 984 7340

UK: +44 148 459 9299

https://www.spendedge.com/contact-us

SOURCE SpendEdge
"Today is an incredible day, not only for our team members on Koningsdam, but for our entire organization as we continue to take the necessary steps to get back to cruising," said Gus Antorcha, president of Holland America Line. "We extend our deepest gratitude to Sharp HealthCare for vaccinating our crew, and to everyone at Port of San Diego for offering the terminal and allowing us to make this process safe and smooth."

On Thursday, May 20, Sharp HealthCare also will vaccinate 179 crew aboard Noordam, which will be at a nearby anchorage just off Coronado for the day. Likewise, 231 crew from Nieuw Amsterdam will receive Pfizer vaccines from healthcare provider Ambulnz on Friday, May 21, while the ship is alongside at San Pedro, California.

Starting in October 2021 through April 2022, Koningsdam and Zuiderdam will homeport out of San Diego for a season of cruises to Hawaii, Mexico, the Pacific Coast, Panama Canal and South Pacific. In total, fours ships will make 35 calls: Koningsdam in its inaugural season in San Diego (21 calls), Zuiderdam (12 calls), Eurodam (one call) and Nieuw Amsterdam (one call). The estimated economic impact of each ship visit is $300,000 for the San Diego region.

For more information about Holland America Line, consult a travel advisor, call 1-877-SAIL HAL (877-724-5425) or visit hollandamerica.com.

Find Holland America Line on Twitter, Facebook and the Holland America Blog. Access all social media outlets via the home page at hollandamerica.com.

About Holland America Line [a division of Carnival Corporation and plc (NYSE: CCL and CUK)]

Holland America Line has been exploring the world since 1873 and was the first cruise line to offer adventures to Alaska and the Yukon more than 70 years ago. Its fleet of premium ships visits nearly 400 ports in 114 countries around the world, offering an ideal mid-sized ship experience. A third Pinnacle-class ship, Rotterdam, is under construction and will join the fleet in July 2021.

The leader in premium cruising, Holland America Line's ships feature innovative initiatives and a diverse range of enriching experiences focused on destination exploration and personalized travel. The best live music at sea fills each evening at Music Walk, and dining venues feature exclusive selections from Holland America Line's esteemed Culinary Council of world-famous chefs.

In light of COVID-19, Holland America Line is currently enhancing health and safety protocols and how they may impact future cruises. Our actual offerings may vary from what is displayed or described in marketing materials. Review our current Cruise Updates , Health & Safety Protocols and CDC Travel Advisories.

SOURCE Holland America Line

Related Links

http://www.hollandamerica.com


YARDLEY, Pa., May 19, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Crown Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: CCK) (Crown) (www.crowncork.com) has been named to the 100 Best Corporate Citizens of 2021 list by 3BL Media, headlined by its strong performance in the Climate Change pillar, within which it ranked ninth place. The annual ranking recognizes outstanding environmental, social and governance (ESG) transparency and performance among Russell 1000 Index companies. Qualifying organizations, which represent the 1,000 largest U.S. public companies, are divided into 24 industry groups for the ranking. The recognition reaffirms the commitments that Crown has made to advance its sustainability efforts on a global scale.

3BL

The 2021 methodology considered 146 ESG factors across eight pillars, with the categories of Employees, Climate Change and Environment having the highest relative weights. Other pillars include Stakeholders and Society, Human Rights, ESG Performance, Governance, and Financial. 3BL's partner, Institutional Shareholders Services (ISS) ESG, conducted the research and processed the ranking based on publicly available information and data gathering by reputable third-party sources, including CDP, GRI and the U.S. EPA.

"Being a good corporate citizen is a critical part of who we are and how we operate on a global scale," said Dr. John M. Rost, Vice President, Global Sustainability and Regulatory Affairs at Crown. "To continue to do our part, we have taken bold steps to bring our sustainability performance to the next level, including accelerating our activity around climate action. This recognition demonstrates that the roadmap we have outlined can effect meaningful change and we are honored to be counted among other companies committed to the same goal."

Crown's performance in the ranking follows the conclusion of the measurement period for the Company's 2020 sustainability goals on December 31, 2020. The inaugural goals, which were both surpassed, aimed to reduce greenhouse gas emission (GHGs) and energy consumption levels across the Company's global operations. Crown has also elevated its sustainability commitments with the launch of its Twentyby30 strategy, which includes climate as one of its five central pillars of action. As part of its targets in this area, the Company has pledged to achieve a 50% combined reduction in absolute Scope 1 (fuel) and Scope 2 (electricity) GHG emissions, as well as a 16% reduction in absolute Scope 3 (supply chain) GHG emissions from a 2019 baseline by 2030. Additional climate-related targets also include reaching 100% renewable electricity by 2050, with milestones along the way, and reducing Volatile Organic Compound (VOC) emissions by 10% per unit of product.

"Achieving the transformational targets in the Paris Agreement and UN Sustainable Development Goals in this decade requires all companies truly embed ESG issues into the core of their business," said Dave Armon, CEO of 3BL Media. "The best corporate citizens of 2021 are answering the call by demonstrating the societal and bottom-line value of leadership and transparency around ESG topics. They are setting ambitious goals, outlining robust strategies for achieving them, disclosing data to measure progress, and accounting for all stakeholders in business decisions."

The 100 Best Corporate Citizens List can be viewed here. For more information about Crown's sustainability practices and reporting, visit www.crowncork.com/sustainability. Crown's 2020 Interim Sustainability Report will be released in May 2021.

About Crown Holdings, Inc.

Crown Holdings, Inc., through its subsidiaries, is a leading global supplier of rigid packaging products to consumer marketing companies, as well as transit and protective packaging products, equipment and services to a broad range of end markets. World headquarters are located in Yardley, Pennsylvania. For more information, visit www.crowncork.com.

For more information, contact [email protected].

For editorial inquiries: Mallory Schindler, Account Supervisor, FINN Partners; Tel: (212) 529-2634; Email: [email protected]

SOURCE Crown Holdings, Inc.

Related Links

http://www.crowncork.com


TSX.V: DME

U.S. OTC: DMEHF

Frankfurt: QM01

VANCOUVER, BC, May 19, 2021 /PRNewswire/ - DESERT MOUNTAIN ENERGY CORP. (the "Company") (TSXV: DME) (U.S. OTC: DMEHF) (Frankfurt: QM01) From the President of the Company.

The Company is pleased to announce that it has began operations on well #4 located near in the State of Arizona in the Holbrook Basin. Well #4 will be the deepest to date going to the bedrock granite, approximately 3900 feet, and is expected to take approximately 10 days to drill and test. Desert Mountain Energy expects to encounter rare earth gases in addition to helium. The Company is using cutting edge testing equipment, including drones and air borne sensing equipment to collect data. The resulting data will be combined with results from previously collected data, using non-invasive high tech sensing equipment.

The Company continues to add staff where applicable and is pleased to announce that Ched Wetz will serve as Vice President of Risk Management /Ethics and Compliance. Mr. Wetz has a bachelor of Science from the University of Oklahoma and a Masters from Trinity University located in San Antonio, TX. Mr. Wetz has served as the Director of Risk Management/Facility Ethics and Compliance Officer/Safety Officer for various hospitals, care centers and businesses. He has served in a distinguished manner on numerous boards both for profit and non-profit and joint commissions on accreditation for state departments.

ABOUT DESERT MOUNTAIN ENERGY

Desert Mountain Energy Corp. is a publicly traded exploration and resource company focused on the discovery and development of rare earth gas fields in the U.S. The Company is primarily looking for elements deemed critical to the renewable energy and high technology industries.

We seek safe harbor

"Robert Rohlfing"

Robert Rohlfing

Chairman & CEO

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in polices of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. The statements made in this press release may contain certain forward-looking statements that involve a number of risks and uncertainties. Actual events or results may differ from the Company's expectations.

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

This news release contains "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation. Such forwardlooking statements and information herein include but are not limited to statements regarding the Company's anticipated performance in the future the planned exploration activities, receipt of positive results from drilling, the completion of further drilling and exploration work, and the timing and results of various activities.

Forward-looking statements or information involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the actual results, level of activity, performance or achievements of the Company and its operations to be materially different from those expressed or implied by such statements. Such factors include, among others, changes in national and local governments, legislation, taxation, controls, regulations and political or economic developments in Canada and the United States; financial risks due to helium prices, operating or technical difficulties in exploration and development activities; risks and hazards and the speculative nature of resource exploration and related development; risks in obtaining necessary licenses and permits, and challenges to the Company's title to properties.

Forward-looking statements are based on assumptions management believes to be reasonable, including but not limited to the continued operation of the Company's exploration operations, no material adverse change in the market price of commodities, and such other assumptions and factors as set out herein. Although the Company has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in forward-looking statements or information, there may be other factors that cause results to be materially different from those anticipated, described, estimated, assessed or intended. There can be no assurance that any forward-looking statements or information will prove to be accurate as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements or information. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements or information. The Company does not intend to, and does not assume any obligation to update such forward-looking statements or information, other than as required by applicable law.

SOURCE Desert Mountain Energy Corp.

Related Links

https://desertmountainenergy.com/


LONDON, May 19, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Over the last week, Dominica established diplomatic relations with Eritrea and Uzbekistan. On May 11th, a ceremony was held at the Permanent Mission of the Commonwealth of Dominica to the United Nations in New York, where Ambassador Loreen Bannis-Roberts and Ambassador Sophia Tesfamariam Yohannes signed a joint communique. A few days later, Ambassador Bannis-Roberts and her Uzbekistan counterpart, Ambassador Bakhtiyor Ibragimov, also established bilateral relations to further mutual cooperation between the two nations.

While small in size, Dominica has proved its reach to be global. Over the last few weeks, Dominica has also signed diplomatic agreements with both Nepal and Afghanistan, demonstrating the small island's commitment to growing its diplomatic presence globally. Dominica has been championing its 'Global Community' for several years, bolstered by the signing of bilateral relations, establishing visa-free waivers and increasing collaboration with countries in areas of mutual interest.

"We are part of a global community," said Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit during a recent webinar with Forbes Russia. "We are a member of the United Nations and many other international institutions, and we have excellent bilateral relations with a number of countries. We certainly encourage that level of collaboration, cooperation and interaction. But our desire to welcome people to our country goes beyond just tourism."

Since 1993, Dominica has also welcomed foreign investors and their families to become citizens of the nation after contributing to its Citizenship by Investment Programme. For nearly three decades, globally-minded individuals have called the small island home, accessing a wide array of benefits and opportunities spanning from visa-free travel to over 140 countries to alternative business prospects.

The process requires applicants to invest in either a government fund or buy into selected real estate properties. Revenue generated is then channelled back into national development initiatives in sectors including healthcare and education. Once applicants undergo rigorous vetting, those who are successful gain receipt of citizenship and can thus apply for their second passport. Aside from the travel and business advantages, investors gain the right to live, work and study in a democratic nation that prioritises both people and land. Dominica prides itself on continuously expanding its diplomacy efforts, equally demonstrating the international community's trust in the small island.

Contact: +447867942505, [email protected], www.csglobalpartners.com

SOURCE CS Global Partners

Related Links

http://www.csglobalpartners.com


CHARLOTTE, N.C., May 19, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- DreamKey Partners completed $31 million in real estate development in 2020, bringing total investments to $353 million since its founding in 1989. DreamKey Partners, formally Charlotte-Mecklenburg Housing Partnership, is a full-service real estate development organization focused on affordable housing that oversees land and acquisition, design and entitlement, capital sources, construction and management. The organization also includes community engagement  listening sessions with neighborhood leaders and residents  as a critical component of its development process.

"During an extremely challenging year, we continued to serve customers and neighborhoods with a range of affordable housing options for seniors, veterans, families and homebuyers," said Julie Porter, president of DreamKey Partners. "We worked closely with partners and residents to address the needs in the community while also achieving the right balance of quality, design and cost management."

In 2020, DreamKey Partners received capital from the Charlotte Housing Trust Fund, NC Housing Finance Agency, financial institutions and a faith-based organization, resulting in more than 288 housing units, of which 219 were affordable, including:

The Mezzanine at Freedom, 185 multi-family housing units

Crown Court, 103 housing units for seniors

Working mom Katia and her daughter moved into The Mezzanine several months ago. Katia shared, "Moving to the apartment community could not have come at a better time. It's close to my daughter's school and we're excited to have our own living space."

DreamKey Partners currently has 29 properties in its portfolio. An additional 26 affordable and market-rate for rent and for sale developments are also in the pipeline across North and South Carolina, with plans to continue expanding throughout the Southeast.

The organization re-introduced its single-family development business in 2020  Aveline  to help close the gap on generational poverty and affordable options for qualifying homebuyers. Aveline at Coulwood, the first single-family development under Aveline, will offer 52 single-family, affordable and market-rate homes in Northwest Charlotte beginning in 2022.

Developments currently planned or in pre-construction include:

Type Name # of Housing Units Multi-family Marvin Road South Village at Scaleybark Mayfield Memorial Baptist Church Connelly Creek Grounds for Change Dunbar Place McLelland Village Park View Commons at Cindy Lane 70 82 50 78 104 96 81 125 Senior Johnston Oehler 140 Single-family Aveline at Coulwood Flagship Townhomes 52 18 Supportive Easter's Home at Caldwell Presbyterian 21

These developments will create 917 affordable and market-rate housing units and include partnerships with Minority- and Women-Owned Business Enterprises, such as Neighboring Concepts, Verde Homes, Robin Haddock at RLH Development, LLC, Liz Ward at Give Impact, and independent consultant Hans Harris.

To help individuals and families buy homes and learn budgeting skills for everyday living including paying rent, DreamKey Partners offers virtual homebuyer and financial empowerment education. The organization also provides deferred and forgivable loan options and one-on-one counseling for homebuyers, including down payment assistance for Hispanic homebuyers and the Charlotte Community Heroes, funded by the Federal Home Loan Bank of Atlanta.

To learn more, visit dreamkeypartners.org and follow us on Twitter @DreamKeyOrg.

SOURCE DreamKey Partners

Related Links

http://dreamkeypartners.org


CHICAGO, May 19, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- The Chicago Department of Planning and Development (DPD) TIFWorks program partnered with IMEC to fund expert-led virtual training courses for select manufacturers in seven of the TIF districts at the beginning of this year. A few manufacturers quickly took advantage of this opportunity, including 1840 Creative, a furniture manufacturer located in the 35th/Halsted TIF district.

1840 Creative took advantage of the fully-funded Foundational Manufacturing Processes course, which is still available for others to enroll in on a first-come, first-serve basis. Here's what Yair Rodriguez, owner of 1840 Creative, had to say about the course:

IMEC: How will this training help your organization succeed?

Yair Rodriguez (YR): We learned about better, more efficient manufacturing processes and about impactful restructuring and organizing of physical spaces.

IMEC: What would you say to any companies who aren't sure whether they want to take advantage of this training opportunity?

YR: Do it. You have NOTHING to lose. If you walk away with ONE thing - that is ONE thing you are better at as organization.

IMEC: Any additional comments or insights you would like to share?

YR: The staff was incredible. They made the experience just as impactful as the course content. however, that video in kitchen should probably be updated.

This Tax Increment Financing (TIF) funded initiative will cover enrollment for 14 companies, up to 28 participants, in each of the selected TIF district. There is still room in each of the TIF districts for more small to medium-sized manufacturers to apply, but they must apply quickly before the program ends

Course topics are centered around safety, leadership, process improvements, maintenance fundamentals, and strategy in a post-COVID-19 world. These topics were selected based on a survey IMEC created last year to understand the needs of small and medium-sized manufacturers in Chicago.

Manufacturers with fewer than 40 employees that are located in one of the below Tax Increment Financing (TIF) districts are eligible to apply to receive training from IMEC experts:

35th/Halsted

Greater Southwest Industrial (West)

Little Village Industrial

North Branch (South)

Pilsen Industrial Corridor

Sanitary and Ship Canal

Western/Ogden Industrial Corridor

To learn more about the program, click here.

About IMEC

IMEC is a team of improvement specialists who are dedicated to changing lives and creating a positive impact on Illinois' workforce and economy. With a mission to drive growth through enterprise excellence, they help organizations become more effective and efficient by identifying issues, developing and implementing solutions, and providing the necessary support that will allow them to excel in areas of leadership, strategy, customer engagement, operations, workforce, and measurement and results. In 2020, they assisted over 1,144 companies and helped create or retain over 6,100 jobs, resulting in over $645M aggregate impact to the Illinois economy. IMEC has seven offices statewide and 48 full-time industry improvement specialists. For more information, visit www.imec.org.

SOURCE IMEC

Related Links

http://www.imec.org.


AUSTIN, Texas and SAN DIEGO, May 19, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- EMERGO by UL , a global medical device and healthcare technology consultancy, and proactive healthcare cybersecurity developer MedCrypt today announce an alliance that offers comprehensive cybersecurity regulatory affairs, quality management, and technical solutions for medical device manufacturers. The companies' collaboration will help manufacturers address requirements from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) as well as other market regulators for cybersecurity risk management and mitigation capabilities of connected medical devices and systems.

In 2018, the FDA released its pre-and post-market guidelines that outline issues manufacturers need to consider in the design and development of their medical devices to ensure cybersecurity vulnerabilities are adequately addressed. The post- market guidance outlines a risk-based framework to ensure manufacturers could quickly respond to new threats once a device is in use. Under this new mutual referral agreement formed by EMERGO by UL and MedCrypt, the two companies will refer prospective clients to one another and co-market their cybersecurity software solutions, consulting, and risk management services to ensure clients understand and meet the FDA's requirements.

"While the healthcare industry has made significant strides when it comes to cybersecurity, the increase in targeted attacks in the last year alone shows us there is still significant work to be done to make security a top priority," said Mike Kijewski, MedCrypt's CEO. "Healthcare companies and vendors are challenged with determining how to continue to innovate and deliver clinical therapies, but doing so while being secure. This collaboration with EMERGO by UL provides our combined networks of customers with a wider set of services that together ensure security is designed into a device throughout its entire life cycle, which is the best bet we have at moving the needle for better healthcare security."

Since late 2009, The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has required the reporting of data breaches that affect more than 500 patients. The data since then shows a year-over-year increase of reported breach incidents by 23% with hacking incidents now accounting for 2/3 of reported breaches. Additionally, medical device vulnerabilities that are reported regularly by ICS-CERT notes a 109% year over year increase of newly disclosed vulnerabilities.

MedCrypt currently provides enhanced security features for medical products produced by Accuray, Liberate Medical, RefleXion, and more.

About MedCrypt

MedCrypt is a San Diego-based company that provides proactive security for healthcare technology. MedCrypt's platform brings core cybersecurity features to medical devices with just a few lines of code, ensuring devices are secure by design. MedCrypt has raised a total of $9.4 million in funding with participation from Eniac Ventures, Section 32, Y Combinator, and more. The company is based in San Diego, California. For more, please visit www.medcrypt.com .

Brenda Manea

BAM

[email protected]

SOURCE MedCrypt

Related Links

http://www.medcrypt.com


STOCKHOLM, May 19, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Eurocine Vaccines has signed an evaluation agreement, a Material Transfer Agreement, with an innovative, North American, small public company, regarding the evaluation of Endocine together with a vaccine candidate against COVID-19. Studies in one or two animal species will be conducted to study both potency and safety.

Endocine is Eurocine Vaccines' proprietary adjuvant platform based on natural lipid compounds and formulated as a liposomal dispersion. The manufacture of bulk adjuvant has been established in pilot-scale at GMP conditions and shown excellent safety and tolerability in more than 400 human subjects after nasal administration in five clinical trials.

The platform Endocine has been evaluated with several different vaccine antigens, both viral and bacterial, and found compatible with peptides, proteins, polysaccharides, VLPs, as well as split and whole pathogens.

More about Endocine can be found at:

https://www.eurocine-vaccines.com/the-portfolio/

If positive data are obtained using Endocine, the technology may be applied using other vaccine candidates in the collaboration.

Contact:

Hans Arwidsson, Ph.D., MBA

CEO of Eurocine Vaccines AB

[email protected]

+46 70 634 0171

This information was brought to you by Cision http://news.cision.com

https://news.cision.com/eurocine-vaccines/r/eurocine-vaccines--adjuvant-technology-endocine--is-evaluated-with-a-vaccine-candidate-against-covid,c3349945

The following files are available for download:

https://mb.cision.com/Main/11552/3349945/1419674.pdf Eurocine Vaccines Adjuvant Technology Endocinea is evaluated with a vaccine candidate against COVID-19 https://news.cision.com/eurocine-vaccines/i/liposome,c2914590 Liposome

SOURCE Eurocine Vaccines
CHICAGO, May 19, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- A new study released today by Feeding America shows that household budgets were seeing further strain despite improvements in overall food insecurity rates before the pandemic. Map the Meal Gap is the only study that provides local-level estimates of food insecurity and food costs across the United States and has been produced by Feeding America for the last 11 years now. This year's study, which provides data for 2019, shows a widening gap for households struggling to get by ahead of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Map the Meal Gap provides key insights into a food-insecure household budget. A person who is food insecure is estimated to need, on average, an additional $45 per month to buy just enough food to meet their needs as of 2019, a slight increase after declining every year since 2015. In addition, the study finds that one third of people who live in food-insecure households are likely ineligible for SNAP and other federal nutrition programs, further underscoring the importance of charitable food assistance and the need to protect and strengthen federal nutrition programs.

"As the only study to provide local-level food insecurity data, Map the Meal Gap is a critical tool as we work to understand the root causes of hunger," said Tom Summerfelt, VP of research at Feeding America. "While the economic crisis unfolded last year in the wake of the pandemic, Map the Meal Gap provided the basis for our projections analysis that helped the Feeding America network plan an effective response and work more effectively with partners to serve our neighbors in need."

Food insecurity is a measure defined by the USDA as lack of access, at times, to enough food for an active, healthy life for all household members. The 2021 release of Map the Meal Gap continued to show that all 3,142 counties and county equivalents as well as 436 congressional districts in all 50 states are home to people facing hunger. The percentage of the population estimated to be food insecure in 2019 ranges from a low of 2.9% of the population in Steele County, North Dakota up to 29.4% in Issaquena County, Mississippi. Child food insecurity rates range from 1.4% in Falls Church City, Virginia to 43.9% in East Carroll Parish, Louisiana.

Other key findings of the 2021 release of Map the Meal Gap include:

Counties with the highest rates of food insecurity are disproportionately rural. Rural counties  those outside of major metropolitan areas  make up 63% of all U.S counties, but 91% of counties with food insecurity rates in the top 10%.

An estimated 80% of counties with the highest rates of food insecurity  those that rank in the top 10% of all 3,142 counties  are in the South. Since the South contains 45% of all U.S. counties, this region is home to a disproportionately high number of counties with the highest rates of food insecurity.

The national average cost per meal, a measure is based on weekly food expenditure data from the Census Bureau Current Population Survey as reported by individuals who are food secure, was $3.13 in 2019, down slightly from 2018.

Map the Meal Gap uses the most recent data from USDA, the Census Bureau, Bureau of Labor Statistics and food price data and analysis provided by NielsenIQ, a global measurement and data analytics company. The study is supported by Conagra Brands Foundation and NielsenIQ.

"Conagra supports Feeding America and its network of food banks through a holistic approach that includes contributions, product donations and employee volunteer efforts. Map the Meal Gap is a valuable annual resource that raises awareness and provides essential data used to inform many actions that are taken to address the issue of food insecurity in our communities," said Robert J. Rizzo, Senior Director, Community Investment, Conagra Brands and Conagra Brands Foundation.

"We are thrilled to continue our relationship with Feeding America," says Jeanne Danubio, President, North America of NielsenIQ. "Using our data and expertise creates a sense of purpose for our teams who are eager to initiate and design solutions for today's social challenges. I'm proud that NielsenIQ's data can be used to not only help clients optimize their performances but that we can also deliver the same complete truth to Feeding America to facilitate their tireless work and determination to eradicate food insecurity."

In addition to food insecurity estimates, Map the Meal Gap reports on food price variation across counties. After adjusting the national average meal cost of $3.13 based on local sales taxes and NielsenIQ data on relative food prices, the study finds that county meal costs range from 68% of the national average in places like Llano County, Texas ($2.13) to twice the national average in places like New York County, New York ($6.04). Not all urban areas have high food prices, however, and not every rural community is affordable. Leelanau County in rural northwestern Michigan is home to the highest meal cost in the country ($6.77). For a household struggling to afford housing, utilities, transportation and other basic necessities, the additional burden of high food prices can have a significant impact on a household's budget.

Dr. Craig Gundersen, Professor of Agricultural and Consumer Economics at the University of Illinois, Executive Director of the National Soybean Research Laboratory and a member of Feeding America's Technical Advisory Group is the lead researcher of Map the Meal Gap.

Map the Meal Gap provides the following data online through an interactive map:

The estimated percentage of the population and number of individuals who are food insecure in every U.S. state, county and congressional district, as well as the service area of each Feeding America food bank.

The percentage of the food-insecure population who likely qualifies for SNAP and other federal nutrition programs.

The percentage of the food-insecure population who likely does not qualify for federal nutrition programs and thus must rely even more on charitable food assistance. These percentages reflect individuals in households with earnings that are higher than the state gross income limits for federal nutrition programs.

The average meal cost in every state and county.

The food budget shortfall in every state and county.

Food insecurity is experienced differently across race and ethnicity identities. For example, at the national level, food insecurity rates are at least twice as high among Black, Latino, and Native American individuals when compared to white individuals. While the Map the Meal Gap study does not currently include local food insecurity rates broken down by race or ethnicity, Feeding America has partnered with Tableau to publish a new interactive tool, Identifying Racism in the Drivers of Food Insecurity. The tool is a racial data disaggregation dashboard that allows users to explore state-, food bank service area-, and county-level data for five drivers of food insecurity used in Feeding America's Map the Meal Gap model to estimate local food insecurity: poverty, unemployment, median income, homeownership, and disability status. By disaggregating by key drivers, Feeding America hopes to provide greater visibility into the way systemic racism affects the root causes of hunger.

In addition, Feeding America has released food insecurity projections for 2020 and 2021. The Impact of the Coronavirus on Food Insecurity leverages the Map the Meal Gap model to predict changes to food insecurity rates for the overall population and children in response to projected changes to poverty and unemployment in the wake of the COVD-19 pandemic. According to the latest projections, up to 42 million people may experience food insecurity in 2021, which is down from earlier projections. That food insecurity levels may be lower than originally projected is likely a reflection of the massive public/private partnership to meet an emerging food crisis that has taken place since the pandemic began.

Map the Meal Gap was recently awarded the Policy Impact Award by the American Association for Public Opinion Research. The full suite of Map the Meal Gap research from Feeding America allows policymakers, state agencies, corporate partners, food banks and advocates to develop integrated strategies to fight hunger on a community level.

To explore the various research tools and briefs available from Feeding America, visit feedingamerica.org/research.

About Feeding America

Feeding America is the largest hunger-relief organization in the United States. Through a network of 200 food banks and 60,000 food pantries and meal programs, we provide meals to more than 40 million people each year. Feeding America also supports programs that prevent food waste and improve food security among the people we serve; educates the public about the problem of hunger; and advocates for legislation that protects people from going hungry. Visit www.feedingamerica.org, find us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter.

Contact

Zuani Villarreal, Feeding America

(312) 641-6532

SOURCE Feeding America

Related Links

http://www.feedingamerica.org


MIAMI BEACH, Fla., May 19, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- The largest medical trade show of the Americas is proud to announce that its 30th annual trade fair is making a return to Miami. FIME will take place at the Miami Beach Convention Center (MBCC) from September 1-3, 2021.

Following FIME's hiatus last year due to the pandemic, global event organizer, Informa Markets, took a new approach to create an exciting program for the 2021 show. Based on extensive feedback from past attendees, exhibitors, sponsors, and partners, and using customer-driven insights, the entire FIME platform has been redefined.

This year's show will include an online experience as well as an in-person event, offering an even more robust program to maximize investment and participation. The online networking series will run August 2  October 1, 2021. FIME offers free in-person visitor access to the widest range of new and refurbished medical devices and equipment and hospital technology, as well as opportunities for more interaction, engagement and networking between attendees and participants with the addition of the online component.

The safety of the show's participants and colleagues is of paramount importance, and as such, the event is being organized in accordance with the industry wide All Secure Standard to ensure safety, hygiene, cleanliness and operational effectiveness for all participants. The MBCC has achieved Global Biorisk Advisory Council (GBAC) STAR Facility Accreditation , the gold standard for facilities and venues worldwide. Under the guidance of GBAC, MBCC has implemented the most stringent protocols and staff training for cleaning, disinfection, and infectious disease prevention. At the show, all participants will be required to follow the measures enforced by Informa and the MBCC, including the use of face masks at all times throughout the venue, maintaining social distancing in line with government guidance, and submitting to a temperature check upon arrival.

"Miami Beach is enacting the strongest health measures as we continue to safely welcome visitors from around the country and world," shared Miami Beach Mayor Dan Gelber. "That is why we are proud and excited for FIME to return to our city once again to enjoy all our beautiful community has to offer."

FIME attendees will experience first-hand and in-person the latest technologies, including digital wearable devices, patient monitoring apps, disposable products, and telemedicine systems. In addition to showcasing some of the latest industry technologies, FIME connects manufacturers and service providers with healthcare providers, clinicians, procurement professionals, and dealers and distributors from throughout the United States and Latin America. In catering to the Latin America market, some of the conferences and seminars will be presented in Spanish as well as in English.

Exhibitors are excited to return to Miami Beach for the 2021 event. Ken Spett, President & Chief Executive Officer, GF Health Products, Inc. says, "Graham-Field has participated in every live FIME event since its inception, and this year will be no exception. We are anxious to reunite with our distributor partners and understand how personal relationships contribute to our mutual success."

The return of FIME to Miami, not only marks an important milestone in the return to live trade events, but also demonstrates the economic impact these events have. According to the Greater Miami Visitors and Convention Bureau (GMCVB), in Miami Beach alone, trade shows and meetings in 2019 brought in $260.8 million, through 734 meetings and conventions, 530,791 attendees and 480,000 room nights booked. These events are not only necessary for the industry and its members, but also an integral component of the business ecosystem, and FIME hopes to lead by example, encouraging others to make a valiant return to the circuit.

In addition to FIME, Informa Markets has successfully hosted or plans to host several large in-person events in the United States this year, including:

MAGIC Pop-Up Orlando ( February 2021 )

) MRO Americas ( April 2021 )

) World of Concrete ( June 2021 )

) CphI North America ( August 2021 )

) MD&M West ( August 2021 )

) SupplySide ( August 2021 )

"After a hiatus last year, we are back with an incredibly diverse list of exhibitors and a hybrid model that is more dynamic, rewarding and offers the potential to deliver even greater possibilities and opportunities for participants," said Gil Alejo, Exhibition Director for FIME. "This year's event is significant because it marks a new beginning for live trade events. With both the online and in-person programs providing six weeks' worth of content, engagement, networking and knowledge-sharing, and the unique benefits of an omni-channel experience, this is poised to be our best year yet."

About FIME:

FIME is the Americas' leading medical trade fair and exhibition, gathering thousands of medical device and equipment manufacturers and suppliers, dealers, distributors and other healthcare professionals from across the United States, Central and South America and the Caribbean.

The show provides a strong business platform to more than 1,000 exhibitors from more than 40 countries, including 15 country pavilions to showcase cutting-edge device innovations and solutions. The event also hosts several multi-disciplinary educational business conferences. For more information, please visit www.fimeshow.com .

About Informa Markets:

Informa Markets creates platforms for industries and specialist markets to trade, innovate and grow. We provide marketplace participants around the globe with opportunities to engage, experience and do business through face-to-face exhibitions, targeted digital services and actionable data solutions. We connect buyers and sellers across more than a dozen global verticals, including Pharmaceuticals, Food, Medical Technology and Infrastructure. As the world's leading market-making company, we bring a diverse range of specialist markets to life, unlocking opportunities and helping them to thrive 365 days of the year. For more information, please visit www.informamarkets.com.

Media contacts:

Gracia Larrain Latiffe Ghanem [email protected] [email protected] 305 205 5270 305 479 0279

SOURCE FIME
SUZHOU, China, May 18, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- GeneQuantum Healthcare (Suzhou) Co., Ltd. (hereinafter "GeneQuantum") announced the completion of Series C fund raising of several hundreds of millions RMB. This series of fund raising is led by China Life Private Equity Investment, jointly by PICC Capital Equity Investment, Sunshine Guojian and Suzhou Wuzhong Biomedicine Industrial Park Investment. The current fund raising will provide a solid financial foundation to GeneQuantum for its global clinical development and pipeline expansion of next generation site-specific bioconjugates.

"Since its establishment, GeneQuantum has focused on the development of innovative bioconjugate drugs represented by Antibody-Drug-Conjugate (ADC). We possess highly differentiated ADC technology platforms, including enzyme catalyzed site-specific conjugation technology, innovative linker technology with unique advantage, integrated manufacturing process, that are collectively called intelligent continuous ligase-dependent conjugation (iLDC) platform. These platforms effectively address the current limitations of ADC industry, such as high heterogeneity, narrow therapeutic window, and high manufacturing cost. GeneQuantum's pipeline portfolio includes not only potential blockbuster ADCs with validated targets (BEST-IN-CLASS), but also drug candidates with novel mechanisms of action (FIRST-IN-CLASS), Dr. Gang Qin, GeneQuantum's chairman and CEO, said. "Our R&D capabilities and iLDC technologies will enter the important harvest period in the near future. We are confident that GQ's innovative products will go through global clinical development to commercialization in the next few years. GeneQuantum is kicking off to a high-speed growth. We appreciate the investors for their trust and support. Together with collaborators and partners, we will develop GQ pipelines to commercialization stage therefore to benefit patients around the world."

Ms. Leidi Zhang, managing director of China Life Private Equity Investment, commented: "ADC drug development in China is maturing, and opening up a new chapter of tumor targeted therapy and broadens therapeutic applications. GeneQuantum has focused on developing next generation ADCs and bioconjugates for years. GQ provides innovative solutions that address the limitation of the conventional ADC technology by its iLDC technologies. Meanwhile, GeneQuantum's drug candidates have also demonstrated excellent safety profile in clinic with a larger therapeutic window. China Life Health Foundation hopes to support GeneQuantum for its continuing innovation in bioconjugate drug, promoting new bioconjugate development, and expanding the indications of clinical bioconjugates, as well as accelerating the commercialization of drugs. In the end, we are confident GQ will provide safer and more effective drug and treatment options for patients worldwide."

About Genequantum Healthcare (Suzhou) Co., Ltd.

GeneQuantum Healthcare (Suzhou) Co., Ltd. is a high-tech biopharmaceutical company dedicated to the development of innovative biotherapeutics. The company is focused on the development of a new generation of bioconjugate therapeutics to meet the unmet medical needs of cancer patients globally. For more information, visit www.genequantum.com.

About China Life Private Equity Investment

Established in June 2016, China Life Private Equity Investment Co., Ltd. is a leading professional investment platform as a subsidiary of China Life. China Life adheres to the investment philosophy of "investing in the future, investing in innovation and investing in value", gives full play to advantages of insurance funds and the responsibility of China Life, serves the national strategy, supports real economy, and demonstrates China Life's positive role. China Life Health Fund, initiated and established by China Life Private Equity, is a leading flagship PE fund in China's healthcare industry. Since established, China Life Healthcare Fund has extensively invested in life sciences, medical technology, medical services, digital healthcare and other fields. We have invested in a number of leading companies in China's healthcare industry.

About PICC Capital Equity Investment

PICC Capital Equity Investment Company Limited ("PICC PE") is a wholly-owned subsidiary of PICC Capital. PICC PE initiate 3 billion to establish PICC Health Care Fund and another 3 billion for PICC Innovation Fund to leverage PICC's insurance value chain to build up a convenient, intelligent and dynamic health care ecosystem through investing into biomedicine, digital health, pharmaceutical distribution, and health care and senior care service providers, etc. The Funds pioneers in building an "Insurance + Technology + Service" ecosphere along the industry value chain.

About Sunshine Guojian

Founded in 2002, Sunshine Guojian is one of the first batch of Chinese innovative biopharmaceutical enterprises focusing on antibody drugs. It has become the leader of antibody drugs in China with independent capabilities in research and development, manufacturing and commercialization. The company's R&D mainly focuses on innovative therapeutic antibody drugs, and provides high-quality, safe and effective clinical solutions for the treatment of autoimmune diseases, tumors and other major diseases. At present, the company has 18 antibody drug candidates in different development stages, targeting tumor, autoimmune diseases and ophthalmological diseases (of which 8 drug candidates at clinical and post-clinical stage, 10 drug candidates at the preclinical stage). Most of the drugs under research are class 1 therapeutic biological products, and some are submitted to both the NMPA and the U.S. FDA. For more information, please visit http://www.3s-guojian.com.

About Wuzhong Biomedicine Industrial Park

Wuzhong Biomedicine Industrial Park Investment Co., Ltd. is committed to enabling biomedical enterprises in Suzhou Wuzhong Economic and Technological Development Zone. At present, the company is responsible for managing Suzhou Wuzhong Biomedicine Industrial Park special fund with total scale of 5 billion yuan the initial scale of 1 billion yuan. About 70% of the fund will be used for direct investment in biomedical projects in the development zone, and 30% will be used for cooperation with outstanding Sector Fund in the industry. Within one year since its establishment, the company has invested in high-quality projects such as GeneQuantum, Lerming Pharma, Rendong Holding, Lansson, Suzhou Direct Investment Fund.

Forward-looking Statement

This press release contains statements relating to GeneQuantum's future business, future events or developments, related statements may constitute forward-looking statements. Statements are based on current expectations and assumptions that are subject to risks and uncertainties, which may cause actual results to differ materially. Risks and uncertainties include, among other things, the uncertainties inherent in research and development, follow-up clinical data and analysis; factors that may cause any delay, transfer or change; regulatory authority decision whether and when to approve drug applications; factors that may lead actual results to seriously deviate from current expectations, etc. No forward-looking statement can be guaranteed. Except as required by applicable laws, GeneQuantum assumes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking information or statements.

SOURCE GeneQuantum Healthcare
LONDON, May 19, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Finastra today announced that UK-based property finance specialist, Glenhawk, has selected Fusion Essence Cloud, its next-generation banking solution, to support its growing lending business, by maximizing the operational efficiency of the loan approval and completion process. Fusion Essence Cloud will give Glenhawk a complete view of its lending portfolio, delivering accurate management information in real time, in one place  enabling it to manage its business proactively and grow additional revenue streams.

Guy Harrington, CEO at Glenhawk, said, "Finastra's technology will bring greater efficiency to our loan management process, but more importantly, accurate and up-to-date data will enable us to deepen engagement with our customers, manage our growing loan book and drive overall performance. It fits well with our ethos of doing property finance differently by giving us a platform that is modern, scalable, and brings all the efficiencies that are right for our business. Our aspiration is to become a leading non-bank lender within the property finance specialist sector. The partnership with Finastra will facilitate this by giving us one platform to manage multiple products and by scaling in line with our growth plans."

Fusion Essence Cloud, in Microsoft Azure, gives Glenhawk the flexibility to react quickly to changing customer needs, enabling the firm to bring new products to market quickly and scale its business according to demand. The team at Glenhawk will also benefit from the automation of internal processes like statement preparation, key notices and letters, as well as gaining more accurate data and enhanced management information.

Anand Subbaraman, GM Banking at Finastra, said, "Fusion Essence Cloud will enable Glenhawk to automate the end-to-end lending process, eliminating manual processes from loan origination through to processing and servicing. By turning data into intelligence, the Glenhawk team will gain additional insight into customer needs, helping them optimize the lending process and offer the best product, at the right time, through the right channel. We look forward to supporting Glenhawk's ongoing success."

For further information please contact:

Caroline Duff

Global Head of PR

T +44 (0)7917 613586

E [email protected]

inastra.com

About Finastra

Finastra is building an open platform that accelerates collaboration and innovation in financial services, creating better experiences for people, businesses and communities. Supported by the broadest and deepest portfolio of financial services software, Finastra delivers this vitally important technology to financial institutions of all sizes across the globe, including 90 of the world's top 100 banks. Our open architecture approach brings together a number of partners and innovators. Together we are leading the way in which applications are written, deployed and consumed in financial services to evolve with the changing needs of customers. Learn more at finastra.com

Corporate headquarters

4 Kingdom Street

Paddington

London W2 6BD

United Kingdom

T: +44 20 3320 5000

SOURCE Finastra
FACTS AT A GLANCE Edition: 16; Released: February 2021 Executive Engagements: 2277 Companies: 220 Players covered include Arburg GmbH & Co.; Battenfeld-Cincinnati Austria GmbH; BEKUM Maschinenfabriken GmbH; Brown Machine LLC; Bruckner Group GmbH; Davis-Standard, LLC; Engel Austria GmbH; FANUC Corporation; Fu Chun Shin Machinery Manufacture Co., Ltd.; GN Thermoforming; Haitian International Holdings Limited; Husky Injection Molding Systems Ltd.; Kautex Maschinenbau GmbH; KraussMaffei Technologies GmbH; Milacron LLC; NEGRI BOSSI SpA; Ningbo Haida Plastic Machinery Co., Ltd.; Nissei ASB Machine Co., Ltd.; Reifenhauser Group; SencorpWhite, Inc.; Sumitomo Heavy Industries Ltd.; Sumitomo (SHI) Demag Plastics Machinery GmbH; The Japan Steel Works, Ltd.; Shibaura Machine Co. Ltd. and Others. Coverage: All major geographies and key segments Segments: Product Segment (Injection Molding Machines, Blow Molding Machines, Extrusion Machines, Thermoforming Machines, and Other Product Segments) Geographies: World; USA; Canada; Japan; China; Europe; France; Germany; Italy; UK; Spain; Russia; Rest of Europe; Asia-Pacific; Australia; India; South Korea; Rest of Asia-Pacific; Latin America; Argentina; Brazil; Mexico; Rest of Latin America; Middle East; Iran; Israel; Saudi Arabia; UAE; Rest of Middle East; Africa.

Complimentary Project Preview - This is an ongoing global program. Preview our research program before you make a purchase decision. We are offering a complimentary access to qualified executives driving strategy, business development, sales & marketing, and product management roles at featured companies. Previews provide deep insider access to business trends; competitive brands; domain expert profiles; and market data templates and much more. You may also build your own bespoke report using our MarketGlass Platform which offers thousands of data bytes without an obligation to purchase our report. Preview Registry



ABSTRACT-



Global Plastics Processing Machinery Market to Reach $18.8 Billion by 2026

Plastic processing machinery is used in the processing of raw plastics and molding them into desired shape which involves diverse materials ranging from thermoplastics polyethylene and polypropylene to new age elastomers and composites. Rise in consumption of plastics coupled with the increasing availability of financing is expected to catalyze spending on capital equipment, thereby stimulating the growth of the global plastics processing machinery market over the long term. Trends such as growing demand for biodegradable and reinforced plastics is expected to drive market gains. The industry is also embracing the Industry 4.0 concept by employing digital equipment together with plastics production processes. The market for processing machinery is highly technology driven with molders always on the lookout for augmented features such as productivity, flexibility, energy efficiency, and bottom-line performance to reduce operating costs and produce high quality products. Recovery in various end-use segments like housing, automotive, consumer packaging and healthcare is expected to boost production of plastic machinery post the Covid-19 slowdown.

Amid the COVID-19 crisis, the global market for Plastics Processing Machinery estimated at US$18.8 Billion in the year 2020, is projected to reach a revised size of US$18.8 Billion by 2026, growing at a CAGR of 3.7% over the analysis period. Injection Molding Machines, one of the segments analyzed in the report, is projected to record a 3% CAGR and reach US$11.5 Billion by the end of the analysis period. Injection molding machines are expected to continue to hold the top position in the global plastics processing machinery market, primarily due to rising demand from industries like consumer essentials and healthcare along with increasing focus of automakers on launching new vehicle models. After a thorough analysis of the business implications of the pandemic and its induced economic crisis, growth in the Blow Molding Machines segment is readjusted to a revised 3.3% CAGR for the next 7-year period. Blow molding and extrusion machinery segment continues to witness significant demand due to ramping up of production of essential products such as PPEs, barrier plastics, plastic bottles for sanitizers and disinfectants, and syringes.

The U.S. Market is Estimated at $3.5 Billion in 2021, While China is Forecast to Reach $7.3 Billion by 2026

The Plastics Processing Machinery market in the U.S. is estimated at US$3.5 Billion in the year 2021. China, the world`s second largest economy, is forecast to reach a projected market size of US$7.3 Billion by the year 2026 trailing a CAGR of 4.7% over the analysis period. Among the other noteworthy geographic markets are Japan and Canada, each forecast to grow at 2.2% and 2.7% respectively over the analysis period. Within Europe, Germany is forecast to grow at approximately 3.1% CAGR. Asia-Pacific has emerged into a significant market for plastics, driven by the strong economic growth of various countries in the region, especially China. Growth in the region is favored by the growing consumption of plastic in automobile, consumer, transportation, packaging and construction sectors. Reshoring of manufacturing processes is expected to drive gains in the developed markets such as the US and Western Europe.



Extrusion Machines Segment to Reach $4.7 Billion by 2026

Extrusion equipment segment is expected to register gains, benefiting from the growth in packaging and medical markets, as well as expected resurgence in demand from the construction industry post-pandemic. Advancements in the extrusion technology will bolster sales of more productive and higher priced machinery. In the global Extrusion Machines segment, USA, Canada, Japan, China and Europe will drive the 4.5% CAGR estimated for this segment. These regional markets accounting for a combined market size of US$2.8 Billion in the year 2020 will reach a projected size of US$3.8 Billion by the close of the analysis period. China will remain among the fastest growing in this cluster of regional markets. Led by countries such as Australia, India, and South Korea, the market in Asia-Pacific is forecast to reach US$569.8 Million by the year 2026, while Latin America will expand at a 5.9% CAGR through the analysis period. More



MarketGlass Platform

Our MarketGlass Platform is a free full-stack knowledge center that is custom configurable to today's busy business executive's intelligence needs! This influencer driven interactive research platform is at the core of our primary research engagements and draws from unique perspectives of participating executives worldwide. Features include - enterprise-wide peer-to-peer collaborations; research program previews relevant to your company; 3.4 million domain expert profiles; competitive company profiles; interactive research modules; bespoke report generation; monitor market trends; competitive brands; create & publish blogs & podcasts using our primary and secondary content; track domain events worldwide; and much more. Client companies will have complete insider access to the project data stacks. Currently in use by 67,000+ domain experts worldwide.



Our platform is free for qualified executives and is accessible from our website www.StrategyR.com or via our just released mobile application on iOS or Android



About Global Industry Analysts, Inc. & StrategyR

Global Industry Analysts, Inc., (www.strategyr.com) is a renowned market research publisher the world's only influencer driven market research company. Proudly serving more than 42,000 clients from 36 countries, GIA is recognized for accurate forecasting of markets and industries for over 33 years.



CONTACTS:

Zak Ali

Director, Corporate Communications

Global Industry Analysts, Inc.

Phone: 1-408-528-9966

www.StrategyR.com

Email: [email protected]



LINKS

Get Full Report Details

https://www.strategyr.com/market-report-plastics-processing-machinery-forecasts-global-industry-analysts-inc.asp

Join Our Expert Panel

https://www.strategyr.com/Panelist.asp

Connect With Us on LinkedIn

https://www.linkedin.com/company/global-industry-analysts-inc./

Follow Us on Twitter

https://twitter.com/marketbytes

Journalists & Media

[email protected]

SOURCE Global Industry Analysts, Inc.

Related Links

http://www.strategyr.com


STOCKHOLM, May 19, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Global trade of wood chips, which are mainly used by pulpmills, grew from about 21 million tons in 2009 to an all-time high of 35 million tons in 2018. Subsequently, trade declined for two consecutive years to reach just over 30 million tons in 2020. Significant investments in new pulp capacity in China combined with a lack of domestic wood fiber have been driving practically all of the global increase in wood chip trade during the past decade. Outside of China, the trade of wood chips has been relatively stable the past ten years, ranging between 20-21 million tons annually, except for 2020, when total shipments fell to just under 17 million tons (see chart).

Hardwood chip imports to China reached a new record high of 13.2 million odmt in 2020. This was a 7% increase from the previous year and continued an unprecedented upward trend that started in 2008 when China imported only one million odmt. Although China overtook Japan as the largest hardwood chip importer five years ago, 2020 was the first year when over 50% of the world's traded hardwood chips landed at Chinese ports to feed large, newly built pulpmills in the country.

There were some dramatic changes in Chinese fiber sourcing during 2020, with Australia's shipments falling almost 30% y-o-y and the largest supplier, Vietnam, increasing its sales by 25%. Over the past two years, Chinese pulpmills shifted from importing higher yield fiber quality (HYF) from regions such as Australia, Chile, and Brazil towards lower yield fiber (LYF), from places like Vietnam, Thailand, and Malaysia. The HYF chips would typically be Eucalyptus chips with higher density, often requiring less chemicals in the pulping process.

When the investments in large-scale pulp mills took off in 2008, the preferred wood fiber was predominantly lower quality and lower cost, including Acacia wood chips from Vietnam, Thailand, and Indonesia. Nevertheless, that started to change in 2013-2014 when pulpmills saw the cost and quality benefits of using more high-quality hardwood chips such as Eucalyptus Nitens and Eucalyptus Globulus from Australia and Chile. From 2012 to 2017, the HYF share of total imports dramatically increased from 11% to 47% of the total import volume. However, in 2018, this five-year rise in market share leveled off and fell during 2019 and 2020 to average only 33% in the 4Q/20.

With the supply of hardwood fiber becoming tighter around the Pacific Rim, the fiber sourcing by Chinese pulpmills will likely continue to evolve, including the possibility of new regions coming into play.

Are you interested in worldwide wood products market information? The Wood Resource Quarterly (WRQ) is a 70-page report established in 1988 and has subscribers in over 30 countries. The publication tracks prices for sawlog, pulpwood, lumber & pellets and reports on trade and wood market developments in most key regions worldwide. For more insights on the latest international forest product market trends, please go to www.WoodPrices.com

CONTACT:

Wood Resources International LLC

Hakan Ekstrom

[email protected]

www.woodprices.com

This information was brought to you by Cision http://news.cision.com

The following files are available for download:

https://mb.cision.com/Main/1902/3347225/1417617.pdf WRI-Market Insights 2020 Pacific Rim Wood Chip Trade April 2021

SOURCE Wood Resources International LLC
Chris Taylor, President and CEO of Great Bear said, "We are now entering the final months of near-surface maiden mineral resource estimation drilling of the central LP Fault zone, and are modeling 17 distinct high-grade gold domains within the broader LP Fault gold mineralized system. For the first time , we provide a detailed long section of the upper portion of one of these high-grade domains, a summary of all drill results within that long section, and detailed maps of the high-grade domains within the broader LP Fault gold system."

Great Bear plans to release detailed high-grade and bulk tonnage domain information over the coming months. This news release includes the first of this information.

Table 1: All 28 drill holes that intersect the near-surface portion of high-grade domain BR7, along 500 metres of strike length. New results in italics (holes BR-296-299). Note that assay intervals from previously reported drill holes have been clipped to domain BR7.

Drill Hole From (m) To (m) Width* (m) Gold (g/t) BR-037 135.30 150.70 15.35 2.23 BR-038 81.20 87.80 6.60 2.96 BR-118 156.00 169.00 13.00 18.57 BR-119 46.60 57.00 10.40 1.45 BR-140 247.00 257.70 10.70 4.12 BR-142 231.00 239.30 8.25 2.53 BR-143 182.00 193.50 11.50 5.26 BR-144 130.00 144.30 14.25 15.31 BR-145 95.60 106.90 11.30 11.47 BR-146 35.75 45.55 9.80 86.97 BR-147 48.00 55.90 7.90 3.79 BR-172 84.00 91.50 7.50 1.12 BR-173 210.00 214.30 4.30 4.12 BR-174 207.00 216.00 9.00 13.82 BR-175 256.00 264.70 8.70 3.84 BR-211 99.80 105.60 5.80 7.80 BR-212 157.00 174.50 17.50 6.62 BR-213 240.30 245.00 4.70 3.66 BR-224 311.50 328.40 16.90 1.16 BR-225 231.75 243.20 11.45 1.50 BR-231 151.00 157.00 6.00 3.43 BR-232 106.20 111.00 4.80 53.72 BR-233 78.30 84.85 6.55 3.63 BR-281 170.25 174.00 3.75 1.04 BR-296 27.30 32.80 5.50 3.52 BR-297 31.00 32.60 1.60 3.98 BR-298 55.25 63.10 7.85 14.72 BR-299 53.90 64.25 10.35 4.12

* Widths are drill indicated core length, as insufficient drilling has been undertaken to determine true widths at this time. Average grades are calculated with un-capped gold assays, as insufficient drilling has been completed to determine capping levels for higher grade gold intercepts. Interval widths are calculated using a 0.10 g/t gold cut-off grade with up to 3 m of internal dilution of zero grade.

Figures 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 respectively show: 1) A detailed long section of high-grade domain "BR7", which is one of 17 high-grade domains currently being drilled, 2) a map of all high-grade domains within the LP Fault, 3) A more detailed map of the high-grade domains in the central LP Fault zone, including surrounding bulk tonnage style mineralization, and 4) two cross sections through high-grade domain BR7.

Table 1 provides all gold intercepts from BR7 shown in Figure 1. Table 2 provides all new gold assay results from the most recent LP Fault drilling.

With the 17 drill holes included in this release, Great Bear has released 300 LP Fault drill holes to date.

Highlights of Current Results

New drill holes reported in this release intersected the LP Fault zone from approximately 20 to 500 metres vertical depth along 2.2 kilometres of strike length.

Drill holes were located a) above previous drilling, in order to extend gold mineralization towards surface , and b) within 75 to 100 metre previously undrilled gaps in the zone.

, and in the zone. Two drill holes are step-ups that extend gold mineralization by more than 75 metres above previous drilling to the near-surface :

by more than 75 metres above previous drilling to the : BR-298 assayed 22.79 g/t gold over 4.80 metres from 58.30 to 63.10 metres downhole, within a broader mineralized interval assaying 3.32 g/t gold over 43.80 metres from 29.70 to 73.50 metres downhole.

from 58.30 to 63.10 metres downhole, within a broader mineralized interval assaying from 29.70 to 73.50 metres downhole.

BR-299 assayed 13.27 g/t gold over 2.35 metres from 34.90 to 37.25 metres downhole, and 4.12 g/t gold over 10.35 metres from 53.90 to 64.25 metres downhole. The total mineralized interval was 2.30 g/t gold over 39.30 metres from 32.20 metres to 71.50 metres downhole.

from metres downhole, and from 53.90 to 64.25 metres downhole. The total mineralized interval was from 32.20 metres to 71.50 metres downhole. New bulk-tonnage type intercepts include:

3.07 g/t gold over 35.60 metres from 117.00 to 152.60 metres downhole in drill hole BR-320.

from 117.00 to 152.60 metres downhole in drill hole BR-320.

1.11 g/t gold over 91.60 metres from 349.50 to 441.10 metres downhole in drill hole BR-285.

from 349.50 to 441.10 metres downhole in drill hole BR-285.

1.00 g/t gold over 91.40 metres from 473.60 to 565.00 metres downhole in drill hole BR-286.

from 473.60 to 565.00 metres downhole in drill hole BR-286. Drill holes with multiple intervals of gold mineralization including both high-grade and bulk tonnage type results include:

BR-276 which assayed 25.57 g/t gold over 2.50 metres from 233.50 to 236.00 metres downhole, and 4.10 g/t gold over 23.85 metres from 462.25 to 486.10 metres downhole, including a high-grade core of 68.40 g/t gold over 0.95 metres from 485.15 to 486.10 metres downhole.

Results continue to demonstrate excellent continuity of high-grade and bulk-tonnage gold mineralization. The LP Fault zone remains open to extension in all directions.

Table 2: Current drill results from the LP Fault. Results are arranged by drill section from southeast (top) to northwest (bottom).















Drill Hole

From (m) To (m) Width* (m) Gold (g/t) Section BR-287

375.00 388.25 13.25 1.21 19825 BR-320

47.00 48.00 1.00 8.59 20000

and 93.20 108.00 14.80 1.66



including 96.35 97.50 1.15 15.50



and 117.00 152.60 35.60 3.07



including 118.00 120.70 2.70 6.64



and including 130.50 133.00 2.50 4.77



and including 138.90 152.60 13.70 5.18



and including 138.90 139.50 0.60 24.40



and including 150.45 150.95 0.50 53.50

BR-299

32.20 71.50 39.30 2.30 20600

including 34.90 37.25 2.35 13.27



and including 34.90 35.90 1.00 23.40



and including 53.90 64.25 10.35 4.12

BR-298

29.70 73.50 43.80 3.32 20625

including 55.25 63.10 7.85 14.72



and including 58.30 63.10 4.80 22.79



and including 60.80 61.30 0.50 161.00

BR-297

31.00 50.10 19.10 0.99 20675

including 31.00 32.60 1.60 3.98

BR-296

27.30 51.50 24.20 1.39 20750

including 27.30 32.80 5.50 3.52

BR-286

473.60 565.00 91.40 1.00 21125

including 473.60 482.00 8.40 3.27



and including 481.20 482.00 0.80 18.40



and including 502.20 502.80 0.60 52.30

BR-285

349.50 441.10 91.60 1.11 21150

including 354.00 362.55 8.55 8.26



and including 356.50 358.50 2.00 31.20

BR-277

517.25 521.00 3.75 0.82 21750

including 517.25 518.35 1.10 1.52

BR-263

585.50 591.50 6.00 1.06 21850

including 589.65 590.20 0.55 3.81

BR-264

548.50 580.20 31.70 1.48 21850

including 552.75 558.00 5.25 5.15



and including 552.75 554.30 1.55 12.01



and including 557.05 558.00 0.95 6.42

BR-265

420.85 421.40 0.55 5.64 21900

and 503.20 504.30 1.10 6.05

BR-302

356.00 368.50 12.50 2.47 21975

including 359.25 359.75 0.50 57.00



and 421.20 430.00 8.80 1.13

BR-276

225.60 236.00 10.40 6.63 22000

including 233.50 236.00 2.50 25.57



and 258.45 258.95 0.50 19.50



and 311.85 316.00 4.15 2.19



including 314.05 314.65 0.60 10.50



and 389.60 396.75 7.15 5.85



including 392.25 395.25 3.00 12.70



and 462.25 486.10 23.85 4.10



including 483.45 486.10 2.65 28.01



and including 485.15 486.10 0.95 68.40

BR-278

212.00 213.00 1.00 5.84 22000

and 226.50 237.00 10.50 2.13



including 232.80 233.30 0.50 41.80

BR-301

353.00 354.50 1.50 2.93 22000

and 560.55 561.10 0.55 3.49

BR-300

319.20 322.75 3.55 1.06 22025

and 468.30 471.30 3.00 1.03



* Widths are drill indicated core length, as insufficient drilling has been undertaken to determine true widths at this time. Average grades are calculated with un-capped gold assays, as insufficient drilling has been completed to determine capping levels for higher grade gold intercepts. Interval widths are calculated using a 0.10 g/t gold cut-off grade with up to 3 m of internal dilution of zero grade.

About High-Grade Gold Domains and BR7

The 17 high-grade domains are structurally and geologically distinctive from the surrounding lower grade, bulk tonnage style gold mineralization. Together, they span a strike length of 4.2 kilometres and occur within eight larger stratigraphically controlled lower grade domains. They are characterized by high degrees of strain and/or transposed quartz vein zones following two distinct structural fabrics and transition from upper greenschist to lower amphibolite facies metamorphism. Gold in the high-grade domains is generally observed as free gold, is often transposed into, and overgrows the dominant structural fabrics, and is higher-grade on average than the surrounding bulk tonnage gold zones.

Domain BR7, presented in this news release, has a surface strike length of 620 metres and has been drilled to a depth of 500 metres (where it remains open to extension). BR7 is a high strain zone hosted within strongly altered (albite, biotite, +/- quartz veined) felsic volcanic rocks and occurs oblique to the dominant geological contacts. It has an average strike orientation of 270 degrees and dips 74 degrees to the north.

Drilling is planned to intersect the various high-grade domains at 40  50 metre spacing. Figure 1 demonstrates how drilling is nearing completion within the upper portions of domain "BR7", with few drill holes now required to provide the desired drill density for upcoming maiden resource estimation. Drilling is also nearing completion in the near-surface portions of all 17 high-grade domains along more than 4 kilometres of strike length of the central LP Fault. This drilling is expected to be completed from surface to an average of approximately 400 metres depth by year end.

Great Bear's progress can be followed using the Company's plan maps, long sections and cross sections, and through the VRIFY model posted at the Company's web site at www.greatbearresources.ca. All LP Fault drill hole highlighted assays, plus drill collar locations and orientations can also be downloaded at the Company's web site.

Drill collar location, azimuth and dip for drill holes included in this release are provided in the table below (UTM zone 15N, NAD 83):

Hole ID Easting Northing Elevation Length Dip Azimuth BR-263 456097 5635122 374 639 -56 222 BR-264 456097 5635122 374 642 -58 235 BR-265 455959 5635089 373 657 -68 222 BR-276 455897 5635136 374 570 -66 220 BR-277 456117 5635007 373 594 -61 220 BR-278 455899 5635139 374 540 -60 225 BR-285 456570 5634607 359 621 -62 220 BR-286 456643 5634693 361 624 -58 218 BR-287 457838 5634151 363 630 -54 208 BR-296 456767 5634155 357 204 -55 213 BR-297 456807 5634141 357 120 -56 210 BR-298 456854 5634122 357 117 -55 210 BR-299 456922 5634125 356 168 -56 210 BR-300 455929 5635241 375 666 -54 225 BR-301 455968 5635212 374 678 -61 226 BR-302 455968 5635212 374 628 -60 222 BR-320 457521 5633960 351 225 -46 222

About the Dixie Project

The Dixie Project is 100% owned, comprised of 9,140 hectares of contiguous claims that extend over 22 kilometres, and is located approximately 25 kilometres southeast of the town of Red Lake, Ontario. The project is accessible year-round via a 15 minute drive on a paved highway which runs the length of the northern claim boundary and a network of well-maintained logging roads.

The Dixie Project hosts two principal styles of gold mineralization:

High-grade gold in quartz veins and silica-sulphide replacement zones ( Dixie Limb , Hinge and Arrow zones) . Hosted by mafic volcanic rocks and localized near regional-scale D2 fold axes. These mineralization styles are also typical of the significant mined deposits of the Red Lake district.





. Hosted by mafic volcanic rocks and localized near regional-scale D2 fold axes. These mineralization styles are also typical of the significant mined deposits of the district. High-grade disseminated gold with broad moderate to lower grade envelopes (LP Fault). The LP Fault is a significant gold-hosting structure which has been seismically imaged to extend to 14 kilometres depth (Zeng and Calvert , 2006), and has been interpreted by Great Bear to have up to 18 kilometres of strike length on the Dixie property. High-grade gold mineralization is controlled by structural and geological contacts, and moderate to lower-grade disseminated gold surrounds and flanks the high-grade intervals. The dominant gold-hosting stratigraphy consists of felsic sediments and volcanic units.

About Great Bear

Great Bear Resources Ltd. is a well-financed gold exploration company managed by a team with a track record of success in mineral exploration. Great Bear is focused in the prolific Red Lake gold district in northwest Ontario, where the company controls over 330 km2 of highly prospective tenure across 5 projects: the flagship Dixie Project (100% owned), the Pakwash Property (earning a 100% interest), the Dedee Property (earning a 100% interest), the Sobel Property (earning a 100% interest), and the Red Lake North Property (earning a 100% interest) all of which are accessible year-round through existing roads.

QA/QC and Core Sampling Protocols

Drill core is logged and sampled in a secure core storage facility located in Red Lake Ontario. Core samples from the program are cut in half, using a diamond cutting saw, and are sent to Activation Laboratories in Ontario, an accredited mineral analysis laboratory, for analysis. All samples are analysed for gold using standard Fire Assay-AA techniques. Samples returning over 10.0 g/t gold are analysed utilizing standard Fire Assay-Gravimetric methods. Pulps from approximately 5% of the gold mineralized samples are submitted for check analysis to a second lab. Selected samples are also chosen for duplicate assay from the coarse reject of the original sample. Selected samples with visible gold are also analyzed with a standard 1 kg metallic screen fire assay. Certified gold reference standards, blanks and field duplicates are routinely inserted into the sample stream, as part of Great Bear's quality control/quality assurance program (QAQC). No QAQC issues were noted with the results reported herein.

Qualified Person and NI 43-101 Disclosure

Mr. R. Bob Singh, P.Geo, VP Exploration, and Ms. Andrea Diakow P.Geo, Exploration Manager for Great Bear are the Qualified Persons as defined by National Instrument 43-101 responsible for the accuracy of technical information contained in this news release.

ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD

"Chris Taylor"

Chris Taylor, President and CEO

Cautionary note regarding forward-looking statements

This release contains certain "forward looking statements" and certain "forward-looking information" as defined under applicable Canadian and U.S. securities laws. Forward-looking statements and information can generally be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as "may", "will", "should", "expect", "intend", "estimate", "anticipate", "believe", "continue", "plans" or similar terminology. The forward-looking information contained herein is provided for the purpose of assisting readers in understanding management's current expectations and plans relating to the future. Readers are cautioned that such information may not be appropriate for other purposes.

Forward-looking information are based on management of the parties' reasonable assumptions, estimates, expectations, analyses and opinions, which are based on such management's experience and perception of trends, current conditions and expected developments, and other factors that management believes are relevant and reasonable in the circumstances, but which may prove to be incorrect.

Such factors, among other things, include: impacts arising from the global disruption caused by the Covid-19 coronavirus outbreak, business integration risks; fluctuations in general macroeconomic conditions; fluctuations in securities markets; fluctuations in spot and forward prices of gold or certain other commodities; change in national and local government, legislation, taxation, controls, regulations and political or economic developments; risks and hazards associated with the business of mineral exploration, development and mining (including environmental hazards, industrial accidents, unusual or unexpected formations pressures, cave-ins and flooding); discrepancies between actual and estimated metallurgical recoveries; inability to obtain adequate insurance to cover risks and hazards; the presence of laws and regulations that may impose restrictions on mining; employee relations; relationships with and claims by local communities and indigenous populations; availability of increasing costs associated with mining inputs and labour; the speculative nature of mineral exploration and development (including the risks of obtaining necessary licenses, permits and approvals from government authorities); and title to properties.

Great Bear undertakes no obligation to update forward-looking information except as required by applicable law. Such forward-looking information represents management's best judgment based on information currently available. No forward-looking statement can be guaranteed and actual future results may vary materially. Accordingly, readers are advised not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements or information.

SOURCE Great Bear Resources Ltd.

Related Links

https://greatbearresources.ca/


TUXEDO PARK, N.Y., May 19, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Guidecraft, celebrating over 50 years of developing innovative educational environments in classrooms and at home, is teaming up with Martha Stewart and Marquee Brands once more to launch a line of Martha Stewart Kitchen Helpers following the success of the collaborative Martha Stewart Living and Learning Kids' Furniture Collection. The Kitchen Helper by Guidecraft is the original safety step stool for toddlers and has been a category leader since its inception in 2008. It has led the way with innovative safety features like clip-on safety nets (Keepers) to prevent falls, non-slip mats, an adjustable platform, and convenient foldability. Products are available beginning May 21st through Guidecraft.com as well as participating retailers nationwide including Amazon and Wayfair.



The Martha Stewart Kitchen Helper features a new design inspired by fine, custom kitchen cabinetry and comes in four trending color choices; creamy white, charcoal, taupe, and mint green. Details, such as the inset acrylic windows, two mesh Keepers, a non-slip mat, and a secure, adjustable platform for growing children, all support the mission of providing the safest way to elevate young children to countertop height promoting their feeling of independence as well as family togetherness.

The Martha Stewart Kitchen Helper features a new design inspired by fine, custom kitchen cabinetry and comes in four trending color choices; creamy white, charcoal, taupe, and mint green. Details, such as the inset acrylic windows, two mesh Keepers, a non-slip mat, and a secure, adjustable platform for growing children, all support the mission of providing the safest way to elevate young children to countertop height promoting their feeling of independence as well as family togetherness. A comprehensive line of crafting furniture and art accessories for children and families, the Martha Stewart Crafting Kids' Collection, will follow in August. Additional products, such as play tents and bedroom furniture, will be introduced for holiday 2021 and beyond.



"This new launch combines the strength of the Martha Stewart brand in home, crafting and cooking with the focus on family and togetherness of our flagship product, the Kitchen Helper. In addition to bringing increased recognition to the product and the category, the success of the collaboration ultimately translates to helping children gain more agency in terms of learning, social emotional development, and connectedness," states President of Guidecraft, Gary Bilezikian.



"We partnered on The Martha Stewart Living and Learning Kids' Collection with Guidecraft, the true leaders and experts in children's furniture, to blend learning, living, play and media all into one functional and aesthetically pleasing product," said Kevin Sharkey, EVP, Executive Director of Design at Martha Stewart. "Two of the defining characteristics of every Martha Stewart product are function and innovation. Guidecraft understands the functionality of children's furniture and they innovate so that children can maximize their potential as they continue to grow and develop. The Kitchen Helper can be easily integrated into the kitchen, offering children the opportunity to observe and participate in cooking at a very early age."



About Guidecraft

Guidecraft's mission is to create objects of lasting importance that enrich the lives of children. For over 50 years, Guidecraft has designed holistic classroom and home-based environments and learning platforms for children of all ages. Guidecraft's natural, open-ended toys unleash a child's imagination through free, unstructured play. The home furniture lines focus on engaging children in artistic, literary, and dramatic play activities, while the preschool furniture collections straddle the needs of both teachers and parents to provide authentic, nature-inspired, and sensory choices in some uniquely beautiful ways.



About Marquee Brands

Marquee Brands is a leading global brand owner and marketer. Owned by investor funds managed by Neuberger Berman, one of the world's leading employee-owned investment managers, Marquee Brands targets high quality brands with strong consumer awareness and long-term growth potential. Marquee Brands seeks to identify brands in various consumer product segments with the goal of expanding their reach across retail channel, geography and product category while preserving the brand heritage and enhancing the ultimate consumer experience. Through its global team of professionals and partners, Marquee Brands monitors trends and markets in order to grow and manage brands in partnership with retailers, licensees and manufacturers through engaging, impactful strategic planning, marketing, and e-commerce. www.marqueebrands.com. In 2019, Marquee Brands acquired the Martha Stewart brand, which reaches approximately 100 million consumers across all media and merchandising platforms each month. Martha Stewart is the Founder of Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia and America's most trusted lifestyle expert and teacher. Her branded products can be found in over 70 million households and have a growing retail presence in thousands of locations.



Media Contact: Risa B. Hoag, GMG Public Relations, 845-627-3000, [email protected]

SOURCE Guidecraft
FRESNO, Calif., May 19, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Gurnick Academy of Medical Arts to host an official open house and ribbon-cutting ceremony for a newly-built Simulation Learning Center, Tues., May 25 at 11 AM at the school's Fresno (Calif.) Campus.

Festivities will include a virtually simulated birth.

Constructed amid the pandemic, completed May 1, the 5,000-square-foot center features leading interactive healthcare equipment, patient simulators, high-fidelity mannequins, a centralized command center, a didactic lecture facility, and offices. The newly constructed space will afford students and practitioners the ability to practice skills without potential risks to patients.

Bridging healthcare initiatives, training stations like these are being used more frequently within academic settings. Simulated labs provide virtual and in-person experiences, self-paced learning environments, and realistic yet adaptive clinicals, with patient-centric curriculum deliveries ranging from live birthing to burn victims or surgery. Anatomically equipped to the specific body area to be studied, patient simulators can range from simple static models to highly technical and can be fully automatedi.e., delivering a baby with differing configurations. Students and teachers no longer have to wait to observe a real-life heart attack; instead, a clinical can be simulated asynchronously matching academic coursework, precisely by textbook, chapter, and class period.

The lab was built in cooperation with Education Management Solutions (EMS), a pioneer in simulation-based solutions for healthcare training environments, and Gaumard, a Florida-based entity providing simulation resources and innovative products for classrooms and training solutions.

"One of the most important aspects of healthcare learning is the hands-on component," said Burke Malin, the school's Chief Operating Officer. "Over the past number of years, we've been enhancing lab environments and other simulation tools to augment the overall curriculum in multiple programs. Giving our programs an ability to simulate use across different programs and coordinating the education to look and feel like the realities experienced in a dynamic hospital or outpatient environment is critical to preparing all our students for real-life, healthcare environments."

Karen Hobson, Fresno Campus director, echoes this, "The simulation learning center developed as a shared vision within the campus community. Students who have an opportunity to learn in a realistic environment will experience a higher level of knowledge transfer and will be supported as they practice relevant skills."

"[This] is going to open the door for collaboration with other members of the interdisciplinary team," said Shelvia Salvano, Simulation Manager and BSN Assistant Program director. "It will allow the students to learn how to communicate and collaborate with the allied health members."

Samantha Manlosa Sanchez, dean of nursing, agrees. "[It] opens the door to community partnerships, multidisciplinary teams collaboration, and an affirmation of the academic institution's mission of delivering high-quality instructions in nursing and allied health programs."

"Attend" the ceremony here, https://www.simulationiq.com/virtual-event-gurnick. (Festivities will include a campus tour and virtually simulated birth.)

Gurnick Academy of Medical Arts is a private, post-secondary educational institution operating six campuses across California. Gurnick Academy offers allied health, nursing, and medical imaging programs.

Related Images

image1.jpg

SOURCE Gurnick Academy of Medical Arts
NORFOLK, Va., May 19, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Harbor Group International, LLC ("HGI"), a privately owned international real estate investment and management firm, today announced the close of its first CRE CLO, HGI 2021-FL1 ("the CLO"), with an aggregate deal balance of approximately $558 million. The offering is comprised exclusively of bridge loans on multifamily assets across the United States.

"The close of our initial CLO marks a significant progression for Harbor Group International as we grow our debt and alternatives investment platform and adapt our business to meet changing market needs," said Richard Litton, President, HGI. "We intend to continue to leverage our deep multifamily expertise to be a CLO manager and bridge lender on a long-term basis."

In 2020, HGI established its whole loan bridge lending platform, originating senior mortgage loans for multifamily borrowers seeking short-term financing for new construction and value-add assets. In addition to the whole loan platform, HGI has been sourcing and managing debt investments for more than a decade. The firm currently manages approximately $2.3 billion of real estate debt investments, including whole loans, Freddie Mac structured debt products, preferred equity investments and mezzanine loans.

"The CLO offering further establishes Harbor Group International's strong national reputation as a debt investor and reliable source of financing to multifamily borrowers," Litton added. "Our deep industry relationships and broad market penetration across the U.S. continue to allow us to generate strong transaction pipelines across the capital stack for our investors."

Goldman Sachs was the Sole Structuring Agent and Co-Lead Manager for the CLO offering. JP Morgan and Amherst Pierpont served as Co-Managers.

About Harbor Group International

Harbor Group International, LLC, including its affiliates, is a private real estate and real estate related investment and management firm which controls a portfolio of worldwide assets valued at $13.5 billion. HGI is headquartered in Norfolk, Virginia with offices in New York, Baltimore, Los Angeles and Tel Aviv. The company's real estate holdings include 4.3 million square feet of commercial properties and 48,000 apartment units. For additional information, please visit www.harborgroupint.com .

Media Contacts:

Morgan McGinnis

[email protected]

SOURCE Harbor Group International, LLC

Related Links

https://www.harborgroupint.com


FRENCH CAMP, Calif., May 18, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Following a prior notice made on December 22, 2020, Health Plan of San Joaquin ("HPSJ") is providing updated notice of an incident involving potential unauthorized access to personal information. To date, HPSJ has not received any reports that personal information has been misused as a result of this incident.

On October 12, 2020 HPSJ discovered unusual activity affecting HPSJ's email system and immediately launched an investigation with the help of a computer specialist that has expertise in email security incidents to assist our investigation. Through this investigation, on October 23, 2020, HPSJ learned that an unknown person(s) accessed certain HPSJ employee email accounts between September 26, 2020 and October 12, 2020. Once HPSJ identified the affected email accounts, email passwords were immediately changed to stop any further access by the unknown person(s). HPSJ is also continually evaluating its security protocols in order to prevent a similar incident from occurring in the future.

Upon discovering this incident, HPSJ moved quickly to investigate and took steps to further secure its systems. HPSJ reviewed the messages in the email accounts to determine if any personal information was in the affected HPSJ email accounts, so that we could contact anyone whose information may have been seen without authorization. HPSJ has determined the following type of information may have been contained in one or more of the affected email accounts: member name, HPSJ member ID number, claim ID number, date of birth, lab results, medical ID number, prescription information, treatment information, driver's license or other government issued ID number, financial account information, health insurance information, medical record number (MRN), username and password, prescription ID number, and Social Security number.. Although HPSJ is unaware of any actual or attempted misuse of information as a result of this event, HPSJ is notifying potentially affected individuals out of an abundance of caution. HPSJ is also notifying necessary regulatory bodies.

Please call 1-800-691-6229 Monday  Friday, 6am to 6pm Pacific, except holidays or visit the HPSJ website at https://www.hpsj.com for more information. Potentially affected individuals may also consider the information and resources outlined below.

HPSJ encourages potentially impacted individuals to remain vigilant against incidents of identity theft and fraud, to review account statements, and to monitor their credit reports for suspicious activity. Individuals may contact the three major credit reporting agencies for advice on how to obtain free credit reports and how to place fraud alerts and security freezes on credit files. The relevant contact information is below:

Equifax P.O. Box 105788 Atlanta, GA 30348 1-800-685-111 www.equifax.com Experian P.O. Box 9554 Allen, TX 75013 1-888-397-3742 www.experian.com TransUnion P.O. Box 160 Woodlyn, PA 19094 1-888-909-8872 www.transunion.com

Potentially impacted individuals may also find information regarding identity theft, fraud alerts, security freezes and the steps they may take to protect their information by contacting the credit bureaus, the Federal Trade Commission or their state Attorney General. The Federal Trade Commission can be reached at: 600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20580; www.identitytheft.gov; 1-877-ID-THEFT (1-877-438-4338); and TTY: 1-866-653-4261.

SOURCE Health Plan of San Joaquin
TEGUCIGALPA, May 19, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- The Government of Honduras seeks to provide greater stability to foreign and national investment for propelling the generation of jobs in the country through model cities called Zones for Employment and Economic Development (ZEDEs for its acronym in Spanish), by pursuing legal reforms for strengthening this model in consensus with the different sectors of the country.

The ZEDE located within the national territory in areas subject to a "special regime" purport to be autonomously governed areas that will attract foreign investment and compete for residents by establishing safer communities and better managed institutions governed by the rule of law.

The ZEDE presents new opportunities for investors, in particular those who are looking to diversify their supply chains; also, help facilitate greater trade between through various fiscal and non-fiscal incentives.

This is an initiative that President Juan Orlando Hernandez has promoted since 2010 to attract foreign investment for accelerating growth, through the massive generation of jobs and better living conditions for the Honduran population.

Honduras Congress amended its constitution and passed the Organic Law of Employment and Economic Development Zones in 2013 with a majority of votes, to create ZEDEs empowered to set their own budgets and taxes, and it authorized public audiences for approving the selection of two regions and the hosts of these new enclave model for popular sovereignty.

The ZEDE will provide a wide range of territorial ventures, including urban development, resource extraction, international logistics centers, commercial international courts, special investment districts, renewable energy districts, industrial parks, special export processing zones, technology parks, and innovation areas

Last week, a bill was introduced before the Honduras National Congress aiming a tax interpretation and exemptions from these employment zones, and with this action the Government is looking forward to engaging a multi-sectorial dialogue to join and support this initiative.

"The Zones for Employment and Economic Development are an initiative conditioned in the Constitution of the Republic, whose purpose is to prevent hundreds of Hondurans from leaving the country in search of jobs and better living conditions for themselves and their families", President Hernandez said.

Many countries in Asia, such as China, Singapore, Taiwan, Korea, and Dubai, among others, and other regions have had economic success through undertakings similar models which have triggered development poles from large productive investments.

Fuente: https://presidencia.gob.hn/index.php/gob/el-presidente/9523-presidente-hernandez-garantiza-soberania-en-las-zonas-de-empleo-y-desarrollo-economico

SOURCE Government of Honduras
BOSTON, May 19, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- The Humane Farming Association (HFA) today announced the launch of its "Stop the Rotten Egg Bills" campaign to sound an alarm about proposed legislation that would repeal an animal-care standard approved by an overwhelming 78% of Massachusetts voters. The public-education campaign includes a website, StopTheRottenEggBill.org, and the placement of full-page advertisements in Massachusetts news outlets.

In 2016, Massachusetts voters approved Question 3, a ballot measure which requires that egg-laying hens each be provided no less than 1.5 square feet of floor space. The law is scheduled to go into effect this coming January. However, if proposed legislation (House bill 864 and Senate bill 36) passes, the egg industry would be allowed to ignore that standard and to inhumanely crowd 50% more hens into egg factories than allowed by Massachusetts' current voter-enacted law.

"The egg industry and a few co-opted animal groups are falsely portraying this cruel reduction in floor space  to a mere one square foot per hen  as an 'enhancement' to Question 3," said Bradley Miller, national director of the Humane Farming Association. "In reality, what they are attempting is the outright repeal of the law's central and most important anti-cruelty provision."

The ads start running this week in The Boston Globe, Boston Herald and MassLive.com. On the campaign website, StopTheRottenEggBill.org, Massachusetts residents can directly contact their state representatives and senators to express opposition to these bills.

"Whether you supported Question 3 or not, every Massachusetts resident should be outraged by this egg-industry attempt to overturn election results," Miller said. "The industry's back-door effort, if successful, would be a devastating setback to farm-animal protection and a major betrayal of Massachusetts voters."

About the Humane Farming Association

The Humane Farming Association (HFA) is dedicated to the protection of farm animals and operates the nation's largest farm-animal sanctuary. Founded in 1985 and over 270,000 members strong, HFA is nationally recognized for its groundbreaking anti-cruelty campaigns.

Contact: Bradley Miller (415) 485-1495

[email protected]

Related Links

https://stoptherotteneggbill.org

https://www.hfa.org

SOURCE Humane Farming Association

Related Links

https://www.hfa.org


Q1 2021 Production 15,752 ounces (ozs) of gold (Au) and 1,440 ounces of silver (Ag) (100% basis)

Q1 2021 Cash Costs of $836 /oz Au and all-in sustaining costs (AISC) of $926 /oz Au sold

/oz Au and all-in sustaining costs (AISC) of /oz Au sold 8,000 m drill program planned for the year is currently under way

drill program planned for the year is currently under way Updated mineral reserve and resource estimate expected H2-2021

i-80 Gold attributable 2021 South Arturo production guidance:

15,000 to 20,000 ounces Au



Cash costs of $900 /oz Au and $1,000 /oz Au sold

/oz Au and /oz Au sold

AISC of $1,100 /oz Au and $1,200 /oz Au sold

"South Arturo continues to deliver positive exploration success and mining results" stated Ewan Downie, Chief Executive Officer of i-80 Gold Corp. "2021 will be pivotal year for the project as we incorporate the 2020 drill results into an updated reserve estimate and the joint venture progresses its work on the Phase 3 tradeoff study and planning for the development of the Phase 1 open pit operation".

The South Arturo mine is a joint venture with Nevada Gold Mines LLC, operated by Barrick Gold Corporation ("Barrick"). Several opportunities to expand production exist on the property including the continued expansion of the recently developed El Nino underground mine that represents the second operation developed at South Arturo and has delivered consistent production results since being put into production in the second half of 2019.

During the first quarter of 2021, South Arturo produced 15,752 ounces of gold and 1,440 ounces of silver from El Nino, on a 100% basis. Cash cost per ounce of gold sold was $836 and all-in sustaining cost per ounce of gold sold was $926 during the quarter, below annual guidance and a reduction from previous quarters.

In 2020, 3,800 metres of drilling was completed from underground drilling stations at El Nino. The results were very positive and will be included in an updated mineral reserve and resource estimate that is expected to be completed in H2-2021. Following up on the success of this drill program, more than 8,000 metres of surface and underground exploration drilling are planned in 2021, focused on extending mineralization further down dip at the Lower El Nino and Cloud Nine targets.

Additionally, the development of a ramp to access the deeper mineralization at El Nino is under way and is expected to be completed in Q1-2023. Production of orebodies accessed from the ramp is expected to begin in Q2-2022.

Production guidance for i-80's 40% interest in El Nino in 2021 is expected to be between 15,000 to 20,000 ounces of gold during the year with cash costs per ounce of gold sold between $900/oz Au and $1,000/oz and all-in sustaining costs per ounce of gold sold between $1,100/oz Au and $1,200/oz Au.

Tim George, PE, Manager of Engineering Services, is the Qualified Person for the information contained in this press release and is a Qualified Person within the meaning of National Instrument 43-101.

About i-80 Gold Corp.

i-80 Gold Corp. is a Nevada-focused mining company with a goal of achieving mid-tier gold producer status. In addition to its producing mine, El Nino at South Arturo, i-80 is beginning to plan for future production growth through the potential addition of the Phases 1 & 3 projects at South Arturo, advancing the Getchell Project through economic studies and then on to development, and the advanced exploration for the 100%owned McCoy-Cove Property.





Certain statements in this release constitute "forward-looking statements" or "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable securities laws, including but not limited to, actual production results and costs, outcomes and timing of updated technical studies and future exploration results. Such statements and information involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of the company, its projects, or industry results, to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements or information. Such statements can be identified by the use of words such as "may", "would", "could", "will", "intend", "expect", "believe", "plan", "anticipate", "estimate", "scheduled", "forecast", "predict" and other similar terminology, or state that certain actions, events or results "may", "could", "would", "might" or "will" be taken, occur or be achieved. These statements reflect the Company's current expectations regarding future events, performance and results and speak only as of the date of this release.

Forward-looking statements and information involve significant risks and uncertainties, should not be read as guarantees of future performance or results and will not necessarily be accurate indicators of whether or not such results will be achieved. A number of factors could cause actual results to differ materially from the results discussed in the forward-looking statements or information, including, but not limited to: material adverse changes, unexpected changes in laws, rules or regulations, or their enforcement by applicable authorities; the failure of parties to contracts with the company to perform as agreed; social or labour unrest; changes in commodity prices; and the failure of exploration programs or studies to deliver anticipated results or results that would justify and support continued exploration, studies, development or operations.

SOURCE i-80 Gold Corp

Related Links

www.i80gold.com


DUBLIN, May 19, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- The "India Online Food Delivery Market by Delivery Type (Aggregator, Cloud Kitchen), City, Ordering Platform, Cuisine, Ordering Frequency & Companies" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.

India Online Food Delivery Market will be US$ 21.41 Billion by 2026, from US$ 4.66 Billion in 2020

India Online Food Delivery Industry will grow at a staggering CAGR of 28.94% during 2020-2026.

India online food delivery industry is going through a revolutionary phase. In recent years, this market has shown huge prospects and attracted heavy investments. After the US$ 250 Million new investment Zomato valuation was of US$ 5.4 Billion, up from US$ 3.9 Billion in December last year.

Similarly its rival Swiggy is in advanced stages of talks with SoftBank to invest up to US$ 450 Million into food delivery startup, which will peg its valuation to US$ 5 Billion. This is one of the few industries which are growing with double digit CAGR.



Online food delivery is the system in which customers can order food and receive desired food products at the doorstep. It involves software that allows restaurants to accept and manage orders placed over the internet. Indian customers have the option to choose from a wide variety of cuisine's options of different restaurants while browsing the website sitting at home.

In India, market players are mainly concentrated in the country's urban regions like Mumbai, Delhi, Bangalore, Delhi, and Mumbai. However, vendors are now also targeting smaller cities, as they have strong growth potential.



Online food delivery works on two delivery types i.e. Aggregator & Cloud Kitchen. The Food Aggregators allow consumers to compare and order their meals from different restaurants through a single app. It is more prevalent in India than Cloud kitchens as cloud kitchens are commercial facilities purpose-built to produce food specifically for delivery.

Factors that are propelling India's online delivery market are changing lifestyle and eating habits. Hectic schedule and growing disposable income in India pushes people towards ready-to-eat food at a cheaper rate.

Getting it quickly through one-click has popularized food delivery options, especially in urban areas. Besides, rising digitalization among millennial and increasing proportion of working women in India are also driving the online food delivery trends in India.

Furthermore, COVID- 19 lockdowns have also positively impacted India's online food delivery industry by the full-filling urge of eating outside. As many leading players like Zomato, McDonald's Corporation, and Domino's Pizza Inc. have introduced contactless delivery services.



Key Topics Covered:



1. Introduction



2. Research & Methodology



3. Executive Summary



4. Market Dynamics

4.1 Growth Drivers

4.2 Challenges

4.3 Opportunities

4.4 Threats



5. Consumer Survey Insights

5.1 Place of Residence

5.2 Age Group

5.3 Monthly Income Group

5.4 Do you order food online

5.5 Day of Ordering



6. India Online Food Delivery

6.1 Market

6.2 Users



7. Market Share Analysis

7.1 Delivery Types

7.2 Cities

7.3 Ordering Platforms

7.4 Cuisines

7.5 Meals



8. Delivery Type Market

8.1 Aggregator

8.2 Cloud Kitchen



9. City Market

9.1 Bangalore

9.2 Delhi NCR

9.3 Mumbai

9.4 Hyderabad

9.5 Pune

9.6 Others



10. Ordering Platform Market

10.1 Phone Call

10.2 Restaurant's Website or Mobile App

10.3 Delivery Service Website or Mobile App



11. Cuisines Market

11.1 Chinese

11.2 Continental

11.3 Italian

11.4 North Indian

11.5 South Indian

11.6 Maharashtrian

11.7 Gujrati

11.8 Bengali

11.9 Other



12. Meals Market

12.1 Dinner

12.2 Lunch

12.3 Breakfast

12.4 Others



13. Ordering Frequency

13.1 Frequency by Age

13.2 COVID-19 Impact on Ordering Frequency by Age



14. Mergers & Acquisitions



15. Company Analysis

15.1 Zomato Media Private Limited

15.1.1 Overview

15.1.2 Initiatives & Recent Developments

15.1.3 Revenue

15.2 Jubilant FoodWorks (Dominos)

15.2.1 Overview

15.2.2 Initiatives & Recent Developments

15.2.3 Revenue

15.3 Yum! Brands, Inc. (Pizza Hut and KFC)

15.3.1 Overview

15.3.2 Initiatives & Recent Developments

15.3.3 Revenue

15.4 Bundl Technologies Private Limited (Swiggy)

15.4.1 Overview

15.4.2 Initiatives & Recent Developments

15.4.3 Revenue

15.5 FoodVista India Private Limited (Freshmenu)

15.5.1 Overview

15.5.2 Initiatives & Recent Developments

15.5.3 Revenue

For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/bn599r

Media Contact:

Research and Markets

Laura Wood, Senior Manager

[email protected]



For E.S.T Office Hours Call +1-917-300-0470

For U.S./CAN Toll Free Call +1-800-526-8630

For GMT Office Hours Call +353-1-416-8900



U.S. Fax: 646-607-1907

Fax (outside U.S.): +353-1-481-1716

SOURCE Research and Markets

Related Links

http://www.researchandmarkets.com


MEMPHIS, Tenn., May 19, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- International Paper (NYSE: IP) Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Mark Sutton will take part in a fireside chat at the KeyBanc Industrials & Basic Materials Virtual Conference on June 3, 2021. The fireside chat is scheduled to begin at 11:20 a.m. EST. All interested parties are invited to listen to the webcast live via International Paper's Internet site http://www.internationalpaper.com by clicking on the "Performance" tab and then clicking on the "Presentations and Events" link. A replay of the webcast will be available on the website approximately three hours after the presentation.

ABOUT INTERNATIONAL PAPER

International Paper (NYSE: IP) is a leading global producer of renewable fiber-based packaging, pulp and paper products with manufacturing operations in North America, Latin America, Europe, North Africa and Russia. We produce corrugated packaging products that protect and promote goods, and enable world-wide commerce; pulp for diapers, tissue and other personal hygiene products that promote health and wellness; and papers that facilitate education and communication. We are headquartered in Memphis, Tenn., employ approximately 48,000 colleagues and serve more than 25,000 customers in 150 countries. Net sales for 2020 were $21 billion. For more information about International Paper, our products and global citizenship efforts, please visit internationalpaper.com.

SOURCE International Paper

Related Links

http://www.internationalpaper.com


ETS launches the newest addition to the TOEFL Family of Assessments, available August 2021

PRINCETON, N.J., May 19, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- ETS announced today the introduction of a brand-new English-language proficiency assessment, the TOEFL Essentials  test. The TOEFL Essentials test becomes the second high-stakes English-language proficiency test within the TOEFL Family of Assessments  joining alongside the TOEFL iBT  test launched more than 15 years ago. In addition, TOEFL Essentials is the first English-language test that offers the ideal combination of the convenient, affordable access students want and the quality institutions trust. Registration will open to test takers on Thursday, June 17 for administrations beginning on Saturday, Aug. 21.

The TOEFL Essentials test is a versatile four-skills (listening, reading, speaking and writing) English-language test designed for university admissions and other high-stakes decisions. It measures a combination of academic and general English skills  those that are needed for the classroom setting and beyond (e.g., internships and interviews). In addition, the test provides institutions with expanded insights through writing and speaking samples from the test, additional measures of foundational skills and a unique Personal Video Statement  a short, unscored, video recording which provides an opportunity for applicants to showcase their unique personalities.





Key facts to highlight about the test include:

Content: 50% academic, 50% general English

50% academic, 50% general English Format: multistage adaptive format with short, fast-paced tasks that adjust based on skill level

multistage adaptive format with short, fast-paced tasks that adjust based on skill level Length: about 1-1/2 hours long

about 1-1/2 hours long Location: at home with best-in-class human proctored security provided by ProctorU  , similar to the established TOEFL iBT  Home Edition model

at home with best-in-class human proctored security provided by ProctorU , similar to the established Home Edition model Features: instant Reading and Listening scores upon test completion, MyBest  scores and free, unlimited score reports

instant Reading and Listening scores upon test completion, scores and free, unlimited score reports Price: varies by location; between 100120 USD

varies by location; between 100120 USD Scoring: Speaking and Writing sections scored by human raters to ensure accuracy and fairness

The TOEFL Essentials test and the TOEFL iBT test are similar in that they are high-quality, valid and reliable four-skills English-language tests for high-stakes decisions. They have distinct differences, however, in approach to skills measurement, design and test-taking experience  and as such, can both be used as standalone measures of English-language proficiency by institutions within their portfolio of accepted tests.

"While the TOEFL iBT test has cemented its place as the gold standard in the international admissions space, we are expanding the portfolio with the innovative and versatile TOEFL Essentials test to allow students to choose a TOEFL test that best meets their testing style and preferences," said Srikant Gopal, Executive Director of the TOEFL Program. "Both the TOEFL Essentials test and the TOEFL iBT test can help students get to where they want to go, and we are thrilled to continue the TOEFL heritage of quality and fairness to help advance the educational journeys of students around the world."

In the next few weeks, ETS will be publishing the TOEFL Essentials research design framework, details pertaining to the score scale, score comparison tables and score requirement recommendations so that institutions can make informed decisions about acceptance and set score requirements based on their individualized needs. In a recent survey of nearly 250 institutions around the world, 95% indicated they would be likely to accept the TOEFL Essentials test, and 90% consider the test to be beneficial in attracting new applicants to their program.

To date, several universities have already indicated their acceptance.

"The past year drove our institution to consider convenient options for English-language testing but concerns over validity and reliability made us cautious," said Bryan Boudreau, Coordinator for International Student Engagement, Office of Admission, Bob Jones University (South Carolina, USA). "We have come to trust the TOEFL brand with many decades of proven student success. We were delighted to see this new option that combines convenience with reliability. Our academic faculty were highly enthusiastic and agreed TOEFL Essentials will provide what they need to support student success."

According to Raffi Muroy, Director of International Admission at Suffolk University (Massachusetts, USA), "We at Suffolk value access and opportunity  it's part of our core mission and our goal statement  so anything that is able to provide access and opportunity for applicants to be able to pursue higher education is something that we admire tremendously. We trust TOEFL and ETS and believe this is an excellent move by them to provide students with valuable options."

To learn more about the test, including information on registration, test prep, scores, FAQs and more, please visit www.ets.org/toefl/essentials.

About ETS

At ETS, we advance quality and equity in education for people worldwide by creating assessments based on rigorous research. ETS serves individuals, educational institutions and government agencies by providing customized solutions for teacher certification, English language learning, and elementary, secondary and postsecondary education, and by conducting education research, analysis and policy studies. Founded as a nonprofit in 1947, ETS develops, administers and scores more than 50 million tests annually  including the TOEFL and TOEIC  tests, the GRE  tests and The Praxis Series  assessments  in more than 180 countries, at over 9,000 locations worldwide.

SOURCE ETS
ORLANDO, Fla., May 19, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Jeremiah's Italian Ice  the hottest brand in the frozen dessert category  is continuing its rapid growth in 2021. Already this year, the brand has successfully opened 11 new franchise locations, exceeding the 10 locations it opened in all of 2020, and is on track to open an additional 25  30 locations by year's end. The brand is expecting a +225% increase in location count over the 22 it started with in 2019, when it first launched its franchise opportunity.

The brand is also proud to announce its #3 ranking as a top new food franchise in 2021 by Entrepreneur Magazine and its additional inclusion in Entrepreneur's Top New Franchise List of 2021. Placement in Entrepreneur's rankings is a highly sought-after honor in the franchise industry making it one of the company's most competitive rankings ever. Entrepreneur ranks Jeremiah's Italian Ice as a top franchise that has been operating five years or less.

Earlier this year, Jeremiah's Italian Ice was also listed on QSR Magazine's 2021 40/40 List as one America's hottest fast casual restaurant concepts and its founder, Jeremy Litwack was recognized by Nation's Restaurant News as one of the most influential restaurant CEO's as part of its 2021 Reader's Picks.

"We came into the year with big plans for development, eying new states and aiming to capitalize on our resiliency to the pandemic-related complications of 2020," said Nicole DiPietro, Vice President of Jeremiah's Italian Ice. "We are proud of the fact that our brand has reached every benchmark goal so far this year and our ongoing success has remained evident to potential franchise partners."

Targeting new states in its franchise development, the brand has already opened its first locations in Arizona, Louisiana, North Carolina, Texas and Georgia and has agreements awarded to expand in Oklahoma, South Carolina, Alabama, Tennessee, Nevada and Colorado as well.

Drawing in area representatives who hold experience with brands such as Tropical Smoothie, Subway, Bento Asian Kitchen & Sushi, Blu Halo and Hangar 36 among others, Jeremiah's is proud to welcome these operators to help the brand go national. The brand is now well on its way to becoming a national sensation.

To help guide the brand's rapid expansion, Jeremiah's Italian Ice has partnered with Pivotal Growth Partners  an experienced team of franchise veterans who've led some of the top brands in foodservice to award-winning growth. Since partnering with PGP, Jeremiah's has awarded nearly 170 franchise units across more than 65 franchise groups.

"Our ability to build on our established relationships early in the year has set us up perfectly for continued success throughout 2021," said Cameron Cummins, Co-Founder of Pivotal Growth Partners and Chief Development Officer of Jeremiah's Italian Ice. "We look to maintain our reputation as a serious force to be reckoned with in the QSR industry as 2021 continues."

Each Jeremiah's location boasts an upbeat atmosphere full of vibrant colors and offers over 40 flavors of indulgent high-quality Italian Ice, as well as creamy Soft Ice Cream. A synthesis of these two core products, the Jeremiah's Gelati is the showcase of the menu with layers of Italian Ice swirled with thick, homemade Soft Ice Cream, offering nearly limitless flavor combinations. Jeremiah's franchisees are embedded in the local community and are crucial to helping keep communities smiling through tough times. Jeremiah's wants to continue to expand its footprint so people across America can taste how amazing their treats are and to help local entrepreneurs make their dreams come true.

"I am incredibly proud of the Jeremiah's Frog Squad and am humbled to be part of a company that stays true to its mantra to 'Live Life to the Coolest,'" stated CEO and Founder of Jeremiah's Italian Ice Jeremy Litwack. "I look forward to continuing the brand's momentum throughout 2021 and working with the team to provide our communities with the best frozen treats available."

To learn more about the Jeremiah's Italian Ice franchise opportunity, please visit: www.jeremiahsfranchise.com/

About Jeremiah's Italian Ice

Founded in 1996 and franchising since 2019, Jeremiah's Italian Ice has come to be known not only for its superior frozen treats, but also its outstanding customer service, community involvement, and an exciting brand image that exudes the Jeremiah's motto - LIVE LIFE TO THE COOLEST. Focused on delivering flavorful experiences to each and every guest, Jeremiah's is committed to serving its vibrant, flavorful treats up with a smile in a lively environment. With more than 40 locations throughout Florida, Arizona, Georgia, North Carolina, Louisiana and Texas, Jeremiah's is offering franchises across the Southern United States. To help guide the brand's rapid expansion, Jeremiah's Italian Ice has partnered with Pivotal Growth Partners  a team of franchising veterans who've led some of the top brands in foodservice to award-winning growth. For more information about Jeremiah's franchise opportunity, visit https://www.jeremiahsfranchise.com

About Pivotal Growth Partners

Pivotal Growth Partners (PGP) is a full-service Growth & Development Firm with an unparalleled track record of success in growing franchise brands. The experienced team at PGP has awarded & developed more than 5000 franchised businesses across the US and internationally, working with startups and some of the world's largest companies. With a combined 50+ years of experience and a network of growth and development partners, Pivotal Growth Partners creates value, growing small, regional companies into nationally acclaimed brands. PGP deploys proven processes and systems to effectively grow a business, by creating a "Results Focused" Franchise Growth & Support Culture within its brands. For more information, visit www.pivotalgrowthpartners.com .

SOURCE Jeremiahs Italian Ice

Related Links

https://jeremiahsfranchise.com/


NEW YORK and STOCKHOLM, May 19, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- JK Tech, a global IT solutions company, partners with EvoluteIQ, a market-leading technology company for hyperautomation. This strategic alliance positions JK Tech to co-develop transformative business solutions in Claims Processing, Compliance, Financial Services and Healthcare and Customer Journey Management in Retail and CPG using the e.IQ Low-code/No-code hyperautomation platform.

Hyperautomation has been coined by Gartner as the "next stage of evolution" and is included in their list of the "top 10 strategic trends" for 2021 and beyond. The e.IQ platform combines low-code / no-code, iBPMS, AI, ML, IoT, RPA Integration, Blockchain and data processing to deliver end-to-end enterprise automation.

JK Tech and EvoluteIQ will help enterprises modernize and unlock the next level of digital disruption by accelerating the adoption of hyperautomation across complex business processes to maximize the overall business productivity. Organizations can look to realize operational costs savings of at least 30% by combining process simplification, domain and a robust technology platform.

Aloke Paskar, President and CEO, JK Tech, said, "Our collaboration with EvoluteIQ has positioned us to co-create industry solutions and bring next-generation value to our existing and new customers. In the disruptive world of digital transformation, enterprises will rapidly migrate from experimenting on tactical automation initiatives to unlocking automation's true potential by embracing the hyper automation paradigm. We are excited to announce this partnership in one of our key solutions that will focus on customer-driven innovation while pairing AI/ML with RPA to tackle real-world issues of automation."

"We are thrilled to have eIQ platform power JK Tech's Industry based automation offerings," said Sameet Gupte, CEO, EvoluteIQ. "This partnership not only enables JK Tech to launch hyperautomation solutions rapidly, but also bolsters the professional service's capacity for EvoluteIQ, given the global scale and presence of JK Tech," Gupte added.

About EvoluteIQ

EvoluteIQ is a Nordea & Confidus Venture Capital backed company based out of Stockholm, Sweden. The core platform e.IQ is, an end-to-end Enablement Platform for hyperautomation that combines the capabilities of low-code / no-code, iBPMS, AI, ML, IOT, RPA Integration, OCR, Blockchain and data processing on a single integrated platform.

About JK Tech

Founded in 1994, JK Tech is a next-generation Digital and IT services provider enabling clients globally to navigate their digital transformation. We stand by our vision of "committed to a superior experience" with our customers, our people, and our social environment.

We offer specialized capabilities across automotive, manufacturing, retail & consumer products, healthcare with our niche solutions across Modernization and Automation.

Contact:

Chhavi Sood

[email protected]

SOURCE JK Tech
VALLETTA, Malta, May 19, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Kindred will give employees the opportunity to share in the success of the Group through share ownership. Building on the All Employee Share Plan (AESP) that was launched in 2017 Kindred launches a new AESP that will run over a two-year performance period.

Kindred Group recognises that there is a huge advantage to be gained for both Kindred and its employees if the employees are given a stake in the company through share ownership. The scheme will be available to all current and future permanent employees with exception of those on Kindred's Executive Management team, and shares will be awarded concurrent to Kindred meeting its performance objectives. A previous AESP achieved 70 per cent increase in value for employees (2017-2021).

"Our people are our most valuable asset and we want to ensure that current and future team members share in the success of Kindred Group. We have committed to make a new share award every year for the next three years in line with our current strategic cycle for the business. We hope this will engage and motivate our employees, and demonstrates our long-term commitment to customers and shareholders", explains Gavin Hayward, Chief Human Resources Officer, Kindred Group.

"We are aware that other competitors have introduced employee 'save as you earn' type share schemes, which provide the opportunity for employees to purchase discounted shares but we genuinely believe that our AESP is a unique and special benefit which aligns employees with Kindred's performance, provides them with an opportunity to be shareholders themselves in the company and really differentiates our employee proposition from that of our competitors", concludes Gavin Hayward

CONTACT:

For more information:

Maria Angell Dupont

External Communications Manager

Kindred Group

+46 72 165 15 17

[email protected]

This information was brought to you by Cision http://news.cision.com

https://news.cision.com/kindred-group/r/kindred-gives-employees-a-real-stake-in-the-company-through-share-ownership,c3349579

The following files are available for download:

https://mb.cision.com/Main/824/3349579/1419459.pdf Kindred gives employees a real stake in the company through share ownership https://news.cision.com/kindred-group/i/kindred-,c2914388 Kindred

SOURCE Kindred Group
STUART, Fla., May 19, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- KW Miller announced today his Phase II Plans to Convert Florida's Five (5) Water Management Districts into individual Regulated Utilities to address to address the protracted water crisis. This follows on from prior announced Phase I plan to convert the outdated South Florida Water Management District (SFWMD) into a Regulated Utility.

1,000 Americans Move to Florida every day Florida Water Management Districts

"Florida residents have suffered from toxic water for far too long. Florida is thirty years (30) behind on water and sewage treatment facilities, new pipelines, new storage, and filtration basin construction and refurbishments. Florida has a massive water pollution problem, the majority of which is untreated brown water and raw sewage, flowing into our rivers and estuaries. It is time for the Infrastructure professionals to take over," Miller said.

Under the conversions, each of Florida's Water Management Districts (WMD) would be converted to regulated utilities and come under the oversight of the Florida Public Service Commission (FPSC). The following is his statement on the expanded plan. The plan would require approval from the FPSC and State legislators.

"The WMD's have all outgrown their dated 'Taxing Agency Structure' and require comprehensive restructurings. Additionally, they have been completely captured by outside special interest groups, which has completely crippled all efforts to address Florida's critically needed water infrastructure build out requirements," Miller added.

As previously announced, the Phase I conversion will focus on the excessively political South Florida Water Management District (SFWMD), which has it has become one of the largest water management systems in the United States, which includes managing the regional water supply, improving water quality in addition to assisting in the restoration of the Everglades, Kissimmee River, and protecting coastal estuaries.

For more information on the Phase I conversion of SFWMD see the following link:

https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/kw-miller-announces-plan-to-convert-the-south-florida-water-management-district-to-an-investor-owned-utility-301291664.html

About KW Miller

Mr. Miller is a senior business leader in the capital markets, energy and infrastructure sectors with over 30 years of combined expertise. He advises, restructures, invests and holds board positions on infrastructure, energy and industrial companies. He Specializes in extremely complex utility restructurings, recapitalization, financing and construction of infrastructure assets.

Source:

KW Miller

CRO Advisors

[email protected]

(202) 495-1505

SOURCE KW Miller
LOS ANGELES, May 19, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- The Women Lawyers Association of Los Angeles and the Los Angeles County Bar Association are calling on the legal industry to redouble its commitment to programs and policies that aim to retain and advance women lawyers.

The Call to Action 2021 comes out of the LACBA-WLALA Joint Task Force on the Retention and Promotion of Women Lawyers and includes measures to promote the advancement of women, institutionalize gender parity, and invest in mentorship, professional development, and training.

The task force's recommendations include:

Adopt the Mansfield Rule which requires firms to "consider at least 30 percent women, LGBTQ+, and attorneys of color for all leadership and governance roles, senior lawyer hiring, and equity partner/leader promotions."

Create sponsorship programs that pair senior partners with senior associates, counsel and junior partners to help them develop individualized business plans and open doors with clients.

Ensure accountability by maintaining current and accurate data on hiring, training, opportunities, promotions, compensation, and departure by gender, race and ethnicity, LGBTQ+, and disability.

Increase the number of women equity and non-equity partners by 25 percent over the next five years to reflect that women now represent the majority of law school graduates.

Offer flexible work schedulesespecially during the COVID-19 pandemicand training for all employees to root out biases and spotlight harassment.

As part of the campaign, the LACBA-WLALA Joint Task Force on the Retention and Promotion of Women Lawyers will present a panel on the impact of COVID-19 on the women workforce on Thursday, May 27, 2021. Entitled, "She-cession": Combatting the Crisis of Women Leaving the Workforce, the program includes speakers from the University of Southern California and the University of Arkansas discussing the latest economic data and underlying causes of gender disparity caused by the global pandemic. For more information about the event, please visit here.

Launched in 2007, the Joint Task Force addresses the need to increase the number of women in partnership and leadership positions in major law firms. The Call to Action 2021 helps institutionalize many policies and structures to make that goal possible, such as parental leave policies, flexible work schedules, partnership equity, and implicit bias trainings.

"We need firms to step up and take the lead in championing diversity in the field of law," said Patricia Egan Daehnke and Roxanne M. Wilson, Co-Chairs of LACBA's President's Advisory Committee on Women in the Legal Profession. Jessica Kronstadt, President of WLALA added, "The Call to Action 2021 contains measurable goals that will have long-lasting impacts in retainment and advancement of women lawyers at all stages of their careers. Importantly, these policies will build a foundation for tomorrow's leaders to have the skills and support they need to succeed. We urge law firms to set an example and join us in this important work."

The following firms have already committed to the Call to Action 2021:

Clark Hill PLC

Crowell & Moring LLP

Clyde & Co.

Collinson, Daehnke, Inlow & Greco

Daniels, Fine, Israel, Schonbuch & Lebovits LLP

Fedida Law Firm

Gibson Dunn & Crutcher LLP

Kaplan Marino

Kesselman Brantly Stockinger LLP

Littler Mendelson P.C.

Major, Lindsey & Africa

O'Melveny & Myers

SeltzerFontaine

Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP

Steptoe & Johnson LLP

White & Case LLP

To commit to the Call to Action 2021 or for more information, please visit here.

About Women Lawyers Association of Los Angeles

Established in 1919, WLALA's mission is to promote the full participation of women lawyers and judges in the legal profession from diverse perspectives and racial and ethnic backgrounds, maintain the integrity of our legal system by advocating principles of fairness and equality, and improve the status of women, including their exercise of equal rights and reproductive choice. Our 1000+ members actively work towards these goals through WLALA's committees, sections and activities.

About Los Angeles County Bar Association

The LACBA President's Advisory Committee on Women in the Legal Profession dedicates its time and energy to promote the full participation of women lawyers in the legal profession; supports women in both their professional and personal growth from entry-level to partnership or general counsel; advises on issues related to the careers and advancement of women in the practice of law in Los Angeles; considers matters and engages in activities related to the overall status of women in the legal professions; monitors existing conditions and trends, conducts special programs and makes recommendations that aid in the achievement of its goals, including but not limited to, gender pay equity and retention of women in the legal profession; coordinates its efforts with the committee on Diversity in the Legal Profession, and other appropriate committees and affiliated associations; and solicits and evaluates nominations for the Elizabeth Kenny LACBA Women Lawyers of Achievement Award.

Media Contact:

Andrew Loeb

Senior Coordinator, PR

+1 202.624.2792

Email: [email protected]

SOURCE Los Angeles County Bar Association; Women Lawyers Association of Los Angeles
GENEVA, May 18, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, a global youth-led food movement was launched, promising to ignite a campaign action to combat hunger, improve health and heal the planet. The #Act4Food and #Act4Change campaign takes the form of a simple pledge and list of actions. The pledge brings together young people from around the world to focus on personal action and advocacy as a contribution to systemic change. The pledge is facilitated by Global Alliance for Improved Nutrition and Food Foundation.

The pledge urges governments, businesses, UN agencies and youth counterparts to act boldly and promptly. The list of actions is what young people want businesses and governments to do in order to fix our broken food system. We are asking young people to contribute to shaping the food system of the future by voting for their priority Actions 4 Change. Pledge here.

More than half of the world's population is under the age of 30. As a collective force, young people have extraordinary potential to mobilize and influence global movements, which can be initiated in the form of a simple pledge. The actions for change will enable young people to engage with advocacy and campaigning in their own countries as well as creating a united voice across the globe in the lead up to the United Nations Food Systems Summit. The UN Food Systems Summit was announced by the UN Secretary-General, Antonio Guterres on World Food Day October 2019 as a part of the Decade of Action for delivery on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by 2030. The aim of the Summit is to deliver progress on all 17 of the SDGs through a food systems approach, leveraging the interconnectedness of food systems to global challenges such as hunger, climate change, poverty and inequality.

2018 World Food Prize Laureate, Dr. Lawrence Haddad, Executive Director of GAIN, currently chairing Action Track 1 of the Summit, said, "Hunger and malnutrition continue to be major challenges faced by millions around the globe. The Act4Food Act4Change pledge campaign is an extraordinary initiative spearheaded by youth to act to solve global problems, including the issue of global hunger and malnutrition in all its forms. We believe that the collective voice of the younger generations holds great power and will lead to impactful, overdue, and necessary change."

About the #Act4Food #Act4Change campaign

The Act4Food Act4Change is a pledge campaign that galvanizes youth action to defeat hunger, improve health and heal the planet. The campaign brings together global youth input to focus on personal action and advocacy as a contribution to changing the food system and urges governments and businesses to act boldly and urgently. The Youth Act4Food Act4Change in Support of the Summit and GoodFood4All is facilitated by GAIN and the Food Foundation.

For more information or interview requests:

Global Alliance for Improved Nutrition

Edwin Shankar, Media Relations, [email protected]

Full release here.

Related Images

image1.jpg

SOURCE Global Alliance for Improved Nutrition
NEW YORK, May 19, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- As the nation's era of full-time remote work winds down, Givsly, a 2021 honoree for Fast Company's "World-Changing Ideas Awards," is rolling out its latest do-good initiatives. The leading social impact platform for business professionals today announced two programs designed to address diversity gaps and demographic disparities in advertising and marketing. The programs come one year after the Black Lives Matter movement for George Floyd's brutal murder began impacting the world and corporate America.

Givsly offers organizations a transparent approach to supporting timely social causes that employees value most. Through the Givsly social impact platform, professionals can set up a business meeting with advertising and marketing executives while simultaneously selecting a nonprofit to support. A donation is made to the nonprofit of choice once the scheduled meeting takes place.

Beginning this month, Givsly's self-funded "Get Upfront with Givsly" covers costs for racial or ethnic minority-owned businesses to initiate outreach. Participants will each receive $500 of the $20,000 fund to be applied towards business credits for securing introductory meetings.

Additionally, Givsly and student business organization SuitUp will be partnering for a Summer Boot Camp series. Kicking off in July, the program aims to introduce marketing and advertising as a career option for young students living in underserved communities. Givsly will be connecting agencies and businesses active in its network to sponsor the 2,500 participants across major metropolitan cities around the U.S.

"Employees have made it clear that company leaders need to address existing inequalities in the workplace. They want to be a part of a workplace culture that is actively striving to be better. Failure to meet diversity commitments is not an option," explains Chad Hickey, Givsly Founder and CEO. "Givsly has been tracking this feedback and offers advertising, marketing, and tech companies turn-key solutions to tackle these challenges, backed by tangible results. Our SuitUp Summer Bootcamp, launching in July, and current 'Get Upfront with Givsly' programs will positively benefit small businesses today and generations to come."

To date, SuitUp's Summer Bootcamp corporate sponsors include dentsu Media, Index Exchange, Fox, Initiative, Vistar Media, Smartly.io, SOCi, Mobilefuse, and AdTheorent; individuals from top agencies like OMG, Essence, and Horizon are showing support for "Get Upfront with Givsly." To learn more, register, and join the social impact initiatives, visit www.givsly.com for more information.

About Givsly

Givsly is a social impact company that drives business results through a culture of giving back. By utilizing business behaviors, Givsly's product suite offers turn-key social impact solutions for business through the time and resources used in everyday business responsibilities. Since its launch in April 2020, Givsly's platform works with more than 200 nonprofits and over 1000 business professionals volunteering their meeting time. The software was recognized in Fast Company's "World Changing Idea's Awards 2021." For more information, visit www.givsly.com.

Contact:

Michelle Yampolsky-Gomez

201-618-7741

[email protected]

SOURCE Givsly

Related Links

http://www.givsly.com


TAMPA, Fla., May 19, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- ProVest, an industry leader in serving legal process, is celebrating its 30th anniversary. In 1991 Scott Strady founded the firm with the vision to create a nationwide network of agents, down to the county level, to manage the entire process of service for law firms and banking clients.

Founded in 1991, ProVest celebrates 30 years, growing from a Florida-based business to a national brand and industry leader serving clients in every state.

"Prior to ProVest, law firms primarily worked directly with countless private process servers, small agencies, sheriffs, and the various clerks and courts. It was cumbersome, time-consuming and expensive to manage internally," Strady said. "We are grateful to our early clients, many of whom are still with us, who trusted us to manage their service of process needs, beginning with Florida where we covered all 67 counties. In 2003, one of our blue-chip clients invited us to open an office in Illinois to serve its Midwest clients  from there our capabilities and reach expanded across the country."

According to CEO James Ward, "This milestone is a testament to our knowledgeable and tenured team. While technology is an important and growing part of the industry, our strong relationships  from our clients to our agents in the field, enables us to solve problems and to efficiently manage millions of files while ensuring respectful due process for defendants."

Ward said, "Scott's entrepreneurial drive, team spirit, a focus on exceptional customer service and relationships are the foundation of our company. We are grateful to our mortgage foreclosure and creditors rights clients for putting their trust in ProVest for 30 years. We look forward to supporting their growth and ours."

About ProVest LLC

Founded in 1991, in Tampa, Florida, ProVest plays a critical role by ensuring that defendants in a legal action have been properly served process, thus helping to protect their constitutional rights. ProVest specializes in managing the service of process related to creditors' rights and mortgage defaults. ProVest annually serves millions of documents for the U.S.'s most notable law firms, financial institutions and insurance companies. Learn more at provest.com.

SOURCE ProVest
CHICAGO, May 19, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Business users often want to move fast and break things, while IT pros are famous for seeking stability and managing progress. Is one team better suited to lead the digital commerce charge than the other? On May 25, B2B e-commerce thought leaders Andy Hoar and Brian Beck will assemble a team of industry experts to discuss Who's Better at Simplifying Complex B2B CommerceBusiness or IT?

Complexity is unavoidable. But between channel conflict, infighting between e-commerce and sales teams, and new competitors emerging every day (notably Amazon), many B2B companies wonder whether their e-commerce solution must necessarily add complexity -- or if a complicated infrastructure for digital commerce is just a fact of life?

On May 25, a distinguished panel of B2B insiders will explore the complexity of B2B commerce by tackling key questions such as:

How do companies balance what the business needs in terms of speed with what IT demands for scale, stability, and security?

Can you launch an MVP in the short term without sacrificing superordinate long-term goals?

Are Proofs of Concept in B2B e-commerce necessary still or a waste of time and money?

Can you adopt an Amazon-like test and learn approach without blowing up your budget?

Do new approaches (e.g., composable commerce, headless commerce) simplify or further complicate commerce, and who do they help more -- business or IT?

Joined by seasoned digital executives from industry leaders Keysight Technologies, ETNA Supply, Elastic Path, and TA Digital, Andy and Brian will moderate a vigorous debate about the role of leadership in navigating the complexity of digital transformation.

Who's Better at Simplifying Complex B2B CommerceBusiness or IT? will air on Tuesday, May 25 at 2 p.m. ET / 11 a.m. PT and is free for participants who register at https://www.masterb2b.com/simplifying-commerce.

About Master B2B: Master B2B offers the industry's first and only debate-style thought leadership series dedicated to delivering unbiased commentary and practical takeaways on the critical issues facing B2B manufacturers and distributors. Master B2B was founded by Andy Hoar and Brian Beck, the two preeminent global thought leaders in B2B e-commerce, to help B2B companies effectively transform their businesses for a digital-first era. More information and a schedule of upcoming "Un-Webinars" can be found at https://www.masterb2b.com/simplifying-commerce.

Media Contact:

Brian Beck

Email: [email protected]

Related Images

image1.jpg

SOURCE Master B2B
SAN FRANCISCO, May 19, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- The global mesenchymal stem cells market size is expected to reach USD 6.1 billion by 2028, according to a new report by Grand View Research, Inc. The market is expected to expand at a CAGR of 12.6% from 2021 to 2028. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are set to gain popularity among healthcare professionals, to develop novel therapeutics, primarily targeted at the treatment of several immune-mediated disorders. MSCs have been acclaimed effective as a regenerative therapy for skeletal tissue repair and have recently gained traction across modulation of immune cells and endogenous tissues.

Key suggestions from the report:

Widespread use of bone marrow derived MSCs in several therapeutic applications has resulted in the segment's dominance in 2020

More than 20.0% of clinical trials incorporate bone marrow MSCs, which is set to maintain the segment's largest revenue share up to 2028

The cancer indication segment is expected to witness rapid growth through 2021 to 2028, attributed to the emergence of MSCs as a promising vehicle for anti-cancer drugs

This is attributed to the tumor tropism ability of MSCs and their ability to manage the predestination of tumor cells

Disease modelling application generated the highest revenue in 2020, owing to several advantages associated with MSCs such as the high capacity of expansion and self-renewal and reduced tumorigenic capacity, which makes them suitable across disease modelling applications

The kits, media, and reagents segment held a significant revenue share in 2020 owing to the presence of a substantial number of service providers and increasing demand in the market

The allogeneic segment dominated the market in 2020; Implantation of allogeneic mesenchymal stem cells serves as a promising tool for cell-based therapy

As of August 2019 , more than 200 clinical trials have been reported for use of allogeneic MSCs, which is expected to propel the segment's revenue generation capacity from 2021 to 2028

Apart from the availability of advanced research facilities and skilled professionals, favorable government initiatives and high R&D expenditure, active policies pertaining to cell therapies have contributed to the dominance of North America MSCs market in 2020

For instance, in August 2020 , the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services proposed new policies that include cellular therapies, wherein, commercial insurance companies support private health plans associated with MSCs

The key players are engaged in exploring MSC therapy to its highest potential across different emerging applications, contributing to market growth

For instance, in July 2020 , Promedica presented positive results from its study that evaluated the use of allogeneic MSCs in COVID-19 patients. The study was conducted under the U.S. FDA's Emergency Investigational New Drug (IND) approval

Read 140 page research report with ToC on "Mesenchymal Stem Cells Market Size, Share & Trends Analysis Report By Product & Services, By Type, By Source Of Isolation (Bone Marrow, Cord Blood), By Indication, By Application, By Region, And Segment Forecasts, 2021 - 2028" at: https://www.grandviewresearch.com/industry-analysis/mesenchymal-stem-cells-market

Expanding clinical applications of mesenchymal stem cells, strengthening the pipeline of these therapies, along with intensifying market competition are some of the key aspects driving the industry expansion of MSCs. The recent pandemic outbreak of COVID-19 is set to propel the clinical applications and investments done in this market space. For instance, in April 2020, Canada's The Stem Cell Network (SCN) provided funding of USD 300,000 to the project targeted towards the evaluation of optimal dosage of MSCs, to design an effective therapeutic approach to reduce the impacts of respiratory disorders associated with SARS-CoV-2 infection.

Additionally, as stated by clinicaltrials.gov, 21 clinical trials reportedly incorporated MSCs in the management of COVID-19. Apart from the applications of MSCs in regenerative medicine and tissue engineering, the MSCs serve as a potent therapeutic approach for cancer treatment. As of February 2020, 25 clinical trials have been registered that employ MSCs in the treatment of several cancer indications. This is set to drive the mesenchymal stem cells market (MSCs) market.

Acknowledging the profitable opportunities posed by the market, key industry participants are focused towards initiating technological collaborations to strengthen their market presence. In August 2020, NantKwest Inc. collaborated with Generate Life Sciences Co. to develop a mesenchymal stem cell-based treatment against COVID-19. The latter company is providing with the MSCs derived from donated umbilical cord tissues.

Grand View Research has segmented the global mesenchymal stem cells market on the basis of products and services, type, source of isolation, indication, application, and region:

Mesenchymal Stem Cells Products & Services Outlook (Revenue, USD Million, 2017 - 2028)

Products



Workflow Type



Cell Sourcing & Isolation



Culture & Cryopreservation



Differentiation



Characterization



Product Type



Cells & Cell Lines



Kits, Media, & Reagents



Others



Services

Mesenchymal Stem Cells Type Outlook (Revenue, USD Million, 2017 - 2028)

Autologous



Allogeneic

Mesenchymal Stem Cells Source of Isolation Outlook (Revenue, USD Million, 2017 - 2028)

Bone Marrow



Cord Blood



Peripheral Blood



Fallopian Tube



Fetal Liver



Lung



Adipose Tissues

Mesenchymal Stem Cells Indication Outlook (Revenue, USD Million, 2017 - 2028)

Bone And Cartilage Repair



Cardiovascular Disease



Inflammatory And Immunological Diseases



Liver Diseases



Cancer



GvHD



Others

Mesenchymal Stem Cells Application Outlook (Revenue, USD Million, 2017 - 2028)

Disease Modelling



Drug Development & Discovery



Stem Cell Banking



Tissue Engineering



Toxicology Studies



Others

Mesenchymal Stem Cells Regional Outlook (Revenue, USD Million, 2017 - 2028)

North America



U.S.





Canada



Europe



Germany





U.K.





France





Italy



Asia Pacific



Japan





China





India





South Korea



Latin America



Brazil





Mexico



Middle East & Africa

&

South Africa





Saudi Arabia

List of Key Players of Mesenchymal Stem Cells (MSCs) Market

Thermo Fisher Scientific, Inc.

Cell Applications, Inc.

Cyagen Biosciences Inc.

Axol Biosciences Ltd.

Cytori Therapeutics Inc

STEMCELL Technologies Inc

Celprogen Inc

BrainStorm Cell Therapeutics Inc.

Stemedica Cell Technologies Inc

Merck KGaA (MilliporeSigma)

Smith+Nephew

Lonza AG

PromoCell GmbH

ScienCell Research Laboratories

American Type Culture Collection

Find more research reports on Biotechnology Industry, by Grand View Research:

Stem Cells MarketThe global stem cells market size generated a revenue of USD 9.38 billion in 2020. It is expected to expand at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 8.8% from 2021 to 2028.

in 2020. It is expected to expand at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 8.8% from 2021 to 2028. Cancer Stem Cells MarketThe global cancer stem cells market size was valued at USD 679.5 million in 2016. The market is expected to expand at a CAGR of 9.98% during the forecast period. Currently, oncology therapeutics has entered a new era with conventional therapies such as radiotherapy, chemotherapy, & surgeries on one side and stem cell therapies on another side.

in 2016. The market is expected to expand at a CAGR of 9.98% during the forecast period. Currently, oncology therapeutics has entered a new era with conventional therapies such as radiotherapy, chemotherapy, & surgeries on one side and stem cell therapies on another side. Human Embryonic Stem Cells MarketThe global Human Embryonic Stem Cells market size was valued at USD 494.7 million in 2015. These are the pluripotent cells that possess the ability to get differentiated into all germ layers. Rising demand owing to the increasing incidence of genetic disorders is anticipated to boost growth.

Gain access to Grand View Compass, our BI enabled intuitive market research database of 10,000+ reports

About Grand View Research

Grand View Research, U.S.-based market research and consulting company, provides syndicated as well as customized research reports and consulting services. Registered in California and headquartered in San Francisco, the company comprises over 425 analysts and consultants, adding more than 1200 market research reports to its vast database each year. These reports offer in-depth analysis on 46 industries across 25 major countries worldwide. With the help of an interactive market intelligence platform, Grand View Research helps Fortune 500 companies and renowned academic institutes understand the global and regional business environment and gauge the opportunities that lie ahead.

Contact:

Sherry James

Corporate Sales Specialist, USA

Grand View Research, Inc.

Phone: 1-415-349-0058

Toll Free: 1-888-202-9519

Email: [email protected]

Web: https://www.grandviewresearch.com

Follow Us: LinkedIn | Twitter

SOURCE Grand View Research, Inc.
PITTSBURGH, May 19, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Michael Baker International, a global leader in engineering, planning and consulting services, announced today a pair of organizational updates will strengthen its position in the Federal market. James E. Koch, Ph.D., P.E., has joined Michael Baker's Executive Leadership Team in the role of Executive Vice President, Federal Programs and Services, and George Guszcza, C.C.M, has been named Senior Vice President and National Federal Director. Both will continue to be based in the firm's Alexandria, Virginia, office.

"Michael Baker's legacy of service to the U.S. federal government dates to 1940 and we remain committed to serving as trusted partners to our Federal clients and delivering superior engineering design and innovative solutions for complex projects nationwide," said Brian A. Lutes, Chief Executive Officer of Michael Baker International. "Jim and George possess deep knowledge and expertise from both their time in the military and with Michael Baker, and I look forward to their leadership as we grow and advance our work in the Federal sector."

Both Dr. Koch and Mr. Guszcza bring decades of experience to their new roles:

James E. Koch , Ph.D., P.E. , will leverage his 40 years of military and engineering firm experience to maximize Michael Baker's portfolio and capabilities in Federal markets, including expanding relationships with Federal Civilian agencies. As Executive Vice President, Federal Programs and Services, he will continue to bring better alignment and closer collaboration among Michael Baker's Federal team and its overall Operations and strengthen the firm's commitment to delivering quality projects and innovative solutions for its Federal clients. Dr. Koch spent the first half of his career with the U.S. Army and retired as a Lieutenant Colonel. He joined Michael Baker in 2017 as Mid-Atlantic Regional Director and spent the last several months in both the Regional Director and Federal Executive roles. Dr. Koch holds a Bachelor's Degree in Commerce from Washington and Lee University , a Master's Degree in Civil Engineering and the Degree of Engineer in Construction Engineering and Management from Stanford University . Dr. Koch also earned a Doctorate of Philosophy in Engineering Management from the Missouri University of Science and Technology.

, will leverage his 40 years of military and engineering firm experience to maximize portfolio and capabilities in Federal markets, including expanding relationships with Federal Civilian agencies. As Executive Vice President, Federal Programs and Services, he will continue to bring better alignment and closer collaboration among Federal team and its overall Operations and strengthen the firm's commitment to delivering quality projects and innovative solutions for its Federal clients. Dr. Koch spent the first half of his career with the U.S. Army and retired as a Lieutenant Colonel. He joined in 2017 as Mid-Atlantic Regional Director and spent the last several months in both the Regional Director and Federal Executive roles. Dr. Koch holds a Bachelor's Degree in Commerce from , a Master's Degree in Civil Engineering and the Degree of Engineer in Construction Engineering and Management from . Dr. Koch also earned a Doctorate of Philosophy in Engineering Management from the of Science and Technology. George Guszcza , C.C.M., has more than 25 years of military, Federal and private sector experience, and will be responsible for Federal operations, systems and processes across Michael Baker , championing collaboration, expanding the breadth and depth of Federal talent, and providing oversight for programs and processes related to the firm's Federal business. Mr. Guszcza will also develop an organizational approach to Federal projects and will be responsible for the day-to-day operations, systems and processes of the firm's Federal group across the enterprise. He most recently served as Office Executive, overseeing Michael Baker's operations in Delaware , Maryland , Northern Virginia and Washington, D.C. , as well as the firm's support to FEMA across the U.S., and Cost Management services to clients worldwide. Throughout his career, Mr. Guszcza has led two multi-billion dollar infrastructure capital investment portfolios, as well as other major program across various sectors and geographies. As an officer in the United States Army, he served as the National Director of Health Facilities for Iraq in 2003 and was awarded the Bronze Star medal for his service. Mr. Guszcza holds a Bachelor of Science degree from the U.S. Military Academy at West Point and earned a Master of Science degree from the Said Business School at the University of Oxford .

About Michael Baker International

Michael Baker International is a leading provider of engineering and consulting services. The firm's Practices encompass all facets of infrastructure, including design, civil engineering, planning, architecture, environmental, construction and program management. For more than 80 years, the company has been a trusted partner, providing comprehensive services and solutions to commercial clients and all branches of the military, as well as federal, state and municipal governments. Embracing emerging technologies and the latest innovations  like intelligent transportation and design-build project delivery  Michael Baker is an industry leader that delivers expertise and quality. The firm's more than 3,000 employees across nearly 100 locations are committed to Making a Difference for clients and communities through a culture of innovation, collaboration and technological advancement. To learn more, visit https://mbakerintl.com/.

Contact: Julia Covelli

[email protected]

(866) 293-4609

SOURCE Michael Baker International

Related Links

http://www.mbakerintl.com


HAYWARD, Calif., May 19, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Microvi and FLI Water (FLI) have formed an exclusive agreement to expand their partnership in the United Kingdom and Ireland. This strategic partnership will allow FLI and Microvi to offer end-to-end capabilities, providing turnkey solutions for both industrial and municipal wastewater projects.

Microvi and FLI Water Partnership

"After a couple years of collaboration with the Microvi team, we are excited to take the next steps with this agreement," said Duncan Wildgoose, Business Development Director at FLI. "This partnership will enable the water sector in the UK and Ireland to take advantage of Microvi's breakthrough technology."

FLI provides engineering services and process technologies to water and wastewater utilities and industrial process customers in the United Kingdom and Ireland. A leading provider of biological treatment solutions, they are known for their commitment to innovation and for bringing cost-effective solutions to the UK water industry. By adding Microvi's breakthrough treatment technologies to their offerings they continue to offer customers step change solutions addressing quality and cost challenges.

"A trusted delivery partner with proven technical abilities provides confidence in taking advantage of Microvi's technology benefits, especially for a historically risk-averse industry," said Microvi's Director of Commercial and Technical Strategy, Ajay Nair. "FLI has a strong culture of customer value and impeccable service and is trusted by water utilities to deliver high value solutions with low risk. With a range of complementary technologies, it makes for a perfect fit."

Microvi and FLI have previously developed and delivered large demonstration units utilizing Microvi's MicroNiche Engineering (MNE) technology. These units have been successfully deployed with several key UK Water utilities including Thames Water, Scottish Water, Wessex Water and Southern Water.

Microvi MNE is a versatile treatment solution that can be applied for removal of contaminants such as ammonia, nitrate, phosphorous and BOD including secondary, tertiary, and high strength digester liquors.

The heart of Microvi MNE is its novel biocatalytic composites (MNE biocatalysts) that intensify and extend the life of biological processes while maintaining a controlled population of microorganisms at a much higher density than existing technologies. Microvi MNE can be retrofitted and integrated with existing activated sludge or fixed film processes to increase capacity and improve effluent quality. The solution requires minimal startup, operation and maintenance time and has a smaller footprint. In addition, Microvi MNE does not produce additional solids, reduces energy and carbon requirements, and reduces chemical needs.

Along with the recent commissioning of the first commercial sidestream treatment system in the Pacific U.S., the advantages of Microvi MNE were demonstrated for ammonia and BOD removal with Scottish Water and for tertiary ammonia removal at Thames Water.

About FLI Water

Founded in 2012, FLI Water Limited is part of the FLI Global Group of companies and provides engineering service and process technologies to the water and wastewater, utilities, food and beverage, power, and industrial process industries. FLI Water is centrally located in the Bedford area of the UK, where the fabrication workshop and engineering design office is located. In November 2007, ABiC Engineering Associates Ltd and Brightwater Engineering Ltd were acquired by FLI International of Waterford Ireland to enhance its capabilities within the municipal water and wastewater treatment industry in Ireland and the United Kingdom. These businesses ultimately became FLI Water Ltd.

About Microvi

Microvi is a transformative biology company based in the San Francisco Bay Area that delivers next-generation biotechnologies for the water, wastewater, bio-based chemicals, biofuels and biopharma industries. Microvi offers commercial technologies around the world to reduce waste, increase productivity and provide disruptive economics across the value chain. Learn more at www.microvi.com.

Contact:

Karin Kidder

VP Marketing, Microvi

+1 (510) 344-0668

[email protected]

SOURCE Microvi

Related Links

http://www.microvi.com


Dr. Brownstein, an esteemed epidemiologist, researcher at Boston Children's Hospital and professor at Harvard Medical School, will assist on MINDCURE's digital technology, data optimization and patient data security within iSTRYM, its psychedelic digital therapeutics platform

VANCOUVER, BC, May 19, 2021 /PRNewswire/ - Mind Cure Health Inc. (CSE: MCUR) (OTCQB: MCURF) (FRA: 6MH) ("MINDCURE" or the "Company") a leader in advanced proprietary technology for psychedelic therapy, is pleased to announce the addition of Dr. John Brownstein as Advisor to the Company. Dr. Brownstein, the Chief Innovation Officer at Boston Children's Hospital and a Professor of Medicine at the Harvard Medical School, is world-renowned for his pioneering approach to data management and technology within health care. The HealthMap system he founded was the first electronic disease surveillance program to issue an alert for COVID-19 in late December of 2019. Dr. Brownstein and his team also run Vaccine Finder, a platform to help people more easily find clinics and pharmacies that offer COVID-19 vaccinations.

In his role as Advisor, Dr. Brownstein will help to inform the development and deployment of iSTRYM, MINDCURE's psychedelics digital therapeutics platform, and related technologies. Dr. Brownstein is also published extensively on issues of patient privacy, and his expertise will enable MINDCURE to best optimize the translation and utilization of patient data collected through iSTRYM, with the intended goal to uncover optimal protocols and treatment methods.

"I am thrilled to be joining the MINDCURE team today as an Advisor. With iSTRYM, MINDCURE is creating a platform to improve mental health treatments across the globe through better understanding patient and research data within psychedelics, with the hope of unlocking tremendous value for researchers, therapists, and ultimately patients in need," said Dr. John Brownstein. "I believe that my experience of building technology to better collect, understand, and unlock insights from large patient data sets across the globe will enable MINDCURE to build iSTRYM into a valuable resource for the entire psychedelics industry."

"Dr. Brownstein understands the opportunity we have to improve efficacy in the medical field by putting real-world data to use," said Kelsey Ramsden, President & CEO, MINDCURE. "It is early days for this in the psychedelics industry, but we see an amazing opportunity for iSTRYM to become the go-to platform of choice for researchers, therapists and patients around the world. We are honoured that Dr. Brownstein will be joining us as an Advisor. His credentials, experience, and track record speak for themselves and his contributions to the global medical community are unrivaled."

About Dr. John Brownstein

Dr. Brownstein is the Chief Innovation Officer of Boston Children's Hospital and Professor of Biomedical Informatics at Harvard Medical School. He also directs the Computational Epidemiology Lab and the Innovation and Digital Health Accelerator both at Boston Children's. He was trained as an epidemiologist at Yale University. Overall, his work aims to have translation impact on the surveillance, control and prevention of disease. He has been at the forefront of the development and application of data mining and citizen science to public health. His efforts are in use by millions each year including the CDC, WHO, DHS, DOD, HHS, and EU, and has been recognized by the National Library of Congress and the Smithsonian. In addition to research achievements, this translational impact comes from playing an advisory role to numerous agencies on real-time public health surveillance including HHS, DHS, CDC, IOM, WHO and the White House.

He was awarded the Presidential Early Career Award for Scientists and Engineers, the highest honor bestowed by the United States government to outstanding scientists and the Lagrange Prize for international achievements in complexity sciences. Dr. Brownstein is co-founder of digital health companies Epidemico and Circulation. He has authored over 250 peer-reviewed articles on epidemiology and public health. This work has been reported on widely including pieces in the New England Journal of Medicine, Science, Nature, New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, CNN, National Public Radio and the BBC.

The Company also announces it has granted a total of 360,000 stock options to certain employees or consultants pursuant to the terms the Company's incentive stock option plan ("Plan"). The stock options are exercisable: 10,000 at a price of $0.60 per share, 250,000 at a price of $0.38 per share and 100,000 at a price of $0.32 per share and are subject to the terms of the Plan.

About Mind Cure Health (MINDCURE) Inc.

MINDCURE exists as a response to the current mental health crisis and urgent calls for effective treatments. MINDCURE believes in the need to reinvent the mental health care model for patients and practitioners to allow psychedelics to advance into common and accepted care.

MINDCURE is focused on identifying and developing pathways and products that ease suffering, increase productivity, and enhance mental health. MINDCURE is interested in exploring diverse therapeutic areas beyond psychiatry, including digital therapeutics, neuro-supports, and psychedelics, all to improve mental health.

On Behalf of the Board of Directors

Kelsey Ramsden, President & CEO

Phone: 1-888-593-8995

Forward-Looking Information

Certain statements in this news release may constitute "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable securities laws (also known as forward-looking statements). Forward-looking information involves known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors, and may cause actual results, performance or achievements or industry results, to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements or industry results expressed or implied by such forward-looking information. Forward-looking information generally can be identified by the use of terms and phrases such as "anticipate", "believe", "could", "estimate", "expect", "feel", "intend", "may", "plan", "predict", "project", "subject to", "will", "would", and similar terms and phrases, including references to assumptions. Some of the specific forward-looking information in this news release includes, but is not limited to, statements with respect to: Dr. Brownstein assisting MINDCURE on its digital technology, data optimization and patient security within iSTRYM; MINDCURE optimizing the translation and utilization of patient data collected through iSTRYM; and MINDCURE building iSTRYM into a valuable resource for the entire psychedelics industry.

Forward-looking information is based on a number of key expectations and assumptions made by MINDCURE, including, without limitation: the COVID-19 pandemic impact on the Canadian economy and MINDCURE's business, and the extent and duration of such impact; no change to laws or regulations that negatively affect MINDCURE's business; there will be a demand for MINDCURE's products in the future; no unanticipated expenses or costs arise; MINDCURE will be able to continue to identify products that make them ideal candidates for providing solutions for treating mental health; that the functional mushroom industry will continue to grow; Dr. Brownstein assisting MINDCURE on its digital technology, data optimization and patient security within iSTRYM; MINDCURE optimizing the translation and utilization of patient data collected through iSTRYM; and MINDCURE will be able to operate its business as planned. Although the forward-looking information contained in this news release is based upon what MINDCURE believes to be reasonable assumptions, it cannot assure investors that actual results will be consistent with such information.

Forward-looking information is provided for the purpose of presenting information about management's current expectations and plans relating to the future and readers are cautioned that such statements may not be appropriate for other purposes. Forward-looking information involves significant risks and uncertainties and should not be read as a guarantee of future performance or results as actual results may differ materially from those expressed or implied in such forward-looking information. Those risks and uncertainties include, among other things, risks related to: the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on the Canadian economy, MINDCURE's industry and MINDCURE's business, which may negatively impact, and may continue to negatively impact, MINDCURE and may materially adversely affect MINDCURE's investments, results of operations, financial condition, and MINDCURE's ability to obtain additional equity or debt financing, and satisfy its financial obligations; general economic conditions; future growth potential; competition for mental health and wellness investments; Dr. Brownstein may not assist MINDCURE on its digital technology, data optimization and patient security within iSTRYM; MINDCURE may not optimize the translation and utilization of patient data collected through iSTRYM; and MINDCURE building iSTRYM into a valuable resource for the entire psychedelics industry.; and changes in legislation or regulations. Management believes that the expectations reflected in the forward-looking information contained herein are based upon reasonable assumptions and information currently available; however, management can give no assurance that actual results will be consistent with such forward-looking information. Additional information on the risk factors that could affect MINDCURE can be found under "Risk Factors" in MINDCURE's final prospectus which is available on SEDAR at www.sedar.com.

The forward-looking information contained herein is expressly qualified in its entirety by this cautionary statement. Forward-looking information reflects management's current beliefs and is based on information currently available to MINDCURE. The forward-looking information is stated as of the date of this news release and MINDCURE assumes no obligation to update or revise such information to reflect new events or circumstances, except as may be required by applicable law.

United States Advisory

The securities referred to herein have not been and will not be registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "U.S. Securities Act"), may be offered and sold outside the United States to eligible investors pursuant to Regulation S promulgated under the U.S. Securities Act, and may not be offered, sold, or resold in the United States or to, or for the account of or benefit of, a U.S. Person (as such term is defined in Regulation S under the United States Securities Act) unless the securities are registered under the U.S. Securities Act, or an exemption from the registration requirements of the U.S. Securities Act is available. Hedging transactions involving the securities must not be conducted unless in accordance with the U.S. Securities Act. This press release shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy any securities, nor shall there be any sale of securities in the state in the United States in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful.

The CSE has neither approved nor disapproved the contents of this press release and the CSE does not accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

SOURCE Mind Cure Health Inc.
MISSISSAUGA, ON, May 19, 2021 /PRNewswire/ - Nuvo Pharmaceuticals Inc. (TSX: MRV) (OTCQX: MRVFF) d/b/a Miravo Healthcare (Miravo or the Company), a Canadian-focused healthcare company with global reach and a diversified portfolio of commercial products, today announced the appointment of Mary Ritchie to its Board of Directors.

Mary Ritchie is the President and Chief Executive Officer of Richford Holdings Ltd., an accounting and investment advisory services firm based in Edmonton, Alberta. Ms. Ritchie has over 30 years of experience in both the public, private and not-for-profit sectors and is a Fellow of CPA Alberta. She is a member of the board of directors and audit committees of Alaris Royalty Corp. (TSX), EnWave Corporation (TSXV) and Morien Resources Inc. (TSXV). She has been a past director on a number of boards, including the Canada Pension Plan Investment Board, Industrial Alliance Insurance, Financial Services Inc. (TSX), iA Financial Corporation Inc. (TSX), Axcan Pharma Inc. (TSX), Isotechnika Inc. (TSX) and a past member of the RBC Global Asset Management's independent oversight committee.

Jesse Ledger, President & Chief Executive Officer of Miravo commented, "We are excited to welcome Mary to our Board of Directors. Mary's past Director engagements and Audit Committee roles with various public, private and not-for-profit companies in Canada and Internationally, has provided her with a wealth of experience across many different sectors, including pharmaceuticals. This cross-sector experience and knowledge makes her an excellent addition to our Board."

Ms. Ritchie was nominated to join the Board and subsequently appointed during the proceedings of the Miravo Healthcare Annual General Meeting of Shareholders convened on May 17, 2021.

About Miravo Healthcare

Miravo is a Canadian focused, healthcare company with global reach and a diversified portfolio of commercial products. The Company's products target several therapeutic areas, including pain, allergy, neurology and dermatology. The Company's strategy is to in-license and acquire growth-oriented, complementary products for Canadian and international markets. Miravo's head office is located in Mississauga, Ontario, Canada, the international operations are located in Dublin, Ireland and the Company's manufacturing facility is located in Varennes, Quebec, Canada. The Varennes facility operates in a Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) environment respecting the U.S, Canada and E.U. GMP regulations and is regularly inspected by Health Canada and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. For additional information, please visit www.miravohealthcare.com.

SOURCE Nuvo Pharmaceuticals Inc.

Related Links

nuvopharmaceuticals.com


MIAMI, May 19, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Motto Mortgage, an innovative mortgage brokerage franchise focused on transparency and compliance, has a new office in Florida. Motto Mortgage Financial Experts is now open in Pembroke Pines and serving all markets throughout the Sunshine State.

Established by finance and real estate experts Jennifer Sardinas and Miguel Carrillo, Motto Mortgage Financial Experts a customer-first, full-service mortgage brokerage.

"Our unique business model will provide Broward County customers the scope, scale and support of a large retail lender, while offering the competitive mortgage products, and exceptional customer service of a local mortgage broker," said Sardinas.

Motto Mortgage Financial Experts is open for business at 18503 Pines Blvd Suite 310F, Pembroke Pines, FL 33029. The office offers borrowers a streamlined, personalized and digital mortgage experience. A digital mortgage experience is available for borrowers who would prefer to conduct business remotely.

Loan originators in the Motto Mortgage network have access to competitive loans from various wholesale lenders, and work hard to give homebuyers choices  because no loan is one-size-fits-all. A loan originator with Motto Mortgage Financial Experts can be reached at (954) 225-5897.

Each Motto Mortgage franchise is independently owned, operated and licensed.

About Motto Mortgage Financial Experts:

Motto Mortgage Financial Experts (OFFICE NMLS # 2034318) a locally owned and operated full-service mortgage brokerage serving all of Florida, located at 18503 Pines Blvd Suite 310F, Pembroke Pines, FL 33029. To learn more, please visit https://www.mottomortgage.com/offices/financial-experts-pembroke-pines/ or call (954) 225-5897.

SOURCE Motto Mortgage
Idaho Falls Auditorium District (IFAD) announced a long-term naming-rights agreement with Mountain America Credit Union back in 2019. Mountain America branding will be visible throughout the facility, with Mountain America Center prominent on the interior and exterior of the building, including a digital marquee sign along the freeway.

"Mountain America is thrilled to break ground on this project and see it come to life," says Sterling Nielsen, president and chief executive officer at Mountain America Credit Union. "The Idaho Falls community will benefit greatly from the ability to host sporting events, conferences, community events and more at this state-of-the-art facility."

Remarks at the May 18 groundbreaking were made by Idaho Governor Brad Little, Idaho Lieutenant Governor Janice McGeachin, representatives from Senator Jim Risch and Mike Crapo's offices, Idaho Falls Mayor Rebecca Casper, IFAD Executive Director Rob Spears, IFAD Board Chair Terry Gazdik and Mountain America's VP of Sponsorships and Events Jason Smith.

"IFAD is thrilled to see construction begin on the Mountain America Center and what it will mean for the Idaho Falls community," says Rob Spear, executive director at the Idaho Falls Auditorium District. " Mountain America provided us with the financial momentum needed to move this project forward."

With this partnership, Mountain America plans to host financial education events, providing the local community with greater access to financial education resources. Additionally, Mountain America members will receive promotional benefits for select hosted events and guests will have access to multiple ATMs throughout the venue.

SOURCE Mountain America Credit Union

Related Links

http://www.macu.com


Klock joins M&T from Keefe, Bruyette & Woods (KBW), where he was managing director and head of Large Regional U.S. Bank Research, covering financial institutions including M&T Bank. While at KBW, he drove thought leadership and innovation for the bank research team and advised management executives on strategy, valuation, and financial disclosures.

With more than 30 years of capital markets, financial services, and investor relations experience, Klock will be responsible for building on M&T's legacy of transparent communication to the investment, analyst, and rating agency communities by enhancing their understanding of the M&T business strategy and brand.

"Brian brings a deep understanding of markets and a strong network of relationships across the financial community, said Chief Financial Officer Darren King. "His industry perspectives, particularly about the changing nature of competition, will be an asset as M&T and the banking sector confront unprecedented change. He will play a key role in our plans to continue delivering sustainable results for all stakeholders, including our shareholders."

Prior to KBW, Klock worked for M&T in the Controller's Group and in Corporate Finance from 1994-2004, where he held several management positions including vice president of Capital Management and Investor Relations.



"I am excited and grateful to return to M&T, a company that I admire as an innovative community bank with a consistent track record of delivering exceptional financial performance. M&T's collaborative culture and commitment to serving its customers and local communities is second to none," said Klock.

Klock graduated from Niagara University with a degree in accounting and received his MBA from the University at Buffalo. He is a Certified Public Accountant and a Chartered Financial Analyst and is based in Boston, Massachusetts.

M&T Bank is recognized for its consistent and conservative operating philosophy with 179 consecutively profitable quarters through multiple economic cycles, since1976. It recently announced a definitive agreement to merge with People's United Bank, a deal that will create a diversified, community-focused banking franchise with approximately $200 billion in assets and a network of more than 1,100 branches and over 2,000 ATMs, spanning 12 states from Maine to Virginia and the District of Columbia. The footprint of the combined company spans an economically diverse region that accounts for over 20% of the U.S. population and over 25% of U.S. GDP.

About M&T Bank

M&T is a financial holding company headquartered in Buffalo, New York. M&T's principal banking subsidiary, M&T Bank, operates banking offices in New York, Maryland, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Connecticut, Virginia, West Virginia, and the District of Columbia. Trust-related services are provided by M&T's Wilmington Trust-affiliated companies and by M&T Bank.

Media Contacts:

National Media and Trade Publications:

Maya Dillon

(212) 415-0557

[email protected]

New York (excluding NYC):

Julia Berchou

(716) 842-5385

[email protected]

Massachusetts, Connecticut, New Jersey, and New York City:

David Samberg

(201) 368-4515

[email protected]

 2021 M&T Bank. Member FDIC. Equal Housing Lender.

SOURCE M&T Bank

Related Links

http://www.mtb.com


TORONTO, May 19, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Rumble, a video platform focused on helping millions of creators manage, distribute, and monetize their video content, welcomed the investment of Narya Capital, Peter Thiel and Colt Ventures.

"We couldn't be more excited to welcome aboard investors that are aligned with our long-term vision. This investment is evidence that the market really desires competition and freedom of choice. These funds will help us launch our new cloud services, enhance our video platform, and help create the rails for a new economy that is desperately needed," said Rumble CEO Chris Pavlovski.

In the past year, Rumble's monthly viewership has grown from 1.6 million users per month to an average of 31 million per month in the first quarter of 2021  an increase of more than 1,800%. This growth reflects the increasingly strong market recognition by both users and creators of Rumble's differentiated value proposition. The investment will add considerable strength to Rumble's ability to build upon this success.

Rumble was built on the belief that small creators should be given equal opportunity to freely express themselves, reach their followers, and be provided the same access to tools that are available to larger creators. This investment will allow Rumble to continue to fulfill its mission while providing the platform with more opportunities to build out its infrastructure and launch new cloud services where businesses can feel safe and secure.

The investment is being led by Narya, a Cincinnati-based venture capital firm co-founded by J.D. Vance and Colin Greenspon that seeks to invest long-term capital in technology that solves significant challenges.

Narya is joined in this investment by Peter Thiel, famed entrepreneur and venture capitalist who has a long and storied track record of investing in frontier technology companies, including PayPal, Facebook, Palantir Technologies, Compass Pathways, and many other ventures.

Ethan Fallang of Narya will join Rumble's board. "At Narya, we support founders who combine technical and business model innovation to address large and underserved markets. We believe Chris and the entire Rumble team have built an excellent platform and are thrilled to be part of their ongoing success as they continue to scale," said Fallang.

Guggenheim Securities acted as the exclusive financial advisor and Willkie Farr & Gallagher LLP acted as legal counsel to Rumble in connection with the transaction.

SOURCE Rumble
WASHINGTON, May 19, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- NASA Administrator Sen. Bill Nelson issued the following statement Wednesday after the China National Space Administration's release of the first photos from the Zhurong Mars rover:

"Congratulations to the China National Space Administration on receiving the first images from the Zhurong Mars rover!" Nelson said. "As the international scientific community of robotic explorers on Mars grows, the United States and the world look forward to the discoveries Zhurong will make to advance humanity's knowledge of the Red Planet. I look forward to future international discoveries, which will help inform and develop the capabilities needed to land human boots on Mars."

CNSA's successful landing of the Zhurong rover last week makes it only the second nation to ever land successfully on Mars. Zhurong joins active NASA missions  the Curiosity and Perseverance rovers and Insight Lander  in exploring the surface of the Red Planet.

For more information on NASA and agency activities, visit:

https://www.nasa.gov

SOURCE NASA

Related Links

http://www.nasa.gov


With 45% of respondents being LGBTQ youth of color and 38% being transgender or nonbinary, this survey provides critical insights into suicide risk factors, the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, mental health care disparities, discrimination, food insecurity, and conversion therapy. In addition to highlighting these serious challenges, the data underscores the importance of LGBTQ-affirming spaces and practices.

The study also speaks to the potential impacts of current events, with 94% of LGBTQ youth reporting that recent politics negatively impacted their mental health and 70% stating that their mental health was "poor" most of the time or always during COVID-19. Half of all LGBTQ youth of color reported discrimination based on their race/ethnicity in the past year, including 67% of Black LGBTQ youth and 60% of Asian/Pacific Islander LGBTQ youth.

"The past year has been incredibly difficult for so many LGBTQ young people because of multiple crises, from the COVID-19 pandemic to the hostile political climate and repeated acts of racist and transphobic violence. This data makes clear that LGBTQ youth face unique mental health challenges and continue to experience disparities in access to affirming care, family rejection, and discrimination," said Amit Paley, CEO & Executive Director, The Trevor Project. "We are proud that this survey sample is our most diverse yet, with 45% being LGBTQ youth of color and 38% being transgender or nonbinary. The data speaks to the wide variety of experiences and identities held by LGBTQ youth across the country, and emphasizes the need for comprehensive, intersectional policy solutions to confront systemic barriers and end suicide."

Across The Trevor Project's 24/7 crisis services platforms, LGBTQ youth have expressed a wide range of struggles over the last year in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. This study reveals that more than 80% of LGBTQ youth stated that COVID-19 made their living situation more stressful, and only 1 in 3 youth found their home to be LGBTQ-affirming. Further, nearly 40% of LGBTQ youth who had a job reported that they lost it during the pandemic. And 30% of LGBTQ youth reported having trouble affording enough food in the past month, including half of all Native/Indigenous LGBTQ youth and more than 1 in 3 Black and Latinx LGBTQ youth. Historically, both unemployment and food insecurity have been consistent risk factors for suicide.

"The Trevor Project is the largest suicide prevention organization for LGBTQ youth, but even we do not know how many LGBTQ youth die by suicide each year because that data is simply not collected systematically. This third annual survey aims to fill the gaps in the limited research we do have on LGBTQ youth mental health and suicide risk as a means to raise public awareness and improve public health interventions," said Dr. Amy Green, Vice President of Research, The Trevor Project. "These findings are extremely concerning as they highlight many distinct factors that contribute to LGBTQ youth suicide risk. But we encourage lawmakers, public health officials, and youth-serving organizations to focus on the protective factors illuminated in the data, which point to best practices on how to better support LGBTQ young people. Once again, we find that LGBTQ-affirming spaces and transgender-inclusive policies and practices are consistently associated with lower rates of attempting suicide."

Survey results demonstrate that respecting transgender and nonbinary youth's pronouns and allowing them to change their name and/or gender marker on legal documents are associated with lower rates of attempting suicide.

Paley added, "To all the lawmakers considering anti-transgender bills across the county  we urge you to take a hard look at this evidence and take time out of your day to actually meet with the transgender and nonbinary youth who would be harmed by your misguided proposals. Affirming a young person in their gender identity is strongly associated with lower suicide risk. That's why we should be expanding systems of support and implementing more inclusive policies, not denying trans youth access to affirming spaces and care."

Additional findings from the survey include:

COVID-19 and economic strain negatively impacted LGBTQ youth's mental health and sense of self.

The pandemic limited many LGBTQ youth's ability to express their identity.

Nearly half of LGBTQ youth stated that COVID-19 impacted their ability to express their sexual orientation.

Nearly 60% of transgender and nonbinary youth said the pandemic impacted their ability to express their gender identity.

LGBTQ youth who had trouble affording enough food in the past month reported more than twice the rate of attempting suicide in the past year compared to those who did not experience this food insecurity.

30% of LGBTQ youth experienced food insecurity in the past month, including half of all Native/Indigenous LGBTQ youth and more than 1 in 3 Black and Latinx LGBTQ youth.

27% of LGBTQ youth said they worried that food at home would run out in the last month before they or their family had money to buy more.

19% of LGBTQ youth said that in the last month, they were hungry but didn't eat because they or their family didn't have enough food.

LGBTQ youth face unique risk factors for suicide, including discrimination and the discredited practice of conversion therapy.

LGBTQ youth who experienced discrimination on the basis of their sexual orientation, gender identity, and/or race/ethnicity reported much higher rates of attempting suicide  and those who reported experiencing all three of these different types of discrimination reported the highest rate of attempting suicide.

75% of LGBTQ youth reported that they had experienced discrimination based on their sexual orientation or gender identity at least once in their lifetime, and more than half said they experienced this discrimination in the past year.

Half of all LGBTQ youth of color reported discrimination based on their race/ethnicity in the past year, including 67% of Black LGBTQ youth and 60% of Asian/Pacific Islander LGBTQ youth.

36% of LGBTQ youth who experienced discrimination based on their sexual orientation, gender identity, and race/ethnicity reported attempting suicide, while only 7% of LGBTQ youth who did not experience discrimination reported attempting suicide.

LGBTQ youth who were subjected to conversion therapy reported more than twice the rate of attempting suicide in the past year compared to those who were not.

13% of LGBTQ youth reported being subjected to conversion therapy, including 21% of Native/Indigenous LGBTQ youth and 14% of Latinx LGBTQ youth.

Transgender and nonbinary youth reported being subjected to conversion therapy at twice the rate of cisgender LGBQ youth.

LGBTQ youth who reported being subjected to conversion therapy were an average of 15 years old at the time, with 83% of LGBTQ youth reporting that it occurred when they were younger than 18.

Affirming spaces and support systems work to save young LGBTQ lives.

Affirming transgender and nonbinary youth by respecting their pronouns and allowing them to change their name and/or gender marker on legal documents is associated with lower rates of attempting suicide.

Transgender and nonbinary youth who reported having pronouns respected by all of the people they lived with attempted suicide at half the rate of those who did not have their pronouns respected by anyone with whom they lived. However, more than 60% of transgender and nonbinary youth under the age of 18 said that none of the people they lived with respected their pronouns.

Transgender and nonbinary youth who were able to change their name and/or gender marker on legal documents, such as driver's licenses and birth certificates, reported lower rates of attempting suicide.

LGBTQ youth who had access to spaces that affirmed their sexual orientation and gender identity consistently reported lower rates of attempting suicide.

Nearly 7 in 10 LGBTQ youth had access to online spaces that affirmed their sexual orientation and gender identity. Interestingly, an overwhelming majority of LGBTQ youth said that social media has both positive (96%) and negative (88%) impacts on their mental health and well-being.

Half of all LGBTQ youth said that their school was LGBTQ-affirming.

If you or someone you know needs help or support, The Trevor Project's trained crisis counselors are available 24/7 at 1-866-488-7386, via chat at TheTrevorProject.org/Help , or by texting START to 678678.

Methodology

The content and methodology for The Trevor Project's 2021 National Survey on LGBTQ Youth Mental Health were approved by an independent Institutional Review Board.

This quantitative cross-sectional survey was conducted using an online platform between October 12, 2020 and December 31, 2020 among 34,759 LGBTQ youth respondents between the ages of 1324 residing in the United States. Respondents were defined as being LGBTQ if they identified with a sexual orientation other than straight/heterosexual, a gender identity other than cisgender, or both. This report uses "transgender and nonbinary" as an umbrella term to encompass a wide variety of gender identities held by non-cisgender youth. For additional information on methodology such as sample description and comparability, filters and exclusions, question development, and more please visit https://www.TheTrevorProject.org/survey-2021 .

About The Trevor Project

The Trevor Project is the world's largest suicide prevention and crisis intervention organization for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer & questioning (LGBTQ) young people. The Trevor Project offers a suite of 24/7 crisis intervention and suicide prevention programs, including TrevorLifeline , TrevorText , and TrevorChat as well as the world's largest safe space social networking site for LGBTQ youth, TrevorSpace . Trevor also operates an education program with resources for youth-serving adults and organizations, an advocacy department fighting for pro-LGBTQ legislation and against anti-LGBTQ rhetoric/policy positions, and a research team to discover the most effective means to help young LGBTQ people in crisis and end suicide.

For media inquiries, please contact:

Rob Todaro

Communications Manager

[email protected]

212-695-8650 x403

For research-related inquiries, please contact:

Amy Green, PhD

Vice President of Research

[email protected]

310.271.8845 x242

SOURCE The Trevor Project, Inc

Related Links

www.thetrevorproject.org


BANGALORE, India, May 19, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- The Online Tutoring Industry is Segmented by Type STEM Courses, Language Courses, Other Courses, by Application Students, Non-Students. The report covers global opportunity analysis and industry forecasts from 2021 to 2026. It is published on Valuates Reports in the Education Category.

The global Online Tutoring market size is projected to reach USD 278 Billion by 2026, from USD 150 Billion in 2020, at a CAGR of 10.82% during 2021-2027.

Major factors driving the growth of the online tutoring market are:

Increase in adoption by higher education students and corporate employees for skill enhancement.

COVID-19 outbreak has forced institutions to go online to offer tutoring services to their students and learners.

Technical advances and improvements in the accessibility of portable communication devices are expected to provide lucrative growth opportunities for market players.

View Full Report: https://reports.valuates.com/market-reports/QYRE-Auto-23Y2571/covid-19-impact-on-online-tutoring

TRENDS INFLUENCING THE ONLINE TUTORING MARKET

The widespread adoption of online tutoring services by school students and corporate professionals is projected to expand significantly over the forecast period. This trend is expected to drive the growth of the online tutoring market size.

COVID-19 has caused schools all over the world to close. As a result, education has undergone significant transformations, with a significant increase in e-learning and online tutoring taking place remotely and through online platforms. As a result, there is a steady increase in the growth of the online tutoring market size.

For a better user experience, companies in the online tutoring industry are increasingly investing in trends like gamification. Gamification online tutoring is expected to elicit a game-like response and level of interaction from students. As a result, knowledge retention, motivation, and efficiency are seen to improve. This trend of gamification is expected to provide lucrative growth opportunities for the online tutoring market.

Other factors driving the acceptance of the online tutoring market include ongoing technical advances and improvements in the accessibility of portable communication devices. Furthermore, in developing countries, government funding for digital teaching is enabling colleges and schools to deliver online learning sessions. Government policies like these are expected to fuel the online tutoring market size.

Get Free Sample: https://reports.valuates.com/request/sample/QYRE-Auto-23Y2571/Covid_19_Impact_on_Online_Tutoring

ONLINE TUTORING MARKET SHARE ANALYSIS

North America is expected to be one the largest online tutoring market share during the forecast period. However, because of the presence of emerging economies such as India, the Asia Pacific region is expected to see the fastest growth in the online tutoring industry during the forecast period. The acceptance of online tutoring services is expected to be boosted by government-led strategic developments, such as government-funded education projects in rural areas.

Based on type, STEM is expected to be one of the lucrative segments during the forecast period. A major factor driving the growth of STEM education is the increasing importance of STEM education among students, parents, and various educational stakeholders around the world.

Inquire for Regional Data: https://reports.valuates.com/request/regional/QYRE-Auto-23Y2571/Covid_19_Impact_on_Online_Tutoring

ONLINE TUTORING MARKET SEGMENTATION

by Region

North America

United States

Canada

Europe

Germany

France

UK.

Italy

Russia

Nordic

Rest of Europe

Asia-Pacific

China

Japan

South Korea

Southeast Asia

India

Australia

Rest of Asia-Pacific

Latin America

Mexico

Brazil

Middle East & Africa

Turkey

Saudi Arabia

UAE

Rest of Middle East & Africa

by Type, the market is primarily split into

STEM Courses

Language Courses

Other Courses

by Application, this report covers the following segments

Students

Non-students

Key companies covered in this report are:

Club Z! Tutoring

Fleet Education Services (Fleet Tutors)

Huntington Learning Center

Pearson ELT

Chegg

Learn to Be

The Princeton Review.

Buy Now for Single User: https://reports.valuates.com/api/directpaytoken?rcode=QYRE-Auto-23Y2571&lic=single-user

Buy Now for Enterprise User: https://reports.valuates.com/api/directpaytoken?rcode=QYRE-Auto-23Y2571&lic=enterprise-user

SUBSCRIPTION

We have introduced a tailor-made subscription for our customers. Please leave a note in the Comment Section to know about our subscription plans.

SIMILAR REPORTS

- Private Tutoring market is projected to reach USD 392.4 Million by 2026, from USD 218.1 Million in 2019, at a CAGR of 8.8% during 2021-2026.

- K12 Online Tutoring Market Breakdown Data by Type Pre-Kindergarten, Kindergarten, Primary School, Junior High School, High School, by Application STEM Courses, Language Courses, Other Courses and by various regions.

- Online Tutoring Software Market is segmented by Type Exam preparation (Standardized tests GRE,GMAT,MCAT,ACT,SAT,etc.), Licensing, Online courses, Private tutors, by Application Individuals, Businesses, Universities and by various regions.

- Kindergarten Through Twelfth Grade Tutoring Market is Segmented by Type Pre-Kindergarten, Kindergarten, Primary School,Junior High School, High School, by Application Online Teaching, Live Teaching and by various regions.

- Digital English Language Learning market is projected to reach USD 21030 Million by 2026, from USD 7440.3 Million in 2019, at a CAGR of 16.0% during 2021-2026. China has been the largest consumer market of Digital English Language Learning service in the world in the past few years and it will keep increasing in the next few years. China market took up about 49.74% of the global market in 2018, while Europe followed with 16.81% as the second biggest market for digital English language learning. Top 5 (Vipkid, iTutorGroup, Pearson ELT, Berlitz Languages, 51talk) took up about 39.37% of the global market in 2018. And their annual growth rates are unbalanced. The major types of Digital English Language Learning are On-premise and Cloud based. On-premise is the dominant type, accounting for above 64.22% sales share in 2018. In the applications, Educational Tests and Businesses segments accounted for 46.29% and 35.51% respectively in 2018. The remaining 18.2% were for Adults,Kids and Teens.

- Smart Lecture Capture System market is projected to reach USD 10900 Million by 2026, from USD 4137.1 Million in 2019, at a CAGR of 14.7% during 2021-2026.

- Global and United States Online Language Learning Platform Market is segmented by Type English, Chinese, European Language, Others, by Application Individual Learner, Institutional Learner and by various regions.

- Corporate Online Language Learning Market is segmented by Type Cloud platforms, On premise, by Application Small enterprises, Large enterprises and by various regions.

To see the full list of related reports on the Online Tutoring Market

ABOUT US

Valuates offer in-depth market insights into various industries. Our extensive report repository is constantly updated to meet your changing industry analysis needs.

Our team of market analysts can help you select the best report covering your industry. We understand your niche region-specific requirements and that's why we offer customization of reports. With our customization in place, you can request for any particular information from a report that meets your market analysis needs.

To achieve a consistent view of the market, data is gathered from various primary and secondary sources, at each step, data triangulation methodologies are applied to reduce deviance and find a consistent view of the market. Each sample we share contains detail research methodology employed to generate the report, Please also reach to our sales team to get the complete list of our data sources.

CONTACT US

Valuates Reports

[email protected]

For U.S. Toll-Free Call 1-(315)-215-3225

For IST Call +91-8040957137

WhatsApp : +91 9945648335

Website: https://reports.valuates.com

Twitter - https://twitter.com/valuatesreports

Linkedin - https://in.linkedin.com/company/valuatesreports

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/valuatesreports

SOURCE Valuates Reports
NEW YORK, May 19, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- OTC Markets Group Inc. (OTCQX: OTCM), operator of financial markets for 11,000 U.S. and global securities, today announced Vangold Mining Corp. (TSX-V: VGLD) (OTCQX: VGLDF), an exploration and development company engaged in reactivitating past producing silver and gold mines in Mexico, has qualified to trade on the OTCQX Best Market. Vangold Mining Corp.upgraded to OTCQX from the Pink market.

Vangold Mining Corp. begins trading today on OTCQX under the symbol "VGLDF." U.S. investors can find current financial disclosure and Real-Time Level 2 quotes for the company on www.otcmarkets.com.

Upgrading to the OTCQX Market is an important step for companies seeking to provide transparent trading for their U.S. investors. For companies listed on a qualified international exchange, streamlined market standards enable them to utilize their home market reporting to make their information available in the U.S. To qualify for OTCQX, companies must meet high financial standards, follow best practice corporate governance and demonstrate compliance with applicable securities laws.

"Graduating to the OTCQX Market from the Pink market marks another in a series of important milestones for the Company. This approval will provide increased access to US institutional and retail investors looking to invest in the Company and provide them with the opportunity to share in VanGold's growth," said Lisa Dea VanGold's CFO.

B. Riley Securities, Inc. acted as the company's OTCQX sponsor.

About Vangold Mining Corp.

VanGold Mining is an exploration and development company engaged in reactivating past producing silver and gold mines near the city of Guanajuato, Mexico. The Company's El Pinguico project is a significant past producer of both silver and gold located just 7 kilometers south of the city. The Company is now focused on the refurbishment of the El Cubo mill, and swift commencement of production from the El Cubo and El Pinguico Combined Operation, as well as delineating additional silver and gold resources through underground and surface drilling on its projects located in this 480-year-old mining camp.

About OTC Markets Group Inc.

OTC Markets Group Inc. (OTCQX: OTCM) operates the OTCQX Best Market, the OTCQB Venture Market and the Pink Open Market for 11,000 U.S. and global securities. Through OTC Link ATS and OTC Link ECN, we connect a diverse network of broker-dealers that provide liquidity and execution services. We enable investors to easily trade through the broker of their choice and empower companies to improve the quality of information available for investors.

To learn more about how we create better informed and more efficient markets, visit www.otcmarkets.com.

OTC Link ATS and OTC Link ECN are SEC regulated ATSs, operated by OTC Link LLC, member FINRA/SIPC.

Subscribe to the OTC Markets RSS Feed

Media Contact:

OTC Markets Group Inc.

+1 (212) 896-4428

[email protected]

SOURCE OTC Markets Group Inc.

Related Links

http://www.otcmarkets.com


DUBLIN, May 19, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- The "Modular Combat Turret Market Forecast to 2028 - COVID-19 Impact and Global Analysis By Offerings and Platform" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.

The COVID-19 outbreak has adversely affected the world and is continuing to shatter several countries. Until the outbreak, the defense industry was experiencing substantial growth in terms of production and services. However, the outbreak has disrupted the supply chain and manufacturing of defense equipment. The recovery period of the pandemic impact on the defense industry is foreseen to be quicker as compared to various other industries. This is because various defense forces are awarding contracts for armored vehicles and other equipment to the manufacturers. The production of the equipment is expected to start at a slower pace and is anticipated to gain pace over the years, which is expected to positively influence the defense equipment manufacturing including modular combat turret. This factor would propel the growth of modular combat turret market during the forecast period.



The global modular combat turret system market is segmented on the basis of offerings and platform. Based on offerings, the market is bifurcated into manned turret and unmanned turret. Based on platform, the market is segmented into land, naval, and airborne. By geography, the modular combat turret market is segmented into North America, Europe, Asia Pacific (APAC), the Middle East and Africa (MEA), and South America (SAM).



A few key players operating in the global modular combat turret market and profiled in the market study are BAE Systems, Control Solution LLC, Curtiss-Wright Corporation, Denel Dynamics, Elbit System Ltd., Jenoptik AG, Leonardo S.P.A, Moog Inc., Otokar Otomotiv ve Savunma Sanayi A.S., and Rheinmetall AG.



The overall global modular combat turret market size has been derived using both primary and secondary sources. To begin the research process, exhaustive secondary research has been conducted using internal and external sources to obtain qualitative and quantitative information related to the market. The process also serves the purpose of obtaining an overview and forecast for the modular combat turret market with respect to all the segments. Also, multiple primary interviews have been conducted with industry participants and commentators to validate the data, as well as to gain more analytical insights into the topic. The participants of this process include industry experts such as VPs, business development managers, market intelligence managers, and national sales managers, along with external consultants such as valuation experts, research analysts, and key opinion leaders, specializing in the modular combat turret market.



Reasons to Buy

Save and reduce time carrying out entry-level research by identifying the growth, size, leading players and segments in the global modular combat turret market

Highlights key business priorities in order to assist companies to realign their business strategies

The key findings and recommendations highlight crucial progressive industry trends in the global modular combat turret market, thereby allowing players across the value chain to develop effective long-term strategies

Develop/modify business expansion plans by using substantial growth offering developed and emerging markets

Scrutinize in-depth global market trends and outlook coupled with the factors driving the market, as well as those hindering it

Enhance the decision-making process by understanding the strategies that underpin commercial interest with respect to client products, segmentation, pricing and distribution

Key Topics Covered:



1. Introduction

1.1 Study Scope

1.2 Research Report Guidance

1.3 Market Segmentation



2. Key Takeaways



3. Research Methodology

3.1 Coverage

3.2 Secondary Research

3.3 Primary Research



4. Modular Combat Turret Market Landscape

4.1 Market Overview

4.2 Porter's Five Forces Analysis

4.2.1 Bargaining Power of Buyers

4.2.2 Bargaining Power of Suppliers

4.2.3 Threat to New Entrants

4.2.4 Threat to Substitutes

4.2.5 Competitive Rivalry

4.3 Ecosystem Analysis

4.4 Expert Opinion



5. Modular Combat Turret-Market Dynamics

5.1 Market Drivers

5.1.1 Increasing Demand for Main Battle Tanks and Armored Combat Vehicles

5.1.2 Rising Military Expenditure

5.2 Market Restraints

5.2.1 Reliability and Maintenance Issues in Modular Combat Turrets

5.3 Market Opportunities

5.3.1 Rising Demand for Unmanned Turrets

5.4 Future Trends

5.4.1 Upgrade of Older or Existing Fleet

5.5 Impact Analysis of Drivers and Restraints



6. Modular Combat Turret Market - Global Analysis

6.1 Modular Combat Turret Market Global Overview

6.2 Market Positioning - Five Key Players



7. Modular Combat Turret Market - By Type

7.1 Overview

7.2 Modular Combat Turret Market, by Type (2020 & 2028)

7.3 Manned Turret

7.3.1 Overview

7.3.2 Manned Turret: Modular Combat Turret Market - Revenue and Forecast to 2028 (US$ Million)

7.4 Unmanned Turret

7.4.1 Overview

7.4.2 Unmanned Turret: Modular Combat Turret Market - Revenue and Forecast to 2028 (US$ Million)



8. Modular Combat Turret Market Analysis - By Platform

8.1 Overview

8.2 Modular Combat Turret Market, By Platform (2020 & 2028)

8.3 Land

8.3.1 Overview

8.3.2 Land: Modular Combat Turret Market - Revenue and Forecast to 2028 (US$ Million)

8.4 Naval

8.4.1 Overview

8.4.2 Naval: Modular Combat Turret Market - Revenue and Forecast to 2028 (US$ Million)

8.5 Airborne

8.5.1 Overview

8.5.2 Airborne: Modular Combat Turret Market - Revenue and Forecast to 2028 (US$ Million)



9. Modular Combat Turret Market - Geographic Analysis

9.1 Overview

9.2 North America Modular Combat Turret Market, Revenue and Forecast to 2028

9.3 Europe Modular Combat Turret Market Revenue and Forecast To 2028

9.4 APAC Modular Combat Turret Market, Revenue and Forecast To 2028

9.5 MEA Modular Combat Turret Market, Revenue and Forecast To 2028

9.6 South America Modular Combat Turret Market Revenue and Forecast To 2028



10. Impact of COVID-19 Pandemic on Modular Combat Turret Market

10.1 Overview

10.2 North America

10.3 Europe

10.4 Asia-Pacific

10.5 Middle East and Africa

10.6 South America



11. Industry Landscape

11.1 Overview

11.2 Market Initiative

11.3 New Product Development



12. Company Profile

12.1 BAE Systems plc

12.1.1 Key Facts

12.1.2 Business Description

12.1.3 Products and Services

12.1.4 Financial Overview

12.1.5 SWOT Analysis

12.1.6 Key Developments

12.2 Control Solutions LLC

12.2.1 Key Facts

12.2.2 Business Description

12.2.3 Products and Services

12.2.4 Financial Overview

12.2.5 SWOT Analysis

12.2.6 Key Developments

12.3 Curtiss-Wright Corporation

12.3.1 Key Facts

12.3.2 Business Description

12.3.3 Products and Services

12.3.4 Financial Overview

12.3.5 SWOT Analysis

12.3.6 Key Developments

12.4 Denel Land Systems

12.4.1 Key Facts

12.4.2 Business Description

12.4.3 Products and Services

12.4.4 Financial Overview

12.4.5 SWOT Analysis

12.4.6 Key Developments

12.5 Elbit Systems Ltd.

12.5.1 Key Facts

12.5.2 Business Description

12.5.3 Products and Services

12.5.4 Financial Overview

12.5.5 SWOT Analysis

12.5.6 Key Developments

12.6 Jenoptik AG

12.6.1 Key Facts

12.6.2 Business Description

12.6.3 Products and Services

12.6.4 Financial Overview

12.6.5 SWOT Analysis

12.6.6 Key Developments

12.7 Leonardo S.p.A.

12.7.1 Key Facts

12.7.2 Business Description

12.7.3 Products and Services

12.7.4 Financial Overview

12.7.5 SWOT Analysis

12.7.6 Key Developments

12.8 Moog Inc.

12.8.1 Key Facts

12.8.2 Business Description

12.8.3 Products and Services

12.8.4 Financial Overview

12.8.5 SWOT Analysis

12.8.6 Key Developments

12.9 Otokar Otomotiv ve Savunma Sanayi A.S.

12.9.1 Key Facts

12.9.2 Business Description

12.9.3 Products and Services

12.9.4 Financial Overview

12.9.5 SWOT Analysis

12.9.6 Key Developments

12.10 Rheinmetall AG

12.10.1 Key Facts

12.10.2 Business Description

12.10.3 Products and Services

12.10.4 Financial Overview

12.10.5 SWOT Analysis

12.10.6 Key Developments



13. Appendix

13.1 About the Publisher

13.2 Word Index

For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/xqjsew



Media Contact:

Research and Markets

Laura Wood, Senior Manager

[email protected]



For E.S.T Office Hours Call +1-917-300-0470

For U.S./CAN Toll Free Call +1-800-526-8630

For GMT Office Hours Call +353-1-416-8900



U.S. Fax: 646-607-1904

Fax (outside U.S.): +353-1-481-1716

SOURCE Research and Markets

Related Links

http://www.researchandmarkets.com


ORANGE, Calif., May 19, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- A new Amtrak Thruway bus route is now offering daily service between Los Angeles and Las Vegas, with intermediate stops in San Bernardino, Victorville, and Barstow. While bus-only trips for this service can be purchased without a train segment, these buses also offer guaranteed connections to Pacific Surfliner Trains 579, 580, 763 768, 777, and 796.

Depart Los Angeles 9:50 am 5:00 pm Los Angeles, CA 10:58 am 6:08 pm San Bernardino, CA 11:45 am 6:55 pm Victorville, CA 12:23 pm 7:33 pm Barstow, CA (Arrival) 12:45 pm 7:55 pm Barstow, CA (Departure) 3:04 pm 10:14 pm Las Vegas, NV (South Strip Transfer Center) 3:20 pm 10:30 pm Las Vegas, NV (Downtown Bus Stop) Depart Las Vegas 8:30 am 3:40 pm Las Vegas, NV (South Strip Transfer Center) 8:50 am 4:00 pm Las Vegas, NV (South Strip Transfer Center) 11:15 am 6:25 pm Barstow, CA (Arrival) 11:35 am 6:45 pm Barstow, CA (Departure) 12:15 pm 7:25 pm Victorville, CA 1:02 pm 8:12 pm San Bernardino, CA 2:30 pm 9:40 pm Los Angeles, CA

Amtrak Thruway buses offer comfortable onboard amenities including reclining seats, foot rests, restrooms, individual lighting, and free Wi-Fi. Upon arriving at the South Strip Transfer Terminal in Las Vegas, passengers can connect to double decker buses known as The Deuce to travel along the Strip and to the Downtown Las Vegas corridor. Learn more at pacificsurfliner.com/thruway.

Amtrak has been upgrading technology, fleet, stations and processes to make travel as seamless and safe as possible. To simplify and safeguard the travel experience, several cleaning, contact-free and convenience measures have been implemented into every part of the customer journey, including:

Per federal law and Amtrak policy, all customers and employees must wear a face mask or covering that fully covers the entire mouth and nose, fits snugly against the side of the face, and secures under the chin at all times while onboard and in stations. For more information, visit: amtrak.com/coronavirus.

Customers should not travel when experiencing COVID-19 symptoms or when they meet public health criteria for quarantine.

Passengers are encouraged to be aware of local regulations and public health directives prior to traveling to any destination.

To book tickets or view schedules, customers can visit Amtrak.com, use our free mobile app, speak with station personnel or call/text Amtrak at 800-USA-RAIL (800-872-7245).

About Amtrak

For 50 years, Amtrak has connected America and transformed transportation by modernizing train travel and building for the future. Amtrak will continue to play an important role in the national transportation network for the next 50 years and beyond by operating a safe, environmentally efficient and fiscally responsible business by providing travelers with an experience that sets a new standard. Book travel, check train status, access your eTicket and more through the Amtrak app. Learn more at Amtrak.com and connect with us on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook and LinkedIn.

About the Amtrak Pacific Surfliner

The Pacific Surfliner travels along a 351-mile coastal rail route through San Diego, Orange, Los Angeles, Ventura, Santa Barbara and San Luis Obispo counties, serving 27 stations. It is the busiest state-supported intercity passenger rail route in the United States. To learn more and plan a trip, visit pacificsurfliner.com.

SOURCE Amtrak

Related Links

http://www.amtrak.com


The event will feature HR and business experts, including leadership consultants, workplace visionaries, and diversity and inclusion thought leaders; live Paychex technology demos; and an insightful conversation with keynote speaker Daymond John, Founder/CEO of FUBU, star of ABC's Shark Tank, and CEO of The Shark Group. Session topics include developing a business strategy based on the intersection of technology and people, the top HR and regulatory trends impacting employees and businesses, optimizing and assessing diversity, equity and inclusion practices, and more.

"The Paychex Business Conference serves as an extension of our many initiatives to provide clients with resources, guidance, and tools to help them navigate the unprecedented challenges of the past year," said Martin Mucci, Paychex president and CEO. "Now, as businesses look to the future and make plans to grow, we developed this conference to provide our clients with the information, tools, and expertise that supports those efforts. The conference is also an important way to thank our customers for their tremendous loyalty as reflected in our historic levels of client retention."

The first day's agenda features real-world advice from business experts:

"Success Secrets from a Shark: How to Think More Creatively than the Competition"  a moderated conversation with keynote speaker Daymond John , Founder/CEO of FUBU, star of ABC's Shark Tank, and CEO of The Shark Group

"Success Doesn't Happen by Accident: Why Intention is Your Most Important Business Strategy"  Conference host, futurist, and author Crystal Washington , explains how successful business leaders purposefully and proactively create the new workplace

"Reality-Based Leadership: All the Ways a Better Workplace Starts with You"  renowned leadership consultant Cy Wakeman explains why accountability from the top helps build better teams

"How to Move from Diversity to Inclusion and Truly Harness the Power of People"  SHRM's Christopher Lopez explains how to create an inclusive workplace to drive better business outcomes

"Putting the Power of Simplicity to Work for You"  a podcast recording with Paychex CEO Martin Mucci , as part of the Paychex Business Series, hosted by Gene Marks

"In this post-COVID era of tight labor and rising costs, it's critical for forward-thinking business owners to hear from leaders that can help them figure out the best strategies for increasing productivity and growing their businesses," said Gene Marks, CPA and president of The Marks Group PC. "This conference provides the kind of thought leadership that will help us do that."

Day two of the conference features fast-paced Learning Lab sessions hosted by Tom Hammond, Paychex vice president of corporate strategy and product management. Clients will learn how to accelerate recruiting and hiring and make informed decisions using powerful HR analytics with the company's all-in-one HR software and service solution, Paychex Flex.

Paychex Business Conference is a free event for the company's current clients. Clients may reach out to their Paychex representative for registration details. Members of the media and industry analysts may also attend by contacting the Paychex public relations team.

About Paychex

Paychex, Inc. (Nasdaq: PAYX) is a leading provider of integrated human capital management solutions for human resources, payroll, benefits, and insurance services. By combining its innovative software-as-a-service technology and mobility platform with dedicated, personal service, Paychex empowers small- and medium-sized business owners to focus on the growth and management of their business. Backed by more than 45 years of industry expertise, Paychex serves more than 680,000 payroll clients as of May 31, 2020 across more than 100 locations in the U.S. and Europe, and pays one out of every 12 American private sector employees. Learn more about Paychex by visiting paychex.com and stay connected on Twitter and LinkedIn.

Media Contact

Adam Kranitz

Director of Corporate Communications

Paychex, Inc.

(585) 794-3764

[email protected]

@adamkranitz

Colleen Bennis

Mower

(585) 389-1865

[email protected]

SOURCE Paychex, Inc.

Related Links

http://www.paychex.com


BRADENTON, Fla., May 19, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Qure4u, the industry leader in digital health, announces record growth in customer acquisition within the company's home state of Florida. Qure4u recently added healthcare provider sites in its home town of Bradenton as well as Jacksonville, Miami, Naples, Orlando, Sarasota, Tampa, West Palm Beach, and Winter Haven to its rapidly expanding customer base. This brings the tally of Florida-based users leveraging the Qure4u platform for patient engagement and virtual care to more than 600 healthcare providers in 174 clinics serving over 800,000 area patients.

The number of Florida healthcare providers using the Qure4u digital health platform increased by more than 430% from 2020 to 2021. Florida-based Qure4u implementation sites include, but are not limited to, Central Florida Health Care, Inc.; Florida Community Health Centers, Inc.; Premier OB/GYN, LLC; and Tampa Family Health Centers. Overall, the company saw 231% sales growth from 2019 to 2020, with 2021 on track to break that record. Qure4u's ability to support providers' virtual care delivery needs quickly and successfully throughout the COVID-19 pandemic has been a key factor in the company's popularity. Client endorsements recently garnered the company recognition as a Strong Performer in the "The Forrester Wave: Virtual Care Platforms For Digital Health, Q1 2021" report.

"My team is tough to impress and loves Qure4u's DriveUp functionality," reports Aaron Sudbury, MD, of Premier OB/GYN, LLC. "It is a game-changer for healthcare and the most significant digital health innovation that I've seen in recent years. DriveUp is next-level mobile hospitality that delivers to our patients a first-class experience while conveniently connecting them to their care. The staff loves the ability to call patients in with the touch of a button creating a smooth, safe experience for everyone."

"Our collaboration with technology partners such as AWS has been instrumental in our ability to quickly scale to meet growing demand for digital health solutions," said Qure4u Founder and CEO Monica Bolbjerg, MD. "We're now seeing providers embrace virtual care as part of their long-term strategy to improve patient engagement, outcomes, and efficiency. It is an honor to support the efforts of so many providers serving patients in the great state of Florida and beyond."

Qure4u's MyCarePlan equips providers with the patient intake, digital engagement, and virtual care tools that patients expect, enhancing practice efficiency and clinical insight by enabling patients to engage throughout their care journey. To learn more about Qure4u's digital health solutions, visit www.qure4u.com/.

About Qure4u

Qure4u's complete digital health platform, with contactless "digital front door" solutions, offers patients and providers a scalable, EHR-embedded ecosystem to support the entire patient journey. Remote check-in, Virtual Waiting Room, Digital Health Key, Qure4u DriveUp, data sharing, telehealth, pre- and post-procedure prep, remote patient monitoring, secure communication, and care plan features close the gap for patients and providers between office visits. By enabling patients with self-service tools to manage their health from anywhere, Qure4u drives practice efficiency and enhances clinical insight. The company's solutions improve patient engagement, outcomes, and satisfaction. Qure4u was recently recognized as a Strong Performer in "The Forrester Wave: Virtual Care Platforms For Digital Health, Q1 2021" report by Forrester Research. The company was also recognized as one of the MedikaLife Top 50 Most Impactful Tech Innovators for Digital Healthcare in 2021 and won the 2020 athenahealth Client Feedback Award. For more information about Qure4u, visit www.qure4u.com.

Media Contact

Jess Clifton

Agency Ten22

678-360-9043

[email protected]

SOURCE Qure4u

Related Links

https://www.qure4u.com/


Download Free Sample Pages

Key Highlights Offered in the Report:

Information on how to identify strategic and tactical negotiation levels that will help achieve the best prices.

Gain information on relevant pricing levels, detailed explanation of the pros and cons of prevalent pricing models.

Methods to help engage with the right suppliers and discover KPI's to evaluate incumbent suppliers.

Request a Free Sample Report for More Information

Insights into buyer strategies and tactical negotiation levers:

Several strategic and tactical negotiation levers are explained in the report to help buyers achieve the best prices for Rail Freight market. The report also aids buyers with relevant Rail Freight pricing levels, pros, and cons of prevalent pricing models such as volume-based pricing, spot pricing, and cost-plus pricing and category management strategies and best practices to fulfill their category objectives.

Insights on buyer strategies and tactical negotiation levers

Key Drivers and Trends Fueling Market Growth:

The pressure from substitutes and a moderate level of threat from new entrants have resulted in the low bargaining power of suppliers.

Price forecasts are beneficial in purchase planning, especially when supplemented by the constant monitoring of price influencing factors.

Identify favorable opportunities in Promotional Products TCO (total cost of ownership).

Expected changes in price forecast and factors driving the current and future price changes.

Identify pricing models that offer the most rewarding opportunities.

Some of the top Rail Freight suppliers listed in this report:

This Rail Freight procurement intelligence report has enlisted the top suppliers and their cost structures, SLA terms, best selection criteria, and negotiation strategies.

Deutsche Bahn AG

Deutsche Post DHL Group

Kuehne + Nagel International AG

Societe nationale SNCF

CEVA logistics AG

Canadian National Railway Co.

Union Pacific Corp.

CSX Corp.

Indian Railways

China Railway Corp.

Related Report on Logistics, Warehousing and Transportation Include:

To access the definite purchasing guide on the Rail Freight that answers all your key questions on price trends and analysis:

Am I paying/getting the right prices? Is my Rail Freight TCO (total cost of ownership) favorable?

How is the price forecast expected to change? What is driving the current and future price changes?

Which pricing models offer the most rewarding opportunities?

Table of Content

Executive Summary

Market Insights

Category Pricing Insights

Cost-saving Opportunities

Best Practices

Category Ecosystem

Category Management Strategy

Category Management Enablers

Suppliers Selection

Suppliers under Coverage

US Market Insights

Category scope

Appendix

About SpendEdge:

SpendEdge shares your passion for driving sourcing and procurement excellence. We are the preferred procurement market intelligence partner for 120+ Fortune 500 firms and other leading companies across numerous industries. Our strength lies in delivering robust, real-time procurement market intelligence reports and solutions.

To know more https://www.spendedge.com/request-for-demo

Contacts:

SpendEdge

Anirban Choudhury

Marketing Manager

Ph No: +1 (872) 206-9340

https://www.spendedge.com/contact-us

SOURCE SpendEdge

Related Links

https://www.spendedge.com/request-for-demo


SAN FRANCISCO, May 19, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- The clinical study was designed to evaluate the safety and efficacy of Recardio's lead candidate dutogliptin to restore lost myocardial function in patients who experience STEMI, a severe form of heart attack, and receive percutaneous coronary intervention with stent placement.

The study was completed and the final outcomes are currently being evaluated and will be presented at a future scientific conference.

Based on the results of this Phase 2 trial and previous clinical study results, Recardio is now submitting the pivotal Phase 3 program to the FDA and EMEA.

About Recardio

Recardio Inc. is a clinical-stage life science company focusing on therapies for cardiovascular and other diseases. The company is located in San Francisco, California, and is having its operations in USA and Europe. The company's lead drug candidate, dutogliptin, is a DPP-IV inhibitor that has demonstrated significant effects in activating various chemokines like SDF-1, a protein that is critical for cardiac regeneration. Recardio is developing the therapeutic platform as a regenerative medication for patients with various cardiovascular diseases including acute myocardial infarction and chronic heart failure, with the potential of improving heart function, quality of life and survival.

For more information, visit: http://www.recardio.eu/ or contact [email protected]

SOURCE Recardio
Red Cross volunteers have assisted a total of 21 migrants who arrived in Benalmadena aboard two boats.

According to the Andalusian Emergency Services 112 control centre, all of them are Northwest African and, among them, there was one minor.

The first of the boats was located around 9am on Tuesday morning, 18 May. The emergency services received several calls which said that a group of migrants had landed on the Viborilla beach, in the Torrequebrada area.

This boat was occupied by a total of 16 people, all adult males. The Red Cross was alerted and volunteers assisted the migrants in the Port of Malaga. The majority of them were in good health, except for four who had injuries.

The second craft was spotted out at sea in the afternoon by a sailboat. It was a small inflatable boat in which five males were travelling, one of them a minor.

Again the Red Cross was alerted and volunteers had to treat four of the occupants of the boat for various injuries when they arrived at Puerto Marina at around 7.30pm.
SAN FRANCISCO, May 19, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Rural King has announced a partnership with RangeMe, the industry standard online product sourcing platform for retailers and suppliers, to streamline product discovery efforts and introduce innovation to their shelves.

RangeMe is the leading online platform that streamlines new product discovery between suppliers and retailers. The platform empowers retail buyers to efficiently discover innovative and emerging products, while streamlining the inbound product submission process. For product suppliers, RangeMe enables them to grow their retail relationships with a platform that gives them the tools to manage their products, market their brand, and build awareness. Rural King, also known as RK Holdings, LLP, is America's Farm and Home Store, a General Merchandise Store, providing essentials to the communities we serve. We provide a broad range of necessities, essential goods, food, feed, seed and other farm and home products. Rural King has over 100 stores in a thirteen-state area (Alabama, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Tennessee, Ohio, Michigan, Missouri, Pennsylvania, Florida, North Carolina, West Virginia and Virginia).

As America's Farm and Home Store providing general merchandise and essentials to the communities it serves, Rural King is committed to bringing a fresh and innovative variety of products that will best meet its consumers' needs. And, for the first time in the company's history, the retailer is inviting brands to submit products for consideration in Rural King stores. Between May 11 and May 25, Rural King will be accepting submissions from interested vendors via RangeMe. Brands and suppliers who make it through the initial round will be invited to attend an in-person meeting with the retailer on July 30 at their Road Ahead event.

"Rural King has a devoted clientele, and we are thrilled to partner with them and provide them access to products that will resonate with their shoppers," says Nicky Jackson, CEO and Founder of RangeMe. "RangeMe's diverse supplier base overflows with brands that will bring unique qualities, tastes, flavors, and more to Rural Kings' shelves."

By partnering with RangeMe, Rural King will easily discover products that will enhance the broad range of products available to their consumers, including essential goods, food, feed, seed, and other farm and home products. With more than 175,000 suppliers, RangeMe provides an array of brands and products to put down roots in any one of Rural King's 100 stores across 13 states.

For more than 60 years, Rural King has been a source of quality products for its shoppers and has developed a warm and welcoming environment for regular and guest shoppers. Brands and entrepreneurs interested in working with the retailer can visit https://app.rangeme.com/ruralkingtheroadahead.

About Rural King

Rural King, also known as RK Holdings, LLP, is America's Farm and Home Store, a General Merchandise Store, providing essentials to the communities we serve. More specifically, we provide a broad range of necessities, essential goods, food, feed, seed and other farm and home products. Rural King planted its roots in Mattoon, Illinois in 1960. Since that time, Rural King has added over 100 stores in a thirteen-state area (Alabama, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Tennessee, Ohio, Michigan, Missouri, Pennsylvania, Florida, North Carolina, West Virginia and Virginia). The heart of Rural King is the corporate office, distribution center and flagship store, located in its city of origin, Mattoon IL.

About RangeMe

RangeMe, an ECRM company, is the leading online platform that streamlines new product discovery between suppliers and retailers. The platform empowers retail buyers to efficiently discover innovative and emerging products, while streamlining the inbound product submission process. For product suppliers, RangeMe enables them to grow their retail relationships with a platform that gives them the tools to manage their products, market their brand, and build awareness. Now integrated into the ECRM product offering, RangeMe adds increased breadth and depth to the industry's most complete sourcing solution for top retailers and product suppliers in the US.

Press Contacts:

Dan Dyer

Tier 1 Public Relations

For: RangeMe

E-mail: [email protected]

Phone: 513-478-7818

SOURCE RangeMe
PITTSBURGH, May 19, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- First National Bank, the largest subsidiary of F.N.B. Corporation (NYSE: FNB), announced that it has hired Sam Colton as Senior Vice President, Director of Treasury Management.

Colton is responsible for FNB's sophisticated Treasury Management and Merchant Services operations, overseeing product management, business development and customer service for commercial and government clients across FNB's multi-state footprint. Based in Pittsburgh, PA, Colton reports to Bryant Mitchell, Chief Wholesale Banking Officer.

According to Mitchell, "FNB has developed a comprehensive Treasury Management offering that works seamlessly with our Commercial Banking solutions to maximize efficiency and mitigate risk for our clients. Sam brings valuable perspective and leadership to drive continued innovation to anticipate client needs while ensuring the consistently high-quality performance and service businesses expect from FNB."

Joining FNB with more than two decades of industry experience, Colton previously held leadership positions in Treasury Management with Citibank, PNC and National City. He earned his Bachelor of Arts from the University of Kent, Canterbury, in the United Kingdom and is a Certified Treasury Professional with the Association of Financial Professionals. Colton is committed to civic service and is an Officer in the United States Navy Reserve.

About F.N.B. Corporation

F.N.B. Corporation (NYSE: FNB), headquartered in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, is a diversified financial services company operating in seven states and the District of Columbia. FNB's market coverage spans several major metropolitan areas including: Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; Baltimore, Maryland; Cleveland, Ohio; Washington, D.C.; and Charlotte, Raleigh, Durham and the Piedmont Triad (Winston-Salem, Greensboro and High Point) in North Carolina. The Company has total assets of more than $38 billion and nearly 340 banking offices throughout Pennsylvania, Ohio, Maryland, West Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Washington, D.C. and Virginia.

FNB provides a full range of commercial banking, consumer banking and wealth management solutions through its subsidiary network which is led by its largest affiliate, First National Bank of Pennsylvania, founded in 1864. Commercial banking solutions include corporate banking, small business banking, investment real estate financing, government banking, business credit, capital markets and lease financing. The consumer banking segment provides a full line of consumer banking products and services, including deposit products, mortgage lending, consumer lending and a complete suite of mobile and online banking services. FNB's wealth management services include asset management, private banking and insurance.

The common stock of F.N.B. Corporation trades on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol "FNB" and is included in Standard & Poor's MidCap 400 Index with the Global Industry Classification Standard (GICS) Regional Banks Sub-Industry Index. Customers, shareholders and investors can learn more about this regional financial institution by visiting the F.N.B. Corporation website at www.fnbcorporation.com.

SOURCE F.N.B. Corporation

Related Links

http://www.fnbcorporation.com


FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla., May 19, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Casa Sandra is a health and wellness company that has been operating out of Chicago for nearly two decades. Its brick-and-mortar presence was recently expanded as the company launched its new Sandra Plasencia line of skincare products through a variety of different online retailers.

The pandemic changed life as we know it. Nowhere was this impact felt more keenly than in the brick-and-mortar retail sector. Small companies, especially those offering beauty services, were hit hard as quarantines, shutdowns, and shelter-in-place orders strangled their customer traffic practically overnight.

This lack of in-person business created an enormous and unprecedented shift to cloud-based services, online retailers, and remote business interactions. Casa Sandra is one company that has managed to navigate this shift with aplomb.

The health and beauty brand has operated out of its Chicago salon storefront for the better part of two decades. When the pandemic shuttered its physical business, founder Sandra Plasencia, who had recently launched her own eponymous line of skincare products, quickly pivoted by taking her inventory online.

Plasencia's products are born out of years of her own intimate experience working within the beauty and cosmetics industry. In creating her own label, the entrepreneur's goal was simple. According to Plasencia, "in our formulas, we include the finest quality, highest-performing ingredients...that yield the desired results." She adds that "the development process focuses on high concentrations of standardized botanical extracts backed by clinical testing."

From the brand's enormously popular Vitamin C Complex to its rejuvenation creams, exfoliants, and sunblock, the Sandra Plasencia product line is replete with products that have been designed to keep Casa Sandra's clientele well-equipped for all its skincare needs  even when they can't visit the salon itself.

As the pandemic has begun to recede into the background, the Plasencia brand has done the polar opposite. Fueled by its growing popularity, the beauty brand has continued to gain steam in the national e-commerce space. Its offerings are currently listed on a variety of major retail sites and are also being sold through the company website, as well. While time will tell, it seems that the Sandra Plasencia line is poised to become a household brand in the health and beauty industry before long.

About Casa Sandra: In April of 2004 Sandra Plasencia founded Nights Nails & Spa in Chicago, Illinois. In 2020 she rebranded the business to its current name of Casa Sandra. Two years before, Plasencia had officially developed her own personally inspired, long-incubated line of beauty products which she aptly named Sandra Plasencia. The founder's personal label has gained steam ever since its inception and is beginning to gain wider exposure within the national health and wellness industry.

Please direct inquiries to:

Fletcher Corradi

(954) 857-6974

[email protected]

SOURCE Casa Sandra
LANCASTER, Pa., May 19, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Schedule Engine, the leading provider in online booking for home services, announces a partnership with global water heating and HVAC manufacturers Rheem and Ruud. The relationship will offer a seamless experience when booking a service with a Pro Partner for maintenance, repairs or installations.

Schedule Engine's enterprise solution delivers a seamless online booking experience to boost conversion and maintain better control over Rheem's and Ruud's brand, network, and service experience.

The new online booking tool will provide the Pro Partner service network with highly qualified leads through an easy-to-manage dashboard. Additionally, homeowners can include photos or videos to provide a detailed view to enable Pro Partners to deliver quicker and more accurate solutions.

"Our partnership with Schedule Engine reinforces our commitment to continuously improve our consumer experience, add value to our Pro Partner service network and uphold the highest brand standards," said Randy Roberts, Vice President of Sales and Marketing at Rheem. "Streamlining the online booking process and enhancing efficiency offer great advantages to every link in the chain, from manufacturers to distributors to contractors and homeowners."

As part of Rheem and Ruud's new online booking solution, consumers also have access to 24/7 live chat booking. Schedule Engine trained agents representing Rheem and Ruud will be facilitating all chat conversations to qualify the lead and capture appointment requests, efficiently connecting consumers with a Pro Partner in their service area.

"Rheem and Ruud have been leaders in the water heating and HVAC industry for decades; therefore, we're grateful that they recognize the value Schedule Engine offers," said Guillaume Payen, Head of Business Development at Schedule Engine. "We're proud to help them elevate their online booking experience to boost conversion and maintain better control over their brand, network, and service experience. We're looking forward to a long and successful partnership."

About Schedule Engine

Schedule Engine streamlines your booking process and allows you to capture every opportunity while providing a consistent customer experience that's true to your brand. From online booking software to live expert support, Schedule Engine ensures your customers receive a convenient, personalized experience. Designed to complement your existing field services management system, Schedule Engine can be quickly implemented without any internal training or process changes. For more information, visit http://www.scheduleengine.com.

About Rheem

Founded in 1925, Rheem innovates new ways to deliver precise temperatures while saving energy, water and supporting a more sustainable future. Rheem is America's #1 water-heating brand with products available in more than 50 countries. Paloma Co., Ltd. of Nagoya, Japan, acquired the iconic Rheem brand in 1988, and today the company's portfolio of premium brands include Rheem, Raypak, Ruud, Eemax, Richmond, Splendid, Solahart, EverHota, Sure Comfort and Russell by Rheem as well as commercial refrigeration brands Russell, Witt, ColdZone and Kramer, which are part of the Heat Transfer Products Group (HTPG) division.

MEDIA CONTACT:

Laura Good

Schedule Engine

(816) 582-4645

[email protected]

Related Images

schedule-engine-partners-with.png

Schedule Engine partners with Rheem and Ruud

Schedule Engine's enterprise solution delivers a seamless online booking experience to boost conversion and maintain better control over Rheem's and Ruud's brand, network, and service experience.

SOURCE Schedule Engine
MEMPHIS, Tenn., May 19, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- The Memphis and Shelby County community is already home to the blues and barbeque; now Shelby County also will be home to one of Tennessee's largest solar farms.

On Wednesday, the Tennessee Valley Authority announced a new Green Invest partnership with Facebook and RWE Renewables that will build a 150-megawatt solar facility near Millington. Facebook will use 110 megawatts of the solar energy to support their data center operations in Gallatin, Tennessee, and the broader Tennessee Valley.

"Bringing clean energy to Shelby County is part of our long-term community plan, and is critical to support our region's sustainability strategy," said Doug Perry, TVA senior vice president, Commercial Energy Solutions. "This project is more than a solar farm, it puts people to work, revitalizes communities and makes our region an environmental leader."

Since 2018, Green Invest has attracted nearly $2.7 billion in solar investment and procured over 2,100 megawatts of solar on behalf of its customers  maintaining TVA's green energy leadership with the greatest amount of renewable generation in the Southeast.

TVA is partnering with RWE, one of the world's leading renewable energy companies, to develop the $140 million solar farm. RWE, through a long-term power purchase agreement with TVA, will own and operate the plant using industry-leading land stewardship techniques.

"RWE is a global renewable energy leader, and we are excited to develop one of the world's most advanced solar farms in Shelby County," said Silvia Ortin, COO Onshore Wind and Solar PV Americas, RWE Renewables. "Through TVA Green Invest, the clean energy generated from this site will fuel jobs locally and across the state and help Facebook achieve its carbon reduction goals."

Generating more than $12 million in property tax revenue, the project will create more than 150 construction jobs, with additional employment for 2 to 4 full-time operations and maintenance staff. The facility is expected to come online in late 2023, pending environmental reviews.

"Green Invest demonstrates the value that TVA's public power model has for our community," said Tennessee State Senator Paul Rose. "This solar farm will be a beacon that attracts jobs and investment into Shelby County,"

Millington Mayor Terry Jones believes the project will create valuable opportunities for local residents and businesses. "I'm excited because TVA and Facebook are going to be great neighbors, and their trusted brands will benefit everyone in Shelby County. Businesses want renewable energy, and this solar farm makes it easier for us to compete for good jobs."

In April, Facebook announced that its operations are now supported by 100% renewable energy. To support that goal, in the last year, Facebook has signed Green Invest agreements for 475 megawatts of new solar to be built in Tennessee, Mississippi, and Kentucky. Since 2018, Facebook has agreed to purchase a total of 852 megawatts of power generated by multiple solar farms linked into the TVA electric grid.

"Facebook's mission is to connect the world, and the connections we made with TVA and RWE will ensure our operations in the Tennessee Valley are supported with new solar energy," said Urvi Parekh, head of Renewable Energy at Facebook. "This solar project, which is our third in Tennessee, will help us continue our commitment of 100% renewable energy for our global operations, while also bringing new investment and jobs to the local community."

TVA's electricity is nearly 60% carbon-free, and the utility sees a bright future for solar fueling our region's economy. Since October, TVA has increased its contracted solar capacity by 60%.

"Facebook, RWE and our elected officials are great partners, and this announcement demonstrates our commitment to Shelby County, and how we are using solar energy to make our region the prime destination for businesses to achieve their environmental goals," said Perry.

The Tennessee Valley Authority is a corporate agency of the United States that provides electricity for business customers and local power companies serving nearly 10 million people in parts of seven southeastern states. TVA receives no taxpayer funding, deriving virtually all of its revenues from sales of electricity. In addition to operating and investing its revenues in its electric system, TVA provides flood control, navigation and land management for the Tennessee River system, and assists local power companies and state and local governments with economic development and job creation.

RWE Renewables

RWE Renewables is one of the world's leading renewable energy companies. With around 3,500 employees, the company has onshore and offshore wind farms, photovoltaic plants and battery storage facilities with a combined capacity of approximately 9 gigawatts. RWE Renewables is driving the expansion of renewable energy in more than 20 countries on five continents. From 2020 to 2022, RWE Renewables targets to invest 5 billion net in renewable energy and to grow its renewables portfolio to 13 gigawatts of net capacity. Beyond this, the company plans to further grow in wind and solar power. The focus is on the Americas, the core markets in Europe and the Asia-Pacific region.

Editor's Note: Click here for a graphic of the Facebook data center.

Cut Line: A rendering of Facebook's $800 million data center that will cover nearly 1 million square feet.

Media Contacts:

Scott Fiedler, Chattanooga, 423-901-414-6964

TVA Public Relations, Knoxville, 865-632-6000

www.tva.com/newsroom

Follow TVA news on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram

Melanie Roe

Facebook

[email protected]

Matt Tulis

RWE Renewables Americas, LLC

512-698-4043

[email protected]

SOURCE Tennessee Valley Authority

Related Links

www.tva.gov


New momelotinib analysis examining the association between transfusion independence and overall survival to be presented

SAN MATEO, Calif., May 19, 2021 May 19, 2021 - Sierra Oncology, Inc. (SRRA), a late-stage biopharmaceutical company on a quest to deliver targeted therapies that treat rare forms of cancer, today announced three abstracts have been accepted into the program for the 2021 Annual Meeting of the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) being held virtually from June 4-8, 2021.

Association of Transfusion Independence with Improved Overall Survival in Myelofibrosis Patients Receiving Momelotinib

Dr. Ruben Mesa, MD, Director of the Mays Cancer Center, UT Health San Antonio, MD Anderson Cancer Center, will present a poster examining the association between transfusion independence and overall survival for momelotinib patients from SIMPLIFY-1 (JAKi-naive) and SIMPLIFY-2 (JAKi-exposed).

Previously published data from both SIMPLIFY studies demonstrate robust overall survival for momelotinib-treated patients compared to survival in patients randomized to ruxolitinib (SIMPLIFY-1) or best available therapy (SIMPLIFY-2), followed by momelotinib after week 24 in each (median not yet reached in SIMPLIFY-1 and 34.3 months in SIMPLIFY-2). Additionally, previously reported week 24 transfusion independence rates were higher in the momelotinib arms of SIMPLIFY-1 (67% vs. 49%) and SIMPLIFY-2 (43% vs. 21%). The new analyses suggest JAKi-naive patients receiving momelotinib who maintain or achieve transfusion independence at week 24 have favorable overall survival compared to non-responders, with a similar trend observed in SIMPLIFY-2.

The full abstract is now available on the ASCO website. Data from this analysis will also be included in an oral presentation at the European Hematology Association Annual Meeting being held virtually June 9-17, 2021.

Presentation Details

Abstract: 7046

Title: Association of transfusion independence with improved overall survival in myelofibrosis patients receiving momelotinib

Presenter: Ruben Mesa, MD

Poster Session Name: Hematologic MalignanciesLeukemia, Myelodysplastic Syndromes and Allotransplant

Virtual Presentation Available: Friday, June 4, 2021 beginning at 8:00 am CDT

Two additional momelotinib abstracts were accepted for online publication at ASCO. The first highlights the improved transfusion independence of momelotinib irrespective of baseline degree of anemia, platelet count or transfusion status. The second examines the improvement in longitudinal and individual symptoms for myelofibrosis patients treated with momelotinib in the SIMPLIFY-1 study.

Improved Transfusion Independence Rates for Momelotinib vs. Ruxolitinib in Anemic JAKi Naive Myelofibrosis Patients Independent of Baseline Platelet or Transfusion Status

Progressive anemia is a common occurrence in myelofibrosis, with nearly all patients requiring transfusions as their disease advances. As described above, the analyses in Abstract 7046 show that JAKi-naive patients receiving momelotinib who maintain or achieve transfusion independence at week 24 have favorable overall survival compared to non-responders, with a similar trend observed in SIMPLIFY-2. Therefore, it is important to understand which patients are most likely to achieve transfusion independence at week 24.

Abstract e19039 will highlight new analyses from SIMPLIFY-1 to demonstrate that the prognostically important week 24 transfusion independence rates in JAK inhibitor-naive myelofibrosis patients were consistently higher in anemic patients receiving momelotinib compared to ruxolitinib, regardless of the platelet count, transfusion status or degree of anemia at baseline. Data to be featured further support the potential benefits of inhibiting ACVR1 / ALK2 in addition to JAK1 and JAK2 in myelofibrosis patients, as published by Jean-Jacques Kiladjian, MD, PhD, Professor of Clinical Pharmacology, Paris Diderot University; Consultant Hematologist, Head, Clinical Investigation Center, Saint Louis Hospital, Paris, France.

The full abstract is now available on the ASCO website. Data from this analysis will also be included in a poster presentation at the European Hematology Association Annual Meeting being held virtually June 9-17, 2021.

Presentation Details

Abstract: e19039

Title: Improved Transfusion Independence Rates for Momelotinib vs. Ruxolitinib in Anemic JAKi Naive Myelofibrosis Patients Independent of Baseline Platelet or Transfusion Status

Presenter: Jean-Jacques Kiladjian, MD, PhD

Longitudinal and Individual Symptom Analyses of Momelotinib and Ruxolitinib Treated Myelofibrosis Patients from SIMPLIFY-1

Previously reported results from the SIMPLIFY-1 study examining momelotinib vs. ruxolitinib in JAKi-naive myelofibrosis patients did not meet the secondary endpoint of non-inferiority of > 50% total symptom score (TSS) reduction at week 24 (momelotinib 28% vs ruxolitinib 42%). Abstract e19040 seeks to better understand the impact of momelotinib relative to ruxolitinib on 7 individual symptom items and the total symptom score (TSS).

Baseline scores across the 7 individual items included in the TSS were heterogenous in both the momelotinib and ruxolitinib groups. Scores for 6 of the 7 items were more severe or very severe (scores 7-10) in the momelotinib arm, relative to ruxolitinib, at baseline. Despite the imbalance in baseline score, item-level health state shifts showed similar improvement for momelotinib and ruxolitinib. Mean TSS improvements were also similar for momelotinib and ruxolitinib. Mean TSS change at week 24 was 6.35 for momelotinib vs. 7.87 for ruxolitinib in the ITT and was 8.80 for momelotinib vs. 10.46 for ruxolitinib in the symptomatic subset. The between-group difference was 1.52 (95% CI: (0.196, 2.847)) in the ITT and 1.67 (95% CI: -0.134, 3.468) in the symptomatic subset.

The comparable item health state shifts at week 24 and similar improvements in mean TSS, with a minimal between-group difference of 1.52 on the 70-point scale, suggest momelotinib provides clinically relevant and comparable symptom improvements to ruxolitinib. The full abstract is now available on the ASCO website.

Presentation Details

Abstract: e19040

Title: Longitudinal and Individual Symptom Analyses of Momelotinib and Ruxolitinib Treated Myelofibrosis Patients from SIMPLIFY-1

Presenter: Ruben Mesa, MD, PhD

About Sierra Oncology

Sierra Oncology is a late-stage biopharmaceutical company on a quest to deliver targeted therapies that treat rare forms of cancer. We harness our deep scientific expertise to identify compounds that target the root cause of disease. Our team takes an evidence-based approach to understand the limitations of current treatments and explore new ways to change the cancer treatment paradigm. Together we are transforming promise into patient impact.

For more information, visit www.SierraOncology.com.

Cautionary Note on Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the "safe harbor" provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, including, but not limited to, statements regarding Sierra Oncology's expectations from current data, anticipated clinical development activities, expected timing and success of enrollment of MOMENTUM and potential benefits of momelotinib. All statements other than statements of historical fact are statements that could be deemed forward-looking statements. These statements are based on management's current expectations and beliefs and are subject to a number of risks, uncertainties and assumptions that could cause actual results to differ materially from those described in the forward-looking statements. Such forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties, including, among others, the risk that Sierra Oncology's cash resources may be insufficient to fund its current operating plans and it may be unable to raise additional capital when needed, the risk that disruptions and impacts of COVID-19 will be significant and lengthy, Sierra Oncology may be unable to successfully develop and commercialize momelotinib, momelotinib may not demonstrate safety and efficacy or otherwise produce positive results, Sierra Oncology may experience delays in the clinical development of momelotinib, Sierra Oncology may be unable to acquire additional assets to build a pipeline of additional product candidates, Sierra Oncology's third-party manufacturers may cause its supply of materials to become limited or interrupted or fail to be of satisfactory quantity or quality, Sierra Oncology may be unable to obtain and enforce intellectual property protection for its technologies and momelotinib and the other factors described under the heading "Risk Factors" set forth in Sierra Oncology's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission from time to time. Sierra Oncology undertakes no obligation to update the forward-looking statements contained herein or to reflect events or circumstances occurring after the date hereof, other than as may be required by applicable law.

SOURCE Sierra Oncology

Related Links

https://www.sierraoncology.com/


CHARLOTTE, N.C., May 19, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Steritech, the leading provider of assessment and consulting solutions for operational consistency and brand protection, presented the 2021 Excellence in Food Safety award to Panda Express during Wednesday's Fast Casual Top 100 Movers and Shakers ceremony.

The annual event, which seeks to recognize fast casual restaurants who excel in making food safety part of their overall brand culture, also recognized honorable mentions Chiptole and MOOYAH Burgers and Fries.

"The restaurant industry experienced unprecedented food safety challenges during the COVID-19 pandemic," said Doug Sutton, President of Steritech. "From heightened safety measures to menu, staff and operational changes these fast casual restaurants persevered, maintaining an unwavering commitment to an excellent food safety culture."

Brands enter the selection process through open nomination. Following the nomination period, a third-party research and assessment firm measures the foundational food safety behaviors of each organization. As noted on Steritech's "7 Pillars of Food Safety Excellence," each brand is judged on: senior leadership commitment and engagement, defined standards and procedures, training, KPI's and scorecards, oversight program and positive recognition.

Winner of the 2021 Excellence in Food Safety Award - Panda Express

Established in 1983, this fast casual veteran mastered the art of mass expansion while holding true to the company's core values. Panda Express places incredible emphasis on developing employees through proper training, inspiring innovation, celebrating success and promoting open communication. Operating thousands of locations, in multiple countries and a variety of settings, their commitment to food safety transcends cultural changes. Standing out from the more than 45,000 Chinese restaurants in North America, Panda Express is recognized as an industry leader, earning them this year's top honors in the Excellence in Food Safety awards.

Honorable mention 1 - Chipotle

Chipotle's remarkable commitment to food safety starts with heightened food quality standards. Boasting only 53 menu ingredients, Chipotle sources some of the industry's most organic, locally grown produce as well as responsibly raised meats. To match these high standards, Chipotle invests greatly in employee training. Every employee is required to master the Food Safety 7 to prevent foodborne contamination, and every field leader at Chipotle is Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point (HACCP) certified. With food safety standards that reach beyond what is simply expected, Chipotle is truly deserving of this recognition.

Honorable mention 2 - MOOYAH Burger and Fries

Debuting its first establishment just 14 years ago, this self-proclaimed "fun-loving" franchise quickly worked its way to the top, establishing a commitment to food safety from the start. MOOYAH's corporate office leads by example, covering the costs of quarterly third-party audits for each of its 100+ restaurants. Most notable in 2020 was their quick response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Mandating enhanced sanitation regulations and expanding their audit program to include COVID safety checks, MOOYAH has proven themselves to be a true leader within the fast casual restaurant industry.

For information and resources on food safety please visit, https://www.steritech.com/ . Click here , to download the full 2021 Excellence in Food Safety report.

ABOUT STERITECH

For nearly 30 years, Steritech has been an industry leader and pioneer in providing assessment and consulting solutions to companies to achieve consistent brand experiences that drive growth, promote loyalty, and reduce risk across all their locations.

With roots in the foodservice industry, Steritech has significant expertise in providing food safety and operational assessments to the restaurant, grocery and supermarket, convenience store, hotel and lodging and retail store industries. Steritech expanded its capabilities in the assessment arena to support a variety of industries in evaluating their operations at locations across North America.

Steritech employs more than 350 full-time Specialists across the United States and Canada. These experts are trained to understand and assess a brand's specific standards  from safety protocols to customer experience standards  to provide a snapshot overview of how locations are performing against the requirements. Steritech is part of Rentokil North America , a leading business services company, operating across the United States, Canada and Puerto Rico.

For more information on Steritech, please visit www.steritech.com , call 800.868.0089 and connect on LinkedIn and Twitter .

MEDIA CONTACTS:

Hannah Meadors

[email protected]

SOURCE Steritech

Related Links

https://www.steritech.com


SAN FRANCISCO, May 19, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Super, an insurtech company that provides subscription care for the home, today announced the closing of $50 million in an oversubscribed Series C round of funding. New investor Wells Fargo Strategic Capital (WFSC) led the round, bringing Super's total funding to date to $80 million. Other new investors include Asahi Kasei , AAA - Auto Club Group, Gaingels , and REACH , a technology scale-up program created by Second Century Ventures, the NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS' strategic technology investment fund. Existing investors Aquiline Technology Growth, Liberty Mutual Strategic Ventures, Moderne Ventures and the HSB Fund of Munich Re Ventures also participated.

Super will use this latest investment to accelerate growthfrom market expansion to hiring and expanding its service offerings. The company will also bolster its technology capabilities, including leveraging artificial intelligence (AI) to enhance customer experience and support its mission to make caring for a home carefree. Continued demand for Super's technology-driven offering led the company to deliver 7x revenue growth since raising its Series B round in April 2019. The company currently serves households in Austin, Baltimore, Chicago, Dallas, Houston, Phoenix, San Antonio, and Washington, D.C.

"Wells Fargo embraces innovation, and we're excited to support a tech-forward platform like Super which brings further advancement to the home services market," said Matthew Raubacher, managing director for WFSC's Principal Technology Investments Group. "The challenges of ongoing repairs and maintenance resonates with every homeowner, and Super provides an experience that is convenient for the customer, while boosting job visibility for local contractors and businesses. We look forward to seeing them continue to widen their geographic footprint and expand their product offering."

"Building a full-stack insurtech business has put us in a unique position to create a vastly superior customer and servicer experience because we have greater control over our product and operations," said Jorey Ramer, co-founder and CEO, Super. "Data and technology are critical to delivering this experience and give us a better understanding of the home, and the best way to address expected work and costs."

The company is reinventing an insurance categoryhome warrantythat is ready for innovation. With a data platform that captures more data on the home, on service providers, and on homeowners, Super has made impactful improvements in coverage, fraud prevention, and automationfrom upfront scheduling through claim approval and service delivery. This unique approach and technology focus results in superior economics and enhanced customer experience.

Securing strategic partnerships in the real estate industry has contributed to Super's growth. As brokers and agents seek to bring value to their clients, Super offers an innovative solution that addresses their clients' needs when it comes to maintaining their most valuable investment.

"Super is the first modern home care solution that we have worked with that leverages data and technologya game-changer for homeowners seeking to protect their greatest investment with a provider who handles the work for them," said Joni Meyerowitz, COO at @properties, one of the nation's largest residential brokerage firms. "Our relationship with Super helps us provide better care and increased overall value for our agents and clients. Super's innovative approach adds ease and intelligence to the home ownership experience."

About Super

Super is a San Francisco-based insurtech company. Powered by a proprietary data platform and backed by leading investors, Super offers subscription-based care for your home. Partnering with the best local servicers to deliver quick and effective home repair and maintenance at a predictable cost, Super's vision is to make caring for a home carefree. Visit www.hellosuper.com for more information.

About Wells Fargo

Wells Fargo & Company (NYSE: WFC) is a diversified, community-based financial services company with $1.9 trillion in assets. Wells Fargo's vision is to satisfy our customers' financial needs and help them succeed financially. Founded in 1852 and headquartered in San Francisco, Wells Fargo provides banking, investment and mortgage products and services, as well as consumer and commercial finance, through 7,950 locations, 13,000 ATMs, the internet (wellsfargo.com) and mobile banking, and has offices in 37 countries and territories to support customers who conduct business in the global economy. With approximately 262,000 team members, Wells Fargo serves one in three households in the United States. Wells Fargo & Company was ranked No. 26 on Fortune's 2018 rankings of America's largest corporations. News, insights and perspectives from Wells Fargo are also available at Wells Fargo Stories.

Media Contacts

Market Street Group for Super:

Angela Baldwin / Bill Donlan

[email protected]

Wells Fargo:

Hayley Anklam

[email protected]

415-769-1027

SOURCE Super

Related Links

https://www.hellosuper.com


PITTSBURGH, May 19, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Prodigo Solutions is excited to announce that Surgery Partners of Tennessee has chosen Prodigo's Solution Suite to drive operational standardization, process improvements, and increase spend visibility across its organization system-wide. Surgery Partners has over 180 locations, including 16 hospitals and various ambulatory surgery centers (ASCs) across 32 states, generating a net patient revenue of $2 billion.

With its numerous locations running multiple technology platforms and disparate systems, Surgery Partners chose Prodigo's Marketplace, Price Navigator, and Xchange products to streamline processes and centralize operations throughout its supply chain. Jennifer Garza, Senior Analyst, Procurement and Supply Chain at Surgery Partners, and Project Lead, commented, "One of the biggest values we saw in Prodigo was the ability to take our separate processes and establish a standardized approach for data management and procurement across the whole organization."

Prodigo will work with Surgery Partners to integrate multiple ERP platforms, including Lawson, Oracle, and iOS Envi. The integration will add predictive analytics and insights into their data and purchasing behavior system-wide. Additionally, Prodigo's Solution Suite will provide the entire organization with EDI functionality and order tracking, reduce duplicate entries, automate manual touch points across the procurement workflow, and create a slick one-stop-shop for end-users.

Michael DeLuca, EVP of Operations at Prodigo said, "Prodigo's Suite of Solutions will deliver Surgery Partners a single source of truth across their entire supply chain ecosystem, at a time when the industry is seeking new ways to control spend, harmonize internal teams, and recover from the pandemic."

"We received terrific support from Surgery Partners Executive Leadership both for their hospitals and ASCs. We are looking forward to our partnership with the entire organization," added Joseph Mayernik, Prodigo's Executive Chairman and President.

About Prodigo Solutions

Prodigo Solutions is a healthcare technology company that improves provider's financial control and reduces supply chain cost. Prodigo Solutions' savings technology has been developed by healthcare supply chain experts to deliver tangible results across a continuum of care. Customers who use our systems purchase more than $17 billion annually for the more than 600 hospitals they operate.

For additional information please contact:



Ashby McGarry, Marketing + Communications

1-724-741-1907

[email protected]

www.prodigosolutions.com

SOURCE Prodigo Solutions

Related Links

http://www.prodigosolutions.com


MELBOURNE, Fla., May 19, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- About one in ten women, globally, will experience a hypertensive disorder of pregnancy, including preeclampsia, eclampsia, and HELLP (Hemolysis, Elevated Liver enzymes, and Low Platelet count) Syndrome. Each year, these disorders claim the lives of nearly 76,000 mothers and 500,000 babies (as they are a leading cause of preterm birth) worldwide. The health risk does not end with the delivery of her baby. Research studies have shown that preeclampsia survivors are at 2-10 times greater risk for cardiovascular disease (CVD), including stroke, and are four times more likely to have high blood pressure.

Preeclampsia Survivors are at higher risk for long-term health complications. Learn more www.preeclampsia.org/beyondpregnancy

The Preeclampsia Foundation and the International Society for the Study of Hypertension in Pregnancy (ISSHP) are inviting global maternal health organizations to join them for the fifth annual World Preeclampsia Day on Saturday, May 22, 2021. This year's World Preeclampsia Day's message focuses on Preeclampsia: Beyond Pregnancy  educating women about both their immediate and long-term health risks and encouraging them to make lifestyle changes that benefit their health, now and later.

"Our goal is to educate and empower mothers to know that when it comes to their health, preeclampsia goes beyond pregnancy," says Eleni Tsigas, Chief Executive Officer of the Preeclampsia Foundation. "As patient advocates, we urge women to take charge of their health not just during pregnancy, but for the rest of their lives."

After a pregnancy complicated by preeclampsia, women have an increased risk of CVD and cardiovascular related death. We recommend that women not only educate themselves, but also partner with their healthcare providers and family. Success is most likely with a 'team effort'.

"The call to educate and empower is a message of hope," says Professor Laura Magee, MD, President of ISSHP, practicing clinician, and advocate for patient engagement. "While having had preeclampsia does put a woman at risk for future complications, there is so much she can do to take charge and positively influence her future health to prevent problems from occurring at all."

With input from dozens of experts, the organizations have created My Health Beyond Pregnancy, a downloadable planning tool, with additional resources at https://www.preeclampsia.org/beyondpregnancy.

On Saturday, May 22 at 10 AM EDT listen in on "Global Voices in Maternal Care" a conversation about preeclampsia, the postpartum period, and why we must look "Beyond Pregnancy" to truly understand the effects of hypertension on a woman's whole health. The conversation will be broadcast that day on the Preeclampsia Foundation's Facebook page, YouTube channel, and website. Panelists include Dr. Magee of the United Kingdom, Annetine Staff, MD, PhD, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway; Jose M. Belizan MD, PhD, Institute for Clinical Effectiveness and Health Policy (IECS), Buenos Aires, Argentina; and Shuchita Mundle, MD, All India Institute of Medical Science, Nagpur, India.

Tsigas adds, "Our work for a cause and cure continues; in the meantime, our greatest tool is education."

About the Preeclampsia Foundation

Preeclampsia Foundation is a U.S.-based 501(c)(3) non-profit organization established in 2000 to improve the outcomes of hypertensive disorders of pregnancy by educating, supporting, and engaging the community, improving healthcare practices, and finding a cure. We envision a world where preeclampsia and related hypertensive disorders of pregnancy no longer threaten the lives of mothers and their babies. Visit www.preeclampsia.org.

About the International Society for the Study of Hypertension in Pregnancy

The International Society for the Study of Hypertension in Pregnancy (ISSHP), founded in 1976, aims to stimulate research in the field of hypertension in pregnancy, disseminate the useful results of such research, and advance education in the field. It is recognized by the International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics (FIGO) and The World Health Organization (WHO) and has ongoing joint initiatives with both these organizations. The Society is allied to its high-quality journal Pregnancy Hypertension: An International Journal of Women's Cardiovascular Health. Visit www.isshp.org.

Media Contact:

Valerie Holloway

321-421-6957

[email protected]

SOURCE Preeclampsia Foundation

Related Links

http://www.preeclampsia.org


The Junta de Andalucia is demanding Spain's government to include the Costa del Sol and the region in any negotiations it carries out for the creation of safe air travel corridors with other countries.

The regional governments spokesman, Elias Bendodo, made the demand this Tuesday, 18 May, after the British ambassador to Spain, Hugh Elliott, said that the United Kingdom was studying the option of allowing British tourists to travel to the Canary Islands and the Balearic Islands if the coronavirus rate is low, regardless of the pandemic figures in the rest of Spain.

After highlighting the level of Covid-19 immunity that the region is expected to have for the summer and the importance of tourism to Andalucia, which received 33 million visitors in 2019, Bendodo reminded the government, "Andalucia is as important to tourism as the Canary Islands and the Balearic Islands are."

"We demand that the government of Spain and the Ministry of Tourism, do not exclude Andalucia from anydiscussions they have for the opening of safe air corridors in international tourist markets."
AUSTIN, Texas, May 19, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) remanded the application for the desalination plant proposed by the Port of Corpus Christi for Harbor Island, which is within the city limits of Port Aransas. TCEQ Commissioners voted unanimously to remand the application back to the State Office of Administrative Hearings, concluding that the Port had not shown that its proposed desalination permit was protective of the environment or aquatic life.

Texas Coastal Coalition

"Our job here is to make sure that authorization of this first desal plant in Texas is protective of public health and the marine environment," said TCEQ Chairman Jon Niermann as he made the motion to remand. "The applicant has not yet met its burden of proof on that."

The decision directed the Port of Corpus Christi to conduct further evaluation and provide additional evidence on the environmental impact of the project, which would discharge up to 95 million gallons of chemically treated effluent each day into the pristine marine waters surrounding Harbor Island. Marine scientists say it is the worst possible location for such a plant. On remand, the Port will have to demonstrate that there is no significant lethality to aquatic life in the area of the immediate discharge.

"We certainly would have preferred an outright denial of the permit, but we consider this decision a short-term win," said James King, President of the Port Aransas Conservancy. "Today's action confirms there are significant problems with the application that must be addressed before a final decision can be made."

The desalination project is opposed by the Port Aransas Conservancy, the Texas Coastal Coalition, and a host of other environmental organizations and individuals concerned about the project's impact on the sensitive fish and wildlife resources, as well as recreational uses, in and around Harbor Island.

"We want to make it clear that we are not opposed to efforts to provide additional water sources for our growing state," said John Shepperd with the Texas Coastal Coalition. "We believe there is a common-sense solution to the problems associated with this proposed desal plant, and that is discharging the effluent offshore instead of where it is currently proposed."

TCEQ directed the Port to provide additional evidence on a number of issues including whether the proposed discharge will adversely impact the marine environment, aquatic life, and wildlife. The Port will also have to demonstrate whether the proposed discharge will adversely impact recreational activities, commercial fishing, and the fisheries in the Corpus Christi Bay and the ship channel.

TCEQ Commissioners are expected to issue their written order in the next few days. It will require the Port to compile and prepare new modeling data, including site-specific ambient velocity data for the location of the discharge, and provide it to all parties within 30 days from the Commission order. All parties will then have 30 days to review it before the preliminary hearing in this case before the State Office of Administrative Hearings. Once that hearing takes place, the judges will have to issue their recommendation within 120 days after the preliminary hearing that is expected later this year. Once that happens, TCEQ will consider the matter again, most likely in early 2022.

The Texas Coastal Coalition is a non-partisan education and advocacy organization dedicated to protecting and promoting the economic and environmental prosperity of the Coastal Bend. Our mission is to educate Texans about the potential environmental and economic impacts of industrial development of Harbor Island in Port Aransas, while bringing together the voices of those who treasure the Texas Gulf Coast to advocate for a solution that works for industry, the environment and the Coastal Bend community.

The Port Aransas Conservancy is dedicated to fostering a balance of conservation and economically sustainable uses for Port Aransas and its surrounding neighborhood and waterways while recognizing that our community and economy is dependent on tourism and fisheries within a healthy barrier island coastal ecosystem. We want to be perfectly clear that we're not anti-business, we're pro-environment. Our goal is to see any development in the Coastal Bend done with as little environmental disruption as possible.

Media Contact:

James King

[email protected]

432-386-2821

SOURCE Port Aransas Conservancy
CHICAGO, May 19, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- ( THE LAW OFFICES OF KAMELI & ASSOCIATES )  The Law Offices of Kameli & Associates announced further implementation of its expansion plans with the addition of one highly regarded attorney Steven Burke , effective immediately.

Mr. Burke focuses on various matters, including U.S. tax law, securities regulations , and corporate finance.

Prior to joining the firm, Mr. Burke was an associate attorney at a leading corporate and tax law firm, where he assisted clients in cryptocurrency taxation and general corporate law matters.

Mr. Burke earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Cell/Cellular and Molecular Biology from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. He went on to earn his Juris Doctor degree from Chicago-Kent College of Law, Illinois Institute of Technology.

"The addition of Steven Burke to our firm reflects our growth strategy for 2021 and our intention to add services that will most benefit our clients," said Principal Attorney Taher Kameli. "All of our attorneys bring with them exceptional skills and impressive professional credentials. We are delighted to have Steven Burke join us and wish him success."

About The Law Offices of Kameli & Associates

The Law Offices of Kameli & Associates is a Corporate law firm based in Chicago, IL. We provide clients with a wide range of services that includes corporate business law and immigration. Our areas of practice include contract litigation, breach of contract, dispute resolutions, transactional law, business litigation, securities, digital currency tax law, family immigration, EB-5, E-2, EB-1, EB-2/NIW, L-1, DACA, and more.

We are committed to giving clients quality representation as well as provide cost-effective and pragmatic consultation. Contact the legal team at The Law Offices of Kameli & Associates to learn more.

SOURCE The Law Offices of Kameli & Associates
The original Immersive Van Gogh has risen to blockbuster status, becoming the hottest ticket to hold. Immersive Van Gogh sold out its run in Toronto, has sold out and extended its run in Chicago, and San Francisco opened in March, where its first month is sold-out. Following the Los Angeles, New York, and Denver ticket sales announcements, each market sold out rapidly and have since extended their runs with additional tickets now available.

Immersive Van Gogh is the latest creation by the world-renowned master of digital art, Italy's Massimiliano Siccardi, who for 30 years has been pioneering immersive exhibitions in Europe. Over 2 million visitors have seen his magnificent installations.

With the help of 60,600 frames of video, 90,000,000 pixels, and 500,000+ cubic feet of projections, this captivating digital art exhibit merges state-of-the-art technology, theatrical storytelling, and world-class animation. It gives guests the rare opportunity to "step inside" and experience the incredible post-Impressionist works of Van Gogh like never before. Immersive Van Gogh will be making its mark at a secret location to be determined.

The original Immersive Van Gogh is a spectacular, vivid, and breathtaking digital art experience that invites audiences to enter the legendary works of post-Impressionist artist Vincent van Goghevoking his highly emotional and chaotic inner consciousness through art, light, music, movement, and imagination. Featuring stunning towering projections that illuminate the artistic genius's mind, the exhibition showcases a curated selection of images from Van Gogh's 2,000+ lifetime catalog of masterpieces, including Les Mangeurs de Pommes de Terre (The Potato Eaters, 1885), La Nuit Etoilee (Starry Night, 1889), Les Tournesols (Sunflowers, 1887), and La Chambre a Coucher (The Bedroom, 1888). Paintings will be presented how the artist first saw the scenes, based on an active life and moving landscapes turned into sharp yet sweeping brush strokes.

Creator and Italian film producer Massimiliano Siccardi has pioneered the art form with Immersive Van Gogh and taken it to an unmatched and unprecedented level. Van Gogh once said, "I dream my painting, and I paint my dreams." Siccardi and his award-winning creative team have made Van Gogh's dream come alive by creating unprecedented movements in the masterpieces. The exhibition also contains original, mood-setting music by Italian multimedia composer Luca Longobardi and Vittorio Guidotti as the Art Director.

The hour-long, timed-entry, walk-through experience is designed with health and safety as a priority. Capacity will be limited in accordance with San Antonio's safety protocols. Additional safety precautions include touchless ticket-taking, temperature checks upon arrival, hand sanitizer stations, social distancing markers throughout the venue, and digitally projected social distancing circles on the gallery floors to ensure appropriate spacing. All guests must wear a face covering at all times during their visit.

"We've created a unique and enthralling production that functions safely during this pandemic," says Producer, Svetlana Dvoretsky. "Hundreds of thousands of guests have seen Immersive Van Gogh in small, socially-distanced safe groups. It is an honor to bring the arts back into peoples' lives during these times," adds Producer, Corey Ross.

"Despite being unknown throughout his life, Van Gogh's artwork has created a lasting impact through its emotional richness and simple beauty," said Massimiliano Siccardi, Immersive Van Gogh designer. "Both myself and Luca Longobardi are very excited to visit San Antonio and once again bring Van Gogh's legacy to life in a way that embraces this city's one-of-a-kind energy."

Immersive Van Gogh has received rave reviews from critics worldwide. The Chicago Tribune wrote, "entire rooms pulse with imagery and emotional resonance." While the Chicago Time Out described the exhibit as, "The future of experiential art." San Francisco Chronicle, "After a year without big, splashy art happenings, this is a huge, indulgent way to dive back in." The Toronto Sun declared, "the mind-blowing imagery, brings van Gogh's best work to life  including Sunflower, Irises, and The Starry Night  for a cathartic and liberating experience. Immersive Van Gogh ups the emotional ante." Debra Yeo of the Toronto Star stated, "I wondered: could projections of paintings on walls and floors be thrilling? The answer is 'yes.'" Called a "completely new way of encountering art" by CTV and a "blockbuster digital experience that has taken the art world by storm" by Artnet News, the exhibit "cleverly embraces creativity," according to Washington Post.

For more information about Immersive Van Gogh, visit https://www.immersivevangogh.com/ . Follow the exhibition on social media on Instagram and Facebook .

For images, click here, and for video, click here

SOURCE Lighthouse Immersive

Related Links

https://www.immersivevangogh.com/


Valens' domestic distribution network now includes six provinces and one territory

KELOWNA, BC, May 19, 2021 /PRNewswire/ - The Valens Company Inc. (TSX: VLNS) (OTCQX: VLNCF) (the "Company," "The Valens Company" or "Valens"), a leading manufacturer of cannabis products, today announced that it has received its first purchase order for Valens-manufactured products from Cannabis NB, a subsidiary of New Brunswick Liquor Corporation (ANBL) and the only legal recreational cannabis retailer in New Brunswick. With this purchase order, The Valens Company becomes an official supplier of cannabis products in the Province of New Brunswick.

"Our expansion into New Brunswick marks the third regional market we have entered since the beginning of 2021 a milestone we are incredibly proud of," said Tyler Robson, Chief Executive Officer, Co-Founder and Chair of The Valens Company. "While we recently announced our first foray into the CBD market in the US, we also remain committed to continuing our growth here at home in Canada as we continue to increase sales channels expected to drive revenues and national market share. We are focused on leveraging our expanding domestic distribution network to bring more Canadian consumers a range of new and unique products we expect to launch with our partners throughout the summer and beyond."

Cannabis NB currently operates 20 stores across 15 communities and offers a diversified portfolio of cannabis products including flower, extracts, concentrates, edibles, beverages and accessories. Valens' first shipment to New Brunswick will include a range of products from categories such as flower, pre-rolls, vapes and concentrates, with the opportunity to expand this offering in the coming quarters. Products created in partnership with Verse Cannabis will be included in the first shipment, such as the Verse Originals vape cartridges in Summer Berry and Sunset Peach and the newly launched Live Terp Killer Kush vape cartridge from the Verse Concentrates line. One of the first of its kind in the Canadian cannabis market, the Live Terp Killer Kush vape cartridge is comprised of pure live cannabis terpenes in a full spectrum extract created from fresh, flash frozen ultra-premium and BC-sungrown Killer Kush cannabis, offering a rich terpene profile. Valens-manufactured products are expected to be available in store and online in New Brunswick at the beginning of the third quarter.

In addition to New Brunswick, the Company's distribution network also includes Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba, Ontario, Saskatchewan, and Yukon Territory. Valens continues to engage in discussions to bring its high-quality products to other private and government-regulated retailers across the country.

About The Valens Company

The Valens Company is a leading manufacturer of cannabis products with a mission to bring the benefits of cannabis to the world. The Company provides proprietary cannabis processing services across five core technologies, in addition to best-in-class product development, formulation and manufacturing of cannabis consumer packaged goods. The Valens Company's high-quality products are exclusively formulated for the medical, therapeutic, health and wellness, and recreational consumer segments, and are offered across numerous product formats, including oils, vapes, concentrates, edibles and topicals, as well as pre-rolls, with a focus on next-generation product development and innovation. Its breakthrough patented emulsification technology, SoRSE by Valens, converts cannabis oil into water-soluble emulsions for seamless integration into a variety of product formats, allowing for near-perfect dosing, stability, and taste. In partnership with brand houses, consumer packaged goods companies and licensed cannabis producers around the globe, the Company continues to grow its diverse product portfolio in alignment with evolving cannabis consumer preferences in key markets. Through its wholly owned subsidiary Valens Labs Ltd., the Company is setting the standard in cannabis testing and research and development with Canada's only ISO17025 accredited analytical services lab, named The Centre of Excellence in Plant-Based Science by partner and scientific world leader Thermo Fisher Scientific. Discover more on The Valens Company and its subsidiaries at http://www.thevalenscompany.com .

Notice regarding Forward Looking Statements

All information included in this press release, including any information as to the future financial or operating performance and other statements of The Valens Company that express management's expectations or estimates of future performance, other than statements of historical fact, constitute forward-looking information or forward-looking statements within the meaning of applicable securities laws and are based on expectations, estimates and projections as of the date hereof. Forward-looking statements are included for the purpose of providing information about management's current expectations and plans relating to the future. Wherever possible, words such as "plans", "expects", "scheduled", "trends", "forecasts", "future", "indications", "potential", "estimates", "predicts", "anticipate", "to establish", "believe", "intend", "ability to", or statements that certain actions, events or results "may", "should", "could", "would", "might", "will", or are "likely" to be taken, occur or be achieved, or the negative of these words or other variations thereof, have been used to identify such forward-looking information. Specific forward-looking statements include, without limitation, all disclosure regarding future results of operations, future outcomes of transactions, economic conditions, and anticipated courses of action. Investors and other parties are advised that there is not necessarily any correlation between the number of SKUs manufactured and shipped and revenue and profit, and undue reliance should not be placed on such information.

The risks and uncertainties that may affect forward-looking statements include, among others, Canadian regulatory risk, Australian regulatory risk, U.S. regulatory risk, U.S. border crossing and travel bans, the uncertainties, effects of and responses to the COVID-19 pandemic, reliance on licenses, expansion of facilities, competition, dependence on supply of cannabis and reliance on other key inputs, dependence on senior management and key personnel, general business risk and liability, regulation of the cannabis industry, change in laws, regulations and guidelines, compliance with laws, limited operating history, vulnerability to rising energy costs, unfavourable publicity or consumer perception, product liability, risks related to intellectual property, product recalls, difficulties with forecasts, management of growth and litigation, many of which are beyond the control of The Valens Company. For a more comprehensive discussion of the risks faced by The Valens Company, and which may cause the actual financial results, performance or achievements of The Valens Company to be materially different from estimated future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by forward-looking information or forward-looking statements, please refer to The Valens Company's latest Annual Information Form filed with Canadian securities regulatory authorities at www.sedar.com or on The Valens Company's website at www.thevalenscompany.com. The risks described in such Annual Information Form are hereby incorporated by reference herein. Although the forward-looking statements contained herein reflect management's current beliefs and reasonable assumptions based upon information available to management as of the date hereof, The Valens Company cannot be certain that actual results will be consistent with such forward-looking information. The Valens Company cautions you not to place undue reliance upon any such forward-looking statements. The Valens Company disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by applicable law. Nothing herein should be construed as either an offer to sell or a solicitation to buy or sell securities of The Valens Company.

SOURCE The Valens Company Inc.

Related Links

https://thevalenscompany.com/


The most recent drilling program on the property was conducted from 2004 to 2008 by Rupert Resources, focused on ultra-deep targets under the south end of the property, intersecting Red Lake Mine mineralization at depths below 3,400 metres. Until recently, hole RUP-07-01C was a record-breaking, deep hard rock diamond drill hole at 3,411 metres in depth. Trillium received the permit for Gold Centre exploration in early February 2021 and planned to undertake the drill program after the spring thaw. All available historical data on the property has been compiled and drill targets defined for Phase 1 drilling. Trillium Gold has engaged the former Project Manager for Rupert Resources' drill programs in 2004 to 2008 who will supervise the drilling.

From Rupert's induced polarization (IP) survey in 2013, a total of 9 anomalous trends have been interpreted on the Gold Centre property, three of which are identified on the North Grid as strong to very strong.

Two are indicative of a sulphide mineralization source, potentially associated with a complexly folded/faulted contact between the Huston conglomerate and Balmer mafic metavolcanic rocks. This appears to be coincident with the southeasterly extension of a regional scale fault mapped on the EVN-RLO property. An additional strong, very anomalous trend has been identified on the South Grid. The proximity of the Far East Zone at the EVN-RLO provides further support that the southwest-dipping Red Lake Mine trend potentially extends onto the Gold Centre property at depth.

Russell Starr, CEO of Trillium Gold commented, "The Gold Centre property lies just 350 metres from Evolution Mining's underground development at the Red Lake Mine where 100,000 metre program is underway to explore extensions of the Cochenour and Red Lake deposits. The favorable Balmer volcanics that host several gold deposits at the adjacent Red Lake Mine have been identified in drill core and on surface at Gold Centre from the 2013 geological mapping program. If we are successful in demonstrating that this prolific gold structure continues onto the Gold Centre property, it will validate our strategic focus on acquiring one of the largest district scale positions in North America's most important gold camp."

"We are looking forward to drilling on Gold Centre. We know there are Balmer volcanics below our feet and we need to start systematically drilling to intersect gold. The program we have laid out provides the optimal opportunity in that it tests a range of targets with a higher density at more manageable depths. Once we have established intersections, we can then begin to expand on them and follow them deeper", stated Bill Paterson, Trillium Gold's Vice President of Exploration.

Trillium Gold's proposed 2021 drill program comprises approximately 8,000 metres in 8 holes on the north of the property. These holes have been laid out to target:

near-surface geophysical anomalies identified in the 2013 ground magnetic and IP surveys but never tested, and;





the prospective corridor of Balmer stratigraphy and structures hosting the EVN-RLO mineralization.

Proposed holes range from 750m to 1,400m in length, to test up to 500 metre intercepts of Balmer stratigraphy on a 200m grid pattern. While drilling progresses, ground-truthing of historical data will be undertaken. This will include downhole directional surveys to assess the viability of using these historical holes as pilot holes for future wedge cuts to depth.

Geological Survey of Canada mapping (Sanborn-Barrie, 2004) indicated the northern portion of the Gold Centre property is underlain by volcanic rocks of the Balmer assemblage, unconformably overlain by metasediments of the Huston assemblage in the central portion of the property and metavolcanics of the Confederation assemblage in the south.

Exploration on the Gold Centre property began in 1945 with limited grassroots exploration programs, including geological mapping, ground geophysical surveys and trenching. Between 1957 and 1980, the property saw intermittent exploration, including the completion of 1,875m of diamond drilling in 14 shallow diamond drill holes (<400m) and 1 deep hole (1,080m) which intersected prospective stratigraphy.

Rupert Resources acquired the Gold Centre property in 1996 and exploration focused on targeting the down-plunge continuation of the high-grade mineralization occurring on the EVN-RLO property. In 1996 and 1998, 2 drill holes for 3,500m were completed along the western property boundary. Between 2004 and 2008, RUP completed approximately 12,600m of drilling in a series of 2 mother holes and 10 daughter wedge holes collared in the southeast corner of the property, reaching a maximum depth of 3,411m. Although only weakly mineralized intercepts were encountered, the deep drilling programs confirmed the presence of the prospective Balmer stratigraphy at depth on the Gold Centre property.

All drilling work will be supervised by Richard Kowalski, formerly the Project Manager for Rupert Resources' drill programs in 2004 to 2008. The drilling will be conducted by Rodren Drilling Ltd., of West St. Paul, Manitoba. Drill core will be logged and sampled in a secure core facility and core samples will be cut in half, using a diamond cutting saw, and half cores sent for analysis to Activation Laboratories Ltd. in Dryden, an accredited mineral analysis laboratory. All samples will be analysed for gold using standard Fire Assay-AA techniques. Samples returning over 10.0 g/t gold will be analyzed utilizing standard Fire Assay-Gravimetric methods. Selected samples with results greater than one ounce per ton gold will also be analyzed with a standard 1kg metallic screen fire assay. Certified gold reference standards, blanks and duplicates will be routinely inserted into the sample stream, as part of Trillium Gold's quality control/quality assurance program (QAQC) to monitor accuracy and precision.

The technical information presented in this news release has been reviewed and approved by William Paterson QP, PGeo, VP of Exploration of Trillium Gold Mines, as defined by NI 43-101. The qualified person has not verified the data disclosed from previous reports, including sampling, analytical, and test data underlying the information or opinions contained in the written disclosure.

Visit our website at www.trilliumgold.com.

On behalf of the Board of Directors,

Trillium Gold Mines Inc.

"Russell Starr"

Russell Starr

President, CEO and Director

About Trillium Gold Mines Inc.

Trillium Gold Mines Inc. is a growth focused company engaged in the business of acquisition, exploration and development of mineral properties located in the Red Lake Mining District of Northern Ontario. The Company recently extended its holdings in the Confederation Lake and Birch-Uchi greenstone belts, as well as in highly prospective properties in Larder Lake, Ontario and the Matagami and Chibougamou areas of Quebec.

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

This news release contains forward-looking information, which involves known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual events to differ materially from current expectation. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date of this press release. The Company disclaims any intention or obligation, except to the extent required by law, to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

SOURCE Trillium Gold Mines Inc.
BERWYN, Pa., May 18, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Triumph Group (NYSE: TGI) announced today that it has secured multiple contract extensions with Boeing Commercial Airplanes, which will extend their collaboration on critical system components. The agreements extend Triumph's position as a top tier supplier of hydraulic components across multiple Boeing programs. The contracts highlight Triumph's strategic focus on high-value systems offerings including actuation, hydraulic and fueling systems, geared solutions, as well as maintenance, repair and overhaul offerings, and demonstrate Triumph's progress in improving operational execution and reshaping its portfolio around proprietary solutions.

The three contract extensions, which were signed in the last month, secure Triumph's position as a systems provider for Boeing platforms. Under the contracts, Triumph's Actuation Products & Services operating company will manufacture the components at three of its U.S. based sites.

Triumph's facility in Clemmons, North Carolina will begin work later this year to fulfill an extended long-term multi-year agreement for hydraulic actuation components for complex landing gear valves and thrust reverser cowl doors for the single aisle platforms.

Triumph Actuation Products & Services has secured a multi-year contract extension to supply Boeing 787 Dreamliner landing gear components. The follow-on contract is for hydraulic locking actuators, transducers and control valve components on all 787 variants. Triumph has supplied these systems and components for the 787 aircraft since the program's inception and provides related repair and overhaul maintenance for other supplier partners and operators. The contract extension reaffirms Triumph's commitment to the 787 program and extends the company's strong working relationship with Boeing for years to come.

Lastly, the Triumph site in Valencia, California has secured a multi-year contract extension to provide hydraulic accumulators, manifolds as well as steering and locking actuators for multiple legacy platforms. The Valencia site achieved a Silver Delivery Rating from Boeing and maintained it for 12 consecutive months. The contract bolsters the Triumph site's existing business base, and highlights signs of a commercial aviation recovery.

"We are proud to continue our longstanding relationship with Boeing and support their various commercial programs as rates rebound following the pandemic," said Scott Ledbetter, President of Triumph Actuation Products & Services operating company.

William Kircher, Executive Vice President for Triumph Group added, "Triumph's proprietary actuation products and services are expected to boost our revenue and profitability in the years to come."

Triumph Group, Inc., headquartered in Berwyn, Pennsylvania, designs, engineers, manufactures, repairs, and overhauls a broad portfolio of aerospace and defense systems, components, and structures. The company serves the global aviation industry, including original equipment manufacturers and the full spectrum of military and commercial aircraft operators.

More information about Triumph can be found on the company's website at www.triumphgroup.com.

SOURCE Triumph Group

Related Links

http://www.triumphgroup.com/


WASHINGTON, May 19, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- A new study published on Monday in JAMA Internal Medicine demonstrates the effectiveness of Truth Initiative's This is Quitting  a free and anonymous quit vaping text message program  in helping young adults to quit vaping e-cigarettes. The randomized clinical trial found that This is Quitting increased quit rates among young adults aged 18-24 by nearly 40% compared to a control group. The results were consistent across all characteristics examined in the randomized trial, including demographics, nicotine dependence, social influences to vape, mental health symptoms, and other substance use.

These data come at a time when e-cigarette use among young people remains at epidemic levels, and public health organizations have called for research on e-cigarette cessation programs. The 2019 CDC National Health Interview Survey found that 9.3% of young adults ages 18-24 used e-cigarettes, up from 7.6% in 2018, and over half (56%) of the young adult e-cigarette users reported that they had never smoked cigarettes. The nicotine found in most e-cigarettes can expose young people to negative health effects around brain development  which continues up to age 25  including an increased risk of nicotine addiction and mood disorders. A separate Truth Initiative survey found that 60% of the young e-cigarette users surveyed, aged 15-24, want to quit within the year and of those who want to quit, more than half (51.2%) agreed that texting would help them stop vaping, underscoring the urgent need for effective programs like This is Quitting.

Launched in January 2019, This is Quitting was created specifically for teens and young adults looking to quit e-cigarettes. The interactive text message program has enrolled over 315,000 young people to date, providing them with tailored advice, cognitive and behavioral coping strategies, and social support to help them quit. This is Quitting is now an integral part of the truth campaign, Truth Initiative's proven-effective national youth smoking, vaping and nicotine prevention public education campaign. Young people can text "DITCHVAPE" to 88709 to enroll.

"Free and tailored resources that help young people quit vaping are vital in the fight against the ongoing youth e-cigarette epidemic," said Robin Koval, CEO and president of Truth Initiative. "This Is Quitting was developed with input from the very audiences we aim to reachteens and young adults. We know they want to quit; we know what resonates with them, and we're glad to be able to provide an effective resource to help them accomplish their goals to live vape-free. We're grateful for the generous support from the CVS Health Foundation and are proud to contribute to a much-needed base of literature around the kinds of vaping cessation strategies that work."

These findings show that text messaging is a scalable and cost-efficient approach to promote vaping abstinence among young adult e-cigarette users. Importantly for the field, the results of the clinical trial establish an effectiveness benchmark and begin to fill an important gap in understanding how to help young people quit e-cigarettes.

"This is Quitting is meeting a need for hundreds of thousands of young people through a channel they're comfortable with and use every day," said Dr. Amanda Graham, chief of innovations at Truth Initiative and lead author of the study. "The response to the program has been staggering since we launched it over two years ago with more than 500 young people enrolling each day. The strong and consistent results from this trial demonstrate that this program is providing the right support and information to help young people quit e-cigarettes."

The double-blind, randomized clinical trial included 2,588 young adult e-cigarette users interested in quitting within 30 days. Participants were assigned to This is Quitting or a control intervention. Both groups received text messages asking about their e-cigarette use/abstinence. Participants randomized to the intervention group also received tailored, interactive support through This is Quitting to help them in their quitting journey. Outcome assessments were conducted at one and seven months. The trial also showed that This is Quitting participants were more satisfied compared to control participants across all items, with many saying that they received suggested quitting strategies that were new to them.

For more information about Truth Initiative, please visit truthinitiative.org. For more information on This is Quitting, please visit truthinitiative.org/thisisquitting.

BACKGROUND:

The clinical trial was conducted by Truth Initiative with oversight from Advarra Institutional Review Board. All program branding was removed in the trial to eliminate biases/exposure to marketing. Participants were recruited via social media ads. Incentivized text message assessments regarding e-cigarette use and abstinence were sent to all participants at 14 days post-randomization and monthly thereafter through 6 months All participants were compensated $5 via digital gift card per response (7 assessments total, maximum $35). These assessments were designed solely to maximize retention; they were not analyzed as outcomes.

Funding/Support: This trial was funded by Truth Initiative and the CVS Health Foundation. The CVS Health Foundation had no role in the design and conduct of the study; collection, management, analysis, and interpretation of the data; preparation, review, or approval of the manuscript; and decision to submit the manuscript for publication.

About Truth Initiative

Truth Initiative is a national public health organization that is inspiring lives free from smoking, vaping and nicotine and building a culture where all young people reject tobacco. In 2020, we celebrated 20 years of saving lives and preventing millions of youth from smoking. Our impact has helped drive the teen smoking rate down from 23% in 2000 to 4.2% in 2020. The truth about tobacco and the tobacco industry are at the heart of our proven-effective and nationally recognized truth public education campaign. truth has also recently taken on the youth epidemics of vaping and opioids. Our rigorous scientific research and policy studies, community and youth engagement programs supporting populations at high risk of using tobacco, and innovation in tobacco dependence treatment are also helping to end one of the most critical public health battles of our time. Based in Washington D.C., our organization (formerly known as the American Legacy Foundation) was established and funded through the 1998 Master Settlement Agreement between attorneys general from 46 states, five U.S. territories and the tobacco industry. To learn more, visit truthinitiative.org.

SOURCE Truth Initiative

Related Links

https://truthinitiative.org


"We'll teach students how to pass through humble details into grand questions, how to poeticize dirt into stardust  how to see the unseen in the seen."  Joshua Hren Tweet this

This complete 30-hour online program with two optional, low residency opportunities including a summer writing institute, was founded by renowned Catholic literary writers James Matthew Wilson (poetry) and Joshua Hren (fiction.) They bring to the MFA classroom extensive experience both as prolific authors and as important publishers of contemporary literature. During the short, intensive winter or summer residencies and summer writing institute, participants will meet scholars and noted guest authors. They will receive writing guidance and be published.

"We shall complement their offerings with an extensive number of distinguished visiting faculty and lecturers who are among the great writers and scholars of our time," Wilson said.

Our visiting faculty and lecturers include such accomplished writers and scholars as Sarah Cortez, Dana Gioia, Jessica Hooten Wilson, Robert Royal, Ryan Wilson, Adam Kirsch, Kevin Hart, Abigail Rine Favale, Randy Boyagoda, Catharine Savage Brosman, Glenn Arbery, Christopher Beha, A.M. Juster, Rod Dreher, Sohrab Ahmari, Frederick Turner, Ron Hansen, and David O'Connor, with many more still to come.

To learn more about the program or apply, go to www.stthom.edu/MFACreativeWriting.

Affordable Program Begins in fall 2021

The MFA in Creative Writing begins fall 2021, can be completed in as little as two years, and is currently the most affordable such program in the country. To apply go to www.stthom.edu/mfa.

Taking Virgil, Dante and Flannery O'Connor for Guides

There are more than 200 MFA programs in the United States. The MFA at the University of St. Thomas is the only one committed expressly to a renewal of the craft of literature within the cosmic scope, long memory and expansive vision of the Catholic literary and intellectual tradition. With Virgil, Dante and Flannery O'Connor as guides, we aim to enter into that tradition and to shape its future.

"Too often, devotion to art and commitment to the faith is kept separate, compartmentalized. This severance has immense consequences for both culture and religion; it forestalls the fullest expression of the mysteries and meanings that riddle our lives, reducing our apprehension of reality to the shallowness of the secular," Wilson said.

Program Open to Every Faith & Background, Those Who Care About the Power & Beauty of Literature

The Catholic literary tradition is rooted in the heart of the Church but genuinely universal in its achievement and its appeal. It is literature that serves and speaks to everyone and serves as a leaven for culture and society as a whole. In that very spirit, our program welcomes applications from anyone and everyone, of every faith and background.

Wilson said, "We welcome students who wish to master the craft of writing; to apprentice themselves to the art; and to restore to contemporary literature those spiritual and intellectual dimensions that have made the art valuable in every age, and which give it the power to change the lives of readersall such people will find a home, a refuge, a symposium and a training ground in our company."

Apply Now

To learn more about the program or apply, go to www.stthom.edu/MFACreativeWriting

Background on James Matthew Wilson & Joshua Hren

James Matthew Wilson has published ten books, among them four collections of poems, including "The Strangeness of the Good." His poems, essays, and reviews appear regularly in a wide range of magazines and journals. The winner of the 2017 Hiett Prize from the Dallas Institute of Humanities and Culture, Wilson also serves as Poet-in-Residence of the Benedict XVI Institute for Sacred Music and Divine Worship, the poetry editor of "Modern Age" magazine, and series editor of Colosseum Books, a new imprint that publishes the best contemporary poetry and literary criticism of serious craft and spiritual depth.

Joshua Hren is the founder and publisher of Wiseblood Books, perhaps the most distinguished and ambitious small literary press of our day. He has published two collections of short stories, "This Our Exile" and "In the Wine Press," as well as "Middle-earth and the Return of the Common Good: J.R.R. Tolkien and Political Philosophy." His first novel, "Infinite Regress," is forthcoming from Angelico Press, his introduction to Catholic letters, "How to Read (and Write) like a Catholic" will appear shortly from TAN Books.

SOURCE University of St. Thomas-Houston

Related Links

www.stthom.edu


NEW YORK, May 19, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- U.S. Medical Glove Co., appointed Dylan Ratigan as Managing Member, Mark Warren as Interim division President and hired Mazars USA LLP, and KLEHR, Harrison Harvey Branzburg for accounting compliance, systems and legal to support the expanding management team.

"We are thrilled to welcome Mark Warren, Mazars and KLEHR to ensure world-class execution to meet this unique moment in American manufacturing," said US Medical Glove Managing Member, Dylan Ratigan.

The company is one of only a few U.S.- based glove manufacturers and the only one with state-of-the art U.S.-made glove machines. U.S. Medical Glove's roll-out of next generation technology, including sensors on each fingertip of the ceramic hands used to make the gloves and remote monitoring and tracking for just in time delivery are critical in bringing next generation manufacturing to the U.S. Even the packaging will be 100% American made medical grade paper.

U.S. Medical Glove Expanded Management Team:

President Mark Warren

Mark led the project team responsible for implementing a fully integrated Spend Management application across a $52B global telecommunications corporation

global telecommunications corporation Mark is a seasoned professional possessing more than 35 years of finance, accounting, operations, business process optimization, spend management, systems analysis, design, and implementation experience.

Business Advisory- Operations  Patrick Wheeler

Patrick's more than 30 years of experience encompass Business Strategy, Technology Strategy, Systems Engineering and Financial Operations. He also delivers shared services integration, systems optimization, technology infrastructure design and implementation, and project management services, large program management engagements. Clients have included domestic and international companies in the pharmaceutical, chemical, financial services, healthcare, manufacturing, and telecommunications industries. He also works with global professional services firms, niche consultancies, and Department of Defense contractors and Department of Homeland Security programs.

Finance Advisory-Leader  Rick Burtt

Rick leads organizations through transformational journeys in new product offerings, finance and operations, and IT. With over 30 years of experience, Rick leverages his strong process, technical, and human centered background to offer solutions to complex business problems by assisting companies to innovate by unleashing people, technology and processes work together.

Rick has led numerous projects across a wide range of industries, including companies in retail/CPG logistics, Food and beverage, technology, process and discrete manufacturing, financial services, and healthcare

Advisory to Contracts Management - Federal Contracts  Cash Gordian

Cash has over twenty-six years of leadership, supervisory management experience in contracting, in the private and public sector he is a Subject Matter Expert (SME) on the cradle to grave contract processes, proposal development, contracts administration, womb to tomb close-outs and claims.

As former Air Force and DCMA Contracting Officer, he is well versed in drafting, reviewing/negotiating: Contracts, Non- Disclosure Agreements, Teaming Agreements, and Organizational Conflict of Interest Mitigation Plans. He has a deep knowledge of FAR, DFARS, GSAR, AFAR and AFFAR as well as CPFF CPAF, FFP, FPAF, T&M, LH, IDIQ, BPA, Design Build, Design Bid Build contracts.

Government Legal Advisement  Bill Hinchman

Bill has been an attorney for three decades and currently serves as Co-Chair of the Litigation Department at Klehr Harrison Harvey Branzburg LLP, a Philadelphia -based law firm. Bill served in the U. S. Army as counsel for the Judge Advocate Generals Corp. (JAG). In Bill's current role, he negotiates various types of contracts with the U. S. federal government.

-based law firm. Bill served in the U. S. Army as counsel for the Judge Advocate Generals Corp. (JAG). In Bill's current role, he negotiates various types of contracts with the U. S. federal government. Bill attended Villanova Law School and received an L.L.M. with honors from Temple University Beasley School of Law.

and received an L.L.M. with honors from Beasley School of Law. Recommend we retain current DCAA SME  Nick Cline

Supply Chain Manager  Mahendran Naidu

Supply Chain expert for US Medical Glove is Mahendran Naidu . He was chosen based on meeting the requirements in education and experience. He has over 30 Years of industry experience in supply chain operations and manufacturing. His most recent experiences include the following:

. He was chosen based on meeting the requirements in education and experience. He has over 30 Years of industry experience in supply chain operations and manufacturing. His most recent experiences include the following: Program Manager, USAF

As a DoD program manager, he was actively involved in sourcing of products and services, and management and administration of contracts and contractors.

Head of Vendor Management Office, University of Kentucky HealthCare

HealthCare In this position, he was involved in sourcing of goods and services in information technology and other products for healthcare industry. He also developed and administered contracts.

Education: BS in Computer Engineering; MBA

Mazars is a leading international audit, tax and advisory firm. Operating as a united partnership, we work as one integrated team, leveraging expertise, scale and cultural understanding to deliver exceptional and tailored services in audit and accounting, as well as tax, financial advisory, consulting and legal services*.

Klehr Harrison lawyers call upon a broad base of practical experience and substantive skills in each of the firm's practice areas to swiftly identify clients' needs and deliver resourceful, innovative solutions. We provide legal services to clients ranging from individuals to start-up businesses, privately held companies and publicly traded, multi-national corporations. This client-centered, industry-driven focus has powered our consistent growth over the last four decades.

SOURCE U.S. Medical Glove Company

Related Links

https://www.usmedicalglove.com


HAMILTON, Bermuda, May 19, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Valaris Limited (NYSE: VAL) announced today that it has been awarded a contract of approximately 45 days with W&T Offshore in the U.S. Gulf of Mexico for VALARIS JU-117 (Ralph Coffman), a heavy-duty modern jackup. The contract is anticipated to begin in July 2021.

About Valaris Limited

Valaris Limited (NYSE: VAL) is the industry leader in offshore drilling services across all water depths and geographies. Operating a high-quality rig fleet of ultra-deepwater drillships, versatile semisubmersibles and modern shallow-water jackups, Valaris has experience operating in nearly every major offshore basin. Valaris maintains an unwavering commitment to safety, operational excellence, and customer satisfaction, with a focus on technology and innovation. Valaris Limited is a Bermuda exempted company (Bermuda No. 56245). To learn more, visit our website at www.valaris.com.

Cautionary Statements

Statements contained in this press release that are not historical facts are forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Forward-looking statements include words or phrases such as "anticipate," "believe," "estimate," "expect," "intend," "plan," "project," "could," "may," "might," "should," "will" and similar words. Such statements are subject to numerous risks, uncertainties and assumptions that may cause actual results to vary materially from those indicated, including the Company's liquidity and ability to access financing sources, debt restrictions that may limit our liquidity and flexibility, the COVID-19 outbreak and global pandemic, the related public health measures implemented by governments worldwide, the volatility in oil prices caused in part by the COVID-19 pandemic and the decisions by certain oil producers to reduce export prices and increase oil production, and cancellation, suspension, renegotiation or termination of drilling contracts and programs. In particular, the unprecedented nature of the current economic downturn, pandemic, and industry decline may make it particularly difficult to identify risks or predict the degree to which identified risks will impact the Company's business and financial condition. In addition to the numerous factors described above, you should also carefully read and consider "Item 1A. Risk Factors" in Part I and "Item 7. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations" in Part II of our most recent annual report on Form 10-K, as updated in our subsequent quarterly reports on Form 10- Q, which are available on the Securities and Exchange Commission's website at www.sec.gov or on the Investor Relations section of our website at www.valaris.com. Each forward-looking statement speaks only as of the date of the particular statement and we undertake no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, except as required by law.

Investor & Media Contact:

Darin Gibbins

Vice President - Investor Relations and Treasurer

+1-713-979-4623

SOURCE Valaris Limited

Related Links

http://www.valaris.com


Just two weeks after the European Commission launched a proposal for the reopening of borders to third countries, the 27 members of the EU have closed an agreement this Wednesday, 19 May, which, although still to be ratified in the council of European ministers, will give a boost to international tourism.

Non-EU citizens will be able to move around Europe again if they can prove they have been vaccinated with the full regimen of any of the vaccines authorised by the European Medicines Agency (EMA), although it will be up to each EU partner to authorise entries with other vaccines that are now being validated by the European regulator.

The new scenario could be a reality in June, and it is a decisive step that puts an end to months of the widespread ban on trips considered non-essential, although some have been allowed since last summer with a very limited number of non-EU countries.

If accepted, the measure would likely coincide with the implementation of the Covid-19 digital health certificate for travel in the EU, and it is proposed that the same guidelines be used and no different control criteria be established for Europeans and non-Europeans.

The option for EU member states to implement additional measures, such as supplementary PCRs, is left open.

The agreement reached this Wednesday by the permanent ambassadors of the 27 EU members in Brussels also envisages changing the threshold for raising the barrier with countries outside the EU from 25 to 75 positive cases per 100,000 inhabitants. And the 'emergency brake' mechanism is strengthened allowing the immediate and urgent reversal of the travel permit when "when the epidemiological situation of a non-EU country worsens rapidly and, in particular, if a variant of concern or interest is detected".

Australia, Israel, South Korea, Singapore, New Zealand, Thailand, Rwanda, South Korea, Singapore and China are on the list of countries with which travel is allowed. But, in the case of China, in the absence of reciprocity, it has not been effectively fulfilled. The European Commission has also been negotiating for weeks with the USA, and the United Kingdom is another country with which it is in talks.
VALLEY FORGE, Pa., May 19, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Vanguard today announced plans to broaden access to private equity. Vanguard entered the private equity market in 2020 with an initial focus on institutional advised clients, including pensions, endowments, and foundations. In continued partnership with HarbourVest, Vanguard will provide qualified individual investors with access to private equity this summer.

"Private equity has the potential to improve long-term investment outcomes of a broadly diversified portfolio," said Vanguard CEO, Tim Buckley. "Over time we will expand access to this asset class, which has traditionally been reserved for the wealthiest investors, to the many qualified investors at Vanguard."

Complementing its disciplined and robust product development process, Vanguard is taking a structured approach to opening private equity access to individual investors. Eligibility requirements include certification as a Qualified Purchaser1 and Accredited Investor.2 The strategy will initially be available to eligible non-advised Vanguard clients and is expected to be made available to eligible advised clients of Vanguard Personal Advisor Services in the near future.

"We look forward to providing our qualified individual investors access to our partnership with HarbourVest, one of the industry's premier private equity providers," said Matt Benchener, managing director of Vanguard Retail Investor Group. "Our extensive private equity research suggests that investors who can access high-quality, broadly diversified strategies with top private equity managers can potentially realize significant financial benefits over long time horizons."

Vanguard's private equity strategy builds upon the firm's legacy of active investment management leadership. Global scale, a low-cost philosophy, rigorous oversight, and adherence to time-tested investment principles drive the firm's decision-making to ensure the consistency and stability of its active lineup. Vanguard is continuously searching for and partnering with proven external managers to gain the diversity of thought, deep conviction, and accountability needed for successful outcomes.

World-class expertise

Vanguard has a long and successful history of partnering with the world's premier external advisory firms to help fulfill its mission of giving investors their best chance for investment success. This tradition continues through the firm's strategic relationship with HarbourVest, one of the industry's most experienced and successful private equity providers. With nearly 40 years of global experience investing in private markets, HarbourVest's powerful network and long-standing relationships with general partners aid in securing ongoing access to top-tier private equity funds.

"HarbourVest has long supported democratizing private markets, and we are pleased to enter into this next phase with Vanguard by broadening access to qualified individual investors," said John Toomey, Managing Director, HarbourVest Partners. "Our partnership with Vanguard combines HarbourVest's industry expertise with Vanguard's scale and deep client relationships, and highlights the strength in bringing together two client-centric cultures to deliver a diversified private markets solution."

HarbourVest has a distinguished history of investing across private market strategies with local presences across North America, Latin America, Europe, Asia Pacific, and emerging markets through primary partnerships, secondary transactions, and direct co-investments. Through Vanguard's private equity strategy, qualified investors are expected to benefit from HarbourVest's relationships, access, scale, capabilities, and world-class expertise at terms they would not be able to access on their own.

About Vanguard

Vanguard is one of the world's largest investment management companies. As of March 31, 2021, Vanguard managed $7.5 trillion in global assets. The firm, headquartered in Valley Forge, Pennsylvania, offers 438 funds to its more than 30 million investors worldwide. For more information, visit vanguard.com.

About HarbourVest

HarbourVest is an independent, global private markets investment specialist with over 35 years of experience and more than $76 billion in assets under management, as of March 31, 2021. The Firm's powerful global platform offers clients investment opportunities through primary fund investments, secondary investments, and direct co-investments in commingled funds or separately managed accounts. HarbourVest has more than 700 employees, including more than 150 investment professionals across Asia, Europe, and the Americas. This global team has committed more than $46 billion to newly-formed funds, completed over $29 billion in secondary purchases, and invested over $21 billion directly in operating companies. Partnering with HarbourVest, clients have access to customized solutions, longstanding relationships, and actionable insights.

1 Qualified Purchaser: Includes, among others, natural persons owning not less than $5 million in investments; family offices owning not less than $5 million in investments; trusts not formed to acquire securities offered and each trustee and settlor is a qualified purchaser; and other entities not formed to acquire securities offered that own not less than $25 million in investments.

2 Accredited Investor: Includes, among others, natural persons holding the Series 7, 65, or 82 licenses in good standing, or with a net worth of not less than $1 million, or more than $200,000 in annual income ($300,000 joint annual income with spousal equivalent); family offices and family office clients; 501(c)(3)s, corporations, LLCs, and partnerships not formed to acquire securities offered and with total assets in excess of $5 million; trusts with assets greater than $5 million not formed to acquire securities offered and directed by a sophisticated person; any entity the equity owners of which are accredited investors.

All investing is subject to risk, including the possible loss of the money you invest.

This communication does not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy any specific investment product sponsored by, or investment services provided by The Vanguard Group, Inc., Vanguard Advisers Inc., Vanguard Marketing Corporation, Vanguard National Trust Company, HarbourVest Partners, LLC, HarbourVest Partners L.P. or any of their subsidiaries or affiliates. Investments in funds issued by HarbourVest are expected to be made available to the following Vanguard clients if qualified to invest:

Self-directed clients of Vanguard's Retail Investor Group can access HarbourVest funds through Vanguard Marketing Corporation. The decision to invest in the HarbourVest funds will be the sole responsibility of such self-directed clients, and no Vanguard entity will determine the suitability of investments in any HarbourVest fund or otherwise make investment recommendations to Vanguard's self-directed clients.

Advised clients of Vanguard's Personal Advisor Services will be able to access HarbourVest funds through Vanguard National Trust Company. Vanguard National Trust Company will assess the suitability of any recommendations to PAS clients to invest in the HarbourVest funds.

Advised clients of Vanguard Institutional Advisory Services can access HarbourVest funds through Vanguard Advisers, Inc. Vanguard Advisers, Inc. will assess the suitability of any recommendations to its advised clients to invest in the HarbourVest funds.

Any such offers may be made only to Vanguard clients who meet the definition of Accredited Investors and Qualified Purchasers under federal law and by means of delivery of a confidential Private Placement Memorandum or similar materials that contain a description of the material terms and risks of such investment. No sale will be made in any jurisdiction in which the offer, solicitation, or sale is not authorized or to any person to whom it is unlawful to make the offer, solicitation, or sale. Private investments involve a high degree of risk and, therefore, should be undertaken only by prospective investors capable of evaluating and bearing the risks such an investment represents. Investors in private equity generally must meet certain minimum financial qualifications that may make it unsuitable for specific market participants.

Vanguard Marketing Corporation, Distributor of the Vanguard Funds

SOURCE Vanguard

Related Links

http://vanguard.com


LOS ANGELES, May 19, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Viking (www.viking.com) announced today that it will restart its European river operations in July 2021 with select itineraries in Portugal, France and along the Rhine. Offered exclusively for vaccinated guests as part of Viking's Welcome Back collection, the first five European river itineraries now available in July are among the company's most popular: Rhine Getaway (8 days; Amsterdam to Basel), Portugal's River of Gold (10 days; Lisbon to Porto), Paris & the Heart of Normandy (8 days; Paris roundtrip), Lyon & Provence (8 days; Avignon to Lyon) and France's Finest, a 15-day journey that combines the northern and southern France itineraries in one seamless experience. This announcement comes immediately after the European Union agreed today to reopen its borders to vaccinated Americans and other travelers.

"The response to our initial Welcome Back ocean voyages has been overwhelmingly positive. It is clear that many people are eager to get back out into the world, and I would like to thank all of our destination partners for their support as we plan our return to service," said Torstein Hagen, Chairman of Viking. "We have been delighted to greet our first guests back on board in England this weekand we are looking forward to welcoming travelers back on board some of our European river vessels in July."

The announcement of Viking's restart of European river cruise operations follows the launch of Welcome Back voyages exclusively for vaccinated guests in England, Iceland, Bermuda and the Mediterranean. Earlier this week Viking also named its newest ocean ship, Viking Venus, in Englandand the ship is currently sailing her maiden voyage along the coast of England with Chairman Torstein Hagen on board. The company is actively working on developing additional Welcome Back itineraries in a variety of other destinations, with the goal of announcing further 2021 sailings as soon as possible.

Those who sail these new voyages will also experience Viking's industry-leading health and safety program. Grounded in scientific research, the Viking Health & Safety Program was developed in partnership with an international team of medical advisors, including Raquel C. Bono, M.D., Viking's Chief Health Officer. Dr. Bono is a board-certified trauma surgeon and retired Vice Admiral of the United States Navy Medical Corpsand most recently led Washington State's medical and healthcare systems response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Utilizing a full-scale laboratory installed on every Viking ocean shipand a strong network of dedicated shoreside labs for Viking river ships in Europeall guests and crew will receive frequent quick and easy non-invasive saliva PCR tests. New air purification technology has also been installed on all Viking ships, which have always featured independent air handling units for all guest staterooms. And additional health checks, sanitization and physical distancing measures will provide further protection for Viking guests and crew at all points of the journey. A complete overview of the Viking Health & Safety Program can be found at: www.viking.com/health-safety.

About Viking

Viking was founded in 1997 and provides destination-focused journeys on rivers, oceans and lakes around the world. Designed for experienced travelers with interests in science, history, culture and cuisine, Chairman Torstein Hagen often says Viking offers guests The Thinking Person's Cruise in contrast to mainstream cruises. In its first five years of operation, Viking has been rated the #1 ocean cruise line in Travel + Leisure's 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019 and 2020 "World's Best" Awards. In addition to the Travel + Leisure honors, Viking has also been honored multiple times on Conde Nast Traveler's "Gold List" as well as recognized by Cruise Critic as "Best Overall" Small-Mid size ship in the 2018 Cruisers' Choice Awards, "Best River Cruise Line" and "Best River Itineraries," with the entire Viking Longships fleet being named "Best New River Ships" in the website's Editors' Picks Awards. For additional information, contact Viking at 1-800-2-VIKING (1-800-284-5464) or visit www.viking.com. For Viking's award-winning enrichment channel, visit www.viking.tv.

SOURCE Viking

Related Links

www.viking.com


TAMPA, Fla., May 19, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- vXchnge , a leading colocation services provider with data centers in edge markets across the United States, received a bronze Stevie Award for its groundbreaking intelligent monitoring platform, in\site, during the 19th Annual American Business Awards. in\site Mobile, the application that makes the in\site platform easily accessible from anywhere, was honored in this year's Mobile Operations Management Solution category.

in\site is a critical tool that provides vXchnge customers with visibility into and control over their IT infrastructure and empowers organizations to make better decisions. Built from the ground up using direct customer input, the mobile app allows customers to instantly check and monitor assets with color-coded statuses, monitor and plan technology deployments, and easily access data center technicians for immediate support.

"At vXchnge, we recognize that our customers rely on our services to perform to their full potential and we approach our solutions by making their priorities our priorities," said vXchnge Co-Founder Ernest Sampera. "This Stevie Award recognizes our team's dedication to providing our customers with unparalleled transparency into their deployments from anywhere  something other colocation providers simply can't compete with."

The app's real-time performance analytics enables users to track key metrics like bandwidth utilization, power usage, and asset inventory. in\site also allows for actions such as adding bandwidth, managing and submitting tickets for 24x7x365 support, and receiving maintenance and advisory notifications for streamlined infrastructure management. In addition to the mobile app, in\site is easily accessible via vXchnge's online customer portal and API integration. While the accessibility and transparency provided by in\site Mobile is always important, during the pandemic it became critical for users to gain a holistic view of their deployments in real-time while they could not physically be present.

The American Business Awards are the U.S.A.'s premier business awards program, and all organizations operating in the U.S.A. are eligible to submit nominations. This year, more than 3,800 nominations  a record number  from organizations of all sizes and in virtually every industry were submitted for consideration in a wide range of categories. More than 250 professionals worldwide participated in the judging process to select this year's Stevie Award winners. Details about The American Business Awards and the list of 2021 Stevie winners are available at www.StevieAwards.com/ABA .

About vXchnge

As the most awarded carrier-neutral colocation data center operator in the United States, vXchnge delivers unmatched reliability, scalability, and security as well as an infrastructure management platform offering complete data center transparency. vXchnge's broad geographic footprint brings businesses to the edge, so they can reach more customers in the markets they serve. From emerging startups to Fortune 500 brands, some of the world's most well-known and innovative companies trust vXchnge. Visit vxchnge.com for more information.

SOURCE vXchnge

Related Links

https://www.vxchnge.com


AUSTIN, Texas, May 19, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Wheel, the health tech company making virtual care work for everyone, announced a $50 million Series B investment led by Lightspeed Ventures with participation from existing investors CRV, Silverton Partners, Tusk Venture Partners, and J.P. Morgan. New investors including Tony Fadell's Future Shape also participated in the round. As lead investor, Lightspeed Senior Advisor Dr. Ling Wong will join Wheel's board of directors. The company has raised $66 million in total and will use the funding to further invest in its technology and clinician networks, soon delivering care to millions of patients in seconds.

"Imagine being able to pull out your phone and instantly get connected with the best doctor for your care needs," said Wheel CEO and cofounder Michelle Davey. "We're building the technology to make this complex and expensive feat a reality for millions of patients. If we actually want to expand access to healthcare, we need the industry to recognize there's a better way to reach patients than simply bringing the broken system online. That's why we're powering the next generation of healthcare companies and clinicians to make virtual care work for everyone."

Today Wheel provides its white-labeled service to companies across a wide variety of industries, including publicly-traded digital health companies, tech companies, retailers, labs, and medical device companies. Wheel has introduced a novel way of bringing high-quality virtual care to more people by:

Making it simple for any company to build virtual care services under their own brand. Wheel's technology addresses the operational and regulatory barriers that often make it challenging to provide care to patients across all 50 states in real-time.

Wheel's technology addresses the operational and regulatory barriers that often make it challenging to provide care to patients across all 50 states in real-time. Offering clinicians the best place to work in virtual care. With a 90 percent retention rate, Wheel provides clinicians with one place to manage their virtual care practice, including training, support, and the ability to work across several highly-vetted opportunities.

Wheel's technology connects patients with clinicians across more than a dozen attributes, ensuring patients are matched with the best clinician for their care needs. For example, connecting LGBTQIA+ patients with primary care clinicians that have been trained to provide affirming care. This personalized approach also allows companies to leverage clinicians only when they're needed, significantly driving down costs, meeting patient demand in real-time, and addressing industry-wide clinician shortages.

"We have seen an explosion in demand for telemedicine across our daily lives from sessions with a physical therapist to advice from a specialist," said Dr. Ling Wong of Lightspeed. "Michelle and team are fundamentally building new healthcare infrastructure that will define and enable successful virtual care. Wheel has built its business to be symbiotic with their customers, so they're able to scale and grow in lockstep with their customers, a powerful model. I'm honored to join the board and lead the company's Series B financing."

The pandemic confirmed the healthcare industry needs a better way to reach patients virtually, and Wheel has stepped up to meet the demand. The company grew 300 percent year-over-year and expanded its clinician network by 450 percent. In addition to delivering nearly half a million patient visits in the last year, Wheel launched a white-labeled virtual care platform and expanded into behavioral health. This Series B investment allows Wheel to grow its team, work with more companies expanding into virtual care, and continue building the future of consumer-driven healthcare experiences.

With clinicians now seeing 50 to 175 times the number of patients virtually than they did before the pandemic, many are looking for guidance on how to best treat patients virtually. Wheel will expand its current training resources to support all clinicians in the transition towards virtual-first and hybrid care models. The company will also continue investing in its clinician networks, expanding into new specialties as well as triage and front-line care navigation.

For companies interested in partnering with Wheel please visit wheel.com/companies and for clinicians interested in virtual care opportunities, please visit wheel.com/clinicians.

About Wheel

Wheel is everything that companies and clinicians need to start delivering care to patients virtually. Wheel makes it simple for companies to build virtual care services under their brand by pairing technology with a nationwide clinician network. Wheel also provides clinicians with the best place to work in virtual care. By helping more companies and clinicians get started in virtual care, Wheel is helping patients get connected to the best care for their health needs. To learn more about Wheel, visit wheel.com.

About Lightspeed

Lightspeed Venture Partners is a multi-stage venture capital firm focused on accelerating disruptive innovations and trends in the Enterprise, Consumer, and Health sectors. Over the past two decades, the Lightspeed team has backed hundreds of entrepreneurs and helped build more than 400+ companies globally, including Snap, Affirm, Nutanix, AppDynamics, MuleSoft, OYO, Guardant, and GrubHub. Lightspeed and its affiliates currently manage $10.5B across the global Lightspeed platform, with investment professionals and advisors in Silicon Valley, Israel, India, China, Southeast Asia, and Europe. www.lsvp.com

SOURCE Wheel

Related Links

www.wheel.com


LOS ANGELES, May 19, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- The International Myeloma Foundation (IMF) said today that research published this week in Blood Cancer Journal could lead to a paradigm shift in myeloma therapy towards screening for the precursor for the disease and treating early.

The IMF-funded iStopMM study (Iceland Screens, Treats, or Prevents Multiple Myeloma) is the largest study of its kind, with a record-setting 80,759 participants.

A cancer of the bone marrow plasma cells, multiple myeloma is always preceded by a condition called MGUS, in which an abnormal protein appears in the blood. Doctors do not currently screen asymptomatic individuals for this blood cancer precursor. The iStopMM study examines the potential benefits versus the potential harms of screening for MGUS.

The study's leader, Dr. Sigurdur Kristinsson of the University of Iceland, compared screening for precancerous myeloma to screening currently done for precancerous cervical cancer and breast cancer. "Understanding the epidemiologic, genetic, and immunologic factors that go along with an increased risk of myeloma's progression could open the door to early intervention efforts in high-risk patients and possible preventive strategies," he said. "This would improve overall survival and quality of life for patients worldwide."

The iStopMM team formally launched its ambitious effort in Iceland to enlist at least 70,000 individuals over the age of 40 in November 2016. The country's size, its citizens' service-oriented mindset, the endorsements of national leaders and a splashy social media campaign amplified the call for volunteers.

In just over two years, more than 80,000 Icelanders54.3% of the eligible populationhad consented to have their blood screened, making it the largest single-country screening study requiring informed consent, said Dr. Kristinsson. This comes at a time when participation rates in similar studies are trending downward.

"Typical participation rates in population screening studies are approximately 20%," said Brian G.M. Durie, MD, part of the iStopMM team and chairman of the International Myeloma Foundation, which is supporting the study through its Black Swan Research Initiative to cure myeloma.

Iceland is no stranger to large-scale population studies. The country's health authorities teamed with deCode Genetics, the Reykjavik company collaborating with the iStopMM study on genetic studies, to screen more than half of Iceland's 368,000 residents for COVID-19 infection last year.

Screening the study's extensive samples for MGUS was done by Binding Site laboratories in the U.K. "From the receipt of the first sample in late 2016, we have returned over 600,000 data points," said Dr. Stephen Harding, chief scientific officer. Following their analysis by Freelite testing, electrophoresis and total immunoglobulin assays, the samples are now being re-analyzed by mass spectrometry assay. "We are excited about the data we will return and the findings of the study in the future."

"The iStopMM study's extensive biobanking is enabling genetic and immune testing," said Dr. Durie. "Longer-term follow-up will not only yield groundbreaking data about the biology of early disease and the value of early diagnosis, but also shed light on the optimal interventions to achieve both prevention and a cure."

About the International Myeloma Foundation

Founded in 1990, the International Myeloma Foundation (IMF) is the first and largest foundation focusing specifically on multiple myeloma. The Foundation's reach extends to more than 525,000 members in 140 countries worldwide. The IMF is dedicated to improving the quality of life of myeloma patients while working toward prevention and a cure by focusing on four key areas: research, education, support, and advocacy. The IMF has conducted more than 250 educational seminars worldwide, maintains a world-renowned InfoLine, and in 2001, established the International Myeloma Working Group (IMWG), a collaborative research initiative focused on improving myeloma treatment options for patients. In 2012, the IMF launched the Black Swan Research Initiative, a groundbreaking research project aimed at curing myeloma. The IMF can be reached at (800) 452-CURE (2873). The global website is www.myeloma.org. Follow the IMF on Twitter @IMFmyeloma.

Media contacts:

Debra Gendel

[email protected]

310.710.1903

Sapna Kumar

[email protected]

818.487.7455 ext. 258

SOURCE International Myeloma Foundation

Related Links

http://www.myeloma.org


WUXI, China, May 18, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- On May 19, the 2021 Carbon Peak Carbon Neutrality Summit was held in Wuxi to promote Wuxi to achieve high-quality development under the zero-carbon constraint, and the goal of Carbon Peak and Carbon Neutrality as soon as possible for the whole country and the Yangtze River Delta, and to promote the economy to make contributions to the high-level green development of society, according to the Organizing Committee of the Carbon Peak Carbon Neutrality Summit.

Xie Zhenhua, China's Special Envoy for climate change, Claire O'Neill, President of the Climate Change Department of the World Business Council for Sustainable Development, and former Minister of Energy and Clean Development of the United Kingdom, including 500 guests attended the meeting.

Wuxi was once an important birthplace of China's national industry and commerce. Today, its per capita GDP still ranks first among all districts and cities in Jiangsu. However, the highly developed industry has also caused the total carbon emissions to remain high. The high-carbon energy structure is a common problem in the Yangtze River Delta.

Take Wuxi High-tech Zone as an example. This area is a modern industrial highland in Wuxi. The output value of the integrated circuit industry accounts for 11.2% of the country. In 2020, the total energy consumption of high-tech zone is equivalent to 4 million tons of standard coal, of which 1.62 million tons of electricity are consumed. In power consumption, fossil energy power generation accounts for nearly 90%.

Data also show that in 2020, the energy consumption per unit of GDP in the district is only 0.205 tons of standard coal per 10,000 yuan, which is 44.2% of the national high-tech zone average and 58.7% of the province's average, which is at the advanced level of industrial zones in developed countries in the world.

On the eve of this summit, Wuxi High-tech Zone announced that it will build a zero-carbon technology industrial park in Wuxi. This is another important measure of Wuxi to promote green and low-carbon development. According to the plan, it is estimated that by 2025, Wuxi's clean energy will account for 60%.

SOURCE The Organizing Committee of the Carbon Peak Carbon Neutrality Summit
Initiated from April 2020, this year's forum themed at "Thriving in Shanghai and Scoring New Heights - Innovation Synergizes Strength for Shanghai's Digitalization", providing young entrepreneurs with a platform to share their ideas and becoming a powerful booster and new business card for Shanghai youth innovation and entrepreneurship.

Shanghai is expected to be turned into a testing ground for new technologies, allowing entrepreneurs to make innovations, according to Wu Qing, Vice Mayor of Shanghai.

In fact, aimed at building a digital city with world influence, Shanghai is working hard to set up the framework of the digital city by breaking through the bottlenecks of data applications and activating the development of application scenarios.

To accelerate the promotion of digital industrialization and industrial digitization, Shanghai proposed to accelerate the construction of world-class digital industrial clusters such as integrated circuit and artificial intelligence. Statistics released by the Shanghai Integrated Circuit Industry Association showed that in 2020, Shanghai's integrated circuit industry has achieved sales revenue of 207.133 billion yuan, with a year-on-year increase of 21.37 percent.

Regarding the digitalization of life, Shanghai clearly proposed to create a convenient digital public service system, enrich the supply of digital cultural and creative industries, and guide market players to participate in digital transformation scenarios, stimulating the vitality of city with digitization.

In terms of digital transformation of public infrastructure, Shanghai will deepen the construction of the Integrated Online Platform and relevant unified management, further improve the homepages of the Platform for citizen and enterprise users with high-efficiency, Wu said.

In the future, Shanghai will speed up the opening of data scenarios and further promote the digital transformation of all aspects and fields such as manufacturing, technology research, financial service, and trade circulation, Wu added.

During the forum, the Shanghai 50 Youth Innovation and Entrepreneurship Institute was also established, promoting the standardized and institutionalized operation of the forum and creating a better business environment for innovation and entrepreneurship in Shanghai.

See the original link: https://en.imsilkroad.com/p/321574.html

SOURCE Xinhua Silk Road
GUANGZHOU, China, May 19, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Yatsen Holding Limited ("Yatsen" or the "Company") (NYSE: YSG), a leader in the rapidly evolving China beauty market, today announced its unaudited financial results for the first quarter ended March 31, 2021.

First Quarter 2021 Highlights

Total net revenues for the first quarter of 2021 increased 42.7% to RMB1.44 billion ( US$220.5 million ) from RMB1.01 billion for the first quarter of 2020.

for the first quarter of 2021 increased 42.7% to ( ) from for the first quarter of 2020. Gross margin for the first quarter of 2021 was 68.6% compared to 61.7% for the first quarter of 2020.

for the first quarter of 2021 was 68.6% compared to 61.7% for the first quarter of 2020. Gross sales [1] for the first quarter of 2021 increased 47.0% to RMB1.69 billion ( US$257.3 million ) from RMB1.15 billion for the first quarter of 2020.

for the first quarter of 2021 increased 47.0% to ( ) from for the first quarter of 2020. The number of Direct-to-Consumer ("DTC") customers [2] for the first quarter of 2021 increased 11.6% to 9.6 million from 8.6 million for the first quarter of 2020.

for the first quarter of 2021 increased 11.6% to 9.6 million from 8.6 million for the first quarter of 2020. Average net revenue per DTC customer[3] for the first quarter of 2021 increased 24.5% to RMB122.9 from RMB98.7 for the first quarter of 2020.

Mr. Jinfeng Huang, founder, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Yatsen, said, "The year is off to a good start with robust topline growth and continued execution of our multi-brand strategy. Growth in the quarter was driven by stellar performance of our flagship Perfect Diary brand as well as robust growth from Little Ondine, Abby's Choice and other brands under Yatsen's portfolio. We are especially pleased to see increases in revenue per DTC user and gross margin driven by brand premiumization and disciplined pricing and discounts policies.

"The launch of our mass market cosmetics brand Pink Bear as well as the acquisition of Eve Lom and DR.WU's mainland China business this quarter propelled our brand portfolio expansion. While we are still in early stages of integration for our newly acquired brands, we already saw signs of success with the relaunch of certain hero products within the Galenic and DR.WU portfolio. Building on our momentum in the first quarter, we will continue to leverage our current unique window of opportunity to identify valuable brands and businesses to further enrich our portfolio and invest in critical research and development and infrastructure capabilities to sustain our competitive advantage over the long term."

Mr. Donghao Yang, Chief Financial Officer and Director of Yatsen, commented, "We have had a solid start to the year, with total net revenues exceeding our guidance to reach RMB1.44 billion, a 42.7% year-over-year increase. As our top line expands, our gross margin also improved to 68.6% compared to 61.7% in the same period last year. We believe our leading market position and stellar operating performance position us well to achieve our strategic objectives this year and further capture the growth potential of China's beauty market."

First Quarter 2021 Financial Results

Net Revenues. Total net revenues for the first quarter of 2021 increased by 42.7% to RMB1.44 billion (US$220.5 million) from RMB1.01 billion for the first quarter of 2020, primarily attributable to (i) an increase in DTC customers and revenue per DTC customer during the period, (ii) an increase in sales from increasingly diversified sales channels, and (iii) an increase in the sales contributed by our newly launched and acquired brands.

Gross Profit and Gross Margin. Gross profit for the first quarter of 2021 increased by 58.8% to RMB991.6 million (US$151.3 million) from RMB624.4 million for the first quarter of 2020. Gross margin for the first quarter of 2021 was 68.6% compared to 61.7% for the first quarter of 2020, attributable to (i) disciplined pricing and discounts policies, (ii) premiumization of our Perfect Diary brand, and (iii) increased sales generated from higher margin brands and through experience stores.

Operating Expenses. Total operating expenses for the first quarter of 2021 were RMB1.33 billion (US$203.7 million), compared to RMB800.3 million for the first quarter of 2020. As a percentage of total net revenues, total operating expenses for the first quarter of 2021 were 92.4%, compared to 79.1% for the first quarter of 2020.

Fulfillment Expenses. Fulfillment expenses for the first quarter of 2021 were RMB92.7 million ( US$14.2 million ), compared to RMB107.1 million for the first quarter of 2020. As a percentage of total net revenues, fulfillment expenses for the first quarter of 2021 decreased to 6.4% from 10.6% for the first quarter of 2020. The decrease in percentage was primarily due to the normalization of logistics expense compared to the first quarter of 2020 during which logistics expenses were higher due to impacts from the COVID-19 pandemic.

Fulfillment expenses for the first quarter of 2021 were ( ), compared to for the first quarter of 2020. As a percentage of total net revenues, fulfillment expenses for the first quarter of 2021 decreased to 6.4% from 10.6% for the first quarter of 2020. The decrease in percentage was primarily due to the normalization of logistics expense compared to the first quarter of 2020 during which logistics expenses were higher due to impacts from the COVID-19 pandemic. Selling and Marketing Expenses. Selling and marketing expenses for the first quarter of 2021 were RMB1.04 billion ( US$159.1 million ), compared to RMB556.9 million for the first quarter of 2020. As a percentage of total net revenues, selling and marketing expenses for the first quarter of 2021 increased to 72.1% from 55.0% for the first quarter of 2020. The increase in percentage was primarily due to (i) investment in promotions and consumer awareness-building for the newer brands, and (ii) testing of the effectiveness of new traffic acquisition channels.

Selling and marketing expenses for the first quarter of 2021 were ( ), compared to for the first quarter of 2020. As a percentage of total net revenues, selling and marketing expenses for the first quarter of 2021 increased to 72.1% from 55.0% for the first quarter of 2020. The increase in percentage was primarily due to investment in promotions and consumer awareness-building for the newer brands, and General and Administrative Expenses. General and administrative expenses for the first quarter of 2021 were RMB172.3 million ( US$26.3 million ), compared to RMB124.1 million for the first quarter of 2020. As a percentage of total net revenues, general and administrative expenses for the first quarter of 2021 decreased to 11.9% from 12.3% for the first quarter of 2020. The decrease in percentage was primarily due to increased economy of scale resulting from a higher level of revenue.

General and administrative expenses for the first quarter of 2021 were ( ), compared to for the first quarter of 2020. As a percentage of total net revenues, general and administrative expenses for the first quarter of 2021 decreased to 11.9% from 12.3% for the first quarter of 2020. The decrease in percentage was primarily due to increased economy of scale resulting from a higher level of Research and Development Expenses. Research and development expenses for the first quarter of 2021 were RMB27.7 million ( US$4.2 million ), compared to RMB12.2 million for the first quarter of 2020. As a percentage of total net revenues, research and development expenses for the first quarter of 2021 increased to 1.9% from 1.2% for the first quarter of 2020. The increase was primarily due to an increase in personnel costs and share-based compensation expenses as a reflection of our commitment to enhance our research and development capabilities as sustainable source of competitive advantage.

Loss from Operations and Non-GAAP Loss from Operations[4]. Loss from operations for the first quarter of 2021 was RMB343.3 million (US$52.4 million), representing operating loss margin of 23.8%, compared to loss from operations of RMB176.0 million, representing operating loss margin of 17.4%, for the first quarter of 2020. Non-GAAP loss from operations for the first quarter of 2021 was RMB258.3 million (US$39.4 million), representing non-GAAP operating loss margin of 17.9%, compared to non-GAAP loss from operations of RMB113.7 million, representing non-GAAP operating loss margin of 11.2%, for the first quarter of 2020.

Net Loss and Non-GAAP Net Loss[5]. Net loss for the first quarter of 2021 was RMB319.0 million (US$48.7 million), representing net loss margin of 22.1%, compared to net loss of RMB191.7 million, representing net loss margin of 18.9%, for the first quarter of 2020. Non-GAAP net loss for the first quarter of 2021 was RMB234.3 million (US$35.8 million), representing non-GAAP net loss margin of 16.2%, compared to non-GAAP net loss of RMB129.4 million, representing non-GAAP net loss margin of 12.8%, for the first quarter of 2020.

Net Loss attributable to Ordinary Shareholders per Diluted ADS[6] and Non-GAAP Net Loss attributable to Ordinary Shareholders per Diluted ADS[7]. Net loss attributable to Yatsen's ordinary shareholders per diluted ADS for the first quarter of 2021 was RMB0.50 (US$0.08), compared to net loss attributable to Yatsen's ordinary shareholders per diluted ADS of RMB4.60 for the first quarter of 2020. Non-GAAP net loss attributable to Yatsen's ordinary shareholders per diluted ADS for the first quarter of 2021 was RMB0.37 (US$0.06), compared to non-GAAP net loss attributable to Yatsen's ordinary shareholders per diluted ADS of RMB0.92 for the first quarter of 2020.

Balance Sheet and Cash Flow

As of March 31, 2021, the Company had cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash of RMB4.33 billion (US$660.3 million), compared to RMB5.73 billion as of December 31, 2020.

For the quarter ended March 31, 2021, net cash used in operating activities was RMB466.1 million (US$71.1 million).

Business Outlook

For the second quarter of 2021, the Company expects its total net revenues to be between RMB1.49 billion and RMB1.54 billion, representing a year-over-year growth rate of approximately 50% to 55%. These forecasts reflect the Company's current and preliminary views on the market and operational conditions, which are subject to change.

Exchange Rate

This announcement contains translations of certain Renminbi ("RMB") amounts into U.S. dollars ("US$") at specified rates solely for the convenience of the reader. Unless otherwise noted, all translations from RMB to US$ were made at a rate of RMB6.5518 to US$1.00, the exchange rate in effect as of March 31, 2021 as set forth in the H.10 statistical release of The Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System. The Company makes no representation that any RMB or US$ amounts could have been, or could be, converted into US$ or RMB, as the case may be, at any particular rate, or at all.

[1]Gross sales refers to the total value of all orders for products and services placed and shipped, regardless of whether the goods are returned. Calculation of gross sales includes

shipping charges paid by customers to the Company. [2]DTC customers refer to the customers that have placed one or more orders purchasing products through the Company's DTC channels, including the Company's online stores on

third-party e-commerce platforms, the Company's channels on Weixin and experience stores, during the relevant periods, if such products were shipped, but regardless of whether or not

the customer returned the products. This number does not include the number of customers placing orders through the Company's third-party e-commerce platform distributors including

JD.com and Vipshop and certain DTC channels where such data is yet to be available to the Company. [3]Average net revenue per DTC customer is calculated as total net revenues generated by DTC customers from DTC channels, including our online stores operated on e-commerce

platforms, our company channels on Weixin and our experience stores, divided by the total number of DTC customers in the relevant period. For the quarters ended March 31, 2020 and

March 31, 2021, our total net revenues generated from DTC channels were RMB849.0 million and RMB1.18 billion, respectively. Total number of DTC customers for the three months

ended March 31, 2021 did not include customers of certain DTC channels as such data is yet to be available to the Company. As a result, the average net revenue per DTC customer for

the three months ended March 31, 2021 did not take into account revenues generated from such channels. [4] Non-GAAP loss from operations is a non-GAAP financial measure, which is defined as loss from operations excluding share-based compensation expenses and amortization of intangible assets resulting from assets and business acquisitions. [5] Non-GAAP net loss is a non-GAAP financial measure, which is defined as net loss excluding (i) share-based compensation expenses, (ii) amortization of intangible assets resulting from assets and business acquisitions and (iii) tax effects on non-GAAP adjustments. [6] ADS refers to the American depositary shares, each of which represents four Class A ordinary shares. [7] Non-GAAP net loss attributable to ordinary shareholders per diluted ADS is a non-GAAP financial measure, which is defined as non-GAAP net loss attributable to ordinary shareholders, divided by the weighted average number of diluted ADS outstanding for computing diluted earnings per ADS. Non-GAAP net loss attributable to ordinary shareholders is defined as net loss attributable to ordinary shareholders excluding (i) share-based compensation expenses, (ii) amortization of intangible assets resulting from assets and business acquisitions, (iii) tax effects on non-GAAP adjustments, (iv) accretion to preferred shares, and (v) deemed dividends to preferred shareholders due to modification of preferred shares.

Conference Call Information

The Company will hold a conference call on May 19, 2021 at 7:30 am Eastern Time or 7:30 pm Beijing Time to discuss its financial results and operating performance for the first quarter 2021.

United States (toll free): +1-888-346-8982 International: +1-412-902-4272 Mainland China (toll free): 400-120-1203 Hong Kong (toll free): 800-905-945 Hong Kong: +852-3018-4992 Conference ID: 10155919

The replay will be accessible through May 26, 2021 by dialing the following numbers:

United States: +1-877-344-7529 International: +1-412-317-0088 Conference ID: 10155919

A live and archived webcast of the conference call will also be available at the Company's investor relations website at http://ir.yatsenglobal.com/ .

About Yatsen Holding Limited

Yatsen Holding Limited (NYSE: YSG) is a leader in the rapidly evolving China beauty market with the mission of creating an exciting new journey of beauty discovery for consumers in China and around the world. Founded in 2016, The Company has launched and acquired seven color cosmetics and skincare brands including Perfect Diary, Little Ondine, Abby's Choice, Galenic, DR.WU (its mainland China business), Eve Lom and Pink Bear. The Company's flagship brand, Perfect Diary, became the top color cosmetics brand in China in terms of online retail sales value three years after launch. Leveraging its digitally native direct-to-customer business model, the Company has built a platform with core capabilities which enables it to launch and scale multiple brands quickly while offering a wide selection of products to a growing variety of customers. The Company reaches and engages with customers directly both online and offline, with expansive presence across all major e-commerce, social and content platforms in China.

Use of Non-GAAP Financial Measures

The Company uses non-GAAP income (loss) from operations, non-GAAP net income (loss), non-GAAP net income (loss) attributable to ordinary shareholders and non-GAAP net income (loss) attributable to ordinary shareholders per diluted ADS, each a non-GAAP financial measure, in reviewing and assessing its operating performance. The presentation of these non-GAAP financial measures is not intended to be considered in isolation or as a substitute for the financial information prepared and presented in accordance with U.S. GAAP. The Company presents these non-GAAP financial measures because they are used by the management to evaluate operating performance and formulate business plans. Non-GAAP financial measures help identify underlying trends in its business, provide further information about its results of operations, and enhance the overall understanding of its past performance and future prospects. The Company defines non-GAAP income (loss) from operations as income (loss) from operations excluding share-based compensation expenses and amortization of intangible assets resulting from assets and business acquisitions. The Company defines non-GAAP net income (loss) as net income (loss) excluding (i) share-based compensation expenses, (ii) amortization of intangible assets resulting from assets and business acquisitions and (iii) tax effects on non-GAAP adjustments. The Company defines non-GAAP net income (loss) attributable to ordinary shareholders as net income (loss) attributable to ordinary shareholders excluding (i) share-based compensation expenses, (ii) amortization of intangible assets resulting from assets and business acquisitions, (iii) tax effects on non-GAAP adjustments, (iv) accretion to preferred shares, and (v) deemed dividends to preferred shareholders due to modification of preferred shares. Non-GAAP net income (loss) attributable to ordinary shareholders per diluted ADS is computed using non-GAAP net income (loss) attributable to ordinary shareholders divided by weighted average number of diluted ADS outstanding for computing diluted earnings per ADS.

However, the non-GAAP financial measures have limitations as analytical tools as the non-GAAP financial measures are not presented in accordance with U.S. GAAP and may differ from the non-GAAP information used by other companies, including peer companies, and therefore their comparability may be limited. The Company compensates for these limitations by reconciling the non-GAAP financial measures to the nearest U.S. GAAP performance measure, all of which should be considered when evaluating performance. The Company encourages investors and others to review its financial information in its entirety and not rely on a single financial measure. Reconciliations of Yatsen's non-GAAP financial measure to the most comparable U.S. GAAP measure are included at the end of this press release.

Safe Harbor Statement

This announcement contains statements that may constitute "forward-looking" statements which are made pursuant to the "safe harbor" provisions of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements can be identified by terminology such as "will," "expects," "anticipates," "aims," "future," "intends," "plans," "believes," "estimates," "likely to," and similar statements. The Company may also make written or oral forward-looking statements in its periodic reports to the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC"), in its annual report to shareholders, in press releases and other written materials and in oral statements made by its officers, directors or employees to third parties. Statements that are not historical facts, including statements about the Company's beliefs, plans, outlook and expectations, are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements involve inherent risks and uncertainties. A number of factors could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statement, which include but not limited to the following: the Company's growth strategies; its future business development, results of operations and financial condition; its ability to continue to roll out popular products and maintain popularity of existing products; its ability to anticipate and respond to changes in industry trends and consumer preferences and behavior in a timely manner; its ability to attract and retain new customers and to increase revenues generated from repeat customers; its expectations regarding demand for and market acceptance of its products and services; its ability to integrate newly-acquired businesses and brands; trends and competition in China's beauty market; changes in its revenues and certain cost or expense items; and general economic conditions in China. Further information regarding these and other risks is included in the Company's filings with the SEC. All information provided in this press release is as of the date of this press release, and the Company does not undertake any obligation to update any forward-looking statement, except as required under applicable law.

For investor and media inquiries, please contact:

In China:



Yatsen Holding Limited

Investor Relations

E-mail: [email protected]

The Piacente Group, Inc.

Emilie Wu

Tel: +86-21-6039-8363

E-mail: [email protected]

In the United States:

The Piacente Group, Inc.

Brandi Piacente

Tel: +1-212-481-2050

E-mail: [email protected]

YATSEN HOLDING LIMITED UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (All amounts in thousands, except for share, per share data or otherwise noted)





December 31,

March 31,

March 31,





2020

2021

2021





RMB'000

RMB'000

USD'000

Assets



















Current assets



















Cash and cash equivalents



5,727,029



4,325,289



660,168

Restricted Cash



6,363



648



99

Accounts receivable



419,317



451,114



68,853

Inventories, net



616,808



757,730



115,652

Prepayments and other current assets



304,641



418,141



63,821

Amounts due from related parties



14,370



60



9

Total current assets



7,088,528



5,952,982



908,602

Non-current assets



















Investments



34,862



55,099



8,410

Property and equipment, net



285,297



277,684



42,383

Goodwill



20,596



797,143



121,668

Intangible assets, net



189,090



721,559



110,131

Deferred tax assets



597



3,321



507

Right-of-use assets, net



536,710



629,795



96,125

Other non-current assets



152,058



62,673



9,566

Total non-current assets



1,219,210



2,547,274



388,790

Total assets



8,307,738



8,500,256



1,297,392























Liabilities, redeemable non-controlling interests

and shareholders' equity (deficit)



















Current liabilities



















Accounts payable



466,705



344,719



52,614

Advances from customers



6,228



5,204



794

Accrued expenses and other liabilities



411,944



500,178



76,343

Amounts due to related parties



11,814



4,301



656

Income tax payables



18,686



18,952



2,893

Lease liabilities due within one year



215,300



260,374



39,741

Total current liabilities



1,130,677



1,133,728



173,041

Non-current liabilities



















Deferred tax liabilities



1,557



103,461



15,791

Deferred income-non current



-



68,820



10,504

Lease liabilities



311,910



369,881



56,455

Total non-current liabilities



313,467



542,162



82,750

Total liabilities



1,444,144



1,675,890



255,791

Redeemable non-controlling interests



-



179,147



27,343

Shareholders' equity (deficit)



















Ordinary Shares (US$0.00001 par value;

10,000,000,000 ordinary shares authorized,

comprising of 6,000,000,000 Class A ordinary

shares, 960,852,606 Class B ordinary shares and

3,039,147,394 shares each of such classes to be

designated; 1,736,321,157 Class A shares and

960,852,606 Class B ordinary shares issued;

1,586,957,585 Class A ordinary shares and

939,496,191 Class B ordinary shares outstanding

as of December 31, 2020 and March 31, 2021)



173



173



26

Treasury shares



(12)



(12)



(2)

Additional paid-in capital



11,165,697



11,246,563



1,716,561

Statutory reserve



20,051



20,051



3,060

Accumulated deficit



(4,240,134)



(4,557,472)



(695,606)

Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)



(97,265)



(78,172)



(11,931)

Total Yatsen Holding Limited shareholders'

(deficit) equity



6,848,510



6,631,131



1,012,108

Non-controlling interests



15,084



14,088



2,150

Total shareholders' (deficit) equity



6,863,594



6,645,219



1,014,258

Total liabilities, redeemable non-controlling

interests and shareholders' equity (deficit)



8,307,738



8,500,256



1,297,392



(1) At the date of this report, the Company is still in the process of finalizing the valuation of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed on the acquisition date of Eve Lom. Total assets acquired, assumed liabilities, redeemable non-controlling interest and goodwill relating this acquisition was estimated in the financial statements as of March 31, 2021, which can be subject to adjustments upon the completion of its valuation. Such adjustments may include reclassifications between intangible assets, redeemable non-controlling interest, deferred tax liabilities and goodwill and impacts to the consolidated statements of operations are not expected to be material.

YATSEN HOLDING LIMITED UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS (All amounts in thousands, except for share, per share data or otherwise noted)





For the Three Months Ended March 31,



2020

2021

2021



RMB'000

RMB'000

USD'000 Total net revenues



1,012,109



1,444,465



220,468 Total cost of revenues



(387,720)



(452,899)



(69,126) Gross profit



624,389



991,566



151,342 Operating expenses:

















Fulfilment expenses



(107,135)



(92,718)



(14,152) Selling and marketing expenses



(556,902)



(1,042,062)



(159,050) General and administrative expenses



(124,120)



(172,319)



(26,301) Research and development expenses



(12,191)



(27,740)



(4,234) Total operating expenses



(800,348)



(1,334,839)



(203,737) Income (loss) from operations



(175,959)



(343,273)



(52,395) Financial income



3,202



14,045



2,144 Foreign currency exchange income (losses)



1,081



(3,596)



(549) Income (loss) from equity method

investments, net



(7)



7,142



1,090 Other non-operating income (expenses)



(11,108)



7,474



1,141 Income (loss) before income tax expenses



(182,791)



(318,208)



(48,569) Income tax (expense) benefit



(8,859)



(786)



(120) Net income (loss)



(191,650)



(318,994)



(48,689) Net loss attributable to non-controlling interests

and redeemable non-controlling interests



-



1,656



253 Net income (loss) attributable to Yatsen's shareholders



(191,650)



(317,338)



(48,436) Accretion to preferred shares



(31,284)



-



- Deemed dividends to preferred shareholders

due to modification of preferred shares



(421,125)



-



- Net income (loss) attributable to ordinary shareholders of Yatsen



(644,059)



(317,338)



(48,436) Shares used in calculating earnings per share (1):

















Weighted average number of Class A and Class

B ordinary shares:

















Basic



557,657,423



2,526,453,776



2,526,453,776 Diluted



557,657,423



2,526,453,776



2,526,453,776 Net income (loss) per Class A and Class B ordinary share

















Net income (loss) attributable to Yatsen's

ordinary shareholders

Basic



(1.15)



(0.13)



(0.02) Net income (loss) attributable to Yatsen's

ordinary shareholdersDiluted



(1.15)



(0.13)



(0.02) Net income (loss) per ADS (4 ordinary shares equal to 1 ADS)

















Net income (loss) attributable to Yatsen's

ordinary shareholdersBasic



(4.60)



(0.50)



(0.08) Net income (loss) attributable to Yatsen's

ordinary shareholdersDiluted



(4.60)



(0.50)



(0.08)





For the Three Months Ended March 31,



2020

2021

2021 Share-based compensation expenses are included

in the operating expenses as follows:

RMB'000

RMB'000

USD'000 Fulfilment expenses



-



904



138 Selling and marketing expenses



-



11,839



1,807 General and administrative expenses



62,089



66,619



10,168 Research and development expenses



-



1,504



230 Total



62,089



80,866



12,343

(1) Authorized share capital is re-classified and re-designated into Class A ordinary shares and Class B ordinary shares, with each Class A ordinary share being entitled to one vote and each Class B ordinary share being entitled to twenty votes on all matters that are subject to shareholder vote.

YATSEN HOLDING LIMITED UNAUDITED RECONCILIATIONS OF GAAP AND NON-GAAP RESULTS (All amounts in thousands, except for share, per share data or otherwise noted)





For the Three Months Ended March 31,



2020

2021

2021



RMB'000

RMB'000

USD'000 Income (loss) from operations



(175,959)



(343,273)



(52,395) Share-based compensation expenses



62,089



80,866



12,343 Amortization of intangible assets resulting from

assets and business acquisitions



185



4,130



630 Non-GAAP income (loss) from operations



(113,685)



(258,277)



(39,422) Net income (loss)



(191,650)



(318,994)



(48,689) Share-based compensation expenses



62,089



80,866



12,343



















Amortization of intangible assets resulting from

assets and business acquisitions



185



4,130



630 Tax effects on non-GAAP adjustments



(46)



(324)



(49) Non-GAAP net income (loss)



(129,422)



(234,322)



(35,765) Net income (loss) attributable to ordinary

shareholders of Yatsen



(644,059)



(317,338)



(48,436) Share-based compensation expenses



62,089



80,866



12,343 Amortization of intangible assets resulting from

assets and business acquisitions



185



3,736



570 Tax effects on non-GAAP adjustments



(46)



(296)



(45) Accretion to preferred shares



31,284



-



- Deemed dividends to preferred shareholders

due to modification of preferred shares



421,125



-



- Non-GAAP net income (loss) attributable to

ordinary shareholders of Yatsen



(129,422)



(233,032)



(35,568) Shares used in calculating earnings per share:

















Weighted average number of Class A and Class

B ordinary shares:

















Basic



557,657,423



2,526,453,776



2,526,453,776 Diluted



557,657,423



2,526,453,776



2,526,453,776 Non-GAAP net income (loss) attributable to

ordinary shareholders per Class A and Class

B ordinary share

















Non-GAAP net income (loss) attributable to

Yatsen's ordinary shareholdersBasic



(0.23)



(0.09)



(0.01) Non-GAAP net income (loss) attributable to

Yatsen's ordinary shareholdersDiluted



(0.23)



(0.09)



(0.01) Non-GAAP net income (loss) attributable to

ordinary shareholders per ADS (4 ordinary

shares equal to 1 ADS)

















Non-GAAP net income (loss) attributable to

Yatsen's ordinary shareholdersBasic



(0.92)



(0.37)



(0.06) Non-GAAP net income (loss) attributable to

Yatsen's ordinary shareholdersDiluted



(0.92)



(0.37)



(0.06)

SOURCE Yatsen Holding Limited

Related Links

www.yatsenglobal.com


HAIFA, Israel, May 19, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- ZIM Integrated Shipping Services Ltd. (NYSE: ZIM), a global container liner shipping company, announced today its consolidated results for the three months ended March 31, 2021.

First Quarter 2021 Highlights

Net income for the first quarter was $589.6 million (compared to a loss of $11.9 million in the first quarter of 2020), or $5.35 per share 1

(compared to a loss of in the first quarter of 2020), or per share Adjusted EBITDA 2 for the first quarter was $820.5 million , a year-over-year increase of 744%

for the first quarter was , a year-over-year increase of 744% Operating income (EBIT) for the first quarter was $683.5 million , a year-over-year increase of 2,645%

, a year-over-year increase of 2,645% Adjusted EBIT for the first quarter was $687.8 million , a year-over-year increase of 2,430%

, a year-over-year increase of 2,430% Revenues for the first quarter were $1.74 billion , a year-over-year increase of 112%

, a year-over-year increase of 112% ZIM carried 818 thousand TEUs in the first quarter of 2021, a year-over-year increase of 28%

The average freight rate per TEU in the first quarter of 2021 was $1,925 , a year-over-year increase of 76%

, a year-over-year increase of 76% Net leverage ratio 3 of 0.5x at March 31, 2021 , compared to 1.2x at December 31, 2020

of 0.5x at , compared to 1.2x at Completed IPO, raising $204 million in net proceeds

in net proceeds Announced strategic long-term chartering agreement with Seaspan for ten "green" LNG-fueled vessels demonstrating ZIM's commitment to reducing its carbon footprint and leading environmentally friendly practices in the shipping industry

Subsequent to quarter end, announced full early redemption of $349 million principal amount of Series 1 and 2 Notes due 2023 payable in June 2021

principal amount of Series 1 and 2 Notes due 2023 payable in Declared a special cash dividend of approximately $238 million , or $2.00 per ordinary share, to be paid on September 15, 2021 , to holders of the ordinary shares as of August 25, 2021 ; reiterated plan to distribute annual dividend of 30-50% of 2021 net income in 2022

Eli Glickman, ZIM President & CEO, stated, "This is truly a momentous time in ZIM's 75-year history. Following our successful IPO to become the first global container liner to list in the U.S., we are proud of our demonstrated accomplishments based on seamless execution aligned with our stated objectives. Driven by ZIM's differentiated approach and proactive strategies, we generated our highest ever quarterly net profit, EBITDA, and cash flow, while continuing to deliver industry leading margins. We also significantly strengthened our balance sheet, with shareholder equity now in excess of $1 billion. In a short time since going public, we have also achieved important milestones for shareholders. Specifically, we significantly strengthened our position in the growing and strategic Pacific and Intra Asia trades, with our long-term chartering agreement for large LNG dual-fuel container vessels and the launch of new services to address unmet need in profitable routes to generate superior growth. We also drew on our strong cash flow to redeem ZIM's $349 million outstanding Series 1 and 2 Notes sooner than expected and earlier than the stated maturity by two years."

Mr. Glickman added, "Based on our success further strengthening our balance sheet, we are pleased to allocate capital to invest in new equipment to continue to best serve customers while returning capital to shareholders. With today's declaration of a special dividend, we will be distributing approximately $238 million, or $2.00 per share, in line with our commitment to unlock significant value. Importantly, this dividend is over and above our 2021 annual dividend guidance, supplementing the 30-50% of 2021 net income we expect to distribute in 2022."

Mr. Glickman concluded, "As a result of our outstanding execution and the full completion of freight contracts at higher rates, we have substantially raised our full year outlook, with 2021 Adjusted EBITDA now expected to be between $2.5 billion and $2.8 billion, more than 75% higher than the midpoint of our previous guidance range. Going forward, we remain poised to continue leveraging our agility to maximize profitability and advance ZIM's position as an innovative digital leader of seaborne transportation and logistics services with attractive growth engines."

Summary of Key Financial and Operational Results (Q1'21 vs. Q1'20 unless otherwise noted)









Q1'21

Q1'20 Carried volume (K-TEUs) ................................................................ 818

638 Average freight rate ($/TEU) ........................................................... 1,925

1,091 Revenue ($ in millions) .................................................................... 1,744

823 Operating income (EBIT) ($ in millions) ........................................... 683

25 Profit (loss) before income taxes ($ in millions) ................................... 644

(9) Net income (loss) ($ in millions) ....................................................... 590

(12) Adjusted EBITDA ($ in millions) ....................................................... 821

97 Adjusted EBIT ($ in millions) ............................................................ 688

27 Adjusted EBITDA margin (%) ........................................................... 47

12 Adjusted EBIT margin (%) ................................................................ 39

3 Net cash generated from operating activities ($ in millions) ............. 777

102 Earnings (loss) per share (fully diluted) ($) ....................................... 5.13

(0.14) Free cash flow ($ in millions) ............................................................ 643

98 Net debt ($ in millions) (Q1'21 vs. Q4'20) ......................................... 915

1,236

Financial and Operating Results for the First Quarter Ended March 31, 2021

Total revenues were $1.74 billion for the first quarter of 2021, compared to $823.2 million for the first quarter of 2020, primarily driven by an increase in revenues from containerized cargo, reflecting increases in both freight rates and carried volume.

Operating income (EBIT) for the first quarter of 2021 was $683.5 million, compared to $24.9 million for the first quarter of 2020.

Net income for the first quarter of 2021 was $589.6 million, compared to a net loss of $11.9 million for the first quarter of 2020.

Adjusted EBITDA was $820.5 million for the first quarter of 2021, compared to $97.2 million for the first quarter of 2020. Adjusted EBIT was $687.8 million for the first quarter of 2021, compared to $27.2 million for the first quarter of 2020. Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted EBIT margins for the first quarter of 2021 were 47% and 39%, respectively. This compares to 12% and 3% for the first quarter of 2020, respectively.

Net cash generated from operating activities was $777.4 million for the first quarter of 2021, compared to $101.6 million for the first quarter of 2020.

ZIM carried 818 thousand TEUs for the first quarter of 2021, compared to 638 thousand TEUs in the first quarter of 2020. The average freight rate per TEU was $1,925 for the first quarter of 2021, compared to $1,091 for the first quarter of 2020.

Liquidity and Cash Flows

ZIM's cash and cash equivalents increased by $618 million from $570 million at December 31, 2020 to $1.19 billion at March 31, 2021. Capital expenditures totaled $133.0 million for the first quarter of 2021, compared to $3.6 million for the first quarter of 2020. Net debt decreased by $321 million from $1.24 billion as of December 31, 2020 to $915 million as of March 31, 2021. ZIM's net leverage ratio as of March 31, 2021 was 0.5x, compared to 1.2x as of December 31, 2020.

Early Redemption of Notes

In April 2021, the Company announced the early redemption of 100% of its Series 1 and 100% of its Series 2 unsecured notes due 2023 at an aggregate principal amount of $349 million, payable on June 21, 2021, in accordance with the terms of the indenture governing the notes.

Long-Term Chartering Agreement

In February 2021, the Company announced a strategic agreement for the long-term charter of ten 15,000 TEU liquefied natural gas (LNG) dual-fuel container vessels to serve ZIM's Asia - US East Coast trade.

Special Dividend

On May 19, 2021, the Company's Board of Directors declared a special cash dividend of approximately $238 million, or $2.00 per ordinary share. The special cash dividend will be paid on September 15, 2021, to all holders of record of ordinary shares as of August 25, 2021. The special dividend is supplemental to ZIM's previously communicated 2021 annual dividend guidance, whereby the Company expects to distribute 30-50% of 2021 net income in 2022, subject to Board approval.

Updated Full-Year 2021 Guidance

The Company increased its full-year guidance and expects to generate in 2021 Adjusted EBITDA of between $2.5 billion and $2.8 billion and Adjusted EBIT of between $1.85 billion to $2.15 billion.

Use of Non-IFRS Measures in the Company's 2021 Guidance

A reconciliation of the Company's non-IFRS financial measures included in its full-year 2021 guidance to corresponding IFRS measures is not available on a forward-looking basis. In particular, the Company has not reconciled its Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted EBIT because the various reconciling items between such non-IFRS financial measures and such corresponding IFRS measures cannot be determined without unreasonable effort due to the uncertainty regarding, and the potential variability of, the future costs and expenses for which the Company adjusts, the effect of which may be significant, and all of which are difficult to predict and are subject to frequent change.

Conference Call Details

Management will host a conference call and webcast (along with a slide presentation) to review the results and provide a corporate update today at 8:00 AM ET.

To access the live conference call by telephone, please dial the following numbers: United States +1-855-265-6958 or +1-718-705-8796; Israel +972-3-721-9662; or UK/international +44-121-281-8004. The call (and slide presentation) will be available via live webcast through ZIM's website, located at the following link. Following the conclusion of the call, a replay of the conference call will be available on the Company's website.

About ZIM

ZIM Integrated Shipping Services Ltd. (NYSE: ZIM) is a global, asset-light container liner shipping company with leadership positions in the markets where it operates. Founded in Israel in 1945, ZIM is one of the oldest shipping liners, with over 75 years of experience, providing customers with innovative seaborne transportation and logistics services with a reputation for industry leading transit times, schedule reliability and service excellence. For additional information, please visit www.zim.com.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains, or may be deemed to contain forward-looking statements (as defined in the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and the Israeli Securities Law, 1968). In some cases, you can identify these statements by forward-looking words such as "may," "might," "will," "should," "expect," "plan," "anticipate," "believe," "estimate," "predict," "potential" or "continue," the negative of these terms and other comparable terminology. These forward-looking statements, which are subject to risks, uncertainties and assumptions about the Company, may include projections of the Company's future financial results, its anticipated growth strategies and anticipated trends in its business. These statements are only predictions based on the Company's current expectations and projections about future events or results. There are important factors that could cause the Company's actual results, level of activity, performance or achievements to differ materially from the results, level of activity, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause such differences include, but are not limited to: market changes in freight, bunker, charter and other rates or prices, new legislation or regulation affecting the Company's operations, new competition and changes in the competitive environment, the outcome of legal proceedings to which the Company is a party, and other risks and uncertainties detailed from time to time in the Company's filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, including under the caption "Risk Factors" in its 2020 Annual Report.

Although the Company believes the expectations reflected in the forward-looking statements contained herein are reasonable, it cannot guarantee future results, level of activity, performance or achievements. Moreover, neither the Company nor any other person assumes responsibility for the accuracy and completeness of any of these forward-looking statements. The Company assumes no duty to update any of these forward-looking statements after the date hereof to conform its prior statements to actual results or revised expectations, except as otherwise required by law.

The Company prepares its financial statements in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS), as issued by the International Accounting Standards Board (IASB).

Use of Non-IFRS Financial Measures

The Company presents non-IFRS measures as additional performance measures as the Company believes that it enables the comparison of operating performance between periods on a consistent basis. These measures should not be considered in isolation, or as a substitute for operating income, any other performance measures, or cash flow data, which were prepared in accordance with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles as measures of profitability or liquidity. Please note that Adjusted EBITDA does not take into account debt service requirements, or other commitments, including capital expenditures, and therefore, does not necessarily indicate the amounts that may be available for the Company's use. In addition, Non-IFRS financial measures, as those presented by the Company, may not be comparable to similarly titled measures reported by other companies, due to differences in the way these measures are calculated.

Adjusted EBITDA is a non-IFRS financial measure which we define as net income (loss) adjusted to exclude financial expenses (income), net, income taxes, depreciation and amortization in order to reach EBITDA, and further adjusted to exclude impairment of assets, non-cash charter hire expenses, capital gains (losses) beyond the ordinary course of business and expenses related to legal contingencies.

Adjusted EBIT is a non-IFRS financial measure which we define as net income (loss) adjusted to exclude financial expenses (income), net and income taxes, in order to reach our results from operating activities, or EBIT, and further adjusted to exclude non-cash charter hire expenses, impairment of assets, capital gains (losses) beyond the ordinary course of business and expenses related to legal contingencies.

Free cash flow is a non-IFRS measure which we define as net cash generated from operating activities plus the net cash generated (used) from investment activities.

See the reconciliation of net income to Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted EBIT and net cash generated from operating activities to free cash flow under "Reconciliation of Non-IFRS Measures" below.

Investor Relations:

Elana Holzman

ZIM Integrated Shipping Services Ltd.

+972-4-865-2300

[email protected]

Leon Berman

The IGB Group

212-477-8438

[email protected]

Media:

Avner Shats

ZIM Integrated Shipping Services Ltd.

+972-4-865-2520

[email protected]

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET (U.S. dollars in thousands)









Three Months ended

March 31,

Year ended

December 31,

2021

2020

2020











Assets









Vessels 1,299,718

737,047

948,004 Containers and handling equipment 665,636

437,639

520,887 Other tangible assets 64,466

67,877

67,133 Intangible assets 66,808

65,716

66,465 Investments in associates 13,544

9,171

8,441 Other investments 3,147

2,717

4,888 Trade and other receivables 5,647

5,390

5,293 Deferred tax assets 1,619

1,018

1,502 Total non-current assets 2,120,585

1,326,575

1,622,613











Assets classified as held for sale



10,564



Inventories 86,256

56,699

52,237 Trade and other receivables 700,385

306,557

520,001 Other investments 63,015

59,510

58,976 Cash and cash equivalents 1,188,408

196,741

570,414 Total current assets 2,038,064

630,071

1,201,628 Total assets 4,158,649

1,956,646

2,824,241











Equity









Share capital and reserves 1,992,378

1,783,479

1,790,794 Accumulated deficit (936,101)

(2,053,010)

(1,523,528) Equity attributable to owners of the Company 1,056,277

(269,531)

267,266 Non-controlling interests 3,841

4,327

7,189 Total equity 1,060,118

(265,204)

274,455











Liabilities









Lease liabilities 1,055,126

659,649

811,840 Loans and other liabilities 440,196

550,265

519,471 Employee benefits 63,198

58,252

66,626 Deferred tax liabilities 34,159

347

339 Total non-current liabilities 1,592,679

1,268,513

1,398,276











Trade and other payables 538,717

431,223

398,876 Provisions 25,631

16,081

21,420 Contract liabilities 295,653

125,109

230,469 Lease liabilities 508,154

236,835

362,176 Loans and other liabilities 137,697

144,089

138,569 Total current liabilities 1,505,852

953,337

1,151,510 Total liabilities 3,098,531

2,221,850

2,549,786











Total equity and liabilities 4,158,649

1,956,646

2,824,241

CONSOLIDATED INCOME STATEMENTS (U.S. dollars in thousands, except per share data)









Three months ended

March 31,

Year ended

December 31,

2021

2020

2020











Income from voyages and related services 1,744,335

823,215

3,991,696











Cost of voyages and related services





















Operating expenses and cost of services (880,627)

(698,388)

(2,835,112) Depreciation (128,129)

(67,063)

(291,559)











Gross profit 735,579

57,764

865,025











Other operating income 2,313

2,016

12,621 Other operating expenses (84)

(4)

4,272 General and administrative expenses (55,898)

(35,377)

(163,210) Share of profits of associates 1,545

497

3,341











Results from operating activities 683,455

24,896

722,049











Net finance expenses (39,445)

(33,727)

(181,260)











Profit (loss) before income taxes 644,010

(8,831)

540,789











Income taxes (54,422)

(3,086)

(16,599)











Profit (loss) for the period 589,588

(11,917)

524,190











Attributable to:





















Owners of the Company 587,599

(13,549)

517,961 Non-controlling interests 1,989

1,632

6,229











Profit (loss) for the period 589,588

(11,917)

524,190























Earnings (loss) per share (US$)*









Basic earnings (losses) per 1 ordinary share 5.35

(0.14)

5.18 Diluted earnings (losses) per 1 ordinary share 5.13

(0.14)

4.96











Weighted average number of shares for

EPS calculation*:









Basic 109,777,778

100,000,000

100,000,000 Diluted 114,508,115

100,000,000

104,530,892











(*) Reflect a share split of 1:10 that became effective in 2021, in all presented periods.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (U.S. dollars in thousands)









Three months ended

March 31,

Year ended

December 31,

2021

2020

2020











Cash flows from operating activities









Profit (loss) for the year 589,588

(11,917)

524,190











Adjustments for:









Depreciation and amortization 133,585

72,133

314,185 Impairment recovery in respect of tangible assets







(4,329) Net finance expenses 39,445

33,727

181,260 Share of profits and change in fair value of investees (2,432)

(497)

(4,143) Capital gains (431)

(1,310)

(8,814) Income taxes 54,422

3,086

16,599













814,177

95,222

1,018,948











Change in inventories (34,019)

3,643

8,105 Change in trade receivables and other receivables (174,298)

2,243

(204,469) Change in trade and other payables including contract

liabilities 175,698

9,203

68,670 Change in provisions and employee benefits (728)

(7,132)

(2,152)













(33,347)

7,957

(129,846)











Dividends received from associates 711

15

4,360 Interest received 769

876

2,317 Income taxes paid (4,909)

(2,495)

(14,983)











Net cash generated from operating activities 777,401

101,575

880,796











Cash flows from investing activities









Proceeds from sale of tangible assets, intangible

assets, investments and affiliates 504

1,349

6,717 Acquisition of tangible assets, intangible assets and

investments (132,998)

(3,561)

(42,641) Change in other investments and other receivables (2,061)

(1,241)

763 Net cash used in investing activities (134,555)

(3,453)

(35,161)













CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (U.S. dollars in thousands)









Three months ended

March 31,

Year ended

December 31,

2021

2020

2020











Cash flows from financing activities





















Issuance of share capital, net of issuance costs 205,394



















Sale and lease back transactions



8,400

9,052











Repayment of borrowings and lease liabilities (190,403)

(63,557)

(336,225)











Change in short-term loans (975)

3,571

6,071











Dividend paid to non-controlling interests (2,808)





(3,344)











Interest and other financial expenses paid (34,851)

(30,467)

(135,952)











Net cash used in financing activities (23,643)

(82,053)

(460,398)











Net change in cash and cash equivalents 619,203

16,069

385,237











Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of the period 570,414

182,786

182,786











Effect of exchange rate fluctuation on cash held (1,209)

(2,114)

2,391











Cash and cash equivalents at the end of the

period 1,188,408

196,741

570,414













RECONCILIATION OF NET INCOME (LOSS) TO ADJUSTED EBIT (U.S. dollars in millions)



Three months ended

March 31,

2021

2020







Net income (loss) 590

(12) Financial expenses (income), net 39

34 Income taxes 54

3 Operating income (EBIT) 683

25 Non-cash charter hire expenses 1

2 Expenses related to legal contingencies 4

0 Adjusted EBIT 688

27 Adjusted EBIT margin 39%

3%

RECONCILIATION OF NET INCOME (LOSS) TO ADJUSTED EBITDA (U.S. dollars in millions)



Three months ended

March 31,

2021

2020







Net income (loss) 590

(12) Financial expenses (income), net 39

34 Income taxes 54

3 Depreciation and amortization 134

72 EBITDA 817

97







Expenses related to legal contingencies 4

0 Adjusted EBITDA 821

97 Adjusted EBITDA margin 47%

12%

RECONCILIATION OF NET CASH GENERATED FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES TO FREE

CASH FLOW (U.S. dollars in millions)



Three months ended

March 31,

2021

2020







Net cash generated from operating activities 777

102 Net cash used in investing activities (134)

(4) Free cash flow 643

98

1 Earnings per share calculation for all periods reflect a share split of 1:10 that became effective in 2021.

2 See disclosure regarding "Use of Non-IFRS Financial Measures" below.

3 Net leverage ratio is defined as face value of short- and long-term debt less cash, cash equivalents and short-term deposits divided by Adjusted EBITDA of the last twelve-month period.

SOURCE Zim Integrated Shipping Services Ltd.

Related Links

http://www.zim.com


EMERYVILLE, Calif., May 19, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Zogenix, a global biopharmaceutical company developing rare disease therapies, today launched the FINTEPLA Photo Diary, a community sharing, charitable campaign and contest. To participate in the charitable campaign and contest, Zogenix is asking the Dravet syndrome community to share photos of their everyday moments in life with fewer seizures on FINTEPLA (fenfluramine) from now through June 9, 2021. From June 21  July 19, 2021, each time a member of the public "Likes" or shares a featured photo in the FINTEPLA Photo Diary hosted on the FINTEPLA Facebook page, Zogenix will proudly donate $25 to support advocacy organizations that serve the Dravet syndrome community in the United States (US). Up to $50,000 will be donated and equally divided between the Dravet Syndrome Foundation and the Epilepsy Foundation, in support of the work they do for those impacted by Dravet.

The FINTEPLA Photo Diary campaign and contest is powered by FINTEPLA families and aims to celebrate everyday moments in life with fewer seizures, as well as the Dravet syndrome community. These moments are meaningful, because Dravet syndrome is a rare, catastrophic form of epilepsy in which a person may have multiple seizures per day coupled with significant developmental, motor, and behavioral impairments that severely impact patients, families, and caregivers.

FINTEPLA is a prescription medicine approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 2020 to treat the seizures associated with Dravet syndrome in patients 2 years of age and older. In a clinical study, when added to other antiepileptic medicines, FINTEPLA was shown to reduce monthly seizures by 79% on average in patients taking 0.7 mg/kg/day of FINTEPLA, compared to a 16% reduction in patients taking other antiepileptic medicines and placebo. Due to the risk of heart valve problems and pulmonary arterial hypertension, FINTEPLA is available only through the FINTEPLA REMS Program in the US. Please read Important Safety Information, including Boxed Warning below.

"We are constantly inspired by the Dravet community and members' support for one another. These families have taught us the importance of capturing everyday moments that can occur when seizures do not. We feel these moments are worth recognizing," said Ashish Sagrolikar, Chief Commercial Officer at Zogenix, Inc. "At Zogenix, we are committed to working alongside the Dravet syndrome and the larger epilepsy community to celebrate more everyday moments, and we hope that the FINTEPLA Photo Diary will inspire others to do the same."

In addition to making charitable contributions to advocacy organizations, three families with the highest total number of "Likes" and shares will also win prizes. The FINTEPLA family whose featured photo receives the most "Likes" and shares from the public will earn an outdoor photo shoot with a local, professional photographer. Two runner-up submissions will receive an iPad to capture even more everyday moments between seizures.

"With my daughter's seizures more controlled, we're capturing even more moments as a family," said Bethany Goering, a caregiver whose 12-year-old daughter has Dravet syndrome. "The FINTEPLA Photo Diary campaign and contest is an opportunity for us to share the hope that we have in between seizures. We're excited that our participation will support advocacy groups helping others with Dravet syndrome."

The FINTEPLA Photo Diary Charitable Campaign and Contest is open only to residents of the US. Campaign details can be found on the FINTEPLA Facebook page and at DravetPhotoDiary.com.

Through June 9, 2021: Call for Photo Entries

To submit photos, US families who have a child with a Dravet syndrome diagnosis and a current prescription for FINTEPLA can visit the FINTEPLA Facebook page and go to the FINTEPLA Photo Diary tab. Mobile users may visit DravetPhotoDiary.com. Once on the campaign page, families will be required to complete a short registration form.

Families may submit 5-7 photos showing everyday moments in life with fewer seizures with their own captions to enter the contest.

Up to 5 photos from their submission will be selected and featured in the FINTEPLA Photo Diary tab on the FINTEPLA Facebook page and at DravetPhotoDiary.com.



To view the Official Rules of the FINTEPLA Photo Diary campaign and contest, visit the FINTEPLA Facebook page and go to the FINTEPLA Photo Diary tab. Mobile users may visit DravetPhotoDiary.com.

June 21  July 19, 2021: Sharing and "Liking" to Support Advocacy Groups

Everyone is encouraged to "Like" and share featured photos in the Photo Diary. (Visitors to the site may log in to "Like" or share photos once per day.)

For each "Like" or share of a featured photo, Zogenix will donate $25 to advocacy groups that support the Dravet syndrome community, up to $50,000 in total.

to advocacy groups that support the Dravet syndrome community, up to in total. The three featured photos with the highest total number of "Likes" and shares will be contacted by Zogenix and announced on or around August 9, 2021 .

. Prizes will be limited to one per person, per household.

INDICATION

FINTEPLA is a prescription medicine used to treat seizures associated with Dravet syndrome in patients 2 years of age and older.

FINTEPLA is a federally controlled substance (C-IV) because it contains fenfluramine. Keep FINTEPLA in a safe place to prevent misuse, abuse, and protect it from theft. Never give your FINTEPLA to anyone else, because it may harm them. Selling or giving away this medicine is against the law. Tell your healthcare provider if you have abused or been dependent on alcohol, prescription medicines, or street drugs.

Keep FINTEPLA in a safe place to prevent misuse, abuse, and protect it from theft. Never give your FINTEPLA to anyone else, because it may harm them. Selling or giving away this medicine is against the law. Tell your healthcare provider if you have abused or been dependent on alcohol, prescription medicines, or street drugs. It is not known if FINTEPLA is safe and effective in children less than 2 years of age.

IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION

FINTEPLA can cause serious side effects, including:

1. Problems with the valves in the heart (valvular heart disease) and high blood pressure in the arteries of the lungs (pulmonary arterial hypertension) have been associated with fenfluramine, the active ingredient in FINTEPLA. Your healthcare provider will do a test called an echocardiogram to check your heart and for high blood pressure in the arteries of the lungs before you start taking FINTEPLA, again every 6 months during treatment, and one time 3 to 6 months after you take your last dose of FINTEPLA.

Call your healthcare provider right away if you develop any of these signs and symptoms of heart or lung problems during treatment with FINTEPLA:

shortness of breath

tiredness or weakness, especially with increased activity

lightheadedness or fainting

swollen ankles or feet

chest pain

sensations of a rapid, fluttering heartbeat (palpitations)

irregular pulse

bluish color of your lips and skin (cyanosis)

Because of the risk of heart valve problems and pulmonary arterial hypertension, FINTEPLA is only available through a restricted program called the FINTEPLA Risk Evaluation and Mitigation Strategy (REMS) Program. Before you or your child receives FINTEPLA, your healthcare provider or pharmacist will make sure you understand how to take FINTEPLA safely. If you have any questions about FINTEPLA, ask your healthcare provider, visit www.FinteplaREMS.com, or call 1-877-964-3649.

2. Decreased appetite and decreased weight. Decreased appetite and decreased weight are both serious and common side effects.

Your weight should be checked regularly during your treatment with FINTEPLA.

Your healthcare provider may need to make changes to your FINTEPLA dose if your weight decreases. In some cases, FINTEPLA may need to be stopped.

3. Sleepiness, sedation, and lack of energy (lethargy). These are both serious and common side effects of FINTEPLA. Taking FINTEPLA with central nervous system (CNS) depressants, including alcohol, may increase sleepiness. Do not drive, operate heavy machinery, or do other dangerous activities until you know how FINTEPLA affects you.

4. Like all other antiepileptic drugs, FINTEPLA may cause suicidal thoughts or actions in a very small number of people (about 1 in 500).

Call your healthcare provider right away if you have any of these symptoms, especially if they are new, worse, or worry you:

thoughts about suicide or dying

new or worse anxiety

trouble sleeping (insomnia)

acting on dangerous impulses

attempts to commit suicide

feeling agitated or restless

new or worse irritability

an extreme increase in activity and talking (mania)

new or worse depression

panic attacks

acting aggressive, being angry or violent

other unusual changes in behavior or mood

How can I watch for early symptoms of suicidal thoughts and actions?

Pay attention to any changes, especially sudden changes, in mood, behaviors, thoughts, or feelings.

Keep all follow-up visits with your healthcare provider as scheduled.



Suicidal thoughts or actions can be caused by things other than medicines. If you have suicidal thoughts or actions, your healthcare provider may check for other causes.

5. Do not stop taking FINTEPLA without first talking to your healthcare provider.

Stopping a seizure medicine such as FINTEPLA can suddenly cause you to have seizures more often or seizures that do not stop (status epilepticus).

Call your healthcare provider between visits as needed, especially if you are worried about symptoms.

Do not take FINTEPLA if you:

are allergic to fenfluramine or any of the ingredients in FINTEPLA. See below for a complete list of ingredients in FINTEPLA.

are taking or have stopped taking medicines called monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOI), serotonin agonists, or serotonin reuptake inhibitors in the last 14 days. This may cause a serious or life-threatening problem called serotonin syndrome. If you are not sure whether or not you are taking one of these medicines, contact your healthcare provider.

Before taking FINTEPLA, tell your healthcare provider about all of your medical conditions, including if you:

have heart problems

have or have had weight loss

have or have had depression, mood problems, or suicidal thoughts or behavior

have liver problems

have kidney problems

are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. Tell your healthcare provider right away if you become pregnant while taking FINTEPLA. You and your healthcare provider will decide if you should take FINTEPLA while you are pregnant.

If you become pregnant while taking FINTEPLA, talk to your healthcare provider about registering with the North American Antiepileptic Drug Pregnancy Registry. You can enroll in this registry by calling 1-888-233-2334 or go to www.aedpregnancyregistry.org. The purpose of this registry is to collect information about the safety of antiepileptic drugs during pregnancy.

are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed. It is not known if FINTEPLA passes into your breast milk. Talk to your healthcare provider about the best way to feed your baby while taking FINTEPLA.

Tell your healthcare provider about all the medicines you take, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements.

Know the medicines you take. Keep a list of them to show your healthcare provider or pharmacist when you get a new medicine.

How should I take FINTEPLA?

Read the Instructions for Use for information on the right way to use FINTEPLA.

for information on the right way to use FINTEPLA. Take FINTEPLA exactly as your healthcare provider tells you to take it.

Your healthcare provider will tell you how much FINTEPLA to take and when to take it.

FINTEPLA may be taken with or without food.

Measure your dose of FINTEPLA using the dosing syringe that is provided by the pharmacy. Do not use a household teaspoon or tablespoon.

FINTEPLA can be given through gastric and nasogastric feeding tubes.

What should I avoid while taking FINTEPLA?

Do not drive, operate heavy machinery, or do other dangerous activities until you know how FINTEPLA affects you. FINTEPLA may cause you to feel sleepy.

What are the possible side effects of FINTEPLA?

FINTEPLA may cause serious side effects, including:

See " FINTEPLA can cause serious side effects" above,

Serotonin syndrome. Serotonin syndrome is a life-threatening problem that can happen in people taking FINTEPLA, especially if FINTEPLA is taken with certain other medicines including: anti-depressant medicines called SSRIs, SNRIs, TCAs, and MAOIs; tryptophan; lithium; antipsychotics; St. John's Wort; Dextromethorphan; tramadol.

Call your healthcare provider right away if you have any of the following symptoms of serotonin syndrome:

Serotonin syndrome is a life-threatening problem that can happen in people taking FINTEPLA, especially if FINTEPLA is taken with certain other medicines including: anti-depressant medicines called SSRIs, SNRIs, TCAs, and MAOIs; tryptophan; lithium; antipsychotics; St. John's Wort; Dextromethorphan; tramadol. Call your healthcare provider right away if you have any of the following symptoms of serotonin syndrome:

mental status changes such as seeing things that are not there (hallucinations), agitation, or coma





changes in blood pressure





tight muscles





fast heartbeat





nausea, vomiting, diarrhea





high body temperature





trouble walking



High blood pressure (hypertension). Hypertension is both a serious and common side effect. FINTEPLA can cause your blood pressure to increase even if you have never had high blood pressure before. Your healthcare provider will check your blood pressure while you are taking FINTEPLA.

Hypertension is both a serious and common side effect. FINTEPLA can cause your blood pressure to increase even if you have never had high blood pressure before. Your healthcare provider will check your blood pressure while you are taking FINTEPLA.

Increased pressure in your eyes (glaucoma). Symptoms of glaucoma may include:

Symptoms of glaucoma may include:

red eyes





seeing halos or bright colors around lights





nausea or vomiting





decreased vision





eye pain or discomfort





blurred vision

If you have any of these symptoms, call your healthcare provider right away.

The most common side effects of FINTEPLA include:



diarrhea





low energy





respiratory infection





tiredness





fever





constipation





abnormal echocardiogram





problems with movement, balance, and walking





increased drooling





infection





vomiting





falls





seizures that do not stop





weakness

These are not all the possible side effects of FINTEPLA. For more information, ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist. Tell your healthcare provider if you have any side effect that bothers you or that does not go away.

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1800FDA1088.

Keep FINTEPLA and all medicines out of the reach of children.

General information about the safe and effective use of FINTEPLA.

Medicines are sometimes prescribed for purposes other than those listed in a Medication Guide. Do not use FINTEPLA for a condition for which it was not prescribed. Do not give FINTEPLA to other people, even if they have the same symptoms that you have. It may harm them.

What are the ingredients in FINTEPLA?

Active ingredient: fenfluramine hydrochloride

Inactive ingredients: cherry flavor, citric acid, ethylparaben, hydroxyethylcellulose, methylparaben, potassium citrate, sucralose, and water.

FINTEPLA contains no ingredient made from gluten-containing grain (wheat, barley, or rye).

Please see Medication Guide and full Prescribing Information, including Boxed Warning, for additional information about FINTEPLA.

SOURCE Zogenix
The Government of Pedro Sanchez is facing the greatest diplomatic and migratory crisis since Spain's transition to democracy in the late 1970s and 80s, following the entry of about 8,000 Moroccans into the city of Ceuta.

On Tuesday, 18 May, Sanchez cancelled his schedule, suspended a trip to Paris and, instead travelled to Ceuta and, also, to Melilla.

A crisis cabinet meeting was called and Spains Minister of Foreign Affairs asked the Moroccan ambassador for explanations.

High level diplomacy was activated, presumably between King Felipe VI with Mohamed VI, and before the European Union.

The Spanish army was deployed on Ceutas Tarajal beach and the National Police and Guardia Civil sent reinforcements to the city.

Youngsters sleep on shelves in a warehouse in Ceuta. / FERNANDO TORRES

PM Sanchez has guaranteed "the utmost firmness" in response to the crisis and vowed to use "all necessary means" to guarantee the territorial integrity of Spain, the borders and the security of citizens.

Although he used the word "challenge", the Prime Minister used diplomatic language to try and temper the dispute with Morocco, which he described as "a partner and friend".

At the same time, Spains Minister of Foreign Affairs summoned the Moroccan ambassador, Karima Benyaich, to her office to ask for an explanation for the opening of the border.

Gonzalez Laya, said she told the diplomat of "the disgust and rejection" of the Government for the massive entry of migrants to Ceuta, and demanded the "commitment" of Morocco to take people who are returned by Spain.

But before the appointment with the minister, Benyaich had warned the Sanchez government: "There are acts that have consequences and must be assumed."

She was referring to the admission to a hospital in Logrono of Brahim Gali, the leader of the Polisario Front, the independence movement of Western Sahara. On 18 April, a plane from Algiers landed in Zaragoza. Onboard was Gali, who was seriously ill with Covid. He was transferred to the San Pedro hospital in the Rioja capital with a false identity. But the secret operation was blown within days. Morocco protested to Spain and the Minister of Foreign Affairs cited "humanitarian reasons."

At the time Rabat, which claims its sovereignty over both Ceuta and Melilla, took "note" of the incident and waited for the moment to give its response.

That appears to be now.
"The RO plant, which will make fresh water available at site, is an essential part of the project and early works program," says chairman.

The RO Plant is expected to be ready for shipment in 3-4 months.

( ) ( ) ( ) (FRA:SO3) has issued instructions to WEC Projects in South Africa to complete the reverse osmosis (RO) plant manufacturing and function testing ready for shipment to the companys Colluli Potash Project in Eritrea.

WEC has confirmed that manufacturing of the RO Plant will be complete and it will be ready for shipment to Massawa in Eritrea in 3-4 months.

The total contract value for the RO plant is US$1.6 million.

Essential part of early works program

The project is 100%-owned by the Colluli Mining Share Company (CMSC), a 50:50 joint venture between Danakali and the Eritrean National Mining Corporation (ENAMCO).

Danakali executive chairman Seamus Cornelius said: I am very pleased to confirm that manufacturing of the RO plant is underway.

Everyone involved in Colluli including our partners, ENAMCO and our shareholders want to see progress and the RO plant, which will make freshwater available at site, is an essential part of the project and early works program.

Colluli Project potential

Mineralisation within the Colluli resource commences at just 16 metres, making it the worlds shallowest known potash deposit.

The resource is amenable to open cut mining, which allows higher overall resource recovery to be achieved, is generally safer than underground mining, and is highly advantageous for modular growth.

The company has completed a Front End Engineering Design (FEED) for the production of potassium sulphate or Sulphate of Potash (SOP).

One of the key advantages of the resource is that the salts are present in solid form (in contrast with production of SOP from brines) which reduces infrastructure costs and substantially reduces the time required to achieve full production capacity.

Financial outlook

A binding take-or-pay offtake agreement has been confirmed with EuroChem Trading GmbH (EuroChem) for up to 100% (minimum 87%) of Colluli Module I SOP production.

Development Finance Institutions, Africa Finance Corporation (AFC) and African Export Import Bank (Afreximbank), have obtained formal credit approval to provide CMSC with US$200 million in senior debt finance.

The credit documentation was executed in December 2019, allowing drawdown of CMSC senior debt on satisfaction of customary conditions precedent - which represents the majority of funding required for the development and construction of the Colluli Project.
Washington, May 19 : US Secretary of State Antony Blinken will on Wednesday meet Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov for the first time, on the margins of the Arctic Council ministerial meeting in Iceland, a Department of State spokesman said.

"The bilateral meeting will take place after the evening's final Arctic Council event and will provide an opportunity to test the proposition of whether we can achieve a relationship with Moscow that is more stable and predictable," Ned Price said in a statement on Tuesday evening, DPA news agency reported.

According to the Russian Foreign Ministry, the face-to-face between Lavrov and Blinken was arranged to discuss "key issues of mutual relations and the international agenda." A topic expected to be discussed will be a potential meeting between US President Joe Biden and his Russian counterpart, Vladimir Putin.

The US president had suggested the two meet in a third country at a summit, but it is unclear whether Putin will accept the invitation.

Biden will take his first overseas trip as president in June, when he is scheduled to attend the G7 summit in Britain and then travel to Belgium for meetings with NATO. Top-level talks with EU officials are also planned.

US-Russia ties have nose-dived over Washington's allegations of election interference and cyberattacks, the treatment of jailed Russian dissident Alexei Navalny and the conflict in eastern Ukraine. The two sides have imposed a wave of sanctions and counter-sanctions.
Lucknow, May 19 : The UP Sunni Central Waqf Board has said that it will soon approach the Allahabad High Court demanding restoration of a mosque that was razed earlier this week and a high-level judicial inquiry and action against the officers concerned.

Controversy broke out after the demolition of a decades-old mosque in Ram Sanehi Ghat tehsil area of Barabanki on Monday amid police deployment.

The tehsil is located on a highway on the Barabanki-Ayodhya border.

Barabanki district magistrate Adarsh Singh said the structure was constructed illegally on government land by unidentified people who escaped when a notice was sent on March 15.

The administration took possession of the structure on March 18 and it was demolished that day itself after due orders from the sub-divisional magistrate's court, he added.

Muslim groups are saying it was the illegal razing of a mosque.

"It is high-handedness of the local administration," said Sunni board chairman Zufar Ahmad Faruqi.

A Barabanki resident and lawyer, Iqbal Naseem Nomani Dariyabadi, said he was offering namaz at the mosque for the past three decades.

Dariyabadi said he was unable to understand the motive behind the hurried action during the pandemic.

A district official said the 'illegal structure' was first flagged during a verification drive in March. "Three people living there escaped when asked to show their identity proof," he added.

In a video, Barabanki District Magistrate Adarsh Singh called the demolished structure as a "residential place that was constructed illegally" on the tehsil premises in front of the house of SDM (Ram Sanehi Ghat).

"The occupants escaped from there when a notice was sent to them to prove their ownership on March 15, 2021. The administration took possession of the structure on March 18, 2021," he added.

The Sunni Board claimed in a statement that it was a '100-year-old mosque'.
Seoul, May 19 : South Korea's single-day coronavirus cases on Wednesday crossed 600-mark as health authorities remained alert over a potential rise amid continued cluster inflections and spreading variant cases.

The country reported 654 more Covid-19 cases, including 637 local infections, raising the total caseload to 133,471, the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA) said.

There were eight more Covid deaths, pushing the toll to 1,912, Yonhap reported.

South Korea has been raising its guard against sporadic cluster infections across the nation amid the rising number of travelers enjoying warm weather.

The country has so far reported more than 1,000 cases of variant strains of Covid-19 from Britain, South Africa and Brazil, with southern cities, such as Ulsan, reporting the most variant cases. On Tuesday, 15 people were confirmed to have contracted the Indian variant of the virus.

While the country launched its vaccination program on Feb. 26, it has been sluggish in inoculating South Koreans amid the tight supply of vaccines.

As of Tuesday, 1,040,603 people, or 2.3 percent of the country's population, have been fully vaccinated, receiving both doses of two-part vaccines.

A total of 3,747,236 people, or 7.3 percent, have received their first shots, up 11,822 from a day earlier.

AstraZeneca's vaccine has been given to 2.05 million people, while 1.7 million have received that of Pfizer.

A total of 23,124 cases of side effects after vaccinations have been reported, up 925 from two days ago, although 95.5 percent of them were mild symptoms.

A total of 140 post-vaccination deaths, up 17 from two days ago, have been reported, although the exact causes of the deaths remain unknown as health authorities could not determine causality.

Under the country's vaccination blueprint, South Korea aims to inoculate 13 million people by the end of June and achieve herd immunity by November.

Of the locally transmitted cases, 245 came from Seoul, and the surrounding Gyeonggi Province accounted for 159.

The total number of people released from quarantine after making full recoveries was 123,237, up 606 from a day earlier.

Latest updates on Coronavirus (COVID-19)
Kolkata, May 19 : Rebels of the Kachin Independence Army (KIA) hit and set ablaze seven tanker trucks in northern Shan state with artillery to cut down aviation fuel supplies for Myanmars military junta.

The trucks were attacked on the Union Highway and Kutkai-Hseni road, transporting fuel from China through Muse.

The fuel is used by Burmese Air Force to bomb and strafe rebel targets or for helicopter gunship raids on them.

KIA information officer Colonel Naw Bu told IANS five tanker trucks were hit on the Union Highway, two in separate attacks on the Kutkai-Hseni road on Monday and Tuesday.

"People told us that the fuel is not for public use but for the military aviation, so we opened fire," said Col. Naw Bu.

There was no fighting with the military in northern Shan State, apart from these artillery attacks, he said.

Myanmar's military used jet fighters to retake control of the strategic hilltop Alaw Bum base on the Chinese border in Kachin State's Momauk Township, which was seized by the KIA in late March.

The outpost allows the KIA to control the road between Kachin State's capital, Myitkyina, and Bhamo, also in Kachin State. The KIA has also attacked the Myitkyina airbase and Bhamo Airport with artillery, reportedly forcing Myanmar's air force to fly from Shan State's Lashio, Mandalay and Meiktila in Mandalay Region to attack Momauk.

The KIA had good reason to believe the tanker trucks were providing jet fuel to bomb Momauk, Col. Naw Bu said.

"They attacked with two jet fighters yesterday in Momauk," he said.

The military regime has not commented on the attacks. The fate of the tanker drivers was not yet known.

The National Energy Puma Aviation Services Co Ltd, a joint venture between Singapore-based Puma Energy Co and the government-owned Myanmar Petrochemical Enterprise, is Myanmar's major supplier of aviation fuel.

However, Puma Energy suspended imports following the military coup in February, disrupting supplies.

The regime has since reportedly been importing Chinese aviation fuel.

The KIA was negotiating a ceasefire agreement with Myanmar's military before the February 1 coup but clashes broke out on March 11 after the security forces shot dead peaceful anti-regime protesters in Myitkyina.

The KIA has launched attacks on military and police outposts in Kachin State.

They are also training and arming Burmese youths who seek to raise urban insurgent formations to hit the junta and business interests of their Chinese patrons.
Rio De Janeiro, May 19 : An ex-commander of the former Colombian guerrilla movement FARC is believed to have been killed in Venezuela, Defence Minister Diego Molano said.

Molano on Tuesday said that intelligence information indicated that Seuxis Hernandez, alias Jesus Santrich, was killed with "other criminals" in clashes in Venezuela on Monday.

The Defence Minister tweeted that the information was being verified but, if confirmed, it would "prove that drug dealers are taking refuge in Venezuela." Santrich was among the former FARC leaders that helped negotiate the 2016 peace deal that ended Colombia's 52-year conflict with the guerrilla movement and led to the demobilization of 7,000 fighters, DPA reported.

FARC was turned into a political party and given 10 seats in Congress, one of which went to Santrich.

Santrich took his seat in June 2019, after having been under arrest for more than a year on drug trafficking charges, but then went missing before he was due to appear in court.

Santrich and fellow ex-leader of the former guerrilla movement Luciano Marin, alias Ivan Marquez, said in a video in August 2019 that Colombia President Ivan Duque had betrayed the agreement and announced they would take up arms again.

Bogota has previously accused Caracas of hosting and protecting the pair.

Marquez and Santrich are suspected of partnering with a Venezuelan drug cartel comprised of high-ranking government officials to send cocaine to the US, the State Department and the DEA have said.

In 2020, they offered rewards up to 10 million dollars each for information leading to "the arrest and/or conviction" of the two ex-commanders.
Lucknow, May 19 : The Uttar Pradesh government has claimed that only three government teachers succumbed to Covid-19 during the recently held panchayat polls.

This is in contradiction to the claims made by various prominent teachers' bodies that at least 1,600 staff died after contracting the infection while on duty.

The basic education department said its numbers were based on reports submitted by district magistrates across the state so far.

Satya Prakash, under-secretary, basic education department, said, "The department expressed its profound grief over demise of three teachers and has initiated process to provide ex gratia to their kin." Uttar Pradesh Prathmik Shikshak Sangh chief, Dinesh Chandra Sharma, refuted the government's claim and said, "It is unfortunate to see such an indifferent attitude of the basic education department towards government school staff." The department said as per the rules of the state election commission, a government official is considered on election duty from the period the employee leaves their residence for attending poll-related training, includes the time of polling and counting work, and ends when they reach their residence after duty.

Additional chief secretary, panchyati raj, Manoj Kumar Singh, said that as per Election Commission of India rules, if polling is scheduled on April 10, then teachers engaged on poll duty report a day before (April 9) and leave the next day (April 11).

"If anything untoward happens during these three days, it will be considered as death on poll duty. But if a teacher did election duty on April 10, tested positive on April 20 and succumbed on April 24, it will not be considered as death on election duty," he explained.

The death of government teachers on poll duty was also taken up by the Allahabad High Court on May 12 and the judges suggested to the state government that the teachers' families be given ex-gratia of Rs 1 crore.

The basic education department, however, said the compensation will be paid as per the rules set by the state election commission.
May 19 : Like many other Bollywood celebs, Diana Penty also contributed her bit towards COVID-19 pandemic. Owning to the pandemic, hospitalization and treatment are making a hole in the pockets of many. To give relief to the huge financial burden, Diana has partnered with Ketto India and joined their campaign #EveryLifeMatters that aims to help provide relief and financial support to individuals during these tough times.

Through her social media, Diana will highlight the individuals who are in dire need of financial support for medical treatment, and will also support the good Samaritans / COVID heroes across the country who have taken major initiatives to help out people in need. While many lack the platforms to amplify their efforts, Dianas support will help them in their relief campaigns.

Through her social media accounts and her large fan base, Diana will help amplify the work of these individuals / organizations. Taking to her social media handles, the actress shared a video along with a long heartfelt message. Over the last few weeks, there have been countless individuals and organizations that have rallied to help their fellow citizens as we face the devastating effects of the 2nd wave of this pandemic. Seeing these individuals in action, doing such inspiring work, is heart warming and I feel we need to do our best to support them in whatever way we can, the actress wrote.

Diana further revealed that she has partnered with @kettoindia to start the #EveryLifeMatters initiative. Through this initiative we plan to raise funds to help individuals in dire need of financial support for medical treatment, and also provide support to amplify the work of the countless covid heroes out there who are doing their level best to help, the actress further wrote. Diana also urge people to help in whatever way they can, because together we can make a difference! she wrote.

Known for her social work, last year, Diana was a part of The Khaki Project, and distributed supplies such as masks, sanitizers, etc, to Mumbai police.

Latest updates on Coronavirus (COVID-19)
Chennai, May 19 : Oxygen production at Vedanta Ltd's copper smelter plant or Sterlite Copper located in Thoothukudi was restarted on Wednesday, said a company official.

According to Vedanta, the disruption in the oxygen plant has been rectified, and has now resumed production.

"The oxygen generated is being stored at our onsite facilities and will be distributed as per the directions of the State government and concerned nodal officers," the company said.

Oxygen production at Sterlite Copper was hit due to technical snag in the cold box on May 14.

An expert team from the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) visited Sterlite Copper and suggested measures to set right the technical snag that halted oxygen production.

Subsequently oxygen production was re-started.

According to the company official, Sterlite Copper has 1,050 tpd oxygen production capacity of which 200 tpd will be liquid oxygen and the balance is in gaseous form.

The existing infrastructure has the potential to transport 200-250 tpd medical oxygen to various hospitals.

To utilise the balance capacity of the unit for the medical usage, Vedanta is looking for business partners to study and provide a solution to transport 800 tpd oxygen which is available in gaseous form at 4.5 bar pressure to various hospitals in the state.

Vedanta had started oxygen production at Sterlite Copper recently to supply to hospitals to meet the needs due to the spread of Covid-19 pandemic across the country.

The Tamil Nadu government had ordered the closure of the copper smelter plant in 2018 following a violent protest that led to the death of 13 persons in police firing.

The Supreme Court had allowed the company to operate its oxygen plant recently.

The 400,000 tonne Sterlite copper smelter plant has been operating in Thoothukudi for over 25 years with a cumulative investment of about Rs 3,000 crore but was closed after the violence and opposition by locals.
Chennai, May 19 : With the government hospitals in Tamil Nadu insisting on attendants with Covid-19 patients in wards and ICU's the possibility of these attendants getting exposed to the pandemic is rising.

Not just getting themselves exposed to the virus and contracting the disease, but these attendants stand a higher risk of transmitting the disease to their families as well as outsiders as they commute inside and outside of the hospitals.

Tamil Nadu recorded the highest fresh cases in the last 24 hours adding 33,059 to its tally.

There are reports from Coimbatore, Chennai, Chengalpet, Madurai where people as attendants to Covid-19 patients spend time with the patients and shared food with them. These attendants are mainly wheeling the patients to toilets and back and also taking care of their immediate needs.

Ramanathan Selvaraj, a medical professional with a government hospital in Madurai told IANS: "The attendants are beside the patients all day long and they are not even wearing proper masks, expect for a cloth mask and these people will turn into superspreaders of the disease unless there is timely government intervention now to curtail any attendants or bystanders to Covid-19 positive patients." Relatives of patients are also worried that their dear ones will not get proper attention in government hospitals and hence they are also insisting to be at the bedside of the patients.

M. Murugan, a tile worker in Madurai told IANS over telephone: "My brother-in-law contracted the disease and the nursing staff at the hospital were not even taking care of him properly.

"All these tall talks of the government hospitals taking proper care of the Covid patients are all farce. As I was standing as an attendant to my brother-in-law, I could properly request the nurses and other medical staff of the necessities of the patient, including changing of glucose drips and other minor things. I used to go home from the hospital." This is a clear indication as to how things are working in the government hospitals of Tamil Nadu. While close relatives of those in home isolation are not allowed to venture out of their homes, the attendants of Covid-19 patients in government hospitals are walking in and out at their will leading to a possibility of becoming super spreaders.

Latest updates on Coronavirus (COVID-19)

-- The story has been published from a wire feed without any modifications to the text
One of biggest unknowns of Spain's coronavirus vaccination campaign has been resolved. This Tuesday, 18 May, the country's Ministry of Health and the regions agreed to administer a second dose of the Pfizer vaccine to those under 60 who have already received a first injection of AstraZeneca.

The decision was made by the country's Public Health Commission after a proposal from the Ministry of Health, which was supported by a report from the Carlos III Health Institute that conducted trials on combining the two vaccines. The report concluded that giving a second dose of the Pfizer vaccine to those who have already received AstraZeneca is "safe" and produces a "highly immune" response.

This second differentiated dose will only be administered to those under 60 years of age including essential workers such as teachers and police officers who received their first injection of the AstraZeneca vaccine before it was withdrawn among people below that age due to very rare side effects of thrombosis.

Those between the ages of 60 and 69 who have received a first jab of AstraZeneca will be vaccinated with the same brand again for their second dose as it is the only age group for which it is approved.

Ahead of the meeting, some regions such as Andalucia and Madrid had shown their intention to continue vaccinating with AstraZeneca. The Andalusian health minister, Jesus Aguirre, had said: Vaccines cannot be left sitting in the fridge. They only work when they are jabbed in the arm.

In the long debate, both regions were once again the ones that showed the greatest resistance to accepting the Ministry of Health proposal, considering that the trial, on which the decision was made, was carried out among just over 600 volunteers, and is not representative.

In Malaga there are about 150,000 people waiting for a second dose after receiving the AstraZeneca vaccine. Most are essential workers who were given the Oxford formula before the blood clotting issues changed the Interterritorial Council criteria, which decided to restrict this vaccine those aged between 60 and 70 years old.
New Delhi, May 19 : Google has announced to bring the best of its Smartwatch Wear OS and Tizen platform by Samsung into a single, unified platform, to deliver faster performance, longer battery life and more of the apps you love available for the watch.

For performance, Samsung and Google teams collaborated and made apps start up to 30 per cent faster on the latest chipsets with smooth user interface animations and motion.

"To achieve longer battery life, we've worked to optimize the lower layers of the operating system - taking advantage of low-power hardware cores to enable better battery life," said Bjorn Kilburn, Director of Product Management, Wear during the Google I/O conference on Tuesday.

This includes handy optimizations like the ability to run the heart rate sensor continuously during the day, track your sleep overnight and still have battery for the next day.

"Finally, our unified platform will make it easier for developers to build great apps for the watch," Kilburn added.

All device makers will be able to add a customized user experience on top of the platform, and developers will be able to use the Android tools to build for one platform and ecosystem.

Now, from anywhere in the watch, you can access shortcuts to important functions, like switching to your previous app.

The smartwatch users can easily choose what information they want at a glance, and which actions they want to have just a swipe away.

"Google Maps and Google Assistant are being redesigned and improved. Google Pay will also be redesigned and add support for 26 new countries, beyond the 11 countries currently available. YouTube Music will also arrive on Wear later this year, equipped with features like smart downloads for subscribers to enjoy music while on the go," the company informed.

With the latest Wear update, Google has introduced Fitbit features like tracking health progress throughout the day and on-wrist goal celebrations.

-- The story has been published from a wire feed without any modifications to the text
Madrid, May 19 : Spain has deployed soldiers after scores of migrants entered its north African enclave of Ceuta from Morocco.

Some 8,000 people have reached Ceuta in two days, Spanish officials said.

They said the migrants - who include about 1,500 minors - either swam around the border fences that jut out into the sea or walked across at low tide, the BBC reported.

Spain's Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez has vowed to restore order. The country claimed that around half of the migrants have been sent back to Morocco.

By Tuesday evening, footage of the beach showed that nearly all migrants had been cleared.

Sanchez travelled to Ceuta and Melilla to deal with the crisis, which exacerbated diplomatic tensions with Morocco.

Morocco withdrew its ambassador for consultations after Spain's Foreign Minister told the Envoy of her "disgust" at what had happened.

Most of the migrants are said to be from Morocco. The Spanish troops have been deployed to the beach to help border police at Ceuta's main entry point - Tarajal, on the enclave's south side.

Dramatic scenes were captured offshore as families waded through the water and officers from Spain's Guardia Civil went into the sea to rescue young children.

Interior Minister Fernando Grande-Marlaska said 200 troops, plus 200 extra police were going to assist Ceuta's normal 1100-strong border force. The enclave has some 80,000 residents.

By evening reports said the number of people trying to enter by sea had decreased. Some migrants were voluntarily returning to Morocco while others could be seen being carried away by soldiers.

Spain's Ceuta and Melilla enclaves have become magnets for African migrants trying to reach Europe.

Also on Tuesday, Moroccan security forces at Fnideq, the adjacent town to Ceuta, fired tear gas to disperse a large crowd of migrants at the border fence, media reported.

Sanchez has received support from senior EU officials, with European Council President Charles Michel tweeting: "Spain's borders are the European Union's borders." EU Commissioner for Home Affairs Ylva Johansson described the number of arrivals in Ceuta as "unprecedented" and "worrying", noting that "a big number of them [are] children".

At the other enclave, Melilla, 86 sub-Saharan Africans entered on Tuesday via its southern jetty.

Melilla has a formidable border fence, and several hundred more migrants were blocked by security forces, Spain's Efe news agency reports.

Spanish officials quoted by Efe said Moroccan guards had helped the Spanish forces in Melilla.

Spanish media said it was different in Ceuta, where Moroccan border guards stood by and watched as migrants took to the sea to try to reach the enclave.

Most of the migrants were said to be young men, but there were also several families. Many had used inflatable rings and rubber dinghies.

They started arriving in Ceuta in the early hours of Monday. At least one died during the crossing.

Last month, more than 100 migrants arrived at Ceuta's Tarajal entry point. Most were sent back, except about 30 minors whose ages were confirmed by medical tests.
Patna, May 19 : A heart breaking incident came to light in Bihar's Munger district where a woman fled from a quarantine center to perform last rites to her husband who passed away almost a week back.

Vikas Mandal, 28, a native of Ramnagar Patan village tested Corona positive and his health deteriorated on May 13. His wife, Kanchan Devi, admitted him in Begusarai Sadar hospital where he died during treatment.

As she was alone in the hospital, she requested help from her in-laws for cremation but they refused. Kanchan then approached her own family but they also did not help. Kanchan's mother, however came forward and reached Begusarai Sadar hospital to help her daughter.

Both Kanchan and her mother decided to go to Munger and request the husband's kin again on May 14 but they refused. They also requested neighbours for help but nobody came forward.

Then, they decided to go to Samastipur's Patalia village under Vibhutipur police station, the native village of Kanchan Devi.

The male members of the family, instead of helping them, complained with district administration. The officials of the health department of Samastipur also did not address the issue of the two women and put them into quarantine center.

Kanchan and her mother requested the officials of the quarantine center to release them so that they would go to Begusarai. Eventually, Kanchan fled from the quarantine center six days after her husband's death and on May 18 and reached Begusarai.

"The victim requested the health officials of Sadar hospital to hand over the dead body of her husband. We immediately came forward and handed over the dead body for cremation. We have arranged the ambulance and sent the dead body to cremation ground at Simaria Ghat where Kanchan performed the last right," said Sanjeev Kumar Chaudhary SDO Sadar of Begusarai.
Berlin, May 19 : German Interior Minister Horst Seehofer has banned three organisations known to have collected money for projects of the Lebanese Shiite movement Hezbollah in Germany.

The bans on German Lebanese Family, People for People and Give Peace had already been pronounced on April 15, a ministry spokesman said on Wednesday.

Raids were carried out and offices were searched in Bremen, Hesse, Hamburg, Lower Saxony, North Rhine Westphalia, Schleswig-Holstein and Rhineland-Palatinate, DPA reported.

"Those who support terrorism will not be safe in Germany," Seehofer's spokesman quoted him as saying on Twitter.

"Regardless of the garb in which his supporters appear, they will not find a place of retreat in our country," added the Minister, who is currently in quarantine at home after infected with Covid.

The three banned groups are said to have collected donations and arranged sponsorships for Hezbollah "martyred families." The aim of the organizations was to promote Hezbollah's fight against Israel, which goes against the idea of international understanding, the ministry said.

The certainty that the bereaved would receive financial support in the event of their death increases the willingness of young Hezbollah supporters to take part in the fight against Israel.

In March last year, Germany banned ban Hezbollah activity on its soil.

Germany's domestic intelligence agency estimates that there are about 1,050 Hezbollah members and supporters currently in the country.

They do not comprise an official organization in Germany, but work unofficially, doing fundraising, among other activities, according to security officials.
Dubai, May 19 : The Indian Consulate in Dubai has warned Indian expatriates against a WhatsApp message that is being circulated saying that the mission is seeking applications from those who want to have their parents in UAE on visit visas vaccinated against Covid.

The mission's advisory came after Gulf News contacted it to verify the message that had gone viral.

The message, which had a link to the consulate's online helpline service attached to it, read: "Ladies and gentlemen, this link is for the Consulate General of India Dubai. We spoke to them a couple of days ago about trying to arrange vaccine for our parents who are on visit visa.

When we spoke to them they said if we have enough number of people requesting us, then we can approach the government for arranging vaccination for seniors who are here on visit visa. So please send your messages in ... and type out the details and maybe our parents will have a shot or two! (sic)." A spokesperson of the consulate dismissed the message as a rumour and urged expatriates not to believe in such communication.

"We have no such information from local authorities here and currently, only UAE residents holding valid Emirates ID are eligible for vaccination. People should not believe in such information and avoid forwarding such stories to others," the official cautioned.

Dubai resident Rihanna J. said she got the message forwarded in a WhatsApp group.

"I passed it on to my husband because we have been trying to get my father-in-law vaccinated. He had come over on a visit visa and we didn't send him back because of the surge in Covid cases back in India." Some other residents, whose elderly parents are in the UAE on visit visas, also said that they had been desperately waiting to get their parents vaccinated.

Roshni Roy, whose parents have been in Dubai on visit visas, said: "I have not been able to sponsor a residence visa for them [her parents] due to the salary requirement of Dh20,000. I am eagerly waiting for the authorities to open vaccination for elderly visit visa holders."

Latest updates on Coronavirus (COVID-19)
New Delhi, May 19 : Accentuated by the devastating impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and monster cyclone Tauktae, Goans are demanding for urgent relief for protection of their livelihood and lives.

Gram of Panchayats of Goa under the aegis Goa Mining People's Front (GMPF) have appealed to the Supreme Court for immediate resumption of mining in Goa as the state is witnessing a grave situation and extra ordinary circumstances.

Since the suspension of mining in Goa (March 2018), livelihoods of mining dependents from state are in doldrums and are in search of prosperity and the pursuit of happiness.

The gravity of the situation cannot be over-exaggerated, nor its future ramifications can be underscored. The right to life and livelihoods of the villagers was impacted by shutdowns and embargoes; and the suffering has now heightened beyond extreme to a point of 'gasping for air', in 'search of oxygen' through Pandemics and nature's fury. In the cognizance with the current situation, without any further delay resurrection of mining is demanded as an urgent solution to the problems faced by Goans.

Goa's globally renowned tourism industry, which was second only to mining has now completely collapsed and for next couple of years will not see its golden times. According to a report submitted by States Tourism Ministry in December 2020, Goan Tourism has suffered losses to the tune of Rs 7,000 crore; with recorded job losses in the range of 35 per cent. Now with the second wave of pandemic the entire structure of the state's economy and the livelihood of the people has fallen apart.

Puti Gaonkar, President, GMPF said, "The impact of the Covid-19 second wave has further worsened the sufferings of the Goans. The people of Goa especially from the mining belt have broken down completely and finding difficult to meet basic needs such as food and medicines.

"The people from the villages are at present living with limited resources, borrowings, spot jobs, gold loan at the very least. Hence in the interest of communities an interim direction of immediate resumption of mining in the state of Goa will provide relief to the people of the state." Jayashree Devanand Parab, Sarpanch- Panchayat of Pissurlem, Sattari, Goa, said, "Panchayats of the mining belts have told our Supreme court Advocate to knock the door of Supreme Court again to come to the rescue of our livelihood.

"Three years of livelihood loss since mining closure in March 2018 and then the Covid-19 pandemic and now the second wave have devastated us further with more sufferings and job losses. Our village people are on verge of collapse. All are wating for Supreme Court decision to get back the livelihood by restarting mining.

"Hope the Supreme Court hear our cries of our livelihoods and save the village people from economic death before its too late. We cannot blame the State and Central Government and sit idle. We also will do our bit in the Supreme Court to fight for our people's livelihood.

"Hope Supreme Court understand our sorrowful plight and give a decision or solution which will start mining within few months and our villagers get back the livelihood source." "We, Panchayat of the mining belt had gone to the Hon'ble Supreme Court for early hearing and decision on Goa Mining matter which is delayed. Now more of our village youths are in trouble because of the severe second wave of Covid which has devastated our village economy and employment. The recent cyclone has further created huge losses to our people due to the destruction it has caused. We see immediate resumption of mining is very important to get lives back to track," says Surya Naik Sarpanch, Rivona Panchayat, South Goa.

The mining ban is not only taking a toll on the livelihoods of Goans but is also badly impacting the socio-economic condition of the state. The Goa Mining sector has been one of the biggest earners of foreign exchange to the state exchequer till the ban which caused a loss of over Rs 11,000 crore revenue to the state's exchequer in the last 3 years.

Latest updates on Coronavirus (COVID-19)

-- Except for the title, this story has not been edited by Prokerala team and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed
Prayagraj : , May 19 (IANS) The recently expelled Yoga guru, Anand Giri, has demand an inquiry into the death of former Niranjani Akhara secretary Ashish Giri whose bloodstained body with a gunshot was found in Daraganj ashram in November 2019.

In a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah and chief ministers of UP and Uttarakhand, Anand Giri has claimed that Ashish Giri was murdered under a conspiracy, but the file was closed terming the case as a suicide.

He also alleged financial irregularities in the ashram and demanded a probe.

In his letter, Giri has sought security saying he is getting threatening calls and feels threat to his life from his Guru Mahant Narendra Giri and his aides.

He has apprehended that he could also be murdered like Ashish Giri.

He further wrote that he has been with Baghambari Gaddi Math since 2005 when there were voices of dissent within the akhara against Mahant Narendra Giri on the issue of sale of land of Niranjani Akhara school in 2004.

"I was given land for opening a Gaushala, but my Guru started putting pressure to cancel the lease and sell it," he alleged.

He further said that Mahant Narendra Giri has purchased several properties which are registered in the name of his drivers, students and a person close to him.
Mumbai, May 19 : Tyre manufacturer CEAT Tyres, has extended warranty period by an additional 3 months across the range of CEAT products in India.

The decision was taken by the company to express their support to the customers amidst the 2nd wave of pandemic, with many states announcing lockdowns.

The warranty extension by three months is applicable for the products with standard warranty expiring in between 1st April 2021 to 31st June 2021.

Amit Tolani, Chief Marketing Officer, CEAT Tyres Ltd, said, "We understand our customers will be facing restriction in movement in several states due to the recent wave of Covid pandemic. The three-month extension on all our products ensures that our customers continue to get the benefit of the warranty during these trying times." All the nationwide dealerships of CEAT Tyres will pass on the benefits of extended warranty to all its customers.
New Delhi, May 19 : Indian intellectual systems have been greatly influenced by the ancient Kashmiri centres for theological discourse and out of these debates emerged the "remarkable" Kashmir Shaivism that assimilates the concepts of metaphysics, epistemology, ethics, and aesthetics into a single entity, says techie-film historian-author Prachand Praveer, whose seminal book on world cinema has been essentially influenced by 10th century Kashmiri philosopher Abhinavagupta.

"If we look at any Indian classical philosophical system, typically it discusses four important areas such as metaphysics, epistemology, ethics, and aesthetics. Kashmir Shaivism is remarkable in the sense that it assimilates the major philosophical debates such as Santana vs Buddhist, Dualist vs Non-Dualist, Impact of Grammarians on epistemology, and multiple Bhakti traditions all into one coherent system.

"Unfortunately, Tantric systems are out of current mainstream intellectual and philosophical discourses, whereas Abhinava Gupta assimilates all walks of life including drama and music in his assimilation and formulation of various thoughts of Kashmir Shaivism. It is important to note that Kashmir Shaivism is considered as the fruit of Indian classical philosophical debates," Praveer told IANS in an interview.

How else did Kashmir contribute to the development of Indian classical philosophy? "Indian intellectual systems have been greatly influenced by the Kashmiri mathikas (centres for discourses) and its numerous intellectual traditions. Great grammarians such as Panini (author of the "Astadhyayi") and PataAjali (author of "Mahabhasya"), an ancient treatise on Sanskrit grammar and linguistics, and the compiler of the "Yoga sutras", a text on Yoga theory and practice), were Kashmiris," Praveer explained.

He also pointed to a "long list of major contributors with a definite presence in Kashmir" such as Bhamaha (7th century), the author of "Kavyalankara"; ShivA nanda, Vasugupta (around 800); Anandavardhana (820-890), the author of Dhvanyaloka; Kallata (around 825); Utpaladeva (900-950), the author of "Isvara-pratyabhijAa-karika" (on Tantric metaphysics); and Abhinavagupta (950-1016), the author of "Tantraloka" and "Abhinavabharati".

Post-Abhinavagupta, there were Kemendra (990-1070), and Mammata Bhatta (around 11th century).

"I believe even today any Indian literary criticism cannot be possible without describing or citing or subscribing to the views of one of these literary techniques such as "Alamkara" or poetic decoration (attributed to Bhamaha), "Dhavni" or aesthetics suggestion (attributed to Anandavardhan), "Vakrokti" or theory of oblique expression (attributed to Kuntaka), "Auchitya" or propriety (attributed to Kshemendra) or Mammata's propounded theory of poetic creations," Praveer said.

He noted that an "important name" that every Indian student of music would know is Sarngadeva (1175-1247) who authored "Sangita Ratnakara".

"He was born in a Brahmin family of Kashmir and was not living in Kashmir, but we do see the impact of Abhinavagupta and other Kashmiri traditions on his famous treatise of music. Needless to point out that his authoritative treatise on Indian classical music is revered by both the Hindustani music and the Carnatic music traditions," Praveer said.

Any other examples of how Kashmiri intellectuals have preserved Indian thoughts? "Well, India in its intellectual curiosity and discipline has preserved her heritage in many strange ways. Abhinavagupta's commentary on Natyashastra, the 'Abhinavabharati', was discovered in Kerala in the early 20th century. Without his commentary, our understanding of Natyashastra would have been very shallow.

"Indian classical traditions always include the additions in shlokas as "prakshipta" (projected addition) if found not matching with the current version. If you happen to read the Valmiki Ramayana or Mahabharata in any authentic preserved version, you will encounter such additions with commentary that it has been added by some sources which is not approved but yet present for the sake of completeness.

The Bhagavad Gita occupies a unique place in the annals of Indian thought and culture through the ages and in this sphere too, Kashmir claims its share of originality.

"The existence of Kashmir recension of Gita was first drawn by (German philologist) Dr (Friedrich) Schrader as back as 1930. The Kashmir recension of Gita contains 745 verses as against 700 verses of the popular recension adopted by Adi Shankaracharya. Abhinavagupta's commentary, under the title 'itaarthasangraha', explains the fight between Kauravas and PA ndavas is symbolic of a war that is constantly raging between the lower and upper impulses of our personality," Praveer explained.

Once upon a time, Buddhism was a major philosophical movement in India. Was there any Buddhist connection to Kashmir intellectual traditions? "Yes. Kashmir, from early times, has been a meeting ground of a variety of faiths and divergent thought currents. Kashmir's attachment to Buddhism dates back to the time of Ashoka (273-232 BC). NA gasena (150 BC), the author of 'Milind-Panho', is said to be a Kashmiri. Kanishka (78-102) convened the 2nd Buddhist Council in Kashmir and brought Ashvaghosha to act as its Vice President.

"It has been noted that Kashmiri monks were active in medieval China from the early fourth century up to the 11th century. Kashmirians' contribution, at large, includes translations into Chinese of Buddhist canons and ritualistic texts," Praveer said.

His book, "Cinema Through Rasa - A Tryst with Masterpieces in the Light of Rasa Siddhanta", released earlier this year, unravels the nuances of world cinema by harkening back to Abhinavagupta as it pays tribute to his commentary on the "Natyashastra" and the concepts of "Rasa Siddhanta" (theory of aesthetic experience) and "purusartha" (cultural value system of life-pursuits).

Caption: Prachand Praveer

(Vishnu Makhijani can be reached at vishnu.makhijani@ians.in)
New Delhi, May 19 : Walmart-owned digital payments provider PhonePe has acquired homegrown Android app store Indus App Bazaar for $60 million (roughly Rs 438 crore), reliable industry sources told IANS on Wednesday.

The move, sources said, will strengthen PhonePe's 'Switch' app that aggregates several useful apps at one place.

Both the companies were yet to release an official statement.

PhonePe launched the Switch platform in 2018 and today, its customers can place orders on over 300 apps including Ola, Swiggy, Myntra, IRCTC, Goibibo, RedBus etc. directly from within the PhonePe mobile app.

PhonePe is accepted at over 17.5 million merchant outlets across 500 cities nationally.

Indus OS was founded by IITians, Rakesh Deshmukh, Akash Dongre, and Sudhir Bangarambandi in 2015.

The company is known to make innovative products like Indus App Bazaar which serves over 100 million users.

Available in 13 languages, it houses over 400,000 apps. The core aim of Indus App Bazaar is to democratize the use of mobile applications for the world starting with India with an enhanced app store ecosystem (EASE).

Indus OS has raised nearly $20 million to date.

On the other hand, PhonePe has over 280 million registered users.

PhonePe forayed into financial services in 2017 with the launch of Gold providing users with a safe and convenient option to buy 24-karat gold securely on its platform.
New Delhi, May 19 : The Central government on Wednesday lashed out at Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal for his irresponsible allegations against Singapore over the virulent variant of Coronavirus that has hit India.

The reprimand against Kejriwal came after Singapore foreign minister Vivian Balakrishnan objected to the Delhi chief minister's tweet. Kejriwal had tweeted in Hindi on Tuesday that the "new variant of Coronavirus in Singapore is reported to be extremely dangerous for children. In India, it may come as a third wave." He appealed to the Centre to "suspend air services with Singapore immediately and vaccinate children on priority." To this, Balakrishnan responded, quoting Kejriwal, "Politicians should stick to facts! There is no "Singapore variant"." Separately, a statement from Singapore's ministry of foreign affairs had said, "MFA regrets the unfounded assertions made on Facebook and Twitter by chief minister of Delhi, Arvind Kejriwal that a variant of Covid-19 found in Singapore was particularly harmful to children and could cause a third wave of infections in India." "MFA is disappointed that a prominent political figure had failed to ascertain the facts before making such claims. MFA met the High Commissioner of India P. Kumaran this morning to express these concerns. As highlighted by MOH in its press release of 18 May 2021, there is no "Singapore variant". The strain prevalent in many of the Covid-19 cases in recent weeks is the B.1.617.2 variant, which was first detected in India." MEA spokesperson Arindam Bagchi informed on Twitter that the Singapore government had called in India's high commissioner today to convey its strong objection to Delhi CM's tweet on the 'Singapore variant'. "High commissioner clarified that Delhi CM had no competence to pronounce on Covid variants or civil aviation policy," he tweeted.

Jumping in to do the damage control, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar also tweeted tagging Vivian Balakrishnan, "Singapore and India have been solid partners in the fight against Covid-19. Appreciate Singapore's role as a logistics hub and oxygen supplier. Their gesture of deploying military aircraft to help us speaks of our exceptional relationship." He further censured Kejriwal saying, "However, irresponsible comments from those who should know better can damage long-standing partnerships. So, let me clarify-Delhi CM does not speak for India."

Latest updates on Coronavirus (COVID-19)

-- Except for the title, this story has not been edited by Prokerala team and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed
Puducherry, May 19 : Puducherry is preparing to enhance its oxygen bed capacity within 15 days as Covid-19 cases are increasing in the union territory.

By June first week, the total number of beds with oxygen facility will go upto 2,800 in government hospitals and private medical colleges. This was announced by Puducherry health secretary, Arun.

The health infrastructure of Puducherry and Karaikal is under pressure as the number of Covid-19 patients has spiked.

According to the Covid dashboard statistics of the Union Territory of Puducherry, in Puducherry alone, around 1,504 patients are on oxygen bed support and 196 are on ventilator support. Karaikal has 87 patients on Oxygen support and 13 on ventilators.

In state run JIPMER, IGMCRI and government hospitals there are no oxygen beds or ventilators available for patients while in private hospitals ventilators are not available and few oxygen beds.

According to health department officials, the number of beds in IGMCRI is being enhanced from 320 to 600 and besides installing a liquid oxygen tank to enhance the storage capacity to 16 kilo liters.

There is a daily allocation of 40 MT of oxygen to the Indira Gandhi Medical College and Research Institute (IGMCRI) which is supplied from Inox Oxygen plant at Puducherry.

Jawaharlal Institute Of PostGraduate Medical Education and Research (JIPMER) is also increasing its bed capacity and its oxygen capacity by installing an additional 20kilo litre capacity tank.

The Pressure Swing Absorption (PSA) generators and ventilators which were procured from the PM Care fund of Rs 4 crore are also put into use with the PSA generator being installed at the Government general hospital, Puducherry. Here the number of oxygen beds is also enhanced to 165.

In Karaikal also, the oxygen beds are being increased to 335 from present 98 by establishing a PSA generator with capacity of 500 LPM. In Mahe and Yanam also, oxygen cylinders are being installed and presently there is less scarcity of oxygen beds in these two places of the UT.

The Union territory has also received 90 D Type oxygen cylinders, 420 Remdesivir vials and 2,500 Covid testing kits from the central government on Tuesday.

However, the shortage of anaesthesiologists is turning into a major challenge for the Puducherry administration. Udayashankar,director of IGMCRI while speaking to IANS said, "We have advertised for the post of 12 anaesthesiologists but there are no responses even after one month has passed".

Latest updates on Coronavirus (COVID-19)
Chennai, May 19 : Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin on Wednesday told industrialists that they can pay directly to the vendors from whom state government organisations source Covid-19 related items.

Addressing industrialists here Stalin also requested them to prioritise their corporate social responsibility (CSR) activities on sourcing items like oxygen concentrators/generators/flowmeters, cryogenic oxygen tanks and oxygen cylinders.

Stalin said permission to produce 15 tonnes of oxygen has been given to three organisations and 7,500 oxygen concentrators have been sourced by State Industries Promotion Corporation of Tamil Nadu Ltd (SIPCOT) and other industries.

According to him, SIPCOT has brought 500 oxygen cylinders from Singapore by air and another 1,650 cylinders are being brought by sea from there.

Stalin said the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) and the Defence Research Development Organisation (DRDO) are jointly setting up 142 mini-oxygen production centres and the state government is giving priority to this activity.

He also said 13 mini oxygen units are being set up through various industries.

Pointing out the state government's policy decision to spend the funds mobilised under the Chief Minister's Public Relief Fund for Covid-19 mitigation alone, Stalin requested industrialists to contribute generously to the fund.

Meanwhile, city based industrial conglomerate Murugappa Group said it has contributed Rs 6 crore to the Chief Minister's Public Relief Fund.

Latest updates on Coronavirus (COVID-19)

-- The story has been published from a wire feed without any modifications to the text
New Delhi, May 19 : Congress leader and former Union minister Jairam Ramesh on Wednesday took a dig at the Centre after Union Minister Nitin Gadkari recommended that more pharma companies be allowed to manufacture Covid-19 vaccines.

Ramesh took a dig at Prime Minister Narendra Modi and tweeted, "But is his Boss listening? This is what Dr. Manmohan Singh had suggested on April 18th." He also attached a video of Gadkari making the comment.

Congress spokesperson Jaiveer Shergill said, "(Union Minister)ANitin Gadkari says to solve vaccine demand supply issue more manufacturing licenses should be given. Problem is, nation is demanding vaccines, but BJP is supplying fake tool kits." Taking a pot-shot at the government, Shergill said, "Vaccine demand supply imbalance is a BJP-created disaster, is BJP waiting for a "shubh muharat" to ramp up vaccination manufacturing?"

He said that it was good to know at least one BJP Minister is waking up to reality.

"How many more have to die to wake up the system?" he asked.

His remarks came after Gadkari on Tuesday said that if the demand for vaccines will be more than supply it will create problems. Thus, at least 10 more companies should be given licence in order to scale up production.

Latest updates on Coronavirus (COVID-19)

-- The story has been published from a wire feed without any modifications to the text
New Delhi, May 19 : Hours after India recorded highest death due to Covid in a single day, former Congress President Rahul Gandhi slammed the government saying vaccines are decreasing while deaths are increasing. He said, the government's policy is to divert attention and spread lies.

In a tweet in Hindi, Rahul Gandhi said, "Vaccines reducing while the number of deaths due to Covid is increasing. Central government's policy is to divert attention, spread lies and make noise by hiding facts." He also attached screenshots of news reports indicating a sharp decline in the Covid vaccines and steep rise in the number of deaths due to Covid.

On Wednesday, with 4,529 deaths India recorded highest fatalities ia day due to Covid with 2.67 lakh frsh cases of Covid.

The opposition parties have slammed the government for exporting the Covid vaccines to ther countries.

Latest updates on Coronavirus (COVID-19)

-- The story has been published from a wire feed without any modifications to the text
New Delhi, May 19 : She remembers a man who just would not leave her friend and her alone at the Singhu protest site. They would be followed everywhere. Eventually, her breaking point came. She punched him hard in the stomach.

"Imagine the first word that came out of his mouth --- 'sister'. I told him to get lost and go back to his hometown," says activist and research scholar Kanupriya, the first and only woman President (2018) in the history of Panjab University's Students' Union in Chandigarh who has spent months at the farmers' protest site at Singhu and has been instrumental in mobilising urban women from across Punjab and Chandigarh in joining the protests against the new farm laws.

Even as the alleged gang rape of a 26-year-old woman from Bengal at Tikri a few days has been making news, several young women are coming forward with charges of sexual misconduct at the protest sites.

Recently, another survivor opened up to Kanupriya. She told her that a man had been constantly following her throughout the protests even as she was with her mother and friend. The person then started taking pictures of her, post which she snatched his phone and confronted him. "Despite scores of people around, no one came forward to support her. That was really shocking for us. You have to respond and take action. When we challenge such men in the society, why not in progressive circles as well?" Simran Atwal is a Chemical Engineering graduate, now pursuing a degree in Law. Not affiliated to any organisation, she has been going to the Singhu protest site in her individual capacity and has stayed there thrice. Recalling her experience at the site during one of her visits, she says, "A young man from Punjab, formerly a member of Students For Society (SFS), very active in progressive circles, who has been called out by many women activists on the social media, was a permanent fixture at the Singhu protest site. Every time I would bump into him, he would propose to me, and just not leave me alone. He touched my face a few times, despite me telling me that I was very uncomfortable with that. Once when I had gone with my sister, he touched her too. I never interacted with him after that." In fact the same young man, a permanent fixture at most protests in Punjab and Chandigarh, also active during CAA-NRC protests at Shaheen Bagh has been called out by multiple women for harassing them at different times and places.

Stressing that she personally knows about more than 10 women who have faced harassment at the farmers' protest sites, Atwal feels that it is high time that Samyukt Kisan Morcha (SKM) realises that if a sizable number of women are coming out in their support, they too have a responsibility towards them. "It cannot be one-way traffic, no? You can't have us supporting you, but neglect our issues completely. That is not how it should be," she adds.

Kanupriya says that initially they did not want to come out individually for fear of being "labelled". "We were also anxious about the morcha as the girls were afraid that it could be at at stake." Post coming out publicly, they approached 'Women Against State Repression and Sexual Harassment' (WSS). "Our purpose was to pressurize the leaders of the SKM. We wanted a support system. It is very important that there be an Internal Complaints Committee (ICC) with helpline numbers and members ready to listen," says Kanupriya.

Recalling a tweet by a woman activist, which read -- 'Not going to support any movement unless it is safe for women', the former student leader got in touch with her. " When I spoke with her, I realised that she was referring to the farmers' movement. The women are standing strong with the agitation. But they will not put up with harassment and misogyny." Contrary to popular perception, women activists have not really had it easy at the agitation. "I remember in the beginning, the day before I went over there, young women who had accompanied the morcha on November 26, stood up to some men who had been hurling abuses at one another. There were several who had been throwing up all over the place after getting drunk and dancing to lewd songs. But we women are always challenged and nobody ever questions those miscreants." Another activist from Abhor adds, " I have been pushing strongly for an IIC from day one. Earlier, I was working as an individual, so, my voice did not matter much. We recently formed a group for the survivors of harassment, in order to put collective pressure. Then there is another group 'WSS', which I recently joined through some girls. That group is working with a lot of organisations. So, they have a heavy presence and have a strong voice. They have been doing really good work in putting pressure on the SKM." Speaking to IANS, Sukhwinder Kaur, State Committee Member of Bharatiya Kisan Union (Krantikari) says that steps are being taken to address the issue. "The key is to address the problems that emerge. I know the state will make a great deal of this in order to discredit the movement but it is important to ascertain that everyone's problems are looked into. I am in Bathinda right now. The moment I am back at Singhu, we plan to formulate a five-member committee so that complaints regarding sexual harassment can be lodged immediately." President of the women's wing of the powerful Bhartiya Kisan Union (Ugrahan), Harinder Bindu, who heads more than 40,000 women associated with the union, clarifying, that the accused in the alleged gang rape were not even camping near their protest site, says, "They were in Tikri, but in the other part. In fact, the moment we came to know about the incident, it was us who raised the issue. Our leader personally met the father of the deceased girl and assured that we stood by him." Ask her if they plan to address the issues of harassment on protest sites, and she says, "Yes, we are going to make an office manned by women near our protest site at Tikri. By the way, we have always ensured patrolling in cars and on foot near the tents where our women cadre put up. There is a constant dialogue with them to ensure that they feel safe."
San Francisco, May 19 : Apple is likely to redesign the Apple Watch Series 7 with a flat-edged design similar to its other recent hardware updates, plus release a new colour.

A 9To5Google report, citing Jon Prosser, said that Apple Watch Series 7 will feature a redesign that is similar to other Apple hardware updates.

This seemingly means that the Apple Watch Series 7 will feature a flat-edged design similar to the iPhone 12, iPad Pro and iPad Air.

The report describes the Apple Watch version of this design as being "more subtle" than what we've seen on other products.

The Genius Bar podcast also indicated that the Apple Watch Series 7 will come in a new green colour option for the first time, similar to the green that Apple uses on the AirPods Max.

Earlier, Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo reported that the Apple Watch Series 7 would feature some sort of redesign.

A recent report said that Apple is reportedly working on a new design for the Apple Watch, including a rounded watch face, wrap-around flexible display and digitally customisable watch bands.

A patent titled "Display Module and System Applications" was filed with the US Patent and Trademark Office.

The document outlines how a flexible display could span the entire watch face and the band of a smartwatch for a transformational new Apple Watch design.

The smartwatch would feature a foldable screen that folds around the screen, extending the display to the watch bands.

-- The story has been published from a wire feed without any modifications to the text
May 19 : South superstar Jr. NTR, who is currently in isolation after testing Covid-19 positive, took to social media profile and urged his fans not to celebrate his birthday amid the second wave.

On coming 20th May, superstar will clock his 38th Birthday. As tradition with his fans, they gather outside his house and interact with him, but this year, actor urged his fans to practice restraint.

Jr. NTR issued a press statement, it read, My dear fans, a big thank you to each and every one of you. I have seen your messages, your videos and your good wishes. Your prayers have kept me going and I am indebted to you all for this love. I am doing very good and I hope to test negative soon"

"Every year, the affection shown by you on the occasion of my birthday is something I truly cherish. But in these challenging times, the biggest gift you can give me is to stay home and follow lockdown rules"

"Our country is at war with Covid-19. Our medical community and frontline workers are waging a selfless and tireless war. Many people have lost their loved ones and livelihoods. This is not a time for celebration. This is a time for showing our solidarity with those in need"

"Please take care of your family and loved ones. Support each other and extend a helping hand to those in need. When all this over and the war on Covid-19 is won, we shall celebrate together. Wear a mask. Stay at home. Jai Hind"

Meanwhile on the work front, Jr NTR will next be seen in SS Rajamouli's RRR, which is slated to release in theatres on October 13. It is a fictional tale of Telugu freedom fighters, Alluri Seetharama Raju and Komaram Bheem, played by Ram Charan and Jr NTR, respectively.

Latest updates on Coronavirus (COVID-19)
New Delhi, May 19 : A tweet by Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, in which he asserted that a new variant of Covid -19 in Singapore is said to be extremely dangerous for children, may lead to another faceoff between the BJP at the Centre and the Delhi government.

Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia on Wednesday alleged that the BJP-led seemed more concerned about its image in Singapore and not about the children in the country.

Sisodia who is also the nodal minister of Delhi's Covid -19 management, said, "The issue is not Singapore, the issue is to protect our children. Today again the central government is unable to foresee the danger and is showing negligence about the safety of our children. The centre only cares about its image making abroad." Sisodia's remarks came after the Central government on Wednesday lashed out at Kejriwal, terming his allegations as "irresponsible".

The Centre's reprimand against the AAP head and Delhi Chief Minister followed after Singapore foreign minister Vivian Balakrishnan objected to Kejriwal's tweet. Balakrishnan, while quoting Kejriwal's tweet said, "Politicians should stick to facts! There is no Singapore variant." Following Singapore's strong response to the Delhi CM's claims, India's External Affairs Minister Dr S. Jaishankar clarified that "the Delhi CM does not speak for India." Kejriwal on Tuesday had tweeted, "New variant of Coronavirus in Singapore is reported to be extremely dangerous for children. In India, it may come as a third wave. Suspend air services with Singapore immediately and vaccinate children on priority." Addressing a press conference on Wednesday, Sisodia accused the Centre of not taking scientists' and doctors' warning seriously and worrying about its image on the international stage. "Before the second wave of Covid, Indian scientists and doctors had repeatedly warned of UK variant, but the BJP-led Centre remained silent instead of doing something to save the lives of people in the country."

Latest updates on Coronavirus (COVID-19)

-- The story has been published from a wire feed without any modifications to the text
Lucknow, May 19 : With the Covid condition in the state improving by the day, the recovery rate in the state has gone up to 91.40 per cent.

Uttar Pradesh has recorded a decline by 60 per cent in the number of active Covid cases since its peak on April 30, as the active cases have dropped from 3,10,783 to 1,23,589.

According to the government spokesman, this has been achieved with swift measures, micro-planning, alertness and an aggressive approach to contain the virus.

Continuing its positive recovery trend, Uttar Pradesh, on Tuesday, also saw a whopping 19,669 Covid-19 patients discharged as against fresh cases dropping to 7,336, making it the lowest daily infection count for the state since mid-April.

Consequently, the daily case positivity rate too has dipped to 2.45 percent from a high of over 16.84 percent in April.

Case positivity rate is the percentage of samples that test positive out of the total numbers of samples evaluated.

"Uttar Pradesh has been able to effectively manage the pandemic with a steady decline in number of fresh cases and covid deaths as compared to other states like Delhi, Maharashtra and Rajasthan," the spokesman said.

Uttar Pradesh has been showing a much better recovery in terms of low daily positivity rate as compared to several other places with lesser population as Goa (18.05 per cent), Maharashtra (17.25 per cent), Dadra & Nagar Haveli-Daman & Diu (13.26 per cent), Chandigarh (12.04 per cent), and Kerala (12.04 per cent).

Scaling up the stringent testing mechanism as per chief minister Yogi Adityanath's target of 'test, trace and treat', the state is managing to break the covid chain with effective protocols in place, and by sticking to the time-tested strategy of case isolation and contact-tracing, combined with an alert community surveillance system.

The state has also emerged as a leader in terms of conducting maximum Covid tests.

A total of 4,55,31,018 Covid tests have been done so far. As many as 2,99,327 samples were tested in the last 24 hours, making a national record.

On the contrary, Delhi has only conducted nearly 1,84,07,486 Covid tests so far.

To stop the transmission of Covid-19 in rural pockets of UP, surveillance committees set up by the Yogi Adityanath government have been playing a vital role.

More than 4 lakh members of these 60,569 surveillance committees are conducting door-to-door tests, enabling early detection, isolation and treatment and curbing the virus from spreading further.

Out of 2.99 lakh Covid tests conducted in the last 24 hours, over 2,19,000 tests were conducted in the rural areas.

Latest updates on Coronavirus (COVID-19)

-- The story has been published from a wire feed without any modifications to the text
Mumbai, May 19 : Actor Anshuman Jha, who plays a gay man in the OTT-released film "Hum Bhi Akele Tum Bhi Akele", claims he was warned by a certain Bollywood bigwig that he should stay away from such a role and subject, especially in the non-comic genre.

"I was told by a big producer that it's suicide to play a gay man in a non-comic film in India. As a production I was told I am hammering my foot to back this concept when I have the option of picking any other genre," he says.

"We need to break these set templates and stereotypes and back stories we believe in. I said this story to simply normalise, humanise the LGBTQ+ community in mainstream Bollywood. I feel a sense of redemption for having chosen love and friendship as the core tenets of the narrative. I am grateful to (writer-director) Harish (Vyas) sir and the audiences for trusting me," he says.

Anshuman welcomes any kind of reaction to the film, since it starts a conversation. "I'm grateful to the audience who have liked the film or disliked the film and started conversations on acceptance. This love for our film is my mother's blessing," says the actor, who has also produced the film.

The film also stars Zareen Khan. It showcases the journey of a gay man and a lesbian woman from Delhi to Mcleodganj, and how they understand the true essence of a soulmate in the process.

The film is currently streaming on Disney+ Hotsar.

-- The story has been published from a wire feed without any modifications to the text
Lucknow, May 19 : The Yogi Adityanath government in Uttar Pradesh has become one of the first states in the country to successfully operationalize 'Elderline', a helpline to assist and comfort the senior citizens amid the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic across the state.

The Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment, Government of India had come up with an initiative to reach out to the senior citizens in times of crisis to help them in terms of health concerns, emotional support and legal aid.

The toll-free helpline facility had been made operational in Uttar Pradesh to extend complete support to the elderly citizens across all 75 districts of Uttar Pradesh.

The helpline -- 14567, is being cited as a critical step to reach the elderly in need during the prevailing pandemic in the state, as it receives as many as 80 to 90 calls on a daily basis from various districts of Uttar Pradesh ranging from Noida to Ballia.

Chief minister Yogi Adityanath has been particularly concerned about the safety, security, and all-round welfare of the needy, vulnerable and deprived sections of society.

In its efforts to realize the above objective even during such challenging times, the 'Elderline' project is providing complete support to senior citizens through the call centres which remain functional from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.

All queries pertaining to information on old age homes, physiotherapy units, health related, mental health related and legal issues are being addressed promptly, thereby ensuring quick redressal of grievances as directed by the state government.

The facility has already been made operational in five major states of Uttar Pradesh (UP), Madhya Pradesh (MP), Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu (TN) and Karnataka and efforts are being made to make them functional in all states by the end of May 2021.

The 'Elderline' is a facility operationalized with the assistance of Tata Trusts and NSE foundation.
Patna, May 19 : A day after Rajiv Pratap Rudy, the BJP MP from Saran held a media conference in Delhi, the Jan Adhikar Party (JAP) claimed that it (the presser) was his confession pertaining to ambulance theft. The Bihar government should register an FIR and arrest him.

Raju Danveer, the president of the JAP state youth wing said: "Rajiv Pratap Rudy admits that the ambulances were kept in the office in the absence of the drivers after JAP president Rajesh Ranjan alias Pappu Yadav raided Rudy's Amnaur office in Saran district. Now, after 11 days, Rudy came out with another explanation that the ambulances did not have fitness certificates. Both the statements are contradictory. He is misleading the authorities and the people of Bihar," Danveer said.

During the raid, Pappu Yadav pointed out that the ambulances were purchased through the MP Fund and only the district magistrate, civil surgeon and an official appointed by the district magistrate are authorized to keep the ambulances. Under what capacity has Rudy kept the ambulances in his own premises, he asked.

"Our leader Pappu Yadav raised the same question. The corona patients are struggling for ambulances. Many persons were seen taking the patients on carts, bicycles etc. The ambulance mafias are charging Rs 10,000 to Rs 15,000 for a distance of 2 to 3 km. On the other hand Rajiv Pratap Rudy kept the ambulances in his office premises under covers," Danveer said.

"Rudy also claimed that the Bihar government is not doing its job properly, hence he is doing it in the interest of the general public. Bihar has had a double engine government for the last 16 years," he said.

"He admits that the ambulances did not have fitness certificates. Such an admission by him is a confession of his crime. Earlier he claimed that the ambulances were stationed there due to the absence of drivers. The Bihar government should book him under Sec 302 and the Epidemic Disease Act and arrest him," he said.
Gurugram, May 19 : The city has reported first suspected death due to black fungus infection (Mucormycosis).

A 28-year-old man allegedly died due to suspected black fungus infection on May 16 at a private hospital in Gurugram. The youth was identified as Vikas Sharma (28). He was admitted to Max Hospital on May 15 after recovering from COVID-19.

However, the hospital management has mentioned the cause of death as cardiac arrest and he was also diagnosed with black fungus, according to the death summary.

The patient's family members have alleged that the hospital had demanded Rs 7.21 lakh as treatment charges just for 24 hours and later the bill was settled at Rs 3.50 lakh.

The deceased's family members said that Vikas had developed Covid symptoms on April 25 and he was admitted to a Rewari based private hospital and after three days of treatment he was discharged and was in home isolation and later he was cured of Covid-19.

The family said eventually on May 14, Vikas' health started deteriorating again and he lost his voice and vision and even black spots were visible on his face.

Thereafter, the family rushed him to a private hospital where several tests were conducted and all reports were normal but later on May 15 Vikas developed breathing problems and he was again taken to a private hospital where he was referred to the Artimis hospital and due to non availability of beds he was shifted to Max hospital.

"There at the hospital the management had demanded Rs 15 lakh as treatment charges but finally the hospital agreed to diagnose the patient for Rs 10.40 lakh and handed over the estimate to us. We had even submitted Rs 2.50 lakh as advance and Rs 1 lakh was paid via credit card," Vinod a family member said.

The family alleged that they suspected that Vikas had died on Saturday (May 15) night but neither doctors nor hospital staff informed them. On Sunday (May 16) morning the doctors declared him dead.

"Just for 24 hours of treatment the hospital handed over a bill of Rs 7.21 lakh and claimed that they had performed nose and throat surgery of the patient. Later when we protested for several hours against such huge amount the hospital authorities refused to hand over the body," he alleged.

The aggrieved family said they will soon file a complaint before the district administration.

"We have no information related with the matter. Also, if someone died in a hospital due to black fungus symptoms that particular hospital will have to inform the state government. The local health department has no such role on this issue," Virender Yadav, chief medical officer (CMO) Gurugram told IANS.

However, despite phone call and message, none from the hospital management was available for the comment.

In another case, a Covid patient who was also diagnosed with blank fungus and underwent treatment at the Fortis hospital, also died on Monday.

Fortis hospital in its statement said, "Patient was brought to Fortis Memorial hospital emergency on 16 May with complaints of difficulty in closing eyes, nasal bleeding and headache. On admission, she was found to be Covid positive through antigen test and was diagnosed with extensive mucormycosis extending to nose and orbit. Patient was a known case of hypertension and uncontrolled diabetes. She suffered a sudden cardiac arrest in the afternoon on May 17 and despite all efforts, patient could not be revived".

Latest updates on Coronavirus (COVID-19)
New Delhi, May 19 : Social media giant Facebook on Wednesday expanded its Covid-19 Announcement -- a tool for the health departments of states and union territories to share essential Coronavirus related updates -- in India.

The tool was first launched in the US. In India, the social media platform partnered with 33 states and union territories to roll this out in their respective jurisdictions. It will give health departments the ability to push out timely, credible Covid-19 and vaccine information to people in their local communities or state jurisdictions. States will also be able to issue these alerts statewide or to specific cities within their state.

"This is part of our ongoing efforts to support the public health authorities' work to keep people safe and informed during the coronavirus public health crisis," the company said in a statement.

"When posts by state health department pages on Facebook are marked as Covid-19 Announcements, we amplify their reach so that people located in the community are more likely to see them.

"We will send notifications to people located in the affected area, and will also show that information on the Covid-19 Information Center. This will help distribute important and urgent updates related to Covid-19 or Covid-19 vaccination efforts to people in the community," Facebook said.

The tool can be used to communicate information on existing Covid resources, such as helplines; updates on hospital bed availability in districts, such as Intensive Care Unit (ICU) beds and oxygen supported beds; changes to existing Coronavirus disease-related rules and regulation that can impact communities and day-to-day actions, such as lockdowns, night curfews and changes to treatment protocols.

It will also make people aware about vaccine eligibility and registration, the logistics of acquiring a vaccine and provide accurate information on Covid appropriate behaviour and preventive behavioural health measures to stop the spread of the infectious disease.

Latest updates on Coronavirus (COVID-19)
New Delhi, May 19 : Ride-hailing major Ola on Wednesday announced the appointment of Rakesh Bhardwaj as Group Chief Information Officer (CIO).

In this role, Rakesh will provide strategic direction to the group's IT initiatives covering information systems, tools, security, IT infrastructure and assets across Ola's global operations and businesses.

"I am pleased to welcome Rakesh to our leadership team," Bhavish Aggarwal, Chairman and Group CEO, Ola, said in a statement.

"Rakesh's expertise in building solid technology systems and processes across a diverse set of large organisations will be instrumental in building the technology backbone that will power this growth across our businesses," Aggarwal added.

Rakesh brings nearly three decades of experience in building and managing cutting-edge global IT teams and systems for some of the largest enterprises in the world.

Before Ola, he held several leadership roles including being the Global CIO for Cognizant, CIO for GE Healthcare and earlier CIO for GE Aviation and Transportation.

Rakesh's appointment comes close on the heels of several other recent leadership hires at Ola, including N Balachandar as Ola Electric CHRO and Wayne Burgess as Ola Electric's Head of Design last week, as the group looks to rapidly build its global leadership team to drive the next phase of growth across all its business verticals globally.

The company is also gearing up to launch the first in its range of electric scooters in the coming months. Packed with advanced innovations, the much-anticipated Ola Scooter is a tech-driven electric vehicle with industry-leading range and speed.

The electric two-wheeler will be priced aggressively to make it accessible to all and will help accelerate India's transition to sustainable, clean and electric mobility, the company said.

-- The story has been published from a wire feed without any modifications to the text
Bengaluru, May 19 : Amidst speculations about extending lockdown due to rising Covid cases in rural parts of the state, Karnataka government on Wednesday announced a relief package of Rs 1,111.82 crore for those in distress due to the Covid induced lockdown.

Karnataka also announced plans to hire 2,150 doctors in the next three days to ramp-up its Covid treatment facilities across the state.

The Covid relief package, announced by Karnataka Chief Minister B.S. Yediyurappa aims to bring relief to unorganised labour class and farmers, flower-growers, washermen, rag pickers, porters, low-wage labourers, tailors, barbers, housemaids, auto rickshaw and taxi drivers, weavers, construction workers and folk artists.

Announcing the relief package here, Yediyurappa told media persons that the state government realises the need of a relief package as people from all sections of society are facing financial difficulties due to Covid. "There is no respite from this dreaded virus, therefore, we are announcing this relief package second time since last May, 2020," the CM said.

He noted that farmers including flower growers are facing severe problems due to Covid induced lockdowns, shutdowns and other forms of severe restrictions enforced by the governments from time to time to contain the virus.

Karnataka announced compensation of Rs 10,000 per hectare to the maximum extent of one hectare for the flower, fruits and vegetable growers who have suffered loss, which will benefit 89,000 such growers in the state.

The state will provide one-time relief of Rs 3,000 to auto rickshaw drivers, taxi drivers, folk artists and construction labourers, while Rs 2,000 will be given to unorganised labourers like washermen, rag pickers, porters, low-wage labourers, tailors, barbers, housemaids, auto rickshaw and taxi drivers, weavers, construction workers and roadside vegetable vendors.

Apart from monetary benefits, Karnataka has also announced free ration up to five kgs of food grains and 10 kgs of food grains at subsidised rate of Rs 15 per kg which will be covering over 4.34 crore beneficiaries in the state at a sum of Rs 204 crore.

The state government had decided to distribute free food packets to over six lakh beneficiaries in Bengaluru through its network of 174 Indira Canteens and 15 kitchens until the lockdown enforced in the city is lifted.

Besides this, the government also decided to defer the payment of EMIs of short and medium term loans offered to farmers through co-operative sector banking that would benefit over 4.25 lakh farmers across the state.

In a response to a question, the CM maintained that the government was also releasing Rs 50,000 each to all 6,000 gram panchayats under the provisions of the State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF) as part of a contingency relief package to contain the spread of the virus.

"We have set aside over Rs 30 crore for this purpose," he said.

Latest updates on Coronavirus (COVID-19)
Hyderabad, May 19 : Telangana Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao on Wednesday visited government-run Gandhi Hospital here and interacted with Covid-19 patients undergoing treatment there.

During his first visit to any Covid facility since the pandemic broke out last year, he tried to instill confidence among the patients. He also interacted with doctors and other medical staff to enquire about the treatment given for Covid.

KCR, who recently recovered from Covid, spent an hour at Gandhi Hospital, the nodal centre for Covid treatment in Telangana. He went around the wards where the patients were admitted and enquired about the treatment given to them. He gave them confidence that he is there for them.

The chief minister went around the ICU, Emergency, Out Patient Wards and general wards where the Covid patient's area treated. He went to the beds and spoke to the patients. He enquired about their personal details as well as their wellbeing. The CM also went to the general wards and interacted with the patients there. He gave them words of solace and courage. He asked them whether they were getting the proper treatment.

KCR, who had come under criticism from opposition for not stepping out of his official residence during the pandemic, also enquired from patients about the quality of food that is supplied to them. The CM quickly responded to some of the problems raised by the patients and gave instructions to the medical officers there.

In the backdrop of the state government's decision to set up oxygen plants in all the government Hospitals, the CM examined the oxygen plant set up at the Gandhi Hospital. Recently this plant was set up on the instructions of the CM to supply 2,000 litres of oxygen per minute.

He enquired with Gandhi Hospital Superintendent Dr Raja Rao about how the plant works and the purity of the oxygen it generates.

KCR also interacted with the senior doctors, contract nurses and junior doctors. He congratulated them and complimented them for offering services to the Corona patients putting their own lives at risk. The CM said the government would solve any problem they are facing and as young doctors they should stand by the people in these troubled and turbulent times. The CM instructed the Medical and Health Officials to send proposals to solve the problems of the junior doctors and nurses and for their immediate redressal.

"In these difficult times you are doing a great job by standing with the people. Continue these services. In case you have any problem or difficulty, please contact me directly. I will extend all the cooperation to you," the CM gave them assurance.

Finance minister T Harish Rao, Chief Secretary Somesh Kumar, Principal Secretary (Medical and Health) Sri S.A.M. Rizvi, CM Secretary and Special Officer (Covid) Rajasekhar Reddy, CM OSD Gangadhar, Gandhi Hospital Superintendent Dr Raja Rao, DME Ramesh Reddy, Police Commissioner Anjani Kumar and others were present.

Latest updates on Coronavirus (COVID-19)
Mumbai, May 19 : In a gruesome tragedy, at least 22 persons on board the drifting Barge Papaa-305 met a watery end in the stormy Arabian Sea in the aftermath of the Cyclone Tauktae, officials said here on Wednesday.

Their bodies have been brought to Mumbai by Indian Navy ships which had gone on rescue missions since the past 48 hours.

The Western Naval Command confirmed the deaths of the 22 persons even as efforts are underway to trace another 50-odd missing in the still choppy seas near the Bombay High Fields, around 175 kms off Mumbai.

INS Kochi has brought the bodies to the Mumbai harbour, along with many of the others rescued.

As Cyclone Tauktae ravaged the Maharashtra coastal areas and whirled towards Gujarat, the ill-fated barge in the offshore development area of Bombay High Field had sunk lateA on Monday night.

A total of 261 persons were on board Pappa-305, an accommodation barge.

The Indian Navy has so far saved 188 persons from that Barge, besides many more from other stranded or drifting vessels in one of the biggest search and rescue operations mounted under extreme weather conditions.

Rescue operations are still continuing in the Arabian Sea as the weather conditions improved since this morning.

-- The story has been published from a wire feed without any modifications to the text
Chennai, May 19 : Tata Projects Ltd has bagged the order for construction of nine km twin-bored tunnels and associated works from Chennai Metro Rail Ltd.

It, however, did not disclose the value of the contract in its announcement.

"We are happy to have secured the 'Letter of Acceptance' for this prestigious order which will benefit the citizens of Chennai. Our company is executing underground metro projects in Mumbai and Pune while having successfully completed Lucknow's underground metro line," Raman Kapil, Vice President & BU Head - Metros & Tunnels, said.
Gopalganj : , May 19 (IANS) There may be a slight decline in Covid-19 cases reported in Bihar but as many as 139 prisoners have tested positive for the infection at Gopalganj jail.

Gopalganj jail Superintendent Amit Kumar said 86 prisoners were confirmed to have tested positive for Covid-19 on Monday while on Tuesday, another 53 inmates were reported to be infected. He said all Covid-positive prisoners have been shifted to isolation wards in the jail premises and their treatment is underway.

At present, 932 prisoners are lodged in Gopalganj jail.

The jail superintendent informed that if there is a need to send a prisoner to the hospital he will be sent to the Covid centre located in the district education training centre in Thawe block.

He said vaccination has also been started to protect the prisoners from the infection.

The first vaccine dose has been given to 480 prisoners which include 452 male and 28 females.

Latest updates on Coronavirus (COVID-19)
Chennai, May 19 : The Tamil Nadu government on Wednesday started selling Remdesivir, the anti viral drug useful in treating Covid-19 patiemts, directly to private hospitals. Chief Minister M.K. Stalin distributed the first batch containing 960 vials to 25 hospitals at a sale counter which was set up at Nehru Stadium in Chennai.

The development came after private hospitals asked the relatives of the patients to get the drug directly. The drug was priced in the black market at Rs 40,000 per vial and this led to a rethinking among the policy makers in the government, after which the government decided to directly supply the medicine to the private hospitals.

Now private hospitals are not allowed to ask the relatives of patients to buy the drug from the market.

A total of 343 private hospitals have registered on the portal (tnmsc.tn.gov.in) which was launched by the state health department to sell the drug, out of which 51 of these hospitals have registered for Remdesivir drug by submitting required documents (patients' medical records and ID proofs).

Tamil Nadu health department in a statement said that after verification, a representative of these hospitals can collect the drug from the Tamil Nadu Medical Services Corporation (TNMSC) counters set up at Chennai, Madurai, Coimbatore, Salem, Trichy and Tirunelveli.
New Delhi, May 19 : The Delhi Police said on Wednesday that they have arrested four bootleggers, including one carrying a fake media ID card of NDTV, with several bottles of liquor and beer.

Atul Kumar Thakur, Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP), South Delhi, said that on the intervening night of Tuesday-Wednesday, the police got a tip-off that few bootleggers were selling liquor at very high rates. Due to the ongoing lockdown, all liquor shops are closed in the national capital.

According to the police, the accused persons used to supply liquor in their own vehicles, and would come near the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) from the South Extension side.

Thakur said that a trap was laid and four persons along with one Toyota Fortuner and three Scooties were apprehended. Following a search of the vehicles, 42 bottles of beer, four bottles of Royal Stag whiskey, four bottles of Magic Moment Vodka, six quarters of Royal Stag whiskey, 2 quarters of Double Blue whiskey and three quarters of McDowell's whiskey were recovered.

The arrested persons have been identified as Amit Malik aka Gagan Malik (36), Ram Ashish (25), Pawan Kaushik (41) and Mohit Basoya (21).

The DCP said that Basoya is an employee with Delhi Civil Defence who used to escort the three other accused and help them escape if stopped by the police while supplying liquor.

Thakur said that Kaushik carried a press ID card of NDTV as a cameraperson.

The DCP also said that when the police apprehended them, Basoya obstructed the officers from discharging their duties and tried to escape from the spot.

All the four accused persons also scuffled with the police and threatened them, the DCP said.

Thakur also said that Malik was previously involved in four cases of assault, eve-teasing etc.
Thiruvananthapuram, May 19 : Former senior Congress leader P.C. Chacko was on Wednesday appointed as the NCP's new Kerala President by party supremo Sharad Pawar.

A press statement issued by party General Secretary and former Union Minister Praful Patel, said Chacko, 74, has been asked to assume office immediately. He replaces veteran T.P. Peethamabaran, who has been heading the NCP's Kerala unit for some time now.

Incidentally, unlike the national level where it is allied with the Congress, the NCP in Kerala is part of the CPI-M led Left Democratic Front.

Chacko in March announced his decision to quit the Congress, stating that it is difficult to be a party leader in Kerala as it is in the grips of faction leaders.

In his heyday in state politics, Chacko was close to A.K. Antony and Oommen Chandy.

When these leaders split from the Congress soon after the Emergency period, he went with them and won his only state Assembly elections in the 1980 polls when the Antony-Chandy combine was an ally of the then CPI-M led political front and became Industries Minister in the E.K. Nayanar cabinet.

However, when Antony and Chandy returned to the Congress under Indira Gandhi in the early 1980s, Chacko stayed in the company of Pawar for some more time before returning.

From 1991 to 1999, he won three Lok Sabha polls as a Congress nominee, but went into political hibernation after his loss in 1999. He returned once again to contest the 2009 Lok Sabha polls which he won from Thrissur.

In the 2014 polls, Chacko using his influence with the party high command, swapped his Thrissur seat with Chalakudy MP Dhanapalan, who accepted the decision with much reluctance. In the end, the Congress ended up losing both seats.

Chacko, due to his long stints in Delhi, had practically little following in Kerala and since his 2014 loss, he lost his grip in Delhi and even though he was put in a few committees in the party in Kerala, he found the going tough and called it a day to return to his old leader Pawar, who has instantly rewarded him with the top state post.

Incidentally Chacko has a job in his hand, as the two party legislators are at war over the cabinet post, which has gone to A.K. Saseendran, who was the Transport Minister in the outgoing cabinet.

The latest issue that has surfaced is Saseendran has been given the Forest portfolio and the party is understood to have expressed their displeasure over this and has sought one more department which has a public interface. Chacko's first task will be to tackle this.

And it also remains to be seen, if Chacko will engage in any sort of conciliation talks with Mani C. Kappen, who was an NCP legislator from Pala, but quit the party when that seat was offered to Jose K. Mani of the Kerala Congress-Mani, which had crossed over to the LDF from the Congress-led United Democratic Front.

Kappen, however, won a resounding victory and is now part of the UDF.
Shimla, May 19 : Shoolini University in Himachal Pradesh on Wednesday announced an initiative with a target of funding relief of Rs 1 crore for Covid patients in coordination with the state Health Department.

The relief includes provisions for about 100 beds, along with necessary medical equipment like oxygen cylinders and concentrators, ventilators and other ICU facilities.

The university has set a target of funding relief of about Rs 1 crore and has already generated about Rs 75 lakh for the purpose.

Part of a consignment of medicines and oxygen concentrators has already been received.

The first of the Yogananda Covid Care Centres is in the process of being established at Sultanpur village in Solan district with provision of 18 beds and steps are being taken to set up another centre in Kandaghat tehsil shortly, the university said in a statement.

Meanwhile, Greenko Group, one of the largest clean energy companies, provided the first consignment of 30 large medical oxygen concentrators with 10 litres per minute capacity to Chief Secretary Anil Khachi to fight the pandemic.

The second consignment of 20 oxygen concentrators is in transit and would be delivered in a week's time, said the government.

New Delhi-based Six Sigma Healthcare has opened a field hospital for mild corona care in Nahan town in Solan district.

Latest updates on Coronavirus (COVID-19)
Chennai, May 19 : Leader of Opposition in the Tamil Nadu assembly and former Chief Minister E. Palaniswami has called upon the government to provide special assistance to people from the unorganized sector. In a letter addressed to Chief Minister MK Stalin, he said that the workers should be given special assistance of Rs 2000 and rations.

He said that people from the unorganized sector like daily wage earners, auto-rickshaw drivers, hairdressers, pavement vendors, handloom and powerloom weavers, workers in the fireworks and match industries, and people in construction and other such activities were given financial assistance of Rs 1000 each. He added that ration was also provided to workers during the first wave of the pandemic when he was the Chief Minister.

Palaniswami said that no such initiatives have been taken up by the government now even though the workers are severely affected in the second wave of the pandemic.

Unlike in the past when the DMK and the AIADMK used to settle scores with each other after ascending to power, Stalin has taken an inclusive path and has even included former health minister MR Vijayabhaskar in the 13-member all party legislature committee to monitor Covid-19. This is considered a major initiative by the Chief Minister that could change Tamil Nadu politics.
New Delhi, May 19 : An oxygen cylinder racket carried by Bihar-based "Chhote Choudhary" gang has been busted with arrest of four of its members from the state's Nalanda, the Delhi Police's Crime Branch said on Wednesday.

Deputy Commissioner of Police, Crime Branch, Monika Bhardwaj said its Inter-State Cell busted the Nalanda-based interstate gang involved in cheating innocent people on the pretext of supplying oxygen cylinders, and concentrators during the pandemic.

The arrested accused, identified as Deepak, Pankaj, Sarvan, and Mithlesh of the notorious Chhote Choudhary gang, were involved in cheating nearly 100 people.

Bhardwaj said that the Crime Branch acted after receiving a complaint from Sharadh Chandran, who said that he was in dire need of oxygen for his relative admitted in DDU Hospital here, found a source online but was duped.

"In order to procure two oxygen cylinders for his relative, Chandran contacted Sachin, whose number he got from social media posts. Sachin offered him two cylinders for Rs 23,950. Finding no other option, the complainant paid the money through Paytm and bank transfer," the complaint read. However, he did not receive anything.

The DCP said that the Crime Branch filed a case and launched an investigation. The money trail was examined and it was found that the money was transferred to a bank account of UCO Bank's Malad Branch in Mumbai in the name of Ruksana Khatoon.

"After through technical detail analysis of the registered mobile number and other details, the culprits were zeroed in the area of Nalanda in Bihar. And later, we tracked Mithilesh, 56, a resident of Bihar Sharif in Nalanda." The Crime Branch team then carried out a raid and Mithlesh was apprehended, and based on information from him, the others were arrested.

The DCP said that large number of SIM cards, ATM cards, mobile phones, laptops, passbooks, cheque books, Aadhar cards, voter I-cards and other documents were recovered from their possession.

Explaining the gang's modus operandi, Bhardwaj said: "On interrogation of accused, it was found that they are members of Chhote Choudhary gang operating from Nalanda. Choudhary, also a resident of Nalanda, is operating the gang since 2-3 years and has accumulated huge property from cheating." Choudhary has engaged 200-300 boys of the area for this purpose of cheating on different pretexts like phone friendship, etc, the DCP said, adding that during the Covid pandemic, he found an opportunity in the rising demand for oxygen cylinders, concentrators. etc.

Choudhary used his accomplice Deepak to arrange bank accounts for receiving the cheated money, and Sarwan used to provide him accounts opened on the basis of forged credentials at the rate of Rs 25,000 each. Mithlesh then used to withdraw money from ATM booths using the cards supplied to him by Deepak at the rate of two per cent for each transaction.

Ater the cash was withdrawn from the ATMs, it was handed over to Deepak through Pankaj, who was deployed for collection of money, and paid Rs 4,500 per week.

Bhardwaj also said that on analysis of Paytm number used for receiving money in the case, it was found that five other persons have also deposited money in it.

"On enquiry, it was revealed that on April 30, one complainant deposited Rs 7,500 for oxygen cylinder in the Paytm account but accused did not supply it and her husband expired for want of oxygen on May 1 while another victim was duped of Rs 3,000 for regulator of oxygen cylinder for his brother's use in home isolation (and now admitted in hospital)." Bhardwaj said that the recovered SIM Cards, bank account details and documents are being scrutinised to connect them with other cases and further investigations is going on to trace and arrest Choudhary and his other associates involved in the racket.
Guwahati, May 19 : In all 233 inmates of 16 of the total 31 jails in Assam are currently under treatment after they tested Covid-19 positive, a top prison official said.

According to Inspector General of Prisons, Barnali Sharma, in the first wave of the Covid pandemic around 3,000 prisoners were infected by the contagious virus and all of them had recovered from the dreaded disease.

"Compared to the first wave of the pandemic, the situation in the jails in the second wave is completely under control," the IG (Prisons) claimed.

She said that of the 233 Covid positive prisoners, 54, the highest number, are in Dibrugarh Central Jail.

Among the 54 Covid patients, a top leader of the banned United Liberation Front of Asom-Independent (ULFA-I) Jiban Moran, a close aide of the outfit's Commander-in-Chief Paresh Baruah, also tested positive for the virus a few days back.

"The Dibrugarh Central Jail currently has 530 inmates. Over the past two days, 54 have been found to be infected by Covid-19. The inmates who have tested positive have been kept in isolation in the jail complex," Sharma told IANS over phone.

She said that due to many steps taken including the release of many prisoners during the second wave of the disease, lesser number of inmates were infected by the coronavirus.

The steps included conducting Rapid Antigen Tests in all the 31 jails in the state, setting up of isolation facilities and strengthening the medical treatment facilities in the prisons.

"Following the directives of the Supreme Court, Gauhati High Court, Union Home Ministry and state government we have released many prisoners on parole, PR Bond (personal recognizance bond) and interim bail," said Sharma.

The official said that the state level committee headed by a Gauhati High Court judge would meet on Thursday to discuss the prevailing situation in the 31 jails, including six 6 central jails, across Assam.

In pursuance to the Supreme Court's order, different state governments of the northeastern region have taken several steps including interim release of thousands of undertrials, to prevent the spread of coronavirus in jails.

Assam has reported 5,835 new Covid cases and 73 deaths over the past 24 hours.

Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said the impact of the second wave has been "extremely severe" in Assam and the state's medical infrastructure including production of oxygen is being further strengthened.

The number of active cases in Assam rose to over 46,393 late on Tuesday night against 25,027 active cases on May 1.

Assam has so far reported 3,40,858 Covid cases, while 2,344 persons have succumbed to the disease.

Of the 34 districts in Assam, the situation in five districts is very serious -- Kamrup Metro, where the active case tally stood at 921 on Tuesday night, followed by Nagaon (451), Dibrugarh (445), Kamrup Rural (410) and Cachar (355).

Assam's Guwahati, also the northeastern region's main commercial hub, falls in the Kamrup Metro district.

(Sujit Chakraborty can be contacted at sujit.c@ians.in)

Latest updates on Coronavirus (COVID-19)
Stockholm, May 19 : A new initiative aimed at building more climate literate business leaders is being piloted in early June by the Climate Reality Project and the social climate media organisation We Don't Have Time.

The initiative, which is initially aimed at board members in Europe and the US, could be a regional blueprint for a global effort if the training proves successful.

The decision to launch the scheme, which begins with a pilot course in Swedish and then in English for a total of up to 100 board members, follows recent, in-depth research by New York University's Stern Center for Sustainable Business.

"It found only 0.2 per cent of board members on Fortune 100 companies had 'climate expertise' despite climate change becoming a defining force in the future success or failure of business world-wide," said Ingmar Rentzhog, the CEO and founder of We Don't Have Time.

"I witnessed this firsthand during a recent fund-raising drive with some financiers reasonably familiar with the challenges and opportunities of climate action, but still many, many others requiring a great deal more information and deeper understanding about one of the most defining issues of our generation," he added.

Christina Carlmark, Volunteer Regional Coordinator, Climate Reality Europe (Team Nordics), said: "The training will be based on a customised Al Gore presentation, delivered by myself and Ingmar Rentzhog. Having presented this material to numerous management teams, I know it will be engaging, motivating and inspiring." Former US Vice-President Al Gore is the Climate Reality Project Founder, currently hosting climate training online to increase the transition to a low-carbon sustainable world.

"Business has a crucial role to play helping governments deliver the Paris Climate Change Agreement and we want to provide board members with the knowledge, the urgency and direction needed to step up ambition and develop the businesses and solutions the world needs in the 21st Century," said Ingmar Rentzhog.

Part of the training will include how to communicate what a company is doing to address climate change in its day-to-day operations to ensure its claims and aims matches the need for honest, climate and environmental information among a growing, younger generation of climate savvy consumers.

The two courses, which also involve partner Global Utmaning, will kick off on June 1 with a course in Swedish and conclude on the June 3 with the training in English. More courses are likely to be planned in the autumn to meet the anticipated demand by companies and corporate leaders, make sure to join the social network for climate: WeDontHaveTime.org to get an invite!
Mumbai, May 19 : Actress Mugdha Godse recently underwent a crucial time, what with her parents (Savita and Hari Godse) testing Covid positive. Her mother had to be admitted to a hospital in Pune in critical condition. However, now when both of them have recovered, the actress looks back at the time and calls it a mentally draining period.

"It's been very torrid for our entire family mentally but thankfully there are better days now. Everyone has recovered and the worst is behind us," Mugdha shares with IANS.

She adds: "It was a difficult time especially with my mom being very serious and in hospital. While there was such a shortage of oxygen cylinders and ICU beds we were lucky to get them. Mom was admitted in Ruby Hall Clinic Pune and I can't thank the doctors, nurses and the attendants enough for doing so much." The actress reminds all that the fight against Covid-19 is far from over. "I request everyone to take the pandemic seriously and follow all protocols. Stay indoors as much as possible and save our surroundings. I pray that we get through these days soon," she says.

Latest updates on Coronavirus (COVID-19)
New Delhi, May 19 : The Delhi government has decided to set up a special task force to protect children from a possible third wave of Covid-19. A meeting chaired by Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal in this regard was held at the Delhi Secretariat on Wednesday.

According to an estimate, during the third wave, about 40,000 hospital beds and 10,000 ICU beds may be needed. The meeting deliberated on the maximum number of cases likely in the third wave.

The task force will include senior IAS officers, apart from experts from different fields.

This task force will look at other aspects as well including the impact of Covid on children, how to mitigate that effect and how to protect children from this, and take appropriate decisions accordingly.

The management of oxygen and medicines also came up for discussion in great detail in the meeting. It was decided that oxygen and medicines would have to be arranged in advance. This will be done on a priority basis.

It was emphasized that under no circumstances should there be black marketing of oxygen or any other drugs required for the treatment of Covid-19. A committee comprising senior officers will be set up to monitor this.

Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal said that if the number of hospital beds is increased, then oxygen should also be arranged in the same capacity. "We have to be ready for this. If the demand for oxygen increases suddenly, it has to be met," he said.

The meeting decided that the Delhi government will purchase oxygen tankers and cylinders in advance to avoid the problem of transporting them to different hospitals.

The CM also directed that the oxygen plants being set up in various hospitals should be completed on time and an oxygen storage system should be ensured so that if the need arises the situation can be brought under control quickly.

According to the medical experts, a third wave of Covid is expected, which can also have an effect on children.

Latest updates on Coronavirus (COVID-19)

-- The story has been published from a wire feed without any modifications to the text
New Delhi, May 19 : Ramping up efforts to provide the necessary support for employees during the ongoing second wave of Covid-19, OYO on Wednesday announced a slew of welfare benefits for the families of its employees, deceased due to Covid-19, as a part of its bereavement support.

"In the unfortunate event of the death of an employee due to Covid-19, the company will support the family of the deceased with 8 months' pay in full and a term insurance payout which equals three years of their annual pay," said a company statement.

OYO will also sponsor the education of the employee's children (up to two) and extend medical coverage of up to Rs 3 lakh for the spouse and children for a period of 5 years.

Besides statutory benefits, the employee's legal heirs or nominee will be granted an opportunity to liquidate and settle the vested options or exercised shares upon the occurrence of the next liquidity event.

The company is further extending support to OYO alumni and providing them with access to a slew of Covid-related resources.

Founder & Group CEO,Ritesh Agarwal, in a tweet, said: "COVID-19's second wave has been devastating for many. During this time, the wellbeing of OYOpreneurs & their families is our utmost priority. Unfortunately, some of our colleagues have lost their battle with COVID-19 & we hope that our bereavement support will help their kin" He also said that over 200 OYO volunteers across more than 50 cities continue to help its current employees and the company is further extending Covid support, ranging from oxygen concentrators to medical supplies round the clock, to OYO alumni and their families.

"We won't stop here. In addition to our existing Covid employee policies, we want to do more, not just for OYOpreneurs but also for our extended OYO family. Now more than ever we need to support those who built OYO into what it is today," said another tweet.

OYO recently facilitated and concluded a Covid-19 vaccination drive in partnership with Max Healthcare for Delhi NCR. Over 500 members were vaccinated, including OYOprenuers and their families. The company is in the process of setting up more camps for its employees across the country. These initiatives come after the company introduced a 4-day work week for the month of May and flexible offs until July.

Latest updates on Coronavirus (COVID-19)
Gandhinagar, May 19 : Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday announced an immediate relief package of Rs 1,000 crore to Gujarat after cyclonic storm Tauktae badly hit the state on Tuesday. The PM was in his home state to take stock of the situation in the three badly affected districts of Bhavnagar, Amreli, Gir-Somnath and the union territory of Diu after the devastation that was caused by the severe cyclonic storm.

Following the enormous devastation caused by Tauktae on Tuesday, Prime Minister Modi arrived in his home state on Wednesday and both he and Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani took the aerial route to visit the affected districts of Bhavnagar, Amreli, Gir-Somnath and the union territory of Diu.

After the two-hour survey in an Indian Air Force chopper, the Prime Minister had a review meeting with the Gujarat CM and other senior officials of the state administration at the Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport building in Ahmedabad.

A presentation was made to the PM regarding the primary assessment on the devastation caused by Tauktae. Details regarding the damage assessment, restoration and relief work were also discussed.

After the meeting, the PM announced a financial assistance of Rs. 1,000 crore for immediate relief activities in Gujarat. The union government will deploy an inter-ministerial team to visit the state to assess the extent of the damage.

The PM told the Gujarat CM that the Centre had assured all help for restoration and rebuilding of the infrastructure in the affected areas of the state.

The PM also announced an ex-gratia aid of Rs. 2 lakh for the next of kin of those who died due to Tauktae and Rs 50,000 for the injured. This aid would be given to all those affected by Tauktae across India.

The PM also took a stock of Covid-19 situation in Gujarat during the meeting at Ahmedabad airport.

The cyclonic storm Tauktae on Tuesday passed through the Gir-Somnath, Amreli, Bhavnagar districts, with wind speed blowing at around 150 km/ hour. The maximum damage was inflicted in these three districts, thereafter the intensity decreased gradually as it passed near Ahmedabad on Tuesday.

The storm has caused a great damage in the state, and according to an estimate a total of around Rs three thousand crore losses has been inflicted on Gujarat.

The maximum damage of Rs. 1,400 crore has been to the power network and around Rs 1,200 crores to the agriculture sector. Crops like mango, banana and coconut hav been ruined. Fallen trees have disrupted power lines and blocked internal as well as major roads, affecting relief operations.

-- The story has been published from a wire feed without any modifications to the text
Sao Paulo, May 19 : People who have had dengue in the past are twice as likely to develop symptoms of Covid-19 if they are infected by coronavirus, finds a new study.

The study, led by University of Sao Paulo in Brazil, detected the presence of antibodies against dengue virus and SARS-CoV-2 in blood samples from 1,285 inhabitants of Mancio Lima, a small town in the state of Acre, part of Brazil's Amazon region.

"Our results show that the populations most exposed to dengue, possibly owing to socio-demographic factors, are precisely those that most risk falling very sick if they're infected by SARS-CoV-2. This is an example of what has been called a syndemic (synergic interaction between two epidemic diseases so that one exacerbates the effects of the other)," principal investigator Marcelo Urbano Ferreira, Professor at the varsity's Biomedical Sciences Institute (ICB-USP) told the Sao Paulo Research Foundation.

"On one hand, Covid-19 has hindered efforts to control dengue. On the other hand, the latter appears to increase the risk for those who contract the former," Ferreira added.

There may be a biological basis for the phenomenon, in the sense that antibodies against dengue virus somehow exacerbate Covid-19, or it may simply be due to socio-demographic factors that make certain population groups more vulnerable to both diseases for various reasons, the researcher reported in the journal Clinical Infectious Diseases.

"The results evidence the importance of reinforcing both the social distancing measures introduced to contain the spread of SARS-CoV-2 and efforts to control the dengue vector, as the two epidemics are occurring at the same time and affecting the same vulnerable population. This should be getting more attention from the federal government," Ferreira said.

The blood samples analysed for the study had been collected in November 2019 and November 2020. They were submitted to tests capable of detecting antibodies against all four dengue serotypes and against SARS-CoV-2.

The results showed that 37 per cent of the people had contracted dengue before November 2019 and 35 per cent had been infected by coronavirus before November 2020. Clinical data (symptoms and outcomes) of the volunteers diagnosed with Covid-19 were also analysed.

Latest updates on Coronavirus (COVID-19)
Hyderabad, May 19 : A Muslim driver was allegedly tortured by traffic police personnel at a police station in Shamshabad near the Hyderabad Airport on the outskirts of the city.

Mohammed Subhan, a DCM driver, alleged on Wednesday that he was physically tortured at the police station in Shamshabad where was kept under custody for three days.

Showing the injury marks all over his body, Subhan said a traffic police officer used abusive language and also asked him to go to Pakistan.

Subhan, who was let off by the police at the intervention of Hyderabad MP Asaduddin Owaisi, said a traffic policeman had clicked a picture of his vehicle when he was driving through the vegetable market in Shamshabad. He got down from his vehicle and requested the policeman to delete the picture and not slap a fine on him in view of the lockdown.

The driver alleged that the policeman then abused and slapped him. "Meanwhile, another traffic policeman came there, and they dragged me to the police station," he said.

Subhan said he was kept in the traffic police section on the first floor of the police station where he was tortured.

"They beat up me with sticks and plastic pipes. There are injuries on my arms, legs and soles. An officer even kicked me and told me to go to Pakistan," said Subhan.

The driver also claimed that some police personnel dressed his wounds as they feared that the word may spread about his physical torture. He said the police released him after three days following the intervention by Owaisi.

"Subhan was detained by traffic cops near Hyd airport & beaten. He was taken to police station where cops tortured him for 3 days. They used anti-Muslim insults & told him to go to Pak. Y'day I got to know about him & immediately spoke to CI who got him released," Owaisi tweeted.

Owaisi, the president of Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (MIM), demanded that all policemen who participated in these criminal activities should be suspended immediately and punished severely. He said there can be no excuse for torture.

The MP hoped that the Cyberabad police commissioner, who is known for meting out 'instant justice', will take swift and strict action in this case too.

He also urged the Telangana DGP to take urgent steps to prevent such police atrocities.
Patna, May 19 : Amid the slight decline in Covid-19 cases in Bihar, a political war of words has erupted between the ruling Janata Dal (United) and the opposition Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) as the former questioned RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav's decision to convert his government bungalow into a Covid care centre.

Tejashwi Yadav, Leader of Opposition in the Bihar Assembly and former Deputy Chief Minister, has appealed to the Bihar government to utilise the Covid centre set up by him as per the prescribed rules. The RJD leader arranged beds and oxygen from his private funds in this Covid care centre.

The Janata Dal (United) has taken a sarcastic dig at Tejashwi and asked him why he does not hire doctors at his government bungalow for Covid service? Tejashwi wrote on his official Twitter account on Wednesday, "At my government residence at 1, Polo Road, which is equipped with all necessary medicines, medical equipment and free-of-cost food service, I have decided to set up an RJD Covid care centre and request the Bihar government and hand it over to them for using it for Covid service as per prescribed rules. This Covid centre can be expanded if required." In another tweet Tejashwi wrote, "Hope the Bihar government will welcome this positive initiative and run this Covid care centre as per rules in human interest." Tejaswi also uploaded a photo of this Covid centre on his official Twitter account.

JD(U) Legislative Councillor and former minister, Neeraj Kumar, termed Tejashwi Yadav as the 'hero of Lapataganj', calling it a political drama.

He said, "This is a new political drama by Tejashwi Yadav, the 'hero of Lapataganj'. A government bungalow is not your father's illegally acquired property. RJD's move to open a Covid care centre is comparable to cheating the common man. Your intentions are not good. Your Muslim MLA trusted the Nawada administration and gave oxygen cylinders to a government hospital and you are arranging bed facility in your government bungalow." The JD(U) leader in a sarcastic tone said, "We want to know if there are doctors in your government bungalow. Will you arrange their services here? Will you make this public, too. How long will you take inside your Covid centre to boost the morale of infected patients? You should announce it as well." On Tuesday, Tejashwi wrote to Chief Minister Nitish Kumar seeking permission for all MLAs of the state to visit a hospital, Primary Health Centre (PHC), Covid care centre etc. to meet the patients infected with Covid-19 and their families and provide relief to them. The letter also sought permission to open a Covid care centre and run a community kitchen.

Latest updates on Coronavirus (COVID-19)
New Delhi, May 19 : A plea has been moved in the Supreme Court seeking direction for an investigation into the 'Toolkit'. The plea also sought suspension of registration of Congress party, if charges against the party for indulging in anti-national acts and playing with lives of people were found true.

On Tuesday, the BJP alleged a 'Toolkit' has been prepared by the Congress party to tarnish the image of Prime Minister Narendra Modi over handling of the Covid-19 pandemic. However, the Congress party had accused BJP leaders of releasing a forged and fabricated letter and termed it as an attempt to divert attention of the people and to hide the failures of the government in the handling the health crisis.

The plea moved by advocate Shashank Shekhar Jha urged the top court to issue direction to the Centre to prepare guidelines against hoarding of essential items during the Covid-19 pandemic. The petition named the Indian National Congress, the Union government and the Election Commission as respondents.

"Issue a writ, order, or direction in the nature of mandamus or any other direction the respondent no. 2 (Union government) to register a preliminary inquiry pertaining to the alleged Toolkit for the purpose of enquiring whether the Toolkit or any actions pursuant to it, disclose any offence under Section 124-A , 153A and 120B of the Indian Penal Code and Section of the UAPA, 1967, and for the said purpose to secure the custody of the said Toolkit", said one of the prayers of the plea before the top court.

The plea also urged the apex court to direct the Union government to issue necessary guidelines to each and every political party, group, and individual to stop all kinds of hoarding. The plea sought direction against the portraying anti-national stance, which includes the usage of photos of funeral or dead bodies, naming of mutants after India and the PM and calling out a single religion as responsible for spread of Covid-19.

Latest updates on Coronavirus (COVID-19)
New Delhi, May 19 : The Delhi High Court on Wednesday observed that it is "very difficult for politicians and bureaucrats to accept their failure" as it expressed concern over the condition of subordinate judiciary's judicial officers who, due to their nature of duties, are at risk amid the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic.

The court insisted that prima facie judicial officers should be considered equivalent to frontline workers and asked the government to consider this aspect.

A bench of Justices Vipin Sanghi and Jasmeet Singh noted that three judicial officers have already died due to the viral infection. "The judicial officers' exposure is different and you should take steps for good reasons. You examine it and then decide," it told the government.

The bench also expressed dissatisfaction with Delhi government's submission that it had earlier passed an order by which the District Judges were supposed to coordinate with District Magistrates to address judicial officers' and their families' concerns. The government added that nodal officers were appointed in each district.

The Delhi Judicial Services Association has filed an application, raising certain issues including that facilities on ground are "an eyewash". The counsel added that it may submit a representation to the Delhi Chief Secretary, who could convene a virtual meeting with the members of the association.

The bench observed: "They (judicial officers) are here because it didn't bring about any satisfactory results. It is very difficult for bureaucracy and political leaders to accept their failure or inability..This is not in their veins." "You don't expect a judge to discharge his duty when his son, daughter, wife or any other family member is seriously ill," it told the government's counsel, insisting that the government should act on its own and should not wait for orders.

Senior advocate Rahul Mehra, representing the Delhi government, submitted the government would consider whether judicial officers can be declared as "frontline workers".

Senior advocate Dayan Krishnan, representing the association, submitted the district nodal officers' facility is not working in case of emergency and suggested a centralised nodal officer of the Delhi government. He added that so far 852 judicial officers and staff have been infected with the virus.

Posting the matter for further hearing on May 27, the court said: "Let the Delhi government address these issues and a status report be filed." The application by the association was filed in a pending petition by a group of lawyers seeking a coordination mechanism for judicial officers, in connection with their medical treatment, against the backdrop of the pandemic.
New Delhi, May 19 : The National Students Union of India (NSUI) on Wednesday launched a helpline to assist people to get themselves registered for Covid-19 vaccination.

The NSUI will also provide pick and drop facility for senior residents who are staying alone in the city.

NSUI national President Neeraj Kundan said that vaccination is key to win the battle against Covid.

"And as our leader Rahul Gandhi has been continuously saying that we should be ahead of the virus instead of chasing the virus, so we have launched a helpline number -- 7669886366 -- for assisting people in booking their vaccination slots." He said that NSUI activists will be providing them with the information on the documents required and the procedure for the protocols.

He said the NSUI will help them with the registration process. The volunteers will also assist old people living alone with a pick and drop service to their respective vaccination centres.

NSUI media in-charge Lokesh Chugh said that this helpline will prove a boon for the people, who are lacking facilities like smartphones and internet connectivity.

Chugh said that the people calling on the NSUI helpline number will be informed about the documents required for registration for vaccination, they will be guided on how to register, or how to book a vaccination slot.

He said that the members of NSUI WhatsApp will register and book the slots for the people through WhatsApp.

"People who lack internet or smartphone facility can call on this helpline number and NSUI volunteers will help them in completing the registration process personally," Chugh added.

Latest updates on Coronavirus (COVID-19)
Los Angeles, May 19 : Actress Angela Bassett feels "Black Panther: Wakanda Forever" will do justice in honouring the memory of late actor Chadwick Boseman. Bassett, however, adds it will be a challenge matching the first "Black Panther" film of 2018 that starred Boseman as the titular superhero.

"It's going to be interesting to surpass the cultural phenomenon that it was. It's going to be really interesting to see how we do that again," said Bassett, who plays Ramonda, Queen Mother of Wakanda and mother of Boseman's character T'Challa.

"It's going to be phenomenal and it's going to pay tribute, and it's going to carry on that legacy," she adds, according to a report in contactmusic.com.

Talking about her bond with Chadwick, the actress said they met much before they started shooting for the film.

"He could do anything he put his mind to. He could rap, he could dance like James Brown. He could hold the centre of a movie (as) the cinema's first black superhero. He could do it all and he can inspire us to live our best," she said.
Chennai, May 19 : Superstar-turned-politician Kamal Haasan's Makkal Needhi Maiam on Wednesday suffered yet another setback with its General Secretary Muruganandam resigning from the party, accusing the founder of taking the party forward "in an autocratic manner".

Addressing a press meet in Trichy, he said that the "undemocratic atmosphere" in the party has forced him resign from the party post as well as its primary membership.

Muruganandam said that when he joined the MNM, he was given a free hand and independence and this has helped him develop the party.

However, he noted that while party workers and leaders like him had considered the MNM as their own, the tone and tenure of Kamal Haasan in the party's central governing council meeting has made it clear to him that the party is "functioning in an autocratic style and democracy was long buried there".

"Party members and leaders were shocked when most of the seats were given to alliance partners without consulting anyone. The statement of Kamal Haasan that there were not enough candidates to contest the elections was unfortunate and was an insult to the dedicated party workers who worked day and night," he said.

He also said that the MNM had entered into political alliance with the "weakest" political parties of Tamil Nadu and this has led to the party "being torn into pieces" in the April 6 Assembly election.

Muruganandam also alleged that the party which had preached ideology of brotherhood and equality was reduced to the level of singing praises to a single individual.

He also charged Kamal Haasan with working in an autocratic manner and for taking advice only from election strategy company, Sankhya Solutions which the MNM had hired.

He claimed that Sankhya Solutions, hired for poll management, also began interfering in the internal affairs of the party, leading to the poll debacle.

Several leaders have quit the MNM including former IAS officer and General Secretary (HQ) Santhosh Babu, Vice President R. Mahendran, and party secretary Padma Priya.
Lucknow, May 19 : In what could be probably one of the biggest foodgrain distribution initiatives, the Yogi Adityanath-led government in Uttar Pradesh will start providing free foodgrains to about 15 crore beneficiaries in the state from Thursday onwards.

Under this initiative, the state government will distribute 5 kg free ration to 3.59 crore ration card-holders for the next two months.

This relief to the poorer section is being provided under the Pradhan Mantri Gareeb Kalyan Ann Yojana (PMGKAY).

The ration will be distributed under the supervision of the nodal officers at around 80,000 ration shops with adherence to all the Covid safety protocols.

Manish Chauhan, Commissioner, Food and Civil Supplies Department, said, "The state has around 3.59 crore households having ration cards of 'Antodaya' and eligible household category, covering 14.7 crore beneficiaries. For this, it is estimated that more than 7.5 lakh metric tonnes of foodgrains are required by the department. We have enough ration for all the beneficiaries under the scheme." To ensure transparency, the distribution will be done through e-POS (electronic point of sales) machines which are also being used by the Department of Food and Civil Supply at the wheat procurement centres in the state. The beneficiaries will be asked to sanitise their hands first before using the machine.

The exercise will be closely monitored and carried out while observing the Covid protocols. Online tokens have been arranged by the government for the convenience of the beneficiaries to prevent Covid spread. To maintain social distancing at each ration shop, only five beneficiaries will be allowed at a time.

The Centre had earlier made the commitment that the poor section of the society will now be provided with 5 kg free foodgrains from May to June end.

This relief under the Pradhan Mantri Gareeb Kalyan Ann Yojana (PMGKAY) will cover around 80 crore beneficiaries costing more than Rs 26,000 crore.

Earlier in April 2020, when the state was under the first complete lockdown, the Yogi Adityanath government had provided free ration for eight months at a stretch, from April to November.

Around 5 kg of foodgrains per unit were distributed to daily wage workers and people below the poverty line in the state.

Latest updates on Coronavirus (COVID-19)
New Delhi, May 19: At 25, Sravya Attaluri is already a star with thousands following her on Instagram.

For Attaluri, a "third culture" child as the Independent described her to be -- born in Hyderabad, India, but brought up in Korea and then Hong Kong -- life has been full of ups and downs. For most part of her life, she has been continuously trying to adapt herself to new places and cultures.

"Sometimes I feel like I can associate with all the cultures that I'm exposed to, but at the same time I feel like I don't belong in any," the Independent quoted Attaluri as saying.

A child brought up in the age of globalisation, Attaluri learnt bits and pieces of the language of the places she lived in, but couldn't speak any of them. But it was when battling her patchy identity, that Attaluri discovered art as a channel for catharsis.

That's when she took to art as an effective mode of communication and even deal with her loneliness. That is not all. She took up arts to deal with mental health problems and address various kinds of stigma. In one of the pieces, she says "We all choose to cope with pain in different ways. I choose art." In another piece of work, she said "being happy is hard work." "Art was a way that I could communicate to everybody and is universal. So, it became my language," she said. Her daily "routine" itself reflects an eclectic mix of the east and the west.

For instance, she begins her day with art work, drawing "what comes to her mind" -a habit she calls "daily doodles". This is followed by online therapy sessions, yoga, and meditation classes. "Now, I need my morning meditation more than I need my coffee," she observes. Currently she pursues her unique lifestyle in Hong Kong, but hopes to head for London, once the Covid-19 scare recedes.

Attaluri, who graduated from the Roski School of Fine Art, University of Southern California in 2017, has now set up a platform -- Draw for Mental Health - to empower artists to deal with the issue of psychological well being while breaking taboos and stigmas through art. Later in 2019, she even attended London College of Communication for a short-term certification course.

Today Attaluri's main focus is to empower girls and women. She is also determined to stand up for women of colour and ensure that they are "better represented." (This content is being carried under an arrangement with indianarrative.com) --indianarrative/
Bengaluru, May 19 : Karnataka industries minister, Jagadish Shettar on Wednesday said that the union government had in-principle agreed to the state's proposal to utilise all oxygen produced within the state.

Shettar, who has been assigned additionally to handle oxygen supply to all hospitals in the state, held a series of meeting with officials concerned here and told reporters that Karnataka had sought to stop the supply of oxygen 145 MT to Telangana, 63MT to Andhra Pradesh and 40 MT supply to Maharashtra and union government has agreed in principle for this.

"The union government is all likely to issue a circular enabling the state government to utilise all of the oxygen produced within the state," he said.

Shettar said that the union ministers - Piyush Goel, Sadananda Gowda and Prahalad Joshi - have played a vital role at various stages to convince the union government to allow Karnataka to use the life saving gas produced within the state.

"But for the help of these union ministers, it would not have been possible," he said.

Answering a question, Shettar said that the state was facing shortage of around 67 MTs of oxygen supply even to this date but as of now the state still stands the danger of running out of oxygen supply in hospitals. "We need to bridge this gap of 67 MTs as soon as possible and therefore, the state government has sought the union government to exempt the state from allowing oxygen produced in its state to be sold to another state at the time of such a crisis," he explained.

According to him, after the Supreme Court order of 1,200 allocation to Karnataka, the union government has increased Karnataka's share to 1,015 MT from 965 MT.

"Out of 1015 MT, 765 MT is the allocation from within the state from our six main producers, 60 is from MSME PSA plants that have been authorised by the union government and 190 is to be brought from other states (160 from Orissa and 30 from Visakhapatnam)," he explained.

He added that in the last one week, the state's supplies on an average remained at 875 MT on a day-to-day basis, which translates into a shortage of around 67 MTs of Oxygen.

The minister said that Karnataka has started district-wise Oxygen allocation based on the active cases (actual requirement) besides monitoring the daily supply of LMO at oxygen refilling stations and their supply to the allotted hospitals.

"The aviation major Boeing is giving 1,000 LPM plant to the ESI hospital Kalaburagi which will become operational on May 22 and by next week 500 LPM plant will be set up in Virajpet, Kodagu district too while two 500LPM PM oxygen generator plants have become operational in Kolar Gold Field (KGF) and Yadgir," he explained.

Apart from these, Karnataka's efforts are also on to revive any defunct Oxygen gas plants and to leverage Karnataka Power Corporation Limited (KPCL) oxygen gas generation capacity at their Yelahanka, Raichur and Bidar plants. "Besides, there are talks going on to procure a compressor for bottling of oxygen in KPCL's Raichur plant as well," he added.

Replying to a question, the minister claimed that efforts were on in identification and conversion of Nitrogen PSA plants to Oxygen.

"One such effort in Raichur with 500 cubic meter per hour capacity is in the advance stages of revival and will start operation after five weeks," he said and also added oxygen gas plant within the Visvesvaraya Iron and Steel Plant (VISL), a unit of Steel Authority of India Limited in Bhadravati in Shivamogga district, presently has the capacity to fill 150-190 oxygen cylinder and the state government is in process of increasing the capacity of the plant by 200 cylinders soon.
New Delhi, May 19: Once blood brothers, Taliban and Pakistan appear to be drifting apart, especially as the US begins to move out, and the emergence of a strong power vacuum in Afghanistan becomes obvious.

The anxiety of a deepening rift between the two is the subtext of a recent article in the popular Pakistani Urdu newspaper, The Daily Jung.

The Jung report titled "Afghanistan sank and Pakistan was trapped" says that "proponents of Pakistan's stupid Afghan policy" are celebrating prematurely, assuming that a Pakistan-led Taliban government, which will be protect Pakistan's interests, will be in the saddle in Kabul soon. But this is far from the truth.

There are three key factors that explain why the Taliban and Pakistan are not on the same page.

First, the Taliban are miffed that Pakistan has abandoned support for an "Islamic Emirate" in the post-American phase. For Taliban, the formation of an Islamic Emirate is an identity issue. For Pakistan this is no longer possible to abide by the Taliban's wishes as the world community has no appetite with accepting continuity with the Taliban's ugly past, when it provided sanctuaries to international terror groups including the Al Qaeda in Afghanistan. Afghanistan was called an Islamic emirate when the Taliban ruled the country from the mid-nineties till their exit following the 9/11 terror attacks.

"Taliban are angry about why Pakistan has taken the position that it does not accept the Taliban Emirate as it has done in the past. The distance between the two is widening day by day due to the pressure exerted by Pakistan on the Taliban due to the US pressure," says the report.

Second, the Taliban are unhappy with the excessive pressure that the Pakistan military is bearing on the group. Taliban are "irked" with constant pressure by the Pakistani "faujis" and Taliban is trying to stay independent, Rahimullah Yusufzai, ex- editor of the News best known for his access to Al Qaeda and the Taliban told indianarrative.com. "Pakistan Fauji thinks that the Taliban government will not bring peace. Many Afghans and many groups will not accept the Taliban government now and there will be a continued fighting, which will displace many Afghans and they will come to Pakistan." The veteran journalist said that the Taliban have been happy to hold talks on Afghanistan in Qatar, instead of Pakistan because they trust the generosity of the Qataris.

The tension between Pakistan and the Taliban have begun to show. In fact, Pakistan reportedly told the Taliban recently that the group may lose its support if it doesn't show flexibility in the ongoing peace process. "Enough is enough" were the words reportedly used by the Pakistani army chief to convey its displeasure to the Taliban.

Third, fearing a blowback inside their own country, many Pakistanis have become wary of support for a radical Taliban in Afghanistan. Many Pakistani experts and journalists close to the establishment believe that Pakistani military top brass has misgivings that if Afghan Taliban captures power in Afghanistan, this will embolden the Pakistani Taliban inside the mainland. Consequently, the military can support a power-sharing arrangement between the Taliban and the rest, but it does not want an exclusive Taliban government in Afghanistan.

(This content is being carried under an arrangement with indianarrative.com) --indianarrative/
New Delhi, May 19 : As India battles a deadly second wave of Covid-19, many start-ups in the country have come forward to give their employees best possible support during these challenging times.

Home interiors and renovation platform Livspace on Wednesday announced a special Covid assistance programme for its employees.

The LivCare programme strives to bring an ecosystem of supportive resources for financial, emotional, physical, mental and medical needs.

The key initiatives undertaken in this Covid-19 special assistance programme include: financial assistance to bereaved families, advance salary to employees, a special Covid care leave of upto 10 working days to employees and their family members, vaccination cover, counselling for mental well-being, meditation and yoga: Resources will be extended to help employees focus on their physical well-being through stay at home, online meditation and yoga sessions.

Livspace has also mobilised major and minor resource needs including hospital beds, oxygen cylinders, ambulances, medicines and drugs, pet care, childcare services and more.

Innovaccer, the first Indian health-tech unicorn, has undertaken employee requests for oxygen, hospital beds, and food -- making it available wherever possible.

Other key initiatives include raising funds along with CareAsOne and the American India Foundation to help with oxygen supplies, food support, PPE kits, and other necessities for those who need them across the country; providing financial and emotional support; 24X7 doctors consultation; free vaccination, dedicated Covid support.

Indian video-sharing social media platform Roposo on Wednesday launched CloseAPP --a location-based Covid relief app. The hyperlocal social networking platform helps Covid help seekers connect with volunteers within their geo-location and get medical help real-time.

CloseAPP helps users seek help by posting their requirements on the app and also learn about the availability of plasma, oxygen, ICU beds, vaccines and ventilators around their location.
Hyderabad, May 19 : The Ushalakshmi Breast Cancer Foundation & KIMS-Ushalakshmi Centre for Breast Cancer has embarked on innovative pink ribbon mask campaign in Telangana.

The campaign is not only aimed at ensuring protection from Covid-19 in rural Telangana but also to create awareness about importance of early detection of breast cancer through the "pink' coloured cloth masks. Pink colour represents breast cancer awareness.

Under the campaign inaugurated by Finance Minister Harish Rao, 20,000 masks were distributed to residents in all the 10 villages in Narayanraopet mandal of Siddipet district The villages included Ibrahimpur, which has been adopted by Dr P. Raghu Ram, director Ushalakshmi Breast Cancer Foundation & KIMS-Ushalakshmi Centre.

"I applaud Dr Raghu Ram for his relentless and significant contribution to his adopted village, Ibrahimpur over the past six years. His noble goal through this campaign is to protect women from Covid-19 and create awareness about early detection of breast cancer," Rao said.

He noted that this is the first of its kind initiative being undertaken in the state and perhaps in the country. The Society for Elimination of Rural Poverty (SERP) Self Help Group (SHG) from Nandigama mandal in Ranga Reddy District have made these masks that were commissioned by Ushalakshmi Breast Cancer Foundation, which has also provided the much needed additional income to at least 100 SHG members from SERP through this initiative.

Dr Raghu Ram voiced concern that Covid infections and deaths were rising at an alarming rate in rural India, which has limited healthcare infrastructure and where more than 70 per cent of population resides. The eminent breast cancer surgeon hoped that this unique preventive campaign will provide much-needed protection from Covid-19 infection, and equally, actively encourage people from rural areas of Telangana to wear a mask, which is one of the fundamental pillars of protection against Covid-19.

"The Covid pandemic has taken a huge toll on cancer treatment in the Country. Breast cancer is the commonest cancer-affecting women in India. Due to Covid-19 crisis, there has been a steep fall in the number of women meeting their doctors for initial assessment. With more than 60 per cent already presenting in advanced stages with poor survival, this percentage will increase manifold with the current unfortunate scenario in the country," he said.

In order to make a wider impact and reach out to residents in some 90 villages in Siddipet constituency, Ushalakshmi Breast Cancer Foundation is seeking support from those who would be willing to contribute to this campaign. It costs Rs 20 to make a multilayer cloth mask. To contribute, one can call the Foundation representative @ +91-9100903781. The Foundation has 80G Certification and donations would benefit from tax exemption." "There is enormous fear amongst the people in villages about Covid-19. On behalf of residents of Ibrahimpur village, I am deeply grateful to Dr Raghu Ram for this yet another timely initiative in his adopted village," said Yella Reddy, Sarpanch of Ibrahimpur village.

Latest updates on Coronavirus (COVID-19)
The Tamil Nadu state government has relaxed the curbs on inter-district travel for marriages on Wednesday. After the state imposed a lockdown from May 10 to May 24, there were curbs for inter district travel from May 17 except for emergency medical cases or elderly care, death or post death rituals.

Chennai, May 19(IANS) The Tamil Nadu state government has relaxed the curbs on inter-district travel for marriages on Wednesday. After the state imposed a lockdown from May 10 to May 24, there were curbs for inter district travel from May 17 except for emergency medical cases or elderly care, death or post death rituals.

While the state government had earlier allowed inter district travel for marriages ,it brought travel curbs after the state reported 30,000 daily Covid cases.

Now, with the requests from general public flowing in, the government enabled provision for e-registration thus allowing people to travel for weddings.

However the government said that only one registration should be made for all the guests attending the meet. E-registration has been enabled for all vehicles from various parts of the state in a single registration and the portal is https://eregister.tnega.org The advisory issued on the website said, " The e-registration shall be made only by a person (applicant) who is directly connected to the marriage ( like the bride, groom, mother, father, mother-in -law, father -in- law etc). The applicant's name must be printed on the wedding card and a copy of the wedding card has to be necessarily uploaded." In case of e-registration given by false information or documents ,or more than one e-registration made for the same event, the applicant is liable for action( both civil and criminal) under the Epidemic diseases act 1897 and/or Disaster management act ,2005 , said the government.

During registration the applicant should provide details of all the vehicles such as registration number, driver name, mobile number, all passenger name, and one identity proof.( Aadhar, Ration card, Driving license, PAN card and Passport)
Raipur, May 19 : A day after the Congress approached the Delhi Police to file a case against BJP national President J.P. Nadda, Smriti Irani and several others over the alleged fake 'toolkit,' the National Students Union of India (NSUI) on Wednesday lodged an FIR against former Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Raman Singh and party spokesperson Sambit Patra here.

NSUI National President Neeraj Kundan in a tweet said, "An FIR has been lodged by NSUI Chhattisgarh against the false propaganda of Sambit Patra and Raman Singh." He said, "Even in this time of pandemic, the BJP is catering to its only aim: 'Save (Prime Minister Narendra) Modi's image by spreading lies, but the BJP is ok if the nation dies. They are only bothered about their 'fake image'." He also shared the copy of the FIR registered at the Civil Line police station at Raipur.

The FIR has been lodged under the sections of 404, 505 (1) (b), 505 (1)(C) , 469 and 188 of the Indian Penal Code.

In its complaint, the NSUI accused the BJP of trying to create communal disharmony and civil unrest in rhe country by sharing the fake 'toolkit' of the Congress.

On Tuesday, a war of words erupted between the Congress and the BJP after Patra shared an alleged toolkit of the Congress accusing it of trying to defame the image of the Prime Minister.

The Congress then hit back and approached the Delhi Police with a complaint to register an FIR against Nadda, Irani, B.L. Santosh and Patra and others for allegedly sharing the fake 'toolkit.'
Pune : , May 19 (IANS) Stunning photographs of the Moon, painstakingly shot by a 16-year schoolboy from Pune have gone viral on social media platforms and earning him accolades from all over, here on Wednesday.

The lad, Prathamesh Jaju is also an amateur astronomer and astro-photographer, studying in Vidya Bhavan High School in Class X.

Last fortnight, on May 3, he captured thousands of images of Moon from 1am-5 am, and then spent another 40 hours processing them for the outstanding results.

"The reason behind the 50,000 pictures was to get the clearest picture of the Moon. I stitched them together and sharpened the images to see crisp details of the Moon," he said in his social media posts.

In one of his social media sites he has uploaded the photo and explained: "Last Quarter Mineral Moon. This image is an HDR Composite of two different images made to give it a 3 dimensional effect. This is my most detailed and clearest shot of the third quarter Mineral Moon. I captured around 50,000+ images over 186 GigaBytes of data which almost killed my laptop with the processing." Actively connected with the Jyotirvidya Parisanstha - the oldest amateur astronomers' association in India - Prathamesh said he captured around 38 panels at 1500mm and 3000mm focal length with a 1.2 megapixel.

For this, he used Celestron 5 Cassegrain OTA with EQ3-2 GO-TO Mount, ZWO ASI120MCS, GSO 2X BARLOW to click the images, in which the lunar surface, its craters and other stark details are visible with great clarity.
Thiruvananthapuram, May 19 : Seeking to put an end to widespread criticism in the way Health Minister K.K. Shailaja was dropped from the new cabinet while he is continuing, Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan pn Wednesday stresssed that it was the party's decision.

Ever since the CPI-M decided not to retain Shailaja as minister, there has been a huge backlash in the social media against her exclusion.

"It is a valid question that is being asked on why I am continuing for a second term, while no other cabinet colleagues are there... it is because that was the decision of our party," Vijayan said, denying media reports that the national leadership was unhappy about the dropping of Shailaja.

"The party decided that let there be a new team of cabinet ministers from the CPI-M and it was adhered to. All the ministers from my party in the outgoing cabinet performed very well and hence to give exemption to any would not look good and hence, the decision was made," he added.

Asked if the absence of Shailaja would create any issues for the new government given the Covid situation, he said: "The work that is going on is a collective one and hence there will be no issue if one person is not there." The new 21-member Vijayan ministry will be sworn in by KGovernor Arif Mohammed Khan on 3.30 p.m. on Thursday at the Central Stadium where 500 people will be allowed.

The Congress-led Opposition has decided to boycott the function in the wake of the Covid spread and will watch the proceedings on television. But Vijayan said it was unfortunate because the Opposition has a role and wished they had not boycotted it.

However, the Kerala High Court, which heard a petition against the conduct of the swearing in this manner, asked the government to ensure that this is held with minimum participation and all the Covid protocols are followed.

Latest updates on Coronavirus (COVID-19)
New Delhi, May 19 : Covid-19 vaccination programmes across Africa and much of the developing world will suffer big delays after India, the worlds biggest vaccine producer, said that it would not be exporting the Oxford/AstraZeneca vaccine until the end of the year, The Guardian reported.

The decision is likely to leave the Covax global vaccine-sharing facility, which helps the poor countries, facing a shortfall of hundreds of millions of doses, the report said.

"We continue to scale up manufacturing and prioritise India ... We also hope to start delivering to Covax and other countries by the end of this year," Adar Poonawalla, the chief executive of Serum Institute of India (SII), said on Tuesday.

SII had paused deliveries of the AstraZeneca vaccine in March, diverting for domestic use doses that were to be distributed across the developing world. It had been widely hoped that supplies of the AstraZeneca shot, which is suitable for use in countries with weak infrastructure and many poorer countries, would begin again in June or October, the report said.

However, India is battling a wave of infections that has killed more than 283,000 people, according to official figures that many experts believe are substantial underestimates, the report said.

The World Health Organization (WHO), a co-leader of Covax, has called on vaccine makers outside India to advance supplies to the programme to make up the shortfall.

Covax aims to provide vaccines to the developing world in 2021, a target that was always optimistic and now looks impossible to achieve, as per The Guardian.

The delays will hit India's neighbours hard. Nepal and Bangladesh are making frantic diplomatic efforts to secure vaccines to prop up their faltering inoculation drives as their stocks run out.

Bangladesh said it urgently needed 1.6 million shots of the AstraZeneca vaccine to provide second doses.

Nepal, which started its vaccination drive in January with 2.35 million AstraZeneca doses provided by India and Covax, also said it had no stocks and more than 1.55 million people were awaiting second doses.

"People above 65 and others in risk groups who received their first shots of the Indian vaccine are waiting for their second," said Jhalak Gautam, the head of the vaccine section of the ministry of health and population in Nepal, as per the report.

"It's already overdue," he said, adding that SII was yet to deliver 1 million shots that Nepal bought, it said.

Covax has a deal with SII to deliver 1.1bn doses of either the AstraZeneca vaccine or the newer Novavax shot, which has still to obtain regulatory approval.

The delays raise the prospect of billions of people around the world waiting until 2022 or even 2023 for vaccination, which may allow new and potentially more harmful variants of the virus to emerge, the report said.

Nearly one in three recorded deaths from Covid worldwide are occurring in poor and lower-middle income countries, statistics from earlier this month revealed, up from 9.3 per cent of global deaths earlier this year.

US President Joe Biden said on Monday that the US would export at least 20 million doses of the Pfizer/BioNTech, Moderna and Johnson & Johnson shots, on top of 60 million AstraZeneca doses he had already planned to give to other countries.

The US President's announcement came as the WHO Director General, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, warned the world had reached a situation of "vaccine apartheid".

The WHO said last month that Africa had given fewer than 2 per cent of vaccines administered globally and was being left behind. There have been 4.7 million infections and 1.26 lakh deaths from Covid in Africa, according to official figures, though experts believe these do not reflect the true total, The Guardian reported.

Latest updates on Coronavirus (COVID-19)
Patna, May 19 : A 45-year-old corona infected woman, who was allegedly gang raped by 3 employees of a private hospital in Patna, died on Wednesday.

The deceased's daughter claimed that her mother was admitted on May 17 in a prominent private hospital.

"She had symptoms of corona and hence we had admitted her in that private hospital. Her health condition was good. She walked into the hospital on May 17," the daughter said.

On the same day, she was sexually assaulted by three persons inside the hospital premises. My mother had informed me about the incident. Since then her health deteriorated. I spoke to my relatives and the women's wing of the Jan Adhikar Party (JAP), the victim's daughter said.

"The hospital administration in the meanwhile shifted her on to a ventilator and took my signature on a form. The doctors said that her health had deteriorated and if she was not shifted on to a ventilator, it would be life threatening for her," she said.

"I suspect that the doctors in the hospital intubated her in the neck so that she would be unable to give her statement to the police. Now, they have declared her dead on Wednesday," she said.

ML Khan, duty magistrate of Patna, said: "We have received a complaint from the deceased's daughter against the hospital administration. The names of the accused are not mentioned in her complaint. We have sent the body for postmortem to ascertain sexual assault." "The hospital administration declared her dead due to corona infection. Further investigation is on," Khan said.
Washington, May 19 : After being delayed over a year due to the pandemic, NASA has launched a mission with scientific instruments aboard a self-propelled ocean glider and several airplanes to study the role of small-scale whirlpools and ocean currents in climate change.

The Sub-Mesoscale Ocean Dynamics Experiment (S-MODE) mission will deploy its suite of water- and air-borne instruments to show what's happening just below the ocean's surface.

The S-MODE team hopes to learn more about small-scale movements of ocean water such as eddies. These whirlpools span about 6.2 miles or 10 kilometres, slowly moving ocean water in a swirling pattern.

"This campaign in May is largely to compare different ways of measuring ocean surface currents so that we can have confidence in those measurements when we get to the pilot in October," said Tom Farrar, Associate Scientist at the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution in Massachusetts and principal investigator for S-MODE.

The full-fledged field campaign will begin in October 2021.

The team is using a self-propelled commercial Wave Glider decked out with scientific instruments that can study the ocean from its surface. The most important gadgets aboard are the acoustic Doppler current profilers, which use sonar to measure water speed and gather information about how fast the currents and eddies are moving, and in which direction.

The glider also carries instruments to measure wind speed, air temperature and humidity, water temperature and salinity, and light and infrared radiation from the Sun.

The new data will allow the scientists to estimate the exchange of heat and gases between Earth's atmosphere and the ocean, and consequently better understand global climate change.

While the Wave Glider continues its slow trek across the ocean's surface, several airplanes will fly overhead to collect data from a different vantage.

The October deployments will also use NASA's Langley Research Center Gulfstream III plane with JPLaAs Portable Remote Imaging SpectroMeter (PRISM) -- an instrument to measure phytoplankton and other biological material in the water -- a large ship and some autonomous sailing vessels, called Saildrones, in addition to planes and Wave Gliders.

--IANS rvt/ash

A

A
Mumbai, May 19 : Actor Gurmeet Choudhary is collaborating with 19 young doctors across India to launch a free tele-consultation service for Covid patients who are isolated with moderate symptoms at home. The actor shared an Instagram post on Wednesday to announce the news.

The initiative named Covi-Med will aim to ensure such patients don't need to leave their homes for medical aid. The doctors will be available on call from 10am to 8pm over two numbers on Whatsapp.

"Happy to announce my collab with medical doctors Dr. Rupraj Abhishek, Dr. S.H. Warsi, Suchitra Verma, Dr. Rajshree and team for FREE" tele-consultation service CoviMed for HOME ISOLATED PATIENTS with mild to moderate symptoms. Whatsapp numbers 8178867066, 8178835557. Timing: 10am to 8pm; @covi_med for more information," Gurmeet wrote in his Instagram post.

He also listed contact details of all 19 doctors in the post.

Gurmeet had recently declared his plan of building 1000-bed hospitals -- in Lucknow and Patna -- for Covid patients.

Latest updates on Coronavirus (COVID-19)
Mumbai, May 19 : In a gruesome tragedy, at least 26 persons on board the drifting Barge Papaa-305 met a watery end in the stormy Arabian Sea in the aftermath of the Cyclone Tauktae while another 49 are still missing, as the Centre ordered a probe into the incident, officials said here on Wednesday.

Their bodies have been brought to Mumbai by Indian Navy ships which had gone on dare-devil rescue missions since the past 48 hours.

The Union Ministry for Petroleum & Natural Gas late this evening ordered setting up a high-level committee to probe the sequence of events leading to the stranding of ONGC vessels in the Cyclone Tauktae, etc.

The Western Naval Command confirmed the deaths of the 26 persons even as efforts are underway to trace another 49 who are untraceable missing in the still choppy seas near the Bombay High Fields, around 175 kms off Mumbai.

INS Kochi has brought the bodies to the Mumbai harbour, along with many of the others rescued.

As Cyclone Tauktae ravaged the Maharashtra coastal areas and whirled towards Gujarat, the ill-fated barge in the offshore development area of Bombay High Field had sunk late on Monday night.

A total of 261 persons were on board Pappa-305, an accommodation barge.

The Afcons Infrastructure Ltd (AIL), which had contracted the sunken barge, expressed regrets over the fatalities in the high seas and said its immediate focus is to locate and rescue the remaining missing personnel on priority.

"The safety and wellbeing of our people are our topmost priority, and we're doing everything possible to address this unprecedented crisis. We know nothing can ever compensate for the loss of a loved one, but we will extend our fullest support including financial assistance to the bereaved families in this hour of their need," the AIL added.

The Indian Navy has so far saved around 190 persons from that Barge, besides many more from other stranded or drifting vessels in one of the biggest search and rescue operations mounted under extreme weather conditions.

Rescue operations are still continuing in the Arabian Sea as the weather conditions improved since this morning.
Chennai, May 19 : Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K Stalin on Wednesday said that the oxygen allocation to the state has been hiked to 519 MT from 419 MT per day, while the state government has given permission for production of 15 MT of oxygen through three plants.

Addressing a meeting of representatives of leading industrial establishments, he said that Covid-19 has exerted huge pressure on the medical infrastructure of the state but doctors and other frontline workers have been working efficiently to meet the challenge.

Stalin also said that 7,500 oxygen concentrators are received from many factories of the state as well from SIPCOT. He said that SIPCOT has procured 500 oxygen cylinders by air from Singapore and 1,650 cylinders are being transported from there by sea. The Confederation of Indian Industries (CII) and Samsung have provided necessary support to procure another 500 oxygen cylinders.

He also requested the industries to contribute to help the people recover from the pandemic and called upon them to support the government in procuring oxygen concentrators, oxygen generators, oxygen flowmeters, cryogenic tanks and oxygen cylinders as part of their Corporate Social Responsibility for Covid-19 related services.

The Chief minister also called upon the industries to generously contribute towards the Chief Minister's Public Relief Fund (CMPRF) and said that the contributions in this will be used only for Covid-19 related works. He also said that industries can directly pay for the procurements of the Tamil Nadu Medical Services Corporation and Chennai Corporation.

Latest updates on Coronavirus (COVID-19)
Patna, May 19 : An undertrial prisoner escaped from police custody in Bihar's Araria district on Wednesday by jumping into a tunnel drain.

The incident occurred in the town police station area in Araria district, and the local police are using an earth mover machine (JCB) in search of the accused.

The undertrial prisoner has been identified as Arshad Khan, son of Shahanshah Khan, a native of Kharaiya Basti village in Araria district. He was in custody on charges of bike theft.

Sources said that Khan knew the geography of the entire area well, which might have helped him escape from police custody.

According to an official of the town police station, the undertrial prisoners are taken to the district court for their hearings in a jail van. The accused probably seized the opportunity and jumped out of the jail van when it neared a speed-breaker. The police personnel present in the van chased Khan before he jumped into a drain.

The drain is very deep and stretches for almost 3 km from the Ma Kali temple to the Babaji Kutiya. The police believe that the prisoner may be still hiding in the drain, while local residents said that some people had fallen into it before and managed to come out unhurt.

"We have used an earth mover machine in search of the accused," said Pushkar Kumar, SDPO, Araria.
Hyderabad, May 19 : Telangana's Director General of Police M. Mahender Reddy on Wednesday directed police officials to enforce the state-wide lockdown more strictly.

His direction came a day after the state government decided to extend the lockdown till May 30.

The police chief held a videoconference with zonal Inspectors General of Police, Deputy Inspectors General of police, Police commissioners and Superintendents of Police on enforcement of the lockdown.

Additional DGP, Law and Order, Jitender and IG, Intelligence, Prabhakar Rao also participated.

The DGP told the officials that Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao is holding a daily review of lockdown enforcement in every district.

He said the current lockdown should be implemented strictly so that it need not have to be extended beyond May 30.

He noted that though lockdown relaxation is from 6 a.m. to 10 a.m., people are coming out to buy essentials only after 8 a.m. and this is leading to crowding in markets and at shops. He called for creating awareness among people to buy the essentials and attend other works from 6 a.m.

The state police chief also noted that streets are looking crowded after 10 a.m. He wanted the Police commissioners, SPs, DCPs, DSPs and ACP level officials to be in the field from 9.45 a.m. to monitor the situation.

He said since overcrowding in fish and vegetable markets could lead to Covid spread, the police officials should take steps to decentralise the markets in coordination with officials from marketing, municipal administration and other concerned departments.

The DGP told the officials that if vehicles which have no permission are seen on roads after 10 a.m., they should be immediately seized. He said the police should not only focus on main roads but should also strictly enforce lockdown in colonies and on interior roads.

Mahender Reddy said at 10 a.m. the patrolling vehicles should move around with sirens blaring to begin lockdown enforcement. He claimed that police were receiving cooperation of general public in lockdown enforcement and that there were no complaints against the police.

Meanwhile, the state government on Wednesday issued an order, permitting petrol bunks to remain open during the lockdown. However, the DGP asked the officials to ensure that only those vehicles exempted from lockdown, ambulances and oxygen carrying vehicles are allowed.
New Delhi, May 19 : Union Health Minister Harsh Vardhan on Wednesday reviewed the public health response to Covid-19 and progress of vaccination with West Bengal and the eight northeastern states, and expressed concern about the situation there.

Applauding the dedication and patience shown by the states in their fight against the pandemic and in simultaneously ensuring the welfare of the people, he said: "We fought together in 2020 and will fight together in 2021 under the leadership of the Prime Minister." Underscoring the critical importance of vaccination drive, he said that by the end of the year, the country will be in a position to vaccinate at least all of its adult population.

Highlighting the critical challenges faced by the NE states and West Bengal, he noted that in Mizoram, all districts are showing a rise in new cases, Nagaland has shown a sharp increase in daily cases (from 15-20 per day to 300) and weekly positivity rate (one per cent to 34 per cent), in Assam, Kamrup (Metropolitan) district is contributing almost 45 per cent of the daily new cases, while in Meghalaya, East Khasi Hills and Ri Bhoi districts are also reporting sharp increases in daily cases.

Also, Manipur's recovery rate of 78 per cent and CFR of more than one per cent was highlighted as a matter of concern, while Sikkim was advised to strengthen community surveillance and ensure strict monitoring of home quarantine to address its high CFR.

In Arunachal Pradesh, ICU occupancy is almost 22.5 per cent while Capital complex and Changlang districts are reporting maximum cases.

"All districts of West Bengal are showing a steep increase in positivity rate. Kolkata, North 24 Parganas, South 24 Parganas, Howrah and Nadia were flagged as districts of concern. In Tripura, there has been a steep rise in positivity from 1.3 per cent in April to around 8.7 per cent now. West Tripura, Unakoti, South Tripura were flagged as districts of concern," the Minister said.

Harsh Vardhan cited the new emerging trend in the country that now the smaller states are showing an upward trend and there is a need to be cautious about this trend. He asked the states to focus on increasing testing in a timely manner along with upgrading the health infrastructure.

"With changes in guidelines, more and more antigen tests can be done now, so that mortality rates can be decreased. Need to focus on peri-urban and rural areas significantly," he said.

Union Minister of State for Health, Ashwini Kumar Choubey reiterated that testing should be increased, particularly RT-PCR. He stressed on the need for extensive use of tele-consultation especially in the hilly states to reach to the underserved areas.

"Centre is also assisting states on medicines for black fungus and on Oxygen. We have to maintain Covid protocol and we will win this war against Covid," he said.

Latest updates on Coronavirus (COVID-19)
New Delhi, May 19 : In a massive action, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) said on Wednesday that it has registered a case against U.S. Awasthi, MD and CEO of IFFCO, Pravinder Singh Gahlaut, MD of Indian Potash Ltd (IPL), and several others in connection with a corruption case.

The CBI also carried out searches at 12 locations across the country and recovered cash to the tune of Rs 8.8 lakh, FDR worth Rs 5.5 crore, details of 19 properties in several states and 14 bank account details.

CBI spokesperson R.C. Joshi said, "The CBI has registered a case on the basis of references from the Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilisers and also based on other information against Awasthi, MD and CEO, Indian Farmers Fertiliser Cooperative Limited (IFFCO); Gahlaut, MD of IPL; Amol Awasthi and Anupam Awasthi, both sons of the IFFCO MD and CEO and also promoters of Catalyst Business Associates Pvt Ltd; Vivek Gahlaut, son of IPL MD Gahlaut; Pankaj Jain of Jyoti Group of Companies and Rare Earth Group, Dubai; Sanjay Jain, brother of Pankaj Jain and also President of Jyoti Trading Corporation and beneficial owner of other entities of Jyoti Group; and Amrinder Dhari Singh, senior Vice President of Jyoti Trading Corporation, Dubai." Besides them, the CBI has also named Rajiv Saxena, a chartered accountant, who is the promoter of Midas Metal International LLC and other companies, Sushil Kumar Pachisia, an employee of Pankaj Jain, and unknown directors of IFFCO and unknown others.

Joshi said that in the complaint, it was alleged that IFFCO and IPL were importing huge quantities of fertilisers running into several thousands of MTs, along with raw materials for fertilisers from various foreign suppliers.

He said that it has been stated that the fertilisers are supplied to the farmers in India and the Government of India has been providing subsidy on fertilisers to facilitate supply to the farmers at reasonable rates.

In the complaint, it was also alleged that in order to cheat government by claiming higher subsidy, these officials of IFFCO and IPL have been importing fertilizers and raw materials through Kisan International Trading FZE in Dubai, a subsidiary of IFFCO and other middlemen at highly inflated rates covering the commission meant for the accused including MD of IFFCO and MD of IPL, which was paid or transferred by the overseas suppliers to the accused officials through sham transactions involving the said accused.

He said that all these imports were done between 2013 and 2017.

Joshi said that searches are being carried out at the office and residential premises of the accused persons in 12 locations, including Delhi, Gurugram, Mumbai etc.

He said that during the searches, the CBI has recovered cash to the tune of Rs 8.80 lakh from the premises of Awasthi, while from the premises of Gehlaut, the agency seized FDRs of over Rs 5.5 crore in his name, 14 bank account details, and details or documents of around 19 immovable properties in Mumbai, Himachal Pradesh, Gurugram, Delhi and Sonipat.
Chennai, May 19 : Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin on Wednesday ordered grant of 30 days ordinary leave to A.G. Perarivalan, one of the jailed assassins of former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi.

Stalin relaxed the norms to order the 30 days ordinary leave for convict number 7640 Perarivalan on medical grounds on an appeal made by his mother D. Arputhammal.

Perarivalan, Nalini, V. Sriharan alias Murugan, Santhan, Jayakumar, Robert Payas and P. Ravichandran are serving life sentence in the Rajiv Gandhi assassination case.

All the convicts are in prison since 1991, the year a woman LTTE suicide bomber blew up herself, killing the former Prime Minister on the spot at an election rally near Chennai.

The Tamil Nadu government has passed a resolution for the release of all the convicts, but the Governor is yet to take a decision on the matter.
Patna, May 19 : A 45-year-old Covid infected woman, who was allegedly gang raped by three employees of a private hospital in Patna, died on Wednesday.

The deceased woman's daughter claimed that her mother was admitted to the Paras HMRI Hospital in Patna on May 15.

"She had symptoms of Covid-19 and hence we had admitted her to the Paras HMRI Hospital. Her health condition was good though. She had walked into the hospital on May 15," the daughter said.

"My mother was sexually assaulted by three persons inside the hospital ICU on May 16. She had informed me about the incident. Since then her health condition deteriorated. I spoke to my relatives and the women's wing of the Jan Adhikar Party (JAP) about the incident," the deceased woman's daughter said.

"In the meanwhile, the hospital administration put her on ventilator support and took my signature on a form. The doctors said that her health had deteriorated and if she was not shifted to a ventilator, it would be life-threatening for her," she said.

"I suspect that the doctors in the hospital intubated her in the neck, so that she couldn't give her statement to the police. Now they have declared her dead," she said.

M.L. Khan, the Duty Magistrate of Patna, said: "We have received a complaint from the deceased's person's daughter against the hospital administration. The names of the accused are not mentioned in her complaint. We have sent the body for post-mortem to ascertain if there was sexual assault. The hospital administration has cited corona infection as the cause of her death. Further investigation is on." Meanwhile, P.D. Gupta from the hospital management team released a detailed written statement later on Wednesday, which refuted the rape charge.

According to the statement, "The patient was admitted to the Covid ICU of our hospital on May 15, with symptoms of Covid. On May 16 evening, the patient had become restless and was not maintaining proper saturation on high flow oxygen. The doctors decided to put her on CPAP support. The patient was very restless and was still not maintaining proper saturation, thus a group of clinicians decided to put her on mechanical invasive ventilation.

"The patient after being put on ventilation did not show signs of recovery and her vitals and other parameters kept deteriorating. The poor prognosis of the patient was explained to the next of kin on several occasions. Unfortunately, the patient lost her battle with Covid on the morning of May 19." The statement further said: "The patient's daughter has alleged that the patient had been molested by three personnel, whom she was unable to identify between 6 pm of May 16 and 11 am of May 17. This matter was taken up by the hospital management and an internal enquiry was done based on the same. After the investigation, the hospital management had shared its conclusion with the appropriate authorities that such an incident did not happen in the premises of the hospital." "We are committed to providing the best care to our patients and we will support and extend our cooperation in all investigations and related matters of this case," it concluded.

Latest updates on Coronavirus (COVID-19)
New Delhi, May 19 : An oxygen cylinder racket being carried out by Bihar-based "Chhote Choudhary" gang has been busted with arrest of four of its members from the state's Nalanda, the Delhi Police's Crime Branch said on Wednesday.

Additional Commissioner, Crime Branch, Shibesh Singh, said that transactions amounting to over Rs 1 crore has been traced in seized bank accounts in both private and government banks -- deposits and withdrawal of Rs 1.28 crore in one, of Rs 2.17 lakh in another, and of Rs 96,500 in a third.

Singh said that Delhi Police teams are poised to conduct raids in other states too.

Deputy Commissioner of Police, Crime Branch, Monika Bhardwaj said its Inter-State Cell busted the Nalanda-based interstate gang involved in cheating innocent people on the pretext of supplying oxygen cylinders, and concentrators during the pandemic.

The arrested accused, identified as Deepak, Pankaj, Sarvan, and Mithlesh of the notorious Chhote Choudhary gang, were involved in cheating nearly 100 people.

Bhardwaj said that the Crime Branch acted after receiving a complaint from Sharadh Chandran, who said that he was in dire need of oxygen for his relative admitted in DDU Hospital here, found a source online but was duped.

"In order to procure two oxygen cylinders for his relative, Chandran contacted Sachin, whose number he got from social media posts. Sachin offered him two cylinders for Rs 23,950. Finding no other option, the complainant paid the money through Paytm and bank transfer," the complaint read. However, he did not receive anything.

The DCP said that the Crime Branch filed a case and launched an investigation. The money trail was examined and it was found that the money was transferred to a bank account of UCO Bank's Malad Branch in Mumbai in the name of Ruksana Khatoon.

"After through technical detail analysis of the registered mobile number and other details, the culprits were zeroed in the area of Nalanda in Bihar. And later, we tracked Mithilesh, 56, a resident of Bihar Sharif in Nalanda." The Crime Branch team then carried out a raid and Mithlesh was apprehended, and based on information from him, the others were arrested.

The DCP said that large number of SIM cards, ATM cards, mobile phones, laptops, passbooks, cheque books, Aadhar cards, voter I-cards and other documents were recovered from their possession.

Explaining the gang's modus operandi, Bhardwaj said: "On interrogation of accused, it was found that they are members of Chhote Choudhary gang operating from Nalanda. Choudhary, also a resident of Nalanda, is operating the gang since 2-3 years and has accumulated huge property from cheating." Choudhary has engaged 200-300 boys of the area for this purpose of cheating on different pretexts like phone friendship, etc, the DCP said, adding that during the Covid pandemic, he found an opportunity in the rising demand for oxygen cylinders, concentrators. etc.

Choudhary used his accomplice Deepak to arrange bank accounts for receiving the cheated money, and Sarwan used to provide him accounts opened on the basis of forged credentials at the rate of Rs 25,000 each. Mithlesh then used to withdraw money from ATM booths using the cards supplied to him by Deepak at the rate of two per cent for each transaction.

Ater the cash was withdrawn from the ATMs, it was handed over to Deepak through Pankaj, who was deployed for collection of money, and paid Rs 4,500 per week.

Bhardwaj also said that on analysis of Paytm number used for receiving money in the case, it was found that five other persons have also deposited money in it.

"On enquiry, it was revealed that on April 30, one complainant deposited Rs 7,500 for oxygen cylinder in the Paytm account but accused did not supply it and her husband expired for want of oxygen on May 1 while another victim was duped of Rs 3,000 for regulator of oxygen cylinder for his brother's use in home isolation (and now admitted in hospital)." Bhardwaj said that the recovered SIM cards, bank account details and documents are being scrutinised to connect them with other cases and further investigations is going on to trace and arrest Choudhary and his other associates involved in the racket.
Bengaluru, May 19 : Karnataka on Wednesday decided to set up an expert panel to frame guidelines for primary and secondary education for 2021-22 amid apprehensions of third Covid wave hitting the state and upsetting even this academic year's plans.

State Education Minister, S. Suresh Kumar told reporters that the state government cannot afford to ignore lakhs of students in rural areas and several poor students who lack basic internet facilities in urban areas too.

"Going by our previous academic year's experience, students hailing from these two segments were the worst-affected. Hence, there is a need for a relook into our approach to give them better education from this academic year at least," he said after the meeting with academicians and experts here.

Answering a question, Kumar added that the Education Department would soon have a joint meeting with the Women and Child Welfare department too in order to come out with a concrete plan to protect children from a possible third wave.

According to a statement released by the minister's office, the committee will comprise eminent educationists, representatives from the Indian Institute of Science, the National Institute of Mental Health and Neuro-Sciences (Nimhans), child specialists, members of Technical Advisory Committee on Covid, eminent health experts apart from officers and representatives of parents, private schools and teachers associations.

It will oversee assessment models, online education, offline education besides teacher training methodology, pragmatic utilisation of budgetary resources, and many other related issues.

The implementation of National Education Policy (NEP) in letter and spirit will be on the top of the agenda during the ensuing academic year, he said in the statement.

Meanwhile, Kumar also added that dependents of government and government-aided school teachers who died on Covid duty will get financial assistance from the Teachers Benefit Fund.

He also said that it has also been decided to put up a proposal to the Health Department to term teachers Covid warriors and provide them priority in administering Covid vaccine.

The process of teacher recruitment would be expedited by completing the formality of cadre and recruitment amendment as early as possible.

Last year too, Karnataka had constituted the expert committee headed by noted educationist M. K. Sridhar to look into imparting online education in the wake of the Covid-19, and it had recommended teaching online or by using printed material.

Latest updates on Coronavirus (COVID-19)
Bengaluru, May 19 : With the pandemic's second wave entering the hinterland, the Karnataka government has decided to shift those infected with the virus in rural areas but not having home isolation facility to Covid Care Centres being set up in villages, state Health Minister K. Sudhakar said on Wednesday.

"Infected persons without a separate room and attached toilet will be moved to CCCs set up in their villages across the state as home isolation is not possible for them," he told reporters after a review meeting here.

The state Health Department has set up local task forces in villages to help asymptomatic patients shift into CCCs.

Assuring vaccination for all by November, the minister said the Pune-based Serum Institute of India had supplied an additional 9.5 lakh doses of Covishield vaccines to the state.

"We have placed an order with Serum to procure 2 crore doses of Covishield and 1 crore doses of Covaxin from the Hyderabad-based Bharat Biotech to vaccinate free adults in the 18-44 years age group," he said.

The Health Department has been giving both to citizens above 45 years of age with over 1.11 crore vaccines supplied by the Centre to the state so far.

"The Centre has also supplied 1,050 vials of drug so far to the state for treating black fungus contracted by some Covid patients after treatment," Sudhakar said.

Latest updates on Coronavirus (COVID-19)
Los Angeles, May 19 : Hollywood veteran Mel Gibson has joined the cast of the action thriller "Bandit", starring Josh Elisha Cuthbert and Josh Duhamel.

The Allan Ungar directorial, scripted by Kraig Wenman, is based on Gilbert Galvan Jr, who went by the name of Robert Whiteman and was dubbed the infamous Flying Bandit for pulling off 63 bank and jewellery heists. The book draws reference from Robert Knuckle's bestseller "The Flying Bandit" as well as journalist Ed Arnold's interviews with Galvan Jr, reports variety.com.

Duhamel is cast in the starring role of Galvan Jr, and the film traces how he escapes from a US prison and makes his way to Canada, and acquires his new identity. He gets married and settles down, claiming to be a travelling security consultant, but continues with his crime spree, the website adds.
New Delhi, May 19 : The BJP on Wednesday thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi for the increase in the subsidy for Di-Ammonium Phosphate (DAP) fertiliser by 140 per cent, and said the move will ensure that the farmers get fertilisers at old rates despite international price rise.

Welcoming the decision, BJP chief J.P. Nadda tweeted, "Thank you Narendra Modi ji for taking historic farmer friendly decision to increase fertiliser subsidy. Farmers to get subsidy of Rs 700 on per bag of DAP, they will get a bag of DAP for Rs 1,200 instead of Rs 2,400." Nadda further tweeted, "Since day one, Modi government has been committed to the welfare of the farmers. By increasing the subsidy, the government will bear an additional expenditure of Rs 15,000 crore. Prime Minister Modi is empowering the farmers through welfare schemes like Kisan Samman Nidhi, Kisan Credit Card and many others." BJP national General Secretary and Rajya Sabha member Bhupendra Yadav tweeted, "The Centre has hiked DAP subsidy by 140 per cent from Rs 500 to Rs 1,200. The BJP government will spend about Rs 14,775 crore more on it as PM Narendra Modi ji wants Indian farmers to get fertilisers at old rates despite international price rise." "Despite the price of DAP bags rising to Rs 2,400, farmers will get it at Rs 1,200 as the BJP government is committed to farmers' welfare. This is the second major decision for farmers after the direct transfer of Rs 20,667 crore under PM-KISAN on Akshaya Tritiya," Yadav added.

The Union government on Wednesday increased the subsidy on DAP fertiliser from Rs 500 per bag to Rs 1,200 per bag, an increase of 140 per cent, which means despite the rise in international market price of DAP, it would continue to be sold at the old rate of Rs 1,200. The amount of subsidy per bag has never been increased so much at one go.
Moscow, May 20 : A Russian Su-27 fighter intercepted a B-52H strategic bomber of the US Air Force over the Baltic Sea on Wednesday, the Russian Defence Ministry said.

The Russian jet escorted the US plane, which was approaching Russia's sovereign airspace over the neutral waters of the Baltic Sea, until the B-52H changed its course and left, Xinhua news agency reported.

The US bomber was intercepted just hours before the first meeting of Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov and US Secretary of State Antony Blinken in Reykjavik, Iceland.
United Nations, May 20 : The United Nations' casualty count from hostilities in Gaza, the West Bank and Israel on Wednesday showed 256 people dead - including 69 children and an Israeli soldier - and thousands of people injured.

The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) said 219 Palestinians, including 63 children, were killed in Gaza. In the West Bank, 25 Palestinian deaths were tallied, including four children. Israeli sources reported 12 people killed, including two children and a soldier. Thousands of people are injured, mainly in the West Bank and in Gaza, Xinhua reported.

The hostilities shuttered six hospitals and nine primary healthcare centres in Gaza. Damage from a nearby airstrike halted Covid-19 testing at the Gaza Central Laboratory, the UN humanitarians reported. A non-governmental organization hospital stopped functioning because of fuel shortages.

Electric power in Gaza dropped, on average, to just three to four hours a day due to feeder line damage, OCHA said.

The World Food Programme reported giving out electronic vouchers to 74,000 people in Gaza as of Monday.

Humanitarian partners were assessing the damage to homes and prioritizing repair support.

The UN refugee agency for Palestinians, known as UNRWA, said it provides for the displaced in designated areas water, sanitation, hygiene services for the displaced and electric generators.

On Tuesday, the Israelis allowed several fuel trucks crossing through the Kerem Shalom to power electrical generators but held back additional humanitarian vehicles for security reasons.

On Wednesday, OCHA said the barred trucks carried cargo that included Covid-19 vaccines, first aid kits, medical disposables and drugs, including emergency medicines, fire extinguishers and fuel.

Given the high number of vulnerable people, there is great concern about the spread of Covid-19.

The world organization said Gaza crossings should be open for essential and humanitarian supplies, including fuel for basic services, supplies to curb the spread of Covid-19 and to ensure that those who need life-saving treatment can access such relief.

The humanitarian fund for the occupied Palestinian territories expects to soon release $14 million toward a response appeal to be announced by UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres and Undersecretary-General Mark Lowcock, the UN chief's relief coordinator.

Latest updates on Coronavirus (COVID-19)

-- The story has been published from a wire feed without any modifications to the text
Navigating the world of car insurance might be hard, but getting the best car insurance policy at affordable prices is worth it., said Russell Rabichev, Marketing Director of Internet Marketing Company.

For many drivers, paying the monthly car insurance bill can be quite difficult. More and more drivers are wondering if they can save some of the money they spend on insurance. Luckily, there are some easy methods drivers can take to lower their premiums and ensure they're getting the best insurance rate. With a bit of ingenuity and an understanding of the insurance market, drivers can reduce their car insurance costs and get great coverage without breaking the bank.

To get cheaper car insurance, follow the next tips:



Regularly shop for car insurance. Most car insurance providers will change their rates every month. Shopping for car insurance once or more each year can help drivers take advantage of the insurance markets ebbs and flows. Also, significant life changes like a new job, marriage, or earning a college degree might make the insurance premiums to be lower.

Be a good driver. Its essential to stay safe, drive responsibly, and maintain a good driving record. Even one speeding ticket can increase the insurance premium.

Keep a good credit score. Insurance companies are allowed to take a look at the credit score to make sure their customers are responsible with money. Drivers with a higher credit score will pay cheaper car insurance rates.

Look for discounts. Insurance companies provide discounts for certain types of drivers who are seen as less of a risk. Drivers can get discounts for low-mileage, installed safety features, being a good driver, or for being a good student.

Drivers should get insurance policies that work for their needs. Each driver has different needs. And for this reason, drivers should only pay for the coverage they actually need. Some drivers can decide they need comprehensive coverage after analyzing the weather patterns and crime rates in their areas. Other drivers might find it useful to eliminate collision coverage on older vehicles.

Adjust the deductible. Drivers who choose to pay a higher deductible will have a lower car insurance premium. However, raising the deductible is recommend to drivers who can afford to pay for it when filling a claim.

Pay on time or in advance. Some providers will offer small discounts to those who set up online auto-pay or pay in advance.

Look for a new provider. Typically, new providers are eager to impress and they offer lower premiums to attract new customers. Getting a six-month car insurance policy is a great way to try out a new company.

For additional info, money-saving tips and free car insurance quotes, visit https://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.
Aloisia Beauty is a conscious and transparent brand, and creating products that are healthy and safe for people, without sacrificing the health and safety of animals or the planet, is at the core of our values

Aloisia Beauty, the genuine and transparent K-Beauty skin care brand formulated with clean, safe, and effective ingredients from nature and science, has been designated as Leaping Bunny-certified. Meeting the cruelty-free standards set by the Coalition for Consumer Information on Cosmetics (CCIC), the certification confirms that Aloisia Beauty does not test on animals at any stage of product development.

Aloisia Beauty is a conscious and transparent brand, and creating products that are healthy and safe for people, without sacrificing the health and safety of animals or the planet, is at the core of our values, said Veronica Konecke, Aloisia Beauty C-Founder. Gaining Leaping Bunny certification empowers our customers to easily identify our cruelty-free commitment and have full trust in purchasing our products.

The Leaping Bunny Program has been considered the gold standard for cruelty-free products including skin care since 1996. To earn this certification, Aloisia Beautys laboratory, products, processes, and policies were thoroughly audited to ensure Leaping Bunny criteria and its Corporate Standard of Compassion for Animals were satisfied. Aloisia Beauty products will now display the Leaping Bunny seal and is open to annual review.

Aloisia Beauty is a women and minority-owned brand founded by a diverse team with a shared passion for non-toxic, effective skin care and the K-Beauty ritual. The range offers signature products including GLOW Exfoliating Soft Peel, 7-Day Skin Care Ritual, DEEP Hydration Aloe Gel, and an assortment of sheet masks, with more products launching in 2021. The brand is based in San Diego, CA, and all products are developed and manufactured in partnership with their lab in South Korea, which maintains EMAS, ISO 9001 (Quality Management Systems), ISO 14001 (Effective Environmental Management System), and ISO 22716:2007 (Good Manufacturing Practices for Cosmetics) certifications, and is regulated by the Ministry of Food & Drug Safety. Aloisia Beauty also stands behind South Koreas ban on animal testing.

We are pleased to be able to award our Leaping Bunny certification to Aloisia Beauty, says Kim Paschen, Program Manager for Leaping Bunny. Shoppers can be confident they are purchasing from a brand that not only delivers great K-Beauty products, but has taken further steps to formalize its commitment to being cruelty-free. And, going forward, Aloisia Beauty has agreed to recommit to the Leaping Bunny Program annually as well as have their supply chain audited to ensure no animal testing occurs.



About Aloisia Beauty

Aloisia Beauty was created in 2019 to help skin glow from the inside, out. Blending traditional Korean beauty principles with modern skin care, Aloisia Beauty products feature proprietary formulations made with clean, safe, and effective ingredients from nature and science to support a range of skin care concerns and daily self-care. All products meet the brands pledge to clean beauty, with over 72 ingredients proven to be toxic and health-harming banned from their formulations. Aloisia Beauty also uses sustainable processes and materials. Aloisia Beauty products are available at AloisaBeauty.com, and select spas and beauty retailers across the U.S. For more information, visit http://www.aloisiabeauty.com. Connect with Aloisia Beauty on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, and Pinterest.

About CCICs Leaping Bunny Program

Since 1996, the Coalition for Consumer Information on Cosmetics (CCIC) has been connecting compassionate consumers with cruelty-free companies, of which more than 2,000 have been certified to be free of animal testing. The CCIC is made up of the following organizations: American Anti-Vivisection Society; Animal Alliance of Canada; Beauty Without Cruelty, USA; Doris Day Animal League; The Humane Society of the United States; National Anti-Vivisection Society, and Rise for Animals. CCICs international partner is Cruelty Free International. For more information visit http://www.leapingbunny.org.
Chris Tirrell, a long-time writer who was first inspired by an upperclassman on the school bus who enjoyed telling him magical, heroic stories, has completed his new book Art of Shadows: a spellbinding work of fiction full of action, adventure, and darkness.

Tirrell writes, Art of Shadows is set after a great war that ended in the Kingdom of Tokai. The kingdom is currently experiencing a time of peace, but in an age of kings that are determined to keep power, all are skeptical of one another. Soldiers that fought bravely in the Talarian War, now that the war has ended, find themselves without a steady income, and many have turned into swords for hire. These men and women are champions to the people but are often looked down upon by the ruling families of the land.

Our story follows Michael Starr and his companions as they adjust to a life of mercenary work after returning home from war. Their friendships and loyalties will be tested as Lord Vermidius rises to power and seeks to claim the Serenity Palace as his own. Old friendships are renewed, and new friendships are made in the struggle to hold the dark lord at bay.

And an old power long forgotten that brings nothing but chaos and destruction is waiting in the darkness for the right time to be awakened and unleashed once again onto the world. The art of shadows waits for the one to be joined with the Blood Empress so darkness can once again reign supreme over the lands.

Published by Page Publishing, Chris Tirrells engrossing tale is the perfect choice for enthusiastic dark fantasy fiction readers.

Readers who wish to experience this potent work can purchase Art of Shadows at bookstores everywhere, or online at the Apple iTunes Store, Amazon, Google Play, or Barnes and Noble.

For additional information or media inquiries, contact Page Publishing at 866-315-2708.

About Page Publishing:

Page Publishing is a traditional, full-service publishing house that handles all the intricacies involved in publishing its authors books, including distribution in the worlds largest retail outlets and royalty generation. Page Publishing knows that authors need to be free to create, not mired in logistics like eBook conversion, establishing wholesale accounts, insurance, shipping, taxes, and so on. Pages accomplished writers and publishing professionals allow authors to leave behind these complex and time-consuming issues and focus on their passion: writing and creating. Learn more at http://www.pagepublishing.com.
Mother's Kaddish Boy: a gripping and deeply personal memoir. Mother's Kaddish Boy is the creation of published author, Sam N. Shapiro, a survivor of WWII, devoted humanitarian, successful business owner, and loving husband, father, and grandfather.

Shapiro writes, I dedicate this book to my mother, who called me her Kaddish Boy. The heart and soul of this memoir, she gave me an upbringing and philosophy which has served me all my life. Because of her love, and the values, confidence, and strength she instilled in me, I have been able to overcome so many of lifes challenges and disappointments.

Her dedication to and her faith in her God superseded the taunts, humiliation and suffering which we, as Jews, were subjected to. She died cruelly, at the hands of Polish bandits who were robbing and killing seeking gold, and because of the politics and religion in this part of the world.

Always, she trusted in her God: God will help us survive this bad World War, even as we were fighting daily for our lives, without food or water; barely able to breathe as we hid in our flimsy bunker in the forest.

Even to this day, as her Kaddish Boy, I remember her virtue, strength, courage, and wisdom, as I pray the Kaddish prayer for her and for my Father - a good Jewish boy.

Sam believes that if Pope Francis had been Pope during WWII, instead of Pope Pius XII, the Catholic Church would have treated the Jewish people as equals.

Thus, he concludes that at least one third of the six million Jews killed would have survived  by hiding in the forests, mountains or villages, as there were many Catholic Polish people who would have risked their lives (as so many did, in fact) and would not have co-operated with the Germans and Polish police, if guided by their Church.

There is no way that the Germans alone would have been able to search all the villages, or other places where the Jewish survivors were forced to hide. The Polish neighbours, who were trusted with the Jewish belongings and homes as they fled for their lives, would have been discouraged by Pope Francis from coming after, killing, or betraying these innocents to the Nazi war machine.

As a result, Sams distressing tale of inhumanity to other humans leaves no doubt as to the moral edict we lived by eighty years ago and, sadly even to this day.

But Sams hope throughout all of this is, and has been, that man/womankind will learn from his/her mistakes and treat one another as championed by Pope Francis: Thou Shalt Not Kill.

Published by Christian Faith Publishing, Sam N. Shapiros new book is a heartbreaking retelling of the many painful moments experienced by the author and family during WWII.

With firsthand accuracy, Shapiro walks readers into the past to experience life hiding from dangerous enemies, both known and unknown, as they all fought for survival at the mercy of a ruthless dictator.

View a synopsis of Mother's Kaddish Boy on YouTube.

Consumers can purchase Mother's Kaddish Boy at traditional brick & mortar bookstores, or online at Amazon.com, Apple iTunes store, or Barnes and Noble.

For additional information or inquiries about Mother's Kaddish Boy, contact the Christian Faith Publishing media department at 866-554-0919.
Were at the ready to help Fortune 500 companies and small companies get back to business

BakeMeAWish.com (BMAW), the leading national online gourmet gifting company, announces a fresh lineup of custom branded gifts filled with fresh-baked gourmet treats to connect colleagues and business associates wherever they are. BMAW corporate custom branded gifts allows businesses to share their brand experience in a unique way as businesses continue to adapt to participating in virtual meetings as the new normal.

As the economy lifts off again, were at the ready to help Fortune 500 companies and small companies get back to business, says Joseph Dornoff, President of Bake Me A Wish! We have an extraordinary lineup of custom branded gourmet gifts that are personalized for your recipient and help reignite the passion that your employees and customers have been missing.

The outstanding lineup of corporate custom branded gifts from Bake Me A Wish! can be customized to capture a brands authenticity providing an incredible experience for customers, clients, and employees. BMAWs new lineup of corporate branded gifts include:



Wood-emblazoned logos on bespoke packaging designed to reflect a companys ethos

Boardroom snack baskets with beautifully designed custom ribbons

Branded stickers to showcase a brands logo and enhance unique packaging

Gorgeous gift towers brimming with delicious treats and tied off with a branded ribbon

NEW! Image cakes - put your logo or brand directly on the cake!

Bake Me A Wish! also offers a custom-branded seamless, virtual gift certificate solution that allows employees and clients to receive gifts wherever they are.

To learn more about the unique ways businesses can show appreciation for clients, employees and potential customers, and for a special discount code, visit http://www.bakemeawish.com. Bake Me A Wish! offers guaranteed next day delivery.

On social media, visit @BakeMeAWish

Hashtag: #bakemeawish

About Bake Me A Wish!

Bake Me A Wish! was founded in 2005 with the mission to deliver divinely crafted birthday cakes and gourmet baked goods to anyone across the United States, wherever they are. BakeMeAWish.com features delicious gourmet dessert options including sumptuous recipes, personalized greeting cards and elegant packaging. 16 years later, Bake Me A Wish! offers a magnificent lineup of other mouthwatering bakery treats including cookies, brownies, cupcakes, and pies. They have expanded their offering even further with gorgeous snack and fruit baskets. Bake Me A Wish! has become the go-to source for people in need of high-quality baked goods, and is excited to help make your gifting dreams come true. Bake Me A Wish! is located in New York, New York and delivers throughout the country.
Baldwin County School District Renews Its Contract with Vendor Registry Our continued partnership with Vendor Registry helps our valued vendors to access not only our open bids, but those from other municipalities, counties and school districts throughout the state.

The Baldwin County School District announced today that it has renewed its contract with Vendor Registry for another 1 year. The School District is utilizing Vendor Registry that helps local governments post, distribute and manage RFPs, quotes, addendums and awards online. Vendor Registry provides notification to registered vendors of new relevant solicitations, any addenda and award information from 27 participating agencies and more than 4,000 from across Alabama. The Baldwin County School District invites all vendors to register.

The Baldwin County School District renewed its partnership with Vendor Registry in April 2021. Vendor Registry provides a single, online location for managing sourcing information and activities and provides local Alabama government agencies a method to minimize costs and time delays associated with the procurement process. In renewing, the Baldwin County School District continues to save time, increase competition, and achieve cost savings over the traditional paper-based bid process.

The Baldwin County School District will continue to have access to an extensive vendor pool, thereby enhancing competition without increasing distribution costs. The school district invites all current vendors not already registered on the Vendor Registry to do so today. Vendor registration is easy and takes only a few minutes online. Vendors can register on Vendor Registry by visiting the Baldwin County School District page.

Vendors registered to the Baldwin County School District can access their bids, related documents, addendum, and award information. In addition, the Vendor Registry offers a value-added service to notify vendors of new bids targeted to their industry and all addenda associated with those bids. A robust NIGP code category list allows vendors registering to find the correct codes and receive matched bids.

Our continued partnership with Vendor Registry helps our valued vendors to access not only our open bids, but those from other municipalities, counties and school districts throughout the state. In addition to the time savings, our vendors will also benefit from registering in one location for all local bid opportunities. We invite all of our current vendors to register or contact the vendor support team with any questions, stated Marlana Hanner, Specialist Purchasing of the Baldwin County School District.

Vendor Registrys customer success team is available to answer any questions regarding the registration process or the bid system at 877-822-0801.

About the Baldwin County School District:

Baldwin County is located in the southwest corner of the state, bordered by the Gulf of Mexico, Mobile Bay, Florida, and adjoining counties in Alabama. It is one of the largest counties in land area east of the Mississippi River, home to more than 200,000 residents, and is the fastest growing county in Alabama and one of the fastest growing counties in the nation. Baldwin County is the location of the first public school in Alabama, built in 1799 by the community of Tensaw, and today's schools remain community centers. The schools in the county are located in seven areas identified as "feeder patterns", the educational path a student takes from kindergarten through 12th grade.

About Vendor Registry:

Vendor Registry, powered by mdf commerce, is the trusted solution for local government procurement departments in Alabama. With an existing database of local vendors looking to do business in Alabama, a shared Bid Library amongst participating buying organizations and easy-to-use features, we have your procurement solution. Find out more about Vendor Registry at https://vendorregistry.com/purchaser.
Charmaine Arnaud, NP on "The Doctors" After the sixth treatment when they took my after picture and compared it to my before picture, I was completely shocked.

Charmaine Arnaud, NP and Practice Manager of Beverly Hills Rejuvenation Center Los Angeles and her client, Lainie, appeared on the popular syndicated talk show, The Doctors, on May 4, 2021. They discussed a cutting-edge skin tightening technology, Evoke by InMode, that Lainie has been receiving from Beverly Hills Rejuvenation Center(BHRC), the premier medical spa for health and beauty.

Known for its advanced techniques and pioneering treatments, BHRC offers affordable, transformational and non-invasive services such as laser treatments, facial treatments, skin tightening, hormone replacement, and injectables. More prodigious treatments include Botox, CoolSculpting, body contouring, hair restoration, regenerative therapy, and so much more.

Lainie has been going to Beverly Hills Rejuvenation Centers Los Angeles center for years now. After just 6 weeks of Evoke treatments, the results were undeniable.

As she says on The Doctors, in a segment where they interview her about the results, I think I was actually more shocked at how bad I looked before. I was like oh my gosh do I really look that bad? But the results were so dramatic.

During the segment, the hosts showed a before and after photo of Lainie, demonstrating what Evoke treatments can do.

Lainie, long standing patient of BHRC, told the hosts and audience, I went once a week for six weeks. After about the third or fourth treatment is when I started to notice. And not just myself but people- my friends, were saying what did you do? Somethings different. After the sixth treatment when they took my after picture and compared it to my before picture, I was completely shocked.

The Beverly Hills Rejuvenation Center offers an array of aesthetic and beauty procedures that range from injectables, laser hair removal, facials as well as anti-aging, hormones and wellness treatments. The board-certified, expert staff utilizes state-of-the-art equipment and the highest quality products for each of the different treatments that deliver visible results.

Beverly Hills Rejuvenation Center has quickly become one of America's fastest growing premier med spa and wellness centers. Beverly Hills Rejuvenation Center franchisees are experiencing rapid growth and the company is currently seeking single- and multi-unit operators to join the brand's rapid expansion. For more information about franchise opportunities, connect Beverly Hills Rejuvenation Center, online at https://bhrcenter.com/medspa-franchise/ or by calling 586-907-6404.

ABOUT BEVERLY HILLS REJUVENATION CENTER

For more than 16 years, Beverly Hills Rejuvenation Center, has been the leader in the aesthetic and wellness industries for their innovative elite health and wellness programs, customizing anti-aging therapies, cutting-edge technologies, and seasoned team of industry professionals. Currently, BHRC has 20+ locations, more under construction, and are operating in key markets including (but not limited to) Los Angeles, Newport Beach, Las Vegas, Scottsdale, Dallas, San Antonio, Austin, Boca Raton, Chino Hills, Houston, La Jolla, Huntington Beach, and now Westlake Village.

###
Winning both awards showcases Brivos commitment to continuous innovation of our technology that harnesses the power of data, business intelligence and industry expertise into one platform.

Brivo, the global leader in cloud-based access control for enterprise business, commercial real estate and multifamily living, wins Bronze Stevie Award in the Cloud Platform category in The 19th Annual American Business Awards. In addition, Brivo was recognized as a winning organization in the 2021 BIG Innovation Award from the Business Intelligence Group.

Receiving these awards is testament to both the excellence of our technology and our company, said Steve Van Till, founder and CEO of Brivo. Winning both awards showcases Brivos commitment to continuous innovation of our technology that harnesses the power of data, business intelligence and industry expertise into one platform. It is also a recognition of the company and the dedicated people who believe in our mission of simply better security. Were incredibly honored and proud.

The American Business Awards are the U.S.A.s premier business awards program. All organizations operating in the U.S.A. are eligible to submit nominations  public and private, for-profit and nonprofit, large and small. Brivo shares the Cloud Platform Bronze Stevie distinction with several Fortune 500 global brands including Comcast, ADP, and Estee Lauder.

A record number of more than 3,800 nominations from organizations of all sizes and in virtually every industry were submitted this year for consideration in a wide range of Stevie Award categories. Brivo is named a winner for Brivo Access, a breakthrough access control platform that supports the shift in how businesses utilize security data. Brivo is a leading provider in the growing Proptech and smart building industry. Its fourth-generation cloud-based platform, Brivo Access, provides businesses of all sizes a unified building security dashboard that can be accessed from any device, anywhere, with complete visibility into every property under management, whether that is a single property or hundreds of facilities.

Brivo also won Business Intelligence Groups 2021 BIG Innovation Awards for its overall technology which sets the new standard in protecting people, property and business reputations when it comes to physical security. The annual BIG Innovation awards program recognizes organizations, products, and people that are bringing new ideas to life in innovative ways and Brivo demonstrates a continuous contribution to the security and Proptech industries.

More than 250 professionals worldwide participated in the judging process to select this years Stevie Award winners. Nicknamed the Stevies for the Greek word meaning crowned, the awards will be virtually presented to winners during a live event on Wednesday, June 30. Tickets for the virtual event are now on sale.

About Brivo

Brivo is the global leader in mobile, cloud-based access control for commercial real estate, multifamily residential, and large distributed enterprises. Our comprehensive product ecosystem and open API provide businesses with powerful digital tools to increase security automation, elevate employee and tenant experience, and improve the safety of all people and assets in the built environment. Having created the category over twenty years ago, our building access platform is now the digital foundation for the largest collection of customer facilities in the world, trusted by more than 25 million users occupying over 300M square feet of secured space in 42 countries.

Our dedication to simply better security means providing the best technology and support to property owners, managers, and tenants as they look for more from buildings where they live, work, and play. Our comprehensive product suite includes access control, smart readers, touchless mobile credentials, visitor management, occupancy monitoring, health and safety features, and integrated video surveillance, smart locks, and intercoms. Valued for its simple installation, high-reliability backbone, and rich API partner network, Brivo also has the longest track record of cybersecurity audits and privacy protections in the industry.

Brivo is privately held and headquartered in Bethesda, Maryland. Learn more at http://www.Brivo.com

About Business Intelligence Group

The Business Intelligence Group was founded with the mission of recognizing true talent and superior performance in the business world. Unlike other industry award programs, these programs are judged by business executives having experience and knowledge. The organization's proprietary and unique scoring system selectively measures performance across multiple business domains and rewards those companies whose achievements stand above those of their peers.

About the Stevie Awards

Stevie Awards are conferred in eight programs: the Asia-Pacific Stevie Awards, the German Stevie Awards, the Middle East & North Africa Stevie Awards, The American Business Awards, The International Business Awards, the Stevie Awards for Women in Business, the Stevie Awards for Great Employers, and the Stevie Awards for Sales & Customer Service. The Stevies also produces the annual Women Future Conference. Stevie Awards competitions receive more than 12,000 entries each year from organizations in more than 70 nations. Honoring organizations of all types and sizes and the people behind them, the Stevies recognize outstanding performances in the workplace worldwide. Learn more about the Stevie Awards at http://www.StevieAwards.com.

Sponsors of The 2021 American Business Awards include John Hancock Financial Services, Melissa Sones Consulting, and SoftPro.
Catch Talent Opens Nashville Office While we have been growing our business in Charleston and along the East Coast for years, putting down roots in Nashville is part of our strategic plan to serve other high-growth markets like Raleigh-Durham, Washington DC, and Tampa.

After launching Catch Talent in 2015 to support the surging technology sector in Charleston, South Carolina, the company is expanding its operations westward by establishing an office in Nashville, Tennessee. The strategic move comes on the heels of announcing the opening of its office in Raleigh-Durham, North Carolina earlier in the year.

I am excited to announce that Catch has officially opened its doors in Nashville, Tennessee, said Christina Lock, Founder and CEO of Catch Talent. While we have been growing our business in Charleston and along the East Coast for years, putting down roots in Nashville is part of our strategic plan to serve other high-growth markets like Raleigh-Durham, Washington DC, and Tampa.

As part of its commitment, Catch has hired Michael Frommelt as an Account Executive to drive growth in the Nashville market. Prior to joining Catch, Michael had a highly successful career at Maxim Healthcare Services partnering with some of the fastest-growing healthcare companies in the region on their talent acquisition strategies.

As a Tennessee native, I have spent my career helping local companies build their teams in order to meet their goals, said Michael Frommelt, Catch Talent Account Executive. I look forward to partnering with Nashville-area technology companies as they grow their talent base, helping make our region one of the most successful in the country.

Michael and the Catch team will be delivering direct placement and contract-to-hire staffing services to technology companies in the commercial, financial, healthcare, digital services, and public sector industries, bringing Catchs unique white-glove, high-touch approach to the Nashville market.

About Catch Talent

Catch Talent is a high-touch recruiting agency that delivers end-to-end talent acquisition solutions to growing technology, digital media, and government contracting companies. Catch is Women-Owned Small Business (WOSB) headquartered in Charleston, SC. Catch brings decades of technical recruiting expertise to both local and national clients, and offers a full range of flexible solutions including direct placement hiring, recruitment process outsourcing, contract, and contract-to-hire models. Catch specializes in the full talent attraction lifecycle by sourcing and recruiting qualified candidates who are interview-ready, culturally-aligned, and ready to make an immediate impact.
The Peninsula Estate on Grand Cayman "The governments response to the pandemic and resulting containment of local transmission of COVID only furthered Caymans appeal to our discerning clientele."

2020 was a record year for property sales in the Cayman Islands, despite the global pandemic, according to a new market report from Provenance Properties Cayman Islands, the official Christies International Real Estate affiliate in the sunny British Overseas Territory.

According to the Cayman Islands Real Estate Brokers Association (CIREBA), sales of US$638.7m representing 327 properties were conveyed by 36 brokerages in 2020. In the luxury segment of properties priced at US$1m and up, 69 condominiums and 57 residences were sold. Provenance Properties Broker Jackie Doak said this was no small feat, considering the Cayman Islands borders have been closed to visitors since late March 2020.

The first quarter of 2020 was very active for real estate sales, so the closure of our borders to non-residents in late March prompted pundits to assume our real estate industry would be adversely affected, said Doak. However, Caymans value proposition as an easy-to-reach luxury destination with excellent infrastructure, an absence of direct taxation and a high standard of living prevailed and we saw the sales pace not only resume but surge by mid-summer once shelter-in-place guidelines were lifted. The governments response to the pandemic and resulting containment of local transmission of COVID only furthered Caymans appeal to our discerning clientele.

Doak notes that many real estate sales were generated by local residents, as well as international clients seeking to move to Grand Cayman. Caymans residency programme allows a limited number of high-net-worth individuals to establish permanent residency here each year by investing in luxury property and meeting other programme requirements. There are no restrictions on foreign ownership, which makes acquiring a property straightforward for international investors. Our team enhances the transaction process by providing a bespoke relocation experience. As a result of robust local and international demand, the market continues to perform extremely well.

That strong performance has not abated in the first half of 2021. Provenance Properties closed the sale of The Peninsula Estate in early May, representing the largest transaction for a condo or private residence on record in the Cayman Islands. In addition, the team has sold 17 condos at The Residences at Seafire, a luxury development on Seven Mile Beach that shares a 12-acre property with the AAA Five Diamond award-winning Kimpton Seafire Resort + Spa, and Provenance Properties Lead Sales Specialist Fleur Coleman is currently the top sales agent in the Cayman Islands.

Cayman Islands property sales are not the only segment of the market booming. Doak reports that the Cayman Islands Governments Global Citizen Concierge Programme is driving demand for luxury long-term rentals. We have welcomed more than 100 global citizens to Cayman since last fall (source). These digital nomads have come here because of our quality of life, excellent telecommunications, schools and healthcare, and rich marine environment. They are already actively involved in our community, committing to philanthropic initiatives and patronising local businesses, particularly our superlative culinary venues. Its another great example of how Caymans quality real estate attracts new long-stay visitors and their spending contributes to our local economy.

About Provenance Properties Cayman Islands

Provenance Properties is the exclusive Christies International Real Estate affiliate in the Cayman Islands and a member of the Cayman Islands Real Estate Brokers Association (CIREBA). In 2019, Provenance Properties was recognised as a Christies Affiliate of the Year. Provenance Properties is also the exclusive Cayman Islands affiliate of Haute Residence.

Provenance Properties provides access to a portfolio of luxury homes and condominiums for sale or rent, as well as land for sale and commercial properties for lease in the Cayman Islands. The Provenance Properties team provides bespoke service to individuals seeking to relocate to the Cayman Islands for business or personal reasons.

For more information, visit provenanceproperties.com, keep up with the latest information on Facebook and follow us on Twitter, Instagram, and LinkedIn. Learn more about Provenance Properties Cayman Islands here.
Im proud that Colonial Jewelers has continued to innovate while keeping our founding values front and center. I think our new logo and emerging new brand identity reflects that perfect balance of the old and the new.

Colonial Jewelers is pleased to announce the unveiling of their first new logo in more than 70 years. Owner Sarah Hurwitz Robey says the new logo combines a more modern version of Colonials signature crown icon with an elegant new font.

Located on the corner of Market and Patrick Streets in the historic district for 23 years, Colonial Jewelers was founded in Westminster, Maryland in 1920 by jeweler and clockmaker Ben Hurwitz. In 1947, Bens son and daughter-in-law, Will and Marilyn, joined the business and opened the downtown Frederick store. In 1973, Will and Marilyns son, Jeffrey, and his wife, Patty, entered the business, followed by their daughter, Sarah, in 2003.

As a fourth generation jewelry store, part of our identity will always be our legacy, she says, But one of the main reasons we have grown into the areas largest single source for fine jewelry and custom-designed pieces is that we have continually tried new things.

According to Hurwitz Robey, Colonial Jewelers new logo is just the start of an exciting wave of innovations to come, including a new website later this summer and an entirely new and modern in-store renovation and experience in the fall. Colonial is partnering with local marketing agency ArachnidWorks, another downtown business, to develop their new brand identity.

Colonial Jewelers is an iconic downtown Frederick business that is both historic and leading edge, said ArachnidWorks President & CEO, Monica Kolbay. Sarah has a very clear and exciting vision for the companys future and the kind of experience she wants Colonial Jewelers customers to have, so its been a pleasure for our creative team to help her achieve that.

To really thrive, a business needs to change and adapt, says Hurwitz Robey. Im proud that Colonial Jewelers has continued to innovate while keeping our founding values front and center. I think our new logo and emerging new brand identity reflects that perfect balance of the old and the new.
The Christian Approach: How to Live a Life of Thanksgiving to God: a concise read into the basic beliefs and practices of a Christian life. Drawn from personal experience, the author guides believers who feel lost in their spiritual journeys. The Christian Approach: How to Live a Life of Thanksgiving to God is the creation of published author Corey Fabricatore, an evangelical writer. He is also a firefighter and emergency medical technician who wishes to pursue a career in ministry serving Jesus Christ and his flock.

Fabricatore shares, This book is the second in a series of biblically based books called The Christian Approach: How to Live a Life of Thanksgiving to God, a book for all Christians. However, it is primarily written to give scripturally based guidance to newer Christians and those believers who feel that their spiritual journey with God may have become stagnant.

This book evaluates the core ways a believer can demonstrate their gratitude for the gift of salvation through faith alone in Jesus Christ and his atoning work at the cross. When implemented properly, the contents of this book allow you to live your life as a thank you to God, and you can also expect to see a spiritual maturity and growth, resulting in a stronger relationship with the Lord which will be obvious to the world.

This book, using scripture as the top and sovereign authority, is also written to help the reader understand some of the unbiblical man-inspired doctrines and traditions which have a facade of Christianity within the church. Likewise, we will also examine doctrines and traditions within the church that are true biblical Christianity, solely inspired by the sovereign word of God, that is, the Bible.

This book accomplishes this by examining the topics of the following: reading your Bible, obedience, baptism, prayer, worship, actions, evangelism, the Lords supper, Christian fellowship, and using your spiritual gifts. Lastly, we conclude this book by examining the ways Satan tries to lead the world astray, including followers of Jesus Christ.

Published by Christian Faith Publishing, Corey Fabricatores new book is a wonderful reminder that ones Christian life is a life from God and that they should continue living it the way He wants them to. Throughout the challenges and triumphs, giving Him thanks is one thing to show devotion to Him.

Heartwarming and moving, this manuscript beautifully shows what life of faith in Christ is.

View a synopsis of The Christian Approach: How to Live a Life of Thanksgiving to God on YouTube.

Consumers can purchase The Christian Approach: How to Live a Life of Thanksgiving to God at traditional brick & mortar bookstores, or online at Amazon.com, Apple iTunes store, or Barnes and Noble.

For additional information or inquiries about The Christian Approach: How to Live a Life of Thanksgiving to God, contact the Christian Faith Publishing media department at 866-554-0919.
Cybereason, the leader in future-ready attack protection, today announced that Chief Information Security Officer Israel Barak and Principal Security Advocate Lodrina Cherne are taking center stage at the RSA Conference on Thursday, May 21, with two speaking sessions.

Barak will discuss the results of the recent Cybereason honeypot investigation exploring cyber threats against critical infrastructure networks and their operators. The session, titled Critical Infrastructure Network Attacks: Code Red, Alert Network Operators, takes place Thursday, May 20, 2:15 am ET. This session will analyze new TTPs (tactics, techniques and procedure) used by cybercrime actors targeting critical infrastructure providers with ransomware attacks. This talk is especially relevant considering the recent ransomware attacks on oil and gas and its impact. Register for Baraks session here.

Cherne will join a panel of distinguished women in a session titled Lessons Learned from Diverse Paths to Successful Cybersecurity Careers, Thursday, May 20, 1:00 am ET. Joining Cherne will be Inno Eroraha, Chief Strategist at NetSecurity, and Xena Olsen, a Cyber Threat Intelligence Analyst at a Fortune 500 company. Moderator John Pescatore will lead a discussion focused on their diverse careers, backgrounds, and how they have thrived in the technology and cybersecurity industry. Register for Chernes session here.

Israel Barak is a cyber defense expert with extensive experience working for the Israeli Defense Forces and the Government of Israel. As Cybereason CISO, Barak is at the forefront of the companys security innovation, as well as the research and analysis of current and evolving advanced threats. Barak founded and headed the Israeli Defense Forces red team unit, as well as established and operated cyber warfare teams. Barak spent years training, guiding and professionally mentoring new personnel, providing in-depth expertise as it relates to cyber warfare, cybersecurity, and threat actor tactics and procedures.

Lodrina Cherne is a champion for security in the digital forensics and cybersecurity field. As Principal Security Advocate at Cybereason, she drives innovation and development of best practices related to cybersecurity standards and policy. Cherne is a Certified Instructor at the SANS Institute where she helps information security professionals advance their foundational understanding of digital forensics. Throughout her 15 years in cybersecurity, Cherne has advocated for people wrongly impacted by technology as a volunteer for Operation Safe Escape which helps educate and empower victims of domestic violence with digital safety skills.

Cybereason at RSA Conference 2021

With the RSA Conference 2021 taking place virtually, attendees can meet with Cybereason executive leadership to learn how unified endpoint protection can move beyond simple alerting to protecting organizations on the endpoint, to the enterprise, to everywhere. Attendees can watch the Cybereason sponsor video featuring Cybereason CEO and Cofounder Lior Div and CSO Sam Curry.

About Cybereason

Cybereason is the champion for todays cyber defenders providing future-ready attack protection that unifies security from the endpoint, to the enterprise, to everywhere the battle moves. The Cybereason Defense Platform combines the industrys top-rated detection and response (EDR and XDR), next-gen anti-virus (NGAV), and proactive threat hunting to deliver context-rich analysis of every element of a Malop (malicious operation). The result: defenders can end cyber attacks from endpoints to everywhere. Cybereason is a privately held, international company headquartered in Boston with customers in more than 30 countries.

Learn more: https://www.cybereason.com/

Follow us: Blog | Twitter | Facebook

Media Contacts:

Bill Keeler

Senior Director, Global Public Relations

Cybereason

bill.keeler@cybereason.com

(929) 259-3261
Cynerios exceptional team has created an intuitive, cost-effective and high-quality suite of solutions that healthcare professionals can rely on to protect their patients, staff, and business integrity with confidence.

Cynerio, the leading provider of Healthcare IoT cybersecurity and asset management solutions, announced today that it secured $30 million in Series B funding. The investment round was led by ALIVE Israel HealthTech Fund, Israel's pioneering HealthTech investment fund, headed by former health system officials, medical professionals, and veteran medtech entrepreneurs. Existing investors, global VC Accelmed, RDC, Elrons joint venture with Rafael, and Swiss-based growth investor, MTIP, also participated in the funding round. ALIVE co-investors, CBG London investment company owned by Vincent Tchenguiz, also participated in the round and additional co-investors will join as well, including a leading UAE based investment group.

Cynerio will use the funding to fully realize its vision of being the healthcare industry's go-to cybersecurity and asset management solution by expanding its channel program, forming strategic partnerships with leading solution providers and expanding its clinically-intelligent toolbox of preemptive and proactive Zero Trust solutions into a full-service, responsive security platform. The funding will further support the acceleration of technological development and enhance support to Cynerios existing customers, while reinforcing its leading position in North America as well as its global expansion.

Its critical to have partners who intimately understand the healthcare industry and its exceptional needs, especially now with the unprecedented pressures COVID-19 has introduced. Cynerio is extremely grateful for the continued faith and support of Elron, Accelmed and MTIP, said Leon Lerman, CEO and co-founder of Cynerio. With the additional backing of ALIVE and their expertise in the US healthcare system, well be able to continue advancing our product offerings to support healthcare providers, with unparalleled threat detection, preemptive security and response capabilities, while alleviating healthcares coinciding operational challenges.

Cynerio grew substantially in 2020, concluding the year with a 300% year-over-year revenue increase. The company was recognized as the industry Leader in Forresters Connected Medical Device Security, Q2 Report and named a Gartner Cool Vendor in the 2020 Security Report, further highlighting the strength of Cynerios solutions and its unique approach to Healthcare IoT cybersecurity.

"We're very excited to lead this investment round in Cynerio, the industry leader," said Dudi Klein, Managing Partner at ALIVE. "As a team of veteran healthcare leaders, we know the importance of healthcare cybersecurity first-hand. Cynerios exceptional team has created an intuitive, cost-effective and high-quality suite of solutions that healthcare professionals can rely on to protect their patients, staff, and business integrity with confidence."

As COVID-19 continues to strain the global healthcare industry, barrages of cyber attacks accentuate the need for robust healthcare-specific security and automated asset management solutions. To meet and exceed those needs, Cynerio scaled from a security solution focused only on medical devices to a full-suite, one-stop-shop Healthcare IoT cybersecurity platform that covers every threat vector on every connected device. The clinically-intelligent platform automates asset discovery and risk reduction, and takes the evolution of IoT security one step beyond visibility, providing healthcare teams with the ability to not just identify more problems on their network, but to actually solve them and secure their organization to ensure patient safety, data integrity and operational continuity.

For additional information and to view Cynerio solutions, visit http://www.cynerio.com.

About Cynerio

Cynerio is the one-stop-shop Healthcare IoT security platform. With solutions that cater to healthcares every IT need - from Enterprise IoT to OT and IoMT - we promote cross-organizational alignment and give hospitals the control, foresight, and adaptability they require to stay cyber-secure in a constantly evolving threatscape. We give healthcare organizations the power to stay compliant and proactively manage every connection on their own terms with powerful asset management, threat detection, and mitigation tools so you can focus on healthcares top priority: delivering quality patient care. For more information visit http://www.cynerio.com, or follow Cynerio on Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn.
To celebrate its 20th anniversary in Washington, D.C., contemporary Danish furniture retailer BoConcept is offering discounts to locals at its Georgetown and Tysons Galleria locations. Area franchise owner Tim Machenaud said the celebration sale is his way of thanking the community for 20 fantastic years in Washington, D.C.

We are so proud that the business has been here all these years in Georgetown, which led to our expansion to open in Tysons Galleria two years ago said Machenaud. We're very happy to be able to serve customers in D.C., and we want to share that feeling and appreciation with them through these special discounts.

This BoConcept store at 3342 M St. NW in the Georgetown Design District was an early pioneer on the street when it opened in 2001. I guess it was quite risky at that time, but its paid off, Machenaud said. Today, the Design District is regarded as a popular shopping destination by locals and tourists alike.

Machenaud purchased the Georgetown store five years ago from the original franchisee.

I still remember the first piece of furniture we sold after I purchased the Georgetown store, he said. It was 7 p.m., and we had just closed the store. I saw these clients on the other side of the window show up five minutes after we closed, and they were looking at the bed that we had in the window. So I opened the door and said, Hey, come in, we're still here. If you want to see the bed up close, well wait. And that led to my first sale in August 2016.

Born in Paris, Machenauds family moved to D.C. when he was 12 and lived there for five years. Machenaud returned to study international business at the University of Maryland. After leading BoConcepts presence in France, he was eager to open his own store and jumped at the opportunity to buy the Georgetown location. Machenaud had previously worked for other high-end retailers, in addition to serving as a franchisee for another furniture brand in Spain.

Ive worked as a franchisee and Ive worked at three different franchisors, so it has been a great experience for me to be on both sides of the equation, he said. It allows me to appreciate the franchise we have with BoConcept and the amazing level of support we get from the brand. It's great to know that we're not alone, and we have a franchisor that is creating tools to help us be stronger and to help us train and grow our teams.

BoConcept was originally founded in Denmark in 1952 and began franchising in Paris in 1993. Today, BoConcept boasts a franchise footprint of more than 300 locations in 65 countries. The brand continues to expand the business and aims to reach 600 stores globally.

BoConcept is dedicated to building successful stores through entrepreneurial franchisees. The functional furniture brand is actively targeting sophisticated retail communities in major cities, including Austin, Chicago, Houston, Phoenix and Scottsdale.

To learn more about franchising with BoConcept, visit https://www.boconcept.com/en-us/franchise.

About BoConcept

Since opening its first franchise in Paris in 1993, BoConcept has become a global leader in the design of bold, stylish furniture, boasting nearly 300 locations in 65 countries around the world. Founded in Denmark in 1952, BoConcept differentiates itself by offering premium quality, modern designs that elevate interior spaces to achieve their full potential. The company remains focused on creating functional furniture for the urban consumer through partnerships with the worlds leading interior designers. Backed by a proven global concept and strong franchise support system, BoConcepts 15 U.S. locations include a flagship store, which opened in December 2017 on New York Citys famed Madison Avenue. For more information please visit http://www.boconcept.com. To inquire about franchise opportunities, please visit https://www.boconcept.com/en-us/franchise
The Eisenhower Global Scholars Program is an exciting opportunity to extend the legacy of President Dwight Eisenhower, one of Americas greatest military leaders and statesmen, to a new generation of Americans. Dr. Robert M. Gates

Strengthening its vibrant partnership with two prestigious European universities, Eisenhower Fellowships today named its 2021-2022 class of four Eisenhower Global Scholars.

The unique program, inaugurated in 2020, harnesses the power and prestige of EFs diverse global network of midcareer professionals to inspire, empower and connect a younger generation of American leaders, sending them to Europe for a year of postgraduate studies leading to a masters degree.

This fall four highly accomplished recent graduates of American universities will begin an all-expenses-paid year of intense academic study and cultural immersion at the University of Oxford in the United Kingdom and at IE University in Madrid.

Swathi Ramprasad, a graduate of Duke University, and Samuel Vilchez Santiago, a graduate of Princeton University, will attend Oxfords Blavatnik School of Government to pursue a Master of Public Policy degree. Alexandra Duffy, a graduate of Tulane University, and Ariel Rebecca Zlatkin, a graduate of Wellesley College, will attend IE University to pursue a Master in International Relations degree with a focus on innovation and entrepreneurship.

Ramprasad, 21, founder of Dukes Cyber Policy and Gender Violence Initiative, is its principal researcher. Her honors thesis on the demographic biases of bail-setting algorithms was awarded highest distinction by Dukes Sanford School of Public Policy. She headed a program through Dukes Kenan Institute for Ethics that connected 40 recently resettled refugee women with undergraduate mentors. She wants to use the knowledge she acquires at Oxford to create a multilingual website for the refugee population of Durham, North Carolina.

Santiago, 24, was born in Venezuela. He was 13 when the United States granted his family asylum as political refugees fleeing persecution by the regime of former Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez, whom his parents opposed. He co-founded the Familias Presentes Movement, a non-profit that advocates for better educational opportunities for Latino students across Florida. As the youngest member ever appointed to the Orange County (Fla.) Charter Review Commission, he championed proposals to expand access to clean water, protect conservation lands and strengthen environmental regulations. He wants to use his studies at Oxford to develop an interdisciplinary approach to policy advocacy, and continue growing as a public servant.

Duffy, 22, has her sights set on a career promoting financial literacy and reforming global lending practices. As a budget policy intern for the New Orleans City Council, she identified misreported funding, resulting in budget reallocations to support alternative approaches to public safety. She is passionate about personal finance, budgeting, saving and the sensible use of credit. She wants to increase access to financial education, especially for women utilizing microfinance, through the creation of an online global platform to feature video financial-literacy tutorials and curated digital information.

Zlatkin, 24, served four years on the board of Wellesleys Hillel affiliate, ensuring that the interests and needs of Jewish students were heard by the greater student body. As philanthropy chair of her colleges Historical Society, she organized volunteer events at area non-profits, including a nearby homeless shelter. Through the Connecticut Association for Human Services, she provided free tax-preparation services for low-income residents. She wants to use her IE studies to prepare for a career in public service with a focus on trade between the United States and the Spanish-speaking world.

In addition to their year of study, the Global Scholars will interact with Eisenhower Fellowships worldwide network of leaders from government, business, civil society, education, science, health care, the arts and journalism. At the end of their studies, they will be offered an optional three-month professional internship in their field.

The Chairman of Eisenhower Fellowships, former U.S. Secretary of Defense Robert M. Gates, welcomed the four new Global Scholars to the program, now in its second year.

The Eisenhower Global Scholars Program is an exciting opportunity to extend the legacy of President Dwight Eisenhower, one of Americas greatest military leaders and statesmen, to a new generation of Americans, Gates said. These impressive young people will take their place in a dynamic global network of influential leaders intent on making a positive impact in the world.

****************************

Now in its 68th year and named for Americas 34th president, Eisenhower Fellowships brings together innovative leaders from all fields from around the globe to tackle big challenges to better the world around them. Since 1953, more than 2,400 mid-career leaders from 115 countries have benefited from the unique, customized experience of an Eisenhower Fellowship.

For further information please contact:

Erin Hillman, Vice President of Programs and Operations

Email: ehillman@efworld.org

Telephone: 215-546-1738
Engineered Tax Services, Inc., the countrys largest licensed tax credits and incentives advisory firm, announced today that it has entered into a partnership with WOTC.com, an enterprise owned by TC Services USA, Inc., that enables businesses to take advantage of Work Opportunity Tax Credits.

Engineered Tax Services, Inc. (ETS), the countrys largest licensed tax credits and incentives advisory firm, announced today that it has entered into a partnership with WOTC.com, an enterprise owned by TC Services USA, Inc., that enables businesses to take advantage of Work Opportunity Tax Credits (WOTCs). This federal tax program rewards companies that hire certain targeted groups that have consistently faced significant barriers to employment.

ETS is a licensed engineering firm with over 150 employees; it provides specialty tax services to its diversified client base of several thousand private CPA firms and their related clients in the businesses of real estate, manufacturing, and energy, helping them obtain the full benefit of federal, state, and local tax credits and incentives.

Employers can claim WOTCs until December 31, 2025. The program rewards the hiring of qualified IV-A (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families) recipients; qualified veterans; ex-felons; designated community residents; vocational rehabilitation referrals; summer youth employees; Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) recipients; Supplemental Security Income (SSI) recipients; Long-Term Family Assistance recipients; and Qualified Long-Term Unemployment recipients.

Using geographic incentive credits, the federal government has designated certain economically depressed areas as tax advantage areas, or Empowerment Zones. If a business is located in one of these areas and employs individuals living in the same area, it can earn credit against its federal tax liability. The WOTC Tax Credit is a dollar-for-dollar tax credit (not a percentage) of IRS taxes owed.

Weve found an ideal partner in WOTC.com, said Julio Gonzalez, CEO of Engineered Tax Services. Work Opportunity Tax Credits are a wonderful way to help the disadvantaged in our society and encourage the employers who hire them. Through our partnership with WOTC.com, well be able to refer clients we encounter in our far-reaching accounting work who would be eligible for WOTCs and whom WOTC.com could benefit, thereby pushing the American economy forward.

Rose Markowits, WOTC.coms Executive Officer, remarked: Were thrilled to join forces with ETS as a strategic partner. Our mission is to deliver the benefits of WOTC to the widest audience possible. The WOTC program not only improves the nation's unemployment levels, it affords business owners the incredible opportunity to earn between $2,400 and $9,600 for each eligible new hire. For example, a mid-sized home care agency or staffing firm that hires about 30 new hires per month can expect a WOTC tax credit of more than $250,000 annually.

She added: Every year, employers claim over one billion dollars in tax credits under the WOTC program! By having access to ETS incredible pipeline of accounting and tax business, were going to help employers lift up a very deserving section of the American workforce.

About Engineered Tax Services

Engineered Tax Services, Inc. (ETS) is the only licensed engineering firm providing specialty tax services to CPA firms and their clients. As advocates for America's small and mid-sized businesses, ETS helps CPA firms add value to their client relationships by offering sophisticated strategies like cost segregation, the research and development tax credit, and other specialized tax credits and incentives, allowing them to retain more working capital and drive profitability.

About WOTC.com

WOTC.com, a subsidiary of TC Services USA, Inc., is dedicated to delivering the benefits of Work Opportunity Tax Credits to the widest possible customer base. With Rose Markowits as Executive Officer, it is comprised of an advanced team of tax credit professionals with an array of extensive knowledge about claiming credits. Because WOTCs are its sole focus, it has become an expert and leader in its field.
Students everywhere have been greatly affected by the loss of learning caused by the pandemic. Excels online summer school program is a flexible, affordable option for students who may have fallen behind or those students trying to get ahead, says Rod Clarkson, CEO of Excel High School.

Excel High School, a regionally accredited online school based in Minnesota, is expanding its online summer school program to assist students who have fallen behind due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Students can begin registering for online summer school courses immediately. With more than 50 core and elective courses available, Excel is prepared to serve students with a variety of flexible and engaging online courses.

Students everywhere have been greatly affected by the loss of learning caused by the pandemic. Excels online summer school program is a flexible, affordable option for students who may have fallen behind or those students trying to get ahead, says Rod Clarkson, CEO of Excel High School. Weve been serving students online for nearly 20 years, and our teachers are uniquely qualified to take on the challenges of educating in a post-COVID world.

Excel High Schools summer school program offers open enrollment after a hectic year of challenges students and parents faced adapting to new educational needs during the pandemic. According to research conducted by Excel, students lost 136 to 232 days of learning in Math since the onset of COVID-19 school closures. Over 3 million students missed school entirely during the crisis, which has resulted in more demand for high-quality online summer school courses.

Students who enroll at Excel High School for summer school will work with experienced online instructors with curricula designed to meet student-specific needs. With its flexible, easy-to-use learning portal, and self-paced online courses, Excel is an excellent choice for students experiencing a busy summer schedule.

Excel High Schools online summer school program includes:



Standard High School Courses for students who are looking to get ahead.

The High School Credit Recovery Program offers students access to missing credits.

Advanced Placement (AP) & Honors

ACE Courses (College Credits)

Excel High School is regionally accredited and recognized by all colleges and universities for excellence in education. With thousands of 5-star reviews and over a 90% graduation rate, Excels online summer school program is an excellent choice. Excels online courses are available to students from public and private schools anywhere in the world.

Parents or students who want to learn more can visit the school website or contact an enrollment advisor at 800-620-3844.

About Excel High School

Since 2005, Excel High School has delivered high-quality, accredited, online K-12 and adult high school programs. The cornerstone of the Excel program includes personalized learning, flexibility to learn where and when students learn best, highly qualified instructors, an award-winning, standards-aligned curriculum, easy-to-use technology, and a diverse online learning community. For more information, call 800-620-3844 or visit https://www.ExcelHighSchool.com. Excel High School is a division of Excel Education Systems, Inc., a global leader in online education.
EzPaycheck Software Accommodates Business Women Starting A Company, With Easy Quick Start Guide Many women who are joining the ranks as entrepreneurs in the business industry are finding that ezPaycheck payroll software is one of the least expensive payroll solutions on the market.

Starting and growing a business is the dream of thousands of women in the US . Women entrepreneurs seeking an inexpensive solution to payroll processing are finding that at the top of the list is ezPaycheck payroll software from Halfpricesoft.com. The development team accommodates business owners with many new features including a quick start guide for those new to the business world.

Many women who are joining the ranks as entrepreneurs in the business industry are finding that ezPaycheck payroll software is one of the least expensive payroll solutions on the market.  said Dr. Ge, the Founder of Halfpricesoft.com.

Simple, reliable and affordable, ezPaycheck is the right in house payroll tax solution for the new employers to calculate taxes, print paychecks, generate reports and print tax forms. No internet connection is needed.

Customers seeking a way to simplify payroll processing with more accuracy can go online to https://www.halfpricesoft.com/index.asp and download the payroll software. The download includes the full version of the paycheck software along with a sample database. The sample database allows new customers to try all of ezPaychecks unique features, including the intuitive graphical interface.

The main features include:



Supports multiple differential pay rates such as: hourly, salary, night shift, by piece, by load, or by mileage rates for employees and contractors

Supports multiple accounts at no additional charge

Supports network access for 2-10 users (additional cost)

Supports daily, weekly, biweekly, semimonthly and monthly payroll periods. Features report functions, print functions, and pay stub functions

Prints miscellaneous checks as well as payroll calculation checks

Prints payroll checks on blank computer checks or preprinted checks

Automatically calculates federal withholding tax, social security, medicare tax and employer unemployment taxes

Includes built-in tax tables for all 50 states and the District of Columbia

Creates and maintains payroll for multiple companies, and does it simultaneously

Prints Tax Forms 940, 941, W2 and W3 (Copy A preprinted form required)

ezPaycheck is compatible with Windows 10, 8, 7 and other Windows systems. We also sell a MAC version, separately.

Priced at $109 per calendar year for a single installation version, (network version available for additional cost) ezPaycheck payroll software is affordable for any size business. Customers seeking a way to simplify payroll processing with more accuracy to start the no obligation 30-day test drive today at https://www.halfpricesoft.com/index.asp.

About halfpricesoft.com

Halfpricesoft.com is a leading provider of small business software,

including online and desktop payroll software, online employee attendance tracking software, accounting software, in-house business and personal check printing software, W2, software, 1099 software, Accounting software, 1095 form software and ezACH direct deposit software. Software from halfpricesoft.com is trusted by thousands of customers and will help small business owners simplify payroll processing and streamline business management.
Staying ahead of bad actors requires more than just theoretical defenses; we must put our security methods to the test in the real world.

Biometric cybersecurity technology provider, FaceTec, announced today that its 3D Face Authentication Software Platform experienced massive year-over-year increases in all aspects of its usage and commercial operations.

Having already achieved profitability in Q1 of 2020, FaceTec saw a 321% YoY increase in Q1 revenue for 2021 while growing margins, and saw over 1.2 million Liveness sessions conducted per day in April. With more than 65 channel partners globally, and over 15 million new user accounts onboarded every month, FaceTec has now served more than 175 million unique users over the company's seven-year history.

"Staying ahead of bad actors requires more than just theoretical defenses; we must put our security methods to the test in the real world," said Kevin Alan Tussy, CEO of FaceTec. "We take direct responsibility for how our AI performs in our customers production applications, and have since we first deployed our 3D Face Verification Platform. Our hyper-focus on solving the problems in remote digital identity has not only produced the most secure and easy-to-use face verification available, but 18 months ago we pioneered what is still the only public biometric Spoof Bounty Program in the world. With more than 52,000 rebuffed attacks, the program has provided us with invaluable information, making our solution's security second to none."

A large and growing number of global users rely on FaceTec for secure access to their high-value accounts and privileges in banking and finance, border control, online dating, cryptocurrency, e-voting, e-commerce, national IDs, mobile driver licenses, and social networks.

"We are, of course, thrilled to experience this level of growth in our business, but we are also witnessing increased reliance on our software in mission-critical applications. Governments, large financial institutions, multinational corporations with very large user bases - and a lot at stake - are embracing our advanced 3D FaceScan AI," said Jay Meier, FaceTec's SVP of North American Operations. "We'll be making numerous customer announcements over the coming months that will literally change the way remote Identity Verification is done for entire populations. FaceTec has solved the user-authentication problems that have plagued the biometrics industry for decades. As a subject matter expert who has been analyzing biometrics vendors for over 25 years, it's exciting to watch the Digital Identity landscape change right before our eyes as FaceTec powers security for more and more of the mobile ecosystems that we all rely on."

The recent FaceTec v9.1 release is one of the most important and beneficial to date. Overall, Liveness algorithm performance has a measured 800% increase over v9.0, and the UX is faster and more intuitive than ever.

"Our proprietary 3D AI provides the highest levels (1-5) of liveness detection available and can accurately match a single individual more than 600% more accurately than any 2D system," added Tussy. "FaceTec's accuracy and usability have increased substantially in the past 12 months, and the usage and successful deployments around the world prove it. We also now provide a comprehensive customer dashboard, and free 2D passive liveness checks, 1:N de-duplication, photo ID face matching and anti-spoofing, anonymous age checks, and enhanced session analysis."

FaceTec achieved elite status in the first-ever report covering Liveness and Identity Proofing Vendors from Acuity Market Intelligence (https://bit.ly/3v1oRXo).

Please note: FaceTec is not seeking outside investment.

-------------------------------

About FaceTecs 3D Face Verification & Authentication Platform

FaceTecs pioneering 3D Face Authentication stops fraud and identity theft for millions of users on six continents for hundreds of the worlds leading organizations.

FaceTecs 3D Face Authentication Platform features:



100% software, for all modern smartphones, tablets, and PCs with webcams

World-leading 3D Face Matching rate at 1-in-12.8 million FAR at less than 1% FRR

Patented UI generates data-rich 3D FaceMaps from standard 2D cameras

$100,000 Spoof Bounty Program & Levels 1&2 Certified Liveness Detection

Unshareable, unphishable 3D FaceMaps ensure trust without creating a honeypot

IDV dashboard with integrated 1-to-N de-duplication & fraudulent user lists

Highly accurate 1-in-500,000 FAR 3D FaceMap-to-2D-photo-ID matching

Integrated anonymous age estimation and age checks

Fast, intuitive interface with 98-99% first-time-user success rates

Easy to integrate, customize, deploy, and manage

Developers can download the FaceTec demo apps directly from https://www.facetec.com/ for iOS, Android and any webcam-enabled browser, and the developer SDKs are available free at https://dev.facetec.com.

-------------------------------

About FaceTec

Founded in 2013, with team members in the United States, Brazil, Portugal, and Singapore, FaceTec is fast becoming the global standard in 3D face biometrics, powering remote identity platforms on six continents for government agencies like the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, Canadian Parliament, SmartDubai, DataPrev Brazil; and for private organizations including Mercado Libre, Nubank, BBVA, MeetGroup, Voice.com, and hundreds more.

FaceTec's internationally patented, industry-leading 3D Face Authentication software anchors the chain of trust in mobile digital identity ecosystems with the world's strongest Certified Liveness Detection, and most accurate 3D Face Matching and Age Estimation.

For more information and business inquiries, please visit http://www.FaceTec.com. For media inquiries, please contact John Wojewidka at JohnW@FaceTec.com.

-------------------------------

About Liveness.com

Created as an educational resource for biometrics users, vendors, analysts, media, and regulators, http://www.Liveness.com provides a comprehensive history of Presentation Attack & Camera Bypass Detection, as well as explanations of methods and means for evaluation, certification, bounty programs, and testing.
Christian McCaffrey Wears Flag & Anthem 22 and Troops Tee We want to raise awareness and say thank you to all the men and women who protect us and their families as the scarifies they make dont go unnoticed."

Flag & Anthem is proud to support Military Appreciation Month by partnering with Flag & Anthem Ambassador and Carolina Panthers Running Back Christian McCaffrey and the Christian McCaffrey Foundation to raise money and support the foundations newest charity initiative, 22 and Troops. Flag & Anthem has created a special collection of graphic tees where 100% of the proceeds will be donated to help active-duty military, veterans, frontline works and their families overcome trauma and PTSD through a partnership with REBOOT Recovery.

Were incredibly proud of the work Christian is doing to help support Americas armed forces and their families, said Brad Gartman, Co-Founder of Flag & Anthem. We want to raise awareness and say thank you to all the men and women who protect us and their families as the scarifies they make dont go unnoticed.

Designed in collaboration with Christian McCaffrey, the exclusive unisex graphic tees feature the 22 and Troops logo on both the front and the back and are available in black and grey.

22 and Troops was launched out of a desire by Christian McCaffrey to show up in support of those who have made the greatest sacrifices and need our help to address what happens when the uniform comes off and our heroes come home. With more than 22 veterans dying by suicide every day, these families cannot wait.

REBOOT Recovery was founded in 2011 and is rooted in faith-based and holistic interventions, courses, training, and online tools for active-duty military, veterans, first-responders, and their families. Their online and in-person programs are led by others who have experienced and overcome similar trauma and can offer practical help and a strong foundation of community.

Flag & Anthems 22 and Troops charity tees are available for $22.22 and can be purchased online at flagandanthem.com.

Stay up to date with the latest information on Flag & Anthem and Christian McCaffrey by following @flagandanthemco and @christianmccaffrey. To learn more about Flag & Anthems commitment to Military Appreciation, visit Flag & Anthems blog at flagandanthem.com/blogs/news.

# # # # #

ABOUT FLAG & ANTHEM

Established in 2016, Flag & Anthem was founded as a premium quality mens clothing brand by two guys who have been making clothing for over 20 years. Theyve mastered superior quality, impeccable detail, and the perfect fit, all at an affordable price. Flag & Anthem exemplifies a refined to rugged look with an authentic, vintage-inspired aesthetic and specializes in making comfortable and versatile clothing that you can wear while you enjoy your everyday life, wherever it takes you. Seasonal collections include casual button-downs, elevated knitwear, comfort denim, signature chinos, hybrid shorts, and much more. In Spring 2020 their everyday performance line, MadeFlex, launched as a much-needed collection, combining the best technologies with the most versatile styles to create wearable-performance apparel. In Spring 2018, Flag & Anthem started a long-term partnership with country music star Dierks Bentley on the brands Desert Son product line. Flag & Anthem is available at http://www.flagandanthem.com and such retailers as Stitch Fix, Bloomingdales, Dillards, Buckle, Von Maur, Scheels and hundreds of specialty boutiques across the country.


We are confident in our ability to handle probate administrations electronically, and we can use that to not only keep clients safe, but also expedite their case. Tommy R. Walser, founding partner at Florida Probate Law Firm

Florida Probate Law Firm is proud to offer a technology-based approach to processing and resolving probate cases throughout the state of Florida. As one of the states with the highest elderly populations in the country, Florida and its residents have a substantial need for convenient and timely legal services. Florida Probate Law Firm has been able to provide virtual assistance to its clients for a long time, but the COVID-19 pandemic confirmed the need for an electronic approach that prioritizes client safety and security.

It is important to us that our clientsespecially in times of great uncertaintyfeel comfortable and in control of their probate process, said Tommy R. Walser, founding partner at Florida Probate Law Firm. We are confident in our ability to handle probate administrations electronically, and we can use that to not only keep clients safe, but also expedite their case.

The electronic probate services that Florida Probate Law Firm provide range from sending pleadings to the client for signature to e-filing with courts throughout the state of Florida. Free virtual consultations are available from the outset, and clients with questions at any stage of the process are easily able to contact their probate attorney for a rapid response.

The technology-based approach of the firm not only offers convenience, but also incredible speed. Once retained, the firm can prepare and send out pleadings in as little as 24 hours, while new clients can open an estate in as little as three following the initial consultation. The firm also has quick turnover assistance for those seeking to sell real estate going through the probate process, with most homes selling within a one- or two-month window.

The attorneys of Florida Probate Law Firm are ready to help at a moments notice with any component of the probate process, including, but not limited to:



Inheritance

Estate Tax Returns

Creditor Claims

Asset Transfer

Trust Administration

Estate Administration

About Florida Probate Law Firm, PLLC

Florida Probate Law Firm, PLLC provides formal probate administration, ancillary probate administration, probate litigation, and professional executor services in all 67 counties across the state of Florida. Their goal is to provide clients with individualized, affordable, and timely service to help meet their clients unique needs.

Contact Info:

Name: Thomas R. Walser, Esq.

Phone: (561) 210-5500

Email: info@floridaprobatefirm.com For more information, please visit https://www.floridaprobatefirm.com
Together we are taking a monumental step towards evolving industry collaboration and innovation.

HomeBinder is a leading home management platform provider that centralizes documents, projects, maintenance, home valuation, access to home professionals, and more. These capabilities are uniquely designed to provide homeowners peace of mind, maximize home value, optimize the ownership experience, as well as enable businesses servicing the homeowner to create a true Client for Life experience.

Coupled with the quality and expertise of The Mortgage Firm, borrowers will have the exclusive opportunity to access the HomeBinder cloud platform to centrally store all closing documents and holistically manage all aspects of home ownership. The Mortgage Firm is collaborating with HomeBinder to deliver a sophisticated, interactive homeownership process that is beneficial for the borrower and the lender. The Mortgage Firm and HomeBinder partnership will instill confidence throughout the loan lifecycle, beginning with the loan officer and extending throughout servicing.

For lenders serving the residential homebuyers market, who want to deliver a true wow factor that will differentiate their offering, HomeBinder is an automated, tech-forward means to create immediate brand loyalty. We instantly realized the HomeBinder difference, said Todd Pierson, President of The Mortgage Firm. Our partnership will enable The Mortgage Firm to easily deliver HomeBinders home management platform without adding any time to our loan officers day, and establish a lifetime loyalty campaign for our borrowers, added Pierson. The Mortgage Firm will automatically provide a HomeBinder to all borrowers as a digital closing gift containing all mortgage closing documentation, helping to enhance the loan experience, improve borrower retention after closing, and increase referrals.

This exciting new affiliation further affirms the growing demand from mortgage lenders to achieve meaningful, long-term client engagement beyond the closing of the loan. HomeBinder is excited to partner with The Mortgage Firm, as we both understand the value of educating and supporting homeowners throughout their journey of ownership, said Jack Huntress, CEO of HomeBinder. Together we are taking a monumental step towards evolving industry collaboration and innovation.

HomeBinder - Expected by Homeowners - Driven by Lenders

About The Mortgage Firm

Headquartered in Orlando, Florida, The Mortgage Firm has been providing quality real estate financing for over 20 years. With a proven track record, we serve the lending needs of real estate professionals, builders and individual homebuyers. Our qualified and licensed professionals offer expertise in every area of mortgage lending: We have access to a full range of mortgage sources and all of our lending specialists are dedicated to finding the right loan with the best rate, terms and cost to meet your unique needs. But that's just the beginning. Throughout the lending process, our talented staff will provide regular updates and progress reports, so you know exactly where you stand, in person or online.

About HomeBinder

HomeBinder is a home management platform that provides homeowners peace of mind and maximizes home value. HomeBinder is offered exclusively through business partners serving residential homeowners, enabling them to deliver long term value to clients, remain top of mind, and generate referrals. Our select business partnerships include home inspectors, mortgage lenders, insurance providers, home service providers, property managers, builders and real estate professionals. Founded in 2012, HomeBinder currently serves all fifty States and Canada, and is based in Burlington, MA. For more information on how to create true clients for life, visit http://www.Homebinder.com.
This donation from Jim Ellis ensures that we can teach the latest, most relevant technology to our students. Without support like this, we would be at a disadvantage training future technicians

Jim Ellis Automotive Group and Volkswagen of America are honored to have donated a new Volkswagen Atlas to Gwinnett Technical College in support of the colleges Automotive Technology Program. The donation of this new vehicle means students will have a more real-world accessibility to relevant technology, training and resources to equip them with up-to-date tools and knowledge for their future automotive careers.

With the vehicle donation students will receive a training version of OTIS (Volkswagens diagnostic software) so they can learn to work with Volkswagens current technology on cars. This will empower students to become familiar with real-time actual diagnostics in a genuine franchise environment.

Alan Freeman, fixed operations manager for Jim Ellis Automotive Group, has worked on this initiative for nearly four years. Theres not a lot of access to the ever evolving automotive technologies, unless you are in a branded franchised environment, said Freeman. With what they have now, they can learn technical skills but not brand-specific resources and thats a big stepping stone.

Both Jim Ellis Automotive Group and Volkswagen of America recognize the value of partnering with education programs. A partnership like this ensures that Jim Ellis Automotive Group can provide opportunities to students such as serving on advisory boards and having graduates as candidates for their service operations.

Robert Bauman, program director for the general automotive department at Gwinnett Tech, looks forward to equipping his students with enhanced technology training. Automotive technology changes at lighting speed, says Bauman. This donation from Jim Ellis ensures that we can teach the latest, most relevant technology to our students. Without support like this, we would be at a disadvantage training future technicians.

The Jim Ellis Automotive Group is actively committed to giving back to the communities they serve. The group hopes to work with more manufacturers to improve the education of future technicians throughout Georgia.

ABOUT JIM ELLIS AUTOMOTIVE GROUP

Jim Ellis Automotive Group has been serving the Atlanta area since 1971, starting with Volkswagen as the flagship brand. The group has expanded to 16 brands and 20 dealerships covering Atlanta, Buford, Kennesaw, McDonough, Marietta, Sandy Springs and South Fulton. Visit online at JimEllis.com.

ABOUT GWINNETT TECH

Gwinnett Technical College, one of Georgias largest technical colleges, is committed to delivering relevant knowledge to meet the workforce training needs of its community. The College offers more than 140 associate degree, diploma, and certificate programs and hundreds of seminars, workshops, and courses providing specialized training. Gwinnett Tech is Gwinnett Countys largest provider of corporate training and also serves residents and businesses in north Fulton County. Gwinnett Technical College is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges to award the associate degree. Contact the Commission on Colleges at 1866 Southern Lane, Decatur, Georgia 30033-4097 or call for questions about the accreditation of Gwinnett Technical College. In addition, some college programs hold separate licensure or accreditation status with appropriate agencies. For more information, visit GwinnettTech.edu. A unit of the Technical College System of Georgia.


This pandemic caused a shift to remote work, which really forced us to be creative in the types of activities and perks that we offer our employees. -Stu Sjouwerman, CEO, KnowBe4

KnowBe4, the provider of the worlds largest security awareness training and simulated phishing platform, today announced it has been named to Inc. magazines annual list of the Best Workplaces for 2021. The list is the result of a wide-ranging and comprehensive measurement of American companies that have created exceptional workplaces and company culture whether teams are operating in person or remotely.

KnowBe4 has three company rules that every employee abides by: do it right the first time, do it fast and have fun while you do it. These three rules guide KnowBe4s company culture. Due to the pandemic, many of the fun activities have moved online, such as fitness classes, competitions, trivia and more. KnowBe4 also sent several care packages to its employees around the world to bring them some joy while they worked from home.

Collecting data from thousands of submissions, Inc. singled out 429 honorees this year. Each nominated company took part in our employee survey, conducted by Quantum Workplace, on topics including management effectiveness, perks and fostering employee growth. The organizations benefits were also audited to determine the companys overall score and ranking.

This pandemic caused a shift to remote work, which really forced us to be creative in the types of activities and perks that we offer our employees, said Stu Sjouwerman, CEO, KnowBe4. Regarding our management style, we operate on full transparency and ensure that our employees are always well informed about the organizations direction and management decisions. Employee growth and career development is also a priority at KnowBe4. We are grateful to Inc. magazine for recognizing our stellar company culture, effective management team and exceptional benefits by naming KnowBe4 to this years best workplaces list.

The definition of a positive workplace has changed drastically over the past year, says Inc. magazine editor-in-chief Scott Omelianuk. Stocked fridges and nap pods were no longer perks many companies could rely on once work went remote. So, this years list is even more important as it reveals organizations that continue to enrich the lives of its employees amid a pandemic.

About KnowBe4

KnowBe4, the provider of the worlds largest security awareness training and simulated phishing platform, is used by more than 37,000 organizations around the globe. Founded by IT and data security specialist Stu Sjouwerman, KnowBe4 helps organizations address the human element of security by raising awareness about ransomware, CEO fraud and other social engineering tactics through a new-school approach to awareness training on security. Kevin Mitnick, an internationally recognized cybersecurity specialist and KnowBe4's Chief Hacking Officer, helped design the KnowBe4 training based on his well-documented social engineering tactics. Tens of thousands of organizations rely on KnowBe4 to mobilize their end users as the last line of defense.

About Inc. Media

The worlds most trusted business-media brand, Inc. offers entrepreneurs the knowledge, tools, connections, and community to build great companies. Its award-winning multiplatform content reaches more than 50 million people each month across a variety of channels including websites, newsletters, social media, podcasts, and print. Its prestigious Inc. 5000 list, produced every year since 1982, analyzes company data to recognize the fastest-growing privately held businesses in the United States. The global recognition that comes with inclusion in the 5000 gives the founders of the best businesses an opportunity to engage with an exclusive community of their peers, and the credibility that helps them drive sales and recruit talent. The associated Inc. 5000 Conference is part of a highly acclaimed portfolio of bespoke events produced by Inc. For more information, visit http://www.inc.com.

About Quantum Workplace

Quantum Workplace, based in Omaha, Nebraska, is an HR technology company that serves organizations through employee-engagement surveys, action-planning tools, exit surveys, peer-to-peer recognition, performance evaluations, goal tracking, and leadership assessment. For more information, visit QuantumWorkplace.com.
Law Office of Blumenthal Nordrehaug Bhowmik De Blouw LLP For more information about the class action lawsuit against Res-Care California, Inc., call (800) 568-8020 to speak to an experienced California employment attorney today.

The Sacramento labor law attorneys at Blumenthal Nordrehaug Bhowmik De Blouw LLP, filed a class action lawsuit against Res-Care California, Inc. alleging the company violated California labor laws. The Res-Care California, Inc. lawsuit, Case No. S-CV-0046333, is currently pending in the Placer County Superior Court for the State of California. A copy of the complaint can be accessed by clicking here.

According to the lawsuit filed, Res-Care California, Inc. allegedly (a) failed to pay overtime wages, (b) failed to provide legally required meal and rest periods, (c) failed to provide accurate itemized wage statements, (d) failed to reimburse employees for required business expenses, and (e) violated the Private Attorneys General Act, all in violation of the applicable Labor Code sections listed in Labor Code Sections  226, 226.7, 510, 512, 1194, 1198, 2698, 2802 and the applicable Wage Order(s), and thereby gives rise to civil penalties as a result of such alleged conduct.

The complaint further alleges Res-Care California, Inc. committed acts of unfair competition in violation of the California Unfair Competition Law, Cal. Bus. & Prof. Code  17200, et seq. (the UCL), by engaging in a company-wide policy and procedure which failed to properly classify PLAINTIFF and others and thereby allegedly failed to pay them overtime wages for documented overtime hours worked. As a result of DEFENDANTs alleged intentional disregard of the obligation to meet this burden, DEFENDANT allegedly violated the California Labor Code and regulations.

For more information about the class action lawsuit against Res-Care California, Inc., call (800) 568-8020 to speak to an experienced California employment attorney today.

Blumenthal Nordrehaug Bhowmik De Blouw LLP is a labor law firm with law offices located in San Diego County, Riverside County, Los Angeles County, Orange County, Sacramento County, and San Francisco County. The firm has a statewide practice of representing employees on a contingency basis for violations involving unpaid wages, overtime pay, discrimination, harassment, wrongful termination and other types of illegal workplace conduct.

***THIS IS AN ATTORNEY ADVERTISEMENT***
All 2021 Hyundai modelsnot just the models listed abovealso get a 90-day payment deferral.

Apple Valley Hyundaia Hyundai dealership based in Winchester, Virginiais currently running its Memorial Day Savings Event. This event includes financing specials for select new and certified pre-owned Hyundai vehicles. Eligible new Hyundai models also have Hyundai Bonus Cash specials. Those interested in buying a new or certified pre-owned Hyundai are encouraged to act quickly. All specials listed below are only available through June 1.

2021 Hyundai models that are eligible for these savings include the 2021 Kona, 2021 Tucson, 2021 Sonata and 2021 Elantra. The 2021 Hyundai Kona is available at 0% APR for up to 60 months plus $750 Hyundai Bonus Cash. The 2021 Hyundai Tucson is available at 0% APR for up to 60 months plus $1,500 Hyundai Bonus Cash. Lastly, the 2021 Hyundai Sonata and 2021 Hyundai Elantra are available at 0% APR for up to 60 months plus $1,000 Hyundai Bonus Cash. All 2021 Hyundai modelsnot just the models listed abovealso get a 90-day payment deferral.

Parties interested in purchasing a used vehicle also get access to savings with this event. All certified pre-owned Hyundai vehicles are available at 1.9% APR financing for 72 months for qualified buyers.

People who would like to take advantage of the specials listed herein are encouraged to go to applevalleyhyundai.com. Similarly, the dealership can be reached by calling 855-463-5530. Apple Valley Hyundai is open for business Monday through Saturday and is located at 2934 Valley Ave., Winchester.
The Kentucky Exposition Center, Louisville, Ky. "While the trade show circuit has been quiet since early 2020, industry development has continued in an impressive fashion, from home design to materials, not to mention progress in community lifestyle, and then theres the multiple cycles of new products and services to catch up on.

Save the dates JAN. 19 - 21, 2022 for The Louisville Manufactured Housing Show, the Midwests premier event for manufactured housing professionals, in Louisville, Ky., at the Kentucky Exposition Center South Wing.

For more than 60 years, The Louisville Show has brought together the latest manufactured home designs, tech specialists and a top network of suppliers in the manufactured housing industry. In 2020, The Louisville Show attracted a near-record 3,536 attendees from 1,130 companies.

"Manufactured housing professionals are eager to get out to see the latest trends and opportunities in the industry after missing more than a year of this kind of interaction," Louisville Show Chairman Byron Stroud said. "While the trade show circuit has been quiet since early 2020, industry development has continued in an impressive fashion, from home design to materials, not to mention progress in community lifestyle, and then theres the multiple cycles of new products and services to catch up on.

Additionally, The Louisville Show offers an array of educational and networking opportunities, all at a convenient location near the airport and across the street from the host hotel.

Louisville exhibitors display products and services at the KEC, where qualified industry buyers come for ideas and inspiration, Show Coordinator Trisha Le said. And January is an optimal time to understand customer wants and needs as they prepare for the spring selling season.

Exhibitor Opportunities Open Soon

Exhibit space will sell fast, so join The Louisville Show mailing list to keep up on the latest event news including reminders on deadlines for exhibit entry, sponsorship, registration, and activities.

For 2022, The Louisville Show will operate with a new floor plan that places supplier exhibitors in a more central location among the manufacturer exhibitors.

"We believe the layout with service and supply professionals set up within greater proximity to all of the homes will increase attendee access and traffic flow more evenly through the show," Le said.

General registration details for Louisville 2022 will be announced in the coming months.

Each year, The Louisville Show is organized and presented by The Midwest Manufactured Housing Federation, which represents the states of Kentucky, Indiana, Ohio, Michigan, and Illinois.

As an industry trade event, the 2022 Louisville Show is not open to the public. For more information, visit The Louisville Show website at http://www.thelouisvilleshow.com.

The Midwest Manufactured Housing Federation

The Midwest Manufactured Housing Federation is a trade-association dedicated to the promotion and advancement of the manufactured housing industry throughout Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan and Ohio. The Federation holds the Louisville Manufactured Housing Show annually in Louisville, Kentucky.


Matrix Sciences acquires Cherney Microbiological Services Ltd "We were very deliberate in choosing the right next step for our team. Matrix was simply the best choice." said Steve Kuchenberg, CEO of Cherney Microbiological Services.

Matrix Sciences is pleased to announce the acquisition of Cherney Microbiological Services. This strategic expansion further solidifies Matrix as a market leader and builds on its growing network of 19 facilities.

"We are excited to have the Cherney team join us as an integral part of Matrix," said Robert Wiebe, CEO of Matrix Sciences. "Together, we offer food manufacturers a level of service and expertise that is unmatched in the region."

"We were very deliberate in choosing the right next step for our team. Matrix was simply the best choice," said Steve Kuchenberg, CEO of Cherney Microbiological Services. "We were looking for a good fit for our people, for similar values and a shared focus on investing in customer relationships. We found that in Matrix, and we are excited about the future."

With this investment, Matrix has further built on a solid growth platform. Matrix's network in the area includes two laboratories in Green Bay, Wisconsin, one in Baraboo, Wisconsin, and its largest laboratory in Mount Prospect, Illinois. These laboratories are supported by a fleet of 32 dedicated vehicles to provide convenient service to a regional customer base that spans Wisconsin, Illinois, Indiana, Minnesota, and Iowa.

Matrix Sciences is a growing network providing analytical and advisory services to address the core technical needs of agri-food producers and processors. Its network of 19 facilities provides support from cultivation to consumer and ideation to successful product launch.
Posted Tuesday, May 18, 2021 3:20 am

Studies done on behalf of Clark County to come up with a better housing plan show land around the outskirts of Vancouver isnt set up to house most of its population.

On May 11, consultants involved with the countys Housing Options Study and Action Plan spoke remotely about what they had found. Among the findings is the disconnect between what housing is available and what residents need.

Through outreach conducted among stakeholders in Vancouvers Urban Growth Area, a designation laid out in state law that governs where new development can occur outside a citys borders, consultants found that recent construction of predominately single-family homes does not reflect local needs.

The outreach also concluded that zoning designations in the area are fairly restrictive, not allowing high-density development along key transportation corridors or near commercial areas.

Land availability is a major challenge for residential development in the area, which is located largely north of the city around the Interstate 5 and 205 corridors. The surveys indicated a disconnect between infrastructure investment and where housing is anticipated to develop.

The county will need to plan for more than 13,000 new housing units by 2035, 42 percent of which will be below the area median income, Steve Faust, community planning director with 3J Consulting, explained. He said the majority of the outreach was done in April and July 2020, with a project advisory group involving stakeholders approved in the fall.

Faust presented information that indicated the disconnect between how the growth area has been operating and what it needs.

Faust said 76 percent of housing stock in the growth boundary is single-family detached housing on lots larger than 5,000 square feet. He added more than 66,000 people leave the UGA for work and 84 percent commute by car.

A graph Faust presented shows median home sale prices doubled between 2011 and 2019, and rental rates for multifamily units increased from about $750 to roughly $1,300 for a two-bedroom apartment. From 2012 to 2019, wages in the area increased by about 12 percent, while rent costs increased 23 percent and housing prices per square foot increased 95 percent.

Fausts presentation noted more than half of households in the UGA make less than 120 percent of the area median income, with 44 percent of renters burdened by cost. Nearly 60 percent of households are one to two people, while 70 percent of the housing stock is three to four-bedroom units.

Elizabeth Decker with JET Planning noted the county adopted a 50-year vision in 1993 stating no single housing type would exceed 75 percent of new dwelling units. Of the three different designations within the countys comprehensive growth management plan, 89 percent was zoned low-density, with high-density only accounting for 3 percent.

Decker said there is limited land supply in medium-density zones, with a missing middle of housing opportunities in low and middle-density zones. She added high-density zoning is extremely limited, compounded with site demands such as parking and recreation space.

Faust said housing is more expensive and entry-level homes continue to move out of reach, with demand outpacing supply. The proliferation of single-family housing in the study area has complicated the issue.

The project formed an advisory group representing a broad range of interests, including individuals vulnerable to rising housing costs and displacement, housing industry representatives, advocates for older adults, neighborhood and school representatives. Along with its own meetings, the group will periodically meet with the Clark County Council and the countys planning commission.

Jacqui Kamp, with the Clark County Community Planning Department, said there would be additional public participation when the plan moves toward a legislative decision.
In support of industry growth and workforce preparedness, we are pleased to announce our inaugural MobileDemand Innovation Scholarship," said MobileDemand Director of Human Resources, Christie Bielenberg.

MobileDemand, provider of rugged tablets and mobile computing solutions for enterprise productivity, today announced the Innovative Minds Scholarship. Created to help celebrate and encourage the spirit of innovation, embraced in all aspects of MobileDemand.

As the speed of emerging technology increases, so too does the demand for skilled, quality talent, said MobileDemand Director of Human Resources, Christie Bielenberg. In support of industry growth and workforce preparedness, we are pleased to announce our inaugural MobileDemand Innovation Scholarship, intended to stimulate and honor excellence in academics and involvement of technologys future leaders.

MobileDemand will award a $1,000 scholarship to two (2) fulltime undergraduate students attending a 4-year college or university in the United States. Scholarship recipients will be selected based on their academic accomplishments, exemplary leadership, and participation in both school and community activities while pursuing an undergraduate degree in engineering, business or communications related major. Other eligibility requirements and the application can be found at ruggedtabletpc.com/scholarship.

About MobileDemand

MobileDemand is a technology leader in rugged tablets and mobile computing solutions, committed to bringing more functionality and capabilities to the mobile workforce. Specializing in the design of integrated productivity tools for barcode scanning, point-of-sale, magnetic stripe reading, PIN pad entry, 3D and thermal imaging, dimension measurement, and mounting hardware for myriad on-the-go applications, the company is driving the future of mobile productivity. MIL-STD 810G certified, rugged protection features of cases and accessories empower organizations to get more done in the field with rugged tablets that withstand drops, dust, water, humidity and adverse conditions where unprotected electronics fail. Since 2003, the Iowa, USA-based company has grown to serve more than 40 countries. To learn more and contact MobileDemand, visit ruggedtabletpc.com.
Earning these advanced specializations validates our teams dedication to providing our customers with the expertise they need to thrive in our current remote-working world.

Netrix, LLC, a leading provider of IT managed and professional services with a core focus on the Microsoft ecosystem, today announced it has earned the Meetings and Meeting Rooms Advanced Specialization and the Windows Virtual Desktop Advanced Specialization by Microsoft. These achievements recognize Netrixs extensive knowledge, experience and proven success delivering meetings and meeting rooms solutions through Microsoft teams and their ability to deploy, optimize and secure virtual desktop infrastructure on Azure.

Earning these advanced specializations validates our teams dedication to providing our customers with the expertise they need to thrive in our current remote-working world, said Rob Dang, CEO at Netrix. As a top provider of technology and communications solutions that integrate with the Microsoft product suite, we are proud to serve our customers and help them build an efficient and effective work environment for their employees. Remote and hybrid work is not going away, and we look forward to being part of bringing businesses success in their digital transformation journey.

Microsofts Windows Virtual Desktop Advanced Specialization is awarded to organizations that have been able to evolve to meet the needs of remote work and the growing demand for desktop-as-a-service. Those who earn this advanced specialization have gone above and beyond in implementing Windows Virtual Desktop for their clients including deploying, optimizing and securing virtual desktop infrastructure on Azure. In addition to passing a rigorous third-party audit, Netrix has met the specializations high standards, including having five Microsoft certifications and having an active gold Cloud Platform competency.

Meetings and Meeting Rooms Advanced Specialization is granted to organizations that are able to deploy and manage meeting services and solutions for Microsoft Teams, therefore helping build stronger connections with customers. With Microsoft Teams now reaching 145 million daily active users, its more important than ever that organizations are able to understand and capitalize on the solutions provided by meeting technologies. Netrix exceeded the necessary standards to receive this specialization because of the companys work with modernizing conference rooms and remote work environments.

As a Microsoft partner, were thrilled that we have clearly demonstrated our knowledge of the ecosystems platforms and solutions by receiving these advanced specializations, said Jay Parekh, Vice President of Strategic Alliance at Netrix. The Windows Virtual Desktop Advanced Specialization and Meetings and Meeting Rooms Advanced Specialization designations showcase our commitment to providing our customers with the expertise and capabilities needed to succeed in todays business landscape. Its no secret that Microsoft Teams and Azure are an essential component of many businesses, so it is imperative that we continue to be a leader to assist our customers with the platforms.

For more information on Netrix, please visit http://www.netrixllc.com.

ABOUT NETRIX, LLC.

Netrix is a leading provider of cloud, collaboration, security, data and development services. Through both proprietary and managed solutions leveraging leading third-party tools, Netrix addresses the most mission-critical IT needs of small and midsize enterprise businesses. For more information, please visit http://www.netrixllc.com and follow Netrix on LinkedIn, Facebook and Twitter.
Torontos digital marketing agency, Neumarkets announces that it is carbon neutral across its entire organization. Everyone who contributes to a Neumarkets project, the technology used, work-related travel, servers, and suppliers down to the electricity caused by website visits to any website Neumarkets' host are now carbon neutral.

Were very proud to be carbon neutral and able to continue on building the company sustainably. said Evan White, Founder and CEO of Neumarkets. Were happy to be partnering with Bullfrog Power on green electricity for our entire organization.

Through the agreement, Bullfrog Powers producers put renewable electricity onto the grid to match the amount of conventional electricity used by Neumarkets. Across Canada, Bullfrogs green electricity comes from a blend of wind and low-impact hydro power sourced from new Canadian renewable energy facilities.

We are excited to welcome Neumarkets to the bullfrog powered community, said Sean Drygas, President, Bullfrog Power. By choosing green electricity, Neumarkets is helping to reduce our dependence on polluting forms of energy and transition Canada to renewable energy sources.

About Neumarkets

Neumarkets, Torontos digital marketing agency, delivers the best web experiences with data-driven decisions. Neumarkets cross-functional technical web and marketing knowledge is second to none. Neumarkets services include, website design, website development, search engine optimization, logo design, naming, hosting and digital marketing.

About Bullfrog Power, a Spark Power company

Bullfrog Power, Canadas leading green energy provider, offers renewable energy solutions that enable individuals and businesses to reduce their environmental impact, support the development of green energy projects in Canada, and help create a cleaner, healthier world. As a Certified B Corporation, Bullfrog Power meets higher standards of social and environmental performance, transparency, and accountability.

Contact Bullfrog Power

Valerie Adriaanse

(416) 360-3464 ext 252

valerie.adriaanse@bullfrogpower.com

Contact Neumarkets

Evan White

Founder & CEO

(416) 365-7500

evan@neumarkets.com
The vision for the Wildflower Crossing community is an affordable, gated community offering new homes and an exceptional lifestyle experience with amenities and community events. With a convenient location just off I94 in Albion, Wildflower Crossing offers locals and others in the surrounding communities of Jackson, Battle Creek, Marshall and more, new homes and a short commute.

Safe, socially distanced tours of the new community and model homes will take place at the Grand Opening Event, hosted on May 21st - 23rd 2021. Move-in ready homes are available now.

Wildflower Crossing community is located at 1642 Alyssum Court, Albion, Michigan 49224



New community; Friendly and Safe

Gated Entrance with Professional Landscaping

3 and 4 Bedroom Homes with Garage Packages Available

Low Maintenance, Energy-Efficient, Single-Story Homes

Open Concept Floor Plans + On-Trend Finishes

Spacious Homes from 1056 sq ft  1568 sq ft.

Home Prices Start at $878/month*

In-House Financing Available

Community Amenities Coming Soon ~ Clubhouse, Patio, Dog Park

Resident Lifestyle Experience; parties, clubs, events

Home Warranties

On-site Professional Management

Wildflower Crossing has an exciting future as we grow a top-notch community for folks working locally and in surrounding towns, said Michael Callaghan, Managing Partner of Four Leaf Properties. Its an easy commute with our outstanding location just off of I94. Our new homes are amazing with lots of wow factor and gorgeous interiors. They are energy-efficient and low maintenance with smart technologies included to keep monthly utility bills low. There isnt a better value anywhere with monthly home prices starting at just $878 per month.

Wildflower Crossing will have a vibrant community of residents that can enjoy amenities, community events and the beautiful natural environment with lots of flowers. It is built to be a safe and thriving place to live for families, seniors and anyone looking to put down roots.

More information is available on our website at http://www.fourleafprop.com, our Facebook page and Youtube channel.

About Four Leaf Properties

Four Leaf Properties, founded in 2009, is a growing owner/operator and third-party management service provider for manufactured home communities. Committed to reinvestment, Four Leaf Properties works every day to improve and grow safe, professionally managed communities. Investments in amenities, community events and everyday management creates an environment where residents can put down roots. Four Leaf Properties also offers affordable home ownership with energy-efficient, modern floorplans and luxury finishes. To learn more, visit http://www.fourleafprop.com.

*Financing offered through First Choice MH LLC, a licensed mortgage loan originator in the State of Michigan. Main office 600 W. 22nd Street Suite 101 Oak Brook, IL 60523. NMLS# 1241272. Equal Housing Lender.

Estimated monthly payment based on the price of $57,657, 9.93 APR, 10% Down. 300 payments, $878.00 Site rent, insurance, or local site taxes are included. All conditions are subject to credit approval and approval for residency within an authorized community. Contact local Community Manager for details. Amounts rounded to the nearest dollar.
Delivering improved outcomes using health information enables payers and providers to meet the health care needs of the community they serve. This joint venture can make vital health care data a reality for more communities.

Four health care organizations are partnering to create a new company focused on helping health information exchanges (HIEs) and their communities, payers and providers improve health outcomes. The newly formed partnership, known as BeyondHIE, will offer a comprehensive suite of services, technology and project management to support value-based care.

BeyondHIE, a nonprofit organization, will support health care organizations by bringing together health data partners and enabling that data to be scaled and enhanced. The four companies joining together are Comagine Health, Idaho Health Data Exchange (IHDE), Orion Health and the Utah Health Information Network (UHIN). These industry leaders offer deep expertise in the areas of data quality, utilization, support and delivery. Together, they will provide services that support health care organizations on their journey to improve health care quality, while also assisting with funding of provider connectivity.

Delivering improved outcomes using health information enables payers and providers to meet the health care needs of the community they serve, said Brian Chin, chief executive officer at UHIN. This joint venture can make vital health care data a reality for more communities.

We are excited to partner with these key industry leaders striving to improve health outcomes throughout the U.S., said Ian McCrae, founder and chief executive officer of Orion Health. This joint venture will support improvements in population health by making data accessible when and where it can make a difference.

This partnership allows us to offer analytic expertise in support of improvement and decision making, Marc Bennett, Comagine Healths president and chief executive officer, said. The potential impact to improve health and create a better health care system is exciting.

This partnership supports health systems by bringing together health data partners allowing data to be scaled and enhanced across broad geographies, Hans Kastensmith, IHDEs executive director, said.

For more information about BeyondHIE visit: https://beyondhie.org/.

# # #

About BeyondHIE

BeyondHIE delivers improved outcomes using enhanced secure health care information enabling payers and providers to meet their patients health care needs with the full range of support ensuring outperformance on value based reporting requirements. Beyond HIE delivers population level aggregated data at the right place and time. BeyondHIE makes consumer health information available when and where you need it; safe, informative, in your clinicians hands. For more information, please visit https://beyondhie.org/.

About Comagine Health

Comagine Health, formerly Qualis Health and HealthInsight, works collaboratively with patients, providers, payers and other stakeholders to reimagine, redesign and implement sustainable improvements in the health care system. As a trusted, neutral party, we work in our communities to address key, complex health and health care delivery problems. In all our engagements and initiatives, we draw upon our expertise in quality improvement, care management, health information technology, analytics and research. We invite our partners and communities to work with us to improve health and redesign the health care delivery system. For more information, please visit https://comagine.org/.

About Idaho Health Data Exchange

Idaho Health Data Exchange (IHDE), a non-profit 501(c)(3) company, is Idahos statewide Health Information Exchange, dedicated to meeting the needs of healthcare providers and ensuring that Idahos citizens receive the most effective health services possible. To achieve these goals, IHDE is working with a wide-array of stakeholders and actively building a best in breed technology infrastructure to provide access to reliable data and information, combining traditional healthcare data with other data sources to help address the medical, behavioral, and social needs that influence the well-being of Idahoans. For more information, visit: https://idahohde.org/.

About UHIN

UHIN is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to creating a more connected healthcare system. At our core, we enable organizations to interoperate with disparate health systems easily and securely, EHRs, PMs and other IT systems. By driving the adoption of innovative technologies and promoting a community of collaboration and inclusiveness, we are bringing together healthcare providers, hospitals, health plans, ACOs, government organizations and more to share vital information critical to their success. Learn more at http://www.uhin.org.

About Orion Health

Orion Health is a global, award-winning provider of health information technology, advancing population health and precision medicine solutions for the delivery of care across the entire health ecosystem. Orion Health provides a state-of the art multi-tenanted HIE platform, which has been subscribed to by 4 statewide Health Information Organizations, to support a suite of solutions to enable clinicians to extract meaningful insights and make more accurate decisions about patient care, delivering patient-centered healthcare and quality health outcomes that help patients live a healthier life. Our technology is used by hundreds of thousands of clinicians across the globe to manage the health care of more than 100 million patients. We specialize in open technology systems that seamlessly integrate all forms of health and personal data across the entire health community and present that data back to users in real time to provide optimum patient care. We believe that software needs to do more than serve up data; it needs to provide insights in real time to the people who need it, when they need it. For more information, please visit: https://orionhealth.com/.


Nicole Rathsam Joins ICW Group as Senior Vice President, Chief Financial Officer Nicole has a proven track record of creating high-performing business partnerships and driving financial and operational outcomes that effectively contribute to business growth, said Kevin Prior, President and CEO of ICW Group.

ICW Group Insurance Companies, a leading group of property and casualty carriers, names Nicole Rathsam as Senior Vice President, Chief Financial Officer in charge of driving the companys financial strategy to support long-term growth targets for its workers compensation, assumed reinsurance and catastrophe lines of business.

Rathsam brings more than 15 years of property and casualty insurance financial experience to the company as well as significant technology and data knowledge. Prior to joining ICW Group, Rathsam was with CNA Insurance Companies in Chicago where she began her career in internal audit and most recently was vice president of corporate financial planning, analysis and consolidations. At ICW Group, she will oversee the companys premium audit and finance departments.

Nicole has a proven track record of creating high-performing business partnerships and driving financial and operational outcomes that effectively contribute to business growth, said Kevin Prior, President and CEO of ICW Group. Her breadth of experience in the property and casualty sector will be an asset to our organization and we are thrilled to have her as a member of our Executive Leadership Team.

Rathsam has a Master of Business Administration with a concentration in Accounting from DePaul University and a Bachelor of Science degree in Informatics from Indiana University. Rathsam and her family relocated from Chicago to San Diego to assume her position with ICW Group.

ICW Group has an aggressive growth vision that I am excited to contribute to, said Rathsam. I work with a high-performing team dedicated to creating exceptional customer experiences that in turn result in financial success and look forward to the exciting opportunities my new role provides.

About ICW Group

Based in San Diego, ICW Group Insurance Companies is the largest privately held insurance company domiciled in California. Quoting more than $3 billion annually, ICW Group represents a group of Workers Compensation, Assumed Reinsurance and Catastrophe insurance carriers, including Insurance Company of the West and Explorer Insurance Company. ICW Group is recognized nationally as an industry leader in helping policyholders achieve fewer and less costly claims while elevating the trusted agents who advise them. More information is available at http://www.icwgroup.com, http://www.twitter.com/ICWGroup, http://www.linkedin.com/companies/icw-group and http://www.facebook.com/ICWGroup.


Last year we also took home 11 awards, and its just so rewarding for our teams to be recognized time and again for their incredible work across clients, industries and methods, says Gordon Locke, President and Chief Marketing Officer at Pace.

Pace Communications, the largest woman-owned independent full-service marketing agency in North America, received a total of 11 awards at the 15th annual international Hermes Creative Awards in several categories, spanning Digital Design, Print Media, Editorial and Copywriting. Two of Paces creative leaders also received Distinguished Individual Achievement awards.

Among the work recognized this year are two websites for Truist Financial (the merger of BB&T and SunTrust): Money and Mindset as well as Truist Cares. While Money and Mindset serves as an accessible financial education hub, Truist Cares highlights the banks support of several nonprofits within its service areas and the important work these nonprofits achieved amid the peak of the pandemic in the U.S. in 2020.

Our creative teams are exceptionally talented in taking complex information from a variety of complex industries, including banking, and transforming it into visually appealing creative that makes this information both accessible and engaging. Despite making it look easy, achieving this is no easy feat. Last year we also took home 11 awards, and its just so rewarding for our teams to be recognized time and again for their incredible work across clients, industries and methods, says Gordon Locke, President and Chief Marketing Officer at Pace.

Paces Kevin de Miranda, Group Creative Director, and Jonathan Walls, Senior Director/Editor, were also among the recognized. Both de Miranda and Walls received awards for individual achievement for their exceptional leadership and creative prowess.

Kevin is a creative visionary who inspires our best creative thinking and execution while providing the guidance, direction and education that our creatives need to evolve, improve and optimize their performance, says Sean Murphy, Managing Director at Pace.

De Miranda has been with Pace for over 20 years, during which time he has led award-winning campaigns for clients in many industries including Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts, PepsiCo, Verizon, Southwest Airlines, 3M, Golds Gym, Sysco, Tetra Pak, Vail Resorts, USAA, Lidl, HCA Healthcare and Argo Group.

Walls is also an industry veteran, with more than 20 years working in film, television, branded content and digital storytelling. He joined Pace in December of 2016, revamping the marketing agencys visual capabilities and directing award-winning work for brands including Verizon, Walmart, Wells Fargo, Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts, BB&T Bank (now Truist), Argo Group, Honda and Interstate Batteries. Brian Bowen, VP, Head of Production and Executive Producer at Pace explains, Known for thoroughly investigating the story, Jonathans ability to turn concept into reality through video has helped Pace create some of the best work we and our clients have ever seen. Marrying the best of technicality and art, Jonathan serves as a reminder of how everything a director does has to be done with purpose.

The Hermes Creative Awards is one of the oldest and largest creative competitions in the world. Winners range in size from individuals to media conglomerates and Fortune 500 companies. The competition is administered and judged by the Association of Marketing & Communication Professionals (AMCP). Judges are industry professionals who look for companies and individuals whose talent exceeds a high standard of excellence and whose work serves as a benchmark for the industry. Winners were selected from over 200 categories grouped under advertising, publications, marketing, branding, integrated marketing, public relations/communications and electronic media.

Pace was named a winner in the following categories:

PLATINUM

TRUIST FINANCIAL



2019 Truist Financial Annual Report: Print Media | Publications | Annual Report

Truist Leadership Institute Magazine, Issue 1 2020: Print Media | Publications | Magazine

Money and Mindset: Electronic Media, Social Media, Interactive Media | Web Creative | Web Writing/Content

PACE



Kevin de Miranda, Group Creative Director: Individual Achievement Award

Jonathan Walls, Senior Director/Editor: Individual Achievement Award

GOLD

AAA



AAA Living Magazine  March/April/May 2021: Design | Publication Cover

TRUIST FINANCIAL



2020 Truist Financial Annual Report: Print Media | Publications | Annual Report

Truist Cares: Electronic Media, Social Media, Interactive Media | Web Creative | Web Writing/Content

2019 Truist Financial E-Annual Report: Electronic Media, Social Media, Interactive Media | Digital Publications/Messaging | E-Annual Report

2019 Truist Financial Corporate Social Responsibility Report: Electronic Media, Social Media, Interactive Media | Digital Publications/Messaging | Corporate Social Responsibility Report

2018 BB&T E-Annual Report: Electronic Media, Social Media, Interactive Media | Digital Publications/Messaging | E-Annual Report

Pace

Pace is a woman-owned, national full-service marketing agency that specializes in integrated brand storytelling. Serving clients regionally and globally, Pace helps move a brands customers and employees to action through a potent combination of audience-first, data-driven thinking, smart strategies, technology and amazing creative. The agencys talent is made up of creatives, strategists, analysts and technologists located across the country, who are shaping the marketing world each second. For more information, please visit https://www.paceco.com/, https://twitter.com/PaceComm or https://www.linkedin.com/company/pace-communications.

Media Contact: Mabel Duran-Sanchez, 336.378.6065, mabel.duran-sanchez@paceco.com
With our Brenau University partnership, we are excited to begin the process of preparing tomorrows healthcare providers for the future of medical care delivery, said Dr. Dan McDyer, MD, Chief Medical Officer of OnCall.MD.

OnCall.MD, a leader in the provider telemedicine platform space has successfully developed and delivered a telehealth training platform that accurately simulates virtual consults between providers and patients. It is being deployed as part of the curriculum of Brenau Universitys Department of Physician Assistant Studies with the goal of training and equipping a new generation of providers with the skills and know-how to deploy telemedicine as part of their practice.

Telemedicine has emerged as a viable means of mitigating not only the effects of the COVID-19 virus, said Neena Xavier, Director of Didactic Education, Brenau University, but other long-standing issues related to the maldistribution of health resources. It therefore makes sense that providers are trained in telemedicine and specifically the technologies that facilitate it, as they will play an important role in the delivery of care, now and into the future. It is for this reason that Brenau University has partnered with OnCall.MD to develop and deploy a software platform as part of the novel curriculum in Telemedicine we developed and implemented to train our students from the onset.

With our Brenau University partnership, we are excited to begin the process of preparing tomorrows healthcare providers for the future of medical care delivery, said Dr. Dan McDyer, MD, Chief Medical Officer of OnCall.MD. Until recently, there have been numerous obstacles to the adoption of telehealth in private practice settings. Physicians and Providers have been worried that the complexities of telehealth platforms would negatively impact their productivity resulting in less revenue and more frustrations. Our solution-driven, intuitive platform has eliminated these obstacles allowing for a more efficient and profitable practice with higher patient satisfaction when it is implemented. Having the opportunity to familiarize the students at Brenau with the benefits and efficiencies of telehealth is allowing us to prevent fear from being an obstacle to its use as they enter the world of healthcare delivery.

David Hanowski, CEO of OnCall.MD added, There are many benefits to the adoption of the right telehealth platform in the office setting. Our goal has been to create an intuitive platform that enhances the physicians/providers practice efficiencies, profitability and outreach to their patients to make it their preferred choice. With all of the feature sets that we have integrated into the OnCall.MD platform, we have given the physician/provider the ability to interact with every aspect of medical care  acute and emergent issues that often arise after hours by using our OnCall Cloud feature to prevent unnecessary ER or Urgent Care visits; chronic medical problems like diabetes, thyroid disorders and hypertension that require frequent office visits; and care to patients who may live remotely from the practice setting who often miss visits due to transportation or accessibility issues. We are now beginning work on the integration of remote health monitoring devices to extend the capabilities and benefits of telehealth even further.

About OnCall.MD

OnCall.MD, https://oncall.md, is a sophisticated cloud-based telehealth solution available by PC, laptop, tablet or any smartphone, it offers providers a mobile healthcare solution that allows their patients to quickly connect with them through a virtual video or telephone consultation, email, or HIPAA compliant text messaging. Providers can manage all health records, connect with a patients preferred pharmacy, ePrescribe online, and accept one-time payments via the payment gateway subscription feature. Press Contact: Everard Singh, esingh@oncall.md.

About Brenau University

Founded as the Georgia Baptist Female Seminary by Dr. W. C. Wilkes, Brenau University is a non-sectarian, privately-owned institution. In 1900, it was named Brenau College. During the 1992-1993 academic year, Brenau became a university. Since its founding, Brenau has expanded its tradition of providing quality higher education structured upon nationally acknowledged values of small class sizes, personal attention to individual students, and a commitment to affordability.

The Womens College, part of the Undergraduate School, located in Gainesville, has provided excellence in single gender education since 1878. Brenau initiated coeducational studies in 1972 and now offers undergraduate and graduate courses globally online and its three campuses in Georgia: Gainesville, North Atlanta and South Atlanta.

The Womens College continues to offer enriched single-gender residential experiences alongside the universitys coeducational undergraduate, masters, specialist and doctoral degrees. In recent years, Brenau has been building its Ivester College of Health Sciences with multiple bachelor's, master's and doctoral degrees, including the new Physician Assistant Studies program, which began in January 2021.
Photos courtesy of PBS SoCal. Research shows that early math skills are an early predictor for a childs future success, said Jamie Annunzio Myers, COO of PBS SoCal and KCET. We see a great opportunity to better support outcomes for children in our local communities."

PBS SoCal, the home of the entire PBS schedule and a crucial educational resource for the Southern California region, announced today the launch of the FAMILY MATH multi-platform initiative at pbssocal.org/familymath designed to help families and caregivers with children ages 2-5 years old prepare for kindergarten and beyond. Highlighting the benefit Early Learning = Success, the new initiative emphasizes the entire family learning together to unlock early learners true potential. The FAMILY MATH program is comprised of fun online workshops, in-person educational activities and original videos as well as a comprehensive collection of editorial content.

Research shows that early math skills are an early predictor for a childs future success, said Jamie Annunzio Myers, COO of PBS SoCal and KCET. With this in mind, we see a great opportunity to better support outcomes for children in our local communities by providing families with equitable and inclusive learning resources to unlock every childs true potential. By facilitating a positive math experience among both parents and children, our goal is to increase parents confidence in their abilities to encourage their childs learning of math concepts at home.

By accessing the program and interacting with user-friendly math resources, the goal is for parents to help early learners foster a lifelong love of learning. The program also aims to close the achievement gap for young learners from low-income households. While increasing math proficiency and kindergarten readiness, the program will empower families to fully integrate themselves into their childrens learning community.

Online Parent Workshops. The five self- paced learning experiences at pbssocal.org/familymath include five 20-30-minute lessons created to build math confidence. Video content will be available on YouTube at youtube.com/pbssocal. This marks the first time the organization is developing original educational content with early childhood math activities and learning tools. Utilizing everyday objects and activities that turn math into fun, interactive learning experiences, parents and caregivers can guide their children using detailed, step-by-step tutorials with topics that include:



Number Sense & Counting

Building math confidence

Understanding relationships between numbers

Patterns

Building memorization and reasoning skills

Learning to identify sequences

Shapes

Recognition and critical thinking skills

Understanding dimension

Sorting & Collecting

Understanding similarities & differences

Building thinking & problem-solving skills

Spatial Sense

Navigating through spaces

Organizing and locating objects

In-Person Parent Workshops. In addition to the digital, self-paced workshops, PBS SoCal will be hosting live, in-person workshops (done virtually for the time being, due to the pandemic) to serve as a resource to parents as well. PBS SoCal has long been recognized for its history of community outreach when it comes to early learning. Prior to the launch of FAMILY MATH, many of the preliminary efforts have taken place in Compton with partnerships that have included Compton Unified School District, Compton Public Library, head starts, non-profits, and other early learning agencies that include Crystal Stairs, Inc. and LA County Library. Though PBS SoCal will be piloting the program in the Compton region, workshops will eventually be taking place throughout Southern California over the coming year, focusing on spreading the Family Math curriculum to other communities.

Editorial Content. Additionally, a robust slate of editorial content and digital resources will be available to extend the reach of the initiative aimed to complement early learning by developing good learning habits and navigating resources that include:

-Advice for families from early math education experts

-How-to lessons around gaining social emotional skills

-Community portraits of real-life application of math in families everyday lives

-Subject-specific learning resources

Newsletter. A newsletter will also be created and distributed to enhance user experiences promoting the most up-to-date content, in-person workshops and resources for FAMILY MATH. Newsletter sign-up and a full list of resources can be found here: pbssocal.org/familymath.

Teacher Resources. Even though the PBS SoCal Family Math content is geared toward parents, the content is adaptable and accessible for early learning educators. Many educators share the content with their families and use the activities in their classroom.

Workshop Curriculum. The curriculum for the workshops is centered on families' voices. Over the course of the past year, parent design sessions were conducted by PBS SoCal with Compton families to discuss the challenges families face engaging in at-home math learning. The team looked to identify resources that were most useful to them, discover/discuss parents own apprehensions around math and took the opportunity to reinforce to participating parents their power to advocate for the needs of their families and their childrens education. The results from the parent design sessions were compiled in this report: Designing Family Math . The curriculum was reviewed by parents in Southern California through various user tests and by advisors from the National Association for Family, School and Community Engagement (NAFSCE), University of Southern California, Irvine (UCI), Erikson Institute - Early Math Collaborative and LEGO Foundation.

Funding. Funding for FAMILY MATH was generously provided by the Heising-Simons Foundation and Overdeck Family Foundation. Additional funding was provided by the Frank McHugh-ODonovan Foundation.

Join the conversation on social media using #FamilyMath and #PBSSoCal

About PBS SoCal

PBS SoCal is a donor-supported community institution that is a part of Public Media Group of Southern California, the flagship PBS station formed by the merger of PBS SoCal and KCETLink Media Group. PBS SoCal delivers content and experiences that inspire, inform and entertain  over the air, online, in the community and in the classroom. We offer the full slate of beloved PBS programs including MASTERPIECE, NOVA, PBS NewsHour, FRONTLINE, Independent Lens, a broad library of documentary films including works from Ken Burns; and educational PBS KIDS programs including Daniel Tigers Neighborhood and Curious George. PBS programming is available to stream on the FREE PBS App on iOS and Android devices, Roku, Amazon Fire TV, Apple TV, Android TV, Samsung Smart TV, and Chromecast. PBS SoCal is also available to watch live on YouTube TV.

About Heising-Simons Foundation

The Heising-Simons Foundation is a family foundation based in Los Altos and San Francisco, California. The Foundation works with its many partners to advance sustainable solutions in climate and clean energy, enable groundbreaking research in science, enhance the education of our youngest learners, and support human rights for all people.

About Overdeck Family Foundation

Overdeck Family Foundation was founded in 2011 by John and Laura Overdeck with the goal of providing all children the opportunity to unlock their potential. The foundation focuses exclusively on enhancing education, funding efforts both inside and outside of school in the areas of early childhood, informal STEM education, and K-9 programs that include supporting educators and student-centered learning environments.
Easy to deploy, manage, and scale, EMP demonstrates the potential of innovative technology partnerships to build secure and reliable solutions for everyone, said Richard Curran, Chief Security Officer, Datacenter Group Sales Intel Corporation.

phoenixNAP, a global IT services provider offering security-focused cloud infrastructure, dedicated servers, colocation, and specialized infrastructure-as-a-service (IaaS) technology solutions, today announced the upcoming launch of an Encryption Management Platform (EMP) powered by Fortanix and Intel technologies. As a pervasive data security solution that provides cryptographic services, secrets management, and tokenization, the Fortanix platform will add a critical security capability to phoenixNAPs solutions.

With the escalation of cyber threats and risks, encryption has become one of the vital steps to ensuring business operability. The 2021 Global Encryption Trends Study by Entrust* reveals that 50 percent of organizations surveyed have an encryption management strategy that is applied consistently throughout their organization. The study also reports that only 42 percent of respondents use encryption for customer data, while almost two-thirds struggle to ensure security of data across multiple cloud environments.

Recognizing these trends, phoenixNAP seeks to provide a comprehensive centralized solution to manage encryption, keys, and secrets across public, private, and hybrid clouds. Powered by Fortanix Data Security Manager (DSM) enabled by Intel Software Guard Extensions, phoenixNAPs Encryption Management Platform provides a centralized place for setting up, managing, and controlling encryption keys, tokens, and secrets across different environments. As an easy-to-use, automation-friendly solution, the platform helps organizations overcome the bottlenecks of deploying and managing their cryptographic keys. Already integrated with phoenixNAPs Data Security Cloud, the solution will soon become available on its Bare Metal Cloud and Dedicated Server platforms.

Fortanix has built a robust solution for todays cloud needs to address one of the key pain points of modern organizations, said William Bell, EVP of Products at phoenixNAP.

By offering a streamlined, powerful, and automation-friendly encryption key management solution, it helps organizations enhance their security and meet their compliance goals. We are excited to work with them on enabling easy access to their platform for our clients, as well as on developing unique new confidential computing solutions. Leveraging industry leading hardware technologies, we will provide a new level of security within our Data Security Cloud platform and our partnership with Fortanix was key to enabling this.

phoenixNAPs Encryption Management Platform offers a set of security features based on Fortanix technology. As the worlds first unified key management platform built on FIPS 140-2 level 3 certified HSM, Fortanix provides an advanced level of security including confidential computing capabilities using specialized hardware by Intel. Through its traditional cryptographic interfaces (PKCS#11, KMIP, and more), as well as native RESTful interface, organizations can easily connect and manage their cryptographic key across different cloud environments. Fortanixs DSM is the first application to run inside of SGX-powered a Runtime Cryptography Capsule, enabling application code to run in a hardware encrypted trusted context for additional security.

Intel is committed to enabling partners to do more with data center technologies. The integration of the SGX-powered Fortanix solution with phoenixNAPs IaaS platforms provides cloud-based HSM and key management capabilities to manage encryption for any application in any cloud. Easy to deploy, manage, and scale, EMP demonstrates the potential of innovative technology partnerships to build secure and reliable solutions for everyone, said Richard Curran, Chief Security Officer, Datacenter Group Sales Intel Corporation.

phoenixNAP and Intel helped us deliver the advanced Fortanix capabilities on an as-a-service basis. Businesses today have their data spread across multiple clouds, databases, and systems. We secure all this data with a centralized scalable solution using encryption and tokenization. All the keys and secrets are stored within secure enclaves enabled by Intel SGX, ensuring isolation and eliminating the risk of breach. Integrated with phoenixNAPs IaaS platforms, the solution is easy to access and manage, enabling organizations to orchestrate their cryptographic keys without complexities, explained Ambuj Kumar, Co-founder and CEO, Fortanix.

phoenixNAPs Encryption Management Platform will soon be available with solutions based on 3rd Gen Intel Xeon Scalable Processors (codenamed Ice Lake). Providing access to Intel SGX, the latest generation CPUs will enable data-in-use encryption through Trusted Execution Environments (TEE), known as enclaves. This adds a critical new layer of security for sensitive workloads, ensuring advanced protection and compliance-readiness.

The solution is already available with phoenixNAPs Data Security Cloud product, offering VM Encryption and Volume Encryption for improved visibility and control over VMware clusters. Integrated into the Advanced product package and available as an add-on service in the Essentials plan, the service offers a unique encryption management model for organizations looking to improve data protection and achieve compliance. Easy to deploy, scale, and manage, EMP is a convenient tool for organizations of different sizes and workloads.

In Q2 2021, EMP will become available across other phoenixNAPs product platforms.

To learn more about the benefits and features of Data Security Cloud, visit the product page.

To preorder Bare Metal Cloud servers with 3rd Gen Intel Xeon Scalable processors, visit this page.

*Source: 2021 Global Encryption Trends Study, available at: https://www.entrust.com/lp/en/global-encryption-trends-study

About phoenixNAP

phoenixNAP is a global IT services provider with a focus on cybersecurity and compliance-readiness, whose progressive infrastructure-as-a-service solutions are delivered from strategic edge locations worldwide. Its cloud, dedicated servers, hardware leasing, and colocation options are built to meet always-evolving IT business requirements. Providing comprehensive disaster recovery solutions, DDoS-protected global network, hybrid IT deployments with software and hardware-based security, phoenixNAP fully supports its clients business continuity planning. Offering scalable and resilient opex solutions with expert staff assistance, phoenixNAP supports growth and innovation in businesses of any size enabling their digital transformation.
Mr. Taney excels in areas of leadership, vision, strategic planning, and business management. He has a proven track record in network building, collaboration, developing a culture of empowerment, and cultivating teams toward clear priorities and expectations.

PolyVision Inc. is pleased to announce that Kevin Taney will become the new General Manager effective May 18, 2021.

Kevin comes to PolyVision from Maxon Inc., a HNI company where he was the General Manager, Vice President.

I am very excited to join the PolyVision team, and in my new role look forward to serving and leading a dynamic group of individuals," said Taney.

Kevin has a strong understanding of the office interiors industry and brings over 20 years of experience to the PolyVision team. In addition to his most recent position, he also held other leadership roles within HNI as Vice President of Sales and Vice President of Sales Operations. Taney also served as Director of Sales East Region, Regional Sales Manager, and District Sales Manager for Kimball International.

Mr. Taney excels in areas of leadership, vision, strategic planning, and business management. He has a proven track record in network building, collaboration, developing a culture of empowerment, and cultivating teams toward clear priorities and expectations.

We are very pleased that Kevin will be joining our team and look forward to building on the strong foundation we already have at PolyVision. Kevin will be focused on growing the Marsh, Tabi and private label Steelcase brands, says Peter Lewchanin, President and Chief Executive Officer of PolyVision.

###

About PolyVision

PolyVision Corporation is a global leader in the innovation and manufacture of CeramicSteel for a variety of industries. For over 65 years, weve helped make the world a better place by creating products that enhance visual experiences and connect people to their environments. PolyVision CeramicSteel is used around the world for traditional chalkboard and whiteboard surfaces, modern collaboration products for many of the worlds most influential organizations and architectural walls and cladding for public spaces. Headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia, PolyVision does business in over 65 countries. For more information about CeramicSteel and its uses, visit polyvision.com.
The first time I located and sold a piano was in 1971. From that first piano buy, the stories began. The tales unfolded from every discovery, each journey and all the people who were involved in the history of that piano.

Thomas Edison, the inventor, wrote to Steinway & Sons in June of 1890:

"I have decided to keep your grand piano. For some reason unknown to me it gives better results than any so far tried. Please send bill with lowest price."

Edison paid $725 for an Ebonized Grand Model B piano, 6' 10 1/2" in length, and it changed hands two more times before Robert Friedman tracked it down. Friedman, aka The Steinway Hunter, is famous in the industry for procuring, sometimes restoring, and ultimately finding the correct placement for previously owned Steinway pianos. The Edison piano holds special meaning for him:

It still has all the original dings and scratches and is one of the most historical Steinways in existence. I am the fourth owner of the piano and we have all the paperwork that followed the piano around during its life. I do believe that the piano should stay in New York because it is part of New York history and part of Steinway history, and Steinway is New York. That is where the piano was manufactured. I don't exactly know where it'll go - it might end up in my home.

Robert Friedman has had a fascinating career hunting down Steinway pianos that have been lovingly cared for  and sometimes neglected  over their long, long lives. For over 40 years he has helped these musical treasures find their place in the hearts and homes of new owners worldwide. With thousands of people in his professional network, his search for Steinways manufactured from 1853 to the present is never ending. As one might expect, his stories of the hunt abound, and so, in 2019 he published a collection of these tales as "The Steinway Hunter: A Memoir" (Epigraph Books).

Robert Friedman is passionate about his book and his lifelong work with pianos. He is featured in a recent episode of LivingPianosVideos, interviewed by concert pianist Bob Estrin, as "Man of 1,000 Steinways: The Steinway Hunter!"

Dear Bob thanks so very much for helping me get my dream Steinway. I love it!!

-- Olivia Newton-John

Bob Friedmans legacy as the Steinway Hunter has no doubt connected more Steinways with more people than anyone else. His quest embodies the fascination of a child finding a great treasure, only to share it enthusiastically with his friends seeking the same. His heart of compassion, integrity, and sense of fair play all speak of his love of people, pianos, and piano-craft.

-- Dale S. Erwin, Piano Technicians Guild Registered Piano Technician, who custom designs soundboards  the heart of the piano - for the majority of the premier Steinway rebuilders in the US.

About the Author

Part treasure hunter, part problem solver, and part keen observer of human nature, Robert Friedman has spent decades buying, restoring, and finding new homes for pianos built by one of the finest manufacturers in the world: Steinway & Sons. He divides his time between Florida and Upstate NY with his wife and collaborator, Ronnie Rosenberg-Friedman.

To arrange interviews with the author or to request review copies of The Steinway Hunter, please contact: steinwayhunter@gmail.com

To learn more, visit TheSteinwayHunter.com and follow us on Facebook.

Available now at Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Indiebound and Bookshop.

For more information about the publisher, visit Epigraph Books.
5U Enclosure Designed with the technicians needs in mind, providing a high capacity option for fiber splicing while also delivering the accessibility and manageability needed for todays patching environments.

Siemon, a leading global network infrastructure specialist, is pleased to announce the release of its new Fiber Splicing Enclosure (FSE). This release is the latest addition to Siemons comprehensive fusion and mechanical fiber splicing portfolio and is designed to offer flexibility and support for current and future termination requirements.

The Fiber Splicing Enclosure has been designed to provide robust storage and protection of fiber splices in individually accessible splice trays. The 5U unit can be rack mounted in either 19- or 23-inch equipment racks or cabinets and is ideal for handling the transition of outdoor to indoor fiber optic cable at the building entrance or for dismounting high fiber counts to multiple lower fiber count cables.

Each splice tray can support up to (12) 12-fiber ribbon splices in protective sleeves or (24) 250/900um single splices, and the enclosure can house up to 12 trays for a maximum of 1,728 ribbon fibers or 288 single splices.

The enclosure features a uniquely designed front panel, allowing for easy access to the splicing environment, this wide-open area gives the technician industry-leading space to complete their individual or mass fusion splices. It also benefits from open sides and sliding trays providing easy access for cable routing and splice trays, enabling splicing outside of the enclosure and simplifying moves, adds and changes. Brush guard cable entry points with cable strain relief brackets facilitate loading and retention while minimizing stress upon the fibers.

With our new 5U Fiber Splicing Enclosure, we have a solution that provides Siemons famous levels of quality in a cost-effective footprint explained Tony Walker, Siemon Fiber Product Marketing Manager, It complements the existing range of fiber splicing solutions that we offer and has been designed with the technicians needs in mind, providing a high capacity option for fiber splicing while also delivering the accessibility and manageability needed for todays patching environments.

For more details on Siemons new 5U Fiber Splice Enclosure, visit:

https://ecatalog.siemon.com/#/en/Fiber/Enclosures/Fiber-Splice-Enclosure

To learn more about Siemons fiber optic splicing solutions, visit:

https://www.siemon.com/en/home/systems/fiber/splicing

About Siemon

Established in 1903, Siemon is an industry leader specializing in the design and manufacture of high quality, high performance IT infrastructure solutions and services for Data Centers, LANs and Intelligent Buildings. Headquartered in Connecticut, USA, with global sales, technical and logistics expertise spanning 150 countries, Siemon offers the most comprehensive suites of copper and optical fiber cabling systems, racks, cable management, and Intelligent Infrastructure Management solutions. With more than 400 patents specific to structured cabling, Siemon Labs invests heavily in R&D and the development of Industry Standards, underlining the companys long-standing commitment to its customers and the industry. Through an ongoing commitment to waste and energy reduction, Siemons environmental sustainability benchmarks are unparalleled in the industry, including 179% global carbon negativity and zero-landfill status.

Siemon Interconnect Solutions (SIS) is a Siemon business unit comprised of a team of dedicated technical sales professionals supported by Siemon Labs, mechanical, electrical, and signal integrity engineers committed to solving industry and customer driven interconnect challenges. We provide custom network infrastructure solutions to OEMs, Leading Manufacturers, Value-Added Resellers and System Integrators.
"Our goal is to continue to invest heavily in the U.K. while replicating our success across the EMEA market."  Mark McDaid, Siemplify EMEA director of channel

Siemplify, the leading independent provider of security orchestration, automation and response (SOAR), today announced accelerated growth in the U.K market, bolstered by an expanding list of customers, channel partners and senior appointments.

Siemplify experienced a 75% growth in its U.K. customer base and doubled its number of reseller and managed security service provider (MSSP) partners over the past 12 months. The company also strengthened its EMEA team to 20 members to meet this new demand, roughly half of whom are based in the U.K.

Siemplify has witnessed record adoption of its Security Operations Platform, and the headway in the U.K. is part of a strategic plan to expand the SOAR pioneers footprint in key international markets, as it reimagines the security operations center (SOC) for the future of work. Automation and orchestration have become cornerstone capabilities in the modern SOC, which seeks to free human analysts from mundane and repetitive duties so they can concentrate on higher-order tasks requiring critical thinking, while being able to work from anywhere and collaborate with anyone.

Our success in the U.K. reflects the momentum Siemplify is experiencing as a whole, as well as our expectation for continued record growth, said Mark McDaid, Siemplifys U.K.-based director of channel for EMEA. U.K. enterprises and service providers are demanding greater efficiency and effectiveness for their security operations teams, especially during a time when more staff than ever is working remotely. Our goal is to continue to invest heavily in the U.K. while replicating our success across the EMEA market.

Among the key drivers for Siemplifys overall market share growth is a recently announced relationship between Siemplify and Check Point Software Technologies, in which Siemplify has become the go-to SOAR offering for all Check Point partners, as well as for Check Point customers embarking on SOAR projects. This alliance has now taken full shape in the U.K.

Thwarted by a growing attack surface that requires an abundance of disparate security tools initiating overwhelming numbers of alerts  and a worsening security skills shortages in which 90% of U.K. CIOs and senior IT leaders report having difficulty finding adequate talent  organizations are yearning for ways to better optimize their security operations. They also want to do it while achieving faster time to value, especially amid new challenges to secure their environments in the era of digital transformation coinciding with pandemic-era disruption.

U.K.-based MSSPs such as Integrity360 have already experienced benefits of the Siemplify platform, which has enabled them to demonstrate value, address customer complexity, avoid manual limitations and thrive in an environment of hyper-competition.

We are excited to be partnering with the team at Siemplify and see it as a very strategic addition to our offering to the market, said Loman McCaffrey, head of cloud at Integrity360. The technology also allows us to strengthen our MSSP offering by further optimizing our own SOC. The increase in demand for this type of technology is something that we are seeing across all types of enterprise organizations, and we will be working closely with the team at Siemplify to ensure that we are well placed to meet this demand.

Siemplify additionally has started 2021 by assembling an impressive list of reseller partners across the U.K., which will be supported and accelerated with the addition of a value-added distributor, Ignition Technology, for the U.K. and Nordics.

Chosen by us for its vendor-agnostic approach and wealth of MSSP functionality, Siemplifys SOAR platform provides a huge opportunity for the channel and service providers wanting to reduce the risk and cost of the modern SOC, said Sean Remnant, chief strategy officer of Ignition Technology.

The recently revamped Siemplify partner program drives increased partner profitability through a sell-with strategy that leverages partners expertise and other resources to increase win rates, shorten sales cycles and improve revenues.

Siemplify creates exceptional profitability for our partners by working side by side with them through a sell-with strategy that fuses our resources with their expertise to take part in a shared goal, McDaid said. Our incredible partner community should expect continued success as the appetite for SOAR only grows in this region.

For more information, visit siemplify.co.

About Siemplify

Siemplify, the leading independent security orchestration, automation and response (SOAR) provider, is redefining security operations for enterprises and MSSPs worldwide. The Siemplify platform is an intuitive workbench that enables security teams to manage their operations from end to end, respond to cyber threats with speed and precision and get smarter with every analyst interaction. Founded in 2015 by Israeli Intelligence experts, with extensive experience running and training security operations centers worldwide, Siemplify has raised $58 million in funding to date and is headquartered in New York, with offices in Tel Aviv. Visit us at siemplify.co and follow us on LinkedIn and Twitter.

Products, service names and company logos mentioned herein may be registered trademarks of their respective owners. All rights reserved.

Contact

Dan Kaplan

Siemplify

dkaplan@siemplify.co
open the eyes for blessings, promises, [and] privileges to all servants of Jesus Christ.

Author Juan Fajardo walks readers through the mysteries, prophecies and teachings of the last book of the Bible in La revelacion de Jesucristo: escatologia de Apocalipsis (The Revelation of Jesus Christ: Eschatology of Revelation) ($17.99, paperback, 9781498410816; $8.99, e-book, 9781498410823).

Thirty-seven years of study and revelation culminate in this verse-by-verse commentary on the book of Revelation. Fajardo has also included articles to address various topics, such as Heaven and the Tribulation.

Fajardo said he hopes to open the eyes for blessings, promises, [and] privileges to all servants of Jesus Christ.

Pastor Juan Fajardo is a missionary and speaker dedicated to following the revelation of Jesus Christ, not church tradition. He was a student of Commercial Law in his native Nicaragua until civil war forced him to flee. After he was found by the Good Shepherd, he submitted himself to Gods law, rather than mans.

Xulon Press, a division of Salem Media Group, is the worlds largest Christian self-publisher, with more than 15,000 titles published to date. La revelacion de Jesucristo is available online through xulonpress.com/bookstore, amazon.com, and barnesandnoble.com.
"There is light at the end of the tunnel, and it is great to see companies planning to ramp up hiring and return employees to work." - Express CEO Bill Stoller

As vaccination rollouts expand and the majority of the country resumes normal business operations, companies looking at post-COVID recovery plans are engaged in discussions about employee vaccination requirements.

Nearly three-fourths of U.S. hiring decision-makers (74%) believe proof of vaccination against COVID-19 (such as a vaccine ID or vaccine passport) will be required in the near future for employees returning to the workplace, according to a new survey by The Harris Poll, commissioned by Express Employment Professionals.

Additionally, more than three-quarters (78%) of hiring decision-makers believe companies can only truly return to normal (i.e., not limited to restrictions due to the COVID-19 pandemic) once more people in the U.S. are vaccinated.

The survey also found that 71% believe employees would be more likely to get a COVID-19 vaccine if companies provided incentives to do so.

Although most companies believe proof of vaccination will be required to return to work and company incentives would be effective, 65% do not believe it is a companys responsibility to ensure employees get a COVID-19 vaccine.

Companies need to make decisions and communicate the requirements regarding vaccination expectations of those in the workplace sooner rather than later, Express CEO Bill Stoller said.

There is light at the end of the tunnel, and it is great to see companies planning to ramp up hiring and return employees to work, he said. But in order for this to happen smoothly, decisions about what post-COVID workplaces will require to return to normal need to be made and clear communication about what will be expected of employees should happen as soon as possible.

Survey Methodology

The survey was conducted online within the United States by The Harris Poll on behalf of Express Employment Professionals between March 23 and April 12, 2021, among 1,001 U.S. hiring decision-makers (defined as adults ages 18+ in the U.S. who are employed full-time or self-employed, work at companies with more than one employee, and have full/significant involvement in hiring decisions at their company). Data was weighted where necessary by company size to bring them into line with their actual proportions in the population.

***

If you would like to arrange for an interview with Bill Stoller to discuss this topic, please contact Sheena (Karami) Hollander, Director of Corporate Communications and PR, at (405) 717-5966.

About Bill Stoller

William H. "Bill" Stoller is chairman and chief executive officer of Express Employment Professionals. Headquartered in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, the international staffing company has more than 830 franchises in the U.S., Canada, South Africa, Australia and New Zealand. Since inception, Express has put more than 9 million people to work worldwide.

About Express Employment Professionals

At Express Employment Professionals, were in the business of people. From job seekers to client companies, Express helps people thrive and businesses grow. Our international network of franchises offers localized staffing solutions to the communities they serve across the U.S., Canada, South Africa, Australia and New Zealand, employing 526,000 people globally in 2020. For more information, visit http://www.ExpressPros.com.


The Modern Built Environment features exclusive interviews with world-class thought leaders, executives, and civic leaders committed to a better and more beautiful built environment.

Quickly becoming a staple in the AEC industry, the Modern Built Environment returns this week with Season 2, available on iTunes and swinerton.com.

From the headquarters of Swinerton, the Modern Built Environment features exclusive interviews with world-class thought leaders, executives, and civic leaders committed to a better and more beautiful built environment.

Building off last years debut with notable figures like Art Gensler, Elsie Owusu, Bill Hayward, Susan Jones, and Kimberley Dowdell, Season 2 delves further into sustainable development and innovation, introducing some new brands and showcasing more voices in the industry. Host Tom Dioroarchitecture aficionado and principal with more than 20 years of experience in the industryhas candid conversations with the influencers behind Perq, SAK Builders, and Timberlab to name a few.

I am excited to talk with creative people who are leaders in their field and learn more about the inner workings of the day-to-day modern built environment. In Season 2, we discuss trends, innovations, and project stories from a new perspective, said podcast host Tom Dioro.

One of the reasons Swinerton has been a successful company for over 130 years is creating relationships that last. We started this podcast to build on these relationships with our peers and business partners through conversations on trends and forward-thinking topics concerning the built environment, said Swinerton CEO Eric Foster.

About Swinerton

Swinerton provides commercial construction and construction management services throughout the United States and is a 100% employee-owned company. Recognized nationally since 1888, Swinerton is the preferred builder and trusted partner in every market it servesproudly leading with integrity, passion, and excellence. For more information please visit: https://swinerton.com/
The Santa Cruz is one of the years most anticipated vehicles, due in part to its design as a unique small pickup truck that puts it into a vehicular segment that has not seen many recent entries in the United States.

Mountain View Hyundai, a dealership serving Chattanooga and the entire surrounding region from its cozy home base in Ringgold, is offering customers the chance to reserve the upcoming 2022 Hyundai Santa Cruz. The Santa Cruz is one of the years most anticipated vehicles, due in part to its design as a unique small pickup truck that puts it into a vehicular segment that has not seen many recent entries in the United States. Hyundai refers to the model as a Sport Adventure Vehicle.

The 2022 Hyundai Santa Cruz will be smaller than many other mainstream pickup trucks currently available. Hyundai aims to combine the flexibility of an open truck bed with the comfort of an SUV. The vehicle will seat five. Highlights include HTRAC all-wheel drive and a plethora of technology throughout.

To reserve the 2022 Hyundai Santa Cruz at Mountain View Hyundai, prospective customers must head to the requisite page of the Hyundai website. Once there, users can follow the given instructions to place their reservation. The process includes configuring the model how one likes and then placing a secure, refundable $100 deposit.

Before submitting the reservation, users will be able to select Mountain View Hyundai as the location for pickup. After submission, the dealership team will reach out to finalize the customers reservation, as well as discuss configuration availability, pricing and any changes the customer would like to make. The customer will be contacted when the 2022 Santa Cruz arrives at the dealership.

Those interested in the fun little zoomer that the 2022 Hyundai Santa Cruz promises to be are encouraged to head to the Mountain View Hyundai website at http://www.mvhyundai.com. The dealership can be contacted by phone at 706-671-2581. Finally, those who wish to visit the dealership location in person may head to its physical address at 7154 Nashville St., in Ringgold.


The*gameHERs, a women-led interactive platform for gaming, today announced their first ever collegiate division available for colleges and universities nationwide. The*gameHERs Collegiate Division will provide a safe, inclusive online community for women, non-binary and femme-identifying students who game and/or have a desire to work in the gaming industry. Students will have to ability to connect and interact with other like-minded humans across the country that share the same passions. The platform will also provide a variety of resources and tools for students that are interested in implementing a gaming community on university campuses.

The multi-faceted program is being developed with the help of a variety of strategic partners including tech giant, Lenovo Esports, the fastest growing e-cruitment platform, Stay Plugged In (SPIN), gaming and esport scholarship platform, eFuse, and Evil Geniuses Genius League.

At Lenovo, we believe society should be inclusive and welcoming to all, including in esports, said Jeff Palumbo, Global Esports Solutions Manager at Lenovo. Together with the*gameHERS, were providing more opportunities to women, femme-identifying and non-binary gamers to do more of what they love doing in a supportive environment.

One of the driving forces at SPIN is our commitment to preparing our players for collegiate programs, and to help them find the institutions that best suit their needs," said Taylor Gach, SPIN Director of Strategic Partnerships. "Working with innovative partners like the*gameHERs opens a direct line of communication to female student-athletes interested in competing in esports and developing skills for future careers in the gaming industry. Our goal is to ensure that women are invited into a community that provides support and resources towards their educational aspirations.

"Our Genius League collegiate program learnings showed us that diversity has never been more important to the future of esports at the college level, and we're proud to share those learnings with the*gameHERs as they build out their program," said Jessica Hammond, Chief Culture Officer at Evil Geniuses. "Together, we look forward to providing college students from all walks of life with even more opportunities in esports and gaming, working towards a more diverse future for our industry."

The initiative is also being developed with support and involvement from multiple colleges and universities. The program will give college students exclusive access to online resources such as collegiate tournaments and leagues, gaming and esports career mentorship, a dedicated channel on the*gameHERs Discord server and a library of resources. Live on-campus events will include speaker panels, career fairs, tournaments and more. Chicagos DePaul University, has already signed up to participate.

DePaul University is excited for the opportunity to partner with the*gameHERs as we continue to grow and develop our esports program, said Courtney James, Student Involvement Director at DePaul University. The*gameHERs mission to amplify and center the voices of women, femme-identifying gamers, and non-binary gamers mirrors the goals of DePaul's esports program so we are excited to collaborate as we both work to create a more inclusive community for all gamers.

The goals of the program are to identify scholarship needs, open up a pathway to careers in esports and gaming, as well as help become an avenue for esports competitors, streamers and talent to be discovered by the larger esports and gaming ecosystem.

We are thrilled to expand the*gameHERs mission into the collegiate space by creating an intentional division on campuses throughout the U.S, said Rebecca Dixon, Co-Founder & CMO of the*gameHERs. Since our inception in March 2020, weve been working hard to appeal to college students so this is a huge milestone in our business.

Additionally, the*gameHERs and eFuse are joining to provide an even stronger platform for collegiate women. This partnership will bring events, specialized content, and professional opportunities to collegiate women across the country. For more information or to sign up for the*gameHERs Collegiate Division, please visit https://thegamehers.com/collegiate or contact collegiate@thegamehers.com.

About the*gameHERs

The*gameHERs is a media platform that connects, supports and empowers women who game and women who work in the gaming industry. The*gameHERs is a women-led community dedicated to providing a sexist-free space for the casual players, the hardcore gamers, the techies, the streamers, the designers, the cosplayers, the developers, and programmers. With a mission to amplify and center the voices of women, the media platform aims to advance the role, voice, image, and power of all the*gameHERs in the gaming world. The*gameHERs community welcomes all humans who support this mission.

###
The Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania, with support from Moodys Corporation and DiversityInc, today published a new study, Improving Workplace Culture Through Evidence-Based Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Practices, examining the relationship between diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) practices and a variety of workplace outcomes. The study reveals key findings and provides recommendations for managerial DEI actions designed to improve workplace culture.

Stephanie Creary, Assistant Professor of Management at Wharton and the projects lead researcher said: Recently, calls to understand what works in relation to DEI practices have amplified in both academia and industry. Our study takes a large step towards answering this question. We are excited that we have been able to produce this report in partnership with industry DEI experts, Moodys and DiversityInc. We hope that our collaborative approach will spark more academic-industry partnerships in the future.

The study seeks to understand how U.S. companies are defining five key concepts (diversity, inclusion, belonging, equity and respect), implementing practices related to those concepts and measuring whether those practices are effective. Results show that new concepts in the U.S. often emerge in accordance with prominent social movements and highly publicized workplace challenges. Findings also reveal a range of demographic differences across the studys key concepts, which include:



People of color report greater access to DEI practices than white employees. In many cases, Black employees feel that they have greater access to DEI practices than all other racial groups.

People of color and women more strongly agree that they engage in speaking up behavior at work (e.g. speaking out against bias or promoting DEI in hiring processes and practices). However, white women more strongly agree that they engage in helping behavior at work relative to women of color.

People of color, particularly Black employees, report greater turnover intent relative to white employees.

DK Bartley, Chief Diversity Officer, Moodys Corporation states: Moodys understands the value of credible insights because data is what we do. Evidence-based research is especially relevant as companies look to shift their approach to DEI during a time of heightened awareness on gender, racial and social inequities. Were proud to support the study and to share findings and recommendations that are instrumental to helping managers and companies advance their DEI efforts.

The study shows a high correlation between managerial involvement and better work engagement, job satisfaction, sense of belonging and reduced turnover intent. Respondents also indicate that access to education and training and internal diversity partners are the most effective tools for empowering them to engage in speaking up behavior at work. Additionally, the study reveals that mentorship and sponsorship opportunities are essential for developing an inclusive climate.

The report shows that while diverse workforces and inclusive cultures and policies are essential, measuring the impact is critical to the health and success of an organization, said Carolynn Johnson, Chief Executive Officer, DiversityInc. Researchers found that managerial involvement, workplace policies and mentoring and sponsorship programs were the most common factors that shaped inclusivity in the workplace."

In fact, 43.3% of employees affective commitment is driven by managerial involvement, and 51.5% of the experience of inclusion is driven by mentoring and sponsorship programs. This data has the potential to inform leadership of the impact of their investment and reform infrastructural processes related to diversity and inclusion. We look forward to our continued work with Wharton as well as with U.S. companies to create cultures where all employees can thrive, said Johnson.

Research for the study was conducted by Wharton between September 2018 and January 2021. More than 30 diversity, talent and analytics experts and 6,600 working adults around the world have participated in the study to date. This new report focuses on results from the research teams Inclusion & Belonging Assessment taken by 1,628 adults in the U.S. who work across more than 15 industries.

View the complete findings and explore Diversity, Inclusion and Belonging at Wharton

here: http://www.wharton.upenn.edu/diversity

ABOUT THE WHARTON SCHOOL

Founded in 1881 as the worlds first collegiate business school, the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania is shaping the future of business by incubating ideas, driving insights, and creating leaders who change the world. With a faculty of more than 235 renowned professors, Wharton has 5,000 undergraduate, MBA, executive MBA, and doctoral students. Each year 13,000 professionals from around the world advance their careers through Wharton Executive Educations individual, company-customized, and online programs. More than 99,000 Wharton alumni form a powerful global network of leaders who transform business every day. For more information, visit http://www.wharton.upenn.edu.

ABOUT MOODYS CORPORATION

Moodys (NYSE:MCO) is a global risk assessment firm that empowers organizations to make better decisions. Its data, analytical solutions and insights help decision-makers identify opportunities and manage the risks of doing business with others. We believe that greater transparency, more informed decisions, and fair access to information open the door to shared progress. With over 11,500 employees in more than 40 countries, Moodys combines international presence with local expertise and over a century of experience in financial markets. Learn more at moodys.com/about

ABOUT DIVERSITYINC

DiversityIncs mission is to bring education and clarity to the business benefits of diversity. The DiversityInc Top 50 Companies for Diversity list began in 2001, when many corporations were first beginning to understand the business value of diversity-management initiatives. Today, the company has evolved to become a data warehouse and the nation's preeminent source of diversity management information and advice. DiversityInc is also a VA certified veteran-owned business and a USBLN certified business owned by a person with a disability. For more information, visit diversityinc.com or follow on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and LinkedIn @DiversityInc.
Red Banyan continues to grow, with offices located strategically across the U.S. so we can better serve our clients and their stakeholders, said Red Banyan Founder and CEO Evan Nierman.

Red Banyan, a global crisis management and PR agency, today announced the opening of its new office in New York City. The move is designed to better serve the firms New York clients and is a natural outgrowth of the agencys role as the go-to firm for complex, high-stakes crisis communications.

Red Banyan continues to grow, with offices located strategically across the U.S. so we can better serve our clients and their stakeholders, said Red Banyan Founder and CEO Evan Nierman. Opening an office in an international hub such as New York positions Red Banyan even more strategically, enabling us to better serve our diverse and high-profile New York client base.

Since launching in late 2010, Red Banyan has established itself as one of the leading crisis pr agencies in the United States. The firm already has offices in South Florida; Washington, D.C.; Atlanta and Los Angeles. Red Banyan provides crisis management, litigation support, media relations and other strategic communications services to a variety of national and international clients.

Red Banyan is at the forefront of crisis management, possessing a network of media contacts forged through decades of crisis PR and strategic communications. Staffed by a team including numerous former journalists, the firm offers global reach and proven results.

About Red Banyan

Red Banyan is a specialized communications firm and crisis management firm focused on solving complex, highly sensitive and mission-critical communications challenges. Specializing in crisis communications, corporate public relations, government relations, and legal PR, Red Banyan provides an integrated approach to communications rooted in strategy. Learn more at http://www.redbanyan.com, become a fan on the Red Banyan Facebook page and follow the firm on Twitter and LinkedIn.
Starting with the Brambles Farm and Thorntree areas, CityFibre has launched a 42 million town-wide programme to bring to bring full-fibre connectivity within reach of almost every home and business of the Teesside town. The build out is being delivered by Map Group (UK) which says it will use a range of construction methods while working in close partnership with Middlesbrough Council and local communities.While it says each construction area will usually take a few weeks to finish and the overall project is expected to reach completion by 2024 CityFibre has assured that the first services will go live for people to take advantage of much sooner. CityFibre is already working with launch partner, Vodafone to supply full fibre infrastructure for customers on selected Vodafone Pro Broadband plans , while TalkTalk and other providers are expected to join the network in the future.Im immensely excited and proud to see work getting underway in Middlesbrough today. This is the start of an exciting new chapter for Middlesbrough as it gets ready to thrive in the digital age, commented Steph Carter-Smith, CityFibres City Manager for Middlesbrough, speaking of the project. Its important to remember that any short-term disruption will pay off tremendously in the long-term - once the networks built, it will serve the communitys connectivity needs for decades to come.Middlesbrough Mayor, Andy Preston, added: This is fantastic news that marks the start of a great leap forward for Middlesbrough. Weve all relied on digital comms over the last year more than ever before, and this state-of the-art network is taking us to the next level. The incredible broadband speeds it will deliver are a once-in-a-generation boost to residents, businesses and services, and one that will bring with it long-term prosperity and jobs. CityFibre's previous deployment saw it carry out rolling out fibre networks to a new area of Preston. Construction of the 30 million city-wide full fibre network has begun in the Frenchwood and Fishwick areas of the city and is being delivered by Telent on behalf of CityFibre.
Today

Cloudy skies with periods of rain this afternoon. High near 70F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 90%. Localized flooding is possible.

Tonight

Periods of rain. Low 62F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 90%. Rainfall near a quarter of an inch.

Tomorrow

Rain showers early with overcast skies later in the day. High 79F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 50%.
Coronavirus

Not time to let down your guard, agency says

Pa. health department optimistic with latest COVID case declines but another surge still considered possible
In mid-May 2021, the Karabakh conflict between Armenia and Azerbaijan began to take on a dangerous new dimension. In contrast to the last 25 yearswhen fighting between the two countries mainly took place on territory internationally recognized as Azerbaijans (with a notable exception last summersee EDM, July 14, 2020)now, there is a real danger that clashes could erupt on both sides of the state border and bring to a bloody end the unsteady ceasefire. In the intense fighting last autumn (September 27November 9, 2020), Baku succeeded in eliminating the buffer zone Yerevan had established around Karabakh, and today Azerbaijan has forces arrayed along nearly the entire length of the shared border, directly opposite Armenian units. This situation is particularly fraught because this geopolitically important boundary has not been delimited and demarcated by the two countries. Consequently, the danger of misunderstandings and miscalculations that could trigger the resumption of a broader war is serious. Over the last few days, some members of the international community, including Russia, the United States and France, have been actively working to prevent that from happening (RIA Novosti, May 18).

The current crisis started on May 1213, when Azerbaijani soldiers moved deeper into the border region. Baku has insisted that they were simply shifting positions on Azerbaijani territory, but Yerevan denounced the move as an incursion into Armenian territory to a depth of as much as two kilometers. Since that time, Azerbaijani forces have continued to move about, withdrawing in some sectors by several hundred meters and moving forward by the same amount in others, which Baku explains as simple relocations, while Yerevan claims were the result of Armenian and Russian pressure (Yerkramas, May 15). In any case, Yerevan has appealed to Moscow, Paris and other Western capitals for additional assistance in forcing the Azerbaijanis to withdraw and in organizing talks between Armenia and Azerbaijan about the demarcation of the bordersomething it earlier said it would not participate in until bilateral diplomatic relations were established (Kavkazsky Uzel, December 30, 2020).

The Armenian defense ministry contends it now has the situation under control, that it restored Armenian control around the disputed Black Lake, and that it is in a position to force Azerbaijani forces to withdraw from other sectors (Novosti-Armeniya, SM News, May 18). But many analysts, as well as Armenians living in the region, doubt such assertions. Several days ago, Armenian villagers near the border, just as they did in December, have called on Yerevan to arm them so that they can defend Armenia. In their view, the Armenian military has proven incapable of the task. And to broadcast their displeasure with the government, the locals have even blocked roads in the area, a display of anger that is complicating the approaching parliamentary elections in that country (Yerkramas, May 15; News.am, May 18).

Since the latest escalation in border tensions, Yerevan and Baku have been holding multi-day talks under Russian auspices. Officials from Moscow suggested on Monday (May 17) that both sides had reached an agreement; but the fact that more talks are scheduled for tomorrow indicates that statement was, at best, an overly optimistic assessment (Izvestia, Armeniasputnik.am, May 17). Nevertheless, at least for public consumption, Armenian and Azerbaijani leaders are on the same page about the need to delimitate their shared borders, and they have indicated they will jointly work with Moscow in doing so (News.ru, May 18; Izvestia, Armeniasputnik.am, May 17; Moscow-baku.ru, May 15).

The issue of the Armenian-Azerbaijani border, especially in the vicinity of Azerbaijans de-occupied/liberated territories, is not a new one, but it has arisen again, with particular force, for three reasons. First, as noted above, Armenian and Azerbaijani forces are now located directly opposite one another. Second, Moscows call for the opening of cross-border transportation linesespecially in Armenias Syunik Oblast, a land bridge between Azerbaijan proper and Azerbaijans Nakhichevan Autonomous Republic that Azerbaijanis refer to as the Zengezur corridorstands at the center of the Moscow-brokered ceasefire. This is a potentially volatile situation given that Baku likely has the resources to unilaterally build roads and railways through the Syunik/Zengezur corridor, while Yerevan cannot afford to do so across Nakhchivan without outside help (see EDM, April 5; Windowoneurasia2.blogspot.com, March 7; Kavkazsky Uzel, March 5). And third, behind all this exists the issue of Turkish influence in the South Caucasus. If this corridor is reopened, Turkey will be connected overland with mainland Azerbaijan and Central Asiasomething Armenia, Russia and Iran are all concerned about (see EDM, January 25; News.am, May 17).

Delimiting and demarcating the Armenian-Azerbaijani border not only in Syunik (Zengezur) but elsewhere is going to be extremely difficult. The two sides are still far apart on where the border line should be located, and there is no common or recent map from which they can work. Two competing Soviet-era maps are available, although both are more than 30 years old. Up to now, Armenia has relied on one and Azerbaijan on the other. Armenia uses a Soviet topographic map produced by Moscow geographers because it shows Armenian sovereignty extending to 80 percent of the disputed Black Lake and all the territory Yerevan says Baku has violated over the last week. In turn, Azerbaijan prefers to rely on a Soviet military map, which shows far more of the lake as well as all the territory Azerbaijani forces have moved into to be part of Azerbaijan (Armeniasputnik.am, May 18). In short, in the words of Aleksandr Skakov, the deputy director of the Moscow Institute of Oriental studies, there is no one Soviet map that would allow for defining the borders (Kavkazsky Uzel, May 15; Windowoneurasia2.blogspot.com, May 16).

Coming to an agreement about the border is not going to be easy, even with both sides now committed to talks. Perhaps, the best short-term solution would be for the armies of the two countries to pull back from the disputed areas and allow the geographers and diplomats to do their work. But it remains to be seen whether such a mutual withdrawal would even be possible in the current overheated atmosphere, especially as Russian forces are the only ones who appear ready to fill such a vacuum. As the events of last week show, almost any move can trigger the potential for local violence or a broader wareven with the international community compelled to try to prevent that from happening.

Paul Goble is a longtime specialist on ethnic and religious questions in Eurasia. Most recently, he was director of research and publications at the Azerbaijan Diplomatic Academy. Earlier, he served as vice dean for the social sciences and humanities at Audentes University in Tallinn and a senior research associate at the EuroCollege of the University of Tartu in Estonia. While there, he launched the Window on Eurasia series. Prior to joining the faculty there in 2004, he served in various capacities in the U.S. State Department, the Central Intelligence Agency and the International Broadcasting Bureau as well as at the Voice of America and Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty and at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace. He writes frequently on ethnic and religious issues and has edited five volumes on ethnicity and religion in the former Soviet space. Trained at Miami University in Ohio and the University of Chicago, he has been decorated by the governments of Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania for his work in promoting Baltic independence and the withdrawal of Russian forces from those formerly occupied lands.

This article appeared originally at The Jamestown Foundation's Eurasia Daily Monitor.
The Title X program was authorized in 1970 for the purpose of reducing population growth by providing family planning services to low-income women. From nearly the beginning, the program warranted concerns due to its lack of parental notice for minors, the sharing of resources between abortion clinics and Title X clinics in the same facility  or co-location -- and mandatory abortion referrals for pregnant women. But perhaps the most troubling aspect of the Title X program is that it has provided a high level of funding for the nations largest abortion business, Planned Parenthood. Most recently that number was around $60 million per year. This amounts to the government subsidizing abortion without any mandate from the American people.

Some argue that Title X family planning dollars cannot, by law, directly pay for abortions. But these same skeptics ignore the fact that the funding is used to offset the operational and overhead costs of abortion businesses that both encourage and refer for abortions while rendering Title X services. According to the organizations current president, Planned Parenthood affiliates proudly performed 345,672 abortions in FY2018. During this time period Planned Parenthood claimed almost $2 billion in net assets and took in a total of $616.8 million in taxpayer funding -- an increase from $543.7 million the year prior.

When the Trump administrations proposed Title X rules, which were designed to realign with the original intent of the program, required physical and financial separation of abortion and Title X services, Planned Parenthood decided to drop out of it. The abortion business bemoaned the fact that it would lose about $60 million in taxpayer funds that could have helped poor women. But financially dropping out of the Title X program made sense in terms of Planned Parenthoods bottom line. The $60 million was more than made up for between an increase in Medicaid funding and fundraising off of opposition to the pro-life Trump administration. In fact, Planned Parenthood took in $591 million in donations in 2018, an increase of over 50% from 2014 levels.

Despite this healthy financial picture  thanks to American taxpayer support -- the Biden administration is eager to enrich Planned Parenthood even more. The administrations proposed Title X rules once again permit co-location and mandate abortion referrals, but they also include some troubling additions. The proposed rules specify that, in determining whether to award Title X project funding, the department of Health and Human Services must consider the ability of the applicant to advance health equity.

Advancing health equity is the federal governments way of saying Title X grant recipients, the largest of which has been Planned Parenthood, must target underprivileged, minority populations for reduction. This comes just as Planned Parenthood is attempting to distance itself from its eugenicist founder Margaret Sanger, who also targeted underprivileged minorities, and particularly communities of color.

Since the 1973 decision in Roe v. Wade, some have estimated more than 19 million African American children have been lost to abortion. Tragically, Sangers strategy of targeting this minority has been successfully implemented by Planned Parenthood. In 2015, African Americans made up only 13.4% of the population and yet, according to the Centers for Disease Control, they accounted for 36% of abortions performed annually in the United States.

In the name of equity, the Biden administration is transforming the Title X program into a taxpayer funded eugenics project in the Planned Parenthood tradition of Margaret Sanger. The U.S. government should play no role in institutionalizing the racially discriminatory strategies of Planned Parenthood and its founder. The abortion industrys leader is far too controversial (and wealthy) to be worthy of public support.
Traverse City, MI (49684)

Today

Mixed clouds and sun this morning. Scattered thunderstorms developing this afternoon. High 82F. Winds N at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 40%..

Tonight

Partly cloudy with late night showers or thunderstorms. Low 63F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 60%.
The Athens-Clarke County Mayor & Commission voted to move the last call for Athens bars from 11:30 p.m. to 2 a.m., beginning May 20, in a Tuesday special called voting session.

In an initial effort to curb the spread of COVID-19, ACC government shifted the last call, which announces the remaining 45 minutes patrons have to finish their beverages before the establishment closes, to 9 p.m. in the summer of 2020. This change also shortened last call from 45 to 30 minutes.

After a lawsuit filed against the county by owners of On the Rocks, Moonshine, Buddha Bar, Centro and Cloud, the last call time was moved forward to 10 p.m. By the time the lawsuit was settled in August 2020, last call was 11:30 p.m., where it has remained until this vote.

The commission also passed a settlement amendment which states that the commission will move last call to 2 a.m. in exchange for the bars to promote vaccine clinics on their social media accounts, as well as co-host a vaccination clinic alongside the Clarke County Health Department.

Once we do remove all COVID restrictions from our local businesses, they no longer qualify for any federal assistance, District 3 Commissioner Melissa Link said during the session.

Link said the commission should research further the effects removing these restrictions will have on businesses and employees.
Greenville, NC (27833)

Today

Cloudy skies this morning followed by thunderstorms during the afternoon. High around 85F. Winds SW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 70%. Locally heavy rainfall possible..

Tonight

Thunderstorms likely this evening. Then a chance of scattered thunderstorms overnight. Low 71F. Winds WSW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 80%.
Greenville, NC (27833)

Today

A few showers in the morning with thunderstorms developing for the afternoon. High near 85F. Winds SW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 80%. Locally heavy rainfall possible..

Tonight

Thunderstorms likely this evening. Then a chance of scattered thunderstorms overnight. Low 71F. Winds WSW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 80%.
John Koopmann, a Lake Host at Spofford Lake, in Spofford, N.H., talks with Michael Collier, from Walpole, N.H., about places the boat has been before the boat goes into the water on Tuesday, June 8, 2021.
General Assignment Reporter

Chris Mays is a general assignment reporter for the Brattleboro Reformer. He has been with New England Newspapers Inc. since 2012.
Brattleboro, VT (05301)

Today

Generally cloudy. High 69F. Winds light and variable..

Tonight

A few showers early becoming a steady rain overnight. Low 54F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 90%. Rainfall near a quarter of an inch.
Beckley, WV (25801)

Today

Rain showers this morning with numerous thunderstorms developing during the afternoon hours. High 74F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 90%. Localized flooding is possible..

Tonight

Thunderstorms likely. Low 64F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 70%.
Beckley, WV (25801)

Today

Rain showers this morning with numerous thunderstorms developing during the afternoon hours. High 73F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 100%. Localized flooding is possible..

Tonight

Thunderstorms likely. Low 64F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 80%.
PARIS (AP)  Thousands of French police officers took part in a huge demonstration outside parliament Wednesday to press for a law that protects the protectors who are feeling vulnerable to attacks, angry and useless.

The rally by security forces represented a bold and unusual move for members of an institution that stresses duty and discretion. The protest drew civilian supporters and morphed into what looked like a campaign stop for politicians ahead of regional elections next month and a presidential race next year, with security a top concern.

Hard-line Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin showed up at the start, squeezing through a packed crowd of hundreds waving labor union flags. Representatives from the far-right National Rally and a multitude of other parties were expected to attend. The politicians clearly hope to send a message that security matters and police officers, a considerable voting pool, are their friends.

You must help us, Mr. Minister, an officer said with emotion to Darmanin.

Every morning when I awake, every night when I sleep, I think of you, Darmanin said, adding that his presence at the protest was normal" given his role as France's top cop.

Police unions gave notice ahead of the rally that politicians would not be allowed to make speeches. No one will confiscate the words of police or citizens, said a statement by 10 unions holding the demonstration.

Organizers said about 35,000 people, both officers and members of the public, attended the rally, which spilled across a main boulevard to the Seine River.

With two officers killed in recent weeks - one in a terrorist attack and another by a suspected 19-year-old delinquent - and constant encounters with young people who throw objects and fireworks, police are angry.

Paid to Serve, Not to Die read a giant banner in front of the National Assembly, the lower chamber of parliament.

We hope this is the starting point for real political action, a ranking officer who belongs to the police chiefs' union, SCPN, said. Rallying in front of the French parliament is to concentrate our anger where the laws are made. We've reached a point of no return, said the officer, who identified himself only as Olivier B. because union officials, not the rank-and-file, typically make public statements.

Police are calling for a law that guarantees jail time for those who assault them and for a justice system that punishes the small-time offenders they arrest and re-arrest after courts set them free.

Polls show broad support for police, but critics cite instances of brutality, including a man who died this year after a beating. A group of organizations filed a lawsuit in January contending systemic racism in France's security forces.

Officers reject what they label as police bashing, saying that it undermines their work.

President Emmanuel Macron, who is expected to run for reelection in 2022, has put security high on his agenda. However, police want more than a list of promises, such as guaranteeing a 30-year prison sentence for anyone convicted of killing an officer.

A minute of silence was observed to honor police officers killed in the line of duty.

A drug squad officer, Eric Masson, was fatally shot two weeks ago while making a quick check at a dealers corner in Avignon at the end of his shift. The suspect is 19 years old. A police official was knifed to death April 23 by a suspected radical at her station's entrance in the town of Rambouillet.

Police complain that laws have not kept up with changes in society, and existing laws are often not applied by judges.

The hammer of justice is made of clay. It doesn't strike, Benoit Barret, the head of France's southern Provence region for the Alliance police union, said. Police refuse to be doormats, be humiliated, outraged, aggressed, Barret said.

Darmanin's presence at Wednesday's protest triggered a deluge of criticism for alleged political opportunism. The interior minister has made chasing down neighborhood drug dealers a priority.

Politicians attending police demonstrations is not a problem, if they hear the message and take action, said Enguerrand Bonnas, an Alliance official in Lyon. But he especially appreciated the support from French citizens.

People shook our hands. That feels warmer than politicians, Bonnas said.
Lebanon, IN (46052)

Today

A mix of clouds and sun. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. High 88F. Winds N at 5 to 10 mph..

Tonight

Mostly clear. Low 69F. Winds N at 5 to 10 mph.
MBABANE  Sibebe Resort will celebrate Africa Day this year at their newly-established Sibebe Resort Cultural Village on May 29, 2021.

The family orientated event will feature colourful African acts, dishes and national dresses from across the continent. Larry Mhlanga from Sibebe Resort shared that this years theme was based on modifying different cultures. He went on to share that the African Union was one of the organisations that advocated for culture. The African Union theme for 2021 is the arts, culture and heritage: lever for building the Africa we want. The commemoration of Africa Day in 2021 comes at a rather difficult time with challenges posed by COVID-19. The messaging around this event will therefore focus on the need to find and amplify innovative solutions that are aimed at addressing challenges on the continent. As Sibebe Resort we will keep up with the theme as we will showcase the culture and heritage. As Former Zambia President Kenneth Kaunda always said ONE ZAMBIA! ONE AFRICA! We say One Sibebe! One Africa!, he said.

Sibebe Resort continues to maintain the promotion of tourism and culture hence the construction of Sibebe Cultural Village which was pre launched a few weeks ago. The purpose of commemorating Africa Day with the youth is to serve as a platform for showcasing Africas talent through the arts, culture, heritage, innovation and entrepreneurship, while at the same time making available the space for networking among the youth and invited stakeholders, added Mhlanga.

Showcase

Sibebe Africa Day event will host Africans living in Eswatini which include people from Ghana, Zambia, Tanzania, Zimbabwe and Mozambique, who will showcase their traditional regalia, cultural dances and dishes. The colourful event will bring life after we have all been affected by COVID-19 and we believe we need to come together as Africans and celebrate us, he added. Dishes that will be served on the day will include poulet a la moambe  the national dish of Congo , fumbwa  Congolese Stew, umxanxa from Zimbabwe, Jollof rice from Nigeria, garri which is a staple food eaten in Nigeria and egusu soup.

Abundant

One of the best known Mozambican dishes the shrimp or prawns done peri-peri style will also form part of the menu.
Man not hurt after striking animal

HAMBURG  A borough man escaped injury when the 2016 Ford Focus he was driving struck an animal on Windsor Castle Road, just east of Krick Lane in Windsor Township, Berks County, around 10 p.m. Sunday.

State police at Hamburg said Vincent Dussing, 30, was driving east when he tried to avoid hitting a deer that ran into the road but was unable to avoid a collision.

The car was towed from the scene, police said.

Police: Woman had 9 grams of pot

SUMMIT STATION  State police at Schuylkill Haven investigated a drug-related incident that happened at Route 183 and Firehouse Road in Wayne Township around 6 p.m. May 2.

Police said they stopped a vehicle driven by a 26-year-old Newtown woman, whose name they did not release, for a traffic violation and found her to be in possession of 9 grams of marijuana.

No additional information was provided.

Man charged with theft of gun sightSCHUYLKILL HAVEN  A Minersville man was charged with retail theft by state police at Schuylkill Haven after an incident at Schuylkill Gun Works in North Manheim Township around 3:15 p.m. May 7.

Police said Jay Paetzell, 39, removed a weapon sight from the business.

Paetzell was charged and will have to answer in district court, police said.

Man allegedly pushed woman at residenceSCHUYLKILL HAVEN  State police at Schuylkill Haven are investigating a harassment incident that happened on Schwartz Valley Road in Wayne Township around 7:10 p.m. Friday.

Police said they were called to the home for an active domestic incident and learned a 46-year-old Schuylkill Haven man pushed a 62-year-old Hummelstown woman at the residence.

No other information was provided.

Police investigate drug incident

TREMONT  State police at Schuylkill Haven are investigating a drug possession case that occurred following a traffic stop around 9:30 a.m. Thursday.

Police said they stopped a vehicle driven by a 46-year-old Pottsville man at Bridge and Spring streets for a traffic violation and found him to be in possession of methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia.

Police did not identify the man or provide any other information.
ORWIGSBURG  After a dispute over masks at last weeks committee of the whole meeting, the Blue Mountain School District announced a change in mask protocols.

A Tuesday announcement said the district will allow people who are fully vaccinated to attend school board meetings without a mask, in accordance with guidance from the Department of Education.

Following recommendations of district solicitor and trying to respect the feelings of all attendees, the Blue Mountain Middle School Cafetorium will have a designated area for those people not wearing face masks and an area for those attendees that may not feel comfortable sitting in proximity to someone that is not wearing a face mask, the announcement said.

Last weeks committee of the whole meeting was canceled when some attendees did not comply with the mask mandate that was in place at that time.

Earlier that day, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention announced that people who are fully vaccinated no longer need to wear masks or physically distance, whether indoors or outdoors, in most circumstances. Later that day, the state Department of Health announced it would follow the CDC advice.

Cancellation of the meeting frustrated Superintendent David Helsel, Ed.D.

This situation is very unfortunate for our district, as it needs to address many critical issues that are much more far reaching than wearing a mask, he said in a letter to the district Saturday. Very important discussions were derailed and delayed due to people that feel face masks are the most important issue at this time.

The agenda items from last week will be discussed at the regular board meeting at 6:30 p.m. Thursday with the mask changes in place.

The Tuesday announcement said the decision was based on a statement from the Department of Education that our district will not be violating the universal face covering order or the associated attestation process if we allow fully vaccinated people to attend the meeting without wearing a face mask. Previously, the district had to sign an attestation form requiring it to follow all guidance from the Department of Health in order to stay open while at a substantial level of COVID-19 transmission.

The Department of Education also recommended that K-12 schools continue with their current mitigation efforts, so the district will continue to require students to wear masks during the school day.

The other public school districts in the county made the decision over the weekend to keep mask requirements through the end of the year, as well.

Helsel said students who are old enough to get the vaccine will likely not be fully vaccinated before the school year ends. Whether fully vaccinated teachers will be able to stop wearing masks will be a board decision.

Ahead of this weeks meeting, Helsel said he hopes the district can move forward with no further problems.

I am hoping things will calm down, Helsel said.
School board races and those for two open seats on the court of common pleas were of interest to Schuylkill County voters in Tuesdays primary election.

And so was the opportunity to vote in person rather than by mail-in ballot, which was far more prevalent when the coronavirus pandemic was surging in November.

Its important and it feels good to do it, said borough resident Sharon L. Carroll outside her polling station, Veterans Community Memorial Hall, off Grove Street in Orwigsburg.

Bill and Janice Bandholz said voting in person is what we do, and Bill added that its important to be active in civic matters.

Plus, its a beautiful day, he said. Tuesdays high temperatures reached the low 80s.

Janice Bandholz said having been fully vaccinated against the virus, she felt confident voting in person.

In Pottsville, Elizabeth Ciavarella wasnt sure what to expect as far as masks when she went to the American Hose Company on West Norwegian Street to vote, so she came prepared.

I had my mask on, she said outside the fire company.

Voters were asked to wear face masks at all county polling sites.

She said she preferred voting in person because of uncertainty with voting by mail, though she said her mother has voted by mail.

Dan McGrory, of Pottsville, said he believed wearing a mask was sufficient enough to vote in person.

I always vote, he replied when asked why he came out in person.

Chris and Amanda Wright voted by mail in the fall, but decided to come to the polling station for Tuesdays primary. Amanda Wright said she prefers showing up at the polls as it ensures my vote made it.

Chris Wright agreed, saying it is just as easy to vote in person.

McGrory, the Wrights and Carroll all said the race for two available positions on the county court was of interest to them, while races for Pottsville Area and Blue Mountain school board were what the Wrights, Ciavarella and the Bandholzs said they were interested in. Ciavarellas husband, Harry, was one of five candidates running for four, four-year seats on the Pottsville Area board.

While Orwigsburg resident Todd Hallick said he was interested in the Blue Mountain school board race  six candidates, including two by write-in campaign, were seeking four open positions  he was also interested in the ballot questions state residents were asked to vote on. He said he was particularly drawn to the ones asking voters to end a governors emergency disaster declaration after 21 days and to give lawmakers sole authority to extend it or end it at any time with a majority vote.

Hallick said he believes in-person voting should be the way to go, and that voters should have identification on them when they go to the polls.

Turnout for Tuesdays election wasnt known at press time. Its unlikely to match the November presidential race, in which 70,605 ballots were cast, a 78.08% voter turnout rate.

Election bureau director Albert L. Gricoski said his office received approximately 5,800 requests for mail-in and absentee ballots, and 4,600 of them had been returned as of Monday. The deadline to do so was 8 p.m. Tuesday.

In the November election, the county sent out 20,590 absentee and mail-in ballots, of which 16,414 were received by the deadline.
DEER LAKE  West Brunswick Township conducted a hearing to discuss a request for conditional land use regarding West Brunswick LLCs proposed Red Pine Ridge subdivision.

The development is planned for a 157.9-acre tract near routes 61 and 895.

West Brunswick LLC is part of the Rich family of companies, Will Rich, a company representative, said at the May 5 hearing before the supervisors at the township building.

It (the company) is interested in developing this project in West Brunswick to provide residential and economic development opportunities in the community in which the owners live, he said. We hope this is the first step of many in bringing substantial positive growth to the area similar to what we are seeing in surrounding areas like Lehigh and Berks counties.

He said the company is pleased that the township granted conditional use approval for the project.

However, he added, they imposed conditions that present some hurdles. We are in the process of determining if those hurdles are feasible to overcome and, if so, will then pursue obtaining the other necessary permits to develop this project.

The Rich family of companies includes Reading Anthracite, Bear Ridge Machine and Metal Fabrication and R&R Property Managers, Rich said.

Preliminary plans for the development include 197 residential lots of 9,000 square feet for single family homes and townhomes, a recreational area, a walking trail and possibly a playground, as well as four commercial lots for retail and personal service uses. The single family homes would be about 1,600 square feet.

According to Joel Schmoyer, Lehigh Engineers, Pottsville, the developer plans to market the commercial lots to services that would benefit the residents of the development. Schmoyer is project manager, project engineer supervisor and engineer of record for the project.

Schmoyer received a letter from Aqua America dated Oct. 22, stating that it can provide 2.2 million gallons of water per month for the development.

He received a letter from the Schuylkill Municipal Authority dated Oct. 7, stating it has the capacity to serve the subdivision through its existing facilities.

Schmoyer said the developer is willing to consider off-street parking for the single-family homes at the top of the development, or possibly eliminating some building lots and adding overflow parking areas.

Other concerns include stormwater runoff management, sight distance at exit points and emergency access.

The developer is willing to move one of the access points if necessary to comply with the sight distance ordinance. Emergency access will be added and Schmoyer will consult with the fire chief for recommendations. Basins will be installed to handle stormwater runoff.
British supermodel Naomi Campbell has welcomed her first child and its a baby girl. The 50-year-old announced the news on Instagram as she shared a picture of her hand holding the baby's feet. A beautiful little blessing has chosen me to be her mother, so honoured to have this gentle soul in my life there are no words to describe the lifelong bond that I now share with you, my angel. There is no greater love, Naomi Campbell wrote while sharing the adorable picture.

Naomi Campbell welcomes her first child

Several congratulatory messages started pouring into the comment section while blessing the little one and congratulating the model for the wonderful news amid the pandemic, Stars like Winnie Harlow, Marc Jacobs, Jodie Turner-Smith, Kelly Ripa, and more congratulated the model for sharing beautiful news. Naomis mother Valerie Morris Campbell also took to Instagram and shared her happiness of being a grandmother. Sharing the same picture that was posted by Naomi, Valerie wrote, Naomi on the birth of her daughter, Im beyond thrilled as Ive waited for a long time to be a grandmother. The model replied to her mothers sweet post and wrote, We love you, Mum, with several heart shape emoticons.

In 2017, the model in her interview with The Evening Standard spoke about her wish to embrace motherhood and become a parent. She was quoted as saying that she is thinking about having children all the time. But now with the advancement in science and technology, Naomi had confessed that she can be a mother whenever she wanted to.

Campbell was the first Black model to appear on the covers of prominent magazines like French Vogue and Time. She was also the first Black model on the cover of American Vogue`s key September issue. The British native began her career as a teenager and has walked for fashion heavyweights such as Versace, Chanel, Prada, and Dolce & Gabbana. She has also championed African designers and co-produced April`s Arise Fashion Week in Lagos, Nigeria. Naomi is also known for her charity work, and in 2005 she founded Fashion For Relief, a charity merging fashion and philanthropy.

(IMAGE:AP/NAOMICAMPBELL/Instagram)

Get the latest entertainment news from India & around the world. Now follow your favourite television celebs and telly updates. Republic World is your one-stop destination for trending Bollywood news. Tune in today to stay updated with all the latest news and headlines from the world of entertainment.
Google Earth, which is primarily based on satellite imagery, lets users see cities, roads, lanes, bylanes and various other angles with the help of just one mouse click. Its functionality is not too different from Google Maps, but it also allows users to find some of the strangest places with the help of just addresses or coordinates. From a submerged car to a grisly murder spot, internet users have been able to find pictures that were hiding in plain sight or fascinating places like an unexplained cave in Antarctica.

Therefore, here are some of the pictures that are bizarre and creepy at the same time:

Submerged car

A picture of a submerged car was found in 2007. The chilling Google Earth image had reportedly solved a cold case mystery that had baffled police for more than 20 years. According to a UK media outlet Mirror, William Moldt was reported missing from Lantana, Florida, on November 7, 1997, after failing to return from a night out, but cops failed to find any leads. But the Google Earth image helped police following which they dredged out the vehicle from the water and Moldts body was identified.

(Image: @ZionTechGroup/Twitter)

Murder spot

The image, which looked like a scene from a horror film, was from Beatrixpark Dock in the Netherlands. The picture had taken the internet by storm as several internet users feared that the Google Earth had stumbled upon the sight of a bloodied body being dragged into the water. However, thankfully, it was actually the sigh of a wet dog leaving a trail on the wooden floor as it rushed towards the shore.

(Image: @jakebroullette/Twitter)

Blood lake

A blood-red lake outside Sadr City in Iraq had led to a number of rumours over the years. But when asked, a local reportedly said that a nearby slaughterhouse often dumps blood into canals. Another local even explained that the colourisation comes from sewage or a process to treat the water.

(Image: @@morbidology/Twitter)

Jesus loves you

These words were seen engraved on a smooth stretch of land at the Boise national Park in the USA. But to date, no one knows who or why someone wrote those words.

(Image: @Claudyssssss/Twitter)

Unexplained cave in Antarctica

Mysterious caves seemed to appear out of the blue on a remote island in Antarctica. Google Earth users were able to find the entrance of the cave which they claim could be an entrance to a hollow Earth or a military cover up. Interestingly the cave disappeared without a trace six months later after it was found in 2007.

(Image: @MOREK12/Twitter)

Get the latest entertainment news from India & around the world. Now follow your favourite television celebs and telly updates. Republic World is your one-stop destination for trending Bollywood news. Tune in today to stay updated with all the latest news and headlines from the world of entertainment.
India said on Wednesday that it has stood by Africa amid the COVID-19 outbreak and supplied medicines, vaccines and health-related equipment to over 40 African nations during the crisis, underscoring that New Delhi will be Africas "reliable partner" in fighting the pandemic.

"Like the rest of the world, Africa too is being tested by the Covid-19 pandemic. Its vulnerabilities are greater and in many respects, its capabilities are still in the making," External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said at the UN Security Council Open Debate on Peace and Security in Africa: addressing root causes of conflict while promoting post-pandemic recovery in Africa.

The debate, held under the Council Presidency of China, was presided over by Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi.

"The world must stand by Africa in this crisis. On its part, India has done so by supplying medicines, vaccines and health-related equipment to 42 African countries. We are also working in partnership with South Africa and others to address the challenges of accessibility and affordability of vaccines," Jaishankar said.

He underlined Indias support to peacebuilding in Africa, establishing capabilities and capacities that help meet challenges while ensuring progress.

"Most of all, we understand and empathize with the aspirations of Africa. That is why India will support peace and security there, help address root causes of conflict and be a reliable partner in fighting the pandemic, he said.

Jaishankar noted that like the rest of the world, Africa too faces problems of terrorism and instability. "It is a reminder to this Council why epicentres of radicalisation must not be allowed to operate with impunity." He told the Council that Indias support to Africa is expressed through its peacekeeping presence in South Sudan, Somalia, Abeyi, Western Sahara and Democratic Republic of Congo. "We endorse the call of the Secretary General for a mandate under Chapter VII to support African counter-terrorism operations with sustained financing, including through assessed contributions." Beyond the pandemic, Jaishankar said Africas recovery will be facilitated by partnerships that genuinely address its economic sustainability. Indias approach was spelt out by the Kampala Principles enunciated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in 2018.

"In effect, India will respond to the priorities of Africa, as defined by Africans themselves. Our support is without conditionalities and in line with African expectations, he said, adding that Indias support is visible in its 189 projects in 41 African countries being implemented under concessional loans.

Indias support to Africa also encompasses providing medicines, health equipment, ambulances, books, vehicles and food grains and is visible through vocational training and IT centres set up in Africa, through the 43,000 education and training slots over the last five years, or the digital education and health programmes with 17 African partners.

"Our trade and technology exchanges are steadily growing, in line with closer political and people-to-people ties. Whether it is debt relief or climate change, we treat Africas challenges as our own, he said.

Jaishankar underlined the strong and deep solidarity between India and Africa, saying it reflects the bonding of the Global South.

While New Delhis close collaboration is expressed through the India-Africa Forum Summit, in the G77 and the Non-Aligned Movement, Jaishankar said the close ties are more evident in the United Nations itself than elsewhere.

Jaishankar added that bilaterally, India has partnered in the establishment of defence institutions in Nigeria, Ethiopia and Tanzania and its training teams have been deployed in Botswana, Namibia, Uganda, Lesotho, Zambia, Mauritius, Seychelles and Tanzania.

(Disclaimer: This story is auto-generated from a syndicated feed; only the image & headline may have been reworked by www.republicworld.com)
MBABANE  A police officer has been arrested along with a resident of South Africa in connection with illegal possession of dagga.

Shiela Dlamini (35) of Mbekelweni and Nkhosinathi Themba Zungu (39) of Johannesburg, South Africa, were arrested while allegedly crossing to the Republic of South Africa from Eswatini with dagga weighing 306kg.

It is alleged that the dagga was transported in a grey Toyota Hilux registered HR 72S XGP. Information gathered was to the effect that the duo was driving in the same motor vehicle when police officers deployed at the border gate made the discovery. It is alleged that Zungu drove off when the officers of the law ordered him to stop with an intent to search the car. His failure to stop the car is said to have resulted in one of the police officers pulling out a gun. However, it is alleged that Dlamini jumped out of the car and took to her heels and proceeded to the South Africa side of the border gate, leaving Zungu in the motor vehicle. It could not be ascertained how she was eventually arrested.

search

It is also alleged that Dlamini tried in vain to influence Detective Constable Mcolisi Thole not to search the car driven by Zungu. The allegations whose veracity is yet to be tested in court are contained in a statement of agreed facts tendered by Zungu, who pleaded guilty to two of the three counts he was facing along with Dlamini. Dlamini was charged with two more counts, resulting in her facing five counts, while her co-accused featured in three charges. In the first count, the duo was accused of illegal possession of dagga weighing 306kg while driving in a Toyota Hilux registered HR72SXGP. They were charged for allegedly conveying the illegal herb without a valid permit to do so. In the third count, the duo was accused of dealing in the drug.

In the fourth count, the police officer was charged for contravening Section 41 (1) (b) as read with Subsection (2) (a) (1) and (ii, (c) and (d) together with Section 35 (1) of the Prevention of Corruption Act of 2006.

It is alleged that upon or about May 6, 2021, at or near Ngwenya Border Gate, Dlamini unlawfully accepted and or agreed or offered to accept an advantage from 6615 Detective Constable Thole an amount of E3 000 for her benefit through illegal, dishonest and biased manner and violation of legal duty in ensuring that the motor vehicle driven by Zungu carrying and transporting dagga was not searched by the police officers at the border gate.
New Delhi, May 19 (PTI) India on Wednesday expressed concern over the situation along the Armenia-Azerbaijan border and called for peaceful resolution of the disputes between the two countries through political and diplomatic means.

Spokesperson in the Ministry of External Affairs, Arindam Bagchi, said peace in the South Caucasus region is important for regional security.

There has been a raging military conflict between Armenia and Azerbaijan over Nagorno-Karabakh, a strategically-located mountainous enclave.

"We have been following, with concern, the situation along the Armenia-Azerbaijan border. Border incursions through military movements can destabilise the situation and lead to renewed hostilities. We call upon the transgressing side to pull back forces immediately and cease any further provocation," Bagchi said.

"India has always stood for peaceful resolution of bilateral disputes through political and diplomatic means. Peace and stability in the South Caucasus region is important from the regional security perspective, he said.

He was responding to media queries on recent developments along the Armenia-Azerbaijan border.

Nagorno-Karabakh is known to be a part of Azerbaijan. However, the majority of the people living in the enclave are Armenians.

Armenian took control of some part of the territory in the 1990s. The situation deteriorated in September last year after Azerbaijan attempted to recapture some areas.

There have been reports that Azerbaijan sent troops in trying to seize control of the territory.

The OSCE (Organisation for Security and Co-operation) Minsk Group was set up in 1992 to find a solution to the conflict over the enclave.

The US, France and Russia are the co-chairs of the group. PTI MPB ZMN

(Disclaimer: This story is auto-generated from a syndicated feed; only the image & headline may have been reworked by www.republicworld.com)
BJP national spokesperson Sambit Patra on Wednesday hit out at the Congress party over its alleged 'toolkit'. The 'toolkit' outlining the grand old party's alleged attempt at defaming Prime Minister Modi and the Government of India was released by the saffron party on Tuesday. Attacking the Congress party, Sambit Patra said that his party is presenting proof pertaining to the tool kit.

BJP reveals the author of Congress 'toolkit'; Seeks answers

Patra revealed that domain experts during their research concluded that the tool kit was authored by Saumya Varma. He further alleged that the toolkit brought focus on the ongoing Central Vista Project. He added that the tool kit had mentioned Central Vista as a 'vanity project'. Sambit Patra further questioned the author of the toolkit, Saumya Varma.

"It is clearly written here in social media profiles of Saumya Varma that she is connected with Congress MP Rajeev Gowda. She is connected to the research wing of the AICC which is headed by Professor Gowda," Sambit Patra revealed.

Further hitting out at the Congress, Patra showcased a picture in which Saumya Varma is seen with high-profile people, including Congress leader Rahul Gandhi and Professor Gowda.

"As you can see, Saumya Varma is seen in this picture with Rahul Gandhi and Professor Gowda who heads the research wing of the AICC. During that time, Rahul Gandhi was the Congress chief and this is the picture of their research team. You can see the pictures of these toolkit managers. I want to show this to the whole country." said Sambit Patra

Friends yesterday Congress wanted to know whos the Author of the toolkit.

Pls check the properties of the Paper.

Author: Saumya Varma

Whos Saumya Varma ...

The Evidences speak for themselves:

Will Sonia Gandhi & Rahul Gandhi reply? pic.twitter.com/hMtwcuRVLW  Sambit Patra (@sambitswaraj) May 19, 2021

Presenting another picture of the 'research team', Patra added that Saumya Verma can be seen in the picture as well. He revealed another picture of the alleged 'author of the toolkit' with Professor Gowda. "This is the toolkit gang that defames and insults the country. They spread lies about the Central Vista Project and ventilators," Patra added

"Their motive is to tarnish Prime Minister Modi's image. This gang is responsible for the toolkit." said Sambit Patra

Sambit Patra also presented another social media post, linking Saumya Varma with the grand old party. The social media post relates to the Congress' manifesto during the Delhi assembly elections. Patra further hit out at the Congress and blamed it for naming the COVID-19 as an 'Indian Variant'.

Patra concluded his statement by questioning if the alleged author Saumya Varma is working in AICC research wing under Rajeev Gowda. In addition, Patra also asked if Verma is a member of the Congress party.

BJP Releases Congress 'toolkit'

Earlier on Tuesday, Sambit Patra attacked the Congress on the alleged 'toolkit' doing rounds on social media and slammed the grand old party for attempting to defame the PM and the Government of India amid the COVID-19 crisis in the country. Reading the various columns listed under the toolkit, Patra alleged that Congress was attempting to tarnish PM Modi's image using various methods.
Congress spokesperson Jaiveer Shergill claimed that the BJP-led central government was providing the people of India with 'fake toolkits' in place of COVID-19 vaccines as the country battled the second wave of the pandemic. The Congress leader's remarks come after Union Minister Nitin Gadkari on Wednesday opined that demand for COVID vaccines exceeding supply could lead to a problem for India. Reacting to Gadkari's statement, Congress' Jaiveer Shergill said that he felt 'good to know' that a BJP minister had 'woken up to reality' and asked how many more people had to die for the 'system' to arouse itself. It is pertinent to point out that Union Minister Gadkari had later on clarified that he was unaware of the Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilisers' efforts to ramp up production and took to Twitter to issue a clarification.

Mr Gadkari says to solve Vaccine demand supply issue more manufacturing licenses should be given



Problem is-Nation is demanding vaccines,BJP is supplying fake tool kits



Good to know atleast 1 BJPMinister is waking up to reality-How many more have to die to wake up the System?  Jaiveer Shergill (@JaiveerShergill) May 19, 2021

Shergill's attack regarding the toolkit is to do with another raging controversy, about a purported internal research document of the Congress party that carries very detailed instructions on how to target Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the Government of India by leveraging the COVID situation.

Nitin Gadkari flags COVID-19 vaccine shortage

Union Minister Gadkari's remarks on the production of vaccines come at a time when the country's vaccination drive has seen limited success owing to the shortage of vaccines in the context of the second wave, with the government trying to ramp up manufacturing. Addressing the Vice-Chancellors of universities on Tuesday, he called for licensing of vaccines so that production can be ramped up amid rising demand for inoculation. Proposing that the vaccine manufacturers can be given royalty for sharing their formula, he opined that the doses can be exported after India's needs are catered to. In this regard, he urged MoS Chemicals and Fertilisers Mansukh Mandaviya to take forward this idea.

Union Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari remarked, "A problem is created when the demand is more while the supply is less. The vaccine company should give licenses to 10 companies instead of one and take royalty. They should not perceive this as assistance. If the vaccine production starts at 10 places, like Haffkin has got importance..."

Nitin Gadkari clarifies

However, shortly after making his remark, Union Minister Gadkari noted that his suggestion to ramp up the vaccine production was made at a conference organised by the Swadeshi Jagaran Manch and that he was unaware of the explanation provided by Union Minister for Chemical & Fertilizers Mansukh Mandviya on the govt's efforts to increase production. Further, Gadkari revealed that he was informed by Union Minister Mansukh Mandviya that the Centre was facilitating vaccine manufacturing with the help of 12 different plants & companies and that the production was expected to be rapidly ramp up in the near future. Congratulating the Ministry for its efforts, Gadkari said that he was unaware of the former's efforts before giving his suggestion on Tuesday & said that it was important he put the matter on record.

Yesterday while participating at the conference organised by Swadeshi Jagaran Manch, I had made a suggestion to ramp up vaccine production. I was unaware that before my speech Minister for Chemical & Fertilizers Shri @mansukhmandviya had explained governments efforts to ramp up  Nitin Gadkari (@nitin_gadkari) May 19, 2021

...vaccine production.



After conference, he also informed me that, GoI is already facilitating vaccine manufacturing by 12 different plants/companies and rapid ramp up of production is expected in near future as a result of these efforts.  Nitin Gadkari (@nitin_gadkari) May 19, 2021

I was unaware that his ministry has started these efforts before I had given suggestion yesterday. I am glad and congratulate he and his team for this timely intervention in the right direction. I feel important to put this on record.  Nitin Gadkari (@nitin_gadkari) May 19, 2021

COVID-19 vaccination in India

A total of 14,42,92,147 persons have been inoculated in India till now, 4,09,26,302 of them have received the second dose of the vaccine too. The Union government has asserted that over 216 crore doses of vaccines will be manufactured in India between August and December. This includes COVISHIELD (75 crore doses), COVAXIN (55 crore doses), Bio E Sub Vaccine (30 crore doses), Zydus Cadila DNA vaccine (5 crore doses), SII-Novavax (20 crore doses), BB Nasal Vaccine (10 crore doses), Genova mRNA vaccine (6 crore doses) and Sputnik V (15.6 crore doses).
The Centre on Wednesday has once again asked WhatsApp to take back its new Privacy Policy. The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology has stated that the messaging app's new policy is a violation of the already existing Indian laws and rules. This comes after the Centre's similar response on the matter to Delhi High Court on Monday. The Centre had stated that it views the new privacy policy of WhatsApp as a violation of the Indian Information Technology (IT) law and rules.

Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology asks WhatsApp to take back its new Privacy Policy

The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology has directed WhatsApp to take back the new policy. However, WhatsApp on its part had informed that the new policy has been deferred beyond May 15. Even so, the Centre in its response has said that the deferral does not absolve the messaging app from respecting the values of informational privacy, data security and user choice for Indian users. Citing users in Europe, the Centre also hit out at WhatsApp for its discriminatory treatment towards Indians. The Centre added that the move was 'irresponsible'

Taking up the issue of discriminatory treatment to Indian users vis-a-vis users in Europe, the Ministry stated, As you're doubtlessly aware, many Indian citizens depend on WhatsApp to communicate in everyday life. It is not just problematic, but also irresponsible...Govt sources  ANI (@ANI) May 19, 2021

...for WhatsApp to leverage this position to impose unfair terms and conditions on Indian users, particularly those that discriminate against Indian users vis-a-vis users in Europe.": Govt sources  ANI (@ANI) May 19, 2021

GOI gives seven days time to WhatsApp to respond

The Centre has given a window of seven days to WhatsApp seeking its response on the matter of its new policy. In addition, it has also stated that if no satisfactory response is received then it may consider legal options that will be taken.

Ministry of Electronics and IT in its communication has drawn attention of WhatsApp as to how its new Privacy Policy is a violation of several provisions of the existing Indian laws and rules. GoI will consider various options available to it under laws in India: Govt sources  ANI (@ANI) May 19, 2021

Government of India has given seven days time to WhatsApp to respond to his notice and if no satisfactory response is received, necessary steps in consonance with law will be taken: Govt sources  ANI (@ANI) May 19, 2021

WhatsApp policy

The new privacy policy was rolled in 2016 out after Facebook acquired WhatsApp in 2014. The policy states that the users phone number will be connected with Facebooks systems so that the social media giant could elevate the friend suggestions and show relevant advertisements. This means that WhatsApp had already begun sharing information with Facebook. However, the situation became more alarming with WhatsApp's latest policy which means that it is willing to share even more data with its parent company including WhatsApp payment and transaction data.

Though the messaging app has put on record that chats between the users are safe and their calls are also end-to-end encrypted and that the contacts will not be shared with Facebook, users have expressed doubt. The need to collect more data has made users more suspicious. This controversial privacy policy has also landed WhatsApp in several court cases. Recently, it had to defend itself and said that other tech giants including Zomato, Ola, also have similar policies and that those platforms collect even more data.
Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison said Tuesday his country's borders will not open to international travel until it's safe to do so.

Morrison told reporters in Caboolture, Queensland, that he will make decisions on border measures based on the best medical advice to avoid putting Australians' lives at risk from COVID-19.

The prime minister said he understood people want to get back to their previous lives, but "the reality is we're living this year in a pandemic that's worse than last year", referring to recent deadly waves in developing countries.

Australia has instituted quarantine-free travel with New Zealand, but otherwise people coming into the country are required to spend 14 days in quarantine facilities.

(Disclaimer: This story is auto-generated from a syndicated feed; only the image & headline may have been reworked by www.republicworld.com)
As night fell in Spain's North African enclave of Ceuta on Tuesday, police and soldiers continued their chase of migrants, including unaccompanied minors who attempted to cross from Morocco into the European nation.

Since Monday more than 8,000 migrants have crossed into Ceuta by either jumping the border fence or swimming into Spanish territory.

The number getting in slowed after Spain deployed additional police officers and soldiers, but the arrivals didn't stop even when anti-riot police on the Moroccan side dispersed crowds of people hoping to cross over.

At least 4,000 have been returned to Morocco, according to Spain's Interior Ministry.

But thousands are now being held in warehouses where unaccompanied children were seen by the AP sleeping on shelves or on the floor, as well as on tent beds set up by the Red Cross.

The sudden influx of arrivals, especially of children, has collapsed the existing reception centers and caused a humanitarian crisis.

Aisha Diakate and Mariam Keita both fled conflict in Mali between 2018 and 2019 after rebels killed their parents and ended up in Morocco where they struggled to find work and had to beg on the street to survive.

The mothers decided to head to Spain after news on Monday that Morocco had loosened its border control.

But walking from Tangiers to the border and then swimming across with their small children in arms was traumatizing, the women said.

Still, they believed that once they reached European land they would be safe and cared for.

That wasn't the case.

After spending a night in an overcrowded warehouse with other male migrants, Diakate said police told them they would soon be returned to Morocco.

Fearing deportation they are now sleeping on the sidewalk outside the warehouse under the nose of police and Red Cross volunteers.

Women and children who cross into Spain irregularly are normally immediately taken to special shelters for vulnerable migrants and asylum seekers as many can be victims of human trafficking.

But Keita and Diakate said they have received virtually no assistance with the exception of food donations including a box of half-eaten pizza gifted by one of the volunteers.

They have not been able to bathe since crossing, or get new clothing for the children.

They have also not seen a doctor or a lawyer, which they are entitled to.

(Disclaimer: This story is auto-generated from a syndicated feed; only the image & headline may have been reworked by www.republicworld.com)
Karachi, May 18 (PTI) Pakistans biggest city Karachi was hit by gusty winds and a dust storm on Tuesday under the influence of Tauktae cyclone in the region which left four people dead.

At least 13 people were killed in Gujarat in India as the cyclone battered parts of the state and left behind a trail of destruction along the coast, uprooting electric poles and trees, and damaging several houses and roads.

Cyclone Tauktae hit Gujarat coast on Monday night as an "extremely severe cyclonic storm", bringing heavy rains to the state. Earlier, the cyclone had battered the entire west coast.

Rescue officials in Pakistan confirmed that at least four people were killed in roof collapse incidents after Karachi was hit by a dust storm followed by light rain in many parts of the city.

The dust storm was caused due to the influence of the cyclone system being in southern Pakistan's vicinity combined with local weather conditions, the met official said.

Karachi has been in the grip of a severe heat wave since the last three days with temperatures soaring up to 44 degrees Celsuis.

A rescue official said that two persons were killed in a low-lying area of the city when the roof of their house collapsed while two deaths were reported from the New Karachi area.

A Met department official said Karachi, despite being on the coastal belt, was saved from the brunt of the cyclone which has caused more damage and deaths in India.

He said Karachi could experience gusty winds again until the cyclone system is out of the region. PTI CORR MRJ MRJ

(Disclaimer: This story is auto-generated from a syndicated feed; only the image & headline may have been reworked by www.republicworld.com)
STORY: Morocco Ceuta Border Migrants - Endless wave of migrants tries to cross into Ceuta

LENGTH: 02:01

FIRST RUN: 2106

RESTRICTIONS:

TYPE: Natsound

SOURCE: ASSOCIATED PRESS

STORY NUMBER: 4326532

DATELINE: 18 May 2021 - Fnideq

SHOTLIST:

RESTRICTION SUMMARY:

++PRELIMINARY SCRIPT++

ASSOCIATED PRESS

Fnideq, Morocco - 18 May 2021

1. Various of people walking up hill as they head towards the border between Morocco and Spain

2. Various of people walking on the Moroccan side in the direction of the border

3. Wide of people arriving at Morocco-Spain border fence

4. People trying to climb the fence, which is covered in razor wire, Moroccan military personnel talking to them from across fence

5. Various of people crossing through border fence

6. Various of people climbing border wall to cross to Spanish side

STORYLINE:

The arrival of thousands of migrants threatened to overwhelm the Spanish enclave of Ceuta in Morocco on Tuesday, even as Spain deployed its military to the Moroccan border.

++MORE TO FOLLOW++

===========================================================

Clients are reminded:

(i) to check the terms of their licence agreements for use of content outside news programming and that further advice and assistance can be obtained from the AP Archive on: Tel +44 (0) 20 7482 7482 Email: info@aparchive.com

(ii) they should check with the applicable collecting society in their Territory regarding the clearance of any sound recording or performance included within the AP Television News service

(iii) they have editorial responsibility for the use of all and any content included within the AP Television News service and for libel, privacy, compliance and third party rights applicable to their Territory.

(Disclaimer: This story is auto-generated from a syndicated feed; only the image & headline may have been reworked by www.republicworld.com)
GUATEMALA CITY (AP)  Guatemalan prosecutors on Wednesday requested that former President Jimmy Morales be stripped of his immunity so he can be prosecuted for violating the mandate of the United Nations-backed anti-corruption mission then working in the country.

Morales, who led Guatemala from 2016 to 2020, has immunity because after his term he immediately became a representative to the Central American Parliament. Morales assumed the presidency pledging to battle corruption but once he and family members became targets of the anti-corruption mission, he moved to push it out of Guatemala.

In 2017, Morales declared the head of that mission, Colombian Ivan Velasquez, persona non grate and did not allow him to re-enter the country.

Morales was twice investigated during his presidency for alleged electoral crimes.

But it was his decision to force Velasquez out, despite a ruling from Guatemalas highest court that he couldnt, that was cause for Wednesdays move by the Anti-Corruption Prosecutors office to try to strip his immunity.

The U.N. mission, known as the CICIG, worked in Guatemala for 12 years, taking down criminal networks and even former President Otto Perez Molina and his Vice President Roxana Baldetti.

To lift Morales immunity the Supreme Court will assign the case to a judge who will decide whether the evidence presented by prosecutors is valid. That judge will then make a recommendation and the Supreme Court will take the final decision.

Neither Morales nor his lawyers immediately commented.

(Disclaimer: This story is auto-generated from a syndicated feed; only the image & headline may have been reworked by www.republicworld.com)
STORY: Haiti Protest - Haiti protesters call on President Moise to resign

LENGTH: 02:27

FIRST RUN: 2145

RESTRICTIONS:

TYPE: Creole/ Natsound

SOURCE: ASSOCIATED PRESS

STORY NUMBER: 4326538

DATELINE: 18 May 2021 - Port-au-Prince

SHOTLIST:

RESTRICTION SUMMARY:

ASSOCIATED PRESS

Port-au-Prince - 18 May 2021

1. Protesters marching

2. Masked protester carrying a tyre, fire burning in street in background

3. Protesters carrying banner reading (Creole): "National agreement for the desired transition"

4. Protesters piling up tyres onto burning roadblock

5. SOUNDBITE (Creole) Andre Michel, Haitian opposition leader:

"The Haitian people are not going to a referendum with (President) Jovenel Moise. The people will not participate in elections with Moise. Jovenel Moise's constitutional mandate finished on February 7, 2021. We will not negotiate or cohabit with murderers and criminals."

6. Protesters including Michel circling burning pyre

7. Protesters marching

8. Protesters holding banners while standing in a truck

9. Various of protesters marching

10. Protester carrying a Haitian flag and walking towards camera, UPSOUND (Creole): "We don't want a referendum!"

11. Security forces riding in truck

12. Haitian soldiers in formation

13. Vehicle carrying Moise arriving

14. Moise standing during ceremony

15. Moise and First Lady Martine Moise walking on red carpet

16. Moise laying flowers at the tomb of Haiti founder Jean Jacques Desaline

17. SOUNDBITE (Haitian Creole) Jovenel Moise, President of Haiti:

"I have no personal interest to make changes to the Constitution. I will not enjoy changing the Constitution, the only interest that I have is to see my country move towards change, to see my country become governable moving forward."

18. Various of soldiers marching during military parade

STORYLINE:

Hundreds of demonstrators marched in the streets of Port-au-Prince on Tuesday, once again demanding Haitian President Jovenel Moise resign from office.

Protesters are also calling for Moise to drop an upcoming constitutional referendum scheduled for June 27, which was unilaterally proposed by his administration.

The president's critics say it will only serve to consolidate his power.

As protesters took the streets, Moise called for political opponents to discuss the future of the country and put an end to the infighting, which he said is delaying the development of the country.

In a scene that has become all too familiar, demonstrators burned piles of tires blocking major thoroughfares in the Haitian capital.

Reporters on-site heard gunfire and witnessed that at least one male protester was killed by a shot to the head.

It is unclear who did the shooting.

Opposition political parties who called the protest criticize the current state of affairs in the country has become untenable.

Moise has been ruling by presidential decree since January of 2020 after dissolving a majority of Parliament.

===========================================================

Clients are reminded:

(i) to check the terms of their licence agreements for use of content outside news programming and that further advice and assistance can be obtained from the AP Archive on: Tel +44 (0) 20 7482 7482 Email: info@aparchive.com

(ii) they should check with the applicable collecting society in their Territory regarding the clearance of any sound recording or performance included within the AP Television News service

(iii) they have editorial responsibility for the use of all and any content included within the AP Television News service and for libel, privacy, compliance and third party rights applicable to their Territory.

(Disclaimer: This story is auto-generated from a syndicated feed; only the image & headline may have been reworked by www.republicworld.com)
MANZINI - The police stand accused of shooting a bystander, allegedly at close range, during Mondays violent clash with protesters who had taken part in the #JusticeforThabani (Nkomonye) march.

On Monday afternoon in Manzini near the Nazarene traffic lights, Phiwayinkosi Dlamini (27), a University of Eswatini (UNESWA) graduate, was caught in the crossfire during the violent clash between the marchers and law enforcers. According to sources within his family, Phiwayinkosi is not a student as it had been purported by others, in particular on social media, but a UNESWA graduate, who was employed in the agriculture industry as an animal health scientist for the past five years. During the incident, the marchers had just delivered their petition to the Matsapha Police Station when violence erupted near the Nazarene traffic lights, while they were on their way to the Manzini Police Regional Headquarters where they were going to deliver another petition. Both petitions were addressed to the National Commissioner of Police William Tsitsibala Dlamini.

Motorists

According to a source close to the matter, he alleged that Phiwayinkosi was among the motorists who were stuck in the traffic jam that was caused by the protesters who were marching along the MR3 Public Road.

As a result of the traffic jam, the source alleged that like other motorists, Phiwayinkosi alighted from his car to observe what was happening. Unfortunately for him, the source alleged that while he was still waiting for the traffic to clear, the marchers clashed with the police officers and violence erupted. In the process, the source alleged that while police were dispersing the protesters by firing rubber bullets at them, one of the bullets strayed and hit Phiwayinkosi in his right eye.

After being injured, the source purported that an ambulance was called to rush him to hospital, where he is still being attended to by medical practitioners at the intensive care unit (ICU). This was confirmed by Phiwayinkosis family (Dlaminis) in a statement, where they said he was a bystander and a motorist waiting for traffic to clear when the incident took place. They added that he was not part of the marchers, but was on a work errand when the unfortunate incident befell him. He is not a student, but a UNESWA graduate, the Dlaminis said in the statement. In that regard, they said they were devastated as a family by the incident. They said this was because Phiwayinkosi, their son, uncle, brother and friend had to get medical care, which included an operation. At this moment, as a family we will prioritise supporting him, reads part of the statement.

However, they mentioned that they would be happy to engage extensively on the matter once he had gone through the preliminary medical processes.
In India, the idea of vaccine tourism is gaining momentum once again. Many Indians are considering going abroad for doses of the COVID-19 vaccine. At present, Some Indians think they have the option of going to Moscow (Russia vaccine tourism) for two shots of vaccine. Therefore, a travel agency in Delhi has announced a vaccine tourism package. The package will include a 24-day Russia tour and two doses of the Sputnik-V vaccine. There will be a gap of 21 days between the two doses of the vaccine and during that time the travellers will be touring Russia.

As per reports, a travel agency officer has claimed that the next day after landing in Moscow, travellers will be given the first dose of the Sputnik V vaccine.

Sputnik-V in India

Meanwhile, the first dose of Russia's Sputnik V vaccine was administered by Dr Reddys Laboratories in Hyderabad on May 14. With this, India has added a third COVID-19 vaccine apart from Bharat Biotech's Covaxin and SII's Covishield to its mammoth inoculation drive. The first consignment of the doses had reached India on May 1, the day it kick-started the third phase of its vaccination drive opening it to all adults. The vaccine then received its regulatory clearance on May 13. the Russian Direct Investment Fund called May 14, the day the Sputnik V vaccine was administered for the first time in India, a 'historic' one. The CEO of the RDIF Kirill Dmitriev in a video posted on the official Twitter handle of the Russia-based vaccine manufacturing company asserted, "Russia is standing together with India in this fight against COVID-19.

Sputnik V made its debut made its debut this Tuesday on the CoWIN portal. Two batches of Sputnik V have arrived in the country in the month of May with more batches to come to aid the country's vaccination process. Moreover, the Russian Direct Investment Fund (RDIF) which handles the supply of Sputnik V has been eyeing to manufacture nearly 850 million doses of the vaccine in India annually.
STORY: Spain Ceuta Crisis - Sanchez flies over Ceuta, Spanish FM reax, protest

LENGTH: 02:43

FIRST RUN: 2018

RESTRICTIONS:

TYPE: Spanish/Natsound

SOURCE: ASSOCIATED PRESS/GOVERNMENT POOL

STORY NUMBER: 4326526

DATELINE: 18 May 2021 - Ceuta/Madrid

SHOTLIST:

RESTRICTION SUMMARY:

GOVERNMENT POOL

Ceuta - 18 May 2021

1. Various of Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez and Interior Minister Fernando Grande-Marlaska in helicopter flying over Ceuta

GOVERNMENT POOL

Madrid - 18 May 2021

2. Various of Spanish Deputy Prime Minister Carmen Calvo at a special emergency committee for the situation in Ceuta, attended by Defence Minister Margarita Robles and other delegates

ASSOCIATED PRESS

Madrid - 18 May 2021

3. Spanish Foreign Minister Arancha Gonzalez Laya approaching media

4. Camera operator

5. SOUNDBITE (Spanish) Arancha Gonzalez Laya, Spanish Foreign Minister:

"I have called in for talks the Moroccan Ambassador to express our displeasure. And our opposition to the mass entrance of Moroccan migrants to Ceuta. I have reminded her that border control has been and must continue to be the co-responsibility of Spain and Morocco. "

6. Media

7. SOUNDBITE (Spanish) Arancha Gonzalez Laya, Spanish Foreign Minister:

"I have had the occasion to inform my (European) colleagues of the situation at the border of the European Union in Ceuta with Morocco. They showed a great deal of concern. This is border that we share with the European Union and as you all know immigration is a very sensitive issue within the EU."

8. Protest outside Morocco Embassy with a banner reading (Spanish): "war to the invaders"

9. Protesters with Spanish flags

10. Banner reading (Spanish): "Stop the invasion"

11. Protesters

12. Protester steps on Moroccan flag with Spanish flag reading (Spanish): "Government resign"

13. Various of protesters with Spanish flags

14. Protesters in front of riot police

15. Close of police

16. Wide of protesters

STORYLINE:

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez arrived in the city of Ceuta by helicopter on Tuesday to see firsthand the situation amid a mass migration crisis there.

Sanchez, accompanied by Interior Minister Fernando Grande-Marlaska flew over the Spanish enclave on the coast of Morocco, after thousands of migrants entered the city.

Earlier, Spain deployed its military to the area and expelled nearly half of the thousands of migrants who jumped fences or swam onto European soil over two days after Rabat loosened border controls amid a deepening diplomatic spat.

Meanwhile, in Madrid, the Spanish government held an emergency meeting of a special committee to track the migration crisis.

Spanish Foreign Minister Arancha Gonzalez Laya said that she has informed the Moroccan Ambassador of Spain's great displeasure at the mass migration push at the country's border in Ceuta.

Gonzalez Laya speaking outside the Foreign Ministry in Madrid said that she had raised the issue at an virtual EU ministers meeting.

"This is a border that we share with the European Union" she said.

As she spoke, groups of far-right activists protested outside the Moroccan embassy in Madrid.

The small group of 200, were kept a distance from the embassy by units of riot police.

The protesters shouted offensive remarks and demanded the resignation of Sanchez.

===========================================================

Clients are reminded:

(i) to check the terms of their licence agreements for use of content outside news programming and that further advice and assistance can be obtained from the AP Archive on: Tel +44 (0) 20 7482 7482 Email: info@aparchive.com

(ii) they should check with the applicable collecting society in their Territory regarding the clearance of any sound recording or performance included within the AP Television News service

(iii) they have editorial responsibility for the use of all and any content included within the AP Television News service and for libel, privacy, compliance and third party rights applicable to their Territory.

(Disclaimer: This story is auto-generated from a syndicated feed; only the image & headline may have been reworked by www.republicworld.com)
Singapore on Tuesday authorized the use of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine for teenagers aged 12 to 15, Health Minister Ong Ye Kung made a press announcement on May 18. City-States Health Sciences Authority conducted a detailed review of the results from the clinical trials submitted by the manufacturer and approved the jab for adolescents between 12 to 15, owing to its safety and efficacy. The co-chair of Singapores multi-ministry task force of COVID-19, Ong, said at a presser that the Health Sciences Authority (HSA) has decided to expand the use of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine among teenagers. The decision was backed by the health and scientific expert committee.

"Both teams (expert committee and HSA) have assessed that the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine demonstrated high efficacy and safety for this age group," Singapores health minister said. He added, that the countrys Ministry of Education (MOE) would work with the Ministry of Health (MOH) will work in collaborate to jab this age group at dedicated vaccination centres, but more details will be announced soon. Singapores decision comes amid the mounting COVID-19 cases among the school children. MOH's director of medical services Kenneth Mak said that the new more virulent strain of the coronavirus B.1.617 that first originated in India seems to be infecting even youngsters and children. Singapores Finance Minister Lawrence Wong told the local press conference that the country has launched multiple paths to its vaccination program, and the current vaccine approval focuses on the education sector, mainly teachers, staff, and students.

100 percent efficacy among teenagers

Meanwhile, Pfizer on Tuesday announced that in its Phase 3 trial, the vaccine was 100 percent effective and generally well-tolerated in participants aged 12 to 15 years. Todays expansion of our EUA represents a significant step forward in helping the U.S. government broaden its vaccination program and help protect adolescents before the start of the next school year, said Albert Bourla, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Pfizer. We are grateful to all of our clinical trial volunteers and their families, whose courage helped make this milestone possible. Together, we hope to help bring a sense of normalcy back to young people across the country and around the world.
According to a study published in Scientific Reports, abnormally high concentrations of Viagra and other erectile dysfunction drugs have been discovered in the wastewater in the South Korean capital of Seoul. As per the study, the use of such drugs appeared to rise on weekends and in nightlife hot spots. The researchers have estimated that the use was 31 per cent higher in nightlife areas than in other parts of the city. The levels of the drug sildenafil, which is more commonly known by the brand name Viagra, was detected in Seoul's wastewater.

A new revelation

As per the researchers, the levels of the erectile-dysfunction drugs were so high that the sewage-treatments plants were unable to properly filter them out of the wastewater. Kim Hyunook, professor at the University of Seoul's environmental engineering school who was one of the authors of the study, told the South China Morning Post that the existing sewage facilities are not suitable to filter out drugs consumed by humans. As a part of the study, the researchers analyzed water samples from two sewage-treatment plants in Seoul. This was done to measure the concentration of chemicals called phosphodiesterase-5 inhibitors, or PDE-5i, such as sildenafil, tadalafil, and vardenafil. These are prescribed mainly to treat erectile dysfunction. It was then concluded that high concentrations of PDE-5i was found in the wastewater.

The study also revealed that the South Korean Viagra market grew from $33 million to $45 million from 2012 to 2019. Apart from Viagra, South Korea has more than 50 other erectile-dysfunction drugs on the market that are produced by domestic pharmaceutical companies. The researchers did not specify during which time period they conducted the study. However, the final report was submitted last May.

(Image Credits: Unsplash)
South Korean President Moon Jae-in on Wednesday departed for Washington D.C. to meet with U.S. President Joe Biden.

Moon will meet with Biden on Friday for the first time since Biden took office.

Moon said earlier in the week that he'll use the summit to push to restart diplomacy with North Korea, saying that the U.S. has opted for a diplomatic, phased approach to resolve the North Korean nuclear crisis.

He said when he meets Biden, he'll try to bolster the bilateral military alliance, boost policy coordination on North Korea and find ways to resume stalled talks between Washington and Pyongyang and between Seoul and Pyongyang.

(Disclaimer: This story is auto-generated from a syndicated feed; only the image & headline may have been reworked by www.republicworld.com)
Chen Yuzhen narrowly escaped being held in a police detention center, and is now studying in South Korea.

Authorities in the southern Chinese province of Hainan detained a student who shared his VPN account with others wanting to break through the Great Firewall of internet censorship, prompting him to flee the country and start a pro-democracy YouTube channel, RFA has learned.

Chen Yuzhen, a 24-year-old former student at the Hainan Tropical Ocean University, acquired an overseas VPN account while studying on the democratic island of Taiwan.

He shared his login information with friends after continuing to use the VPN to evade CCP censorship after returning to Hainan, and was detained in June 2020 for "providing programs and tools for hacking computer networks illegally," and "illegal controlling computer networks."

Chen, who is now studying at Kyung Hee University in South Korea, said his troubles started after he returned to Hainan from a year in Taiwan as an exchange student.

"I am very grateful that I got the chance to live and study in Taiwan," Chen told RFA in a recent interview. "It wasn't what I had imagined, and it inspired me and make me do a lot of thinking."

During his youth in the eastern province of Anhui, Chen was a self-described "little pink," a term for a vocal online supporter of CCP policies.

But once he arrived in Taiwan, which has enjoyed fully democratic elections since the late 1990s, all of that changed, he told RFA.

Before leaving Taiwan, unwilling to lose the freedom to read the rest of the internet unhindered, Chen paid for a VPN service to use once he went back to China.

"I got a paid VPN service because many of the free services were blocked [by the government]," he said. "I then gave my login to my friends and classmates to use."

"In the beginning, I just shared it with my friends, and then with many more internet users as time went by," Chen said. "I found it useful, and I had paid for it, so I recommended it to them."

In May 2020, authorities in Shaanxi's Ankang city said they had fined a local man for scaling the Great Firewall, a complex systems of blocks, filters, and human censorship that limits what Chinese users can see online.

China outlawed the use of VPNs (virtual private networks) -- the most common form of circumvention tool -- in 2018, and typically charges those caught using them with "accessing the international internet through illegal channels," although government-approved bodies and organizations are able to apply for exemption from the ban.

Harassment by police

In the early hours of June 10, 2020, more than 10 police officers broke into Chens apartment, confiscating his mobile phone, and interrogating him about whether he had "any foreign friends" or joined any organization.

They held him for questioning in the Haikou city police station for two days, before releasing him "on bail pending trial," after the detention center refused to take him because he had an elevated temperature at the time of registration. Chen later tested negative for COVID-19.

"They asked a lot of the same questions in many different ways, then gave me a document [with the charges], saying I was on bail pending trial," Chen said.

"It basically meant that the detention center didn't want to take responsibility [for having a potentially infected inmate]," he said.

Chen posted bail of 10,000 yuan, and was warned that he would have to let police know if he left the city.

"Then they would keep calling me to go and make another statement; they kept doing that," Chen said.

But Chen started to worry about his future in China as someone under constant harassment by the police.

He applied to study in South Korea and left China on Dec. 31, 2020, where he runs a YouTube channel promoting his ideas about freedom and democracy in Chinese to anyone who can watch.



Reported by Sun Cheng for RFA's Mandarin Service. Translated and edited by Luisetta Mudie.
Islam's lawyer says she was targeted for reporting on corruption in the countrys public health sector.

Hundreds of reporters demanded the release of a veteran Bangladesh journalist who was formally arrested Tuesday under the Official Secrets Act, on suspicion of photographing without permission documents related to the governments purchase of COVID-19 vaccines from China and Russia.

Health Minister Zahid Maleque said the documents for the vaccine deals had non-disclosure clauses, but a lawyer for arrested journalist Rozina Islam accused the ministry of targeting her because of her recent reports that exposed alleged graft in the public health system.

The [health] ministry officials filed the case against Rozina to get revenge as she wrote several reports on the corruption of the ministry officials, said Ehsanul Haque Somaji, the attorney for Islam and her employer, Prothom Alo, one of Bangladeshs most popular daily newspapers.

It was a false case and the sections of the laws mentioned in the case were conflicting with each other, he said, without elaborating.

Islams sister, Sabina Yesmin Juli, denied that the journalist took photographs while at the health ministry, where Islam went to meet a senior official and collect a document on Monday. Islam was waiting to meet the health secretary in person and visited the room of his personal secretary, Sabina Yesmin said.

My sister told me that she did not take any pictures and did not take any documents from the office. Some employees tried to put some papers in her bag at the ministry room, Sabina Yesmin told reporters.

International media advocacy and human rights groups condemned the arrest, saying Bangladeshs government was cracking down on journalists doing critical reporting on the administrations handling of the coronavirus pandemic and other policies.

Islam was detained on Monday after a health-ministry official filed a complaint against her at the Shahbag police station under the colonial-era Official Secrets Act.

She was produced in court on Tuesday, where Metropolitan Magistrate Mohammad Jasim ordered Islam jailed. Jasim also scheduled a bail hearing for Islam on Thursday.

She was trying to steal non-disclosure documents of the agreements with Russia and China that [were] signed recently, Health Minister Maleque told reporters in Dhaka on Tuesday.

We are committed to these states not to disclose the agreements. The documents were confidential, if they become public, then they [China and Russia] may refuse to provide us vaccines because of breach of promise. It could cause huge damage to the country, the minister said.

Islams sister alleged that the journalist was harassed for five hours after being detained at the health ministry on Monday afternoon. Maleque denied that Islam was harassed or assaulted at his ministry.

Journalists with the Prothom Alo newspaper form a human chain in front of the dailys office to protest the arrest of senior colleague Rozina Islam, in Dhaka, May 18, 2021. [BenarNews]

Exposed the weaknesses of the ministry

Meanwhile, journalists nationwide staged demonstrations against Islams arrest.

In Dhaka, dozens of reporters gathered at the premises of the Shahbag Police Station to demand her unconditional release.

Elias Khan, general secretary of the National Press Club, said a delegation of journalists met with Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal.

The minister told us that he is optimistic about the bail of Rozina in Thursdays hearing, Elias told BenarNews.

For the past several months, Islam was reporting on corruption in the countrys public health sector.

In an April 12 report, for instance, she reported that two members of a recruitment committee at the Directorate General of Health Services had complained about candidates allegedly paying off officials to be selected for posts.

Last June, she reported that the Health Minister had been tardy in attending to official duties during the pandemic.

Her reports have clearly exposed the weaknesses of the ministry to safeguard the health rights of the people during the coronavirus pandemic, the Law and Mediation Center group said in a statement, according to news agency Agence France-Presse.

The Committee to Protect Journalists, meanwhile, demanded that Islam be released and all charges against her be dropped.

We are deeply alarmed that Bangladesh officials detained a journalist and filed a complaint under a draconian colonial-era law that carries ridiculously harsh penalties, Aliya Iftikhar, senior Asia researcher at CPJ, said in a statement.

She was referring to how the Official Secrets Act stipulates a maximum prison term of 14 years for anyone convicted under it.

Bangladesh police and authorities should recognize that Rozina Islam is a journalist whose work is a public service and should immediately drop the case against her and allow her to go free, Iftikhar said.

Dozens of cases have also been filed against journalists under another draconian act, the Digital Security Act of 2018.

In March, the United Nations human rights chief said the ill-defined, overly broad provisions of the Digital Security Act  have been used to punish criticism of the government.

Michelle Bachelets comments came after Mushtaq Ahmed, a 53-year old writer, died in jail after being incarcerated for 10 months under the DSA, for his criticism of the manner in which the government was handling the COVID-19 pandemic.

Reported by BenarNews, an RFA-affiliated online news service.
The democratic island of Taiwan on moved into a Level 3 coronavirus alert as a community outbreak of COVID-19 spread across the country.



Taiwan's Central Epidemic Command Center (CECC) said it had recorded more than 100 locally transmitted cases for the fifth consecutive day.



Residents are now required to wear masks at all times when they leave their homes, indoor gatherings of more than five people banned, and outdoor gatherings are limited to 10 people.



Places of business and public venues not providing essential services like law enforcement, medical treatment and government offices are advised to close.



To date, Taiwan has reported 2,533 cases of COVID-19 since the outbreak began, of which 1,226 cases are domestic infections reported since , the CECC said.



Health minister Chen Shih-chung said that while the outbreak began in and around the capital, Taipei, domestic transmissions have been found in other cities too.



The authorities have set up a text-messaging service enabling residents to register more easily with the track, test and tracing regime across the island.





A customer waits for her lunch box at a restaurant next to the Taipei Cinema Park in the Wanhua District, in Taipei , May 19, 2021. Credit: AFP

Home-grown vaccine

President Tsai Ing-wen has visited pharmaceutical factories producing Taiwan's home-grown COVID-19 vaccine, while the island recently took delivery of fresh AstraZeneca and Moderna vaccine shipments.



"The vaccines we have purchased from abroad through various channels are gradually moving into place, so please don't worry [about availability]," Tsai said on .



"Development of our homegrown vaccines is also on schedule, [with Lianya] entering the second phase of the final clinical trial," she said. "We hope to be able to start the first tranche of domestic production by the end of July."



Meanwhile, the island's Mainland Affairs Council (MAC) rejected suggestions that Taiwan would need to import vaccines from China to meet demand.



"As long as mainland China doesn't get in our way, we can get greater quantities, and more reliable, vaccines from the rest of the world faster," MAC spokesperson Chiu Chui-cheng told reporters.



"If the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) really cared about the lives of ordinary people, they should stop sending their military aircraft to harrass Taiwan, and let us get on with fighting the pandemic," Chiu said.



He was responded to recent comments from China's Taiwan Affairs Office spokesperson Zhu Fenglian, who had suggested Taiwanese would be "eagerly looking forward" to getting Chinese vaccines given the current outbreak there.



Reported by Chung Kuang-cheng and Hwang Chun-mei for RFA's Cantonese and Mandarin Services. Translated and edited by Luisetta Mudie.
Devil woman Kim Yo Jong orders probes of government agencies and executes officials who get on her nerves, they say.

Government officials in North Korea are living in fear after a series of executions of their colleagues on the orders of leader Kim Jong Uns powerful sister, Kim Yo Jong, two officials told RFA.

Since her brothers rule began in 2011, Kim Yo Jongs rise to power in her own right culminated in her becoming an alternate member of the Politburo in April 2020. At the time, her brother was rumored to be having health issues and some experts believed she could have been an option to replace him in the event of his death.

But she was demoted during the ruling Korean Workers Partys Eighth Party Congress in January, becoming just a member of the Partys Central Committee, with her rank reduced from first deputy director to deputy director. Still, she remains one of North Koreas most powerful people, and sources said she has ordered executions of government officials simply for getting on her nerves.

News that they shot to death a high-ranking official in Pyongyang is spreading among officials in Hyesan right now. We dont know who the executed official was, but I heard from an official close to me that he was executed on the orders of Kim Yo Jong, an official of an administrative agency in central northern Ryanggang province told RFAs Korean Service May 13.

In November last year, a gold smuggling incident was reported to the Central Party. A total of 10 state security officials and soldiers of the border security command were executed by firing squad in December, while nine residents were imprisoned for life. Dozens of their family members, meanwhile were sent to political prison camps. said the source, who requested anonymity for security reasons.

RFA reported in November that that two soldiers were caught smuggling some $10 million worth of gold into China near Hyesan, on Nov. 1. One was arrested immediately, while the other, a border security guard, fled into China and was believed to be in the custody of Chinese authorities, according to local government sources.

Sources in the Ryanggang provincial government told RFA that the soldier caught Nov. 1 revealed during the investigation that they had been working with six residents on what had been their fifth trip smuggling gold to China. The six were arrested on Nov. 16, a judicial official told RFA at the time.

One of the Ryanggang sources told RFA in November there was a possibility that smugglers be executed because gold is strictly controlled by the state. Their offenses also included defying a strict border lockdown imposed to combat coronavirus.

The source who spoke to RFA last week said residents and officials are resentful that the executions were on the orders of Kim Yo Jong.

"She is paying particular attention to officials who are getting on her nerves. She is collecting data that shows they are challenging the partys authority and reported this to her superior, her brother Kim Jong Un, the source said.

There have been a series of executions of officials for being anti-party revolutionists. Resentment against Kim Yo Jong is deepening further, said the source.

The source said the Central Party was currently investigating all officials of Ryanggang province on her orders.

They say that they are catching reactionaries for handing over confidential data and lecture materials to South Koreas National Intelligence Service. Many people are sent to political prison camps on charges of being involved in this, the source said.

Kims ruthlessness is causing people to draw up comparisons with other female historical figures they consider to have been without mercy.

They are starting to call her Empress Dowager Cixi to express their anger, said the source, referring to the Qing Dynasty de-facto ruler of China, considered by some historians to have been a despot who opposed modern reforms to prolong her own power.

Another source, an official in the northwestern province of North Pyongan, told RFA the same day that Kim ordered investigations in Sinuiju, another city on the border with China.

Following the execution of Sinuiju customs officials by firing squad in North Pyongan in 2019, a number of officials were also executed after investigations into the Sinuiju city party, administration agencies and the state security department, said the second source, requesting anonymity to speak freely.

When word got out that Kim Yo Jong was behind these executions, the officials started calling her devil woman, the second source said.

The officials are even afraid to earn Kim Yo Jongs praise, because that means she has taken notice of them. They fear that they will have to prepare for execution someday if they get on her bad side, according to the second source.

As these unjust executions increase, even ordinary residents are afraid of her. They say she is a bloodthirsty demon, the second source said

This year, she even led the purging of senior officials close to her brother Kim Jong Un, when she mercilessly executed his aides. She is a terror to officials. Even though she is now in a lower position, she is showing off her power by executing the powerful.

Political purges were instrumental in Kim Jong Uns efforts to consolidate his leadership following the death of his father Kim Jong Il in 2011.

After assuming control of the country, he swiftly eliminated political rivals, most of whom were top officials under his fathers rule, including his uncle Jang Song Theak, who was believed to have once been North Koreas second in command.

Reported by Hyemin Son for RFAs Korean Service. Translated by Leejin Jun. Written in English by Eugene Whong.
The UN appealed last year for more than $1 billion to meet the needs of the Rohingya refugees and host communities in Coxs Bazar.

International donors have pledged U.S. $340 million of nearly $1 billion being sought by the United Nations refugee agency this year to support Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh, the UNHCR chief said on Tuesday.

United States Secretary of State Antony Blinken said that Washington announced $155 million, or about 46 percent of total pledges, in new humanitarian assistance for the international response to the Rohingya humanitarian crisis.

What we launched this morning officially is the fourth Joint Response Program (JRP) in support of Bangladesh to manage the large Rohingya population that has taken refuge [there], Filippo Grandi, the U.N. High Commissioner for Refugees, said during a virtual news conference.

The 2021 JRP is seeking $943 million to meet the needs of more than 880,000 Rohingya refugees and 472,000 Bangladeshis in the surrounding host communities, UNHCR spokesman Andrej Mahecic said.

With funds received since the beginning of this year and todays pledges, close to USD 340 million has been committed towards the 2021 JRP by the international community so far, amounting to more than 35 percent of total requirements, Mahecic told BenarNews, an RFA-affiliated online news service, in an email.

Late last week, the Geneva-based United Nations agency called for more international aid for the stateless refugees, saying their plight risked being overshadowed by post-coup violence in Myanmar.

Blinken acknowledged that additional help was needed for the Rohingya refugees and for Bangladesh, which hosts more than 1 million of them.

[T]he United States announced nearly $155 million in new assistance to sustain critical efforts to support Rohingya refugees and host communities in Bangladesh and internally displaced Rohingya and other affected people in Burma, Blinken said in a statement Tuesday.

With this new funding, our total humanitarian aid for those affected by the crisis in Burma, Bangladesh, and elsewhere in the region since the brutal violence by the Burmese military in August 2017 is more than $1.3 billion, including more than $1.1 billion for programs inside Bangladesh.

The U.S. recognized the cost and responsibility that the Rohingya response has placed on host countries, especially Bangladesh, Blinken said.

Last year, the United Nations appealed for more than $1 billion to meet the needs of the Rohingya refugees and host communities in Coxs Bazar, a district in southeastern Bangladesh.

At the end of 2020, this appeal was just 59.4 percent funded, Mahecic said in a statement on Friday.

The UNHCR hopes to exceed that percentage in 2021, Grandi said on Tuesday.

We need to make progress in order to exceed, if possible, the levels of last year, Grandi said.

This continues to be a difficult year for the whole world including for Bangladesh which finds itself in a region particularly affected by COVID-19. The needs are even more urgent than in the past.

Repatriation of Rohingya refugees

Shahriar Alam, Bangladeshs state minister of foreign affairs, joined Grandi at the virtual press conference.

He emphasized the urgency of solving the crisis that drove the Rohingya from their homes in Myanmars Rakhine state to camps in and around Coxs Bazar. The refugees include more than 740,000 who escaped a brutal military crackdown in Rakhine in 2017.

The international community, including the U.N., must intensify their focus on a permanent solution, which lies in the sustainable return and reintegration of Rohingya in Myanmar, Alam said in a statement.

Rohingya are willing to return to their homeland if it is safe to do so and if they can go back with dignity, he said.

However, any ray of hope has yet to be seen, Alam said.

The Bangladesh minister said priority areas identified in the JRP must be aligned with the core objective of preparing the Rohingya for their return to Myanmar.

Any project such as education or skills development should be designed and implemented in ways that would help Rohingya integrate in society upon their return to Myanmar, he said.

Bangladesh officials, whose wish is for the Rohingya to return home, reached a repatriation agreement with neighboring Myanmar in November 2017. Since then, efforts to assist the Muslim-minority groups repatriation have failed.

Any new efforts would be up against a nation in turmoil following the Feb. 1 military coup that overthrew the nations democratically elected government. Since then, more than 800 have been killed by the junta, according to Assistance Association for Political Prisoners, a Thai NGO.

It is important that recent events in Myanmar  the events of the first of February  need to be addressed in their own right, Grandi said, echoing calls to end the violence.

It is important that the Rohingya crisis is not forgotten as action is taken hopefully to address the political crisis that is affecting Myanmar. Hence the importance of this appeal.

A former Bangladesh ambassador noted that repatriation efforts likely are on hold because of the ongoing post-coup violence.

But we see a glimmer of hope for repatriation: the National Unity Government in Myanmar recently announced that they would talk to the Rohingya representative on their probable inclusion, former ambassador Humayun Kabir told BenarNews

This is a big development, I think, said Kabir, president of the private think-tank Bangladesh Enterprise Institute.

On April 16, the pro-democracy National Unity Government formed as a parallel government to the one run by the junta.

Meanwhile, the most common needs for host communities are access to food and cash, along with essential health services, said the Inter Sector Coordination Group (ISCG), which provides humanitarian assistance to affected populations around the world.

For instance, efforts to provide food supplies to the Rohingya cost about $11 million per month, the World Food Program representative in Bangladesh said in March last year.

The COVID-19 pandemic has compounded vulnerabilities for the hosts as well as Rohingya refugees, ICSG said.

More than 40 percent of this years financial appeal focuses on two of the most basic and critical human needs, food security and health, Nicole Epting, ISCG senior coordinator, said in a statement.

In addition, the priorities for this year include water, sanitation and hygiene, wider health needs including sexual and reproductive health with a focus on women and girls, education and addressing the protection concerns of the Rohingya refugee population in the camps.

The virtual 2021 JRP conference was co-hosted by the Bangladesh government, the International Organization for Migration and UNHCR. The plan brings together the Bangladesh government along with 134 U.N. agencies and partner NGOs.

Reported by BenarNews, an RFA-affiliated online news service.
Emirates has pledged its support to tourism in Indonesia through a memorandum of commitment (MoC) outlining joint marketing activities to promote the country.

The MoC was signed at Arabian Travel Market 2021, by Orhan Abbas, Senior Vice President of Commercial Operations  Far East at Emirates and Nia Niscaya, Deputy Minister for Marketing, the Ministry of Tourism & Creative Economy of the Republic of Indonesia. Also present at the signing ceremony was K. Candra Negara, Consul General of the Republic of Indonesia for Dubai and the Northern Emirates and Adnan Kazim, Emirates' Chief Commercial Officer.

With Indonesia being an important part of the Emirates network since 1992, both parties will partner on joint campaigns that will benefit the airline and tourism for the Indonesian destinations and showcase their appeal to visitors and holiday-makers. Based on the long-standing and fruitful relationship that Emirates has shared with Indonesia over the years and the success of its routes to Jakarta and Bali, Emirates hopes to build on achievements so far and support in the recovery phase as restrictions ease in addition to providing valuable contributions to the country's tourism sector.

By forging the new partnership, both parties have committed to strengthening the relationship through collaborations on strategies and marketing initiatives that will showcase what the destinations have to offer and positively impact its tourism industry and economy.

The agreement will see marketing activities including support for attendance of tourism trade shows and fairs, trade familiarisation trips, product presentations and workshops, advertising campaigns, the provision of logistical support, amongst others, to be undertaken jointly by Emirates and the Ministry of Tourism and Creative Economy Republic of Indonesia, as Indonesia is gearing up to welcome back international visitors.

Since the pandemic, Emirates resumed operations to Jakarta in June 2020 and is now serving travellers on the route with daily flights, operated by the Boeing 777-300ER.

Emirates commenced its operations in Indonesia with the launch of its route to Jakarta in 1992 and increased its frequency to twice-daily flights in 2010. In 2015, Emirates began serving its second destination in Indonesia with the addition of Bali to its network, with non-stop daily flights. In 2018, Emirates launched its linked service between Bali and Auckland, providing direct and convenient access for travellers from New Zealand to visit the exotic island destination. - TradeArabia News Service
The Kachin Independence Army (KIA) attacked regime tanker trucks in northern Shan state on suspicion that they were carrying jet fuel from nearby China.

Regime army vehicles that were burned in an attack by local militia in the town of Mindat, in western Myanmar's Chin State, May 14, 2021._

Thousands of Chin civilians have fled into the jungles of western Myanmar to evade airstrikes by the junta, while a rebel army in the countrys northeast near China attacked army tankers carrying jet fuel in a bid to thwart more aerial assaults, sources in the border regions said Tuesday.

About two months after the Feb. 1 overthrow of the elected government by the military, fighting flared up along Myanmars borders with China and India between regime troops and junta opponents, including a veteran ethnic army in Kachin state and volunteer militias wielding home-made weapons in Chin state.

In ambush attacks Monday night and Tuesday, the Kachin Independence Army (KIA) attacked tanker trucks in northern Shan state on suspicion that they were carrying jet fuel brought in from nearby China for Myanmars junta, said KIA spokesman Col. Naw Bu.

The military used this fuel to attack us in various ways. That is why the attack was carried out, he told RFA.

They had attacked us from the air several times in various ways. That's why we intercepted their fuel tankers, added Naw Bu. He said the trucks went up in flames, but did not say how many were destroyed.

The Irrawaddy, an independent online news outlet, said seven trucks were attacked on the Union Highway and on Kutkai-Hseni road, transporting fuel from China through the border trading town of Muse.

The junta had turned to China for jet fuel after a Singapore-Myanmar joint venture that had supplied the army suspended shipments following the Feb. 1 coup, the Irrawaddy said.

A regime army vehicle that were burned in an attack by local militia in the town of Mindat, in western Myanmar's Chin State, May 14, 2021._ Credit: Citizen journalist.

100 clashes in Kachin

While no fighting was reported in Shan state aside from the fuel truck ambushes, to the northwest in Kachin state, which borders China, the KIA has been under heavy attack by junta fighter jets trying to retake a military camp at Alawbwan that was captured by the Kachin in April.

Earlier this month, the KIA said it had been engaged about 100 clashes with regime forces, including at least 60 airstrikes, and had killed 30 junta troops since March.

The KIA said that on Sunday it had intercepted a junta boat carrying food and fuel on the Irrawaddy River to support for the fight for the Alawbwan camp.

The juntas occupation Saturday and continued shelling of the mountainous town of Mindat in Chin state has forced some 5,000 people to flee and live rough in nearby forests, while those that remain in town struggle without water or power and remain under army fire, local residents and a rights group told RFA.

I had to hide in the forest for safety. There are a lot of people here. Some women are giving birth in the forest, said a Mindat resident, who estimated that there were about 800 people clustered to the northeast of the town.

We are running out of food in the forest. People hiding in the woods near the village find it very difficult to get back home to carry food. They will get arrested or shot as soon as the soldiers see them, the civilian told RFA.

Troops are being deployed in several schools and strategic places in Mindat, including churches.

Mindat has a population of 10,000-15,000 people, including suburbs, and with the exception of the elderly, more than 5,000 people have fled into the mountains. Government workers are also fleeing into the jungle and there is no water supply in the town, local residents said.

A man surveys a torched village in Namtu township Kyaukme District in northeastern Myanmar's Shan State, May 18, 2021. Credit RFA.

Nine dead Chin youths

More than 15,000 people had crossed the porous, mountainous border to the northeastern Indian state of Mizoram, which lies opposite Chin state, and the flow "is increasing day by day," the vice chairman of Mizoram's State Planning Board, H. Rammawi, told Reuters news agency Tuesday.

Fighters of the Chinland Defense Force (CDF), had been engaged in daily battles from May 12 until May 15, when the junta occupied Mindat with 1,000 fully-armed troops who used civilians as human shields and sprayed gunfire indiscriminately.

The CFD militiamen pulled out Sunday to protect civilians in the town from further artillery attacks and fire from helicopter gunships, one Chin fighter said.

We are not well organized like an army. People from villages just tried to stop the military in their own way to protect Mindat, so we could not get the exact number of casualties. What we can confirm now is nine deaths on our side, he told RFA, speaking on condition of anonymity for his safety.

The dead were students between the ages of 16 and 30, all killed by artillery shells fired by the military, another CDF member said.

None of our fallen comrades was over 25 years old. The boy who died in the first battle was only 17 years old. He was my nephew, said the uncle of CDF member Htang Hon Htang, who was killed on May 13 clashes.

At this age, he should be going to school. All these young people are now involved in fighting to overthrow the dictator, the uncle added.

Win Myat Aye, the minister for humanitarian affairs and disaster management of the National Unity Government, a month-old shadow cabinet, wrote on Facebook on Tuesday that thousands of people remain trapped in Mindat, where water, electricity and many phone lines have been cut off.

"They are firing heavy weapons at civilians. In such a situation, people dare not leave their houses at all. They go from house to house, destroying things and looting property, said Za Op Ling, deputy executive director of the Chin Human Rights Organization (CHRO).

We see this as violations of international human rights laws as well as international humanitarian laws," he added.

Protesters making the three-finger salute during a demonstration against the military coup in Mandalay, May 18, 2021. Credit: Facebook post via AFP

They underestimated the people

In the Chin state capital Hakha, about 155 miles (260 km) north of Mindat, a branch of the CDF called the Hakha People's Defense Force killed five junta soldiers before pulling out after an hour-long firefight.

We attacked the Kyawboat security checkpoint and killed five of them. Our troops retreated later when forces from Battalion 266 started firing heavy artillery. We didnt have any casualties, he said.

A CDF leader told RFA Monday that more than 100 regime troops had been killed in clashes in Mindat township since April 24.

RFA tried to contact military spokesman Brig Gen Zaw Min Tun multiple times about the Chin leader's remarks, but he did not return calls. The junta has acknowledged a small number of casualties in recent fighting in Chin state.

Maj. Hein Thaw Oo, who defected last month from the Myanmar militarys 99th Light Infantry Division to join anti-junta protesters in northeast Shan state, told RFA Tuesday the regime has come down hard on Mindat to show people that even the heroic resistance of such a town cannot succeed against them.

Continuing protests in major population centers despite nearly 800 civilian deaths from military crackdowns, as well as resistance like that in Chin state, show that they underestimated the people and thought they could do whatever they wanted.

In another setback to the junta, which cited electoral fraud in November elections as the reason it overthrew Aung San Suu Kyis elected government, the Asian Network for Free Elections (ANFREL), one of two foreign observer missions accredited to monitor the vote, on Monday rejected the militarys claims.

It is ANFRELs informed opinion that the results of the 2020 general elections were, by and large, representative of the will of the people of Myanmar, said a report released on Monday. Aung San Suu Kyi, who is under house arrest, and her National League for Democracy, won a landslide victory on Nov. 8.

Reported by RFAs Myanmar Service. Translated by Khin Maung Nyane. Written in English by Paul Eckert.
Cases also climb in Laos and Cambodia, with a lockdown extended on the Lao border with China and three more deaths reported in Cambodia.

Vietnams northeastern provinces of Bac Giang and Bac Ninh now lead in new cases of COVID-19 infection in Vietnam since the fourth outbreak of the disease began on April 27, with both provinces under partial lockdown to control the spread, official sources say.

As of Wednesday, 605 cases have been reported in Bac Giang, with 353 cases reported in Bac Ninh.

The Ministry of Health has issued an urgent order to set up two field hospitals to treat the rising numbers of infected, with each hospital staffed by 500 health workers and holding 300 beds, with space prepared for a total of 500 beds each if needed.

Bac Giang has now put three more districtsLang Giang, Luc Nam, and Yen Dungunder lockdown after earlier locking down Viet Yen district and temporarily closing four of the provinces industrial zones: Van Trung, Quang Chau, Dinh Tram, and Song Khe-Noi Hoang.

Discussions are now under way to close Bac Giang City. In Bac Ninh province, Bac Ninh city has been put under lockdown, with the provinces rural Yen Phong district closed beginning Wednesday.

Two new COVID-19 variantsB.1.222 and B.1.619have now been detected in sampling carried out by Vietnams Ministry of Health, bringing the total number of variants found in the countrys outbreak to date to seven.

Earlier variants from Europe and the UK had caused the outbreak in Da Nang last summer and in Hai Duong earlier this year, while the B.1.617.2 variant from India is causing the current surge of new cases in 28 of Vietnams cities and provinces.

Variants from South Africa and Rwanda have also been found in Vietnam, health officials say.

Vietnam is now in talks with U.S. producers to purchase the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine following urgent calls by Vietnams prime minister to the Ministry of Health to secure more sources of vaccines so that mass inoculations can be carried out. Pfizers suggested purchase price was not disclosed, but Vietnam has until May 25 to respond to Pfizers offer, Minister of Health Nguyen Thanh Long said.

With case numbers climbing in the country, Vietnams Hong Ngoc Ha Travel Agency is offering eight-day vaccination tours to the U.S., featuring inoculation with the Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine and a stay in a three-star hotel, costing around U.S. $2,000.

Travelers on their return must complete 21 days of mandatory quarantine at a designated facility, followed by seven days of self-monitoring at home, current Vietnamese policies say.

More cases seen in Laos

In Laos, 1,737 cases of COVID-19 infection have now been reported, Phonepaseuth XaymoungkhounDeputy Director General of the Ministry of Healths Communicable Disease Control Departmentsaid in a May 19 press conference.

Today we tested 1,482 samples and found that 50 of them tested positive for COVID-19, he said, adding, Twenty-one new cases have been found in Bokeo province, 16 in the capital Vientiane, six in Savannakhet province, five in Champassak province, and two in Oudomxay province.

A lockdown already in force in Bokeo province, bordering China, has now been extended until May 31, a member of the provincial Taskforce Committee for COVID-19 Prevention and Control told RFAs Lao Service on May 19.

Yes, the lockdown has been extended from the 18th to the 31st of this month because the number of new cases in the province has not gone down yet, the Taskforce official said, speaking on condition of anonymity.

For example, todays number of cases is 21, and of course most of those cases were found in the Golden Triangle SEZ [Special Economic Zone]. Chinese medical experts in the SEZ have advised us to extend the lockdown in order to control the spread of the virus, he said.

Also speaking to RFA, a restaurant owner in Bokeos Houeyxay district said his restaurant has already been shut for months. And we will keep it closed until further notice. Our family is doing nothing but living on our savings now, he said.

A hotel owner in Bokeos Tonpheung district said that his own business has now been closed for more than a year, adding, Now were working on our farm, growing vegetables.

Three hundred Thai nationals working in Bokeos Golden Triangle SEZ, including nine infected by COVID-19, are free to return home to Thailand as soon as they are allowed to leave by provincial Lao authorities, an official in Thailands Chiang Rai province told RFA.

But so far, nobody has shown any intention to come back. We asked our Lao counterparts about the nine infected Thais, and they said theyre now being treated in the SEZ, he said.

Nationwide, a total of 553,612 people have now been vaccinated against COVID-19, with 95.394 fully vaccinated, according to official figures.

In Cambodia, three more COVID-19 patients died on May 19, bringing the total number dead in that country to 159, the Cambodian Ministry of Health said, adding that 393 more people have recently tested positive. To date, 23,282 people have been infected in Cambodia, the Ministry said.

Lockdowns of parts of the Cambodian capital, Phnom Penh, and a wider shutdown of economic activity in the country of 16 million people, have led to mass joblessness and hunger as people cant find work to earn money for food.

Reported by RFAs Vietnamese, Lao, and Cambodian Services. Translated by Anna Vu, Samean Yun, and Max Avary. Written in English by Richard Finney.
Russia says it has proposed setting up a joint commission to demarcate the border between Armenia and Azerbaijan, amid renewed Yerevan-Baku tensions over the past week over an alleged Azerbaijani military incursion.



Armenia has accused Azerbaijani troops of crossing several kilometers into its Syunik and Gegharkunik provinces and trying to stake a claim to territory.

Azerbaijan insists that its troops did not cross into Armenia and simply took up positions on the Azerbaijani side of the frontier that were not accessible in winter months.

The border dispute emerged months after the two South Caucasus neighbors ended a six-week war over the breakaway region of Nagorno-Karabakh.

The conflict, which claimed some 6,000 lives, ended in November with a Moscow-brokered cease-fire that saw Armenia ceding swaths of territory that ethnic Armenians had controlled for decades.



Speaking during a visit to Tajikistan on May 19, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said Moscow had proposed setting up a joint Armenian-Azerbaijani border commission, with Russia possibly participating as a "consultant" or "mediator."



The secretary of Armenias Security Council, Armen Grigorian, confirmed the Russian proposal.



"In response to it, the Armenian side has stressed the need for the withdrawal of Azerbaijani forces from Armenia's sovereign territory before the launch of such work," Grigorian said. "Only after that would conditions be created for such discussions."



Lavrov presented the Russian proposal during a meeting with his counterparts from the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) in the Tajik capital, Dushanbe.

Armenia has appealed to the Russian-led grouping to hold consultations on its border dispute with Azerbaijan. Besides Armenia and Russia, the grouping also includes Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and Tajikistan.

On May 19, Russian President Vladimir Putin held separate calls with his Azerbaijani counterpart, Ilham Aliyev, and Armenia's acting Prime Minister Nikol Pashinian.



"The Russian side will continue mediation efforts and consultative assistance aimed at reaching an agreement between Azerbaijan and Armenia on the launch of the process of delimiting and demarcating the state border," according to a readout of the call with Aliyev published by the Kremlin.



Putin and Pashinian "showed an interest in the earliest possible resolution of the border incident through negotiations," the Kremlin said in a separate statement.



The Armenian prime minister's office said Pashinian thanked Russia for its efforts aimed at strengthening peace and stability in the region.

Russian military officials have participated in a series of negotiations between Armenian and Azerbaijani defense officials to try resolve the dispute, without leading to any concrete result.



The Armenian Defense Ministry warned on May 19 that, if no negotiated settlement is reached "within a reasonable time frame," Yerevan would reserve the right to resolve the issue "by force."



Russia deployed peacekeepers around Nagorno-Karabakh last year to help enforce the cease-fire.



Moscow has strong ties and a mutual defense pact with Armenia, where it has a military base, but is also on friendly terms with Azerbaijan.

With reporting by Reuters and Armenpress

CORRECTION: This article has been amended to clarify which countries are currently members of the CSTO.
A Belarusian man faces two years of forced labor after being accused of insulting a policeman in an online chat room, while a 19-year-old arrested for putting an opposition flag in his student dorm window could now go to prison for seven years on extremism charges. After a monthslong crackdown on the opposition following a presidential election widely seen as rigged, Belarusian authorities are now ramping up repressive measures against the smallest signs of dissent.
The European Union has slammed Belarus for its closure of the country's biggest independent online news publication, Tut.by, as one of its reporters left prison after serving six months for her reporting on the death of a protester killed during a crackdown on demonstrations against authoritarian ruler Alyaksandr Lukashenka.

In a statement on May 19, an EU spokesman called the blocking a day earlier of the popular news site an "act of continued repression and intimidation" against independent media.

Belarusian authorities also raided Tut.bys offices in Minsk and other regions, and the homes of its journalists and employees, breaking the door leading to the apartment of Maryna Zolatava, the sites editor in chief. The Minsk-based Vyasna (Spring) human rights group said on May 19 that 12 women and two men who worked for the publication had been detained.

"The harassment of journalists must stop and all those detained must be immediately released, together with all political prisoners," EU spokesman Peter Stano said in the statement.

"The EU continues to stand by the people of Belarus in their call for respect of human rights and fundamental freedoms and will continue to support civil society and independent media," he added.

The EU statement came hours after Katsyaryna Barysevich was released from a penal colony in the southeastern city of Homel on May 19 after serving her sentence for articles she wrote on the death of Roman Bandarenka, who was protesting against Lukashenka's victory claim in an August 9 presidential election that the opposition says was rigged. The articles included medical details that contradicted official statements that Bandarenka was drunk at the time of his death.

Barysevich told journalists after her release that her incarceration "failed to break" her and that she looked at the absurdities of her situation to ease her mind.

"I learned to look calmly at all of the crazy things around me. I cannot say that somebody broke me, or that I entered a jail in November as one person and left it as a different one. To my big surprise, it turned out that I am a very strong person.... There was a moment on the first day [of my arrest] when I wanted to cry but when I saw 19- and 20-year-old students in my cell...I understood that crying is not an option for me," Barysevich said.

"I had a brown card that is given to individuals with the status of 'inclined to extremism,' so I was transported handcuffed along with two women sentenced to nine years and 10 years in prison for murder. They were laughing that they were not handcuffed, while I was!" she said.

Doctor Artsyom Sarokin was handed a suspended two-year prison term and ordered to pay a fine of 1,450 rubles ($555) for disclosing the information to Barysevich.

'Alarming New Step'

The Committee for the Protection of Journalists condemned the raids on the offices of Tut.by and its affiliates across the country, as well as the homes of the companys editors. A total of 14 employees from the media group were detained as suspects in an alleged tax evasion case.

"Its clear that authorities only real motive is to censor Belarus premier independent news website out of fear of its reporting. Authorities must release all Tut.by employees immediately and without charge, and should allow the outlet to work freely, Gulnoza Said, the New York-based watchdog's Europe and Central Asia program coordinator, said in a statement.

Jeanne Cavelier, the head of Reporters Without Borders' Eastern Europe and Central Asia desk, said "this large-scale offensive against TUT.BY is an alarming new step towards the annihilation of independent journalism and the complete control of the media space desired by the authorities."



"We call on the UN to react firmly in order to obtain the release of all journalists imprisoned in Belarus and to ensure respect for the right to inform.

A co-owner of Tut.by, Yulia Charnyauskaya, also was detained on May 18 but rushed to a Minsk hospital with heart problems, where she spent several hours. Her current whereabouts are unknown, Vyasna says.

A Tut.by co-founder, Kiryl Valoshin, told Current Time on May 18 that there is sizeable support in Belarus for the publication, which has over 3 million online users. But he said he doubted that an escalating crackdown on the media and civil society in the country following protests over a disputed presidential election last August will stop any time soon.

"Unfortunately, let us admit that the level of violence and lawlessness in the country is so high that even the possible closure of Tut.by will not make its supporters do something more than express their thoughts on social networks," Valoshin said, adding that he hopes Tut.by will be able to continue operating in some form.

Belarusian authorities have stepped up their repression of journalists and bloggers ever since the start of mass protests sparked by the presidential election. Tut.by has been under pressure for months.

Outrage over what was seen as a rigged vote to hand Lukashenka a sixth term in office brought tens of thousands onto the streets to protest the outcome.

Security officials have cracked down hard on the demonstrators, arresting thousands, including dozens of journalists who covered the rallies, and pushing most of the top opposition figures out of the country.

Some rights organizations say there is credible evidence of torture being used by security officials against some of those detained.

Lukashenka, who has run the country since 1994, has denied any wrongdoing with regard to the election and refuses to negotiate with the opposition on stepping down and holding new elections.

The European Union, United States, Canada, and other countries have refused to recognize Lukashenka, 66, as the legitimate leader of Belarus and have slapped him and senior Belarusian officials with sanctions in response to the falsification of the vote and postelection crackdown.
U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov are set to hold talks in Iceland as they look to smooth a path for a possible presidential summit in the coming weeks amid deteriorating relations between the global superpowers.



U.S. and Russian officials said the two top diplomats will meet on the sidelines of an Arctic Council gathering in the Icelandic capital, Reykjavik, on May 19, the highest level meeting between the rivals since U.S. President Joe Biden took office in January..



The talks are scheduled to start late in the evening after Lavrov arrives from the Tajik capital, Dushanbe, where he is attending a meeting of the Russian-led Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO).



With U.S.-Russian relations threatening to return to the depths of the Cold War era, Blinken and Lavrov have a lot on their agenda.

The two powers have multiple issues dividing them -- including Moscows military buildup in and around Ukraine, maneuvering for position in the Arctic, Russia's treatment of opposition figure Aleksei Navalny, Russias Nord Stream 2 pipeline project through Europe, and U.S. accusations of Russian cyberwarfare and interference in Western electoral processes.

WATCH: U.S. Doesn't Accept 'Spheres Of Influence,' Blinken Says In Comments Aimed At Russia

"It would be our preference to have a more stable and more predictable relationship with Russia, Blinken said on May 18.

At the same time, he added, weve been very clear that if Russia chooses to take reckless or aggressive actions that target our interests or those of our allies and partners, well respond. Not for purposes of seeking conflict or escalating but because such challenges cannot be allowed to go forward with impunity.

The idea of holding a summit was first floated by the White House last month, but it has still not been publicly confirmed. Russia's Kommersant newspaper on May 17 quoted government sources as saying Switzerland was the likeliest venue.

Blinken has warned that Washington is concerned over a military buildup in the Arctic, a region of strategic importance to world powers.

"We have concerns about some of the increased military activities in the Arctic that increase the...prospects of accidents...and undermine the shared goal of a peaceful and sustainable future for the region," Blinken told reporters in Reykjavik on May 18, a day before the start of a meeting of the eight-member Arctic Council in the Icelandic capital.

"What we need to avoid is a militarization of the region," he added.

The 71-year-old Lavrov -- who has been the face of foreign policy for the Kremlin since 2004 -- said, "Apparently, a [U.S.] decision was made to promote stable, predictable relations with Russia."

However, if this includes constant and predictable sanctions, thats not what we need. Our attitude toward the U.S. includes the hope that normalized relations will be based on specific actions rather than words of which we have heard too many.

Blinken has said their meeting is an important opportunity to test whether Washington and Moscow can find common ground and work together on other issues -- such as climate change, the Middle East, Iran, and North Korea.

In a sign of how difficult it may be to find common ground, Russian lawmakers voted on May 19 to withdraw from the Open Skies treaty allowing surveillance flights over military facilities following the departure from the accord by the United States late last year.



The United States formally withdrew on November 22 from the arms-control and verification agreement that Washington repeatedly said Moscow "flagrantly violated."



The U.S. move was another blow to the system of international arms control that former President Donald Trump had repeatedly scorned, complaining that Washington was being either deceived or unfairly restrained in its military capabilities.

Reykjavik is the site of the famous 1986 summit between President Ronald Reagan and Russian leader Mikhail Gorbachev.

With reporting by AP and dpa
Welcome back to the China In Eurasia briefing, an RFE/RL newsletter tracking Chinas resurgent influence from Eastern Europe to Central Asia.

As you may have heard, the China In Eurasia newsletter will now be going out twice a month. Expect to see it in your inbox on the first and third Wednesdays of each month. Im RFE/RL correspondent Reid Standish and heres what Im following right now.

In Search Of A Western Belt And Road

Growing disillusionment with the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), Chinas massive infrastructure project, has opened the door for an alternative to emerge. Ahead of next months Group of Seven (G7) summit, discussion within the group is heating up around how to rival Beijings signature policy.

Finding Perspective: U.S. President Joe Biden proposed the idea of setting up a Western-led infrastructure plan that would rival Chinas flagship BRI back in March to British Prime Minister Boris Johnson, and the idea continues to progress.

China will feature prominently on the agenda of the June 11-13 summit, which will bring together the traditional group of Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom, and the United States, plus representatives from Australia, India, and South Korea.

Coming up with an alternative is no easy feat, as I reported earlier.

Finding consensus among multiple countries, each with different economic and political realities, plus balancing public versus private funding concerns, are major obstacles to developing any plan.

Beijing has leveraged its state-backed approach to its advantage. Since it was announced in 2013, the BRI has channeled hundreds of billions of dollars into foreign infrastructure and has been supported by international organizations and more than 150 countries.

But rising buyers remorse over stalled projects and growing unease over the strategic implications of the BRI now have the idea of a Western-led alternative on the table leading into the G7 summit.

Why It Matters: The reality is that any plan will likely be a patchwork of coordinated initiatives rather than a true, unified Western alternative.

This also isnt the first time that such discussions have materialized. Both the European Union and the United States have launched infrastructure initiatives in recent years that havent yielded concrete results.

Heading into the G7, many analysts are unsure if the West should try to directly rival the BRI in terms of dollars and total investments or instead pinpoint strategic industries, especially anything around next-generation tech.

It still remains to be seen how things will shake out. But the West has many advantages it can offer, and the current moment of hardening attitudes toward China around the world presents an opportunity.

Read More

Political interest around this is moving, but actually pulling an alternative together and showing what it looks like is not developed yet, Andrew Small, a fellow with the German Marshall Fund in Berlin, told me about the current discussions leading up to the G7 summit.

Global demand hasnt been met. The worlds infrastructure needs are estimated at $94 trillion over the next two decades. Current trends show $79 trillion in investment coming in, leaving a $15 trillion gap that more Western initiatives could help fill.

Expert Corner: Competing With Beijing On Infrastructure

Readers asked: How substantial are talks to come up with a Western answer to the Belt and Road?

To find out more, I asked Reinhard Buetikofer, a German politician and the chair of the European Parliaments delegation for relations with China.

"The current discussions are very serious. In the EU, the parliament has adopted a global connectivity strategy and connectivity financing has been included in the programming of the [Neighborhood, Development and International Cooperation Instrument], the EU's global financing instrument. President Biden has highlighted the issue. India, Japan, Australia, ASEAN, and other partners are highly interested in moving the connectivity agenda forward.

"China has been exploiting the needs of developing countries, but lamenting about that fact without offering an alternative is useless. You cannot fight something with nothing. The difference between Western connectivity strategy and China's BRI will be threefold: We will insist on high-quality and high-standard projects; we will avoid debt traps; we will mobilize private-sector involvement to strengthen our initiatives."

Do you have a question about Chinas growing footprint in Eurasia? Send it to me at StandishR@rferl.org or reply directly to this e-mail and Ill get it answered by leading experts and policymakers.

Three More Stories From Eurasia

1. An Eye On Central Asia

China held its second-annual summit with Central Asias foreign ministers on May 11-12, where Beijing placed itself at the center of the regions post-pandemic recovery.

Planning Ahead: The summit produced a mix of promises and deliverables for the five Central Asian states -- Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan -- by discussing plans for a 30-year cooperation agreement with the region and outlining some future investments in the agriculture industry.

But as my colleagues Marat Tagaev and Kubat Kasymbekov from RFE/RL Kyrgyz Service reported, Beijing used the summit to put Kyrgyzstan in the spotlight.

China waived any late fees or interest payments for future debt deferment (Kyrgyzstan owes about $1.8 billion to the Export-Import Bank of China), and Beijing also granted Bishkek food aid and other funds to help with the recovery from the recent border violence between Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan.

Beijing also pressed Bishkek to move forward with the planned China-Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan railway, which has faced multiple setbacks on the Kyrgyz side. (For more background, read this piece by my colleague Bruce Pannier.)

The Big Picture: Beijing continues to position itself at the heart of the region and is strategically using its main asset -- its pocketbook -- to deepen its sway among its neighbors.

It also points to Chinas increasing use of bilateral and multilateral methods to engage with the region outside of formats that also include Russia, such as the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO).

2. Fast Times At Fudans Budapest Campus

A new executive order passed by the Hungarian government will now make it difficult for the municipal government in Budapest to stop plans for the construction of a Fudan University campus in the city, RFE/RLs Hungarian Service reported.

Sealing The Deal: Budapest Mayor Gergely Karacsony told my colleague Akos Keller-Alant and me earlier this month that he planned to oppose construction of the controversial Chinese university, but the new legislation seems to tie his hands by allowing the government to bypass the municipal authorities.

The campus, planned for 2024, is controversial because the Hungarian government aims to take out a $1.5 billion loan from a Chinese bank to cover the majority of the costs for the university.

The first Chinese university in the EU will also be built at a site that was previously allocated for affordable housing for Hungarian students.

For a quick explainer on the situation, watch this RFE/RL video.

Deeper Connections: The Hungarian investigative journalism outlet Direkt36 also reported new details around the Chinese campus, with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi telling Hungarian politicians in 2019 that the university was a top priority for Beijing.

According to their report, professors at the university will earn an extremely generous $250,000 annual salary, compared to the average professors salary of $22,000. This adds to growing concerns that the Chinese campus will drain both financial and human capital away from Hungarys education system.

3. Still In Session

While Chinas entry into Hungarys higher-education system sparks controversy over academic freedom and a lack of transparency, Beijing continues to deepen its influence in neighboring Serbias universities.

A Closer Look: As I reported with my colleagues Ljudmila Cvetkovic and Maja Zivanovic from RFE/RLs Balkan Service, three Serbian universities have signed a cooperation agreement with Shanghai's Jiao Tong University, opening the door to deepening educational and cultural bonds between Serbia and China.

Belgrade has close ties to Beijing, with observers saying that Serbia functions as a showcase in the region for Chinese initiatives and an example for the merits of close cooperation.

Chinas ties to education in the country are also beginning to expand beyond higher education and are part of a new phase of Chinese engagement across the Balkans that has a growing cultural focus.

Across The Supercontinent

Damage Control: In addition to debt concerns, Montenegros billion-dollar highway is also in the crosshairs for environmental damage that construction has brought to the UNESCO-protected Tara River, my colleagues Bojana Moskov, Predrag Tomovic, and Andy Heil reported.

The Xinjiang Picket: Small but sustained protests outside the Chinese Consulate in Almaty, Kazakhstans largest city, have continued for 100 days, RFE/RLs Kazakh Service reported.

Protesters are demanding the release of their relatives detained in neighboring Xinjiang, where Beijing has run an internment camp system for Uyghurs and other Muslim minorities.

Pick Your Shot: Former Kyrgyz Prime Minister and political heavy hitter Omurbek Babanov publicly took Chinas Sinopharm vaccine.

Kyrgyzstan is relying on a mix of the World Health Organizations COVAX program and doses of Russias Sputnik V, but shipments of both are running behind. Earlier this spring, China donated 150,000 shots of its Sinopharm vaccine to its Central Asian neighbor.

The Diaspora: RFE/RLs Ukrainian Service has a deep look at Ukraines small but growing Chinese community, looking at the cultural and financial ties that are forming, as well as how Beijing views its citizens abroad.

The 'Uber Killer': The Chinese ride-sharing app DiDi -- known as Chinas Uber killer for its ability to undercut its competition -- will launch in Kazakhstan this summer as part of a wider expansion across the region.

One Thing To Watch

Germanys Free Democratic Party (FDP) voted to drop support for a one China policy in its election program.

The move is part of some wider shifts taking place across Germanys political spectrum with respect to China ahead of elections in September that will mark the end of Chancellor Angela Merkels long tenure.

The Greens' candidate for chancellor, Annalena Baerbock, who could potentially come to power through a coalition government in September, has also vowed to get tough on China.

Any shifts toward Beijing that result from the German elections will have ripple effects across Europe and beyond, with many countries taking their foreign policy cues from the EUs largest economy.

Thats all from me for now. Dont forget to send me any questions, comments, or tips that you might have.

If you enjoyed this briefing and don't want to miss the next edition, subscribe here. It will be sent to your in-box on the first and third Wednesdays of each month.
Ten of the 16 acts competing in the first semifinal in Rotterdam on May 18 advanced to the finals of the Eurovision Song Contest -- including performers from Russia, Azerbaijan, and Ukraine.

A second semifinal is scheduled for May 20, with 10 of those acts also advancing to the May 22 final, which will include automatic qualifiers Italy, France, Germany, Spain, and Britain, along with the host nation, the Netherlands.

Qualifiers from May 18 also included Norway, Israel, Malta, Lithuania, Cyprus, Sweden, and Belgium.

Countries not advancing were Romania, Croatia, North Macedonia, Slovenia, Ireland, and Australia.

The 2020 event was canceled because of the COVID-19 pandemic. The Netherlands won the 2019 contest, giving it the right to host the succeeding event.

The competition features contestants performing 39 songs from nations across Europe as well as Australia and Israel. The broadcast is watched live by tens of millions of people around the world, many of whom will vote remotely on their favorites.

A crowd of 3,500 -- tested for the coronavirus before the event -- was allowed into the Rotterdam arena to watch the performances live.

The second semifinal will include: Serbia, Georgia, Moldova, Bulgaria, and Poland. Also included are: the Czech Republic, Albania, Estonia, Latvia, San Marino, Austria, Iceland, Portugal, Finland, Switzerland, and Denmark.

Belarus has been excluded from the contest after failing to submit an entry that complied with the nonpolitical nature of the competition. Minsk denounced the decision as "politically motivated."

The European Broadcasting Union (EBU) said in a March 26 statement that a second entry submitted by the Belarus state broadcasting authority was in breach of the rules that ensure the contest is not instrumentalized or brought into disrepute.

Based on reporting by AP, Reuters, and AFP
PODGORICA  Montenegrin President Milo Djukanovic has warned that he will not sign changes to the law governing prosecution appointments that were earlier adopted by parliament, in the latest clash between the head of state and the government that took office last year.



"Today, I will return the law for a new vote in parliament," Djukanovic told a press conference on May 19, saying that the amendments would endanger the constitutional and legal system of Montenegro.



"Fundamental democratic principles and Montenegro"s partnership with the European Union are being destroyed," he added.



Parliament speaker Aleksa Becic called Djukanovic's move "political obstruction."



Under Montenegros constitution, the president can send a bill back to parliament to be reconsidered but is obliged to sign it if parliament adopts it again.



Lawmakers on May 12 adopted amendments to the Law on the State Prosecution Service despite concerns raised by the Council of Europes Venice Commission of constitutional experts, who warned that the changes could make prosecutors more susceptible to political influence.



Djukanovics Democratic Party of Socialists (DPS), the main opposition party in parliament, has boycotted the work of the chamber in protest.



Proponents of the amendments argue that a change in personnel in the Prosecutor's Office is necessary in order to achieve results in the fight against corruption and organized crime.



The DPS was ousted from power by a coalition led by the Democratic Front following parliamentary elections in August 2020.



The president already confronted the new governing coalition in January when he rejected bills adopted by parliament, including amendments to a controversial law on religion.
Some myths go back millennia.

This myth, if it is one, goes back to 1990 -- and just over three decades later, it continues to form a central grievance in Russian President Vladimir Putin's testy narrative about Moscow's ties with the West.

It's the question of NATO expansion -- an unhealed scab that, with Russian-Western relations at their lowest ebb since the Cold War, has been picked off yet again and is now bleeding into public view.

Casting the issue into the spotlight this time was not an angry tirade from Putin but a report by the London-based think tank Chatham House, which, in a May 13 publication, aimed to dispel a host of what it called "myths and misperceptions" that have shaped Western thinking and kept it from establishing "a stable and manageable relationship with Moscow."

One "myth" in particular kicked off a furious debate in e-mail threads, chat rooms, listservs, and on Twitter: "Russia was promised that NATO would not enlarge."

"The U.S.S.R. was never offered a formal guarantee on the limits of NATO expansion post-1990," John Lough, the research associate who authored the section, wrote. "Moscow merely distorts history to help preserve an anti-Western consensus at home."

Nikolai Sokov, a former Russian diplomat who served in the Foreign Ministry in Moscow between 1987 and 1992, disagrees. "The Chatham House piece is very bad -- it sounds to be as a piece produced by the Ideology Department of the Central Committee" of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union, he told RFE/RL.

"We didn't have to come to this, though, and the issue could have remained a small script in history that does not need to be resolved," he said. "It is more about the manner of NATO enlargement and the arguments used to promote enlargement."

And so, more than two decades after NATO's original 16-member Cold War composition was first enlarged to take in three former Warsaw Pact states, and with Putin poised to potentially stay in office into the 2030s, the past is very much present.

"We are still debating it because the proponents of enlargement believe they acted honorably and helped millions of people who had been under Soviet domination achieve their freedom," said Jim Goldgeier, who served on the National Security Council under President Bill Clinton in the 1990s.

"The Russian narrative is the West deceived them and acted in a way that left them out of post-Cold War Europe. It's just very hard to bridge these positions, and emotions do run high, given that the hopes 30 years ago of Russia being part of Europe didn't materialize," Goldgeier told RFE/RL. "So there are those who want to blame the West, and those who want to blame Putin."

'Not On The Agenda'

For many Cold War scholars, the genesis of the narrative can be primarily traced back to a February 1990 visit by James Baker, the U.S. secretary of state under President George Bush, to Moscow, where Baker met with Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev.

The Berlin Wall had come down three months earlier, and Western leaders were openly discussing whether a divided Germany would be reunified, something that Moscow feared -- and if that happened, whether NATO forces would ultimately be stationed in what was then East Germany, something that terrified Moscow.

According to transcripts released years later by the United States and Russia, Baker broached the subject with the argument that it was better to have a unified Germany within NATO's political and military structure than outside of it.

"At no point in the discussion did either Baker or Gorbachev bring up the question of the possible extension of NATO membership to other Warsaw Pact countries beyond Germany," according to Mark Kramer, director of the Cold War Studies Project at Harvard University's Davis Center, who reviewed the declassified transcripts and other materials.

"Indeed, it never would have occurred to them to raise an issue that was not on the agenda anywhere, not in Washington, not in Moscow, and not in any other Warsaw Pact or NATO capital," Kramer wrote in a April 2009 journal article.

Gorbachev met with West German Chancellor Helmut Kohl the day after the meeting with Baker. According to Kramer's research, the subject of German unification was more prominent on the agenda than it had been with Baker. "Gorbachev did not seek any assurances about [NATO enlargement] and certainly did not receive any," Kramer wrote.

Ultimately, according to Steven Pifer, a former U.S. ambassador who was serving at the State Department at the time, the United States, France, and Britain, along with Germany, agreed not to deploy non-German NATO forces in the former East Germany.

In 1999, years after German reunification and the withdrawal of all Soviet troops from Eastern Europe, NATO admitted three former Warsaw Pact countries: Poland, the Czech Republic, and Hungary.

Ten years later, in an interview with the German newspaper Bild, Gorbachev complained that the West had tricked Moscow. "Many people in the West were secretly rubbing their hands and felt something like a flush of victory -- including those who had promised us: 'We will not move 1 centimeter further east,'" he was quoted as saying.

Gorbachev later appeared to reverse himself, saying the subject of enlargement in fact never came up in 1989 or 1990. "The topic of 'NATO expansion' was never discussed; it was not raised in those years. I am saying this with a full sense of responsibility. Not a single Eastern European country brought up the issue, not even after the Warsaw Pact had ceased to exist in 1991," he told the newspaper Kommersant in October 2014.

Gorbachev could not be reached for comment. A spokesman did not immediately return an e-mail.

'The Spirit Of The Treaty'

Russia's first president, Boris Yeltsin, was wary about NATO expansion but did not oppose it, according to declassified memos. "We understand, of course, that any possible integration of East European countries into NATO will not automatically lead to the alliance somehow turning against Russia," Yeltsin wrote in a September 1993 letter to U.S. President Bill Clinton. "But it is important to take into account how our public opinion might react to that step."

But Yeltsin also cited what he cast as assurances given to Soviet officials during the negotiations on German unification, writing that "the spirit of the treaty on the final settlement...precludes the option of expanding the NATO zone into the East."

Four years later, in an effort to assuage Moscow's concerns, NATO and Russia signed the NATO-Russia Founding Act, a political agreement stating, among other things, that "NATO and Russia do not consider each other as adversaries." In 2002, NATO and Russia agreed to set up a joint consultative council, ostensibly as a venue to resolve disagreements. But the council was seen as ineffectual by many in Moscow.

Then, two years later, NATO underwent the largest expansion in its history, admitting seven more Eastern European countries, including the Baltic states of Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania, which had been republics of the Soviet Union and chafed under Moscow's rule. While it wasn't the first time a NATO member bordered Russia or the Soviet Union, now a NATO member's troops potentially could be located just 625 kilometers from Moscow.

In 2007, at the Munich Security Conference, an annual high-level gathering of officials, diplomats, and experts from both sides of the Atlantic, Putin unleashed a broadside against NATO, as well as the United States, accusing the alliance of duplicity and of threatening Russia.

"I think it is obvious that NATO expansion has no relation with the modernization of the alliance itself or with ensuring security in Europe. On the contrary, it represents a serious provocation that reduces the level of mutual trust," he said.

"What happened to the assurances our Western partners made after the dissolution of the Warsaw Pact? Where are those declarations today?" Putin asked -- a remark that prompted some head-scratching, because the debate has focused almost exclusively on remarks made before the Warsaw Pact fell apart. "Where are these guarantees?"

A year after Putin's speech, at a Bucharest summit in April 2008, NATO declined to offer Georgia and Ukraine a fast-track path to membership but assured the two countries that they would eventually join the alliance.

Four months later, Russia invaded Georgia, destroying its armed forces, occupying two regions that had already had near complete autonomy, and humiliating the country's then-president, Mikheil Saakashvili, who had openly called for Georgia to join NATO.

In 2014, after Russia seized Ukraine's Crimea Peninsula and equipped, financed, and provided military support to separatist fighters in eastern Ukraine, stoking a war that continues today, NATO called off any consultations with Russia.

Shortly after Russia's parliament endorsed the takeover of Crimea, Putin said in a speech that Russia was humiliated by NATO's expansion. "They have lied to us many times, made decisions behind our backs, placed us before an accomplished fact," he claimed.

'Selling The Narrative'

Among those who have fueled Russian claims of a promise was the last U.S. ambassador to the Soviet Union, Jack Matlock, who has repeatedly insisted, both in congressional testimony and more recently, that Gorbachev had received assurances that if Germany united, and stayed in NATO, the borders of NATO would not move eastward.

But Wolfgang Ischinger, a former German ambassador and deputy foreign minister who is now head of the Munich Security Conference, said that agreements on German reunification, including the 1990 treaty known as the 2+4 Treaty, which formally paved the way for the two countries to become one again, made no mention of NATO enlargement.

"Russia has been quite successful in selling the narrative that, in exchange for their acceptance of German unification via the 2+4 Treaty, they were promised that there would be no NATO enlargement," Ischinger told RFE/RL. "Russia presents herself as the victim."

"Whatever promises about non-enlargement may have been discussed...in 1990, the hard fact is Russia accepted enlargement, with detailed conditions, and in writing, when the NATO-Russia Founding Act was agreed," Ischinger said in an e-mail. "Later Russian claims that different promises had been made in 1990 are therefore simply not relevant. In fact, this is propaganda, and it is in bad faith!"

Sokov, the former diplomat who is now at the Vienna Center for Disarmament and Non-Proliferation, said the biggest issue was that NATO's enlargement could have been "managed" to minimize misunderstandings.

A Missed Chance?

The initial expansion, in 1999, came around the time of the NATO bombing of Yugoslavia, aimed at stopping advances by Serbian forces against the Kosovar population. Russia's outrage over the campaign was crystallized by the decision of then-Prime Minister Yevgeny Primakov to turn his U.S.-bound jet around over the Atlantic Ocean in protest. The 2003 U.S. invasion of Iraq was another action that raised Moscow's ire.

"It is wrong to wave away Russian concerns," Sokov said.

The 1997 Founding Act was well-intentioned, as was the 2002 creation of the NATO-Russia Council, he said. But he argued that these agreements have "never worked," arguing that the alliance often takes actions that affect Russian or regional security without consulting Moscow.

"The procedure that is used instead is that NATO makes a decision and then tries to convince Russia that [the] decision is good and should be accepted. The latter is a formula for disaster," he said. "I strongly believe that it was possible to both enlarge NATO and avoid conflict. The chance was missed and today we see a worsening conflict of which the question about guarantees given by Baker is nothing but a symbol."

But for other scholars, the problem lies mainly in Moscow, with the way Putin and the Kremlin perceive the history of NATO enlargement and the way they present it to the Russian public and the West.

"The notion that NATO made and broke a promise that it would not accept any new member states in Eastern Europe is one of the core ideas driving Russia's view of a hostile West," said Keir Giles, a consultant and co-author of the Chatham House report.

And that seems unlikely to change anytime soon.

In an article for the Brookings Institution in 2014, Pifer, the former ambassador, predicted that for Putin, "The West's alleged promise not to enlarge the alliance will undoubtedly remain a standard element of his anti-NATO spin.

"That is because it fits so well with the picture that the Russian leader seeks to paint of an aggrieved Russia, taken advantage of by others and increasingly isolated -- not due to its own actions, but because of the machinations of a deceitful West," Pifer said.
Karla Peterson: How writing 'Things We Lost to the Water' helped author Eric Nguyen find himself
The United States will not impose new sanctions on the company in charge of the undersea Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline or its CEO, U.S. Secretary of State Anthony Blinken has said in a report sent to Congress.

Blinken said additional sanctions will be waived for reasons of "national interest."

German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas told reporters earlier that the May 19 report listed sanctions against a number of entities.

But he said there were "presidential waivers" for the company running the project, Nord Stream 2 AG, and its chief executive, Matthias Warnig, a German citizen and ally of President Vladimir Putin.

"We perceive this to be a constructive step that we will gladly continue to discuss with our partners in Washington," said Maas, who said he spoke to Blinken about the issue.

The pipeline connecting Russia and Germany, which is about 95 percent completed and could be finished by September, has come under fierce criticism from Washington.

U.S. officials warn it will make Europe more dependent on Russian energy supplies. The pipeline will markedly increase the amount of natural gas that Russia will be able to pump directly to Germany, bypassing Eastern European transit countries like Ukraine and Belarus.

The German government has refused to halt the project, arguing that it is a commercial venture.

German Chancellor Angela Merkel has defended it, saying that Russian gas already flows freely into Europe along other routes, including an existing Baltic Sea pipeline.

U.S. President Joe Biden's administration has been under pressure from members of Congress, including some Democrats, to hit the Baltic Sea project with financial penalties.

Jeanne Shaheen (Democrat-New Hampshire), a senior member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, said she was disappointed about the waivers.



"I've made it clear to the Biden administration from Day 1 that every effort should be made to prevent completion of the Nord Stream 2 pipeline," she said.



Jim Risch (Idaho), the senior Republican on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, said the waivers will be "a gift to Putin."

Russian state-controlled energy giant Gazprom is the majority shareholder in the company.

Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov said waiving the sanctions would be seen as positive in Moscow, according to the Interfax news agency. But he told a news briefing that "no bilateral consultations on the matter are under way with the Americans."

Supporters say the U.S. opposition is grounded in its interest in selling more of its own liquefied gas to Europe.

Washington has already imposed sanctions on a Russian company, KVT-RUS, which operates the pipe-laying vessel Fortuna.

That measure was announced by the administration of U.S. President Donald Trump shortly before the end of his term in January.

With reporting by Reuters, TASS, dpa, Interfax, and AP
ALMATY, Kazakhstan -- Kazakh human rights organizations have added two activists to a list they keep of political prisoners in the oil-rich Central Asian nation, bringing the total number to 28.

The two activists added to the list on May 19 are Nurbol Onerkhan from the North Kazakhstan region and Zhanibek Zhunisov from the capital, Nur-Sultan.

Onerkhan was given a parole-like "freedom limitation" sentence last year for allegedly being involved in the activities of the Democratic Choice of Kazakhstan (DVK) movement and its affiliate, the Street party. Both groups have been labeled as extremist organizations and banned in Kazakhstan.

On May 4, a court in the city of Petropavl found Onerkhan guilty of a parole violation and sent him to prison for two years.

Zhunisov was arrested in February for taking part in events organized by the Street party and is awaiting trial.

The Almaty-based Dignity, Spirit, Truth group of experts representing human rights organizations was established in 2013. Since then, the number of political prisoners in the country has risen dramatically.

In recent years, many activists across Kazakhstan have been handed prison or parole-like sentences for their involvement in the activities of DVK and the Street party, as well as for taking part in rallies organized by the two groups.

DVK is led by Mukhtar Ablyazov, the fugitive former head of Kazakhstans BTA Bank and an outspoken critic of the Kazakh government. Kazakh authorities labeled DVK extremist and banned the group in March 2018.

Human rights groups have said Kazakhstans law on public gatherings violates international standards as it requires preliminary permission from authorities to hold rallies and envisions prosecution for organizing and participating in unsanctioned rallies even though the nations constitution guarantees its citizens the right of free assembly.

Kazakh authorities have insisted that there are no political prisoners in the country.
Tajikistan's state-backed religious authorities say a prominent imam has been fired after a video emerged that apparently shows him berating worshippers at a mosque during Ramadan prayers.

The video also purportedly shows Jamoliddin Nematzoda pushing one worshipper out of the mosque.

Tajikistan's Religious Affairs Committee announced on May 19 that Nematzoda, the imam of the Hazrati Muhammad Grand Mosque in a Dushanbe suburb, was fired for "failing to comply with mosque regulations," and violating its "ethical and spiritual" values.

The cleric's son Azamatullo was also fired from his position as an imam at a smaller mosque in the Rudaki district, committee spokesman Afshin Muqim told RFE/RL. Afshin gave no reason for Azamatullo's dismissal. But Azamatullo is also seen in the controversial video recording.

Footage shared on social media appears to show Nematzoda arguing with one of the worshippers and using foul language in front of a large group of men.

Eyewitnesses told RFE/RL that the incident took place at the Daryo-obod village mosque in Nematzoda's native Rudaki district on May 7, the last Friday of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan.

According to the eyewitnesses, the argument began after several people complained that the Tarawih -- special Ramadan prayers -- was being led by Azamatullo instead of the mosque's own imam.

Neither Nematzoda nor his son are the imams of the village of Daryo-obod. It's not known why the two were there that night, instead of organizing Tarawih at their own respective mosques.

The eyewitnesses said Nematzoda -- angry at the complaints being raised by worshippers -- physically confronted one of the men. "Who are you to protest?" an angry, raised voiced can be heard in the video.

"I am an ordinary man from [the town of] Kulob," the worshipper responds.

Nematzoda, holding a microphone, walks toward the worshipper, who can be heard saying, "You've no right to grab my collar."

Then Nematzoda appears to drag the man out of the mosque while other worshippers try unsuccessfully to stop him.

"Please don't do this," one worshipper can be heard saying.

"It's not appropriate for you. You're the imam," another pleads.

Nematzoda then hurls insults at the congregation. "You will never be able to pray in this mosque ever again," he says on a loudspeaker. "I shall close this mosque down," he threatens, using a rude and insulting local slang expression.

"You should be ashamed of yourself," Nematzoda says.

Not A Role Model

He goes on to suggest, without any evidence, that some of the worshippers are terrorists and extremists -- saying followers of the banned Salafi movement and the outlawed Islamic Renaissance Party "have gathered here again."

In Tajikistan, calling someone a follower of banned religious groups is often taken as a threat.

Using foul language in mosques is considered unacceptable, especially when it comes from imams who are expected to be role models for their communities who uphold strict moral values.

Nematzoda and his son did not respond to RFE/RL's requests to tell their side of the story. Nematzoda's relatives said he had been sick and was undergoing medical treatment.

The Religious Affairs Committee said the decision to fire the father and son was made on May 18 during a council meeting of the mosque's founders. Nematzoda is the son of a former mufti, the highest religious authority in the Muslim-majority Central Asian country.

'Not In My District'

It's not the first time video has emerged that apparently shows him stirring up controversy during a religious gathering. In 2017, a video was shared on social media that showed Nematzoda in a heated argument with a fellow religious figure during a private Islamic funeral ceremony in the Rudaki district.

In accordance with the will of the deceased man, his family had invited a well-known mullah named Nuriddin Turajonzoda from the neighboring Vahdat district to perform the funeral prayer.

But Nematzoda refused to allow Turajonzoda to conduct the prayer. Nematzoda argued that as the chief imam of Rudaki at the time, it was necessary for him to perform the funeral prayer -- regardless of the deceased man's will.

"This district has an owner. I am the one who conducts all funeral prayers in Rudaki. I won't allow you," Nematzoda told the other mullah as a large group of people looked on.

Mosques in Tajikistan operate under strict government control. Imams are appointed by local authorities and are expected to support the policies of the secular government.

Tajikistan, a country with a population of about 9.5 million, has about 3,000 mosques.

Written by Farangis Najibullah with reporting by RFE/RL's Tajik Service
WASHINGTON -- Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said the states case against Viktor Medvedchuk is just the beginning of a process of curtailing the power of a handful of tycoons who have dominated the countrys economic and political landscape for decades.

In a statement published on May 18 on the website of Washington-based think tank the Atlantic Council and aimed at a U.S. audience, Zelenskiy said this unelected elite has rigged the system to preserve their power and wealth indefinitely to the detriment of the population.

He claimed that Ukraine under his leadership was now making progress on battling the tycoons, pointing to the sanctions his administration imposed in February on Medvedchuk, a Russia-leaning politician and businessman with assets allegedly ranging from television stations to oil pipelines.

This is just the beginning. There will be many more such measures until all of Ukraines oligarchs are cut down to size and reduced to the status of ordinary big businessmen, Zelenskiy said in the statement.

Zelenskiy said the states actions against Medvedchuk -- who will go on trial in July on charges of treason that he calls politically motivated -- shows such people are toothless when their media assets and political protection are peeled away.

The president promised to unveil key legislation with the goal to destroy the oligarchic order and create a more equitable Ukraine.

Zelenskiys tough words come amid Western frustration over his administrations commitment to crucial reforms, including cracking on the tycoons, and his own sharply falling ratings.

A former comic and antiestablishment candidate, Zelenskiy won the 2019 election in a landslide in part on a promise to take on those tycoons.

However, after two years in power, Zelenskiys administration has made little progress on curtailing the biggest players.

Other Targets

Aside from Medvedchuk, who heads the second-largest party in parliament, Zelenskiys administration has launched an investigation into Petro Poroshenko, the billionaire former president who is considered a competitor for the 2024 election.

Zelenskiy has yet to go after Ihor Kolomoyskiy, whom critics call one of the most notorious tycoons for his brazen tactics and who is under U.S. investigation for money laundering. Kolomoyskiys media companies backed Zelenskiys long-shot campaign for the presidency.

Nor has Zelenskiy taken on Dmytro Firtash, whom the United States has indicted on bribery charges. A senior U.S. state department official last month raised frustration with Ukraines failure to investigate Firtash.

Ukraine, a nation bestowed with significant natural resources and fertile land, is among Europes poorest by average income because of the uneven distribution of wealth following the collapse of the Soviet Union.

During the 1990s and early 2000s, the nations largest manufacturing and extraction industries fell into the hands of a few individuals like Kolomoyskiy, who transformed that wealth into outsized political influence that they continue to exercise to this day.

The tycoons often block reforms that would benefit Ukraines economy at the expense of their personal fortunes and buy off judges.

Despite years of prodding by the United States and Europe, Ukraines leaders have failed to challenge the tycoons.

Zelenskiy said previous leaders considered their existence as a natural and profitable state of affairs that brought with it the promise of stability.
CRESTLINE -- Linda Horning Pitt shared the Zoom meeting stage Tuesday with Frank Jackson and Nan Whaley, all three mayors promoting federal funding for expanded Amtrak passenger rail service in Ohio.

The mayor of Crestline, population 8,709, more than held her own with the leaders of Cleveland (385,282) and Dayton (140,569), her excitement clear for the project that could return Amtrak to the Crawford County community for the first time in three decades.

"We were formed by the railroad in the 1850s and 94 percent of the people who lived here worked for the railroad," said Pitt, who took office in 2020 with the stated goal of improving the village's infrastructure.

"People here are so excited about Amtrak coming back to Crestline," Pitt said during her turn on the online media roundtable session, which also included Amtrak CEO Bill Flynn, Amtrak President Stephen Gardner and William Murdock, executive director of the Mid-Ohio Regional Planning Commission in Columbus.

"People here are in love with the railroad. We are really here (Tuesday) to support Amtrak and passenger rail service throughout Ohio," Pitt said.

Pitt said she was honored to be chosen for the media session with the big-city leaders, representing the state's rural communities. "I think they wanted my energy," she said with a laugh Wednesday.

On May 7, Amtrak announced it hopes to launch passenger rail service connecting Cleveland, Columbus, Dayton and Cincinnati -- including a new train station in Crestline.

The plan is dependent on Congress approving funding for the expansion. One possibility is the the $80 billion in Amtrak funding proposed by President Biden in his $2 trillion national infrastructure plan, also known as the American Jobs Plan.

Like the other speakers, Pitt said the passenger service connecting cities in Ohio could be key to economic expansion around the state.

"We believe that economic activity here will increase three-fold, if not more," Pitt said, pointing to the city's new logo, which includes the phrase, "All Tracks Lead Here."

"Crestline was the place that north-south met east-west. We believe Crestline is going to play a vital role for Amtrak," she said, adding she believed the local stop could draw from between 240,000 to 300,000 people within a 35-mile radius.

Just as Amtrak did with the announcement in Crestline earlier this month, leaders of the nation's only passenger train service sought the media exposure of the roundtable Tuesday to promote Congressional action on the required funds.

It will also require the support of Ohio's leaders, though Gardner said the federal government would supply the upfront funding to lessen the start-up costs. Gov. Mike DeWine has been noncommittal to the plan, declining to offer his opinion until he learns more about it -- including the costs.

The Ohio expansion has been in the works for some time, according to Flynn, appointed in 2020 to become the 12th executive to lead Amtrak since its launch in 1971. Flynn had been a successful leader across multiple modes of transportation, including rail, maritime and aviation.

"We spent the past three years developing a (expansion) strategy. It exemplifies that the potential exists in Ohio," Flynn said.

Gardner predicted projected ridership on the "3C+D" corridor could grow to 500,000 annually on a 250-mile route that would include stops in Delaware, Springfield and Sharonville.

The trip between Cleveland and Cincinnati might take 5 1/2 hours initially, according to Gardner, adding he believed it could be reduced to under four hours.

The trip in a car takes about four hours, though Gardner pointed out hours spent aboard the train would be more comfortable and productive than by car.

The leaders said Ohio is one of the largest states in the country not to have any statewide passenger rail service. Murdoch said Columbus is the second-largest metro area in the nation not to have Amtrak service.

"Not being in that network puts us at a disadvantage," Murdoch said. "Businesses and residents are clamoring for this. We know the community is behind it. Investing in Ohio, it makes a lot of sense. It's grounded not just in major cities. It's really important to rural areas and smaller (communities)."

Jackson said the service would connect regions of the state in an environmentally sound and efficient manner that would unify Ohio's economy.

"It is about, do we as Ohioans want to be in a position to be competitive in the world?" Jackson said. "We simply do not have the luxury of not doing this."

Whaley said the service would expand employment opportunities.

"Without (this) connection, it doesn't allow us to help people get to good-paying jobs," Whaley said, adding that 25 percent of people in the Dayton community don't have access to a car and are limited to public transportation.
GALION -- The Galion City Schools, in partnership with the USDA, is sponsoring a Summer Food Service Program in Galion this summer.

Free lunches will be provided to children ages 1 to 18 every Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday from June 2 through Aug. 6 at six locations around Galion. Serving sites and times are as follows:

 East Park  11:30 to 11:50 a.m.

 Galion Arms Apartments  11:30 to 11:50 a.m.

 Libby Lane Apartments  Noon to 12:20 p.m.

 Galion YMCA  Noon to 12:20 p.m.

 Galion High School  12:30 to 1 p.m.

 The Depot  12:30 to 12:50 p.m.

Children will receive two breakfast and two lunch meals on Mondays and Wednesdays, and three breakfast and lunch meals on Thursdays. Adults may pick-up meals and return home to maintain appropriate social distance.

This summer program is designed to provide nutritious meals to kids during the summer months when school meals are not available., Food Service Director Lorie Pennington said. It is important for the school food service department to provide the meals for the summer program, ensuring all meals served will follow safety and USDA standards for nutrition.

To view the summer meal offerings, please visit https://www.myschool- menus.com/instance/779/district/775, select "High School" from the first drop-down menu and then select the summer menu option. Reheat instructions are posted on the menu by clicking on the individual item.

Please contact Food Service Director Lorie Pennington at 419-468-6500 ext. 11016 or email pennington.lorie@galionschools.org for additional details. This institution is an equal opportunity provider.
LEXINGTON -- Worthington Township Fire Chief Dustin Hoptry stood on the lawn in front of Lexington's Central Elementary School holding a rolled-up firehose.

You ready, brother? he asked the next third grader in line. The boy nodded. Hoptry draped the hose over his tiny shoulder.

Go!

The boy dashed across the lawn, weaving through a set of cones before setting the firehose on top of a small tunnel. He scurried through the tunnel, then drug the end of a different firehose back to the start of the obstacle course.

The firefighters challenge is always a popular station during Safety Day, an annual outdoor event at Central Elementary School.

Students from Central and Western elementaries participated in Safety Day on Tuesday, where they got to meet personnel from local fire, police and emergency management departments. There were also representatives from the county dog wardens office, the local SWAT team, the Ohio State Highway Patrol, the YMCA, and a life flight helicopter.

In addition to traditional safety training, students also learned about anti-bullying and staying safe on social media.

Central Elementary Principal Kathy Weidig started the tradition about 20 years ago. It was originally a fire safety activity held in October, but over the years it evolved into an all-day, end-of-the year event.

I saw a firemans challenge and I thought it would just be a great way for my kids to learn. she said. It's very interactive, that keeps the kids moving and interesting.

"So I think the kids like it.

Weidig hopes the event will prepare students and empower them to contact appropriate safety personnel if they ever face an emergency.

They learn from the experts in their field and they get to meet them one on one," Weidig explained. "That way, if something really does happen, they're not as alarmed. They know that they are friends that they can go to for help.

Master Sgt. Joshua Wendling of the 179th Airlift Wing spoke to students about the bases fire department.

A lot of people don't realize that there are full time firemen out there for the aircraft. So we're there for the C-130s, for the Air Force, he said. We also have that mutual aid contract with the city and surrounding townships because we have the foam.

"Many places dont have the foam to put out tanker truck fires and things like that.

Stan Hoptry, an assistant state fire marshal, said the day offers a chance to teach kids how to prevent disasters -- not just react to them.

Were teaching about fire safety, cooking safety, smoke detectors, he said. If we teach them about safety, there are less accidents, less fires -- we've done our job.
SHELBY  Life in the Shelby City Schools district will soon return to some semblance of normal, starting with graduation this weekend.

Shelby High School Principal John Gies announced at Tuesday nights Board of Education meeting that the 2021 graduation ceremony will be held inside the high school gymnasium at 7:30 p.m. on Friday, May 21.

The ceremonys location was originally planned for W.W. Skiles Field, but the venue was changed due to less-than-ideal conditions at the field, plus new guidance from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) states fully-vaccinated people can resume activities without wearing a mask or physically distancing. Those who have not been vaccinated should still wear a mask and socially distance.

All attendees at Friday nights graduation ceremony will be required to wear a mask, in accordance with the state of Ohios mask mandate that is not lifted until June 2.

Masks are what allow us to have graduation indoors, Gies said.

Right now we have 138 members of the class of 2021 walking at graduation, which is on the low side of some classes weve had, so there should be plenty of seating for all family members who want to attend.

On May 12, Gov. Mike DeWine announced all statewide COVID-19 health orders would be lifted June 2, including a mask mandate, limits on gatherings and implementation of social distancing. Many health orders have been in place since March 2020.

Then, on May 14, DeWine announced the Ohio Department of Health would amend the remaining health orders to comply with the new guidance from the CDC through June 2.

However, not all Ohioans have been vaccinated yet; the June 2 date I announced for the removal of health orders provided time for those who had not yet gotten their vaccine to get it, DeWine said. While our order will be amended to reflect the new CDC guidance, it will remain in place until June 2.

Students who will be returning to Shelby City Schools this fall will also return to a pre-COVID way of life, with the district planning for full in-person learning to return for the 2021-2022 school year.

According to Assistant Superintendent Paul Walker, 95 percent of families surveyed in the district said they wanted their kids back inside the classroom next school year.

We want kids back in school learning and getting back to a sense of normalcy, Walker said.

With the district returning to in-person learning, the criteria for remote learning will be more strict - only in cases that include credit recovery, schedule conflicts, medical referrals or disciplinary measures. Walker said building principals and counselors can meet with students on an individual basis to determine remote learning needs.

We thank the teachers who stepped up to help with remote learning  families had a lot more put on their plate, protecting their child or loved one, and we thank them as well, he said. It was a whole community effort, and now we can hopefully get back to the regular school year.

Two people who wont be returning to in-person learning next year are Linda Durkin and Pamela McKown -- two teachers who were recognized for their retirements at Tuesdays meeting.

Durkin is retiring from teaching the second grade at Dowds Elementary. She began her education career with Shelby in August 1999.

I have lived in Shelby probably more than half my life now, so I am a true Shelbian and I appreciate the opportunities it has given me, Durkin said. Not that I wanted to do this right now, but its the time to do it.

McKown has been a teacher in Shelby for 34 years, the last 15 years as the special education teacher at Shelby High School. She fought a lump in her throat as she admitted it has been difficult for her to start the retirement process.

Ive really enjoyed working at the high school and all the opportunities Mr. Gies has afforded me, McKown said. Weve come a long way and made great strides, and Im pretty proud of that, but I guess its time.
MANSFIELD -- Diamond Street through the downtown may be converted to two-way traffic as soon as next week, according to city engineer Bob Bianchi.

"As you see, every day there is new work that is being done," Bianchi told Mansfield City Council on Tuesday evening during a streets committee meeting.

"Of course, there is traffic control out there. They've just paved the road. Striping will start early next week," the engineer said.

Bianchi praised the work of the city's signals and streets departments.

"They have been wonderful through this project," he said. "They have been out there on the the entire corridor. Right now, they are installing benches and trash receptacles as we speak, as well as some bike racks."

Bianchi said planters should arrive by Friday and that Downtown Mansfield Inc. will be placing those next week.

"Once the pavement markings are complete, we at that time will open the road. There is really no reason to keep that lane closed (at that point). It's probably more proper that we open it right after it's striped," the engineer said.

The $552,000 conversion from First Street to Fifth Street, approved by City Council in November, is another part of the Mansfield Rising downtown reinvestment plan.

No general fund money was used on the conversion. Funding sources are the permissive sales tax, the street fund, the road resurfacing fund and the Downtown Improvement Fund, which began when council approved a $5 increase in motor vehicle registration fees in May of 2018.

One part of the plan suggested the city adopt and implement a "complete streets" policy downtown, designing traditional streets to enable cars to move quickly and efficiently.

Bianchi has said the goals are improved access for occasional downtown visitors and friendlier traffic patterns, while also considering "thru" traffic movement along Diamond from First Street on the south, to Main Street on the north.

"For you and me, the people who have been in the downtown and understand the downtown network, we don't think anything about it. For the occasional visitors, they have to think about our one-way street networks. It takes some consideration.

"We want those occasional visitors to become frequent visitors," Bianchi said when the plan was being developed. "How do we increase the ability of people to get to their destinations downtown?"

Mulberry Street through the downtown was converted in a similar fashion in 2019.

A public meeting to discuss the Diamond Street project was held on Feb. 11, 2020, including a lengthy question-and-answer session. The public's input resulted in several changes to the plan, which was temporarily shelved due to the pandemic.

Work got underway in late March 2021 and Bianchi said at the time he hoped it would be complete by the end of May.

Earlier this month, council awarded a $1,046,987 contract to K.E. MCartney & Associates of Mansfield to do the design and engineering services for the Main Street Corridor Improvement plan in downtown Mansfield.

Mansfield City Council in January approved the two-year design and engineering effort, which may ultimately lead to a $7.5 million project to improve that north/south artery from First Street to Fifth Street.

Also on Tuesday, City Council:

-- approved two damage claims from city residents, including $3,386 for sewer backup damage for Kayla Griggs, 236 Fairlawn Ave., and $91.83 to Barbara Deal, 1276 Millsboro Road, for a mailbox damaged by a city truck.

-- gave consent to the Ohio Department of Transportation to do bridge repairs under Ohio 430 (Park Avenue East) over the meandering Ritter's Run in Mansfield. The work, scheduled for summer 2023, will be done at no cost to the city. Bianchi told council members, "If you drive on Park Avenue East, you wouldn't even know you are driving over a bridge. It's near Glenn Avenue, close to the city buiulding."

-- transferred $1,475 within the water fund to pay a Clearfork Reservoir seasonal campground refund.

-- approved spending $273,910 for a 2021 street sweeper. The sweeper, replacing a decade-old model, will be paid for with seven annual payments of $41,549.43.

-- discussed during a zoning committee meeting the creation of a Public Art Commission, a group which could help accomplish one of the central goals found in the Mansfield Rising plan. Also discussed was updating existing ordinances regarding the permit and approval process for public murals. Council members were receptive to the idea presented Tuesday by Jodie Perry, president and CEO of the Richland Area Chamber & Economic Development, and a member of the Mansfield Rising team. A vote on the proposals is planned June 1.
MANSFIELD -- Alomar Davenports choice to get the COVID-19 vaccine wasnt a quick or easy decision. Mansfields Fourth Ward councilman was on the fence for a while.

His decision ultimately came down to protecting those he loved most -- his family. After a recent decline in his grandmothers health, Davenport decided foregoing the vaccine wasnt worth the risk.

For me, it's about protection of others. It's about protection of my grandmother, Davenport said. I feel that the rest of us should be cognizant of that when we're deciding whether or not to get this vaccine or not.

A free Johnson & Johnson vaccine clinic will take place this Thursday at Maddox Memorial Church of God in Christ from noon to 4 p.m. Pastor Aaron Williams hopes parishioners and non parishioners alike will take advantage of the opportunity.

Williams, who received the Pfizer shot as a part of a school employee vaccination program, described it as a tool to potentially put COVID-19 behind us.

My mother had rheumatic fever. She had a little brother that died from rheumatic fever. Does anybody here now talk about or deal with anybody who had rheumatic fever? No, because medical science has dealt with that. We've been vaccinated against it, Williams said.

He also encouraged anyone considering vaccination to do their own research and visit trustworthy sources of information like the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the Ohio Department of Health and Richland Public Health.

Crystal Davis Weese, recruitment coordinator at the North End Community Improvement Collaborative (NECIC), said its vital for those who care about their community to consider receiving the vaccine.

We know its a very personal thing, Davis- Weese acknowledged. Much of our staff is vaccinated, so we can give you first-hand information on how it affected us and how we felt after having a vaccination.

Davis Weese also had a mild case of COVID-19 prior to getting vaccinated. She chose to get the Johnson & Johnson vaccine to minimize the risk of transmitting the virus to vulnerable members of the community -- including her parents.

My father does suffer from congestive heart failure and something as simple as this could really shorten the lifespan that he has to spend with his great grandchildren and his children, she said. I think that it would be unfair to take that away from him.

"I would truly suggest to people to get vaccinated and just show love and care and concern for your community.

NECIC Executive Director Deanna West-Torrence agreed.

Having had (COVID-19), I would not want to give it to anyone else, I would certainly not want to spread that, she said.

Davis-Weese said she experienced mild symptoms a few hours after receiving the vaccine, but was able to travel out of town and celebrate a friends birthday the next day without a problem.

How effective is the vaccine?

Getting the COVID-19 vaccine will not fully prevent someone from getting or spreading COVID-19, but the risk drops significantly for people who are fully vaccinated, said Dr. Julie Chaya of Richland Public Health.

The Johnson & Johnson vaccine is 66 percent effective in preventing moderate to severe cases of COVID-19 and 85 percent effective in preventing severe or critical cases, according to the FDA. Early studies by the FDA also found that the vaccine reduces the risk of asymptomatic COVID-19 but 74 percent.

The Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine was 95 percent effective in preventing COVID-19 in clinical trials, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Moderna vaccine clinical trials showed a 94.1 percent efficacy rate.

How do I sign up to get the vaccine?

Anyone can pre-register to receive a free COVID-19 vaccination online at gettheshot.coronavirus.ohio.gov or by calling 1-833-427-5634.

Richland County Transit (RCT) is providing free transportation to vaccination sites. Door-to-door vaccine shuttle service is available for Richland County residents and wheelchair accessible vehicles are available upon request. To schedule a ride, call Chris Terry at RCT 419-522-4504 x101 at least 24-48 hours in advance.
MANSFIELD  Chuck Hahn cares deeply about the development of downtown Mansfield. It's where he grew up, lives and runs a business.

The owner of the Cleveland Financial Group said he's supported various community organizations and projects for years, including the Renaissance Theatre/Kennedy Center Partners in Education, St. Peters Music Series and the Brickyard's Final Friday concerts.

Last year, Hahn helped form an advisory group to work with the City of Mansfield on the West End Neighborhood project, aiming largely to improve the streetscape on Glessner Avenue.

He has also been a financial supporter for Richland Source since the beginning and became one of the foundation newsroom partners this year. Hahn's financial support, like all Newsroom Partners and Richland Source memberships, goes directly to newsroom operations.

Hahn said he will keep providing financial support and encouragement to organizations involved in growth of downtown, including the Richland Area Chamber and Economic Development, Richland County Development Group and Richland Source.

He is willing to work with new organizations that could add value to downtown Mansfield, too.

It seems like the more you give away, the more you get back. It really does, he said.

Our business has grown substantially over the years, and I like to think that's because of the example that we set, along with positive things we do for our clients.

Hahn said he tries to set an example for businesses, including other newsroom partners for Richland Source. He hopes the owners want to participate in community development when they see what he and other groups have done.

Many positive things have occurred in Mansfield over the years. Hahn said the concept of downtown Mansfield being unsafe has changed drastically with Richland Carrousel Park, Little Buckeye Childrens Museum and more businesses operating and flourishing.

However, Hahn said there is still much to do. Empty storefronts can be found in every block. Buildings with historical value are not fully occupied.

The long-time downtown resident said he hopes to see more restaurants and businesses utilize the space and more people, especially young professionals, move to the area. That is the vibrant downtown he is looking for in the future.

Hahn also said in the long term, he hopes Mansfield could be a place where development groups in other communities would like to visit and learn about the experiences.

Mansfield has got some momentum, he said, such as being ranked seventh in the country for significant economic projects per capita for areas under 200,000 in population. He hopes the city will keep hitting more of those types of indicators to attract the publics attention.

To help the city move forward, Hahn said he will keep supporting the community like he always does. And he expects Richland Source, as a local news organization, to keep holding the government and the groups involved in community affairs accountable.

As a certified financial planner, Hahn said he is very transparent with the business because people look over his shoulder in every transaction.

He expects to see the same transparency in local government and organizations that handle public issues. It would convince him and other donors to support the effort in the community.
MANSFIELD -- Richland County commissioners on Tuesday cleared up some "old business," approving funds for a COVID-19 vaccine public information campaign and awarding an economic development contract to the Richland Community Development Group.

Commissioners unanimously approved a $15,000 contribution for a "hyper-local" educational marketing campaign aimed at informing the public about the availability, efficacy and safety of free COVID-19 vaccines, matching the $15,000 agreed to by the City of Mansfield.

Richland Public Health, Destination Mansfield-Richland County and the Richland Area Chamber & Economic Development are each contributing $1,000, which will give the the Richland County Unified Messaging Team a war chest of $33,000 to use in rebooting its Count On Me Richland County campaign during the pandemic.

Both the city and the county will use CARES Act funds left over from 2020.

The campaign is a local collaboration led by Richland Public Health, Destination Mansfield-Richland County, DRM Productions, Integrity Project Management, OhioHealth, Richland Area Chamber & Economic Development, and the Richland County Foundation.

The group asked commissioners for $25,000 in April, but the county's three-member leadership board balked, asking the City of Mansfield also be asked to donate funds.

Dr. Julie Chaya from Richland Public Health, Jodie Perry, president and CEO of the Richland Area Chamber & Economic Development and Jay Miller, owner of DRM Productions, returned to commissioners on Tuesday with a renewed request after the city agreed to participate.

The trio said pandemic landscape had changed since it made its initial request. Gov. Mike DeWine has ordered all health restrictions across the state be lifted June 2 and has also modified state rules to follow recent CDC guidelines that say vaccinated people do not need to wear a mask in most settings.

The group said their informational effort will focus on educating the public about vaccines. As of Tuesday afternoon, 43 percent of Ohio residents have started the vaccination process.

In Richland County, as of Monday, just more than 40 percent of residents have received at least one dose.

"We want to build vaccination confidence in Richland County," Chaya said, indicating a focus would be on the county's underserved Black and Brown population. "We want to create a hyper-local outreach program to educate and encourage people about the vaccine."

The group said the campaign will focus on family members, friends and community leaders helping non-vaccinated residents to make an informed decision.

Commissioners opted for an amount $10,000 lower than requested. But the group, armed with $15,000 from the City of Mansfield, will have $5,000 more to spend than initially anticipated.

Even with the lower amount, commissioners told the group they questioned the effectiveness of a vaccination campaign at this point, saying county residents are aware of the vaccines and some are just not willing to get them yet.

"Since you last approached us, I have talked to residents and business owners about (your) proposal. And the overwhelming response is 'Why would we spend tens of thousands of dollars to tell people what they already know?'" Commissioner Cliff Mears said. "(COVID-19 case) numbers are going down dramatically.

"The communication about vaccines is out there already. I think you are going to spend a lot of money for very little return."

The group told commissioners their local outreach efforts indicated there are still 30 to 40 percent of county residents who have made up their minds yet and that the educational campaign could still make a difference.

In awarding a one-year, $100,000 economic development contract to RCDG (with options to renew annually for three years), commissioners said they are confident taxpayers will see a return for their investment.

"There is an expectation of business and job growth," Commissioner Tony Vero said. "Tangible, quantifiable data that our county is growing economically. That's the expectations of taxpayers and that's the expectations of this office."

Perry, whose organization includes RCDG, said one plan is to add an economic development communications position to assist in promoting the county.

"What you will see is us reporting out to the community about the work we are doing," Perry said. "You should see news about business expansions and hopefully attracting new businesses to town.

"It's been a busy year already. We haven't landed any huge contracts yet, but we are having a lot of conversations and we are seeing expansions of businesses already located here."
This 10-part series highlights the 2021 McGowan Courage Award nominees. Brought to you by the Mansfield Rotary Club.

MANSFIELD  Karmen Peterson grew up with a positive attitude, always smiling and doing her best to make others happy. But in middle school, it became more difficult when she was diagnosed with autoimmune disease and started showing signs of depression.

Peterson and her parents discovered that something was wrong when she was in the sixth grade and started having mononucleosis (mono) twice a year.

I didn't realize that I had so many [diseases] until eighth grade when I got a severe concussion and went to [Nationwide Childrens] for a whole bunch of testing, Peterson said.

Peterson was also diagnosed with Celiac Disease, Epstein Barr Virus and Fibromyalgia. Although she had no idea what those diseases meant at first, she did research and realized how much her sudden mood changes and weariness made sense.

I don't think that people really understand, which is really hard, especially having [my diagnosis] from such a young age, Peterson said. You want people to understand how you're feeling and why you're feeling it, but no one really does.

So, it does make me annoyed sometimes when my friends get annoyed that I can't do something because I'm tired and just think I'm making excuses But the good friends I have now have learned [the] signs of when I'm tired, and they understand, she continued.

Peterson found it hard to deal with all of her health issues at first, unable to understand why she had to be in constant pain every single day. But the longer she dealt with it, the more she realized she would have to for the rest of her life.

Rather than continuing to feel sorry for herself, Peterson looked for ways to soothe the pain and tried to get back to having a more positive outlook. She found that acupuncture and going to the chiropractor helped, and that her body would react positively when she was in a better mood.

Learning to overcome the obstacles in her way and make the best of her situation has earned Peterson the 2021 McGowan Courage Award for Mansfield Senior High School.

I think it's kind of crazy that [my autoimmune diseases] have helped me get an award. I never really think of them that way, Peterson said. To me... they're a part of my day to day life and they have been for so many years that I'm just kind of immune to them. So, the fact that I can get recognized for them is just kind of crazy.

Peterson will attend Ashland University, majoring in nursing to become a pediatric nurse. Ever since she was a little girl, she knew she wanted to be in the medical field. With everything shes gone through since she was a child, she wants to help children who are going through similar situations as her.

I definitely don't have as much energy as most kids my age, but I think having [health issues] for so many years... So I just kind of push through it, because I know I'm going to have it for the rest of my life," Peterson said. I'm not going to let it stop me. Obviously I can't do as much, but I tried to do as much as I can.

The 2021 McGowan Courage Awards are supported by these sponsors:

Premier Sponsor:

Ohio Health

Gold Sponsors:

Shelby Rotary

Mechanics Bank

Park National Bank

North Central State College

Other sponsors:

Mansfield Art Center

Renaissance

Richland Source
Richmond, KY (40475)

Today

Scattered thunderstorms during the morning becoming more widespread this afternoon. High 81F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 80%..

Tonight

Scattered thunderstorms early, then partly cloudy after midnight. Low 67F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 50%.
Editor

I have been editor of the Rockdale Citizen since 1996 and editor of the Newton Citizen since it began publication in 2004. I am also currently executive editor of the Clayton News Daily, Henry Daily Herald and Jackson Progress-Argus.
Rocky Mount, NC (27804)

Today

Cloudy early, then thunderstorms developing this afternoon. High 84F. Winds SW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 80%. Locally heavy rainfall possible..

Tonight

Thunderstorms likely this evening. Then a chance of scattered thunderstorms overnight. Low near 70F. Winds W at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 90%.
Minister Daryanani Presents Tourism Vision to Associations

Following on from last weeks Government statement regarding the expected Tourism from the UK this summer, the Minister for Tourism, Hon Vijay Daryanani MP, has met with the Chamber of Commerce, the Federation of Small Businesses and the Hotel Association to explain the Governments vision for tourism in Gibraltar this year and the future in general.

Mr Daryanani highlighted that we must grasp at this unique opportunity to cement Gibraltars reputation as a first class city break in Europe. He went on to underline the importance of providing a high level of customer care and the kind of welcome that our community is well known for.

Minister Daryanani said,  Our business community has been through an extremely difficult year and everyone is waiting for the return of Tourism and the economic activity that comes with it. I was delighted to see during my meetings that everyone was on board with my ideas and wanted to make this a huge community effort. It is not only about this year; it is about the years to come. Our hotels are starting to fill up, and there is an exciting vibe around Gibraltar once again.
Help Our Community

Please help local businesses by taking an online survey to help us navigate through these unprecedented times. None of the responses will be shared or used for any other purpose except to better serve our community. The survey is at: www.pulsepoll.com $1,000 is being awarded. Everyone completing the survey will be able to enter a contest to Win as our way of saying, "Thank You" for your time. Thank You!

Take The Survey
Peterborough - Eva H. Sacharuk died, peacefully, at her home in Peterborough, N.H. on June 1, 2021. Before moving to Peterborough in 2019, she was a long-time resident of Wenham, Massachusetts where she raised her family with her husband Serge since 1960. Eva is survived by her loving husban
Associated PressA wall surrounds Bagram Air Base northwest of the capital Kabul, Afghanistan, Monday, May 3, 2021. As US troops pack up to leave Afghanistan after nearly 20 years of war, the Americans are dismantling their portion of Bagram, their largest remaining outpost in Afghanistan, and anything that they are not taking home or giving to the Afghan military, they destroy as completely as possible.
LILLINGTON  A Fayetteville man was arrested Saturday after allegedly trying to intentionally wreck a Harnett County deputys car.

Xavier Michaud Shannon Martin, 29, of Dunblane Way, Fayetteville, was booked into jail on felony charge of fleeing in a motor vehicle to elude arrest, according to Harnett County Sheriffs Office arrest report. Additional charges were filed against Martin on Sunday after drugs were found in his vehicle, the report said.

About 10:30 p.m. Saturday, Deputy C.M. Collins was dispatched to a reported of trespassing at Highland Elementary School, 1915 Buffalo Lake Road, the report said.

Multiple vehicles were in the parking lot when Collins arrived. One driver was doing donuts and driving recklessly, the report said.

When Collins pulled into the parking lot, the other vehicles began to leave.

Collins activated the blue lights and siren on his patrol car and pursued one of the fleeing vehicles  driven by Martin  onto Buffalo Lake Road, headed toward N.C. 27 West. Martin turned right on the highway and traveled east in the direction of Lillington.

About 4 miles later, as Martin approached Talon Drive, he abruptly slowed his vehicle, the report said. Collins said he turned into the opposite lane to avoid a collision, but Martin swerved into the path of the patrol vehicle and collided with it.

Both vehicles came to a stop and Collins arrested Martin, whose bail was set at $25,000.

Collins filed the additional charges after a search of Martins vehicle turned up three individually packed containers of marijuana and two packaged containers of THC resin, according to the report.

Subsequently, Martin was charged with sale or delivery of a controlled substance and misdemeanor possession of a controlled substance. Bail on those charges was set at $15,000, bringing total bail for Martin to $40,000.
Gibraltar Ready to Welcome Back Cruise Ships

The Minister for Business, Tourism, Transport and the Port has announced that Gibraltar is now ready to welcome back cruise ships, their passengers and their crew.

The Port of Gibraltar and the Gibraltar Tourist Board have continued to work proactively during this pandemic to support the cruise industry. These efforts were recognised by MedCruise during the second edition of the Associations awards where Gibraltar was named as the Western Mediterranean MedCruise port showing the greatest commitment during the pandemic.

Minister for Business, Tourism, Transport and the Port, the Hon Vijay Daryanani MP said: With the necessary safety protocols now in place, I am pleased to announce that Gibraltar is now ready to welcome back cruise ships. I have been discussing the resumption of cruise calls now for a while with cruise executives and we have worked hard to ensure that we can make this happen. The local shore excursion agents and shipping agents are also now prepared to continue their excellent tasks. In addition, the cruise companies have carried out impressive work in terms of on-board testing and screening facilities, which will be part of their protocols.

Gibraltar offers many advantages for cruise itineraries with our excellent port facilities and our great range of shore excursion opportunities. The proximity of the port to the city centre is a great advantage, where transit times for passengers to enjoy the uniqueness of the destination are minimal, a fact that is often welcomed by passengers and shore excursion management teams. Thanks to the assistance offered by the Government in the UK, the population of Gibraltar is fully vaccinated, making us one of the safest destinations in Europe to travel to at present.

Aside from many of the physical protocols that will remain in place, if passengers and crew have either a valid PCR or lateral flow test taken up to 72 hours before arrival they will be able to disembark and visit Gibraltar.

I have now written to all the cruise lines that normally call at Gibraltar and others I would like to attract or welcome back, to let them know that we are open for business again.

I am committed to rebuilding this important source of revenue for our tourism, retail, leisure and hospitality industry and we look forward to welcoming cruise ships and their passengers and crew to Gibraltar.
CLIFTON PARK

Albany woman arrested accused of fleeing Troopers for third time
Close

Artificial intelligence is the bread and butter of Google's business. So this year, the company showed a next-generation AI that can make natural conversations of any topic from the point of view of any object. This new technology is called Language Model for Dialogue Applications (LaMDA).

Google said that they could one day supercharge the ability of LaMDA's conversational AI assistants to allow people to have natural, open-ended conversations about any topic with Google AI.

"It's really impressive to see how LaMDA can carry on a conversation about any topic," said Google CEO Sundar Pichai according to The Verge. "It's amazing how sensible and interesting the conversation is. But it's still early research, so it doesn't get everything right."

LaMDA is still in the research phase, although this "breakthrough conversation technology" is expected to have huge implications for existing products of Google like its search engine and Assistant.



LaMDA AI-Language Demonstration

In a blog post, Google wrote that the conversational skills of LaMDA have been years in the making. It is built on earlier Google research in 2020 that showed Transformer-based language models trained on dialogue could learn to talk virtually about any topic.

Since then, Google has trained LaMDA to significantly improve its sensibleness in conversations, specifically on its responses.

To demonstrate its conversational ability, Google showed it off during the I/O Conference where it showed two short conversations conducted by LaMDA in the point of view of the dwarf planet Pluto and a paper airplane.

Google CEO Sundar Pichai noted that the model was able to refer to facts and events throughout its conversation. This includes the time when the New Horizons probe visited Pluto in 2015.

ALSO READ: AI-Powered Albert Einstein Answers Questions From Fans





Google's MUM AI and Improvements in Google Maps

Another highlight of the I/O Conference aside from LaMDA is Google's Multitask Unified Model (MUM). It is an AI that boosts understanding of human questions and improves search.

According to Vox, MUM's job is to simplify search online by understanding implicit comparisons in an inquiry and provide the most appropriate answer.

It can process visual information aside from the verbal input, and can also find answers to questions in other languages.

Google announced that it is looking into ways bias can be built into MUM and will be trying to reduce its carbon footprint on the planet.

But aside from LaMDA and MUM, Google also presented new ways AI was being used to boost the detail and routes in Google Maps as it plans to make over 100 different improvements to the app's features using AI.

Why Talking to an AI is Important?

The demos were quite impressive for a technology that is still in the testing stage. LaMDA was able to have conversations by pretending to be two different objects.

Pushing the boundaries of language understanding, Google has spearheaded the use of machine learning techniques of Transformers that are exceptional at handling language and underpin the works of OpenAI's GPT-3.

With much of Google's AI work revolving around retrieving information, whether it is translating languages or understanding what users are searching for, LaMDA serves a crucial purpose in improving its products.

According to The Verge, LaMDA could turn searching using on the phone into a natural and flowing conversation.



RELATED ARTICLE: Microsoft Acquires Exclusive License for OpenAI's GPT-3 Language Model



Check out more news and information on Artificial Intelligence on Science Times.
Saturday Night Live for National Week 2021 Programme of Events

As recently confirmed, a local Music Festival will be part of the National Week celebrations this year. The event is being produced by Gibraltar Cultural Services and the producers of Friday Night Live.

GCS has said it is excited to be working with Dion Mifsud and Nolan Frendo on this valuable project and event.

However, the Organisers have decided to move the event to Saturday 4th September to allow more musicians to take part and more people in the community to attend and be part of the show.

The event will feature a wide variety of musicians with performers of all ages represented. The show is planned to start at one in the afternoon and run until midnight with performers on stage for sets of either half an hour or forty-five minutes. The programme will include a broad range of musical styles and will see a few special collaborations to include a 70s, 80s and 90s band based on the popularity of the online edition.
Close

The famed Darwin's arch rock formation in Galapagos Islands is located 600 miles (965 km) west of Ecuador. It is named after British biologist Charles Darwin who visited the islands in 1835.

According to Britannica, Galapagos was formed between five million to nine million years ago, making it geologically young. It was first discovered in 1535 by the bishop of Panama, Tomas de Berlanga, whose ship got lost en route to Peru.

Almost two centuries passed since Charles Darwin visited the islands, in which he based his famous book "On the Origin of Species (1859)," the famous rock formation in which he was named after collapsed and was even video recorded by the tourists aboard a boat in a once-in-a-lifetime experience.

Darwin's Arch Collapsed

Tourists are not allowed to set foot on Darwin's Arch or the island, but in unexpected front-row seats to a once-in-a-lifetime event, tourists aboard a boat in the Galapagos Islands have witnessed the famous rock formation of Darwin's Arch collapsed, Traveller reported.

According to the divers aboard the Galapagos Aggressor Adventures III, they watched as the Darwin's Arch falls into the sea leaving behind two pillars.

They posted their experience on Facebook with a caption: "There are now only two pillars remaining. Some in the dive & travel industry are already referring to this now as 'The Pillars of Evolution'. We will miss this iconic site."

Darwin's Arch was once part of Darwin's Island and was famous for the variety of underwater life it hosts, including schools of hammerhead sharks, according to a report of South China Morning Post.

Galapagos Conservancy director of conservation Washington Tapia said that people from Galapagos felt nostalgic because the arch is a familiar rock formation in the area for many years.

ALSO READ: The Galapagos Sees Record Increase in Its Endemic Penguins and Cormorants





What Caused the Collapse of Darwin's Arch?

BBC News reported that the collapse of Darwin's Arch is confirmed by the Ecuadorian Ministry of Environment, saying that it collapsed due to natural erosion.

Tapia said that the collapse of the rock formation was a shock not only to the people in Galapagos Islands but to the whole world as well. But the cause of the collapse is part of a natural process, such as weathering and erosion that typically happens on Earth.

The Ministry of Environment further said that the site of Darwin's Arch is one of the best places on Earth to dive and observe the marine ecosystems as it is teeming with schools of sharks and other species.

Jen Jones of charity Galapagos Conservation Trust said that the loss of Darwin's Arch is a reminder of how fragile the world is and that it was truly a remarkable landscape of the planet.

"It really was an icon of the Galapagos landscape and a marker for one of the most awe-inspiring wildlife experiences on Earth, as beneath the waves can be found one of the largest aggregations of sharks in the world," she said, according to the Traveller.



RELATED ARTICLE: Diego the Giant Tortoise Returns Home to Galapagos After 5 Decades of Reproducing in Captivity



Check out more news and information about the Galapagos Islands in Science Times.
In partnership with the Container Control Programme (CCP) run jointly by the World Customs Organization (WCO) and the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), the WCO COPES Programme1 organized a training course which was delivered online to Algeria Customs from 16 to 20 May 2021.

The training course brought together 23 officials from Algerian Customs Port Control Units (PCUs) and Air Cargo Control Units (ACCUs).

As part of the fight against illicit goods transported in sea or air containers, the CCP is setting up PCUs and ACCUs in the key seaports and airports of recipient countries. Staff working in these units are therefore benefiting from training courses provided to build their capacity in terms of targeting and risk management as well as in terms of establishing Customs infringements and gathering evidence. In this way, staff will be able to expedite effective controls while minimizing disruption to the flow of legitimate trade.

The course was organized with the above objectives in mind. After the COPES Programme and its team had been presented and the course participants introduced, the agenda for the week was structured around the full spectrum of Customs enforcement activities from establishing an offence, via the methods for gathering evidence and conducting seizures, right up to securing a conviction.

For further information about the COPES Programme, please contact: COPES@wcoomd.org.

For further information about the CCP, please contact: Norbert.Steilen@wcoomd.org.
Church Events Stay in the loop on church events in West Central Louisiana.

Weekend Edition A recap of the most pertinent stories of the week - delivered straight to your inbox!

Arts & Entertainment
GAZA CITY  Israeli warplanes have unleashed a series of heavy airstrikes at several locations of Gaza City.

Explosions rocked the city from north to south for 10 minutes early Monday.

The airstrikes were heavier, on a wider area and lasted longer than a series of air raids 24 hours earlier in which 42 Palestinians were killed. That attack was the deadliest single attack in the latest round of violence between Israel ad the Hamas militant group that rules Gaza.

In a brief statement, the Israel Defense Forces says only that IDF fighter jets are striking terror targets in the Gaza Strip.

___

TOP NEWS IN THE ISRAELI-PALESTINIAN CONFLICT:

 Israeli airstrikes on Gaza City flatten three buildings and kill at least 42 people on Sunday

 An AP reporter documents the terrifying final minutes of leaving the Gaza office before it is blown up by the Israelis

 An Israeli airstrike destroys a high-rise building that housed The Associated Press office in the Gaza Strip despite urgent demands by the news agency to halt. AP's top editor called for an independent investigation into the airstrike.

 Protesters in major US cities urge Israelis to halt attacks on the Gaza Strip

 French police use tear gas to quell pro-Palestinian march that was banned in Paris

___

RABAT, Morocco  Moroccans have taken to the streets in the capital and other cities to protest Israeli air raids on Gaza during clashes with the Hamas extremist group that rules the Palestinian territory.

Sizeable demonstrations were held Sunday across the North African kingdom, including in Casablanca, the countrys largest city, where thousands waved Palestinian flags and chanted slogans denouncing Israels military actions. Protesters also gathered outside the Parliament building in Rabat.

In December, Morocco announced it had resumed relations with Israel as part of a U.S. brokered deal. As part of the agreement, the United States agreed to recognize Moroccos claim over the disputed Western Sahara region.

On Friday, Moroccan King Mohammed VI ordered forty tons of aid to be be shipped to the West Bank and Gaza in solidarity with Palestinians in the wake of recent clashes.

___

UNITED NATIONS  The three U.N. Security Council nations trying to get the U.N.s most powerful body to take action on the escalating violence between Israel and Gazas Hamas rulers say they are still trying to get the U.S. to support a statement including a call to end the fighting.

China, Norway and Tunisia tried unsuccessfully at closed meetings Monday and Wednesday to get agreement on a council statement. Diplomats say the U.S. argued such a statement could interfere with diplomatic efforts to de-escalate the situation.

There also was no agreement at Sundays first open meeting on the violence.

The ambassadors of China, Norway and Tunisia issued a joint statement on the Gaza conflict demanding an immediate end of all acts of violence, provocation and destruction.

___

PARIS  A media watchdog group is asking the International Criminal Court to investigate Israels bombing of buildings housing The Associated Press and other media organizations in Gaza as a possible war crime.

The Paris-based Reporters Without Borders says in a letter to the courts chief prosecutor that the offices of 23 international and local media organizations have been destroyed over the past six days.

The group says the Israeli militarys intentional targeting of media organizations and intentional destruction of their equipment could violate one of the courts statues. It says the attacks serve to reduce, if not neutralize, the medias capacity to inform the public.

Israels military says Hamas was operating inside the building where AP had offices and accused the militant group of using journalists as human shields.

AP journalists and other tenants were safely evacuated after the Israeli military warned of an imminent strike Saturday.

___

UNITED NATIONS -- Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi is urging the United States to join the 14 other members of the U.N. Security Council and support a statement urging a halt to violence between Israel and the Palestinians in Gaza.

He also wants the U.S. to support calling for a two-state solution to the decades-old Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

Wang chaired a high-level emergency meeting of the Security Council on Sunday and said the dangerous and urgent situation calls for an immediate cease-fire.

He urges Israel to exercise restraint, stop evictions and settlement expansion, put an end to the violence, threats and provocations against Muslims and respect the status quo of holy sites in Jerusalem. He says Palestinians must avoid steps that would escalate the situation, avoid civilian casualties and work for an immediate de-escalation.

___

UNITED NATIONS  The U.S. ambassador to the United Nations says the United States has been working tirelessly through diplomatic channels to try to end the conflict between Palestinians in Gaza and Israel, and is warning that the current cycle of violence will only put a negotiated two-state solution to the decades-old Israeli-Palestinian conflict further out of reach.

Linda Thomas-Greenfield told a high-level emergency meeting of the U.N. Security Council that President Joe Biden spoke to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas on Saturday and Secretary of State Antony Blinken has spoken with senior Israeli, Palestinian and regional leaders.

At the same meeting, Israels U.N. ambassador called the rocket attacks launched by Gazas Hamas rulers against Israel completely premeditated to gain political power and replace the Palestinian Authority as the leader of the Palestinians.

He said the rocketing of Israel was part of a vicious plan by Hamas, which not only seeks the destruction of Israel but is vying to take power in the West Bank and was frustrated when Abbas postponed elections last month that would have been the first in 15 years.

___

THE HAGUE, Netherlands  Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte says he has spoken to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, urging them to end violence and expressing support for mediation by Egypt and the United States.

Rutte said in a statement Sunday that the Netherlands stands ready to help using its good relations with Israel, the Palestinian Authority, Egypt and the U.S.

He says that a further escalation and yet more Palestinian and Israeli civilian casualties must be avoided.

Rutte says Israel has the right to defend itself against rocket attacks but says the country must act proportionally within the borders of international law.

___

UNITED NATIONS  Palestinian Foreign Minister Riad Al-Malki is accusing Israel of committing war crimes and crimes against humanity in Gaza and carrying out a policy of apartheid in Jerusalem.

Al-Malki told a high-level emergency meeting of the U.N. Security Council on Sunday that there are no words that can describe the horrors that our people are enduring, listing families and children and infants killed by Israeli airstrikes.

Israel is killing Palestinians in Gaza, one family at a time, he said. Israel is trying to uproot Palestinians from Jerusalem. Its expelling families, one home, neighborhood at a time. Israel is executing our people, committing war crimes and crimes against humanity.

___

ISRAEL  Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Sunday renewed his claim that a Gaza building leveled by an Israeli airstrike housed a Hamas office as well as American and Middle East news organizations, but gave no evidence.

Netanyahu spoke to CBSs Face the Nation about ongoing violence between Israeli forces and the armed Palestinian group Hamas, and about Saturdays airstrike that leveled the building housing Gaza offices of the Associated Press and Al Jazeera news organizations. Its a perfectly legitimate target, he said.

Asked if he had provided any evidence of Hamas presence in the building in a call later Saturday with President Joe Biden, Netanyahu said, We pass it through our intelligence people.

Netanyahu gave no time frame for when Israel would be ready to halt its side of the fighting after nearly a week of Israeli airstrikes and Hamas rocket barrages. We hope that it doesnt continue very long, but we were attacked by Hamas, he said.

Asked about reports that Hamas had agreed to an Egypt-brokered cease-fire but Israel had not, he said, Thats not what I know.

___

UNITED NATIONS -- A U.N. Mideast envoy says the Israeli offensive in the Gaza Strip has displaced some 34,000 Palestinians from their homes.

Tor Wennesland told the Security Council on Sunday that over 40 U.N. schools in Gaza have been turned into shelters. He says the schools have limited water and no access to food or health care, and serve for protection purposes only.

After nearly a week of fighting, Wennesland called for calm and said further escalation would have devastating consequences for both Palestinians and Israelis.

He called Hamas rocket fire from civilian neighborhoods in Gaza into Israeli population centers a violation of international law. He also urged Israel to show maximum restraint to spare civilians and civilian objects in its operations in Gaza.

___

GAZA CITY, Gaza Strip  Israeli airstrikes on Gaza City flattened three buildings and killed at least 42 people Sunday, medics said. It is the deadliest single attack since heavy fighting broke out between Israel and the territorys militant Hamas rulers nearly a week ago.

The violence, which came as international mediators worked to broker a cease-fire and stave off an Israeli ground invasion of the territory, marked the worst fighting here since the devastating 2014 war in Gaza.

The airstrikes Sunday hit a busy downtown street of residential buildings and storefronts over the course of five minutes just after midnight, destroying two adjacent buildings and one about 50 yards (meters) down the road.

___

UNITED NATIONS  The United Nations chief is appealing to Israelis and Palestinians in Gaza to immediately stop the utterly appalling escalation in fighting and senseless cycle of bloodshed, terror and destruction at the start of a high-level emergency meeting of the U.N. Security Council.

Secretary-General Antonio Guterres told the virtual meeting on Sunday that the United Nations is actively engaging all sides towards an immediate cease-fire.

He warned that the most serious escalation in violence in Gaza in years only perpetuates the cycles of death, destruction and despair, and pushes farther to the horizon any hopes of coexistence and peace.

The open meeting is scheduled to be addressed by the Palestinian foreign minister and the foreign ministers of Jordan, Egypt, China, Tunisia, Norway, Ireland, Algeria and the deputy foreign minister of Russia along with ambassadors from other nations on the 15-member council, an Israeli representative and the head of the Arab League.

Guterres said he is appalled by the increasingly large numbers of Palestinian civilian casualties from Israeli airstrikes, and deplores Israeli casualties from rockets launched from Gaza. He called the destruction of media offices in Gaza extremely concerning, stressing that journalists must be allowed to work free of fear and harassment.

___

GAZA CITY, Gaza Strip  The Gaza Health Ministry says the death toll from Israeli strikes on a main thoroughfare in Gaza City has climbed to 33, including 12 women and eight children.

It was the deadliest single attack since heavy fighting between Israel and Gazas Hamas rulers erupted nearly a week ago. The airstrikes hit Wahda Street, a major thoroughfare.

The ministry says another 50 people were wounded in the strikes early Sunday, mostly women and children.

There was no immediate comment from the Israeli military.

___

ISTANBUL  Turkeys state-run Anadolu news agency has offered to share its Gaza offices with The Associated Press and Al Jazeera after Israel bombed the building that housed the media offices.

Anadolu said its Director-General Serdar Karagoz made the offer in letters to AP President and CEO Gary Pruitt and Al-Jazeeras chairman.

Karagoz said the Turkish wire service was appalled by the Israeli militarys targeting of media offices.

Since this recent conflict has escalated over the past week, there is an apparent pattern of targeting journalists who are carrying out their professional duties so as to block coverage of the situation on the ground, Karagoz said.

___

BRUSSELS  The European Unions foreign policy chief says the 27-nation blocs foreign ministers will talk Tuesday about what the EU can do to help end the current round of Israeli-Palestinian violence.

Josep Borrell tweeted Sunday that he convened the special videoconference in view of the ongoing escalation between Israel and Palestine and the unacceptable number of civilian casualties.

He added that we will coordinate and discuss how the EU can best contribute to end the current violence.

The latest outbreak of violence began in east Jerusalem earlier this month, when Palestinians protested attempts by settlers to forcibly evict a number of Palestinian families from their homes and Israeli police measures at Al-Aqsa Mosque. Gazas militant Hamas rulers fired rockets toward Jerusalem late Monday, triggering an Israeli assault on Gaza.

___

VATICAN CITY  Pope Francis has denounced the unacceptable spiral of violence between Israel and the Palestinians, saying the deaths in particular of children was a sign that they dont want to build the future but want to destroy it.

Francis prayed for peace, calm and international help to open a path of dialogue during his Sunday blessing, delivered from his studio window overlooking St. Peters Square.

The pope said: I ask myself: this hatred and vendetta, what will it bring? Do we truly think that we can build peace by destroying the other?

In unusually pointed comments, Francis added: In the name of God, who created all human beings equal in rights, duties and dignity and are called to live as brothers, I appeal for calm and an end to the violence.

Israeli airstrikes have been pounding Gaza City for days as heavy fighting has broken out between Israel and the territorys militant Hamas rulers. The Gaza Health Ministry said 10 women and eight children were among the 26 people killed in Sundays airstrikes, with another 50 people wounded in the attack.

___

JERUSALEM  Israeli airstrikes on Gaza City flattened three buildings and killed at least 23 people on Sunday, medics said, making it the deadliest single attack since heavy fighting broke out between Israel and the territorys militant Hamas rulers nearly a week ago.

The Gaza Health Ministry said another 50 people were wounded in the attack. Rescuers were racing to pull survivors and bodies from the rubble.

Earlier, the Israeli military said it destroyed the home of Gazas top Hamas leader in a separate strike. It was the third such attack in the last two days.

Israel appears to have stepped up strikes in recent days to inflict as much damage as possible on Hamas as efforts to broker a cease-fire accelerate. A U.S. diplomat is in the region to try to de-escalate tensions, and the U.N. Security Council is set to meet Sunday.

The military said it struck the homes of Yehiyeh Sinwar, the most senior Hamas leader inside the territory, and his brother Muhammad, another senior Hamas member. On Saturday it destroyed the home of Khalil al-Hayeh, a senior figure in Hamas political branch.

Brig. Gen. Hidai Zilberman confirmed the strike on Sinwars house in the southern Gaza town of Khan Younis to army radio.

___

JERUSALEM  The Israeli military said Sunday it destroyed the home of Gazas top Hamas leader, the third such attack in as many days, after nearly a week of heavy Israeli airstrikes on the territory. The Palestinian militant group ruling Gaza has fired hundreds of rockets into Israel.

Israel appears to have stepped up strikes in recent days to inflict as much damage as possible on Hamas as efforts to broker a cease-fire accelerate. A U.S. diplomat is in the region to try to de-escalate tensions, and the U.N. Security Council is set to meet Sunday.

The military said it struck the homes of Yehiyeh Sinwar, the most senior Hamas leader inside the territory, and his brother Muhammad, another senior Hamas member. On Saturday it destroyed the home of Khalil al-Hayeh, a senior figure in Hamas political branch.

___

GAZA CITY, Gaza Strip  Israeli warplanes have struck several buildings and roads in a vital part of Gaza City early Sunday.

According to photos circulated by residents and journalists, the airstrikes created a crater that blocked one of the main roads leading to Shifa, the largest hospital in the strip.

The Health Ministry said the latest airstrikes left at least two dead and 25 wounded, including children and women. It said rescuers are still digging through the rubble and had so far pulled up five more wounded.

Two hours into the heavy bombardment, there has been no comment from the Israeli military.
KYIV, Ukraine (AP)  A Belarusian military jet crashed Wednesday, killing both pilots, the military said.

Belarus' Defense Ministry said the Russian-built Yak-130 trainer jet crashed near the western city of Baranovichi on a training flight.

It said the plane had an unspecified technical problem and the crew tried to take it away from residential areas before ejecting. They eventually bailed out but died.

The ministry said there were no casualties or damage on the ground. A military panel headed to the area to conduct a probe.

The Yak-130 is a twin-engine, two-seat combat trainer and light ground attack aircraft. It's in service in Russia, Belarus and several other nations.
LOS ANGELES (AP)  The savage and sloppy manner in which Robert Durst dismembered a man he accidentally killed in Texas helps prove the New York real estate heir didnt murder his best friend or kill his wife, his lawyer said Wednesday.

Durst's amateurish efforts to dispose of the body of Morris Black after fatally shooting him in Galveston in 2001 left a trail of evidence  unlike the clinical crime scene where Susan Berman's body was found or the absence of clues when his wife vanished, attorney Dick DeGuerin said.

A garbage bag floating in Galveston Bay with one of Black's body parts contained a receipt with Durst's name on it, blood from the drifter was discovered in his car, and DNA of the man was found at the crime scene in the multimillionaire's $300-a-month apartment.

There was clues everywhere. Hundreds of clues, DeGuerin told jurors in Los Angeles County Superior Court. Significantly different from whoever killed Susan Berman. Significantly different from the disappearance without a trace of Kathie Durst.

DeGuerin, who represented Durst in the Texas trial in which he was acquitted of murder after claiming he shot Black in self-defense, is aiming for a repeat in Los Angeles, where Durst is charged with murder in Berman's fatal shooting in 2000.

While prosecutors are using the killing of Black as evidence that Durst also knocked off Berman in his efforts to avoid prosecution in his wife's suspected killing in New York in 1982, the defense is trying to use the Texas case to its advantage.

The trial began in March 2020 but was adjourned after six days because of the pandemic. It resumed this week in Inglewood with lawyers making abbreviated opening statements to remind jurors about the evidence.

Deputy District Attorney John Lewin on Tuesday said the three killings are intertwined and Berman and Black were killed to help cover-up the killing of Durst's wife.

"In essence, all three are interrelated," Lewin said. Everything starts with Kathie Dursts disappearance.

Durst has long been suspected of killing Kathie Durst but has never been charged and has denied any role in her disappearance. She's never been found.

DeGuerin said there was no evidence Durst killed his wife or that Berman had helped him cover his tracks by posing as Kathie Durst in a phone call to the dean of the medical school where she was a student.

Kathie Durst disappeared without a trace, DeGuerin said. It was and is a mystery.

Durst fled New York and went into hiding in Texas in November 2000 after Westchester prosecutors reopened the investigation into Kathie Dursts suspected death. He disguised himself as a mute woman and rented an apartment next to Black.

Black was killed because he discovered Dursts identity, Lewin claimed.

But DeGuerin repeated the defense that won over jurors in Galveston in 2003: Black pulled Durst's gun on him and was shot in a struggle for the weapon.

After the killing, Durst smoked pot and drank Jack Daniels whiskey and then went to a hardware store, where he purchased a bow saw, a paring knife, garbage bags and painter's drop cloth to keep things tidy while he hacked up the body, DeGuerin said.

A sickly Durst, 78, seated in a wheelchair in a blue sport coat, faced the jury as DeGuerin described the awful, awful dismemberment. Durst blinked occasionally but no outward sign of emotion was discernible behind his white mask.

DeGuerin said Durst then did what he's done much of his life: he ran just as he had from his rich but dysfunctional family's mansion as a child.

He fled to New Orleans but was arrested when he returned to Galveston to pick up a pair of glasses waiting at an optometrist office.

He doesnt make good decisions, DeGuerin said repeatedly, blaming it partly on a diagnosis that Durst is on the autism spectrum and doesn't interact normally.

Lewin has scoffed at that explanation and played a clip of an interrogation in which Durst acknowledged it was something a psychiatrist made up. Later in the interview, though, Durst said he didn't like communicating with people.

DeGuerin said Durst had nothing to do with Berman's killing.

Bob Durst did not kill Susan Berman and he doesnt know who did, he said. Bob Durst had no motive and nothing to gain by the death of Susan Berman.

Berman, the daughter a Las Vegas mobster who was a writer, had been best pals with Durst since they met on the campus of the University of California, Los Angeles, in the 1960s. DeGuerin showed a photo of a younger bearded Durst, his smiling wife and a beaming Berman at one of her book launches.

Lewin said Berman told friends she helped Durst cover up the killing by phoning in sick for Kathie Durst the day after she was last seen  providing evidence she was alive the day after her husband said he put her on train back to New York City after a weekend at their lakeside cottage.

But DeGuerin said Berman was famous for embellishing stories with lies. Even her friends didnt believe what she told them.

She was a fabulist. She made up stories, he said. "She told lies day in and day out.

DeGuerin said Durst discovered Bermans body when he showed up at her house in Benedict Canyon just before Christmas. The back door was open and she was lying on her back with blood pooled under her black hair.

Durst freaked out, fearing the killer might be there and fled, DeGuerin said. But before leaving town, Durst sent a handwritten note to police with Berman's address and the word CADAVER written in block letters so shed be found.

Until the admission by his lawyer, Durst had always denied writing the note or being at the crime scene. He even told documentary filmmakers and investigators that only the killer could have written the cadaver note.

DeGuerin tried to discredit the filmmakers and suggest that Durst was playing with investigators during an interrogation.

Lewin will get his chance to press Durst on it later in the trial. DeGuerin said he would testify.
In Alaska, West Virginia and other mostly rural states, census takers relied more on the word of neighbors, landlords and others for information about a home's residents. In New Jersey, New York and other more densely populated states in the Mid-Atlantic region, they were more likely to come away from a household lacking basic information on race, sex and ethnic background.

An Associated Press review of the first data-quality measurements released by the U.S. Census Bureau last month shows some early patterns that may point to red flags in the data that could emerge when more detailed numbers from the 2020 census are released in August.

While it's too early to reach any conclusions about the accuracy of the data gathered during the once-a-decade head count, these types of responses  a reliance on proxies for answers and just a head count with no basic demographic information  result in poorer quality data compared to other methods.

Poor quality data can diminish the political power and resources available to communities across the U.S.: Children who are missed in the census deprive communities of money for building schools, and undercounting racial or ethnic minorities prevents them from forming minority-majority political districts.

The bureau released data quality measurements last month as part of an effort to engender confidence in the numbers following a head count challenged by the spread of the new coronavirus, concerns about politicization by the Trump administration and natural disasters. The bureau also is allowing a team of outside statisticians to perform quality checks.

The measurements include state-by-state breakdowns of rates of households that answered the census questionnaire on their own, the percentage of households where a member answered a census taker's questions and the rate of households where information was gathered from administrative records from agencies like the IRS or Social Security Administration. Answers gathered from these methods are considered higher quality than proxies and population-only counts.

We will learn more when smaller geography data is released, said Jan Vink, a demographer at Cornell University.

Besides Alaska and West Virginia, other rural states that had the highest rates of household answers coming from proxies such as neighbors and landlords included Maine, Montana, Vermont and New Mexico. In these states, census takers relied on information from proxies for between almost a quarter and a third of households. Puerto Rico's rate was 37.3%.

Nationally, the rate was 18.2%, a little less than the 2010 rate of 19.5%, but the bureau for the first time used administrative records in 2020, which helped fill in some of those information gaps.

These same states and Puerto Rico are also places where large numbers of households got counted from a bureau operation geared towards rural and remote communities that often lack mail delivery at their homes. Known as Update/Leave," it involved census takers dropping off paper questionnaires at homes. The operation's launch coincided with the coronavirus outbreak in the U.S. in March 2020, and was suspended for two months as the pandemic spread.

While it's too early to reach any conclusions about the fairness or accuracy of the 2020 count, the correlation between the high use of proxies and the fact these states had large numbers of households covered by this operation raises an important red flag that needs to be examined further," said Steven Romalewski, director of the CUNY Mapping Service.

When it came to households where census takers only got a head count without demographic information, the national rate was a 5.9%. But it was higher for states in the Mid-Atlantic region, some with the nation's highest population densities, as well as the District of Columbia. It ranged between almost 8% and 12% for the District of Columbia, New York, Illinois, New Jersey, Maryland and Delaware.

In a statement, the Census Bureau confirmed the findings of the AP review. In 2010, those mostly rural states also had higher rates of proxy responses compared to other states. Residents in these states tend to self-respond at lower rates, requiring census takers to visit their homes, said Mike Bentley, the bureaus assistant division chief for Census Statistical Support.

Regarding the higher head count-only responses in the Mid-Atlantic states, Bentley said, It is something that we are exploring further."

One of the questions the bureau needs to ask is if the failed effort by the Trump administration to add a citizenship question to the 2020 census had a residual effect on residents refusing to provide personal information, said Thomas Saenz, president of the Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund. Saenz also serves on a bureau advisory committee.

At the same time, because of the Trump administration's attempts to politicize the 2020 census, the bureau needs to determine if people were more willing to provide false information about their neighbors or tenants when proxies were used, Saenz said.

If you are a Latino family, and a census taker is asking about you, and your proxy is a Trump lover, is this the first census where we have to worry about whether a proxy lied? Saenz said.

___

Follow Mike Schneider on Twitter at https://twitter.com/MikeSchneiderAP
Thank you for reading!

You have reached your 30-day limit of free access to SentinelSource.com, The Keene Sentinels website. If you would like to read two more articles for free at this time, please register for an account by clicking the sign up button below.

We hope you find The Sentinels coverage of the Monadnock Region valuable. We rely on our subscribers to bring you strong local journalism and hope you will consider supporting our work by taking advantage of this special subscription offer here.
Bloomberg columnist Bobby Ghosh writes on foreign affairs, with a special focus on the Middle East and Africa.
San Francisco police are asking for the publics assistance in locating a murder suspect they have linked to two deadly shootings that occurred just hours apart Saturday in the Potrero Hill neighborhood.

Officials said they have three warrants  two for murder and one for attempted murder  for 32-year-old San Francisco resident Robert Newt, who they described as armed and extremely dangerous.

Investigators said he is known to frequent the Bayview-Hunters Point area and they warned the public not to approach Newt if he is spotted, but to note his location, clothing and vehicle description and immediately call 911.

Police rarely release a suspects identity prior to their arrest, and also took the unusual step of releasing Newts mug shot  a practice they all but ended last year in an effort to prevent racial bias.

Due to the circumstances of these incidents, the need to alert the public and seek public assistance in locating Newt, the release of his photo is permitted by the Departments policy on the release of booking photos, police said in a statement.

Courtesy of SFPD

Newt was arrested last month on firearm charges after police said they linked him to an April 4 shooting that involved dozens of spent shell casings but no injured victims. Prosecutors did not file criminal charges, requesting that police obtain additional evidence to build a case, according to officials with the San Francisco District Attorneys Office.

Saturdays back-to-back shootings took the lives of two men, identified by the San Francisco Medical Examiner as 61-year-old Darryl Haynes and 54-year-old Randy Armstrong. Both were San Francisco residents.

The first shooting on Saturday occurred near 25th and Connecticut streets just after 10 a.m., where officers found a victim suffering from apparent gunshot wounds. The man, later identified as Haynes, was taken to a local hospital, where he was pronounced dead shortly thereafter.

Then at about 12:30 p.m., while police were still investigating the Connecticut Street incident, officers were called to a report of shots fired less than a mile away on Dakota Street. Police found two victims, Armstrong and a 49-year-old man, suffering from gunshot wounds.

Armstrong was pronounced dead at the hospital, while the 49-year-old man was listed on Monday in life-threatening condition. Police said Tuesday that the man remained hospitalized.

Newts arrest a month ago stemmed from an April 4 report of shots fired on the 1300 block of Quint Street, police said. Officers on scene recovered more than 30 shell casings and learned that a male suspect had exited his SUV and fired several rounds at an unknown victim with a semi-automatic firearm, police said in a statement.

Both the victim and suspect had fled the scene by the time officers arrived.

Investigators issued a crime bulletin to all San Francisco police officers, which included a photo of the suspect vehicle, police said. On April 21, officers patrolling the 800 block of Ingerson Avenue spotted the vehicle driving on the wrong side of the road and conducted a traffic stop, police said.

Police said the driver, and sole occupant of the vehicle, was identified as Newt. During a search of his vehicle police found an unserialized and untraceable AR-15-style firearm, the type of weapon commonly referred to as a ghost gun.

Newt was taken into custody and booked on multiple charges including possession of an assault weapon, felon in possession of a firearm, discharging a firearm in a grossly negligent manner and driving without a license, police said.

But Newt was released from jail after the DAs office declined to file charges and sent the case back to police.

This latest revelation comes as District Attorney Chesa Boudin faces a recall campaign and has come under fire from critics who say the progressive prosecutor is too soft on people accused of crimes. Boudin, who ran on a platform of ending mass incarceration, has said he has an obligation not to file charges that cant be proved in a court of law.

When asked why Newt was not charged, District Attorney spokesperson Rachel Marshall said prosecutors requested that police obtain DNA or fingerprint evidence they needed to prosecute the case, which they have not yet received.

This is a common request when we need additional evidence to prove a case, she said. It speaks to the need for developing faster testing processes so that we can more quickly charge cases that require forensic evidence.

Prosecutors said there were several problems with the case police presented that warranted the need for further evidence.

A police report stated that the victim in the April 4 case identified the driver who was shooting as Samoan man, which does not match Newts description. The report also said that the car wasnt registered to Newt, prosecutors said.

Prosecutors said the firearm that police confiscated was found in a duffel bag in the back seat of the vehicle. The registered owner of the vehicle said he had sold the car, and there were reports that multiple people had access to it since, prosecutors said. No witness reports tied Newt to the vehicle prior to police stopping him.

Prosecutors said they could not prove the gun was in Newts possession without fingerprint or DNA evidence.

Police ask that anyone with information regarding these incidents to call the SFPD 24-hour-tip line at 1-415-575-4444, or Text a Tip to TIP411 and begin the message with SFPD. Tipsters may remain anonymous.

Megan Cassidy is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: megan.cassidy@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @meganrcassidy
UPDATE: One of the three Fishermans Wharf restaurants that remained closed since the start of the pandemic, Pompeis Grotto, has now announced that it will reopen sometime this summer. Check back for further updates on this story.

Rumors are swirling over the fate of three long-running Fishermans Wharf restaurants, prompting concerns about the famous San Francisco neighborhood at a time when few tourists are roaming the city.

The restaurants in question are Castagnolas, Tarantinos and Pompeis Grotto, which combined represent 255 years of San Francisco dining history. Some are listed as permanently closed on websites like OpenTable and Yelp, though that designation is not always accurate. But they certainly appear to be closed, with no way to order food and phone lines that have been disconnected.

Still, the pandemic has proven that many restaurants can appear permanently closed and then roar back to life after months of inactivity, That was the case with Geary Boulevard mainstay Tommys Joynt, which local blog Broke-Ass Stuart reported had permanently closed last fall after weeks of rumors. Only then did the owner, restaurateur Chris Henry, emerge to say Tommys Joynt would eventually reopen.

Now, this cluster of Fishermans Wharf restaurants has gone dark, and another blog post from Broke-Ass Stuart questions whether theyll reopen.

Soleil Ho / The Chronicle

Castagnolas, the oldest restaurant on the wharf (it opened in 1916), has been shuttered since shelter-in-place orders first hit last March. There is still furniture sitting inside the restaurant, but the businesss pages on Google, Yelp and OpenTable all mark it as permanently closed. The Chronicle called two owners listed on public records but could not reach them. The union representing Castagnolas workers also did not respond to a request for comment.

Tarantinos, a 75-year-old seafood spot known for its prime waterfront views, also hasnt served diners since last March. Similarly, its listed as permanently closed on Google, Yelp and OpenTable. The windows are covered in plastic, and theres a sign posted outside saying its temporarily closed for remodeling, encouraging diners to visit sister restaurant the Grotto instead. The Grotto, though, is also not serving diners, and its phone line is disconnected.

Soleil Ho / The Chronicle

Tarantinos and the Grotto are both owned by Henry, the owner of Tommys Joynt. The Chronicle reached out to the manager of Henrys restaurant group, who did not respond to multiple requests for comment.

That leaves 75-year-old Pompeis Grotto. While a Google search Tuesday showed the restaurant as open, its actual status is still unclear; its windows are boarded up, its phone line is disconnected and a sign posted announcing a 30-day temporary closure seems to date to March 2020. The Chronicle called an owner listed on public records, who did not respond to a request for comment.

Soleil Ho/The Chronicle

Food Guide Top 25 Restaurants Where to eat in the Bay Area. Find spots near you, create a dining wishlist, and more.

The landlord of Fishermans Wharfs restaurants is the Port of San Francisco, which still has active leases in place for the three restaurants as well as the Grotto. The Port has offered rent relief to tenants  including rent forgiveness  during the pandemic, and its working with more than 200 tenants on such options. But communications director Randy Quezada said none of the aforementioned restaurants have applied for the Ports rent relief programs.

The problem with relying on websites like Google, Yelp and OpenTable for closure information is that they dont necessarily report a permanent closure via the business owner. Yelp instead crowd-sources information from users who flag businesses as closed, information that could stem from media reports or a restaurant merely appearing closed.

A representative for OpenTable said the company looks at a variety of indicators to determine the status of a restaurant, with direct communication with the restaurant owner being most important. Still, she said the priority for OpenTable is ensuring reservation availability is accurate, not whether a restaurant is temporarily or permanently closed.

Fishermans Wharf is primarily a tourist destination, and San Franciscos tourism industry suffered dramatically in 2020. Tourists spent 77.7% less than in 2019, and the total number of tourists dropped by 61%, according to the citys tourism bureau.

Soleil Ho contributed to this report.

Janelle Bitker is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: janelle.bitker@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @janellebitker
While visiting family in Illinois recently, I did something previously unimaginable: I ate indoors. Twice.

Though the familiar sensation of nestling into a cushioned booth seemed like the most banal thing, the act made me want to hold my breath for a beat, as one does when driving through a dark tunnel.

Then I did it again here in the Bay Area, at open, partition-less Nopa, then at the bar inside Oaklands trendy Viridian. Everybody around me was smiling, laughing and breathing, breathing, breathing.

Last year, I decided that I would not dine indoors until I felt that doing so wouldnt put anyone else in danger, including my fellow diners, restaurant workers and other, more vulnerable people that werent even in the same room. With the highly contagious novel coronavirus, an infected person could easily pass the virus along an invisible chain of contact, affecting people far beyond their dinner table. Before these recent meals, it had been 15 months since Id eaten inside a restaurant.

The feelings I have about this return are complicated. When I stood in line at the Moscone Center to get my first vaccination shot, disbelief and hope and apprehension flashed through me in quick succession, and that sense of contradiction has stuck with me. Im grateful for small comforts, like not having to chase after flyaway napkins on windy nights outdoors, and big ones, like knowing that the majority of adults in the Bay Area have gotten vaccinated, too.

But after so many stop-and-start attempts at reopenings here in the Bay Area, and with herd immunity becoming an impossible dream, I still cant let go of the niggling fear that we will always be in crisis. And yet, when I work through those clashing feelings, optimism wins out and indoor reservations follow.

Jessica Christian/The Chronicle

I think its fair to say that weve all been squeezed dry these past 15 months, and that many people are still being actively, oppressively wrung out. Its OK if youre not ready to eat inside a restaurant, either for personal reasons or because you or your loved ones are still vulnerable to the virus. Im not here to judge you either way.

We always have to ponder our feelings after we experience terrible things. I find that the best way out of a spiral is to find footholds in what is concrete. So here are some things that are real, to me, and why I feel OK dining indoors again.

 From my vantage point, the people who wanted vaccines got them  including hospitality workers, who were prioritized thanks to efforts by worker advocates and disability community activists.

Through this pandemic, cooking at a restaurant has been shown to be among the most life-threatening jobs in California. A March study found that restaurants accounted for 7% of the states coronavirus outbreaks in 2021, making them the second most common sites of outbreaks. Part of the reason I felt uncomfortable dining indoors before was not just for my own safety, but for the people who had to work inside those spaces to survive.

There were initially a lot of problems matching supply with demand of vaccines, and many hospitality workers reached out to me, frustrated that they couldnt find appointments. But gradually, people stopped responding when I asked if anybody needed help finding vaccines. According to the latest data obtained by The Chronicle as of this writing, about 53.9% of Californians have received at least one shot of a vaccine.

The level of interest has gone down substantially, so theres thousands of appointments available, Brian Ferguson, spokesperson for the California Governors Office of Emergency Services told The Chronicle earlier this month. Theyre very easy to make.

 The pandemic also sparked increasing awareness among hospitality workers of the power they hold in the industry, and it doesnt seem like that awareness is ebbing anytime soon. As someone who cares about workers welfare, I am heartened by this, and it has aided my decision to return to restaurants.

This matters because if you love restaurants and want them to continue to exist, supporting a business model that wont literally kill people during the next pandemic is essential to securing that future. Were seeing a burgeoning labor movement here, expressed in widespread debate over what it will take to get service workers back behind the register. More people are stubbornly insisting that a return to normalcy isnt acceptable, and the industry must adapt to survive. I want to support restaurants that are taking steps to preserve the health and welfare of their employees, which means doing my best to show up in person, whether to grab takeout or grab a seat.

 When our reporters consulted with local health experts about indoor dining when some restrictions were lifted in March, their outlooks were mostly cautious, although they told The Chronicle that the situation would likely improve in a matter of weeks. John Swartzberg, an infectious disease expert at UC Berkeley, said that in an ideal world, diners would hold off on eating at restaurants indoors until mid-April. According to data from Johns Hopkins University, as of May 17, California had a seven-day positivity rate of 0.77%, which is the lowest in the U.S.

Weve come so far in our understanding of what was once a completely unknown virus and how it spreads. We now know the virus is transmitted through airborne means, much more so than by close contact or touching shared surfaces, and masking and good ventilation are the best means of preventing infection. A masked busser is not likely to get infected with coronavirus from touching a fork that you touched, and thus is unlikely to get sick or pass the virus to others in that scenario. Thats crucial information for us now.

Food Guide Top 25 Restaurants Where to eat in the Bay Area. Find spots near you, create a dining wishlist, and more.

 Perhaps the most exciting (and maybe alarming) new development is the Centers for Disease Control and Preventions new messaging that fully vaccinated Americans can stop wearing masks in most indoor and outdoor locations.

The lifting of the federal mask mandate was startling in its seeming finality, especially since the face mask was such a potent symbol of the pandemic. That allowance includes restaurants. You can eat and gab and breathe indoors without a mask if youre fully vaccinated, the CDC says, and youll be fine. Local governments can still decide what rules they want; citing low COVID-19 hospitalization rates, California plans to relax indoor masking requirements for vaccinated individuals starting June 15.

Though I want to believe the CDC, it feels strange to place my trust in the federal government. I spent so many months this past year thinking it didnt care if I or the people I loved died, suffocating in hospital beds. That same government often confused the public with misleading messaging about the nature of viral transmission and the logistics of close contact, leading states to close down national parks and campgrounds while allowing COVID-19 to proliferate in food processing plants.

There is a new administration, of course, but the power of neoliberal capitalism to see societys most vulnerable members as acceptable collateral damage remains the same. So Im heartened by Californias more conservative plan, which will give more residents more time to get vaccinated.

I do this job because I wholeheartedly embrace the idea that theres something special about restaurants. Theyre sites of pleasure, of course, and there is pleasure in entering someone elses world for an hour or two, to swap your palate for theirs. Theyre a snapshot of what we value, for better and for worse, making them endlessly fascinating. As with hugging friends and going out on dates, I think its OK to be excited to reclaim the things we love to do once we feel ready.

So, knowing what I know now, Im going to allow my fully vaccinated self to do this one thing: dine indoors, at least for now. As long as diners respect other peoples boundaries regarding mask-wearing and dont lie about being vaccinated, this might actually end up working.

Eating at restaurants isnt an essential, inalienable right, and its on diners to not screw this up for everyone else. If theres anything we can take away from this pandemic, its the understanding that individuals arent islands that happen to exist alongside each other in a society: Were all connected, and we all need to keep each other safe. We should be absolutely ready to shift behavior if the local infection rate changes. After all, this should be an old trick for us by now.

Until then, stay safe, and be nice.

Soleil Ho is The San Francisco Chronicles restaurant critic. Email: soleil@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @hooleil
Authorities Searching for Home Invasion Suspect

By West Kentucky Star Staff

PADUCAH - Paducah police are seeking the publics help in locating a man accused of breaking into his ex-girlfriends home.The woman told police her ex-boyfriend, 41-year-old Terronte Holland, came to her home Friday evening and kicked open the door. Holland allegedly hit the woman several times before leaving.The woman was taken to Baptist Health for treatment.Detectives obtained a search warrant charging Holland with first-degree burglary.Holland is described as a black man, 6'3" tall and weighing 170 lbs. He has black hair and brown eyes.Anyone with information about Hollands whereabouts is asked to call the Paducah Police Department at 270-444-8550. Information also may be provided anonymously through West Kentucky Crime Stoppers by texting WKY and your tip to 847411 (tip 411) or by downloading the WKY Crime Stoppers app.
After Yolanda Dorador lost her job in the kitchen of the Hilton Hotel in Union Square in February 2020, she had no way to pay for rent, bills and groceries for her family. Her two adult daughters, who live with her, were only able to work a couple months this past year.

It was terrible, Dorador, 59, said. I was worried all the time.

Food would be the first place shed cut costs, she told herself. That was until she turned up at community-run warehouse Mission Food Hub last May to get help paying her rent and found out she could get fresh groceries too.

This is a place that has a heart, said Dorador, tearing up outside the hub where shes been getting food and volunteering for a year.

Dorador will need help for the foreseeable future: She owes her landlord $12,340 in rent and has no way yet to pay it back.

Before the pandemic, 1 in 4 San Franciscans was at risk of hunger due to low income. As unemployment exploded, the problem only grew, with needs highest among communities of color, according to a city survey last year.

The city pumped money into new programs, delivering millions of meals or bags of groceries through partnerships with food banks, restaurants, schools and community groups to seniors, low-income families and patients exposed to or infected with COVID-19.

The Human Services Agency, which runs most of the programs, expects to spend $81 million on food insecurity this fiscal year  up from $22.5 million the year before. The city estimates 38% of those costs are covered by the federal government, but that support will stop at the end of September. The agency used an additional $7 million from Give2SF philanthropy.

Santiago Mejia/The Chronicle

As the crisis continues, community leaders and city officials want to increase funding and re-envision how to serve people in need. Officials want to see more culturally relevant and community-led solutions to hunger that empower people  instead of traditional handouts.

Mayor London Breed said she remembers the shame she felt lining up at food pantries with her grandmother or buying groceries with food stamps. What still bothers her most about food distribution, she said, is people standing in line and waiting to be handed food chosen for them.

People deserve more dignity than that, Breed said during the Board of Supervisors meeting Tuesday.

Supervisor Ahsha Safai agrees. He introduced two pieces of legislation Tuesday  one to fund community-run food empowerment markets and the other to require the city to report data on food insecurity and inequity. Safais proposal would establish a grant fund for nonprofits to establish and operate hubs that include a free food market, kitchen and referrals to city food assistance. Services would be open to San Franciscans who are seniors, receive public assistance and/or are undocumented.

The model was inspired by community collaboratives like the Mission Food Hub that serves 9,000 people a week, including deliveries to 900 households. Community leaders also pick up food to distribute at smaller centers in the Bayview and Excelsior.

At the start of the pandemic, Latino Task Force co-founder Roberto Hernandez got a call from a crying woman he knew. The breadwinner for her daughter and five grandchildren, she had just lost her restaurant job and only had one days worth of groceries left, he said. His grocery delivery to her family evolved into the Mission Food Hub, now run out of a warehouse on Alabama Street.

The hub primarily serves the Latino community and provides what recipients said they want  including yucca, chorizo and masa corn flour, Hernandez said. Around 70% of the 313 volunteers also receive food.

The people in line are the people who make decisions, he said. One of the things weve done is give people dignity and respect, not to make them feel that theyre begging.

Safais proposal is pushing back against more traditional distribution models. During a hearing on food insecurity Wednesday, Safai said he told the SF-Marin Food Bank that waiting in line during designated hours was not a model we felt comfortable with moving forward.

The food bank pivoted during the pandemic to deliveries and 29 pop-up pantries. Marchon Tatmon, the food banks spokesperson, said during public comment it was a distribution model that we know needs to be reimagined and is different from our normal model that is community driven with no lines and you have the ability to choose.

Santiago Mejia/The Chronicle

The Mission Food Hub also hasnt been able to avoid lines. Starting at 5 a.m., people stake a claim with shopping carts leaning against buildings for blocks  5 hours before distribution. Hernandez said its inhumane and he tries to persuade people to come later, but theyre anxious.

The hub is far from alone in its efforts, with grassroots groups springing up in the pandemic. As unemployment and unpaid rent started piling up, Reina Tello, a community organizer with nonprofit PODER, focused on where she could make a difference: food. The group serving about 100 families bought fresh food common in Latino cooking and didnt ask undocumented people to register with personal information. Larger food pantries sometimes requested that information, scaring off people who worried it would be shared with the government, Tello said.

Groups are now pushing for city funding. The Mission Food Hub costs $2 million a week to run using donations, federal support and $4.9 million from the city. The hub asked for $9 million in the citys budget, Hernandez said.

Other programs lack city funding. Katrina Liwanag, immigration services coordinator at the Filipino Community Center in the Excelsior, organized the distribution of community-donated meals and groceries from another grant-funded organization for five months last year. The nonprofit revived the program once in April and will restart it next month, still seeing high needs.

Gregorio Villanueva, 69, who is legally blind, lost his job as a dishwasher last March. His two sisters and brother-in-law are out of work too. The family relied on unemployment benefits, Social Security and CalFresh, along with rationing stored food, deliveries from the Filipino Community Center and food pantries and sharing meals with friends. They owe $34,000 in rent and dont know when theyll go back to work.

Still, Villanueva is hopeful: By Gods grace, we can overcome this problem.

Mallory Moench is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: mallory.moench@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @mallorymoench
In less than a month, Californians fully vaccinated against COVID-19 can begin shedding their face coverings indoors  but will they still need to keep their distance from others?

Right now, the future of the states pandemic physical distancing guidelines is unclear. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention last week said fully vaccinated people can resume activities without wearing a mask or physical distancing, except when required by state or local rules, including business and workplace guidelines.

California officials announced Monday that they would follow the mask guidelines starting June 15, when the state plans a full reopening. But they didnt mention anything about social distancing.

The state has said that when it retires its color-coded reopening blueprint on June 15, many sectors that have been forced to limit capacity can return to business as usual. But the specifics for physical distancing have not been spelled out.

In response to an email inquiry Tuesday, the California Department of Public Health said it would provide additional guidance and details related to specific sectors as it gets closer to the June 15 reopening date.

The state health officers order at the beginning of the pandemic in March 2020 said people should at all times practice social distancing, and Californias tiered reopening system spells out specific distancing requirements for businesses and activities. If the state does relax its guidelines for physical distancing for vaccinated people, counties may maintain stricter policies.

But regardless of guidelines, are there added risks to not staying 6 feet apart from strangers, even for vaccinated people?

The CDC and many experts agree that vaccines provide strong protection against severe illness and death from COVID-19, and more and more real-world evidence shows that vaccinated people are not likely to get infected at all. This is why the CDC is recommending that individuals who are vaccinated can resume many pre-pandemic activities.

But when June 15 rolls around, UC Berkeley infectious disease expert John Swartzberg said hes personally likely to continue with health measures, despite being fully vaccinated  though for him, masking takes priority over physical distancing.

Ill stop social distancing before I stop masking inside, he said. Masking is more important than social distancing. If everyone had a mask on, the risk is minuscule.

Lea Suzuki/The Chronicle

At the same time, Swartzberg said, people need to understand that these are guidelines, and we all need to find our own comfort zones when navigating situations as we ease out of the pandemic.

George Rutherford, an infectious disease expert with UCSF, said when vaccinated people stop wearing their masks in the Bay Area, social distancing wont really matter at that point.

Its moot, he said. The risk is so low.

But since much of the Bay Area has been especially careful with pandemic health measures, he doesnt think people will suddenly stop social distancing.

I think people are going to want to spread out anyway, he said. I dont see those (markers) on the ground coming up anytime soon.

Where social distancing will definitely continue, Rutherford said, is at crowded events and situations where most people are unvaccinated, such as schools.

Solano County health officials said they havent reached out to the state for specific guidance on social distancing after June 15, but the county anticipates it will recommend masking and social distancing in certain limited settings, for example, concerts and other large events.

The San Francisco Department of Public Health said it supports the states decision to require masks in most indoor settings until June 15, and that the CDCs announcement last week underscores the efficacy of the COVID-19 vaccine.

Additional state guidance on face coverings and social distancing is forthcoming and we believe that we will follow the CDC and CDPH guidance, which will continue to emerge over the next weeks, a statement from the department said. Barring a significant increase in the number of cases locally, we do not envision an extension on social distancing rules.

Matt Willis, health officer for Marin County, said his department will continue to follow state guidance, including advising people who are vaccinated to maintain physical distancing and avoid crowds where possible. But especially after masking is relaxed, he said, safety measures such as social distancing become more of a personal choice and an exercise in personal judgment.

Even now, we know its not like everyone is walking around with a yardstick, Willis said. Theres an etiquette that has evolved where people are further distanced from one another, and I think thats probably going to be preserved culturally and it is protective. I think well continue to encourage a healthy level of distancing moving forward, but just as advice.

Kellie Hwang is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: kellie.hwang@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @KellieHwang
Education advocates are sounding the alarm as state school districts rush to spend roughly $55 billion in state and federal funds aimed to help districts recover from the pandemic and students who struggled academically to catch up.

In a report released Tuesday, multiple advocacy organizations called for increased transparency and accountability as districts move to spend the money and plan for next fall, urging districts to focus on vulnerable students. The reports 20 recommendations focus on increasing services for students with special needs, staffing concerns and more.

Children Now, Public Advocates, the National Center for Youth Law and Californians Together called for caution as schools are wrapping up this school year and looking ahead to the fall with uncertainty. San Franciscos school district has committed to a full return to in-person learning next year with a virtual option, but it is unclear what exactly school will look like. The district plans to spend nearly $60 million in state and federal funds meant to help students catch up from pandemic-related learning loss to offer expanded summer programming this year and next, but exactly how the money will be spent isnt yet clear.

This is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to reimagine our schools with transformative investments that can ensure all students will thrive, Erin Apte, legislative counsel for Public Advocates, a civil rights law firm who helped co-author the report, said in a statement.

The report analyzed 48 learning and attendance plans made by school districts, county education offices and charter schools at the height of the pandemic. They found scant details about where dollars went.

We cannot repeat past mistakes from 2020-21, when districts did not publicly account for billions of dollars in federal and state pandemic relief funds, Apte said.

Atasi Uppal, senior policy attorney at the National Center for Youth Law, said the plans and budgets helped the organizations get an idea of how districts supported some of the states most under-served students.

Uppal said the group was very concerned to find almost a complete lack of information about how districts were going to help students in the juvenile justice system and those who were homeless get stable internet, mental health services and reconnect to school.

Districts must make intentional, intensive investments to support these young people during the upcoming school year; they need tailored interventions and services more than ever before, Uppal said in a statement.

To develop the 20 recommendations, the authors identified promising practices in the plans, as well as more concerning trends. The recommendations focus on increasing accountability and transparency to ensure funds are spent effectively, and integrating more critical services such as mental health support and social-emotional learning.

More Information Among other things, the report recommends that schools should: -"Engage in more targeted outreach to students and families, particularly reaching out to student groups representing vulnerable populations and families of students with unique needs, during the stakeholder engagement process." -"Ensure students with unique needs receive priority, early access to additional learning time and in-person individual or small cohort instruction, as soon as available." -"Include more detail on the services provided to students in foster care, including how those services will support their unique needs." -"Provide greater detail when describing staffing expenditures to enable stakeholders to understand whether the funds are covering base salaries or increasing staff time to implement specific programs." -"The state should provide additional training and capacity building to (educational organizations) to improve their understanding of how to demonstrate increased and improved services, pursuant to their proportionality obligation under law" Source: How Districts Planned for Pandemic Learning: Equity-Driven Practices and Lessons Learned from 2020 Learning Continuity and Attendance Plans. See More Collapse

San Francisco Assembyman Phil Ting said while the idea of transparency in many ways is very easy, much of the facts that school districts make available is not easily digestible.

Districts need to really figure out how to properly communicate that information to their families, to engage the families and to get the proper feedback, he said. Its really up to the district to really understand and meet their families where they are.

Emma Talley is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: emma.talley@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @EmmaT332
The Alameda County district attorneys office has declined to file criminal charges against the motorist whose SUV fatally struck Catherine Kuo, a mother of two and a Dublin Unified School District trustee, district attorneys officials said Tuesday.

Kuo, 48, was loading items onto a parked Tesla in March when she was struck by an SUV while volunteering at a food distribution event at Fallon Middle School in Dublin, Dublin police Capt. Nate Schmidt said in March. The person driving the SUV  whose name has not been released  was next in line at the food distribution event, Schmidt said at the time.

District attorneys officials said Tuesday that After a thorough review of all the facts and evidence, they declined to file criminal charges in the fatal incident. Officials did not say when or how they came to that decision.

The driver was found to be at fault for the accident, but there was no criminal intent found, Schmidt told The Chronicle on Tuesday evening. In March, Schmidt said that police dont think think was an intentional act by any means.

This is a tragic accident involving a very well known and active member of our community, Schmidt said. Our hearts go out to the Kuo family and to all those affected by this incident.

School district spokesperson Chip Dehnertsaid on Tuesday that The school district is not privy to all the factors and information that were considered in this particular decision.

After going through a detailed investigation, the District Attorneys Office decided not to file charges in this case, and we must respect their decision, Dehnert said.

On Tuesday evening, the school district board of trustees unanimously approved William Kuo, Catherine Kuos husband, as the new trustee for Area 3  the region his late wife represented. In photos posted to the school districts Twitter account, William Kuo is seen sitting at a desk, mask covering his face, raising his right hand in a swearing-in ceremony.

School district officials thanked Taji Brown and John Wu  two other candidates who submitted their names for consideration to fill the vacant Area 3 seat for the board  for their time, energy, and commitment to our community.

In a statement addressed to the school district community in March, Interim Superintendent Daniel Moirao said Kuo dedicated so much of her heart, soul, and time to our community.

Catherine had a lightness about her, a comforting manner that helped people feel at ease, Moirao said. She was friendly, nurturing, kind, and generous. We were lucky to have known her and will miss her more than words can express.

Lauren Hernandez is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: lauren.hernandez@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @ByLHernandez
After more than a decade of saving money and establishing roots, Adam Rhuberg and his wife finally thought they were in a position to buy a house in Marin County.

They got approved for a loan and toured about a dozen houses over the past five months. But the couple soon learned that $2 million still doesnt guarantee a family home in the Bay Area.

It makes us want to just stop, said Rhuberg, 43, whose family of six is currently paying around $6,000 a month for a five-bedroom rental home in Corte Madera. If I had known this was going to be such a big deal, maybe I would have thought twice about having so many kids.

The Rhubergs are far from the only would-be home buyers feeling defeated by the regions record-breaking real estate market.

In the nine-county Bay Area, the median home price soared to an all-time high of $1.3 million in April  and helped propel the states median price above $800,000 for the first time ever. Thats according to new data from the California Association of Realtors, which found that home prices where the family lives in Marin County shot up 18% this spring compared to last, to a median $1.6 million.

Among the Bay Area counties that saw sale prices jump the most between this April and last: Contra Costa, up 39% to a median $990,000; Napa, up 27% to $950,000; Alameda, up 26% to $1.3 million; and San Mateo, up 22% to $2 million. In San Francisco and Santa Clara counties, where prices have long been among the highest in the nation, they climbed 6% and 19%, respectively, to a median $1.8 and $1.7 million.

Now, even those selling the houses wonder how long prices can keep climbing at the current pace.

More all-cash offers are rolling in for scarce inventory, supercharging bidding wars that shut out less-affluent and more diverse qualified applicants. Buyers fatigue is setting in for would-be first-time buyers like Rhuberg, whose family has paused their search rather than looking farther north or inland for lower prices.

If we are going to start over in a new community with new schools, we are more likely to do that back east, in Chicago, where my wifes family is, he said.

While anxiety about people leaving for the Midwest, Austin or Miami has so far proven overblown, those on the front lines of the regions hectic housing market say the pressure has been building for years.

Weve actually had more people move here from the East Coast than any other year, said Haneen Hayder, a Realtor who specializes in the affluent Peninsula region home to tech giants like Facebook and Oracle.

Hayder, who leads the Haneen Hayder & Associates team at real estate brokerage Compass, is mostly working with first-time buyers between the ages of 35 and 50. Many cash in stocks or borrow from their families to up their down payments, she said, or offer well over the asking price for houses with more square footage, outdoor space and separate offices.

Condos close to downtowns are also gaining currency, Hayder said. Take a $2.4 million downtown San Mateo penthouse that she just sold after it sat on the market for a year in pandemic limbo.

We just closed escrow last week, Hayder said. Four all-cash offers.

Statewide, single-family home prices jumped to a median $813,980 in April, compared to $606,410 when pandemic lockdowns were in effect last April. Condo and town home prices are up 127%, to a median $570,000 statewide, in what is likely a sign of overflow from the cutthroat market for houses, said Jordan Levine, vice president and chief economist of the California Association of Realtors.

You want to get your foot on the property ladder, Levine said. You take whats available.

More striking to him is the shifting geography of demand. First it was a feared exodus from Bay Area cities fueling bidding wars in wine country, Lake Tahoe and along the coast. Then it was a home-buying boom in Oakland and surrounding suburbs. In recent months, prices have again soared in San Francisco and Silicon Valley.

As of April, outlying areas like San Benito and Mariposa counties are still way up compared to a year ago, but home prices dipped slightly there as cities began to reopen.

The state also set a record last month for the shortest median number of days a home is on the market before it goes into contract: seven. Its a testament, Levine said, to the imbalance between housing supply and demand across California  a dynamic that Bay Area housing advocates are seizing to push governments to build more homes, and which is spilling over into local battles over how to handle homeless encampments.

To David Oliphant, the founder of Half Moon Bays Ocean Blue Real Estate, parts of the past year have felt strangely familiar. Just as he saw prices skyrocket in the ski town of Truckee during the dot-com boom, Oliphant has watched demand for coastal Bay Area real estate explode during the pandemic.

Initially, the frenzy was concentrated in Half Moon Bay, near the highway over the hill to Silicon Valley. Hes now seeing an influx in surrounding areas like Moss Beach and El Granada. Some longtime locals have cashed out and moved up the coast to Oregon or into the Sierra. Many aspiring first-time buyers have been shut out.

I actually dont love the market the way it is, Oliphant said.

Lauren Hepler is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: lauren.hepler@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @LAHepler
One person died after a fire tore through a home Wednesday morning in San Franciscos Cole Valley neighborhood, officials said.

A one-alarm fire was reported at a three-story single-family residence on 1130 Shrader Street just before 6 a.m., according to the San Francisco Fire Department.

San Francisco Fire Lt. Jonathan Baxter said the fire was contained at about 8 a.m.

Firefighters rescued one person from the building. Paramedics attempted to revive the victim, but they died at the scene from their injuries, officials said.

Videos uploaded to Citizen app and circulated by the fire department showed a large plume of smoke coming from the building. Several fire engines and personnel were at the scene.

Baxter said drivers should expect delays near Grattan and Shrader streets as fire personnel cleaned up the area.

Officials said the cause of the fire is under investigation.

Vanessa Arredondo is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: vanessa.arredondo@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @v_anana
The mayors of San Jose and Oakland announced Wednesday that their cities will each obtain thousands of smart thermostats to help residents save energy and try to prevent more rolling blackouts this summer.

Both Bay Area cities, along with Fresno and Bakersfield, are partnering with Oakland company OhmConnect, which compensates utility customers for conserving electricity at times when demand surges.

Each of the four cities will receive 25,000 free thermostats that can equip homes to participate in OhmConnects program. The city that puts the thermostats in the greatest share of homes and connects them to OhmConnect by Sept. 30 will receive $50,000 from the company to be put toward educational scholarships.

OhmConnect participants get notifications that tell them when a period of intense electric grid demand approaches. If residents conserve enough that their energy usage is less than forecast during the high-demand period, theyre compensated with points that can be cashed out or used for company-issued rewards.

OhmConnect gets paid by utilities to help reduce energy use during times of particularly high demand and passes earnings along to users who qualify for compensation. The company was also recently awarded a $3 million grant from the state energy commission.

Cities partnering with the company view it as a way to help ward off rolling blackouts like the ones the state experienced over two days in August. At the time, hundreds of thousands of homes and businesses throughout the state lost power when energy supplies ran unexpectedly short amid a heat wave. The California Independent System Operator, which manages most of the states electric grid, has warned that shortages could occur again if a similar heat wave takes hold this summer, even with improvements made to the grid since then.

San Jose Mayor Sam Liccardo said traditional ways of responding to intense energy demand often rely on fossil fuels, making them costly to our pocketbooks and to the planet.

Conservation offers a way for residents to save and for the Earth to benefit, he said.

Liccardo said San Jose will use existing relationships with local nonprofits to distribute the smart thermostats, prioritizing low-income residents.

Our community recognizes that you dont need to have an income at the level required to buy a Tesla in order to benefit from a greener lifestyle, Liccardo said.

OhmConnect participants helped prevent last years blackouts from being worse, the company says. They were able to save energy akin to taking 600,000 homes off the grid for one hour, earning a total of $1.3 million and preventing blackouts on several days after the initial two, when grid managers ordered rotating outages, according to the company.

OhmConnect CEO Cisco DeVries said in a statement that, with additional rolling blackouts possible in California this year, his company was empowering families across the state to take charge of their energy future, get a free smart thermostat to help save more energy, and get paid for doing so.

J.D. Morris is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: jd.morris@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @thejdmorris
NICOSIA, Cyprus (AP)  The defense ministers of Cyprus, Greece and Egypt said Wednesday that emerging regional threats and challenges necessitate even closer cooperation and will seek to invite more countries to take part in joint military drills that aim to sharpen their preparedness levels.

Cyprus Defense Minister Charalambos Petrides hosted his Greek and Egyptian counterparts, Nikos Panagiotopoulos and Gen. Mohamed Zaki, in the Cypriot capital as part of a series of three-way meetings aimed at boosting defense cooperation between the three countries.

We also agreed to further develop our now firmly established cooperation and thus sending clear and strong messages, as well as looking into the possibility of expanding it ... through the inclusion of other countries with which we share the same values and objectives for the future of our wider region, Panagiotopoulos said.

Earlier this year, France and the United Arab Emirates took part for the first time in joint maneuvers with the three countries.

Zaki said the three ministers discussed better coordinating actions to counter threats that emanate from the wider region such as terrorism, illegal migration and illegal trafficking.

Referring to the war between Israel and the Palestinians in Gaza as well as tensions in Libya, Iraq, Lebanon and Syria, Petrides said the three ministers agreed on the need for political solutions.

The latest in a string of such meetings between the three defense ministers is an extension of close links that the leaderships of the three countries have forged in the last few years, based on shared interests regarding potential hydrocarbon deposits in the eastern Mediterranean.

Egypt shares maritime borders with both Greek and Cyprus. The Cypriot government has licensed energy companies Total of France, Italys Eni and ExxonMobil to search for gas deposits in waters where it has exclusive economic rights.

That search has stoked tensions with neighboring Turkey which doesnt recognize Cyprus as a state and disputes those rights. It also claims much of Cyprus exclusive economic zone and says it will defend its rights and those of Turkish Cypriots in the breakaway north of the ethnically split island nation to the regions energy deposits.

Turkey had sent warship-escorted drill ships and research vessels to look for hydrocarbons inside waters where Cyprus and Greece claim exclusive rights.

Both Panagotopoulos and Petrides rejected what they called Turkeys illegal, provocative and unilateral actions inside Greek and Cypriot waters that contravene international law and undermine regional stability.

In a joint statement, the ministers condemned actions that violate the sovereign rights, territorial integrity and unity of any country and to respect international law.
DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP)  The ongoing bloodshed in the Gaza Strip has unleashed a chorus of voices across Gulf Arab states that are fiercely critical of Israel and emphatically supportive of Palestinians.

The vocal opposition to Israel, expressed in street protests, on social media and in newspaper columns, comes just months after pacts were signed to establish ties with Israel  and complicates government efforts to rally Arab citizens around full-throttle acceptance of the deals.

Analysts said the conflict will also set back Israeli efforts to secure more normalization deals with other Arab states, like Saudi Arabia.

The criticism has not only put Arab governments that signed the diplomatic accords with Israel in a difficult position with their citizens, it also affirms that the Palestinian cause continues to resonate deeply with people across the Middle East.

No matter what your national priorities are at the moment or regional priorities are at the moment, when stuff like this happens, the Palestinian issue comes back and hits you, Emirati political analyst Abdulkhaleq Abdulla said.

Still, the open calls for Palestinian rights and condemnation of Israel voiced by countless Gulf Arab citizens have largely mirrored official statements from their governments, all of which have condemned the violence in some form. Some have gone further, and Abdulla said hed hoped the United Arab Emirates' most recent statement calling on all parties to cease fighting had been bolder and named Israel as the aggressor.

In speaking out, Gulf citizens are challenging the official narratives around normalization with Israel.

In Bahrain, civil society groups signed a letter urging the government to expel the Israeli ambassador. In Kuwait, protesters held two rallies and are demanding permission to hold more. In Qatar, the government allowed hundreds to protest over the weekend as Hamas top leader delivered a speech. In the UAE, some have openly donned the black-and-white checkered Palestinian keffiyeh on Instagram while others have tweeted under hashtags supportive of Palestinians.

Last year, the UAE became the first Arab country in over two decades to establish ties with Israel, after Egypt and Jordan in 1979 and 1994, respectively. It was a brazen move that bypassed the Palestinians, who slammed it as treason and a stab in the back.

The UAE's move paved the way for three other countries  Bahrain, Sudan and Morocco  to announce similar pacts with Israel in rapid succession.

Immediately after the UAE formalized ties with Israel in September, a tsunami of state propaganda framed it as a new era of peace, religious tolerance and security for the region.

Among the general Emirati public, there was little to no visible pushback from citizens when their government announced ties with Israel. Fiery nationalistic figures on Twitter with tens of thousands of followers aggressively cheered the pact, and throughout the current conflict have both defended ties with Israel and made posts mocking Palestinian protesters.

But unlike in Western democracies, a lack of protest in the Gulf does not mean acceptance. In the UAE, political parties are banned and political expression is heavily suppressed.

The show of support that we saw during the early days of normalization, I think it represents something deeper in Emirati society ... and that is that the vast majority support their government, Abdulla said. It was a show of support for the government rather than a show of support for normalization as such.

Mira Al-Hussein, an Emirati PhD candidate at Cambridge University, said Emiratis feel taken care of and valued by their government, which provides citizens with strong social safety nets.

But that doesnt mean we feel comfortable by whats happening around us, she said.

She changed her Twitter handle in support of Palestinians since the fighting broke out, and has used the platform to slam Israel's policies and highlight the atrocities of the war.

You dont sign papers and expect a human catastrophe to go away, she said of the accord with Israel.

Over the years, there have been changes to school curricula across Gulf Arab states to replace pan-Arab and pan-Islamic ideals with a nationalistic identity that unites people around the flag.

The UAE has been trying to mold public discourse around nationalism and a rejection of youth or Islamic movements, said Kristin Smith Diwan, a scholar at the Arab Gulf States Institute in Washington.

I think the relation with Israel was seen as a way to even cement that further. I dont know how thats going to work now, she said.

Al-Hussein said her younger brother, who is in his 20's, never studied the Arab-Israeli conflict in school. But he just learned about it today from social media," she said.

For millions of Arabs, social media is the only space where limited freedom of expression is possible. Since the war began, users have been flooded by images of dead Palestinian children being pulled from the rubble of Israeli airstrikes in Gaza.

These platforms have also been awash with images of Israeli security forces firing stun grenades and tear gas at worshippers and protesters in Al-Aqsa mosque in Jerusalem, of Palestinian families fighting eviction from their homes and of deadly protests across the occupied West Bank.

At least 217 Palestinians have been killed in Gaza, including 61 children and 36 women. More than 1,440 people have been wounded. Twelve people in Israel, including a young boy and a soldier, have been killed in Hamas rocket attacks.

Bader al-Saif, a Kuwait University professor, said the sheer un-proportionality of the conflict has pushed many people to speak out across the Gulf.

For Israelis to feel secure, they need to feel that they are accepted, al-Saif said. That feeling of acceptance cannot be complete without them dealing with the Palestinian issue.

U.K.-based Saudi scholar Madawi Al-Rasheed, a fierce critic of the Saudi government, said despite the kingdom's widespread crackdown on activists  most of whom are steadfast supporters of Palestinian rights  the outrage expressed by many online reveals the gap between the cautious push by the Saudi leadership to inch closer to Israel and public sentiment in the streets.

It shows that despite several years of adopting a normalization discourse in official Saudi media, the pulse of the people is actually not diverted from the Palestinian cause, she said.

___

Follow Aya Batrawy on twitter at https://twitter.com/ayaelb
Former PGDP Employee Writes Book Detailing Career

By West Kentucky Star Staff

PADUCAH - After working at the Paducah Gaseous Diffusion Plant for 31 years, Brent Montgomery is looking back at the highs, the lows, the near-misses, and the close calls in his book, "Safe on the Shoulders of Giants."He joined the Greg Dunker Show Tuesday to discuss the book and share some of his experiences from his time at the plant.Montgomery said the book's title was inspired by those who built the plant and explored gaseous diffusion.He said, "They were the giants. They were the brains behind it, and the rest of us have ridden on their coattails. We have the luxury of being able to see further because we're standing on the shoulders of those giants."The subtitle of the book, "Confessions of a Professional Hand Grenade Jumper," was inspired by a joke from his coworker. He said in the old days of the plant, it seemed that either him or his coworker would get stuck with the riskier tasks."He and I were chosen a lot of times to do the work. You know, the hand grenade jumping. We were jumping on live grenades if you want to call it that," he said.One of his inspirations for writing the book was to explore why people like him get themselves into risky situations and whether it's nature or nurture. To analyze the question, Montgomery said the book covers world history, hunting, farming, racing, his family, healing from tragedies, and religion."I go at it from every angle to figure out why it is I do what I do," he continued.According to Montgomery, for many years the plant was processing the materials that powered 20 percent of the electricity across the United States. Additionally, up until about 15 years ago, the plant supplied most of the world's enriched uranium.He said some of his close calls range from fires to explosions due to a hot solution of arsenic and uranium."That's the type of incidents that I talk about. The things that you don't expect to happen, that you don't really want to happen," Montgomery continued, "Looking back at it now, I kind of look at it with humor. It's kind of funny now."Montgomery will be selling and signing copies of his book on Saturday at the Etcetera Coffeehouse on North 6th Street in Paducah from 10 a.m. until noon.You can learn how to order a copy of the book by clicking here.
ABOARD A U.S. MILITARY AIRCRAFT (AP)  The top U.S. commander for the Middle East said Wednesday he will make recommendations to Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin in early June on how to monitor and fight terrorist groups in Afghanistan from beyond its borders after all American forces withdraw.

Gen. Frank McKenzie, the commander of U.S. Central Command, said negotiations with Afghanistan's neighbors for overflight rights and troop basing are moving forward but will take time. As a result, he said, the way the United States keeps an eye on the terrorist threat and aids the Afghan military will evolve as agreements are reached or security conditions on the ground change.

He cautioned that this will be a taxing time for the Afghan military and the risk is high.

Speaking to reporters from The Associated Press and ABC News traveling with him to the Middle East, McKenzie declined to provide details about the recommendations he will make to Austin. He said he will also provide cost estimates for keeping surveillance aircraft over Afghanistan regularly enough to keep track of terrorist groups after the U.S. pullout is completed no later than Sept. 11.

McKenzie has made it clear that without any bases in neighboring countries, it will require far more aircraft to keep watch over Afghanistan because they will have to fly for four hours to six hours from other U.S. military installations in the Middle East. The flight distance severely limits the amount of time the aircraft can spend in the air over Afghanistan.

Military leaders are grappling with how best to carry out President Joe Bidens order to withdraw all American troops from Afghanistan by September while still providing support to the Afghan forces and monitoring the threat that prompted the U.S. invasion of the country after the attacks of Sept. 11, 2001.

Commanders have said they will monitor threats from over the horizon, to ensure that terrorists cannot again use Afghanistan as a base to launch attacks against the U.S. But they have acknowledged that the U.S. does not yet have any agreements for basing or overflights from any of the neighboring countries.

McKenzie said he is confident the U.S. will get the access it needs. But as yet, there are no firm solutions or decisions.

At the same time, Pentagon leaders and Congress members have expressed concerns that once the U.S. leaves, the Afghan government and its military will be quickly overrun by the Taliban.

The Afghan military, particularly its air force, has been heavily dependent on the U.S. for maintenance and training, as well as for combat air support when its troops are under attack. McKenzie said he believes the Afghans have a fighting chance to be successful and defend themselves.

Its time for the Afghan military to stand up and show that they can fight alone, said McKenzie. I think its going to be a very taxing time for them. I think certainly there is a path for them to preserve what they have now. The risk is high. I dont want to minimize that.

He said that while the Taliban have not been attacking the U.S. or coalition troops, the violence against the Afghan people and the countrys military forces has been very high.

U.S. lawmakers have said they believe there is no chance the Taliban will abide by the commitments their leaders made in a February 2020 agreemen t with the Trump administration, which included engaging in sustained peace negotiations and severing all forms of cooperation with and support for al-Qaida. Members of Congress also worry that al-Qaida and the Islamic State group will take advantage of the chaos and regroup, with a goal of attacking the U.S. again.

McKenzie said that both al-Qaida and IS have been degraded.

Our concern would be that ungoverned spaces open in Afghanistan and they are able to reassert themselves, he said. This would not be immediate. I dont think anybody (thinks) this is something that will happen next month or even in the next six months. But eventually they will gather their strength again and theyll be a threat to our homeland.

Washingtons special envoy to Afghanistan, Zalmay Khalilzad, told a House hearing Tuesday that it is unduly pessimistic to predict that the Kabul government or Afghan military will be quickly overrun by the Taliban once U.S. and coalition forces withdraw.

He said the Taliban have reason not to push for a military victory and instead pursue a negotiated political settlement that could give them international legitimacy and removal from certain American and United Nations sanctions. He recently met with Taliban representatives in Doha, Qatar, as part of a round of consultations with interested parties.
Imagine learning that your favorite airline suffered a crash last week and then failed to evaluate the cause. Imagine that your longtime physician amputated the wrong leg and never bothered to explore how that mistake was made.

Now imagine that the vast majority of prosecutors throughout the country do not evaluate the actions of their lawyers and police who, working as a team, caused a person to be wrongfully convicted, falsely imprisoned, for a crime that he or she didnt commit.

This, regrettably, is todays reality.

There have been at least 2,770 exonerations in the United States since 1989 and more than 25,000 years lost by incarcerated prisoners who were ultimately exonerated. The damage caused by these wrongful convictions is immeasurable. Lives have been crushed, families ruined, millions upon millions of dollars in compensation paid out. Often the real culprit is never pursued.

And, yet, despite the human toll and the cost to taxpayers, it remains exceedingly rare for a prosecutor to even admit errors after a wrongful conviction, let alone study and teach the cause of such injustice to prevent it from recurring. As a retired prosecutor with nearly four decades working in the field of criminal justice, I have personally watched this scenario play out in two wrongful convictions.

As part of a team with the Northern California Innocence Project, I worked to free Jeremy Puckett, who in 2020 was declared factually innocent of a Sacramento County murder he did not commit. His wrongful conviction was caused in large part by a chain of government errors and falsehoods: faulty medical evidence; law enforcement suppressing evidence; failure of the jury to hear an alibi; perjury by a trial witness who received a government benefit.

Mr. Puckett was falsely imprisoned for 19 years. The cause of that imprisonment should be reviewed just as the body cam footage of a police shooting is reviewed.

That still hasnt happened.

The prosecutors, district attorney and attorney general who fought Mr. Pucketts claim of innocence have not explained their mistakes to their staff, law enforcement or to the public. One deputy attorney general last year even balked at my request that Mr. Pucketts state criminal history be erased following the judicial finding of his factual innocence.

This refusal to accept and examine missteps isnt mere oversight  its often willful.

In the past decade many elected prosecutors have started their own type of innocence project, commonly called conviction integrity units. In 2012, Sacramento District Attorney Jan Scully said she didnt need a formal conviction integrity unit like some other counties in California: My whole office is an integrity unit.

Her office was in the middle of fighting Mr. Pucketts claims of innocence.

Since that time, Sacramento, like many counties, has launched a conviction integrity unit. And, yet, this unit has failed to examine false imprisonment and to publicly and internally dissect wrongful convictions.

In 2003, before helping to free Mr. Puckett, I worked with a team to undo the wrongful conviction of Rick Walker, who served 12 years in prison for a Santa Clara County murder he did not commit. Again, the wrongful conviction was caused in large part by the suppression of evidence as well as a witness who, after receiving a reduced sentence, framed Mr. Walker. A brief grand round of the errors was presented to the office staff in 2004 and a forerunner to a current conviction integrity unit was created  only to be disbanded in 2007.

Without thorough and transparent reviews, errors, suppressed evidence, faulty identification, false science and prosecutorial misconduct will continue. And so will wrongful convictions.

The cost to society is immeasurable. But it doesnt have to be this way.

Recently, Santa Clara District Attorney Jeff Rosen invited me to detail for his staff the causes of Pucketts wrongful conviction. I showed Rosens attorneys how suppressed evidence, faulty identification, perjury, secret deals and faulty medical testimony caused the conviction of an innocent man. Such an analysis should be business as usual for every prosecutors office. And especially for the office that caused the wrong.

I trust my airline and physician to analyze their errors and train their staff accordingly. It is past time for every elected prosecutor and attorney general to do the same. By publicly analyzing wrongful convictions, prosecutors can spare innocent lives, and we can all live in a more just and well-informed society.

Karyn Sinunu-Towery is a retired prosecutor writing on behalf of the Silicon Valley Ethics Roundtable.
The Biden administration restored citizenship rights Tuesday to children born abroad to married same-sex couples from the United States.

Under the policy announced by the State Department, the child will be recognized as a U.S. citizen if the parents are married at the time of birth, at least one is a U.S. citizen, and at least one parent has a genetic relationship to the child, through pregnancy or fatherhood.

The previous policy, which began under President Barack Obamas administration, required a biological connection between the child and the U.S. citizen parent. Although it was drafted to apply to all couples, a lawsuit filed in Los Angeles by a gay couple in 2018, during Donald Trumps presidency, said the State Department was enforcing the biological requirement only against same-sex couples.

Several federal courts found the limitation unconstitutional, based on the Supreme Courts 2013 ruling that required the government to grant same-sex spouses the same marital benefits as opposite-sex couples. But the policy remained on the books until Tuesday.

The change takes into account the realities of modern families and advances in ART, the State Department said, referring to assisted reproduction technology, such as in vitro fertilization and surrogate parenting.

This is a remarkable moment for all the LGBTQ families who fought the U.S. State Departments unconstitutional policy, said Aaron Morris, executive director of Immigration Equality, which sued on behalf of two same-sex couples. We have once again affirmed that it is not biology but love that makes a family.

The Los Angeles suit was filed by Andrew and Elad Dvash-Banks, who met in Elads home country of Israel, married in Toronto in 2010, and had twin boys in 2016 through a surrogate, with both men donating sperm. After they moved to Andrews hometown of Los Angeles, the U.S. consulate granted citizenship to Andrews genetic son but denied it to Elads son because his father was not a U.S. citizen.

Another suit was filed in 2018 seeking citizenship for the son of a married lesbian couple living in London. One woman, Allison Blixt, was a U.S. citizen from Illinois, but her wife, Stefania Zaccari, was an Italian citizen. Because Zaccari was the birth mother, U.S. officials had denied citizenship to their son.

We are relieved and thankful that our fight for our family to be recognized by the government has finally ended, Blixt said in a statement. Our marriage is finally recognized and treated equally.

Bob Egelko is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: begelko@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @BobEgelko
Theres been some confusion over mask-wearing indoors, both from California residents and large corporations.

A sign posted in front of a Trader Joes in the Los Angeles County suburb of South Pasadena, close to the chain's headquarters, stirred a bit of controversy last week when it proudly announced that no mask-wearing inside the store would be necessary.

That sign was posted a few days before the California Department of Public Health announced that it would move in opposition to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and require masks until the state officially reopens on June 15. (It is unclear if the shop took it down after Californias decision; Trader Joes did not respond to a request for comment from SFGATE.)

With state regulations at odds with federal policies, the mix-up is understandable  if frustrating on all sides.

Costco, Trader Joes and Starbucks all announced that they would be lifting mask mandates shortly after the CDC announcement, often with the caveat that they would prioritize local and state requirements on masking. Costco, in addition to Trader Joe's, did not respond to a request for comment from SFGATE; a Starbucks spokesperson did not provide further comment, but referred SFGATE to the company policy lifting mask rules except where required by local regulations or law.

But there may be chains that still need a reminder. Los Angeles County is making the effort to reach out to retail chains to remind them of the existing mask mandate in the state.

Our teams are out notifying all of the chains that have made announcements nationally that they would be relaxing their masking requirements, Barbara Ferrer, the countys public health director, told the Los Angeles Times.

SFGATE reached out to all 9 Bay Area counties and the city of Berkeley, which has its own health department, to see if they will have specific orders like Los Angeles County's reminding national chains like Trader Joes, Costco and Starbucks to require mask-wearing inside their California shops.

Every Bay Area county that responded told SFGATE that they are adhering to state guidelines, but none of them said that they would have a specific enforcement policy like Los Angeles Countys. Marin and Santa Clara counties, and the city of Berkeley, did not respond to SFGATEs request for comment.

San Franciscos Department of Public Health offered one of the more comprehensive statements to SFGATE, saying that they support the states decision to continue requiring masks in certain indoor settings until June 15.

While 76% of our eligible population has received at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine, there are still many people in our city who have to get vaccinated, said a spokesperson from the agency. The CDCs announcement underscores the efficacy of the COVID-19 vaccine. However, there are still indoor public spaces where unvaccinated people may still be at risk.

They also hinted at the possibility that the city may have to implement a policy similar to Los Angeles as necessary if chain stores in San Francisco do end up violating the states indoor masking policy.

Representatives from Napa County offered up the idea that a separate requirement is not necessary. They noted that theyve followed up on hundreds of COVID-19 business safety complaints  last week, they only received two.

We are confident that we will continue to be as effective [in enforcing the mask mandate] over the next month (when the mask mandate is expected to be lifted), as we have been for the past year, said a spokesperson from the agency.

Though, it begs the question: How is Los Angeles County going to ensure that national chains still adhere to mask wearing? The answers pretty simple, a representative said.

Health inspectors are required to visit grocery stores and other businesses that require a Public Health Permit.

As part of the inspection process, our teams will also notify business of the current masking requirements in LA County, which are consistent with those required by the State of California, the spokesperson said.

So even if mask-wearing becomes a thing of the past in chains starting next month, we still have a few more weeks left to go. And if it's as easy as L.A. County makes it appear, it wouldn't hurt for some counties to remind some big chains of California's masking requirement during that time.
BEIJING (AP)  Chinese nationalism on the internet has a new target: The popular Thai drama Girl from Nowhere" distributed by Netflix.

Comments online Wednesday complained the series' Facebook page showed the flags of Taiwan, the island democracy claimed by the ruling Communist Party as part of its territory, and of Hong Kong, where the party is trying to crush pro-democracy activism.

Girl from Nowhere joins a growing list of foreign retailers, airlines, hotels and other brands that have been attacked online in China over Taiwan, Xinjiang, Tibet, human rights and other politically charged issues.

Some comments complained the flags show support for splitting China, or promoting formal independence for self-ruled Taiwan. The flags, with those of Singapore and other markets, appeared on an advertisement beside Thank You" in local languages for the series' popularity. It says nothing about whether they represent countries.

This is a (profanity) split! said a comment signed Tang Sugar Sugar Tang 123 on the popular Sina Weibo social media service. Does China need to say thank you for this? Bah! This is a blatant split!

Nanno I like you a lot, but sorry, you crossed my line. Goodbye, said another comment on Sina Weibo signed Huadu, referring the series main character. Think clearly about what kind of country China is before getting benefits from us.

Netflix, Inc., headquartered in Los Gatos, California, declined to comment.

The Facebook page says it operated by the Thai companies that produce the series and license it to Netflix.

The outcry highlights Chinas unusual mix of nationalism and pervasive censorship.

The ruling party increasingly demands global companies conform in public to Beijing's political positions, including on websites abroad that the ruling party's internet filters block most people in China from seeing.

Facebook can be seen in China only by people with virtual private network software used to evade the filters.

Those filters block access to Netflix and most other foreign entertainment and news outlets, but Girl from Nowhere can be seen in China on bilibili.com, which allows users to upload their own videos. It doesnt appear on other services that show movies and TV series approved by Chinese censors.

It wasnt clear how many people have watched Girl from Nowhere, but Douban.com, a website where users leave reviews, says more than 60,000 people have commented on the first season and 30,000 on the second. The average rating is unusually high at 8.4 points out of 10.

The Global Times, a newspaper published by the ruling party, showed the advertisement on its website but that image didnt appear on other Chinese sites.

The ruling party says Taiwan must unite with the mainland and has threatened to invade if it declares formal independence. Beijing has menaced Taiwanese this year by flying fighter jets and bombers close to and around the island.

In Hong Kong, the party is trying to crush pro-democracy activism following protests that began in 2019. Advocates including tycoon Jimmy Lai, whose company publishes the Apple Daily tabloid, have been sentenced to prison.

In March, the ruling party lashed out at H&M, Adidas, Nike and other retailers and shoe brands to pressure them to rejecting reports of forced labor and other abuses in Xinjiang in Chinas northwest.

State media called for a boycott of H&M after the ruling partys youth wing publicized the Swedish retailers statement from early 2020 saying it no longer would use cotton from Xinjiang.

___

AP researchers Fu Ting in Bangkok, Chen Si in Shanghai and Yu Bing in Beijing contributed.
WarnerMedia is rolling out a $10-a-month ad supported version of its HBO Max streaming service starting in June.

That's $5 off the current price for the ad-free version, which launched in May 2020. And cheaper than Netflix, which charges $14 a month for its most popular plan.

AT&T said Monday it will combine its massive WarnerMedia media assets, which includes HBO and CNN, with Discovery Inc. to create a new media company in a $43 billion deal. However the transaction isn't expected to close until mid-2022, and WarnerMedia is still going ahead with plans for HBO Max.

AT&T said earlier this month that there are 44.2 million subscribers to HBO Max and the traditional HBO channel combined in the U.S.

A bevy of streaming services have launched as people shift to watching TV online rather than via traditional cable packages.

Disney Plus, which launched in 2019, charges $8 a month and has amassed more than 100 million subscribers. Netflix remains the service to beat with more than 200 million subscribers globally.

HBO Max offers viewers shows from HBO such as Game of Thrones," movies including Wonder Woman" and Godzilla vs. Kong" and originals such as the show Made for Love."
NEW YORK (AP)  A construction worker was killed and another was critically injured Wednesday in an elevator plunge at a Bronx building undergoing renovation, authorities said.

Firefighters responded to the five-story building at 20 Bruckner Blvd. in the Mott Haven section shortly after 8 a.m. for a report of an elevator collapse, a Fire Department spokesperson said.

Two workers were inside the elevator when it dropped several floors, the spokesperson said. One of the workers was killed and the other was taken to a hospital in critical condition.

The New York City Department of Buildings is investigating the accident. Every worker who leaves for the job site in the morning deserves to come home safely at night, department spokesperson Andrew Rudansky said. We are committed to finding out how this tragic incident occurred, and if we find that safety rules were ignored, we will hold those responsible to account.

The building is a former ice factory that is being renovated for commercial use. It is known to many New Yorkers as the History Channel building for the billboard that sat atop its roof for years.

Representatives for GDI Construction, the general contractor for the building, said in a statement: What happened this morning at 20 Bruckner was a terrible incident and everyone on site is completely devastated. Our deepest sympathies go out to the family and loved ones of the individual who passed away and our thoughts are with the person who is in critical condition. We are working closely with the local authorities as we undergo a full investigation.
CLAYTON COUNTY, Ga. (AP)  A man who barricaded himself inside a suburban Atlanta home was taken into custody during a SWAT team incident Wednesday after another man was found dead, police said.

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports authorities were called to a home near Jonesboro, south of Atlanta, for a report of a person down. There they found an unidentified man in the yard of a home who was pronounced dead at the scene, police said.
MONTGOMERY, Ala. (AP)  A daylong search that began with an alleged kidnapping ended with a man shot to death by officers during an exchange of gunfire at a motel, authorities said.

Police who answered a call about a domestic dispute early Tuesday found out that a man had taken away a woman at gunpoint, Police Chief Ernest Finley told news outlets.
CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa (AP)  Trial has been set for one of two people charged in a Cedar Rapids man's death that police say was staged to look like a suicide.

A second-degree murder trial for Joshua Conklin has been set for Jan. 18. Conklin is charged in the June 2019 death of 44-year-old Randal Joseph Campbell, who was found dead with an air rifle positioned on his lap and torso. Investigators determined the scene was staged to appear to be a suicide, and that Conklin had used the air rifle to shoot Campbell at close range.
Paducah Police Seek Man in Knife Assault

By West Kentucky Star Staff

PADUCAH - Paducah police are requesting the public's help locating a man accused of assaulting his estranged wife's uncle with a knife.Police responded Thursday to a report of two men fighting in the front yard of a home on Mohawk Drive.The caller told police her estranged husband, 36-year-old Michael Shumpert, and her uncle had been fighting. She said her uncle was taken to Mercy Health Lourdes for treatment.Officers spoke with the man at the hospital and learned he had a laceration from his brow to his chin, reportedly caused by a knife.Detectives obtained a warrant charging Shumpert with second-degree assault.Anyone with information on Shumpert's whereabouts is asked to call the Paducah Police Department at 270-444-8550. Information can also be provided anonymously through West Kentucky Crime Stoppers by texting WKY and your tip to 847411 or downloading the WKY Crime Stoppers app.
OAKLAND, Calif. (AP)  Relatives of two people killed after shooters opened fire on a party bus driving on a San Francisco Bay Area freeway have identified them as two teenagers who were celebrating a friend's 21st birthday.

Alayasia Thurston, a 19, of Oakland, and Zoey Hughes, 16, of Modesto, died after at least two shooters opened fire on the bus around 12:20 a.m. Tuesday on Interstate 580 as it was returning to Oakland from San Francisco. Another five women were wounded.

Thurston had a daughter who is about to turn 3 years old, a relative who did not wish to be identified told the East Bay Times.

Hughes' mother, Christina Hughes, relatives and friends held a vigil in her memory Tuesday, KCRA-TV reported.

I did everything with Zoey, she said through tears. Zoey was the sweetest. Had the best heart. Her smile. When she walked into a room, you fell in love with Zoey.

At least two shooters in another vehicle began firing at the bus, then followed it off the freeway and continued shooting at it on city streets, authorities said. About 70 rounds were fired at the party bus.

She was a minor, 16 years old, added Zoeys stepfather, Thomas Augustine. Theres no point in chasing people down, gunning them down.

Alameda County Sheriff's Office spokesman Sgt. Ray Kelly said the coroner had identified the two victims but that it would be up to the California Highway Patrol, which is conducting the investigation, to release their names.

A CHP spokesperson did not immediately return an email from The Associated Press seeking comment.

___

This story corrects the first name of Zoey Hughes.
UNIVERSITY CITY, Mo. (AP)  Police in suburban St. Louis believe that robbery may be the motive in the deaths of two people who were shot an hour apart, and a $30,000 reward is now being offered in the case.

Barbara Goodkin was shot around 11 p.m. Saturday as she and her husband drove down Delmar Boulevard in University City. Her husband also was struck but survived.
JUNEAU, Alaska (AP)  The Alaska health department website was the target of a malware attack, officials said.

A similar attack previously targeted the state's court system.

The health department in a statement late Tuesday said its website was taken offline Monday while an investigation takes place. The statement did not say when the cyberattack was discovered, and Clinton Bennett, a department spokesperson, by email Wednesday said the department could not release that information due to security reasons, and so we do not jeopardize the investigation.

He responded the same way to a question about whether a ransom was demanded by those involved.

Investigators were trying to determine if any personal or confidential information was compromised, the department said.

Online COVID-19 vaccine appointment scheduling and data dashboards are hosted by outside sources and can be accessed through covid19.alaska.gov, the department said.

At this time, there are no details about who initiated the attack, why they targeted DHSS, whether this attack is related to any other recent attacks, or how long the website may be down, the Department of Health and Social Services said in its statement.

The chief justice of the Alaska Supreme Court said this month that a cybersecurity attack that resulted in the court system disconnecting its online services was first detected April 29 and that there was no ransom demand. The court system has been coming back online, announcing this week that the public could again access an online court case and records system and pay fines and fees online.

The court system said Tuesday that the ability to pay bail online was not yet restored.
JUNEAU, Alaska (AP)  Big issues Alaska lawmakers faced at the start of the regular session in January remain unsettled at the end, including the state budget and size of the check to be paid to residents from Alaska's oil-wealth fund.

Lawmakers face two special sessions, the first of which starts Thursday, with Gov. Mike Dunleavy seeking resolution on the dividend and fiscal issues that have vexed the state for years. Legislators share the concerns but whether they can agree on a plan is unclear.

Dunleavy called the first session to address the budget and the dividend paid from the nest-egg Alaska Permanent Fund. Senate President Peter Micciche has suggested taking more time to work on the dividend issue and tackling it later this summer, when lawmakers are set to meet for a second special session on revenue, spending and other issues.

Micciche, a Soldotna Republican, raised concerns recently about tackling the dividend issue in a bubble," without other pieces of a possible fiscal plan and a way to pay for the dividend. The Legislative Finance Division has estimated deficits around $1 billion in the coming years under a new dividend approach similar to one proposed by Dunleavy, with Dunleavy's budget office projecting smaller numbers.

Rep. Jonathan Kreiss-Tomkins, a Sitka Democrat, said the discussion needs to be broader than the dividend.

All the pieces have to be addressed simultaneously in order for people to feel comfortable committing themselves to a certain position on a certain policy, he said.

The governor's office said Dunleavy looks forward to productive discussions" during the special session set to begin Thursday. Special sessions can run as long as 30 days.

Dunleavy, since taking office in 2018, has argued unsuccessfully that a decades-old formula to calculate dividends should be followed until it's changed. The formula was last used in 2015, amid budget deficits, with the amount since then generally set by lawmakers.

The Alaska Supreme Court in 2017, in upholding then-Gov. Bill Walker's reduction of money available for dividends a year earlier, ruled that absent a constitutional amendment, the dividend must compete like other state programs for money. In 2018, lawmakers began using permanent fund earnings, long used for dividends, to also help cover government expenses. They also sought to cap the amount that could be withdrawn for both purposes, adding to the tension.

Dunleavy has now proposed a constitutional amendment that would restructure the permanent fund, rolling its spendable earnings reserve into the funds constitutionally protected principal, and place in the principal an endowment that is used to help communities with high electricity costs. The proposal calls for a draw limit from the permanent fund, with half the draw going to dividends.

His office said the Republican governor also was proposing moving $3 billion from permanent fund earnings to a budget reserve account that lawmakers could use while other pieces of a fiscal plan are implemented.

Legislative leaders have called the proposal a starting point. A constitutional amendment would require two-thirds support in each the House and Senate to qualify for the November 2022 ballot.

Kreiss-Tomkins said he understands if Alaskans are skeptical about whether lawmakers can come together on a plan. The Legislature has gone through billions of dollars in savings amid a persistent deficit.

He said he thinks finishing the budget will likely be the focus of the first special session.

I haven't spoken with anybody who feels like we're ready to dive into these other pieces mostly because there's just, like, no momentum on it, he said Wednesday. I really genuinely hope that over the next couple of months, the groundwork can be laid and the framework built for some momentum and for sort of driving toward consensus on these pieces.

Kreiss-Tomkins said he has seen a new level of engagement from Dunleavy and thinks there is a greater level of urgency and collective sense that the status quo is untenable.

The Senate was expected to begin debate on possible amendments to a budget package during Wednesdays session, though the session was delayed. The package that advanced from the Senate Finance Committee proposed a $1,000 dividend this year.

The budget that passed the House did not include a dividend amount. A dividend calculated under the longstanding formula would be around $3,000, according to estimates.

It is expected the budget will go to a conference committee, where House and Senate negotiators will hash out differences.

Under a state law passed in 2018, once the regular session expires Wednesday, lawmakers cannot collect the $293 daily allowance they have been getting until after a budget is passed. Lawmakers missed that budget deadline in 2019 but after a budget was passed that year in special session, legislative leaders approved retroactive allowances for lawmakers who requested them.

The Legislature passed a budget last year in March amid COVID-19 concerns.
ATLANTA (AP)  Amber McReynolds, CEO of The National Vote at Home Institute, helped state and local election officials prepare for the record number of mailed ballots cast during last year's presidential election. She also was recently confirmed by the Senate to serve on the Board of Governors of the U.S. Postal Service.

Former President Donald Trump and his allies complained that mail voting rules were eased during the pandemic by governors, state election officials and judges without the involvement of state lawmakers. That was true in a few cases, while lawmakers in nine states opted to expand eligibility requirements for mail voting and in two others agreed to mail ballots automatically to registered voters, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures.

The Associated Press interviewed McReynolds, who lives in Denver, about an election held amid the coronavirus outbreak, the attacks on election officials, the efforts in some states to enact new limits on mail voting and her views on the future of the Postal Service. The interview, held May 14, has been condensed.

AP: Tell us what you did to help state and local election officials prepare for holding a presidential election amid the COVID-19 outbreak.

McREYNOLDS: We worked with a lot of state legislatures last year as they were enacting emergency legislation. And then we worked directly with local and state officials on implementing new communication methods to educate voters about vote-by-mail, new processes, new procedures within the offices. We helped advise on how to do ballot box installation and what vendors to use.  And I just continue to commend the election officials for getting this done in the way that they did.

AP: You helped both Republican and Democratic states, correct?

McREYNOLDS: We did.

AP: Fast forward to today and we are seeing several Republican-led states overhauling voting rules, citing a lack of public confidence in the 2020 election. Do you believe that lack of confidence is warranted?

McREYNOLDS: The 2020 election was the most secure election that weve ever had.  The biggest challenge in 2020 was the disinformation and misinformation that occurred and frankly, the lies about the election process that were pervasive and planned all throughout the year.  . Its not truthful that there was massive fraud or voting system conspiracies or irregularities. ... I think the publics lack of understanding of the elections process is really how these bad actors were able to take advantage of the public, create this distrust  and now after theyve created all this distrust, go back and make the case for restrictions on voting access and point to the lack of trust that was created by a certain set of bad actors. Its sort of this vicious cycle that has happened, and we really need to break that.

AP: What are the consequences of these various proposals, these new limits on mail voting?

McREYNOLDS: A lot of these laws are aimed at restricting election officials from doing their jobs.  Ultimately voters are hurt the most. Our democracy, by extension, suffers and is weakened. And frankly, the disinformation bad-actor types are the ones that win because this is what they want. They want less people to be able to participate and the disinformation to continue to spread.

AP: You mentioned the challenges facing local election officials. How concerned are you that the personal attacks and threats that surfaced after the election will drive people from the profession?

McREYNOLDS: Well, Im very concerned about that. And I think weve already even seen indicators of that. Weve seen a lot more retirements or moves to other fields.  Many of my friends around the country experienced death threats and have had security challenges and have had their families harassed and attacked.

AP: Are you concerned partisan actors could see these positions of county clerks and election supervisors as an opportunity to potentially put their thumb on the scale? Do you think these positions, secretaries of state for that matter, should be nonpartisan?

McREYNOLDS: I am concerned that those positions are now going to be targeted by partisan actors to, frankly, play games and try to tip the scale in the election process.  I get concerned if we have a system that kind of relies on people doing the right thing. So I do think we have to build some additional accountability measures or ethical standards around some of these positions to protect and insulate the conduct of elections from partisan actors that could try to use those positions in a negative way.

AP: Lets talk about your new role with the USPS Board of Governors. Do you think the postmaster general is taking the Postal Service in the right direction with the current 10-year plan and the easing of existing delivery standards?

McREYNOLDS: I have not been in a board meeting yet, so I have not had access to the data and the performance measures and things like that for the postmaster general. So I have no judgment about his performance at this point in time.  What I would say is, as Ive reviewed the 10-year plan, the postmaster general and the board laid out many of the very important issues facing the Postal Service and, I think, put a plan out that includes many positive reform suggestions and recommendations.  The one area of the plan that I have concerns about is the service aspect of things, the service standards and even some of the plans around consolidation.  I want to know more about the impacts on service, because I truly believe we have to restore service. We have to restore confidence in the Postal Service.

AP: Finally, various election officials have raised concerns about the health of our democracy. Do you share those concerns? And if so, what are some steps that we should be taking to strengthen our democracy?

McREYNOLDS: I do share that concern. As I mentioned earlier, I think that disinformation is the biggest threat that we face with regards to the security of our elections. It is just not true that the election was fraudulent in any way. It is not true that there were issues with the Dominion voting system. It is not true that there was massive vote-by-mail fraud or activities that were nefarious.  And so I think we need to confront disinformation in a very big way and we need to protect our infrastructure.  The second piece is we have to protect election officials. And I do think lawmakers at the federal level need to step in and make it a federal crime to interfere with the conduct of an election, an election official and their official duties.  And then I think on the policy front, part of the reason the disinformation spreads as it does around this country is that there are not many federal standards, if you will, where theres consistency by state for how the election occurs. And so in one state, you might have a 30-day registration deadline. In another state, you might be able to go in and register to vote on Election Day and vote right there.  We need to think about some federal standards because its easy for bad actors to spread the wrong information because the rules vary so much by state.
Sunday, May 23

On this date in 1868, Col. Christopher Kit Carson, who directed the campaign against the Navajos which resulted in their surrender and the exile of about half the tribe to Fort Sumner between 1864 and 1868, died at Fort Lyon, Colorado., just nine days before the June 1 signing of the treaty which allowed the Navajos to return to their homeland.

On this date in 1919, the secretary of the Arizona Livestock Board reported that Cochise County was swarming with cattle rustlers.

On this date in 1927, one person died and several were injured when two Santa Fe trains crashed near Flagstaff.

Monday, May 24

On this date in 1869, John Wesley Powell and his party began their historic exploration of the Colorado River.

On this date in 1915, Arizona and California celebrated the opening of the new Ocean to Ocean highway bridge at Yuma.

On this date in 1925, R.J. Jones of Phoenix, who owned a 160-acre (65-hectare) tract of land located a mile and a half (2.4 kilometers) from the Casa Grande ruins, announced that the land would be subdivided and a new town called Coolidge would be built.

On this date in 1930, the State of Arizona presented a bronze statue of John Campbell Greenway to Statuary Hall in Washington, D.C.

On this date in 2013, a federal judge rules that the office of Joe Arpaio, the self-proclaimed Americas toughest sheriff, systematically racially profiled Latinos in its trademark immigration patrols. The decision marks the first finding by a court that the Maricopa County Sheriffs Office racially profiles people.

Tuesday, May 25

On this date in 1892, the Arizona Medical Association was organized in Phoenix. It was incorporated on June 16, 1950.

On this date in 1929, Yuma Mesa Grapefruit Co. announced it would erect a $25,000 packing house in Yuma and the Bomberger Seed Co. would construct a $10,000 warehouse and seed laboratory.

Wednesday, May 26

On this date in 1881, the first telephone office was established in Tucson.

On this date in 1894, the city of Flagstaff was incorporated.

On this date in 1909, the Pima County Court dismissed a 22-year-old murder indictment against Geronimo.

On this date in 1910, the Pima County Board of Supervisors ruled it would not license saloons in mining camps that had no police force.

On this date in 1915, the first furnace was put into operation at the Clarkdale Smelter to smelt the ore from the United Verde mines at Jerome.

On this date in 1930, President Herbert Hoover signed the proclamation creating Sunset Crater National Monument.

Thursday, May 27

On this date in 1896, the first commencement of Phoenix Union High School was held at the Phoenix Opera House. Keynote speaker John E. Merriam talked on What Electrical Science is Doing for the World.

On this date in 1910, it was announced that Picacho Mine, which had sat idle in the Cababi Mountains for many years, was to reopen.

Friday, May 28

On this date in 1909, two bankers who wrecked the First National Bank in Bisbee were given the minimum sentence of five years in prison.

On this date in 1910, the Pima County Board of Supervisors offered $500 for the arrest and conviction of the killers of stage line operator and rancher Oscar Buckalew.

On this date in 1910, Red Springs, a community located eight miles (13 kilometers) north of Globe and considered a suburb of Miami, was practically wiped out by fire which destroyed 19 of the 23 houses in town.

On this date in 1912, Executive Order 1538 set aside the Ak Chin Reservation for the Maricopa Indians.

On this date in 1918, Matthew B. Rivers, a Pima Indian, became the first Arizonan to be killed in action in World War I. He died in Catigny, France, as a member of Company K, 28th Infantry.

Saturday, May 29

On this date in 1856, Camp Moore in the Sonoita Valley was renamed Fort Buchanan.

On this date in 1873, a troop of the 5th Cavalry established a camp on the San Carlos River near Gila. It became the headquarters for the military government of the San Carlos Indian Agency.

On this date in 1895, the University of Arizona held its first commencement with three graduates.

On this date in 1998, former Sen. Barry Goldwater, who served five terms in the U.S. Senate and lost a bid for the presidency in 1964, dies at age 89 at his home in Paradise Valley.

On this date in 2011, the Wallow Fire breaks out in the Apache-Sitgreaves National Forests and goes on to become at the time the largest wildfire in Arizona. The fire was caused by a campfire started by two cousins.
ROGUE RIVER, Ore. (AP)  A person suspected of domestic assault has died in a shooting involving a deputy in southwestern Oregon, according to a news release from the Jackson County Sheriffs Office.

At 11 a.m. Tuesday deputies were sent to a domestic assault in progress near Rogue River, the news release sent by spokesman Mike Moran said.
METAIRIE, La. (AP)  A Louisiana man had a chunk of his nose bitten off by a man he bought a drink for, authorities said.

Bryan Thayer, 34, told The Times-Picayune/The New Orleans Advocate that he finished a shift at the Metairie bar he owns and stopped by another bar just before 5 a.m. on May 8.

He and a friend bought a drink for a man later identified as Andrew Nierman, according to the Jefferson Parish Sheriffs Office.

The drink spilled on Nierman, but Thayer told the news outlet that he and his friend bought him another. He said the 32-year-old Neirman walked away but came back a few moments later and threatened Thayer.

He grabbed my head and took a chunk out of my nose, Thayer said.

Authorities said Nierman ran from the bar and got into a vehicle. Thayer, bleeding profusely, got the attention of a nearby deputy.

The deputy stopped Nierman, who said, I was just accosted by him, so I bit him in the face, according to an incident report.

Nierman was arrested on charges of second-degree battery and resisting arrest by refusing to provide identification. He was released from Jefferson Parish Correctional Center on a $25,500 bond the next day. Nierman declined to comment to The Times-Picayune/The New Orleans Advocate.

Thayer said he had surgery to reattach the portion of his nose that was severed. Doctors reopened and stitched the wound Monday. He said he expects the injury will prevent him from working at his bar.

He also told the news outlet that he had to explain the injury to his young daughter without scaring her.

Her take on it is that a bad man bit daddy, Thayer said.
OUAGADOUGOU, Burkina Faso (AP)  Suspected Islamic extremists attacked a baptism party in northern Burkina Faso, killing at least 15 people and sending terrified civilians fleeing to other towns, authorities said Wednesday.

The attack took place Tuesday near the town of Tin-Akoff, according to Salfo Kabore, the governor of Sahel region. It is the fourth attack against civilians this month in the commune, according to an internal security report for aid workers.

People are shocked and many are running, said Moha AG Agraz, a Tin-Akoff native who has been in contact with town residents.

While there was no immediate claim of responsibility for the attack, the internal security report viewed by The Associated Press blamed extremists linked to the Islamic State group.

Violence linked to al-Qaida and the Islamic State extremists has left thousands dead in the West African nation over the last several years. In recent weeks, attacks have spiked in Burkina Faso's Sahel region and in the country's east.

Two Spanish journalists and an Irish conservationist were among more than 50 people killed during one week in April.

The violence has displaced more than 1 million people, and aid groups say it's also brought tens of thousands to the brink of starvation by disrupting aid operations to those in need.

The office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees said earlier this month it was deeply concerned by the humanitarian consequences of violence that displaced more than 17,500 people in a 10-day period.

Observers expressed alarm that Tuesday's attack took place in an area where international and regional armed forces are actively trying to stop jihadist violence.

It shows the limits of counterterrorism strategies that fail to bring stability to these regions while armed groups continue to proliferate, said Flore Berger, an analyst covering security in the Sahel.
WASHINGTON (AP)  President Joe Biden will award his first Medal of Honor this week to a retired colonel for acts of bravery during the Korean War, the White House announced Wednesday.

Biden will bestow the nation's most prestigious military honor on retired Col. Ralph Puckett Jr., who held Hill 205, a strategic position near Unsan, over two days in November 1950 while fighting off numerous attacks during the battle in which he endured multiple wounds.

South Korean President Moon Jae-in will attend the ceremony, the White House said. Moon will be in Washington for a summit with Biden at the White House on Friday.

Puckett's Medal of Honor was made possible under the 2020 defense policy bill, which lifted a requirement that such awards be made within five years of the commission of the act of valor for which the individual is being recognized. The five-year limit was waived for Puckett and three other U.S. service members. Puckett's nomination still had to be approved by the defense secretary and president.

Puckett, 94 and living in Columbus, Georgia, was a first lieutenant and commander of the 8th U.S. Army Ranger Company during those two days in late November 1950 when his unit launched a daytime offensive on Hill 205.

Enemy forces directed mortar, machine gun and small arms fire against Puckett and his men in return. At one point, Puckett intentionally ran across an open area multiple times to draw enemy fire to allow his Rangers to find and destroy enemy positions and seize Hill 205, the White House said.

Puckett was seriously wounded when mortar rounds landed in his foxhole, limiting his mobility. He ordered his men to evacuate and leave him behind, but they refused. While under enemy fire, the Rangers retrieved Puckett from the foxhole and brought him to the bottom of the hill, where he directed operations against the enemy.'

First Lieutenant Pucketts extraordinary heroism and selflessness above and beyond the call of duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of military service, the White House said in its announcement.

Puckett later spent about a year in combat in Vietnam as a member of the 101st Airborne Division.

In 1992, he was an inaugural inductee into the U.S. Army Ranger Hall of Fame.

Puckett lives in Columbus, Georgia, with Jean, his wife of 68 years.
WKCTC Among Top 5 Community Colleges Again

By Bill Hughes

PADUCAH - In a live-streamed event Tuesday afternoon, West Kentucky Community and Technical College was recognized as one of the top five community colleges in the nation - again.The college won a $100,000 prize as a finalist with distinction in the 2021 Aspen Prize for Community College Excellence Program. This is the fifth time WKCTC has been a finalist, and the third time they have been among the top five.More than 75 WKCTC faculty, staff, administrators, and supporters in the Clemens Fine Arts Theatre cheered as they watched the virtual announcement ceremony from Washington D.C.President Dr. Anton Reece addressed the crowd after the announcement. He noted that WKCTC was the last of the top five colleges mentioned before the winner was announced."Seeing that we were there until the very end, almost as that 'runner up,' status, and in the top three with distinction is incredibly huge, and I'm just very, very, very proud of all of you," Reece said.Lee Emmons, Vice President of Institutional Advancement and Development, told West Kentucky Star, "We wish we had hit the number one spot. That would have been particularly wonderful, but it's important not to lose sight of how truly great it is to be in the very top handful - you can count it on one hand - of community colleges throughout the nation."San Antonio Community College was the winner and got a $600,000 prize. Other finalists with distinction were Broward College and San Jacinto College, while Amarillo College was named a rising star.Emmons said continual improvement, not complacency, is how they have consistently placed among the top ten community colleges.She said, "We are always looking at raising the bar. What are we not doing that we should be doing? Not just for this prize, but to always be striving for that next level. Where are gaps in student achievement? Where do we need to be placing our focus?"The $1 million Aspen Prize, awarded every two years since 2011, recognizes outstanding institutions selected from more than 1,000 community colleges nationwide. The Aspen Prize assesses performance in six areas: teaching and learning, certificate and degree completion, transfer and bachelor's attainment, workforce success, equity in access and success for students of color and students from low-income backgrounds, and leadership and institutional culture.WKCTC's graduation and transfer rate in 2018 was 55 percent, 9 percentage points above the national average; the graduation rate for students who receive federal Pell Grants because of financial need was 43 percent, compared to 25 percent for community college students nationally. On average, five years after graduating with an associate degree, WKCTC alumni earn $37,000, $10,000 more than all newly hired employees in the county.Watch the entire event here:
LOUISVILLE, Ky. (AP)  Democrat Charles Booker has raised more than $500,000 since forming an exploratory committee signaling his interest in challenging Republican U.S. Sen. Rand Paul next year in Kentucky.

Booker, who nearly upset a well-funded Democratic rival in last year's primary for the seat held by Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, said Wednesday that his fundraising in the past month shows he would have the resources needed to win if he were to enter the race against Paul.

Booker, a Black former state lawmaker, would face a decidedly uphill challenge against Paul in Republican-trending Kentucky, which has not elected a Democrat to the Senate since Wendell Ford in 1992. Paul, a former presidential candidate, will seek a third Senate term in 2022. Booker has not signaled when he will announce whether he's formally entering the campaign.

Kentucky voters would be given a clear choice if Booker challenges Paul.

Paul is a libertarian-leaning conservative and ally of former President Donald Trump. Booker has embraced an unabashedly progressive agenda, touting racial and economic justice, universal access to health care and environmental activism.

Booker said Wednesday that the donations raised since forming his exploratory committee in April came from more than 13,000 contributors, with an average amount of nearly $29.

Im humbled and honored to see so many people across Kentucky and across America chipping in because of a shared belief in a better future, Booker said.

Booker didnt specify how many of the contributions came from Kentuckians.

Paul's campaign had more than $3 million in the bank at the end of March.

Bookers formation of an exploratory committee was a step short of officially launching his candidacy, but hes long been seen as a leading Democratic prospect for the 2022 Senate race in Kentucky. Forming an exploratory committee allows Booker to poll, travel the state, make phone calls and fundraise while testing the waters without officially declaring himself as a candidate.

Booker's early fundraising could solidify his position for the primary if he enters the race.

If he keeps raising money at this pace, he will probably preclude any other strong candidate, longtime political commentator Al Cross said.

Last year, McConnell trounced Democratic challenger Amy McGrath, who narrowly defeated Booker in Kentucky's Democratic primary.

Booker seized momentum late in last years primary on the strength of a Hood to the Holler campaign that highlighted the common interests of Black Democrats in the cities and middle- and low-income white people in the mountains of eastern Kentucky  which he collectively has defined as people in forgotten places.

He fell short in part because thousands of Kentucky Democrats had already cast ballots during an extended early voting period created to keep voters safe during the coronavirus pandemic, blunting the impact of his late surge.

But Booker would be campaigning next year in a state that has turned decidedly Republican. The GOP holds both U.S. Senate seats from Kentucky, five of the six congressional seats and has overwhelming majorities in both state legislative chambers. Democrat Andy Beshear holds the governorship, having narrowly defeated the Republican incumbent in 2019.
NEW YORK (AP)  More than a year after coronavirus shutdowns sent the city that never sleeps into a fitful slumber, New York could be wide awake again this summer.

Starting Wednesday, vaccinated New Yorkers could shed their masks in most situations, and restaurants, stores, gyms and many other businesses could go back to full capacity if they ascertain that all patrons have been inoculated.

Subways resumed running round-the-clock this week. Midnight curfews for bars and restaurants will be gone by month's end. Broadway tickets are on sale again, though the curtain won't rise on any shows until September.

Officials say now is New York's moment to shake off the image of a city brought to its knees by the virus last spring  a recovery poignantly rendered on the latest cover of The New Yorker magazine. It shows a giant door part-open to the city skyline, letting in a ray of light.

Is the Big Apple back to its old, brash self?

Maybe 75%. ... Its definitely coming back to life, said Mark Kumar, 24, a personal trainer.

But Ameen Deen, 63, said: A full sense of normalcy is not going to come any time soon. There's far too many deaths. There's too much suffering. There's too much inequality."

Last spring, the biggest city in America was also the nation's deadliest coronavirus hotspot, the site of over 21,000 deaths in just two months. Black and Hispanic patients have died at markedly higher rates than whites and Asian Americans.

Hospitals overflowed with patients and corpses. Refrigerated trailers served as temporary morgues, and tents were set up in Central Park as a COVID-19 ward. New York's hectic streets fell quiet, save for ambulance sirens and nightly bursts of cheering from apartment windows for health care workers.

After a year of ebbs, surges, reopenings and closings, the city hopes vaccinations are turning the tide for good. About 48% of residents have had at least one dose so far. Deaths have amounted to about two dozen a day in recent weeks, and new cases and hospitalizations have plummeted from a wintertime wave.

Large swaths of the country and world are also moving toward normal after a crisis blamed for 3.4 million deaths globally, including more than 587,000 in the U.S.

Las Vegas casinos are returning to 100% capacity and no social distancing requirements. Disneyland in California opened up late last month after being shuttered for more than 400 days. Massachusetts this week announced that all virus restrictions will expire Memorial Day weekend.

Summer music festivals like Lollapalooza are back on, the Indy 500 is bracing for more than 100,000 fans, and the federal government says fully vaccinated adults no longer need to wear masks.

France opened back up on Wednesday as well, with the Eiffel Tower, Parisian cafes and cinemas and the Louvre bringing back visitors for the first time in months.

In New York, Mayor Bill de Blasio has declared it the summer of New York City.

As the mask requirement eased statewide Wednesday, businesses grappled with enforcing different rules for vaccinated and unvaccinated people. Fitness studio chain SLT planned to start checking vaccine cards Thursday to determine who could work out unmasked.

Still, founder Amanda Freeman applauded the change  "The only complicated part of this is that its complicated, she said.

Some people bared their faces on the city's streets, while others still wore masks.

City Public Advocate Jumaane Williams urged people to keep masking up, at least indoors.

We dont want to put people who havent yet received the vaccine in a position where they could become stigmatized or pressured for not wearing a mask, he said.

There are other signs New York is regaining its bustle. Some 80,000 city employees returned to their offices at least part time this month; others already were working in person.

Subway and commuter rail ridership is averaging about 40% of normal after plunging to 10% last spring, when the subway system began closing for several hours overnight for the first time in its more than 115-year history.

Shakeem Brown, an artist and delivery person who works late in Manhattan, spent up to three hours a night commuting back to his Queens apartment before 24/7 service resumed Monday. Brown, 26, said it's refreshing to see things opening up.

At e's Bar on Manhattan's Upper West Side, we feel the energy of social life ramping up, co-owner Erin Bellard said. People are so excited to be out.

Still, receipts at the bar and grill have been down about 35% because of pandemic restrictions on hours and capacity, she said. The impending end of the midnight curfew will give the bar two more crucial hours, and the owners are considering whether to regain full capacity by requiring vaccinations.

From other vantage points, normal looks farther off.

The sidewalks and skyscrapers of midtown Manhattan, for instance, are still noticeably empty. Big corporate employers largely aren't looking to bring more workers back until fall, and only if they feel it's safe, said Kathryn Wylde, CEO of the Partnership for New York City, a major employers group.

Shutting down was easy. Reopening is hard," Wylde said. "All the employers say that there still is fear and some resistance to coming back.

Besides virus fears, companies and workers are wondering about safety, she said.

Crime in the city has become a growing source of concern, but it's a complicated picture. Murders, shootings, felony assaults and auto thefts rose in the first four months of this year compared with the same period in pre-pandemic 2019, but robberies and grand larcenies fell. So did crime in the transit system, probably because of the drop in ridership.

Brandon Goldgrub returned to his midtown office in July, but just in the last few weeks, he has noticed the sidewalks seem a bit crowded again.

Now I feel it's a lot more normal, said Goldgrub, 30, a property manager.

Visiting from Tallahassee, Florida, Jessica Souva looked around midtown and felt hopeful about the city where she used to live.

All we heard, elsewhere in the country, was that New York was a ghost town, and this doesn't feel like that, said Souva, 47. It feels like a city in transition.

___

Associated Press writer Michael R. Sisak contributed to this report.
COLUMBUS, Ga. (AP)  Ashley and Albert Debelbot were sitting in the same courtroom where, more than a decade earlier, they were convicted of murdering their newborn daughter. The district attorney walked over and apologized.

That's when it sunk in for Ashley, 37, that they were free of the charges that lingered even after the Georgia Supreme Court overturned their convictions last year: To have the DA walk over to me and reach out his hand and apologize, in that moment I was like, This is happening.'

The Debelbots brought baby McKenzy home two days after her birth in May 2008. Roughly 12 hours later, they've said, they awoke in the middle of the night, noticed a bump on her forehead and rushed back to the hospital. McKenzy died hours later. Her parents were arrested the next day.

The couples lawyers say the baby's injuries occurred naturally and her parents are victims of a rush to judgment that cost them 12 years of their lives. The original prosecutor remains convinced of their guilt.

The case was overturned not because of new evidence but because of statements the prosecutor made at trial and defense attorneys' failure to object. The new district attorney decided it wasnt worth retrying.

___

The Debelbots met in South Korea while in the Army. Ashley, who's from Mississippi, was a human resources sergeant. Albert, whos from the Pacific island of Palau, was stationed there after serving in Iraq.

Ashley was already pregnant and planning to leave the military to be a full-time mom when they moved to Columbus in March 2008 for Alberts posting at Fort Benning. They got a townhouse and prepared for the baby, nicknaming her Mac before she was even born.

McKenzy was born May 29 and died around 4 a.m. on June 1. An autopsy began the next morning, and the Debelbots were arrested that afternoon.

During their 2009 trial, a state medical examiner, Dr. Lora Darrisaw, testified McKenzy suffered very severe head trauma, causing skull fractures, brain swelling and bleeding. Based on the autopsy and absent any accident explanation, Darrisaw determined McKenzy's death was non-accidental. The injuries were most consistent with a crushing type of force.

Asked if McKenzys injuries could have happened during birth, Darrisaw said that would be absolutely ludicrous.

Her testimony went unrebutted. Alberts trial attorney didn't call medical experts. A doctor Ashley's attorney planned to call wasn't available, and the judge declined a request to delay.

Ashley and Albert both testified that they had been eager first-time parents. Both said they didn't hurt McKenzy.

Melvin Tarver, whod been in a holding cell with Albert the first day of the trial, testified Albert said hed gone out to get dope that night and when he returned Ashley said shed spanked the baby and put her to bed. That could have helped Albert by placing blame on Ashley, but Alberts lawyer worked to discredit Tarver through questioning. Both Debelbots testified they put McKenzy to bed together.

The jury deliberated about three hours before returning a guilty verdict. Judge Doug Pullen sentenced both Debelbots to life in prison.

The couple spent years seeking a new trial, arguing McKenzy's injuries couldn't have been caused by blunt force.

Medical examiners and other doctors often too quickly assume abuse when a baby dies, said Carrie Sperling, a post-conviction attorney for Albert.

I think it would be shocking  especially to parents  to think that you could lose a child and the default diagnosis is if we cant explain it, you killed them, Sperling said.

The lynchpin to the states case was that McKenzy was healthy when she left the hospital, said A. James Anderson, a post-conviction attorney for Ashley.

If you pull the lynchpin out, their case falls apart, he said.

Dr. Daniel Sahlein provided alternate explanations during hearings on motions for a new trial: Blood clots formed in McKenzys brain before birth, blocking the circulation of blood and cerebrospinal fluid and causing bleeding. That created pressure that pushed against the developing skull, which was abnormally thin and improperly formed in places. The birthing process further damaged the skull and caused bleeding under the scalp.

McKenzy could have seemed fine in the hospital before taking a sudden turn at home, Dr. Peter Dehnel testified: You can have really quite significant abnormalities of the brain and have a baby that looks really quite normal.

But defense experts also testified there were warning signs in the hospital, including the fact that she ate far less than normal on her second day and that her head circumference increased at a rate about 10 times greater than normal.

The medical examiner described the right side of McKenzys brain as soft and mushy. But if she suffered a blunt force injury after leaving the hospital, Dehnel said hed expect her brain to be swollen and firm. He also noted she had no bruises on her head.

Defense experts said it appeared parts of McKenzys brain and skull were missing. Darrisaw, the medical examiner, rejected that.

Two other doctors the state called said hospital records showed McKenzy was normal and healthy when discharged.

Dr. Joseph Zanga said the head exam was done appropriately and revealed nothing abnormal. The increased head circumference didn't surprise him.

Trauma occurring before birth or during delivery would not have allowed this child to appear completely normal for two or more days and then suddenly develop the signs and symptoms requiring the child to be brought to the emergency department, Zanga testified.

Dr. Susan Palasis likened McKenzy's injuries to those typical in car crashes. That McKenzy could have such extensive injuries and not show external signs or symptoms would be very difficult to reconcile, she said. She also disputed defense assertions that CT scans showed developmental abnormalities.

The original prosecutor, Sadhana Dailey, said Zanga and Palasis confirmed Darrisaw's testimony that McKenzy suffered an inflicted skull fracture.

The evidence supports a guilty verdict, Dailey said in a recent interview.

After accepting the defense doctors as experts in their fields, Judge Arthur Smith ruled their theory not credible. He denied the request for a new trial.

But the Georgia Supreme Court overturned Smiths ruling in February 2020, tossing the Debelbots convictions and saying they were entitled to a new trial.

During her closing argument, Dailey had told the jury reasonable doubt does not mean to a mathematical certainty.

Which means we dont have to prove that 90%. You dont have to be 90% sure. You dont have to be 80% sure. You dont have to be 51% sure, she said.

The high court said that was an egregious misstatement of the law" and said the Debelbots didn't get a fair trial because their lawyers didn't object.

Because that was sufficient to overturn the verdict, the Supreme Court didnt address the issue of medical evidence. The justices did say it was a close question whether the trial evidence was sufficient to sustain the convictions.

Mark Jones, who became district attorney in Columbus in January, said he reviewed the available evidence. With limited resources and a crush of recent murder cases, he decided against pursuing an old case with a high likelihood of acquittal.

Jones doesnt know whether the Debelbots are innocent, he said, but he also considered that they lost the prime years of their lives and they lost their baby and then they were incarcerated on top of that for a significant amount of time.

At the hearing last month to dismiss the charges, Jones apologized that the Debelbots didnt get a fair trial.

Albert said Jones apology was appropriate.

Is it enough? I surely dont think so, he said.

___

Out on bond since July and now free of criminal charges, the Debelbots are struggling to start over and declined to talk about their relationship.

Ashley works in customer service for an insurance company but dreams of having her own food truck, and eventually a restaurant, after taking culinary classes in prison.

Due to complications with proving his legal residency, Albert, 35, hasn't been able to get a photo ID, leaving him unable to travel or otherwise reestablish himself.

This dismissing the case is only a minor part of my recovery process, he said.

Both said their faith in the justice system is destroyed.

I joined the Army because I believed in freedom and I believed in democracy," Albert said. "Then I come home to experience injustice. It's quite disappointing.

They also said they never had a chance to grieve McKenzy's death.

A teddy bear with a compartment in its back holds McKenzy's ashes. Ashley hugs the bear now and cries, wondering what her daughter would have been like if she'd lived to turn 13 this month.

I would have a teenager, Ashley said, her eyes widening in disbelief and then turning wistful as she gazed at two framed photos of newborn McKenzy on the wall. Who knows how many more children I would have had by now.
ATLANTA (AP)  Ashley and Albert Debelbot were sitting in the same courtroom where, more than a decade earlier, they were convicted of murdering their newborn daughter. The district attorney walked over and apologized.

Thats when it sunk in for Ashley, 37, that they were free of the charges that lingered even after their convictions were overturned last year: To have the DA walk over to me and reach out his hand and apologize, in that moment I was like, This is happening.

The Debelbots brought baby McKenzy home two days after her birth in May 2008. Roughly 12 hours later, theyve said, they awoke in the middle of the night, noticed a bump on her forehead and rushed back to the hospital. McKenzy died hours later. Her parents were arrested the next day.

The couples lawyers say the babys injuries occurred naturally and her parents are victims of a rush to judgment that cost them 12 years. The original prosecutor remains convinced of their guilt.

The case was overturned not because of new evidence but because of statements the prosecutor made at trial.

The Debelbots met in South Korea while in the Army. Ashley was already pregnant and planning to leave the military to be a full-time mom when they moved to Columbus, Georgia, in March 2008 for Alberts posting at Fort Benning.

McKenzy was born May 29 and died around 4 a.m. on June 1.

During their 2009 trial, a state medical examiner, Dr. Lora Darrisaw, testified McKenzy suffered very severe head trauma, causing skull fractures, brain swelling and bleeding. She ruled the injuries non-accidental, most consistent with a crushing type of force.

Her testimony went unrebutted.

Ashley and Albert both testified that they had been eager first-time parents. Both said they didnt hurt McKenzy.

Melvin Tarver, whod been in a holding cell with Albert the first day of the trial, testified Albert said hed gone out to get dope that night and when he returned Ashley said shed spanked the baby and put her to bed. Both Debelbots testified they put McKenzy to bed together.

The jury convicted them and Judge Doug Pullen sentenced them to life in prison.

The couple spent years seeking a new trial, arguing McKenzys injuries couldnt have been caused by blunt force.

Medical examiners and other doctors often too quickly assume abuse when a baby dies, said Carrie Sperling, a post-conviction attorney for Albert.

The lynchpin to the states case was that McKenzy was healthy when she left the hospital, said A. James Anderson, a post-conviction attorney for Ashley.

If you pull the lynchpin out, their case falls apart, he said.

Dr. Daniel Sahlein provided alternate explanations during hearings on motions for a new trial: Blood clots formed in McKenzys brain before birth, blocking the circulation of blood and cerebrospinal fluid and causing bleeding. That created pressure that pushed against the developing skull, which was abnormally thin and improperly formed in places, Sahlein said. The birthing process further damaged the skull and caused bleeding under the scalp.

McKenzy could have seemed fine in the hospital before taking a sudden turn at home, Dr. Peter Dehnel testified.

But defense experts also testified there were warning signs in the hospital: McKenzy ate far less than normal on her second day and her head circumference increased at a rate about 10 times greater than normal.

The medical examiner described the right side of McKenzys brain as soft and mushy. But a blunt force injury should have left her brain swollen and firm, Dehnel testified. He also noted she had no bruises on her head.

Defense experts said it appeared parts of McKenzys brain and skull were missing. Darrisaw, the medical examiner, rejected that.

Two other doctors the state called said hospital records showed McKenzy was normal and healthy when discharged.

Dr. Joseph Zanga said the head exam was done appropriately and revealed nothing abnormal.

Trauma occurring before birth or during delivery would not have allowed this child to appear completely normal for two or more days, Zanga testified.

Dr. Susan Palasis likened McKenzys injuries to those typical in car crashes. She also disputed defense assertions that CT scans showed developmental abnormalities.

The evidence supports a guilty verdict, the original prosecutor, Sadhana Dailey, said in a recent interview.

Judge Arthur Smith denied the request for a new trial.

But the Georgia Supreme Court reversed him in February 2020, ruling the Debelbots were entitled to a new trial.

During her closing argument, Dailey told the jury reasonable doubt does not mean to a mathematical certainty.

Which means we dont have to prove that 90%. You dont have to be 90% sure. You dont have to be 80% sure. You dont have to be 51% sure, she said.

The high court said that was an egregious misstatement of the law and said the Debelbots didnt get a fair trial because their lawyers didnt object.

Mark Jones, who became district attorney in Columbus in January, said he reviewed the available evidence. With limited resources and many recent murder cases, he decided against pursuing an old case with a high likelihood of acquittal.

At the hearing last month to dismiss the charges, Jones apologized that the Debelbots didnt get a fair trial.

Albert said Jones apology was appropriate.

Is it enough? I surely dont think so, he said.

Now free of criminal charges, the Debelbots are struggling to start over.

Ashley works in customer service for an insurance company but dreams of having her own food truck, and eventually a restaurant.

Albert, 35, is from the Pacific island of Palau. Because of complications proving his legal residency, he hasnt been able to get a photo ID, making it hard to reestablish himself.

Both said their faith in the justice system is destroyed. They also said they never had a chance to grieve McKenzys death.

A teddy bear with a compartment in its back holds McKenzys ashes. Ashley hugs the bear now and cries, thinking of her daughter who would have turned 13 this month.

I would have a teenager, Ashley said, her eyes turning wistful as she gazed at two photos of newborn McKenzy on the wall. Who knows how many more children I would have had by now.
OMAHA, Neb. (AP)  The Omaha City Council has passed a resolution brought by newly-reelected Mayor Jean Stothert that condemns discrimination and hate and calls for Omaha leaders to be committed to diversity, equity and inclusion.

The resolution is largely symbolic, as it enacted no policy changes. The resolution drew praise, the Omaha World-Herald reported, but also some criticism from those who said city leaders need to do more than offer lip service to combating discrimination.
MADRID (AP)  Was Christopher Columbus really from Genoa, in Italy? Or was he Spanish? Or, as some other theories have it, was he Portuguese or Croatian or even Polish?

A definitive answer to the question of where the famous explorer came from could be just five months away as international scientists on Wednesday launched an effort to read the DNA from his remains and identify his geographic origin.

Their findings are to be made public in October.

Knowledge of the 15th-century navigators early life is scant.

A major breakthrough in establishing a fuller profile of the man who died 515 years ago came after DNA tests in 2003 established that bones in a tomb in the cathedral of Seville were those of Columbus.

But after that discovery, the research team from Spain's University of Granada that is leading the Columbus research decided to halt its investigation. The reason: DNA technology at the time was neither accurate nor reliable and required a significant amount of genetic material.

After leaps in the sophistication of DNA testing in recent years, gene geography may now ascertain the rough area of a European persons ancestry.

Jose Antonio Lorente, a professor of forensic medicine at Granada University, said there had been a radical improvement in DNA analysis, which now permits tests on very small fragments.

He said researchers are working with four small bone fragments from Columbus, seven bone fragments and a tooth from his son Hernando, and a dozen bone fragments in poor condition from his brother Diego.

The fragments are being sent to genetic identification laboratories in Rome and Florence in Italy, Mexico and the United States, Lorente told an online press conference.

Lorente said he believes the generally accepted theory that Columbus was from Genoa, but the project aims to resolve some mysteries ... and contradictions in the historical record and obtain as much information as possible ... so that there is no argument.

Granada University on Wednesday was hosting what it called the first world meeting of Columbus researchers, who are presenting evidence for their different theories about the explorers origins.

Columbuss four transatlantic voyages on behalf of the Spanish monarchs between 1492 and 1504 opened a door to Europes colonization of the Americas, then known as the New World.

Columbus died on May 20, 1506 and was buried in the Spanish city of Valladolid, though he had asked to be buried in the Americas.
HOUSTON (AP)  A Houston man who had been convicted in a 2010 fatal stabbing but was later eliminated as the killer by DNA evidence was declared innocent on Wednesday by Texas highest criminal court.

The ruling by the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals came after a new analysis of DNA found on the victims fingernails pointed to Lydell Grants innocence.

Grant was convicted in the death of 28-year-old Aaron Scheerhoorn, who was stabbed outside a Houston bar. Six eyewitnesses to the stabbing testified against Grant at trial. He was convicted in 2012.

Grant, 44, had served seven years of a life sentence when he was freed on bond in 2019 to await the appeals courts decision.

During a news conference Wednesday, Grant thanked God and said he was grateful to be declared innocent as he had expected to die in prison.

I knew this day was going to come and I just didnt know when, Grant said.

Mike Ware, who is the executive director of the Innocence Project of Texas and one of Grants attorneys, thanked the Harris County District Attorneys Office for its work in helping exonerate Grant.

Its a huge day for justice, Ware said.

Police have arrested Jermarico Carter, 43, for Scheerhoorns killing and he remains jailed in Houston awaiting trial. Authorities say Carter, who was tracked down in Atlanta, confessed to the killing.

The exoneration of innocent individuals is as important as the conviction of guilty ones, said Harris County District Attorney Kim Ogg. The highest responsibility of a prosecutor is to see that justice is done.

The ruling by the appeals court means Grant can apply for $80,000 in state compensation for each year of his wrongful imprisonment.

Grant said he plans on getting a degree in audio engineering and pursuing a music career. He is also writing a book about his experience.

But Grant said while hes ready to move forward with his life, he is still affected by his experience and remains cautious, making sure that whenever he goes to a store he gets a receipt to prove he was there and to show what time he went.

And its crazy because now I got to live like that because of what Ive been through, Grant said. But I dont ask for no sympathy from no one. I dont ask for nobody to feel sorry for me because Im strong and God, he endured and sustained me... and Im just thankful.

Ware has said he believes erroneous eyewitness identifications based on outdated and flawed techniques used by police detectives helped to wrongly convict Grant.

Mistaken eyewitness identifications contributed to about 69% of the more than 375 wrongful convictions in the U.S. that have been overturned by post-conviction DNA evidence, according to the Innocence Project.

The fingernail evidence the cleared Grant was retested with more advanced technology than had been available during the initial investigation. The retesting resulted in a hit on the FBIs Combined DNA Index System that pointed to Carter, according to authorities.

___

Follow Juan A. Lozano on Twitter: https://twitter.com/juanlozano70
HONOLULU (AP)  U.S authorities are investigating allegations that a Hawaii-based defense contractor illegally donated $150,000 to the reelection fund of a Maine senator who advocated for an $8 million Navy contract with the company, according to court documents unsealed this week.

A U.S. judge approved an FBI warrant application to search a hard-drive containing images of an iPhone belonging to Martin Kao, former CEO of Navatek, now known as Martin Defense Group, based in Hawaii with offices in Maine, Washington, D.C., and other states.

The warrant was also for an iPhone belonging to the company's former chief financial officer. The news of the probe was first reported by the Axios website.

The phones were seized during a separate investigation that led to an indictment accusing Kao of defrauding banks of more than $12.8 million meant to assist businesses affected by the coronavirus pandemic. He has pleaded not guilty in that case. His defense attorney didn't immediately return a phone message seeking comment on the new allegations Wednesday.

Navatek, which as a federal contractor was prohibited from making political campaign contributions, set up another business that was used to conceal the donation to a political action committee supporting the re-election of Republican U.S. Sen. Susan Collins, according to an FBI affidavit filed with the warrant application.

In December 2019, Navatek's Hawaii-based accountant wrote a check for $150,000 from the company's corporate account to the Society of Young Women Scientists and Engineers LLC, which had been opened a month earlier with Kao's wife as the registered agent, the affidavit said. The newly formed organization then donated $150,000 to the Super PAC.

The Collins for Senator Campaign had absolutely no knowledge of anything alleged in the warrant, said Annie Clark, spokeswoman for Collins.

Between June and September 2019, Kao, his relatives and relatives of other former company officials gave money to Collins' campaign, which Kao then reimbursed using Navatek money, the affidavit said.

In August 2019, Collins announced Navatek received a Department of Defense contract worth $8 million for advanced hull planning research, the affidavit said, noting that a news release on the senator's website quoted her as saying that as "a senior member of the Defense Appropriations Subcommittee, I strongly advocated for the funding that made this research possible and am so proud of the work Navatek and other Maine industries do to support our Navy and our nations defense.

The company designs and analyzes ship hull forms, ocean structures, underwater lifting bodies and coupled hydrodynamic systems, according to the court document.

Kao stepped down as CEO in November, said Jennifer Oliver, a spokeswoman for Martin Defense Group. The Company is fully cooperating with the government investigation, she said in a statement.

___

Associated Press writer David Sharp in Portland, Maine, contributed to this report.
As closed-door state budget negotiations begin this week, top Democratic leaders of the Connecticut General Assembly on Wednesday exhibited solidarity behind their party's proposed state budget, voicing optimism a deal can be reached soon with Democratic Gov. Ned Lamont despite his opposition to key parts of their plan.

While acknowledging there will be compromises, House Speaker Matt Ritter, D-Hartford, said rank-and-file Democrats in the House of Representatives are very supportive of the proposed tax and spending packages that have already cleared the budget committees, as well as a separate plan for spending an historic $2.8 billion in federal COVID-19 relief.

Ive been in this legislature for 11 years. Ive never seen unanimity of support in my life like I saw" (during a recent meeting of the House Democrats), Ritter said. "That is a rare, rare feat. So the message I think today is, lets get moving, lets get those negotiations to wrap up."

He predicted there would be no support among his members for any budget deal that slashed spending and did not include additional revenue for the long-term.

Democrats have proposed two-year $46 billion state spending plan they contend addresses many of the long-standing inequities highlighted by the COVID-19 pandemic, including more money than what Lamont had proposed in his roughly $46 billion for financially struggling nonprofit agencies that provide social services, school districts, workforce development programs, and various racial equity measures.

The chairs and the members of the committees have done an incredible job of striking a balance between providing stability for our year-to-year needs, while also moving us in the direction of addressing some of the systemic issues that we were painfully reminded of by COVID and certainly by racism that continues to plague our country, said House Majority Leader Jason Rojas, D-East Hartford.

Senate President Pro Tempore Martin Looney, D-New Haven, made it clear Wednesday that the Democratic budget proposal, not the plan Lamont proposed in February, will be the starting point for the negotiations" with the governor.

It's unclear what, if any, involvement the minority Republicans will have in the upcoming talks. While the GOP opposed both the tax and spending bills in committee, there was bipartisan support this week for a separate plan for spending $2.8 billion in federal COVID relief funds.

The major sticking point between Lamont, a former businessman, and the legislative Democrats, especially politically progressive ones, has focused on whether taxes should be raised. Lamont, considered to be a more a fiscal moderate, has warned that higher taxes could stymie the state's recovery from the pandemic.

Weve got jobs that are being created. Weve got companies coming to the state of Connecticut, Lamont said recently. I dont want to do anything to stop that momentum.

Progressive Democrats, including some who've criticized the governor publicly for his stance, contend the state's tax system needs to be made more fair and that more revenue will be needed for the long-term after federal COVID relief funds dry up. The Democrats' tax bill, which some fiscally moderate Democrats opposed in committee, includes a new consumption tax and capital gains tax on higher income taxpayers, as well as a new $600 child tax credit and an increased earned income tax credit against the state's personal income tax for qualified families.

The General Assembly, which is controlled by Democrats, is scheduled to adjourn June 9. Ritter has said previously that lawmakers will have a better chance of getting what they want in the final package if a deal is reached soon.
Shot Fired Toward Pulaski Deputy; Woman Injured

By West Kentucky Star Staff

MOUND CITY - Illinois State Police seek information about a shot fired in Mound City that struck a woman at a house fire.While a Pulaski County deputy was at the scene of the fire, he reportedly got into an altercation with several individuals when they allegedly attempted to obstruct the investigation.The deputy detained a woman and placed her in the back seat of his vehicle.While the deputy was taking a second individual into custody, someone fired a gun in the direction of the deputy and struck the detained woman. She was taken to a hospital for treatment and released.Anyone with information on the shooter is asked to contact Illinois State Police at 618-542-2171, extension 1207.
TOLEDO, Ohio (AP)  A man who vowed support for a terrorist group and planned an attack on an Ohio synagogue has pleaded guilty to related charges in federal court in Toledo, authorities said.

Damon Joseph, 23, of Holland, Ohio, pleaded guilty Tuesday to attempting to provide material support for the Islamic State terrorist group and attempting to commit a hate crime. He was arrested by FBI agents in December 2018.
FRISCO, Colo. (AP)  A former Colorado county coroner and his wife pled not guilty to charges of tampering with a human body Monday.

Shannon Kent, the former coroner for Lake County, and his wife, Staci Kent, were arrested in February after police said they found a badly decaying body in one of their private funeral homes in Silverthorne west of Denver, the Summit Daily News reported.

Authorities later identified the body as that of 42-year-old Victor Akubuo of California, who died in a car crash in July.

Akubuos family had retained the Kents' funeral services in August 2020, according to a statement from the Park County Coroners Office, which took custody of the body following its discovery.

According to a tip to the district attorney's office from an individual who hoped to purchase the funeral home, Shannon Kent said that he was meant to ship the body to Nigeria but couldnt because of COVID-19 restrictions at the time.

Investigators found that the body was obviously in various stages of decay."

Police also discovered that the state Department of Regulatory Agencies barred Shannon Kent for life from operating any funerary services in Colorado after an investigation into unsanitary conditions at one of his funeral homes.

After his arrest in February, Shannon Kent formally resigned from his post as the Lake County Coroner in April.

The Kents both pled not guilty to charges of criminal attempt to commit tampering with a deceased human body and abuse of a corpse. Shannon Kent also pled not guilty to violation of bail bond conditions.

The couple's joint five-day trial is set to begin Nov. 15.
LONDON (AP)  The family of a private investigator murdered in London more than 30 years ago  an unsolved crime blighted by police corruption  has accused the British government of interfering with publication of a report into the killing.

Daniel Morgan was killed with an ax in a pub's parking lot in south London in 1987. Despite five police inquiries and an inquest, no one has ever been convicted, and police have acknowledged that corruption hampered the original murder investigation.

In 2007, police said they believed Morgan was about to expose a drug network, possibly involving corrupt police officers, when he was killed.

A report by an independent panel that has spent eight years taking a new look at the crime and the links between police, private investigators and tabloid journalists connected to the case was due to be published next week. But at the last minute, Home Secretary Priti Patel said it needed to be reviewed because of national security concerns.

Morgans family called the decision a kick in the teeth.

The home secretarys intervention is not only unnecessary and inconsistent with the panels independence, they said in a statement. It is an outrage which betrays her ignorance  and the ignorance of those advising her  with regard to her powers in law and the panels terms of reference.

The Daniel Morgan Independent Panel said the governments decision to review the report came as a complete surprise.

A review of this nature has not been raised previously in the eight years since the panel was established in 2013, it said. The panel believes that this last-minute requirement is unnecessary and is not consistent with the panels independence.

Raju Bhatt, a lawyer for the Morgan family, said the dead mans relatives were suspicious about the motives behind this very belated and completely unwarranted intervention.

We have to remember that the Home Office itself was complicit in the failings to confront this police corruption all through these decades until the panel was set up, he told the BBC.

The Home Office said in a statement that its review has nothing to do with the independence of the report, and the Home Office is not seeking to make edits to it. As soon as we receive the report, we can begin those checks and agree a publication date.
WOODBINE, Ga. (AP)  The family of a Georgia woman killed by gunfire as sheriffs deputies executed a search warrant questioned Wednesday the way officers carried out the operation.

Latoya James, 37, was fatally shot on May 4 after Camden County deputies with a drug-related search warrant forced entry into a home at 4:51 a.m. that day. A man inside the house, Varshawn Lamont Brown, also was shot and hospitalized for his injuries.

The Georgia Bureau of Investigation is investigating, as is customary for shootings by law enforcement officers in the state. Two days after the shooting, the agency released body camera video that showed deputies announcing themselves at the home's darkened door, then immediately forcing their way inside.

Multiple gunshots are fired within seconds of the deputies entering the house. The deputy wearing the body camera was carrying a shield that obstructed much of the video. It doesn't show who opened fire, and neither James nor Brown can be seen in the three-minute clip.

This is the case of an unarmed Black woman being shot during a botched or a bogus search warrant, Malik Shabazz, an attorney for James' family, told reporters Wednesday at a news conference in Woodbine near the Georgia-Florida line.

Shabazz and Reginald Greene, another attorney for the family, said the deputies failed to give the home's occupants enough time to respond before coming through the door.

Greene said the GBI told him the deputy carrying the shield was the only officer with a body camera recording video during the execution of the warrant. They called for release of the rest of the video, which the GBI has said is nearly four hours long.

The attorneys likened James' killing to that of Breonna Taylor, the Black woman killed by police in Louisville, Kentucky, during an early morning drug raid on March 13, 2020.

James' mother, Betty Jean James, said her daughter didn't deserve to die.

They took my baby. They took her life and then they took her dignity, the weeping mother told reporters. They took her from me. And I want to know why.

Georgia authorities haven't said what prompted the search warrant.

Camden County jail records show that Brown, 46, had been jailed in March on a charge of driving under the influence of drugs and again in April on charges of drug possession and failure to yield to an emergency vehicle.
HONOLULU (AP)  The U.S. government has collected more than half of a $8.1 million court judgement awarded six years ago to 54 Thai farmworkers abused while working on a Maui pineapple plantation, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission said Tuesday.

The Justice and Treasury departments collected $4.8 million from Maui Pineapple and its entities, and the EEOC will distribute the money to the workers, said Anna Park, the commission's regional attorney. The agencies will continue to collect funds owed the workers until the full judgment is satisfied, she said.

This is not the end. This is the beginning. This was just a nice big chunk that came and gave some relief to the claimants. Theyve been waiting a long time, Park said.

The EEOC sued Global Horizons, a labor contractor, and six Hawaii farms a decade ago. The lawsuit alleged workers were subjected to discrimination, uninhabitable housing, insufficient food, inadequate wages and deportation threats. Five farms settled for a total of $3.6 million.

A U.S. court in Honolulu in 2015 found the remaining farm that didnt settle  Maui Pineapple Co.  was jointly liable with Global Horizons for $8.1 million.

The company, which is now known as Maui Land and Pineapple Co., didn't immediately return a phone call seeking comment.

Mordechai Orian, former president of Global Horizon, said his company shut down in 2007 and wasn't able to fight the case against it. He called the judgment absurd and crazy.

They had beautiful housing. No complaints. What discrimination can (there) be against people that you bring to Hawaii from Thailand and give them (a) better life?" he said.

U.S. District Court Judge Leslie Kobayashi ruled Global Horizon managers physically abused some workers, including one manager who slapped a worker's head after accusing him of helping another worker escape. Another manager grabbed a worker by his shirt and threw him against a wall and punched some workers in the face.

One manager told workers that anyone who ran away would be shot, deported or arrested, the judge said.

Global Horizons chose Thai workers based on a stereotype that Thai workers would be more compliant and less likely to escape or cause other problems, Kobayashi's ruling said.

At Maui Pineapple, a high metal fence containing three layers of wire surrounded the workers' housing, and 10 security guards patrolled the area 24 hours a day, making the workers feel like prisoners, the judge said. Maui Pineapple housing was infested with rats and bugs and lacked hot water for bathing, she said.

Workers were also not provided with sufficient food. A typical meal consisted of rice, a slice of pineapple, two hard-boiled eggs or a few pieces of bacon, the ruling said.

Park said some of the 54 workers remained in Hawaii, some returned to Thailand, and others moved to the U.S. mainland.

The collection of the money meant justice was served, though it's taken longer than hoped, Park said.

To come to this point, where were able to actually collect on the judgement is very important to us and our mission to vindicate the rights of the most vulnerable people, she said.
LAWRENCEVILLE, Ga. (AP)  The Georgia Bureau of Investigation is looking into extortion allegations against a county sheriff.

The state Attorney Generals office requested the GBI open an investigation into Gwinnett County Sheriff Keybo Taylor on Sept. 14, a bureau spokeswoman told the Atlanta Journal-Constitution on Tuesday. The GBI said the investigation is active and ongoing, but the agency could not provide any additional information.

Taylor, a Democrat, was still a candidate at the time and was elected two months later, becoming the countys first Black sheriff.

Four lawsuits  one federal and three state  have been filed against Taylor by three Gwinnett County bail bond companies whose businesses were shut down. Their owners claim that Taylor retaliated against them because they did not donate to his election campaign.

The federal lawsuit filed by Anytime Bail Bonding included a video of Taylor in April 2019 allegedly saying, if folks dont support me, Im not gonna let them bond here.

In a statement released May 13, Taylor said the video was misleading and taken out of context, adding that allegations were nothing more than a political stunt and trial tactic that attacks my character, my integrity, and my commitment to criminal justice and bail bond reform.

The sheriff's statement said he has sole discretion over which bail bond companies can operate in the county, and eliminated several that did not meet my high standards for various reasons.

The state cases were filed by Anytime Bail Bonding, A-Action, and The Bondsman. That case was dismissed on Tuesday, according to a legal assistant with the county law department; The Bondsmans owner said he plans to appeal.

Taylor declined to comment to the newspaper and his spokesperson also declined a request for comment on the GBI investigation, the Journal-Constitution said Tuesday.
WASHINGTON (AP)  Republicans trying to drive a wedge between Democrats and chip away at President Joe Bidens support are zeroing in on the violence in the Middle East, laying blame on his administration and aiming to make his liberal critics the face of the party heading into the midterm elections.

GOP Sens. Ted Cruz of Texas and Tom Cotton of Arkansas, both potential White House hopefuls in 2024, have focused in particular on Democratic Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez of New York and other progressives for criticizing Israel amid an escalating volley of missiles and airstrikes in Hamas-controlled Gaza that has killed hundreds of civilians over the last week.

The approach represents a new strategy for Republicans who have struggled to land consistent and effective criticism of Biden and his fellow Democrats during the opening months of his presidency. In focusing on the fighting in Gaza, the GOP is aiming to demonstrate staunch support for Israel, an issue of deep importance to many in the party's base. At the same time, Republicans are hoping to draw a contrast with Democrats and leave them appearing divided.

Cruz on Tuesday accused Ocasio-Cortez and other hard-left Democrats of regularly engaging in hateful antisemitic and anti-Israel rhetoric, and what theyre saying right now sounds more like theyre acting as press secretaries for Hamas terrorists than as members of the United States Congress defending American national security and the security of our allies.

The violence in the Middle East is unfolding at a time when Democratic views on key foreign policy issues are shifting.

Beyond Ocasio-Cortez, who has called Israel an apartheid state," and Democratic Rep. Ilhan Omar of Minnesota, who has labeled Israeli airstrikes terrorism, moderate Democrats have notably grown more willing to question Israeli policy, reflecting the changing views of the party's voters.

A Pew Research Center poll from 2018 showed a widening partisan gap in Middle East sympathies, with an overwhelming percentage of Republicans, 79%, saying they sympathized more with Israel than Palestinians, versus just 6% who said they sympathized more with Palestinians. Among Democrats, 27% said they sympathized more with Israel, while 25% sympathized more with the Palestinians.

It was a dramatic change from 2001, when 50% of Republicans and 38% of Democrats sympathized more with Israel.

So far, Biden has taken a careful approach to the crisis, publicly expressing support for a cease-fire while privately encouraging Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and other top Israeli officials to wind down the bombardment of Gaza as the Israeli and Palestinian death tolls have mounted.

While he faced pressure from his left to take a more aggressive stance  including from Democrats on the House Foreign Affairs Committee, who sought to delay a $735 million arms sale to Israel  that pressure appeared to have subsided somewhat Tuesday. Among those who declined to criticize Biden were Sen. Bob Menendez, D-N.J., the chair of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, who said the administration was conducting robust behind-the-scenes diplomacy.

I trust their diplomacy will yield effective results, Menendez said.

The divisions have nonetheless caused headaches. In Nevada, the state partys treasurer resigned after its chairperson released a statement that accused the U.S. of too long turn(ing) a blind eye to injustice and violence committed by the Israeli government, the Las Vegas Review-Journal reported.

I have been taking a stand my entire life to stand with the people of Israel to live in peace and to be free of the constant and ongoing terrorism practiced by those who seek its destruction and the annihilation of the Jewish people, Howard Beckerman reportedly wrote in a letter to state party leaders.

Former Sen. Heidi Heitkamp, D-N.D., a moderate, said progressives calling for a tougher line against Israel are by far a minority voice in the Democratic Party.

Republicans are trying to exploit a minority position expressed by a minority number of Democrats, she said.

Rep. Josh Gottheimer, D-N.J., another moderate, said strong support for Israel remains the position of an overwhelming number of Democrats and called it shocking that some have been calling Israel a terrorist nation.

I find that particularly appalling," he said. In normal times," he added, their comments might have led to a censure resolution, but that's not happening because Democrats dont want to give more attention to the bomb throwers here in Congress.

Still, with the 2022 midterms well over a year away and the U.S. beginning to emerge from the pandemic, the long-term political implications of the violence are unclear. GOP pollster Glen Bolger noted that foreign policy issues rarely sway voters, especially so long before an election.

While Republicans have tried to paint Democrats as out of the mainstream, there are likely to be 20 more examples of things Republicans will be able to point to and say, Theyre too extreme, including domestic issues that voters tend to care more about, he said.

But David Winston, a pollster who advises congressional GOP leaders, said that with Democrats thin House and Senate majorities, their disagreements on this issue could potentially stop the policies their own president wants to put in place. It raises the question, Can you effectively govern?

Still, Winston argued the issue wasnt an effective one to use to attack Democrats, especially when it comes to gaining support from independents who are pivotal to winning congressional control and tend to care less about partisan finger-pointing than solutions.

They want to know how youre dealing with it, how youre going to make this work, he said.

Republicans, meanwhile, have tried to present a united front, echoing Trump's campaign trail attacks that Democrats hate Jews and have become the "anti-Israel party.

On Monday, more than a dozen GOP senators announced a resolution "reaffirming the United States unwavering commitment to our ally Israel and its right to take whatever means are necessary to stop the murder of its citizens and foreign nationals residing in Israel.

And Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., took to the Senate floor to call on Biden to remain strong against the growing voices within his own party that create false equivalence between terrorist aggressors and a responsible state defending itself.

The hand-wringing calls for a cease-fire are tantamount to Hamas propaganda. Both sides are not the same in this conflict, no matter what the Democrats naively imply, echoed Cotton.

Former Vice President Mike Pence, another Republican eyeing a presidential run in 2024, also focused on the issue, recording a video and penning an op-ed in the conservative National Review in which he blamed Biden for the violence, calling it "a direct result of the weakness shown by the Biden administration from its first day in office.

The fighting is the most intense since a 2014 war between Israel and Hamas. At least 213 Palestinians have been killed in airstrikes, including 61 children, according to the Gaza Health Ministry, and 12 people in Israel, including a 5-year-old boy, have been killed.

Rep. Brad Schneider, D-Ill., a moderate who voiced his support for Israel on the House floor last week, deflected questions Tuesday about whether Republicans could use progressives criticism to characterize Democrats as extremists.

The majority of Democrats in Congress and across the country continue to support Israel as a strong ally, he said. Schneider said Israel benefits when we have bipartisan support for Israel, and neither party is trying to use Israel as a wedge against the other party.

___

Associated Press writers Hannah Fingerhut, Steven Sloan and Lisa Mascaro in Washington contributed to this report.
JACKSON, Miss. (AP)  A group that was pushing to get Medicaid expansion on the ballot in Mississippi is reluctantly suspending its campaign, members announced Wednesday.

The decision comes after the state Supreme Court ruled Friday that a medical marijuana initiative passed by voters this fall is void because Mississippis initiative process is outdated. That effectively killed other initiatives for which people are already petitioning.

Organizers of Initiative 76 said in a statement that it is halting its campaign until there is once again a functional ballot measure process in Mississippi.

We fully support the call for a special legislative session to restore the constitutional right of Mississippians to vote directly on issues of importance, including Medicaid expansion, and we will pursue every avenue possible to restore the rights of voters in this state," it said.

The group was hoping voters would get a chance to vote on Medicaid expansion during the next statewide election in November 2022.

Medicaid is a health insurance program for the needy, aged, blind and disabled. It is paid by federal and state money. Mississippi has about 3 million residents, and Medicaid already covers more than 763,500 people. That is 25% of the population.

Supporters of Initiative 76 estimated that expansion would add about 200,000 more people, primarily those working low-wage jobs that do not provide private health insurance coverage.

Mississippi is one of 12 states that have not approved expanding Medicaid coverage to the working poor, which is an option under the Affordable Care Act that was signed into law in 2010 by then-President Barack Obama.

Republican Gov. Tate Reeves and his Republican predecessor, Phil Bryant, have said they believe Mississippi cannot afford to put more people on the program, even with the federal government paying for most of the tab.

Because Mississippi is one of the poorest states in the nation, it receives the most generous portions of federal funding for Medicaid. The federal government currently pays 84.5% of Medicaid expenses in Mississippi. The next-largest federal share goes to West Virginia, at nearly 81%.

Under expansion, the federal government would pay a higher share of the cost.

In its Wednesday statement, the group behind Initiative 76 urged elected officials to take action on Medicaid expansion, since voters may have to wait a while to make the choice themselves.

Weve witnessed unprecedented support for Medicaid expansion in recent weeks, and we are committed to keeping up the momentum that our campaign has created, the group said. Our broad coalition of doctors, nurses, business and faith leaders and voters from across the political spectrum is not going away. We will keep up the fight until Mississippians receive the healthcare they need.

The state Supreme Court said Mississippis ballot initiative process is unlawful because initiatives need signatures from five congressional districts to get on the ballot, but because of Mississippis stagnant population, the state has only four districts.

The initiative process was added to the Mississippi Constitution in the 1990s when the state had five congressional districts, but the language dealing with the initiative process was never updated. The state dropped to four districts after the 2000 census.

Mississippi's two top-ranking lawmakers, House Speaker Philip Gunn and Lt. Gov. Delbert Hosemann, have both called for a special session of the legislature this week after the Supreme Court's decision.

The Mississippi Legislature usually meets from January to April. Lawmakers can reconvene only if the governor calls them back to the Capitol. Gov. Tate Reeves said earlier in the week that he is still reviewing the Supreme Court case.

Gunn said he wants lawmakers to come back to discuss reviving the states ballot initiative process.

Hosemann said a special session may well be warranted to discuss reviving a state medical marijuana program. He said sick people who would benefit from the drug should not have to wait to access it.

Hosemann said he believes the ballot initiative process needs to be revived but that it will likely take some time.

Because it would require a constitutional amendment, it would need two-thirds of support from lawmakers. Then, the issue would need to be put on the ballot in the next statewide election, which is in November 2022.
The Marshall County Sheriff's Office is asking for the public's help with a theft investigation. PHOTO:Marshall County Sheriff's Office

Deputies Seek Help in Marshall County Theft

By West Kentucky Star Staff

MARSHALL COUNTY - The Marshall County Sheriff's Office is asking for the public's help with a theft investigation.Deputies said someone stole a Craftsman lawn tractor from the area of US 68 West. A gold-colored older model Chevrolet Monte Carlo pulling a trailer was captured on security footage leaving the scene.The mower is green with a 42-inch blade.Anyone with information is asked to contact the Marshall County Sheriff's Office.
IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP)  An Iowa parolee tentatively agreed to serve a lengthy prison term on Illinois drug charges days before he allegedly killed a 10-year-old girl, but was allowed to remain free on bond until a plea hearing, a prosecutor said Wednesday.

Henry Dinkins indicated during a hearing last July 7 that he would accept a deal to plead guilty to possession with intent to deliver methamphetamine and be sentenced to eight years in prison, said Geno Caffarini, the state's attorney in Bureau County, Illinois.

Dinkins, 48, said he needed more time to get his affairs in order before returning to prison, and a hearing was scheduled for July 22 for him to enter his plea, Caffarini said.

Police say that on early July 10, Dinkins kidnapped 10-year-old Breasia Terrell from a Davenport apartment where she was staying the night with her half brother, who is Dinkins son. They say he shot her to death and discarded her body in a pond in rural eastern Iowa, where her remains were discovered in March after a monthslong search.

I feel bad with that whole thing that happened. Thats a tragedy. Didnt expect it from this guy, Caffarini said.

Dinkins, a registered sex offender with a long criminal history, was charged with first-degree murder and kidnapping earlier this month. He has yet to enter a plea and his public defender hasn't returned messages seeking comment.

The Associated Press reported Tuesday that Dinkins had been granted parole in Iowa just months before the girls death, in March 2020, and released from a Davenport residential correctional facility. The early release was granted even though Dinkins was facing the felony meth charges in Illinois, which stemmed from an April 2019 traffic stop in which police found about two pounds of the drug in his car.

Iowa Department of Corrections spokesman Cord Overton said Wednesday an initial review of Dinkins parole and supervision has not identified any deviation from policies or procedures for individuals with similar risk factors and convictions. He said Illinois authorities had not placed a detainer on Dinkins for the drug charges, and so he was released rather than transferred to face them.

Caffarini said that Dinkins had been released on $100,000 bond after his April 2019 arrest in Illinois and had made every court appearance in the case. He said the trial had been delayed several times as a result of the coronavirus pandemic, which led to court backlogs across the nation.

Dinkins did not formally enter a guilty plea at the July 7 hearing, and could have changed his mind before the July 22 hearing, Caffarini said.

There was nothing binding him to that plea agreement, he said.

Caffarini chastised Overton, the Iowa corrections spokesman, for releasing a statement with misinformation claiming that Dinkins sentencing had been delayed. Since he hadnt yet pleaded guilty, there never was a sentence to stay, he said.
Mike De Sisti/AP

MILWAUKEE (AP)  A judge said Wednesday that he will reinstate ousted Milwaukee Police Chief Alfonso Morales to his post in 45 days unless Morales' attorneys and the city settle their legal fight over his job.

If you can't get it settled within the 45 days, then my order goes into effect, Foley said at the end of a 30-minute hearing, the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reported. Put him back in office, make him the chief and away we go.
EVERETT, Wash. (AP)  A jury has found a Washington state man guilty of stomping a woman to death after paying her for sex two years ago.

Jamel Alexander, 31, was convicted on Tuesday of first-degree murder in the killing of Shawna Brune, 29, following a three-week trial in Snohomish County Superior Court, The Daily Herald reported Wednesday. Jurors deliberated for about 24 hours.

Prosecutors said Alexander beat and stomped Brune after paying her $100 for sex near a parking lot in Everett in October 2019. A man walking his dog found her body the next day, authorities said.

Prosecutors said security footage showed Alexander looking at red stains on his shoes at a gas station that night about a mile (1.6 kilometers) from the crime scene.

Detectives believe it was Brune's blood, but Alexander did not have the shoes by the time authorities located him. Alexander later told investigators the stains on his shoes were from a spilled red energy drink. It is unclear if the shoes were ever found by authorities.

Defense attorneys Kenneth Williams and Rachel Forde argued the detectives handled the case unfairly because Alexander is Black. Williams argued investigators should have pursued more leads before singling out Alexander, including submitting more evidence for DNA testing and preserving additional video.

Williams also argued his life circumstances also played a part in the investigation.

Alexander had previous violent convictions in California, including two counts of assault with a deadly weapon. Prosecutors said the defendant could face life in prison without the possibility of parole if the new conviction counted as his third strike.

Forde argued that the court and prosecutors prevented key evidence from being presented at trial, and that Alexanders case wasnt heard by a jury of his peers.

Jamel Alexander is a Black man, and not one person on the jury was Black, she said. Its just an absolute tragedy that, yet again, an innocent man was convicted.

Deputy prosecutor Craig Matheson argued the evidence simply pointed to Alexander, not a racial animus against him.

Judge George Appel scheduled a sentencing hearing for Friday.
TOPEKA, Kan. (AP)  The Kansas Statehouse and the state Museum of History in Topeka will reopen to visitors next month.

The reopening of both buildings was announced Wednesday by the State Historical Society, which provides tours in the Statehouse near downtown Topeka and operates the museum in west Topeka. Both had been closed to the general public because of the coronavirus pandemic.
KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP)  Police in Kansas City have launched a homicide investigation after find the body of a man who had been missing for nearly a week.

The body of 52-year-old Gilberto Gutierrez was found Monday morning by officers who were called to an intersection in the Swope Parkway-Elmwood neighborhood, police said. Police have not said how Gutierrez died, but had issued a missing persons alert for him on May 11, when he was last seen near his farm in south Kansas City.
NAIROBI, Kenya (AP)  Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta has appointed Court of Appeal Judge Martha Koome as the East African country's first woman chief justice and head of the judiciary.

The announcement was made Wednesday in a special Gazette Notice  an official publication for notifying the actions and decisions of the government  hours after parliamentary approval.

In exercise powers conferred by  the constitution. I, Uhuru Kenyatta, President and Commander-in-Chief of the Kenya Defense Forces appoint Martha Karambu Koome to be the chief justice of the republic of Kenya," Kenyatta's announcement said.

She replaces David Maraga, who made history by leading the Supreme Court when it annulled Kenyatta's 2017 re-election victory citing illegalities and irregularities and ordering a fresh election.

Before that historic decision, it was unprecedented in Africa for an opposition party to succeed in getting a court decision to overturn a president's election.

Kenyatta won the second election after the opposition boycotted participation, saying the electoral authority had not implemented adequate reforms to ensure free and fair polls.

Koome won the chief justice position over nine other candidates, including some of the country's most prominent lawyers and academics. The candidates were interviewed live on TV by the Judicial Service Commission in April.

Koome, 61, has had a distinguished career with over 33 years in private legal practice and as a member of the judiciary.

Her appointment has not been without controversy. One of the candidates, lawyer Fred Ngatia, cast aspersions on how the commission members chose Koome, saying the process had been rigged. Makau Mutua, a Kenyan law professor working in the U.S., is seeking orders to compel the judicial commission to release the results of each candidate in order to give the selection process legitimacy.

None of the sitting Supreme Court judges applied for the position of chief justice, raising speculation that they were afraid to take up the mantle due to the pressure that Maraga received following the annulment of Kenyattas re-election. Maraga said he received death threats following the Supreme Courts 4-2 decision against Kenyatta.

The Supreme Court judges failed to make a decision over an opposition petition to stop the fresh election after unknown assailants shot and seriously wounded the police officer who was the driver for the deputy chief justice the previous day.

Calling the judges crooks, Kenyatta vowed to revisit the annulment of his victory once re-elected and since then the judiciarys budget has been reduced. Kenyatta has also refused to appoint 40 judges who had been approved by the Judicial Service Commission in order to help reduce the backlog of cases before the courts.

Koome now faces the task of adjudicating any challenge to the upcoming presidential election to be held in August 2022.

She studied law at the University of Nairobi, graduating from the Kenya School of Law in 1987 with a distinction, and then was admitted to the roll of advocates.

She joined the International Federation of Women Lawyers in Kenya and was elected chair of the organization. Koome led the civil rights organization in championing the establishment of the family division of the High Court, as well as the enactment of laws to protect the rights of families and children. She served on the council of the Law Society from 1993 to 1996 and has also been treasurer of the East Africa Law Society.

Koome was appointed as a judge in 2003 and served on the African Union Committee on the Rights and Welfare of Children between 2005 and 2010. She headed the Land and Environment Division of the High Court.

Koome obtained a Master of Laws degree from the University of London in 2010 and in 2012 she was appointed to the Court of Appeal.
SEATTLE (AP)  The top public health official in Washingtons largest county is urging residents to keep wearing masks in indoor public spaces, regardless of vaccination status.

Thats despite the Center for Disease Control and Preventions guidance relaxing mask requirements for vaccinated people, The Seattle Times reported.

Dr. Jeff Duchin, health officer with Public Health  Seattle & King County, said that for now, Seattle and King County residents are strongly encouraged to continue wearing masks while the agency evaluates its mask mandate.

The mixed messaging comes after the CDC last week eased mask-wearing for fully vaccinated people, allowing them to generally stop masking outdoors and in most indoor settings, though it still calls for masking in places including buses, planes, hospitals, prisons and homeless shelters.

Washington aligned with federal guidelines and dropped many mask requirements for fully vaccinated people, but Duchin said on Twitter Monday that he agreed with a statement saying "the point of vaccinating most of the population is to get us all to the point where we halt viral transmission & everyone can then interact unmasked.

Duchin also encouraged businesses to keep mask policies in place.

Nearly 59% of people age 16 and up in Washington have had one vaccine dose, according to the state Department of Health.

Public Health  Seattle & King County, department spokesperson James Apa said the agency is evaluating whether ending the indoor mask mandate is the best option in King County. The department will provide an update later this week, Apa said.
WILMINGTON, N.C. (AP)  A Las Vegas business owner has been sentenced to more than 14 years in prison for defrauding the North Carolina Medicaid Program of more than $13 million over two years, according to a federal prosecutor's office.

Citing court documents, the U.S. Attorneys Office for the Eastern District said Latisha Harron, 44, also was ordered to pay more than $13 million in restitution to the program on charges of conspiracy to commit health care fraud and wire fraud.
Marshall Sheriff McGuire Won't Seek Reelection

By Tim Brockwell

MARSHALL COUNTY - Marshall County Sheriff Eddie McGuire says he will not be running for re-election next year.McGuire, who is serving his first term as sheriff, says he doesn't plan on running for any other office. He says he's keeping that option open though should there be a shortage of candidates in the next Republican primary."We're gonna look and see how the landscape shakes out, and see who files for what office. Unless something happens, I probably won't be running for public office. It's always on the table though if something happens and no one has filed in certain races." He said.McGuire says he's got other plans that include private sector work, or continuing his law enforcement career in a different capacity."I may try to do something in the private sector, or I may try to go and work for another law enforcement agency. I've always wanted to be a [School Resource Officer], so I may try to do something like that in the future." He said.McGuire said he has endorsed Detective Capt. Matt Hilbrecht as his successor.
DOVER, Del. (AP)  A state lawmaker who chairs the Senate Judiciary Committee and is a leader of criminal justice reform efforts in the Delaware General Assembly has been arrested on domestic violence charges.

Delaware State Police said Wednesday that troopers arrested Darius J. Brown, 39, after an altercation at a Wilmington restaurant last weekend.

Police said troopers were called to Taverna Rustic Italian Restaurant shortly before 6:30 p.m. Sunday regarding a domestic altercation. A 44-year-old woman told officers that Brown had punched her in the face after they began arguing about a social media post. Brown then got up from the booth where the couple was seated and threw a water glass, which broke into pieces, police said.

Brown left the restaurant before troopers arrived. The woman did not require medical attention.

Troopers obtained warrants charging Brown with offensive touching and disorderly conduct, which are both misdemeanors.

Brown, who chairs both the Judiciary Committee and is former chair of the Legislative Black Caucus, turned himself in on Tuesday and was released on his own recognizance after being arraigned. He was ordered to have no contact with the victim. It was not immediately clear whether he has a lawyer.

Senate President Pro Tem David Sokola, D-Newark, did not take any immediate action in response to Browns latest arrest, saying he would carefully consider whether any formal action is warranted.

Accusations of domestic violence are serious and in direct conflict with the values of the Delaware Senate Democratic Caucus, Sokola said in a statement. However, a presumption of innocence is one of the most sacred principles in the American criminal justice system.

While emphasizing the presumption of innocence for Brown, Sokola is a cosponsor of a bill that would appear to prohibit a person in Browns situation from purchasing a firearm, even though he or she has not been convicted of any crime.

The legislation passed the House unanimously on Tuesday and was assigned to Browns committee in the Senate. It prohibits a person who knows or has reason to know that he is the subject of an outstanding arrest warrant, active indictment or information related to a crime of domestic violence from purchasing a firearm.

Despite his chairmanship on the Judiciary Committee and his leadership on criminal justice reform  including sponsorship of bills mandating body cameras for police officers and expanding eligibility for expungement of criminal records and automating the expungement process  Brown has a history of noncompliance with the law. He pleaded guilty to resisting arrest in 2009 and pleaded no contest before judgment to offensive touching in 2004.

Brown also has a long history of traffic arrests and convictions, which led a Court of Common Pleas commissioner, acting on a petition by the attorney generals office, to recommend in 2007 that he be declared a habitual offender and prohibited from driving for five years.

Nevertheless, Brown was arrested after a traffic stop just over a year later and subsequently convicted of driving while his license was suspended or revoked, the sixth time he had been charged with that offense.

Under state law, a habitual offender convicted of operating a motor vehicle while prohibited from doing so faces a mandatory prison sentence of at least 90 days.

Brown was never charged with that specific offense, even though state law requires the attorney generals office to determine whether a person charged with driving without a license, or driving while a license is suspended or revoked, has been adjudged a habitual offender and thus barred from driving.

After being elected to the state Senate in 2018, Brown, a former Wilmington councilman, failed to report on his required financial disclosure that he owed thousands of dollars in back taxes.

Despite a federal tax lien of more than $50,000 filed in April 2018 and a state tax lien of almost $10,000 filed two weeks later, Brown reported no creditors to whom he was indebted for 90 or more consecutive days during 2018 in an aggregate amount exceeding $1,000. He also reported no income exceeding $1,000 from a single source, despite his Senate salary.

Brown submitted an amended disclosure form after The Associated Press questioned his initial filing but failed to explain how he could have overlooked tens of thousands of dollars in debt, which had been the subject of media reports, when he submitted his disclosure form.
SALEM, Ore. (AP)  An investigator hired by the Oregon Legislature has concluded that Democrat Rep. Brad Witt, of Clatskanie, did not intend to tell a colleague that he would vote for her bill in exchange for sexual favors.

However, the investigator did find that Republican Rep. Vikki Breese-Iverson, of Prineville, was not unreasonable to interpret Witts text message as sexual harassment, The Oregonian/OregonLive reported.

According to screenshots of messages sent between them on April 12, Breese-Iverson asked Witt to back her bill that would ease red tape for reservoir owners in her district.

Witt declined, citing his commitment to sustainability. Breese-Iverson continued to push for his support, and at one point Witt replied, We probably need to go for a beer sometime.

Breese-Iverson did not address the beer comment, but continued to advocate for her bill.

Witt responded: Im not wedded to beer by any means. Could be dinner or .?

Or what? Breese-Iverson texted back.

Ive made two offerings, Witt responded. If you wanna meet, find something better than dinner or beer.

Trying to get a vote count, Breese-Iverson texted in the final message included in the report.

Breese-Iverson that week filed a formal complaint with the Legislature, alleging that Witts texts constituted a quid pro quo, in which he was seeking sexual favors in exchange for his support of the bill.

The report, posted on the legislatures website Wednesday, was written by Sarah Ryan, a Portland attorney hired by the Legislative Equity Office.

Ryan wrote that Witts text messages were not invited or welcome, and that Complainant was offended, uncomfortable, shaken and anxious as a result.

But the investigator doesn't think Witt was actually offering to trade his vote for a date or sex.

I also find that respondent did not intend to offer his vote on complainants bill, in exchange for a date or sexual favors, or to comment on sexual matters, she wrote.

The next steps will be discussed in a June 1 meeting of the House Committee on Conduct. In April, the committee discussed but decided against stripping Witt of his position as chair of the House Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee.

Im gratified that the investigation dealt with the facts at hand and came to a conclusion on that basis, Witt said in a written statement. I am looking forward to the final resolution to this matter in the near term and completing the work that lies ahead in this legislative session.

Breese-Iverson did not immediately respond to a request for comment from the newspaper or The Associated Press. The House was meeting in a floor session scheduled to last into Wednesday afternoon.
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP)  A federal judge has dismissed a lawsuit filed last fall against the Metro Nashville Public Schools and a teacher over an elementary school assignment called Lets Make a Slave.

The Nashville Tennessean reports the lesson was given to a fourth grade class at an elementary school, Waverly Belmont, in February 2020. It focused on a 1700s speech given by plantation owner to white Virginia colonists on how to keep their Black slaves under control.

The family of the student, referred to as John Doe, said in the suit that the wild graphic and inappropriate lesson caused physical and emotional harm to their child, who is Black and has autism. The student said he was afraid he could be sold as a slave or that his family could be separated, according to the newspaper.

In the lawsuit, the family said the school district was indifferent to repeated acts of racial harassment directed toward the student by peers and adults.

U.S. District Judge Aleta Trauger dismissed the case on Monday.

While the lesson in question may well have been especially inappropriate for John Doe as a student with a known disability, and even developmentally inappropriate for all fourth graders, that does not mean that its educational content constituted actionable harassment on the basis of race, the judge wrote.

According to legal precedent set by the 6th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, teasing has to be systematic or pervasive to be considered harassment. Trauger said the extent of the teasing wasnt made clear in the complaint.

Outrage ensued after the assignment drew wider public attention. Community and city leaders asked for stronger oversight and policies in the district with a student body thats majority Black and children of other minorities, according to The Tennessean.

The student-teacher from Vanderbilt University who led the lesson was dismissed by the school district, the newspaper reported. Andrew Herman, the teacher who supervised the assignment, was placed on administrative leave but has returned to his job.

We appreciate the courts finding that the district acted reasonably in addressing the unsanctioned actions by a student teacher in providing that lesson, said Sean Braisted, spokesperson for Metro Nashville Public Schools, in a statement Tuesday.

The statement added, As a district, we will continue to work with teachers to provide approved lessons and professional development necessary to educate students on difficult and complex historical and current events in the appropriate way.

Educators and lawmakers have recently been debating how topics such as slavery and racism are explained in the states schools. Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee, a Republican, said earlier this month that race shouldnt be taught in a divisive way.
AUGUSTA, Maine (AP)  Patrons of a Maine store might be at risk of a foodborne illness because of an infected worker who handled food there for several weeks, the Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention said.

Maine CDC said it has identified a case of Shiga toxin-producing E. coli infection in a food service worker at Morse's Sauerkraut in Waldoboro. The agency said the worker handled deli food at the store from April 1 to May 13.
BOSTON (AP)  Massachusetts school districts are stepping up their efforts to vaccinate eligible students before the end of the school year.

Nearly 300 students signed up for Worcester's first at-school COVID-19 vaccine clinic Tuesday at Worcester Technical High School, The Telegram & Gazette reported.

Clinics are scheduled for Wednesday at North High School and South High Community School, and later this week at Doherty Memorial High, Claremont Academy and University Park Campus School, and Burncoat High.

Students who receive a vaccine this month will be able to get their second dose at another round of school clinics next month.

Some students said they got a shot to protect more vulnerable family members.

Brayden Auger, a freshman at Worcester Tech, said he wanted to protect his infant cousins. Sophomore Francisco Alvarado said his mother is immunocompromised and he decided to get a shot to protect her.

Deirdre Arvidson, a Barnstable County Public Health nurse, told the Cape Cod Times the county hopes to administer up to 1,200 first doses in area schools by early June, starting Thursday with a clinic at Monomoy Regional High School in Harwich.

Clinics are also scheduled this week for the Nauset Regional School District and Dennis-Yarmouth Regional High School.

___

IMMUNIZATIONS

Nearly 7.3 million doses of the COVID-19 vaccine have been administered in Massachusetts as of Wednesday.

That includes nearly 4 million first doses and more than 3 million second doses of the Moderna and Pfizer vaccines.

There have been about 235,000 doses of the one-shot Johnson & Johnson vaccine administered.

Nearly 3.3 million people have been fully immunized.

Gov. Charlie Baker has set a goal of fully vaccinating 4.1 million of the states 7 million residents by the first week of June.
MEXICO CITY (AP)  Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador upped the pressure on the United States Wednesday to end aid payments to an anti-corruption group.

Lopez Obrador claims that the U.S. payments are tantamount to interfering in Mexicos internal affairs and funding the opposition to his government.

It would be like the Mexican Embassy in the United States giving money to the opposition," the president said. They should not be giving money any more."

In early May, just before an online meeting with U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris, Lopez Obrador said Mexico had filed a diplomatic note with the U.S. Embassy on the issue.

On Wednesday, he said there is a commitment by the U.S. government to review this, but added they are taking a long time, I say respectfully."

Let's hope that by this week they stop these payments, Lopez Obrador said. This money is being used to campaign against us.

He said it was urgent that the U.S. Agency for International Development stop payments by this week, before the June 6 midterm elections.

The State Department said it does not comment on diplomatic correspondence.

Lopez Obrador has long attacked nongovernmental organizations like Mexicans Against Corruption and Impunity, which he says has received about $2.5 million in U.S. money.

He claims the group is aligned with the opposition, though it says it simply monitors government spending and programs for abuses. It was founded three years before Lopez Obrador took office and has criticized previous governments and other parties.

On Wednesday, the group said in a statement that we repeat that MCCI is not linked to any political party, nor will it be.

It said that the president's repeated attacks  he has called the group Mexicans For Corruption  constitute political persecution and that the president had revealed the group's tax information in violation of applicable confidentiality laws.

The organization has issued reports critical of some of Lopez Obradors major initiatives, including the cancellation of a partially built Mexico City airport and the construction of a tourist train around the Yucatan Peninsula.

The group's founder, Claudio X. Gonzalez, has openly endorsed opposition candidates in the June 6 elections, which will elect federal legislators and the governors of some states.

USAID often supports civil society groups, usually related to human rights or democracy promotion, in many countries. In some nations, such groups sometimes run afoul of local governments.

Lopez Obrador is the latest in a round of Latin American presidents who have railed against outside funding for nongovernmental organizations.

In 2013, Bolivias then-President Evo Morales expelled USAID from his country, alleging that it was working to undermine his government.

In recent months, the Nicaraguan government has proposed, passed and implemented a number of laws making it more difficult for nongovernmental organizations to operate, and in some cases seized their offices.
LANSING, Mich. (AP)  Gov. Gretchen Whitmer plans to soon accelerate a plan that ties the further loosening of coronavirus restrictions to Michigan's vaccination rate, her office said Wednesday, citing the federal government's recent recommendation that fully vaccinated people can largely stop wearing masks.

An announcement will come in within days, at most a week, spokesman Bobby Leddy said.

We feel confident that our state can begin taking even greater steps to get back to normal now that a majority of Michiganders have received their vaccine, he said.

Nearly 57% of residents ages 16 and older have gotten at least one dose.

When 60% receive one shot, capacity at sports stadiums, banquet halls, conference centers, funeral homes and gyms will rise under the plan that was announced three weeks ago. Restaurants and bars will no longer have an 11 p.m. curfew.

All indoor capacity limits will be lifted after 65% get a dose. At 70%, the state will rescind a mask and gatherings order and stop imposing broad mitigation measures unless unanticipated circumstances arise.

Also Wednesday, Michigan's health department said it will urge schools to continue making students, teachers and other staff wear masks for the rest of the academic year even if they are fully vaccinated against COVID-19.

The pending recommendation could be issued Thursday, spokesman Bob Wheaton said.

Effective Saturday, Whitmer's administration lifted a mask mandate for people who are outdoors  regardless of their vaccination status  and exempted those who are fully vaccinated from an indoor mask requirement. The move came a day after the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention issued new guidelines that essentially work on the honor system, leaving it up to people to do the right thing.

Wheaton said the forthcoming state guidance will keep students and families safe.

About 31% of residents ages 16 to 19 have gotten at least one shot. Roughly 7% of those ages 12 to 15 have received one dose since that group became eligible nearly a week ago.

Separately, the Democratic governor released a blueprint to schools as they help students recover from lost learning and other problems due to the coronavirus pandemic over the next six to 18 months. The guidance was written by an advisory council of education and other experts.

Each K-12 district or school is recommended to establish a committee to implement a student recovery plan. A budget should be built using billions in federal COVID-19 education funding going to public and private schools.

Recommendations include universal mental health screenings in the first two months of the next school year and student access to a school nurse. Schools are urged to require or request the immunization status of 2020-21 and 2021-22 kindergartners by Dec. 31.

Using a tiered approach to provide more support for students most in need of intervention, schools should consider double-dose coursework, tutoring and extended days. Other suggestions include adopting a balanced year-round calendar with shorter breaks or expanding and improving summer school and after-school programs.

The council also urged the Republican-led Legislature to keep providing flexibility so districts receive funding for kids who want to learn remotely. The formula was changed for the current academic year to account for the pandemic, but how lawmakers will handle next school year is uncertain.

Despite major strides in COVID mitigation strategies, there are still families who will want their children to continue learning remotely for the foreseeable future, the blueprint says. Traditional pupil accounting rules do not provide adequate permission for districts to provide a fully remote learning option.

___

Follow David Eggert at https://twitter.com/DavidEggert00
JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP)  Missouri lawmakers failed to pass a bill creating a Rush Limbaugh Day before their end-of-session deadline last week.

Several Republican state lawmakers proposed honoring the late Limbaugh every year on Jan. 12, his birthday.

But the measure was stripped from several bills after being deemed too controversial and never made it to Republican Gov. Mike Parson's desk as a standalone proposal.

The Cape Girardeau native gained national fame before he died in February at age 70 after a battle with cancer.

Supporters said Limbaugh was a conservative icon worthy of the honor, while opponents slammed his rhetoric as divisive.
HELENA, Mont. (AP)  Montanas head of public instruction wrote a letter to school superintendents on Wednesday strongly recommending that districts end their mask mandates and make the wearing of face coverings a personal choice starting in the fall.

State Superintendent Elsie Arntzens letter also offers support to schools that decide to lift mask mandates for the remainder of the school year and for summer programs, KULR-TV reported.

We cannot enter another school year subjecting our students to any additional loss of instruction time," Arntzen wrote. We also cannot perpetuate the notion that masks will be a permanent feature in or state's classrooms."

In February, Gov. Greg Gianforte issued an executive order urging schools to make reasonable efforts to follow guidelines recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Montana Office of Public Instruction, Arntzen noted in her letter.

The CDC still recommends wearing face coverings in schools.

The Montana Federation of Public Employees, which has teachers among its members, said masking decisions should be made locally.

MFPE celebrates the fact that many Montanans are ready to get vaccinated and unmask, MFPE President Amanda Curtis said in a statement. Its unfortunate that our superintendent of public instruction either doesnt understand or doesnt honor the local control system of Montana public education established in our constitution, a system in which school boards and employees work together to make the decision that best fits their community.

COVID-19 vaccinations have been approved for children 12 and over, meaning most students in kindergarten through fifth grade are not currently eligible to be vaccinated.

Missoula County Public Schools has decided to require masks through the end of the current school year, while districts in Bozeman, Helena and East Helena are still considering the issue.

___

This version correct attribution in the story to KULR-TV, not NBC Montana.
The Livingston County Sheriff's Office is asking for help to identify the owner of a truck seen at the scene of a theft from Pine Bluff Materials in Ledbetter. PHOTO:Livingston County Sheriff's Office

Police Searching for Truck From Scene of Theft

By West Kentucky Star Staff

LIVINGSTON COUNTY - The Livingston County Sheriff's Office is asking for the public's assistance in identifying the owner of a truck seen at the scene of a theft.The truck was observed at Pine Bluff Materials in Ledbetter at 11:37 pm on Sunday. Items were reportedly stolen from a vehicle on the property at that time.Anyone with information about the vehicle or its occupant is asked to contact the Livingston County Sheriff's Office at 270-928-2122.
FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. (AP)  The Navajo Nation has by far the largest land mass of any Native American tribe in the country. Now, it's boasting the largest enrolled population, too.

Navajos clamored to enroll or fix their records as the tribe offered hardship assistance payments from last year's federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act. That boosted the tribe's rolls from about 306,000 to nearly 400,000 citizens.

The figure surpasses the Cherokee Nation's enrollment of 392,000. But it, too, has been growing, said tribal spokeswoman Julie Hubbard. The Oklahoma tribe has been receiving about 200 more applications per month from potential enrollees, leaving Navajo's position at the top unstable.

The numbers matter because tribes often are allocated money based on their number of citizens. Each of the 574 federally recognized tribes determines how to count its population. Navajo, for example, requires a one-quarter blood quantum to enroll. Cherokee primarily uses lineal descent.

Tribal governments received $4.8 billion from the CARES Act based on federal housing population data for tribes, which some said was badly skewed. The Treasury Department recently revised the methodology and said it would correct the most substantial disparities.

The Shawnee Tribe of Oklahoma, one of three tribes that sued the Treasury Department over the payments, said it's satisfied with an additional $5.2 million it's set to receive. The Miccosukee Tribe of Indians in Florida and the Prairie Band Potawatomi Nation in Kansas would get $825,000 and $864,000 under the new methodology. Both said those amounts didn't make sense when broken down to a per-person figure. They plan to continue their fight in court.

We just cannot accept this as it is, Carol Heckman, an attorney for Prairie Band, said in a court hearing last week. We're happy to keep talking about it, but Treasury would have to sweeten the pie.

The Miccosukee Tribe amended its lawsuit Wednesday to reflect the latest arguments.

The Treasury Department will avoid much of the problems it encountered with CARES Act funding in the distribution of the $20 billion for tribes under the American Rescue Plan Act. The department said it will use tribally certified enrollment figures to pay out $12.35 billion and tribal employment data for $6.65 billion.

Another $1 billion will be divided equally among eligible tribal governments, the Treasury Department said. Alaska Native corporations, which own much of the Native land in Alaska under a 1971 settlement, aren't eligible for any of the $20 billion in funding. The U.S. Supreme Court is deciding whether the corporations will get a slice of the CARES Act money.

The Treasury Department set a Monday deadline for tribal governments to submit their enrollment information online for the American Rescue Plan funding. It acknowledged that no formula perfectly can capture the needs of tribes, which have suffered disproportionately during the pandemic.

Tribes also won't be under as tight of a deadline to spend the money as they were for the CARES Act and will have more flexibility. They can spend the money to replace lost revenue and improve water, sewer and broadband infrastructure that often lags behind the rest of the U.S.

The Navajo Nation is on track to get the largest share of the enrollment-based funding. About half of its members live on the vast 27,000-square-mile (70,000-square-kilometer) reservation that extends into New Mexico, Arizona and Utah.

The tribe opened the hardship assistance program in November, up against an initial deadline to spend federal virus assistance by the end of the year. It required that applicants be enrolled as Navajo citizens. The response was huge, with the tribe paying out more than $322 million to more than 293,000 applicants, the tribal controller's office said. Adults received up to $1,350 and children up to $450.

On the American Rescue Plan Act funding, Navajo Nation President Jonathan Nez questioned the fairness of awarding more money to tribes that enroll people with less than one-fourth blood quantum.

Here on Navajo, we verify blood quantum, and that's a requirement, he told The Associated Press. If they had that same requirement, one-quarter Cherokee, just imagine.

The U.S. Census reflects higher numbers for Native Americans than tribes' enrollment records because it allows people to self-identify as Native American and Alaska Native and report ties to multiple Indigenous groups across North America, Central America and South America. Not all of those 5.2 million people are eligible to enroll in tribes. The 2010 count put the Cherokee Nation around 820,000 and Navajo at 332,000.

Cherokee Native Principal Chief Chuck Hoskin Jr. said the recent higher enrollment figure from the Navajo Nation government shows Natives are strong and an important force for economies, education and environment.

It's truly a positive anytime our citizenship grows and thrives, he said in a statement.
LAS VEGAS (AP)  Nevadas motor vehicle department plans refunds to motorists and will instead ask lawmakers to tap state highway construction funds to pay for a troubled computer modernization program.

The decison came after the state Supreme Court struck down as unconstitutional a $1-per-transaction fee the Legislature had authorized in 2020, an official said.

A refund method and timeline has not been made public. Motorists were asked to ensure the DMV has their correct address

The project, now known as DMV Transformation, will proceed as planned, state Department of Motor Vehicles spokesman Kevin Malone told the Las Vegas Review-Journal following the high court ruling last Thursday. The department will be seeking Highway Fund appropriations to cover the loss of this revenue.

The Legislature appropriated $59.6 million over the next two fiscal years to complete the project, and Malone said lawmakers approved a contingency plan for the potential loss of about $14 million the DMV Technology Fee had been projected to bring in.

The state Supreme Court sided with Republicans and ruled the Legislature in 2019 unconstitutionally used a simple Democratic-led majority vote to approve extending a business tax and the fee, which had been set to expire in 2020.

Nevada voters amended the state constitution in 1994 to require two-thirds of lawmakers in both chambers to approve any measure that creates, generates, or increases any public revenue in any form," justices noted.

The DMV transaction surcharge was to modernize the agencys 20-year-old computer system under a contract that became the focus of corruption allegations and a finding by state auditors in 2017 that the project had been mismanaged. The contractor, Tech Mahindra, was fired the following year.

The state used unproven technology and had nonexistent project management controls at the DMV, according to a report from a contractor the state hired to determine what went wrong.

The Review-Journal in 2019 reported that the retired head of the DMV, Troy Dillard, went to work for Tech Mahindra at the same time the company was awarded the $75 million contract.

The newspaper won the unsealing of a lawsuit filed by a company executive, Brian Coffey, accusing DMV employees of sabotaging the modernization when bribes were not paid.

As much as $25 million was spent on equipment and technology that wasnt usable, the Review-Journal reported.

No one was charged in the case, and the DMV employees who worked on the contract remain on the state payroll, Malone said.

A Tech Mahindra spokesman and Tech Mahindra court filings in the Coffey case denied corruption allegations.

The Review-Journal reported the company was not required to repay the money and a settlement avoided litigation.
CONCORD, N.H. (AP)  New Hampshires Republican-controlled Legislature is considering a preemptive strike against sweeping election and voter-access legislation being debated in Washington, D.C.

The House Election Law Committee heard testimony Wednesday on a bill amendment that would keep New Hampshires election system in place for state and county races if Congress enacts the For the People Act. The legislation, a top priority of Democrats after the divisive 2020 election, would touch nearly every aspect of the electoral process.

The proposal is aimed at curtailing the influence of big money in politics and removing hurdles to voting with changes, such as automatic voter registration and 24-hour ballot drop boxes. But opponents argue it includes provisions that New Hampshire lawmakers and courts already have rejected and would destroy a system that works well in the state.

Do some people think changes can be made? Yes. Does that require upending the entire process that has been adopted and enshrined in our Constitution? No, said Rep. Barbara Griffin, sponsor of the measure that would effectively require separate state and federal systems for voter eligibility and registration, absentee voting, in-person voting and counting of ballots.

Griffin, R-Goffstown, called the federal bill a direct assault on the sovereignty of New Hampshire. And Deputy Secretary of State David Scanlan, speaking in support of Griffins amendment, called her proposal a shot across the bow of Congress about the wisdom of passing such legislation.

Scanlan spoke on behalf of Secretary of State Bill Gardner, who has faced harsh criticism from Democrats for supporting Republican legislation to tighten voter registration rules and for serving on former President Donald Trumps commission on election fraud. But Scanlan rejected a Democratic lawmakers suggestion that speaking out against the federal legislation compromises the nonpartisan standing and integrity of his office.

The climate in politics now is that theres a great deal of polarization, and it is difficult for an office like the secretary of state to administer the elections and take positions on bad pieces of legislation when we see it and not be accused of being partisan. But if we dont speak up, were not doing our job, he said.

There is a delicate balance we have to find between making voting easy and making sure that its secure enough that people have confidence that their votes are being counted, that that theyre not being diluted or that theres other fraudulent activity taking place, Scanlan said. That is the perspective we are approaching this issue from. It is not a partisan position, it is one of administration.

Democrats described the federal bill a critical reform package that will ensure elections are safe, accurate and accessible.

The For the People Act is essential to restoring the publics faith in our democratic institutions and ensuring that everyones voice is heard, said Rep. Manny Espitia, D-Nashua. Todays hearing, Im just going to say, is a political stunt, nothing more. It spreads misinformation and undermines our democracy.

The federal legislation has passed the House, but there is no clear path forward in the Senate, which is split 50-50. Last week, the Senate Rules Committee deadlocked over advancing it to the full Senate in its current form, leaving it to Democratic leader Chuck Schumer to try to invoke a special process to force the legislation ahead.
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP)  The head of the New Mexico Public Education Department said Wednesday that progress is being made when it comes to vaccinating the states middle and high school students now that eligibility has been expanded to include those 12 and older.

Education Secretary Ryan Stewart said during a briefing with reporters that more than 27,000 children between the ages of 12 and 18 are now fully vaccinated. Nearly 13,800 students have received at least one shot and more are scheduled.

Stewart pointed to the decline in new COVID-19 cases being reported each week among students and teachers, saying the vaccination effort is working as the number of schools on the state's watch list is down by half from just two week ago. Only two schools  a high school in Albuquerque and a middle school in Clovis  were forced to close because of newly reported cases over the last 14 days.

Schools are not driving community spread, Stewart said. Requirements call for unvaccinated students or staff who were exposed outside of school to be quarantined. Close contacts also are being tracked as a way to limit spread.

Even in those instances where COVID has shown up in a school, we've got the right systems in place to keep that from spreading to others, he said.

Overall, the percentage of New Mexicans 16 and older who are vaccinated neared 53% on Wednesday. While the pace has slowed somewhat, state officials expressed confidence that New Mexico would meet its 60% goal by the end of June. That will trigger the end of its color-coded system for determining risk in each county and the removal of most pandemic-related restrictions on commercial activities.

Currently, all but one county is classified as turquoise. That level includes the fewest restrictions on commercial and day-to-day activities.

As part of the effort to sway more New Mexicans to get vaccinated, state health officials warned that those who have not been vaccinated are about 10 times more likely to be infected as the virus mutates. State officials said more than 98% of newly confirmed COVID-19 cases are in unvaccinated people.

Nearly 530 infections have been reported among people who have been vaccinated in what officials call breakthrough cases, with a few dozen of them being hospitalized. State officials confirmed one death was attributed to COVID-19 while confirmation of another was pending.

Human Services Secretary Dr. David Scrase said there's still more to learn about these cases as many of the patients showed no symptoms.

The pandemic is not over, Scrase repeated. We have to keep up the full-court press here  vaccinated and unvaccinated individuals  to keep cases down.
DETROIT (AP)  The only Michigan official fired in the Flint water disaster wants to be reinstated and get years of back pay after a criminal case against her fizzled into a misdemeanor that was ultimately erased.

Liane Shekter Smith and the state's environment department are meeting privately this week with an arbitrator, more than five years after then-Gov. Rick Snyder dismissed her in 2016, attorneys said.

Shekter Smith was head of Michigan's drinking water office when Flint, with the state's OK, used the Flint River for water in 2014-15, a catastrophic step that contaminated the system with lead. The highly corrosive water wasn't properly treated before it flowed through aging pipes to roughly 100,000 residents.

In 2016, a task force appointed by Snyder said the Department of Environmental Quality, as the agency was known at the time, misapplied lead-and-copper rules in Flint and caused this crisis to happen.

Shekter Smith was subsequently charged with misconduct in office and neglect of duty, and put on notice that an involuntary manslaughter charge would be pursued because bacteria in the water were linked to a fatal outbreak of Legionnaires disease.

But charges were dropped in 2019 in exchange for a no-contest plea to an obscure misdemeanor that didn't result in any jail time. The case was erased after a year, under a deal with special prosecutor Todd Flood, who said Shekter Smith's cooperation with investigators was important.

Her attorney, Brian Morley, said at the time that criminal charges weren't appropriate even if mistakes were made in Flint. Shekter Smith's legal fees, paid by taxpayers, totaled $566,000, according to the state.

Shekter Smith and her lawyers, as well as the Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy, declined to comment about the arbitration process related to her firing.

She filed a grievance shortly after she was dismissed from her $135,000-a-year job. But no action was taken while the criminal case and various lawsuits by Flint residents were pending.

In her grievance, Shekter Smith claimed her right to due process was violated when she was fired without a full and fair investigation. She didn't elaborate in the brief form obtained by The Associated Press.

The state said she had failed to correctly apply the lead rule in Flint and didn't work effectively with federal regulators.

The firing was appropriate for the conduct, was for just cause and was not arbitrary or capricious, the state told her in response.

Other state employees who worked with Shekter Smith were placed on leave when they were charged with crimes in Flint. But their cases, too, were erased after misdemeanor plea deals, and they returned to jobs.

A second investigation of how Flint's water was contaminated led to a new round of charges in January against nine people, including Snyder, who is accused of willful neglect of duty. Two Snyder administration health officials face involuntary manslaughter charges. All have pleaded not guilty.

___

Follow Ed White at http://twitter.com/edwritez
HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP)  Two Philadelphia judges have been picked by Democratic voters as the party's nominees to run for open seats on two different statewide appellate courts in November.

Philadelphia Common Pleas Court Judge Timika Lane won a three-way primary contest Tuesday for a Superior Court seat, beating two lawyers in private practice from the Pittsburgh area.
ENGLEWOOD, Colo. (AP)  A 22-year-old man was fatally shot by police in suburban Denver on Tuesday after he struck and dragged three officers with a stolen car, police said.

Uniformed officers were attempting to contact the man and a female passenger inside the car at an apartment complex in Englewood when they were hit, leading police to shoot the man, police said.
MADISON, Wis. (AP)  Wisconsin environmental regulators have signed off on a plan to treat groundwater contamination caused by a fire training facility in Marinette, but warn it will not entirely eliminate the pollution.

The contamination is linked to Tyco Fire Products' use of firefighting foam that contained substances known as PFAS or forever chemicals because they don't break down easily in the environment.
LA VISTA, Neb. (AP)  The search for a missing autistic 11-year-old boy in eastern Nebraska entered its third day Wednesday, and police leading the effort said the child had searched online for how to hide from police before his disappearance.

Ryan Larsen walked out of his elementary school Monday morning and hasnt been seen since, police said. The child has a history of hiding from his family and has a habit of hiding in small spaces, police said. But officials said hes never been missing for days at a time.
Wingo Shoplifting Investigation Nets Three Arrests

By West Kentucky Star Staff

GRAVES COUNTY - A suspicious person complaint led to the arrest of three Graves County residents on drug and other charges.Graves County deputies were dispatched to the Wingo Dollar General Monday night after employees reported seeing two people attempting to shoplift. Upon arrival, authorities learned the suspects had fled the scene.Deputies located the suspect's vehicle shortly after and performed a traffic stop on KY 339 West near Atlantic Avenue.One of the passengers, 39-year-old Tamaron Lymon, reportedly jumped from the vehicle but was caught and detained a short time later.The driver, 27-year-old Cole Burgess, was arrested for DUI and other traffic offenses. He was lodged in the Marshall County jail.Another man reportedly seen on Dollar General's security footage was also found and detained during the traffic stop. The man was identified as 23-year-old James D. Allen Jr.The traffic stop led deputies to obtain a search warrant for a home in the 9600 block of US 45 South.Inside the home, authorities allegedly found syringes filled with methamphetamine, other methamphetamine, pills, and drug paraphernalia.Both Lyman and Allen were arrested and charged with first-degree possession of a controlled substance (methamphetamine) and drug paraphernalia. Lyman was also charged with second-degree fleeing or evading police. Allen was additionally charged with prescription controlled substances not in a proper container.They were both lodged in the Ballard County Jail.Before entering the secured area of the jail, Allen reportedly told deputies he was in possession of methamphetamine, pills, and marijuana. He was additionally charged with possession of marijuana and third-degree possession of a controlled substance.
PORTLAND, Maine (AP)  Maine's U.S. senators are joining a push to make the use of telehealth easier as the country moves beyond the coronavirus pandemic.

Republican Sen. Susan Collins and independent Sen. Angus King said the use of telehealth among Medicare beneficiaries increased dramatically during the pandemic. They want to expand coverage of telehealth services through Medicare and make COVID-19 telehealth flexibilities permanent.

The senators are supporting a proposal called the Creating Opportunities Now for Necessary and Effective Care Technologies for Health Act of 2021. It's also called the CONNECT Act.

Collins said the changes would allow Maine seniors to "continue to take advantage of remote home health care amid the COVID-19 public health emergency and beyond.

The proposal would also permanently remove geographic restrictions on telehealth services, the senators said. It would also allow health centers and rural health clinics to provide telehealth services, they said.

Maine Department of Health and Human Services Commissioner Jeanne Lambrew said expanded telehealth would be especially helpful for rural Maine residents.

We really could use that partnership, Lambrew said.

In other pandemic news in Maine:

THE NUMBERS

The number of vaccinated people in the state is creeping up and the number of daily cases of the coronavirus is creeping down.

The seven-day rolling average of daily new cases in Maine did not increase over the past two weeks, going from 297.14 new cases a day on May 3 to 236.71 new cases a day on Monday. The seven-day rolling average of daily deaths in Maine did not increase over the past two weeks, going from 1.86 deaths a day on May 3 to 1.14 deaths a day Monday.

The AP is using data collected by Johns Hopkins University Center for Systems Science and Engineering to measure outbreak caseloads and deaths across the United States.

The Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention said there have been more than 66,000 cases of the virus and 807 deaths in the state since the start of the pandemic.

The state also said about 55% of the eligible people in the state have had their final dose of coronavirus vaccine. The rate of vaccination has slowed since the early push, but the total number of vaccinated people in the state is still trending up.

The state has seen progress in vaccinating people between the ages of 12 and 15, Maine CDC Director Dr. Nirav Shah said. That is the most recent age group to be deemed eligible for vaccination.

We want to keep that up, he said.

___

YOUNGER COVID-19 PATIENTS

Shah also said that more of the state's coronavirus cases are occurring in younger people. Since April 1, 45% of the new cases of COVID-19 are among people younger than 30, he said.

That's a stark change from where we were before vaccination, when the bulk of the cases were in people who were in their 50s, 60s and 70s, Shah said.

Shah said vaccination rates among younger Maine residents are still lagging behind those of older residents. About 54,000 people in their 20s have had their final dose of coronavirus vaccine, state records show. The number for people in their 60s is nearly three times that, records show.

___

Follow APs coverage of the pandemic at https://apnews.com/hub/coronavirus-pandemic and https://apnews.com/UnderstandingtheOutbreak.
FARGO, N.D. (AP)  A Michigan man charged with causing the death of a pedestrian in Fargo will spend six years in prison after pleading guilty to vehicular manslaughter and failing to report a fatal accident.

Twenty-nine-year-old David Torgenson was also given two years of probation Tuesday for the September death of 39-year-old Peter McKenney, who was originally from Minnesota, KVRR-TV reported. Authorities say McKenney was walking home from the grocery store when he was struck.
COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP)  Hundreds of thousands of people have entered Ohio's vaccine lottery that will award five $1 million prizes and five full-ride college scholarships in a promotion to increase coronavirus vaccinations, the state said, with some signs of a boost in vaccines since the program was announced.

The Ohio Department of Health fielded more than 60,000 calls about the lottery Tuesday, the day registration began, with the Vax-a-Million website receiving more than 25 million page views.

The Health Department said Wednesday it will release the total number of entrants May 24 after the first names are drawn and the verification process is completed. Winners must be permanent Ohio residents and have received at least one dose of the vaccine, meaning the first person drawn by the state might not be the eventual winner.

Both adults hoping for the $1 million prize and children looking for the college scholarships can register themselves, but parents or legal guardians must verify children's eligibility.

Gov. Mike DeWine said earlier this week there are early indications the lottery is attracting new vaccine recipients after weeks of slowing vaccination rates.

Vaccinations for people in the 30-74 age group went up 6% on May 14 after falling 24% week over week the two prior Fridays, DeWine said Monday.

Stay tuned, but this is the way we get out of this pandemic, he said. More and more Ohioans becoming vaccinated.

DeWine said other, lower lottery prizes might have worked, but $1 million is a figure that gets people's attention.

There's something magical, it seems to me, there always has been, about a million dollars, he said.
HAYDEN, Ala. (AP)  A man wanted for questioning in an Alabama murder case was shot and killed Tuesday by law enforcement during a chase, according to authorities.

Timothy James Hogland, 32, was accused of pointing a gun at officers before he was fatally shot at around 11:30 a.m. along an interstate near Hayden, Alabama State Troopers said. He was pronounced dead on the scene.
RIGBY, Idaho (AP)  When a student opened fire at an Idaho middle school, teacher Krista Gneiting directed children to safety, rushed to help a wounded victim and then calmly disarmed the sixth-grade shooter, hugging and consoling the girl until police arrived.

Parents credited the math teacher's display of compassion with saving lives. While two students and the school custodian were shot May 6, all three survived, and the gunfire was over within minutes. Gneiting's family says bravery and empathy are just part of who she is.

In an interview with ABC News that aired Wednesday, Gneiting said she was preparing her Rigby Middle School students for their final exams when she heard the first gunshot down the hall. She looked outside her classroom and saw the custodian lying on the floor. She heard two more shots as she closed the door.

So I just told my students, We are going to leave, were going to run to the high school, youre going to run hard, youre not going to look back and now is the time to get up and go, Gneiting said in the interview shown on  Good Morning America.

Police said a sixth-grade girl brought the handgun in her backpack and shot two people inside the school and one outside. All three were wounded in their limbs and released from the hospital within a few days.

Gneiting said she was trying to help one of the students who had been shot when she saw the girl holding the gun. She told the wounded student to stay still and approached the sixth-grader.

It was a little girl, and my brain couldn't quite grasp that, she said. I just knew when I saw that gun, I had to get the gun.

She asked the girl, Are you the shooter?" and then walked closer, putting her hand on the child's arm and sliding it down to the gun.

I just slowly pulled the gun out of her hand, and she allowed me to. She didn't give it to me, but she didn't fight, Gneiting said. And then after I got the gun, I just pulled her into a hug because I thought, this little girl has a mom somewhere that doesn't realize she's having a breakdown and she's hurting people.

Gneiting held the girl, consoling her until police arrived.

After a while, the girl started talking to me, and I could tell she was very unhappy, Gneiting said. I just kept hugging her and loving her and trying to let her know that were going to get through this together. I do believe that my being there helped her because she calmed down."

Once police got there, Gneiting told the girl that an officer would need to put her in handcuffs, and the child complied.

She didn't respond, she just let him. He was very gentle and very kind, and he just went ahead and took her and put her in the police car, she said.

The girl has been charged in the shooting, but because juvenile court proceedings are kept sealed in Idaho, neither her name nor the nature of the charges has been released.

Gneiting's brother-in-law, Layne Gneiting, said that when he first heard about the shooting, he thought Krista Gneiting's inner mother bear had sprung into action to protect the students. He soon realized it was another side of her strong parental instinct.

Krista is a born mother, Layne Gneiting wrote in a Facebook post shortly after the shooting. Mess with her kids she'll rip you apart. Need a hug she'll hold you for hours, mingling her tears with yours ... Determination pushed her to act, but tenderness and motherly love  not force  lifted the gun from the girl's hands to hers.

Krista Gneiting, meanwhile, said she hopes people can forgive the girl and help her get the support she needs.

She is just barely starting in life and she just needs some help. Everybody makes mistakes, she told ABC News. I think we need to make sure we get her help and get her back into where she loves herself so that she can function in society.
SALEM, Ore. (AP)  A 17-year-old girl has died a week after being hurt during an alleged kidnapping and car chase that ended with what police described as a gunfire exchange with officers in Silverton.

The teen was pronounced dead at Doernbecher Childrens Hospital on Wednesday, The Statesman Journal reported. Her name and cause of death wasn't released. Police have not said if she was shot during the exchange of gunfire.
NELSONVILLE. Ohio (AP)  A teenage boy who fatally shot a younger friend while showing him a gun has pleaded guilty to reckless homicide, and the teen's father has been charged with involuntary manslaughter.

The 14-year-old shooter entered his plea Tuesday in juvenile court, according to the Athens County Prosecutors Office. His name was not released due to his age.
FILE - In this Oct. 14, 2020, file photo, Mark and Patricia McCloskey leave following a court hearing, in St. Louis. The McCloskeys, accused of waving guns at racial injustice protesters in the summer of 2020, are due back in court Friday, April 30, 2021, when a judge will consider whether to send the case back to a grand jury to decide if they should have been indicted in the first place. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson, File) PHOTO:AP Photo/Jeff Roberson, File

Man Who Waved Gun at Protesters to Run for Senate

By The Associated Press

ST. LOUIS - Mark McCloskey, a St. Louis personal injury lawyer who gained national attention after he and his wife waved guns at racial injustice protesters who marched near their home last summer, says he will run for the U.S. Senate in 2022.McCloskey made the announcement Tuesday on Tucker Carlsons show on Fox News. Incumbent Missouri Republican Roy Blunt announced in March he would not seek a third term.McCloskey will seek the Republican nomination against two contenders with strong name recognition: Former Gov. Eric Greitens, who resigned from office amid a sex scandal in 2018; and Missouri Attorney General Eric Schmitt.Several GOP members of Congress also are weighing runs.
AUSTIN, Texas (AP)  Republican Gov. Greg Abbott on Wednesday signed a law that bans abortions in Texas before many women even know they are pregnant and differs singularly from similar efforts nationwide: leaving enforcement to private citizens, who can sue doctors or anyone who helps a woman get an abortion.

The law puts Texas in line with more than a dozen other states that ban abortions after a fetal heartbeat can be detected, possibly as early as six weeks. It would take effect in September, but federal courts have mostly blocked states from enforcing similar measures.

But with the Supreme Court this week agreeing to take up a Mississippi law that bans abortion after 15 weeks of pregnancy, abortion rights activists worry that a ruling favorable to the state could lay the groundwork for allowing even more restrictions, including so-called heartbeat bills.

The life of every unborn child with a heartbeat will be saved from the ravages of abortion," Abbott said in a bill signing at his office.

Texas' version is unique in that it prohibits state officials from enforcing the ban. Instead, it allows anyone  even someone outside Texas  to sue an abortion provider or anyone else who may have helped someone get an abortion after the limit, and seek financial damages of up to $10,000 per defendant.

Critics say that provision would allow abortion opponents to flood the courts with lawsuits to harass doctors, patients, nurses, domestic violence counselors, a friend who drove a woman to a clinic, or even a parent who paid for a procedure.

Before the bill reached Abbott's desk, abortion rights groups signaled they would challenge the law.

The goal is clear: to relentlessly attack our reproductive rights until abortion is a right in name only. Passing these bills is not leadership, it is cruelty and extremism," said Alexis McGill Johnson, president of Planned Parenthood Action Fund.

Advanced technology can detect an electric signal flutter as early as six weeks into a pregnancy, even though the embryo isnt yet a fetus and doesnt have a heart. An embryo is termed a fetus beginning in the 11th week of pregnancy, medical experts say.

Texas law currently bans abortion after 20 weeks, with exceptions for a woman with a life-threatening medical condition or if the fetus has a severe abnormality. More than 90% of abortions take place in the first 13 weeks of a womans pregnancy, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

The Supreme Court will probably hear the Mississippi case in the fall, with a decision likely in spring 2022.
ISTANBUL (AP)  Turkey has imposed an import ban on ethylene polymer plastic waste as environmental groups sound the alarm on the worlds plastic consumption and lack of effective recycling.

In an amendment published in Turkeys Official Gazette on Tuesday, the Trade Ministry added ethylene polymer plastics to its list of waste materials that are illegal to import. The ban will take effect in 45 days.

The environmental group Greenpeace Mediterranean welcomed the news, calling it a very important step towards the goal of zero waste importation as set out by Turkeys Ministry of Environment and Urbanization. The group said 74% of the plastic waste imported by Turkey last year will now be on the banned list.

In a visual investigation published this week, Greenpeace said plastic waste like shopping bags and packaging from the U.K. and Germany were being dumped and burned in southern Turkey.

Around 241 truckloads of plastic waste come to Turkey every day from across Europe and it overwhelms us. As far as we can see from the data and the field, we continue to be Europes largest plastic waste dump, said Nihan Temiz Atas, the biodiversity projects head of Greenpeace Mediterranean.

The environment minister, Murat Kurum, said 152 waste facilities were audited in southern Adana province after undesirable images were revealed. Twenty-nine of them shut down, 32 were fined and criminal complaints filed against businesses that were causing pollution. He said Wednesday monitoring would continue in all recycling processes.

Kurum added Turkey didn't import garbage and added that the import of mixed plastic waste was outlawed in 2021. Companies importing recyclable plastics to process into raw materials for use in Turkey are required to hold an identification code that allows for monitoring.

Our goal is a national industry that can get a 100% of its raw materials from the domestic market and end imports of waste from the world and a very clean Turkey, he said.

The Turkish Plastics Industrialists Association criticized the ban, saying the ministry had not consulted with industry representatives.

The ban puts our countrys plastics sector into a deadlock, the groups President Selcuk Gulsun said, calling for the measure to be withdrawn.

Polyethylene plastics are one of the most widely produced plastics in the world.

___

Follow all AP stories about environmental and climate change issues at https://apnews.com/hub/climate
Joe Raedle/TNS

A flight out of Kennedy Airport made an emergency landing after an unruly, foul-smelling passenger refused to wear a mask, snorted a white powder, groped a woman and uttered racial slurs, according to reports.

The suspect was taken into custody when the JetBlue flight to San Francisco made an unscheduled landing in Minneapolis late Sunday afternoon. The 42-year-old passenger, who lives in upstate New York, was charged with drug possession, according to reports.
Screening and the HPV vaccine have led to drops in cervical cancers over the last two decades in the U.S., a new study finds, but the gains are offset by a rise in other tumors caused by the virus.

Oral sex is helping fuel more cases of mouth and throat cancers in men. For older women, anal cancer and a rare type of rectal cancer caused by HPV may be more common than cervical cancers by 2025.

A common misperception is the HPV vaccine has solved the problem of HPV-associated cancers. Unfortunately, that couldnt be further from the truth, said Dr. Maura Gillison of the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, who was not involved in the study.

Results were released Wednesday by the American Society of Clinical Oncology ahead of presentation at its annual meeting next month.

HPV, or human papillomavirus, is the nations most common sexually spread infection. Most HPV infections cause no symptoms and go away without treatment.

But some cause genital warts and others develop into cancers, about 35,900 each year, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

In the U.S., the HPV vaccine has been recommended since 2006 for girls at age 11 or 12, and since 2011 for boys the same age, and catch-up shots are recommended for anyone through age 26 who hasn't been vaccinated. Experts agree it will take years to see the true impact because it can take decades for a chronic HPV infection to turn into cancer.

What's driving the HPV cancer trends is the youthful sexual behavior of baby boomers before the vaccine was out. The vaccine works best when given at younger ages before people are exposed to HPV through sexual activity, so it arrived too late for the boomers.

Sexual trends began changing and liberalizing in the late 60s, and continued into the 70s and 80s, until the HIV epidemic caused people to be more cautious, said Dr. Ernest Hawk, cancer prevention specialist at MD Anderson, who was not involved in the study.

People had many more partners and many more types of interactions," Hawk said.

Researchers from the U.S. and Taiwan looked at U.S. cancer statistics from 2001-2017, finding more than 657,000 cases of HPV-related cancers, 60% in women and 40% in men. While cervical cancer cases fell by about 1% per year, other types rose.

For men, oral and throat cancers increased the most, at nearly 3% a year. For women, anal cancer and a rare rectal cancer increased the most, also nearly 3% annually.

The biggest drop in cervical cancers was seen in young women who would have been the first to get the HPV vaccine when they were preteens, said lead author Dr. Cheng-I Liao of Kaohsiung Veterans General Hospital in Taiwan. That suggests the vaccine played a role, along with Pap tests, which have been driving down cervical cancer cases for decades.

No screening tests exist for the other cancers, although research is underway.

One vaccine, Merck's Gardasil 9, is available in the U.S. The cost is fully covered by private and public health insurance.

Vaccination had been increasing before the COVID-19 pandemic and infections were declining dramatically among young women. Research suggests the vaccine was preventing oral infections in men too.

But vaccination dropped off during lockdowns as families missed routine doctor's appointments, Hawk said. Vaccinating middle and high school students for COVID-19 will give doctors a chance to encourage HPV shots at the same time, he said.

___

The Associated Press Health and Science Department receives support from the Howard Hughes Medical Institutes Department of Science Education. The AP is solely responsible for all content.
RENO, Nev. (AP)  U.S. Forest Service officials in Nevada have started to crack down on its leash laws after recent reports of dogs attacking sheep used for wildfire reduction on the Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest.

Officials said dogs at Whites Creek and Thomas Creek trails must be leashed within a mile (1.6 kilometers) of trailheads through June 30 to reduce the risk of attacks, the Reno Gazette-Journal reported.
ISLAMABAD (AP)  The U.S. State Department said Wednesday it was offering a $5 million reward for information about an American woman kidnapped in Afghanistan in 2008.

Cydney Mizell, a humanitarian aid worker and her driver, Mohammad Hadi, were kidnapped in southern Kandahar province, where Mizell was teaching English and embroidery at a local girls school.

The State Department statement said Mizell and her driver were most likely killed by their captors, who have never been identified. She is believed to have been buried in Kandahar but her body has not been recovered.

Posters circulated on email by the U.S. Embassy offering the reward carry a picture of a smiling Mizell, who had lived in Kandahar for three years before her disappearance. Help us return her to her family, the poster reads.

No one has claimed responsibility for Mizell's kidnapping. Kandahar was the spiritual heartland of the Taliban until their ouster in 2001 by the U.S.-led coalition.

The reward is being offered through the State Department's Rewards for Justice program, which has paid out more than $200 million since it began in 1984.

The U.S. is also seeking the freedom of Mark Frierchs, a contractor who disappeared in Afghanistan in early 2020 and is believed to be in the custody of the Taliban's Haqqani network.

The Taliban have denied taking Frierchs. But Zalmay Khalilzad, the U.S. envoy seeking to broker peace in Afghanistan, has reportedly been pressing the insurgent movement for information on his whereabouts.

There is a growing urgency to locate missing Americans in Afghanistan as the U.S. withdraws the last of its 2,500-3,500 troops, ending its longest military engagement. The last American soldier and the roughly 7,000 allied NATO forces will be out of Afghanistan by Sept. 11 at the latest.

Most indications are that the troops will be gone before the Sept. 11 deadline  the 20th anniversary of the terrorist attacks on the U.S. that brought American troops to Afghanistan to hunt down the al-Qaida perpetrators who killed nearly 3,000 people.

As of Monday, the Pentagon said anywhere from 13% to 20% of the withdrawal had been completed. So far, the U.S. military has packed 117 C-17 Cargo aircraft with equipment and supplies and returned them to the United States.

President Joe Biden announced the end to America's "forever war" in mid-April, the Pentagon said.
SALT LAKE CITY (AP)  Utah Democrats walked off the House floor Wednesday in protest of a resolution recommending that the state review any curriculum that examines the ways in which race and racism influence American politics, culture and the law.

Republican lawmakers say they want to ensure that children arent being taught that one race is inherently superior or inferior to another as part of critical race theory, which highlights how historical inequities and racism continue to shape public policy and social conditions.

Critical race theory is not a part of curriculum in K-12 schools, and the state school board has said no board member has suggested including it.

Lawmakers initially intended to consider an outright ban on critical race theory during the special legislative session. But Republican Gov. Spencer Cox declined to place the bill on the agenda and recommended delaying it until the next general session.

Cox said Monday the possible ban and a proposal to declare Utah a Second Amendment sanctuary needed more time, thought, dialogue and input before being voted on.

In response, the House and Senate announced they would still bring both issues to the floor as separate resolutions over Cox's objections.

As Republican sponsor Rep. Steve Christiansen began his presentation by saying Colleagues, we live in a fantastic nation," 17 House Democrats calmly stood up from their seats and filed out the door. They then stood on the marble steps of the Capitol rotunda to explain that they had left because they were shut out of the process behind both resolutions.

Rep. Brian King, the Democratic minority leader, said walking out of the debate was their only option to speak out and not be a part of that sham process."

What this is about is an attempt or first step in assuring that my history and the history of many people of color are not taught in our school system in the state of Utah," said Rep. Sandra Hollins, the only Black member of the Legislature.

Identical resolutions on reviewing critical race theory passed in the Senate and House shortly after House Democrats walked out.

Utah is not alone in advancing proposals to try to curb ideas central to critical race theory. Arkansas, Idaho and Oklahoma have implemented various versions of a ban already this year. Other attempts have been floated in New Hampshire, Missouri and Louisiana over the past few months, though those measures are unlikely to pass.

On the Senate floor, Republican Sen. Lincoln Fillmore said he hopes the resolution will lower the temperature on the issue that has become a national lightning rod. Fillmore, who sponsored the bill, acknowledged that he did not know the definition of critical race theory but said he hopes the resolution will allow the state board of education to explore it.

Democratic senators criticized Republicans for fast-tracking the resolution without seeking proper input from educators and academics. Sen. Derek Kitchen said that putting forth the resolution will do more harm and further inflame existing tensions.

"It feels like the Legislature is inappropriately inserting itself and in the process adding fuel to this fire," he said.

Earlier in the day, members of the Utah Educational Equity Coalition held a protest against the resolution on the steps of the Capitol building.

Darlene McDonald, a social activist, said critical race theory has been misrepresented by the Legislature, and the resolutions could limit teaching diversity, equity and inclusion in Utah schools.

This decision has been made without consulting actual educators who teach diversity, equity and inclusion in schools, and it also was made without consulting with actual experts and scholars on critical race theory, she said. How it has been defined by members of the Legislature as well as members of the Utah State school board is distorted and inaccurate.

___

Eppolito is a corps member for the Associated Press/Report for America Statehouse News Initiative. Report for America is a nonprofit national service program that places journalists in local newsrooms to report on undercovered issues.
SPRINGFIELD, Mo. (AP)  A man from Washington was sentenced Wednesday to 20 years in federal prison without parole for sexually assaulting a girl in Missouri when she was between the ages of 5 and 12.

Timothy Smith, 56, for Renton, Washington, was also ordered to be on supervised release for the rest of his life following his prison sentence.
Beshear Encourages Students to Take COVID Shots

By West Kentucky Star Staff

FRANKFORT - Gov. Andy Beshear is calling on Kentucky's students to take the COVID-19 shots.He said Tuesday that their help is crucial to overcome a challenge that adults cant do on their own.The governor visited a Lexington high school to promote the vaccinations. He referred to the vaccine as the key to having a fully normal school year in the fall. Beshear reassured students at Lafayette High School who were preparing to receive the vaccine. He also stressed the vaccines effectiveness in a message aimed at students and parents.The governor said 1,932,189 Kentuckians had received at least the first dose of a COVID-19 vaccine as of Tuesday.There were 645 new cases reported, and a positivity rate of 2.79 percent.
MILWAUKEE (AP)  A Wisconsin juvenile court judge accused of possessing and distributing child pornography was taken into federal custody after making his initial appearance in court Wednesday.

The lawyer for Milwaukee County Circuit Judge Brett Blomme, charged in federal court with two counts of distributing child pornography, said Blomme decided on his own not to seek release. Defense attorney Chris Van Wagner called it a strategic, tactical decision and said that Blomme is seeking a plea deal.
NEW ORLEANS (AP)  Work has begun on three projects designed to restore nearly 5 square miles (13 square kilometers) of Louisiana's coastal land, Gov. John Bel Edwards said Wednesday.

They'll use a total of 18 million cubic yards (13.8 million cubic meters) of sediment dredged from the Mississippi River  enough to fill the Superdome 18 times, he said.

The $256.6 million total cost is being covered by money paid by BP PLC after the 2010 Gulf of Mexico oil spill, he said during a news conference livestreamed from Baton Rouge.

The Spanish Pass project will build more than 1,500 acres (607 hectares) of marsh and 132 acres (53 hectares) of ridge west of Venice in Plaquemines Parish for about $100 million.

It will use 10 million cubic yards (7.6 million cubic meters) of sediment  the highest volume from the Mississippi River to date, the governor said. He said it will also be the Coastal Preservation and Restoration Authority's largest ridge restoration project so far.

Another, estimated at $102 million, will restore more than 371 acres (150 hectares) of beach and dune and 160 acres (64 hectares) of back barrier marsh on West Grand Terre Island northeast of Grand Isle in Jefferson Parish.

Once headquarters for the pirate Jean Lafitte and now the site of Fort Livingston, it is one of the most historically and ecologically important barrier is-lands in Louisiana, Edwards said.

The third, at an estimated $54 million, will create and nourish over 770 acres (311 hectares) of marsh in Orleans and St. Bernard parishes, in an area where the now closed Mississippi River Gulf Outlet funneled Hurricane Katrina's storm surge in 2005.

The largest continuous storm surge barrier in the world now protects people there, Edwards said.

But even concrete and steel structures need the natural ecosystem to provide a buffer that only land and marsh can provide, he said.
By Eli Walsh

Bay City News Foundation

Sonoma County supervisors punted Tuesday on a proposal to make it easier for cannabis growers to obtain a permit from the county, saying further examination of the environmental effects and more public input is needed.

The proposed rules, approved by the county Planning Commission and more than a year in development, would have given the county's agricultural commissioner more leeway to issue permits for cannabis cultivation and removed a 1-acre cap on marijuana crops for farms of 10 acres or more.

Multiple board members noted that while the county has not acted with haste to adapt its regulations concerning cannabis growth, the proposal considered Tuesday did not have enough input from county residents, particularly those who live in more rural areas of the county and would be closest to new and larger cannabis grows.

"It's very frustrating to the communities that we represent and I think it's also very demoralizing to staff to have worked for a year and a half only to come up what feels like empty handed and sort of having to reset and start all over," said Lynda Hopkins, board chair.

Hopkins and Supervisor David Rabbitt both suggested the county should also apologize to its residents for failing to make meaningful progress on land use code updates for cannabis growth.

"I feel like we've been spinning our wheels and haven't made much progress," Rabbitt said. "And for that, we should apologize because I think we haven't done any favors for the industry, for the neighbors or the county itself."

The board and public commenters also questioned the proposal's lack of an environmental impact report as required under the California Environmental Quality Act.

Completing an EIR would take between a year and 18 months, according to county officials, but the board declined to move forward without one as well as a future set of community workshops to ensure that both cannabis growers and residents are satisfied with future changes to the local land use code.

"We need this report," Supervisor Chris Coursey said. "We need the technical studies so we can make decisions based on facts instead of anecdotes and speculation."

Rural residents had argued that easing the ability to grow cannabis would have multiple negative effects on their neighborhoods and the county, including increased odor, crime, and water use when the region is already suffering from a critically low water supply.

"The solution is small cannabis grows away from residences, not in public view, and not spreading noise or odor," a coalition of residents opposed to the proposal wrote earlier this month in a letter to the board. "This is not what is proposed."

Given the board's schedule in the coming months, including voting on the county's budget for the upcoming fiscal year, the board would not be able to hold a workshop on cannabis grows and the land use code until November or December, according to county officials.

County-hosted town halls on the subject would also not likely be held until the summer and fall.

"Going forward, we need to do better," Hopkins said. "And I think that we all learned a lesson that we need to really work on front loading and in-depth legal risk analysis for any kind of land use project or ordinance change that we are embarking on as a county."

Copyright  2021 Bay City News, Inc. All rights reserved. Republication, rebroadcast or redistribution without the express written consent of Bay City News, Inc. is prohibited. Bay City News is a 24/7 news service covering the greater Bay Area.

Copyright  2021 by Bay City News, Inc. Republication, Rebroadcast or any other Reuse without the express written consent of Bay City News, Inc. is prohibited.
You are now listening to the sounds of the New Generation. A podcast created for those who desire a new way of gaining information rather than reading a traditional newspaper. In our show we will discuss everything from sports, pop culture, politics, and local news. To stay up to date on our latest episodes every week be sure to follow us on your favorite podcast service. And dont worry, we keep it short.
As a current print subscriber, you receive 24/7 access to our website and online e-edition at no additional charge. All you have to do is activate your access. To activate digital access, you will need your account number. You can find your account number on any recent subscription notice or bill.
Page Content

On May 7, Montana Gov. Greg Gianforte signed into law Montana House Bill 702, under which Montana became the first jurisdiction to recognize an individual's vaccination status as a protected category. The law also prohibits employers from requiring employees to disclose their immunization status and bars employers from requiring employees to receive certain types of vaccines or to possess an immunity passport. The law is effective immediately.

Definitions and Coverage

The law defines "vaccination status" as "an indication of whether a person has received one or more doses of a vaccine." An "immunity passport" is "a document, digital record, or software application indicating that a person is immune to a disease, either through vaccination or infection and recovery."

Under the law, businesses, governmental entities, and places of public accommodation may not refuse to serve or withhold goods from any person "based on the person's vaccination status or whether the person has an immunity passport." Likewise, employers may not discriminate against or refuse to employ an individual based on whether the person has been vaccinated or possesses an immunity passport. The law bars employers from requiring employees to receive vaccines, such as the current COVID-19 vaccine, "whose use is allowed under emergency use authorization or any vaccine undergoing safety trials."

Exceptions and Exemptions

The law contains a few defined exceptions and exemptions. Licensed nursing homes, long-term care facilities or assisted living facilities are exempt from the law if complying with it would result in the facility violating regulations or guidance promulgated by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services or the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The law permits healthcare facilities, as defined under Mont. Code Ann. Sec. 50-5-101, to ask their employees to volunteer their immunization status solely to design and enforce "reasonable accommodation measures to protect the safety and health of employees, patients, visitors and other persons from communicable diseases."

The law requires healthcare facilities to follow through with implementing such measures. If an employee of a healthcare facility declines to provide his or her vaccination status, the law permits the healthcare employer to assume the employee is not vaccinated. The law also permits business and governmental entities to recommend that their employees be vaccinated.

Enforcement

The new law is codified as an "integral part" of Montana's existing laws prohibiting various forms of unlawful discrimination, and it draws upon procedural and enforcement mechanisms broadly applicable to other claims of discrimination. As a result, an individual alleging discrimination on the basis of vaccination status can file a complaint with the Montana Human Rights Bureau (MHRB) within 180 days after the alleged unlawful discriminatory practice occurred or was discovered.

Once an individual files a complaint with the MHRB, the agency has a statutory duty to investigate and, as in other instances of alleged employment discrimination, "determine whether there is reasonable cause to believe that the allegations are supported by a preponderance of evidence." Upon a reasonable cause finding, if conciliation efforts are not successful, the matter proceeds to a hearing.

Hearings proceed under applicable portions of the Montana Rules of Civil Procedure, including its allowance for written and other discovery. A successful claimant may be awarded economic and compensatory damages, but not punitive damages, to rectify any alleged harm. In addition, a prevailing party may bring a separate action in state court for attorney's fees and costs.

Accordingly, an adverse finding against an employer under Montana House Bill 702 may expose employers to damages similar to other types of claims alleging unlawful discrimination.

Roger G. Trim and Raul Chacon, Jr. are attorneys with Ogletree Deakins in Denver.  2021 Ogletree Deakins. All rights reserved. Reposted with permission.
Democrat Charles Booker say's he's strongly considering another run for the U.S. Senate in Kentucky next year against Republican Rand Paul. PHOTO:West Kentucky Star Staff

Booker Touts Fundraising for Potential Senate Bid

By The Associated Press

LOUISVILLE - Democrat Charles Booker has raised more than $500,000 since forming an exploratory committee signaling his interest in challenging Republican U.S. Sen. Rand Paul next year in Kentucky.Booker nearly upset a well-funded Democratic rival in last years Senate primary.He said Wednesday that his fundraising in the past month shows he would have the resources needed to win if he were to enter the race against Paul.Booker would face an uphill challenge against Paul in Republican-trending Kentucky.Paul will seek a third term in 2022.Booker has not signaled when he will announce whether hes formally entering the campaign.
Amidst all these speculations, she made it clear that she has signed only three films so far. Krithi Shetty has gained a huge craze with the stupendous success of her debut film, Uppena.

Actress Krithi Shetty has shot down all the reports about her upcoming projects. The Uppena girl made it to the headlines lately with several filmmakers claiming that they have approached her for their new projects.

I am hearing a lot of rumours about my next projects. As of now, I have signed 3 films in total (one with Nani garu, Sudheer Babu garu, and Ram garu). Now my only concentration is to finish my committed projects, she posted on her social media handle.

She has been cast opposite Nani in Shyam Singha Roy and Sudheer Babu in Indragantis Aa Ammayi Gurinchi MeekuCheppali. Both these movies are in progress. She has also signed a film opposite Ram Pothineni in Linguswamys direction but the film is yet to hit the floors.

Krithi Shetty also mentioned that she will announce the new films on social media if she signs any project. When I do sign my next projects, I will keep you posted for sure, she added.

Krithi Shetty also urged her fans to take care of themselves during this pandemic.

Please take care of yourself and your family, times are difficult but please try to be strong and stay safe, she wrote.

For more stories click here: Kollywood l Malayalam l Bollywood l Telugu
The study, led by University of Sao Paulo in Brazil, detected the presence of antibodies against dengue virus and SARS-CoV-2 in blood samples from 1,285 inhabitants of Mancio Lima, a small town in the state of Acre, part of Brazil's Amazon region.

Sao Paulo, May 19 (IANS) People who have had dengue in the past are twice as likely to develop symptoms of Covid-19 if they are infected by coronavirus, finds a new study.

"Our results show that the populations most exposed to dengue, possibly owing to socio-demographic factors, are precisely those that most risk falling very sick if they're infected by SARS-CoV-2. This is an example of what has been called a syndemic (synergic interaction between two epidemic diseases so that one exacerbates the effects of the other)," principal investigator Marcelo Urbano Ferreira, Professor at the varsity's Biomedical Sciences Institute (ICB-USP) told the Sao Paulo Research Foundation.

"On one hand, Covid-19 has hindered efforts to control dengue. On the other hand, the latter appears to increase the risk for those who contract the former," Ferreira added.

There may be a biological basis for the phenomenon, in the sense that antibodies against dengue virus somehow exacerbate Covid-19, or it may simply be due to socio-demographic factors that make certain population groups more vulnerable to both diseases for various reasons, the researcher reported in the journal Clinical Infectious Diseases.

"The results evidence the importance of reinforcing both the social distancing measures introduced to contain the spread of SARS-CoV-2 and efforts to control the dengue vector, as the two epidemics are occurring at the same time and affecting the same vulnerable population. This should be getting more attention from the federal government," Ferreira said.

The blood samples analysed for the study had been collected in November 2019 and November 2020. They were submitted to tests capable of detecting antibodies against all four dengue serotypes and against SARS-CoV-2.

The results showed that 37 per cent of the people had contracted dengue before November 2019 and 35 per cent had been infected by coronavirus before November 2020. Clinical data (symptoms and outcomes) of the volunteers diagnosed with Covid-19 were also analysed.

--IANS

rvt/vd
Convergence Energy Services Ltd (CESL), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Energy Efficiency Services Ltd (EESL), has placed a Letter of Award in favour of Tata Motors for procurement of 300 electric cars with 3 years of warranty.

This will consist of 300 four-wheeler electric cars (whose length is less than 4 meters) and range equal to or more than 250 km.

This award is a part of the scaling up demand side energy efficiency sector project, financed by the Asian Development Bank line of credit to CESL.

CESL will work with Tata Motors to deploy these vehicles to government entities looking to change over to electric vehicles.

CESL Managing Director and CEO Mahua Acharya said: "Electric vehicles are the future. I am so pleased that more and more Government entities in India are switching over to electric transport. Our association with Tata Motors is a good development for the future of mobility in India. Convergence is committed to developing a flourishing electric vehicles ecosystem in the country."

Tata Motors Passenger Vehicle Business Unit President Shailesh Chandra said: "Tata Motors is committed to support the Government's vision of actively embracing e-mobility and we are delighted to partner with CESL once again. Purposeful collaboration amongst stakeholders is key to accelerate the mass adoption of environmentally friendly solutions. As the leader in the rapidly growing electric mobility space, we remain focused on ramping up the access and use of EVs across India."

The total cost of the tender is approximately Rs 44 crore, and it will be implemented in two schedules - under the first schedule, 300 cars with 3 years warranty (4 wheelers with less than 4 metre length and range equal to or more than 250 km will be procured at a base price of Rs 14,33,000 per unit, exclusive of GST.

The second schedule will involve inland transportation, including loading, unloading, transfer to designated location, transit insurance, and other costs incidental to the delivery of vehicles. This will be done at a cost of Rs 21,000 per unit.


Google on Tuesday launched nearly a dozen updates to make collaboration more seamless in the remote work and learning era amid the pandemic.

You can now present your content to a Google Meet call on the web directly from the Doc, Sheet, or Slide where you're already working with your team.

"In the fall, we're bringing Meet directly to Docs, Sheets, and Slides on the web, so people can actually see and hear each other while they're collaborating," said Erika Trautman, Director, Google Workspace, on the first day of the virtual Google I/O developer conference.

Google currently offers live captions in five languages, with more on the way.

"We're introducing live translations of captions later this year, starting with English-language live captions translated into Spanish, Portuguese, French, or German, with many more languages to follow," the company announced.

Teams can now jump from a discussion in Google Chat directly to building content together.

"Creating and editing Sheets and Docs from Google Chat rooms is already live in our web experience, and we'll enable it for Slides in the coming weeks," Google said.

Google also introduced new smart chips in Docs for recommended files and meetings.

"With our new pageless format in Docs, you'll be able to remove the boundaries of a page to create a surface that expands to whatever device or screen you're using, making it easier to work with wide tables, large images or detailed feedback in comments," the company said.

To gauge the team's reactions as you work together, Google is also introducing emoji reactions in Docs in the next few months.

Starting this week in Docs, checklists are available on web and mobile.

You'll soon be able to assign checklist items to other people and see these action items in Google Tasks, making it easier for everyone to manage a project's To Do list.

"Coming soon, we'll also introduce table templates in Docs. Topic-voting tables will allow you to easily gather team feedback while project-tracker tables will help you capture milestones and statuses on the fly," Google said.
The Scottish National Party (SNP), which will continue in government after emerging as the single largest party in elections this month, aspires to ramp up trade and investment ties with India.

India is an increasingly important market for Scotland and is identified as one of the top 20 countries for export growth, stated Robert Taylor, a senior spokesman for the Scottish government in Edinburgh.

However, the relinquished government plans to increase the total value of exports from 20 percent to 25 percent of Scotlands gross domestic product (GDP).

Potential areas of export growth with India include engineering and advance manufacturing, food and drink, technology, energy, finance and business services, and chemical sciences, adds Taylor.

It also seeks inward investors from India. A notable investment in the past has been by Piramal Healthcare, which has a facility in Grangemouth, Stirlingshire. This unit manufactures bio-conjugates, including antibody drug conjugates. India has a consulate in the Scottish capital of Edinburgh.

Scottish exports to India today are modest. In 2018, goods and services (excluding oil and gas) accounted for 295 million or just 0.9 per cent of Scotlands international exports. The biggest sale was food and drink, representing 140 million, or almost half of total Scottish exports to India. Scotch whisky is a significant attraction for Indian consumers, notwithstanding the 150 percent duty being slapped on imports by India.

At the outset, UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson has been at pains to plead with the Indian government that the tariff should be reduced. However, the Enhanced Trade Partnership agreement signed between the two countries a fortnight ago did not extend this concession.

India is the eleventh largest inward investor in Scotland. This could change if the incentives provided by the British government, combined with the gloomy climate in India in the foreseeable future leads to a spurt in outward activity on the part of Indian companies.

Front and centre in the SNP manifesto was an early independence referendum. While there is no definitive feedback to suggest there is majority support for Scotlands separation from the United Kingdom, the sentiment for cessation has certainly risen since the plebiscite of 2014. This is because Scotland voted overwhelmingly against the UK exiting the European Union in 2016, but was forcibly dragged into leaving because of the overall British inclination being in its favour. The hardline Scottish view is, therefore, to quit the UK and rejoin the EU.

On the other hand, it is more important that, if the SNP is to advance a credible case for freedom from the UK, it majorly shores up economic engagement with other countries to exhibit it can stand on its own feet.
STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- In another sign of global reopening after the coronavirus (COVID-19) health crisis, soon fully vaccinated Americans will be able to start planning their European vacations again.

On Wednesday, the European Union (EU) agreed to a proposal to ease travel restrictions for visitors, allowing vaccinated travelers to return ahead of the upcoming summer tourism season, according to the Associated Press.

The EU also agreed to loosen restrictions on which nations are deemed COVID-19 safe based on their coronavirus and vaccination statuses, which will allow travelers from a wider range of places to visit Europe.

Under the new rules, fully vaccinated Americans will be permitted to return to Europe without needing to quarantine or be tested, an EU source told NBC News.

Last year, as the coronavirus pandemic swept across the globe, the EU implemented nonessential travel restrictions, which barred outsiders from visiting the group of 27 countries.

While agreed to in principle, the easing of travel restrictions has yet to be formally approved, with a specific date for when borders are expected to reopen yet to be determined.

Despite the planned easing of restrictions, individual countries will maintain the right to implement mandatory testing or quarantines for international travelers, if they deem fit.

European Commission spokesperson Christian Wigand told the Associated Press that the plan includes an emergency brake provision, which will allow countries to quickly re-enact travel restrictions if dangerous coronavirus variants begin to spread rapidly within a given country.

The U.S. Travel Association has praised the EUs decision to reopen its borders to travelers while imploring the U.S. government to quickly follow suit.

The European Unions risk-based, science-driven plan to reopen international travel will hopefully spur the U.S. to heed the many calls for a plan and timetable to safely reopen our borders. The right conditions are in place: vaccinations are increasing, infections are decreasing, all inbound visitors get tested or have to prove theyve recovered, and its possible to determine vaccine status, said U.S. Travel Association President and CEO Roger Dow.

The U.S. has been a leader in many aspects of managing the pandemic, but is behind our global competitors in pursuing an international economic reopening. The millions of travel-related U.S. jobs that were lost to the pandemic wont come back on the strength of domestic travel alone, so identifying the path to restarting international visitation is essential to an overall economic recovery, Dow added.
STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- New state measures -- including coronavirus (COVID-19) testing, physical distancing and sanitation -- for child care, day camp and overnight camp programs go into effect on Wednesday.

Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo announced the updated guidance on Wednesday, and the Department of Health will continue to monitor and evaluate health metrics for child-care facilities and camp programs.

We are continuing to make incredible progress against COVID and lifting restrictions based on the science and numbers, but we are not yet at the finished line, Cuomo said. To help ensure maximum protections for staff and children at child-care and camp programs, we are issuing this guidance so the facilities can implement basic but critical measures that will allow them to operate safely.

Heres what to expect:
STATEN ISLAND, N.Y.  The NYPD is asking for the publics help to identify a man sought for questioning in connection with a bank robbery in New Dorp on Tuesday and two other heists on the East Shore of Staten Island.

All three brazen heists were committed in broad daylight along bustling Hylan Boulevard and police have identified the incidents as part of a pattern, according to a statement from the NYPDs Deputy Commissioner of Public Information.

The crime spree allegedly involved two branches of Northfield Bank.

Police allege that a man passed a note in each incident.

NYPD cars are stationed outside of Northfield Bank at Hylan Boulevard and Ebbitts Street in New Dorp after a robbery on Tuesday, May 18, 2021. (Staten Island Advance/Jan Somma-Hammel)

In the most recent incident, a man entered a Northfield location at 2706 Hylan at Ebbitts Street in the Tysens Park Shopping Center around 11:25 a.m. Tuesday. He displayed a note to the teller and demanded cash before fleeing with $466, according to the NYPD statement.

A law enforcement source told the Advance/SILive.com that note the man passed to the teller referenced that he had a weapon.

NYPD cars are stationed outside of Northfield Bank at Hylan Boulevard and Ebbitts Street in New Dorp after a call of a robbery on Tuesday, May 18, 2021. (Staten Island Advance/Jan Somma-Hammel)

The other two incidents happened within minutes of each other around 2:30 p.m. on May 10 in Grasmere. A man entered the New York Community Bank at 1100 Hylan where he handed the bank teller a note stating that he had a gun and demanded money. The teller refused to comply and the individual fled the location empty handed, according to the police statement.

At the Northfield branch at 1158 Hylan, a man entered and handed the bank teller a note stating that he had a gun. He demanded money, the teller complied and the individual fled the location with $3,200, according to the police statement.

Police released this surveillance image of a man sought for questioning in connection with a bank robbery and attempted heist on Hylan Boulevard in Grasmere on May 10, 2021.This grainy image of the man at the teller window is from Northfield Bank at 1158 Hylan. (Courtesy of NYPD)

Police released surveillance images of the man sought for questioning in the three heists, taken from cameras at the two Grasmere banks.

He is described as standing about 510 tall and weighing about 150 pounds. He was seen wearing a red sweatshirt, blue surgical mask and a white hat.

Anyone with information is encouraged to contact the NYPDs Crime Stoppers Hotline at 1-800-577-8477 (TIPS) or for Spanish, 1-888-577-4782 (PISTA). The public can also submit their tips by logging onto the Crime Stoppers website or by texting their tips to 274637 (CRIMES) then entering TIP577. All calls are strictly confidential.
TN Governor Reviews Progress on I-40 Bridge Repair

By West Kentucky Star Staff

MEMPHIS - Tennessee Governor Bill Lee was in Memphis Tuesday assessing the progress on the Hernando DeSoto bridge repair.According to KYTN, Governor Lee also met with Arkansas Governor Asa Hutchinson, and addressed the need for immediate federal action on infrastructure.We are making swift progress on repairs to the Hernando DeSoto bridge to ensure safety and a return to uninterrupted commerce, said Governor Lee. While Congress ponders the definition of infrastructure, we call upon the federal government to prioritize the safety of actual roads and bridges.American Rescue Plan funds are expressly prohibited from being spent on road, highway or bridge infrastructure. Currently, the American Rescue Plan designates $182 million to Shelby County and $161 million to the City of Memphis. The American Jobs Plan, touted as an infrastructure plan, would spend an estimated $2 trillion, with a mere 5.6% dedicated to roads and bridges.We will continue investing in infrastructure for the safety of our citizens and the strength of our economy, said Governor Lee. I commend the State of Arkansas, the Coast Guard, and the Army Corps of Engineers for their work, and look forward to meaningful action out of Congress to address the condition of our roads and bridges across the country.The I-40 bridge connecting downtown Memphis with West Memphis, Arkansas, was closed on May 11th, when a crack was discovered in a 900 foot steel beam.
STATEN ISLAND, N.Y.  This time hes going away for 10 years.

Repeat felon Leonardo Brown will serve a decade-long prison sentence to satisfy charges stemming from a harrowing incident two years ago in which he terrorized his ex-girlfriend, her children and other relatives.

The Clifton resident forced his way into two New Brighton apartments and held the victims at gunpoint against their will, said a law enforcement source.

Brown, 36, pleaded guilty on Tuesday in state Supreme Court, St. George, to second-degree criminal weapon possession to resolve the case.

The defendants plea, during jury selection, averted a trial.

A criminal complaint said the events unfolded around 7 a.m. on Jan. 3, 2019, at a Jersey Street apartment.

Browns former girlfriend was staying there with her two young children, a girl and a boy, according to the source and the complaint. The boy, the younger of the kids, was 2 years old.

Brown is not the childrens father and has no other children in common with the woman, the source said.

The defendant grabbed the woman around her neck and snatched her two cell phones to prevent her from calling 911, said the complaint.

He threatened her with a .380-caliber handgun and forced her to leave while keeping the kids inside the apartment, the complaint and source said.

At some point thereafter, one of the childrens relatives came by. Brown allowed that person to take the girl, said police and the source.

Brown kept the boy with him, police said.

Afterward, at around 10:15 a.m., the defendant, with the boy in tow, went to an apartment on Richmond Terrace, said the source and the complaint.

The woman and the girl were there, as were several other relatives, said the source.

Brown pushed his way into the apartment and brandished a gun, according to police and the complaint.

Cops were called.

When officers arrived, the defendant blocked the door, police said.

He then forced one of the adults to take the gun and throw it out a window, said the source.

Officers managed to enter the apartment and arrest Brown.

Police said cops recovered the gun.

Brown was indicted on a slew of charges including kidnapping, burglary, criminal weapon possession, reckless endangerment and unlawful imprisonment.

In addition to prison time, Brown will be sentenced on July 6 to five years post-release supervision.

Defense lawyer Thomas Reilly could not immediately be reached for comment.

Brown had been paroled from prison just over eight months before the episode.

He was released on April 18, 2018, after serving time for felony assault and promoting prison contraband, show online records of the state Department of Corrections and Community Supervision.

Previously, in 2009, Brown was sentenced in an unrelated case to 18 months to three years behind bars for attempted assault, those records said.
STATEN ISLAND, N.Y.  New York State spends the most money on public education in the United States, according to a new report.

According to a report released Tuesday by Empire Center, which analyzed the latest U.S. Census annual data, New Yorks spending on public elementary and secondary education (pre-K through 12th grade) reached $25,139 per pupil in the 2018-2019 school year  surpassing all other states.

Public schools in the state spent 91% more than the national average of $13,187 per pupil.

The release of the Census Bureaus 2019 Public Elementary-Secondary Education Finance Data came on New Yorks annual school budget referendum day, when districts across the state  except for the five largest cities  seek voter approval of proposals to boost per-pupil spending, according to Empire Center

And New York school spending will be pushed even higher going forward, the report stated, due to a record aid increase in the state budget, as well as stimulus funding from the Biden administrations American Rescue Plan.

New York increased spending by $1,091, or 4.54%, compared to the year prior at $24,048.

School spending in the 2018-2019 school year was driven primarily by instruction, according to Empire Center. Census data showed that New York spent $17,225 per pupil in this category, 118% higher than the national average of $7,963.

In the support services category, which measures the bureaucratic overhead of central district and school building administration, New York spent $7,261 per pupil  54% higher than the national average.

According to the report, New Yorks public elementary and secondary schools had 2.6 million pupils and spent nearly $69 billion in 2019 excluding charter schools. Its exceeded only by California, which spent about $81 billion on its public schools with 5.7 million pupils.

And in New York City, per-pupil spending was $28,004 in the 2018-2019 school year. Thats by far the highest among the nations 100 largest school systems, according to the Empire Center.

PER PUPIL SPENDING IN U.S.

According to Annual Survey of School System Finances tables from the U.S. Census Bureau, per-pupil spending for elementary and secondary public education for all 50 states and the District of Columbia increased by 5% to $13,187 per pupil during the 2019 fiscal year, compared to $12,559 per pupil in 2018.

The Census reports this is the largest increase in more than a decade. It credits the spending increase in part to an overall increase in revenue. In 2019, public schools received $751.7 billion from all revenue sources, up 4.5% from $719 billion in 2018.

State governments contributed the largest share  46.7%, or $350.9 billion  of public school funding.

New York ($25,139), the District of Columbia ($22,406); Connecticut ($21,310), New Jersey ($20,512), and Vermont ($20,315) spent the most per pupil in 2018-2019.

School Zone: A new newsletter with the updates you need as our schools try to get back to normal. Enter your email address here and hit "subscribe" to receive this weekly newsletter:



FOLLOW ANNALISE KNUDSON ON FACEBOOK AND TWITTER.
STATEN ISLAND, N.Y.  As New York City continues to prepare for a full reopening in the 2021-2022 school year, students wont have the option to learn through a hybrid model, and its still unclear if kids can choose to learn fully remote.

Mayor Bill de Blasio has repeatedly told reporters that the city plans to bring all New York City public school students back to campus for full, 100% in-person instruction in the fall.

Some students chose to be all-remote this school year, never entering a classroom.

But hybrid, or blended, learners started the school year on campus one to three days a week, depending on the population and size of the school. They learned remotely from home the other days. Currently, some schools have been able to move students to, or nearly to, five-day-a-week in-person instruction.

However, hybrid learning wont be an option next school year, according to the city.

Thats because most schools will be able to serve all of their students in September, Michael Mulgrew, president of the United Federation of Teachers (UFT) union, told the Advance/SILive.com

Except for like, a little less than 200 schools, every school could be at 100% with the three feet [of social distancing] in place, said Mulgrew.

Mark Cannizzaro, president of the Council of School Supervisors and Administrators (CSA), called the decision to not offer a hybrid option a positive thing, as it will eliminate the need for extra school staff. Before the start of the current school year, the CSA requested an additional 10,000 teachers to be able to successfully open schools.

The city hired 2,000 more teachers this year from its pool of substitute teachers, temporary staff and redeployed central staff.

It will be at least one or the other [in-person or remote], which will certainly cut down the need for as many additional staff as we needed this year, he told the Advance/SILive.com.

WHAT ABOUT REMOTE LEARNING?

In March, De Blasio told WNYCs The Brian Lehrer Show that the city will be able to accommodate every student for in-person, five days a week. He indicated during the interview that there could be a remote learning option for families who dont quite feel ready to return their kids to school.

I think theres only two realistic pieces here, a full five-day-a-week calendar for kids in-person. And then a pure remote option for families that just wont be ready at that point. But I do not foresee blended being a part of the equation anymore, said de Blasio at the time.

Since that statement, its been unclear if the city is still planning to offer a remote option.

Schools Chancellor Meisha Porter told Staten Island families on Monday that the city is evaluating if there will be a remote learning option, and who it would be available for.

I have to say that there are definitely some students who had strong experiences in the remote option, she said. But we also know that, you know, nothing replaces the interaction between a student and a teacher in a classroom. So we are leaning toward being in-person. But again, like I said earlier, were going to work with our medical experts to decide if we need to have a remote option, and who we would need that remote option for.

If it were an option, Mulgrew said it wouldnt be possible to utilize that model at individual schools, and remote learning would need to be centralized by the city.

Schools cant be each holding their own program, he said. It would have to be a central thing from a central office.

If families do have the option, Cannizzaro said the city would have to mandate students stay in their chosen form of instruction  remote or in-person  for at least half of the school year.

If you choose in-person youre sticking with it, he said. If you choose remote, youre sticking with it until you know until at least half a year has gone by, and then were able to say, Everyone must attend, or families may have another option to change their mind. But we cant change it three and four times a year because of the instability it creates with students having three and four different teachers throughout the year, and all of the changes that we saw this year.

School Zone: A new newsletter with the updates you need as our schools try to get back to normal. Enter your email address here and hit "subscribe" to receive this weekly newsletter:



FOLLOW ANNALISE KNUDSON ON FACEBOOK AND TWITTER.
STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- To marks its centennial year, Staten Island University Hospital hosted two celebratory events at their Princes Bay Campus: The observance of their 100th anniversary and the ceremonial ribbon cutting of the new Emergency Childrens Help Organization (E.C.H.O.) Pediatric Emergency Unit.

E.C.H.O., an organization founded by Sebastian Angelico in 2008, raises funds to be used to promote the welfare of children whose futures are grim due to a serious emergency, medical or other condition. E.C.H.O. also offers monetary assistance to help ease the childs familys financial burden.

Dr. Brahim Ardolic speaks from the podium at SIUH's 100 year anniversary while Michael Caridi and Philip Mancuso look on. (Staten Island Advance/Carol Ann Benanti) Staten Island AdvanceStaten Island Advance

On hand to mark the event were more than one hundred well-wishers including medical professionals, board members and staffers, a number of local dignitaries and politicians and members of E.C.H.Os board of directors.

Speakers included Dr. Brahim Ardolic, executive director, Staten Island University Hospital; Michael Caridi, chair, SIUH Regional Executive Council; attorney Philip Mancuso, chair of the SIUH Foundation; Borough President James Oddo; Dr. Nicole Berwald, chair of Emergency Medicine, Sebastian Angelico and Kevin Beiner, regional senior vice president, executive director Western Region Northwell.

Borough President James Oddo, second from left, other elected officials, board members anbd doctors at SIUH including Dr. Brahim Ardolic, CEO, second from right and Sebastian Angelico, center right, smile at the 100th annviersary celebration of the hospital. (Staten Island Advance/Carol Ann Benanti) Staten Island AdvanceStaten Island Advance

THE HOSPITALS EARLY DAYS

During the early 1920s, philanthropist Berta Dreyfus donated $100,000 to the former Richmond Memorial Hospital to build a three-story, 64-bed, brick building. The new health care facility in Princes Bay would replace the hospitals original wooden structure built in 1919.

At a Centennial Celebration at SIUH, Prince's Bay and the Ceremonial Ribbon Cutting of the E.C.H.O. Pediatric Emergency Unit are left center, Philip Mancuso, chair of the SIUH Foundation, Dr. Brahim Ardolic, hospital CEO and Sebastian Angelico, founder of E.C.H.O., board members of E.C.H.O. and their families. (Staten Island Advance/Carol Ann Benanti) Staten Island AdvanceStaten Island Advance

When the hospital first opened on Sept. 18, 1920, it had 25 beds, a staff of eight attending physicians, one resident doctor and 19 hospital workers.

Sebastian Angelico, center and Dr. Brahim Ardolic, center right, and members of E.C.H.O.'s board of directors strike a pose at the Ceremonial Ribbon Cutting of the E.C.H.O's Pediatric Emergency Unit. (Staten Island Advance/Carol Ann Benanti) Staten Island AdvanceStaten Island Advance

The funds came from the fortune made by Mrs. Dreyfus husband, Louis, who developed a synthetic compound that was used by Wrigleys to enhance their popular Juicy Fruit, Spearmint and Doublemint stick gums.

The facility changed its name when it merged with the Staten Island Hospital during the 1980s.

NOTABLE SPEAKERS

In speaking of Staten Island University Hospital and its storied history, Dr. Ardolic noted: This building helped us greatly through COVID and we always have to remember the team who did that for all of us and would acknowledge the array of elected officials in attendance, thanking them for all their diligence and hard work on behalf of the hospital.

Sebastian Angelico addresses the crowd at the 100th anniversary of SIUH. (Staten Island Advance/Carol Ann Benanti) Staten Island AdvanceStaten Island Advance

I appreciate all that the hospital has done and want to publicly say thank you to Staten Island University Hospital for their work over the past year with COVID, said Borough President James Oddo before offering praise for Dr. Ardolic and his team.

A crowd of more than 100 gathered at Staten Island University Hospital, Prince's Bay for its 100 Centennial and the Ceremonial Ribbon Cutting of the E.C.H.O. Pediatric Emergency Unit. (Staten Island Advance/Carol Ann Benanti) Staten Island AdvanceStaten Island Advance

Thank you Dr. Ardolic and your team and your nursing staff and aides. I have to thank them for how they saved my dads life and thanks for what you did on the front lines over this past year. You cared for those in their last moments. And you have my deepest respect. And Id like to also acknowledge Sebastian Angelico. And a shout out to former city Councilman Vincent Ignizio. We are here in part because of his efforts, he added.

From the left, Pasquale Loporcaro, Vincent Angelico, Sebastian Angelico, Dr. Braham Ardolic, Vincent Delia and Dr. David Herzog. Staten Island AdvanceStaten Island Advance

Philip Mancuso, chairman of the Staten Island Foundation noted: On behalf of the Foundation Id like to acknowledge two benefactors, E.C.H.O. who is represented by Sebastian Angelico whos project has been in the works for several years and the Richmond County Savings Foundation represented by Cesar Claro who helped in the growth and expansion of the hospitals South Site to meet the community of the South Shore.

And Dr. Berwald explained: We have new programs here at our Emergency Department. Our staff is trained to care for patients of all ages. We are so lucky to have a partner in E.C.H.O. As we enter better days, we look for we look for more pediatric partners and I would like to thank Sebastian Angelico.

Standing under the E.C.H.O. Pediatric Emergency Unit sign are from the left, Vincent Angelico, Pasquale Loporcaro, Sebastian Angelico, Vincent Delia, Dr. Ted Strange and Dr. James F. Kenny. (Staten Island Advance/Carol Ann Benanti) Staten Island AdvanceStaten Island Advance

The crowd would then shift around the corner to witness the Ceremonial Ribbon Cutting of the E.C.H.O. Pediatric Emergency Unit.

It is with great pleasure that today we celebrate the E.C.H.O. Pediatric Emergency Unit, said Angelico. This vision has now become a reality. This Emergency Unit will literally serve thousands of children for years to come. I would like to thank SIUH Northwell Health, our Board of Directors, staff and donors for their dedicated support.

From the left, Kevin Beiner, Dr. Ted Strange, Philip Mancuso, Michael Caridi, Frank Besignano, and Dr. Brahim Ardolic. (Staten Island Advance/Carol Ann Benanti) Staten Island AdvanceStaten Island Advance

In closing, Dr. Ardolic spoke heartfelt words, Someone was looking out for us at this time. So thank you to Sebastian Angelico and E.C.H.O. And thanks to all of you for being here. We will have other ribbon cutting ceremonies in the future at our North Site as well and we are looking forward to adding additional patient beds at both hospitals.
STATEN ISLAND, N.Y.  OK, weve tried it Mayor Bill de Blasios way.

Now its time for the NYPD to start policing the streets and the subways for real again.

Unless you like the enormous spike in shootings that were seeing. Unless you like the sound of gunfire in the night, night after night.

Unless you like the fact that it feels like youre taking your life in your hands every time you go down into the subway.

These days, you never know what kind of mayhem youll find on the streets of the five boroughs.

Maybe youll be mugged.

Or get hit by a stray bullet.

Or slashed with a box cutter.

Or stabbed.

Or pushed onto the subway tracks.

Or just plain beaten up for no reason.

Take your pick. Anything can happen to you in the Big Apple now.

And its not just in the bad neighborhoods. Its everywhere.

And its not just the violence. Its the random nature of it all. You never know when youll be a victim. Or why.

This is no way for New York City to reopen after the COVID-19 pandemic.

Weve seen this movie before, back in the 1970s and 1980s, when liberal, soft-on-crime policies tipped the city onto the abyss by favoring perpetrators over victims. When violent crime was the numbing norm. When New York City was a burned-out, graffiti-marred shell of itself.

When they said the city was ungovernable and unlivable.

People left in droves. They wanted a safe place to raise their kids. They didnt want their wallets bled dry for programs that didnt benefit them. They were sick and tired of paying for transit and sanitation services that the city could no longer reliably deliver. They wanted schools that challenged their kids.

Businesses fled as well, sick and tired of high taxes and over-regulation. Tourists spent their vacation dollars elsewhere.

The Big Apple. Fear City. Rotten to the core.

Think it cant happen again? Were already seeing it, right down to the fact that New York will lose a seat in Congress because of population losses.

Tell criminals that they wont be prosecuted for their crimes and theyll go right on committing crimes. Its that simple.

Sooner or later it will turn around. Because it has to. Because people will demand it. And because government will realize that it cant make ends meet without tax-paying businesses, homeowners and tourists.

Theyll have to coax people back. And the first thing that theyll have to do is tackle crime.

This is what we saw in 1993, when fed-up city residents elected the first Republican mayor, former federal prosecutor Rudolph Giuliani, in almost 30 years. Before long, New York was known as the safest big city in America.

Mayor Michael Bloomberg, also elected as a Republican, kept Giulianis crime-fighting policies in place. Chief among them: Prosecuting the little crimes as well as the big ones. And stop-and-frisk.

It doesnt mean letting the police have free rein to do as they please. It doesnt mean setting cops loose to bust heads.

But we cant live with criminals having free rein to do as they please. And too often thats what we see on the streets today.

De Blasio has been in charge of the city since 2014. He ran on a platform of criminal justice reform, including doing away with stop-and-frisk.

Hes supported bail reform measures that put offenders back on the street. He wants to close jails.

De Blasio has blamed the pandemic for the skyrocketing crime. He couldnt be more wrong.

This is the city that the mayor wanted. This is the one he leaves behind at the end of his term in December.

Its the one that well have to fix.
STATEN ISLAND, N.Y.  New laws pertaining to marijuana use while driving have spurred big concerns among some public officials and advocates on Staten Island.

As part of National Crime Victims Rights Week, law enforcement officials in April met with Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) to discuss cannabis legalization in New York and its potential impact on traffic safety.

What weve been given by state legislators is a law that virtually encourages using marijuana in vehicles and while driving, District Attorney Michael E. McMahon said.

One concern held by MADD and members of local law enforcement is the inability of police officers to quickly and effectively measure a persons intoxication level during a traffic stop.

While the accuracy of a breathalyzer has long been accepted by scientists and lawmakers as a fair assessment of someones level of alcohol impairment, experts say the same level of proven technology doesnt exist for cannabis.

Until thats implemented and we can consistently measure THC levels, its our biggest concern, said Alyssa Cacoperdo, a victims services specialist with MADD NY/NJ.

HOW DANGEROUS IS IT?

Cacoperdo said shes concerned that many people she speaks with about the law dont recognize that the use of marijuana is going to be as detrimental as it can be.

In Colorado, the number of annual deaths linked to crashes caused by marijuana impairment from 2016 through 2019 totaled 45, 33, 37 and 49, respectively.

A 2009 study published by the U.S. National Library of Medicine found that most marijuana-intoxicated drivers show only modest impairments on actual road tests and experienced smokers who drive on a set course show almost no functional impairment under the influence of marijuana.

Many investigators have suggested that the reason why marijuana does not result in an increased crash rate in laboratory tests despite demonstrable neurophysiologic impairments is that, unlike drivers under the influence of alcohol, who tend to underestimate their degree of impairment, marijuana users tend to overestimate their impairment, and consequently employ compensatory strategies, the study says.

Conversely, a 2013 study examining driving tests simulating impairment from marijuana found that regular cannabis users displayed more driving errors than non-regular cannabis users.

Researchers in both studies reported the combination of weed and alcohol notably increases impairment levels, regardless of how frequently a person consumes cannabis.

NEW, POLARIZING LAWS

If a driver on Staten Island is suspected of being intoxicated by drugs, an officer trained as a drug recognition expert could be called to the scene.

However, providing enough of those officers to handle the number of suspected marijuana-related stops would prove incredibly expensive and time consuming, explained Assistant District Attorney Frank Prospero, who serves as chief of the Vehicular Crimes Unit.

And so the lack of breathalyzer and/or available expert makes for an uphill battle in prosecuting such cases, Prospero said.

In America today, we often speak of criminal justice and even community justice, yet we seldom hear about victim justice, which is at the very heart and soul of justice in our nation. Thank you to all who participated in our #NCVRW activities on Staten Island pic.twitter.com/5KJkk13PZi  Michael E. McMahon (@StatenIslandDA) April 23, 2021

Similar issues have been experienced in California, where cannabis was legalized about five years ago.

While blood remains the forensic standard to measure intoxication in that state, it sometimes takes as long as two hours after a traffic stop to get the drivers blood drawn, according to a 2018 report by the Los Angeles Times.

Nearly 70% of the psychoactive THC in a persons bloodstream might vanish within an hour, which experts said could weaken a DWI case.

If an officer suspects marijuana use in a moving vehicle, the officer can issue a summons to appear in court, similar to a speeding ticket. Its legal for a person at least 21 years old to possess three ounces or less in their vehicle.

The law doesnt address a punishment for a minor in possession of the drug.

Prior to the new legislation, it was a misdemeanor to use or possess marijuana in the vehicle  charges subject to remain on a persons criminal record.

JUST IN: The New York City Commission on Human Rights proposed exemptions to a ban on pre-employment marijuana testing taking effect in May.



Workers NOT protected include:



 Construction

 Gas/power lines

 Heavy machinery

 Driving



MORE:https://t.co/fK5lyd74Su pic.twitter.com/UAaTWws4AD  Tom Angell  (@tomangell) April 7, 2020

SOCIAL JUSTICE REFORM

The new policies fall in line with some state lawmakers efforts to reduce what data has shown to be a disproportionate number of marijuana-related arrests of Black and Latino New Yorkers.

Those arrests too often started with either the driver being profiled, or a minor traffic violation for which in many cases a white driver wouldnt be pulled over, social justice groups say.

Data also has shown disproportionately harsher sentences for minorities facing marijuana-related charges, resulting in what activists say are criminal records for young people in minority communities that proved detrimental to their future.

McMahon said while he agrees that minority communities have been negatively impacted over the years by the nations war on drugs, he also has a duty to protect all Staten Island residents  in a borough ranked highest in the nation when it comes to pedestrians struck by vehicles.

There should be an absolute law against smoking and even possessing marijuana while operating a vehicle, McMahon said. Its mind boggling to me  we cant find a way to say you cant drive while high.
It is extremely frustrating when City Hall makes unilateral decisions which affect our daily lives without input from local elected officials or the community. Being a part of New York City has left us with battle after battle, year after year, for safe streets, reasonable taxes and basic resources. For this reason, it was no surprise when the Department of Homeless Services notified our local officials one random Tuesday afternoon that they would be building a homeless shelter in Grasmere.

The purpose of the citys phone call was not to seek our advice on the matter or to even announce that a public hearing or meeting would be held to discuss the issue. The phone call was simply a short courtesy call in which questions could not be answered.

Process aside, this is the worst possible location for a homeless shelter. This location is a former doctors office with an insufficient amount of parking spaces and a building structure not conducive to housing residents. The idea that the Department of Homeless Services (DHS) plans to house 50 residents, with approximately 30 staff members working at a given time, is ridiculous.

Moreover, the zoning for this location is not appropriate zoning for such a facility. To add insult to injury, the intersection of Hylan Boulevard and Steuben Street is one of the busiest intersections in our borough. Since 2018, there have been approvingly 45 motor vehicle collisions at this intersection. While the location is already dangerous, adding 50 residents and 30 staff members to this location is a recipe for disaster.

We have expressed our concerns to the DHS, especially with regard to the improper zoning. We are awaiting a response and we are hopeful that they will come to their senses and realize that a homeless shelter at this location is a terrible idea.

(Michael Tannousis is the New York state assemblymember for the 64th district, representing Staten Island and Brooklyn. Matthew Mirones formerly held this position.)
STATEN ISLAND, N.Y.  The actress and Staten Island product Madelyn Sher, 26, may be a newcomer to television, but these days the world can watch her on the breakout Neflix hit, The Baker and the Beauty, an ABC dramedy.

Over the past month, The Beauty and the Baker has consistently been at the top of the Netflix viewing charts in the U.S. and other territories in the Americas like Argentina, Mexico and Colombia. It also reached the top spot of the daily Netflix most-watched charts in Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, Jamaica, Panama, Paraguay and Uruguay.

However, the series is in the strange position of having been canceled by ABC because of poor ratings, only to become one of the streamers most-watched charts around the world.

It is rumored that Netflix may continue the show  whose main cast is 100% Latino  to satisfy viewers who have fallen in love with the characters and are craving more, according to Newsweek.

SILive caught up with Madelyn Sher, a former Staten Island Ballet student who found her calling for acting while appearing in The Nutcracker. Sher is an alumna of CUNY Lehmans Macaulay Honors College.

Sher portrays Amy on Beauty and the Baker, in an LGBTQ+ storyline that sends a message of positivity and inclusion that has struck a chord of heartfelt realism with viewers around the globe. In the series, Sher plays opposite Natalie, portrayed by Belissa Escobedo, with whom she develops a romantic relationship.

Read our interview below, edited for length and clarity.

Madelyn Sher portrays Amy on "Baker and the Beauty." (Courtesy Madelyn Sher)

PLEASE TELL US ABOUT YOUR STATEN ROOTS

MS: I was raised in St. George, Staten Island, but I was born in Manhattan in the East Village. My parents moved to Staten Island in 1999, so I was five years old. Most of my life Ive lived on Staten Island, but I currently live in Brooklyn.

WHERE DID YOU GO TO SCHOOL?

MS: I went to PS 16 for elementary school from first grade on. Before that, I went to Childrens Harbor Montessori School at Snug Harbor only for a year. For middle school, I went to Professional Performing Arts School (PPAS) in Manhattan, then went to Laguardia High School.

I was one of those kids who commuted on the ferry every day to get to high school. I then went to CUNY Lehman College where I was in the Macaulay Honors program. It was a really great college experience and it was in the Bronx. There I was in Staten Island, then Manhattan, then the Bronx. Now, I just have to get to Queens.

Madelyn Sher and her boyfriend, Amos Fishman-Resheff. (Courtesy Madelyn Sher)

WHAT INFLUENCED YOU TO BECOME AN ACTRESS?

MS: Both of my parents are artists  my father is a musician and my mother is a visual artist -- so I grew up steeped in the arts. When I was younger, I started dance classes in Manhattan, then got more serious about my dance training in Staten Island at the Staten Island Ballet. That was where I first started to take some drama classes because there was a summer program. We had some acting classes and we also had a production of The Nutcracker every year, so I performed in that. The Nutcracker, of course, combines both acting and dancing, so I did that for years. One of those years, I played Clara and I think thats when it was clicking for me. I want to be a dancer, yes, but I was really passionate and curious about acting.

At PS 16, I did a couple of school plays and did a storytelling contest as well. Like I said, I went to the Professional Performing Arts School, and the process for getting into that school involves a monologue and a song. That was another way for me to focus more seriously on performing arts, so I went there for three years. Then, I got into Laguardia High School for both drama and dance, and ended up choosing drama. I still continued to study dance at The Ailey School of Dance, the official school of the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater in New York City.

Madelyn Sher, a Staten Island native, with Sher Belissa Escobedo, who plays "Natalie," on the Netflix hit, "The Baker and the Beauty." (Courtesy Madleyn Sher)

WHAT WAS THE PROCESS OF GETTING THE PART OF AMY ON BAKER AND THE BEAUTY?

MS: I am represented by an agency that Ive been with since I was graduating from high school; when I was 17, about to turn 18, that is when they signed me. I have been auditioning since then, and when I auditioned for Amy, I had gone in to audition for the casting director a couple of days prior. Then he called me in for Amy, for that part, which was for a different project, a different role. It was only one scene, a really short scene, and then a couple of days later, I found out that casting was still interesting.

Literally three days after that was when I found out that I got the part. I couldnt believe it; it was so crazy and happened so quickly. Also, part of the deal was that I was being flown to Puerto Rico to film, which was super exciting. The first episode (pilot) was filmed in Atlanta, which then was picked up for a full season. Then, they decided to film the rest of it in Puerto Rico, and a little bit in Miami. For me and a lot of the other cast members, it was just in Puerto Rico. I was flown there time and time again for all of the episodes I ended up being a part of.

Staten Island native, Madelyn Sher, is featured on the Netflex hit, "The Baker and the Beauty." (Courtesy Madelyn Sher)

HOW LONG DID IT TAKE TO FILM THE NINE EPISODES OF BAKER AND THE BEAUTY?

MS: That whole process began in October of 2019 until Feb. 2020. It was right before the COVID-19 shutdown. We got really lucky and actually completed a whole series before everything shut down. It was not renewed for a second season, unfortunately, after it aired on ABC last year.

Now, the first season is on Netflix, and we are hoping that something might happen because so many people are watching it. It reached number one on the Most Watched List last week, which was super exciting. But, no new news and nothing has been announced yet about a second season.

WHAT DID YOU LIKE MOST ABOUT THE CHARACTER AMY?

I enjoyed playing Amy on the show. I love her openness, compassion, and love for Natalie. I think that immediately she is extremely loving and nurturing.

Madelyn Sher and her brother Emmett Sher enjoy a meal at the Marina Cafe on Staten Island. (Courtesy Madelyn Sher)

HAVE YOU FORMED FRIENDSHIPS WITH YOUR CASTMATES?

MS: The cast was so welcoming, so lovely, and hilarious. I became really good friends with Belissa Escobedo, who plays Natalie Garcia. We became friends right away and explored Puerto Rico together when we didnt have to be on set. It was really lovely to work with her, and Ive seen her a couple of times in New York. We talk pretty regularly, so I am lucky to have gotten a good friendship from the show.

I have been getting nice messages and comments from people who say theyre really excited that theres this positive representation of the LGBTQ+ community on television and on a network show. It is a really big moment and Im so honored; I dont take that lightly. I know that it is a big responsibility, and I hope that there are more positive roles and characters that are teenagers, being queer, and being in a relationship. I think it is a really great thing.

Madelyn Sher, right, and her mom, Tina Sher. (Courtesy Madelyn Sher)

WHAT PROJECTS ARE YOU WORKING ON NOW?

MS: Right now, I am working on dance projects. I am going to be putting on a site specific, outdoor dance show at the end of June.

I am also very involved in a dance company called the Redi Dance Company, which combines both educational programming. I am a dancer in the adult company. I am also on the Planning Committee and am an Advisory Board member, as well as a Program Manager for the educational programs that we have.

I have also been working in a Montessori School in Brooklyn for the past year as a classroom support, as well as the Groundswell Series, which is a pop-up, site-specific dance program in Brooklyn that I curate and organize. That is where I am now.

WHAT ADVICE CAN YOU GIVE ASPIRING ACTORS?

MS: My advice is to stick with it, to keep trying, to make your own work and your own collaborations. If you feel like there is a project that doesnt exist yet that you wish existed, then just go make it. Go make it yourself and try to put into the world what isnt there already.

Also, do not limit yourself. I definitely lived by the philosophy that I can do more than one thing. I dont just have to be an actor, dancer, or a teacher, I can be all of those things. I think it is important to remember that.

Madleyn Sher is pictured with her father, Ben Sher and her brother, Emmet Sher. (Courtesy Madelyn Sher).
To continue, please log in, or sign up for a new account.

We offer one free story view per month. If you register for an account, you will get two additional story views. After those three total views, we ask that you support us with a subscription.

A subscription to our digital content is so much more than just access to our valuable content. It means youre helping to support a local community institution that has, from its very start, supported the betterment of our society. Thank you very much!
Local children practice dancing in a tent. [Photo provided by the interviewees]

Over the past five years, a compassionate couple from Beijing have been devoting themselves to a noble cause  teaching ballet to children from mountainous areas in southwest China's Yunnan Province, bringing them life-changing opportunities through the art.

The two teachers are Guan Yu, a Beijing native and a ballet teacher from the prestigious Beijing Dance Academy, and his wife, Zhang Ping, who used to be a freelance choreographer. Zhang came up with the idea of teaching ballet to underprivileged children in Yunnan in 2016 when she saw a photo of several kids dressed in the Yi ethnic group's costumes standing barefoot beside a broken wall.

Zhang was touched by the sight of these kids with their big bright eyes and disheveled hair in the remote village of Naduo, which in the Yi language means "paddy fields hidden behind mountains", in Yanshan County. When Zhang, who was born in the county, visited the once poverty-stricken village, she found that many kids were not being taken care of. Some were left-behind children while others were orphans.

Later, Zhang and her husband decided to launch a welfare program to help poor children in mountainous areas change their lives through ballet.

Photo shows four girls from the Yi ethnic group as ballet beginners in Naduo Village, Yanshan County, southwest China's Yunnan Province in 2016. [Photo provided by the interviewees]

Every summer and winter vacation, they returned to Naduo Village to teach children for free, and also invited local teachers and volunteers to receive free instruction.

In January 2017, Zhang and her husband brought 12 children to take part in a cultural training activity held in Beijing and visit well-known institutions of higher education including Tsinghua University. It was the first time the kids had visited a big city.

Later, the couple started to make more plans for the children  they hoped that these underprivileged children could pursue more professional further education in Kunming, capital of Yunnan, and find their own career paths.

Photo shows a dance teacher helping a student practice. [The Beijing News]

Seven months later, the couple sent four students from Naduo Village to Kunming Art School, the only public secondary professional art school in the city, opening up a new option for these rural children.

In June 2019, Zhang quit her job in Beijing and set up a public welfare center in the village. "I have to stay here for the sake of the local children's development and the sustainability of the welfare program," she noted.

Children from nearby villages also attended ballet classes offered by the couple and other courses provided by volunteers at the center, walking for more than an hour to reach it.

"At first, the center was big enough for seven or eight local children to practice and have meals. However, there wasn't enough space at the center for more than 20 children, including those from nearby villages," Zhang explained.

Photo shows Guan Yu dancing along with a girl from the Yi ethnic group in Naduo Village, Yanshan County, southwest China's Yunnan Province. [Photo provided by the interviewees]

While Zhang was worried about the restrictions on teaching conditions, she was actually more concerned about the children's employment prospects after graduation.

In August 2020, the couple established the Caiyi art training school in Yanshan County, which served as an ideal solution. "Graduates from art schools can teach children how to dance back at their hometown," she said.

Zhang further explained that they would charge students from the county seat some tuition fees and use the money to provide more assistance for rural children, while children from the public welfare center in Naduo Village would study at Caiyi art training school, which provides them with free accommodation.

"Our welfare program aims to offer a new possibility and option for these children," Guan added.

Photo shows Zhang Ping and Guan Yu posing for a picture along with their students in Naduo Village, Yanshan County, southwest China's Yunnan Province. [Photo provided by the interviewees]

As of 2020, the welfare program had helped 62 children, most of whom were from ethnic minority groups, get recruited by art schools such as the affiliated art school of Yunnan Arts University and the Kunming Art School. The couple also found ways to cover their tuition fees and living expenses.

Today, an increasing number of local children want to learn dance at Caiyi art training school, which will soon exceed its maximum capacity. "We may set up new schools in other villages and continue to teach children how to dance ballet," Zhang said while revealing her plan.

(Source: People's Daily Online)
Diabetes teams across North Wales take part in national Insulin Safety Week

Diabetes teams from across Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board are taking part in a national insulin safety campaign.

Insulin Safety Week takes place on May 17 to May 23, with the Diabetes teams from the Health Board staging a series of events across its acute and community sites, including liaising with care homes and GPs, and sharing key safety elements with patients, to ensure vital information about insulin safety is communicated in a bid to reduce incidents of insulin errors.

The Diabetes service also rolled out staff education in the month leading up to the seven-day campaign, and will continue to champion the Safe use of Insulin e-learning module for all healthcare staff throughout the year; along with promoting the Cambridge Diabetes Education Programme for professional development opportunities.

Julie Moss, Diabetes Practice Development Nurse for the east area of the Health Board, said: This week we wish to raise as much awareness around insulin safety to inform patients as well as staff.





The bodys response to illness, infection and stress is to produce more glucose, which means that more insulin may be needed during this period to control blood glucose levels, even if not eating normally. Therefore, never stop background insulin (for example Lantus, Levemir, Humulin I); instead, please phone your Diabetes Team or GP if concerned.

According to the results from the latest National Diabetes Inpatient Audit, two in five people with diabetes on insulin (40%) experience an error related to the administration of the drug while in hospital.

Organiser of the safety week Oliver Jelley said: Were thrilled that healthcare professionals can see the benefit in this campaign during the pandemic.

This campaign represents an ideal opportunity for diabetes inpatient teams, GP surgeries and other care providers to be part of a national collective, all coming together for one week of the year to promote awareness of insulin safety and share good practice.

For more information about Insulin Safety Week, visit www.insulinsafetyweek.com.
Billionaire NSW hospitality baron Justin Hemmes has embarked on a major pub buying spree, swooping on Victorias coastal Lorne Hotel in a $38 million deal just hours after agreeing to pay $24 million for the Nortons Irish Pub in Sydneys inner west.

Located on the prime corner of Norton Street and Parramatta Road in Leichhardt, Nortons Irish Pub joins his Merivale Groups inner west establishments The Vic On The Park in Marrickville, Queens Hotel in Enmore and the 3 Weeds in Rozelle.

The Lorne Hotel on Victorias Great Ocean Road. Credit:Jason South

Meanwhile, the $38 million purchase of the Lorne pub marks the years largest Victorian freehold going concern pub transaction to date, said JLLs John Musca and Will Connolly who oversaw the deal.

Located on the seaside towns main beach, the Lorne Hotel hosts crowds during the popular Pier to Pub swim and is a key destination on Victorias main tourist attractions, the Great Ocean Road.
Menindee Lakes, one of the largest lake systems in the Murray-Darling Basin, are filling fast with the biggest water inflows in five years, allowing releases into the Baaka-Darling River downstream.

The lakes are now almost half full with about 800 billion litres of water, rising by about 17 billion litres a day during the past week, the Murray-Darling Basin Authority said. WaterNSW estimates the storages in far western NSW will end up swelling to as much as 1 trillion litres from the current inflows.

Its just a sea of water, stretching as far as you can see, said Graeme McCrabb, a local grape grower and tourism advocate. Its just staggering.

Mr McCrabb, who helped reveal the mass fish kills near Menindee in early 2019, said the sight of the lakes filling up has drawn visitors and helped local businesses flourish.
Cardinal Cassidy at the re-opening of Parramattas historic St Patricks Cathedral after it was destroyed by fire in 2003. Credit:Fairfax Succeeding the legendary German Jesuit Cardinal Augustine Bea and the Dutch Cardinal Jan Willebrands, Cassidy held the key position for more than 11 years, during which time notable advances were made in relationships between the Catholic Church and, among others, the Lutherans, the Greek and Serbian Orthodox Churches and the Jewish people. Difficulties might have been compounded with the Church of England in the same period for reasons beyond the Australians control, but he was still able to assure Anglican leaders in his address to the 1998 Lambeth Conference that his Churchs commitment to good inter-church relations and the search for unity would continue uninterrupted. While some commentators might have considered that the Catholic Churchs enthusiasm for ecumenism in the 1990s was either in retreat or marking time after the impulse given to it by the Second Vatican Council (1962-65), Cassidy realised that the task involved long-term and patient application. He was able to point to several signs of real progress under his watch. He oversaw the preparation of John Pauls important 1996 encyclical letter Ut Unum Sint (That They May Be One), unreservedly endorsing Vatican IIs policy of making work for unity among Christians and for better relations with non-Christian religions an essential and high-priority ingredient of the Catholic Churchs mission.

He drew attention to the Popes uncompromising support for Vatican IIs inter-Church and inter-religious policies when a 2000 declaration from the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, titled Dominus Jesus, used less friendly language than the council or the Pope had used. On historic progress made in resolving a theological issue central to Martin Luthers Protestant Reformation in the 16th Century, Cassidy told the Lutheran World Federation in 1999 that if on Judgement Day the Lord asks what I did, if nothing else I can say that I signed with you the Joint Declaration on the Doctrine of Justification. Cassidy became a Companion in the General Division of the Order of Australia in 1990. Recognition of his work for inter-church and inter-religious relations came in the form of numerous other awards and honours from within and outside his own church both before and after his retirement in 2001. His close friend, the late Father Paul Cahill of Killara, doubted if any other Catholic cleric in his time was so often and so highly decorated. While Cardinal Cassidys Rome-based work began in 1988, when he was 64, it was preceded by nearly 30 years of achievement as a papal diplomat working in five continents, often in the face of difficulties. A Paddington-born priest who, following his 1949 ordination, attended to the pastoral needs of Italian parishioners in the Riverina parish of Yenda for over two years, he was sent to Rome in 1952 by his Bishop, Francis Henschke of Wagga Wagga, to gain a doctorate in Canon Law.

His command of Italian was one of the qualities that impressed his Roman superiors, who conscripted him into the Holy Sees workforce in 1955. His apprenticeship in the Churchs diplomatic service took place in India, for several years under the guidance of his fellow Australian James Knox, later the Cardinal Archbishop of Melbourne, and then in Ireland, El Salvador and Argentina. While in Central America, he was given the delicate and potentially hazardous task in 1968 of rescuing Archbishop (later Cardinal) Mario Casariego of Guatemala from terrorists who had abducted the ultra-conservative prelate. St Mary s Cathedral where the 75th Annual Red Mass to open the new year law term was held, 2005. L-R Bishop Fisher, Cardinal Cassidy and Cardinal Clancy. That the rising Australian Church diplomat was seen by the Vatican as an exceptionally capable troubleshooter was shown by all his subsequent appointments. Ordained archbishop in 1970, he was named Apostolic Pro-Nuncio to the Republic of China, based in Taiwan. Not long after taking up the sensitive appointment, he was made aware that the Holy Sees aims, complicated by a desire to open up dialogue with mainland China, would be best served if the Pro-Nuncio were to absent himself from Taipei for a period. He became the disappearing Pro-Nuncio, returning to Australia and working for several months as an assistant priest in the parish of Sutherland. On resuming his functions as the Popes representative, he was given additional responsibilities as Bangladeshs first Apostolic Pro-Nuncio and as Apostolic Delegate to Burma. Cassidys next appointment, from 1979 to 1984, was as Apostolic Delegate to Southern Africa and Apostolic Pro-Nuncio to Lesotho. Members of an Australian Church delegation visiting South Africa in 1990 were told by bishops of that country and its neighbours that Cassidy, who abhorred racism and apartheid, had been the best papal representative the region had ever had. Cardinal Cassidy at a Holocaust Remembrance meeting, Wesley Conference Centre. Credit:Fairfax

It was no surprise that his next appointment from Pope John Paul was to the Netherlands, where the most delicate issues were internal to the local church, with its assertively radical element, rather than in the areas of church-state relations. Cassidys adroit handling of matters arising at the time of a less than popular papal visit won recognition from all quarters. It is likely that, having seen him operating from close at hand, the Polish Pope marked him down for the high-level Roman appointments which followed within a few years. He was raised to the College of Cardinals in 1991, a year and a half after becoming President of the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity. The Cardinal remained active after his retirement in 2001, when he returned to Australia. Living privately in Newcastle, where he volunteered to say a weekly Mass in Broadmeadow for the Italian community, he continued to accept speaking engagements and to write about Christian Unity and about relations between Christianity and other religions, especially Judaism. His book Rediscovering Vatican II: Ecumenism and Interreligious Dialogue was launched in Sydneys Great Synagogue in 2005. In 2008, Cassidy completed work on his memoirs, In Vatican Service  Reflections of an Australian in the Vatican, published by the Paulist Press (USA) in 2009. Both of Idris Edward Cassidys parents and his brother, Douglas, a left-wing ALP member who had unsuccessfully opposed Country Party parliamentarian Larry Anthony in elections for the federal seat of Richmond, died while he was overseas. Michael Costigan
One of Australias most respected infectious disease experts has urged Australians not to put off getting immunised for the coronavirus, saying doctors are now seeing milder cases of a rare blood-clotting condition linked to the AstraZeneca vaccine.

The head of Melbournes Peter Doherty Institute, Professor Sharon Lewin, said much had been learnt in the past six weeks about the unusual side effect called thrombosis with thrombocytopenia (blood clots with very low platelets), which is contributing to vaccine hesitancy.

The head of Melbournes Peter Doherty Institute, Professor Sharon Lewin. Credit:Simon Schluter

We are learning lots more about these blood clots related to AstraZeneca, Professor Lewin said.

We know how to diagnose them and we know how to treat them. We did not know that six weeks ago and thats why we are seeing milder presentations now and there will be better patient outcomes.
Foreign Affairs department secretary Frances Adamsons departure as the countrys top diplomatic mandarin became official on Wednesday when Foreign Minister Marise Payne announced she would formally wrap up at DFATs Barton offices on June 25. Australias former ambassador to China, Adamson will return to her hometown of Adelaide to become the Governor of South Australia.

Already, theres a lengthy shopping list of senior mandarins in contention for her role.

Frances Adamson with Mike Pezzullo, Greg Moriarty, Michelle Chan. Credit:John Shakespeare

Frontrunners include Defence secretary Greg Moriarty who is a former ambassador to Indonesia and well known in political circles for his stint as chief of staff to Malcolm Turnbull during his term as prime minister. Scott Morrisons trusted national security adviser Michelle Chan is also regarded as a serious chance for the role, even if those inside PMO question whether the PM would readily let the well-regarded adviser go. But Chan has convention on her side. After all, Adamson herself graduated to the top DFAT post after serving as a foreign policy adviser to Turnbull upon her return from China.

Veteran diplomat Paul Grigson has strong support in some wings. He is currently deputy secretary in the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet in charge of vaccine strategy. Others regarded as being in contention include Australian Secret Intelligence Service director-general Paul Symon as well as upwardly mobile Home Affairs secretary Michael Pezzullo, the former defence and customs senior mandarin who has made a name for himself as one of the public services most public facing representatives. But there are a couple of pots on the boil for Pezzullo who is also regarded as a potential to follow former Home Affairs Minister Peter Dutton into his new portfolio of Defence. Such a move would free Moriarty up for the DFAT role, but in Canberra, things are never that simple.
Australia risks never reaching herd immunity for COVID-19, public health experts warn, without a comprehensive vaccination strategy from the federal government, including an advertising campaign to convince vaccine-hesitant people to get their shots.

Professor Julie Leask, a vaccination expert at the University of Sydney, said the Australian government cannot afford to delay devising a multi-faceted plan to boost vaccine uptake that includes opt-out systems, appointment reminders, enticing incentives and targeted, culturally sensitive messaging.

An emergency worker receives a COVID-19 vaccine at the new mass vaccination hub at Sydneys Olympic Park. Credit:Nick Moir

For now, demand is outstripping our vaccine supply, with people wanting the vaccines lining up at vaccine hubs or going to their GPs. But once supply outstrips demand well be left with people who cant or wont or are very uncertain about getting a vaccine and we have to have a strategy to reach these people, Professor Leask said.

Doing nothing was not an option, Professor Leask said, warning Australias COVID-19 vaccination coverage risked being as low as 60 per cent of the population.
Four people have died in serious incidents at Western NSW hospitals over the last year without any doctors physically present, as an inquiry heard doctor shortages in the bush have hit crisis levels.

It came as a Narromine family told the parliamentary inquiry you would be criminally charged if you treated a dog in the way their father was treated during his agonising death under the care of a virtual doctor.

Journalists Jamelle Wells and Liz Hayes at the hearing on Wednesday. The deaths of their fathers in regional hospitals has sparked a parliamentary inquiry. Credit:Louise Kennerley

The inquiry heard virtual doctors are increasingly being used to staff hospital emergency departments that do not have any doctors physically present, particularly outside business hours and on weekends.

Long-serving rural doctor Neil McCarthy said it was difficult to express how painful the situation was for regional communities.
Unpaid carers across Wrexham encouraged to use rapid Covid self-test kits

Access to rapid Covid self-test kits (lateral flow tests) are now available to unpaid carers, with Wrexhams Member of the Senedd encouraging those who are eligible in Wrexham to get tested regularly.

Lateral flow tests enable regular asymptomatic testing for coronavirus and make it convenient and accessible for people not covered under existing schemes at workplaces, childcare settings, schools, colleges and universities.

About 1 in 3 people who test positive for coronavirus do not have symptoms but can still infect others, which means asymptomatic testing is an important way to keep people safe as restrictions are easing. Anyone with coronavirus symptoms should self-isolate and get a test by phoning 119, booking it online or via the NHS COVID-19 app.

Each person will routinely be able to collect or have delivered 2 packs of 7 rapid COVID self-test kits for home use. It is recommended that tests are undertaken twice a week (tested 3  4 days apart) with every result recorded on the UK government portal.





People can order a test online or can collect from certain test sites across Wales, with no appointment needed.

Wrexham MS Lesley Griffiths said: Around 1 in 3 people who test positive for coronavirus do not have symptoms but can still infect others, which means regular asymptomatic testing is an important way to keep track of the virus and to help keep people safe.

The home testing kits can be ordered online or collected from convenient locations.

By getting tested routinely, unpaid carers will not only help protect themselves, but also those they care for, particularly as restrictions are easing.

People can order a test online if you do not have symptoms or can collect from certain test sites across Wales, with no appointment needed.
Cardinal George Pell says the strip searches were the worst part of his time in jail, while he sensed a whiff of evil at work during his trials.

In an in-depth interview with the BBCs Heart and Soul program, Cardinal Pell said jail was a massive change from being the third most powerful figure in the Catholic Church.

Cardinal George Pell answers a question during an interview with the Associated Press inside his residence near the Vatican in Rome in November. Credit:AP

Jail is undignified, you are at the bottom of the pit. You are humiliated but, by and large, I was treated decently so that was a big help, Cardinal Pell said.

The worst single thing was the strip searches, they are brief, humiliating and the ignominy of it is probably the worst of it.
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander readers are warned that the following article contains images and names of deceased people.

When Roy Haines pulled into the driveway of his Tamworth home and saw police officers he knew something was wrong.

I dont usually get the police visiting me, he said.

The officers had come to tell him his son, William Bill Patrick Alwyn Haines, had died at the Cessnock Correctional Centre, in the NSW Hunter, on April 27.

Corrective Services NSW said the 37-year-old was found unresponsive in his cell and was pronounced dead an hour later.
Four men have been charged after police dismantled a crime syndicate that allegedly bought $500,000 worth of luxury cars with stolen credit cards before on-selling them at a lower price.

The crime syndicate is accused of fraudulently obtaining six luxury cars each valued at more than $80,000.

NSW Police charged four men on Wednesday following an investigation into the fraudulent acquisition of luxury vehicles. Credit:NSW Police

During the police investigation, detectives also received information relating to the fraudulent acquisition of personal loans and mobile phones.

Police executed eight search warrants across Sydney properties from 6am Wednesday.
Four Mongols bikies and an associate of the gang have been arrested by police on the Gold Coast.

Police executed search warrants at several locations across the Gold Coast and charged the man with a range of offences.

A 29-year-old Mongols member was remanded in custody for one charge of extortion after detectives executed a search at a Pimpama residence.

Mongols patch. Credit:simon alekna spa

A 48-year-old Helensvale Mongols member was charged with assault of a police officer after a search of a Gold Coast property, after an incident on April 23 when police attended his residence to issue an official consorting notice.
The mayor of Toowoomba says hes frustrated a political war is being fought over whether to put a quarantine facility near his city without anyone asking what locals want.

The stand-off between the Queensland government and the Commonwealth has continued this week over the proposed quarantine facility, which the state is pushing to be built on the grounds of the Wellcamp Airport on the outskirts of Toowoomba, west of Brisbane.

Wellcamp Airport on Toowoombas outskirts has been put forward as a possible location for a quarantine hub. Credit:Facebook

The Prime Minister said he needed more detail from the Queensland government, while the state maintained all it needed from the Prime Minister was approval for international flights to arrive at the airport.

Toowoomba Regional Council mayor Paul Antonio said the people of Toowoomba were being forgotten in the fight.
It would be a very, very big deal if the Federal Court restrained a Sydney barrister from acting for federal Liberal minister Christian Porter in his defamation case against the ABC, and he will fight the move vigorously, the court has heard.

A friend of the woman who accused Mr Porter of raping her in the late 1980s, when all three were teenagers, filed an urgent application in court last week, seeking an order restraining defamation barrister Sue Chrysanthou SC from acting for Mr Porter against the ABC on the basis of an alleged conflict of interest.

Sue Chrysanthou SC, far right, outside the Federal Court in Sydney last week. Credit:David Gray

Jo Dyer, who was a high school debater with the woman and appeared on the ABCs Four Corners program on November 9 to speak about Mr Porter, says Ms Chrysanthou previously acted for her in a separate matter involving an article The Australian newspaper published in the wake of the broadcast.

Ms Dyers lawyers say in court documents that an order stopping Ms Chrysanthou from acting in the proceedings is necessary to prevent prejudice to the proper administration of justice, and to preserve confidentiality and legal professional privilege.
Australias media face laws that threaten journalists who report leaked classified information with jail and a culture of secrecy in the Commonwealth government, a Senate committee examining press freedom has found.

In a report released on Wednesday, the committees Labor-Greens majority said the public sector was developing a culture of secrecy manifest in freedom of information requests delayed for so long or redacted so heavily they became useless.

Freedom of information requests are delayed for so long or redacted so heavily they become useless, the Senate committee found. Credit:

It said Australias whistleblowing laws werent working properly and secrecy laws were so broad they were susceptible to overuse, misuse or even abuse.

The committee was established after the Australian Federal Police raided the home of journalist Annika Smethurst  then at News Corp and now state political editor of The Age  and the Australian Broadcasting Corporation offices in Sydney in June 2019.
Loading When this group was asked further questions, the greatest reluctance to be vaccinated came from women and older Australians. Of the group not yet registered for a dose, 23 per cent of women said they were not very likely and 26 per cent of women said they were not at all likely to be vaccinated in the months ahead. Only 19 per cent of men said they were not very likely and 18 per cent of men said they were not at all likely to take the jab. These figures did not reflect the views of all men or women, only those in the subset that is not yet registered. People over 55 who are yet to sign up for the vaccine have some of the strongest doubts, with 47 per cent of them saying they are not very likely or not at all likely to get the jab.

The survey found the same reluctance among people aged from 35 to 54, suggesting the problems could weaken the effort to achieve herd immunity from COVID-19 and open the international border next year. Further questions to this group of unlikely people revealed a soaring anxiety about side effects, with 67 per cent of those aged above 65 naming this as one of their objections. Loading In this same group, only 40 per cent of those aged from 18 to 34 expressed concern about side effects, while 47 per cent of those aged from 35 to 54 did the same. The older age group also had a greater awareness of border controls as a factor, with 25 per cent saying there was no reason to rush when international borders remain closed.

Labor treasury spokesman Jim Chalmers warned on Wednesday the vaccine delays were hurting the economy. Australia wont achieve a first-rate recovery with a third-rate vaccine rollout, he said. But Prime Minister Scott Morrison said he was not overly troubled by the poll showing 29 per cent were unlikely to be vaccinated in the coming months. I mean, weve obviously got to work on it. Around 70 per cent of people want to have it, so lets just get on with them, he told radio station 2GB. Theres plenty of time to have the chat with the others who are still a bit hesitant. Thats all right; [its a] free country and they should talk to their doctor. The vaccination rollout reached a record of 95,000 doses in one day on Tuesday, prompting Health Minister Greg Hunt to urge all Australians to back the once in a century national task in protecting the country from the pandemic.

Its a rare privilege for all of us in media, in government, in medicine, in the community, where each of us can roll up our sleeve and each of us can encourage others to roll up their sleeves, he said. The survey put questions to 1622 people online last week and has a margin of error of 2.5 per cent. Loading The vaccine question was: if you were offered a vaccine appropriate to your age group in the next few months, i.e. AstraZeneca for the over 50s and Pfizer for the under 50s, how likely would you be to take up the offer? Grattan Institute health director Stephen Duckett called for a stronger national effort to overcome the concerns, saying high levels of hesitancy would make it virtually impossible to reach herd immunity.

Australian Medical Association vice president Chris Moy said there had been a pile-on in the media about the vaccine rollout when Australia compared relatively well to other countries despite the supply shortages. Weve got to get out of this self-flagellation about it, Dr Moy told Sky News.Were doing all right. Please get your vaccination because we need to protect Australia. Every person vaccinated gets us closer to opening up. A key point in the program came on April 8 when the nations peak medical experts, known as the Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation, declared that people under 50 should take the Pfizer vaccine due to the very small risk of blood clots from the AstraZeneca vaccine. The Resolve Political Monitor found the greatest concern about side effects was in older Australians, the group being offered the AstraZeneca vaccine.
Welsh NHS App set to display vaccination status

An NHS App for vaccine certificates is set to launch in Wales in the coming weeks.

The app, which is different to the NHS Covid-19 app used for test, track and trace, is currently available in England and shows whether a person has received two doses of a coronavirus vaccine.

It was introduced by the UK Government on Monday as some foreign travel restarted.

From Monday 24 May, a paper-based vaccination status will be available for people in Wales who have had two doses of vaccination and need to urgently travel to a country that requires covid vaccination proof.





Speaking on Friday First Minister Mark Drakeford explained that the app currently available in England, will be introduced in Wales in the coming weeks.

He said: There is likely to be around a four week gap before the two systems can be able to talk properly to one another to make sure peoples data is safe and that the data about someone who lives in Wales, ends up in their NHS record here in Wales

Our systems are relatively similar and thats why it will only take a matter of weeks in order to be able to get that technical detail in place.

I think its likely to be considerably longer in Northern Ireland and Scotland before that can happen because their systems are considerably more different.

Wales is following the same traffic light system as England and Scotland with regards to foreign travel, with countries classified as green, amber and red, depending on their rates of coronavirus.

Mandatory quarantine is in place for all people returning to the UK from countries on the amber and red lists. All people returning from overseas travel must have a PCR test.

Under the international travel rules:

People arriving from green-list countries are not required to quarantine on their return to Wales, but they must book and pay for a mandatory PCR test on or before day two of their return. All travellers and members of their household will also be reminded about the availability of additional lateral flow tests to continue to monitor their health.

People arriving from amber-list countries are required to quarantine for 10 days at home on their return. This is a legal requirement. They are also required to book and pay for mandatory PCR tests on day two and on day eight. Unlike in England, Wales does not operate a test-to-release scheme where an additional test can be taken on day five to reduce the period of quarantine. This is because some 30% of people who develop Covid-19 do so after day five.

People arriving from countries on the red list are required to quarantine for a full 10 days on arrival in the UK at a designated UK port in a government-managed facility  a covid hotel  at their own cost, starting from 1,750 per person. All UK entry points for arrivals from red-list countries are in England and Scotland, which means Welsh residents returning from those countries will need to quarantine outside Wales.

Travellers are also required to book and pay for mandatory PCR tests on day two and day eight.

All those who do not follow the rules for red-list countries face fixed notice penalties of 10,000.

Welsh residents must also consult the requirements for visitors for any country they plan to travel to. Restrictions may be in place, including proof of vaccination, tests, quarantine and reasons for entry.

However amid the uncertainty of new variants of the coronavirus, the first minister has encouraged people to consider whether they need to travel abroad at this time.

More information on how to get a covid-19 vaccine certificate can be found on the Welsh Government website.
Gaza City: Suzy Ishkontana hardly speaks or eats. Its been two days since the seven-year-old girl was pulled from the rubble of what was once her familys home, destroyed amid a barrage of Israeli air strikes. She spent hours buried in the wreckage as her siblings and mother died around her.

The Ishkontana family was buried under the rubble of their home early on Sunday, after massive bombing raids of downtown Gaza City that Israel said were targeting a Hamas tunnel network. The strikes came without warning.

Riad Ishkontana said he was buried for five hours under the wreckage, pinned under a chunk of concrete, unable to reach his wife and five children.

Riad Ishkontana, 42, embraces his seven-year-old daughter Suzy, the only one of his children to survive the air strike that hit his building on Sunday. Credit:AP

I was listening to their voices beneath the rubble. I heard Dana and Zain calling, Dad! Dad! before their voices faded and then I realised they had died, he said, referring to two of his children.
~Working on another relief for 800 more families~

The St. Maarten Tzu Chi Foundation with the support of Tzu Chis headquarters in Taiwan and in collaboration with Helene Hunt-Hodge of the Royalty Development Network and Resource Center in French St. Martin joined forces to sow seeds of compassion, love, hope, and relief with the people of St. Vincent and the Grenadines by donating seven pallets of relief goods for residents affected by the recent volcanic eruptions.



The first shipment of four pallets of relief goods was shipped on April 24, 2021, and the second shipment of seven pallets on May 8, 2021.



The first four pallets of relief goods consisted of 21 cases of milk powder; 32 cases of Corn Flakes; 25 cases of washing soap; 42 cases of Clorox; 21 cases of toilet paper; and 4,000 masks. In St Vincent, the relief items were handled by Park Hill Evangelical Church Elder Brian Dabreo and his Senior Pastor Conroy Huggins.

The relief items arrived at the Church on May 3, and 22 volunteers began distribution of the items, the following day on May 4. A total of 250 families were presented with packages from this shipment.



Coordinators were very grateful to the owner of the 35-ton vessel Big Red Boat Mike Mckenzie, and organizers Clarence Derby, Natasha Wright Derby, and Augustus Thomas, who offered the shipping free of charge to transport the first batch of relief items from St. Maarten to St. Vincent. Tzu Chis first set of relief items was the Big Red Boats first shipment to St. Vincent.



The second batch of seven pallets of relief items consisted of 34 cases of milk powder; 50 cases of Corn Flakes; 40 cases of washing soap; 67 cases of Clorox; 34 cases of toilet paper; 75 cases of water; and 4,000 masks. The relief items are estimated to benefit 400 families. This batch of items were shipped by Instance Shipping which departed the Galisbay Port in French St. Martin on May 8, and it was expected to arrive in St. Vincent on May 14. Instance Shipping offered a 50 per cent discount on shipping costs.



Educator Shevern John, a past president of the Junior Chamber International St. Vincent chapter, who had been affiliated with many non-governmental organisations will be handling the second shipment of seven pallets.



Coordinators of the relief are thankful for the opportunity to help those affected by the volcanic eruptions in St. Vincent through the support of Tzu Chis headquarters in Taiwan, which sponsored all of the relief items.



The St. Maarten Tzu Chi Foundation is currently working on another emergency request for 800 food packages from the Park Hill Church after their first distribution.



Tzu Chi Commissioner Sandra Cheung is grateful for all those who have assisted in the initiative; for Tzu Chis headquarters for providing the relief items and for recipients for accepting the donations.
SABA:--- Visits to Saba always have a lot of content. The discussions with the Executive Council and the Island Council from the onset have been consistent where it comes to the issues and constructive in tone, said Dutch caretaker of Home Affairs and Kingdom Relations at the end of his visit to Saba on Tuesday, May 18.

Saba is a true example of it takes two to tango. The local government and the Island Council take the initiative and assume responsibility, and we in The Hague do our part. Talks are always constructive. The mindset is always: what are the problems, and how do we solve them. I like that attitude. But they are also not afraid to be critical, and the Island Council has made it clear to me what they wanted for Saba.

Knops lauded the level of government. There is no unrealistic ambition, and the support that we provide is utilized in a dynamic way. There multiple examples of this: the construction of the new harbor, improvements in waste management, the way Saba handled the pandemic. Every time when I come here, I see progress. The local government thinks ahead. I like that. Besides providing the basic services for the residents, the government looks at ways to continue the development. That is no easy job, such a small island with big challenges. I always say it, and Ill continue to say it: Saba is a prime example of good, solid governance. If you only look at the reports of the Committee for Financial Supervision CFT, you see that there is one island that scores good, and that is Saba.

Financial challenges

Still, financially things have not been easy for the Public Entity Saba with structural funding lacking to cover the operational costs. Research has shown that the free allowance (vrije uitkering) is too low to cover governments basic financial needs. This is a fact, said Knops. We have acknowledged this, but we have also said that we cannot immediately solve this. The claim that the Saba government has made for a higher free allowance is absolutely correct. I have tried to solve this in a practical manner by making incidental funding available. But it remains a bit like sending someone on an errand with too little money where the person has to come back to you and say, sorry I cant perform my task with this amount. Providing insufficient means puts a strain on things from a local autonomy perspective.

Because of the current caretaker status of the Dutch Government, raising the free allowance is currently politically not possible because it concerns new policy. Therefore, this aspect needs to be taken care of in the governing accord of the new Dutch Government, said Knops.

Needed investments

Knops said that it is broadly recognized in The Hague that investments are needed, that there are island-specific issues that are different from those on the mainland municipalities and that the limited size of the islands sometimes requires inefficient investments.

Convincing his colleague ministers and state secretaries to visit Saba so they could see things for themselves has paid off, he said. They could see that good things were happening, and that things work differently on the islands than in the Netherlands. He said he was very happy with the fact that part of the Regional Envelop went to further Sabas sustainable, economic development.

The incoming Dutch government will need to take the next step in supporting Saba, also financially. You cannot solve all issues in one time. But if I see what has been done in the past 3.5 years, we can definitely say that a lot has been achieved. The investments have led to tangible results. The social allowances have been increased. Steps have been taken to lower the cost of living. Infrastructure has been improved, as has education, healthcare, social housing. I have not achieved all that I wanted, but in my opinion, a number of large steps have been taken. It is now up to the new government to continue this.

Level of confidence

The state secretary said he was happy to have built a level of confidence with the Saba people and government in the past couple of years. About his collaboration with the Saba Government, he said: I always joke that if there is a problem on Saba, you need to act fast, because otherwise, they will have solved it themselves. The self-solving capacity is very big here. Mostly modest about its achievements, Knops called on Saba to keep radiating confidence and pride. He would like to see increased collaboration between the Windward Islands since this would provide opportunities for all three islands.

During his visit to a goat farm in Kelbys Ridge on Tuesday, Knops expressed support for the goat control project. He saw the workings of sustainable goat keeping and observed the erosion in Spring Bay. He was informed that free-roaming goats are key contributors to erosion, and have a large impact on the islands biodiversity.

The goat control project fits in Nature and Environment Policy Plan Caribbean Netherlands 2020-2030, which is about conserving and restoring the unique and important nature of the islands. This plan is vital for the restoration of the coral reefs and combating erosion, but also for sustainable economic development. Nature is an important resource for the islands as it draws tourists and it provides opportunities for local food production. Saba has pristine nature, much of which is located in the Mt. Scenery National Park. The removal of goats in this protected area has started.

Multi-disciplinary OMT

The state secretary had a very positive meeting with Sabas multi-disciplinary Outbreak Management Team (OMT) during which he was informed about the response to the COVID-19 outbreak, the effectiveness of the lockdown, and the highly successful vaccination campaign with 90 percent of the adult population having been fully vaccinated. Knops lauded the OMT for its good work and dedication during the pandemic.

Knops said he could look back at, once again, a very pleasant and useful visit to Saba. Since he did not know for sure if he would be back in his current function due to the formation of a new Dutch Government, he thanked Saba and its people for the hospitality and the warm welcome that he received over the years.
MAG Silver reports first quarter financial results

Posted by Publisher Internet

MAG Silver Corp. (TSX / NYSE American: MAG) (?MAG? or the ?Company?  https://www.commodity-tv.com/ondemand/companies/profil/mag-silver-corp/) announces the Company?s unaudited financial results for the three months ended March 31, 2021.? For details of the unaudited condensed interim consolidated financial statements and Management\-\-s Discussion and Analysis for the three months ended March 31, 2021, please see the Company?s filings on SEDAR (www.sedar.com) or on EDGAR (www.sec.gov).?

All amounts herein are reported in $000s of United States dollars (?US$?) unless otherwise specified.

HIGHLIGHTS ? MARCH 31, 2021 AND EVENTS SUBSEQUENT TO THE QUARTER END

OPERATIONAL

Batch processing of mineralized material from development headings through the nearby Fresnillo plant continues at a targeted average nominal rate of 16,000 tonnes per month.

Since August 2020, 108,254 tonnes have been processed, expected to: contribute cash-flow to offset some of the initial project capital; and significantly speed up project ramp-up due to the de-risking of Juanicipio?s metallurgical performance.



As reported by the operator Fresnillo, the Juanicipio plant is expected to commence commissioning in Q4 2021, reaching 40 to 50% of its 4,000 tonnes per day (?tpd?) nameplate capacity by the end of 2021 and reaching 90 to 95% of its nameplate capacity in 2022.

During Q1 2021, on a 100% basis:

36,395 tonnes of mineralized material processed through the Fresnillo plant;

40% higher silver head grade (458 grams per tonne (? g/t ?)) than the material processed in 2020 (328 g/t); and

?)) than the material processed in 2020 (328 g/t); and 431,188 payable silver ounces, 631 payable gold ounces, 137 tonnes of lead and 199 tonnes of zinc sold.

Pre-commercial production sales of $10,085 (net of treatment and processing costs) on a 100% basis less $1,886 in mining and transportation costs, netting $8,199 that was recorded as gross profit by the Juanicipio Joint Venture in Q1 2021.

Positive progress was achieved during the quarter on the construction of the 4,000 tpd Juanicipio processing plant and civil works. Mechanical installation of the major processing equipment is nearly complete, and the construction is focused on completing the building envelope along with pipework and electrical/instrumentation installation.

Mechanical completion of the SAG and ball mills expected in Q2 2021.

A regularly updated photo gallery of construction progress at Juanicipio is available at https://magsilver.com/projects/photo-gallery/#photo-gallery.

Underground development at Juanicipio is now over 37 km (23 miles) with preparation of the first production stope complete.

Juanicipio capex is estimated at $440,000 (100% basis) as of January 1, 2018, less approximately $272,000 in development expenditures incurred from then to March 31, 2021 leaving approximately $168,000 of remaining initial capital on a 100% basis (MAG?s 44% estimated at $73,920) as at March 31, 2021. The cash required will be reduced by: Existing cash held in Minera Juanicipio as at March 31, 2021 ($3,067 on a 100% basis); and Expected cashflow generated from mineralized material being processed through the Fresnillo plant up until the Juanicipio plant commences commissioning in Q4 2021.



A further 16,771 tonnes of development material were processed in April 2021.

EXPLORATION

In spite of temporary COVID-19 restrictions established by the Mexican Government in 2020, the full Juanicipio 2020 exploration program was completed as planned in 2020, drilling 33 holes and 27,900 metres. Full assays expected in Q2 2021.?

The 2021 Exploration program for Juanicipio is budgeted at $6 million on a 100% basis, to be evenly allocated between continued step-out and infill drilling of the Valdecanas Vein System (including independent targeting of the Venadas Vein family and the Anticipada Vein) and three principal target areas elsewhere in the Joint Venture ground.

Deer Trail Project in Utah  Phase I drilling commenced in November, 2020 and is expected to be completed in Q2 2021 (assays and interpretations pending).

COVID-19

Juanicipio operator, Fresnillo, has implemented a range of safety measures and monitoring procedures, consistent with World Health Organization and Mexican Government COVID-19 directives.

In Q1 2021, Fresnillo, as operator, reported that commissioning of the Juanicipio processing plant is presently expected to commence in Q4 2021, a few months later than previously reported as some infrastructure contracts were delayed due to COVID-19 and COVID-19-related preventive measures implemented at site.

LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES

As at March 31, 2021, MAG held cash and cash equivalents of $92,844 while Minera Juanicipio had cash on hand on a 100% basis of $3,067.

CORPORATE

Company continues to refresh its board, with the appointment of two new directors in Q1 2021:

Appointed Susan Mathieu on January 13, 2021. Mathieu has more than twenty-five years of international mining experience encompassing due diligence, exploration, project development, permitting, construction and operational positions. Her mining experience covers the full spectrum from mine-site to corporate leadership roles in governance, environment, sustainability, community, health and safety, compliance and risk management programs and strategies. Prior to joining the MAG board, Ms. Mathieu was the Vice President, Environment and Sustainability with NexGen Energy, and previously held senior positions with Placer Dome, Falconbridge, Centerra Gold and Golder Associates.

Appointed Tim Baker on March 31, 2021. Baker has substantial experience in operating international mines and projects. He was Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of Kinross Gold Corporation prior to retiring in 2010. Prior to joining Kinross, he was with Placer Dome, where he held several key roles including Executive General Manager of Placer Dome Chile, Executive General Manager of Placer Dome Tanzania and Senior Vice President of the copper producing Compania Minera Zaldivar. Mr. Baker is currently Chair of Golden Star Resources, a director of Sherritt International Corp. and serves on the Triple Flag Precious Metals Corp. Advisory Board. Mr. Baker has previously been a director on the boards of Augusta Resources Corp., Antofagasta PLC, Eldorado Gold Corp., Rye Patch Gold (later Alio Gold) and Pacific Rim Mining Corp.

At the time Tim Baker was appointed, Richard Clark resigned from the board to focus on other professional responsibilities.

JUANICIPIO PROJECT UPDATE

Underground Mine Production

Mineralized material from development is being batch processed, refined and sold on commercial terms at a targeted rate of 16,000 tonnes per month at the nearby Fresnillo plant 14 kilometres away. The resulting concentrate is treated in Torreon, Coahuila.? This preproduction toll processing is expected to continue until the Juanicipio plant commences commissioning in Q4 2021.? The actual amount of material processed on a monthly basis may vary due to the variability of mineralization encountered in the development headings from month to month.

In the quarter ended March 31, 2021, 36,395 tonnes were batch processed, with an average silver head grade of 458 g/t (a 40% increase in silver head grade compared to the 328 g/t for development material processed in 2020). Total sales from the tonnes processed in Q1 2021, on a 100% basis, were 431,188 payable silver ounces, 631 payable gold ounces, 137 tonnes of lead and 199 tonnes of zinc. Provisional sales, net of processing and treatment costs totaled $10,085, and further costs incurred (including an applied mining cost and transportation costs) totaled $1,886 for a gross profit of $8,199 (see Table 1 below). The sales and treatment charges for tonnes processed in Q1 2021 were recorded on a provisional basis and will be adjusted based on final assay and pricing adjustments in accordance with the offtake contracts.? Processing details are summarized in Table 1 below.

Since August 2020, a total of 108,254 tonnes of mineralized development material have been processed at the Fresnillo plant in advance of commissioning the Juanicipio plant. ?MAG and Fresnillo expect to secure several positive outcomes from this processing for the Juanicipio Project:

generating cash-flow from production to offset some of the cash requirements of the initial project capital;

de-risking the flotation process through a better understanding of the metallurgical characteristics and response of the Juanicipio mineralization;

increased certainty around the geological block model prior to start-up of the processing plant; and

allowing a faster and more certain ramp-up to the nameplate 4,000 tpd plant design.

Processing Plant Construction and Commissioning

In the quarter ended March 31, 2021, further positive progress was achieved on the construction of the Juanicipio processing plant and civil works. The plant foundations were completed, with plant fabrication continuing. The SAG and ball mills are now installed, and their mechanical completion is expected in Q2 2021.? The lead and zinc flotation cell lines have been installed and are being connected to the hydraulic circuit.? Construction of the initial tailings storage facility has also begun.

Fresnillo, as operator, recently reported that commissioning of the Juanicipio processing plant is expected to commence in Q4 2021.? The Juanicipio plant is expected to reach 40 to 50% of the nameplate 4,000 tpd capacity by the end of 2021 and 90-95% in 2022. In contrast, the 2017 PEA originally envisioned ramp-up to full production over 3 years after commissioning of the processing plant.

The capex or pre-operative project capital cost on a 100% basis, as estimated from January 1, 2018 is $440,000. The initial capital already expended from January 1, 2018 to March 31, 2021 is approximately $272,000 leaving an estimated $168,000 of remaining initial capital (MAG?s 44% estimated remaining share is $73,920 as at March 31, 2021).? This remaining funding requirement will be reduced by both: existing cash held in Minera Juanicipio as at March 31, 2021 ($3,067 on a 100% basis); and expected cash flows generated from mineralized development material processed at an average nominal rate of 16,000 tonnes per month through the Fresnillo processing plant until the Juanicipio plant is commissioned.

Juanicipio Exploration Update

On the exploration front, the Juanicipio 2020 exploration program was completed as planned in 2020, comprising a total of 33 drill holes and 27,900 metres drilled.?Full assays are expected in Q2 2021.

The 2021 Exploration program for Juanicipio is budgeted at $6 million, to be evenly allocated between continued step-out and infill drilling of the Valdecanas Vein System (including independent targeting of the Venadas Vein family and the Anticipada Vein) and three principal target areas elsewhere in the Joint Venture ground. Drilling of the Valdecanas Vein System began in January 2021 with four drill rigs (all assays pending), with a fifth expected mid-year depending on crew availability. ?Three of the drill rigs remain dedicated to Devico directional drilling.? Permit applications for drilling the outlying targets have been submitted or are in the process of being generated pending surface access arrangements. Meanwhile, detailed mapping and sampling of these targets is underway. All aspects of the exploration work continue to be done under strict COVID-19 protocols (see COVID-19 below).

DEER TRAIL PROJECT UPDATE

Phase I surface-based core drilling program is approximately 70% complete at March 31, 2021, and is expected to be completed during Q2 2021 with assays and interpretations expected shortly thereafter. Follow-up Phase II drill targeting is being planned as interpretation of the incoming core and draft lab results are incorporated into the district geological model.

COVID-19

Juanicipio Project

The Juanicipio Project operator, Fresnillo, continues to closely monitor the spread of the virus and has implemented a range of safety measures in accordance with the World Health Organization and Mexican Government guidelines. These include stringent monitoring & hygiene, temperature screening and social distancing. Testing and contact tracing have been used to identify potential cases and prevent the spread of the virus. Fresnillo maintains an open dialogue with government officials at both the Federal and local level.

Deer Trail Project

Safety is one of MAG?s key core values and MAG has implemented strict COVID-19 protocols for the Deer Trail Project in line with guidance from governmental public health agencies. The Company established its COVID-19 response plan for Deer Trail in June 2020 with safety measures that include mandatory mask use, COVID-19 testing for contractors and employees prior to returning to site, temperature screening, employee health surveys, antibody rapid tests for team members to track exposure and social distancing. The Company continues to monitor the Utah Center for Disease Control and World Health Organization recommendations, updating the protocols in September 2020 and again in early January 2021. These updates include additional controls for positive result cases and a safe return to the workplace plan (post COVID-19). Most project employees and contractors have now been fully vaccinated.? ?

Qualified Person: Dr. Peter Megaw, Ph.D., C.P.G., has acted as the Qualified Person as defined in National Instrument 43-101 for this disclosure and supervised the preparation of the technical information in this release. Dr. Megaw has a Ph.D. in geology and more than 40 years of relevant experience focused on ore deposit exploration worldwide. He is a Certified Professional Geologist (CPG 10227) by the American Institute of Professional Geologists and an Arizona Registered Geologist (ARG 21613). Dr. Megaw is not independent as he is Chief Exploration Officer and a Shareholder of MAG.?

FINANCIAL RESULTS ? THREE MONTHS ENDED MARCH 31, 2021

As at March 31, 2021, the Company had working capital of $94,923 (December 31, 2020: $94,513) including cash and cash equivalents of $92,844 (December 31, 2020: $94,008) and no long-term debt. ?As well, as at March 31, 2021, Minera Juanicipio had cash of $3,067 (MAG?s attributable 44% share of $1,349). The Company makes cash advances to Minera Juanicipio as ?cash called? by the operator Fresnillo, based on approved joint venture budgets. Subsequent to March 31, 2021, the Company advanced $23,716 to Minera Juanicipio representing 44% of a $53,900 cash call to fund process plant construction and further underground development of the Juanicipio property.

The Company?s net loss for three months ended March 31, 2021 amounted to $3,662 or $(0.04)/share (March 31, 2020: $14,898 or $(0.17)/share). The Company recorded a 44% equity income pick-up of $632 (March 31, 2020: $4,687 equity loss pick-up) from Minera Juanicipio which included MAG?s 44% share of net income from the sale of pre-production development material (see Table 2 below). The Company recorded deferred income tax expense of $1,647 for the three months ended March 31, 2021 (March 31, 2020: $8,694) driven primarily by the non-cash devaluation of certain tax assets denominated in Mexican Pesos, as the Mexico Pesos devalued against the US dollar in the quarter. Share based payment expense (a non-cash item) recorded in the three months ended March 31, 2021 amounted to $1,193 (March 31, 2020: $478).

About MAG Silver Corp. (www.magsilver.com )

MAG Silver Corp. (MAG: TSX / NYSE A) is a Canadian development and exploration company focused on becoming a top-tier primary silver mining company by exploring and advancing high-grade, district scale, silver-dominant projects in the Americas. Its principal focus and asset is the Juanicipio Project (44%), being developed in a Joint Venture partnership with Fresnillo Plc (56%), the Operator. Juanicipio is located in the Fresnillo Silver Trend in Mexico, the world\-\-s premier silver mining camp, and the Joint Venture is currently developing an underground mine and constructing a 4,000 tonnes per day processing plant which is expected to commence commissioning in Q4 2021. Underground mine production of development material commenced in Q3 2020, and an expanded exploration program is in place targeting multiple highly prospective targets both at Juanicipio by the Joint Venture and by MAG at the Deer Trail 100% earn-in project in Utah.

Neither the Toronto Stock Exchange nor the NYSE American has reviewed or accepted responsibility for the accuracy or adequacy of this press release, which has been prepared by management.

This release includes certain statements that may be deemed to be ?forward-looking statements? within the meaning of the US Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. All statements in this release, other than statements of historical facts are forward looking statements, including statements that address future mineral?production, reserve potential, exploration drilling, exploitation activities and events or developments. Forward-looking statements are often, but not always, identified by the use of words such as \seek\, \anticipate\, \plan\, \continue\, \estimate\, \expect\, \may\, \will\, \project\, \predict\, \potential\, \targeting\, \intend\, \could\, \might\, \should\, \believe\ and similar expressions. These statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual results or events to differ materially from those anticipated in such forward-looking statements. Although?MAG believes the expectations expressed in such forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions, such statements are not guarantees of future performance and actual results or developments may differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, changes in commodities?prices,?changes in?mineral production?performance, exploitation and exploration successes, continued availability of capital and financing, and general economic, market or business conditions, political risk, currency risk and capital cost inflation.?In addition, forward-looking statements are subject to various risks, including that data is incomplete and considerable additional work will be required to complete further evaluation, including but not limited to drilling, engineering and socio-economic studies and investment.?The reader is referred to the Company?s filings with the SEC and Canadian securities regulators for disclosure regarding these and other risk factors. There is no certainty that any forward-looking statement will come to pass and investors should not place undue reliance upon forward-looking statements.

Please Note: Investors are urged to consider closely the disclosures in?MAG\-\-s annual and quarterly?reports and other public filings, accessible through the Internet?at www.sedar.com and www.sec.gov???????
Gold Terra intersects 5.99 g/t Au over 1.45 metres in the Campbell Shear confirming 200 m down dip continuity of Kam Point North zone, Newmont Option, NWT

Posted by Publisher Internet

Gold Terra Resource Corp. (TSX-V: YGT; Frankfurt: TX0; OTC QX: YGTFF) (?Gold Terra? or the ?Company?  https://www.commodity-tv.com/ondemand/companies/profil/gold-terra-resource-corp/) is pleased to announce assay results for two drill holes from the Company?s Phase 1 drilling program at the Company\-\-s optioned property from Newmont Ventures Limited and Miramar Northern Mining Limited (the \Newmont Option\) adjacent to its Yellowknife City Gold Project (\YCG\), NWT. The latest drill results extend the Kam Point North zone 200 metres deeper, confirming down dip continuity. Kam Point North is situated approximately 1 kilometre south of the high-grade Yellorex zone reported previously (see figure 2).? Drill results continue to confirm the strike continuity of gold mineralization for over two kilometres in the Campbell Shear structure from which the former Con Mine produced 5 million ounces of gold.

President and CEO David Suda stated, ?We have successfully intersected new gold mineralized lenses and the presence of gold mineralization below 350 metres vertical depth in the southern part of the Newmont Option. These latest results confirm the continuity of gold mineralization below the Kam Point North zone that are comparable to the same high-grade mineralization style mined at the Con Mine.? We have now identified vectors to the higher-grade lenses within the broader Campbell Shear structure. Using these vectors we will further test and build on our success this coming July with our 10,000 metre Phase 2 drilling program along the Campbell shear structure, which remains open at depth and along strike in both directions.?

Results for holes GTCM21-010 and GTCM21-011 totaling 1,372.42 metres are as follows and are shown in figure 2:

Hole GTCM21-010 intersected 80 g/t Au over 3.07 metres within the Campbell Shear structure. This gold-bearing zone consists of a strong and pervasive sericite alteration with smoky quartz veins, pyrite and arsenopyrite needles. The Campbell Shear intersected by hole GTCM21-010 is 210 metres wide, including a 26 metre-wide undeformed ?horse?. Areas that were historically described as ?horses? by Con Mine geologists were significant for localizing gold mineralization in the pressure shadows they create.

Hole GTCM21-011 intersected 32 g/t Au over 9.20 metres including 5.99 g/t Au over 1.45 metres within the Campbell Shear structure. The Campbell Shear intersected by this hole is 157 metres wide and is anastomosed, separated by several undeformed ?horses? between strong shear zones. The whole structure is 157m-wide including these ?horses?.

Gold mineralization in both these holes is associated with thick smoky quartz veins rich in arsenopyrite needles within a strongly sericitized alteration envelope hosted in a highly sheared mafic volcanic rock. This is very similar to the same high-grade mineralization style mined at the Con Mine. These two holes were drilled to follow-up alteration zones intersected by holes GTCM21-006 (see April 6, 2021 press release) and GTCM21-007 (see April 27, 2021 press release). Based on the geological model for the Campbell Shear at the Con Mine, a sericite alteration halo surrounds high-grade gold mineralization. Hole GTCM21-010 successfully intersected new gold mineralized lenses based on alteration halos identified by previous drilling. The hole confirms the presence of gold mineralization at depth (below 350 metres vertical depth). Hole GTCM21-011 tested the continuity of the gold mineralized lenses intersected by hole GTCM21-007 (1.14 g/t Au over 11.05 metres) confirming zone continuity of at least 200 metres downdip (see figure 3). ?Intersecting a gold envelope in the order of 1g/t Au over a width of 10m is highly indicative of an area that requires additional drilling.

The Phase 1 winter drilling objective was to systematically intersect the Campbell Shear structure and to define its internal gold structures. It is important to identify the corridors that hold gold mineralization as Gold Terra?s compilation of level plans at the Con Mine show that low-grade gold transitions into high-grade gold lenses and that the transition can occur over a very short distance. The Con Mine is a 5 Moz. deposit that consists of such lenses with ?anomalous gold envelopes where the higher gold mineralization often varies from a single narrow high-grade vein/shear to several withing the same envelope.

The Company completed its Phase 1 drilling program with 13 holes totalling 7,242 metres last winter, with assays pending for the last two holes.

Technical Appendix

This news release reports the assay results from two (2) drill holes totaling 1,372 metres from which 430 core samples were assayed. Assays results range from non-detectable gold to the highest assay of 6.60 g/t Au. The best intersections are listed in Table 1. The Company inserts certified standards and blanks into the sample stream as a check on laboratory Quality Control (QC). Drill core samples are cut by diamond saw at Gold Terra?s core facilities in Yellowknife. A halved core sample is left in the core box. The other half core is sampled and transported by Gold Terra personnel in securely sealed bags to ALS (ALS) preparation laboratory in Yellowknife. After sample preparation, samples are shipped to ALS?s Vancouver facility for gold analysis. Gold assays of >3 g/t are re-assayed on a 30 g split by fire assay with gravimetric finish. Samples with visible gold are additionally assayed using a screen metallic method. ALS is a certified and accredited laboratory service. ALS routinely inserts certified gold standards, blanks and pulp duplicates, and results of all QC samples are reported.

Drill holes were drilled at right angles to the structure hosting the mineralization and dip angles of holes were designed to intersect the zones as close to normal as possible. ?Zones reported here are interpreted to be 80 to 90 percent true thickness.

The technical information contained in this news release has been reviewed and approved by Joseph Campbell, Chief Operating Officer, a Qualified Person as defined in National Instrument 43-101  Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects.

About Gold Terra?s Yellowknife City Gold Project

The YCG project encompasses 800 sq. km of contiguous land immediately north, south and east of the City of Yellowknife in the Northwest Territories. Through a series of acquisitions, Gold Terra controls one of the six major high-grade gold camps in Canada. Being within 10 kilometres of the City of Yellowknife, the YCG is close to vital infrastructure, including all-season roads, air transportation, service providers, hydro-electric power, and skilled tradespeople.

The YCG lies on the prolific Yellowknife greenstone belt, covering nearly 70 kilometres of strike length along the main mineralized shear system that host the former-producing high-grade Con and Giant gold mines. The Company\-\-s exploration programs have successfully identified significant zones of gold mineralization and multiple targets that remain to be tested which reinforces the Company\-\-s objective of re-establishing Yellowknife as one of the premier gold mining districts in Canada.

Visit our website at www.goldterracorp.com.

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

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Information

Certain statements made and information contained in this news release constitute \forward-looking information\ within the meaning of applicable securities legislation (\forward-looking information\). Generally, this forward-looking information can, but not always, be identified by use of forward-looking terminology such as \plans\, \expects\ or \does not expect\, \is expected\, \budget\, \scheduled\, \estimates\, \forecasts\, \intends\, \anticipates\ or \does not anticipate\, or \believes\, or variations of such words and phrases or statements that certain actions, events, conditions or results \will\, \may\, \could\, \would\, \might\ or \will be taken\, \occur\ or \be achieved\ or the negative connotations thereof.

All statements other than statements of historical fact may be forward-looking information. Forward-looking information is necessarily based on estimates and assumptions that are inherently subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the actual results, level of activity, performance, or achievements of the Company to be materially different from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking information. In particular, this news release contains forward-looking information regarding the current drilling on the Campbell Shear on the Newmont Option potentially adding high grade ounces to the Company?s current YCG mineral resource, future planned drilling on the Newmont Option area and the Company\-\-s objective of re-establishing Yellowknife as one of the premier gold mining districts in Canada.

There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate, as the Company\-\-s actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in this forward-looking information as a result of the factors discussed in the \Risk Factors\ section in the Company\-\-s most recent MD&A and annual information form available under the Company\-\-s profile at www.sedar.com.

Although the Company has attempted to identify important factors that would cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in forward-looking information, there may be other factors that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. The forward-looking information contained in this news release is based on information available to the Company as of the date of this news release. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. All of the forward-looking information contained in this news release is qualified by these cautionary statements. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking information due to the inherent uncertainty thereof. Except as required under applicable securities legislation and regulations applicable to the Company, the Company does not intend, and does not assume any obligation, to update this forward-looking information.
EnWave to Report Second Quarter 2021 Financial Results on May 26, 2021 and Host Investor Conference Call

Posted by Publisher Internet

EnWave Corporation (TSX-V:ENW | FSE:E4U) (?EnWave?, or the \Company\ ?https://www.commodity-tv.com/ondemand/companies/profil/enwave-corp/), a global leader in vacuum-microwave dehydration technology, announced today it will report its financial results for the second quarter of fiscal year 2021 ended March 31, 2021 on?Wednesday, May 26, 2021?after market close. The financial statements and MD&A will be available on SEDAR at www.sedar.com and on the Company?s website (https://www.enwave.net/investors) in the late evening Vancouver time. A press release summarizing the Company?s financial highlights will also be released Thursday, May 27th at 6:00 a.m. PST.

EnWave has scheduled a conference call to discuss the results for Q2 2021 and its business outlook?on?Thursday, May 27th, 2021 at?7:00 a.m. PST.?Mr. Brent Charleton, Chief Executive Officer, Mr. John P.A. Budreski, Executive Chairman and Mr. Dan Henriques, Chief Financial Officer will host the call and a question and answer session.

Conference Call Details:

Date: May 27, 2021

Time: 7:00 a.m. PST / 10:00 a.m. EST

Participant Access: 1-877-407-2988 (toll free number)

Webcast:?https://78449.themediaframe.com/dataconf/productusers/enw/mediaframe/45178/indexl.html

About EnWave

EnWave Corporation, a Vancouver-based advanced technology company, has developed a Radiant Energy Vacuum (?REV??) ? an innovative, proprietary method for the precise dehydration of organic materials. EnWave has further developed patent-pending methods for uniformly drying and decontaminating cannabis through the use of REV? technology, shortening the time from harvest to high-quality, marketable cannabis products.?

REV? technology?s commercial viability has been demonstrated and is growing rapidly across several market verticals in the food, and pharmaceutical sectors, including legal cannabis. EnWave?s strategy is to sign royalty-bearing commercial licenses with innovative, disruptive companies in multiple verticals for the use of REV? technology. The company has signed over forty royalty-bearing licenses to date in twenty countries world-wide. In addition to these licenses, EnWave established a Limited Liability Corporation, NutraDried Food Company, LLC, to manufacture, market and sell all-natural dairy snack products in the United States, including the Moon Cheese? brand.?

EnWave has introduced REV? as a disruptive dehydration platform in the food and cannabis sectors: faster and cheaper than freeze drying, with better end product quality than air drying or spray drying. EnWave currently offers two distinct commercial REV? platforms:

nutraREV? which is a drum-based system that dehydrates organic materials quickly and at low-cost, while maintaining high levels of nutrition, taste, texture and colour; and,

quantaREV? which is a tray-based system used for continuous, high-volume low-temperature drying.

More information about EnWave is available at www.enwave.net.

Safe Harbour for Forward-Looking Information Statements: This press release may contain forward-looking information based on management\-\-s expectations, estimates and projections. All statements that address expectations or projections about the future, including statements about the Company\-\-s strategy for growth, product development, market position, expected expenditures, and the expected synergies following the closing are forward-looking statements. All third-party claims referred to in this release are not guaranteed to be accurate. All third-party references to market information in this release are not guaranteed to be accurate as the Company did not conduct the original primary research. These statements are not a guarantee of future performance and involve a number of risks, uncertainties and assumptions. Although the Company has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially, there may be other factors that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements.

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.
Source: Xinhua| 2021-05-18 22:12:35|Editor: huaxia

Video Player Close

Immigrants climb over the border fence to enter the Spanish enclave of Ceuta, in Fnideq, Morocco, May 18, 2021. The Spanish enclave of Ceuta is having to deal with an influx of immigrants after an estimated 6,000 people have entered the territory from Morocco, according to the central government's delegation in the city. (Xinhua)

MADRID, May 18 (Xinhua) -- The Spanish enclave of Ceuta is having to deal with an influx of immigrants after an estimated 6,000 people have entered the territory from Morocco, according to the central government's delegation in the city.

The immigrants swam or walked around the frontier that stretches into the water between the enclave and Morocco from Monday to the early hours of Tuesday.

Around 1,500 of them are thought to be minors, according to the Spanish government delegation in Ceuta, which confirmed that at least one person has died in attempting to pass around the breakwater.

The massive influx of migrants has overrun the temporary center for immigrants in the enclave, which has a total area of 18 square kilometers and a population of around 85,000, local media reported.

Those immigrants range from single males to mothers carrying their babies, and the Spanish media reported that some complete families made the crossing with inflatable dinghies.

The Spanish Interior Ministry said in a statement Tuesday that 150 members of the National Police Force and 50 Civil Guards would be sent to strengthen the police presence in Ceuta and the military could also be called upon.

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez tweeted that his priority is "to return normality to Ceuta. Its citizens should know that they have the full support of the Spanish government and the maximum conviction to care for its security and defend its integrity as a part of this country."

The migrants made their crossing after the usually heavy presence of Moroccan security forces on the beaches bordering Ceuta was relaxed, according to media reports.

Ceuta and nearby Melilla have long been an entry point for immigrants looking to enter Spain and Europe. Enditem
Somerset, KY (42501)

Today

Scattered thunderstorms during the morning becoming more widespread this afternoon. High 78F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 90%..

Tonight

Scattered thunderstorms early, then partly cloudy after midnight. Low 67F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 60%.
Enterprise, AL (36331)

Today

Thunderstorms likely. High 84F. Winds WSW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 100%..

Tonight

Variable clouds with scattered showers and thunderstorms, mainly late. Low 72F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 50%.
Enterprise, AL (36331)

Today

Thunderstorms likely this morning. Then a chance of scattered thunderstorms this afternoon. High near 85F. Winds WSW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 100%..

Tonight

Scattered thunderstorms. Low 71F. Winds WSW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 50%.
South Africa: Asymptomatic infections important drivers of flu transmission, study finds

A new study published in Lancet Global Health has revealed asymptomatic individuals were also able to spread flu, transmitting it to about 6% of household contacts.

For this reason, authors of the study believe asymptomatic infections to be an important driver of flu transmission, the statement read on Wednesday.

The study was conducted by the National Institute for Communicable Diseases (NICD), Perinatal HIV Research Unit (PHRU), and WITS Agincourt HDSS, in partnership with the US Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), which also funded the study.

The study evaluated the community burden and transmission of influenza (flu) from 2017 to 2018 in a rural and an urban South Africa community.

The NICD stated that approximately 100 randomly selected households were enrolled each year and observed for a period of 10 months.

A total of 81 430 samples were collected from 1 116 participants in 225 households, of which 79% (178 out of 225 households) had at least one person who tested flu positive.

In each year, three out of four households have at least one person infected with flu each year. Therefore, flu is very common.

Meanwhile, according to the findings, over half of the flu infections were symptomatic, indicating that a high number of asymptomatic flu infections were present.

Children and flu

The study has also shown that the burden of laboratory-confirmed flu was high in both the rural and urban African setting, with over three-quarters of households and more than one in three individuals experiencing at least one flu infection each year.

It is important to note that the flu incidence risk was similar between the rural and urban areas who participated in the study.

Meanwhile, repeated flu infections within the same annual flu epidemic, particularly in children, were a common occurrence in more than 15% of those infected.

With young children also experiencing the highest-burden of flu infection and symptomatic illness, this group was more likely to spread the flu to others in their household, in comparison to other age groups.

Influenza-associated influenza-like illness

Medically attended influenza-associated influenza-like illness (ILI), defined as fever and cough, suggest that the flu disease burden in the community may be substantially higher than that observed through facility-based surveillance.

Understanding the community burden and transmission of seasonal influenza is critical to guide vaccination programmes and non-pharmaceutical interventions, not to mention informing pandemic preparedness.

The statement said a similar study to examine the burden and transmission of SARS-CoV-2 in the same communities, including the role of asymptomatic infections, in the spread of COVID-19, was initiated in July 2020.

The results of this study are expected in the coming months.  SAnews.gov.za

This story has been published on: 2021-05-19. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article.
Source: Xinhua| 2021-05-19 04:56:02|Editor: huaxia

Video Player Close

Jordanian Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi (R) meets with Greek Foreign Minister Nikos Dendias in Amman, Jordan, on May 18, 2021. Jordan and Greece on Tuesday agreed that there is no alternative to the two-state solution as the only way to resolve the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. (Photo by Mohammad Abu Ghosh/Xinhua)

AMMAN, May 18 (Xinhua) -- Jordan and Greece on Tuesday agreed that there is no alternative to the two-state solution as the only way to resolve the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

The two sides reached the agreement at a meeting between Jordanian Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi with his visiting Greek counterpart Nikos Dendias.

Safadi held Israel responsible for the recent escalation in the occupied Palestinian territories, which has pushed the whole region toward more tension and violence, according to a statement issued by the Jordanian Foreign Ministry.

Safadi added that de-escalation requires an end to the Israeli aggression on the Gaza Strip, including Israel's unilateral and provocative steps such as building and expanding settlements and forcibly displacing Palestinians residents from their homes.

These moves have undermined the two-state solution, he said.

Safadi also received a phone call on Tuesday from his Dutch counterpart Stef Blok to review the efforts made to stop the deadly Israeli attacks in Jerusalem, Gaza, and the rest of the occupied Palestinian territories. Enditem
News

spotlight

Le Sueur County hires new Public Health Director, Shaughnessy retires after 40 years

Shaughnessy

Carson Hughes / By CARSON HUGHES carson.hughes@apgsomn.com Le Sueur County Public Health Director Cindy Shaughnessy, left, is retiring from her position. Megan Kirby, right, Le Sueur-Waseca emergency preparedness director, is filling Shaughnessys position at the end of May. (Carson Hughes/southernminn.com)

Le Sueur County Public Health Director Cindy Shaughnessy was ready to retire in 2020 after 40 years of service. Then a global pandemic hit locally, and she stayed on to combat one more challenge, perhaps the greatest of her career.

A year in, case rates are falling, restrictions are loosening, and the director is finally able to move on.

On May 28, Shaughnessy will leave the role shes held since 2004 and hand the reins over to five-year emergency preparedness coordinator for Le Sueur and Waseca counties Megan Kirby. Kirby holds a masters degree in Public Health and has also served as the countys SHIP (Statewide Health Improvement Partnership) coordinator.

I am familiar with how the county works and how the health department works, and I am excited for this opportunity to expand my public health knowledge a little further, said Kirby.

Kirby said that shes always wanted a leadership role in public health, especially a position in a community shes already working in. Working with other people is her favorite part of public health, and as the incoming director, shes looking forward to building connections with staff and the public.

I just like the fact that were a community service to help the community, said Kirby. Taking over during COVID right now is a challenge, but I just like being able to know the community members and helping those within our community.

Despite having to confront the pandemic as she steps into the role of director, Kirby said she felt prepared due to her experience as emergency preparedness coordinator.

Im ready for the challenge, said Kirby. I feel like being the public health preparedness coordinator for the past five and a half years has really prepared me for this situation. So Im excited, I think it should be a very smooth transition and Ive been doing this work for the past five and a half years.

Before Kirby takes over at the end of the month, Shaughnessy is helping her settle in. The public health director had full faith that Kirby was ready for the position.

I have all the confidence in the world in Megan, said Shaughnessy. We relied on her a lot and she had a big role to play in response to this event.

For more than 40 years, Shaughnessy has been serving the health care needs of Le Sueur County. She spent one year at a hospital before joining public health as a nurse. The department was much smaller than it is today, so Shaughnessy and other staff members worked as generalists covering everything from home health care to baby visits. As the department specialized, Shaughnessy spent many years in home health care before rising to director in 2004.

Her long tenure with public health wasnt planned, but Shaughnessy said she fell in love with the work soon after joining. Unlike a hospital, Shaughnessy said public health gave her the opportunity to affect change in the larger community.

Public health really gives you an opportunity to make a difference and not just with an individual, said Shaughnessy. Public health works with individuals, families, communities and health systems so there really is a wider opportunity to make a difference in your community.

Before COVID-19, Shaughnessy said her greatest challenge as Public Health Director was confronting a different pandemic: H1N1. The flu strain broke out in the US in 2009, infecting roughly 60 million Americans and killing 12,000.

Shaughnessy said one of the highlights of her career was setting up an antiviral clinic in just one day. Before vaccines were available, Le Sueur County worked with a physician, nurse practitioner, pharmacist and hospitals in Le Sueur and New Prague to set up an antiviral clinic at Seneca, Montgomery. Those who felt sick could come to the clinic, get diagnosed and receive a prescription for antiviral medication.

We put that together in a day, said Shaughnessy. We talked about it in the morning and in the afternoon, we stood that up and went through well over 100 people. That was probably the highlight, and thats just an example of the partnerships and the relationships. We didnt do that alone.

But Minnesota was hit with an even larger pandemic just as Shaughnessy was planning to retire. Shaughnessy set the date for her 40th anniversary at Le Sueur County in September of 2020. But as the coronavirus raged on, the public health director put her retirement on hold.

I was looking at that and kind of planning that, but then thought I really cant leave in the middle of a pandemic, said Shaughnessy. It just would not be fair to a new director to do that. And again, it was the challenge of a career.

It wasnt just responding to the pandemic that was difficult. In-between tracking COVID cases, discussing safety measures with business leaders, schools and local governments and setting up vaccine clinics, the public health department had to fulfill all of their regular duties.

The regular public health work continued, said Shaughnessy. We have a home care program. Those home care nurses have never stopped making visits. Our WIC (Women, Infants and Children) program got a waiver so they dont need to do face to face, but they continue to serve those clients.

What I found and appreciated was the resilience of the staff, said Shaughnessy. This has been hard. Its been long hours, its been stressful for staff, but they have just risen to the occasion and they dont hesitate to put in extra hours.

Though retirement is a little more than a week away, her seven day a week schedule during the pandemic has given Shaughnessy little time to think about it.

Its been so busy I have not had a chance to really think about it, said Shaughnessy. But I just want to relax some.
Source: Xinhua| 2021-05-19 05:01:28|Editor: huaxia

Video Player Close

A truck is seen at the gate of the Kerem Shalom Crossing in the southern Gaza Strip city of Rafah, March 31, 2019. (Xinhua/Khaled Omar)

"Humanitarian access into and out of Gaza for staff and goods must be sustained and appropriate measures taken to ensure safe movement within Gaza," the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) said.

UNITED NATIONS, May 18 (Xinhua) -- The Israelis allowed dozens of fuel trucks to cross into Gaza at Kerem Shalom on Tuesday but turned back trucks carrying other essential humanitarian cargo, UN humanitarians said.

"Humanitarian access into and out of Gaza for staff and goods must be sustained and appropriate measures taken to ensure safe movement within Gaza," the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) said. "It is critical that the Erez crossing is also opened for the entry and exit of critical humanitarian staff."

Fuel is necessary to generate electrical power. The lack of it causes electrical blackouts lasting all but six to eight hours of a day. Additionally, electricity powers water pumps.

Stephane Dujarric, the chief spokesman for UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, told reporters in a regular briefing the only reason he knew for turning back some of the trucks was because of security.

Asked what was meant by the reason given, he responded that the Israelis only said "security."

Kerem Shalom is the only commercial crossing from Israel into Gaza.

The humanitarian office said it received reports about 58,000 Palestinians are displaced, with 47,000 of them seeking protection in 58 schools across Gaza run by the UN relief agency for Palestinian refugees known as UNRWA.

As far as the security situation allows, the United Nations and humanitarian partners provide food and non-food items to displaced families in Gaza and distribute immediate cash assistance to more than 56,000 people, OCHA said.

In the West Bank, widespread demonstrations and clashes continue, the humanitarians said. Health partners and community volunteers are treating a substantial number of people injured by Israeli forces gunfire. 
Source: Xinhua| 2021-05-19 06:36:20|Editor: huaxia

Video Player Close

Undated photo shows a vial of Pfizer/BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine. (BioNTech/Handout via Xinhua)

The findings of a study showed both the Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna vaccines were still effective against the variants first detected in India.

WASHINGTON, May 18 (Xinhua) -- The coronavirus vaccines authorized in the United States are effective at combating the strain that is currently ravaging India, U.S. infectious diseases expert Anthony Fauci told a White House briefing on Tuesday.

Initial studies indicated the Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna vaccines are "at least partially and probably quite protective" against serious illness, hospitalization and death, "indicating another very strong reason why we should be getting vaccinated," he said.

In one study, researchers looked at the efficacy of Pfizer and Moderna's vaccines against the variants first detected in India. The findings, which were reported in a pre-print paper on biorxiv.org and have yet to be peer-reviewed, showed both vaccines were still effective.

"There is a good reason to believe that vaccinated individuals will remain protected against the B.1.617 and B.1.618 variants," the researchers was quoted as saying.

Public health experts think the B.1.617 variant is likely leading to the massive spike in infections, hospitalizations and deaths in India, according to the report by The Hill on Tuesday.

That strain has also been linked to increased cases throughout parts of Europe, and the World Health Organization recently reclassified it as a "variant of concern" -- an indication that the variant has the "highest public health implications."

On Monday, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported 17,724 new cases of COVID-19, the lowest daily case number since June in this country.

CDC Director Rochelle Walensky said that 60 percent of people aged 18 and older have received at least one dose of a coronavirus vaccine. In addition, more than 4.1 million teens aged 12 to 17 have received their first dose since the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine was authorized for that age group last week. 
Medford, NJ (08055)

Today

Showers this morning becoming less numerous during the afternoon hours. High 68F. Winds E at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 50%..

Tonight

Showers early, then cloudy overnight. Low 59F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 30%.
The International Space Station was launched into low Earth orbit in 1998. Russia's space agency may withdraw from the station in the next four years, officials say.

The 23-year partnership between the United States and Russia that has kept the International Space Station (ISS) in orbit could soon come to an end, Russian officials suggested this week.

Yury Borisov, the Russian Deputy Prime Minister, reportedly said in a government meeting that the nation might withdraw from the ISS in 2025, according to a state TV news report on April 18. Borisov cited the deteriorating condition of the space station  which was launched in 1998 by NASA and the Russian space agency Roscosmos  as the primary reason for the potential departure.

"We can't risk the lives [of our cosmonauts]," Borisov said, according to the BBC . "The structure and the metal [are] getting old, [and] it can lead to irreversible consequences  to catastrophe."

Related: Space oddity: 10 bizarre things Earthlings launched into space

Later that day, Borisov released a statement partially walking back the 2025 departure date, saying, "a technical inspection is needed, and then we can make a decision and inform our partners," according to Science magazine .

Meanwhile officials with Roscosmos announced that work has already begun on a national space station, which would serve as a successor to the country's Salyut and Mir stations, launched into low Earth orbit in the 1970s and 80s. Dmitry Rogozin, head of Roscosmos, posted a video to the messaging app Telegram saying, "the first core module of the new Russian orbital station is in the works" and could be complete by 2025, the BBC reported.

Rogozin added that Russian would not depart from the ISS until that potential new station was completed. Still, even with ample notice Russia's potential departure could put a hefty strain on NASA and the other agencies that rely on the ISS.

"ISS partners would have a really hard time keeping the station functional without Russia," Vitaly Egorov, an industry observer and former spokesperson for Russia's Dauria Aerospace company, told Science magazine. Cargo and crew services provided by SpaceX could potentially help fill the gaps left behind by Roscosmos, the magazine added.

Originally published on Live Science.
This June 6, the intermediate federal elections will be held in Mexico.

Looking ahead to this process, we will answer some of the most common questions.

What is voting this June 6?

As reported by the National Electoral Institute (INE) , this June 6 will vote for:

500 federal deputies for the Congress of the Union

15 governorships

30 local congresses

1,900 town halls and municipal boards

What would each state in the country choose?

In alphabetical order:

Aguascalientes: 27 councils and 11 city councils

27 councils and 11 city councils Baja California: Governor, 25 councils and 5 municipalities

Governor, 25 councils and 5 municipalities Baja California Sur: Governor, 21 councils and 5 city councils

Governor, 21 councils and 5 city councils Campeche: Governor, 35 councils, 13 city councils and 22 municipal councils

Governor, 35 councils, 13 city councils and 22 municipal councils Chiapas: 40 councils and 124 municipalities

40 councils and 124 municipalities Chihuahua: Governor, 33 councils, 67 municipalities and 67 receiverships

Governor, 33 councils, 67 municipalities and 67 receiverships Mexico City: 66 councils and 16 mayors' offices

66 councils and 16 mayors' offices Coahuila: 38 municipal presidencies, 76 receiverships and 400 regidurias

38 municipal presidencies, 76 receiverships and 400 regidurias Colima: Governor, 25 councils and 10 municipalities

Governor, 25 councils and 10 municipalities Durango: 25 councils

25 councils State of Mexico: 75 councils and 125 municipalities

75 councils and 125 municipalities Guanajuato: 36 councils and 46 municipalities

36 councils and 46 municipalities Guerrero: Governor, 46 councils and 80 municipalities

Governor, 46 councils and 80 municipalities Hidalgo: 30 councils

30 councils Jalisco: 38 councils and 125 municipalities

38 councils and 125 municipalities Michoacan: Governor, 40 councils and 112 municipalities

Governor, 40 councils and 112 municipalities Morelos: 20 councils and 33 municipalities

20 councils and 33 municipalities Nayarit: Governor, 30 councils, 20 municipalities and 138 regidurias

Governor, 30 councils, 20 municipalities and 138 regidurias Nuevo Leon: Governor, 42 councils and 51 municipalities

Governor, 42 councils and 51 municipalities Oaxaca: 42 councils and 153 municipalities

42 councils and 153 municipalities Puebla: 41 councils and 217 municipalities

41 councils and 217 municipalities Queretaro: Governor, 25 councils and 18 municipalities

Governor, 25 councils and 18 municipalities Quintana Roo: 11 municipalities

11 municipalities San Luis Potosi: Governor, 27 councils and 58 municipalities

Governor, 27 councils and 58 municipalities Sinaloa: Governor, 40 councils and 18 city councils

Governor, 40 councils and 18 city councils Sonora: Governor, 33 councils and 72 municipalities

Governor, 33 councils and 72 municipalities Tabasco: 35 councils and 17 municipalities

35 councils and 17 municipalities Tamaulipas: 36 councils and 43 municipalities

36 councils and 43 municipalities Tlaxcala: Governor, 25 councils, 60 city councils and 299 community presidencies

Governor, 25 councils, 60 city councils and 299 community presidencies Veracruz: 50 councils and 212 municipalities

50 councils and 212 municipalities Yucatan: 25 councils and 106 municipalities

25 councils and 106 municipalities Zacatecas: Governor, 30 councils and 58 municipalities

How many people will vote?

The 94 million 800 thousand citizens registered in the Electoral Register are expected to participate on this election day.

How do I find the box that touches me?

The INE reported that 161 thousand polling stations will be installed that will have 50 thousand Electoral Supervisors and Trainers.

To find your box you must:

Enter the page Locate My Box of the INE . It will be available from May 31. When you enter, display the menu and choose your entity. On the front of your INE is the section number. With it you will be able to know which square you have. If you are far from your home, you can access the special boxes to vote remotely.

Do not forget to bring your INE on the day of the elections so that it is compared with the Electoral Register and you can cast your vote.

What do I do if someone wants to force my vote?

Never forget that the vote is free and secret.

If you suspect that there is an attempt at blackmail, you can and should make the corresponding complaint to the Special Prosecutor's Office for Electoral Crimes Attention, ( FEPADE ), but remember, it is not the same to force than to influence. For it to be a crime, there must be a threat or coercion.

In the same way, you can make the complaint in person at the FEPADE Immediate Attention Unit (Bulevar Adolfo Lopez Mateos No. 2836, Col. Tizapan, San Angel, Alvaro Obregon delegation, CP 01090, Mexico City, telephone (55) 53463137) or in the Electoral Prosecutor's Offices of all the states.

Do not forget to attend with face masks, follow the rules of healthy distance and, most importantly, find out about the proposals of the candidates in your area.

Copyright 2021 Entrepreneur.com Inc., All rights reserved
NEW YORK (AP)  The operator of the nations largest fuel pipeline confirmed it paid $4.4 million to a gang of hackers who broke into its computer systems.

Colonial Pipeline said Wednesday that after it learned of the May 7 ransomware attack, the company took its pipeline system offline and needed to do everything in its power to restart it quickly and safely, and made the decision then to pay the ransom.

This decision was not made lightly," but it was one that had to be made, a company spokesman said. Tens of millions of Americans rely on Colonial  hospitals, emergency medical services, law enforcement agencies, fire departments, airports, truck drivers and the traveling public.

Colonial Pipelines CEO, Joseph Blount, told The Wall Street Journal he authorized the payment because the company didn't know the extent of the damage and wasn't sure how long it would take to bring the pipeline's systems back.

The FBI discourages making ransom payments to ransomware attackers, because paying encourages criminal networks around the globe who have hit thousands of businesses and health care systems in the U.S. in the past year alone. But many victims of ransomware attacks, where hackers demand large sums of money to decrypt stolen data or to prevent it from being leaked online, opt to pay.

I know thats a highly controversial decision, Blount told the Journal. But it was the right thing to do for the country."

Blount said Colonial paid the ransom in consultation with experts who previously dealt with the group behind the attacks, DarkSide, which rents out its ransomware to partners to carry out the actual attacks.

Multiple sources had confirmed to The Associated Press that Colonial Pipeline had paid the criminals who committed the cyberattack a ransom of nearly $5 million in cryptocurrency for the software decryption key required to unscramble their data network.

A ransom payment of 75 Bitcoin was paid the day after the criminals locked up Colonials corporate network, according to Tom Robinson, co-founder of the cryptocurrency-tracking firm Elliptic. Prior to Robinsons blog post, two people briefed on the case had confirmed the payment amount to AP.

Blount told the Journal the attack was discovered around 5:30 a.m. on May 7. It took Colonial about an hour to shut down the pipeline, which has 260 delivery points across 13 states and Washington, D.C., Blount said. That helped prevent the infection from potentially migrating to the pipeline's operational controls. But there are lingering issues. Blount said Colonial is still unable to bill customers following an outage of that system.

The pipeline system delivers about 45% of the gasoline consumed on the East Coast, and Colonial, which is based in Alpharetta, Georgia, halted fuel supplies for nearly a week. That led to panic-buying and shortages at gas stations from Washington, D.C. to Florida.

Colonial restarted its pipeline a week ago, but it took time to resume a full delivery schedule, and the panic-buying led to gasoline shortages. More than 9,500 gas stations were out of fuel on Wednesday, including half of the gas stations in D.C. and 40% of stations in North Carolina, according to Gasbuddy.com, which tracks fuel prices and station outages.

___

Associated Press Writer Frank Bajak contributed to this report from Boston.
A Missouri farmer accused of attempting to cover up a $215,000 cattle fraud scheme by killing two Wisconsin brothers was indicted Tuesday on a federal mail fraud charge.

Garland Joseph Nelson, 27, is awaiting trial on state murder and other charges in the deaths of 24-year-old Justin Diemel and 35-year-old Nicholas Diemel, of Shawano County, Wisconsin. The brothers disappeared after visiting Nelsons farm in July 2019, and their burned remains were later found in Missouri and Nebraska.

The federal charge focuses on the financial deal that brought the brothers to Missouri.

Nelson agreed to feed and pasture cattle belonging to the brothers' Wisconsin livestock trade and investment business, the indictment says. The arrangement was supposed to end with Nelson, who worked for J4s Farm Enterprises Inc., a business started by his mother, selling the cattle and sending the brothers the proceeds, minus the costs of raising the cattle.

But the U.S. attorney's office said in a news release that Nelson sold, traded or killed many of the Diemels cattle without paying them.

The indictment also alleges that the cattle in Nelson's care had high death rates due to underfeeding, neglect, and/or maltreatment." In one case, he dropped hay bales in a pasture for calves but did not remove the plastic covering, so calves ate the plastic and died.

Throughout the spring of 2019, Nicholas Diemel pressed Nelson for payment. Nelson responded by fraudulently sending the Diemels a bad check for $215,936 while the account had a balance of 21 cents, according to the U.S. attorney's office. The check had been intentionally torn and damaged so it could not be submitted for payment.

The brothers eventually flew to Kansas City in July 2019, rented a pickup truck and drove to Nelsons mothers farm in Braymer. The indictment alleges that Nelson then killed them.
Source: Xinhua| 2021-05-19 06:48:18|Editor: huaxia

Video Player Close

People march to protest against anti-Asian hate crimes on Brooklyn Bridge in New York, the United States, April 4, 2021. (Xinhua/Wang Ying)

"After a year of the Asian American community crying out for help, today Congress is taking historic action to pass long overdue hate crimes legislation and send the COVID-19 Hate Crimes Act to President Biden's desk," Democratic congresswoman Judy Chu said.



WASHINGTON, May 18 (Xinhua) -- The U.S. House on Tuesday voted overwhelmingly to pass a bill aimed at combating the rise in anti-Asian hate crimes in the country, sending the legislation to President Joe Biden's desk for signature.

The COVID-19 Hate Crimes Act passed in a 364-62 vote in the House, with all no votes coming from Republicans. The Senate last month approved the bill on a 94-1 vote, with GOP Senator Josh Hawley of Missouri casting the lone no vote. Biden is expected to sign the bill into law as soon as Thursday.

"After a year of the Asian American community crying out for help, today Congress is taking historic action to pass long overdue hate crimes legislation and send the COVID-19 Hate Crimes Act to President Biden's desk," Judy Chu, Democratic congresswoman from California and chair of the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus, told reporters before the vote.

"The past year and a half has been one of pain and struggle marked by despicable and sickening acts of hate and violence against the Asian-American community," Democratic Congresswoman Grace Meng, who coauthored the legislation with Democratic Senator Mazie Hirono, said at a news conference on Tuesday.

"Those of Asian descent have been blamed and scapegoated for the outbreak of Covid-19 and as a result Asian Americans have been beaten, slashed, spat on and even set on fire and killed," Meng said.

The legislation would create a position at the Justice Department to expedite a review of COVID-19-related hate crimes; provide grants for states to create hotlines for reporting hate crimes and for law enforcement training aimed at preventing and identifying hate crimes; and direct federal agencies to work with community organizations to help raise awareness about hate crimes during the pandemic.

U.S. congresswoman Judy Chu speaks at a press conference on Capitol Hill in Washington D.C., the United States, on May 21, 2015. (Xinhua/Yin Bogu)

"The COVID-19 Hate Crimes Act will strengthen our defenses to prevent and combat anti-AAPI violence and will build on steps already taken by President Biden. Together these actions will make a significant difference in how we address hate crimes in America, not only during this pandemic, but for years to come," House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said Tuesday.

Reported hate crimes against Asian Americans in 16 of the nation's largest cities and counties have increased 164 percent since last year, showed a recent study by the Center for the Study of Hate and Extremism at California State University San Bernardino.

Separately, Stop AAPI Hate, a center tracking reports of racism and discrimination against Asian Americans, said it has received 6,603 firsthand complaints -- nearly two-thirds of them reported by women -- since last year, revealing the troubling spike in anti-Asian hatred during the pandemic while underscoring the need for urgent actions, including those from Congress. 
SALT LAKE CITY (AP)  A travel security agency said there was an increase in the number of guns detected at security checkpoints at Salt Lake City International Airport, even as air travel declined during the coronavirus pandemic.

Transportation Security Administration spokeswoman Lorie Dankers said agency officers have discovered 50 firearms in carry-on luggage this year, as of Monday, the Deseret News reported.

The agency is now asking Utah residents to keep their firearms out of their carry-on luggage.

(Its a situation where) people have the gun thrown in the bottom of their bag, which oftentimes is loaded and theres often one in the chamber. We dont want to see that at the security checkpoint, Dankers said.

She added: Youre going to probably lose your gun, and all these things that really could be avoided if you just go ahead and take your firearm, unload it, put it in a hard-sided case, lock it up and stick it in your checked baggage, then pick it up at your destination.

Agency officers flagged 33 firearms this time last year, and 29 firearms the previous year, she said. The guns were discovered during routine screening at airport security checkpoints.

About 71 firearms were found in 2020, even with the number of screenings down by 61% compared with the previous year, officials said. The Salt Lake City International Airport ranked 10th nationally for the number of firearm discoveries last year.

Guns have never been allowed in carry-on luggage. Theyre not allowed in the cabin of the aircraft, and everybody understands why, Dankers said, noting that passengers with concealed weapons permits are also prohibited from storing firearms in carry-on luggage.

To increase security measures, TSA is hiring new officers to work at Salt Lake City International Airport and other airports around the state.

Were hiring now, because of the consistent travel and the uptick that were seeing in the passenger volumes thats going on right now, said Matt Davis, TSA federal security director for Utah. We want to be as prepared as possible, and we want to make sure that we have adequate staffing down on all the checkpoints so we can run as effectively and efficiently as possible.

The TSA employs about 450 officers across Utah, he said. About 375 work at Salt Lake City International Airport.
This is response to Svetlana Wassermans letter The outdated zealotry of Kimberly Fiorello.

I am very grateful to Ms. Wasserman for using my own words to state my side of the debate. I so appreciate her quoting directly from my Capitol Update e-blasts.

Each week, I strive to share with people in my district what politicians are doing in Hartford, give as much detail as possible (because the devil is in the details), and express with clarity why I vote in the peoples interest.

When I ran for office I was persuaded by voters who asked me to engage in the battle of ideas. They wanted me to stand up and speak out for freedom and the American Way, grounded in the optimistic belief that humans can live peaceably together and strive to solve problems, while government performs its proper role to protect individual rights and be minimally intrusive in folks daily lives.

I am thrilled Ms. Wasserman quoted my statement that the brilliance of the American system is based on fundamental trust in voluntary transactions among free people to solve problems, find solutions, and meet each others needs. This just cant be repeated often enough in our society today.

What Ms. Wasserman calls my dogged faith in individual choice is in fact rare and precious. Over the course of human history, regimes have regularly denied individual choice and used coercion to make people behave as leaders saw fit. Its the strategy of tyrants and despots in ancient texts. Today, it is played out in China, North Korea (from where my maternal grandmother fled), Cuba, Venezuela, Iran, and many others.

To the extent it is played out in the United States, Ms. Wasserman must be prepared to defend the massive expanse of the welfare state going back to the 1930s and all the poverty, misery, and lost human capacity that has befallen successive generations.

The impact on our environment from the tragedy of the commons and negative externalities mentioned by Ms. Wasserman is a grave concern to me and many others, but governmental regulations fail to find lasting solutions.

(Note: Connecticut is already the most regulated state in the country. By Ms. Wassermans logic in which government regulations are a force for good where markets fail, why would Connecticut be having all the complex problems she says we face? Clearly, government is in full-force-regulating-mode here.)

The seminal work of 2009 Nobel-prize winning American woman economist Elinor Ostrom, Governing the Commons, debunked the tragedy of it all and proved that people can and do behave rationally in pursuing diverse solutions to prevent depletion of resources without government intervention. Her field study of people from Maine to Spain, from Switzerland to Indonesia, showed that the human mind is our greatest natural resource and there is no problem that we cannot solve.

Speaking of human minds, this brings me to Ms. Wassermans fallacious mischaracterization of my voting record on civil rights. Im proud to stand beside the parents, who are the real champions, fighting one of the greatest civil rights violations occurring in our state  education discrimination.

While children in the suburbs receive decent public educations, how long will we collectively ignore the pleas and cries of minority parents in our cities whose children are at risk every day because their public schools are woefully failing them?

Many of these minority parents have organized themselves into groups like the Connecticut Parents Union, CPU, and Latinos for Educational Advocacy and Diversity, LEAD; they want school choice in their neighborhoods and they want charter schools to provide that choice.

They are infuriated by statements such as Ms. Wassermans assertion that charter schools divert public school funding because charter schools are public schools.

Charter schools serve mostly minority children, hire mostly minority teachers, deliver extraordinary academic results ... and receive the lowest per pupil funding in our state. What Stamford Charter School for Excellence has accomplished with only $11,250 per student to pay for rent, teacher salaries and school supplies is nothing short of a miracle  yet its a miracle that shows day in and day out what public charter schools can do.

Lastly, it is hard to believe Ms. Wassermans criticism of an iconic phrase in our nations history when she writes, Fiorellos faith in what she calls we the people is the cornerstone of neoliberal economics. Obviously, readers know where we the people comes from. But just for the joy of seeing it in print, lets revisit the Preamble to the document that begins:

We the People of the United States, in order to form a more perfect union, establish justice, insure domestic tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the general welfare, and secure the blessings of liberty to ourselves and our posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America.

I and every legislator in Hartford swore an oath to uphold the Constitution to the best of our abilities, so help us God. If thats outdated zealotry, then call me an old-fashioned enthusiast.

Please sign up for my Capitol Update weekly eblasts at www.repfiorello.com.

State Rep. Kimberly Fiorellos 149th district includes parts of Greenwich and Stamford.
STAMFORD  A week after suffering a serious gunshot wound to the arm, a 38-year-old Stamford man is facing gun charges related to the shooting, according to an arrest warrant.

Derek Mitchell was arrested Tuesday on charges of criminal possession of a firearm, stealing a firearm, illegal possession of a large capacity magazine and possession of a weapon in a motor vehicle.

The charges stem from a May 8 shooting that left Mitchell and a 23-year-old woman suffering from gunshot wounds outside of an apartment complex on Ludlow Street.

Investigator Luis Velez wrote in the arrest warrant that there was a large group of people gathered outside 59-2 Ludlow St., following a party earlier in the day at Dyke Park.

Around 10:23 p.m. a black-colored Jeep aggressively turned into the exit-only section of the Ludlow Town House, according to the warrant. Witnesses told police that the Jeeps driver, later identified as Mitchell, exited the car and began arguing with another man.

During the argument, Mitchell was punched multiple times by the other man, sending him stumbling back to his vehicle where he retrieved a gun and began firing in the direction of the other man, the warrant said.

The warrant states Mitchell then fled the scene in his Jeep.

Police eventually tracked Mitchell to Stamford Hospital, where he had driven himself before collapsing in the emergency room entrance, the warrant said. The warrant said Mitchell later underwent emergency surgery for arterial damage he suffered to his right arm from a gunshot wound. The wound was considered serious, but not life-threatening, Velez wrote.

The warrant did not make clear where or how Mitchell had suffered a gunshot wound.

Officer Vanessa Lynn was one of the first officers to respond to the hospital, according to the warrant. At the scene, she found the Jeep matching the description of the vehicle used in the earlier shooting.

The warrant states that inside the car, within plain sight, Lynn found a black Glock handgun with an extended magazine sitting on the drivers side seat. The gun, the seat, the steering wheel and door were all covered in blood, a trail of which led into the emergency room entrance.

Police later learned the handgun found in Mitchells car had been reported stolen out of a Rustburg, Virginia home in January 2020.

Mitchell, who police say is a convicted felon, is being held on $500,000 bond.

He is next scheduled to appear in court on June 10.
Staycations in Connecticut were snapped up quickly for this summer, but one home recently put on the market is like a staycation in and of itself.

Sitting on Bantam Lake, Connecticut's largest natural lake, the a four bedroom, six and a half bathroom home on 10 Evans Passway in Morris was just listed for $4.995 million. Outside the home, there is a rooftop bar, according to the listing, as well as a full outdoor kitchen complete with a pizza oven, a lounge area with a TV, a Gunite infinity pool and spa, a fire pit and a dock with a beach area.

Within the home's 8,700 square feet and 16 rooms, are features that make it "the total party house," according to Brown Harris Stevens associate real estate broker Jill Sloane.

According to the listing, there are two master suites: one upstairs and one on the home's main level. The home also has a movie theater with a high-definition projector, a wine and cigar room and a recreation room with a pool table, the listing notes, as well as a spa with a steam shower, a sauna and an elevator.

For Sloane, the home's decor is also unique.

"One of the things that I think is an amazing feature besides being an adult's Disney World are the hand-painted murals throughout the house," she said. "Not the current owner, but the one prior had someone live at the house for six months to hand paint them."

Take a look inside the home.
Source: Xinhua| 2021-05-19 07:35:26|Editor: huaxia

Video Player Close

Pan Jiping prepares her emergency kit for home visits at Xiaozhai Village of Longji Township, Longsheng County, south China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, May 18, 2021. In Xiaozhai, a village at the foot of Fupingbao Mountain over 1,900 meters above sea level, Pan Jiping has been a country doctor here for more than 30 years. Pan, 57, is one of the Hongyao people, a branch of the Yao ethnic group. In 1988, Pan went to the county's health school to study medicine in order to solve the villagers' difficulty in seeing a doctor. In 1990, after finishing her studies, Pan returned to Xiaozhai Village and became the first village doctor who has received formal training in the village. Since then, Pan has always met the needs of local villagers without delay and won their trust and praise. Nowadays, with the improvement of traffic and living standards, more and more villagers have begun to seek medical service in the town and county. Pan has then become a contracted family doctor for the villagers. She often makes home visits to villagers, conducts regular examination for the elderly and establishes health records for the villagers. "As long as the villagers need me, I will keep working as a village doctor," Pan said. (Xinhua/Cao Yiming)
W e have a bit of a thing for beauty products over at ES Best.

Each month, an extensive offering of lotions and potions across makeup, skincare, haircare and more cross our (WFH) desks and we take it upon ourselves to review each and every one so that you dont have to. Its a tough job but someone has to do it.

In our Lets Make-Up round-up, we bring you a selection of the tried and tested, freshest, and buzziest beauty launches that are worth adding to your basket. If we include it below, then you know its a good un.

For May, the weather is hotting up and our diaries are refilling once again with social arrangements so the offering of SPF from Hawaiian Tropic and a tanning serum from Scientia are a much welcomed treat. Theres also new advances in the skincare realm for sensitive skin courtesy of Tata Harper as well as Decleor with your new skin saviour mask. Youll also find a fresh rebrand from science-backed label Zelens and the latest launch from make-up artist extraordinaire Jamie Genevieves brand VIEVE.

Go forth and glow!

Omorovicza Queen of Hungary Evening Mist

Struggling to sleep? Us too. Luckily Omorovicza is on hand with its new facial mist where with just a few spritzes, youll be lulled into a deep, sound sleep. The formula combines repairing actives and lavender extract. Alongside these ingredients, youll also find melatonin, magnesium salts, and CBD to restore balance and promote a sense of calm. It will become your new pre-slumber ritual.

Omorovicza

MZ Skin Hydra-Boost Ampoules

We love an ampoule. Theres a satisfaction in knowing you are receiving the perfect dose of the product in front of you and it makes it so much easier to stick to a routine. Luxury skincare label MZ SKIN has launched the Hydra-Boost Ampoules - a five-day treatment to be used morning and night that will transform dull, dehydrated and stressed out skin. The formula is enriched with hyaluronic acid, vitamin C and collagen.

MZ SKIN

Vita Coco Haircare

You will likely already be familiar with the brands coconut water but now the label has launched hair care with coconuts placed at the forefront. The highly nourishing ingredient has long be lauded as the antidote to damage both for the skin and hair so it feels like a natural path for the revolutionary coconut label who have already switched up the beverage game. For its foray into beauty, there are three ranges; Nourish, Repair and Scalp where you will find shampoo, conditioner, a mask, a serum and a scalp scrub. Not only do the products smell absolutely delicious but they make the hair feel silky smooth after use. Vita Coco has also placed huge importance on the environment with certified B Corp status and packaging made from 75 per cent post-consumer waste.

Vita Coco

Dior Forever Natural Bronze

A very welcomed relief for our sun-deprived skin, Dior is bringing a touch of summer with its Forever Natural Bronze collection. A healthy glow with one swoosh of your powder brush, the glow-giving bronzer is infused with wild pansy flower extract and pigments with 95 per cent mineral origins. The formulation is subtle but hugely layerable, while the product itself is housed in a retro couture case that will immediately liven up your dressing table. There are eight shades ranging from Fair Bronze to Deep Bronze.

Dior

Vichy HA Filler

If youre not quite ready to head under the knife (or the injectable), Vichys new product may just be the next best thing. The Hyaluronic Acid serum creates a filling effect with a pure blend formula that hydrates skin for up to 24 hours. It combines the nourishing ingredient with Vitamin CG and B5 to further support the skin. It can be used on sensitive skin.

Vichy

Isle of Paradise Day Dew and Night Dew

If your lockdown complexion is as pale and dull as ours, youll be as excited to find out about Isle of Paradises latest launch as we are. The Day Dew works to brighten and protect, while the Night Dew soothes and hydrates. Its a false tanning brand after all so you can be sure that while its treating your skin to the benefits of antioxidant Rosemary Leaf Oil or Hyaluronic Acid and Argan Oil respectively, its also giving you a gradual glow.

Isle of Paradise

Sol de Janeiro Bom Dia Bright Cream

We didnt think wed ever love a cream quite as much as Sol de Janeiros Bum Bum Cream but the brands new offering may well have turned the tables entirely. While the cult product has a summery scent that transports us instantly to tropical lands, the Bom Dia is a softer, more romantic fragrance that is lighter, more long-lasting and fresher. It is packed with the gentle exfoliant Fruit AHAs and Vitamin C to give your skin a radiance boost as well as Willow Bark Extract (a natural source of salicylic acid) to unclog pores and the labels signature ingredient, the ultra-nourishing Cupuacu Butter. The skincare label has also launched the Brazilian Crush Cheirosa 40 Hair and Body Mist with the delicious aromas of black amber plum, creme de cassis, vanilla woods, jasmine blooms and a hint of musk.

Sol de Janeiro

Dolce & Gabbana MILLENNIALSKIN Tinted Moisturiser

Just in time for the summer months, this is lighter product than your favourite foundation. Dolce & Gabbana on-the-glow tinted moisturiser will give your complexion a natural looking luminosity and a subtle skin tint. The formula contains plumping and hydrating ingredients like Mediterranean Fig Extract, Organic Italian Oliver Oil and the hydration powerhouse Hyaluronic Acid. It also offers broad spectrum protection with SPF 30 and is available in 15 shades.

DOLCE&GABBANA

The Disney Cruella Collection by MAC

Emma Stone and Emma Thompson are starring in Disneys latest live action remake released on May 28 and if youve not yet seen the trailer - go, go, go! To celebrate MAC has launched a make up collection inspired by our favourite villain with punk-rock reds and haute metallic hues. The limited-edition line-up includes a palette, lipstick in three shades, liquid lipstick in three shades, eye liner, a powered blush duo, brushes and lashes.

MAX

Decleor Cica Botanic Mask

Whether you are trying a new product that doesnt agree with you or have sensitive skin prone to irritation, this new mask from Decleor will be your new best friend. It works like a reset button to turn back the clock when redness or inflammation appears. Formulated from natural ingredients like eucalyptus essential oil that has antibacterial properties and the star of the show, Cica (aka Centella Asiatica) that has impressive repairing effects. In just 10 minutes, the product brightens your complexion, evens out texture and defends the skins natural barrier.

DECLEOR

Hawaiian Tropic Aloha Care

Still featuring the signature Hawaiian Tropic scent that we know and love, the brand has given its SPF a makeover with a sustainable twist. The most eco-friendly to date, the lotions are now crafted from reef-friendly ingredients that are PETA-certified, while the packaging is made from 45 per cent recycled plastic. Best of all, theyre lightweight, non-greasy and give a mattifying finish. With SPF 15, 30 and a face SPF30, it offers a broad spectrum shielding your skin from UVA and UVB rays, absorbing quickly and seamlessly into the skin. The product is also water resistant up to 80 minutes.

Hawaiian Tropic

Zelens

The science-led skincare label has had a huge rebrand of its hard-working products to make them more hi-tech and cutting edge than ever. The formulations have been enhanced to make them more effective where each product stars an active ingredient designed to revolutionise your beauty routine. 15 years after the launch of the brand, youll find the combination of natural and science-backed ingredients in chic, minimalistic packaging. Special mention goes to the Power A, Power C and Power D Treatment Drops.

Zelens

Scientia skincare HA & Vitamin D Aqua Tanning Serum

With the uncertain British weather and the possibility of foreign travel still up in the air, we have to look for alternative sources to get our vitamin D fix. To solve your tanning woes, Scientia has come up with this innovative formula that not only cares from your skin but gives it a radiant glow at the same time.

Combining nature with science, the serum boasts benefits from hydrating hyaluronic acid, vit D-rich Shiitake extract that also has anti-ageing properties and Prickly Pear Seed Oil - an antioxidant that also is a great source of vitamin E. Youll also find Birch Bark Extract, Sea Algae, and Sunflower Seed Oil. To maximise the sunless tanning benefits, massage six or so drops into your skin and wait for the tan to develop, which happens in just four or so hours.

The product is cruelty-free, Leaping Bunny-certified vegan, and has a sustainable glass housing with FSC certified packaging and soy ink.

Scientia

Vieve Skin Dew

Makeup artist turned beauty mogul Jamie Genevieve is back with a brand new product to add to her stellar line-up. The latest is a multi-tasking hero to give skin a radiance boost. I wanted to create a multi-tasking glow product that could deliver the look of glossy skin for that almost supernatural, yet beautifully radiant complexion in an instant, explains Genevieve.

The liquid highlighter contains the powerhouse ingredient squalene that is a hydrating anti-inflammatory that soothes and cares for your skin. The formula is silky smooth and glides across the skin with ease. Apply on your cheek bones, brow, Cupids bow and even your collar bones.

Vieve

Patchology Rose Eye Gels and Sheet Mask

Its almost summer and that calls for a big ol glass of rose. In this new launch, Patchology is bringing our favourite warm weather wine to our beauty routines with an eye gel and sheet mask that are packed with antioxidants to protect skin against external aggressors. The formula contains resveratrol from grapes to calm inflammation, strawberry extract for free radical protection and a wave of hydration from hyaluronic acid. Theres truly nothing like popping these masks onto the skin, especially if you store in the fridge. Leave for 10 minutes and then massage the remaining product in.

Patchology

Vita-C Triple Exfoliating Facial

With every new launch Murad changes up the skincare game and its new foray into vitamin C is one of the best in the market. This product builds on the range and takes it to the next level with gold-stabilised vitamin C. Using pure L-Ascorbic Acid with this delivery system ensures stability and potency that gives 55 per cent higher antioxidant defence. For an at-home facial experience, the product is both a physical enzymatic and chemical exfoliator that works to resurface and brighten skin to rival that of a salon microdermabrasion. It leaves your complexion looking radiant and healthy. In studies by the brand, 87 per cent saw brighter skin, and 97 per cent saw smoother skin.

Murad

ReVive Contouring Massage Roller

There are few beauty tools more satisfying to use than a massage roller and this option from ReVive is one of the best weve ever tried. The spa experience at home, simply glide it over your face to depuff and contour your complexion. Always move in one direction to encourage lymphatic drainage and use the smaller roller on the other end for delicate areas like around the eyes.

Combine with the brands newly launched Moisturizing Renewal Hydrogel (185) that offers intense hydration with the main ingredient of 4D hyaluronic acid that acts as moisturising oil beads to plump skin and reduce the appearance of fine lines, while also encouraging it to retain moisture.

ReVlve

Tata Harper Superkind

For those with sensitive skin, products with active ingredients may seem like a pipe dream. But no longer. After much in the way of trials and tribulations, natural skincare label Tata Harper has created the Superkind line that is formulated without irritants or harsh sulphates. The range is made up of just 14 ingredients that have been carefully tested and will not cause a flare up. They are efficacious yet gentle - whats not to love?
Source: Xinhua| 2021-05-19 09:06:38|Editor: huaxia

Video Player Close





Indian vlogger Changjiang is a young man who currently lives in India, but studied medicine in China, according to his social media profile. In late April, 2021, Changjiang posted a video online about his experience contracting COVID-19, and Chinese netizens sent messages of goodwill to him, wishing him a fast recovery from the illness. Lately, Changjiang said he got a negative virus test result and he is recovering. Let's hear what he has to say.

Presented by Xinhuanet

Produced by Xinhua Global Service
Members of the Class of 2021 at Hazleton Area High School can graduate together.

Superintendent Brian Uplinger said the school will hold a single ceremony on June 15 at 6 p.m. for all graduates.

While the school planned to hold two ceremonies to disperse the crowds as a precaution against COVID-19, a change in state guidelines allowed for the class to hold commencement together.

Earlier this month, Gov. Tom Wolf said outdoor gatherings can meet with up to 75% of capacity.

Hazleton Area High plans graduation on the schools front lawn. The Class of 2021 has 781 members who attend the high school, Hazleton Area Career Center or Hazleton Area Academy of Sciences.

Each senior will receive five tickets to give to family and friends.

At graduation, class members sit in chairs on the lawn facing a portable stage while their friends and family gather around the grounds.

Graduates who are uncomfortable about attending can still have their names read and watch the ceremony on video, according to an announcement that the school made in English and Spanish.

While the ceremony starts at 6 p.m., the school asks graduates to arrive by 5:15 p.m. and enter the school through the main doors.

In case of rain, the school can move graduation to June 16, 17 and 18.

If rain continues on June 18, then the ceremony will happen inside the gymnasium and graduates would be limited to two tickets each.

A medal ceremony for distinguished graduates also is planned outdoors on June 14 at 6 p.m. with no limit on spectators.

If rain moves that ceremony indoors to the auditorium, however, distinguished graduates will receive four tickets apiece.


This page requires Javascript.

Javascript is required for you to be able to read premium content. Please enable it in your browser settings.
Source: Xinhua| 2021-05-19 12:13:32|Editor: huaxia

Video Player Close

Undated file photo shows a dugong in the lagoons in New Caledonia, Australia. Australian marine researchers are using drones to locate and study one of nature's shyest animals -- dugongs.(Photo by Matthieu Juncker/Xinhua)

SYDNEY, May 19 (Xinhua) -- Australian marine researchers are using drones to locate and study one of nature's shyest animals -- dugongs.

The placid marine mammals, also known as sea cows, chew their way through about 30 to 50 kg of seagrass in remote "meadows" off the coast of the Pilbara region in Western Australia (WA), but the population of them had been hard to monitor by boat.

Marine ecological scientists Amanda Hodgson and Christophe Cleguer from the Harry Butler Institute of Murdoch University in WA are at the forefront of the surveillance work.

"It actually allows us to get fine scale information about where the dugongs are. Being able to repeat surveys at different times of the day, different tides and seasonally provides us with a lot more detailed information than we could get in the past," Hodgson told the Australian Broadcasting Company.

"To help conserve dugongs, we need to understand where their important habitat areas are, so we can push for their protection and we need to gain an understanding of whether their numbers are increasing or decreasing."

On average, a three-week research trip can involve 90 aerial survey flights and generate about 25,000 images of the notoriously reclusive creatures.

Working with Frederic Maire from the Queensland University of Technology (QUT), the duo has developed an algorithm to sift through thousands of images.

Cleguer told Xinhua on Tuesday that he was "very hands-on with the surveys" and was keen to spread the drone technology to researchers in the other 45 tropic and subtropic countries near dugong populations.

"We hope that the research work using this new technology will fast-track the conservation of dugongs and their seagrass habitats," he said.

He said it was important to know more about dugongs because they act as a bellwether for the overall ecosystem. Seagrass meadows with dugongs are healthy, which provide a habitat for other sea life and play an important role in sustaining clean seawater and safeguarding coasts from erosion. Enditem
Source: Xinhua| 2021-05-19 12:33:25|Editor: huaxia

Video Player Close

NEW YORK, May 19 (Xinhua) -- A third United Nations Security Council emergency meeting in a week saw no concrete results in de-escalating the violence in Gaza and Israel which has left hundreds dead and injured, Al Jazeera has reported.

The meeting on Sunday came after the United States reportedly twice blocked resolutions that would have "condemned Israel's military response and called for a ceasefire," the news outlet said in an article on Monday.

Israeli airstrikes have killed 217 Palestinians, including 63 children, and wounded more than 1,400 people in the Gaza enclave run by the Palestinian Islamic Resistance Movement (Hamas), according to Gaza's health ministry.

The death toll on the Israeli side has climbed to 12 after rockets Hamas fired at the southern Eshkol region killed two Thai nationals in a factory.

Israel has justified its bombing as retaliation against rocket attacks by Hamas fighters, while Hamas contends its actions were a response to the Israeli policy of forced displacement of Palestinians in occupied East Jerusalem and the storming of Al-Aqsa Mosque by Israeli forces last week.

The latest round of inaction comes "as U.S. President Joe Biden has given no signs of plans to step up public pressure on Israel, instead repeatedly stressing Israel's right to defend itself," the report said.

U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Linda Thomas-Greenfield warned during the meeting that the return to armed conflict would only put a negotiated two-state solution to the conflict further out of reach.

Still, the country has shown little inclination to diverge from its backing for Israel, the report said. Enditem
Blog Archive Apr 2010 (22) May 2010 (25) Jun 2010 (8) Jul 2010 (12) Aug 2010 (18) Sep 2010 (19) Oct 2010 (29) Nov 2010 (30) Dec 2010 (18) Jan 2011 (13) Feb 2011 (21) Mar 2011 (23) Apr 2011 (19) May 2011 (31) Jun 2011 (36) Jul 2011 (46) Aug 2011 (26) Sep 2011 (12) Oct 2011 (15) Nov 2011 (17) Dec 2011 (7) Jan 2012 (18) Feb 2012 (4) Mar 2012 (12) Apr 2012 (18) May 2012 (10) Jun 2012 (21) Jul 2012 (8) Aug 2012 (15) Sep 2012 (7) Oct 2012 (17) Nov 2012 (20) Dec 2012 (10) Jan 2013 (58) Feb 2013 (59) Mar 2013 (60) Apr 2013 (98) May 2013 (135) Jun 2013 (204) Jul 2013 (293) Aug 2013 (351) Sep 2013 (363) Oct 2013 (348) Nov 2013 (374) Dec 2013 (442) Jan 2014 (547) Feb 2014 (476) Mar 2014 (526) Apr 2014 (527) May 2014 (469) Jun 2014 (408) Jul 2014 (472) Aug 2014 (522) Sep 2014 (443) Oct 2014 (472) Nov 2014 (497) Dec 2014 (536) Jan 2015 (539) Feb 2015 (520) Mar 2015 (582) Apr 2015 (658) May 2015 (679) Jun 2015 (673) Jul 2015 (728) Aug 2015 (803) Sep 2015 (923) Oct 2015 (924) Nov 2015 (802) Dec 2015 (791) Jan 2016 (782) Feb 2016 (835) Mar 2016 (929) Apr 2016 (866) May 2016 (947) Jun 2016 (1044) Jul 2016 (882) Aug 2016 (1035) Sep 2016 (967) Oct 2016 (918) Nov 2016 (854) Dec 2016 (885) Jan 2017 (881) Feb 2017 (777) Mar 2017 (897) Apr 2017 (872) May 2017 (851) Jun 2017 (851) Jul 2017 (971) Aug 2017 (1040) Sep 2017 (998) Oct 2017 (1144) Nov 2017 (1046) Dec 2017 (838) Jan 2018 (873) Feb 2018 (769) Mar 2018 (885) Apr 2018 (809) May 2018 (827) Jun 2018 (820) Jul 2018 (840) Aug 2018 (854) Sep 2018 (844) Oct 2018 (852) Nov 2018 (870) Dec 2018 (912) Jan 2019 (919) Feb 2019 (827) Mar 2019 (957) Apr 2019 (913) May 2019 (1007) Jun 2019 (935) Jul 2019 (950) Aug 2019 (936) Sep 2019 (910) Oct 2019 (920) Nov 2019 (874) Dec 2019 (908) Jan 2020 (942) Feb 2020 (849) Mar 2020 (898) Apr 2020 (848) May 2020 (822) Jun 2020 (789) Jul 2020 (819) Aug 2020 (858) Sep 2020 (841) Oct 2020 (873) Nov 2020 (812) Dec 2020 (780) Jan 2021 (765) Feb 2021 (716) Mar 2021 (819) Apr 2021 (805) May 2021 (815) Jun 2021 (300)
Amazon Web Services (AWS) will open its first office in Bucharest, expanding its team that supports the growing number of customers and partners in Romania, the company informs.

"AWS account managers, partner managers, solution architects, and many other staff positions will support Romanian organizations of all sizes as they transition to AWS. Avira, the Romanian Automotive Insurers Office, Bit Soft, BITSoftware, City Insurance, Enel Romania, Nova Power & Gas, Superbet, The Third Iteration, Thinslices, UiPath and many more are amongst Romania's top enterprises and fastest-growing startups, which are using AWS to grow and reinvent their businesses. Customers in Romania run everything on AWS from mobile, web, and social applications to development and test environments, Big Data analytics, enterprise business applications, Internet of Things (IoT), Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML), and mission critical workloads," the company said in a statement on Wednesday.

Przemek Szuder, AWS Central and Eastern Europe leader, considers that Romania Romania is an incredible talent pool of highly skilled and creative IT professionals, speaking multiple languages and developing important applications.

"Additionally, it is home to many notable Romanian companies and rapidly growing startups, which are leading the way in digital innovation. With Bucharest, Cluj-Napoca, and Iasi being among the fastest-growing IT hubs in Europe, Romania is a great place to do business and we look forward to continue expanding our local presence," Szuder said.

In his turn, Romanian Finance Minister Alexandru Nazare said that after the EU's recent investment decision to host the EU Cybersecurity Competence Center in Romania, this latest investment by AWS further reinforces Romania's position as a European center of innovation.

The new office follows the launch of the AWS Development Center in 2018 and an Amazon CloudFront Edge Location in 2020 - both located in Bucharest. The Development Center is home to AWS teams working on key technologies for the Amazon Elastic Compute Cloud (Amazon EC2) service. Amazon CloudFront is a fast content delivery network (CDN) service that securely delivers data, video, applications, and application programming interfaces (APIs) to customers globally with low latency and at high transfer speed.

AWS also continues to invest and support the Romanian education systems with AWS Educate, a comprehensive program for building skills in cloud computing with students age 16 and older. AWS Educate member institutions include Babes-Bolyai University, the Polytechnic University of Bucharest, University of Oradea, and Valahia University of Targoviste, reports agerpres.
The Financial Supervisory Authority (ASF) has increased the reference tariff of Civil Auto Liability insurance (RCA), despite the number of auto accidents going down, reads a press release sent on Wednesday by the Confederation of Operators and Authorized Transporters of Romania (COTAR).

"COTAR expresses its concern regarding the increase in the RCA reference tariff, published by ASF. While the insurance companies from other countries have refunded drivers a part of the RCA price, charged in advance, based on the traffic restrictions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic and the low traffic values, Romania has increased the RCA price, despite the number of accidents going down," the press release sent by the Employer organization says.

COTAR presents information published by ASF in March 2021, according to which the frequency and severity of damages dropped in 2019 from 2018.

"The frequency (how often accidents occur) and the severity (the value of the paid damages) are decreasing and represent the two main parameters which determine the RCA price. This means that in 2019 - which is the last reference year taken into calculation for the RCA premium - we observe that both the frequency of the damage (5.81) as well as the severity of the damage (6.4379) are dropping from the previous year (2018). In conclusion, in 2019, Romanians made fewer accidents, with lower average damages from 2018," according to the COTAR press release.

Furthermore, in 2020, during the health crisis period, in Romania there were two months of state of emergency, followed by seven months of state of alert, and until recently there were imposed traffic restrictions during night time, the organization notes.

During this period, traffic values have gone down significantly, at a national level, and so did the number of road accidents, and, implicitly, the number of RCA claims paid by insurance companies, according to the COTAR press release.

COTAR reminds that the decrease in number of accidents is confirmed by the Police and the European Commission.

With all these decreases in the number of accidents, the reference tariff of RCA, published in March 2021 by ASF does not decrease, on the contrary, there are even increases registered, COTAR points out.

The chairman of COTAR, Vasile Stefanescu, considers that ASF thus favors insurance companies, at the expense of drivers, reports agerpres.
The Standing Bureau of the Chamber of Deputies on Wednesday approved a request of the President of the Hellenic Union of Romania, Deputy Dragos Gabriel Zisopol, to organise an exhibition, between June 23 and July 23, to mark the 200th anniversary since the beginning of the Greeks' struggle for freedom and independence from the Ottoman Empire, which led to the creation of the Hellenic Republic in 1830.

The event will be attended by personalities from the cultural, scientific, economic and political fields, from the country and from abroad.

The exhibition will include 30 portraits of illustrious Greeks, who left their mark in Romania, from antiquity to the twentieth century. It is about 30 Greeks who excelled in the fields of politics, commerce, theology, legal sciences, medicine, literature, history, architecture, music, acting, etc., as the document approved by the Standing Bureau of the Chamber of Deputies states.

The Hellenic Union of Romania, the Cultural Association of Greeks of Romania "NOSTOS," the Department of Neo-Greek Studies of the University of Bucharest, the Greek Cultural Foundation, the Greek School "ATHENS" in Bucharest, the Association of Friends of the Greek Church in Bucharest, the Cultural Association "Protagoras," the Greek-Romanian Bilateral Chamber of Commerce and the Bureau of the Hellenic Tourism Organization have joined forces to present a joint project, under the auspices of the Embassy of the Hellenic Republic in Romania, the source reads.

According to the same source, the opening of the event, to be hosted by Parliament, will take place on Wednesday, June 23, or Thursday, June 24, depending on the availability of the Speaker of the Chamber of Deputies, Ludovic Orban, and the Ambassador of the Hellenic Republic to Romania, Sofia Grammata, reports agerpres.
Prime Minister Florin Citu announced that he will have a meeting at the Victoria Palace on Thursday with Social Democratic Party (PSD) representatives on the National Recovery and Resilience Plan (PNRR), agerpres reports.

He added that also on other topics he addressed invitations to dialogue to PSD representatives, but they did not respond.

"Tomorrow at 15:00 I will have a meeting with the Government with some PSD representatives on exactly this topic. I want to remind you that I was the one who, on the budget, I told Mr. Ciolacu to come to be presented the budget but he did not come. When it is about pandemic, health professionals, I said that I was willing to listen to solutions (...) he did not come. Let's see tomorrow if the PSD accepts the invitation to discuss a program that interests all Romanians, the National Recovery and Resilience Program," Citu told a Wednesday's press conference.
Prime Minister Florin Citu said on Wednesday that he discusses many issues with the governor of the National Bank of Romania (BNR), Mugur Isarescu, but not the human resources policy, the clarification being made in the context of a question asked by a journalist on the employment of Viorica Dancila and Ioan Mircea Pascu at BNR, agerpres reports.

"I do not comment on the BNR's human resources policy," the prime minister told a news conference at Victoria Palace.

Asked whether he will have a discussion on this topic with the governor of the National Bank, Mugur Isarescu, the prime minister replied: "We are discussing many topics, important topics, but not the human resources policy."Former PSD Prime Minister Viorica Dancila was appointed, on May 15, a strategy consultant at the Chancellery of the National Bank of Romania, according to the central bank's press office."We confirm the fact that Mrs. Viorica Dancila was employed within the BNR Chancellery, starting with May 15, 2021, in the position of strategy consultant," the quoted source states.
The Government adopted in its Wednesday's meeting a decision on the organization and functioning of the Euro-Atlantic Center for Resilience, as well as for the completion of Government Decision no. 16/2017 on the organization and functioning of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MAE), shows an MAE release.

"By creating and making operational the Euro-Atlantic Center for Resilience, Romania is contributing to supporting NATO and EU efforts to strengthen resilience, and our country has the potential to become a pole of excellence and a provider of expertise in this field for NATO and the EU, the member states of these organizations, and their partners respectively. The concept of resilience is particularly important for both NATO and the European Union, being an important component of the security field, as well as an important factor in protecting democracy. For Romania, ensuring strategic resilience, both at state and society level, is a priority at the national, European and allied levels," Foreign Minister Bogdan Aurescu was quoted as saying in the release.

The quoted source states that Romania's initiative on the establishment and hosting of the Euro-Atlantic Center for Resilience (E-ARC) occurred in the context in which national and NATO and EU assessments reveal the need to intensify joint efforts to effectively manage a wider spectrum of challenges."E-ARC will promote the objectives of Romania, NATO and the EU in the field of resilience and will facilitate a comprehensive response at the governmental (whole-of-government) and society (whole-of-society) level for the complex threats that characterize the security environment," the release read.Specifically, according to the MAE, E-ARC will represent a platform for an integrated strategic approach in terms of resilience and will allow the development of programs and initiatives in the field, focused on three pillars: combating and reducing risks through anticipation and adaptation; development of analytical tools and good practices; practical cooperation in research, education, training and joint exercises.For a start, the release says, E-ARC will function as a national public institution with legal personality, subordinated to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and will be open to the participation of other EU, NATO states or partners of these organizations wishing to join the process, for the coordination of actions and capitalizing on good practices in the field."Romanian and foreign researchers and experts, recognized for their expertise in the field, will carry out their activity within the Center based in Bucharest. E-ARC will actively cooperate with both public institutions and the private environment, with the university one and with the civil society in order to facilitate the development of an approach regarding the resilience at the level of the society," according to the same source.The MAE mentions that in the first stage of activity, E-ARC will operate a series of working groups on the following topics: society resilience; resilience in the field of emerging and disruptive technologies; resilience of communication systems and new technological ecosystems; resilience to complex crises and emergencies; resilience to ensure continuity of governance and essential services; resilience of transport infrastructure; the resilience of NATO and EU neighbours to the anti-Western influences of state and non-state actors.
Play

Police numbers are "insufficient" and there are issues with police personnel training, Ombudsperson Renate Weber declared on Wednesday on the occasion of the release of the institution's special report on the Romanian Police General Inspectorate's personnel deficit and its logistic equipment.

"We found that there are actually not enough police officers, and there are obvious issues with their training. Depending on the victim categories, training should be specific to each such situation type, and we also tackled issues with the equipment available or rather unavailable to them," Weber explained.

According to the report, the answers of the County Police Inspectorates reveal that most of them face staff shortage and undersizing of precinct crews, which affect either their activities with the public, or the optimum maintenance of public order and safety.

The staff shortage is often due to objective causes, such as retirement, relocations, secondments. The number of requests for relocation to the home counties is particularly high, as most employed police officers hail from other parts of the country and want to return home or to a place they consider to have better prospects.

Deputy Ombudsman Mircea Criste explained that the "deficient" logistical equipment of the Romanian Police is likely to affect its activity.

The report also sets forth a number of improvement proposals, such as the extension of the scope of the provision of Law No. 360/2002 according to which the work relationship of the person who acquires the status of police officer by re-employment, direct employment or transfer to cannot be changed for at least two years from the appointment to the first position - unless the unit reorganises - to the persons directly employed as experts and officers promoted from NCOs.

Also, Criste mentioned, the possibility of increasing the effectiveness period of the interdiction to modify the work relationship should be considered, as the County Police Inspectorates suggested a longer period of up to 5 years calculated from the appointment to the first position.

Other Ombudsman proposals refer to forbidding the relocation and secondment of graduates of the Interior Ministry's educational institutions to other units than those they were appointed to in the first position, for at least 3 years; establishing a law enforcement school in one of the counties of Moldova; supplementing police officer positions in public order structures by increasing the ratio of operative policemen to the population; increasing the number of student places within the Interior Ministry's educational institutions; supporting newly recruited police officers by providing them service housing and other facilities.

Other major recommendations are for the proper training of the police officers, providing them with adequate logistical equipment and ensuring that the management positions that are currently vacant or held by temporarily appointed persons are filled by competition, reports agerpres.
Source: Xinhua| 2021-05-19 13:06:21|Editor: huaxia

Video Player Close

A Long March-4B rocket carrying the Haiyang-2D (HY-2D) satellite blasts off from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center at 12:03 a.m. (Beijing Time) in northwest China, May 19, 2021. China sent the new ocean-monitoring satellite on Wednesday into orbit from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in northwest China. (Photo by Wang Jiangbo/Xinhua)

JIUQUAN, May 19 (Xinhua) -- China sent a new ocean-monitoring satellite on Wednesday into orbit from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in northwest China.

A Long March-4B rocket carrying the Haiyang-2D (HY-2D) satellite took off at 12:03 p.m. (Beijing Time), according to the launch center.

The HY-2D will form a constellation with the HY-2B and HY-2C satellites to build an all-weather and round-the-clock dynamic ocean environment monitoring system of high frequency and medium and large scale.

The constellation will support the country's early warning and prediction of marine disasters, sustainable development and utilization of ocean resources, effective response to global climate change as well as ocean research.

The HY-2D was developed by the China Academy of Space Technology, and the carrier rocket by the Shanghai Academy of Spaceflight Technology.

Wednesday's launch was the 370th by the Long March rocket series. Enditem
Prime Minister Florin Citu has welcomed the fact that Romania is recording for the second consecutive time the highest quarterly economic growth in the European Union, mentioning that that means more jobs for Romanians, and also attractiveness for foreign investors, agerpres reports.

"Yesterday, I had the confirmation that what we have been doing for a year or so in government - Liberal government and this year a coalition government - we are doing well. Romania, for the second time in a row, has the highest quarterly economic growth in the European Union, when in the European Union there are many countries that have entered negative growth territory again. That means more jobs for Romanians, it means attractiveness for foreign investors, it means that we have a competitive economy and it is laying the ground for what comes next. So, congratulations to the Romanians who have contributed to economic growth both in 2020 and so far in 2021. I am confident that we will continue to do better and shatter the estimates - even if some of them were very good at the beginning of the year," said the prime minister.
Social Democratic Party (PSD) categorically rejects discrimination against children based on anti-COVID vaccination, the social-democrats said in a statement.

"The decision to vaccinate children against COVID must be strictly a personal choice expressed exclusively with the consent of the parents, without any social or other conditioning. The Government's failure to meet the targets of anti-COVID vaccination, which it announced at the beginning of this year, it must not become a pressure factor for vaccinating children," PSD says.

PSD announces that it will oppose by all legal, parliamentary or constitutional means against any form of conditioning or discrimination of children depending on the existence of a vaccination certificate. In PSD's view, it is unacceptable for children's access to school, events, indoor spaces, playgrounds, travel to be conditioned by COVID vaccination, as is already the case with adults.

"In this regard, the Government and other public authorities must ensure correct and honest information on the vaccination of children against COVID, presenting both the benefits and the existing uncertainties, so that each parent can make an informed decision in this matter," the social-democrats added, reports agerpres.
The chair of the Social Democratic Party (PSD), Marcel Ciolacu, reiterated, on Wednesday, that the National Recovery and Resilience Plan (PNRR) must be presented in Parliament and accused Agriculture Minister, Lucian Oros, of going unprepared to the discussions in Brussels on the topic of projects regarding the irrigation system.

"PNRR must be presented in Parliament. There is no requirement for a vote to exist. Some states have had this ultimately generic vote. We believe the most important thing is for it to be presented. The social partners of the PSD, the experts inside the party and myself will have a meeting, it seems, at the Romanian Government together with the Prime Minister and the Minister of European Funds," said Ciolacu, in a conference at the headquarters of the PSD.

He accused the Agriculture Minister of going unprepared to Brussels and reiterated that the PSD will submit in this parliamentary session a censure motion.

"In this parliamentary session we will submit a censure motion. As you well know we are still a minority in the Parliament of Romania. Categorically we want this motion to pass, but maybe you could also inform Mr. President Klaus Iohannis what the perception of Romanians in what regards the PSD is," he said, when asked about an opinion poll according to which 36 pct of Romanians would vote PSD if parliamentary elections were organized next Sunday, reports agerpres.
As many as 74,400 doses of the COVID-19 Janssen vaccine made by Johnson & Johnson will arrive in Romania on Thursday, at the Cantacuzino National Institute for Military Medicine Research and Development, the National COVID-19 Vaccination Coordination Committee (CNCAV) reported on Wednesday.

According to the quoted source, shipment is provided by the manufacturing company, and the vaccine doses will be brought to Bucharest by land.

Subsequently, the vaccine doses will be distributed as follows:

* Bucharest National Storage Centre: 12,000 doses;

* Brasov Regional Storage Centre: 9,600 doses;

* Cluj Regional Storage Centre: 12,000 doses;

* Constanta Regional Storage Centre: 9,600 doses;

* Craiova Regional Storage Centre: 9,600 doses;

* Iasi Regional Storage Centre: 9,600 doses;

* Timisoara Regional Storage Centre: 12,000 doses.

To date, Romania has received 162,000 Janssen doses and used 37,860 of them immunise the population, reports agerpres.
Leaders of the Social Democratic Party (PSD) and the Democratic Party of Moldova (PDM) on Wednesday signed a cooperation agreement to strengthen the "good" relationship between the two parties.

"We have signed an agreement with our brothers in Moldova, the only party associated with the European Socialists in Moldova, in the context in which, in our opinion, mine and Mr President's, the situation in Moldova is tense. It's also not clear if a pro-European majority can be created in the Republic of Moldova. I also went through the country programme of the Democratic Party and president Pavel Filip, "Moldova differently," for this is the only political party participating in the early elections in Moldova that has a national plan, a structured country plan, first of all, pro-European and also oriented towards the strategic partner of both Romania and Moldova - the United States of America and, why not, a plan meant for an even more closer rapprochement between Romania and Moldova in diplomatic terms, and for a relationship full of respect between the two states," leader of PSD Marcel Ciolacu told a press conference.

He added that PSD will try, in the spirit of the law and the Constitution of the Republic of Moldova, to support PDM in this project and, especially, to support the European path of the Republic of Moldova.

In his turn, the leader of the Democratic Party of Moldova, Pavel Filip, spoke about the "very good" relations between the two countries, showing that Romania "remains a lawyer, friend and partner in the European course" of the Republic of Moldova.

"Today we signed a collaboration agreement that will further strengthen the relationship between our parties, which is a good one, and also between our countries, as both parties are part of the great family of European Social Democrats. (... ) This is how we understand to approach the relationship between the two banks of the Prut River, through facts, and not through just statements, through concrete projects, like interconnecting the infrastructure, to offer our citizens a common space of communication, transport, security, a common space of history, language, "culture, values, as they were before and still are. The rest will come on their own," said Pavel Filip.

He was asked what are the prospects for the early parliamentary elections to be held in the Republic of Moldova, in the context in which the group of socialists and communists already forms an alliance, and the pro-European electorate has an additional option through the participation of AUR (Alliance for the Union of Romanians).

"This is a hot moment for the Republic of Moldova, now, on the eve of the early parliamentary elections, and it is an important moment that will determine the way in which the Republic of Moldova will continue from now on. (...) On the left, the forces are making coalitions, and the Communist Part is also back, alongside the Socialists, if you want my point of view, to say very clearly to all: we want to go further. And what happened on the left would mean a step backwards, we had a communist government and we had a socialist government, and we saw what happened. On the right side, I have absolute certainty, the next pro-European Parliament to ensure the path established since the time when we led the government on the pro-European path, and which became, in my opinion, an irreversible path. It is true that there are many forces on this segment, but the election campaign has not yet really begun and I believe that reason will prevail over the selfishness that still exists, in order to ensure this European irreversibility for Moldova," said the leader of PDM, reports agerpres.
Save Romania Union - Party of Liberty, Unity and Solidarity Alliance (USR PLUS) calls on the governor of the National Bank of Romania (BNR), Mugur Isarescu, to re-evaluate the new advisers Viorica Dancila and Ioan Mircea Pascu, on the grounds that their appointment affects the credibility of the institution.

"The credibility of the BNR is essential. The news that Viorica Dancila and Ioan Mircea Pascu are the newest advisers in the BNR team is not false, unfortunately. The employment of the two PSD [Social Democratic Party] members who over time have not had any connections with the economy raises big question marks. Advisers in a public institution as important as the National Bank of Romania must be selected on the basis of clear criteria of competence and integrity, not because they 'open doors'. We remind in this context that the former PSD leader Liviu Dragnea is currently being committed to trial for trying to 'open doors'. USR PLUS is calling on the governor of the National Bank of Romania to re-evaluate the new advisers that affect the credibility of the institution," USR PLUS wrote on Facebook on Wednesday.

Viorica Dancila was hired as a consultant in the Green Economy Department, and Mircea Pascu will be one of the consultants who will deal with geopolitics, Adrian Vasilescu, strategy consultant at the National Bank of Romania, told on Tuesday.

"Mrs. Dancila is hired as a consultant in the Green Economy Department. She has been a member of the European Parliament for so many years, she has ties to the European Parliament. Mrs. Dancila was also a prime minister. Mircea Pascu will be one of these consultants who will deal with geopolitics," said Adrian Vasilescu.

He explained that the National Bank has five departments that will deal with international relations and liaison for the changeover to the euro. These are: the Euro Department; Real Economy - Financial Economy Department; Central Banking Department; Digital Currency Department; Green Economy Department.

Vasilescu also mentioned that discussions are currently underway with other people to hold positions in these departments, reports agerpres.
William Hoffman, a lawyer for Bayer, said he doubted the label suggested by Chhabria would protect against future lawsuits.

The settlement would cover two types of Roundup users, those who currently have non-Hodgkin lymphoma but have not retained a lawyer, which the judge described as class one. The other class covers people who have been exposed to Roundup and become sick in the future.

A settlement of this type could potentially be reasonable for class one, said Chhabria at the start of Wednesdays hearing.

Chhabria acknowledged that he was more receptive to aspects of the plan than on Tuesday, when he posted questions in a court filing asking why class members would agree to the deal when jury trials have gone well against Bayer.

If the settlement gets preliminary approval, Roundup users can opt out in the coming months and retain their full legal rights. Those who become part of the class would be eligible for free medical exams and up to $200,000 if they develop non-Hodgkin lymphoma during the agreements four-year period.

The agreement would pause all litigation for four years and prevent class members from seeking punitive damages if they refuse compensation and ultimately decide to sue.
ST. LOUIS  As construction ramps up for the summer across the region, industry leaders here say far too few of their workers have gotten vaccinated, leading more than 20 local firms, labor unions and others to launch an information campaign targeting vaccine hesitancy in the field.

The groups havent gathered data on the problem, but they say that workers often argue that they dont want the COVID-19 vaccine, dont believe in it, or think theyre healthy enough without it.

This has gotten so politicized, said Thom Kuhn, CEO of St. Charles-based construction firm Millstone Weber. People are very touchy on this subject.

COVID-19 cases are declining in the region. But the industry is concerned that a spike in its ranks would compound an existing labor shortage, which has left companies and labor unions unable to replace retirees for years. If workers go out sick, or worse, this spring and summer, projects will likely be delayed or get more expensive. Some sectors, such as new housing, already face backlogs, which would almost certainly get worse.
Andy Slavitt revealed during a White House briefing Tuesday that one of his sons was diagnosed with the virus late last year and still suffers from lingering side effects.

Hes appealing to younger Americans to roll up their sleeves, even if they feel theyre at less risk than older Americans for serious medical consequences.

Slavitt says his teenage son was young and fit and in the prime of his life. But six months later, he still suffers from tachycardia, shortness of breath, and ongoing and frequent flu-like symptoms. His hands are cold to the touch.

Slavitt adds: Many young people are in this situation, and many, many have it worse. According to the CDC, more than 3 million kids under 17 have contracted COVID-19.



ATLANTA  A U.S. government report finds rural counties are behind urban counties in their coronavirus vaccination efforts, a gap that could slow the fight against the coronavirus.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported Tuesday that 39% of adults in rural counties had received at least one shot compared to 46% in urban counties as of April 10. The rural lag holds up in women, men and both younger and older adults.
McGregor, as part of his preparation, learned to sew, whipping up botched baggy trousers with one pocket on the inside and one on the outside. He also had tea with Minnelli, though he promised to keep the details private.

I just wanted her to know that he was in safe hands with me, McGregor said. You know, theres lots been said about Halston over the years, and I wanted her to know that I respected her love for him and I respected their friendship. I couldnt imagine how deeply I felt her love for him until we had tea.

Rodriguez, known for her work onstage and on TV (she was Ana Vargas on NBCs Smash), did her own singing in Halston. She didnt meet Minnelli and admits to nerves taking on the living legend for Netflix.

Her resemblance to Minnelli, with her large round eyes, is uncanny.

I definitely was nervous. I had to quit the voice that said What would Liza think? or else I would never step foot on set, she said. I didnt reach out to her. I thought her and Ewan had a really special moment, and I wanted to keep that, what they created together.

McGregor, 50, may be back with the Force, but he said he wont soon forget Halston.
Source: Xinhua| 2021-05-19 13:11:24|Editor: huaxia

Video Player Close

Police personnel inspect a motorcyclist during a curfew in Agartala, the capital city of India's northeastern state of Tripura, May 19, 2021. India's COVID-19 tally reached 25,496,330 on Wednesday, with 267,334 new cases registered in the past 24 hours, confirmed the health ministry. In a bid to flatten the COVID-19 cases' curve most of the states in the country have imposed night curfews and partial or complete lockdowns. (Str/Xinhua)

NEW DELHI, May 19 (Xinhua) -- India's COVID-19 tally reached 25,496,330 on Wednesday, with 267,334 new cases registered in the past 24 hours, confirmed the health ministry.

The death toll rose to 283,248 with 4,529 more deaths, the highest in 24 hours so far, recorded since Tuesday morning.

There are still 3,226,719 active cases in the country, as there was a decrease of 127,046 cases in the past 24 hours. The number of daily active cases has been on the decline over the past few days, after a continuous surge since mid-April.

A total of 21,986,363 people have been cured and discharged from hospitals so far across the country.

In a bid to flatten the COVID-19 cases' curve most of the states in the country have imposed night curfews and partial or complete lockdowns.

So far over 185 million vaccination doses (185,809,302) have been administered to the people across the country since India kicked off a nationwide vaccination drive on Jan. 16.

A total of 1,312,155 vaccine doses were given on Tuesday alone.

Presently the third phase of COVID-19 vaccination is going on, covering all people aged 18 years and above. Though, an acute shortage of vaccines is being felt across the country.

Meanwhile, the federal government has ramped up COVID-19 testing facilities, as over 320 million tests have been conducted so far.

As many as 320,301,177 tests have been conducted till Tuesday, out of which 2,008,296 tests were conducted on Tuesday alone, said the latest data issued by the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) on Wednesday. Enditem
Once dismissed as a conspiracy theory, the idea that the COVID virus escaped from a Chinese lab is gaining high-profile attention. As it does, reputations of renowned scientists are at risk  and so is their personal safety.

At the center of the storm is Peter Daszak, whose EcoHealth Alliance has worked directly with Chinese coronavirus scientists for years. The scientist has been pilloried by Republicans and lost National Institutes of Health funding for his work. He gets floods of threats, including hate mail with suspicious powders. In a rare interview, he conceded that he cant disprove that the deadly COVID-19 virus resulted from a lab leak at the Wuhan Institute of Virology  though he doesnt believe it.

Its a good conspiracy theory, Daszak told Kaiser Health News. Foreigners designing a virus in a mysterious lab, a nefarious activity, and then the cloak of secrecy around China.

But to attack scientists is not only shooting the messenger, he said. Its shooting the people with the conduit to where the next pandemic could happen.

Yet what if the messengers were not only bearing bad news but also accidentally unleashed a virus that went on to kill more than 3 million people?
We dont, at this point, have as many people vaccinated as we would like, said Dr. Sarah George, associate professor of infectious diseases at St. Louis University. That concerns me, because the virus is still out there.

Missouris seven-day average of new confirmed cases on Tuesday was 287, the lowest level the state has seen since June 22, 2020, according to a Post-Dispatch analysis. The state reported 690 hospitalized COVID-19 patients statewide, less than a quarter of the number hospitalized at the peak in late December.

Garza said the recent decline in admission numbers looks promising. And with the vaccines, even if cases increase, it is unlikely that the region would see surges as large as those last summer and fall.

The warmer weather over the summer may also help. People will spend more time outdoors, where there is more airflow, and respiratory viruses tend to be more transmissible in cold, dry weather. Health care institutions will continue to roll out vaccines, which are now available for all residents 12 years and older.
Both have pleaded not guilty and are being held without bond in the Vernon County Jail. In his letter, Pyle said they were in solitary confinement. The couple told The Star in September after they decided to close the school that the allegations were all lies and that they would never hurt a child.

Cedar County Prosecutor Ty Gaither said in an email to The Star that the Attorney Generals office is handling the preliminary hearing and the Householders will be there. In other hearings, the couple have appeared from jail.

Pyle regularly has gone to see the Householders since their arrest in March.

I can not begin to tell you how it grieves me to only be able to see and visit with these two faithful Christians once a week separated by glass while talking on a phone, Pyle wrote.

We have been able to liquidate some of COH assets along with some of Boyd and Stephanies personal assets, he wrote. However, we neither have the money needed to retain a lawyer nor the money to post bail if it is set. We are now at the point that we need additional financial resources...

The Householders are represented by Springfield attorney Adam Woody, whose own history was brought up by prosecutors in a March bond hearing.
JEFFERSON CITY  Nearly a year after waving a long gun at protesters who had walked onto the street in front of his Central West End mansion, Mark McCloskey on Tuesday said he is running for U.S. Senate.

McCloskey and his wife, Patricia, pleaded not guilty in October to charges of unlawful use of a weapon and evidence tampering.

After the gun-waving incident last June made international headlines, Gov. Mike Parson promised to pardon the couple if they were convicted, and the two later spoke at the Republican National Convention.

McCloskey made his announcement Tuesday on Fox News Tucker Carlson Tonight show.

God came knocking at my door last summer disguised as an angry mob  and it really did wake me up, McCloskey said, adding that as I campaigned for the president last fall he learned people are sick and tired of cancel culture and the poison of critical race theory and the big lie of systemic racism.

He went on to say voters dont want any more poseurs and egotists and career politicians going to D.C.
Now that lawmakers have returned home, Labor spokeswoman Maura Browning said a decision on whether to restart has not been made.

We are examining the options available and will provide notice to affected claimants widely should the state begin collections processes, Browning said.

In March, the House approved legislation to waive the federal unemployment overpayments, but the proposal failed to advance in the Senate after an amendment was added to cut the number of weeks people can receive benefits.

Under that provision, which was opposed by Democrats, the current time limit for benefits of 20 weeks would apply when the unemployment rate is higher than 9%, but it could drop to as little as 12 weeks if the unemployment rate is at or below 5.5%.

Some lawmakers have suggested scheduling a special session to address the issue, but Parson may not be amenable to the idea. When the issue first surfaced earlier this year, the governor said the department should try to get the money back.
KANSAS CITY, Mo.  Missouri Attorney General Eric Schmitt has served the Chinese Communist Party and other defendants in a lawsuit filed more than a year ago over Chinas role in spreading the COVID-19 pandemic.

The announcement by Schmitt on Tuesday that he successfully served several defendants in a lawsuit dating back to April 2020 underscores the glacial pace of the litigation, which may remain unresolved for years to come. Schmitt is still in the process of serving the Chinese government, a key defendant.

But it draws new attention to the lawsuit as Schmitt runs a Republican campaign for U.S. Senate. Punishing China over its handling of the early spread of the virus is a goal of some conservatives and Schmitts litigation may be attractive to GOP voters.

Missouri Democrats have dismissed the suit as a political stunt and waste of taxpayer money. Legal experts have said it stands little chance of success.

I filed this suit to hold the Chinese Communist Party and Chinese authorities accountable for their role in the COVID-19 pandemic, which has taken lives, ruined businesses, destroyed economies, and more. Serving these entities is an important step in that process, Schmitt said in a statement.
Lawmakers left the capital city Friday without funding the constitutionally mandated Medicaid expansion, despite Parson including the money in his budget blueprint and a handful of Republicans breaking ranks to push for the funding.

Senate Democrats proposed an amendment during debate over the budget to fund the Medicaid expansion at the same level Parson proposed. But the proposed change failed on a 20-14 vote, with four of 24 Republicans siding with Democrats.

Sen. Dan Hegeman, R-Cosby, who chairs the Senate Appropriations Committee, sided with the Republicans, saying voters would have made a different decision if they had more information about the state budget and the future unknown reliability of the federal government.

Democrats said Republicans were ignoring the will of voters.

The people have finally weighed in on this. And now the Legislature is going to abdicate its duties and leave its responsibility to a judge? Senate Minority Leader John Rizzo said. I dont know what shark we have jumped here. God forbid the people have a voice.

Some Republican supporters of expansion scoffed at GOP claims that the state cant afford the added cost.
JEFFERSON CITY  Greece, Israel and the United Arab Emirates could see a visit from Missouri Gov. Mike Parson later this year, according to trip planning documents obtained by the Post-Dispatch.

Parsons administration had planned the overseas trip for March 2020 but had to postpone due to the COVID-19 pandemic, said Kelli Jones, spokeswoman for Parson.

The planning signals a resumption to what had become commonplace for Missouri governors: international travel largely funded by a nonprofit that receives taxpayer dollars through the state budget.

On March 23, Ann Pardalos, manager in the Department of Economic Development, sent Parson chief of staff Aaron Willard a memo regarding the three-country tour.

She said she aimed to follow up in early May to confirm plans. Jones said Wednesday the governors office had tentatively blocked off time in December, but that actual dates and details have yet to be confirmed.

The mission will again focus on Israel, Greece and the UAE, Pardalos said in the March 23 memo. These markets still pose great opportunities from a trade and investment prospective and we would want to keep all three on the schedule due to expenses already incurred related to flights and hotels.
The proposal could mean $50 million less in tax collections per year once people claim the credit, according to a state analysis, causing opponents to worry the program would harm the states ability to fund other priorities while money flows to private entities.

Missouri Senate Democratic Leader John Rizzo, D-Independence, sharply criticized passage of the voucher legislation.

This bill will drain $75 million away from public schools each year so certain families can get paid to homeschool their kids or get a kickback for sending them to private schools. Im proud of the Democratic caucus for voting unanimously against this legislation, Rizzo said in a statement. I would encourage any communities upset with this legislation to take a hard look at the Republicans they send to Jefferson City.

Passage of the legislation came after a minimum amount of debate. It was among a number of high-profile bills awaiting action as the Legislature heads into its final week of work before a May 14 adjournment.

Other issues on tap include the state budget, which is scheduled to be voted on Friday, and a 12.5 cent per gallon increase in the gas tax that is pending in the House.
Councilman Tim Fitch, R-3rd District, on Tuesday asked Council Chair Rita Days, D-1st District, to withhold a motion to vote to confirm Khan until after we see this plan and agree this plan is worth moving forward on, Fitch said.On Friday, Fitch also asked Khan why he would return to the county, pointing out that the council in 2018 had been chaired by Page.

Khan said communication then had completely broken down between the branches of government. He said he ran into Page recently at an event, who asked whether he would be interested in returning.

After leaving, Khan was commuting back and forth between his post in Kansas City and St. Louis, where his family remained. He also felt called to help combat a once-in-a-lifetime public health emergency in his hometown.

Khan, who has been serving as acting director since February, was asked what he would have done differently to combat the pandemic. He said health authorities locally, at the state level and nationally could have done better coordinating messaging, because it has largely been a battle of narrative.
Source: Xinhua| 2021-05-19 14:02:56|Editor: huaxia

Video Player Close

Migrant workers line up to enter Secunderabad railway station near Hyderabad, India, on May 15, 2021, during a lockdown to curb the surge of COVID-19 pandemic. (Str/Xinhua)

by Peerzada Arshad Hamid

NEW DELHI, May 19 (Xinhua) -- Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi said last week that the COVID-19 pandemic that had claimed over 280,000 lives across the country was rapidly spreading in its rural areas.

He urged people living in the countryside to take precautions, timely testing and medication if feeling ill, and in particular, a shot of vaccine in the arm.

Although Vinod K. Paul, a recognized Indian medical scientist and public health exponent, said Tuesday that "there is stabilization" and "the pandemic is shrinking" as active cases are going down while hospital discharges are going up, deaths are still growing, and villages, in particular, are plagued.

THOSE WHO DIED

People living near the banks of the Ganga in the states of Uttar Pradesh and Bihar have been witnessing the ghastly sight of bloated and decomposing bodies in water and along the banks, where over 2,000 bodies were reportedly found.

Authorities appealed to people not to dump bodies to the water and intensified police patrolling along the riverbed to stop people from doing that. Uttar Pradesh government even issued full-page advertisements in all newspapers on Sunday, urging residents not to dump corpses in water while saying that 5,000 Indian rupees (68 U.S. dollars) would be given to anyone who cannot afford the last rites of their loved ones.

On Saturday evening, P. Chidambaram, a Congress opposition leader, said his party had independently cross-checked the reports of vernacular Gujarati daily regarding the government's under-counting of its COVID-19 deaths. He called on all states to release figures on the number of death certificates issued.

"We have a strong suspicion that the government of India, in conjunction with some state governments, is suppressing the true number of new infections and COVID-19 related deaths," said Chidambaram.

DIFFICULTY IN MASS VACCINATION

According to the ministry, over 184 million people have been vaccinated so far across the country since the beginning of the vaccination drive on Jan. 16.

The majority of the beneficiaries have received only one dose of the required two, and experts say most of the testing and vaccination centers have been set up in urban areas or towns.

An Indian government panel has recommended widening the interval between two doses of anti-COVID-19 COVISHIELD vaccine to 12-16 weeks from four to eight weeks due to the shortage of vaccines, the second time in three months such interval has been widened.

"First, it was 4 weeks for the second dose, then 6-8 weeks, and now we are told 12-16 weeks. Is this because there are not enough stocks of the vaccines for all who are eligible or because professional scientific advice says so?" another leader of the Congress Jairam Ramesh wrote on social media.

CALAMITY TO VILLAGERS

In a country of over 1.3 billion people, estimates say 65 percent live in rural areas.

In the recently held Uttar Pradesh panchayat (village council) polls, a teachers' association claimed it has lost over 800 teachers.

Those teachers had been deployed to organize elections. They returned from poll duties and carried the deadly virus back home, and infected their family members.

"The news that pandemic was killing people made us apprehensive, but my mother kept on telling us that she would lose her job in case she refuses to join the poll duty," said Divya Singh, who was mourning the death of her 48-year-old mother, Sarita.

Sarita, who was deployed to help with the election in India's largest state, took a poll training in mid-April with other teachers. India had already begun registering a global record spike in daily infections by then.

Once coming back to her village -- Manikapur in Unnao District, Sarita felt unwell. Her condition deteriorated, and her family drove her over an hour to the nearest hospital in Kanpur, Uttar Pradesh's largest city.

"We took her to two separate hospitals but couldn't get her admitted to either because she hadn't had a COVID-19 test as only positive patients were being admitted," Divya said.

"On May 3, we had managed to get her tested but by then she was put on an oxygen cylinder that we had managed to secure from relatives living in the city. Unfortunately, she died the next day at home and her COVID-19 test results only came back the day after."

Sarita was COVID-19 positive, according to her test report.

Following her death, Sarita's family isolated themselves at home. Her husband and younger son have been told they are COVID-positive too.

The other three members in the family -- her daughter, her eldest son and daughter-in-law -- are showing symptoms.

In fact, the extent of COVID-19's wrath in rural India is not fully known while testing and medical care are deemed scarcer there, given a nationwide shortage of hospital beds and oxygen.

TIMELY ASSISTANCE

Last week, the World Health Organization (WHO) said India's COVID-19 situation remains hugely concerning, with several states continuing to see a worrying number of cases, hospitalisations and deaths.

Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said that WHO was responding to the COVID-19 surge in India and shipped thousands of oxygen concentrators, tents for mobile field hospitals, masks and other medical supplies.

China is also reaching out a helping hand.

Zha Liyou, consul general of Chinese Consulate General in Kolkata, India, tweeted on Sunday that "urgently-needed & Indian-purchased medical supplies arrived in Kolkata last night from Wuhan, China."

On Sunday, the Delhi airport received a jumbo charter off from China's Hangzhou "with the biggest-ever single consignment of over 3,600 oxygen concentrators from China," according to local media outlets.

Since April, China has supplied more than 5,000 ventilators, 21,569 oxygen generators, over 21.48 million masks and around 3,800 tonnes of medicine to India, Chinese Ambassador to India Sun Weidong said in a tweet on May 4, citing statistics from the General Administration of Customs of China.

"Thank you very much for saving thousands of lives, we treasure your support," tweeted Himadrish Suwan, operation director of the Indian Institute of Governance and Leadership. Enditem
ST. LOUIS  It passed by a wide margin with little debate or dissent. The moment offered barely a hint of the long, difficult effort to achieve simple fairness at city lunch counters.

The occasion was the St. Louis Board of Aldermen's 20-4 vote on May 19, 1961, to ban racial discrimination at restaurants, diners, taverns, theaters and other places of public accommodation. Mayor Raymond R. Tucker praised the vote as a "significant step forward." If the four aldermen who voted against it spoke out, the City Hall reporters didn't consider the quotes worth using.

But it had been too long in becoming ordinance. Seven years earlier, the board voted 17-10 to protect the notion that business owners could refuse service for reasons of race or creed. Since World War II, the city's small bloc of black aldermen had been proposing a public-accommodations bill so that blacks could sip coffee and eat hamburgers alongside whites. Every year but 1954, when it was voted down, the idea would "die in committee."
The cost of stabilizing the historic structure itself is estimated at about $600,000, Marquardt said. Plans also call for a new commercial building on the lot to house new businesses and adding a vintage trolley car, retrofitted for dining, to the land. In all its about a $4 million project, he said. About $300,000 in federal grant funding from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development is available for some stabilization work, Marquardt said, and the team is hopeful that, in addition to private donations, some federal stimulus money might also be put to use on the effort.

Its an exciting project, Marquardt said. Having community ownership is critical, so having Friendly Temple as the owner is the right thing to do.

Alderman Jeffrey Boyd, who represents the area, pushed to get the building on the historic register in 2007. The St. Louis Development Corporation, which operates the LRA, has used federal HUD funds to begin stabilizing the building in recent years, he said, and some of that money remains unspent and must be used soon.

Its very timely, he said of the plans for the structure. Its always been a dream of mine that some developer could really take advantage of it and make a destination place of it.
Egyptian negotiators have also been working to halt the fighting, and an Egyptian diplomat said that some of the country's top officials are waiting for Israel's response to a cease-fire offer. The diplomat spoke on condition of anonymity in line with regulations. Meanwhile, German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas said he hoped to fly to Israel for talks Thursday with Israelis and Palestinians.

Earlier in the day, the Israeli military said it was widening its strikes on militant targets in southern Gaza to blunt continuing rocket fire from Hamas. At least nine people were killed in the Gaza Strip on Wednesday.

The current round of fighting between Israel and Hamas began May 10 when the militant group fired long-range rockets toward Jerusalem after days of clashes between Palestinian protesters and Israeli police at the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound, a flashpoint site sacred to Jews and Muslims. Heavy-handed police tactics at the compound and the threatened eviction of dozens of Palestinian families by Jewish settlers had inflamed tensions.

Since then, Israel has pounded Gaza with hundreds of airstrikes it says are targeting Hamas' militant infrastructure, and Hamas and other militant groups embedded in residential areas have fired more than 3,700 rockets at Israeli cities, with hundreds falling short and most of the rest intercepted.
The governor noted that Louisiana is heavily dependent on tourism, which hasn't recovered from the pandemic, and he said that sets the state apart from many of its neighbors.

It appears to me the case may be different (for Louisiana), and we want to have economists take a look at this," he said.

The extra $300 per week in federal assistance, available until September, comes on top of state unemployment benefits that max out at $247 a week in Louisiana.

While the business groups believe the extra federal jobless benefit is discouraging some people from taking jobs, government surveys also show people are reluctant to look for work because they fear contracting COVID-19. In addition, other groups say many women have dropped out of the workforce to care for children and some people are searching for higher paying jobs with benefits.

The left-leaning Economic Policy Institute argued in a recent commentary that policymakers shouldn't rein in the unemployment benefits.
Still, Winston argued the issue wasnt an effective one to use to attack Democrats, especially when it comes to gaining support from independents who are pivotal to winning congressional control and tend to care less about partisan finger-pointing than solutions.

They want to know how youre dealing with it, how youre going to make this work, he said.

Republicans, meanwhile, have tried to present a united front, echoing Trump's campaign trail attacks that Democrats hate Jews and have become the "anti-Israel party.

On Monday, more than a dozen GOP senators announced a resolution "reaffirming the United States unwavering commitment to our ally Israel and its right to take whatever means are necessary to stop the murder of its citizens and foreign nationals residing in Israel.

And Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., took to the Senate floor to call on Biden to remain strong against the growing voices within his own party that create false equivalence between terrorist aggressors and a responsible state defending itself.

The hand-wringing calls for a cease-fire are tantamount to Hamas propaganda. Both sides are not the same in this conflict, no matter what the Democrats naively imply, echoed Cotton.
WASHINGTON  Democratic U.S. lawmakers, including Rep. Cori Bush of St. Louis, on Wednesday introduced a resolution seeking to block a $735 million sale of precision-guided weapons to Israel, a symbolic response to conflict between Israel and Gazas ruling Hamas group.

Reps. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-New York; Mark Pocan, D-Wisconsin; and Rashida Tlaib, D-Michigan, were lead sponsors of the measure.

Other co-sponsors, representing some of the most left-leaning Democrats in the House, include Reps. Betty McCollum, D-Minnesota; Ayanna Pressley, D-Massachusetts; Pramila Jayapal, D-Washington; and Ilhan Omar, D-Minnesota.

They have been among lawmakers calling for a more concerted U.S. effort to stop the violence, including Israeli airstrikes that have killed dozens of civilians, most of them Palestinians in the besieged Gaza Strip.

Bush has been among the most outspoken. In a tweet on Tuesday, the first-term lawmaker sharply condemned Israels attack on Gaza: The outright massacre in Palestine is a human right catastrophe, one that we must immediately stop funding. Referring to President Joe Biden, she added, @POTUS, the world is watching.
Source: Xinhua| 2021-05-19 15:17:52|Editor: huaxia

Video Player Close

JERUSALEM, May 19 (Xinhua) -- A ceasefire remains elusive for the Israel-Palestine conflict, with the U.S. administration has reportedly approved a 735 million-U.S.-dollar deal of precision-guided weapons to Israel, a move widely seen as "adding fuel to the fire" ravaging the Gaza strip.

Citing sources familiar with the matter, the Washington Post reported on Monday that Congress was officially notified of the proposed sale on May 5, nearly a week before the conflict escalated in Gaza between Israeli forces and Palestinian militants.

Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif on Tuesday criticized the United States for selling advanced weapons to Israel amid the flared-up conflict.

Zarif, on his Twitter account, said the United States sold Israel "precision" missiles to "kill more children with more precision."

Calling the United States the "enabler" of Israel, Zarif also accused the United States of blocking the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) to pass a statement on the conflicts.

Earlier on Sunday, Majid Takht Ravanchi, Iran's permanent representative to the United Nations, cited Washington's patronage for Israel as a key factor behind its sustained avoidance of accountability for the atrocities in the international arena, Iranian news network Press TV reported.

The United States has been "systematically" shielding the Israeli government against international condemnation, the Iranian envoy said.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Monday criticized President Joe Biden's approval of weapons sales to Israel, saying the United States was "writing history with bloody hands" in those events of "seriously disproportionate attacks" on Gaza that have caused huge casualties.

"The declaration of Jerusalem as Israel's capital by the U.S. and other countries following it towards the end of 2017 has increased the appetite of this murderous state to spill blood," Erdogan said.

"Instead of actively preventing the Palestinian-Israeli conflict, the United States is prepared to add fuel to the fire," Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Zhao Lijian told a daily news briefing on Tuesday.

"The United States has fallen into unprecedented isolation in the UNSC and stands completely on the opposite side of human conscience and morality," he said when answering a question from the press about the U.S. arms deal.

Meanwhile, Hilal Khashan, chair of the Political Studies Department at the American University of Beirut, believed that the United States' support for Israel is "ingrained in the formulation of the American foreign policy," and no matter who is president, a Republican or a Democrat.

Nadhum Ali Abdullah, an Iraqi political analyst with the Arab Forum for Policy Analysis, noted that the arms sales approval, which comes at a time when Israel is waging a fierce war against the Palestinians, won't help at all in easing the tensions or ending the bloodshed.

"This deal is a message of support to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his government to continue their stubborn rejection of all solutions and international resolutions that seek to calm down the situation and stop the Palestinian bloodshed," he said.

By supplying weapons, the United States is obstructing the reaching of a ceasefire, and obstructing UNSC resolutions, he added.

Khaled Abdul-Majid, secretary-general of the Palestinian Popular Struggle Front, also attributed the ongoing Israeli-Palestinian conflict to the United States' support for Israel, "its military arm in the region."

"Such U.S. biased stance is pushing away any solution to the Palestinian-Israeli conflict that has been dragging on for seven decades," he said.

"Such huge support is giving the Israelis impunity and making them unwilling to truly negotiate or come up with a just and fair solution with the Palestinians," he added, urging Washington to "stop hindering efforts" to resolve the conflict, "come to its senses" and "live up to its own slogans which talk about liberty and equality as well as justice."

Within the U.S. border, there is also condemnation against the administration's weapons sale approval.

A video posted online by the local CBS news channel showed a crowd of pro-Palestinian demonstrators gathering in Los Angeles outside of the Israeli Consulate on Tuesday Afternoon, holding Palestine national flags and signs while chanting slogans.

Minnesota Democrat Representative Ilhan Omar on Tuesday told CNN that it would be "appalling" if the administration went through with the sale, adding that it would be seen as "a green light for continued escalation and will undercut any attempts at brokering a ceasefire."

The ongoing conflict, the worst violence between Israel and the besieged Palestinian enclave since 2014, has killed 204 Palestinians, including 59 children, and 10 Israelis, including a five-year-old boy and a soldier.

Netanyahu said in a televised address on Sunday that the offensive will continue "with full force" and will take "as long as necessary," despite international efforts to broker a truce to quell the deadly flare-up.

During Biden's latest phone conversation with Netanyahu on Monday, he expressed support for Israel's right to "defend itself." Enditem
Oh, my God, enable Russia! Sen. Joni Ernst, an Iowa Republican, exclaimed at the decision. Joe Biden, thank you so much for allowing Russia to export their goods, she said, sarcastically.

Blinken said the Biden administration would continue to fight the pipeline. Our opposition to the Nord Stream 2 pipeline is unwavering, he said.

Biden's administration has emphasized strengthening alliances internationally to deal with foreign policy challenges. U.S. relations with Germany were unsettled by President Donald Trump's frequent affronts to Germany and other European allies and Trump's enthusiasm for Russian President Vladimir Putin.

German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas, who spoke with Blinken by phone Tuesday, praised the decision regarding the German interests involved.

We perceive this to be a constructive step that we will gladly continue to discuss with our partners in Washington, Maas told reporters in Berlin on Wednesday.

The administration was making public the sanctions as Blinken prepared to sit down in Iceland for his first face-to-face meeting with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov. Their meeting was already expected to be contentions amid a sharp deterioration in ties between Washington and Moscow.
While vaccine cards would normally be protected information, many businesses don't operate under HIPAA laws, KHQ-TV reported. So that means stores, schools and travel providers may have the legal right to ask if you've been vaccinated before helping you, according to experts.

"Because the average business is not a covered entity or a business associate of a covered entity within the meaning of HIPAA, the statute does not prohibit them asking them about vaccination status," Glenn Cohen, a Harvard Law School professor, told TEGNA.

Dr. Dean Sidelinger, health officer and epidemiologist for the Oregon Public Health Division, also weighed in when he said people in his state would be required to wear masks inside stores unless they share whether they've been vaccinated, The Oregonian reported Friday.

"That is not a violation of HIPAA or privacy since they're voluntarily disclosing that information," he said, according to the newspaper.

But not everyone sees such a clear-cut situation. Carmen Roe, a legal analyst for KHOU, said she thinks it will be up to the courts to determine whether businesses can ask for vaccine cards before allowing people to take off their masks.
LOS ANGELES (AP)  Rapper T.I. and his wife Tameka Tiny Harris are under investigation by police in Los Angeles after a sexual abuse allegation.

Los Angeles Police Officer Rosario Cervantes said Tuesday that an active investigation is underway. The investigation comes after a woman in Los Angeles and another in Las Vegas filed a police report that accused the couple of sexual assault.

A report was taken April 8 for a sexual assault involving the couple that occurred in 2005, Cervantes said. The police did not provide any additional details.

Las Vegas police received a report this month of a sexual assault incident in 2010 involving the couple. But the case was closed because it was reported outside the statute of limitations.

Steve Sadow, the attorney for T.I. and his wife, said his clients steadfastly deny and repudiate all the allegations. He said the couple has not spoken or been contacted by police in Los Angeles, Las Vegas or any other jurisdiction in the country.
It has been a yearslong challenge preceding the Trump administration, preceding the Obama administration, that the time of adjudication of asylum claims is too long, Mayorkas said. We need to shorten that, but not at the expense of permitting individuals to develop their legitimate claims through the recovery from the trauma that they might have suffered, and so many, in fact, have suffered.

Melissa Crow, an attorney for the Southern Poverty Law Center, said people on informal waiting lists to seek asylum at official border crossings with Mexico should be allowed to enter the United States. The Strauss Center at the University of Texas, Austin, issued a report Tuesday that estimates nearly 19,000 migrants were on such waiting lists in eight Mexican border cities this month, a 15% increase from February.

As asylum-seekers, these individuals are inherently vulnerable and should be covered by the consortium process," said Crow, who represents migrants on waiting lists in a federal lawsuit in San Diego. But due to the lack of any concerted outreach to such individuals by either the government or the consortium organizations, most of them have no idea that the consortium process exists or that they might be eligible for it.
TIRANA, Albania (AP)  The United States on Wednesday sanctioned former Albanian Prime Minister Sali Berisha for alleged significant corruption and barred him and his wife and children from entering the U.S.

Berisha, 76, who also served as Albania's president from 1992 to 1997, is currently a lawmaker representing the opposition Democratic Party.

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said in a statement that during Berisha's 2005-2013 tenure as prime minister, the politician was involved in corrupt acts, such as misappropriation of public funds and interfering with public processes, including using his power for his own benefit and to enrich his political allies and his family members.

The statement alleged that Berishas own rhetoric demonstrates he is willing to protect himself, his family members, and his political allies at the expense of independent investigations, anticorruption efforts, and accountability measures.

In response, Berisha deplored Blinken's accusations and urged the U.S. administration or anyone in the world to make public any proof or document that supports the U.S. sanctions.
OMAHA, Neb. (AP)  Canadian National railroad is indicating it remains committed to its $33.6 billion acquisition of Kansas City Southern, despite reservations from one major shareholder and a regulatory setback.

CN CEO JJ Ruest on Wednesday underscored what he sees as the potential benefits of the deal and he believes most of his shareholders support it. He said he is also confident that regulators will eventually approve CN's acquisition of Kansas City Southern, which would be the first major railroad merger in more than 20 years.

Leave no doubt, CN is very committed to this transaction, Ruest said at an investor conference.

Canadian National has the edge in the bidding for Kansas City Southern over a rival $25 billion offer from Canadian Pacific. CP has until the end of Thursday to respond after Kansas City Southern's board declared last week it prefers CN's offer.

On Tuesday, shareholder with a nearly 3% stake in Canadian National sent a letter urging CN's board to abandon the deal because of uncertainty about whether U.S. regulators would approve the acquisition. But the shareholder, the London-based investment firm TCI Fund, is also the largest shareholder in Canadian Pacific, so it has a potential conflict of interest.
JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP)  The CEO of Centene Corp. has called Missouri an embarrassment after Republican Gov. Mike Parson and the GOP-controlled Legislature failed to approve funding for voter-approved Medicaid expansion.

The St. Louis Post-Dispatch reported Wednesday that Centene chief Michael Neidorff made the comments to Health Payer Specialist, a health industry trade publication.

As the largest provider of Medicaid in the United States and a Fortune 42 company I have to ask myself, Why am I in this state? Neidorff said. This is a state that frowns on this business  what am I doing here?

Its an embarrassment, he added.
Today we've proven, since the death of Michael Brown, that Black lives matter in the state of Missouri, said St. Louis Democratic Sen. Brian Williams, who grew up in Ferguson and led the push to restrict police use of chokeholds.

Republican Senate President Pro Tem Dave Schatz supported the prescription drug database and online sales tax and personally sponsored the gas tax hike. He said splitting up those sticky issues into separate bills also helped get the policies across the finish line.

The school choice bill was one of House Speaker Rob Vescovo's top priorities. Two similar measures passed the Legislature that would create a tax credit program to pay for kids to go to private schools.

Republicans pushed the bills over the finish line in part by limiting it to the state's largest cities, which helped buy support from some rural Republicans concerned about the impact on public schools.

Not everyone in our caucus agrees with everything that we got done, including myself," Vescovo said told reporters after session ended. "There were some things that passed that even I didn't vote for, but collectively as a group we continue to work through some of those things.

Copyright 2021 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.
Source: Xinhua| 2021-05-19 15:42:18|Editor: huaxia

Video Player Close

BEIJING, May 19 (Xinhua) -- This year marks the centennial of the Communist Party of China (CPC).

The first 28 years of the Party's history, before the founding of the People's Republic of China (PRC) in 1949, are known as the revolutionary period, marking its journey from birth to power.

Xi Jinping, general secretary of the CPC Central Committee, has said the revolutionary history is the best textbook for Chinese Communists.

The following are some of the key events in the Party's history that Xi, also Chinese president and chairman of the Central Military Commission, has spoken of during his visits to various revolutionary sites.

THE RED BOAT

"Never forget why you started, and you can accomplish your mission," Xi told the Party while addressing the 19th CPC National Congress in 2017.

A week after the national congress, Xi led the top CPC leadership to the sites where the first CPC national congress was held in Shanghai and Jiaxing, revisiting the Party's founding history.

In July 1921, about a dozen young people started the first congress in a brick-and-wood building in the French concession area of Shanghai.

"Comrade Mao Zedong compared this site to the cradle of the CPC. It is a vivid metaphor. I see the site as an anchor of the souls of Chinese Communists," Xi said.

After being harassed, the delegates moved to a boat on Nanhu Lake in Jiaxing, east China's Zhejiang Province, to continue their meeting. There, they discussed and passed the Party's first program and resolution.

In the documents, the CPC committed itself to upholding Marxism-Leninism, which laid the direction and cornerstone of the Party, Xi said.

The Nanhu boat is now known as the Red Boat, which "sparked the flame of the Chinese revolution and started the century-spanning voyage of the Party," Xi said.

After 100 years, the CPC has grown from a small party to the world's largest Marxist ruling party with over 91 million members.

THE LONG MARCH

An iconic event in the CPC revolutionary history is the epic Long March.

From October 1934 to October 1936, the Red Army trekked 12,500 km across the country, repelling more than 1 million enemy troops bent on pursuing it and eventually establishing a revolutionary base in northwest China.

From there, China's revolution has been on the path to victory.

Xi, who described the Long March as an enormously significant event in the Party's history, has visited many sites along the Long March routes.

In May 2019, during a visit to Yudu County in east China's Jiangxi Province, Xi paid tribute to a monument marking the departure of the Central Red Army on the Long March.

Relying on firm faith and strong will, the Party and the Red Army emerged from one impossible situation after another, and secured the final victory, Xi said.

In April 2021, he visited a memorial park in south China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, commemorating the Battle of the Xiangjiang River during the Long March, which Xi described as a "life-or-death event" for the revolution.

"Revolutionary ideals rise above all else. That is why the Red Army can conquer all enemies and also the secret to the success of the Chinese revolution," Xi said.

In the Long March, the Red Army engaged the enemy more than 600 times, crossed almost 100 rivers, scaled more than 40 peaks -- including more than 20 snow-capped mountains with elevations above 4,000 meters, and traversed vast marshlands and grasslands known as "death traps."

"Every generation has its own long march, and every generation must see that march through," Xi said. "The long march of our generation is to realize the Chinese Dream of national rejuvenation."

THE EXAM

Xibaipo, a township about 350 km from Beijing, is an old revolutionary base, where the CPC leadership stationed from May 1948 to early 1949 to draw the blueprint of a new country and prepare for the CPC's new role as the ruling party.

In March 1949, the CPC leadership decided to leave Xibaipo for Beijing. Mao Zedong compared the trek to "going for a big exam in the capital city."

Mao called on the whole Party to remain modest, prudent and free from arrogance and rashness in their style of work, and preserve the style of plain living and hard struggle.

Xi said he had been to Xibaipo many times. "Each time, I came with a lot of respect and left with many thoughts," said Xi while inspecting the township in 2013. During the visit, Xi also urged the whole Party to draw positive energy from the history and stand the tests of the people.

In September 2019, a few days ahead of the 70th founding anniversary of the PRC, Xi visited a revolutionary memorial site in suburban Beijing, where the CPC briefly settled down after leaving Xibaipo.

He again mentioned the relevance of the "big exam" 70 years ago.

The CPC members should always maintain their enterprising spirit, ensure the Party's purity and advanced nature, and pass the test of the new era, Xi stressed.

"Looking ahead, China has very bright prospects for development," Xi said. Enditem
A Missouri farmer accused of attempting to cover up a $215,000 cattle fraud scheme by killing two Wisconsin brothers was indicted Tuesday on a federal mail fraud charge.

Garland Joseph Nelson, 27, is awaiting trial on state murder and other charges in the deaths of 24-year-old Justin Diemel and 35-year-old Nicholas Diemel, of Shawano County, Wisconsin. The brothers disappeared after visiting Nelsons farm in July 2019, and their burned remains were later found in Missouri and Nebraska.

The federal charge focuses on the financial deal that brought the brothers to Missouri.

Nelson agreed to feed and pasture cattle belonging to the brothers' Wisconsin livestock trade and investment business, the indictment says. The arrangement was supposed to end with Nelson, who worked for J4s Farm Enterprises Inc., a business started by his mother, selling the cattle and sending the brothers the proceeds, minus the costs of raising the cattle.

But the U.S. attorney's office said in a news release that Nelson sold, traded or killed many of the Diemels cattle without paying them.
Supporting the ruling party doesnt guarantee cash or food, nor does opposing it necessarily mean a permanent loss of public benefits, political analysts and residents said.

Still, Honduran migrants said the practice has become particularly disheartening in the upheaval of the past year  and a factor in their decision to leave.

Maria Garcia, who set out for the United States in February with her two young children, said she got none of the food assistance that trickled into her town in southwestern Honduras.

Only those with (the president) receive help, said Garcia, a supporter of the Liberal Party. She spoke to Reuters at the Guatemala-Mexico border.

The presidency, in a statement, said Hernandezs goal is to dispense social aid independent of political affiliations.

Anti-corruption investigators and academics who have studied Honduras say access to all manner of state benefits  from food handouts to multimillion-dollar public contracts  requires fealty to the National Party.

The partys dozen years in power have allowed it to expand and consolidate such practices, studies show.
Some say that the Republican Party has lost its way. I disagree. I think the GOP found its way. Its just not a path I want to travel. I am under no delusion that the current Republican Party cares about voters like me or wants me to remain with them. And that is OK. I am also not a Democrat. That is OK, too.

Being politically homeless has similarities to being physically homeless. Please let me be clear; I am in no way making the argument that there is a moral equivalence to homelessness and political homelessness. Homelessness is a serious societal issue and should not be diminished. That said, consider this comparison.

As someone facing political homelessness, I see three options:

1. I can remain homeless. There is some freedom in that I guess. It can also be uncomfortable and lonely.

2. I can rent. This option gives me the ability to participate, but the home would not be mine. I am limited on how much I can personalize my home to my tastes. I can vote for either party depending on the election and/or the candidate. I rented in 2020 when I voted for Joe Biden.
Enough already. The dance of death between Israel and Hamas has served no purpose other than to bring suffering to thousands of noncombatants and destroy massive amounts of property for the sake of a few leaders political motives. As always in the tinderbox of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, religious sanctity serves as the motivating factor for war, but the cause of neither Judaism, Islam nor Christianity is served by this wanton display of destruction.

Its time for a ceasefire coupled with real negotiations aimed at ending this internecine war once and for all. Former President Donald Trump did a major disservice to the world by portraying the establishment of diplomatic ties between nonbelligerent Gulf Arab states and Israel as peace in the Middle East. The only real peace can come when Israel strikes a deal with the Palestinians instead of deliberately excluding the Palestinians and striking deals with everyone else. Reaching an accord requires courage, which no one in todays leadership  in Israel, the Palestinian territories or the United States  seems able to muster.
Shares is the leading weekly publication for retail investors. It is packed with investment ideas, news and educational material to help build and run portfolios and get more from your money.

Shares puts on free Investor Events throughout the year across the country. They provide an opportunity for investors to learn more about companies on the stock market and hear from a range of investment experts including fund managers and Shares journalists.
What Is HTML5?

This is an installment in our ongoing series of "What Is...?" articles, designed to offer definitions, history, and context around significant terms and issues in the online video industry.

Executive Summary

HTML5 rocketed to the forefront with Apples decision to forgo Flash and use HTML5 technology to deliver video to the iPad. Actual HTML5 usage, however, has been slowed by low HTML5-compatible browser penetration, the need to encode video into two or three formats for complete HTML5 compatibility, and the lack of feature parity with Flash, the predominant plug-in based technology for viewing video on the web.

HTML5 needs to be on the radar screen of all streaming media producers, but switching over to HTML5 does not appear to be a short-term priority as of this writing.

HTML5 the Specification

HTML stands for HyperText Markup Language, and HTML is the primary language used to produce most web sites. HTML is a standard maintained by the World Wide Web Consortium (WC3), a group that includes browser developers and other interested technology companies. HTML5 is the latest iteration of HTML to be introduced by the WC3.

In 2004, a group called the HTML Working Group (HTMLWG) was formed by employees of Apple, the Mozilla Foundation, and Opera Software, because these companies were becoming increasingly concerned about the W3Cs direction with XHTML, lack of interest in HTML, and apparent disregard for the needs of real-world authors. Later, the WC3 recognized the HTMLWG, and tasked it with providing (among other deliverables):

A language evolved from HTML4 for describing the semantics of documents and applications on the World Wide Web. This will be a complete specification, not a delta specification. The Group will create a comprehensive test suite for the HTML specification.

To a degree, this dual control has led to two specifications of HTML5 (see, for example, The two specifications of HTML 5.0: WHAT WG vs W3C,) or at least the appearance of two specifications. Heres an explanation from the WHATWG FAQ.

Which group has authority in the event of a dispute?

The editor takes feedback from everyone into account and does not look at the source of those arguments for technical arguments.

The W3C HTML Working Group has an escalation process that in some cases results in a decision being made that differs from the editor's original decision on a topic. So far, whenever this has happened the WHATWG has gone along with the W3C's request; nothing of especially big importance has been changed in this manner so far (it's mostly been editorial issues or mostly minor technical issues). In general the WHATWG will ensure that the normative content of the specifications (the requirements on authors and implementors) remains the same so long as the W3C group doesn't demonstrate any serious lapses in judgement.

On January 18, 2011, the W3C revealed an HTML5 logo (Figure 1), complete with t-shirts and stickers, and on February 14, 2011, W3C announced that HTML5 would be finalized in mid-2014.

Figure 1. The HTML5 logo.

In contrast, on January 11, 2011, in a blog post entitled HTML is the new HTML5, the WHATWG announced that they were moving to a new development model that eliminated the HTML5 version number and made the existing HTMLWG spec a living standard. Ian Hickson, editor of both the WC3 and WHATWG standards, commented:

Since the W3C is still focused on getting HTML5 to last call, I'll maintain a WHATWG copy of the HTML spec that matches what the W3C HTML WG is working on:

http://www.whatwg.org/specs/web-apps/html5/

I've updated the FAQ's explanation of what specs exist, in case you want to get an overview (it's getting somewhat complicated!):

http://wiki.whatwg.org/wiki/FAQ#What_are_the_various_versions_of_the_spec.3F

So, HTML5 is dead from the WHATWG perspective, but you can buy an HTML5 t-shirt from the WC3. This complexity notwithstanding, both the WC3 and WHATWG versions of the specification are consistent on how they deal with the video tag, discussed next. For the sake of clarity, were going to continue to call the spec HTML5 in this article.

The HTML5 Video Tag

HTML5 is a sweeping specification, with multiple new features and capabilities. From a streaming media perspective, however, whats particularly interesting about HTML5 is that it contains a video tag that enables browsers to natively play back video within the page, obviating the need for plug-ins like Flash, Silverlight, and QuickTime. This particular aspect came to the forefront in early 2010 when Apple introduced the iPad without support for Flash, with video playback accomplished via HTML5.

To support this feature, however, browser vendors must directly implement codec playback capabilities in their browsers. Originally, there were two video codecs being considered for use in HTML5: Ogg Theora, which is open source, and H.264, which bears royalty obligations. While the original goal of the specification was to specify one video codec that would work across all browsers, this goal proved unreachable. Heres a quote from a June 29, 2009 Ian Hickson post to the WHATWG message list:

After an inordinate amount of discussions, both in public and privately, on the situation regarding codecs for <video> and <audio> in HTML5, I have reluctantly come to the conclusion that there is no suitable codec that all vendors are willing to implement and ship.

I have therefore removed the two subsections in the HTML5 spec in which codecs would have been required, and have instead left the matter undefined, as has in the past been done with other features like <img> and image formats, <embed> and plugin APIs, or Web fonts and font formats.

The current situation is as follows:

Apple refuses to implement Ogg Theora in Quicktime by default (as used by Safari), citing lack of hardware support and an uncertain patent landscape.

Google has implemented H.264 and Ogg Theora in Chrome, but cannot provide the H.264 codec license to third-party distributors of Chromium, and have indicated a belief that Ogg Theora's quality-per-bit is not yet suitable for the volume handled by YouTube.

Opera refuses to implement H.264, citing the obscene cost of the relevant patent licenses.

Mozilla refuses to implement H.264, as they would not be able to obtain a license that covers their downstream distributors.

Microsoft has not commented on their intent to support <video> at all.

Since then, Google bought On2 and open sourced the VP8 codec as WebM, which has been implemented in Google Chrome ( version 6.0+) and the Opera browser (version 10.6+) and will be supported in Mozilla Firefox 4.0 when it ships (and is currently available in the beta). Google also announced their intention to drop H.264 support from Chrome.

Safari has not implemented any codec other than H.264. Microsoft implemented H.264 in Internet Explorer 9, but later stated that their new browser will support VP8 video when the user has installed a VP8 codec on Windows.

While there is no single HTML5 codec that will work in all browsers, by using alternative tags like those shown in Figure 2, websites can fully support all HTML5-compatible browsers.

Figure 2. Jilion uses multiple tags and files to fully support HTML5.

It should be noted that some of these codec limitations can be avoided via downloadable plug-ins. For example, on January 14, 2011, Google promised to release plug-ins that enable WebM support in Safari and Internet Explorer 9 via the HTML standard <video> tag canPlayType interface. In addition, on February 2, 2011, Microsoft released the Windows Media Player HTML5 Extension for Chrome, which will enable the Chrome browser to continue to play H.264 video via HTML5 once Google removes H.264 support from Chrome.

Invasion of the Patent Trolls

Meanwhile, issues of patent infringement reared their ugly heads with both Ogg Theora and WebM. By way of background, MPEG LA manages the patent pool for H.264 and a number of other technologies. In an interview with Streaming Media on March 4, 2010, MPEG LA CEO Larry Horn commented that no one in the market should be under the misimpression that other codecs such as Theora are patent-free. Virtually all codecs are based on patented technology, and many of the essential patents may be the same as those that are essential to AVC/H.264. Therefore, users should be aware that a license and payment of applicable royalties is likely required to use these technologies developed by others, too.

In April, 2010, when Steve Jobs was asked why Apple used H.264 instead of Ogg Theora, he reportedly replied All video codecs are covered by patents. A patent pool is being assembled to go after Theora and other open source codecs now. Unfortunately, just because something is open source, it doesnt mean or guarantee that it doesnt infringe on others patents.

MPEG-LA never took any formal action against Ogg Theora, most likely because it was largely supplanted by WebM. Regarding WebM, however, Microsoft attributed its decision not to implement WebM directly in Internet Explorer 9 to Googles refusal to indemnify, or pay the costs of patent infringement, should Microsoft get sued patent infringement for using WebM:

For example, will Google indemnify Mozilla, a PC OEM, a school, a Web site, a chip manufacturer, a device company, or an individual for using WebM? Will they indemnify Apple? Microsoft? Will they indemnify any or all of these parties worldwide? If Google were truly confident that the technology does not infringe and is not encumbered by patents whatsoever, wouldnt this indemnification be easy?

On February 10, 2011, MPEG-LA issued a call for patents essential to WebM, which could lead to royalties for anyone using the technology. On March 4, the Wall Street Journal reported that the Justice Department is investigating MPEG-LA to determine whether its "unfairly trying to smother a free rival technology for delivering online video that is backed by Google Inc."

To be fair, licensing H.264 with MPEG-LA doesnt guarantee that third parties not included in the H.264 patent pool wont assert intellectual property rights against companies using H.264, with the AVC/H.264 FAQ stating "No assurance is or can be made that the License includes every essential patent." However, at this point, their appears to be a far greater risk that users of WebM will be subject to third party royalty claims than users of H.264

Using HTML5: Practical Issues

With this as background, lets examine some practical issues relating to using HTML5.

HTML5-Compatible Browser Penetration

According to NetMarketShare, as of March, 2011, the percentage of HTML5-compatible browsers was well under 46%. This is shown in Figure 3, where three of the top four browsers were older versions of Internet Explorer, comprising 54% of the total, were not HTML5 compatible. Tallying the top 30 browsers in terms of market share revealed that about 40% are currently HTML5 compatible, while 59% were not.

Figure 3. Browser usage stats as of March, 2011.

Now that a release candidate of Internet Explorer 9 is shipping, you would expect these numbers to change dramatically over the next twelve months. On the other hand, NetMarketShare also reports that Windows XP users comprise 55.09% of the installed base of all operating systems, and IE9 wont run on Windows XP. Certainly these users of legacy versions of Internet Explorer could install other HTML5 compatible browsers, but they could have long before Internet Explorer 9 launched, and most didnt. One would have to assume that either these desktop users didnt care about HTML5, were on locked down corporate, government or education desktops, or both.

Note that its possible to create HTML5 syntax that displays video first using HTML5 if available, and then falls back to Flash, Silverlight or other plug-in for legacy browsers. This approach should work well for most simple, video in a window, playback applications. However, as a new technology, HTML5 doesnt offer many of the features available for alternative platforms like Flash or Silverlight, at least not in proven, cross-browser compatible form.

HTML5 Feature Deficits

For example, though YouTube has made an HTML5 player available since January, 2010, YouTube still defaults to the Flash Player. On June 29, 2010, YouTube addressed why in the YouTube API Blog, where the company stated that the video tag doesnt currently meet all of YouTubes needs. Areas that needed work included the lack of a standard video format, robust video streaming, content protection, Encapsulation and Embedding, Fullscreen Video ,and Camera and Microphone access.

As the YouTube blog states, progress is being made in many areas. For example, Wowza Media Systems (Figure 4) has previewed a version of Wowza Media Server that streams live HTML5 video with WebM, though it requires a WebM compatible browser for playback. Anevia is also showing a WebM-based live, adaptive streaming solution, though this requires a WebM-compatible browser as well. Flumotion has also implemented live streaming with WebM.

Figure 4. Wowza Media Server streaming live WebM video to WebM compatible browsers.

At the second annual W3C Web and TV Workshop, held in Berlin in February 2011, there were sessions on HTTP Adaptive Streaming and Content Protection, though standards have yet to be proposed or adapted, indicating that a standards-based solution is many months, if not years, away.

In this regard, its important to distinguish HTML5-based technologies available for iOS devices from general purpose HTML5 technologies. That is, while Apple has created solutions for live, adaptive streaming and digital rights management for the iOS platform, these wont work in other browsers. For example, Apple HTTP Live Streaming, which enables live and on demand, single file or adaptive streaming, only runs on iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch (requires iOS version 3.0 or later) or any device with QuickTime X or later installed. (). QuickTime X is available only for Mac OS X Snow Leopard, and not for Windows computers.

HTML5 Adoption To Date

The most high profile adaption of HTML5 to date has been by Apple with the iPad, though as mentioned, many components of this solution are Apple specific, and all videos are in H.264 format, so wont play on the current majority of HTML5 browsers. While many commercial and broadcast sites support the iPad, very, very few (if any) fully support all HTML5 browsers with the required three formats of video.

Multiple UGC sites, including YouTube and Vimeo, have HTML5 compatible players, though both require users to opt in to view the HTML5 pages. At the time of this writing, YouTube (a Google subsidiary) is still producing HTML5 compatible files in both H.264 and WebM formats, with no word if H.264 will be dropped. Neither site encoded video into Ogg format, so the only way for Firefox users, which comprise about 50% of the HTML5 compatible market, to view content from these sites is via the Flash Player.

Otherwise, multiple service providers like Kaltura and Brightcove are making HTML5 compatible solutions available, though the most common applications are for HTML5 video support on iOS devices. Many third parties are releasing HTML5 compatible players and toolkits for game development and other HTML5-based applications.

At WebMs launch on May 19, 2011, Adobe announced that we are excited to include the VP8 video codec in Flash Player in an upcoming release, which will help provide users with seamless access to high quality video content on all of their Internet-connected devices. A WebM compatible version of the Flash Player has neither been shipped, or announced, as of the time of this writing. On August 31, 2010, Adobe shipped the Adobe Dreamweaver CS5 HTML5 Pack which added many new HTML5-related features to Adobes popular HTML authoring program.

Why HTML5 Matters to You

HTML5 has become a high profile "got to have it" buzz word that sounds more immediately compelling and accessible in the abstract than it is in reality. Understanding the current status and limitations is critical to all streaming media producers.

For more resources on HTML5 Video, check out Streaming Media's "25 HTML5 Video Resources You Might Have Missed."

Please enable JavaScript to view the comments powered by Disqus.

Related Articles

Companies and Suppliers Mentioned
Trial will leverage use of device among patients undergoing treatment with CAR T therapies developed by Bristol Myers Squibb

CLEVELAND--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Blue Spark Technologies, Inc. today announced that Bristol Myers Squibb (BMS, NYSE: BMY) will use its TempTraq wearable Bluetooth continuous body temperature monitoring platform in a U.S. observational trial to monitor patients across multiple BMS CAR T assets prior to and following CAR T patients infusion with the cell therapy. This observational trial will be Bristol Myers Squibbs first use of a remote patient monitoring technology to track CAR T patient temperatures, which can be a sign of cytokine release syndrome (CRS), a common side effect observed within the CAR T category of therapies.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210519005124/en/

Blue Spark Technologies' TempTraq Wearable Wireless Thermometer (Photo: Business Wire)

In the partnership, Blue Spark Technologies will supply the TempTraq wearable device for use by patients with multiple myeloma or lymphoma who are participating in the observational trial to receive a Bristol Myers Squibb CAR T product. The trial represents a first step to explore how technologies like TempTraq, paired with clinical, disease state and scientific expertise can inform next-generation products aimed at supporting specific patient situations such as post-CAR T infusion.

In the observational trial, the innovative temperature technology will provide real-time, continuous temperature data to patients and their clinicians so they can co-monitor for fever, which is one of the early signs of CRS.

As we progress into next-generation therapeutics like CAR T cell therapies, patient-centric technologies like TempTraq will become supportive components in creating an ecosystem where the promise of cell therapy can thrive, said Sarah Hersey, vice president, Precision Medicine at Bristol Myers Squibb.

We are honored that BMS has decided to partner with Blue Spark on this cutting-edge solution, said John Gannon, Blue Spark President and Chief Executive Officer.

The TempTraq wearable device will be used at as many as 12 BMS cell therapy clinical trial sites across the U.S.

About TempTraq

TempTraq, Blue Spark Technologies patented innovation, is the only disposable Bluetooth, wearable temperature monitor in the form of a soft, comfortable patch that continuously, safely and comfortably monitors body temperature for up to 72 hours and sends notifications to Apple or Android compatible mobile devices.

TempTraq Connect is the HIPAA-compliant cloud service supported by Google Healthcare Cloud Platform that enables patients and caregivers to monitor body temperature from anywhere. It can also directly integrate with healthcare provider electronic medical record (EMR) systems and nurse monitoring stations, providing a secure method of storing patient healthcare data. The system is FDA, CE and TGA cleared.

For more information about TempTraq, visit https://temptraq.healthcare.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210519005124/en/

Kristin Schaeffer

CG Life / TempTraq

kschaeffer@cglife.com

Source: Blue Spark Technologies, Inc.
GREENWOOD VILLAGE, Colo.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Century Communities, Inc. (NYSE: CCS), a leading national homebuilder, today announced that its Board of Directors has approved the initiation of a quarterly cash dividend. The first dividend of $0.15 per share ($0.60 per share on an annualized basis) will be paid on June 16, 2021 to stockholders of record as of the close of business on June 2, 2021.

Dale Francescon, Chairman and Co-Chief Executive Officer, stated, Since becoming a public company seven years ago, we have focused on growing our business and creating long term value for our shareholders. We are pleased with the Boards decision to initiate a quarterly dividend, which reflects our achievements in becoming a larger and more profitable company, strengthening our balance sheet and generating sustainable free cash flows.

Rob Francescon, Co-Chief Executive Officer and President, said, We are committed to driving profitable growth and capturing the enormous potential we see in front of us as we invest in our business, maintain a strong balance sheet and return cash to our shareholders. With our national footprint and continuing strong demand for our homes, we are well positioned to drive further increases in our revenues, profitability and returns on equity.

About Century Communities:

Century Communities, Inc. (NYSE: CCS) is a top 10 national homebuilder. Offering new homes under the Century Communities and Century Complete brands, Century is engaged in all aspects of homebuilding  including the acquisition, entitlement and development of land, along with the construction, innovative marketing and sale of quality homes designed to appeal to a wide range of homebuyers. The Colorado-based company operates in 17 states across the U.S., and offers title, insurance and lending services in select markets through its Parkway Title, IHL Insurance Agency, and Inspire Home Loan subsidiaries. To learn more about Century Communities, please visit www.centurycommunities.com.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and, as such, may involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and assumptions. Forward-looking statements may be identified by the use of words such as anticipate, believe, expect, estimate, plan, continue, will, may, and potential, and other similar expressions that predict or indicate future events or trends or that are not statements of historical matters. Forward-looking statements in this release include the Companys future declaration and payment of quarterly cash dividends and return to stockholders as a result of its new quarterly cash dividend program. Forward-looking statements should not be read as a guarantee of future performance or results, and will not necessarily be accurate indications of the times at, or by, which such performance or results will be achieved. Forward-looking statements are based on historical information available at the time the statements are made and are based on managements reasonable belief or expectations with respect to future events, and are subject to risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond the Companys control, that could cause actual performance or results to differ materially from the belief or expectations expressed in or suggested by the forward-looking statements. There can be no assurance that future dividends will be declared by the Companys Board of Directors. The declaration of future dividends is subject to Board approval each quarter after its review of the Companys financial performance, financial condition and cash needs. Declaration of future dividends is also subject to various risks and uncertainties, including: the Companys cash flow and cash needs; compliance with applicable law; restrictions on the payment of dividends under existing or future financing arrangements; changes in tax laws relating to corporate dividends; the deterioration in the Companys financial condition or results; and those risks, uncertainties, and other factors identified from time to time in the Companys filings with the SEC, including the Companys most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K and subsequent Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date on which they are made and the Company undertakes no obligation to update any forward-looking statement to reflect future events, developments or otherwise, except as may be required by applicable law.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210519005766/en/

Hunter Wells, Vice President of Investor Relations

719-426-3520

Hunter.Wells@CenturyCommunities.com

Source: Century Communities, Inc.
Company appoints biotech industry experts Stacie Peacock Shepherd, M.D., Ph.D., as Chief Medical Officer and Nora Brennan as Chief Financial Officer

Biopharma executive Meenu Chhabra joins Board of Directors, will serve as Audit Chair

PHILADELPHIA--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Fore Biotherapeutics (formerly NovellusDx), a precision oncology company focused on providing people with rare cancer mutations rapid access to the right medicines, today announced the expansion of its leadership team with the appointments of Stacie Peacock Shepherd, M.D., Ph.D., as Chief Medical Officer and Nora Brennan as Chief Financial Officer. Additionally, experienced biopharma executive Meenu Chhabra will join the companys Board of Directors and serve as Audit Chair. These key appointments, which follow the establishment of Fores new U.S. headquarters in Philadelphia, will support the companys efforts to become a global leader in precision oncology therapeutics.

Dr. Shepherd is an accomplished biotech leader and expert in oncology drug development and will oversee the clinical strategy and operational advancement of Fores lead precision oncology program, FORE8394, as well as the continued expansion of Fores clinical pipeline over the coming months. Ms. Brennan brings deep experience as a financial and investment strategist to the Fore team and will lead Fores financial strategy and oversee the development of core G&A capabilities to scale the company.

I am honored and privileged to welcome industry leaders Stacie and Nora to Fores executive leadership team. With our global HQ established in Philadelphia; an exciting next-generation BRAF asset that can address areas of high unmet need using Foresight, our functional genomics platform; an active business development pipeline to scale our clinical portfolio in the coming months; and investor excitement around our story that allows us the opportunity to further bolster our balance sheet, the timing couldnt be better for these world-class leaders to help build and scale the company alongside me. I am excited to build an intellectually diverse, results-oriented and compassionate team that continues to focus on evolving the precision oncology model to have meaningful impact on the lives of both patients and caregivers, said Usama Malik, Chief Executive Officer at Fore Biotherapeutics. I am confident that Stacie and Noras collaborative energy, industry know-how and breadth of experience will position Fore for both financial growth and clinical success. I am also delighted to welcome Meenu to our Board of Directors and look forward to working closely with her and the rest of the Board as we work to identify unique solutions to serve unaddressed cancer patient populations.

An accomplished physician-scientist with over a decade of experience in clinical and translational oncology drug development, Dr. Shepherd served as Senior Vice President of Clinical Development at QED Therapeutics before joining Fore, where she led oncology program clinical development, operations and translational science. Prior to QED Therapeutics, she served as Vice President, Oncology at Corcept Therapeutics, where she established a translational research program, and at AbbVie, where as Senior Medical Director she led clinical development of PARP inhibitor programs in ovarian cancer and BRCA-mutated breast cancer. Dr. Shepherd received her M.D./Ph.D. in Medicine and Neuroscience through the Medical Scholars Program at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and trained in Pediatrics at St. Louis Childrens Hospital and Pediatric Endocrinology at the Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis.

Dr. Shepherd added, I am excited to join Usama and the leadership team at Fore to build a next generation precision oncology company. The unique approach to finding and targeting unaddressed mutations across validated oncology targets using the Foresight platform is exciting and brings hope to patients with rarer mutations who have few therapeutic options today. I look forward to building a diverse and impactful team over the coming months and delivering on our promise to make a meaningful impact on patient lives.

Ms. Brennan has served on management teams of publicly traded life science companies for the past 15 years, raising approximately $2 billion, building finance organizations and supporting operations from early development stage into commercialization. She previously served as Chief Financial Officer of TELA Bio, Inc., where she guided the company through a successful IPO and follow-on financing. Prior to TELA Bio, Inc., she was the Chief Financial Officer of Xeris Pharmaceuticals, Inc., where she oversaw the finance function and execution of company strategy. Previously, Ms. Brennan spent 11 years as the Senior Vice President, Treasurer and Investor Relations at Integra LifeSciences Holdings Corporation, where, among her many accomplishments, she successfully integrated 18 acquisitions leading to significant revenue growth for the company. She earned her B.A. in Economics from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and received her MBA in Finance and Accounting from the University of Chicago Booth School of Business.

Ms. Brennan said, I am passionate about building teams and scaling companies, and I couldnt be more enthusiastic about the rich opportunity for patient impact with Fores business and clinical strategy. We have a high-quality investor base, a leading next generation BRAF program and a rich business development pipeline to continue to build our internal portfolio, as well as an experienced leadership team that has continually created patient and shareholder value over the years. I am looking forward to helping scale the company as we establish and maintain our leadership in precision oncology.

Ms. Chhabra is a strategic biopharmaceutical leader bringing over 20 years of experience from the United States, Switzerland and Italy in both private and public large pharma and small biotech companies. Most recently, she held the role of President and CEO at Proteostasis Therapeutics, where she helped the company raise more than $300 million in both private and public financings, and accelerated development of drug candidates. She also spent seven years as President and Chief Executive Officer at Allozyne, Inc., where she led financing, company growth and research & development. Prior to Allozyne, Ms. Chhabra worked in Europe for several years, first as Chief Business Officer of BioXell S.p.A. in Milan, Italy and then at Novartis AG as Vice President, Business Development and Licensing. She received her MBA in Strategy and Finance from the Schulich School of Business at York University in Toronto, Canada and her B.S. in Pharmacology from the University of Toronto. In addition to Fore, she serves on the Board of Directors of BIO and Vasomune Therapeutics.

Ms. Chhabra commented, It is my honor to join the Board of Fore Bio and Chair the Audit Committee. I will be serving alongside an illustrious Board, supported by world-class investors, and an experienced management team that has a proven track record of building and scaling companies. Fores unique approach to precision oncology and its capital-efficient business model that leverages an open innovation philosophy to match the right drugs to the right patients in rarer and unaddressed mutations represents an enormous therapeutic opportunity. I look forward to working with the Board and management team to continue to scale the business.

About Fore Biotherapeutics

Fore Biotherapeutics is advancing a new model for precision oncology drug development that aims to match patient populations with rarer and unaddressed cancer mutations to clinic-ready compounds across validated oncology targets. The company is leveraging its integrated functional genomics and machine learning platform, Foresight, to synthesize a wide range of tumor mutations and identify clinical-stage assets that could serve patient populations with few to no therapeutic alternatives. Fore has in-licensed and is advancing its lead program, FORE8394, to target unaddressed mutations and indications in both V600 and non-V600 BRAF mutations. For more information, please visit www.fore.bio or follow us on Twitter and LinkedIn.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210519005216/en/

Fore Bio Contact:

Yaron Shimon

media@Fore.Bio

Media Contact:

Gwendolyn Schanker

LifeSci Communications

gschanker@lifescicomms.com

+1 269 921 3607

Source: Fore Biotherapeutics
Board elects Brian Eklov as Successor

KALAMAZOO, Mich.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Kalexsyn Inc. (Kalexsyn), a world-class CRO and CDMO providing chemistry services to the biotechnology and pharmaceutical industry, announced today that its Board of Directors appointed Brian Eklov to succeed Robert Gadwood, who is retiring, as Chief Executive Officer and Board member.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210518005874/en/

Brian Eklov, CEO of Kalexsyn. Credit: Kalexsyn / Photographer: Erin Sutherland Photography

The CEO appointment will be effective today, May 18th, 2021. Brian Eklov will focus on Kalexsyns sustainable growth, leveraging competencies and operational efficiency within the Dipharma Group, which acquired Kalexsyn in 2018 through its American subsidiary Dipharma, Inc.

In 2003, Robert Gadwood and David Zimmerman founded Kalexsyn and over the years the Company has become a world-class Contract Research Organization (CRO), providing innovative chemistry services to the biotechnology and pharmaceutical companies. After the acquisition of the Company by the Dipharma Group, Robert Gadwood has continued to lead the Company under the new ownership.

First of all, on behalf of the entire Kalexsyn board, I would like to thank Robert for his wise leadership and his valuable contribution ensuring a smooth transition, accelerating the integration of Kalamazoo facilities and capabilities into Dipharmas global business development network. Nowadays, besides its CRO offering, Kalexsyn provides outstanding CDMO GMP services and manages projects for clinical Phase 1 and early Phase 2 studies, said Jorge Nogueira, Chairman of Kalexsyns Board of Directors and CEO of Dipharma Francis. In addition to building a reliable service portfolio, Robert has developed a strong and skilled team strengthening the synergies within the Dipharma Group.

We are delighted to have Brian as Kalexsyns next CEO, continued Jorge Nogueira. He has deep knowledge of the industry dynamics and has been an outstanding R&D director at Kalexsyn since 2016. With his commitment and determination, we will continue optimizing Dipharmas value proposition to reinforce our presence in the U.S. Market, expanding the range of services offered to our customers, from discovery research through commercialization.

Brian Eklov joined the company as a research scientist in 2007 after receiving his Ph.D. from the University of Minnesota and a post-doctoral appointment at the University of Illinois, where he trained in synthetic organic chemistry. Brian became Associate Director of Chemistry at Kalexsyn in 2012 and then Director of Chemistry in 2016 and is an active participant in governance of the American Chemical Society.

Dipharma Group

With revenues about 130 million, Dipharma Group is a global CDMO and a leading manufacturer of APIs and Intermediates, with more than 500 skilled and highly committed employees, 4 cGMP plants, located in the U.S.A. and Italy, plus commercial offices in Italy, U.S.A. and China. The fully equipped R&D Centres develop innovative chemical processes and crystalline forms for the most prominent pharmaceutical companies worldwide. Since 1970, Dipharma has succeeded in achieving a positive unbroken record of major Regulatory Agency inspections and its cGMP manufacturing sites are equipped to supply quantities from laboratory to industrial scale. Dipharma has the right size and variety of scale-up capabilities to act as a global player and manage processes efficiently, while offering flexibility and agility to promptly solve any challenge. Experience you can trust. www.dipharma.com

Kalexsyn Inc. is a subsidiary of Dipharma Group and, together with an outstanding CRO offering, provides world-class CDMO services and supplies for clinical Phase 1 and early Phase 2 studies. It has research laboratories in Kalamazoo, Michigan (U.S.A.) and its services are provided by highly skilled scientists, with, on average, 15 years experience in pharmaceutical research and development, from hit validation to commercial process implementation.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210518005874/en/

Paola Clerici

Communication Manager

Dipharma Francis S.r.l.

E-mail: paola.clerici@dipharma.com

Teams: paola.clerici@dipharma.com

www.dipharma.com

Source: Kalexsyn Inc.
Source: Xinhua| 2021-05-19 16:33:17|Editor: huaxia

Video Player Close

KABUL, May 19 (Xinhua) -- U.S. President Joe Biden's decision to bring home all U.S. troops from Afghanistan by Sept. 11, as an attempt to irresponsibly pull the United States out of the quagmire of war, will create a security black hole and aggravate the already heavy scourge suffered by the country.

The abrupt announcement by the United States of a complete troop exit has deteriorated the security situation in the conflict-battered country, causing mounting militant attacks and ensuing civilian casualties.

Since the start of the withdrawal of U.S.-led forces on May 1, the Taliban militants have stepped up activities. Moreover last week, three consecutive explosions outside a secondary school for girls in western Kabul killed at least 50 people and injured over 100 others.

It was during the Cold War that the U.S. helped sow the seeds of unrest in the country by funding and arming militants to fight the then Soviet Union. Over the following decades, Afghanistan has developed a malignant tumor of terrorism, and gradually descended into a hotbed of international terrorism and extremism.

After the U.S.-led War on Terror in 2001, Afghanistan has experienced a rise in terrorist acts instead of decline.

It is a fact that U.S. military actions have caused heavy civilian casualties since then, yet brutal fighting and bloody attacks continue.

At the moment, a sudden U.S. withdrawal would only exacerbate the country's ongoing security crisis, as it would be a chance for terrorist groups and various political forces to fill the vaccum and stoke more unrests.

A hasty departure of U.S. troops would also swiftly change the existing balance of power between the Afghan government forces and other armed factions, increasing the risk of violent confrontations.

Biden's decision to withdraw U.S. troops from Afghanistan is "a major mistake" with significant risks, according to a recent article published by U.S. think tank the Brookings Institution.

It pointed out that the most likely outcome of any quick troop exit this year is "very ugly, including ethnic cleansing, mass slaughter, and the ultimate dismemberment of the country."

In retrospect, the current tumult facing Afghanistan is yet another chill reminder of the consequence of overuse of U.S. military power. No wonder the past two decades of U.S. military presence in Afghanistan has been described by many global observers as a failure. Enditem
THIS ANNOUNCEMENT CONTAINS REGULATED INFORMATION - THIS ANNOUNCEMENT CONTAINS INSIDE INFORMATION

Acacia Pharma Appoints Debra Hussain as Chief Commercial Officer

Cambridge, UK and Indianapolis, US  19 May 2021, 07:00 CEST: Acacia Pharma Group plc (Acacia Pharma or the "Company) (EURONEXT: ACPH), a commercial-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on developing and commercializing novel products to improve the care of patients undergoing serious medical treatments such as surgery, invasive procedures, or chemotherapy, announces the appointment of Debra (Deb) Hussain as Chief Commercial Officer.

We continue to achieve very strong early commercial success as we execute the launch strategy for BARHEMSYS and BYFAVO in the US and are delighted to welcome Deb to our high-performing team, said Mike Bolinder, Chief Executive Officer at Acacia Pharma. I am so very pleased that we have been able to attract someone of her caliber and experience to join our executive team to fill the role I vacated almost two years ago when I assumed my current role as CEO. Deb brings exceptional commercial experience that we believe will complement our current activities, improve our organizational capabilities, and help us to maximize and grow the significant commercial opportunity before us, as we enter the next phase of accelerating our commercial growth, both in the US and internationally.

I am thrilled to be joining the team at Acacia Pharma at such an exciting time and look forward to contributing further to the successful launches of BARHEMSYS and BYFAVO in the US, commented Deb Hussain. We share a strong commitment to improving the lives of patients, and these products have the potential to positively impact millions of patients in the US and globally. I believe Acacia Pharma has a great future and I look forward to working with the team to deliver that success.

Ms. Hussain is a highly experienced commercial leader having spent over 20 years at the global pharmaceutical company Eli Lilly and Company (Lilly) in a breadth of roles of increasing responsibility. These have included US and global product sales and marketing in both the hospital and out-patient settings. During her career, she has led some of the largest and most successful brands in the industry and has had profit and loss responsibility for over $2 billion of revenue.

She has consistently built and empowered high-performing teams, designing and implementing innovative approaches to engage customers and deliver best-in-class customer experiences anchored in deep insights, while delivering strong business results.

Recently, Ms. Hussain established and led a cross-functional team responsible for transforming Lillys go-to-market model for healthcare professionals across 20 brands within its US Affiliate, to address the growing difficulty in the industry for representatives to gain physical access to healthcare professionals.

Prior to working in the pharmaceutical industry, Ms. Hussain practiced as a pediatric audiologist at Riley Hospital for Children in Indianapolis, Indiana after earning her Bachelors degree at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee and her Masters degree in Audiology from Memphis State University.

Contacts

Acacia Pharma Group plc

Mike Bolinder, CEO

Gary Gemignani, CFO

+44 1223 919760 / +1 317 505 1280

IR@acaciapharma.com



International Media

Mark Swallow, Frazer Hall, David Dible

Citigate Dewe Rogerson

+44 20 7638 9571

acaciapharma@citigatedewerogerson.com US Investors

LifeSci Advisors

Irina Koffler

+1 917-734-7387

ikoffler@lifesciadvisors.com Media in Belgium and the Netherlands

Chris Van Raemdonck

+32 499 58 55 31

chrisvanraemdonck@telenet.be

About Acacia Pharma

Acacia Pharma is a hospital pharmaceutical company focused on the development and commercialization of new products aimed at improving the care of patients undergoing significant treatments such as surgery, other invasive procedures, or cancer chemotherapy. The Company has identified important and commercially attractive unmet needs in these areas that its product portfolio aims to address.

Acacia Pharma's first product, BARHEMSYS (amisulpride injection) is available in the US for the management of postoperative nausea & vomiting (PONV).

BYFAVO (remimazolam) for injection, a very rapid onset/offset IV benzodiazepine sedative is approved and launched in the US for use during invasive medical procedures in adults lasting 30 minutes or less, such as colonoscopy and bronchoscopy. BYFAVO is in-licensed from Paion UK Limited for the US market.

APD403 (intravenous and oral amisulpride), a selective dopamine antagonist for chemotherapy induced nausea & vomiting (CINV) has successfully completed one proof-of-concept and one Phase 2 dose-ranging study in patients receiving highly emetogenic chemotherapy.

Acacia Pharma has its US headquarters in Indianapolis, IN and its R&D operations are centred in Cambridge, UK. The Company is listed on the Euronext Brussels exchange under the ISIN code GB00BYWF9Y76 and ticker symbol ACPH.

Acacia Pharma Group plc

The Officers Mess, Royston Road, Duxford, Cambridge, CB22 4QH, United Kingdom

Company number 9759376

www.acaciapharma.com
HOUSTON, May 19, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- C-Bond Systems (the Company or C-Bond) (OTC: CBNT), a nanotechnology solutions company, announced today that it and Professor Andrew R. Barron have filed a provisional patent with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office for Composition and Method for Glass Healing, to develop a nano-liquid chemical solution that repairs visible chips and cracks in windshield glass after being exposed to a heat source.

C-Bond and Professor Andrew R. Barron, the founder of the Energy Safety Institute (ESRI) at Swansea University in the United Kingdom, are in the process of developing a new liquid that can be applied to a windshield that flows into cracks at the nano-scale and provides an active bond after exposure to a specified heat source, thus reforming the glass rather than filling it with a resin, which is how windshields are currently repaired.

The goal of this new liquid solution is to be able to heal visible chips and cracks in a windshield after they occur, making it different than C-Bonds current windshield strengthener, C-Bond nanoShield, which helps prevent windshield chips and cracks by filling in and repairing microscopic defects on the glass surface.

Earlier this year, we announced this exciting project with Prof. Barron and I am pleased to report that the development is on target, said Scott R. Silverman, Chairman and CEO of C-Bond. With the cost of windshields growing ever higher due to the advanced sensor systems built directly into the glass, providing an easier, more cost-effective way to handle windshield repairs and replacements can be an important solution to an expensive problem.

Professor Barron is the Ser Cymru Chair of Low Carbon Energy and Environment. Educated at Imperial College (London), Professor Barron has held posts at Rice University, University of Texas at Austin, and Harvard University. He is the author of over 500 publications, 50 Patents, 8 books, and is the recipient of numerous awards including the Star of Asia International Award, Humboldt Senior Scientist Research Award, and the first Welch Foundation Norman Hackerman Award.

C-Bonds technology is protected by 22 patents and patent-pending applications.

The annual market for automotive glass replacement services in the U.S. exceeded $5 billion in 2016, and is expected to surpass $8 billion by 2025, according to IbisWorld. Approximately 15 million windshields are replaced in the U.S. every year.

About C-Bond C-Bond Systems, Inc. (OTC: CBNT) is a Houston-based advanced nanotechnology company and marketer of the patented and patent-pending C-Bond technology, developed in conjunction with Rice University and independently proven to significantly strengthen glass in key automotive and structural applications. The Companys Transportation Solutions Group sells C-Bond nanoShield, a liquid solution applied directly to automotive windshields, sold through distributors. The Companys Safety Solutions Group sells ballistic-resistant glass solutions directly to private enterprises, schools, hospitals, and government agencies. The Company also sells disinfection products, including MB-10 Tablets. For more information, please visit our website: www.cbondsystems.com, Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/cbondsys/ and Twitter: https://twitter.com/CBondSys.

Forward-Looking StatementsStatements in this press release about our future expectations, including the likelihood that with the cost of windshields growing ever higher due to the advanced sensor systems built directly into the glass, providing an easier, more cost-effective way to handle windshield repairs and replacements can be an important solution to an expensive problem; the likelihood that the annual market for automotive glass replacement services in the U.S. is expected to surpass $8 billion by 2025; constitute "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, and as that term is defined in the Private Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties and are subject to change at any time, and our actual results could differ materially from expected results. These risks and uncertainties include, without limitation, C-Bonds ability to raise capital; the Companys ability to successfully commercialize its products; the effect of the COVID-19 global pandemic on the Companys and its customers ability to operate; the Companys ability to source materials; the Companys ability to retain key employees and consultants; as well as other risks. Additional information about these and other factors may be described in the Companys filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) including its Form 10-K filed on April 14, 2021, its Forms 10-Q filed on May 14, 2021, November 16, 2020, and August 14, 2020, and in future filings with the SEC. The Company undertakes no obligation to update or release any revisions to these forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date of this statement or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events, except as required by law.

Contact: Allison Tomek C-Bond Systems 6035 South Loop East Houston, TX 77033 atomek@cbondsystems.com Brokers and Analysts: Chesapeake Group 410-825-3930 info@chesapeakegp.com

Source: C-Bond Systems
BOSTON, May 18, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Berkshire Hills Bancorp, Inc. (NYSE: BHLB), the parent company of Berkshire Bank, a purpose-driven community bank with locations primarily in New England and New York, today announced Berkshire's Exciting Strategic Transformation (BEST), its plan to improve the customer experience, deliver profitable growth, enhance stakeholder value and strengthen its community impact.

"We want to get better before we get bigger and I'm confident that our collective actions through BEST will move our company forward with the passion, resolve and confidence to prove that Berkshire's purpose-driven community-dedicated banking will enhance value for all our stakeholders," stated Nitin Mhatre, CEO of Berkshire. In pursuit of its vision of being the leading socially responsible and commercially successful omni-channel community bank in the markets it serves, Berkshire will undertake a series of strategic actions and new initiatives to build a better and stronger company.

"Berkshire is charting its path forward in a competitive, rapidly evolving banking environment. We undertook our comprehensive strategic planning process involving our board, executive management team, business line leaders and employees throughout the company. The end result is BEST, which will guide the actions we will take to transform our 175 year old institution to greater heights," added Mhatre.

Over the next three years, Berkshire will look to aggressively transform its performance and is targeting to:

Increase Return on Average Tangible Common Equity (ROTCE) to 10%-12%

Increase Return on Average Assets (ROAA) to 100-105 bps

Increase Pre-Tax Pre-Provision Net Revenue (PPNR) by $71-91 million from the 2020 adjusted level

Become a top quartile Net Promotor Score (NPS) bank in New England

Be recognized as a top quartile U.S. bank by leading Environmental, Social, Governance (ESG) raters

The Company plans to focus on three transformational pillars - optimize, digitize, and enhance - which will collectively drive performance improvements, enabling the achievement of its BEST goals.

Optimize

Berkshire will continue to assess its branch footprint and delivery channels looking at opportunities to strengthen the franchise while maintaining a strong customer experience. It also plans to reduce its office footprint by leveraging its existing work from home initiative. The company expects to complete a number of other initiatives to support its expense objectives including centralizing its procurement function and pursing automation projects to improve efficiencies. Berkshire also will adjust its balance sheet to improve deposits and asset mix, eliminate duplicative product offerings and optimize its pricing structure.

Enhance

Berkshire plans to grow select business verticals where it sees the highest potential for future growth including small business lending, asset-based lending, wealth management and its MyBanker concierge banking platform. It expects to build loan origination momentum through a correspondent mortgage channel, consumer lending and development of new fin-tech partnerships. The Company also plans to enhance its existing suite of socially responsible financial solutions and develop new product and service offerings.

Digitize

Through BEST, Berkshire will leverage technology to digitize operations, centralize data management and eliminate manual processes and duplication by investing in back-end technology behind all points of customer contact. This will allow Berkshire to strengthen its data warehouse to more efficiently and effectively support its consumers' financial journeys as well as allow for self-service options. Berkshire expects to roll out new digital channels to better serve customers building off its successful, highly rated digital account opening platform and will continue to improve its mobile solutions to enhance customer satisfaction.

Berkshire conducted a virtual presentation of its BEST plan on May 18, 2021 at 10:00 a.m. Eastern Time. A telephone replay of the presentation will be available through Tuesday, June 8, 2021 by dialing (800) 585-8367 and entering conference ID 5785379. The full virtual presentation, including a copy of the formal presentation deck and a transcript, will be available on Berkshire's website ir.berkshirebank.com for an extended period of time.

ABOUT BERKSHIRE HILLS BANCORPHeadquartered in Boston, Berkshire Hills Bancorp is the parent of Berkshire Bank, which operates 118 banking offices primarily in New England and New York. The Bank is transforming what it means to bank its neighbors socially, humanly and digitally to empower the financial potential of people, families and businesses in its communities as it pursues its vision of being the leading socially responsible omni-channel community bank in the markets it serves

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTSThis document contains "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. You can identify these statements from the use of the words "may," "will," "should," "could," "would," "plan," "potential," "estimate," "project," "believe," "intend," "anticipate," "expect," "target," and similar expressions. There are many factors that could cause actual results to differ significantly from expectations described in the forward-looking statements. For a discussion of such factors, please see Berkshire's most recent reports on Forms 10-K and 10-Q filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission and available on the SEC's website at www.sec.gov. You should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements, which reflect our expectations only as of the date of this document. Berkshire does not undertake any obligation to update forward-looking statements.

Investor Relations Contact: Media Contacts: Kevin Conn, SVP, Investor Relations & Corporate Development Email: KAConn2@berkshirebank.com Tel: (617) 641-9206David Gonci, Capital Markets Director Email: DGonci@berkshirebank.com Tel: (413) 281-1973 John Lovallo Email: jlovallo@levick.com Tel: (917) 612-8419Sarah Sem Email: ssem@levick.com Tel: (802) 310-7663

View original content to download multimedia:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/berkshire-hills-announces-transformation-plan-301294389.html

SOURCE Berkshire Hills Bancorp, Inc.
LONDON, May 19, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Finastra today announced that UK-based property finance specialist, Glenhawk, has selected Fusion Essence Cloud, its next-generation banking solution, to support its growing lending business, by maximizing the operational efficiency of the loan approval and completion process. Fusion Essence Cloud will give Glenhawk a complete view of its lending portfolio, delivering accurate management information in real time, in one place  enabling it to manage its business proactively and grow additional revenue streams.

Guy Harrington, CEO at Glenhawk, said, "Finastra's technology will bring greater efficiency to our loan management process, but more importantly, accurate and up-to-date data will enable us to deepen engagement with our customers, manage our growing loan book and drive overall performance. It fits well with our ethos of doing property finance differently by giving us a platform that is modern, scalable, and brings all the efficiencies that are right for our business. Our aspiration is to become a leading non-bank lender within the property finance specialist sector. The partnership with Finastra will facilitate this by giving us one platform to manage multiple products and by scaling in line with our growth plans."

Fusion Essence Cloud, in Microsoft Azure, gives Glenhawk the flexibility to react quickly to changing customer needs, enabling the firm to bring new products to market quickly and scale its business according to demand. The team at Glenhawk will also benefit from the automation of internal processes like statement preparation, key notices and letters, as well as gaining more accurate data and enhanced management information.

Anand Subbaraman, GM Banking at Finastra, said, "Fusion Essence Cloud will enable Glenhawk to automate the end-to-end lending process, eliminating manual processes from loan origination through to processing and servicing. By turning data into intelligence, the Glenhawk team will gain additional insight into customer needs, helping them optimize the lending process and offer the best product, at the right time, through the right channel. We look forward to supporting Glenhawk's ongoing success."

For further information please contact:

Caroline DuffGlobal Head of PRT +44 (0)7917 613586E caroline.duff@finastra.com inastra.com

About Finastra

Finastra is building an open platform that accelerates collaboration and innovation in financial services, creating better experiences for people, businesses and communities. Supported by the broadest and deepest portfolio of financial services software, Finastra delivers this vitally important technology to financial institutions of all sizes across the globe, including 90 of the world's top 100 banks. Our open architecture approach brings together a number of partners and innovators. Together we are leading the way in which applications are written, deployed and consumed in financial services to evolve with the changing needs of customers. Learn more at finastra.com

Corporate headquarters

4 Kingdom StreetPaddingtonLondon W2 6BDUnited KingdomT: +44 20 3320 5000

View original content:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/glenhawk-selects-finastras-fusion-essence-cloud-to-drive-customer-engagement-301294620.html

SOURCE Finastra
NEW YORK, May 19, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Slice, the platform powering the nation's largest network of pizzerias, and PizzaDAO, a community of digital artists creating pizza NFTs, announced today they will give away more than 2,500 free pizzas across all 50 states to celebrate Bitcoin Pizza Day through the Rare Pizzas project NFT project.

May 22nd marks the 11-year anniversary of the first Bitcoin transaction, in which Laszlo Hanyecz paid 10,000 bitcoin for two slices of pizza. Today, one Bitcoin is worth nearly $36,000 USD. Just last month, Bitcoin climbed to the highest it's ever been at $63,000. At its peak, Laszlo's two slices of pizza would be valued at $630 million. What Laszlo paid for two slices of pizza, could have bought him more than 31 million pies from independent pizzerias through the Slice app.

To celebrate this historic pizza transaction, Slice and Rare Pizzas will be dishing out more than 1 bitcoin's worth of pies made by local pizzerias across the U.S. to more than 2,500 lucky pizza-lovers in the crypto community. The pizzas will be funded from community donations and sales generated through NFTs created by members of the Rare Pizzas collective. The goal is to support local pizzerias that have been hit by the pandemic while connecting artists, developers and pizza lovers who want to give back to independent pizzerias on Bitcoin Pizza Day.

The Rare Pizzas project, brought together a group of 300+ digital artists who have been creating digital collectible pizza NFTs since March 2021, with a vision of turning the funds from their pizza-art into actual-pizza for the masses. Together, Slice and PizzaDAO, are making that vision a reality by driving orders to local pizzerias in the Slice network and distributing over $55,000 worth of pizza to Slice customers.

Rare Pizzas has raised over $1.25M to date and, like Slice, is on a mission to support local pizzerias.

To redeem a free pizza from your favorite local pizzeria, download the Slice app and use code FREEPIZZADAY on May 22nd.

ABOUT SLICE:

A 2021 winner of Fast Company's Most Innovative Companies Award, Slice empowers over 16,000 independent pizzerias with the modern tools that have allowed major pizza chains to dominate until now. By uniting these small businesses with specialized technology, marketing, data insights, and shared services, all at industry-low flat-rate pricing, Slice enables them to serve their digitally-minded customers and move away from 3rd party apps. Serial tech entrepreneur Ilir Sela started Slice to modernize and support his family's New York City pizzerias. Today, the company partners with restaurants in 3,000 cities and all 50 states, forming the nation's largest pizza network  more than double the U.S. footprint of Domino's. For more information, visit slicelife.com.

slicelife.com | LinkedIn | Instagram | Twitter

PizzaDAO

PizzaDAO is a Decentralized Autonomous Organization that emerged from a group of friends who met online. United by a shared love of pizza, art, cryptocurrency, and technology, the community has grown organically to include thousands of people from around the world. We are now an LLC in Wyoming.

Contact Lauren Bazzini press@slicelife.com

View original content to download multimedia:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/slice-and-pizzadao-celebrate-bitcoin-pizza-day-by-giving-away-more-than-1btc-worth-of-free-pizza-301295221.html

SOURCE Slice
Nearly 1,500 Products Competed for Top Specialty Food Association Awards

BIGFORK, Mont. and POLSON, Mont., May 19, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Tabletree Cherry Juice has won the silver award in the Juices and Beverages category as part of the Specialty Food Association's (SFA) 2021 sofi Awards, a top honor in the $158 billion specialty food industry.

TABLETREE CHERRY JUICE was one of 130 winners selected from nearly 1,500 entries across 49 product categories. Products are judged in an anonymous sampling for taste - including flavor, appearance, texture and aroma - ingredient quality, and innovation. The sofi judging was held at the prestigious Rutgers Food Innovation Center in April following strict safety guidelines.

"We are so excited that Tabletree Cherry Juice has won this award. Winning a sofi award and being recognized by the industry for our commitment to quality and flavor is a huge honor. The sofi Award is the ultimate stamp of approval and we are so proud to claim the silver this year."

The sofi Awards competition is open annually to members of the Specialty Food Association. The Awards have been given each year since 1972. They recognize extraordinary specialty food and beverage products and the people who create them.

About Tabletree Montana:

Tabletree was founded in 2010 in Canada by Gary and Susan Snow who moved from Canada back home to the shores of Flathead Lake Montana in 2015 at the invitation of the Flathead Lake Cherry Growers Association and founded Tabletree Montana. Tabletree also won "Best in Show" at the Made in Montana show in 2020, "Best Pure Juice" at the World Juice Conference in Barcelona, Spain in 2012 and "Best New Juice or Nectar" for their apple juice in 2013 in Cologne, Germany . Tabletree has also won innovation awards for their equipment and product recognition awards in British Columbia, Canada. We are located in Bigfork/Polson, Montana and the company's philosophy is "it isn't just about us." We strive to do what will benefit not only us, but our consumers, our growers and our employees as well. Using Flathead Lake cherries, a touch of honey and a dash of cinnamon as the natural preservatives, Tabletree uses their proprietary equipment that they developed to bring their quality products to consumers. The company strives to make healthy nutritious products. Tabletree has new products coming out this year made from their award-winning juice that promises to be as delightful as their cherry juice. More information can be found at www.tabletreejuice.com

About the Specialty Food Association:

The Specialty Food Association (SFA), is the leading trade association and source of information about the $158.4 billion specialty food industry. Founded in 1952 in New York City, the SFA represents makers, importers, retailers, distributors, and others in the trade. The SFA is known for its Fancy Food Shows; the sofi Awards, which honor excellence in specialty food and beverage; Trendspotter Panel Show reports and annual predictions; the State of the Specialty Food Industry Report; the Product Marketplace database, featuring specialty foods and beverages in 161 categories and sub-categories; Infinite Aisle, a new ecommerce marketplace that enables SFA Members to make buyer-maker connections and sales year-round; and Specialty Food LIVE!, a digital marketplace experience.

View original content to download multimedia:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/tabletree-montana-wins-silver-in-sofi-awards-301295320.html

SOURCE Tabletree Montana
Stillwater, OK (74074)

Today

Sunshine to start, then a few afternoon clouds. Hot and humid. High 96F. Winds S at 10 to 20 mph..

Tonight

Variable clouds with thunderstorms, especially late. A few storms may be severe. Low 72F. Winds SSE at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 40%.
Changes to the SunCommercial's back end processing means the e-edition is getting a facelift. The biggest change is the e-edition, by default, is now presented in Text view.
Source: Xinhua| 2021-05-19 17:55:24|Editor: huaxia

Video Player Close

TAIPEI, May 19 (Xinhua) -- Taiwan on Wednesday raised its COVID-19 alert to Level 3 across the island after it recorded over 100 locally transmitted cases for the fifth consecutive day.

The alert is provisionally effective from Wednesday through to May 28, said the local disease monitoring agency.

It comes after the agency raised the COVID-19 alert for Taipei and New Taipei City to Level 3 on Saturday, as the two northern cities struggled to contain a spiraling number of local infections.

Taiwan on Wednesday recorded 275 new cases of COVID-19, of which 267 were local infections.

These new local cases are 140 females and 127 males, ranging from under five years of age to over 80 years old, said the agency.

Under Taiwan's four-tier alert system, a Level 3 alert means people are now required to wear masks at all times when they leave their homes, indoor gatherings of more than five people are not allowed, and outdoor gatherings are limited to 10 people.

People should avoid unnecessary travel, activities and gatherings. Businesses and public facilities must regulate visitor flows and request that people wear masks and apply social distancing.

Meanwhile, Taiwan on Wednesday reported eight new imported cases from India, the Philippines and Japan.

The total number of confirmed cases on the island has risen to 2,533, including 14 deaths, the agency said. Enditem
A well-known indigenous studies Maori researcher and academic from the University of Waikato, has been elected as an international honorary member of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences.

It is a rare honour, and believed to be the first time a Maori academic has been elected to join the Academy.

Professor Linda Tuhiwai Te Rina Smith (Ngati Awa, Ngati Porou, Tuhourangi), author of seminal indigenous studies text Decolonizing Methodologies: Research and Indigenous People, is in good company, with media entrepreneur and philanthropist Oprah Winfrey on the 2021 list of 252 new global members.

Other distinguished members include Benjamin Franklin, Charles Darwin, Albert Einstein, Winston Churchill, Martin Luther King, Jr, Georgia OKeeffe, Toni Morrison and Nelson Mandela. There are more than 250 Nobel and Pulitzer Prize winners among their ranks.

There are quite a few of my heroines on the list, including (Hawaiian human rights advocate and political scientist) Haunani-Kay Trask and (Indian scholar and literary critic) Gayatri Chakravorty Spivak.

I feel very honoured and humbled as a Maori woman to be elected, says Professor Smith, who has been a leader in the field of indigenous studies and kaupapa Maori research for more than three decades.

Lindas books, articles and YouTube lectures are prescribed texts in universities around the globe.

I never started my work because I thought organisations such as this would be interested in anything I do, but it demonstrates some of the changes occurring in the knowledge world in terms of increased diversity, the inclusion of women and people of colour and indigenous cultures. Its a sign that things are changing and I feel good about that.

The Academy was established in 1780, and celebrates extraordinary people who help solve the worlds most urgent challenges, create meaning through art and contribute to the common good from every field, discipline and profession.

We are honouring the excellence of these individuals, celebrating what they have achieved so far, and imagining what they will continue to accomplish, says David Oxtoby, President of the American Academy.

Linda has strong relationships with indigenous researchers and communities around the world, including North America and Australia.

She also has links to the United States, having lived in Carbondale, Southern Illinois as a teenager when her father was doing his PhD there.

It was the 1960s, and the civil rights movement was gaining strength, recalls Linda, who is a passionate advocate for indigenous and civil rights.

Living in the US at that time helped give me perspective to the issues faced by Maori in New Zealand at that time.

Linda is one of the first Maori women to become a Fellow of the Royal Society of New Zealand in 2016, is also a member of the Waitangi Tribunal.

She contributes to both research and Maori communities in a number of other roles and projects, and is currently doing research in the areas of health and family violence.

The Academy is planning to hold its annual induction weekend for new members in April 2022 in Cambridge, Massachusetts, and Linda hopes to attend if Covid-19 travel restrictions allow.

For more information on the American Academy of Arts & Sciences see www.amacad.org
Police officers are among those being honoured as part of the 2020 New Zealand Search and Rescue awards.

The awards were presented at parliament by Minister for Transport Michael Wood, in recognition of the outstanding achievements within New Zealands search and rescue region which covers 30 million square kilometres.

Receiving awards were Taupos Sergeant Toby Officer and National Parks Senior Constable Conrad Smith who worked together across two districts to assist with the rescue of nine climbers from the Whangaehu Glacier on Mt Ruapehu in September 2020.

It took rescue teams more than seven hours to bring injured climber Emma Langley and her companions off the mountain in rapidly deteriorating weather, with gale force winds and rain.

Tragically, the 37-year-old UK national died during the descent.

This was an extremely challenging rescue operation only achievable with the skills and experience of the members of Ruapehu Alpine Rescue Organisation (RARO), Tukino Ski Patrol and LandSAR Turangi, says Toby.

Sergeant Toby Officer receives his award from Transport Minister Michael Wood.

Having the confidence to initiate a SAR operation in such exigent circumstances illustrates the importance of prior collaboration and training between Police staff and LandSAR groups from two different Police districts, says Conrad.

Senior Constable Conrad Smith receives his award from Transport Minister Michael Wood.

In March last year, the Rescue Coordination Centre New Zealand received a mayday call for the rescue of the SV Ocean Gem near Rangitoto ki te Tonga/DUrville Island.

The 12-tonne sailing yacht, en route from Hobart to Picton, had lost its steering and was drifting helplessly in the Cook Strait Channel in winds gusting between 20 and 25 knots.

This rescue, which was long and arduous, stretched our available resources to the upper limits," says Nelson Bays Police SAR Senior Constable Jude Yeoman.

We would particularly like to acknowledge all the agencies involved. The positive outcomes highlight the value of consistently maintaining good working relationships with partner agencies.

Senior Constable Jude Yeoman with the Hon Michael Wood.

Waikatos Sergeant Vince Ranger was also awarded for his service and commitment to search and rescue. He received a Certificate of Achievement  Support Activity.

Vince is soon to retire after 42 years in Police, 22 of which have been with Search and Rescue.

Waikatos Sergeant Vince Ranger.

Manager of Police Command and Emergency Management, Senior Sergeant Rebecca Lockwood, says: when people call for help, a whole network of volunteers and specialists come together as one professional unit.

Crews of volunteers and people from a range of organisations risk their own lives and are a great example of teams working together for a shared goal  to bring missing and injured people home.

"LandSAR, Alpine Rescue teams, harbourmasters, Coastguard, medical specialists, heli-rescues, amateur radio emergency communicators along with many other groups selflessly work together. We are very grateful to have such willing participants and these awards are well-deserved.

Awards in the Operations category recognise significant rescue operations that took place between January 1 and December 31, 2020.

Awards in the Support category recognise the contributions of individuals to search and rescue in New Zealand.

One Gold Award and up to four Certificates of Achievement are awarded in each category.

Twenty-nine nominations were received for 2020, with two Gold Awards and seven Certificates of Achievement being awarded at this years ceremony.
Do you already have a paid subscription to any of the SWNewsMedia newspapers? If so, you can Activate your Premium online account by clicking here. Activation will allow you to view unlimited online articles each month. To activate your Premium online account, the email address and phone number provided with your paid newspaper subscription needs to match the information you use in setting up your online user account. If you are having trouble or want to confirm what email address and phone number is listed on your subscription account, please call 952-345-6682 or email circulation@swpub.com and we'll be happy to assist.
Current Print Subscribers will be prompted to either login to their current site user account or to create a new one. A confirmation email will be sent when a new user account is created, which must be confirmed within three days in order to provide uninterrupted online access through your Print Subscription.

Once the email address is confirmed please provide your Account Number to activate your Print Subscription Service.
Source: Xinhua| 2021-05-19 18:21:44|Editor: huaxia

Video Player Close

BEIJING, May 19 (Xinhua) -- An official with the Communist Youth League (CYL) Wednesday said that the Party will make good use of revolutionary cultural relics to help Chinese youth better understand the history.

Zeng Rui, head of the juvenile division of the CYL Central Committee, said that since the start of 2021, educational activities have been carried out based on revolutionary cultural relics to help teach young Chinese about the history of the Party in a vivid way.

The CYL has encouraged the youth to visit local revolution museums and created online Party history courses for them, Zeng said at a press conference.

"We will also form a team to discover the stories behind the revolutionary cultural relics and share them with the juveniles," Zeng said.

Liu Yang, an official with the National Cultural Heritage Administration, said that the administration is exploring new ways to attract young people such as short videos and live streaming. Enditem
Westfall Law PLLC announced two people have joined the firm:

Donald J. Martin, Esq., has joined the Syracuse office as senior counsel. He has significant experience in matrimonial and family law, civil and criminal litigation and personal injury litigation and will be counselling the firm on complex litigation and family law matters.

Martin previously was a partner in the firms of Sargent, Sargent & Martin, Martin, Martin & Woodard and Harris Beach, and subsequently was a sole practitioner in the Donald J. Martin Law Firm.

Martin is a member of the American, New York and Onondaga County Bar Associations and a lecturer for continuing legal education with the New York State Bar Association. He is also admitted to practice in the State of Hawaii. He is a past treasurer and former member of the United Way finance committee and investment committee, a past member of the board of directors of the Syracuse Community Health Center Foundation and the board of directors of the Museum of Science and Technology. He currently serves as a member of the board of directors of the Jim and Juli Boeheim Foundation.

Martin holds a Juris Doctor degree from the Syracuse University College of Law, where he is now an adjunct professor teaching in the disciplines of civil trial advocacy and criminal law.

>> Send us your companys news about People in Motion

Wendy L. Baker has joined the Syracuse office as senior paralegal. She has 40 years of experience and will be focusing on matrimonial and family law, as well as civil litigation.

Baker was previously a paralegal to a senior member attorney at a large-sized law firm with offices throughout the state of New York, where she assisted in matrimonial and family law matters, estate planning, foreclosures, insurance defense, personal injury and bookkeeping.

If youd like to submit an item about People in Motion at your organization, send a press release including photo, to business@syracuse.com with Company News in the subject field. See all recent Company News items.
Albany, N.Y.  New York wont require masks for kids or staff members who are fully vaccinated against Covid-19 at overnight camps or day camps this summer.

Fully vaccinated people wont be required to maintain social distancing either, according to new guidance released today for camps and child care programs.

There are some exceptions. Fully vaccinated staff members must still wear masks when theyre with kids who need to wear masks, for example.

Anyone age 12 and up is currently eligible to get a Covid shot in New York.

READ MORE: NY ending numerous Covid-19 restrictions today: See full list

Unvaccinated staff members and kids will still have to wear masks much of the time, although there are exceptions.

Kids wont need to wear masks when theyre eating, drinking, swimming or sleeping.

And groups of unvaccinated kids and staff members can form a camp household. Members of the same household will be able to take off their masks and not maintain social distancing when theyre around each other. Masks would be required when different households are in a mixed groups.

Like other businesses, camps will be free to set their own rules and require masks for everyone.

Camps will be required to gather information on vaccination status for all staff members and kids. Daily health screening are also required.

Programs must also implement capacity limits to ensure appropriate social distancing.

You can read all the rules online. They take effect today.

New Yorks new rule on masks in public also went into effect today. The state has adopted guidance from the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention that allows vaccinated people to go without masks in most situations, including indoors, outdoors and even large crowds.

Unvaccinated people must continue to wear masks.

Businesses are still allowed to set their own rules. They can choose to require masks for everyone if they want.

And masks are still mandatory in some places, including schools, nursing homes, health care settings, correctional facilities, homeless shelters and on public transportation, including ride sharing services like Uber and Lyft.

MORE ON CORONAVIRUS

Coronavirus in NY: Cases, maps, charts and resources

NY ends mask mandate for the vaccinated. Will businesses do the same?

Is it a HIPAA violation if businesses request proof of Covid-19 vaccine?

How nurses, troops and public workers made NY State Fair one of Americas busiest vaccine sites

Complete coronavirus coverage on syracuse.com

Contact Kevin Tampone anytime: Email | Twitter | Facebook | 315-282-8598
Syracuse, N.Y.  Seven Chinese students had to take Syracuse University professor Patricia Buraks Russian literature course online during the spring semester because they couldnt return to campus due to travel restrictions.

The class of 23 students met at 2 p.m. Tuesdays, which is 2 a.m. in China. Recorded Zoom versions of the class were available for Chinese students who didnt want to stay up that late.

But Burak wanted them to be able to discuss Solzhenitsyn, Dostoevsky and other Russian writers with her and fellow students.

So she stayed up late Tuesday nights to teach a second, free Zoom class for them from 10:30 p.m. until almost midnight EST.

Shuyun Xiao, an SU student from Beijing who took the class, said shes never heard of a professor doing this.

Taking classes when there is a 12-hour time difference is hard, Xiao said. However, this class is the one that helped save my mental health. I never failed to wake up to see Professor Burak.

Xiao said Burak is an inspiring teacher who cares deeply about the challenges students face learning remotely.

Burak has an affinity for international students. She directed SUs center for international services for more than 30 years. She left that post in 2018 to teach full-time. Burak has a doctorate in languages, literature and linguistics. She has taught at SU 36 years.

No one at SU told Burak to conduct the extra class on her own time. She and the Chinese students mutually decided 10:30 p.m. was the most convenient time.

Burak is self-effacing about her decision to stay up late so international students dont have to. She says many other faculty members and students have gone above and beyond during the pandemic. Some professors have taught classes with 400 students, some of them sitting in a classroom and others attending online, she said.

Burak knows an international student from Australia who went to bed at 8 a.m. Australia time and woke up at 4:30 p.m. so she could attend all her SU classes remotely during the fall semester.

These students who choose to bite off this rigorous activity during a pandemic deserve to be met halfway, Burak said. Im sitting in my kitchen at 10:30 at night with a cup of coffee. Its not that hard.

Burak said she wanted to make sure the students had a quality experience with the literature.

Burak is passionate about Russian literature and considers it a privilege to teach the subject.

These students enrolled in the class because they wanted to learn about Pasternak and Solzhenitsyn, she said. If I work a few more hours at night, so what? Im grateful I have the energy to do it.

James T. Mulder covers health and higher education. Have a news tip? Contact him at (315) 470-2245 or jmulder@syracuse.com
Wegmans Food Markets will no longer require fully vaccinated customers to wear a mask in stores.

In accordance with the latest CDC guidance, fully vaccinated customers are no longer required to wear a face covering in our stores, Wegmans spokesperson Deana Percassi told 13WHAM on Wednesday. Unvaccinated customers must continue wearing masks.

Other stores that have similarly relaxed mask requirements for fully vaccinated shoppers include Tops, Stewarts, Walmart, Target, CVS, Costco, Trader Joes, Starbucks and Home Depot.

The changes come after the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said last week that fully vaccinated people can stop wearing face masks outdoors and inside most places. Gov. Andrew Cuomo said Monday that New York state would adopt the CDCs guidance, allowing people fully vaccinated against coronavirus to stop wearing masks in nearly all settings starting Wednesday.

Businesses and other private entities will continue to be allowed to set their own rules, Cuomo said.

Destiny USA said Tuesday it would not require masks for vaccinated shoppers inside the Syracuse mall, but cautioned that individual stores may require it. CNN reports Macys and Best Buy have already said they wont require masks.

A person is considered fully vaccinated two weeks after receiving their final dose of the Covid-19 vaccine. According to the CDC, 47% of U.S. adults have been fully vaccinated and 57% of all Americans ages 12 and up have received at least one dose.

MORE ON CORONAVIRUS

Coronavirus in NY: Cases, maps, charts and resources

NY ends mask mandate for the vaccinated. Will businesses do the same?

Vaccinated Syracuse Mets fans can enjoy games without masks

CMAC says all concert attendees must be vaccinated, can remove masks

Complete coronavirus coverage on syracuse.com
Syracuse, N.Y.  An 83-year-old Franklin County man was sentenced to more than 15 years in prison Tuesday for possessing child pornography, federal prosecutors said.

Robert Fitzgerald, 83, of the Town of Waverly, admitted to recording himself engaged in sexual acts with a minor between February 2019 and April 2019, according to a news release issued by the U.S. Attorneys Office for the Northern District of New York. He also admitted to possessing the videos on Aug. 9, 2019, prosecutors said.

The victim told investigators that Fitzgerald started taking nude photos and videos of her when she was 14 years old, according to federal court papers. The victim said he would sell the images and videos for $50 to $200 each through Craigslist, Twitter, WhatsApp and Facetime.

The victim told investigators the images and films included simulated sex as well as sex with Fitzgerald. The abuse took place for three years, she told investigators.

A search warrant recovered videos on a computer at Fitzgeralds residence, according to court papers. The videos were damaged or deleted, but a forensic expert was able to recover them, the court papers said.

Prosecutors said they could have convicted Fitzgerald of the more serious charge of sexually exploiting a child but due to his age let him plead guilty to possessing child pornography. Fitzgerald admitted making the pornography, they said.

Prosecutors called Fitzgerald a serial sexual predator.

Fitzgeralds attorney asked the court for a reduced prison sentence because he said his client has terminal prostate cancer. He said this was Fitzgeralds arrest.

Fitzgerald initially pleaded guilty on April 7, federal prosecutors said.

Staff writer James McClendon covers breaking news, crime and public safety. Have a tip, a story idea, a question or a comment? Reach him at 914-204-2815 or jmcclendon@syracuse.com.
Buffalo, NY -- Five Western New York residents were among dozens more arrested in the past few days in connection with the insurrection at the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6.

Like in previous arrests, none of the five appeared to try to hide their involvement. Some celebrated from inside the U.S. Capitol and others boasted about the insurrection upon their return home, feds say.

One man, Daniel Warmus, of Alden, was accused of smoking a marijuana cigarette inside the Capitol before returning home and boasting about his involvement at the dentist office, according to federal complaint. A tipster IDed him to the FBI.

A father-and-son duo, William Michael Sywak and William Jason Sywak, were charged: Dad admitted being in the building and the FBI used a family photo with the sons girlfriend and dog to connect him to surveillance footage from the insurrection, federal authorities said.

John Juran was identified in Capitol security footage by his distinct, white cowboy hat, feds said.

And Traci Sunstrum was identified as the woman wearing stars-and-stripes pants.

In each of the cases, the FBI did its homework in addition to questioning the suspects. Cell phone GPS systems were used to plot their whereabouts, with the younger Sywaks cell phone linking him to nearly 10 places all over the Capitols interior.

Judges are currently considering whether to allow the defendants to be released pending trial. In past Capitol cases, judges have generally opted to allow defendants to remain free unless theres some other perceived danger to society other than their alleged involvement that day.

Only one Central New Yorker, Matthew Greene, remains jailed until trial. That happened after a magistrate judge noted that Greene is accused of purchasing thousands of rounds of ammunition and war gear after returning from Washington D.C. to his home on Burns Avenue in Syracuse.

Here are the charges for the five suspects arrested in Western New York:

Daniel Warmus: Knowingly entering or remaining in any restricted building or grounds without lawful authority, knowingly and with intent to impede or disrupt the orderly conduct of government business or official functions and violent entry and disorderly conduct on Capitol grounds.

William Jason Sywak: Knowingly entering any restricted building or grounds, disorderly conduct in any restricted building or grounds, disorderly conduct on Capitol grounds and parading on Capitol grounds.

William Michael Sywak: Knowingly entering any restricted building or grounds, disorderly conduct in any restricted building or grounds, disorderly conduct on Capitol grounds and parading on Capitol grounds.

John Juran: Knowingly entering or remaining in any restricted building or grounds and violent entry and disorderly conduct on Capitol grounds.

Traci Sunstrum: Entering and remaining in a restricted building or grounds, disorderly and disruptive conduct in a restricted building or grounds, disorderly conduct in a Capitol building, parading, demonstrating or picketing in a Capitol building.

Staff writer Douglass Dowty can be reached at ddowty@syracuse.com or 315-470-6070.
Oswego, NY  A homeless Oswego man spent four days earlier this month getting arrested on minor crimes -- mainly criminal trespassing -- before getting ticketed and let go in a cycle that repeated itself 15 times before a judge was finally able to jail him.

By then, Robert Updegrove, 32, had amassed a total of 23 separate charges -- all but one of them non-violent misdemeanors or violations.

None of them were eligible for jail under the states bail reform law.

Updegrove was jailed May 12 after being accused of taking things just a bit further than before, giving police an opening to bring him before a judge. Even though he still hadnt been charged with a bail-eligible offense, a judge used leverage from a prior case to lock him up on $10,000 cash bail, according to court records.

Updegrove remains jailed as of Tuesday, according to public records.

Updegroves situation was first spotlighted by Oswego Mayor Billy Barlow, who blamed the states bail reform law for the extraordinary number of arrests without jail.

Mr. Updegroves long arrest record clearly demonstrates how flawed New York States so-called Bail Reform laws are and how the changes simply empower criminals, hinder law enforcement, absorb valuable resources and leave law-abiding citizens in real danger, Barlow said in a news release, after highlighting Updegroves case on social media.

The mayor is correct that the states bail reform law made it much easier for Updegrove to be arrested so many times in such a short period. Thats because the majority of his charges were criminal trespass complaints -- a Class B misdemeanor considered the lowest level of crime in the states penal law.

Before bail reform prohibited a judges oversight in those cases, Updegrove could have been brought to court and jailed on a low amount of bail. That wouldnt have automatically prevented Updegrove from posting bail (misdemeanors rarely result in much bail) and being arrested again, but it would have almost certainly slowed him down, if he could make bail at all.

In the repeated criminal trespass cases, Updegrove had been warned to stay away from numerous places, including several popular businesses, the citys hospital, an addiction clinic and a laundromat, but returned without permission, often acting erratically, police said.

The main reason Updegrove wasnt jailed earlier is because none of his arrests during those four days were considered violent: he possessed no weapons during his cycle in and out of police custody and he was never charged with assaulting or threatening anyone. Allegations of weapons or physical harm would have likely made him eligible for jail under the bail reform law.

Perhaps the closest he came to seeing a judge before his eventual jailing May 12 came two days earlier (his fifth arrest), when he was arrested for trespassing at Oswego Hospital. The hospitals emergency waiting room had an order of protection that kept Updegrove away when he wasnt there getting medical treatment, and he was arguably in violation at that point.

But Updegrove had been transported to the hospital for legitimate medical treatment, before refusing to leave when his medical reason for being there had ended, said Oswego police Lt. Damian Waters. Its unclear whether that would have been an actual violation of the order of protection, he said.

The rest of the charges were clearly ineligible for bail under the states 2019 law, which prohibits virtually all misdemeanor and non-violent felony charges from resulting in jail before trial. For misdemeanors, its unheard of to even bring a suspect before a judge (short of a sex crime or a domestic violence situation). So Updegrove was repeatedly ticketed and released for his misdemeanor charges, only to be re-arrested, sometimes hours later.

That cycle of catch and release ended the afternoon of May 12 when Updegrove faced his first felony during his arrest spree.

In that case, Updegrove was accused of trespassing at a Byrne Dairy on West Bridge Street for the sixth time in four days. But this time, he was accused of stealing an alcoholic beverage. Under state law, unlawfully entering a property to commit a crime is felony burglary.

That gave police an opening to bring Updegrove before a judge on the afternoon of May 12. Thats despite the fact that third-degree burglary itself wasnt eligible for bail -- though a felony, it wasnt a violent felony.

Once in court, Updegroves past arrest came back to haunt him. In April, hed been accused of threatening people inside the Oswego Hospital emergency room with a broken portion of a fiberglass pole that was likened to something that would hold up a camping tent. The pole was wrapped in electrical wire, according to police.

That wasnt Updegroves first criminal weapon charge. And so he faced a third-degree illegal weapon possession -- a violent felony -- from that April 2 incident. Thats a charge eligible for bail.

At the time of his April arrest on that charge, a judge had released Updegrove on his own recognizance. But after Updegrove was brought back to court following the days of arrests, the judge changed course: bail on the April case was now set at $10,000 cash or $100,000 bond, according to court records.

And thats how Updegrove eventually landed in jail, where he remained Tuesday.

From May 9 to 12, Updegroves charges included:

Six criminal trespass charges, as well as one burglary and one petit larceny charge, at the Byrne Dairy, 97 W. Bridge St. (In the last incident, hes accused of stealing an alcoholic beverage.)

Two criminal trespasses at the Victory Center (drug rehab), 225 W. 1st St.

Two criminal trespasses at the Stewarts Shops, 51 W. Utica St.

One petit larceny at Pauls Big M, 276 W. 1st St. (A soda and junk food were stolen, police say)

One criminal trespass the Colonial Laundromat, 65 E. Bridge St.

One criminal trespass at the Oswego Sub Shop, 106 W. Bridge St. (Hes accused of rummaging through their trash cans)

One criminal trespass at the Oswego Hospital emergency room. (He had been taken there for treatment, but refused to leave afterward, police say)

One criminal trespass at a house owned by the Victory Center at 52 E. Seneca St.

Three resisting arrest charges from separate incidents, including pushing away from officers and fleeing. No acts of violence against officers alleged.

Three criminal tampering charges, accused of spitting and urinating while in police custody on separate occasions.

Staff writer Douglass Dowty can be reached at ddowty@syracuse.com or 315-470-6070.
Syracuse, N.Y. -- If you get your Covid vaccination, you can enjoy a Syracuse Mets game at NBT Bank Stadium almost completely mask-free.

The Mets announced that beginning on Wednesday that they are easing mask mandate, per the most recent recommendations from Gov. Andrew Cuomo.

Fully vaccinated fans will be able to go mask-less in outdoor spaces in the stadium. The Mets will require all fans to wear masks when they are indoors in spaces such as elevators, the team store, suites, the Metropolitan Club, and in restrooms or stairwells.

Non-vaccinated fans will still be required to wear masks at all times with the exception of when they are actively eating or drinking at their seats.

Fans will still have to provide proof of full vaccination or show proof of a negative Covid test to gain entry to a game. This procedure will remain in place until official guidance is provided to Onondaga County by New York State that the order to test is rescinded.

The Mets have partnered with Onondaga County and are making free rapid tests available to fans in the parking lot of NBT Bank Stadium from 1 p.m. until 7 p.m. on game days. Fans can sign up to pre-register for the testing at the stadium.

Contact Lindsay Kramer anytime: Email | Twitter
North Country Rep. Elise Stefanik, newly installed in House Republican leadership, says the GOP caucus is ready to move on from the Jan. 6 Capitol insurrection.

The country is not. Sensible people want an accurate accounting of the events of Jan. 6 and accountability for those responsible for it. More than 400 people have been arrested and face trial. But the person at the center of the campaign to overturn the presidential election  former President Donald Trump  wont stop flogging his false claims. Republicans like Stefanik and Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy wont contradict Trump and, in fact, punish Republicans who do.

Stefanik has gone all in for Trump. She defended him at his first impeachment trial, voted against certifying the election and voted against the second impeachment. Stefaniks reward is the No. 3 leadership post in the House GOP caucus, a position that could yield some benefits for her sprawling North Country district and the state. If only she hadnt sold her soul to achieve it.

Publicly challenging Trumps false narrative cost Wyoming Rep. Liz Cheney the conference chairs seat now occupied by Stefanik. Thats where standing up for the rule of law (Cheney) and toadying to Trump (Stefanik) get you in todays GOP.

Rep. John Katko, R-Camillus, got a taste of that medicine Tuesday. McCarthy announced he would oppose a bipartisan bill authorizing a 9/11-style commission to investigate the causes of the Jan. 6 Capitol riot  a compromise negotiated by Katko as the ranking member of the Homeland Security Committee.

That hasnt dissuaded Katko, who rightly believes a commission is necessary to get the answers U.S. Capitol Police and Americans deserve and ensure an attack on the heart of our democracy never happens again. However, McCarthys opposition gives other GOP House members cover to vote no on Katkos bill and dims its chances of clearing 60 votes in the evenly divided Senate.

McCarthys motives are not pure. A commission could very well subpoena McCarthy to reveal what Trump said to him as violent protesters stormed the Capitol to prevent Congress from certifying the election of Joe Biden. During the impeachment trial, Rep. Jaime Herrera Beutler, R-Wash., revealed that McCarthy told her the presidents response to his appeals to call off the protesters was, " Well, Kevin, I guess these people are more upset about the election than you are. " Trumps delayed response put Vice President Mike Pence, members of Congress and the Capitol police in danger.

Republicans want to move on because they are rightly embarrassed and hopefully terrified of what a real commission review will say. Stefanik wants to move on because it will be an embarrassment to her and to Trump. But simply turning the page invites future presidents and members of Congress to subvert the will of the people to gain or retain power.

Stefanik, McCarthy and many of their Republican colleagues will keep pushing the lets move on narrative as long as they cower under blind allegiance to Trump. They degenerate the Republican Party by indulging the former presidents election fraud fantasies. They weaken our fragile democracy.

About Syracuse.com editorials

Editorials represent the collective opinion of the Advance Media New York editorial board. Our opinions are independent of news coverage. Read our mission statement. Members of the editorial board are Tim Kennedy, Trish LaMonte, Katrina Tulloch and Marie Morelli.

To respond to this editorial: Submit a letter or commentary to letters@syracuse.com. Read our submission guidelines.

If you have questions about the Opinions & Editorials section, contact Marie Morelli, editorial/opinion leader, at mmorelli@syracuse.com
Source: Xinhua| 2021-05-19 18:39:14|Editor: huaxia

Video Player Close

BEIJING, May 19 (Xinhua) -- China's top court has published seven typical cases from its work regarding the protection of property rights and the legitimate rights and interests of entrepreneurs.

The cases concern the top court exercising its duty to supervise and ensure the proper handling of relevant cases, according to Guo Feng, deputy chief of the research office of the Supreme People's Court (SPC) Wednesday.

The published cases involve harsh punishments for violations of intellectual property rights as well as improper enforcement practices of some administrative and judicial agencies.

Such cases are expected to offer guidance for other courts in handling similar cases to create a better law-based environment for businesses that is more stable, fair, transparent and predictable, Guo said. Enditem
Editors note: syracuse.com | The Post-Standard is running profiles of the candidates in the citys June 22 mayoral primary. Look for a profile of Republican Janet Burman on Thursday. Stories on Democrats Khalid Bey and Michael Greene will run next week.

Syracuse, N.Y.  Thomas Babilon has ideas about how to tackle the citys housing problem that, he says, would keep more people in owner-occupied homes.

Instead of letting overdue tax bills pile up until the city can legally take the property, the city should offer low-interest loans to help owners pay their bills  especially in the aftermath of the coronavirus pandemic.

There are lots of people who are in this situation, said Babilon, a Republican who once worked in the citys law department and is now running for mayor. That property goes to the (Syracuse) Land Bank and taxes are forgiven and the city gets nothing.

Babilons many ideas for improving Syracuse are based on his time working as a city attorney for 10 years under three different mayors, including Mayor Ben Walsh, who is running for a second term.

The Republican says he wants to speed up the citys responses  whether with code complaints or police work  for residents and businesses. He wants to automate the citys trash pickup. He wants to create an auxiliary police force, a team of volunteers that would respond to property crimes and minor accidents.

Babilon says he wants to unseat Walsh because the independent mayor has turned out to be less conservative than Babilon expected. The lawyer thinks he can appeal to some of the Republicans and other voters who supported Walsh in the past.

Babilon declined to say who he voted for four years ago for mayor, saying hes friends with Democrat Juanita Perez Williams and was friendly with Walsh. He said he didnt vote for Republican candidate Laura Levine.

Before facing Walsh, Babilon has to defeat Republican Janet Burman, the partys designated candidate for the mayors race. That primary is June 22.

Fewer than 10,000 of the citys 74,000 registered voters can vote in the GOP primary. Democrats and people not registered in the party must sit back and watch. Both Babilon and Burman say that this year a Republican might have a better shot at winning the citys top job. Thats because there will be a three-way race in November, with both a Republican and a Democrat trying to unseat Walsh.

By late April, both Republican candidates said they have at least one fundraiser planned each month before the primary. Both already are canvassing voters; Babilon said hes knocked on about 1,000 doors, as of late last month.

Heres some of the issues Babilon touched on during recent interviews with Syracuse.com:

Experience

Babilon, 49, is a lawyer who handles cases in Family Court. He worked as an assistant corporation counsel for the city for 10 years under Mayors Matt Driscoll, Stephanie Miner and Ben Walsh.

Two years ago, he ran unsuccessfully as a Libertarian for an at-large seat on the Common Council. Hes recently re-registered as a Republican.

Babilon declined to say why he left city hall during Walshs first term. He said that would violate the attorney-client privilege.

Living in the city

Babilon moved to Syracuse in 2003 and lives at 200 Burnet Ave. with his daughter, who is 15 and goes to Fowler High School.

I love this neighborhood, he said of Hawley-Green, which is just east of Downtown. Pre-pandemic, Babilon would walk to work, and he still does when needed in court.

An agreement between the city and the police department would require newly hired officers to live in Syracuse for five years.

Babilon says he thinks its unenforceable. The citys firefighters have a similar requirement; firefighters fulfill it by self-certifying their addresses once a year.

Babilon, who worked on employment issues during his time at city hall, says he also thinks the agreement wouldnt stand up to a legal challenge. No firefighters have challenged their residency agreement in court, but if one did, Babilon says he thinks the city could lose the argument. State law exempts police, firefighters and sanitation workers from residency requirements.

Policing

Babilon said that while he doesnt embrace the phrase defund the police, he does like some of the ideas within that argument.

For example, he thinks there are some jobs that police officers do  or traditionally do  that a volunteer police corps could take over.

This auxiliary police force (like one in New York City) would be filled with uniformed volunteers who could perform patrols in public housing, take complaints about car break-ins or show up at minor traffic accidents.

Its like a volunteer fire department, he said. Its a great way to get young people and retired police involved.

But hes got other concerns about the police contract, which is headed to arbitration. His main worry? Theres nothing in the new contract that addresses the barriers that make it hard for cities to hold police officers accountable.

Babilon also thinks the citys next mayor should better utilize the Citizen Review Board, a city office tasked with investigating complaints against police. The police department needs to work more closely with them, he said.

That means the mayor should go to CRB meetings, he said. As mayor, Babilon said, hed require the police chief to take CRB findings more seriously.

The chief works for the mayor, he said. I think theres a way to address those issues.

Interstate 81

I think were stuck with the community grid at this point, Babilon said of the states proposal to knock down a portion of I-81 that runs through Syracuse and reroute highway traffic around the east side of the city.

Babilon says he wasnt initially a fan of the plan; he preferred a tunnel solution. But the $2 billion grid plan is the cheapest, he said.

Mostly, hes worried about what comes next. He thinks without careful oversight, the development along the new, street-level pathway will be dominated by hotels, gas stations and fast food chains.

Thats not necessarily bad but its not going to be some beautiful thing that would save Syracuse, he said.

Spending $123M

As mayor, Babilon says he would use part of the citys windfall from the recent stimulus package from Washington to hire more police officers.

Hed also use that extra money to help homeowners avoid tax liens, to keep them in their homes and let them pay off what they owe over time.

Infrastructure needs should also be high on the list, he said. We could spend the whole $123 million on water infrastructure and it wouldnt be enough, he said.

Problem landlords and Skyline

Babilon said some past efforts to better monitor landlords do little to chase slumlords out of the city.

For example, he says, responsible landlords participate in the citys rental registry while negligent ones abandon their properties. They just leave, he says, based on his experience representing the city against landlords in court.

Instead, he said, code enforcement officers should be proactive: stop at rundown houses, knock on doors, talk to who is inside about the problems. Theres no outreach from the codes department, he said. They should be proactive in needy areas.

When asked how to stop the next large-scale rental property from spiraling into danger and dilapidation, such as the Skyline Apartments, Babilon said the city must be more responsive to nuisance calls.

The city should use its authority to empty out a residence if nuisance calls from that home pile up. That doesnt mean kicking out tenants, he added. Instead, the city should triage the situation and get the renters facing the worst conditions new housing first.

Taxes and fees

No, I would not raise any taxes or fees, Babilon said when directly asked if he would raise taxes or fees during a term as mayor.

Babilon said city residents already pay taxes for services they dont get  such as sidewalk shoveling and repair.

Instead, he would look for ways to save money through consolidation and modernization. Take trash pick up: The city, Babilon says, should invest in new garage bins and trucks that automatically can pick up the cans, empty them, and set them down. That would cut the need for so many public workers dedicated to trash removal.

Babilon also says hed like to merge the city park system with the countys to spread the cost of Syracuse parks to more taxpayers.

And he wants to explore putting the citys water system under the oversight of the Onondaga County Water Authority, which serves 345,000 residential properties across Central New York. As mayor, he said, hed also implement a multi-year plan for managing and fixing the water system.

Columbus Monument

Babilon doesnt agree with Walshs call to remove the statue of Christopher Columbus from downtown.

Leave it there and let the Onondagas put something right next to it, he said. Theres no reason to take down something thats been there 100 years.

Got a story idea or news tip youd like to share with a Syracuse-area reporter? Please contact me through email, Twitter, Facebook or at 315-470-2274.
Waverly, N.Y.  A man and a woman were seriously injured Tuesday when their SUV was T-boned by a tractor trailer on Route 17 in Tioga County, troopers said.

Emergency crews responded to the three-vehicle accident just before 4 p.m., near the Waverly/Barton area, according to a news release issued by the New York State Police.

After the crash, the eastbound lanes were shut down between exits 60 and 62 while the accident was investigated, troopers said. The road has since reopened, they said.

Troopers say the SUV  driven by the woman  was traveling east in the right lane when for an unknown reason it slammed into the guardrail on the right side of the road. The SUV was then hit by a pick-up truck in the left lane before being pushed into the path of the tractor trailer in the right lane, troopers said.

The woman and the man in the SUV were taken to Robert Packer Hospital in Pennsylvania, troopers said. They are in serious condition, troopers said.

Off-duty emergency medical technicians (EMTs) were in the area after the crash and helped with the injured people before ambulances arrived, troopers said.

The drivers of the pick-up truck and the tractor trailer did not report any injuries, troopers said.

Two people were seriously injured after their SUV was T-boned by a tractor trailer on Route 17 in Waverly on Tuesday, May 18, 2021. (Courtesy of the New York State Police)

Staff writer James McClendon covers breaking news, crime and public safety. Have a tip, a story idea, a question or a comment? Reach him at 914-204-2815 or jmcclendon@syracuse.com.
The Taos News delivered to your Taos County address every week for a full year! We offer our lowest mail rates to zip codes in the county. Click Here to See if you Qualify. Plan includes unlimited website access and e-edition print replica online. Your auto pay plan will be conveniently renewed at the end of the subscription period. You may cancel at anytime.
Thank you for Reading!

Please log in, or sign up for a

new account and

Purchase a Subscription

to continue reading.
Source: Xinhua| 2021-05-19 18:39:24|Editor: huaxia

Video Player Close

LANZHOU, May 19 (Xinhua) -- Chen Xin has fallen in love for the first time and chats with her "boyfriend" almost every day on the instant messaging service WeChat.

"We don't meet or go on dates, but whenever I need company, he is there to chat and provide emotional support, which soothes my mind," said Chen, 26.

Chen works for a Beijing-based internet company and lives alone. A fast-paced lifestyle has led to significant pressure. She learned about "virtual partners" by chance and decided to give it a try, spending less than 100 yuan (16 U.S. dollars) an hour for "exclusive chats."

"Virtual partners" originated in Japan and provide paid socializing services. A customer pays a certain amount of money for timed companionship services, where a companion will establish a temporary relationship with the customer. Services include chatting, playing online games, making wake-up calls and helping the customer get to sleep.

The virtual services have recently gained prominence in China as Thursday is May 20, or "520." The pronunciation of "520" is similar to "I Love You" in Chinese.

As Chen chatted more with her "boyfriend," she began to confide in him. He listened to all her annoyances attentively, and comforted and encouraged her.

"I felt so relaxed after getting everything off my chest," she said.

Like Chen Xin, many young people have turned to such services to relieve loneliness.

China is home to 240 million singles, and more than 77 million of them live alone, official figures show.

Wang Ming, 31, is a taxi driver. He is a fan of online games and recently paid money to find someone to play these games with him.

"I have someone to talk with when playing online games," said Wang. "When you have a bad day, you can tell them."

Compared to talking with acquaintances, he prefers a "chatty and funny stranger," saying he feels more "at ease."

The new "companionship economy" can help relieve pressure and anxiety among young people to some extent, said Yang Suchang, a professor with the school of economics at Lanzhou University.

However, some have expressed concerns.

Ding Hao, director of the center against telecommunications fraud of Lanzhou City, Gansu Province, said that without proper supervision, such services could become a hotbed for pornography and fraud.

Fu Linlin, 30, once encountered online fraud.

"He talked sweet to me every day, and I gave tens of thousands of yuan to him via the internet," she said. "But he grew more and more distant and delayed his replies after two months of our 'relationship.'"

Fu said that occasionally chatting with a virtual partner is a good choice, but obsession is dangerous.

"You could pay your price, big time," she said.

Chen Xin has seen similar stories online, and says she will treat her "relationship" more rationally.

"Paying for an online romance will help you shake off loneliness for a little while," she said. "But in the end, you need to be strong and powerful yourself to face up to life's problems." Enditem
Masking in schools across the state will soon be optional after an executive order from Gov. Greg Abbott Tuesday.
Russian spy chief finally answered the accusations of the United States and Britain that their foreign intelligence (SVR) was responsible for the SolarWinds cyberattack, the biggest hacking in 2020.

He denied and said, as well, that he is "flattered" to be blamed in such a sizable cybersecurity compromise.

In hindsight, the United States and Britain have repeatedly pointed fingers at the SVR for the attack on hundreds of private companies and several government agencies in December 2020.

The hacking started after breaking into the email accounts of SolarWinds, a software firm, with big-name private companies and U.S. agencies as clients. The company told Bloomberg that the Russia-based hackers may have taken data when the attack happened. But none of it is still, in fact, certain.

Russia Answered

And to finally put it straight, Sergei Naryshkin, Director of SVR, told the BBC that they are not behind the largest hack of 2020. He also said, as he smiled, that he was flattered if Russia was really behind the said highly sophisticated attack.

However, he did not want to take credit from others. Or in his own words, he said, in the same interview, that he could not "claim the creative achievements of others as his own," Reuters reported.

The SVR Director, furthermore, cited documents from Edward Snowden, former National Security Agency contractor, and noted the similarities of the SolarWinds attack and the tactics of the U.S. and Britain.

However, he clarified that he did not want to accuse the West for the attack.

Read Also: SolarWinds Hack Update: Software Company Confirms No Products Were Affected; Here's Why It Was Breached

Scale of the SolarWinds Cyberattack

The cyberattack against SolarWinds is dubbed by Microsoft President Brad Smith as "the largest and most sophisticated attack the world has ever seen."

Microsoft is one of the companies attacked by hackers, along with other companies, such as Intel, Cisco, Nvidia, security firm FireEye, and a hundred more.

On the other hand, the government agencies that were compromised are the U.S. State Department, Department of Homeland Security (DHS), the Department of Defense, and several more.

Interestingly, the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) noticed in March 2021 that the largest investors of SolarWinds sold about $300 million of shares before the cyberattack took place. The SEC has since investigated.

Related Article: [UPDATE] SolarWinds Executive Blames Intern for Leaking Company Password 'solarwinds123:' The Password Used Since 2017

This article is owned by TechTimes.

Written by Teejay Boris

 2021 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
(Photo : GettlyImages/ Staff) Shein beats amazon

Shein's slow but steady rise has reached a crescendo as the fast fashion e-commerce app takes the crown from Amazon as the most downloaded shopping app on Android and iOS in the United States.

Shein Beats Amazon as Most Downloaded App

According to the data released by app tracking firm App Annie, the rise of Shein is quiet because the company maintains a very low profile, despite exceeding $15 billion in valuation, and does not try to make itself known to the media.

The app is also called as the "TikTok for e-commerce" by Matthew Brennan, a China-focused internet analyst who wrote a piece about the company.

The difference is that Shein controls its own production chain, from the design, its prototype, to its procurement to manufacturing, according to TechCrunch.

Also Read: PayPal Bets Big on Crypto, Google and Amazon Might be Next

Each step is highly digitized and integrated with another, which then allows the company to churn out hundreds of new products made for different regions and user tastes. The production always meets its daily rate.

Shein's strategy is not unlike TikTok matching content creators with its users by using algorithms in order to understand the habits and likes of the user in real-time.

On May 11, Shein officially became the most installed shopping app on Android in the United States. Six days later, it became the most installed shopping app on iOS. The app briefly topped the Android chart in late April.

Shein's Rise to Fame

The origin of the company Shein, which was previously named She Inside, is little understood.

On the company's official website, it describes itself as an international B2C fast fashion e-commerce platform that was founded in 2008.

There is no mention of its found and CEO Chris Xu. In a 2018 corporate blog that was posted on the platform WeChat, it wrote that it was headquartered in Nanjing, an eastern Chinese city home known for its historical heritages and the home to famous Chinese appliance brand Suning.

Shein also opened offices in other major Chinese cities as well as in the United States, Belgium, and the United Arab Emirates.

The company's low profile is understandable, especially in times of geopolitical tensions and heightened regulatory scrutiny over China-related tech companies around the world.

Furthermore, Shein owns its sales channel and its user data, which distinguishes it from the numerous generic consumer brands that are relying on Amazon for customer acquisition without any meaningful access to user data.

In June 2020, the Indian government banned Shein among 59 apps, including WeChat and TikTok, that it deemed prejudicial to sovereignty and integrity of India, the defense of the country, as well as the security of state and public order.

As of May 17, Shein was the top iOS shopping app in 54 countries and it ranked top in the category on Android devices across 13 countries.

Shein has not announced who its investors are, but Chinese media reports have listed JAFCO Asia, Capital Nuts, IDG Capital, Greenwoods Asset Management, Tiger Global, Sequoia Capital China, and Xiaomi founder's Shunwei Capital among Shein's backers.

Out of all the listed investors, so far only Sequoia Capital China confirmed that it is one of Shein's backers.

Related Article: Amazon's Project Tempo: The Mega-Retailer is Reportedly Working on a Gaming Streaming Service to Rival Google Stadia

This article is owned by Tech Times

Written by Sophie Webster

 2021 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
The Ford F-150 Lightning electric vehicle could not get more American in the recent campaign of President Joe Biden in his "EV plan for America" amidst the growing network of Chinese electric vehicles. Nonetheless, the Ford F-150 Lightning is a new electric pickup venture which is another rival of the unreleased Tesla Cybertruck and Rivian R1T.

America is to pick up trucks, as Japan is to compact or "Kei" cars, and the recent arrival of the Ford F-150 Lightning (which is yet to be released this Wednesday, May 19) screams of the fight to improve US EVs. Electric mobility has been at the forefront of the country for years now, with Tesla and other EV brands sparking a campaign to abandon internal combustion engines (ICE).

Electric pickups are the next big thing in the electric mobility world, especially as the flood of different design concepts and prototypes in 2020 suggests its arrival in 2021. This includes Rivian's R1T, Lordstown's 2021 Endurance, with GM's Hummer EV, and the Tesla Cybertruck coming for 2022.

Read Also: This Tiny Cybertruck is Cheap But You Can't Drive It: Here's Mattel's Hot Wheels Version's Details

Ford F-150 Lightning's Surprising Appearance

However, the most surprising drop is Ford's entry into the electric pickup rivalry of 2021, and that is with the F-150 Lightning, which was surprisingly dropped, without any rumors or speculations behind it. It was initially perceived that Ford is in the process of developing one, especially after the 2021 F-150 release, but it was unexpected that the company has prototypes already.

While the big reveal of the electric vehicle is slated in a few hours this Wednesday, May 19, it has given the public a new thing to craze over, especially as it served as the first look for the electric pickup. Ford may not be that explosive on its electric vehicle releases, especially with its feud against Tesla, but it sure is most awaited by the country.

President Biden's EV Plan for America

President Joe Biden has recently revealed his EV plan for America, and it is a whopping $174 billion pledge to support the electric mobility industry in the country, and further developing charging stations throughout. The POTUS has also driven a wrapped EV pickup, which was suspected to be the Ford F-150 Lightning, which he praised by saying "Man, you're going to love this."

President @JoeBiden test drives the electric Ford F-150 Lightning at the Ford Dearborn Development Center in Dearborn, Michigan on this date May 18, 2021. Photo source: @dougmillsnyt. #OTD pic.twitter.com/TvNiNjX7JQ  Dr. Jeffrey Guterman (@JeffreyGuterman) May 18, 2021

This EV pledge is to match up against China and its growing network of electric vehicles, especially as the Asian country plans to soon distribute its EVs to the entire world, offering an alternative to that of top companies.

Top EV companies hail from the United States or Europe, with Tesla, Volkswagen, Mercedez Benz, Porsche, Rivian, and more, but only a few come from Asia with Korea's Hyundai or Japan's Toyota.

Related Article: Ford Plans to Prolong Downtime in its Plants Due to Semiconductor Shortage

This article is owned by Tech Times

Written by Isaiah Richard

 2021 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
Google and Samsung are joining forces to combine the best features of Wear OS of Android and Tizen, the operating system of Galaxy wearables. The launched alliance will give birth to what will be called "Wear." -- perhaps to better compete with the reigning watchOS of Apple.

The new name may have been reduced, but the upcoming features will be more, according to Google. This time around, as it may seem, Google is taking wearables seriously.

Google announced that necessary improvements are coming as Samsung joins them. It includes a faster loading time of apps and the whole system, a more captivating animation, and, most importantly, better battery life -- the biggest hurdle for smartwatches.

Aside from the additions from the South Korean company, The Verge reports that some of Fitbit's fitness features are about to help Google and Samsung in creating "world-class health technology," as Samsung said in a blog post.

How Will it Compete With Apple?

The iPhone maker has been the king of smart wearables since the Apple Watch launched in April 2015, a year later than Google. The latter, on the other hand, has been failing to compete in the smartwatch line. Even Samsung opted out to create its operating system for its Galaxy Watch, after a year of trying the Android, Wired reports.

What has been head to head are the Samsung Galaxy Watch and the Apple Watch. However, the South Korean company had a prevailing problem, there aren't many apps on Tizen. Google, with an ailing attempt in the smartwatch market, even had more apps to choose from, Wired says in the same report.

So, as the two giants team up, Google vowed users to expect more app selections for the new OS. Also, there will be more watch faces to choose from. Apple, on the flip side, is also rumored to have more color options for its wearables.

Furthermore, Google announced in a blog post that device makers could customize the user interface of the new OS. It is a significant concern before the two companies teamed up. Samsung opted out to create Tizen because of the customization limitations, Wired also says.

Hence, the development could help the new Wear to be available in more smartwatches. The watchOS, on the contrary, is only exclusive to Apple's devices.

Read Also: Apple Mentions Blood Glucose Monitoring in an Apple Watch User Survey

What Will Happen to the Current Samsung Galaxy Watch?

Samsung said in its blog that it will still provide the said devices at least three years of supported updates. It turns out, in the next few years, the Galaxy Watch users will need to upgrade - for the better, hopefully.

Related Article: Samsung Galaxy Watch 3 vs. Apple Watch Series 6: Best Smartwatches for March 2021

This article is owned by Tech Times

Written by Teejay Boris

 2021 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
Source: Xinhua| 2021-05-19 18:40:47|Editor: huaxia

Video Player Close

BEIJING, May 19 (Xinhua) -- China on Wednesday reiterated its position on relations with the European Union (EU), noting that the China-EU Investment Agreement is a balanced, mutually beneficial and win-win deal and not a gift from one side to the other.

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Zhao Lijian made the remarks at a daily press briefing saying that it is in the interests of both China and the EU to ratify the agreement at an early date and both sides should make active efforts in this regard.

China's sanctions against relevant personnel from the EU side for maliciously disseminating lies and disinformation involving Xinjiang and damaging China's sovereignty and interests were imperative to safeguarding China's own interests, as well as a legitimate and just response to the EU sanctions, Zhao said. "It is clear who acted first with unreasonable provocation and who responded in defense."

The spokesperson added that China has the right to develop its relations with Europe and will firmly safeguard its sovereignty, security and development interests.

Stressing that sanctions and confrontations will not help solve problems and dialogue and cooperation are the right approaches to forge ahead, Zhao said it is hoped that the European side will do some introspections, immediately stop interfering in China's internal affairs, enhance mutual understanding, properly manage differences and promote the healthy and stable development of China-EU relations through dialogue and communication. Enditem
When NVIDIA released their Turing series of graphics cards, another game-changing tech came with them aside from dedicated ray-tracing cores: DLSS or deep-learning supersampling. And now, Team Green is bringing this excellent upscaling tech to VR.

As reported by Overclock3D, NVIDIA DLSS support is coming to 9 games for the month of May, with 3 VR titles among them. These are:

Aron's Adventure

AMID EVIL

Metro Exodus Enhanced Edition

No Man's Sky (VR)

Everspace 2

Redout: Space Assault

Scavengers

Into The Radius (VR)

Wrench (VR)

The three virtual reality games will be the first of their kind to support NVIDIA's patented AI-powered supersampling technique, which is pretty neat. But to be able to use DLSS in these games, you'll need an RTX graphics card, either from the 2000 or 3000 series. There's no announcement on when exactly the update rolls out, but it can be safe to assume that these games (for those who own them already) will auto-update via their clients.

With this announcement, it looks like NVIDIA is starting to focus much effort into making DLSS support widespread throughout the industry. AMD, as a result, is also trying to follow suit, with their plans to release FidelityFX Super-Resolution being rumored.

But it also means that people with older, unsupported graphics cards will have to upgrade soon, or they'll miss out on the insane benefits that DLSS provides.

Read also: AI and Its Takeover of Video Game Graphics: A Closer Look

What Is NVIDIA DLSS, Exactly? And Why Is It So Good?

Many tech watchdogs and experts agree that DLSS is the best graphics tech that NVIDIA has come up with recently and not ray tracing. A quick look at what it does makes it easy to see why.

At its most basic core, DLSS renders a game at a lower resolution (say, 1080p Full HD) and upscales it to a higher resolution, like 4K. That's the short answer. The long answer is, upscaling via DLSS is not as simple: it uses artificial intelligence. It results in an upscaled image that doesn't look blurred but is rather almost identical to an image rendered in native resolution. And the good thing is, the upscaling doesn't even come with an insane performance penalty.

That is why NVIDIA made sure that DLSS is more or less partnered with their ray tracing tech, which can cut a game's framerate in half when turned on. With DLSS working in tandem, ray tracing settings can be cranked up without losing half the frames, resulting in an almost lifelike image with real-time rendered, realistic-looking shadows and reflections.

Higher-Resolution Gaming Is More Reachable

High-fidelity gaming is still largely out of reach for most people because it requires considerable graphical horsepower. But with DLSS, NVIDIA is making that a reality for more gamers.

Also, the fact that it will now support VR games is a huge step. Virtual reality is one gaming medium that requires a very smooth framerate, so it doesn't hurt your eyes. And according to a report by PCGamer, using DLSS in a game like No Man's Sky (can improve performance by an insane 80 percent. That's with all of its graphics options cranked up at upscaled 4K, too.

Now, let's just hope that the graphics card shortage eases soon, so we can all go get DLSS-supported GPUs to bump our frames up.

Related: 2021 GPU Shortage Will Continue Until the End Of The Year According to NVIDIA; iGPUs And APUs to the Rescue

This article is owned by Tech Times

Written by RJ Pierce

 2021 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
Google I/O 2021 has kicked off on Tuesday, May 18. Despite previous reports saying that the annual event would be delayed due to the pandemic, it's high time that what recently happened was an outstanding report for the Android users.

After its successful finish, here are the things that were discussed for the yearly conference. In addition, we will also talk about the products that were not included in the recent Google I/O Developer meeting in Mount View, California.

Google I/O 2021 Summary: From Android 12 to Watch OS Upgrades

Android 12 Beta is Out

According to TechCrunch, Google I/O 2021 announced that Android 12 would be the next update that Android users would have to wait for. The focus for this upgrade revolves around "Material You," which features changes in UI. It also covers security features that accentuate "private computer core" using AI procedures.

Smart Canvas Features a Video Call

Google I/O 2021 came out with a surprise in Smart Canvas which now had a video call feature so that sharing would be much easier now. There is no need for a laborious scrolling and finding of information-driven apps. All you have to do is to browse over your Google Drive and other related tools to collaborate with others when it comes to businesses.

Google Introduces LaMDA, the New Language Processing Technique

Writing an AI script could sometimes stumble you into trouble, but it's normal for the developers. However, Google launches a technique that makes AI conversations more "conversational" than before.

For example, Google used the anthropomorphized paper airplane and Pluto only to find out the weird audio they produced.

Read Also: Google I/O 2021 Schedule: Wear OS, Android 12, and Other Major Updates; Registration Guide and Details

Google's 3D Video Calling Booth

The latest keynote brought an amazing advanced 3D video call setup called Project Starline which displays people's avatars in both systems. Although it is still undergoing development, its potential to be a useful tool in the future is already seen beforehand.

Google Wear OS Upgrade

More smartwatches have been adding health and fitness features lately. Google is catching up with them as its latest Wear OS now has a Fitbit DNA feature together with Calm, Flo, and other third-party applications.

Google Merges with Samsung for Tizen, Smartwatch

It's a matter of time before two tech giants have collaborated for the smartwatch exploration. Even though Apple is undeniably superior when it comes to wearables, the unified platform of Samsung and Google has a bright future for apps that are compatible with Wear OS and Tizen.

Google-Samsung Foldable Venture

Besides Wear OS, Google and Samsung are also exploring foldable devices. At the moment, the two companies are thinking of some upgrades for the foldable Android phones.

Android TV, Android 'Car Key' Phone, and Machine-Learning Tools

The competition for the smart tv market has just begun for Google through its Android TV. The same market involves Amazon and Roku, which are both dominant in the position. For the Android TV support, developers could use some Google TV emulation and some magic from Firebase Test Lab.

Moreover, Google reported that your Android phone can now be used as your car key. Whenever you are near your vehicle, you can easily unlock it using the new method in the form of highly advanced commands.

In AI research, Vertex has been a big improvement for the machine-learning tools for developers. The AI development is guaranteed to be in good hands with this new development platform in the place.

Google Custom AI Chips, Google Photos, Google Bot, and Google Shopping Interface

Google I/O 2021 seems too much to handle for tech-savvy people as the latest TPUv4 comes into the market. The customized AI chips are said to have 4,096 pods for more smart computing tasks.

For Google Photos fans, this conference has exposed the uncanny part of the platform. There is an AI hallucination between the photos, which gives a horrifying presence of motions. What else could you ask for?

Meanwhile, Googlebot will serve as your savior when you tend to forget your password in Google sites like Chrome. Google also introduced a new shopping interface for easy search.

Google's Flutter, Firebase Update, and Arctic Fox

The up-to-date version of Google's Flutter UI tool kit was also unveiled during Google I/O 2021. There's a lot of things that you should look out for, including safety settings and workflow updates.

Firebase, a developer platform, also received numerous updates upon the announcement. The bonus part also accounts for the next version of the Android Studio named Arctic Fox.

What Did We Not Get in Google I/O 2021?

In a report by CNET, some of the things that did not come in the annual developer conference are budget-friendly Pixel 5A, the Pixel Watch, Pixel Buds A Series, Google's own smartphone chip, new Nest Hub models, and Google Stadia upgrade to name a few.

Related Article: Google I/O 2021: Developer Conference to Kick Off Next Week With Software Updates

This article is owned by Tech Times

Written by Joseph Henry

 2021 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
Roku resurfaced this week with its controversial removal from the YouTube TV app which stemmed from Google's decision to cut it in its platform. The disagreement has grown and affected several users who used to do streaming-related activities in the software.

The good news this week is you can now jailbreak the Roku devices including the Roku TVs and set-top boxes. If you want to root your Roku hardware, you don't have to worry anymore as there are only some reminders that you should memorize for successful rooting.

Root Access for Roku Devices Is Available for Testing

According to a report by Android Police, the root jailbreak for the Roku devices is now possible for those who run the operating system version 9.4.0 4200. Though at certain times you might encounter a problem in rooting it, but through this short hack, you can now manage your desired channels that are on your device, so there's nothing to fret about the lapses that happened previously.

The jailbreaking which is commonly heard as iOS jailbreaking for Apple devices is not only limited to the Cupertino products. The Android devices could now share the same root access at the moment through unlatching the bootloader.

Later, the user could make use of Magisk, a tool used for the boot image patching. This will do the rest of the tasks for your convenience if you have some doubt about jailbreaking. The common knowledge among us is Android does not welcome Roku devices so expect that the rooting will not be similar to the usual process.

Read Also: Roku Debuts 'Cypher' Series for Free, First Exclusive Show to Air in the Platform-Following Netflix and MORE; How to Watch

However, there is a new exploit in rooting which you can test in Roku devices. Engadget reported that said exploit called "RootMyRoku" will help you breeze along with the vulnerabilities that are present in the majority of Roku products including Roku TVs, as well as its set-top boxes.

For those Roku devices powered by the RukoOS v9.4.0 build 4200 up to the latest version, you can easily launch a jailbreak scheme, but remember that they should have a Wi-Fi chip from Realtek.

Presenting a root #jailbreak for most Roku TVs and some Roku set top boxes:https://t.co/ur8kdjrKuB



We've been working hard on this one, so I'm glad to finally be able to share it! A big thank you to ammar2 and popeax from the @Exploiteers Discord.#infosec  /dev/null (@rmDevNull) May 18, 2021

Noteworthy RootMyRoku Features

The following features of RootMyRoku should be checked before jailbreak rooting your Roku devices, as the Github page wrote.

It has added new debug features and secret screens in the main menu.

It runs the hard developer mode on low-level.

On port 8023, it will spawn a root that runs as a talent server.

In Roku servers, it will block all updates on communication, channel, and firmware.

Note: Users should jot down the last statement. They should also be aware that they could not install new channels, as well as the "Search" and "My Feed" features and other similar kinds. Yet, those channels that are not associated with Roku devices like HBO, Netflix, and YouTube will operate.

Rooting a Roku device will let you test a new exploit. To do this, just go to the GitHub project page that was mentioned earlier. However, those RokuOS 10 devices will not enable the exploit to work so you should first have a look at its software version if it is updated.

To check if the software version is up-to-date, click the System section on the settings. Tap the "About" option so you can see more information about your device's software version.

RokuOS v9.4 Vulnerabilities Update

According to XDA, a spokesperson shared some details after the news outlet reached out to the company.

"As part of our continuous monitoring, the Roku security team identified and addressed vulnerabilities in the Roku OS - though these vulnerabilities did not expose customer data and we did not identify any malicious activity. We always want to do everything we can to maintain a secure environment for Roku, our partners, and our users, and we, therefore, mitigated the vulnerabilities and updated Roku OS 9.4 with no impact to the end-user experience," the Roku representative said.

At the moment, we are not yet sure if the RokuOS v9.4 can affect the functionality of RootMyRoku.

Related Article: Roku Sale on Amazon: Streambar, Ultra, Streaming Stick+ with As Much as $30 Off in the Retail Stores Now

This article is owned by Tech Times

Written by Joseph Henry

 2021 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
In 2020, Apple owed some Powerbeats 2 earbuds owners from the U.S. after users sued the company for device defects. On May 18, claimants of the $9.75 million-worth lawsuit started receiving payouts.

According to MacRumors, some owners of said defective earbuds have sent a receipt of the settlement from Apple, thus confirming that the Cupertino company is now paying the affected users.

The screenshot sent to MacRumors on May 18, Tuesday, reads: "You received $114.12 from Simmons, et al. v. Apple Inc., et al." The said amount reflects the Settlement Agreement and Court Orders.

However, it was reported last year that some users are eligible for up to $189 of settlement.

Defect That Led to Lawsuit

A lawsuit was filed in 2017 after some users claimed that the Powerbeats2 stopped working. The dissatisfied customers of Apple, led by Latanya Simmons and Kevin Tobin, brought the issue to the Superior Court of California, Apple Insider reports.

In particular, the users said that the earbuds would not charge or switch on. Also, they noted that it happens even after a short-time use. Moreover, the issue starts to manifest when the product is met with moisture.

If said claims are proven true, it is contrary to the promise of Apple that the accessory is sweat and water-resistant, not to mention robust. In addition, the plaintiffs also claimed that the company lied about the battery life of the said device. The warranty replacement system was also raised and queried in the case.

These claims, however, were not proven to be true, not by the court, according to The Verge. Instead, Apple turned to settle the case with a whopping $9.75 million. It is, according to the company, to avoid further litigation expenses. But, the company remained firm that the allegations are false.

The Powerbeats 2 launched in 2014. And since then, users are saying that they are experiencing defects perhaps attributed to moisture.

In other related news, the new Beats Studio Buds are coming and there are some leaks about it.

Read Also: Apple Music Will Add Lossless and Spatial Audio -- What Is It and Do You Really Need It?

How to Claim

If you bought a Powerbeats2 earbud before August 7, you're supposedly eligible for the claim. However, unfortunately, the form for claiming has been closed by November 2020. It's too late if you only heard or read about it now.

On the flip side, those who have submitted before the deadline only had to submit proof of purchase. Now, these customers are starting to receive their payout.

Related Article: Apple iPad Pro M1 2021: Delivery Dates Push to Mid July Due to MiniLED Screen Production Challenges

This article is owned by Tech Times

Written by Teejay Boris

 2021 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
Google I/O 2021 has revealed a lot of AI updates for the developers. Even though the majority of the announcement points toward Android upgrades, a new AI health tool can turn your smartphone into an instant dermatologist.

The company mentioned that the said app will help in identifying 288 skin conditions including problems in the patients' nails and hair by only using the images provided by the individuals.

Google's Dermatology Assistant Tool is a Go-To Dermatologist For Patients

The recently held Google I/O 2021 Developer Conference on Tuesday, May 18 has revealed that a new AI tool focused on dermatology is expected to arrive later this 2021, according to a report by The Verge. Due to the outstanding remarks that the AI tool received in Europe, it was CE marked as a Class I medical equipment in the region. At the moment, it is not available in the United States.

According to one expert who studies cancer, Google's health tool will give a big boost for doctors when it comes to treating patients with skin problems.

Read Also: Google AI Can Predict Death For Patients With Amazing Accuracy

What makes this standalone AI tool special is its ability to detect 288 kinds of skin problems. But, as the skin experts reminded, this does not mean that actual treatment and diagnosis can be replaced by the health app.

Before it made an appearance to the public, the creators said that it took them three years to make this app using 65,000 images as a dataset featuring the diagnosed conditions of the patients. Additionally, there are also millions of photos of healthy skin and those skin that have problems shown to the patients in varying colors.

To use the AI tool, the patient must first answer some questions online as a requirement to utilize the images. Besides skin conditions, Google has previously developed a similar tool to recognize tuberculosis and some types of cancers.

Google's Dermatology Assistant Tool Is Not a Substitute to Human Diagnosis

Despite its amazing detecting features, the AI health tool is still not proven to be an official replacement for the actual skin diagnosis that dermatologists do, BBC reported. Every year, the company has been generating nearly 10 billion searches about skin conditions.

Although it has been given a CE Mark by the European Union, it is not yet approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in the United States. However, its British counterpart made by Optellum which relies on machine learning has been given by an FDA approval for the lung cancer diagnosis.

According to the University of Southampton's Tim Underwood, the application of AI in the field of medicine has been an effective way to improve what the experts can offer to every person. Underwood added that while the AI intervention is helpful in healthcare improvement, it's still appropriate to consult the doctors regarding the patient's condition.

Related Article: Google I/O 2021 Summary: What We Got and We Didn't Get This Year



This article is owned by Tech Times

Written by Joseph Henry

 2021 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
Google Chrome is the most popular web browser across different countries. However, security experts claimed that the search engine giant still tracks your search history, even if you delete it on your end.

Because of this, Google decided to allow its users to completely delete their online activities on Google Chrome. This means that your search history will no longer appear on your browser and Google can no longer track it.

Right now, many people are still relying on Google Chrome's Incognito Mode to hide their search activities. However, they didn't know that this feature only prevents their online activities from appearing in the web history or predictive search on Google Chrome.

This simply means that Incognito Mode is incapable to hide your activity from your internet supplier.

Google's New Privacy Update

Google has been releasing various innovations for its products and services.

Although the search engine giant wasn't able to provide all the things that its users previously asked for, it still released some enhancements and new features that will surely improve their Google experience.

Also Read: Google's AI-Powered Dermatology Assistant Tool That Can Recognize 288 Skin Conditions

One of these advanced changes is the feature that allows you to completely delete your search history on the Chrome browser. However, The Express UK reported that this new privacy feature could only erase your search history for the last 15 minutes.

This means that your older online activities will remain on the browser. To help you further, here's how you can use Google Chrome's latest privacy enhancement.

Deleting Your Google Search History

According to The Next Web's latest report, completely erasing your Google Chrome search activities is as easy as pie. All you need to do is follow these simple steps:

The first thing you need to do is open your Google Search app. You can do this on both your Android and iOS devices. After that, you must click your profile picture, which is located in the top-right corner of your screen. Once you are on the next tab, you need to choose the "Delete last 15 minutes" option. After doing that, your search activities should no longer appear on your search tab.

For more news updates about Google and its upcoming innovations on Chrome, always keep your tabs open here at TechTimes.

Related Article: Android 12 Gets an Update as Announced by Google During its Google I/O Event

This article is owned by TechTimes

Written by: Griffin Davis

 2021 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
When it was announced that AMD will be making a B2 stepping for their current Ryzen 5000 series chips, there might have been a bit of excitement. But AMD themselves basically just said "hold your horses."

VideoCardz reports that the previously reported B2 stepping for AMD's Vermeer CPUs will not offer any tangible performance improvement over the base chips. This was after an insider by the name Patrick Schur tweeted about the B2 stepping on May 18th:

B2 Stepping for Vermeer?! 



100-000000059-60_50/34_Y

3.4 GHz (up to 5 GHz)

Stepping: B2

Cores: 16



100-000000065-06_46/37_Y

3.7 GHz (up to 4.6 GHz)

Stepping: B2

Cores: 6  Patrick Schur (@patrickschur_) May 17, 2021

Speaking to the Polish hardware website Benchmark.pl, AMD confirmed that the B2 stepping for Vermeer chips was nothing but an effort to make current-generation processors more widely available.

Aside from that, AMD also stated that the new chips, which are due within the next six months, won't require a BIOS update.

Now that that's out of the way, it's still technically good news. This means that more people will be able to get a hold of the amazing Ryzen 5000 series of CPUs, such as the Ryzen 5 5600, which offer significant performance uplifts compared to competing chips from Intel.

In the midst of the global chip shortage, PC enthusiasts will likely take anything they can get.

Read also: AMD Cezanne APUs BENCHMARKED at Last? Ryzen 7 5700G and Ryzen 5 5600G Results Leak

What's Going To Happen To The XT Chips?

It was previously rumored that AMD is preparing for the release of XT series versions of two Zen 3 CPUs: the 5950XT and the 5600 XT, which can technically be considered a Ryzen 5000 refresh.

As stated in that tweet by Schur, the 5950XT was supposed to offer a 100 MHz improvement over the base 5950X's boost clock, allowing it to go to a max boost of 5GHz. There's no clock improvement of such caliber over the 5600X with the alleged 5600XT, however.

When it comes to the fate of the XT chips, it's still not confirmed whether they'll be released. For now, the only confirmation is that the B2 stepping won't perform better, like what Schur initially claimed in his tweet.

According to the official AMD statement to Benchmark.pl, though, the company does plan to move the current 5000 series to B2 over the next six months.

Just Give Us Ryzen 7000 Already

The latest information about the upcoming Zen 4 CPUs from AMD still point to a 2022 release, meaning people will still have to wait.

An article on PCGamesN reports that the Zen 4 chips, codenamed Raphael, are due to come out in the 2nd half of next year.

But maybe the wait will be absolutely worth it, right?

These next-gen CPUs will be on a very small 5nm process, which could mean that the IPC improvement is going to be massive compared to Ryzen 5000, which was made on 7nm. There's also going to be support for PCIe 5.0 and super-fast DDR5 memory.

Until then, enthusiasts will have to settle for Ryzen 5000, which is absolutely not a bad thing anyway.

Related: AMD Zen 4 CPUs are Coming and Will be on an Insanely Small 5nm Node; IPC Improvement is Going to be Nuts

This article is owned by Tech Times

Written by RJ Pierce

 2021 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
Some researchers claimed that their new dyes could identify if an EV's electric motor is no longer usable. If this is true, then their latest invention could help consumers save their money by preventing useless or unnecessary motor replacements in the future.

Also Read: Wireless Charging on the Road for Electric Vehicle Batteries? Ex-NASA Scientist's Aim Coming to Reality

The latest study was conducted by researchers and other electric car experts at Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg or MLU. Aside from them, scientists at the ELANTAS, a division of the specialty chemicals group ALTANA, also joined the new experiment.

They were able to develop a new process that allows them to directly integrate their dyes into the insulation. The involved scientists explained that these new dyes change color to reveal how much the insulating resin layer around the copper wires in the motor has degraded.

This seems to be a great innovation for Tesla to adapt. However, the giant EV manufacturer hasn't released any statement if it will integrate the new dyes in its Tesla models.

To help you further, here's what they discovered during the latest dye experiment.

Dyes Can Prevent Useless Electric Motor Replacements?

The new study entitled "SelfDiagnostic Polymers-Inline Detection of Thermal Degradation of Unsaturated Poly(ester imide)s" was published in the journal Wiley Online Library.

In this paper, the scientists explained how their new dyes work to prevent unnecessary electric motor replacements.

"Monitoring polymer degradation is an important quest, particularly relevant for industry," explained the researchers. "Although many indirect methodologies for assessing polymer degradation exist, only a few are applicable for an inlinemonitoring via optic detectionsystems."

According to Phys Org's latest report, Alexander Funtan, one of the leading chemists at MLU, said that they were able to develop a test rig that can analyze four different resin systems over several months.

He added that it can determine which degradation products form at different temperatures. Thanks to their innovation, the new dyes can help various electric car owners identify if they really need to replace their motors.

How the New Dyes Work?

The involved scientists explained that different color spectra could be analyzed using special devices. They added that these gadgets could be installed directly in the engine of an electric car.

Thanks to this method, EV owners can now identify if a replacement is really necessary. The new dyes are not the only innovation developed to improve the electric car experience.

Previously, an ex-NASA expert shared his wireless charging system. Aside from this, Ford also created an app that can tell users how much headphones can slow down their reaction time.

This just shows that various organizations and companies are making efforts to make electric driving safer and advance.

For more news updates about EV and other related stories, always keep your tabs open here at TechTimes.

Related Article: Ford F-150 Lightning Is the New Rival of Tesla Cybertruck, Rivian R1T-Appears on President Biden's EV Plan for the US

This article is owned by TechTimes

Written by: Griffin Davis

 2021 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
Source: Xinhua| 2021-05-19 18:52:33|Editor: huaxia

Video Player Close

BEIRUT, May 19 (Xinhua) -- Caretaker Lebanese Foreign Minister Charbel Wehbe submitted his resignation letter to President Michel Aoun on Wednesday after the backlash over his comments about Gulf Arab states, a statement by Lebanon's Presidency said.

"I had the honor of meeting His Excellency the President, and submitted to him a request to be relieved of my duties and responsibilities as Foreign Minister," Wehbe said after his meeting with Aoun.

The Lebanese minister said his resignation decision comes to avoid the exploitation of what he has said in offending Lebanon and the Lebanese.

During an interview on Al-Hurra TV channel on Tuesday, Wehbe blamed the Gulf states for the rise of the extremist Islamic State (IS) in Iraq and Syria.

His comments were met with heavy criticism by the Lebanese and Gulf officials and nationals. Enditem
Source: Xinhua| 2021-05-19 19:00:10|Editor: huaxia

Video Player Close

CAIRO, May 19 (Xinhua) -- Arab League Secretary-General Ahmed Aboul-Gheit on Wednesday expressed deep regret about Lebanese foreign minister's remarks against the Gulf Arab states.

In a statement, Aboul-Gheit described such remarks as "inconsistent with the simplest diplomatic norms of courtesy."

"The language used by the Arab countries' officials should reflect the mutual respect and should avoid provoking hate sentiments or sedition," he said.

"The Lebanese foreign minister's remarks would contribute to rising tensions among Lebanon and the Gulf states, instead of correcting the bilateral ties," the Arab League chief noted.

Lebanese Foreign Minister Charbel Wehbe resigned on Wednesday after blaming the Gulf states for the rise of the extremist Islamic State in Iraq and Syria in a televised interview on Tuesday. Enditem
Local government entities are looking to revise or eliminate mask orders following the weekend announcements from the Centers for Disease Control and the state that call out more lenient guidelines, particularly for those who are fully vaccinated. (Photo by Suzanne Cheavens/Telluride Daily Planet)
Note: We've recently updated our online systems. If you can't login please try resetting your password. You must login with an email address. If you don't have an email associated with your account email please call (208) 542-6777 for help.
A driver and toddler, both unrestrained, were killed during a crash in St. Mary Parish Wednesday morning, Louisiana State Police said.

Just after 8:15 a.m., troopers responded to the single-vehicle crash on US Highway 90 between Morgan City and Amelia.

State police report that the car was traveling west on US 90 when the driver lost control and ran off the roadway before hitting a tree. The crash happened while it was raining, and troopers believe the driver was traveling too fast for the rainy condition.

The driver and toddler died at the crash site. State police said the toddler was not properly restrained in a booster seat.

State police will release the names of the victims once family members have been notified.

A toxicology sample was obtained from the driver and submitted for analysis.

The investigation is ongoing.
Broussard residents with law enforcement experience will assist in the selection of an interim police chief until an election can be held to replace Brannon Decou, who announced his retirement last week following an investigation into allegations by former officers of sexual harassment and workplace retaliation.

City officials announced Wednesday morning more details about the nine-member committee that will review resumes and make recommendations to the Broussard City Council for up to three candidates for the interim police chief position.

The committee comprises three council members, the mayor and five community members who have worked in law enforcement. The members of the advisory search committee include:

Mayor Ray Bourque

City Council Member Kenny Higginbotham

City Council Member Jesse Regan

City Council Member Jeff Delahoussaye

Lafayette Parish Sheriff Mark Garber, a Broussard resident

St. Martin Parish Sheriff's Lt. Ross Stevens

Retired U.S. Marshal Ed Comeaux, a Broussard resident currently serving on the Broussard Civil Service Board

Retired City Marshal Phil Conrad, a Broussard resident

Retired Louisiana State Police Sgt. John Trahan

The committee will recommend up to three applicants for the interim police chief position, and the full City Council will vote for a candidate during an upcoming public meeting.

It wasn't immediately clear what date the council would vote for the interim police chief or when the chosen candidate would begin in the position. An interim chief must be appointed within 20 days of Decou's June 1 retirement, according to the state's election code. The council has two regularly scheduled meetings on May 25 and June 8 before that deadline.

Decou, who has served as police chief for 20 years, announced in a May 10 letter that he would retire from his elected position on June 1. Voters elected Decou to serve through the end of 2022.

On May 11, the Broussard City Council voted unanimously to fire Assistant Police Chief Christopher Galvez for his failure to pursue employee complaints and causing a lack of confidence within the Police Department.

Broussard leaders announced May 13 the conclusion of a sexual harassment investigation that found the police chief's actions violated the city's harassment policy but were not illegal. The city attorneys who led the investigation recommended corrective actions, some of which had taken place earlier that week, to resolve misconduct in the workplace.

No additional changes have been made within the Police Department since that time, according to city spokesperson Holly Cope-Lynn.

Top stories in Acadiana in your inbox Twice daily we'll send you the day's biggest headlines. Sign up today. e-mail address * Sign Up

Sexual harassment allegations against Decou were made public in an Acadiana Advocate story April 18. In that article, three former officers described a work environment in which individuals were hired and promoted based on appearance, unwelcome sexual advances were the norm and anyone who voiced concerns faced retaliation.

Although attorneys for the city of Broussard said their investigation uncovered nothing illegal, some former officers told The Acadiana Advocate they faced discrimination and retaliation when they voiced concerns about sexual harassment, which could violate state and federal workplace laws. On May 12, former officer Ryan Alexander Savoie filed a lawsuit in the 15th Judicial District Court against the city that alleges violations of state discrimination and whistleblower laws.

Broussard's interim police chief will select a new assistant chief to replace Galvez in the weeks ahead, Cope-Lynn said.

The interim chief will serve in the appointed role until the next regular election in the fall of 2022. The interim chief is also eligible to run for the elected position.

Anyone interested in applying for the interim police chief position should email his or her resume to claviolette@broussardla.com or hand deliver it to Callie Laviolette at Broussard City Hall, 310 East Main St. Applicants must reside in Broussard and provide proof of residence within the city limits for at least the past 12 months. Resumes will be accepted until 5 p.m. Friday, May 21.

+9 Broussard police chief faces allegations of sexual harassment by former officers Taylor Jones says he'll never forget the November night when he had his first panic attack.

Ex-Broussard police officer files whistleblower retaliation lawsuit against city A former officer with the Broussard Police Department who voiced concerns about inappropriate behavior by the chief and assistant chief during

Broussard Police Chief Brannon Decou to retire amid sexual harassment investigation Broussard Police Chief Brannon Decou announced his retirement Monday afternoon as the city continues its investigation into sexual harassment 

+2 Broussard's assistant police chief fired as sexual harassment investigation continues The assistant police chief of Broussard was fired Tuesday for failing to properly address sexual harassment complaints, according to minutes f
Source: Xinhua| 2021-05-19 19:14:01|Editor: huaxia

Video Player Close

Photo taken on May 19, 2021 shows explosions following Israeli airstrikes in the southern Gaza Strip city of Rafah. Five Palestinians, including a local journalist, were killed on Wednesday in a fresh round of Israeli airstrikes on the Gaza Strip that have been going on for 10 days, medics said. (Photo by Khaled Omar/Xinhua)

GAZA, May 19 (Xinhua) -- Five Palestinians, including a local journalist, were killed on Wednesday in a fresh round of Israeli airstrikes on the Gaza Strip that have been going on for 10 days, medics said.

The killed journalist was identified as Yousef Abu Hussein who works for al-Aqsa Radio, the Gaza-based radio station run by Hamas. Israeli fighter jets directly struck an apartment in northern Gaza city and killed him.

Three other Palestinians were killed in a predawn Israeli airstrike on another apartment in Gaza city.

Eyewitnesses and security sources said one woman was killed during an airstrike on an apartment in the Remal neighborhood in western Gaza city, adding eight others were injured in separate airstrikes in Gaza.

Israeli fighter jets and artillery carried out dozens of strikes on buildings, apartments and roads all over the Gaza Strip overnight and on Wednesday morning, according to eyewitnesses.

On Wednesday, the ministry of health in Gaza said 219 Palestinians have been killed and 1,530 others injured in the recent Israeli bombardments on Gaza.

According to Israeli media reports and official figures, rockets fired from the Gaza Strip at Israel in the last 10 days have killed 12 Israelis, including two foreign workers. Enditem
A Baton Rouge attorney who has been practicing law since 1991 and has four DWI arrests since 1981  three of them since 1992  has been suspended for the third time for professional misconduct.

This time, the Louisiana Supreme Court said Donald Dobbins, who recently ran for a City Court seat, must show "that any alcohol abuse issues have been addressed" before any application for reinstatement will be considered.

The high court on Thursday suspended Dobbins for three years, retroactive to his January 2020 suspension. He was suspended at that time for a year and a day, but as of last week, the justices said he had not been reinstated and remained suspended.

In suspension of Baton Rouge lawyer running for City Court, state high court won't reconsider Baton Rouge lawyer and judicial candidate Donald Dobbins has failed to persuade the state's highest court to reconsider its decision to suspen

Dobbins was first suspended in 2002 for a year, with six months deferred, followed by one year of probation for commingling and converting client funds, according to the Supreme Court's most recent suspension order.

His 2020 suspension was for failing to provide competent representation to clients; neglecting legal matters; failing to communicate with clients; failing to refund unearned fees and unused costs; failing to properly supervise his nonlawyer staff, resulting in false affidavits being filed in the court record; failing to reduce a contingency fee agreement to writing; forging client signatures on settlement checks; and failing to place disputed funds in his trust account.

The justices last year ordered Dobbins to pay a combined $4,440 in restitution to two former clients.

Why this Baton Rouge City Court candidate has been suspended from practicing law Longtime Baton Rouge lawyer and current City Court candidate Donald Dobbins has been suspended from the practice of law by Louisiana's top cou

In suspending Dobbins last week, the Supreme Court said he has been arrested for DWI on multiple occasions and also failed to provide competent representation to a client, neglected a legal matter, failed to adequately communicate with a client, and failed to account for and/or refund an unearned fee.

Top stories in Baton Rouge in your inbox Twice daily we'll send you the day's biggest headlines. Sign up today. e-mail address * Sign Up

Dobbins, the court said, denied any misconduct and argued that the formal disciplinary charges should be dismissed or, at most, a public reprimand imposed.

The justices found that a three-year suspension, retroactive to his January 2020 suspension, is an "appropriate sanction." They also ordered him to make full restitution of all unearned fees.

Dobbins could not be reached for comment Tuesday.

Dobbins was arrested in 2016 and charged with speeding, reckless operation and DWI -- his fourth DWI arrest since 1981. The charges were dismissed in 2019 because one of the officers could not appear in court when he was scheduled to testify, the high court said.

Following his 2016 arrest, however, Dobbins agreed to be evaluated through the Judges and Lawyers Assistance Program, or JLAP. The results of the evaluation were inconclusive as to whether he could be diagnosed with a substance use disorder, the justices noted, and he was referred for an inpatient multidisciplinary evaluation at a JLAP-approved facility.

Dobbins "has refused to submit to the inpatient evaluation," the court said.

His 1981 DWI arrest resulted in a guilty plea to that charge the same year, the Supreme Court said. After a 1992 arrest for DWI and careless driving, he pleaded guilty to careless driving, and the DWI charge was dismissed by a prosecutor. DWI and reckless operation charges from a 2010 arrest also were dismissed by a prosecutor in 2014.

Dobbins' 2020 suspension came three weeks after he qualified to run for a vacant Baton Rouge City Court seat. He remained in the race and on the ballot despite the suspension. Johnell Matthews won the seat.
A former narcotics detective with the Baton Rouge Police Department was booked into jail Wednesday for the third time in recent weeks, now facing accusations he lied in a search warrant application.

Jason Acree resigned from the department earlier this month following his second arrest. BRPD leaders announced the third arrest during a news conference Monday, and Acree turned himself in around noon Wednesday.

The mounting accusations against him come amid a corruption probe focused on the entire BRPD narcotics division, which has come under scrutiny for several reasons, not least being his alleged criminal behavior. In addition to Acree, another detective was arrested and later resigned from the department, and four supervisors were transferred into street patrols.

+7 Ex-BRPD narcotics detective faces third arrest, this time for lying in police reports A former detective with the Baton Rouge Police Department faces his third arrest in recent months  this time for lying in police reports  am

Department leaders said Monday they had three open criminal investigations involving the division, but refused to name the individual officers.

Acree was first arrested in February after investigators accused him of stealing marijuana from the narcotics evidence room and giving the drugs to his friend. He was booked into jail again last month on obstruction of justice, though that arrest was based largely on the same evidence and probable cause as the initial one.

The newest allegations against him arose from an audit of all narcotics operations dating back to 2016, officials said. That probe is ongoing and expected to last several months. BRPD leaders have promised to make their findings public once it concludes.

While reviewing materials for the audit, investigators concluded Acree had "provided false and misleading information" in his application for a no-knock search warrant last year, according to his arrest report. Specifically, Acree lied about having conducted a controlled buy  using a confidential informant to purchase methamphetamine from an address on Lee Drive  within the past 48 hours, according to the report.

+2 BRPD narcotics officers accused of misconduct made on average $50K in overtime, doubling salaries In the months leading up to a corruption probe into the Baton Rouge Police Department narcotics division, seven of its detectives later accuse

Top stories in Baton Rouge in your inbox Twice daily we'll send you the day's biggest headlines. Sign up today. e-mail address * Sign Up

Investigators interviewed another narcotics detective and reviewed records tracking controlled buys, they wrote in the report. They found that detectives had recently conducted two controlled buys at the address, but both occurred more than 20 days before Acree applied for the search warrant on Nov. 3.

In the application, Acree wrote that an informant told him someone was still selling drugs there, so he conducted a controlled buy "in order to substantiate these claims  once again."

A Baton Rouge judge approved the application, allowing Acree to conduct the search. He ended up finding a pistol, several drugs and drug paraphernalia, among other things, according to the report. The findings resulted in two people being arrested.

It was not immediately clear whether their cases have been dismissed. Local prosecutors have already dropped more than 100 pending drug cases involving BRPD narcotics officers whose credibility has been compromised.

Convincing prostitutes to set up drug deals: The story of BRPD and its 'troll rips' When a friend texted Christopher Gregoire asking for some weed, he agreed to smoke with her and arrived at her Baton Rouge hotel room about 20

Questions about widespread misconduct in the narcotics division started surfacing in December after one detective, Jeremiah Ardoin, was arrested and accused of buying stolen electronics. While facing those charges, Ardoin accused his colleagues and supervisors of even more egregious misconduct. He said narcotics officers routinely stopped and searched Black people without probable cause, planted drugs on suspects and coerced prostitutes into setting up drug dealers.

He also accused Acree of stealing marijuana from the evidence room, a claim that formed the basis for his first arrest. Both Acree and Ardoin recently resigned from the department.

After BRPD corruption probe halts 100+ cases, will narcotics officers change who they arrest? After local prosecutors dismissed more than 100 cases involving two Baton Rouge police officers recently accused of misconduct, the sheer numb
In the recent deadly shooting of a well-known Elvis impersonator from Independence, a court ruled Wednesday that his stepson, the suspected shooter, is mentally incompetent to stand trial and needs to receive psychiatric treatment before the case can proceed.

Trace Pigott, 28, has a long history of serious mental illness, including a schizophrenia diagnosis and multiple prior hospitalizations, according to testimony from a forensic psychiatrist who recently examined him.

Pigott is accused of killing his stepfather, Jason Baglio, in Denham Springs earlier this month and then fleeing the scene. He was arrested several hours later in New Orleans, where police found him in possession of a loaded semi-automatic pistol and buprenorphine, a drug often used to treat opioid use disorder.

Authorities still have not released information about a possible motive in the killing.

Pigott was arrested alongside his father, Tommy Ray Pigott, who is accused of acting as a principal to second-degree murder. Authorities said both father and son were present when the shooting occurred, though the younger Pigott alone is accused of pulling the trigger.

+4 Stepson accused in deadly shooting of well-known local Elvis impersonator, Livingston officials say A well-known local Elvis impersonator was shot to death at his Denham Springs house over the weekend, and detectives believe his stepson pulle

Tommy Ray Pigott has already been extradited back to Livingston Parish, where the case against him will proceed. But Trace Pigott was held in New Orleans pending a psychiatric evaluation and sanity hearing, which took place Wednesday morning.

Two forensic psychologists testified that they interviewed Pigott for about 45 minutes last week and found him currently too delusional and paranoid to stand trial.

One of the doctors, Dr. Janet Johnson, said Pigott offered several "potentially incriminating statements" during the interview. Johnson said he also disclosed a long history of mental illness, saying he was diagnosed with schizophrenia several years ago and had taken various medications, including most recently an antipsychotic drug and a mood stabilizer  though not always with complete regularity. He told the doctors he had been hospitalized multiple times for mental health treatment and had attempted suicide at least once.

Johnson said he was agitated during their interaction, at one point leaving the room because he was too upset to continue. He voluntarily returned and was not hostile, but displayed a high level or paranoia about the entire criminal justice system, Johnson said.

Second suspect in Denham Springs shooting death of Elvis impersonator arrested in New Orleans The father of the suspect in the fatal shooting of an Elvis Presley impersonator has been arrested in New Orleans, the Livingston Parish Sheri

Top stories in Baton Rouge in your inbox Twice daily we'll send you the day's biggest headlines. Sign up today. e-mail address * Sign Up

Pigott seemed to think he could speak with the judge directly and work out a plea deal that would allow him to avoid anything other than probation, Johnson said. He faces a count of second-degree murder, which carries a mandatory sentence of life without parole.

At one point during the court hearing Wednesday, Pigott interjected to tell the judge he is not delusional, though his attorney asked him to refrain commenting publicly about his case.

When asked about prior abuse in his family, Pigott offered "an odd answer," Johnson testified. He said his parents separated when he was 2 and described his childhood as all right.

"It sounded like perhaps there was some abuse in his childhood and he wanted something better for his children," Johnson said. "He talked a lot about having to protect himself and protect his children  unclear how much of that was delusional or paranoid."

Both doctors recommended that Pigott be transferred to the Eastern Louisiana Mental Health System in Jackson, where he will remain until psychiatrists deem his competency restored. New Orleans Magistrate Court Judge Juana Marine Lombard agreed.

+4 Well-known Elvis impersonator killed in Denham Springs shooting; suspect arrested A man was arrested in connection with a deadly shooting that happened in Denham Springs early Saturday, the Livingston Parish Sheriff's Office said.

Details about the circumstances of the homicide remain scarce, but Livingston officials said a witness to the shooting allowed them to quickly identify Pigott as their suspect and then track him to New Orleans.

Court records show that New Orleans police received a call from Livingston Parish deputies the morning of May 8, several hours after the deadly shooting. Deputies said they had tracked Pigott to an address in New Orleans, and city police found him in a Popeyes parking lot. When he saw officers approaching, Pigott "immediately put his hands up and laid down on the pavement," according to a police report.

Officers discovered he had a concealed weapon, which he was carrying without a permit, the report says. They brought him to a substation for arrest paperwork and later found a small baggy containing part of a buprenorphine pill in his pocket. The police report includes no information about why Pigott had the pill or whether he experienced addiction in the past.

Baglio, 47, left behind a wife and two daughters, in addition to many other relatives. He was known for performing as an Elvis impersonator under the stage name Jayson Alfano, both locally and across the country.
Senate-approved legislation to expand the number of seats on Louisiana Supreme Court from seven justices to nine ran into some problems with language before being moved along Tuesday by a House Committee.

As a judge on the 14th Judicial District Court in Calcasieu Parish back in the 1990s Rep. Wilford Carter Sr., D-Lake Charles, worked for minority representation on Louisianas benches. He said that despite promises, only one district was drawn to allow a Black justice on the Louisiana Supreme Court. With 32% of the states population being African American, the numbers indicate that three of the nine justices should be Black. Today, only one of the seven justices is Black.

The legislation is aimed at settling a lawsuit filed in U.S. District Court in Baton Rouge seeking a declaration that the Supreme Court districts currently violate the federal Voting Rights Act of 1965. The federal lawsuit challenges the maps used to elect Louisiana's seven state Supreme Court justices as discriminatory against African American voters.

The Washington, D.C.-based Lawyers' Committee for Civil Rights Under Law filed the lawsuit on behalf of the Louisiana State Conference of the NAACP and two Black voters are seeking an order that the current districts not be used again and that the boundaries be redrawn.

Bill to expand Louisiana Supreme Court advances An effort to expand the Louisiana Supreme Court from seven justices to nine passed its first legislative hurdle Monday when a Senate committee

Carter wants the districts to reflect the demographics of the state overall and not just individual districts.

Carter and Rep. Sam Jenkins, D-Shreveport, said they feared the language could be, down the road, interpreted as applying to the small specifically drawn districts for city courts and some state judicial district benches.

Jenkins said they were worried about collateral damage and thanked the committee for not summarily dismissing their concerns.

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

I know what the vote is going to be but we have to have a legislative record, Carter said.

On party line votes the eight Republicans defeated four amendments to the language sought by the committees five Democratic representatives present at the House & Governmental Affairs committee.

Democratic Sen. Jimmy Harris, of New Orleans, cosponsored the legislation with Republican Sen. Patrick McMath, of Covington.

The aim of Senate Bill 163 is to realign the districts from which the members of the high court are now elected in order to keep each district at roughly the same population numbers.

The Supreme Court isnt covered by the decennial redistricting as is the case for legislators and other elected officials of population. The districts from which Supreme Court justices are elected have only been redrawn once in the past 80 years, McMath said. The largest district now has 75% more voters in it then the smallest district, he added.

SB163 would require legislators to redraw the district lines of Supreme Court justices every 10 years after the U.S. Census is completed just as is done for other elected officials.

The legislation now goes to the House Civil Law committee and if advanced there, would need to pass the Louisiana House. It then would return to the Senate for concurrence on the wording changes. If legislatively approved, the measure then would go before the states voters in October. If all those hurdles are cleared, the newly drawn Supreme Court districts would become effective for the 2024 elections.
ASX-listed global payments provider EML has seen more than $800 million wiped off its market value in a single day, after revelations the Irish financial regulator is probing it for major breaches of anti-money laundering (AML) and counter-terrorism financing (CTF) laws.

Brisbane-based EML said on Wednesday it had received a letter from the Central Bank of Ireland on May 14 raising significant regulatory concerns and threatening further disciplinary action. The news caused the companys share price to tank by 45.63 per cent to close at $2.80 per share.

EML chief executive Thomas Cregan. Credit:Jesse Marlow

Two months before EML received the letter from Ireland, more than $7.5 million of chief executive Thomas Cregans shares were sold and he ceased to be a substantial shareholder in the company, according to ASX disclosures. EML said investment bank UBS had sold the shares, on Mr Cregans behalf and without his involvement, through a margin lending facility.

EML said the regulators concerns related to its Irish subsidiary, PFS Card Services, and was not relevant to its Australian or North American operations. The Australian Securities and Investments Commission could not comment on whether any local investigations were underway. The Australian Transaction Reports and Analysis Centre (AUSTRAC) did not respond to requests for comment.
As many as 12,000 Australian and New Zealand share traders will receive shares or payouts for shares, potentially worth more than $200 million, that were locked up in the collapse of broker Halifax Investments two-and-a-half years ago.

Sydney-headquartered Halifax was one of the biggest independent brokers of shares before its November 2018 collapse. The Age and The Sydney Morning Herald first revealed the details of Halifaxs collapse and its shortfall of client funds of as much of $200 million in early 2018.

Back in 2018, no-one imagined Halifax director Jeff Worboys was about to call in the administrators. Credit:

The two directors of Halifax, Jeff Worboys and Matthew Barnett, have been banned from working in financial services for six years over their alleged involvement in the operations of another collapsed investment house, Bondi-headquartered Courtenay House.

Liquidators at KPMG, led by Morgan Kelly, compared the collapse of Halifax to those of Sonray Capital and BBY  given the size of its business and that it had co-mingled clients funds rather than keeping the funds separate. The co-mingling meant it was incredibly difficult to tell which clients were directly impacted by the shortfall and which were not.
Source: Xinhua| 2021-05-19 20:11:54|Editor: huaxia

Video Player Close

Aerial photo taken on May 19, 2021 shows senior hobbyists of Taijiquan, a traditional Chinese martial art, demonstrating Taijiquan moves by Fuchunjiang River in Tonglu County, east China's Zhejiang Province. A nation-wide campaign to promote and demonstrate Taijiquan as a fitness exercise among senior citizens was launched here on Wednesday. More than 2,000 Taijiquan hobbyists from all over the country flocked in to participate in the demonstrations and performances. (Xinhua/Xu Yu)
Former Collingwood cheer squad figurehead Jeffrey Joffa Corfe has been charged with two counts of historical sexual offending against a Melbourne teenager more than a decade ago.

Detectives allege the 60-year-old sexually penetrated a child under the age of 16 twice during a 2005 incident in Coburg, in Melbournes north.

Collingwood stalwart and super-fan Jeff Joffa Corfe in 2011. Credit:The Age

Mr Corfe, who now lives in Redbank Plains in Queensland, was arrested in Abbotsford on May 6.

He appeared in the Melbourne Magistrates Court earlier this month and was bailed to appear again on July 30.
Dr Brook is an astrophysicist at Spains Universidad de La Laguna and holds law, science and commerce degrees from the University of Melbourne. The publication of the Rowe article was his first foray into the forensic sciences. He insists his interest is primarily in scientific methods and proofs, which he believes are lacking in many forensic sciences. His interest was sparked when he began investigating the basis for the computer modelling used in forensic reconstructions. He later broadened out to the larger question of how low-quality forensic science gets introduced into the courts. Eight months after his paper was published, in February 2020, it suddenly disappeared from the journals website, replaced with a tersely worded statement: This article has been removed for legal reasons. It is rare for journals to retract published articles  and almost unheard of for them to do it for legal reasons. Open debate, disagreement and criticism are generally considered healthy and important in science.

When asked for an explanation, editor Daniel Franklin said: At this stage neither myself or the [Australian Academy of Forensic Sciences] are willing to discuss this matter. Now, a cache of documents from the Royal Childrens Hospital, the journal and the Victorian Institute of Forensic Medicine obtained by Dr Brook through freedom-of-information requests show that two fellow scientists, the experts in the Rowe trial, had issued the threat. Dr Linda Iles, head of forensic pathology services, Victorian Institute of Forensic Medicine Credit:Eddie Jim The emails show Dr Iles, the head of pathological services at the Victorian Institute of Forensic Medicine, and Dr Tully, a forensic paediatrician from the Royal Childrens Hospital, considered authoring a response to Dr Brook. Then Dr Iles forwarded Dr Brooks paper to a detective in Victoria Polices homicide squad. Dr Iles wrote in an email to the detective: We do need to point out the extremely narrow focus of this which purports to be a review of the entire proceedings. Neither do we wish to silence legitimate scientific debate in this area. But this is nonsense.

While not involved in the Rowe prosecution, Detective Leading Senior Constable Leigh Smyth had been the informant in other baby shaking cases  and responded that he regarded the paper as garbage. If it was not about such a serious topic, it would be comical, Detective Smyth wrote. I am not sure how such a paper could be published in a respected journal. Dr Jo Tully, deputy director of the Victorian Forensic Paediatric Medical Service at the Royal Childrens and Monash Childrens hospitals. Detective Smyth then ran a background check on Dr Brook using Victoria Polices confidential LEAP database, obtaining his full legal name, birthdate and home address. Under regulations, LEAP searches are supposed to be conducted only for demonstrable, legitimate need directly related to the performance of their duties. I will dig a little deeper, the officer wrote to Dr Iles, as I reckon there is an interest in this particular case that he has not declared. Would suggest that he knows accused or friend of same. Either way, he is clearly not qualified to write papers on this topic, not that this could not be written by a 10-year-old.

Dr Brook told The Age and Herald he had no link to the accused, simply an interest in the rigour of expert evidence given in court. Detective Smyths decision to run a background check and then share the information is now under internal investigation by Victoria Police. The communication will now be further assessed to determine if any further action is necessary, a police spokesman said. Dr Iles and Dr Tully submitted to the journal a response to Dr Brooks article, which countered the criticism of their testimony and the scientific basis of the shaken baby diagnosis and labelled the paper a gross misrepresentation and oversimplification. It was accompanied by a demand for an apology from the journal and a promise that it would not publish any reply from Dr Brook. Editor Daniel Franklin refused and the duos response remained unpublished. Emails show Dr Iles warning the journals editor: If the acknowledgment and apology we have requested does not accompany our response, our next action will be to seek advice as to possible legal remedies.

She also called Dr Brooks paper an unprecedented attack on clinicians who serve the justice system in this state. In February 2020, the article was retracted. Its disappearance attracted the attention of The Age and Heralds national science reporter Liam Mannix. Dr Iles denied to Mannix any demand to retract the paper had been made, and said she had no knowledge of the legal reasons for the papers withdrawal.

Meanwhile, Dr Iles contacted Detective Smyth to alert him to the newspapers interest. Homicide squad head Detective Inspector Tim Day called The Age and Herald saying any move to publish a story could be met with a court injunction, as it threatened to derail a trial that was under way at the time. Dr Iles declined this week to explain what she had meant by seeking legal remedies. She said she did not want to get into a debate with someone who misrepresented the evidence they gave in court in the Rowe matter, and called Dr Brook an armchair expert. There is a lot at stake at our end ... we just have to be really careful in terms of what gets published. Once papers are accepted into the literature base, they can then make their way into the courtroom, she said.

Loading It was never our intention for them to retract the paper. Dr Tully declined to comment. Dr Brook said the retraction of the article reflects poorly on those involved and more broadly on the Australian forensic science community. The editor stated that the article was reviewed by individuals of high standing in their respective disciplines and that the correct editorial processes were followed. Yet the editor bowed to pressure coming from the very experts whose work was scrutinised.
The government is already examining what could be done to improve Degraves Street, including safety and lighting measures, in an attempt to placate local traders. A senior source close to the planning for the second safe-injecting room, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, said proponents had learnt lessons from the states first medically supervised safe-injecting room in North Richmond. [The CBD facility] will be discreet, they said. This is a service where the injecting component within it is less than 10 per cent of the floor space. Inside North Richmond's safe injecting room. The North Richmond centre, nestled between Richmond West Primary School and a public housing estate, has attracted passionate protests from school parents and neighbours. In separate incidents in March, a mans body was found near the grounds of the school and another man allegedly entered the site with a knife.

But it has also been credited with being a public health success story. In the first 18 months of the trial, 300 people were screened for hepatitis C and some were treated after testing positive. Staff made about 13,000 referrals to services such as the Fitzroy Legal Service in the same period. Loading An independent review panel last year recommended a second injecting room be established in the City of Melbourne, to take the pressure off the existing injecting room. In July the Department of Health appointed former Victoria Police chief commissioner Ken Lay to identify sites for a second safe-injecting room after its preferred location  near the Queen Victoria market  sparked fierce opposition from residents, market stallholders and Melbourne City Council. Mr Lay briefed the council about the new injecting room on Tuesday.

The new Flinders Street service is expected to be a dedicated community health service with a small injecting facility inside. It would offer drug and alcohol services, allied health services for the broader community and homelessness outreach services. In Degraves Street, Cafe Andiamo owner David Perrotta, who has run his business for nearly 16 years, questioned the need for a specialised injecting service in the centre of the city. The CBD, its Melbourne, he said. You dont want anything to detract people from coming in. Weve just gone through a year of hell, and now theyre thinking of putting an injecting room smack in the centre of the CBD. Cafe Andiamo owner David Perrotta says the citys hospitality sector went through hell last year. Credit:Joe Armao Families, knowing its there, will they stop at Flinders Street any more, or will they stop at another station? I dont think we need it there.

According to Crime Statistics Agency data, crime  apart from COVID-related public health and safety incidents  decreased in Richmond last year. Yarra Drug and Health Forum chairman Peter Wearne said the North Richmond safe-injecting room had been successful because it was near the local drug market. Loading It [the area] is not a honeypot because of the injecting room, he said. People dont buy their heroin in Broadmeadows and jump on a train and go to North Melbourne. The amount of time between people buying heroin and injecting it is about 10 minutes.
The case against former MasterChef contestant Ben Ungermann, who was accused of sexually touching a teenage girl, is expected to be finalised this week with the chef to instead be charged with one count of common assault.

In a surprising twist in the case late on Wednesday afternoon, Mr Ungermanns lawyer told Melbourne Magistrates Court the case would proceed on one alternative charge of common law assault, rather than the original charges of sexual assault.

Ben Ungermann left MasterChef mid-season. Credit:Scenic Rim Eat Local/Heather Wehl

The agreement was struck after a magistrate refused an application to have the case thrown out of court made by Mr Ungermanns lawyers, who raised concerns that the victim had been allegedly coached by police.

Mr Ungermann was last year charged with three counts of sexual assault after the 17-year-old alleged victim, who cannot be named for legal reasons, accused him of touching her without her consent on February 23 last year in Melbournes Docklands. She was 16 at the time.
Australias power industry has hit out at the Morrison governments plan for a taxpayer-funded gas-fired generator, describing it as an unnecessary market intervention that risks derailing vital future investments needed to transition the energy grid.

On Wednesday, Federal Energy Minister Angus Taylor gave a go-ahead to the Commonwealth-owned Snowy Hydro to build a $600 million, 660 megawatt generator in NSWs Hunter Valley to supply on-demand energy into the grid when gaps in power supply emerge.

Energy and Emissions Minister Angus Taylor and Prime Minister Scott Morrison. The federal government announced on Tuesday it would fund a $600 million gas plant in NSWs Hunter Valley. Credit: Alex Ellinghausen

The decision came after Mr Taylors repeated threats that the government would develop its own generator if private industry failed to commit to building 1000 megawatts of additional generation capacity by April 30. Mr Taylor insists that amount of dispatchable power  such as gas plants or batteries  is necessary to keep a lid on power bills once AGL closes its Liddell coal-fired power plant in 2023.

The Australian Energy Council, representing the nations big power suppliers including AGL, Origin and EnergyAustralia, on Wednesday immediately warned that the rising tide of government intervention in the market was deterring the very private investment Mr Taylor says is needed.
Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk has labelled federal criticism of a proposed quarantine facility near Toowoomba as a bit rich, accusing the Prime Minister of not being briefed properly by his staffers.

On Tuesday, Scott Morrison provided a litany of details he claimed the Queensland government had not provided to the Commonwealth in its proposal to build the quarantine facility at Wellcamp Airport.

Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk hit out at claims her government had not provided enough detail about a proposed quarantine facility at Wellcamp Airport near Toowoomba. Credit:Felicity Caldwell

These included how the Wellcamp facility would operate, who would operate it, where the workforce would come from, who would run infection control procedures and where the security workforce would come from.

They wont tell us how much it costs, Mr Morrison said on ABC Radio Brisbane.
Treasurer Tim Pallas is confident the federal government will fund a purpose-built quarantine facility in Melbournes north, describing discussions with the Commonwealth as incredibly positive.

However, the Andrews and Morrison governments are in disagreement over the future of using hotels in the CBD to quarantine international arrivals, with Victoria wanting them to be phased out over the long term.

Treasurer Tim Pallas says talks with the federal government are proceeding in a very positive way. Credit:Justin McManus

In an interview with The Age before he hands down his seventh budget on Thursday, Mr Pallas said while Victoria could fund the facility on its own, it was important for the two tiers of government to work together.

By all accounts, the engagement [with the Commonwealth] has been incredibly positive, he said.
Alain Ducasse, the cook with the most Michelin stars in the world, is to step down from the Parisian three-starred restaurant at the Plaza Athenee hotel he has run for 21 years in what critics have dubbed an earthquake in French gastronomy.

While the chef and hotel said his departure from the upscale eatery off the Champs-Elysees was by mutual consent, one well-placed culinary insider called it a slap in the face for Frances most famous living chef.

French super chef Alain Ducasse has been awarded more Michelin stars than any other chef.

In an ironic twist for the cook, the announcement dropped a day before France reopens its restaurant terraces after six months of COVID lockdown.

Ducasse, 64, who has notched up 21 Michelin stars in his career, famously chose the Plaza Athenee six years ago to launch his groundbreaking approach to cuisine, which eschews two staples of French cooking: meat and butter.
Source: Xinhua| 2021-05-19 19:19:44|Editor: huaxia

Video Player Close

TEHRAN, May 19 (Xinhua) -- Iranian Defense Minister Amir Hatami said on Wednesday that his country is ready to participate in the reconstruction of Syria, Tasnim news agency reported.

"The economic sections of Defense Ministry, along with the Iranian private sectors, are ready to participate in the reconstruction of Syria to meet the needs of our friend and brother country," Hatami said in a meeting with the visiting officials from Syria.

Iran will also "spare no effort" to stand by the Syrian people and government to the best of its ability to help preserve its territorial integrity, he added.

Iran has been a major ally of the Syrian government in its fight against the armed rebels since 2011. Enditem
London: Australia has moved to stop beyond absurd lies from derailing a free trade agreement with Britain and warned any failure to strike an agreement would send a catastrophic signal to the rest of the world about protectionism.

The long-mooted free trading pact is largely complete and due to be signed when Prime Minister Scott Morrison visits the UK in June for the G7 summit but has been hit by a major dispute at the highest levels of the British government.

Australias High Commissioner to the UK George Brandis. Credit:Liliana Zaharia

Prime Minister Boris Johnsons cabinet is split between those who think a true free trade deal should sweep away all tariffs and quotas, and others who fear an influx of Australian meat will harm British farmers and want caps on how much fresh food can be imported into the UK.

The National Farmers Union (NFU) has been particularly critical, claiming a deal could destroy Britains rolling green countryside.
London: Dominic Cummings has warned that the British government needs to allow public scrutiny of its vaccine strategy as he said secrecy contributed greatly to the catastrophe of the early months of the pandemic.

The former No. 10 adviser, who is set to give evidence to a parliamentary inquiry next week, launched another public attack on the government on Tuesday (AEST).

Dominic Cummings, as senior aide to Prime Minister Boris Johnson, in 2020. Credit:AP

In a series of tweets, he said COVID plans were part disaster, part non-existent, criticised lockdowns that lacked serious enforcement and warned the success of the vaccine taskforce could be undermined.

He also said he could sell or disclose what he claimed to be the the only copy of a crucial historic document from COVID decision-making  donating any proceeds to the families of COVID victims  before later deleting the post and confirming he would give the documents to the inquiry before which he is due to appear.
Law does not fall silent in war. Both sides of the terrible conflict in Gaza and Israel are required to respect international humanitarian law. The law aims to allow warring parties to fight and win  it is realist, not pacifist  while alleviating human suffering as far as possible. It applies regardless of who started the war, or who is the aggressor or victim, since everyone caught up in fighting deserves respect for their humanity and dignity.

The core rules on fighting apply equally to Israel and Hamas, irrespective of controversies over whether Palestine is a state or Gaza is still occupied. First, they must only attack military personnel (such as Israeli forces or Hamas fighters) and military objectives (such as weapons, vehicles or bases). An object which is normally civilian may become a military objective where, for instance, an apartment is used by fighters or to store weapons.

Riad Ishkontana embraces his daughter Suzy, 7, the only one of his children to survive an air strike on Sunday on the Gaza building in which the family lived. His wife was also killed. Credit:AP

Second, it is prohibited, and is also a war crime, to deliberately target civilians or civilian objects. It is also prohibited to launch indiscriminate attacks which fail to distinguish between military targets and civilians.

The International Criminal Court prosecutor is already investigating Hamas for deliberately targeting Israeli civilians in the 2014 Gaza conflict. Many Hamas rockets appear either deliberately aimed at civilians, or are fired indiscriminately because their technology is too crude to be accurately aimed at military objectives. On the other hand, it is not unlawful for Hamas to target Israeli soldiers, as it recently did with an anti-tank missile.
Former US president Donald Trump has attacked New York states attorney-general for launching a criminal probe of his family business, saying he was being unfairly attacked and abused.

There is nothing more corrupt than an investigation that is in desperate search of a crime, Trump said in a statement on Wednesday (Thursday AEST), adding that we will overcome any attempt at prosecution.

Donald Trump said we will overcome any attempt at prosecution. Credit:Bloomberg

The office of New York Attorney-General Letitia James, which has been investigating whether the New York City-based Trump Organisation falsely reported property values to secure loans and obtain economic and tax benefits, said on Tuesday its probe was no longer purely civil.

We are now actively investigating the Trump Organisation in a criminal capacity, along with the Manhattan DA, Fabien Levy, a spokesman for James, said in a statement, using the abbreviation for district attorney.
News

CHS graduation set for Saturday in Little Rock

Conway High School will hold an in-person graduation ceremony on Saturday, May 22, Conway Public Schools (CPSD) announced at its monthly board meeting in March. The weekend ceremony, set to start at 3 p.m. at War Memorial Stadium in Little Rock, will be the first in-person graduation ceremony for CPSD since 2019, as the 2020 ceremony pivoted to virtual due to the then-beginning coronavirus pandemic.

Having the ceremony at War Memorial Stadium in Little Rock will allow for adequate social-distancing and safety in a large outdoor stadium, board members explained at the March board meeting. With the further easement of restrictions by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in the months since the March meeting, graduates will have no restrictions regarding the number of family members allowed to attend the ceremony in Little Rock on Saturday that is expected to last until 5 p.m., per the districts website.

In the case of inclement weather, CPSD has procured Sunday, May 23 as an additional day that the school could hold an in-person ceremony in Little Rock, with the time remaining the same, per board members in March.

CPSD also has plans in place to hold a virtual graduation for students and their families uncomfortable to attend the in-person ceremony on Saturday. The virtual graduation, set to air over Conway Corp on Sunday, will start at 3 p.m.

Conway Corp will also broadcast the in-person ceremony on Saturday live on two of its channels, 5 and 585, Corp spokesman Jeff Matthews announced in a press release issued to the Log Cabin. CEO of Conway Corp Bret Carroll said the company looks forward to honoring the 2021 Conway High School graduates.

Our company was created in 1929 to support education in Conway, Carroll said. Were proud to continue our tradition of broadcasting Conway Highs graduation ceremonies and wanted the Class of 2021 to be honored in a memorable way during these unprecedented times for graduates and their families.
Good morning, brothers and sisters, God loves you. It does not matter what anyone says, it is because of Jesus we are alive today. You may think you woke up on your own strength or that the kids, the dog, or the cat caused you to wake up. No, no, it was God who allowed you to wake up. It is 
Source: Xinhua| 2021-05-19 19:35:51|Editor: huaxia

Video Player Close

The Chinese people are enjoying much higher standards of living than ever before, and they should be proud of this, said a Thai diplomat in an interview with Xinhua.

Tej Bunnag, 77, served as Thailand's fifth ambassador to China from 1986 to 1990.

Produced by Xinhua Global Service
This photo provided by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration's Phoenix Division shows some of the 30,000 fentanyl pills the agency seized in one of its bigger busts, in Tempe, Ariz., in August 2017.
Up for debate:

Live legislation tracker

Check out the latest developments on bills pending before state lawmakers in four key topics.
Surrounded by lawmakers, Florida Senate President Wilton Simpson speaks to members of the media after the end of a legislative session, Friday, April 30, 2021, at the Capitol in Tallahassee, Fla.
Staff Reporter

Nyamekye Daniel has been a journalist for five years. She was the managing editor for the South Florida Media Network and a staff writer for The Miami Times. Daniel's work has also appeared in the Sun-Sentinel, Miami Herald and The New York Times.
Dr. Tom Tarter M.D., Ph.D., is a Springfield area urologist and oncologist and former Republican candidate for U.S. Senate.
Source: Xinhua| 2021-05-19 19:53:49|Editor: huaxia

Video Player Close

HARBIN, May 19 (Xinhua) -- Authorities in northeast China's Heilongjiang Province have recently cracked a wildlife smuggling case, seizing 200 antelope horns and 212 tiger bones.

The anti-smuggling bureau of Suifenhe Customs received a tip-off that a large cache of precious animal derivatives would be smuggled from Russia through an inbound train.

The customs officials, in conjunction with the local border police, immediately launched an investigation and located the suspects as well as the storage place where the smuggled items were kept.

All smuggled items have been retrieved. Enditem
Visitors walk by a souvenir t-shirt shop June 23, 2020, in Kennebunkport, Maine. The coronavirus pandemic has hurt many of Maine's businesses that rely on just a few months in the summer for most of their annual revenue.
Source: Xinhua| 2021-05-19 20:20:13|Editor: huaxia

Video Player Close

Li Chunmin displays the counterfoil of a remittance he sent to the Qinghai-Tibet Railway Construction Headquarters at his home in Tianjin, north China, April 22, 2021. In Xinhua's China Photo Archive, there is a photo of a money order taken by a Xinhua reporter 20 years ago - - the first remittance received by the Qinghai-Tibet Railway Construction Headquarters. The money order was unsigned as the remitter only put "Cadre sent to support Tibet in 1979" on it. Twenty years later, Xinhua reporters found Li Chunmin, the owner of the money order. Li, 70, worked at Tianjin Dredging Co. Ltd., a subsidiary of China Communication Construction Co., Ltd. (CCCC), before retiring. He now lives in Tianjin, north China. In 1979, in response to the national call to support Tibet, he left his four-month-old child and went to work in Riwoqe County of Qamdo, which is nearly 3,000 kilometers away from his hometown Tianjin. Riwoqe, meaning "big mountain" in Tibetan, is located in the northeast of Tibet, with an average altitude of about 4,500 meters. Li worked in Tibet for five years since 1979. There, he saw the once inconvenient transportation and poor educational conditions. Years after Li had been back to Tianjin, he was still concerned about Tibet. Li wanted to continue to contribute to the development of Tibet. Thus during the construction of the Qinghai-Tibet railway, Li donated money to the Qinghai-Tibet Railway Headquarters every year from 2001 to 2006, when the railway was completed. The Qinghai-Tibet railway, which began construction in 2001, is the world's longest railway built on a plateau, with its highest point 5,072 meters above sea level. In 1993, Li Chunmin returned to Riwoqe County to visit the place where he once worked. When passing a local school, he found that the windows of the classroom had no glass, with only plastic sheets pasted up. When the wind whistled in, the children shivered with cold. This scene made Li Chunmin feel so distressed, that he donated his money and told the school to install glass in the classroom. Since then, Li has dedicated himself to improving the teaching conditions in Riwoqe County. In 2007, Li Chunmin initiated the "Qixing" Student Aid Award Fund. The fund has been annually rewarded and supported teachers and students from poor families with excellent academic performance in Riwoqe County. It also helps to improve the local teaching facilities. At present, the fund has raised nearly ten million yuan (1.55 million U.S. dollars), including Li Chunmin's personal donation of more than one million yuan, benefiting more than 5,000 teachers and students, and covering 15 schools. For more than a decade, Li Chunmin has been visiting Tibet almost every year to carry out student aid activities. He helped install solar water heaters for local villagers, customize special shoes for children with one-legged disabilities, and suggest setting up biogas pilot spot to be used in households. He wrote down screen after screen of his notes on student affairs on his mobile phone. Li was born in 1951, the year of Tibet's peaceful liberation. It is a coincidence, but also a chance. "I am very lucky to have the opportunity to be attached to Tibet," said Li. "Thanks to this era, I got the chance to work in Tibet, and to establish such ties and connections with the people." This seemingly thin but energetic retired man is now busy working between school buildings in villages and towns. Just like the unsigned money orders he sent in those days, his devotion to support Tibet has always been full of responsibility and gratitude. (Xinhua/Liu Jinhai)
Staff Reporter

Tim Gruver is a politics and public policy reporter. He is a University of Washington alum and the recipient of the 2017 Pioneer News Award for Reporting. His work has appeared in Politico, the Kitsap Daily News, and the Northwest Asian Weekly.
Amid concerns of the spread of COVID-19, Texas Gov. Greg Abbott, left, and Dallas Mayor Eric Johnson wear masks as they arrive to speak at a news conference at city hall in Dallas, Tuesday, June 2, 2020.
Governor Gordon has announced the membership of his K-12 Education advisory group, setting in motion an effort to lead Wyomings education system into the future.

The Reimagining and Innovating the Delivery of Education (RIDE) Advisory Group is tasked to study and develop recommendations for elevating Wyomings primary and secondary education system into a position of national leadership.

Wyomings future is intertwined with education. If we dont provide a world-class education system, we will be challenged to stay competitive in a changing world and retain the families that make up both the fabric of our communities and the heart of our workforce," Governor Gordon said. "Answering that challenge is more than just a funding question.

My goal is to identify strategies encouraging innovation and student-centric, life-long learning," he added. "Our students must be well-informed citizens capable of adapting to, and thriving in, ever-changing work, social, civic and economic environments.

The Governor noted that K-12 education is more than just the State providing funding. He has asked the group to examine and identify what our families, communities and businesses expect from the educational system.

The group will include the following members:

State Representative Evan Simpson

State Senator R.J. Kost

John Masters

Craig Dougherty

David Northrup

Jill Bramlet

Fred von Ahrens

Brian Worthen

Nicole Novotny

Thea True Wells

I have asked these individuals to take a comprehensive look at our education system to see how we can improve it, Governor Gordon said. This is critical work, and I appreciate each of them committing their time to give it their attention, expertise and full consideration.

The Governor has asked the members to gather, review, and discuss suggestions and feedback from all sources with an interest in Wyomings education system, paying special attention to consumers  parents, students, business and citizenry.

In assembling the advisory group, the Governor included independent volunteers that do not represent specific education-focused interest groups. However, he emphasizes that direct input from those stakeholder groups will be sought and incorporated into RIDEs work.

The initial meeting of the RIDE Advisory Group is scheduled for early June. Public engagement opportunities will take place statewide, with an announcement of those meetings forthcoming.
Instant unlimited access to all of our E-Editions and content on thechronicleonline.com.

The Chronicle E-Edition Newsletter emailed to you each week, the night before the paper hits the street!

This subscription is for NEW or RENEWING online subscribers.

(The charge will appear as "Country Media Inc." on your credit card statement)
Source: Xinhua| 2021-05-19 20:48:10|Editor: huaxia

Video Player Close

Li Zhanshu, chairman of the National People's Congress (NPC) Standing Committee, holds talks with Madagascar parliament speaker Christine Razanamahasoa via video link at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, May 19, 2021. (Xinhua/Shen Hong)

BEIJING, May 19 (Xinhua) -- China's top legislator Li Zhanshu held talks with Madagascar parliament speaker Christine Razanamahasoa Wednesday via video link. Both sides agreed to enhance exchanges and cooperation between their two legislative bodies.

Li, chairman of the National People's Congress (NPC) Standing Committee, said that China attaches great importance to the development of China-Madagascar ties and is willing to work with Madagascar to dovetail China's Belt and Road Initiative with the Madagascar Revitalization Plan. China will also promote the comprehensive cooperative partnership between the two countries to a higher level.

Li noted that next year is the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between the two countries. He said that China is willing to take this opportunity to improve bilateral ties development.

The two sides should enhance mutual political trust and firmly support each other on issues involving each other's core interests and major concerns, said Li.

The two sides should deepen pragmatic cooperation to benefit the two peoples, combine their respective advantages and development needs, and strengthen cooperation in agriculture, energy, and infrastructure construction, he said.

The two sides should promote health cooperation, join hands to fight the COVID-19 pandemic, intensify cultural exchanges, and consolidate traditional friendship, Li added.

Li stressed that exchanges between the two legislative bodies are a significant part of their comprehensive cooperative partnership. The NPC is willing to maintain close communication with the Malagasy National Assembly (parliament) to approve, revise or issue legal documents conducive to bilateral ties in a timely manner, and strengthen communication, coordination, and mutual understanding on multilateral parliamentary occasions.

Speaker Razanamahasoa, in turn, thanked China for its support in promoting Madagascar's economic and social development and fight against the pandemic. She said that the Malagasy National Assembly is willing to make positive contributions to deepening the comprehensive cooperative partnership between the two countries. Enditem
Get complete access to all of the news and special sections included in the bi-weekly print editions, plus additional online-only features like breaking news, searchable archives of past editions and more! You will receive immediate access to our site after submitting your order.



Rate Information

The $39 and $20 rates reflect the cost of an online-only subscription. The $5 and $3 rates reflect the cost to add an online subscription to your active and current print subscription. Your print subscription must be (and remain) paid to current in order to qualify for the $5 and $3 discounted online subscription rates. If you pay for a discounted rate and do not qualify for it, the amount you paid will be assessed at the online-only rate and your online subscription will be terminated when your payment has been used in full.



Important Additional Information

Please provide your phone number in the Notes box in case we need to contact you about your order. Please note: An online subscription is valid for a single household/business use only. Any violation of this policy will result in cancelation of internet subscription and forfeiture of subscription money.



**We accept Visa, MasterCard and Discover.**


Towanda, PA (18848)

Today

Some sun this morning with increasing clouds this afternoon. High 77F. Winds SSE at 5 to 10 mph..

Tonight

A few clouds. Low 59F. Winds SSW at 5 to 10 mph.
Oneonta, NY (13820)

Today

Partly cloudy this morning, then becoming cloudy during the afternoon. High 76F. Winds SSW at 5 to 10 mph..

Tonight

Considerable cloudiness. Occasional rain showers after midnight. Low 56F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 60%.
Source: Xinhua| 2021-05-19 21:31:38|Editor: huaxia

Video Player Close





-- Disregarding the true figures that reflect the benefits brought by China-Africa cooperation, Blinken's debt trap rhetoric is brimming with logical fallacy and naive calculation.

-- The Debt Management Office (DMO) of Nigeria has ruled out any form of concerns over Nigeria's indebtedness to China, deeming Chinese loans not only project-tied but also concessional.

-- With China's help, over 6,000 km of railways, 6,000 km of roads, nearly 20 ports and over 80 large power plants have been built in Africa. China's direct investment in Africa in 2019 had grown by 100-fold compared with 20 years ago, according to the Chinese Foreign Ministry.

NAIROBI, May 19 (Xinhua) -- U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken's recent virtual travel to Africa has turned out to be a fresh political maneuver to smear China and undermine burgeoning China-Africa cooperation.

Using the same ploy inherited from his predecessors, Blinken has touted the old cliche of "Chinese debt trap," attempting to mislead the world through kindergarten mathematics, which has been refuted by African officials and scholars.





KINDERGARTEN MATHEMATICS

"If someone is coming along and saying I'm going to invest a lot of money in your country, but it's a loan, so, that means you have a debt and you're going to have to pay it back someday and if that is too great and you can't pay it back, then I'm going to own the asset in question," Blinken told the Alumni of the Young African Leaders Initiative in a virtual discussion in late April, hinting at China's loans and investment across the continent.

Disregarding the true figures that reflect the benefits brought by China-Africa cooperation, Blinken's debt trap rhetoric is brimming with logical fallacy and naive calculation.

"If we break down African countries' foreign debt, multilateral financial institutions and commercial creditors hold more than three-quarters of the total, and so bear a greater responsibility for debt relief," said Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin at a regular press conference in late February.

File photo taken on May 10, 2018 shows the aerial view of the Chinese-built Maputo Bridge in Maputo, Mozambique. (Xinhua/Wang Teng)

"Not a single African country had debt difficulties due to its cooperation with China," Wang said.

"When African countries have economic problems, China is always ready to find proper solutions through friendly consultation. We never press countries having difficulties on debt repayment, not to mention asking them to sign any imparity clauses," he said.

"In the meantime, China attaches high importance to debt suspension and alleviation in Africa ... We have signed debt relief agreements or reached debt relief consensus with 16 African countries," Wang said.

"The Chinese 'debt trap' is a false allegation, but it is true that some people are sowing discord between China and Africa with ill intentions. Anyone with an objective mind will come to a fair conclusion on that," he added.

Blinken's unfounded accusation against China has drawn criticism from African experts.

"One thing that is very particular about Chinese loans is sustainability. This whole thing about taking over assets just doesn't make sense," said Charles Onanaiju, director of Nigeria's Center for China Studies, describing Chinese loans as neither toxic nor threatening.

"The issue of the 'Chinese debt trap' cannot arise here because we have not seen it," said Zambian economist Kelvin Chisanga.

MYTHICAL DEBT TRAP

"Let me correct the impression that the debts are only owed to China. We have debts to a number of bilateral and multilateral partners and we treat them equally," Kenya's Cabinet Secretary for National Treasury Ukur Yatani told media.

Some 30 percent of Kenya's external debt comes from commercial banks, 30 percent from bilateral lenders and the remaining 40 percent from multilateral financiers, said Beatrice Matiri-Maisori, a senior economics lecturer at the Riara University of Kenya.

"We have quite an array of financial lenders in the country. So, I wouldn't say in any way that China is actually getting Kenya or any other African country into a debt trap," Matiri-Maisori told Xinhua.

The Debt Management Office (DMO) of Nigeria has ruled out any form of concerns over Nigeria's indebtedness to China, deeming Chinese loans not only project-tied but also concessional.

Photo taken on April 24, 2021 shows the Chinese-built Mombasa-Nairobi Standard Gauge Railway in Kenya. (Xinhua/Li Yan)

"Those are all concessional loans. No reason to be worried about them. They are all project-tied, which Nigerians should be happy about," DMO Director-General Patience Oniha told the local ARISE NEWS Channel.

A recent research from a China-Africa workshop in Johns Hopkins University found that Chinese banks are willing to restructure the terms of existing loans and have never actually seized an asset from any country.

The researchers have documented 16 cases of debt restructuring worth 7.5 billion U.S. dollars in 10 African countries between 2000 and 2019, and found that China wrote off the accumulated arrears of at least 94 interest-free loans amounting to over 3.4 billion dollars.

China has played a significant role in helping African countries manage their debts, according to the research.





TANGIBLE FRUITS FOR AFRICA

Flagship projects constructed with China's support have promoted Africa's prosperity and development by creating numerous jobs for local people and guaranteeing their access to basic services such as water, electricity, transport and skill learning.

"The financing provided by China is mainly used for development projects such as transportation infrastructure, power transmission lines and river dams, which are in line with Kenya's national development agenda, and aimed at promoting its national economic development and improving the people's livelihood," said Cavince Adhere, an international relations expert in Kenya.

With China's help, over 6,000 km of railways, 6,000 km of roads, nearly 20 ports and over 80 large power plants have been built in Africa. China's direct investment in Africa in 2019 had grown by 100-fold compared with 20 years ago, according to the Chinese Foreign Ministry.

File photo taken Oct. 3, 2016 shows a train running on the Chinese-built Ethiopia-Djibouti railway during an operational test near Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. (Xinhua/Sun Ruibo)

As the COVID-19 pandemic has brought the worst economic crisis worldwide in decades, Chinese projects and investment have been helping African countries weather the storm.

As the pandemic restricts people's movements, the Chinese-built Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) linking Kenya's port city Mombasa to the capital Nairobi continues to support the flow of goods critical to the economy.

Data from Kenya's statistical authority KNBS showed that cargo moved via the SGR amounted to 4.42 million tons in 2020, up from 4.16 million tons in 2019 despite the pandemic.

In neighboring Ethiopia, Dejen Gezu is among 34 new graduate drivers who are excited about their new careers on the Chinese-built Ethiopia-Djibouti railway. After a Chinese-sponsored railway technology training program that lasted for more than two years, Gezu and his fellows are ready to embark on the promising journey.

During a graduation ceremony held on May 4, Ethiopia's Transport Minister Dagmawit Moges said the young graduates will be able to serve the country with the knowledge and skills they have learned from the Chinese, voicing hope that Ethiopia will eventually have locals fully manage and operate the country's railway system.

There is still broad scope for China-Africa cooperation to grow.

"For the first time in the history of Africa, we have a partner that is both willing and able. What is needed is to meet the Chinese in the middle so that both of us can walk the long walk," said Onanaiju.

"China itself has been a great recipient of international financial flow, which it has used very efficiently and effectively in modernizing its economy. We can engage (with) their experience to develop our own framework for sustainable modernization," Onanaiju added.

(Video reporters: Feng Yiwei, James Asande, Dunca. Video editor: Liu Yuting) 
Oneonta, NY (13820)

Today

A mix of clouds and sun during the morning will give way to cloudy skies this afternoon. High 76F. Winds SSW at 5 to 10 mph..

Tonight

Cloudy with occasional showers overnight. Low 56F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 60%.
Melanie joined The Daily Times in the early 90s and has served as the Life section editor since 1993. A William Blount and UT alum, Melanie is generally the early arriver who turns on the lights in the newsroom.

Follow Melanie Tucker Close Get email notifications on {{subject}} daily! Your notification has been saved. There was a problem saving your notification. {{description}} Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items. Save Manage followed notifications Close Followed notifications Please log in to use this feature Log In Don't have an account? Sign Up Today
Click the image to the left and log in to get your exclusive reader perks.
Christine Flowers is an attorney and a columnist for the Delaware County Daily Times, and can be reached at cflowers1961@gmail.com. She is syndicated through Cagle Cartoons.
Source: Xinhua| 2021-05-19 22:26:06|Editor: huaxia

Video Player Close

Chinese President Xi Jinping and his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin witness the ground-breaking ceremony of a bilateral nuclear energy cooperation project, Tianwan nuclear power plant and Xudapu nuclear power plant, via video link in Beijing, capital of China, May 19, 2021. (Xinhua/Huang Jingwen)

BEIJING, May 19 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Xi Jinping and his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin on Wednesday witnessed the ground-breaking ceremony of a bilateral nuclear energy cooperation project, Tianwan nuclear power plant and Xudapu nuclear power plant, via video link.

Xi arrived at the main venue of the Great Hall of the People at around 5:00 p.m. Beijing time and waved to Putin, who had joined in from the main venue of the Kremlin.

He Lifeng, vice chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference and head of the National Development and Reform Commission, co-chaired the ceremony with Russian Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak.

Heads of relevant departments, local officials and constructor representatives of China and Russia attended the ceremony from the sub-venue of Tianwan nuclear power plant in Lianyungang City, east China's Jiangsu Province, sub-venue of Xudapu nuclear power plant in Huludao City, northeast China's Liaoning Province, and two Russian sub-venues. The heads of the companies of both countries reported on the progress of the project to the two heads of state.

Xi and Putin delivered their speeches respectively.

Speaking at the ceremony, Xi extended congratulations on the launch of the China-Russia nuclear energy cooperation project and paid high respect to the constructors from the two countries.

Noting that this year marks the 20th anniversary of the signing of the China-Russia Treaty of Good-Neighborliness and Friendly Cooperation, Xi said that he and President Putin have agreed to advance the development of bilateral relations to a higher level and expand the ties to broader fields.

In the face of the COVID-19 pandemic unseen in a century, China and Russia have firmly supported each other and cooperated closely and effectively, which is a vivid demonstration of the China-Russia comprehensive strategic partnership of coordination for a new era, he said.

Xi stressed that energy cooperation has always been the most important area of practical cooperation which generates the largest achievement and covers the widest scope between the two countries.

Noting that nuclear energy is the strategic priority for bilateral cooperation and a series of major projects have been completed and put into operation, Xi said the four nuclear power units that kicked off construction on Wednesday mark another major landmark in China-Russia nuclear energy cooperation.

Xi put forward a three-point proposal at the ceremony. First, he called on both sides to adhere to the principle of safety first and set a model for global nuclear energy cooperation.

It is necessary to construct and operate the four units with high quality and high standards, create a global benchmark in nuclear safety, give full play to complementary advantages, expand and deepen bilateral and multilateral cooperation on nuclear energy, and contribute more to the development of the global nuclear energy industry, he said.

Second, Xi suggested the two countries deepen scientific and technological cooperation on nuclear energy by sticking to the driving force of innovation.

He urged deepened cooperation on the basic research, key technology research and development, and transformation of innovative achievements in the field of nuclear energy, such as nuclear environmental protection, nuclear medicine, nuclear fuel and advanced nuclear power technology, so as to promote the deep integration of the nuclear energy industry and the new generation of digital technology, and contribute more wisdom to the innovative development of nuclear energy globally.

Third, he called for adherence to strategic collaboration to promote the coordinated development of the governance system of the global energy industry. He said that it is necessary to promote the building of a global energy governance system featuring justice, equity, balance, inclusiveness, openness and shared benefits, and contribute more solutions to global energy governance.

"Responding to climate change is a common task for all countries," Xi said, adding that China and Russia should promote more low-carbon cooperation projects and play a constructive role in achieving global sustainable development goals.
Forest City, NC (28043)

Today

Partly cloudy this morning with thunderstorms becoming likely this afternoon. High 83F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 60%..

Tonight

Partly to mostly cloudy. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. Low 66F. Winds light and variable.
Jaden Smith is set to open his first restaurant for homeless people after the success of his food truck initiative.

The son of Will Smith and Jada Pinkett-Smith started his own food truck back in July 2019 with the goal of providing rough sleepers with free vegan food.

The I Love You truck has since gone on to serve thousands of people in the Los Angeles Skid Row area and in Harlem, New York City.

He hopes to continue his initiative by creating a new restaurant where customers with money will be encouraged to pay it forward, and the homeless will eat free.

Jaden said: If youre not homeless, not only do you have to pay, but you have to pay for more than the foods worth so that you can pay for the person behind you.

He added that the I Love You idea is a movement that is all about giving people what they deserve; healthy vegan food for free.

We think this initiative is amazing and we would love to see more like this being supported in New Zealand. Our closest is Merge Cafe on K Road, where every dollar spent goes towards providing meals, a safe space and engaging conversation for our homeless whanau in New Zealand.

If you love what Jadens doing in the states, you can donate to support Merge Cafe here!
13-Year-Old Dies Following Chicagos Most Violent Weekend in 2021

CHICAGOEric Crawford, a 13-year-old boy shot in the head and neck near his home, died Tuesday within hours of being pulled off life support at a Chicago hospital. He is one of six children shot during Chicagos most violent weekend in 2021, according to the Chicago Police Department.

Crawford was riding a bike in the McKinley Park neighborhood when someone from an unknown vehicle fired at him early Sunday morning, according to the Chicago Police Department. In total, 8 people were killed and 44 injured over the weekend, largely due to gunshots.

Eric was a bright, loving, wonderful kid, Crawfords mother Patricia Deates told WGN, He was about to go into the 8th grade, so for these scumbags to do this to him  I want justice for my son. Crawford has two siblings.

Deates visited her son at the hospital hours before he was taken off life support, according to Chicago SunTimes. After he died, she wrote on her Facebook page, Fly high, my angel. This is not goodbye, this is see you later.

On the GoFundMe page that Deates set up for her son, a donor named Courtney Burns said she worked at Crawfords school and fondly remembered him, Eric was a wonderful student to have in our school. He was cheerful and funny. All the students loved having him in class. His presence will be so unbelievably missed around the building.

No suspect has been identified for the murder of Crawford. Chicago Police Department Area One detectives are investigating.

Two Chicago police officers were also shot over the weekend when responding to shots fired in the South Lawndale neighborhood. One officer was shot in the hand, the other in the shoulder and leg; both are recovering and in good condition, according to the Chicago Police Department.

On Monday, both Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot and Police Superintendent David Brown addressed the violent weekend in separate press conferences. Brown said that as pandemic lockdown measures ease up, more people come out onto the street to let go of the pent-up energy, and as a result, violent crimes go up.

Brown also warned about a looming violence spike as summer approaches. He highlighted a city-administered job program One Summer Chicago as one of the tools to deter violence. The program offers jobs and internships to young people between 14 and 24 in hope of luring them away from life on the streets.
Jewish men walk along the street in the Stamford Hill area of north London on Jan. 19, 2011. (Oli Scarff/Getty Images)

2 Men Charged Over Attack on Rabbi Near London Synagogue

Two men have been charged in connection with an assault on a rabbi near his synagogue in north London, UK police said on Wednesday.

Abderrahman Brahimi, 25, and Souraka Djabouri, 18, both of Tudor Crescent, Ilford, are due to appear at Colchester Magistrates Court on Wednesday, Essex Police said in a statement.

They are each charged with wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm, robbery, and religiously aggravated criminal damage.

Rabbi Rafi Goodwin received hospital treatment for head injuries on May 16, following an assault in Limes Avenue, north London, just after 12:15 p.m.

According to an earlier police statement, it was believed that the two attackers stepped out in front of the victims vehicle whilst he was driving, shouted at him, and spoke in a derogatory way about his religion, before going on to damage his car.

When he got out of his car to confront them, he was attacked with an unknown object, and his phone was stolen. The attackers then left the scene on foot.

Police said officers were speaking to members of the local Jewish community who were celebrating the Shavuot holiday in Chigwell and Southend, Essex.

Essex Police said they did not believe the attack was linked to anti-Israel protests that took place over the weekend.

British ministers say there has been an increase of anti-Semitic abuse since the latest Middle East conflict flared up earlier this month.

Communities Secretary Robert Jenrick said on Monday he was appalled by intimidatory, racist, and extremely serious crimes.

He told MPs that the Community Security Trust, a charity providing security and advice to Jewish people in the UK, had reported a 320 percent increase of anti-Semitic incidents in the last weekwith the figure likely to rise further due to a delay in reporting.

A video posted on Twitter on Sunday showed cars moving on a street with Palestinian flags on them. Slogans such as [expletive] the Jews, [expletive] their mothers, [expletive] their daughters and rape their daughters were heard through a loudspeaker.

The Met traced one of the cars after receiving reports of the incident. A police helicopter was deployed and officers stopped the car and arrested the men on suspicion of racially aggravated public order offences.

The incident received cross-party criticism, with Prime Minister Boris Johnson condemning the acts as shameful racism that have no place in society.

The Met said on Tuesday that the men had been released on bail.

Lily Zhou and PA contributed to this report.
Hundreds of protesters and activists shut down a street as they voice anger at Israel and support of Palestinians in New York City, on May 18, 2021. (Spencer Platt/Getty Images)

Activist Group That Supports Terrorists Organized Anti-Israel Protests Across US

An activist organization that previously supported terrorism and another affiliated with a group that reportedly worked with terrorists organized dozens of anti-Israel protests in major U.S. cities over the weekend.

Samidoun, a group designated as a terror organization in Israel with active chapters in the U.S., advertised 80 demonstrations from Friday through Sunday, with 49 occurring in major cities across the U.S. on Saturday. The Palestinian Youth Movement (PYM), an anti-Israel group, organized a handful of the demonstrations.

There are currently over 200 martyrs throughout Palestine and on the borders with Lebanon, and the entire land of Palestine is rising  confronting the most brutal violence of the colonizer with steadfastness, struggle, and a revolutionary promise of a liberated future, Samidoun said.

Samidoun and the PYM helped organize days of resistance protests across the U.S. in August 2020 where some participants carried the flags of Hezbollah and the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP). Both groups are designated as Foreign Terror Organizations by the State Department, the Daily Caller News Foundation reported.

Israeli forces continued airstrikes near Gaza City Monday after Hamas and other militant groups fired thousands of rockets into Israeli territory, the Associated Press reported. Since the attacks began at least 188 Palestinians have been killed and over 1,200 people were injured, while around 3,100 rocket attacks launched from Gaza have killed eight people in Israel.

Thousands of demonstrators protested for hours in Brooklyn, New York, on Saturday and climbed onto street lights, set off fireworks, and stopped traffic in some areas, NBC New York reported. Samidoun advertised the protest and listed its New York chapter as an organizer.

The days of resistance demonstrations were to remind the world that the Palestinian people will continue to rise and confront all attempts of liquidation and destruction of the cause of Palestine and resist dispossession, exile, and genocide, Samidoun said in a statement, the DCNF reported.

The PYM helped organize and promote pro-Palestine demonstrations in Atlanta, Georgia; Dallas, Texas; Detroit, Michigan; Los Angeles and San Diego, California; and Washington, D.C., according to the Act Now to Stop War & End Racism Coalition. The PYM is associated with the anti-Israel Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions (BDS) movement, its leader Mohammad Nabulsi called for death to Israelis, the DCNF reported.

If anybody understands the condition of the people in Palestine, its us, Muhammad Abdullah said at a demonstration in Dallas, Texas, on Saturday. When I see my Palestinian brothers and sisters and I look them in the eye I see my black brothers in south Dallas. That same struggle, the same pain that we go through.

Thousands gathered in Los Angeles, California, carrying free Palestine signs and chanting long live intifada (uprising), KTLA 5 reported. The demonstration focused on resistance until liberation and was co-hosted by several organizations including PYM and the U.S. Palestinian Community Network, according to Facebook.

Hundreds of people participated in pro-Palestine demonstrations and marches in Atlanta, Georgia, Saturday, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported. Some carried signs saying Palestinians, Muslims, Christians, and Jews are all being oppressed by Zionists and We cant breathe since 1948.

Thousands gathered for demonstrations in Washington, D.C., with Professor Noura Erakat calling for sanctions against and the demilitarization of Israel, video shows.

We need sanctions! Demilitarize Israel! said Professor Noura Erakat @4noura. Save all of Palestine from the river to the sea! We will all be free! She led the group in chants of Free, free Palestine! before complimenting the movement for not giving up over decades. pic.twitter.com/uPJ79G2tmE  Ford Fischer (@FordFischer) May 16, 2021

By Kaylee Greenlee

From The Daily Caller News Foundation

Content created by The Daily Caller News Foundation is available without charge to any eligible news publisher that can provide a large audience. For licensing opportunities of our original content, please contact licensing@dailycallernewsfoundation.org.
Angry French Police Hold Huge, Emotional Rally at Parliament

PARISFrench police officers held a huge demonstration outside parliament Wednesday to press for a law that protects the protectors who are feeling vulnerable to attacks, angry, and useless.

The rally by security forces represented a bold and unusual move for members of an institution that stresses duty and discretion. The protest also morphed into what looked like a campaign stop for politicians ahead of regional elections next month and a presidential race next year, with security a top concern.

Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin showed up at the start, squeezing through a packed crowd of hundreds waving labor union flags. Representatives from the far-right National Rally and a multitude of other parties were expected to attend. The politicians clearly hope to send a message that security matters and police officers, a considerable voting pool, are their friends.

French Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin, center, meets police officers during a police officers demonstration in Paris, on May 19, 2021. (Michel Euler/AP Photo)

You must help us, Mister Minister, an officer said with emotion to Darmanin.

Every morning when I awake, every night when I sleep, I think of you, Darmanin said, adding that his presence at the protest was normal given his role as Frances top cop.

Police unions gave notice ahead of the rally that politicians would not be allowed to make speeches. No one will confiscate the words of police or citizens, said a statement by 10 unions holding the demonstration.

French police officers demonstrate in Paris, on May 19, 2021. (Michel Euler/AP Photo)

With two officers killed in recent weeksone in a terrorist attack and another by a suspected 19-year-old delinquentand constant encounters with young people who throw objects and fireworks, police are angry.

Paid to Serve, Not to Die read a giant banner in front of the National Assembly, the lower chamber of parliament.

Police are calling for a law that guarantees jail time for those who assault them and for a justice system that punishes the small-time offenders they arrest and re-arrest after courts set them free.

French police officers demonstrate in Paris, on May 19, 2021. (Michel Euler/AP Photo)

Polls show broad support for police, but critics cite instances of brutality, including a man who died this year after a beating. A group of organizations filed a lawsuit in January contending systemic racism in Frances security forces.

Officers reject what they label as police bashing that undermines their work.

Darmanins presence at Wednesdays protest triggered a deluge of criticism. The hardline interior minister has made chasing down neighborhood drug dealers a priority.

French President Emmanuel Macron, who is expected to run for re-election in 2022, has put security high on his agenda. However, police want more than a list of promises, such as guaranteeing a 30-year prison sentence for anyone convicted of killing an officer.

By Elaine Ganley
Applying Lessons of History Helps a Nation to Avoid Past Mistakes: Founder of The Sons of History

A nation should learn from all the good and bad experiences of its ancestors and from other nations histories to avoid making the same mistakes that others did, said Dustin Bass, founder of The Sons of History.

People have human nature, and what happened 10, 100, or 1,000 years ago can and still happens today because people have the same emotions and tendencies theyve always had, the founders explained on the organizations website.

If people get rid of their history, get rid of all lessonswisdom, knowledge, and understanding of their ancestorsthey will have to rely on the guiding hand of a few individuals in the government who promised to protect and take care of the restand it is dangerous, Bass said on Epoch Times Crossroads program.

Wiping out history can be compared to a state where a person wakes up in the morning without any prior memory of where the coffee pot is, where the groceries are  [and] how to cook, Bass said. Being in such a state you have to have somebody do everything for youthats a real danger, he added.

It is [also] equivalent to disregarding your parents as fools, Bass said explaining that if children do not listen to their parents and figure out everything on their own from scratch they are going to make all the mistakes that they could have avoided had they just listened.

On the scale of a nation, it will make the same mistakes that all these nations have made in their past  either out of fear, out of distrust, out of want, out of poor economic decisions, and it will suffer all the consequences of those mistakes, Bass continued.

We should learn all the good and all the bad that weve committed, that other nations have committed, and learn from those. And [learn] how did that happen, Bass said, adding that we have to learn because Nazi Germany didnt just happen or communist Russia or communist China didnt just happen?

It is the same [as] with our personal history. If we decide we are just going to disregard all of those stories, we do a great disservice to us, Bass said.

Disregarding History

In his first executive order, President Joe Biden rescinded President Donald Trumps two executive orders, one that banned the Marxist-invented Critical Race Theory in federal training and another one that created the 1776 Commission, which sought to move U.S. education away from a radical curriculum that unduly emphasized race-related injustices of the past.

The goal of creating the 1776 Commission was to enable a rising generation to understand the history and principles of the founding of the United States in 1776, Trumps executive order states.

The 1776 Commissions final report described Critical Race Theory as a variation of critical theory applied to the American context that stresses racial divisions and sees society in terms of minority racial groups oppressed by the white majority.

The whole idea of race is starting to come into play in order to disregard or discount or disavow people who have gone before us because they said something, or did something, had a view that was consistent with what the worldview was at their time, Bass said adding that everything is now justified on the basis of race, or gender.

He provided an example of a media headline accusing Rudyard Kipling of racism and said that the younger generation will not read Kipling after seeing such a headline. Anytime someone is accused of being a sexist, a xenophobe, or a racist, it is telling the younger generation, if you read them, you are equivalent to that person or you are praising that person, Bass said.

To an extent, you are creating censorship without censorship. You are telling peopledont read thiswithout telling them, dont read this, Bass explained.

A lot of such statements cannot be proven or are made up, Bass said. To illustrate it, Bass provided an example of Howard Zinn who wrote a very popular history book used in schools that mischaracterized Christopher Columbus as a proponent of slavery.

Mary Grabar, Ph. D. a resident fellow at the Alexander Hamilton Institute for the Study of Western Civilization and the author of Debunking Howard Zinn: Exposing the Fake History That Turned a Generation Against America, said in an interview with the Epoch Times that Zinn manipulated quotations in his book to make them mean the opposite of what their authors intended.

Another example of disavowing people of the past on the basis of race is NPRs article that advocates decolonizing your bookshelf, Bass said. He explained, That means get rid of any white people on your bookshelf, or fewer. Or you should be ashamed of having so many white authors.

We should not get rid of works of William Shakespeare because he was white, Bass said adding that Shakespeares Macbeth is a life-changing story.

If you can have diversity in thought and come together and discuss in a civil manner, that is a great strength, Bass explained. But diversity for the sake of diversity, while at the same time demonizing an entire other group of people, is not the greatest strength, he added.

It is important for people to hold to the memories and stories of their traditions for their survival, Bass said.

It can be said that Russia survived because the landmass is still there or China survived because the landmass is still there and its still called China, Bass said, but after learning about the repercussions or consequences of the revolutions that occurred there, one may seeif that path is followedthen after several years it will lead to ruin.

Bass said that people must recognize that the principles guiding these revolutions are all wrongon its face. And this is not progress. This is, to an extent, its not even regression. This is demolition, he added.

And it is not enough to listen to it and not act on it, Bass continued citing what James, a Christian saint, and ancient Greek philosopher Aristotle said.

People should vote with their pocketbooks and feet, Bass continued. For example, people should not attend a sporting event until the participants change or not buy a product until its producer changes, Bass explained.

People who complain saying, I dont know whats going on with this country and support those who contribute to the situation by buying their products or services, are benefiting the very things that [they are] against, Bass said. Thats sort of counterproductive.

Joshua Philipp contributed to this report.
Chinese soldiers stand guard near Tiananmen Square in Beijing on March 5, 2021. (Nicolas Asfouri/AFP via Getty Images)

Army General: Communist China Is United States Pacing Threat

The Chinese regime is the United States pacing threat and oversimplification of its strategies and objectives may get the country in trouble, the general nominated to lead American forces in Korea testified on May 18.

Army Gen. Paul LaCamera told the Senate Armed Services Committee on Tuesday that he has aware of challenges involved with the competition and shaping the environment to prevent a crisis from escalating into conflict.

China is our pacing threat, he said.

LaCamera said he had recognized the need to maintain readiness not just for conflicts, but for competition and to compete daily, in support of his nomination for United Nations Command, Combined Forces Command, and U.S. Forces Korea.

The senior military leader had made it clear about his determination of winning in combat earlier on a panel.

Our daily focus is on competition. Weve got to be ready to respond in crisis, and weve got to be prepared to win in conflict, he said in an online event held by the Center for Strategic and International Studies on March 30.

Understanding the levers that China is pulling is extremely important, he said on Tuesday, and oversimplification of the regimes role in the Korean Peninsula may get us in trouble as it plays a role in both North and South Korea.

China uses all the elements of national power, diplomatic, information, military, economic, and Beijing has used the approach to pressure the U.S. alliance, he told senators.

North Korea is another arrow in the quiver or another lever in their [Chinas] diplomatic, information, military, economic levers they would pull, he added.

To prevent possible expansions from China, LaCamera also mentioned the best military advice he could give to the U.S. alliance is to make sure that they understand the risk that it [China] provides to the security of their own country.

The Chinese attempt to provide influence and/or reduce that the influence that the United States has, he said.

Communist China is labeled as the top challenger in the annual threat assessment report compiled by the Director of the National Intelligence Office.

China increasingly is a near-peer competitor, challenging the United States in multiple arenasespecially economically, militarily, and technologicallyand is pushing to change global norms, the report said.

Senators at the hearing noted LaCameras vast military experience, including his current role as Army Pacific Commander. If confirmed, he will succeed Gen. Robert Abrams to lead more than 28,000 American troops in South Korea.
Asra Nomani: Critical Race Theory Indoctrination in Schools Dehumanizes Asian Families

Asra Nomani, a former Wall Street Journal reporter and a parent in Fairfax County, Virginia, said she never before experienced the kind of prejudice and discrimination she encountered over the last year from those pushing critical race theory in her local school district.

In an interview with Epoch TVs American Thought Leaders, Nomani said she was horrified by the months-long assault on Asian-American families at the countys Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology, one of the nations top-achieving schools, where her son was a senior.

It just all began with an email in June 2020, Nomani told host Jan Jekielek.

In that email, which was sent to mostly immigrant families, the schools principal said they needed to check their privileges in the wake of George Floyds death.

And we were just shocked, because this was a woman who has gone to our Lunar New Year celebrations and our Diwali parties, and she knows that we are families from all across the world, said Nomani, whose Muslim family immigrated to the United States from India when she was four years old. They are amazing, amazing families who have endured a lot to get to America, and the fact that our kids go to this school doesnt put us in this vaulted category of the privilege of society.

We were just normal people trying to make ends meet, trying to keep our kids healthy, trying to make sure that they get a good nights rest. It was like a knife to the heart. I just thought to myself, Wow, like, overnight we just lost our humanity. That really made me angry, because thats not OK.

The Fairfax County school board, according to Nomani, has since proceeded to introduce a series of changes, such as replacing its so-called colonial mascot, dropping the name of Thomas Jefferson, and replacing the race-blind admissions process with race-based lotteries and quotas in an effort to make the demographics of the student population better match that of the county.

It was racial demographics, she said. It was that we didnt have enough underrepresented minorities, meaning blacks and Hispanics, and we had too many Asians.

Parents need to be clear that those changes are implemented to indoctrinate young children into critical race theory, Nomani warned, dismissing a narrative that there is no critical race theory outside colleges, where its only taught from a legal perspective.

Do you think were that stupid? We know that youre not teaching the pedagogy of critical race theory. What youre teaching is the end productthat theres oppressed and oppressors, that we have a hierarchy of suffering, and you have to find yourself on this, she explained. Its propagandaflat out propaganda.

This is not just theory. This has now become worksheets in classrooms, where kids literally have to fill out their oppression, where they fit on the oppression scale. They get segregatedcan you just imagine? Its this 21st century and we are now segregating children based on race.

Nomani, who identifies as a liberal, urged parents, regardless of their political affiliation, to join forces against the indoctrination effort she describes as racist and inhumane.

This is my liberal community thats pushing out this racism, and Im going to really call them out on it, because theyre just doing something that is so wrong and immoral, she said. We have to keep as our North Star, whether youre liberal, conservative, independent, whatever, wherever you are, our North Star of humanity, and to stay focused on that.
Source: Xinhua| 2021-05-19 23:11:41|Editor: huaxia

Video Player Close

BEIJING, May 19 (Xinhua) -- Nuclear cooperation between China and Russia demonstrates their firm determination and the sense of responsibility to deal with climate change, which will play a constructive role in achieving the global sustainable development goals, overseas experts said.

Chinese President Xi Jinping and his Russian counterpart, Vladimir Putin, on Wednesday witnessed the ground-breaking ceremony of a bilateral nuclear energy cooperation project of Tianwan nuclear power plant and Xudapu nuclear power plant, via video link.

Today, China and Russia can be considered pillar countries that are able to push forward the development of nuclear energy on a global scale, said Anton Khlopkov, director of the Russian Center for Energy and Security, noting that Russia is an important technological partner of China in the nuclear energy sector.

Both countries have the political will to continue cooperation in the nuclear sphere, to find new forms of cooperation both at the old Tianwan sites and at the new ones, the Russian expert added.

Fatih Birol, executive director of the International Energy Agency, said China has made recently huge achievements in clean energy technologies, such as solar, hydropower, and nuclear, which are all very good examples.

Noting that China has a lot of experience in many clean energy technologies, Birol said that China will play an important role in energy-saving and emission-reduction, new clean energy innovation and investments.

It is important for China and other countries to work together and jointly promote research and development, he added.

Anri Sharapov, professor at the Tashkent State University of Oriental Studies, told Xinhua that the cooperation between China and Russia in nuclear energy will enhance the confidence of the international community in jointly coping with climate issues.

Sharapov also said the smooth construction of the nuclear energy cooperation project shows that the Chinese government is constantly taking measures to use more clean energy, adding that it also shows that the country has always been an active participant in the global climate cause.

Carl Fey, professor of international business at Aalto University School of Business in Finland, expressed his belief that China and Russia have great potential for increased collaboration.

The nuclear power plants are evidence of how serious China is in taking steps to peak its carbon dioxide emissions by 2030 and achieve carbon neutrality by 2060, said the expert, adding that it also shows how serious China now about improving its environment and the environment for the entire world.

China is placing great efforts to creatively explore and expand capacity in other clean energy sectors, Fey added. Enditem
Auditor: Information Deleted From Maricopa County Election Machine Has Been Recovered

The information that was allegedly deleted from a Maricopa County election machine has been recovered, an auditor told state lawmakers on May 18.

Ben Cotton, founder of CyFIR, one of four firms working on the 2020 election audit, said at the Arizona state Capitol in Phoenix that he discovered a master file table that clearly indicated that the database directory was deleted from that server.

Subsequently, Ive been able to recover all of those deleted files, and I have access to that data, he said. I have the information I need from the recovery efforts of the data.

Maricopa County responded in a May 18 tweet, Just want to underscore that AZ Senates @ArizonaAudit account accused Maricopa County of deleting fileswhich would be a crimethen a day after our technical letter explained they were just looking in the wrong placeall of a sudden auditors have recovered the files.

Auditors told Maricopa County officials through the Arizona Senate earlier this month that they discovered an entire database directory from an election machine had been deleted.

In addition, the main database for election management software wasnt found anywhere on the machine, despite it being referenced as the location for the database.

This suggests that the main database for all election related data for the November 2020 General Election has been removed, Arizona Senate President Karen Fann, a Republican, wrote to Maricopa Countys Board of Supervisors.

The board later said the allegation was false, accusing auditors of making a mistake while performing their analysis. The Maricopa County Elections Department, in a technical analysis, said officials and subject matter experts reviewed the allegation and found the database folder in question wasnt deleted.

Cotton told the state Senate meeting on May 18 that the firm follows a strict forensics acquisitions process by removing hard drives from a machine and performing forensics imaging with write blocks that prevent any changes to the hard drives before making a copy of the drive. He said the drives for the operating system were in a mirror configuration, which means that changes anywhere on the operating system drive would be automatically reflected on both drives.

Fann recently threatened to issue fresh subpoenas to Maricopa County officials over their refusal to provide routers or router images and passwords giving auditors administrative control to Dominion Voting Systems election machines. She later backed down and asked that they attend the meeting to answer questions. The board on May 17 refused to send anybody.

Asked if subpoenas were back on the table, Fann told The Epoch Times in an email that the boards refusal would be discussed at the meeting. During the meeting, she didnt indicate whether she was considering anew issuing more subpoenas.

Arizona Senate President Karen Fann talks to reporters in Phoenix, Ariz., on May 26, 2020. (Ross D. Franklin/AP Photo)

The state Senate in late 2020 issued several subpoenas for ballots, election machines, and other materials to conduct a forensic audit. The county took the matter to court, arguing the subpoenas were too broad, but a county judge ruled in favor of the Senate.

Router or router images and election machine access were included in the original subpoenas.

Cotton expressed confusion about the countys assertion that providing even router images could compromise sensitive resident data, telling senators that the data should not exist on that router, period.

He also questioned public reports by Pro V&V, a machine auditor that reviewed some of the machines in February, that the countys election systems dont touch the internet.

The extension of that would be that they do not touch the county network because thats exposed to the Internet and to say that the data corresponding to these networks would somehow compromised law enforcement activity or PII data seems incongruous to the previous statements, he said, referring to personally identifiable information data.

Dominion declined to provide passwords to auditors, and the county has stated that it doesnt have them itself.

Giving over the passwords would amount to releasing intellectual property, Dominion said in a recent statement. The firm stated it would release the passwords only to firms accredited by the U.S. Election Assistance Commission.

Doug Logan, CEO of Cyber Ninjas, the firm leading the audit for the Arizona Senate, told senators that the passwords dont give access to source code. He said there was some miscommunication or misunderstanding involved.

For now, auditors only have poll worker access to the systems with the passwords they were given, Cotton said. To fully carry out the audit, they would need access at an administrator or technician level.

In the course of communications with the county officials, it was disclosed to us that the Maricopa County officials apparently do not have access at the administrative or technician level for their own tabulating systems. That level of access and those credentials are maintained in the sole possession of two Dominion employees that are apparently full time contractors within the Maricopa County infrastructure, he said.

The biggest challenge there is one, it doesnt appear that they have control of their own equipment when it comes to configuring and preparing for an election and two, they cant validate that their own policies and procedures are being carried out without the ability to validate the configurations of the systems.

If the passwords are conveyed, auditors estimate it would take less than two days to gather the data they need.
International Monetary Fund (IMF) Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva (L) talks with BlackRock Chair and CEO Laurence D. Fink during a session at the World Economic Forum (WEF) annual meeting in Davos, on Jan. 23, 2020. (Fabrice Coffrini/AFP via Getty Images)

Banks Climate Pledges Would Downgrade Non-Woke Businesses to 2nd-Tier Economy, Experts Say

News Analysis

Businesses seeking financing may soon face a flurry of requirements that will, in effect, determine whether they are woke enough to be approved by financial institutions for loans or investment.

While the requirements are presented as goodwill toward the downtrodden and the environment, they are underpinned by an ideology with totalitarian tendencies, according to several experts on totalitarianism and market economy.

The agenda is being pushed by many of the biggest names in finance, including major banks, investment houses, and wealth managers. If successful, the financial institutions agenda would create a two-tiered economy, with the woke class slated for preferential treatment and dissenters relegated to picking up the scraps, the experts said.

Woke in this sense refers to a set of progressive views that have dominated establishment circles in government, academia, and the corporate world.

The companies are promising they will give preferential treatment to clients that run their operations in a sustainable manner. That means clients will have to implement policies that, in the banks view, reduce carbon emissions or promote a number of other goals, such as gender equality and racial equity. Clients that dont support carbon reductions should face penalties such as exclusion and divestment, according to the guidelines of the United Nations-backed Net-Zero Banking Alliance, which counts dozens of major banks among its members.

Many scientists predict that unless carbon emissions are drastically cut, the planet will get warmer and experience more severe natural disasters, such as flooding and droughts. Other scientists question such catastrophic climate predictions, which hold a poor track record of coming true.

But the implications of the climate agenda that have prompted such concerns have little to do with the effects of global warming.

Pragmatically, the financiers agenda aligns with the policies of the Biden administration, giving them an opportunity to capture some of the hundreds of billions of taxpayer dollars that the president promises to bankroll. At the same time, they can try to influence the setting up of the regulatory framework, making sure it benefits them, rather than newcomers.

After all, banking executives have a fiduciary duty to bring profit to shareholders, even if the profits are backed by government intervention, according to Peter Klein, Baylor University entrepreneurship professor and research fellow at the libertarian Mises Institute.

If they can do so by taking advantage of the regulatory system, by taking advantage of the legal system  why wouldnt they do that? he told The Epoch Times.

Some experts have warned that if the investment push fails, it could end up in a colossal bailoutanother transfer of wealth to corporations from taxpayers.

Yet, such an agenda poses even more fundamental risks, as it requires assent to an ideology that is, in essence, totalitarian, scholars have pointed out.

Two-Tiered Economy

Advocates of freedom usually warn against the governments attempts at central planning. But its not just government officials who have the planners mentality, Klein points out. It can often be top executives as well.

In government, but, of course, also in private sector, you have sort of a cadre of elite decision-makers who view themselves as being better positioned to make important decisions than other market participants, he said.

In fact, economist Friedrich Hayek predicted that monopolistic corporations would be first to take on the task of planning the economy under growing opposition to free-market competition.

The universal struggle against competition promises to produce in the first instance something in many respects even worse. A state of affairs which can satisfy neither planners nor [free market] liberals, a sort of syndicalist or corporative organization of industry in which competition is more or less suppressed, but planning is left in the hands of the independent monopolies of the separate industries, he wrote in his 1943 book The Road to Serfdom.

This is the inevitable first result of a situation in which the people are united in their hostility to competition, but agree on little else. By destroying competition in industry after industry, this policy puts the consumer at the mercy of the joint monopolist action of capitalists and workers in their best-organized industries.

Once this stage is reached, the only alternative to a return to competition is the control of the monopolies by the state. A control which, if it is to be made effective, must become progressively more complete and more detailed.

This is an apt characterization of where the economy stands today, according to Michael Rectenwald, retired liberal studies professor at New York University and an authority on corporate socialisma convergence of government and business interests in establishing a form of totalitarian, socialist rule.

Notice that this consortium of banks and asset management firms, the largest in the world, aims to boost private clean-tech finance and press polluting industries that use their services to cut emissions. That is, they will use their financial power to squeeze non-compliant producers out of existence by virtue of directing investments toward favored reset partners, he said in an email, referring to the Great Reset toward a fairer, greener future proposed by the World Economic Forum (WEF) and its head, Klaus Schwab.

This financial stranglehold over industries will consolidate the economic status of favored producers and strengthen their monopolization over production and distribution, Rectenwald said. The measures will also trickle down to the consumption of end-users, whose carbon emissions will be reduced by default. They wont have any say about driving gasoline-powered vehicles, because such vehicles will not be produced and gasoline will no longer be available.

The objective is to curtail the mobility and consumption of the vast majority and reduce them to captives of the Great Reset agenda.

While the financiers may not be able to completely eliminate non-compliant businesses, the planners are creating a two-tiered system, with preferred producers/distributors on top and the non-woke producers/distributors beneath them, he said.

This is a static hierarchy and will lead to stagnation and likely the need for the state to intervene even more than it is doing already, he said. Interestingly, it is the socialists who, in their disdain for competition, aid and abet the formation of monopolies and a static economic hierarchy. The elimination of a thriving middle class is always the road to serfdom.

Klein acknowledged that what we see now is not exactly 1940s-style industrial planning.

But its in the same spirit, he said.

Despite the complaints about crony capitalism today, the Great Reset, social responsibility, and stakeholder models [currently advocated by many large corporations] run the risk of getting us even more cronyism than we have now, he said.

Freedom Argument

The argument that its better, necessary, or even inevitable to consciously direct the economy isnt new. It has been particularly prominent in the past 100 years and usually promoted by socialists of different stripes.

Theres always been a sense among certain segment[s] of society that unplanned sounds primitive, sounds wild and crazy, Klein said.

This notion goes back at least to Karl Marx, co-author of the Communist Manifesto, who described socialism as socialized man, the associated producers, rationally regulating their interchange with Nature, bringing it under their common control, instead of being ruled by it as by the blind forces of Nature, in his Das Kapital.

Yet, the notion stems from a misunderstanding of the price system in the free market, Klein said.

Proponents of central planning  claim that defenders of certain market-based systems assume that every individual is very well informed and forward-looking and is always going to make the right decision and so forth. That isnt the argument at all. The argument is that theres very deep uncertainty about what is the right thing to do, he said.

The free marketers distributed knowledge premise is that among the myriad decisions that individuals make, at least some of them will be right. The solution that actually works will attract the attention of other market participants, allowing the economy to adapt.

You want a system in which lots of different people can try lots of different things, everyone is motivated to use his or her knowledge to the best of their abilities because they personally reap the benefits and bear the costs of the actions that they undertake, he said.

Pushing economic decision-making down to the smallest unit of an individual or a family also limits the negative impact of any single wrong choice.

A decentralized market system limits the harm mistakes can impose whereas in a centralized system small mistakes can have huge harmful effects, Klein explained.

Positing climate change as a crisis that justifies economic intervention isnt enough of a saving grace, according to James Taylor, president of The Heartland Institute, a free-market think tank skeptical about catastrophic climate predictions.

At the very least, he said, it should be up for a vote, not pushed from the top.

Believing strongly that something bad will happen does not justify subverting the democratic process, does not justify taking away peoples rights without at least giving people the right to defend them through the democratic political process, he told The Epoch Times.

The institution of a corporation itself is a product of government bestowing certain benefits and protections on such entities, he argued.

If they were solely creatures of the economy, then I would agree  that we should leave them alone. But again, these are created with the assistance of the government power and now theyre being used to impose political agendas on American citizens. Thats very troubling, he said, noting that this is the very type of unaccountable authoritarianism that the left used to always be concerned about.

Environmental efforts dont necessarily need to conflict with prosperity, Taylor says.

It was exactly its prosperity that allowed America to develop new, cleaner technologies that have helped cut air and water pollution by more than half over the past 40 years, he noted.

When you have a wealthy economy, then youre able to afford to have policies that are very helpful for the environment, he said.

Update: The articles headline has been updated.
Beijing Uses Its Global Media Outreach to Spin Narratives on Pandemic

Beijing has been focused on the media landscape of individual countries to push its narrative on the pandemic, according to a recent report.

As the pandemic started to spread, Beijing used its media infrastructure globally to seed positive narratives about China in national media, as well as mobilizing more novel tactics such as disinformation, the Brussels-based International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) stated in its latest research report.

The report was based on a survey of 54 journalist unions from 50 different countries and territories between December 2020 and January 2021. These countries are located in Asia-Pacific, Africa, Europe, Latin America, North America, and the Middle East.

Globally, 56 percent said their countrys media coverage of China became more positive after the outbreak of COVID-19, a disease caused by the CCP (Chinese Communist Party) virus. Meanwhile, 20 percent said there was no change and the remaining 24 percent said it turned more negative.

The report also found that when countries received COVID-19 medical aid from China, specifically Chinese-made vaccines, the countrys media narrative had a more favorable view of China.

Of the countries where the dominant media narrative was Chinas fast action against Covid-19 has helped other countries, as has its medical diplomacy, more than two-thirds were recipients of Chinas Covid vaccine, the report stated.

Beijings poor pandemic responses have drawn international criticism, including how the regime silenced whistleblower doctors and didnt initially disclose that the virus can be transmitted from person to person. In an effort to turn around the global backlash, the CCP has sought to boost its image by leveraging its medical supplies such as masks and vaccines for diplomacy.

At a daily briefing on May 17, Chinas foreign ministry spokesperson Zhao Lijian proclaimed that Beijing had provided vaccine assistance to over 80 countries and vaccine exports to over 50 countries.

For China, these rescue packages fulfilled the very real need for medical assistance at the same time as providing a propaganda boon illustrating Beijings status as a generous partner for nations in need, the report stated.

The same media narrative of Chinas fast action against Covid-19 has helped other countries was found in only 25 percent of countries that didnt receive Chinas vaccines, according to the report. For these nonrecipient countries, 60 percent had the dominant media narrative that Chinas initial coverup was to be blamed for the global pandemic.

57 percent of Chinese vaccine recipients said they had seen attempts by Chinese actors to shape media narratives regarding local politics in their countries, compared to 34 percent of non-recipient countries, according to the report.

One example took place in Italy. According to the report, one unnamed Italian journalist said that local Chinese officials asked them to give more space to the New Years speech of Chinese leader Xi Jinping. Xis speech was already translated into Italian when the officials gave it to them.

On Dec. 31, 2020, Xi gave his first New Year speech since the start of the global pandemic. According to Chinas state-run media, Xi proclaimed that China overcame the impact of the pandemic and made great achievements in coordinating prevention and control.

Like most countries in the world today, China has continued to battle the pandemic. As of May 17, Chinese authorities have heightened alerts in 17 regions in two provinces, designating these areas as medium-risk for contracting the virus, after a wave of new infection cases.

Journalists admitted there was more Chinese content making its way into the news ecosystem, namely one article a day in the Serbian press and fifty [Chinas state-run media] Xinhua articles per day being carried on the news wire of Ansa news agency in Italy, according to the report.

In Tunisia, Chinas embassy offered hand sanitizer and masks to one unnamed journalists union, according to the report. Additionally, the embassy also attempted to provide financial aid to certain private media outlets.

In some countries, China was also seen as the purveyor of the most accurate information about the new coronavirus, showing its growing influence over global narratives, the report stated.

The report offered several recommendations, one of which is for the IFJ to set up regional workshops to raise awareness of Chinas global media outreach.
President Joe Biden speaks about the April jobs report in the East Room of the White House on May 7, 2021. (Saul Loeb/AFP via Getty Images)

Biden Calls for Significant De-escalation in Israel-Hamas Conflict, in Call With Netanyahu

President Joe Biden told Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu that he wants a significant de-escalation in the fighting between Israel and Hamas on May 19, according to a White House readout.

The two leaders had a detailed discussion on the state of events in Gaza, Israels progress in degrading the capabilities of Hamas and other terrorist elements, and ongoing diplomatic efforts by regional governments and the United States, according to the White House. The President conveyed to the Prime Minister that he expected a significant de-escalation today on the path to a ceasefire.

Israeli officials, including Netanyahu, have said theyre carrying out airstrikes in Gaza in response to Hamas, a designated terrorist group, although the government has faced criticism amid reports of dozens of Palestinians being killed.

Biden, meanwhile, has increasingly faced pressure from the left wing of the Democratic Party, including Squad member Rep. Rashida Tlaib (D-Mich.) and Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), to rescind support for Israel. Meanwhile, the organization behind the Black Lives Matter protests waded into the conflict, saying it stands in solidarity with Palestinians as pro-Palestinian protesters shut down streets in New York City and demonstrated in other metropolitan areas.

Netanyahu on May 19 appeared to resist calls for a cease-fire and said Israel doesnt have a time frame by which it seeks to end its operations in Gaza.

Hundreds of protesters and activists shut down a street as they voice anger at Israel and support of Palestinians in New York City, on May 18, 2021. (Spencer Platt/Getty Images)

Were not standing with a stopwatch in our hand, rather, we are making sure to meet the goals of this operation, Netanyahu said in a briefing to ambassadors on May 19, according to the Jerusalem Post.

Israel, he said, is trying to degrade their [Hamass] capabilities, their terror capabilities and degrade their will.  There are periodic battles and we are trying to maximize the quiet and period of calm that Israel can gain against this foe.

At the same time, the prime minister said that the government is engaged in forceful deterrence after Hamas launched thousands of rockets into civilian areas in Israel.

Some estimates have said that Hamas has launched more than 3,000 rockets since last week.

Theyve actually killed two Israeli Arabs in Lod. Targeted Tira, an Arab town. Theyre truly an equal opportunity murderer. They murder everyone. Any civilian they can get their hands on, Netanyahu said. And they use civilians. They target civilians while hiding behind civilians using them as, you know, as human shields.
Supporters of the "Coalition of Northern Groups" (CNG) rally to urge authorities to rescue hundreds of abducted schoolboys, in northwestern state of Katsina, Nigeria on Dec. 17, 2020. (Kola Sulaimon/ AFP) (Photo by KOLA SULAIMON/AFP via Getty Images)

Boko Haram Terrorists Merge With Bandits in Nigeria

The ISIS-linked insurgency known as Boko Haram and the Ansaru terror group both have joined forces with bandit gangs in Nigerias northern states close to the nations capital, people familiar with the situation told The Epoch Times.

That alliance threatens to worsen the violence afflicting this West African nation.

The Greenfield [University] abduction is unique because for the first time we saw a cooperation between some bandits and Boko Haram elements, which confirm that Boko Haram are encroaching into the field, kidnapping mediator Sheikh Ahmad Gumi told Channels TV on May 16. Gumi, a former captain in the Nigerian army, is the senior cleric of a mosque in the state capital of Kaduna city, a two-hour drive north of the federal capital of Abuja.

The abduction of 22 students from Greenfield University on April 17 remains in a state of negotiation; five of the students have been slain and one released amid negotiations with some of the parents; Boko Haram and the bandits are demanding a ransom of approximately $280,000 for the remaining 16 Greenfield students. Meanwhile, Gumi said that Boko Haram terrorists attempted to take over negotiations related to 27 schoolboys abducted on Feb. 17 in Niger State but were rebuffed by the bandit gang.

The governor of Niger State sounded the alarm three weeks ago that Boko Haram had planted its flag in his state and taken over the town of Shiroro, a four-hour drive from Abuja. Gov. Sani Bello demanded that the army stage a counterattack to dislodge the bandits and elements of Boko Haram that had sent 3,000 citizens scrambling.

The terrorists in Niger may be members of Ansaru, a jihadist group loyal to al-Qaida, which sponsors terrorist cells throughout the Sahel (the region stretching across African between the Sahara to the north and savanna to the south).

Government officials from Niger State told us that the militants who captured Shiroro are not Boko Haram, but rather Ansaru jihadists, Kyle Abts, a director of the International Committee on Nigeria, told The Epoch Times. Abts recently returned from a two-week stay in Nigerias north.

Boko Haram has created alliances with bandit gangs for months in a bid to expand its territory and to ease pressure on its core fighters in Nigerias northeast, according to the Institute for Security Studies (ISS), a regional African think tank based in South Africa.

While insurgents engaged in bombings and massacres in Nigerias north 11 years ago, the Nigerian army has forced a retreat to the northeastern states, where it has fought a see-saw war for several years. The current leader of Boko Haram, Abubakar Shekau, has been cultivating an affinity with armed bandits in the northwest since delivering a video message in 2014, according to ISS.

In an internal Message to Fulanis video, Shekau projected gratitude to fighters in Katsina State and other unspecified locations, ISS reported in March.

In recent months, insurgents have reemerged in the northern states of Kaduna and Niger, and the north-central state of Plateau, according to interviews with conflict reporters and thought leaders.

What we are seeing is an intensification of attacks by bandits and yes, Boko Haram, who profit from the kidnapping, which, in turn, finances more terrorism, according to Obadiah Mailafia, an international development economist and one-time deputy governor at the Central Bank of Nigeria.

Obadiah Mailafia (Courtesy Obadiah Mailafia)

Some of the Boko Haram have joined the bandit gangs, Mailafia told The Epoch Times. One sign of it is the heavy weapons the bandits are using: rocket-propelled grenades and submachine guns.

We estimate that the insurgents and the bandit gangs across the country number more than 250,000 armed men, far outstripping the Nigerian army which fields fewer than 100,000 soldiers.

The cost of the insurgency and the related banditry has taken a heavy toll, he said.

I estimate that the financial losses to the national economy by banditry over the last 10 years exceeds $100 billion, Mailafia told The Epoch Times in an interview on May 17.

The arms shipments to bandits, as well as Boko Haram terrorists, trace to the same sources in Libya, according to conflict reporter Masara Kim.

One of my acquaintances in the Jos area was arrested in mid-September in the state of Zamfara with a truckload of ammunition said to have been acquired in Libya, the same sources of weapons for Boko Haram terrorists, Kim told The Epoch Times in a text message.

The trafficker, Usman Ibrahim, 28, was driving a truckload of ammunition for bandits. He was arrested by the Nigerian army in Zamfara, according to the New Nigerian newspaper. Ibrahim, a native of Barkin Ladi in Plateau State, was partially employed by the government as a community policeman, Kim said.

I knew him. He hails from Mahanga, a former Christian community that has become a Muslim no-go zone for Christians today. He grew up in present-day Barkin Ladi town and was a member of Community Police before his arrest.

Ibrahim was arrested with a police ID card. In recent months, bandits have been seen carrying light machine guns that cost as much as $14,000, Kim wrote.

Archdeacon Hassan John (courtesy Archdeacon Hassan John)

As many as 60,000 people have been killed in Nigeria since the Boko Haram insurgency broke out in 2010. The Rev. Hassan John, archdeacon of the Anglican Church in Jos, says the often-repeated casualty figures of 50,000 to 60,000 are undercounted by an order of magnitude.

The real fatality figures during the last 11 years are closer to half a million, John told The Epoch Times. The reason for the larger figure is that many atrocities arent recorded, and the authorities tend to undercount deaths in their reports, he said.

If the current trends of violence and slayings with impunity continue, the nation might not be able to hold a presidential election in 2023, according to Mailafia.

Nigeria is a rapidly failing state, he said. If this continues, there could be situations where the army is sent to stop a clash but is met by a general uprising.

In fact, an army unit of 12 soldiers was ambushed and killed on April 5 in Benue State by a local armed gang not connected to bandits or an insurgency.

The social fissures are wider than they were before, Mailafia said. Some of the governors in the South West, in the South East and Middle Belt are talking about breaking away from the Federal Republic. Under these conditions, holding an election in 2023 will be a tall order.

Douglas Burton may be reached at Burtonnewsandviews@gmail.com.
Border Patrol Detains 2 Convicted Child Sex Offenders Entering US Illegally

Border Patrol agents in Texas recently arrested two illegal immigrants who were both previously convicted for child sex offenses.

The first of the two arrests happened on May 15, when agents at McAllen Border Patrol Station working near Abrams, Texas arrested a group of 10 immigrants shortly after they had illegally entered the United States. An unaccompanied minor was among them.

One of the men in the group was found to have been previously arrested by law enforcement in Washington state for rape of a child. Raul Sanchez-Sanchez was found guilty of the charge in 2016 and was sentenced to 34 months in prison and 36 months of community service.

On May 17, agents working near Anzalduas Park in south Mission, Texas arrested another illegal immigrant, who was found to have been arrested in 2014 by the New York City Police Department for Sexual Contact of a 9 year old female child. Rafael Rauda-Lopez, 49, was convicted in 2016 for second-degree sexual abuse, for which he was sentenced to a year in prison.

Both men were Salvadoran.

Even with the spread of the COVID-19 virus, human smugglers continue to try these brazen attempts with zero regard for the lives they endanger nor to the health of the citizens of our great nation, U.S. Customs and Border Protection announced in a news release on the two arrests.

The U.S. Border Patrol agents of the Rio Grande Valley Sector will continue to safeguard the nation and community against these criminal elements.

The United States is currently experiencing a surge in illegal immigration along the U.S.Mexico border. According to CBP data, overall apprehensions at the southern border hit record levels in April with 178,622 arrests. The figure marks the highest one-month total in 20 years and a three percent increase from March. The number of children traveling alone across the border who were stopped by border agents was 17,171 in April, a slight decrease from Marchs figure of 18,960.

Since taking office, President Joe Biden has reversed a number of policies from the Trump administration over the border and immigration, including pausing and ultimately suspending border wall construction, and announcing the removal of former President Donald Trumps Remain in Mexico order for arrivals before Jan. 1.
Britons Told to Avoid Amber List Countries as EU Loosens Travel Rule

Prime Minister Boris Johnson has stressed that people shouldnt go to amber list countries except in extreme circumstances as the European Union is set to allow fully vaccinated tourists into the bloc.

Portugal, one of the only two places in the EU that are currently on the UKs green list along with the Faroe Islands, had broken rank and started welcoming much-missed British tourists since Monday when Britons were allowed to go on foreign holidays again.

EU ambassadors on Wednesday recommended during a meeting that rules should be changed to allow fully vaccinated people into the EU for non-essential visits.

The European Commission welcomed the decision.

We welcome the @EUCouncil agreement on updating the approach to travel from outside the EU. The Council now recommends that EU countries ease some of the current restrictions, in particular for those vaccinated with an authorised vaccine.@ChristianWigand  pic.twitter.com/hCVKxe2Pw2  European Commission  (@EU_Commission) May 19, 2021

The policy will need to be formally signed off by ministers of member states.

A separate decision on whether to add the UK and other countries to the EUs safe list will be made on Friday.

Travellers from locations on the list are permitted to enter the bloc even if they are not vaccinated, but are generally required to show evidence of a recent negative test.

Under the UK governments traffic light system for international travel, people travel back from the red list countries have to pay for a 10-day-quarantine in a managed hotel and two CCP (Chinese Communist Party) virus tests; amber list arrivals have to pay for tests and self-isolate for ten days, while green list arrivals only have to take two tests before travelling and two days after arriving.

There had been some mixed messages from the government on Tuesday over what people can go to amber list countries for, with Prime Minister Boris Johnson saying its only for pressing family or urgent business reason, Environment Secretary George Eustice telling the BBC that people could go visit family or friends as long as they observed quarantine rules on their return, and Welsh Secretary Simon Hart telling Times Radio that some people might think a holiday is essential.

Asked to clarify the rule on Wednesday, the PM told Parliament that people shouldnt travel to amber list countries except for some extreme circumstance, such as the serious illness of a family member.

You should not be going to an amber list country on holiday, he said.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson speaks during Prime Ministers Questions in the House of Commons, London on May 19, 2021. (House of Commons via PA)

The main opposition Labour Partys leader Sir Keir Starmer accused the government of having lost control of the messaging.

Since the government loosened travel restrictions, 150 flights a day are going to amber list countries and travel agents are reporting surges in holiday bookings to those countries, Stermer said in Parliament during the Prime Ministers Questions session on Wednesday.

Johnson replied that the UK has one of the strongest border regimes anywhere in the world, adding 43 countries are on the red list to which travel is effectively banned.

If you travel to an amber list country for any emergency, any extreme reason that you have to, when you come back, you not only have to pay for all the tests but you have to self-isolate for 10 days, he said.

We will invigilate, we are invigilating it, and people who fail to obey the quarantine can face fines of up to 10,000 [($14,154)].

George Morgan-Grenville, founder and chief executive of travel company Red Savannah, told BBC Radio 4s Today programme that the industry is facing a disaster and cannot understand why it has to bear the brunt of so much confused and mixed messaging from ministers.

International travel rules for England, Wales, and Scotland are broadly similar.

In Northern Ireland, journeys to the Common Travel Areawhich consists of the UK, Republic of Ireland, Channel Islands, and the Isle of Manfor visits to family and friends will be allowed from May 24.

But the Stormont Executive has not made a decision about the resumption of international leisure travel from Northern Ireland.

PA contributed to this report.
The Fairview Baptist Church is seen in Calgary, Alta., Canada, on May 17, 2021. (Jeff McIntosh/The Canadian Press)

Calgary Pastor Rejects Bail Terms Amid Claims of Invalid Court Order Used for His Arrest

Another pastor in Alberta has been arrested for allegedly defying the provinces COVID-19 gathering restrictions, but lawyers said the health enforcement order on which the arrest was based is no longer valid.

Pastor Tim Stephens of the Fairview Baptist Church was detained by Calgary police on Sunday for allegedly refusing to limit his congregation and have them wear masks as stipulated by the Alberta Health Services (AHS).

On May 6, the AHS obtained an order from the Court of Queens Bench of Alberta that allows the arrest of Whistle Stop Cafe owner Christopher Scott, former councillor and mayoral candidate for Innisfail town Glen Carritt, and John and Jane Doesmeaning any other person acting  independently to like effect and with Notice of this Order for organizing, attending, and promoting illegal public gatherings that violate orders issued by the Alberta Chief Medical Officer.

However, the order was amended to remove the words or independently to like effect, meaning only the individuals named in the order, Scott and Carritt, can be arrested for violating the public health orders. The amendment came after the Justice Centre for Constitutional Freedoms, a non-partisan legal firm, successfully applied for the Court to amend the May 6 Order.

This means the Calgary polices arrest of Stephens on May 16 was unlawful, according to James Kitchen, a Justice Centre lawyer.

Justice Adam Germaine offered Stephens bail on Monday, under the condition he limit his congregation. Stephens refused those bail conditions, reported Rebel News.

Stephens was back in court on Tuesday. He is also set to appear for a civil contempt hearing on June 16.

Stephens is the third pastor in Alberta to be arrested for holding religious services in violation of public health restrictions. Artur Pawlowski was arrested last week along with his brother, Dawid Pawlowski; and James Coates of Edmontons GraceLife Church was arrested in February.

A previous version of this story misspelled Justice Adam Germaines name. The Epoch Times regrets the error.
A Suncor oilsands facility is seen near Fort McMurray, Alta., in a file photo. (The Canadian Press/Jeff McIntosh)

Canadas 2050 Net-Zero Climate Goal Means Big Spending and Risks, Say Industry, Analysts

Banks lending to oil and gas sector under scrutiny due to climate change risks

News Analysis

As oil and gas investment faces growing scrutiny worldwide, Canada is seen as being particularly vulnerable in its transition to a lower carbon footprint. Nevertheless, its industry says it still has a vital role to play as investments appear likely to start shifting away from new fossil fuel projects in favour of research and innovation targeted at cutting emissions.

CAPP encourages any groups who are redefining their investment portfolios to consider that investment in Canadian energy is a sustainable choice, said Tim McMillan, president and CEO of Canadian Association of Petroleum Producers (CAPP) in an email to The Epoch Times.

To try to reach ambitious emissions reductions goals, analysts say Canada will have to undergo a tumultuous transition fraught with economic and societal risks, and investment in the energy space cant afford to dry up.

The energy sector is a natural target for greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions reduction, as it accounts for over 25 percent of Canadas emissions. But the industry also contributes 10 percent of Canadas economy.

The Liberal government has committed to net-zero emissions by 2050, and at the April 22 Leaders Summit on Climate, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced that Canada will aim for a loftier target for 2030to cut emissions by 4045 percent, instead of 30 percent, below 2005 levels by that year.

On a page dedicated to the industrys climate commitment, CAPP said it will continue working with governments to meet emission-lowering targets. It sees an opportunity for the industry to contribute its expertise in both science and technology. However, to meet the challenge, considerable investment in technology and innovation at scale will be needed, the association said.

The potential impact on workers is significant. Roughly 600,000 Canadians are employed in the oil and gas sector either directly or indirectly, and the transition to a low-carbon economy for Canada could displace between 312,000 and 450,000 [of those] workers over the next three decades, according to TD Securities.

No New Oil and Natural Gas Fields Are Needed

Energy sector spending should be increased and reprioritized to focus solely on research and development, says an International Energy Agency (IEA) study, released on May 18, that posited a road map to net zero by 2050.

According to the road map, the IEA sees total annual energy investment globally surging to US$5 trillion by 2030, with none of it involving new fossil fuel supply projects.

No new oil and natural gas fields are needed in the net zero pathway, and supplies become increasingly concentrated in a small number of low-cost producers, said the IEA in a news release.

The IEA forecasts OPECs share of a much smaller global oil supply to grow from about 37 percent in recent years to 52 percent in 2050the highest of any point in the history of oil markets.

And getting to net zero will require a lot of capital, RBC senior VP John Stackhouse said on the ARC Energy Ideas April 27 podcast.

Stackhouse said RBC sees a lot of good financing opportunities in the oil and gas sector as part of the banks sustainable finance program, which incorporates environmental, social, and governance (ESG) factors into investment decisions.

RBCs view is to ensure that these funds are going into the productive sectors and that includes oil and gas, that can invest the money in projects and capital and technology that give us a demonstrable reduction in emissions, he said.

With an accelerated approach to meeting aggressive emissions reduction targets, more and more companies are being asked to do much more than just deliver profitsthey are expected to address ESG issues. But with that, Stackhouse said, comes added risk.

Thats going to take more risk, I think, than a lot of Canadians have thought through.  How do we manage those risks, such as technology not scaling efficiently or not working as predicted? he said.

The culture of risk in this country has to change. The culture of risk even in your own bank has to change, said podcast co-host Peter Tertzakian, deputy director of the ARC Energy Research Institute.

Climate Risks to Financial System

Banks, insurance companies, and governments are under pressure to reduce the amount of financing the oil and gas industry gets.

The worlds major central banks are trying to better understand the risks to the financial system from a transition to a low-carbon economy. In Canada, the Bank of Canada and the Office of the Superintendent of Financial Institutions (OSFI) began a pilot project last November to use climate-change scenario analysis to assess the impact on financial institutions, stress test resilience to economic impacts, and identify ways to respond, such as through regulation and supervision. Their final report is planned for the end of 2021.

Specifically, the OSFI is examining climate-related risks in three broad areas: physical risk, transition risk, and liability risk. Physical risk arises from events like wildfires and floods. Transition risk stems from increased regulation on GHG-intensive industries. Liability risk relates to potential climate-related legal action.

Transition risks are particularly significant for Canada given the amount of carbon-intensive commodities that drive the economy, said OSFI assistant superintendent Ben Gully at a C.D. Howe Institute panel on Jan. 28.

OSFI says that for financial institutions, transition risk mainly stems from lending to GHG-intensive industries. For insurance companies, transition risk is primarily driven by life insurance companies investment portfolios.

The upshot of the work from the regulatory bodies could be higher capital requirements for financial institutions and less financing for oil and gas if climate-related risks are built into the overall risk assessment process. Climate-related financial disclosures could also be forthcoming.

More banks and insurers are likely to start shifting their balance sheets away from some of the sectors most exposed to climate-change risks, such as manufacturing, electricity, construction, transport, and real estate, according to Fitch Ratings. The credit rating agency added that scenario stress testing will force banks to start to think more deeply about whether they need to hold additional capital to cover potential unreserved losses arising from climate-change risks.

Fitch expects the scenarios to focus on banks and insurance companies risk stemming from the energy sector. It reported that direct loan exposure to the oil and gas sector was less than 2.5 percent of gross loans among Canadas seven biggest banks as of the end of January 2021. This is not material, said Fitch, but lenders also have indirect loan exposure, through mortgages in energy-reliant provinces like Alberta, which range up to about 3 percent of gross loans.
Chinese Professor: China Won Biological Warfare'(May 18)

A video showcases a number of curious comments from a pro-Beijing Chinese professor. One of the vague remarks praises China for its so-called achievements in biological warfare.

A website sheds light on the links between Wuhans virus lab and the Chinese Communist Party, as many question how deeply those ties go, and others speculate about the pandemics origins.

Hong Kong media tycoon Jimmy Lai has just pleaded guilty, as the Taiwanese branch of his newspaper ends its print edition. Hes among the most high-profile arrests made under Hong Kongs national security law.

New data shows the United States is now importing a lot less from China. Its a sharp decline from before the pandemic startedlargely due to U.S. tariffs on the country.

A report says the Chinese regime is using forced labor to make solar panels. The communist regime is allegedly making ethnic minorities in the Xinjiang region work against their will.

Subscribe to our YouTube channel for more first-hand news from China.

For more news and videos, please visit our website and Twitter.
Source: Xinhua| 2021-05-19 23:48:34|Editor: huaxia

Video Player Close

A handover ceremony of a batch of China-donated COVID-19 vaccines is held at Noor Khan Air Base near Islamabad, Pakistan, Feb. 1, 2021. (Xinhua/Liu Tian)

SHANGHAI, May 19 (Xinhua) -- China and Pakistan will hold a series of activities later this year to celebrate the 70th anniversary of bilateral diplomatic ties, officials and experts said at an academic seminar held in Shanghai Wednesday.

Despite the COVID-19 pandemic, both sides are confident in hosting about 100 celebratory activities to attract young people of both countries to participate in bilateral cooperation and exchanges, seminar attendees said. The seminar has the all-weather strategic cooperative partnership between China and Pakistan as its theme.

At the seminar, the Pakistani Ambassador to China, Moin ul Haque, said that the two countries set a model of bilateral relations. This model is based on mutual understanding, respect, trust, support, and cooperation.

Sha Hailin, president of the Shanghai People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries, told the seminar that China and Pakistan aided each other in terms of anti-pandemic supplies since the outbreak of the pandemic, demonstrating the partnership between the two countries.

China and Pakistan established diplomatic relations on May 21, 1951. 
A decorative plate featuring an image of Chinese leader Xi Jinping is seen behind a statue of late communist leader Mao Zedong at a souvenir store next to Tiananmen Square in Beijing, China on Feb. 27, 2018. (GREG BAKER/AFP via Getty Images)

Chinese Leader Tightens Grip on Power Through Vast Network of Institutes That Teach Xi Jinping Thought

Chinese leader Xi Jinping is solidifying his control over Chinese Communist Party (CCP) officials and the wider populace by establishing institutes around the country to propagate his eponymous dogmaknown as Xi Jinping Thought.

Since becoming the CCPs paramount leader in 2012, Xi has moved to centralize power and encourage a personality cult echoing back to the Partys first ruler Mao Zedong, analysts have noted. A key plank of this strategy is the dissemination of Xis own political ideology, officially called Xi Jinping Thought for Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era.

The concept was first outlined in a speech given by Xi during the National Congress of the Communist Party in 2017, during which the doctrine was enshrined in the CCPs constitutionmaking Xi the first leader since Mao to have an ideology carrying his name to be adopted into the Party charter while still in office.

Xi Jinping Thought, encapsulated in a collection of writings and important speeches given by the leader, calls for drastically advancing the countrys economic and technological might by 2035. It also envisages a world-class military that can match the United States armed forces by mid-century.

The end goal is to transform China into a great modern socialist country by 2049the 100th anniversary of the CCP coming to power.

Since the birth of Xis ideology, research institutes dedicated to its study and promotion have been set up in more than 20 universities across the country. Courses have also become mandatory learning for students at dozens of colleges and universities. The regime has even released a mobile app teaching Xi Jinping Thought, touted to be one of the most popular.

CCP officials have also been ordered to study Xi Jinping Thought. To achieve this, the regime has set up hundreds of Xi Jinping Thought institutes all across the country from large cities to far-flung villages to implant the ideology across the officialdom, according to leaked government documents recently obtained by The Epoch Times. The documents, issued by the provincial government in southwest Chinas Guangxi Province, reveal the workings of the institutes and their wide geographical reach, information which has not previously been publicly disclosed by the regime.

[All officials] must consciously use Xi Jinping Thought for Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era to arm your minds, guide your practice, and progress your tasks, the Guangxi regional government ordered officials in a leaked document issued on July 15, 2018.

Higher-ranking officials have also been assigned to monitor the progress of lower-level officials learning of Xin Jinping Thought, the documents showed.

Chinese Communist Party leader Xi Jinping and other leaders applaud at the closing session of the National Peoples Congress (NPC) in Beijing, China on March 11, 2021. (Carlos Garcia Rawlins/Reuters)

Xi Jinping Thought Institutes

According to an internal document by the Guangxi Provincial government issued in November 2019, the regime started rolling out Xi Jinping Thought institutes in July 2018.

The document said that Guangxi, which has a population of about 50 million, had set up 138 Xi Jinping Thought institutes in its cities, districts and government offices. The institutes are officially called New Era Civilization Practice Centers.

Meanwhile, 21,294 stations teaching Xi Jinping thought, officially called New Era Civilization Practice Station, had been set up across Guangxis villages, townships, and neighborhoods.

Another document from July 2018 detailed how the centers should run. It said that centers should treat the teaching of Xi Jinping thought as its most important task and work to spread the thought deeply and clarify its historical significance.

Centers were instructed to set up classrooms big enough to accommodate 100 people, print learning materials and distribute it to all officials, organize tests, and arrange activities at least once a week.

The document not only asked officials to learn Xis thought, but also ordered them to spread the ideology through media and on social media platforms such as through videos and messages.

Xi Jinping Thought Stations that run in smaller communities, meanwhile, were instructed in a May 2018 document to organize learning in formats that people like, such as seminars, study circles, competitions, and quizzes. They were also encouraged to organize classes in peoples homes, farms, or factories.

Stations were also asked to turn aspects of Xi Jinping Thought into songs that could be sung by locals. Officials were tasked to make sure each resident in the village or neighborhood studied the ideology by tracking their study progress.

Learning Revisionist Party History

In the lead up to the centenary of the CCPs establishment on July 1, the regime has kickstarted a nationwide campaign to study Party history, as interpreted by Xi.

Two recently published books that mark Xi as its author, An Abbreviated History of the Chinese Communist Party and On the History of the Chinese Communist Party, whitewashed the atrocities committed during Maos rule and glorified the accomplishments and ideologies espoused by Xi.

In an April document, the Guangxi regional government ordered all officials to study this latest version of history by reading these two books as well as several other official Xi books.

It also arranged 15 provincial-level inspection teams to monitor officials who work in different government departments, universities, television stations, newspaper, radio, academies, associations, state-owned enterprises, and city governments. The teams were tasked to check the officials learning progress, as well as test them.

[The inspection teams] need to tour [the lower-ranking government departments] and guide [the officials], inspect the departments randomly, investigate by talking with different people, and observing the [lower ranking officials] studying, the document said.

In March, over 100 officials across different departments in Guangxis provincial government shared their key learnings from their classes on Xi Jinping Thought, according to the document. In these sharings, all officials expressed their loyalty to Xi and his administration.

Huang Jinqiu (alias), a senior journalist in mainland China, told the Chinese-language Epoch Times that the officials have no choice but to declare allegiance to the leader.

It became the CCPs culture that all officials must express their loyalties to Xi and the party in public, Jin said.

Jin said Chinese officials try to portray that they are very leftist, they are very loyal, and they support CCPs rule to protect themselves from being investigated or sacked.

It doesnt matter how corrupt you are, you will be safe if you are loyal to Xi Jinping, he added.

Cathy He contributed to this report.
Colonial Pipeline Paid $4.4 Million to Ransomware Hackers: CEO

Colonial Pipeline Chief Executive Joseph Blount confirmed that the company paid $4.4 million to ransomware attackers because executives were uncertain about the severity of the cyberattack on the firms systems and how long the pipeline would remain offline.

I know thats a highly controversial decision, Blount told the Wall Street Journal in a May 19 statement. I didnt make it lightly. I will admit that I wasnt comfortable seeing money go out the door to people like this.

Someincluding the FBIhave argued that the firm shouldnt have paid the group, as it would only embolden them to commit similar attacks. Ransomware is a type of malicious software that essentially takes computer systems hostage and demands payment to have the files unlocked.

But it was the right thing to do for the country, Blount said, adding that the pipeline had never been shut since its construction. Colonial has stressed that the operational systems controlling pipeline infrastructure werent directly impacted by the attack.

Despite the pipeline having returned to normal operations, Blount said that itll take months of restoration work and millions of dollars to recover some systems that were affected by the hack.

We were perfectly happy having no one know who Colonial Pipeline was, and unfortunately thats not the case anymore, he said. Everybody in the world knows.

This week, Colonial confirmed to media outlets that some of its scheduling systems were down, but stressed that wasnt related to the breach. In a statement to the Epoch Times on May 18, a spokesperson for the firm said that they were operational again.

The FBI said that the DarkSide groupwhich may be based in Russia and Eastern Europewas behind the breach. Last week, President Joe Biden said that intelligence suggests that the Kremlin wasnt involved in the attack, although he said the Russian government bears some responsibility in dealing with criminal gangs.

DarkSide, which said in a statement last week that its disbanding, also claimed to be apolitical and only wanted to make money.

The breach shut the 5,500 mile-long network of pipelines for several days, triggering fuel shortages and panic-buying in some East Coast states.

The incident also placed renewed focus on the Biden administrations order to halt the construction of the Keystone XL pipelinewhich would span from the Gulf Coast to Canadadue to his focus on promoting alternative energy sources. Roughly 20 GOP attorneys general, in a letter sent to the White House this week, implored Biden to restart the Keystone pipeline in the wake of the ransomware attack.
Constitution, Basic Principles Being Violated in US Amid Pandemic: Constitutional Lawyer

Basic principles such as freedom of assembly and freedom of worship guaranteed by the Constitution are being violated in the United States amid the COVID-19 pandemic, says constitutional attorney Rick Green.

In an interview with The Epoch Times Crossroads, Green criticized the restrictions on churches imposed by Democratic Govs. Andrew Cuomo in New York and Gavin Newsom in California, as well as in other blue states.

Such restrictions violate the First Amendments Free Exercise Clause guaranteeing the right to practice religion and assemble for its expression without government interference, said Green, a former Texas state representative and co-founder of the Patriot Academy.

We probably both would have thought 15-16 months ago that this conversation would never happen in our lifetimethat we would even be talking about the fact that governors have actually said to people you cannot sing at church, or that you cannot meet in your home and gather with people for a Bible study or for worship, said Green.

I would have never thought that was going to happen in my lifetime in America, the attorney continued. Tell me thats happening in another country? Yeah, I would believe it, but not in America. And whether they use COVID-19, or whatever method they want to use to do that, it is absolutely a violation of those basic principles.

During the onset of the pandemic last spring, jurisdictions nationwide imposed stringent restrictions on houses of worship, such as attendance limitations of varying degrees depending on the local severity of the surge, social distancing measures, and the wearing of masks, while some imposed outright indoor worship bans.

Churches, many of them in California, filed lawsuits arguing that such limits on communal worship violate religious freedom.

A hundred faithful sit while minding social distancing, listening to Los Angeles Archbishop Jose H. Gomez celebrate Mass at Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels, the first Mass held in English at the site since the reopening of churches, in downtown Los Angeles, Calif., on June 7, 2020. (Damian Dovarganes/AP Photo)

Now, as churches gradually begin to reopen, the majority still operate with virus-related precautions in place, according to data from Pew Research Center. The research notes that just 12 percent of respondents say their congregation is open and operating as usualjust as they were before the pandemic hit the country.

The U.S. Supreme Court, Green said, has failed Americans miserablyover the last year in responding to lawsuits that attempted to reverse some of these stringent restrictions on houses of worship.

I thought all of these restrictions on churches meeting, on businesses opening up, would be over very quickly last year, because theres just not what we would call in constitutional law a compelling interest for government to intervene. But the courts have absolutely ignored it, theyve all been afraid to act, said Green.

Only in December 2020 did the Supreme Court side with a California church in ruling that Newsoms ban on indoor worship amounted to unconstitutional religious discrimination.

Green suggested that the government should have to prove a compelling interest in imposing restrictions that violate the American Constitution.

The more [the] government gets involved in those things, whether its in the name of public health, like theyve done for the last year, and even then from a constitutional perspective, if you want to tell people they cant meet at church, you ought to have to prove a compelling interest.

If theres an Ebola outbreak and 50 percent of people are dying from it, you could argue that OK, at that particular church where Ebola broke out, we should be able to stop it, Green explained. But to take something like what were dealing with, with COVID-19, and say that every church cannot meet like theyve done in Californiatheres no compelling interest there.

Green added: Theres no evidence, theres no proof, theres no due process. Its absolutely a violation of that freedom of religion.
Data Show DOJ Almost Never Files Delinquent Student Loan Suits

Department of Justice (DOJ) officials have filed only one delinquent student loan collection lawsuit since before the 2020 election, a downward trend that began in 2011 when nearly 4,500 cases went to court, a new data analysis shows.

Despite student loan debt now topping $1.7 trillion, the latest case-by-case court records analyzed by the Transactional Records Access Clearinghouse (TRAC) show that civil suits filed to recover federal student loan debt have become increasingly rare, even before pandemic relief provided a collection moratorium, TRAC said in a statement on May 19.

Based at Syracuse University, TRAC regularly files federal Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests for DOJ data on a multitude of topics and activities, including among others white-collar crime prosecution, immigration court actions, domestic terrorism, and Securities and Exchange Commission filings.

There were no suits filed in April 2021, and only one during the first seven months of FY2021 (October 2020April 2021), the statement continues. That case was filed by the federal government in the Northern District of Texas (Dallas) in U.S.A v. Lewallen.

In fact, there were more cases (three) in which individuals with student debt sued the U.S. Department of Education this fiscal year than when the federal government took individuals to court.

In the year prior to the onset of the CCP virus pandemic in March 2020, only 261 collection actions were filed by federal officials. That compares to the previous high of 4,335 cases filed during 2011 under President Barack Obama, following the Great Recession of 2008, according to TRAC.

The downward trend in such filings was reflected in the following years total of 2,600 cases; the annual total has decreased every year since 2012.

The analysis examined 22,645 cases by DOJ from October 2007 through April of this year. Three federal judicial districts represented nearly half of all the cases filed nationwide.

Almost one out of four (22 percent) were filed in the Central District of California (Los Angeles). There, a total of 4,930 cases have been filed during this entire period, TRAC said.

In addition to California Central, [these included] the Eastern District of Michigan (Detroit), with 3,043 such suits, and the Southern District of Texas (Houston), where 2,956 cases were filed.

Relative to the size of the population, the Eastern District of Michigan led the nation on this litigation, with over six times the national average, and nearly twice the Central District of Californias rate of student loan recovery lawsuits. The Southern District of Texas was in second place relative to its population size, with four times the national average.

The Eastern District of Texas (Tyler) and the State of Vermont showed the fewest cases filed during the period examined by TRAC, with only seven filed.

Two suits regarding student loan debt recovery have been filed in 2021 against the Department of Education, with one in the Central District of California and one in the Southern District of Ohio.

President Joe Biden, like all of his rivals for the Democratic presidential nomination, said during the 2020 campaign that he favored student loan debt cancellation, but more recently has said he supports limiting such action to no more than $10,000 in forgiveness.

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.), Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), and a group of House Democrats that included Rep. Ilhan Omar of Minnesota introduced a resolution in February calling on Biden to issue an executive order canceling up to $50,000 in student loan indebtedness.

Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona recently appointed former Consumer Financial Protection Bureau Director Richard Cordray as chief operating officer of the Department of Educations Federal Student Aid office.

Under Cordray, the CFPB filed suit in 2017 against Navient, a major student loan servicer, claiming it created obstacles to repayment by providing bad information, processing payments incorrectly, and failing to act when borrowers complained.

Navient, which denied the governments claims in the federal suit and in related actions filed by state attorneys general, serviced more than 6 million student loan accounts and was the largest such company in the country.

Federal District Court Judge Robert Mariani rejected Navients motion to dismiss the CFPB suit in a January decision.

Congressional correspondent Mark Tapscott may be reached at mark.tapscott@epochtimes.nyc.
Delaware State Lawmaker Arrested For Allegedly Punching Woman in the Face at Restaurant

A Delaware state lawmaker was arrested this week for allegedly attacking a woman at a restaurant in what appears to be a domestic violence incident, officials said.

According to a news release from the Delaware State Police, State Senator Darius J. Brown, 39, was arrested after an altercation occurred at a local restaurant over the weekend.

Police said that Brown, a Democrat, allegedly punched a woman in the face. The woman claimed that the 44-year-old female victim said they were arguing about a social media post when Brown struck her, the news release stated.

Its not clear what the social media post was about.

After he assaulted the victim, Mr. Brown got up from the booth where they were seated and threw a glass of water, which broke into pieces, officials said. Mr. Brown then exited the establishment prior to the troopers arrival. The victim sustained some redness to the side of her face but did not require any medical attention.

The incident occurred at the Taverna Rustic Italian Restaurant on May 16.

Brown was arrested on charges of offensive touching and disorderly conduct, which are both misdemeanors, the release said.

Authorities said Brown turned himself into a Delaware State Police precinct and was arraigned. He was released on his own recognizance with a no-contact order with the victim.

The Epoch Times has contacted the senators office for comment. According to WDEL-TV, Brown was absent during the state legislative session on Tuesday.

State Senate President Pro Tempore Dave Sokola, a Democrat, said that domestic violence crimes are serious and in direct conflict with the values of the Delaware Senate Democratic Caucus.

But Sokola cautioned that a presumption of innocence is one of the most sacred principles in the American criminal justice system, as reported by DelawareOnline Wednesday. I will carefully consider whether any formal actions are warranted in the coming days as we learn more about this incident.

Brown, who was elected in 2018, is the chairman of the Delaware state Senate Judiciary Committee.

In 2018, when he was campaigning, Brown received a federal tax lien of more than $50,000 due to unpaid income taxes between 2012 and 2016, reported DelawareOnline.

I have a tax liability, the senator said at the time. I have a payment arrangement to make a monthly payment. Thats what I do to satisfy my liability, which is no different than other people with the challenges they have.

Other details about his case were not released by police.
A large group of pro-Trump protesters stand on the east steps of the Capitol Building in Washington on Jan. 6, 2021. (Jon Cherry/Getty Images)

UPDATE: Democrats, Not Trump Supporters, Are the True Jan. 6 Insurrectionists

Commentary

UPDATE: Since I wrote this article, an astonishing 35 House Republicans broke with leader Kevin McCarthy and voted for a 9/11-style commission to investigate the events of Jan. 6this even though the bill didnt include or even so much as reference the ongoing violence of Antifa and Black Lives Matter that has dwarfed anything that happened at the U.S. Capitol that day. The hypocrisy of this vote stinks of Banana Republic politics. A list of the Republicans who voted for this monstrosity is at this link. They all deserve a rhino-plastythats my new catchphrase for being primaried and kicked out of Republican politics. (They can keep their noses, just not their seats in Congress.)

If you were to stage an insurrection on the United States government, would you (a.) simultaneously attack the power grid at multiple points, turning out the lights across the country, or (b.) dress up like a horned Star Wars character at a comic book convention and enter the Capitol buildingunarmedas if it were Halloween?

You dont have to be an experienced insurrectionist like the late Muammar Gaddafiwho was armed to the teeth during his, needless to sayto know the answer.

What occurred in Washington on Jan. 6 was about as far from an insurrection as I am from being a spaceman living on Mars.

Were those people stupid? Sure.

Were they juvenile? Rather.

But were they insurrectionists? Youve got to be kidding.

And thats leaving out the obvious detail. that the only person who got killed in this so-called insurrection was a Trump supporter shot by a Capitol policemanwe still dont know who. Then there are the videos that show other Capitol police waving the demonstratorsincluding that dangerous Chewbacca guyinto the building as if it were a national holiday and they were rubbernecking tourists from Kansas.

In fact, these people were the true patriots, trying, in their clumsy way, to get their country backor what they thought was their country.

The real insurrectionists are the people accusing them of insurrection. They, the accusers who are demanding a commission be formed to study this non-existent insurrection, are the ones taking over our country and imposing their will on the people.

And theyre doing this after an election that has never had its fairness investigated and about which no one can sayother than pronouncing an opinion as factwho was victorious.

They have, as the courts would say, no standing.

So calling these demonstrators insurrectionists is projection taken to the nth power by our contemporary liberals and progressivesterms wrapped in scare quotes in this instance to prevent the continued desecration of the English language.

Speaking of the deliberate misuse of our language, these same modern liberals are people who likely grew up praising George Orwells prescience in 1984 and Animal Farm, but are now unaware that they have become true avatars of the formers Ministry of Truth, all the while happily enacting roles in the latter.

Theyre the new fascists sans le savoir and are busy giving quarter to their brother and sister totalitarians around the world while claiming the greatest danger to our country comes from the people they call white extremists, such as the misbegotten guy with the horns or the other must-be-worse-than-a-serial-killer goofball who had the temerity to put his feet up on Nancy Pelosis desk.

Never mind the genuinely violent maniacs running around Portland and Seattle, damaging as much as they can of persons and property for over a year and making those once-beautiful cities virtually unlivable. No one pays attention to themespecially Democrats. No one locks them up without bail for months.

In actuality, said maniacs as well as the Jan. 6 accusers; the Biden administration, whoever runs it; and their ever-so-willing cohorts in what we formerly might have called the Department of Justice are doing many things far worse for our country than those hapless clowns who entered the Capitol could have even conceived.

Now the administrationthe same progressive thinkers who killed the Keystone pipeline from Canada minutes after inauguration, throwing tons of people out of work, dissing our Northern neighbor, and helping cause our recent gas shortagesannounced they are lifting the sanctions on Russias controversial gas pipeline to Europe. This is a form of treason compounding utter stupidity.

Of course, these are the same repellent, tedious ideologues, such as Reps. Schiff and Nadler, who were nattering on endlesslymore accurately lying endlessly, as it turned outabout Trumps supposed collusion with that same Russian government.

But theres no sense rehashing that, because its already clear no one important will be prosecuted for this incredibly undemocratic crime against our nation and its peoplegovernment spying on a presidential campaign and then on the president, all based on fraudulent, forged documents out of Russian intelligencethe kind of thing Stalins NKVD would do, only our FBI is led by dreary, self-interested bureaucrats nowhere near as interesting or clever as Comrade Beria.

The Department of Justice and the FBI are bad enough, but things have gotten far worse. These same people are gutting our military in the pursuit of these extremists, opening the door wide for the renewed Axis of EvilChina, Russia, and Iran.

Xi Jinpingeasily the most powerful man in the world at this point, with expansionist goals across the globe and out into spacemust be laughing as the U.S. military continues its slide into wokeness in a most astonishingly self-destructive manner, as if the real problem for the United States was internal, not Communist China.

From Revolver: On February 3, 2021, in the wake of the deadly events of 1/6, Bidens new Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin ordered a 60-day stand-down and total purge of the U.S. militarys rampant, undefined extremism problem. Though the details of this purge were always kept vague and framed in apolitical terms, it was immediately obvious the target would be MAGAwith the buzzword extremism tagged onto various proxies for Trump supporters, conservatives, and opponents of globalism of all stripes.

The man in charge of this extra-governmentalto avoid First Amendment conflictsjihad is Bishop Garrison, senior adviser to the secretary of defense for diversity and inclusion, no less. Oh, mighty Orwell, where are you now?

So what exactly is a white extremist, this seditious prey theyre hunting? Someone should ask our attorney general to define what he meant when he said they were the greatest present threat to our country. But Im sure no one will.

If you think Im hard on the Democratic Party, well, I am. I cant stand them. And I was once a Democrat.

Unfortunately, todays Republican Party isnt much better, as Tal Bachman tells us succinctly on American Greatness in his article The Republican Party Sucks.

With the exceptions of Sens. Josh Hawley and Ted Cruz, none of them stood up for the Constitution and electoral fairness on Jan. 6.

And now these same cowards have to oppose the calls for this phony commission. Its up to us to put as much pressure as possible to make sure they do.

Roger L. Simon is an award-winning novelist, Oscar-nominated screenwriter, co-founder of PJMedia, and now, editor-at-large for The Epoch Times. His most recent books are The GOAT (fiction) and I Know Best: How Moral Narcissism Is Destroying Our Republic, If It Hasnt Already (nonfiction). He can be found on Parler as @rogerlsimon

Views expressed in this article are the opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Epoch Times.
Developers Threaten to Stop Building Over New Victorian Land Taxes

A major Melbourne-based property developer is warning it will stop looking for new construction opportunities until the Victorian government releases the details of its plans to raise land and property taxes for the ninth time.

Sam Tarascio, managing director at one of Australias largest developers, Salta Properties, told The Australian that the company would put the assessment of future developments that involve rezoning on hold until they thoroughly understood the proposed tax.

Until we see that detail, we cannot quantify the new costs associated with the tax, Tarascio said, referring to the new windfall taxes where up to 50 percent of land value uplift as a result of rezoning will go to the government.

The taxes were met with extreme scrutiny by property industry groups, with the Housing Industry Association saying it was the wrong time for the government to dampen housing demand.

Tarascio agreed with the sentiment, saying the sector was playing an important role in the states economic recovery and that it was currently not the time for new taxes.

The property sector sees itself a partner with the government in leading the recovery from the impacts of the pandemic, he said. This is not the time for new taxes; it is the time for government and the property sector to work together.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison called the taxes quite punishing and said it was the last thing the economy currently needed.

For anyone whos investing or doing a bit better, it basically sort of says, well take it, Morrison told the Australian Financial Review. Theyre taking the dividends of recovery.

Acting Premier James Merlino has defended the tax hikes, calling them appropriate, proportionate and absolutely reasonable.

I respectfully reject [the PMs] comments, Merlino told reporters. For those that have made significant profits, its appropriate that there is a greater contribution.

Acting Premier James Merlino speaks to the media during a press conference in Melbourne, Australia, on Aug. 2, 2020. (Darrian Traynor/Getty Images)

He said the new premium stamp duty would remain lower than the top bracket of New South Wales, where owners are paying seven percent, and added that Victorians currently paid the lowest land taxes in the country.

If youre purchasing a home for $2.5 million, your stamp duty right now is $137,500; it goes up to $142,500, Merlino said. If you own land holdings of $2 million, your land tax will go up by $500.

It is modest.

Victorian Treasurer Tim Pallas labelled the tax measures as progressive and part of hard and necessary actions needed to support the states economic recovery.

This is entirely consistent with plans announced by the President of the United States to mobilise new revenue from those in the best position to contribute to support our fiscal and economic recovery, Pallas said.

However, Property Council of Australia Victorian Director Danni Hunter said investors would simply move to other states that have fewer costs and therefore deliver higher profits.

Victorias competitive advantage will be lost to other cities where governments are rolling out the red carpet to welcome new investment because they know it is good for jobs, Hunter said.  Instead, Victoria is hiking up lazy, inefficient taxes when what we need is certainty and more investment in our great state.
Fashion mogul Peter Nygard is shown during a bail hearing in Winnipeg on Wednesday, Jan. 6, 2021, in this courtroom sketch. Canadian fashion mogul Peter Nygard, who faces charges in the United States of using his influence to lure women and girls for sex, will remain in jail after his bail hearing was adjourned. (Tadens Mpwene/The Canadian Press/La Liberte Manitoba)

Fashion Mogul Peter Nygard Applies to Supreme Court to Appeal Bail Decision

WINNIPEGA Canadian fashion mogul facing sex trafficking and racketeering charges in the United States is looking to the Supreme Court of Canada to get out of jail.

Peter Nygard has applied to the countrys highest court for permission to appeal a Manitoba courts ruling to keep him behind bars.

Manitoba Court of Appeal Justice Jennifer Pfuetzners decision in March said Nygards detention was necessary to maintain confidence in the administration of justice, given the enormity of the allegations.

Nygard was arrested in Winnipeg under the Extradition Act in December and faces nine counts in the Southern District of New York.

Authorities accuse the 79yearold of using his influence in the fashion industry to lure women and girls with the promise of modelling and other financial opportunities.

Defence lawyer Brian Greenspan told court his client denies all the allegations and poses no risk if released.
Sen. Susan Collins (R-Maine) in the Senate subway area of the Capitol before President Donald Trump's State of the Union address in Washington on Feb. 4, 2020. (Charlotte Cuthbertson/The Epoch Times)

FBI Probing Alleged Illegal Donations to Sen. Susan Collinss Campaign

The FBI has launched an investigation into alleged illegal contributions to Sen. Susan Collinss (R-Maine) 2020 reelection bid, according to a recently unsealed search warrant application.

According to the warrant, first reported by Axios, the FBI is probing whether Martin Kao, the former CEO for Hawaii-based contractor Martin Defense Group, illegally funneled $150,000 funds to a super PAC backing Collins using a shell company.

Kao and his wife are accused of creating a fraudulent limited liability company called the Society of Young Women Scientists and Engineers LLCwhich was registered on Nov. 26, 2019, in Hawaiiand using it to shield the original source of funding.

A month after it was registered, the $150,000 donation was made to the 1820 PAC that has spent money in support of Collins. The 1820 PAC is linked to the U.S. Chamber of Commerce.

Senate Appropriations Committee member Sen. Susan Collins (R-Maine) at a hearing in the Dirksen Senate Office Building on Capitol Hill in Washington, on April 20, 2021. (Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)

Under federal campaign finance law, it is illegal for government contractors to make donations to political committees, and donors are prohibited from donating in the name of others. So-called straw donor violations occur when someone makes a campaign contribution in the name of another person to conceal the true source of the funds.

The FBI is also investigating whether Kao illegally reimbursed family members who donated to the Collins for Senator campaign committee.

Annie Clark, a spokeswoman for Collins told Axios in a statement that her campaign had absolutely no knowledge of anything alleged in the warrant.

The Epoch Times contacted Collinss office and the FBI for comment, but didnt immediately hear back.

According to Open Secrets, the campaign committee for Collins raised more than $30 million in last years election cycle.

Collins is one of seven Republicans who voted to convict former President Donald Trump at his impeachment trial.

The Martin Defense Group, formerly known as Navatek, was awarded an $8 million contract by the U.S. Navy Office of Naval Research in the summer of 2019. Collins strongly advocated for that funding, according to a press release on her website.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Federal Government Must Recognize Importance of Oil and Gas Sector: Conservative MP

The oil and gas sector is crucial to Canadas economy, and if the trend of negative attacks on the industry continues, it will have serious consequences for the country, says Conservative MP Ziad Aboultaif.

This industry is a top job-generating industry in Canada. Attacking it, neglecting it, and working against it is going to hurt the overall Canadian economy, and thats something which cannot be taken lightly, Aboultaif said in an interview.

Aboultaif has introduced a motion asking the House of Commons to recognize the importance of the oil and gas sector in Canada. The motion has been debated on twice but hasnt yet been voted on.

The motion asks the House to recognize that Canadas oil and gas industry from Western to Atlantic Canada is essential to the well-being of the nation and should be celebrated and that tax and regulatory barriers limiting the responsible growth of Canadas oil and gas industry should be removed.

The motion, introduced on April 20 and again debated on May 13, also says that Canadas oil and natural gas are produced with the highest environmental standards in the world and that replacing oil and gas with more environmentally sustainable options is not technologically or economically feasible.

In his speech to the House on April 20, Aboultaif said the oil and gas sector is crucial for job creation in Canada.

Conservative MP Ziad Aboultaif speaks virtually at the joint session of the three general committees of the 20th Winter Meeting organized by the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) Parliamentary Assembly on Feb. 25, 2021. (OSCE Parliamentary Assembly/flickr)

It creates hundreds of thousands of well-paying jobs for Canadians and indigenous peoples, directly and indirectly related to the actual process of extracting and refining oil and gas products, he said.

The amount of revenue that this industry generates, that has also to be taken into account, Aboultaif told The Epoch Times. The ability to produce or to have infrastructure jobs, infrastructure projects, with schools, with hospitals, to support the health-care system, where is that money going to come from?

Aboultaif said its not realistic to think oil and gas can be immediately replaced with more environmentally sustainable options, adding that its neither technologically nor economically feasible.

You can never think to replace the oil and gas industry right awayit will take decades, he said.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said on April 22 that Canada will enhance its greenhouse gas emissions reduction target under the Paris Agreement to 4045 percent below 2005 levels by 2030. The previous target was 30 percent. The federal government also aims to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050.

A report published by the International Energy Agency in May says a transition to clean energy technologies requires much higher volumes of minerals than those required by fossil fuel-based technologies.

A typical electric car requires six times the mineral inputs of a conventional car and an onshore wind plant requires nine times more mineral resources than a gas-fired plant, it said.

Among the mineral resources, lithium, nickel, cobalt, manganese, and graphite are crucial to battery performance, longevity, and energy density, said the report.

Appearing before a House of Commons committee, Mark Mills, a senior fellow with the New York-based Manhattan Institute, said there is a profound disconnect between the federal governments aspirations and whats possible.

It will take more than 10 years to even open mines to supply these materials, Mills told the Standing Committee on Industry, Science, and Technology on May 13.

Parliamentary Secretary to the Leader of the Government in the House of Commons Kevin Lamoureux rises during question period in the House of Commons on Parliament Hill in Ottawa on March 24, 2017. (Justin Tang/The Canadian Press)

Liberal MP Kevin Lamoureux, parliamentary secretary to the leader of the government in the House of Commons, said that in the process of transitioning to renewable energy, the federal government will continue to work with energy workers.

They are part of the solution. The energy sectors in the Prairies and Atlantic Canada have a very important role to play, not only from a national perspective but from an international perspective as well, Lamoureux said in the House of Commons on May 13.

Aboultaif questioned the federal governments efforts in supporting the sector.

If the government wants to really support an industry, they would not present a bill like C-48, he said.

Bill C-48, which bans tanker traffic on the northern British Columbia coast, and Bill C-69, which enhances environmental assessments for major projects such as pipelines, were both enacted as law in 2019. Supporters of the oil and gas sector criticize both pieces of legislation as hindrances to the industry.

This is a tanker ban, which means its shutting down the opportunities to export Alberta oil to the world, Aboultaif said.
Source: Xinhua| 2021-05-20 00:22:45|Editor: huaxia

Video Player Close

NICOSIA, May 19 (Xinhua) -- The first COVID-19 cases of the more aggressive variants firstly discovered in India and South Africa were detected in Cyprus, the Health Ministry said in a statement on Wednesday, causing concern among health officials.

It said that the mutation of the virus discovered in India was detected in four samples and the variant detected in South Africa was found in two samples taken from people who arrived from India, Pakistan, the Philippines and Nepal, all Grey category countries.

All six people were taken to special hotels where they were quarantined for 14 days.

People from Grey category countries are allowed into Cyprus after receiving a special permit from travel authorities. They must spend 14 days in quarantine and also either get PCR tests 72 hours before their arrival in Cyprus or get tested upon arrival.

"Despite the measures taken at the entry gates and the conditions for the arrival of passengers... there is always the possibility that the mutations will enter the community," the ministry said.

It added that as the new variants are more aggressive and more easily transmissible, scientists advising the government on the pandemic suggested that the only way to prevent mutations and curb the aggressive transmission is a high vaccination coverage of the population.

Health Minister Constantinos Ioannou said health officials aim at having 65 percent of the population vaccinated by the end of June and urged people in the age groups of 40 to 60 to get the jab as they are the most likely to need hospital treatment in case of infection.

Close to 50 percent of the population have already received at least the first dose of a vaccine.

Ioannou added that health authorities are expecting 225,000 to 275,000 doses of all four vaccines licensed by the European Union, namely Pfizer/BioNTech, AstraZeneca, Moderna and Johnson and Johnson, in June.

A total of 284 candidate vaccines are still being developed worldwide -- 100 of them in clinical trials -- in countries including Germany, China, Russia, Britain, and the United States, according to information released by the World Health Organization on May 14. Enditem
The sign on the National Labor Relations Board building in Washington on Sept. 8, 2012. (Geraldshields11 via Wikimedia Commons/CC BY-SA 3.0)

Federal Labor Boards Staff Cheered Bidens Unprecedented Firing of Trump-Appointed General Counsel

When President Joe Biden fired then-National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) General Counsel Peter Robb within minutes of taking the oath of office on Jan. 20, career staffers cheered, according to internal emails obtained by the National Right to Work Foundation (NRTWF).

Bidens demand that Robb resign his post by the end of the official business day was delivered to him within 23 minutes of the inauguration, making the action one of the very first taken by the new president.

When Robb refused to resign because he had been appointed by President Donald Trump in 2017 to a four-year term, Biden fired him and his deputy Alice Stock, and then named NLRB Regional Director in Chicago Peter Sung Ohr as acting general counsel. Robb was the first general counsel to be fired in the history of the agency, possibly setting a precedent for presidents to remove appointees from the previous administration upon taking office.

The NRTWF said in a statement on May 19: Once appointed, Ohr swiftly began to do the bidding of union officials, withdrawing pleadings in cases filed by workers with National Right to Work Foundation legal aid, thereby preventing the cases from being decided by the full Board in Washington, D.C.

Among others, Ohr ordered the withdrawal of two cases in which workers contended that their employers neutrality agreements unlawfully aided union officials during organizing drives.

Ultimately, Biden nominated former Communications Workers of America (CWA) lawyer Jennifer Abruzzo to replace Robb on a permanent basis.

The CWA had endorsed Biden during the 2020 presidential election and contributed funds and volunteers to a campaign to prevent Trump from being elected to a second term in the White House.

The NRTWF wrote: Among the emails unearthed in the FOIA [Freedom of Information Act] request was a message to Ohr from a redacted individual (identified in a subsequent FOIA as longtime NLRB attorney Emily Hunt) describing her reaction on the day of Bidens inauguration when she learned that Robb had been removed: I exclaimed to myself, This day just keeps getting better and better! The email commends Ohr for rescinding Robbs memos.

Other emails obtained by the foundation include one from NLRB Region 31 director Mori Rubin, who derided Stock as a clone of Robb. She said, there is talk that Peter Ohr may be appointed acting GC, which would be wonderful! Respondents to the thread, whose names are redacted, proclaimed: Go Biden!! That would be terrific! and Hope this comes true!

Abruzzos confirmation hearing before the Senate was marked by her refusal to commit to recusing herself from cases involving her former union employer, according to the foundation.

At a Senate hearing, Abruzzo admitted she was part of the NLRB review team advocating Robbs removal, thus undermining the independence of the very office she seeks to hold. At the hearing, Abruzzo also refused to commit to recusing herself from cases involving her former employer or its affiliates, the foundation said.

The reference to the NLRB review team is to the transition teams that are typically established by a President-elect the day after an election for the purpose of assessing departments and agencies for recommendations to the incoming chief executive about policy and personnel changes to be considered.

The Presidents unprecedented attack on the NLRBs Congressionally established independence should have shocked any NLRB official concerned about neutrally applying the law, rather than twisting it to the benefit of the Presidents political allies, NRTWF President Mark Mix said in the statement.

Yet the documents obtained show the Biden power grab was celebrated by many inside the agency who are supposed to impartially apply the law.

Independent-minded workers should not have their cases adjudicated by officials who celebrate partisan, pro-union boss attacks on the NLRB. The Biden Administration continues to stack the deck in favor of union bosses and against the rights of workers who want nothing to do with union affiliation, and these emails show many at the NLRB seem all too happy to go along.

The NRTWF statement also pointed to emails separately obtained by the Freedom Foundation (FF) via a FOIA request as evidence of the pro-union bias among NLRB staff. Among the internal messages published by the FF were these:

A senior NLRB attorney emailed congratulations to Ohr, describing his appointment as such a REFRESHING change!!!

In an email, an assistant general counsel wrote Ohr, Good for you, good for us, good for the country!

A deputy regional attorney in Region 9 wrote to Ohr, What you heard out in the field upon your appointment was a huge sigh of relief and hope from us.

In an email to Ohr, a field examiner supervisor in Chicago thanked him for a Jan. 26 meeting between him and NLRB employees in her office, writing that Ohr embodies the true ethos of the Agency and that his remarks produced a spark of hope in my colleagues faces. People need to believe that their work matters and their voices will be heard, and you clearly communicated that message.

A field attorney thanked Ohr for his nuanced sensitivity to questions of privilege and access and for imbuing our work with more meaning, and for making so many feel seen.

Kayla Blado, the NLRBs spokesman, told The Epoch Times: These are personal comments from current and former career employees congratulating Acting General Counsel Peter Sung Ohr on his presidential designation in this position after serving as a career employee himself for several decades.

As the first immigrant and Asian-American to hold this position, he was proud to serve in this capacity and uphold the National Labor Relations Act.

Congressional correspondent Mark Tapscott may be contacted at mark.tapscott@epochtimes.nyc
A screenshot from YouTube shows an emergency school board meeting in Martin County, Fla., on May 12, 2021. (Martin County School District/Screenshot via The Epoch Times)

Florida Fourth Grader Speaks Against Mask Mandate at School Board Meeting: The Rules Arent Fair

A 10-year-old boy from Florida has gone viral online after telling his local school board that the school districts prolonged mask requirement doesnt seem fair or make sense to him.

John Provenzano, a fourth-grade student at Felix A. Williams Elementary School in Martin County, recently gained popularity on social media because of a video in which he urged the school board to stop requiring students to wear masks.

I expected school to be a little bit different, in the beginning, but I didnt think it would stay this way all year long, Provenzano said at an emergency school board meeting on May 12.

I was surprised by the rules. A lot of them didnt make any sense to me, like the fact that we were not allowed to play on the playground or have student council or turn to face each other at lunch, he continued. And we also have to wear masks outside at PE and on track.

He moved on to question the practice of teachers forcing kids to mask up at all times, saying there was one teacher who walks around with a clipboard full of referrals for any student whose mask isnt on properly. It makes me feel scared, the boy said, adding that this teacher would pull her own mask down to yell at students for not masking up, which makes him and his friends very mad.

This happens a lot, Provenzano said. And it seems unfair that teachers take their masks off while they yell at us kids and that we need to pull ours up. I asked my mom if there was a word for this, and she said there is: Hypocrisy.

It seems unfair, the boy said in closing, sounding a little emotional. All of this seems unfair, and it doesnt make sense. I miss seeing peoples faces. I miss the way things used to be. Im scared that it will never go back to normal.

The Martin County School District ultimately decided in the meeting to require masks till the end of this school year, and make it optional for the next school year.

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, who has never issued any statewide mask requirement, ordered earlier this month an immediate end to local COVID-19 restrictions and mandates on individuals and businesses, including those involving masks. The Republican governors order, however, doesnt apply to public school districts.

Most of Floridas school districts put in place mask mandates in August 2020, when they reopened for either fully in-person or a hybrid version that includes both in-person and remote instructions. They only started to discuss whether to renew their mask policies in recent weeks, as public pressure mounts.

While the Florida Department of Education has yet to say if it would limit districts authorities to enforce mask mandates, DeSantis has made it clear that he wants students to have a normal school year when they return this fall.

These kids do not need to be wearing masks, okay? Im sorry, they dont, DeSantis said last week. We need to be able to let them be kids and let them act normally, and thats what should be the case in the fall [and] throughout the school year.
A Fox News channel sign is seen at the News Corporation building in the Manhattan borough of New York City, New York, on June 15, 2018. (Eduardo Munoz/Reuters)

Fox News Files to Dismiss Dominion Voting Systems $1.6 Billion Lawsuit

Fox News has asked a court in Delaware to dismiss a $1.6 billion defamation lawsuit from Dominion Voting Systems over the networks post-2020 election coverage, arguing that the suit would stifle news outlets free-speech right to inform the public about newsworthy allegations of paramount public concern.

In March, Dominion filed a lawsuit alleging Fox News pundits had spread false information about the companys election machines, while also asserting that Fox allowed certain figuresincluding former President Donald Trump and his lawyersto make on-air claims about election irregularities during the Nov. 3 presidential election.

But Fox News attorneys said its personalities and reporters didnt originate the election fraud claims against Dominions machines.

When a sitting President of the United States and his legal team challenge a presidential election in litigation throughout the nation, the media can truthfully report and comment on those allegations under the First Amendment without fear of liability. Plaintiffs defamation lawsuit against Fox News threatens to stifle the medias free-speech right to inform the public about newsworthy allegations of paramount public concern, attorneys for Fox wrote in a May 17 motion.

The lawyers also stipulated that Fox News did not create allegations against Dominion and merely covered such claims just as it had reported the election results.

As responsible journalists, Fox covered both sides. The American people deserved to know why President Trump refused to concede despite his apparent loss, Fox News motion said. The news media has the right in a democracy to inform citizens by reporting and commenting on a Presidents allegations challenging the security of our elections.

In its motion, Foxs attorneys wrote that the network sought to present viewers with both sides.

Fox hosts responsibly covered the controversy, repeatedly pressing the Presidents attorneys, Rudy Giuliani and Sidney Powell, for evidence substantiating their allegations, lawyers for the media outlet said. After Powell appeared alongside Giuliani in a press conference last year, Giuliani issued a statement later saying she wasnt part of Trumps team.

Dominion has filed lawsuits against Giuliani, MyPillow CEO Mike Lindell, and Powellall worth in excess of $1 billion each. The CEO of the firm, John Poulos, and his attorneys have suggested they might file a suit against Trump himself.

Responding to Foxs motion to dismiss the suit, a Dominion spokesperson said on May 19: Dominion strongly supports free speech, but defamation for commercial gain is clearly not protected, and we intend to hold FOX accountable for its reckless disregard for the truth. This case will strengthen the First Amendment, not weaken it.

Earlier this month, Newsmax settled a separate lawsuit with a Dominion employee who had named the media outlet in a defamation lawsuit and issued an apology on its website.

Another voting systems company, Smartmatic, also filed a lawsuit against Fox News, which Fox has also moved to dismiss.

Earlier this year, Fox News disclosed in court documents that it had hired two high-profile defense attorneys to combat the Dominion lawsuit. They were named in the documents as Charles Babcock and Scott Keller.

Dominion Voting Systems didnt respond to a request for comment by press time.
Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger gives an update on the state of the election and ballot count during a news conference at the State Capitol in Atlanta, Ga., on Nov. 6, 2020. (Reuters/Dustin Chambers)

Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger Running for Reelection Despite GOP Criticism

Republican Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger confirmed that he will be running for reelection next year.

I still enjoy the job and, yes, Im running again, Raffensperger said on Tuesday during a speech before the Rotary Club of Gwinnett County, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported.

He will have to contend with another primary challenger, Rep. Jody Hice (R-Ga.), who has been endorsed by former President Donald Trump.

Raffensperger faces disapproval from the GOP over his handling of the presidential election and a call with Trump that was leaked to the press.

During the Jan. 2 call, Trump told Raffensperger in reference to the election: I just want to find 11,780 votes.

President Joe Biden won the state by the narrow abovementioned margin. Trump also maintained in the phone call that We won by hundreds of thousands of voteswhich was challenged repeatedly by Raffenspergers team, drawing discontent from Trump.

Raffensperger then suggested that the call was leaked to The Washington Post from his office.

It was a private conversation. [Trump] broke privacy when he put out a tweet, but then his tweet was false, Raffensperger told WXIA at the time.

If President Trump hadnt have tweeted out anything and wouldve stayed silent, we wouldve stayed silent as well. And that wouldve just been a conversation between him and I, man to man, and that wouldve been just fine with us. But hes the one that had to put it out on Twitter, he said.

Trumps lawyer Kurt Hilbert condemned the leak, saying we are disappointed that the secretary of state and his staff secretly recorded and released a confidential settlement discussion.

The full transcript of the call that later emerged showed that before Trump said he wanted to find the 11,780 votes, he had asked election officials to look into a number of specific claims of election irregularitiessomething he had been saying publicly for weeks, prior to the call.

Raffensperger insists that he has preserved the rule of law and that his stance has met with agreement from commonsense Republicans.

Commonsense Republicans like the stance that I took because they know theyre based on the truth, theyre based on the law and theyre based on integrity, he told The Hill last month.

The election results will be the election results. Candidates have to learn that when they lose, to just accept their defeat and move on, Raffensperger said.

The Epoch Times reached out to Jody Hice for comment.

Mimi Nguyen Ly contributed to this report.
GOP Lawmakers Defy House Floor Mask Mandate, Risk Fine

A group of Republican lawmakers, including Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.), on Tuesday defied mask rules on the House floor, saying that the face coverings are oppressive and nothing but a political tool.

Best $500 I ever spent, said Rep. Brian Mast, R-Fla., after he exited the chamber, referring to the House floor mask mandate that penalizes violators $500 for a first offense and $2,500 if they violate the rules again.

Its part of a resolution passed Jan. 12 that states that the sergeant-at-arms is authorized and directed to impose a fine against a Member, Delegate, or the Resident Commissioner for the failure to wear a mask in contravention of the Speakers announced policies of January 4, 2021.

The resolution was embedded as an amendment to H.R. Res. 21, which called on then-Vice President Mike Pence to invoke the 25th Amendment to remove former President Donald Trump from office. The House approved that resolution 223205, even though Pence told House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) directly he wouldnt invoke the amendment.

Reps. Brian Mast (R-Fla.), Beth Van Duyne (R-Texas) and Mariannette Miller Meeks (R-Iowa) defied the mask mandate Tuesday, as well as Reps. Thomas Massie (-Ky.), Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.), Lauren Boebert (R-Colo.), Chip Roy (R-Texas), Bob Good (R-Va.), Mary Miller (R-Ill.) and Louie Gohmert (R-Texas).

Masks are oppressive and nothing but a political tool. End the oppression! Greene said on Twitter, positing a selfie of herself and three other mask-less lawmakers.

According to a Capitol official cited by the Hill, Mast, Van Duyne, and Miller-Meeks will be fined $500 after ignoring previous warnings about violating the chambers mask rules, while the rest will be issued a formal warning.

The group of lawmakers refused to wear masks on the House floor after the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) updated its guidance to state that people fully vaccinated against COVID-19, the disease caused by the CCP (Chinese Communist Party) virus are generally no longer required to wear masks or social distance.

Previous guidance from the CDC had recommended that people wear masks if they were within six feet of others outside, regardless of their vaccination status.

Following the CDCs recommendation update, Rep. Bob Gibbs (R-Ohio) led a group of 34 Republican lawmakers in urging Pelosi to end pandemic-related restrictions on the House floor, including staggered voting and mask-wearing.

In a letter (pdf) on May 14, Gibbs and his colleagues called on Pelosi to end COVID-19-related restrictions on House operations, with Gibbs adding in a statement that, it is time to set an example for the American people and that Pelosi should follow the science, stop the Mask-erpiece Theatre.

Pelosi told CNN on May 13 that she has no immediate plans to lift the mask mandate, while her spokesperson, Drew Hammill, told Bloomberg that same day that she isnt easing the requirement because its unknown how many House members and their staff members are vaccinated.

Pelosis office didnt immediately respond to a request by The Epoch Times for comment.

The Capitols attending physician, Brian Monahan, meanwhile has said that the mask mandate on the House floor wont be rescinded until all members and floor staff are inoculated.

Zachary Stieber and Tom Ozimek contributed to this report.
Investors look at stock price movements on a screen showing stock prices at a securities company in Beijing on Oct. 11, 2018. (Nicolas Asfouri/AFP via Getty Images)

Half of Listed Chinese Companies Might Manipulate Their Stock Prices: Fund Manager

A renowned Chinese equity fund manager revealed details of a listed company manipulating its stock price, and said half of the Chinese listed companies are involved in similar violations. On May 16, the Chinese regime announced it was investigating the issue.

In recent years, lawbreakers have used shareholding, capital, information, and technological advantages to conspire and manipulate the stock market, the China Securities Regulatory Commission (CSRC) stated in its May 16 announcement and pledge to maintain the capital markets order.

China has more than 4,000 companies listed in the Shenzhen Stock Exchange and Shanghai Stock Exchangethe only two exchanges in mainland Chinaaccording to CSRC, Chinese regulator of the securities industry.

ZOY Stock Investigation

ZOY Home Furnishing, a Zhejiang-based listed company, is being investigated by CSRC. The economic disputes between ZOY and Ye Fei, Chinas famous equity fund manager, revealed the covert manipulation of stock prices.

Ye entered the securities business in 1994, won the state-run CCTV organized China Stock Market Civil Master Competition in 2007, and was managing more than 50 private equity funds in 2016, state-run media China Economy reported.

A secret deal between ZOY and Ye, set up in March, was revealed through audio recordings, documents, and text conversation records that Ye revealed to state-run media Hongxing Capital News and Securities Daily, as well as the investigation these media conducted in China and the public record of ZOYs stakeholders list.

ZOY wanted public equity funds to buy its stocks (valued at $4.67 million) in the Shanghai Stock Exchange, which would increase its stock price, and it hired brokers to make it happen.

Pu Feidi, a broker from Beijing, hired Liu Peng from Qingdao to make the deal with Ye by paying him 6.5 percent of the stock value as remuneration. Six percent of the stock value was to be paid to the personal accounts of public equity fund managers who arranged the purchase, and Ye would receive the remaining 0.5 percent.

Ye then subcontracted the deal to Guan Xuan, a manager at Hengtai Securities. Guan didnt arrange for the company to buy the stocks, but subcontracted the deal to managers from public equity funds Minsheng Securities and Tianfeng Securities.

On March 31, Minsheng Securities bought $2.33 million in ZOY stock. Tianfeng Securities, however, didnt buy any of the stock because the price decreased to 10 percent, and the exchange stopped all trade in ZOY stock that day.

Thus, when Pu and Ye met in Shenzhen city on April 1, Pu refused to pay Ye, who, in turn, grabbed Pus ID and bank cards. The two then went to a police station, where Ye returned the stolen cards and Pu signed a paper promising to pay Ye.

Ye pestered Pu to pay him, but still didnt receive anything. On May 14, Ye asked ZOY to pay him by posting a note on Chinese social media platform Weibo, where Ye has more than a million followers.

Ye Fei posts on Weibo to criticize ZOY on May 14, 2021. (screenshot/Weibo)

Broker Chen Qingbo quickly contacted Ye to ask him to delete the related posts and promising Ye that he would ask ZOY to pay him.

However, Chen didnt solve Yes problem, and ZOY filed a lawsuit suing Ye for defamation. Out of anger, Ye talked to the media and published part of the evidence that he had collected.

After CSRC announced it would investigate ZOY, all related organizations broke their silence and denied that they were involved in the case.

Broker Liu Peng said he didnt earn anything in the deal and that he only built up the connection between Pu and Ye. Pu refused to comment; Guan resigned from his job and kept silent; and Chen claimed that he wasnt part of the deal and that he had actually helped to resolve the issue.

More Crimes

CSRC said in a May 16 announcement that the commission had investigated 65 similar cases since 2020.

Ye posted on Weibo on May 14: You [police] can detain five tenth (sic) of the chairs and their secretaries of the listed companies. I can guarantee that they are not innocent.

Ye recently posted that he had several hundred gigabytes of data listing the crimes of various companies. He said he may expose some of them in the future.

Chinese media The Paper reported on May 18 that the so-called market value management in the Chinese securities industry includes many illegal manipulations, which control the stock prices and grab the investments of minority shareholders.
An aerial view of the flooded Siegen Calais apartments in Baton Rouge, La., on May 18, 2021. (John Ballance/The Advocate via AP)

Heavy Rains in Texas, Louisiana Add to Misery in Flood Zones

BATON ROUGE, La.Heavy rain kept pounding parts of Texas and Arkansas before moving over Louisiana on Wednesday, adding to the misery for people whose homes and cars were flooded by an earlier drenching.

The prospect of more rain wasnt welcome in southern Louisiana, where heavy downpours earlier this week swamped vehicles and closed a major interstate. Three people were killed and one was missing after driving into high water. Flood watches covered a large part of Texas and Arkansas and most of Louisiana on Wednesday. Parts of Oklahoma and Mississippi were also under flood watches.

Up to 4 more inches of rain was possible through late Thursday near the coast in the hard-hit Lake Charles, Louisiana, area, the National Weather Service said. Lake Charles is still recovering from back-to-back hurricanes last fall and a deep freeze in February. Twelve to 15 inches of rain fell in parts of Lake Charles in a 12-hour period Monday, the weather service said.

Parents use boats to pick up students from schools after nearly a foot of rain fell in Lake Charles, La., on May 17, 2021. (Rick Hickman/American Press via AP)

Homeowner Stephen Punkay (R) dumps a cart-load of wet carpet to add to the debris pile, after his home got at least six inches of water in Baton Rouge, La., on May 18, 2021. (Travis Spradling/The Advocate via AP)

In Baton Rouge, Louisiana, piles of ruined furniture, carpet and clothing lined the street in a neighborhood where residents were beginning to clean up from the earlier storms, WBRZ-TV reported. One man, David Earl, told the station that so much water flowed into his home through cracks and a dog door that his furniture began to float.

Some schools in Louisiana were closed on Wednesday in anticipation of severe weather.

In Texas, strong thunderstorms were rolling through the Houston metropolitan area early Wednesday. More showers and storms are possible in southeast Texas through Friday, the weather service said, and more flooding was possible as heavy rains fall on already saturated ground.

In Houston, separate lightning strikes caused two apartment complexes to catch fire Tuesday night, but no one was hurt.

It is mind-boggling, said Patrick King of Lake Charles. He was at a car rental office Tuesday after his truck was flooded Monday. He still hadnt moved back into his house after it flooded during Octobers Hurricane Delta, but recently had new furniture delivered to the home. Now its been flooded again.

Water surrounds a house along flooded areas on Bluff Road in Ascension Parish, La., on May 18, 2021. (Bill Feig/The Advocate via AP)

Lake Charles Mayor Nic Hunter estimated that 400 to 500 structures flooded during Mondays downpours. Hunter was mayor last year when the city was hit by Hurricane Laura on Aug. 27 and then six weeks later by Delta. Then in February, the deep freeze froze pipes and caused widespread drinking water problems.

The Louisiana Department of Health said Wednesday that three deaths have been confirmed to be storm-related. The Calcasieu Parish coroner said a 61-year-old man was found in a vehicle submerged underwater. The body of 33-year-old Justin Blaine Thompson was found in a vehicle submerged in water under a Baton Rouge overpass, another coroners office said. And near Port Allen, 40-year-old Alvarado Morentes Hermelindo died and another person was missing after their car crashed into a canal Monday evening, Louisiana State Police said.

In central Arkansas, at least 15 people were rescued from flash flooding after heavy rainfall late Tuesday and early Wednesday, emergency officials said. There were no reports of injuries. Flood watches remained in effect for much of Arkansas on Wednesday and some areas could see another 1 to 2 inches of rain through Thursday, the weather service in Little Rock said.
Judges take part in a ceremony to mark the beginning of the legal year in Hong Kong, China on Jan. 14, 2019. (Tyrone Siu/Reuters)

Hong Kong Version of the National Security Law Affects Its International Arbitration Status

After Hong Kong enforced its version of the National Security Law, the communist regime stated its intention to reform Hong Kongs legal system last November. Hong Kongs future judicial independence and whether its legal system will converge with mainland China has attracted international attention. The status of the Hong Kong International Arbitration Centre (HKIAC) is also under scrutiny by the outside world.

Recently, Queen Mary University of London released its latest international arbitration survey report titled, 2021 International Arbitration Survey: Adapting arbitration to a changing world. Of the five most preferred seats in all regions, London and Singapore share the top position and Hong Kong sits third. In terms of popularity in the Asia-Pacific region, Singapore still tops the ranking and Hong Kong is second.

For the ranking of arbitration institutions, the International Court of Arbitration of the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) headquartered in Paris is the most preferred, followed by the Singapore International Arbitration Centre (SIAC), then HKIAC.

The report explained, The growth in popularity of seats in this region year-on-year may reflect an increasing willingness by parties with commercial interests linked to that locale to also resolve disputes locally.

According to the report, the percentage gains made by Singapore (54 percent) and Hong Kong (50 percent), as compared to previous surveys, is striking. Singapore was the third most frequently chosen seat in 2018, selected by 39 percent of respondents, and it came in fourth in 2015, chosen by 19 percent of respondents. Hong Kong also had significant percentage growth, took fourth place in 2018, chosen by 28 percent of respondents, and it was third in 2015, as a seat of choice for 22 percent of respondents.

However, the report also mentioned, It will be interesting to see whether large-scale commercial projects, such as the Belt and Road Initiative, will continue to impact this in the future.

Fewer Cases Accepted by the Hong Kong Arbitration Centre

Shirley Chan (alias) has been a law firm receptionist for 20 years in Hong Kong. She told The Epoch Times that under the pandemic, which caused customs closure and isolation measures, arbitration issues are conducted using video conferencing. To her knowledge, many legal proceedings are related to businesses in the mainland; and many clients have shown concern about the possibility of fair and impartial trials when the Hong Kong version of the National Security Law surpassed Hong Kongs judicial system.

Financial Times reported on Jan. 31, Large international corporations doing deals in Asia are considering excluding Hong Kong from legal contracts over concerns Chinas tightening grip may impact rule of law in the territory.

One senior managing partner of a U.S. law firm in Hong Kong was quoted in the article: We are now getting a lot of questions from companies about this; it has never occurred before in my time. We have large private equity clients who never used to care about arbitration clauses coming to us with the simple question of is it safe to leave Hong Kong as the seat [of arbitration]?

The article quoted Yoshimasa Furuta, a senior partner at Anderson, Mori & Tomotsune, one of Japans big four law firms, For Japanese clients who have always had some concerns about arbitration in China, the questions are becoming more acute with respect to Hong Kong. We are now getting Japanese companies directly asking us whether we think it is safe to use Hong Kong as a seat of arbitration.

Chan indicated that when the parties sign an agreement or contract, they will include arbitration clauses, in which both parties can agree on the arbitration center and the applicable arbitration ordinance. If the contract excludes Hong Kong from the governing law and the arbitration clause, the contract will not be processed under the Hong Kong Arbitration Ordinance and the HKIAC. However, she admitted that she had not experienced the situation mentioned in the report before leaving Hong Kong.

She added that competition always exists between the arbitration institutes in Singapore and Hong Kong. If clients have concerns about Hong Kongs legal environment, they are likely to transfer to Singapore for arbitration.

According to data from the HKIAC, it received a total of 483 cases in 2020. Of those, 318 were arbitrations. Whereas a total of 503 cases were submitted in 2019, of which, 308 were arbitrations,

Since 2015, although the HKIAC arbitration cases have increased year-on-year, the total number of cases prosecuted by HKIAC remained at around 530 during the four-year period from 2015 to 2018, except for 2016 when it was only 460 cases.

Figure 1. Cases at the international arbitration survey centers (Ruth Lee/The Epoch Times)

Comparatively, SIAC (siac.org.sg) recorded a total of 1,080 new cases in 2020, setting a new record. This is the first time that SIACs annual case volume has exceeded 1,000, an increase of 125.5 percent from the 479 new cases in 2019.

It is worth noting that among the cases accepted by SIAC in 2019, thirty-three cases were from Hong Kong, making it SIACs tenth top foreign user; by 2020, there were 60 cases from Hong Kong bumping it up to SIACs seventh place.

The number of arbitrators from mainland China has risen.

Chan added that many lawyers with a mainland background are hired in Hong Kong, because many organizations and people in Hong Kong value business with China.

According to HKIAC data, Chinese arbitrators designated by parties, or co-arbitrators and confirmed by HKIAC, have risen. In 2020 there were 16 compared to just five designations in 2018.
House Republicans Aim to Stamp Out Critical Race Theory in Military Training

Some Republican lawmakers, concerned about critical race theory being introduced in the U.S. military, are seeking to amend a defense spending bill in a bid to stamp out the promotion and teaching of leftist bias.

My Republican colleagues and I hear regularly from active duty and retired service members that even holding conservative values is now enough to endanger a service members military career, said Rep. Mike Rogers (R-Ala.), the ranking Republican member of the House Armed Services Committee.

Rogers said in a statement that the issue needs to be addressed in the 2021 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA)which typically garners bipartisan supportand that hell work with any free-speech-minded Democrats interested in joining our cause.

In the Senate, Sen. Tom Cotton (R-Ark.) suggested that Republicans may have to hold up NDAA spending to ban training that involves critical race theory (CRT) within the military. The quasi-Marxist theory claims that the United States is a fundamentally racist country, with a continuing power struggle between oppressors and oppressed based on skin color.

Cotton, in response to a Fox News question about legislation proposing to remove CRT-related training in the military, said that holding up funding may be a step we have to take  but I wouldnt say that we cant get that passed either.

Remember, the defense bill passes every year. It has passed every year for 60 years, Cotton told Fox on May 18, referring to the NDAA. We have an open amendment process in the committee and on the floor. I think there may be one or two Democrats who dont think that we should be teaching our troops that the most important thing about them is the color of their skin, rather than their ability to help save the lives of the men and women to the right and to their left.

The comments from Rogers and Cotton followed a report from the left-leaning online publication The Intercept that the Defense Department plans to scrutinize military members social media accounts for so-called extremist political material. The report, which cited internal Pentagon documents reviewed by the publication, as well as a source claiming direct knowledge of the situation, said the department would rely on a private firm for the surveillance program.

Pentagon spokesman John Kirby responded, telling media outlets that theres no pilot program being run by [senior Pentagon official Bishop] Garrison or the extremist working group to examine social media.

Kirby said hes not aware of a Pentagon contract with any private firm to surveil service members social media accounts.

Certainly, there is no such contract being led by Mr. Garrisons program, he said.

A Space Force commander, Lt. Col. Matthew Lohmeier, was relieved of duty after he self-published a book that details the alleged spread of Marxism and CRT teachings in the military, claiming that the Pentagon has shown videos that taught that the country was evil, that it was founded in 1619 and not 1776, and that whites are inherently evil.

Sen. Rick Scott (R-Fla.), a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, told the Washington Examiner he would look into the claims.

Ive still got to get more details, but we do have freedom of speech in this country. So, weve got to, weve got to allow people to express their opinions, he said.
Sheriff's search and recovery deputy Don White explains how he searches for the dead bodies of illegal immigrants, in Brooks County, Texas, on May 13, 2021. (Charlotte Cuthbertson/The Epoch Times)

Illegal Immigrants Walk a Deadly Path Around a Border Checkpoint

BROOKS COUNTY, TexasEvery week, deputy sheriff Don White heads out on remote ranchlands to search for the bodies of illegal immigrants.

Brooks County is about 70 miles north of the U.S.Mexico border, but its also where most of the bodies turn up.

The only way to skirt the Border Patrol checkpoint on U.S. Route 281 is to be dropped off south of it, walk north on private ranchland, sometimes for days, and then get picked up againthe next destination is usually Houston.

White said many illegal aliens who are trying to evade capture are dropped near the county line 12 miles south of the checkpoint.

So far in 2021, 33 bodies have been catalogued in the Brooks County Sheriffs Offices death book. The pages are filled with photos of bodies in varying stages of decomposition, including skeletons.

With the hottest months yet to come, this year is shaping up to be busyon par with 2012, when 129 bodies were discovered. Last year, 34 bodies were found.

White, 68, volunteers his time and equipment to do the job; he aims to spend around 100 days per year searching for the lost, as he calls them.

Ranchers, local law enforcement, and Border Patrol agents also find bodies, but White says, I search the areas no one else searches, to find the ones no one else is looking for.

Over the past six years, White has gained permission from local ranchers to search their land. The county is 944 square miles and he reckons he now has access to about two-thirds of it. It might be a year or two before White covers the same ground, but hell check the more popular tractsalong pipelines and power linesmore frequently.

The busiest months are during summer, as most people die from a combination of dehydration and hyperthermia. Water is scarce, its not hard to get lost, and smugglers will leave illegal immigrants behind if theyre slow or injured.

The ones that dont travel with a smuggler will usually be given a location that theyll try to reach by using their phone to navigate.

But its not always the smuggler that leaves someone behind.

My first search was for a kid that was left by his dad when [Border Patrol] was closing in. Dad called the Sheriff when he got to a safe place. Kid was never found, White wrote on Facebook recently.

Hes sometimes given an area to search after a 911 call comes in, but the cell towers cant always pinpoint a location. Other times, a family member will know the vague area the person was traveling in as well as when they were expected to be picked up.

Searching is slow work in scrubby terrain. White walks at just over a half-mile per hour, usually in a loose zig-zag pattern, looking for bones, tracks, trash, or any sign of human presence.

Im looking for, Is a persons gait normal? In other words, Are they feeling OK? Theyre not dragging their toes from injury or from being environmentally stressed, he said. Are their prints real deep, heavy heel strike, because theyre carrying a heavy backpack of drugs or something like that? So little things like that.

White also has to continually check immediately ahead for rattlesnakes, and look still further up for wild hogs or anyone hiding from him.

In years past, it wasnt that much of an issue, they were just trying to hide from you, he said. Now, some of these people will try to take your resources because they know youre going to have a vehicle somewhere.

Theyre also the ones who dont want to be capturedmore than 42,600 in April alone along the whole southern border.

You have a whole group of people that, no matter what, they wouldnt get an American status, White said. People already had convictions for murder, pedophilia, sexual assault, violenceall these serious crimesand theyre not in the groups that are turning themselves in.

Getting Lost

Once someone is lost, they can easily go further off-track and be harder to find. Then, once dehydration and hyperthermia are mixed in, its common for them to act irrationally.

White pointed out a spot where he found a man last year, next to a ranch road less than a mile from Highway 281. He was steps from a large blue barrel that a local humanitarian group periodically fills with water.

He actually left his phone in the middle of the road, 30 yards away, across the fence. Hed taken off his shoes and T-shirtput his shoes together and folded up his T-shirt. He died  trying to take his pants off. He was stressed. He was traveling by himself, because he still had his money, IDs, and everything else, White said.

He said the man was from Tijuana, Mexico; hed been deported three times, the last time being in 2015. It seems he was trying his luck crossing into Texas rather than into California.

Much of the time, White is looking for bones. Its rare that hell find an intact skeleton, as animals have usually disarticulated a body and dragged parts around. Once he finds a bone, hell do his best to discern whether its human (some deer bones can look very human-like, he said), and then move in ever-widening circles to locate the rest of the body.

He carries various types of body bags in his Jeep and has a body rack bolted onto the rear for transporting. But if its small enough, or just a skeleton, itll ride in the back seat.

He cant pinpoint why he has been drawn to body recovery for so many years, but it may have come from working homicide cases with the Bexar County criminal investigation divisionseeing people hurting and me being able to do something about it, he said.

Perhaps that also prepared him for dealing with horrific scenes, such as finding a woman tied to a windmill, left to die after being raped. Or another young woman dead under a rape tree, with her underpants around her ankles. Rape trees are known locations where smugglers and others rape women and leave their undergarments on the tree as trophies.

As with other first responders and law enforcement, White keeps an emotional distance from what he encounters, and black humor is a way of coping.

If you internalize everything, youre a suicide statistic, basically, he said.

His nonprofit, Remote Wildlands Search and Recovery, raises enough money to cover the gas costs of the volunteers who help him search one weekend per month.

Identifying the Bodies

Finding a body is only the first step in a long process.

A body cant be released to the family until a death certificate has been issued, and a death certificate cant be issued without the positive identification of the person.

White usually finds males aged between 19 to 40 years from Mexico, Guatemala, Honduras, or El Salvador.

Only about 30 percent of the bodies he finds have an ID.

Most of the ones I find dont have an ID because theyve gone down and somebody else will take their identification, he said.

Thats heartless, because youve just stopped some family from getting their loved one back.

If a body is fresh or recently deceased, it is usually sent to the medical examiner in Laredo, who will send a bone sample for DNA testing to Texas State Universitys body farm, a facility that researches human body decomposition.

The last recovery was last week. His clothing, his boots, the amount of time hed been out there, his location, that all indicated who he was, White said. So he was transported to Texas State.

It can take up to a year and a half to process the DNA for free, so, in some cases, the Argentinian group Argentine Forensic Anthropology Team will assist in paying for a quicker DNA test and help to locate the families.

If theres somebody we think we know who it is for sure, then theyll step in and theyll pay part of the fees or pay all of it to get it back in two months or sometimes three weeks. It just depends, White said.

White has been recovering bodies for yearshe spent 21 years as a recovery diver, before hanging up his oxygen tank last year to focus more fully on the ground in Brooks County.

Its a thankless job in many ways, but theres a certain level of satisfaction knowing that some family will be feeling better due to my efforts, he said.

In the Hispanic culture, its very important that they have their loved ones body, he said. They celebrate the Day of the Dead and if they dont have the body back, then theres no place they can go to, to worship, to say their thanks, to express their love for the individual. Its just awful.

So if Im successful at what I do, then theyll be able to settle their world a little.
Source: Xinhua| 2021-05-20 01:26:09|Editor: huaxia

Video Player Close

Chinese President Xi Jinping and his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin witness the ground-breaking ceremony of a bilateral nuclear energy cooperation project, Tianwan nuclear power plant and Xudapu nuclear power plant, via video link in Beijing, capital of China, May 19, 2021. (Xinhua/Huang Jingwen)

BEIJING, May 19 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Xi Jinping and his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin on Wednesday witnessed the ground-breaking ceremony of a bilateral nuclear energy cooperation project, Tianwan nuclear power plant and Xudapu nuclear power plant, via video link.

Xi arrived at the main venue of the Great Hall of the People at around 5:00 p.m. Beijing time and waved to Putin, who had joined in from the main venue of the Kremlin.

He Lifeng, vice chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference and head of the National Development and Reform Commission, co-chaired the ceremony with Russian Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak.

Heads of relevant departments, local officials and constructor representatives of China and Russia attended the ceremony from the sub-venue of Tianwan nuclear power plant in Lianyungang City, east China's Jiangsu Province, sub-venue of Xudapu nuclear power plant in Huludao City, northeast China's Liaoning Province, and two Russian sub-venues. The heads of the companies of both countries reported on the progress of the project to the two heads of state.

Xi and Putin delivered their speeches respectively.

Speaking at the ceremony, Xi extended congratulations on the launch of the China-Russia nuclear energy cooperation project and paid high respect to the constructors from the two countries.

Noting that this year marks the 20th anniversary of the signing of the China-Russia Treaty of Good-Neighborliness and Friendly Cooperation, Xi said that he and President Putin have agreed to advance the development of bilateral relations to a higher level and expand the ties to broader fields.

In the face of the COVID-19 pandemic unseen in a century, China and Russia have firmly supported each other and cooperated closely and effectively, which is a vivid demonstration of the China-Russia comprehensive strategic partnership of coordination for a new era, he said.

Xi stressed that energy cooperation has always been the most important area of practical cooperation which generates the largest achievement and covers the widest scope between the two countries.

Noting that nuclear energy is the strategic priority for bilateral cooperation and a series of major projects have been completed and put into operation, Xi said the four nuclear power units that kicked off construction on Wednesday mark another major landmark in China-Russia nuclear energy cooperation.

Xi put forward a three-point proposal at the ceremony. First, he called on both sides to adhere to the principle of safety first and set a model for global nuclear energy cooperation.

It is necessary to construct and operate the four units with high quality and high standards, create a global benchmark in nuclear safety, give full play to complementary advantages, expand and deepen bilateral and multilateral cooperation on nuclear energy, and contribute more to the development of the global nuclear energy industry, he said.

Second, Xi suggested the two countries deepen scientific and technological cooperation on nuclear energy by sticking to the driving force of innovation.

He urged deepened cooperation on the basic research, key technology research and development, and transformation of innovative achievements in the field of nuclear energy, such as nuclear environmental protection, nuclear medicine, nuclear fuel and advanced nuclear power technology, so as to promote the deep integration of the nuclear energy industry and the new generation of digital technology, and contribute more wisdom to the innovative development of nuclear energy globally.

Third, he called for adherence to strategic collaboration to promote the coordinated development of the governance system of the global energy industry. He said that it is necessary to promote the building of a global energy governance system featuring justice, equity, balance, inclusiveness, openness and shared benefits, and contribute more solutions to global energy governance.

"Responding to climate change is a common task for all countries," Xi said, adding that China and Russia should promote more low-carbon cooperation projects and play a constructive role in achieving global sustainable development goals.

For his part, Putin expressed warm congratulations on the start of the construction of the Tianwan nuclear power plant and the Xudapu nuclear power plant. He said that Russia has the confidence to work with China to smoothly and safely advance the project's construction.

Noting that this year marks the 20th anniversary of the signing of the Treaty of Good-neighborliness and Friendly Cooperation between the two countries, Putin said Russia-China relations reached their best level in history. He added that the consensus reached between President Xi and himself has been well implemented with increasingly broader cooperation areas.

He said cooperation on the peaceful use of nuclear energy marks a significant part of the comprehensive strategic partnership of coordination for a new era between the two countries, and it is believed that the start of the four nuclear power units will not only inject new vitality into the further development of Russia-China relations but also help achieve the goals to peak carbon dioxide emissions and achieve carbon neutrality.

It will also contribute to coping with global climate change and realizing the sustainable development of humanity, Putin added.

The Chinese representatives at the sub-venue of the Tianwan nuclear power plant and the sub-venue of the Xudapu nuclear power plant then reported to the two heads of state that preparations for the start of construction are completed.

President Xi issued the instruction "Start!"

After the Russian representatives reported to the two heads of state that the equipment is ready to be installed, President Putin issued the instruction "Start!"

The project was officially launched as the first tank of cement was poured at the construction site of the power plants.

Yang Jiechi and Wang Yi attended the ceremony.

Units 7 and 8 of the Tianwan nuclear power plant and units 3 and 4 of the Xudapu nuclear power plant are significant projects in a package cooperation deal on nuclear energy. It was signed with a witness by the two heads of state in June 2018. When completed and put into operation, the annual power generation will reach 37.6 billion kilowatt-hours, which is equivalent to reducing carbon dioxide emissions by 30.68 million tonnes per year.

Nuclear energy cooperation is a traditional priority cooperation area for China and Russia. Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Zhao Lijian said that the project is the biggest China-Russia nuclear energy cooperation project to date. Zhao said it represents a high level of practical cooperation between the two countries, adding that the successful beginning of the construction of the four units demonstrates the constructive cooperation outcomes in high-end equipment manufacturing and science and technology innovation between the two countries.

Gavrilin Alexander, a Russian engineer, said he has been working on the Tianwan nuclear power plant since 2003 and highly anticipates that the construction of units 7 and 8 could be completed and put into operation at an early date. He said the new units are "much more powerful, advanced, and safer."

The construction of nuclear power plants is technology-intensive, which requires both sides to mutually cooperate with sincerity and solidarity. "It reflects the deep friendship and mutual trust between the two countries," Gavrilin Alexander said, adding that he believed China-Russia nuclear energy cooperation will achieve win-win results.

Deng Hao, secretary general of the China Center for Shanghai Cooperation Organization Studies, said with an increase in complementary trade between the two countries, the nuclear energy projects will further consolidate the material foundation of bilateral cooperation and enhance the trade and economic exchanges between China and Russia.

The event on Wednesday is also the first online bilateral exchange at the head-of-state level between the two sides since the beginning of this year. It is of great significance in guiding the China-Russia comprehensive strategic partnership of coordination for a new era to maintain high-level development, spokesperson Zhao said.

In recent years, the world has slowed down the pace of building new nuclear power plants. Experts believed that China-Russia nuclear energy cooperation will become a highlight in the global nuclear power industry and help boost worldwide confidence in this energy development.

Besides, since nuclear energy is clean and efficient, the four units will effectively reduce carbon dioxide emissions. Deng Hao said this cooperation project demonstrates that China and Russia take the same stand on combating global climate change and realizing green development.

"It also shows China's firm determination to peak its carbon dioxide emissions and achieve carbon neutrality, and its commitment as a responsible major nation," he added. Enditem
Imported Mass Murder Marks an Anniversary

Fifty years later, have politicians learned the lesson?

Commentary

Fifty years ago, on May 19, 1971, American farmer Goro Kagehiro noticed that someone had dug out a man-sized space in his orchard near Yuba City, California. The hole turned out to be the grave of Kenneth Whiteacre, an orchard worker somebody had stabbed to death. Further diggings in the area turned up other victims:

Charles Fleming, Melford Sample, Donald Smith, John J. Haluka, Warren Kelley, Sigurd Beierman, William Emery Kamp, Clarence Hocking, James W. Howard, Jonah R. Smallwood, Elbert T. Riley, Paul B. Allen, Edward Martin Cupp, Albert Hayes, Raymond Muchache, John H. Jackson, Lloyd Wallace Wenzel, Mark Beverly Shields, Sam Bonafide, and Joseph Maczak. Four others were not identified.

The victims ranged from 40 to 68 years old, and all but three were white American workers. The others were black or Native American and not a single one was Mexican. The killer had buried each one on the north side of a tree with their arms over their heads. One had been shot and victims had been sodomized then stabbed in the chest. The killer then slashed their heads with a machete.

With the body of Melford Sample and other victims, police found receipts made out to Juan Corona. At Coronas home, they found a meat cleaver, machete, double-bladed axe, and wooden club, all stained with blood. They also found a gun and a ledger book containing the names of seven victims. Police arrested Corona and charged him with murder.

Juan Corona was born in the Mexican state of Jalisco in 1934, and in 1950 illegally crossed the border into the United States. Corona picked carrots and melons in Imperial Valley, then moved north to the Yuba City area, near Sacramento. Deported in 1956, Corona had no trouble entering the United States a second time.

Mexican farm workers harvest celery in a field of Brawley, in the Imperial Valley, Calif., on Jan. 31, 2017. (Sandy Huffaker/AFP via Getty Images)

By 1960, Corona became a labor contractor for local American farmers, including Goro Kagehiro.

In 1973, a jury found Corona guilty and sentenced him to 25 consecutive life terms.

In 1978, a state appeal court overturned the conviction, charging that Coronas lawyers failed to counter the 119 witnesses for the prosecution.

Coronas second trial in 1982 took seven months and cost taxpayers $5 million. The Mexican had experienced bouts of mental illness, but his lawyers did not offer an insanity defense. Instead, they argued that Coronas late half-brother Natividad carried out the killings. Closing arguments took 12 days and after two weeks of deliberation, the jury found Corona guilty on all charges. The court duly restored the 25 life sentences.

At Corcoran State Prison, Corona was disciplined for carrying scissors and taping a knife blade to his toothbrush. He had made incriminating statements to prison psychologists, and in his 2011 parole hearing, Corona said the men he killed over the space of a year were winos who had trespassed in the orchards.

Goro Kagehiro, who discovered the grave of Kenneth Whiteacre, passed away in 2005.

Corona died in prison on March 4, 2019, and in 2021, his crimes deserve careful reflection.

The Mexicans murder spree was the worst in U.S. history before John Wayne Gacy, convicted in 1980 of killing 33 young men and boys in Chicago. Illinois executed Gacy in 1994, but Juan Corona took 25 American livesmany believe he killed othersand got to keep his own life.

According to Californias Legislative Analyst, it costs more than $80,000 to house a prison inmate for one year. So, after more than 40 years in prison, the costs for Corona ran well into the millions. A ballpark figure for compensation from the Mexican government is zero, and most foreign nationals in U.S. prisons, nearly 70 percent, are Mexicans.

Like Jose Inez Garcia Zarate, the criminal Mexican who killed Kate Steinle, and Luis Bracamontes, the racist Mexican who murdered police officers Danny Oliver and Michael Davis in Sacramento, Juan Corona was not supposed to be in the United States in the first place. Fifty years after his murder spree, some American politicians have yet to learn the lesson.

Since Coronas victims included African Americans and Native Americans, his killings could have been motivated by racism. It is also possible that Corona sought to eliminate non-Mexicans from the farm-worker job market. In 1971, Americans would take those jobs.

Former President Donald Trump made progress on a border wall and got busy deporting criminal illegals. By contrast, President Joe Biden believes illegals are already Americans and rolls out the welcome mat, even during a pandemic.

We are keeping our borders secure, enforcing our laws, and staying true to our values and principles, claims Bidens Homeland Security boss Alejandro Mayorkas. As Michael Cutler explains, during the Obama administration, Mayorkas was director of USCIS (United States Citizenship and Immigration Services) and pushed for approval of virtually all applications for immigration benefits.

Mayorkas was also the architect of DACA, the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program. In practice, Bidens DHS boss is more of an agent for false-documented illegals than an upholder of U.S. law and sovereignty.

For some politicians, all illegals want to be brain surgeons and Supreme Court justices. With an open border, the ranks could easily include more criminals such as Garcia Zarate, Luis Bracamontes, and Juan Corona.

As the previously deported Mexican discovered, in the United States you can murder and mutilate at least 25 Americans, keep your own life, and live into your 80s with American taxpayers paying the bills.

Lloyd Billingsley is the author of Yes I Con: United Fakes of America, Barack em Up: A Literary Investigation, Hollywood Party, and other books. His articles have appeared in many publications, including Frontpage Magazine, City Journal, The Wall Street Journal, and American Greatness. Billingsley serves as a policy fellow with the Independent Institute.

Views expressed in this article are the opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Epoch Times.
Pregnant fitness instructor Caitlin Lackaye leads an outdoor socially distanced class as part of her Strength Garage studio in Berkeley Heights, N.J., on Aug. 3, 2020. (Theo Wargo/Getty Images)

Iowa Legislature Passes Anti-Abortion Constitutional Amendment

The Iowa Senate passed a proposed constitutional amendment on Wednesday, seeking to clarify that the Iowa Constitution doesnt grant women the right to abortion.

The Republican-led Senate passed the proposal along party lines by 30-18. The state House passed the proposal by 54-38 a day earlier.

The proposed amendment (pdf) states, To defend the dignity of all human life and protect unborn children, we the people of the State of Iowa declare that this Constitution does not recognize, grant, or secure a right to abortion or require the public funding of abortion.

Republican lawmakers proposed the amendment in response to an Iowa Supreme Court 5-2 decision in 2018. Then-Chief Justice Mark Cady wrote for the majority opinion, Nothing could be more fundamental to the notion of liberty. We therefore hold, under the Iowa Constitution, that implicit in the concept of ordered liberty is the ability to decide whether to continue or terminate a pregnancy.

Republican lawmakers called the ruling judicial overreach.

Regrettably, five unelected judges with the stroke of a pen fabricated, fabricated a constitutional right to an abortion under Iowas constitution. This egregious usurpation of power will not be left unchecked, state Sen. Jake Chapman, a Republican, said during Wednesdays session. It is our responsibility, it is our oath-bound duty to rightfully propose to the people of Iowa a constitutional amendment to correct this judicial overreach.

A woman helps lay 3,000 carnations to represent the approximately 3,000 abortions that occur in the United States every day, on the 46th anniversary of the Roe v Wade decision, in front of the U.S. Supreme Court in Washington on Jan. 22, 2019. (Jim Watson/AFP via Getty Images)

Democrat lawmakers expressed different opinions.

Its important that you know that the majority party will support something that a minority of Iowans support, Democrat state Rep. Jennifer Konfrst said during the house session Tuesday, pointing out that 58 percent of Iowans oppose this constitutional amendment.

The party that waxes poetic about small government is one more time stepping into your doctors office. They arent listening to what Iowans want, Konfrst added.

We differ greatly because its my body. Youre talking about my body, Democrat state Sen. Liz Mathis said during the senate session. It makes me feel as though my status as a human being is low enough, and that my decisions about pregnancy and my own body isnt valid enough that the public should vote about it on a ballot.

While I agree that you have the right to bodily autonomy, I do not agree that you have a right to use that bodily autonomy to terminate, to end the life of another human being. I dont agree with that, Chapman responded. I dont think thats your constitutional right.

Passing the amendment in the General Assembly is only the first step to amend the state Constitution.

According to Iowa law, the amendment must be published 3 months before it is passed by the next succeeding legislature of 2023-2024. The 2024 general election would then vote on the amendment unless the legislature votes to require it to take place at an earlier time.

Even if Iowa passes this amendment, abortion will still be legal based upon federal law, state Republican Rep. Steven Holt said during the house session, referring to the Supreme Courts Roe v. Wade decision in 1973.

On Monday, the U.S. Supreme Court agreed to take a major abortion case from Mississippi. The case will grant the Supreme Court an opportunity to reconsider abortion rulings, including Roe v. Wade.

States have been tightening restrictions on abortion. About 28 abortion restrictions were signed into law in seven states within four days between April 26-29, according to the Guttmacher Institute.
A delivery driver waits to cross an intersection near the Israeli Embassy in Beijing, on May 19, 2021. (Mark Schiefelbein/AP Photo)

Israel Accuses Chinese State TV of Blatant Antisemitism

BEIJINGIsraels Embassy in China is protesting what it describes as blatant antisemitism on a program run by the overseas channel of state broadcaster CCTV discussing the ongoing violence in Gaza and elsewhere.

In a tweet, the embassy said we have hoped that the times of the Jews controlling the world conspiracy theories were over, unfortunately antisemitism has shown its ugly face again.

We are appalled to see blatant antisemitism expressed in an official Chinese media outlet, the tweet said.

On the Tuesday CGTN broadcast, host Zheng Junfeng questioned whether U.S. support for Israel was truly based on shared democratic values, saying some people believe that U.S. pro-Israeli policy is traceable to the influence of wealthy Jews in the U.S. and the Jewish lobby on U.S. foreign policymakers.

Jews dominate finance and internet sectors, Zheng says, speaking in English. So do they have the powerful lobbies some say? Possible.

People ride bicycles past the China Central Television (CCTV) headquarters building in Beijing, on May 19, 2021. (Mark Schiefelbein/AP Photo)

Spokesperson Erez Katz Volovelsky said Wednesday the embassy had nothing to add to its tweet and had so far received no reply from CGTN, which CCTV operates for foreign audiences, similar to Russias RT.

There was no immediate comment from CCTV and Foreign Ministry spokesperson Zhao Lijian said he was not aware of the situation.

China has long been a strong backer of the Palestinian cause and in recent days the Foreign Ministry has castigated the United States for blocking a statement in the United Nations Security Council condemning the violence. They said the statement would not help de-escalate the situation.

Yet, since establishing formal diplomatic relations with Israel in 1992, Beijing has nurtured close economic, technological, and military ties, including the purchase of early model Israeli drones.

Judaism is not one of Chinas officially recognized religions and stereotypes about Jews as shrewd business people are common among the Chinese public.
An Israeli artillery unit fires toward targets in Gaza Strip, at the Israeli-Gaza border, on May 16, 2021. (Heidi Levine/AP Photo)

Israeli Military Bombs Miles of Hamas Terror Tunnel

The Israeli military on Tuesday announced a fresh barrage of strikes targeting the Hamas network of so-called terror tunnels, further degrading the groups ability to launch attacks against Israel.

Hidai Zilberman, a spokesperson for the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), told reporters that at around 10 p.m. local time, dozens of Israeli planes dropped 122 bombs in less than half an hour on some 40 underground targets along an eight-mile stretch of the tunnel, The Times of Israel reported.

Zilberman said the targets included a command center and weapons storage facilities, adding that he estimates at least 10 members of Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad terror groups were killed.

He said the strikes were concentrated on locations in the southern Gaza Strip, from where most of the rockets targeting Israeli cities were launched.

Earlier on Tuesday, the official IDF Twitter account announced, Since 8:00 this morning, we have identified and struck 9 underground & above-ground rocket launch sites in Gaza, adding, We will continue to operate against terrorism.

Zilbermans announcement comes after the IDF said on Monday that it had destroyed 9.3 miles of the tunnel system.

Our fighter jets neutralized 9.3 miles of the Hamas Metro terror tunnel system overnight. Thats 9.3 miles that can no longer be used for terror, the IDF said in a statement on May 17.

Israeli military officials have described the tunnel system as a vast underground network that is enabling Hamas to fight a war of attrition.

Hostilities broke out on May 10, when Hamas, Islamic Jihad, and other Islamist terrorist groups fired long-range rockets at Jerusalem after weeks of clashes in the holy city between Palestinian protesters and Israeli police. Hamas said its rocket assault was in response to weeks of tensions over a court case to evict several Palestinian families in East Jerusalem, and in retaliation for Israeli police responding to Palestinian protests.

In response, Israel has launched more than 1,000 precision air and artillery strikes aimed at Hamas and other targets that are often built close to civilian landmarks in the densely populated coastal strip.

According to an Associated Press tally, since May 10, at least 217 Palestinians have been killed in Gaza, including 61 children and 36 women, while more than 1,440 people have been wounded. Twelve people in Israel, including a young boy and a soldier, have been killed in Hamas rocket attacks.

While ceasefire moves continue behind the scenes, they have made little progress.
Streaks of light are seen from Ashkelon as Israel's Iron Dome anti-missile system intercepts rockets launched from the Gaza Strip towards Israel on May 15, 2021. (Amir Cohen/Reuters)

Its Time to Stop Feeding the Crocodile in Gaza

Commentary

In 1933, Winston Churchill read a copy of Adolf Hitlers Mein Kampf and concluded what few politicians of the time dared: Negotiation and appeasement only work with rational and moral people. Hitler was clearly irrational in his proposed execution of horrifying atrocities. Furthermore, he was clearly not moral. Hitler was so impassioned and dedicated to his ideology that nothing less than war would stop him. So, as Churchill put it, appeasement of Hitler by the United Kingdom feeds a crocodilehoping it will eat [the UK] last.

It took seven years for British politicians to realize Churchills evaluation of Hitler was right and appoint him prime minister. But, by then, Nazi Germany had already invaded Poland, the Czech Republic, France, and the Low Countries of Luxembourg, Belgium, and the Netherlands. Countless lives would have been saved if people had dropped their optimistic delusions about humankinds universal goodness and believed Churchill when he said negotiation wouldnt work.

Hitler meant what he wrote in Mein Kampf, but people didnt want to believe that a philosophy that horrible could gain traction. Were seeing a parallel situation today with the Islamic Resistance Movement (Hamas). Hamas consistently writes about killing Jews in its covenant, but for some reason, the Biden administration and many on the Left dont want to take their threats seriously. Instead, they call for a ceasefire from Israelis who are trying to defend themselves.

In 2019, Fathi Hammad, a Hamas senior leader, told a group of Palestinians: There are Jews everywhere. We must attack every Jew on planet Earth! We must slaughter and kill them, with Allahs help. We will lacerate and tear them to pieces. Hammad later demanded people of Jerusalem, we want you to cut off the heads of the Jews with knives.

President Joe Biden needs to take a lesson from Churchill and accept the Hamas for who and what they areimmoral, anti-Semitic murderers whose ultimate goal is to, as their official covenant states, raise the banner of Allah over every inch of Palestine, even if that means obliterating Israel as it has others before it.

The Hamas are dedicated to their cause of destroying the Jews, and Article 13 of its covenant clearly states:

[Peace] initiatives, and so-called peaceful solutions and international conferences are in contradiction to the principles of the Islamic Resistance Movement . Those conferences are no more than a means to appoint the infidels as arbitrators in the lands of Islam . There is no solution for the Palestinian problem except by Jihad. Initiatives, proposals and international conferences are but a waste of time, an exercise in futility.

Hamas doesnt want peace or a ceasefire. They want the extinction of Israelis.

The answer to the threat of Israeli extinction cannot be ceasefire, as the Biden administration is calling for. Even if there were a ceasefire, Hamas is clear there would be no real conflict resolution.

Hamas is not willing to negotiate with Israel, stating We will never recognize Israel or cease to fight for our land. Hamas will not give up their weapons in a ceasefire, claiming that disarming us is like Satan dreaming of heaven. No one can take away our weapons. Politicians calling for a ceasefire are asking for another decade of death and destruction when Israeli-Palestinian negotiations fail. Ari Fleischer put it perfectly, If Hamas disarmed, there would be no violence. If Israel disarmed, there would be no Israel.

Instead, America needs to lead a movement that parallels the Allied Nations program of denazification of 1945. Just as we weeded out and jailed all the civic leaders, teachers, and politicians in Germany and Austria who supported Nazi propaganda, we need to weed out the Hamass ideology from Palestine. We cannot allow the next generation of Palestinians to take up the Hamas mission of violent genocide against Jews.

Like Hitler during World War II, Hamas cannot be negotiated with. Hamas wants to kill the 9 million Jews in Israel. The American government must step up like Churchill and counter the threat Hamas pose for all Israelis.

From Gingrich360.com.

Newt Gingrich, a Republican, served as House speaker from 1995 to 1999 and ran as a presidential candidate in 2012.

Views expressed in this article are the opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Epoch Times.
French Army lieutnant colonel Henri Marcaillou (L), Japan Self-Defense Force colonel Masashi Hiraki (C), and U.S. Marines lieutnant colonel Jeremy Nielson (R) attend a joint military drill between the Japan Self-Defense Force, the French Army, and U.S. Marines at the Kirishima exercise area in Ebino, Miyazaki Prefecture, on May 15, 2021. (Charly Triballeau/ AFP via Getty Images)

Japan Holds High-Level Meeting to Discuss the Chinese Regime Threat Amid Joint Military Drill

As Japan, the United States, and France are conducting joint military exercises, Japans Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) held a high-level meeting on May 12 to discuss how to tackle the threat of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP).

The senior management of the LDP, representing both the national defense and the security ministry, discussed various situations at the Senkaku Islands (also known as Diaoyu), the South China Sea, and the Taiwan Strait.

The topics of the meeting were revealed by Takao Toshikawa, a well-known Japanese political and economic commentator, in an Japanese article entitled Europe Joins Japan, U.S., Australia, and India in Deterrence Strategy Against ChinaIts Deep Implications for the Senkaku Islands.

According to the article, Taku Otsuka, member of the House of Representatives of Japan for the LDP in charge of national defense, and Itsunori Onodera, chairman of security investigation and former minister of defense, chaired the meeting. The topics of the meeting included the following five areas:

(1) The operations of Chinese Coast Guard vessels in the waters around the Senkaku Islands.

(2) The operations of Chinese naval vessels and helicopters.

(3) The Chinese Maritime Traffic Safety Law.

(4) The Chinese regimes survey report on the topography of the Senkaku Islands.

(5) The situations in the South China Sea and Taiwan.

Japans Self-Defense Force soldiers walk from a Chinook helicopter during a joint military drill between the Japan Self-Defense Force, the French Army, and U.S. Marines at the Kirishima exercise area in Ebino, Miyazaki Prefecture, on May 15, 2021. (Charly Triballeau/via Getty Images)

Although the article did not disclose more details of the meeting, it revealed that about 50 LDP members from the House and Senate attended the meeting. Other participants included Hiroyuki Onishi, parliamentary vice-minister, Masami Oka, director of the Defense Policy Bureau, and Mitsuko Hayashi, chief advisor to the Ministry of Defense staff office.

Attendees from the Self-Defense Forces included coordinating officials of the land, sea, and air staffs, as well as Deputy Director-General Kazuye Endo of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in charge of Asia Pacific affairs.

In the article, Toshikawa revealed that the topics of the meeting were related to Frances participation in the ARC21 military exercise involving Japan, the United States, and France. The drill started on May 11 and included a military operation exercise to defend the Senkaku Islands in the case of a CCP invasion.

The French army conducted the first joint military exercise with the Japanese Self-Defense Forces on Japanese land from May 11 to 13.

France sent a large fleet of warships to demonstrate its determination to participate in the affairs of the Indo-Pacific region. Admiral Pierre Vandier, chief of the French naval staff, said last November that Our message will be targeted at China.

He highlighted the importance of freedom of navigation and respect for international law, and expressed Frances determination to be united with its allies including Japan, the United States, Australia, and India.

French soldiers take part in a joint military drill between the Japan Self-Defense Force, the French Army, and U.S. Marines at the Kirishima exercise area in Ebino, Miyazaki Prefecture, on May 15, 2021. (Charly Triballeau/AFP via Getty Images)

In addition, the German government said last year that it wanted to strengthen its operations in the Indo-Pacific region and participated, for the first time, in the 2+2 talks between the foreign and defense ministers of Japan and Germany on April 13 this year.

Japan will also welcome a British aircraft carrier strike groupaccompanied by a Dutch warship.

Toshikawa said the strategy of building deterrence against the CCP has gradually won acceptance from European countries such as France. The reason is that the CCPs expansion of hegemony in the South China and East China Seas has made Japan, the United States, Australia, India, and even France and other European countries feel threatened.

The CCPs human rights abuses in Hong Kong and Xinjiang are also of deep concern to these countries. So there is a consensus among countries to curb the CCPs infringement on international rules and human rights issues, according to Toshikawa, who is also the Tokyo bureau chief for The Oriental Economist Report, published by Japan Watchers in New York.
President Joe Biden speaks at the White House in Washington, on May 17, 2021. (Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images)

Judge Blocks Biden Administration From Doling Out Grants Based on Race, Gender

A federal judge in Texas this week blocked the Biden administration from prioritizing grants in a COVID-19 restaurant relief program by their race or gender.

U.S. District Judge Reed OConnor, a George W. Bush nominee, said he believes plaintiff Philip Greer, a cafe owner, is likely to succeed in his lawsuit against the Small Business Association (SBA) as he granted a request for a temporary restraining order (TRO).

Based on the record, Greer is able and ready to apply; he has prepared an application on behalf of his restaurant and is otherwise eligible to receive an RRF grant, but for the allegedly unconstitutional prioritization scheme preventing his application from being processed, OConnor said in his 18-page decision.

If Greers lawsuit is ultimately won, then theres a substantial likelihood that he could receive a portion of the funds from the Restaurant Revitalization Fund, a $28.6 billion pool created by the latest COVID-19 relief package, the judge added.

At issue is the fact the package directs the Biden administration to prioritize restaurants that are owned and controlled by women, veterans, and people deemed socially and economically disadvantaged, which includes those owned at least 51 percent by some Indian tribes or Native Hawaiian organizations.

The SBA, which is deciding among applicants, announced that it would accept applications from all eligible applicants but only process those from a priority group in the first 21 days.

Greer argued that the policy actively excludes entire classes of Americans not mentioned in the priority group who are also suffering significant financial losses caused by the pandemic.

The Small Business Administration lurches America dangerously backward, reversing the clock on American progress, and violating our most sacred and revered principles by actively and invidiously discriminating against American citizens solely based upon their race and sex. This is illegal, it is unconstitutional, it is wrong, and it must stop, his lawsuit states.

Attorneys for Isabella Guzman, the SBAs administrator, asserted in a response to the motion for a TRO that Greer lacked standing because he didnt actually submit an application for a grant. They also said he hadnt suffered an injury that was traceable to the priority period.

The lawyers also argued the prioritizations adopted, while being race-conscious, dont violate the constitutional guarantee of equal protection.

OConnor, the judge, shot down those claims.

The context is clear: the evidence that Greers restaurant lost nearly $100,000 in gross revenue during the COVID-19 pandemic and [his] attestation that he has prepared an application and is otherwise eligible are sufficient to suggest Plaintiffs actual desire to apply for a monetary grant with the specific goal of supporting restaurants during the pandemiclike Greers, he wrote.

An attorney for the Biden administration didnt immediately respond to a request by The Epoch Times for comment.

Stephen Miller, president of America First Legal, which is representing the plaintiff, said in a statement: The facts of the case are straightforward: hard-hit American restaurant owners can apply for urgently-needed pandemic relief. But the government puts some owners at the back of the line for access to a limited pool of money based on their race. So we are presented with a simple but vital question: can the government reward or punish American citizens based upon the color of their skin or the ancestry of their families?

We all know the answer. Racial discrimination, in any form, is legally and morally wrong. It is un-American. It is unconscionable. And it must be stopped.

The judge directed Greer to apply for a grant on or before May 19 while enjoining Guzman and the agency she oversees from prioritizing applicants based on their race or gender.

A hearing will be held on May 24 at 9 a.m. in the case.

Janita Kan contributed to this report.

Correction: A previous version of this article inaccurately described the temporary restraining order. It blocks the Biden administration from prioritizing applicants based on their race or gender. The Epoch Times regrets the error.
Justice Department Launches Review to Expand Access to Justice For Poor, Minorities

Attorney General Merrick Garland on Tuesday announced that the Justice Department (DOJ) is working to revive an effort to support certain disadvantaged communities to combat barriers to accessing justice in America.

Garland said that the department will launch a review seeking to address disparities in the criminal justice system and barriers to access the immigration and civil legal systems. The department will work with federal and state partners to develop policy initiatives and measures.

Part of the review will consist of reviewing strategies to reinstate an office in the department, known as the Office for Access to Justice, that says it would assist low-income individuals to navigate the civil and criminal justice systems. The office was first established in 2010 under the Obama administration under allegations that low socio-economic individuals and communities receive substandard legal services.

Former Attorney General Jeff Sessions in 2018 transferred duties from the office to DOJs Office of Legal Policy and has since been effectively closed. House Democrats attempted to codify the offices existence through legislation. Sessions rolled back on a number of Obama-era policies during his tenure as attorney general.

Trust in the rule of lawthe foundation of American democracydepends upon the publics faith that government seeks equal justice for all. That is the Justice Departments core duty, and the mission upon which it was built. But without equal access to justice, the promise of equal justice under law rings hollow, Garland wrote in a memo to leaders in the department.

The attorney general also argued that the announced efforts are necessary in order to address inequities exacerbated by the economic crisis that followed the outbreak of the CCP (Chinese Communist Party) virus pandemic.

Many Americans have been pushed into poverty and lost their homes, their jobs, and even their lives. Deep and longstanding inequities in our justice system have been exposed and exacerbated, he said in his memo.

The announcement comes on the same day President Joe Biden issued a memo that directed Garland to begin planning, development, and coordination of access-to-justice policy initiatives. The memo requires the DOJ to submit a plan to the White House in 120 days on the departments role in expanding the access to justice work.

Bidens memo also reestablishes the White House Legal Aid Interagency Roundtable. According to the DOJ, the Legal Aid Interagency Roundtable (LAIR) seeks to raise federal agencies awareness of how civil legal aid can help advance a wide range of federal objectives including employment, family stability, housing, consumer protection, and public safety.

The LAIR works with civil legal aid partners to strengthen federal programs by incorporating legal aid, develop policy recommendations for improving access to justice, and other outcomes.

The roundtable will be co-chaired by Garland and White House counsel Dana Remus and include a number of agency heads across the government.
The Los Angeles skyline is seen from Griffith Observatory on April 18, 2020 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Apu GOMES / AFP) (Photo by APU GOMES/AFP via Getty Images)

LA County Holds First Public Hearing on $36.2 Billion Recommended Budget

LOS ANGELESThe Board of Supervisors held its first public hearing May 19 on Los Angeles Countys $36.2 billion recommended budget for fiscal year 2021-22a plan that emphasizes spending to expand safety-net services, support economic recovery and address racial and other inequities.

County chief executive Fesia Davenport updated the board during a session that in other years has drawn hundreds of union members and advocates for a wide range of county programs and initiatives, all fighting to shape the budget and get their share, but this year was held virtually due to the coronavirus pandemic.

The public comment period lasted an hour and people were given two minutes to address the board.

Davenport framed this budget as pivotal for the county, saying it has the opportunity for once-in-a-generation transformative change, based in part on new levels of federal and state funding.

We are positioned like never before to comprehensively address so many of our longstanding barriers that have held back individuals and communities for generations: things like institutional racism, barriers to housing and jobs, the digital divide, environmental equity and, of course, justice system reform, she said. My goal is for the county to come out of this pandemic better than before.

Davenport listed the boards priorities as advancing racial equity and justice system reform including ramping up spending on alternatives to incarcerationas well as affordable housing, fighting homelessness and supporting those hardest hit by the pandemic.

Spending Priorities

Supervisor Hilda Solis spoke directly to taxpayers who might disagree with the boards spending priorities.

We need to stop criminalizing poverty and mental illness, Solis said. For those who ask why the county should pay for these services, I would ask: who do you think is paying for our jails, our [juvenile] camps and halls right now? It is you, the taxpayers.

Of the overall budget, 33 percent is recommended to fund health programs, 26 percent for public assistance, 25 percent for public protection and 16 percent to cover other costs, including recreation and culture.

Major adjustments are expected before the budget is ultimately finalized in October, though no changes or action were taken May 19. For example, the latest version of the budget does not yet include roughly $1.9 billion in federal funding expected to flow to the county from the most recent coronavirus relief package or any funding from the infrastructure plan currently being negotiated in Washington, D.C.

Roughly 40 percent of the countys total budget comes from federal and state funding.

Davenport said she will present her offices recommendations for allocating the latest approved round of federal relief in early June and then incorporate expectations for state funding on June 28.

Though final budget deliberations are scheduled for June, a host of additions and changes will be made through Oct. 5, when a supplemental budget is finalized and adopted.

Measure J

One budget item that many advocates are pushing to increase is the countys commitment to Measure J, a requirement that at least 10 percent of locally generated, unrestricted funds be invested annually in community programs and alternatives to incarceration, with a three-year ramp-up period.

Davenport earmarked $100 million in spending on Measure J as a year-one down payment on the countys promise to address racial injustice, which she said represents the single largest allocation for a new program in the recommended budget.

That number does not go far enough to satisfy some community advocates. Representatives of several organizations that backed Measure J issued an April statement rejecting the chief executives proposal and arguing that the full allotment should be as high as $900 million.

Davenport took pains May 19 to explain the complexities involved in calculating the restricted fund balance, but made clear that such a big number had never been on the table. A back-of-the-envelope, very rough calculation offered by the last chief executive during the earliest conversations about Measure J was $360 million, the chief executive reminded the board.

While I cannot commit at this time that additional funding will be identified for the down payment, Davenport said. We are doing everything we possibly can to identify additional funding while balancing other priorities.

The sheriffs department budget is another bone of contention. It is recommended to remain roughly flat to the prior year, at $3.4 billion, which has generated pushback from those who have called for shifting more dollars from law enforcement to community-based services and programs.

Supervisor Holly Mitchell asked the chief executive in April to continue to look for opportunities to cull out inefficiencies and waste in the Sheriffs Department to create a department better designed to meet the actual needs of our residents.

Sheriff Alex Villanueva has argued that the board is starving his department of funding and hurting communities of color in the process.

During the May 19 hearing, he told the board that the proposed county budget does nothing to address existential threats to the community, including homelessness, rising crime, arsons and illegal cannabis dispensaries.

Sheriff Alex Villanueva of the Los Angeles Sheriffs Department speaks outside the Hall of Justice on February 9, 2021 in Los Angeles, Calif. (Patrick T. Fallon/AFP via Getty Images)

By defunding us and discrediting our operations, youre degrading the capacity of the sheriffs department to prevent crime, the sheriff said. I applaud the money that youre throwing at the homeless situation. However, until you decide to regulate and reclaim public space, youre wasting your time and your money because every year, I guarantee, youll have more homeless than the year before.

Help for the Homeless

Addressing the growing problem of homelessness, exacerbated by the pandemic, remains a central concern for the board. Highlighted spending includes a total of $426.7 million in Measure H funding, which includes an additional $16.6 million to increase the stock of interim housing and motel vouchers as well as more supportive housing services.

In her slide presentation to the board, the chief executive fired a warning shot in connection with the lawsuit filed against the county and the city of Los Angeles by the L.A. Alliance for Human Rights.

The judges order, currently under appeal, for the county and city to offer housing to every homeless individual on downtowns Skid Row by October could cost the county $448 million and result in nearly 2,000 layoffs, according to one slide, though the CEO did not address that note in her comments to the board, instead saying her office was closely watching developments in the case to be prepared for any outcomes.

Supervisor Janice Hahn did call out those estimates, saying she didnt necessarily believe the numbers.

Davenport underscored that the proposed budget builds off a leaner baseline of cuts imposed during the current year, including the elimination of more than 2,500 unfilled positions on the books. The county has so far avoided layoffs and isnt proposing any, but a hard freeze on hiring non-essential personnel remains in place countywide.

She said $145 million in cuts were made in the current year to the sheriffs department budget along with eliminating nearly 1,400 unfilled positionswhich she said helped support the allocation of $100 million to Measure J for fiscal year 2020-21. The sheriff said his operating budget for this year was cut by another $143 million.

Even with historically high federal and state funding, some departments are facing challenges. Davenport highlighted a drop in federal funding for the Department of Children and Family Services that will result in a $260 million deficit for the county to fill.

We cannot meet every need, Davenport said.

Making the Cut

Davenport said in April that departments submitted $2 billion in requests that are not included in the recommendations, but the most critical of those requeststotaling more than $500 million would be considered during future deliberations.

Supervisor Kathryn Barger has consistently pushed for setting aside money for the countys rainy day fund to prepare for future downturns and emergencies, saying the economic repercussions of the pandemic remain unknown.

Our situation continues to evolve with the reopening of the economy, and I know that we are being cautious as we move forward, Barger said. The demand for services and programs to provide for food, for housing, for public safety, for health care, mental health and quality of life

 remains strong. I think its incumbent upon all of us to ensure that the county has the fiscal resolve to continue to provide these essential services for years to come.

In her latest presentation, Davenport emphasized the boards commitment to conservative budgeting principles and living within our means.

The focus on long-term stability was underscored by big unfunded costs that Davenport suggested needed to be addressed over the next five years, including upgrades to county facilities and legacy technology systems.

Another challenge includes an estimated $40.2 billion in unfunded pension and workers compensation liabilities.
Mark and Patricia McCloskey stand in front of their house holding firearms as activities walk through the gated neighborhood in the Central West End of St. Louis, Mo., on June 28, 2020. (Laurie Skrivan/St. Louis Post-Dispatch via AP)

Mark McCloskey Files Campaign Papers to Run for Senate in Missouri

Mark McCloskey, the Missouri lawyer who briefly entered the national spotlight last year after pointing a rifle at Black Lives Matter protesters who trespassed near his home, filed formal campaign paperwork to run for the U.S. Senate in Missouri.

McCloskey created a campaign website, which says that he and his wife, Patty, held off a violent mob through the exercise of their 2nd Amendment rights.

Since then, they addressed the Republican National Convention, and have been frequent guests on Fox, Newsmax, OAN, CNN and a variety of national and local news and talk TV and radio programs, the website states. They campaigned extensively in support of President Trump and continue to speak around the nation on their support of the Constitution, the traditional values that have made the USA the greatest nation on earth, and the current threats to its continued existence.

McCloskey is the latest entrant in the race to succeed Sen. Roy Blunt (R-Mo.), who is retiring. Former Gov. Eric Greitens and state Attorney General Eric Schmitt are also seeking the nomination.

McCloskey and his wife were indicted on gun and evidence-tampering charges after the video of them brandishing firearms at protesters thrust them into the national news cycle. Republicans rallied behind the couple and the McCloskeys later spoke at the Republican National Convention.

In this screenshot from the RNCs livestream of the 2020 Republican National Convention, Patricia and Mark McCloskey, a couple from St. Louis who pointed guns at Black Lives Matter protesters, addresses the virtual convention in a pre-recorded video that was broadcast on Aug. 24, 2020. (Photo Courtesy of the Committee on Arrangements for the 2020 Republican National Committee via Getty Images)

An angry mob marched to destroy my home and kill my family, I took a stand to defend them. I am a proven fighter against the mob. When the mob comes to destroy our home, our state, our nation Ill defend it. I will NEVER BACK DOWN, McCloskey wrote on Twitter after announcing his candidacy.

McCloskey announced his candidacy on Tucker Carlsons show on Fox News. During the appearance, he said that hes always been a Republican and that he campaigned on behalf of President Donald Trump.

The people out there in this country are just sick and tired of cancel culture and the poison of critical race theory and the big lie of systemic racism, all backed up by the threat of mob violence. And people are just sick of it. They dont want any more posers, and egotists, and career politicians going to DC, McCloskey told Carlson.

The seat is considered a safe one for the GOP, so the primary winner will likely go on to win the general election. Greitens and Schmitt were virtually tied in a head-to-head poll conducted in March.
Source: Xinhua| 2021-05-20 01:34:37|Editor: huaxia

Video Player Close

Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi chairs the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) open debate on "Peace and Security in Africa: Addressing Root Causes of Conflict in Post-Pandemic Recovery in Africa" via video link on May 19, 2021. (Xinhua/Yin Bogu)

BEIJING, May 19 (Xinhua) -- Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi on Wednesday called on all capable countries to urgently provide COVID-19 vaccines to Africa while chairing a United Nations Security Council (UNSC) open debate via video link.

"The international community should give more help on anti-pandemic supplies, medicines, technology and funding, especially through ways including non-reimbursable assistance, preferential procurement, technology transfer, and cooperative production, so as to ensure the accessibility and affordability of vaccines in Africa," he said.

In the face of the once-in-a-century pandemic, China and Africa are willing to jointly launch a partnership initiative to support Africa's development, Wang said.

He called on the international community to beef up support for Africa in such areas as fighting the pandemic, post-pandemic reconstruction, trade and investment, debt relief, food security, poverty reduction and alleviation, coping with climate change, as well as industrialization.

"China welcomes more countries and international organizations, especially Africa's traditional cooperation partners, to join this initiative, adhering to the principle of 'Africa-led, equal-footing, and openness', strengthening coordination and cooperation, committing to real multilateralism, so as to gather the strong force to support Africa's development," he said.

As the president of the UNSC for May, China convened a UNSC open debate on Wednesday on "Peace and Security in Africa: Addressing Root Causes of Conflict in Post-Pandemic Recovery in Africa". Enditem
Massachusetts New Chinese-Made Subway Cars Malfunction for the Fourth Time

A recent investigation into Massachusetts New Red and Orange Line cars made by a Chinese rail company found something acting abnormally within their truck frames. It was the fourth time since August 2019 that a malfunction was identified in the new cars.

Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authoritys new Red and Orange Line cars are assembled in Springfield by the Chinese state-owned company CRRC. The company is under contract to deliver 252 Red Line cars and 152 Orange Line cars to the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) over the next few years. The first fleet of six new Orange Line cars went into service in August 2019.

On March 16, all new trains were pulled from service after an Orange Line train derailed at the Wellington Station. About 100 passengers were on board when the accident happened. No injuries were reported.

MBTA Deputy General Manager Jeff Gonneville said in a May 10 board meeting that tests conducted on the new cars determined that as the mileage of the vehicles increases, there is a greater resistance on the truck frames. Investigators found that the trains would grip more as the side bearer pads wear down and create more friction than expected.

Gonneville compared the issue to the brake pads on an automobile, though he emphasized that no braking issue was found on the subway trains.

As youre driving your car, and as your pads are wearing over time, the way youre operating, and the way your brakes feel, and the way your car performs as youre stopping remain the same. It doesnt change. Using this same analogy, what would be happening is your car would be gripping harder or stopping faster every time as the pads are wearing, which is not how it is designed to do, he said.

According to Gonneville, the trains will remain out of service until engineers from CRRC, MBTA, and component suppliers determine the root cause and come up with a solution. He promised to give more updates about the investigation in June.

A Problematic History

Old and new Orange Line trains in Wellington Rail Yard (Learner Liu/EpochTimes)

The new trains manufactured by CRRC have malfunctioned and been pulled from service four times since they debuted in 2019.

On Sept. 20, 2019, a door on a new Orange Line car suddenly opened while the train was in motion. According to MBTA spokesman Joe Pesaturo, an investigation determined that a component called a bump stop did not perform as it should.

Two months later, a new train derailed while it ran slowly back to the Wellington Rail Yard maintenance facility. Investigators found unusual noise under the train, which was caused by a faulty wear pad.

Then on March 3, 2020, a fault with the bolsters again caused MBTA to temporarily take the new trains out of service.

Shawn Dooley, a Republican state representative, warned about the trains potential quality issues in 2019. At the time, rollout of the new Orange Line cars was delayed twice due to a software issue identified during early independent testing.

It is frustrating that there were so many signs that this was a horrible idea and every warning has been ignored, Dooley said.

In July 2019, he introduced a bill to prohibit future transportation contracts with agents of non-market economy countries. He worried that a company controlled by the Chinese regime may hide special devices in the trains or create backdoors in the system, so as to control security cameras or other equipment for surveillance, or even destructive purposes.

In May 2019, Sen. Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) asked the federal government to investigate if subway cars designed by a Chinese state-owned firm could pose a threat to national security.

China has ramped up its spying apparatus and has become more aggressive throughout the world, Dooley said.

Besides MBTA, CRRC also won contracts to build railcars for Chicago, Los Angeles, and Philadelphia. Trains made by CRRC Sifang America began in-service testing in Chicago this April.

But Dooley suggested American cities stay away from the Chinese state-owned manufacturer. No one is under the delusion that communist China is our ally. Their motives are always China First, and they have made no secret of their plans for a one-China economy, he said, Putting our citizens at risk for a few dollarsespecially from a hostile foreign government, is mind-blowing.
McConnell Says He Opposes Slanted Jan. 6 Capitol Breach Commission

Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) said he opposes the mostly Democratic-backed Jan. 6 Capitol breach commission announced by a group of lawmakers on the House Homeland Security Committee last week.

The independent commission, as envisioned by House members, would have the power to issue subpoenas. Some Republicans have said that the panel should also look at leftist riots and violence that erupted across the United States following the death of George Floyd last year.

McConnells comments echoed those of House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) and former President Donald Trump in saying they wouldnt back the proposal.

After careful consideration, Ive made the decision to oppose the House Democrats slanted and unbalanced proposal for another commission to study the events of Jan. 6, McConnell said on the Senate floor on May 19.

The comment from McConnell signals that Democrats are unlikely to pass the measure in the Senate, as they would need at least 10 Republican senators to join Democrats in overcoming the 60-vote filibuster hurdle.

Trump, in a statement on May 18, also applied pressure on Republicans in Congress and said they should not approve the Democrat trap of the January 6 Commission.

Republicans must get much tougher and much smarter, and stop being used by the Radical Left. Hopefully, Mitch McConnell and Kevin McCarthy are listening! the former president said.

In adding to the arguments against the commission, McConnell said that the Department of Justice, FBI, and various House and Senate committees are months into their own investigations.

There is, has been, and there will continue to be no shortage of robust investigations by two separate branches of the federal government, he said on the floor. Its not at all clear what new facts or additional investigation yet another commission could actually lay on top of existing efforts by law enforcement and Congress.

Whats more, McConnell said that Democrats, according to the House proposal, would be able to hire all the staff on the 10-person commission, although Democrats including House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) described the panel as being bipartisan.

From initially offering a laughably partisan starting point, to continuing to insist on various other features under the hood that are designed to centralize control over the commissions process and its conclusion in Democratic hands, he said.

Despite the low probability of it being passed, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) said this week that he intends to bring the legislation to the floor for a vote.

Schumer reacted to the comments from McCarthy and McConnell, accusing them of kowtowing to Trump. Shame on the House Republican leadership for punishing Republicans who tell the truth, he said on the floor.

Last week, when an agreement was reached on the deal, Pelosi said it is imperative that we seek the truth of what happened on January 6 with an independent, bipartisan 9/11-type Commission to examine and report upon the facts, causes and security of the incident.

Members of the commission would be experts on law enforcement, civil liberties, cybersecurity, and civil rights, the committee said in a statement, adding that they would examine the influencing factors that may have provoked the attack on our democracy. It will also have the ability to issue subpoenas for information, although the subpoenas will require a bipartisan vote.
German Chancellor Angela Merkel arrives for the weekly cabinet meeting at the Chancellery in Berlin, Germany, on May 19, 2021. (Michele Tantussi/Pool/Reuters)

Merkel Bemoans Lack of EU Expertise in Chips, Batteries

BERLINGerman Chancellor Angela Merkel expressed concern on Wednesday that Europe cannot make the semiconductor chips and batteries it needs to compete for the production of cars as well as the development of smart appliances.

Merkel told a summit on the future of innovation in Germany that Europe risked falling behind in areas like quantum computing, chips, and batteries, essential for the future of the car industry as it shifts to make more electric vehicles.

If a big bloc like the EU is not in position to create chips, I am not comfortable about that, she said. It is not good if you are a car nation and you cant produce the core component.

A global chip shortage has hit automakers hard after many canceled orders when plants were idled during the pandemic. At the same time, demand for chips boomed from consumer electronics makers churning out premium devices for people stuck at home.

Carmakers use chips in everything from computer management of engines to driver assistance systems.

If Europe loses the ability to make chips that are used in internet-connected devices then it makes itself very dependent, particularly on Asia, Merkel noted.

The answer is not necessarily to replicate development in multiple countries, but the pandemic has shown the need for more watertight contracts if the West is to keep outsourcing production of components to less developed countries, she said.

We need a global discussion about how much reliability we can give each other, or we will have higher costs if we develop something three times, she said.

The European Union has created a new alliance to support the local production and development of semiconductors to reduce the reliance on foreign suppliers, while U.S. President Joe Biden has proposed $50 billion to boost U.S. semiconductor production.

By Emma Thomasson
South Korean President Moon Jae-In meets with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un during their summit at the truce village of Panmunjom, North Korea, in this handout picture released by North Korea's Korean Central News Agency on May 27, 2018. (KCNA/via Reuters)

Moon Visits Washington: Caution Advised

Commentary

South Korean President Moon Jae-in is coming to Washington and will meet President Joe Biden on May 21.

Moons term in office ends next year, but hes got a big objective: to school Biden on North Korea and convince him to follow Moons own approach to dealing with Pyongyang and its dictator Kim Jong-un.

Moons approach: hold talks with North Korea and offer sanctions relief.

Moon says he is confident Kim will make concessions, and via a mutually trusted roadmapKim will eventually give up his nuclear weapons, and there will be peace on the Korean peninsula.

U.S. Ambassador to the U.N. Nikki Haley speaks during a meeting of the United Nations Security Council at U.N. headquarters in New York City, on Sept. 17, 2018. The United States called a meeting of the Security Council to discuss what they call efforts by some members of the council to undermine and obstruct U.N. sanctions against North Korea. (Drew Angerer/Getty Images)

One doubts, however, that Moon has ever seen a copy of the mutually trusted road map.

Since taking office in 2017, Moon has been trying out the policy he plans to sell to Biden.

The results: North Korea still has nuclear weapons and long-range missiles to deliver them. And the arsenal is expanding and improving. North Korea also remains as hellish a place as ever.

And making Moons sales job even tougher, South Korean leftist administrationsof which Moon was parthave applied the same approach whenever theyve been in power over the last twenty years.

There was the so-called Sunshine Policy in the early 2000s that sought to resolve differences between the two Koreas by giving the Kim regimes presents and money.

And one leftist-South Korean president, Kim Dae-jung, even won a Nobel Prize for his effortsthough it was later revealed that $450 million dollars (paid under the table and without telling the Nobel committee) were what got the Kims to play along for a while.

Moon Jae-in is also telling the Americans to cooperate with China so Beijing will help deal with North Korea.

Thats already a familiar mantra in the United States. Must have Chinas help to solve the North Korea problem. Yet, theres not a shred of evidence China has ever helped. Instead, successive U.S. administrations (until Trump) hamstrung themselves and avoided challengingor even criticizingChinese misbehavior elsewhere on the globe.

At some point, one concludes this isnt Jimmy Carter style naivete on Moons part. Twenty years of failureand insisting on more of the same suggests Moon and South Koreas leftists dont have Americas (or even South Koreas) best interests at heart.

Rather, maybe they have somebody elses best interests at heartKim Jong-uns and Chinese leader Xi Jinpingsfor whom Moons approach seems tailor made.

Put simply, Moon is telling Washington: hold endless fruitless talks with North Korea, remove sanctions (making things easier for Pyongyang), and go easy on China. Meanwhile, North Korean and Chinese military capabilities strengthenwhile Americas become relatively weaker.

And dont forget that South Korean and U.S. military exercises have been pared down or even cancelled at Moons insistence.

If the idea is to eventually destroy the ROK-U.S. alliance and get the Americans off the peninsula, this is one way to do it. And if you think its the United States that keeps Korea dividedthis may seem attractive.

Americas Friend?

One fairly doubts Moon likes America all that much. Indeed, evidence suggests the opposite. He was once a student radicalpro-North Korea and anti-American. And Moon is on record about his delight on hearing America lost in Vietnam. He has never explained this away as youthful stupidity.

South Korean President Moon Jae-in and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un attend an official welcome ceremony at Pyongyang Sunan International Airport, in Pyongyang, North Korea, on Sept. 18, 2018. (Pyeongyang Press Corps/Pool via Reuters)

And his administration is full of so-called Jusapas, one-time radicals who appear unrepentant even now.

Taking one example, consider Lee In-young, the Unification Minister appointed in July 2020. Read the transcript of his confirmation hearing in the National Assembly.

Lee is biting his tongue but doesnt seem to have changed much since his days as the #2 person in the Anti-American Youth Association. This was the underground organization providing leadership to Jeondaehyup, the violent, radical 1980s student organization based upon North Koreas Juche ideology.

Or how about Cho Kuk, whom Moon nominated for Minister of Justice? He founded the Socialist Workers League of Koreacalling for armed revolution in South Korea.

Tara O of East Asia Research is a must-read for anyone wanting to understand the backgrounds, ideologies, and political objectives of Moon Jae-in and South Koreas leftists. The information is in plain sight.

But Maybe Theres No Option to Dialogue and Concessions?

It is often argued that since Seoul is within North Korean artillery rangeand now nuclear weapons rangethere is no alternative to doing what Moon saystalk and concede.

However, Seoul has been within artillery range since 1950yet North Korea has never pulled the triggereven when it is being sanctioned and threatened with destruction if it causes trouble, and loudly criticized for its human rights abuses.

Indeed, strength and toughnessand a perceived willingness to use forceare more stabilizing than appeasementif recent and far distant history tells us anything.

But isnt it true that sanctions dont work?

No. They never have been seriously tried against North Korea.

Showing what could have been, the G.W. Bush administration sanctioned Banco Delta Asia in Macau in 2006 for handling North Korean funds. This sent the North Korean regime for a loopand the Chinese as well.

Unfortunately, before long the Bush administration removed the sanctions (and even gave Pyongyang its money back) in exchange for a promise to talk.

Few people remember nowsince it is clouded by the distant mists of 2018that Donald Trump levied powerful sanctions on North Koreaand was moving towards sanctioning major Chinese banks. In effect, giving China a choice of doing business with the United States or with North Korea.

This approach rattled Pyongyang (and Beijing) and was working until Moon undercut then President Trump by inviting North Korea to join the South Korean Olympic team and launching his latest appeasement campaign. This gave Trump little choice but to go along or else risk being accused of infuriating a key allyand not giving peace a chance.

So now its President Bidens turn to experience Moons hard sell.

He may wish to consider the words of a high-ranking North Korean defector, Ri Jong-ho, who was asked by this writer in a recent interview if he had any advice for Biden: Moon is a con man.

Moon Jae-in does bring to mind an investment advisor, admittedly one with a pleasant manner, who has lost your money (and a lot of it) every single year.

And then he comes over to your house insisting that you invest more of your cash with himas hes got a really good strategy.

But its the exact same strategy hes used before to lose your money.

Only a fool gets out the checkbook.

So Biden ought to give Moon lunch and have a polite meetingand thank him for his advice. But dont follow it.

Instead, do the only thing that has ever worked: Isolate the Kim regime, pressure (and punish if necessary) the nations, organizations, and people that support it, describe Kim as a brutal tyrant often and loudly, and be ready and able to destroy him if necessaryand leave no doubt you can and will do so.

Kim Jong-un is the one with the problems. Let him simmer. If he wants to talk, and is serious, then talk. But dont think money, presents, or favors will work. Or in other words, that Moon Jae-ins approach will work.

But there is also some good news for Team Biden: large majorities of South Koreans support the ROK-U.S. alliance. And large majorities dont care for the Chinese regime, nor do they want to be likeor be a part ofNorth Korea.

Moon Jae-in only reflects a slice of the South Korea body politic. It is possible that next years South Korean presidential election will bring to power South Koreans who have both South Koreas and Americas interests at heart.

Grant Newsham is a retired U.S. Marine officer and a former U.S. diplomat and business executive who lived and worked for many years in the Asia/Pacific region. He served as a reserve head of intelligence for Marine Forces Pacific, and was the U.S. Marine attache, U.S. Embassy Tokyo on two occasions. He is a senior fellow with the Center for Security Policy.

Views expressed in this article are the opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Epoch Times.
New York Governor Andrew Cuomo holds a protective mask as he speaks while making an announcement at a news conference from the stage at Radio City Music Hall in Manhattan in New York City, New York, on May 17, 2021. (Mike Segar/File Photo/Reuters)

New York Governor Cuomos COVID-19 Book Deal Was Worth Over $5 Million

New York Governor Andrew Cuomos contract with publishers for his book about dealing with the COVID-19 pandemic was worth over $5 million, according to tax documents released by his office to the media on Monday.

Cuomo was initially lauded for his handling of a crippling coronavirus outbreak in New York, but praise turned to blame when media reported allegations of misconduct, including the under-reporting of nursing home deaths.

He was also investigated for alleged sexual harassment. The governor has denied any wrongdoing and said he was sorry if his behavior had made people feel uncomfortable.

Cuomos book, American Crisis: Leadership Lessons from the COVID-19 Pandemic, was published in October 2020 by The Crown Publishing Group, a subsidiary of Penguin Random House.

According to the documents, the contract called for payment of $3.12 million to Cuomo last year, and an additional $2 million over the following two years.

A spokesman of the governor said that Cuomo donated $500,000 from his income to the United Way of New York State for its statewide COVID-19 relief and vaccination efforts, The New York Times reported.

The Wall Street Journal reported late in March that the New York state attorney generals office had subpoenaed dozens of officials in Cuomos administration as part of the probe into sexual harassment accusations.

By Kanishka Singh
File photo of a police tape in Amsterdam, Netherlands. (Germain Moyon/AFP via Getty Images)

One Suspect Dead After Dutch Robbery Ends in High-Speed Chase

AMSTERDAMDutch police said one suspect was killed and another wounded on Wednesday following a robbery and high-speed chase that ended when culprits abandoned their vehicles and fled on foot.

Six suspects escaped the scene in Amsterdam North by car after holding up an armoured transport vehicle, police said in a series of posts on social media. Shots were fired during the crime, police said.

Dutch news agency ANP said the suspects had fired automatic weapons at the police during the chase.

It was unclear whether the suspects were shot by police.

A video captured by a witness and circulated online showed five people running across a field on the outskirts of the capital with the sound of gunfire, apparently by police pursuing them.

Billowing smoke from getaway vehicles could be seen in the background.

Reuters could not verify the authenticity of the video.

The beginning of this incident was the armed robbery of an armored vehicle after which at least two vehicles fled the scene at high speed, police said.
Renderings of a new Central Park Splash Pad in Rancho Santa Margarita, Calif. (Courtesy of Brad McGirr)

Orange County City Looks to Beat Heat With New Splash Pad

With summer heatwaves on the horizon, officials in Rancho Santa Margarita, California, are breaking ground on a new public splash pad.

The Central Park Splash Pad has been in the works since 2017 after being unanimously approved by the city council, Councilman Brad McGirr told The Epoch Times.

After years of anticipation, city residents joined the city council May 17 in the groundbreaking of the project. They were joined by former Mayor Mike Vaughn, who brought the idea of a splash pad to fruition, McGirr said.

We wanted to provide a safe and secure environment for the kids that live in our community, Councilman Jerry Holloway told The Epoch Times.

McGirr added, Its not only great for the kids, but also obviously great for the parents who need a break and can sit there at the splash pad and watch their children.

Until recently, construction efforts have been slowed as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic and unforeseen weather conditions in Texas, where the parts are being manufactured.

The recreation area will contain many features, including a dumping bucket, sprayers and bubblers. The area surrounding the water play area is gated for security purposes, but will be open to the public, McGirr said.

Although an exact opening date hasnt yet been announced, the splash pad is expected to be ready in time for summer.
What the proposed border relocation would look like. (Move Oregon's Border for a Greater Idaho)

Oregon Counties Vote to Secede Into Idaho

In a long-shot bid, 5 counties approved measures telling officials to take steps to change the border

Several counties in Oregon on May 18 voted to consider joining the state of Idaho, which is part of a long-shot movement to break away from the state that has long been dominated by politicians in Portland.

Voters in Malheur, Sherman, Grant, Baker, and Lake counties approved various measures that require county officials to take steps to look into moving the Idaho border west to incorporate the counties.

The grassroots group Move Oregons Border for a Greater Idaho is aiming to have the eastern countieswhich are mostly ruraljoin Idaho because they believe they would be better off with Idahos more conservative political leadership.

This election proves that rural Oregon wants out of Oregon, lead petitioner Mike McCarter said in a statement to local media outlets on May 18. If Oregon really believes in liberal values such as self-determination, the Legislature wont hold our counties captive against our will. If were allowed to vote for which government officials we want, we should be allowed to vote for which government we want as well.

McCarter told the Oregonian last year that the bid to join Idaho is more of a lifestyle/values judgment that separates rural and urban residents.

Oregons Jefferson and Union counties already approved measures last year to promote a move to Idaho. Move Oregons Border for a Greater Idaho petitioners also want to absorb some counties in Northern California, which are also mostly rural.

Idaho Gov. Brad Little, a Republican, told Fox News last year that some Oregonians are looking at Idaho fondly because of our regulatory atmosphere and our values.

The bid, however, appears to be a long shot as it would require a formal vote in the Democratic-controlled Oregon legislature. If that goes through, Oregon and Idaho would have to come up with a deal, which would then have to be ratified by the U.S. Congress.

Throughout the history of the United States, changing state lines has been a rare occurrenceall taking place before the 20th century. In 1792, Kentucky was created from Virginias territory, Maine was created from Massachusetts in 1820, and West Virginia in 1863 was admitted into the United States when Union states and counties separated themselves from the Confederate ones during the Civil War.

Voters in Oregons Harney and Douglas counties will hold a vote on similar measures in upcoming elections.

McCarter told media outlets that Idaho state Reps. Barbara Ehardt and Judy Boyle, both Republicans, are planning to introduce a bill about a possible relocation of the IdahoOregon border in January 2022.
Pentagon press secretary John Kirby is seen during a briefing in Arlington, Va., on May 6, 2021. (Alex Wong/Getty Images)

Pentagon Pushes Back on Report of Anti-Extremism Social Media Tracking Program

The Department of Defense (DOD) on Tuesday denied a report that alleged Pentagon officials plan to launch a program to screen social media content for extremist material.

I think theres some misreporting on this. Actually I dont think theres been misreporting, I know theres been misreporting. Theres no pilot program run by Mr. Garrison or the extremist working group to examine social media, John Kirby, the Pentagons press secretary, told reporters in Virginia.

Theres no effort inside this extremist working group to somehow spy on every individual in the military or spend hours and hours just gleaning through social media activity, just for the sake of doing it. This isnt about some sort of surveillance program of our own people, he added later.

The Intercept, citing internal DOD documents, reported this week that Bishop Garrison, a top adviser to Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin, was designing a social media screening program, which would continuously monitor members of the military for concerning behaviors.

The House Armed Services Committee said it was aware that the Pentagon was exploring a means of implementing social media screening in conjunction with background investigations.

But Kirby said he did not know of any pilot program like the one described.

I would remind youand I think you know thisthat we already take a look at the social media footprint when we are considering recruits as they come in. Many of the services do thatin fact, I think all of them do that, which is just good common sense, he said.

And we do haveand there hasfor a long time, well predates the extremist working groupan insider threat program here at the Pentagon that were always looking to improve. And part of that insider threat program is to take a look at social media activity out there so that werethat we can be as informed as possible. But theres no pilot program, he added.

The insider threat program involves monitoring the social media of active members when there is concern about the potential of a threat coming from inside the military.

In a press release in April announcing actions to counter extremism in the DOD, and establishing the working group led by Garrison, the Pentagon said the group would discuss the Departments pursuit of scalable and cost-effective capabilities to screen publically available electronic information in accessions and continuous vetting for national security positions.

The group will make recommendations on further development of such capabilities and incorporating machine learning and natural language processing into social media screening platforms, it also said, adding that it will also ensure training addresses issues raised by commanders and supervisors on gray areas such as reading, following, and liking extremist material and content in social media forums and platforms.
Pittsburgh Mayor Concedes in Democratic Primary Race

The mayor of Pittsburgh late Tuesday conceded in a primary race to challenger Ed Gainey, a Democrat who currently holds a seat in the state House of Representatives.

Mayor Bill Peduto, a Democrat, said he called Gainey and congratulated him.

Wishing him well. Thank you Pittsburgh for the honor of being your Mayor these past 8 years. I will remain forever grateful, Peduto said in a tweet.

Gainey told an election night party that one person cant change a city.

A city is changed with all of us. A city is changed when we all come together to improve the quality of life for everybody. Thats why I ran for mayor, because I believe that we can have a city for all. And we will work hardnot just I as mayor but we as community, we as city, will work to build a better city called Pittsburgh for everybody, he added.

State Rep. Ed Gainey speaks during a protest in Pittsburgh, Pa., on June 26, 2018. (Justin Merriman/Getty Images)

As of Wednesday morning, the unofficial tally showed Gainer ahead with 25,860 votes, to Pedutos 22,002.

Tony Moreno, a retired police officer, had just over 7,300 votes.

There was no official Republican candidate. There has not been a Republican mayor of Pittsburgh since the 1930s.

Peduto had championed investments made in affordable housing as he was mayor. The Democrat also hired the highest numbers of police officers and firefighters in decades, according to his campaign website.

Gainey ran on a platform that included demilitarizing the police, reform officers use of force, and passing a law that would ban no-knock warrants and solitary confinement. He would be the citys first black mayor if elected in November in the general election.
Source: Xinhua| 2021-05-20 04:37:56|Editor: huaxia

Video Player Close

UNITED NATIONS, May 19 (Xinhua) -- The head of the UN Children's Fund (UNICEF) is calling for an immediate ceasefire and aid access to stave off disaster in the Middle East, UN News reported Wednesday.

"Gaza's 1 million children are reeling from the mounting consequences of violent conflict with nowhere safe to turn. Lives have been lost and families shattered," said UNICEF Executive Director Henrietta Fore.

Fore's comments late on Tuesday came as the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) also reported that only five trucks in a 24-vehicle humanitarian convoy had been able to enter southern Gaza through the Kerem Shalom crossing, which Israeli authorities closed only hours after reopening it, blaming militants who they said had launched mortars at it.

According to the UNICEF chief, nearly 30,000 children have been displaced in the occupied Palestinian territory enclave since May 10.

This underscores the need for "an immediate cessation of hostilities on humanitarian grounds to allow the entry of staff and essential supplies, including fuel, medical items, first-aid kits and COVID-19 vaccines."

Fore also appealed for the establishment of humanitarian corridors "so that we can deliver these supplies safely, so that families can reunite and access essential services, and so that the sick or wounded can be evacuated."

An estimated 250,000 children need mental health and protection services, she continued, while at least four health facilities and 40 schools have been damaged in Gaza since weeks of tensions escalated into Palestinian rocket fire into Israel and Israeli airstrikes.

Electricity provision across Gaza "has dropped by roughly 60 percent, leaving hospitals increasingly dependent on generators" to provide essential healthcare services.

"These generators require significant amounts of fuel to function," Fore said, adding that any reduction in health care capacity could also jeopardize treatment for those with COVID-19."

Some 48 schools - most of them run by UNRWA, the UN relief agency for Palestine refugees, are being used as emergency shelters for families seeking refuge from the violence, the UNICEF top official noted.

"Each and every day the conflict continues, children across the State of Palestine and Israel will suffer," she said.

"These children need a ceasefire now, as well as a long-term political solution to the broader conflict. They deserve far better than this horrible cycle of violence and fear that has gone on for far too long."

UNRWA launched a flash appeal on Wednesday for 38 million U.S. dollars to cover the most urgent needs of Gazans and those living on the West Bank, as the violence continues.

The appeal calls for prioritizing immediate needs for food, health and psychosocial support, following the continuing bombardment of Gaza by Israeli. UNRWA said it would assess subsequent needs once the security situation allows, according to the UN News. Enditem
PM: A Coalition Government Will Always Stand up for Australia

Prime Minister Scott Morrison has said that Australians can always rely on a coalition government to stand up for Australia after Labor Opposition Foreign Affairs spokesperson Penny Wong told ABC she worried he does not fully comprehend Australias interests in relation to China, nor seek to.

Australians can always rely on the Liberals and the Nationals, the coalition government, to do whats right in Australias national security interests, Morrison told reporters on Wednesday.

He denied Wongs accusation that his government politicises Australia-China relations for domestic benefit.

Its always about the domestic political advantageeither in the internal fights within the Liberal Party in pandering to the far right, or in seeking to pursue some partisan advantage over the Labor Party, Wong said on Wednesday.

Australian Sen. Penny Wong in the Senate at Parliament House in Canberra, Australia, on Dec. 2, 2019. (Tracey Nearmy/Getty Images)

This comes as Beijings foreign ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian called for the Australian government to heed what he dubbed visionary and rational voices, such as Australian Industry Group boss Innes Willox, who called to calm tensions with China.

Willox told Australian foreign ministry officials last week that business was alarmed by talk of a conflict and warned there would be a day of reckoning between national security and economic relationships, The Australian reported.

The business leader and former diplomat said things could get far worse for Australia on the security front if negotiation, common sense and diplomacy failed.

Meanwhile, on the business front, where ties to China are vast, he said there would be no talk of drums of war, a reference to a warning by Home Affairs Secretary Michael Pezzullo.

The Chinese foreign ministry spokesman welcomed Willoxs comments, saying they were among other valuable suggestions from those calling for the Australian government to reflect on its China policy.

Zhao then called on Canberra to take Chinas concerns seriously and set aside any cold war mentality.

He also described the Australian governments stance on issues such as those involving Hong Kong, Xinjiang, and Taiwan as provocative and confrontational moves against Chinas core issues.

But while a number of analysts and commentators were focussing their attention on the Australian side of the China relationship, one expert noted that shouldnt be taken as a sign of alignment with the foreign regime.

Beijing would be wrong to read this as these voices being in agreement with China, James Laurenceson, director of the University of Sydneys Australia-China Relations Institute, told The Epoch Times.

He said there was broad consensus that the China challenge required a serious response from Canberra.
Popcorn and Inspiration: A Brilliant Young Mind

PG-13 | 1h 51min | Drama, Romance | 11 September 2015 (USA)

Its not uncommon to see many outstanding books adapted into movies. However, the same cant be said for documentaries being turned into narrative cinema, let alone by the same director. But British director Morgan Matthews has done just that. Teaming up with screenwriter James Graham, he has turned his 2011 documentary X+Y (titled Brilliant Young Minds in the United States) into the fascinating 2014 narrative film A Brilliant Young Mind.

The film follows the trials and tribulations of Nathan (Edward Baker-Close as a child and later Asa Butterfield), an autistic child who is unusually gifted in mathematics. Unfortunately, he struggles when it comes to communicating with others. Of his parents, Julie and Michael (Sally Hawkins and Martin McCann), only his father seems to be able to break through Nathans shell by using his goofy sense of humor.

Michael and Nathan are out driving one day when they get into an auto accident. While Nathan survives, his father doesnt. This tragic event causes Nathan to withdraw further into himself, much to Julies dismay and distress.

As math seems to be the only thing that Nathan can relate to, his mother brings some of the boys complex math equations that hes jotted down to his school. He is immediately acknowledged as unusually gifted and referred to a math teacher named Martin Humphreys (Rafe Spall), who has multiple sclerosis.

A brilliant boy (Edward Baker-Close) and his mentor (Rafe Spall), in A Brilliant Young Mind. (Samuel Goldwyn Pictures)

At first, it seems that Martins sarcastic and snide sense of humor might not jibe with Nathan, but soon we see that the formers acidic wit couples well with Nathans much more reserved nature. Its the way that the teacher breaks through to the boy.

A former math prodigy himself, Martin teaches Nathan for years, and they form a bond, despite Nathans now teenage social awkwardness.

Whereas Martins physical handicap has sidelined his own dreams, he fully believes that Nathan has a shot at making the British team for the International Mathematics Olympiad competition. Although Julie sees the competition as a ray of hope in her sons life, shes also fearful of his failing at the only thing he has glommed on to. But when Nathan qualifies for the team, she is overcome with joy, as is Martin.

The next step in Nathans quest has him journeying to a math camp in Taiwan, which takes him away from the familiar patterns and living accommodations that have been built to make his life more manageable. Once in the company of other mathematically gifted teens, Nathan realizes that they are also perceived by others as geeks and nerds and finds solace in knowing that hes not alone.

He soon meets Zhang Mei (Jo Yang), a gifted math prodigy in her own right, and he is paired with her in a cultural exchange program. She will visit his home in England after the math camp concludes.

Jo Yang and Asa Butterfield as geeky teens in A Brilliant Young Mind. (Samuel Goldwyn Pictures)

The two seem to have a budding teenage attraction, but Nathans autism prevents much from moving forward in a romantic sense. Theres also the fact that shes a member of the rival Chinese math team, and her family would look down on her if they knew she was romantically linked to a rival.

Matthews and Graham paint the character of Nathan with gentle strokes of compassion. Indeed, it always seems like hes just about to make some sort of emotional or social breakthrough, and these incipient moments really get us rooting for him as the film progresses.

This film is not the typical underdog story. Although it does contain aspects of overcoming the odds, it is more focused on how some things are more important than scholastic achievements. It shows how both compassionate persistence and patience can sometimes win the day.

A Brilliant Young Mind is an uplifting film, bolstered by strong performances by Butterfield, Hawkins, and McCann, and shows that the world isnt as scary a place as we might think, once people reach out and treat each other with kindness. And Id say that message is very timely.

A Brilliant Young Mind

Director: Morgan Matthews

Starring: Asa Butterfield, Rafe Spall, Sally Hawkins

Rated: PG-13

Running time: 1 hour, 51 minutes

Release Date: Sept. 11, 2015 (USA)

Rated: 4 stars out of 5



Ian Kane is a filmmaker and author based out of Los Angeles. To learn more, visit DreamFlightEnt.com or contact him at Twitter.com/ImIanKane.
QLD Continues Stoush With Federal Govt Over Regional Quarantine in Toowoomba

Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk has accused the Prime Minister of cherry-picking after the federal government did not approve a regional quarantine proposal located in Toowoomba, the states largest inland city.

The debate over the quarantine proposal has been an ongoing issue for Palaszczuk. However, there has been little movement from the federal government.

We will continue to put our case to the federal government, but its a bit rich cherry-picking which ones the federal government likes and which ones they dont like, Palaszczuk said on Wednesday.

(Prime Minister Scott Morrison) doesnt need any more detail  the threshold question here is are they going to allow flights to land into the airport, yes or no?

The Wagner Corporation has said it has offered the federal government all the information needed to build a quarantine facility that can host 1000 tourists and 300 staff. Still, the Morrison government has said the plan lacks detail.

They wont tell us how much it costs, Prime Minister Morrison told ABC radio on Tuesday.

How its going to operate? Who is going to operate it? Wheres the workforce going to come from? Whos running the infection control procedures, or where is the security workforce coming from? All of this needs to be established.

But the Victorian government, like the New South Wales government, is working with us, he said, referring to a Victorian proposal to build a quarantine facility about 40km north of Melbourne and the NSWs plan to bring international students back to universities.

Theyre not doing it as some sort of political show  theyre just working with us, and I would encourage the Queensland government to do the same thing.

Morrison noted the federal government was also concerned about the inclusion of the states plan to land international passenger planes at Wellcamp Airport and the response this development will bring from the Toowoomba local community.

The planes dont fly there; they fly to Brisbane, he told the show.

This is why the Victorian proposal is a far superior one; its actually in Melbourne, close proximity to the hospital. It enables you to attract workforce to that proposal.

People in Toowoomba dont want it either; the community has not been on board with this proposal, he said, referring to Clive Berghofer, a businessman and former politician who openly opposed the Wagner familys plan.
L-R foreground: Secretary of the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet, Phil Gaetjens, Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison and Chief Medical Officer Professor Brendan Murphy, speak with NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian (on screen) during a National Cabinet meeting to discuss COVID-19, from the telepresence room of Parliament House on 22 March, 2020 in Canberra, Australia. (Alex Ellinghausen - Pool/Getty Images)

Rex Patrick and PM Fight Over Secrecy Around COVID-19 Medical Advice

Independent Senator Rex Patrick has challenged the Morrison government in the Administrative Appeals Tribunal over its alleged secrecy around national cabinet decisions on the COVID-19 response.

Patrick believes that the National Cabinet is not properly constituted and that the Prime Minister is unilaterally and unlawfully wrapping a secrecy blanket around the governments COVID-19 response.

Currently, the National Cabinet has an exemption from the Freedom of Information (FOI) Laws as a cabinet has the entitlement for a class exemption. This means that all medical advice to the national cabinet, the emergency Australian Health Protection Principal Committee of top health officers and the National COVID-19 Coordination Commission is shrouded in secrecy.

Speaking to ABC radio on Wednesday, Patrick said that he thought the Morrison governments decision to call the weekly meeting a cabinet was counterproductive. It functions more like a councilwhich can release its documents to the public depending on the content.

I actually say its counterproductive to keep information secret from the public, Patrick said. I want to see how they came to the strategy they did of purchasing particular vaccines, how they decided what the rollout was. What was the rationale behind the lockdowns?

The more you inform the public, the more confidence they have, he said.

Rex Patrick speaks in the Senate at Parliament House in Canberra, Australia, on July 4, 2019. (Tracey Nearmy/Getty Images)

Patrick added that information on topics such as commercial arrangements or the capability of the Australian Defence Force should of course be protected.

The prime ministers lawyers are resisting Patricks demand for Australians to see the medical advice driving decisions on borders, lockdowns, vaccinations, school closures, the aged care death toll and failures in disability.

Andrew Berger QC argued at the Tribunal on Wednesday it was irrelevant that thered never been a national cabinet before Scott Morrison set it up last year.

The national cabinet is a committee of the cabinet because it operates like one, he said.

Placing those discussions as confidential under cabinet practices also allowed candid discussions in these exceptional times, he said.

Justice Richard White, who is overseeing the case, has reserved his decision after the all-day hearing.

AAP contributed to this article.
Singapore Airlines planes sit on the tarmac at Changi Airport in Singapore, on Dec. 8, 2020. (Edgar Su/Reuters)

Singapore Airlines Posts Record $3.2 Billion Annual Loss, to Issue Convertible Bonds

Singapore Airlines Ltd on Wednesday posted its second-consecutive annual loss, which widened to a record S$4.27 billion ($3.20 billion), and said it would issue S$6.2 billion ($4.66 billion) of convertible bonds to help weather the coronavirus crisis.

The loss for the 12 months ended March 31 was worse than the average S$3.27 billion ($2.46 billion) forecast by eight analysts, according to Refinitiv, and included S$2 billion ($1.5 billion) of impairments largely on the 45 older planes surplus to requirements.

It was also far bigger than the S$212 million ($159 million) annual loss in the prior financial year, its first-ever dip into the red, when only one quarter was affected by the pandemic.

Annual revenue fell 76.1 percent to S$3.82 billion ($2.87 billion) in the financial year ended March 31, with strong cargo revenues not enough to offset an almost 98 percent fall in passenger numbers.

The airline said it expected passenger capacity to rise to 28 percent of pre-pandemic levels by June, but much of that is due to strong freight demand sustaining the number of flights. It filled just 13.4 percent of passenger seats in the financial year ended March 31.

The airline, which has no domestic market, has been one of the worlds hardest-hit in terms of passenger traffic alongside its Hong Kong-based rival Cathay Pacific Airways Ltd.

A proposed travel bubble between Singapore and Hong Kong that had been due to start on May 26 was postponed for the second time on Monday after a recent rise in COVID-19 case numbers in Singapore.

This crisis is not over, Singapore Airlines Chairman Peter Seah said in a statement. While the growing pace of vaccinations has given us hope, new waves of infections around the world mean that restrictions on international travel largely remain in place.

Like other carriers globally, Singapore Airlines has cut jobs, deferred aircraft deliveries, and raised equity and debt financing to help get it through the pandemic.

The airline said it would issue S$6.2 billion ($4.66 billion) of mandatory convertible bonds that were an optional part of a S$15 billion ($11 billion) rescue package led by its majority shareholder, state investor Temasek Holdings last year.

By Jamie Freed
A screenshot showing a "Beach Closed" sign and a taped off entrance to Tuncurry beach in New South Wales, Australia, on May 18, 2021. (Australian ABC via Reuters/Screenshot via NTD)

Surfer Killed in Shark Attack on Australias East Coast

SYDNEYA man has been killed in a suspected shark attack on Tuesday off a popular beach on the mid-north coast of Australias New South Wales (NSW) state, rescuers and police said.

Emergency services were called to Tuncurry beach, more than 300 kms (186 miles) north of Sydney, after reports of the shark attack, NSW police said in a statement.

The man, believed to be in his 50s, suffered critical injuries to his upper right thigh after being attacked while surfing.

Despite the best efforts of paramedics and bystanders at the scene, the man could not be resuscitated, NSW Ambulance said in a tweet.

The incident would be Australias first fatal shark attack of the year, according to the Taronga Conservation Society, which collects shark attack data. Eight people were killed last year.

Tuncurry beach, also called the Nine Mile beach, and neighboring Forster Main Beach have been closed.
The Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co Ltd (TSMC) headquarters building is seen in Hsinchu, northern Taiwan, on Nov. 19, 2015. (Pichi Chuang/Reuters)

Taiwan Sees Limited COVID-19 Impact on Economy, Chip Sector

TAIPEITaiwan sees a limited impact on its economy and its key semiconductor industry from its COVID-19 outbreak and is well prepared to ensure chip fabs can operate as normal, officials said on Tuesday.

Tech-heavyweight Taiwan is experiencing an unusual spike in domestic cases after months of keeping the pandemic well under control, and has closed schools across the island and tightened curbs in the capital, Taipei.

National Development Council Minister Kung Ming-hsin told reporters that as long as the outbreak can be brought under control by the end of June then there would only be a 0.16 percentage point hit to gross domestic product.

However, that would rise to 0.53 percentage points if it took to the third quarter to control the outbreak, he said.

Taiwans economy grew at its fastest pace in more than a decade in the first three months of 2021 as the work from home boom sparked strong global demand for the islands hi-tech exports.

The government has repeatedly said Taiwans economic fundamentals remain strong.

Science and Technology Ministry official Andrea Hsu told the same news conference that tech companies had had a year to prepare continuity plans in case of a rise in COVID-19 cases, including splitting production teams.

No contact is being permitted between Taiwans main science parks where many of the chip fabs are located, she said.

Economy ministry official Yang Chih-ching praised Taiwans firms, including semiconductor companies, for their anti-pandemic steps.

Theyve been very proactive, he said.

Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co Ltd (TSMC), the worlds largest contract chip maker, said on Monday that from Wednesday it would start operating in separate teams to minimize the risk of COVID-19 infections.

As a major producer of semiconductors, Taiwan is central to global efforts to resolve a chip shortage that has shuttered some car plants around the world and is now starting to affect consumer electronics.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping hold a meeting on the sidelines of the G20 summit in Osaka, on June 28, 2019. (Mikhail Klimentyev/SPUTNIK/AFP via Getty Images)

Tensions Continue a Year After IndiaChina Conflict Reignited

NEW DELHIOne year following the escalation of tensions at the SinoIndia border, the conflict appears to have calmed, though distrust between the two nations continues. Stand-offs persist in at least four locations within the eastern sector of the Line of Actual Control (LAC), which separates disputed territory between the two countries, according to Indian media.

The current wave of tensions began in late April 2020, with military forces from both countries engaging in skirmishes and aggressive patrolling at multiple locations along the 2,100-mile-long disputed border.

The situation escalated into a bloody conflict on June 15, 2020, in the Galwan River valley, where India was building footbridgesan infrastructure development that the Chinese regime didnt want at the location.

While disengagement in the region began earlier this year, following multiple rounds of high-level military talks between the two countries regarding the Galwan valley and the southern and northern banks of Pangong Tso Lake. However, tensions continue in Depsang Plains, Hot Springs, Gogra, and Demchok.

Pangong Tso Lake is a trans-Himalayan brackish lake, two-thirds of which is under Chinas control with the rest controlled by India, while Depsang Plains, Hot Springs, Gogra, and Demchok are other strategic positions along the Indian territory of Ladakhs long border with China.

In an exclusive report including evidence from satellite imagery, leading media outlet India Today reported on May 14 that the Chinese Peoples Liberation Army (PLA) has maintained a presence at contested locations in Ladakh and has made minor adjustments to its positions at Hot Springs and Gogra, a key point north of Pangong Tso Lake.

Lt. Gen Kamal Davar, Indias first Defence Intelligence Agency chief and a former commanding general officer for the Ladakh sector, said the Gogra post links to a few passes like the Marsimik La, the highest motorable pass in the world, and the ridgeline north of the lakethus its tactical importance.

Some of the Chinese forward positions at Gogra saw a heavy military build-up in July last year, before military talks led to a partial disengagement.

India Today reported, based on satellite imagery, that the Chinese PLA continued to upgrade its infrastructure at Depsang Plains, a high-altitude plains split between Indian and Chinese control. The plains are located only 50 miles from a disputed border between India and Pakistan, which is an ally of China and the recipient of development funding for the ChinaPakistan Economic Corridor Project (CPEC) under the Chinese regimes Belt and Road Initiative.

The dotted line shows the de facto border between India and China. Beyond the dotted line, to the right of Depsang Plains, is under Chinese control, and to its left is the Line of Control or disputed border between India and Pakistan. (Google Maps screenshot)

These are ominous tidings revealing distinctly Chinese intentions. Clearly the Chinese are in for a long haul and display no intention of going back to their pre-April 2020 deployment, Davar told The Epoch Times in an email. This is typical of the Chinese salami-slicing tactics.

Satoru Nagao, a non-resident fellow at the Washington-based Hudson Institute, said that while the situation still isnt clear, there are similarities between these recent actions by the Chinese and how theyve behaved along the disputed border in the past.

This is one kind of pattern every year. In 2020, nearly 663 Chinese incursions in the Indian territory [were] recorded. So this means  except for the winter season, nearly two times per day, nearly three times per day, Nagao, an expert on U.S., Japanese, and Indian security based in Tokyo, told The Epoch Times.

Nagao said India should be careful because the much-publicized Chinese withdrawal from the Pangong Tso Lake early this year was a tactical, short-term move rather than a strategic, long-term one. The withdrawal was big because it involved removing 200 main battle tanks from a high altitude in two days time.

This is not easy work. So withdrawal from Pangong Tso is a very big move, but at the same time, its tactical and not strategic. China still has the intention to expand their territory in the India-China border to secure their resource-rich region, the Tibetan plateau, Nagao said.

Tourists take selfies as cows gaze in front of Pangong Lake in the Leh district of the Union Territory of Ladakh bordering India and China on Sept. 14, 2018. (Prakash Singh/AFP via Getty Images)

2021 Geopolitical Context

Michael Johns, a leading Washington-based conservative policy expert and strategist, told The Epoch Times in an email that Chinas military aggression with India reflects several alarming facts.

First, the CCP sees Biden as weak and unwilling to muster the will and force necessary to counter their growing militarism in the region, including against India. Second, even if the PLA fails to hold the hundreds of square miles it seized in Ladakh, the cost to India of holding the PLA at bay will consume Indian defense resources and funds that otherwise would have gone to necessary military enhancements, upgrades, and maintenance, said Johns, whos also the co-founder of the U.S. Tea Party movement.

He said this will weaken Indias defense capabilities regardless of the outcome in Ladakh. Chinas activities there cant be seen as a standalone Chinese agenda, but should be viewed in the context of larger Chinese activities globally.

Third, coming along with Chinas lies and deception on the Wuhan origins of the pandemic, their violation of the 1985 treaty with the UK on Hong Kong, genocidal treatment of the Uyghurs that is the greatest human rights crisis since the Holocaust, and then Tiger Yangs provocative and disrespectful comments in Anchorage, it reflects a CCP conclusion that they do not care too much what the world thinks of their behavior, Johns said.

S. Chandrashekhar, a visiting professor at Indias National Institute of Advanced Studies with research interests in national security issues, told The Epoch Times in an email that China is a long-term threat to Indias existence as a nation.

We need a clear well thought out integrated strategy to counter it. This is our great challenge on the international front, said Chandrashekhar, who was formerly a scientist at the Indian Space Research Organization.

Given this larger picture, China will use the border issue as a continuing irritant and gradually erode the LAC to make inroads into Indian territory. [It will] use Pakistan as a surrogate to keep India in check. Try to get more and more economic leverage and gain direct and indirect control over Indias internal politics and markets. Counter and eventually dominate the Indian Ocean. This is the key.

India needs recognition of the Chinese threat and should define a clear strategy to deal with it, he said.

Continued economic growth, reducing dependence on China, being strong internally and a more equitable development model are major challenges. These are no doubt difficult but not beyond Indias capabilities if we have wise leaders, he said.

An Indian army convoy carrying reinforcements and supplies drives towards Leh, on a highway bordering China, on Sept. 2, 2020, in Gagangir, India. India and China, have stumbled once again into a bloody clash over their shared border. India rushed additional troops to Ladakh after claiming to have foiled what it called Chinas provocative maneuvers to change the status of Line of Actual Control, the de-facto border between the two countries, in the Himalayan region. (Yawar Nazir/Getty Images)

Coinciding With 2nd COVID-19 Wave

The Chinese regimes reinforcement of troops at these contested points in the trans-Himalayan border region coincides with a surge of the deadly second wave of the CCP virus pandemic in India.

Davar said the Chinese regime believes that India can be more easily pressured while its facing the deadly pandemic, and there are reasons behind their effort to apply that pressure.

The regime wants to send a message across to the new administration in America: India and you can keep talking about the Indo Pacific and the international rules-based orderwe follow our own rules, he said.

I think they have a large design in mind, as they are always trying their way through, as theyve done on earlier occasions. And that is why India has to be very, very careful.

Davar said the Chinese regime always plays a double game, having both a stated and unstated strategy. He pointed out that on one hand, Chinese leader Xi Jinping offered COVID-19 aid to India, while on the other hand, the PLA continues to build up at the border.

Chandrashekhar said that the regime is looking to capitalize on Indias vulnerability at this time, by [pushing] forward and [occupying] territory incrementally.

The recent developments on the LAC fall into this categorytesting Indian resolvealso [while there are] other crises to manage like COVID, he said.

Johns pointed out that on one hand, the Chinese regime purports to be a constructive force in managing the pandemic globally, while on the other hand, it has predictably done just the opposite, using Indias focus on it as an opportunity to expand and solidify their military presence in and around Ladakh.
Texas Governor Signs Bill Banning Abortions After Fetal Heartbeat Detection

Texas Gov. Greg Abbott on May 19 signed a bill that bans abortions after a fetal heartbeat is detected.

Our creators endowed us with the right to life. And yet, millions of children lose their right to life every year because of abortion, Abbott, a Republican, said at the bill-signing ceremony in Austin. The bill ensures that the life of every unborn child who has a heartbeat will be saved from the ravages of abortion.

The legislation, Texas Senate Bill 8, centers on the idea that the state never repealed laws enacted before the 1973 Supreme Court decision in favor of the plaintiffs in Roe v. Wadewhich in essence ruled abortion to be a constitutional right.

Texas laws bar and criminalize abortion unless the mothers life is in danger.

The new bill states that a doctor may not perform or induce an abortion unless he or she has determined whether the unborn child has a detectable fetal heartbeat. If a heartbeat is detected, an abortion can only be performed if a medical emergency exists.

The legislation bans state officials from enforcing the provisions. Instead, private citizensexcept for an individual who impregnated a woman through rape or incestmay file lawsuits against doctors, clinics, and anyone involved in an abortion that violates the law.

The bill goes into effect on Sept. 1.

On May 13, Abbott indicated his intention to sign the bill after the upper chamber passed it by an 1812 margin and the lower chamber approved it 8364.

Several Democrats voted for the legislation, though most opposed it.

Say it with me: Abortion is healthcare. Im proud to have voted against #SB8 while it was in the House, state Rep. Jessica Gonzalez, a Democrat, wrote in a tweet on Wednesday.

A number of groups also criticized the bill.

If this law stands, it would outright ban abortion in the state at six weeks gestationbefore many Texans even know they are pregnant, the American Civil Liberties Union of Texas said in a statement. If this law stands, it would allow ANYONE to sue abortion providers and folks who help a person obtain an abortion.

According to the American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, fetal heartbeat detection occurs as early as six weeks gestation, measured from a womans last menstrual period.

Planned Parenthood Texas Votes called the legislation one of the most extreme abortion bans in the country.

Others cheered the bill, including Chelsey Youman, legislative director of the Human Coalition Action Texas.

What an honor to witness Governor Abbott sign this historic heartbeat bill. The legislature and governor prioritized this historic legislation, and with his signature, approximately 50,000 precious human lives will be saved in Texas next year alone! Youman said after attending the bill-signing ceremony.

That sentiment was echoed by one of the bills main supporters within the Texas state legislature.

The Texas Heartbeat Act is the most powerful pro-life legislation in Texas history and will stand as a model for the country, said state Sen. Bryan Hughes, a Republican who helped craft the bill.

Meiling Lee contributed to this report.
The Attack on Religious Liberty Is an Attack on All Our Freedoms

Commentary

More than 200 years ago, the Founding Fathers changed the world by embedding the fundamental human right to religious freedom in the U.S. Constitution. That right now hangs by a thread. More precisely, the First Amendments free exercise of religion clausethat is, the freedom to not just believe but act consistent with ones faith in the public squareis in dire peril of collapse.

Several cultural and political trends have sparked the current crisis. These include:

We Are a Secularizing Culture: Many non-believers dont value religious freedom because they dont think they have a personal stake in the liberty interest. When the country was highly religious, that wasnt an issue. But today, faith in the United States is imploding. For example, according to the Gallup Poll, in 2000, about 70 percent of people were members of a church, synagogue, or mosque. That number has plunged to about 47 percent.

The First Amendment Isnt What It Used to Be: The free exercise clause was rendered substantially unenforceable in 1990 by the Supreme Courts ruling in Employment Division v. Smith. The case involved two Native Americans denied unemployment benefits after being fired for ingesting peyote during a religious ceremony. The men sued, claiming they were unconstitutionally punished for participating in a sincerely held Native American religious ceremony. But a 63 court ruled that because the Oregon law in question was one of general applicabilitymeaning it applied to everyone and didnt explicitly target the mens faithit didnt violate their free exercise rights.

The Smith case opened the door to oppressing faithful people by simply passing laws of general applicability known to be offensive to people of certain religions. For example, in 2007, Washington promulgated a regulation requiring pharmacies to dispense all legally prescribed medicationsan action a federal judge found was aimed specifically at preventing a Christian-owned pharmacy from refusing to distribute the morning-after pill because the owners believed it acted as an abortifacient. Despite thisand precisely because the regulation was written generallythe pharmacy owners lost their First Amendment case.

Bipartisan Support for Religious Liberty Has Collapsed: The Smith case sparked a public outcry leading to the creation of a potent leftright political coalition that overwhelmingly passed the Religious Freedom Restoration Act of 1993 (RFRA) through Congress. The RFRA statutorily restored the pre-Smith legal approach to free exercise cases: The government is prohibited from substantially burdening a persons exercise of religion unless it can demonstrate that the law is in furtherance of a compelling governmental interest. Even then, the government must demonstrate that it is fulfilling the vital societal purpose in the least restrictive manner practicable.

The RFRA was supposed to solve the Smith problem. But a subsequent Supreme Court case partially overturned the law, allowing it to remain in effect at the federal level but invalidating it as applied to the states.

The leftright coalition that had passed the RFRA regathered to craft a curative that would legally reinstate the RFRAs approach at the state level. The resulting Religious Liberty Protection Act of 1999 (RLPA) passed the House of Representatives easily. But then, the bottom fell out.

What had changed? The ascendency of the gay rights movement. Its leaders believed that religious freedom would become the pretext for discrimination. The left bolted the alliance and the RLPA died in the Senatein large part due to the efforts of Senator and future President Joe Biden.

Now, the Left Wants to Destroy the RFRA: Where left once agreed that the RFRA was essential to furthering social comity, it now views the law as an excuse for bigotry in need of immediate remediation. So, apparently, does Biden, who enthusiastically supports Democratic-sponsored bills that would eliminate the RFRAthat he voted foras an effective protection of religious liberty.

The Equality Act would add sexual orientation, sexual identity, and pregnancy to the classes protected under the Civil Rights Act of 1964. It would also explicitly gut the RFRA by banning its use as a defense to a claim of discrimination or provide a basis for challenging the application or enforcement of the law.

Among other consequences, passage of the Equality Act could result in Catholic hospitals being forced to permit sterilization, contraception, abortion, and transgender hysterectomies on premisesdespite these being prohibited by Catholic moral teaching. The Equality Act has passed the House of Representatives and is awaiting action in the Senate.

The Do No Harm Act would gut the RFRA in most circumstances in which it would apply. The bill specifically states that the RFRA shouldnt authorize an exemption from generally applicable law if the exemption would impose the religious views, habits, or practices of one party upon another. That would pretty much apply across the board. The practical impact would be to eviscerate medical conscience rights and moot previously decided RFRA religious liberty cases such as Hobby Lobby.

And with that, freedom of religion would shrivel to a mere freedom of worship, that is, we would have the right to believe whatever we want inside the walls of a house of worship or our homes. But we wouldnt necessarily be free to act consistently with those beliefs in the way we live our public lives. What a hollow freedom that would be.

And heres the thing: If the United States first liberty can be so casually thrown away, so too could any other American freedom. Religious or secular, liberal or conservative, gay, straight, or transgendered, that means we all have an essential stake in preserving freedom of religion, even when its inconvenient or cuts against the cultural grain.

Because once one fundamental freedom is disappeared, others will surely follow.

Award-winning author Wesley J. Smith is chairman of the Discovery Institutes Center on Human Exceptionalism.

Views expressed in this article are the opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Epoch Times.
Source: Xinhua| 2021-05-20 04:40:20|Editor: huaxia

Video Player Close

A Nord Stream pipeline operator stands on a platform before the opening ceremony of the North Stream 2 gas link in Portovaya bay, Russia, on Oct. 8, 2012. (Xinhua)

German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas confirmed and welcomed the U.S. move, calling it "a constructive step."

WASHINGTON, May 19 (Xinhua) -- The Biden administration plans to waive sanctions against a company and its head overseeing the construction of the Nord Stream 2 pipeline from Russia to Germany, U.S. media reported on Wednesday.

The State Department will report to Congress on Wednesday that "Nord Stream 2 AG and its chief executive Matthias Warnig are engaged in sanctionable activity under U.S. law but that the Biden administration decided to waive the sanctions for national security reasons," Bloomberg said in a piece.

Axios first reported the Biden administration's plan to waive the sanctions on Tuesday.

According to media reports, German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas on Wednesday confirmed and welcomed the U.S. move, calling it "a constructive step."

White House Principal Deputy Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre told reporters the same day that the Biden administration remained opposed to the pipeline project and declined to comment on reports regarding the decision to waive sanctions.

"The Biden administration has been clear that Nord Stream 2 pipeline is a bad deal; it's a Russian geopolitical project that threatens European energy security, and that of the Ukraine and Eastern Flank NATO allies and partners," she said.

File picture taken on Oct. 8, 2012 shows Nord Stream pipeline before the opening ceremony of the North Stream 2 gas link in Portovaya bay, Russia. (Xinhua)

The move came as U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken will meet with his Russian counterpart Sergey Lavrov on the sidelines of the Arctic Council in Iceland later Wednesday, the first high-level in-person talks between Washington and Moscow since President Joe Biden took office.

The 1,230-km Nord Stream 2 pipeline is designed to pump natural gas from Russia to Germany through the Baltic Sea and could deliver 55 billion cubic meters of gas annually. Both Germany and Russia point out that the project is purely an economic one.

The pipeline is currently around 95 percent complete, and Germany has been steadfast on the completion of the project despite opposition from the United States. 
Treasurer Josh Frydenberg delivers the budget in the House of Representatives on May 11, 2021 in Canberra, Australia. (Sam Mooy/Getty Images)

The Government Backs Chinese Students Return: Australian Treasurer

The Australian Treasurer Josh Frydenberg has said the federal government supports bringing international students back to Australian universities.

At a post-Budget business breakfast in South Australia on Monday, Frydenberg hinted that the Federal Government would give the green light to the states plan to bring international students back into the country if approved by the chief public health officer.

When it comes to international students, we will look favourably upon state proposals, including from South Australia, where they have the support of their Chief Medical Officer, have their support of their universities, to bring in cohorts of international students over and above their existing cap, Frydenberg said.

In the Budget, there was an assumption that the borders would gradually re-open from the middle of next year. But I want to point out that thats not a policy decision; its an assumption.

When it comes to international borders, we will continue to take the medical advice, he said.

The Treasurer said the Prime Ministers decision to close international borders last year to China, and later the world turned out to be the right decision.

A general view of the Flinders University Sturt campus was identified as a COVID-19 hotspot on November 30, 2020, in Adelaide, Australia. (Kelly Barnes/Getty Images)

Now some people say that Australia got lucky because we are an island, so we didnt have the virus like other countries.

It wasnt luck that saw Australia successfully suppress the virus. Australians make their own luck. It was an early and substantial and important decision to close our borders, Frydenberg said, citing that the United Kingdom, which is also an island, has been suffering from the virus because it didnt close the borders like Australia.

When asked by Noel Lindsay, the Pro-Vice-Chancellor Professor at the University of Adelaide, about whether Chinese students will be able to return, Frydenberg said, I hope we will be able to get Chinese international students to Australia and certainly our intention is to support the international student sector by enabling these cohorts to arrive.

While admitting that the Australia-China relationship had been challenging after a series of diplomatic and trade conflicts, the Treasurer said China remained Australias biggest two-way trade relationship.

From Australias perspective, well continue to be clear and consistent with respect to our national interest, whether thats in relation to issues on investment, human rights, international security.

I feel like it is an important time for Australia, and we have to be wary of the changes in the global strategic environment, and we need to be clear and consistent on those issues, which is what were seeking to do, he said.
Top Republican Senators Blame Middle East Fighting on Biden

Top GOP senators on Wednesday laid blame for the fighting in the Middle East at the feet of President Joe Biden, pointing to his administrations dismissal of the peace accords struck between Israel and several countries under the former president and Bidens intention to re-enter the Iran nuclear deal.

Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) recalled being present when the Abraham Accords were signed at the White House. The agreements were hammered out between the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain and Israel, with help from then-President Donald Trump.

I spoke with the ambassadors and foreign ministers from the UAE and from Bahrain. Both said virtually the identical thing; both said it is now clear to us that America stands unequivocally with Israel. We want to be friends with America. Therefore we will be friends with Israel. That clarity that strength produces peace, Cruz told a briefing in Washington.

But Biden after entering office undermined Israel by sending hundreds of millions of dollars to the Palestinian Authority, which is closely linked to the terror group Hamas, and stated his goal of re-entering a nuclear agreement with Iran that Trump had withdrawn from.

As a direct result of those failed decisions, we now have hundreds and hundreds of rockets raining down on innocent men, women, and children in Israel from Hamas, funded by Iran, Cruz said.

A White House National Security Council spokesperson said that the United States restarting aid for the Palestinians in April aligns with U.S. values and interests, as well as those of the countrys allies and partners.

There is a long history of bipartisan consensus around the value of providing U.S. assistance in the West Bank and Gaza and to Palestinians in the region. By restarting this assistance, the United States is realigning Americas actions and assistance with longstanding American values. By providing critical humanitarian relief, fostering economic development, and supporting Israeli-Palestinian security coordination, we will help millions of vulnerable Palestinians and promote a stable environment that benefits both Palestinians and Israelis, the spokesperson said in an email.

Officials have had over 60 calls in the past week alone with senior leaders in Israel, the Palestinian Authority, and regional leaders, a White House spokesperson told reporters aboard Air Force One on Wednesday.

And we will continue to remain deeply engaged in intensive, quiet diplomacy to hold the current violence and find the way forward, she said.

Fighting in the Middle East broke out earlier this month after Hamas launched rockets at Israel. Nearly 250 people have been killed, mostly Palestinians, according to Israeli and Gaza authorities.

Biden has spoken twice with Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu. According to White House readouts, the Democrat conveyed his support for Israels right to defend itself. But he told Netanyahu on Wednesday that he expected a significant de-escalation today on the path to a ceasefire.

Cruz accused Biden of lecturing Netanyahu and urging him to stop defending Israel. Sen. Rick Scott (R-Fla.), a member of the Senate GOP leadership, alleged Biden has to get a backbone; he has to stand up for American allies.

Israels Iron Dome anti-missile system fires to intercept a rocket launched from the Gaza Strip towards Israel, as seen from Ashkelon, southern Israel May 19, 2021. (Ammar Awad/Reuters)

Its shocking to me to see how much the administration has changed over time in regard to the support for Israel. It was a given that whether it was a Republican administration or a Democrat administration, for a long time in our countrys history, that we recognize the importance of Israel, our ally. And today, were here because that no longer is evident, Sen. Jerry Moran (R-Kan.) added.

We are sending a message to the Biden administration that it is important that they do what is morally correct and what is in the best interest of the United States, which is in support of Israel in these difficult and challenging times, he said, adding that the group also wanted to send a similar message to Democrats.

Some members of the party have called on the Biden administration to condemn Israeli actions.

I think the United States needs to take responsibility for the violence that we are supporting. Why is it even a question that U.S. resources should not go to the detention of childrenany child, let alone Palestinian children, Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.) told reporters on Capitol Hill. And so the fact that this administration is even hesitating to take such a basic humane stance is disappointing and unacceptable, and if we want to commit to being a role as an honest broker, then we need to be honest, and we cant advance this idea that were some neutral party in this situation if our actions are consistently targeting Palestinians.

But others have offered strong support for Israel.

Hamas onslaught of over 3,400 indiscriminate rocket attacks on Israeli communities cannot be defined as anything less than terrorism, and I will not sympathize with a terrorist organization that holds the people of Gaza hostage with its violence. Hamas actions have resulted in the loss of innocent Palestinian and Israeli lives, and there should only be a cease fire once Israel fully stamps out Hamas military capabilities, Rep. Filemon Vela (D-Texas) said in a statement.

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) last week described the situation as a Palestinian power struggle, and that is about Hamas.

Hamas is threatening the security of people in Israel. Israel has a right to defend itself. Many of our Members in our Caucus are great friends of Israel but understand, also, that we respect the self-determination, that we want a two-state solution in the region. But that doesnt give license to Hamas to bomb Israel, she told reporters.

A group of Democrats had planned to send a letter to the Biden administration, asking to delay a $735 million arms deal between the United States and Israel until a ceasefire was reached.

Rep. Gregory Meeks (D-N.Y.), chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, told reporters in Washington that the purpose of the letter was to ensure dialogue and that he and other members of Congress would be meeting with administration officials on Wednesday.

Im glad the administration is actually recognizing Congress has a role, and that this process has been going on for many, many years the formal notification the prior administration tried to do a little bit of an end around on that, and  I mean its just, its our Article One responsibility, he said.
U.S. Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff General. Mark Milley participates in a news briefing at the Pentagon in Arlington, Va., on May 6, 2021. (Alex Wong/Getty Images)

Top US General Says Continued Israel-Palestinian Fighting Presents Risk of Broader Destabilization

Americas foremost military officer this week said he views continued fighting in the Middle East between Israel and Palestinians to present a risk of destabilization and other negative repercussions.

Army Gen. Mark Milley, the Joint Chiefs of Staff chairman, said that Israel was acting in self-defense when it launched rockets at the Gaza Strip but alleged it was in no ones interest to continue fighting.

My assessment is that you risk broader destabilization and you risk a whole series of negative consequences if the fighting continues, Milley said, according to Reuters. So in my view, I think de-escalation is a smart course of action at this point for all parties concerned.

Milley was speaking to reporters before landing in Brussels to meet with European allies.

Fighting broke out on May 10 when Hamas and other militant groups launched rockets at Jerusalem. Israel responded with its own strikes. Fighting has not stopped as of yet.

Over 200 Palestinians have been killed so far in the strikes, the Gaza Health Ministry said on Wednesday, including 63 children, while over 1,500 others were left wounded. About a dozen people in Israel have reportedly been killed.

A man walks past the rubble of the Yazegi residential building that was destroyed by an Israeli airstrike, in Gaza City on May 16, 2021. (Adel Hana/AP Photo)

Some U.S. officials have urged the parties to come to a ceasefire agreement to halt the hostilities but U.S. military officials have not gone that far.

Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin has spoken twice with his counterpart in Israel, Benjamin Gantz, in the past week. He reaffirmed Israels right to defend itself, lamented the loss of innocent lives, and expressed his support for the de-escalation of the conflict, according to Pentagon readouts.

Austin is also concerned about the risk of broader destabilization, Pentagon press secretary John Kirby told reporters in Washington on Tuesday.

We dont want to see tensions get worse than they already are, he said, before declining to answer if Austin requested an immediate ceasefire.

Rep. Adam Smith (D-Wash.), chairman of the House Armed Services Committee, called on the United States to work with Israel, Palestinians, and the United Nations, as well as other countries, to reach a pact to stop fighting.

A United Nations General Assembly meeting is planned for Thursday to meet on the conflict, which Volkan Bozkir, the president of the body, described as a grave situation.
Then-President Donald Trump speaks to the media after signing a bill for border funding in the Oval Office at the White House in Washington on July 1, 2019. (Mark Wilson/Getty Images)

Trump Calls for Talks on Jan. 6 Commission to Be Ended Immediately

President Donald Trump on Tuesday urged Republicans to cease all discussion with the Democrats about a bipartisan proposal to launch a commission tasked with investigating the Jan. 6 Capitol breach in Washington.

Republicans in the House and Senate should not approve the Democrat trap of the January 6 Commission. It is just more partisan unfairness and unless the murders, riots, and fire bombings in Portland, Minneapolis, Seattle, Chicago, and New York are also going to be studied, this discussion should be ended immediately, Trump said, referring to the Black Lives Matter riots that occurred in cities across the nation last year.

Republicans must get much tougher and much smarter, and stop being used by the Radical Left. Hopefully, Mitch McConnell and Kevin McCarthy are listening!

The House is expected to soon vote on legislation that would launch a 9/11-style commission to investigate the breach of the U.S. Capitol and related events.

The two top House Republicans, Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) and Minority Whip Steve Scalise (R-La.), oppose the bill. Like Trump, McCarthy said the proposed commission does not do enough to examine the riots that rocked multiple cities last year and focuses entirely on the events of Jan. 6.

Given the political misdirections that have marred this process, given the now duplicative and potentially counterproductive nature of this effort, and given the Speakers shortsighted scope that does not examine interrelated forms of political violence in America, I cannot support this legislation, McCarthy said in a statement.

The White House on Tuesday came out in support of the legislation.

While the Federal Government has already begun taking action to improve the safety and security of the U.S. Capitol, the Administration supports the proposed bipartisan, independent National Commission to study and investigate the facts and circumstances surrounding the January 6, 2021 attack on the Capitol, the Biden administration said.

Trump issued the statement shortly after the bipartisan Problem Solvers Caucus endorsed the creation of the commission. The caucus did not immediately respond to an emailed request for comment.

Rep. John Katko (R-N.Y.) the sole Republican sponsor of the bill, did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Zachary Stieber and Jack Phillips contributed to this report.
Trump: New York AGs Criminal Investigation a Political Witch Hunt

Former President Donald Trump is calling a criminal investigation that was confirmed by the New York Attorney Generals office into the Trump Organization a political witch hunt.

After Attorney General Letitia Jamess office announced the probe on May 18, Trump said that there is nothing more corrupt than an investigation that is in desperate search of a crime.

But, make no mistake, that is exactly what is happening here, he said of the investigation. The attorney general of New York literally campaigned on prosecuting Donald Trump even before she knew anything about me.

The former president noted that James, a Democrat, said during her campaign that she would use her office to investigate Trumps real estate business.

According to Trump, James said in clips: Just wait until Im in the attorney generals office, as well as, Ive got my eyes on Trump Tower.

Describing the scenario as something that happens in failed third-world countries, Trump argued that James made each of these statements, not after having had an opportunity to actually look at the facts, but BEFORE she was even elected, BEFORE she had seen even a shred of evidence.

New York State Attorney General Letitia James speaks at a news conference in Rochester, N.Y., on Sept. 20, 2020. (Joshua Rashaad McFadden/Getty Images)

Trumps statement came a day after a spokesperson for James, Fabien Levy, told news outlets that the office informed the Trump Organization that our investigation into the Organization is no longer purely civil in nature, before adding: We are now actively investigating the Trump Organization in a criminal capacity, along with the Manhattan DA. We have no additional comment.

The statement from Levy didnt elaborate on what turned the investigation into a criminal matter.

James opened an investigation in 2019 into allegations that Trump had inflated the value of his assets to banks when he sought loans, among other claims. New York prosecutors, including District Attorney Cyrus Vance, have also been seeking his tax returnswhich became the subject of numerous lawsuits and court filings over the years. Trump has denied the claims.

Additionally, Trump said that Democratic district attorneys and prosecutors are focusing on him, instead of trying to deal with a surge in violent crime in recent months.

These Democrat offices are consumed with this political and partisan Witch Hunt, at a time when crime is up big in New York City, shootings are up 97 percent, murders are up 45 percent, a rate not seen in 40 years, the former president said.

The New York attorney generals office didnt immediately respond to a request by The Epoch Times for comment.
Migrants walk to climb into the back of lorries bound for Britain while traffic is stopped upon waiting to board shuttles at the entrance to the Channel Tunnel site in Calais, northern France, on Nov. 19, 2020. (Denis Charlet/AFP via Getty Images)

UK Arrests Suspected Ringleaders of People Smuggling Gang

UK authorities on Wednesday arrested two suspected leading figures in people smuggling networks thought to be behind the movements of hundreds of migrants both into and out of the country.

The two men, aged 52 and 28, were detained in early morning raids in Woodford Green and Bushwood, east London, the National Crime Agency (NCA) said.

Another five people, all licenced mini-cab drivers, were also arrested in various locations around east London. They are accused of being involved in transporting migrants to or from lorry pick-up and drop-off points.

Officers also detained 11 suspected migrants in a safe house in Mile End, which had been converted to accommodate at least 19 people.

Home Secretary Priti Patel, who accompanied NCA officers on the operation, said: This is a significant win for UK law enforcement. The arrests secured by the NCA have broken up a callous criminal gang and put vile people smugglers behind bars.

These criminal gangs dont care for the people they traffic. Theyre treating innocent lives as a commodity and lining their pockets while people are dying.

That is why I am delivering our New Plan for Immigration to break the business model of the people smugglers and protect the lives of those they endanger.

Wednesdays operation, which involved more than 130 officers, followed a lengthy investigation codenamed Operation Symbolry.

The operation identified an organised crime group with connections in both Europe and Asia, using a network of predominately Romanian lorries to move migrants across the English Channel from France into Kent, or the other way round.

As part of Operation Symbolry, seven people, including six lorry drivers, have been arrested and charged with people smuggling offences, five of whom have been convicted.

They include Romanian national Marius Halmaghe, 36, who was stopped on the A2 in Kent on Oct. 1, 2020, with four migrants discovered by police. He was sentenced to 31 months in prison.

Alexandru Fuiorea, 29, was arrested on Oct. 4, 2020, after he was stopped on the M2 with 18 migrants hidden in the rear of his truck. Fuiorea was jailed for three years and eight months.

Turkish lorry driver Hakan Zengin, 36, was arrested on March 21, 2021, on the M25 and found with seventeen migrants in his lorry.

In total, Operation Symbolry has led to the interception of more than 100 migrants. But it is just one of many ongoing NCA operations against people smuggling.

Chris Farrimond, Deputy Director of Investigations, said the NCA has around 50 ongoing investigations into human trafficking gangs.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson during a media briefing in Downing Street, London on May 14, 2021. (Matt Dunham/PA)

UK Wont Allow Anti-Semitism to Grow and Fester: Johnson

The British government will not let anti-Semitism take root, grow, and fester in the UK, Prime Minister Boris Johnson said on Wednesday.

UK politicians across the political spectrum have condemned recent incidents of anti-Semitic abuse and violence.

At the Prime Ministers Questions in the House of Commons on Wednesday, Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer called attention to the appalling rise in anti-Semitic attacks and said, Jewish communities remain very anxious.

Johnson said he shared Starmers horror at recent incidents, adding that the government had conveyed that message loud and clear to those who are responsible for enforcing the law against hate crime of that kind.

He said Britain will call out anti-Semitic behaviour at every stage. We will not let it take root, we will not allow it to grow and fester.

Johnson said the government will continue to work and to support the Jewish community in any way that we canparticularly working with the Community Safety Trust who do an absolutely outstanding job in my view.

The Community Safety Trust (CST), which gathers reports of anti-Semitic incidents, said there were 116 recorded in the 11-day period from May 8, compared to 19 in the 11 days before May 8, an increase of around six times.

Of the 116 reports, 34 were online abuse, 82 were offline, and mainly verbal abuse, although four were violent.

In one incident, a rabbi suffered head wounds after he was attacked by two men near his synagogue in Chigwell in north London on Sunday afternoon.

Abderrahman Brahimi, 25, and Souraka Djabouri, 18, appeared before Colchester Magistrates Court on Wednesday charged with wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm, robbery, and religiously aggravated criminal damage.

According to prosecutors, the two defendants walked into the road causing Rabbi Rafi Goodwin, who was driving, to brake.

One said hes a Jew, before the complainants car was kicked multiple times, causing the passenger side wing mirror to snap off.

Goodwin got out of his vehicle and was punched multiple times in the face until he fell to the floor then struck on the back of the head with a concrete brick. His phone was stolen, the prosecution said.

In another incident, a video posted on Twitter on Sunday showed cars moving on a street with Palestinian flags on them. Slogans such as [expletive] the Jews, [expletive] their mothers, [expletive] their daughters and rape their daughters were heard through a loudspeaker.

The Met traced one of the cars and four men were arrested on suspicion of racially aggravated public order offences but were subsequently released on bail.

Lily Zhou and PA contributed to this report.
Pedestrians walk in front of a shop of Japan's Uniqlo-operator Fast Retailing in Tokyo on July 15, 2016. (Kazuhiro Nogi/AFP/Getty Images)

Uniqlo Shirts Blocked at US Border in January on China Forced Labor Concern

TOKYOFast Retailings Uniqlo brand shirts were blocked at the United States border in January on concerns they violated a ban on cotton products produced in the Xinjiang region of China, where there have been reports of forced labor.

A U.S. Customs document dated May 10 said a shipment of Uniqlo mens shirts was impounded on Jan. 5 at the Port of Los Angeles due to a suspected violation of the ban. The document said a protest filed by Uniqlos parent company was denied.

Fast Retailing said it was disappointed by the U.S. Customs ruling.

Uniqlo has strong mechanisms in place to identify any potential violations of human and worker rights, the company said in a statement to Reuters. All Uniqlo items use only cotton that originates from sustainable sources.

Chinas foreign ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian said that Xinjiang has no forced labor and the United States is using bullying tactics.

Relevant companies should clearly stand up and oppose these irrational acts by the U.S., he said, speaking at a regular news briefing in Beijing on Wednesday.

By Rocky Swift
The U.S. Navy guided-missile destroyer USS Curtis Wilbur patrols in the Philippine Sea in this Aug. 15, 2013. (U.S. Navy/Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Declan Barnes/Handout via Reuters)

US Warship Again Sails Through Taiwan Strait, Prompting Anger From Beijing

A U.S. warship has again sailed through the sensitive waterway that separates Taiwan from its giant neighbor China, at a time of increased tensions between Taipei and Beijing.

The U.S. Navys 7th Fleet said the Arleigh Burke-class guided missile destroyer USS Curtis Wilbur conducted a routine Taiwan Strait transit on Tuesday in accordance with international law.

The ships transit through the Taiwan Strait demonstrates the U.S. commitment to a free and open Indo-Pacific. The United States military will continue to fly, sail, and operate anywhere international law allows, it said.

A spokesman for Chinas Eastern Theatre Command on Wednesday expressed strong opposition to the move.

The U.S. actions sends the wrong signals to Taiwan independence forces, deliberately disrupting the regional situation and endangering peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait, he said.

Chinese forces tracked and monitored the ship throughout its voyage, he added.

The Chinese regime sees self-ruled Taiwan as part of its territory, even though the island has been governed as a distinct entity for more than seven decades. Beijing has also vowed to retake Taiwan by military force if necessary. It views U.S. military transits of the Taiwan Strait as provocations, despite the waterway being deemed as open to all countries for transit under international law.

Taiwans Defence Ministry said the U.S. ship had sailed in a southerly direction through the strait and the situation was as normal.

The U.S. Navy has been conducting such operations every month or so.

The United States, like most countries, has no formal diplomatic ties with Taiwan but is its most important international backer and a major seller of arms.

Military tension between Taiwan and Beijing have spiked over the past year, with Taipei complaining of China repeatedly sending its air force into Taiwans air defense zone. Some of those activities can involve multiple fighters and bombers.

Cathy He contributed to this report.
Peak hour commuters wait for a city loop train at Newmarket Station ahead of a train strike in Melbourne, Friday, Sept. 4, 2015. (AAP Image/Tracey Nearmy)

Victorian Government Pledges $1B to Build 25 New Trains

The Victorian Labor government has pledged almost $1 billion from the state budget to build 25 new reliable and energy efficient trains.

Speaking in Ballarat on May 18, acting premier James Merlino said the state governments project would create almost 750 jobsincluding 150 jobs at Ballarats Alstom factoryin manufacturing and across the supply chain in Victoria.

These are trains made in Victoria, for Victorians, by Victorianssupporting local jobs at a time we need them most, Merlino said.

The new XTrapolis 2.0 trains will support the gradual retirement of Victorias current Coming fleet, with the trains set to run through Melbournes Craigieburn, Upfield, and Frankston lines. The project will also see an upgrade to the Craigieburn Train Maintenance Facility.

The trains will be designed to carry 1200 people, beyond Comeng capacity of about 760.

The announcement follows two years of campaigning from Alstom and the unions for job security for the 70 workers at the Ballarat facility amid claims current staff had to find other activities while waiting for the announcement, reported The Herald Sun.

Theres nothing wrong with taking your time. Taking your time means you can get the design work done. You can work collaboratively with the department; you can have a good look at the lines that the train will run on, you can look at worlds best practice from Europe on what the modern train will do, Minister for Public Transport Ben Carroll said.

Alstom Australia director Mark Coxon said the workshop was an integral part of the Ballarat community.

Weve seen many generations of workers come through this facility learning their craft and applying their trade, building trains for Victoria, Coxon said.

Fifteen percent of jobs at the site would go to apprentices, while seven percent will go to disadvantaged Victorians, Coxon added.

However, Shadow Transport Infrastructure Minister David Davis has questions over whether the state government ran a proper tender process for the project.

Victorian jobs are good, but lets get the right jobs with the right trains, he said.

Rail, Tram and Bus Union (RTBU) state secretary Luba Grigorovitch welcomed the announcement for the Ballarat workshops, reported the Herald Sun.

The RTBU will continue the fight to ensure this order is the first of many creating a rail manufacturing pipeline for the Ballarat workshops, Grigorovitch said.

Manufacturing is set to begin in late 2022, with about 60 percent of design and manufacturing being done in Victoria.

Some parts will be brought from China and Europe.

AAP contributed to this report.
Source: Xinhua| 2021-05-20 05:35:04|Editor: huaxia

Video Player Close

UNITED NATIONS, May 19 (Xinhua) -- President of the 75th session of the UN General Assembly (UNGA), Volkan Bozkir, will convene a formal plenary meeting on Palestine and the Middle East Thursday in the General Assembly Hall.

"The meeting will consist of a debate under the agenda items on 'The situation in the Middle East' and 'Question of Palestine,'" Bozkir's spokesman, Brenden Varma, told reporters Wednesday at the regular press briefing. "The president's convening of this meeting follows a written request received from the permanent representatives of Niger and Algeria, in their respective capacities as chairs of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation and Arab Group."

Talking about the speakers, Varma said there will be statements from the UNGA president and Secretary-General Antonio Guterres. "Member states, observer states and other observers are also currently inscribing themselves on the list of speakers."

"We do expect several in-person participants at the ministerial level. This would be the first time since the pandemic began that ministers would be participating in person at a General Assembly debate in New York. Given the number of delegations wishing to take the floor, we expect the meeting to last all day," said the spokesman.

According to Varma, in connection with this meeting, the UNGA president has been receiving requests for bilateral meetings from high-level participants. Enditem
Violent Crime Jumped in Two Counties That Stopped Cooperating With ICE, Report Finds

Two North Carolina counties that canceled cooperation agreements with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) subsequently experienced an upsurge in violent crime, according to a new report.

The report, by the Immigration Reform Law Institute (IRLI), comes as left-wing lawmakers, led by Rep. Ritchie Torres, a New York Democrat, call for slashing funding for the so-called 287(g) program, which creates a framework for cooperation between local law enforcement officials and federal immigration authorities. Founded in 1986, IRLI is a public interest law firm that describes itself as being dedicated to achieving responsible immigration policies that serve our national interest.

Named after a section in the Immigration and Nationality Act, the 287(g) program [facilitates] greater collaboration between ICE and the law enforcement agencies that sign on to these formal written agreements, according to IRLI.

Participating agencies will deputize some of their officers to perform the duties of immigration agentssuch as inquiring about immigration status and checking the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) database. The result being illegal aliens in local custody who are wanted by ICE are more quickly identified, and the transfer of custody is better streamlined.

As of January 2021, ICE had entered into a total of 148 287(g) agreements across the country. ICE says the program continues to receive overwhelmingly positive feedback from its partners.

Radical groups such as the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) have urged the Biden administration to end the program altogether. Critics claim the longstanding program undermines trust in law enforcement in immigrant communities and discourages illegal aliens from calling the police for help or reporting crimes. The ACLU even wants the administration to end the practice of issuing detainers, or requests for local law enforcement to detain a person for ICE beyond their scheduled release.

Democrats Garry McFadden in Mecklenburg County and Gerald Baker in Wake County were elected as sheriffs in 2018 after promising on the campaign trail to end their respective counties 287(g) agreements with ICE. The ACLU spent $175,000 on ads to help elect McFadden, NBC News reported. The group spent $100,000 on ads for Baker, the Raleigh-based News & Observer reported.

After his election, Baker flaunted his planned noncooperation with the federal government.

We serve a lot of communities, Baker said. We want to make it so that the Wake County Sheriffs Office treats everybody the same and improves the quality of life for each and every person. Its about humanity. Its about just caring for people. Thats a large part of what this office will be doing, moving forward.

Violent crime went up in Mecklenburg and Wake counties after they abandoned the 287(g) program.

According to the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation, Mecklenburg County saw an increase in every category of violent crime including murder, rape, robbery, and aggravated assaultfrom 2018 to 2019 after the new sheriff took office. The violent crime rate in the county rose to 688.1 per 100,000 persons in 2019 from 612.3 per 100,000 persons in 2018, the NCSBI reported.

While Wake County didnt experience a jump in every violent crime category, it did see an increase in overall violent crime between 2018 and 2019. NCSBI figures show the violent crime rate in the county rose to 250.0 per 100,000 persons in 2019 from 244.2 per 100,000 persons in 2018.

If the goal is to make communities safer, canceling 287(g) agreements is one of the worst things elected leaders can do, said Dale Wilcox, IRLIs executive director and general counsel.

The reduction in custody transfers allows these aliens to reenter the community and the opportunity to commit additional crimes. Anti-borders sheriffs who are campaigning against 287(g) need to be held accountable by their constituents for this reckless abandonment of their core responsibilities.

After the counties left the 287(g) program, the number of aliens they transferred to ICE fell off significantly, according to IRLIs report.

ICE sends I-203 forms to certain jurisdictions to transfer a detainee into federal custody. In Mecklenburg County, ICE filed 142 of these I-203 forms with the county in fiscal 2019, which began several months before McFadden ended the program. The 142 I-203 forms marked the lowest number since fiscal 2007 in the countyand a steep drop from the 537 I-203s filed in fiscal 2018.

The decline in Wake County was even more dramatic.

In fiscal 2018, 1,556 aliens in the Wake County Sheriffs Office were transferred to ICE. In fiscal 2019, the figure plummeted to just two aliens. The current fiscal year seems to be on a similar trajectory, with just one alien transferred so far to ICE. The current transfers coming out of Wake County are the lowest on record. Although the county entered into a 287(g) agreement in 2008, the sheriffs office could only provide data back to 2012.

The data from Mecklenburg County and Wake County suggest that a greater number of criminal aliens are avoiding ICE detection and apprehension, leaving them free to roam across the state, the IRLI report concludes.

A critical mission of law enforcement officers is to safeguard their communities, and these sheriffs are failing in that mission when they abandon 287(g) agreements, IRLI senior fellow Tom Homan, a former acting director of ICE, said in the report.

It is very fashionable today for elected officials to pander to immigrant groups by supporting sanctuary laws and opposing 287(g) agreements, but those actions clearly result in more violent crime and innocent people being killed. Its a national tragedy and cannot continue.
Washington State Gov. Jay Inslee and other leaders speak to the press in Seattle, Wash., on March 28, 2020. (Karen Ducey/Getty Images)

Washington Governor Signs a Dozen Police Reform Bills

Washington Gov. Jay Inslee signed a dozen law enforcement police reform measures into law on May 18, claiming they will boost accountability in policing and address systemic racism in the state, calling it a moral mandate.

These bills are all going to work in coordination with one another to create a system of accountability and integrity stronger than anywhere else in the nation, Inslee said in a statement shortly before he signed the bills.

The package of bills signed by the Democratic governor includes outright bans on police use of chokeholds, neck restraints, and no-knock warrants, and also requires police officers to intervene if a colleague engages in excessive force.

It also requires the establishment of an independent office to review the use of deadly force by law enforcement officers. Police must also use reasonable care, such as de-escalation tactics, in carrying out their duties.

The legislation restricts the use of tear gas and car chases, and makes it easier to sue officers when they cause injury.

The thoroughness and quality of these proposals reflect our states exceptional commitment, Inslee said on Twitter. These bills will work in coordination and effectively create [a] system of accountability and integrity stronger than anywhere else in the nation.

The death of George Floyd in May of last year and the protests and riots that followed prompted a wave of police reforms in dozens of states, from changes in use-of-force policies to greater accountability for officers. But few, if any, matched the scope of the changes being adopted in Washington state.

We knew we had to do something, Democratic state Rep. Jesse Johnson, the vice chair of the House Public Safety Committee and sponsor of three of the bills signed by Inslee, told TVW last week.

This process was deeply collaborative, deeply visionary and deeply intentional about lifting up every voice, from community to law enforcement, Johnson said.

A coalition of Washington state law enforcement unionsrepresenting more than 14,000 officerssaid it could accept some measures, including the arbitration reform and duty-to-intervene bills. But it expressed concern that the decertification bill threatened the due-process rights of officers.

The Washington Council of Police and Sheriffs, which represents 60 percent of the states fully commissioned law enforcement officers, opposed the bill restricting police tactics and the measure requiring reasonable care in using force.

Teresa Taylor, the councils executive director, said on May 18 that she had concerns about the tenor of the narrative around the legislation, but that her organization would work to help implement the laws.

State Sen. Mike Padden, the ranking Republican on the Senate Law and Justice Committee, called the legislation hostile to law enforcement, taking particular issue with the ban on neck restraints, arguing that the method can be safe and effective if used properly.

Inslee said the signing of the legislation marks a new beginning in the state.

All of our work remains ahead of us. Today we celebrate the blueprint of justice this legislation lays out for the people, and now its up to us to bring about the much needed change, he said.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.
The Chinese Communist Party flag flies outside the Chinese consulate in Perth, Australia on Mar. 24, 2014. (Photo by Will Russell/Getty Images)

Western Australias Major Parties Welcome Chinas New Consul-General

Western Australias (WA) Premier Mark McGowan and Opposition Leader, the National Partys Mia Davies, have both welcomed the new Chinese Consul-General to Perth, saying the states relationship with China is vital to the well-being of the state.

Long Dingbina strong proponent of Xi Jinpings Belt and Road Initiative (BRI)was positioned as head of the Chinese consulate in WA capital Perth last month, following a four-year stint as consul-general in Lahore, Pakistan. There he oversaw the development of one of Beijings largest, multi-billion dollar BRI projectsthe China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC).

Both the McGowan Labor government and opposition have expressed support towards a positive China-Australia relationship, stemming from WAs economic dependence on China.

In 2020, 56 percent of WAs goods exports went solely to the Asian nation.

In an email to The Epoch Times, a Labor state government spokesperson explained that WA must retain a good relationship with China.

Its vital Western Australia continues to retain a strong relationship with its biggest trading partner which as a result creates and supports WA jobs, the spokesperson said.

The premiers office arranged an in-person meeting between Long and McGowan following the consul-generals arrival and quarantine. In an interview with The West Australian, Long said the premiers kindness moved him.

Western Australian Premier Mark McGowan during a press conference in Perth, Australia on Feb 4, 2021.(Matt Jelonek/Getty Images)

Opposition leader Mia Davies of the WA National Party also welcomed Long shortly after his arrival, reported the CCPs Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

The National Party attaches great importance to the development of friendly cooperation with China and is willing to cooperate with Consul-General Long and China, the media release stated.

It also said Long praised the National Party for its positive contribution to the development of China-Australia relations and that the CCP was willing to strengthen contacts and exchanges with all political parties, including the National Party, and jointly promote China.

The Epoch Times reached out to the Chinese Consulate in Perth for comment but did not receive a reply in time for publication.

WA National Party leader Mia Davies addresses gold sector workers protesting outside Parliament House in Perth on Tuesday, Oct. 10, 2017. (AAP Image/Richard Wainwright)

McGowans and Davies support of the consul-general comes despite souring Australia-China relations that have seen Australian barley and wine slapped with exorbitant import tariffs, as well as the outright barring of Australian coal.

The trade spat began after Australia called for an inquiry into the origins of the CCP virus, with tensions further exacerbating following the cancellation of a BRI deal between Beijing and Victoriaa decision which had Beijing subsequently suspend high-level economic dialogue with Australia.

Michael Shoebridge, director of Defence, Strategy and National Security at the Australian Strategic Policy Institute, said that the push to retain strong trading ties was not detached from other political consequences.

Saying engagement with a foreign power has no strategic or foreign policy dimensions but is simply about jobs and economics is now patently untrue, particularly in the case of engaging with the China market and the Chinese government, Shoebridge told The Epoch Times.

In a welcome message as Perths new consul-general, Long highlighted his aspirations to develop a strong relationship between China and Western Australia specifically.

State-province cooperation constitutes an important foundation for China-Australia bilateral relations, Long said. My colleagues and I are willing to work together with you and make contributions to the development of China-Australia Comprehensive Strategic Partnership and China-WA friendship.

Shoebridge said that Longs comments were indicative of political attempts at connecting China and Western Australia in a manner that was separate from the national Australia-China relationship.

Thats particularly obvious right now, as Consul General Long Dingbin will know that Beijing is refusing to meet Australian federal government ministers and that Beijing has just formally suspended the Strategic Economic Dialogue at ministerial level between China and Australia.

Right now, Beijing is also using trade as a coercive weapon against Australia in ways that make a comprehensive strategic partnership nonsense.

However, Shoebridge pointed out that state-level cooperation between Beijing and Western Australia was highly unlikely to transpire without intervention from the federal government.

Premier McGowan will understand the need for WA state policy on China to work within the federal governments China policy, he said. That requirement is now even clearer than before with the passage and implementation of the Foreign Relations Act.

A primary benefit of this law is ensuring that Australia has a cohesive national policy for engaging with the Chinese state, which, importantly, means that State governments cannot make policy and build relationships that are inconsistent with Australias foreign policy interests.

Shoebridge added that Western Australias biggest export to Chinairon orehas been protected from Chinese state coercion because of its overwhelming value to Chinas own economy.
DANBURY  It was 4 a.m. several weeks ago, and Dr. Sakshi Sethi and Nidhi Garg Allen couldnt sleep.

They were mourning the COVID-19-related deaths of two people close to them back home in India. They were concerned by the fact that so many young people were dying of the virus. They were worried about the small children, orphans, left behind, and anxious about relatives who were unable to find a bed in the crowded hospitals.

Sethi had recently lost her brother-in-law to COVID, and has been avoiding Facebook because almost every day for the past two weeks she has seen the announcement of another young persons death.

Sethi and Garg Allen felt helpless.

The women, friends for eight years, wanted to do something to help their families, friends and loved ones in smaller, rural areas throughout India. Both had been donating to large non-profits and other organizations, but felt there had to be another way to help.

We thought, you know, we can form a good team, why don't we both step up and instead of relying on big NGOs (non-governmental organizations), why don't we directly provide help to these communities, Garg Allen said.

Their main goal: get medical equipment and proper personal protective equipment to smaller hospitals and communities. So, a few weeks ago, they started a fundraiser which theyre calling Love for India, and now, are about to send their first shipment out.

Since February, India has been hit hard by the virus, in part because of highly contagious variants as well as increased holiday gatherings. May has seen tripling case counts and deaths that have increased by more than six times the amount a month prior, according to reports from the Associated Press.

On Wednesday, the country hit the highest COVID death toll seen by any country in a single day. Crematoriums are full to overflowing and hospital beds are very hard to find.

If there was any time to send aid back home, it was now.

Collecting materials

The two women, both originally from small towns in India, met in New York City while Sethi was training at Memorial Sloan Kettering.

It just clicked, Sethi said. Weve been like family since then.

As a pulmonary and critical care physician at Danbury Hospital, Sethi knew what would be needed at hospitals to properly handle severe COVID-19 cases. She said she cant imagine having to care for someone with COVID without oxygen machines. Yet, with more than a dozen family members working as doctors in India, Sethi has heard what they are having to work with  and more importantly, what theyre working without.

If you don't have oxygen, no matter how qualified you are, you can't treat anybody, Sethi said.

Garg Allen, founder and CEO of Marasim and an adjunct professor at the Fashion Institute of Technology in Ne York City, has many ties to grassroots organizations in India and had also been getting information from her friends on the ground about the dire need for relief materials.

With Garg Allens connections to local organizations and Sethis vast medical knowledge, the two thought theyd make a good team.

Garg Allen would connect with those on the ground to organize deliveries, Sethi would ensure the proper equipment was purchased, and Garg Allens husband, Abhishek Allen, would help manage the finances and tech aspects of the campaign.

Originally, they started by asking for donations from family and friends. Now, the team has set up a GoFundMe page called Help Us Save Lives Together Covid crisis in India, to gain more traction and fund more donations for Love for India.

As India hit another record COVID daily death count of 4,329 fatalities Tuesday, which would surpassed the next day, the first shipment of aid materials was headed out.

So far, the page has raised just over $7,700, much of which is being spent on the cost and shipping of four BiPAP machines, which provide a non-invasive oxygen treatment, according to Sethi. The BiPAP machines are also important because they can keep patients from having to be intubated and put on a ventilator, which leads to a higher likelihood of death.

Currently, 80 percent of the beds at the smaller hospitals where the women are sending the medical equipment have been converted to COVID-only beds, Sethi said.

But these hospitals were not really equipped for managing COVID patients, Sethi added. They don't have these BiPAPs and stuff because they were smaller hospitals.

With more machines, these smaller hospitals wont have to transfer patients to the larger, overwhelmed hospitals where the ratio of patients to nurses and doctors can sometimes be 50 intensive care patients to four nurses and one attending physician. Sethi said shes not even sure if the doctors are able to know the names of all their patients in that situation.

Hopefully, each machine can save many, many lives, Garg Allen said.

Each BiPAP machine  its initial price and shipping  is costing around $1,200.

Other monetary donations will be used to cover food and medical expenses for families in need and other essential hospital staff.

The Danbury Hospital nurses union has also donated 8,000 surgical masks, 800 N95 masks, along with face shields, to include in the Tuesday shipment, the women said.

In addition to friends, family, and social media, Garg Allen has been reaching out to local yoga studios to see if theyre willing to do some classes to raise funds.

Both are eager and anxious to get back to their families in India as soon as travel is allowed again. But there are still no flights running between the US and India. Sethi had taken two weeks off from her job at Danbury Hospital and was supposed to be there now.

We all want to be home, and you know, be with our families, Garg Allen said.

As they keep collecting funds, the women hope to keep sending more machines and relief materials.

It is a nightmare that we dreaded from the beginning of the pandemic, wrote Garg Allen on the GoFundMe page. Please help us help save lives in India.
MIAMI (AP)  A Dominican congressman has been arrested in South Florida on drug trafficking charges, authorities said.

Miguel Andres Gutierrez Diaz, 58, was arrested Monday night following an international flight from the Dominican Republic, according to the U.S. Attorney's Office in Miami.

A federal grand jury returned an indictment in March charging him and others with conspiring to distribute cocaine in the U.S., conspiring to import cocaine into the U.S. and conspiring to possess with the intent to distribute cocaine. If convicted, Gutierrez Diaz faces a possible life sentence.

Gutierrez Diaz is an elected member of the Chamber of Deputies of the Dominican Republic, which is the lower chamber of the nation's Congress.

According to the indictment, Gutierrez Diaz was part of a transnational drug ring that operated in the Dominican Republic, Colombia and the U.S.

Gutierrez Diaz made his first appearance Tuesday afternoon in Miami federal court. Online court records didn't say whether he had an attorney who could comment on the charges.
INDIANAPOLIS (AP)  Indianapolis officials announced plans Wednesday to lift the citys mask mandate for those fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and ease other restriction on June 7.

State health officials, meanwhile, lowered the coronavirus infection risk for several northern Indiana counties that theyve been watching recently because of Michigans status as a national hotspot for new cases and hospitalizations.

INDIANAPOLIS CHANGES

Indianapolis has kept more stringent coronavirus precautions in place even as Gov. Eric Holcomb ended the statewide mask order and other restrictions in early April.

Mayor Joe Hogsett said Wednesday the citys mask order will remain in effect through the Indianapolis 500 with an expected crowd of more than 100,000 people on May 30, along with graduations and other events into early June.

Thats another two-and-a-half weeks worth of shots in arms that will increase our communitys vaccination rate, further hampering the potential spread of the virus, Hogsett said.

City health officials said they would recommend that even people fully vaccinated still wear masks in hospitals and on public transportation and that businesses will still be allowed to require masks for employees and customers.

Health officials expect a proposal to the City-County Council will raise capacity limits for bars from 50% to 75% and allow full capacity for religious services.

About 38% of Indianapolis residents 12 and older are fully vaccinated, just below the statewide mark of 40%, according to the state health department.

CORONAVIRUS RISK

The state health departments weekly tracking map updated Wednesday removed the orange risk rating for coronavirus spread  the second highest of the four levels  for three counties along the Michigan border that had such ratings last week.

All Indiana counties near the Michigan border now have the next highest yellow rating or the lowest blue rating. Michigan has had the countrys highest infection rate over the past month, but it has dropped significantly recently.

Three rural counties in separate parts of Indiana have orange ratings, while the states 89 other counties have yellow or blue ratings.

COVID-19 vaccinations have continued to stagnate in Indiana even as the states percentage of total population thats been fully vaccinated is 13th lowest among the 50 states, according to federal Centers for Disease Control data.

Indianas vaccination rate has remained at about 32,000 people a day over the past week. That is down from the states peak of more than 50,000 a day in early April.

Indiana hospitals, meanwhile, reported have reported treating between 800 and 850 coronavirus patients a day in the past week. That is up from about 600 patients a day in March but far below the more than 3,000 a day that were being treated through much of November and December.

The health department has added 73 coronavirus-related deaths over the past week to the states toll, raising the pandemic total to 13,518. Indianas seven-day moving average of deaths has remained at just below 10 for about a month after averaging more than 100 a day for much of December.

SENATORS DODGE

Republican U.S. Sen. Mike Braun is continuing to decline to say whether hes received the COVID-19 vaccination shot.

Braun described his answer to a reporters question Wednesday as a matter of medical privacy while not giving a yes or no reply to whether hes been vaccinated.

I dont believe in a vaccine passport and thats a personal decision, one private in nature, Braun said.

But the senator said he still urged people to seek the vaccine shots.

I personally think that unless you have a very good reason you should get a vaccination, he said. Thats what I said from the get-go."
NORWALK  The local NAACP chapter is calling for action after a Norwalk Public School teacher shared an All Lives Matter meme on Facebook earlier this month, the group and school officials said.

The image showed two images of actor John Krasinski, playing Jim Halpert in The Office, pointing at a whiteboard, a common meme format.

In the top image, the whiteboard read, Lives Matter. In the second half of the image, the whiteboard reads, If you need a color in front of those words, youre a racist. The teacher added an emoji of a shrugging woman with her arms raised to the image.

The NAACPs letter regarding the incident was sent Monday to Mayor Harry Rilling, Norwalk Schools Superintendent Dr. Alexandra Estrella, Board of Education Chair Colin Hosten and Chief of Community Services Lamond Daniels.

We, the Board of the Greater Norwalk NAACP, were shocked and dismayed that a racist meme, taken from a racist website, was shared via social media by a Norwalk Public Schools teacher, the letter began. Of course all lives matter. But it is black lives that encounter systemic racism on a daily basis that results in violence, stereotyping, profiling, and undermining of basic respect and dignity. ... (T)he teacher who sent these poisoned posts out to the world took an easy route that requires no research, no meaningful conversations and no understanding of the experiences that black and brown individuals live on a daily basis.

Norwalk NAACP President Brenda Penn-Williams said she does not know the teacher personally and would not confirm their identity on Tuesday.

I think really the letter is self-explanatory, said Penn-Williams, who first became aware of the post on May 1. If youre going to teach, you cant infringe your values on impressionable lives. If youre teaching and you have those types of values, how effective are you going to be teaching a kid of color?

Schools spokesperson Brenda Wilcox Williams confirmed on Tuesday that the post was made by a city employee and that the Human Resources Department addressed the issue with the individual involved.

Wilcox Williams also declined to name the individual involved.

Rilling said he was appalled to learn the post was shared by a Norwalk teacher and responded to Penn-Williams letter with confidence that Estrella and the district would handle the situation.

It was totally inappropriate and not in keeping with what we represent, he said.

The incident comes after NPS launched an equity study in partnership with Temple University last year.

In our diverse school district and community, there is no room for racism or intolerance of any kind, Wilcox Williams said. Our work with Temple University and Dr. Fergus is designed to address inequities and disproportionality in our school system, and to educate our employees around implicit bias. We are fully committed to that work. In addition, our human resources department has also been training our people on the updated social media policy recently adopted by the Board of Education, to make sure that employees are aware of expectations around the use of social media.

The districts new social media policy, approved by the BOE in February, states employees must consult with their supervisor before using social media for school programs, classroom activities or extracurricular activities, or using it for school fundraisers.

Attorney Tom Mooney, who helped craft the policy, said the intention is to remain really hands off when it comes to employees personal social media in order to protect free speech, but sets guidelines when it comes to using social media for work-related activities.

While extensive, the new policy specifies it does not intend to limit an employees right to use social media or personal online accounts, but intends to address inappropriate use across any platforms that allow for the sharing of content. This includes content that is derogatory, discriminatory and abusive, creates a hostile work environment or breaches confidentiality obligations of school employees.

The policy also addresses hot-button topics like friending students and their parents  which is prohibited unless there is already a personal relationship between the two  the use of crowdfunding sites and the line between personal and professional communications.

Penn-Williams said she has organized a meeting for next week with the superintendents from each of the six school districts of which the Greater Norwalk NAACP chapter is a part. Thus far, Norwalk, Westport and Wilton agreed to attend the meeting she said. Penn-Williams declined to say specifically what will be discussed.

abigail.brone@hearstmediact.com
Source: Xinhua| 2021-05-20 05:47:29|Editor: huaxia

Video Player Close

-- Xi put forward a three-point proposal at the ceremony. First, he called on both sides to adhere to the principle of safety first and set a model for global nuclear energy cooperation.

-- Second, Xi suggested the two countries deepen scientific and technological cooperation on nuclear energy by sticking to the driving force of innovation.

--Third, he called for adherence to strategic collaboration to promote the coordinated development of the governance system of the global energy industry.

BEIJING, May 19 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Xi Jinping and his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin on Wednesday witnessed the ground-breaking ceremony of a bilateral nuclear energy cooperation project, Tianwan nuclear power plant and Xudapu nuclear power plant, via video link.

Xi arrived at the main venue of the Great Hall of the People at around 5:00 p.m. Beijing time and waved to Putin, who had joined in from the main venue of the Kremlin.

He Lifeng, vice chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference and head of the National Development and Reform Commission, co-chaired the ceremony with Russian Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak.

Heads of relevant departments, local officials and constructor representatives of China and Russia attended the ceremony from the sub-venue of Tianwan nuclear power plant in Lianyungang City, east China's Jiangsu Province, sub-venue of Xudapu nuclear power plant in Huludao City, northeast China's Liaoning Province, and two Russian sub-venues. The heads of the companies of both countries reported on the progress of the project to the two heads of state.

Workers attend the launch ceremony for the construction of Unit 3 of the Xudapu nuclear power plant in Huludao City of northeast China's Liaoning Province, on May 19, 2021. (Xinhua/Yao Jianfeng)

Xi and Putin delivered their speeches respectively.

Speaking at the ceremony, Xi extended congratulations on the launch of the China-Russia nuclear energy cooperation project and paid high respect to the constructors from the two countries.

Noting that this year marks the 20th anniversary of the signing of the China-Russia Treaty of Good-Neighborliness and Friendly Cooperation, Xi said that he and President Putin have agreed to advance the development of bilateral relations to a higher level and expand the ties to broader fields.

In the face of the COVID-19 pandemic unseen in a century, China and Russia have firmly supported each other and cooperated closely and effectively, which is a vivid demonstration of the China-Russia comprehensive strategic partnership of coordination for a new era, he said.

Xi stressed that energy cooperation has always been the most important area of practical cooperation which generates the largest achievement and covers the widest scope between the two countries.

Noting that nuclear energy is the strategic priority for bilateral cooperation and a series of major projects have been completed and put into operation, Xi said the four nuclear power units that kicked off construction on Wednesday mark another major landmark in China-Russia nuclear energy cooperation.

Aerial photo taken on May 17, 2021 shows an overview of the Tianwan nuclear power plant in Lianyungang City, east China's Jiangsu Province. (Xinhua)

Xi put forward a three-point proposal at the ceremony. First, he called on both sides to adhere to the principle of safety first and set a model for global nuclear energy cooperation.

It is necessary to construct and operate the four units with high quality and high standards, create a global benchmark in nuclear safety, give full play to complementary advantages, expand and deepen bilateral and multilateral cooperation on nuclear energy, and contribute more to the development of the global nuclear energy industry, he said.

Second, Xi suggested the two countries deepen scientific and technological cooperation on nuclear energy by sticking to the driving force of innovation.

He urged deepened cooperation on the basic research, key technology research and development, and transformation of innovative achievements in the field of nuclear energy, such as nuclear environmental protection, nuclear medicine, nuclear fuel and advanced nuclear power technology, so as to promote the deep integration of the nuclear energy industry and the new generation of digital technology, and contribute more wisdom to the innovative development of nuclear energy globally.

Third, he called for adherence to strategic collaboration to promote the coordinated development of the governance system of the global energy industry. He said that it is necessary to promote the building of a global energy governance system featuring justice, equity, balance, inclusiveness, openness and shared benefits, and contribute more solutions to global energy governance.

"Responding to climate change is a common task for all countries," Xi said, adding that China and Russia should promote more low-carbon cooperation projects and play a constructive role in achieving global sustainable development goals.

Photo taken on May 18, 2021 shows a construction site where Units 7 and 8 of the Tianwan nuclear power plant are about to be built, in Lianyungang City, east China's Jiangsu Province. (Xinhua)

For his part, Putin expressed warm congratulations on the start of the construction of the Tianwan nuclear power plant and the Xudapu nuclear power plant. He said that Russia has the confidence to work with China to smoothly and safely advance the project's construction.

Noting that this year marks the 20th anniversary of the signing of the Treaty of Good-neighborliness and Friendly Cooperation between the two countries, Putin said Russia-China relations reached their best level in history. He added that the consensus reached between President Xi and himself has been well implemented with increasingly broader cooperation areas.

He said cooperation on the peaceful use of nuclear energy marks a significant part of the comprehensive strategic partnership of coordination for a new era between the two countries, and it is believed that the start of the four nuclear power units will not only inject new vitality into the further development of Russia-China relations but also help achieve the goals to peak carbon dioxide emissions and achieve carbon neutrality.

It will also contribute to coping with global climate change and realizing the sustainable development of humanity, Putin added.

Photo taken on May 19, 2021 shows the launch ceremony for the construction of Unit 3 of the Xudapu nuclear power plant in Huludao City of northeast China's Liaoning Province. (Xinhua/Yao Jianfeng)

The Chinese representatives at the sub-venue of the Tianwan nuclear power plant and the sub-venue of the Xudapu nuclear power plant then reported to the two heads of state that preparations for the start of construction are completed.

President Xi issued the instruction "Start!"

After the Russian representatives reported to the two heads of state that the equipment is ready to be installed, President Putin issued the instruction "Start!"

The project was officially launched as the first tank of cement was poured at the construction site of the power plants.

Yang Jiechi and Wang Yi attended the ceremony.

Photo taken on May 19, 2021 shows the launch ceremony for the construction of Unit 3 of the Xudapu nuclear power plant in Huludao City of northeast China's Liaoning Province. (Xinhua/Yao Jianfeng)

Units 7 and 8 of the Tianwan nuclear power plant and units 3 and 4 of the Xudapu nuclear power plant are significant projects in a package cooperation deal on nuclear energy. It was signed with a witness by the two heads of state in June 2018. When completed and put into operation, the annual power generation will reach 37.6 billion kilowatt-hours, which is equivalent to reducing carbon dioxide emissions by 30.68 million tonnes per year.

Nuclear energy cooperation is a traditional priority cooperation area for China and Russia. Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Zhao Lijian said that the project is the biggest China-Russia nuclear energy cooperation project to date. Zhao said it represents a high level of practical cooperation between the two countries, adding that the successful beginning of the construction of the four units demonstrates the constructive cooperation outcomes in high-end equipment manufacturing and science and technology innovation between the two countries.

Gavrilin Alexander, a Russian engineer, said he has been working on the Tianwan nuclear power plant since 2003 and highly anticipates that the construction of units 7 and 8 could be completed and put into operation at an early date. He said the new units are "much more powerful, advanced, and safer."

The construction of nuclear power plants is technology-intensive, which requires both sides to mutually cooperate with sincerity and solidarity. "It reflects the deep friendship and mutual trust between the two countries," Gavrilin Alexander said, adding that he believed China-Russia nuclear energy cooperation will achieve win-win results.

A Chinese worker and a Russian worker communicate with each other as they walk in a construction site where Units 7 and 8 of the Tianwan nuclear power plant are about to be built, in Lianyungang City, east China's Jiangsu Province, May 18, 2021. (Xinhua/Lu Huadong)

Deng Hao, secretary general of the China Center for Shanghai Cooperation Organization Studies, said with an increase in complementary trade between the two countries, the nuclear energy projects will further consolidate the material foundation of bilateral cooperation and enhance the trade and economic exchanges between China and Russia.

The event on Wednesday is also the first online bilateral exchange at the head-of-state level between the two sides since the beginning of this year. It is of great significance in guiding the China-Russia comprehensive strategic partnership of coordination for a new era to maintain high-level development, spokesperson Zhao said.

In recent years, the world has slowed down the pace of building new nuclear power plants. Experts believed that China-Russia nuclear energy cooperation will become a highlight in the global nuclear power industry and help boost worldwide confidence in this energy development.

Besides, since nuclear energy is clean and efficient, the four units will effectively reduce carbon dioxide emissions. Deng Hao said this cooperation project demonstrates that China and Russia take the same stand on combating global climate change and realizing green development.

"It also shows China's firm determination to peak its carbon dioxide emissions and achieve carbon neutrality, and its commitment as a responsible major nation," he added. 
SPRINGFIELD  Collinsville Unit School District (CUSD) 10 Superintendent Brad Skertich has been named the 2021 Superintendent of Distinction by his colleagues in the Southwestern Region of the Illinois Association of School Administrators (IASA).

Skertich was honored at an awards luncheon May 5 in Springfield, where 21 IASA regional Superintendents of Distinction were recognized.

I am fortunate to work with an amazing group of educators who are passionate about making a difference in their students lives, said Skertich, who has been an educator for 23 years and superintendent in Collinsville for two years. Previously, Skertich was superintendent at Southwestern CUSD 9 for nine years before coming to Collinsville.

Those nominating Skertich noted his leadership and efforts to close the digital divide this past year.

Since the beginning of the pandemic, Collinsville CUSD 10 focused on ensuring the district was 1:1, breaking down the connectivity barrier and meeting students academic and social emotional needs regardless of the learning setting. In less than one year, the district expanded its 1:1 technology to pre-K through 12th grade, utilized federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act money to construct a private LTE network, as well as purchase hotspots and support teachers efforts to provide synchronous and asynchronous instruction.

Our main focus was to make sure our students and staff had every resource at their disposal, while educating students during a pandemic, Skertich said.

Each Superintendent of Distinction was nominated based on their commitment, dedication and leadership.

These extraordinary individuals are exceptional leaders and difference makers in their communities, said IASA Executive Director Brent Clark.

Throughout their careers, each honoree has demonstrated an unwavering commitment to elevating the success of students in their districts.

The seventh annual luncheon was once again sponsored by Horace Mann, one of the nations largest insurers, focusing on the needs of educators.

Superintendents have had to be more flexible, nimble, creative and understanding this year than ever before, said Marita Zuraitis, Horace Mann president and chief executive officer. Horace Mann recognizes all superintendents for what they have done in the face of the constantly changing learning environment and concern around the health and safety of their staff and students. Were proud to honor those Superintendents of Distinction who are being recognized for providing strong learning models and supporting their community this year.

The Southwestern Region is comprised of Madison, Jersey, St. Clair, Monroe and Randolph counties.
LAS VEGAS (AP)  Las Vegas will fully reopen to vaccinated diners, dancers, business owners and bodybuilders beginning June 1, after county lawmakers on Tuesday followed new federal guidelines and dropped plans to tie business occupancy limits to public vaccination rates.

Clark County will delete its plan in entirety, Marilyn Kirkpatrick, chairwoman of the commission with jurisdiction over the Las Vegas Strip, said ahead of a vote to lift local mask mandates and personal distancing restrictions  and in her words, send everybody back to pre-pandemic guidelines.

The unanimous vote came after public speakers expressed anger and frustration with pandemic restrictions  especially the effects on children.

Commissioner Jim Gibson observed that county rules became meaningless after Nevada Gov. Steve Sisolak, a Democrat, on Friday aligned state requirements with U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's recommendations issued a day earlier.

It doesnt make sense for us to impose something that we really cant enforce, Gibson said.

The County Commission previously tied a goal of fully opening businesses without social distancing rules to 60% of the eligible population receiving at least one shot of a COVID-19 vaccine. The number on Tuesday was 45%, after the eligible population grew to include children ages 12 and older.

Pressure grew to drop rules after the CDC said Thursday that people who are fully vaccinated against COVID-19 can stop person-to-person distancing and mask-wearing outdoors in crowds and in most indoor settings.

Unvaccinated people should still wear masks, according to the guidelines, and the CDC said everyone  fully vaccinated or not  should still use masks in crowded indoor locations such as airplanes, buses, hospitals and prisons.

Most resorts in Las Vegas have already returned to 100% casino occupancy, with approval from regulators at the Nevada Gaming Control Board.

The county move Tuesday affects non-gambling businesses from swimming pools to wedding chapels to nightclubs. Businesses still can set their own rules.

Kirkpatrick said fully vaccinated people wont have to wear masks or separate themselves from others except where ... federal, state, local, tribal or territorial laws and regulations say otherwise.

People are allowed to be more strict than CDC guidelines, the commission chairwoman added. But that is a personal choice.

Many other states lifted mask requirements last week, following the new CDC guidelines, although Nevadas largest neighbor state did not do so.

California's chief health officer said Monday that people there should keep wearing masks and distancing indoors until June 15, to allow time to adjust rules and vaccinate more people.

In Las Vegas, the regions top health officer, Dr. Fermin Leguen, said test positivity, a measure of the number of people who take coronavirus tests that come back positive, was 4.8%. The World Health Organization goal is 5% or below to relax restrictions.

State health officials on Tuesday reported 287 new cases of COVID-19 and seven more deaths. The Department of Health and Human Services has reported more than 321,000 cases since the pandemic began and 5,540 deaths.

The Las Vegas area, with 2.3 million of Nevadas 3.1 million residents, has tallied more than 249,000 of those COVID-19 cases and 4,366 deaths  almost 79% of the statewide total.

Leguen, head of the Southern Nevada Health District, characterized hospitalization rates, which peaked at near-capacity in January because of spikes in COVID-19 cases, as back to pre-pandemic levels of admissions and demand for resources.

Although Kirkpatrick told the commission audience the county lawmakers had no jurisdiction over mask mandates for schoolchildren, almost a dozen speakers implored them to signal to the Clark County School District that facial coverings could be removed.

Bonnie Taylor, a self-described mental health professional, characterized children as pawns in political theater and said they were harmed physically and emotionally by being told they posed a threat to themselves and others.

Jodi Harris of Sight & Sound Events in Las Vegas said coronavirus restrictions have devastated her business.

She said meeting and wedding attendees should be able to dance at events, and she cast mask-wearing customers as confused to leave casino banquet halls only to enter a free for all, a party in casinos with no mask or personal distance requirements.

We are the wedding capital of the world, the event capital of the world," Harris said. We just want to get back to normal.
MARYVILLE  After 31 years of independent ownership, Bobbys Frozen Custard will be sold to the chain of Andys Frozen Custards.

Bobby and Debra Kozyak posted the announcement on the companys Facebook page May 5. News reports put the sale at $2 million.

The good news is we couldnt have possibly sold to a better company, the message reads. When my wife, Debbie, and I started thinking about a custard stand 32 years ago, we had heard about Andys in Springfield, Missouri. We took a road trip to Springfield to see what Andys was all about.

We fell in love with the look of their building and overall operation. We ended up purchasing the blueprints from Andys and built a similar operation in Maryville.

The Kozyaks emphasized that Andys has always been a role model for Bobbys, at 2525 N. Center St., which is also Route 159, in Maryville.

So it seemed only fitting that Andys was who we contacted when Debbie and I started to think about retirement, Bobby Kozyak said.

He said the two companies have mutual admiration and Andys made sure that all of Bobbys employees were offered jobs.

We cannot thank our customers enough for their 30 years of continued support, Kozyak continued. Bobbys will be run as you have always known it, with mine and Andys oversight.

He also thanked his past and present employees.

The village of Maryville congratulates Bob Kozyak on his retirement with the sale of Bobbys Frozen Custard to Andys Frozen Custard, Mayor Craig Short said. Bobbys Frozen Custard and the Kozyak family have been a tremendous community asset and partner throughout the years. We look forward to that same relationship with the new owners.

Andys Frozen Custard pre-dates Bobbys by about five years. Andys started in March 1986 in Osage Beach, Missouri, in the Lake of the Ozarks area. They established a store in Springfield, Missouri, where Andy Kuntz, son of the founders, John and Carol Kuntz, and current chief executive officer, worked.

From there, Andys has spread to 13 other states with at least 85 locations. There are six Andys in St. Louis and St. Charles counties, 14 Chicagoland locations and the Maryville location will be one of the first in Downstate Illinois.

To view the menu at Andys Frozen Custard, click here.

Reach reporter Charles Bolinger at 618-659-5735
Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker is hoping a new $6 million dollar campaign will help ignite tourism in the region as the industry rebounds from the COVID-19 pandemic.

Everyone is fully aware of the value and impact of tourism on our state and on southwest Illinois in particular, President & CEO of the Great Rivers & Routes Tourism Bureau Cory Jobe said in a press release. COVID devastated the tourism industry which took a major hit from the pandemic, prompting job losses and revenue losses in the millions.

According to the Illinois Governors Conference on Travel and Tourisms website, in 2019, tourists spent nearly $43.1 billion, which is $1.3 billion more than 2018. However, when the pandemic hit last year, those numbers were estimated to have been cut in half.

Officials with the Great Rivers & Routes Tourism Bureau said that before COVID more than $40 million in local tax revenues was generated by travelers to our region in a single year.

They are hoping that by early 2023, tourism will expand beyond its pre-pandemic levels and provide much needed economic relief to the state and local regions.

To counter the monetary losses and the drop in out-of-state visitors, the Time for Me to Drive campaign was launched. It focuses on helping Illinois reposition itself as a major road trip destination by promoting the states diverse communities and highways. It highlights the Great River Road and Route 66 and includes road trip itineraries.

But these campaigns target more than just out-of-state visitors. Illinois residents are also encouraged to participate.

These campaigns help leisure travelers know that Illinois is open for business, Jobe said. And we are excited to welcome them back.

Another campaign  Greatness Around Every Turn  focuses on southwest Illinois, specifically Madison, Jersey, Calhoun, Macoupin, Montgomery and Greene counties.

This campaign highlights all the unique experiences each county has to offer, such as kayaking on the Mississippi River, biking along the MCT Trails in Edwardsville, ziplining in Grafton, and hiking at Pere Marquette State Park. The Greatness Around Every Turn campaign began Monday and will run through Labor Day.

I think regionalism is the key to success with these campaigns. Thats why our bureau is so strong, Jobe said. Our goal is to always attract visitors throughout southwest Illinois. Each town cant win on its own. Working together is the (other) key to success.

People might visit Edwardsville for a sporting event and their families might be looking for something to do in between tournaments, Jobe said. Edwardsville has a great culinary scene and craft brewers. Then after that, they travel south. All of these factors play into the tourism experience.

Jobe said tourism is an economic driver for the region and the state.

People are ready to travel and while they may not want to get on a plane right now, we know they will get in their cars and drive to destinations that spark their imaginations, he said. We believe we have that kind of destination right here in southwest Illinois.

For more information on the campaign or to check out potential places to explore, go to RiversandRoutes.com.
Geneseo, NY (14454)

Today

Partly cloudy this morning with thunderstorms becoming likely this afternoon. High 83F. Winds E at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 70%..

Tonight

Thunderstorms this evening with a few showers possible overnight. Low around 60F. Winds NNE at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 70%.
Two recent Clare County COVID-19 deaths involved middle-aged women with underlying conditions. One died Saturday and one died May 11.

The information was released Wednesday by Central Michigan District Health Department. Another recent death in Isabella County involved an elderly woman who died May 13.

- Advertisement -

A total of 89 Isabella County residents have died from COVID-19; in Clare County, the number is 79.

For most of the pandemic, the majority of deaths across Isabella, Gratiot and Clare counties involved elderly people. Since vaccines have become widely available and the highest percentage of vaccinated people in the oldest age groups, it's become more common for middle-aged people to die.

All three vaccines available are believed 100 percent effective at preventing death and just as effective at preventing hospitalizations.

The most common vaccines available, the two-shot mRNA vaccines from Pfizer and Moderna, are believed 95 percent effective in preventing illness at peak immunity. The one-shot adenovirus vaccine from Johnson & Johnson is believed approximately 66 percent effective.

Both two-shot mRNA vaccines are also believed to offer significant protection after just one dose.

In Clare County, 68 percent of the most at-risk group -- people 75 and older -- have completed their vaccination run. That percentage jumps to 73 in Gratiot County, and is at 73.1 percent in Isabella County.

In the 50-75 age group, only 50.3 percent of people in Clare County have received one shot, 55.9 percent of people in Gratiot County and 56.7 percent in Isabella County.

Overall, 42.27 percent of residents in Clare County have started their vaccination run compared to 41.53 percent in Gratiot County and 40.65 percent in Isabella County. Statewide, 50.9 percent have had one shot.

The percentage of people who've received their second shot runs approximately 10 percent lower. In Clare County, 38.07 percent of eligible residents have had both. In Gratiot County, 35.85 percent have had both shots. In Isabella County, 33.93 percent have had both shots. Statewide, it is 43.3 percent.

An additional 11 case were reported on Wednesday in Isabella County, bringing its cumulative total to 5,313. Four more cases were reported in Gratiot County for a cumulative total of 3,178, with 112 deaths. Three more cases were reported in Clare County for a cumulative total of 2,015.

Elsewhere in mid-Michigan, no deaths were reported, with new and cumulative cases and deaths as follows:

In Gladwin County, an additional three cases were reported for a cumulative total of 1,892, with 53 deaths;

In Mecosta County, an additional five cases were reported for a cumulative total of 2,960, with 31 deaths;

In Midland County, an additional 18 cases were reported for a cumulative total of 6,697, with 83 deaths; and,

In Montcalm County, an additional 21 cases were reported for a cumulative total of 5,315, with 105 deaths.

Statewide, 31 new deaths were reported over the weekend for a total of 18,741 and another 1,560 cases were reported for a cumulative total of 879,685.

READ MORE:

Isabella discusses how to spend its $13 million in COVID relief Isabella County is expected to receive $13 million in federal COVID relief funds, and the first of two anticipated disbursements could come wi

Long-running Ithaca car show returns after one-year hiatus After a one-year hiatus due to COVID-19 pandemic restrictions a long-running event showcasing all types of vehicles is returning to mid-Michigan.

Services Saturday for pilot who died in crash A 23-year-old Gratiot County man was killed Monday afternoon in a plane crash about seven miles east of Shepherd.

Community Foundation awards $122,100 in scholarships to local students The Mt. Pleasant Area Community Foundation (MPACF) will soon award 98 scholarships totaling $122,100 to local students.
Source: Xinhua| 2021-05-19 09:52:46|Editor: huaxia

Video Player Close

ACCRA, May 18 (Xinhua)-- Ghana will issue enhanced COVID-19 vaccination cards to people who get their second shots in counterfeit cards crackdown, said the Ghana Health Service (GHS) on Tuesday.

Patrick Kuma-Aboagye, director-general of the GHS, told a press briefing that holograms would be imprinted on the vaccination cards of those who get their second shots for authentication.

"In some parts of the world, people show up with fraudulent vaccination cards claiming they have been fully vaccinated against COVID-19 when they are not," said Kuma-Aboagye.

The director-general added that once people show up at vaccination centers, their data would be pulled up to verify whether they had already taken the first dose to ensure the cards are issued based on authentic data.

"This is the first time a vaccination demands we collect so much data about people being vaccinated. After the second dose, the system automatically prints out the enhanced COVID-19 vaccination cards," he said.

Kuma-Aboagye, however, cautioned that even those who get their second doses continue wearing face masks and observing safety protocols because "the second dose does not protect you 100 percent." Enditem
The remains of the Edenville Dam, as seen on Wednesday, May 20, 2020 in Edenville Township north of Midland. After two days of heavy rain, the Edenville Dam failed and flood waters rushed south, ravaging the landscape in its path. (Jake May/The Flint Journal, MLive.com via AP)
Salida, CO (81201)

Today

Sunny. High near 85F. Winds SE at 10 to 20 mph..

Tonight

Clear skies. Low 49F. Winds SE at 10 to 20 mph, becoming WNW and decreasing to 5 to 10 mph.
Instant unlimited access to all of our content on thenewsguard.com.

The News Guard E-Edition Newsletter emailed to you each week, the night before the paper hits the street!

This subscription is for NEW or RENEWING online subscribers.

(The charge will appear as "Country Media Inc." on your credit card statement)


While many outdoor events are returning to Downriver communities this summer, the Wyandotte Street Art Fair will not be one of them.

On Wednesday, the city of Wyandotte announced the cancellation of the 60th annual Wyandotte Street Art Fair, the second year in a row the popular event has been cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Art fair organizers gave every indication that the event would return this July, but as the date drew closer, certain factors beyond their control caused them to rethink that decision.

- Advertisement -

It is very clear to us that it will not be possible for the event to take place as planned with the necessary COVID-19 protocols for large outdoor events, city officials said in a statement posted on Facebook. With the cancellation of the Ann Arbor Street Art Fair, the largest art fair in the state of Michigan, there will be a direct impact on the number of artists and vendors that travel to Michigan to do the fair circuit.

With many artists canceling, and with Wyandotte having the second largest art fair in the state, city officials said they were forced to rethink their plans.

An item concerning the cancellation of the art fair will be on the Wyandotte City Councils agenda for its May 24 meeting.

In lieu of the street fair, the city's Special Events Office plans to coordinate the production of a section in the June edition of Welcome to Wyandotte Magazine that will feature artists, businesses and vendors who would have participated in the fair.

We realize this is enormously disappointing news for the many people who participate and the hundreds of thousands of attendees to this annual city event, but we will be planning smaller events and activities that include many of the artists and crafters, nonprofit organizations and food vendors throughout the month of July, city officials said in a statement. These happenings will also encourage visiting our local businesses and participating in our social district in the downtown.

Sign up for our daily morning newsletter Click here and then look to the right side for the sign up to the morning newsletter for The News Herald, and you can get the top headlines de

Heather Thiede-Champlin, who serves as the city's special events coordinator, said she is confident the city will be able to host smaller activities within the current outdoor event guidelines for the months of July and August.

These activities will have artists, crafters, food vendors and other businesses and organizations that would have been at the extremely large event, but now they will be spread out throughout the downtown and on different weeks or weekends, she said.

The Wyandotte Street Art Fair will sponsor the Music on MainStreet program in the downtown area on Friday nights, as well as work with retailers to host artists, crafters and entertainers.

The Special Events Office has already begun planning these smaller events and programs for this summer, as well as laying the groundwork for next years art fair, which will take place July 6-9, 2022.

New $1.3 million space-themed playground underway at Lower Huron Metropark Construction is expected to begin this summer on a unique space-themed playground at Lower Huron Metropark.

+3 Spring vendor market, symposium in Taylor offers 'Good Thymes in the Gardens' The Taylor Conservatory Foundation will host Good Thymes in the Gardens, its first-ever spring vendor market and mini garden symposium, May 22
Source: Xinhua| 2021-05-19 22:11:08|Editor: huaxia

Video Player Close

LUSAKA, May 19 (Xinhua) -- Zambia's central bank on Wednesday held the benchmark lending rate at 8.5 percent with the central bank chief expressing optimism on the country's economic recovery this year.

Bank of Zambia (BoZ) Governor Christopher Mvunga said although the economy contracted in the first quarter of 2021, the projection for the remaining year shows a positive turnaround.

The economy contracted in the first quarter mainly due to the negative effect of the second wave of the COVID-19 as well as a reduction in copper production.

He however said projections for the subsequent quarters of the year paint a positive economic outturn.

This, he said, was mainly due to the improved copper prices on the international market and the ongoing talks with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) for a financing agreement as well as increased crop production.

"We are not worried about the economic outlook because so far the prospects look good," he told reporters during a press briefing.

The central bank chief expressed optimism that the talks with the IMF for a possible financing program were going smoothly, and that all parties were committed to a positive outcome that will spur economic growth. Enditem
That release could not be found.
Listen to article

President Emmanuel Macron of France has pledged to support Nigeria combat insecurity bedeviling the Lake Chad basin area and the entire stretch of the Sahel region.

Macron spoke at a bilateral meeting between him and President Muhammadu Buhari.

The meeting was hosted by the Nigerian leader on the sidelines of the Financing Africa Summit in Paris.

The French President pledged his steadfast support for the West African that is currently facing a number of security challenges.

In a statement signed by Garba Shehu, Buhari Spokesman, and made available to media houses, the French leader said that his country will absolutely be there on the side of Nigeria and it is willing to support with everything to assist the country to overcome the security threats.

Macron promised to help the most populous black nation in the world in confronting the challenges of COVID-19 vaccines.

He added in the statement that President Buhari outlined the challenges all round facing the country as well as its neighbours and spoke about the steps he has taken to reignite response to the situation, which he said included the appointment of the new Service Chiefs.

The Nigerian leader said his country was willing to work with France and all international partners to overcome the West African countrys security challenges.
Listen to article

President Muhammadu Buhari has explained the probable reasons why Boko Haram has launched attacks in Nigerian in the recent time. The President stated that the insurgents have taken advantage of the coronavirus pandemic to launch attacks in Nigeria.

He stated this in an article published on Tuesday in Le Point , a French weekly magazine.

In the article, Buhari said Nigeria and France have a common enemy like COVID-19, which is terrorism, adding that both countries need collaboration to effectively address the situation.

Today, leaders from across Africa meet in Paris to discuss plans to recover from the impact of a common enemy  COVID-19. But for African nations from across the Sahel region and beyond, the issues are inseparable from the fight against another common enemy which is terrorism.

And like the war against the Coronavirus, it is one we are fully united with France in our strong determination to overcome, the president wrote.

Across the world, conflict and Coronavirus have not been far apart. As governments have struggled to contain COVID, jihadists have taken advantage in the Sahel  the vast arid stretch of territory that lies between the Sahara and Sub-Saharan Africa. Terrorist incidents have become tragically common across Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger.

Around the Lake Chad Basin, Boko Haram terrorism have taken advantage of the pandemic and pushed back into my country Nigeria, whilst still launching raids and attacks in Chad, Cameroon, and Niger.

Recall that President Buhari travelled to France on Sunday for a finance summit for African countries affected by the coronavirus pandemic.
Listen to article

Matters of volatile quality require statecraft. That which is necessary may not be expedient or practicable under certain circumstances. And it takes statesmanship to discern the feasible moment for applying needed policy prescriptions. Issues of state are delicate  and with a country like Nigeria they are volcanic.

When a decision which affects a distinct group is taken by political leaders without consultation and without the exhaustion of the process of dialogue and conciliation that resolution is subject to be interpreted as prejudiced. And most importantly, when the decision involves the dislocation of a people from an age-long livelihood, statesmanship is imperative.

Open grazing is no longer salubrious -- both for cattle, man and the climate. Herding cattle from place to place is an anachronistic practice that is best suspended in the past. Nomadism does not belong in the present or in the future of Nigeria. We have to evolve beyond this outmoded method of rearing animals.

However, as I said in a 2018 article we must realise that for the Fulani, nomadism is not just an economic alternative, but a sacerdotal pursuit. Compelling them to discard their hallowed endeavour without an economic surrogate is tad insensitive.

At the acme of the farmer-herder crisis in 2018, the federal government unfurled the National Livestock Transformation Plan (NLTP). The plan was anchored to six viable stanchions -- economic investment, conflict resolution, law and order, humanitarian relief, information education and strategic communication, and cross-cutting issues.

The economic investment angle will support and strengthen the development of market-driven ranches in pilot states for improved livestock productivity through breed (genetic) improvement and pasture production, in addition to efficient land and water productivity. With the plan, the government aims to build trust and confidence among local communities through its conflict resolution plank.

It also aims at preserving law and order by the strengthening of legal frameworks for improving livestock production, peace and harmony while through humanitarian relief it seeks to rebuild and reconstruct common facilities (worship places, markets and individual homes that have been destroyed).

In addition, the plan is designed to aid information, education and strategic communication on the development of grazing reserves in the frontline states, and mitigate the consequences of these conflicts such as wanton loss of lives, destruction of properties, including schools and facilities.

But when the national livestock plan was launched, instead of winning support it was roundly repudiated by most governors in the south. The plan was submerged in a fractious controversy and politically poisoned. Some governors of the south-east, in particular, publicly rejected the plan while some toxicified the purpose of the initiative and dubbed it an insidious attempt by the federal government to ensconce Fulani hegemony in the country.

Here is what the International Crisis Group says about the programme: The new plan represents Nigerias most comprehensive strategy yet to encourage pastoralists to switch to ranching and other sedentary livestock production systems. Modernising the livestock sector is key to resolving the herder-farmer conflict, which threatens Nigerias political stability and food security.

The group recommends that federal and state authorities, working with donors and investors, should prioritise securing funds, training personnel and communicating the plans benefits to herders and farmers. Making progress on pilot ranches, donor commitments and staff training before the 2023 election, and ensuing change of administration, may help preserve the plans post-election viability.

But why are some governors in the south not persuaded by the plan? Some have openly declared, no land for ranching in our state. A few days ago, governors of the south converged and resolved to ban open grazing. This is while they are yet to implement the plan that will resolutely address open grazing.

The governors (some of them though) blackball the national livestock plan, and they also oppose open grazing; how then do we make progress? This is one of the reasons the resolution of the states to ban open grazing in the region flagellates sentiments of ethnic targeting. How could you settle to ban an enterprise without laying out a substitute? Although the security of the region is at the core of the governors decision, summarily determining the fate of other Nigerians without consideration of the associated economic and social perils is not prudent.

By dint of being Nigerians, the Fulani herders (not foreign nomads) have protection under the law. They are free to do their business anywhere in the country. They must be factored in the decisions of any state in the country. And as long as some states dither in implementing the national livestock plan, I do not think it is fitting to ban open grazing. All Nigerians should matter.

Also, if the Fulani will ranch cattle; they must be educated as to the whys and wherefores of it. They must also be allowed to shed the old tradition and to assimilate a new one. As it is, herdsmen have become a pariah in the country. We must take a wholesome approach to addressing insecurity and its concomitants.

Governors  north and south  do not need to work at cross purposes and according to regional bearings. Loyalty should be to Nigeria as a whole primarily, and the states secondarily.

All Nigerians should matter.

Fredrick Mr OneNigeria Nwabufo Twitter @FredrickNwabufo
LANSING (AP)  Instead of learning a foreign language, Michigan students could take computer coding classes to replace the high school graduation requirement, under a bill that passed the state House Tuesday.

Currently, the Michigan Merit Curriculum, which dictates the state's academic standards for graduation, requires students to take two world language credits to receive a high school diploma.

Before the bill passed a vote, bill sponsor Rep. Greg VanWoerkom spoke about the value of coding in Michigan's prominent auto and tech industries, as well as it being a good alternative for those kids who struggle with traditional language classes.

- Advertisement -

"Besides being a hard skill, that employers actually want, coding. helps build soft skills. Coding promotes the use of logic, reasoning, problem solving and creativity," the Norton Shores Republican said. "Any professional coder will tell you that to be fluent in coding takes years of practice and a deep understanding of the language."

In opposition to the bill, Rep Padma Kuppa said though she understands the importance of adding more technology education to curriculums, having had a career as a mechanical engineer, coding is not a foreign language. Students need both computer and tech skills and foreign language skills.

"As technology helps the world become more interconnected, our ability to understand and work with others on technical projects around the globe is not only related to the ability to code, but to understand one another," the Troy Democrat said.

With state House passage, the bill will now have to clear a vote in the Senate and then gain the governor's approval.

VanWoerkom sponsored legislation to allow coding classes to act as a substitute for the world language requirements in 2019, but it didn't make it to the House floor for a vote.

___

Anna Liz Nichols is a corps member for the Associated Press/Report for America Statehouse News Initiative. Report for America is a nonprofit national service program that places journalists in local newsrooms to report on undercovered issues.

Passing on your password? Streaming services are past it NEW YORK (AP)  Many of us were taught to share as kids. Now streaming services ranging from Netflix to Amazon to Disney+ want us to stop.

+4 Netflixs Jupiters Legacy takes decent superhero themes and blends them blandly | TV review A few children are playing outside, pretending to be superheroes. As they run around, a girl yells laser eyes! to suggest she has just fired powerful beams from her head. Her target, a boy, says she missed him.

+6 As chip shortage goes on, cars are scarce and prices are up DETROIT (AP)  For the next few months, Charlie Gilchrist figures his 11 car dealerships in the Dallas-Fort Worth area will sell just about ev
Oakland County Sheriff Michael Bouchard is voicing support for a $80 million Michigan House GOP plan to further support law enforcement in the field.

Last week, Bouchard spoke in Lansing expressing his support for the "Safer Communities, Stronger Support" Plan, which aims to enhance first responder mental health, secondary road patrol and body camera programs, community policing initiatives, deputy and officer retention and recruiting, de-escalation training and skill development, and financial assistance for those enrolled in policy academy programs.

Around $78 million in funding has been budgeted in House Bill 4420, a $3.6 billion supplemental bill, to support the policies proposed in the plan. HB 4420 is now before the Michigan Senate for consideration and review.

- Advertisement -

+16 Public service in the US: Increasingly thankless, exhausting He scurries through his apartment, downing a quick mug of coffee, brushing his teeth, feeding his pet rabbit, Auggie, before leaving. Not so l

Bouchard said legislation involving police reform are "absolutely supported," but that the public needs to understand that the "vast majority" of law enforcement officers are doing the "right thing everyday."

"They need your help and they need your support," he said. "This package focuses on the things that make a difference including training, recruitment, retention, and mental health. 306 officers died in the line of duty last year and more perished as a result of suicide. That is a tragedy for the country. We recognize there are things that need to be reformed, but that doesn't eliminate the need to support the men and women (in law enforcement) that are doing the right thing every."

Speaker of the House Jason Wentworth said the package will support law enforcement, strengthen the criminal justice system and expand community policing statewide.

Local departments statewide are facing several long-term challenges that are getting in the way of quality policework and are threatening the future of this profession, he said. At the same time, police are under the microscope more than ever before. We need to rise to the occasion and provide the help our local officers need to do the job and keep our communities safe.

Michigan law enforcement leaders: Don't eliminate certain legal protections for our deputies and officers Southeast Michigan law enforcement officials proposed Wednesday alternatives to some reforms being proposed in the George Floyd Justice in Pol

Here's an outline of what the "Safer Communities, Stronger Support" Plan involves and how much funding is being allocated in HB 4420 to support each new policy:

First Responder and Public Safety Staff Mental Health: $7.5 million for behavioral health providers to support local first responder and public safety staff

$7.5 million for behavioral health providers to support local first responder and public safety staff Secondary Road Patrol Program: $2.7 million in federal dollars to support the local secondary road patrol programs

$2.7 million in federal dollars to support the local secondary road patrol programs Body-Worn Camera Programs: $10 million $2.5 million to outfit state troopers with body-worn cameras and to support associated costs $7.5 million in grants to local public safety departments for equipment and personnel required to implement and maintain body-worn camera programs.

$10 million Community Policing Programs: $10 million in grants to create or expand local community policing programs

$10 million in grants to create or expand local community policing programs Law Enforcement Signing Bonuses: $5 million in grants for local police/public safety departments to offer new officer signing bonuses of up to $2,000.

$5 million in grants for local police/public safety departments to offer new officer signing bonuses of up to $2,000. Local Law Enforcement Explorer and Job Shadowing Programs: $10 million to support local police/public safety department explorer and job shadowing programs.

$10 million to support local police/public safety department explorer and job shadowing programs. Police Academy Assistance: $30 million $10 million to provide salaries of up to $4,000 to local law enforcement/public safety department recruits who are enrolled in police training academy programs and receiving tuition assistance $20 million to create a scholarship program to provide police academy scholarships of up to $20,000 to recruits on a first-come, first-serve basis.

$30 million Recruitment Marketing: $2.15 million for Michigan State Police to establish a grant program for the development of targeted marketing and advertising campaigns for recruitment in the local law enforcement profession.

The individual policy bills are still being finalized and are in the drafting process. The budget items needed to fund those proposed policies are included in House Bill 4420, which is the $3.6 billion supplemental budget bill for the current fiscal year.

Whitmer appoints two Oakland County officials to Michigan Jail Reform Advisory Council Gov. Gretchen Whitmer has signed an executive order creating the Michigan Jail Reform Advisory Council to help implement "long overdue reforms

+6 George Floyd verdict gives hope, if only fleeting, to Black America MINNEAPOLIS (AP)  Relief, even if fleeting and momentary, is a feeling that Black Americans have rarely known in America: From slavery to Jim
A Clarkston man identified as a Wolverine Watchmen member has entered into a plea deal involving charges tied to an alleged plot to kidnap Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, agreeing to aid in an ongoing investigation into fellow members, according to Attorney General Dana Nessel.

Maxwell Wycoff, 22, entered his plea May 18 before Oakland County Circuit Judge Jeffery Matis, who will sentence him next month. Hes charged with one count of converting a semiautomatic weapon to an automatic weapon, punishable by up to four years in prison and/or a $2,000 fine, and one count of possessing a muffler or silencer device, punishable by up to five years in prison or a $2,500 fine. Both charges require forfeiture of the weapon or device.

However, the Department of the Attorney General has preliminarily consented to having Wyckoff sentenced under the Holmes Youthful Trainee Act, which calls for him serving probation with the opportunity to have the conviction expunged afterward. The penalty will be determined by Matis, who will sentence Wyckoff on June 29.

- Advertisement -

The AGs office said Wycoff is not accused of being involved in supporting the alleged kidnapping plot, which resulted in the arrest of eight other Wolverine Watchmen members. Rather, Wycoff was charged after authorities searched his home as part of the investigation into Wolverine Watchmen members.

RELATED COVERAGE:

+4 3 Wolverine Watchmen ordered to stand trial for alleged plot to kidnap Whitmer, others Three men purported to be members of the Wolverine Watchmen  one from Oakland County and two from Jackson County  are bound over for trial f

+4 Who are the Oakland County men charged with plotting to kidnap Gretchen Whitmer? Three men from Oakland County are key players accused in a Michigan plot that has dominated national headlines.
featured

Pontiac

Sheriffs: Man drives Jeep into historic building in Pontiac after being shot
Source: Xinhua| 2021-05-19 22:12:42|Editor: huaxia

Video Player Close

A health worker unseals a box of COVID-19 vaccines at a hospital in Lilongwe, Malawi, on May 19, 2021. Malawian government Wednesday destroyed 19,610 expired COVID-19 AstraZeneca vaccines despite WHO's call for countries to keep the expired vaccines. (Photo by Joseph Mizere/Xinhua)

LILONGWE, May 19 (Xinhua) -- Malawi government Wednesday destroyed 19,610 expired COVID-19 AstraZeneca vaccines despite WHO's call for countries to keep the expired vaccines.

Minister of Health, Khumbize Kandodo Chiponda, led the destruction of the expired vaccines at a public event held at Kamuzu Central Hospital incinerator in the capital Lilongwe in the presence of local and international media.

The minister, who is also co-chairperson for the Presidential Task Force on COVID-19, said the destruction of the vaccines is in line with the country's policy that does not allow any use of expired health commodities.

"We are destroying the vaccines to ensure that they are not used in the country's health system. Historically, under the Expanded Immunization Programme of Malawi, no expired vaccine has ever been used. We are destroying publicly in order to stay accountable to Malawians that the vaccines that expired are not being used during the vaccination campaign and, on behalf of the Government, I assure all Malawians that no one will be given an expired COVID-19 vaccine," she said.

Chiponda added that the vaccines expired because "they were of short shelf life" by the time the country received the particular consignment of the donation.

According to the minister, the country received a consignment of 102,000 vaccines from AU on March 26 with an expiry date of April 13 and the Malawi government managed to use all but the 19,610 vaccines by the date of expiry.

The minister has since thanked the government of India, the AU and WHO for donating the COVID-19 vaccines to Malawi and she has described it as lifesaving gesture to the sub-Saharan country.

Malawi has received 360,000 vaccines from WHO under the COVAX Facility, 50,000 vaccines from India, and 102,000 vaccines from AU, making a total of 512,000 vaccines.

The vaccine campaign in Malawi is currently underway with over 335,000 doses administered. Enditem
There's a wild card in the push to return to post-pandemic life: Many workers don't want to go back to the jobs they once had.
Flight passengers to Phuket without documents to be refused boarding

PHUKET: Flight passengers travelling to Phuket must present documents proving that the passenger is fully vaccinated or has tested negative for COVID-19 within the previous 72 hours or they will not be allowed to board the plane.

COVID-19Coronavirushealthtourismtransport

By The Phuket News

Wednesday 19 May 2021, 12:05PM

People arriving at the checkpoint to enter Phuket by road are now being checked for the correct documents. Photo: PPHO

People arriving at the checkpoint to enter Phuket by road are now being checked for the correct documents. Photo: PPHO

People arriving at the checkpoint to enter Phuket by road are now being checked for the correct documents. Photo: PPHO

People arriving at the checkpoint to enter Phuket by road are now being checked for the correct documents. Photo: PPHO

People arriving at the checkpoint to enter Phuket by road are now being checked for the correct documents. Photo: PPHO

People arriving at the checkpoint to enter Phuket by road are now being checked for the correct documents. Photo: PPHO

People arriving at the checkpoint to enter Phuket by road are now being checked for the correct documents. Photo: PPHO

People arriving at the checkpoint to enter Phuket by road are now being checked for the correct documents. Photo: PPHO

People arriving at the checkpoint to enter Phuket by road are now being checked for the correct documents. Photo: PPHO

Present at the meeting at Phuket Provincial Hall on Monday (May 17) were Soonthorn Sakdasawit, Deputy Director of Phuket International Airport, and Dr Ratchapol Prabrai, Senior Doctor of the Medical Department at the Phuket Airport Medical Division. Photo: AoT Phuket

The directive was issued by the Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand (CAAT) just before 8pm last night.

The directive came into effect today (May 19).

Airline passengers will be refused travel to Phuket if their vaccination is incomplete or they do not have a test document for COVID-19, the directive said.

Previously, Phuket Province has taken measures to prevent the spread of the COVID-19 virus with rapid [antigen] tests being conducted at Phuket Airport, but the latest announcement by the [Phuket] Communicable Diseases Committee has canceled the process, the CAAT noted.

From 19 May 2021 onwards, passengers traveling by airline must present evidence to the airline staff from the originating airport.

This is evidence of receiving two doses of the COVID-19 vaccine, or a document confirming that COVID-19 was tested by RT-PCR or Antigen Rapid Test within 72 hours prior to the journey and had a negative test result.

If [the passenger] is unable to show any evidence, the passenger will be denied travel by the airline. the CAAT ordered.

The directive also noted that passengers travelling to Phuket must also have the MorChana app installed on their phone and have location sharing enabled on the app at all times for the duration of their stay in Phuket.

Passengers must also register their travel details through the www.gophuget.com web portal.

This is in accordance with the resolution of the Phuket Communicable Disease Committee, the CAAT directive noted.

And in order to make the passengers journey to be orderly, the Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand requests passengers to check the announcements of the destination province before traveling to be able to comply with the measures of the destination province correctly and facilitate travel.

They are also asked to strictly adhere to the measures of the Ministry of Public Health to prevent the spread of COVID-19, the CAAT order said.

Of note, Phuket officials made no announcement of the mandatory document checks for flight passengers coming to Phuket following the meeting of the Phuket Communicable Disease Committee at Phuket Provincial Hall on Monday.

Instead, the media blitz that ensued focussed on the long queues of people at the one road checkpoint onto the island following the cancellation of the use of rapid antigen tests to allow people onto Phuket  despite Phuket officials continuing to use the tests to allow people into Phuket by road for two days after the official order mandated that the rapid tests cease.



People arriving in Phuket by road unable to prove either requirement must now serve a 14-day quarantine, or stay in quarantine for their entire stay if their stay is less than 14 days, if they want to come into Phuket.

So far Phuket officials have not made any announcements regarding allowing people arriving at the airport to enter quarantine after arriving.

That option is currently available only to people arriving in Phuket by road.
New B700bn loan approved to save virus-hit economy

THAILAND: The cabinet has approved the draft of an executive decree authorising the government to borrow an additional B700 billion to revitalise the economy battered by the latest wave of COVID-19 infections, a government source said.

CoronavirusCOVID-19economics

By Bangkok Post

Wednesday 19 May 2021, 10:37AM

Workers form a long line as they wait to undergo a COVID-19 test at their construction site in Bangkoks Laksi district yesterday (May 18). Residents in communities around the site are also being tested. So far, 680 of the 1,667 workers have tested positive. Of them, 120 are being treated in hospital. Photo: Pattarapong Chatpattarasill.

The draft was tabled at a cabinet meeting yesterday (May 18), chaired by Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha.

The decree will authorise the government to borrow the money to rehabilitate the virus-hit economy as well as fund schemes to help people and entrepreneurs affected by the third wave of the pandemic which has been more severe than the two previous rounds, the source said.

Of the B700bn loan, about B30bn will be earmarked for the procurement of medical supplies, vaccine shots, research and the renovation of hospitals, the source said.

With the new loan, public debt, at the end of September, is estimated at B9.38 trillion or 58.6% of the GDP which is close to the fiscal sustainability framework ceiling of 60%, the source said.

The reason for issuing the new loan decree is because the government has almost completely used up the B1trn loan under the decree issued last year to ease the economic impact during the first round of COVID-19, the source said.

The source said that on May 11, the cabinet approved the disbursement of about B834bn under the B1trn loan decree, with B166bn remaining.

Senior Finance Ministry officials refused to comment on the matter yesterday because the meeting was supposedly secret. Details will be made known after the decree is officially published in the Royal Gazette, the source said. Anucha Burapachaisri, government spokesperson, refused to comment on this matter yesterday.

The Finance Ministrys Fiscal Policy Office (FPO) previously slashed its economic growth forecast for the second time to 2.3% this year from its earlier prediction in January of 2.8% and 4.5% in Oct 2020, attributing the drop mostly to the battered tourism sector as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.

In the fiscal year 2020 ending last September, the Revenue Department collected total tax revenues of B1.83trn, falling short of its target by 13.4% and 8.7% lower than over the same period in the previous fiscal year. In the first half of the fiscal year 2021 (Oct 2020-March 2021), it collected tax revenue worth B735bn, 9.4% lower than its target and 8.7% lower than on the same period in the previous fiscal year.
Two Thai workers killed in Israel rocket attack

THAILAND: Two Thai workers were killed in southern Israel by rocket fire from Gaza yesterday (May 18), police said, raising to 12 the death toll in the Jewish state since the conflict broke out.

deathpolitics

By AFP

Wednesday 19 May 2021, 09:07AM

Rockets being fired by Palestinian militants towards Israel near Rafah, in the southern Gaza Strip, yesterday (May 18). Photo: AFP.

In the last wave of rockets that landed in the Eshkol region, two people were killed, police spokesman Micky Rosenfeld said, identifying the dead as workers from Thailand. A week ago, a Thai national was wounded by another rocket fired from Gaza, and a farm labourer from Thailand was killed in the 2004 Israel-Gaza war. Magen David Adom, Israels equivalent of the Red Cross, said seven other foreign workers were wounded by shrapnel in the latest attack, one of them seriously. They were all taken to Soroka hospital in the southern town of Beersheba. According to the United Hatzalah volunteer rescue service, the Gaza rocket hit a packaging factory near the border.
Vaccination registration opens for foreigners in all Phuket businesses

PHUKET: Foreigners working for any businesses in Phuket with a Phuket-registered address can now register to be vaccinated through the government mass-vaccination campaign.

COVID-19Coronavirustourismeconomicshealth

By The Phuket News

Wednesday 19 May 2021, 01:23PM

The mass vaccination campaign continued at Phuket airport yesterday (May 18). Photo: PPHO

The mass vaccination campaign continued at Phuket airport yesterday (May 18). Photo: PPHO

The mass vaccination campaign continued at Phuket airport yesterday (May 18). Photo: PPHO

The mass vaccination campaign continued at Phuket airport yesterday (May 18). Photo: PPHO

The mass vaccination campaign continued at Phuket airport yesterday (May 18). Photo: PPHO

The mass vaccination campaign continued at Phuket airport yesterday (May 18). Photo: PPHO

The mass vaccination campaign continued at Phuket airport yesterday (May 18). Photo: PPHO

The mass vaccination campaign continued at Phuket airport yesterday (May 18). Photo: PPHO

The news was announced during a press conference broadcast live online this morning (May 19).

Present for the live broadcast were Phuket Governor Narong Woonciew, Phuket Vice Governor Piyapong Choowong, Phuket Provincial Administrative Organisation (PPAO, or OrBorJor) President Rewat Areerob, Phuket Provincial Public Health Office (PPHO) Chief Kusak Kukiattikoon, Vachira Phuket Hospital Director Chalermpong Sukontapol and Phuket City Police Chief Col Theerawat Liamsuwan.

Also present for todays briefing were Ministry of Digital Economy and Society academic Pracha Asawathira and Dr Chayanon Pucharoen, Associate Dean for Research and Graduate Studies at the Faculty of Hospitality and Tourism at the Prince of Songkla University (PSU) Phuket campus in Kathu.

The situation this week is better, as we have had single-digit numbers of daily new infected cases. Yesterday we had only two new cases, bringing the total number to 610 cases [since Apr 3], Dr Kusak Kukiattikoon Chief of Phuket Public Health Office (PPHO) explained

Four hundred and seventy five are already discharged from hospitals, 140 are still receiving treatment, and one person died, he added.

Five cases are in ICU rooms. Two of them need to use the breathing apparatus. We have 610 beds for high-risk people in hotels, but right now 418 are used. At the field hospital at PSU, we have 170 beds, and now 60 are used, he said.

We have worked with the PPAO to conduct proactive screening in 12 areas and conducted swab tests on about 3,000 people. We found nine infected cases, Dr Kusak continued.

We also worked with the Social Security Office to conduct proactive screening in six businesses with a lot of staff, and we did not find any infected cases, he said.

For Phuket Prison, we went and tested 100 prisoners who had fever but found no infected cases, Dr Kusak confirmed.

VACCINATION PLAN

Dr Chalermpong Sukontapol, Director of Vachira Phuket Hospital, explained changes to the timeline of the mass-vaccination campaign underway in Phuket.

We are to receive 200,000 doses of Sinovac in May and another 200,000 doses in June. 150,000 doses of AstraZeneca will come in June too, he said.

Last night Dr Chalermpong confirmed that 35,000 doses of the Sinovac vaccine arrived in Phuket last Saturday (May 15), which were formally handed over by Deputy Prime Minister and Public Health Minister Anutin Charnvirakul.

A further 50,000 doses of teh Sinovac vaccine arrived in Phuket on Monday (May 17), and 115,000 doses of the Sinovac vaccine are to arrive in Phuket today (May 19).

Those who receive even just the first injection of the AstraZeneca vaccine will have up to 75% protection against the virus, Dr Chalermpong said this morning.

The Ministry of Public Health has explained to administer the second injection four months later, he said.

The last day of mass vaccinations in Phuket will be on June 24. We will have more than 70% of people vaccinated and have achieved herd immunity, so that we can welcome vaccinated tourists, Dr Chlermpong confirmed.

During May 18-28, we will give the Sinovac vaccine as the first injection to 200,000 people.

During June 1-10, we will give the AstraZeneca vaccine to 150,000 people, including elders who are older than 60 years.

From June 11-24, we will give the second injection of Sinovac vaccine, he said.

Yesterday, from the six [mass-vaccination] stations, we provided vaccine injections to 14,631 people, which met the goal that we had set, Dr Chalermpong noted.

So far, we have had about 10 people who have had side effects from the vaccination and needed to be observed and under care at the hospital, he added.

I assure that in Phuket we do not have people having serious side effects from the vaccination, Dr Chalermpong said.

VACCINATION REGISTRATION

Pracha Asawathira, a PhD academic with the Ministry of Digital Economy and Society, explained that so far more than 376,000 people in Phuket have registered to be vaccinated through the government campaign.

For this second round of vaccinations, we have 202,582 people registered, and 174,217 people have been assigned appointments to receive an injection, he said.

So far, 24,133 people have received their first injection, while 93,236 people have received their second injection, and are fully vaccinated.

Right now, in total thats 117,369 people, which is about 24% of the people on the island, he added.

We still need about 150,000 more people to be registered, including Thai people from other provinces who work in Phuket and foreigners [on the island], Mr Pracha noted.

The registration for foreigners is now open for all kinds of businesses. You can register to get vaccinated right now, he said.

The Phuket News independently confirmed this morning that non-tourism-related businesses in Phuket can register their foreign employees.

INFECTION RATE

Dr Chayanon Pucharoen, Associate Dean for Research and Graduate Studies at the Faculty of Hospitality and Tourism at the Prince of Songkla University (PSU) Phuket campus in Kathu, explained that, as already evidenced by the falling number of daily new cases, the infection rate across the island is falling.

Before this, we had an infection rate of about 2.5:1. Then the rate reduced to 2.2 and kept stable for two weeks. Then the rate reduced to 1.8, Dr Chayanon said.

If we had maintained an infection rate of 1.8, in the past week, we would have had about 1,067 cases, he noted.

Thank you to our people for together reducing the rate by not gathering, he said.

Right now, Phuket has the number of new infected cases per 100,000 people lower than the national average. The number right now is the lowest rate we have ever had during the past couple of months, he noted.

Dont be careless. Every time we have new cluster on the island, the rate always increases, so every person must unite to follow the [COVID prevention] measures, Dr Chayanon said.

SURVIVAL BAGS

Rewat Areerob, President of the Phuket Provincial administration Organization (PPAO or OrBorJor) explained that efforts were continuing to provide support to those suffering deep financial hardship during the ongoing economic crisis.

The Communicable Disease Committee has assigned the PPAO to help our people, he said.

I have coordinated with the local administrative organization in each subdistrict to register their residents to receive survival bags, he added.

The number of the survival bags will be from two sources, us [the PPAO] and their own local administration, Mr Rewat said.

For now, I want to tell every person dont forget to wear a face mask when going out because a face mask can protect you from the virus, he concluded.
Roanoke, AL (36274)

Today

Cloudy skies this morning followed by thunderstorms during the afternoon. High 82F. Winds W at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 70%..

Tonight

Scattered thunderstorms. Low 69F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 50%.
Col. Andrew Drew Morgan, right, receives the Army astronaut device from Lt. Gen. Daniel Karbler, commander of Space and Missile Defense Command, during a May 5 ceremony at the National Museum of the United States Army at Fort Belvoir, Va.
Source: Xinhua| 2021-05-19 22:29:57|Editor: huaxia

Video Player Close

JOHANNESBURG, May 19 (Xinhua) -- Four people were murdered and five were seriously injured during a suspected mob justice attack in Zandspruit, Johannesburg, South African police said on Wednesday.

Gauteng police spokesman Captain Kay Makhubele said the attack occurred when a group of around 200 community members went around the area to identify people who were allegedly robbing others.

Speaking to Xinhua, he said those attacked were aged between 20 and 30.

"It is alleged that about nine boys were forcefully taken to the sport ground where they were assaulted," he said, adding four died and five were taken to hospital. Enditem
Kashaan Moses, in blue shirt and masks, is escorted by Upper Gwynedd police officers out of the department's station on Wednesday morning after turning himself in to face charges for an accidental shooting in April.
WASHINGTON (AP)  Fox News has filed a motion to dismiss a $1.6 billion defamation lawsuit brought by Dominion Voting Systems over claims about the 2020 presidential election, arguing that its coverage is protected by the First Amendment.

The cable news giant said in court papers filed Tuesday that the Constitution safeguards the right to a free press and that well-established doctrine gives the media the ability to report without fear of liability.

A free press must be able to report both sides of a story involving claims striking at the core of our democracy  especially when those claims prompt numerous lawsuits, government investigations, and election recounts," according to the court papers. When a sitting President of the United States and his legal team challenge a presidential election in litigation throughout the nation, the media can truthfully report and comment on those allegations under the First Amendment.

Dominion argued in March that Fox News, in an effort to boost faltering ratings, falsely claimed that the voting company had rigged the 2020 election in favor of President Joe Biden and at the detriment of former President Donald Trump. The lawsuit argued that Fox amplified inaccurate assertions that the voting company altered votes and sold a false story of election fraud in order to serve its own commercial purposes, severely injuring Dominion in the process."

A spokesperson for Dominion said Wednesday that the company "strongly supports free speech, but defamation for commercial gain is clearly not protected, and we intend to hold Fox accountable for its reckless disregard for the truth. This case will strengthen the First Amendment, not weaken it.

Fox attorneys said in court papers that Fox did not create the allegations against the company. They also argue that the news outlet was fairly and extensively covering the results of a contested election, calling Arizona for Biden before any other network and reporting on the legal challenges around Biden's win and Trump's refusal to concede.

The news media has the right in a democracy to inform citizens by reporting and commenting on a Presidents allegations challenging the security of our elections, according to court papers.

The lawsuit by Dominion is part of a growing body of legal action filed by the voting company and other targets of misleading, false and bizarre claims spread by then-President Trump and his allies following Trumps election loss to Biden. Those claims helped spur on rioters who stormed the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6 in a violent siege that left five people dead, including a police officer. The siege led to Trumps historic second impeachment.

Fox News has filed four other motions to dismiss other legal action against its coverage.

At least one other media company, Newsmax, apologized for airing false allegations that an employee for Dominion manipulated machines or tallies. The employee in turn dropped Newsmax from his defamation suit.

There was no known widespread fraud in the 2020 election, a fact that a range of election officials across the country  and even Trumps attorney general, William Barr  has confirmed. Republican governors in Arizona and Georgia, key battleground states that Biden won, also vouched for the integrity of the elections in their states. Nearly all the legal challenges from Trump and his allies were dismissed by judges, including two tossed by the Supreme Court, which has three Trump-nominated justices.
DES MOINES, Iowa (AP)  Like superintendents across the U.S., the leader of Iowas largest school system has faced plenty of criticism from parents, politicians and teachers as he tried to educate children while also keeping them safe amid the coronavirus pandemic.

But as pressure eases in many districts thanks to plummeting infection rates, uncertainty appears to be building around Des Moines schools Superintendent Thomas Ahart, who last week had a contract extension rejected and this week will argue that his license shouldnt be revoked. The result could be that as the 31,000-student district plans for a return to normal classroom learning this fall, the superintendent who led them through a tumultuous year is ousted from his job.

Thats just bizarre, said Paul Hill, an education professor at the University of Washington and founder of the Center on Reinventing Public Education who follows national school trends. This is the first time Ive actually seen some place going to the point of turning a partisan difference about a school reopening into a threat to somebodys job.

For Ahart, the problems have been building for more than a year, as the Des Moines school board at times reluctantly supported his cautious approach that leaned on virtual learning.

Hundreds of other districts in the U.S., especially in urban areas, approved similar policies that led to disputes. Those included a parent-led lawsuit in Los Angeles over the quality of virtual instruction, a disagreement on whether Dallas teachers needed to offer online classes from schools and complaints in Milwaukee that urban students were getting inferior virtual instruction while suburban schools reopened to in-person education.

The situation in Des Moines stood out because the district's stand contrasted with the Republican governors push to reopen classrooms quickly even as Iowa dealt with some of the nations highest infection rates.

As the 2020-2021 academic year began, Gov. Kim Reynolds' administration generally required schools to provide at least half-time in-person learning. She contended the need for parents to have an in-classroom option and the mental health benefits of learning in schools trumped other concerns, while Ahart argued that the high prevalence of the virus in the Des Moines area coupled with crowded conditions in the districts schools made conditions unsafe for students and teachers.

For the first two weeks of the school year, Des Moines was in violation of the state requirement  until it gave families the choice of hybrid learning and all virtual. Later, the state ruled Des Moines students didnt get credit for those two weeks, so the district increased teaching time to ensure students met state standards.

The matter appeared to be resolved until March, when the Iowa Board of Educational Examiners acknowledged receiving a complaint against Ahart because of the districts earlier violation. The board, whose members are appointed by the governor, gave Ahart the option of surrendering his license, which would end his position, or agreeing to a lesser sanction.

Ahart opted to appeal the boards decision, and a hearing is set for Thursday.

Members of the school board issued a statement defending Ahart and noted he was carrying out the boards decisions.

Trying to save the lives of Iowans, during a period unlike anything any one of us has ever experienced, should not be met with an attack on Dr. Aharts career, the statement said.

The district has declined to comment further on the licensing issue and directed questions to the superintendents lawyer. Neither Ahart nor his attorney, Dustin Zeschke, have responded to requests by The Associated Press to comment.

Reynolds spokesman Pat Garrett didn't respond to questions about whether the governor thinks Ahart should lose his license.

In January, Reynolds signed a law that goes further than the state's previous policy and requires districts to give parents the option to send their children to school in person full time.

Its time to put local control into the hands of parents where it belongs so that they can choose whats best for their children, she said at the time.

Last week, the Des Moines school board added to the uncertainty surrounding Ahart by voting 4-3 against an extension of his contract, which now runs through June 2023. A board statement noted working with Ahart in the future but declined to specify why it was breaking with its tradition of annually extending his contract, citing the confidentiality of personnel actions.

Josh Brown, president of the Des Moines Education Association, which represent more than 3,500 teachers and other employees, expressed surprise that the state educational examiners would pursue action against Ahart, given the district has for months been in compliance. Considering the uncertainty about how to respond to the pandemic in the last year, Brown said it seems officials should give Ahart and Des Moines school board members credit for doing what they thought was right.

Even as Ahart faces the potential of losing his license, Brown said support for him among teachers and staff has grown.

Him choosing to risk his career in some ways for the students of Des Moines, the staff of Des Moines, has bought him a lot of good will by the current staff of Des Moines public schools, Brown said.

___

Follow Scott McFetridge on Twitter: https://twitter.com/smcfetridge
City_news

featured

Palestinian protestors violently attack Montreals Israel Solidarity Rally

Beryl Wajsman / By Beryl Wajsman, Editor The Suburban Riot squad police rein in violent Palestinian protesters Beryl Wajsman / By Beryl Wajsman, Editor The Suburban It started out as a joyous afternoon

Over a thousand Montrealers gathered at Dorchester Square on Sunday in a grassroots Israel Solidarity Rally to demonstrate support for the Middle Easts only democracy now being pummelled over the past week by the some 3,200 Hamas rockets fired from Gaza. Those in attendance represented many communities in addition to the Jewish community. Representatives of the Greek, Italian and Afro-Canadian communities were prominent. The ninety minute gathering started out as a joyous affair with much dancing and songs of peace. The Rally had been sanctioned by the City with full police cooperation and protection. That protection turned out to be very much needed.

On the south side of Dorchester Square at Place du Canada several hundred pro-Palestinian protestors had gathered. They immediately commenced shouting anti-Israel, anti-Semitic and Islamist slogans. The Israel Rally participants moved further north in Dorchester Square and continued with speeches and more celebration in song and dance.

The police called in more riot squad officers to hold the pro-Palestinian group in check in Place du Canada as several times dozens of them tried to cross Rene-Levesque Blvd, pull down police tape and break through police lines that were keeping the two groups apart. Despite the effective and heavy police presence, several attacks succeeded.

The first was a small band of pro-Palestinians who moved up Peel St. and pepper sprayed some of the Rally participants. Police officers on foot and on bicycles subdued them. A half hour later another band came from the east crossing Mansfield and beating up several Rally participants  one of whom lay unconscious for a few minutes on the ground  and they too were subdued by police who arrived quickly.

The worst attack came as the Israel Rally ended and participants were leaving Dorchester Square. A gang of some twenty men arrived from the east along Rene-Levesque and mounted the steps of Mary Queen of the World Cathedral. The riot police quickly moved in front of them just as they started to hurl large objects, rocks, smoke bombs and at least one green-smoke astringent projectile at several hundred Israel supporters who were milling about on the south end of Dorchester Square some thirty feet away. These reporters were in the midst of it and as our our eyes teared and our lungs seared we were told it was tear gas.

After that attack the remainder of the Israel Rally participants dispersed quickly. The pro-Palestinian group did not. Their taunts and projection of items were now turned onto the police. Police loudspeakers blared a warning that if they did not disperse they would be detained for participating in a now illegal gathering.

Minutes after that warning, police officers and riot squad members rushed north along Peel. Hundreds of pro-Palestinians had come out of four subway stops near de Maisonneuve and along St. Catherine and were attempting to make their way to Dorchester Square apparently to confront the Israel supporters who remained. Police presence increased and they were able to hold back what was now a mob by using tear gas and rushed them pushing them east along St.Catherine. But not before cars bearing Israeli flags were attacked by the protestors and in one case an Israeli flag was pulled off a car with the female driver still inside. The Suburban has a video of that incident as well as another showing two pro-Palestinians banging in the door of another car that had an Israeli flag on it.

{div}Aaron Simon, who was at Sundays pro-Israel rally and was hit in the back of the head with a rock while holding an Israel flag, causing swelling and a painful cut, was appalled by the violence from the pro-Palestinian side and disappointed in much of the medias coverage, except that of The Suburban, which was on the scene at all times. This was an Intifada in Montreal, he said. It was rage, and to me it was an act of terrorism. If it wasnt for the police, it would have been a bloody mess. Clearly, the city is not taking this seriously enough. The Jewish community is very scared. This is out of control, we shouldnt be this scared. This was a peaceful rally, and there was a mob scene, with people trying to get to us. They were out for blood. All we wanted to do was go back home. {/div}

{div}Unbelievable  in Montreal!{/div}

At around three pm police received information that pro-Palestinians on social media were sending out messages for supporters to make their way to St. Catherine and Peel. It took well into Sunday night for police and riot squad officers to get control of the west central downtown core as de Maisonneuve, St. Catherine and Rene-Levesque were closed due to the havoc created by what some observers have put at some one thousand pro-Palestinians holding downtown hostage. The siege by the pro-Palestinian rioters was finally brought under control at around 9.30pm. Three officers and multiple Israel Rally attendees were injured. Police arrested 15 protestors and rioters on charges ranging from armed assault, obstruction of justice to criminal mischief.
Source: Xinhua| 2021-05-19 22:33:26|Editor: huaxia

Video Player Close

KAMPALA, May 19 (Xinhua) -- For over a year, museums in Uganda are grappling with the effects of COVID-19 including visitor numbers dropping to zero at the height of the pandemic in the country.

The museums are now adopting innovating ways of interfacing with visitors.

Samuel Kizaalwa, an assistant commissioner at the ministry of tourism, wildlife and antiquities in charge of museums told Xinhua on Wednesday that museums are now being urged to shift from the traditional tendency of depending on the physical visits to virtual visits.

"They should embrace technology as a way of coping with new trends," Kizaalwa said.

He said the ministry is in final stages of applying virtual museums that can be accessed by their audiences from within and abroad.

"Government is undertaking a recovery program of gradually embracing the new technology (virtual) to modernize their exhibitions," Kizaalwa said.

He said the number of visitors to museums has been reduced to limit the spread of the pandemic.

Before the advent of the pandemic, museums used to have a minimum of about 100 local and international visitors per day, according to the tourism ministry. Currently, the number is between 10-15 visitors per day.

Uganda has four regional museums that are situated in Soroti, Kabale, Karamoja, and in the capital Kampala. The country has other 30 private museums that are scattered across the country.

"We have embarked on domestic tourism to encourage more people especially students and pupils to take an interest in their heritage and be aware of some locations of the museums," Kizaalwa said.

Doreen Katusiime, permanent secretary at the ministry of tourism, wildlife and antiquities told Xinhua that museums are also encouraged to have outreach programs.

"We now want our museums to be more innovative by making frequent outreaches rather than wait for visitors to come to them. Through a combination of strategies, museums would become vibrant and active throughout the year," Katusiime said.

She said the ministry is also pursuing the inclusion of cultural heritages into the education curriculum in order to enhance students' practical knowledge.

Catherine Ajiambo, a research officer at Uganda Museum, the largest museum in the country, said they have adopted the use of social media platforms to create awareness about their works.

Ajiambo said they have plans to conduct exhibitions especially in schools and communities in order to create awareness about the works of the museum.

Museums on Monday held a vintage car drive in the capital Kampala to raise public awareness on the importance of museums. The over 30 cars were driven ahead of commemorations of the International Museum Day held on Tuesday.

Kizaalwa said museums in the country have launched the International Council of Museums-Uganda Chapter to play a leading role in mapping museums in the country.

He said the chapter will be mobilizing, mapping out, lobby for technical assistance, training and participation of international museums functions.

He said the ministry has plans to expand government museums, although the move was interrupted by the outbreak of the pandemic.

"We had plans to expand and identify more of our heritage centers, but the pandemic situation forced us to stop our plans temporarily," he said. Enditem
Heber Springs, AR (72543)

Today

Sun and clouds mixed. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. High 92F. Winds WSW at 5 to 10 mph..

Tonight

A few clouds. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. Low 73F. Winds light and variable.
Source: Xinhua| 2021-05-19 23:29:52|Editor: huaxia

Video Player Close

YAOUNDE, May 19 (Xinhua) -- Cameroon destroyed some illegal firearms by fire on Wednesday as part of efforts to fight crimes and eliminate threats from terrorism in the Central African nation.

The burning destroyed weapons confiscated by defense and security forces and voluntarily surrendered by former Boko Haram terrorists and ex-separatist fighters, Prime Minister Joseph Dion Ngute said during the ceremony held in Buea, the chief town of the country's Southwest region.

This ceremony is an illustration of Cameroon's willingness to remain in peace, Ngute said in a speech before the weapons were set ablaze.

"The flames should be seen as a sign of hope, hope for a Cameroon where weapons are only held by those legally entitled to hold them. The hope of a peaceful, united and prosperous Cameroon in its wonderful diversity," he said during the ceremony heavily attended by members of the diplomatic corps and representatives of the United Nations and African Union.

Cameroon is facing security challenges in its English-speaking regions where separatist fighters want to create an independent nation, and in the Far North region where Boko Haram continues to carry out assaults on civilians and government forces.

Ngute said the government was finalizing plans with bilateral and multilateral partners to facilitate the reconstruction and development of the regions that have suffered the adverse impacts of violence. Enditem
EDWARDSVILLE  A plan to reduce the number of Madison County Board seats by five got a chilly and sometimes hostile reception from board members at a public hearing Tuesday.

The board members participated remotely, while several members of the public joined administration officials at the Madison County Administration Building.

Last week board Chairman Kurt Prenzler proposed a redrawing of board districts, required every 10 years because of the census, that would reduce the total number of districts and board members to 25 from 29.

While the agenda for Wednesdays regular county board meeting includes a vote on the map, there also will be discussion about two other proposed maps at a Government Relations Committee meeting at 3:30 p.m. prior to the regular board meeting.

Prenzler had said that the trend throughout the state is for boards to reduce their size.

Numerous issues were raised at the public hearing, including whether remaining board members would be paid more under the new plan, would the number of committees be reduced, is there gerrymandering in the plan, and is it better to have fewer board members representing more residents or more board members representing smaller districts.

Because of redistricting all board members terms expire in 2022. At that time members will be elected in newly-drawn districts to either two- or four-year terms.

State law mandates the board have between five and 29 members. The current board has 29, the maximum allowed by law, which was set by the 1970 Illinois Constitution. Only three other counties have 29 members.

Madison County has had a spotty record when it comes to redistricting. In 2001 a federal judge ordered a new map redrawn after a court challenge.

Prenzlers proposed map was prepared under a $4,500 contract with the University of Illinois Springfield Geographic Information Systems Lab, which Prenzler signed in April.

Prenzler said last week that the criteria was to reduce the number of board seats, and that there be no bias in the redistricting, except not to dilute political representation in minority neighborhoods. He also said the criteria is to keep districts to a similar size and compact, and follows municipal, township and precinct lines when possible.

Only three members of the public, including two former board members, spoke during the hearing.

Board member Michael Doc Holliday, D-Alton, started the boards participation. He said he thought having more board members gave a broader representation, while reducing the number of members could lead to greater influence by special interests.

He also questioned whether reducing the board would save the county any money.

That was a frequent question, with some members and the public asking if remaining board members would be paid more.

Prenzler said that would be up to the board.

Currently county board members are paid just under $16,000 per year, for a total cost of about $450,000 annually. It was noted that in some of the comparably sized counties with smaller boards, board salaries are much higher, in some cases $80,000 each.

Former board member Lisa Ciampoli raised the question of board member pay.

If you decrease (board size) and raise the salary, I see no benefit, she said. It also makes it difficult for regular people to get involved.

Several people, including board member Heather Mueller-Jones, R-Maryville, echoed Ciampoli. Mueller-Jones said that reducing the size of the board would make the board less representative of the county, because it could cost more to run, and would take up more of the board members time.

Board Member Mike Walters, R-Godfrey, objected because the village of Godfrey would lose one of two board members currently representing it.

I dont think it was drawn very well, said Walters, of the redistricting map under discussion, later noting he considered the proposed map to be gerrymandered.

That brought a response from Mike Weaver, of rural Edwardsville, one of the citizens attending the meeting. Weaver said he worked in the geospatial (mapping) industry, and that graduate students who probably did most of the work didnt care about local politics.

They let the machine draw the map, he said.

Walters took offense at that, saying Weaver was naive and that politics was always involved.

Walters, along with several other board members, said they would not support Prenzlers proposed map.

Others expressed issues with the map.

It turns the districts on their heads, said board member Mick Madison, R-Bethalto, who was a frequent contributor to the discussion.

He also said that it knocks out five members.

It was noted that those members who might lose seats would have allies, and passage of the proposed map is unlikely.

Board member Eric Foster, R-Granite City, said the proposal was all about headlines and appearing to keep campaign promises.

Board member Chris Guy, R-Maryville, who is spearheading alternative redistricting maps, said that, while he was not fond of Prenzlers proposal, he was glad the chairman has moved the discussion forward.

Guy has put forward two maps, one with 29 districts and one with 27 districts.

He said that those maps would be discussed Wednesday, and that there would be additional chance for public input before a vote.

Guy said he wanted to hear more from the public.

In addition to Ciampoli and Weaver, the only other member of the public speaking was former board member Kent Scheibel.
WOOD RIVER  The Illinois State Board of Education is requiring all schools to return to full in-person learning next fall.

The board voted 7-0 Wednesday after receiving guidance from the Illinois Department of Public Health and is subject to favorable public health conditions.

The resolution states that all schools must resume fully in-person learning for all student attendance days, provided that remote instruction be made available for students who are not eligible for a COVID-19 vaccine and are under quarantine order by a local health department or IDPH.

The news came as the Madison County Health Department announced it will offer COVID-19 vaccinations at four schools through June 7.

Granite City High School will host a vaccination clinic May 24. Triad High School in Troy will host one May 27. Trimpe Middle School in Bethalto will host a clinic June 2. And Collinsville Middle School will host a vaccination clinic June 7.

All four are planned for 3:30-7:30 p.m.

More Information Vaccinations Total: 170,254 Fully: 86,583 (32.73%) Source: MCHD COVID-19 cases by county Madison - 30,124 (499 deaths) Jersey - 2,689 (49 deaths) Calhoun - 524 (5 deaths) Greene - 1,378 (48 deaths) Macoupin - 4,904 (112 deaths) Montgomery - 3,741 (74 deaths) St. Clair - 27,946 (514 deaths) Clinton - 5,766 (90 deaths) Bond - 2,061 (24 deaths) Monroe - 4,359 (93 deaths) Randolph - 4,138 (84 deaths) Washington - 1,645 (25 deaths) Source: IDPH & MCHD See More Collapse

Additional clinics are planned May 22 at the Granite City Township Building; May 25 at the Hamel Community Center; and May 20 through May 25 at the Gateway Convention Center in Collinsville.

The MCHD is accepting walk-ins at the vaccination clinics, but appointments are requested. Vaccinations are available for people 12 and older.

The COVID-19 Moderna and Janssen (Johnson & Johnson) vaccines are only approved for those 18 and older. Minors 12-17 years old must be accompanied by a parent or guardian. They do not need an ID or birth certificate; however, a parent or guardian will be asked to show their ID.

Minors who are 16-17 years old are only eligible to receive the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine, must show a photo ID (e.g. drivers license, school ID, etc.), proof of age, and must be accompanied by a parent or guardian to their appointment.

To schedule an appointment, people can click the green appointment link at www.madisonchd.org. People needing help scheduling appointments can call 618-692-8954 ext. 2 on Monday-Friday 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

On Tuesday the MCHD reported that 170,254 total COVID-19 vaccinations have been administered in the county so far. MCHD officials said 86,583 county residents  or 32.73% of the countys population  are now fully vaccinated for COVID-19.

According to the Illinois Department of Public Health, as of midnight Tuesday 10,551,158 vaccines have been administered in Illinois. The seven-day rolling average of vaccines administered daily is 62,884 doses.

On Wednesday the IDPH reported 35.17% of the residents in Jersey County were fully vaccinated according to the IDPH. Other fully vaccinated rates were 29.9% in Calhoun County, 33.8% in Macoupin County and 25.63% in Greene County.

No COVID-19 related deaths were reported by the MCHD on Tuesday, leaving the county total at 499. On Wednesday the IDPH also listed no additional COVID-19 related deaths in Madison County.

Late Tuesday the MCHD reported 12 new confirmed and probable COVID-19 cases, as well as 617 new tests. To date, Madison County has recorded 30,124 cases and 322,008 tests. There were 16 COVID-19 patients in Madison County hospitals Tuesday, with three on ventilators.

The IDPH on Wednesday reported 1,633 new confirmed and probable cases of COVID-19 and 28 additional COVID-19 related deaths statewide. To date, the IDPH has reported 1,370,342 cases, including 22,494 deaths.

Statewide there were 1,518 COVID-19 patients in hospitals on Tuesday night, including 405 in intensive care units and 224 on ventilators. The preliminary seven-day statewide positivity for cases as a percent of total test from May 12-18 was 2.3%. The preliminary seven-day statewide test positivity for the same period was 2.7%.

The MCHD on Tuesday reported a three-day positivity rate of 3.14%, a seven-day rate of 2.96% and a 10-day rate of 3.32%.

For more COVID-19 information, visit https://coronavirus-response-madcoil.hub.arcgis.com/, www.madisonchd.org or Facebook @madisonchd. Also visit www.co.madison.il.us or Facebook @madisoncountyil for more vaccination news and daily updates.

For The Telegraphs online vaccine tracker, visit https://www.thetelegraph.com/coronavirus-vaccine-tracker-alton-illinois/. For additional vaccine locations visit https://coronavirus.illinois.gov/s/vaccination-location.

Local and statewide information also is available at www.dph.illinois.gov. Click the coronavirus banner.

For health-related questions about COVID-19, people also can call the IDPH hotline at 1-800-889-3931 or email dph.sick@illinois.gov.
The Pennsylvania Department of Corrections is bringing in-person inmate visitation back to select state correctional institutions starting later this month, including SCI Waymart.

The department suspended on-site visits last year in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Visitation will resume at SCI Laurel Highlands on Saturday; SCI Waymart, May 27; SCI Muncy, May 30; SCI Cambridge Springs, May 31; and Quehanna Boot Camp, June 3, with remaining facilities to follow.

Facilities will issue a disposable face mask to each visitor 2 and older to wear. Also, visitors need to complete a COVID-19 questionnaire and temperature screening.

Visits must be scheduled online at cor.pa.gov at least three days in advance. Free video visits remain available.
SCRANTON  Lackawanna County voters have all but guaranteed another female judge will join the county bench next year.

In November, they will decide which woman it will be.

Attorney Mary Walsh Dempsey of Scranton captured the Democratic nomination for county judge in Tuesdays primary while attorney Nisha Arora of Waverly Twp. claimed the Republican nomination.

The two women will meet in the Nov. 2 general election. The winner will become just the fourth female judge in county history, joining the three already on the bench.

With all of the countys 163 precincts reporting, Dempsey won the Democratic nomination with 51% of the vote to 35% for Magisterial District Judge Paul J. Ware and 10% for Arora. On the Republican side, Arora captured the nomination with 43%, with 26% for Dempsey and 24% for Ware.

As she savored her victory Tuesday night, Arora, 40, expressed her respect for her primary opponents and her thanks to the thousands of people who voted for her.

Im just really humbled by the outpouring of support we received from all corners of the county, Arora said.

Dempsey, 54, attributed her victory to multiple factors, including the diversity of her legal experience, the support of her family and a great, great team of volunteers who stood behind me every day, all the way.

On to November  were ready, she said.

Dempsey, senior litigation counsel for Ufberg & Associates, centered her primary campaign around her 30-year career as a lawyer, citing her extensive experience in state and federal courtrooms.

As a first-generation Indian American, Arora, general counsel for ERA One Source Realty, presented herself as a new kind of candidate who would bring needed diversity and a fresh perspective to the bench.

The general election winner will fill the seat now held by Judge Thomas Munley, who reaches the mandatory retirement age of 75 later this year.

County judges are elected to 10-year terms and may seek retention every 10 years after that. They currently earn annual salaries of $186,665.
SCRANTON  State Rep. Marty Flynn, a former boxer, fought hard for a promotion to the state Senate.

Voters handed him a solid decision as Flynn cruised to a relatively easy victory in the costly state 22nd Senate District race, according to unofficial results from the special election Tuesday.

With all 179 precincts in the three-county district reporting, but Monroe County mail-in votes still uncounted, Flynn, a Democrat, had 29,624 votes, or 51.2% of the vote, to Republican Lackawanna County Commissioner Chris Chermaks 22,255, or 38.5%. Green Party candidate Marlene Sebastianelli received 5,336 votes, or 9.2%, and Libertarian Nathan Covington 668, or 1.1%.

I worked hard, Flynn told reporters at the Waldorf Social Club in Scrantons East Mountain neighborhood. People see me for what I am, a hard worker, and Im committed to bringing economic development back to the area. Im committed to serving the people of Northeastern Pa.

Flynn, D-113, Scranton, said he felt Chermak ran his campaign against who I was.

It wasnt about him, it was about me, you know, and I was forthright talking about his record, Flynn said. I talked about what I was going to do, and that Im focused on the people in northeastern Pa. Im making our community better, a better area, as a state rep. I helped my immediate community, my neighborhood. As state senator, Im going to be focused on the entire region and bringing economic development back.

In a district with almost twice as many Democrats as Republicans, Chermak conceded defeat and said he knew his bid was a long shot.

Its the registration. Thats all there is to it, he said in a ballroom at the Hilton Scranton & Conference Center in downtown Scranton.

Enough Democrats backed Flynn to ensure his victory, he said.

Im not happy, but Im a big boy, I have a good job, he said. Its all good. Ill just keep doing my work as a commissioner.

Chermak did not rule out challenging Flynn again next year.

I think the time is coming for Republicans (in Lackawanna County), he said. Things are changing. Its just a little bit slower than I would like.

Flynn will take the oath of office as the districts new senator after election officials in the three counties certify the results. Lackawanna County will begin its official count Friday. Assuming that goes routinely, Flynn will serve until Nov. 30, 2022, unless he wins reelection next year. Chermak will return to serving the rest of his first four-year term as a commissioner, which expires in January 2024, unless he wins reelection in November 2023.

The 22nd District includes all of Lackawanna County; Avoca, Dupont and Duryea boroughs and Pittston Twp. in Luzerne County; and Barrett, Coolbaugh and Price townships in Monroe County. The job pays $90,335.42 this year.

Flynn will take over for former state Sen. John Blake, whose resignation surprised many and set off a furious battle to replace him. Democratic committee members chose Flynn overwhelmingly instead of fellow state Rep. Kyle Mullins, D-112, Blakely. Chermak had no opposition for the Republican nomination.

The race attracted hundreds of thousands of dollars from outside the region because of its importance to the Senates balance of power and because of the voter trends the last few years that raised Republican hopes of winning a traditionally Democratic seat. No Republican has won the seat since Arthur Piasecki in 1966.

With Flynns victory, Democrats held on to a seat theyve had since 1970 and increased their minority in the 50-member Senate to 21. In a special election to fill a Senate vacancy in Lebanon County, Republicans appeared on track to hold that seat and increase their majority to 28. One senator, Sen. John Yudichak, a former Democrat, is an independent.

Most of Chermaks campaign money came from the Senate Republican Campaign Committee, a Harrisburg-based group that developed all of his television campaign commercials. Most of Flynns campaign money came from large labor unions across the state.

The Republican committees advertising accused Flynn of always voting with Gov. Tom Wolf, supporting Wolfs proposed tax increases, standing by with Wolf as 13,000 died of COVID-19 in nursing homes and accepting per diems when he promised he wouldnt.

Flynns advertising blasted Chermak as a tool of Harrisburg insiders, for raising county property taxes soon after taking office as commissioner, for supporting President Donald Trumps disastrous policies and for favoring a rollback of healthcare access and voting rights.
Voting is officially over.

Polls closed at 8 p.m.

Check thetimes-tribune.com for complete election results as they come in.

______________________________________________________________________________________________-

Lynn Cawley Harding had the Scranton School Board in mind particularly while voting at Isaac Tripp Elementary School.

A teacher in the Scranton School District for 25 years, shes hoping for some change in the leadership, supporting a mix of incumbents and newcomers.

The current board is in the process of closing buildings, and I know they don't really want to, but they feel compelled to, she said around 6 p.m.. We're trying to get some alternative opinions about the recovery plan in the district that's causing those problems.

Primaries often dont get the turnout of general elections, and this primary seems to be following the trend.

By 5:30 p.m., turnout at the Scranton Cultural Center at the Masonic Temple's three polling places (Ward 7/District 1; Ward 16/District 1; and Ward 17/District 2) generally had been light throughout the day, said Judge of Elections Kevin Kays.

For a primary, its low, Kays said.

Its a stark contrast to the general election of November, which had the presidential race atop the ballot and a line of voters stretching along the sidewalk and around the block onto Vine Street, said poll watcher Alex Molfetas.

Shawn Zehel, judge of elections for the John Marshall and Tripp Park precincts in Scranton, said there's been a strong, steady turnout throughout the day. It started to pick up with people getting out of work, he added around 6 p.m.

"We've had a couple of slow periods throughout the day, but we always do," he said.

It's busier than the last primary since people have been getting vaccinated for COVID-19, he said.

"Now as more people have an opportunity to be vaccinated, that adds to their level of comfort coming out," he said.

Turnout seemed off pace at the polling place at the John G. Whittier Elementary School on Orchard Street in South Scranton.

Ward 19s District 1 and District 2 precincts were in the school gym. By 6:30 p.m., the polling site had 152 ballots cast, when that number usually would have been in the 300s, said Judge of Elections Bob Gattens.

Low turnout. Its been slow all day  trickles, Gattens said.

On election day in November, poll worker Roxanne Pauline estimated she and others at Neil Armstrong Elementary didn't have time for so much as a sip of water until 6 p.m.

As today's primary election wore on this morning, she had time for a cigarette.

"It's been steady but slow," she said.

Voter turnout in Lackawanna County appeared light so far, said Beth Hopkins, the county's elections director. She said she was aware of no major issues.

By about 12:30 p.m., officials at the county government center in the former Globe store finished opening the 11,000-plus mail-in and absentee ballots received so far and began scanning them in, Chief of Staff Brian Jeffers said.

By 5:10 p.m., the task was finished save for those recently deposited in a drop box, which will be done after the polls close at 8 p.m., Jeffers said. The tallies from those ballots will be uploaded at the same time as those received from election judges.

It's a far cry from the crush of mail-in and absentee ballots received during last year's primary and general elections, spurred on by the presidential race and COVID-19 pandemic.

Throughout the county, voters steadily trickled into polling places to make their selections in a number of local and state races. Many maintained the precautions adopted during the pandemic and kept their masks on while inside. Hopkins said she had not received any reports of people concerned about masking.

Sharon Sanko, judge of elections in Blakely's second ward, said 19 voters had cast their ballots at Blakely Hose Company No. 2 shortly before 8 a.m.

Theres usually a lot more, she said.

She believed lingering fears of COVID-19 may depress turnout during the day.

Maybe theyll just come out later, She said. You sometimes get that too.

As 8 a.m. approached, a slow trickle of voters turned up, including Jo Rusnak, 65.

Among the races on the ballot, she said the special election to select a new state senator in the 22nd District is of top importance. All registered Lackawanna County voters  no matter their party  can cast ballots in the race, as well as on four statewide referendum questions.

Four candidates are on the ballot to fill the seat left vacant by the March resignation of John Blake: Democrat Marty Flynn, the 113th District state representative; Republican Chris Chermak, a county commissioner; Green Party candidate Marlene Sebastianelli, a nursing home consultant and winery owner, and Libertarian Nathan Covington, a web designer.

Things need to change in Pennsylvania, she said.

Meanwhile, in Clarks Green, Chermak stopped by the borough's municipal building at about 9:30 a.m. to say hello to people outside while touring polling locations around the Abingtons. He hoped for steady turnout.

"The weather helps," he said.

Inside the borough building, Judge of Elections Denise Wylie said that 85 voters by then had cast their votes in person. About 103 of the 156 absentee ballots requested had been returned.

Polls close at 8 p.m.

Voters who requested mail-in ballots have until 8 p.m. to return their ballots, which can be placed in the drop box in the vestibule of the county government center, 123 Wyoming Ave. About 14,192 mail-in and absentee ballots were requested.

Voters who received a mail-in or absentee ballot but want to vote in person may do so by bringing the ballot and pre-addressed outer return envelope to their polling place today to be voided. After surrendering the ballot and envelope and signing an affidavit, they will be given a regular ballot.

Staff Writers Jim Lockwood and Brooke Williams contributed to this report.

Check back for updates. For election results after polls close, visit thetimes-tribune.com.
COVID-19 cases are decreasing in the United States, and masks are no longer required everywhere, but the pandemic is not over  and will not be until younger children can also be vaccinated, epidemiologists said in a new survey by The New York Times.

The true end of the pandemic  when it becomes safer to return to most activities without precautions  will arrive once at least 70% of Americans of all ages are vaccinated, they said. Adolescents just began receiving vaccines last week, and those for children younger than 12 are not yet approved.

Children are key to ending the pandemic, said David Celentano, chair of epidemiology at Johns Hopkins University and one of the 723 epidemiologists who participated in the survey this month.

They are optimistic this will happen, even if not as quickly as many Americans hope. In five years, they expect COVID-19 will be more like the flu, circulating at a lower rate and with some deaths every year  but no longer a public health crisis necessitating lockdowns.

It feels like there is a light at the end of the tunnel, said Gretchen Bandoli, an assistant professor of pediatrics at the University of California, San Diego. We have the tools we need to get there, and it feels within reach.

Yet it is still unclear if the United States can reach that level of vaccination. And even as cases decline domestically, the global toll of COVID-19 is rising in parts of the world that have not had the same access to vaccines.

Already, Americans are beginning to be able to do things they had been advised to avoid for the last 14 months. The Biden administration said last week that fully vaccinated people no longer needed to wear masks in most places. (The survey was conducted over the last two weeks, before the mask announcement.)

In the survey, about 85% of respondents said it was likely that Americans would be able to safely gather for Fourth of July barbecues this summer, as President Joe Biden has called for. A slightly higher share said it was likely that schools would be able to be fully open in the fall and that families would be able to safely gather indoors for the winter holidays.

Still, the campaign to vaccinate more Americans cannot let up until children are protected, they said. Half of respondents said at least 80% of Americans, including children, would need to be vaccinated before it would be safe to do most activities without precautions. Although children are less likely than adults to develop severe cases of COVID-19, the scientists said their immunity was important because they could be hosts for the virus and a way for it to continue to circulate or develop new variants.

Children cannot be left out of the equation as we reopen, said Corinne McDaniels-Davidson, director of the San Diego State University Institute for Public Health. The ideas that they cannot transmit COVID or are immune from disease are pervasive among the lay public. We need education here.

In assessing when the acute phase of the COVID pandemic could be considered over, they said vaccinations were more relevant than other metrics like new cases, hospitalizations or deaths (because an effective vaccination campaign would lower those rates, they said).

The country is not there yet. Nationwide, 36% of Americans are fully vaccinated, and the pace of vaccinations has slowed.

Of the 723 epidemiologists who participated in the survey, 35% work for governments. The rest are mostly academics. The questionnaire was distributed to two major professional groups, the Society for Epidemiologic Research and the Council of State and Territorial Epidemiologists, as well as some individual scientists.

The decision to reopen states is based on many factors, including the decisions of governors and the considerations of business owners, and may not align with the recommendations of the survey respondents. Even before the CDC announcement, about half of states had already dropped mask requirements or lifted capacity limits for large group settings. Also, many public health professionals fear that such a high threshold of vaccinations  enough to reach so-called herd immunity  may not be achieved.

But the survey responses from the group of scientists suggested that full reopening without high vaccination rates may be associated with continuing outbreaks of the virus in the United States and worldwide.

Lack of ability to effectively vaccinate globally may continue to haunt us, said Cynthia Morris, an epidemiologist at the Oregon Health & Science University.

Americans reluctance to accept vaccines is the biggest threat to ending the pandemic, the scientists said. They were also concerned about the rise of new virus variants or a too-quick return of peoples pre-pandemic routines. A substantial share  22%  worried that the politicization of public health could hamper the fight against the virus.

The more people refuse vaccinations, the longer COVID will hang around, said Ethan S. Walker, an epidemiologist at the University of Montana.

Scott Bartell, an epidemiologist at the University of California, Irvine, said, Im hopeful that someday COVID-19 will be more like measles, mostly eliminated but not eradicated, with sporadic outbreaks and clusters primarily among those not immunized.

Even if the spread of COVID-19 decreases enough to allow a return of most activities, there are some aspects of pandemic life that epidemiologists say will persist much longer.

In particular, they say that masks are a norm that should continue, even if that view puts them at odds with the new CDC guidance. More than 80% of them say people should continue to wear masks when indoors with strangers for at least another year, and outdoors in crowds.

They would like to see the continuation of what they consider the rare silver linings that came from the last year. They hoped that people would have to travel for work less often. They wanted expanded grocery delivery and takeout restaurant options to continue as well as telehealth visits for routine medical appointments. Many buildings have improved their ventilation, upgrades that will pay off when it comes to other respiratory diseases.

They also hoped people would keep habits that make them healthier in general: avoiding things like going to work when sick, shaking hands and even blowing out birthday candles.

I cannot believe that we used to celebrate birthdays by eating a cake that someone has blown all over, said Brian Labus, an epidemiologist at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas.

In the past year, epidemiologists have found themselves suddenly in the spotlight. One of their challenges, they said, has been communicating to the public a complicated truth of their profession: that there are rarely clear right or wrong answers when it comes to risks and benefits.

We as epidemiologists are constantly dealing with uncertainty, and its pretty familiar to us, said Kevin Martinez-Folgar, an epidemiology doctoral student at Drexel University. We need to create better ways to communicate this uncertainty to the public to avoid all the misinformation problems that we currently have.

Most important, they said, they wished they had done a better job of communicating the fact that science evolves, and that, by definition, health advice will change as scientists learn new things.

Asked what public health practitioners should have done differently during the pandemic, David Abramson of New York Universitys School of Global Public Health said he wished they had reinforced how much science changes daily, and with it the recommendations for protective actions.
May 19, 1956

Citys Armed Forces Day parade draws thousands of servicemen

Six thousand active duty service members, veterans and members of civic organizations participated in Scrantons Armed Forces Day parade.

Leading the parade were members of the mounted state police units and Scranton police, followed by the Marine Corps Reserve Honor Guard.

The 109th Infantry followed with 1,700 citizen soldiers marching in honor of its retiring commander, Col. Fred R. Evans. It was the first time since 1941 that all the units of the 109th Infantry participated in a parade.

As soldiers marched in the streets, a squadron of Navy planes piloted by members of the Civil Air Patrol flew overhead.

Several marching bands participated, including West Scranton High School, Technical High School, Old Forge, Clarks Summit/Abington High School and the Raymond Henry American Legion Post in Olyphant.

Attorney and South Scranton native remembered for service

Attorney Eugene Butler, director of the legal department at the National Catholic Welfare Conference, died May 18 in Washington, D.C. He was 54.

Butler, a South Scranton native, was remembered for his 25 years of service to the organization.

Pope Pius XII sent a message expressing his appreciation and an apostolic blessing. Edward Cardinal Mooney, former chairman of the NCWC, said that Butlers death was a serious loss for the Catholic Church in the United States.

Butlers Funeral Mass was scheduled on May 23 at St. Peters Cathedral in Scranton with burial at Cathedral Cemetery.

Postmaster plans for nuke strike

Scranton Postmaster Bernard Harding announced May 18 that plans had been developed to continue mail delivery even if a nuclear or atomic bomb was dropped on Scranton.

Harding said the plans included a secret location where mail would be processed and sent for delivery for up to 30 days. He added that a chain of command was created at the post office to make sure the mail would continue to be delivered if he was killed in the attack.

Postmaster General Arthur Summerfield called on all postal districts to develop plans in case of a nuclear attack.

Brian Fulton, library manager, oversees The Times-Tribunes expansive digital and paper archives and is an authority on local history. Contact Brian at bfulton@timesshamrock.com or 570-348-9140.
WASHINGTON  Senate Republicans are signaling that they will try to block  or at least slow down  a Democratic effort to create a 9/11-style commission on the deadly Jan. 6 insurrection at the U.S. Capitol, threatening the chances of a deeper, independent look at the siege and how it could be prevented from happening again.

Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell said Tuesday he is pushing the pause button, on the legislation to form the commission, which is expected to pass the House this week despite the opposition of House Republican Leader Kevin McCarthy. That means the bill is likely to have a more difficult path when it reaches the Senate, where majority Democrats will need at least 10 GOP votes to pass it.

McConnell told reporters that his caucus is undecided but willing to listen to the arguments about whether such a commission is needed. He questioned whether the panels work would interfere with the hundreds of criminal cases stemming from the Jan. 6 attack and whether the fine print of the bill would ensure that both parties on the commission have an equal say.

He also questioned a separate, $1.9 billion spending bill that the House is expected to pass this week for security upgrades. Were not sure what to spend the money on yet, McConnell said.

McCarthys opposition and McConnells hesitancy will almost certainly mean fewer Republicans will support the commission in both chambers.

Most in the party are still loathe to upset former President Donald Trump, who had encouraged his supporters to head to Capitol Hill that day to stop the counting of the electoral votes and overturn his defeat to Democrat Joe Biden. But it will also expose divisions in the party, as some Republicans have said they think an independent review is necessary.

In private GOP caucus meetings across the Capitol on Tuesday, members argued for and against the idea.

Several Republican lawmakers joined McCarthy in speaking against the commission early Tuesday during a meeting of House Republicans, according to one Republican familiar with the private session who was granted anonymity to discuss it. The Republican who negotiated the bill with Democrats, New York Rep. John Katko, argued in favor.

I recognize there are differing views on this issue, which is an inherent part of the legislative process and not something I take personally, Katko said in a statement. However, as the Republican Leader of the Homeland Security Committee, I feel a deep obligation to get the answers U.S. Capitol Police and Americans deserve and ensure an attack on the heart of our democracy never happens again.

McConnell said his caucus had a good discussion in their closed-door lunch.

Some Republicans, such as Missouri Sen. Roy Blunt, recommended that his colleagues oppose the commission. Blunt, the top Republican on the Senate Rules Committee, is working on a bipartisan report with his Democratic colleagues that will include some recommendations for security upgrades. He said an independent investigation would take too long and frankly, I dont think there are that many gaps to be filled in on what happened on January 6th, as it relates to building security.

Other Senate Republicans have signaled support for the commission. Utah Sen. Mitt Romney said earlier Tuesday that given the violent attack, we should understand what mistakes were made and how we could prevent them from happening again.

Modeled after the investigation into the 9/11 terrorist attacks, the bill would establish an independent 10-member commission that would make recommendations for securing the Capitol and preventing another insurrection. The panel would have to issue a final report by Dec. 31.

The debate over the commission comes at a time when some Republicans have begun to downplay the severity of the Jan. 6 attack. And many Republicans say the commission should only be established if it can investigate other violent acts, including protests last summer in the aftermath of the death of George Floyd. McConnell declined to answer a question about whether he agreed with that, saying only that Republicans were evaluating what is appropriate.

Some have suggested that McCarthy himself could be subpoenaed by the panel because he talked to Trump as the Capitol was breached. Wyoming Rep. Liz Cheney, who was booted out of GOP leadership last week for her criticism of Trumps false claims of a stolen election, suggested as much in an interview with ABC News, saying she wouldnt be surprised if McCarthy was questioned in the investigation. Cheney has backed the commission.

Cheney and Katko are two of 10 Republicans who voted to impeach Trump after the insurrection for telling his supporters that day to fight like hell to overturn his defeat. The Senate later acquitted him.

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi called McCarthys opposition to the commission cowardice and said he doesnt want to find the truth. She released a February letter from the GOP leader in which he asked for an even split of Democrats and Republican commissioners, equal subpoena power and no predetermined findings or conclusions listed in the legislation. The bipartisan legislation accommodates all three of those requests, she said.

Leader McCarthy wont take yes for an answer, she said.

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer vowed to bring the House measure for a vote. Republicans can let their constituents know: Are they on the side for truth or are they going to cover up? Schumer said.

He questioned why Republicans even negotiate with Democrats if the Republican leaders are just going to throw their lead negotiators under the bus.

The Biden administration said it supports the legislation and that the American people deserve such a full and fair accounting to prevent future violence and strengthen the security and resilience of our democratic institutions.



Associated Press writer Steven Sloan contributed to this report.
Source: Xinhua| 2021-05-19 23:42:33|Editor: huaxia

Video Player Close

Li Jinkuan (L), a Chinese language teacher, and Shida Joseph Yacoub, a psychologist at Juba Teaching Hospital, pose for a photo at the hospital in Juba, capital of South Sudan, May 19, 2021. South Sudanese health workers have started learning the Chinese language at Juba Teaching Hospital in the country's capital city. This will strengthen collaboration between local staff and Chinese doctors in the country. (Photo by Denis Elamu/Xinhua)

JUBA, May 19 (Xinhua) -- Chinese characters like bu (no in English) are repeated aloud by several South Sudanese health workers after Chinese language teacher Li Jinkuan in a wide room at the Juba Teaching Hospital in the capital city of South Sudan.

Mary Angela, a 34-year-old South Sudanese nurse, is among the 50 health workers attending the medical Chinese language course being taught by the eighth batch of the Chinese medical team in South Sudan.

Angela is eager to learn the language to enable her to understand medical instructions given to her by the Chinese doctors.

Angela admitted that prior to enrolling for the language lessons, she has been finding it hard to communicate instructions from Chinese doctors to local patients.

She now hopes to master the language to make up for her past failures.

"I am interested in learning Chinese for the reason that we have some of the Chinese working with us here, and sometimes when they communicate with us, we end up missing the information we are supposed to get from them. I felt it better to learn the language so that I understand it myself rather than someone translating on my behalf," Angela told Xinhua in Juba on Wednesday after attending her lesson.

Angela also hopes to improve on her communication skills when she gets the chance to travel to China for her medical studies.

"These days a lot of people are traveling, sometimes you may go to China for studies so it is very important to learn Chinese language so that if you go there you will be able to communicate with Chinese people," she added.

Shida Joseph Yacoub, one of the psychologists participating in the medical language course, said some of her South Sudanese colleagues she worked with in the past learned Chinese language and they inspired her to enroll for the ongoing language course.

"Chinese language is a nice language. I used to hear colleagues I worked with speak it and I picked interest in learning the language," said Yacoub.

Yacoub disclosed that learning the language will ease medical exchange programs between China and South Sudan.

South Sudanese health workers have over the past years been traveling to China for education while Chinese medical teams have been coming to work in the country.

"South Sudanese are sent to China for education and medical treatment. It is very important for us to learn Chinese language because there will be no need for translation," said Yacoub.

She added that it will also help strengthen collaboration between medical staff in Juba Teaching Hospital and Chinese medical teams in South Sudan.

Maker Isaac, director of Juba Teaching Hospital, said he is pleased to participate in the ongoing medical Chinese language course not only to learn the Chinese language and culture but also to strengthen existing relations between the two countries in the health sector.

"China is a major development partner in South Sudan and the Chinese are working closely with us in Juba Teaching Hospital, I want to be very close to them and understand their culture," said Isaac.

Meanwhile, Li who is fluent in English said he is already impressed by the progress so far shown by the South Sudanese health workers in grasping Chinese characters.

He also revealed that the good relations between the two countries are making more South Sudanese interested in learning the Chinese language.

"A lot of doctors and nurses come for the training not just because they want to learn Chinese language. It's because of the strong cooperation between South Sudan and China. Learning Chinese language provides education and economic opportunities and also opportunity to learn Chinese culture," said Li.

"They are eager to learn because they pay keen attention to details, I have observed they are learning the language faster. I think everybody here can learn Chinese language," he added. Enditem
Scranton and Dunmore Democrats embraced a new approach to governance Tuesday but Lackawanna County voters, generally, had little choice but the same old in a special Senate election.

In Scranton, Democratic voters nominated Mayor Paige Gebhardt Cognetti for a full term. She won a special election in November 2019 to replace former Mayor Bill Courtright following his resignation and conviction on federal corruption charges.

In her relatively short time in Scranton, Cognetti has become the embodiment of a new sort of politics in the city, which was a theme of Tuesdays primary. She defeated City Controller John Murray, a competent public official who carried the banner of the old-school Democratic Party to the point that his campaign centered on his being a Scranton native.

Even though Cognetti formally was endorsed by the party, and won the endorsements of many prominent Democrats, she ran as an independent in 2019 to evade the Democrats parochial endorsement process.

Murrays roots and support were in the partys old guard. His most visible and vocal support was among city unions that have been not just labor organizations, but primary architects of city government policy during many city administrations.

Cognetti is the first woman to become Scranton mayor. But in her case, the more significant factor is that she is not a native Scrantonian or even Pennsylvanian. She is a native Oregonian who has lived in the city for only about five years, making her a political unicorn in the long history of Scrantons municipal government.

During her brief term, she has reached out to constituencies far beyond City Hall itself, regularly engaging with neighborhood and minority groups whose interests are more toward fair governance than political gamesmanship. In City Hall, she has worked to loosen the creaky gears of the moribund government to institute modern management, employing her education at Harvards business school and in the federal and state governments.

Dunmore sustains transition

In heavily Democratic Dunmore, voters sustained a transition that began four years ago due to broad opposition to the expansion of the Keystone Sanitary Landfill.

Mark Max Conway defeated former longtime Mayor Patrick Loughney for the mayoral nomination to fill the seat being vacated by Mayor Tim Burke, who broke new ground by standing up against the landfill project.

Flynn faces challenge in Senate

Contrasting the city and Dunmore Democrats embrace of change is Marty Flynns victory in the 22nd Senatorial District special election to replace former state Sen. John Blake, the well-respected Archbald Democrat who resigned recently to join U.S. Rep. Matt Cartwrights district staff.

Flynn, a Scranton Democrat, has represented the 113th Legislative District in the state House for a decade. In that role he has been a reliable vote for standard Democratic policy preferences, but he is best known for an array of constituent services that are the easy part of the job.

He caught a break when the county Republican Party selected as its candidate Chris Chermak, the minority Lackawanna County commissioner from Dalton.

Endowed with hundreds of thousands of dollars from the state party, Chermak ran a series of depressingly negative ads about Flynn and Gov. Tom Wolf, and then styled himself a bipartisan consensus-builder. He proposed no policy, displayed little knowledge of the issues or the Legislature and failed to even appear at the sole debate in the race.

Marlene Sebastianelli, the Green Party candidate from Blakely, likely was the best candidate in the race but the race was a heavy lift for a third-party candidate. Even so, she drew about 9.5% of the vote, much of which otherwise would have gone to the Democrat.

Flynns challenge will be to emerge from the anonymity and cover provided by being one of 203 representatives, to withstand the exposure and added scrutiny inherent in being one of 50 state senators.

He has the rest of this year, the first year of the two-year legislative session, to get up to speed. The seat will be on the ballot in 2022 for a full term, possibly in a reconfigured district due to the 2020 census results.
London, KY (40741)

Today

Scattered thunderstorms during the morning becoming more widespread this afternoon. High 77F. Winds W at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 90%..

Tonight

Thunderstorms likely this evening. Then a chance of scattered thunderstorms overnight. Low 67F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 60%.
MARISSA BERGEL, Wheeler softball, senior: Bergel hit a two-out, two-run single in the seventh inning to lift Wheeler past Holy Cross, 9-7, in the Class S state tournament. The hit was part of a five-run rally in the inning.

JOEY GUARNIERI, Westerly track & field, senior: Guarnieri placed first in two sprints at the Southern Division championships. He won the 100 (11.19) and the 200 (22.73).

JOSH MOONEY, Stonington track & field, sophomore: Mooney placed first in the 110 hurdles at the Class M state meet in 14.65. He also finished second in the 300 hurdles (39.87) and second in the javelin (160-0).

MARGARET WEEDEN, Chariho track & field, junior: Weeden finished first in the high jump at the Southern Division championships. Weeden cleared 5-1 and also placed sixth in the triple jump at 31-5.

Vote

View Results
Hundreds of frustrated Teletext customers have contacted This is Money to say they have been waiting months  even more than a year in some cases  for a refund.

Disappointed holidaymakers say they're still waiting to receive thousands of pounds back after their holidays were cancelled but have been unable to get in touch with the company.

This is Money reported last week that the CMA is threatening legal action against the holiday firm unless it returns over 7million worth of refunds to customers that have been left out of pocket.

In response, hordes of concerned readers got in touch to say they were struggling to get their money back and found any communication they sent the firm was ignored.

Many Teletext customers have complained about the long wait for refunds from the company

In total, 164 customers contacted us, with a third saying exactly how much they had lost, totalling roughly 90,000, suggesting the total amount of refunds our readers are due from Teletext Holidays sits at around 270,000.

One reader, Darren, had a holiday booked for 25 people for a bachelor party to Benidorm last June.

Teletext cancelled not long before but, despite his original flights set to depart nearly a year ago, he and his friends are still waiting for their 7,650.

Another Teletext customer, Nathan, was due to travel to Mallorca with family last June but was advised four days before, the trip for 16 people was cancelled.

He and his family have never received their 7,164 back - despite promises from the firm.

Meanwhile, Maureen had a trip planned with her husband and two friends also to Mallorca last May. It was cancelled due to coronavirus and rescheduled for the same time this year.

Teletext never got in touch to say the holiday wouldn't be going ahead but as the dates were at the beginning of the month, when foreign travel was not allowed, she assumed it was cancelled.

She has been trying to get in touch with the firm for weeks to get a refund of 1,798 but so far has been unsuccessful.

Maureen said: 'I have repeatedly requested a refund after holding on the phone for up to three hours before anyone answers. I do not want to move to next year or a later date and I do not want to be offered vouchers as a way of refund.'

Refund pending: Thousands of holidays were cancelled this year and last due to the pandemic

Customer Neil is another person waiting for thousands back after he paid 5,000 of his 8,000 family holiday to Cuba in February of this year that was also cancelled.

He said: 'I had one email from Teletext stating it would refund us in April 2021 but then we received another email on February 5 stating we needed to apply for a refund credit note via an email address.

'However, I got an automatic reply saying the mailbox will not be open until 31 December 2021 and a cash refund could only be obtained after this date for any unused part of the Refund Credit Note.'

Since then he has emailed and called Teletext Holidays regularly but has been unable to get through to anyone.

This is Money contacted Teletext Holidays again asking why the above customers  and thousands of others  had not yet been refunded.

However, the firm did not respond with comment by the time of publication.

Others have taken to social media to complain about the firm.

This Twitter user said they have been waiting 7 months for a refund from Teletext Holidays

Another user said they were waiting for a refund of 4,000 that was paid in December 2019

One customer said their holiday was cancelled last April and they can't get a refund

This customer warned others from booking with Teletext Holiday after a year of waiting

What you can do to get your money back

For Teletext customers, and anyone else still waiting for a refund, there are steps you can take to try and get your money back.

1) You don't have to accept a credit note: Firstly, it is important to note that if your package holiday was cancelled, you dont have to accept a refund credit note from the company.

You also do not have to rebook. Legally, you are entitled to a refund. If a firm says otherwise, make clear to them that you know your rights.

2) Claim back through your card provider: Under Section 75 of the Consumer Credit Act, credit card providers may be liable when a product or service is not provided, if customers have paid more than 100 and less than 30,000.

There is no time limit for claiming back via this method.

If your credit card firm is not refunding you and you believe its reasons are unfair, you can take them to the Financial Ombudsman.

3) Escalate the problem via an adjudication scheme: Many of the major airlines including EasyJet and Ryanair are members of AviationADR whilst British Airways is a member of CEDR.

These schemes are Alternative Dispute Resolution programmes which help resolve disputes between passengers and airlines or airports.

It can ensure that its members issue refunds or take steps such as issuing a formal apology.

4) Make a claim with the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA): Unhappy customers can also complain to the CAA as well as make a claim if a booking has failed.

However, only customers of ATOL members can use this service. Whilst most are, Teletext Holidays is one such company that isn't.
Instant unlimited access to all of our content on tillamookheadlightherald.com.

The Headlight Herald E-Edition Newsletter emailed to you each week, the night before the paper hits the street!

This subscription is for NEW or RENEWING online subscribers.

(The charge will appear as "Country Media Inc." on your credit card statement)
Source: Xinhua| 2021-05-19 23:53:12|Editor: huaxia

Video Player Close

by Olatunji Saliu and Guo Jun

ABUJA, May 19 (Xinhua) -- Chinese costumes and props, as well as traditional Nigerian attires, were in a colorful display at a cultural fiesta in Abuja on Tuesday, presenting a great spectacle for the audience who witnessed the growing people-to-people interaction between China and Nigeria.

Students from 12 public secondary schools in Abuja thronged the China Cultural Center, the venue of the 2021 China-Nigeria Cultural Fiesta, to compete among themselves for three main categories, namely Chinese songs, Chinese dance, and Nigerian songs and dance.

The event organized by the Chinese Embassy in Nigeria and the Secondary Education Board of Nigeria's federal capital territory(FCT), celebrated annually, and is a brainchild of the Chinese Corners, a club formed for extracurricular purposes by government-owned secondary schools in Abuja, to learn and share ideas about the Chinese culture.

For Joy Omarama, the cultural fiesta was a great opportunity for her to socialize with students from other schools, and to have the first-hand experience of Chinese and Nigerian cultures on the same stage.

"I feel very happy. I am happy to be part of this event. I am happy to learn Chinese culture," said an exited Omarama, after she and her team from the Government Secondary School Garki appeared winner at the category of Chinese songs.

"I find pleasure watching Chinese movies. I find pleasure in their dance and their songs. It warms the heart," she told Xinhua.

The only problem she has with Chinese songs is that she does not know the meaning of their lyrics, as she has never been trained systematacially in Chinese language.

"Some of us are willing to learn the Chinese language in our school. We will be happier and willing to learn the Chinese culture and the language if we can get a teacher," she said.

Yakubu Ibrahim, an official of the FCT Secondary Education Board, revealed at the opening of the event that one of the main challenges Chinese Corners faced is the short of Chinese language teachers. Many participants and their teachers know a little or nothing about Chinese language, and they are here in the event purely out of their love for Chinese culture.

"They just downloaded videos of Chinese songs and dances, and they watched videos and practised over and over again," Ibrahim said.

Eze Adeize, Omarama's teacher, told Xinhua they started training since last year.

"We worked hard and went through a lot together," said Adeize, "Chinese songs are not that easy to learn but they are beautiful and once you learn them you will like to keep singing them."

Lukman Umar, a teacher form the Government Secondary School Dutse, is proud to lead his boys and girls to win the champion at the category of Chinese dance.

"I employed so many ways to encourage and motivate the students to pay attention to the Chinese songs and dances that we practised. I mentor them as much as I can," said Umar.

He said there is a need to have more experience in the language and culture of the Chinese.

"As a teacher, we need to know the language well and more culture. We need more training because we are the ones that will train the students. We need Chinese teachers as well," he said.

At the end of the event, the team from the Government Secondary School Jabi won the category of Nigerian songs and dance.

According to Li Xuda, the cultural counselor of the Chinese Embassy in Nigeria, the essence of culture is a people-to-people exchange, serving as a bridge, and promoting mutual understanding, learning between people and their countries.

"Culture is a country and nation's soul. Our countries will thrive only if our cultures thrive, and our nations will be strong only if our cultures are strong," Li said, adding the annual event offers a platform for the cultural exchanges between the two countries, and fuels the people to people friendship. Enditem
Tillamook, OR (97141)

Today

Rain likely. High 59F. Winds SSE at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 100%. Rainfall near a quarter of an inch..

Tonight

Showers early, then cloudy overnight. Low 51F. Winds SSE at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 70%.


remaining of

SUPPORT LOCAL JOURNALISM! On your next view you will be asked to log in to your subscriber account or create an account and subscribepurchase a subscription to continue reading.
Source: Xinhua| 2021-05-20 01:12:15|Editor: huaxia

Video Player Close

HARARE, May 19 (Xinhua) -- Huawei Zimbabwe has kicked off its annual Seeds for the Future program for undergraduate university students which aims to develop local ICT talent.

This year the number of participants has increased to 30 from the previous 10, giving more ICT students from Zimbabwe's top universities the opportunity to take part in the prestigious event.

The program, which will run from May 24 to 31, will be held virtually for the second time due to the global COVID-19 pandemic.

The Seeds for the Future program is Huawei's biggest global flagship Corporate Social Responsibility program which aims to nurture young ICT professionals in countries where Huawei operates.

"We believe it is crucial that global leading companies like ourselves partner with universities in skills transfer.

"In this way, we hope that we will enable Zimbabwean universities to provide the skilled workforce that employers need, and that will drive the continued transformation of the economy," Chad Wei, Managing Director of Huawei Technologies Zimbabwe said during the launch of the program.

This year's selected participants will get insights into the latest developments in the global ICT industry, and will also study different courses exploring the latest developments in Artificial Intelligence (AI), cloud computing, 5G, and the Internet of Things.

In addition, the students will also have the opportunity to experience virtual tours of Huawei's campuses in China, and will take part in virtual visits to Chinese historical sites.

Speaking at the launch ceremony, Zimbabwe's ICT minister Jenfan Muswere said the program will go a long way in filling Zimbabwe's ICT talent gap.

"One of the key challenges we are facing in growing the ICT sector is the lack of skilled ICT professionals. It is therefore pleasing to note that Huawei has made supporting skills development one of their key priorities for building a better connected Zimbabwe," he said.

Muswere noted that the program dovetails with the government's digitization efforts.

"The Seeds for the Future program is in line with the ministry's digitization strategy and our mission to provide an efficient national information communication technology delivering framework and to maintain national cybersecurity," Muswere said.

One of the beneficiaries of this year's program, Anesu Mzondiwa, an Electronic Engineering student from the National University of Science and Technology, said the program will greatly help advance the ICT sector in Zimbabwe.

"This program will surely open our minds and give us a better perspective of how to advance ourselves, family businesses, and our country and help us find innovative solutions to Zimbabwe, Africa and beyond.

"Surely learning about 5G, Internet of Things, cloud computing, and other cutting edge technologies from the very best will boost our profiles higher than we have ever dreamt of," Mzondiwa said.

Speaking at the same event, Wang Wei, Counselor at the Chinese embassy in Zimbabwe, said the initiative by Huawei is one of several programs by the Chinese community that helps build a bond between China and ordinary Zimbabweans.

"Over the past decades, the local Chinese community has built a strong bond with ordinary Zimbabweans.

"While the economic benefits of jobs and value addition they bring to this country is important, I believe the amity and goodwill they have created is even more significant. This is the foundation for an ever-lasting friendship between China and Zimbabwe," Wang said.

Zimbabwe's First Lady and Matron of the Seeds for the Future program Auxillia Mnangagwa expressed gratitude to Huawei for such a kind gesture, adding that it will aid in cultivating practical skills for local students.

"ICT improves engagement and knowledge retention so we need the ability to produce and use information effectively. However, in many of our academic programs, there is a gap between the knowledge learned in the classroom and the skills that are necessary in the real world. Through the Seeds for the Future program, Huawei helps resolve this problem," she said.

During the launch ceremony, the Chinese embassy and Huawei Zimbabwe declared a donation to the Angel of Hope Foundation founded by Auxillia Mnangagwa.

Huawei has over the years developed a number of frameworks that seek to advance Zimbabwe's ICT sector.

The frameworks include the Huawei ICT Academy, Huawei ICT Talent Ecosystem, and the Seeds for the Future program.

Zimbabwean universities have partnered with Huawei to become Huawei ICT academies and offer courses in Cloud Computing, AI, the Internet of Things, and many more. Enditem
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu vowed Wednesday to press ahead with a fierce military offensive in the Gaza Strip, pushing back against calls from the United States to wind down the operation that has left hundreds dead.

Netanyahus tough comments marked the first public rift between the two close allies since the fighting began last week and could complicate international efforts to reach a cease-fire.

Israel continued to pound targets in Gaza with airstrikes, while Palestinian militants bombarded Israel with rocket fire throughout the day. In another sign of potential escalation, militants in Lebanon fired a rocket barrage into northern Israel.

After a visit to military headquarters, Netanyahu said he appreciated the support of the American president, but he said Israel would push ahead to return calm and security to Israeli citizens.

He said he was determined to continue this operation until its aim is met.

He spoke shortly after U.S. President Joe Biden told Netanyahu that he expected a significant de-escalation today on the path to a cease-fire, the White House said.

Biden had previously avoided pressing Israel more directly and publicly for a cease-fire with Gazas Hamas militant rulers. But pressure has been building for Biden to intervene more forcefully as other diplomatic efforts gather strength.

Egyptian negotiators have also been working to halt the fighting, and an Egyptian diplomat said top officials were waiting for Israels response to a cease-fire offer. The diplomat spoke on condition of anonymity in line with regulations. Meanwhile, German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas said he would fly to the region Thursday for talks with Israelis and Palestinians.

Israels Foreign Ministry said the foreign ministers of Slovakia and the Czech Republic would also arrive in Israel Thursday, and that the diplomats were invited by Foreign Minister Gabi Ashkenazi to express their solidarity and support for Israel.

Earlier in the day, the Israeli military said it was widening its strikes on militant targets in southern Gaza to blunt continuing rocket fire from Hamas. At least nine people were killed Wednesday in the Gaza Strip.

The current round of fighting between Israel and Hamas began May 10, when the militant group fired long-range rockets toward Jerusalem after days of clashes between Palestinian protesters and Israeli police at the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound, a flashpoint site sacred to Jews and Muslims. Heavy-handed police tactics at the compound and the threatened eviction of dozens of Palestinian families by Jewish settlers had inflamed tensions.

Since then, Israel has launched hundreds of airstrikes that it says have targeted Hamas infrastructure, and Hamas and other militant groups embedded in residential areas have fired more than 3,700 rockets at Israeli cities, with hundreds falling short and most of the rest intercepted or landing in open areas.

At least 227 Palestinians have been killed, including 64 children and 38 women, with 1,620 people wounded, according to the Gaza Health Ministry, which does not break the numbers down into fighters and civilians. Hamas and Islamic Jihad say at least 20 of their fighters have been killed, while Israel says the number is at least 130. Some 58,000 Palestinians have fled their homes.

Twelve people in Israel, including a 5-year-old boy, a 16-year-old girl and a soldier, have been killed.

The rockets fired by militants in Lebanon into northern Israel threatened to open up a new front in the fighting. The rocket attack, which drew Israeli artillery fire in response but did not cause any injuries, raised the possibility of dragging Israel into renewed conflict with the powerful Lebanese militant group Hezbollah to its north.

No one immediately claimed responsibility for the attack, and Hezbollah, which fought a monthlong war against Israel in 2006, has stayed out of the fighting for now. The rockets were widely believed to be fired by Palestinian factions based in south Lebanon.

But they cannot operate without Hezbollahs tacit consent, and the barrage appears to be carefully calibrated to send a political message that the group, which has tens of thousands of missiles, could join the battle at any time. Israel considers Hezbollah to be its most formidable threat and has threatened widespread destruction in Lebanon if war were to erupt.

In Gaza, one of the Israeli airstrikes destroyed the home of an extended family.

Residents surveyed the piles of bricks, concrete and other debris that had once been the home of 40 members of al-Astal family in the southern Gaza town of Khan Younis. They said a warning missile struck the building five minutes before the airstrike, allowing everyone to escape.

Ahmed al-Astal, a university professor, described a scene of panic, with men, women and children racing out of the building.

We had just gotten down to the street, breathless, when the devastating bombardment came, he said. They left nothing but destruction, the childrens cries filling the street.  This is happening, and there is no one to help us.

Another strike in nearby Deir al-Balah killed a man, his wife and their 2-year-old daughter, witnesses said. Iyad Salha, a brother of the man who was killed, said the family had just sat down for lunch when the missile hit.

Among those killed Wednesday were a reporter for Hamas-run Al-Aqsa radio and two people who died when warning missiles crashed into their apartment.

The Israeli military said it was striking a militant tunnel network in southern Gaza, with 52 aircraft hitting 40 underground targets.

Military officials, meanwhile, said a mysterious explosion that killed eight members of a Palestinian family on the first day of the fighting was caused by a misfired rocket from Gaza. This wasnt an Israeli attack, said Lt. Col. Jonathan Conricus, a military spokesman.

Since the fighting began, Gazas infrastructure, already weakened by a 14-year blockade, has rapidly deteriorated. Medical supplies, water and fuel for electricity are running low in the territory, on which Israel and Egypt imposed the blockade after Hamas seized power in 2007.

Israeli attacks have damaged at least 18 hospitals and clinics and destroyed one health facility, the World Health Organization said. Nearly half of all essential drugs have run out.

Among the buildings leveled by Israeli airstrikes was one housing The Associated Press Gaza office and those of other media outlets.

Netanyahu has alleged that Hamas military intelligence was operating in the building. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said Tuesday that Israel had given the U.S. information about the bombing, without elaborating.

The AP has called for an independent investigation. The news organizations president, Gary Pruitt, has said the AP had no indication Hamas was present in the building.

The fighting, the worst since a 2014 war between Israel and Hamas, has ignited protests around the world and inspired Palestinians in Israel and the occupied territories to call a general strike Tuesday. It was a rare collective action that spanned boundaries central to decades of failed peace efforts. Israel captured the West Bank, east Jerusalem and Gaza in the 1967 Mideast war, territories the Palestinians want for their future state.

SOURCE: Associated Press
Source: Xinhua| 2021-05-20 01:15:28|Editor: huaxia

Video Player Close

MOGADISHU, May 19 (Xinhua) -- Ten people including soldiers lost their lives and 15 others were injured on Wednesday during fighting between militia and troops from the Hirshabelle State in central Somalia.

Ahmed Meyre Makaran, governor of Middle Shabelle region, said the militia had attacked Jowhar town, the administrative capital of Hirshabelle State with the intention of releasing fighters who had been arrested for committing robbery.

Makaran said some of the casualties included senior security personnel as well as members of the militia group.

"The situation was chaotic today after militias staged an attack resulting in heavy casualties on both sides," said Makaran.

He also said that al-Shabab militants had carried out roadside bomb attacks on his vehicle on Wednesday in a neighborhood in Jowhar town. Enditem
MALTA  U.S. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer is pushing a new bill through Congress that would combine several of his science and technology funding bills into one  including the $50 billion CHIPS Act that could potentially lead to several new computer chip factories being built in upstate New York.

On Wednesday, Schumer unveiled a new bill called the U.S. Innovation and Competition Act that would combine the CHIPS Act, along with another bipartisan technology funding bill called the Endless Frontier Act that includes $120 billion in funding for the National Science Foundation, the Department of Commerce, the Department of Energy and NASA. Smaller related technology bills would also be wrapped into the newly written bill.

Schumer and others in Congress have been pushing for huge investments in technology manufacturing and development to counteract efforts by China to increasingly control the global tech supply chain of the computer chips and other high-tech components that have increasingly become part of every day life in America and throughout the world.

The CHIPS Act has been deemed critical to enabling the U.S. to re-establish its domestic chip manufacturing industry, which has been losing production to Asian countries, especially China.

The bill would provide $2 billion to companies like GlobalFoundries, which employs 3,000 people at its Fab 8 computer chip factory in Malta, to build new U.S. factories, which cost between $10 billion and $15 billion each.

"The time is now to act to pass the bill and ensure that the U.S. is not left behind in the race to secure onshore chip manufacturing," GlobalFoundries CEO Tom Caulfield said in a statement released by Schumer's office.

Caulfield has said that if GlobalFoundries were to get CHIPS Act funding, it would likely build a second factory in Malta, Fab 8.2.

The potential incentives for the semiconductor industry have moved Santa Clara, Calif.-based Intel, the world's largest chip maker, as well as Samsung in South Korea, to propose new chip factories in the U.S. Both Samsung, which operates two chip factories in Austin, Texas, and Intel have indicated they will consider upstate New York for the new factories, or fabs.

Both Samsung and Intel are working with IBM on cutting-edge chip research at the Albany Nanotech complex on Fuller Road, home to SUNY Polytechnic Institute.

The state entity that owns Albany Nanotech, NY CREATES, is planning to partner with IBM and others on landing $2 billion included in Schumer's new bill for what's called the National Semiconductor Technology Center.

Having the NSTC in Albany would only make plans by Intel and Samsung to build in New York more attractive.

"The Empire State is the perfect place to grow innovation industries, including our semiconductor (research) and manufacturing, and my amendment will solidify New York as a global hub for technology," Schumer said Wednesday.
COLONIE  On the same day he would have celebrated his 22nd birthday, family and friends will instead gather privately Thursday to bury Xiaa Price, the Schenectady man gunned down last week in the parking lot of a Motel 6.

That same day, Prices alleged killer, Paul A L Streeks, is slated to appear at 2 p.m. in Colonie Town Court for a preliminary hearing, according to the Albany County district attorneys office.

On Wednesday, relatives will hold a memorial service for Price, who his aunt Sherain Rivera told the Times Union would often drop by her house where she would regale him with her soul food cooking. She said he was raised in church with his two siblings at New Jerusalem Home of the Saved Church in downtown Albany.

Rivera has set up a GoFundMe page with a goal of raising $5,000 to pay for the memorial and funeral services, both of which are by invitation only.

"My nephew was an outgoing young man with his whole life ahead of him which was cut short because of a senseless death," writes Rivera in the introduction for the popular crowd-funding site, which as of Tuesday afternoon, had raised $1,165 in donations.

At Yates Village, where Price grew up, a makeshift memorial in his honor, decorated with colorful candlelights arrayed in front of a large portrait of him, adorned the sidewalk in front of the bus stop at Wood and Van Vranken avenues on the city's North Side.

One of his childhood friends, who helped set up the tribute, said that he and Price's family and buddies ignited fireworks in his memory and planned to hold a candlelight vigil at the bus stop nightly until at least Price's birthday on Thursday.

He described Price as his brother and said he's known him since Price was 8 years old.

Attorney Matthew Swedick, who is represent the man accused of killing Price, said Tuesday afternoon said he was awaiting discovery. He declined further comment.

The 23-year-old Streeks, arrested Friday night, is charged him with second-degree murder and felony criminal possession of a weapon. He pleaded not guilty at his arraignment and was ordered held without bail at the Albany County Correctional Facility.

Police have said Price died from a single gunshot wound near the motel on Curry Road near the border with the town of Rotterdam.

On Tuesday, Colonie police Lt. Dan Belles said investigators were still trying to determine a motive in the homicide. He confirmed that police "believe that there are multiple other people that were either involved in the homicide or have knowledge of what occurred."

Rivera told the Times Union on Monday that it appears Price was fatally shot during a robbery attempt and that he knew Streeks. She did not know the nature of their relationship but said that Streeks had at least two accomplices, adding the attackers wore masks to conceal their faces.

Last week, Rivera also said police told the family that based on surveillance footage it appears Price was attempting to drive away with his younger brother in the car when Price was shot in the head, causing the car they were in to crash in the motel parking lot.

Anyone with information about Price's slaying is asked to contact the Colonie Police investigations division at 518-783-2754 or Capital Region Crime stoppers at 1-833-ALB-TIPS or capitalregioncrimestoppers.com.
Laurie Skrivan/AP

MASCOUTAH, Ill. (AP)  Two pilots ejected safely from an F-15 fighter jet Tuesday morning when the aircraft left a runway while landing at a southwestern Illinois airport, military officials said.

The two U.S. active duty pilots suffered minor injuries in the 7:30 a.m. incident at MidAmerica St. Louis Airport in Mascoutah, Illinois, the U.S. Air Force said in a statement. MidAmerica is located about 25 miles (40 kilometers) east of St. Louis.
JUNEAU, Alaska (AP)  Alaska Gov. Mike Dunleavy proposed $5 million in funding for a farming project spanning 156 square miles (404 square kilometers), the largest the state has seen in decades.

State lawmakers last Saturday considered the proposal for the Nenana-Totchaket farming district, one of a series of agricultural and land-development projects proposed by Dunleavy's amendments to the annual capital budget, the Anchorage Daily News reported Sunday. The budget funds construction and renovation projects across the state.
KYIV, Ukraine (AP)  Authorities blocked a popular news site in Belarus that extensively covered months of protests against the country's authoritarian president, and they also raided the site's office and the homes of some of its journalists.

Belarusian authorities maintained that Tut.by violated media laws by publishing content on behalf of BYSOL, a foundation that helps victims of political repression. They said the foundation lacked proper state registration. Officials also accused Tut.by of tax evasion and launched a criminal probe of the site's top staff members, who could face charges that carry a maximum penalty of seven years in prison.

The authorities raided Tut.bys offices in Minsk and other regions, and the homes of its journalists and employees on Tuesday, breaking the door leading to the apartment of Maryna Zolatava, the sites chief editor. At least six Tut.by employees  including Zolatava and Tut.by journalist Alena Talkachova, whose apartment was also searched  were taken in for questioning, the Belarusian Association of Journalists said.

According to Tut.by, at least 12 of the site's employees have been detained, and the whereabouts of several journalists from other media outlets who went to the news site's office in the morning to cover the raid remained unknown. Tut.by said in its account on the Telegram messaging app that law enforcement officers also visited Yuliya Charnyauskaya, widow of the sites founder, Yury Zisser, and she was hospitalized after suffering an episode of hypertension.

The U.S. Embassy in Minsk condemned the actions targeting the news site. These efforts to stamp out independent thinking reflect the worst inclinations of the last century, the embassy said in a statement.

Independent media in Belarus came under pressure in the wake of mass protests triggered by President Alexander Lukashenkos disputed reelection. Lukashenko, who has ruled Belarus with an iron fist since 1994, won his sixth term in office in an August election. Opposition supporters and some poll workers said the election was riddled with fraud, and the opposition rejected the results.

Lukashenko also unleashed a harsh crackdown on the demonstrations, the largest of which drew up to 200,000 people. More than 34,000 people have been arrested since August, and thousands were brutally beaten.

The authorities have also targeted independent media outlets, detaining journalists covering the protests and leveling criminal charges against some of them. According to the Belarusian Association of Journalists, 16 reporters are currently behind bars awaiting trial or serving sentences.

The U.S. Embassy called Tuesdays raids the latest in a series of punitive actions directed against a media outlet whose primary crime appears to be its objective reporting on peaceful protests resulting from the fraudulent 2020 elections and the regimes violent and cruel actions in response.

Last year, the Belarusian government stripped Tut.by of its media credentials. It continued to operate regardless, but two of its journalists remain in prison. Katsiaryna Barysevich was sentenced to six months over her investigation into a protester's death, and Lyubov Kasperovich was sentenced to 15 days in jail Monday after covering a trial related to the protests.

The Belarusian Association of Journalists issued a statement Tuesday urging the Belarusian government to stop impeding the work of the media.

The actions against the biggest and the most popular news site of the country are part of a deliberate government policy to restrict uncensored information in the country, the statement said. After the 2020 presidential election in Belarus, dozens of socio-political and media sites were blocked in Belarus, and a number of print outlets were forced to stop publishing."

The European Union delegation to Belarus also condemned the crackdown on Tut.by in a Facebook statement.

Tut.by has been the flagship of Belarusian journalism for the past 20 years, read and appreciated by most internet users in the country and many beyond it, as well as by diplomats working with Belarus. Freedom of the media must be upheld, the statement said.

Opposition leader Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya, who ran against Lukashenko in the August presidential election, called the actions of authorities Tuesday a deliberate murder of the media and the independent site Tut.by."

The crowd of people who hold power in Belarus is a real occupation regime: They're killing the media, they're killing parties and communities, they're killing us  in the streets and in prisons," Tsikhanouskaya, who left Belarus under pressure from authorities and is currently in exile in Lithuania, said in a statement.

She added that she and her team were in touch with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, demanding an immediate reaction from the EU.
REYKJAVIK, Iceland (AP)  Top diplomats from the United States and Russia are set to square off this week in Iceland for their first face-to-face encounter that comes as ties between the nations have deteriorated sharply in recent months.

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Russias longtime Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov plan to talk Wednesday on the sidelines of an Arctic Council meeting in the Icelandic capital of Reykjavik, a city with deep history in U.S.-Russian relations.

Even before the talks  that are ostensibly to prepare for a summit between President Joe Biden and Russian leader Vladimir Putin next month  the two diplomats laid down near diametrically opposed positions for the meeting, previewing what is likely to be a difficult and contentious exchange.

This follows a spate of tit-for-tat diplomatic expulsions as U.S.-Russian relations threaten a return to Cold War lows. The nuclear powers are at odds on myriad issues including Ukraine, the Arctic, Russia's treatment of opposition figure Alexey Navalny and accusations of cybermalfeasance, including claims that Russia-based hackers were responsible for a ransomware attack on a key U.S. pipeline.

"It would be our preference to have a more stable and more predictable relationship with Russia, Blinken said on Tuesday. At the same time, weve been very clear that if Russia chooses to take reckless or aggressive actions that target our interests or those of our allies and partners, well respond. Not for purposes of seeking conflict or escalating but because such challenges cannot be allowed to go forward with impunity.

Blinken also tweeted Tuesday U.S. condemnation of Russia's 2014 annexation of Crimea from Ukraine. We condemn Russias abuses in Crimea, especially on May 18 as we reflect on the 77th anniversary of Stalins deportation of countless Crimean Tatars from their native peninsula, he posted.

Perhaps anticipating Blinken's position, Lavrov had offered a prebuttal at a news conference Monday in Moscow.

Apparently, a (U.S.) decision was made to promote stable, predictable relations with Russia," he said. However, if this includes constant and predictable sanctions, thats not what we need. Our attitude toward the U.S. includes the hope that normalized relations will be based on specific actions rather than words of which we have heard too many.

Blinken said his meeting with Lavrov would be an important opportunity to test the proposition that the U.S. and Russia can work collaboratively on certain issues, like climate change, the Mideast, Iran and North Korea, despite bitter disagreements on others. The meeting comes as much of the world is focused on the Israel-Palestinian war.

Blinken noted that despite the vitriol, the U.S. and Russia had agreed early in the Biden administration to a five-year extension of a key arms control pact that President Donald Trump had declined to renew before he left office. Trump left a decidedly mixed legacy on Russia that included a personal friendly relationship with Putin, while his administration still imposed sanctions and other punitive measures.

Lavrov said Moscow would determine its own red lines and emphasized that in the sphere of strategic stability, its going to insist on putting both offensive and defensive, nuclear and non-nuclear weapons on the negotiation table.

Another, more immediate area of disagreement in Reykjavik, the site of the famous 1986 summit between President Ronald Reagan and Russian leader Mikhail Gorbachev, is the Arctic, where Russia has been expanding its military presence and pursuing policies to expand its influence to the alarm of the Americans.

Blinken rejected Russian calls to resume a military component of the Arctic Council and expressed concerns about Russias increasing military activity in the region known as the high North.

We have concerns about some of the recent military activities in the Arctic, he said. That Increases the dangers of accidents and miscalculations and undermines the shared goal of a peaceful and sustainable future for the region. So we have to be vigilant about that.

Blinken also took Russia to task for proposing new navigational regulations for the region and decried Lavrov for comments in which he dismissed such criticism because the Arctic is our territory, our land.

We have to proceed all of us, including Russia, based on the rules, based on norms, based on the commitments that weve each made and also avoid statements that undercut those, Blinken said.

In his comments Monday, Lavrov noted the grievances about Russia's military activities in the Arctic. It has long been common knowledge that this is our territory, our land. We are in charge of keeping the Arctic coast safe. Everything Russia is doing there is absolutely legal, he said.

Moscow and Washington are also embroiled in a bitter dispute over the status of their respective embassies and consulates after the diplomatic expulsions. Russia has given the U.S. until Aug. 1 to get rid of all non-American staff at its diplomatic missions, something the U.S. says will make it nearly impossible for its facilities to function.

__

Associated Press writer Vladimir Isachenkov in Moscow contributed to this story.
RIO DE JANEIRO (AP)  Brazil's Federal Police on Wednesday carried out searches to investigate whether Environment Minister Ricardo Salles and other key figures within the ministry facilitated illegal timber exports to the U.S. and Europe.

The Supreme Court authorized the search of nearly three dozen locations in Sao Paulo state, the Amazonian state of Para and Brazil's federal district, according to a police statement.

The operation stems from a decision of the court's Justice Alexandre de Moraes, who ordered the investigation of 10 officials at the ministry and the regulatory agency.

Nine of them were preventatively suspended from working, including agency President Eduardo Bim  but not Salles  according to a copy of de Moraes' May 13 decision made public on Wednesday. He wrote that there appeared to be a contraband scheme with Salles' involvement.

Salles told reporters in capital Brasilia that his ministry has always acted in accordance with laws, and that police searches were unnecessary. The regulator didnt respond to requests for comment from The Associated Press.

The justices decision alleged that officials issued several certificates retroactively authorizing specific timber shipments after their seizure abroad and that subsequently, in February 2020, Salles and Bim met with lumber companies and lawmakers about exports from Para state. Bim soon issued an order retroactively loosening requirements for thousands of loads exported between 2019 and 2020 without respective documentaion, de Moraes wrote. The judge's decision also suspended Bim's order.

Salles this year began talks with officials from the administration of U.S. President Joe Biden, who has directly called on Brazil to curb rising Amazon deforestation. Foreign investors, particularly based in Europe, had already begun expressing greater concern. Officials and activists are watching closely for signs of whether recent signals from Bolsonaro's administration that it wants to take stronger action amounts to more than lip service.

De Moraes' decision provided particular detail about a shipment from London-based timber company Tradelinks Brazilian subsidiary to its division in North Carolina that was held up in Savannah, Georgia. It cites federal police as saying U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service agent Bryan Landry flagged many inconsistencies that Brazilian officials investigated, and which reinforced odds that illegally felled timber had been laundered to appear legal.

It also reproduced a letter from Landry that says the Fish and Wildlife Service has opened an investigation into Tradelink's possible involvement in corruption and fraud.

A lawyer representing Tradelink said in an email that the company is unaware of any ongoing investigation. The Fish and Wildlife Service declined to comment when asked by email to confirm the U.S. probe.

The judge also granted police access to the confidential banking records of Salles and others under investigation, including at least five companies, from January of 2018 until May 12.

Salles' private residence in Sao Paulo and the Environment Ministry offices were among the locations police searched on Wednesday, local media reported.

Police said in their statement that investigations began in January, and potential crimes include corruption, facilitation of contraband and sponsoring private interests while working as a public servant.
Caught off guard by an infusion of universal pre-kindergarten (UPK) funding in the 2021-22 state budget, local school districts are scrambling to find suitable locations to house classrooms for 4-year-olds before September.

The enacted New York budget pumps $105 million into an expansion of universal pre-kindergarten in 210 upstate New York and Long Island districts that don't currently offer pre-school programs.

It is a significant step toward the state's goal of making free, high-quality pre-school available to all who need it. Dozens of Capital Region districts will benefit from the funds.

City districts that already offer free preschool, including Albany and Schenectady, will see their UPK funds boosted for next year.

Larger suburban school districts in the Capital Region that previously hadn't received pre-kindergarten dollars from the state will now have between $300,000 and $1 million to set up classrooms for 4-year-olds.

Several Delmar parents said they were told by Bethlehem school officials that there may be insufficient time to get a UPK program up and running by September.

Implementing any new program like this would take much more planning than the four months that exist between now and September," school officials responded to the parent of a preschool-aged child. "In addition, we do not have the space to add this program, especially with the COVID restrictions that will likely still be in place, at least to some extent. We are investigating options to use the funding with community partners, but there are no guarantees there either.

Officials in the North Colonie school district, which eligible for about $500,000 in first-time UPK funds, said they are still scouting locations and third-party providers that can potentially house a preschool classroom.

"It's premature to know" whether those efforts will be successful, district spokeswoman Julia Lilkendey said.

Shenendehowa, which enrolls 10,000 students and has been allocated $988,200 in UPK funds for 2021-22, is one of a handful of school districts in New York without a full-time kindergarten program.

"The district was honestly surprised since the advocacy was for funds to expand kindergarten to full-time  which is largely limited to a lack of classroom space," a district spokesperson wrote on the district's Grapevine blog, which addresses questions from the school community. "In the coming months, as more details are provided, we will see how we can best partner with an outside agency(s) to maximize said dollars."

Working parents in the Capital Region face a dire child care landscape. Not only are day care costs exceeding those of SUNY tuition, but the number of available seats at high-quality early childhood programs has been declining for years creating so-called "child care deserts."

This year's unprecedented investment of state and federal dollars into public education and child care seeks to address the shortage.

The availability of free, high-quality early education for 3- and 4-year-olds would provide financial relief for many parents while expanding access to academic supports, medical care, and food for low-income families.

While universal pre-kindergarten expansion has stagnated on the state level, President Joe Biden has outlined a national plan to make universal pre-kindergarten available to all 3- and 4-year-olds. But the proposal requires some state governments to shoulder roughly half the costs for their residents.

The Mechanicville City School District had already been planning to create its first pre-kindergarten classroom this year, but the $190,707 in federal relief money has enabled the district to double its capacity and set up two classrooms in its elementary school building.

The district's preschool addition comes at a time when one of the community's largest preschool providers is closing its doors.

"When the money came through from the feds and the state, it just supplemented it," Mechanicville Superintendent Bruce Potter said. "We had classroom spaces that we had identified, but we were well into the planning stages."

Forty, rather than the planned 20, pre-school seats are now available in the 1,300-student district by lottery, which went live Monday. In one day, more than 50 families have already expressed interest, Potter said.
Joe Prude struggled to find the words.

Its like Im traumatized still, he said. And it's hurtful to even try to acknowledge certain issues that's at hand right now.

The brother of Daniel Prude  a 41-year-old Black man who died after Rochester police restrained him in the midst of a psychotic episode last year  spoke with lawmakers Tuesday at a joint legislative hearing examining New Yorks overwhelmed mental health system. He was there to share his familys support for legislation that would minimize police involvement with mental health calls, but the topic was clearly still raw.

I can't elaborate like I really want to because, you know, it is like Im going through so much right now and it's like my mind is everywhere, he said, bowing his head for a moment to gather himself.

Behind him stood a picture of Daniel, who was found wandering the streets naked in below-freezing temperatures in March 2020. Hours earlier he had been released from Strong Memorial Hospital where he had been admitted for suicidal thoughts. And when he left the house barely clothed later that day, his brother grew worried he would harm himself and called 911.

Unfortunately, Prude never got the help he needed. When police found him, they handcuffed him and placed a "spit bag" over his head to prevent possible COVID-19 exposure before forcing him to the ground. As he lay face down on the cold pavement, officers held his feet and head and then knelt on his back. He suffocated, and died a week later after sustaining brain damage.

I don't want to see nobody else's family have to deal with what mine has, Joe Prude told lawmakers. This is a milestone right here if we can get this off the ground.

The milestone he is hoping for is the passage of Daniels Law, a piece of legislation introduced earlier this year by Sen. Samra Brouk and Assemblyman Harry Bronson that would redesign how communities around the state respond to mental health and substance use crisis calls. Its goal is to minimize police involvement and maximize compassionate, consent-based care from qualified professionals.

The issue of reimagining the publics response to mental health crises dominated discussion at Tuesdays hearing, as lawmakers and advocates seek to address a growing mental health and overdose crisis thats occurring against the backdrop of an already-overwhelmed behavioral health care system. The issue is a racial justice one, as well, advocates note, as studies show Black people experiencing a mental health crisis are far more likely to be killed by police than white people.

There is a mental health crisis in our state, said Brouk, who chairs the Senate mental health committee. And so we need to take steps to figure out who shows up in a crisis moment. How do we approach these types of crises?

More than anything, I think we really have an opportunity here in New York state to really change the script, to change the paradigm around how we think about mental health and mental health crises, she continued. We can reimagine how we address mental health, we can make investments, and we can follow the experts and lets remember that with these changes comes saving lives.

New York has made efforts in recent years to beef up mental health crisis services through the expansion of short-term crisis residences, crisis respite services, mobile crisis teams and crisis intervention training for law enforcement. But gaps remain as programs continue to operate on shoestring budgets and churn through employees due to low pay and stressful working conditions.

In her testimony Tuesday, state Office of Mental Health Commissioner Dr. Ann Marie Sullivan said the establishment of crisis stabilization centers authorized in this years budget should be a big help. Such centers are open around the clock and accept anyone in crisis without referrals, including drop-offs by law enforcement and first responders.

She also expressed hope that the nationwide launch of a new 988 hotline next year for mental health crises will have a transformative impact on crisis intervention.

While there are currently mobile crisis response teams operating in the state, the programs are not available everywhere and a lack of resources prevents trained mental health professionals from getting to the scene quickly.

We would never expect a response time of an hour for EMS or police, said Nadia Chait, director of policy and advocacy for the Coalition for Behavioral Health. And so of course we shouldnt accept the same for a mental health emergency.

Sullivan said rural areas of the state have some of the greatest challenges when it comes to timely crisis intervention, to which Assembly mental health chair Aileen Gunther offered a vociferous rebuttal.

Its only a challenge if you dont have money, she said. We have hospitals, we have clinics. A lot of it is the investment of New York state. Do they want to invest on the beginning or on the end? More expensive is getting people hospitalized. Less expensive is putting the down payment on mental health.

Daniels Law would address regional challenges by creating so-called local mental health response units. County mental hygiene directors are already in the process of assessing local needs as they prep for the mid-2022 rollout of the 988 hotline, but other community providers and responders would also have a chance to weigh in under the proposed legislation.

I know this is a good step, said Prude. I just want to see the change that everybody else wants to see.
Source: Xinhua| 2021-05-19 14:39:51|Editor: huaxia

Video Player Close

A man receives a dose of the COVID-19 vaccine at a vaccination center in Rawalpindi, Punjab Province, Pakistan, on May 19, 2021. Pakistan reported 3,256 new COVID-19 cases over the last 24 hours, bringing the total number of confirmed cases to 886,184, the National Command and Operation Center (NCOC) said on Wednesday. (Xinhua/Ahmad Kamal)

ISLAMABAD, May 19 (Xinhua) -- Pakistan reported 3,256 new COVID-19 cases over the last 24 hours, bringing the total number of confirmed cases to 886,184, the National Command and Operation Center (NCOC) said on Wednesday.

The country's eastern Punjab province appeared as the worst-hit region with 329,913 confirmed cases, followed by southern Sindh province where 301,247 people have been tested positive, the NCOC said in a statement.

A total of 104 people died across the country during the last 24 hours, raising the death toll to 19,856, said the statement, adding that 799,951 people have recovered while 4,549 patients are in critical condition.

The country has conducted 12,552,339 tests officially so far since February of last year, and a total of 212,625 COVID-19 vaccine doses were administered on Tuesday, increasing the tally to 4,745,378 doses, according to the NCOC.

Special Assistant to the Pakistani Prime Minister on Health Faisal Sultan on Wednesday urged people to be vaccinated as early as possible, adding that the country has sufficient stock of vaccines.

"I want to advise people to go for vaccination against the virus because it would help them avoid health complications and hospitalization," the official said.

The prime minister's aide also asked the citizens to follow standard operating procedures related to COVID-19 announced by the government. Enditem
VIENNA (AP)  World powers met Wednesday for a new round of high-level talks on bringing the United States back into the nuclear deal with Iran amid growing hopes that an agreement might soon be within reach.

Enrique Mora, the European Union official who chaired the talks between Russia, China, Germany, France, Britain and Iran told reporters we have made substantial progress though there were still things to be worked out.

I will not venture a date because you never know, but I'm quite sure there will be a final agreement, he said.

The nations have been trying to resolve the major outstanding issues on how to return the U.S. into the landmark agreement, which then President Donald Trump pulled Washington out of unilaterally in 2018.

Russian delegate Mikhail Ulyanov tweeted after the talks that participants had noted that good or significant progress was made and that an agreement was within reach.

Before the talks, Iran's delegate, Deputy Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, said there had been good progress, but that several key issues needed further assessment and would be brought back by the diplomats for discussion with their governments at home.

The sides agreed to reconvene the talks in Vienna next week.

German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas told reporters in Berlin that there had been concrete results that he wouldn't detail in public, but which gave him hope for a resolution soon.

I cannot predict how it will end up, because ultimately the results of the negotiations will be assessed again in the respective capitals and then approved or not, he said. But our goal is to achieve a result in the negotiations in the next two weeks and thus create the conditions for the U.S. to return to this agreement.

The U.S. hasn't been represented directly at the talks, which started in early April, but does have a delegation in Vienna and representatives from the other countries have been shuttling between it and the Iranian side.

The 2015 deal, known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, or JCPOA, promises Iran economic incentives in exchange for curbs on its nuclear program.

The ultimate goal is to prevent Iran from obtaining an atomic bomb, which it insists it doesn't want to do. Trump pulled out in 2018 saying it wasn't broad enough in scope and needed to be renegotiated.

He embarked upon a campaign of maximum pressure aimed at bringing Iran back to the negotiating table, reimposing sanctions that have crippled Iran's economy.

Iran has refused to engage in any direct talks with the U.S., however, and has instead been steadily violating the restrictions of the JCPOA, like enriching uranium to a greater purity than permitted, stockpiling more enriched uranium than allowed and using more advanced centrifuges, to try and pressure the other powers for economic relief.

U.S. President Joe Biden says he wants to rejoin the deal, but that Iran needs to return to full compliance.

Iran has said it's willing to roll back all violations, but has insisted that Washington must drop all sanctions imposed by Trump, including ones put in place for reasons other than its nuclear program.

The talks in Vienna have been focusing on how to bring Iran back into compliance  including what would be done with the newly-installed advanced centrifuges  and which sanctions the U.S. would agree to remove and when.

There is a fundamental willingness (from Washington), but, of course, it depends, in turn, on Iran complying with the commitments it is clearly violating, Maas said. And that is a very arduous process.

If the two sides are able to reach an agreement in the next two weeks, it would come before Irans June 18 presidential election, which some believe could complicate further discussions.

Mora said he thought that an agreement before the vote was doable.

He added that Iranian representatives were meeting separately with the International Atomic Energy Agency in Vienna for talks on extending a temporary deal on the agency's inspections of Iranian nuclear facilities.

As part of its ongoing pressure, Iran in February began restricting international inspections of its nuclear facilities, but under a last-minute deal worked out by the IAEA on Feb. 21, some access was preserved.

Under the agreement, Iran said it would no longer share surveillance footage of its nuclear facilities with the IAEA, but promised to preserve the recordings for three months. It will then hand them over to the IAEA if it is granted sanctions relief. Otherwise, Iran has vowed to erase the them.

The end of that three-month window is Friday.

Mora said he didn't have details of the discussions, but many expect that Iran will extend the deadline so as not to jeopardize the main JCPOA talks.

___

David Rising reported from Berlin. Frank Jordans contributed to this report from Berlin.
GAZA CITY, Gaza Strip (AP)  Palestinians across Israel and the occupied territories went on strike in a rare collective protest Tuesday as Israeli missiles toppled a building in Gaza and militants in the Hamas-ruled territory fired dozens of rockets that killed two people.

The demonstrations and ongoing violence came as moves toward a cease-fire appeared to be gaining more traction.

U.S. officials said the Biden administration was privately encouraging Israel to wind down its bombardment of Gaza. Egyptian negotiators also were working to halt the fighting, and while they have not made progress with Israel, they were optimistic international pressure would force it to the table, according to an Egyptian diplomat who spoke on condition of anonymity because he was discussing diplomatic efforts.

The general strike was a sign that the war could widen again after a spasm of communal violence in Israel and protests across the occupied West Bank last week.

Although the strike was peaceful in many places, with shops in Jerusalem's usually bustling Old City markets shuttered, violence erupted in cities in the West Bank.

Hundreds of Palestinians burned tires in Ramallah and hurled stones at an Israeli military checkpoint. Troops fired tear gas, and protesters picked up some of the canisters and threw them back. Three protesters were killed and more than 140 wounded in clashes with Israeli troops in Ramallah, Bethlehem, Hebron and other cities, according to the Palestinian Health Ministry. The Israeli army said two soldiers were wounded by gunshots to the leg.

The general strike was an uncommon show of unity by Palestinian citizens of Israel, who make up 20% of its population, and those in the territories Israel seized in 1967 that the Palestinians have long sought for a future state.

The strike was intended to protest the war and Israeli policies that many activists and some rights groups say constitute an overarching system of apartheid that denies Palestinians rights afforded to Jews. Israel rejects that characterization, saying its citizens have equal rights. It blames the war on Hamas, the Islamic militant group that controls Gaza, and accuses it of inciting violence.

Leaders of the Palestinian community in Israel called the strike, which was embraced by the internationally backed Palestinian Authority in the West Bank, where ministries and schools were closed. Most businesses appeared to be observing the strike.

Strike organizer Muhammad Barakeh said Palestinians are standing against Israeli aggression in Gaza and Jerusalem, as well as brutal repression by police.

The war has also seen an unusual outbreak of violence in Israel, with groups of Jewish and Palestinian citizens fighting in the streets and torching vehicles and buildings. In both Israel and the West Bank, Palestinian protesters have clashed with Israeli forces. Scores have been injured, including a Jewish man who died Monday after being attacked last week by a group of Arabs in the central city of Lod.

The fighting began May 10 when Hamas fired long-range rockets toward Jerusalem in support of Palestinian protests against Israels heavy-handed policing of the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound, a flashpoint site sacred to Jews and Muslims, and the threatened eviction of dozens of Palestinian families by Jewish settlers.

At least 217 Palestinians have been killed in airstrikes, including 63 children, with more than 1,500 people wounded, according to the Gaza Health Ministry, which does not break the numbers down into fighters and civilians. Hamas and Islamic Jihad say at least 20 of their fighters have been killed, while Israel says the number is at least 130.

Twelve people in Israel, including a 5-year-old boy, have been killed in rocket attacks.

Tuesday's rocket attack from Gaza hit a packaging plant in a region bordering the territory, killing two Thai workers. Israels Magen David Adom rescue service said it took another seven to the hospital. Thai Foreign Ministry spokesman Tanee Sangrat said the wounded were also Thai.

The Israeli military said rockets also were fired at the Erez pedestrian crossing and at the Kerem Shalom crossing, where humanitarian aid was being brought into Gaza, forcing both to close. It said a soldier was slightly wounded at Erez.

Israeli airstrikes into Gaza demolished a six-story building housing bookstores and educational centers used by the Islamic University and other colleges. Desks, office chairs, books and wires could be seen in the debris. Israel warned its occupants beforehand, sending them fleeing before dawn. There were no reports of casualties.

The Israeli military has launched hundreds of airstrikes it says are targeting Hamas militant infrastructure, while Palestinian militants have fired more than 3,400 rockets from civilian areas in Gaza at civilian targets in Israel.

Israeli military spokesman Lt. Col. Jonathan Conricus said the military was focusing on destroying the tunnels where Hamas fighters hide, move between locations and resupply launchers with rockets to fire at Israel.

The tunnels run under civilian neighborhoods, and Israeli airstrikes have been trying to target roads above them to minimize damage to buildings, Conricus said. One weekend airstrike that Israel said targeted a tunnel caused several buildings to collapse and killed 42 people in the deadliest single attack of the conflict.

The attacks on the tunnels continue, and the assessment is that that effort will be expanded to areas that we so far have not conducted this effort in, and that is to be expected over the coming days, he said.

Medical supplies, fuel and water are running low in Gaza, which is home to more than 2 million Palestinians and under an Israeli-Egyptian blockade since Hamas seized power from rival Palestinian forces in 2007. Nearly 47,000 Palestinians have fled their homes.

Israeli attacks have damaged at least 18 hospitals and clinics and destroyed one health facility, the World Health Organization said. Nearly half of all essential drugs in the territory have run out.

The WHO said the bombing of key roads, including those leading to the main Shifa Hospital, has hindered ambulances and supply vehicles in Gaza, which was already struggling to cope with a coronavirus outbreak.

Among the buildings leveled by Israeli airstrikes was one housing The Associated Press Gaza office and those of other media outlets.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu alleged that Hamas military intelligence was operating in the building. U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said Tuesday in Iceland that Israel had given the U.S. information about the bombing. Blinken declined to characterize the material, and Israel has not publicly provided evidence of its claim.

AP President Gary Pruitt reiterated calls for an independent investigation of the attack.

___

This story has been updated to correct that the toppled six-story building housed bookstores, not libraries, and educational centers used by the Islamic University, not belonging to it.

___

Nessman reported from Atlanta. Associated Press writers Joseph Krauss and Josef Federman in Jerusalem, Isabel DeBre in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, Grant Peck in Bangkok and Ilan Ben Zion in Jerusalem contributed.
BERLIN (AP)  U.S. climate envoy John Kerry said Tuesday that Washington is looking into the possibility of introducing a fee on imports from countries that don't tax heavy polluters, but he cautioned that such a move could carry risks downstream.

Kerry said President Joe Biden had instructed U.S. officials to examine what are the consequences, how do you do the pricing, what is the impact.

But he wants to make sure weve thoroughly vetted it and thought about it as a matter of policy, particularly because our friends are doing so, Kerry said.

The European Union has indicated it will put forward plans next month for a carbon border adjustment mechanism aimed at pushing its trading partners into doing more to cut carbon emissions if they want to sell their goods in the world's largest single market.

Although still vague, the EU's proposal has drawn significant concern, particularly from major emerging economies such as China, Brazil, India and South Africa.

Speaking to reporters in Berlin before talks with his EU counterpart, European Commission Vice President Frans Timmermans, Kerry said Washington and Brussels had agreed to consult each other on the issue as they also push for greater international efforts to cut greenhouse gas emissions before this year's U.N. climate summit in November.

We want to make sure that its not going to have a counter impact, a negative impact on this process, Kerry said.

Nobody wants their businesses disadvantaged" by introducing carbon taxes that businesses elsewhere don't pay, he said.

But we do have some concerns about what the downstream impact might be, and we want to understand that fully before jumping on this, Kerry added. Our preference would be that every country is joining in in a fair manner in its efforts to reduce emissions sufficiently, that were all paying the price of avoiding the consequences of the global climate crisis.

That includes obviously major emitting nations in the world. We all know who they are, he said.

As secretary of state during the second Obama administration, Kerry played a key role in negotiations between the U.S. and China, which is now the world's biggest polluter, that paved the way for the 2015 Paris climate accord. In his new post as Biden's climate envoy, Kerry, 77, is again engaged in a flurry of international diplomacy ahead of the U.N. talks set to take place in Glasgow, Scotland.

Several countries, including the United States, have pledged to make tougher cuts to their emissions. But experts say more needs to be done to achieve the Paris targets of capping global warming at 1.5 degrees Celsius (2.7 F) by the end of the century compared to pre-industrial times.

Kerry said that on a recent visit to China he discussed the need for Beijing to address its domestic use of coal, its funding for coal-fired power plants abroad and the importance of beginning to reduce emissions from peak levels - as the U.S. did in 2005 and Europe did during the early 1990s.

(China) beginning to turn the curve downwards would be an important contribution, very important contribution, to the success of Glasgow, Kerry said.

He also backed calls for all major economies to contribute to a $100 billion annual climate fund that was promised to poor countries by 2020 but which remains short, in part due to former President Donald Trump withholding U.S. payments.

Our commitment was reneged on to put money into the 100 billion, for two years, Kerry said, going on to note that U.S. states, cities and businesses had continued to pursue the Paris goals even as the Trump administration opposed the accord.

Were not, I think, quite as culpable as some people think, he said.

Kerry held a flurry of meetings with German officials during his stop in Berlin, including President Frank-Walter Steinmeier, Foreign Minister Heiko Maas and the three leading contenders to succeed Angela Merkel as chancellor in the countrys national election this September.

He declined to be drawn into giving an opinion on the possible consequences if Germany's environmentalist Greens party wins the election, but he praised the current government's newly raised climate targets as impressive.

___

Follow all AP stories on climate change issues at https://apnews.com/hub/climate
ALBANY - Fifty percent of New Yorkers have gotten at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine, Gov. Andrew Cuomo said last week.

But for the workers who care for, guard and oversee those in New Yorks vast system of developmental centers, psychiatric hospitals and prisons, the vaccination rate is lower, in some cases strikingly so.

As of this week, 31 percent, or 22,037, of those who care for people who live in centers for the developmentally disabled have gotten at least one dose against COVID-19.

Advocates worry that the number is too low, especially as these centers are battling staff shortages brought on by the pandemic. Those centers are operated or certified by the state Office for People With Developmental Disabilities.

The numbers for people who work in psychiatric centers is higher, with 65 percent, or about 8,600, of the 13,264 employees at OMH facilities, having received at least one dose.

OMH continues to educate and offer vaccination opportunities to staff who are either hesitant to receive the vaccine or previously declined, said OMH spokesman James Plastiras.

All employees, whether or not they receive the vaccine, continue to follow infection-control protocols, including pre-arrival screening, mask-wearing, social distancing and being offered on-site COVID-19 antigen testing, Plastiras said, echoing precautions at other state institutions.

In both the OMH and OPWDD facilities, the numbers are a concern given that people who live in these centers have little choice about who they are exposed to from day to day.

Vaccination rates also remain relatively low for those working in prisons: 7,538, or about 26 percent, of the 26,000 correctional officers and others in the prison system, have had at least one dose.

Vaccination rates for residents, in-patients and inmates are higher. Almost 85 percent, or 31,683, of the roughly 38,000 who live in developmental settings have received at least one vaccine dose, according to OPWDD.

For psychiatric facilities, 66 percent of the 3,338 in-patients have had at least one dose, said OMH.

And for prison inmates, nearly 36 percent, or 11,349, of the 31,801 people in the system have been vaccinated, according to the state Department of Corrections and Community Supervision.

This is on par with national figures showing that 32% of individuals incarcerated in the U.S. have received at least one dose of the vaccine, DOCCS said in a prepared statement.

The agency said it has about 2,873 remaining incarcerated people in different facilities who have expressed interest and will receive the vaccine in the coming days. It said it will have completed offering the vaccine to the entire incarcerated population at all 50 facilities by May 21, at which time it will resurvey the population.

Close quarters

Still, low rates for employees is a problem since they are in constant close contact in close quarters with residents, patients and inmates.

That means the spread of COVID remains a real worry despite the easing of the pandemic in the outside world.

While we appreciate efforts by the state and the unions to raise the vaccination rate of those who serve in our state hospitals, we are nonetheless in a very troubling environment where one out of every three staffers has the capacity to spread the virus, said Harvey Rosenthal CEO New York Association of Psychiatric Rehabilitation Services.



The stakes here are much higher here in that a large number of residents on the units and on the grounds have chronic conditions that put them at much greater risk to be infected and where social distancing is much harder to maintain in institutional settings, he added.

Adding to the problem is that many residents of developmental centers and psychiatric hospitals may not be fully aware of the pandemic or how its spread or prevented. There are concerns that unvaccinated or infected employees may unwittingly spread the virus to people in their care.

Thats whats believed to have happened last month when a Sullivan County woman, who wanted to remain unnamed, said her 40-year-old son likely caught COVID-19 from an aide at a care facility where he lives.

The aide came in one day, even though he told his supervisors he felt ill, said the woman.

While he was waiting for (COVID) test results they let him come back to work, she said.

That day, she spoke with the man as she came to pick up her son to take him to see his father, who lives out of state.

After learning of the mans positive results, the woman and her son were tested and both had COVID as well.

They have both since recovered but the event was unsettling, she said.

Staffing levels raised

Part of the problem may be chronic staff shortages, especially in OPWDD facilities, which have long struggled with high turnover.

They have a huge staffing shortage, said Jeff Monsour, a longtime OPWDD direct care worker and frequent critic of the agency.

Monsour said he has seen his agency float workers from one group home to another as needed. That may work in normal times but it can pose a contagion risk if the floater is a COVID-19 carrier.

To illustrate the employee shortage  which is being seen in nearly every sector of the economy  Monsour noted that last month the Albany DDSO, or sector around the greater Capital Region, had 263 openings. That DDSO usually has a fraction of that in normal times, he said.

Direct care workers, aides, correctional officers and others are not required to get vaccinated.

OPWDD said that As the second largest state agency and with a workforce of about 20,000 statewide, the Office for People With Developmental Disabilities is always hiring to fill a variety of positions within our system. As with all human services fields nationwide, COVID-19 has had a significant impact on an already shrinking field of available workers and OPWDD is taking an active role along with our providers of services on finding solutions to the workforce issues faced by our field.

The agency added that In homes where positive cases of COVID-19 have been identified OPWDD only allows the reassignment of staff when absolutely necessary to maintain crucial staffing levels if there is no other option to ensure safety.
ALBANY  The biggest change to the restaurant industry during the pandemic since in-house dining reopened last June starts Wednesday, when New York drops its requirements on the wearing of masks for all patrons and employees and for social distancing, including the separation of tables by a minimum of 6 feet.

How the new rules will be implemented depends on such factors as individual owners' interpretation of the regulations and their respective comfort level with expanding business while being mindful of maintaining safety for staff and customers and of public perception.

Some will continue to require employees to wear masks, at least initially. Some will have signs asking customers to be masked until seated, also at first. Some will set up separate areas for vaccinated and nonvaccinated customers  the latter with tables still socially distanced, the former with seating closer together. Almost none will require proof of vaccination for entry or seating in designated areas, although experts generally agree that doing so is legally permissible. Instead, restaurateurs will rely on the honor system, trusting patrons to be honest about their vaccination status.

"We'll be taking this day by day, letting the customers show us what they want," said Joseph Ventrice, chef/owner of Illusive Restaurant & Bar in Rensselaer. He said he will add more tables but not return to full capacity, allowing customers to choose a table spaced to suit their comfort level, both inside and on the patio. The areas will not be formally marked.

"We don't want to get into something like, 'You're the masked guy, you're the vaccinated guy.' We definitely won't do that," Ventrice said.

At Innovo Kitchen in Latham, all tables will remain 6 feet apart at least in the coming weeks, said chef-owner John LaPosta. He will not require masks or vaccination proof from customers, he said, and employees, virtually all of whom are at least two weeks past full vaccination or will be within days, will be allowed to choose whether to wear a mask while on duty.

"I think basically everybody is going to ditch them. After 14 months, they can't wait to not have to wear them while working," LaPosta said.

However, in a note sent to regular customers on Tuesday explaining Innovo's approach to New York's relaxed regulations, LaPosta wrote, "Please understand if some (staff) decide to wear a mask it DOES NOT MEAN they are not vaccinated. It simply is what makes them comfortable."

Employees at Pint Sized, a beer bar with small-footprint locations on Broadway in Saratoga Springs and Albany's Lark Street, will wear masks for the next two weeks, at which point owner August Rosa will evaluate feedback from workers and patrons, he said. Because Pint Sized has outdoor tables in both cities, inside seating will remain socially distanced, Rosa said.

"We're really taking this day by day, trying to figure it out," he said.

Another Spa City bar, The Bourbon Room, plans to designate areas for vaccinated customers, who will be able to stand and walk around unmasked, and other zones with distanced tables for those who are not vaccinated or feel safer in such a setting, said manager Brian Miller. "We want people to be comfortable," he said.

Uncertainty remains, however, as a result of incomplete guidance from the state. In a broadcast announcement Monday from Radio City Music Hall in Manhattan to herald the return of some semblance of pre-pandemic life in New York, including the abolishment of many capacity limits, mask recommendations and social distancing in most business and public settings, Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo said, "New Yorkers have worked hard over the last year to prevent the spread of COVID and keep each other safe. That work has paid off and we are ecstatic to take this next step in the reopening of our beautiful state."

Based on advice last week from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control, New York now says that vaccinated individual do not need to wear a mask, though it is still recommended in situations where the vaccination status for all present is unknown. The 6-foot rule continues to apply to seating, except when all patrons in a business or area of a business provide proof of vaccination, according to the state.

"We believe that the same fights we have had for (mask and distancing) compliance over the last 15 months will magnify significantly if we require guests to prove vaccination," LaPosta wrote in his note to customers.

Howard Markel is a medical doctor who also holds a Ph.D. in the history of medicine, science and technology and has written two best-selling books on the history of battles against infectious diseases over the centuries. A professor at the University of Michigan School of Medicine, Markel was interviewed for an article on the school's website. Speaking of requirements for proof of vaccination, he said, "They dont take your freedom away. In fact, they increase your freedom because they allow you to travel where you want to go and do what you want to do. Its a non-issue, and those who say otherwise are making controversy where none should exist.

Markel cited the long history of vaccination requirements instituted for public health reasons, including for smallpox vaccination in the United States, which was upheld by the Supreme Court in a 1905 case. As for a business being allowed to require proof, for employment or customer admission, most experts agree that private entities have the right to set the terms for access, whether it's a completed vaccination or simply what customers wear.

The balance for restaurateurs is that they are in the hospitality business and want to be welcoming. None of the dozen owners contacted for this story said they would be joining Matt Baumgartner, owner of The Berlin cocktail lounge in Troy, who last week announced he will require proof of vaccination in order to enter the bar. In spirited online debates about The Berlin's announcement, many people said they would seek out establishments with vaccine mandates, but even more heaped criticism on Baumgartner, including one threat of violence that resulted in a police investigation. The small Saratoga whiskey bar 9 Maple Ave. announced Tuesday evening that it will reopen Thursday and require proof of vaccination for admission. It and The Berlin are so far the only local bars or restaurants with such blanket policies.

As of Tuesday, confusion remained on several key points, among them whether patrons would be allowed to stand and mingle unmasked, and if dancing would be allowed; both have been banned since June. A State Liquor Authority spokesman said the agency was seeking clarification from the Department of Health.

"We just don't know everything yet," said Jerry Aumand, owner of Lionheart Pub in Albany. He said he expects staff will use hand stamps and/or wristbands to designate vaccination status, and areas of the bar will be set aside for vaccinated patrons.

Scott Levine, manager of Waterworks Pub, also in Albany, said, depending on the verdict from the SLA, that the bar's ground floor would be open to all with distanced tables but, if free mingling and dancing are permissible, the upstairs dance club will require vaccination proof for admission.

"We've been making plans for three or four different possibilities, and suddenly there's a new one to consider," Levine said. "Everything's still evolving."

Despite the confusion, owners on Tuesday generally approved of the state's changes and the direction the industry is heading. They know the process will be lengthy.

"It's not like COVID suddenly got on a plane and is completely gone," said Charlie Fitzsimmons, owner of Black & Blue Steak and Crab in Guilderland. Employees may work without masks if they show proof of vaccination, he said; guests will be welcome to be mask-free if they are vaccinated, but they will not need to offer evidence of that status. The restaurant will maintain heightened cleaning protocols, transparent barriers will remain in place and expanded table spacing will continue, Fitzsimmons said.

"We're slow-walking this," he said. "It took a long time to get here, and we want to continue forward, not make things worse by immediately trying to go back to how it used to be."
JERUSALEM (AP)  Sirens wailed just before the Jewish holiday of Shavuot began on Sunday evening, sending Chen Farag and her family once again running for cover as they have dozens of times over the past week since the latest war between Palestinian militants in Gaza and the Israeli military erupted.

The Farags live in Ashdod, Israels largest port on the Mediterranean coast. The city of about 225,000 people is around 30 kilometers (18 miles) north of the Gaza Strip. Six adults, two dogs and a parrot huddled in their homes reinforced safe room  a routine precaution for hundreds of thousands of Israelis in the country's south.

After an explosion shook the building, they rushed outside to see cars on fire, including their own. Their home's front door had been blown off, windows were blasted and shrapnel was embedded in walls.

We are in shock. Its a nightmare," said Farag, a 24-year-old cable technician. It's hard to sleep, because we are thinking, what if Gaza tries to hit us again?

The cycle of fighting and cease-fires has repeated itself numerous times in the past 15 years since the first rockets were fired at southern Israel from the Gaza Strip. The barrages have caused deep frustration for residents, many weary over what they see as the governments failure to change to the situation. Many children who have grown up in the area suffer from trauma-related issues.

Since the latest war erupted last week, Palestinian militants have fired more than 3,200 rockets at Israeli cities. Most were intercepted or fell short, in Gaza, but hundreds made it through.

The Farag home is one of 146 buildings in Israel that were hit by rockets fired from Gaza, according to military statistics. They include homes, apartment blocks, schools, kindergartens and an oil storage tank.

When sirens signal incoming rockets, Israelis can seek shelter in communal shelters or in reinforced rooms in their apartments, a feature of newer buildings. Many have been pinned down indoors, fearing they couldn't reach shelter in time.

So far, 10 people have been killed in Israel, most from rocket fire. This includes a soldier, a 5-year-old boy and two people who died from injuries sustained while running for cover. Paramedics say at least 106 people suffered shrapnel and blast wounds.

In Gaza, at least 212 Palestinians have been killed in Israeli airstrikes, including 61 children and 36 women, with more than 1,400 people wounded, according to the Gaza Health Ministry.

Fighting erupted on May 10, when Hamas fired seven rockets at Jerusalem following clashes between Israeli police and Palestinian protesters at a shrine considered holy to both Jews and Muslims. Since then, Palestinian militants have fired heavy barrages at cities deep inside Israel, and the Israeli military has carried out hundreds of strikes on targets in the Gaza Strip.

For hundreds of thousands in communities in southern Israel  cities, towns, kibbutzim and farming villages  air raid sirens have been unrelenting as missiles rain down.

There were two difficult days. The rockets didnt stop falling," said Ronit Ifergan, 47, a mother of three from Kfar Aza, a kibbutz just a couple of miles from the Gaza Strip.

Almost everyone left the kibbutz to seek safety elsewhere; Ifergan and her family are staying with relatives in the nearby town of Ofakim. Her children are too scared to use the bathroom, terrified they would get caught in a barrage, she said.

I dont know where to flee to. I am afraid of every place I need to go, she said.

Ifergan and other residents of the area say the past week of fighting has been far more intense than previous rounds, with Hamas firing near-nonstop barrages of rockets indiscriminately into Israel.

This is the fourth Israel-Hamas war since the militants seized the Gaza Strip in 2007, driving out the Palestinian Authority, which administers autonomous enclaves in the occupied West Bank.

Israel and Egypt have enforced a border blockade of Gaza for the past 14 years, with the aim of preventing Hamas from building up its weapons arsenal. But despite the chokehold, the militants have been able to produce thousands of rockets, even as the blockade caused growing hardships for the tiny territory's 2 million people.

On the Israeli side, Yoash Hagay, 53, said his hometown of Ashkelon  just 11 kilometers (6 miles) from Gaza  has been hit hard, with a couple of rockets making it through Israel's Iron Dome defense system with every barrage.

Every time you hear a couple interceptions by the Iron Dome, and two or three explosions on the ground," he said.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has vowed to press on with airstrikes against Gaza militants "as long as necessary in order to return calm and security to all Israeli citizens.

Ifergan says southern Israel has seen many years of neglect by the government, exacerbated by what she describes as unfinished military campaigns against Gaza militants. She criticized the government's handling of the past month of mounting tensions in Jerusalem, violence that heralded the Gaza fighting.

We are tired of this, said Farag, whose house was damaged in Ashdod. We always hope that it will end. And it will be just be quiet.

It never happens, she added.
TIRANA, Albania (AP)  The United States on Wednesday sanctioned former Albanian Prime Minister Sali Berisha for alleged significant corruption and barred him and his wife and children from entering the U.S.

Berisha, 76, who also served as Albania's president from 1992 to 1997, is currently a lawmaker representing the opposition Democratic Party.

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said in a statement that during Berisha's 2005-2013 tenure as prime minister, the politician was involved in corrupt acts, such as misappropriation of public funds and interfering with public processes, including using his power for his own benefit and to enrich his political allies and his family members.

The statement alleged that Berishas own rhetoric demonstrates he is willing to protect himself, his family members, and his political allies at the expense of independent investigations, anticorruption efforts, and accountability measures.

In response, Berisha deplored Blinken's accusations and urged the U.S. administration or anyone in the world to make public any proof or document that supports the U.S. sanctions.

Berisha's successor as leader of the Democratic Party, Lulzim Basha, also called for full transparency on any proof or document" linked to the U.S. decision. He described Berisha as the Albanian leader who made the most distinguished contribution to the countrys development and strengthening of democracy.

Berisha was the first leader of the center-right Democratic Party, which was created in December 1990 after a student protest ousted Albania's communist regime.

He was elected as Albanias second post-communist president in 1992. During his presidency, a pyramid scheme in which many Albanians lost their life savings took the country to the brink of anarchy.

The Democratic Party won the 2005 election and Berisha became prime minister for two terms until 2013. Since then, he has been a member of parliament, most recently winning reelection last month.

Berisha is Albania's fourth top official to be barred from entering the United States because of alleged corruption involvement, following former prosecutor general Adriatik Llalla, former lawmaker Tom Doshi and Vangjush Dako, former mayor in the western port city of Durres.

Fighting corruption has been post-communist Albanias Achilles heel, strongly affecting the country's democratic, economic and social development.

Former President of Albania Sali Berishas corrupt acts undermined democracy in Albania, Blinken tweeted Wednesday.

An essential reform of the judiciary was approved in 2016 after direct involvement from Washington and the European Union. Many judges and prosecutors have been dismissed for alleged corruption and illegally earning property and money.

With this designation, I am reaffirming the need for accountability and transparency in Albanias democratic institutions, government processes, and the actions of Albanian public officials, Blinken said of the sanctions against Berisha.

___

This story has been corrected to show that Berisha was Albania's second president after the fall of communism, not the first.

___

Follow Llazar Semini at https://twitter.com/lsemini
Source: Xinhua| 2021-05-19 15:30:26|Editor: huaxia

Video Player Close

BISHKEK, May 19 (Xinhua) -- Kyrgyzstan reported 253 new confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the past 24 hours, bringing the total tally to 101,219, the Republican Headquarters for Combating COVID-19 said Wednesday.

A total of 315 patients were reported to have recovered from COVID-19, bringing the total number of recoveries to 94,483 in the country.

Seven more deaths from the coronavirus were reported during the past 24 hours, taking the total number of COVID-19 related deaths to 1,725 since the outbreak of the pandemic.

Meanwhile, Kyrgyzstan currently has 4,129 active COVID-19 cases, 1,694 of which are receiving treatment in hospitals across the country and 2,435 are being treated at home.

The country conducted 5,472 COVID-19 tests during the last 24 hours.

Kyrgyzstan has started distributing COVID-19 vaccine jabs on March 29 after receiving vaccines donated from China. In addition, the Central Asia country received Sputnik V vaccines from Russia in April. Enditem
WASHINGTON  New York nursing homes had more long-duration coronavirus outbreaks than nursing homes in most other states, according to a new study of over 13,000 Medicare- and Medicaid-certified nursing homes conducted by federal government watchdogs.

A report released Wednesday by the nonpartisan Government Accountability Office also found that most nursing homes had multiple COVID-19 outbreaks, and about 85 percent of the nursing homes it examined had COVID-19 outbreaks lasting five weeks or more; 40 percent of nursing homes had outbreaks lasting longer than 10 weeks. Nursing homes' inability to quickly control the spread of the virus meant more cases and more deaths in these facilities.

Most COVID-19 outbreaks in nursing homes started with a staff member, the report also found.

The GAO studied data reported by nursing homes to the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention from May 2020 to January 2021. The report does not study the time period when Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo's controversial nursing home directive was effective, a policy that some officials have alleged contributed to the high numbers of nursing home deaths in New York.

The state health department reported Tuesday that 13,911 nursing home residents died due to COVID-19 in New York.

The health department said late Tuesday they are reviewing the report.

"Nursing homes are microcosms of the community, and when the virus is in a community it finds its way into facilities - often unknowingly via asymptomatic spread from staff members," said spokesman Jonah Bruno. "To protect vulnerable nursing homes residents, we have conducted more than 3700 onsite Focus Infection Control Survey inspections at nursing homes and adult care facilities since March 1, 2020, implemented aggressive testing protocols for visitors, residents and staff, instituted visitation restrictions that were only recently relaxed when community infection rates dramatically improved, and have prioritized vaccines for this community since the start of the vaccine rollout.

The office found in most states over three-quarters of nursing homes had long-duration outbreaks. New York ranked number 15 when the office compared which states had the most long-duration coronavirus outbreaks in nursing homes. Alabama, North Dakota, Arkansas, Tennessee and South Carolina comprised the top five states where the most long-duration outbreaks occurred. Vermont, Hawaii, Maine, Alaska and Oregon had the fewest.

Larger nursing homes were more likely than smaller ones to have large outbreaks.

The GAO did not study the number of nursing home resident deaths caused by the pandemic in each state.

Asked about the report, a spokeswoman for Senate Majority Leader Charles E. Schumer said New York's nursing bore the brunt of the COVID-19 pandemic in the state, which was the epicenter of the virus in the U.S.

Sen. Schumer fought to invest billions to provide life-saving PPE for workers, comprehensive testing, better safety protocols, and prioritized vaccine access, which delivered shots to over 80 percent of residents," spokeswoman Allison Biasotti said. "He also passed legislation with $250 million for skilled nursing facilities strike teams to help long-term care facilities experiencing COVID-19 outbreaks, like those that plagued New York. Also, via the Nursing Home Quality Incentive Program, New York entities received millions to improve safety for residents and workers while we also invested over $100 million for nursing home inspections, which focused on states like New York with high COVID rates.

The FBI and the U.S. attorney's office in Brooklyn launched an investigation in February that is examining, at least in part, the actions of Cuomo's coronavirus task force in its handling of nursing homes and other long-term care facilities during the pandemic. The FBI recently interviewed the chairman of the state Senate's health committee regarding nursing homes and the production of Cuomo's pandemic memoir, the New York Post reported.

In March 2020, the state health department issued an order advising nursing homes and other long-term care facilities that they must accept residents who were being discharged from hospitals even if they were still testing positive for the infectious disease, as long as the facilities were able to care for them properly.

That directive, which was rescinded less than two months later, has been the focus of a firestorm of criticism directed at Cuomo's administration, including allegations that the order  which the governor said was based on federal guidance  had contributed to the high number of fatalities of nursing home residents in New York. That assertion was largely dismissed in a report by the Department of Health that was released in July, but failed to include the number of nursing home residents who died after being transferred to hospitals.

In January, New York Attorney General Letitia James released a searing report that found the state Department of Health underreported the deaths of nursing home residents related to the coronavirus by as much as 50 percent. Cuomo and the agency disputed those findings.

Beyond the health department's undercounting of deaths, James's investigation also found nursing homes' lack of compliance with infection-control protocols put residents at risk, and facilities that had lower pre-pandemic staffing had higher COVID-19 fatality rates.

A spokeswoman for the attorney general's office confirmed Wednesday that its investigation into nursing homes is continuing.

In Congress, Republicans have pushed for congressional investigations into nursing home resident deaths in New York and Cuomo's actions. Democrats, who control both chambers, have declined to initiate hearings or investigations on the topic.

The Democratic chairs of four House committees issued a joint statement Wednesday blaming the long, uncontrolled spread of coronavirus in nursing homes on the administration of President Donald Trump.

"Todays report further demonstrates that the Trump administrations inadequate response to the coronavirus pandemic placed our nations nursing home residents in grave danger and exacerbated the pandemic," they said. "Poor infection control protections, limited supplies of personal protective equipment, and staffing shortages allowed the coronavirus to rage and cost lives in nursing homes across the country."
Lori Van Buren/Albany Times Union

As a member of two historic preservation groups, it was with disappointment and sadness that I read Chris Churchill's column about the lovely Tudor houses on Holland Avenue being left to fall into a state of decay ("The slow, sad decline of 6 historic Tudors," May 11).

Years ago, moving to Albany as a college student, I lived on McPherson Terrace, a block of historic brownstones that, I believe, are now also in disrepair. I later moved to lower New Scotland Avenue where the UN Diner (later Quintessence) and much of the surrounding neighborhood is now gone.
Farmington, WV (26555)

Today

Isolated thunderstorms during the morning becoming more widespread this afternoon. High 73F. Winds E at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 80%. Locally heavy rainfall possible..

Tonight

Showers early, then partly cloudy overnight. Low near 60F. Winds ENE at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 60%.
About 8,000 people have streamed into the Spanish city of Ceuta from Morocco in the past two days in an unprecedented influx, most of them swimming around breakwaters and across the border to reach the Spanish enclave in North Africa
Source: Xinhua| 2021-05-19 15:37:35|Editor: huaxia

Video Player Close

BISHKEK, May 19 (Xinhua) -- Kyrgyzstan's special services have seized a record amount of heroin worth more than 20 million U.S. dollars, the press service of the country's State Committee for National Security reported Tuesday.

A heavy-duty vehicle was detained on May 13 in the Osh Region, in which heroin with a total weight of more than 440 kg was found, the report said.

Two Kyrgyz citizens were detained on suspicion of drug trafficking, it said.

It was the latest activity of a large-scale international drug channel the special services have suppressed during its long-term special operation.

The channel was used to transport hard drugs like heroin from the Middle East to European countries through the territory of Central Asia, it added. Enditem
A Prescott man who is a registered sex offender has been sentenced to 100 years in prison for the kidnapping and sexual assault of a female high school student in 2019
The head of the New Mexico Public Education Department says progress is being made in vaccinating the state's middle and high school students now that eligibility has been expanded to include those 12 and older
Police say officers called to an apartment in a historic Kansas City neighborhood for reports of an argument followed by gunfire found a woman fatally shot
Google has announced it will team with a startup company to develop a geothermal power system in Nevada to serve its regional data centers
[May 19, 2021]

Basilea awarded CARB-X grant of up to USD 2.7 million to develop novel-class antibiotic

Targeting infections caused by drug-resistant Gram-negative bacteria





Basel, Switzerland, May 19, 2021

Basilea Pharmaceutica Ltd. (SIX: BSLN) announced today that it has been awarded a grant of up to USD 2.7 million from CARB-X (Combating Antibiotic-Resistant Bacteria Biopharmaceutical Accelerator), a global partnership dedicated to supporting the early development of antibacterial products to diagnose, prevent and treat drug-resistant infections. The funding will support an ongoing Basilea research program to develop an antibiotic from a novel class for the treatment of serious infections caused by drug-resistant Gram-negative bacteria.

The program aims to develop selective small-molecule inhibitors of DXR, an enzyme in the bacterial isoprenoid biosynthesis pathway. This enzyme is essential for the survival of many Gram-negative bacteria, including carbapenem-resistant Enterobacterales and Acinetobacter baumannii as well as multidrug-resistant (MDR) Pseudomonas aeruginosa, which are listed by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and the World Health Organization (WHO) as urgent and serious threats, or critical pathogens, against which new antibiotics are urgently needed.

Dr. Laurenz Kellenberger, Chief Scientific Officer, said: The medical problem of antimicrobial resistance keeps increasing. Therefore, new antibiotics are urgently needed that will be able to address resistance that is growing against current treatment options. We are delighted to be partnering with CARB-X for the development of truly innovative antibiotics directed against this unexploited bacterial target. Basilea remains committed to leverage its proven ability in the discovery, development and commercialization of novel anti-infectives to deliver new treatment options to patients facing bacterial drug-resistance worldwide.

About Basilea

Basilea is a commercial-stage biopharmaceutical company founded in 2000 and headquartered in Switzerland. We are committed to discovering, developing and commercializing innovative drugs to meet the medical needs of patients with cancer and infectious diseases. We have successfully launched two hospital brands, Cresemba for the treatment of invasive fungal infections and Zevtera for the treatment of severe bacterial infections. We are conducting clinical studies with two targeted drug candidates for the treatment of a range of cancers and have a number of preclinical assets in both cancer and infectious diseases in our portfolio. Basilea is listed on the SIX Swiss Exchange (SIX: BSLN). Please visit basilea.com.

About CARB-X

CARB-X (Combating Antibiotic-Resistant Bacteria Biopharmaceutical Accelerator) is a global non-profit partnership dedicated to supporting early development antibacterial R&D to address the rising threat of drug-resistant bacteria. CARB-X is led by Boston University and funding is provided by the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority(BARDA), part of the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response (ASPR) in the US Department of Health and Human Services, the Wellcome Trust, a global charity based in the UK working to improve health globally; Germanys Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF); the UK Department of Health and Social Cares Global Antimicrobial Resistance Innovation Fund (GAMRIF) funded by the UK Government Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC); the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, and with in-kind support from National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), part of the US National Institutes of Health (NIH) within the US Department of Health and Human Services. CARB-X is investing up to USD 480 million from 2016-2022 to support innovative therapeutics, preventives and rapid diagnostics. CARB-X funds only projects that target drug-resistant bacteria highlighted on the CDCs Antibiotic Resistant Threats list, or the Priority Bacterial Pathogens list published by the WHO, with a priority on those pathogens deemed Serious or Urgent on the CDC list or Critical or High on the WHO list. CARB-X is headquartered at Boston University School of Law. https://carb-x.org/. Follow us on Twitter @CARB_X







CARB-Xs funding for this project is sponsored by Cooperative Agreement Number IDSEP160030 from ASPR/BARDA and by awards from Wellcome Trust and Germanys Federal Ministry of Education and Research. The content of this press release is solely the responsibility of Basilea and does not necessarily represent the official views of CARB-X or any of its funders.

Disclaimer

This communication expressly or implicitly contains certain forward-looking statements, such as "believe", "assume", "expect", "forecast", "project", "may", "could", "might", "will" or similar expressions concerning Basilea Pharmaceutica Ltd. and its business, including with respect to the progress, timing and completion of research, development and clinical studies for product candidates. Such statements involve certain known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors, which could cause the actual results, financial condition, performance or achievements of Basilea Pharmaceutica Ltd. to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Basilea Pharmaceutica Ltd. is providing this communication as of this date and does not undertake to update any forward-looking statements contained herein as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

For further information, please contact:

Peer Nils Schroder, PhD



Head of Corporate Communications & Investor Relations Phone +41 61 606 1102 E-mail media_relations@basilea.com

investor_relations@basilea.com

This press release can be downloaded from www.basilea.com.

Attachment
[May 19, 2021] Cohesity Helps Sky Lakes Medical Center Quickly Recover From a Ransomware Attack, Saving Money and Potentially Saving Lives

Cohesity customer Sky Lakes Medical Center, a hospital located in Klamath Falls, Oregon, was able to successfully recover all of its servers and applications following a ransomware attack, all without paying a penny of the ransom. Not only did the effort save the healthcare provider money and preserve trust in its systems, but it also helped it treat patients largely without disruption, potentially saving lives. In October 2020, Sky Lakes was breached by a massive ransomware attack. While this could have been a devastating blow to the organization, the comprehensive Cisco-Cohesity hyperscale data management solution utilized by Sky Lakes played a key role in greatly mitigating the impact of the attack. Sky Lakes relied on Cohesity (News - Alert) DataProtect and its anti-ransomware capabilities including immutable backup snapshots, DataLock capabilities that prevent modifying or deleting the backup, and other built-in protections to respond and rapidly recover data at scale -- allowing the information systems team to reject the cybercriminal's demands. Cohesity also eliminated time-consuming tape backup recovery processes, speeding restores with virtually no data loss. In the end, Cohesity was able to help Sky Lakes recover roughly 650 servers and 150 applications, including those with clinical, financial, and materials management functionality. "Little did we know that Cohesity was going to literally rescue Sky Lakes from having to pay a ransom," said John Gaede, director of information systems, Sky Lakes Medical Center. "The backup and recovery technology just flat-out worked. We ultimately recovered all of our servers, and Cohesity worked time and time again throughout that process." The importance of such a recovery can't be overstated, particularly for a medical center with the size and reputation of Sky Lakes. The effort saved millions of dollars, helped preserve the integrity of the institution, and enabled the organization to continue to treat patients and help keep its community healthy. "We were able to recover our clinical systems, and one of the first was for our cancer treatment center," said Sam Stewart, network systems analyst, Sky Lakes Medical Center. "Cancer doesn't wait for anybody, and if patients are unable to get timely treatment, cancer will win that battle. So, you could argue, quite literally, that Cohesity saved lives in this instance." "This incident highlights just how vital modern data management and disaster recovery is, particularly in industris such as healthcare where data is critical to the wellbeing of a community's citizens," said Matt Waxman, vice president of Product Management, Cohesity. "While we wish these attacks would not happen in the first place, the hard truth is they are a reality that organizations of all sizes need to be prepared for, as it's often not a matter of if, but when."



Sky Lakes was among the first to test and deploy the validated Cisco (News - Alert) -Cohesity 40G design. In addition to modern backup, Sky Lakes relies on Cohesity SmartFiles, a solution for file and object services that is part of the Cohesity Helios multicloud data platform that goes beyond traditional scale-out NAS. Healthcare providers need to manage an array of data types including tens of thousands of electronic healthcare records that contain unstructured data such as images and scans. SmartFiles running on Cisco HyperFlex lowered Sky Lakes Picture Archiving and Communication System (PACS) total cost of ownership (TCO) by using Cisco HyperFlex as a cache tier for radiology images and Cohesity SmartFiles as an archive tier. "There was already 100 percent consensus among our engineers that the Cohesity-Cisco solution worked reliably, was easy to use, and we were all more productive with it," Gaede added. "Now, there's also agreement that Cohesity is the best solution to combat ransomware attacks."

To learn more about combating ransomware, sign up to participate in this webinar with Sky Lakes' John Gaede, Christophe Bertrand, senior analyst, ESG, and Raj Dutt, senior director, product marketing, Cohesity. For more information: Read the case study "Sky Lakes Medical Center Avoids Paying Ransom, Lowers PACS TCO."

Check out the Cohesity-Cisco solution brief.

View Cisco Live Anytime on-demand session with Sky Lakes Medical Center.

Visit cohesity.com/solutions/ransomware. About Cohesity

Cohesity radically simplifies data management. We make it easy to protect, manage, and derive value from data -- across the data center, edge, and cloud. We offer a full suite of services consolidated on one multicloud data platform: backup and recovery, disaster recovery, file and object services, dev/test, and data compliance, security, and analytics -- reducing complexity and eliminating mass data fragmentation. Cohesity can be delivered as a service, self-managed, or provided by a Cohesity-powered partner.  2021 Cohesity, Inc. All rights reserved. Cohesity, the Cohesity logo, Helios, and other Cohesity marks are trademarks or registered trademarks of Cohesity, Inc. in the US and/or internationally. Other company and product names may be trademarks of the respective companies with which they are associated. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210519005105/en/

[ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ]
[May 19, 2021] Datto to Present at the William Blair Growth Stock Conference

Datto Holding Corp. (Datto) (NYSE: MSP), the leading global provider of cloud-based software and security solutions purpose-built for delivery by managed service providers (MSPs), today announced that Tim Weller, Chief Executive Officer and John Abbot, Chief Financial Officer, are scheduled to present virtually at the William Blair 41st Annual Growth Stock Conference on Wednesday, June 2, 2021 at 12:20 p.m. ET. A live webcast of the presentation will be accessible by visiting Datto's investor website at investors.datto.com. An archived version will be available shortly after the completion of the presentation.



About Datto As the world's leading provider of cloud-based software and security solutions purpose-built for delivery by managed service providers (MSPs), Datto believes there is no limit to what small and medium businesses (SMBs) can achieve with the right technology. Datto's proven Unified Continuity, Networking, and Business Management solutions drive cyber resilience, efficiency, and growth for MSPs. Delivered via an integrated platform, Datto's solutions help its global ecosystem of MSP partners serve over one million businesses around the world. From proactive dynamic detection and prevention to fast, flexible recovery from cyber incidents, Datto's solutions defend against costly downtime and data loss in servers, virtual machines, cloud applications, or anywhere data resides. Since its founding in 2007, Datto has won numerous awards for its product excellence, superior technical support, rapid growth, and for fostering an outstanding workplace. With headquarters in Norwalk, Connecticut, Datto has global offices in Australia, Canada, China, Denmark, Germany, Israel, the Netherlands, Singapore, and the United Kingdom.

MSP-F View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210519005895/en/

[ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ]
[May 19, 2021] Definitive Healthcare Named a Boston Business Journal 2021 Best Place to Work Company for Fifth Consecutive Year

Definitive Healthcare, a leading provider of healthcare commercial intelligence, today announced that it has been named a Best Place to Work in Massachusetts, in the category of large companies, by the Boston Business Journal (BBJ). This award is the fifth consecutive year the company has been recognized as one of the best places to work in the state, after ranking 7th in 2020, 1st in 2019, 5th in 2018, and 4th in 2017. "As we celebrate our company's 10th anniversary this year, we're extremely grateful for the positive, high-energy colleagues who are the heart and soul of this company," said Jason Krantz, CEO and founder of Definitive Healthare. "Even with the pivot to remote work, we've successfully sustained our tight-knit company culture and expanded our diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives. This recognition by the Boston Business Journal is another affirmation that we're making Definitive Healthcare a better place to work every single day."



Definitive Healthcare's collaborative culture is driven by employees who share a passion for improving the healthcare ecosystem, enjoy giving back to the local community, and value diversity and inclusion. The company operates with an open-door policy, encouraging employees at all levels to share ideas with senior management. To support continued career advancement, all employees have unlimited access to Definitive University 2.0, the company's in-house training series. One of the hallmarks of Definitive Healthcare's culture is its commitment to its community service outreach program, DefinitiveCares, which enables employees to positively impact the communities in which they live.

DefinitiveCares provides opportunities for employees to work with their choice of more than 40 charitable organizations, supporting causes from hunger and homelessness to healthcare, LGBTQ+ issues, racial justice, women's initiatives, and more. In the first quarter of 2021, nearly 70% of employees participated in a DefinitiveCares event, ranging from fundraising for Texans impacted by the February winter storms to a bingo night that raised money for the Animal Rescue League. Definitive Healthcare also excels in its commitment to diversity, equity & inclusion (DEI). At the center of these efforts are Definitive Healthcare's affinity groups, a grassroots employee-led effort. With affinity groups for women's empowerment, LGBTQ+, Black and Indigenous people of color (BIPOC), and working parents, the company provides a range of opportunities for employees to support each other and enable greater education companywide through training, events, and speaker series. Definitive Healthcare has also made strides to improve employee cultural competency. In 2020, every employee participated in a cross-functional DEI foundations training class that included a focus on unconscious bias. Within the past year, Definitive Healthcare implemented new initiatives to recognize its employees with month-long celebrations, such as Black History Month, Women's History Month and National Hispanic Heritage Month. During these months, the company prioritized highlighting different cultures and groups with guest speakers, themed social events, and charitable efforts. "In a year that has brought incredible challenges for everyone both personally and in business, it is a true testament to great organizations to be named a Best Place to Work," said BBJ's Market President and Publisher Carolyn Jones. "We congratulate all of our honorees and look forward to learning from them on how to create and sustain outstanding workplaces." Definitive Healthcare hired more than 100 employees in 2020 and is still growing rapidly. The company has open roles across the organization and is seeking talented individuals at all levels to join its award-winning team. For information on current openings at Definitive Healthcare, visit our career page. About Definitive Healthcare Definitive Healthcare delivers data, insights and analytics on the healthcare market to help companies accelerate their go-to-market efforts. We help our clients navigate the increasingly complex healthcare market by delivering an analytics and sales intelligence platform with deep and high-quality information on healthcare facilities and physicians. Our SaaS (News - Alert) -based solution combines machine learning and artificial intelligence to generate the insights that our nearly 2,500 customers need to grow their businesses. Definitive Healthcare is backed by Advent International, Spectrum (News - Alert) Equity, and 22C Capital. For more information, or to sign up for a free trial, visit https://www.definitivehc.com/. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210519005079/en/

[ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ]
[May 19, 2021] Despite Challenges during the Pandemic, Employees Remained Committed to Saving for Retirement and Future Health Care Costs

Bank of America today announced insights from its 2021 Financial Life Benefits Impact Report, which reveal that despite what was a challenging year financially for many Americans, the vast majority of current retirement plan participants remained committed to saving for the future. Last year, nearly 60% of employees participated in their workplace retirement plan - consistent with pre-pandemic participation rates in 2019. Among employers who use the auto enroll feature within their 401(k) plan, plan participation jumps to 86%1. "Over the last year, employees across various industries continued to make progress toward their financial goals in the face of unprecedented challenges," said Lorna Sabbia, head of Retirement and Personal Wealth Solutions at Bank of America. "At Bank of America, we've been inspired by the resiliency of employees and employers alike, and proud of the work we've done together to help employees continue preparing for retirement and to be more successful in their daily financial lives." The Financial Life Benefits Impact Report explores employee usage and engagement with workplace financial benefit programs and solutions, including for retirement, health savings, equity compensation and overall financial wellness. Insights revealed are as of December 31, 2020, and are based on more than 3 million participants in 401(k) plans administered by Bank of America. Retirement saving trends during the pandemic. Despite challenges for many, only 10% of 401(k) plan participants took a hardship distribution made possible by the CARES Act, at an average amount of less than $18,000 per participant. CARES Act distributions outpaced standard hardship distributions 10-to-1, and just 17% of participants took a loan against their retirement plan assets, consistent with 2019 rates. Employees taking control of health savings. Average balances in Health Savings Accounts (HSA) increased 17% in 2020, with employee contributions jumping 10%. Bank of America HSA participants have an average balance of approximately $3,400 - 25% higher than the national average. Also, 35% of HSA balances were saved for future use, which is 25% higher than the national average; and 38% of assets held in Bank of America HSAs are invested in the markets for potential future growth, which is 30% higher than the national average. Men seem to be outpacing women on planning for future healthcare costs, with 74% more men having an HSA than women, and with an average account balance 49% higher than women. This is especially troubling given women are likely to face higher healthcare costs in retirement due to living longer than men. Gender gaps in financial wellness and saving for retirement. On average, women's financial wellness scores - a figure calculated based on responses to questions and underlying calculations considering financial information and behaviors - are 13% lower than men's (58 vs. 67). In addition, women are less likely to participate in their workplace retirement plan (55% take part compared to 61% of men) and lag men in average retirement plan balances ($62,000 for women vs. $98,000 for men). Women also have a lower retirement contribution rate of 6.2% compared to 6.8% for men. Digital engagement continues to increase dramatically. The past year has also accelerated the pace of digital engagement. Digital logins to Bank of America's Benefits OnLine increased 31%, from 2019 to 2020, and mobile app usage was up 87% over the same time period. In addition, more than 25% of participants who have a broader financial relationship with Bank of America have now digitally linked their financial benefit accounts for a broader view of their financial lives online and within the mobile app. Sustainable investment options gaining popularity. 401(k) plans offering investments with an environmental, social or governance (ESG) profile grew nearly 10% in 2020. When offered within their employer's retirement plan, 10% of employees invest in these funds - among which 60% are Millennials. "The future of workplace benefits needs to combine highly personalized solutions with a seamless, digital experience - allowing plan sponsors to provide relevant guidance and meet employees right where they are," said John Quinn, Managing Director, Head of Institutional Retirement Products and Platforms at Bank of America. "At Bank of America, our goal is to partner with employers to provide wellness programs that address the diverse needs of their workforce and help employees be financially successful today and in the future." Bank of America's Retirement & Personal Wealth Solutions organization serves more than 26,000 companies of all sizes and more than 5.7 million employees as of 12/31/202. Bank of America offers institutional client employees a range of financial benefit programs and solutions to help them pursue their financial future. Last year, the company launched Financial Life Benefits, a comprehensive suite of workplace benefits and solutions bringing together traditional financial benefits - including retirement, health savings, equity compensation and non-qualified deferred compensation plans - with a corporate employee banking3 and investing4 offering that can help address employees' everyday needs. Bank of America works with employers to deliver its Employee Banking and Investing (EBI) program, a packaged offering of services for everyday banking and investing needs, combined with exclusive rewards, financial education and dedicated support. The number of companies offering EBI doubled in 20205. Financial Wellness at Bank of America

At Bank of America, we know that supporting the physical, financial and emotional wellbeing of our employees in their personal life also supports them in their work life - so they can be the best at work and at home. When it comes to financial wellness, we believe that the more informed people are about their money, the clearer their financial outlook can be. This applies not just to our clients, but to our employees, as well. This is why we offer robust financial offerings to our employees that focus on driving better behaviors across life priorities and the financial spectrum - budgeting, planning, saving, investing and more. Our competitive financial benefits - including 401(k) contribution matches, retirement advice6, health savings accounts7, educational resources and financial wellness tools - help employees address money issues in the here-and-now, prepare for retirement and help protect their family over the long term.







1 The Financial Life Benefits Impact Report is based off Bank of America's proprietary 401(k) business, which comprises of $251 billion in total client assets and 3.1 million total participants with positive balances as of December 31, 2020. 2 Source (News - Alert) : Global Wealth and Investment Management Finance. 3 Bank products are available from Bank of America, N.A., and affiliated banks. 4 Investment products are available from Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated ("MLPF&S"). 5 Bank of America Employee Banking & Investing Program, 2020. 6 Investment advice on 401(k) assets is only provided to plan participants through certain investment advisory programs as directed by plan sponsors. 7 Made available through Bank of America, N.A.

Bank of America

Bank of America is one of the world's leading financial institutions, serving individual consumers, small and middle-market businesses and large corporations with a full range of banking, investing, asset management and other financial and risk management products and services. The company provides unmatched convenience in the United States, serving approximately 66 million consumer and small business clients with approximately 4,300 retail financial centers, including approximately 2,900 lending centers, 2,500 financial centers with a Consumer Investment Financial Solutions Advisor and approximately 2,300 business centers; approximately 17,000 ATMs; and award-winning digital banking with approximately 39 million active users, including approximately 31 million mobile users. Bank of America is a global leader in wealth management, corporate and investment banking and trading across a broad range of asset classes, serving corporations, governments, institutions and individuals around the world. Bank of America offers industry-leading support to approximately 3 million small business households through a suite of innovative, easy-to-use online products and services. The company serves clients through operations across the United States, its territories and approximately 35 countries. Bank of America Corporation stock (NYSE: BAC) is listed on the New York Stock Exchange. For more Bank of America news, including dividend announcements and other important information, visit the Bank of America newsroom and register for news email alerts. www.bankofamerica.com Bank of America is a marketing name for the Retirement Services business of Bank of America Corporation ("BofA Corp."). Banking activities may be performed by wholly owned banking affiliates of BofA Corp., including Bank of America, N.A., member FDIC. Brokerage and Investment advisory services are provided by wholly owned non-bank affiliates of BofA Corp., including MLPF&S, a dually registered broker-dealer and investment adviser and member SIPC. Investment products: Are Not FDIC Insured Are Not Bank Guaranteed May Lose Value  2021 Bank of America Corporation. All rights reserved. MAP3585181 View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210519005533/en/

[ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ]
[May 19, 2021] Hunters Announces its Open XDR: Closing the Gap Between Detection and Response

NEWTON, Mass. and TEL AVIV, Israel, May 19, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- RSA Conference -- Hunters announced today the launch of Hunters XDR, the companys Open Extended Detection and Response Platform, a vendor-agnostic cloud-native platform that applies an open approach to data. Hunters XDR seamlessly ingests, cost-effectively retains and dynamically cross-correlates telemetry from all security tools to integrate and analyze threat signals across large enterprise environments, fostering accelerated, confident response to incidents. Hunters XDR will be demonstrated virtually at RSA Conference 2021 at the Hunters booth.

The hardest problem in security today is the gap we have between threat detection and incident response  security teams have no shortage of alerts to investigate and in most cases they have the data indicating an incident. What were missing is the ability to identify and act on the signals that matter, to quickly investigate and clearly understand the context of an alert, said Uri May, CEO and co-founder of Hunters. Hunters ability to prioritize real incidents from a broad mix of telemetry and provide a clear roadmap for triage and containment is a game-changer for effective incident response. A Complete Approach to Data

Effective detection, investigation and response starts with complete access to data. Any form of compromise to these data elements, whether from single-solution stacks or forced data limits from escalating data charges, compromises downstream security operations activity. Hunters open XDR framework is built with a holistic approach to data: Ingest all available security telemetry  from on-prem sources to the cloud

Normalize and unify all the data into a single, digestible schema to facilitate analysis

Retain the data over time, using an affordable cloud-based data storage and retention model to ensure coverage for incident investigation

Focus on Understanding the Complete Context of an Attack

Extened detection and response transforms the ability of SOC analysts to triage, investigate and understand the impact of an incident, as a driver for better, more effective response.



Hunters XDR provides a clear context for each incident, including root cause, affected users and assets, and the timeline of events, creating a clear roadmap for containment. Hunters XDR provides critical capabilities in augmenting an analysts ability to address sophisticated attacks, including:

Packaged deep security expertise : ready-to-use adaptive detectors, built to identify unknown threats, uncover a broader range of relevant signals

: ready-to-use adaptive detectors, built to identify unknown threats, uncover a broader range of relevant signals Threat-current Analytics : continuous stream of threat analytics with real-time updates reduce the burden of detection engineering by analysts

: continuous stream of threat analytics with real-time updates reduce the burden of detection engineering by analysts Machine Learning : beyond expanding human capacity, facilitates auto-investigations cross-correlating and analyzing all signals, including elevating low-fidelity (appearing as benign) signals that are hidden from typical detection capabilities

: beyond expanding human capacity, facilitates auto-investigations cross-correlating and analyzing all signals, including elevating low-fidelity (appearing as benign) signals that are hidden from typical detection capabilities Dynamic Scoring : applies more sophisticated alert curation and prioritization, avoids skipped alerts based on security expertise and organizational context while also supporting customer parameters

: applies more sophisticated alert curation and prioritization, avoids skipped alerts based on security expertise and organizational context while also supporting customer parameters Attack Stories : curated and correlated signals are packaged into a contextual view of an incident for accelerated analyst understanding of the attack and its impact

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/5b6df784-e737-4ef9-b9ed-b18236161770 Timely, Specific Outcomes for Security Operations

At a time when CISO priorities include simplification and reduction of tooling to alleviate budgetary and performance drain, Hunters Open XDR provides the mechanism to tackle underlying gaps and challenges in security operations. The ability to finally digest and process vast amounts of data will not just increase performance but facilitate improved results with positive outcomes: Leverage existing data within budget to optimize threat investigations

Remove unnecessary and exhaustive rules-management workforce drain, which is typically limited to known threats

Alleviate talent gaps with auto-investigations generating real attack pictures that accelerate analyst understanding of the impact and therefore confidence in knowing the appropriate response measures.

Visit Hunters virtual RSAC booth. Register for RSA using Hunters Digital Expo Free Pass Code: 54SHUNTER. About Hunters

Hunters blends together deep offensive and defensive security expertise with big data engineering and machine learning, to transform security operations ability and effectively detect and respond to cyber threats. Hunters cloud-native XDR takes an open approach to data, ingesting, normalizing and unifying all security telemetry to ensure the best possible coverage of attack signals. Mapped to the MITRE ATT&CK framework and always up to date with IoCs, TTPs and threat intelligence, Hunters detection engine dynamically cross-correlates and automatically analyzes massive volumes of data to compile contextualized Attack Story views, digestible by analysts to quickly understand the attack and its impact on the business and trigger appropriate response measures. Ideal for organizations working to contain tool sprawl and extend the value of the existing data streams, Hunters XDR is adopted as a SIEM replacement. Hunters is backed by leading VCs and strategic investors including Snowflake, Okta, Microsoft M12, YL Ventures and USVC. Media Contact

Deb Montner

Montner Tech PR

dmontner@montner.com



[ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ]
Source: Xinhua| 2021-05-19 16:21:18|Editor: huaxia

Video Player Close

BANGKOK, May 19 (Xinhua) -- Thailand on Wednesday reported 3,394 new COVID-19 cases and 29 more fatalities as the country continued to grapple with its worst coronavirus outbreak so far.

Of the new cases, 3,377 were domestic infections, with 1,498 being confirmed via active testing at prisons, while 17 others were imported cases, the Center for COVID-19 Situation Administration (CCSA) spokeswoman Apisamai Srirangsan told a daily news briefing.

The new cases still concentrated in the capital Bangkok and its vicinity regions. Some 876 new infections were reported in Bangkok, where 34 clusters have been detected.

The infections raised the country's total caseload to 116,949, more than quadrupling from the start of April, when the latest outbreak began to spread from Bangkok.

The 29 additional fatalities reported Wednesday added the death toll to 678. Some 41,903 patients are currently under medical treatment, with 1,210 in critical conditions. Enditem
[May 19, 2021] IDEMIA Appoints Astrid Warren as Chief People Officer

IDEMIA Group announced today the appointment of Astrid Warren as Chief People Officer and a member of the Executive Committee, effective May 18th 2021.

Astrid comes with over 20 years of experience in leading HR in global technology organizations. Reporting directly to IDEMIA Group President and CEO, she will oversee the People strategy and agenda for IDEMIA Group. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210519005441/en/ (Photo: Business Wire) "I am very pleased to welcome Astrid Warren to IDEMIA's executive committee. Astrid brings exceptional experience across all facets of human resources strategy and development on a global scale. Her deep experience in leading Human Resources in the tech industry - where she has spent her entire career - combined with a proven track record of building high performing, diverse teams who deliver business results across regions and cultures, will be a great asset to our Group", said Pierre Barrial, IDEMIA Group President & CEO.



"I am honored to be joining IDEMIA, a Group with great ambitions and expertise for the future, and a company whose purpose - to make the world a safer place - is aligned with my personal values. My job in Human Resources has always been driven by my passion for helping people grow and develop their skills and I look forward to meeting and working with the teams at IDEMIA to help them expand their capability to deliver business results", said Astrid Warren, new Chief People Officer at IDEMIA. NOTE TO EDITORS - Astrid Warren's biography

Based in Switzerland, Astrid is a South African national human resources executive with over 20 years of experience mostly in the high-tech sector as well as in global environments.

She was previously Senior Vice-President Human Resources for SITA, the world's leading specialist in air transport communications and information technology and a company recognized by Forbes as 2020 Best Employers. Before that, she spent 13 years within Microsoft (News - Alert) , where she held a number of senior HR leadership roles, such as head of HR for Microsoft Middle East & Africa, in Turkey.

Prior to joining Microsoft in 1997, Warren was Responsible for the Human Resources function at Altron and Human Resources Manager at Standard Bank of South Africa.

About IDEMIA IDEMIA, the global leader in Augmented Identity, provides a trusted environment enabling citizens and consumers alike to perform their daily critical activities (such as pay, connect and travel), in the physical as well as digital space. Securing our identity has become mission critical in the world we live in today. By standing for Augmented Identity, an identity that ensures privacy and trust and guarantees secure, authenticated and verifiable transactions, we reinvent the way we think, produce, use and protect one of our greatest assets - our identity - whether for individuals or for objects, whenever and wherever security matters. We provide Augmented Identity for international clients from Financial, Telecom, Identity, Public Security and IoT sectors. With close to 15,000 employees around the world, IDEMIA serves clients in 180 countries. For more information, visit www.idemia.com / Follow @IDEMIAGroup on Twitter (News - Alert) View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210519005441/en/

[ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ]
[May 19, 2021] Investing in Indigenous Clean Energy Projects in Newfoundland and Labrador

NUNATSIAVUT, NL, May 19, 2021 /CNW/ - Canada is investing in community-led clean energy projects with rural and remote Indigenous communities to develop innovative solutions that will displace fossil fuels, advance reconciliation and self-determination, and combat climate change. Yvonne Jones, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Northern Affairs and Member of Parliament for Labrador, on behalf of the Honourable Seamus O'Regan Jr., Minister of Natural Resources, today announced a $2.8-million investment to support three community-led clean energy projects across the northern coast of Labrador. These projects will build capacity and help rural and remote communities reduce their reliance on diesel and fossil fuels for heat and power. Each project is unique, but all of them share the same goals: building a clean energy future, supporting new economic opportunities and creating more energy-resilient communities by reducing their reliance on fossil fuels. All three projects were funded through Natural Resources Canada's Clean Energy for Rural and Remote Communities program, a $220-million program to reduce reliance on diesel in rural, remote and Indigenous communities by deploying and demonstrating renewable energy technologies, encouraging energy efficiency and building local skills and capacity. The program is part of the government's Investing in Canada infrastructure plan, a more than $180-billion investment in public transit projects, green infrastructure, social infrastructure, trade and transportation routes, and Canada's rural and northern communities. Canada's strengthened climate plan, A Healthy Environment and a Healthy Economy, ensures Canada will remain a world leader in clean power. Canada is investing an additional $300 million over five years to help rural, remote and Indigenous communities, currently reliant on fossil fuels, to transition to clean, reliable energy by 2030. Quotes "Canada will reduce the reliance on diesel for heat and power in rural and remote communities by increasing the use of local renewable energy sources and improving energy efficiency. We will continue to empower and support local efforts toward sustainability and meeting the challenges of climate change." Yvonne Jones

Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of NorthernAffairs





Member of Parliament for Labrador "Indigenous Peoples are taking economic development into their own hands. They're finding the low-emissions solutions to build the clean energy future we need. We're working in partnership to get to net zero."

The Honourable Seamus O'Regan Jr.

Minister of Natural Resources "The principle of sustainability is at the core of Titjaluk's operations. As an Inuit woman, having lived most of my life in the Nunatsiavut region of Northern Labrador, I am extremely passionate about preserving the environment. Knowing how expensive diesel heating is on the North Coast of Labrador, and with the high cost of shipping firewood north, Titjaluk saw NRCan's BioHeat program funding as a rare opportunity to explore the feasibility of setting up a firewood supply network to provide people in northern communities with a cost-effective, reliable, renewable source of heating fuel. This BioHeat project allows us now to build economies of scale into the development of a permanent supply network that will sustainably improve the lives of the Inuit in remote Labrador hamlets." Zena Sheppard

President and CEO, Titjaluk Logistics Ltd. "The Nunatsiavut Government continues to make progress on advancing energy security within our region. The Nain Wind Micro-grid Project will displace one million litres of diesel fuel per year, and the High Efficiency Woodstoves Program will benefit over 200 homes. We look forward to building on these successes in collaboration with our valued partners." Johannes Lampe

President, Nunatsiavut Government Backgrounder Canada Invests in Indigenous Clean Energy Projects in Northern Newfoundland and Labrador The Clean Energy for Rural and Remote Communities (CERRC) program supports projects across Canada to reduce the reliance of rural, remote and Indigenous communities on fossil fuels for heat and power; supports community-level capacity building to increase clean energy opportunities; and encourages energy efficiency. Yvonne Jones, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Northern Affairs and Member of Parliament for Labrador, today announced funding for the following three CERRC projects on the Northern coast of Labrador. Nunatsiavut Firewood Supply Chain Network Recipient: Titjaluk Logistics

Project partners: N/A

Project location: Nain and Hopedale, Nunatsiavut and Roddickton, Newfoundland and Labrador

Funding from CERRC: $190,433

Total project cost: $246,933

Project summary: This pilot project demonstrated the feasibility and effectiveness of providing affordable firewood from Newfoundland to the residents of Nunatsiavut in order to reduce diesel consumption in Nunatsiavut and make home heating more affordable. Titjaluk Logistics set up a firewood yard in Roddickton on the island of Newfoundland, where firewood is abundant. The firewood was being split, packaged and shipped via Nunatsiavut Marine to Nain and Hopedale, where it was sold to residents. Nain Remote Micro Grid FEED Study Recipient: Nunatsiavut Government

Project partners: Newfoundland and Labrador Hydro, Lumos Energy

Project location: Nain, Newfoundland and Labrador

Funding from CERRC: $1,315,220

Total project cost: $1,728,875

Project summary: The Nunatsiavut Government, in collaborative partnership with Newfoundland and Labrador Hydro, is conducting a front-end engineering and design (FEED) study to develop a Nain Remote microgrid that incorporates wind generation, energy storage, smart meters and a microgrid controller integrated with the community's existing diesel generation grid. High-Efficiency Woodstoves in Nunatsiavut's Diesel Communities Recipient: Nunatsiavut Government

Project location: Nunatsiavut, Newfoundland and Labrador

Funding from CERRC: $1,340,000

Total project cost: $1,717,073

Project summary: Nunatsiavut Government is installing 240 high-efficiency woodstoves in five Nunatsiavut communities. The existing woodstoves are old and highly inefficient, while the new woodstoves will help reduce the use of diesel-generated electricity for space heating and the associated greenhouse gas emissions. The project will displace an estimated 1.5 million litres of diesel fuel annually and create eight jobs over two years and four jobs over 1520 years for maintenance. Associated links Backgrounder

Clean Energy for Rural and Remote Communities

Investing in Canada Plan

A Healthy Environment and a Healthy Economy

Nain Remote Micro Grid FEED Study SOURCE Natural Resources Canada

[ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ]
[May 19, 2021] Kaseya announces ambitious plans to expand its tech workforce in Miami

MIAMI and NEW YORK, May 19, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Kaseya , the leading provider of IT and security management solutions for managed service providers (MSPs) and small to medium-sized businesses (SMBs), announced today that it plans to hire 500 employees for its Miami office by the end of 2022. In addition to growing its sales, marketing, and customer support teams, Kaseya is looking to hire cybersecurity analysts to build out its brand new Managed Security Operations Center (SOC). The SOC consists of round-the-clock surveillance by cybersecurity analysts that detect and respond to threats across endpoints, networks and the cloud.

Miami is on the fast-track to becoming the next tech hub, and Kaseya is fueling that growth. The company has been headquartered in Miami since 2004, and is passionate about tapping into the local Miami market for tech talent. As part of its expansion efforts, Kaseya hopes to add at least 50 new associate/graduate hires by the end of June for positions in technical support and account management. The company is hosting a virtual job fair on May 20, 2021. People interested in attending can register here or get more information o the types of positions available here .



Recent college graduates and individuals looking to break into the tech industry are encouraged to apply to Kaseyas Associate Development Program at jobs@kaseya.com. Kaseya provides its associates with unique training and mentorship opportunities that provide invaluable account management and customer service experience. We saw the potential in Miami 17 years ago when we decided to open one of our first offices downtown, said Fred Voccola, CEO of Kaseya. Weve found unbelievable talent in South Florida and this aggressive hiring spree reaffirms our commitment to the community and our belief in Miami as a renowned tech epicenter.

In addition to ambitious hiring goals in its Miami headquarters, Kaseya is recruiting for sales, marketing and technical roles in Las Vegas, Vancouver, and Dublin. About Kaseya

Kaseya is the leading provider of IT and security management solutions for managed service providers (MSPs) and small to medium sized businesses (SMBs). Through its open platform and customer-centric approach, Kaseya delivers best in breed technologies that allow organizations to efficiently manage, secure, and backup IT. Kaseya IT Complete is the most comprehensive, integrated IT management platform comprised of industry-leading solutions from Kaseya, Unitrends, RapidFire Tools, Spanning Cloud Apps, IT Glue, ID Agent, Graphus, RocketCyber and TruMethods. The platform empowers businesses to: command all of IT centrally; easily manage remote and distributed environments; simplify backup and disaster recovery; safeguard against cybersecurity attacks; effectively manage compliance and network assets; streamline IT documentation, and automate across IT management functions. Headquartered in Miami, Florida, Kaseya is privately held with a presence in over 20 countries. To learn more, visit www.kaseya.com. Media Contact

Katy Hoeper, PR Manager

Walker Sands

kaseyapr@walkersands.com Kylie Banks, Corporate Communications Manager

Kaseya

kylie.banks@kaseya.com



[ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ]
[May 19, 2021] Kebotix Partners With Northeastern University's Roux Institute in Maine

Kebotix, a Massachusetts-based technology platform company that transforms discovery of new chemicals and materials through AI and robotics, will establish an office and research footprint in Maine through its partnership with Northeastern University's (News - Alert) Roux Institute in Portland, Maine. Hiring that will lead to the new facility's opening is underway. Working with the Roux Institute - an innovation hub devoted to deepening and expanding the digital economy in Portland, the state of Maine and northern New England - enables Cambridge-based Kebotix to build a talent pipeline across the region, including with area recent college graduates, and partner with world-class academic researchers from Northeastern and the University of Maine system. Launching an operation at the Roux Institute has been inspired by the vision of technology entrepreneur and Maine native David Roux and his wife, Barbara, who invested $100 million to establish the institute in partnership with Northeastern to spur innovation, build talent and drive economic growth in northern New England. Clear signs of a growing skilled technical workforce, economic momentum and an enviable quality of life were also responsible for wooing Kebotix further up I-95. "We recognize Portland as an exciting, fast-growing innovation hub that combines high-end technology with a rich bio feedstock base," said Dr. Jill S. Becker, Kebotix CEO and founder. "What a perfect place and time it is to extend our expertise in machine learning and materials science at the Roux Institute. The location also helps in our mission to align with the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals. A presence in northern New England, home of many manufacturers of raw materials, will be of great benefit as we develop environmentally friendly specialty substances." Kebotix's partnership with Northeastern began in 2019 when the tech company first collaborated with Northeastern professorSteven Lopez's research group on a cancer research project supported by a $750,000 research grant from the Massachusetts Life Science Center. Focusing on photochemistry as a method to develop specialty molecules, the research tapped into Kebotix's proprietary R&D that combines data, AI and robotics to accelerate the synthesis of new molecules for a sustainable world, according to Dr. Semion Saikin, Kebotix's chief science officer.



"We're delighted to expand our work with Dr. Steven Lopez's research team to a second Northeastern campus," Saikin said. "Soon we'll announce our first collaborations at the Roux Institute and potentially other new areas of research at Northeastern." Lopez, Northeastern's assistant professor of chemistry in the Department of Chemistry & Chemical Biology, is equally elated to continue working with the Kebotix team, saying, "Our research partnership has been extremely fruitful so far. I look forward to all that will be accomplished in this unique new environment."

Echoing the excitement is Michael Pollastri, senior vice provost and academic lead for the Roux Institute. "Kebotix is a long-tenured research partner of Northeastern, and we've been fortunate to extend our relationship to the Roux Institute," Pollastri said. "Through this new engagement and in the months ahead, Kebotix will establish its first Maine footprint via our campus - a co-located home base for new hires, continued research and shared innovation." Kebotix's new space at the Roux Institute gives the company a third facility beyond its Cambridge headquarters. Kebotix also has locations in Toronto and Woburn, Mass. Today's announcement will be discussed further at The Maine Connection: A Conversation with Kebotix and FocusMaine from 12-1 p.m. ET on Friday. The free virtual event, sponsored by the Roux Institute at Northeastern University, will feature a panel moderated by Pollastri and participated by Becker, Saikin and FocusMaine Program Director Dr. Toby Ahrens. Registration is available at kebotixandfocusmaine.splashthat.com. FocusMaine's Pivotal Role FocusMaine, a private sector-led initiative accelerating the creation of quality jobs in Maine by investing in globally competitive and high-growth fields, is working closely with the Roux Institute to support the growth of Maine's life sciences economy and to market Maine's advantages to companies such as Kebotix. Last year, FocusMaine and the Roux Institute signed a memorandum of understanding outlining several areas of collaboration to grow Maine's skilled workforce and accelerate growth in the technology and life sciences sector. FocusMaine supported Kebotix throughout their exploration of Maine as an expansion opportunity. "We are excited to welcome Kebotix to Maine," said FocusMaine President Dr. Kimberly Hamilton. "Our partnership with the Roux Institute to make Maine the right choice for Kebotix can be replicated for other companies interested in Maine. This is why joining forces makes so much sense and goes to the heart of our mission to catalyze the growth of quality jobs in Maine." About Kebotix Kebotix partners with the private and public sector in harnessing the power of its breakthrough platform that combines artificial intelligence and robotic automation to discover chemicals and materials significantly faster and more affordably. Kebotix is backed by a growing, talented and dedicated team led by world-class scientists and serial entrepreneurs - plus the world's first self-driving lab for materials discovery - to develop AI/machine learning roadmaps and define problems and solution properties for its partners. Kebotix provides its partners technology access to its digital R&D solutions and complete end-to-end materials innovation programs to stay ahead of competition in the digital revolution. Kebotix is also dedicated to developing transformative technologies that facilitate important first steps toward tackling some of the world's biggest challenges of the 21st century. For more information, visit www.kebotix.com. About the Roux Institute The Roux Institute in Portland, Maine is designed as an engine of innovation, talent-building, and economic growth for Portland, Maine, and northern New England. Partnerships set the model of graduate education and research apart. With leading companies and nonprofit organizations at the table from day one, the Roux Institute creates programs that are preparing the workforce to stay agile and thrive in a competitive landscape powered by artificial intelligence. The Roux Institute, as a global research university, is nurturing an environment for high-impact research and innovation in computer and data science, digital engineering, the advanced life sciences and medicine, and other tech fields. And the Roux helps entrepreneurs launch businesses focused on and powered by technology. Together, with our partners, we are creating an innovation corridor that will stretch from Boston to Portland and beyond. For more information: www.roux.northeastern.edu/. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210519005327/en/

[ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ]
[May 19, 2021] Liquid Instruments Raises $13.7 Million to Fuel Global Expansion into Education and Industrial Markets

SAN DIEGO and CANBERRA, Australia , May 19, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Today, Liquid Instruments, an innovator in software-defined instrumentation announced it has raised $13.7 million in new financing supported by existing investors Anzu Partners and ANU Connect Ventures as well as new investors F1 Solutions and Moelis Australias Growth Capital Fund. The company raised these funds to accelerate the global adoption of Moku:Go, a new portable engineering lab solution created to support remote education in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic. Weve proven the advantages of software-defined instrumentation, and its now clear to our users and investors that the transition from a hardware market to a software industry is well underway, said Daniel Shaddock, CEO, and co-founder of Liquid Instruments. This new architecture unlocks opportunities across education, R&D, and industrial markets and these funds will enable us to deliver a portfolio of new products at scale. This funding comes on the heels of the launch of Moku:Go, which the company believes will democratize science and engineering education at universities around the world. Moku:Go packs eight testing instruments into one device including an oscilloscope, programmable power supply, PID controller, digital logic analyzer, arbitrary waveform generator, data logger and spectrum analyzer. To support the companys commercial growth in new markets and verticals, Liquid Instruments has named Saar Gillai as Chair of its Board of Directors. The former SVP/GM of HPE Communications business, as well as SVP/GM of HP Cloud, Gillais career has focused on scaling bsiness to accelerate growth and revenue. An accomplished senior technology executive, Gillai currently serves on the boards of Xilinx and Semtech. Gillai has also personally participated in the funding round.



Im excited to work with such a talented group of people that are revolutionizing the test and measurement space, helping engineering students and enthusiasts to advance their careers and follow their dreams while bringing consumer level usability to professional labs, said Gillai. Patti Key, former Senior Vice President of Sales at Keysight Technologies, joined Liquid Instruments as a member of its advisory board. Key has a proven history of building high-performance sales organizations. Her leadership and problem-solving abilities have helped several companies through various stages of growth, including test & measurement leaders Ixia, Agilent Technologies, and Hewlett Packard. Her passion for innovation in business and technology combined with her deep understanding of technical buyers provides her with a unique foundation for effectively guiding senior leadership at high-tech companies.

We are delighted to have Saar take on the Chairman role and welcome Patti to the Liquid Instruments leadership team, said David Seldin, Managing Partner at Anzu Partners. The investment, combined with Saars appointment as Chairman of the Board and Pattis industry expertise provides the springboard for execution on the companys strategic vision. For more information about Liquid Instruments and its full suite of products, please visit https://liquidinstruments.com . About Liquid Instruments

Liquid Instruments is a leader in precision software-defined instrumentation and is changing the way that students, scientists and engineers learn, research & work. Their line of software-enabled hardware solutions leverages the computational power of FPGAs to create highly customizable instrumentation for controlling experiments and acquiring and analyzing data. The teams IP in software-defined hardware enables Moku products to be dynamically reconfigured in the field, serving a wide range of experimental and process control applications. Moku:Lab is used by hundreds of top R&D institutions worldwide, and brings high-performance instruments together in a compact, intuitive and versatile device. For more information, please visit https://liquidinstruments.com . Media Contact

Codeword for Liquid Instruments

liquidinstruments@codewordagency.com

801-703-4092



[ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ]
[May 19, 2021] Matrixport Partners With Circle to Add International Bank Transfers With USDC Settlement

SINGAPORE, May 19, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Maxtrixport, Asia's largest crypto neobank, announced today a new partnership with global financial technology company Circle to enable international bank wire transfers to Matrixport accounts, with automatic settlement in USDC. Funds settled in USDC can be used for crypto investment and trading. Matrixport allows investors to purchase Bitcoin, Ethereum, Litecoin, and other cryptocurrencies. Matrixport investors can also earn annual interest on deposits, starting at 11% APY for crypto investments. The partnership between Matrixport and Circle lays out a path for thousands of new users who are looking to join the cryptocurrency ecosystem with the reliability and assurances of USDC. "We constantly strive to provide our customers with simple and effective ways of getting into the crypto investment landscape. Adding Circle to our payment infrastructure offers our users around the world a streamlined way to go from bank to crypto quickly and securely, relying on USDC as a core treasury and settlement infrastructure," said Matrixport Co-founder and CEO John Ge. The partnership comes as demand for USDC continues to surge, with more than $16 billion USDC now in circulation, growing 30x over the past 12 months and over 400% since January of this year. Stablecoins help facilitate investment, payments and settlement in the broader cryptocurrency market, with the total crypto market cap up more than 200% since the beginning of 2021. "We have continued to see huge growth in the crypto sector and by partnering closely with Matrixport, this gives Circle a unique opportunity for reaching customers in Asia and around the world," said Circle Co-founder and CEO Jeremy Allaire. To celebrate the new strategic partnership with Circle, Matrixport is offering all new users a 30% APY welcome offer on USDC fixed income products for 21 days. About Matrixport Established in February 2019 by Jihan Wu and John e, Matrixport is a digital asset financial platform that offers simple and accessible crypto financial products to retail and institutional investors worldwide. It provides one-stop crypto financial services including institutional custody (Cactus Custody), spot and leveraged trading, fixed income, structured products, lending, and asset management. Matrixport currently has more than $10 billion client assets and is among the fastest growing crypto financial services platforms in the world. Learn more at https://www.matrixport.com



For more information, please visit: Homepage: https://www.matrixport.com/home

Twitter: https://twitter.com/realMatrixport Telegram: https://t.me/matrixport About Circle Circle is a global financial technology firm that enables businesses of all sizes to harness the power of stablecoins and public blockchains for payments, commerce and financial applications worldwide. Circle's platform has supported more than 100 million transactions by more than 10 million retail customers and more than 1,000 businesses. Circle is also a principal developer of USD Coin (USDC), which together with Coinbase and the Centre Consortium oversees the standards and protocol for what has become the fastest growing, regulated, fully reserved dollar digital currency. USDC now stands at more than $16 billion and has supported over $500B in transactions over the past year. Today, Circle's transactional services, business accounts, and platform APIs are giving rise to a new generation of financial services and commerce applications that hold the promise of raising global economic prosperity for all through programmable internet commerce. Learn more at https://circle.com Media Contact: overseas-marketing@matrixport.com Related Images matrixport-partners-with-circle-to.png

Matrixport Partners with Circle to Add International Bank Transfers with USDC Settlement View original content to download multimedia:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/matrixport-partners-with-circle-to-add-international-bank-transfers-with-usdc-settlement-301294748.html SOURCE Matrixport

[ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ]
[May 19, 2021] MX Welcomes Lexi Hall as Director of Public Policy

WASHINGTON and SILICON SLOPES, Utah, May 19, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- MX, the leader in modern connectivity and data enhancement for financial institutions, fintechs and organizations everywhere, today announced that Lexi Hall has joined the company as Director of Public Policy. Hall will oversee the company's public policy initiatives, including federal, state and local government relations. She will report to MX Chief Advocacy Officer Jane Barratt. "Lexi Hall brings a wealth of experience to MX as a data expert and policy advisor for the U.S. Senate Banking Committee and we are thrilled to welcome her to the team," said Jane Barratt, Chief Advocacy Officer, MX. "Together with Lexi, we will work closely with regulators and policymakers to accelerate the future of open finance through modern connectivity to improve the financial health of millions of Americans." Hall joins MX from the U.S. Senate Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs Committee, where she has served since January 2019 as a policy advisor for fintech and data governance. Prior to her position with the U.S. Senate, she spent two years at Morning Consult, a global data inelligence company, following roles at The Winston Group and Bain Capital as a data analyst.



"Financial health begins with the ability for people to securely access their data. The U.S. is poised for true regulatory innovation in the financial data space and I'm thrilled to be joining the MX team to help drive this innovation," said Lexi Hall, Director of Public Policy, MX. "Modern connectivity is the foundation of increased innovation in the financial industry and I'm excited to continue the conversation with policymakers and regulators to move the industry forward." MX helps organizations everywhere connect to the world's financial data and turn raw, unstructured data into their most valuable asset to deliver intelligent and personalized money experiences. To learn more, visit: www.mx.com.

About MX

MX, the leader in modern connectivity and data enhancement for financial institutions and fintechs, helps organizations everywhere connect to the world's financial data and turn raw, unstructured data into their most valuable asset to deliver intelligent and personalized money experiences. MX connects more than 16,000 financial institutions and fintechs providing the industry's most reliable and secure data connectivity network. Additionally, MX powers 85% of digital banking providers, as well as thousands of banks, credit unions, and fintechs, with a combined reach of over 200 million consumers. To learn more, follow us on Twitter @MX or visit www.mx.com. Contact:

Tom Cook

tom.cook@mx.com View original content to download multimedia:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/mx-welcomes-lexi-hall-as-director-of-public-policy-301294801.html SOURCE MX

[ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ]
[May 19, 2021] NetVU Confirms Its Commitment to Helping Members Thrive Post Pandemic

The independent agency channel is resilient and ready to meet the challenges of the future through robust investments in technology and innovative approaches to education. That was the theme of the annual meeting of NetVU, The Network of Vertafore Users, which serves as the official kickoff to Accelerate, insurtech's first and longest running annual event for independent agencies and carriers. This year's annual meeting was broadcast virtually to NetVU members across the country. Outgoing NetVU chair Jessica Jeffress of Peel & Holland in Benton, Kentucky, acknowledged agency principals, producers and customer service staff for their unwavering commitment, which has positioned them for the post-pandemic environment. "You endured change and disruption and all the while stayed true to your mission to serve customers and be there for them in what is often a stressful time," said Jeffress. "In the past year NetVU made tremendous progress and accomplished more than I could have imagined. We've established an exciting new strategic plan and the future is bright." Incoming board chair Dean Giem of Paradox Insurance Agency in Kalispell, Montana, explained how the organization's new strategic plan emphasizes modernization. "Modernization means that much of what we've been doing is good, but the pandemic has forced us to think and act differently, to embrace innovation and change," said Giem. "Over the next five years you're going to continually see that theme as we improve our organization, provide more resources to our members, and give them the tools to lead within their teams, their businesses and even in their communities." Vertafore CEO Amy Zupon shared the importance of the relationship between NetVU and Vertafore, which the two organizations recently validated by signing a new multi-year agreement. "Our strategy has been shaped and guided by the insight, expertise and partnership with the NetVU community, and we are a better company because of it," said Zupon. "We have doubled down on our partnership with the NetVU community, and we are thrilled to continue our long-term partnership and support of NetVU as its founding and principal partner." The following NetVU members were elected to one-year terms on the executie board, beginning in July:



Dean Giem, Chairman, Paradox Insurance Agency, Kalispell, Montana

Joyce Sigler, Chairman-Elect, SeibertKeck Insurance Partners/Jones & Wenner, Fairlawn, Ohio

Jessica Jeffress, Immediate Past Chairman, Peel & Holland, Benton, Kentucky

Lorraine Plezia, Treasurer, Risk Strategies Company (RSC), Lincoln, Rhode Island

Dana Coates, Member at Large, United Western Insurance Brokers, Pasadena, California

Oliver Connor, Member at Large, Connor Insurance Agency, Sherrills Ford (News - Alert) , North Carolina

Jim Dahoney, Member at Large, Marshall & Sterling, Poughkeepsie, New York

Kate O'Toole, Member at Large, Starkweather & Shepley, Cohasset, Massachusetts

Jim Rogers, Member at Large, The Hartford, Hartford, Connecticut

Bonnie Wood, Member at Large, Brown & Brown Insurance, Atlanta

Cassidy Smirnow, Vertafore Executive Sponsor, Vertafore, Denver Each year NetVU gives special recognition to members for exceptional service and dedication to its mission. Immediate past board chair Joe Clabaugh broke with tradition and announced that instead of bestowing the 2020 Chairman's Award on a member, the honor this year was being given to the entire NetVU staff for their dedication and hard work during a year of transition and unpredictability. "For two years I had to opportunity to work side by side with the NetVU team and I learned the dedication they have runs deep and that each one of them is very passionate about our membership and what they do on daily basis for our membership," said Clabaugh.

Other award winners were: 2021 Chairman's Award: Cassidy Smirnow, Chief Revenue Officer, Vertafore

Volunteer of the Year: Chasity Devasurendra, CRC Insurance Services

NetVU Leadership Award in memory of Louie E. Woodbury, Jr.: Mike Foy, Foy Insurance Group

2021 NetVU Automation Excellence Award: The Cincinnati Insurance Company, EMC (News - Alert) , Encova, The Hanover Insurance Group, The Hartford, Liberty Mutual Insurance, MetLife Auto & Home, Nationwide, Progressive Group of Insurance Companies, Safeco, Selective Insurance Company, Travelers, United Surety and Indemnity Company, and Westfield Insurance. For the first time, members were recognized for high levels of engagement within the NetVU community. Top Contributors for 2020 were: Cathy Hall, Forest Agency Insurance

Cyndi Kirk, White Hills Plaza dba K & S Insurance Agency

Patricia Kleehammer, Brock Insurance Agency

Mickey Robertson, Don Bullard Insurance

Matt Shannahan, Clinton Polley Group

Beth Smock, Hilb Group Mid-Atlantic

Debbie Spanbauer, JM Insurance Service

Venus Tondreau, Lake Michigan Insurance Credit Union

Janet Tuttle, TDECU Insurance Agency

Tracey Weber, Huntington Insurance Special recognition was given to retiring board members Joe Clabaugh of the Cincinnati Insurance Company in Cincinnati and Michelle Hoffert of Baldwin Risk Partners in Lakeland, Florida. NetVU's annual Accelerate conference opens with Kickoff Week May 25-27 and runs through June. Vertafore customers (NetVU members) still have time to register at https://web.cvent.com/event/baa5fd08-649a-446d-9e1a-57366bcd6db3/summary. About NetVU The Network of Vertafore Users (NetVU) is an independent, national member organization committed to providing industry advocacy, world-class education, and networking to more than 20,000 insurance agencies, over 1,000 carriers, and 23 state governments. NetVU's members reside in every state and are supported by over 35 local and virtual chapters led by members. About Vertafore As North America's insurtech leader for more than 50 years, Vertafore is modernizing and simplifying insurance distribution so that our customers can focus on what matters most: people. Vertafore's solutions provide end-to-end connectivity, improve the client and agent experience, unlock the power of data, and streamline essential workflows to drive efficiency, productivity, and profitability for independent agencies and carriers. For more information about Vertafore, visit www.vertafore.com. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210519005706/en/

[ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ]
[May 19, 2021] Percepto launches first smart home for Boston Dynamics' Spot at Florida Power & Light

MODI'IN, Israel, May 19, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Percepto , pioneering autonomous inspection by industrial robotics, announced today the launch of the first ever smart home for Boston Dynamics' Spot. Leveraging the unique Percepto Base for Spot the solution offers an end-to-end autonomous cycle for outdoor inspection, empowering industrial facilities and isolated substations to keep Spot protected even in extreme weather conditions, safe from damage or theft, and always ready for action. After successful deployment of Percepto's Sparrow drone for a number of years, Florida Power & Light is one of the first companies to showcase the integration of Spot along with other robots for truly autonomous outdoor remote inspection as part of their hurricane recovery plan. The robots are managed by Percepto's Autonomous Inspection and Monitoring (AIM) platform. The AIM software controls open and closure of the Base without the need for on-site staff to man the robot, safeguarding the robot while it charges in between missions. Percepto have applied the same any-weather approach used for their hurricane-tested drone-in-a-box to create a safe and weather-proof enclosure for Boston Dynamics' Spot, allowing the robot to be deployed at any substation independently under all weather conditions from desert heat to winter snow storms. Spot is equipped with Percepto's dual payload of 4K and thermal cameras, as well as Percepto's onboard module. This enables live streaming during missions via secure LTE connection, not limited by Wi-Fi coverage. "Percepto are proud to build upon our autonomous inspection offering that began with Sparrow, the most widely deployed drone-in-a-box in the world. The Base for Spot uses the same sophisticated and trusted AIM software to integrate remote autonomous inspections from the sky to the ground, inside and out, for a holistic and accurate picture in real time," said DorAbuhasira, CEO and Co-founder Percepto. "A team of inspection robots on site without the need for human supervision is the future of safer, more reliable inspection and we are excited to add further solutions to our offering."



"Early this year, we released a charging dock for Spot, unlocking the opportunity for customers to deploy remote inspection solutions with Spot. The Percepto Base for Spot widely expands the potential use cases for Spot by offering superb protection from the elements," said Michael Perry, Vice President of Business Development at Boston Dynamics. "The enclosure, combined with Percepto AIM, provides our mutual clients the ability to automatically and autonomously deploy Spot in isolated but vital locations regardless of the weather conditions." Percepto AIM integrates robots for fully autonomous inspection and monitoring. The Percepto Base for Spot, is the first to join the array of AIM integrated robots: together with the Percepto Sparrow drone. Percepto's Fortune 500 customers, including Verizon and Enel, can manage the fleet of robots autonomously with an inspection working as follows:

Request information about any asset of interest on their site, aggregating all data collected to date from bird's eye drone level or from the ground.

If a deeper look is needed from the ground level, AIM will assign Spot. Day or night, Spot will launch out of its base, autonomously.

Spot will capture the information according to the nature of the mission - so it knows where to go in the facility, what to capture and at what angle.

The information is streamed in real-time over cellular networks.

Upon return to the base Spot will be "let in" for safeguarding and charging, and the information collected will be uploaded to AIM in HD.

At the next step AIM will analyze the information, generate reports: issues found, mapping, measured temperatures and other insights - depending on the nature of the mission and the requested information. About Percepto Percepto is at the forefront of redefining how industrial sites and critical infrastructure are holistically inspected and monitored, harnessing remote robotics to autonomously collect, aggregate and analyze visual data. Leveraging its experience with Percepto Sparrow, the most deployed drone-in-a-box solution on the market, the company introduced Percepto AIM (Autonomous Inspection and Monitoring), the first end-to-end autonomous inspection and monitoring platform. Percepto AIM empowers the remote operation center of the future to assess risk, minimize downtime, drive efficiency, increase safety and reduce operational costs. Founded in 2014, Percepto's solutions are trusted by Fortune 500 customers in more than 10 countries including ENEL, Florida Power and Light and Verizon. The company is the recipient of the Frost & Sullivan Global Enabling Technology Leadership Award. For more information, visit www.percepto.co . Media Contact Judith Arkush

judith.arkush@si14global.com

US +1 347 474 0012 View original content:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/percepto-launches-first-smart-home-for-boston-dynamics-spot-at-florida-power--light-301294949.html SOURCE Percepto

[ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ]
[May 19, 2021] QuestionPro Survey Finds One in Three Americans Likely to Consider an EV after Fuel Shortages on East Coast

AUSTIN, Texas, May 19, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- According to a national poll of more than 500 adults in the United States by online survey and research leader QuestionPro , 70 percent of consumers are worried about future disruptions to the fuel supply chain in the wake of the Colonial Pipeline hack, and 35 percent of them are likely to buy an electric vehicle (EV) as a result.

The survey was conducted on May 13, a time of significant disruption and fuel shortage up and down the East Coast. Nearly every respondent (85 percent) was aware of the fuel shortage, although only 33 percent said they had been impacted personally by it. Regardless, 22 percent say they are likely, and 13 percent say they are very likely, to consider purchasing an EV as a result of the disruption. When you own an EV, your gas station is your house and the pumps never run dry, said Dan Fleetwood, Pesident of Research & Insights at QuestionPro. The crisis is spurring a significant number of consumers to consider an EV for their next vehicle and giving EV manufacturers an unexpected competitive advantage.



The survey of U.S. consumers was fielded May 13, 2021 and has a margin of error of +/- 3 percent. The survey was conducted using technology and multi-method behavioral fraud detection to verify respondents, including 80+ different security variables which accomplish the following: detection and rejection of suspicious IP addresses; digital fingerprinting; Captcha bot detection; event streaming and analysis, copy paste detection and translation of text detection. Mouse movements on desktops were also tracked. About QuestionPro

Founded in 2006, QuestionPro is a global provider of online survey and research services that help companies make better decisions through data. From free consumer accounts to robust enterprise-level research, we offer tools for the creation, distribution, and analysis of surveys. We also offer platforms for polling, mobile research and data visualization. Fortune 100 companies rely on us to help unlock insights about customers, employees and the marketplace. With offices in the US, Mexico, Germany, the United Arab Emirates and India, we offer customers 24-7 access to highly trained support specialists and engineers. More information is available at www.questionpro.com .



Media Contact John Williams, Scoville PR for QuestionPro 206.660.5503, jwilliams@scovillepr.com

[ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ]
Source: Xinhua| 2021-05-19 21:37:12|Editor: huaxia

Video Player Close

DHAKA, May 19 (Xinhua) -- The Bangladeshi government has approved the purchase of COVID-19 vaccines from China.

Bangladesh's Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs, the highest body to deal with economic issues, in a meeting approved the purchase on Wednesday.

Shahida Akhtar, a senior Cabinet Division official, told journalists after the meeting that Bangladesh will buy vaccines from China National Pharmaceutical Group (Sinopharm).

The approval came a week after Bangladesh received a batch of Sinopharm COVID-19 vaccine donated by China.

Chinese Ambassador to Bangladesh Li Jiming formally handed over the vaccines to Bangladeshi Foreign Minister AK Abdul Momen and Health Minister Zahid Maleque at a ceremony at the State Guest House Padma in Dhaka on last Wednesday.

The Bangladeshi government has already announced that it will start administering from next week Sinopharm COVID-19 vaccine donated by China.

The health minister made the announcement at press conference Monday, saying "health professionals on the frontline of the fight against the pandemic will receive the doses beginning May 25 or 26."

Bangladesh suspended administering the first dose of the vaccine on April 26 after India halted export to tackle its own crisis.

Subsequently the country's drug regulator authorized emergency use of the Sinopharm vaccines.

Bangladesh kicked off the COVID-19 vaccination drive on Jan. 28 to rein in the pandemic that has so far spread across the country.

A total of 5.82 million people in Bangladesh have so far received the first dose of the vaccine.

On Wednesday, the country's Directorate General of Health Services reported 1,608 new cases of COVID-19 and 37 new deaths, bringing the number of total cases to 783,737 and the total death toll to 12,248. Enditem
[May 19, 2021] Research on Healthy Aging Flourishes With New Partnership Between Protective Life Corporation and UAB

In 1988, researchers discovered that a mutation in a tiny worm's genes could extend its lifespan by 50 percent. In the 33 years since, the study of healthy aging has become one of the most dynamic fields in the scientific world, as researchers translate discoveries from the intensive study of animal biology to the development of new medicines and the implementation of lifestyle changes that can help people live better, as well as longer. Today, the University of Alabama at Birmingham and Protective Life Corporation announce a partnership that will advance the science of healthy aging. Pending approval of the University of Alabama System Board of Trustees, Protective's $2 million investment in UAB's Department of Biology will fund two initiatives, creating the Protective Life Endowed Chair in Healthy Aging and the Protective Life Healthy Aging and Research Acceleration and Innovation Fund. The funds will drive further research efforts, while also expanding awareness about the findings and applications to advance the field and improve quality of life in aging individuals. "We are in the business of protecting people, and Protective is proud to partner with UAB to advance research that will help people live longer, healthier lives," said Rich Bielen, president and CEO, Protective. "This investment is also significant for our industry. Research like this will help us support our customers, while also providing critical learnings that can help us improve our products. The more we learn about how people age and how they can live longer, the better equipped we are to develop products that best serve our customers and provide long-term value. I am excited to see what the future holds in this area of science." "Our university continues to focus on innovative research, a cornerstone of our strategic plan, to further the advancement of science and medicine," said UAB President Ray L. Watts. "The generous gift from Protective Life and Dai-ichi is an investment in each of us living a longer, healthier life and will allow our faculty and students to be leaders in advanced aging research." Leading the way The $1.5 million gift funding the Protective Life Endowed Chair in Healthy Aging will provide UAB's Department of Biology with the resources to recruit and retain an international leader in the field of healthy aging research and additional researchers. The Protective Life Endowed Chair in Healthy Aging will be able to build on UAB's pioneering legacy to establish Birmingham as a global epicenter for healthy aging research. "This gift will impact the training and development of many students and colleagues for generations," said UAB College of Arts and Sciences Dean Kecia Thomas, Ph.D. "I also look forward to witnessing the transformative effects this gift will have on the applications and practices that develop from the interdisciplinary research funded by the Protective Life Healthy Aging and Research Acceleration and Innovation Fund." Faculty members in the College of Arts and Sciences study of aging processes will be impacted, from biologists and sociologists to psychologists and social workers. These rsearchers collaborate with colleagues in the Schools of Medicine, Public Health, Health Professions and others on interdisciplinary research to better understand the aging process as it relates to morbidity and mortality, prepare our society for future demographic shifts, and invest in people's well-being.



Funding Innovation In addition to the endowed chair, Protective Life will donate $500,000 to the Protective Life Healthy Aging and Research Acceleration and Innovation Fund and efforts to share findings and their benefits. Research infrastructure and data repository needed to launch innovative longitudinal research projects will be established to focus on lifestyle factors that promote health and impact morbidity and mortality. UAB's team of researchers led by Steven N. Austad, Ph.D., chair of the UAB Department of Biology, senior scientific director of the American Federation of Aging Research and co-director of the UAB Nathan Shock Center of Excellence in the Basic Biology of Aging, will utilize the investment to develop new technologies to assist in collecting data from a large participant population to enhance findings and create additional research studies.

Key discoveries and findings will be shared with other healthy aging researchers and the community at large to advance the progress made and share discoveries in aging research and how it relates to morbidity and mortality. "In the 21st century, aging represents the No. 1 challenge to human health as it underlies nearly all our major diseases and disabilities," said Austad, one of the most respected minds in healthy aging research. "However, aging is a biological process, and biological processes can be medically targeted. This gift shows the commitment of Protective and UAB's working together to ensure that the 21st century will see our citizens achieving longer and healthier lives than ever before." The Department of Biology will be able to further its research and create a hub for leaders in nutrition, exercise and genomics. Making a global impact Dai-ichi Life Holdings, Inc. (Dai-ichi), parent company of Protective, is dedicated to creating new business models through innovation as part of its business strategy, executing a multi-step strategy to accelerate innovations across its business. Utilizing networks of world-class professionals, Dai-ichi has become an industry leader in pursuing the potential of flexible ideas, innovative work styles and advanced technologies. The company has established Dai-ichi Life Innovation Labs in Shibuya (Tokyo), Silicon Valley and London. Additionally, Dai-ichi has signed several comprehensive collaboration agreements with major universities in Japan to help solve various social issues, including healthy aging. Each of Dai-ichi's international Group Companies shares the Dai-ichi vision to "protect and improve the well-being of all" in locations across the globe. Dai-ichi's flagship company, Dai-ichi Life Insurance Company, Limited, was founded Sept. 15, 1902. Dai-ichi Life was the oldest mutual insurance company in Japan until it was demutualized and listed on the Tokyo Stock Exchange on April 1, 2010. Making a healthier, longer life a priority Protective Life, one of Birmingham's oldest and most successful companies, has been a leader in encouraging its employees to make healthier lifestyle choices. Offering a wellness program to employees for almost 40 years, Protective remains committed to supporting employee health through benefits like a health habits reward program, on-site nurse, mental health resources, annual challenges to encourage healthy habits and more. UAB strives to help Alabamians and those around the world achieve a healthier life through research and initiatives, such as the Live HealthSmart initiative, which seeks to leverage the university's capabilities to make Alabama a model for healthy living by 2030. Healthy aging research takes a long-term approach to these same issues: UAB's goal is not simply to extend people's lifespans, but to enhance the quality of people's lives as our population ages. About UAB Known for its innovative and interdisciplinary approach to education at both the graduate and undergraduate levels, the University of Alabama at Birmingham, a part of the University of Alabama System, is an internationally renowned research university and academic medical center with over $600 million in research awards annually, as well as Alabama's largest employer, with some 23,000 employees, and has an annual economic impact exceeding $7 billion on the state. The pillars of UAB's mission include education, research, innovation and economic development, community engagement, and patient care. Learn more at www.uab.edu. EDITOR'S NOTE: The University of Alabama at Birmingham is one of three doctoral research universities in the University of Alabama System. In your first reference to our institution, please use University of Alabama at Birmingham and UAB on subsequent references. About Protective Protective Life Corporation provides financial services through the production, distribution and administration of insurance and investment products throughout the United States. The company traces its roots to the corporation's flagship company, Protective Life Insurance Company - founded in 1907. Throughout its more than 110-year history, Protective's growth and success can be largely attributed to its ongoing commitment to serving people and doing the right thing - for its employees, distributors and, most importantly, its customers. Protective's home office is located in Birmingham, Alabama, and its 3,500-plus employees work across the United States. As of Dec. 31, 2020, Protective had assets of approximately $127 billion. Protective Life Corporation is a wholly owned subsidiary of Dai-ichi Life Holdings, Inc. (TSE:8750). For more information about Protective, please visit www.Protective.com. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210519005529/en/

[ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ]
[May 19, 2021] ReverseLogix Announces Expansion of Leadership to Propel Rapid Growth and Market Expansion

BURLINGAME, Calif., May 19, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- ReverseLogix Corp., the leading cloud-based platform to automate reverse logistics for e-commerce brands, third-party logistics providers and manufacturers, today announced the appointments of Chuck Fuerst as Vice President of Marketing and Nitin Donde as Vice President of Engineering. The announcement comes on the heels of the company raising $20 million in its first-round of external funding through Cambridge Capital. "We are excited to welcome these outstanding leaders to the team," said ReverseLogix Founder and CEO Gaurav Saran . ReverseLogix's has built a proprietary, cloud-based Returns Management System (RMS) that helps e-commerce companies, third-party logistics providers, and manufacturers manage every aspect of returns, repairs, and after-sales care. By automating and optimizing reverse logistics processes with AI and machine learning, ReverseLogix's customers can achieve a significant reduction n operating costs and increase customer satisfaction, while also achieving enhanced visibility and adherence to complex service level requirements  all in one centralized platform.



As Vice President of Marketing, Fuerst will leverage his track record of helping SaaS companies achieve peak growth through integrated marketing, demand generation, and go-to-market strategy. Before joining ReverseLogix, Fuerst served as the Director of Product Marketing at Plex Systems, a SaaS-based ERP platform. Previously Fuerst was the Vice President of Marketing for 3Gtms, a hypergrowth transportation management system (TMS) start-up, led Product Strategy for HighJump, and held marketing leadership positions at Lawson Software (now Infor), and RSM. As Vice President of Engineering, Donde will bring his 30+ years of experience in enterprise software and deep expertise in cloud, data warehousing, integration, and data management to scale ReverseLogix's development efforts. Donde was formerly the Founder and CEO of Imanis Data, Inc., an enterprise data management company powered by machine learning. Previously, Donde served as executive vice president of engineering at Aster Data Systems. Prior to Aster Data Systems, Donde was the vice president of engineering at EMC, Kazeon, and Intransa.

"We are excited to welcome these outstanding leaders with proven track records of operational excellence at growth stage companies to our expanding team. Chuck and Nitin's collective knowledge & experience will be tremendously valuable as we continue to lead the returns management market into the future," said ReverseLogix Founder and CEO Gaurav Saran. About ReverseLogix:

ReverseLogix Corp. is the leading cloud-based platform to automate end-to-end reverse logistics for e-commerce brands, third-party logistics providers, and manufacturers. ReverseLogix's centralized, highly configurable, modular SaaS platform is designed to manage every aspect of returns, repairs and after-sales care for all reverse logistics ecosystem players. With the rise in e-commerce, and the unique demands relating to returns and reverse logistics, ReverseLogix is poised to be at the forefront of innovation in a $1 trillion global market. Founded in 2014 as a pioneer in SaaS-based centralized returns management, ReverseLogix is on the cutting-edge of solving reverse logistics challenges holistically. ReverseLogix is headquartered in Burlingame, California and serves top brands in all major verticals globally. To learn more about ReverseLogix, visit https://ReverseLogix.com Related Links

http://www.reverselogix.com CONTACT: Chuck Fuerst, Chuck@reverselogix.com View original content to download multimedia:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/reverselogix-announces-expansion-of-leadership-to-propel-rapid-growth-and-market-expansion-301295192.html SOURCE ReverseLogix Corp

[ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ]
[May 19, 2021] Rimkus Consulting Group, Inc. Acquires M & E Engineering Consultants

Rimkus Consulting Group, Inc. ("Rimkus"), a worldwide provider of forensic engineering and technical consulting services, today announced the strategic acquisition of M & E Engineering Consultants ("M & E"). Now with more than 90 offices and 950 employees, the firm is uniquely positioned to deliver for its global client base with increased capabilities in Mechanical, Electrical, and Life Safety areas. "At Rimkus, we're on a mission to grow our practice areas and teams from within while also capitalizing on opportunities to expand our reach through acquisitions. Our international client roster demands experts that blend technical capabilities and excellent project management in a manner that meets their business goals. The new addition of M & E Engineering Consultants to our team will deepen our proficiency in core service areas while upholding the high standards our clients have come to know from Rimkus," said Curtis Brown, Chairman and Executive Director, Rimkus Consulting Group, Inc. "M & E Engineering Consultants brings a rich, 40-year history of practicing engineering in Ontario to our firm, and we couldn't b more pleased to welcome them to the Rimkus family. Their market leadership and reputation for client success aligns closely with our growth strategy. Together, our teams are positioned for long-term success, with the ability to quickly scale and meet our clients' mechanical, electrical, and life safety challenges," said Robert Kocher, President and Chief Executive Officer, Rimkus Consulting Group, Inc.



"We are excited to join the Rimkus family, another industry pioneer that has complementary strengths and is committed to delivering the same quality of work we value in a partner. We're excited to bring our technical insights, backed by Rimkus' resources and growing network, to provide even more industry-leading consulting services and options to our customer base," said Ed Porasz, M & E Engineering Consultants. About Rimkus Consulting Group, Inc.

Rimkus Consulting Group, Inc. is a worldwide provider of forensic consulting and technical services to insurance companies, law firms, corporations, and government agencies. Rimkus assists clients in the responsive and timely resolution of claims and disputes, as well as restoration design services, facilities risk assessments, and due diligence property condition assessments. For more than 35 years, the company's team of professional engineers, architects, scientists, and technical specialists has been recognized for its commitment to service excellence by local, national, and international business communities. Rimkus operates more than 90 offices across the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom. For more information, visit www.rimkus.com. About M & E Engineering Consultants M & E Engineering Ltd. (M & E) is an employee-owned consulting engineering firm practicing engineering in Ontario for over 40 years. M & E specializes in providing comprehensive Mechanical, Electrical and Life Safety consulting services to architects, building owners, structural consultants, as well as tenants for commercial, hospitality, multi-residential, institutional, and industrial applications. The professional team at M & E have been delivering successful projects ranging from comprehensive new construction and retrofit designs, problem investigation, energy audits, and building condition assessments on hundreds of buildings every year for our clients in Ontario, across Canada, in the United States, and Europe. For more information, visit www.me-eng.com. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210519005127/en/

[ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ]
[May 19, 2021] Roosevelt & Cross Closes $54.145 Million Connecticut Housing Finance Authority Bond Issue for Special Needs Housing

Roosevelt & Cross Incorporated, a registered broker-dealer that specializes in tax-exempt and taxable municipal debt, today announced the successful completion of a $54.145 million Connecticut Housing Finance Authority bond issue. The state-supported special obligation bonds consist of four series, including a new money tax-exempt series to finance group home mortgage loans issued under the Authority's Special Needs Housing Program. To maximize savings allowed under federal tax law, the issue featured both tax-exempt and taxable components currently refunding bonds originally issued for group home and supportive housing facility mortgage loans. Given the underlying purpose of the borrowings, each of these series was designated as Social Bonds. The bonds were rated Aa3/stable by Moody's and A/stable by S&P. As Book-Running Senior Manager for the issue, Roosevelt & Cross generated orders totaling $159 million, including $82.5 million in retail orders, $29.3 million of which were from Connecticut investors. The company was allotted $44.14 million of the bonds, of which $25 million were for retail accounts. "We were honored to be selected to work with the Connecticut Housing Finance Authority on this transaction, which helps fulfill a critial need," said Frank DelVecchio, Senior Vice President and New England Public Finance Banker at Roosevelt & Cross. "And we were pleased to be able to deliver a low-interest-cost financing for the Authority."



The Connecticut Housing Finance Authority was created in 1969 to meet the housing needs and demands of low- and moderate-income families and persons. The Authority's Special Needs Housing Mortgage Finance Program provides mortgage loans to finance affordable housing for persons with special needs, as defined by the State Legislature. Under the Group Home Mortgage Finance Program, the Authority originates permanent loan secured by group home mortgages on group homes. Lamont Financial Services served as financial advisor for the transaction.

About Roosevelt & Cross Incorporated Roosevelt & Cross Incorporated is a registered broker-dealer that specializes in tax-exempt and taxable municipal debt. The firm is entirely employee owned and directed, and 100% of the firm's capital is committed to municipal securities. As a top-ranking municipal bond underwriter in New York, New Jersey, and New England, Roosevelt & Cross offers strong distribution capabilities across major and mid-size institutional accounts, professionally managed retail accounts, and high net worth individual accounts. The firm's investment banking and research capabilities are on par with the best in the industry. Roosevelt & Cross is a leading underwriter of short-term financings in New York and is consistently ranked the #1 underwriter of education bonds in New York State. Based in New York, the company has branch offices in Buffalo, Boston, West Hartford, CT, East Greenwich, RI and Warren, NJ. Visit https://www.roosevelt-cross.com/ to learn more. Follow us on LinkedIn. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210519005542/en/

[ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ]
[May 19, 2021] Ryan Named One of the Best Workplaces for Inclusion in Canada for Fourth Consecutive Year

Ryan, a leading global tax services and software provider, has been named to the list of Best Workplaces for Inclusion in Canada by Great Place to Work for the fourth consecutive year. The Firm has eight offices throughout Canada located in Alberta, British Columbia, Ontario, Quebec, and Saskatchewan. "It is such an honor to be named to this prestigious list for four consecutive years," said Ryan President of Canadian Operations Garry Round. "Our focus at Ryan has always been on creating a work environment that makes all of our team members feel included and accepted. This recognition shows that when everybody has a voice, it leads to a culture of diversity and inclusivity, which benefits everyone, especially our clients. I am tremendously proud of our team in Canada for their commitment to making Ryan a great workplace for all." The Best Workplaces for Inclusion in Canada list is based o direct feedback from the employees of the hundreds of organizations surveyed by Great Place to Work. The data has a 90% confidence rating and a plus or minus 5% margin of error.



To be eligible for this list, organizations must be Great Place to Work-Certified in the past year, and at least 90% of employees must agree they are treated fairly, regardless of personal characteristics such as gender, ethnicity, age, or sexual orientation. Companies who received the top employee responses to inclusion-related Trust Index statements were named to this year's list. The full list of Best Workplaces for Inclusion in Canada can be found here.

About Great Place to Work Great Place to Work is the global authority on high-trust, high-performance workplace cultures. Through proprietary assessment tools, advisory services, and certification programs, Great Place to Work recognizes the world's Best Workplaces in a series of national lists, including those published by The Globe & Mail (Canada) and FORTUNE magazine (USA). Great Place to Work provides the benchmarks, framework, and expertise needed to create, sustain, and recognize outstanding workplace cultures. About Ryan Ryan, an award-winning global tax services and software provider, is the largest Firm in the world dedicated exclusively to business taxes. With global headquarters in Dallas, Texas, the Firm provides an integrated suite of federal, state, local, and international tax services on a multijurisdictional basis, including tax recovery, consulting, advocacy, compliance, and technology services. Ryan is a nine-time recipient of the International Service Excellence Award from the Customer Service Institute of America (CSIA) for its commitment to world-class client service. Empowered by the dynamic myRyan work environment, which is widely recognized as the most innovative in the tax services industry, Ryan's multidisciplinary team of more than 3,000 professionals and associates serves over 18,000 clients in more than 60 countries, including many of the world's most prominent Global 5000 companies. More information about Ryan can be found at ryan.com. "Ryan" and "Firm" refer to the global organizational network and may refer to one or more of the member firms of Ryan International, each of which is a separate legal entity. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210519005090/en/

[ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ]
[May 19, 2021] Semiconductor Market In East Asia- GigaDevice Semiconductor Inc., MediaTek Inc., Qualcomm Inc., among others to contribute to the market growth

NEW YORK, May 19, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- The semiconductor market in East Asia is poised to grow by USD 84.41 billion during 2021-2025, progressing at a CAGR of 6% during the forecast period. View our exclusive report on market scenarios, estimates, the impact of lockdown, and customer behaviour. Download FREE Sample Report! The report on the semiconductor market in East Asia provides a holistic update, market size and forecast, trends, growth drivers, and challenges, as well as vendor analysis. The report offers an up-to-date analysis regarding the current global market scenario and the overall market environment. The market is driven by the growth of the consumer electronics market, the growth of the LED segment in South Korea (Republic of Korea), and sustainable growth in the global semiconductor industry. The semiconductor market in East Asia analysis includes End-user and Geography landscape segments. This study identifies the increase in the number of chip fabrication (fabs) worldwide, developments in sensor technologies and communication devices, and rapid technological advances are the prime reasons driving the semiconductor market growth in East Asia during the next few years. This report presents a detailed picture of the market by the way of study, synthesis, and summation of data from multiple sources by an analysis of key parameters. The semiconductor market in East Asia covers the following areas: Semiconductor Market In East Asia Sizing

Semiconductor Market In East Asia Forecast

Semiconductor Market In East Asia Analysis Companies Mentioned GigaDevice Semiconductor Inc.

MediaTek Inc.

Qualcomm Inc.

Renesas Electronics Corp.

Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd.

Sharp Corp.

SK HYNIX Inc.

Sony Corp.

STMicroelectronics NV

TDK Corp. Related Reports on Information Technology Include: Discrete Semiconductors Market by Application and Geography - Forecast and Analysis 2021-2025: The discrete semiconductors market size has the potential to grow by USD 4.04 billion during 2021-2025, according to Technavio. Download PDF Sample



Semiconductor Market by Product and Geography - Forecast and Analysis 2020-2024: The semiconductor market size is expected to grow by USD 90.80 bn and record a CAGR of 4% during 2020-2024, according to Technavio. Download PDF Sample Key Topics Covered:

Executive Summary Market Landscape Market ecosystem

Value chain analysis Market Sizing Market definition

Market segment analysis

Market size 2020

Market outlook: Forecast for 2020 - 2025 Five Forces Analysis Five forces summary

Bargaining power of buyers

Bargaining power of suppliers

Threat of new entrants

Threat of substitutes

Threat of rivalry

Market condition Market Segmentation by End-user Market segments

Comparison by End-user

Memory - Market size and forecast 2020-2025

Foundry - Market size and forecast 2020-2025

IDM - Market size and forecast 2020-2025

Market opportunity by End-user Customer landscape Overview Geographic Landscape Geographic segmentation

Geographic comparison

China - Market size and forecast 2020-2025

- Market size and forecast 2020-2025 Taiwan - Market size and forecast 2020-2025

- Market size and forecast 2020-2025 Japan - Market size and forecast 2020-2025

- Market size and forecast 2020-2025 South Korea (Republic of Korea) - Market size and forecast 2020-2025

(Republic of Korea) - Market size and forecast 2020-2025 Rest of East Asia - Market size and forecast 2020-2025

- Market size and forecast 2020-2025 Key leading countries

Market opportunity by geography

Market drivers

Market challenges

Market trends Vendor Landscape Overview

Landscape disruption Vendor Analysis Vendors covered

Market positioning of vendors

GigaDevice Semiconductor Inc.

MediaTek Inc.

Qualcomm Inc.

Renesas Electronics Corp.

Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd.

Sharp Corp.

SK HYNIX Inc.

Sony Corp.

STMicroelectronics NV

TDK Corp. Appendix Scope of the report

Currency conversion rates for US$

Research methodology

List of abbreviations Technavio suggests three forecast scenarios (optimistic, probable, and pessimistic) considering the impact of COVID-19. Technavio's in-depth research has direct and indirect COVID-19 impacted market research reports.

Register for a free trial today and gain instant access to 17,000+ market research reports.

Technavio's SUBSCRIPTION platform About Us

Technavio is a leading global technology research and advisory company. Their research and analysis focuses on emerging market trends and provides actionable insights to help businesses identify market opportunities and develop effective strategies to optimize their market positions. With over 500 specialized analysts, Technavio's report library consists of more than 17,000 reports and counting, covering 800 technologies, spanning across 50 countries. Their client base consists of enterprises of all sizes, including more than 100 Fortune 500 companies. This growing client base relies on Technavio's comprehensive coverage, extensive research, and actionable market insights to identify opportunities in existing and potential markets and assess their competitive positions within changing market scenarios. Contact

Technavio Research

Jesse Maida

Media & Marketing Executive

US: +1 844 364 1100

UK: +44 203 893 3200

Email: media@technavio.com

Website: www.technavio.com/

Report: https://www.technavio.com/report/semiconductor-market-in-east-asia-industry-analysis View original content to download multimedia:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/semiconductor-market-in-east-asia--gigadevice-semiconductor-inc-mediatek-inc-qualcomm-inc-among-others-to-contribute-to-the-market-growth-301295019.html SOURCE Technavio

[ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ]
[May 19, 2021] Senti Bio Announces Key Leadership Appointments

- Deborah Knobelman, PhD, appointed Chief Financial Officer - - Curt Herberts, MBS, promoted to Chief Operating Officer and Philip Lee, PhD, promoted to Chief Technology Officer - SOUTH SAN FRANCISCO, Calif., May 19, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Senti Bio, a leading gene circuit company, today announced three executive leadership appointments. Effective yesterday, Deborah Knobelman, PhD, was appointed Chief Financial Officer. Effective January 1, 2021, Curt Herberts, MBS, was promoted to Chief Operating Officer, and Philip Lee, PhD, was promoted to Chief Technology Officer. Deb is a proven life science executive with broad financial experience spanning senior leadership roles in biopharma companies, Wall Street and, over the past decade as an interim CFO for early-stage biopharma companies. It is a genuine pleasure to welcome Deb to the Senti Bio team as we pursue a new generation of smarter medicines through gene circuit-enabled cell and gene therapies, said Tim Lu, MD, PhD, Chief Executive Officer of Senti Bio. Dr. Knobelman brings over 20 years of experience on Wall Street and in the biopharma industry. Most recently, Dr. Knobelman served in interim C-Suite roles for numerous life sciences companies and, prior to that, as CFO for GeneriCo Pharmaceuticals and CBO for Ampio Pharmaceuticals. In these positions, she led a wide range of public and private financing efforts, corporate strategy and finance, and investor relations activities. Earlier in her career, within Pfizers Primary Care business, she focused on commercial strategies for Primary Care products, and was involved in operational planning and budgeting. Dr. Knobelman began her career on Wall Street as an Equity Research Analyst covering Specialty Pharmaceuticals and Biotech for JPMorgan and Piper Jaffray, where she was named to Institutional Investors list of Next Generation Analysts. She earned a PhD in Pharmacology from the University of Pennsylvania, and an AB with Distinction in Chemistry from Duke University. I am thrilled to join the Senti Bio team, said Dr. Knobelman. The caliber of leadership within the organization is only matched by the Companys cutting-edge science. I believe that Senti Bios approach to programming gene circuits is broadly applicable toward engineering optimal efficacy, precision and control into many cell or gene based therapiesI look forward to contributing to the pursuit of gene circuit platform technologies that may enhance the risk benefit paradigm of cell and gene therapy products. As Chief Operating Officer, Mr. Herberts will be broadly responsible for leading the overall business operations of the Company including, but not limited to, corporate strategy, business development, people operations, legal/IP and facilities operations. Since joining theCompany in 2018 and prior to becoming COO, Mr. Herberts held the key leadership positions of Chief Financial Officer and Chief Business Officer. At Senti Bio, he has overseen a successful Series B financing ($105 million), the execution of a gene therapy AAV deal with Spark Therapeutics (a member of the Roche Group), and has been deeply involved in building critical systems and culture to support a thriving company. Prior to Senti Bio, Mr. Herberts was SVP and Chief Business Officer of Sangamo Therapeutics, where he led business development, new product planning, legal, intellectual property and alliance management. During his tenure at Sangamo, Mr. Herberts spearheaded several collaborations, including a blood disorder-focused partnership with Biogen, two AAV gene therapy-focused partnerships with Pfizer, and an allogeneic genome editing immuno-oncology-focused partnership with Kite (a Gilead Company). Prior to Sangamo Therapeutics, Mr. Herberts served in various positions at Campbell Alliance Group (acquired by inVentiv Health), a management consulting firm specializing in the biopharmaceutical industry. He earned a BA in Human Biology from Stanford University and a Master of Business and Science (MBS) from the Keck Graduate Institute of Applied Life Sciences.



Curt is a strategic, results-driven and effective leader with experience building and leading high-performing biopharma organizations. We believe Curts successful track record in executive and operational roles will be invaluable to leading the organization through its next stage of growth and positioning us for clinical and commercial success. As we advance our proprietary portfolio of allogeneic CAR-NK cell product candidates toward the clinic, and strive to maximize the potential of our gene circuit platform technologies through strategic collaborations, I am confident that Curts leadership will result in continued progress towards our goal of becoming an industry leader in the emerging synthetic biology and cell and gene therapy landscape, commented Dr. Lu. As Chief Technology Officer, Dr. Lee will be responsible for technical operations including process and analytical development, quality assurance/quality control and GMP manufacturing. Since co-founding Senti Bio in 2016, Dr. Lee has held several key leadership positions including Chief Operating Officer, President and member of the board of directors. Prior to Senti Bio, Dr. Lee held various positions at MilliporeSigma, a division of Merck KGaA, including as the Head of Cell Culture Systems, Senior Manager of Science & Technology, and New Business Initiatives Lead. Dr. Lee co-founded CellASIC (acquired by Merck KGaA) and served as its Chief Executive Officer. Dr. Lee earned his PhD in Bioengineering from the University of California, Berkeley and the University of California, San Francisco. He earned BS degrees in Chemical Engineering and Biology from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

Dr. Lu added, Philip has an extensive background in cell engineering that has enabled him to build out advanced technology platformsincluding cell processing and synthetic biology. This year, we plan to expand our gene circuit technology platform and to begin expanding our manufacturing capabilities related to allogeneic CAR-NK cell product candidates. Philips ability to merge complex disciplines combined with his success building technical operationsespecially in cellular systemswill be instrumental as we strive to make our cell therapies broadly accessible in an off-the-shelf manner to cancer patients. About Senti Bio

Our mission is to create a new generation of smarter medicines that outmaneuver complex diseases in ways previously inconceivable. To accomplish this mission, we are building a synthetic biology platform that could enable us to program next-generation cell and gene therapies with what we refer to as gene circuits. These gene circuits, which are created from novel and proprietary combinations of DNA sequences, are intended to reprogram cells with biological logic to sense inputs, compute decisions and respond to their cellular environments. We are designing gene circuits to improve the intelligence of cell and gene therapies in order to enhance their therapeutic effectiveness against a broad range of diseases that conventional medicines do not readily address. For more information, please visit the Senti Bio website at https://www.sentibio.com .

Contact Senti Bio: Curt Herberts, Chief Operating Officer Email: corporate@sentibio.com Denise Powell (Media) Email: denise@redhousecomms.com Find more information at sentibio.com Follow us on Linkedin: Senti Biosciences Follow us on Twitter: @SentiBio

[ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ]
[May 19, 2021] Sizer Technologies partners with Wacoal to launch the first of its kind bra-fitting app

HERZELIA PITUACH, Israel, May 19, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Sizer Technologies, global leader in contactless digital body measuring solutions is partnering with Wacoal, the leading North America intimate apparel brand, with the launch of their industry-first solution, the mybraFit app. The first of its kind, Wacoal's mybraFit is AI-powered with Sizer's patented measurement technology, which determines breast measurements with extreme accuracy. Those measurements are then integrated into Wacoal's sizing algorithm to deliver a bra size recommendation. Simply using the front-end camera of any smartphone or tablet, the app is extremely easy to use, with a quick measuring process completed within just two minutes. During the measuring process, the user is guided to perform a few simple poses as they interact with the application, during which time a series of images are taken from different angles that help determine exact body measurements. With safety and security having been prioritized at every level of development, this application does not save or store the user's images following the measurement process. "Collaborating with Wacoal is an extremely exciting opportunity for us," said Adam Kaplan, CEO at Sizer. "We've had the pleasure of working with the amazing teams at Wacoal to customize and deliver this industry-first, simple and highly accurate sizing solution to solve a massive customer friction of incorrect fit. Through this digital transformation, we will help bring Wacoal's renowned in-store fitting expertise to an online experience, ensuring their customers wil always get their perfect fitting bra, whilst shopping from the comfort of their own home."



"The intimate apparel industry relies on antiquated sizing practices that have not changed in decades. This, and the increasing shift to consumers shopping online, prompted us to find a solution to simplify the entire process. Following an intense market study, we chose to collaborate with Sizer as our digital measuring partner due to their unmatched body measurement accuracy and convenient, user-friendly solution," says Miryha Fantegrossi, Vice President of Merchandising and Design at Wacoal America. "The mybraFit app is a transformative solution, and by combining our vast knowledge of fit and style expertise with Sizer's know-how, we've created a personalized, time-efficient, and foolproof sizing tool for everyone." "We have seen digital adoption soar during the pandemic, with many companies accelerating the shift to digital in design, product development, and AI-powered body measurement solutions," concludes Adam Kaplan. "Leading fashion players are recognizing the need to embrace and invest in next-generation fitting tools, like Sizer, to support the acceleration of their online penetration and meet shoppers demand for ever-more sophisticated digital interactions, that they can trust, whilst shopping at home."

The mybraFit app, is available to download on the AppStore, Playstore and on Wacoal-America.com/find-your-fit beginning May 18, 2021. ABOUT SIZER TECHNOLOGIES Sizer offers powerful, convenient, and friendly body measurements solutions, empowering our partners, to leverage valuable sizing-data, improving their offering and service. The patented Sizer body measuring solution captures user's body measurements and translates them into highly accurate size recommendations. Companies around the globe trust Sizer to help them solve the customer friction of incorrect fit. With Sizer, customers experience improvements in their daily operations and massive savings in time, costs and returns. Sizer is a private company headquartered in Israel. For more information contact Nicole Levitt, VP Marketing, nicolel@sizer.me; visit www.sizer.me or follow us on LinkedIn. ABOUT WACOAL Established in 1985, Wacoal is the leading lingerie brand that women trust for fit, quality, and comfort. Wacoal pioneered the art of bra fitting, and today, their Fit Experts help women find the sizes that make them look and feel their best. Never satisfied with the status quo, their designers keep a finger on the pulse of the fashion industry. They are always looking for new and better ways to deliver bras that meet the expectations of modern women for comfort, quality, and performance. For further information: FACTORY PR | wacoal@factorypr.com |

[ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ]
[May 19, 2021] Subir Chowdhury receives IISE Honorary Member Award

LOS ANGELES, May 19, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- The Institute of Industrial and Systems Engineers (IISE) is honoring Subir Chowdhury for his lifetime contribution to quality engineering and management with 2021 IISE Honorary Member Award. The IISE Honorary Member Award is the highest honor IISE can grant an individual of acknowledged professional eminence. In IISE's 73 year history, Chowdhury is the 30th recipient of the Honorary Member Award. Past recipients include W. Edwards Deming, Lee Iacocca, W. J. Bentley and Herbert C. Hoover. Subir Chowdhury is chairman and CEO of ASI Consulting Group, a global leader on strategic initiatives, quality management and engineering consulting, and training. He has been helping his clients in many industries to transform their organizations by embracing quality and develop processes that increased profitability by saving billions of dollars and increase market share. Chowdhury is one of the Most Influential Management Thinkers in the World by Thinkers 50 of London, UK, dubbed as Oscars of Management. His alma mater, Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Kharagpur established the Subir Chowdhury School of Quality and Reliability, the first of its kind in the world to promote the education and research on quality. He is the author of fifteen books, including several international bestsellers such as The Power of Six Sigma, The Ice Cream Maker, and The Difference. He is Honorary Member or Fellow of 10 global prestigious professional societies and received many awards including 'Outstanding American by Choice Award' by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and Society of Manufacturing Engineers' Gold Medal. Most recently he received honorary doctorate from Central Michigan University and his commencement address reached more than 1 million you tube views.



"IISE is pleased to award the distinction of Honorary Member to Subir Chowdhury," said Don Greene, IISE CEO and Fellow. "He joins an impressive list of individuals who have received this award since 1960, including Lillian M. Gilbreth who is an early pioneer of the industrial engineering profession. As bestowed by the award, IISE welcomes Subir as an 'executive affiliate with life membership'." "I am humbled and honored to be elected to the IISE Honorary Member list," said Chowdhury. "I thank my family, clients, colleagues and mentors for their continued support and inspiration."

A formal presentation of the award is planned to take place on Monday, May 24, 2021 at the IISE's virtual Annual Conference & Expo. About IISE The Institute of Industrial and Systems Engineers (IISE) is the world's largest professional society dedicated solely to the support of the industrial engineering profession and individuals involved with improving quality and productivity. Founded in 1948, IISE is an international, nonprofit association. Media Contact:

Jodi Caldwell, Director, ASI, (1) 248-530-1395

2485301395 Photo(s):

https://www.prlog.org/12870240 Press release distributed by PRLog View original content:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/subir-chowdhury-receives-iise-honorary-member-award-301295090.html SOURCE ASI Consulting Group

[ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ]
[May 19, 2021] Tarrant Area Food Bank Partners With HelloFresh to Donate More Than 250,000 Meals to Those Facing Food Insecurity

Tarrant Area Food Bank (TAFB), the primary distribution source of donated food for hunger-relief partner agencies and feeding programs in Tarrant County, Texas, has teamed up with HelloFresh, the world's leading meal kit company, to provide more than 250,000 meal kits to those facing food insecurity in Tarrant County and the 12 surrounding counties by the end of this year. The COVID-19 pandemic exacerbated food insecurity over the past year, with recent studies finding that there are nearly 550,000 people still battling food insecurity across the 13 counties served by TAFB.1 This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210519005085/en/ Tarrant Area Food Bank Partners with HelloFresh to Donate More Than 250,000 Meal Kits by the End of This Year (Photo: Business Wire) The meal kits were specially designed by HelloFresh through its Meals with Meaning program to provide food insecure residents with wholesome, fresh ingredients to make complete meals at home for their families. Each meal kit consists of a step-by-step recipe card and all the ingredients needed to make hearty meals like Chicken Sausage Pasta with Tomato Cream Sauce & Zucchini or Cheesy Chicken & Bean Taco Skillet. In addition to a meal kit, recipients will also receive a bag of fresh, sasonal fruit. Meal kits will be assembled every Wednesday at the Tarrant Area Food Bank's Distribution Center in Fort Worth by community volunteers and initially distributed at their weekly Mega Mobile Market, which takes place at Herman Clark Stadium in Fort Worth, Texas every Friday from 9:00 am CT to 12:00 pm CT. As an ongoing program, the meal kits will be distributed through TAFB's vast network of partner agencies.



"Tarrant Area Food Bank is so appreciative of our partnership with HelloFresh to give nutritious home meal kits to those families and friends who attend our Mega Mobile events," said Julie Butner, President & CEO of Tarrant Area Food Bank. "We are always looking for ways to encourage our food insecure families to learn how to cook fresh vegetables and incorporate them into their daily meals, which is exactly what Meals with Meaning does as well." HelloFresh, which operates distribution and fulfillment facilities in Grand Prairie and Irving, is the leader in delivering delicious ingredients and easy-to-follow recipes to households worldwide. Through its ongoing Beyond the Box (News - Alert) social impact program, HelloFresh regularly donates fresh, unsold ingredients to TAFB, reducing food waste while providing nutritious food to those who need it most. With the introduction of Meals with Meaning, HelloFresh is providing ingredients to make full meals and recipe inspiration for community members to incorporate fresh produce into their meals.

"At HelloFresh, our mission is to ensure that fresh, delicious food is easily accessible, especially for our neighbors and local community members who may be struggling with food insecurity," said Uwe Voss, CEO of HelloFresh US. "The pandemic has had a significant impact on food insecurity and we are proud to expand our long-standing relationship with the Tarrant Area Food Bank to provide Meals with Meaning meal kits to residents in need." To learn more about the partnership and ways to volunteer, please visit www.tafb.org. To learn more about HelloFresh's social impact initiatives through its Beyond the Box program, visit: https://www.hellofresh.com/pages/beyond-the-box. About Tarrant Area Food Bank TARRANT AREA FOOD BANK (TAFB): Empowering our communities to alleviate hunger by providing food, education, and resources. Through a network of 350 partner agencies, TAFB is able to provide access to over 1M weekly nutritious meals to children and adults facing hunger. This work resulted in access to 60 million nutritious meals in fiscal year 2020. Learn more at tafb.org. About HelloFresh HelloFresh SE is the world's leading meal-kit company and operates in the U.S., the United Kingdom, Germany, the Netherlands, Belgium, Luxembourg, Australia, Austria, Switzerland, Canada, New Zealand, Sweden, France and Denmark. In Q1 2021, HelloFresh delivered 239 million meals and reached close to 7.3 million active customers. HelloFresh was founded in Berlin in November 2011 and went public on the Frankfurt Stock Exchange in November 2017. HelloFresh has offices in New York, Berlin, London, Amsterdam, Sydney, Toronto, Auckland, Paris and Copenhagen. 1tps://www.feedingamerica.org/sites/default/files/2021-03/Local%20Projections%20Brief_3.31.2021.pdf View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210519005085/en/

[ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ]
Source: Xinhua| 2021-05-19 22:28:44|Editor: huaxia

Video Player Close

MOSCOW, May 19 (Xinhua) -- The Russian State Duma, or the lower house of parliament, unanimously approved a bill on Wednesday on the country's withdrawal from the arms-control Treaty on Open Skies.

State Duma Chairman Vyacheslav Volodin said that while the United States has pulled out of this key pact, the North Atlantic Treaty Organization members are still able to conduct reconnaissance flights under the treaty and pass data to Washington.

"The United States has exited the treaty, so how can they expect to continue to monitor Russia? We must exit ... and continue to build relations on an equal basis, not within the framework of double standards, as is currently the case," he said.

Volodin called the day historic and important for Russia's security.

The multilateral Treaty on Open Skies, which became effective in 2002, allows its states-parties to conduct short-notice, unarmed reconnaissance flights over the others' entire territories to collect data on military forces and activities.

After the U.S. withdrawal in November 2020, the Russian Foreign Ministry announced in January that the country had started domestic legal procedures for the official pullout from the treaty. Enditem
[May 19, 2021] Thailand Activates the BCG Model for a Sustainable Recovery from COVID-19

BANGKOK, May 19, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Thailand has opted for the Bio-Circular-Green Economy Model (BCG) that aims to use natural assets more efficiently with as least impact on the environment as possible. BCG applies a whole of society approachwhere the government, private sector, academia, and society, collectively implement this principle, eventually putting Thailand on track to building back a healthier, greener and more inclusive economy as the pandemic subsides. BCG Roadmap Efforts to promote BCG at the policy level have been underway since last October with the establishment of two BCG committees. These are the BCG Policy Board of Directors, chaired by the Prime Minister; and the BCG Model Implementation Committee, chaired by the Minister of Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation, and tasked with designing action plans to implement the BCG model. BCG was subsequently adopted as part of Thailand's national agenda since January this year. Thailand's four strategic areas for the BCG model are based on her economic foundation and strengths namely, (1) food and agriculture; (2) medical and wellness; (3) energy, material, and biochemicals; and (4) tourism and creative economy. Focusing on the said areas, Thailand hopes to achieve comprehensive security in key areas of food, health, energy, employment and sustainable natural resources and environment. Kitipong Promwong, President of the Office of National Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation Policy Council, elaborated that each area of the BCG model is like a pyramid that resembles the supply chain in that sector. Production employing basic know-how that involves the largest group of producers forms the base of the pyramid while the higher levels of the pyramid require more sophisticated technology that less manufacturers have the capacity. The goal is to enable the base to move up the pyramid by adding value to their products. For example, in the medical and wellness sector, the base of the pyramid is traditional knowledge of herbs while the top of the supply chain is cutting-edge medicine that is a result of research and technology. Upgrading the four areas of BCG will benefit around 17 million people working in tese sectors.



BCG seeks to capitalize on Thailand's biodiversity throughout the supply chain, by strengthening the capacity of local communities and optimizing the use of new technologies. At the same time, higher up the supply chain, science agencies are transforming the manufacturing and services sectors through modern scientific methods and technology, as well as home-grown innovation. The vision is to simultaneously drive forward the bio-, circular-, and green economy. In short, Thailand plans to be innovative and go greener for better gains. While these concepts have been present in Thailand for some time, it is their combined implementation in a synergised manner that is novel. Thailand has been advocating several development concepts and models, which actually have interconnected ideas to strike a balance between the conservation of natural resources and value creation. BCG is the latest model that was sketched out from analyses of our current situation and our preferred destination in this journey of development.

Boosting the Basics BCG builds on the principles of His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej The Great's Sufficiency Economy Philosophy (SEP), whose notion of moderation is particularly relevant. Economic development should begin with producing from existing resources and strengthening local foundations towards creating a balanced, stable growth, and a self-sufficient economy. Agriculture is a fundamental component in Thailand's BCG model, particularly bioeconomy. The OECD defines bioeconomy as "the economic activities relating to the invention, development, production and use of biological products and processes." Modern biotechnology will be applied to boost agricultural and industrial productivity, while reducing the negative impact on public health. Thailand plans to achieve this by supporting innovative agricultural products and methods to enhance productivity. Professor Dr. Iris Lewandowski unveiled in her book on "Shaping the Transition to a Sustainable Biobased Economy" that agriculture is a subset of a bioeconomy, which in turn is a subset of a green economy that is "low carbon, resource efficient and socially inclusive," as defined by the UNEP. The link to sustaining a green economy and maintaining a feedback loop, or input, into the foundation bioeconomy, is to keep products circulating in use for as long as possible. This is why a circular economy is the crucial link between a bioeconomy and a green economy. It focuses on the principles of designing out waste and pollution, keeping products and materials in use, and regenerating natural systems. Put together, the BCG model would improve the manufacturing and use of products, while creating value at all levels of the production and consumption process, where everything can be used, and nothing goes to waste. A concrete example is the Thai Eastern Industrial Zone in Chonburi, set up in October 2020, the first bio-industrial zone that can generate an annual economic value of over USD 3.2 billion. Part of the Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC), it has been helping farmers develop quality products to feed the bio industry, and creating stable incomes and jobs for 8,000 locals over three years. The EEC supports industries that correspond with BCG, such as food for the future, medicine, and agriculture and biotechnology. BCG investments in the EEC will enjoy revised regulations to their favour. For instance, with regard to circular economy, regulations have been revised so that industrial waste can be transported directly to processing plants across provinces, thereby minimizing the environmental risk on localities. Towards Balanced and Sustainable Development Don Pramudwinai, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Thailand opined that BCG is a comprehensive approach towards sustainable development that does not leave our environment behind. The paradigm aims to maintain balance between man and nature to avoid any disruption that may befall in the form of natural disasters or pandemics like COVID-19. By promoting balanced development that does not exceed environmental capacity, the BCG model can reduce risks of infectious diseases from humans, plants and animals, as well as climate change. It hopes to reduce the consumption of natural resources by two-thirds, and to reduce pollution and environmental impact from development. Thailand has expressed its commitment to these causes on numerous occasions. For example, during Thailand's Chairmanship of ASEAN in 2019, ASEAN Leaders adopted the Bangkok Declaration on Combating Marine Debris to promote the sustainable use of the marine environment. This aligns with Thailand's policy to reduce and recycle more plastic. In addition, Thailand is committed to reduce food waste from 30 per cent down to 10 per cent by 2030. Thailand also intends to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions by 20  25 per cent by 2030 to become a low carbon society. Thailand recognises the benefits of the BCG model on the global economy, and will encourage international partners to exchange technological and scientific resources to activate the BCG model for post COVID-19 recovery. Thailand advocates joint efforts to ensure that the world's natural assets continue to yield resources and environmental services for future generations. This will certainly be included in the agendas when Thailand chairs BIMSTEC in 2021 - 2022 and assumes the role of APEC Host Economy next year. SOURCE Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Thailand

[ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ]
[May 19, 2021] Verve Industrial Expands Leadership Team to Accelerate Growth in Key Markets

CHICAGO, May 19, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Verve Industrial, a leader in operational technology and industrial control systems (OT/ICS) cyber security technology and consulting solutions, today announced the appointment of two cyber security industry veterans to its leadership team.

Robert Held, Vice President of Sales Engineering and Customer Success, will direct pre- and post-sales activities, ensuring customers benefit from the full suite of Verve Industrials cyber security offerings. Adnan Alawneh, General Manager, will oversee business development and technology partnership activities in the Middle East, North Africa, and Turkey to help the company further expand into key international markets. The original inventor/author of Tripwires Whitelist Profiler, Held launched the companys energy practice, supporting a major initiative in migrating clients and prospects to NERC CIP V3 and V5. With more than 25 years of cyber security expertise, Held joins Verve Industrial from ServiceNow where he advised strategic customer accounts on security incident response, threat intelligence, vulnerability remediation, and integrated risk management efforts. Alawneh comes to Verve Industrial with 20 years of industry experience from Forescout, StarLink, and GE where he was responsible for strategic growth, including direct and channel sales engagements, across all companies. An OT/ICS cyber security strategist, he has expertise in several critical infrastructure sectors, including oil & gas, power, and telecommunications. We are thrilled to welcome two experienced cyber security leaders to our team on the heels of an extremely successful 2020 campaign, said John Livingston, CEO of Verve Indutrial. Despite the challenges and uncertainties of the global pandemic, year-over-year, Verve Industrial doubled sales, increased new customers fivefold, grew our team twofold, and extended our global footprint by acquiring new clients across several industries and in multiple geographies. With Robert and Adnan on board, we look forward to continuing this period of strong momentum throughout 2021 and beyond.



More than 1,500 organizations on six continents across all OEM vendor environments trust Verve Industrial for critical infrastructure protection. Purpose-built to improve and simplify the reliability and security of industrial environments, the Verve Security Center is the only endpoint security platform that provides visibility and the ability to take action to remediate risks in OT/ICS environments. Enjoying a 98+% retention rate, Verve Industrial has helped its clients remediate tens of thousands of vulnerabilities and configuration errors to at least double their cyber security maturity. About Verve Industrial

Verve Industrial Protection has ensured reliable and secure industrial control systems for over 25 years. Its principal offering, the Verve Security Center, is a unique, vendor-agnostic OT endpoint management platform that provides IT-OT asset inventory, vulnerability management, and the ability to remediate threats and vulnerabilities from its orchestration platform. Verve Industrials Design-4-Defense professional services support clients in ensuring their OT environments are designed and operated in a secure manner. To learn more about Verve Industrial, please visit us at www.verveindustrial.com.

All product and company names herein may be trademarks of their respective owners. Contact:

Doug De Orchis

CHEN PR for Verve Industrial

ddeorchis@chenpr.com

781.672.3147 Photos accompanying this announcement are available at: https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/2a89b60c-70c9-4686-a7c6-34886dbfa357 https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/821bd085-4ea8-4c3f-8bc0-39b12acbbaf5





[ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ]
[May 18, 2021]

AI Robotics Startup Mech-Mind Completes Series C Funding Led by Tech Giant Meituan

BEIJING, May 19, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Fast-growing Chinese AI industrial robotics startup, Mech-Mind Robotics ("Mech-Mind") has recently completed Series C funding led by tech giant Meituan. This latest investment brings Mech-Mind's total funding to over USD100 million, making Mech-Mind one of the world's most funded AI+ industrial robotics startups.

The recent investment was led by Chinese tech giant Meituan, with participation from existing investors including Sequoia Capital China and Source Code Capital.

Focused on Robotics-Infrastructure in the AI era, Mech-Mind develops a full suite of products and solutions integrating 3D camera, 3D vision and deep learning algorithms, and motion planning technology. Moving forward, Mech-Mind will leverage extensive technical strength to modernize manufacturing by breathing new life into industrial robotics.

In addition, Mech-Mind also provides comprehensive service including staff training, deployment planning, marketing support, and collaboration on challenging projects.

Tianlan Shao, Mech-Mind Robotics CEO and Founder,says, "Our products are designed to fundamentally reframe the manufacturing pain points by utilizing the practice of AI and human-robotics ineraction. Our products and service already create visible business returns for nearly 1000 clients worldwide".







"Mech-Mind has developed a full infrastructure and product portfolio including 3D cameras, machine vision algorithms and software, and an intelligent robot programming environment," says Shao.

"Our products have been widely deployed, enabling us to acquire profound experience from real-life applications. Moving forward, Mech-Mind will focus on empowering robotics solutions providers and integrators to create more solutions and applications."

According to the International Federation of Robotics, the manufacturing industry remains the largest adopter of industrial robotics globally, with significant investments to adopt modern methods.

Recently, Mech-Mind launched the new generation of Mech-Eye Laser Industrial 3D Camera, which utilizes fast structured light to present high-quality 3D imaging for typical industrial applications under demanding light.

Mech-Eye Laser is suitable for factory or processing facilities with competitive price. This camera offers high level of precision, wide field of view, and easy-to-use programming setting.

With a global team of over 350 employees based in Beijing, Shanghai, Shenzhen, Changsha, Qingdao, Munich, and Tokyo, Mech-Mind is committed to help clients pioneer the next frontier of manufacturing and democratize access for AI-defined robotics to small-, mid- and large-sized businesses alike.

For more information, please visit https://en.mech-mind.net/.

About Mech-Mind Robotics

Mech-Mind was founded in 2016 to put intelligence into industrial robots. Through advanced technologies including deep learning, 3D vision, and motion planning, Mech-Mind offers cost-effective solutions to palletizing and depalletizing, bin picking, order sorting, machine tending and assembly/gluing/locating in logistics and manufacturing.





Mech-Mind's intelligent industrial robot solutions are used in automotive OEM plants, appliance plants, steel plants, food plants, logistics warehouses, banks, and hospitals in countries such as China, Japan, South Korea, Germany, the U.S.

Media Contact:

info@mech-mind.net

SOURCE Mech-Mind Robotics
[May 18, 2021] Information on Gaining Local SEO Priority, Presented by Jon Zacharias

LOS ANGELES, May 18, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Co-Founder of digital marketing agency GR0, Jon Zacharias has released new strategic information for local businesses looking to acquire local Search Engine Optimization. This free blog posts includes clearly outlined suggestions with research-driven reasoning and presents a streamlined narrative for how a smaller business can make itself known within its own backyard. As Zacharias explains, local search is a large contributor in translating word-of-mouth to actual sales, and helps your brand expand. Local search is exactly what it sounds like; Google searches made in your local area. One of Google's main factors for surfacing search results to a user is that user's proximity, as most people aren't concerned about businesses in places where they aren't. As searches are made in an area Google tends to understand which ones are the most popular, by virtue of which are clicked on the most and receive the most traffic. This gives the algorithm quantifiable data about what you may be looking for, based simply on what you're searching for and where you're doing it. But how does this connect back to your business? Well, as reported by Social Media Today , 86% of consumers rely on the internet to find a local business, and 78% of local mobile searches result in an in-store purchase. More recently, The FinTech Times reported that during Covid-19, 96% of consumers are said to support their local businesses. Not only are smaller local businesses in demand, but users are frequently discovering them through local search and have high odds of making a purchase. Building SEO takes work, but is certainly not impossible, it just takes some research and a bit of persistence. Firstly you need a keyword plan, which is essentially what words you want Google to associate with you; like 'hardware store' or 'retro diner.' It's important to do research into these words using online SEO tools as there are likely others vying for the same Google correlations that yo are. You may not be able to simply get 'hardware store' but you could try for something more nuanced like 'family hardware store' that not only adds character to your business but also connects you with like-minded customers. Deciding on these words is only the beginning though, as you then have to work to build that association within the search algorithm by generating content and using backlinks on your site or others.



In his guide, Jon Zacharias recommends prioritizing content that is focused locally and is in tune with your business. His primary advice is to initiate a blog, writing posts that cover recent events in your local area, have news about your brand, or even contain special offers to those who visit. Incentivize readers to visit your blog with compelling content, attractive visuals, and unique offers that will drive time spent on your site, click through rates, and shares; all of which improve your rankings. Of course, you should also try to incorporate your chosen keywords into these posts wherever possible, but not to the point of confusing a reader as to why you have to say 'family hardware store' in every sentence you write. This next bit of advice may sound counterintuitive, but has found success for Zacharias in his work at digital marketing agency GR0 ; Jon suggests you write about other local businesses in your area. There is a fine line to ride on this one, as you're not trying to speak qualitatively about your competitors, and merely may want to reference their activities in relation to what you're doing. The intent is neither to build them up or to tear them down, but instead are close enough in proximity and category that they are relevant to what you do, but aren't explicitly your competitors. Your homey hardware store may not offer carpentry, but that isn't a reason to celebrate a milestone achieved by a local carpenter as he completes his 50th local area home. This is a great way to generate more content in your local area without coming off as 'SEO spam,' and instead pave the way toward organic SEO, which is far more valuable. In addition this is also a great avenue for networking, as it can potentially open the door for a collaboration, or even get them to post about your store's upcoming 10th anniversary.

Important to gaining SEO is also integrating keywords and valuable information onto the pages of your website, sometimes offering short, factual bits of information like an FAQ which Google will surface directly into its results. Beyond that, Zacharias also suggests that if your business has multiple locations in the area, or in different areas, that you create dedicated pages to each one, providing Google with a more specific destination to offer the searcher. This is also important to your business in that it keeps customers informed about where they can access you, which is crucial if you wish to expand your reach geographically. The final bit of advice included is simple, but may also be overlooked by those who aren't careful; make use of ' Google My Business .' Google can provide a lot of integrated information into search results that doesn't require a user to click on anything, and instead directly offers an embed of Google Maps with nearby locations, or other similar listings. Google My Business is a free tool that allows you to manage your own listing for how you appear, including that your address, phone number, operating hours, and website link are all up to date. This also gives you an avenue to respond to customer reviews, whether they're negative or positive. In fact, Zacharias actually suggests that this step is the most important of them all, as using this feature enables you to directly build credibility with the search engine, as it is obviously most trusting in any information Google has verified itself. Jon Zacharias has spent years working in digital marketing and advertising, and his latest venture GR0 is clear proof of that. He currently works with influencers across all sects to provide meaningful relationships between his clients and their potential audiences, and is constantly working to grow his portfolio. With over 50 employees, GR0 works to help brands improve their SEO rankings on Google and create quality online engagement between them and their customers. Media Contact

Emma Lombardi

GR0

press@gr0.com View original content to download multimedia:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/information-on-gaining-local-seo-priority-presented-by-jon-zacharias-301294440.html SOURCE GR0.com LLC

[ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ]
[May 18, 2021] ROSEN, A GLOBAL AND LEADING LAW FIRM, Encourages Braxia Scientific Corp. f/k/a Champignon Brands Inc. Investors to Secure Counsel Before Important June 9 Deadline in First Filed Securities Class Action Commenced by the Firm - SHRMF

WHY: Rosen Law Firm, a global investor rights law firm, reminds purchasers of the securities of Braxia Scientific Corp. f/k/a Champignon Brands Inc. ("Champignon") (OTC: SHRMF) between March 27, 2020 and February 17, 2021, inclusive (the "Class Period") of the important June 9, 2021 lead plaintiff deadline in the securities class action commenced by the firm. SO WHAT: If you purchased Champignon 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 Champignon class action, go to http://www.rosenlegal.com/cases-register-2057.html or call Phillip Kim, Esq. toll-free at 866-767-3653 or email pkim@rosenlegal.com or cases@rosenlegal.com 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 9, 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 RankedNo. 1 by ISS Securities Class Action Services for number of securities class action settlements in 2017. The firm has been ranked in the top 4 each year since 2013 and has recovered hundreds of millions of dollars for investors. In 2019 alone the firm secured over $438 million for investors. In 2020 founding partner Laurence Rosen was named by law360 as a Titan of Plaintiffs' Bar. Many of the firm's attorneys have been recognized by Lawdragon and Super Lawyers.



DETAILS OF THE CASE: According to the lawsuit, defendants throughout the Class Period made false and/or misleading statements and/or failed to disclose that: (1) Champignon had undisclosed material weaknesses and insufficient financial controls; (2) Champignon's previously issued financial statements were false and unreliable; (3) Champignon's earlier reported financial statements would need to be restated; (4) Champignon's acquisitions involved an undisclosed related party; (5) as a result of the foregoing and subsequent reporting delays and issues, the British Columbia Securities Commission would suspend Champignon's from trading; and (6) as a result, defendants' statements about Champignon's business, operations, and prospects, were materially false and misleading and/or lacked a reasonable basis at all relevant times. When the true details entered the market, the lawsuit claims that investors suffered damages. To join the Champignon class action, go to http://www.rosenlegal.com/cases-register-2057.html or call Phillip Kim, Esq. toll-free at 866-767-3653 or email pkim@rosenlegal.com or cases@rosenlegal.com 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 (News - Alert) : https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-rosen-law-firm, on Twitter (News - Alert) : https://twitter.com/rosen_firm or on Facebook (News - Alert) : https://www.facebook.com/rosenlawfirm/. Attorney Advertising. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210518006083/en/

[ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ]
[May 18, 2021] Institutional clients can now receive Tezos enterprise custody support on Cobo

SINGAPORE, May 19, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Cobo, one of the largest crypto asset management platforms based in China, is working with TZ APAC, a leading Asia-based public blockchain consultancy supporting the Tezos ecosystem, to help expand Cobo's integrated product offering to enterprises. Cobo previously launched support for Tezos  an open-source Proof-Of-Stake (PoS) blockchain  in January 2019, through its flagship software wallet, Cobo Wallet. Users of Cobo Wallet can send, receive and store tez in the PoS blockchain in a simple and secure manner. Cobo Custody, launched in 2018, is Asia's leading end-to-end custodian provider for institutions. It adopts an industry-leading hot, warm & cold 3-tier storage architecture to guarantee the security of their institutional clients' assets. It also enables corporate clients to seamlessly access over 50 coins and 1000 tokens with preferential fees on tier one major exchanges. The Tezos blockchain uses a consensus algorithm based on a Liquid Proof-of-Stake (LPoS) mechanism, with block validators called "bakers'', to secure the Tezos blockchain. The environmentally-friendly blockchain platform enables institutions to innovate and experiment with different technology strategies. Its unique design has attracted corporations, such as Ubisoft and EDF Group's Exaion, to participate on the network as corporate bakers.



China . "TZ APAC is dedicated and focused on cultivating the Tezos ecosystem in Asia, through collaborative approaches with partners such as Cobo. We are very pleased to have worked with Cobo, one of the largest custodians in Asia, in bringing increased accessibility of Tezos to the corporate market," stated David Shin, Head of Asia, TZ APAC.

"We are glad to cooperate with TZ APAC, expanding the Tezos ecosystem to all our clients, so that they can have access to Tezos easily and for free. Currently, our clients are all over the worldfrom exchanges, asset management teams, mining companies, token funds, family offices, and so on. In addition to China, we also have clients from Australia, Singapore, Europe, and other countries, and we are continuing to expand to overseas markets," stated Youai Cui, product owner of Cobo Custody. About Cobo Cobo is a leading producer of software and hardware blockchain products, it aims to be a one-stop-shop for everything crypto. As a company, it emphasizes long-term security, reliability, and convenience. Cobo's key products and services reflect that vision. Altogether, Cobo offers a one-stop crypto asset financial service platform (Cobo Wallet), tailored custodial solutions for institutional investors (Cobo Custody), and an offline hardware crypto wallet (Cobo Vault). For more info about Cobo, visit https://cobo.com/ . About Tezos Tezos is smart money, redefining what it means to hold and exchange value in a digitally connected world. A self-upgradable blockchain with a proven track record, Tezos seamlessly adopts tomorrow's innovations without network disruptions today. To learn more, visit Tezos.com About TZ APAC TZ APAC is a leading Asia-based public blockchain consultancy supporting the Tezos ecosystem. It designs value-added blockchain transformation strategies for enterprises and creators with a bottom-up approach, working closely with blockchain experts and other stakeholders in the Tezos ecosystem. TZ APAC is supported by the Tezos Foundation and headquartered in Singapore. SOURCE TZ APAC

[ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ]
[May 18, 2021] Accenture Interactive's Droga5 Expands Global Footprint with Opening of Office in Japan

Accenture (News - Alert) (NYSE: ACN) today announced the expansion of Droga5 - part of Accenture Interactive - with the opening of an office in Tokyo and plans to open offices in Brazil and China in the next 12 months. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210518005429/en/ Demand for transformative brand experiences drives the expansion of Droga5 - part of Accenture Interactive - which includes the opening of a new office in Japan with sights on new offices in Brazil and China in the next 12 months. (Photo: Business Wire) The expansion comes on the heels of Accenture Interactive's recognition as the world's largest digital agency network for the sixth consecutive year and Droga5 being named "Agency of the Decade" by leading advertising trade publications Ad Age and Adweek. Droga5 Tokyo will offer clients in Asia Pacific and around the globe access to the agency's expertise in creativity connected across the entire brand experience, coupled with the full capabilities of Accenture Interactive. "Droga5's expansion is an investment for our clients, in our people and in our belief in the potential of the new disruptive agency model we've pioneered," said Brian Whipple, group chief executive, Accenture Interactive. "Brands are built on a series of customer promises - ones that are brought to life through creativity, technology and overall by a holistic experience. Our expansion into Japan - and, later this year, into Brazil and China - gives us an even stronger platform in experience-led transformation globally." Droga5 Tokyo will be led by a fusion of award-winning local creative talent and long-serving Droga5 leaders who represent the best of the agency's creative culture. Masaya Asai will lead Droga5 Tokyo as its chief creative officer. Recognized by CampaignAsia as Japan/Korea Creative Person of the Year for 2020, Asai brings a unique bi-cultural perspective drawn from his roots in both Japan and the United States. Chris Burgess, who most recently served as Droga5's buiness lead for Chase and Allstate, two of its largest clients, will serve as general manager. Dan Ng, former brand strategy lead for some of Droga5's most award-winning work, including MailChimp and Facebook (News - Alert) , will serve as head of strategy.



"Japan has long been a source of inspiration for anyone creative. It's home to so many brands and visionaries known for their innovation, ingenuity, and integrity," said David Droga, founder and creative chairman of Droga5. "It's a natural place for us to open our next gen office. We are grateful and excited for this future." "Droga5 is expanding its global presence and global client base, and it's exciting that it's starting with Japan," said Masaya Asai, chief creative officer, Droga5 Tokyo. "The structure of our leadership team at Droga5 Tokyo allows us to be more locally and culturally fluent, so our work will have maximum impact. We're also entering the market standing on the shoulders of a robust and talented workforce at Accenture Interactive Japan that is already helping hundreds of clients grow their businesses by leveraging data, technology and innovation."

Droga5 has been part of Accenture Interactive since being acquired by Accenture in 2019. Together Droga5 and Accenture Interactive have created transformative brand experiences for many of the world's leading brands, including Accenture, Kimberly Clark (News - Alert) , Amazon, Facebook and lululemon. About Accenture

Accenture is a global professional services company with leading capabilities in digital, cloud and security. Combining unmatched experience and specialized skills across more than 40 industries, we offer Strategy and Consulting, Interactive, Technology and Operations services - all powered by the world's largest network of Advanced Technology and Intelligent Operations centers. Our 537,000 people deliver on the promise of technology and human ingenuity every day, serving clients in more than 120 countries. We embrace the power of change to create value and shared success for our clients, people, shareholders, partners and communities. Visit us at www.accenture.com. About Accenture Interactive

Accenture Interactive is reimagining business through experience. We drive sustainable growth by creating meaningful experiences that live at the intersection of purpose and innovation. By connecting deep human and business insights with the possibilities of technology, we design, build, communicate and run experiences that make lives easier, more productive and rewarding. Accenture Interactive is ranked the world's largest digital agency by Ad Age and has been named a Most Innovative Company by Fast Company. To learn more, follow us @AccentureACTIVE and visit www.accentureinteractive.com. About Droga5

Droga5, part of Accenture Interactive, is a creative agency with offices in London, New York and Tokyo. From integrated communications and experience innovation to business design, Droga5 exists to build and sustain the most influential brands of the 21st century through creativity. Droga5 was founded in 2006 and has been recognized as Agency of the Year more than 25 times and was named both Ad Age and Adweek's Agency of the Decade (2010-2019). Droga5 clients include Allstate, Amazon, Biofreeze, Chase, Essentia, The Hershey Company, IHOP, Kerrygold, Kimberly-Clark, lululemon, LVMH, Maserati, Mattress Firm and The New York Times, among others. Visit Droga5.com or @droga5 on all social platforms to get to know us better. This document makes descriptive reference to trademarks that may be owned by others. The use of such trademarks herein is not an assertion of ownership of such trademarks by Accenture and is not intended to represent or imply the existence of an association between Accenture and the lawful owners of such trademarks. Copyright  2021 Accenture. All rights reserved. Accenture, and its logo are trademarks of Accenture. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210518005429/en/

[ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ]
[May 18, 2021] ADDING MULTIMEDIA TechCORE Management Solutions Services, LLC Has Completed Acquisition of IT Consulting Firm

TechCORE Management Solutions Services, LLC, a professional services and staffing solutions delivery firm, has completed acquisition of IT consulting firm ArchiTECH Solutions, LLC. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210518005452/en/ Government and commercial businesses nationwide have a central source for back office professional services, staffing and now IT consulting to manage emerging challenges, delivering scalable, responsive solutions - vital for enterprises dealing with increasingly complex process, staffing, and operational disruptions. (Photo: Business Wire) The acquisition now provides IT and Professional Services clients a direct way to bridge the gap between People, Process and Technology, and gives: Synergized capabilities for more comprehensive solutions empowering streamlined procurement of core business process, personnel and IT optimized solutions delivered across enterprises by accomplished subject matter experts.

empowering streamlined procurement of core business process, personnel and IT optimized solutions delivered across enterprises by accomplished subject matter experts. Highly sought credentials supporting contracting services with a Service-Disabled Veteran Owned (SDVOSB), Woman Owned Small Business (WOSB), Economically Disadvantaged Women Owned Small Business (EDWOSB) firm, on a GSA (News - Alert) Master Award Schedule 70 IT Contract. Asked, "Why purchase ArchiTECH Solutions now?" Ms. Lewis replies, "This marks an important step in our commitment to generate productive long-term partnerships with our clients. Clients with back office professional servics, IT consulting, and staffing needs all face growing regulatory constraints, growth pressures, and technology disruptions. This acquisition strengthens our ability to help clients accelerate business transformation using dynamic, scalable technologies and deliver measurable business results. I have had a long, close relationship with ArchiTECH Solutions as a client and know them for their great people and ability to deliver innovative solutions against challenging standards."



This was confirmed by former ArchiTECH Solutions, LLC president, Richard Johnston, who says, "As a Professional Services provider to my firm, TechCORE MSS identified and supplied financial, analytic, staffing and operational expertise for many years critical to my firm's decision making and scaled growth. Their collaborative, responsive relationship with my firm allowed increased productivity and cost savings right from the start." About TechCORE Management Solutions Services, LLC

TechCORE Management Solutions Services, LLC (TechCORE MSS) leverages 25+ years' visionary management experience of its founder and CEO, Quanetta Lewis. The firm delivers organizational productivity services centered around information technology, management consulting, professional services, staff augmentation, and training. The firm's clients include Federal and State agencies, federal prime contractors, subcontractors, commercial and non-profit organizations. TechCORE MSS is a preferred business partner with Appian, Pegasystems (News - Alert) and Salesforce, with solutions that span Business Process Management (BPM) and Customer Relationship Management (CRM) solution delivery including Centers of Excellence (COE), Case Management, Mobile Development, Business Process Re-engineering, and Improvement (BPR and BPI). The firm delivers results for federal and commercial clients at all stages of their process improvement projects across diverse, scalable platforms and complex industry groups. ArchiTECH Solutions, LLC was founded in 2005. TechCORE Management Solutions Services, LLC was founded in 2017. To learn more, visit www.techcoremss.com. Related Links:

www.techcoremss.com

Office: (703) 337-4300

Fax: (540) 800-3FAX (3329)

Toll Free: (877) 600-6780 Headquartered in Northern Virginia (Washington, DC Metropolitan Area), serving nationwide

Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business (SDVOSB)

WBENC Certified Women-Owned Small Business (WOSB)

WBENC Certified Women Business Enterprise (WBE)

NMSDC Certified Minority-Owned Small Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (SDBE MBE)

An approved current GSA Multiple Award Schedule (MAS) IT 70 (GS-35F-0560Y) View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210518005452/en/

[ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ]
[May 19, 2021] UOB grants its first two green trade finance facilities under industry framework to help clients broaden sustainability initiatives and strengthen supply chain resilience

SINGAPORE, May 19, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- UOB today announced that it has extended its first green trade finance facilities under the Green Finance Industry Taskforce's Green and Sustainable Trade Finance and Working Capital Framework. The facilities will help two of the Bank's clients in Singapore's food supply chain build on their sustainability initiatives and strengthen their supply chain resilience. The clients are Musim Mas Group[1], a global leader in the merchandising and distribution of palm oil and its derivative products, and Barramundi Group Pte Ltd[2], an aquaculture company. In order to qualify for green trade financing, companies must have a clear sustainability strategy and provide documents that show how the funds will be used. They also need to submit records that demonstrate the positive sustainability outcomes from their business activities or trades related to the green trade financing. Mr Frederick Chin, Head of Group Wholesale Banking and Markets, UOB said, "As part of forging a sustainable future, we are actively engaging our clients to reinforce the importance of sustainability to their business. To that end, we have been sharing our expertise on how they can use sustainable finance products and solutions to ramp up their sustainability drive simply and effectively. Our collaborative approach helps to drive greater market adoption for green financing and encourages more businesses to advance responsibly. "Companies that qualify for a green trade financing facility have taken steps to mitigate their environmental, social and governance risks such as identifying suppliers with good overall management practices and building more resilient supply chains. They are also at the forefront of an industry megatrend. There is more than S$1 trillion worth of trade that flows through Singapore[3], of which more than S$90 billion meets the requirements of being green and sustainable. These trade flows provide an immense opportunity for us to work with companies to offer green trade financing and to support their trade flows through our regional network capabilities."







[1] Musim Mas Group is one of the world's largest, integrated palm oil corporations with operations spanning the entire value chain across the Americas, Europe and Asia. Headquartered in Singapore the company produces palm oil products and derivatives across multiple industries worldwide. [2] Barramundi Group Pte Ltd is a global aquaculture company with operations in Singapore, Australia and Brunei. The company grows, process and markets their own registered brands of sustainably-grown, ocean-farmed Barramundi. [3] Source: Singapore International Trade, total merchandise trade at current prices 2016  2020, Singstat. https://www.singstat.gov.sg/modules/infographics/singapore-international-trade

Working with clients to increase the resilience of food supply chains The green trade finance facilities extended to the Musim Mas Group will be channelled towards supporting their working capital needs, in particular its sourcing of certified palm oil from responsible suppliers. The palm oil giant whose activities range from plantations to production of consumer goods such as cooking oil and personal care products, is a front-runner when it comes to incorporating sustainability into their corporate agenda. Apart from significantly reducing greenhouse gas emissions through activities such as the installation of methane capture facilities, the Group is also known for its smallholder[4] programme which helps smallholder farmers produce palm oil sustainably. Mr Alvin Lim, Group Chief Financial Officer, Musim Mas said, "At Musim Mas, sustainability is at the core of everything we do and we firmly believe that doing good for the environment and society translates into positive returns for the business. UOB has been actively supporting our financial needs and reached out to us on the opportunity to use green trade financing to accelerate our sustainability agenda, such as in our procurement of certified sustainable palm oil. We will continue to work with responsible suppliers and business partners in different areas of our business and in doing so, we also hope to raise awareness of the benefits of going green and encourage others to adopt more sustainable business practices." The Bank also supported Barramundi Group in furthering its sustainability initiatives to contribute to greater resilience and security in the seafood ecosystem. Barramundi Group, a leading barramundi aquaculture company, is expanding its sustainability initiatives to support Singapore's "30 by 30" vision  to produce 30 per cent of Singapore's nutritional needs locally by 2030. To do so, it has obtained green trade and working capital facilities from UOB for sourcing of sustainable raw materials as part of its adoption of innovative solutions such as using climate-resilient and sustainable technologies. Mr Andreas von Scholten, Chief Executive Officer, Barramundi Group said, "Since 2017, we have been working closely with UOB on the financial solutions that best suit the needs of our company. Transitioning the relatively traditional aquaculture industry to a path of sustainability comes with its challenges. However, with the support of the green trade finance facility granted by UOB, we are able to inject more funds into accelerating the deployment of technologies that will help make fish rearing more sustainable. We look forward to the continued collaboration with UOB and together, we can contribute towards strengthening Singapore's food security." [4] Oil palm smallholders are farmers with less than 25 hectares of planted oil palm. On average, smallholders manage about two hectares per household and they form approximately 40 per cent of Musim Mas' supply base. About UOB United Overseas Bank Limited (UOB) is a leading bank in Asia with a global network of more than 500 offices in 19 countries and territories in Asia Pacific, Europe and North America. Since its incorporation in 1935, UOB has grown organically and through a series of strategic acquisitions. UOB is rated among the world's top banks: Aa1 by Moody's Investors Service and AA- by both S&P Global Ratings and Fitch Ratings. In Asia, UOB operates through its head office in Singapore and banking subsidiaries in China, Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand and Vietnam, as well as branches and representative offices across the region. Over more than eight decades, generations of UOB employees have carried through the entrepreneurial spirit, the focus on long-term value creation and an unwavering commitment to do what is right for our customers and our colleagues. We believe in being a responsible financial services provider and we are committed to making a difference in the lives of our stakeholders and in the communities in which we operate. Just as we are dedicated to helping our customers manage their finances wisely and to grow their businesses, UOB is steadfast in our support of social development, particularly in the areas of art, children and education. SOURCE United Overseas Bank

[ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ]
[May 19, 2021] TomTom Reduces EV Drivers' Range and Charging Anxiety with New Hubject Deal

With new agreement TomTom has the most charging points of any mapmaker: almost 450,000

175,000 charging points on TomToms maps deliver availability information

Richer EV infrastructure information further enhances TomToms navigation and routing for EV drivers

Developers can create solutions for EV fleets with these EV POIs through TomToms Maps APIs AMSTERDAM, The Netherlands, May 19, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- TomTom (TOM2), the location technology specialist, today announced an extension to its relationship with Hubject, an e-mobility digital specialist. Hubject has established the worlds largest cross-provider platform for electric vehicle charging. TomToms EV suite and TomToms Maps APIs now receive more information related to charging point locations, connector types and, critically, availability, helping drivers and EV fleet managers to save time and avoid stress. TomTom is constantly upgrading its maps and EV suite, removing barriers to widespread adoption of electric vehicles as we push towards our vision of a cleaner, emission-free future, said Antoine Saucier, Managing Director, TomTom Automotive. This agreement with Hubject means TomToms navigation offers EV drivers access to an industry leading number of charging points, making them more relaxed about their vehicles range  and where they can charge it  than ever before. The deal brings the total global number of charging points on TomToms maps to almost 450,000. More than 175,000 of those charging points provide availability information to drivers via the TomToms EV charging points service. TomToms high-quality EV points of interest (POIs) will further enhance the EV driving experience with TomToms location technology. The latest TomTom EV Routing and Range technology ues a broad catalogue of factors to plan the best route, precisely predict range and calculate a reliable estimated time of arrival (ETA). These factors include current and maximum battery level; driving speed; road type and gradient, as well as traffic and charging point information.



EV POIs are made available to developers via TomToms Maps APIs. The deal with Hubject enriches the solutions developers can propose to companies with EV fleets. Users will be able to find all of TomToms EV POIs via the Search API. While TomToms Extended Routing API, which provides Long Distance EV Routing, takes into account all the available charging possibilities along the way. We are delighted to be working with TomTom to bring information on the worlds largest cross-provider EV roaming platforms to even more EV drivers, said Christian Hahn, CEO of Hubject. We are excited to join forces with a like-minded company, focused on delivering solutions to overcome electric vehicle adoption challenges.

Drivers can also find available EV charging points on the TomTom GO Navigation app (available for download via Google Play, App Store and Huawei AppGallery), and on TomToms newest and most powerful sat nav: the TomTom GO Discover. About TomTom: At TomTom were mapmakers, providing location technology for drivers, carmakers, enterprises and developers. Our highly accurate maps, navigation software, real-time traffic information and APIs enable smart mobility on a global scale, making the roads safer, the drive easier and the air cleaner. Headquartered in Amsterdam with offices in 30 countries, TomToms technologies are trusted by hundreds of millions of drivers, businesses and governments worldwide. www.tomtom.com For further Information: Media:

tomtom.pr@tomtom.com Investor Relations:

ir@tomtom.com A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/4a284fc4-7804-4117-8349-0f44b7da4748 The photo is also available via AP PhotoExpress.



[ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ]
[May 19, 2021] KuCoin Partners With Cashaa to Combat COVID-19 Crisis in India Through Distribution of Daily Supplies

VICTORIA, Seychelles, May 19, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- KuCoin, an IDG-backed crypto exchange, announced today that it has partnered with Cashaa, a blockchain-based financial platform, to jointly initiate charity campaigns to help people cope with the increasingly severe challenges of COVID-19 in India. Latest statistics show that India's COVID-19 cases have surpassed 25 million as mutations spread across the globe. What makes things worse is that the virus crisis is pushing up the cost of living as the shortage of daily supplies has been seen in many Indian cities. As part of KuCoin's charity initiative in India, the crypto platform has pledged ?2 million worth of food and daily supplies, and these goods will be delivered to the families in need with the help of Unicas, the world's first crypto bank powered by Cashaa. The first batch of food and daily supplies including wheat, rice, dal and salt has started to be distributed to people in Jaipur, Delhi, and Patna earlier today, and more families will be covered in the following days. It is noticed that each ration kit will be able to feed a family of four for up to two weks.



"As a global exchange, we pay close attention to the COVID-19 situation as it spreads across the world," said Johnny Lyu, CEO at KuCoin Global. "Knowing its outbreak in India and considering the daily nutritional needs are at the edge for millions of people during the quarantine, as the People's Exchange, we are pleased to take our responsibility to help local people address these challenges brought by the COVID-19." As the COVID-19 has continued to deteriorate in India since April, KuCoin launched a charity fund with an initial investment of ?1 Crore on April 28, 2021. The fund is dedicated to assist local partners and NGOs in providing much-needed support to residents in those cities with insufficient resources to fight against the pandemic.

"Unicas started the initiative #NoOneSleepsHungry to address the root cause of hunger and that it does not become the reason for anyone to suffer amidst the ongoing COVID-19 crisis. With our distribution of 1,000 ration kits with essential food supply, the campaign has positively affected the lives of several people in Jaipur, however it's not enough," said Dinesh Kukreja, CEO of Unicas. "We are grateful to join hands with KuCoin to facilitate the underprivileged and needy in these dire times and extend this initiative to two other cities and provide support to 2,000 families." As one of the first crypto trading platforms to enter the Indian market, KuCoin is committed to supporting local blockchain startups, listing promising crypto gems, providing Indian Investors with safe and easy-to-use trading services, as well as contributing to the mass adoption of blockchain. It believes that the technology has the potential to facilitate the free flow of value, upholding the well-being of all people. As the next step of its charity initiative in India, KuCoin has partnered with Adim Sanskruti, a Pune-based Non-Governmental Organization (NGO), to extend the daily supplies distribution to Pune, the second largest city in Maharashtra in a few days, and it is anticipated that another 750 families will be benefited. About KuCoin KuCoin is a global cryptocurrency exchange for numerous digital assets and cryptocurrencies. Launched in September 2017, KuCoin has grown into one of the most popular crypto exchanges. It currently provides Spot trading, Margin trading, P2P fiat trading, Futures trading, Staking, and Lending to its 6 million users in 207 countries and regions around the world. In 2018, KuCoin has secured $20 million in Round A funding from IDG Capital and Matrix Partners. For more information, please visit www.kucoin.com View original content to download multimedia:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/kucoin-partners-with-cashaa-to-combat-covid-19-crisis-in-india-through-distribution-of-daily-supplies-301294563.html SOURCE KuCoin

[ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ]
[May 19, 2021] World's First NDC-Native Airline Technology Solution Developed by Air Black Box Now Fully Certified NDC Level 4

IATA's recognition of full NDC compliance for Air Black Box demonstrates the technology company's product alignment with airline industry priorities and carriers' existing investments in NDC-enabled retailing MIAMI, May 19, 2021 /CNW/ -- Air Black Box, the first global travel technology company founded to solve the complexities of traditional interlining and enable the sale of connecting tickets combining network airlines, low-cost carriers and surface transport providers, has been certified by the International Air Transport Association (IATA) as NDC Level 4 Compliant (v20.1). By achieving Level 4 certificationthe highest NDC certification levelAir Black Box ensures that its airline partners can maximize new revenue opportunities using NDC capabilities. New Distribution Capability or NDC was developed by the International Air Transport Association (IATA) to transform the retailing of airline and travel products to leisure and business travelers. NDC helps solve legacy limitations in distributing travel inventory with enhanced product differentiation, faster time-to-market, access to comprehensive content and a more transparent shopping experience for travelers. "The aviation sector is showing a tremendous need for technology that can support and build on airlines' existing investments in the IATA NDC standard," said Rick Howell, Chief Executive Officer of Air Black Box. "Our NDC-enabled Air Connection Engine minimizes transactional overhead, eliminates the need for a translation layer and helps airlines get the most out of their NDC investments." Setting the Air Connection Engine apart is its ability to make participating airline inventory accessible and consumable in an NDC format, easily and quickly. It fulfills the promise of NDC for ancillary merchandising and revenue and more profitable commercial alliances among and between airlines without requiring development input from participating carriers.



For airlines and their passenger service systems (PSS), the Air Connection Engine expands and enhances their ability to distribute and sell inventory and merchandise, using traveler itinerary information across the most advanced form of interlining. With built-in support for interline baggage handling, rapid multi-carrier/multi-region/multi-currency payment and settlement options and IROPS-mitigation-as-a-Service, the re-engineered platform demonstrates NDC-enabled cross-carrier communication at its best. The Air Connection Engine has all technical requirements (cloud-native, globally deployed, carrier managed) to complement existing NDC investments, while the configurable Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) solution is accessible via API. Air Black Box's technology gives airlines and their customers a rich interlining experience and baggage add-on capabilities directly through the carrier's direct channel.

"This is the airline and travel technology model of the future," said Rick Howell. "Simple, powerful, flexible, scalable solutions are delivering huge impact on airlines' bottom line and giving them tools for success to become fuller retailers of inventory and merchandise. And it's the vision Air Black Box is delivering though a global, multi-carrier direct channel platform that is infinitely configurable, expandable and future-proof." To speak with Rick Howell about the company's Level 4 Certification and work with airlines and IATA, please contact Vanessa Horwell at vhorwell@thinkinkpr.com. For more information about Air Black Box, please visit www.airblackbox.com. About Air Black Box

Air Black Box is a global travel technology provider founded in 2012, whose ground-breaking solutions enable the sale of connecting tickets combining network airlines, low-cost carriers and even surface transport providers. Air Black Box technology already powers booking and interlining systems for multiple airlines worldwide, with other airline clients now in implementation. Media contact:

Vanessa Horwell, ThinkInk

+1.305.749.5342 x 232

vhorwell@thinkinkpr.com View original content to download multimedia:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/worlds-first-ndc-native-airline-technology-solution-developed-by-air-black-box-now-fully-certified-ndc-level-4-301294493.html SOURCE Air Black Box

[ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ]
[May 19, 2021] ReaQta Closes Series-A Round to Expand Commercial Operations

- Founded by an elite team of attack and defense cyber security experts, ReaQta's Autonomous Detection & Response platform provides advanced endpoint security and operational resilience for the mid-market - Moving away from the traditional cyber security model of blocking known and predictable threats, ReaQta leverages deep learning and dynamic behavioral analysis to map the status quo, identify abnormal behavior and protect against new attack techniques - New funding from Alpha Intelligence Capital, Fortino Capital, InvestLink and Integra Partners will be used to expand commercial operations AMSTERDAM, May 19, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- ReaQta, a leading provider of advanced cyber security solutions for the autonomous detection and response of cyber threats, has closed an over-subscribed Series A funding round led by Alpha Intelligence Capital with participation from Fortino Capital, InvestLink and Integra Partners. ReaQta will invest the funding to expand its commercial operations and footprint, particularly across Europe and Asia. ReaQta's active defense intelligence platform aims to solve for the increasing number of businesses falling victim to malicious activities from cyber criminals and nation states actors. While traditional protection methods fight known threats and stand vulnerable to sophisticated attack techniques, ReaQta's revolutionary platform stops known and unknown threats in real-time. Through deep learning, the platform constantly improves on defining normal behavior tailored to each business per endpoint, allowing it to block any abnormal behavior. Additionally, traditional solutions require internal or external cybersecurity teams to act on any flagged threats. ReaQta's platform not only detects threats, but also allows for a seamless and automated threat response in real-time. ReaQta was recently named a 2020 Cool Vendor by Gartner in Network and Endpoint Security for this unique approac in tackling cyber threats of all forms.



"We are extremely proud to partner with AIC, a deep-technology AI investor, and InvestLink, cyber-security veterans and founders of Securelink as well as Fortino Capital a B2B SaaS specialist with operating partner. With their support, we aim to accelerate growth and evolve from a promising scale-up to a leader in the cyber security space," Alberto Pelliccione, Co-Founder and CEO of ReaQta, said. "The funding will mainly be used to expand our sales, marketing and support teams internationally. Reaching this milestone has been made possible thanks to our amazing team." "The increased interconnectivity of endpoints and data and the rise of malicious activities from threat actors over the last few years has created a substantial threat to business continuity," Frank Staut, Managing Partner at InvestLink and Co-Founder/CTO at Securelink, a leading enterprise cybersecurity provider in Europe which was acquired by Orange said. "We have analyzed this segment for several years and are convinced that ReaQta provides an industry-leading solution. The maturity and reference projects of the company's Autonomous Detection & Response platform, in combination with a stellar team, sets them apart."

Antoine Blondeau, Founder & Managing Partner of AIC, said: "We believe in the disruptive potential of ReaQta's threat-hunting solution. ReaQta is one of the first to combine deep learning with behavioral analytics to perform cyber threat-hunting, with an unparalleled degree of automation. As organizations move to remote work streams, increasing their number of endpoints, ReaQta is well positioned to capture the market's explosive growth." About ReaQta ReaQta is Europe's top-tiered AI Autonomous Detection & Response platform, built by an elite group of cyber security experts and AI/ML researchers with extensive backgrounds in government intelligence operations. Built with advanced automated threat-hunting features, ReaQta allows organizations to eliminate the most advanced threats in real-time. As experts in AI and behavioral analysis, ReaQta's proprietary dual-AI engines provide organizations across all industries with autonomous, real-time and fully customizable endpoint security, minus the complexity. As a result of unprecedented levels of automation coupled with intuitive design, ReaQta's customers and partners benefit from performance improvements and are now able to manage and secure more endpoints without the need for highly skilled staff. For more information, visit https://reaqta.com About AIC Alpha Intelligence Capital (AIC) is a global venture capital fund investing exclusively in disruptive Artificial Intelligence/Machine Learning (AI/ML) technology-based companies. AIC has approximately $185 million under its main fund with access to large pools of co-investment capital. AIC's teams operate out of San Francisco, Hong Kong and Paris. AIC has currently invested in over 19 companies globally, in the US, Israel, Europe and China. For more information, visit https://aicapital.ai/ About Fortino Fortino Capital is a pure play European B2B SaaS investor operating out of Amsterdam and Antwerp. Fortino has backed over 70 founders to date and holds c.430m in AuM across 3 funds, of which 2 are early-stage VC and one PE / growth equity. For more information, visit https://www.fortinocapital.com/

[ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ]
[May 19, 2021] Military.Finance launches new cryptocurrency to help veterans

ALEXANDRIA, Va., May 19, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Military.Finance has partnered with the non-profit, the Heart of a Lion Foundation in parallel with the launch of a new cryptocurrency. The company's goal is to provide support and financial relief to those who have served their country as well as their families when they come home from battle.

The company was able to partner up with this charity after finding out that its one of the few charities that can accept donations in cryptocurrency which helped alleviate some legal hurdles on behalf of both parties involved. This new currency is available for purchase right now on Pancake Swap at $MIL and all proceeds will be donated to help provide mental, physical, and wellness support to Americas Veterans. Major Ed Pulido, U.S. Army (Ret) with the Heart of a Lion Foundation said, Were really excited about the connection and working with people we trust. Its a great opportunity for people to invest in something that also gives back to support the veteran community. Military.finance is looking to solve a major issue with the support and care for veterans. The three most common mental health concerns for veterans are Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), depression and Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI). According to New Harvard-Public, currently 1.53 million veterans are uninsured, and 2 million cant afford care. The solution Military.finance uses blockchain technology to allocate funds directly with charities that share the same mission. Major Ed and The Heart of a Lion Foundation are the first partners selected by the board of directors because of their history and background with the veteran community. Military.finance is looking to partner with more organizations with the same focus on helping veterans. If you are a non-profit organization interested in becoming a recipient of funds from $MIL, please email partner@military.finance to requst more information.



How To Buy Military.Finance The process of buying Military.Finance is simple. Simply visit PancakeSwap , enter the amount of $MIL you want to buy, and submit your request for processing. Once your tokens are purchased, watch the value increase.

About Military.Finance Military.Finance is a community-focused and decentralized project for military veterans and veteran organizations. At its core, the project helps to connect members of the armed forces and charity organizations to cryptocurrencies. With Military.Finance, veterans will be able to farm, lend, stake, and earn passive income from the crypto ecosystem. The goal of the project is crystal clear - to empower members of the Military.Finance community and reward them for helping people in need. Military.Finance also rewards those who buy and hold the $MIL token. The project is poised to deliver on its mandate and also entrench trust and transparency. Shawn Burst, Marketing Director at Military.Finance says, Weve assembled an all-star team of developers, marketers, entrepreneurs, and military personnel that are not only incredibly talented, but are also extremely passionate about helping the military heroes of our great country. SOCIAL LINKS Telegram: https://t.me/Military_Finance

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC3_W7lrw22HQEmgzRyvTIUA

Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/Mil_Finance

Reddit: https://www.reddit.com/r/Military_Finance/new/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/military.finance

Discord: https://discord.gg/nGJwzT9f MEDIA CONTACT Company: Military.Finance

Contact Name: Don Dahl

Address: 2121 Eisenhower Ave Arlington, Alexandria, VA 22314, USA

E-mail: info@military.finance

Website: https://www.military.finance/



[ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ]
[May 19, 2021] May is Recognize College Students with Disabilities Month

NEW YORK, May 19, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Image Impact has awarded its 2021 scholarships to 17 outstanding City University of New York (CUNY) students who are pursuing their studies at John Jay College of Criminal Justice and Guttman Community College.

Students enrolled in CUNYs Office of Accessibility Services were selected for the scholarship based on their accomplishments in Image Impacts career readiness and mentorship online program, Mentoring 4 Impact. Rigorous requirements included successfully completing foundation, core, and elective courses and receiving their Mentors letter of recommendation. Student winners will receive $250 to further their education from Image Impact as part of Recognize College Students with Disabilities Month, which is sponsored by Image Impact each May. In total, the scholarship program awarded 17 students a total of $4,250. The scholarship program resulted from a creative collaboration between Image Impact, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit and the CUNY Linking Employment, Academics, and Disability Services (LEADS) program. Image Impact recognized that students could benefit from financial assistance to offset the growing costs of education. Image Impacts scholarships are being awarded at a time when average annual tuition hovers at $7,000 at public colleges. The Boards decision to create the scholarships shows Image Impacts continued commitment to Iage Impacts mission to fight for equal access to employment opportunities for college students with disabilities.



Our Board of Directors is excited to award these scholarships. Career readiness for college students with disabilities has been a core part of our mission since our nonprofit was founded six years ago, said Image Impact president, Pam Judd. Its gratifying to support these exemplary students in a direct way. Building on that commitment, Image Impact is also thrilled to launch a Young Professionals Committee, an Advisory Council initiative which will offer internship resources for CUNY LEADS students who complete the Mentoring 4 Impact program. The success of Mentoring 4 Impact, now in its third year at CUNY, is driven by Image Impacts valued volunteers. This included Image Impact Chair Elaine Rogers and 11 guest speakers who delivered 34 hours of complimentary job search training. Mentor Advisor Michelle Bisson headed a team of 16 professionals from diverse industries who served as Mentors. CUNY Guttman Disability Accommodation Specialist Marcus Griffith and CUNY John Jay Administrative Coordinator Naisha Garris provided invaluable coordination support.

Image Impact aims to raise $5,000 to support the expansion of Mentoring 4 Impact at additional CUNY colleges next year. Image Impact welcomes individuals, families, or businesses who wish to fully fund next years scholarships and have the 2022 scholarship named in their honor. To discuss funding the Mentoring 4 Impact scholarship program, please contact Vice President of Development Stacey Kurylo at: Stacey.Kurylo@imageimpact.org. For information about Mentoring 4 Impact, contact Vice President of Education Ben Hoser at: Ben.Hoser@imageimpact.org. ABOUT IMAGE IMPACT

Image Impacts mission is to fight for equal access to employment opportunities for college students with disabilities. We empower students to break through workforce barriers and open doors with our career readiness and mentoring programs. To learn more about Image Impact visit: www.imageimpact.org.

Contact: Betsy Contant, VP Marketing Email: Betsy.Contant@imageimpact.org Phone: 718-530-3500

[ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ]
[May 19, 2021] Digital River Unveils New Partner Integration Program Opening its Global Seller Services to More Platforms Worldwide

Digital River (News - Alert) , an experienced global commerce enabler for established and fast-growing brands, announced a new Partner Integration Program today. This program gives technology providers across the ecommerce industry greater flexibility and support to access Digital River's Global Seller Services with their own integrations. The new program introduces a streamlined path for commerce and subscription partners to build integrations into their own platform, reducing the cost to connect to Digital River's merchant of record model, enabling Digital River's global payments, fraud, tax and compliance services. With one integration, partners offer their customers a path to quickly and confidently enter new global markets. "We're looking forward to partnering with Digital River to provide B2B SaaS (News - Alert) companies with an all-in-one ecommerce solution that will allow them to enhance their subscription capabilities and easily expand into global markets," said Paul Lynch, CEO of Chargify, the leading billing platform for B2B SaaS, and one of Digital River's new integration partners. Since pivoting from a full-stack solution provider in 2019 to a modular, API-based provider of back-end services for global ecommerce, Digital River has created its own integrations with some of the world's best-known commerce platforms, including a new integration on the SAP App Center announced early Q1. The Partner Integration Program gives more commerce platform providers the opportunity to access our Global Seller Services and offer their clients one of the industry's most powerful solutions for creating seamless buying experiences while eliminating risk and complexity worldwide.



"The Partner Integration Program is another step in our overall growth strategy," said Adam Coyle, CEO at Digital River. "This gives us the opportunity to offer an elegant and easy solution for brands worldwide to grow their ecommerce stores on the platform of their choice, knowing the most complex checkout functions of ecommerce are being handled with expertise by Digital River." New Options for B2B clients

Also in Q1, Digital River expanded its invoicing options for B2B clients with TreviPay. As today's B2B shoppers expect a more consumer-like online experience, TreviPay brings B2B ecommerce clients a scalable, branded line of credit solution enabling net terms at checkout. TreviPay alleviates cash flow constraints and eliminates the friction of paper invoicing in standard B2B purchasing processes. "Digital River's expansive software suite and partner ecosystem demonstrate true leadership and innovation in the B2B marketplace space," said Brandon Spear, CEO at TreviPay. "Not only will TreviPay have the capability to scale alongside Digital River's continued growth, the technology will also help the company strengthen existing client relationships and nurture new ones." Client wins and expansions: Notable client implementations using Digital River's Global Seller Services include: Redshift by Maxon - This award-winning, GPU-based renderer for high-end production is using Digital River's APIs to access our merchant of record business model to sell to shoppers at a global scale. Lenbrook - Digital River helped the distributor of premium home audio, video and other consumer electronics launch its The Audio Factory store in the U.S. and Canada using Digital River's APIs. LG - LG's Taiwan online brand shop is now live using Digital River's Global Seller Services for payment processing, fraud mitigation, and tax and compliance management, connected to Adobe (News - Alert) Commerce. Expanding our commerce community connection Digital River proudly became a member and gold sponsor of the Magento Association, helping to support collaborative programing to foster a stronger ecommerce ecosystem around Adobe Commerce and Magento Open Source (News - Alert) and greater success for all its members. Share the knowledge Be sure to listen in to Commerce Connect, Digital River's podcast showcasing the brightest minds in commerce who share their journey to success. Available wherever you get your podcasts. About Digital River With more than 25 years' experience, Digital River has mastered the ins and outs of global commerce. Established and fast-growing brands alike rely on our flexible, API-powered solutions to sell direct to their customers, whether they live around the corner or around the world. Our modular platform, global expertise, and advanced partner ecosystem lets brands focus on creating seamless buyer experiences, while we work behind the scenes to manage orders and fulfillment, process payments, mitigate fraud, and handle taxes and compliance on your behalf. Brands benefit from our Global Seller Services, expertly designed to help brands accelerate global expansion, grow revenue, and protect their business from risk. Digital River is headquartered in Minneapolis with offices across the U.S., Asia, Europe and South America. For more details, visit DigitalRiver.com. Digital River is a registered trademark of Digital River, Inc. All other company and product names are trademarks, registrations or copyrights of their respective owners. Twitter (News - Alert) Tags: #ecommerce, #headless, #D2C @DigitalRiverInc Click to Tweet: New Partner Integration Program gives more commerce platforms and their customers access to @DigitalRiverInc's Global Seller Services. #ecommerce #D2C View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210519005115/en/

[ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ]
[May 19, 2021] Buildings IOT Raises $10 Million to Help Make Buildings Smarter, Healthier, and Cost Efficient

CONCORD, Calif., May 19, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- As retail and office buildings focus on optimizing equipment performance and providing healthy indoor environments, Buildings IOT announced that the company secured a $10 million growth investment with Keyframe Capital. As a provider of software, services, and solutions for every aspect of building systems management, Buildings IOT streamlines building data and makes it easier and more cost effective for owners and operators to maintain assets throughout their lifespan. The company, headquartered in California's Bay Area with offices in New York City, Canada, and a distributed North American workforce, provides operators with simple and actionable solutions that increase building health and reduce utility costs, energy consumption, carbon emissions, and cyber risk. "Building stakeholders are scrambling to adjust to a post-pandemic world, and Buildings IOT is well-positioned to assist them in this period of critical transition," explained Ben Birnbaum, partner at Keyframe Capital. "Based on the company's maturity and deeply unique technology, we believe that the Buildings IOT team is poised to deliver outstanding value to the commercial real estate market that is seeking more efficient, secure, and healthy environments." Buildings IOT offers an advanced building analytics, automation, and management platform as a service to building operators and service providers, primarily through its onPoint and IOT Jetstream products. Managing 220 million square feet of building space in the data center, utilities, government, pharmaceutical, retail, commercial real estate and higher education industries, the company delivers software and services in master systems integration, building systems cotracting, building systems service, and annual subscriptions. As a Master Systems Integrator, Buildings IOT installs and configures building control systems for operational areas as diverse as HVAC, access control and IT infrastructure; Buildings IOT then brings the data from each of those systems together within a single management interface command-and-control system.



"As vaccinations increase and employees return to out of home workspaces, building owners and managers are accelerating efforts to make their spaces safe, secure, and compliant," explained Brian Turner, CEO of Buildings IOT. "This investment enables us to more quickly scale our data management platforms and our full suite of building services, ultimately allowing us to reach more customers and have a greater positive impact on the built environment." Buildings IOT captures the opportunities inherent in collecting, securing, modeling, transforming, and visualizing building data. In addition to helping clients sift through the deluge of information, the company also offers services that enable smart buildings to become highly functional, healthy, and attractive for occupants. While improving the value of their building assets, Buildings IOT clients can help reduce the country's commercial building energy usage and emissions, which utilize a reported 71 percent of the nation's electricity, 54 percent of the natural gas, and emit 40 percent of the greenhouse gases.

"The high energy needs of commercial buildings often place a great strain on the nation's grids during peak periods and are responsible for a staggering amount of emissions," added Turner. "At the same time, it is critical that energy efficiency not come at the expense of indoor air quality, especially as healthy air is top-of-mind for everyone returning to indoor office spaces. Buildings IOT provides real solutions for greater energy efficiency and carbon reduction while also making it possible to monitor indoor air quality levels and change ventilation strategies immediately if necessary. As a result, building owners see an improvement in their operating costs, while tenants report feeling more comfortable and productive at work." "Buildings are extremely complex ecosystems with dozens of systems running at all times," continued Birnbaum. "They have been starved of operational efficiency by equipment and controls manufacturers for decades, which has led to massive energy and cost inefficiency in buildings that the world is finally beginning to wake up to. While many building owners have ambitious, publicly-stated sustainability goals, and others will follow as they face regulatory pressure to do so, they often struggle to execute on action plans to achieve them. Buildings IOT provides the technology and services to enable them to achieve these goals." The funding allows the company to scale up its sales team, increase product and technology development, and help clients monetize their data streams as tenants begin to inhabit buildings once again. About Buildings IOT

Buildings IOT simplifies smart buildings with software, services, and solutions for every aspect of building management. Command-and-control from a single pane of glass, analytics enhanced by machine learning, and a building-domain-centric data management platform, Buildings IOT delivers smart buildings that live up to the hype. We also design and install building controls and automation systems, offer IT-managed services and device testing for cybersecurity vulnerabilities, and provide data-driven maintenance to some of the world's largest building portfolios. For more information, visit https://www.buildingsIOT.com. About Keyframe Capital

Keyframe is an NYC-based cross-asset investment firm. The firm's generalist, cross-asset mandate allows it to invest across a diverse range of business models and capital structures. Keyframe looks to build long term partnerships with companies, and to leverage its flexibility to help solve their most complex asset and corporate financing requirements. Since 2020, Keyframe has developed strong conviction that technology will unlock operational, energy, and cost efficiency in the built environment, and has constructed a portfolio of investments in the space to capitalize on that opportunity. For more information, visit www.keyframecapital.com. Media Contact:

Technica Communications for Buildings IOT

Sarah Malpeli

Ph. 408-806-9626 Ext. 6840

sarah@technicacommunications.com View original content to download multimedia:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/buildings-iot-raises-10-million-to-help-make-buildings-smarter-healthier-and-cost-efficient-301294562.html SOURCE Buildings IOT

[ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ]
[May 19, 2021] Utilities Firms Are Hiring More as Confidence Grows

Utilities firms are hiring as the global economy recovers. But employers need to be sure they are hiring the right people to help navigate the change ahead. Questionmark, the online assessment provider, is encouraging employers to assess staff before deciding to hire them, to ensure recruits have the skills to hit the ground running. Data from payroll services firm ADP shows the US trade, transportation and utilities sector added 155,000 jobs in April alone.1 In the UK, the Office for National Statistics reported 607,000 job vacancies this year where "many were in the provision of utilities".2 Employers recognize that the skills they need to recruit for are changing. Digital acceleration, changing customer expectations and clean energy is "driving the need for innovation, adaptability and new skills in the workforce", according to the US Centre for Energy Workforce Development.3 Firms that do not hire the right people will struggle to keep pace with their competitors. But, despite recognizing the need for new talents, hirers need recruitment processes that help diversify skills and drive innovation across the firm. Employers need people who can bring something new. Lars Pedersen, CEO of Questionmark, said: "By measuring the skills and attitudes of candidates before hiring them, employers can make a more informed decision about who to bring into the team. Assessments indicate whether potential recruits can do what they say they can and if they are likely to have the right attitude for the job. "Traditional hiring methods risk recruiting similar people. Those methods are unlikely t secure the new skills they need. Instead, assessing candidates before deciding to hire them gives employers the information they need to drive innovation and help their teams succeed."



https://www.questionmark.com/sectors-and-uses/utilities/ Ends

Notes to editors About Questionmark Questionmark unlocks performance through reliable and secure online assessments. Questionmark provides a secure enterprise-grade assessment platform and professional services to leading organizations around the world, delivered with care and unequalled expertise. Its full-service online assessment tool and professional services help customers to improve their performance and meet their compliance requirements. Questionmark enables organizations to unlock their potential by delivering assessments which are valid, reliable, fair and defensible. Questionmark offers secure powerful integration with other LMS, LRS and proctoring services making it easy to bring everything together in one place. Questionmark's cloud-based assessment management platform offers rapid deployment, scalability for high-volume test delivery, 24/7 support, and the peace-of-mind of secure, audited U.S., Australian and European-based data centers. 1 https://uk.finance.yahoo.com/news/us-economy-regains-more-private-131048427.html

2 https://www.igd.com/social-impact/economics/article-viewer/t/economics-labour-market-update-from-ons/i/28015

3 https://www.utilityproducts.com/transmission-distribution/article/14197889/mind-the-gap-looming-data-skills-shortage-ahead View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210519005195/en/

[ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ]
[May 19, 2021] United States Buy Now, Pay Later Market Study 2021: Gaining Scale and the Disrupting Status Quo in Lending - Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats to Fintech - ResearchAndMarkets.com

The "Buy Now, Pay Later: Gaining Scale and the Disrupting Status Quo in Lending" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering This research explains the current market, discusses the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats to fintech, and explains the business and cashflow of this emerging credit option. The research compares both consumer and merchant costs in comparison to credit cards. It dispells the claims that the product is a cheaper option for buyers and sellers. Research also covers the liberal credit policies used to gain scale, and suggests that fintechs consider tightening credit policies so that losses do not cannabalize profits. "BNPL is not the "new thing" in lending; it is a modernized version of retail finance. There is certainly a high appeal, but with limited credit policies, consumers need to self-govern their retail purchasing so that they do not overextend themselves financially," comments Brian Riley, Director, Credit Advisory Service Riley continues, "Financial institutions and other players in the credit cycle need to pay attention to the way fintechs aggressively book accounts. Fintechs should not compromise their credit standards, but the rapid take-up indicates that credit card issuers must provide access to thin credit files, and watch customers mature. Fintechs also need to think beyond the single transaction and look at the way banks manage a customer's lifecycle." Highlights of the research note include: Forecasted U.S. volums through 2024, when they will exceed $100 billion

Placing the merchant at the center of the relationship, not the consumer

What will happen to the BNPL interest-free model when the prime rate rises

A discussion on interchange versus merchant discount and why credit cards can be cheaper

Market capitalization and why fintechs continue to lose money on BNPL



Key Topics Covered: 1. Executive Summary

2. BNPL: The Latest "Thing" Is Not So New Pandemic Creates Rapid BNPL Adoption

Emphasis on Sales, Not the Consumer's Ability to Repay

BNPL Lending: New Lenders Capitalize on Consumer Material Aspirations with Low-Cost Loans

Revenue Dynamics: No Interest BNPL Loans Sound Cheaper, but Financing by Credit Card is Not Much More Expensive

Revenue Dynamics: BNPL Drives Retail Sales Volumes, but the Merchant Benefit Is Financially Diminished 3. Current Global Market Dynamics Foster the BNPL Market Market Growth and BNPL Lender Valuation Should Interest Every Banker

Consumer Appeal for BNPL is Higher for Younger Age Segments

More Important than just BNPL, Financial Institutions Lose Ground to Fintech Lending 4. Decomposing BNPL Lending: a SWOT Analysis Strengths

Weaknesses

Opportunities

Threats 5. Market Changes and What Established Participants Should Consider BNPL-Before the Transaction 6. Advice for Industry Participants Merchants

Payment Networks

Payment Acquirers and Processors

Traditional Credit Providers 7. Summary 8. References Companies Mentioned Afterpay

American Express (News - Alert)

Avant

Bluevine

Capital One

Chase

Citi

Credit Intelligence

Discover

Dough Limited

Fatfish Group

FICO

General Electric Credit

GreenSky

Household Finance

Humm Group

IouPay

Kabbage

Klarna

Laybuy

Lending Point

LendingClub

Margeta

Mastercard

OnDeck

Openpay

OpyPay

PayPal (News - Alert)

Payright

Petal Card

Prosper

QVC

Sezzle

SoFi

Splitit

Square

Synchrony

TD Bank

TSYS

Visa

Zebit

Zip

Zoot Solutions For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/xlaple View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210519005454/en/

[ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ]
[May 19, 2021] Realeyes Announces Attention Data API for Predicting In-Market Outcomes of Video Advertising

NEW YORK and LONDON, May 19, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Realeyes , a pioneer and leader in video attention measurement, today announced it has launched an API for its patented attention data. The API will enable advertisers to ingest large volumes of Realeyes attention data directly into their existing advertising technology platforms and workflow.

The API is based on data from Realeyes award-winning PreView product, which is built on the most advanced facial coding technology and machine learning. PreView provides marketers with a true measure of consumer attention and emotional response so they can optimize advertising creative, increase quality exposures and decrease media waste resulting from poor video quality. The API provides advertisers visibility into the attention performance of their videos even before they activate live in market. This quarter, Realeyes will also release a new suite of PreView Advanced Intelligence Dashboards built with Google Data Studio. The Dashboards will integrate high volumes of video-attention data from the PreView API, along with ad performance data from platforms like Google, Facebook and others. The Dashboards will enable comparative analytics and flexible views across dimensions like brand, geography, format and performance. They will be purpose-built for brand advertisers seeking to qualify their video assets, gain competitive intelligence and drive attentive reach for better business outcomes. Attention helps create the right incentives to maximize the combined impact of media and creative, said James Donner, Partner and Head of Media and Strategy at Decoded, part of S4 Capital. As cookies depreciate, attention metrics will become ever more important to optimize advertising performance and well need scalable solutions to deploy into our workflow. Attention is a foundational outcome and smart advertising is evolving into scalable and automated video creation based on that outcome, said Fergus Dyer-Smith, Founder & CEO at Wooshii, a video content production platform. We see brands reachinga saturation point in optimizing media, and therefore they are turning more attention to the power of creative and its ability to drive attention.



Brand advertisers need stronger signals to plan and optimize digital campaigns beyond broken reach strategies like lowest cost CPM, said Mihkel Jaatma, co-founder and CEO of Realeyes. PreView embeds creative intelligence into advertising workflow at scale, delivering a clear validation of human attention and resonance necessary for brand equity and sales. Creative performance is the most important lever to reduce media waste and drive brand growth. According to Nielsen NCS , creative is responsible for 48% of sales outcomes in brand advertising campaigns. Creative is far more influential than any other campaign variable like targeting, reach or frequency. A Realeyes study demonstrated, advertisers can achieve significant impact gains and media waste reduction, easily as much as 30% through attention-based creative selection alone.

Recent Forrester data shows 80% of CPG marketers are hungry for better customer attention data. And 98% of respondents believe that attention metrics would drive value for their organizations. The Realeyes PreView API makes it easier for brands to act on predictive intelligence for every video, while linking attention performance to business outcomes. The U.S. Patent & Trademark Office recently awarded a patent to Realeyes for PreViews core technology, a  computer-implemented system and method for determining attentiveness of users . PreView recently was named a winner in The Business Intelligence Groups Artificial Intelligence Excellence Awards, as well as winner for the BIG Innovation competition. To learn how attention metrics make brand advertising work better, download the Realeyes CMO Guide,  Attentive Reach: The Case for Human Attention in Brand Advertising . About Realeyes

Using front-facing cameras and the latest in computer vision and machine learning technologies, Realeyes measures attention and emotion of opt-in participants as they watch video content online. This empowers brands publishers and technology platforms to inform and optimize their content as well as target the right videos to the right audiences. Realeyes technology applies facial coding to predictive, big-data analytics, driving bottom-line business outcomes for brands and publishers. Founded in 2007, Realeyes has offices in New York, London, Tokyo and Budapest. Customers include brands such as Mars Inc, Church & Dwight, Hersheys and Expedia, agencies Ipsos, MarketCast and Publicis, and media companies such as Google, WarnerMedia and Teads. Media Contact:

Kyle Kuhnel

Broadsheet Communications

201-248-3826

kyle@broadsheetcomms.com A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/42c61518-34c1-4101-a216-29b7a1c9e203



[ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ]
[May 19, 2021] Golden Star Enterprises Ltd. Welcomes Board Members

Claymont, Delaware, May 19, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- via NewMediaWire -- Golden Star Enterprises, Ltd. (OTC Pink: GSPT) announces the appointment of Louis Shefsky and Eliav Kling as board members to the company. In addition to their roles as board members, Louis Shefsky will also take the role as the company President and Eliav Kling will assume the CEO role. Mr. Kling will replace Robert Bernard Klein who previously served as the CEO of the company.

I look forward to creating profitable relationships between investors and our holdings and acquisitions, said Mr. Shefsky, who has over 35 years of experience in the public marketplace. One of Mr. Shefsky's latest projects was raising funds to produce the movie Shadows of Sofia directed by Kevin Booth. The movie is currently featured on Amazon, iTunes, Microsoft, and other streaming platforms. Mr. Kling said, Were looking to partner with tech start-ups who are ready to take their company to the next level. Mr. Kling as over 25 years of experience in the tech industry and the corporate IT world, working for companies like:



 Amdocs is one of Israels largest and most prominent high-tech employers servicing the Telecommunication industry.  Elisra Group is an Israeli manufacturer of high-tech electronic devices, mainly but not exclusively, for military use.

Mr. Klings years of experience working with High-Tech companies, in a variety of roles, position him in a great place to direct start-up companies to grow and scale. I am excited to create the environment for start-up companies, provide them with direct access to international network of professionals and help them accelerate their growth, stated Mr. Kling. About Golden Star Enterprises Ltd Golden Star Enterprises LTD is a publicly traded holding and acquisition company (GSPT) interested in taking technology start-ups and growing them to the next level. We actively search for exceptional investment opportunities in the technology vertical. We leverage our extensive experience in the marketplace and our tech industry connections to create opportunities for companies in our portfolio. Email: info@goldenstarenterprisesltd.com www.goldenstarenterprisesltd.com This press release contains forward-looking statements that reflect the Company's current beliefs, expectations or intentions regarding future events. Any statements contained in this press release that are not statements of historical fact may be deemed forward-looking statements. Words such as "will," "will be," "anticipate," "predict," expect "continue," "future," and similar expressions are intended to identify such forward-looking statements. The Company anticipates that subsequent events and developments may cause views and expectations to change. The Company assumes no obligation, and specifically disclaims any intention or obligation, to update any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.



[ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ]
[May 19, 2021] Elexicon Energy, Opus One Solutions, and Marshall Homes Design Canada's First Preplanned Nested 'Microgrid' Residential Community

TORONTO, May 19, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The future of sustainable living and renewable energy is now, with the development of Canadas first planned residential Smart Microgrid Community.

Elexicon Energy, the fourth largest municipally-owned electricity distributor in Ontario, real estate developer and builder Marshall Homes and Canadas Opus One Solutions, a top 100 Global Cleantech Company, have partnered together to create a living smart grid pilot community called Altona Towns. Funded by Ontarios Ministry of Energy, Northern Development under the Smart Grid and Grid Innovation funds, the project will test, develop and launch the next generation of technologies that can turn electricity distribution systems into modern, digitally enabled grids. The Smart Microgrid Community is the first planned nested microgrid project in Canada to integrate a full-scale, operational smart residential energy system. The community includes a rooftop solar, lithium-ion battery energy storage, electric vehicle charging stations, innovative smart metering system for community use, and an integrated distribution energy service platform to control and coordinate the components of the microgrid. The project is the culmination of four years of planning, implementation, and technology and equipment installation. It will provide homeowners with increased energy resiliency and reliability, especially during power outages, while also offering an exciting alternative to conventional sources for power that are cleaner, economical and adaptable to future climate change impacts. Elexicon Energy will gather insights and lessons learned from the deployment, from the distribution substation down to the local community, using Opus Ones distributed energy management software platform, GridOS. Learnings will include how and when electricity is used, and how willing homeowners are to shift their energy consumption habits. The Opus One software will be integrated into Elexicon Energys electricity distribution operations, incorporating microgrid-assisted feeder automation capabilities to enable automated control features such as peak shaving, load shifting, islanding, demand response, and voltage control. With climate change a key concern in our era, Elexicon Energy is looking to develop an industry model for a smart grid, with the hopes this project will increase energy distribution reliability and contribute to net zero emissions targets for Canada by enabling wide-scale smart grid implementation in the near future, said Falguni Shah Vice President of Technology and Innovation at Elexicon Energy.



Were excited to leverage our innovative energy transition technology, GridOS, to advance planning for a smart community infrastructure that increases network resiliency, reduces carbon emissions and decreases energy costs, said Hari Suthan, Chief Strategic Growth Officer at Opus One Solutions. We are looking forward to deploying our energy solution platform that will digitize energy systems and accelerate decarbonization with smarter energy networks in a local Greater Toronto Area community. At Marshall Homes, we are really looking to deliver long-term positive impacts to the community including the adoption of renewable generation, said Craig Marshall, President at Marshall Homes. Our homeowners will benefit directly from this innovative partnership as they can now generate their own power with more sustainable energy, allowing them to have choice and control over their consumption, leading to lower energy costs and environmental impact.

About Elexicon Energy Elexicon Energy powers lifes most meaningful moments. As the fourth largest municipally owned electricity distributor in Ontario, our vision is to empower the communities we serve and help customers seize opportunities to ignite a better future. We provide over 171,000 residential and business customers with reliable and affordable energy services. Elexicon Energy is owned by five municipalities: the City of Pickering, the Town of Ajax, the Town of Whitby, the City of Belleville and the Municipality of Clarington. Learn more at elexiconenergy.com and follow us on Twitter and LinkedIn. About Opus One Solutions Opus One Solutions is a software engineering and solutions company with the vision of a digitalized, decentralized and decarbonized planet. Its intelligent energy network analysis platform, GridOS, optimizes complex power flows to deliver operational time-frame energy management and integrated planning to distribution utilities and other managers of distributed energy resources. GridOS is modular, scalable, and integrates seamlessly with existing data systems to unlock greater potential for distributed energy resources, including renewable generation, energy storage, and responsive demand. GridOS also facilitates the management of microgrids  from homes to businesses to communities  for delivery of unparalleled grid resiliency and value to the electricity customer. Learn more at opusonesolutions.com and follow us on Twitter and LinkedIn. Add About Marshall Homes A leader in innovation, quality and customer care since 1993. Bringing game changing initiatives to the mainstream like its Flexhouz series for multi-generational families, Canadas most advanced microgrid community, solar and geothermal heating and cooling, in addition to ENERGY STAR and Energuide 83. Marshall Homes continues to focus on creating quality over quantity with its boutique enclaves and custom homes throughout Durham and cottage country. Learn more at marshallhomes.ca and follow us on Facebook and Instagram. Media Contacts: Elexicon Energy

Edyta McKay, Manager Public Affairs, Communications and Marketing

emckay@elexiconenergy.com

Mobile: 289-314-0443 Kimberly Brathwaite, Brand and PR Advisor

kbrathwaite@elexiconenergy.com

Mobile: 905-424-9477 Opus One Solutions

Simona Hiutin, Marketing Manager

shiutin@opusonesolutions.com

Mobile: 416-300-1966 Marshall Homes

Craig Marshall, President

craig@marshallhomes.ca

Mobile: 647-888-8278



[ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ]
[May 19, 2021] Napatech Extends Multi-Year Design-Win with Innovative Cybersecurity Leader

COPENHAGEN, Denmark, May 19, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Napatech (OSLO: NAPA.OL), the leading provider of FPGA-based programmable SmartNICs, announced that a high-growth cybersecurity original equipment manufacturer (OEM) has again selected Napatech's Link SmartNIC software and hardware to improve the speed and accuracy of their newest enterprise-grade cybersecurity appliance. The company's innovative solution for protecting networks combines two of the most popular open-source cybersecurity applications into one powerful commercial-grade offering. Together they create the first open platform for transforming network traffic into actionable data for analysis, forensics and real-time response. Enterprises need to scale their networks to higher speeds and support an increasing number of users, devices and business applications. However, cybersecurity applications designed to protect those assets often suffer from reduced performance and packet loss as network speeds increase, which equates to reduced security effectiveness. Napatech's FPGA-based programmable SmartNICs include options for 1, 10, 25, 40 and 100 gigabit Ethernet and are powered by software packed with features to offload compute-intensive network and security processing from the CPU. This enables cybersecurity appliances to deliver line-rate networking performance while freeing up valuable compute resources for the security application and analytics engines to perform at speeds higher than any other alternative platform. This design-win disclosure marks the fourth time the OEM has selected Napatech for a product in the past year. The first three design wins were successfully launched in 2020. Initial orders for this fourth design win have been placed. As a result, the new design win embeds Napatech programmable SmartNICs within the customer's entire appliance product line. Napatech anticipates the aggregate future value from the customer's product line to exceed $7.5 million USD for the life of the designs. This notable win contributes to an expanding list for Napatech in the cybersecurity market, including more than 100 OEM and end-user customers. Ray Smets, Chief Executive Officer, Napatech, said: "Enterprises need to scale their cybersecurity analytics to higher speeds for an increasing amount of data, and that is a difficult goal to achieve with software alone. Napatech's programmable SmartNICs uniquely provide a hardware-programmable solution that improves the performance of cybersecurity applications, which gives cybersecurity professionals greater confidence by avoiding blind spots created by network packet loss." About Napatech Napatech helps companies to reimagine their business by bringing hyperscale computing benefits to IT organizations of every size. We enhance open and standard virtualized servers to boost innovation and release valuable computing resources that improve services and increase revenue. Our reconfigurable computing platform is based on a broad set of FPGA software for leading IT compute, network and security applications that are supported on a wide array of FPGA hardware designs. Additional information is available at: www.napatech.com No Forward-Looking Statements This press release may contain forward-looking statements which are only predictions and may differ materially from actual future events or results due to a variety of factors, including but not limited to, business conditions, trends in the industry and markets, global economic and geopolitical conditions, macro-economic factors, and other risks and uncertainties set forth in Napatech's reports. The matter discussed in this release is based on current expectations and maybe subject to change. Napatech will not necessarily update this information. For details, visit us at www.napatech.com.







Industry Press and Analysts Investor Relations Nordic Media Shannon Van Every Heine Thorsgaard Geir Bjrlo Press and Analyst Relations Chief Financial Officer Partner Nadel Phelan Napatech Corporate Communications +1.408.313.9974 +45.2241.8090 +47.9154.0000 shannon@nadelphelan.com htg@napatech.com geir.bjorlo@corpcom.no

View original content to download multimedia:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/napatech-extends-multi-year-design-win-with-innovative-cybersecurity-leader-301294638.html SOURCE Napatech

[ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ]
[May 19, 2021] Launch of Innovate Cities to Drive New Era of Smart City Innovation and Commercialization While Protecting Canadians' Privacy

Today marks the official launch of Innovate Cities, a not-for-profit network of innovators dedicated to creating more inclusive, livable and sustainable cities. Innovate Cities is a first-of-its-kind, helping to drive Canadian smart city innovation and commercialization by providing innovators with the tools they need to connect, create and scale - all while protecting every citizen's privacy. "With more than 80% of the Canadian population calling cities home, our urban communities are under significant strain. We need to adapt to create more resilient, healthier and happier places to live," says Hugh O'Reilly, Executive Director and Board Member of Innovate Cities. "Access to data is the key to unlocking this potential, but it cannot be done without a governance model and corresponding infrastructure that protects individual privacy and earns trust. With a new model, smart city technology can be regulated much like any other service to ensure that it is working for citizens rather than against them." Innovate Cities innovation infrastructure protects data privacy, promotes collaboration and accelerates commercialization through its four core offerings: CityShield: The Privacy by Design data trust is the foundation of Innovate Cities' work. CityShield protects personal privacy and unleashes innovation by enabling data collectors (e.g., property owners, app developers) to share strongly deidentified data within the network. To ensure privacy is always upheld, Innovate Cities has established the role of an independent Chief Privacy Officer, filled by world-leading privacy expert Dr. Ann Cavoukian, who will work to ensure compliance with extensive privacy standards and act asan avenue for complaints from innovators, businesses and the public. Additionally, an External Advisory Board is being developed to inform policies and guidelines, and Innovate Cities will undertake an independent annual audit, which will be made publicly available online.

The Privacy by Design data trust is the foundation of Innovate Cities' work. CityShield protects personal privacy and unleashes innovation by enabling data collectors (e.g., property owners, app developers) to share strongly deidentified data within the network. To ensure privacy is always upheld, Innovate Cities has established the role of an independent Chief Privacy Officer, filled by world-leading privacy expert who will work to ensure compliance with extensive privacy standards and act asan avenue for complaints from innovators, businesses and the public. Additionally, an External Advisory Board is being developed to inform policies and guidelines, and Innovate Cities will undertake an independent annual audit, which will be made publicly available online. CityStack: A series of smart city technologies are already available that can be implemented to make any building 'smart' today. These solutions can help address a variety of issues and challenges, including post-pandemic return to work, monitoring and appropriate cleaning of spaces in office buildings, regulating energy usage for a cleaner and better environment, and much more.

A series of smart city technologies are already available that can be implemented to make any building 'smart' today. These solutions can help address a variety of issues and challenges, including post-pandemic return to work, monitoring and appropriate cleaning of spaces in office buildings, regulating energy usage for a cleaner and better environment, and much more. CitySphere: Innovate Cities' innovator community will highlight the importance of collaboration as an essential piece of innovation. By encouraging an ecosystem that is rooted in collaboration, partnerships will be developed which help to accelerate the commercialization of technologies.

Innovate Cities' innovator community will highlight the importance of collaboration as an essential piece of innovation. By encouraging an ecosystem that is rooted in collaboration, partnerships will be developed which help to accelerate the commercialization of technologies. CityScape: Innovate Cities' innovation marketplace in partnership with the Toronto Region Board of Trade, allows innovators to connect with potential clients from the real estate sector (major tenants, commercial property owners, and service providers) who can implement smart city technologies to improve the urban experience of people who use their spaces.



"I decided to work with Innovate Cities because of their strong belief in protecting privacy, by design," says Dr. Ann Cavoukian, Innovate Cities' independent Chief Privacy Officer. "All data they collect will be strongly deidentified of personal identifiers, rendering it free of privacy risks. Privacy and smart cities - win/win!"

Committed to following the constantly evolving data privacy landscape, the organization is also working closely with the CIO Strategy Council on an ongoing basis to develop new standards in the sector. ABOUT Innovate Cities is a not-for-profit network of innovators creating more inclusive, livable and sustainable cities. ?We believe that an advanced innovation infrastructure - with data privacy at its core - will drive the kind of smart city innovations that create better, safer places to live, work and connect, while contributing to Canada's economic prosperity. Innovate Cities is a first-of-its-kind. We help drive Canadian smart city innovation and commercialization by providing innovators with the tools they need to connect, create and scale. We embed Privacy by Design, the gold standard of privacy principles, into everything we do. We provide expert oversight and accountability through each of our offerings to maintain transparency, ensure that data is being used solely for its intended purpose and earn public confidence and trust. ?Located in Southern Ontario, Innovate Cities is committed to promoting collaboration and helping innovators develop solutions that accelerate Canada's economy and turn aspirations into action. Find out more at Innovatecities.com. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210519005279/en/

[ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ]
[May 19, 2021] Trilantic North America Establishes Founders Council

Trilantic North America, a leading, growth-focused middle market private equity firm, today announced the launch of its Founders Council, which will provide strategic guidance and support to leaders of founder- and family-owned businesses, with a specific focus on female entrepreneurs. The Council will serve as a network for entrepreneurs within and outside the firm's portfolio to share best practices for tackling the challenges founders face as their businesses scale. "We are passionate about working closely with entrepreneurs to unlock their potential, support the growth of their businesses and problem solve at each stage of their unique journeys," said Jamie Manges, Partner and Head of Consumer at Trilantic North America. "By establishing a community for the diverse business leaders in our network, we are enhancing our ability to serve as effective partners and empowering leadership and their decision making." The founding members, predominantly female entrepreneurs within the consumer and business services sectors, bring extensive experience launching and growing successful businesses and a complementary mix of strategic and operational expertise. The Founders Council is comprised of leaders of both current and former Trilantic North America portfolio companies, as well as thought leaders across the broader business community. The firm will engage industry leaders within and outside the Founders Council for discussion on topical themes, such as digital acceleration and post-pandemic consumer behavior and spending. "The Trilantic North America team has long taken a hands-on approach to partnering with its portfolio companies and ceating long-term value within their businesses," said veteran technology executive Lisa Hook (News - Alert) , who serves as Chair of the Founders Council. "These are investors that truly understand the importance of equipping management teams with the tools to embrace opportunities that arise from significant macroeconomic shifts, as well as the critical nature of advancing business leaders with diverse backgrounds and perspectives."



Ms. Hook brings more than three decades of leadership experience at Fortune 500 companies including AOL and Time Warner (News - Alert) , and most recently served as President and CEO of Neustar, a global information and analytics services company. She is joined on the Council by Dr. Punam Keller, Senior Associate Dean of Innovation and Growth at the Tuck School of Business at Dartmouth College. Dean Keller will serve as the faculty director for the recently announced executive education program, a partnership between Trilantic North America and Tuck, dedicated to furthering gender equity with the private markets. To learn more about the Trilantic North America Founders Council, visit www.trilanticnorthamerica.com/team/advisory-boards.

About Trilantic North America Trilantic Capital Management L.P. ("Trilantic North America") is a private equity firm focused on control and significant minority investments in North America. Trilantic North America's primary investment focus is in the business services, consumer and energy sectors. Trilantic North America has managed six private equity fund families with aggregate capital commitments of $9.7 billion. Trilantic North America has been recognized by Inc. Magazine's 2019 list of Top 50 Founder-Friendly Private Equity Firms. For more information, visit www.trilanticnorthamerica.com. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210519005301/en/

[ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ]
[May 19, 2021] SparkCognition Acquires Ensemble Energy to Accelerate Renewable Energy Growth Using Artificial Intelligence

AUSTIN, Texas, May 19, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- SparkCognition, a leading artificial intelligence (AI) company, is pleased to announce it has acquired Ensemble Energy, a leading provider of software products and services for the renewable energy industry. Through this acquisition, SparkCognition is offering the world's first AI-enabled asset management platform for clean energy, supporting the industry in its transition towards renewables by reducing costs and increasing energy production. SparkCognition has long focused on improving sustainability for the energy sector by using AI technology to improve operational and productional efficiency, along with reducing downtime and unexpected failures. Ensemble Energy combines deep renewable energy domain expertise with the latest in cloud computing and data analytics. By leveraging Ensemble Energy's technology and domain expertise in conjunction with SparkCognition's AI platform, SparkCognition now offers a solution to help energy companies reduce environmental impact. "SparkCognition was founded with the vision of building scalable AI solutions to solve the problems that matter most, and in our estimation, there is no bigger problem than building a more sustainable future," said Amir Husain, founder and CEO of SparkCognition. "Major energy companies have already been making great strides to adopt more renewable practices and technologies  and through the acquisition of Ensemble Energy, we look forward to continuing collaboration with energy organizations to help them reduce environmental impact, ultimately creating a better, smarter, and more sustainable world." "Our mission at Ensemble Energy has always been to accelerate the clean energy revolution and we recognized this as a shared mission with SparkCognition," said Dr. Sandeep Gupta, CEO of Ensemble Energy. "We're excited to join the SparkCognition team, where we can continue to build upon our existing platform and SparkCognition's unmatched AI technology  offering the energy industry valuable AI solutions and ultimately accelerating the adoption of renewable energy." Enabling sustainability through the prodction, storage, and utilization of renewable energy has become the key to solving the existential challenge of climate change in every facet of our society. According to BloombergNEF, businesses and governments across the world have invested over $2 trillion in renewable energy capacity development over the past decade, resulting in the addition of over 1,200 GW of capacity. Over 90% of that capacity was attributed to solar and wind energy. Over the coming decades, as evidenced by the national commitments recently made at the U.S. led Leaders Summit for Climate, massive additional investments will be needed to achieve a net zero carbon global energy portfolio. The global renewable energy market is expected to surpass $1.5 trillion by 2025, registering a CAGR of over 6% from 2018 to 2025, according to Allied Market Research.



"Addressing global climate change requires the world to deploy engineering solutions at scale, in order to make them cheaper and more effective," said Lord John Browne of Madingley, SparkCognition board member and former CEO of bp. "SparkCognition's acquisition of Ensemble Energy will enable us to do just that, helping customers to transform their businesses faster and more cost effectively than before by applying cutting edge AI technology." SparkCognition's acquisition of Ensemble Energy will accelerate the adoption of AI within the energy industry by offering differentiated domain expertise and an asset management platform utilizing both data- and physics-based proprietary algorithms. As optimization of operations and maintenance costs becomes an increasingly important component of maximizing project bankability, SparkCognition's renewable energy asset management solutions will help producers increase revenue and minimize avoidable cost. This solution can be used by operators of all sizes and at all stages of digital transformation. The company will initially focus on serving wind and solar energy producers and rapidly expand into energy storage, hydro, and green hydrogen.

To learn more about SparkCognition's work in renewable energy, click here.

About SparkCognition

SparkCognition catalyzes sustainable growth for their clients throughout the world with proven artificial intelligence (AI) systems, award-winning machine learning technology, and a multinational team of AI thought leaders. Our clients partner with SparkCognition to understand their industry's most pressing challenges, analyze complex data, empower decision-making, and transform human and industrial productivity. Our vision is to build scalable AI solutions to solve the problems that matter most. We collaborate with organizations to help them reduce environmental impact creating a better, smarter, and more sustainable world. To learn more about how SparkCognition's AI applications can unlock the power in your data, visit www.sparkcognition.com. SparkCognition Contact Info

Michelle Saab

VP, Marketing Communications

msaab@sparkcognition.com

512-956-5491 View original content to download multimedia:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/sparkcognition-acquires-ensemble-energy-to-accelerate-renewable-energy-growth-using-artificial-intelligence-301294683.html SOURCE SparkCognition

[ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ]
[May 19, 2021] Pantheon Names 2021 Lightning Awards Winners and Honorees

SAN FRANCISCO, May 19, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Today, Pantheon , the SaaS-based website operations (WebOps) platform for developers, designers, and marketers, announced its first annual Lightning Award winners. The awards recognize the worlds best WebOps leaders for creating web experiences that drive meaningful results.

These awards highlight how our customers and agency partners are embracing WebOps to drive web and design strategies that achieve extraordinary progress toward their companys mission, said Pantheon Co-Founder and Chief Strategy Officer, Josh Koenig. From fighting racism and supporting the homeless to empowering content editors and creating novel digital experiences, these winners are driving deep, positive change. The award selection committee included open web and industry experts, Pantheon executives, and members of Pantheon Heroes, the Pantheon customer advocacy program. WebOps teams within organizations of all types and sizes located across the globe, including the United States, Philippines, Argentina, Canada, France, and the U.K., submitted nominations. Winners were selected for each of the five award categories and one was named 2021 WebOps Team of the Year: 2021 WebOps Team of the Year and The Trailblazer Award:

Covenant House by Kanopi Studios

For operational agility and transformative response in the face of COVID to accelerate fundraising for homeless communities. The team improved the online donation experience to increase the number of new users and transactions, and exceed their giving goals for 2020. Honorable Mention: Kenmore Cares - Pandemic Response by COLAB The Impact Award:

New Relic Website by New Relic

For leading a complex multi-platform oen web migration while successfully delivering three high-visibility, system-wide product launches. Automated tools, clear processes, relentless customer focus, and real-time collaboration with business stakeholders enabled a large team of 20 designers, developers, engineers, content editors, and project managers across four different time zones to successfully deploy five major project milestones.



Honorable Mention: Golden Globes Website by Pastilla Inc. The Mover & Shaker Award :

Pimento Relief Services by Clockwork

For best application of WebOps capabilities to securely activate and scale a social movement. This dynamic and expandable information hub and social network organizes and activates coalitions for social, and political liberation of all Black people. It connects organizations and individuals actively combating racism, and rapidly responds to the needs of Black business owners and community leaders.

Honorable Mention: The COVID-19 Corporate Memory Project: Capturing History in Real-Time by Mediacurrent The Innovation Award:

Provus by Promet Source

For creating an innovative user experience enabling content editors to quickly and easily customize, iterate and deploy websites on-brand and at scale for large, multisite networks. The team successfully rolled out 53 websites for Orange County, CA, completing two to three sites every six weeks. Honorable Mention: Travel Nevada Website by Noble Studios The Community Advocate Award:

Anna Mykhailova of Kalamuna

For consistent passion and dedication to the open web community demonstrated through her volunteerism and WebOps leadership. Annas mission includes developer education, Drupal training, contributing to documentation, WebOps workflows, and user testing software and patches. Honorable Mention: AmyJune Hineline of Kanopi Studios To learn more about the awards, please visit: https://pantheon.io/pantheon-lightning-awards-2021 About Pantheon

Pantheon WebOps Platform powers the open web, running more than 300,000 sites in the cloud for customers including Google, MGM, Stitch Fix, and DocuSign. Every day, thousands of developers and marketers create, iterate, and scale WordPress and Drupal sites to reach billions of people globally. Pantheons multitenant, container-based platform enables organizations to manage all of their websites from a single dashboard. Organizations including Clorox and the United Nations drive results through accelerated development and real-time publishing using Pantheons collaborative workflows. Contact: Liv Allen / press@pantheon.io



[ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ]
[May 19, 2021] Prodoscore Secures Additional $3M in Funding and Hires President

Prodoscore, the leader in employee visibility and productivity software, today announced a pivotal new executive hire, as the company secures another round of funding. David Powell, a 25-year veteran of the IT industry, joins Prodoscore as president. Powell has had an incredibly successful career in the SaaS (News - Alert) space. He was named a CRN Channel Chief in 2017 and 2021 and listed in the Birmingham Business Journal's Top 40 Under 40 in 2011. Powell also made the "Top 250 People in Managed Services" list by MSPmentor a total of five times. Powell was instrumental in the growth of the managed services business unit at LogicMonitor, leading up to its eventual sale to Vista Equity Partners. He then did advisory work for Inverness Graham following its acquisition of Corsica Technologies. Powell joined Corsica as CRO and played a key role in its growth and acquisition of four additional MSPs. In 2020, he joined Perch Security, helping the company continue its period of rapid growth. At the end of 2020, ConnectWise (News - Alert) , a Thomas Bravo company, purchased Perch, and Powell became SVP of Growth. "We could not be more excited to have David on our team. His eperience building large scale revenue organizations will certainly help us manage the heightened demand for our solution, and allow us to continue to scale," said Prodoscore CEO Sam Naficy.



The new hire announcement comes on the heels of an additional $ 3M (News - Alert) in funding from SNK Capital Partners, bringing its total commitment to more than $5M by year-end 2021. "This is a very interesting time for companies in America and around the world," said Powell. "Many of their employees are beginning to return to the office after a year of fully remote work. Research shows that 30-50% of the workforce may stay remote. Company leadership is trying to determine: 'How do we know if our employees are productive?' Visibility into the data around employee productivity and key insights about their work are going to be essential to the return to work model. Prodoscore is uniquely positioned to provide employers that visibility and give them actionable insights to efficiently manage their business going forward."

As president, Powell will be leading Prodoscore through the next phase of rapid growth, driving substantial revenue and supporting the evolution of the company. "There are moments in time when a broad range of market forces come together that create opportunities for a company to thrive," Powell continued "We are seeing many of those trends right now and Prodoscore sits at the nexus of several, which is why I couldn't be more excited about joining the team and the future of Prodoscore." About Prodoscore Prodoscore is a company dedicated to empowering teams to be more effective and productive, validated with improved performance and enhanced contributions. By providing visibility into employee activities through a single, easy-to-understand productivity score, a "prodoscore" is calculated to improve workforce productivity and streamline the employee experience. Prodoscore works seamlessly with cloud tools like Google Workspace, Microsoft (News - Alert) Office365, CRM systems, and VoIP calling platforms, allowing it to be quickly implemented and maintained. Learn more at prodoscore.com. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210519005261/en/

[ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ]
[May 19, 2021] D2L CELEBRATES EDUCATION TRAILBLAZERS MAKING A GLOBAL IMPACT

Kitchener, Waterloo, May 19, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Today, D2L announced the winners of the D2L Innovation Award, which recognizes and celebrates post-secondary educators for their innovative approaches to student-centered teaching and learning. The awards are co-sponsored with The Society for Teaching and Learning in Higher Education (STLHE). The 2021 winners are: Obidimma Ezezika , Assistant Professor of Health & Society at the University of Toronto, is driving research to help meet the health needs of people in marginalized communities through evidence-based interventions, such as technology and nutrition, at the local and global level.





Assistant Professor of Health & Society at the University of Toronto, is driving research to help meet the health needs of people in marginalized communities through evidence-based interventions, such as technology and nutrition, at the local and global level. Dr. Mohammad Moshirpour, MEng Software Program Director at the University of Calgary, is helping to cultivate the next generation of software engineering leaders, preparing them for global challenges through innovative course design and collaborative learning.



Award winners receive a two-year membership for STLHE and up to $2,200 towards registration and travel costs to attend the 2022 STLHE Annual Conference. They will be recognized as D2L Innovation Award recipients at this year's STLHE Unconference, which will be hosted virtually from June 7-11, 2021. In a time of immense societal and educational change, these inspiring educators serve as motivation for us as fellow colleagues both in our classrooms and our communities, says Denise Stockley, President of STLHE. The recipients of the D2L Innovation Award continue to demonstrate unique teaching and innovative pedagogcal practices in higher education.



These awards reflect our strong belief that education needs to constantly evolve to meet the ever-changing challenges, and we should celebrate educators who lead the way, says John Baker, President and CEO of D2L. This years recipients are shining examples of the profound impact that learning can have on the world  inspiring our future leaders to tackle global challenges and promoting health for people in marginalized communities. Were proud to honour our winners for making this world a better place through learning that is more accessible, equitable, and engaging for their students. ABOUT D2LS BRIGHTSPACE

D2Ls Brightspace is a? cloud-based ?learning platform built for people who care deeply about student success and helping to prepare them for what comes next.



It gives faculty across your institution tools theyre going to love, makes it easy to support exceptional student experiences in the classroom or fully online. D2Ls Brightspace is designed in close collaboration with clients around the world  building a pedagogically rich set of features to improve engagement, retention and learning outcomes. It also makes it easier to do assessment and give feedback.



D2Ls Brightspace is worry-free with 99.99% reliability. Its highly accessible and looks beautiful on any mobile device, making it easier for educators to reach every learner.



D2Ls Brightspace has won multiple industry awards , including the #1 LMS Technology for next-generation online teaching and learning. To learn more, visit D2L for Higher Education . ABOUT D2L D2L is transforming the way the world learns  helping learners of all ages achieve more than they dreamed possible. Working closely with clients all over the world, D2L is supporting millions of people learning online and in person. Our more than 950 global employees are dedicated to making the best learning products to leave the world better than where they found it. Learn more about D2L for K-12, higher education and businesses at www.D2L.com. D2L MEDIA CONTACT Christine DAngela

Director External Strategic Communications, D2L Corporation

pr@D2L.com Twitter: @D2L  2021 D2L Corporation. The D2L family of companies includes D2L Corporation, D2L Ltd, D2L Australia Pty Ltd, D2L Europe Ltd, D2L Asia Pte Ltd, and D2L Brasil Solucoes de Tecnologia para Educacao Ltda. All D2L marks are trademarks of D2L Corporation. Please visit D2L.com/trademarks for a list of D2L marks.



[ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ]
[May 19, 2021] Carvana Expands Footprint in Pacific Northwest With Yakima Launch

Carvana (NYSE: CVNA), the leading e-commerce platform for buying and selling used cars, continues its expansion in the Pacific Northwest, now offering as-soon-as-next-day touchless home delivery to Yakima area residents. Customers can shop more than 30,000 used cars for sale, secure financing or use the car loan calculator, purchase, trade in, and schedule as-soon-as-next-day vehicle delivery in as little as five minutes. Customers can also sell their current vehicle to Carvana and receive a real offer just as quickly, even without purchasing a vehicle. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210519005310/en/



Carvana continues Washington expansion, bringing The New Way to Buy a Car to Yakima area residents. (Photo: Business Wire)

Carvana customers save valuable time and money with The New Way to Buy a Car by skipping the dealership and shopping online. Carvana never adds hidden, last-minute fees and charges like "documentation fees," and to give customers the peace of mind and time to confirm that their vehicle fits their needs, all 30,000+ vehicles in Carvana's national inventory come with a seven-day return policy. This upgrade to the traditional test-drive allows customers to live with their vehicle for a whole week, ensuring there's time to see how it fits all the camping gear before a trip up to Mount Rainier, or simply test out how it handles the open road between Yakima's sprawling orchards. As the pioneer of online car buying, Carvana gives customers a high-definition, 360-degree virtual tour of every vehicle, inside and out. Carvana vehicles have passed a rigorous 150-point inspection, have never been in a reported accident and have no frame damage. Features, imperfections, and updated information about open safety recalls are listed on every car's vehicle description page. Customers can also trade in or sell a vehicle by simply entering their VIN or license plate number on Carvana.com, answering a few questions, and Carvana can pick the vehicle up and bring them a check, as soon as the next day. "As we continue our debut across the state of Washington, we look forward to being able to offer Yakima residents a great selection of vehicles at great prices," said Ernie Garcia, founder and CEO of Carvana. "We believe the community will embrace the ease, transparency, and great customer service that comes with The New Way to Buy a Car." Carvana now offers as-soon-as-next-day vehicle delivery to customers in 295 cities across the U.S. About Carvana (NYSE: CVNA) Founded in 2012 and based in Phoenix, Carvana's (NYSE: CVNA) mission is to change the way people buy cars. By removing the traditional dealership infrastructure and replacing it with technology and exceptional customer service, Carvana offers consumers an intuitive and convenient online car buying and financing platform. Carvana.com enables consumers to quickly and easily shop more than 30,000 vehicles, finance, trade-in or sell their current vehicle to Carvana, sign contracts, and schedule as-soon-as-next-day delivery or pickup at one of Carvana's patented, automated Car Vending Machines. For further information on Carvana, please visit www.carvana.com, or connect with us on Facebook, Instagram or Twitter. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210519005310/en/

[ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ]
Shlomo Ben-Ami (former Israeli foreign minister) in Project Syndicate:

The sudden eruption of war outside and inside Israels borders has shocked a complacent nation. Throughout Binyamin Netanyahus 12-year premiership, the Palestinian problem was buried and forgotten. The recent Abraham Accords, establishing diplomatic relations with four Arab states, seemed to weaken the Palestinian cause further. Now it has re-emerged with a vengeance.

Wars can be triggered by an isolated incident, but their cause is always deeper. In this case, the trigger, the eviction of Palestinians in favor of Israeli nationalists in the Sheikh Jarrah neighborhood of East Jerusalem, touched all the sensitive nerves of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Israels occupation of East Jerusalem, its humiliating control of access to the Al-Aqsa mosque, the ever-present memory of the 1948 Nakba (the displacement of 700,000 Palestinians when Israel was founded), and the grievances of Israels Arab minority are all fueling the current flare-up.

It may be true that the contested real estate in Sheikh Jarrah did belong to a Jewish family before 1948. But Palestinians saw the incident as part of Israels unrelenting drive to Judaize Jerusalem, and a striking injustice, because the state of Israel was built partly on the abandoned properties of Palestinian refugees. While Jews are entitled to reclaim property they owned before Israels founding, Palestinians may not. Those facing eviction in Sheikh Jarrah cannot recover the homes in Jaffa and Haifa that they once owned.

More here.
[May 19, 2021] Opus Capital Markets Consultants Now Wipro Opus Risk Solutions

Following the transition to a new operating model, Opus Capital Markets Consultants, LLC, a Wipro (News - Alert) Company, has been fully integrated with Wipro Limited (NYSE: WIT, BSE: 507685, NSE: WIPRO), a leading global information technology, consulting and business process services company and is now Wipro Opus Risk Solutions LLC. The newly formed company will continue to provide risk management, capital markets and compliance services. "We will have the same dedication and commitment to existing and new clients," said Peter Butler, executive managing director of digital operations and platforms for Wipro Opus. "We now can provide more value and resources as we become a part of a bigger brand and community. Combining Wipro's offerings with Wipro Opus Risk Solutions' capabilities and knowledge base creates an end-to-end offering for all mortgage players." Wipro purchased Opus in 2014, and as a renowned global brand, Wipro connected Opus' products, services and solutions to new markets, increased brand awareness and unlocked new business opportunities. "We are excited for the advantages this new operating model will bring," said Chris Guidici, managing director of sales for Wipro Opus. "Together, as one Wipro organization, we are confident that we will be able to bring more innovative thinking and a bolder approach to our partnerships." About Wipro Opus Risk Solutions Wipro Opus Risk Solutions is a specialized risk management and quality control service provider for a wide range of participants in the mortgage and consumer lending industry. Wipro Opus' services include residential and commercial due diligence, valuation and advisory solutions. As a Wipro company, Wipro Opus, along with sister company Wipro Gallagher Solutions, LLC, provides a full suite of mortgage solutions. For more information, please visit www.wipro.com/business-process/wipro-opus-risk-solutions/.



About Wipro Limited Wipro Limited (NYSE: WIT, BSE: 507685, NSE: WIPRO) is a leading global information technology, consulting and business process services company. We harness the power of cognitive computing, hyper-automation, robotics, cloud, analytics and emerging technologies to help our clients adapt to the digital world and make them successful. A company recognized globally for its comprehensive portfolio of services, strong commitment to sustainability and good corporate citizenship, we have over 190,000 dedicated employees serving clients across six continents. Together, we discover ideas and connect the dots to build a better and a bold new future.

Forward-Looking Statements The forward-looking statements contained herein represent Wipro's beliefs regarding future events, many of which are by their nature, inherently uncertain and outside Wipro's control. Such statements include, but are not limited to, statements regarding Wipro's growth prospects, its future financial operating results, and its plans, expectations and intentions. Wipro cautions readers that the forward-looking statements contained herein are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from the results anticipated by such statements. Such risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, risks and uncertainties regarding fluctuations in our earnings, revenue and profits, our ability to generate and manage growth, complete proposed corporate actions, intense competition in IT services, our ability to maintain our cost advantage, wage increases in India, our ability to attract and retain highly skilled professionals, time and cost overruns on fixed-price, fixed-time frame contracts, client concentration, restrictions on immigration, our ability to manage our international operations, reduced demand for technology in our key focus areas, disruptions in telecommunication networks, our ability to successfully complete and integrate potential acquisitions, liability for damages on our service contracts, the success of the companies in which we make strategic investments, withdrawal of fiscal governmental incentives, political instability, war, legal restrictions on raising capital or acquiring companies outside India, unauthorized use of our intellectual property and general economic conditions affecting our business and industry. The conditions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic could decrease technology spending, adversely affect demand for our products, affect the rate of customer spending and could adversely affect our customers' ability or willingness to purchase our offerings, delay prospective customers' purchasing decisions, adversely impact our ability to provide on-site consulting services and our inability to deliver our customers or delay the provisioning of our offerings, all of which could adversely affect our future sales, operating results and overall financial performance. Our operations may also be negatively affected by a range of external factors related to the COVID-19 pandemic that are not within our control. Additional risks that could affect our future operating results are more fully described in our filings with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission, including, but not limited to, Annual Reports on Form 20-F. These filings are available at www.sec.gov. We may, from time to time, make additional written and oral forward-looking statements, including statements contained in the company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission and our reports to shareholders. We do not undertake to update any forward-looking statement that may be made from time to time by us or on our behalf. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210519005141/en/

[ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ]
[May 19, 2021] Lighthouse Recognized as a Microsoft Security 20/20 Partner Award Winner for Compliance Services Innovator of the Year

Lighthouse today announced it has been named a Microsoft (News - Alert) Security 20/20 award winner for the Compliance Services Innovator of the Year category. Lighthouse was honored among a global field of top Microsoft partners for demonstrating excellence in innovation, integration, and customer implementation with Microsoft technology. "Innovation is at the core of everything we do at Lighthouse and to be recognized for our compliance innovation is a huge honor," said Chris Dahl, Senior Vice President of Product Development, Global Advisory Services, and Strategic Partnerships at Lighthouse. "This past year challenged us all, but Lighthouse pushed through those challenges, aligning efforts with Microsoft to deliver innovation in the products we develop and the services we provide to our clients. It is extremely rewarding to be acknowledged for all of that hard work and to win this prestigious award." At the second annual Microsoft Security 20/20 Awards held May 12, 2021, award winners were announced in 18 categories spanning security, compliance, and identity. Lighthouse won for the Microsoft Security 20/20 Compliance Services Innovator of the Year award. "The pandemic changed our perspective on work, home life, and security, presenting new challenges and new opportunities," said Vasu Jakal, CVP, Security, Compliance, and Identity at Microsoft Corp. "I am so proud of the way our industry partners responded with innovation, compassion, resilience, and a determination to help protect people and organizations around the world. We are delighted to recognize the excellence of these leaders at the second annual Microsoft Security 20/20 awards."



This year, Microsoft Intelligent Security Association (MISA) members voted on the winners of the Microsoft Security 20/20 Awards, providing an opportunity for colleagues to honor their industry peers who align to Microsoft's core values and have delivered exceptional Microsoft-based solutions and services during the past year. MISA was established to help further the security ecosystem, fostering an environment where solution providers can collaborate to create a future that's safer for people and organizations alike. About Lighthouse:

For over 25 years, Lighthouse has provided software and services to manage the increasingly complex landscape of enterprise data for compliance and legal teams. Lighthouse leads by developing proprietary technology that integrates with industry-leading, third-party software, providing case management and advisory services, and automating workflows that have proven highly valuable to its clients for large, complex matters, as well as creating an easy-to-use, end-to-end SaaS (News - Alert) platform in Spectra designed for in-house teams. Whether collaborating with clients on incidents like litigation or governmental investigations, or designing programs for its clients to proactively minimize the potential for future incidents, Lighthouse deploys best-in-class expertise and technology and partners with multinational industry leaders, top global law firms, and the world's leading software provider as a channel partner. For more information, visit lighthouseglobal.com. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210519005591/en/

[ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ]
[May 19, 2021] Donaldson Expands Dual-Stage Battery Vent Offering with New Flex Resealable Vent

Donaldson Company, Inc. (NYSE:DCI), a leading worldwide manufacturer of innovative filtration products and solutions, has expanded its dual-stage battery pack vent line with the addition of the Dual-Stage Flex battery vent. The new battery vent enables pressure relief of automotive battery packs at lower pressures, helping support the life and reliability of electric vehicle (EV) batteries. Battery packs are the heaviest and most expensive EV component. As the industry evolves, so has the need to lower the weight of the battery pack, which can be reduced with thinner battery pack walls. However, these thinner walls can't withstand higher pressures within the battery pack. The new Dual-Stage Flex battery vent was developed to address this low-pressure requirement. Donaldson's Dual-Stage Flex battery vent contains a one-way umbrella valve that allows for quick exhaust if pressures within the battery pack increase. The low opening pressure means the internal pressure can quickly release through a flexible valve, helping avoid potential further disruption to other battery pack cells. The dual-stage vent offering from Donaldson now includes the Flex and Burst vent options - both provide sealing and guarding against contaminants; offer continuous pressure equalization to help protect the battery housing from excess over- or under-pessure; expel damp air for effective ventilation; and help with mitigation of gasses in the case of a thermal runaway event inside the battery.



"The Dual-Stage Flex battery vent is easy to integrate into most battery pack configurations, and is a great choice for electric vehicle manufacturers looking for a venting solution with low opening pressure," said Shane Campbell, senior product development engineer with Donaldson Integrated Venting Solutions. "Both of our dual-stage vents feature Donaldson's proprietary Tetratex ePTFE filtration membrane that is engineered for maximum airflow and offers advanced ingress protection." For more information on the Dual-Stage Flex battery vent or Donaldson's full range of integrated venting solutions, visit www.donaldson.com/en-us/venting/technical-articles/protecting-battery-enclosures-dual-stage-venting/ or email venting.solutions@donaldson.com.

About Donaldson Company, Inc. Founded in 1915, Donaldson (NYSE: DCI) is a global leader in technology-led filtration products and solutions, serving a broad range of industries and advanced markets. Our diverse, skilled employees at over 140 locations on six continents partner with customers-from small business owners to the world's biggest OE brands-to solve complex filtration challenges. Discover how Donaldson is Advancing Filtration for a Cleaner World at www.Donaldson.com. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210519005592/en/

[ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ]
[May 19, 2021] Pax8 Appoints Microsoft Executive David Willis to Board of Directors

DENVER, May 19, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Pax8, the best place for IT professionals to buy cloud products, today announced it has named David Willis, a 28-year Microsoft executive, to the Pax8 Board of Directors.

We are thrilled to welcome David to the Pax8 Board of Directors, said John Street, Chief Executive Officer at Pax8. His breadth of knowledge and expertise will be highly regarded and valuable to the companys growth as Pax8 continues to drive cloud transformation across global markets. Willis joined Microsoft in 1992 and has held a variety of senior sales and marketing leadership positions. Willis most recently served as the Corporate Vice President for Microsofts US One Commercial Partner (OCP) group. Previously, Willis was Corporate Vice President for the US Small and Mid-Market Solutions and Partners group (US SMS&P). In this role, he was responsible for a large team of sales, marketing, and partner management professionals serving Microsoft's business customers and vast Partner community. Willis also held the positions of Vice President of US Dynamics and Vice President of the US East Region for US SMS&P after moving to the US from the Canadian subsidiary. During his career at Microsoft, Willis built a strategic, differentiated, and high-impact Microsoft partner ecosystem to help businesses digitally transform. The work he did enabled businesses across the world to deliver high-value cloud-based solutions. I am truly energized by the opportunity to join the Pax8 Board of Directors to continue driving digital transformation in the global channel ecosystem, said Willis. As a born-in-the-cloud Indirect technology provider, Pax8 is in a unique position to help technology providers transform their business and unlock incredible potential for customers worldwide. I look forward to helping Pax8 continue on their tremendous growth journey to achieve breakthrough performance.



To learn more about Pax8, please visit www.pax8.com. About Pax8

Pax8 is modernizing how partners buy, sell, and manage cloud. As a born-in-the-cloud company, Pax8 simplifies the buying journey with cloud automation, empowering the modern partner to achieve more. The companys technology displaces legacy distribution by connecting the channel ecosystem to its award-winning transactional cloud marketplace. Through billing, provisioning, automation, industry-leading PSA integrations, pre and post-sales support, and education, Pax8 is a proven disruptor in the market. Pax8 has ranked in the Inc. 5000 for three consecutive years  #68 in 2018, #60 in 2019, and #111 in 2020  as one of the fastest-growing private companies in the US. If you want to be successful with cloud, you want to work with Pax8. Get started today at www.pax8.com.

Follow Pax8 on Facebook, LinkedIn, and Twitter. Media contact: John Trent

PR Manager at Pax8

jtrent@pax8.com



[ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ]
[May 19, 2021] Waters Corporation Celebrates the Life and Legacy of its Founder, Jim Waters

Waters Corporation founder James L. Waters, a legendary inventor and pioneer in liquid chromatography whose work spurred a multi-billion-dollar industry and helped advance numerous scientific breakthroughs, passed away peacefully on May 17th. He was 95 years old. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210519005620/en/ James L. Waters (Photo: Business Wire) "While we mourn his passing, those who knew and worked alongside him remember Jim Waters as a brilliant and spirited scientist and businessman, who propelled the discipline of separations science with his revolutionary work in liquid chromatography," said Udit Batra, CEO and President of Waters Corporation. "Alongside his loving family, our Company and industry celebrate the legacy of this special man who always sought to 'deliver benefit' and whose work continues to catalyze innovation across the life, materials and food sciences, and today contributes to the fast-evolving science on COVID-19 vaccine development and disease research." Watch the Jim Waters Tribute video: "A Legacy of Delivering Benefit" Jim Waters was born Oct. 7, 1925 in Nebraska. A career opportunity for his father relocated the family to Framingham, Massachusetts where Jim would later launch his namesake company Waters Associates in 1958 in the basement of the Framingham Police Department. With five employees, his plan was to build scientific instruments. The company's big breakthrough came in 1965, when Waters licensed a refractometer from Dow Chemical for analyzing plastics. Jim built an instrument around the refractometer and "sales took off like a rocket after that," Waters later said. Perhaps Jim's biggest triumph for the company came in 1972, by solving a problem for Harvard Professor and Quincy, Mass. native Robert Woodward who was working on the synthesis of vitamin B 12 and who had already won a Nobel (News - Alert) Prize in Chemistry in 1965 for being the first to synthesize chlorophyll. At Woodward's request, Waters accompanied a team to Woodward's lab with a liquid chromatograph and solved the problem in the span of a few weeks. The Waters liquid chromatograph, and ones that came later now help drive pharmaceutical drug discovery, development, and manufacturingthroughout the world. Along the way Jim redefined separations science, which crossed the boundaries of physics, chemistry, mathematics, and engineering. Through his revolutionary work, he first advanced the field of gel permeation chromatography, which led to liquid chromatography and the dramatic growth of the global analytical technologies industry. Today, Jim Waters' fledgling company has grown into a multi-billion-dollar global industry leader in analytical technologies serving the life, food, and materials sciences fields.



His tenure as President of Waters Associates lasted until 1979, when Millipore Corporation purchased the company. The company remained a division of Millipore, until Millipore split it off in a management-led buyout. It became public again during an initial public offering in 1995. In his honor Waters Corporation established the Jim Waters Society in 2017 to recognize employees for scientific achievement.

As a firm believer in the power of education, Jim Waters strongly identified with the principles he learned about systems thinking as an important life skill. Jim and his wife Faith, a former teacher, recognized the value of systems thinking to empower students to create successful lives for themselves and contribute to the world in important, positive ways. What began as a special project through the Waters Foundation more than 30 years ago grew to become the Waters Center for Systems Thinking, a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to delivering benefits through systems thinking to school districts, organizations and communities around the world. A benefactor and trustee of Northeastern University (News - Alert) , in 1984 Jim and his wife Faith endowed the James L. Waters Chair in Analytical Chemistry within the Barnett Institute at Northeastern University and which is now held by Professor John Engen. At a ceremony in 2019, the University acknowledged Jim with a Pioneer Award for his continued service toward furthering the university's mission of developing young scientists and contributing to the advancement of STEM education and careers. A symposium in his name is held annually at the Pittsburgh Conference on Analytical Chemistry and Applied Spectroscopy (PITTCON), an analytical instrument industry trade show and conference. Now in its 32nd year, the Symposium explores the origin, development, implementation, and commercialization of scientific instrumentation of established and major significance. More on Jim Waters: History of Jim Waters and Waters Corporation

Science History Institute Oral History Interview with James L. Waters

Northeastern Storytellers: James Waters H'93 Follow and connect with Waters via Twitter, LinkedIn, and Facebook About Waters Corporation Waters Corporation (NYSE:WAT), the world's leading specialty measurement company, has pioneered chromatography, mass spectrometry, and thermal analysis innovations serving the life, materials, and food sciences for more than 60 years. With more than 7,400 employees worldwide, Waters operates directly in 35 countries, including 14 manufacturing facilities, and with products available in more than 100 countries. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210519005620/en/

[ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ]
[May 19, 2021] Frost & Sullivan Analyzes the Mega Trends Transforming the United States Through 2030

Experts reveal the social, education, work, political, economic, and urbanization trends set to converge in the next decade, transforming the US SANTA CLARA, Calif., May 19, 2021 /CNW/ -- Frost & Sullivan's recent analysis, Transformative Mega Trends in the United States through 2030, examines the complex intersections of social, education, work, political, economic, and urbanization trends set to converge in the next decade. Social trends will be the biggest drivers of disruption, including the evolution of millennials, the rise of Gen Z, growth of the elderly demographic, expanding Hispanic and Asian populations, and income divides. While the COVID-19 pandemic negatively impacted the US gross domestic product (GDP) growth rate, it is set to remain positive throughout the remainder of the decade. For further information on this analysis, please visit: http://frost.ly/5r0 "As the US marches into the next decade on the heels of COVID, the country is set to undergo dramatic transformations in the way Americans work and live. Social forces are set to bring changes in the country, and Millennials will remain the largest age group the US has ever seen (26.6% in 2030), ushering in a dramatic national shift as this population moves into leadership positions, family roles, and suburban living," said Lauren Martin-Taylor, Principal Consultant at Frost & Sullivan. "Gen Z will be the second-largest demographic at 24.6% of the population, driving developments in digital requirements as they age into secondary education and enter the workplace." Taylor added: "Education is undergoing a revolution in terms of higher education and enterprise-based education as companies focus on adjusting to a more automated working environment. New technologies, greater personalization, and various formats, suchas boot camps, will play a significant role. Also, Hispanics will reach 21.1% of the US population in 2030. The power of this population will permeate throughout educational institutions and workplaces and may generate a leading Democratic or Republican presidential nominee."



Key Mega Trends include: Social: By 2030, one in five Americans will be more than 65 years old, driving changes in living solutions, leisure activities, and healthcare. Additionally, single women, making up 45% of working females, will wield significant influence and drive spending power in the industries that cater to them. Education: COVID-19, the pupil cliff, job automation, and emerging technologies are driving a new era in education that is more practical, personalized, and ongoing. Today, only 29% of students and teachers agree that content is personalized. A significant shift toward personalized learning could result in an 11% increase in the high school graduation rate by 2030 and an additional 550,000 college degrees attained. Future of Work: The US labor force is expected to increase to 173 million workers by 2030, but the participation rate is expected to drop slightly to 64.9%. The jump in workers who began telecommuting during the COVID-19 pandemic is expected to have lasting elevated effects, with about 40% of workers doing some or all of their primary job from home in 2030. Politics: Today's political polarization may lead to diverse possibilities that could include further extremism and negative consequences or a return to moderation. Advances in technology that support remote or mobile ballot casting could shift voting patterns. Urbanization: The United States will have five mega regions, dominated by the New York mega region with 21.6 million citizens. The Los Angeles mega region will have 14 million citizens. The economic power of these regions is greater than that of France or the United Kingdom . The suburbs are expected to comprise 57% of the population, increasing by 7.9% between 2020 and 2030. Alternately, the percent of citizens living in rural regions is expected to shrink to 12%. Economics: Economic policies such as the CARES Act combined with recent tax reductions will put the United States in a challenging economic situation, particularly if faced with future crises such as a recession or another pandemic. California , Texas , New York , and Florida are projected to have the largest state economies in 2030, while Utah , North Dakota , Washington , and Nevada will grow the fastest. Transformative Mega Trends in the United States through 2030 is the latest addition to Frost & Sullivan's TechVision Group research and analyses available through the Frost & Sullivan Leadership Council, which helps organizations identify a continuous flow of growth opportunities to succeed in an unpredictable future.

About Frost & Sullivan For six decades, Frost & Sullivan has been world-renowned for its role in helping investors, corporate leaders and governments navigate economic changes and identify disruptive technologies, Mega Trends, new business models, and companies to action, resulting in a continuous flow of growth opportunities to drive future success. Contact us: Start the discussion Transformative Mega Trends in the United States through 2030 K482 Contact:

Francesca Valente

Global Corporate Communications

E: Francesca.Valente@frost.com

http://ww2.frost.com View original content to download multimedia:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/frost--sullivan-analyzes-the-mega-trends-transforming-the-united-states-through-2030-301295099.html SOURCE Frost & Sullivan

[ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ]
[May 19, 2021] Assignar Secures $20 Million To Expand Its Operations Platform For Infrastructure Contractors & Projects

DENVER, May 19, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Assignar, a cloud-based construction operations platform for heavy civil & infrastructure self-perform general and subcontractors, today announces that it has raised $20 million in Series B funding. The round was led by Fifth Wall, the largest venture capital firm focused on technology for the global real estate industry, with a repeat investment from Tola Capital and a new investment from Ironspring Ventures. Fifth Wall Partner, Vik Chawla joins the board as part of this round. The Biden administration's Infrastructure Bill is nearing agreement, signaling an investment in infrastructure for communities across the US. However, most software solutions on the market serve general contractors in the commercial project management space. Assignar instead caters to the boots in the dirt with an easy to use operations platform for self-perform general and subcontractors on public and private infrastructure projects. Assignar streamlines operations, schedules and tracks crews and equipment, improves quality and safety, and measures and monitors productivity and progress with data on all projects. Assignar supports hundreds of international customers, in markets beyond the United States like Australia, New Zealand & Canada, that are working on multibillion dollar projects in infrastructure, road, rail, heavy civil, utilities and other construction disciplines. "We recognize that our customers will serve the demands of the infrastructure investments being planned across the United States, Canada, Australia and other markets. We'll be there to help them identify how to scale, investing more deeply in our platform and insights with this fundraise. We're pleased to have the support and partnership with Fifth Wall with its deep understanding of solutions for the Built World to build on our vision," said Sean McCreanor, CEO and Co-Founder of Assignar. "For years, the construction industry has lacked a well-designed and ubiquitous operations platform. Assgnar offers a unique solution that makes projects easier for large general contractors, developers, and real estate owner-operators who seek the best real-time snapshot of granular field activity. We're pleased to support Sean and his team and to help Assignar scale its business into 2021 and beyond," said Vik Chawla, Partner with Fifth Wall.



With this new capital, Assignar will grow its business in North America and double its team by hiring for roles across all departments. The company also plans to invest in R&D and product development to further develop its core platform. It will introduce an expansion through powerful project optimization capabilities, creating project visibility from the owner down to the sub-contractors, coupled with a recommendation engine that leverages data, AI and machine learning to support planning and execution processes. "We can quantify the savings that we've realized since implementing Assignar's technology. For example, we've saved over $30,000 a year in timesheet reporting alone. Assignar also provides data analysis by automatically pulling the information from our reports together to give a snapshot of our 15-20 active projects. This ability to better monitor data and get more readily available data has also improved communication with the office and our clients," said Terri Olson, CFO & Co-owner at OE Construction, a large earthworks contractor in Golden, Colorado.

To learn more about Assignar or request a demo of the platform, visit www.assignar.com. About Assignar

Founded in 2014 by Sean McCreanor and Marko Tomic, Assignar is a cloud-based construction operations platform that helps self-perform general and subcontractors improve productivity and operations, such as labor, crew and equipment management, resource loaded scheduling, field data, timesheets and more. The company was born out of Sean's construction business while he was trying to solve problems of scale related to the office and the field. Assignar works with hundreds of customers, ranging from multinational, multi-billion dollar companies to specialist contractors with as few as five crews. Assignar's customers operate in infrastructure, road, rail, civil, utilities and other construction disciplines. The company has offices in Denver, Colorado and Sydney, Australia and is backed by Fifth Wall, Ironspring Ventures, Our Innovation Fund (OIF) and Tola Capital. For more information, visit www.assignar.com. About Fifth Wall

Founded in 2016 and based in Los Angeles, California, Fifth Wall, a Certified B Corporation, is the largest venture capital firm focused on technology-driven innovation for the global real estate industry. With approximately $2.5 billion in commitments and capital under management, Fifth Wall connects many of the world's largest owners and operators of real estate with the entrepreneurs who are redefining the future of the Built World. Fifth Wall is backed by a global mix of more than 70+ investors from 15 countries, including Acadia Realty Trust, Azora, BNP Paribas Real Estate, British Land, CBRE, Cushman & Wakefield, D.R. Horton, Equity Residential, Gecina, GLP, Hines, Host Hotels & Resorts, Hudson Pacific Properties, Ivanhoe Cambridge, Jamestown, Knight Frank, Lennar, Lowe's Home Improvement, Macerich, Marriott International, MERLIN Properties, MetLife Investment Management, Mitsubishi Estate, News Corp, MOMENI, Nuveen Real Estate, PGIM Real Estate, Pontos Group, Prologis, PulteGroup, Related Companies, SEGRO, Starwood Capital, Toll Brothers, Vanke, and others. Fifth Wall believes this strategic corporate consortium represents one of the largest groups of potential partners in the global Built World ecosystem, which can result in game-changing investments and collaborations in promising portfolio companies in retail, residential and multi-family, commercial, industrial, hospitality, and more. For more information about Fifth Wall, its partners, and portfolio, visit www.fifthwall.com. View original content to download multimedia:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/assignar-secures-20-million-to-expand-its-operations-platform-for-infrastructure-contractors--projects-301293357.html SOURCE Assignar Inc

[ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ]
[May 19, 2021] Contour Ridge Makes Strategic Growth Investment in WhiteStar Corporation; Acquires Majority Stake in Leading Data and Software Company in the Global Information Systems Market

WhiteStar Corporation (www.whitestar.com), a leading global information systems (GIS) data and software company, today announced private equity firm Contour Ridge has made a strategic growth investment and will acquire a majority stake in the Company. Terms of the transaction were not disclosed. WhiteStar helps companies apply a data-driven approach to infrastructure planning and land management by providing cloud-native, on-demand access to streaming, harmonized land data paired with an intuitive land mapping software to spatialize their land assets. Clients rely on WhiteStar data across the land management value chain, including competitive intelligence and feasibility, program budgeting, land acquisition, surveying, design and engineering and construction, as well as land maintenance and divestiture. WhiteStar's capabilities are used by dozens of blue-chip companies across a variety of industries, and it is seeing uptake in fast growing ESG (Environmental, Social and Governance) industries as well as telecommunication companies rolling out larger and more advanced networks. "Our goal is for WhiteStar data and software to power land analytics for every company with land interests in the United States," said Robert White, CEO of WhiteStar. "To accomplish this, we need to accelerate the development of our data and technologies such as AI, machine learning and natural language processing, creating higher fidelity representations of client land holdings. Our selection of Contour Ridge as an investment partner broadens our vision and facilitates turning it into a reality." Since its founding, WhiteStar has built the most comprehensive proprietary digital land grid database in the United States, represents almost 33 million proprietary business land polygons, all mapped to a controlled and proprietary data model, which is interoperable across major mapping platforms like ESRI (News - Alert) ArcGIS, and integrated with WhiteStar Cloud flexible and robust REST APIs. WhiteStar Grid covers the thirty Public Land Survey States mapped to the lot, tract and quarter-quarter level, Texas Land Survey, Carter Townships for Kentucky and Tennessee, Federal and State Offshore survey, Pennsylvania Municipalities, New York Civil Townships, West Virginia Tax Districts and WhiteStar Parcels for more than 3,000 counties across the United States. WhiteStar's unique mapping software allows clients to leverage WhiteStar Grid, WhiteStar Culture and WhiteStar Parcels data to turn land descriptions within legal documents into high-fidelity digital maps.



"We look for management partners who have built differentiated software or data assets as beachhead value drivers, and we help them scale," said Matthew Landon, Managing Partner at Contour Ridge. "Robert and his management team have developed both, which is a testament to their unwavering focus on customer needs. Contour Ridge is excited to share in the company's mission to help clients digitize their land holdings to improve land analytics." The investment in WhiteStar is a continuation of Contour Ridge's commitment to help founders take their software and data businesses to the next level of success. Equity capital for the investment came from CR Sweetwater Fund I, which makes buyout and control investments primarily in founder-led software, data and software-enabled service businesses across a variety of industries.

Peakview Partners served as exclusive financial advisor to WhiteStar, and Fairfield and Woods, P.C. served as legal counsel to the Company. Wright Connatser served as legal counsel to Contour Ridge. About Contour Ridge Contour Ridge is an investment firm with deep industry expertise that deploys corporate Private Equity to profitable, founder-led businesses. The firm focuses on first institutional capital to help founders exit or create liquidity events. Contour Ridge seeks companies with great missions, culture, and people; and helps them scale by creating good jobs and better communities where it invests. Contour Ridge operates in San Antonio and Austin, Texas. Further information is available at www.contourridge.com About WhiteStar WhiteStar Corporation is the preeminent provider of infrastructure planning data and software products. Over the past decade, the Company has focused its efforts on helping oil & gas, pipelines, utility, green energy, and forestry services companies digitize and spatialize land data records. Seamless, accurate and current map data enables clients to create business opportunities and reduce risk. For more information, visit WhiteStar at www.whitestar.com View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210519005286/en/

[ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ]
[May 19, 2021] Utah Legislature Supports Early-Stage Entrepreneurs and Investors with Overwhelming Passage of Legislation Championed by Assure that Removes Blue Sky Fees for Investment Rounds up to $500,000

Assure today expressed thanks to the Utah Legislature and Governor Spencer Cox (News - Alert) for their strong support of Utah entrepreneurs and investors. During the 2021 Utah legislative session, the Utah House and Senate passed House Bill 335: Investment Fees Amendments, without a single dissenting vote in either chamber. The legislation, which removes all state Blue Sky filing fees for investment deals of $500,000 and under, was signed by Governor Cox on March 21, and became effective on May 5, 2021. Assure is the creator and leading global provider of affordable investment entities--most notably "special purpose vehicles" (SPVs), investment entities that enable investors to pool their resources to invest in startup companies. Since the time of its launch in 2012, Assure has transformed the venture investment landscape by radically reducing the cost and time required to establish and manage an SPV ("special purpose vehicle") investment entity. Assure's groundbreaking solutions have greatly simplified capital raising, reduced the cost of setting up and managing an SPV investment entity by 90-95 percent, and shortened the time from months to days. In the process, Assure has helped to greatly expand and democratize the venture ecosystem. "It is central to Assure's mission to empower a new generation of entrepreneurs and investors, including individuals from historically disadvantaged communities, to get involved and find support in the world's most dynamic and rewarding industry--entrepreneurship," said Jeremy Neilson, co-founder and CEO of Assure. "Bureaucratic fees often have the unintended consequence of preventing investment into talented founders who are still building their networks. Filing fees that dissuade investors from supporting a startup company have a negative effect on job creation and prevent promising entrepreneurs from participating in the American dream of building and growing a business. We are committed to changing that." Assure's leadership team determined that removing Blue Sky fees was an ideal place to begin removing these barriers to help create more seats at the table of economic opportunity. Such fees have a disproportionate impact on minorities and other historically underserved individuals. Prior to the advent of Assure, deal sizes often needed to be in multiple millions of dollars in order to justify structuring and administrative costs. By radically reducng time, cost and complexity, Assure has reduced the economically justifiable deal size down to $50,000. Removing Blue Sky and other fees can help bring economically feasible deal sizes down to $10,000-20,000, further expanding opportunity for many individuals without access to large funding networks.



In recent years, the U.S. federal government has tried to lessen the burden on early-stage founders and investors, removing fees and increasing the number of investors who can participate in a deal from 99 to 250. Unfortunately, most states have retained legacy policies from when all investment entities raised large pools of capital and Blue Sky fees were a tiny percentage of the raise. Today, SPVs are being used as the vehicle to help companies grow to the point where venture capital funds, hedge funds and even mutual funds show interest and become a viable option. Today's SPVs are a tiny fraction of the size of their larger fund counterparts, resulting in a disproportionate percentage of the capital going to paying state filing fees. The average Assure SPV Blue Sky fee is $1200, but can be over $5000. Blue Sky fees are single-handedly stopping many startups from receiving needed capital. House Bill 335 received excellent support at all levels of the legislative process. Rep. Adam Robertson (R-District 63, Provo) led the successful effort for the bill in the House as chief sponsor, with key support from co-sponsor Rep. Travis Seegmiller (R-District 62, St. George) and Rep. Jefferson Moss (R-District 2, Saratoga Springs). Sen. Curt Bramble (R-District 18, Utah & Wasatch Counties) led the effort in the Senate. Jackie Rogers, General Counsel for the Utah Legislature, drafted the bill. Thomas Young, Senior Economist for the State of Utah, provided the fiscal analysis for the legislation.

House Bill 335 passed the House with a vote of 70-0, with five members not in attendance. The bill passed the Senate with a vote of 27-0, with two members not in attendance. "Small business is foundational to Utah's economy, and entrepreneurship is particularly vital," said Rep. Robertson. "It was an honor to support founders and investors across Utah by removing the fees that can be a barrier to promising early-stage deals obtaining the life blood of capital." "It was a pleasure to sign a bill that makes it easier for Utah company founders and investors to participate in our state's vibrant entrepreneurial economy," said Utah Governor Spencer Cox. "Utah has a legacy of leading out with innovative private-public collaboration, and this legislation builds on this tradition. I look forward to seeing the future impact of many new entrepreneurs in our communities and our economy." In the years ahead, Assure plans to be an active presence in private-public legislative collaborations In Utah, throughout the U.S. and internationally. About Assure Assure is the pioneering, industry-leading provider of comprehensive structuring and administrative services for the syndicate and venture investment community. The company offers professional, high-quality services and innovative software that streamlines setting up, closing and managing back-office fund administration for angel and private asset investing. Assure's experience and volume significantly outpaces other fund administrators. The company's approach, which allows clients to structure and close deals faster, cheaper and with more transparency, helped pave the way for the ascendance of the "super angels," special purpose vehicles, micro VCs and syndicates. The company has worked with more than 1,300 clients, including AngelList, Republic, EquityZen, Forge, EquityBee, Learn Capital, Backstage Capital and LAUNCH, structuring and closing more than 6,100 deals with over $6.5 billion in assets under administration. Assure offers a full suite of services, including special purpose vehicle administration, fund accounting and fund taxes, cryptocurrency fund administration, Exempt Reporting Advisor (ERA) services, KYC/AML services, and 506(c) accreditation. For more information about Assure, visit www.assure.co. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210519005671/en/

[ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ]
[May 19, 2021] Global Wearable Robotic Exoskeleton Market 2021-2031: Increasing Demand for Exoskeletons in Multiple Domains & Rising Investments by Major Industry Players and Establishment of Various Start-Ups

DUBLIN, May 19, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- The "Wearable Robotic Exoskeleton Market - A Global and Regional Analysis: Focus on Component, End User, Application, and Operation - Analysis and Forecast, 2021-2031" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering. Global Wearable Robotic Exoskeleton Market Value to Reach $8,841.6 Million and Volume to Reach 122,166 Units by 2031 The global wearable robotic exoskeleton industry analysis projects the market to have a significant growth rate of 32.68% based on the value and a growth rate of 34.01% based on volume during the forecast period 2021-2031. The North America region is expected to dominate the market by 2031 with a share of 38.20%. The North America region includes the U.S. and Canada, where the U.S. is expected to acquire a major share in 2031 due to the increase in the investment by the exoskeleton manufacturing companies in the country.



The wearable robotic exoskeleton market has gained huge importance in the past few years. This is due to the rising geriatric population across the globe and increasing awareness about exoskeletons among the end users. Several government agencies, non-profit organizations, and associations have started investing in the market, thereby generating a lucrative market for new players.



Scope of the Global Wearable Robotic Exoskeleton Market



The global wearable robotic exoskeleton market research provides the market information for segmentations, such as end user based on application and components in terms of hardware and software. The market analysis examines the global wearable robotic exoskeleton market outlook in terms of the trends, driving forces, opportunities, technological advancements, and competitive benchmarking, among others.



The report further takes into consideration the market and business dynamics, along with the detailed product contribution of the key players operating in the market.



Global Wearable Robotic Exoskeleton Market Segmentation



The report constitutes an extensive study of the wearable robotics industry. The report largely focuses on providing market information for the wearable robotic exoskeletons covering various segments, namely, end user, application, sales model, component, type, form, and region. The end user segment is classified as healthcare, industrial, defense and commercial, operations include active exoskeleton and passive exoskeleton, position include fixed and mobile exoskeleton. A brief description of soft exoskeletons and hard exoskeletons along with their market potential, is also explained in the report.



The global wearable robotic exoskeleton market is segregated by region under four major regions, namely, North America, Europe, APAC, and Rest-of-the-World. Data for each of these regions (by country) has been provided in the report.



Key Companies in the Global Wearable Robotic Exoskeleton Market



The key players in the global wearable robotic exoskeleton market include ATOUN Inc., B-Temia Inc., Bionik Laboratories Corporation, Cyberdyne Inc. Daiya Industry Co., Ltd., Ekso Bionics Holdings, Inc., Focal Meditech BV, Hocoma AG, Hyundai Motor, Honda Motor Co., Ltd., Lockheed Martin Corporation, Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Ltd., Myomo Inc., P&S Mechanics Co. Ltd., Parker Hannifin Corporation, ReWalk Robotics Ltd., and Rex Bionics PLC.



Key Questions Answered What are the futuristic trends in this market, and how is the market expected to change over the forecast years 2021-2031?

What are the key drivers and challenges faced by the companies that are currently operating in the wearable robotic exoskeleton market?

How is the market expected to grow during the forecast period 2021-2031?

What are the opportunities for the companies to expand their businesses in the wearable robotic exoskeleton market?

Which region is expected to lead the wearable robotic exoskeleton market by 2031?

What are the key developmental strategies implemented by the key players to sustain in this highly competitive market?

What is the current and future revenue scenario of this market? Key Topics Covered:

1 Markets

1.1 Industry Outlook

1.1.1 Evolution of Wearable Robotic Exoskeletons

1.1.2 Impact of Emerging Technologies on Wearable Robotic Exoskeletons

1.1.2.1 Impact of Peripheral Technologies like IoT, AI, AR/VR.

1.1.2.2 Material Advancement in Exoskeletons

1.1.2.3 Design Modification in terms of Batteries, Weight Distribution, and UI

1.1.3 Regulatory Framework

1.1.4 Product Assortment and Pricing Analysis

1.1.5 Start-Up Scenario

1.1.6 Patent Analysis

1.1.7 Supply Chain Analysis

1.2 Market Dynamics

1.2.1 Business Drivers

1.2.1.1 Increasing Demand for Exoskeletons in Multiple Domains

1.2.1.2 Rising Investments by Major Industry Players and Establishment of Various Start-Ups

1.2.1.3 Demand to Increase Operational Efficiency of Individuals While Reducing Fatigue

1.2.2 Business Challenges

1.2.2.1 Limited Technological Capabilities Resulting in Inaccurate Operations

1.2.2.2 High Production Cost and Market Acceptance

1.2.3 Key Market Strategies and Developments

1.2.3.1 Long Term Collaborations, Mergers, Acquisition, Investments

1.2.3.2 Other Development 2 Application

2.1 Global Wearable Robotic Exoskeletons Market (by End User)

2.1.1 Market Overview

2.1.2 Healthcare

2.1.2.1.1 Demand Analysis of Healthcare Exoskeleton Market

2.1.3 Industrial

2.1.3.1.1 Demand Analysis of Industrial Exoskeleton Market

2.1.4 Defense

2.1.4.1.1 Demand Analysis of Defense Exoskeletons Market

2.1.5 Commercial

2.1.5.1.1 Demand Analysis of Commercial Exoskeleton Market

2.2 Global Wearable Robotic Exoskeleton Market (by Sales Channel)

2.2.1 Overview

2.2.2 Subscription

2.2.2.1 Demand Analysis of Global Wearable Robotic Exoskeleton Market (Subscription)

2.2.3 Direct Purchase

2.2.3.1 Demand Analysis of Global Wearable Robotic Exoskeleton Market (Direct Purchase)

2.2.4 Resell and Upgrade

2.2.4.1 Demand Analysis of Global Wearable Robotic Exoskeleton Market (Resell and Upgrade) 3 Products

3.1 Global Wearable Robotic Exoskeletons Market (by Operation)

3.1.1 Overview

3.1.2 Active Exoskeletons

3.1.2.1 Demand Analysis of Global Wearable Robotic Active Exoskeleton Market (by End User)

3.1.3 Passive Exoskeletons

3.1.3.1 Demand Analysis of Global Wearable Robotic Passive Exoskeleton Market (by End User)

3.2 Global Wearable Robotic Exoskeleton Market (by Type)

3.2.1 Overview

3.2.2 Fixed Exoskeletons

3.2.2.1 Demand Analysis of Global Wearable Robotic Fixed Exoskeleton Market

3.2.3 Mobile Exoskeletons

3.2.3.1 Demand Analysis of Global Wearable Robotic Mobile Exoskeleton Market

3.3 Global Wearable Robotic Exoskeleton Market (by Form)

3.3.1 Overview

3.3.2 Hard Exoskeletons

3.3.2.1 Demand Analysis of Global Wearable Robotic Hard Exoskeleton Market

3.3.3 Soft Exoskeletons

3.3.3.1 Demand Analysis of Global Wearable Robotic Soft Exoskeleton Market

3.4 Global Wearable Robotic Exoskeleton Market (by Limb)

3.4.1 Overview

3.5 Upper Limb Exoskeletons

3.5.1.1 Demand Analysis of Global Wearable Robotic Upper Limb Exoskeleton Market

3.5.2 Lower Limb Exoskeletons

3.5.2.1 Demand Analysis of Global Wearable Robotic Lower Limb Exoskeleton Market

3.5.3 Full Body Exoskeletons

3.5.3.1 Demand Analysis of Global Wearable Robotic Full Body Exoskeleton Market

3.6 Global Wearable Robotic Exoskeletons Market (by Actuation)

3.6.1 Overview

3.6.2 Electric Actuation

3.6.2.1 Demand Analysis of Global Wearable Robotic Exoskeleton Market (by Electric Actuation)

3.6.3 Hydraulic

3.6.3.1 Demand Analysis of Global Wearable Robotic Exoskeleton Market (by Hydraulic Actuation)

3.6.4 Mechanical

3.6.4.1 Demand Analysis of Global Wearable Robotic Exoskeleton Market (by Mechanical Actuation)

3.6.5 Others

3.6.5.1 Demand Analysis of Global Wearable Robotic Exoskeleton Market (by Other Actuation)

3.7 Global Wearable Robotic Exoskeleton Market (by Component)

3.7.1 Overview

3.7.2 Hardware

3.7.2.1 Demand Analysis of Global Wearable Robotic Exoskeleton Market (by Hardware)

3.7.3 Software

3.7.3.1 Demand Analysis of Global Wearable Robotic Exoskeleton Market (by Software) 4 Region 5 Markets - Competitive Benchmarking & Company Profiles ATOUN Inc.

B-Temia Inc.

Bionik Laboratories Corporation

Cyberdyne Inc.

Daiya Industry Co., Ltd.

Ekso Bionics

Focal Meditech BV

Hocoma AG

Hyundai Motor Company

Honda Motor Co., Ltd.

Lockheed Martin

Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Ltd.

Myomo Inc.

P&S Mechanics Co. Ltd.

Parker Hannifin Corporation

ReWalk Robotics Ltd.

Rex Bionics PLC For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/tfi61k Media Contact: Research and Markets

Laura Wood, Senior Manager

press@researchandmarkets.com



For E.S.T Office Hours Call +1-917-300-0470

For U.S./CAN Toll Free Call +1-800-526-8630

For GMT Office Hours Call +353-1-416-8900



U.S. Fax: 646-607-1907

Fax (outside U.S.): +353-1-481-1716 View original content:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/global-wearable-robotic-exoskeleton-market-2021-2031-increasing-demand-for-exoskeletons-in-multiple-domains--rising-investments-by-major-industry-players-and-establishment-of-various-start-ups-301294953.html SOURCE Research and Markets

[ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ]
Former president Goodluck Jonathan has called for a ceasefire in the armed conflict between Israel and Palestine. He cautioned countries taking sides in the conflict as he said their actions would not help in the search for a peaceful resolution of the crisis.

He said the search for a peaceful resolution of the conflict would involve massive confidence building on both sides.

Jonathan, who stated this on his twitter handle yesterday, said the conflict can only be resolved by those living within the Israeli/Palestinan borders who should take time to understand each other and come to a place where they can coexist, co-prosper and eventually cooperate.

The former president said, "I have been to both Israel and Palestine, and as a result, I have some understanding and appreciation of the human angles on both divides.

"Borders are often human constructs, but the Divine instruction we have is to love our neighbour as ourselves.

"The present conflict in that part of the world can never be resolved by nations and institutions taking sides. It can only be resolved by those living within the borders of Israel and Palestine taking time to understand each other until they come to a place where they can coexist, co-prosper and eventually cooperate.

"For that to happen, what is needed, in the immediate term, is a ceasefire, followed by massive confidence building on both sides. That is what the international community should aim for. Peace. It is achievable.

"I sue for peace in both Israel and Palestine, and urge that every international support should be towards deescalating the conflict, rather than escalating it."
[May 19, 2021] Biogennix's Agilon Moldable Bone Graft Solution Achieves Sales Surge Amid Adoption by Foot and Ankle Surgeons

Irvine-based Biogennix, an osteobiologics company that develops, manufactures, and distributes proprietary bone graft products used for bone fusion procedures, has announced that its Agilon Moldable grafting product is now available nationwide. The collagen-enhanced, best-in-class handling product has seen steady month-after-month growth in sales since its launch two years ago, with an exponential surge in popularity and usage in 2021, largely driven by its positive reception from the foot and ankle surgery community. Agilon Moldable is the only moldable synthetic bone graft that contains both collagen and carrier, providing excellent handling right out of the box without requiring hydration. Agilon Moldable is packed with Biogennix's proprietary TrelCor granules, which feature a biologically active layer of nanocrystalline HCA (hydroxycarbanoapatite) that promotes cellular healing immediately upon implantation. Biogennix, known to spine surgeons or its advanced bone graft technologies and optimal handling, is now seeing increased traction for Agilon Moldable among foot and ankle surgeons in addition to spine and general orthopedic surgeons.



"It's been very rewarding to see Agilon Moldable be so well received by the foot and ankle surgery community," said Scott Bauccio, Vice President of Sales and Business Development for Biogennix. "They really appreciate how well the product handles and stays together when packing into tight defects. We expect to see continued exponential growth in this specialty as well as with the spine and general orthopedics communities where we are already well established." "Agilon Moldable is a gamechanger for me in foot and ankle surgery," said Dr. Dan Bhakta, DPM with Accent Podiatry in Arlington, Texas. "I've been using the product for over a year now and have performed more than 90 cases. I love the handling - it mixes superbly well with the patient's bone and stays in place when packed into a defect and irrigated. With the TrelCor technology, I know I'm going to get a good clinical outcome because of the advanced material properties."

Biogennix designs, manufactures and distributes all of its products from its Irvine-based facilities. Biogennix is a fully-integrated osteobiologics company headquartered in Irvine, CA (News - Alert) which develops, manufactures, and distributes proprietary bone grafting products used in bone fusion procedures. Biogennix is committed to advancing technology behind next-generation bone grafting solutions, delivering outstanding quality with exceptional value, and customer-focused excellence. Learn more at biogennix.com. Note to media: images of Agilon Moldable or other Biogennix products are available upon request. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210519005733/en/

[ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ]
[May 19, 2021] Golden Leaf Holdings Announces Closing of Transformational Acquisition of Retail Store Chain in Oregon

PORTLAND, Ore., May 19, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Golden Leaf Holdings Ltd. (CSE:GLH) (OTCQB:GLDFF) (Golden Leaf, GLH or the Company), operating as Chalice Brands, a premier, consumer-driven cannabis company specializing in retail, production, processing, wholesale and distribution, announces the signing of a definitive agreement today, May 19, and concurrent closing of the purchase of 100% ownership in SMS Ventures, LLC, dba Homegrown Oregon (Homegrown), a chain of five retail dispensaries located in Portland, Salem and Albany, Oregon, for total consideration of approximately US$9.75 million or 0.9 times Homegrowns first quarter 2021 annualized revenue2. The added fact that Homegrown is profitable makes this a highly accretive acquisition for Golden Leaf earnings per share. Transaction Highlights: Total consideration of US$9.75 million, consisting of a US$6 million cash payment at closing, approximately 37 million common shares of the Company priced at a price of C$0.065, plus a secured promissory note for US$1.75 million carrying interest of 8% interest, payable over 48 months with interest only for the first year, with monthly principal payments to start upon the one-year anniversary of closing. Certain additional amounts may be due based on the market price of the Company's common shares.

For the quarter ended March 31, 2021, Homegrown reported unaudited gross revenues of US$2.7 million and Adjusted EBITDA 1 of US$368,000.

of US$368,000. On a pro-forma basis, had Homegrown been included, first quarter 2021 revenues for GLH would have been US$8.2 million with a 47% gross margin and Adjusted EBITDA1 of approximately US$722,000.

Homegrowns first quarter 2021 revenue extrapolates to annualized revenue 2 of US$10.8 million or 33% of GLHs fiscal 2020 revenue and Adjusted EBITDA 1 of US$1.5M, before realizing on potential benefits of operational synergies between the two organizations or factoring in GLH organic growth for 2021.

of US$10.8 million or 33% of GLHs fiscal 2020 revenue and Adjusted EBITDA of US$1.5M, before realizing on potential benefits of operational synergies between the two organizations or factoring in GLH organic growth for 2021. Store count in Oregon increases from seven to 12. Homegrown is expected to carry Chalice Brands products by Q4 2021, providing the opportunity to increase gross margins by between 5% and 10% in the newly acquired stores.

Total consideration of US$9.75 million represents 0.9 times 2021 Homegrown annualized revenue 2 the quarter ended March 31, 2021 and is immediately accretive to GLH. To fund this acquisition, GLH raised C$10.5 million at a valuation of 3.2 times fiscal 2020 revenue.

the quarter ended March 31, 2021 and is immediately accretive to GLH. To fund this acquisition, GLH raised C$10.5 million at a valuation of 3.2 times fiscal 2020 revenue. Incremental shareholder value of C$43.0 million or C$0.032 per share at FY 2020 revenue multiples based on post transaction 1,355,125,275 shares outstanding3.

Management is excited to combine with Homegrown and fully expects to continue its migration to better valuations for shareholders as we continue to execute our acquisition strategy. As part of our West Coast-focused growth strategy, we will continue to seek acquisitions like these to demonstrate that we are good allocators of capital, noted John Varghese, Executive Chairman. We will continue to grow our business with positive cash flow from both internal organic revenue growth with stringent cost containment. On the acquisition front, we have a growing funnel of actionable and accretive targets that we are assessing and will pursue in the near term. We have been diligently searching for the appropriate footprint expansion for our retail business in Oregon that represented the right fit and to be in a position to fund the acquisition. Homegrowns culture aligns perfectly within ours and provides an exceptional geographic compatibility with Chalice and offers an expansion into parts of Oregon in which Chalice does not operate currently. We have the ability to significantly increase vertical margin revenue through the distribution of our existing edibles and extraction manufacturing as well as our own grow, noted Jeff Yapp, president and CEO of GLH. Homegrown is a well-run retail operation with a very dedicated team at all five stores that we will continue to rely on as we go forward. The owners of Homegrown have been wonderful to work with during this process and will continue to assist us as we transition and integrate the business. Like GLH, Homegrown holds a deep commitment to prioritizing customer service with exceptional consumer transparency and building long-term relationships with people. The completion of this transaction increases our retail store footprint to 12 locations in the state of Oregon, supported by our own award-winning cultivation operations, our production facilities in Portland and our internal wholesale team covering the state. Chalice has set a target to achieve 5% market share in Oregon while we grow in other markets. Homegrown helps us progress toward that goal, added Mr. Yapp. About Golden Leaf Holdings: Golden Leaf Holdings, operating as Chalice Brands, is a premier consumer-driven cannabis company specializing in production, processing, wholesale, distribution and retail, with seven dispensaries in Portland, Oregon. The Company is committed to developing a dynamic portfolio built around the recognized brands of Chalice Farms, with a focus on health and wellness. GLH operates nationally through Fifth and Root and has operations in Oregon and California. Visit http://www.glhmonthly.com for regular updates. Investor Relations:

John Varghese

Executive Chairman

Golden Leaf Holdings Ltd.

971-371-2685

ir@goldendxtrx.com Media Contact: Sidney Stewart

Wicked Creative

541-905-4613

ChaliceFarms@WickedCreative.com Disclaimers: This press release contains forward-looking information within the meaning of applicable securities legislation. Generally, forward looking information can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as plans, expects or does not expect, is expected, budget, scheduled, estimates, forecasts, intends, anticipates or does not anticipate, or believes, or variations of such words and phrases or state that certain actions, events or results may, could, would, might or will be taken, occur or be achieved. Forward-looking information includes, but is not limited to, statements with respect to the Companys future business operations, the opinions or beliefs of management and future business goals, that the acquisition of Homegrown will receive regulatory approvals and will close, the anticipated timing of closing and the expected benefits of the acquisition of Homegrown. Specific material forward-looking information in this press release includes statements with respect to any implied FY2021 revenue for Homegrown through an annualized calculation (which the Company disclaims), any implied forecast increase in GLH revenue for 2021 due to the acquisition of Homegrown and its annualized revenue, and the incremental shareholder value of C$43.0 M or C$0.032 per share from the acquisition of Homegrown. The assumptions for the increase in GLH revenue are that Homegrown's revenue for 2021 is at least equal to the annualized revenue reported above. The assumptions for the incremental shareholder value are that the market will ascribe the same value to the revenue of Homegrown that it ascribed to the Company's revenue. Forward-looking information is subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the actual results, level of activity, performance or achievements of the Company to be materially different from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking information. These risks include but are not limited to general business, economic and competitive uncertainties, regulatory risks, market risks, risks inherent in manufacturing and retail operations such as unforeseen costs and production shutdowns, difficulties in maintaining brand loyalty, changing consumer tastes, and other risks of the cannabis industry. Although the Company has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in forward-looking information, there may be other factors that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. There can be no assurance that such information will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward looking information. Forward-looking information is provided herein for the purpose of presenting information about managements current expectations relating to the future and readers are cautioned that such information may not be appropriate for other purpose. The Company does not undertake to update any forward-looking information, except in accordance with applicable securities laws. This press release does not constitute an offer of securities for sale in the United States, and such securities may not be offered or sold in the United States absent registration or an exemption from registration or an exemption from registration. Chalice Brands does not provide medical advice and you should consult with your physician prior to beginning or continuing the use of cannabis or any health and wellness program. These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. The products described above in this release, are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, no warranties, promises and/or representations of any kind, express or implied, including but not limited to warranties of merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose, are given as to the nature, standard, accuracy, effectiveness, or otherwise of the information Chalice Farms provides in its digital wellness initiative, nor to the suitability or otherwise of the information to your particular case or circumstances and you expressly agree that your use of the Chalice Farms digital wellness initiative information is at your sole risk. Chalice Farms and the Chalice Farms logo are registered trademarks of GL Management, Inc. Non-IFRS Measures:



1Adjusted EBITDA is a non-IFRS measure defined by the Company as earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization, non-cash compensation expenses, one-time transaction fees and other non-cash charges that include impairments, start-up costs and extraordinary operational curtailment charges and excluding fair value changes related to biological assets. Adjusted EBITDA does not have any standardized meaning prescribed by IFRS and is therefore unlikely to be comparable to similar measures presented by other issuers. Management believes providing Adjusted EBITDA is useful to investors understanding and assessment of the Companys ongoing continuing operations and prospects for the future and it is used by the financial community to evaluate the market value of companies considered to be in similar businesses. 2First quarter of 2021 Annualized revenue is a non-IFRS measure defined by the Company as total revenue for the 3-month period ending March 31, 2021 of US$2.7 million multiplied by four. It is a mathematical calculation only not an actual measure of 2021 revenue for Homegrown nor is it intended to be a forecast of 2021 revenue for Homegrown. Annualized revenue does not have any standardized meaning prescribed by IFRS and is therefore unlikely to be comparable to similar measures presented by other issuers. Management believes providing annualized revenue is useful to investors understanding and assessment of Homegrown's ongoing continuing operations and prospects for the future.

3FY 2020 revenue multiple is calculated as closing share price as at April 30, 2021 multiplied by approximately 1,355,125,275 shares outstanding post this transaction divided by FY 2020 revenue times 1.25 US$/C$ exchange rate, resulting in a multiple of 2.93. Incremental shareholder value is calculated by multiplying annualized Homegrown FY2021 revenue of US$10.8 million by FY 2020 revenue multiple of 2.93. Revenue multiples do not have any standardized meaning prescribed by IFRS and are therefore unlikely to be comparable to similar measures presented by other issuers. Management believes providing a revenue multiple is useful to investors understanding and assessment of the relative value of the Company compared to its peers. Adjusted EBITDA, GLH and Homegrown Adjusted Proforma EBITDA For the three months ended March 31, 2021 March 31, 2021 March 31, 2021 Golden Leaf Homegrown Total (Loss) income before income taxes $ (868,468 ) $ 362,985 $ (505,483 ) Adjustments: Net impact, fair value of biological assets (81,763 ) - (81,763 ) Depreciation and amortization 461,625 5,784 467,409 Share based compensation 69,050 - 69,050 Interest expense, net 359,767 (1,180 ) 358,587 Transaction costs 160,736 - 160,736 Start-up costs (2) 110,528 - 110,528 Nevada curtailment expenses and other (1) 57,989 - 57,989 Impairments and other 84,466 - 84,466 Adjusted EBITDA income $ 353,930 $ 367,589 $ 721,519 (1) Losses experienced in Nevada due to unexpected shut down and facility abandonment due to COVID-19 (2) Write-off of significant start up costs related to the Company's California business Neither the Canadian Securities Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.







[ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ]
[May 19, 2021] Industry Leaders from News Corp, Xaxis, U of Digital and Quantcast Present Ideas for a Cookieless Future at the Cookie Conundrum Summit

At today's industry summit, The Cookie Conundrum: A Recipe for Success, hosted by theCUBE and sponsored by Quantcast, Xaxis managing director Xiao Lin said, "If the cookieless future was a TikTok dance, we'd be dancing right now." Lin was discussing his agency's approach to supporting clients as they experience a learning curve in anticipation of third-party cookies disappearing from online advertising in 2022. Also speaking at the event was News Corp's (News - Alert) SVP and global head of programmatic advertising Christopher Guenther who hailed the deprecation of third-party cookies as a "long overdue reset" and an opportunity for the industry to "fix bad practices." Quantcast CTO Peter Day (News - Alert) echoed similar sentiments: "In these times of massive disruption, there's always an opportunity to make things better." Guenther, who is also an IAB board member, was joined by speakers from advertising technology company Quantcast (News - Alert) , and the founder of marketing education organization U of Digital. With a registered audience of thousands of industry professionals, the event focused on solutions for brands, agencies, and publishers adapting to the anticipated deprecation of third-party cookies in online advertising and was live streamed in North America, Europe and Asia Pacific. In a one-on-one discussion with founder, co-CEO, and Editor-in-hief of SiliconANGLE Media, theCUBE executive editor and event host John Furrier, Quantcast CEO Konrad Feldman described the role the company plays in the industry: "Our job at Quantcast as champions of the free and open internet is to help direct money effectively to publishers across the open internet and give advertisers a reliable, repeatable way of accessing the audiences that they care about in the environments they care about and delivering advertising results."



Somer Simpson, Quantcast's Vice President of Product, touched on the alarmed response from many to the recent announcement from Google (News - Alert) that it would not support alternative identifiers in the absence of third-party cookies: "I've gone from being a product manager to a therapist because there's such an emotional response," she said. Simpson was bullish about the level of understanding that consumers have of the role of advertising in funding a free and open internet: "Consumers already accept that there's a reasonable value exchange for their data in order to access free content." Founder of U of Digital Shiv Gupta pointed out the flaw in publishers planning to rely on paywalls or logged in audiences to replace cookies: "Only 5% of internet traffic is authenticated," he said, before going on to emphasize the importance of transparency when it comes to organizations seeking permission to user consumer data, "Now, more than ever, people want truth. They want trust."

The full speaker line up included: John Furrier, founder, co-CEO, and Editor-in-Chief of SiliconANGLE Media and Executive Editor of theCUBE (Host)

Konrad Feldman, Quantcast Founder and CEO and IAB Board Member

Christopher Guenther, SVP, Global Head of Programmatic at News Corp and IAB Board Member

Xiao Lin, Managing Director of Xaxis

Shiv Gupta, Founder, U of Digital

Peter Day, Quantcast CTO

Somer Simpson, Quantcast VP of Product

Shruti Koparkar, Quantcast Head of Product Marketing The Cookie Conundrum: A Recipe for Success can be viewed on demand here. About Quantcast: Quantcast is an advertising technology company and the creator of an innovative intelligent audience platform that empowers brands, agencies and publishers to know and grow their audiences online. The Quantcast Platform, powered by Ara, a patented AI and machine learning engine, delivers automated insights, marketing performance, and results at scale to drive business growth. Our solutions are leveling the playing field for our customers when it comes to effectively reaching audiences online and helping them power a thriving free and open internet for everyone. Headquartered in San Francisco, Quantcast has been serving customers around the world since 2006. Learn more at www.quantcast.com and follow us on Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram, and Facebook. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210519005269/en/

[ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ]
[May 19, 2021] Cubic and MTC Bring Digital Fare Payments to Android Users

Cubic Corporation (NYSE:CUB) today announced its Cubic Transportation Systems (CTS) business division and the Metropolitan Transportation Commission (MTC) launched mobile fare payments on NFC-enabled Android phones. Through the Google (News - Alert) Pay app, or the newly launched Clipper app for Android, riders now have the convenience of a contactless fare payment option and account management on Android (News - Alert) phones, eliminating multiple touchpoints throughout the transit riding experience. In the Google Pay app, riders can purchase a Clipper card, top up the value and automatically reload their balance. Riders can also download the Clipper app where they can convert a physical card to mobile and save it into Google Pay. The Clipper app also allows riders to add cash value and purchase transit passes. All available retail tickets and pass types can be purchased via the Clipper mobile app. "In providing contactless payment options, the Clipper mobile app and Google Pay gives Bay Area transit riders ease of mind i their safety on public transit and delivers ease-of-use in that users just need their Android device to pay for their journeys," said Jeff Lowinger, president of Cubic Transportation Systems.



"With COVID-19 safety procedures still in place, Clipper on Android offers convenient solutions for essential workers by honoring social distancing with no physical interaction needed by the rider," said Andrew B. Fremier, MTC deputy executive director for operations. "Plus, we think transit riders will enjoy the ease of managing their Clipper accounts from the new Clipper mobile app." "We want to make everyday things fast and easy with Google Pay," said Alan Stapelberg, product manager, Google Pay. "Commuters using Clipper cards can now use Google Pay as their ticket to ride public transport in the San Francisco Bay Area making commuting stress free."

"NXP's 25 years legacy in transport ticketing helps us empower cities to become better places to live," said Philippe Dubois, vice president of Secure Edge Identification at NXP. "We're excited to be part of a project that allows the riders in 22 agencies across the San Francisco Bay area to move faster through more connected, mobile journeys on public transport with our MIFARE 2GO solution." 24 Bay Area transit services, including bus, BART, train, light rail and ferry use the Clipper card system to deliver contactless fare payments and other benefits. Cubic launched the Clipper card system in partnership with the Metropolitan Transportation Commission in 2009. Google, Android and Google Pay are trademarks of Google LLC. About Cubic Corporation Cubic is a technology-driven, market-leading provider of integrated solutions that increase situational understanding for transportation, defense C4ISR and training customers worldwide to decrease urban congestion and improve the militaries' effectiveness and operational readiness. Our teams innovate to make a positive difference in people's lives. We simplify their daily journeys. We promote mission success and safety for those who serve their nation. For more information about Cubic, please visit www.cubic.com or on Twitter (News - Alert) @CubicCorp. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210519005758/en/

[ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ]
[May 19, 2021] Slice and PizzaDAO Celebrate Bitcoin Pizza Day By Giving Away More Than 1BTC Worth of Free Pizza

NEW YORK, May 19, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Slice, the platform powering the nation's largest network of pizzerias, and PizzaDAO, a community of digital artists creating pizza NFTs, announced today they will give away more than 2,500 free pizzas across all 50 states to celebrate Bitcoin Pizza Day through the Rare Pizzas project NFT project. May 22nd marks the 11-year anniversary of the first Bitcoin transaction, in which Laszlo Hanyecz paid 10,000 bitcoin for two slices of pizza. Today, one Bitcoin is worth nearly $36,000 USD. Just last month, Bitcoin climbed to the highest it's ever been at $63,000. At its peak, Laszlo's two slices of pizza would be valued at $630 million. What Laszlo paid for two slices of pizza, could have bought him more than 31 million pies from independent pizzerias through the Slice app. To celebrate this historic pizza transaction, Slice and Rare Pizzas will be dishing out more than 1 bitcoin's worth of pies made by local pizzerias across the U.S. to more than 2,500 lucky pizza-lovers in the crypto community. The pizzas will be funded from community donations and sales generated through NFTs created by members of the Rare Pizzas collective. The goal is to support local pizzerias that have been hit by the pandemic while connecting artists, developers and pizza lovers who want to give back to independent pizzerias on Bitcoin Pizza Day. The Rare Pizzas project, bought together a group of 300+ digital artists who have been creating digital collectible pizza NFTs since March 2021, with a vision of turning the funds from their pizza-art into actual-pizza for the masses. Together, Slice and PizzaDAO, are making that vision a reality by driving orders to local pizzerias in the Slice network and distributing over $55,000 worth of pizza to Slice customers.



Rare Pizzas has raised over $1.25M to date and, like Slice, is on a mission to support local pizzerias. To redeem a free pizza from your favorite local pizzeria, download the Slice app and use code FREEPIZZADAY on May 22nd.

ABOUT SLICE: A 2021 winner of Fast Company's Most Innovative Companies Award, Slice empowers over 16,000 independent pizzerias with the modern tools that have allowed major pizza chains to dominate until now. By uniting these small businesses with specialized technology, marketing, data insights, and shared services, all at industry-low flat-rate pricing, Slice enables them to serve their digitally-minded customers and move away from 3rd party apps. Serial tech entrepreneur Ilir Sela started Slice to modernize and support his family's New York City pizzerias. Today, the company partners with restaurants in 3,000 cities and all 50 states, forming the nation's largest pizza network  more than double the U.S. footprint of Domino's. For more information, visit slicelife.com. slicelife.com | LinkedIn | Instagram | Twitter PizzaDAO PizzaDAO is a Decentralized Autonomous Organization that emerged from a group of friends who met online. United by a shared love of pizza, art, cryptocurrency, and technology, the community has grown organically to include thousands of people from around the world. We are now an LLC in Wyoming. Contact

Lauren Bazzini

press@slicelife.com View original content to download multimedia:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/slice-and-pizzadao-celebrate-bitcoin-pizza-day-by-giving-away-more-than-1btc-worth-of-free-pizza-301295221.html SOURCE Slice

[ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ]
[May 19, 2021] Incorta Powers Business Analytics On the Go With New Mobile Apps

Incorta, the Direct Data Platform, today announced the launch of Incorta Mobile, the world's first unified data analytics experience for mobile devices. Now available in the iOS and Android (News - Alert) app stores, Incorta Mobile gives Incorta users a powerful and convenient way to access, view and analyze business data from anywhere, at any time, with the ability to drill down into specific transaction details. The mobile-native apps are built for power users and novices alike, and provide mobile shortcuts and other optimizations for small screens, along with an immersive augmented reality experience for iOS users. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210519005798/en/ "Business teams everywhere are demanding faster access to more and better data," said Scott Jones, CEO of Incorta. "From the back office to the front lines of business, everyone now recognizes the value that data brings to decision making. With Incorta Mobile, our unified data analytics platform becomes even more powerful, convenient and accessible to the next wave of data-driven decision makers - the rest of the business." Incorta Mobile is powered by Incorta 5, the Direct Data Platform, and delivers the full spectrum of Incorta insights, visualizations and KPIs on a smaller screen. Mobile users benefit from Incorta's Direct Data Mapping, which provides both astonishingly fast analytics and the ability to drill down to any level of detail. New features include: Native Tooltips and Pinch-to-Zoom: Tapping and panning your mobile device pulls up native tooltips, as well as ata filtering options, making it easy to select, filter and observe data points on small, touch-screen devices. Pinching and zooming makes it easy to view chart details in larger sizes.

Tapping and panning your mobile device pulls up native tooltips, as well as ata filtering options, making it easy to select, filter and observe data points on small, touch-screen devices. Pinching and zooming makes it easy to view chart details in larger sizes. Filters and Bookmarks: Quickly and easily filter data, adjust views, and bookmark favorites for a simpler and more productive user experience. Users can create highly tailored content according to their specific needs and preferences right inside the app.

Quickly and easily filter data, adjust views, and bookmark favorites for a simpler and more productive user experience. Users can create highly tailored content according to their specific needs and preferences right inside the app. Widgets: Create shortcuts or "saved views" of key insights on the homescreen of a mobile device to monitor and share important views of data with a single tap.

Create shortcuts or "saved views" of key insights on the homescreen of a mobile device to monitor and share important views of data with a single tap. Biometrics: Save and protect Incorta Mobile login credentials with Face ID for enhanced security and fast access to the app.

Save and protect Incorta Mobile login credentials with Face ID for enhanced security and fast access to the app. Augmented Reality: Viewing large data sets and dashboards in augmented reality makes working with full layouts on small screens more practical and intuitive. Users can zoom in and out on dashboards by rotating their device, as well as view data points by pointing at insights.



Incorta Mobile is now available to all customers. Users can download the app to their iOS or Android devices and log into Incorta with the same user credentials for instant access to unified data analytics on the go.

About Incorta Incorta is the only unified data analytics platform powered by Direct Data Mapping. Purpose-built to help companies stay ahead of the accelerating rate, volume, and complexity of modern enterprise data, the platform delivers unmatched speed and visibility. Incorta is built with open standards and integrates with cloud-friendly tools and platforms, making it easy to consolidate data in the cloud and extract meaningful insights. By making any data source continuously available for analytics, the platform helps business leaders, business teams, and data scientists make more accurate, timely and transparent decisions with faster access to richer data sets. Backed by GV (formerly Google (News - Alert) Ventures), Kleiner Perkins, M12 (formerly Microsoft Ventures), Telstra Ventures and Sorenson Capital, Incorta powers analytics for some of the most valuable brands in the world, including Broadcom (News - Alert) , Credit Suisse and Shutterfly. To learn more and try it for yourself, visit www.incorta.com. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210519005798/en/

[ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ]
[May 19, 2021] Carzato and AutoLeadStar announce Partnership

SAN MARINO, Calif., May 19, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Carzato, a leader in automotive online services, announces its partnership with AutoLeadStar (ALST) to offer superior media buying services for dealerships. "We wanted the best-in-class online advertising with cutting-edge artificial intelligence on our digital retailing experience and we achieved just that with AutoLeadStar, says Carzato Co-Founder and CEO, Javier O. Ruiz. "This partnership helps dealerships maximize their sales both on the lot and online, regardless of COVID-19 or any future unforeseen circumstances." The AutoLeadStar Platform is built on a technology so powerful it allows dealers to market, sell, and service cars as they would in the real world, at scale and online, making 1:1 matches between shoppers and inventory. AutoLeadStar CEO, Aharon Horwitz, states; "To compete and win business on the internet today, you need a pretty robust and sophisticated strategy. It's very hard to do this manually and it becomes a bottomless pit of frustration and missed opportunity. We are thrilled to have an opportunity to work with Carzato's Online Retailing Experience to increase dealership sales efficiencies." In a recent dealership case study, the implementation of Carzato's digital retailing solution was shown to increase dealers' Close Rate to Sale by 18%, significantly decrease their cos per lead by 81%, and skyrocket their Total Number of Leads by 382%.



Carzato is able to provide a unique platform that utilizes online technology together with artificial intelligence to level the playing field of a highly competitive car market. Carzato's proprietary digital retailing experience is fully scalable, modular and includes: - Customizable high-converting landing pages and CTAs

- VIN-specific dealer pricing

- Dealer choice of Trade-In Valuation and F&I Products

- Dealer-customized Service & Protection Plans/Pricing

About CARZATO

Carzato is a California-based automotive service provider in Fintech, offering an integrated and customized online car-buying process for dealers to connect with their customers. Carzato's Online Retailing Experience (ORE) saves time for both dealership and customer, increases quality leads, and thus sales improvement. For more information, please visit www.Carzato.com. About AutoLeadStar:

AutoLeadStar is pioneering smart marketing automation in the automotive industry. Built by top-tier engineers and data scientists, AutoLeadStar's sophisticated machine learning future-proofs a dealership's marketing operations with AI-based decision algorithms that lead to high-intent conversions. AutoLeadStar works industry-wide with hundreds of dealerships, including top 150 dealer groups, providing unique insight into the future of the market. They can be reached at www.autoleadstar.com. Related Links:

https://carzato.com

https://autoleadstar.com View original content to download multimedia:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/carzato-and-autoleadstar-announce-partnership-301295279.html SOURCE Carzato

[ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ]
[May 19, 2021] Foundry College Raises $1MM from Zanichelli Venture, Accelerates Growth Strategies in Stackable Education Model

Foundry College today announced additional funding of $1MM, led by Zanichelli Venture, into its open convertible note. Foundry College is a new kind of college that builds future-ready skills and knowledge by providing adults with an education that combines the durable professional skills that employers seek with in-demand, job-relevant credentials to align with the jobs of today and tomorrow. Zanichelli Venture is an Italian fund that focuses their investments on companies who are creating radical power-ups for the learner experience within existing educational systems, as well as in companies that have envisioned bold alternatives to current systems with the potential to move from niche to dominant. Zanichelli Venture's investment continues the funding round begun by Ulu Ventures, Learn Capital, and Learn Start. Zanichelli Venture was joined in this investment by the Swiss Holding Company, Brahma AG. "We are honored and excited to be partnering with Zanichelli Venture and Brahma as Foundry College continues to execute on our founding vision of creating a stackable educational value proposition for adult learners of all ages and at all stages of life," said Dr. Akiba J. Covitz, president and CEO of Foundry College. "With this new investment, Foundry will be able to build on our recent successes, which include the American Council on Education's (ACE) recommendation for credits for our six Professional Skills courses, the Bureau of Private Postsecondary Education's (BPPE) approval of our credentialed certificate programs in Salesforce Administration and Project Management, as well as provisional approval of our associate degree program. With these achievements, Foundry College is poised to grow rapidly into a national force in learning and upskilling." Foundry College aims to disrupt the traditional two-year college model by providing learners wth the 21st century skills and knowledge they need for the jobs of today and tomorrow. Foundational courses provide students with the broad skills that employers say are lacking and needed most: oral and written communication, collaboration, and problem solving, among others. Using Foundry College's stackable model, learners can then master knowledge specific to job pathways that are in high-demand and growing rapidly, including project management and Salesforce administration, while they earn a recognized, third-party credential that signals their mastery of industry-specific skills. These credentialed certificates prepare learners to excel in the workforce in entry-level roles with salaries starting at $50K.



While many learners may choose to exit the stacked education and enter the workforce at that point, others may continue on to pursue an associate degree, even while working. Numerous studies over many years have shown that the associate degree and job-directed credentials offer more job opportunities and open doors to a range of jobs in well-paying sectors than a high school diploma. Foundry College provides the full ladder of value: learners can choose to climb to the top or step off and continue later. "Over the past ten years, MOOCs became adept in scaling the lecture online effectively, and this created unprecedented opportunities for confident, well-educated, self-directed adult learners," said Enrico Poli, director of Zanichelli Venture. "And yet, during the pandemic, it became definitively clear to all of us that learning needs more than asynchronous, mostly solitary, passive classes, especially for learners who are still refining their skills and strengthening their executive functions and confidence. Foundry College is showing us how to successfully scale online synchronous, active, experiential, social learning, and one can't overstate the impact this will have on millions of lives."

To learn more about Foundry College's programs, visit https://foundrycollege.org/programs. About Foundry College Foundry College is a new kind of college that offers live, face-to-face classes in an online environment that promotes the community of a traditional classroom experience. Every class combines live, instructor-led lectures with small-group active learning sessions to ensure that new skills and knowledge are effectively integrated, retained, and can be put into immediate practice. Foundry College's proprietary learning management system, the Forge, can host up to 200 students per session and uses performance data to facilitate student learning and success. Created by a team led by President Emeritus and Chief Academic Officer, Dr. Stephen M. Kosslyn, Foundry College launched in 2018 and is headquartered in San Francisco. Foundry College was recently named a Top 100 Ed Tech company in North America by HolonIQ. www.foundrycollege.org. About Zanichelli Venture Zanichelli Venture is the leading Italian textbook publisher Zanichelli Editore's investment initiative, focusing on early-stage EdTech startups. The fund co-invests globally, following trusted, local lead investors in seed, pre-A, and A rounds, ready to keep supporting its portfolio companies with follow-ons in later rounds. Zanichelli Venture finances ideas with the potential to have a positive impact on our future through education at every stage of a learner's life. Zanichelli Editore has been in the textbook business in Italy for more than a hundred and fifty years. It published the first Italian translation of Darwin's On the Origin of Species back in 1864, Einstein's Relativity: The Special and the General Theory in 1921, and is the market leader for most scientific subjects in middle and high school textbooks. It has been developing digital educational products since the late 1990s. www.zanichelliventure.it About Brahma AG Established in 1996, Brahma AG is a Swiss holding company owned by the Colussi family, former media research entrepreneurs. Brahma holds a diversified portfolio of investments spanning multiple geographies. Biotech, education, and technology are the key investment themes. Following the family spirit and a long-term approach to investments, Brahma aims to embrace innovation, diversity, and to foster talent. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210519005833/en/

[ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ]
[May 19, 2021] State Fund Begins Construction of Extensive Sustainability and Solar Energy Program Designed by ENGIE North America and JLL

State Compensation Insurance Fund (State Fund), California's leading provider of workers' compensation insurance, today announced that construction has begun on an extensive sustainability and solar energy program that includes solar, electric vehicle charging stations and energy storage at seven locations throughout California. Designed and constructed by ENGIE North America, through its affiliate ENGIE Services U.S. Inc., and JLL, State Fund will install 9.8 MW of solar, 2 MW/4.3 MWh of energy storage and 150 Level II and DC charging stations, offsetting nearly 230,000 metric tons of green-house-gas emissions over a 20-year period and saving nearly $65,000,000 in energy costs over the life of the project. "Breaking ground on this project is a huge step forward in our drive to reduce our use of fossil fuels, limit the load we place on local and statewide electrical grids, and improve air quality throughout California," said Andreas Acker, Executive Vice President and Chief Administrative Officer at State Fund. "Increasing our efforts and investments around sustainability initiatives will bring a number of benefits to our customers, employees, and California as a whole." The State Fund construction sites are located in Vacaville, Pleasanton, Redding, Fresno, Bakersfield, Sacramento and Riverside. The portfolio of solar projects is projected to produce 311 GWh over 20 years, enough to power more than 26,500 homes, and provide a reduction in CO2 emissions equivalent to taking 47,000 gas vehicles off the road. "In addition to supporting State Fund's greater environmental strategy, the construction helps the California economy during this critical time for recovery after the pandemic," said Courtney Jenkins, General Manager and Vice President for Cities & Communities at ENGIE North America. "State Fund is truly a partner that aligns with ENGIE's mission to help our customers decarbonize and optimize energy use." State Fund's EV charging stations will be available to its employees and used by the company's fleet vehicles. State Fund's fleet currently includes eight battery electric vehicles, three of which are new long-range BEVs that allow employees to travel between State Fund locations while lowering their reliance on ossil fuels.



"JLL is proud to play an active role in initiatives that support adoption of renewable and sustainable energy like State Fund's, a trend whose adoption is quickly accelerating," said Kyle Goehring, Executive Vice President, JLL Clean Energy (News - Alert) Solutions. "As a global company, we have an inherent responsibility to drive sustainability and corporate social responsibility efforts. We embrace technology to meet the needs of today and opportunities of tomorrow." About State Compensation Insurance Fund

State Fund is California's leading provider of workers' compensation insurance. Not for profit and funded solely by premiums and investment income, we've supported California's entrepreneurial spirit and played a vital role in the state's economy for more than 100 years. By innovating in areas such as workplace safety and injured worker care, we're committed to serving California for the next 100 as well. To learn more or get a quote, contact your broker or visit www.StateFundCA.com. About ENGIE North America ENGIE North America Inc. offers a range of capabilities in the United States and Canada through its various subsidiaries and affiliates to help our customers achieve their sustainability goals as we work together to shape a sustainable future. Our comprehensive services include helping run facilities more efficiently and optimize energy and other resource use and costs; clean power generation; energy storage; and retail energy supply that includes renewable, demand response, and on-bill financing options. Nearly 100% of the company's power generation portfolio is low-carbon or renewable. ENGIE S.A. is a global organization focused on low-carbon energy and services, that relies on its key businesses (gas, renewable energy, services) to offer competitive solutions to its customers. With 170,000 employees, along with its customers, partners and stakeholders, the group is committed to accelerating the transition to a carbon-neutral world through reduced energy consumption and more environmentally-friendly solutions. For more information on ENGIE North America, please visit our LinkedIn page or Twitter (News - Alert) feed, https://www.engie-na.com/ and https://www.engie.com. About JLL JLL (NYSE: JLL) is a leading professional services firm that specializes in real estate and investment management. JLL shapes the future of real estate for a better world by using the most advanced technology to create rewarding opportunities, amazing spaces and sustainable real estate solutions for our clients, our people and our communities. JLL is a Fortune 500 company with annual revenue of $16.6 billion in 2020, operations in over 80 countries and a global workforce of more than 91,000 as of March 31, 2021. JLL is the brand name, and a registered trademark, of Jones Lang LaSalle Incorporated. For further information, visit jll.com. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210519005825/en/

[ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ]
[May 19, 2021] John C. Hill Elected Chief Executive Officer of Central Securities Corporation Effective January 1, 2022; Wilmot Kidd to Continue as Chairman

At a Board of Directors meeting today, Wilmot H. Kidd announced that he will step down as Chief Executive Officer of Central Securities Corporation (NYSE American: CET) (the "Corporation") as of December 31, 2021. He will continue to serve the Corporation as Chairman of the Board of Directors. Mr. Kidd expressed his appreciation for the support of his dedicated board and staff during his long tenure with the Corporation. Mr. Kidd joined Central as a director in 1972 and served as its President from 1973 until March 2018, when he was elected to the newly created position of Chief Executive Officer. Mr. Kidd was succeeded as President of the Corporation in March 2018 by John C. Hill. Today, in addition to his position as President, Mr. Hill was unanimosly elected to succeed Mr. Kidd as Chief Executive Officer effective January 1, 2022. Mr. Hill was also elected to the Corporation's Board of Directors effective today. In making the announcement, the Board noted John's contribution to Central's investments and operations and indicated its belief that John is eminently qualified to assume the responsibilities of Chief Executive Officer.



Mr. Hill, 47, joined the Corporation in January 2016 as a Vice President. Prior to joining the Corporation, he served as an Investment Analyst with Davis Selected Advisors LP for seven years. Previously, he was a Vice President at Quadrangle Group LLC and an analyst at Soundview Technology Group. Mr. Hill graduated from Princeton University in 1996 with an A.B. in Politics. "The board and I are delighted that John will serve as Central's next CEO," Mr. Kidd said. "He has a deep knowledge of our company, its culture and approach to investing. I have known John for many years, and he has been a valued colleague since he joined Central."

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210519005901/en/

[ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ]
PRIME Minister Kassim Majaliwa has instructed the Dar es Salaam City Council and the National Housing Corporation (NHC) to expedite the construction of a modern Vingunguti abattoir.

He issued the directives yesterday when touring the project worth 12.49bn/- that was initially supposed to be completed in December 2019.

"Dar es Salaam Mayor and Director, we need this abattoir to commence operation, complete the remaining five per cent of the finishing stage promptly. It is also crucial for the City Council and livestock traders to hold a meeting now before the project's kick-off," he said.

The construction of the state- of- the- art Vingunguti abattoir is 95 per cent complete, including slaughterhouses and sewage systems, while the water storage tank and cold storage facilities will be completed by 30 June 2021.

The popular slaughterhouse in Dar es Salaam serves the residents in the city, neighboring regions and countries.

Upon completion, the facility will have the capacity to slaughter 1,500 cattle from the current average of 500 and 1,000 goats every day, a jump of 100 per cent.

Similarly, the Prime Minister has instructed the Dar es Salaam City Council's administration to ensure that sewage from the abattoir is diverted to special canals which will dispense its spill into the river, so that it does not enter people's households.

In addition, Mr Majaliwa said that it is high time for traders to commence using the modern abattoir and anyone who wants to use it should be allowed.

Close Sign up for free AllAfrica Newsletters Get the latest in African news delivered straight to your inbox Top Headlines Tanzania Governance By submitting above, you agree to our privacy policy. Success! Almost finished... We need to confirm your email address. To complete the process, please follow the instructions in the email we just sent you. Error! Error! There was a problem processing your submission. Please try again later.

"The machines are ready; it is good to start training them so that they know how they function. The Chairman of the association of livestock and their products may be preparing some cows and they can be slaughtered at the new abattoir before the official opening," he noted

The Premier has also instructed the Director of Dar es Salaam City Council to ensure that he quickly completes the procedures for the construction of a section of the railway line that enters the abattoir for unloading cattle.

Commenting on the construction of the project, Dar es Salaam City Director, Mr Jumanne Shauri said upon completion of the facility will increase meat supply and sell outside the country such as in Arab nations.

He further said the completion of the project will enable the supply of quality meat compared to that produced at the former abattoir, adding that the abattoir will employ 300 permanent workers as well as 3,000 workers on a casual basis.

"The facility will be operating day and night, with two shifts of eight hours each, slaughtering 500 cattle and 250 goats and sheep per shift," he said.

According to Mr Shauri, the facility is designed with a set of electrical and pneumatic live killing machines for cattle, goats and sheep, taking only three to five seconds to cut a single animal. There will also be a bleeding area, which will control spillage through automatic conveyors.
Vivint Smart Home to Participate in 49th Annual J.P. Morgan Technology, Media & Communications Conference

Vivint Smart Home, Inc. (NYSE: VVNT), a leading smart home company, today announced that it will present and host meetings with investors at the 49th Annual J.P. Morgan Technology, Media & Communications Conference. Details for the event are as follows (times listed in Eastern Time):

49th Annual J.P. Morgan Technology, Media & Communications Conference







Date: Wednesday, May 26, 2021 Time: Presentation at 2:10 p.m.

To watch and listen to the live webcast, please visit the Events section of Vivint's Investor Relations website at http://investors.vivint.com. An on-demand replay will be archived on the same website following the call.

About the Company

Vivint is a leading smart home company in North America. Vivint delivers an integrated smart home system with in-home consultation, professional installation and support delivered by its Smart Home Pros, as well as 24-7 customer care and monitoring. Dedicated to redefining the home experience with intelligent products and services, Vivint serves over 1.7 million customers. For more information, visit https://www.vivint.com.

Source (News - Alert) : Vivint Smart Home, Inc.

VVNT-E

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210519005925/en/
[May 19, 2021] Kinaxis Provides Update on Blue Yonder Claim and Kinaxis Counterclaim

Court defers ruling on merits of Kinaxis' argument on invalidity of Blue Yonder patents OTTAWA, ON, May 19, 2021 /CNW/ - Kinaxis Inc. (TSX: KXS), the authority in driving agility for fast, confident decision-making in an unpredictable world, today announced that, on Monday, the district court of the Northern District of Texas deferred ruling on the merits of Kinaxis' motion to dismiss Blue Yonder's lawsuit on the basis that the patents are invalid until the parties can further develop the record in the case. The court also granted Kinaxis' motion to strike certain expert testimony that Blue Yonder had submitted in relation to Kinaxis' motion. "This ruling is not a surprise and is merely a procedural one. The judge did not rule on the merits of our argument, he simply ruled that it is too early for him to assess the issues properly," said Jamie Hollingworth, Chief Legal Officer, Kinaxis. "It remains our position that the patents in question should be invalidated as they cover well-established concepts in the field of inventory and supply chain management, and simply tke generic computer technology and apply it to decades-old concepts. We will make these same strong arguments later in the case for the judge to rule on."



Kinaxis' filings make clear that Kinaxis respects the intellectual property rights of others. It has not infringed Blue Yonder's intellectual property rights, and it will vigorously pursue all avenues to defend itself against such accusations. Kinaxis will also vigorously pursue its counterclaims, which allege that Blue Yonder has violated federal and Texas law by misappropriating certain of Kinaxis' trade secrets. About Kinaxis Inc.

Everyday volatility and uncertainty demand quick action. Kinaxis delivers the agility to make fast, confident decisions across integrated business planning and the digital supply chain. People can plan better, live better and change the world. Trusted by innovative brands, we combine human intelligence with AI and concurrent planning to help companies plan for any future, monitor risks and opportunities and respond at the pace of change. Powered by an extensible, cloud-based platform, Kinaxis delivers industry-proven applications so everyone can know sooner, act faster and remove waste. For more Kinaxis news, visit Kinaxis.com or follow us on LinkedIn or Twitter.

Forward-Looking Statements

Certain statements in this release constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of applicable securities laws. Forward-looking statements include statements as to Kinaxis' growth opportunities and the potential benefits of, and demand for, Kinaxis' products and services. These statements are subject to certain assumptions, risks and uncertainties, including our view of the relative position of Kinaxis' products and services compared to competitive offerings in the industry. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on such statements. Kinaxis' actual results, performance, achievements and developments may differ materially from the results, performance, achievements or developments expressed or implied by such statements. Risk factors that may cause the actual results, performance, achievements or developments of Kinaxis to differ materially from the results, performance, achievements or developments expressed or implied by such statements can be found in the public documents filed by Kinaxis with Canadian securities regulatory authorities. Kinaxis assumes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as expressly required by law. SOURCE Kinaxis Inc.

[ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ]
[May 19, 2021] Galaxy Digital Provides Updated Trading Results and CEO Views Amidst Cryptocurrency Market Volatility

NEW YORK, May 19, 2021 /CNW/ - Galaxy Digital Holdings Ltd. (TSX: GLXY) ("Galaxy Digital" or the "Company") today is providing an update on certain operational metrics related to its Galaxy Digital Trading ("GDT") business over the last 24 hours. This update is intended to provide visibility to shareholders, counterparties, and clients regarding GDT's operational resilience during the recent period of significant volatility in digital asset prices. Key operational highlights for Galaxy Digital Trading over the last 24 hours ended 4pm May 19th, 2021: While processing record volumes, GDT experienced no operational or execution-related disruptions.

Over-the-counter ("OTC") counterparty trading volumes were in excess of six times greater than the daily average volumes year to date through April 30 th , 2021.

, 2021. The GDT counterparty loan portfolio experienced zero defaults, is operating with an average collateralization of over 160%, and has no outstanding margin calls. Additionally, Founder, Chairman and CEO Michael Novogratz shared his macroeconomic views on the market volatility in a short video, which can be viewed on our Investor Relations website: https://investor.galaxydigital.io.



The Company cautions that the data in this press release is preliminary, unaudited, and subject to change as management completes its regular course independent audit or review of company results for regularly scheduled shareholder updates. Further, the Company may elect to provide different key operating and financial metrics in the future, given its evolving business mix. The Company undertakes no obligation to update or revise these statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. About Galaxy Digital

Galaxy Digital (TSX: GLXY) is a diversified financial services and investment management company in the digital asset, cryptocurrency, and blockchain technology sectors. Galaxy Digital's team has extensive experience spanning investing, portfolio management, capital markets, venture capital, asset management, and blockchain technology. Galaxy Digital operates in the following businesses: Trading, Asset Management, Principal Investments, Investment Banking, and Mining. Galaxy Digital's CEO and Founder is Mike Novogratz. The Company is headquartered in New York City, with offices in Chicago, San Francisco, London, Tokyo, Hong Kong, the Cayman Islands (registered office), and New Jersey. Additional information about the Company's businesses and products is available on www.galaxydigital.io. Disclaimers The TSX has neither approved nor disapproved the contents of this press release. The Company listed on the TSX via TSX Sandbox, an initiative intended to facilitate listing applications that may not satisfy the original listing requirements of TSX, but due to facts or situations unique to a particular issuer otherwise warrant a listing on TSX. The TSX has exercised its discretion to waive the requirements of subsection 309(c)(i) of its manual (C$10 million in treasury resulting from public raise) which the Company did not meet and has approved the listing of the Company pursuant to TSX Sandbox. The Company's approval pursuant to TSX Sandbox was conditioned upon public filing of an Annual Information Form and prominent quarterly disclosure of digital assets and investments, which the Company has completed and agreed to continue to provide. The Company will remain listed pursuant to TSX Sandbox until such time as it has completed a twelve-month period without significant compliance issues after graduation. In addition, the Company is required to disclose the following two risk factors that were also included in the most recent Annual Information Form for the year-ended 2020: (1) The Company has limited operating history and its business lines are nascent and subject to material legal, regulatory, operational and other risks in every jurisdiction; and (2) the market price and trading volume of the Company's ordinary shares has been volatile and will likely continue to be so in response to, among other factors, market fluctuations in digital assets generally or the digital assets that the Company holds or trades. No offering is being made by this material. This communication is provided as a general source of information and should not be considered personal, legal, accounting, tax, or investment advice, or construed as an endorsement or recommendation of any entity or security discussed. Individuals should seek the advice of professionals, as appropriate, regarding any particular investment. Investors should consult their professional advisors prior to implementing any changes to their investment strategies. SOURCE Galaxy Digital Holdings Ltd.

[ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ]
[May 19, 2021] RevLifter Brings eCommerce Solutions to APAC with Launch of Hong Kong Office

Trailblazing eCommerce technology looks to meet region's demand for hyper-personalized deals and offers with local presence LONDON and HONG KONG, May 20, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- RevLifter, the technology provider transforming eCommerce growth rates through hyper-personalized deals and offers, has bolstered its Asia-Pacific (APAC) operation by launching a new office in Hong Kong. RevLifter is now poised to help even more brands exceed goals for AOV, acquisition, revenue, and conversion rates through its multi-award-winning platform, which uses behavioral and contextual data to serve hyper-personalized incentives across the entire eCommerce journey. Its solutions, which include on-site overlays and hyper-personalized offer pages, are revolutionizing the digital deal space by enabling retailers like HP, Harvey Nichols, New Balance, EE, Uniqlo, and ASOS to swap their blanket methods of promotion for strategies that better srve their customers and unique goals.



After increasing online revenue and profitability for 100+ brands across EMEA and the US, RevLifter will now capitalize on rapid growth for online purchasing within markets like Australia, Singapore, Japan, and China. The company's new division will be headed up by Charles Alston, who joins as APAC Partnership Director. Alston commented: "RevLifter brings a genuine competitive advantage for eCommerce brands across all verticals. Most retailers share common challenges but their one-size-fits-all promotions can actually have a negative impact on things like margin and customer experience. RevLifter is transforming the way these companies think about deals and offers through hyper-personalization, and I see enormous opportunity for its technology within the APAC region."

RevLifter's move into Hong Kong arrives just one month after its expansion into France, which saw the opening of a new office in Paris. Its solutions are currently being used in nine markets and supported by teams in North America, EMEA, and APAC. About RevLifter RevLifter is on a mission to make every eCommerce deal intelligent across the entire customer journey. Its revolutionary platform allows brands across all verticals to launch real-time hyper-personalized offers that exceed goals for revenue, conversions, acquisition, and more. RevLifter's cutting-edge solutions are rapid to implement, paid on performance, and reimagining eCommerce by delivering the best possible outcome for brands and their customers. For more information, visit https://revlifter.com. Contact:

Rich Towey, Director of Communications

Richard.towey@revlifter.com

+44 (0)20 3920 6899

[ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ]
Check the tragic conclusion of local luxury car adventures today . . .



The driver of a gold Porsche was traveling eastbound on 40 Highway at a high rate of speed when he drove into oncoming lanes to pass slower traffic, according to police.



Police said the driver of a silver Toyota was westbound in the right lane when the Porsche struck the Toyota head-on.



The driver and passenger of the Porsche were taken to a local hospital with life-threatening injuries. The driver later died and is reported to be a 31-year-old man from Kansas City, Missouri.



Relateed . . .

KCTV5: Traffic crashes up by more than 12% compared to last year, KCPD says

Read more . . .


COVID-19 by the numbers

Pennsylvania had more than 1,185,000 cases and a total of 26,871 deaths connected to the coronavirus pandemic as of Tuesday. Here are some statistics on COVID-19 statewide and in our region:

Statewide data:

 Negative tests: 4,526,726

 Positive tests: 1,188,845

 Deaths: 26,871

 Recovered: 92%

Southwestern counties:

 Cambria: 14,356 positives, 45,372 negatives (429 deaths)

 Somerset: 7,842 positives, 22,303 negatives (208 deaths)

 Bedford: 4,526 positives, 10,116 negatives (138 deaths)

 Blair: 13,155 positives, 39,398 negatives (333 deaths)

 Indiana: 6,214 positives, 20,123 negatives (174 deaths)

 Clearfield: 8,480 positives, 21,560 negatives (145 deaths)

 Westmoreland: 33,735 positives, 98,142 negatives (758 deaths)

 Allegheny: 100,367 positives, 413,270 negatives (1,949 deaths)

 Beaver: 15,252 positives, 52,449 negatives (380 deaths)

 Butler: 17,258 positives, 52,935 negatives (413 deaths)

 Centre: 16,726 positives, 69,267 negatives (222 deaths)

 Fayette: 12,968 positives, 37,196 negatives (313 deaths)

 Greene: 3,229 positives, 10,016 negatives (40 deaths)

 Washington: 17,512 positives, 61,526 negatives (298 deaths)

Elsewhere in Pa.:

 Philadelphia: 146,691 positives, 631,016 negatives (3,604 deaths)

 Montgomery: 69,596 positives, 358,459 negatives (1,696 deaths)

 Delaware: 51,728 positives, 240,410 negatives (1,371 deaths)

 Bucks: 60,125 positives, 254,501 negatives (1,295 deaths)

 Lancaster: 54,662 positives, 194,282 negatives (1,136 deaths)

 Berks: 47,405 positives, 130,818 negatives (1,019 deaths)

 Lehigh: 39,210 positives, 141,929 negatives (850 deaths)

 Luzerne: 31,387 positives, 111,051 negatives (803 deaths)

 York: 45,741 positives, 154,486 negatives (803 deaths)

 Chester: 40,292 positives, 210,581 negatives (802 deaths)

 Northampton: 35,391 positives, 128,463 negatives (704 deaths)

 Dauphin: 25,670 positives, 103,887 negatives (546 deaths)

 Cumberland: 20,201 positives, 79,904 negatives (520 deaths)

Estimated case counts by age group:

 Ages 0-9: 47,412.

 Ages 10-19: 127,091.

 Ages 20-29: 210,367.

 Ages 30-39: 181,811.

 Ages 40-49: 163,705.

 Ages 50-59: 179,845.

 Ages 60-69: 136,060.

 Ages 70-79: 76,002.

 Ages 80-89: 44,999.

 Ages 90-99: 20,225.

 Ages 100+: 981.

Case counts by gender:

 Female: 625,212 cases.

 Male: 558,487 cases.

 Not reported: 5,100 cases.

Estimated case counts by ethnicity:

 Black: 108,221 cases.

 White: 643,648 cases.

 Asian: 20,810 cases.

 Other: 21,060 cases.

 Not reported: 395,106 cases.

 To view Pa. Dept. of Health maps and other information, visit: www.health.pa.gov/topics/disease/coronavirus/Pages/Coronavirus.aspx.
Despite a deteriorating security situation and the reverberating effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, regional troops deployed to combat terrorists in Africa's Sahel region have scaled up the tempo of their operations in recent months, efforts that must be matched by a spirit of solidarity among their global partners, the senior UN peacekeeping official told the Security Council on Tuesday.

Jean-Pierre Lacroix, Under-Secretary-General for Peace Operations, told delegates that the fight against armed groups in the Sahel has intensified since late 2020. He described the Joint Force first deployed in 2017 by the "Group of Five" (G-5) Sahel countries - Burkina Faso, Chad, Mali, Mauritania and Niger - as a vital part of the security response in the region.

'Ever more challenging' environment

Countries of the Sahel region have seen an escalation of attacks by armed extremist groups in recent years, striking frequently at security forces and civilians going about their daily lives.

A single attack by gunmen on 2 January left more than 100 people dead in a village in western Niger. On 21 April, President Idriss Deby Itno of Chad, was killed after sustaining injuries in clashes with rebel groups.

Regional troops deployed through the G-5 Sahel Joint Force, as well as personnel with the UN Stabilization Mission in Mali (MINUSMA) and the French-led Operation Barkhane, are struggling to stem the violence.

Describing efforts to respond to the 'ever more challenging' environment, Mr. Lacroix said today that the Joint Force also faces major challenges in its operational and logistical capacities, such as transport and providing supplies to its troops.

Steps forward

Despite those challenges, the Joint Force and its partners have made some important strides against extremist groups in recent months.

Close Sign up for free AllAfrica Newsletters Get the latest in African news delivered straight to your inbox Top Headlines West Africa Conflict International Organisations By submitting above, you agree to our privacy policy. Success! Almost finished... We need to confirm your email address. To complete the process, please follow the instructions in the email we just sent you. Error! Error! There was a problem processing your submission. Please try again later.

Launched in August 2020, the counter-terrorist operation known as "Sama 2" continued this year. "Sama 3" - buoyed by the deployment of an additional battalion from Chad - was launched in March. Meanwhile, the Joint Force continued to enhance its operational capabilities.

Strengthening the Joint Force's police component will be an important next step, allowing for better oversight over military operations and linking them more closely to State-building, human right compliance and justice sector reform efforts.

In addition, Mr. Lacroix welcomed the G-5 Sahel's demonstration of commitment to investigating and prosecuting serious allegations of sexual violence, reportedly committed by some of its troops.

Debate over funding

Referring to an assessment of the support provided by MINUSMA to the G-5 Sahel Joint Force, which was conducted at the Council's request, Mr. Lacroix said it found the predictability of funding to be a source of concern.

"It is essential that [the Joint Force] receives the assistance it requires to carry out its mandated tasks," he said, noting that the current support model presents operational challenges and leaves little room for flexibility.

Against that backdrop, he said the United Nations, alongside the G-5 Sahel and other partners, continues to call for more predictable funding. Questions about how best to finance the Joint Force, as well as other peace operations across the African continent, have been ongoing among Member States.

"Faced with the situation in the Sahel, the international community must be motivated by a shared responsibility to act... in a spirit of solidarity with the populations of the region," he stressed.
Terre Haute, IN (47803)

Today

Sun and clouds mixed. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. High near 90F. Winds N at 5 to 10 mph..

Tonight

Mostly clear. Low around 70F. Winds light and variable.
Johannesburg  U.N. Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield, a longtime Africa specialist, laid out the Biden administration's policies on Africa ahead of a U.N. Security Council meeting Wednesday on the topic.

She also noted she is working behind the scenes with African nations on the Security Council to address the current conflict between Israel and the Palestinian militant group Hamas.

Thomas-Greenfield, who forged her diplomatic career in Africa, said she doesn't see the continent as a challenge but as a home away from home.

That's the attitude she plans to take into the council meeting about the challenges facing the vast region, which include violent insurgencies in places like Mozambique and the Sahel, conflict in Ethiopia, economic destruction from the pandemic and more.

"We're committed to being a partner to Africa as you confront these threats and these challenges," she told journalists by teleconference on Tuesday. "And we believe that the best and the strongest partnerships are built on a foundation of trust and transparency and accountability, and areas of mutual opportunity."

Such warm words are a departure from what Thomas-Greenfield acknowledged were a frosty four years between the Trump administration and the continent. The career diplomat has represented the United States in Kenya, Gambia, Nigeria and Liberia, and as former President Barack Obama's assistant secretary of state for African affairs.

Now, as representative to the U.N., she is bringing the Biden administration's Africa policy to the global stage during Wednesday's meeting.

Thomas-Greenfield acknowledged that handling the various issues in Africa is not the work of one meeting, or even one country, and she singled out China as another country with vast outreach to Africa.

"The United States can't do it alone," she said. "We have to do it in consultation and support of the African people, and we do it for the African people. I would say that it worries me, as I look at Africa's relationship with China, for example, that that is a relationship that sometimes rests on coerciveness, indebtedness, and not in partnership. And I want our message to be completely the opposite of that."

Close Sign up for free AllAfrica Newsletters Get the latest in African news delivered straight to your inbox Top Headlines Africa Conflict U.S., Canada and Africa By submitting above, you agree to our privacy policy. Success! Almost finished... We need to confirm your email address. To complete the process, please follow the instructions in the email we just sent you. Error! Error! There was a problem processing your submission. Please try again later.

VOA asked the ambassador about rising hostilities between Israel and Hamas. Ten of the 22 members of the Arab League are African states, and that body has harshly criticized Israel's recent military actions in Gaza. The U.S. blocked a U.N. Security Council statement calling for a cease-fire amid the violence, with U.S. officials saying they prefer "quiet, intensive diplomacy" to solve the problem.

Thomas-Greenfield said the administration is pushing for a peaceful solution on multiple fronts, including from her side.

"We are engaging with Africans on this issue, both at the Security Council and across the board," she said. "We have taken intense diplomatic efforts to try to find a solution to this situation from the most senior levels of the United States, as you've seen in the press. President Biden has engaged several times with (Prime Minister) Netanyahu. Secretary Blinken has engaged with government officials. And I have engaged with the governments, as well as other parties here in New York, to push for a solution. And again, that includes members from Africa."

The 15-member Security Council, which currently contains Kenya, Niger and Tunisia as nonpermanent members, meets Wednesday.
The attorney-general says the naira equivalent of the  4.2million was paid into Nigeria's designated account on May 10.

The federal government has finally received from the United Kingdom the 4.2million recovered from former Governor of Delta State, James Ibori's associates and family members, Nigeria's Attorney-General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami, said on Tuesday.

This comes about two weeks after Mr Malami said the payment of the money to Nigeria was being delayed by documentation processes in foreign banks.

He however said in a statement on Tuesday that the "naira equivalent value" of the total 4,214,017.66 "has been credited into the designated Federal Government account" since May 10.

His spokesperson, Umar Gwandu, who issued the statement, did not disclose the actual naira equivalent paid into the Nigerian government's account.

The calculation by PREMIMUM TIMES, however, puts the figure at about N2.4 billion at official exchange rate, and about N2.9billion at parallel market's rate.

"Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, SAN, signed Memorandum of Understanding for the repatriation of the Ibori loot on behalf of the Federal Government of Nigeria.

"The development, according to Malami, was a demonstration of the recognition of reputation Nigeria earns through records of management of recovered stolen Nigerian stolen in the execution of public oriented projects," Mr Gwandu's statement read in part.

Agreement

PREMIUM TIMES reported that the representatives of both the U.K. and Nigerian governments signed the agreement for the return of the money, which translates to about N2.4 billion, to Nigeria in Abuja on March 9.

The signing of the agreement, which took place at the Federal Ministry of Justice, Abuja, was done under the auspices of the U.K.-Nigeria Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), which came into force in 2016.

The British High Commissioner, Catriona Laing, signed the agreement on behalf of the U.K. government while Mr Malami signed it on behalf of the Nigeria government.

Controversy

The arrival of the money in Nigeria is expected to reignite the ownership battle that first surfaced between the federal and Delta State governments when the agreement for the return of the money was announced in March.

While signing the agreement on behalf of the Nigerian government on March 9, the AGF said the fund would be ploughed into the construction of the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, Abuja-Kano Road and the Second Niger Bridge.

Close Sign up for free AllAfrica Newsletters Get the latest in African news delivered straight to your inbox Top Headlines Nigeria Legal Affairs By submitting above, you agree to our privacy policy. Success! Almost finished... We need to confirm your email address. To complete the process, please follow the instructions in the email we just sent you. Error! Error! There was a problem processing your submission. Please try again later.

He said the projects would boost economic growth and help alleviate poverty.

But the Delta State Government, in response, said the money should be returned to it as the victim of the looting perpetrated by Mr Ibori and his cronies.

The oil-rich state said it should be left to decide how to spend the money.

It recalled that the funds and assets recovered from former Governor of Bayelsa State, the late Diepreye Alamieyeseigha, who was equally convicted of corruption charges in July 2007, were returned to the state's coffers, so the Ibori loot should not be treated differently.

Conviction

Mr Ibori pleaded guilty to money laundering, conspiracy to defraud, and forgery in a U.K. court in February 2012.

He was sentenced to a total of 13 years in prison.

Some of his associates and family also received sentences for similar offences and were similarly sent to prison.

Mr Ibori, a man who stole millions from the suffering people of oil-rich Delta State and laundered the proceeds in the U.K., had earlier been set free of the charges by a Nigerian federal court.

He was later arrested in the United Arab Emirate (UAE) and extradited to the U.K where he was eventually jailed for the aspects of the crimes committed in the U.K.

The ex-convict, who was believed to retain his political influence in Delta State while serving his jail term in the U.K., returned to Nigeria in February 2017 after completing his imprisonment.
Instant unlimited access to all of our content on triplicate.com.

The Triplicate's E-Edition Newsletter emailed to you each week, the night before the paper hits the street!

This subscription is for NEW or RENEWING online subscribers.

(The charge will appear as "Country Media Inc." on your credit card statement)


Abuja  Nigerian officials say social distancing and the coronavirus pandemic's impact on the economy have tripled the number of mental health cases. In response, Nigeria has launched a toll-free 24-hour helpline staffed by trained psychologists and counselors.

A crowd cheers as a mental health counselor responds to the first call on the COVID-19 psychosocial hotline during its launch in Abuja.

It's Nigeria's first toll-free line focused on mental health issues and part of a joint effort between the government and a group of private counselors to address increasing mental health cases in the country.

Download File

360p | 8 MB

480p | 11 MB

540p | 15 MB

720p | 28 MB

1080p | 59 MB

Original | 169 MB

Embed

Copy

Download Audio

Nigeria's minister of special duties, George Akume, was at the launch.

"The virus has done a lot of damage to societies across the world economically, socially, politically and healthwise," said Akume. "That is why counseling has become an important tool to control the behavior of people who have been affected."

Psychologist Aisha Abdullahi heads the team of counselors working the helpline.

In April 2020, she started free online counseling after seeing a significant jump in the number of mental health cases after Nigeria had recorded rising cases of the coronavirus.

Close Sign up for free AllAfrica Newsletters Get the latest in African news delivered straight to your inbox Top Headlines Coronavirus Nigeria Health By submitting above, you agree to our privacy policy. Success! Almost finished... We need to confirm your email address. To complete the process, please follow the instructions in the email we just sent you. Error! Error! There was a problem processing your submission. Please try again later.

Nigeria to Add More Protections for Health Care Workers Following Surge in COVID-19 Infections

Nigerian authorities urge healthcare workers to be cautious following a surge in infections

She says the uncertainty associated with the pandemic at the time caused an increase in anxiety and panic attacks. As a result, as many as 5,000 people reached out to her and her team.

Abdullahi expects even more to seek help through the new helpline.

"This is a pilot phase," said Abdullahi. "We're anticipating that we're going to get a lot of calls, and we're looking at expanding. So, that's why we're calling on partner organizations, collaborations, so that we'll be able to expand and meet up to the needs of the calls that we get."

Experts say that even though the number of people needing mental health services tripled during the pandemic, less than 10 percent get help because of the stigma attached to it.

Nineteen-year-old Pelemo Ava Nyajo says she had suffered from depression for years after a surgical procedure on her legs. As her situation deteriorated, she contemplated suicide.

She says she eventually overcame suicidal thoughts after working with counselors who were raising awareness on mental health issues.

"I was already in seclusion," said Nyajo. "I was isolated because everyone will go out, go to work, go to school and just leave me alone in the house. That gave more room for the negative thoughts to grow and to affect me mentally."

Authorities and the team of counselors are hoping that a toll-free line will help increase awareness and that more people will get the help they need.
For copyright information, check with the distributor of this item, Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
UA assistant professor Eric Lyons (left) and business development professional Scott Zentack in their new lab space at the University of Arizona Center for Innovation at Oro Valley.
Harvest Restaurant owner Reza Shapouri discussed difficulties his restaurant faced during the pandemic with Rep. Tom OHalleran, as he toured Oro Valley businesses on Monday April 6.
The Ministry of Health's attempt to better manage the volume of persons seeking vaccination by introducing an alphabetical system did not go over as expected... as hundreds of persons were still turned away on Thursday
Governor El-Rufai directs the sack of nurses, university lecturers and other workers who did not report for work or joined the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) strike

The Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, has ordered the prosecution of three nurses who allegedly disconnected the oxygen supply of a two-month-old baby in an incubator on Monday.

The governor also directed the sack of nurses, university lecturers and other workers who did not report for work or joined the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) strike on Tuesday.

This was disclosed on Tuesday in a statement by the governor's media adviser, Muyiwa Adekeye.

Read full statement

KDSG will not tolerate criminal acts disguised as industrial action

Today, the Kaduna State Government reviewed the sundry criminal actions that have defined the campaign of economic and social sabotage and lawlessness waged by the NLC.

KDSG considers as unacceptable the serial violations of the Miscellaneous Offences Act and the Trade Union Act that have occurred over the last two days. The state government commends citizens for remaining calm amidst this assault on their rights and comfort and their businesses.

However, KDSG cannot be expected to tolerate the brazen shutdown of electricity, attack on public infrastructure and buildings, locking up hospitals and forcefully discharging patients, unlawful trespass into public facilities and the wanton use of coercion and restraints of personal freedom by the NLC.

Efforts to dress up criminal activity as industrial action do not change the reality of the lawbreaking that has unfolded, including their persistently ignoring the prohibition against impeding essential services. Also, KDSG cannot ignore the illegal pressures brought to disrupt the operations of banks and other private businesses whose staff and customers do not have any industrial dispute with the state or any other government.

KDSG acknowledges doctors and some other categories of health workers that are trying to run public health facilities, but regrets that some nurses have joined the unlawful strike and engaged in the sabotage of some of our health facilities. Nurses were implicated in the forceful discharge of patients in many health facilities.

Reports from Barau Dikko Teaching Hospital disclosed that some identified nurses disconnected the oxygen supply of a two-month-old baby in an incubator on Monday, 17th May 2021. The names of the three nurses from the Special Baby Care Unit (SBCU) who were involved in this despicable act have been forwarded to the Ministry of Justice to initiate prosecution for attempted murder or murder in the event we lose the baby.

In addition, KDSG has decided the following:

1. Ayuba Wabba and his senior confederates in the NLC are declared wanted, and will be vigorously prosecuted for violations of the Penal Code of Kaduna State, the Miscellaneous Offences and the Trade Dispute (Essential Services) Acts. They are advised to report to the Ministry of Justice and the Police Headquarters to take their statements;

2. The Ministry of Health will dismiss all nurses below GL 14 for going on an unlawful strike. Salaries that could have gone to them are to be given as extraordinary occupational allowances to the health workers who are at their duty posts to fill the gap of those absconding from duty. The Ministry of Health has been directed to advertise vacancies for the immediate recruitment of new nurses to replace those dismissed;

3. Any academic staff of KASU that does not report for work will be dismissed. The authorities of KASU are to submit a copy of the attendance register for all categories of staff daily to the Secretary to the State Government and the Commissioner of Education;

4. All MDAs are also to submit daily copies of the attendance register to the Head of Service;

KDSG views the actions of the NLC as equivalent to the actions of the bandits kidnapping and menacing our citizens. Bandits illegally use arms, but the NLC is deploying mob action for exactly the same ends: trying to hold hostage the freedoms, economic interests, livelihoods and resources of the people of Kaduna State. It is a vain expectation that this government will respond differently to sets of unlawful actions that have the same ends.

Close Sign up for free AllAfrica Newsletters Get the latest in African news delivered straight to your inbox Top Headlines Nigeria Labour By submitting above, you agree to our privacy policy. Success! Almost finished... We need to confirm your email address. To complete the process, please follow the instructions in the email we just sent you. Error! Error! There was a problem processing your submission. Please try again later.

KDSG will not submit its treasury to the entitled minority. We will reform and rightsize our public service to meet the needs and resources of the Kaduna State even if the NLC strikes ad infinitum. The government remains committed to using all the resources it can generate to serve the interests of the majority of its citizens, providing social services beyond paying salaries, always putting the interests of the many ahead of the few.

Signed

Muyiwa Adekeye

Special Adviser to the Governor (Media & Communication)

18th May 2021
Over the past day, May 18, the armed formations of the Russian Federation violated the ceasefire in the Joint Forces Operation (JFO) area in eastern Ukraine six times.

The enemy fired under-barrel grenade launchers, heavy machine guns, and small arms near Pisky (11km north-west of Donetsk); heavy machine guns and different grenade launchers  outside Svitlodarsk (57km north-east of Donetsk) and Zaitseve (62km north-east of Donetsk); grenade machine guns and tripod-mounted man-portable antitank guns  in the area of Krasnohorivka (21km west of Donetsk); under-barrel grenade launchers  near Avdiivka (17km north of Donetsk), the press center of the JFO Headquarters reports.

The Armed Forces of Ukraine suffered no combat losses.

Ukrainian troops fired back in response to the enemy shelling.

The Ukrainian side of the Joint Control and Coordination Center (JCCC) informed the OSCE representatives about the actions by the armed formations of the Russian Federation.

As of 7 a.m. on May 19, no ceasefire violations were recorded. Ukrainian service members continue to control the situation in the JFO area.

ol
Estonian Prime Minister Kaja Kallas has said she is convinced that the security of Ukraine is the security of Europe, the Ukrainian Defense Ministry has reported.

"On May 18, Prime Minister of the Republic of Estonia Kaja Kallas and Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Estonia to Ukraine Kaimo Kuusk visited the area of the Joint Forces Operation. During their trip to Luhansk region, they got acquainted with the operation and infrastructure of the Stanytsia Luhanska entry-exit checkpoint, which is to be modernized," the report reads.

During the briefing, Kallas stressed that Estonia supports the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine in the context of Russia's ongoing armed aggression.

"We are all partners and friends of Ukraine, and we have to put an end to hostilities. Together with international partners, we have worked to take concrete steps and defend Ukraine. Russia must know the price and consequences of its aggression. Today I am here to say: 'We stand by you.' [] The security of Ukraine is the security of Europe. I am amazed at the level at which you are ready to protect your citizens and take care of them," she said.

Kallas said that Estonia supports several projects aimed at improving the well-being of schoolchildren and ensuring equal opportunities in the field of education in Donetsk and Luhansk regions. These include the provision of two villages with access to the Internet and the provision of humanitarian assistance to low-income families.

The foreign delegation also inspected the infrastructure of the Shchastia entry-exit checkpoint and got acquainted with the work and capabilities of the administrative service center.

During the briefing, Deputy Commander of the Joint Forces Operation, Major General Eduard Moskaliov informed the Estonian delegation about the security situation in the JFO area. On behalf of the Commander of the Joint Forces Operation, he presented the Estonian prime minister with a booklet with JFO symbols.

Kallas is on a three-day working visit to Ukraine.

op
The Russian Federation continues to keep about 80,000 troops and a significant amount of weapons and military equipment near the border with Ukraine. Russian ships and boats stay in the Azov-Black Sea region.

Despite the statement by the minister of defense of the Russian Federation on the return of troops to places of permanent deployment, Russia continues to keep about 80,000 personnel and a significant amount of weapons and military equipment near various parts of the border with Ukraine. Ships and boats transferred to reinforce the Russian group from the Northern Fleet and the Caspian Flotilla also continue to be in the Azov-Black Sea region, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, Colonel General Ruslan Khomchak said at a meeting of the NATO Military Committee in a format with Ukraine, Ukrinform reports with reference to the General Staff statement on Facebook.

According to him, this allows Russia to quickly increase the offensive capabilities of groups of its armed forces to carry out offensive actions against Ukraine.

Moreover, the Ukrainian military leadership does not rule out the possibility that Russia may also use the territory and infrastructure of other states to increase political and military pressure on Ukraine.

In addition, Khomchak noted, a potential threat is the joint strategic exercises of the armed forces of Russia and Belarus West  2021 scheduled for September.

The Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine called for a systematic and consolidated approach to neutralizing Russian challenges and threats in the context of the situation in Ukraine, where Ukraine has been at the forefront of Moscow's imperial ambitions for eight years.

In fact, every day brings us signs of a new cold war. At the same time, we are talking about potential conflicts that may arise not only in Europe but also in the Arctic, the Middle East, North and Central Africa, the Mediterranean, etc. - wherever Russia demonstrates aggressive ambitions and military power, provokes instability and creates areas of tension, Khomchak stressed.

In turn, Air Chief Marshal Sir Stuart Peach, Chair of the NATO Military Committee and Senior Military Adviser to the Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg, said that Russia continued its pattern of destabilizing aggressive actions, including ongoing violations of Ukrainian sovereignty and territorial integrity and reinforcements at the Ukrainian border.

Although we have seen some reduction in the number of Russian troops near the border, tens of thousands remain including their weapons and equipment. Russia is trying to impose restrictions in the Black Sea, including restricting access to the Sea of Azov through the Kerch Strait, he stressed.

NATOs Chiefs of Staff met in Brussels with Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine Ruslan Khomchak and discussed the security situation in and around Ukraine after Russia's build-up of troops near the Ukrainian border.

This afternoon, the chiefs of staff of the Allies met with their Ukrainian and Georgian counterparts. Russia continues to show a steady trend of destabilizing behavior, including violations of the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine and Georgia, Chair of the NATO Military Committee Stuart Peach told journalists in Brussels following the meeting on May 18, an Ukrinform correspondent reported.

He noted that during the discussion with Colonel-General Khomchak, the military leaders of the Allies discussed the situation in and around Ukraine, as well as the progress of the reform of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.

The Chiefs of Staff of the Alliance reaffirmed their full support for Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity and discussed future cooperation in and around the Black Sea. The Military Committee called on Ukraine to continue the implementation of major reforms, to ensure security and stability for all Ukrainians, Peach added.

ol
The State Service of Ukraine for Food Safety and Consumer Protection received a report on the results of the audit and proposals for further exports of Ukrainian products to the EU, which was conducted by the European Commission from March 1 to March 12, 2021, Ukrinform reports with reference to the state service.

"Among Ukrainian companies that have the right to export products for human consumption to the EU, there are 25 producers of milk and dairy products. For many companies, the right to export to the EU market is a significant advantage in other markets, reads the report.

Head of the Food Safety and Consumer Protection State Service Vladyslava Mahaletska noted that the successful completion of the audit confirms the effectiveness of the system of state control.

This is a daily high-quality work of many specialists. It is very important not only to expand the access of Ukrainian products to EU markets, but also to maintain its high quality," she said.

In 2016, the access to EU markets for products of animal origin from Ukraine was expanded. In January 2016, Ukraine received a permit to export dairy products to the EU. Since the second half of 2016, 13 Ukrainian companies have started exporting dairy products to the EU. Today the number of such enterprises has risen to 25.

iy
Turkey will continue to support Crimean Tatars in order to overcome their aggrievement and protect their identity.

77 years after the exile, Crimean Tatar Turks are challenged by the hardships created by the illegal annexation of Crimea. Turkey will continue to stand by its kinsmen in their struggle to overcome their aggrievement, attain peace and prosperity, and to protect their identities, reads the statement by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Turkey.

As noted, on the night of 18 May 1944, 250 thousand Crimean Tatars were torn from their ancestral homeland and exiled under inhumane conditions. A large number of Crimean Tatars lost their lives during this tragic event and those who survived were forced to live yearning for their homeland.

We also commemorate 21 May as the 157th anniversary of the Circassian Exile in which people of the Caucasus were forced to leave their homelands during the invasion of Tsarist Russia to seek shelter in Anatolia, suffering great losses, the statement says.

Ukraine and the world honour the memory of victims of the genocide of the Crimean Tatar people annually on May 18. The deportation of Crimean Tatars began on May 18, 1944, and generally lasted until early June, while the first and largest wave ended on May 20.

ol
Russia must cease its aggressive actions in the region.

Canada remains deeply concerned by the deteriorating human rights situation on the illegally annexed Crimean Peninsula. We continue to denounce Russias banning of the Mejlis, the self-governing body of the Crimean Tatars, and call on Russia to cease its aggressive actions in the region, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Canada Marc Garneau said in a statement on the 77th anniversary of the deportation of Crimean Tatars released on May 18.

He stressed that the forced deportation of Crimean Tatars by Soviet authorities from their ancestral homeland serves as a sombre, yet powerful, reminder of the injustice that continues to this day.

Today, we honour the memory of the Crimean Tatar people and we reiterate that Canada will always support Ukraines sovereignty and territorial integrity, reads the statement.

Ukraine and the world honour the memory of victims of the genocide of the Crimean Tatar people annually on May 18. The deportation of Crimean Tatars began on May 18, 1944, and generally lasted until early June, while the first and largest wave ended on May 20.

ol
A co-chairman of Germany's Green Party, Robert Habeck, will visit Ukraine next week, Ukraine's Ambassador to Germany Andriy Melnyk has told Ukrinform.

During a four-day visit on May 23-27, German delegates will hold meetings in Kyiv with the top leadership of the state, including the president. They will also visit eastern Ukraine.

"It is extremely important that right now, in the midst of the election campaign for the Bundestag, the co-chairman of the Greens, Robert Habeck, has accepted an invitation to make this historic visit to Ukraine without exaggeration. The visit of the parliamentary delegation of this party to Ukraine is a sign of support and solidarity with Ukraine," the ambassador said.

Melnyk recalled that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky was the first foreign head of state to visit the headquarters of the Green Party on June 18, 2019, immediately after his inauguration, and meet with its leader, Habeck. Zelensky then invited him to visit Ukraine. It is from that time that a really close and trusting dialogue with the leadership of this party has been started, the ambassador added.

According to him, in recent months it has been possible to significantly intensify contacts with the co-chair of the Greens. In particular, Habeck visited the Ukrainian Embassy several times, the last time on May 18. He was very interested in the situation in Ukraine, the peace process, the prospects for Ukraine's membership in the EU and NATO, as well as the provision of defense weapons to Kyiv, Melnyk said.

"Although the position of the Greens on the future accession of our country to the European Union and the [North Atlantic] Alliance still remains quite restrained, we still see additional chances for significant progress on the European integration path after the parliamentary elections in Germany in September 2021," Melnyk said.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and Estonian Prime Minister Kaja Kallas have signed a joint statement on priority areas of bilateral cooperation, which notes Estonia's readiness to support Ukraine's future accession to the European Union, the presidential press service has reported.

During the meeting, Zelensky thanked the Estonian side for its continued support for Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity, in particular in the context of Estonia's non-permanent membership in the UN Security Council in 2020-2021, the report said.

"I know that yesterday you were in Donbas, in particular at the Stanytsia Luhanska checkpoint and the Shchastia checkpoint. I thank you for this, both from myself and from all citizens of Ukraine. It is important for me that the leaders of other countries come and see with their own eyes the situation in Donbas, see our attitude to the citizens living in the territory controlled by the Ukrainian government," Zelensky said.

He also thanked Estonia for its continued assistance in the medical rehabilitation of Ukrainian servicemen and for the allocation of 500,000 euros in humanitarian aid to the Donetsk and Luhansk regions.

Zelensky noted the readiness of the Estonian side to join the cooperation in the framework of the Crimean Platform Summit in Kyiv on August 23, 2021.

For her part, Kallas thanked Zelensky for the warm welcome. "Ukraine is always in the heart of the Estonian people. And we always do our best to support Ukraine within all possible platforms - the European Union, NATO, the UN," she said.

Both sides paid special attention to Ukraine's priority steps towards deepening relations with the European Union.

Zelensky stressed Ukraine's strategic goal of gaining full membership in the EU and thanked Estonia for its traditionally active support in achieving this ambitious task.

Following the talks, Zelensky and Kallas signed a joint statement on priority areas of bilateral cooperation. The document separately fixes Estonia's readiness to support Ukraine's future accession to the EU and its willingness to assist the country in achieving the membership criteria.

Kallas is on an official visit to Ukraine.

op
The Republic of Latvia, as a member of EU and NATO, is always ready to help Ukraine.

"I am very proud of the two countries  Latvia and Ukraine  of how dynamically Ukraine has been developing since 2015. There are many very good bridges between our countries, many people travel from one country to another. There are many activities that unite us. And, Latvia, as EU country and NATO member, can help Ukraine in many ways," Speaker of the Saeima of the Republic of Latvia Inara Murniece said at a briefing in Avdiivka on May 19.

As noted, the Latvian Armed Forces are already helping Ukraine, and Latvian sister cities could provide additional assistance.

"Our sister cities could help: give Ukrainian soldiers, children, an opportunity to visit Latvia to have at least a few days of rest," said the Speaker of the Saeima.

She thanked Verkhovna Rada Speaker Dmytro Razumkov and Ukrainians for the warm visit and reassured them of Latvian support.

"I want to thank Mr. Razumkov and all Ukrainians for welcoming me so warmly. We will support Ukraine in every possible way and inform about what is happening here," Murniece said.

As reported, Speaker of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine Dmytro Razumkov and Speaker of the Saeima of the Republic of Latvia Inara Murniece make a joint working visit to Donetsk region on May 19.

ol
The Verkhovna Rada has set up a temporary commission to investigate possible illegal actions by government officials and other persons who contributed to the violation of state sovereignty and territorial integrity and posed a threat to Ukraine's national interests and security.

Some 252 MPs voted for resolution No. 5243, proposed by Servant of the People faction leader David Arakhamia, at a parliament meeting on Wednesday, May 18, according to an Ukrinform correspondent.

"The main task of the temporary commission of inquiry is to study and investigate the facts of possible assistance by representatives of the state authorities of Ukraine and other persons to the aggressor state in illegal activities against Ukraine, as well as to identify and prevent threats to the sovereignty, territorial integrity and inviolability, defense capability, state economic or information security of Ukraine," the explanatory note reads.

The purpose of the commission is to establish the facts about possible illegal actions committed by representatives of the state authorities of Ukraine, aimed at cooperation with the aggressor state and other anti-Ukrainian activities.

According to the resolution, audio recordings were published in the media, showing the cooperation of representatives of the Ukrainian authorities with officials of the aggressor state, particularly on schemes to supply electricity to Russia-annexed Crimea, the exchange of prisoners of war in the temporarily occupied Donbas, and the receipt of profit at the expense of state interests, rights and freedoms of Ukrainian citizens.

The resolution stipulates that the number of commission members is 11 MPs.

The commission is chaired by Mariana Bezuhla, a Servant of the People MP, and her deputy is Nestor Shufrych, a representative of the Opposition Platform - For Life faction.

The commission will work for one year from the date of its formation.

The commission's report on the work done is to be heard at a plenary sitting of the Verkhovna Rada no later than six months from the date of its formation.

op
The participants were from all 26 General Hospitals and 57 Comprehensive Primary Health Centers (PHCs) in the state as well as six private hospitals

The Reproductive Health Coordinator at the Lagos State Primary Healthcare Board, Veronica Iwayemi, has stressed the importance of training nurses on psycho-social counselling.

Ms Iwayemi spoke on Tuesday as the Lagos State Domestic and Sexual Violence Response Team (DSVRT) began the training of 150 nurses in the state.

They are being trained on the provision of psycho-social support to survivors of sexual and gender-based violence..

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the DSVRT partnered with the Lagos State Primary Healthcare Board, the Lagos State Ministry of Health, with support of the Ford Foundation to conduct the three-day training.

The training participants were from all 26 General Hospitals and 57 Comprehensive Primary Health Centers (PHCs) in the state as well as six private hospitals.

The six private hospitals participating in the training are Agape Medical Center, R-Jolad Hospital, Bee Hess Hospital, Mobonike Hospital, Faleti Medical Center and New Merit Hospital.

Ms Iwayemi said at the programme that the training is to aid survivors overcome the trauma of sexual violence.

"Sexual and gender-based violence is under-reported due to various factors such as secondary victimisation, very poor support system, social stigma and poor confidence in the legal system.

Close Sign up for free AllAfrica Newsletters Get the latest in African news delivered straight to your inbox Top Headlines Nigeria Women By submitting above, you agree to our privacy policy. Success! Almost finished... We need to confirm your email address. To complete the process, please follow the instructions in the email we just sent you. Error! Error! There was a problem processing your submission. Please try again later.

"The training of nurses and social workers on psycho-social counselling is very important because nurses are the largest number of staff we have in the healthcare workforce.

"Training in psycho-social support starts from when you introduce yourself, when you're taking vitals because it is a traumatic event and survivors need empathy and kindness," she said.

Ms Iwayemi noted that the training of the nurses on psycho-social support is one of the various strides the Lagos State Government has taken to combat the rising wave of sexual and gender-based violence.

"There has been the enactment of the Child Rights Law, the sustaining of the Child Protection Unit of the Ministry of Youths and Social Development as well as the creation of the DSVRT in 2014.

"There is the provision of rape kits for doctors to manage cases, the establishment of the Sexual Assault Intervention Fund to fund the cost of treatment of survivors.

"The costs of case management are absolutely free for survivors at the PHCs and there has been the creation of DNA laboratory by the Governor Akinwunmi Ambode administration to test samples," she said.

NAN reports that courses participants will be taught during the three-day training include Understanding Trauma and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), Providing Trauma Counselling, Providing Trauma Care for Survivors, and Psycho Education.

(NAN)
The foreign ministries of Ukraine and Tajikistan have held political consultations at the level of deputy ministers and agreed to conclude a cooperation program for 2021-2022, the Ukrainian Foreign Ministry's press service has reported.

According to the report, Ukraine's Deputy Foreign Minister Yevheniy Yenin made a working visit to Tajikistan.

During his visit, Yenin held a meeting with Minister of Foreign Affairs of Tajikistan Sirojiddin Muhriddin during which both parties noted the positive dynamics of Ukrainian-Tajik relations and expressed interest in their further intensification.

Yenin also took part in political consultations between the foreign ministries of Ukraine and Tajikistan at the level of deputy ministers. The Tajik side was led by newly appointed Deputy Foreign Minister Sodiq Imomi.

"The interlocutors discussed topical political, economic, consular, legal, cultural and humanitarian issues of bilateral cooperation. They also exchanged views on the security situation in the region. The deputy ministers agreed to conclude a program of cooperation between the ministries of foreign affairs of Ukraine and the Republic of Tajikistan for 2021-2022," the statement reads.

Yenin also met with Minister of Energy and Water Resources of Tajikistan Daler Jumaev. They discussed in detail the further participation of Ukrainian enterprises in the development of the country's energy sector.

In addition, Yenin held talks with Deputy Minister of Economic Development and Trade of Tajikistan Abdurahmon Abdurahmonzoda and Deputy Minister of Economic Development and Trade Rukhshona Nasriddinzoda. The latter has recently been appointed a co-chair of the joint Ukrainian-Tajik commission on economic cooperation.

"The delegations discussed preparations for the sixth meeting of the joint commission in Dushanbe and paid attention to steps to increase trade," the Ukrainian Foreign Ministry said.

The capabilities of some Ukrainian companies were presented during the visit.

op
Taking Estonia's experience into account, Ukraine can "get into the future faster" on the path to digitalization. In addition, the introduction of digitalization will have a greater effect in a large country with a much larger population and big distances.

"Estonia now has about 5,000 e-services in the public and private sectors, including e-voting, e-schools, e-hubs, we have digital signatures. All this saves Estonia a lot of time and money. And trees, Prime Minister of Estonia Kaja Kallas said at the All-Ukrainian Forum "Ukraine 30. Digitalization", an Ukrinform correspondent reports.

She stressed that the implementation of "digital solutions" in her country had produced even greater results than expected, for example, saving 2% of GDP, "and this is what Estonia spends on defense every year."

At the same time, the Prime Minister of Estonia stressed that the effect in Ukraine could be even greater, given its much larger population and big distances. As noted, "it takes much time for the paper to travel" and a digital signature is put instantly at any distance, "if we talk about forgery of signatures, it is harder to do this online than on paper."

"I know that Mr. [Deputy Prime Minister - Minister of Digital Transformation of Ukraine Mykhailo] Fedorov is working on the introduction of electronic documents in the government. As a result, greater efficiency can be achieved by accelerating e-document flow in a large country," Kallas stressed.

According to her, Estonia occupies a leading position in the movement of capital in "technology companies", the country has unique know-how solutions. In general, Estonia can be a partner with both the government and technology companies in Ukraine. "We all work together here. And we are sure that we also have something to learn from Ukraine," said the Prime Minister of Estonia.

At the same time, she believes, Ukraine has a chance to move towards digitalization at a faster pace, skipping some stages of development that Estonia once went through, and "just to get faster into the future " which will have a "mobile approach to life." Kaja Kallas also expressed hope that, among other things, Ukraine will introduce e-voting.

ol
Ukraine is working to achieve mutual recognition of future digital COVID-19 vaccination certificates with the European Union countries.

"The reality that has recently emerged because of COVID-19 is very important. We all know that digital vaccination certificates will be created sooner or later, they [Europeans] call them green certificates, the EU is now working on this. It is important for us to be on par with this work and we are already on par with this work. We want our digital certificates and European certificates of the EU countries to be mutually recognized, we are working on this," Deputy Head of the President's Office Ihor Zhovkva said at the All-Ukrainian Forum "Ukraine 30. Digitalization", an Ukrinform correspondent reports.

As reported, Deputy Prime Minister  Minister of Digital Transformation Mykhailo Fedorov announced that Ukraine planned to introduce digital COVID-19 vaccination certificates from July 1. A certificate will be both in paper and digital form, it will be entered into the "Diia" application.

European Commissioner for Internal Market Thierry Breton said that the European Union planned to introduce certificates from June 15. They will contain information about vaccination or acquisition of immunity to coronavirus. It is envisaged that these certificates will be issued free of charge in digital or paper form to all EU citizens, as well as to third-country nationals who legally reside in the territory of the member states.

ol
UN High Commissioner for Refugees Filippo Grandi and High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy/Vice President Josep Borrell.  European Union

High Representative/Vice-President Josep Borrell and United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) Filippo Grandi met on 11 May 2021.

They discussed in detail the situation in Ethiopia, Colombia, Lebanon and the Western Balkans. They agreed on the importance of bridging the divide between humanitarian and development responses to forced displacement to ensure long-term and sustainable solutions.

High Representative/Vice-President Borrell emphasised the EUs commitment to addressing forced displacement and protecting those in need, as strongly reflected in the proposed EUs New Pact on Migration and Asylum. He underlined the need to build on the momentum that followed the December 2019 Global Refugee Forum to promote global solidarity and responsibility sharing in protecting refugees.

UN High Commissioner for Refugees Grandi welcomed the direction of the proposed EU Pact on Migration and Asylum and recalled, in the spirit of the Global Refugee Forum, the importance of shared responsibility for refugees, asylum-seekers and other people of concern to UNHCR. Ninety per cent of forcibly displaced people are in developing countries and the EU has a key role to support large refugee hosting countries.

High Representative/Vice President Borrell and High Commissioner Grandi reiterated the importance of the EU-UNHCR partnership in the development and implementation of policies to protect those in need.

For more information, please contact:

In Brussels: Maeve Patterson, [email protected] , +32 470 99 54 35
Register for a FREE account to keep reading!

Register now for a FREE account to keep reading. No cost and no credit card required!

Access up to 5 articles per month when you register, or get unlimited access to all of our content online starting at $1.99 now!

Already registered? Click the log in link below
Governor El-Rufai is angry with Chidi Odinkalu for blaming the ongoing strike on his alleged ineptitude

As the strike against the planned disengagement of workers by the Kaduna State government continued on Tuesday, Governor Nasir El-Rufai has responded to one of his critics on social media, Chidi Odinkalu, describing him as a cursed man.

Commenting on Tuesday, a former chairman of the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) and lawyer, Mr Odinkalu, blamed the strike on the governor's alleged ineptitude.

"In Kaduna State today:

Public schools are closed

Filling stations (for petrol) are shut

Public hospitals closed

Govt offices shut

There is no electricity, no water

Kaduna State University has sent its students home

@elrufai is the man with the #rightsize," Mr Odinkalu posted on Twitter, accompanied by pictures of protesters.

But in his response, Mr El-Rufai accused Mr Odinkalu of spreading false information, saying he is accursed.

"KADUNA UPDATE: @ChidiOdinkalu - chartered & certified fake news merchant, false professor & wanted for incitement, injurious falsehood, etc by Kaduna High Court is lying again: (1) all schools (2) most filling stations & (3) public hospitals operating by noon. You are cursed!" the governor wrote.

History

Both men had been at loggerheads over Mr Odinkalu's criticism of the governor.

In March 2019, the Kaduna State government filed the case of injurious falsehood and incitement against Mr Odinkalu following an interview with Channels Television on February 16, 2019.

In the interview, Mr Odinkalu called out Mr El-Rufai over his comment on the alleged killing of 66 people in Kajuru, Kaduna State.

He disputed Mr El-Rufai's accounts and criticised him for publicly stating what he said was capable of inciting violent reactions close to the general elections.

"I spent all of last night trying to verify from all the sources in Kajuru and nobody can verify or substantiate that there has been a killing of 66 people (as claimed by the governor) in Kajuru over the past few days.

"You cannot on the eve of a very difficult election, as a state governor, standing beside your publicist, talking about the killing of 66 people from a particular ethnic group (Fulanis) with a celebratory air.

"This is beyond irresponsible, and I believe people from all political divides must call out the Kaduna State governor," Mr Odinkalu had said.

This attracted a direct criminal complaint filed against the ex-NHRC boss by the state government which accused him of falsehood and incitement.

Last year, the Kaduna State Ministry of Justice said the cases were still pending before the Chief Magistrate Court, High Court and Federal High Court, Kaduna.

"The facts are that on the 16th February 2019 while on Channels TV, he made serious allegations against the Governor of Kaduna State which were capable of inciting disturbance and the breakdown of law and order in the State.

"Consequently, the Director of Public Prosecutions, Ministry of Justice filed an application before the Chief Magistrate Court No.1 Ibrahim Taiwo Road, Kaduna State with case No. KMD/27DC/2019 for the issuance of criminal summons against Chidi Odinkalu for committing the offences of inciting disturbance, injurious falsehood, public nuisance and furnishing false information punishable under sections 77, 373, 104 and 150 respectively of the Penal Code Law of Kaduna State, 2017.

"The DPP applied for an order of the court for the police to investigate the allegations against Mr Odinkalu and report the outcome of the investigations to the court, an application that was granted by the court which ordered the police to investigate the case.

"In compliance with the order of the Chief Magistrate Court, the police commenced investigation into the case and invited him for questioning. He refused to honour the invitation and instead filed a notice of preliminary objection before the Chief Magistrate Court No.1 Ibrahim Taiwo Road, Kaduna State, challenging the jurisdiction of the Court. The State Government responded to the notice of preliminary objection by filing a counter-affidavit and the court overruled his application and assumed jurisdiction to hear and determine the case.

"Instead of appealing the ruling of the Chief Magistrate Court No. 1 Ibrahim Taiwo Road, Kaduna State, he filed an application for the enforcement of his fundamental rights before the Federal High Court, Abuja Division in suit No. FHC/ABJ/CS/1112/2019.

"The trial Judge of the Federal High Court, Abuja suo motu raised the issue of jurisdiction in the case and questioned why Mr Odinkalu filed the application in Abuja and not Kaduna Division of the Federal High Court. The trial Judge transferred the case to the Kaduna Division of the Federal High Court in a new suit No. FHC/KD/CS/97/2019.

"Mr Odinkalu again filed another action before the High Court No. 12 of Kaduna State with suit No. KDH/KAD/1100/2019 for judicial review, praying for the Court to quash the trial before the Chief Magistrate Court No. 1 Ibrahim Taiwo Road, Kaduna State. The case is still pending before High Court No. 12.

"The action he filed before the High Court No.12 has stalled the trial before the Chief Magistrate Court No. 1 Ibrahim Taiwo Road, Kaduna State. The case pending before the Federal High Court, Kaduna, has been adjourned to 22nd October 2020 for Judgment. Meanwhile, the cases pending before the High Court No.12 and the Federal High Court, Kaduna have stalled the investigation by the police," said Aisha Dikko, the State Commissioner for Justice.

Close Sign up for free AllAfrica Newsletters Get the latest in African news delivered straight to your inbox Top Headlines Nigeria Labour By submitting above, you agree to our privacy policy. Success! Almost finished... We need to confirm your email address. To complete the process, please follow the instructions in the email we just sent you. Error! Error! There was a problem processing your submission. Please try again later.

But Mr Odinkalu, on October 22, lost the fundamental human rights case he filed against the Kaduna State Government.

Peter Malong of the Kaduna Division of the Federal High Court dismissed the case and awarded costs against Mr Odinkalu.

In the ruling, the judge, Mr Malong, upheld the state government's argument that Mr Odinkalu's affidavit was incompetent because it was not personally deposed by him.

NLC Strike

On Monday, the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) embarked on a five-day warning strike over the proposed sack of civil servants by the El-Rufai-led government.

Workers from different parastatals and cadres of the civil service joined the protest, withdrawing their services for the second day.

As a result, the airport, public schools, government offices are shut, in addition to the total blackout across the state.

But the state has repeatedly vowed that it was not going to accede to the request of the labour unions or back down from the proposed rightsizing.

"NLC is aware that inflicting pains on citizens by locking hospitals and shutting down electricity will not change the decision of Kaduna State government to rightsize and will not change our intention to use the Trade Union Act which prohibits strike by extension service workers," the state's Head of Service, Bara'atu Mohammed, said on Monday evening.
Laura Chavez is caretaker to both her mother, Esperanza (center), and her children, Ava (left) and Alina. Esperanza Chavez has diabetes but doesn't qualify for Medicare because of her immigration status. The family can't afford to buy a comprehensive insurance plan on the open market. Now a bill in the California legislature could require state-regulated private plans to cover policyholders dependent parents. (LAURA CHAVEZ/KHN/TNS)
For full access, please log in, register your subscription or subscribe.

Try for 99 a month for two months, cancel or pause anytime.
When it comes to expanding the number of treatment beds to care for mentally ill adults and children, New Hampshire Gov. Chris Sununu said he 
Following the humiliation of popular comedienne, Mai Titi, by a Tanzanian film production company, BJB Films, Zimbabweans have criticised the company's lack of professionalism

Mai Titi, who was set to feature in the film A Life To Regret was dismissed from her role through a Facebook post which also indicated her replacement.

"It's sad to announce that we had to terminate Mai Tt's role and replaced her with ANGEL MARY KATO due to lack of professionalism on set and whilst living and working with other celebrities as well as the crew. We love Zimbabweans that's why we picked someone from Zim but unfortunately we could not continue with her," read the now-deleted post.

The post did not sit well with most Zimbabweans who reacted by lashing at the production company until the post was deleted.

Below are some social media reactions to the humiliating post;

Bajordan Christian Na Kiara Lets talk of professionalism! Is there any of it in this post? Character assassination at its best... this is poor PR from yo side big time... instead of this gossip like post u could have written a press statement

Trisha Chikoho Vamwe vanhu varoyi vemasikati chaivo havatombomirire kudoke what do you benefit in Mai Tts image being stained bwee she has no manners as if you are mini Gods get away mhan vatakati vevanhu

Trisha Chikoho If I were Felistas I would sue you, this is career assassination, plus who watches those your lousy films, no Zimbabwean media house will be willing to interview you, you are just a bunch of unethical, unprofessional magotts

Sheilla Jack I don't think so y announcing it today when she was doing lives you were commenting that she is good 3wks back when her fans were asking about why are you no longer tagging her,you said you don't comment on that better ask Mai Tt now you're trying to paint her black so.that she can not be hired by some other agencies truth be told you were busy focusing on awilo and harmonize,she has kids to feed as a single parent to it seems as if you're the 1 who lack professionalism

Close Sign up for free AllAfrica Newsletters Get the latest in African news delivered straight to your inbox Top Headlines Zimbabwe Entertainment By submitting above, you agree to our privacy policy. Success! Almost finished... We need to confirm your email address. To complete the process, please follow the instructions in the email we just sent you. Error! Error! There was a problem processing your submission. Please try again later.

Chihera WaSamaita Mai TJ But were you even supposed to write such on social media?that's soo unprofessional..munenge vepasi pemuti wo imi..you are tarnishing her image,manje tirikuiuzivai..she already has a brand,and may the Lord keep strengthening her brand..munhukadzi anogona kushandira mhuri yake!!you want to pull her down..who watches Tanzanian bioskop kuno anyway?zero...she is human and people make mistakes,and if what you are saying is true mune zvamunenge mamuitawo..haangoiti noise pasina reason..

Rumbie Thelma Of all things you are talking of professionalism but you are doing the very thing you claim she did. It is so unprofessional to reveal such information publicly. Why don't you do your own press release instead of waiting for interviews to pull down Mai TT. Why is the world like this

Mai Titi has since responded to the post alleging that the production company was underpaying her.

"We go where we get paid where we are not used, and taken advantage of because at the end of the day we got kids to take care of. We are Artists we deserve better. Fam link up with me on the 29th of May alongside Casper Nyovest," she said.
press release

Amid a worsening security situation marked by mounting terrorist attacks, troops deployed to stem the tide of violent extremism in Africas Sahel region require more predictable funding and broader international support, the United Nations senior peace operations official told the Security Council during a videoconference meeting today.

Jean-Pierre Lacroix, who is the Organizations Under-Secretary-General for Peace Operations, presented the Secretary-Generals latest report on the situation in the Sahel region (document S/2021/442), noting that the fight against armed groups has intensified since the Councils last debate on the topic in late 2020. In that context, he described the joint force first deployed in 2017 by the Group of Five for the Sahel (G5 Sahel) countries  Burkina Faso, Chad, Mali, Mauritania and Niger  as a vital part of the security response to extremist armed groups, and joined his voice to others in the international community calling for a revamped funding structure.

It is essential that [the joint force] receives the assistance it requires to carry out its mandated tasks, he said, adding that the current support model leaves little room for flexibility. Recalling that the United Nations recently carried out an assessment of the support provided to the joint force by the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Mali (MINUSMA), at the Councils request, he said it found the predictability of funding to be a source of concern. The assessment highlighted both progress made and challenges remaining, while touching on the recent activities of the joint force.

Outlining those, he reported that the regional force continues to enhance its operational capabilities in recent months. Its Operation Sama 2 continued into early 2021, and Sama 3  buoyed by an additional battalion deployed from Chad  was launched in March. Going forward, strengthening the joint forces police component will be an important step towards improving oversight over military operations, as well as linking them to State-building, human rights compliance and justice sector reform efforts. While some critical tasks remain pending, he welcomed the forces demonstration of commitment, alongside the Governments of Chad and Niger, to investigating and prosecuting serious allegations of sexual violence reportedly committed by members of the eighth Chadian battalion deployed in Niger.

While the joint force  alongside national troops, the French-led Operation Barkhane and MINUSMA  has made strides in the fight against terrorism, he emphasized that much remains to be done and the regions security and humanitarian situation remains dire. In that vein, he welcomed the strengthened coordination mechanisms proposed by the Coalition for the Sahel, which will allow all international partners to take advantage of their comparative strengths and work together more effectively in the areas of development, good governance, humanitarian aid and security. Faced with the situation in the Sahel, the international community must be motivated by a shared responsibility to act [] in a spirit of solidarity with the populations of the region, he concluded.

Oumarou Namata, Commander of the G5 Sahel joint force, also briefed the Council, providing a snapshot of the operational activities of his troops. Describing considerable progress registered by the purely Sahel-owned force since its establishment four years ago, he said many serious challenges remain  including rapidly escalating security threats and the joint forces own including its own highly complex operational structure. Since January, in particular, the region has seen a rise in extremely violent incidents and a worsening of intercommunal violence, which is too often exploited by armed groups.

He nevertheless outlined significant progress achieved by the joint force in recent months, which includes efforts to harmonize its future operations with the efforts of national armies, MINUSMA and other partners. It has neutralized hundreds of terrorists and disorganized the logistical capacity of many regional armed groups, capturing and arresting 79 people in the last year alone. He also cited the development of a robust posture and format; increased effectiveness and better harmonization of operations; implementation of a standing operational procedure on internal investigations; and increased ownership of the forces activities.

Additionally, he said, the joint force is working to harmonize its Human Rights Compliance Framework with those of its European partners. Progress is being made, yes, slowly [] in improving [the forces] activities, he said, calling for additional resources and more streamlining of international support. Other major operational challenges relate to questions of long-term financing. While significant support has been pledged by international partners, the actual rate of fulfilment has been slow. In that regard, he called for the establishment of a United Nations support office to provide the joint force with logistical, operational, practical and strategic support, to be funded by both voluntary and assessed contributions from Member States.

Mohamed Fathi Ahmed Edrees (Egypt), briefing the Council in his capacity as Chair of the Peacebuilding Commission, recalled that the latter met in April to discuss peace and development trends in the Sahel region. It called for greater coordination among security, development and humanitarian actors, aimed at ensuring effective programming and resource mobilization, including through the development and use of a shared information-management system. He pointed out that the Commission has been supporting peacebuilding efforts in Burkina Faso  at the request and under the leadership of the Government  mobilizing over $400 million from Commission members to support the countrys peacebuilding priorities in 2020 alone.

Encouraging the United Nations and its partners to build on that approach in other Sahel countries, he went on to support the call  made during a summit in NDjamena, Chad, on 16 February  for a civilian surge that would complement military efforts and increase development, humanitarian and good governance initiatives across the region. He also called for additional measures to empower women and youth to undertake leadership roles in peacebuilding and strengthen their role in governance structures, as well as for more structural investment in response to environmental degradation and climate change. In addition, he voiced support for the leadership of regional actors and organizations in confronting and countering terrorists and other organized criminal groups in the Sahel region.

As Council members took the floor, many expressed strong support for the work of the G5 Sahel joint force and condemned the spiking terrorist attacks across the region. While many highlighted the support their countries have provided, they diverged on the question of using United Nations assessed contributions to fund the joint force, with some describing bilateral support as a more appropriate channel. Still others called upon the countries leading the force to accelerate their implementation of human rights standards and due diligence policies, which they said are even more crucial amid the rapidly escalating violence.

Oumar ibn Daoud, Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, African Integration and Chadians Abroad of Chad , agreed that the G5 Sahel joint force has made significant progress despite facing a range of new and serious challenges. Terrorists continue to attack national armed forces and civilians in Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger, killing more than 400 people since March alone. Noting that mercenaries and foreign terrorist fighters have spilled over from the conflict in Libya, exposing civilians in neighbouring countries to extreme violence, he cited the death of President Deby of Chad at the hands of such fighters on 21 April as an example of the severe risks being faced. Indeed, he warned, the African continent risks becoming a battlefield and a base for international terrorism. Describing the full operationalization of the joint force as a one crucial bulwark against such a development, he said its work benefits the world as a whole. However, it remains plagued by a lack of sustainable funding. Contributions by partners do not necessarily materialize at the needed pace, he stressed, noting that support from MINUSMA alone does not cover all of the joint forces diverse and essential needs. In that vein, he joined other speakers in calling for the creation of a United Nations support office, to be financed through assessed contributions of Member States.

The representative of France stated that poverty and climate change are exacerbating tensions in the region, pointing out that 29 million people in the Sahel require humanitarian assistance  5 million more than in 2020. Further, 10,000 extra people per day since January are in need of such aid, and more than 5,000 schools in the region have closed or otherwise become non-operational. He stressed the importance of United Nations accompaniment to regional efforts, calling particularly for strengthened support of the G5 Sahel joint force. He also supported the creation of an office within the Organization to assist the joint force  financed by assessed contributions  that would allow the Security Council to better monitor the situation in the region. He added that military action, however, must be complemented by increased efforts in the areas of governance, development and humanitarian assistance  a civilian surge.

The representative of Ireland said that the negative impacts of climate change are interacting with poverty and economic underdevelopment in the Sahel, leading to intercommunal conflict and displacement within the region. Underscoring the importance of the operational and logistical support MINUSMA provides to the joint force, she pointed out that the temporary nature thereof highlights the need for predictable, sustainable financing. She also stressed that protection for civilians must be at the heart of mission planning, which will require respect for the rule of law, human rights and international humanitarian law. She called on the joint force to increase informationsharing regarding operational impact on civilians and follow-up to human rights violations committed by its elements, and to meet its commitment to ensure that gender analysis and womens participation are integrated into assessments, planning and operations.

The representative of Niger , also speaking on behalf of Kenya, Tunisia and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, said the link between security and development is clearly demonstrated in the Sahel, where they interact in a feedback loop. Welcoming the progress made by the G5 Sahel joint force in combating terrorism, as well as its enormous progress in human rights and respect for international law, he thanked the European Union, France, United States, Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and many other partners who have provided support for the joint force and individual countries of the region. However, the results achieved have only been done so within the limitations of a low logistical capacity, he said, citing delays in the disbursement of promised funds amid a rapidly escalating and increasingly deadly security environment on the ground.

Outlining the serious ramifications of the worsening security situation, he cited a sharp increase in the rate of civilian displacement and an exacerbation of climatechange-related food insecurity. Noting that the Sahel countries have enjoyed an average annual growth rate of over 2 per cent, he warned that their current security challenges and the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic risk rapidly reversing those gains. More support for development in the Sahel region is urgently needed. Describing peace as a global public good, he called for a range of international support, including for quickimpact development projects and disarmament, demobilization and reintegration efforts. He also advocated for the establishment of a United Nations support office for the G5 Sahel joint force as the only option available to ensure that this dam does not break.

The representative of the United Kingdom spotlighted the efforts of the G5 Sahel States to address the challenges facing the region, welcoming in particular their commitment through the Sahel Coalition Roadmap to governance, development and the provision of basic services. Emphasizing that there can be no purely military solution to the regions instability, he urged Chads new Transitional Military Council to deliver a peaceful, timely transition to civilian and constitutional rule, including free and fair elections within an 18-month timeframe. Praising efforts by both the G5 Sahel joint force and MINUSMA personnel to build trust with local communities on the ground, he nevertheless voiced concern about continued allegations of human rights violations. The swift action taken by the force and by the Chadian and Nigerien authorities immediately following recent allegations in Niger sent a clear message, but there is more to do. In that regard, he urged the joint force and relevant national authorities to follow through on their commitments to ensure those responsible for human rights violations are held accountable.

The representative of Viet Nam joined others in expressing concern about the deteriorating security situation in the Sahel region, noting that at least 300 people, including peacekeepers, were killed in three major terrorist attacks so far in 2021. Condemning such barbaric acts of violence, including the assassination of the late President of Chad and the failed plot to murder the President of Niger, he said that the G5 Sahel joint force could address the tremendous challenges ahead if they receive adequate and sustainable support, particularly predictable funding. In this regard, his delegation supports the initiatives of three African Council members, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines and France on the establishment of the United Nations Support Office for the G5 Sahel to combat terrorism.

The representative of India expressed concern over the rapidly deteriorating security situation in the G5 Sahel countries, noting the use of improvised explosive devices against civilians and peacekeepers and attacks spreading to the borders of neighbouring countries. More than 2 million people are internally displaced, 900,000 have become refugees and the Libyan crisis that caused instability in Mali and the larger region a decade ago continues to adversely impact the Sahel. While welcoming the efforts of various actors on the security front, including the G5 Sahel joint force, he said that the force continues to be plagued by multiple challenges, such as inadequate training, equipment, transport, logistics and sustainable financing. The support that MINUSMA provides to the joint force is important, but overstretching the Missions responsibilities can adversely affect its core mandate of securing peace in Mali. He urged strong support for African counter-terrorism operations through sustainable financing, including assessed contributions.

The representative of the United States echoed expressions of alarm over the worsening conditions on the ground in the Sahel. These upsetting trends are why we must continue our serious, sustainable approach in the region, she said, welcoming the creation of the role of United Nations Special Coordinator for Development in the Sahel, which will complement national and regional efforts. Noting that the United States is a dedicated partner to the region, she described the G5 Sahel Trust Fund and bilateral support channels as the right approach for funding, and said the use of United Nations assessed funds are not a viable solution. Beyond a security response, partners should honour their commitments and provide governance support to countries of the region. For its part, the United States has provided more than $2 billion in recent years in development, security and humanitarian support to the Sahel region. Also calling for accountability for crimes committed against civilians, she said the G5 Sahel States have an obligation to visibly demonstrate their commitment to human rights and the protection of civilians. In that vein, she went on to praise Mauritanias recent announcement of plans to carry out credible investigations; Chads efforts towards a peaceful, timely political transition; and Malis plans to hold free, fair and inclusive elections on schedule.

The representative of Norway stressed that any international support involving the United Nations would hinge on conduct that fully complies with the Organizations human rights due diligence policy. The joint force operates in a challenging context, but professionalism and protection of civilians must be expected, with special attention to be given to children in armed conflict. However, military solutions alone can never transform conflicts to peace. Security measures must be complemented by understanding and addressing root causes  be it a lack of development, inequality of opportunities or vulnerability to climate change. The Peacebuilding Commission should therefore enhance its advisory role. Citing a recent report by the Peoples Coalition for the Sahel, she stressed the need to prioritize the protection of civilians, create a political strategy to address the root causes of the crisis, respond to humanitarian emergencies and combat impunity.

Close Sign up for free AllAfrica Newsletters Get the latest in African news delivered straight to your inbox Top Headlines International Organisations Conflict Africa By submitting above, you agree to our privacy policy. Success! Almost finished... We need to confirm your email address. To complete the process, please follow the instructions in the email we just sent you. Error! Error! There was a problem processing your submission. Please try again later.

The representative of Estonia , echoing expressions of concern over the continued deterioration of the situation in the Sahel region, despite efforts by regional actors and international security forces, said civilians can only be effectively protected when a credible State presence is restored. Combating terrorism and violent extremism in the region is a joint effort by national, regional and international actors, requiring constant attention, coordination, informationsharing and clear command lines. Noting that Estonia contributes personnel to MINUSMA, the French-led Barkhane operation and the European Union Training Mission in Mali  as well as financially to the European Union Trust Fund for Africa  he said the country is also part of Task Force Takuba, which recently achieved full operational capacity. In that vein, he acknowledged calls from regional countries to ensure more predictable and sustainable funding to the G5 Sahel joint force, expressing Estonias openness to discussions on more comprehensive funding solutions.

The representative of the Russian Federation , calling for the Security Council to return to in-person meetings given the improving COVID-19 situation in New York, said that the Sahel region has seen a new, forceful surge in terrorist activity and a proliferation of intercommunal and ethnic conflict. Fighters have killed dozens of soldiers and hundreds of civilians, the number of refugees and internally displaced persons has grown and challenges in food security have intensified. She called on regional countries to urgently address socioeconomic problems, strengthen institutions and protect human rights lest conditions conducive to radicalization ripen, especially among the youth. Turning to the joint force, she said that full operationalization thereof depends on ensuring stable financing and providing relevant logistical support, welcoming the assistance MINUSMA has provided to the joint force in line with the Missions mandate.

The representative of Mexico stressed that the security strategy in the Sahel must focus on protecting civilians, as they are the main victims of violence in the region. Expressing concern regarding violations of human rights and international humanitarian law by joint force troops  particularly cases of sexual violence and the detention of minors  she called on members of the G5 Sahel to prevent such incidents in the future. She stated that any discussion involving increased Security Council support to the joint force should consider what the force is doing to meet its human rights obligations under international humanitarian law. Beyond the considerable security challenges, however, lasting peace requires addressing the structural factors that facilitate radicalization and intercommunal conflict. To this end, she said that the Peacebuilding Commission has a responsibility to design a comprehensive response to development problems that prevail in Sahel States, coordinating with actors on the ground and ensuring that women and youth are involved in the decision-making process.

The representative of China , Council President for May, spoke in his national capacity, calling for strengthened cooperation and coordination to fight terrorism amid the deteriorating security situation in the Sahel region. Expressing concern about the tendency of terrorist attacks to spread, he welcomed Chads recent deployment of additional troops to the G5 Sahel joint force, as well as the African Unions decision to send additional standby forces to the region. As the spillover of the conflict in Libya remains one reported factor in the worsening security situation, he called for the orderly withdrawal of all mercenaries and foreign fighters in line with Council resolutions. Voicing his support for sustainable, predictable funding for the joint force and spotlighting Chinas own significant contributions, he expressed hope that a financing solution will be found that accommodates the needs and concerns of all parties. Additionally, he advocated for efforts to eliminate the root causes of conflict, such as development challenges, intercommunal conflict and food insecurity. In that vein, he pointed out that China will convene a high-level debate on 19 May on ways to address the root causes of conflict in Africa amid the worlds recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic.
LAST SUMMER, after months of protests and riots in response to the murder of George Floyd, the phrase mostly peaceful, often used by the media and Democrats to describe the protests, achieved parody status thanks to a CNN clip.
President Muhammadu Buhari says Boko Haram terrorists have taken advantage of the COVID-19 pandemic to push back into Nigeria, while still launching raids in Chad, Cameroon, and Niger Republic.

President Buhari said this in an opinion article titled "Post-Covid-19 Pandemic, Nigeria and France Must Seize the Chance to Strengthen Military and Economic Ties", published on Tuesday by the leading Paris-based magazine, Le Point.

The President underscored the need for Nigeria and France to deepen anti-terror cooperation to overcome the scourge, especially after the murder of the late President of Chad.

President Buhari, who focused on the post-COVID 19 opportunities in Nigeria-France relations especially in areas of security and economy, underscored the need for the leaders of Sahel countries to present a unified front to lobby other Western nations, particularly Great Britain and the United States and the European Union, for further military and humanitarian assistance.

He said: "Today, leaders from across Africa meet in Paris to discuss plans to recover from the impact of a common enemy - COVID-19. But for African nations from across the Sahel region and beyond, the issues are inseparable from the fight against another common enemy which is terrorism. And like the war against the Coronavirus, it is one we are fully united with France in our strong determination to overcome.

"Across the world, conflict and Coronavirus have not been far apart. As governments have struggled to contain COVID, jihadists have taken advantage in the Sahel - the vast arid stretch of territory that lies between the Sahara and Sub-Saharan Africa. Terrorist incidents have become tragically common across Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger. Around the Lake Chad Basin, Boko Haram terrorism have taken advantage of the pandemic and pushed back into my country Nigeria, whilst still launching raids and attacks in Chad, Cameroon, and Niger.

"We have seen more than once how Boko Haram - which in French means "l'education occidentale est un peche" - can regroup, morphing in form and tactics. A matter of only a few years ago, they were reduced to a territory-less group, where once they had controlled an area in Nigeria three times the size of Lebanon. It has demonstrated why pushing against one front can prove futile if groups can simply migrate to ponds of insecurity across porous borders. Yet as instability has spread, so the networks that sustain it have strengthened - whether that be weapons supply chains from Libya, ideological imports of Al-Qaeda and ISIS from the Middle East, or trafficking networks that take money from those escaping instability and feeds it back into the system that generates it.

"Meanwhile the infection is spreading further afield and reaching into the heart of Europe and France is not being spared the malignant, with innocents murdered on its streets. In that context, our fate is linked. Hence Paris has been active in this common fight. The French Operation Barkhane has provided critical boots on the ground in shoring up security across our region. Though challenges remain, it has ensured a wide expanse of territory has not descended into lawless playground where terrorists masquerading as fighting for Islam groups can freely flourish and multiply. That assistance has been profoundly appreciated in the region.

Close Sign up for free AllAfrica Newsletters Get the latest in African news delivered straight to your inbox Top Headlines Nigeria Governance Conflict By submitting above, you agree to our privacy policy. Success! Almost finished... We need to confirm your email address. To complete the process, please follow the instructions in the email we just sent you. Error! Error! There was a problem processing your submission. Please try again later.

"Now Nigeria and France should deepen our anti-terror cooperation if we are to overcome this scourge - particularly in the aftermath of the murder of the late President of Chad. Where for historical ties, support came to Nigeria from the UK, and to the G5 from France, the terrorists do not recognise these border-aligned distinctions. We must be agile and flexible, cooperating cross our borders to cut the head off their groups.

"Indeed, we have already done much to strengthen our bond. Intelligence sharing is well developed, along with training against improvised explosives. But there is more we can do in cross-border military exercises and coordinating strategy. At the same time, we know France has borne much of the strain for combating terrorism of the region, and we - the leaders of Sahel countries - must also do more to present a unified front to lobby other Western nations, particularly Great Britain and the United States and the European Union for further military and humanitarian assistance."
In the history of the world there have been some very bad ideas: Screen doors on submarines. New Coke. Eliminating nearly 22 child protective social worker positions at the NH Division for Children, Youth and Families. While the first idea is a joke and the second idea a marketing failure, t
Cason "Casey" Lanier Branan, 41, passed away Sunday, May 31, 2021. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Thursday, June 3 at the chapel of Moores Funeral Home with burial to follow in Camp Creek Church Cemetery. Casey was born in Macon, Ga. on May 5, 1980, to David Branan and Tashia McCul
In Indian illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir, Hurriyat leaders and organizations have paid glowing tributes to prominent martyred Hurriyat leaders,Mirwaiz Molvi Muhammad Farooq and Khawaja Abdul Ghani Lone aswell as the martyrs of Hawal on the eve of their martyrdom anniversaries

ISLAMABAD, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 19th May, 2021 ) :In Indian illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir, Hurriyat leaders and organizations have paid glowing tributes to prominent martyred Hurriyat leaders,Mirwaiz Molvi Muhammad Farooq and Khawaja Abdul Ghani Lone aswell as the martyrs of Hawal on the eve of their martyrdom anniversaries.

Hurriyat leaders including Agha Syed Hassan Al-Moosvi Al-Safvi, Molvi Bashir Ahmed, Hilal Ahmed War, Javaid Ahmed and Zamruda Habib eulogized the service and sacrifices rendered by Mirwaiz Molvi Muhammad Farooq and Khawaja Abdul Ghani Lone for the ongoing Kashmir freedom movement.

Mirwaiz Molvi Muhammad Farooq was shot dead by the agents of Indian agencies at his residence in Srinagar on May 21 in 1990. Seventy mourners were killed when Indian troops opened indiscriminate fire on his funeral procession in Hawal area of Srinagar. Khawaja Abdul Ghani Lone was also martyred by the agents of Indian agencies when he was returning from addressing a gathering at Mazar-e-Shuhada in Srinagar on the same day in 2002.

Senior leader of All Parties Hurriyat Conference and the Jammu Kashmir Anjuman Sharie Shian President, Agha Syed Hassan Al-Moosvi Al-Safvi, in a statement in Srinagar paid tribute to Shaheed-e-Millat Mirwaiz Molvi Muhammad Farooq and Shaheed-e-Hurriyat Khawaja Abdul Ghani Lone on their martyrdom anniversaries. He said Shaheed Mirwaiz was a great preacher and religious scholar, whose services in the educational and social upliftment of the Kashmiri people would always be recalled with respect.

He said that Shaheed Abdul Ghani Lone was a heedful and fearless leader who sacrificed his life for his belief in a peaceful and pro-people resolution of the Kashmir dispute. His contribution in the formation of All Parties Hurriyat Conference was unforgettable, the statement said. It added that people of Kashmir would always remember these selfless leaders and will follow the path they showed.

The All Parties Hurriyat Conference General Secretary, Molvi Bashir Ahmed, reiterated the APHC's appeal to the people to observe complete shutdown on Friday (21 May) to commemorate the martyrdom anniversaries of prominent martyred Hurriyat leaders, Mirwaiz Molvi Muhammad Farooq and Khawaja Abdul Ghani Lone as well as the martyrs of Hawal.

In a statement issued in Srinagar, he paid glowing tributes to Shaheed-e-Millat Molvi Muhammad Farooq, Shaheed-e-Hurriyat Khawaja Abdul Ghani Lone, and martyrs of Hawal massacre. He also asked the people to organize protest rallies against the genocide and gross human rights violations being perpetrated by Indian troops in the occupied territory. The APHC leader endorsing the detailed programme announced by the Chairman of Hurriyat forum Mirwaiz Umar Farooq appealed to the freedom loving Kashmiris to follow it in letter and spirit.

Molvi Bashir Ahmed expressed serious concern over the plight of Kashmiri detainees languishing in different jails of India and the occupied territory at the hands of cruel jail authorities, particularly in the wake of coronavirus pandemic when hundreds of inmates have been reported as COVID positive.

He demanded an early intervention of the United Nations Secretary General and the world community to help resolve the long-pending Kashmir dispute in accordance with the UN Security Council resolutions and Kashmiris' aspirations.

Hurriyat leader and the Chairman of Peoples Political Party, Engineer Hilal Ahmed War, in a statement issued in Srinagar paid homage to Mirwaiz Molvi Muhammad Farooq, Khawaja Abdul Ghani Lone and martyrs of Hawal massacre on their martyrdom anniversaries. He said the sacrifices rendered by the Kashmiri martyrs would never be allowed to go waste and the Hurriyat leadership was under obligation to take the unfinished mission of martyrs to its logic end. Engineer Hilal War said, Shaheed-e-Milat faced various hardships in the form of incarceration and torture for the Kashmir cause but never shied away from carrying forward the freedom struggle and stood firm in difficult times.

Hilal War said, no amount of repression, use of force, and intimidation can force the people of Jammu and Kashmir surrender their inalienable right to self-determination enshrined in the principles of the UN Charter.

Tehreek-e-Khawateen Kashmir Chairperson, Zamruda Habib, and General Secretary, Shameem Shawl, in their statements paying tributes to Mirwaiz Molvi Muhammad Farooq, Khawaja Abdul Ghani Lone and other martyrs said that the Kashmiri people were indebted to the invaluable sacrifices of these great martyrs and no one would be allowed to play with these sacrifices. They said the world couldn't turn away its eyes from the Kashmir dispute and the Kashmiris' legitimate struggle for right to self-determination for long and it would have to resolve the lingering dispute in accordance with the aspirations of the Kashmiri people. They denounced the use of brute force by Indian troops and police personnel on innocent people during cordon and search operations in the occupied territory.

Hurriyat leader, Javaid Ahmed Mir, in a statement in Srinagar remembering Mirwaiz Molvi Muhammad Farooq, Khawaja Abdul Ghani Lone and martyrs of Hawal on their anniversaries said that the Kashmiris had given unparalleled sacrifices in their ongoing freedom struggle. He deplored that in the present situation from Kashmir to Palestine, the world peacemakers and champions of peace and human rights have failed to fulfill their obligations.

Javaid Mir said thousands of illegally detained Kashmiri Hurriyat leaders and activists lodged in Indian jails were facing threat to their life due to massive surge in coronavirus in India. He said that the families of these detainees were worried about the well-being of their dear ones in the highly congested jails. He also strongly condemned the arrest of two sons of martyred APHC leader, Muhammad Ashraf Sehrai by Indian police and slapping of draconian law, Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, on them.
ABU DHABI, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News / WAM - 19th May, 2021) Etihad Airways, the national airline of the United Arab Emirates, and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabias national flag carrier, SAUDIA, announced a new reciprocal loyalty agreement, expanding on the existing codeshare deal between the two airlines.

Members of the Etihad Guest and ALFURSAN programmes can now earn and redeem miles on flights across both carriers networks. Loyalty programme members from both airlines will also be able to earn Tier Miles and Tier Segments, helping them progress to the next tier level faster. In addition, members will be able to earn miles on Etihad and SAUDIA codeshare flights.

Terry Daly, Executive Director Guest Experience, Brand & Marketing, Etihad Airways, commented, "As the aviation industry begins to restart and guests return to the skies, this partnership strengthens the airlines commitment to growing inbound business and tourism in their respective markets. It complements Etihads existing codeshare agreement with SAUDIA and opens more destinations for Etihad Guest members to earn and spend their miles through travel."

Khalid Al-Bassam, Chief Commercial Officer, SAUDIA, commented, "We are pleased to strengthen our partnership with Etihad through this latest agreement, which further builds on our shared history of successful collaboration. By offering our guests more opportunities to earn miles we are bringing greater value, flexibility and convenience to their travel experience, which will help fuel growth in demand and contribute to our goal of enhancing the Kingdoms aviation and tourism sectors.

"

The partners are also re-launching their codeshare cooperation beyond each others hubs. Under this extensive commercial partnership, which has seen more than 110,000 passenger journeys facilitated over the past two years, SAUDIA has added its SV code to 15 destinations on the Etihad network in Saudi Arabia, Asia, the US and Europe. In addition, Etihad has added its EY code to SAUDIA destinations in the Kingdom and Pakistan. This facilitates growth and recovery for both airlines, provides greater choice, convenience and flexibility for guests and freight customers, and further strengthens the ties between the two nations.

In other areas of cooperation, Etihad Airways Engineering has been collaborating with SAUDIA since 2016 at its MRO (Maintenance, Repair and Operations) facility in Abu Dhabi.

Etihad has been operating to Saudi Arabia since 2004, and prior to COVID-19 pandemic, were operating up to 77 weekly flights between Abu Dhabi and Riyadh, Dammam, Jeddah and Medina.

The airline is presently operating direct flights to Riyadh, Dammam and Jeddah and guests transiting through Abu Dhabi from the Kingdom have access to Etihads USA pre-clearance, the only United States Customs and Border Protection facility in the middle East. This allows passengers bound for the United States to process all immigration, customs and agriculture inspections in Abu Dhabi before they board they board their flight to Chicago, New York or Washington DC.
Reykjavik, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 19th May, 2021 ) :The US and Russian foreign ministers are meeting in Iceland on Wednesday to gauge the enormous gulf between the rival powers and confirm a summit between Presidents Joe Biden and Vladimir Putin.

Statements preceding the face-to-face talks on the sidelines of the Arctic Council meeting in Iceland do not bode well for the de-escalation of tensions that the two say they want, with relations at their lowest point since the end of the Cold War.

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken seemed to want to make the Arctic -- a new geopolitical issue at the heart of the regional meeting Wednesday and Thursday in Reykjavik -- a laboratory for cooperation focused on common challenges such as the fight against global warming.

But his Russian counterpart Sergei Lavrov issued a strongly worded warning.

"It has been absolutely clear for everyone for a long time that this is our territory, this is our land," Lavrov said at a press conference in Moscow on Monday.

The Russian foreign minister at the same time accused Norway of "trying to justify the need for NATO to come into the Arctic." He insisted Russian military activity in the region is "absolutely legal." Mikaa Mered, a professor at French university Sciences Po and a specialist on the Arctic, said that Russians "always do this sort of posturing before the ministerial summit, but that doesn't prevent the Council from continuing its work on its traditional consensus issues".

The Russian warning inevitably drew a response from Blinken, who on Tuesday stressed Washington wanted to "avoid a militarisation" of the Arctic.

"We have concerns about some of the increased military activities in the Arctic. That increases the dangers or prospects of accidents," Blinken said, adding that it undermined "the shared goal of a peaceful and sustainable future for the region".
(@ChaudhryMAli88)

Paris, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 19th May, 2021 ) :France has proposed a resolution with the UN Security Council, in coordination with Egypt and Jordan, calling for a ceasefire in the Israel-Gaza conflict, the president's office said late Tuesday.

French President Emmanuel Macron and his Egyptian counterpart Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, who is in Paris for summits on Africa, agreed on the resolution in a video conference with Jordan's King Abdullah II, the statement said.

"The three countries agreed on three simple elements: The shooting must stop, the time has come for a ceasefire and the UN Security Council must take up the issue," the Elysee Palace said.

France, which has been calling for a rapid ceasefire for several days, said it supports mediation led by Egypt.

Macron had on Monday underlined the importance of Egyptian mediation after talks in Paris with Sisi, a key ally and defence client of France despite activists' concerns over Cairo's rights record.

The UN Security Council has failed to adopt a simple declaration on the conflict, with the United States, a staunch Israel ally, having rejected three prior statement drafts proposed by China, Norway and Tunisia which called for an end to the fighting.

China's UN ambassador Zhang Jun said that during a closed-door meeting, members "heard the proposal made by our French colleague in the Council and for China, definitely, we are supportive to all effort facilitating the ending of the crisis and the coming back of peace in the middle East."
The CJN calls for an end to the strike after meeting with the labour minister, Chris Ngige, on Tuesday.

The Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Tanko Muhammad, on Tuesday, called on the members of the Judiciary Staff Union (JUSUN) to end their ongoing nationwide strike.

This was contained in a statement by Mr Muhammad's spokesperson, Ahuraka Isah.

The strike , which the judiciary workers embarked upon on April 6 to agitate for the financial autonomy of the judiciary particularly at the state level, clocked seven weeks on Tuesday.

Courts at both the state and federal levels across the country have now been shut for 43 days as a result of the strike.

But the CJN, in the statement by his spokesperson said, his call on JUSUN to end the strike followed a fresh briefing he received from the Minister of Labour and Employment, Chris Ngige, who leads the Federal Government's negotiation team that engages with the leadership of the union.

"The Minister of Labour and Employment, Dr. Chris Ngige on Tuesday met with the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Ibrahim Tanko Muhammad at the Supreme Court over the ongoing strike embarked upon by the Judiciary Staff Union of Nigeria (JUSUN) to demand for financial autonomy for the Judiciary in the country.

"Upon being briefed by the Minister on the negotiation level so far, the CJN then requested the JUSUN to call off the strike in the interest of the nation and the larger interest of justice," the statement read, in part.

The statement added that the CJN is of the view

that calling off the strike "would also allow opportunity for further negations towards the resolution of the dispute."

'Strike is sub judice'

But the CJN, who earlier acknowledged the justification for the ongoing strike, said publicly for the first time on Tuesday, that the ongoing strike is "sub judice", a suggestion that the industrial action may be preemptive of a pending suit in court.

"Besides, the CJN observed that some of the issues in contention are already sub judice, as such there is need to give requisite legal process enough opportunity to be exhausted," the statement read in part.

The CJN did not give details of the pending legal matter pending in court that the ongoing strike may possibly be infringing on.

PREMIUM TIMES is not aware of any suit challenging the constitutional provision granting financial autonomy to the judiciary which is the core of the judiciary workers' strike.

But there is a suit filed by the 36 state governors under the auspices of the Nigeria Governors' Forum (NGF) challenging the Executive Order 10 issued by President Muhammadu Buhari in May 2020 for the enforcement of the financial independence of the judiciary.

Strike, failed meetings

Mr Muhammad has met with the leadership of JUSUN on two occasions since when the strike started 43 days ago.

At the end the meetings, the union had insisted on going on with the strike until its demand for strict compliance with constitutional provision that prescribes direct funding of state judiciaries and legislatures directly from the federation account.

Despite meeting with the union leaders on different occasions, the labour minister too has not been able to convince them to call of the strike.

The call by the CJN comes about 10 days after JUSUN rejected the 36 state governors' proposed template for the implementation of judiciary's financial autonomy being demanded by the workers.

The governors, in their proposal, seek the creation of a State Account Allocation Committee (SAAC) to oversee the distribution of funds to the three arms of government at the state level.

But in a communique the union issued after a May 8 meeting of its National Working Committee (NWC), the union insisted on its demand that funds meant for the state judiciaries must be deducted directly from the federation account and paid to the heads of courts through the National Judicial Council (NJC).

Close Sign up for free AllAfrica Newsletters Get the latest in African news delivered straight to your inbox Top Headlines Nigeria Labour By submitting above, you agree to our privacy policy. Success! Almost finished... We need to confirm your email address. To complete the process, please follow the instructions in the email we just sent you. Error! Error! There was a problem processing your submission. Please try again later.

It maintained that the provisions of the constitution "cannot be negotiated, doctored, manipulated and therefore must be obeyed".

As a condition to end its ongoing strike, the union insisted that all the state judiciaries' funds for October 2020 till May 2021 must be deducted directly from source, the federation account, and paid to the heads of courts through the NJC as prescribed by the constitution.

The federal government currently complies with the constitutional provision which JUSUN demands compliance with.

But at the state level, governors take funds meant for the three arms of government from the federation account, but only funds the judiciary and the legislature as they please, without minding how much they are entitled to in the budgets.
Paris, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 19th May, 2021 ) :A Paris summit seeking to boost financing in Africa amid the Covid-19 pandemic on Tuesday called for the lifting of vaccine patents to allow their manufacture on the continent, French President Emmanuel Macron said.

"We are asking the WHO, the WTO and the Medicines Patent Pool to remove all these constraints in terms of intellectual property which blocks the production of certain types of vaccines," Macron said at the end of the summit attended by African leaders and officials from global financial institutions.

Citing the slow pace of vaccination as a major problem for the continent, Macron staked out an aim of vaccinating 40 percent of people in Africa by the end of 2021.

"The current situation is not sustainable, it is both unfair and inefficient," said Macron.

Macron warned that failing to vaccinate Africans risked allowing potentially dangerous Covid-19 variants to emerge on the continent that then could spread around the world.

Africa has so far been less badly hit by the Covid-19 pandemic than other global regions -- with a total of 130,000 dead across the continent -- although the human catastrophe in India shows it is way too early to sound the all clear.

"Failing to protect Africa from the variants that will reappear on African soil will hit the Africans themselves and then perpetually condemn us to chase" these variants, said Macron.

Senegal President Macky Sall praised what he described as a "change of mentality" in the approach, with G20 nations realising their own wellbeing depended on vaccine progress in Africa.

"We have a common responsibility; vaccinating one's own populations does not guarantee health security," he said, pointing to the risk of variants emerging in Africa that could evade vaccines.

IMF chief Kristalina Georgieva warned that failure to accelerate the vaccine rollout in Africa would also have economic consequences.

"It is clear that there is no durable exit from the economic crisis unless we exit the health crisis," she said.
ISLAMABAD, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 19th May, 2021 ) :An Accountability Court (AC) on Wednesday dismissed the decision of National Database Regulatory Authority (NADRA) for blocking the CNIC of Senator Hafiz Hamadullah and termed the decision as illegal.

Chief Justice Athar Minallah announced the decision on a petition filed by Senator Hamadullah challenging the blockage of his CNIC.

The chief justice stated that the nationality of someone was biggest basic human right and NADRA was not authorized to remove it. He further remarked that how Nadra could view the report of intelligence agencies.

The bench asked the Nadra official to provide the details of other cases in which it had taken the same decisions on the basis of such reports.

The intelligence agencies were under relevant ministry and divisions, and their report could be received through the proper channel.

Expressing annoyance, the chief justice asked the Nadra officials that whether they know that what could be the results of blocking CNIC of someone even for one day. Justice Minallah also asked that under what law the Nadra had established district committees.

After this, the court dismissed the Nadra's decision to block Hafiz Hamdullah's CNIC. It may be mentioned here that Nadra had blocked the CNIC in October 2019 which was challenged before IHC.
ISLAMABAD, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 19th May, 2021 ) :A division bench of Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Wednesday reserved its judgment on maintainability of petitions challenging auction of former prime minister Nawaz Sharif's property in toshakhana corruption reference.

A division bench comprising Justice Aamir Farooq and Justice Tariq Mehmood Jahangiri took up the cases against the confiscation and auction of Nawaz Sharif's property under the decision of an accountability court. The three separate petitions were filed by Mian Iqbal Barkat, Aslam Aziz and Muhammad Ashraf Malik through their counsel Qazi Misbah to IHC.

The petitioner's lawyer contended that an Accountability Court of Islamabad on April 22, ordered the authorities concerned for auctioning of the property owned by former prime minister. He said that the property in Sheikhupura was purchased before the filing of reference against Nawaz Sharif. The lawyer also gave references of the decisions of Supreme Court and Indian courts in similar cases, and said that a session court of the area concerned would decide the matter if the property was situated in other district.

The lawyer prayed the court to stop the property auction scheduled for tomorrow. Justice Farooq asked the lawyer that why the petition was filed in delay if the auction was scheduled for tomorrow.

Qazi Misbah said that the petitions were delayed due to eid holidays in the country. To a query by the bench, the lawyer said that they could file civil suite but it couldn't stop the property auction.

The lawyer said that the petitions had objected the auctions owning to land purchase deed, lease and family settlements.

The petitioner had been given the said house under a family settlement in 2007.

He further said that the said land was agricultural and a cemetery of Sharif family was also there. The lawyer pleaded that the three petitioners had invested their money on the property and it was their right to recover the same.

After listening arguments, the court reserved its judgment on maintainability of the case.

Accountability Court Islamabad, deputy commissioners of Lahore and Sheikhupura, National Accountability Bureau (NAB) and others had been named in the petitions.

Mian Iqbal Barkat adopted the stance that House No. 135 Upper Mall Lahore was belong to Itifaq Group, which was jointly owned by Mian Muhammad Sharif, Mian Muhammad Shafi, Mian Mirajuddin, Mian Barkat Ali, Mian Abdul Aziz and Mian Idrees Bashir families. Petitioner Muhammad Ashraf stated that the Sheikhupura administration had fixed May 20, a date to auction the confiscated property of Nawaz Sharif. He said that he had already purchased 88 kanal land from Nawaz Sharif and had paid Rs75 millions against it. He, however, said that the deed couldn't be implemented due to the arrest of former prime minister. He said that he had approached the civil court for implementation on sell deed. Aslam Aziz said that district administration was confiscating 105 kanal land for auction. He said that he had invested heavy amount on agriculture project at said land. There was a risk of wastage of his investment if the land was auctioned, he said. The petitioners prayed the court to set aside the decision of accountability court for confiscation and auction of the above property.
(@ChaudhryMAli88)

Shah Mahmood Qureshi, Vice President Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf and Foreign Minister on Wednesday said all members of the party were supposed to follow discipline and warned that "violation of rules could affect the membership"

ISLAMABAD, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 19th May, 2021 ) :Shah Mahmood Qureshi, Vice President Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf and Foreign Minister on Wednesday said all members of the party were supposed to follow discipline and warned that "violation of rules could affect the membership".

"No member of the party can violate the rules on Vote of Confidence and Finance Bill," Qureshi said in his statement on issues related to party discipline.

Qureshi said that the prime minister on demand of some party members had given the responsibility of inquiry to Barrister Ali Zafar.

He said there was no room for such people who did not repose confidence in Prime Minister Imran Khan, who was the founding member of PTI.

"These people should decide that if they consider Imran Khan as their leader, then they should express their aptness for his decisions," he added.

Without Imran Khan and his voters, he said, these people would not be able to reach assemblies.
US President Joe Biden in a phone call with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he expects significant de-escalation in the ongoing violent conflict with Palestine, the White House said on Wednesday

WASHINGTON (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 19th May, 2021) US President Joe Biden in a phone call with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he expects significant de-escalation in the ongoing violent conflict with Palestine, the White House said on Wednesday.

"President Biden spoke with Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu today.

The two leaders had a detailed discussion on the state of events in Gaza, Israel's progress in degrading the capabilities of Hamas and other terrorist elements, and ongoing diplomatic efforts by regional governments and the United States. The President conveyed to the Prime Minister that he expected a significant de-escalation today on the path to a ceasefire," the White House said in a statement.
Caretaker Lebanese Foreign Minister Charbel Wehbe on Wednesday submitted his resignation request to President Michel Aoun following the recent scandalous interview with the Alhurra broadcaster

BEIRUT (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 19th May, 2021) Caretaker Lebanese Foreign Minister Charbel Wehbe on Wednesday submitted his resignation request to President Michel Aoun following the recent scandalous interview with the Alhurra broadcaster.

Fragments of Wehbe's interview to Alhurra that appeared on Lebanese media and social networks showed the minister as suggesting that a number of the Gulf countries had been involved in backing terror organizations and spreading an impact of the Islamic State terrorist organization (banned in Russia) in the region.

"In light of the recent developments and circumstances that followed the interview that I gave to one of the tv stations ... I had the honor to meet with His Excellency the President and submitted to him a request to be relieved of my duties and responsibilities as foreign minister," Wehbe said, as quoted by the Lebanese presidency.

According to media reports, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and Bahrain have summoned Lebanese ambassadors and delivered notes of protest to them over the matter.
(@FahadShabbir)

European Commission Vice President Margaritis Schinas said Wednesday that Europe "won't be intimidated by anyone" after a record number of migrants poured into the Spain's enclave of Ceuta this week

Madrid, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 19th May, 2021 ) :European Commission Vice President Margaritis Schinas said Wednesday that Europe "won't be intimidated by anyone" after a record number of migrants poured into the Spain's enclave of Ceuta this week.

In a veiled reference to Rabat, Schinas said on Spanish radio that Europe would "not be a victim of these tactics" after some 8,000 migrants reached Spain's beaches from Morocco as security forces turned a blind eye.

The crisis comes against the backdrop of soaring tensions with Rabat over Madrid's decision to provide medical treatment for the leader of the Western Sahara independence movement, who has been seriously ill with Covid-19.

Rabat was infuriated when news leaked that Polisario Front leader Brahim Ghali had flown to northern Spain in mid-April for hospital treatment.

The Polisario Front has long fought for the independence of Western Sahara, a former Spanish colony that is mainly under Moroccan control.

The Moroccan authorities have long wanted Spain to acknowledge their authority over Western Sahara, as Washington did in December under former president Donald Trump.

Analysts said it was clear Morocco had turned a blind eye to the human tide surging into Ceuta this week to put diplomatic pressure on Spain to recognise its sovereignty over Western Sahara.
(@FahadShabbir)

Gabon may approve other Russian-made vaccines after giving green light to Sputnik V, Gabonese Ambassador to Russia Johanna Rose Mamiaka told Sputnik on the sidelines of the Russia-Africa international conference

MOSCOW (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 19th May, 2021) Gabon may approve other Russian-made vaccines after giving green light to Sputnik V, Gabonese Ambassador to Russia Johanna Rose Mamiaka told Sputnik on the sidelines of the Russia-Africa international conference.

In February, Gabon registered Sputnik V under a fast-track procedure, thus becoming the 29th country in the world and the 4th nation in Africa to register the vaccine. So far the Russian vaccine has been registered in over 60 countries worldwide.

"We asked for the first formula, for the first one [Sputnik V], and we are working on this one. Maybe after we will see [other vaccines] because I know that there is also formula with one [shot] vaccine [Sputnik Light]. Maybe after we will discuss with Russian authorities to get this one.

But actually, we are working for the first vaccine with two shots," Mamiaka explained in reference to Sputnik V.

To the question of how many doses the country ordered, Mamiaka answered that Gabon has ordered 2 million doses for it population.

Her Excellency Mamiaka added that Gabon is still waiting for the delivery of the vaccines, taking into account the high demand for Russian vaccines. She added that Gabon was one of the first countries to ask for the support of Russia with the Sputnik V vaccine.

Russia has three registered coronavirus vaccines: Sputnik V, developed by the Gamaleya research institute, EpiVacCorona by the Vector research center, and CoviVac which was developed by the Chumakov Center.
(@FahadShabbir)

German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas will travel to Israel and the Palestinian territories for talks Thursday on the escalating conflict in the Middle East, a ministry spokeswoman said

Berlin, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 19th May, 2021 ) :German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas will travel to Israel and the Palestinian territories for talks Thursday on the escalating conflict in the middle East, a ministry spokeswoman said.

"The political talks will focus on the current escalation in the Middle East and the international efforts to end the violence," the spokeswoman said.

Maas will meet Israel's foreign and defence ministers as well as President Reuven Rivlin.

He will also travel to the city of Ramallah to hold talks with the Palestinian premier.

At a press conference earlier Wednesday, Maas spoke of his plan to "hold talks in Jerusalem and Ramallah" but had said that the trip was yet to be confirmed with Israeli authorities.

The visit would be the first by a senior European official to Jerusalem over the latest escalation of violence in the Middle East.

German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier, who was previously the country's foreign minister, however expressed doubts over the impact of Maas' visit.

"Germany must use its relations in the region," he said, but pointed out "the Middle East Quartet has been activated and Europe is part of it".

"I have my doubts as to whether individual nations should make their own mediation efforts," he added.

Israel and the Palestinians are mired in their worst conflict in years as Israel Pounds the Gaza Strip with air strikes and artillery, while Hamas militants lob rockets into the Jewish state.

The conflict has claimed 219 Palestinian lives according to the Gaza health ministry and killed 12 people in Israel according to Israeli police.
German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas said Wednesday that his country was close to reaching a reconciliation deal with Namibia over what is described as the first genocide of the 20th century

BERLIN (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 19th May, 2021) German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas said Wednesday that his country was close to reaching a reconciliation deal with Namibia over what is described as the first genocide of the 20th century.

Maas told the ARD public broadcaster that Berlin hosted another round of talks with Namibian officials last week. The southern African nation wants Germany to pay repatriations for the slaughter of tens of thousands from 1904-1907.

"We want to have a result, and I am certain now that there is a possibility of us reaching an agreement by the end of next week, in which we will take responsibility for what we did there [in Namibia]," Maas said.

German imperial forces cracked down on an uprising of Herero and Nama people in what was then a German colony in 1904, driving thousands away into the desert and locking up many more in concentration camps where they were starved and worked to death.
President Muhammadu Buhari has sought the approval of the National Assembly for a new external borrowing plan of N2.343 trillion (about $6.183 billion) as contained in the 2021 budget.

This new borrowing will raise Nigeria debt stock to about N33 N36.3 trillion.

The president also urged the National Assembly to approve a list of all donor-funded projects under the 2018-2020 Federal Government External Borrowing (Rolling) Plan.

The president's request was conveyed in two separate letters addressed to the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila, which was read on the floor of the House by the deputy Speaker, Ahmed Idris Wase.

The Senate had recently approved foreign loans of $1.5 billion (about N571.5billion) and 995 million (about N528.4billion) which amount to N1.1trillion for the federal government.

The Debt Management Office (DMO) had in the previous month put Nigeria's Public debt at N32.915trillion as of December 31, 2020.

This is made up of the debt stock of the federal and state governments as well as the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

The DMO said at the time that "total Public Debt to Gross Domestic Product as at December 31, 2020 was 21.61 per cent, which is within Nigeria's new limit of 40 per cent."

LEADERSHIP recalls that the Senate had approved the borrowing of $1.5 billion and 995 million, or N1.1 trillion (when calculated at the CBN official exchange rate of $1 to N381) for both the federal and state governments from foreign market in April 2021.

The Debt Management Office (DMO) clarified the recent borrowing yesterday, saying "The proposed new capital raising is the New External Borrowing already provided for in the 2021 Appropriation Act."

The 2021 Appropriation Act included new domestic and new external borrowing after approval by the National Assembly.

The Debt office said the new capital raising has already been approved and is now being presented to NASS in order to fulfil the provisions of Sections 21 and 27 of the DMO (Establishment, etc.) Act, 2003.

"The proceeds are to be deployed to capital projects in various sectors of the economy, including power, transport, agriculture and rural development, education, health and water resources that are included in the 2021 Appropriation Act," DMO said in its verified Twitter handle.

In the letter addressed to the Senate president, Ahmad Lawan, dated May 6, 2020, which was read during plenary yesterday, President Buhari also asked the Senate to approve donor fund projects under the 2018-2020 federal government external borrowing (rolling) plan.

The first letter to the House stated: "The purpose of this letter is to request for a Resolution of the National Assembly (NASS) to raise the sum of N2,343,387,942,848.00 (about $6,183,081,643.40 at the Budget Exchange Rate of $1.00/N379) provided as New External Borrowing in the 2021 Appropriation Act (Item No. 330) to part-finance the Budget Deficit of N5.602 trillion.

"This request is in line with the provisions of Sections 21(1) and 27(1) of the Debt Management Office (Establishment, Etc.) Act, 2003 (DMO Act). Section 21(1) of the DMO states that "no external loan shall be approved or obtained by the Minister unless its terms and conditions shall have been laid before the National Assembly and approved by its resolution", while Section 27(1) states that "the National Assembly may by a resolution approve, from time to time, standard terms and conditions for the negotiation and acceptance of external loans and issuance of guarantees".

The letter further said, "The 2021 Appropriation Act provides for N4,686,775,885,696.00 as New Borrowings (item No. 328) to part-finance the 2021 Fiscal Deficit, of which 50% or N2,343,387,942,848.00 (about USD 6,183,081,643.40 at the Budget Exchange Rate of USD1.00/N379) is specified as New External Borrowing.

"The allocation of N2.343 trillion to New External Borrowing in the 2021 Appropriation Act is consistent with Nigeria's Debt Management Strategy, which seeks, amongst other objectives, to moderate 'debt service costs by accessing relatively cheaper external funds, and to free-up space in the domestic market for other borrowers.

"I wish to bring to the attention of the Right Honourable Speaker that the plan is to raise the sum of $6.183 billion from a combination of sources; namely: multilateral and bilateral lenders, as well as from the International Capital Market (ICM) through the issuance of Eurobonds.

"From recent trends in the ICM, it is now possible for Nigeria to raise funds in the ICM and this explains why we are proposing that the New External Borrowing in the 2021 Appropriation Act, should include issuing Eurobonds in the ICM.

"We estimate that Nigeria may be able to raise$3 billion or more, but not more than USD 6.183 billion (the amount provided in the 2021 Appropriation Act) in a combination of tenors between 5-30 years; the outcome would, however, be determined when Nigeria approaches the market.

"The proceeds of the $6.183 billion (N2.343 trillion New External Borrowing in the 2021 Appropriation Act) will be used to fund specific capital projects in the budget. This includes projects from priority sectors of the economy; namely: Power, Transportation, Agriculture and Rural Development, Education, Health, provision of Counterpart Funding for Multilateral and Bilateral Projects, Defence and Water Resources.

In the second letter to the lawmakers, the president said, "It is with pleasure that l forward the list of all the donor-funded projects under the 2018-2020 Federal Government External Borrowing (Rolling) Plan for the consideration and concurrent approval of the House of Representatives for same to become effective.

"The projects listed under the 2018-2020 External Borrowing Plan are to be financed through sovereign loans from the World Bank, African Development Bank (AfDB), French Development Agency (AFD), Islamic Development Bank, China EXIMBank, China Development Bank, European Investment Bank, European ECA. KfW, IPEX, AFC, India EximBank and international Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) at a total sum of USD 3,837,281,256 plus Euro 910,000,000 and Grant Component of USD 10,000,000.

"The Speaker may wish to know that the projects and programmes in the Borrowing Plan were selected based on positive, technical and economic evaluations as well as the contribution they would make to the socio-economic development of the country including employment generation and poverty reduction as well as protection of the most vulnerable and very poor segments of the Nigerian society.

"The Speaker may also wish to know that all the listed projects form part of the 2018 2020 External Borrowing Plan and covered both the Federal and States Governments' Projects and are geared towards the realization of the Nigeria Economic Sustainability Plan that cut across key sectors such as Infrastructure, Health, Agriculture and Food Security, Energy, Education and Human Capital Development and COVlD-19 Response efforts."

For the Senate, President Buhari said the upper chamber's approval would enable projects listed under the 2018-2020 External Borrowing Plan to be financed through sovereign loans from the World Bank, African Development Bank (AfDB), French Development Agency (AFD), Islamic Development Bank, China EXIMBank, China Development Bank, European Investment Bank, European ECA, KtW, lPEX, AFC, India EximBank and International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) at a total sum of USD 36,837,281,256 plus Euro 910,000,000 and Grant Component of $10,000,000.

Close Sign up for free AllAfrica Newsletters Get the latest in African news delivered straight to your inbox Top Headlines Nigeria Governance Debt By submitting above, you agree to our privacy policy. Success! Almost finished... We need to confirm your email address. To complete the process, please follow the instructions in the email we just sent you. Error! Error! There was a problem processing your submission. Please try again later.

He added that the projects are geared towards the realization of the Nigerian Economic Sustainability Plan that cut across key sectors such as Infrastructure, Health, Agriculture and Food Security, Energy, Education and Human Capital Development and COVID-19 Response efforts in the six geo-political zones of the country.

The letter reads: "It is with pleasure that I forward the list of all the Donor funded projects under the 2018-2020 Federal Government External Borrowing (RoIIing) Plan for the consideration and concurrent approval of the Senate for same to become effective.

"Distinguished Senate President, you may wish to know that the projects and programmes in the Borrowing Plan were selected based on positive, technical and economic evaluations as well as the contribution they would make to the socio economic development of the country including employment generation and poverty reduction as well as protection of the most vulnerable and very poor segments of the Nigerian society.

"Distinguished Senate President may also wish to know that all the listed projects form part of the 2018-2020 External Borrowing Plan covered both the Federal and States Governments' Projects and are geared towards the realization of the Nigerian Economic Sustainability Plan that cut across key sectors such as Infrastructure, Health, Agriculture and Food Security, Energy, Education and Human Capital Development and COVID 19 Response efforts."
Kyrgyzstan had to ditch about 1,000 doses of Russian coronavirus vaccine Sputnik V due to accidental defrosting in a capital city facility, Burul Asylbekova, the chief of Bishkek's Center for State Sanitary and Epidemiological Surveillance, said on Wednesday

MOSCOW (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 19th May, 2021) Kyrgyzstan had to ditch about 1,000 doses of Russian coronavirus vaccine Sputnik V due to accidental defrosting in a capital city facility, Burul Asylbekova, the chief of Bishkek's Center for State Sanitary and Epidemiological Surveillance, said on Wednesday.

She said the refrigerator storing the first-shot doses of the vaccine ended up "unplugged for some reason."

"I do not know why. We carried out an investigation and informed the health ministry and the Immunology Center. The refrigerator was and still is functioning normally.

It stores the vaccine's second component at the moment," Asylbekova said, as quoted by Kyrgyz news agency 24.kg.

The center is negotiating "on various levels" as to how to make up for the lost batch of doses, Asylbekova added.

According to the report, the defrosting incident occurred in April.

The Kyrgyz Health Ministry's vaccine center said that the discarded doses were received as humanitarian assistance and the refrigerator's cord was likely accidentally repositioned by someone.
(@ChaudhryMAli88)

WASHINGTON (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 19th May, 2021) Lockheed Martin has opened a production line in the state of South Carolina to build new F-16 combat fighter jets to meet a renewed demand from United States' allies, the US Air Force announced on Tuesday.

"To support the growing demand for new F-16 Fighting Falcon from partner nations, the US Air Force has teamed with Lockheed Martin Corp. to open a new production line to build the F-16 Block 70/72 fighter aircraft at the company's facility in Greenville, South Carolina," the Air Force news Service said in a report.

Launched in 2019, the operation is now the only production facility for F-16s in the world, opening three years after Lockheed Martin's long-time F-16 line in Fort Worth, Texas, ceased production, the report said.

"Recently, and on behalf of five foreign military partners, the Air Force awarded Lockheed Martin Corp. approximately $14 billion, to build 128 F-16s at the facility through 2026," the report added.

The first F-16s are expected to roll off the production line in 2022, and production is expected to increase after the first year. The aircraft will then be delivered to US military partner nations, including Bahrain, Slovakia, Bulgaria, Taiwan, and others, according to the report.
MOSCOW (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 19th May, 2021) The Maldives will cease to exist by the end of the century if no major action is taken against climate change on the global level, Aminath Shauna, the country's Minister of Environment, Climate Change and Technology, told the CNBC broadcaster.

"Climate change is real and we are the most vulnerable country in the world," Shauna said, adding that if global warming continues at its current pace, the Maldives "will not be there" by 2100.

The minister explained that to date 80% of the country's 1,190 islands are located just a few feet above the sea level, which is rising, leaving the islands exposed to floods and erosion.

Already 90% of the islands reported flooding and 97% reported shoreline erosion, according to the minister.

Shauna noted that the Maldives already took certain measures mitigate the consequences of the climate change in a bid to become a "leader in mitigation efforts," including coastal protection mechanisms and community schemes to advance resilience.
A total of 360 people in Moldova have contracted the coronavirus after receiving the vaccine, the national public health agency's epidemiologist, Alexei Ceban, said on Wednesday

CHISINAU (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 19th May, 2021) A total of 360 people in Moldova have contracted the coronavirus after receiving the vaccine, the national public health agency's epidemiologist, Alexei Ceban, said on Wednesday.

"Three hundred and sixty people got infected with the coronavirus following the vaccination, this is 0.15% out of the total number of those vaccinated. Additionally, since March 2 [the start of the immunization campaign] up to date, 1,342 side effect cases were registered in Moldova, this is 0.55% of the vaccinees," Ceban told reporters.

The official added that no severe adverse reaction was registered among those who was vaccinated.

Moldova's mass immunizations campaign is divided into three stages. The first two-month stage which is still underway in some regions of the country is set to cover 70,000 medical and social care workers. During the second stage that will last for four months, over 730,000 public servants and the elderly will be vaccinated. The third stage will cover the remaining groups of citizens until the nation achieves the so-called collective immunity to the virus.

The country has registered three vaccines so far those developed by Pfizer, AstraZeneca, as well as Russia's Sputnik V.
(@FahadShabbir)

Italian prosecutors asked a Milan court on Wednesday to suspend legal action against former Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi, who they say is seriously ill

ROME (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 19th May, 2021) Italian prosecutors asked a Milan court on Wednesday to suspend legal action against former Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi, who they say is seriously ill.

Berlusconi is standing trial alongside 28 other defendants on charges of bribing witnesses to lie about the now notorious "bunga bunga" parties at his home where underage girls were trafficked.

"We believe that Berlusconi is seriously ill and affected by a severe pathology," prosecutor Tiziana Siciliano was quoted as saying by the Ansa news agency.

The four-time premier has been in and out of clinics after contracting COVID-19 last October. His defense asked to postpone the trial, arguing that the 84-year-old needed "absolute rest" at a makeshift hospital at his villa near Milan.
DUSHANBE (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 19th May, 2021) Russia wants to fully restore the air travel with Tajikistan as soon as possible to enable Tajik students to resume their studies at Russian universities, Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said on Wednesday.

"We want to restore the frequency and volume of the regular air traffic as soon as possible, including in order to bring back all the Tajik students who study in Russia, there are almost 20,000 of them, so that they resume their studies at Russian universities," Lavrov said at a joint press conference with the foreign minister of Tajikistan.
HELSINKI (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 20th May, 2021) The United Kingdom has deployed 900 troops and Warrior tracked infantry fighting vehicles (IFV) to participate in the annual Spring Storm military exercise, the Estonian Defense Forces said on Wednesday.

The military drills kicked off in the Baltic country on Monday and will conclude on June 5. Among the participants are servicemen from Estonia, the UK, Latvia, Poland, Italy, France, and Denmark. Almost 7,000 soldiers are taking part in this year's edition.

"The United Kingdom has provided 900 servicemen and the IFV Warrior, which are already stationed in Estonia and are part of the NATO international battalion.

The UK unit will work together with Estonian troops at the central military training area," the Estonian army's general staff said in a statement.

UK helicopters Apache and Wildcat are also expected to arrive in the country soon.

Just as last year, the exercise will take place in a reducer format to prevent the spread of the coronavirus among participants.
WASHINGTON (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 19th May, 2021) The United States has sent the Arleigh Burke class guided missile destroyer Curtis Wilbur through the Taiwan Strait to demonstrate its commitment to free navigation in the region, the Indo-Pacific Command (INDOPACOM) said.

"The ship's transit through the Taiwan Strait demonstrates the US commitment to a free and open Indo-Pacific. The United States military will continue to fly, sail, and operate anywhere international law allows," a command press release said on Tuesday.

In 2020, the United States operationally challenged 28 different excessive maritime claims by 19 different nations, the Defense Department said in a recent report.

Many of the challenges target Chinese claims, especially in the South China Sea, the northern portion consisting of a 100-mile-wide Taiwan Strait.

China considers Taiwan a rebel province and routinely protests whenever US warships transits the strait, as in April, following a similar voyage by the destroyer John S. McCain.
(@ChaudhryMAli88)

WASHINGTON (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 18th May, 2021) Current vaccines in use in the United States have proven "partially and probably protective" against the B.1.617 coronavirus variant raging in India, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases Anthony Fauci said on Tuesday.

"If you look at a number of studies, again, that have come out literally within the last few days, on each of them, the neutralization resistance to the 617 antibody suggests that the current vaccines that we are all using - that we've been speaking about - would be at least partially and probably quite protective," Fauci, who is member of the White House COVID-19 Response Team, said.

The B.1.617 coronavirus variant has become the dominant strain across India and has spread to about 40 nations, including the United Kingdom and Singapore.

India is the second-worst coronavirus-infected country after the United States, with more than 25 million cases and over 258,000 virus-related deaths.

The United States has approved three coronavirus vaccines: a two-shot Moderna vaccine for individuals aged 18 and above, a two-shot Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine for individuals aged 12 and above and a single-shot Johnson & Johnson-Janssen for individuals ages 18 and above.

Some 274 million coronavirus vaccines have been administered to Americans to date, with about 124 million, or 37.7 percent of the population, being "fully vaccinated" with two doses each.
Valdosta, GA (31601)

Today

Sunny skies this morning. Scattered showers and thunderstorms developing during the afternoon. High near 95F. Winds WSW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 40%..

Tonight

Partial cloudiness early, with scattered showers and thunderstorms overnight. Low 72F. Winds WSW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 40%.
document

Today, leaders from across Africa meet in Paris to discuss plans to recover from the impact of a common enemy - COVID-19. But for African nations from across the Sahel region and beyond, the issues are inseparable from the fight against another common enemy which is terrorism. And like the war against the coronavirus, it is one we are fully united with France in our strong determination to overcome.

Across the world, conflict and coronavirus have not been far apart. As governments have struggled to contain COVID-19, jihadists have taken advantage in the Sahel - the vast arid stretch of territory that lies between the Sahara and Sub-Saharan Africa. Terrorist incidents have become tragically common across Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger. Around the Lake Chad Basin, Boko Haram terrorism have taken advantage of the pandemic and pushed back into my country Nigeria, whilst still launching raids and attacks in Chad, Cameroon, and Niger.

We have seen more than once how Boko Haram - which in French means "l'education occidentale est un peche" - can regroup, morphing in form and tactics. A matter of only a few years ago, they were reduced to a territory-less group, where once they had controlled an area in Nigeria three times the size of Lebanon. It has demonstrated why pushing against one front can prove futile if groups can simply migrate to ponds of insecurity across porous borders. Yet as instability has spread, so the networks that sustain it have strengthened - whether that be weapons supply chains from Libya, ideological imports of Al-Qaeda and ISIS from the Middle East, or trafficking networks that take money from those escaping instability and feeds it back into the system that generates it.

Meanwhile, the infection is spreading further afield and reaching into the heart of Europe and France is not being spared the malignant, with innocents murdered on its streets. In that context, our fate is linked. Hence, Paris has been active in this common fight. The French Operation Barkhane has provided critical boots on the ground in shoring up security across our region. Though challenges remain, it has ensured a wide expanse of territory has not descended into lawless playground where terrorists masquerading as fighting for Islam groups can freely flourish and multiply. That assistance has been profoundly appreciated in the region.

Now Nigeria and France should deepen our anti-terror cooperation if we are to overcome this scourge - particularly in the aftermath of the murder of the late President of Chad. Where for historical ties, support came to Nigeria from the UK and to the G5 from France, the terrorists do not recognise these border-aligned distinctions. We must be agile and flexible, cooperating cross our borders to cut the head off their groups.

Indeed, we have already done much to strengthen our bond. Intelligence sharing is well developed, along with training against improvised explosives. But there is more we can do in cross-border military exercises and coordinating strategy. At the same time, we know France has borne much of the strain for combating terrorism of the region, and we - the leaders of Sahel countries - must also do more to present a unified front to lobby other Western nations, particularly Great Britain and the United States and the European Union for further military and humanitarian assistance.

However, we know that military gains do not provide the whole solution. Without security, economic opportunity remains fragile. Without economic opportunity, the propensity for conflict grows. The solution must therefore be two pronged. If we do improve those conditions, it leaves our people vulnerable to indoctrination, as one is vulnerable to COVID-19 without a vaccine.

In the Sahel, crises converge. Traditionally, this vast arid land has been poorer than its Mediterranean neighbours to the north and fertile land to its South. Now, climate change and environmental degradation squeeze the region of water sources, draining opportunity and increasing competition amongst various groups for scarce resources. The fallout from Libya has flushed the whole region with weapons, making any disputes and competition far more destructive. And it is upon these conditions, the lies and propaganda of terrorists who falsely claim to be Islamists promising salvation can find an audience. Islam is a religion of peace.

Close Sign up for free AllAfrica Newsletters Get the latest in African news delivered straight to your inbox Top Headlines Nigeria Conflict Coronavirus By submitting above, you agree to our privacy policy. Success! Almost finished... We need to confirm your email address. To complete the process, please follow the instructions in the email we just sent you. Error! Error! There was a problem processing your submission. Please try again later.

To counteract these, we must focus on initiatives that sustainably spread opportunity far and wide across the Sahel. Transport links across the Sahel have become dilapidated, much of it still the remnants of the colonial era. For the region's burgeoning young population, reinvigorating these links or building anew is critical. It allows for efficient allocation of labour; the movement of inputs such as seed, fertiliser or equipment to the areas that need it; and freight to take produce or extractives to market or value-add factories.

Now, as the world emerges from the pandemic, we have the chance to build back better. Though we always knew it, COVID-19 underlined how interconnected and interdependent the world is. With that shattering reminder, we can create a world with that idea at its forefront - one that provides security and opportunity for both of us.

Muhammadu Buhari, President, Federal Republic of Nigeria
The Latin American Episcopal Council (CELAM) began its 38th General Assembly on 18 May, finalizing its reorganization and renewal process started in 2019.

By Lisa Zengarini

The Latin American Bishops' meeting, which runs until 21 May, was originally planned in Puerto Rico but, due to the Covid-19 pandemic, it is being held virtually instead.

The General Assembly is attended by 85 participants, including six cardinals and fifty bishops, under the theme: Weaving dreams, renewing commitments.

Nine renewal principles to be approved

The assembly, which will be deliberative, is expected to approve nine reorganization and renewal principles, following a two-year consultation process, in which all its 22 member Bishops Conferences have been involved.

The process is aimed at making the Church in Latin America and the Caribbean more missionary, synodal and outgoing, as indicated by Pope Francis. The nine principles include: synodality, collegiality, integral conversion, being a prophetic voice, having an integral vision, effectiveness, networking, promoting decentralization, welcoming and contributing to the Magisterium of the Church.

CELAM a driving force for an outgoing and synodal Church

Opening the session on Monday, Peruvian Archbishop Miguel Cabrejos of Trujillo, President of CELAM, emphasized the role of CELAM as a driving force for awakening a missionary conscience of the Church in the Continent, for promoting a permanent pastoral conversion and an outgoing and synodal Church, which walks with the People of God and the Episcopal Conferences.

Focusing on four great dreams of "Querida Amazonia"

Archbishop Cabrejos outlined the main features of the renewal process, saying that the hallmark will be the four prophetic dreams - "social, cultural, ecological and ecclesial".

The four dreams were proposed by Pope Francis in his the Apostolic Exhortation Querida Amazonia following the Synod on the Amazonia in 2019.

CELAM a "generator of processes and not of events"

The President of CELAM emphasized the need for a greater agility, flexibility, integration, intercommunication within the Council to make its services more effective for the Episcopal Conferences and for the People of God in Latin America and the Caribbeans.

"We want to lay the foundations of a synodal Church in the Continent, to move from episcopal collegiality to synodal collegiality," he explained.

Archbishop Cabrejos clarified that, as an episcopal council, CELAM remains a subsidiary body which is sensitive to the different realities and pastoral challenges arising in each context. CELAM, he added, wants to be a generator of processes and not of events" and offer more agile services to strengthen the action of the Bishops' Conferences."

Preparing for the November Ecclesial Assembly

Archbishop Cabrejos finally pointed out that the Council is presently focusing on three directions: its own renewal process, the Ecclesial Conference of the Amazon (CEAMA) which was established in 2020 following the Synod on the Amazonia, and the first Ecclesial Assembly of Latin America and the Caribbean, which will be held in November in Mexico City on the theme We are all outgoing missionary disciples.

During this important event participants will examine, reflect on, and strengthen the outcome of the Fifth Episcopal Conference of Latin America and the Caribbean, of 2007, also known as the Conference of Aparecida.

As explained by Pope Francis in a video-message on 24 January this year, this will be the first event of its kind in the history CELAM involving the entire people of God walking together in mission: laypeople, consecrated men and women, priests, bishops, who have all been involved in the preparation process.

The Latin American Episcopal Council

The Latin American Episcopal Council was established in 1955 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, as a body of communion and cooperation supporting Bishops Conferences in Latin America and the Carribeans.

Based in Bogota (Colombia), after the Second Vatican Council (196265) it has extended its scope. CELAM meets every four years for its Ordinary Assembly in which the presidents of the 22 member Bishops Conferences outline its pastoral guidelines and elect its directive bodies.

Periodically, it also holds general conferences on major issues, the first of which was held in 1968 in Medellin, Colombia. The last one was the Aparecida Conference in which then-Archbishop Bergoglio played a central role.
As the Church celebrates Laudato Si Week, Churches in Indonesia are warning that deforestation around Lake Toba could lead to an environmental disaster.

By Vatican News staff writer

Lake Toba is Indonesias largest freshwater lake, and is nestled on the island of Sumatra.

Not only is it the largest lake in Indonesia, Lake Toba is the largest volcanic lake in the world, measuring 100 kilometers in length and 30 in width.

Despite its pristine beauty, deforestation in the area surrounding it has led to an uptick in flooding, putting residents lives at risk from mudslides.

Illegal logging, deforestation

In response, a Catholic priest and a local Christian church are sounding the ecological alarm.

Fr. Hilarius Kemit told UCA News that Indonesias government bears some responsibility for allowing illegal logging around the volcanic lake.

Local people are often blamed because forests have given way to fields, but the government must shoulder some of the responsibility for having failed to introduce regulations to protect the environment and forests, said the priest, who is the director of the Capuchin Office for Justice, Peace, and Integrity of Creation in Sumatra.

A view of Indonesia's Lake Toba

Fr. Kemit said that a major disaster will happen if Indonesians dont urge local and national governments to act decisively to stop deforestation.

He also urged all Indonesians to draw inspiration from Pope Francis encyclical Laudato si, saying the Popes message on the care of our common home is for everyone, not only Catholics.

Listen to our report

Ecumenical call

Other Christians are also echoing Fr. Kemits warning.

The Indonesian Batak Protestant Church released a statement on 16 May, urging everyone to put a halt to the environmental destruction going on around Lake Toba.

The government should toughen laws on illegal logging and prevent further clearance, said Rev. Robinson Butarbutar, the chairman of the church.

Beauty of nature

Lake Toba has become a major tourist attraction in recent years.

It was formed by a super-volcanic eruption some 74,000 years ago, which geologists say is the largest-known eruption on Earth in the last 25 million years.

Scientists say deforestation leads to increases in erosion and flooding, since there are fewer tree root systems to hold the soil together and minimize soil movement and mudslides.
Send to Email Address

Your Name

Your Email Address

Post was not sent - check your email addresses!

Email check failed, please try again

Sorry, your blog cannot share posts by email.
A medical worker is conducting COVID-19 testing. (Photo: VNA)

Hanoi  The Vietnamese governments COVID-19 management systems kicked back into full swing as the number of domestically-transmitted infection has risen quickly these days, according to an article posted on Australias devpolicy.org website on May 19.

Vietnam, with a population of 96 million people, has seen 4,378 COVID-19 cases and 37 deaths, it said, describing this achievement remarkable indeed.

Regarding the proportional impact  the number of deaths per one million population, Vietnam currently has 0.4 as compared to 5 in Singapore, 9 in Thailand, 35 in Australia, and 59 in Malaysia, the article quoted Worldometres statistics.

On number of cases per one million people, Vietnam is at only 44, while the figures in Singapore, Thailand and Malaysia are 10,460, 1,623 and 14,500, respectively, it said, adding the difference is staggering.

In the past 18 months with three outbreak waves, the Vietnamese Government has honed a highly proactive approach to managing the spread of the virus in the community, with priority given to addressing degrees of contact, and not simply the manifestation of the illness symptoms.

A wide range of social distancing and movement restrictions were progressively put in place over the past week since the number of COVID-19 infections has risen in this fourth occasion.

They began with closure of schools, then karaoke bars, massage parlours and gyms, with restaurants next required to shift to take-away only and public parks and meeting places closed. People are fined for not wearing face masks in public, and asked to stay at home. Meanwhile, most shops and businesses stay open.

The article affirmed that the calm and the orderliness of the system engenders confidence of the nation.

Looking to neighbouring countries in the region and further afield, it seems the Vietnamese public has acknowledged that this approach works, and they get on board quickly.

When there was an outbreak of community spread around the traditional Lunar New Year, the Government was successful to get on top of it within a month, with minimal closures and movement restrictions. All social activities operated again in March.

The article also stated that like everywhere across Asia, Vietnam will suffer long-term impacts of the resulting economic slowdown. However, the Vietnamese economy is expected to recover the fastest in Southeast Asia, and the Governments ability to keep the virus at bay is the key factor in this success.
E-commerce apps are increasing in popularity, so naturally more people are at risk of being deceived, photo Le Toan

Last week Dr. Leigh Jones, head of training at a research institute based in Ho Chi Minh City, took to Twitter to urge others to be careful when shopping online after a delivery driver took off with around $130 in cash for a GoPro camera - with no GoPro in sight. Just had a box of sand delivered in place of a GoPro 5 in Vietnam. Driver took off with our money, she wrote in the tweet.

After the tweet was met with shock, Jones further explained how merchants seem to be exploiting loopholes in the process. Seems like a scam on the sellers part. The order on Lazada was mysteriously cancelled minutes after the order arrived, therefore the platform itself now takes no responsibility for it, she said. To say I am furious is an understatement.

Talking to VIR, Jones said that the most common method by such con artists seems to be using the e-commerce platforms to provide legitimacy. They falsely cancel orders from the website while arranging fake deliveries of their own through a third-party delivery service. I doubt the delivery drivers are in on this but I cant rule that out, she said.

Jones and other victims added that this would only work with cash on delivery, a common option taken by customers. When this happens it leaves the consumer chasing their tail to find where to place blame. Meanwhile the large platforms deny responsibility, at best removing scam sellers but leaving individuals to lick their wounds, Jones added.

Lazada Vietnam contacted Jones and revealed it had de-platformed the seller in question, and offered compensation of VND500,000 ($21.50) as an apology. The customer refused and demanded a full refund.

A Shopee customer on one expatriate forum last week also explained how they were conned in a similar manner to the GoPro case. The seller shipped the shoes with their own fake order number and not the original Shopee order number. We contacted the seller after paying cash and after explaining the shoe size was wrong, the seller went to the Shopee site and cancelled the original order meaning I could not initiate a return. Shopee just said its not their order and so not their problem, and asked why I didnt check the order number on delivery.

Underlining just how difficult the problem will be for legislators or e-commerce groups to stamp out, the very next morning the removed fraudulent GoPro merchant had seemingly simply opened a new shop on the same platform. The previous sellers message handle was shopcam1 and now there is a shopcamno1, selling the same products from the same province. Id be shocked if this was a coincidence, Jones said.

Ho Chi Minh City resident Kenny Gerchow said, Ive had several issues with these platforms lately. Theyre cutting corners as the competition is gaining more of the market, are selling mediocre gear, and the service is non-existent.

Anton Doman, who now lives in Bangkok, commented on the post about the missing GoPro, Platforms should step up and take responsibility for this. They are facilitating scammers and customers private information isnt safe.

Resolving matters promptly

It is not only the likes of Shopee in the firing line, as similar loopholes in delivery can be found on other sites. Vietnam-based Mark Silkstone said, Ive bought stuff on Tiki before that arrived as fake. Tiki wouldnt do anything about it, not even let me return the item as it was from an overseas seller.

However, many other customers note that they have never had any problems, or have had help if an issue arose. A Tiki user called John Larry replied to Silkstone on Facebook, I never had that problem  when something was not as described Tiki fully refunded me and when my Samsung Galaxy S10 broke after six months I got a full refund. It was from the United States and that didnt matter  they still paid.

Another Lazada user, Michela Joseph, noted that the company usually bends over backwards to help out in refund cases. I buy a lot of stuff from them including electronics and only had a couple of fails in the past three years, but on both occasions they resolved the matter promptly, she said. Especially when its a pricey item, they tend to ensure I get it safely and that Im fully satisfied before they release the money to the merchant.

Hanoi-based Sophia Yachmenyova explained that merchants have to get properly authorised before they can sell items on Lazada. When you create a seller account and upload your product they demand all the legal documents to prove your right to sell this particular item, so they have enough information about the seller, she explained. On Shopee there is a button to open a discussion even after you receive a product, which I used when I received a fake Chromecast, and the case was solved. But you have very limited time for opening such a discussion.

Customers have been advised online, as well as by consumer industry watchdogs, to carefully check any items before signing for them. Some advise paying cash on delivery each time, only handing over money when the package has been inspected, and taking photos or videos of the package and the contents. Although delivery drivers often try to refuse such checks, it is advised to insist on opening the external package to check the item/s, while avoiding opening up the product packaging itself.

However, sometimes even that is not enough. One shopper posted on Facebook an example of ordering a laptop which turned out to be second-hand instead of new, which was not immediately obvious. A second consumer received an incorrect electronic item which was placed instead the correct box for the item; a third explained how they received the shell of a camera with all the insides stripped out; and a fourth shopper purchased a coffee machine which came with a broken water jug  which was not apparent until the machine was actually used.

Taking responsibility

A spokesman for Lazada said its consumer protection measures include a demerit point system for errant sellers that can result in suspension, while a Shopee representative added that its platform works closely with its sellers, brand partners, and users to ensure that items sold on Shopee adhere to its policies and guidelines.

Knowing who is actually carrying out the order and delivery of items, as well as deciphering how trustworthy they are in terms of customer information, often remains under a cloud that leaders are attempting to clear away.

Under a second draft of a new decree amending 2013s Decree No.52/2013/ND-CP, companies operating e-commerce platforms must promptly remove illegal goods or services from the website within 24 hours of receiving a request from the competent authorities.

According to Linh Bui, partner at Allens Law Firm, the draft also removes the provision that the operator of an e-commerce platform is not considered as the third party providing information under the Law on Consumer Protection in respect of any information directly posted by sellers on the platform.

Although neither the draft decree nor explanation from the Ministry of Industry and Trade provides any further guidance or rationale behind such removal, it seems to suggest that the operator of an e-commerce platform may be now required to be responsible for the accuracy and sufficiency of any information posted on its e-commerce platform, regardless of whether such information is posted by the operator itself or by third-party sellers, Bui explained.

The second version of the draft has been submitted to the government for review, with hopes to be enacted in the near future.

Southeast Asias e-commerce market is expected to grow by 5.5 per cent by the end of 2021, according to a report released in December by research firm PPRO. Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, the Philippines, and Vietnam are the top five Southeast Asian markets at the head of the table when it comes to market growth this year.

This past year accelerated the worlds e-commerce growth by a decade, said Tristan Chiappini, vice president and head of partnerships for Asia-Pacific at PPRO. However, for merchants to truly capture the benefits, they must have a sharp understanding of local payment methods, which are crucial to converting sales.
The Ministry of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs (MoLISA) is again facing fears of not being able to meet its target of sending 90,000 workers to work abroad in 2021. According to the Vietnam Labour Export Association, Vietnam sent just over 29,500 workers to 17 countries and territories in the first quarter of 2021, around 2,500 less than in the same period last year.

A representative of the association said that due to the pandemic, labour export to Japan in particular has faced many difficulties since February. Of the nearly 18,200 workers who went to Japan to work in the first quarter, most had previously been granted a visa and had completed a strict health monitoring process.

In contrast, Taiwan is being seen as a high-potential labour export market thanks to good disease control and increasing demand for foreign workers. The number of Vietnamese workers in Taiwan in the past three months reached over 10,300 people, an increase of more than 200 compared to the first quarter of 2020.

Apart from Japan and Taiwan, the total number of labourers working in the remaining 15 markets was only 1,748 people. The highest was China with 265 people, followed by Romania with 187, Hungary with 183, and South Korea at 135.

A few thousand Vietnamese workers continue to head for work in Taiwan each month because most employers are small-scale enterprises and factories that are not much affected by the pandemic and can flexibly change their production methods.

In addition to the need to employ a large number of unskilled workers, Taiwanese businesses are also willing to arrange accommodation for workers, leading to the markets popularity.

Meanwhile, Japan and South Korea, despite their strong recruitment demand, have put higher requirements on qualifications, while the operation of most businesses is still frozen.

According to the Department of Overseas Labour under the MoLISA, sending workers abroad is one of the hardest-hit issues after aviation, tourism, and hospitality, since COVID-19 appeared at the beginning of last year.

In 2020, the number of Vietnamese labourers going abroad to work was only 78,600, equivalent to only 60 per cent of the plan assigned by the government and only half compared to 2019.

The MoLISA aims to bring 90,000 labourers to work abroad in 2021, considered a modest number compared with the average for many years of 120,000 labourers and a record high of 148,000 workers in 2019.

Explaining the cause of the decline, Ha Xuan Tung, director of the Centre for Overseas Labour, assessed that the narrowing or suspension of production and bankruptcy of enterprises and factories in receiving countries has had a negative impact, leading to the reduction of the demand for recruited workers from Vietnam.

In addition, some markets have issued temporary policies to re-recruit more than 26,000 Vietnamese workers whose labour contracts have expired but are unable to return home due to the pandemic, which is also the reason for the reduction of the demand for receiving new labourers.

To complete the set targets, the MoLISA is continuing to negotiate with partners on labour cooperation.

The ministry is aiming at labour markets that are beginning to control the pandemic, recover their production activities, and accept foreign workers in stable numbers and with high salaries.

Currently, it is working with South Korea on a plan to recruit workers for 2021 and coordinating with the labour management boards based in Taiwan to organise the sixth Vietnam-Taiwan Labour Conference, when the disease is under control.

Deputy Minister of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs Le Tan Dung said that the demand for foreign labourers in developed countries will be huge after the pandemic is controlled.

In the meantime, workers can continue to foster foreign languages and learn about the culture of the countries they will go to work. Labourers will also be consulted and introduced for domestic jobs if they have a need, Dung said.

Dung also said the MoLISA is building two scenarios regarding pandemic control in order to have options and solutions for Vietnamese workers who have been recruited but cannot leave, or had difficulty returning home after their contracts have expired.
Learning lessons from outbreaks last year, businesses in Vietnam that are key to economic productivity are working extra hard to ensure operations can be maintained as much as possible. VIR takes a look at measures being carried out in various industrial zones to prevent the spread.

Vietnams cities and provinces are taking all precautions when it comes to pandemic prevention

PROTECTION OF INDUSTRIES CRUCIAL AS LEADERS MOBILISE MEASURES

With new stricter and stronger measures to control COVID-19, Vietnam is ensuring safety for industrial zones as a way to prevent possible disruption in the local production and supply chains.

Chinas Biel Crystae Vietnam is gearing up COVID-19 prevention activities to ensure production activities at Vietnam-Singapore Industrial Park (VSIP) Bac Ninh in the northern province of Bac Ninh. Biel Crystal is one of the largest glass suppliers for Apple and Samsung.

Company general director Khaw Chee Wee said, The company established a steering board for COVID-19 prevention and control. Each division has one employee who is a member of the board. Moreover, the company also founded 43 COVID-19 safety teams and plans to deal with the pandemic.

VSIP is one of 10 operating parks in Bac Ninh, employing over 36,000 labourers and attracting 100 businesses. To ensure safety, VSIP Bac Ninh already established a COVID-19 safety team, while suspending all parks, sport areas, outside gym sites, and others.

Bac Ninh reported new COVID-19 infections last week at Samsung Electronics Vietnam, Johnson Health Vietnam, and Canon Vietnam.

At the National Steering Committee for COVID-19 Prevention and Controls May 12 online meeting, local authorities of Danang, Bac Ninh, and Bac Giang said that they already identified high-risk areas, while hurrying up tracing, taking samples, and testing contacts of the positive cases.

Deputy Prime Minister Vu Duc Dam, who is also head of the steering committee, requested no block of transport or ban on trade in localities to facilitate business, and ordered the Ministry of Industry and Trade (MoIT) to closely work with cities and provinces. If the pandemic breaks out in industrial zones (IZs), the production and supply chains could be broken, affecting the national economy.

To further tighten control over the transmission, he asked the MoIT and the Ministry of Health to immediately organise training on COVID-19 prevention and fight in IZs to increase safety, and then build specific regulations and then popularise them in IZs in other cities and provinces.

Currently, Vietnam ranks 176th worldwide in terms of the total number of infections, and 214th out of 220 countries in the number of infections per 100-million population.

Vietnam now has 369 IZs and border-gate economic zones and export processing zones (EPZs) with a total number of 3.8 million labourers, and 700 operating industrial clusters employing 600,000 workers. As they gather a large number of people and have a closed manufacturing environment, it is one of the top priorities to ensure their safety.

Both IZs and EPZs play an important role in the countrys foreign direct investment attraction, making up 30-40 per cent of the total in recent years, according to statistics from the Ministry of Planning and Investment. The inflows in the processing and manufacturing sector in IZs and EPZs accounts for 70-80 per cent.

Projects in IZs and EPZs are also greatly contributing to promoting and expanding Vietnams export market, thus enabling the country to integrate into the global supply and value chains. The contribution to the countrys total export turnover among companies in IZs and EPZs has continued to rise, from 6 per cent in 1995 to 19 per cent in 2005, and to over 55 per cent annually between 2016 and 2020.

In order to curb the spread of the pandemic, industrial areas are following government protocols in terms of large gatherings, wearing of masks, sanitising, and more besides

PROTOCOLS TIGHTENED ACROSS INDUSTRIAL ZONES IN THE CAPITAL TO ENSURE SAFETY AND OPERATIONS

Chu Ngoc Anh, Chairman of Hanoi Peoples Committee, has issued an urgent message on strengthening a number of measures to prevent COVID-19 spreading in industrial zones, export processing zones, industrial clusters, and medical treatment locations in Hanoi.

The capital has experienced new outbreaks, while in some neighbouring provinces COVID-19 cases have been recorded at a number of industrial zones (IZs) and manufacturing sites where workers and experts travel to and from Hanoi every day. This poses a high risk of infection in the community.

In order to promptly prevent the risk of infection and outbreak, Chairman Ngoc Anh requested Hanoi Industrial and Export Processing Zones Management Authority to immediately make a list of workers and experts in the nearby provinces with positive COVID-19 cases, to actively monitor when related cases appear. In addition, the management authority and businesses also actively develop pandemic prevention scenarios when new cases appear.

Dinh Quoc Toan, chairman of Hanoi Industrial and Export Processing Zones Management Authoritys Trade Union said that there are thousands of workers working in 17 IZs and export processing zones (EPZs) in Hanoi. Since the first cases appeared, the activities of companies in IZs have been collectively adjusted. Specifically, businesses have divided mealtimes in shifts to ensure a safe distance and avoid crowded people, in addition to implementing table partitions.

The trade unions of IZs and EPZs also built a scenario for a situation where of up to 1,000 infections occurring in an IZ, depending on the level to activate corresponding pandemic prevention solutions, from tracing and zoning to ensuring production support.

Toan added that at workers housing areas in Kim Chung commune of Hanois Dong Anh district, many households have called on everyone to make a full medical declaration and contribute towards hand sanitiser for every elevator. The trade unions also suggested businesses continue to limit activities in large gatherings and suspend non-essential events during the outbreak.

Workers returning from infectious areas must declare health and perform home isolation according to regulations. Other cases must self-monitor their health, and if they show symptoms of cough, fever, or difficulty breathing they must immediately go to the hospital for examination and treatment.

DANANG WARNS OF PANDEMIC PREVENTION PUNISHMENT

Authorities in the central city of Danang last week tested 8,000 people at An Don Industrial Zone following detection of a suspected COVID-19 case at the zones Truong Minh Trading Service JSC.

As soon as the suspected case was detected, local authorities took swift measures on an urgent lockdown of the industrial zone (IZ) and required all IZ workers to take a COVID-19 test. As of May 13, nearly 11,500 testing samples related to the case were shown as negative while more than 30 employees tested positive.

Based in Son Tra district, the 50-hectare An Don IZ is home to 44 operating businesses, mainly in the fields of trade, services, logistics, software production, and telecommunications. The recent batch of COVID-19 cases, therefore, threatens to cause major impacts on the operation of IZ-based businesses.

According to Pham Truong Son, director of Danang High-tech Park and Industrial Zones Management Authority, since the coronavirus broke out in Vietnam more than a year ago, city-based IZs have been taking drastic measures on pandemic prevention; and city-based businesses have worked on diverse plans to meet all contingencies, as well as required their labourers to closely adhere to the Ministry of Healths preventive measures.

Businesses have attained valuable experience in dealing with COVID-19 implications from the previous outbreaks. Some units, however, were poorly prepared with pandemic prevention plans, or were too passive. We have made spot checks and warned businesses of their limitations in this regard. Our top target is to resolutely keep the pandemic out of IZs that could affect the business continuity, said Son.

To minimise the COVID-19 threat at city-based IZs, Danang Peoples Committee has mandated top leaders of IZ-based businesses to obey the procedures on pandemic prevention and take severe measures on violators. Authority leaders are required to communicate with businesses to reach consensus on supporting COVID-19 testing costs for labourers.

BAC GIANGS IZS LEAVING NOTHING TO CHANCE

Almost all businesses in the northern province of Bac Giang are being proactive in implementing solutions to prevent the pandemic, and ensuring safety for workers.

Crystal Martin Vietnam Co., Ltd., located in Quang Chau Industrial Zone (IZ) in Viet Yen district, has built a smartphone app for employees to update information. The companys cleaning staff disinfect twice a day, and spray with chloramine-B solution once a week.

Besides that, there are always staff on duty to measure body temperature, instruct workers to disinfect hands, make medical declarations, and keep a safe distance.

The company has approximately 9,000 local workers and over 40 foreign experts. Due to the pandemic, almost all of these experts have not been back home since early last year.

A company representative said that the company has asked its staff to strictly comply with regulations on making medical declarations and clean the working areas. It has focused on communications work, disseminating pandemic prevention regulations throughout the factory via loudspeakers twice a day. It has also regularly captured employee information to support timely reporting to local health authorities.

The company aims to maintain operations as normal. Orders are still stable to supply customers including Victorias Secret, H&M, Uniqlo, Puma, Abercrombie & Fitch, and Old Navy.

At JA Solar Vietnam Co., Ltd, also based in Quang Chau IZ, the spraying of disinfectants is carried out regularly in the lobbies, offices, and warehouses. In addition to inspection, at the main gate, medical staff regularly measures the temperature of the staff and workers in order to promptly detect any suspected cases. At the warehouses, there are notices on compliance with regulations on COVID-19 prevention and control.

JA Solar Vietnam still maintains its operation, and the company even has plans to expand the module manufacturing facility, thus the company is also issuing employment information with attractive salary offers.

Nguyen Xuan Ngoc, deputy director at Bac Giang Industrial Zones Management Authority said, Our authority established messaging groups on Zalo at every zone to discuss and send daily assignments, as well as share latest documents from province leaders. Besides this, the authority continuously updates any other information for its members.

Local authorities also increased communication via brochures, guide videos, and messages about pandemic prevention measures to help local businesses and workers live and work safely with the pandemic.

Moreover, they regularly inspect and supervise all prevention and control measures in the zones, while issuing documents to ask businesses to carry out their own measures.

HAIPHONG, QUANG NINH, AND HAI DUONG RAISE THEIR GAME IN COVID-19 PREVENTION AND FIGHT

Industrial zones in Haiphong, Quang Ninh, and Hai Duong have been actively carrying out more measures to keep workers safe and maintain business and production.

COVID-19 has again broken out within the society and in numerous production facilities, with some cases appearing in industrial zones (IZs). Quang Ninh Economic Zones Management Authority has thus released several documents directing IZs and businesses there to strictly comply with the regulations on pandemic prevention of the Ministry of Health and the provincial government.

Additionally, the management authority also supports businesses to receive foreign experts entering Vietnam. Around 1,455 foreigners are requested by 263 businesses, as submitted to Quang Ninh Peoples Committee and the Ministry of Public Security. As of date, 1,067 of them in 211 businesses have been approved, of which 820 foreign experts have arrived through the Mong Cai international border gate and Noi Bai International Airport.

Pham Minh Phuong, director of Hai Duong Industrial Zones Management Authority said that IZ factories contain the highest risks of transmission as they are often crowded.

To develop the economy and prevent further the spread of the pandemic, the authority has deployed many measures enabling businesses to recover as soon as possible, including inspection teams established to monitor and manage possible infections, and businesses have been required to implement all requirements of local authorities in preventing COVID-19.

To keep IZs and economic zones (EZs) in Haiphong safe from the coronavirus, local authorities asked businesses to tighten monitoring of foreign experts arriving in Vietnam.

They have also encouraged workers to declare their medical status and that of their relatives, so that businesses can promptly take measures like zoning, isolating, and controlling the health crisis. During production, businesses have to maintain distancing of at least 1m.

There are around 160,000 local workers in Haiphongs EZs and IZs, including 4,500 foreigners, and 30,000 local workers from Quang Ninh and Hai Duong.

The number of workers from the neighbouring provinces is also high. If we isolate everyone coming from other provinces, production will be interrupted. So after the May holiday we asked local workers from pandemic areas to quarantine, with the remainder taking tests before returning. Leaders of businesses have to take the responsibility too, said Le Trung Kien, director of Haiphong Economic Zones Management Authority.

SOUTHERN KEY ECONOMIC ZONES ON ALERT FOR NEW OUTBREAKS

Industrial zones in the southern key economic hubs are tightening COVID-19 pandemic preventive measures in the midst of a resurgence of infection cases.

Pham Van Cuong, deputy director at Dong Nai Industrial Zones (IZs) Management Authority, told VIR that the southern province has yet to record any community transmission cases. However, the latest COVID-19 cases in Vietnam are related to an Indian variant which can multiply faster and cause more damage than the original coronavirus. In addition, there was a high number of people commuting in and out of the locality during the national holiday, many of whom came back from affected cities like Danang, Cuong said. This, coupled with a surge in new cases in neighbouring Cambodia and Laos, increases the risk of outbreak more than ever. Thus, local authorities and all companies in Dong Nai IZs have raised the alert to the highest level.

He added that Dong Nai has developed some scenarios in case there is any infected cases in the province.

As of present, 41 countries and territories have a total of 1,190 investment projects in 32 IZs in Dong Nai, with the total registered capital at $24.3 billion.

Meanwhile, nearby Binh Duong province has sent documents requesting IZ operators and tenants to follow the guidelines by the government and the Ministry of Health (MoH) to combat the pandemic. The province has also launched communications programmes to business leaders, workers, and expatriates to raise awareness and protect themselves against the coronavirus.

A representative of Binh Duong Industrial Zones Management Authority said that the first wave of the pandemic caused disruption to both local and foreign companies in the locality. They faced numerous problems such as cancelled orders and a shortage of materials as well as foreign experts. This year, they have been more prepared to cope with the challenges from the latest resurgence of COVID-19.

He noted that IZs have high risks of infection given the density of thousands of workers. The infection spikes in Cambodia and Laos are also concerns for businesses.

Meanwhile, Ho Chi Minh City is channeling all of its resources to fight the latest resurgence. The risk for infection is from a number of different sources including hospitals, quarantine areas, airport and seaports, and neighbouring nations.

Speaking at last weeks meeting on COVID-19 prevention and control, Nguyen Thanh Phong, Chairman of Ho Chi Minh City Peoples Committee, requested the citys Department of Health to prepare a plan in case the pandemic spread faster by developing another four quarantine zones to increase the total capacity to 10,000 beds in the city. The city is also preparing 40,000 test kits and buying 50,000 more to ensure testing capacity of 15,000 people per day.

Dao Xuan Duc, deputy director of Ho Chi Minh City Industrial and Export Processing Zones Authority (HEPZA), said that companies in local IZs are maintaining stable operations. Last week, HEPZA also collaborated with District 7 Medical Centre to deploy random testing for workers of Organ Needle Company in Tan Thuan Export Processing Zone. Furukawa Automotive Parts Vietnam Inc. will be the next company to test for the virus. HEPZA has collected nearly 17,000 samples.

Likewise, the four Mekong Delta provinces of An Giang, Dong Thap, Kien Giang, and Long An have been alerted as potential epicentres for an outbreak, as they are near the border with Cambodia. Last week, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh paid an inspection trip to the southwestern borders, monitoring anti-pandemic efforts and encouraging frontline forces of the border areas.

The PM requested development of field hospitals in An Giang and Dong Thap with the capacity of thousands of beds to prepare for the worst scenario of cross-border transmission. In particular, An Giang has a nearly 100km border with China, so the province is ramping up its field hospital construction.
President Muhammadu Buhari has asked the National Assembly to approve a new N2.3 trillion ($6.18 billion) external borrowing.

Buhari's letter was read by the Presiding Officers, Senate President Ahmad Lawan and House of Representatives Speaker, Femi Gbajabiamila during resumption of plenary on Tuesday. In the letter dated May 6, 2021, Buhari said the loan request was to part-finance the budget deficit of N5.602 trillion in the 2021 Appropriation Act.

The fresh loan request is coming barely a month after the Senate, in April 2021, approved $1.5bn and 995 million external borrowings for the federal government. They were part of the $5.5bn and 995mn external borrowings the president had requested in May 2020 to finance priority projects.

Buhari said the N2.3tr loan would be sourced from multilateral and bilateral lenders, as well as from the International Capital Market (ICM) through the issuance of Eurobonds.

"We estimate that Nigeria may be able to raise USD 3 billion or more, but not more than USD 6.183 billion (the amount provided in the 2021 Appropriation Act) in a combination of tenors between 5 - 30 years."

He said the new loan will be used to fund specific capital projects in the budget. "This includes projects from priority sectors of the economy, namely: Power, Transportation, Agriculture and Rural Development, Education, Health, Provision of Counterpart Funding for Multilateral and Bilateral projects, Defence and Water Resources."

Similarly in another letter, President Buhari also asked the National Assembly to approve donor fund projects under the 2018-2020 Federal Government External Borrowing (Rolling) Plan amounting to $36,837,281,256 plus Euro 910,000,000 and Grant Component of $10,000,000.

The Debt Management Office (DMO) yesterday said the N2.343tr was part of the 2021 appropriation act but was presented to the National Assembly for the fulfilment of Sections 21 and 27 of the Debt Management Office (Establishment, Etc.) Act, 2003.

In a statement, it said: "Accordingly, the new capital raising has already been approved and is now being presented to NASS in order to fulfil the provisions of Sections 21 and 27 of the Debt Management Office (Establishment, Etc.) Act, 2003."

Meanwhile, DMO had in a March 16, 2021 statement, said as of December 2020, Nigeria's public debt was N32.9tr, or $86.3bn. The figures include the Debt Stock of the Federal and State Governments, as well as, the Federal Capital Territory.

Of this amount, N12.7tr ($33.3bn) was borrowed from external sources, while about N20.2tr ($53bn) was domestic debt.
In Trang An, Ninh Binh (Photo: VNA)

Ninh Binh  Authorities of the northern province of Ninh Binh has decided to cancel the Tourism Week Golden Colour of Tam Coc  Trang An due to the complicated developments of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The tourism week is part of a series of activities during the Visit Vietnam Year 2021.

Located in the southern reaches of the Red River Delta, Ninh Binh is known for its wondrous natural scenery, with a labyrinth of waterways, mountains, and plains as well as cross-cultural influences from the north to the south and from the mountains to the plains and coastal areas. It is home to 1,821 relic areas, including 81 national relic sites and a world cultural and natural heritage site.
Analysts say the record highs of steel prices should fall somewhat moving into the second half of the year

Last Thursday the benchmark iron ore price plunged as much as 9.5 per cent in China as market participants paused after a huge rally that had sent prices to new highs in the days preceding it.

Iron ore had surged to a record $237.57 per tonne in New York the previous day as strong Chinese demand continued to outpace supply, but analysts remained unconvinced that the run would gather any more speed. Other steel-making ingredients also then dropped in price by the end of last week.

BMO Capital Markets analyst David Gagliano said prices are likely to remain well above historical averages for the remainder of 2021 and into next year.

Our base case, which sees prices moderate in the second half of 2021, is becoming increasingly conservative given that most domestic US capacity is now restarted or running all-out, import growth remains limited, finished steel inventories remain low, lead times remain extended, and global raw materials and finished steel prices continue to move higher, Gagliano wrote.

The record price levels have been backed up by a continued supply squeeze, with major iron ore producers reporting seasonally lower output in Q1 of 2021, and rising anxiety over the continued pandemic crisis in India, which could harm the countrys exports of the metal.

These factors, along with a recovery in ex-China demand, are expected to drive the global seaborne trade balance into a deeper deficit in 2021, with annual prices forecast to average $153 per tonne, said Ronnie Cecil, principal analyst for metals and mining research at S&P Global Market Intelligence. Cecil noted that a seasonal rise in Brazilian exports is also likely to lower prices in the second half of the year.

Moodys Investors Service also remarked that the eye-watering iron ore prices would likely recede, but still remain strong amid persistent supply constraints.

Production imbalance

Besides blaming high global prices of iron ore on current logistics issues and high demand, India has this year been investigating whether steel companies have plotted to increase prices of several products after their steel prices surged 40-45 per cent from June 2020 levels.

Due to similar concerns in Vietnam after prices ballooned by 40 per cent since last year, the Ministry of Construction this month requested municipal and provincial peoples committees and relevant agencies to regularly monitor and closely follow market developments to promptly update and adjust the price of construction materials to avoid being affected by the phenomenon of speculation.

The Vietnam Association of Construction Contractors (VACC) also asked the Government Office to investigate the price hike and find out if steelmakers were cooperating with each other to push up prices.

However, the Ministry of Industry and Trade (MoIT) said it was a baseless assumption, explaining that local steel prices depended on prices of raw materials needed for production, most of which are imported. The prices of raw materials have risen because of long shipping times as the supply chain is hindered by the ongoing pandemic.

Nghiem Xuan Da, chairman of the Vietnam Steel Association (VSA), explained that the sudden spike in steel prices recently is mainly due to the imbalance in production, supply-demand reciprocity, and dependence on imported input materials such as scrap steel and ores. Along with that, the pandemic has disrupted global supply chains, causing delays in delivery times  another reason for the sharp increase in steel prices.

Major corporate steel consumers have been shocked by the increase in rates, particularly those in auto manufacturing, real estate, and construction.

Every time we receive a notice of steel quotation adjustments we have a sharp intake of breath because we have price fluctuations of 5-10 per cent in the contracts and no-one predicted steel price increases of 40 per cent, said Hoang Minh Manh, a contractor at Hoang Chi Viet Nam Company, adding that his company accepted the losses to keep faith and reputation while attempting to find profit from other business lines.

Vice chairman of the Vietnam Association of Building Materials Le Van Toi said that construction investment currently accounts for about 65-70 per cent of public investments. Increase in steel prices will raise the total investment as well as contractor and construction contracts, disrupting medium-term capital plans.

According to one forecast, material prices may increase medium-term capital by 3-7 per cent. For one project this number may be insignificant, but huge when including all current projects, causing budget deficits and affecting fiscal policy.

The management of package contracts signed before the time of price increase of construction steel will face difficulties, especially contracts with fixed unit prices, package contracts with low contingency costs, and the disadvantaged parties are the contractors, Toi said.

Nguyen Quoc Hiep, chairman of the VACC, said contractors have faced difficulties in the upsurge as most investors signed construction contracts with fixed prices that cannot be adjusted up.

Some VACC members are on the edge of bankruptcy and have been afflicted ever since steel prices began to rise more sharply in late 2020.

Among the largest contractors, Hoa Binh Construction Group and Coteccons saw a drop in profits thanks in part to hiked steel prices.

Contecconss first-quarter profit was the lowest since the Q2 of 2013 and gross profit margin was only 4.7 per cent. Meanwhile, the net revenue of Hoa Binh Construction Group dropped 34 per cent on-year.

Meanwhile, steelmakers have conversely reaped benefits. By the end of the first quarter, Hoa Phat Group recorded relatively positive business results. Revenues in the period totalled $843 million and profit after tax reached $100 million, respectively increasing 28 and 27 per cent as compared to the same period of 2019.

In April, Hoa Phat Group sold 869,000 tonnes of steel, increasing 65 per cent from the same period last year. Alone, finished construction steel sale was up 59 per cent from April 2020 to reach 428,000 tonnes. Last month the steel export volume was 73,000 tonnes, 3.5 times higher than the corresponding period last year.

Meanwhile, Hoa Sen Group said that its consolidated business results for March are estimated at $180 million of net revenues, up nearly 18 per cent on-year, leading to $20 million of profit after tax. It exported high-value batches of galvanised steel sheets during the initial months of the year to the United States, Mexico, Europe, and Southeast Asia with the local groups export volume exceeding 120,000 tonnes per month.

Similarly, at the end of the first three months of the year, Me Lin Steel JSC recorded an after-tax profit increase of 41 times compared to the first quarter of 2020, reaching $674,000 thanks to high steel prices and reduction in financial expenses and sales.

Listed firm Ho Chi Minh Metal Corporation posted revenues of over $47.8 million, up over 40 per cent over the same period of 2020, while its profit after tax gained over 10 times compared to last year to $2.5 million, marking the highest quarterly profit since it was founded.

Seeking the answers

The government is drastically directing disbursement of public investments to ensure economic growth and social security. At a monthly meeting, Deputy Prime Minister Le Minh Khai asked the MoIT to push for increased domestic steel production towards stabilising prices.

On May 11 the MoIT issued Document No.2612/BCT-CN to the VSA and large steel manufacturers, proposing a range of solutions that include restricting the export of domestic steel products and other in-demand products.

According to data from the VSA, in terms of both output and steel exports in the first quarter of this year, there was a sharp increase compared to the same period last year. Specifically, steel production of all kinds reached 7.66 million tonnes, up 33.8 per cent, and steel exports of all kinds reached 1.63 million tonnes, up 59.5 per cent on year.

On May 1, China revived taxes on steel exports and cut tariffs for ferrous imports such as alloy, carbon, and cast iron in a bid to shore up domestic supply. Meanwhile, the Indian government has proposed to slash import duties on steel items further to provide relief to small- and medium-sized enterprises, which have been hit hard by the high cost of raw materials amidst the pandemic.

A representative of the VACC said that there should be a decree which can guide adjustments when material prices spike. For example, when the price of steel rise by over 20 per cent, the contractor could be allowed for adjustment under the guidance of state management agencies; and if the increase is lower than 20 per cent, the contractor must calculate in order to ensure production and business efficiency.
Foreign investors welcomed tax extensions but say they are not entirely out of the woods yet. Photo: Le Toan

The governments issuance of Decree No.52/2021/ND-CP extending time limits for payment of VAT, corporate income tax (CIT), personal income tax, and land rental in 2021 was highly welcomed by international businesses, saying that the new policy comes at a right time to offer support.

Nakajima Takeo, director of the Hanoi Office of the Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO), told VIR, The Japanese business community welcomed the initiatives by the Vietnamese government. Extended timelines for VAT and corporate tax payment will be helpful for the firms.

Similarly, Hong Sun, vice chairman of the Korea Chamber of Business in Vietnam (KorCham), added Decree 52 is still fairly new to South Korean businesses, but they are expecting much from it. Vietnams supporting policies are not as high as those in the United States, the United Kingdom, Japan, and South Korea where the governments give direct support for small firms. Vietnam, instead, offers an extension of time limits for tax payment so that businesses can be alive, stand firm and recover, and then they can make tax payments.

Not only Japanese and South Korean investors, other foreign-invested enterprises (FIEs) are waiting to benefit from the new supporting package which costs an estimated VND115 trillion ($5 billion). For Singaporean businesses which rank first among Vietnams foreign investors in the first four months of 2021, making up 39.6 per cent of the countrys total, it is seen as a good signal.

Jeffrey Wandly, vice president of the Singapore Business Association Vietnam said, We support the Vietnamese government in their broad-based approach to supporting businesses during this difficult time, especially since Decree 52 covers foreign businesses across many sectors.

The new decree has wide coverage, including small- and micro-sized enterprises, easing their concerns over personal income tax and land rental. The extension is about 3-6 months depending on kinds of tax. Decree beneficiaries shall be applicable to enterprises operating in agro-forestry-fishery, food processing, manufacturing, textiles, crude oil and natural gas exploitation, water supply and treatment, and logistics among others.

However, FIEs are expecting some others to survive challenging times. Last year, a JETRO survey revealed that 20 per cent of Japanese investors wanted financial support from the Vietnamese government. Also, more companies wanted a business as usual policy if possible. Some 90 per cent of respondents hoped for the early lifting of the international flight and immigration restrictions.

Takeo fron JETRO admitted that recently, companies complained that visa and work permits are more difficult to obtain. To promote foreign investment and grow the Vietnamese economy, the legitimate operation of allowing businesspeople to enter the country is indispensable, he insisted.

Sun of KorCham added that South Korean businesses have benefited from the Vietnamese governments supporting policies issued in the past. However, a lot of small and medium-sized ones still find it difficult to enjoy the support.

He elaborated that since April, entrance into Vietnam has been more strictly controlled, and the extension of quarantine time also causes difficulties for South Koreans. Moreover, South Korean businesses in Vietnam who work in exports are facing a challenge due to a shortfall of empty containers. We are expecting the government and the Ministry of Transport to have a solution to this so as to facilitate export activities.

Vietnam is an appealing destination for foreign investors, proved by strong business confidence among Europeans, South Koreans, Japanese, and others. According to JETRO, it receives hundreds of inquiries from Japanese businesses each year. In 2020, about two-thirds of contacts were from investors located in Vietnam, and the rest from Japan. In 2019, before the pandemic, two-thirds were from Japan.

Although lower, we still keep receiving many questions from Japan about how to start a new business in Vietnam as Japanese investors maintain a strong interest in doing business here, Takeo said. The purposes of Japanese investment are to set up a manufacturing base to export products to the global markets and to explore the growing Vietnamese market.

Regarding possible impacts of the pandemic on inflows of Japanese business and investment activities in Vietnam, Takeo said that international trade statistics show no apparent negative impact from the pandemic. Over the year, imports grew 27 per cent and exports 24 per cent.

Decree 52 is the third time the Vietnamese government has extended tax and land rent payment deadlines since the first COVID-19 cases were reported in Vietnam in January 2020. The government promulgated a decree in April 2020 to extend deadlines for tax and land rent fee payments, and a second decree after that on providing extension of time limits for excise tax payments for domestically-manufactured or assembled cars.
Minister of Foreign Affairs Bui Thanh Son holds phone talks with British Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs Dominic Raab (Photo: VNA)

Hanoi  Minister of Foreign Affairs Bui Thanh Son on May 19 held phone talks with British Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs Dominic Raab, during which he suggested that the UK consider the transfer of COVID-19 vaccine production technology to Vietnam.

Raab again congratulated Son on his appointment to the post of Foreign Minister, believing that with his experience, Son will help the Vietnamese diplomatic sector reap more successes.

Son affirmed that during the implementation of its foreign policy of the 13th National Party Congress, Vietnam always attaches importance to and wants to promote its strategic partnership with the UK in a more practical and effective manner.

He congratulated the UK on its important achievements in controlling the COVID-19 pandemic, especially in leading Europe and the world in deploying COVID-19 vaccinations. He proposed the UK create more favorable conditions for vaccine supply and consider facilitating the transfer of vaccine production technology to Vietnam.

The British minister congratulated Vietnam on successfully assuming the role as ASEAN Chair in 2020, and thanked Vietnam for supporting the UK in its efforts to become a Dialogue Partner of ASEAN as well as its accession to the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP).

He said that the UK wants to continue working closely with Vietnam at multilateral forums, especially when Vietnam holds the position as a non-permanent member of the United Nations Security Council for the 2020-2021 term.

Raab emphasised the importance of complying with international law, including the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), for peace and stability in the region and the world.

The two sides agreed to soon resume delegation exchanges and meetings of key cooperation mechanisms, including the Joint Economic and Trade Committee (JETCO) and defence dialogue.

They also discussed international and regional issues of common concern and agreed to work closely to ensure the success of the 26th UN Climate Change Conference of the Parties (COP26), hosted by the UK in November.

They highlighted the central role of ASEAN, and supported measures to promote dialogue and finding a long-term solution to the Myanmar situation.
In March, the rates of daily new Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) infections and deaths ramped up significantly in India and Brazil. Researchers have attempted to figure out why the surges occurred despite widespread vaccination efforts, and why Brazils cumulative deaths per million of over 2,000 is so much higher than Indias rate of about 200.

As of May 14, at least 16.65 percent of Brazils population has received at least one jab, and over 7.5 percent have been fully vaccinated. Around 52 million vaccines have been distributed in total. In contrast, around 10.13 percent of Indias population has received at least one shot as of May 14, and about 3 percent have been fully vaccinated. A total of around 180 million shots have been distributed.

Between Jan. 15 and May 14, the number of daily COVID-19 cases per million in Brazil rose by around 15 percent from 255.25 to 293.75. During the same period, daily COVID-19 deaths per million nearly doubled from 4.56 to 9.08.

For the same time period in India, the number of daily COVID-19 cases per million surged from 13.40 to 256.75, and daily COVID-19 deaths per million rose from 0.16 to 2.89. However, the daily case rate is starting to fall in India, down to 231.52 on May 17.

Healthcare professionals recommend ivermectin use in India

On April 28, the Indian governments Ministry of Health & Family Welfare released revised COVID-19 guidelines. The agency recommended that asymptomatic patients consider Tab Ivermectin (200 mcg/kg once a day, to be taken empty stomach) for 3 to 5 days. Some medical professionals believe that ivermectin has helped to drive the recent reduction in daily case rates, and will continue to do so if promoted more widely.

A joint statement published on May 3 from the British Ivermectin Recommendation Development (BiRD) group and the Frontline Covid Critical Care Alliance (FLCCC) Alliance recommended that ivermectin use be expanded to include prevention and early treatment of COVID-19 in India. The BiRD group consists of several researchers and doctors worldwide, and FLCCC is a US-based nonprofit organization with world-renowned clinician-researchers.

The statement reads, Indeed, at least one of Indias states, Uttar Pradesh, has already been using this drug to great effect. We are now even more encouraged that the All India Institute of Medical Sciences and Indian Council of Medical Research have urgently responded with a recommendation to use ivermectin in mild outpatient illness.

We also recommend that Ivermectin be used as covid-19 prophylaxis on a large scale through mass distribution of ivermectin in the dose of 0.2mg/kg (12mg for a 60 kg person) weekly to adults to decrease transmission amongst the general population in the current crisis. We believe this will save thousands of lives and reduces the suffering of millions, it continues.

Stories of Ivermectins ability to beat covid-19 can be found in many parts of the world, including the Dominican Republic, Peru, Zimbabwe and South Africa, as well as in other African countries where mass administration of ivermectin against parasitic infections is practiced. More than 3.7 billion people have been treated with Ivermectin for parasitic infections and it has been found to be extremely safe.

Vaccine distribution and adverse events

In terms of cumulative COVID-19 infections, India and Brazil are ranked in the top three. India has registered 25,495,144 total cases as of May 18, and Brazil has 15,661,106 cases. However, India has a population of 1,392 million compared to around 213 million in Brazil. Despite having only 15 percent of Indias population, Brazil has nearly two-thirds of Indias number of total cases.

Almost 80 percent of Brazils immunizations have been with the Chinese-made Sinovac vaccine, according to Reuters. In April, The Epoch Times reported that 14 people in Hong Kong had died after being vaccinated with Sinovac, and 13 people had developed facial paralysis. Also, despite being the worlds most vaccinated country using Chinas Sinopharm vaccine and the AstraZeneca vaccine, Seychelles also had a recent surge in infection rates.

In addition, Brazil recently suspended the AstraZeneca vaccine in pregnant women following the death of an expectant mother. Denmark, Cameroon, and Norway have stopped using AstraZeneca vaccines because of concerns about lethal cases of blood clots.

The Indonesian government recently suspended a batch of the AstraZeneca vaccine, and in Canada, the province of Ontario decided not to give AstraZeneca as a first dose after eight cases of blood clots came to light.

Divergence hypotheses

The difference in daily death rates between India and Brazil has puzzled many experts. In an interview with Bloomberg, Shekhar Mande, the head of Indias Council of Scientific and Industrial Research, suggested that hygiene may be one reason why Indias deaths per million is considerably lower.

Our hypothesis, and this is strictly a hypothesis, is that because our populations are continuously exposed to many kinds of pathogens, including viruses, our immune system does not hyper-react to any new variation that comes in, Mande said in the interview.

With regard to Brazil, a study published in Science from researchers in the UK, US, Brazil, Belgium, and Denmark found that the P.1 coronavirus variant was a driving factor behind the rapid spread of the virus in the region of Manaus in Brazil during the second wave of COVID-19 infections.

We found that the P.1 variant has notable differences compared to the previously circulating strains in Manaus. We estimate a 1.4 to 2.2 times increase in transmissibility, and an ability to evade between 25 and 61% of natural immunity generated from infection with earlier strains, Dr. Thomas Mellan, one of the authors of the study, said in a statement.

Lockdowns and mandatory vaccinations

In India, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has not acquiesced to demands from opposition parties for a full national lockdown. However, several state governments such as in Uttar Pradesh, Assam, Tamil Nadu, Bihar, Kerala, and Bengal have either imposed lockdowns or are considering new restrictions.

In Brazil, President Jair Bolsonaro has refused to impose lockdown measures. However, he recently announced that he would deploy the army into the streets if the absence of a lockdown resulted in chaos.

COVID-19 vaccinations have not been mandated by the Indian national government. In January, health workers at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) in Delhi opted out of the vaccine experiment.

I am not yet ready to take a vaccine for which the trials have not even been completed. A majority of us do not want to be guinea pigs, a health worker at AIIMS told the National Herald. Nevertheless, New Delhi made vaccinations compulsory for healthcare workers back in February.

Brazils Supreme Court has ruled that local governments can impose legal measures for making vaccination mandatory, even though they cannot force citizens to take the vaccine, according to Agencia Brasil. Restrictions could include not being allowed to file for a benefit, or being banned from entering a place or enrolling at a public school.

With reporting by Arvind Datta.
A New York Times report has Apple under scrutiny for concessions it has made for China, including moving client data to servers in the communist mainland and censoring apps on the Apple App Store.

Apples devices are almost exclusively assembled in the Peoples Republic of China (PRC) and rely heavily on the country for their supply chains. The Times states that in response to a 2017 Chinese law, Apple agreed to move its Chinese customers data to China and onto computers owned and run by a Chinese state-owned company.

The law refers to the PRC Cybersecurity Law implemented in June 2017, which requires network operators to store their users data in servers located in China  and allowing the Chinese government to monitor any companys network operations so long as it does business in the PRC.

Apple handed over select Chinese user data to Guizhou-Cloud Big Data (GCBD), a Chinese data company owned by the Guizhou provincial government, making it the legal owner of the data and allowing it to be shared with numerous Chinese authorities.

Following the construction of an Apple data center operated by GCBD, the Chinese authorities went as far as to force Apple to abandon the encryption technology it uses in other data centers after China wouldnt allow it, the New York Times report said.

Before the arrangement, Apple said it had never provided the contents of a customers iCloud account to the Chinese authorities.

U.S. law forbids companies from handing over data to China, but by requiring data to be housed on servers on the mainland, it created a loophole for Beijing to circumvent the U.S. law.

These decisions are not always easy, and we may not agree with the laws that shape them, an Apple spokesperson said. But our priority remains creating the best user experience without violating the rules we are obligated to follow.

China Apple App Store subordinated to the Communist Party

The Chinese Communist Party (CCP) has undertaken aggressive censorship of applications distributed in China via Apples App Store.

The report states that since 2017, roughly 55,000 active apps have disappeared from the Apples App Store in China, with most remaining available in other countries.

Thirty-five thousand of those apps were games that required regulatory approval by Chinese authorities and the remaining 20,000 apps were from a wide range of categories. Apple contests these numbers, stating that some developers removed their own apps from China.

Apple also blocked tools for organizing pro-democracy protests and skirting internet restrictions, as well as apps about the Dalai Lama, the report states.

In many cases, the censorship is not conducted by Chinese authorities directly, but by Apple employees. The report states that Apple trains its app reviewers and uses special software to inspect apps for any mention of topics Apple has deemed off limits in China, including [the] Tiananmen Square [Massacre], the Chinese spiritual movement Falun Gong, the Dalai Lama, and independence for Tibet and Taiwan.

Apples dedication to data security has long been a key selling point for the iconic tech giant, but like many other firms eager for their share of the China market  and reliant on China for manufacturing  it has little choice but to acquiesce with the CCPs demands.

Chinese business represented almost 15 percent of Apples total sales during its last fiscal year, representing more than $40 billion in revenue.
A new report published by the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) details an in-depth study of Communist Chinas efforts to flood social media platforms like YouTube and Twitter with fake accounts carrying pro-Beijing messaging.

The report titled The Covid-19 Story: Unmasking Chinas Global Strategy, was released on May 12 and documents how the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) successfully activated existing media infrastructures to seed positive narratives globally amid the pandemic.

The report was crafted via a survey, a total of 54 journalist unions from 50 different countries and territories participated in the survey between December 2020 and January 2021 to gauge the extent of Chinas global media outreach during Covid-19.

Many of the Big Tech social media giants have been removing hundreds and, in some cases thousands, of fake accounts linked to the CCP.

The report states that in August 2020, Google removed 2,500 fake YouTube accounts linked to China, while in September 2020, Facebook took down around 180 such accounts.

A case study conducted by the IFJ involving Serbia discovered that via Twitter more than 70 percent of the [pro-CCP] content was produced by a huge pro-Serbian government network of bot accounts. Over 8,500 of these fake accounts, belonging to the Serbian government, were removed.

The Digital Forensic Center (DFC) identified 30,000 tweets with their origins traced back to the Serbian bot accounts that had the key word Kina [Serb for China] in them. These tweets praised Chinese aid and lambasted the EU for its lack of assistance during the pandemic.

Serbian president, Aleksandar Vucic, describes China as a friend and characterizes the CCP regime as Serbias financial saviour.

Chinas COVID narrative

The accounts published content with the goal to positively influence the narrative surrounding Chinas role in, and reaction to, the COVID-19 pandemic. Their efforts appear to be working.

The report states that more than half of all countries said that coverage of China in their national media was more positive since the start of the pandemic.

Globally, 56 percent of all countries reported that coverage of China in their country had become more positive overall since the Covid-19 outbreak, while only 24 percent said coverage of China had become more negative, the report stated.

In countries that received Chinese-made COVID-19 vaccines, it was found that the predominant media narrative was that Chinas fast action against Covid-19 has helped other countries. 63 percent of countries surveyed indicated this belief while 23 percent indicated that Chinas cover up of the initial outbreak is the reason for [the] global nature of the outbreak.

Countries that did not receive Chinese vaccines had a virtually opposite view of the CCP-backed messaging. Twenty-five percent believed Chinas actions in the face of the pandemic were fast, while 60 percent viewed Chinas actions as a cover up.

Forty countries across the globe have been shipped the Chinese vaccines including Mexico and Serbia, as well as a host of African and Middle Eastern countries.

Chinas presence in the social media sphere is varied and far reaching both on the surface and covertly.

The massive global disinformation campaign has its roots in the CCPs propaganda organs. The report states that in June 2020, Twitter removed 23,750 Chinese accounts at the core of a highly organised network which fed into another 150,000 accounts that amplified this content.

AFP reported that a total of 270 Chinese diplomats in 126 countries are active on Twitter and Facebook. Together with Chinese state media, they control a total of 449 accounts on the two platforms.

This is in addition to millions of workers employed as public opinion analysts by the Chinese government and private companies that constantly monitor the internet for posts that run afoul of the Party line.

CCP General Secretary Xi Jinping issued a directive to the Chinese media in a 2016 address, Wherever the readers are, wherever the viewers are, that is where propaganda reports must extend their new tentacles.
Taiwan, which captured world attention last year for going more than 200 consecutive days without a local COVID-19 case, is shutting things down for the first time to contain its worst coronavirus outbreak since the global pandemic began.

The governments Central Epidemic Command Center announced more than 1,200 cases from Friday through Wednesday including a record single-day count of 333 cases. Command center officials say infected cargo pilots introduced COVID-19 in mid-April followed by spread among hostess bars in a densely populated quarter of Taipei. More than 150 of the 260 cases reported Tuesday were linked to that district. Taipeis mayor has targeted migrant workers, often helps staff the bars, for virus testing.

A lot of spread is through the underground, two vectors, one of which is underground industries, which was my nightmare, and the second one was of course potential illegals or people who came in without checking, said Sean Su, an independent political analyst in Taipei.

On Saturday, the command center ordered all public spaces, including cinemas, libraries and recreation centers, to close through May 28. Most schools had closed or moved classes online by Tuesday. Shops, eateries and offices can stay open if they follow epidemic prevention rules such as social distancing. Streets that are usually packed with pedestrians, scooters and vehicular noise have taken on the quiet aura of a holiday.

If daily caseloads remain above 100 per day, the government will eventually consider a hard lockdown where everyone must stay at home except to do essential business.

Though its still legal to go outside, many people used social media groups over the weekend to urge relatives, colleagues and fellow school parents to stay home.

Weve seen a lot of what could be called informal networks, said Wu Chia-yi, associate professor in the National Taiwan University College of Medicines nursing faculty. Theyre actually playing the role of reminders and encouragement, and the effectiveness isnt bad. This networking is a way for everyone to remind one another.

About the only place sure to draw crowds are supermarkets. Panic buying resurfaced over the weekend for the first time since early 2020, when Taiwan reported lower levels of local caseloads. Shelves had emptied of toilet paper, face masks, disinfectant alcohol and some packaged foods by Monday morning.

Taiwan, one of the last developed and populous places in the world to experience a big COVID-19 spike, dodged the disease last year through quarantines, contact tracing and strict border controls.

More than 5 million doses of vaccines from U.S. pharmaceutical company Moderna are due to teach Taiwan this month, the command center said in April.

Taiwanese still largely trust the government's judgment on how to contain the virus and determine the severity of shutdowns despite inevitable losses of business in the service sector, Su said.

Our health minister is working very hard, and he has told us all along to wear face masks, said Yang Jie, 69, who went out walking Monday in suburban Taipei with her 3-year-old grandson instead of sending him to a daycare center that would place multiple children in one room.

But people will grow angrier as the threat of COVID-19 and the inconveniences of closures, said Chen Yi-fan, an assistant diplomacy professor at Tamkang University in Taiwan.

We are forced to take care of children because the schools are all shut down right now, so a lot of working parents arent getting compensation from the government, and instead they have to beg their supervisors to let them stay at home, Chen said.
Two former CNRP officials banned from political activity have requested amnesty from the government, hoping to join with at least 22 former opposition members re-entering the political fray ahead of the June 2022 commune election.

Former Cambodia National Rescue Party Vice President Pol Ham and party official Phan Chansak, who is also Kem Sokhas lawyer in the treason trial, requested a return to politics, according to a request letter dated May 17.

The Supreme Court dissolved the CNRP in 2017 for allegedly attempting a color revolution and banned 118 of its senior officials for five years. However, the government created an ad-hoc mechanism for the banned politicians to request amnesty, and, so far, 22 officials have returned to politics.

Ministry of Interior Spokesperson Khieu Sopheak said on Tuesday that the ministry had received a formal request from Pol Ham and Phan Chansak, and the letter had been forwarded to Interior Minister Sar Kheng for further processing.

Phan Chansak said he had submitted the request on Monday and was looking forward to returning to politics.

I submitted [the request] to continue my political career in the democratic sphere. My political rights have been held up for more than three years. This has been a big waste of time, he said.

He plans to join the Cambodia Reform Party, which was founded recently by another rehabilitated CNRP official, Ou Chanrath.

Phan Chansak also hoped that other CNRP members would join the Cambodia Reform Party to compete in the commune election next year.

VOA Khmer could not reach Pol Ham for comment on Tuesday.

There are currently four CNRP-affiliated parties that could compete in the 2022 election: the Khmer Will Party, Khmer Conservatism Party, Cambodia Nation Love Party, and Cambodia Reform Party.

Ou Chanrath of the Cambodia Reform Party welcomed Phan Chansaks desire to join the party and said his political aim was to ensure there was a balance of power in the country.

If we're still dispersed, we can't do anything. I believe that is the way the ruling party will remain in power for more years to come, he said.

During the formation of the Cambodia Reform Party, there was speculation that Pol Ham would join the party, but Ou Chanrath on Tuesday did not want to comment on the former CNRP official's plans after receiving amnesty.

Meas Nee, a social and political analyst, said individuals who were banned had the right to seek political rehabilitation. But, he was skeptical of the prospects of new, and small, CNRP-affiliated parties.

It is important to note that the establishment of small parties is to disperse the politicians or to be ready for any democratic movement in the future. This is an important direction which we don't see for now, he said.
Doubts are mounting about the efficacy of Russias Sputnik vaccine. Drug regulators in the Czech Republic and Brazil have withheld approval and counterparts in Slovakia have also expressed doubts.

European Union regulators are still assessing Sputnik for its effectiveness and safety but a former executive director of the European Medicines Agency, EMA, told the Politico.eu news site that objections raised about Sputnik by Brazils regulatory authority, Anvisa, would likely be taken seriously by their counterparts in Brussels.

It's a very mature authority, said Rasi, who added that its flagging of quality and safety issues are worrisome. Anvisa announced on April 28 that it was withholding approval because of flaws in product development which deviate from the quality standards recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO).

The authority also noted an absence or insufficiency of quality control, safety and efficacy data. It raised concerns also with the vaccines efficacy for people with low immunity and respiratory problems, among other health problems. The Slovak medicines authority has also expressed worries about quality control and insufficient data. Irena Storova, head of SUKL, told Slovakias Radiozurnal recently that the regulator received only a fraction of the documentation that is submitted by default for the registration or assessment of a drug or medicine.

Sputnik was the first coronavirus vaccine to be registered, albeit only by the Russians and not by an authoritative international regulator. Funded by the state and developed by the Gamaleya Research Institute in Moscow, the rapid Russian approval last year in August of the vaccine, which was named for the satellite from half a century ago, was met with skepticism in the broader international scientific community.

Experts expressed their disapproval of Russian authorities for approving distribution before the completion of trials, suggesting the rapidity of authorization was done so as to be able to tout Russian scientific prowess.

Doubts about the vaccine's efficacy dissipated somewhat last year within the Western scientific community due to a study by Russian scientists published by the authoritative British medical journal The Lancet, which suggested the vaccine has a 91.6% efficacy rate against COVID-19, the illness caused by the coronavirus.

Geopolitical motives



Nonetheless, some Central European and Baltic governments have been trading barbs with the Kremlin for what they see as a Sputnik diplomatic offensive designed to foment political splits in the Western alliance.

Officials in Kyiv and Warsaw identify geopolitical motives behind Russias touting of the vaccine, especially in light of what they say has been a Russian disinformation campaign casting doubt on Western-developed vaccines. Russian officials say politics is behind Western skepticism of Sputnik.

Lithuania's prime minister has labeled the vaccine another hybrid weapon for the Kremlin to wield to try to "divide and rule" Europe. Ingrida Simonyte says altruism isnt what motivates the aggressive marketing by Russia of Sputnik. Sputnik comes packed with many layers of propaganda and even not-hidden ambition to divide the EU countries and their partners in the South and in the East, she said earlier this year.

Facing shortfalls for Western vaccines amid the EUs contentious rollout, other European states, though, started to buy Sputnik with Hungary first up followed by Serbia. Austria struck a deal and officials in Berlin and in several German regions expressed enthusiasm for the Russian vaccine. But with a boost in supplies of Western vaccines, appetite for Sputnik has dissipated and last week Germanys Bild newspaper reported that the deal to sell the Sputnik V vaccine to Germany is dead.

Meanwhile, outside Europe, the Russian vaccine has been bought by more than 50 countries including Argentina, Mexico, and Turkey. India, where the pandemic has spiraled out of control, has signed a deal for nearly 400 million doses.

Growing doubts

But scientific doubts about Sputnik remerged last week when The Lancet published a paper by a team of scientists drawn from Europe, the U.S. and Russia questioning the 2020 study of the vaccine the medical journal published and flagging significant discrepancies in the data from the phase two and three trials conducted by the Gamaleya Research Institute, the vaccines developer.

Restricted access to data hampers trust in research, the scientists said in last weeks study. Access to data underpinning study findings is imperative to check and confirm the findings claimed. It is even more serious if there are apparent errors and numerical inconsistencies in the statistics and results presented, they said. The team included Enrico Bucci of Temple University in the U.S., Gowri Gopalakrishna from Amsterdam University and Raffaele Calogero from the University of Turin.

In reply, scientists from the Gamaleya Research Institute say data discrepancies occurred because of typing errors and they point to the approval of Sputnik by 51 countries showing they have been fully transparent and comply with all regulatory requirements.

Russian President Vladimir Putin on Thursday during a video conference praised Russia's vaccine, saying it as reliable as a Kalashnikov assault rifle.

Sputnik isnt the only non-Western vaccine prompting reservations. Despite approval by WHO of Chinas Sinopharm, some scientific researchers have expressed worries about the lack of data on that vaccines efficacy, too, and likewise with Sinovac, another Chinese vaccine.

According to researchers outside China, Sinovacs efficacy rate is around 50%, and Sinopharms 79%, much lower than that of the rates for U.S.-developed vaccines like Moderna and Pfizer, both of which are above 90%.
France has expressed its readiness to help Nigeria solve the myriad of security challenges facing the country.

This assurance was given yesterday by the French President, Mr. Emmanuel Macron, at a bilateral meeting, during which he hosted Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari on the sidelines of the Financing Africa Summit in Paris.

Presidential spokesman, Garba Shehu, in a statement late last night quoted President Macron as saying the French government will absolutely be there on the side of Nigeria and willing to support with everything to assist the country to overcome the security threats.

French President Macron further pledged his steadfast support for Nigeria and its people as they confront the security challenges facing the country.

President Buhari and his French counterpart, Macron also expressed the commitment of Nigeria and France to working together to fight insecurity bedeviling the Lake Chad basin area and entire stretch of the Sahel region.

The President, at the meeting, outlined the challenges all round facing the country as well as its neighbours and spoke about the steps he has taken to reignite response to the situation, which he said included the appointment of new Service Chiefs.

He expressed the willingness of Nigeria to work with France and all international partners to reign in the security challenges and thanked President Macron for agreeing to intensify the existing partnership with Nigeria.
HARARE, May 19 (Reuters) - Zimbabwe has detected the first cases of the new coronavirus variant that emerged in India, Vice President Constantino Chiwenga said on Wednesday, adding that all travelers from the Asian nation would be required to undergo mandatory quarantine.

Chiwenga, who also doubles as Zimbabwe's health minister, said in a statement the cases had been detected among a group of people in the central town of Kwekwe after a student returned from India on April 29.

"People traveling from or transiting from India will be subject to mandatory quarantine at a designated quarantine center and at their own cost," Chiwenga said.

Travelers from India would be subjected to a COVID-19 test on arrival even if they have been tested in their country of origin.

Zimbabwe has recorded 38,595 COVID-19 cases and 1,583 deaths since last year. A total of 600,579 people have received COVID-19 vaccines from China and India. (Reporting by MacDonald Dzirutwe Editing by Bill Berkrot)
Sterling Heights, MI (48312)

Today

Morning sunshine followed by isolated thunderstorms this afternoon. High 89F. Winds ESE at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 30%..

Tonight

Some clouds. Low 64F. Winds ENE at 5 to 10 mph.
[ST. PAUL, MN]  Governor Tim Walz today announced a plan to fund enhanced summer learning programs in Minnesota to help students recover from the learning challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic. The Governor will allocate $75 million of the states flexible American Rescue Plan funds to provide academic enrichment and mental health support this summer and beyond for Minnesotas students, families, educators, communities, and schools. Governor Walz made the announcement today at Otter Lake Elementary School in White Bear Lake.

Our students have sacrificed so much this past year, and the learning disruptions caused by COVID-19 have impacted every single student across Minnesota. Today, we are announcing a summer learning plan to put our students front and center, said Governor Walz. These summer programs will help make up for missed learning opportunities and will help our students conquer the school year in the fall. Our students deserve this investment.

G-O-P Senate Education Committee Chairman Roger Chamberlain of Lino Lakes says there was always plenty of federal money to meet the state's summer school needs, and the governor saying the state needed to fund it was an "unnecessary threat."

Governor Walz will allocate $75 million of the flexible State Fiscal Stabilization Funds in President Bidens American Rescue Plan toward programming that will provide solutions for academic enrichment and mental health support starting this summer. The funding below will enhance both summer learning opportunities and academic year programs at school districts and charter schools across the state:

Academic and Mental Health Support ($34.614 million)

Public schools and districts will receive a general allocation in order to create partnerships with organizations and provide services in the following areas:

 Expand mental health and well-being support to youth and adolescents attending school district and charter school summer learning programs.

 Partner with community businesses and organizations to develop a summer mentor and/or tutoring model that covers enrichment programming and other costs such as transportation and meals to increase student participation.

 Bring school-based summer programs into the community, providing opportunities for enrichment, social and emotional skill building, mental health support, and tutoring services.

 Provide students with summer field trips for hands-on learning opportunities. Hands-on learning opportunities include activities such as trips to nature centers, state parks, zoos, museums, or theaters.

Preschool for 4- and 5-Year-Olds ($20 million)

This allocation provides preschool or prekindergarten to 4- and 5-year-olds. These funds can be used in a Parent Aware star-rated, public or private, preschool, or prekindergarten in-person learning program. These high-quality early learning programs help children develop their social-emotional skills before they begin kindergarten.

School-Linked Mental Health Grants ($6.011 million)

This investment in School-linked Mental Health Grants, administered by the Department of Human Services, will address an increased need for community mental health services as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Expanded Access to Tutoring ($3.25 million)

The Governor will expand access to tutoring services including academic enrichment, mental health support, and other wrap-around services for K-12 children by providing grants to experienced entities, including community organizations.

Increased Adult Basic Education Program Funding ($10 million)

This investment will strengthen Adult Basic Education (ABE) programming statewide to ensure access to, enhance the quality of, and to increase the ABE programming available. This proposal will fund expanded ABE programming for the summer of 2021 and if funding remains available, it would be used throughout fiscal year 2022 in order to build and help sustain enhanced programming year-round.

Learning Acceleration and College Readiness Initiatives ($1.125 million)

The Governor will allocate funding to the Office of Higher Education (OHE) for two programs for the summer months. Funding for OHEs Summer Academic Enrichment Program will increase by $625,000 and the Intervention for College Attendance Program will increase by $500,000. These programs will work to address educational challenges due to the pandemic, which is disproportionally impacting the most underserved students.
Funeral Announcements A daily list of current funeral annoucements as heard on KXRA 1490 AM/100.3 FM

News Updates The daily news, sports, and events delivered daily from Voice of Alexandria.



Sports Update This current sports headlines delivered daily from Voice of Alexandria.

Upcoming Events This email is the events of the area delivered daily from Voice of Alexandria.

Breaking News The big news. Sent only as it happens.
User reports estimate the perceived ground shaking intensity according to the MMI (Modified Mercalli Intensity) scale

Contribute:

Leave a comment if you find a particular report interesting or want to add to it.

Flag as inappropriate.

Mark as helpful or interesting.

Send your own user report!

Nepal,pokhara (39.6 km WSW of epicenter) [ Map ] / Weak shaking (MMI III) / rattling, vibrating / 10-15 s : I was sleeping on my bed then suddenly my bed starts to shake and i was awake.My doors,beds etc all were shaking very hardly. | 3 users found this interesting.

Pokhara, Nepal / Moderate shaking (MMI V) / rattling, vibrating / 2-5 s : I was 5.41 Nepal time, was on my bed, first I heard a strange sound, then started feel the quake for about 5 to 10 second, Guess 6 Richter scale. | 3 users found this interesting.

Davisfall, Pokhara (43.9 km WSW of epicenter) [ Map ] / Light shaking (MMI IV) / 2-5 s : Woke up of night mare | 3 users found this interesting.

Patna (316.7 km SSE of epicenter) [ Map ] / Weak shaking (MMI III) : Shake was felt | 3 users found this interesting.

Pokhara (39.3 km WSW of epicenter) [ Map ] / Weak shaking (MMI III) / 2-5 s : Dangling of objects and bed shaking | 3 users found this interesting.

39.6 km WSW of epicenter [ Map ] / Moderate shaking (MMI V) / 2-5 s : Shaking , it came twice in a row | 3 users found this interesting.

Patna (317.4 km SSE of epicenter) [ Map ] / Very weak shaking (MMI II) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 20-30 s : Came at 5:29 | 3 users found this interesting.

44.3 km S of epicenter [ Map ] / Moderate shaking (MMI V) / 2-5 s : Totally heavy shaking thinking of round 6 richter earthquake all of u stay safe stay healthy and have a high alert | 3 users found this interesting.

Lamjung / Moderate shaking (MMI V) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 5-10 s : Quite terrifying tremor felt. | 3 users found this interesting.

kathmandu / Light shaking (MMI IV) / single vertical bump / 2-5 s : i felt that a jerk when i was sitting of sofa n to confirm i seaw that the water in bottle was also shaking. it must have been around 5 rechter...or even higher as the jerk was quite vlear | 3 users found this interesting.

Lamachour, Pokhara / Light shaking (MMI IV) / 1-2 s : I was sleeping on the floor.could hear the thong moving and the house shaking. Ad to woke up my daughter. The it stoppef | 3 users found this interesting.

Pokhara (40.4 km WSW of epicenter) [ Map ] / Light shaking (MMI IV) / rattling, vibrating / 10-15 s : Shake enough to wake up | 3 users found this interesting.

Raxaul / Weak shaking (MMI III) / single lateral shake / 1-2 s : A small lateral shaking | 3 users found this interesting.

Beni, Nepal / Light shaking (MMI IV) / 5-10 s : I was sleeping good, suddenly woke up by the shaking with sound | 3 users found this interesting.

Dharan / not felt : I didn't feel it | 3 users found this interesting.

Pokhara nayabazar / Light shaking (MMI IV) / 2-5 s : Light shaking | 3 users found this interesting.

pokhara, lekhnath / Weak shaking (MMI III) : kinda dizzy, nauseous, worried | 3 users found this interesting.

Kathmandu, Chundevi / Very weak shaking (MMI II) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 10-15 s : It woke me up with the bed moving. | 3 users found this interesting.

Gopalganj / Moderate shaking (MMI V) / simple rolling (tilting sideways along one direction) / 2-5 s : I have felt this 2 times shake | 3 users found this interesting.

Gorakhpur (206.7 km SSW of epicenter) [ Map ] / Weak shaking (MMI III) / 1-2 s : Felt at 5.30 around, saw my hanging clothes moving fast | 2 users found this interesting.

75.4 km S of epicenter [ Map ] / Very weak shaking (MMI II) : Safe | 2 users found this interesting.

119.7 km SE of epicenter [ Map ] / Weak shaking (MMI III) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 2-5 s : Prolly epicenter near pokhara idk | 2 users found this interesting.

44.9 km SSW of epicenter [ Map ] / Light shaking (MMI IV) / rattling, vibrating / 2-5 s : Shocked | 2 users found this interesting.

hetauda (124.2 km SSE of epicenter) [ Map ] / Weak shaking (MMI III) / single lateral shake / 1-2 s : i was watchich tv just felt it | 2 users found this interesting.

Lalitpur, Nepal (123.3 km SE of epicenter) [ Map ] / Weak shaking (MMI III) / vertical swinging (up and down) / 10-15 s : A very mild shake. The water bottle on my table shook all for 5 seconds. | 2 users found this interesting.

45.1 km S of epicenter [ Map ] / Light shaking (MMI IV) / 1-2 s Nepali news posted 5.8 mag... | 2 users found this interesting. (reported through (reported through our app / Light shaking (MMI IV) / 1-2 s

Besishahar lamjung / Strong shaking (MMI VI) / complex rolling (tilting in multiple directions) : Very very devastating can't control myself | 2 users found this interesting.

Pokhara / Light shaking (MMI IV) : I was reading in bed. Thought the dog (medium sized) had jumped on the bed, but looked and he was still asleep. | 2 users found this interesting.

Pokhara (42.5 km WSW of epicenter) [ Map ] / Light shaking (MMI IV) / rattling, vibrating / 5-10 s : Yes, I'm staying at Bar Peeple in Pokhara. I felt a light shaking. | 2 users found this interesting.

Pokhara / not felt : I did not feel it , | 2 users found this interesting.

Kathmandu / Light shaking (MMI IV) : Not woke up. Was on bed. After the shock, woke up | 2 users found this interesting.

Purbakhola (84.3 km SW of epicenter) [ Map ] / Very weak shaking (MMI II) / 15-20 s : Earthquake makes me to wake up | 2 users found this interesting.

Lamjung / Moderate shaking (MMI V) / rattling, vibrating / 5-10 s : Tremendous fast shaking for short period of time. | 2 users found this interesting.

damauli tanahun / Light shaking (MMI IV) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 5-10 s : shaking of beds | 2 users found this interesting.

Lamater, lalitpur Nepal / Weak shaking (MMI III) / 1-2 s : I felt it | 2 users found this interesting.

Pokhara / Light shaking (MMI IV) / rattling, vibrating / 15-20 s : Felt it. | 2 users found this interesting.

Lalitpur / Weak shaking (MMI III) / single vertical bump / 2-5 s : The first thought was not again as we got the big ones in April and May 2015 but then it was gone soon

Kathmandu (122.7 km SE of epicenter) [ Map ] / Very weak shaking (MMI II) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 2-5 s : I was sleeping and woken up by the movement of my bed | One user found this interesting.

Chitwan / Very weak shaking (MMI II) : Felt | One user found this interesting.

Pokharas / Weak shaking (MMI III) : It was shaking at my home / Pokhara | One user found this interesting.

Gwarko, Lalitpur (124.2 km SE of epicenter) [ Map ] / Weak shaking (MMI III) / both vertical and horizontal swinging / several minutes : Quake | One user found this interesting.

Birgunj (160 km SSE of epicenter) [ Map ] / Weak shaking (MMI III) / rattling, vibrating / 1-2 s : It was bit shaking, while i was sitting on chair | One user found this interesting.

119.7 km SE of epicenter [ Map ] / Light shaking (MMI IV) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 15-20 s

129.5 km SE of epicenter [ Map ] / Weak shaking (MMI III) / both vertical and horizontal swinging / 1-2 s

78.1 km S of epicenter [ Map ] / Very weak shaking (MMI II) / 10-15 s (reported through our app / Very weak shaking (MMI II) / 10-15 s

K (119.6 km SE of epicenter) [ Map ] / Weak shaking (MMI III) / 2-5 s

Lekhnath arghauchowk (37.3 km SW of epicenter) [ Map ] / Light shaking (MMI IV)

29.6 km WSW of epicenter [ Map ] / Light shaking (MMI IV) / rattling, vibrating / 2-5 s

44.1 km WSW of epicenter [ Map ] / Light shaking (MMI IV) / 5-10 s

Gorkha (159.1 km E of epicenter) [ Map ] / Moderate shaking (MMI V) / vibration and rolling / 2-5 s

119.7 km SE of epicenter [ Map ] / Light shaking (MMI IV) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 15-20 s

Nepal (78.1 km S of epicenter) [ Map ] / Weak shaking (MMI III)

Bafal chok (116.7 km SE of epicenter) [ Map ] / Weak shaking (MMI III) / single lateral shake

Pokhara (39.7 km WSW of epicenter) [ Map ] / Very weak shaking (MMI II)

78.1 km S of epicenter [ Map ] / Very weak shaking (MMI II) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 1-2 s

Kathmandu (119.7 km SE of epicenter) [ Map ] / Very weak shaking (MMI II) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / very short

Tanahun (31.9 km S of epicenter) [ Map ] / Moderate shaking (MMI V) / rattling, vibrating / 5-10 s

290.8 km SSE of epicenter [ Map ] / Very weak shaking (MMI II) / very short

Lucknow (374.4 km WSW of epicenter) [ Map ] / Very weak shaking (MMI II) / 5-10 s

230.4 km SSE of epicenter [ Map ] / Weak shaking (MMI III) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 2-5 s

Nepal,chitwan, bharatpur (79.8 km S of epicenter) [ Map ] / Moderate shaking (MMI V) / 2-5 s

Pokhara / Moderate shaking (MMI V) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 5-10 s

Tuhurepashal at home / Moderate shaking (MMI V) / rattling, vibrating / 5-10 s : I fell so scared by it .Does to comes at night also?

Dumre / Moderate shaking (MMI V) / rattling, vibrating / very short

115.2 km SE of epicenter [ Map ] / Moderate shaking (MMI V) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 2-5 s

NEW DELHI / Very weak shaking (MMI II) / rattling, vibrating / 1-2 s

Sleeping / Weak shaking (MMI III) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 1-2 s : M

Kathmandu (115.7 km SE of epicenter) [ Map ] / Very weak shaking (MMI II) / single vertical bump (reported through our app / Very weak shaking (MMI II) / single vertical bump

Kathmandu (120.2 km SE of epicenter) [ Map ] / not felt

Lalitpur / Light shaking (MMI IV) / horizontal (sideways) swinging

909.6 km E of epicenter [ Map ] / not felt (reported through our app / not felt

PLOUMILLIAU / Weak shaking (MMI III) / rattling, vibrating / 2-5 s : Les portes ont vibrees et grondement sourd au loin comme un orage

Pokhara / Light shaking (MMI IV) / 5-10 s

Pekhart, batulechaur / Light shaking (MMI IV) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 2-5 s : Scheiben geklirrt, gewackelt

39.9 km WSW of epicenter [ Map ] / Light shaking (MMI IV) / vertical swinging (up and down) / 5-10 s

Khapaudi / Light shaking (MMI IV) / rattling, vibrating / 2-5 s

35.2 km WSW of epicenter [ Map ] / Very weak shaking (MMI II) / 10-15 s : I have felt it though it didn't harm anything here in my area that was little bit shake of it

Chhetrapati, Kathmandu. / Very weak shaking (MMI II) / 2-5 s

Butwal / Light shaking (MMI IV) / 1-2 s : The place I am from is very far from the epicentre. But it was short and intense jerk. I was asleep at that time but it woke me up. As soon as I felt the quake I was ready to go to open area but it did not last for a long time. We Nepalese are used to with these earthquakes nowadays because after the massive earthquake on 2016 we feel a lot of aftershocks. The last time I felt it was just a month ago and then its today.

Kathmandu / Light shaking (MMI IV) / 5-10 s

116.9 km SE of epicenter [ Map ] / Very weak shaking (MMI II) / rattling, vibrating / 2-5 s

285.7 km SE of epicenter [ Map ] / not felt

Lamjung / Moderate shaking (MMI V) / 2-5 s

Kathmandu / Weak shaking (MMI III)

Birgunj / Very weak shaking (MMI II) / rattling, vibrating / 5-10 s

118.5 km SE of epicenter [ Map ] / Light shaking (MMI IV) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 2-5 s : I felt lite shake just for 3 sec

Kathmandu, area Lazimpat / Light shaking (MMI IV) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 2-5 s

Darbhanga bihar / Moderate shaking (MMI V) / 2-5 s

29.9 km SSE of epicenter [ Map ] / Moderate shaking (MMI V) / rattling, vibrating / 2-5 s (reported through our app / Moderate shaking (MMI V) / rattling, vibrating / 2-5 s

Darbhanga bihar / Very weak shaking (MMI II) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 5-10 s

Sitamarhi / Very weak shaking (MMI II) / rattling, vibrating / 1-2 s

Kolkata / Very weak shaking (MMI II) / rattling, vibrating

Kathmandu / Very weak shaking (MMI II) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 10-15 s

Pokhara (39.1 km WSW of epicenter) [ Map ] / Weak shaking (MMI III) / rattling, vibrating / 2-5 s

Lamjung / Weak shaking (MMI III) / single lateral shake

Duipiple lamjung / Light shaking (MMI IV) / single lateral shake / 15-20 s

Kathmandu / Light shaking (MMI IV) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 1-2 s

Pokhara (48.3 km WSW of epicenter) [ Map ] / Weak shaking (MMI III) / very short

101.4 km SE of epicenter [ Map ] / Very weak shaking (MMI II) / rattling, vibrating / 1-2 s

Pokhara / Moderate shaking (MMI V) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 5-10 s

Guwahati (777.7 km ESE of epicenter) [ Map ] / not felt (reported through our app / not felt

Besishahar / Strong shaking (MMI VI) / rattling, vibrating / 10-15 s

Kathmandu / Light shaking (MMI IV) / rattling, vibrating / 5-10 s

Pokhara / Light shaking (MMI IV) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 2-5 s

Bharatpur / Weak shaking (MMI III) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 2-5 s

Lamjung (22.2 km SSE of epicenter) [ Map ] / Moderate shaking (MMI V) / 5-10 s

City / Weak shaking (MMI III) / both vertical and horizontal swinging / 2-5 s

Byas-7, Tanahun / Light shaking (MMI IV) / 2-5 s

Pokhara 26. bijaypur Nepal / Moderate shaking (MMI V) / complex motion difficult to describe / 2-5 s

Marina sindhuli / Light shaking (MMI IV) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 10-15 s

Sleeping / Light shaking (MMI IV) / very short

Pokhara 26. bijaypur Nepal / Moderate shaking (MMI V) / complex motion difficult to describe / 2-5 s

Bhaktapur / Light shaking (MMI IV) / both vertical and horizontal swinging

Pokhara, Nepal (40.8 km WSW of epicenter) [ Map ] / Light shaking (MMI IV) / horizontal (sideways) swinging

Rampur (72.5 km SSW of epicenter) [ Map ] / not felt / single lateral shake / very short

Gorkha / Moderate shaking (MMI V) / rattling, vibrating / 5-10 s

39 km SW of epicenter [ Map ] / Light shaking (MMI IV) / 2-5 s

Pokhara / Moderate shaking (MMI V)

Lalitpur

hetauda,hatiya-17 / Light shaking (MMI IV)

Pokhara / not felt / 1-2 s

Bhoteodar / Light shaking (MMI IV) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 2-5 s

Gorkha / Light shaking (MMI IV) / 5-10 s

Llitpur / Light shaking (MMI IV) / rattling, vibrating / very short

Kathmandu / Very weak shaking (MMI II) / rattling, vibrating / 1-2 s

Kathmandu / Very weak shaking (MMI II) / 1-2 s

kathmandu (167 km SSE of epicenter) [ Map ] / Strong shaking (MMI VI) / single lateral shake / 20-30 s

Sankharapur / Weak shaking (MMI III) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 15-20 s

Kathmandu / Light shaking (MMI IV) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 2-5 s

Karputar lamjung Nepal / Strong shaking (MMI VI) / 5-10 s

goldhunga / Weak shaking (MMI III)

pokhara,bp marga 14,kundhar / Weak shaking (MMI III) / 5-10 s

Lekhnath / Light shaking (MMI IV) / rattling, vibrating / 10-15 s

Pokhara, chauthe / Weak shaking (MMI III) / single lateral shake / 2-5 s

Pokhara / Moderate shaking (MMI V) / rattling, vibrating / 2-5 s

Gorkha (48 km SSE of epicenter) [ Map ] / Light shaking (MMI IV)

79.7 km S of epicenter [ Map ] / Moderate shaking (MMI V) / single lateral shake / 2-5 s

Sleeping (395.3 km NNW of epicenter) [ Map ] / Moderate shaking (MMI V)

141.2 km SE of epicenter [ Map ] / Weak shaking (MMI III) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 5-10 s

Kathmandu (110.6 km SE of epicenter) [ Map ] / Light shaking (MMI IV) / 2-5 s

Lamachour / Moderate shaking (MMI V) / 10-15 s

Pokhara / Weak shaking (MMI III) / rattling, vibrating / 2-5 s

Chitwan / Light shaking (MMI IV)

Kathmandu / Weak shaking (MMI III) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 2-5 s

22.5 km SSE of epicenter [ Map ] / Light shaking (MMI IV)

76.1 km S of epicenter [ Map ] / Light shaking (MMI IV) / 2-5 s

139.8 km SE of epicenter [ Map ] / Light shaking (MMI IV) / 2-5 s

Kathmandu / Light shaking (MMI IV) / 5-10 s

pokhara / Light shaking (MMI IV) / both vertical and horizontal swinging / 2-5 s

Syauli bazar / Very weak shaking (MMI II) / rattling, vibrating / 5-10 s

Kathmandu / Moderate shaking (MMI V)

Baud anda, Kaski / Light shaking (MMI IV) / rattling, vibrating / 2-5 s

Hetauda (127.1 km SSE of epicenter) [ Map ] / Very weak shaking (MMI II) / 2-5 s

Kathmandu / Weak shaking (MMI III) / 1-2 s

Nepal, bharatpur (75.8 km S of epicenter) [ Map ] / Light shaking (MMI IV) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 5-10 s

Baglung (71.7 km WSW of epicenter) [ Map ] / Light shaking (MMI IV) / 5-10 s

Kathmandu / Weak shaking (MMI III) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 5-10 s

Kathmandu / Very weak shaking (MMI II) / 1-2 s

237.8 km SW of epicenter [ Map ] / Very weak shaking (MMI II) / single lateral shake / 1-2 s

Pokhara / Moderate shaking (MMI V)

Arghakhanchi District, Lumbini Province

Pokhara, Nepal / Light shaking (MMI IV)

besishahar / Moderate shaking (MMI V) / 20-30 s

Kathmandu (120.7 km SE of epicenter) [ Map ] / Weak shaking (MMI III)

Kathmandu / Weak shaking (MMI III) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 10-15 s

41.6 km WSW of epicenter [ Map ] / Moderate shaking (MMI V) / 5-10 s

Chitwan, Nepal / Moderate shaking (MMI V) / 2-5 s

Kathmandu / Light shaking (MMI IV) / 5-10 s

Sotipasal, Lamjung / Weak shaking (MMI III) / 5-10 s

pokhara / Very weak shaking (MMI II) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / very short

120.4 km SE of epicenter [ Map ] / Weak shaking (MMI III)

Bharatpur (79.3 km S of epicenter) [ Map ] / Weak shaking (MMI III) / rattling, vibrating / 5-10 s

119.6 km SE of epicenter [ Map ] / Moderate shaking (MMI V) / rattling, vibrating / 2-5 s

Pokhara / Moderate shaking (MMI V)

Pokhara / Light shaking (MMI IV)

Sanothimi / Weak shaking (MMI III) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 5-10 s
Contribute:

Leave a comment if you find a particular report interesting or want to add to it.

Flag as inappropriate.

Mark as helpful or interesting.

Send your own user report!

Milan road (79.5 km S of epicenter) [ Map ] / Light shaking (MMI IV) / single lateral shake / very short : Stay safe everyone n stay at home everyone!! No one knows the situations of our country this time..so better to stay inside at home n stay happy stay strong n safe!! | 4 users found this interesting.

Gorkha / Weak shaking (MMI III) / vibration and rolling / 5-10 s : 5 second long | 3 users found this interesting.

Kathmandu (119.3 km SE of epicenter) [ Map ] / Very weak shaking (MMI II) / 2-5 s : Very slight shaking for a few seconds | 2 users found this interesting.

Kathmandu / Weak shaking (MMI III) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 30-60 s : Horizontal swinging for about a min. | 2 users found this interesting.

Bagar (43.7 km WSW of epicenter) [ Map ] / Moderate shaking (MMI V) : I was sleeping, it woke me up and made run. | One user found this interesting.

28.2 km SW of epicenter [ Map ] / Light shaking (MMI IV) / rattling, vibrating / 2-5 s : There was a similar smaller earhtquake about 0545 same day it was longer and came weak at first with a distinct peak in the middle about 20 seconds max | One user found this interesting.

banepa / Very weak shaking (MMI II) : chair shaking slightly | One user found this interesting.

Balkumari / Weak shaking (MMI III) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 2-5 s : Slight horizontal shaking of the bed, chandelier swung a bit | One user found this interesting.

119.8 km SE of epicenter [ Map ] / Light shaking (MMI IV) / single lateral shake : I was sleeping and I felt. | One user found this interesting.

Kathmandu / Weak shaking (MMI III) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 2-5 s : Weak but definitely knew was an quake | One user found this interesting.

Godavari Lalitpur Nepal (132 km SE of epicenter) [ Map ] / Very weak shaking (MMI II) / single vertical bump / 2-5 s : Our house's all spoon and serving spoon which where hung was sounding and some also fell | One user found this interesting.

Kathmandu / Weak shaking (MMI III) / vertical swinging (up and down) / 2-5 s : Door Vibrating | One user found this interesting.

Kathmandu / Light shaking (MMI IV) / single vertical bump / 2-5 s : Shaky | One user found this interesting.

Pokhara (46.2 km WSW of epicenter) [ Map ] / Weak shaking (MMI III) / single lateral shake / 1-2 s : Twice today only within 3 hours different of time

Kathmandu (123.1 km SE of epicenter) [ Map ] / Very weak shaking (MMI II) / very short

Hetauda (127.2 km SSE of epicenter) [ Map ] / Weak shaking (MMI III) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 5-10 s

Kathmandu (130.3 km SE of epicenter) [ Map ] / Light shaking (MMI IV) / 5-10 s

Kathmandu lazimpat (123.2 km SE of epicenter) [ Map ] / Light shaking (MMI IV) / rattling, vibrating / 15-20 s

42.4 km SE of epicenter [ Map ] / Weak shaking (MMI III)

Lamachour, Pokhara (43 km WSW of epicenter) [ Map ] / Weak shaking (MMI III) / vertical swinging (up and down) / 2-5 s (reported through our app / Weak shaking (MMI III) / vertical swinging (up and down) / 2-5 s

81.6 km S of epicenter [ Map ] / Severe shaking (MMI VIII) / complex rolling (tilting in multiple directions) / 2-5 s

rautaha (175.4 km SE of epicenter) [ Map ] / Very weak shaking (MMI II)

119.5 km SE of epicenter [ Map ] / Very weak shaking (MMI II) / single lateral shake / 1-2 s

45.7 km WSW of epicenter [ Map ] / Weak shaking (MMI III) / very short

Ramnagar mirchaiya (254.4 km SE of epicenter) [ Map ] / Weak shaking (MMI III) / rattling, vibrating / 5-10 s

209.6 km SSW of epicenter [ Map ] / Very weak shaking (MMI II)

Kathmandu (119.6 km SE of epicenter) [ Map ] / Very weak shaking (MMI II)

Gorakhpur (210.4 km SSW of epicenter) [ Map ] / Very weak shaking (MMI II)

Pokhara (45.6 km WSW of epicenter) [ Map ] / Weak shaking (MMI III)

Dharan (0 km WSW of epicenter) [ Map ] / not felt

Pokhara ,kaski / Light shaking (MMI IV)

Sundar bazar Lamjung / Moderate shaking (MMI V) / both vertical and horizontal swinging / 10-15 s : My bed as well as room is jerking for 15 to 20 sec at Siudibar,Sundarbazar municipality.Also our office got crack lying neaby army cp at Dalal, Udipur

pokhara / Weak shaking (MMI III) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 5-10 s

Pokhara 26. bijaypur Nepal / Strong shaking (MMI VI) / complex motion difficult to describe / 2-5 s

nagar untari, jharkhand (467.7 km S of epicenter) [ Map ] / Weak shaking (MMI III) / 1-2 s

Pokhara (43.6 km WSW of epicenter) [ Map ] / Light shaking (MMI IV) / single lateral shake / 1-2 s : 05:43 - A single jolt was felt followed by a brief swing. 08:27 - Second wave (possibly aftershock). Started with a noise as if a big truck was coming towards you followed by another short but jumpy jolt.

pokhara / Weak shaking (MMI III) / rattling, vibrating / 2-5 s

Nagarjun Municipality, Kathmandu / Moderate shaking (MMI V) / both vertical and horizontal swinging / 2-5 s

Guwahati (774.7 km ESE of epicenter) [ Map ] / not felt (reported through our app / not felt

Pokhara / Light shaking (MMI IV)

Home / Moderate shaking (MMI V)

Lalitpur / Weak shaking (MMI III) / 2-5 s

46.4 km WSW of epicenter [ Map ] / Weak shaking (MMI III) : Oow / Weak shaking (MMI III)

Pokhara-6 / Very weak shaking (MMI II) / 5-10 s

Pokhara ,kaski / Light shaking (MMI IV) / 2-5 s

Newroad Pokhara / Light shaking (MMI IV) / 5-10 s

Pokhara / Light shaking (MMI IV) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 30-60 s

Tanahun / Light shaking (MMI IV) / 2-5 s

416.6 km SW of epicenter [ Map ] / Light shaking (MMI IV) (reported through our app / Light shaking (MMI IV)

Khudi / Moderate shaking (MMI V) / 5-10 s

Pokhara / Light shaking (MMI IV) / rattling, vibrating / 2-5 s

Pokhara / Moderate shaking (MMI V) / single lateral shake / 2-5 s

Pokhara / Very weak shaking (MMI II) / both vertical and horizontal swinging / very short

Bharatpur / Very weak shaking (MMI II) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 2-5 s

Pokhara / Weak shaking (MMI III) / 2-5 s

kathmandu swayambhu / Very weak shaking (MMI II)

Mahankal kathmandu / Moderate shaking (MMI V) / horizontal (sideways) swinging

Pokhara (4.2 km NW of epicenter) [ Map ] / Light shaking (MMI IV)

80.8 km S of epicenter [ Map ] / Weak shaking (MMI III) / single lateral shake / 5-10 s

pokhara, lekhnath / Weak shaking (MMI III)

Kathmandu / not felt / rattling, vibrating / very short

Silliguri (438.6 km ESE of epicenter) [ Map ] / not felt

Bhaktapur / Light shaking (MMI IV) / 30-60 s

tanahun / Weak shaking (MMI III) / very short

Lamjung Sundarbazar / not felt / very short

Bharatpur / Weak shaking (MMI III) / single lateral shake / 2-5 s

Kathmandu / Very weak shaking (MMI II) / single vertical bump / 2-5 s

Bhaktapur / Weak shaking (MMI III) / 2-5 s

Pokhara / Weak shaking (MMI III) / vertical swinging (up and down) / 2-5 s
Photo: Stephane Cardinale/Corbis via Getty Images

The late British novelist and former spy John le Carre is giving us a present for his birthday next year. Viking has announced it will publish Silverview, his 26th novel, on October 12, the same week that he would have turned 90. The book was the last complete, full-length novel that le Carre left unpublished when he died last December. The author worked on the spy story alongside his two most recent titles, A Legacy of Spies and Agent Running in the Field (you will, of course, recognize movies adapted from his other books, like Tinker Tailor Solider Spy and The Spy Who Came in From the Cold). Set in modern Britain, Silverview will follow Julian Lawndsely, a man who leaves behind a bustling city life to run a bookshop by the sea. A Polish emigre who knows more than he should about Julians family takes an unusual interest in the new store, while a London spy chiefs investigation into a potential treacherous leak brings him to the same coastal town. This is the authentic le Carre, telling one more story, le Carres son, Nick Cornwell, a novelist who uses the pen name Nick Harkaway, said in a release. The book is fraught, forensic, lyrical, and fierce, at long last searching the soul of the modern Secret Intelligence Service itself. Its a superb and fitting final novel. According to the release, le Carre wanted his children to look after his literary legacy. They are currently working with an archivist to catalogue his archive of unpublished writing.
Photo: Melinda Sue Gordon/Netflix

As the outdoors warm and humankind pokes our heads out from our quarantine shelters, Netflix has brought out the big guns to compete with the return of a social world. Its a stronger-than-usual month for the streaming service, with highlights including a resourceful close-quarters thriller and a topical character piece diving headfirst into the debate over antifas role in todays resistance. The rest of the bunch raise the average, too: Theres a turn-of-the-century gay period piece from Mexico, a scuzzy airport-novel adaptation packed to the brim with A-listers, a timely morality play bolstered by stellar supporting performances, and a subdued snapshot of generational friction in India. Keep reading for the complete lowdown on a stuffed lineup.

Essential Streaming

Oxygen

Frances finest genre savant Alexandre Aja, riding high after the alligator-strewn chaos of his standout Crawl, channels his talents for innovative problem-solving into a space-set thriller. A woman (Melanie Laurent, outdoing James Franco in 127 Hours on her command of stationary pathos) without memory of herself wakes up in a small cryo-pod and cant get out. Beyond the straightforward puzzle of how shell extricate herself before the oxygen is fully depleted, there lies a more delicate and lower-key existential thought experiment, in which the twists make a difference in addition to goosing the plot. The disembodied voice of Mathieu Amalric makes a welcome appearance as the ships onboard computer, but its Laurent running the show, delivering a varied and consistently gripping performance using little more than her facial muscles. With bare-bones economy, she creates a fully formed character in a film that challenges her humanity.

And Tomorrow the Entire World

Julia von Heinzs confident, button-mashing political drama feels like it was written five minutes ago, even though she conceived the film as a period piece and refitted it to the present. Thats a testament to the constancy and futility of the partisan struggles illustrated here, in the German antifascist commune that attracts Luisa (Mala Emde) once she defects from her old-money family. Like the activists of the similarly minded BPM, her comrades fall into internecine debates over how best to combat the encroaching neo-Nazi menace in their Mannheim community. They argue the stakes of radicalism and the utility of violence with good faith and fair reason, and better still, von Heinz rejects any easy out through false equivalencies or mealy-mouthed moralizing. In order to have the conversation this film aims to start, one must first admit that theres merit to either conclusion, no matter how riling to a complacent liberal mindset.

Also Showing

The Woman in the Window

Few films in the Netflix library have such a wide gulf between the potential of their pedigree and the disappointment of their execution. Director Joe Wright (whose spotty filmography was heretofore consistent only in never being boring) wrangles a high-wattage cast including Amy Adams, Gary Oldman, Julianne Moore, Jennifer Jason Leigh, and Brian Tyree Henry for an airport-paperback thriller with an unbelievable backstory  not a foolproof recipe for success by any means, but a solid guarantee of a hammy good time at minimum. What a waste that in practice, the film would turn out to be the plainest version of itself, all but bereft of the knowing humor and grabby perversion that makes this disreputable genre great. Every leaden twist gives ample warning of its arrival, neutralizing the last possible source of tension; in this mystery, Occams razor might as well be the murder weapon.

Monster

In this dramatization of a scenario regrettably common in todays newspapers  a Black kid gets mixed up with some rough characters, gets arrested, and must fight for his life in court  director Anthony Mandler endeavors to see beyond the narrative. Steve (Kelvin Harrison Jr., cementing himself as a fine young actor) is shown to us as a sensitive, thoughtful 17-year-old, a far cry from the brutal, thuggish stereotype the prosecutor (Paul Ben-Victor) paints him as during the trial. For a film dedicated to resisting facile characterization, it engages in a goodly amount of that exact behavior, flattening Steve in its effort to prove him as a positive exemplar. A bevy of strong supporting turns from A$AP Rocky as Steves partner on the scene of the crime, Tim Blake Nelson as a traditional take on the inspirational teacher trope, and Jeffrey Wright as the steadfast father spruce up the film on the whole, but its still a mistrial on account of oversimplification.

Dance of the Forty-One

Did you know that in 1901, the Mexico City police carried out an unauthorized raid on a private household party, busting up the hidden haven for queer sexuality and arresting 19 cross-dressers in the process? Setting straight the record on this chapter of gay history is the first order of business in David Pabloss drama, which then goes further by imagining the private hours of one man caught up in it. The real-life Ignacio de la Torre (Alfonso Herrera) managed to evade naming and shaming due to his politically connected family, but the film imagines the guilt hed have wrestled with in turning his back on his people for the sake of his image. Viewers of Sense8 know that Herrera can do smoldering passion no problem, but he also acquits himself expertly in his less-flattering moments of cowardice, doubt, and weakness.

Milestone

Obsolescence, while tough to convey on film due to its abstract nature, still makes for compelling drama due to the quiet, gentle way it nonetheless wounds those affected by it. Theres no pulverizing sadness to the tale of Ghalib (Suvinder Vicky), a long-haul truck driver whose aging body has begun to rebel against the extreme physical toll exacted by this work  only a sense of natural, indifferent inevitability. He watches his relevance slip right past him as hes mandated to train the younger man (Lakshmir Saran) who will eventually replace him and leave him alone with the memories of his late wife. What could have slid into pure, gratuitous misery  a word that even Ghalib cannot help but use to describe his plight  finds direction in its social aspect, capturing the demographic shift in a modern India where the median age keeps getting lower while the job market gets slimmer.

I Am All Girls

Between Lost Girls, last falls Nigerian import Oloture, and now this latest import from South Africa, the Netflix algorithm sure has taken a shine to stomach-turning procedurals about women breaking up sex-trafficking rings. In the same way that the investigative intent of true-crime miniseries often gives way to a more ghoulish opportunity for rubbernecking, so too have these films begun to place greater focus on the suffering over what it all means to those surviving it. A white cop (Erica Wessells) teams up with a Black survivor (Hlubi Mboya) of this variety of enslavement, tracking the corruption and influence-peddling all the way to the top, but the actual women caught in this lamentable snare receive little more than lip service as their interests are fought for. Many of them wind up as props in a story that may seem nobly intended, while nonetheless servicing baser impulses to gawk.
A Dawson man is in custody on an attempted murder charge after being arrested by the DeKalb County Sheriffs Office.

Jeffery Lynn Epps, 34, was wanted on an outstanding warrant from the Albertville Police Department, according to the sheriffs office.

Albertville Police Chief Jamie Smith said Epps is a suspect in a shooting that took place about 5:30 a.m. April 26.

Smith said the victim was severely injured and flown to UAB for medical attention. He said it is believed that the shooting stemmed from a previous argument and the investigation is ongoing.

The sheriffs office said Albertville police contacted it on Tuesday with information that Epps was at a residence in the county.

Epps left the home before the Special Response Team arrived.

A traffic stop was attempted on County Road 44, and the sheriffs office said Epps led them on a short chase before he was caught and turned over to the Albertville Police Department.

Epps is in the Albertville City Jail with a $100,000 bond and will be transferred to the Marshall County Jail, Smith said.

Both the Albertville Police Department and DeKalb County Sheriff's Office credited the other with working well together to bring Epps into custody.
The Delta State government yesterday restated its plea to the federal government to return to the state the 4.2 million first tranche recovered from the associates of a former governor of the state, Chief James Ibori.

The state was reacting to a confirmation yesterday by the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, Mr. Abubakar Malami (SAN), that the federal government was in receipt of the 4,214,017.66 from the United Kingdom (UK).

The recovered loot came after about two months the federal government and its UK counterpart announced that modalities have been perfected for the return of the funds to Nigeria.

The money, according to a statement by Dr. Umar Gwandu, media aide to Malami, "has been credited into the designated federal government account with naira equivalent value of the amount as of May 10, 2021."

Malami stated that the development was a demonstration of the recognition of Nigeria's transparency in the deployment of recovered loot to fund public projects.

The Delta State Government and the people have been clamouring that the funds be returned to the state since it was stolen from there; or alternatively, spent on projects in Delta State.

The federal government on the other hand during the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the United Kingdom on March 9, had announced that the money would be spent on three priority projects: Second Niger Bridge project, Lagos Ibadan expressway and the Abuja-Kano expressway.

Close Sign up for free AllAfrica Newsletters Get the latest in African news delivered straight to your inbox Top Headlines Nigeria Governance By submitting above, you agree to our privacy policy. Success! Almost finished... We need to confirm your email address. To complete the process, please follow the instructions in the email we just sent you. Error! Error! There was a problem processing your submission. Please try again later.

Meanwhile, the Delta State Government, while welcoming the return of the money, said since the money was illegally taken out of the state's treasury, it should be returned to the state.

The state Governor, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa, also yesterday dissolved the Delta State Executive Council (EXCO) and directed the Secretary to State Government (SSG), all commissioners and the governor's aides to surrender all vital government documents and property to their respective permanent secretaries in the ministries, departments and agencies.

The outgoing state Commissioner for Information, Mr. Charles Aniagwu, reiterated the position of the state government on the just repatriated funds while briefing journalists on resolutions and approvals at the state Exco meeting yesterday before its dissolution.

Aniagwu said: "You'll recall that we said those who are repatriating the funds made it very clear as to the source of the funds they were repatriating. We also made it clear to you that we have continued to engage the federal government based on the principles of dialogue; and, that the federal government has shown a lot of good faith in listening to the issues we have raised.

"So, let's leave it at that as it's not something we deal with in the media. At the end of the day, we'll let you know how much we have got, but we're convinced that that the federal government, being a good father, will remain just in dealing with this particular issue."

However, speaking on the dissolution of the executive committee by the governor, Aniagwu, who was flanked by the former Chief Press secretary to the governor, Mr. Olisa Ifeajika, said the decision had nothing to do with the 2023 governorship election.

He stated that the dissolution would offer Okowa an ample chance "to inject new blood into the Exco" towards the realisation of the administration's development agenda called 'Greater Delta'.
Amazon announced Tuesday that it is building a new fulfillment center in Huntsville this fall.

It is expected to create 500 new full-time jobs in the 1 million-square-foot facility.

Amazon employees will pick, pack, and ship bulky or larger-sized customer items such as patio furniture, outdoor equipment, or rugs, said Owen Torres, Amazon spokesperson.

This is an exciting announcement for Huntsville-annexed Limestone County, said Limestone County Commission Chairman Collin Daly.

This investment in our county and the 500 jobs that will be created by this project, will greatly impact our county for many years. We would like to thank Amazon for believing in us, selecting our county for their new fulfilment center, and we welcome them to the Limestone County family.

Huntsville Mayor Tommy Battle added: We are honored to have Amazon locate in Huntsville. They are on the forefront of technology in the home delivery market. Huntsville is a good fit to partner with Amazon as we change the way the world does business.

Stay with WAAY 31 for updates
Hundreds of new jobs are coming to North Alabama. Amazon announced it is opening up a fulfillment center in the fall, located in the Huntsville-annexed Limestone County.

However, more jobs could mean more people moving into North Alabama. Right now, the housing market is competitive.

Clint Newton has been working in real estate since 2001. He is located in Athens, a booming city as more companies move into the area.

He said the competitive market has been a growing problem for the last twelve months. Right now, there is a shortage for buyers and renters.

"You put it out there and you've got 20-25 people wanting that same rental house," Newton said. "So, 24 people are not getting a rental that need a rental, so it's crazy."

In just a matter of months, 500 new full-time jobs will be in the county when Amazon opens up its new distribution center.

"It's amazing at the growth, the companies that are wanting to come in," Newton said.

The 1 million square foot facility will be used for packing and shipping larger, bulkier items. It is the third Amazon fulfillment center to open up in Alabama.

While the renters or buyers market might not be the easiest for those moving into the area, Newton said it is worth it.

"It's been tough, but hopefully the supply chain is going to open back up for new construction," Newton said.
WAAY 31 is working to get answers on how your tax dollars are being spent toward the defense of a Huntsville police officer convicted of murder.

The Huntsville City Council approved $125,000 for William Darbys defense. We wanted to know from where in the city budget that money is being pulled.

On Friday, May 7, 2021, a Madison County jury found Huntsville Police Officer William Darby guilty of murder. On Friday, May 7, 2021, a Madison County jury found Huntsville Police Officer William Darby guilty of murder.

When asked, city officials told WAAY 31 they're not making any further comment at this time.

"There is nothing new to report," city spokesperson Kelly Schrimsher said.

After receiving that response, we asked the city again about where the $125,000 is coming from, but have not heard back.

Some city council members recently said they regret approving those funds.

"I made a mistake," Councilmember Devyn Keith said.

Keith declined an interview on Tuesday, but during last Thursday's city council meeting he spoke about his decision to approve $125,000 to pay for the defense of Officer Darby.

"I made a decision, a biased one, without knowing everything and that is my fault," Keith said.

Keith said he didn't do his homework when he approved the resolution. The city council was not allowed to see any of the evidence or body camera footage before they voted to approve the funds for Darby's defense in 2019.

Fast forward to today, Darby is now convicted of murder and people are asking council members to be accountable. Keith says he's taking responsibility.

"It means that I was ignorant, and now educated I have no excuse," Keith said.

The city says Mayor Tommy Battle had no comment when it comes to Keith's comments on Thursday.

Because Darby is facing a Class A felony, Alabama law says a court-appointed attorney could only charge a maximum fee of $4,000. The city approved more than 30 times that amount.

At this time, it's still unclear how much Darby's defense currently costs. That's because the city's legal department is still working to determine that amount, and Darby is going through with the appeals process.

Battle is expected to meet with the Rosa Parks Day Committee Thursday morning to discuss Darby's case.

This comes after the civic group and state lawmakers called for Huntsville leaders either to stop supporting Darby after his murder conviction or to resign.

The group says it did meet with Battle last week to talk about the case. That's when the mayor amended his statement to only say he respects both the jury's decision and Darby's right to an appeal. Originally, the mayor said Darby followed protocol and did what he was trained to do.

The Rosa Parks Day Committee is calling for changes in policing.

To read more on what's next for Officer Darby, click here.
Community activists in Florence are making another push to move the Confederate monument currently outside the Lauderdale County Courthouse.

Project Say Something wants to relocate it to the Florence City Cemetery.

Florence and Lauderdale County Confederate monument Florence and Lauderdale County Confederate monument

After months of contacting the mayor, the organization urged people to speak up at Tuesday's city council meeting.

The founder of Project Say Something, Camille Bennett, says the goal was to "show up yet again, voice our concerns, voice how they haven't been as proactive as we think they need to be."

In February, Project Say Something asked Mayor Andy Betterton for three specific requests, including a timeline for how the city plans to relocate the monument and a temporary place holder near the statue denouncing the monument.

The mayor responded with a letter addressing each of their concerns, stating he did not have a timeline for moving it and that he would not put a place holder near the confederate monument.

However, he did write that addressing the monument is one of his priorities.

But Bennett says the letter wasn't enough, and Project Say Something wants to make sure the rest of the council is aware of their requests.

"We're hoping to make sure that the rest of the city council knows what happened, what we asked for, and what we're hoping to see. So we have to continuously show up, we can't just sit idly, right," says Bennett.

Although Bennett does not know if Tuesday's actions will provide change, she believes her organizations advocacy as a whole will spark change in the long the run.

As of Tuesday, Betterton had not provided a new statement about Project Say Something's efforts.

But in the letter he wrote to the group he said he was frustrated by the state's response to the issue and urged Bennett to reach out to local legislators.
A family is looking for answers months after their loved one died in a car accident.

In August, Joanna Danielle Blankenship died in a crash on Shaw and Snake roads in Limestone County. Her son was severely injured. The driver of the other vehicle was not injured.

Joanna's family reached out to WAAY 31 saying they've received no updates on the case, including requests for items that were missing from her car. They told us they just want answers.

"She was full of life, she loved everybody, she could make you want to argue with her one minute then love you the next," Melissa Blankenship, Joanna's mother, said.

That's how the Blankenship family told WAAY 31 they remember Joanna. One Wednesday in August, a car accident changed their lives forever.

"I can't even lay down at night and not wonder if they'd had got to her and saved her if they'd only got to her sooner or if I could have got to her from right there and held her hand as she gave her last breath," she said.

In the last public update on the case, Alabama State Troopers told us Joannas car was struck by a truck at the intersection of Shaw and Snake roads. They said Joanna died at the scene and her young son had to be airlifted for treatment.

"He will have to seek medical treatment the rest of his life because of this," Blankenship said.

Troopers said the driver of the other vehicle had no injuries and they were currently investigating the accident.

On Tuesday, WAAY 31 emailed and called state troopers asking for any updates on this accident and did not get a response.

The family says all they want is to know who was at fault so they can have closure.

"I don't want to see anyone else have to bury their child because of this road right here," she said.

But until they get that, they're working to keep Joanna's memory alive so her son can know who his mother was when he gets older.

"I'll show him pictures of her, what items I can find and I'll just go through her life as much as possible," Blankenship said.

The family says they won't stop searching for answers until the investigation has ended.
The Huntsville Hospital Health System announced Tuesday that it will give about 15,000 employees up to $1,000 each as thanks for their work during the coronavirus pandemic.

That could amount to as much as $15 million. Eligible full-time employees will get $1,000. Employees who worked less than full-time will receive less than $1,000.

Heres the full statement from the health system:

There are no words to adequately describe what our organization has been through in the past year.

Weve tested more than 150,000 people for Covid-19, cared for more than 3,000 hospitalized patients in our facilities, and in the past five months weve vaccinated more than 155,000 people for Covid-19.

Our entire region has depended on Huntsville Hospital Health System and our team came through.

Were so proud of our employees and the Board of our Health System wanted to thank our team members for going above and beyond throughout the pandemic.

Later this summer, eligible full time employees will receive $1,000 as an expression of our gratitude for their exceptional performance.

Staff members who worked less than full time will receive a prorated amount.

Approximately 15,000 staff members will receive some level of payment.
The Market at Hays Farm is added more restaurants and service providers to the shopping center, developer Branch Properties announced Tuesday.

Restaurants including Amerigo, Tom Browns Restaurant and Wingstop will join Premier Urgent Care, Eye Care Associates, and Grand Nail Lounge, among others.

Publix will anchor the shopping center, located at the northwest corner of Memorial Parkway SW and Haysland Road SW.

Construction is scheduled to be completed later this year.

Find more details in a news release from Branch Properties below, and learn more about the company HERE

Branch Properties today announces The Market at Hays Farm, a Publix Supermarket-anchored shopping center coming to Huntsville, Alabama, is adding four more restaurants and service providers to the lineup, bringing the development to more than 80% pre-leased. The 111,233-square-foot center broke ground last year and will deliver a premier shopping and dining option for the South Huntsville area in late summer of this year.

Branch has attracted some of the top restaurant concepts across the Southeast, the most recent being Nashville-based Italian restaurant Amerigo, which has selected Hays Farm as the location for its first new restaurant in over 20 years and will occupy a 7,573-square-foot space in the center. Late last year, Branch announced Tom Browns Restaurant will also open a second Huntsville location in a 6,063-square-foot space at the shopping center.

The speed at which our team has leased up such a large portion of the development is a testament to the appeal and value of this location in such a prime area of South Huntsville, said Brett Horowitz, Head of Asset Management at Branch Properties. The Market at Hays Farm is proving to be the top choice for a number of businesses seeking to expand or relocate in the area. We have curated an impressive roster of well-respected tenants and anticipate the community will welcome each with open arms.

In addition to Amerigo and Tom Brown's Restaurant, national chicken wing chain Wingstop will join the lineup of restaurants in a 1,762-square-foot space. Service tenants will include a 3,300-square-foot Premier Urgent Care, 3,000-square-foot Eye Care Associates and 2,765-square-foot nail salon Grand Nail Lounge.

Huntsville is one of the fastest-growing cities in Alabama, and Hays Farm is well underway to become one of the prime economic driving forces for South Huntsville, said Huntsville City Council President Jennie Robinson. The Market at Hays Farm is a much-needed addition to our growing community, and I applaud Branchs dedication to providing the area with a curated lineup of businesses.

Construction on Hays Farm is slated to be completed in late fall of this year, with spaces being turned over to tenants this summer. The site is located at the northwest corner of Memorial Parkway Southeast and Haysland Road Southwest, in the fast-growing master-planned community of Hays Farm in South Huntsville. The area is home to the Redstone Arsenal Army Post, which was recently chosen as the location for the new U.S. Space Command headquarters and is expected to bring in over 1,600 new jobs to the region.
YouTube star Nicole Arbour is receiving backlash on social media after posting a feminist remake of a video that portrayed an artist idea of the black experience in America.

The original video of Childish Gambino's music video, "This is America," explores visual references to racism and violence in the United States.

Actor Donald Glover, whose musical stage name is Childish Gambino, received more than 30 million views on YouTube in 48 hours.

Arbour, a Canadian YouTuber, dancer and choreographer, shot her video in a similar way.

Her message-women's experiences- and dubbed her version as the "Women's Edit."

The Canadian star faced backlash and was slammed for co-opting the video. Many expressed feelings of her being racially insensitive, deeming her version as "white feminism."

This is not a womens edit, wrote one social media user. This is a WHITE woman's edit. If you cannot see the difference, youre a s feminist and a hack.

You truly didnt understand This Is America if your thought process was let me make a WHITE womens edit version, another Twitter user wrote. Please delete and apologize for this atrocity.

Arbour shortly disabled the video's comments, and released an explantion on her twitter rather than an apology.

I thought it best to respond to the misinterpretation of my video here to clarify openly, she wrote. The purpose of my rendition was to honor the spirit of the video which absolutely moved me, by adding my and many womens life experiences and truths to the brave and brutal truths expressed in the original.

The YouTuber also explained that the video was created with "every intention of bringing a light to women's experiences" such as shaming mothers for breast feeding in a common place, date rape, labels, and harassment.

Arbour went on to say that the video was a thought in cheek to give additional glory to what I believe is the most impactful piece of art in recent years.

The 32-year-old explains she understands why people would wrongly portray the video as a white vs. black thing, but that was not her intent. She also added that she is "so sick" of people being mad over slavery.

In 2015, Arbour received criticism for another video called "Dear Fat People" and was claimed as "fat-shaming." Despite the backlash received, and defended herself by saying "fat-shamming is not a thing" and that it was not made to offend people."

No comment has been made by Glover about the YouTuber's video.
Financial analysts and the organised private sector yesterday expressed mixed feelings over Nigeria's rising public debt following a fresh request by President Muhammadu Buhari to the National Assembly to approve a $6.18 billion foreign loan.

Before the latest request, Nigeria's total external debt stood at $33.348 billion, while total public debt stock as of December 30, 2021, which was released by the DMO in March 2021, stood at N32.915 trillion.

Buhari, in different letters to both chambers of the National Assembly urged the lawmakers to approve his request to borrow N2.3 trillion ($6.18billion) external loan to finance part of the 2021 budget deficit of N5.6 trillion.

The president in another letter also canvassed a concurrent approval by the legislature for a total sum of $3,837,281,256, 910,000,000 and grant component of $10,000,000 for donor fund projects under the 2018-2020 federal government external borrowing rolling plan.

The two request letters, dated May 6, 2021, came a month after the Senate and the House of Representatives approved $1.5 billion and 995 million external borrowings for the federal government to finance various priority projects and to support states facing fiscal challenges.

Buhari's requests were contained in different letters addressed to the President of the Senate, Dr. Ahmad Lawan, and the House Speaker, Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila.

The letters were read at Tuesday plenary by the two presiding officers.

The president said the request for the N2.3 trillion loan to finance the 2021 budget deficit was in line with the provisions of Sections 21(1) and 27(1) of the Debt Management Office (Establishment, Etc.) Act, 2003 (DMO Act), which states that no external loan shall be approved or obtained by the minister unless its terms and conditions shall have been laid before the National Assembly and approved by its resolution.

According to him, the loan will enable the federal government to fund critical infrastructural projects in power, transportation, agriculture and rural development, health, education, among others.

He said the loan would be sourced from a combination of multilateral and bilateral lenders, as well as from the International Capital Market (ICM) through the issuance of Eurobonds.

According to him, from recent trends in the ICM, it is now possible for Nigeria to raise funds, and this explains why the federal government is proposing that the new external borrowing in the 2021 Appropriation Act should include issuing Eurobonds in the ICM.

He estimated that Nigeria may be able to raise $3 billion or more, but not more than $6.183 billion (the amount provided in the 2021 Appropriation Act) in a combination of tenors between five-30 years.

He said the outcome would, however, be determined when Nigeria approached the market.

The letter read in part: "The purpose of this letter is to request for a resolution of the National Assembly to raise the sum of N2,343,387,942,848.00 (about $6,183,081,643.40 at the budget exchange rate of $1.00/N379) provided as new external borrowing in the 2021 Appropriation Act (Item No. 330) to part-finance the budget deficit of N5.602 trillion. The right honourable speaker may wish to recall that the 2021 Appropriation Act provides for N4,686,775,885,696.00 as new borrowings (item No. 328) to part-finance the 2021 fiscal deficit, of which 50 per cent or N2,343,387,942,848.00 (about $6,183,081 ,643.40 at the budget exchange rate of $1.00/N379) is specified as new external borrowing.

"The Senate President and right honourable Speaker may also wish to note that the allocation of N2.343 trillion to new external borrowing in 2021 Appropriation Act is consistent with Nigeria's debt management strategy, which seeks amongst other objectives, to moderate 'debt service costs by accessing relatively cheaper external funds, and free-up space in the domestic market for other borrowers."

For concurrent approval of donor fund projects, the president, in the second letter, said the projects would be financed through sovereign loans from the World Bank, African Development Bank (AfDB), French Development Agency (AFD), Islamic Development Bank, China Eximbank, China Development Bank, European Investment Bank, European ECA, KfW, IPEX, AFC, India EximBank and lnternational Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD).

Buhari explained that the projects and programmes in the borrowing plan were selected based on positive, technical and economic evaluations as well as the contributions they would make to the socio-economic development of the country, including employment generation and poverty reduction.

The letter reads: "Senate President and the right honourable Speaker may also wish to know that all the listed projects form part of the 2018 2020 external borrowing plan and covered both the federal and state governments' projects and are geared towards the realisation of the Nigeria Economic Sustainability Plan that cut across key sectors such as infrastructure, health, agriculture and food security, energy, education and human capital development and COVlD -19 response efforts.

"A summary of some key projects in each of the six geopolitical zones and a summary on the expected impacts on the socio-economic development of each of the six geo-political zones are attached herewith as Annex II and III.

Given the importance attached to the timely delivery of the projects listed in the proposed borrowing plan and the benefits both the federal and state governments stand to gain from the implementation of same, I hereby wish to request for the kind consideration and concurrent approval of the House for 2018 2020 federal government external borrowing (rolling) plan to enable the projects to become effective."

Analysts Differ over Borrowing Request

Some of the economic experts who spoke to THISDAY yesterday warned that the current bid to accumulate more public debts would mortgage the future of the country and its future generations.

They were also worried that the current move is not being done in a transparent manner that would enable Nigerians to know the specific projects the loan would be tied to and the institutions the government intended to borrow from.

However, some others believed that the current move to borrow externally would enhance the country's foreign reserves and stabilise the value of the naira.

One of those who felt that the federal government should jettison the idea of accessing fresh foreign loan at this period is a professor of Economics and Public Policy at the University of Uyo, Akwa Ibom, Prof. Akpan Ekpo.

Ekpo told THISDAY yesterday that he was worried that the current move by the federal government would worsen Nigeria's public debt management and subject future generations to financial bondage.

He advised the government to surgically reduce the bloated cost of governance in the country, warning that the government should be more concerned with its debt to revenue ratio as well as solvency and liquidity ratios because oil, which is its revenue base, is very shaky by depending on exogenous factors that it could not control.

Ekpo said the country's debt-servicing burden was taking almost one-third of Nigeria's annual budget.

He stated: "So, we are building debts for future generations to pay. Right now, Nigeria is merely scratching at its debt by servicing it without touching the principal."

Ekpo, who was the immediate past Director-General of the West African Institute of Financial and Economic Management is also concerned about the transparency of the proposed borrowing.

The Director-General of Nigeria Employers' Consultative Association (NECA), Mr. Timothy Olawale, said it would be carelessness on the part of this government to be borrowing and building unsustainable debt burden for future generations and succeeding governments.

Olawale said: "We have repeatedly said that the government should cut its coat according to its cloth. It must look for where and how to reduce its over-bloated governance structure that has been consuming so much. And there are one thousand and one budget heads they can do away with without retrenching workers. The Oronsaye Panel's report recommendation that ministries and agencies of government should be merged is still unimplemented.

He said: "So, borrowing is a lazy way of escape from reality. If you cannot afford a particular lifestyle, commonsense dictates that you should come back and restructure your lifestyle to suit your income. But rather than doing this, the government keeps on borrowing to satiate its appetite for luxury and flamboyance.

"Well, we are not in support of this and we will want the government to be very prudent and mindful of the future of our economy, the future of the project called Nigeria and the future of generations yet unborn."

A professor of Finance, University of Lagos, Prof. Winifred Iyiegbuniwe, warned that Nigeria should not continue to borrow and dissipate them on wasteful expenses.

He said: "The problem is that we cannot continue to be borrowing in this manner and dissipate them through wasteful expenses. I have a problem as a financial economist when I am not convinced of what the government is doing with these borrowings. If we can borrow for specified and identifiable capital projects, fine. But if it is to borrow for consumption, no! We should cut our coat according to our cloth.

"I am disappointed that all the long talk about removing fuel and electricity subsidies and plugging loopholes in tax collections are yielding nothing. They seemed to be too much talking with too little action. The only foreign borrowing that will make sense is one that is tied to a specific project. So, the government must be more specific about the infrastructure it intends to finance."

Some analysts, however, said that the plan to borrow $6.18 billion external loan would strengthen Nigeria's foreign reserves but cautioned that it could also lead to heightened debt burden if not channelled to productive sectors of the economy.

The Head of Research at Agusto Consulting, Mr. Jimi Ogbobine, said: "This could help boost foreign reserves at this point in time. But what we need to do is to complement it with other policies like the harmonisation of the exchange rate so we can stimulate foreign direct investments (FDI) once again because we cannot survive on using loans to boost our foreign reserves."

Close Sign up for free AllAfrica Newsletters Get the latest in African news delivered straight to your inbox Top Headlines Nigeria Debt By submitting above, you agree to our privacy policy. Success! Almost finished... We need to confirm your email address. To complete the process, please follow the instructions in the email we just sent you. Error! Error! There was a problem processing your submission. Please try again later.

Ogbobine, however, noted that "there are other ways of deficit financing because debt is not the only way of getting financing, which could also be done through taxes and sale of assets.

"We need to look at all the unproductive assets and think of how we can get them out of the government's books in order to reduce recurrent expenditures on these assets," he stated.

Similarly, the Head, Retail Investment, Chapel Hill Denham, Mr. Ayodeji Ebo, said: "We know government is constrained with a shortage of fund but it should ensure that major part of the borrowing will go to the productive sector. There is really no harm in borrowing as long as it is used for productive purposes."

Also, the Director-General of the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Dr. Muda Yusuf, expressed concern that the rising debt profile of the federal government might not be sustainable because the debts will become a problem when the revenue base is not strong enough to service them.

Yusuf said: "What is needed is the political will to cut expenditure and undertake reforms that could scale down the size of government, reduce governance cost and ease the fiscal burden on the government."

He suggested that the debt should be used strictly to fund capital projects that would strengthen the productive capacity of the economy.

He also advised government to shift "emphasis to concessionary financing against commercial debts that are typically very costly."

APC Mortgaging Future, Says PDP

Meanwhile, the main opposition party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) yesterday raised the alarm over another plan by the federal government to borrow N2.3 trillion.

The National Publicity Secretary of PDP, Mr. Kola Ologbondiyan, told THISDAY that the additional loan request would mortgage the future of generations yet unborn Nigerians.

He said: "We are alarmed like any other Nigerian on this fresh loan request. It is simply to mortgage the nation and the future of the younger ones as they will be held in bondage by debts.

"The funniest thing is that upon all these loans, there is nothing tangible to show with the loans so far obtained. As a party and as Nigerians, we are worried. What is simply happening is just mis-governance and incompetence In all these multiple loans, the truth is that you cannot point any finger and say, this is what the Buhari administration has done with it."
Our view: Another push in Oregon government for more secrecy
Decatur, IL (62521)

Today

Mainly sunny to start, then a few afternoon clouds. Hot. High 93F. Winds N at 5 to 10 mph..

Tonight

Some clouds. Low 72F. Winds light and variable.
Mr Buhari says terrorists and jihadists have taken advantage of the COVID-19 pandemic to unleash attacks on innocent people and organisations across the Sahel region.

President Muhammadu Buhari has stressed the need for Nigeria and France to deepen their anti-terror cooperation.

This, he said, became necessary to check and overcome the activities of terrorists and insurgents in the Sahel region and beyond.

The Sahel region includes west to east parts of northern Senegal, southern Mauritania, central Mali, northern Burkina Faso, the extreme south of Algeria, Niger and the extreme north of Nigeria.

Other areas covered are the extreme north of Cameroon and Central African Republic, central Chad, central and southern Sudan, the extreme north of South Sudan, Eritrea and the extreme north of Ethiopia.

The Nigerian leader made the call in a special feature on post COVID-19 opportunities in Nigeria-France relations published by a leading Paris-based magazine, Le Point, on Tuesday.

He said the call had become imperative in view of the fact that terrorists and jihadists had taken advantage of the COVID-19 pandemic to unleash attacks on innocent people and organisations across the Sahel region.

He noted that terrorism had become tragically common across Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger as well as around the Lake Chad Basin.

According to him, the Lake Chad Basin is where Boko Haram terrorism has taken advantage of the pandemic and pushed back into Nigeria, launching raids and attacks in Chad, Cameroon, and Niger.

"Now Nigeria and France should deepen our anti-terror cooperation if we are to overcome this scourge - particularly in the aftermath of the murder of the late President of Chad.

"Where for historical ties, support came to Nigeria from the UK, and to the G5 from France, terrorists do not recognise these border-aligned distinctions. We must be agile and flexible, cooperating across our borders to cut the head off their groups.

Close Sign up for free AllAfrica Newsletters Get the latest in African news delivered straight to your inbox Top Headlines Nigeria Governance By submitting above, you agree to our privacy policy. Success! Almost finished... We need to confirm your email address. To complete the process, please follow the instructions in the email we just sent you. Error! Error! There was a problem processing your submission. Please try again later.

"Indeed, we have already done much to strengthen our bond. Intelligence sharing is well developed along with training on improvised explosives.

"But there is more we can do in cross-border military exercises and coordinating strategy.

"We know France has borne much of the strain for combating terrorism in the region.

"We, the leaders of Sahel countries, must also do more to present a unified front to lobby other Western nations, particularly Great Britain and the United States and the European Union for further military and humanitarian assistance," he said.

Mr Buhari also noted that the fallout of the Libyan crisis had flushed the whole region with weapons, making disputes and competitions far more destructive.

"It is upon these conditions, the lies and propaganda of terrorists who falsely claim to be Islamists promising salvation can find an audience," he said.

He observed that military gains might not provide the whole solution to the security challenges, saying governments must also provide environments conducive to economic prosperity of their citizens.

"We know that military gains do not provide the whole solution. Without security, economic opportunity remains fragile. Without economic opportunity, the propensity for conflict grows.

"The solution must therefore be two pronged. If we do not improve those conditions, it leaves our people vulnerable to indoctrination, as one is vulnerable to COVID-19 without a vaccine," the president said.

(NAN)
Move follows appeal by Italy's smaller museums to culture ministry.

Italy's smaller museums will no longer require visitors to book in advance for weekend visits after the government announced the easing of the country's covid-19 restrictions.

The previous system had obliged visitors to book "at least one day in advance" to visit all museums at weekends however this requirement has been modified following an appeal to the culture ministry, reports Artribune.

The measure was intended to reduce contagion risks from over-crowding however smaller museums argued that, due to their lower profile and often remote locations, they relied on impromptu weekend visitors.

The appeal, signed by a collection of museum networks in Tuscany, centred on "small museums, often located in historic villages," with visits described as "for the most part unplanned" and "impromptu... perhaps decided at the last moment."

Under the latest easing of covid-19 restrictions, announced on Monday night, smaller museums will be excluded from compulsory advance reservations at weekends.

The culture ministry has retained the obligation to reserve weekend visits at least 24 hours ahead for "museums and places of culture which registered more than one million visitors in 2019."

These have been identified as the Pantheon, Colosseum, Pompeii, Uffizi, the Accademia Gallery in Florence and Castel S. Angelo.

The move is described by culture minister Dario Franceschini as "another step towards a gradual return to normality."

Image: Italy's Etruscan Museum at Villa Giulia. Photo credit: Valery Rokhin / Shutterstock.com.
Six fragments of Roman frescoes dating from the first century AD are returned to Pompeii villas.

Pompeii's archaeological park has welcomed the return of six fresco fragments stolen from the ruins of Roman villas, recovered thanks to an investigation by the Italian carabinieri unit tasked with cultural heritage protection.

Three of the fragments were stolen, probably in the 1970s, from the Villa Arianna and Villa S. Marco in Stabiae, an ancient city located about four km south-west of Pompeii.

The looted artefacts were then exported illegally and purchased in the 1990s by American, British and Swiss antique dealers, according to the press release from the archaeological park.

The fresco panels feature a dancing female figure carrying a tray, a flute-playing cherub, and a woman's face.

Pompeii welcomes back looted frescoes. Photo Pompeii Sites.

The three other fresco pieces retrieved by police had been removed from the suburban villa of Civita Giuliana, north of the main Pompeii site, where last year archaeologists unearthed the bodies of two men who perished in the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 79 AD.

More recently Civita Giuliana made international headlines following the discovery of an almost intact four-wheeled processional carriage, buried for almost 2,000 years.

The seizure of the precious stolen frescoes followed an investigation by the carabinieri culture squad aimed at combating the illicit international trafficking of Italy's archaeological heritage.

In 2012 police found the three fresco panels, "ready to be exported abroad," after discovering a hole hidden by metal sheets, earth and crops, leading to an underground clandestine dig.

The excavation project at Civita Giuliana began in 2017 in a bid to end the pillaging of cultural heritage by tomb raiders who had dug an illegal network of tunnels in the area, according to the Pompeii archaeological park.

Cover photo Il Giorno
analysis

Why we dont know the answer and how the police and research community can change that.

There is almost no research evidence that policing in South Africa reduces crime or improves feelings of safety. Does this mean that police have no positive impact? Not at all. Rather, the link between their activities and goals has not been competently shown. But working together, South Africa's police and research community can change this.

In the 2019/20 financial year, the South African Police Service's (SAPS) 187 000 employees spent roughly 365 million hours and R96 billion trying to achieve their goals. Among their many reported activities, they stopped and searched 6 289 939 vehicles and 3 802 393 individuals.

Police carried out 5 736 264 visits to shopping complexes, 4 519 733 visits to spaza shops, and 5 736 246 visits to ATMs. They convened 32 769 roadblocks, and arrested 1 133 891 people for 'serious crimes'. Did these activities make South Africa safer? Possibly, but nobody really knows.

Researchers and police tend to interpret their observations in a way that supports their preconceptions

For the past three years, the Institute for Security Studies (ISS) has been encouraging the generation of research evidence related to police work in South Africa, or evidence-based policing, including through three new reports. Unlike in a criminal investigation, 'evidence' in this case means knowledge gained through critical thinking and observation. It requires curiosity and scepticism from police, collaboration with researchers, and a willingness to be proven wrong.

For example, if a commander has the sense that vehicle theft declines when patrol officers keep their blue lights on, this should be tested. When careful observation and evaluation suggests a relationship between visible police lights and vehicle theft, these tactics should be encouraged. When research and assessments don't support intuition, practices must be rethought, retested or abandoned.

South Africa is not short on crime and policing research. However, almost none of this work demonstrates a link between police activities and four areas of change that are key to measuring impact: levels of crime, fear of crime, feelings of safety or trust in police. We know plenty about things that aren't working well in South African policing, but neither law enforcement officials nor researchers have rigorously shown what works to achieve specific goals.

Police experience and intuition aren't enough for deciding how to spend a R100 billion budget

To change this, police and researchers must find a common language for collaboration. They must craft questions that seek to demonstrate the relationship between different police activities and their intended impact and partner to explore them. Results should be written up and disseminated in ways that make them useful and accessible to police.

Such research needs to be more intentional and methodologically rigorous than much of what has come before. This is because all of us - researchers and police included - have a strong tendency to interpret our observations in a way that supports our preconceptions.

For example, if a police commander sees a drop in crime after a change in deployment strategy, they will probably assume the difference is a result of their actions. However, a critical review of the data and context may reveal the cause to be something else - perhaps officers chose not to record all reported crime, or weather conditions meant fewer people on the street, or the closure of a local liquor shop.

This is not to say that police experience and intuition aren't crucial - they are. But when deciding how to spend over R100 billion, manage almost 190 000 employees, and fill nearly 400 000 000 hours of occupational time, the focus must be on effectively and efficiently improving public safety while causing as little harm as possible. This objective is even more important given the budget cuts facing the SAPS in the current financial year.

South Africa needs to promote a police culture based on evidence and critical thought

For this, we need evidence generated through intentional, careful observation and research. Only studies that explore a causal relationship between a particular police activity or strategy and a dependent variable (e.g. crime levels, safety perceptions, fear of crime and/or satisfaction with police) can determine what works in policing and what doesn't. This is the approach that South Africa's police and researchers should pursue.

Close Sign up for free AllAfrica Newsletters Get the latest in African news delivered straight to your inbox Top Headlines South Africa Legal Affairs Conflict By submitting above, you agree to our privacy policy. Success! Almost finished... We need to confirm your email address. To complete the process, please follow the instructions in the email we just sent you. Error! Error! There was a problem processing your submission. Please try again later.

South Africa's police aren't perfect. Among its many dedicated, hardworking officers are many who are unmotivated, abusive, corrupt and criminal. These elements, together with incompetent leaders, must be rooted out. But it is equally important that we root out the inefficiency and possible harms that can result from even the best intentions. For this, we need to promote a police culture based on evidence and critical thought.

Scientific research can save South Africa huge amounts of time, money and resources while improving public safety and quality of life. Meaningful partnerships with competent academic and civil society researchers will help transform the SAPS into the professional agency it strives to be.

Anine Kriegler, Post-Doctoral Fellow, Centre of Criminology, University of Cape Town and Andrew Faull, Senior Researcher, Justice and Violence Prevention, ISS Pretoria
analysis

In a recent open letter to international funders for research and development, we highlighted multiple power imbalances and appealed to the funders to help build a more equitable ecosystem.

In this second letter, we urgently call on our own African political and research leaders to take greater responsibility to streamline research programmes and funding. We emphasise that responsibility for addressing the current gaps in research and development lies with the international community - as well as with African governments and their institutions.

Scientific knowledge is a critical driver for human health and wellbeing, economic development and environmental sustainability. Yet African governments still only marginally fund research and development. Most are still unable to meet the commitments made by the African Union member countries in 2006 of spending 1% of their GDP on research and development. This was four years after they made the commitment. By 2019, Africa's research and development funding was only 0.42% of GDP. The global average stands at 1.7%.

Research and development capacity has increased in recent years. Nevertheless only a handful of countries are close to the 1% target. Kenya, South Africa and Egypt have emerged as major research hubs in the last decade. Kenya invests about 0.8%, South Africa 0.75% and Egypt 0.6% of their GDP.

The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic has underlined the dangers of this approach even more. Africa has 14% of the world's population but produces only 0.1% of the world's vaccines. To date, one in four people in high-income countries have been vaccinated, compared to one in 500 people in low-income countries, many in Africa. Throughout the pandemic, African countries have been at the back of the queue for getting adequate test kits and consumables, personal protective equipment and now vaccines.

African countries are therefore dependent on the globally funded COVAX initiative to secure vaccines. The dependency on Western vaccine development and manufacturing has resulted in limited stocks and multiple bottlenecks. As a result many African countries may not attain the desired herd immunity against COVID-19 until 2023.

Nonetheless, this crisis has also presented an excellent opportunity for African governments to support research capacity. The danger that the COVID-19 pandemic poses to countries on the continent - and the ongoing vaccine nationalism - is a timely wake-up call. The African Union and its development agency - New Partnership for Africa's Development - should prioritise working with governments to meet their promises on funding for research and development.

The pandemic is a brutal reminder that African governments need to muscle up their support for research capacity, especially for infectious diseases and vaccine research.

Missed opportunities

There is also a glaring lack of leadership and direction by and from African research and political leaders. The result is evidenced in the chronic lack of government investment - and regard - for science in our countries. As a result, African scientists who have the capacity to identify, sequence and track viruses have missed out, even during a pandemic, in developing life-saving treatments and vaccines.

Beyond COVID-19, the absence of investment spans infectious diseases research, the greatest burden of which is in Africa.

Africa's overreliance on international funding and the impact of underlying biases have contributed to the under-representation of Africans in both local and international research and development scenes.

The impact of this overreliance has recently become all too clear. The UK government announced that UK Research and Innovation, the UK public body that directs research and innovation funding, had confirmed cuts to the overseas aid budget from 0.7% of GDP to 0.5%. The result has been a 120 million fall in overseas research programmes managed by the institution in 2021-22.

The decision, which includes immediate cuts to ongoing work, has affected African scientists the most. For example, the 1.5 billion Global Challenges Research Fund supports cutting edge research collaborations between UK scientists and researchers in various low and middle income countries. South Africa, Kenya and Uganda hold most of the grants for health, climate and sustainable development issues.

These investments are now at risk of incompletion. Scientists from the global north might have numerous alternative funding sources including national research funding programmes. But this isn't the case for African scientists. Most rely on external donor agencies for research grants and fellowships.

The current research funding landscape in Africa is untenable.

What needs to be done

It is time for African governments to strengthen national research programmes and partnerships. They need to do this by working with the local scientists to prioritise domestic programmes for targeted research funding.

It is also critical that we focus on building a new future and lobbying for more South-South partnerships and initiatives focusing on the African bloc. African research and development capacity cannot continue to rely on funding structures that can be withdrawn on a whim, leaving African researchers helpless.

COVID-19 has been a stark reminder that most countries are likely to default to nationalistic policies during a crisis. This can further exacerbate global inequities when nations are faced with a singular threat. African countries therefore need to:

Close Sign up for free AllAfrica Newsletters Get the latest in African news delivered straight to your inbox Top Headlines Africa Science By submitting above, you agree to our privacy policy. Success! Almost finished... We need to confirm your email address. To complete the process, please follow the instructions in the email we just sent you. Error! Error! There was a problem processing your submission. Please try again later.

Africa too must rise and take greater responsibility to streamline research programmes and funding. Ultimately, the responsibility of addressing the current gaps lies with Africans and their institutions. Not with the international community.

Janet Midega, PhD, Senior Research Advisor, Wellcome Trust, KEMRI Wellcome Trust Research Programme; Catherine Kyobutungi, Executive Director, African Population and Health Research Center; Emelda Okiro, Head of Population Health Unit, KEMRI Wellcome Trust Research Programme; Fredros Okumu, Director of Science, Ifakara Health Institute; Ifeyinwa Aniebo, Research fellow (Harvard Takemi fellow), Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, and Ngozi Erondu, Senior Scholar with the Global Health Policy & Politics Initiative at the O'Neill Institute, Georgetown University
A week after the Nation highlighted the plight of residents of three wards in Kajiado County, who over years get cut off during rainy seasons, the county government of Kajiado has allocated Sh120 million for a modern bridge.

And that is not all. The devolved unit is promising that the works will be completed in six months.

While launching the construction of the "saviour bridge" on Friday, Kajiado Governor Joseph Ole Lenku said it will open up the villages economically.

Asked where the county got the funds from two days after the story was highlighted on Wednesday last week, Mr Lenku said the bridge had already been budgeted for but his administration was awaiting availability of funds.

He added that it was unfortunate that the locals have been ignored by the "past regimes" despite their continuous pleas.

"It's painful that these people have been suffering each rainy season for years. This bridge will wipe away your tears and open up the wards economically. Our patients will no longer die on their way to hospitals," said Mr Lenku.

He ordered the contractor to work around the clock to ensure that the bridge is done in six months.

Long overdue

Most locals, who are hopeful, said the bridge was long overdue, terming it as a "saviour bridge" that will end their misery.

"This has been a pipedream since our childhood. We are optimistic that this bridge will improve our lives. We will be able to access medical facilities and business will thrive in this sleepy region," said Nancy Teum, a farmer.

Close Sign up for free AllAfrica Newsletters Get the latest in African news delivered straight to your inbox Top Headlines Kenya Infrastructure By submitting above, you agree to our privacy policy. Success! Almost finished... We need to confirm your email address. To complete the process, please follow the instructions in the email we just sent you. Error! Error! There was a problem processing your submission. Please try again later.

Whenever it rains, the residents of the three wards, which are dotted with traditional Maasai manyattas and iron-sheet-roofed houses, are completely cut off from the rest of the country.

Nation.africa highlighted the story last week.

Matapato North in Kajiado Central sub-county, Mbirikani/Eselenkei in Kajiado South sub-county and Kinyawa Poka ward in Kajiado East sub-county are reduced to an island, with the residents suffering in silence as a result of disruption of their lives and livelihoods.

The three wards share a gravel road that takes them across River Orkeriai.

The only problem is that the river is seasonal and has no bridge.

In the dry seasons, the 50-metre-wide river is a lifeline for sand harvesters.

During rain seasons, however, it bursts its banks, making it hard for motorists to cross over.

And the locals have watched helplessly as people and vehicles were swept away while trying to cross the swollen river.

Livestock have also not been spared.

The shared road links the three wards to Mashuru town, the nearest trading centre where one can get good medical facilities, a livestock market and offices offering county and national government services.

In the rainy seasons, no one gets into villages and no one leaves until the water reduces to a level where one can wade across.

Residents, many of who are herders and agribusiness operators, supply neighbouring areas with farm produce and livestock for meat.
Leaders seek to boost financing in Africa to counter the devastating economic effects of the coronavirus pandemic and a slow vaccine rollout.

A Paris summit for African, European and financial leaders agreed Tuesday on a plan to help Africa overcome the economic effects of the coronavirus pandemic.

"We have taken the first step in what we have agreed to call a New Deal with Africa," the summit host French President Emmanuel Macron said.

How does the summit aim to help Africa?

Macron said the summit agreed to work towards getting rich nations to reallocate $100 billion (81 billion) in International Monetary Fund's (IMF) special drawing rights monetary reserves to African states by October.

IMF Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva had confirmed the organization will issue $33 billion for the African continent this year in special drawing rights, a foreign exchange tool used to help finance imports. The summit aims to triple that amount.

"We cannot afford leaving the African economies behind," said the summit's final declaration.

"This is a great opportunity for Africa," said Democratic Republic of the Congo President Felix Tshisekedi, the current head of the African Union.

The pandemic "left our economies impoverished because we had to use all the means we had, the few means we had, to fight against the disease," Tshisekedi said.

What about COVID vaccines?

Participants also agreed the African continent should be able to "massively" produce vaccines for its own population via technology transfers and lifting barriers to intellectual property, Macron said.

"The current situation is not sustainable, it is both unfair and inefficient," the French president said, noting that the proportion of people in Africa who have received the vaccine is among the lowest worldwide.

Macron set out a target of vaccinating 40% of people in Africa by the end of 2021.

Senegalese President Macky Sall noted that vaccination was a joint responsibility for the whole world: If jabs aren't delivered everywhere, more variants will spread.

South Africa, along with India, had proposed a temporary waiver on coronavirus vaccine patents to the World Trade Organization.

(AFP, AP, dpa, Reuters)
Janet Williams recently retired as executive editor of TheStatehouseFile.com at Franklin College. She formerly worked in corporate communications for Cummins and as a reporter and editor at The Indianapolis Star.

Bill Theobald is a veteran Washington, D.C.,-based journalist who most recently worked in the USA TODAY Washington Bureau and for the nonprofit news website The Fulcrum, which focuses on democracy reform efforts. He was a reporter and editor for The Indianapolis Star from 1990 to 2005.

This article was published by TheStatehouseFile.com through a partnership with The Indiana Citizen (indianacitizen.org), a nonpartisan, nonprofit platform dedicated to increasing the number of informed, engaged Hoosier citizens.
Washington, IN (47501)

Today

Areas of fog early, then partly cloudy this afternoon. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. High 88F. Winds light and variable..

Tonight

Some passing clouds. Low around 70F. Winds light and variable.
Trusted local news has never been more important, but providing the information you need, information that can change sometimes minute-by-minute, requires a partnership with you, our readers. Please consider making a contribution today to support this vital resource that you and countless others depend on.
Apple has become a cog in the censorship machine that presents a government-controlled version of the internet, said Nicholas Bequelin, Asia director for Amnesty International, the human rights group. If you look at the behaviour of the Chinese government, you dont see any resistance from Apple  no history of standing up for the principles that Apple claims to be so attached to. While both the Trump and Biden administrations have taken a tougher line toward China, Apples courtship of the Chinese government shows a disconnect between politicians in Washington and Americas wealthiest company. Behind the scenes, Apple has constructed a bureaucracy that has become a powerful tool in Chinas vast censorship operation. It proactively censors its Chinese App Store, relying on software and employees to flag and block apps that Apple managers worry could run afoul of Chinese officials, according to interviews and court documents. A satellite image provided by CNES and Airbus shows the Apple data center in Guiyang, China. Apple planned to store the personal data of its Chinese customers there on computer servers run by a state-owned Chinese firm. Credit:CNES/Airbus via The New York Times A Times analysis found that tens of thousands of apps have disappeared from Apples Chinese App Store over the past several years, more than previously known, including foreign news outlets, gay dating services and encrypted messaging apps. It also blocked tools for organising pro-democracy protests and skirting internet restrictions, as well as apps about the Dalai Lama.

And in its data centres, Apples compromises have made it nearly impossible for the company to stop the Chinese government from gaining access to the emails, photos, documents, contacts and locations of millions of Chinese residents, according to the security experts and Apple engineers. The company said in a statement that it followed the laws in China and did everything it could to keep the data of customers safe. We have never compromised the security of our users or their data in China or anywhere we operate, the company said. But just as Cook figured out how to make China work for Apple, China is making Apple work for the Chinese government. An Apple spokesman said that the company still controlled the keys that protect the data of its Chinese customers and that Apple used its most advanced encryption technology in China  more advanced than what it used in other countries. Apple added that it removed apps only to comply with Chinese laws. These decisions are not always easy, and we may not agree with the laws that shape them, the company said. But our priority remains creating the best user experience without violating the rules we are obligated to follow.

Cook declined an interview for this article. The entrance to Apples new data center in Guiyang, China. Credit:Keith Bradsher/ The New York Times The Chinese government regularly demands data from Chinese companies, often for law-enforcement investigations. Chinese law requires the companies to comply. US law has long prohibited American companies from turning over data to Chinese law enforcement. But Apple and the Chinese government have made an unusual arrangement to get around American laws. In China, Apple has ceded legal ownership of its customers data to Guizhou-Cloud Big Data, or GCBD, a company owned by the government of Guizhou province, whose capital is Guiyang. Apple recently required its Chinese customers to accept new iCloud terms and conditions that list GCBD as the service provider and Apple as an additional party. Apple told customers the change was to improve iCloud services in China mainland and comply with Chinese regulations.

The terms and conditions included a new provision that does not appear in other countries: Apple and GCBD will have access to all data that you store on this service and can share that data between each other under applicable law. Under the new setup, Chinese authorities ask GCBD  not Apple  for Apple customers data, Apple said. Apple believes that gives it a legal shield from American law, according to a person who helped create the arrangement. GCBD declined to answer questions about its Apple partnership. Phillip Shoemaker, who ran Apples App Store from 2009 to 2016, said that Apple lawyers in China gave his team a list of topics that couldnt appear in apps in the country, including Tiananmen Square and independence for Tibet and Taiwan. He said Apples policy was matter-of-fact: If the lawyers believed a topic was off-limits in China, then Apple would remove it there. On Chinese iPhones, Apple forbids apps about the Dalai Lama while hosting those from the Chinese paramilitary group accused of detaining and abusing Uyghurs, an ethnic minority group in China. The company has also helped China spread its view of the world. Chinese iPhones censor the emoji of the Taiwanese flag, and their maps suggest Taiwan is part of China. For a time, simply typing the word Taiwan could make an iPhone crash, according to Patrick Wardle, a former hacker at the National Security Agency.

Sometimes, Shoemaker said, he was awakened in the middle of the night with demands from the Chinese government to remove an app. If the app appeared to mention the banned topics, he would remove it, but he would send more complicated cases to senior executives, including Cue and Schiller. Loading Apple resisted an order from the Chinese government in 2012 to remove The Times apps. But five years later, it ultimately did. Cook approved the decision, according to two people with knowledge of the matter who spoke on the condition of anonymity. Shoemaker said he and his team rationalised removing apps by framing them as simply enforcing a countrys laws. Similar steps were taken in places like Saudi Arabia and Russia, he said. At the same time, we didnt want to get hauled up in front of the Senate to talk about why were quote censoring apps in China, he said. It was a tightrope we had to walk. The New York Times
Wages picked up in the March quarter - but before you get too excited - economists have pointed out it was mainly catch-up momentum following pay freezes and declines during COVID.

Data released by the Australian Bureau of Statistics today showed wages increased by 0.6 per cent in the March quarter, similar to last quarter, to be 1.5 per cent higher than a year ago.

Accommodation and food services was one of the few sectors to see wages growth during the quarter. Credit:Jenny Evans, Getty

The year-through rise was better than the markets expected 1.4 per cent lift, which some see as a sign the labour market is tightening.

However, Indeed.coms APAC economist Callam Pickering said it reflected a bit of catch-up following wage freezes and declines during the height of the pandemic.

Wage growth will continue to improve over the next six-months as the impact of COVID-19 on the annual growth figures diminishes. We shouldnt misinterpret that as signs that the labour market is tight, Mr Pickering said.

Policymakers have made it clear - particularly in the recent federal budget - that persistently strong wage growth remains years away. Policymakers have little confidence in a sustained pick-up in wage growth, beyond returning to pre-pandemic levels.

The ABS said the public sector recorded its lowest annual rate of growth (1.5 per cent) since the commencement of the series, while the private sector remained at 1.4 per cent for the second quarter in a row.

Wage increase deferrals and smaller increases had an impact on public sector wage growth.

Meanwhile growth continues to vary considerably across industries, consistent with the uneven impact of COVID and the resulting recovery.

Three industries still have annual wage growth of under 1 per cent: Real estate at just 0.4 per cent, arts and recreation at 0.8 per cent, and administrative and support services at 0.9 per cent.

Just one industry, education, has wage growth above 2 per cent.

One bright spot was the pick-up in wage growth across accommodation & food services, Mr Pickering said. Annual growth jumped to 1.4 per cent, compared to 0.3 per cent in the December quarter.

That was driven by increases to awards and award-reliant jobs that were influenced by the Fair Work Commission decision. However, there was very little improvement across other industries. In fact, annual wage growth softened in seven industries, with a further four effectively unchanged.

CBA economist Kristina Clifton said tomorrows labour force update for April will be key.

The hours worked measure will be important to watch as it will provide a good guide as to whether much work was lost as a result of the end of the JobKeeper wage subsidy, she said.

Given the strength in the leading indicators of the labour market and the drop in job security fears reported today we expect tomorrows data to confirm that the labour market has weathered the end of Jobkeeper well.
A 71-year-old man from Isiolo has claimed his life is in danger following threats over a disputed seven-acre parcel of land in Chechelesi which he claims to own.

In his statement to Isiolo Police Station, Mr Timothy Karuga Kimemia said he was threatened by three men, one known to him, while passing by his plot near Isiolo Referral Hospital, and sought legal action against the culprits.

The cleric complained that a group of youths claiming ownership of his land had erected timber houses, contravening a court order that directed that the status quo stays until the case is heard and determined.

"I was passing by the land when the three men told me "Utaona na tutapatana" translated to "You will see and we will catch up with you," his statement vide OB No 45/27/04/2021 reads.

Public attention

Mr Kimemia's case attracted public attention in March 2018 when he wrote a letter to President Uhuru Kenyatta seeking his intervention while claiming that political forces were behind his woes.

"I fear for my life because of the threats and I appeal to the police to deal with the matter so that it does not degenerate into the worst," Mr Karuga told the Nation.

He says he was allocated the land by the defunct County Council of Isiolo on June 14, 1992 and he wanted to build a school for needy children but due to the disputes, Sh2.3 million worth of equipment lies idle.

Cases of land grabbing have been on the rise in the county with unscrupulous individuals eyeing plots in Chechelesi, Kiwanjani, Mwangaza, Tuluroba and Kambi ya Juu areas. They seeking to cash in on the promising land prices occasioned by ongoing mega projects.

Cases pending in courts have left many of the plots idle, hampering their development, with efforts by the county government bearing little or no success.
The states largest independent arts festival will return in September but will consolidate its shows to inner-city Sydney and the CBD to limit the risk of short, shock lockdowns.

Sydney Fringe director Kerri Glasscock said she hopes to program more than 300 shows for the month-long festival, as many as in previous years, to celebrate the tenacity of the performing arts sector after a year of hibernation.

Acts will perform in intimate venues hit hard by lockdowns including in Marrickville, Sydenham, Erskineville and Newtown but the festival is not planning live events in Liverpool, Parramatta and Hurstville.

From left: Dyon Tai, Demon Derriere, Krista Herrington and Papi Chulo at the launch of Sydney Fringe. Credit:Janie Barrett

Factory Theatre in Marrickville will stage comedy and Mothership Studios at Sydenham will be a hub for experimental theatre. The historic Newtown School of Arts building will serve as Fringe HQ, premium independent work will be staged at PACT in Erskineville and musical theatre and cabaret at City Tattersalls.
We have incredibly low rates of infection in Australia, but without very high vaccine uptake rates, were never going to achieve any long-lasting protection, and well just keep doing the same thing over and over again. There are now growing calls for a cautious easing of border restrictions, with many of Australias leading infectious diseases figures suggesting a new, risk-based quarantine system would allow select groups to safely avoid 14-day mandatory quarantine in a hotel. Professor Sharon Lewin, the director of the Doherty Institute, suggested people who had been vaccinated or travelled from low-risk countries could safely quarantine at home with regular testing. However, she believes Australia was still a long way off letting coronavirus circulate freely.

This isnt even on the table until vaccination rates are up around 70 per cent to 80 per cent, she said. Some in the business sector have been rallying against the federal governments timeline of a border reopening in mid-2022. Virgin Australias chief executive Jayne Hrdlicka has pushed for borders to reopen sooner, saying Australia needs to adopt the idea of COVID-19 infiltrating the community even if some people may die. Jayne Hrdlicka has sparked outrage over her call for borders to be reopened even if some people may die. Credit: Prime Minister Scott Morrison reiterated on Tuesday that the prospect of reopening international borders was some way off, but he said some changes were likely, including vaccinated Australians being able to travel overseas and return under different quarantine arrangements.

Loading The pandemic is raging. The pandemic is morphing ... Im not going to take risks with Australians lives, he said. More than 3.1 million coronavirus vaccine doses have been administered so far in Australia, which has a population of more than 25 million people. The government has so far refused to reveal how many people are fully vaccinated against the virus. Most of the promised 45 million doses of the Moderna and Pfizer vaccines are not expected to start arriving until late in the year and it remains unclear when most people will get their vaccine. Last month, the Prime Minister refused to put a deadline on the goal of inoculating the bulk of the population, after one of his senior ministers said the aim was for every adult to receive their first vaccination by Christmas.

Loading Professor Fiona Russell, a vaccine adviser to the World Health Organisation, estimates that the optimal vaccination coverage target, where Australia had enough immunity to safely open its borders to other countries, was somewhere between 60 and 85 per cent of the population. The Murdoch Childrens Research Institute epidemiologist formed her estimate by examining outcomes in countries with some of the highest vaccination rates. The small British territory of Gibraltar, home to roughly 33,000 people, has vaccinated more than 85 per cent of its adult population and has not recorded a case since it completed its vaccination program in March. But one of the worlds most vaccinated countries, the Seychelles, is currently experiencing an out-of-control coronavirus outbreak, despite roughly 61 per cent of the adult population on the East African island being immunised.

Loading Professor Russell said this could be due to pockets of high coverage and very low immunisation rates in other areas of the island and that it acted as a warning for countries with high levels of immunisation. We only have to look at what is unfolding in India and surrounding countries like Nepal and Sri Lanka ... the virus is sparking up again and its also shooting right up in Singapore, she said. Its all going a bit pear-shaped and this is all around us ... right on our doorstep. Professor Gregory Dore, an epidemiologist at the Kirby Institute, said it was eminently sensible to drop the one-size-fits-all approach to COVID-19 quarantine and move towards a stratified system with different levels of protection for different levels of risk. But he warned even if 70 per cent of Australias adult population were to be fully vaccinated, there would still be breakthrough cases as the international borders reopened further.

There still could absolutely be infections and small to moderate outbreaks, but when youve large portions of the population protected, youre not going to get those massive sort of escalating exponential epidemics because there should be enough immunity in the community, he said. Australian Medical Association president Omar Khorshid said a general target for reopening could motivate more people to get vaccinated. If we knew the borders were going to open on January 1 next year, I think every Australian knows theyve got to get vaccinated, fully vaccinated, before January 1, he said. Professor Baxter, a clinical epidemiologist at the University of Melbourne, has watched from afar as a third wave of the virus struck her hometown of Toronto in Canada, where she said authorities had managed to vaccinate vulnerable aged care residents, leading to much lower death rates overall compared to previously.

Loading So far, almost 19 million doses of vaccine have been administered across Canada, which has a population of about 38 million people. Now, Professor Baxter said, the ICUs were filling with younger people. This is a system that is like Melbourne, she said. Two hospitals almost ran out of oxygen. Thats what youre looking at if we decide to open up when we are at 50 per cent vaccination.
Laws to partially protect construction subcontractors payments will be reintroduced as early as next week after development company Pindan went under while owing an estimated $70 million.

Hundreds of subcontractors were left in the lurch when Belmont-based Pindan  which was running 68 projects at the time and has 280 direct employees  entered voluntary administration on Tuesday, owing them about $30 million.

Pindans worksite at the Kings Square development. Credit:City of Fremantle

Ernst and Young was appointed as administrator for three of the companys trading entities and liquidator for nine others.

Pindans workforce was nearly halved on Wednesday when 135 jobs were cut.
Save Log in , register or subscribe to save articles for later. Normal text size Larger text size Very large text size Dean Gibson was sitting in his friends Perth lounge room having just commemorated Anzac Day with a special dinner when two large men in balaclavas burst through the unlocked front door, one brandishing a samurai sword, the other a crowbar. The intruders, Michael Wachipa and Albert Bere, were strangers to the four people inside the Mount Lawley home they targeted on April 26, 2019, looking for money and drugs. The crime scene on Guildford Road the morning after the home invasion. Credit:Radio 6PR / Lisa Barnes High on methamphetamine, the masked men planned to frighten anyone inside the house into handing over their valuables. Instead, they quickly found themselves outnumbered three to two and within minutes, Bere was fatally wounded by his own sword. Mr Gibson, 39, and his two friends Nick Shilkin, 35, and Jarrod Cook, 50, jumped from the couches and fought to disarm the intruders. We thought it was a joke at first but then they didnt ask any questions and I screamed at them, Why are you here, what do you want? he said.

Advertisement

These guys were massive, we had no weapons on us, we didnt have anything else but their own weapons. We cared about each other enough to do something about it, I had the chance to run away and I just thought, I cant do this to my friends ... they were going to die if I didnt do something. Details of the Guildford Road home invasion were aired for the first time as Wachipa, 26, was sentenced to 4 years jail in Perth District Court on Monday. Police at the Mount Lawley home shortly after the altercation. Credit:Nine News Perth The court heard Bere, 27, and Wachipa entered the house around 1.30am with their weapons raised, with Mr Shilkin and Mr Gibson moving to disarm Bere while Mr Cook lunged at Wachipa, ripping off his balaclava and grabbing the arm with which he held the crowbar. Wachipa struck Mr Cook twice in the head with a hammer he had in his back pocket as the pair threw punches and wrestled into the coffee table, crashing into the TV. Across the room, Bere was swinging his sword at Mr Shilkton and Mr Gibson.

Advertisement

[He] was about to stab my mate square in the head, and he still got him, but I just stopped his arm from going straight through his skull, Mr Gibson told WAtoday, scars on his face from the ordeal still visible. He turned around and got me in the ear and then I blocked it with my arm and had to try to wrestle the sword off him. It was terrifying. The innocent trio all suffered non-life-threatening injuries, including cuts, as they fought for their lives. Forensic officers scour the Mount Lawley home. Credit:Nine News Perth Mr Gibson managed to gain partial control of the sword handle, which was still in Beres hand, when Bere lunged forward to punch him and impaled himself, the sword plunging into his lower abdomen and cutting his femoral artery, causing significant blood loss. He staggered from the house and Wachipa followed. Unable to find his friend, Wachipa entered an awaiting getaway car being driven by a third man and fled the scene. It was allegedly the drivers idea to target the house, although he has never been charged.

Advertisement

The following day Wachipa began looking for media reports about the home invasion and discovered his friend had died. He handed himself into police, making a full confession, telling detectives to find the home occupants before I do. Under West Australian law, it is lawful for the occupant of a house to use any force they believe is necessary to make a home invader leave their house, or prevent them from committing an offence. An occupant may even use force that is intended, or likely, to cause death to the home invader if the occupant believes that level of violence is likely to be used by the offender. Auxilary Judge Bruce Goetze said the fatal outcome demonstrated the seriousness of the offending. Some might say they deserved what they got, thats a bit harsh, but the law says you can only respond in a way that is suitable to the circumstances and clearly these people were attacked and they responded, he said. If you go in with a samurai sword and its turned on you and you have it stuck in you, well, that happens. Despite the law protecting the mens actions, Mr Gibson was told shortly after the incident that he was possibly facing a murder charge.

Advertisement

I was going to jail, I was going to be charged with murder after doing nothing wrong, he said. They then let me go a few hours later and said, Dont worry about it, our sergeant just cleared you ... it was disgraceful. Wachipa has been in custody for the two years since the incident. The court heard he had taken significant steps while in custody to rehabilitate himself, and was one of the leaders of a prison narcotics anonymous group. In a brief adjournment to his sentencing hearing on Monday, Wachipa made an emotional apology to Mr Cook and Mr Gibson who were in the public gallery. I apologise for my actions, Im not a violent person, drugs got the better of me, he said. Mr Gibson and Mr Cook accepted the apology.

Advertisement
The landscape of Australian politics seems no different after Scott Morrison and Josh Frydenberg thundered past with a freight train of money in the federal budget.

The nations biggest challenges still tower less than a week after the spendathon  and the vaccine rollout is the biggest of them all.

The reluctance of so many Australians to get a jab will be a headache for the Prime Minister. Credit:Alex Ellinghausen

So the reluctance of so many Australians to get a jab will be a headache for the Prime Minister and Treasurer just as they face calls for a better roadmap to life after the pandemic.

Morrison and Frydenberg could have spent twice as much in the budget and still ended up caught in an argument over the vaccination plan.
Prime Minister Scott Morrison says Australia would prefer a better relationship with China but that Beijings trade sanctions are like the traditional Chinese lion dance  mostly theatrical.

There can be a lot of diplomatic atmospherics but at the end of the day the relationship is still going on, he said.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison says Australia is weathering the trade fight with China. Credit:Dominic Lorrimer

Chinas government has imposed coercive restrictions on Australian exports of beef, barley, wine, thermal coal, copper, cotton, seafood, sugar and timber, and warned students and tourists against travel to Australia because of the danger of violent racism.

Last week the Global Times, a media outlet owned by the Chinese Communist Party, said Beijing could inflict more carnage for the Australian economy if Canberra kept increasing defence spending.
London: An intensive care nurse who stood at the side of British Prime Minister Boris Johnson when he was hospitalised with COVID-19 has resigned, citing lack of government support for health care workers.

Jenny McGee, a New Zealander who has worked as an intensive care nurse in Britain for 11 years, said: Were not getting the respect and now pay that we deserve. Im just sick of it. So Ive handed in my resignation.

Jenny McGee, a nurse from Invercargill who treated British Prime Minister Boris Johnson, has quit her job.

Johnson, one of the first world leaders diagnosed with COVID-19, spent three days in a London intensive care unit in April 2020. After he recovered, he singled out two nurses who stayed at his bedside for 48 hours, when things could have gone either way. They were Luis Pitarma, from Portugal, and McGee, from Invercargill in New Zealand.

The reason, in the end, my body did start to get enough oxygen, was because for every second of the night they were watching, and they were thinking and they were caring, and making the interventions I needed, Johnson said.
Loading Egyptian negotiators have also been working to halt the fighting, and an Egyptian diplomat said top officials were waiting for Israels response to a ceasefire offer. The diplomat spoke on condition of anonymity in line with regulations. Meanwhile, German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas said he would fly to the region on Thursday for talks with Israelis and Palestinians. Earlier in the day, the Israeli military said it was widening its strikes on militant targets in southern Gaza to blunt continuing rocket fire from Hamas. At least nine people were killed in the Gaza Strip on Wednesday. The current round of fighting between Israel and Hamas began on May 10 when the militant group fired long-range rockets toward Jerusalem after days of clashes between Palestinian protesters and Israeli police at the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound, a flashpoint site sacred to Jews and Muslims. Heavy-handed police tactics at the compound and the threatened eviction of dozens of Palestinian families by Jewish settlers had inflamed tensions. Since then, Israel has launched hundreds of air strikes against what it says are Hamas militant infrastructure, and Hamas and other militant groups embedded in residential areas have fired more than 3700 rockets at Israeli cities, with hundreds falling short and most of the rest intercepted or landing in open areas.

At least 227 Palestinians have been killed, including 64 children and 38 women, with 1620 people wounded, according to the Gaza Health Ministry, which does not break the numbers down into fighters and civilians. Hamas and Islamic Jihad say at least 20 of their fighters have been killed, while Israel says the number is at least 130. Some 58,000 Palestinians have fled their homes. Twelve people in Israel, including a 5-year-old boy, a 16-year-old girl and a soldier, have been killed. Loading Replay Replay video Play video Play video Rockets fired from Lebanon On Wednesday, militants in Lebanon fired a barrage of rockets into northern Israel, threatening to open up a new front in fighting.

The rocket attack, which drew Israeli artillery fire in response but did not cause any injuries, raised the possibility of dragging Israel into renewed conflict with the powerful Lebanese militant group Hezbollah to its north. No one immediately claimed responsibility for the attack, and Hezbollah, which fought a month-long war against Israel in 2006, has stayed out of the fighting for now. The rockets are widely believed to be fired by Palestinian factions based in south Lebanon. But they cannot operate without Hezbollahs tacit consent, and the barrage appears to be carefully calibrated to send a political message that the group, which has tens of thousands of missiles, could join the battle at any time. Israel considers Hezbollah to be its most formidable threat, and has threatened widespread destruction in Lebanon if war were to erupt. In Gaza, one of the Israeli air strikes destroyed the home of an extended family. Residents surveyed the piles of bricks, concrete and other debris that had once been the home of 40 members of the al-Astal family in the southern Gaza town of Khan Younis. They said a warning missile struck the building five minutes before the airstrike, allowing everyone to escape.

Ahmed al-Astal, a university professor, described a scene of panic, with men, women and children racing out of the building. Some of the women didnt even have time to cover their hair with Muslim head scarves, he said. We had just gotten down to the street, breathless, when the devastating bombardment came, he said. They left nothing but destruction, the childrens cries filling the street ... This is happening, and there is no one to help us. Another strike in nearby Deir al-Balah killed a man, his wife and their 2-year-old daughter, witnesses said. Iyad Salha, a brother of the man who was killed, said the family had just sat down for lunch when the missile hit. A Palestinian walks past a building hit by an Israeli air strike in Gaza. Credit:AP Among those killed on Wednesday were a reporter for Hamas-run Al-Aqsa radio and two people who died when warning missiles crashed into their apartment.

The Israeli military said it was striking a militant tunnel network in southern Gaza, with 52 aircraft hitting 40 underground targets. Loading Military officials, meanwhile, said a mysterious explosion that killed eight members of a Palestinian family on the first day of the fighting was caused by a misfired rocket from Gaza. This wasnt an Israeli attack, said Lieutenant Colonel Jonathan Conricus, a military spokesman. Since the fighting began, Gazas infrastructure, already weakened by a 14-year blockade, has rapidly deteriorated. Medical supplies, water and fuel for electricity are running low in the territory, on which Israel and Egypt imposed the blockade after Hamas seized power in 2007. Israeli attacks have damaged at least 18 hospitals and clinics and destroyed one health facility, the World Health Organization said. Nearly half of all essential drugs have run out.

The Gaza Health Ministry said it had salvaged coronavirus vaccines after shrapnel from an Israeli airstrike damaged the territorys only testing facility, which also administered hundreds of vaccines. The operations were relocated to another clinic. Dr Majdi Dhair, head of preventive medicine at the ministry, said the territory was already struggling to recover from a coronavirus wave that hit in February, with more than 4200 active cases. At least 986 people have died from COVID-19 in Gaza, which only has enough supplies to vaccinate some 55,000 people out of a population of 2 million. Among the buildings levelled by Israeli air strikes was one housing The Associated Press Gaza office and those of other media outlets. Netanyahu has alleged that Hamas military intelligence was operating in the building. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said on Tuesday that Israel had given the US information about the bombing, without elaborating. The AP has called for an independent investigation. The news organisations president, Gary Pruitt, has said the AP had no indication Hamas was present in the building.
Gaza City: Israeli air strikes killed at least six people across the Gaza Strip and destroyed the home of a large extended family. The military said it widened its strikes on militant targets to the south amid continuing rocket fire from the Hamas-ruled territory.

Residents surveyed the piles of bricks, concrete and other debris that had once been the home of 40 members of al-Astal family. They said a warning missile struck the building early on Wednesday (Israel time) in the southern town of Khan Younis five minutes before the airstrike, allowing everyone to escape.

A Palestinian child, wounded in overnight Israeli air strikes on the Gaza Strip, receives treatment at Al-Shifa Hospital on May 18. Credit:Getty Images

Ahmed al-Astal, a university professor, described a scene of panic before the airstrike hit, with men, women and children racing out of the building. Some of the women didnt even have time to cover their hair with Muslim headscarves, he said.

We had just gotten down to the street, breathless, when the devastating bombardment came, he said. They left nothing but destruction, the childrens cries filling the street. ... This is happening, and there is no one to help us. We ask God to help us.
Residents are pictured on the streets of Mandera town as smoke rises from explosions in the neighbouring Bula Hawa town of Somalia (file photo).

Kenya and Ethiopia have agreed to end clan animosity on their common border in Mandera County, with authorities vowing that any aggressors will face the law.

After the postponement of the security meetings due to heavy rainfall in the past two weeks, representatives of the two governments met in Banisa on Sunday.

Kenya's representatives led by Mandera County Police Commander George Seda and Banisa Sub County Deputy Commissioner Peter Lotulia, agreed with their Ethiopian counterparts that all suspected criminals will be apprehended and charged in court. The Ethiopian delegation was led by Hawassa provincial commissioners Mohamed Ali Kunaye and Mr Mohamed Mohamud Adan.

Treat criminals as individuals

Other resolutions agreed on include a commitment by both delegations to treat criminals as individuals, without demonising their communities.

Ethiopian authorities pledged to organise a peace meeting in Hawasssa between the Garre and Degodia clans. Residents of Dawa and Liban zones in Ethiopia will be the main beneficiaries of the meeting.

The recent clan fighting in Banisa started in Ethiopia before the violence spilled over to Kenya earlier this month.

It was reported that two members of one of the clans in Ethiopia were killed in an attack by a rival group and, days later, two members of the rival group were killed in Kenya.

While meeting in Banisa, representatives of the two governments agreed that security would be enhanced along the common border and within respective areas of authority.

The two administrative units agreed to share intelligence between them on all security matters, to curb clan conflicts.

Regular meetings

All leaders who attended the meeting agreed to organise regular and structured meetings to promote cohesion and inter-community peace across the common border.

Communities residing at the border were urged to report security breaches in time to their respective administrations.

Mandera Governor Ali Roba witnessed the signing of the peace deal.
Wilmington, DE (19810)

Today

A steady rain this morning. Showers continuing this afternoon. High 66F. Winds E at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 100%. Rainfall around a quarter of an inch..

Tonight

Overcast with rain showers at times. Low 61F. Winds ENE at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 40%.
Wilmington, DE (19810)

Today

Rain early...then remaining cloudy with showers in the afternoon. High 66F. Winds E at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 100%. Rainfall around a quarter of an inch..

Tonight

Overcast with rain showers at times. Low 61F. Winds ENE at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 40%.
Carlette Duffy and the Fair Housing Center of Central Indiana filed complaints with the federal government, alleging appraisers violated fair housing laws.
For the past one year, Grace Onyango and tens of villagers in Chuowe Beach, Homa Bay County, have not had a permanent place to call home.

Following heavy rains in parts of the country from late 2019 to the better part of 2020, hundreds of homes, schools and farms were flooded, forcing residents to flee.

To date, dozens of homes in a tiny village in Karachuonyo North are still submerged. But besides having thrown many out of their homes, the ravaging floods which also submerged latrines and a shopping centre could have done worse by triggering a public health crisis.

Sitting just a few kilometres from Lake Victoria, Chuowe beach is a fishing village that has been courting challenges from indiscriminate sand harvesting, hippo attacks to poor sanitation yet somehow the residents have survived.

"Houses and latrines were submerged, causing a scare," said Willis Omulo, a resident and chairman of Aluora Makare Community Based Organisation, which champions environmental issues.

With the plight of the flood victims at stake, community leaders, county government and humanitarian organisations came up with interventions to cushion them against further disasters.

Flooded toilets

Prof Richard Muga, the Homa Bay County health Chief Executive Officer said while the moves were rushed to respond to the urgent need, they managed to avoid the worst.

"The lake's backwash flooded toilets. The county recruited community health workers to conduct regular health talks, and distribute water treatment pills among other public interventions," said Prof Muga.

Close Sign up for free AllAfrica Newsletters Get the latest in African news delivered straight to your inbox Top Headlines Kenya Climate By submitting above, you agree to our privacy policy. Success! Almost finished... We need to confirm your email address. To complete the process, please follow the instructions in the email we just sent you. Error! Error! There was a problem processing your submission. Please try again later.

Grace, a mother of seven, said they boiled water for domestic use and community health workers in the county played a crucial role through their regular health talks.

"There were so many families sharing the school compound where we took refuge. Therefore, the county government urgently constructed additional latrines," she said, adding that they also received water treatment tablets from the community workers.

She further added sanitisers and frequent hand-washing measures introduced as part of Covid-19 prevention measures have helped the families to deal with poor-hygiene related infections.

Emily Opiyo, a community health worker employed by the county government, said: "We have been training on proper hygiene both through communal groups and door-to-door and we encourage families to use what they have," she says.

When they could not get water treatment tablets, they advised households to boil water instead.

"This time around, for instance, there were no mosquito nets to distribute. Therefore, we advised locals to use their old nets and sew them when they get torn," said Emily.

Community health workers are also training the residents to construct pit latrines using plastic drums or concrete culverts to stop the pits from sinking during floods.

The biggest challenge with the new pit latrine technologies is that not many residents can afford them, she said.

Wanton sand harvesting and floods having made it difficult for electric poles to remain firm, the village was disconnected from the national grid. But the village is not in darkness since many residents are using solar lighting.
Louisville Metro Police arrested Salvador Abdul Jones for six bank robberies over the past month. They nicknamed him "Mr. Smooth" for his cool demeanor. The last holdup was at the U.S. Bank on Brownsboro Road on May 5. Image courtesy LMPD.
Missing Mt. Washington boy found sleeping in playhouse says he was on 'an adventure'
Several Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) soldiers are feared dead while dozen others were injured when a patrol vehicle they were travelling in ran over an improvised explosive device (IED) planted by suspected Al-Shabaab militants in Baure, Lamu East.

The incident happened at around 9.30am on Tuesday.

Lamu County Commissioner Irungu Macharia said the number of casualties remains unknown as the area is remote.

Baure is inside the dense Boni Forest where the national government has, since 2015, been undertaking a multi-agency security operation dubbed Linda Boni, which is aimed at flashing out Al-Shabaab militants.

Mr Macharia said a major security operation is ongoing in the area and urged Kenyans not to panic or be intimidated.

"I have no concrete information. I hear there was contact with the enemy forces in the morning. We are yet to get details due to a poor network. There could be deaths and injuries. There is no cause for alarm. We are still on top of things," said Mr Macharia.

Police sources who talked to Nation.Africa said a KDF morning patrol party encountered a terrorist IED within Baure, resulting in the deaths of several soldiers and leaving others injured.

"Several troops lost their lives in the incident. The enemy is targeting mobile patrol assets," said the police source.

Past attacks

The incident comes barely two weeks after two people were killed and one critically injured in Lamu, when the vehicle they were travelling in ran over an IED near the border with Somalia.

The incident happened on May 3 near Border Point 27, which is several kilometres past Ishakani Village in Lamu East.

On March 23, one person died when a water bowser headed to Usalama Camp, where the Kenya-Somalia border wall is being constructed, hit an IED suspected to have been planted by the militants.

The vehicle, which had a driver and a conductor, was ferrying water for the construction of the border security wall, when the incident occurred at around 7.30am.

In January 2016, five Police officers were killed while three were injured when a Rapid Deployment Unit (RDU) lorry hit an IED suspected along Hindi-Kiunga road in Lamu.

The officers were heading to Usalama Camp when the incident happened just a few kilometres from Milimani, which is inside the dense Boni forest.

On June 14, 2015, over 60 Al-Shabaab fighters ambushed KDF's Baure camp near Bar'goni in Lamu at around 5.45am.

About 18 militants and two KDF officers were killed and an assortment of weapons, including a video camera, found.
Bill Burt and George Bremer discuss the NFL schedule and Tom Brady's return to New England; Elton Hayes and Kevin Brockway reflect on Coach K's retirement; and Clay Horning breaks down the worst defensive play in baseball in recent memory.
WSU Researcher to Discuss Impact of Housing Discrimination in Ogden

May 19, 2021

OGDEN, Utah  Weber State University adjunct economic faculty member Jennifer Gnagey will present findings from her ongoing research into the history of housing discrimination in Ogden and Weber County on Thursday, May 20, at Ogdens Union Station.

Tracing the Legacy of Housing Discrimination in Ogden is an in-person event that begins at 6:30 p.m. To get a Zoom link, register for the presentation on Union Stations Facebook event page. Gnagey, who teaches in the John B. Goddard School of Business & Economics, will discuss discriminatory housing practices such as redlining and racial covenants and how they were used to shape neighborhoods in Ogden.

People often think government-sanctioned housing segregation is something that only happened in the South. But in fact numerous policies and practices in northern and western states were used to create and sustain racially segregated neighborhoods, Gnagey said.

Redlining is the practice of refusing to issue a mortgage loan or insurance to a person because they live in an area thats considered a poor financial risk. It was often used against neighborhoods with high minority populations and to keep minorities from owning property. Racial covenants are found on property documents and were used to restrict homeowners from selling their property to anyone other than the Caucasian race.

Both practices were used in Ogden and Weber County to develop housing standards in the mid-20th century, Gnagey said. Using digital records from the Weber County Recorder/Surveyors Office, she found and mapped several instances of racial covenants for Ogden houses. Gnagey has been working on the project for a little over a year and recently received grant funding to deepen her research.

We have found three racial covenants so far: two on Ogdens East Bench and one in South Ogden. We anticipate finding more, but we dont yet have a good sense of the scale of these covenants in Weber County, she said.

This year, the Utah State Legislature passed H.B. 374, which prohibits racial or other restrictive covenants on property documents, and gives homeowners a chance to modify any documents with those covenants on them for free. While homeowners can do this anytime the Recorders office is open, Gnageys research team will make themselves available at the Weber County Recorders office on Tuesdays from 1-3 p.m. this summer if homeowners want help searching for covenants on their property or have other questions about this new law.

The effects of discriminatory housing practices dont just have an economic impact, but a cultural and social one as well. Student research assistant Marisa Arreguin, a sociology major, grew up in Ogden and noticed certain stereotypes surrounding particular neighborhoods or schools. She said it was interesting to note which of these stereotypes were likely created because of the legacy of redlining in Ogden.

The redlining that was created included explicit language and terminology such as colored people and deemed areas as hazardous that included poor or foreign-born people, Arreguin said. The classification of the citizens was reinforced by legal racial covenants that further perpetuated ideals and beliefs about social classes in Ogden that are still accepted beliefs about the city today.

Gnagey and Arreguin both said its important to acknowledge the history of housing discrimination and that those practices didnt just happen in big cities, but in Ogden and Utah as a whole. The legacy of such practices continues to have a far-reaching impact, they said, especially as more people move to Ogden and housing prices soar across the state.

Racial covenants show us that neighbors working together can be a powerful force to perpetuate discrimination, but I think it is possible to use that same power of collective action and peer pressure to advance inclusion, Gnagey said.

Gnagey said she looks forward to talking to community members at Thursdays event and hearing their feedback. She also runs a Facebook group, Neighbors Further Fair Housing, where the community can discuss the project and affirmative steps neighbors and local authorities can take to ensure fair housing.

To see the redlined 1931 map of Ogden, visit this link.

To see the racial housing covenants, visit this link.

Visit weber.edu/wsutoday for more news about Weber State University.
Help us understand what you value in community conversations so we can make our digital offerings more useful. This survey will only take a few minutes to complete.



By taking the survey, you'll be entered into a drawing for one of three $100 gift cards to your choice of the following businesses: Hooked on Toys and Sporting Goods, Safeway/Albertsons, FredMeyer and Target.

Click here to take survey
This page contains all of The Wenatchee Worlds coverage of the novel coronavirus outbreak, and the illness it causes, called COVID-19.

Because this outbreak impacts public health, our coverage of the coronavirus is available to all readers, even without a subscription. But our journalists are working hard to bring you the verified information below. Please consider supporting important local journalism with a subscription. (Click Here)

Are you a North Central Washington resident whos been affected by the illness? Send us an email: newsroom@wenatcheeworld.com.
Abuja  Nigeria has received the sum of 4,214,017 ($5.97 million), which is loot recovered by the United Kingdom from former Governor of oil-rich Delta State, Mr James Ibori, who was jailed in Britain in 2012 for fraud.

Mr Abubakar Malami, Nigeria's Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, confirmed that the West African country was credited with the Naira equivalent of the money on May 10, 2021.

Mr Ibori, 61, was Governor from May 29, 1999 to May 29, 2007. The Department for International Development (DfID) and Nigeria's Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) began investigating Mr Ibori in 2005. He was charged with 170 counts of fraud in Nigeria, but was acquitted of all of them by a federal court in 2009.

He later fled to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) where he was arrested and repatriated to the UK to face money laundering and fraud charges.

The ex-governor pleaded guilty in February 2012 to 10 offences relating to conspiracy to launder funds from the State, substantive counts of money laundering and one count of obtaining money transfer by deception and fraud.

In April 2012, he was handed a 13-year jail sentence after admitting to fraud of nearly 50 million.

The prosecutor, Sasha Wass, told the court that Mr Ibori and his associates used multiple accounts at banks to launder millions of pounds, some of which was used to buy high end real estate in London.

The court heard that Mr Ibori, once a "petty thief with his hand in the till" at the DIY store Wickes, amassed a portfolio of six properties outside Nigeria worth 6.9 million at a time he was being paid 4,000 a year as State Governor of Delta region.

Close Sign up for free AllAfrica Newsletters Get the latest in African news delivered straight to your inbox Top Headlines Nigeria Corruption Europe and Africa By submitting above, you agree to our privacy policy. Success! Almost finished... We need to confirm your email address. To complete the process, please follow the instructions in the email we just sent you. Error! Error! There was a problem processing your submission. Please try again later.

The properties in London included a flat in St John's Wood, a house in Hampstead and another in Regent's Park. He also had a 3 million mansion in South Africa, as well as properties in Texas and in Dorset, near to where his children attended private school.

Private jet

Mr Ibori also bought a fleet of luxury cars, and in three years ran up 920,000 on his American Express Centurion card - a card only available to the super-rich, Wass told the court.

In 2005, Mr Ibori instructed a London solicitor to buy a private jet costing $20 million. He was arrested after British police discovered that he had made the order to purchase the plane.

One of Mr Ibori's wives, Theresa, his sister Christine Ibori-Idie; mistress Udoamaka Okoronkwo and London-based solicitor Bhadresh Gohil, have all been convicted of money laundering.

Still popular

Despite a graft-tainted career and court convictions, after his release from jail in 2016, Mr Ibori's return to Nigeria in 2017 was met with celebration from a section of locals with whom he remains popular.

Delta Governor Ifeanyi Okowa had appealed to the federal government to release the returned money to the state since it was stolen from there.

He wrote to the federal government regarding the issue just a few weeks after the UK committed to return the loot recovered.
Michel Spingler/AP

NEW YORK (AP)  Amazon said Tuesday that it will extend its ban on police use of its face-recognition technology beyond the one-year pause it announced last year.

Amazon and other technology companies have been under pressure from civil rights activists and their own workers to halt the sale of face-recognition systems to law enforcement agencies. One concern is that the technology can incorrectly identify people with darker skin. Amazon has pushed back against bias claims and touted its technology's accuracy.
HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP)  Pittsburgh Mayor Bill Peduto lost his bid for re-election Tuesday to Ed Gainey, a five-term state representative, as the city took a big step toward electing its first Black chief executive.

Peduto, a Democrat, had been seeking a third term against three primary challengers but instead called to congratulate Gainey, Wishing him well in a tweet late Tuesday.

Gainey was all but assured a victory in November in the heavily Democratic city. He had consistently made the campaign about equality for Black and poor residents, and accused Peduto of failing to ensure equity in policing, housing and other areas. At one point, he called Pittsburgh a tale of two cities.

One person can't change a city. A city is changed when we all come together to improve the quality of life for everybody, Gainey told supporters late Tuesday.

Statewide, Pennsylvania voters were given the opportunity to limit a governor's emergency authority  more than a year after Gov. Tom Wolf's pandemic restrictions drew fierce backlash among legislative Republicans  in an otherwise quiet off-year primary election that also included balloting for an open seat on the state's highest court.

Voters of all kinds, including independents, were allowed to vote on four ballot questions, including two that stemmed from Republican lawmakers' dissatisfaction with how Wolf, a Democrat, wielded his authority during the COVID-19 crisis.

It was the first vote of its kind since the coronavirus outbreak, as Republicans in nearly every state have sought to roll back governors' authority during disaster emergencies.

For Republicans, the top-of-the-ticket race was an open state Supreme Court seat, with three GOP candidates vying for the nomination. The Democratic candidate ran unopposed.

Voters also decided whether to write civil rights protections for race and ethnicity into the state constitution, while Philadelphia's progressive district attorney, vying for a second term, fended off a primary challenge.

___

DISASTER DECLARATIONS

The two questions were on constitutional amendments that would give lawmakers much more power over disaster declarations, to apply whether the emergency is another pandemic or a natural disaster.

They asked voters to end a governors emergency disaster declaration after 21 days and to give lawmakers the sole authority to extend it or end it at any time with a simple majority vote.

Current law allows a governor to issue an emergency declaration for up to 90 days and extend it without limit. The constitution requires a two-thirds majority vote by lawmakers to end the declaration.

Wolf opposed the change.

Results to the two questions were still being tabulated early Wednesday morning.

___

ETHNICITY AND RACE

Voters backed a proposal that would add a passage to the constitution outlawing discrimination because of someones race or ethnicity.

Its believed to be the first time since last summers protests over the police killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis that voters were asked to weigh in on a racial equality issue on a statewide ballot.

It becomes the constitutions fourth equality provision, added to all men are born equally free and independent, a protection from discrimination in exercising civil rights, and a 1971 amendment that ensures gender equality.

___

STATE SUPREME COURT

Kevin Brobson, a Commonwealth Court judge from Cumberland County, won the Republican nomination for an open seat on state Supreme Court.

Brobson was endorsed by the state Republican Party, and enjoyed a huge advantage in campaign spending, thanks in large part to more than $275,000 in help from a business advocacy organization whose money comes from suburban Philadelphia billionaire Jeffrey Yass.

He beat two challengers, Philadelphia Common Pleas Court Judge Paula Patrick and Commonwealth Court Judge Patricia McCullough of Allegheny County.

Democrat Maria McLaughlin, a Superior Court judge, ran uncontested for her partys nomination.

The winner of the November election will replace retiring Justice Thomas Saylor, a conservative whose departure will leave the court with one justice elected as a Republican and five elected as Democrats.

A term is 10 years, followed by an up-or-down retention election.

___

LEGISLATURE

Voters picked candidates in four special elections to fill vacant seats in the state Legislature, two in the Senate and two in the House of Representatives.

The elections will not tip the balance of power in the 253-seat Legislature, where Republicans control both chambers by comfortable margins.

A Lackawanna County-based Senate remained in Democratic hands. Republicans held on to a second seat, based in Lebanon County.

In the House, seats based in Westmoreland and Armstrong remained held by Republicans.

___

PHILADELPHIA DISTRICT ATTORNEY

Incumbent Larry Krasner, who was elected four years ago on a promise of radical change, beat back a primary challenge to win the Democratic nomination.

Krasner has pushed shorter probation and parole, a curtailing of cash bail that disproportionately keeps poor defendants confined before trial and other reforms. His campaign for a second term was seen as a test of whether a wave of progressive prosecutors elected on promises of criminal justice reform could survive a rising tide of gun violence and homicides across the country.

Krasner, 60, a longtime civil rights and defense attorney, defeated veteran homicide prosecutor Carlos Vega, 64, on Tuesday and will be the heavy favorite in November.

___

FIRE DEPARTMENT LOANS

A fourth ballot question asked whether voters wanted to allow 22 municipal fire departments in Pennsylvania to have access to a 45-year-old low-interest loan fund that helps some 2,000 volunteer firefighting squads borrow money to pay for trucks, equipment and facilities.

The fund is administered by the office of the state fire commissioner.

___

OTHER APPELLATE COURTS

Democrats picked from among three candidates for an open seat on the Superior Court, which handles criminal and civil appeals from county courts.

The candidates were Philadelphia Common Pleas Court Judge Timika Lane and two lawyers in private practice, Bryan Neft of suburban Pittsburgh and Jill Beck of Pittsburgh.

Republican Megan Sullivan ran unopposed for the nomination.

Meanwhile, Democrats chose among four candidates for two open seats on the Commonwealth Court, which handles lawsuits and appeals involving state and governmental agencies.

Running were Common Pleas Court Judge David Lee Spurgeon and lawyer Amanda Green Hawkins of Allegheny County and Common Pleas Court judges Lori Dumas and Sierra Street of Philadelphia.

Republicans Drew Crompton and Stacy Wallace were uncontested.

Results in these races were still being counted early Wednesday morning.
Today

Mostly cloudy and much cooler with a few showers possible, more likely south and west of the Lehigh Valley.

Tonight

Becoming partly cloudy.

Tomorrow

Partly sunny and mostly dry, but there is a small chance of an afternoon shower or t-storm.
Prayers at the 20th anniversary of the August 7, 1998 bombing of the U.S. Embassy in Nairobi (file photo).

Victims of the 1998 US Embassy bombing in Nairobi are now demanding compensation from the State due to possible security lapses that led to the terror attack.

In a petition filed at the High Court through legal aid group Kituo Cha Sheria, the victims want to be compensated on grounds that the attack was a result of negligence and failure by security agencies.

They also want President Uhuru Kenyatta to form a Commission of Inquiry to establish what happened prior to the bombing.

The commission's task is "to find culpability of State institutions and State officers in the attack and recommendations for their prosecution".

They also want the court to declare that the government failed to take the necessary steps to detect, prevent and stop the terrorist attack as well as the entire planning and execution.

They believe the bombing happened despite the security agencies having sufficient knowledge and intelligence of an impending attack.

"An inquiry will foster accountability within the security establishment and avoid repetition of a similar attack," reads the court papers.

Stay in Sudan

The Executive Director of Kituo Cha Sheria, Dr Annette Mbogoh, said before the attack, the Sudanese government had hosted Al Qaeda militants.

In Sudan, the militants were allegedly provided with passports and allowed to ferry weapons and money across the border into Kenya. Khartoum had also given safe haven to Osama Bin Laden leading to the US State department to place the country on a list of State sponsors of terrorism in 1993.

"Had the Kenyan government beefed up security at the border, the terrorists would not have come into the country or enjoyed a safe haven to plan and execute the attack," said Ms Mbogoh.

She said the transportation of equipment and weaponry used in the attack and the smuggling of money point to complacency and laxity by the government, allowing Al Qaeda operatives to bypass custom and immigration controls.

Led by George Ngigi, the victims claim the operatives lived in an apartment in Nairobi, where they set up a makeshift laboratory for their planning.

"In August 1997, before the US embassy bombings in Kenya and Tanzania, the FBI and the Kenya police raided the house of one Wadih El Hage in Nairobi. (E) Hage was a terrorist on site manager and found a very disturbing letter on his computer hard drive," the court documents state.

Government's responsibility

The victims claim the terrorists were residing in Runda Estate in May 1998. The home was isolated by high walls, making it nearly impossible for anyone to observe activity in and around the house.

"A month later at approximately 10.30am, terrorists driving in a truck detonated a large bomb in the rear parking area, near the ramp to the basement garage of the American Embassy leading to the death of 213 dead and 400 injured," they state.

"They failed to ensure our security by failing to beef up security at the Kenyan borders and to vet all persons coming into the country as is expected of a country exercising due diligence."

Mr Ngigi said that from the said failures and breaches by the government, the Al Qaeda operatives freely established residences, laboratories, transport equipment and weaponry as well as movement of its personnel in Kenya.

The petitioners' case is that the State either ignored or neglected several useful intelligence and information on impending terrorist attacks targeting the embassy.

Sudan and Iran

Among those who have filed the case through lawyer Boniface Muinde, of Kituo cha Sheria, are officials of the 1998 US Embassy Blast Association. The officials are Mr George Ngige Njoroge (chairman) and Reverend Evanson Ndung'u Gitu (secretary), whose wife Susan Wairimu perished in the blast.

Mr Njoroge, Rev Gitu of the Calvary Chapel and the others also say that six months after the entry of a judgement in their case, the AG should be compelled to file an international jurisdiction case against Sudan and Iran for compensation of all the victims and their families.

They also want compensation from Al-Qaeda assets and BNP Paribas S.A (BNPP), a global financial institution headquartered in Paris.

Close Sign up for free AllAfrica Newsletters Get the latest in African news delivered straight to your inbox Top Headlines Kenya Legal Affairs By submitting above, you agree to our privacy policy. Success! Almost finished... We need to confirm your email address. To complete the process, please follow the instructions in the email we just sent you. Error! Error! There was a problem processing your submission. Please try again later.

They further want the AG compelled to seek acknowledgement of responsibility from Sudan and Iran where, according to them, the attacks were planned and executed from.

Many families are still crying for justice 22 years down since the terror attack.

Mr Njoroge, a businessman who operated video shops, was in town to repair his video machine when he fell victim of the attack.

Rev Gitu's wife had gone to get a visa at the US Embassy as they were to fly to the USA for a religious leaders; conference. He said the manner in which they have been treated over the years makes it seem "we are not human beings".

Kituo Cha Sheria, Mr Njoroge, Rev Gitu, Flora Wamukowa, Esther Njeri Githagui, Douglas Sidialo, suing on behalf of 337 other victims of the blast, have named the Interior adn Defence Cabinet secretaries, Inspector-General of Police, the National Police Service, the National Intelligence Service and the Attorney-General as defendants in the matter.

The case will be mentioned on May 12.
The views expressed by public comments are not those of this company or its affiliated companies. Please note by clicking on "Post" you acknowledge that you have read the TERMS OF USE and the comment you are posting is in compliance with such terms. Your comments may be used on air. Be polite. Inappropriate posts or posts containing offsite links, images, GIFs, inappropriate language, or memes may be removed by the moderator. Job listings and similar posts are likely automated SPAM messages from Facebook and are not placed by WFMZ-TV.
The financially ailing Kenya Airways (KQ) has received a shot in the arm as a parliamentary committee has recommended its exemption from requirements of the minimum tax enacted last year until it returns to profitability.

However, this will only come to fruition if the National Assembly approves the report of its committee on Delegated Legislation.

The committee chaired by Tiaty MP Kamket Kasait has recommended that the loss-making KQ, where the Kenyan government owns a 45 per cent shareholding, and its subsidiaries, be spared from minimum tax on account of the Covid-19 pandemic.

In the legal notice No.27 of 2021 submitted to Parliament, National Treasury Cabinet Secretary Ukur Yatani notes that the pandemic affected the operations of airlines worldwide and worsened the financial position of the already ailing KQ.

"It was therefore considered prudent to grant the exemption from minimum tax to support the company to continue its operations until it returns to profitability," the committee recommends.

However, KQ will continue to pay corporate tax and other taxes.

"The committee was satisfied that the legal notice was submitted to the National Assembly without unreasonable delay," the committee's report, adds.

KQ's partners

On how the exemption will affect KQ partners like KLM and Air France, the committee was informed that KLM is a shareholder of Kenya Airways APLC with a shareholding of 7.76 percent.

This means that since KQ has made losses, no benefit will be derived by KLM.

The KQ subsidiaries include Kenya Airfreight Handling limited that deals in cargo handling for perishable products, Jambojet limited, which is a local passenger air transport and African Cargo Handling limited that handles cargo.

The other two subsidiaries are dormant. They are Kencargo Airlines International limited and Fahari Aviation limited or Pride Oil limited, which deals with drones and emerging technologies.

In all these subsidiaries, KQ has 100 per cent shareholding except Kenya Airfreight Handling limited where it has 51 percent stake.

Last year's enactment of the Finance Act 2020 introduced minimum tax payable at one percent of gross turnover of a business entity whether in profit position or not.

Also read: KQ restores domestic flights after Uhuru eases Covid-19 restrictions

Crippling losses

In its financial reports for the financial year ended December 2020, KQ recorded a loss of Sh36.2 billion, the worst ever in its history.

The loss was blamed on Covid-19 disruptions that led to a decline in passenger volumes.

In 2019, the national carrier recorded Sh12.98 billion in losses.

The losses are a clear indication that it will take longer for the national carrier to repay about Sh75 billion in guaranteed loans from the national government.

"To ensure that this tax does not significantly compromise the operations of airlines, it was deemed necessary to cushion these airlines from the impact of paying minimum tax as it is clearly known that the company's financial position has been on a downward trend," Mr Yatani noted.

The CS noted that this is in line with practices by other governments.

But even as the committee approved the exemption, it raised concerns that the move will likely raise issues of discrimination against other airlines operating domestically as well as other companies especially those affected by Covid-19.

National interests

The committee also noted that the airline has experienced financial challenges for several years,. even before Covid-19 pandemic struck Kenya in March 202, and that it has been bailed out before.

However, CS Yatani while appearing before the committee to defend the exemption, said that KQ is a national carrier with strategic trade and tourism interests, including hosting the headquarters of the United Nations Environmental Programme (Unep), hence its need for government support.

This support, the CS told the committee, is necessary so that Kenya can ably compete with other countries that have injected funds to protect their national carriers amid the pandemic.

"KQ, as the national carrier, plays a pivotal role in the economy through marketing Kenya as a tourist destination, trade facilitation, job creation among others," Mr Yatani told the committee.

"Considering its financial operations, the minimum tax will render the company's operations unsustainable."

The CS also told the MPs that the national carrier continued to pay lease expenses even during the suspension of all international operations occasioned by the pandemic.

This in addition to other costs such as those for regular inspection of aircraft in compliance with international regulations, thus increasing its likelihood of making losses.

"It is because of its important role in the economy that the government, as a majority shareholder, has continued to provide tax incentives and bail it out to finance its operations despite making losses over time," the CS said.

Close Sign up for free AllAfrica Newsletters Get the latest in African news delivered straight to your inbox Top Headlines Kenya Business Transport By submitting above, you agree to our privacy policy. Success! Almost finished... We need to confirm your email address. To complete the process, please follow the instructions in the email we just sent you. Error! Error! There was a problem processing your submission. Please try again later.

Criticism over tax

Although the tax was meant to boost government revenue, it has received criticism from various quarters due to the likely negative impact on some sectors.

Already, the National Treasury has been inundated with various presentations from stakeholders on its impact on several classes of businesses, specifically public entities that are facing challenges.

But on the flipside, the minimum tax, payable in four instalments on the 20th day of the fourth, sixth, ninth and twelfth months of the year of income, was meant to discourage tax planning.

Some companies perpetually declare losses to avoid paying tax while others may not be paying the correct amount.

This is, notwithstanding, that the amendment did not take into consideration specific sectors of the economy that are strategic to any government for purposes of its operations.

These sectors include aviation, which is strategic to any government, security and trade.

The legal notice was published on March 17 and submitted to the National Assembly two weeks later.

It was communicated to parliamentarians on April 28, in accordance with the Statutory Instruments Act of 2013, and committed to the Delegated and Legislation committee for consideration.
Francis Muraya of the United Democratic Alliance Party (UDA) has emerged victorious in the hotly contested Rurii Ward by-election which was held on Tuesday.

In the results released by the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC), Mr Muraya garnered 4,178 votes beating his close opponent Peter Thinji of the Jubilee Party who came second with 3,051 votes.

Mr Muraya was declared the winner by the IEBC Returning Officer Agnes Wanjiku.

Isaac Ndegwa of Maendeleo Chap Chap came third with 51 votes followed by Gerald Njoroge (Independent) with 21 votes, Susan Wangechi of The New Democrats with 17 votes while Peter Gathiaka garnered 11 votes.

Ms Wanjiku said of the 14,467 registered voters in the constituency 7,546 votes were cast representing a 52 percent of the total registered voters turned up for the exercise. The Ward has 14,467 registered voters.

The seat fell vacant following the death of John Mburu wa Maria who succumbed to cancer in January this year.

In his acceptance speech, Mr Muraya promised to unite the people of Rurii.

"My first assignment will be uniting the people of Rurii and completing the work which was left by my predecessor," said Mr Muraya.

'Hustler Nation vas Deep State'

The mini poll turned into a contest between Governor Francis Kimemia and Woman Rep Faith Gitau, who is seeking to capture the county's top seat in next year's general elections.

Close Sign up for free AllAfrica Newsletters Get the latest in African news delivered straight to your inbox Top Headlines Kenya Governance By submitting above, you agree to our privacy policy. Success! Almost finished... We need to confirm your email address. To complete the process, please follow the instructions in the email we just sent you. Error! Error! There was a problem processing your submission. Please try again later.

Ms Gitau who joined Mr Muraya at the PECA Rurii Church hall said the contest was between the Hustler Nation and the Deep State.

"The people of Rurii have spoken and they have decided that it is Muraya who they want to be their MCA. We are urging the county government of Nyandarua to support him in delivering to the people of Rurii," said Ms Gitau.

She was flanked by Naivasha MP Jayne Kihara and UDA Secretary General Veronica Maina.

Ms Maina said Mr Muraya, who is the second UDA MCA after London's Nzuki Wachira, will take over as the Leader of Minority in the County Assembly of Nyandarua which is dominated by Jubilee MCAs.

The voting exercise had earlier on been marred by allegations of bribery, chaos and arrests, with the UDA party accusing police of harassing their supporters and arresting their agents.

Later in the day, a group of men in black stormed Rurii Polytechnic polling stations and engaged locals in a fistfight.

Police officers were forced to lob teargas to disperse the scuffling groups before the men who instigated the chaos were arrested and ferried to Ol Kalou Police Station.
MERIDEN, CT (WFSB)  People in Connecticut can finally take off the masks if theyre fully vaccinated.

The state rolled back restrictions on Wednesday following the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidance that said those who have gotten COVID-19 shots can return to a more normal life.

State lifting COVID restriction on Wednesday In less than 24 hours, all COVID-19 business restrictions will be lifted in Connecticut.

The update arrives just in time for summer.

However, businesses and local government offices may still choose to require masks. In Meriden, everyone still must wear them inside city buildings.

Ultimately, its really to kickstart the tourism economy, make sure theres consumer confidence, said Christine Castonguay, CT Office of Tourism interim director.

Hawk Ridge Winery in Watertown says vaccinated people won't have to wear a mask and there's no capacity limits in the building or their tent.

They're relying on the honor code for unvaccinated people to keep wearing masks and encourage anyone to wear one if it makes them feel safer.

Over in Wethersfield, signs asking for all customers to wear masks are still up at Heirloom Market.

"I do have some younger staff members that are not fully vaccinated yet and they will be in the coming weeks, but right now we were trying to figure out what do to," said Julia Koulouris, co-owner of Heirloom Market.

The tourism and hospitality industry was one of the hardest hit during the pandemic.

The CT Office of Tourism said last year, its lodging occupancy revenue was down 30 to 50 percent.

Now, its seeing more bookings and more attraction tickets being sold.

In Connecticut, officials said unvaccinated people should still wear a mask.

However, people no longer having to social distance and masks are no longer required for vaccinated people outside or inside.

What Im looking forward to though is the freedom to go more places, said Lisa Mull of Wethersfield.

There are some exceptions to the rule.

Masks will still be required in certain settings, such as healthcare facilities and facilities housing vulnerable populations, public and private transit, correctional facilities, schools, and childcare facilities.

Also, unvaccinated people are still required to wear a mask indoors.

Lawyer Dan Schwartz says several employers have reached out to him wanting clarification on the state's reversal, mostly on masks.

"If someone's working outside all the time, do they really need to wear a mask? And similarly, if someone's working in an office, doesn't really see anyone, do they need a mask," Schwartz said.

He's been advising businesses to not rush things and really look at what's best for their operations.

"I've been encouraging everyone to slow down, be patient, be flexible," Schwartz said.

Even if they allow customers to be without masks, businesses are encouraging people to keep wearing them if it makes them comfortable.
President Joe Biden was in New London to deliver the keynote address at the U.S. Coast Guard graduation.
A 14-year-old male was arrested on Friday with charges of kidnapping, robbery, aggravated battery and tampering with evidence.
Quincy, IL (62301)

Today

Sunshine and a few afternoon clouds. Hot. High 94F. Winds light and variable..

Tonight

Partly cloudy skies. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. Low 72F. Winds light and variable.
Description

Sixty Years of Caves and Caving

John Gillett has been places, done things ... and in Sixty Years of Caves and Caving has added chapters to his older Of Caves and Caving book to produce this new edition. And it's at a lower price, as well!



Do not let the title put you off: that John has been caving for sixty years simply means he has done a lot and gained much experience. His chatty style of writing, which you may be familiar with through his earlier A Bedside Book for Older Cavers, is engaging and draws you in to read 'just a little bit more' of his anecdotes, stories and adventures. A perfect title for a quiet time reading with a pint in hand.

From the back cover:

What is caving? Caving is fun. Caving is in the darkness. Caving is illuminating. Caving is dangerous. Caving is a minority sport for idiots. Caving is international. Caving is a muddy pastime. Caving warms you up. Caving gives you hypothermia. Caving is a sport for the individual. Caving is for everyone. Caving is exploration. Caving refreshes the soul. Caving is a way of life.

The authors exciting journey through a caving career provides an eloquently written whistle-stop tour spanning six decades and several continents that gives an insight into what makes cavers tick. There is something here for everyonefrom the experienced caver to the suburban non-caver - with tales to suit all tastes, of exploits from the humorous to terrifying, with interesting anecdotes that will maintain the readers interest throughout. Each step of the journey keeps one wondering what lies around the next corner.

John Gillett is an octogenarian caver who has belonged to several UK and EU caving clubs during his caving career. He led a successful expedition to the Gouffre Berger in 1986. He is a widower with one daughter and two grand-daughters, all of whom enjoy caving and the outdoor life. He lives in Gawsworth, Cheshire.

While stocks last, receive a free caving-related, laminated bookmark with your book order.
Willmar, MN (56201)

Today

Thunderstorms during the morning will give way to cloudy skies this afternoon. High around 85F. Winds W at 15 to 25 mph. Chance of rain 90%..

Tonight

A clear sky. Low 58F. Winds NW at 10 to 15 mph.
News

top story

Lebanon City Council likely to focus on soccer for sports complex

Xavier Smith / XAVIER SMITH Lebanon Mayor Rick Bell and councilors Jeni Lind Brinkman and Camille Burdine discuss the potential sports complex with sports complex committee member Rick Smith during a council work session.

The Lebanon City Council will focus on soccer facilities if plans are approved for a new sports complex after the Lebanon Sports Complex Committee made its presentation to the citys budgeting body.

The committee made its presentation about 25 months after the group began creating a concept for a sports complex after the city purchased 150 acres of land on Highway 231 just south of Stumpy Lane for $2.5 million.

We were not charged with paying for it or anything like that. We dont have a vote, sports committee member Rick Smith said. All were doing is recommending what we think will be a good idea for a park.

Smith said the committee initially received an estimate of $36 million from Nashville engineering and architecture service firm Barge Design Solutions to build the park. The initial plans included soccer, baseball and softball fields, as well as playground and recreation areas, including a walking trail. The group said the estimate is likely below current costs of construction.

The sports complex committee, which shifted to a phased approach to building the complex, narrowed its focus to soccer facilities for the initial phase during its final meeting last month. The sentiment continued during the councils work session on the complex plans.

That $36 million park will probably cost between $40-$42 million to build minimum because of increased costs, said Smith, noting Lebanon Mayor Rick Bell voiced his support for a soccer-driven first phase, which would likely include four grass soccer fields and one turf field.

At the time, Phase I was estimated to cost $6.7 million to $7.5 million.

The reason for building soccer is pretty simple. Im sure most of you have been out to the airport on a Saturday and watched them play soccer. Theres 300 cars out there crammed into a small area playing soccer with hundreds of kids, and whats surrounding them? Airplanes, Smith said.

Smith said when the city began playing at the airport decades ago, the airport did not have a lot of airplane traffic, which has drastically changed as it continues to grow.

You go out there now, you can watch planes take off on a constant basis while youre playing. The (Federal Aviation Administration), Im sure, would never approve a soccer field adjacent to an airport at the present time. Theyd just laugh at you, he said.

The council will likely introduce a budget amendment to fund the design of the first phase, but a date has not been set for the ordinances introduction.

James Herron, representing Wilson United Soccer League, said the move to the potential sports complex has benefits beyond safety, noting the league has 1,100 participants for this years spring league, and has seen a surge of Mt. Juliet participants.

He also noted the current complex has three fields and two makeshift fields.

This would help us dramatically. The main thing that would help us is lights, Herron said. Where we are we cant have lights, right now. The ability to have five lit soccer fields allows us to expand and play during the week. We can play Saturday night and Sunday night.

Bell said he figured the city could fund the entire project through a 20-cent property tax increase or partially, which includes soccer and some baseball and softball fields, through a 14-cent property tax increase.

As mayor, thats not something that Im going to propose is that kind of a tax increase. Im just not going to do it, and quite frankly, I dont think the city council would ever agree with it if we did, Bell said last month.

Councilors Jeni Lind Brinkman, Camille Burdine and Chris Crowell voiced their opinions during the work session.

I think the smart move, and I agree with the mayor, is to move forward with the soccer fields. Its addressing a need that we know has to be taken care of, Brinkman said.

Crowell said he supported the vision for the park, but cautioned city leaders to think before adding more debt to the citys books.

Basically, we have tripled the citys debt in the last six years. Now, it wasnt waste  it went to police, fire and vital services, Crowell said.

I really think that we have to be careful about adding more debt to the citys balance sheet, and we need to explore, frankly, new sources of revenue. In this budget, we had department heads come to us and said, We need more people, and we said, No. We cant do it right now.

Some of the committee members were pessimistic the sports complex would ever feature sports beyond soccer if they were not included in the initial approval.

I see this being nothing but a soccer park now. As they continue to grow, theyre just going to need more fields. Its just going to be, Well we got the land. Here. Itll just be more soccer, Lebanon Girls Softball Association President Wayne Oakley said. Thats why I say baseball and softball will never be built here at this complex if we dont do it now.
WASHINGTON (AP)  The House voted Wednesday to create an independent commission on the deadly Jan. 6 insurrection at the U.S. Capitol, sending the legislation to an uncertain future in the Senate as Republican leaders work to stop a bipartisan investigation that is opposed by former President Donald Trump.

Democrats say an independent investigation is crucial to reckoning what happened that day, when a violent mob of Trump's supporters smashed into the Capitol to try and overturn President Joe Biden's victory. Modeled after the investigation into the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks, the legislation would establish an independent, 10-member commission that would make recommendations by the end of the year for securing the Capitol and preventing another insurrection.

The bill passed the House 252-175, with 35 Republicans voting with Democrats in support of the commission, defying Trump and House Republican leader Kevin McCarthy. Trump issued a statement urging Republicans to vote against it, calling the legislation a Democrat trap.

Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell is trying to prevent defections among his own ranks, echoing McCarthy's opposition in a Senate floor speech Wednesday morning. Both men claimed the bill was partisan, even though membership of the proposed commission would be evenly split between the parties.

The January insurrection has become an increasingly fraught topic for Republicans, with a growing number in the party downplaying the severity of the worst attack on the Capitol in more than 200 years. While most Republicans voted against forming the commission, only a few spoke on the floor against it. And the handful of Republicans who backed the commission spoke forcefully.

This is about facts  its not partisan politics, said New York Rep. John Katko, the top Republican on the House Homeland Security Committee who negotiated the legislation with Democrats. He said the American people and the Capitol Police deserve answers, and action as soon as possible to ensure that nothing like this ever happens again.

Rep. Fred Upton, R-Mich., said that Jan. 6 is going to haunt this institution for a long, long time and that a commission is necessary to find the truth about what happened. He recalled that he heard the shouts, saw the flash-bangs, smelled the gas on that sorry day.

Democrats grew angry as some Republicans suggested the commission was only intended to smear Trump. Several shared their own memories of the insurrection, when rioters brutally beat police, broke in through windows and doors and sent lawmakers running. Four of the rioters died, including a woman who was shot and killed by police as she tried to break into the House chamber. A Capitol Police officer collapsed and died after engaging with the protesters, and two officers took their own lives in the days after.

We have people scaling the Capitol, hitting the Capitol Police with lead pipes across the head, and we cant get bipartisanship? What else has to happen in this country? shouted Rep. Tim Ryan, D-Ohio, on the floor just before the vote. He said the GOP opposition is a slap in the face to every rank and file cop in the United States.

The vote was yet another test of Republican loyalty to Trump, whose grip on the party remains strong despite his election defeat. House Republicans booted Wyoming Rep. Liz Cheney from their leadership last week for her criticism of Trumps false claims, installing a Trump loyalist in her place. Cheney, in turn, suggested to ABC News that a commission could subpoena McCarthy because he spoke to Trump during the insurrection.

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., called McCarthys opposition to the commission cowardice. She released a February letter from the GOP leader in which he asked for an even split of Democrats and Republican commissioners, equal subpoena power and no predetermined findings or conclusions. The bipartisan legislation accommodates all three of those requests, she said.

Leader McCarthy wont take yes for an answer, she said.

In the Senate, McConnells announcement dimmed the prospects for passage, as Democrats would need at least ten Republicans to vote with them. But Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., vowed to force a vote on the bill, charging that Republicans are caving to Trump.

Schumer said that Republicans are trying to sabotage the commission and are drunk off Trump's baseless claim that the election was stolen from him. That false assertion, repeated by the mob as the rioters broke into the Capitol, has been rebuked by numerous courts, bipartisan election officials across the country and Trumps own attorney general.

Like in the House, some Senate Republicans have suggested they will support the legislation.

Utah Sen. Mitt Romney said Tuesday that given the violent attack, we should understand what mistakes were made and how we could prevent them from happening again. Louisiana Sen. Bill Cassidy said he doesnt agree with McConnell that the bill is slanted toward Democrats and Im inclined to support it.

Maine Sen. Susan Collins, a Republican, said that she supports the idea of a commission but that the House bill would need adjustments.

Others have pushed their colleagues to oppose the commission. Missouri Sen. Roy Blunt, the top Republican on the Senate Rules Committee, is working on a report with his Democratic colleagues that will include recommendations for security upgrades. He said an independent investigation would take too long and frankly, I dont think there are that many gaps to be filled in on what happened on Jan. 6, as it relates to building security.

South Dakota Sen. John Thune, the No. 2 Republican in the Senate, cited concern in the caucus that the investigation could be weaponized politically in the 2022 election cycle.

I want our midterm message to be about the kinds of issues that the American people are dealing with, Thune said. Its jobs and wages and the economy, national security, safe streets, strong borders and those types of issues, and not relitigating the 2020 election.

Separately Wednesday, aides to Rep. Jamie Raskin, D-Md., circulated a letter they said was from a group of around 40 to 50 anonymous U.S. Capitol Police officers who had been speaking with the congressman.

It is inconceivable that some of the Members we protect would downplay the events of January 6th, the letter reads. It is a privileged assumption for Members to have the point of view that it wasnt that bad. That privilege exists because the brave men and women of the USCP protected you, the Members.

The letter was quickly repudiated by Capitol Police leaders, who said the agency doesnt take any position on legislative matters.

Raskin said in an interview Wednesday evening that the officers approached his office with the letter, and that they and their families have been traumatized about what happened on the 6th. Raskin said they cant believe there is dissension in the Congress about the simple facts of the insurrection.

___

Associated Press writers Michael Balsamo, Alan Fram, Lisa Mascaro and Nomaan Merchant contributed to this report.
Winchester, VA (22601)

Today

Cloudy and damp with intermittent light rain and drizzle. High around 65F. Winds NE at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 80%. Locally heavy rainfall possible..

Tonight

Rain likely. Low 61F. Winds NNE at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 80%. Rainfall around a quarter of an inch.


Viewed of

Take Five - This is your final free article during this 30 day period.Stay in touch with all of the news from Winchester, Frederick and Clarke. Sign up today for complete digital access to The Winchester Star.
The Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN) Justice Ibrahim Muhammad has urged Judiciary workers in the country to end the over 40 days strike action in "the interest of the nation.

The Judiciary Staff Union of Nigeria (JUSUN) had called out its members to embark on an indefinite strike action to protest the non implementation of financial autonomy of the Judiciary particularly in the states.

JUSUN had maintained that the courts across the country which had been under lock and key since April 6, would not be reopened until government meets their demands.

Justice Muhammad however appealed to the striking workers to reason with other stakeholders and end the industrial action that has impacted virtually every sector of the economy.

The CJN made the appeal on Tuesday following a meeting with the Labour Minister, Dr Chris Ngige, who visited to inform him on the progress made so far on the negotiations to address JUSUN's demands.

Muhammad stated that calling off the strike would also allow opportunity for further negotiations towards the resolution of the dispute.

Besides, the CJN observed that some of the issues in contention are already sub judice, as such there was need to give requisite legal process enough opportunity to be exhausted, a statement by Mr Ahuraka Isah, media aide to the CJN, stated.

Meanwhile, the Minister of Labour and Employment, has assured that the strike by legislative and Judiciary workers would end by next week.

Ngige spoke shortly after a meeting with some heads of courts, led by the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice. Ibrahim Muhammad.

Close Sign up for free AllAfrica Newsletters Get the latest in African news delivered straight to your inbox Top Headlines Nigeria Legal Affairs Labour By submitting above, you agree to our privacy policy. Success! Almost finished... We need to confirm your email address. To complete the process, please follow the instructions in the email we just sent you. Error! Error! There was a problem processing your submission. Please try again later.

According to him, series of meetings with stakeholders, including state governors have been scheduled for between Tuesday and Thursday to "to iron out the few remaining grey areas.

He said the meeting, which was held in the chambers of the CJN, was to discuss issues surrounding the implementation of the financial autonomy provision as it relates to the Judiciary.

"There are some grey areas, which the governors mentioned, and I needed to be on the same page with the Secrtary of the NJC (the National Judicial Council), who is representing the judges at our other meetings.

"So that is why I am here. I have met with some heads of courts and we have discussed", the minister said.

He added that there will also be another meeting on Thursday with the striking Judiciary workers.

Ngige said, "So, we will fine tune some of the things we got here. We will crystalise them all and also meet with the governors tomorrow (Wednesday)".

On whether there was the likelihood of an early end to the strike, the minister said: "I am very optimistic that by next week, we will put an end to this".
Theres a story Sky Bridges likes to share, one that highlights what has become a guiding principle in his life.

Theres a story Sky Bridges likes to share, one that highlights what has become a guiding principle in his life.

The moment of insight came when, at the age of 17, he was engaged in a philosophical discussion with an Indigenous elder hed been connected with while studying at Red River College.

"The elder said to me, I want you to imagine that youre sitting in the centre of a teepee," recalls Bridges, 43, who on April 27 began his new job as the sixth CEO in the history of the Winnipeg Foundation, replacing Rick Frost, who led the charitable organization for the past 24 years.

MIKAELA MACKENZIE / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS Sky Bridges is the new CEO of the Winnipeg Foundation.

"She (the elder) said, I want you to look at every pole and name a culture, name a belief, name a racial background and keep going around for as long as you can and let me know when youre done.

"When I said Id come up with all the different ones I could, she said, Id like you to imagine looking up in the centre of that teepee and tell me where all those poles go. Theyre all connected, they all come together in the same point."

Bridges was profoundly impacted by that lesson: we are all members of the same community and we are stronger when we work together.

"Theres nothing wrong with having different beliefs  you can think a different way than I can think  but at the end of the day we are still connected, we are still one family, we are still one community," he says. "I want to continue to invite people to be within the circle and recognize that we are part of a community and that through that we become a better Winnipeg."

A few weeks into his new job, Bridges agreed to sit down with the Free Press for an outdoor interview on the grounds of The Forks at the base of the historic Alloway Arch, built from the facade of a former Main Street bank once owned by William Forbes Alloway, who established the foundation with a $100,000 grant in 1921.

Theres nothing wrong with having different beliefs  you can think a different way than I can think  but at the end of the day we are still connected, we are still one family, we are still one community."  Sky Bridges

Throughout a 60-minute noon-hour chat under a blistering sun and occasionally interrupted by the ear-splitting sounds of screeching trains passing by nearby Union Station, he answered questions, including intensely personal ones, frankly and openly, laughing frequently as he discussed the foundations goals for its second century in operation and the challenges he faced growing up as a Metis and two-spirit youth.

Bridges, the former COO of the Aboriginal Peoples Television Network, is making history in his new role. Hes not only the first Indigenous person to lead the Winnipeg Foundation  or any other community foundation in Canada  but the first member of the LGBTTQ+ community to do so.

Metis with Blackfoot and Cree heritage on his mothers side, he is keenly aware of the significance others place on his being the first Indigenous and gay leader in the history of the foundation.

MIKAELA MACKENZIE / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS Bridges is the first Indigenous person to lead the Winnipeg Foundation  or any other community foundation in Canada  and the first member of the LGBTTQ+ community to do so.

The Winnipeg Foundation operates like a giant endowment fund that pools donations, invests them, then distributes revenue in the form of grants to charitable groups and causes. In 2020, the foundation  Canadas first community foundation  received more than $187 million in gifts and distributed $73 million in community grants.

"I think its significant," Bridges says of his background. "As I started to grow up and understand the plight of Indigenous people overall and worked for the Canadian Council for Aboriginal Business ... I recognized theres a journey that were on, and were still on, so certainly for me being the first is a signal about the times that were in, that we are still going through healing and opportunity.

The Sky Bridges File Click to Expand  Age: 43, born Dec. 20, 1977 at the old Womens Pavilion in Winnipeg. He arrived at 11:11 a.m. My favourite number is 11, thats why, he says. He is the eldest of three brothers.  Marital status: Single, but Im dating someone.  Pets: A shepherd-terrier mix from Manitoba Mutts dog rescue named Henrietta (Henry for short). I am a dog lover. This is my second dog. Before that, I had a Great Dane and she was a fantastic dog, a gentle giant.  What kind of person is he: I would say that Im very curious about the world and about people. Im always thinking about how to make the world a better place than when I came into it. Someone who wants to find the good in every situation. Im certainly an optimist. Theres a degree of realism, but realism is very subjective.  One thing people dont know: Well, I am actually introverted ... some people think introverted means you cant be extroverted. I can be extroverted. When I am extroverted or in a crowd it drains me of energy and I need to become introverted to regain my energy. I need time to decompress.  Favourite film: Peaceful Warrior, a 2006 Nick Nolte drama about a troubled but talented gymnast who meets a spiritual guide. Its based on a book by Dan Millman.  Favourite food: I love all kinds of food. If I had to pick one I had to eat all the time, Id probably say pasta. Certainly homemade mac and cheese, but I love all types of pasta. I really am a foodie.  Favourite music: I like all types of music. I listen to a lot of EDM (electronic dance music) though  I listen to a lot of podcasts where its a mix and a blend of music, everything from house music, chill-out music, that whole electric spectrum.  Hobbies and sports: Before COVID, I was going to Crossfit, working out and going to the gym five days a week, cardio three days a week... Outside of the Crossfit, theres weightlifting, bike riding, and going to the dog park. I dont play any other competitive sports.  Community service: Passionate about volunteering, he has served on the boards of Winnipeg Folk Festival, United Way Winnipeg, It Gets Better Canada, Travel Manitoba, Manitoba Indigenous Tourism Association, Casera Credit Union, Manitoba 150 and CARAS/MusiCounts.

"For me, its a positive story, a positive footnote. I wasnt given the job because I am Indigenous; I was given the job because of the skill sets I bring. For me I recognize that being visible to other Indigenous youth is a positive sign for them, because quite often what has happened  and even for me when I was younger  I didnt have symbols or people who were like me in positions of power."

Asked about becoming a positive role model, he becomes reflective. "Its not just that Im Indigenous, but the fact Im two-spirit," he says.

Two-spirit was a term created in Winnipeg from a gathering of LGBT and Indigenous people in 1990. In essence, the term means a person contains both the male and female spirits within them.

"Theres another layer to it," Bridges says. "To say that you are two-spirit also means you follow the belief system of Indigenous culture within that. Its kind of like youre practising the spiritual beliefs behind it, youre walking the Red Road, you believe in spirit, you believe in the cultural understanding of what it means to be two-spirited. It has a spiritual component, not just a gender identification kind of a bend to it."

Born in Winnipeg in 1977, Bridges pauses briefly when asked about his early years.

"I have a bit of a complicated family history," he confides, noting that his life changed dramatically at the age of 12 when his mother, an accountant/bookkeeper, moved the family from Winnipeg to Marquette, about 46 kilometres northwest of the city.

It was a huge transition for a child. He went from riding his bike to Kildonan Park and going to 7-Eleven for Slurpees to living in a tiny town, house on a gravel road and taking the bus to school in Warren.

"That part of my life has had a profound effect on who I am. When I was growing up in the North End, there was a lot of Indigenous people. I didnt even think about it when I was 12. When we moved to Marquette and I started going to school in Warren, suddenly in that classroom I was the darkest kid they had ever seen.

"They didnt have much diversity. Suddenly, I was picked on for being Indigenous, which I didnt experience when I was going to (Winnipegs) Luxton School because there was just such a diversity of kids. That was the first time it was more in my face that I was different from everyone. It was terrible.

"The kids used to sing one little, two little, three little Indians to me. Later on, it transitioned to being bullied over being two-spirit, being called faggot and whatnot. As a kid, especially growing up in the country, I had no positive images of what it meant to be two-spirit... to be picked on when youre gay its done in a way that its somehow this sexual perversion, theres something wrong with you. I always felt as a kid that I was a monster, and felt ashamed for who I was.

"If Indigenous culture was accepted when I was kid, I would have learned that Indigenous people saw two-spirited as people who are gifted, have something special about them and have a contribution. Traditionally, two-spirit people were healers, they were leaders in the community, they were allowed to go into either type of ceremony, male or female, because they had both gender spirits within them. Imagine if that was my influence growing up."

"For me I recognize that being visible to other Indigenous youth is a positive sign for them, because quite often what has happened  and even for me when I was younger  I didnt have symbols or people who were like me in positions of power.

Far from carrying the scars of bullying, those taunts have helped to fuel his ambition to become a community leader and make Winnipeg a more inclusive and compassionate place.

"For me, I hope that the impact I have is that other kids who come after me dont have to go through what I went through," Bridges said softly. "As a child, I suffered a lot with depression, and seeing into the future was really hard to do. It was really about trying to get through each month. I just wanted to be happy."

Along with being bullied as a youth, he has overcome an on-and-off battle with depression, and while attending college discovered he suffers from dyslexia, a learning disorder that affects your ability to read, spell, write, and speak. At one point, his principal at Warren elementary told his mother not to expect Bridges to amount to anything because of his school struggles. It wasnt until college when his learning style was identified, that he had better insight into how he learns.

After graduating from Red River with diplomas in business administration and international business, and working briefly with Bristol Aerospace, he reached a turning point.

MIKAELA MACKENZIE / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS Bridges worked for CBC as a senior communications officer in Winnipeg and then for APTN for 14 years, the last nine of which as chief operating officer.

"I kind of came out of the closet to myself and I felt like I couldnt stay here in Winnipeg. I came out to myself when I was 17, but in 2001 I came out to everyone. I started to say to my friends and family this is who I am, no longer hiding it. It was scary, it felt good. But some people didnt want to be my friend anymore. And also I felt like I couldnt stay in Winnipeg and grow."

Which is how he ended up in Toronto working for PrideVision TV, Canadas first network targeting LGBTTQ+ viewers. Then it was on to a stint with the Canadian Council for Aboriginal Business.

He never thought hed come back, but Bridges started to miss Winnipeg after being in Toronto for about five years. He was tiring of the rat race and wanted to come home and be part of making Winnipeg a better place.

After working for CBC as a senior communications officer in Winnipeg, he moved on to APTN for 14 years, the last nine of which as chief operating officer.

The kids used to sing one little, two little, three little Indians to me. Later on, it transitioned to being bullied over being twospirit, being called faggot and whatnot. As a kid, especially growing up in the country, I had no positive images of what it meant to be twospirit... "

He jumped at the chance to take the helm at the foundation and sees symbolism in the fact his first day on the job, in a remarkable coincidence, was also the first day of the charitys second century in operation.

"I love coincidences in life, or serendipity, Im always looking for signs in life Im on the right path," he says. "I think thats absolutely incredible because its the start of new thinking. Its a sign Im on the right path. When I went into the offices of the foundation (located in the Richardson Building), I noticed when I looked out the window and across the street the Manitoba Metis Federation now is in the Bank of Montreal. For me, seeing that Metis flag it really meant something for me being Metis."

He doesnt see himself as charting a new course for the foundation, which is already committed to projects that fight systemic discrimination and promote reconciliation with First Nations peoples.

"We are a 360 granter, we grant in all areas in terms of health, wellness, environment, reconciliation is part of it. We look at ensuring all segments of our community are included. That is my goal, my focus ... being constantly aware of where are the gaps in Winnipeg of people who need support ... are we whole as a community? Where are the gaps, whos not included, and lets include them."

It all comes back to what the elder taught him many years ago  like the separate poles that come together at the top of a tipi, we are stronger together.

"Its really about the concept of the circle in that we, all of Winnipeg, are all interconnected and are in the circle together and how do we move together in identifying that we are one community," Bridges says. "Yes, reconciliation is a going to be a goal of mine, as is supporting all of Winnipeg in moving forward. Its not one over the other. I think any leader brings a certain perspective because of their lived experience. Mine happens to be because Im Indigenous and two-spirit. At the end of the day, Im all about making sure the concept of the foundation is a circle for all, forever.

"Im in a great place now. I really am. To me, working for the Winnipeg Foundation is like coming home."

doug.speirs@freepress.mb.ca
GAZA CITY, Gaza Strip (AP)  Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu vowed Wednesday to press ahead with a fierce military offensive in the Gaza Strip, pushing back against calls from the United States to wind down the operation that has left hundreds dead.

Israeli Kassadra Bodari, left, and Lilian Feciouru take shelter in Ashdod, Israel during sirens warning of incoming rockets fired from Gaza Strip, Tuesday, May 18, 2021. (AP Photo/Heidi Levine)

GAZA CITY, Gaza Strip (AP)  Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu vowed Wednesday to press ahead with a fierce military offensive in the Gaza Strip, pushing back against calls from the United States to wind down the operation that has left hundreds dead.

Netanyahu's tough comments marked the first public rift between the two close allies since the fighting began last week and could complicate international efforts to reach a cease-fire. His pushback also plunges the pair into a difficult early test of the U.S.-Israel relationship.

Israel continued to pound Hamas targets in Gaza with airstrikes, while Palestinian militants bombarded Israel with rocket fire throughout the day. In another sign of potential escalation, militants in Lebanon fired a rocket barrage into northern Israel.

After a visit to military headquarters, Netanyahu said he appreciated the support of the American president, but he said Israel would push ahead to return calm and security to Israeli citizens.

He said he was determined to continue this operation until its aim is met.

A Palestinian man inspects the damage of a six-story building which was destroyed by an early morning Israeli airstrike, in Gaza City, Tuesday, May 18, 2021. Israel carried out a wave of airstrikes on what it said were militant targets in Gaza, leveling a six-story building in downtown Gaza City, and Palestinian militants fired dozens of rockets into Israel early Tuesday, the latest in the fourth war between the two sides, now in its second week. (AP Photo/Khalil Hamra)

He spoke shortly after U.S. President Joe Biden told Netanyahu that he expected "a significant de-escalation today on the path to a cease-fire, the White House said.

Biden had previously avoided pressing Israel more directly and publicly for a cease-fire with Gaza's Hamas militant rulers. But pressure has been building for Biden to intervene more forcefully as other diplomatic efforts gather strength.

Egyptian negotiators have also been working to halt the fighting, and an Egyptian diplomat said top officials were waiting for Israels response to a cease-fire offer. The diplomat spoke on condition of anonymity in line with regulations.

A Palestinian man looks at his damaged bedroom following early morning Israeli airstrikes on Gaza City, Tuesday, May 18, 2021. Israel carried out a wave of airstrikes on what it said were militant targets in Gaza, leveling a six-story building in downtown Gaza City, and Palestinian militants fired dozens of rockets into Israel early Tuesday, the latest in the fourth war between the two sides, now in its second week. (AP Photo/Khalil Hamra)

Moussa Abu Marzouk, a top Hamas official, told the Lebanese station Mayadeen TV that he expected a cease-fire in a day or two.

Meanwhile, German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas said he would fly to the region Thursday for talks with Israelis and Palestinians.

Israels Foreign Ministry said the foreign ministers of Slovakia and the Czech Republic would join him after being invited to express their solidarity and support for Israel.

A Palestinian man looks from a broken window at the remains of a six-story building destroyed by an early morning Israeli airstrike, in Gaza City, Tuesday, May 18, 2021. Israel carried out a wave of airstrikes on what it said were militant targets in Gaza, leveling a six-story building in downtown Gaza City, and Palestinian militants fired dozens of rockets into Israel early Tuesday, the latest in the fourth war between the two sides, now in its second week. (AP Photo/Khalil Hamra)

Earlier in the day, the Israeli military said it was widening its strikes on militant targets in southern Gaza to blunt continuing rocket fire from Hamas. At least nine people were killed Wednesday in the Gaza Strip.

The current round of fighting between Israel and Hamas began May 10, when the militant group fired long-range rockets toward Jerusalem after days of clashes between Palestinian protesters and Israeli police at the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound, a flashpoint site sacred to Jews and Muslims. Heavy-handed police tactics at the compound and the threatened eviction of dozens of Palestinian families by Jewish settlers had inflamed tensions.

Since then, Israel has launched hundreds of airstrikes that it says have targeted Hamas infrastructure, and Hamas and other militant groups embedded in residential areas have fired some 4,000 rockets at Israeli cities, with hundreds falling short and most of the rest intercepted or landing in open areas.

People in Ashdod, Israel take shelter in the stairwell of their apartment building during a siren warning of rockets fired from Gaza to Israel on May 18, 2021.(AP Photo/Heidi Levine)

At least 227 Palestinians have been killed, including 64 children and 38 women, with 1,620 people wounded, according to the Gaza Health Ministry, which does not break the numbers down into fighters and civilians. Hamas and Islamic Jihad say at least 20 of their fighters have been killed, while Israel says the number is at least 130. Some 58,000 Palestinians have fled their homes.

Twelve people in Israel, including a 5-year-old boy, a 16-year-old girl and a soldier, have been killed.

The rockets fired by militants in Lebanon into northern Israel threatened to open up a new front in the fighting. The rocket attack, which drew Israeli artillery fire in response but did not cause any injuries, raised the possibility of dragging Israel into renewed conflict with the powerful Lebanese militant group Hezbollah to its north.

A Palestinian walks by a building hit by an Israeli airstrike in Gaza City, Tuesday, May 18, 2021. Since the fighting began last week, the Israeli military has launched hundreds of airstrikes it says are targeting Hamas' militant infrastructure, while Palestinian militants have fired thousands of rockets into Israel. (AP Photo/Hatem Moussa)

No one claimed responsibility for the attack, and Hezbollah, which fought a monthlong war against Israel in 2006, has stayed out of the fighting for now. The rockets were widely believed to be fired by Palestinian factions based in south Lebanon.

But they cannot operate without Hezbollahs tacit consent, and the barrage appears to be carefully calibrated to send a political message that the group, which has tens of thousands of missiles, could join the battle at any time. Israel considers Hezbollah to be its most formidable threat and has threatened widespread destruction in Lebanon if war were to erupt.

In Gaza, one of the Israeli airstrikes destroyed the home of an extended family.

Mourners gather over the body of Yousef Abu Hussein, an al-Aqsa radio reporter, during his funeral at the main mosque in Gaza, Wednesday, May 19, 2021. Abu Hussein was killed during an Israeli airstrike on his house early morning. (AP Photo/Adel Hana)

Residents surveyed the piles of bricks, concrete and other debris that had once been the home of 40 members of al-Astal family in the southern Gaza town of Khan Younis. They said a warning missile struck the building five minutes before the airstrike, allowing everyone to escape.

Ahmed al-Astal, a university professor, described a scene of panic, with men, women and children racing out of the building.

We had just gotten down to the street, breathless, when the devastating bombardment came, he said. They left nothing but destruction, the childrens cries filling the street. ... This is happening, and there is no one to help us.

Mourners attend the funeral of Yigal Yehoshua, 56, at a cemetery in Hadid, central Israel, Tuesday, May 18, 2021. Yehoshua died of wounds sustained when his car was pelted with rocks during Israeli Arab riots in the Israeli city of Lod on May 11. (AP Photo/Oded Balilty)

Another strike in nearby Deir al-Balah killed a man, his wife and their 2-year-old daughter, witnesses said. Iyad Salha, a brother of the man who was killed, said the family had just sat down for lunch when the missile hit.

Among those killed Wednesday were a reporter for Hamas-run Al-Aqsa radio and two people who died when warning missiles crashed into their apartment.

The Israeli military said it was striking a militant tunnel network in southern Gaza, with 52 aircraft hitting 40 underground targets.

An Israeli artillery unit fires toward targets in Gaza Strip, at the Israeli Gaza border, Tuesday, May 18, 2021. (AP Photo/Tsafrir Abayov)

Military officials, meanwhile, said a mysterious explosion that killed eight members of a Palestinian family on the first day of the fighting was caused by a misfired rocket from Gaza. "This wasnt an Israeli attack," said Lt. Col. Jonathan Conricus, a military spokesman.

Since the fighting began, Gazas infrastructure, already weakened by a 14-year blockade, has rapidly deteriorated. Medical supplies, water and fuel for electricity are running low in the territory, on which Israel and Egypt imposed the blockade after Hamas seized power in 2007.

Israeli attacks have damaged at least 18 hospitals and clinics and destroyed one health facility, the World Health Organization said. Nearly half of all essential drugs have run out.

A man and his dogs take shelter in the stairwell of his apartment building as a siren sounds a warning of incoming rockets fired from the Gaza Strip, In Ashdod, Israel, Wednesday, May 19, 2021. (AP Photo/Heidi Levine)

Among the buildings leveled by Israeli airstrikes was one housing The Associated Press' Gaza office and those of other media outlets.

Netanyahu has alleged that Hamas military intelligence was operating in the building. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said Tuesday that Israel had given the U.S. information about the bombing, without elaborating.

The AP has called for an independent investigation. The news organization's president, Gary Pruitt, has said the AP had no indication Hamas was present in the building.

The fighting, the worst since a 2014 war between Israel and Hamas, has ignited protests around the world and inspired Palestinians in Israel and the occupied territories to call a general strike Tuesday. It was a rare collective action that spanned boundaries central to decades of failed peace efforts. Israel captured the West Bank, east Jerusalem and Gaza in the 1967 Mideast war, territories the Palestinians want for their future state.

Krauss reported from Jerusalem. Associated Press writers Bassem Mroue and Zeina Karam in Beirut, Isabel DeBre in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, Samy Magdy in Cairo and Frank Jordans in Berlin contributed to this report.
LAS VEGAS  The Las Vegas Strip and surroundings will fully reopen to vaccinated diners, dancers, shoppers and club-goers beginning June 1.

People wait their turn for a shot of the Sinopharm COVID-19 vaccine inside the Universidad Mayor de San Andres public university during vaccinations for people over age 50 in La Paz, Bolivia, Monday, May 17, 2021. (AP Photo/Juan Karita)

LAS VEGAS  The Las Vegas Strip and surroundings will fully reopen to vaccinated diners, dancers, shoppers and club-goers beginning June 1.

Clark County lawmakers on Tuesday followed CDC guidelines and dropped plans to tie business occupancy to coronavirus vaccination rates.

The unanimous vote came after public speakers expressed anger and frustration with pandemic restrictions  especially their effects on schoolchildren.

Nevada Gov. Steve Sisolak on Friday aligned state requirements with CDC recommendations issued a day earlier. The CDC says fully vaccinated people can stop social distancing and mask-wearing outdoors in crowds and in most indoor settings.

Eighth grader at Robinson Middle School, Jasic Helvey, 12, hears information about her COVID-19 vaccine Monday, May 17, 2021, at Topeka High School with by Shaunee Darrough, registered nurse with TrueCare Nursing, with her mom, Brandi Snyder, nearby. (Evert Nelson/The Topeka Capital-Journal via AP)

Most Las Vegas casinos have already returned to 100% occupancy and no social distancing under oversight of the Nevada Gaming Control Board.

THE VIRUS OUTBREAK:

 Biden coronavirus adviser says teen son has lingering COVID-19 symptoms, encourages young to get shots

 UAE to offer booster shot to recipients of China's Sinopharm vaccine

 Changed by pandemic, many US workers wont return to old jobs

A man prays in front of the burning funeral pyre of his relative, who died of COVID-19, at a crematorium in New Delhi, India, Monday, May 17, 2021. (AP Photo/Amit Sharma)

 India reports record day of virus deaths as cases level off

 Follow more of APs pandemic coverage at https://apnews.com/hub/coronavirus-pandemic and https://apnews.com/hub/coronavirus-vaccine

HERE'S WHAT ELSE IS HAPPENING:

KYIV, Ukraine  Ukrainian lawmakers have voted to dismiss the health minister who has faced criticism for the slow pace of the nations coronavirus vaccination effort.

Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal held Health Minister Maksym Stepanov responsible for the failure to quickly procure more vaccine. Shmyhal says the nation of 41 million people so far has received only 2.3 million doses, and only 948,3300 Ukrainians had received at least one shot as of Tuesday.

European Commissioner for An Economy that Works for People Valdis Dombrovskis addresses European lawmakers during a plenary debate on recovery and resilience at the European Parliament in Brussels, Tuesday, May 18, 2021. (AP Photo/Francisco Seco, Pool)

Stepanov argued in his defense that the ex-Soviet nation has faced tough competition as nations try to procure vaccines amid the pandemic. Supplies of the Indian-made AstraZeneca vaccine were suspended after infections in India surged.

Ukraine has registered more than 2.1 million infections and 48,469 deaths from COVID-19.

AUSTIN, Texas  Texas governor says public schools must end mask requirements starting in June and is ordering Texas cities and counties to drop nearly all face covering mandates by the end of the week.

Tuesdays announcement from Gov. Greg Abbott does not affect private businesses, which can still require customers or workers to wear masks. But the change is the biggest rollbacks of Texas pandemic safeguards since Abbott ended a statewide mask mandate in March.

Public hospitals, jails and state-supported living centers will still be allowed to require masks.

Dr. Anthony Fauci, director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, puts his face mask back on during a Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions hearing to examine an update from Federal officials on efforts to combat COVID-19, Tuesday, May 11, 2021 on Capitol Hill in Washington. (Jim Lo Scalzo/Pool via AP)

The move comes as Texas coronavirus cases and COVID-19 deaths continue to plunge and vaccines are being made available to children as young as 12.

Some Texas school have already ended mask mandates. The Texas State Teachers Association criticized Abbotts decision as premature.

MEXICO CITY -- Mexico is mounting a final push to get all of the countrys 3 million school teachers vaccinated so it can reopen schools, perhaps by the second half of June.

President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador said Tuesday that getting kids back into classrooms is an urgent necessity, as much for their social development as anything else. He says: School is like a second home, and we need all students at all levels to return to in-person classes..

Officials estimate 2.1 million teachers at private and public schools have already been vaccinated, and hope to inject almost 520,000 this week and a similar number in the last week of May.

FILE - In this Wednesday, March 24, 2021 file photo, a nurse holds a vial of the AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine, manufactured by the Serum Institute of India and provided through the global COVAX initiative, prior to vaccination in Machakos, Kenya. The Serum of Institute of India says it hopes to start delivering coronavirus vaccine doses to the U.N. backed effort known as COVAX and to other countries by the end of the year, in a move that will significantly set back global efforts to immunize people against COVID-19.(AP Photo/Brian Inganga, file)

Schools in four of Mexicos least-affected states have gone back to in-person classes, but on a very limited scale. The other 28 states have been giving online classes since early last year.

PORTLAND, Oregon -- Oregon health officials say businesses and churches can choose to no longer require masks and social distancing for fully vaccinated people, but those places must have individuals show proof of vaccination and review it.

Under new rules announced Tuesday, people will still be required to wear masks while on public transportation and in schools, hospitals and clinics, homeless shelters, correctional facilities and long-term care facilities.

Oregonians have been required since last summer to wear masks inside public spaces such as grocery stores, shops, gyms and restaurants and outside in situations where people cannot remain six feet apart.

CONCORD, N.H.  New Hampshire will end its participation in all pandemic-related federal unemployment compensation programs June 19 but will offer signing stipends totaling $10 million to encourage people to find jobs.

President Joe Biden salutes from the stairs of Air Force One at Andrews Air Force Base, Md., Tuesday, May 18, 2021, on his departure and then on to Detroit to visit the Ford Rouge Electric Vehicle Center in Dearborn, Mich. (AP Photo/Luis M. Alvarez)

The state was among the first to expand eligibility for unemployment benefits when the pandemic first struck. Between March and April 2020, its unemployment rate jumped from 2.7% to over 16%, but as of this month, was back down to 2.8%.

Gov. Chris Sununu said Tuesday that unemployed workers who find full-time jobs will get $1,000 bonuses after completing eight weeks of work and part-time workers will get $800 until the $10 million bonus fund is depleted.

Connecticut is offering a similar incentive, though it is maintaining the federal $300 supplemental payments for those who remain unemployed.

LOS ANGELES -- Five more California counties will move to less restrictive pandemic rules because of improving COVID-19 conditions.

The state Department of Public Health said Tuesday that Orange, Santa Cruz, Santa Clara and Amador counties are moving from the orange, or moderate, tier to the yellow, or minimal, tier. Tehama County is improving from the red, substantial, tier to orange.

A volunteer with the South Tongass Volunteer Fire Department waits to be let into the White Cliff building that houses the Ketchikan Gateway Borough offices in Ketchikan, Alaska, Thursday, May 13, 2021. Restaurants, bars and gyms in the Alaska port town of Ketchikan have been asked to close as officials attempt to slow the spread of COVID-19 after the city's pandemic risk level was raised to its highest level. (Dustin Safranek/Ketchikan Daily News via AP)

The moves will put 13 counties in yellow, 35 in orange and 10 in red. No counties are in the purple, or substantial, tier.

WASHINGTON  A top White House adviser for the coronavirus is encouraging young people to get vaccinated, sharing his sons struggles after acquiring the virus.

Andy Slavitt revealed during a White House briefing Tuesday that one of his sons was diagnosed with the virus late last year and still suffers from lingering side effects.

Hes appealing to younger Americans to roll up their sleeves, even if they feel theyre at less risk than older Americans for serious medical consequences.

Slavitt says his teenage son was young and fit and in the prime of his life. But six months later, he still suffers from tachycardia, shortness of breath, and ongoing and frequent flu-like symptoms. His hands are cold to the touch.

FILE - In this April 29, 2021, file photo, nurse Natasha Garcia administers a dose of the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine to Magaly Esparza in a mobile clinic set up in the parking lot of a shopping center in Orange, Calif. Teams of experts are projecting COVID-19's toll on the U.S. will fall sharply by the end of July, according to research released by the government Wednesday, May 5. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong, File)

Slavitt adds: Many young people are in this situation, and many, many have it worse. According to the CDC, more than 3 million kids under 17 have contracted COVID-19.

ATLANTA  A U.S. government report finds rural counties are behind urban counties in their coronavirus vaccination efforts, a gap that could slow the fight against the coronavirus.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported Tuesday that 39% of adults in rural counties had received at least one shot compared to 46% in urban counties as of April 10. The rural lag holds up in women, men and both younger and older adults.

Polling suggests rural Americans are more likely than others to say theyll avoid vaccination. The CDC report says rural Americans may have more trouble traveling to distant vaccination sites.

Early in the pandemic, the coronavirus hit large cities. By September, it spread throughout the country and case rates in rural areas eventually surpassed urban centers. Some research suggests rural Americans may be more vulnerable to serious infection and death from COVID-19.

FILE - In this April 29, 2021, file photo, nurse Natasha Garcia administers a dose of the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine to Magaly Esparza in a mobile clinic set up in the parking lot of a shopping center in Orange, Calif. Teams of experts are projecting COVID-19's toll on the U.S. will fall sharply by the end of July, according to research released by the government Wednesday, May 5. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong, File)

The CDC says public health departments should work with doctors, pharmacies, faith groups and employers in rural areas to address the gap in coverage.

WASHINGTON  Federal health officials are releasing $3 billion to help states cope with rising substance abuse and mental health impacts of the coronavirus pandemic.

The money approved by Congress in President Joe Bidens coronavirus relief bill will be equally divided between the Community Mental Health Services Block Grant and the Substance Abuse Prevention and Treatment Block Grant, roughly tripling the federal commitment to the programs, officials say.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recently reported 90,000 overdose deaths for the 12-month period ending last September, which represents 20,000 additional lives lost compared with the same period a year earlier.

Reported episodes of anxiety and depression were up sharply last year, and more people experienced suicidal thoughts. But there was a drop in the use of mental health and substance abuse treatment. Although people are using mental health services again, it hasnt returned to pre-pandemic levels.

A restaurant worker cleans the awning of a restaurant near Gare de Lyon Station, in Paris, Tuesday, May 18, 2021. The outdoor terraces of France's cafes and restaurants will be allowed to reopen on May 19 along with museums, cinemas, theaters and concert halls under certain conditions. (AP Photo/Francois Mori)

The money will be distributed through the federal Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration.

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates  The United Arab Emirates says it will offer booster shots six months after vaccination for those who received the Chinese state-backed Sinopharm shot.

The announcement Tuesday comes after some in the UAE received a third shot amid concerns of a low antibody response from the vaccine.

Last month, Chinas top disease control official, in a rare acknowledgement, said current vaccines offer low protection against the coronavirus.

China has distributed hundreds of millions of doses of domestically made vaccines abroad and is relying on them for its own mass immunization campaign. The state-owned company has not publicly published peer-reviewed data on the final stage clinical trial research and been criticized for a lack of transparency.

FILE - In this Feb. 10, 2021, file photo, buskers dressed as showgirls walk into a casino along the Las Vegas Strip in Las Vegas. Vaccinated diners, dancers, business owners and bodybuilders will be among those who can go maskless beginning June 1 in the Las Vegas area. County lawmakers on Tuesday, May 18, 2021, adopted Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines and dropped plans to tie business occupancy to COVID-19 vaccination rates. (AP Photo/John Locher, File)

The UAE initially said the vaccine was 86% effective in the first public release of information on the shots efficacy. But in the time since, it has offered no study data to support its figures.

NEW DELHI  The Serum Institute of India says it hopes to start delivering coronavirus vaccine doses to the U.N. backed effort known as COVAX and to other countries by the end of the year, which will significantly set back global efforts to immunize people against COVID-19.

In March, Indias Serum Institute, the worlds biggest vaccine maker and the main supplier of COVID-19 vaccine doses to COVAX, said it was postponing all exports of coronavirus vaccines to deal with the explosive surge of cases on the subcontinent. At the time, the World Health Organization and Gavi announced the delay would affect about 90 million doses of COVID-19 vaccines, but they expected deliveries to resume by June.

SII has delivered more than 200 million doses, the company said in a statement posted to its Twitter account. It says in the past few days, theres been intense discussion on the decision of the Indian government and vaccine manufacturers about the possible export of vaccines.

We continue to scale up and prioritize India, the company says. We also hope to start delivering to COVAX and other countries by the end of the year.

GENEVA  More than 60 countries want the World Trade Organization member states to temporarily ease protections on the know-how behind vaccines, medicine and tests for the coronavirus.

They are appealing to approximately 140 other members to step forward as soon as possible to flesh out a text for the proposal. The 62 WTO member states -- mostly developing countries -- have rallied around a proposal first made by India and South Africa that garnered some support from the Biden administration when it comes to vaccines.

A joint statement from the countries says theyll soon present a revised proposal on the issue that aims to get coronavirus help to the neediest people -- whether in rich or poor countries.

The 62 states also pledged flexibility on the issue to ensure swift outcomes that would suit a majority of WTO member states. However, the WTO operates by consensus -- meaning any single country could block the proposal. Some have expressed strong opposition.

Wealthy countries with strong pharmaceutical industries say such a temporary intellectual property waiver could have a long-lasting impacting innovation and would take months to carry out -- rendering it ineffective against urgent supply shortages faced in many countries. They say a better solution would be immediate donations of vaccines from rich countries that have extra doses.

Proponents insist capacity to scale up production of vaccines exists, but the protections under WTO rules prevent it.

NICOSIA, Cyprus  Cyprus health minister says private doctors can administer the AstraZeneca shot against COVID-19 to anyone over age 20 to expedite its vaccination program.

Constantinos Ioannou says the governments online vaccination appointment program will re-open for all ages so anyone who missed out the first time around can make the arrangement.

So far, 45.2% of its 875,000 population has received at least one shot and 15.5% have completed their vaccination. Ioannou says the governments target to vaccinate two-thirds of the population by the end of June remains on track.
NEW YORK (AP)  More than a year after coronavirus shutdowns sent the city that never sleeps into a fitful slumber, New York could be wide awake again this summer.

e's Bar co-owner Erin Ballard, left, talks to regulars Julie and Steve Ross at the bar on Manhattan's Upper West Side, Monday, May 17, 2021, in New York. The Ross's said they're "veterans, part of the family." "We discovered them during the pandemic in 24 degree-weather, while we were still wearing sweaters, mittens and long underwear. It's been a little oasis of sanity," said Steve Ross, right. "We feel the energy" of social life gearing back up," Bellard said. "People are so excited to be out." (AP Photo/Kathy Willens)

NEW YORK (AP)  More than a year after coronavirus shutdowns sent the city that never sleeps into a fitful slumber, New York could be wide awake again this summer.

Starting Wednesday, vaccinated New Yorkers could shed their masks in most situations, and restaurants, stores, gyms and many other businesses could go back to full capacity if they ascertain that all patrons have been inoculated.

Subways resumed running round-the-clock this week. Midnight curfews for bars and restaurants will be gone by month's end. Broadway tickets are on sale again, though the curtain won't rise on any shows until September.

Officials say now is New York's moment to shake off the image of a city brought to its knees by the virus last spring  a recovery poignantly rendered on the latest cover of The New Yorker magazine. It shows a giant door part-open to the city skyline, letting in a ray of light.

Is the Big Apple back to its old, brash self?

Maybe 75%. ... Its definitely coming back to life, said Mark Kumar, 24, a personal trainer.

But Ameen Deen, 63, said: A full sense of normalcy is not going to come any time soon. There's far too many deaths. There's too much suffering. There's too much inequality."

FILE - The body of Mohammad Altaf, who died at 48 of COVID-19, is ritually washed and wrapped before being given funeral prayers at Al-Rayaan Muslim Funeral Services, Sunday, May 17, 2020, in the Brooklyn borough of New York. After a year of ebbs, surges, reopenings and closings, the city hopes vaccinations are turning the tide for good. About 47% of residents have had at least one dose so far. Deaths have amounted to about two dozen a day in recent weeks, and new cases and hospitalizations have plummeted from a wintertime wave.(AP Photo/John Minchillo, File)

Last spring, the biggest city in America was also the nation's deadliest coronavirus hotspot, the site of over 21,000 deaths in just two months. Black and Hispanic patients have died at markedly higher rates than whites and Asian Americans.

Hospitals overflowed with patients and corpses. Refrigerated trailers served as temporary morgues, and tents were set up in Central Park as a COVID-19 ward. New York's hectic streets fell quiet, save for ambulance sirens and nightly bursts of cheering from apartment windows for health care workers.

After a year of ebbs, surges, reopenings and closings, the city hopes vaccinations are turning the tide for good. About 48% of residents have had at least one dose so far. Deaths have amounted to about two dozen a day in recent weeks, and new cases and hospitalizations have plummeted from a wintertime wave.

Large swaths of the country and world are also moving toward normal after a crisis blamed for 3.4 million deaths globally, including more than 587,000 in the U.S.

Las Vegas casinos are returning to 100% capacity and no social distancing requirements. Disneyland in California opened up late last month after being shuttered for more than 400 days. Massachusetts this week announced that all virus restrictions will expire Memorial Day weekend.

Summer music festivals like Lollapalooza are back on, the Indy 500 is bracing for more than 100,000 fans, and the federal government says fully vaccinated adults no longer need to wear masks.

France opened back up on Wednesday as well, with the Eiffel Tower, Parisian cafes and cinemas and the Louvre bringing back visitors for the first time in months.

In New York, Mayor Bill de Blasio has declared it the summer of New York City.

e's Bar co-owner Erin Bellard, right, takes a patron's temperature before allowing him to take a seat at her bar on Manhattan's Upper West Sid, Monday, May 17, 2021, in New York. (AP Photo/Kathy Willens)

As the mask requirement eased statewide Wednesday, businesses grappled with enforcing different rules for vaccinated and unvaccinated people. Fitness studio chain SLT planned to start checking vaccine cards Thursday to determine who could work out unmasked.

Still, founder Amanda Freeman applauded the change  "The only complicated part of this is that its complicated, she said.

Some people bared their faces on the city's streets, while others still wore masks.

City Public Advocate Jumaane Williams urged people to keep masking up, at least indoors.

We dont want to put people who havent yet received the vaccine in a position where they could become stigmatized or pressured for not wearing a mask, he said.

There are other signs New York is regaining its bustle. Some 80,000 city employees returned to their offices at least part time this month; others already were working in person.

Subway and commuter rail ridership is averaging about 40% of normal after plunging to 10% last spring, when the subway system began closing for several hours overnight for the first time in its more than 115-year history.

Shakeem Brown, an artist and delivery person who works late in Manhattan, spent up to three hours a night commuting back to his Queens apartment before 24/7 service resumed Monday. Brown, 26, said it's refreshing to see things opening up.

At e's Bar on Manhattan's Upper West Side, we feel the energy of social life ramping up, co-owner Erin Bellard said. People are so excited to be out.

Still, receipts at the bar and grill have been down about 35% because of pandemic restrictions on hours and capacity, she said. The impending end of the midnight curfew will give the bar two more crucial hours, and the owners are considering whether to regain full capacity by requiring vaccinations.

From other vantage points, normal looks farther off.

The sidewalks and skyscrapers of midtown Manhattan, for instance, are still noticeably empty. Big corporate employers largely aren't looking to bring more workers back until fall, and only if they feel it's safe, said Kathryn Wylde, CEO of the Partnership for New York City, a major employers group.

Shutting down was easy. Reopening is hard," Wylde said. "All the employers say that there still is fear and some resistance to coming back.

Besides virus fears, companies and workers are wondering about safety, she said.

Crime in the city has become a growing source of concern, but it's a complicated picture. Murders, shootings, felony assaults and auto thefts rose in the first four months of this year compared with the same period in pre-pandemic 2019, but robberies and grand larcenies fell. So did crime in the transit system, probably because of the drop in ridership.

Brandon Goldgrub returned to his midtown office in July, but just in the last few weeks, he has noticed the sidewalks seem a bit crowded again.

Now I feel it's a lot more normal, said Goldgrub, 30, a property manager.

Visiting from Tallahassee, Florida, Jessica Souva looked around midtown and felt hopeful about the city where she used to live.

All we heard, elsewhere in the country, was that New York was a ghost town, and this doesn't feel like that, said Souva, 47. It feels like a city in transition.

Associated Press writer Michael R. Sisak contributed to this report.
A sign with the re-opening date in the window of the Prince of Peckham pub, as it reopens to indoor customers, in London, Monday, May 17, 2021. The coronavirus pandemic has laid siege to Britain's pubs so the latest easing of the lockdown, which allows them to reopen indoors, is hugely welcome. For the Prince of Peckham, a pub in the southeast London district of Peckham, it's a chance to reengage with the local community, including a speed-dating night. Its the latest innovation by a pub thats clearly creating a buzz in one of the most diverse communities in London. Around half the local population is Black, so it stands to reason, surely, that one of the few local boozers remaining should seek as wide a clientele as possible. (AP Photo/Alberto Pezzali)

LONDON (AP)  You come here often?

There may be more creative chat-up lines, but surely few as universal. There is little doubt that after months of lockdown across the U.K., those looking to make an early impression may have become a little rusty.

So, the Prince of Peckham pub in a hugely diverse district in southeast London decided, as part of its four-year birthday week, to take the pressure off its patrons. A speed-dating night would kick off its festivities.

Pubs were allowed to welcome guests inside this week, part of the British government's plan to gradually reopen society following a sharp fall in new coronavirus infections.

People sit at tables in the Prince of Peckham pub, as it reopens to indoor customers, in London, Monday, May 17, 2021. The coronavirus pandemic has laid siege to Britain's pubs so the latest easing of the lockdown, which allows them to reopen indoors, is hugely welcome. For the Prince of Peckham, a pub in the southeast London district of Peckham, it's a chance to reengage with the local community, including a speed-dating night. Its the latest innovation by a pub thats clearly creating a buzz in one of the most diverse communities in London. Around half the local population is Black, so it stands to reason, surely, that one of the few local boozers remaining should seek as wide a clientele as possible. (AP Photo/Alberto Pezzali)

To get to the speed dating, around a dozen men and a dozen women braced one of the most torrential downpours London has seen in years. They had three minutes to do their thing.

This is my local pub and I'm a bit bored of dating apps, said 32-year-old marketing manager Helen Waller. This pub brings people together. It's a nice mix of the community in an unforced way.

Other events planned this week are drag brunches and neon naked life drawing  dont ask. They're the latest innovations by a pub that had been bucking the trend even before the pandemic, as a slew of hostelries closed their doors for good in recent years, partly because they didn't beat to the rhythm of the local scene.

Around half the local population is Black, with many more from other ethnic groups, so it stands to reason that one of the few local boozers remaining should tap its neighborhood as much as possible.

It wasn't always so.

People sit at tables at the Prince of Peckham pub, as it reopens to indoor customers, in London, Monday, May 17, 2021. The coronavirus pandemic has laid siege to Britain's pubs so the latest easing of the lockdown, which allows them to reopen indoors, is hugely welcome. For the Prince of Peckham, a pub in the southeast London district of Peckham, it's a chance to reengage with the local community, including a speed-dating night. Its the latest innovation by a pub thats clearly creating a buzz in one of the most diverse communities in London. Around half the local population is Black, so it stands to reason, surely, that one of the few local boozers remaining should seek as wide a clientele as possible.. (AP Photo/Alberto Pezzali)

The Prince of Peckham is a symbol of change, fusing the new young professional crowd that's made its way to Peckham with its long-established population. The pub is far removed from its former incarnation as the Clayton Arms, which was ransacked a decade ago during riots that swept the capital.

Local resident Clement Ogbonnaya bought the premises on a busy intersection near a supermarket parking lot and a police station with the intention of making the business representative of the community, of reinventing pub culture. His doctor wife thought he was nuts going into the pub industry.

The 39-year-old father of one grew up nearby, a second generation Nigerian. He found that many of the pubs around the area had few, if any, connections with the local community,

I needed a space thats representative of the community, a homecoming, he said. The pub is clearly Black-owned but its not a Black pub. Everybody is welcome, the marginalized and under-represented are welcome here. We want to be that home from home in Peckham.

The pub's customers are clearly mixed, across any metric. It takes pride in its varied selection  from trendy craft beers to a Peckham Negroni. Its Caribbean-inspired food offering, White Men Can't Jerk, says it all. And the murals on display strike a note for the community the pub is at the heart of.

Sspeed-dating forms on a table, at the Prince of Peckham pub, as it reopens to indoor customers, in London, Monday, May 17, 2021. The coronavirus pandemic has laid siege to Britain's pubs so the latest easing of the lockdown, which allows them to reopen indoors, is hugely welcome. For the Prince of Peckham, a pub in the southeast London district of Peckham, it's a chance to reengage with the local community, including a speed-dating night. Its the latest innovation by a pub thats clearly creating a buzz in one of the most diverse communities in London. Around half the local population is Black, so it stands to reason, surely, that one of the few local boozers remaining should seek as wide a clientele as possible. (AP Photo/Alberto Pezzali)

Like everyone else in the pub trade, the past 14 months have been tough for Ogbonnaya, who employed 21 people when lockdown was first imposed in March 2020. He was able to furlough 15 of them as part of Britain's coronavirus job retention program, whereby the government paid the majority of salaries of those who weren't able to work.

A godsend, he explains.

Despite the reopening of indoor spaces, social distancing curbs remain that will make life difficult for many pubs to survive the coming months, especially if the virus variant first found in India prompts the government to delay its next lockdown easing on June 21, when many curbs on social contact are expected to be lifted.

Do I think June 21 is going to happen? Probably not, Ogbonnaya said. "But we are here today and all we can do is follow the guidelines and try and stay safe.

For now, social distancing remains, which keeps a lid on how much a pub can make. Required table service means the bar is a no-go area for customers. The Beer and Pub Association has estimated that 2,000 pubs, or around 5% of all the pubs in the U.K., will still remain closed despite indoor reopening.

We need pubs fully reopened without any restrictions at all on June 21 if they are to survive, said Emma McClarkin, the organization's chief executive.

Pubs will hopefully return to normal very soon. They are a home away from home for drinkers and non-drinkers alike, the go-to arena for friends and family in good times and bad, for everything from first dates to breakups.

"Its an area where you can celebrate. Where you can mourn, you can laugh, you can cry, you can break up, you can make up, you can be Black, you can be white, you can be old  you should be able to be anything within that community that the pub is in," Ogbonnaya said.

Dami Ayoade turned up for the speed dating night after having had enough of dating apps during lockdown, and hopes that he managed to strike gold.

Ive met a few that I potentially like," the 25-year-old said. "Hopefully the same energy gets back with me. With them with me as well.

Here's hoping.

Follow APs pandemic coverage at:

https://apnews.com/hub/coronavirus-pandemic

https://apnews.com/hub/coronavirus-vaccine

https://apnews.com/UnderstandingtheOutbreak
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (AP)  A suspect shot and killed one central Illinois police officer and wounded another during a shootout at an apartment complex early Wednesday in which the suspect was also killed, authorities said.

Police investigators work at the scene of a shooting in Champaign, Ill., Wednesday, May 19, 2021. (Jim Rossow/The News-Gazette via AP)

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (AP)  A suspect shot and killed one central Illinois police officer and wounded another during a shootout at an apartment complex early Wednesday in which the suspect was also killed, authorities said.

The Champaign officers went to the complex shortly after 3 a.m. in response to a report about a domestic disturbance and encountered the armed suspect upon arriving, police said. An exchange of gunfire followed in which both officers and the suspect were shot.

Officer Chris Oberheim, 44, died of his wounds, the citys police chief, Anthony Cobb, said in a statement. The wounded officer was hospitalized in stable condition, the department said.

Police haven't released certain details about the shootout, including the names of the wounded officer and the suspect. The (Champaign) News-Gazette reported that the suspect was a man.

Champaign officers were equipped with body cameras in 2017, and those cameras are activated when an officer responds to service calls or is engaged in any law enforcement-related encounter, according to the departments website. The department didnt immediately reply to Associated Press requests for further information about the shootout, including whether the officers' body cameras captured it.

Cobb said Oberheim joined the police force in Champaign, a city of about 85,000 roughly 125 miles (201 kilometers) southwest of Chicago, in September 2008. Before that, he spent seven years on Decatur's police force.

His only intention was to serve, protect and help provide care before he was senselessly fired upon and killed, the chief said.

Monticello Schools Superintendent Vic Zimmerman said in a statement that Oberheim had four daughters, including three who attend the district's schools, and that he was very involved in their lives.

"Our thoughts and prayers are with his family during this difficult time, Zimmerman said.

The News-Gazette reported that the shootout happened days after Cobb said he feared that a shooting involving police could happen because the city is dealing with an increase in gun violence.

Oberheim is the third Champaign police officer to be killed in the line of duty. The other two were killed in 1913 and 1967, the newspaper reported.

The Illinois State Police will lead the investigation into the shooting, with assistance from Urbana police, the Champaign County Sheriffs Office and the University of Illinois Police Department, Champaign police said.
Blantyre, Malawi (AP)  Malawi has burned nearly 20,000 expired AstraZeneca vaccines, amid conflicting advice over what to do with the doses.

COVID-19 vaccines arrive to be destroyed, in Lilongwe, Malawi, Wednesday, May 19, 2021. Malawi has burned nearly 20,000 doses of AstraZeneca vaccines because they had expired. The government incinerated over 19,000 doses of the vaccine at Kamuzu Central Hospital in the capital Lilongwe. According to Health Secretary Charles Mwansambo the vaccines were the remainder of 102,000 doses that arrived in Malawi on March 26 with just 18 days until they expired on April 13. (AP Photo/Jacob Nankhonya)

Blantyre, Malawi (AP)  Malawi has burned nearly 20,000 expired AstraZeneca vaccines, amid conflicting advice over what to do with the doses.

Health Minister Khumbize Kandodo Chiponda put some of the vials of the expired doses into an incinerator to start the destruction Wednesday at Kamuzu Central Hospital in Lilongwe, the capital.

We are destroying (these vaccines) because as government policy no expired health commodities are to be used, she said. Historically under the expanded immunization program of Malawi no expired vaccine has ever been used.

She said burning the vaccines will build public confidence that all vaccines used in Malawi are good.

We are destroying publicly in order to stay accountable to Malawians. The vaccines that expired are not being used during the vaccination campaign," she said. "On behalf of the government, I assure all Malawians that no one will be given an expired COVID vaccine.

The burned vaccines were the remainder of 102,000 doses that arrived in Malawi on March 26 with just 18 days until they expired on April 13. All other doses of the shipment, donated by the African Union, were successfully administered, she said.

The health minister thanked WHO, the African Union and India for donating the vaccines.

This has made it possible for Malawi to embark on the COVID vaccination campaign currently underway, she said.

Last month the World Health Organization urged African nations not to destroy expired doses of the AstraZeneca vaccine after several countries received doses from India with a very short shelf life. But this week, WHO reversed its position and said that the vaccines should be destroyed.

Any vaccine that has passed its expiry date ... should not be administered, said WHO in a statement dated May 17. While discarding vaccines is deeply regrettable in the context of any immunization program, WHO recommends that these expired doses should be removed from the distribution chain and safely disposed.

WHO said that in March, the African Unions African Vaccine Acquisition Task Team redistributed 925,000 doses of the AstraZeneca vaccine produced by the Serum Institute of India with an expiry date of April 13 to 13 African countries. The bulk of these vaccine doses were administered, but some countries have unused doses remaining, said the WHO statement.

Malawi, a small southern African country of about 20 million people, had already decided to destroy its expired vaccine doses, ministry of health spokesman Joshua Malango told The Associated Press.

We had stopped observation of proper storage mechanisms and the vaccines would have still been damaged in one way or the other, he said.

The destruction of the vaccines was witnessed by several top officials "in order to enhance transparency, health secretary Charles Mwansambo said.

Malawi will still have adequate stocks of COVID-19 vaccines in both public and private health facilities, he said. The government has not said where it will get more vaccines.

Malawi's got its first consignment of 360,000 AstraZeneca doses in early March from the U.N.-backed COVAX initiative which is providing vaccines to low- and middle-income countries. The country received another batch of 50,000 AstraZeneca doses from the Indian government. With the AU donation, Malawi had a total of 512,000 AstraZeneca doses.

So far 212,615 doses have been given in Malawi. The country has 34,216 confirmed cases, including 1,153 deaths, according to the Africa CDC.

Currently, the country is seeing a decrease in the disease, with the 7-day rolling average of daily new cases in Malawi dropping from 0.07 new cases per 100,000 people on May 4 to 0.04 new cases per 100,000 people on May 18. Official deaths from COVID-19 are also declining, according to statistics from Johns Hopkins University.

Malawi, like many other African countries, has relied on the AstraZeneca vaccine that has been distributed by COVAX and the African Union. But now supplies of the vaccine have become more scarce because India, the main supplier of vaccines to COVAX, has stopped exports until it has adequately vaccinated large numbers of its population of 1.4 billion people.

The Serum Institute of India says it hopes to start delivering coronavirus vaccines to COVAX and to other countries by the end of the year. The delay will significantly set back global efforts to immunize people against COVID-19. Indias Serum Institute is the worlds biggest vaccine-maker. The company said in March that it was postponing all exports of coronavirus vaccines to deal with the explosive surge of cases on the subcontinent. At the time, the World Health Organization said it expected COVID-19 vaccine deliveries from India to resume by June and the interruption would affect about 90 million doses.

Follow more of APs pandemic coverage at https://apnews.com/hub/coronavirus-pandemic and https://apnews.com/hub/coronavirus-vaccine
WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. (AP)  Faculty members of a North Carolina university want an explanation for the school's reported decision to back away from offering a tenured teaching position to journalist Nikole Hannah-Jones, whose work on the countrys history of slavery has drawn the ire of conservatives.

FILE - In this May 21, 2016, file photo, Nikole Hannah-Jones attends the 75th Annual Peabody Awards Ceremony at Cipriani Wall Street in New York. Faculty members of a North Carolina university want an explanation for the school's reported decision to back away from offering a tenured teaching position to Nikole Hannah-Jones. Hannah-Jones' work on the countrys history of slavery has drawn the ire of conservatives. A report in NC Policy Watch on Wednesday, May 19, 2021 said Hannah-Jones was to be offered a tenured professorship as the Knight Chair in Race and Investigative Journalism at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. (Photo by Evan Agostini/Invision/AP, File)

WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. (AP)  Faculty members of a North Carolina university want an explanation for the school's reported decision to back away from offering a tenured teaching position to journalist Nikole Hannah-Jones, whose work on the countrys history of slavery has drawn the ire of conservatives.

Hannah-Jones was offered a position as the Knight Chair in Race and Investigative Journalism at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, the school announced last month. Hannah-Jones is an investigative journalist who won the Pulitzer Prize for her work on The 1619 Project for The New York Times Magazine.

But the school changed its offer from a tenured position to a five-year term as a professor with an option for review at the end of that time, as first reported by NC Policy Watch on Wednesday.

In a statement issued in response to the story, faculty members of the university's school of journalism and media said the decision was especially concerning given that Hannah-Jones had the full support of the journalism school's dean, Susan King. They said the decision also violated established tenure and promotion procedures at UNC-Chapel Hill.

We call on the universitys leadership to reaffirm its commitment to the university, its faculty and time-honored norms and procedures, and its endorsed values of diversity, equity, and inclusion, the statement said. The university must tenure Nikole Hannah-Jones as the Knight Chair in Race and Investigative Journalism.

King said in a statement on Wednesday that the journalism school is delighted to have Hannah-Jones join the school in the fall despite the change.

While I am disappointed that the appointment is without tenure, there is no doubt in anyones mind that she will be a star faculty member, King's statement said. I am more than delighted that she will be here at UNC, teaching our next generation of journalists, working with our graduate students, and sharing her perspective with us all. I can only imagine how our students will benefit from her wisdom and experience.

University spokesperson Joanne Peters Denny declined comment on the situation, saying faculty hiring processes are personnel protected information. But she added that the school looks forward to welcoming Hannah-Jones to campus.

The 1619 Project is an initiative of The New York Times Magazine that began in August 2019, the 400th anniversary of the beginning of American slavery. The magazine describes the project as one which is designed to reframe the countrys history by placing the consequences of slavery and the contributions of Black Americans at the very center of our national narrative.

The project was converted into a popular podcast. Materials were developed for schools to use and The Pulitzer Center partnered with the Times to develop 1619 Project lesson plans. However, objections to The 1619 Project have morphed into legislative efforts to prevent its presentation in public schools.

In February, an Arkansas House panel rejected legislation that would have banned schools from teaching the project. The measure failed on a voice vote on the same day the state Senate rejected a resolution that cited the countrys ongoing positive record on race and slavery and attacked Democrats history on civil rights issues.

Former President Donald Trump created a commission in response to The 1619 Project that promoted patriotic education and played down Americas role in slavery. After taking office, President Joe Biden revoked a report from the so-called 1776 Commission. Widely mocked by historians, the commission glorified the countrys white founders and played down the role of slavery.
WASHINGTON - The mediator in the dispute between Enbridge Inc. and the state of Michigan over the controversial Line 5 pipeline says the two sides plan to keep talking.

Fesh nuts, bolts and fittings are ready to be added to the east leg of the pipeline near St. Ignace as Enbridge prepares to test the east and west sides of the Line 5 pipeline under the Straits of Mackinac in Mackinaw City, Mich. The mediator in the dispute between Enbridge Inc. and the state of Michigan over the controversial Line 5 pipeline says the two sides plan to keep talking. THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP, Dale G Young/Detroit News

WASHINGTON - The mediator in the dispute between Enbridge Inc. and the state of Michigan over the controversial Line 5 pipeline says the two sides plan to keep talking.

Retired U.S. district court judge Gerald Rosen, who was appointed in March to oversee the talks, says the parties discussed a "range of issues" when they met Tuesday.

Rosen's three-sentence report filed with the federal court in Michigan says the talks will continue and both sides anticipate further sessions together.

Rosen's report offers no details as to when the next meeting will take place or how long the talks are likely to continue.

But it suggests the pipeline, which proponents insist is a vital energy conduit for much of the U.S. Midwest as well as Ontario and Quebec, will remain in operation for the time being.

Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer originally wanted the line shut down by May 12 to prevent an ecological disaster in the Straits of Mackinac, where the cross-border pipeline crosses the Great Lakes.

"The parties and I are continuing discussions and we anticipate further sessions together," Rosen writes in the document filed Wednesday.

"I will report further to the court after my next session with the parties."

The federal government in Ottawa joined the legal fray last week with an amicus brief that argued a shutdown would deal a "massive and potentially permanent" blow to Canada's economy and energy security, as well as risk lasting damage to relations with the United States.

If allowed to stand, Michigan's "unilateral action" would foster doubt about any foreign-policy commitments the U.S. might choose to make if any one state can so easily undermine them, the brief said.

Calgary-based Enbridge has said it plans to continue to operate the pipeline in the absence of a court order, which it doesn't consider likely.

The dispute first erupted in November when Whitmer abruptly revoked the easement that had allowed Line 5 to operate since 1953.

Enbridge insists the pipeline is safe and has already received the state's approval for a $500-million tunnel beneath the straits that would house the line's twin pipes and protect them from anchor strikes.

Advocates for keeping the pipeline operating, including Natural Resources Minister Seamus O'Regan, say Line 5 delivers more than half the propane and home heating oil consumed in Michigan, and is a vital source of energy for Ohio and Pennsylvania as well, to say nothing of Ontario and Quebec.

Doing away with it would lead to a massive increase in the number of tanker trucks and oil cars on North American highways and railroads, increasing greenhouse gas emissions as well as the risk of a spill.

Not everyone in Canada, however, opposes Whitmer's efforts. A number of Indigenous groups in Ontario support a shutdown, as does Green party Leader Annamie Paul.

And Michiganders themselves remember well an Enbridge spill in 2010 that dumped more than 3.3 million litres of diluted bitumen into the Kalamazoo River, fouling more than 40 kilometres of shoreline.

Sarah Hubbard, a legislative expert in Michigan with lobbying firm Acuitas LLC, told a Wilson Center panel last week that Whitmer  who faces a re-election campaign next year  finds herself trying to satisfy two of the constituencies who got her elected in 2018: organized labour and environmentalists.

"That's where I see it right now  you've got these two major factions that are her supporters really fighting with each other over this," Hubbard said.

"She's trying to figure out how to thread the needle."

This report by The Canadian Press was first published May 19, 2021.
BANGKOK (AP)  The deaths of two Thai migrant workers in Israel in a rocket attack from Gaza cast fresh light on the difficult lives thousands of Thais face far from home.

BANGKOK (AP)  The deaths of two Thai migrant workers in Israel in a rocket attack from Gaza cast fresh light on the difficult lives thousands of Thais face far from home.

Weerawat Karunborirak, 44, from the northern province of Petchabun, and Sikarin Sa-ngamrum, 24, from the northeastern province of Buriram, were killed Tuesday at the farm where they worked just across the border from Gaza. Eight other Thai workers were wounded, one seriously.

It is not unusual for Thais from economically disadvantaged rural areas to seek work abroad at wages considerably higher than they could earn at home, in more developed countries where there is a shortage of workers for unskilled manual labor such as agricultural work.

But the hazards of war come on top of a history of poor treatment by employers and failure to enforce labor laws, according to workers' advocates.

Israel started bringing in migrant workers after the first Intifada, the 1987-93 Palestinian revolt, in order to replace Palestinian workers that employers did not trust anymore, said Miriam Anati, coordinator for agricultural workers at Kav LaOved, an Israeli private group that seeks to protect the rights of disadvantaged workers.

Many Palestinians have since returned to work in Israel, so there are usually about 23,000 Thai migrant workers employed in Israels agriculture sector alongside about 15,000 Palestinians, she said.

The two workers killed Tuesday were typical of the 18,728 officially registered as of April with Thailands Labor Ministry as working in Israel, which hosts the second largest numbers of overseas Thai workers after Taiwan.

Weerawat had a wife and 21-year-old and 12-year-old daughters. And he also provided for his elderly parents. He went to Israel in 2018 and worked hard, sending money home every month, said Amphan Aggatut, head of the Thai labor office in Phetchabun province, who visited his family Wednesday.

His widow, Reungrak Sae-lee, told Thai PBS television they had discussed him coming home at New Years.

We talked about what we needed to do, many things. His mom isnt too well. And his father is getting old and bedridden, she recalled, sobbing as she spoke. There are so many things we planned to do.

Ladda Upahin, a Thai labor official, said Sikarins widow, Orathai Gongmareung, said her husband had arrived in Israel only last month and had been working for just a few days after completing a coronavirus quarantine. She said the couple, the parents of two toddlers, had been on the phone when Tuesdays attack occurred.

He had been calling her during his break. She said he was telling her there was an attack but he didnt hear any warning, said Ladda. After that she was contacted by someone else who told her that her husband was sent to the hospital.

They are not the first Thais to be caught in the crossfire between Israel and Palestinians. Thai workers were killed by rocket or mortar fire in 2014, 2010 and 2004.

In May 2019, another Thai migrant worker suffered injuries from a rocket that landed in the same village where Tuesdays tragedy occurred.

Even when war isn't raging, life has been hard for the Thai workers.

A 2015 report by the New York-based group Human Rights Watch said they often were housed in makeshift and inadequate accommodations and were paid salaries significantly below the legal minimum wage, forced to work long hours in excess of the legal maximum, subjected to unsafe working conditions, and denied their right to change employers.

An agreement between Israel and Thailand signed last year helped end exorbitant brokerage fees that Thai workers needed to pay previously, Kav LaOveds Anati said.

Unfortunately, and in spite of the commitment it contains, the agreement has not affected the rights violations many Thai workers suffer once they are in Israel, she said.

Thai migrant workers in Israel suffer numerous rights violations when it comes to their wages, social rights, safety at work and accommodations requirements. This situation is possible because Israeli authorities do not intervene, and let employers do as they wish.
The federal government on Tuesday revealed that it was weighing some options as discussions with Anglo-Dutch oil company, Shell, begin over its plan for a total divestment from onshore operations in the country.

The Minister of State, Petroleum Resources, Timipre Sylva, who disclosed this in Abuja, said three possible options being considered include a take over by the Nigerian Petroleum Development Company (NPDC), a subsidiary of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC); acquisition by indigenous operators, and involving a mixture of local players and other foreign independent operators in the process.

The minister noted that while the federal government was in consultations with the oil giant on the divestment move, "some actually feel that Shell should not hurriedly divest and to at least stay," adding that "where Shell has completely divested from a sector is not good for us."

The Anglo-Dutch energy giant has been gradually selling its onshore assets for over a decade in Nigeria.

Details soon. ...
BEIRUT  The leader the Palestinian Islamic Jihad group says militant factions in Gaza went into the latest battle with Israel knowing it will be costly but also knowing that it is the only road to freedom and to protect Jerusalem.

President Joe Biden arrives to board Air Force One at Andrews Air Force Base, Md., Wednesday, May 19, 2021. Biden is traveling to attend the commencement for the United States Coast Guard Academy in New London, Conn. (AP Photo/Andrew Harnik)

BEIRUT  The leader the Palestinian Islamic Jihad group says militant factions in Gaza went into the latest battle with Israel knowing it will be costly but also knowing that it is the only road to freedom and to protect Jerusalem.

Ziad Nakhaleh said in a televised speech from Beirut on Wednesday that neither nuclear weapons, warplanes nor peace agreements with some Arab states could bring Israelis security and peace.

He added that militant groups in Gaza have made miracles that you can see with your own eyes and you live them every moment when you run to shelters.

Nakhaleh was referring to thousands of missiles and rockets that Gaza militants have fired toward Israel.

Nakhaleh said that after Israels moves that threatened the eviction of dozens of Palestinian families by Jewish settlers in east Jerusalem, we were in front of two choices, to surrender and to give them everything or fight them over everything.

JERUSALEM  Israels Foreign Ministry says foreign ministers from Germany, the Czech Republic, and Slovakia will arrive in Israel on Thursday.

The ministry said in a statement Wednesday that the diplomats were invited by Foreign Minister Gabi Ashkenazi to express their solidarity and support for Israel during its campaign against Palestinian militants in the Gaza Strip.

The visit comes as Israel faces mounting international pressure to de-escalate hostilities after 10 days of heavy fighting between Israelis and Palestinians in the Gaza Strip.

JERUSALEM  Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu says he is determined to continue this operation until its aim is met, despite U.S. President Joe Bidens call for a de-escalation of hostilities in Gaza.

In a statement from his office Wednesday, Netanyahu said that he greatly appreciates the support of the American president, but said Israel will push ahead to return the calm and security to you, citizens of Israel.

Earlier, Biden called for significant de-escalation by days end from Netanyahu after 10 days of heavy fighting between Israel and Hamas in Gaza.

CAIRO  An Egyptian diplomat says some of the countrys top officials are waiting for Israels response to a cease-fire offer, and that they expect amendments to their proposal.

He says they hope Frances increasing efforts could spur the United States to exert its influence on Israel and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to agree to stop the fighting as soon as possible.

He added that if that doesn't happen, there are some discussions among Arab and Islamic nations, along with China, to put the issue before the U.N. General Assembly in an effort to bypass the Security Council and the U.S.s veto power there.

The diplomat spoke on condition of anonymity in line with regulations.

Egypt has been trying to broker a cease-fire between neighboring Israel and Hamas, as it is one of a handful of countries that maintains official ties with both.

 Samy Magdy in Cairo.

BERLIN  Germanys foreign ministry is confirming that the nations top diplomat will make a one-day trip to Israel and the West Bank on Thursday for talks with senior Israeli and Palestinian officials.

The ministry said Wednesday that Foreign Minister Heiko Maas will meet the Israeli foreign and defense ministers, as well as President Reuven Rivlin.

He will also meet the Palestinian prime minister in Ramallah.

Maas had said earlier Wednesday that he hoped to fly to Israel but coordination hadnt yet been completed.

Maas has called for an end to an immediate stop to rocket terror by the Hamas militant group, which controls Gaza, a cease-fire and efforts to restart direct talks between the Israelis and Palestinians.

TEHRAN, Iran  A top Iranian general says the balance of power in the Middle East has changed with the Palestinians ability to launch so many missiles against Israel.

State TV is reporting Wednesday that Gen. Hossein Salami, chief of the powerful Revolutionary Guard, said Israel has become weaker and the Palestinians have become stronger and more powerful.

Salami says: Palestinians could destroy all Israeli industrial facilities and air bases with missiles.

Palestinian militants have fired more than 3,700 rockets at Israel, with hundreds falling short and many others intercepted. The rockets have reached a number of Israeli cities, including Tel Aviv, and have brought life to a standstill in areas near Gaza.

Iran does not recognize Israel and supports anti-Israeli militant groups like Palestinian Hamas and Lebanon's Hezbollah.

WASHINGTON  President Joe Biden has called for significant de-escalation by day's end from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

Bidens appeal on Wednesday comes after 10 days of heavy fighting between Israelis and Palestinians.

It was Bidens toughest public pressure so far on the U.S. ally, with the president asking Netanyahu in a telephone call to move toward the path to a cease-fire, according to a White House statement on their conversation.

Pressure has been mounting on Biden, too, to do more as the death toll in the conflict has topped 200.

BEIRUT  Lebanese security officials said several rockets were fired from south Lebanon toward Israel, the third such barrage in the past week.

The Israeli military said it identified four rockets fired Wednesday from Lebanon into northern Israel. One landed in an open area, two landed in the sea, and one was intercepted by aerial defenses. Residents of the city of Shfaram, east of Haifa, said one rocket landed near the town.

The Lebanese officials said the latest rockets were launched from the outskirts of the southern Lebanese village of Qlayleh. The officials spoke on condition of anonymity in line with regulations.

The rocket attack, which drew Israeli artillery fire in response but apparently did not cause any injuries, raised the possibility of dragging Israel into renewed conflict with the powerful Lebanese militant group Hezbollah to its north as it fights Hamas in Gaza.

No one immediately claimed responsibility for the attack, and Hezbollah, which fought a monthlong war against Israel in 2006, has stayed out of the fighting for now. But the barrage appears to be carefully calibrated to send a political message that the group, which has tens of thousands of missiles, could join the battle at any time.

BERLIN  German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas says he hopes to fly to Israel for talks Thursday with Israelis and Palestinians on the conflict in Gaza.

Asked to confirm Israeli media reports about such a trip, Maas told journalists in Berlin that I cant tell you 100%, because of course we coordinate such a trip with those to whom were travelling.

He said that coordination hadnt been completed yet.

But yes, my plan is to fly to Israel tonight and hold talks in Jerusalem and Ramallah, Maas said.

Earlier, Germanys top diplomat had ruled out talking to the Palestinian militant group Hamas that controls Gaza.

After the events of recent days there is no reason to talk directly with Hamas, he said. Those are terrorist attacks that are being carried out by Hamas in Israel and which in my view completely rule out talking without intermediaries, directly to Hamas.

PARIS  A French government spokesman says very intense discussions are underway with the United States about a United Nations Security Council resolution that has been proposed by France in coordination with Egypt and Jordan.

The proposed resolution aims at ending hostilities between Israel and Hamas militants who control Gaza.

The United States has blocked the U.N.s most powerful body from issuing a press statement calling for a halt to the violence, insisting that it would not help diplomatic efforts to end the conflict.

French President Emmanuel Macron and Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sissi held talks in Paris earlier this week on the issue and they had a meeting on Tuesday with Jordans King Abdullah II via video conference.

In a joint statement, France, Egypt and Jordan said they called on the parties to immediately agree on a ceasefire.

They also said they will work with the U.N. and other partners to ensure humanitarian help for the population of Gaza.

CAIRO  The Arab League Parliament has convened an extraordinary meeting in Cairo to express solidarity with the Palestinians and condemn Israeli strikes on the Gaza Strip.

Those in attendance at the meeting Wednesday wore traditional Palestinian black-and-white scarves in a sign of support.

The Arab League Secretary-General Ahmed Aboul Gheit said: The truth is becoming crystal clear now with all its ugliness and hideousness: we are before a colonizing people that lives under an apartheid state and an occupation government that systematically practices ethnic cleansing.

Others also criticized Israel, with Arab Parliament Speaker Adel Al-Asoumi accusing Israel of war crimes and of full-fledged crimes against humanity.

In a televised speech, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas addressed Arab delegates, calling Jerusalem the essence of the Palestinian national identity.

He said: Without it, there will be no peace, no security, no stability and no agreement.

RAMALLAH, West Bank  Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas says Israel is carrying out organized state terrorism and war crimes in Gaza that are punishable under international law.

In a televised address Wednesday, he said the Palestinians will not hesitate to pursue those who commit such crimes in front of international courts.

Abbas is the head of the internationally backed Palestinian Authority, whose forces were driven from Gaza when the militant Hamas group seized power in 2007. The PA has limited autonomy in parts of the Israeli-occupied West Bank.

Earlier this year, the International Criminal Court launched an investigation into possible war crimes committed by Israel and Palestinian militants during the last Gaza war, in 2014. It has expressed concern about the latest round of fighting.

Abbas accused Israel of brutal attacks on civilians and deliberate bombardment of homes. Israel says it only strikes militant targets and makes every effort to avoid harming civilians, including by warning people ahead of some strikes.

Hamas and other militant groups have launched hundreds of rockets into Israel. The indiscriminate fire is widely seen as violating international law.

ISLAMABAD-- Pakistans foreign minister has denounced Israels continued airstrikes against the Gaza Strip in a meeting with his Palestinian counterpart.

Shah Mahmood Qureshi made his comment during a meeting with Palestinian Foreign Minister Riyad al-Maliki during a visit to Turkey. Qureshi will travel next to New York to address the U.N. General Assembly to demand an immediate halt to Israels attacks on Palestinians.

According to a foreign ministry statement, Qureshi denounced Israel's attacks on Palestinians. The statement also quotes al-Maliki praising Pakistans efforts aimed at mobilizing international support for the Palestinians.

TEL AVIV, Israel -- Israeli military officials say a mysterious explosion that killed eight members of a Palestinian family on the first day of the current round of fighting in the Gaza Strip was caused by a misfired Palestinian rocket, not an Israeli airstrike.

Lt. Col. Jonathan Conricus, a military spokesman, said the rocket was launched in Gaza and fell inside Gaza and killed almost an entire family. Conricus added that this wasnt an Israeli attack.

A senior military officer on Wednesday said the incident was investigated, and Israel did not strike the Beit Hanoun area where the family members were killed that night.

The officer said a total of 700 rockets  roughly one-fifth of the total launched by Palestinian militants  failed to reach Israel and landed inside Gaza. He provided no further estimates on how many Palestinians had been harmed by errant rocket fire. The officer spoke on condition of anonymity under military briefing guidelines.

At least 219 Palestinians have been killed in airstrikes, including 63 children and 36 women, with 1,530 people wounded, according to the Gaza Health Ministry. It does not break down how many militants are among the dead or whether people have died from misfired rockets.

Israel says Hamas is responsible for civilian deaths because the militant group uses residential areas for cover to fire rockets and carry out other military operations. Twelve people in Israel have also been killed, 10 by rocket fire aimed at Israeli towns and cities. Two people died in accidents while rushing for shelter.

TEL AVIV, Israel  Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu says Israel is pursuing forceful deterrence against Gazas Hamas rulers and does not rule out a further escalation.

Meeting with foreign ambassadors on Wednesday, he said you can either conquer them, and thats always an open possibility, or you can deter them.

We are engaged right now in forceful deterrence, but I have to say, we dont rule out anything.

Israel has carried out hundreds of airstrikes against what it says are militant targets in Gaza since the fourth war between the two sides broke out earlier this month. Hamas and other militants have fired more than 3,700 rockets at Israel.

Netanyahu said Israel hopes to restore quiet quickly and is doing everything it can to avoid civilian casualties.

GAZA CITY, Gaza Strip  Israeli airstrikes have killed at least six people overnight across the Gaza Strip and destroyed the home of an extended family.

Despite growing international pressure for a cease-fire, the military said Wednesday it widened its strikes on militant targets in the Palestinian territorys south to blunt continuing rocket fire from Hamas.

Residents surveyed the piles of bricks, concrete and other debris that had once been the home of 40 members of al-Astal family. They said everyone escaped after a warning missile hit the house.

The Israeli military says it struck militant targets around the towns of Khan Younis and Rafah.

Gaza health officials say at least 219 Palestinians have been killed in airstrikes. Twelve people in Israel have been killed in rocket attacks.
WarnerMedia is rolling out a $10-a-month ad supported version of its HBO Max streaming service starting in June.

FILE - In this July 29, 2019 photo an AT&T logo sits above an entrance to a building, in Boston. WarnerMedia is rolling out a $10-a-month ad supported version of its HBO Max streaming service starting in June 2021. AT&T said Monday it will combine its massive WarnerMedia media assets, which includes HBO and CNN, with Discovery Inc. to create a new media company in a $43 billion deal. (AP Photo/Steven Senne, File)

WarnerMedia is rolling out a $10-a-month ad supported version of its HBO Max streaming service starting in June.

That's $5 off the current price for the ad-free version, which launched in May 2020. And cheaper than Netflix, which charges $14 a month for its most popular plan.

AT&T said Monday it will combine its massive WarnerMedia media assets, which includes HBO and CNN, with Discovery Inc. to create a new media company in a $43 billion deal. However the transaction isn't expected to close until mid-2022, and WarnerMedia is still going ahead with plans for HBO Max.

AT&T said earlier this month that there are 44.2 million subscribers to HBO Max and the traditional HBO channel combined in the U.S.

A bevy of streaming services have launched as people shift to watching TV online rather than via traditional cable packages.

Disney Plus, which launched in 2019, charges $8 a month and has amassed more than 100 million subscribers. Netflix remains the service to beat with more than 200 million subscribers globally.

HBO Max offers viewers shows from HBO such as Game of Thrones," movies including Wonder Woman" and Godzilla vs. Kong" and originals such as the show Made for Love."
WINNIPEGS mayor is urging the province to compromise on its hotly contested demand the city gauge interest for a private-public partnership to operate two key sewage projects.

WINNIPEGS mayor is urging the province to compromise on its hotly contested demand the city gauge interest for a private-public partnership to operate two key sewage projects.

Mayor Brian Bowman warns a delay could wind up sparking higher water and sewer rates.

However, the province doesnt appear interested in the citys offer, which narrowly won the approval of councils executive policy committee Tuesday.

EPC cast a 4-3 final vote to have a consultant seek out interest in a potential private-public partnership (P3) with the city to design, build and finance two phases of the $1.8-billion north end sewage treatment plant upgrade.

That falls short of a provincial demand the city also explore P3 interest to operate and maintain the biosolids facility and nutrient-removal phases of the project.

The province has told the city study is required before Broadway will approve a tri-government Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program application to fund the first two phases of the upgrades.

Bowman said the long-awaited sewage megaproject is urgently needed, making the most extensive P3 study unrealistic, since civic officials warned it could take years to complete.

"This infrastructure project has to proceed and it has to proceed in a timely way Further growth of our city is dependent upon this project proceeding, as is the health of our rivers and our lake," said Bowman.

Without the north end upgrades, city staff warn Winnipeg sewage treatment capacity could be exhausted within five to nine years, thwarting new development.

The projects third and final nutrient-removal phase would also greatly reduce algae-promoting compounds in the effluent that winds up in Lake Winnipeg.

Bowman urged the province to compromise, and approve the upgrade funding as soon as possible.

If the senior government disagrees, council may ultimately need to consider raising Winnipeg sewer and water rates to cover more of the upgrade costs, he said. "I think thats a last resort."

The compromise didnt win over all EPC members. The mayor joined Couns. Brian Mayes, Scott Gillingham, and Jeff Browaty to support the motion, while Couns. Matt Allard, Sherri Rollins and Cindy Gilroy rejected it.

The opposition argued even the compromise threatens to delay the project.

"We shouldnt accept this delay, this tactic," said Rollins.

Winnipeg water and waste director Moira Geer has warned if the provinces model is approved, it would essentially privatize all the citys highly integrated sewage treatment system.

Union leaders lashed out against the push to explore privatization, arguing it would threaten the safety of sewage treatment.

"Profit becomes No. 1, and delivery of that service is secondary," said Kevin Rebeck, president of the Manitoba Federation of Labour. "We cant afford that when it comes to our (sewage) treatment."

By contrast, the provincial government stressed a private-public partnership must be explored to its fullest extent for the projects.

"We think that the marketplace can determine how this (would) best operate To limit options, I dont think (is) in the best interests of Manitobans, Winnipeggers or taxpayers," said Manitoba Central Services Minister Reg Helwer.

Helwer said the sewage upgrade is a priority for the province and rejected allegations its intentionally delaying the work.

Provincial opposition members urged the government to drop the demand entirely.

"This is absolutely ridiculous interference in the part of the government. They have no business whatsoever telling the City of Winnipeg how to run their affairs," said Liberal Leader Dougald Lamont.

NDP Leader Wab Kinew urged the province to back off its "mistaken direction."

 with files from Larry Kusch and Carol Sanders

joyanne.pursaga@freepress.mb.ca

Twitter: @joyanne_pursaga
A rural Manitoba community with a low vaccination rate and high level of defiance against public-health measures has become the largest virus hot spot outside Winnipeg.

A rural Manitoba community with a low vaccination rate and high level of defiance against public-health measures has become the largest virus hot spot outside Winnipeg.

Active cases in Winkler spiked Tuesday at 103 after several weeks of numbers between 15 and 20.

"We have lots of manufacturing, lots of people that work together in close proximity," said Mayor Martin Harder. "Some of them insist on masks in the workplace, some of them dont."

JOHN WOODS / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS Winkler Mayor Martin Harder

The community, located about 120 kilometres southwest of Winnipeg, has experienced a significant amount of pushback against the province's pandemic restrictions.

"Some of them are determined to never wear masks, because its... an act of submission, which is very, very strange, but thats how some people here look at it," Harder said.

Winkler had the third-lowest recorded vaccination uptake rate in the province in late April at just 13.6 per cent of adults.

There have been regular, unmasked protests against public-health orders. The mayor said he witnessed people openly flouting regulations in some Winkler stores last weekend.

"Its not the general population but we definitely have some hardliners," he said.

JOHN WOODS / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS Three people enter the Walmart in Winkler Tuesday: one masked, two unmasked,

A Free Press photographer observed a handful of people without masks entering and exiting Winkler's Walmart over an hour or so late Tuesday afternoon.

There have been multiple reported exposures in the community's restaurants, a truck stop and a massage clinic within the last month. Notably, two separate restaurants reported exposures every day between May 2-8, from 9 to 10 a.m.

The owner and manager of one restaurant, 1950s-themed Winkler diner Twisters, said a phone call from the Free Press Tuesday was the first she had heard about the straight week of exposures at the business, despite having been there every day.

Christine Kornelsen said she hasn't had any contact with provincial public-health officials.

JOHN WOODS / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS 1950s-themed diner Twisters in Winkler.

"It doesnt give me the opportunity to reflect, and it doesnt give me the opportunity to be in good standing with your health and safety (officers)," she said.

Kornelsen said she knows about 80 per cent of her customers on a personal level and can often spot diners who are visiting from elsewhere.

A heads-up from the province on an exposure could provide some clarity as to whether the restaurant was serving a COVID-positive regular, she said.

"As a business owner, youre not going out of your way to specifically find out who those people are," she said, adding she is concerned about the spike in cases.

"What youre concentrating on is paying the bills, applying the rules, the mandate, your health and safety and the law."

Six $1,296 tickets have been issued after a May 1 anti-restriction rally in Winkler, which, according to a CTV report drew about 70 people to a local park.

A provincial government spokesperson said the investigation is "ongoing," in response to a question about why just six tickets had been issued after 18 days.

In Morden, located a dozen kilometres west of Winkler, cases remain comparatively low  20 active as of Tuesday  but Mayor Brandon Burley said he "wouldnt write home and gloat about it," and fears the actual number of active cases in the community is higher.

JOHN WOODS / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS Active cases of COVID-19 in Winkler spiked Tuesday at 103 after several weeks of numbers between 15 and 20.

"I know on Facebook, theres been a fairly high movement to avoid testing altogether, to avoid having friends and neighbours be quarantined, or being put out of work," he said.

He said several factors  including pandemic exhaustion, COVID-19 skepticism and the fear of being forced to take time off work without paid leave  are keeping some residents from getting tested.

"When you look at our region, we have a lot of families who are working on single incomes, and not necessarily making top-dollar or even the provincial average," he said.

"And so, I understand the fear of having to say, Were going to do without two or three weeks of family income, or possibly be at risk of losing a job. So I understand there are economic variables as well that are keeping families from getting tested, and in our region in particular, thats a very real concern."

malak.abas@freepress.mb.ca

Twitter: malakabas_
Officially, Charlene Moar didnt die of COVID-19, but her family believes the virus, which she contracted in the hospital, damaged the 35-year-olds body and played a hand in her death.

Officially, Charlene Moar didnt die of COVID-19, but her family believes the virus, which she contracted in the hospital, damaged the 35-year-olds body and played a hand in her death.

Moar went to the hospital last October because of problems with her feet; six months later she was dead.

Charlene Moar.

"It may have been because of the COVID. I dont know," said Moars mother, Maryjane, recently.

"Maybe it was a side effect? She was sitting up in hospital and they thought she was well, but then nine minutes later they came back and she was gone."

Moar leaves a 16-year-old daughter and two sons, aged eight and four.

The family said Moar, who had diabetes, began to complain about trouble with her feet last October, so they took her to a doctor. Shortly after, Moar was admitted to the Health Sciences Centre and had her big toe amputated.

Moars brother, Wilfred, said while she was in hospital, there was an outbreak of COVID-19 and she contracted it.

"She was intubated for a while," he said. "She was in ICU for 12 days. She was sedated and all hooked up. Then it seemed like she recovered and then she started having episodes."

After she was discharged from intensive care and was being treated on a ward, her heart kept stopping and needed to be resuscitated.

"She said I died six times," he said.

"She was fine before all this. She didnt have heart-related issues and then she has COVID and suddenly she starts having heart issues."

Dr. Glen Pyle, a professor of molecular cardiology at the University of Guelph, said Moars heart problem may have been sparked by COVID-19; it may have been caused by diabetes; or it may have been a combination of the two.

"She may have had subclinical cardiovascular complications related to diabetes that weakened the system before COVID-19," said Pyle. "Add COVID-19 on top, and that is a problem."

But Pyle also noted research studies show people have developed cardiac arrhythmias when they have an infection  and it appears to increase depending on the persons sickness.

"Can people develop cardiac issues with COVID-19 even if they have no pre-existing risks? Yes, but here the diabetes is a pre-existing risk and I think the COVID-19 on top of that co-morbidity is a large stress on the heart."

Moar was discharged from hospital and went to her home at the Black River First Nation in February. In March, her family took her to the Pine Falls hospital because she couldnt keep food down.

"I said youll be OK and then (a few days later) we were rushing to the HSC," Maryjane said.

And then Maryjane recalled an earlier conversation she had with her daughter.

"After she had been in a coma, she said she saw her brother signing something and she said she saw a man throwing dirt at her.

"She must have known she was going to die."

kevin.rollason@freepress.mb.ca
Stony Mountain Institution is not only Canada's oldest penitentiary, it's also the country's deadliest.

Stony Mountain Institution is not only Canada's oldest penitentiary, it's also the country's deadliest.

The 143-year-old prison has been dubbed Murder Mountain due to the high rate of suicides, homicides and unrelenting violence behind its crumbling walls.

Life and Death Behind Bars is an ongoing series by reporter Ryan Thorpe that examines the deeply dysfunctional conditions that pervade Manitoba's lone federal prison.

Stony Mountain Institution is Canada's oldest federal penitentiary, but also the country's deadliest

JOHN WOODS / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS Stony Mountain Penitentiary photographed Monday, April 19, 2021. The federal jail in rural Manitoba is rated as one of the most dangerous in the country.

Posted: 7:00 PM Apr. 23, 2021

IT HAS BEEN 59 years since the Canadian state last slipped a noose around the neck of a prisoner, and more than four decades since the gallows were formally abolished in this country, yet death continues to lurk behind the bars of Stony Mountain Institution north of Winnipeg.

Stony Mountain is not just the oldest active federal prison in Canada  it is also the deadliest.

Read Full Story

Isolation practices in Canadian prisons regularly exceed limits set in international law

Ryan Beardy now works with the John Howard Society to raise awareness about prison conditions in Canada, and organizes a weekly support group for men in Winnipeg.

Posted: 7:00 PM Apr. 27, 2021

Devon Sampson, a 34-year-old man diagnosed with schizophrenia, hanged himself at Stony Mountain Institution in 2013. He spent 187 consecutive days in solitary confinement prior to his death; during a previous incarceration, he spent 294 consecutive days in solitary.

For decades, isolating inmates  often those with serious psychiatric conditions  in solitary confinement was a common practice in Canadian prisons. Officially, it was called "administrative segregation," a sanitized, bureaucratic label for something far more troubling: state-endorsed torture.

Read Full Story

The number of Indigenous inmates in prison is a problem  but Ottawa has no plan to fix it

Posted: 7:00 PM Apr. 29, 2021

The number of Indigenous people being locked up in federal prisons is spiking despite overall declines in both incarceration and crime rates across the country.

Accounting for just five per cent of Canada's population, Indigenous people make up 30 per cent of the federal prison system's inmate population.

Read Full Story

Hard time in hell: Inside Stony

JOHN WOODS / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS Stay informed The latest updates on the novel coronavirus and COVID-19. Sign Up I agree to the Terms and Conditions, Cookie and Privacy Policies, and CASL agreement. Stony Mountain Penitentiary photographed Monday, April 19, 2021. The federal jail in rural Manitoba is rated as one of the most dangerous in the country. Reporter: Thorpe

Posted: 7:00 PM May. 14, 2021

Gangs are in control, inmates are armed and the threat of violence is omnipresent at Stony Mountain Institution.

Read Full Story
Mental health therapists are asking the province to regulate their profession, saying it's become a dangerous place for Manitobans who seek help.

Mental health therapists are asking the province to regulate their profession, saying it's become a dangerous place for Manitobans who seek help.

Currently, people can find a therapist though a variety of sources, such as word of mouth or online, said Don Russell, chairman of the Federation of Associations for Counselling Therapists, Manitoba branch.

Don Russell, chairman of the Federation of Associations for Counselling Therapists  Manitoba, which has asked the province to regulate mental health therapists. (Supplied)

"The Internet is like the wild, Wild West. Anyone can stick a web page up in a day and call themselves a therapist," said Russell, whose association has submitted a 700-page formal application to the Health Professions Advisory Council for regulation of mental health therapists in Manitoba.

The council looks into and advises the health minister on matters related to the Regulated Health Professions Act and the regulation of Manitoba's health professions, including the minister's referrals of applications for designation as a self-regulating profession under the act.

"As a profession, we've made a submission to the government asking them to collaborate with us to create a college," Russell said Tuesday.

"Unfortunately, right now, for citizens in Manitoba, it's on them to do their due diligence," he said.

Russell figures there are more than 600 practitioners in Manitoba who are not regulated. Members of the nine Manitoba associations that represent professional counselling therapists have heard from clients about how an unregulated landscape is "dangerous" for people seeking help, Russell said.

"We hear anecdotally from clients who've had poor experiences with therapists who are untrained or incompetent," he said. "An untrained therapist simply may not able to recognize the signs and symptoms of a severe and persistent mental illness (and) treats that person with a simple 'get over yourself' kind of solution when what that person needs is a more sophisticated therapy."

Sometimes a therapist may not recognize the limits of their competence, such as recommending that a client stop taking prescribed medication, said Russell.

"They're not staying in their lane. Without regulation, Manitobans are at risk from harm from unregulated professionals," he said.

There should be a gold-standard regulatory college so Manitobans can be assured that a mental health therapist has demonstrated competence through academic training, such as a master's or doctorate in counselling psychology, which Russell has, or from other knowledge and experience, such as an aboriginal healer who may not have formal credentials but has demonstrated competence, he said.

"If they're a registered counselling therapist, we know they have the training, and there's an avenue of complaint if things aren't going well," he said.

Other provinces, including Quebec, Ontario, Nova Scotia, New Brunswick and Alberta, have established regulatory oversight of the profession.

carol.sanders@freepress.mb.ca
MANITOBA nurses havent yet been told how the province will deal with staff shortages during the third wave of the COVID-19 pandemic, union officials say.

MANITOBA nurses havent yet been told how the province will deal with staff shortages during the third wave of the COVID-19 pandemic, union officials say.

Around 20 per cent of nursing positions in all areas of Manitoba are vacant, except for northern Manitoba, where vacancy rates spiked to 47 per cent, according to data gathered by the Manitoba Nurses Union.

MNU president Darlene Jackson said the time to address shortages was two or three years ago, and now that Manitoba is relying on burnt-out nurses to work higher and higher levels of mandated and voluntary overtime, there is no easy fix.

"We are seeing nurses being moved about throughout this system... At the end of the day, it doesnt make any more nurses, it just stretches what weve got thinner," Jackson said Tuesday.

"It just feels like a big shell game."

Intensive care units are already at capacity with COVID patients, and non-COVID hospital units and operating rooms are being shut down to redeploy nurses to ICU beds. There were 70 COVID patients in the ICU Tuesday morning; the total number of ICU beds in the province was, at one time, 72.

On Tuesday, Health Minister Heather Stefanson said more than 170 such beds could be opened, depending on staff.

No staffing plan has been shared with nurses, Jackson said.

"Every day, nurses keep saying, Whats their plan? I dont know what their plan is. That hasnt been shared with me, and that certainly hasnt been shared with nurses."

About 100 medical staff, including 82 nurses, have been redeployed, Shared Health chief nursing officer Lanette Siragusa said Monday, and the provincial government plans to hire 60 new ICU nurses. Nursing shortages arent new and are happening across the country, Stefanson said Tuesday. "If we have to redeploy staff, well redeploy staff to ensure that we handle the capacity."

In Winnipeg, Grace Hospital emergency room nurses are warning they are being stretched so thin theyre neglecting patients.

Even prior to the pandemic, patients had to be triaged in the hallway; some fall or get bedsores because there arent enough nurses and health-care aides to check on them, an anonymous nurse wrote in an unsigned letter given to NDP health care critic Uzoma Asagwara last week, and released publicly by the Opposition party Tuesday.

Stefanson said she hadnt yet read the letter Tuesday afternoon.

"If there are challenges out there, we will address them," she said.

Asagwara said there are 1,300 nursing vacancies in Winnipeg and the governments announcement it will fill 60 of them "does not inspire any hope or confidence that these nurses are going to have the supports that they need immediately. They need help right now. They need help today."

 with files from Carol Sanders

katie.may@freepress.mb.ca

Twitter: @thatkatiemay
Denied bail by Manitobas highest court, former fashion mogul Peter Nygard is taking his fight for release to the Supreme Court of Canada.

An artist rendering of Peter Nygard at his Jan. 18 bail hearing. (La LibertZ Manitoba / Tadens Mpwene)

Denied bail by Manitobas highest court, former fashion mogul Peter Nygard is taking his fight for release to the Supreme Court of Canada.

Nygard, 80, is being held at Headingley Correctional Centre after being taken into custody on a provisional arrest warrant Dec. 14, 2020.

He is facing possible extradition to the United States, where he has been charged with sex trafficking and racketeering offences spanning decades.

Nygard has filed for leave to appeal to Canadas top court, arguing his case raises questions "of national importance," including how extradition proceedings impact an accused persons right and access to reasonable bail.

He was first denied bail in February after Queens Bench Justice Shawn Greenberg ruled she was not satisfied Nygard wouldnt try to tamper with witnesses if he were released.

Security and monitoring measures  proposed by the defence to satisfy justice officials he would not flee from a $1-million home in Winnipeg  would not prevent him from tampering with alleged victims or witnesses by phone, or having someone do it on his behalf, Greenberg said.

One-time fashion mogul Peter Nygard is facing possible extradition to the United States, where he has been charged with sex trafficking and racketeering offences spanning decades. (Phil Hossack / Winnipeg Free Press files)

The Manitoba Court of Appeal upheld the decision a month later, ruling Greenberg "was rightly concerned that others would act on behalf of (Nygard) to contact witnesses and victims."

In its application to the Supreme Court, Nygards legal team argue Nygard, who has no criminal record, is being held to a different bail standard because he is facing extradition.

The risk an accused will interfere with the administration of justice, referred to by the courts as a "secondary ground" for denying bail, is not considered in a consistent manner in domestic and extradition bail proceedings, Nygards lawyers argue in court documents.

"In domestic bail proceedings, courts are skeptical of the use of uncharged and unproven allegations to establish secondary ground concerns," the documents say.

"However courts do not apply a similar level of skepticism to the use of uncharged and unproven allegations to establish secondary ground concerns in extradition bail proceedings. This has the potential to cause significant and undue prejudice to the liberty interest of the person sought, who has no evidentiary route through which he or she can challenge the accuracy or reliability of those allegations, because no witnesses from the requesting state are realistically compellable on an extradition bail hearing."

Nygards lawyers argue it remains unclear when deciding an extradition bail case in Canada whether it should be based on the strength of the Crowns case supporting a committal to stand trial or the strength of the requesting states case at trial.

"This court has never addressed the question of how the law of bail applies in the extradition context," the court documents say. "Lower courts have taken varying approaches, resulting in unfair and unwarranted disparity of treatment based solely on the location in which criminal charges were filed."

The Supreme Court has not decided whether to grant Nygard leave to appeal.

His extradition hearing is set for November.

On Wednesday, a Winnipeg judge approved a motion by several news outlets to broadcast an extradition-related motion in July.

"Based upon the evidence I have examined, I have come to the determination there is no risk to the administration of justice if the hearing in July is broadcast," Queens Bench Chief Justice Glenn Joyal said.

"Im in agreement with the media consortium, when they argue that there is indeed a significant national interest in the exhibition of proceedings generally... and there are educative benefits to getting insight into potentially what is at play in that motion."

The U.S indictment against Nygard alleges from 1995 and 2020, he  alongside business associates and co-conspirators  engaged in a "pattern of criminal conduct involving at least dozens of victims in the United States, the Bahamas and Canada."

Nygard is accused of raping and sex trafficking young girls, often targeting individuals from disadvantaged backgrounds with a history of abuse and keeping them quiet via "threats, false promises of modelling opportunities" and "other coercive means."

dean.pritchard@freepress.mb.ca
An isolated northern Manitoba First Nation has declared a state of emergency after a recent suicide and a rash of suicide attempts, including one Monday involving a seven-year-old child.

An isolated northern Manitoba First Nation has declared a state of emergency after a recent suicide and a rash of suicide attempts, including one Monday involving a seven-year-old child.

Shamattawa First Nation Chief Eric Redhead made the declaration Tuesday morning, noting health services in the community of 1,425 are under stress due to several recent natural deaths.

On May 9, a 32-year-old single mother of four died by suicide. The woman was Redhead's only sibling.

The seven-year-old child, now in Children's Hospital in Winnipeg, is "currently unresponsive," the chief said.

Shamattawa has asked Health Canada for child and adolescent mental health workers to be flown into the community. On Tuesday, the Keewatin Tribal Council's crisis response team arrived. Another team from MKO, the organization that represents northern Manitoba chiefs, is also expected to arrive in the next few days, but further assistance is required Redhead said.

"The concerning thing is when we have one (suicide), we often see copycats or a domino effect and were concerned about that," he said.

Shamattawa, which is only accessible by air or winter road, is no stranger to tragedy. In 2019, a12-year-old in the community died by suicide.

The northern community has suffered "multiple natural deaths" recently, Redhead said. "(Its) affected the health staff and really the entire community. Right now, theres a burial happening. We have two more bodies coming in tomorrow, and that overlapping grief for our service providers at the local level is just overwhelming."

MKO Grand Chief Garrison Settee commended Redhead on declaring the state of emergency.

"If this (situation) is not addressed it will only escalate," he said. "The situation is critical."

Settee said the pandemic has exposed gaps in supports to First Nation communities.

"Mental and emotional health is an area that we really need to address because the youths in our communities are suffering. And they have no one to reach out to," he said in a Zoom conference call, along with Redhead.

"For me, it is very troubling when I hear of a seven-year-old attempting to take their life. If that doesnt shake anybody up, I dont know what will," Settee said.

While Ottawa needs to provide crisis workers in the short-term, improved mental health programming and other community supports are required in the long-term, Redhead said. He said current programs are inflexible, and First Nations need to have more control over them.

"A seven-year-old in critical condition because of a hanging (attempt) ... Alarm bells are going off everywhere," Redhead said.

The Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs offered its support and condolences.

Grand Chief Arlen Dumas said unfortunate announcements, such as the state of emergency, "are all too familiar" in First Nations communities.

"We need to figure out what other children we need to help out. What other resources we need to bring forward so that we can provide that healing for that community and for many of our communities," he said.

Dumas noted that Redhead, while dealing with a crisis, "probably hasn't had a chance to begin grieving adequately for his own family" yet.

The federal government did not provide a comment before deadline.

A provincial spokesman said the government's thoughts are with the community during this trying time.

"Primary responsibility for additional resources would fall to the federal government, and we understand that such a request has been made to Health Canada. (The provincial) Manitoba Mental Health, Wellness and Recovery (Department) would also review a request for additional provincial resources should one be received," the spokesman said in an email.

larry.kusch@freepress.mb.ca
The National Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) has threatened to go on nationwide strike if the Federal Government fails to reign in Kaduna State governor, Nasir el-Rufai, who has declared the leadership of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) wanted.

NUPENG said in a statement by its national president, Williams Akporeha, that it had received a report of a clandestine move by Governor el-Rufai to put the lives of the President of the NLC, Comrade Ayuba Wabba, and other labour leaders at risk.

"NUPENG, therefore, warns that if any harm is inflicted on any of the members of the organised labour, the leadership of the union will not hesitate to call on all our members throughout the nation for a total shutdown of all our services in the upstream, mid-stream, downstream sectors of the oil and gas industry."

el-Rufai and the organised labour have been at loggerheads over the sacking of civil servants in the state.

The governor is reported to have sacked over 60,000 workers since he became governor in 2015.

On Tuesday the state government announced the sacking of lecturers of the Kaduna State University (KASU) and all nurses below Grade Level 14 for joining what it called illegal strike organised by the NLC.
OTTAWA  The Trudeau government is unlikely to pass a bill that would make social media companies help pay for news ahead of a widely anticipated fall election.

OTTAWA  The Trudeau government is unlikely to pass a bill that would make social media companies help pay for news ahead of a widely anticipated fall election.

In an interview, Heritage Minister Steven Guilbeault blamed opposition wrangling over unrelated legislation.

"Our agenda regarding web giants is an ambitious one," Guilbeault told the Free Press.

The idea is to require sites such as Facebook and Google to pay news publishers for using their copyrighted content, instead of displaying articles and videos in ways that divert advertising revenue to the social media companies.

Guilbeault has been warning the window is closing on getting a bill tabled in time for it to be passed ahead of the summer recess.

"Im not sure we will be able to table this before the House rises, but we are working to table it as soon as its ready," he said Tuesday.

There are only four sitting weeks remaining on the House schedule, with a crammed legislative agenda and an unpredictable Senate.

Many on Parliament Hill expect an election this fall, after most of the population is fully vaccinated against COVID-19, and before Canadians start needing to pay back pandemic supports.

Guilbeault is still proceeding with a bill to weed out online hate speech, and another to bring online streaming platforms under some federal regulation.

He said Ottawa had laid more of the groundwork on those two initiatives than for measures to shore up the news industry.

"Its certainly not, in our view, doing one at the expense of the other. We want to get all of those done," Guilbeault said.

The newspaper lobby was unimpressed.

"Were a bit perplexed by the ministers comments," said John Hinds, president of News Media Canada.

Last September, the Liberals throne speech promised legislation to have social media firms pay publishers. Canadas journalism sector has continued to shrink since then, Hinds said.

"This is an industry that is not doing well. When you look at the advertising market, it has not come back from COVID," he said.

"This is not something where (a few) months can go by without any problems."

Guilbeault said his staff have been seized with Bill C-10, which would expand the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commissions mandate to include some online platforms such as Netflix and Spotify, to ensure they feature Canadian content.

The Conservatives initially supported the bill, but changed course last month over its unclear language.

The Liberals then removed a clause that exempted social media postings, sparking concerns over freedom of speech.

Eventually, the government explained it was trying to include services such as YouTube music streaming, but not after Guilbeault and his staff gave conflicting information to journalists about the scope the bill.

The Tories still have questions about how the CRTC will regulate online platforms, with vague language about how popular influencers need to be in order to be subject to federal regulation.

Guilbeault said his department has been so busy responding to opposition queries, it simply doesnt have time to craft legislation to support the news industry.

That didnt convince Hinds, who argued the government has already consulted about both bills, and Bill C-10 involves an entirely different branch of regulation.

"They appear to have done their homework."

dylan.robertson@freepress.mb.ca
More Manitobans will get their second dose of the COVID-19 vaccine closer to home, as the provincial task force closes in on its goal to open 13 mass immunization clinics.

More Manitobans will get their second dose of the COVID-19 vaccine closer to home, as the provincial task force closes in on its goal to open 13 mass immunization clinics.

On Tuesday, the province opened a "super site" in Steinbach (294 Lumber Ave.)  the second for the Southern Health region (after Morden).

"The amount of uptake were hearing about and the appointments that are being booked are really good," Steinbach Mayor Earl Funk said. "I think this will really help our entire region because, sometimes, it is difficult to either get time to go to Winnipeg or to a different community."

For the past two months, residents of Steinbach and the surrounding area had to travel to Winnipeg to be immunized, or wait for the province to set up a pop-up clinic in the community, if they couldnt be immunized at a local clinic or pharmacist.

Funk said pop-up clinics in Steinbach were well-attended, but believes uptake could have been higher if a fixed immunization location had been opened earlier.

"Those that could, did. And now those that cant, will be able to do right here in our community," Funk said. "Now we can go full-steam ahead."

At last word from the province, uptake in Steinbach was at about 25 per cent, Funk said.

The Free Press requested such data by health district, but was told the province would be adding the information to its online vaccine dashboard.

"We are not prepared to share any pre-dashboard data, prior to live date," a provincial spokesman said in a statement.

With the Steinbach clinic open, the province now has 11 mass vaccination clinics.

Earlier this year, the province committed to opening a total of 13 super sites as part of its second-quarter expansion to deliver 1.5 million doses.

The next is set to open in Gimli on May 29, a little more than a week before the vaccine task force says the first-dose campaign will start winding down.

More than 60 per cent of Gimli residents had received their first dose of the vaccine as of May 5, according to the province.

Mayor Lynn Greenberg said many of his constituents were highly motivated to get a shot as soon as possible, even if that meant driving to get it.

To date, he said the community has been well-served by the provincial vaccine rollout, and two pop-up clinics were busy.

"We have a large population over 55 years of age, and people in that age group  Im one of them  fear this COVID," Greenberg said Tuesday. "People wanted to get vaccinated they went 35 minutes to Selkirk. Thats no big deal."

Greenberg said planning for the clinic has been underway since the end of February, despite the late-spring opening date.

"Its been a very smooth process really," he said. "And its going to be a good thing to have that clinic here... theres other smaller communities in the Interlake that can take advantage of it."

Johanu Botha, operations and planning lead for the task force, said the vaccine rollout to rural Manitobans has not been delayed, despite having fewer super sites than first planned.

In February, the task force had planned to open two super sites in each health region by the end of April. The sites also serve as distribution hubs and home bases for immunization teams.

Each region had at least one clinic by the end of March, but the balance opened in May. A second clinic for Northern Health has yet to be formally announced.

Botha said vaccine supply delayed the opening of additional sites, resulting in more reliance on pop-ups. But with large shipments of vaccine coming into the province, fixed sites are now necessary to move supply quickly.

As well, Botha said operational and workflow changes at clinics in Winnipeg and Morden in late March meant they could perform nearly twice as many immunizations.

He said doses available at clinics in rural Manitoba were snapped up quickly, suggesting having fewer available super sites has not been a barrier to immunization.

So far, more than 50 pop-up clinics have been offered across the province, he noted.

Botha said the opening date for clinics is also determined in collaboration with regional health authorities, and in the case of the North, a second will be activated no later than the first week of June to coincide with the second-dose campaign.

On Tuesday, The Pas Mayor Herb Jacques confirmed his community would be the second super site location in the North.

"Were all excited, hopeful to get this behind this and return to some semblance of a normal life," Jacques said.

He said residents in the region may have felt overlooked by the vaccine rollout at first, but since the province started offering pop-up clinics at the municipal arena, that feeling has passed.

It is expected 70 per cent of Manitobans 12 years old and up will have received at least one dose of vaccine by June 9, at the latest.

danielle.dasilva@freepress.mb.ca
ITS been a gruelling road to recovery for a Winnipeg mother who came down with COVID-19 a month ago.

ITS been a gruelling road to recovery for a Winnipeg mother who came down with COVID-19 a month ago.

Shaneen Robinson-Desjarlais, a former broadcaster and chairwoman of the Bear Clan Patrol, was readmitted to hospital this week after she had trouble breathing during a virtual doctors visit.

Shaneen Robinson-Desjarlais tested positive for COVID days after giving birth to her third son in April, and was re-admitted to hospital Sunday because of severe inflammation in her lungs. (Supplied)

Her recovery has been slow, she said Tuesday, speaking to the Free Press on the phone from her St. Boniface hospital room.

"One day to the next, I dont know what to expect. I dont know what my bodys going to do because its just so unpredictable with this virus," she said.

She tested positive days after giving birth to her third son in April, and spoke out about the dangers of the virus while she was being treated in hospital earlier this month, urging Manitobans to take it seriously. Robinson-Desjarlais no longer has an active case of the virus.

She was released from hospital in early May, and was one of 35 patients who was being assessed via regular video calls with doctors and nurses as part of a virtual outpatient program. She was one of 16 patients who was receiving oxygen at home, but the nurse and doctor who assessed her virtually noticed it wasnt alleviating her shortness of breath, and asked her to get assessed in hospital.

On Sunday, she was admitted because of severe inflammation in her lungs.

Robinson-Desjarlais said she was grateful the virtual visits  during which she checked her own blood-pressure, temperature and oxygen levels  flagged the need for her to go back to the hospital. The video calls allowed her to be home with her family and newborn baby for a few weeks.

"Im just so thankful that we have health-care professionals that are on the ball through all this because theyre able to assess me properly and able to give me the care that I needed to get better again and hopefully be on the mend again this time."

Several members of her family tested positive for the virus and her husband had to take a leave from his job to become a caregiver. Its been a long road for all of them, Robinson-Desjarlais said, and shes anxious about the long-term effects of the virus.

"I dont know what the future holds, but I know its going to be a challenge because Im not anywhere near 100 per cent. Im struggling," she said.

"I just hope that people continue to take this seriously, to get vaccinated and to protect our elders and our pregnant women and our children and our vulnerable people. I did not know I was vulnerable until I got sick."

katie.may@freepress.mb.ca

Twitter: @thatkatiemay
Health Minister Heather Stefanson says the province can expand to 170 ICU beds and shouldn't need a triage protocol to decide who gets a bed and who doesn't.

Health Minister Heather Stefanson says the province can expand to 170 ICU beds and shouldn't need a triage protocol to decide who gets a bed and who doesn't.

If one is required, there's an ethical framework doctors can use, she said.

"The ethical framework was put in place to ensure that in the event that a triage protocol is needed, it is there to help doctors put that in place," Stefanson told reporters after question period Tuesday.

During this third wave in Manitoba, ICU admissions are quickly approaching the second-wave peak capacity of 129 patients, and are expected to climb higher.

"Obviously, we're doing everything that we can to ensure that it doesn't get to a point where we need to go in that direction," Stefanson said about rationing scarce ICU beds, noting it's why the province introduced further public health restrictions, focused on its vaccination campaign and on increasing ICU and hospitalization capacity.

The province can expand to 170 ICU beds and shouldn't need a triage protocol to decide who gets a bed and who doesn't, says Health Minister Heather Stefanson. (Mike Deal / Winnipeg Free Press)

Shared Health's COVID-19 Ethics Framework Information for Providers, which was posted online in May of last year, says "Leadership/teams responsible for any finite resource (e.g. beds, ventilators, vaccine, IV fluid, personal protective equipment, nurses, etc.) should develop a triage process for determining how each resource will be allocated in times of scarcity."

Stefanson said the ethical framework is there "as a guideline for the medical team to put in place the protocols, if necessary... We hope it doesn't get to that point," she said. "We'll continue to focus on increasing patient flow within our hospital systems and increasing our ICU capacity by adding more nurses."

Jennifer Dunsford, an instructor at the University of Manitoba's College of Nursing, said Tuesday that more than a year ago, she was working at the Winnipeg Regional Health Authority and Shared Health and was an ethics consultant to the pandemic planning group that prepared the framework.

She is shocked there is still no triage protocol to help doctors decide which COVID-19 patients they can help and which ones they can't in the event cases overwhelm intensive care wards and hospitals, she said.

"We were asking a year ago what the plan was," Dunsford said.

At that time, there were just a few coronavirus cases being reported daily, she recalled.

Staff would be redeployed if needed to handle extra ICU admissions. (Mikaela MacKenzie / Winnipeg Free Press files)

"Ideally, a protocol should be in place as part of an emergency plan for years. In the heat of the moment, you don't want to decide. Ideally, when you're advocating any type of scarce resources where there is more demand than resources, you need to have a plan," Dunsford said.

"The physicians need support for making the decisions fairly so it is not just a medical opinion."

Dr. Anand Kumar, an intensive care specialist, said a triage protocol would be good to have, but it would be hard to put one in place in the midst of a pandemic.

"It would be wise to have a triage protocol in place that has been vetted by the public. I don't think you can get buy-in by the public just by pulling it from the air. It is probably wise to have had one in place with some public input, but we don't, and I think that is unfortunate," he said.

When pressed about Manitoba's ICU capacity, Stefanson said it could go above 170 beds.

"That's why we've been beefing up our staffing. As the ICU numbers continue to grow, as we expect them to over the course of the next couple of weeks... we will continue to ensure that we are staffing to be able to handle that capacity," she told reporters.

"If we have to redeploy staff, we'll redeploy staff to ensure we handle the capacity. Health care officials are working on that internally."

Earlier planning had identified up to 173 critical-care spaces that could be equipped and functional if staffing were available and assigned, a spokesperson for the province said later Tuesday.

Nurses and doctors warned that the ICU would be overwhelmed with rising COVID-19 cases and there won't be enough trained staff to care for patients, regardless of how many beds and ventilators are available. The opposition and advocates for Manitobans with disabilities have called on the province to have a plan for  and be transparent about  who will receive ICU care if resources become scarce.

Download covid-19-shared-health-ethics-framework.pdf

"Some people in our province face systemic inequity when it comes to health care," including Indigenous people, northerners, seniors and Manitobans with disabilities, said NDP Leader Wab Kinew. With ICU admissions expected to rise over the next few weeks, "difficult times" are ahead and there may also be difficult decisions requiring a triage protocol, Kinew said.

"Let's develop this protocol now before it's needed," he said, adding a triage protocol shouldn't be left up to ICU medical staff to figure out in addition to their duties.

"It's unfair to ask these physicians and others working in the ICU who are already burned out making heroic efforts at the bedside, to also ask them to try and carefully weigh the system-level implications."

The protocol should be drawn up to look at best clinical criteria and will mean, sadly, some people won't get the medical intervention needed if it is determined they are more likely to die than someone else, Dunsford said.

"The criteria is to help who is more likely to survive," she said. "It can't be somebody's assumptions of a person's quality of life, it also can't be ethnicity, but you have to have some way of making decisions so clinical criteria is the most fair... it is like battlefield triage. You pour your resources into who is going to survive."

When the protocol is set up, it has to be made public, said Dunsford.

"It's for the public trust," she said. "The criteria needs to be public so the people who would be affected can be prepared or have it reviewed to have the criteria changed or altered."

carol.sanders@freepress.mb.ca

kevin.rollason@freepress.mb.ca

Carol Sanders

Legislature reporter After 20 years of reporting on the growing diversity of people calling Manitoba home, Carol moved to the legislature bureau in early 2020. Read full biography
The Port Authority of Winona and Winona City Council have approved a business subsidy which will contribute to the construction of WinCrafts new 120,000 square-foot industrial manufacturing and warehouse facility.

The facility is set to be constructed next to WinCrafts existing building on Innovation Drive and, due to the potential impact it will have on the local economy and job market, will utilize tax increment financing (or a TIF for short).

By diverting or refunding a portion of its taxes to finance development, a TIF is essentially a way to encourage an entity to stay within a city and continue growing there.

Councils approval Monday comes on the back of last weeks port authority meeting, where the port approved the establishment of a TIF for later discussion and approval.

According to the port, the TIF will allow $810,000 to be freed up to be used for the $8 million project and can be utilized over the next eight years.

Support Local Journalism Your membership makes our reporting possible. {{featured_button_text}}

John Killen, president and CEO of WinCraft and senior vice president of FanaticsWinCrafts new parent company, said that Fanatics has been looking to expand since acquiring WinCraft in December, and that he recommended they expand in Winona because of the companys continued growth here.
ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP)  The leaders of the Minnesota Legislature and Democratic Gov. Tim Walz announced a $52 billion deal for the state's next two-year budget on Monday, but lawmakers will have to finish the work next month and difficult negotiations still lie ahead on police accountability and other policy issues.

The agreement calls for a balanced two-year budget without raising taxes, while fully exempting from state taxes federal Paycheck Protection Program loans to businesses and unemployment insurance benefits that were raised during the pandemic. It also includes extra money for summer school to help students catch up after a year of distance learning.

Minnesota did it again. We found commonality amongst ourselves, Walz said at a news conference called to announce the deal, which was reached at about 12:15 a.m.

Walz, Republican Senate Majority Leader Paul Gazelka and Democratic House Speaker Melissa Hortman agreed it was impossible to nail down the language of all the major budget bills and get them passed before Monday night's constitutional deadline for the regular session to adjourn, so lawmakers will have to go into overtime.

But you have three people who basically respect each other and are able to work well together despite huge ideological rifts between them, said Hortman, of Brooklyn Park.
Local

alert top story

Project roots Sauk County families to their past

BRIDGET COOKE/News Republic Volunteers work the soil Friday at the site of the former Badger Army Ammunition Plant, digging holes for grafted apple trees still standing after the Army left, to be planted and eventually relocated as remembrances for families displaced from the farmsteads there in the 1940s. BRIDGET COOKE/News Republic Sauk County Supervisor Val McAuliffe, right, digs holes as a volunteer for grafted apple trees to be planted Friday at the site of the former Badger Army Ammunition plant in the town of Sumpter. BRIDGET COOKE/News Republic Rob Nurre marks numbers corresponding with grafted apple trees next to Curt Meine, a coordinator of the Sauk Prairie Conservation Alliance Badger Apple Corps program, at the site of tree planting Friday in the town of Sumpter. The project aims to plant trees as a rememberance for the agriculture that once grew in the area before farmers were displaced by order of the U.S. Army roughly 80 years ago and for the Ho-Chunk peeople displaced through treaties in the 19th century.

Nearly 80 years ago, the government forced farm families from their land in the Sauk Prairie area.

A group of people are now trying to reconnect family members, three generations removed, to the roots of their family farmsteads by continuing the growth of apple trees found there which pre-date World War II.

Curt Meine, one of the coordinators of the Badger Apple Corps program within the Sauk County Conservation Alliance, said the goal is to heal over historic wounds.

Its what Badgers all about, Meine said. That includes, importantly, the Ho-Chunk Nation.

Members began the work in 2017 by grafting apple trees that would have belonged to a variety of about 80 farmsteads that were settled on the land in the 19th century after Ho-Chunk people were displaced by treaties.

In late 1941, then President Franklin D. Roosevelt ordered funding for a powder and acid works plant to be built for the war effort. Farm owners in the Sauk Prairie were forced off their land and construction of the ammunition plant began in March 1942. The assorted buildings housed production facilities, housing for workers and family members, a school, recreation center, hospital, transportation system and other community amenities.

The 10,000-acre site housed roughly 15 to 20 farms, which were bought from the government at a total of more than $1.46 million. Names like Alt, Kindschi, Huber, Roznos, Shimnick and Steuber are among those listed in documents outlining appraisal of the land.

Its a painful chapter in the history of our community, Meine said. Those trees were their legacy and theyre not here anymore. The families, however, are still in our community; theyre our friends and our family.

The facility was used until the late 1990s. In early 2000, the Badger Reuse Committee was established by the Sauk County Board of Supervisors, then U.S. Rep. Tammy Baldwin and the U.S. Department of Labor.

Now the more than 7,000 acres of land is owned, in part, by the Ho-Chunk Nation, the USDA Dairy Forage Research Center, the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources and the Bluffview Sanitary District.

In 2017, volunteers through the Sauk Prairie Conservation Alliance established the Badger Apple Corps Project, which aimed to graft apple trees on the property before the construction of the ammunition plant and grow new trees.

Dennis Kindschi, who is the grandson of family farmers ousted from the area at the time, was the first to plant a graft from an apple tree which would have stood when his grandparents worked the land.

Its a fun project and a fun story to share, Meine said.

The portion of the badger land controlled by the USDA hosts the tree nursery. Meine said the ultimate goal is to create an orchard at the site where five foot trees stand noticeably apart from the newly planted grafts, soon to be moved to be planted elsewhere.

Some trees have been moved already. Meine said though most of the people who have accepted trees are in the Sauk Prairie area, there are some people in Baraboo who have accepted them as well. An important piece of the project is to connect with members of the Ho-Chunk Nation as well.

Part of the whole goal here is to get these trees into the hands of descendants who were removed from Badger, Meine said. Thats been the guiding vision for this whole thing. It brings in some pretty amazing stories of families and their connections to the place.

Volunteer Ann Calhoun, who works for the Nature Conservancy in Baraboo, has helped since the beginning. She started by helping to graft the trees and has continued with that as well as putting them in the dirt at the nursery.

It was just knowing the varied history of this place, from the really early indigenous inhabitants from the Ho-Chunk Nation to when it was settled and just thinking about connections across all of those different, previous owners, Calhoun said. Thinking about being able to work in conserving some really historic apple varieties, potentially, and share those out with the wider community. Its just fun to be part of that.

Not all of the trees go to new generations of family members. Instead, they are given to community organizations that wish to raise awareness of the displacement and the history of part of Sauk County.

Todd Wuerger, executive director of the Sauk Prairie Healthcare Foundation, said the aim of hosting seven trees on the hospital campus is to provide information to the public.

All of these people were displaced, but now they have the opportunity to take these trees, graft them and basically give them if they can trace to some of the relatives of the original owners, Wuerger said. Theres many, many of those families that would have been patients or perhaps even worked at the hospital and its just really important to keep that history going. Its considered part of the hospitals lineage as well.

As a way to help explain the importance of the apple trees to the area, there will be signs placed around the saplings and connecting them to past family farmsteads by name. The foundation is matching donations by the conservation alliance, Wuerger said, and donating the labor to install the informative plaques on the site.

We can reconnect this landscape to these families who were alienated from this place, Meine said. A simple thing like that can tell a really rich story.
Follow along as Phil Hands shows you how he draws a Mendota Marsh about Tuesday's primary election.

A packed field of eight Republican candidates vying for a shot at the state Legislatures vacant 37th Assembly District seat has set the stage for a June 15 primary ahead of the July special election.

Republicans running for the seat previously held by former Rep. John Jagler, R-Watertown, who was elected to the state Senate earlier this year, include: Dodge County Supervisor Cathy Houchin; Watertown Unified School District board member Steven Kauffeld; Nick Krueger, chief of staff to state Rep. Terry Katsma, R-Oostburg; Jennifer Meinhardt, an associate professor at Maranatha Baptist University; William Penterman, who serves in the U.S. Army Reserve and works as a legislative aide; farmer and livestock auctioneer Nathan Pollnow; Waterloo Mayor Jenifer Quimby; and Spencer Zimmerman, who ran unsuccessfully for the 13th Senate District earlier this year.

The winner of the GOP primary will face Democratic candidate Peter Adams and Independent Stephen Ratzlaff Jr., who ran unsuccessfully against Jagler for the seat in 2020, in the July 13 special election.

The 37th Assembly District includes portions of Dodge, Jefferson and Columbia counties and part of Columbus, Waterloo and Watertown, and the villages of DeForest, Lowell and Reeseville.
The FBI said Mr Rufai agreed to speak to law enforcement agents without an attorney present

Court documents filed against Abidemi Rufai, an aide to Governor Dapo Abiodun of Ogun State, have shown how the suspect was arrested by operatives of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) following his alleged involvement in a $350,000 (about N140 million) COVID-19 unemployment fraud.

PREMIUM TIMES on Tuesday obtained an affidavit sworn before the United State Districts Court at Eastern District of New York by Andrea Desanto, FBI special agent in charge of Mr Rufai's case.

According to Ms Desanto, the United States District Court for the Western District of Washington issued an arrest warrant commanding the arrest of Mr Rufai on May 14, 2021, for violations of Title 18, United States Code, Section 1343 (wire fraud).

"On or about May 13, 2021, law enforcement received information that ABIDEMI RUFAI would be boarding Royal Dutch Airlines flight KL644 at John F. Kennedy International Airport ("JFK Airport") in Queens, New York to Amsterdam, with a final destination of Lagos, Nigeria.

"At approximately 7:45 p.m. on May 14, 2021, RUFAI arrived at JFK Airport. Law enforcement officers met RUFAI, who waived his Miranda rights and agreed to speak to law enforcement officers without an attorney present. While speaking with law enforcement officers, RUFAI verified his name and date of birth," part of the affidavit read.

"In his possession, RUFAI had, among other things, a Nigerian identification card and various credit cards listing a name matching that of the defendant ABIDEMI RUFAI. In addition, RUFAI had in his possession a Nigerian passport, which listed a name and date of birth matching that of the defendant ABIDEMI RUFAI.

"RUFAI'S appearance matched photographs from the defendant ABIDEMI RUFAI's passport and identification cards. I further recognized RUFAI from the defendant ABIDEMI RUFAI's 2019 visa application photograph and from secondary inspection photographs taken by United States Customs and Border Patrol in 2017 and 2020.

"RUFAI's appearance also matched photographs obtained from the defendant ABIDEMI RUFAI's social media accounts as well as photographs obtained from the defendant ABIDEMI RUFAI's Google Drive account pursuant to a judicially authorized search warrant, as detailed in the Complaint," the court affidavit showed.

Back story

PREMIUM TIMES earlier reported how Mr Rufai used the identities of more than 100 Washington residents to steal more than $350,000 in unemployment benefits from the Washington State Employment Security Department (ESD) during the COVID-19 pandemic last year.

Close Sign up for free AllAfrica Newsletters Get the latest in African news delivered straight to your inbox Top Headlines Nigeria Legal Affairs By submitting above, you agree to our privacy policy. Success! Almost finished... We need to confirm your email address. To complete the process, please follow the instructions in the email we just sent you. Error! Error! There was a problem processing your submission. Please try again later.

He is also suspected to be defrauding unemployment programs in Hawaii, Maine, Michigan, Missouri, Montana, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, and Wyoming.

Wire fraud, according to the United States Department of Justice, is punishable by up to thirty years in prison when it relates to benefits paid in connection with a presidentially-declared disaster or emergency, such as the COVID-19 pandemic.

This newspaper also reported how the suspect bypassed security systems at the Employment Security Department using a simple feature of Google's free Gmail service.

"Rufai used the dot variant addresses to create multiple accounts in the Washington state system that authenticates online users of government services, the complaint alleges. Rufai was then able to file for unemployment benefits with the ESD using stolen personal identities of real Washington residents," the complaint said.

He was also actively engaged in stealing and retaining the personal identifying information of American citizens.

Following the report on Mr Rufai's alleged fraud, his principal, Mr Abiodun has announced his suspension from Ogun government.

The suspect has also come under severe attacks on social media as Nigeria criticized him for his involvement in the alleged fraud.
This is not the first time Biden and Netanyahu have been publicly at odds.

As vice president, Biden kept Netanyahu waiting for a dinner meeting after the Israeli leader embarrassed President Barack Obama by approving the construction of 1,600 new apartments in disputed east Jerusalem in the middle of Bidens 2010 visit to Israel.

Netanyahu sought to patch up hurt feelings at the dinner. But after the meal, Biden admonished the prime minister in a statement, saying the move undermined a U.S. effort to persuade the Palestinians to resume peace talks.

Later, Obama and Netanyahus relationship cratered as White House aides questioned the Israeli's willingness to find accommodations with Palestinians and Sunni Arab countries to build a lasting peace in the region. Netanyahu, for his part, was furious about White House efforts to reach a nuclear deal with Iran.

Amid the tension between Obama and Netanyahu, Biden went out of his way during a 2014 speech before the Jewish Federations of North America to say that he and Netanyahu were still buddies, albeit with a somewhat complicated relationship. Biden noted that he had once inscribed a photo for Netanyahu with Bibi I dont agree with a damn thing you say but I love you.
We call on the universitys leadership to reaffirm its commitment to the university, its faculty and time-honored norms and procedures, and its endorsed values of diversity, equity, and inclusion, the statement said. The university must tenure Nikole Hannah-Jones as the Knight Chair in Race and Investigative Journalism.

King said in a statement on Wednesday that the journalism school is delighted to have Hannah-Jones join the school in the fall despite the change.

While I am disappointed that the appointment is without tenure, there is no doubt in anyones mind that she will be a star faculty member, King's statement said. I am more than delighted that she will be here at UNC, teaching our next generation of journalists, working with our graduate students, and sharing her perspective with us all. I can only imagine how our students will benefit from her wisdom and experience.

University spokesperson Joanne Peters Denny declined comment on the situation, saying faculty hiring processes are personnel protected information. But she added that the school looks forward to welcoming Hannah-Jones to campus.
MADISON, Wis. (AP)  Wisconsin Republicans want to end the $300-per-week federal unemployment supplement, which they said Tuesday hurts businesses that are struggling to fill vacancies as customers return amid a loosening of coronavirus restrictions.

Republican Assembly Speaker Robin Vos and Sen. Howard Marklein, chairman of the Legislature's budget committee, called on Democratic Gov. Tony Evers to support the bill they unveiled with the support of a couple of Wisconsin business owners.

Evers, who could veto the bill, signaled his opposition. His spokeswoman Britt Cudaback said, If Republicans are interested in putting this pandemic behind us, theyll stop playing politics with our economic recovery and approve Evers' state budget proposal.

Democrats have generally been supportive of the additional unemployment payment, saying other barriers to work are fueling the worker shortage, not the $300. They also point out that Wisconsin's unemployment rate of 3.8% is below the national average of 6% and near what it was before the pandemic hit.
The Daily Register reached out to Columbia County Corporation Council Joseph Ruf, but received no response to email and phone requests.

The DOJ Advisory also explains a number of hypothetical situations and how the law should be applied. The first states a records request is made for a police report regarding a sexual assault with the victims name, home address and other details.

In applying the balancing test, the authoritys records custodian could consider the serious and sensitive nature of the crime, the effects the public release of certain sensitive details would have on the victim, and the victims continued cooperation with law enforcement, among other factors, the advisory states.

Access to public records and the communitys right to know what we do has always been a priority, said Sheriff Roger Brandner. The citizens have a right to know what happens in their communities unless it falls under an exemption for non-release.

Brandner said his office will continue to comply with public records request as well as the parameters set up by Marsys Law.
The committee took no action and will continue discussions on how to best use the money. The council will need to approve the designation of the funds before any of it can be spent.

I dont need any decisions tonight, Terry said to the committee members. I just wanted you guys to kind of start thinking about these things because at some point we will have to make the decision on how we choose to spend this money.

Premier resort tax is the extra 1.25% of local tax added on top of state sales tax that applies to items like clothing, books, jewelry, bikes, ATVs, restaurant food and beverages, and other retail items that would normally be assessed a sales tax. The money is used for infrastructure. Wisconsin Dells and Lake Delton are two of five other municipalities in Wisconsin that have a premier resort tax, according to the Department of Revenue website.

Support Local Journalism Your membership makes our reporting possible. {{featured_button_text}}
Great Wolf Lodge is evaluating its face coverings policy in light of the CDCs announcement, according to Jason Lasecki, vice president of corporate communications. The resorts current face mask requirement policy for all public areas still remains in effect until further notice, he said.

Throughout this pandemic, we have prioritized the health and safety of our guests and pack members, and we will continue to evaluate and update our face covering policy with this as our guiding principle, Lasecki said.

According to the Great Wolf Lodges website, the resort mandates all guests ages 5 and over wear a face covering in all public areas of the resort except while dining, visiting outdoor areas where a physical distance of six feet is maintainable or at water park attractions.

A representative from Kalahari Resorts was not available for comment on if its mask policy. Chula Vista Resort Vice President Krissy Kaminski Sigmund said the resort did not have any comment at this time on the topic.
Who catches and transmits flu in SA and the implications for vaccination

A new study has found a high burden of influenza in a rural and an urban setting in SA, where asymptomatic people  particularly children  transmit this virus.

Influenza (flu) causes approximately 300 000-600 000 respiratory deaths globally annually, with the highest rates in sub-Saharan Africa.

Data on influenza community burden and transmission are important to plan interventions especially in resource-limited settings.

However, data are limited, particularly on the symptomatic proportion by age and particularly from low-income and middle-income countries.

The study, by Wits scientists, the National Institute for Communicable Diseases (NICD), and colleagues at North West University and the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, was published in The Lancet Global Health on 18 May 2021.

We aimed to evaluate the community burden and transmission of influenza in a rural and an urban setting in South Africa, says lead author Cheryl Cohen, Professor of Epidemiology in the Wits School of Public Health and Head of the Centre for Respiratory Disease and Meningitis at the NICD in South Africas National Health Laboratory Service. Understanding the community burden and transmission of seasonal influenza is paramount to guide the use of vaccination and non-pharmaceutical interventions and may inform pandemic preparedness.

Led in the North West Province by the Wits Perinatal HIV Research Unit (PHRU) and in Mpumalanga by the MRC/Wits Rural Public Health and Health Transitions Research Unit (Agincourt), the research provides important data on community burden of flu and flu transmission in an African setting and contributes important findings on symptomatic versus asymptomatic flu transmission by age group.

Harish Nair, Professor of Paediatric Infectious Diseases and Global Health, University of Edinburgh, in a comment in The Lancet Global Health wrote that the study makes a valuable contribution to our hitherto poor understanding of respiratory viruses, like respiratory syncytial virus and influenza, that cause substantial disease burden in populations, particularly those at the extremes of age. That the study was done in a high HIV burden setting, South Africa, helps to understand disease transmission and the differential effect of respiratory infections in individuals with and without HIV.

About the study

Titled Elevated community burden and asymptomatic transmission of seasonal influenza in an urban and a rural community in South Africa, 2017-2018: results of the PHIRST cohort study, the research evaluated community burden and transmission of influenza in rural Agincourt in Mpumalanga and in urban Klerksdorp, Northwest Province, during 2017 and 2018.

Approximately 100 randomly selected households were enrolled annually and followed for 10 months.

Data were collected through systematic twice-weekly nasopharyngeal [the upper part of the throat, behind the nose] swabs of all household members regardless of whether they showed symptoms.

Samples, presence of symptoms and healthcare seeking information, were collected at each visit, for 10 months of each year and samples were tested for the presence of influenza by a PCR [Polymerase chain reaction] test. The researchers acknowledge with gratitude the household participants who consented to and permitted these twice weekly swabs.

Of the 81 430 samples collected from 1 116 participants in 225 households, 917 (1%) tested positive for influenza and 79% of households (178/225) had more than one influenza-positive individual.

Asymptomatic individuals may drive transmission

The high burden of asymptomatic influenza infections in the community, together with the fact that asymptomatic individuals transmit influenza to approximately 6% of household contacts suggests that asymptomatic individuals may be an important driver of influenza transmission, says Professor Kathleen Kahn, senior scientist at Agincourt.

Transmission highest among children

Young children also experienced the highest burden of flu infection and symptomatic illness and were more likely to spread flu to their household contacts compared with other age groups.

The data show that the proportion of symptomatic infections was higher in children older than 5-years-old: 74% in this age group versus 39% in adults aged 19-44 years.

Dr Neil Martinson of PHRU says, These data have implications for the use of non-pharmaceutical interventions and vaccination strategies targeting children to prevent influenza transmission.

Vaccination implications

In this study, approximately half of influenza infections were symptomatic, with asymptomatic individuals transmitting influenza to 6% of household contacts.

This suggests that strategies, such as quarantine and isolation, might not be effective in controlling influenza.

Thus, vaccination of children, with the aim of reducing influenza transmission, might be effective in African settings, given the young population and high influenza burden.

In South Africa influenza vaccination is recommended for individuals at high risk of severe outcomes including the elderly, pregnant women, and HIV-infected adults.

However, due to limited resources to procure vaccines, coverage remains low.

Vaccination strategies that target community influenza transmitters (such as children) may be more cost effective than risk-group based vaccination strategies, particularly in settings such as South Africa where vaccination rates and care seeking in high risk groups remain low.

A similar study currently underway in the same study sites aims to estimate the community burden and transmission of SARS-CoV-2, the respiratory virus that causes Covid-19.
KIRKLAND, N.Y.  An employee at the Lutheran Home in Kirkland was arrested after allegedly stealing money from the nursing home by getting paid for hours she didnt work.

On May 10, the Lutheran Home called the Oneida County Sheriff's Office to report an employee who had been paid thousands of dollars for hours she did not complete.

Following an investigation by the sheriffs office, 22-year-old Martha L. Chourb, was arrested Tuesday and charged with third-degree grand larceny, a D felony.

Chourb was processed and held at Oneida County jail pending arraignment.
ONEONTA, NY  Hartwick College has announced all students and employees will be required to be fully vaccinated for COVID-19 in order to return to campus in the fall of 2021.

The college has set a deadline of August 1 for the vaccines. Anyone who lives, works, or studies on campus will have to comply.

Vaccination is currently the best weapon we have against the evolving COVID-19 virus, and the best tool we have to reclaim the fully residential experience that is so important to how we educate at Hartwick, said Margaret Drugovich, Harkwick College president. Vaccination will be the key to our safe and full return in the fall.

Hartwick says any vaccine approved by the U.S. FDA will be acceptable. Those who have a medical or religious reason for not getting the vaccine can apply for an exemption.

Click here for more information on Hartwick's coronavirus policies.
KIRKLAND, N.Y. -- Fire crews spent a couple hours at the scene of a fire at Lutheran Home in Kirkland.

We spoke with the Clinton Fire Chief a little while ago who says a heating unit burned in one of the rooms.

Some residents were taken out of the building out of precaution for smoke inhalation.

It began around 2:30 a.m. Wednesday at the facility on Utica Road.

The fire chief says no one was hurt, and the cause appears to be electrical in nature.

Fire departments from Clinton and Clark Mills responded.

This story will be updated as more details are released.
Mr El-Rufai on Tuesday declared Mr Wabba a fugitive and promised a 'handsome reward' for information leading to his arrest

Less than an hour after declaring the president of the Nigerian Labour Congress, Ayuba Wabba, wanted, Governor Nasir El-Rufai's convoy on Tuesday drove past a procession of union members led by Mr Wabba.

Mr El-Rufai had on Tuesday declared Mr Wabba a fugitive and promised a 'handsome reward' for anyone that provides information on where Mr Wabba 'is hiding.'

"KADUNA UPDATE: Ayuba Wabba & others of @NLCHeadquarters declared wanted for economic sabotage & attacks on public infrastructure under Miscellaneous Offences Act. Anyone that knows where he is hiding should send a message to @MOJKaduna.

KDSG. There will be a handsome reward!," Mr El-Rufai wrote on Twitter.

Responding to the arrest threat, Mr Wabba had dared the governor, saying the threat was directed at the workers and not him alone.

"We are here and waiting for them, we will continue to press our demand until the government rescinds its decision," the NLC president said.

Mr Wabba has been in Kaduna since Monday leading the five-day strike and street protests against the state government's plan to sack many workers.

The convoy of the governor drove past Mr Wabba and other union members on his way to the office of Kaduna Electric, about 200 metres away.

The NLC members were at the NEPA roundabout when the governor's convoy passed through. The procession was later attacked by armed thugs.

Ten minutes later, Mr El-Rufai's convoy left the premises of Kaduna Electric but moved in the opposite direction, apparently avoiding the protesters who were still at the NEPA roundabout.

The electricity workers' union are among those from the private sector who joined the strike. The visit of the governor may be connected to the ongoing blackout in the state imposed by the union members.
ROME, N.Y.  No one was home when a fire destroyed a house on West Linden Street in Rome Tuesday afternoon.

Fire crews were called to the scene just after 5 p.m., as smoke was billowing out of the top floor of the house. It took about 30 minutes to get the fire under control.

Rome Fire Chief Thomas Iacovissi told NEWSChannel 2 the house is a total loss. He also says there were animals inside the home, but no injuries were reported.

Iacovissi says the fire also spread to the porch of the house next door.

The American Red Cross is assisting the two people who lived in the house where the fire started, and three people in the neighboring home.

The cause of the fire is under investigation.
ROME, NY - For the second consecutive summer there will not be a World Series of Bocce in Central New York.

The Toccolana Club announced Wednesday it has decided to cancel the 2021 event, after meeting with Mayor Jackie Izzo.

"We reviewed the Fairs and local Festivals guidance released by New York State late Monday afternoon. Upon conclusion of this review, the Executive Board, with much regret, voted to cancel the World Series this coming July due to the overwhelming process required to present the tournament in a safe environment given the ongoing virus mitigation measures necessary to stage a public event like the World Series," said Izzo in an email statement.

The 2020 WSOB was cancelled as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. The Toccolana Club had announced this past March that the 2021 tournament would be held July 15-18.

The 2021 Honor America Days, also held in Rome, were cancelled earlier this month.
New York Congresswoman Claudia Tenney (R-22nd District) expressed her support for Israel in its current conflict with Palestine at a virtual town hall meeting Tuesday night.

Tenney, a member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, says that Palestinian militant group Hamas is at fault for the conflict. Israel's actiions in recent weeks have drawn scrutiny from some in the international community who say that Israeli airstrikes against Palestine have gone too far in killing innocent civilians and children. Tenney, however, says that Israel's right to exist hangs in the balance, and that it's America's duty to protect it.

"Let's just set it straight: Hamas is a terrorist organization," Tenney said. "It's been labeled a terrorist organization by the United States, Canada, the European Union and other countries who are key allies. Israel has the right to defend itself, and we must defend Israel. They're our greatest ally in the region. And it's just reprehensible that people even in our in our House and in our government are not standing up and defending our most important ally in the Middle East."

Tenney also addressed the current infighting in the House Republican caucus at the town hall, saying for the first time that she supported the removal of Wyoming Congresswoman Liz Cheney as the party's conference chair, and supported fellow New York Congresswoman Elise Stefanik for the same role. She said that Cheney engaged in a "personality conflict" with former presdient Trump, and that the Republican Party must be a party for everyone, regardlless of ideology.

"You don't have to be a Trump supporter," Tenney said. "I think that we have to have a big tent. We have to have everybody in the party, the 'never-Trumpers, the people that don't like Trump but like the policies, people that love Trump, whatever. I think we have to focus on policy and not personalities. And I think that, right now, that's where we're going to be focused. And I think Elise is going to take us in a new direction."
OHIO, N.Y.  A woman accused of murdering her husband at their town of Ohio home in March pleaded not guilty during her arraignment Tuesday.

Connie L. Powers, 49, is accused of shooting and killing her husband, Timothy, during a domestic dispute at a home on Route 365. She is charged with murder and criminal possession of a weapon.

Connie L. Powers Connie L. Powers

Powers will appear back in court July 20.
Rivers are defined as flowing freshwater bodies which move from a higher elevation to a lower elevation and eventually drain into oceans, seas, lakes, and reservoirs. Rivers serve as important sources of irrigation, drinking water, navigation, hydroelectric power generation, and various recreational activities like swimming and boating.

Covering an area of 7,207,575 km2, the Middle East is a geographical region that is mainly located in Western Asia and also includes parts of North Africa and southeastern Europe. Numerous small and large rivers flow through the Middle East region. This article highlights some of the major rivers of the Middle East.

Contents:

Tigris River

The Tigris River in Hasankeyf, Turkey. Image credit: John Wreford/Shutterstock

The Tigris River has a length of about 1,900 km and is the second-longest river in Western Asia. It originates from Lake Hazar in the Taurus Mountains in eastern Turkey and then flows southeastwards through the parts of Syria and Iraq. Some of the significant small tributaries of the Tigris River include the Batman River, Lesser Zab, Greater Zab, Garzan, Diyala, Cizre, Al-Adhaim, and Khabur rivers. The Tigris flows parallelly with the Euphrates River and along with all their tributaries form the large Tigris-Euphrates river system. Through its course, the Tigris River splits into numerous channels such as the Shatt al-Hayy, Shatt al-Muminah, Majar al-Kabir, Al-Kahla, Al-Musharrah, and Al-Kassarah. In the southeastern part of Iraq at the town of Al-Qurnah, the Tigris merges with the Euphrates to form the Shatt-al-Arab, which then drains into the Persian Gulf.

The Tigris River serves as an important navigational waterway in these desert countries. Some of the major cities that are located along the Tigris river include Baghdad, Basra, Mosul, and Diyarbakir. The Tigris river has been heavily dammed to provide water for irrigation, for generating hydroelectricity, and also for averting floods. The 3.4 km long Mosul Dam is Iraqs largest dam constructed on the Tigris River.

Euphrates River

Map of the Fertile Crescent, its ancient civilizations, and the Tigris-Euphrates River system.

The Euphrates River has a length of about 2,800 km and is considered the longest river in Western Asia. The river rises at the confluence of the Western Euphrates (Kara Su) and the Eastern Euphrates (Murat Su) in the Armenian Highlands of southeastern Turkey. It descends between the mountain ranges of the Taurus Mountains to the Syrian Plateau and then flows through the western and central portions of Iraq. Some of the significant small tributaries of the Euphrates River include the Balikh, Sajur, and Khabur rivers. As the location of the fertile crescent, the Tigris-Euphrates river valley served as a cradle of the ancient civilizations of Babylonia, Mesopotamia, Assyria, and Sumer. The Euphrates River merges with the Tigris River to form the Shatt al-Arab in the southeastern part of Iraq, which then empties into the Persian Gulf.

About 34 species of Cyprinid fishes are found in the Tigris-Euphrates river basin. The endangered Euphrates soft-shelled turtle is endemic to the Euphrates-Tigris River basin. Some major dams and reservoirs that have been constructed on the Euphrates river include the Hindiya Barrage, Ramadi Barrage, Haditha Dam, Tabqa Dam, Keban Dam, Baath Dam, and Tishrin Dam. Both the Tigris and the Euphrates Rivers have been a cause of serious political tension between the countries of Turkey, Iraq, and Syria for assuming control over the river waters for irrigation and hydropower generation.

Nile River

Nile river map.

The Nile River has a length of about 6,650 km, making it the longest river in Africa and possibly on the planet, though some research suggests the Amazon River is slightly longer. Because it drains in Egypt, it can be considered to be a majr river of the Middle East, although most of it occupies Africa. The river originates in the African Great Lakes region and flows in the northward direction through the northeastern part of Africa, eventually emptying via a large delta into the Mediterranean Sea. This long river drains an area of more than 3,254,555 km2 and passes through or borders the African nations of Burundi, Rwanda, Tanzania, Kenya, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Uganda, South Sudan, Republic of Sudan, Ethiopia, Eritrea, and Egypt. The river serves as the main source of water for the countries of Egypt and the Republic of Sudan. There are two main tributaries of the Nile River: the White Nile and the Blue Nile. The Greek historian Herodotus nicknamed Egypt the Gift of the River Nile, as the Nile River served as the lifeline of the ancient Egyptian civilization. Some of the major cities situated along the river Nile include Cairo, Khartoum, Juba, and Jinja.

Jordan River

The Jordan River emptying into the Dead Sea on the

The Jordan River has a total length of about 360 km, but because of its meandering path, it spans 124 km from mouth to tip. This river originates in Mount Hermon at the boundary between Lebanon and Syria. It then flows southwards through the northern part of Israel to the Sea of Galilee. From the sea, it again flows southwards and divides Israel and the Palestinian West Bank from the Kingdom of Jordan and the Golan Heights. It then finally empties into the Dead Sea. Some of the important tributaries of the Jordan River include the Baniyas, Dan, Yarmouk, Hasbani, Iyyon, and Zarqa rivers.

Amu Darya River

The Amu Darya River.

The Amu Darya River has a length of 2,620 km and is considered the largest river in Central Asia. This transboundary river rises at the confluence of the Panj and Vakhsh rivers in a high plateau in the Pamir Mountains. The river flows across southern Tajikistan along the Afghanistan-Tajikistan border and continues in the northwestward direction forming parts of Afghanistans border with Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan. It then ultimately drains into the Aral Sea. Some of the major tributaries of the Amu Darya River include Panj, Vakhsh, Sherabad, Surkhan Darya, Zeravshan Rivers.
District Attorney Andrew Womble will reveal May 18 the findings of a North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation (SBI) investigation into the deputy shooting of Andrew Brown Jr.
Rep. Grace Meng, speaking, is joined by Rep. Mark Takano and Rep. Judy Chu during a Capitol Hill press conference May 18 in Washington.
NUPENG is one of the 46 industrial unions affiliated with the Nigeria Labour Congress.

The Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) has alerted its members to be ready for shut down if attacks on peaceful protesters continue in Kaduna State.

NUPENG is one of the 46 industrial unions affiliated with the Nigeria Labour Congress.

The National President of the NUPENG, Williams Akporeha, in a statement to journalists in Kaduna said its members are "deeply saddened with the violent turn of NLC peaceful protests by the dictatorial and despotic regime of Governor Nasir El-Rufai in Kaduna State".

PREMIUM TIMES broke the news on how armed thugs disrupted a procession by members of the NLC who were on a peaceful protest in Kaduna State on Tuesday. The NLC is protesting the sack of hundreds of workers by the state government, which it (state) had termed 'rightsising'.

The protesters were marching around the NEPA roundabout in the Kaduna metropolis when the thugs pelted them with objects.

The workers had gathered at the location in preparation for the continuation of their protest, when the thugs invaded the area and violently dispersed them.

An infuriated state governor, Mr El-Rufai, later declared the NLC leader, Ayuba Wabba wanted and equally placed a 'bounty' on him.

NUPENG's threat

"The Leadership of the Union is therefore calling on the Federal Government to immediately call on Kaduna State Governor Mallam Nasir El-Rufai to order before his arrogance and power drunk ego further push the situation into horrendous calamity as he has been doing in all issues relating to human lives and wellbeing, the statement said.

Close Sign up for free AllAfrica Newsletters Get the latest in African news delivered straight to your inbox Top Headlines Nigeria Labour Petroleum By submitting above, you agree to our privacy policy. Success! Almost finished... We need to confirm your email address. To complete the process, please follow the instructions in the email we just sent you. Error! Error! There was a problem processing your submission. Please try again later.

"Consequently, the Union reiterates that no Labour Leaders or workers as the case may be, be harmed, harassed, maimed, humiliated or victimized during this 5-day peaceful protests in the State.

"Our Union is raising this alarm following the very reliable report of the clandestine move of Governor Nasir El-RUfai to hurt and put the lives of NLC President,Comrade Ayuba Wabba and other Labour Leaders to danger in his usual blind egotistical style of running government in the State

"NUPENG therefore warns that if any harm is inflicted on any of the members of organized Labour, the Leadership of the Union will not hesitate to call on all our members throughout the nation for a total shut down of all our services in the upstream, mid-stream and downstream sectors of the oil and gas industry.

"In the light of the above, we are therefore putting all NUPENG members nationwide on red alert and may at very short notice of five hours call for a nationwide industrial action if situation arises.

"Our solidarity remains constant for the Union makes us strong," the statement noted.
The House is set to vote May 19 on legislation to establish an independent commission that would investigate the violent insurrection at the US Capitol on January 6 after House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy came out in strong opposition to the bipartisan deal reached last week.
Content Producer

Blake was born and raised in Central Ohio where he began working in TV broadcast in 2011 before moving into morning radio. Blake joined the WSMV team in October 2019. Any news stories and ideas can be sent directly to blake.summers@wsmv.com
A large crowd came to the Oswego Village Board meeting last month to talk about what police have called a fight between a 48-year-old customer and an 18-year-old employee in the drive-through lane at the Portillo's restaurant on Route 34 Sunday. Village President Troy Parlier (top right) spoke about the situation ahead of public comment. The father of the 18-year-old (bottom left) and a friend (bottom right) also spoke at the meeting. (WSPYnews.com photos by Mark Harrington).
Human Rights lawyer, Femi Falana, has knocked Kaduna State governor, Mal. Nasir El-Rufai, for declaring President of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Ayuba Wabba and other union leaders wanted.

The NLC had on Monday embarked on a massive protest and strike to press home their demand bordering on mass sack of workers in the state. The strike has paralysed critical sectors of the economy in the State.

Daily Trust had reported that the governor declared Wabba and other labour leaders wanted for leading the protest and crippling economic activities in the state.

'Hired' thugs were also reported to have attacked the peaceful protesters during the demonstration.

But reacting to El-Rufai's declaration in a statement, Falana described as 'laughable' the claim that the labour leaders contravened the provisions of the Miscellaneous Offences Act.

"The statement is laughable as it is common knowledge that Comrade Wabba and his colleagues are on the streets of Kaduna leading the peaceful protests embarked upon by the entire workers in the State since yesterday. The order of the Governor cannot be enforced for the following reasons:

"By the combined effect of the Trade Union Act and the Nigerian Constitution, Comrade Wabba and other labour leaders have the unquestionable rights to participate in the peaceful warning strike and mass protests against further retrenchment of workers in the Kaduna State public service.

"The Miscellaneous Offences Act is not a state statute but a federal enactment. To that extent, if Governor El Rufai has evidence that Comrade Wabba and other labour leaders have contravened any provisions of the Act he is required to lodge a complaint in any of the police stations in Kaduna State.

"The Governor lacks the power to declare any alleged offender wanted under the Act or any other law whatsoever," Falana said.

The senior lawyer, however, called on the authorities of the Nigeria Police Force and other security agencies to ignore El-Rufai's statement.
Over the past week, government officials, health bureaucrats, prominent academics and the corporate media have launched a coordinated campaign demanding a hasty resumption of all international travel, regardless of its implications for the spread of the coronavirus, as well as the lifting of the few remaining domestic safety measures.

The calls have cynically been cast as a warning against Australia turning into a hermit kingdom. The campaign is being waged under the deceptive banner of reopening national borders, in a bid to tap into the widespread sympathy among ordinary people for Australian citizens and permanent residents stranded abroad, along with immigrants and refugees.

In reality, the push for the resumption of travel is being spearheaded by the most ruthless sections of finance capital. Their aim is to create the conditions for maximum profit-making activities, even if it worsens the pandemic in Australia and internationally and leads to increased illness and deaths.

Current Virgin CEO Jayne Hrdlicka in 2014 (Credit: Wikimedia Commons, Flikr/Jetstar image)

The most prominent proponents have either presided over, or supported, the abandonment of Australian citizens abroad, the reactionary immigration restrictions of Liberal-National and Labor governments, and the failure of the ruling elite to develop effective quarantine facilities and a coordinated vaccine rollout.

The class issues were spelt out most bluntly in a statement earlier this week by Jayne Hrdlicka, the CEO of Virgin, one of Australias two largest airlines.

Hrdlicka declared her opposition to the federal governments stated goal of resuming international travel in mid-2022. The country would need to take a risk and lift restrictions much sooner, otherwise it would be left behind by the rest of the world.

The Virgin CEO unapologetically acknowledged that the policies she is pushing will result in a spread of the coronavirus. COVID will be part of the community, we will become sick with COVID, she said, before touting the vaccine as a guarantee that mortality rates will be low, even though only a fraction of the Australian population has thus far been inoculated.

Some people may die, but it will be way smaller than with the flu, Hrdlicka stated. Were forgetting the fact that weve learnt how to live with lots of viruses and challenges over the years, and weve got to learn how to live with this.

Many commentators on social media noted that Hrdlicka was not suggesting that CEOs and other members of the wealthy elite should face the risk of death. Instead, the lives of ordinary people would be gambled with, as so much collateral damage in the drive for profit.

The open calls for policies leading to death are a continuation of the role of the airline corporations, and their owners in the financial firms throughout the coronavirus crisis. They have functioned as first-rate pandemic profiteers.

Virgin is a case in point. In March 2020, it went into administration. In November, it was taken over by the private equity firm Bain Capital. More than 6,000 jobs have been destroyed at Virgin itself, while its low-cost carrier Tigerair has been scrapped altogether costing hundreds more positions.

At the same time as they slashed thousands of jobs and locked in wage freezes and cuts, with the support of the unions, Virgin and Qantas received $715 million in federal government subsidies last year, and a further $1.2 billion last March. The airlines have also engaged in blatant price gouging, contributing to the inability of almost 40,000 Australian citizens abroad to exercise their right of return.

Hrdlickas statements and Virgins role are only the most naked expression of a broader push, which has seen similar statements made by a host of state officials and corporate representatives over the past week.

The aim is to steamroll ordinary people into accepting the lifting of the travel restrictions, amid widespread concern. A Newspoll survey this week found that 73 percent of respondents opposed a resumption of travel prior to mid-next year.

The legitimate and healthy sentiments among ordinary people for a containment of the coronavirus have been exacerbated by the resurgence of the pandemic globally, especially in the Indo-Pacific region.

At the same time, there is widespread anger that the state and federal governments, Labor and Liberal-National alike, have refused to develop purpose-built quarantine centres, instead directing returnees to unsafe private hotels that have been the source of multiple outbreaks.

The Australian vaccine rollout, touted by the political establishment as the silver bullet justifying the lifting of all restrictions, has fallen apart. The federal government has abandoned any timetable for full inoculation, and fewer than three million adults have received their first of two jabs. This week the government revealed that less than a thousand of the 26,000 disability-care residents have been given a shot, even though they were supposed to be in the first cohort of the rollout.

In April, Prime Minister Scott Morrison declared that international borders would be fully reopened by October. He stated that the population would have to accept 1,000 cases a week and floated the idea of travellers self-isolating in private dwellings. The resulting opposition, from medical experts and ordinary people, as well as the shambles of the vaccine and quarantine programs, has compelled the government to temporarily change tack, extending its timetable for reopening until mid-next year.

The government, and prominent figures with close ties to it, however, are seeking to overcome the popular opposition to create the conditions for an earlier resumption of travel, regardless of inoculation rates.

Significantly, this campaign is being spearheaded by Dr Nick Coatsworth, the former federal deputy chief medical officer.

Coatsworth, who has close ties to the ruling Liberal Party, has for months sought to downplay the dangers of the pandemic. In February, he claimed that there was a live debate about the extent to which COVID-19 is transmitted via the aerosol route, despite all scientific evidence to the contrary. These comments were in defence of the governments hotel quarantine program, which has seen widespread airborne transmission within the facilities themselves.

Over the past week, Coatsworth has transitioned from attempts to undermine the scientific consensus to explicit attacks on medical colleagues urging a cautious approach against coronavirus outbreaks.

In an opinion piece for Nine Media, Coatsworth condemned a hardcore rump of activist doctors who have raised questions about the AstraZeneca vaccine, which has a lower efficacy than other vaccines and can in rare cases result in blood-clotting complications. Instead, he declared, doctors should convince the public that ultimately when we allow COVID-19 back on our shores and it circulates in our community, that we are prepared and comfortable for that to happen.

This line, that it will be necessary to live with the virus, is bipartisan. Early in the pandemic, state governments, the majority of them Labor-led, rejected calls from medical experts for a strategy aimed at eliminating COVID-19 transmission, as did the federal government. Even though restrictions and the diligence of ordinary people have repeatedly resulted in low case numbers, they remain committed to allowing transmission.

Over the weekend, the Age published a report on comments by the Victorian Labor governments Chief Health Officer Brett Sutton to a private meeting of medical professionals last April. He insisted on the need to abandon what he called fortress Australia at a certain point. It would be necessary, he said, to convince the public that officials would have to make a call on letting it run, i.e., on allowing widespread coronavirus transmission.

The SEP opposes the entire framework of border controls and immigration restrictions. It upholds the right of ordinary people to live and work with the full entitlements of citizenship anywhere in the world, as part of its opposition to the capitalist nation-state system.

Socialists demand an end to the bipartisan violation of the right of refugees to seek asylum and call for the immediate repatriation of citizens and permanent residents who wish to return to Australia. Thousands are trapped overseas with no immediate prospect of returning.

Such a program, aimed at guaranteeing the rights of ordinary people, and ending the pandemic, requires scientifically-grounded public health measures, including such things as temporary restrictions on non-essential international travel and commercial activities.

To secure the social and democratic rights of ordinary people, including the right to movement, requires a coordinated, global campaign to tackle the pandemic, including through lockdowns and safety measures. Billions of dollars must be allocated to equitable vaccine distribution in Australia and around the world, and to the establishment of purpose-built, safe quarantine facilities.

This program is incompatible with the drive of national governments and ruling elites to prematurely reopen the economy, as well as the dominance of that economy by a tiny corporate and financial elite.
The district attorney for Pasquotank County announced Tuesday that he would file no criminal charges against the sheriffs deputies who shot and killed Andrew Brown Jr. in Elizabeth City, North Carolina last month. District Attorney Andrew Womble made the announcement at a news conference on the results of the states investigation.

Andrew Brown Jr., a 42-year-old father of seven, was killed in his driveway while sitting behind the wheel of his car on April 21, when Pasquotank County sheriffs deputies attempted to serve him an arrest warrant for drug-related charges.

Womble called Browns death tragic, but said it was justified because his actions led three officers to reasonably believe it was necessary to use deadly force to protect themselves and others.

Andrew Brown Jr (family photo)

Announcing that none of the seven officers involved, including the three who fired shots at Brown, would be charged, he added, The officers actions were consistent with their training and fully supported under law.

At the press conference, Womble played 44 seconds of truncated body-cam footage of the incident, while giving a verbal explanation of what was being shown.

The video began as officers, some clad in SWAT gear, arrived in a police pick-up truck to arrest Brown and surrounded him as he sat inside his vehicle. Deputies ordered Brown to stop his vehicle, Womble said, but Brown began to put the car in reverse, allegedly causing an officer who was trying to open the car door to lose his balance. Brown then accelerated forward in an attempt to flee. Womble claimed a deputy was forced to jump out of the way, but this cannot be seen in the footage publicly available.

As Browns vehicle began to move, a sergeant on the scene fired into the front windshield. The car continued forward and officers fired several more shots through the side of the car and the rear window. Browns car continued to accelerate across a yard until it crashed into a ditch.

Womble said a total of 14 shell casings were found on the scene, including from two Glock handguns and an AR-15 style rifle. One of the shots hit the vehicle and ricocheted into a house, he noted.

In coming to his decision not to charge the officers involved, Womble cited an investigative report of the incident conducted by the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation. That report is not considered a public record and will not be publicly released, the state organization said.

The facts of this case clearly illustrate the officers who used deadly force on Andrew Brown Jr. did so reasonably and only when a violent felon used a deadly weapon to place their lives in danger, Womble said. He went on to assert that it made no difference how slow Browns car was moving when the police began firing bullets into it.

Wombles account and decision stand in stark contrast to comments from Browns family and their attorneys, who saw more footage than has been publicly released. They said the 44-second clip shows that Brown was never a threat to officers as he tried to drive away from them. His family and their attorneys called the killing an execution.

A private autopsy commissioned by Browns family indicated that he was hit with at least five bullets, one of which caused a fatal wound to the back of his head. But at Tuesdays press conference, Womble said Brown was shot only twice, in the shoulder and the back of the head, with shrapnel wounds elsewhere.

Womble claimed officers fired only after Brown struck deputies twice with his vehicle, but the familys attorneys say the video is at odds with how the DA framed the shooting. In a statement to CNN, Brown family attorney Bakari Sellers said the footage did not show Brown using his vehicle as a weapon. He argued that Womble did not adequately explain the shot to the back of Browns head.

Sellers previously called for Womble to recuse himself from the investigation because of the incestuous relationship between the district attorney and law enforcement.

Chance Lynch, another of the familys attorneys, said Brown was ambushed while sitting in his vehicle. His hands were always visible, and he did not pose a threat to law enforcement, the attorney said.

A first shot was fired, at which time Brown put his car in reverse, several feet, if not yards away from the police who were there, Lynch said. Brown then turned his vehicle away from deputies, and no officers were visible behind his vehicle.

At no point did we ever see Mr. Brown make contact with law enforcement, Lynch told reporters at a news conference. We were able to see where they possibly reached out to make contact to him, but we did not see any actions on Mr. Browns part where he made contact with them or try to go in their direction. In fact, he did just the opposite.

He continued: There were so many shots that we found difficulty in counting the number of shots that his vehicle received. At some point, there was a final shot, where it appeared that at that final shot Mr. Brown lost control.

The shooting sparked large protests against police violence and the countys refusal to publicly release all footage of the incident. Protesters have demanded that the video footage from deputies body cameras and a police vehicles dash camera be made public. Amid the demonstrations, Elizabeth City officials imposed a curfew and required residents to apply for a permit to protest, a flagrant violation of democratic rights.

In the aftermath of the shooting, Pasquotank Sheriff Tommy Wooten put the seven deputies involved on administrative leave. Soon after, he reinstated four deputies he said did not fire their weapons. The three who did fire remain on leave but will keep their jobs after being disciplined and retrained.
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) responded with brutal repression to a Palestinian general strike across the occupied West Bank and Arab towns in Israel.

The strike, a day of rage, was called by the Arab Follow-up Committee to protest the bombing of Gaza and worsening repression in East Jerusalem. The committee urged solidarity from the sea to the river.

Supported by both Hamas and Fatah, the ruling party of the Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas, it was the first by Palestinians in both the occupied territories and Israel. The historic action saw the shuttering of all Palestinian workplaces, businesses, shops and schools.

A Palestinian walks by a building hit by an Israeli airstrike in Gaza City, Tuesday, May 18, 2021. Since the fighting began last week, the Israeli military has launched hundreds of airstrikes it says are targeting Hamas' militant infrastructure, while Palestinian militants have fired thousands of rockets into Israel. (AP Photo/Hatem Moussa)

Security forces responded with lethal force, killing three Palestinians and wounding at least 63 more in the West Bank.

Troops fired tear gas and live ammunition at hundreds of Palestinians burning tyres and hurling stones at the Beit El military checkpoint at Al-Birah near Ramallah, killing one Palestinian and wounding 70 more. Heavy clashes were reported in other towns and cities, including Hebron, Bethlehem, Nablus and Budrus. On Monday, Israeli soldiers had shot and killed a Palestinian teenager at the al-Arroub refugee camp, north of Hebron, preventing ambulances reaching the 18-year-old Obaida Akram Jawabra, while on Tuesday soldiers killed Fayyad Zahda in Hebron, claiming he was carrying weapons.

In East Jerusalem, police used water cannon to disperse protesters in Sheikh Jarrah. They cracked down violently on protesters inside the Old City and around the Damascus Gate. Middle East Eye reported that Israeli police beat, pepper sprayed and removed the hijab of one of its correspondents, Latifeh Abdellatif, while she was filming the detention of a young boy. When Palestinians stepped in to protect Abdellatif, leading to scuffles with the police, several of them were arrested. Later, Israels police commissioner Yaakov Shabtai said his forces had restored calm after riots in the Arab sector.

Israel renewed its criminal bombardment of Gazas defenceless Palestinians early Tuesday morning, firing 100 bombs and missiles against 65 targets described as a network of tunnels. Several buildings in Gaza city, including a six-storey block housing the Islamic University, were hit. It brings the total number of airstrikes since May 11 to 1,500.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu acknowledged international pressure for a cease-fire, but all in all, we are receiving very serious backing, first of all from the US. US President Joe Biden has refused to call for an immediate halt to the war, reluctantly stating Monday evening he now supports a ceasefire but with no timetable. Asked whether a ceasefire was being discussed, a senior Israeli official said, There is no such thing right now. There is no negotiation. There is no proposal. There is nothing on the table.

Brig.-Gen. Hidai Zilberman, for the IDF, said there was no plan to suspend operations. We will hit anyone who belongs to Hamas, from the first to the last.

The IDF had struck the homes of 12 senior Hamas commanders in the previous 24 hours and killed at least 160 members of Hamas and Islamic Jihad, branded as terrorists, since the start of Operation Guardian of the Walls.

According to Gazas Health Ministry, eight days of Israeli airstrikes have killed at least 212, including 61 children and 34 women, and wounded over 1,500. Two Thai workers, living in unprotected mobile homes, were killed and seven others injured in a rocket attack that hit a packaging plant in southern Israel, bringing the total number killed in Israel to 12 and 300 wounded in rocket attacks from Gaza.

According to the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), the air strikes have destroyed or badly damaged nearly 450 buildings, displacing more than 58,000, of whom 47,000 have been forced to seek shelter in 58 UN-run schools in Gaza. At least 24 schools have been either damaged or ordered to close, forcing 600,000 students to miss out on schooling.

The Ministry of Information estimated that $18 million damage has been done to streets and infrastructure. Some 132 buildings have been destroyed and 316 severely damaged, including six hospitals and 13 healthcare clinics, as well as a desalination plant, affecting access to drinking water for 250,000 people. Water pipes serving at least 800,000 people have been damaged. Trash is piling up in the streets.

Gazas limited healthcare system has been crippled. Two leading doctors have been killed. There is less than a months supply of 46 percent of essential drugs and 33 percent of essential medical supplies. On Monday, an Israeli air strike nearby put the only laboratory that processes COVID-19 test results out of action. With thousands of Palestinians, most of whom are unvaccinated, crowding into schools for shelter, there are fears that these schools could become mass spreaders of the disease.

The same day, another air strike hit the Qatari Red Crescent Society office, which carries out relief work in Gaza, killing two Palestinians and wounding 10 others. It followed attacks on ambulance crews, including a Medecins Sans Frontieres (MSF) crew, and health facilities, leaving a sterilization room unusable and a waiting area damaged. Hellen Ottens-Patterson, the head of MSF's mission in Palestine, said the pattern of Israeli bombings was far greater than previous campaigns. Emergency health workers are taking incredible but necessary risks to move around our teams were confronted with serious injuries caused by the Israeli police to men, women and children.

Health officials have called for the protection of medical staff and facilities, saying Israeli air strikes are hindering their ability to help victims and warning that a prolonged war would have devastating humanitarian consequences. People have taken to social media to lambast the Israeli military for their targeting of key roads and accessways that have prevented ambulances from reaching healthcare centres and hospitals, including the main al-Shifa hospital.

Despite the dire humanitarian situation, international aid organisations are finding it difficult to send in aid as the three entry points have been closed since May 11. Israel closed the Karam Abu Salem crossing into Gaza shortly after opening it, under pressure from the UN, to allow in donated humanitarian goods, after an Israeli soldier was slightly wounded in a mortar attack near the crossing. Karl Schembri, the Norwegian Refugee Councils media adviser for the Middle East, told Al Jazeera that Gaza would be suffocated if the Keram Abu Salem and Beit Hanoon (Erez) crossings remained shut.

On Monday, Israeli ground troops opened up a second front, firing shells into southern Lebanon after rocket fire was launched, apparently by a small Palestinian group in Lebanon, not by Hezbollah. This was the second harmless rocket attack since May 11 from Lebanon, which is home to hundreds of thousands of Palestinians. Both the Lebanese army and the UN Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) intensified their patrols along the border to prevent any further incidents that endanger the safety of the local population and the security of southern Lebanon.

The IDF said its forces had downed a drone approaching Israels border with Jordan, without saying where it had come from, amid speculation it might have come from Syria.

Protests in support of the Palestinians have continued in Lebanon, while tens of thousands turned out in a rally in Sanaa, Yemens capital.
The Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee held a hearing Tuesday concerning the failure of the Office of Intelligence and Analysis (I&A) in the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to warn law enforcement agencies and Congress of the impending attack on the Capitol January 6.

The hearing demonstrated that I&A was receiving ample evidence of the plans to attack the Capitol in order to stop the congressional certification of the Electoral College votes and keep Trump in office as president. But none of the officials of the I&A and their supervisors in the DHS leadership were actually summoned to be questioned, rendering the entire hearing an exercise in futility.

In this Jan. 6, 2021, file photo rioters try to break through a police barrier at the Capitol in Washington. (AP Photo/John Minchillo)

The committee did not subpoena Chad Wolf, then the acting secretary of DHS, to answer for the blatant and obvious actions by the DHS to sabotage intelligence analysis concerning the threat of far-right militia groups attacking Congress in an attempt to overthrow the election.

Instead, the committee was heard testimony from officials who previously served in the DHS under the Obama administration, were in charge of other departments within the DHS, or were not in government positions at all. Therefore, none of the witnesses could truthfully answer why Wolf did not issue a threat assessment warning or designate January 6 as a National Security Special Event as has been done for previous high-level gatherings, like the 2020 Democratic and Republican conventions or even the Super Bowl.

In his opening statement, the chairman of the committee, Senator Gary Peters (Michigan), outlined that the purpose of the hearing was to probe the failure of the I&A and other intelligence agencies[to]identify the threat on January 6. Peters noted that the previous administration, reportedly, downplayed the threat posed by white supremacists and anti-government violence and that intelligence information was censored under pressure from former President Trump, leading to inaccurate analysis that exaggerated the role of groups like antifa, while developing intelligence on journalists.

Peters ended his remarks with a plea to his Republican colleagues, many of whom supported Trumps coup, so that the committee would work in a non-partisan way to protect from all threats foreign and domestic.

Despite the hearing focusing on the alleged intelligence failures of the DHS I&A in the lead-up to January 6, such as a January 5, 2021, national summary produced by the DHS I&A that declared Nothing significant to report, none of the witnesses testifying before the committee had ever worked in that department in the Trump administration.

Witnesses before the committee included retired General Francis Taylor, a former undersecretary for intelligence and analysis under Obama; Patricia Cogswell, a former deputy administrator with the Transportation Security Administration under Trump; Mike Sena, the president of the National Fusion Center Association; and Faiza Patel, the director of Liberty & National Security Program at the Brennan Center for Justice, New York University School of Law.

The most revealing testimony came in an exchange between Taylor and Democratic Senator Jacky Rosen of Nevada, who questioned him as to why the DHS did not issue a threat assessment or a joint intelligence bulletin specific to January 6, given the abundance of intelligence products created by the New York Police Department, Capitol Police, and FBI prior to January 6, warning of imminent attacks on Congress.

I wasnt there and could not get into the mind of leadership, said Taylor, a phrase he repeated multiple times throughout the hearing. However, he stated, we have a process in this country, of producing threat assessments, that didnt happen. I cant say what was in the mind of leadership at the time. I find it difficult to accept that the process was not applied.

Sena was the only witness who was actually in a DHS fusion center on January 6. These are joint federalstatetribal entities that are supposed to gather, collate and disseminate threat-related information, created in response to supposed intelligence failures that led to the still unexplained September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks.

In his statement, Sena said he was surprised that the fusion centers did not receive any specific information prior to January 6. When asked by Rosen why that was the case, Sena was unable to articulate a reason, stating that information was online, there are a lot of restrictions.

Further demolishing claims by police and military leadership that there was no intelligence warning of an attack on the Capitol, Sena revealed that on January 4, the heads of the fusion centers around the country convened a rare national call to discuss the multitude of threats they were hearing about the upcoming Trump rally in Washington.

We held a call, said Sena, because we were concerned, we were worried, we had DHS I&A on the call. Sena testified that DHS I&A personnel would be on site at the DC fusion center on January 6. However, nothing came of this: We tried to build that network, I was surprised that nothing was developed at the time, said Sena.

While Democrats spent the hearing mostly focused on the failures of DHS I&A department and ways to improve morale and not politicize domestic terror threats, Republicans on the committee, including ranking member Rob Portman (Ohio) and Senator Ron Johnson (Wisconsin) used the hearing to scapegoat immigrants and downplay the fascist threat.

Now we are supposed to focus on domestic extremism as the number one threat, its not, Johnson proclaimed. As Republicans have frequently done since January 6, Johnson, disgustingly, tried to equate the fascist coup attempt with the thousands of peaceful protests against police violence held last year. I condemn January 6, but there were 500 riots throughout the summer, said Johnson. Appealing to fascists and racists, Johnson declared that border security is our number one threat and we are ignoring that.

No Democrat on the committee sought to challenge Johnsons fascistic lies.

The hearing was held the same day the Atlantic Council issued a report authored by the former head of intelligence at the New York Police Department, Mitch Silber. The report, titled Domestic Violent Extremism and the Intelligence Challenge, makes clear, despite assertions from Democratic and Republican lawmakers alike, that January 6 was not a failure to gather intelligence but that leadership within the Capitol Police, FBI and DHS, failed to act on the more than sufficient intelligence collected.

Silber wrote that intelligence collection was robust and that the failure was in the analysis of the intelligence and the failure of senior government officials to issue warnings based on that intelligence. In an interview with National Public Radio, Silber said it was, a clear failure from the DHS.

Todd Rosenblum, a former deputy undersecretary of intelligence at DHS, who according to NPR still has contacts in the department, said that the Trump administration focused on antifa, the amorphous group of left-wing and anarchist protesters, at the exclusion of known right-wing threats.

[Administration officials] were insisting on a narrative that wasnt true, which made it far harder for I&A, Rosenblum said. You had the president screaming: Antifa, antifa is behind all this, and anyone whos actually doing the analysis of this knew that was an utter falsehood. ... And DHS was very much aligned in accommodating the president.
The outcome of the Go North West (GNW) bus drivers dispute has vindicated the warnings made by the Socialist Equality Party (SEP) and World Socialist Web Site (WSWS) that the Unite union would betray. It underscores the significance of the conflict which arose with Ian Allinson, industrial action co-ordinator for the local Manchester Trades Union Council (MTUC) and a member of the RS21 pseudo-left group, on the Facebook page of Manchester Left-Wing Forum last week.

On May 12, a reader of the WSWS, JP Oldham, posted the article, UK: Claim of strike victory at Go North West unravels as Unite refuses to disclose its rotten deal on the Facebook page of the Manchester Left-Wing Forum. The page for left-wing activists in the Greater Manchester area has 632 members.

On April 30, Go North West strikers picketing at the Queens Road depot were told by union officials that the company had withdrawn its threat to impose fire and rehire contracts, including a 10 percent pay cut of up to 2,500 a year and a reduction in sick pay of 67 percent, stating that victory was imminent.

Manchester Trades Union Council executive committee member Ian Allinson speaking at an online Go North West solidarity meeting

The May 11 WSWS article noted that almost two weeks later, the rotten deal negotiated is being kept secret. It cited Allinson writing in a May 10 email, Unite reps are still negotiating with local management to get a written offer which can be put to members.

He insisted, The strike continues to keep up the pressure for a deal and announced a solidarity rally for Thursday May 13. In the event of no-deal being reached, he added, Unite is expected to issue a new notice of action to trigger a second 12-week protected period from 27 May.

If this were true, the WSWS noted, then the Manchester Evening News was misreporting on May 8 two days of negotiations in London between Unite and GNW parent company Go-Ahead, resulting in an agreement to end the strike signed by Unite General Secretary Len McCluskey and Go-Ahead CE David Brown. The agreement reportedly included the cancellation of the second strike ballot, and an undertaking by Unite to conduct a ballot on the deal with a recommendation to its members to accept.

The local Unite reps spoken of by Allinson were said to be only discussing The timetable for implementation of the agreed deal, according to Go-Ahead managing director Nigel Featham.

The WSWS commented, Someone is lying through their teeth, and on this occasion, until McCluskey issues a formal denial, it is most likely not Go Ahead management but the trades council and the local reps.

The WSWS also noted Allinsons admission in a May 6 article on the RS21 website that substantial concessions offered by Unite are included in the deal which he still portrayed as a significant victory if the pressure can be maintained. Unite had offered up to 1.3 million of cost savings.

The response to the WSWS article being posted was apoplectic. A supporter of Allinson described it as  libelous garbage. Allinson claimed that it was the usual wildly inaccurate garbage and that the WSWS aren't part of the workers' movement as far as I'm concerned. For good measure, he added, But life's too short to waste time with these scabs.

At no stage during the exchanges which followed was he, or anyone who came to his defence, able to refute the contents of the article. Oldham replied, There is an objective measure. Is the report in the May 8 edition of the Manchester Evening News true? If so, then Allinson owes Go North West drivers an explanation of why he is deliberately concealing a betrayal of their struggle.

This led to further splenetic outbursts, including that Oldham had chosen to believe known anti-unionist Nigel Featham over Ian, that the WSWS was siding with the bosses, etc.

However, by 6.45pm that day Allinson had sent an email on behalf of MTUC to cancel the solidarity protest the next day. It contained a one paragraph explanation reading, The protest planned for 5pm Thursday 13 May at the striking Go NW Queen's Road bus depot has been cancelled because the strikers will be busy tomorrow considering documents from the company.

The last-minute cancellation was to make way for workers to study, in private rather than on a picket line with their fellow strikers, the sell-out deal agreed by McCluskey and Go-Ahead.

Allinson was aware that he was dangerously exposed, along with the Unite bureaucracy. He had therefore already opened a second thread, campaigning for Oldham and anyone posting comment from the WSWS to be blocked from the Facebook page. He wrote, This group is getting dominated by crappy posts of stuff from WSWS. I assume they have their own social media spaces for those who are interested and I'm concerned it will reduce engagement with this group. Should we stop this?

This debate proceeded even as Allinsons lies were exposed. Oldham commented, Ian Allinson calls the Socialist Equality Party scabs the day he proposes an end to the Go North West strike. He is now calling for the SEP to be banned from posting on this site to silence dissent Dictionary definition of a scab: A worker who refuses to strike, or who takes the place of a striking worker. Ian Allinsons definition: Someone who advocates strike action, calls for its extension in defiance of anti-strike laws, and is not an apologist for Unites betrayals.

Later Oldham noted that amid all the comments denouncing the WSWS and defending Allinson, no one addresses the issues facing Go North West strikers. What is in this proposed deal? When is it going to be made public?

To which Allinson replied, For the avoidance of doubt, yes I am calling the SEP scabs. They undermine strikes and make up lies about those who strike or support strikes. They believe employers over strikers.

Oldham replied, For the avoidance of confusion, Ian Allinson is not a striker. It is Ian Allinson that the SEP does not believe.

Allinsons proposal to censor the WSWS met with opposition from several posters, including John Pearson, who posted, That would be censorship and I will have no truck with it. I will instantly stand down as an Admin if Comrade Allinson uses his position as an Admin to block postings from WSWS. Others asked Allinson to explain what concessions were made by Unite and how could it be claimed as a victory. One asked, Why not actually respond to their well-grounded critique of local union leaders?

Oldham, responding to one of Allinsons defenders, commented, You ask for a masterplan on how to bring out other garages. This should begin by telling workers the truth and not spouting apologies for Unite, organising drivers independently of Unite in a rank-and-file committee, and appealing to other bus workers, over the heads of Unite, for solidarity action. It is called the class struggle, and it cannot be waged outside of a political fight against Len McCluskey, et al.

For many workers this is becoming a self-evident truth. But for you, Unites house-trained critics and foot-soldiers, it is a foreign language.

The WSWS has detailed Allinsons latest efforts to apologise for Unites betrayal of the Go North West dispute in todays accompanying article. His weasel formulations are linked to a Unite press release, which states, The deal was struck following high-level negotiations led by Unite general secretary Len McCluskey with senior company representatives at Go North Wests parent company, Go Ahead Group.

This is precisely what was reported initially by the Manchester Evening News on May 8 and then denounced as libellous by Allinson and others of a similar persuasion when reported by the WSWS.

Allinsons is not the first time the pseudo-left groups and their members active in the trade unions have sought to silence the criticism made by the WSWS of Unite, for fear that it is striking a chord bus drivers angry at its betrayals. Similar acts of censorship were taken against the London Bus Rank-and-File Committee, initiated by the SEP and WSWS last September in order to fight for safe workplaces against the collusion of Unite with the private operators.

The WSWS coverage of the disputes at Go North West in Manchester, RATP in London and elsewhere is aimed at clearing a path for a genuine united offensive of bus workers against the isolation of these struggles and the unions sabotage and imposition of sell-out deals.

This is the essential significance of Allinsons redefinition of the term scab to designate anyone who does not toe the line dictated by Unite at Go North West, or whatever union happens to be in the forefront of betraying the struggles waged by its members.

What is the logic of such a position at a time when bus workers in London are leaving Unite in droves out of disgust? It is not that anyone today, especially those with years of political activity behind them such as Allinson, can genuinely believe that the trade unions serve the interests of their members. Decades of betrayals testify to the fact that the trade unions have been wholly integrated into the structures of management and the state, whose sole role when strike action cannot be prevented is to contain it like a plague while they prepare the ground for a sell-out.

That is what Allinson et al did at Go North Westsilence all criticism, while Unite convinced the company that it could get what it wanted without resorting to fire-and-rehire by working with them. The entire apparatus of Unite, from its general secretary down to the local reps in Manchester, rely on Allinson and the pseudo-left to patrol the political perimeter fence behind which Unite cordons its members. When Allinson and the pseudo-left wax lyrically about solidarity, workers should always expect a knife in the back.
Letter to You, recorded in 2019 and released last October, is Bruce Springsteens 20th studio album. Featuring new and recycled material, the album was recorded with the E Street Band playing live in the studio, achieving at times the bands signature wall of sound, which alone would be worth giving the album a listen.

In the more recently written songs on Letter to You, Springsteen faces aging and the deaths of friends with honesty and taste. While these are not the best songs of the artists extensive career, for long-time fans they are meaningful and often moving. The older songs, some from very early in his career like If I Was the Priest and Janey Needs a Shooter, provide stark stylistic contrasts to the newer material and offer listeners some of the best moments on the album.

Letter to You

The albums opener, One Minute Youre Here, establishes the themes of death and loss. The music on this one is affecting, spare with softly swelling keyboards and single-note piano fills. One Minute Youre Here also features some of the more musical lyrics of the newer songs.

I thought I knew just who I was

And what Id do but I was wrong

One minute youre here

Next minute youre gone

In the title track, Letter to You, the full band joins Springsteen for a heartfelt, if less than poetic, account of a letter. Springsteen has said that the letter is his body of work as addressed to his fans, and when seen in this light the idea of the song is moving, his body of work being what it is. But with a lyric filled with abstractions and the band simply strumming through a chord progression, this song does not inspire.

In my letter to you

I took all my fears and doubts

In my letter to you

All the hard things I found out

In my letter to you

All that Ive found true

And I sent it in my letter to you

According to SpringsteenLyrics.com, the next track, Burnin Train, was first recorded in 1993, a year after the dual release of his albums Lucky Town and Human Touch. Musically and lyrically, the song calls out from that period, with its driving rhythm guitar and images of his lovers body in a song of abasement and redemption.

Janey Needs a Shooter, a song written in 1972, is out of place and entirely welcome on this album. Featuring the rangy, imagistic lyrical style that placed Springsteen among those dubbed the new Dylan in the early 70s, the songs dynamic structure inspires the E Streeters to meld into their potent manifestation as one of the tightest and most forceful bands in rock history. Springsteens older, deepened voice attacks the lyrics successfully, pairing well with their dark overtones.

Well Janeys got a doctor who tears apart her insides

He investigates her and silently baits her sighs

He probes with his fingers but knows her heart only through his stethoscope His hands are cold and his bodys so old

Janey turns him down like dope

Janey is one of the high points on Letter to You, and its conjuring of an earlier Springsteen proves poignant on an album that looks back in grief and gratitude.

Last Man Standing was recorded in late 2019, after the death of Springsteens bandmate George Theiss from his first band, The Castiles. Here the lyrics are alive in their evocation of young men playing gigs in union halls and black leather clubs along Route 9, and the song walks that tightrope Springsteen walks well, looking back without falling into cheap sentimentality.

Lights come up at the Legion Hall

Pool cues go back up on the wall

You pack your guitar and have one last beer

With just the ringing in your ears

The album remains wistful in two of the next several tracks, The Power of Prayer, an affirmation of lasting love, and Ghosts, a tribute to departed bandmates, particularly those from the Castiles. Song for Orphans is another old song revisited, a rambling six-versed ode to the spark of youth that Springsteen saw prematurely extinguished, particularly by drugs, but also by a world that does not nurture that spark:

Well how many wasted

Have I seen signed Hollywood or bust

They left to ride the ever ghostly Arizona gusts

Cheerleader tramps

And kids with big amps sounding in the void

High society vamps

Ex-heavyweight champs mistaking soot for soil

The last of the old songs on the album, If I Was the Priest, features a moving musical performance by Springsteen and the band, and Springsteens vocals do the song justice, but the outrageous and suggestive lyrics hark back to the loose and funky performer of his youth, qualities he has long since left behind.

Rainmaker could be mistaken for a song about Donald Trump, but in fact was written no later than 2003, suggesting Springsteen had George W. Bush in mind. The song is strong musically and lyrically, with bracing violin strokes like those that characterized songs on Springsteens 2002 album The Rising. Springsteens writing here shows him at his political best, with a keen eye for hokum but also for the underlying conditions that can make hokum effective.

Rainmaker, a little faith for hire

Rainmaker, the house is on fire

Rainmaker, take everything you have

Sometimes folks need to believe in something so bad, so bad, so bad

Theyll hire a rainmaker

Unfortunately, to say the least, Springsteen is not always at his political best. For decades now he has been a spokesperson for the Democratic Party and, during this years Super Bowl, he was featured in an ad for Jeep in which he preached platitudes on behalf of the political center. These things have erosive artistic consequences.

The last track on the album, Ill See You in My Dreams, expresses love for a lost partner and perhaps alone among the newer songs on Letter to You stands on its own as a beautiful song, without requiring one to be a Springsteen fan.

I got your guitar here by the bed

All your favorite records

And all the books that you read

And though my soul feels like

Its been split at the seams

Ill see you in my dreams

While Springsteens Letter to You is addressed to his fans, there is much here for others to enjoy. An uneven artistic effort, the album has no bad tracks, and the good tracks manage at times to come near the heights of classic Springsteen.
Opposition is mounting among teachers, service workers and industrial workers to the new COVID-19 safety guidelines issued by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) that essentially eliminate masking or social distancing requirements for vaccinated individuals in most settings. The new guidelines have been issued under conditions where nearly two-thirds of the US population is not fully vaccinated.

Without a way to determine who is vaccinated and who is not, the rule means that large groups of unmasked people will be allowed to congregate indoors, including at mass events, ensuring the wider spread of the virus.

A worker in a face mask clears tables inside a covered patio amid the COVID-19 pandemic Tuesday, May 18, 2021, in Burbank, Calif. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)

Anger has been compounded as state and city governments one after another along with the federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), the supposed workplace safety watchdog, have fallen into line behind the CDC. In an update posted on its website Monday, OSHA instructed employers to follow the new CDC mask guidance for people fully vaccinated against COVID-19.

Major retail chains such as Trader Joes, Costco, Walmart and Meijer, Target, CVS Health and Starbucks have already dropped their requirement that customers wear masks. Texas Governor Greg Abbott announced Monday that most local government authorities would be barred from requiring masking.

The drive to eliminate all safety protocols and force the full reopening of the economy is being pushed by the Biden administration with the support and cooperation of the unions and the heads of major corporations.

This was underscored by Bidens visit Tuesday to the Ford Rouge complex in Dearborn, Michigan where he appeared side-by-side with United Auto Workers President Rory Gamble. The president praised the UAW for its collaboration with the auto companies and said it would have to be deepened to win the competition of the 21st Century, particularly against China, in dominating new electric vehicle production and supply chains. The future will be made in America, Biden declared to the applause of the company and UAW officials.

The UAW, meanwhile, has made clear its support for the elimination of the limited safety protocols implemented last year following a wave of wildcat job actions by autoworkers in defiance of the unions in Europe, the US, Canada and Mexico. In a statement last week, the United Auto Workers said, We are working to clearly understand these new CDC guidelines and coordinating with the companies.

The decision to do away with masking requirementsunder conditions in which the deadly virus is not contained and there are more than 30,000 new COVID-19 infections and over 500 deaths each dayis criminal and reckless. The discovery of new, dangerous, variants compounds this danger. The risk was highlighted recently by the death from COVID-19 of autoworker Mark Bruce at the Stellantis Sterling Stamping Plant outside Detroit and that of another worker at the Faurecia Saline, Michigan facility.

A Ford worker in Ohio reacted to reports that the UAW was considering dropping COVID-19-related safety protocols on facemasks. Sell outs .... all the while they sit home in their isolation bubble. The entire time we have had to come into these factories.

Homicidal is a big word....but fits the current facts, another worker said.

While the major US auto producers as of Tuesday had not announced any changes to their masking policies, several major auto parts suppliers, including BorgWarner, Penske Automotive and Lithia Motors Inc., said they would eliminate masking requirements as soon as states allow it.

The CDC rule change is also being used to push for the full reopening of public schools to in-person instruction as part of the drive to get workers back in the factories making profits for business. Just hours before the CDC announced its change in guidelines American Federation of Teachers President Randi Weingarten issued a statement declaring, There is no doubt: Schools must be open. In person. Five days a week.

Reacting to Weingartens statement, Kuhea, a public-school teacher in Hawaii, said, Its so disappointing to hear Weingarten promote a message that places so much false hope on the vaccine to avoid committing the time, care, and money needed to safely return to normal. We must collectively resist dangerous efforts to reopen schools and businesses to protect ours and others lives. We have leaders that do not care about doing the right thing by others.

People are buying in to that messaging. Mauis beaches are crowded with tourists as if there is no pandemic. The airlines dangle a cheap fare to Hawaii, and people so quickly throw caution out, endangering everyone. Now, a mask is optional if youve been vaccinated. Crazy!"

In response to an article posted on social media regarding Utah Governor Spencer Cox lifting all mask restrictions in K-12 schools, another teacher noted, "Damned CDC. This is exactly the kind of foolish wrong interpretation I anticipated after the CDC made its mask suggestions for *VACCINATED* people."

The practical impact of the dropping by the CDC of masking requirements is to force workers to choose between being exposed to unmasked individuals in the workplace or lose their jobs. Millions of retail workers, logistics and factory workers, already facing significant risk of exposure due to lack of adequate social distancing, will be put in further danger.

The CDC advisement on demasking flies in the face of the recommendations of epidemiologists who warn that the population should continue to wear masks in large indoor settings until at least 80 to 90 percent of the population is vaccinated.

The change in the CDC guidelines was a political decision, not a scientific decision. It is a signal that the ruling class intends to end all efforts to contain the pandemic. Insofar as health and safety measures impinge in the slightest on the profit drive of the super wealthy, they must be eliminated. The result of this policy in the US, Latin America, Europe and large parts of the world has already been mass death. Daily deaths and infections are at near record levels globally.

In reaction to the decision by major retail chains to drop their masking requirements for customers, there was furious opposition on social media from medical professionals, shoppers and store workers.

One worker posted on Facebook: Not only dangerous and ignorant, but asinine as well if they will not require proof of vaccination. I can hear the anti-vaxers cackling with glee. This undermines all the progress that's been made in stemming the spread of COVID. This is literally sickening.

A medical doctor posted on Twitter, The long and short of it is that its a terrible idea to unmask now. ~36% of the population is fully vaccinated. We can unmask when 70%+ are fully vaccinated and the National case number is below 100 per day.

One post on Twitter pointed to the economic interests behind the CDC decision. It makes sense if you look at it through the lens of the oligarchs who own this government want the serfs to get back to work. Its all about $$$ in the USA. Thats what they care about, not us. If they cared, wed have universal healthcare & a livable wage.

Another person wrote, This is false. The idea that there is zero risk if youre vaccinated is a load of rubbish. The goals are 1) to stop people dying by getting vaccinated and 2) to stop variants. We need to get to 75-90 percent vaccination rates globally to achieve goal 2. Until then? Masks?

Under conditions where the pandemic is exploding globally and new, deadly variants are arising, the ending of even the limited safety protocols by the US government is reckless and guarantees that the virus will become endemic, that is, it will take its deadly toll year after year. Workers are being told they must accept this state of affairs and get on with their lives.

The World Socialist Web Site and International Committee of the Fourth International are fighting to develop a class-conscious opposition to the policy of the ruling class to allow the virus to spread unchecked. We insist on the prioritization of human life over corporate profits. The ICFI has called for the formation of the International Workers Alliance of Rank-And-File Committees (IWA-RFC) to unify the international working class in opposition to the anti-worker trade unions and capitalist political parties. To win this fight, workers must be armed with an internationalist and socialist perspective aimed at the abolition of the capitalist profit system.
Unite the union has ended the dispute at Go North West in Manchester, based upon a settlement that sacrifices the terms and conditions of the 400 bus drivers who have waged 11 weeks of indefinite strike action against the company and its fire and rehire policy.

In a press release Monday, the union stated that the agreement had been accepted by bus drivers after a mass meeting and vote was held that day at the Queens Road depot in Cheetham Hill.

Unite and General Secretary Len McCluskey claim that the agreement is a huge victory because parent company Go-Ahead withdrew its threat to fire and rehire workers to impose an inferior contract, and supposedly would not use this tactic in future. In reality, the agreement makes clear that fire and rehire was not necessary for the company to get what it wanted. Unite has proved itself to be the ideal vehicle for imposing the destruction of terms and conditions demanded by the largest private bus operator in the UK on its members while policing workers opposition.

The Go North West picket line at the Queens Road depot on the first day of the strike (credit: WSWS Media)

Unite has not released any of the contents of the agreement publicly, which it asserts will safeguard pay and conditions for thousands of employees across the Go Ahead Group.

This has left responsibility for providing a public rationale for Unites betrayal to the pseudo-left groups. After the capitulation by the GMB union at British Gas, they all flocked to the Go North West dispute as proof that the trade unions could be relied on to defeat fire and rehire. Once a sell-out was in preparation, however, a deathly silence descended.

The Socialist Party (SP) and Socialist Workers Party (SWP) have written nothing on Go North West over the past fortnight. The last word from the SWP was three brief lines on May 3 as part of a round-up article stating, There are rumours of a deal, but there are no details at present.

The last article from the SP on May 5 quoted from Unites senior steward at Go North West, Colin Hayden, at a May Day rally announcing that fire and rehire had been withdrawn and a deal had been put by Go-Ahead in which he stated, But the deal is not done yet. We will return to work if and when our members vote for the deal. Until then we will be on strike.'

This has left Ian Allinson, a member of the RS21 group and industrial action co-ordinator for the local Manchester Trades Union Council (MTUC), to act as the mouthpiece for Unite thanks to his relations with the local representatives of the bureaucracy. On Monday, Allinson posted a comment on the agreement, with a link to Unites press release, on the Facebook page of Manchester Left-Wing Forum.

Screenshot of a Facebook comment by Ian Allinson announcing some of the massive concessions made by Unite to Go North West in the sell-out agreement

In it he stated, There is never shame in making concessions when youve put up a real fight. But we should learn from the strike too.

This is a contemptible attempt to shift the responsibility for the sell-out onto bus drivers who have stood up to Go North West. The shame of betrayal belongs solely to Unite, from McCluskey through to its local reps, and to pathetic apologists such as himself.

Allinson offers the warning that there will be battles to come when workers return, and potentially big battles in two years time when bus franchising finally arrives, but claims that when this day comes Unite has pledged to help strikers claw back the concessions it has agreed! Translated from his double-speak, this means, Accept the sell-out and do nothing to rock the boat and disturb Unites cosy relationship with Go North West until 2023!

Even now the agreement reached has not been made public, so we must rely on Allinson, who has seen it, to hint at what it contains. Listing the deals positives, Allinson cites, Winning back nearly all their sick pay! In other words, while the company originally demanded a reduction by 67 percent, Unite has conceded that the sick pay scheme must be revised and workers entitlements cut. He then lists as negatives, Unpaid meals breaks, A longer working day, leading to job losses, Compulsory overtime if a bus runs late.

These concessions, admitted to by a stooge for Unite, are massive. But when all is known they will prove to be only a pale reflection of what has been agreed. On January 25, as Unite finally authorised a strike ballot, it revealed that in negotiations with Go North West, The union proposed a million pounds worth of savings and in addition a further saving of 200,000 as a result of accepting a year long pay freeze for the workers based at the Queens Road Depot.

McCluskey declares in the Unite press release that the outcome of the dispute at Go North West proves Once again, the best defence for working people in this country is their union. The real record of the strike confirms the oppositethat Unite and its various counterparts are unions in name only, dedicated solely to protecting the profits of the corporations amassed through the brutal exploitation and immense suffering they impose on the working class.

Go North West has now been added to this roster of betrayals at British Airways and SPS Technologies, where fire and rehire was withdrawn after the union re-established its role as enforcer of the destruction of workers terms and conditions. The ongoing disputes at Goodlord and Jacob Douwe Egberts face the same danger if Unite maintains its grip.

Go North West will not stand on ceremony for the next two years before imposing fresh attacks on bus drivers, who will be pitched into struggle against the union apparatus like bus workers up and down the country. They will have to sweep aside the corrupt, pro-capitalist trade union apparatus through the formation of and rank and file committees. This is the perspective fought for by the SEP and WSWS.
The World Socialist Web Site unequivocally condemns the one-sided slaughter being carried out by the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) against Gaza. For 10 days, Israeli planes and artillery have rained missiles, bombs and shells on a population of 2 million Palestinians trapped by a merciless and unrelenting Israeli occupation and blockade in the narrow and impoverished coastal enclave.

At least 219 Palestinians have been killed, nearly half of them women and children, while thousands more have been wounded. Some 41,000 Gazans have been forced to flee their homes to makeshift shelters in UN-run schools, while Israels tactics, including the toppling of entire high-rise buildings with smart bombs, have terrorized the entire population.

An Israeli artillery unit fires toward targets in Gaza Strip, at the Israeli Gaza border, Tuesday, May 18, 2021. (AP Photo/Tsafrir Abayov)

Gazas healthcare system is in a state of collapse, with bed space and medical supplies running out. Hospitals that were already overcrowded due to the COVID-19 pandemic now overflow with wounded, many of them suffering grievous injuries. A nurse told Al Jazeera that severed arms and legs were being piled up on a hospital bed.

Damage to infrastructure and the cutoff of fuel to the territory are expected to plunge all of Gaza into a blackout, cutting off power to homes as well as hospitals and clinics, its sewer system and desalinization plant. Those killed by Israeli bombs and shells will only be part of the death toll, as the destruction and disabling of healthcare facilities and basic infrastructure will raise the mortality rate for a long time to come.

It is not only Israel that is guilty of war crimes, but also its chief enabler, US imperialism. In the midst of the bombardment, it was reported the Democratic administration of President Joe Biden formally notified the US Congress on May 5 of a $735 million arms package for Israel that includes Joint Direct Attack Munitions (JDAMs), the very weapons used to turn Gazas tallest buildings into rubble. The approval of this installment of the nearly $4 billion in aid that Washington provides Israel annually makes clear the direct complicity of the entire Democratic Party leadership in the crimes in Gaza.

Meanwhile, Washington has exercised its veto power three times in the course of a week to prevent the UN Security Council from issuing any statement criticizing Israels actions.

The response of the Biden White House to the unfolding massacre in Gaza provides incontrovertible proof of its continuity with the Trump administration, but also with its predecessors under Barack Obama and George W. Bush, which similarly aided and abetted the Israels wars waged in 2008-2009, 2012 and 2014, which together killed at least 3,500 Gazans, the overwhelming majority of them civilians.

Millions of working people and youth all over the world are justifiably outraged not only at Israels war crimes, but also at their hypocritical justification by the likes of Biden and US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, who incessantly mouth the phrase Israel has the right to defend itself. In practice, this means that an occupying power with one of the most advanced war machines in the world has the right to inflict unrestricted death and violence upon the occupied, a virtually defenseless population of refugees trapped in a huge ghetto of Israels own making. On Monday, Biden joined this refrain with a meaningless expression, announced by a spokesperson, of his platonic support for a ceasefire with no date certain.

Overwhelming popular anger over the war crimes in Gaza has found expression in hundreds of protests that have taken place on every continent, save Antarctica. The support for Israeli aggression by the United States and the other imperialist powers notwithstanding, in the eyes of millions around the world, Israel is viewed as pariah, a state that has lost all moral and political legitimacy.

The attempts to brand these protests as anti-Semitic is being seen for what it is, a hamfisted attempt by Israel and its imperialist backers to quash any opposition to their crimes and a libel against millions of Jews all over the world who are shocked and revolted by the actions of the Zionist state.

Anger and protests, however, are not enough. What is required is a political perspective on what has produced these crimes and how they can be stopped.

The eruption of violence against Gaza is driven by the immense crisis and contradictions within Israeli society itself. Tel Avivs decision to go to war was in the first instance an attempt to contain a spiraling political crisis, with the failure to form a viable government after four elections in two years and a prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, who must remain in power to avoid being jailed on corruption charges.

Underlying this political crisis are intractable social contradictions. Israel remains, together with the US, among the most unequal of the OECD countries. According to the annual poverty report by the Israeli aid agency Latet, Israels poverty rate jumped from 20.1 percent to 29.3 percent in 2020, while, with the greatest concentration of billionaires in the world, its richest 20 individuals have amassed a combined wealth of over $61 billion.

The unsustainability of such a social divide has been laid bare by the revolt of Palestinian citizens of Israel, triggered initially by the violent police storming of the al-Aqsa Mosque and increasingly aggressive acts of ethnic cleansing in East Jerusalem. Israeli Palestinians, who make up 20 percent of the countrys population, joined Tuesday in general strike with Palestinians in the occupied territories to protest the assault on Gaza and against Israels apartheid-style race laws that condemn them to less than second-class citizenship. Workers shut down shops, schools and construction sites and stayed away from their jobs across the country.

While Israels ruling camarilla, representing the interests of its billionaire ruling class, seeks a base of support through the promotion of militarism and anti-Arab hatred, unleashing fascist-Zionist gangs on the streets, there is broad hostility to the government and its crimes within the working class and sympathy for the Palestinians. This found expression Sunday in a demonstration by Jewish and Israeli Palestinian healthcare workers outside Haifas Rambam hospital calling for unity, which in embryonic form expresses the drive by the working class to come together in a struggle against their joint oppressor.

Seventy-three years after the founding of the state of Israel and 55 years after the expansionist Six-Day War, the Israeli ruling class and its vast military apparatus have been unable to crush Palestinian resistance, which is inextricably tied to the immense internal contradictions of Israeli society as a whole. In response, the government behaves as if it has lost its head, lashing out with violence that can only deepen its crisis.

Israel finds itself at the end of its road. The entire Zionist projecta reactionary perspective of carving out a sectarian Jewish capitalist state in the Middle East through the dispossession of the Palestinian peoplehas manifestly failed. While Zionist ideology justified this state as a safe haven for Jews in the wake of the Holocaust, the Israeli government institutes race laws and carries out violent crimes that more and more resemble those of the Nazis.

The emergence of mass opposition among Israeli Arabs and the Jewish working class to the crimes of the Israeli state further underscores the utter unviability of the Zionist project. As the efforts over decades to drive a wedge between Palestinian and Jewish workers break down, raising the prospect of a working-class revolt, Israel is incapable of surviving except through the resort to totalitarian dictatorship.

Israels crisis is bound up with the breakdown of the entire nation-state system of the Middle East created through the formation of nominally independent states based on the borders drawn by the former colonial powers. The venal Arab bourgeoisie has dropped its charade of supporting the Palestinians and its promotion of the chimera of a two-state solution as it seeks to defend its own rule against rising social opposition by drawing closer to Israel and imperialism. A decade after the bloody suppression of the Egyptian Revolution, all of the states bordering IsraelLebanon, Jordan, Syria and Egypt itselfare wracked by internal conflict, while the broader Middle East has been devastated by US wars.

Hamas, the dominant political force in Gaza, is likewise incapable of offering any progressive alternative. Like the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO), it is wedded to the so-called two-state solution, that would maintain Gaza and the West Bank as Palestinian ghettos under the thumb of Zionist state. Under conditions where a rebellion is developing inside Israel itself, Hamas is incapable of making any appeal to the Israeli Arab population, let alone the Jewish working class.

General Mark Milley, chairman of the US Joint Chiefs of Staff, warned Monday that there could be broader destabilization and a whole series of negative consequences if the fighting continues in Gaza. The fear, clearly, is that the events in Israel and the occupied territories can trigger revolutionary upheavals throughout the region, while also posing the threat of a far wider war, in the first instance against Iran.

These alternatives, war and revolution, are posed not only in the Middle East, but on a world scale. In the face of a global pandemic that has claimed 3.5 million lives, the imperialist powers are conducting a massive military buildup in preparation for global war.

The same pandemic has provoked social opposition in the working class and a worldwide escalation of the class struggle that is paving the way to social revolution.

Therein lies the road forward for the working masses of the entire Middle East. The central question is that of overcoming the crisis of perspective and leadership.

The dead end of bourgeois nationalism, from Nasserism to the PLO, has thoroughly vindicated Leon Trotskys Theory of Permanent Revolution. It established that in the imperialist epoch, the realization of the basic tasks of liberation from imperialist oppression in the oppressed countries cannot be resolved under the leadership of the national bourgeoisie, which is thoroughly tied to and dependent upon imperialism. They can be achieved only through the independent political intervention of the working class on the basis of a socialist and internationalist program.

The military assault on Gaza and the growing revolt within Israel itself pose with utmost urgency the struggle to unite the working class, Arab, Jewish and Iranian, across all national and sectarian divides, in a common struggle for a Socialist Federation of the Middle East as part of the fight to put an end to capitalism all over the world.

The vital task of mobilizing the working class on the basis of this program depends upon the building of a new revolutionary leadership, organized as sections of the International Committee of the Fourth International in every country.
With opposition among 2,500 Nexteer auto parts workers in Saginaw, Michigan growing on the eve of Fridays vote on a new five-year labor agreement at the former General Motors plant, the United Auto Workers and its cronies are desperately trying to cut off workers from the information they need to defeat the sellout deal. This has been centered on efforts to censor the World Socialist Web Site Autoworker Newsletter, which has provided a voice for workers to oppose the deal and organize independently of the UAW to fight for the demands they need.

Beginning last week, members of the Socialist Equality Party and Nexteer workers who oppose the agreement shared Autoworker Newsletter articles with the Facebook group "saginaw unions no holds bar," a private group of approximately 2,200 unionized workers in the Saginaw, Michigan area. The material shared, which included a report on the most recent no vote by Volvo Truck workers in Virginia, as well as a call for Nexteer workers to vote no on the proposed deal, was removed within minutes of their respective posting. Several subsequent attempts to share these articles were also taken down by the administrators. WSWS Autoworker Newsletter editor Jerry White, who had been a member of saginaw unions no holds bar since 2016, was removed from the group after making an appeal to the administrators to restore the posts.

Facebook group that censored WSWS articles

Nexteer workers comprise a large portion of the membership of the online group. The forums organizers attempt to present the group as an environment where workers disillusioned with the UAW can vent their frustrations and organize rank-and-file opposition. No holds bar is a play on the wrestling term no holds barred, meaning all-out combat not limited by any rules or restrictions. However, the group is tightly controlled by current and aspiring local union officials who are always looking over their shoulders to make sure nothing too radical is said, which could burn their bridges with the UAW and Democratic Party.

The new agreement, known as TA2, is widely hated by workers and is seen as a continuation of the UAWs previous concessionary contracts. The 233-page contract was leaked to the membership through unofficial channels, including the Facebook group, this weekend. Only on Tuesday was the Friday vote announced by Local 699, giving workers just a week to review. In its current form, the agreement continues poverty wages of barely $15 an hour for new hires and gives the company free range to expand its relentless assault on the livelihoods of workers through the continuation of tier systems, the hiring of part-time workers and subcontracted labor.

The WSWS Autoworker Newsletter has increasingly become the organizing center and voice of opposition, with growing numbers of workers inquiring about building a rank-and-file committee at the plant, independent of the UAW.

The "saginaw unions no holds bar" group regularly posts articles from the Wall Street Journal, the two Detroit newspaper mouthpieces of the auto industry, and other corporate-controlled media. It also posts campaign material for candidates running for positions at UAW Local 699 and other unions.

In a message opposing the censorship, White told the administrators, Is your page going to be policed to prevent any dissident voices from being heard or is it a forum for workers to discuss the most pressing issues they confront? If you ban our articles, while posting one article after another from the corporate media, then you are practicing censorship and that only helps the auto bosses. This page should not be run like a UAW meeting where union execs pull the plug on your mic or physically threaten you because you oppose their collusion with the corporations. I am sure that Nexteer workers will protest being denied access to information that they need.

After initially feigning concern, then attempting to shift the responsibility for the removal onto the other members of the three-person moderator team, one admin replied smugly, Thanks for telling me how my page should be ran? Shortly afterward, White was removed from the group.

A Saginaw Nexteer worker of 11 years denounced the "saginaw unions no holds bar" group for its censorship of WSWS material and voiced his opposition to the TA2 contract. My vote is a hard NO for this contract. We dont have a career anymore  this is just a job.  The things described in articles by the WSWS are what Ive been grilling the union about. But they just get pissed off and walk away because their own story doesnt add up. Im trying to spread the word around to get people to vote no  Thanks to the Autoworker Newsletter for letting me know that Im not alone in feeling this way."

He added, Im not a member of 'saginaw unions no holds bar' because I wasnt admitted. There are way too many union reps in there who are in bed with the company. They have a clique and they bully people into their beliefs. If you dont comply you get harassed at work bad, and you can even get fired over it. I have a colleague who was victimized over a post he made in the group. But youre good with them as long as you vote how they tell you to.

By censoring the WSWS, the Facebook group is doing the dirty work of Nexteer and the UAW, and demonstrating where it really stands regarding this sellout contract. Nexteer and other workers should demand that "saginaw unions no holds bar" ends its ban on WSWS articles and restores membership to those it has removed.

The WSWS Autoworker Newsletter urges Nexteer employees to reject the sellout agreement and form a rank-and-file committee to take the conduct of the struggle out of the hands of the UAW and mobilize workers to fight for the demands they need, including substantial pay raises and the abolition of the two-tier wage system. To join the fight contact us at autoworker@wsws.org or visit our page on building rank-and-file committees.
press release

Amnesty International UK is delighted to announce the appointment of Sacha Deshmukh as its new interim Chief Executive Officer.

He will lead Amnesty UK until at least January 2022 as the organisation undergoes its search for a permanent CEO.

Deshmukh has a long record of working with human rights. He spent six years as Chair of the Board of War Child UK, and was previously the Deputy Chair of Citizens Advice England & Wales. Deshmukh replaces Kate Allen, who is retiring after 21 years.

Sacha Deshmukh said:

"I am honoured to take up this role. I've been an avid supporter of Amnesty for decades.

"My first priority will be to put the building blocks in place to deliver Amnesty's new eight-year strategy, which will tackle the root causes of human rights abuses. I want to create an inclusive and rights-respecting culture which allows the brilliant people who work and volunteer for Amnesty to thrive.

"On 28 May we celebrate our 60th anniversary, but with issues ranging from the crisis in Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories, ongoing repression in Myanmar and the clampdown on dissent in Hong Kong, the need for Amnesty has rarely been greater.

"To be able to play a role in the Amnesty movement at such a vital time for human rights - both here and in so many countries around the world - is a privilege."

Kate Allen added:

"In the 21 years I have had the privilege of leading AIUK, I have been inspired by the people I have worked with and met. I am proud that we have become a truly international movement, with more focus in the Global South.

"I am happy to now hand over to Sacha. I believe the organisation we both love is in very safe hands.

"I had planned to retire last year but stayed on to help maintain stability during the pandemic. Now is the time to move on."
Spains Socialist Party (PSOE)-Podemos government, backed by the European Union (EU), has reacted to desperate migrants crossing from Morocco into Spain by deploying the army, special forces and antiriot police to round up and expel thousands. It is threatening to use mass violence to prevent new cross-border entries and whipping up tensions with Morocco.

These horrific scenes testify to the barbaric character of the capitalist system. On one side of the Mediterranean, Israel is bombing Gazas defenceless population with the support of Washington and the EU, and on the other side, the EU is deploying the brutality of its antimigrant policy. While the full force of the EUs military is arrayed against the migrants, thousands of them are left to drown in the Mediterranean each year.

Starting in the early morning hours on Monday, hundreds of migrants, mostly young men, adolescents and children and even whole families with babies, began crossing into the Spanish enclave of Ceuta, just north of Morocco in Africa. Most swam around the six-metre fence that juts out into the sea or walked across at low tide. Many used inflatable rings and rubber dinghies. By yesterday evening, the number reached 8,000, including 1,500 minors.

The border of Morocco and Spain at the Spanish enclave of Ceuta, May 18, 2021. (AP Photo/Mosa'ab Elshamy)

Several had to be treated for hypothermia, and at least one person drowned.

Reports indicate that most are from Morocco, where the repercussions of the economic crisis caused by the COVID-19 pandemic have led to a dramatic rise in poverty and unemployment. A third of families have lost their main source of income in the past year.

The PSOE-Podemos government, promoted in the media as having a more humane policy towards migrants when it came to power in mid-2018, reacted violently, denouncing these defenceless people as a national security threat.

Referring to Spanish residents of Ceuta, Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez said his government would respond with the utmost firmness to ensure their safety and defend their integrity as part of the country in the face of any threat. Deputy Prime Minister Carmen Calvo called it an aggression against the Spanish borders, accusing Morocco of allowing this to happen.

Yesterday, hundreds of soldiers in armoured vehicles were deployed on the beaches. Over 200 antiriot police were mobilised to back the 1,100 police already stationed in Ceuta. Soldiers and police used batons to clear migrants from the beach and threw smoke bombs to discourage others from crossing. The anti-working class unit, the Guardia Civils GRS, specialised in suppressing strikes and protests, was also deployed.

Adult migrants found on the street were taken to the Benoliel Stadium and then deported, in violation of international law, with over 4,000 deported to Morocco in 24 hours.

According to El Pais, the deportations were carried out without any legal formality. The Ceuta Bar Association confirmed that its lawyers had not even been asked to legally assist returnees, as required by law and as often occurs when there are sudden influxes of migrants.

The EU quickly endorsed Spains ruthless response. European Commission Vice President Margaritis Schinas tweeted that the enclaves frontier was a European border, expressing full solidarity with Spain and calling for strong protection of our borders.

The Spanish Communist Party, part of the Podemos coalition in government, also supported it, cynically saying: Spain must defend its sovereignty and compliance with international law against blackmail by Morocco, which does not hesitate to put the lives of thousands of people at risk.

This was apparently a reference to heightened tensions between Madrid and Rabat over the Western Sahara war between Morocco and the Polisario, the Sahrawi independence movement demanding independence of Western Sahara from Morocco. Earlier this month, Madrid decided to secretly host Brahim Ghali, the leader of the bourgeois nationalist Polisario Front, which is also supported by Algeria. Ghali was hospitalised in northern Spain, after he was infected with COVID-19.

After this news leaked, Moroccan Foreign Minister Naser Burita asked whether Madrid plans to sacrifice relations with Morocco by failing to inform Rabat of Ghalis presence in Spain. Why doesnt Spain consider [that] it should have to inform Morocco of the presence of Ghali? Would they rather consort with the enemies of Morocco? This is a test of our relationship, Burita said. Spanish media are implying that Rabats decision to allow migrants to cross over into Spain was its response to these diplomatic tensions.

Whatever the truth of such allegations that the Moroccan monarchy deliberately opened its borders, the true criminals here are the EU and the PSOE-Podemos government. Masses of victims of imperialist wars, fleeing poverty and hunger in countries brutally exploited by transnational corporations, are being hunted by EU security forces and Frontex, the border security agency, and being allowed to die in their thousands at sea. Thousands more are imprisoned in concentration camps in Greece and on Spains Canary Islands.

Sanchezs declaration that he must defend Spains territorial integrity against migrants arriving in Ceuta is a barely disguised threat to use deadly force against them. In this, Sanchez is aided by a corrupt media, which is denouncing migrant caravans and branding arriving migrants as an invasion.

To understand the nature of such threats, one must recall the 2014 infamous Tarajal Massacre, when heavily armed police fired tear gas and rubber bullets on migrants attempting to swim across Ceuta. They left 15 dead, most of them drowning after suffocating on tear gas in the water. Police were subsequently cleared of all charges.

The violence against these migrants is a warning to the working class in Spain, across Europe and internationally. World capitalism faces its deepest social and economic crisis since the 1930s due to the pandemic and mounting working class anger after governments calls to live with the virus have led to millions of deaths. A government that can so rapidly turn the armed forces against defenceless migrants is preparing to do so at home, as well.

Europes far right was quick to seize on the PSOE-Podemos governments brutal anti-migrant policy to demand similar measures in their own countries. Matteo Salvini, leader of the Italian far-right Lega party, tweeted: Spain, with a left-wing government, deploys the Army on its border to block illegal entrances. We await news from the Viminale [Interior Ministry]. Salvini suggested that Italy should also deploy the army against migrants.

In France, the leader of the far-right National Rally, Marine Le Pen, blamed the EU for the massive influx of immigrants to Ceuta, saying, Contrary to the reassuring words of our leaders, the EU is a sieve where everyone enters. This has to stop. This comes just weeks after she supported fascistic letters signed by 23 retired generals and thousands of active-duty military denouncing Muslims and Frances working class suburbs and pledging to intervene and kill thousands in France.

In Spain, far-right Vox leader Santiago Abascal attacked Sanchez on esRadio for not being violent enough, saying, There can only be a response of force at this time. You have to send the army but not to watch: to do what is necessary. Abascal said the migrants are not refugees, they are soldiers who obey their government, referring to Morocco.

Such remarks only underscore the reactionary character of the European ruling establishment as a whole. Indeed, the petty-bourgeois pseudo-left Podemos party, after having postured as a radical democratic party earlier on after its foundation in 2014, is working with the PSOE to implement an antimigrant policy set by the far right.

Precisely 85 years ago, in 1936, Spanish army units schooled in the use of bloody violence in Morocco launched a coup and a civil war that installed a four-decade fascist dictatorship in Spain under General Francisco Franco. As Spanish officers close to Vox threaten a coup today and denounce strikes demanding a shelter-at-home policy against the coronavirus, urgent warnings are necessary. It is critical to oppose this brutal attack on migrants because history shows this violence is inevitably turned against the workers at home.
The Washington Post has been in the forefront of promoting the vilification of China as the US ramps up its confrontation with Beijing and preparations for war. This includes the lie that the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) regime is engaged in the genocide of the Muslim Uyghur minority in Xinjiang in western China.

A Washington Post editorial on Sunday entitled Chinas repression of Uyghurs is not only cultural, but also physical, a new report shows begins by selectively quoting the 1948 UN Convention on the Prevention of the Crime of Genocide. It cites the conventions Article II (d) which declares that genocide including imposing measures intended to prevent births within a population, then refers to two reports showing sharp falls in the birth rates among Uyghurs in Xinjiang.

The citation is deliberately misleading as the editorial fails to quote the opening of Article II which states: genocide means any of the following acts committed with intent to destroy, in whole or in part, a national, ethnical, racial or religious group. Without this necessary context, any birth control program could be seized upon as evidence that the government involved is carrying out genocide.

A protester holds an anti-China placard during a protest in Istanbul, Thursday, March 25, against against the visit of China's FM Wang Yi to Turkey. (AP Photo/Emrah Gurel)

On this basis, Chinas One-Child policy introduced by Deng Xiaoping in 1979, as he was initiating the processes of capitalist restoration, could be construed as genocide as it was selectively applied to the urban population of the Han majority. National minorities, including the Uyghurs, were exempt from the policy and allowed to have two or even three children. Rural communities were also granted some exemptions.

It is, of course, absurd to label the One-Child policy, which was certainly a bureaucratic and repressive response to an expanding population, as genocide of the Chinese Han majority. But then it is just as absurd to label the current policies being carried out in Xinjiang against the Uyghurs as genocide on the basis of falling birth rates.

The Stalinist CCP regime is certainly carrying out repression against the Uyghurs in Xinjiang as part of its domestic war on terrorism and the threat posed by Uyghur separatismas it does against any threat to its rule, particularly from the working class.

The lack of independent information makes it impossible to gauge the extent of the police-state measures directed against the Uyghurs. On the one hand, the CCP denies its trampling on democratic rights and paints a rosy picture of life in Xinjiang. On the other, US imperialism and its allies are ratcheting up a filthy propaganda campaign based on misrepresentations and falsehoods to demonise China as it prepares for war.

The US has justified every one of its wars of aggressionitself a war crime in international lawover the past three decades on the basis of lies. Its campaigns on human rights are turned on and turned off to suit its strategic interests. The Biden administration, which condemns China for genocide, has given the green light for the Zionist state of Israel to wage its murderous war on terrorism against the Palestinians.

Indeed, as it was seeking support for its own criminal war on terrorism and invasions of Afghanistan and Iraq, the Bush administration backed Chinas war on terror in Xinjiang. Now as US imperialism intensifies its war drive against Beijing, it no longer sanctions Uyghur separatists as terrorists and is marshalling its propaganda outlets to condemn Chinas genocide of the Uyghurs. Xinjiang has become a particular focus for American misinformation as it is strategically located adjacent to Central Asia and is essential to the land routes to Europe envisaged in Beijings Belt-and-Road Initiative to unify Eurasia and counter US encirclement.

The Washington Post is integrated into this campaign as have those responsible for the two reports referred to in its Sundays editorial. The first published last year by right-wing, anti-communist German academic Adrian Zenz pioneered the comparison of birth rates in predominantly Uyghur counties in Xinjiang to those of predominantly Han counties. Like all of Zenzs research, including his widely-cited figures on the number of Uyghurs in detention centres, his methodology is riddled with flaws and his findings crafted to reach a predetermined conclusion. He is a born-again Christian who declares he has been led by God to his work on Chinese minorities.

The editorial is focused primarily on the stark figures in the second report produced this month by the Australian Strategic Policy Institute (ASPI)a government-supported think tank that also receives funding from American sources. Citing the report, it declares that China has put in place a more coercive and intrusive policing of reproduction processes against the Uyghurs, with hefty fines, disciplinary punishment and extrajudicial internment or the threat of it for any illegal births. Birth rates for Uyghurs plunged by 43.7 percent between 2017 and 2018.

It is necessary to consider the context. In 2016, as it was moving to ease its One-Child policy for China as a whole, Beijing ended its comparatively liberal approach to national minorities in Xinjiang that not only allowed urban Uyghur women to have two children and rural Uyghur women up to three, but effectively turned a blind eye to larger families, especially in rural areas.

As part of its war on terrorism, Xinjiang authorities began applying similar coercive and intrusive policing of reproduction processesincluding the insertion of IUDs and sterilisationsas had applied for decades to the majority Han population elsewhere in China. According to Wikipedia, between 1980 and 2014, 324 million Chinese women received IUDs and 108 million were sterilised. The insertion of an IUD was mandatory by law four months after the birth of the first child.

Of course, wealthier layers of the population able to pay the fine or the necessary bribes, were never limited to one child. Just as Zenz, ASPI and the Washington Post have nothing to say about the CCPs anti-democratic measures against the Chinese working class, so they do not refer to the repressive One-Child policy that was directed above all against working-class women in urban centres.

Moreover, ASPI, like Zenz, in presenting its dramatic, if questionable, figures fails to take other factors into account, in particular the exodus of Uyghurs from Xinjiang, either as a consequence of the CCPs oppressive measures or in search of better opportunities in coastal China. Many of those who left will have been young, including women of child-bearing age, which would also have skewed the Uyghur population and contributed to lower the birth rates. To what extent it is unknown. But neither ASPI nor Zenz bothered to consider, let alone investigate the issue, as it did not fit their pre-conceived conclusions.

As for the Washington Post, it seizes on the most dramatic declines in birth rates to insist that global corporations, such as Airbnb, Bridgestone, Intel, Coca-Cola, P&G, Samsung, Toyota, Visa, Panasonic and others, end their support for Chinas 2022 Winter Olympics as a sign of protest.

Either you believe in never again, or you contribute to once again, the editorial concludes, deliberately drawing a connection to the Nazi murder of Jews that prompted the phrase never again and the 1948 Convention on Genocide. The comparison between the CCPs policy of lowering Uyghur birthrates and the systematic extermination of Jews in Nazi gas chambers is not only false but also diminishes the monstrous crimes of the Nazis and devalues the meaning of term genocide.
The Virgin Independent Pilots Association (VIPA) and the Transport Workers Union (TWU) confirmed this month that they will amalgamate the two unions by July, subject to a vote of pilots.

Both unions have been talking up the supposed benefits for pilots and other Virgin Australia workers of the merger, but it has nothing to do with defending the jobs and conditions of airline workers.

Its real purpose is to strengthen the capacity of the union bureaucracy to prevent any opposition to the ongoing restructuring drive by Virgin to drastically slash costs at workers expense. This has been the agenda implemented from day one by the airlines new owners, US private equity firm Bain Capital.

Virgin Australia Airbus A320 at Christmas Island International Airport [Source: Wikimedia Commons]

Speaking to the media, VIPA president John Lyons declared the merger will help boost the voice of pilots and give us added strength across the industry. TWU national secretary Michael Kaine claimed it will give our members a stronger voice not just in Virgin but across the aviation landscape. Kaine insisted that both unions are focused on lifting standards in aviation and using our collective strength to achieve that.

The record of the unions shows the fraud of this pretence.

Virgin went into administration in March 2020, owing banks and other creditors more than $6.8 billion. Immediately after Bains $3.5 billion buyout of Virgin was finalised last November, the airline slashed 3,000 jobs and ditched its carriers low-cost airline TigerAir at the cost of hundreds of jobs. All 220 pilot positions at TigerAir had already been shed.

Kaine welcomed this ruthless restructure, saying Bains plan to restart Virgin Australia as a leaner operation offered a glimmer of hope for the future. Other unions covering Virgins workforce made similar statements.

Their purpose was to telegraph the unions willingness to collaborate with Bain in further cost-cutting, starting with the closed-door negotiations for four new enterprise bargaining agreements (EBAs) that began late last year.

Virgins CEO Jayne Hrdlicka, installed by Bain, praised the unions for delivering on the companys demands. Weve asked a lot of them [the unions] as a result of the operating environment we find ourselves in, and we are grateful for their understanding and support throughout, she said.

The TWU, along with the FAAA (Flight Attendants Association of Australia), ASU (Australian Services Union) and ALAEA (Australian Licensed Aircraft Engineers Association) then got to work to ensure their members endorsed the in-principle wage-cutting deals they had already signed. The EBAs cover cabin crew, baggage handlers, ramp workers, cleaners, caterers, refuellers and security workers

The three-year agreements centre on 18-month to two-year pay freezes, and stays on the payment of a range of other allowances. They involve deep cuts to real pay and conditions, including for flight attendants, ground staff and other low-paid workers.

Under the ASU deal, for example, the highest pay rate for the most experienced and most qualified guest service workers remained at the base rate of just $27.27 an hour, while trainees were stuck at $22.22 and new recruits unable to rise above $24.64. Only 18 percent of the workforce must be full-time, leaving the vast majority on part-time work, and only guaranteed a minimum of 20 hours a week.

The unions claimed the EBAs provided guarantees that no more of Virgins roughly 6,000-strong workforce, covered by the four unions, would be outsourced in the meantime.

In reality, the unions, anticipating rank-and-file opposition, cynically utilised the companys threat that Virgin workers would face deeper job cuts via outsourcing unless they accepted the wage freeze deals. On that basis, they pushed through endorsement of the EBAs in membership ballots last month.

Moreover, the outsourcing guarantee is worthless. It could quickly be jettisoned by Virgin under conditions where competitors such as Qantas continue to exploit the crisis in the aviation sector produced by COVID-19 to further restructure their operations to boost profits and gain a competitive edge.

Since the outset of the pandemic, Qantas has laid off around 8,500 employees or close to a third of its workforce. The company is now outsourcing over 2,000 positions, including baggage handlers, ramp workers and cabin cleaners.

The TWU blocked any fight by workers against the Qantas outsourcing, instead pushing the issue into the Federal Court and burying it in a Senate inquiry. These moves were initiated after the TWU failed to convince Qantas to employ the union itself as the cheap labour contractor for the outsourcing operation.

Cut-throat competition will only intensify if the airlines in Australia and internationally are successful in their bids to pressure governments to abandon restrictions and prematurely fully reopen global air travel. That will see the further continuous setting of ever-more exploitative benchmarks across the worldwide aviation industry.

To soften up Virgin workers for more job cuts overseen by the unions, Kaine warned: Virgins future is far from certain with the pandemic continuing to play havoc with air travel and the disastrous vaccine rollout casting doubt on the resumption of normal travel into and around Australia.

In a grovelling display of unity with Bain, Kaine presented the unions sell-out deals and the managements attacks on jobs and working conditions as the outcome of the tireless work of Virgin staff to get the airline back on its feet. This is in line with the program pursued by all the trade unions: subordinating workers interests to those of the wealthy corporate elite.

Kaine said workers would hold Virgins new owners to account over promises made to keep a full-service airline and to get Virgin back to its position as Australias strong second airline.

Similar threats of job losses will be used by the unions to impose a regressive deal on Virgins pilots, and on workers at other airlines. Eager to further prove the unions worth to Bain as a reliable industrial police force, Kaine urged Virgin to finalise this process [EBA negotiations], claiming this would give pilots the certainty they require about their futures.

Virgin and Qantas have continued to slash jobs and conditions despite receiving repeated multi-billion-dollar support packages and wage subsidies from the Liberal-National government, backed by the Labor Party opposition.

Around the globe, airlines have axed tens of thousands of jobs over the past year, despite similar massive bailouts by governments, while the unions have suppressed workers opposition.

Airline workers must take stock of the situation that they face. The record demonstrates that the fight to defend and improve jobs and working conditions requires a decisive break with the unions, which act as direct agencies of the airline companies.

New genuine working-class organisations have to be built, including a network of rank-and-file committees across the aviation industry in Australia and globally to organise a unified counter offensive by workers against the employers escalating attacks. That is why the International Committee of the Fourth International is calling for the building of an International Workers Alliance of Rank-and-File Committees (IWA-RFC).

This struggle requires a socialist perspective that rejects the dictates of the financial elite, including the owners of Bain and Qantas, and fights for workers governments to place aviation and all essential industries under public ownership and the democratic control of the working class, to be used for social need, not private profit.
TERRE HAUTE, Ind. (WTHI) - The 12-Points neighborhood will see some major improvements.

The revitalization group had 45 days to raise $50,000. Then, the Indiana Housing and Community Development Authority would match it.

On Wednesday, they completed that goal.

Mark Baker with the 12 Points Revitalization group told us they want to continue to raise money.

With the help of the community, the group raised $50,000 in just 26 days.
TERRE HAUTE, Ind. (WTHI) - The rain stayed away long enough on Tuesday for kids to celebrate physical activity outside.

Saint Patrick School in Terre Haute hosted the Race for Education.

This is a fundraiser for the school. It helps raise money for STEM programs.

The sixth graders say they appreciate the people and businesses that sponsor this event each year.
TERRE HAUTE, Ind. (WTHI) - Both partners in the Terre Haute casino project say it's a matter of when constriction will begin - not if.

Terre Haute businessman Greg Gibson from Lucky Luck Gaming told News 10's Jon Swaner they remain committed to the project.

Meanwhile, the gaming commission remains tightlipped about Terre Haute's project ahead of its next public meeting.

Terre Haute Mayor Duke Bennett said he's confident in a good result.

LINK | Hard Rock Cafe Terre Haute: Proposed 'Rocksino' would have four restaurants, four bars, and around 1,000 gaming stations

"We see that as another market, different from this one, and certainly the greater Indianapolis area and Terre Haute, we've done very well in competition against some of our competitors, and we think we'll do very well over these," Bennett said.

Hard Rock says the Terre Haute casino will have a similar look and feel to the new Gary, Indiana casino - just on a smaller scale.

The gaming commission meets virtually on Tuesday. We will continue to follow this story and bring you more as it becomes available.
TERRE HAUTE, Ind. (WTHI) -- May is national Huntington's Disease Awareness Month. The disease causes cells in the brain to break down at a rapid pace. This disease is found mainly in adults, but children can get it too.

It's something no parent ever wants to hear, that their child has been diagnosed with a fatal disease.

In December of 2020, six-year-old Hunner Goldman was diagnosed with Juvenile Huntington's Disease.

It affects only 5% of children and has no cure.

Ashley Goldman is Hunner's mom.

She said when she first found out about his diagnosis, she was in shock. She quickly had to quit her job to take care of her son.

Ashley said the disease has rapidly progressed since his first diagnosis months ago.

Hunner has to now wear a helmet because he is starting to have trouble walking. His family said his speech has slowed down and he now has trouble eating and drinking.

His mom told News 10 she just wants to be able to keep Hunner smiling for as long as possible.

Ashley said, "Today we were talking about getting him in a wheelchair and I figured that it would be another couple of months from now but they're already looking into that. So, it's a very rough situation. I wouldn't pray it on anybody that's for sure.

Jennifer Travis is Hunner's grandmother. She said this entire journey has been something she, and her family never thought they would have to go through.

Travis said, "You know I ask the neurologist what can I do and she said 'there is nothing you can do. Do everything that you can now because next year is going to be different."

Ever since the diagnosis, the family has been working very closely with the Make A Wish Foundation.

However, because of travel restrictions from the pandemic, the foundation was not able to fulfill Hunner's dream of going to Disney World.

So, family and friends took matters into their own hands by starting a Go-Fund-Me page to make Hunner's wish come true.

Friend of the family Alexandra Nemneman said she's doing everything she can to help Hunner have a childhood.

Nemneman said, "What would normally be over the course of years we're trying to cram into just a short period of time so he can have all these wonderful experiences with his family while he's still able to."

Hunner's family said the support they have gotten so far from the community has been tremendous so far, but they still need your help in order to make his dreams come true.

If you want to donate to help Hunner get to Disney World you can click here.

If you can't donate and want to send Hunner a card, gifts, or a present the family has set up a P.O. Box.

That address is 4888 S Rogers Street Box 124 Clear Creek, Indiana 47426.
HUNTSVILLE, Ala. (AP)  Amazon has announced plans for a new warehouse that will bring more than 500 jobs to north Alabama.

The announcement comes just weeks after workers at another company facility in the state soundly defeated a push for unionization.

The company says the order fulfillment center will be built near a new Mazda Toyota vehicle factory thats being constructed west of Huntsville in Limestone County.

Amazon already has warehouses near Mobile and in suburban Birmingham.

Employees at the Bessemer facility last month voted decisively against forming a union.

That cut off a drive that labor activists had hoped would lead to similar efforts throughout the company.
TUPELO, Miss. (WTVA) - Tupelo police responded to a deadly shooting Tuesday evening.

Police Capt. Chuck McDougald said officers responded at 6:00 to the 300 block of King Street.

Crime scene on King Street, Photo Date: May 19, 2021 Crime scene on King Street, Photo Date: May 19, 2021

An adult male was found dead at the scene, according to police.

A death investigation is underway and police detained a person of interest.

Lee County Coroner Carolyn Green later identified the shooting victim as Lorenzin Brown, 24, of Tupelo.

An autopsy will be performed.
Charleston, WV (25301)

Today

Scattered thunderstorms during the morning becoming more widespread this afternoon. High 78F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 90%. Localized flooding is possible..

Tonight

Thunderstorms likely this evening. Then a chance of scattered thunderstorms overnight. Low near 65F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 80%.
press release

Beirut  Release Mother Still in Custody

Egyptian authorities should immediately and unconditionally release Hoda Abdel Hamid, apparently detained solely for filing a complaint about the alleged torture and sexual assault of her detained son, Human Rights Watch said today.

Police and National Security Agency officers arrested Abdel Hamid, mother of Abdelrahman Gamal Metwally al-Showeikh, as well as his father, Gamal, 65, and sister, Salsbeel, 18, in an April 26, 2021, raid on their home in Cairo. The father and sister were later released. The authorities should swiftly carry out an independent, transparent investigation of al-Showeikh's torture and sexual assault allegations and bring anyone responsible to justice.

"Instead of investigating Hoda Abdel Hamid's report that her son had faced horrific torture and sexual assault in prison, Egyptian authorities are persecuting the messenger," said Joe Stork, deputy Middle East and North Africa director at Human Rights Watch. "Arresting Abdelrahman al-Showeikh's family strongly underscores the abysmal state of Egypt's so-called justice system."

Al-Showeikh, 29, has been detained in Minya Maximum-Security Prison, 240 kilometers south of Cairo, for 15 months. On April 16, Abdel Hamid posted on her now-deleted Facebook account a letter her son had passed to her when she visited him a day earlier. It said that on April 6 a fellow prisoner with whom he has quarreled, with the assistance and complicity of several prison officers and guards, tied him up, ripped off his clothes, and sexually assaulted him "in several ways." The two-page letter, which Human Rights Watch reviewed, named the other prisoner and four of the officers.

The Office of the Prosecutor General, the National Council for Human Rights, and the State Information Service did not respond to a letter Human Rights Watch sent on May 12 inquiring about the incident and steps taken to investigate it.

In his letter, al-Showeikh urged his mother to report the incident. "Do everything you can. Submit a complaint to the prosecutor general, the human rights [organizations] everywhere ... and the United Nations," he wrote. "I was very hesitant to write about this to you because it will upset you. I am sorry but it is very difficult, and I had to tell you ... I beg you not to stay silent." Al-Showeikh wrote that he was attacked after he complained that the money his family deposited with the prison administration was stolen. He also wrote that he intended to start a hunger strike.

In her Facebook post, which went viral, Abdel Hamid said that when she visited her son on April 15 al-Showeikh appeared "sad and worn out," and, "He did not seem himself."

Following the meeting with her son, Abdel Hamid wrote in her post, she submitted a verbal complaint to the prison warden and the officer present during her visit. Later that day, she submitted a written complaint at Minya public prosecution headquarters, with details of the April 6 attack including the names of the alleged attackers.

Around April 19, the Minya public prosecution summoned Abdel Hamid and al-Showeikh and separately heard their accounts without lawyers present.

Abdel Hamid said in a separate video she posted on April 25, in a tearful voice, that the wife of one of al-Showeikh's fellow prisoners informed her that after the prosecution's hearing al-Showeikh was repeatedly beaten and abused to the extent that he was transferred to the prison hospital more than once. Abdel Hamid did not say whether her son was abused by the same people who had attacked him before.

Omar al-Showeikh, Abdelrahman's younger brother, who lives in Turkey, posted on April 25 on Facebook that the prison administration sent to the prosecution several prisoners as witnesses who claimed that al-Showeikh was on medication for a mental illness, a claim his family firmly rejected. "Abdelrahman was a [conscript] soldier in the military police, how come he becomes mentally ill only after I reported the incident at the prosecution," Abdel Hamid said in her April 25 video.

Omar al-Showeikh, who himself earlier had been detained and tortured in Egypt, told Human Rights Watch that the next day, April 26, roughly 15 uniformed, armed police officers and others in civilian clothes, most likely National Security (NSA) officers, raided Abdel Hamid's home and arrested her and her husband and daughter; their 12-year-old son witnessed the raid. The police photographed the family in their pajamas and arrested them without allowing them to change their clothes, Omar al-Showeikh said.

He said that they were taken to the National Security Agency's building in Cairo's al-Ma'sara district. The father and the sister were transferred the next morning to the NSA building in the family's hometown in Suez city, 125 kilometers east of Cairo. Salsbeel appeared before the Suez public prosecution on April 29, where she was interrogated on accusations of administering an opposition Facebook page. On April 30, prosecutors ordered her release pending investigations.

Omar said that on April 27, their mother appeared before the State Security Prosecution in Cairo, which ordered her pretrial detention for 15 days on charges of joining a terrorist organization and spreading false news after adding her to Case 900 of 2021. The authorities later transferred her to al-Qanater women's prison.

Gamal al-Showeikh, was released on May 5, his son said, after about 10 days of incommunicado detention without access to family or lawyers or his medications for heart and liver conditions. He told his family that the authorities questioned him about Omar's activities in Turkey and threatened to arrest him again should the family continue to speak up.

Omar al-Showeikh said that prosecutors wanted to summon Abdelrahman al-Showeikh again but the prison administration refused to transfer him. Then someone who did not identify himself visited al-Showeikh in prison and "superficially" examined him. When al-Showeikh asked him if he was from the forensic authority, the person told him it was "none of your business."

Omar al-Showeikh also said that an officer visited al-Showeikh twice and warned him to withdraw his complaints. Prison officers are not allowing him access to lawyers or privacy in his family visits, the brother said. "They are pressuring him a lot to drop his complaints."

Prosecutor General Hamada al-Sawy should immediately transfer al-Showeikh to a safe place, allow him full and unhindered access to legal counsel, and ensure that the authorities take all necessary measures to prevent any further retaliation against him and his family, Human Rights Watch said.

Close Sign up for free AllAfrica Newsletters Get the latest in African news delivered straight to your inbox Top Headlines Egypt Human Rights NGO By submitting above, you agree to our privacy policy. Success! Almost finished... We need to confirm your email address. To complete the process, please follow the instructions in the email we just sent you. Error! Error! There was a problem processing your submission. Please try again later.

On April 27, Omar said, Cairo's Tora Prison's authorities transferred another detained brother, Abdelaziz al-Showeikh, to the infamous Scorpion prison apparently as part of the retaliation against the family.

Abdelrahman al-Showeikh's claims of torture and sexual assault reflect a pattern of well-documented abuses and systematic torture that prisoners and detainees have faced under President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi's government since 2014. A 2017 Human Rights Watch investigation found out that torture in Egypt is widespread and most likely amounts to crimes against humanity.

Omar al-Showeikh said that security forces arrested Abdelrahman al-Showeikh in November 2014 after he finished his military service. Security officers then abused and tortured him, including by suspending him from his arms and electric shocks. Military and civilian courts sentenced him to 32 years in prison on charges of protesting, joining a terrorist organization, and torching police cars.

Human Rights Watch has repeatedly said that other governments should halt all security assistance and weapons transfers to Egypt, particularly the Interior Ministry, and condition their resumption on accountability and concrete improvement in the country's human rights conditions.

"In Egypt, you can follow the legal path and do everything right, as Hoda Abdel Hamid tried to do, yet fall victim to the same violations you are protesting," Stork said. "The authorities should immediately release her, protect al-Showeikh from retaliation, and bring those responsible for abusing him to justice."
Charleston, WV (25301)

Today

Scattered thunderstorms this morning, then mainly cloudy during the afternoon with thunderstorms likely. High 78F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 90%. Localized flooding is possible..

Tonight

Thunderstorms likely this evening. Then a chance of scattered thunderstorms overnight. Low around 65F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 80%.
Digital precision agriculture tool helps Nepalese rice farmers breakthrough yield barriers

Rice farmers in Nepal are chronically falling short of their potential productivity. Poor rice yields are persistent across the Terai--a lowland region lying south of the outer foothills of the Himalayas that extends through southern Nepal into northern India--and existing decision support systems are failing to provide the precision required.

To date, farmers in the area have lacked the knowledge and support they need to properly plan nutrient applications for their crops. Current nutrient recommendation systems only provide "blanket" prescriptions that fail to consider the large variability that occurs across their rice-growing landscapes. Nepal's rice yield gaps--the difference between actual and attainable yields--are widening as soil fertility declines, which represents a major threat to the sustainability of these smallholder farms.

A team of researchers, headed by Dr. Lal Prasad Amgain, Far Western University, Nepal, along with Dr. Jagdish Timsina, Global Evergreening Alliance, Melbourne, Australia, looked at reversing this trend through the implementation of a flexible nutrient recommendation system that can adapt to the unique conditions faced by individual smallholder farmers.

Published in the Journal of Plant Nutrition, the article describes the impact of a 4-year study conducted across the Terai and the central mid-hill regions of Nepal. The basis for study is a broadly field-tested digital tool called Nutrient Expert (NE).

This software-based system leads individual farmers, or farm advisors, through a step-by-step decision-making process that describes how best to apply nutrients to their rice fields. Prior to its introduction into Nepal, NE Rice has been successfully implemented in India, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, as well as in China. The tool has been proven effective in a variety of smallholder cropping systems.

"Soil nutrient supply often varies greatly between neighboring fields," explains Dr. Sudarshan Dutta, co-author of the study and Scientist at the African Plant Nutrition Institute (APNI). "This study adds innovation to the process of fertilizer application through the use of a tailored, scientifically robust approach."

During the study, NE-based recommendations increased yields by over 2 t/ha compared to the status quo of farmers applying fertilizer based on either informal knowledge or generalized recommendations.

Given that the size of the yield gap for rice in Nepal is estimated at 3 t/ha, the NE approach shows great potential for contributing to the country's nutrient security goals if adopted on a wider scale. The economics of the approach also proved attractive as NE was capable of doubling rice crop profitability if compared to the generalized recommendations.

"Nutrient Expert gives farmer's the confidence that they are using nutrients in the right way," explains Dr. Kaushik Majumdar, APNI Director General, and co-author of the study. "The tool also provides farmers with a clear plan on how to best match the timing of their applications with the periods of peak nutrient demand, which is a critical step to ensuring fertilizers are used most effectively."

With these positive results in hand, researchers are looking to expand the effort through additional research on rice and other cereals.

"On-farm demonstrations provide the evidence that farmers, farm advisors, and other stakeholders need to pave the way for expanded adoption of the NE-based nutrient recommendations across Nepal," concluded Dr. Dutta.

###

The team was comprised of researchers from the Institute of Agriculture and Animal Sciences (IAAS), Tribhuvan University, Chitwan, Nepal; Institute for Studies and Development Worldwide, Sydney, Australia; African Plant Nutrition Institute, Benguerir, Morocco; and Mohammed VI Polytechnic University, Benguerir, Morocco. This research was first introduced in Nepal by the International Plant Nutrition Institute (IPNI) and the Non-resident Nepalese Association (NRNA) Australia, and was locally managed by FORWARD-Nepal.

This story has been published on: 2021-05-19. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article.
Blantyre  Malawi lawmakers have taken a sudden U-turn and confirmed Martha Chizuma as the first woman to head the country's anti-corruption bureau or ACB. Lawmakers had rejected Chizuma for the post last week, raising accusations that the opposition scuttled the process for fear of being prosecuted for corruption during their time in power.

Seventeen lawmakers on the Parliamentary Appointments Committee attended a special meeting Monday to review last week's rejection of Martha Chizuma.

Thirteen lawmakers participated in voting, while four from the opposition Democratic Progressive Party walked out in protest of the new voting procedure.

Chizuma was then elected to lead the ACB with 12 in favor and one abstention.

Humphrey Mvula, a social and political commentator based in Blantyre, says the boycott of opposition lawmakers confirms public views that Chizuma's rejection last week was a calculated move to frustrate the fight against corruption.

"Otherwise, they had no reason to walk out. But these individuals may have been under strict instructions from their bosses that 'we must not confirm Chizuma' and possibly are afraid of Chizuma as a more determined ACB director and she will not spare them," he said.

During last week's vote, half of the lawmakers on the committee gave her low marks after an assessment interview, and the aggregated result saw Chizuma scoring just 14.9 points out of a possible 25, below the minimum pass rate of 17.

This caused a public uproar, and Malawi President Lazarus Chakwera called on lawmakers to, in his words, put political and personal interests aside and do their part in accelerating the change Malawians have sought.

Parliament later passed a motion directing the committee to submit a detailed report on why it turned down Chizuma.

Close Sign up for free AllAfrica Newsletters Get the latest in African news delivered straight to your inbox Top Headlines Malawi Governance Corruption By submitting above, you agree to our privacy policy. Success! Almost finished... We need to confirm your email address. To complete the process, please follow the instructions in the email we just sent you. Error! Error! There was a problem processing your submission. Please try again later.

As an ombudsman, Chizuma investigated several recruitment procedures in government-owned institutions.

She recently removed five top officials from posts at Malawi's communications regulator, saying they were illegally employed during the administration of former president Peter Mutharika and the then-ruling Democratic Progressive Party, or DPP.

Mvula says he thinks Malawians are tired of corruption.

"And then that gives recipe Malawians who are looking for this vice to go away. And Chizuma is such a gallant person who so far, has shown that she will do it. This is the time when most individuals will be afraid to indulge in corruption because as an ACB director she has an enabling law that will make sure that she will just not investigate but she will investigate and arrest," he said.

Chizuma did not respond to VOA inquiries for an interview.

However, she told a radio station that her first job as ACB boss will be to restructure the institution.

"My first priority is look at the staff structure of ACB and to see who is where and if we have got enough staff. Because you need to have right people in right places for an institution to tick and that's my experience from office of ombudsman. If you have wrong people it won't work," she said.

Government authorities say the confirmation of Chizuma will complement President Chakwera's fight against graft.
Morgantown, WV (26505)

Today

Rain showers in the morning with thunderstorms developing for the afternoon. High 74F. Winds ESE at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 60%. Locally heavy rainfall possible..

Tonight

Showers early, then partly cloudy overnight. Low 61F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 50%.
Charleston, WV (25311)

Today

Thunderstorms likely. High 77F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 90%. Localized flooding is possible..

Tonight

Thunderstorms likely this evening. Then a chance of scattered thunderstorms overnight. Low 64F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 80%.
Clarksburg, WV (26301)

Today

Scattered thunderstorms during the morning becoming more widespread this afternoon. High 77F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 90%. Localized flooding is possible..

Tonight

Scattered thunderstorms early, then partly cloudy after midnight. Low 61F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 70%.
Weston, WV (26452)

Today

Scattered thunderstorms during the morning becoming more widespread this afternoon. High 79F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 90%. 2 to 3 inches of rain expected. Localized flooding is possible..

Tonight

Scattered thunderstorms during the evening. Partly cloudy skies after midnight. Low 62F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 80%.
Rome  Following a lull in arrivals of migrants in Italy due to the pandemic, hundreds have now resumed risking their lives in search for a better future in Europe. As weather conditions improve and with the easing of COVID-19 restrictions in Italy, traffickers are taking advantage and overcrowding vessels with migrants from the Libyan coastline.

Rescue missions to save hundreds of migrants have resumed in the Mediterranean waters between Libya and the small Italian island of Lampedusa as calm seas and warmer temperatures have seen a significant rise in vessels attempting to make the crossing.

Human traffickers are also taking advantage of a drop in COVID-19 infections and lifting of restrictions to travel between regions in Italy. The improving situation is raising concerns that the surge in migrant crossings will continue during the summer.

Aid workers aboard the German charity ship Sea Eye 4, which began its first mission to help migrants in distress at the beginning of this month, say the vessel has already rescued more than 400 people. They are calling on EU officials to give the ship access to a safe port.

A spokeswoman on board the ship, Sophie Weidenhiller, says the migrants were from different African nations, some from Syria and Bangladesh, and were rescued in various operations.

In one case it reached a boat after receiving a distress call but instead of finding the expected 50 migrants on board, it found the boat empty. Many migrants are attempting the crossing in vessels that are deemed far from seaworthy.

"In less than 72 hours our crew was able to rescue more than 400 people in distress at sea. Among them we have pregnant women, we have children, we have babies, we have many unaccompanied minors and everybody aboard here is exhausted. And that is why we need a port of safety as soon as possible so that we can bring those people who have suffered so much to safety," said Weidenhiller.

Close Sign up for free AllAfrica Newsletters Get the latest in African news delivered straight to your inbox Top Headlines Africa Europe and Africa Coronavirus By submitting above, you agree to our privacy policy. Success! Almost finished... We need to confirm your email address. To complete the process, please follow the instructions in the email we just sent you. Error! Error! There was a problem processing your submission. Please try again later.

The German charity has warned that the crew is nearing the limit of their capacity to care for its migrant passengers. It is still awaiting a response from the EU on its request for permission to dock as it heads towards Italy.

Malta refused it entry to its port.

Commenting on the matter following the Maltese decision, Matteo Salvini, head of Italy's right wing League party, said his country has a duty to defend its borders.

The latest rescues come a week after more than 2,000 migrants landed on Lampedusa, overwhelming its reception center, which was then emptied so as to make space for new arrivals.

Migrants have continued to arrive on the island.

The Libyan coast guard has also been intercepting vessels and returning the migrants.

U.N. and other agencies have said that over the past week they managed to take 1,000 migrants back to Libya. International Organization for Migration spokesman in Libya Safa Msehli said it provides support to the Libyan coast guard on the condition that no one is arbitrarily detained or otherwise subjected to human rights violations.
Police blotter is a list of recent arrests compiled from public records in Laramie County. All people listed here are innocent until proven guilty. Anyone listed who has a charge dismissed or is acquitted of the charge may bring or mail a court document proving such to the WTE editor, 702 W. Lincolnway, Cheyenne, WY 82001.
TANZANIA has urged global creditors to cancel the loan owned by African countries or extend time for loan payment as measures to confront the twin health and economic crises created by the COVID-19 pandemic.

President Samia Suluhu Hassan said Tuesday in her first international conference with the International Monetary Fund (IMF), the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), and the World Trade Organization (WTO), that the countries have failed to meet their revenue collection targets.

The meeting organized by France President, Emmanuel Macron, brought presidents from 20 African countries. The European Union, Italy, Spain, Netherlands, Germany, China and Japan also participated.

"Another step is (international community) to contribute to the budgets of African countries as since they couldn't meet their domestic revenue collection targets," she said.

President Samia went on further calling the international community to take necessary steps to support economic recovery of African countries. In her recommendation, the President suggested global creditors to increase concessional loans for strategic development projects implemented by African countries.

Nonetheless, she urged direct support to the private sector to be able to obtain soft loans for small and medium businesses, which are the mainstay for the economy in developing countries.

While Tanzania, Kenya and South Africa took part in the conference virtually, some African countries that attended the meeting in Paris, France includes, Angola, Burkina Faso, DRC, Cote d'Ivoire, Egypt, Ethiopia, Ghana, Mali, Mauritania, Mozambique, Nigeria, Rwanda, Senegal, Sudan, Togo, and Tunisia.

The President acknowledged that the novel coronavirus pandemic has crippled trades, social service delivery, revenue collection, and causing loss of lives and employments. Women, youth and children have been severely affected by the pandemic.
Malawi's Health Minister Khumbize Kandodo Chiponda (L) puts packs of expired AstraZeneca vaccines in a pharmaceutical incinerator. (Getty)

Malawi has publicly burned thousands of COVID-19 vaccines after they reached their expiry date.

On Wednesday, the African country destroyed 19,610 Oxford/AstraZeneca doses that arrived on 26 March and expired on 13 April.

Malawi managed to deploy about 80 per cent of the batch, which included 102,000 vaccines in total.

John Nkengasong, director of the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC), part of the African Union (AU), and the World Health Organization (WHO) had urged African countries not to waste the expired vaccines.

Nkengasong said last month the shots could be used until 13 July, based on a further analysis conducted by manufacturers the Serum Institute of India (SII).

But on Monday, WHO issued new advice saying the vaccines should not be used after their expiry date .

Watch: Expired vaccines burned in Malawi

The Malawian government said it would not give expired vaccines to its citizens and decided to burn the doses publicly to restore trust after confusion over whether they could be used safely.

The countrys health minister Khumbize Chaponda, at Kamuzu Central Hospital in the administrative capital Lilongwe, said: We are destroying (them) because, as government policy... no expired vaccine has ever been used.

She then threw the shots, which were wrapped in red plastic bags, into an incinerator, causing a cloud of dark smoke to billow from its chimney.

Chaponda added: On behalf of the government I assure all Malawians that no one will be given an expired COVID vaccine.

Malawi's health ministry said the country had administered 335,232 vaccine doses as of 18 May, and recorded 34,231 COVID infections and 1,153 deaths.

Less than 2% of people in the country are vaccinated.

African countries have struggled to secure enough COVID-19 vaccines to roll out mass immunisation.

Many rely on donations from global vaccine scheme COVAX, which is co-led by the WHO and partners, including the Gavi vaccines alliance.

Story continues

The incinerator at Kamuzuz Central Hospital in Lilongwe. (Getty)

A woman receives the COVID-19 vaccine at a clinic in Blantyre, Malawi. (Getty)

On Tuesday, Professor Andrew Pollard, director of the Oxford Vaccine Group and leader of the clinical trials for the AstraZeneca jab, said giving coronavirus jabs to young and healthy people in wealthy countries while developing countries struggle is morally wrong.

He told the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Coronavirus: When you look at the overall aim of a vaccination programme  its to stop people dying  its the over 50s, the healthcare workers and those with a pre-existing health condition.

Yet there are many unvaccinated people in the world, while in wealthier countries, we are looking to vaccinate children.

In January, Malawian president Lazarus Chakwera rolled out the countrys first set of anti-coronavirus restrictions, including a limit on gatherings and mandatory face masks.

Unlike the rest of the continent, daily life had normally been unfolding in the southern African country since its High Court barred the government from confining citizens to limit the spread of Covid-19.

Judges ruled in April that insufficient measures were in place to cushion loss of livelihood in one of the world's poorest countries, where most people work informally.

Watch: Do coronavirus vaccines affect fertility?
A demonstrator waves the flag of Palestine as police officers guard outside the Federal Building during a protest against Israel and in support of Palestinians in the Westwood section of Los Angeles on Saturday (AP)

Demonstrators supporting both sides of the ongoing Israeli-Palestinian conflict brawled outside the Israeli consulate in New York City as outrage mounts over the growing number of civilian deaths in Gaza.

Multiple arrests were made after protesters fought with each other and with police.

A "Free Palestine" demonstration drew hundreds of people to the exterior of the Israeli consulate on the east side of Manhattan. Supporters waved Palestinian flags and marched along Second Avenue, eventually ending up in downtown New York.

As they marched, the demonstrators chanted "Gaza, Gaza don't you cry, we will never let you die!"

The rally was one of several aimed at supporting Palestine that took place across the nation on Tuesday.

Fights broke out between police and some demonstrators as well as between pro-Israeli and pro-Palestinian supporters.

Several arrests were made, though the NYPD has not released further information on the skirmishes or the individuals who were detained.

In Washington DC, hundreds gathered to protest the Israeli bombing of civilian buildings in Gaza. Demonstrators carried signs calling Israel an "apartheid state" and equating Zionism with terrorism.

Other protests cropped up around the country, including demonstrations in Atlanta, Boston, Los Angeles and Dearborn, Michigan, where Joe Biden had been visiting the Ford Motor Company.

Amer Zahr, the organiser of the protest in Dearborn, told Fox 2 News that the demonstration was meant to pressure Mr Biden to help Palestine.

"They asked us to save democracy from Donald Trump and now we are asking everyone to please save Palestine from Joe Biden," he said. "He is participating in and funding the murder of our families."

Dearborn is home to one of the largest Muslim populations in the United States.

Mr Biden called for a ceasefire on Monday, and said he told Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu he supported an end to hostilities.

Story continues

A readout of the call claimed that Mr Biden "reiterated his firm support for Israel's right to defend itself against indiscriminate rocket attacks" and that he "welcomed efforts to address intercommunal violence and to bring calm to Jerusalem."

"He encouraged Israel to make every effort to ensure the protection of innocent civilians. The two leaders discussed progress in Israel's military operations against Hamas and other terrorist groups in Gaza. The President expressed his support for a ceasefire and discussed U.S. engagement with Egypt and other partners towards that end," the readout claimed.

Despite calls for an immediate ceasefire from other Democratic lawmakers, Mr Biden did not make a similar demand of Mr Netanyahu.

The Biden administration faced criticism earlier this week after it was reported that the US approved a $735m weapons deal that included precision-guided missiles a week before Israel began bombing Gaza.

At least 213 Palestinians  mostly civilians  have been killed in Israel's bombing campaign, while 12 Israelis have been killed.

Read More

Gaza's health system buckling under repeated wars, blockade

Thais killed by rocket in Israel part of large workforce

The Latest: Israel says it's pursuing 'forceful deterrence'
After years of rolling out compact electric vehicles that haven't sold particularly well, the U.S. auto industry is pairing EV technology with a body style that fits Americans' lifestyle a little bit better: pickups.

The Ford F-150 Lightning is poised to make its debut tonight, making a splash as the first electric version of the nation's best-selling vehicle.

On one hand, Ford is late to the party, as several of the automaker's competitors have already revealed electric pickups.

On the other hand, it's just on time, since none of those EV pickups are actually available for delivery quite yet.

But will Americans actually buy them?

"How well do they sell? What is the market? Who are the buyers for those? Are EV pickup truck buyers the same as traditional pickup truck buyers?" asks Michelle Krebs, executive auto analyst at car-buying site Autotrader. "Theres so many questions about that pickup truck market."

Here's a rundown of what electric pickups have been revealed and what it will take for them to be successful:

Ford F-150 Lightning

As it's often been said, Ford could eliminate all of its vehicles except its F-series lineup of pickups, and it would still be a Fortune 100 company.

Yes, the F-series  which includes everything from the F-150 light-duty pickup to the F-450 heavy-duty pickup  is a true juggernaut in every sense of the term.

But that doesn't mean people will buy an electric version of the pickup. For the F-150 Lightning to be successful, it will need to deliver serious utility.

President Joe Biden stops to talk to the media as he drives a Ford F-150 Lightning truck at Ford Dearborn Development Center, Tuesday, May 18, 2021, in Dearborn, Mich.

After all, that's what the lion's share of F-150 buyers are looking for. They tow. They haul. They use their vehicles for work.

This is probably why two years ago, Ford released a teaser video showing an F-150 equipped with the electric version's powertrain towing a train weighing more than 1 million pounds.

"Theyre going to have to pound that home because traditional truck buyers have very specific demands for durability and uptime because, remember, a lot of these are used for business and capability, towing and all-wheel drive," Krebs says. "Nobody knows that better than Ford."

Story continues

That'll certainly go a long way toward convincing buyers to take the plunge. But other factors, including the availability of charging stations and price, could remain significant obstacles.

Tesla Cybertruck

It's starting to feel like the Tesla Cybertruck's debut was a distant memory since we haven't heard much about it lately.

Tesla CEO Elon Musk revealed the futuristic-looking steel-bodied, bulletproof electric pickup in November 2019. At the time, he said it would arrive by late 2021.

At this point, it would be shocking if the Cybertruck achieves that goal, as the automaker is focused on increasing production of its Model Y SUV.

Plus, with the auto industry struggling to get supplies of semiconductor chips that are crucial to the production of all vehicles, including electric cars, it seems unlikely that the Cybertruck will arrive this year.

When will it hit?

Musk, the consummate promoter, isn't saying much.

Save better, spend better: Money tips and advice delivered right to your inbox. Sign up for free here

Could long-gone cars make comeback?: Chevrolet, Cadillac, Dodge classic cars offer opportunity

"In the background, we're continuing work" on the Cybertruck, Musk told investors in an April 26 earnings call.

He's said before that refundable deposits for the Cybertruck have exceeded Tesla's expectations.

But converting those deposits into purchases will require proving that Tesla can efficiently manufacture the vehicle's unusually jagged body style while maintaining its promised electric range and sufficient utility.

But if Tesla manages to deliver a version with up to 500 miles of range, as it promised in 2019, at a starting price of $69,900, it'll have a good shot.

GMC Hummer

Back from the dead, the Hummer brand is poised for a revolution.

Once known for its gas-guzzling ways in SUV form, the Hummer is making its comeback as an electric pickup under the GMC brand.

General Motors has said the GMC Hummer will be available beginning in fall 2021. If it hits that timeline, GM could be the first automaker to sell a major electric pickup.

But well-equipped versions of the GMC Hummer cost more than $100,000. That will obviously limit its appeal. Though with some 350 miles of range and 1,000 horsepower, it will definitely turn some heads.

Rivian R1T

Never heard of Rivian? You probably will soon.

Widely respected in the auto industry for its deliberative approach to the development of electric vehicles, this startup has some big-time investors, including Ford and Amazon.

The R1T made its debut in November 2018, drawing attention for its sleek design and sensible manufacturing plan, which includes taking over a former Mitsubishi factory in Illinois.

For the Rivian pickup to be successful, though, it will have to overcome a lack of name recognition and dealerships. Tesla has done so by selling vehicles online and operating a network of stores where people can place orders.

Will Rivian have enough runway to replicate that model when it says it will begin deliveries in the summer?

Originally slated to start at $67,500 with more than 300 miles of range, it could have the right technical specifications to entice people to give it a try.

Chevrolet Silverado

GM recently confirmed that it will make an electric version of the Chevrolet Silverado, its best-selling vehicle and one of the three best-selling models in America.

This was pretty much guaranteed. The automaker can't afford to lose ground to its archrival, Ford, when it comes to pickups.

But we don't know much yet about the electric Silverado, except that it will get more than 400 miles on a single charge. The lack of details or photos suggests that it will come out sometime after the F-150 Lightning.

That might be OK. Pickup buyers are famously loyal to their preferred brands. Chevy buyers might be willing to wait.

Plus, GM has had an edge on Ford in the development of electric vehicles so far. Let's see if that translates into better utility for the electric Silverado compared with the F-150 Lightning.

Lordstown Endurance

Lordstown Motors, a startup, enjoyed a run of excellent publicity in 2020 when it announced an investment from GM and detailed plans to revive the former GM plant in Youngstown, Ohio, which was shut down when the Chevrolet Cruze was discontinued.

The company revealed the Endurance electric pickup with a base price of $52,500 and a range of more than 250 miles.

But the company has endured a streak of bad news since then.

Lordstown reportedly failed to pay $575,000 in real estate taxes due in March, faces several lawsuits from investors who claim they were defrauded and has dealt with reports that one of its prototypes caught fire after 10 minutes of a test drive, according to the Associated Press.

The company, which blamed the tax issue on an administrative error, had said that it would begin production in the fall.

But a decline in the company's stock price from nearly $31 in February to less than $11 on Wednesday suggests investors have lost some of their initial optimism.

You can follow USA TODAY reporter Nathan Bomey on Twitter @NathanBomey and subscribe to our free Daily Money newsletter here for personal finance tips and business news every Monday through Friday morning.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Ford F-150 electric: Lightning joins EV pickups from Tesla, GM, Rivian
May 18Kutztown University softball players and coaches are glad their season didn't end with a loss in the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference semifinals.

But as the Golden Bears get ready to host the NCAA Division II Atlantic Region Tournament, coach Judy Lawes and her players are just grateful that they had a season at all.

"First we're just really happy and fortunate that we played," Lawes said. "There's was a lot of uncertainty as to whether we'd even have a season."

And what a season the Golden Bears had after their 2020 campaign was ended in March due to the coronavirus pandemic and the fall campaign was canceled.

The Golden Bears (32-13) are the No. 1 seed for the Atlantic Region Tournament that starts today at North Campus Field. Kutztown will play its first game Thursday at 10 a.m. against the winner of today's West Liberty-East Stroudsburg game.

Lawes, in her 34th season as head coach, in March became just the 14th NCAA Division II coach to reach 1,000 career wins. She was voted the PSAC East Coach of the Year for the eighth time.

The Golden Bears, who had a 13-game winning streak during the season and earned a top 25 national ranking, also had several players earn awards.

Freshman slugger Brianna Hughes was voted the PSAC East Rookie of the Year and voted to the All-PSAC East first team along with junior pitcher Bridget Bailey. Bailey was the Rookie of the Year in 2019.

Bailey and senior Jenna Lipowski were voted to the National Fastpitch Coaches Association Division II All-Atlantic Region Team.

But the PSAC Tournament didn't end the way the Golden Bears had hoped. They fell to West Chester in the third game of a best-of-three semifinal series and are looking to make amends.

West Chester is the No. 3 seed in the tournament that includes second-seeded Shepherd and No. 6 Claflin.

"Now we know what the team brings and we know what we have to do to beat them," said senior infielder Zoe Texidor, an Exeter grad. "It's awesome that we get to see them again."

Story continues

West Chester, which went on to win the PSAC championship, is one of four teams from the PSAC East in the regional tournament. The Golden Bears have played West Chester seven times, East Stroudsburg six times and Shepard four times.

"Our league is just really strong and we just keep banging heads," Lawes said. "We know our opponents."

The Golden Bears had trouble getting to know each other during the early part of the season. Without a fall season for the incoming freshman and no spring trips to South Carolina and Florida this year due to the pandemic, it took longer for the team to come together.

"We've been trying to team bond," Texidor said. "We had to do it all in the spring but I think we've gotten over that and we're at the point where we're comfortable with each other."

One player Texidor certainly is familiar and comfortable with is her twin sister, Paola. They played together for four years at Exeter and have been at Kutztown for the last four.

Zoe, who plays third base, and Paola, who plays left field, also plan to come back for a fifth year in 2022 since the NCAA has granted athletes an extra year of eligibility because the 2020 season was canceled.

"It's been a great experience, definitely better than I thought," Paola said. "Every year has gotten better. Every year I get more experience and more knowledge, and the group of girls that I've gotten to play with has been amazing. I can't wait to come back next year."

Before then, the Golden Bears will try to win the regional tournament to advance to the NCAA Tournament in Denver May 27-31 and get back on track after the disappointment in the PSAC Tournament.

"We're hoping to make up for it now in the regional," Lawes said.
Khartoum  Sudan's ruling Sovereign Council removed Chief Justice Neimat Abdallah Mohamed Khair from the bench and accepted the resignation of Attorney General Taj Al Sir Al Hibir late on Monday, without offering an explanation for either decision.

The moves come days after Sudanese soldiers shot and killed two protesters in Khartoum.

Mohammed Al Fekki Suleiman, spokesperson of the Sudanese Sovereign Council, made the announcement during a press briefing shortly after the regular meeting of the council in Khartoum on Monday night.

Suleiman said the chief justice's position will remain vacant until the council appoints a replacement in accordance with the constitution.

"The council shall approve the appointment of the chief justice, the Supreme Court judges, and the president and members of the Constitutional Court after their nomination by the High Judicial Council. Until the high judicial council is formed, the Sovereign Council shall appoint the chief justice. The same thing applies to the attorney general," he said.

Judge Khair was appointed Sudan's first female chief justice in October 2019, six months after the Sudanese military removed Omar al-Bashir from power in response to months of mass pro-democracy demonstrations.

Judge Khair was not immediately available for comment.

Suleiman also said the Sovereign Council had accepted the resignation of Attorney General Al Hibir, noting Al Hibir indicated his desire to step down on at least three occasions.

Al Hibir tells VOA's South Sudan In Focus he resigned because he had not been given enough political space to work independently.

More than 20 qualified public prosecutors were relieved from their posts earlier this month by a government committee tasked with removing elements of Bashir's administration and recovering stolen funds, according to Al Hibir.

Close Sign up for free AllAfrica Newsletters Get the latest in African news delivered straight to your inbox Top Headlines Sudan Legal Affairs By submitting above, you agree to our privacy policy. Success! Almost finished... We need to confirm your email address. To complete the process, please follow the instructions in the email we just sent you. Error! Error! There was a problem processing your submission. Please try again later.

That was a case of government agencies overstepping their boundaries, he told South Sudan in Focus.

"It is a matter of independence of the attorney general's office in terms of [interference] other unauthorized institutions and government agencies to terminate the tenure of office of prosecutors and chief prosecutors, [which] I think is not fair because it is a violation of a law that applies to these institutions," he said.

"If you cannot do justice for your own people, then you will not be able to do justice for the others. And even if [my resignation] was not accepted, I would have stayed at home," he added.

Mohammed Ali Fazari, editor in chief of the online English newspaper Khartoum Today, said he is not surprised to see Khair and Al Hibir forced out of their posts.

Many families who lost relatives during the military's crackdown on the Sudanese revolution two years ago believe both top officials failed to carry out justice for their loved ones, Fazari said.

"Justice is one of the three pillars of the slogan of the Sudanese revolution; [it] has stumbled and faced a number of challenges due to the delay of main cases. There are so many criminal suspects still at large," Fazri told South Sudan in Focus.

Military commanders recently turned over the names of soldiers suspected of being involved in killing two protesters in Khartoum last week, who were marking the two-year anniversary of the Sudanese revolution.
UNITED NATIONS  The United States opposes a draft U.N. Security Council resolution calling for a cease-fire in the conflict between Israel and Gazas Hamas rulers. The U.S. says it could interfere with the Biden administrations efforts to end the hostilities.

France drafted the resolution after the U.S. earlier blocked at least four attempts to have the council issue a press statement calling for an end to hostilities.

A press statement requires agreement by all 15 council members. A resolution only requires at least nine yes votes and no veto by the United States or any of the four other permanent members.

A French spokesman had said very intense discussions were taking place Wednesday with the U.S. on the proposed resolution.

But the U.S. Mission to the U.N. said later that we will not support actions that we believe undermine efforts to de-escalate.



UNITED NATIONS  The U.N. agency for Palestinian refugees is urgently appealing for $38 million for emergency needs in Gaza as a result of conflict between Israel and the territorys Hamas rulers.

The U.N. Relief and Works Agency said Wednesday that it is already responding to the humanitarian needs of refugees and non-refugees, including tens of thousands of people who have sought safety in the agencys schools and emergency shelters.

The agency says the $38 million is needed for an initial 30-day period to respond to a variety of immediate needs in Gaza including food, health care, psychological services, and water and sanitation. It also includes emergency needs in the West Bank, including east Jerusalem, for health care, shelter, education, security and protection.



BEIRUT  The leader the Palestinian Islamic Jihad group says militant factions in Gaza went into the latest battle with Israel knowing it will be costly but also knowing that it is the only road to freedom and to protect Jerusalem.

Ziad Nakhaleh said in a televised speech from Beirut on Wednesday that neither nuclear weapons, warplanes nor peace agreements with some Arab states could bring Israelis security and peace.

He added that militant groups in Gaza have made miracles that you can see with your own eyes and you live them every moment when you run to shelters.

Nakhaleh was referring to thousands of missiles and rockets that Gaza militants have fired toward Israel.

Nakhaleh said that after Israels moves that threatened the eviction of dozens of Palestinian families by Jewish settlers in east Jerusalem, we were in front of two choices, to surrender and to give them everything or fight them over everything.



JERUSALEM  Israels Foreign Ministry says foreign ministers from Germany, the Czech Republic, and Slovakia will arrive in Israel on Thursday.

The ministry said in a statement Wednesday that the diplomats were invited by Foreign Minister Gabi Ashkenazi to express their solidarity and support for Israel during its campaign against Palestinian militants in the Gaza Strip.

The visit comes as Israel faces mounting international pressure to de-escalate hostilities after 10 days of heavy fighting between Israelis and Palestinians in the Gaza Strip.



JERUSALEM  Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu says he is determined to continue this operation until its aim is met, despite U.S. President Joe Bidens call for a de-escalation of hostilities in Gaza.

In a statement from his office Wednesday, Netanyahu said that he greatly appreciates the support of the American president, but said Israel will push ahead to return the calm and security to you, citizens of Israel.

Earlier, Biden called for significant de-escalation by days end from Netanyahu after 10 days of heavy fighting between Israel and Hamas in Gaza.



CAIRO  An Egyptian diplomat says some of the countrys top officials are waiting for Israels response to a cease-fire offer, and that they expect amendments to their proposal.

He says they hope Frances increasing efforts could spur the United States to exert its influence on Israel and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to agree to stop the fighting as soon as possible.

He added that if that doesn't happen, there are some discussions among Arab and Islamic nations, along with China, to put the issue before the U.N. General Assembly in an effort to bypass the Security Council and the U.S.s veto power there.

The diplomat spoke on condition of anonymity in line with regulations.

Egypt has been trying to broker a cease-fire between neighboring Israel and Hamas, as it is one of a handful of countries that maintains official ties with both.

 Samy Magdy in Cairo.



BERLIN  Germanys foreign ministry is confirming that the nations top diplomat will make a one-day trip to Israel and the West Bank on Thursday for talks with senior Israeli and Palestinian officials.

The ministry said Wednesday that Foreign Minister Heiko Maas will meet the Israeli foreign and defense ministers, as well as President Reuven Rivlin.

He will also meet the Palestinian prime minister in Ramallah.

Maas had said earlier Wednesday that he hoped to fly to Israel but coordination hadnt yet been completed.

Maas has called for an end to an immediate stop to rocket terror by the Hamas militant group, which controls Gaza, a cease-fire and efforts to restart direct talks between the Israelis and Palestinians.



TEHRAN, Iran  A top Iranian general says the balance of power in the Middle East has changed with the Palestinians ability to launch so many missiles against Israel.

State TV is reporting Wednesday that Gen. Hossein Salami, chief of the powerful Revolutionary Guard, said Israel has become weaker and the Palestinians have become stronger and more powerful.

Salami says: Palestinians could destroy all Israeli industrial facilities and air bases with missiles.

Palestinian militants have fired more than 3,700 rockets at Israel, with hundreds falling short and many others intercepted. The rockets have reached a number of Israeli cities, including Tel Aviv, and have brought life to a standstill in areas near Gaza.

Iran does not recognize Israel and supports anti-Israeli militant groups like Palestinian Hamas and Lebanon's Hezbollah.



WASHINGTON  President Joe Biden has called for significant de-escalation by day's end from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

Bidens appeal on Wednesday comes after 10 days of heavy fighting between Israelis and Palestinians.

It was Bidens toughest public pressure so far on the U.S. ally, with the president asking Netanyahu in a telephone call to move toward the path to a cease-fire, according to a White House statement on their conversation.

Pressure has been mounting on Biden, too, to do more as the death toll in the conflict has topped 200.



BEIRUT  Lebanese security officials said several rockets were fired from south Lebanon toward Israel, the third such barrage in the past week.

The Israeli military said it identified four rockets fired Wednesday from Lebanon into northern Israel. One landed in an open area, two landed in the sea, and one was intercepted by aerial defenses. Residents of the city of Shfaram, east of Haifa, said one rocket landed near the town.

The Lebanese officials said the latest rockets were launched from the outskirts of the southern Lebanese village of Qlayleh. The officials spoke on condition of anonymity in line with regulations.

The rocket attack, which drew Israeli artillery fire in response but apparently did not cause any injuries, raised the possibility of dragging Israel into renewed conflict with the powerful Lebanese militant group Hezbollah to its north as it fights Hamas in Gaza.

No one immediately claimed responsibility for the attack, and Hezbollah, which fought a monthlong war against Israel in 2006, has stayed out of the fighting for now. But the barrage appears to be carefully calibrated to send a political message that the group, which has tens of thousands of missiles, could join the battle at any time.



BERLIN  German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas says he hopes to fly to Israel for talks Thursday with Israelis and Palestinians on the conflict in Gaza.

Asked to confirm Israeli media reports about such a trip, Maas told journalists in Berlin that I cant tell you 100%, because of course we coordinate such a trip with those to whom were travelling.

He said that coordination hadnt been completed yet.

But yes, my plan is to fly to Israel tonight and hold talks in Jerusalem and Ramallah, Maas said.

Earlier, Germanys top diplomat had ruled out talking to the Palestinian militant group Hamas that controls Gaza.

After the events of recent days there is no reason to talk directly with Hamas, he said. Those are terrorist attacks that are being carried out by Hamas in Israel and which in my view completely rule out talking without intermediaries, directly to Hamas.



PARIS  A French government spokesman says very intense discussions are underway with the United States about a United Nations Security Council resolution that has been proposed by France in coordination with Egypt and Jordan.

The proposed resolution aims at ending hostilities between Israel and Hamas militants who control Gaza.

The United States has blocked the U.N.s most powerful body from issuing a press statement calling for a halt to the violence, insisting that it would not help diplomatic efforts to end the conflict.

French President Emmanuel Macron and Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sissi held talks in Paris earlier this week on the issue and they had a meeting on Tuesday with Jordans King Abdullah II via video conference.

In a joint statement, France, Egypt and Jordan said they called on the parties to immediately agree on a ceasefire.

They also said they will work with the U.N. and other partners to ensure humanitarian help for the population of Gaza.



CAIRO  The Arab League Parliament has convened an extraordinary meeting in Cairo to express solidarity with the Palestinians and condemn Israeli strikes on the Gaza Strip.

Those in attendance at the meeting Wednesday wore traditional Palestinian black-and-white scarves in a sign of support.

The Arab League Secretary-General Ahmed Aboul Gheit said: The truth is becoming crystal clear now with all its ugliness and hideousness: we are before a colonizing people that lives under an apartheid state and an occupation government that systematically practices ethnic cleansing.

Others also criticized Israel, with Arab Parliament Speaker Adel Al-Asoumi accusing Israel of war crimes and of full-fledged crimes against humanity.

In a televised speech, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas addressed Arab delegates, calling Jerusalem the essence of the Palestinian national identity.

He said: Without it, there will be no peace, no security, no stability and no agreement.



RAMALLAH, West Bank  Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas says Israel is carrying out organized state terrorism and war crimes in Gaza that are punishable under international law.

In a televised address Wednesday, he said the Palestinians will not hesitate to pursue those who commit such crimes in front of international courts.

Abbas is the head of the internationally backed Palestinian Authority, whose forces were driven from Gaza when the militant Hamas group seized power in 2007. The PA has limited autonomy in parts of the Israeli-occupied West Bank.

Earlier this year, the International Criminal Court launched an investigation into possible war crimes committed by Israel and Palestinian militants during the last Gaza war, in 2014. It has expressed concern about the latest round of fighting.

Abbas accused Israel of brutal attacks on civilians and deliberate bombardment of homes. Israel says it only strikes militant targets and makes every effort to avoid harming civilians, including by warning people ahead of some strikes.

Hamas and other militant groups have launched hundreds of rockets into Israel. The indiscriminate fire is widely seen as violating international law.



ISLAMABAD-- Pakistans foreign minister has denounced Israels continued airstrikes against the Gaza Strip in a meeting with his Palestinian counterpart.

Shah Mahmood Qureshi made his comment during a meeting with Palestinian Foreign Minister Riyad al-Maliki during a visit to Turkey. Qureshi will travel next to New York to address the U.N. General Assembly to demand an immediate halt to Israels attacks on Palestinians.

According to a foreign ministry statement, Qureshi denounced Israel's attacks on Palestinians. The statement also quotes al-Maliki praising Pakistans efforts aimed at mobilizing international support for the Palestinians.



TEL AVIV, Israel -- Israeli military officials say a mysterious explosion that killed eight members of a Palestinian family on the first day of the current round of fighting in the Gaza Strip was caused by a misfired Palestinian rocket, not an Israeli airstrike.

Lt. Col. Jonathan Conricus, a military spokesman, said the rocket was launched in Gaza and fell inside Gaza and killed almost an entire family. Conricus added that this wasnt an Israeli attack.

A senior military officer on Wednesday said the incident was investigated, and Israel did not strike the Beit Hanoun area where the family members were killed that night.

The officer said a total of 700 rockets  roughly one-fifth of the total launched by Palestinian militants  failed to reach Israel and landed inside Gaza. He provided no further estimates on how many Palestinians had been harmed by errant rocket fire. The officer spoke on condition of anonymity under military briefing guidelines.

At least 219 Palestinians have been killed in airstrikes, including 63 children and 36 women, with 1,530 people wounded, according to the Gaza Health Ministry. It does not break down how many militants are among the dead or whether people have died from misfired rockets.

Israel says Hamas is responsible for civilian deaths because the militant group uses residential areas for cover to fire rockets and carry out other military operations. Twelve people in Israel have also been killed, 10 by rocket fire aimed at Israeli towns and cities. Two people died in accidents while rushing for shelter.



TEL AVIV, Israel  Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu says Israel is pursuing forceful deterrence against Gazas Hamas rulers and does not rule out a further escalation.

Meeting with foreign ambassadors on Wednesday, he said you can either conquer them, and thats always an open possibility, or you can deter them.

We are engaged right now in forceful deterrence, but I have to say, we dont rule out anything.

Israel has carried out hundreds of airstrikes against what it says are militant targets in Gaza since the fourth war between the two sides broke out earlier this month. Hamas and other militants have fired more than 3,700 rockets at Israel.

Netanyahu said Israel hopes to restore quiet quickly and is doing everything it can to avoid civilian casualties.



GAZA CITY, Gaza Strip  Israeli airstrikes have killed at least six people overnight across the Gaza Strip and destroyed the home of an extended family.

Despite growing international pressure for a cease-fire, the military said Wednesday it widened its strikes on militant targets in the Palestinian territorys south to blunt continuing rocket fire from Hamas.

Residents surveyed the piles of bricks, concrete and other debris that had once been the home of 40 members of al-Astal family. They said everyone escaped after a warning missile hit the house.

The Israeli military says it struck militant targets around the towns of Khan Younis and Rafah.

Gaza health officials say at least 219 Palestinians have been killed in airstrikes. Twelve people in Israel have been killed in rocket attacks.
7 day print subscribers enjoy unlimited access to yakimaherald.com

Enter the LAST NAME and the 7 DIGIT phone number on your print subscription account to connect your print subscription to your yakimaherald.com account.
Greensboro, NC (27407)

Today

Cloudy early, then thunderstorms developing this afternoon. High 82F. Winds WSW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 70%. Locally heavy rainfall possible..

Tonight

Scattered thunderstorms this evening with a few showers possible late. Low 68F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 50%.
The ACF advises the Kaduna State government to reconsider its decision.

The Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) has advised the Governor of Kaduna State, Nasir El-Rufai, to reconsider his plan to sack hundreds of civil servants in the state.

The ACF, a northern Nigerian socio-cultural organisation, also called on the warring parties to sheathe their swords in the interest of the larger population who are at the receiving end of the effects of the strike.

The ACF's call followed that of the Progressive Governors Forum (PGF) which also urged the Kaduna governor to negotiate with the NLC to prevent the strike from crippling the state's economy.

The ACF spokesperson, Emmanuel Yawe, in statement, said for two days, the industrial action has cripple the provision of essential services in Kaduna State.

"Hospitals, electricity/water services, the airport, the road/rail transport and many other services in the state have been crippled," Mr Yawe said.

"Labour is particularly angry with the state government over massive lay off of civil servants in the state. The ACF advises the Kaduna state government to reconsider it's decision particularly on downsizing the work force in the state's services.

"We suggest that as a way out, maybe those earlier marked for lay off should be given some more time to make sure they acquire new and or additional skills.

Close Sign up for free AllAfrica Newsletters Get the latest in African news delivered straight to your inbox Top Headlines Labour Nigeria By submitting above, you agree to our privacy policy. Success! Almost finished... We need to confirm your email address. To complete the process, please follow the instructions in the email we just sent you. Error! Error! There was a problem processing your submission. Please try again later.

"The labour should also reconsider their stand. Their displeasure and point against the Kaduna state government have gone on record. Nigeria is already faced with so many problems that a strike action that has crippled the strategically located town of Kaduna for days the will only make things worse for the ordinary man," Mr Yawe said.

Backgorund

NLC embarked on a five-day warning strike to compel the governor to reconsider his proposed plan to rightsize the workforce of civil servants in Kaduna.

Workers from different parastatals and cadres of the civil service and private organisations joined the protest, withdrawing their services for the second day.

However, the state government has repeatedly vowed not to back down from its plan.

"NLC is aware that inflicting pains on citizens by locking hospitals and shutting down electricity will not change the decision of Kaduna State government to rightsize and will not change our intention to use the Trade Union Act which prohibits strike by extension service workers," the state's Head of Service, Bara'atu Mohammed, said on Monday evening.
Demand for transformative brand experiences drives the expansion of Droga5  part of Accenture Interactive  which includes the opening of a new office in Japan with sights on new offices in Brazil and China in the next 12 months.
Our directory features more than 18 million business listings from across the entire US. However, if we're missing your business, add your business by clicking on Add Your Business.
The revelations arrive amid turbulence at the Workforce Solutions Department, where Bill McCamley departed as agency secretary a month ago and a review is underway of inflated tax rates on employers for unemployment insurance.

Acting Workforce Solutions Secretary Ricky Serna said the agency was in a bind as it struggled to keep up with an unprecedented tide of legitimate unemployment claims amid brazen fraud schemes by criminals trying to get payouts. Serna said fraud schemes also tied up phone lines with robocalls and appropriated the identities of state unemployment regulators.

You dont have enough time to certify that everyone who applied meets the program requirements because you dont want those people to wait five or six weeks for their money, he said. But then five or six weeks later, after theyve been receiving their money, you realize that wasnt right, or this was inaccurate or you didnt provide this. So we need to revisit eligibility. And to be sure, in some instances, it resulted in overpayments.

Serna, who is performing double-duty as director of the State Personnel Office, said the challenges of limiting overpayments was compounded by new federal pandemic initiatives.
It's no secret that the majority of people in today's world hope to one day achieve financial freedom; however, the reality is that very few individuals ever will. This holds especially true for the estimated 582 million entrepreneurs across the globe. Statistically speaking, around 90% of businesses fail in their first year. In order to be successful when starting a business, it's essential for entrepreneurs to identify an area in which there is demand for their product or service and sustain that demand over an indefinite period of time. One entrepreneur, Gianluigi Ventre, managed to achieve financial freedom at a young age through educating others about the ins and outs of finance and investing, but it certainly didn't happen overnight.

Ventre was born in Avellino, Italy, and from a young age was constantly fascinated by entrepreneurship. From the time he was in high school, Ventre recalls envisioning himself becoming a successful businessman on Wall Street, trading his way to a net worth in the millions. He went on to study Economics in school, and upon graduating entered the corporate world. It didn't take long for Ventre to soon realize that he did not want to work for someone else. He had always dreamt of becoming his own boss and found it very difficult to spend his days building someone else's dream. Ventre stated, "When people work for others, they gain money, but they lose a lifetime. That's why I tried to find something different, because I knew if I wanted a different lifestyle I would need to do things out of the ordinary." He realized that working a typical nine-to-five position would never amount to a life of financial freedom, so it was time for him to make something happen.

After leaving his job behind and spending time on various software ventures, Ventre met an Australian trader who would soon change the course of his life for the better. The man, an expert trader and finance guru, inspired Gianluigi Ventre to educate himself on all things finance, from trading to money management. Soon after, Ventre became immersed in the world of trading. He admits that mastering trading was very difficult, as he lost money just as much as he made it in the beginning; however, Ventre relentlessly persevered and eliminated all distractions in his pursuit of financial mastery. "When my peers would go out to have fun, I would stay in and strategize. Then, when those same people finally came back to sleep, I had formulated a new way to make money," Ventre explained.

After many months of studying, Ventre decided to put his trading skills to the test. He entered a competition along with 200 other skilled traders, and an attractive $50,000 cash prize. To his own surprise, he ended up taking first place. To this day, he still considers it to be his biggest accomplishment thus far, as it was a pivotal moment in his life. Ventre then began developing his own software which enabled him to analyze the market in a more efficient way. With his own system built and his financial knowledge increasing on a daily basis, Ventre has consistently managed to double his deposited capital. One of his best returns to date was when he made a 240% profit with a capital of $100,000 in just over a year, and 2,000% on the collapse of oil.

Ventre had begun to make a name for himself in the financial world, and he knew he possessed the knowledge needed to help others learn to trade with his techniques. He invested his winnings from the tournament into creating his first prominent business. The business would primarily revolve around teaching others to trade, but even with a resume like Ventre's, building trust with prospective clients was difficult. As many people in the trading space know, there are countless scams and fraudulent individuals claiming to teach others the secrets of trading, among other financial services. To combat this understandable skepticism, Ventre began sampling his services and products at no cost, sometimes even for the span of multiple weeks.

After spending numerous months proving his validity to potential clients, Ventre began to build a strong list of satisfied customers. Word-of-mouth soon assisted him in gaining a heavy flow of incoming inquiries, and his traffic has only increased since then. In fact, his business has become so highly sought-after that today Ventre has an estimated 300 people working for him. Ventre makes certain that each individual he works with are skilled and passionate about what they do, just as he is. His team helps others learn everything having to do with financials, from trading strategies to maximizing online sales in general, but Ventre emphasizes that it doesn't work without effort on the part of the client. "Anyone can attempt to learn how to trade, but it's not easy by any means. You need the right tools, commitment, and you absolutely need to spend hours studying," Ventre boldly stated.

Gianluigi Ventre constantly strives to help others break through the mental barriers they have subconsciously built to show them that anything is possible with effort and consistency. He plans on establishing himself at the forefront of his industry, and he is already well on his way with hundreds of satisfied clients under his mentorship. We encourage readers to keep up with Ventre online, as he is definitely an entrepreneur to look out for in 2021. Readers can keep up with Ventre on his Instagram, or visit his website.

(Disclaimer- Brand desk content)
Mumbai: As many as 90 people have died of Mucormycosis, a rare but fatal fungal infection, in Maharashtra so far, state public health minister Rajesh Tope said on Wednesday (May 19). Cases of mucormycosis, also called Black Fungus, have been on rise since the outbreak of coronavirus last year, though the minister did not mention any timeframe.

He also warned against the indiscriminate use of steroids to treat COVID-19 patients. "So far, 90 people have died due to mucormycosis in Maharashtra. It is serious. and should not be taken lightly. Indiscriminate use of steroids to treat patients suffering from coronavirus should be avoided," the minister was quoted as saying by PTI.

Factors such as severe diabetes and suppression of immune system also lead to people catching the infection, Tope said.

According to medical experts, steroids which suppress immune system make a patient vulnerable to catching the fungal infection. "The Maharashtra government is prepared to tackle it and has prepared nine-page guidelines for doctors who treat mucormycosis patients. The guidelines also suggest preventive measures such as the use of sterilised or distilled water in humidifiers of oxygen supplying machines (in COVID-19 wards)," he said.

Compared to the first wave of coronavirus pandemic, there have been more cases of Black Fungus in the second wave, doctors have noted.

Live TV
The fence on the border between the Spanish autonomous city of Ceuta and Morocco (file image).

Madrid  Spain's prime minister flew to the country's North African enclave Tuesday to contain a migration crisis with neighboring Morocco after 6,000 migrants swam or walked over the border.

Spain deployed troops and extra police to repel crowds who were trying to get around security fences from Morocco into the tiny Spanish territory after a huge incursion of migrants the day before.

Videos emerged that appeared to show Moroccan soldiers opening security gates to let migrants through to the Spanish port city.

"This sudden arrival of irregular migrants is a serious crisis for Spain and Europe," said Pedro Sanchez in a televised address to the nation before travelling to Ceuta and Melilla, another Spanish enclave bordering Morocco.

European Union leaders backed Spain, saying the mass incursion in Ceuta was a breach of the bloc's borders.

European Commission Vice President Margaritis Schinas called for a "strong protection of our borders."

Experts suggested this huge influx, which included entire families, was an attempt by Morocco to pressure Spain to alter its policy toward Western Sahara, the disputed territory to which Rabat lays claim.

Morocco and Spain have been mired in a diplomatic dispute over the presence in Spain of a Polisario Front leader, whose movement has fought for the independence of Western Sahara.

The leader, Brahim Ghali, is receiving treatment at a hospital in Logrono in northern Spain, after he was diagnosed with COVID-19, the disease caused by the coronavirus.

The Polisario Front fought a long war against Morocco to win the independence of the disputed Western Saharan territory, which was a Spanish colony until 1975.

Rabat claims the territory as part of Morocco partly as it contains important deposits of phosphates, but the Polisario Front has demanded an independence referendum.

Close Sign up for free AllAfrica Newsletters Get the latest in African news delivered straight to your inbox Top Headlines Morocco Europe and Africa Western Sahara By submitting above, you agree to our privacy policy. Success! Almost finished... We need to confirm your email address. To complete the process, please follow the instructions in the email we just sent you. Error! Error! There was a problem processing your submission. Please try again later.

Ignacio Cembrero, a Spanish journalist who writes frequently on Morocco, said Rabat had relaxed security measures on the border with Ceuta to try to force Madrid to change its stance on Western Sahara.

"The Moroccan foreign minister, Naser Burita, said in January that Rabat wanted Spain to change its policy to support Moroccan claims over Western Sahara. This is how it puts pressure on Madrid," he told VOA.

Spain has long maintained a solution to the dispute can only come from an agreement brokered by the United Nations.

Moroccan Foreign Minister Naser Burita asked last week whether Spain wanted to "sacrifice relations with Morocco" by failing to inform Rabat of Ghali's presence in Spain.

Analysts said it appeared Morocco was playing a familiar game by relaxing its border controls to prove a political point against its neighbor Spain.

"What has happened in Ceuta is another example of how Morocco plays with migration as a manner to pursue its own interests. The EU should not give ground faced with this pressure," Estrella Galan, director of the non-profit Spanish Commission to Aid Refugees, told VOA.

Spain's foreign minister, Arancha Gonzalez Laya, dismissed claims the arrival of thousands of Moroccans in Ceuta was linked to the row over Ghali.

"I cannot speak for Morocco, but what they told us a few hours ago, this afternoon, is that this is not due to the disagreement over Ghali," she told Cadena Ser, a Spanish radio station. "Spain has been very clear and detailed about the (Ghali) case. It is simply a humanitarian issue."
New Delhi: The second India-Nordic Summit, which was scheduled to be held in June 2021, has been postponed since Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi won't be traveling abroad amid the COVID-19 pandemic. The Summit was to take place in Denmark and would include all 5 Nordic countries -- Denmark, Norway, Sweden, Finland, and Iceland.

PM Narendra Modi's Denmark visit for India-Nordic Summit in June cancelled

"It is no secret that Prime Minister Narendra Modi is not traveling in June, so, therefore, the the India-Nordic Summit has been postponed," said Ambassador of Denmark Freddy Svane at a virtual meet hosted by India Writes Network. The physical Summit is expected to happen later and a 'timespan' is being looked into.

The first India-Nordic Summit took place in Sweden's capital Stockholm in April of 2018 and is a unique format that brings together India along with all the countries in the Nordic region. A similar format meet has taken with the US as well in May 2016 when the then US President Obama had held meeting with the 5 Nordic countries.

New Delhi has been increasing its engagement with the Nordics or the northern European countries, which are known for clean technology, renewables, and a high standard of living. Since last year, Indian PM Modi has had virtual Summits with 3 Nordic countries -- Denmark, Sweden, and Finland, which is highest in any specific region of the world.

Important to note, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi was to travel to the UK as well to participate in the G7 leaders meet in June. India's Ministry of External Affairs announced earlier this month that the visit stands canceled 'given the prevailing COVID situation.'

India was invited as a guest to participate at the G7 by UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson who is the chair of the grouping. This is is the third time in a row that India is being invited for G7, first by the French in 2019, Americans in 2020, and now the British this year.

Live TV
NEW DELHI: Delhi Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia on Wednesday hit back at the BJP government and said that it was more concerned about its image and doing politics over the new COVID strain found in Singapore.

The BJP is doing cheap politics. It is worried about its image in Singapore but not about children under threat from the new COVID strain, Delhi Deputy CM Manish Sisodia said. "Kejriwal talked of Singapore strain and the children. The issue is not Singapore but children," he said.

It may be recalled that Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal's remark about a new form of COVID-19 in Singapore has sparked off a diplomatic row between India and Singapore.

Remarks from Sisodia came after External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said the Delhi chief minister "does not speak for India" and that the two countries have been solid partners in combating the pandemic.

In response to Kejriwal's tweet, the Southeast Asian city-state called the Indian envoy and conveyed to him its strong objections to the "unfounded assertions".

Spokesperson in the Ministry of External Affairs, Arindam Bagchi, said the Indian High Commissioner P Kumaran clarified to the Singapore government that the Delhi chief minister had no competence to comment on COVID-19 variants.

In its statement, the Singapore Foreign Ministry said there is no "Singapore variant" and that the strain prevalent in many of the COVID-19 cases in recent weeks is the B.1.617.2 variant, which was first detected in India.

Kejriwal on Tuesday asked the central government to immediately halt air services with Singapore claiming that a new coronavirus strain found in that country is particularly harmful to children and could trigger a third wave of the pandemic in India. Singapore's health ministry trashed the claim on Tuesday night.

"Singapore Government called in our High Commissioner today to convey strong objection to Delhi CM's tweet on 'Singapore variant'.

High Commissioner clarified that Delhi CM had no competence to pronounce on Covid variants or civil aviation policy," Bagchi tweeted.

Earlier, Singapore's Foreign Minister Vivian Balakrishnan tweeted: "Politicians should stick to facts! There is no 'Singapore variant'."

The Singapore Foreign Ministry said it is disappointed that a prominent political figure had failed to ascertain the facts before making such claims. In a series of tweets on Wednesday, Jaishankar said Singapore and India have been solid partners in combating the pandemic and appreciated the country's role as a logistics hub and oxygen supplier.

Singapore and India have been solid partners in the fight against Covid-19. Appreciate Singapore's role as a logistics hub and oxygen supplier. Their gesture of deploying military aircraft to help us speaks of our exceptional relationship. @VivianBala https://t.co/x7jcmoyQ5a  Dr. S. Jaishankar (@DrSJaishankar) May 19, 2021

"Their gesture of deploying military aircraft to help us speaks of our exceptional relationship," Jaishankar said. "However, irresponsible comments from those who should know better can damage long-standing partnerships. So, let me clarify- Delhi CM does not speak for India," he said.

Soon after Jaishankar's comments, Balakrishnan thanked his Indian counterpart and called for focusing on resolving the situation in the respective countries and helping one another, adding, "Nobody is safe until everyone is safe."

Singapore's Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) said the assertions made by Kejriwal were unfounded. "MFA regrets the unfounded assertions made on Facebook and Twitter by Chief Minister of Delhi Arvind Kejriwal that a variant of COVID-19 found in Singapore was particularly harmful to children and could cause the third wave of infections in India," it said.

"MFA is disappointed that a prominent political figure had failed to ascertain the facts before making such claims," it said. The MFA said it met High Commissioner Kumaran this morning to express these concerns.

"As highlighted by MOH (Ministry of Health) in its press release of May 18, there is no 'Singapore variant'. The strain prevalent in many of the COVID-19 cases in recent weeks is the B.1.617.2 variant, which was first detected in India," the MFA said.

Live TV
New Delhi: The Central Bureau of Investigation arrested three customs officials in New Delhis Tuglakabad for demanding and accepting bribe from a private firm for allowing consignments.

The three accused - Surendra Singh and Ajeet Kumar, both Superintendents/Senior Intelligence Officers and Sandeep Rathi, Inspector/Intelligence Officer - of the Customs, Import department, Tuglakabad were caught accepting a bribe of Rs 4 lakh.

A case was registered on a complaint against the said public servants. The complainant belonging to a private company had alleged that the accused demanded a bribe of Rs 15 lakh for clearing the consignment of open cells (TV Screens) imported by his company and additional bribe of Rs. 50,000 per container cleared in the last four months.

Later on, the accused allegedly agreed to accept Rs 10 lakh in installments and the first installment of Rs 4 lakh was to be paid.

CBI laid a trap and caught one of the officers demanding and accepting the bribe of Rs 4 lakh as the first installment from the complainant.

During the investigation, the other two were also arrested.

Searches were conducted at the premises of the accused in Delhi/NCR area which led to the recovery of cash and incriminating documents.

Cash of about Rs 11 lakh from a Superintendent and about Rs 9 lakh from another Superintendent was recovered.

Live TV
New Delhi: The Central Board of Secondary Education extended the last date for schools to submit the marks of students of class 10 to the board. Earlier, the finalisation of results by schools was to be done by May 25, and the marks were to be submitted to CBSE by June 5. However, the CBSE board announced that the last date to submit the marks has been extended till June 30.

The board released an official notice on its official website on May 18. Around 18 lakh students of class 10 will be subject to this system of assessment. The CBSE board had earlier announced that the entire exercise of tabulation of marks will be completed by June 11 and the result will be declared by June 20.

CBSE increases the deadline for submission of class 10 marks by schools to ensure teachers and staff members' safety

The decision has been taken in view of the COVID-induced lockdown in several states in view of the ongoing pandemic situation. Therefore, in order to ensure the safety of its teachers and faculty members, the board took the decision and increased the deadline for the submission of students' marks by the schools.

CBSE Class 10 board results 2021 to be delayed?

The date for the declaration of the result was to be done by June 20, but now the class 10th results will also be delayed.

The basic break-up of marks provided by the board is as follows  20 marks based on internal assessment, which has already been conducted by most schools with marks already uploaded, 10 marks for periodic/unit test, 30 for half-yearly/mid-term examinations, and 40 marks for pre-board examinations.

The CBSE had earlier this month announced a policy for tabulation of marks for class 10 board exams which have been cancelled in view of the COVID-19 pandemic situation in the country.

According to the policy, while 20 marks for each subject will be for internal assessment as every year, 80 marks will be calculated on basis of the students' performance in various tests or exams throughout the year.

The board had asked schools to form a result committee consisting of principal and seven teachers for finalising esults. Five teachers from the school should be from Mathematics, Social Science, Science and two languages, and two teachers from neighbouring schools should be co-opted by the school as the external members of the committee.

The CBSE had on April 14 cancelled class 10 exams and postponed class 12 exams in view of surge in COVID-19 cases. The decision was taken at a high-level meeting chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The board exams are usually conducted in February-March. However, the board had decided to conduct them in May-June this year due to the pandemic situation.

Live TV
New Delhi: The Chhattisgarh Board of Secondary Education (CGBSE) on Wednesday (May 19) declared the results of Class 10 Board exams. The results were prepared on the basis of internal evaluation of the students as the final theory exams were cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

All 4,61,093 students who registered for the exams have been passed by the state board.

The overall pass percentage is 100 per cent as all the 4,61,093 eligible students are declared to have passed the exam, an official was quoted as saying by PTI.

The students who are not satisfied with the allotted marks will be allowed to sit for the exam next year, the official added.

The results were announced by state School Education Minister Premsai Singh Tekam through video conferencing.

"A total of 4,67,261 students had registered for the class 10 exam. Of them, forms of 6,168 students were rejected for not fulfilling the criteria. The remaining 4,61,093 eligible students, including 2,24,112 boys and 2,31,999 girls, have passed the exam," said VK Goyal, Secretary, CGBSE.

"Of the 4,61,093 students, 4,46,393 qualified the exam in the grade-I category which is 96.81 per cent of the overall result. Similarly, 9,024 aspirants have passed the exam in grad-II while 5,676 in grade-III which 1.96 per cent and 1.23 per cent of the result, respectively," he added.

Steps to check Chhattisgarh Class 10 Board Results:

Step 1: Visit the official website at cgbse.nic.in

Step 2: Click on any of the three links under HIGH SCHOOL (10th) EXAMINATION RESULT - YEAR 2021

Step 3: Enter the Roll Number and Captcha code

Step 4: Click on the Submit button

Step 5: The scorecard will appear on the screen. Take a printout of the same for future reference.

Live TV
New Delhi: The Indian Medical Association (IMA) on Wednesday (May 29, 2021) warned of the possible third wave of COVID-19 and said that the only way forward is the vaccination.

The IMA also suggested that a mass COVID-19 vaccination drive has to be done.

"Only way forward is vaccination. If we're not pushing for mass vaccination, it's not safe to face the third wave that is bound to occur. Mass vaccination has to be done. Centre must procure maximum vaccines, decentralise and even to the level of the door to door vaccination," IMA President Dr JA Jayalal was quoted as saying by ANI.

Dr Jayalal added that India should expedite the process and within a few months, it should complete the target of 60-70% vaccination.

The IMA Chief also expressed his concern over the long gap of six months for people recovering from COVID-19 to get vaccinated.

"There's conflict as to when should people recovering from COVID-19 get vaccinated. Making them wait for six months is a threat for them, exposing them to the virus," Jayalal pointed out.

He said to make COVID-19 free India in the near future, the Government should reconsider it with scientific evidence and come out with the objective that everyone in this country should get vaccinated at the earliest.

Jayalal's comments came on a day when India recorded its highest single-day rise in COVID-19 deaths. The country reported 4,529 new coronavirus-related casualties and surpassed its one-day record of 4,329 fatalities that were registered on Tuesday.

The country also saw 2,67,334 new COVID-19 cases and 3,89,851 recoveries in the past 24 hours. There are now 32,26,719 active cases across the country.

India now has a total of 2,54,96,330 coronavirus cases, of which, 2,19,86,363 have been discharged, while 2,83,248 have died of the virus.

Meanwhile, the cumulative number of COVID-19 vaccine doses administered in the country has touched 18.58 crore, the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare said on Wednesday. A total of 18,58,09,302 vaccine doses have been administered through 27,10,934 sessions.

These include 96,73,684 health care workers (HCWs) who have taken the first dose and 66,59,125 HCWs who have taken the second dose, 1,45,69,669 frontline care workers (FLWs) (1st dose) and 82,36,515 FLWs (2nd dose). Vaccines have also been given to 5,80,46,339 (1st dose) and 93,51,036 (2nd dose) beneficiaries aged 45 to 60 years.

5,48,16,767 1st dose beneficiaries and 1,79,78,724 2nd dose beneficiaries of more than 60 years old have also received the vaccines. 64,77,443 beneficiaries under 18-44 age group have also been administered the first shot.

(With inputs from agencies)



Live TV
New Delhi: Amid criticism over Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal's Singapore COVID variant remark, Delhi Health Minister Satyendar Jain claimed on Wednesday that a 'different strain' of the coronavirus is spreading in the Southeast Asian country. His comments came hours after the government of Singapore conveyed to the Indian high commissioner its strong objection to Kejriwal's comments about a 'Singapore variant' of COVID-19.

The Delhi Chief Minister called for cancelling all air services with Singapore with immediate effect on Tuesday, saying a strain of the coronavirus found in the Southeast Asian country could reach Delhi in the form of a third wave of the pandemic. "There are many strains of the coronavirus in India at present.... Their presence is ascertained through genome-sequencing. It is a different strain (in Singapore) indeed. Whether it is from Singapore, Delhi, America or London...What is important is that the strains are different," Jain told reporters.

"It is wrong to say it is not a different variant.... The picture will be clear in some time. We will inform you about it," he said. Jain pointed out that the Delhi government had also called for cancelling flights from London last year.

"Then also, it was considered an unwarranted demand. I think we should do whatever possible to protect the country," he said. Earlier in the day, Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) Spokesperson Arindam Bagchi said the Indian high commissioner in Singapore conveyed to the government of that country that Kejriwal has "no competence" to comment on COVID variants. External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said the Delhi chief minister does not speak for India.

"Singapore Government called in our High Commissioner today to convey strong objection to Delhi CM's tweet on "Singapore variant". High Commissioner clarified that Delhi CM had no competence to pronounce on Covid variants or civil aviation policy," Bagchi said in a tweet.

In a tweet in Hindi, Kejriwal said on Tuesday: "The new form of the coronavirus in Singapore is said to be very dangerous for children. It could reach Delhi in the form of a third wave. My appeal to the central government: 1. Cancel all air services with Singapore with immediate effect 2. Work on vaccine alternatives for children on a priority basis."

Reacting to it, Singapore's health ministry said there was no truth in the claim.
Mumbai: As many as 26 personnel on board accommodation barge P305 that went adrift in Cyclone Tauktae fury before sinking in the Arabian Sea off Mumbai coast are dead and 49 are still missing, as the Navy continued search and rescue operations through the night, an official said. The Navy said its personnel, battling extreme weather, have so far rescued 186 of the 261 people who were onboard barge P305 and also two from tugboat Varaprada.

So far 26 bodies have been recovered and 49 people who were on the barge P305 which sank on Monday are missing.

The Navy had so far maintained that there were 273 persons on board the barge but an official on Wednesday evening said that the company which operated it has informed that there were 261 personnel on board the ill-fated barge. "The Navy's Search and Rescue (SAR) operations off Mumbai and Gujarat entered its third day today. Naval ships and aircraft are presently undertaking SAR of the missing crew members of Accommodation Barge P-305, which sank on Monday 35 miles off Mumbai," the spokesperson said.

Warships INS Kochi, INS Kolkata, INS Beas, INS Betwa, INS Teg, P8I maritime surveillance aircraft, Chetak, ALH & Seaking helicopters are involved in the SAR operations. "INS Kochi which entered Mumbai harbour on Wednesday to disembark 125 survivors and mortal remains of four crew members, was immediately sailed out in the evening again to continue the search effort.

"INS Kolkata is scheduled to enter Mumbai harbour during the night to disembark the remaining survivors rescued from barge P-305 and Tug 'Varapradha' as well as the mortal remains of 18 crew members recovered during the operation.," he said.

On completion of its operations off Gujarat coast, INS Talwar has also been diverted to conjoin the other three naval ships searching for the missing crew of barge P-305, off Mumbai.

INS Talwar was the 'OnScene Coordinator' off Gujarat coast and assisted Support Station 3 (SS-3) and Drill Ship Sagar Bhushan, which are now being safely towed back to Mumbai by ONGC support vessels, he said.

Food and water to the 300 odd crew members of these vessels was also provided by naval helicopters from Mumbai, earlier in the day," he said. "As of now, 186 crew members of Accommodation barge P-305, and two from Tug 'Varapradha' have been rescued by Navy ships and aircraft. A total of 26 mortal remains of the crew of Barge P305 have been recovered so far," he said.

"Search and rescue operations are still. However, the chances of finding more survivors are getting bleaker by the hour," an official said.

All personnel on board two other barges and an oil rig rendered adrift hours before the "very severe cyclonic storm" made landfall on the Gujarat coast are also safe, a Navy spokesperson said.

After reaching Mumbai, the rescuees recounted how they battled tidal waves as high as 10 metres and strong winds while trying to stay afloat in the cyclone-hit rough Arabian Sea for two days.

Workmen rescued from barge P305 narrated their horrifying experience in their quest for survival. Some said they had almost lost the hope of making it alive back home. "It was a horrific situation on the barge. I had not thought I would survive. But, I swam in the waters for seven to eight hours with the determination to stay alive and was rescued by the Navy," workman Manoj Gite told reporters here.

Gite (19), a resident of Kolhapur, said as the barge started sinking, all workmen got worried and he along with others wore a life jacket and jumped into the waters.

Asked if he would return to the rig again, Gite said he is not keen to go back and is contented to be alive after the nightmarish experience. Another workman, who was injured in the incident, thanked the Indian Navy for saving his life. "It is because of the Navy that we all are alive and safe today, otherwise we don't what would have happened to us," the workman said while fighting back his tears.

All the 137 personnel on barge GAL Constructor were rescued on Tuesday by the Navy and Coast Guard. The 196 personnel on barge SS-3 and 101 personnel on board oil rig Sagar Bhushan are safe, the official said.

Three barges and an oil rig with 695 personnel on board went adrift on Monday. These included barge P305 with 261 persons, cargo barge GAL Constructor with 137 personnel on board, accommodation barge SS-3 with 196 personnel on board and the Sagar Bhushan oil rig with 101 personnel on board, the official said.

Deputy Chief of Naval Staff Vice Admiral Murlidhar Sadashiv Pawar said the ongoing SAR is among the most challenging search and rescue operations in the last four decades.

Navy ships were deployed on Monday after receipt of a request for assistance for barge 'P305' adrift off Heera oil fields in Bombay high area with 273 personnel on board. The oil fields are around 70 km southwest of Mumbai.
New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi conducted an aerial survey of the Cyclone Tauktae-hit areas in Gujarat on Wednesday (May 19, 2021) and announced a financial assistance of Rs 1,000 crore for immediate relief measures in the state.

In an aerial survey, PM Modi took stock of the cyclone Tauktae affected areas in Gujarat and Diu including areas like Una, Diu, Jafarabad, and Mahuva. He is set to hold a review meeting in Ahmedabad later on Wednesday, a press note issued by the Prime Minister's Office said.

Undertook an aerial survey over parts of Gujarat and Diu to assess the situation in the wake of Cyclone Tauktae. Central Government is working closely with all the states affected by the cyclone. pic.twitter.com/wGgM6sl8Ln  Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) May 19, 2021

"PM Modi said that we have to continue the focus towards more scientific studies relating to disaster management. He called for devoting more focus to enhancing intra-state coordination as well as using modern communication techniques to ensure quicker evacuation from the affected areas. He also called for immediate attention to be devoted to repairing the damaged houses and properties across affected areas," the PMO statement said.

The PM expressed complete solidarity with all those who suffered due to the cyclone in different parts of the country and expressed deep sorrow to the families who have lost their kin during the calamity, the statement added.

The Centre will deploy an inter-ministerial team to visit the state in order to assess the extent of damage in the state and has assured Vijay Rupani-led government in Gujarat of aid for restoration of damaged infrastructure, the statement read.

Reviewed the situation caused by Cyclone Tauktae during a meeting in Ahmedabad. Took stock of the evacuation efforts and the ongoing relief work for those affected. Centre will help in rebuilding damaged infrastructure. https://t.co/B0yi2JJau5  Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) May 19, 2021

Further, the prime minister declared an ex-gratia of Rs 2 lakh for next of kin of deceased and Rs 50,000 for those injured due to the storm in states like Kerala, Karnataka, Goa, Maharashtra, Gujarat, Rajasthan and the UTs of Daman and Diu, and Dadra and Nagar Haveli. PM Modi said immediate financial assistance would be given to all affected states after they send their assessments to the Centre.

Ex-gratia of Rs. 2 lakh would be given to the next of kin of those who lost their lives due to Cyclone Tauktae in all the affected states. Rs. 50,000 would be given to the injured. GOI is in full solidarity with those affected and will provide them all possible support.  Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) May 19, 2021

Cyclone Tauktae has been dubbed as the worst to hit the state, the storm triggered heavy rains in many parts along its way from the Saurashtra coast to North Gujarat with 46 talukas receiving over 100 mm of downpour, while 12 of them recorded 150 mm to 175 mm of rains.

Currently, the cyclone has weakened into a depression and lay centred over south Rajasthan and adjoining Gujarat region on Wednesday morning, the India Meteorological Department said.
New Delhi: Days after sharing a post on Twitter seeking help to find herself an ICU bed in a hospital, Dr Nabila Sadiq, Assistant Professor at Jamia Millia Islamia university succumbed to COVID-19 at a Faridabad hospital on Monday (May 17) night.

The 38-year-old was a PhD scholar from JNU who continued to guide her students with their thesis until April 20.

At this rate no one will stay alive in Delhi at least, read one of her last tweets.

One of her students, Waqar, said they called every hospital in Delhi-NCR to get an oxygen bed.

Her friends helped us get a bed at Fortis Hospital in Faridabad. However, her oxygen levels dropped to 32%. After a CT scan, the doctor said her lungs were damaged. I received hundreds of calls every day from her colleagues, relatives and friends asking about her health. We didnt know what to do, Waqar was quoted as saying by Indian Express.

Incidentally, just ten days before her death, her mother Nuzhat (76) had also died of COVID-related complications.

Nabila wasnt aware of her mothers death, and died worrying about her parents, said the Indian Express report.

Her father, Sadique (80) was also hospitalised for a while due to the infection but was later discharged. He is currently in home isolation.

Nabilas doctors said she wasnt responding to the treatment and died around 11 pm on Monday.

Her last rites were performed by her students and friends a day later at , where her mother was buried just a few days ago.

Live TV
Luena  The Cultural Researcher, Salvador Cacoma, said Monday in Luena, Moxico province, that schools should encourage students to go to museums to have contact with the cultural, historical and ethnic reality through the museological pieces.

Speaking to ANGOP on the International Day of Museums marked on May 18, Salvador Cacoma said cultural research, especially museum pieces, are useful because they portray the culture of a certain people, culture and history.

The specialist said he regrets that museums in the eastern region of Angola are almost forgotten, having appealed to history teachers to encourage students to do research on museum pieces as a way to contribute to the dissemination of the habits and customs portrayed in these objects.

In Moxico, the Culture office has scheduled several activities such as lectures on the importance of museums in police and military units and visits to museums, monuments and local historical sites.

Speaking to ANGOP on the International Day of Museums marked on May 18, Salvador Cacoma said cultural research, especially museum pieces, are useful because they portray the culture of a certain people, culture and history.

The specialist said he regrets that museums in the eastern region of Angola are almost forgotten, having appealed to history teachers to encourage students to do research on museum pieces as a way to contribute to the dissemination of the habits and customs portrayed in these objects.

In Moxico, the Culture office has scheduled several activities such as lectures on the importance of museums in police and military units and visits to museums, monuments and local historical sites.
New Delhi: Singapore Foreign Ministry on Wednesday (May 19) issued a strong statement on Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal's comments on Covid variant from Singapore, saying that it was "disappointed that a prominent political figure had failed to ascertain the facts before making such claims."

Responding to Singapore, EAM Dr S Jaishankar said, "Singapore and India have been solid partners in the fight against COVID-19...However, irresponsible comments from those who should know better can damage long-standing partnerships. So, let me clarify- Delhi CM does not speak for India."

Official Spokesperson, Ministry of External Affairs, Arindam Bagchi, tweeted, "Singapore Government called in our High Commissioner today to convey strong objection to Delhi CM's tweet on "Singapore variant". High Commissioner clarified that Delhi CM had no competence to pronounce on Covid variants or civil aviation policy."

Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Singapore earlier stated, "MFA regrets the unfounded assertions made on Facebook and Twitter by Chief Minister of Delhi Arvind Kejriwal that a variant of COVID-19 found in Singapore was particularly harmful to children and could cause a third wave of infections in India."

"MFA is disappointed that a prominent political figure had failed to ascertain the facts before making such claims. MFA met the High Commissioner of India P Kumaran this morning to express these concerns.

"As highlighted by MOH in its press release of 18 May 2021, there is no Singapore variant. The strain prevalent in many of the COVID-19 cases in recent weeks is the B.1.617.2 variant, which was first detected in India," it added.

Earlier on Tuesday, Singapore`s Ministry of Health (MOH) said that there is no truth in the references in reports in a section of Indian media about the presence of a new variant of coronavirus in the country.

A statement by Singapore`s Ministry of Health (MOH) referred to media reports in a section of media citing remarks of Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal.

"There is no truth whatsoever in the assertions found within the reports. There is no "Singapore variant". The strain that is prevalent in many of the COVID-19 cases in recent weeks is the B.1.617.2 variant, which originated in India. Phylogenetic testing has shown this B.1.617.2 variant to be associated with several clusters in Singapore," the statement said.

Delhi CM Kejriwal on Tuesday requested the Centre to immediately suspend flights from Singapore because of an alleged new strain, which is suspected to affect children. He contended that the alleged new strain in Singapore could lead to the third wave of infections in India.

In a tweet today, Kejriwal said, "The new COVID variant in Singapore is being said to be extremely dangerous for children, in India it may come as a third wave. My appeal to the central government: 1. Air services with Singapore to be cancelled with immediate effect 2. Priority on vaccine options should be worked out for children too."

Live TV
Chennai: Doctors at a private hospital in Chennai successfully performed an 8-hour long procedure to replace the Femur (thigh bone) of a 12-year old Bangladeshi boy, who was diagnosed with Osteosarcoma (Bone Cancer that affects only the long bones).

The doctors said the young boy was discharged and able to walk with support, barely five days after surgery.

It was earlier believed that children diagnosed with this condition dont survive longer than six months and the only treatment option used to be amputation. However, with recent advances in treatment, chemotherapy is performed and the cancerous tumor can be shrunk, following which the limb is replaced with a prosthetic one.

While in the case of a kidney or liver transplant, the organ must be from a donor, in case of bone transplants, doctors opt for a replacement that is made of titanium-cobalt-chromium alloy.

The team that treated the patient said that he was able to walk with the support of a single crutch nearly after a month of discharge. Six weeks after discharge, he was able to walk without support and climb stairs.

The orthopedic surgeon Dr R Sankar of Apollo Hospitals, said that the procedure of limb salvage was a less traumatic experience for the young patient and enabled limb functionality, as opposed to amputation.

This child is going to grow and by the time hes an adult, we would have to perform 2-3 surgeries to extend the limb and joint, as what we have done is an artificial joint replacement. We can say that with this artificial limb, he can have a good quality of life for nearly 20-25 years, Dr Sankar told Zee Media when asked about follow-up treatment.

On the non-Covid cases and emergency surgeries being done at the hospital, Dr Suneeta Reddy, Managing Director, Apollo Hospitals group told Zee Media that about 30 percent of the cases across their hospitals were non-Covid cases, which were being handled in an area fully separated from the Covid-19 wards.

With state-level lockdowns in place, road accident cases have reduced, whereas there is a spike in cases of elderly and children sustaining fall, fracture injuries at home, Reddy added.

Live TV
The International Association of Human Values (IAHV) is working relentlessly towards supplying all essential medical equipment as well as establishing Covid Care Centres across various cities and has provided relief material worth Rs.100 crore until now across the country.

Inspired by the founder Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar, the organisation in association with The Art of Living has responded on several fronts by working all across the value chain. On 23 March 2020, IAHV flagged off the initiatives iStandWithHumanity and #fromu2them in support of Daily Wage Earners. From the provision of almost 100 million meals and ration kit to those in need, to creating and running covid care centres, to delivering oxygen in partnership with State and District Governments, the organisation is raising funds through its partner network which includes corporates like LIC, Godrej, Wipro, SBI Card, Google, BNY Mellon, Atlas Copco, Barclays, Bosch and many more.

Since the second wave of Covid-19 struck India, focusing on making each act count, the organisation under #IAHVCovidCare has successfully thus far organised 6,319 oxygen concentrators that have reached NIMHANS, Victoria Hospital in Bengaluru; Covid Care Centre at Sri Sri University; GIMS and IMA Greater Noida; Ambedkar Hospital, Delhi and in various places like Pune, Patna, Ranchi, Jaipur, Hyderabad, Chennai, Shimla, Dehradun, Lucknow for distribution across hospitals.

A major relief work has been done in procuring and distributing ventilators and oxygen cylinders. IAHV has been involved in handing over around 100 ventilators to various municipal corporations across cities. The organisation has also started 6 Covid care centres with 2700 beds. Apart from these, IAHV has also been lending a helping hand to provide approximately 20 million N95 Masks to local and state governments across the country.

I have grown up in India and I have never witnessed such uncertainty, stress and fear, says Darshak Hathi, the International President of IAHV. He says, We were receiving calls from all parts of the country where migrant workers were saying that they have no job, no food and nowhere to live. In this second wave there is a need to provide vaccines to as many people as we can. We aim to vaccinate over 2 million in the next six months in partnership with Doctors for Youth (DFY). We have already set up 2 vaccination centres in Dharavi, Mumbai and in Yamuna Vihar, Delhi.

IAHV is also actively working with NASSCOM in creating a technology platform that provides data and communication at the grassroots level. Educating rural India about what to do in case of mild or asymptomatic Covid; dispelling fear about vaccines; educating about immunity and hygiene and providing holistic healthcare solutions including home remedies and Ayurveda.

The strength and spirit of the IAHV network has been at full display by IAHV Teams across 156 nations working day and night to raise funds to source relief material, medical equipment and provide consultations with doctors on call.

To donate visit iahv.org

Disclaimer: This is a Featured Content
New Delhi: India has once again extended its support for an African seat at a reformed United Nations Security Council, highlighting it "understands and empathize with the aspirations" of the continent.

Speaking at the discussion on peace and security in Africa at the key United Nations body, India's External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said, "It is a matter of continuing regret for us that the voice of Africa is not given its proper due in..most pivotal (UN) Institution."

He extended his support for the common African Position as mentioned in the Ezulwini Consensus and the Sirte Declaration. Ezulwini Consensus and Sirte Declaration, both call for at least two permanent and 5 to 2 non-permanent UNSC seats to be given to African countries at the high table.

Pointing out how New Delhi reached out to Africa as they "too are being tested by the Covid-19 pandemic", he said India has supplied medicines, vaccines and health-related equipment to 42 African countries. He explained that India will support peace and security, help address root causes of conflict and be a reliable partner in fighting the pandemic.

During his address, Jaishankar mentioned the joint India-South Africa proposal at the World Trade Organisation which calls for a waiver on COVID vaccines so that they can be mass-produced. The US recently announced that it will support the proposal, with more and more developed countries extended support for a discussion on it.

India, which shares traditional and historical ties with the continent has been involved in 189 projects in 41 African countries via its concessional loans. It has given 43,000 education and training slots in the last 5 years and is involved in digital education and health programs with 17 African countries.

EAM Jaishankar said, "India will respond to the priorities of Africa, as defined by Africans themselves. Our support is without conditionalities and in line with African expectations"

India has been involved in peacekeeping in the continent under the United Nations Umbrella. Indian Peacekeeping troops are present in South Sudan, Somalia, Abeyi, Western Sahara, and the Democratic Republic of Congo.

As part of "establishing capabilities and capacities", New Delhi has partnered in the establishment of defense institutions in Nigeria, Ethiopia, and Tanzania with its training teams being deployed in Botswana, Namibia, Uganda, Lesotho, Zambia, Mauritius, Seychelles and Tanzania.

Chinese Foreign minister Wang Yi, who led the meeting, after the EAM finished his remarks at the meet that saw other UNSC countries foreign ministers said, "Mr. Jaishankar, great pleasure to meet u on screen. We hope and we believe that in Africa's recovery (in a pandemic) ... India will play a greater role".

China is the President of UNSC for the current month as the chair holds sway on the agenda.
New Delhi: Congress leader and former Union minister Jairam Ramesh took a dig at Centre after Union Minister Nitin Gadkari recommended that more pharma companies should be allowed to manufacture COVID-19 vaccines.

Sharing Gadkaris video, Ramesh took a potshot at Prime Minister Narendra Modi and tweeted, But is his Boss listening? This is what Dr. Manmohan Singh had suggested on April 18th.

But is his Boss listening? This is what Dr. Manmohan Singh had suggested on April 18th. https://t.co/iqgPgJJ6Y7  Jairam Ramesh (@Jairam_Ramesh) May 19, 2021

Congress spokesperson Jaiveer Shergill slamming BJP, tweeted, "Mr Gadkari says to solve Vaccine demand supply issue more manufacturing licenses should be given Problem is-Nation is demanding vaccines,BJP is supplying fake tool kits. Good to know at least 1 BJP Minister is waking up to reality-How many more have to die to wake up the 'System'?"

On Tuesday, Gadkari had said that if demand for vaccines will be more than supply it will create problems. Thus, at least 10 more companies should be given license in order to scale up production.

"If the demand of vaccine is more than its supply then it creates a problem. So, instead of one company, 10 more companies should be allowed to make vaccines by paying 10 per cent royalty to the original patent holder of the vaccine, the Road Transport Minister was quoted as saying by PTI.

"There are 2-3 laboratories in every state. They should be given the formula to produce the COVID-19 vaccines. They can give royalty," he added.

#WATCH | If vaccine demand is more than supply it creates problem. Instead of 1, let 10 more companies be given license for vaccine manufacture...Let them supply in country & later if there's surplus, they may export. It can be done in 15-20 days: Union Min Nitin Gadkari (18.05) pic.twitter.com/gVOqMuVRNr  ANI (@ANI) May 19, 2021

The senior BJP leader also stated that these vaccine manufacturers should first fulfil the vaccine requirement of the country and in case of surplus, then they should export.

"Let them supply in the country and later if there is surplus, they may export. It can be done in 15-20 days," Gadkari said while addressing Vice Chancellors of Universities in India at a virtual meet.

At present, only Bharat Biotech and Serum Institute of India (SII) have been permitted to manufacture coronavirus vaccines.

Earlier, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal had made a similar request.

Live TV
Bengaluru: In a curious case from Karnataka, a doctor refused to wear a face mask while shopping at a mall calling it a 'foolish rule'.

The man identified as Dr Srinivas Kakkilaya was at the billing counter of a grocery store at a mall in Mangaluru when the store manager and others asked him to put on a face mask. The man was reminded that he is required to wear a mask by law when entering a public space.

Reportedly, the doctor refused to wear the mask and complained about "foolish rules", the manager reminded him it is the law and pointed out that other customers and all his employees had their masks on too.

The entire incident was captured in the store's security camera. The doctor is seen dismissing the pleas from another customer who was also wearing a mask.

The Karnataka Police has filed a case under the Pandemic Act after receiving a written complaint from the manager, who said the doctor's actions had put himself, his employees and other customers at risk.

Meanwhile, Karnataka reported 34281 new COVID-19 cases while the single-day recoveries was at 49953, the Health department data showed. However, the state on the day recorded a spike in fatalities at 468, as the total number of infections stood at 2306655 and the death toll at 23306.
New Delhi: The Uttar Pradesh government on Tuesday (May 18) put a cap on the maximum number of people allowed in weddings during the current lockdown imposed in view of the ravaging COVID-19 crisis.

As per the fresh directives, now a maximum of 25 people will be permitted in weddings and other functions.

In a letter to district officials, Additional Chief Secretary (Home) Awanish Awasthi said permission will be given for participation of maximum 25 invitees at a time for wedding and other functions, both in open and enclosed places, PTI reported.

Attendees will have to follow COVID-19 appropriate behaviour, while strict social distancing has to be complied with while making seating arrangements. Proper arrangements have to be made for sanitation and cleanliness of toilets at the venue where the function is being organised, the directive read.

The responsibility of complying with these conditions will be that of organisers, the order added.

In an earlier order issued on April 20, a maximum of 50 people was allowed in enclosed places and 100 in open places for weddings.

Earlier, the UP government extended the partial corona curfew till May 24.

Uttar Pradesh reported 8,737 new cases on Tuesday pushing the statewide tally to 16,37,663. While 255 deaths pushed the COVID-19 death toll to 18,072, Additional Chief Secretary (Health) Amit Mohan Prasad said.

(With PTI inputs)

Live TV
Mumbai: The Maharashtra government doesn't seem "serious" about protecting its doctors against attacks by kin of patients, the Bombay High Court said on Wednesday.

A bench of Chief Justice Dipankar Datta and Justice GS Kulkarni was referring to an affidavit filed by the deputy secretary of the state Health department following the orders passed by the high court on May 13.

In its order, the bench had directed the state government to inform the HC of the number of FIRs registered in cases of assault on doctors and hospital staff and the steps taken to protect them among other things.

The affidavit submitted before the HC, however, merely made generic submissions and annexed the provisions of the Maharashtra Medicare Service, Persons and Medicare Institutions (Prevention of violence and damage or loss of property) Act, 2010.

It submitted that a total of 436 cases had been registered across the state but failed to give timelines or details of such cases.

The bench said the affidavit did not address any of the queries put forth by the high court in its earlier order.

"This is so shocking, the one-page affidavit that has been filed. From the next time, we are not going to accept affidavits unless vetted by the government pleader.

"The only word we can use is pathetic. This is absolutely callous. The state is not at all serious about protecting its doctors. Yet, the public expects doctors to give their all," the bench said.

The bench directed the deputy secretary, the state health department, to file an additional affidavit by the next week.

It said that such affidavit must also include the state's response to the various suggestions submitted by the petitioners last week on curbing such incidents and protecting doctors and medical staff.

The HC was hearing a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) filed by one Dr. Rajeev Joshi seeking judicial intervention to curb violence against healthcare professionals.

As per the PIL, Maharashtra witnesses the maximum number of such incidents of violence.

Dr. Joshi also claimed in his plea that the Maharashtra government had failed to implement the existing legal provisions, including the 2010 Act, to curb attacks on doctors.

The high court will hear the matter further on May 27.

Live TV
New Delhi: The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has filed a money laundering case against businessman Navneet Kalra and his associates in a recent case of alleged hoarding and black marketing of oxygen concentrators which were being anxiously scoured by those gasping for air due to COVID-19 infection, officials said on Wednesday.

The central probe agency took cognisance of a Delhi Police FIR that was filed on May 5 after policemen raided some restaurants and premises owned and linked to Kalra and recovered more than 500 of these life-saving machines from there.

Official sources said a criminal case under various sections of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) has been filed against Kalra and his associates and the ED will probe the money trail in the matter.

The agency, they said, will probe if the oxygen concentrators were illegally hoarded and offered to the family members or caregivers of coronavirus-infected patients at exorbitant prices, thereby leading to generation of "proceeds of crime" as defined under the PMLA.

The ED is empowered to question and record the statements of the accused and it can even attach their properties during the course of investigation, following which it files a charge sheet before a special PMLA court seeking their prosecution under the anti-money laundering law.

Sources said exchange of basic documents and information sharing between the two agencies-- ED and Delhi Police crime branch-- has been done.

Kalra was nabbed by Delhi Police crime branch sleuths from Gurgaon on Sunday night and was formally arrested the next day. He was later sent to three days police custody by a local court.

Kalra was on the run for over a week since the seisure of more than 500 oxygen concentrators from his restaurants like Khan Chacha, Town Hall, and Nega & Ju.

Police have said the concentrators seized from Kalra's restaurants were imported from China and were being sold at an exorbitant price of Rs 50,000-Rs 70,000 a piece as against a cost of Rs 16,000-Rs 22,000 per piece.

An oxygen concentrator is a vital medical equipment used to provide oxygen to COVID-19 patients and they are in high demand amid the second wave of the pandemic being witnessed by the country at present.

The police have pressed charges under Section 420 (cheating), 188 (disobedience to order promulgated by public servant), 120-B (criminal conspiracy) and 34 (common intention) of the Indian Penal Code, Essential Commodities Act and Epidemic Diseases Act against Kalra and others.

Four employees of Matrix Cellular company, including its CEO and vice president, were also arrested in this case by the police.

They were, however, granted bail by the court.

Kalra is alleged to have purchased the concentrators from Matrix Cellular which had imported them.
Patna: Prime Minister Narendra Modi was impressed when he came to know about the HIT COVID app developed by the Bihar government to track COVID-19 patients undergoing treatment in home isolation.

The Home Isolation Tracking (HIT) app was launched in Bihar on Monday (May 17) and is currently being used across all districts of the state.

The prime minister got information about the app through Patna district magistrate Chandrasekhar Singh while he was interacting with officials of several districts of nine states.

Impressed with the concept, PM Modi ordered to share details about it with the union home ministry so that it could be utilised in other places as well.

"The health department has sent one-page detail of the HIT COVID App to the union health ministry," Additional Chief Secretary, Health, Pratyaya Amrit was quoted as saying by PTI.

Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar had launched the app on Monday to ensure regular monitoring and tracking of those COVID-19 patients, who are in home isolation across the state.

Under this initiative, health workers will visit the patients at home every day and feed data in the app after measuring their temperature and oxygen level.

These data will be monitored at the district level. If the oxygen level of a patient is below 94, they will be shifted to the nearby dedicated COVID health centres for proper treatment.

The HIT App has been developed by the Bihar State Electronics Development Corporation (BELTRON) under the guidance of the health department.

The app was initially launched in five districts on a trial basis and seeing its success, it has been expanded across the state.

Live TV
Luanda  The Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Environment (MCTA) on Tuesday highlighted the need to incorporate museums and similar equipment at the service of systematised research and cultural tourism.

In a message addressed under the celebration of the International Museum Day, the MCTA says a greater awareness of the value of material and immaterial heritage should be provided as a resource for development, demanding more rigorous knowledge and appreciation of our historical past.

The ministry appeals to museum professionals for new reflections that result in pedagogical ways to approach, safeguard and preserve the historicity located in museological institutions, as symbolic spaces of conservation, which have achieved greater importance in the cultural development of societies and their collective memory.

"We understand that museum professionals must face the new challenges in a transversal way, in a relationship of permanent dialogue with the advent of new technologies of the communicational sphere," reads the message.

Angola has 12 museums in operation, institutions that began to emerge in 1956, being the Museum of Dundo (Lunda Norte), the oldest among Angolan museums, whose mission is to rescue cultural values.

The National Museum of Anthropology in Luanda is the most important national museum in the country.

In a message addressed under the celebration of the International Museum Day, the MCTA says a greater awareness of the value of material and immaterial heritage should be provided as a resource for development, demanding more rigorous knowledge and appreciation of our historical past.

Close Sign up for free AllAfrica Newsletters Get the latest in African news delivered straight to your inbox Top Headlines Angola Governance Travel By submitting above, you agree to our privacy policy. Success! Almost finished... We need to confirm your email address. To complete the process, please follow the instructions in the email we just sent you. Error! Error! There was a problem processing your submission. Please try again later.

The ministry appeals to museum professionals for new reflections that result in pedagogical ways to approach, safeguard and preserve the historicity located in museological institutions, as symbolic spaces of conservation, which have achieved greater importance in the cultural development of societies and their collective memory.

"We understand that museum professionals must face the new challenges in a transversal way, in a relationship of permanent dialogue with the advent of new technologies of the communicational sphere," reads the message.

Angola has 12 museums in operation, institutions that began to emerge in 1956, being the Museum of Dundo (Lunda Norte), the oldest among Angolan museums, whose mission is to rescue cultural values.

The National Museum of Anthropology in Luanda is the most important national museum in the country.
New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to visit Gujarat and Diu on Wednesday (May 19, 2021) to review the situation and damage caused by Cyclone Tauktae.

In Gujarat, PM Modi will conduct an aerial survey of the areas of Amreli, Gir Somnath and Bhavnagar districts that have been several affected by Cyclone Tauktae, which made landfall in Gujarat on Monday night.

The Prime Minister will also hold a review meeting with Gujarat CM Vijay Rupani and top officials of the state in Ahmedabad.

PM Shri @narendramodi will visit Gujarat tomorrow to conduct an aerial survey of the areas of Amreli, Gir Somnath & Bhavnagar distrcts hit by #CycloneTauktae. The PM will also hold a review meeting with CM Shri @vijayrupanibjp and top officials of the State later in Ahmedabad.  CMO Gujarat (@CMOGuj) May 18, 2021

As per the India Meteorological Department (IMD) on Wednesday, Cyclone Tauktae will weaken into a Depression in the next few hours.

In a weather bulletin released at 1 AM, the IMD stated, "The Deep Depression 'Tauktae' (pronounced as Tau'Te) over Gujarat region moved north-northeastwards with a speed of about 20 kmph during past six hours and lay centred at 2330 hours IST of May 18, 2021, near latitude 24.0N and longitude 73.0E, about 110 km north-northeast of Ahmedabad."

"The remnant of the system is very likely to move further northeastwards across Rajasthan to west Uttar Pradesh during May 19 and 20," the IMD added.

The IMD also gave a rainfall warning and predicted light to moderate rainfall at most places with heavy to very heavy falls isolated places very likely over Gujarat region and Saurashtra during next 12 hours.

Tauktae, notably, stands to be the strongest storm to impact Gujarat in over two decades.

It also battered several parts of the coastal states of Maharashtra, Goa, Karnataka, and Kerala and left behind a trail of destruction, uprooting electric poles and trees, and damaging several houses and roads, before weakening on landfall in Gujarat.

Cyclone Tauktae has so far reportedly claimed over 29 lives.

(With agency inputs)
New Delhi: In the aftermath of the controversy generated by Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal's tweets over the Singapore variant of COVID-19, the countrys high commissioner to India Simon Wong on Wednesday (May 19) said that those who hold political office have the responsibility not to spread falsehoods.

He pointed out that his country can invoke anti misinformation law - POFMA (Protection from Online Falsehoods and Manipulation Act) law over his remarks.

Simon Wong said, "Prominent political office holders must have a responsibility not to propagate falsehoods", adding, "In Singapore, we have Protection from Online Falsehoods & Manipulation Act (POFMA). It is meant to mitigate the spread of misinformation, so we reserve the right to invoke POFMA on some of the comments and assertions made by the honorable chief minister on this topic".

Delhi CM in the remarks he tweeted on Tuesday called on the central government to suspend air services with Singapore immediately over the variant from the country which impacts children. The Singaporean High commissioner termed the remarks as "unfounded" and something that "caused a stir".

The matter was raised by Singapore's foreign ministry with the Indian high commissioner to the country P Kumaran earlier today and both foreign ministers had tweeted about it.

In the tweet, India's external affairs minister Dr S Jaishankar called the comments of Delhi CM "irresponsible" while Singapore's Foreign minister Vivian Balakrishnan hoped for "resolving the COVID situation in our respective countries".

Singapore's high commissioner Simon Wong said with exchanges between foreign ministers of the two countries "we wished to end to this episode" since authorities representing govt of India have given a "crystal clear" clarification which is "heartening" and "we feel we should move on".

As the second wave of the COVID pandemic hit India, Singapore was the first country from which India got assistance and procured many things.

"Delhi has been beneficiary of items which has come from Singapore" amid the covid crisis said Singapore's high commissioner, adding, we "were taken aback by unfounded comments by Delhi CM".

Asked about mentioning of Indian variant of COVID virus, Wong said, "we refer virus by scientific terms" by following World Health Organisation recommendations.

"It is not Chinese virus or Indian variant," he said, highlighting, "We focus on the scientific aspect" and "we don't have the bandwidth to focus" on other things.

Live TV
New Delhi: After an advisory from the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) on the use of convalescent plasma for the treatment of coronavirus patients, Ganga Ram hospital Chairperson Dr DS Rana has said that Remdesivir is also being considered to be dropped from COVID-19 treatment soon.

Dr Rana said that there is no evidence of its effectiveness in treating COVID-19 patients. The move has come after the use of convalescent plasma has been dropped from the recommended treatment protocols for COVID-19, according to an advisory from the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR).

Ganga Ram hospital Chairperson Dr DS Rana told ANI, "In plasma therapy, we give a pre-forwarded antibody to someone who has been infected before so that the antibody can fight with the virus. Antibodies usually form when the coronavirus attacks."

"We have seen in the last one year that giving plasma does not make any difference in the condition of the patient and other people. Also, it is not easily available. Plasma therapy was started on a scientific basis and has been discontinued on the basis of evidence," Dr Rana further said on Tuesday.

According to Dr Rana, "If we talk about other medicines which we use in COVID treatment, there is no such evidence regarding Remdesivir that works in Covid-19 treatment. Medicines that do not have any activity to work, will have to be discontinued."

"All the experimental medicines, be plasma therapy (which is now discontinued) or Remdesivir, all of them may be dropped soon as there is no such evidence of its functioning. Right now only three medicines are working", Dr Rana said.

"Right now, we all are examining and monitoring. The medical fraternity is trying to gather more information, by the time you gain full knowledge about this pandemic, I think it will be over," he added.

Earlier on Monday, the ICMR issued an advisory to drop the use of convalescent plasma from the recommended treatment protocols for COVID-19. With the cases surging in the country, there has been a spur in the demand for plasma donors, even as experts raise concerns over the effectiveness of plasma therapy for Covid-19 patients.

Meanwhile, Indian Medical Association (IMA) lent its support to plasma therapy in moderate cases of COVID-19 infection and said such patients may need less oxygen with the use of plasma.

The approval for plasma therapy from the IMA came a day after Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR)`s National Task Force (NTF) had dropped use of convalescent plasma therapy from COVID-19 treatment protocol.

"What the IMA is saying is that it (plasma therapy) has been removed as an `off label` use. But it is a clinical step that in moderate cases where oxygen saturation is low, the patient may need less oxygen to stabilise or saturate the oxygen level with the use of plasma," Dr Anil Goel, finance secretary IMA and urologist, told ANI.

"The use of plasma is being put to use with the consent of patients and attendants," Dr Goel further said, adding that the high death rate is because the patients are going to hospitals very late, especially those who are in home quarantine.

Dr Goel reportedly advises such patients to see a chest specialist at some COVID hospital regularly for their better and early treatment.

Live TV
Mumbai: Even as the cyclone Tauktae battered the coastal areas in Maharashtra and Gujarat, a political war broke out on Wednesday (May 19) between BJP and the Maha Vikas Aghadi government led by Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray.

Shiv Sena MP Sanjay Raut targeted Prime Minister Narendra Modi over his visit to cyclone-hit areas in Gujarat while giving Maharashtra a miss.

Raut said that PM Modi chose to visit Gujarat as there is weak leadership in the state that is not capable of handling the crisis.

He added that CM Thackeray, on the other hand, was quite capable of managing the crisis and that even the PM seems to think so.

Countering Rauts jibe, BJP said that instead of attacking the PM, Maharashtra ministers should come out of their AC rooms and help the people facing hardships.

BJP leader Ram Kadam said that while the Konkan region has been severely impacted by the cyclonic storm, none of the state ministers have visited to take stock of the situation.

He added that former CM Devendra Fadnavis has reached out to meet the affected people at various places.

Meanwhile, Maharashtra minister Vijay Wadettiwar is scheduled to visit the storm-affected areas on Thursday. CM Thackeray is also expected to visit the cyclone-hit areas in the state.

Live TV
NEW DELHI: Amid growing concerns that the new mutations of COVID-19, which is more like the B.1.167 variant detected in India, can affect children, the Singapore administration has decided to shut all schools and scale up efforts to vaccinate more and more youngsters.

Singapore's Health Minister Ong Ye Kung, in a conversation with the ministry's Director of Medical Services Kenneth Mak, had said that the B.1.617 strain, first detected in India, "appears to affect children more".

"Some of these mutations are much more virulent and they seem to attack the younger children," the Education Minister said. "This is an area of concern for all of us," he said, adding that none of the infected children was seriously ill.

Chan, in a Facebook post, said that the government is "working out the plans" to vaccinate students under the age of 16. After the announcement, Singapore and Taiwan announced that schools would suspend classes from Tuesday until May 28.

Is it dangerous for children?

The first wave of the pandemic in India mostly affected those above 60 years of age. The second wave affected the younger generation. Now that most adults are either infected or vaccinated, it is expected that children may be at risk in the third wave. Health experts have warned parents to take extra precautions and look out for post-COVID complications in children for early intervention. According to Dr Vidya Vimal, consultant paediatrician, GG Hospital, Thiruvananthapuram, SARS-CoV-2 has undergone mutations and the current strains have been infecting more people, especially children.

Besides COVID-19 infection, the health experts have also raised concerns on other infections such as dengue which is being seen in children. But there is still no official confirmation about children being seriously affected by the new variant of COVID-19 detected in India and Singapore. Though the B.1.617 strain is believed to be driving the Covid surge in India, there is still no definitive evidence to conclude if it is deadlier or is causing a more severe form of infection.

The announcement to shut down schools in Singapore was made after 38 locally transmitted COVID cases, with 17 currently unlinked, were detected in the city-state. The 38 locally transmitted cases caused the highest single-day spike since September last year. Among the new infections were four children, related to a cluster in a tuition centre, who tested positive.

Singapore has relatively remained unharmed by the COVID-19 outbreak last year. However, on Monday it announced 333 local cases of coronavirus infections, bringing the total to just over 2,000.

Kejriwals tweet on new Singapore COVID strain

The concerns over the new COVID strain found in Singapore grew after Delhi Chief Minister tweeted that a very dangerous" strain of the coronavirus was prevalent in the city-state.

"The new form of Corona that came to Singapore is said to be extremely dangerous for children, in India it may come as a third wave. My appeal to the central government: 1. Air services with Singapore to be cancelled with immediate effect 2. Vaccine options should be worked out for children too," Kejriwal said in a Hindi tweet on Tuesday.

His tweet came amid concerns over a possible third wave, which many experts said is likely to target children. The first wave has affected the elderly the most, and the younger people have been infected in the second wave, they pointed out.

Singapore's response to Kejriwal's tweet

In response to Kejriwals tweet, the Singapore High Commission said, "There is no truth in the assertion that there is a new COVID strain in Singapore. Phylogenetic testing has shown that the B.1.617.2 variant is the prevalent strain in many of the COVID cases, including in children, in recent weeks in Singapore."

There is no truth in the assertion that there is a new COVID strain in Singapore. Phylogenetic testing has shown that the B.1.617.2 variant is the prevalent strain in many of the COVID cases, including in children, in recent weeks in Singapore.https://t.co/uz0mNPNxlE https://t.co/Vyj7gyyzvJ  Singapore in India (@SGinIndia) May 18, 2021

The highly contagious B.1.617 variant was first detected in India and has now been found in several nations. It is said to be driving the second wave in the country that has brought the healthcare system to its knees.

Monitoring the situation, says Govt

Responding to the Delhi chief minister's tweet, Union Civil Aviation Minister Hardeep Singh Puri said only a few flights are being operated between the two countries under the government's Vande Bharat Mission to bring stranded Indians back, and added that "all precautions are being taken".

"Kejriwal ji, all international flights have been stopped since March 2020. We have no air bubble with Singapore either. Only a few flights are being operated between the two countries under Vande Bharat Mission to bring back Indians stuck there, Puri said. "We are still keeping an eye on the situation. All precautions are being taken," Puri added.

Reacting to the media report about the new Singapore strain, Dr VK Paul, member (health), NITI Aayog, told a briefing on Tuesday, "We are examining it".

Meanwhile, the Drugs Controller General of India has finally approved Bharat Biotech to conduct Covaxins Phase 2 and 3 clinical trials among children in the two-18 age group. As part of this, clinical trials will be conducted on 525 healthy volunteers below 18 years of age.

More Restrictions in Singapore

In the latest round of restrictions, Singapore has limited public gatherings to two, banned restaurant dine-ins and closed gyms. A Hong Kong government spokesman said that "in view of the recent Covid-19 epidemic situation in Singapore", the two governments had decided to delay the bubble.

The B.1.617 variant, which is widely considered to be one of the primary reasons behind the spike in Covid-19 cases across India during the second wave of the pandemic, has been reportedly termed as a 'global variant of concern' by WHO.

According to reports, it has already spread to over 40 nations and several countries have put travel restrictions for passengers coming from India as a result of the spike in coronavirus cases here.

However, the government of India has issued a statement clarifying that the WHO did not associate the term Indian Variant with the B.1.617 variant of the coronavirus in its 32-page document published on Tuesday.

"In fact, the word Indian has not been used in its report on the matter," it said. The WHO also issued a clarification saying that it does not associate variants with the names of countries they were first reported from.

"WHO does not identify viruses or variants with names of countries they are first reported from. We refer to them by their scientific names and request all to do the same for consistency," the tweet from the global health organisation said.

Live TV
Lucknow: As the threat of COVID-19 second wave is looming large, Uttar Pradesh chief minister Yogi Adityanath announced that children orphaned due to the COVID-19 pandemic are now the property of the state.

The state will now be take all responsibility including maintenance of such children whose parents have died due to COVID, the CM instructed the Department of Women and Child Development to prepare a detailed action plan in this regard.

Adityanath held review meetings with officials directing them that vaccination process should be conducted systematically, seamlessly and effectively.

The CM ordered that the vaccination work at all vaccination centers should go on smoothly and planning should be in place at least one month advance. In addition to the waiting area at the vaccination center, there should also be an observation area. Those who are to be vaccinated with planning should be called at the center so that there is no congestion at the vaccination center.

Vaccination proceedings should be effectively managed with complete action plan keeping zero wastage in mind.

Uttar Pradesh has adopted the policy of aggressive testing right from the beginning. As many as 2,97,327 tests have been comducted in the state, a new record for the last 24 hours. Of this, 2.19 thousand tests have been conducted in rural areas only.

While 1,22,000 tests have been conducted through RTPCR. So far, 4,55,31,018 tests have been conducted in the state. The results of the testing campaign conducted in the villages are getting good results.

All necessary steps are being taken by the government to ensure the health security of the people of the state. The overall COVID-19 positivity rate in the state is 3.6 per cent. Whereas in the last 24 hours, this rate has been 2.45 per cent.

Meanwhile, a total of 7,336 cases of coronavirus infection in the state in the last 24 hours. This number is about 30,000 less than 38,055 cases that came on April 24.

In the last 24 hours, 19,669 infected persons have been discharged after treatment. At present, the number of active cases of COVID-19 infection in the state is 1,23,579, which is 1.87 lakh less than the maximum number of active cases as on April 30, 2021 from 3,10,783. Thus, there has been a decrease of 69% in the maximum number of active cases at present relative to April 30.
Lucknow: Monitoring committees, which play a vital role in the ongoing battle against coronavirus (COVID-19) in Uttar Pradesh, are getting more than one lakh tests done in rural areas of the state everyday. The tests are being conducted by the Rapid Response Teams (RRTs).

Representatives of civil society groups such as Asha, Anganwadi and ANM, who have been part to the committees, act as a shield to protect people from the disease by identifying suspected cases, expediting tests and facilitating treatment as fast as possible. They have been given oximeters and infrared thermometers to identify the symptoms.

After identifying the suspected cases of COVID-19, the representatives pass on the information to the RRT which visits the residences of the suspected cases and conducts the tests. Subsequently, tests are conducted on the family members of the suspected cases also.

Yogi Adityanath government's mantra of 'test, trace and treat' against the novel coronavirus

The monitoring committees are following the Yogi Government's mantra of 'test, trace and treat' against the novel coronavirus religiously. Apart from identifying all suspected COVID cases from door to door on the instructions of Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, they are getting more than a lakh tests conducted daily through the RRTs in rural areas alone while the total daily tests are in the region of 2.50 lakh in the state. Today UP has the unique distinction of being a state that is committed to eradicating COVID-19 from every village of the state, thanks to the committees' efforts, out of total 2.99 lac tests conducted today more than 2.19 lacs tests were conducted in the rural area.

It is worth mentioning here that the members of the monitoring committees have visited 79,512 villages as part of a COVID screening campaign launched by the Yogi Government on May 5. The members detected infections in 28,742 villages, following which targeted efforts were made to contain the spread of the virus in these villages. Today, 68 percent of the villages in UP are free from the virus, thanks to the timely efforts of the Yogi Government.

With the help of more than four lakh members of 60,589 monitoring committees, the Yogi Government is inching closer every day in terms of flattening the curve of Covid infection.

Meanwhile, the Yogi Government has started a special sanitation campaign in rural areas to prevent the virus from spreading. UP is the first state in the country where a sanitation drive has been undertaken on such a large scale in rural areas. The Government's efforts to prevent infectious diseases before the rains have also paid off. Furthermore, the members of the monitoring committees are also reaching out to rural population to raise their awareness of the importance of hygiene and social distancing in guarding against coronavirus. Awareness campaigns are also being run continuously on the importance of washing hands with soaps and wearing masks regularly.

The monitoring committees have played crucial role in rapid management of COVID in the countryside of Uttar Pradesh, earning the CM worldwide acclaim. The World Health Organization (WHO) has also praised the UP Governments efforts to tackle COVID. The WHO, on its website, has praised the UP Government for speedy control of the disease.

Members of the monitoring committees keep track of all the people arriving in villages in order everyday to identify suspected Covid cases and facilitate testing and treatment of patients. They also distribute medical kits to patients in home isolation. The committees are also facilitating quarantine for suspected cases that cant afford home isolation in schools, community centres and health centres in villages.

Live TV
New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday (May 19) interacted with several District Magistrates across the country. The Prime Minister's dialogue with the District Magistrates was broadcast live on all TV channels. Since then, questions have started to be raised on the Prime Minister's dual policy and intent.

How to know if live broadcasting is allowed

Delhi Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia has questioned the live telecast of PM Narendra Modi's dialogue with DM. He said that the Prime Minister's statement in today's meeting was broadcast live on TV. At the last meeting, Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwals live broadcast faced objections on the grounds that the protocol had been broken. Whereas today's protocol allowed for live broadcasts? In such a situation, how can we know which meeting can be broadcast live and which meeting cannot be broadcast live?

Question is being raised against Prime Minister Narendra Modi's double standard policy regarding the live broadcast of meetings



Questions have started to arise when Prime Minister Narendra Modi's dialogue with the DM went live. The double standard policy of Prime Minister Narendra Modi is being questioned. A few days ago, the Prime Minister objected to the live broadcast of the meeting with the Chief Ministers and criticized the Delhi government. The Prime Minister had said that some people are breaking the protocol of the meeting. This time the meeting itself was broadcast live on behalf of the Prime Minister's Office. In such a situation, people are asking what is the protocol and who is breaking the protocol. The citizens are clearly observing a double standard on the part of the central government.
New Delhi: Karnataka Chief Minister B S Yediyurappa on Wednesday (May 19) announced a relief package of around Rs 1,250 crore for those whose lives have been affected by the lockdown imposed in order to curb the spread of COVID-19.

Apart from the relief package, Yediyurappa declared that teachers, linemen, cylinder distributors will be included in the category of frontline workers so that they can be vaccinated on priority.

Here is a detailed list of the relief package:

1. Rs 10,000 relief will be given to growers for per hectare loss. It will benefit about 20,000 farmers and may cost Rs 12.73 crore.

2. Rs 10,000 per hectare financial relief will be given to fruit and vegetable growers, limiting it to one hectare. This will benefit about 69,000 farmers and may cost Rs 69 crore, said Karnataka CM.

3. Rs 3,000 each relief will be given to auto, taxi and maxi cab drivers who have licence and have registration. This will benefit about 2.10 lakh beneficiaries and can cost around Rs 63 crore.

4. Rs 3,000 each for labourers who have registered with Karnataka Building And Other Construction Workers Welfare Board. It will cost the state around Rs 494 crore.

5. Rs 2,000 each will be given to those under unorganised sector like barbers, washermen, tailor, porters, ragpickers, potters, goldsmiths, mechanics, blacksmith, household workers, cobblers, among others, benefiting 3.04 lakh people, and will cost about Rs 60.89 crore.

6. Roadside vendors, those registered under Aatma Nirbhar package to be given Rs 2,000 each, he said, adding that it will benefit about 2.20 lakh people and cost Rs 44 crore.

7. Artists and art teams will be given Rs 3,000 each, benefiting 16,095 beneficiaries and will cost Rs 4.82 crore.

8. Under Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Yojana, 5 kg rice will be provided.

Announcing the relief package, Karnataka CM Yediyurappa told reporters, Our government had given financial packages to various sectors during the COVID first wave.

Despite that, as the current restrictions have affected the livelihood of those with unorganised sector and farmers, to mitigate its impact we are announcing a relief programme of more than Rs 1,250 crore, PTI quoted him as saying.

Karnataka imposed a complete lockdown till May 24, as the COVID-19 cases continued to spike. The CM said a decision will be taken on extending the current lockdown soon.

(With PTI inputs)

Live TV
New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on May 14 (on the auspicious occassion of Akshaya Tritiya) released the eighth installment of Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM-KISAN) scheme on Friday via video-conferencing.

PM Modi released over Rs 20,000 crore to more than 9.5 crore farmer beneficiaries under PM-KISAN scheme. However, there could be some farmers who have not got the beneficiary amount into their account.

You can now check your name via PM KISAN website and also using the mobile App. Meanwhile, for a better and hassle free access, government has issued a series of hotline numbers, using which you can lodge your grievances.

Also, you can check your credit details by logging onto the following direct link.

https://pmkisan.gov.in/BeneficiaryStatus.aspx

- You can check your credit details via three modes.

Aadhar Number

Account Number

Mobile Number

- Punch in your desired list and press enter.

- Now, you can check your details.

Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM-KISAN) Scheme aims to provide income support to all landholder farmer families across the country with cultivable land, subject to certain exclusions.

In a financial year, PM KISAN installment is credited thrice through --Period 1 from April-July; Period 2 from August to November; and Period 3 from December to March.

Live TV

#mute
Longonjo  Exploration of the mineral reserve in Longonjo municipality, Huambo province, with 23 billion tons of raw ore known as "rare lands", may begin in early 2022, ANGOP reported Monday.

The project, which will create 450 direct jobs, 50 percent of which will be for youths from the municipality, 64 kilometres to the west of the city of Huambo, is a partnership between Angolan company Ferrangol-EP and Australia's Pesana.

In this regard, the geologist for Ozango Minerais (the company resulting from the partnership), Geraldine Tchimbali, said that the equipment was due to arrive in the country and be set up soon, and that the stalemate was due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

He said these are rare Neodymium and Preseodymium ores, among other special metals, used as raw materials for manufacturing ultra-strong and light permanent magnets, for end use in electric vehicles, wind turbines, modern electronics such as mobile phones, used in China's new technologies.

Geraldine Tchimbali noted that the Longonjo municipality has the potential to become the first large "NdPr" rare lands mine in Africa, thus representing an opportunity for diversification of the economy, through mineral industrialisation.

The project, which will create 450 direct jobs, 50 percent of which will be for youths from the municipality, 64 kilometres to the west of the city of Huambo, is a partnership between Angolan company Ferrangol-EP and Australia's Pesana.

In this regard, the geologist for Ozango Minerais (the company resulting from the partnership), Geraldine Tchimbali, said that the equipment was due to arrive in the country and be set up soon, and that the stalemate was due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

He said these are rare Neodymium and Preseodymium ores, among other special metals, used as raw materials for manufacturing ultra-strong and light permanent magnets, for end use in electric vehicles, wind turbines, modern electronics such as mobile phones, used in China's new technologies.

Geraldine Tchimbali noted that the Longonjo municipality has the potential to become the first large "NdPr" rare lands mine in Africa, thus representing an opportunity for diversification of the economy, through mineral industrialisation.
New Delhi: Late legendary actor Rishi Kapoor and Neetu Kapoor's daughter Riddhima Kapoor Sahni recently shut trolls over the never-ending debate around nepotism.

Riddhima, who belongs to the first filmy family of Bollywood believes that her brother Ranbir Kapoor and cousins Karisma and Kareena are famous because of their talent and not family background.

Clarifying her statement, she told ETimes, Advantage kya hota hain (What's advantage)? We have grown up with the name and have got used to it. Besides, you might get a lot of eyeballs due to your family name when you are starting a brand, but later the brand speaks for itself.

She also said, If I were to become an actress, I'd be told that it was a given since my family is into films. Ranbir, Karisma, Kareena are star kids but their work has spoken for itself; their success comes purely from their talent. They are superstars only because they are great at what they are doing.

She also shared her experience as an entrepreneur during the pandemic, I have been affected by the pandemic like everybody else in the world, but fortunately, we kept getting orders for my brand. However, keeping the health of my workers in mind, we shut our business temporarily. We will start operating once things get better and meanwhile, we are wrapping up pending orders. We are trying our best to help our workers and their families too in ways we can.

On the professional front, Riddhima is a successful fashion and jewellery designer. She is married to businessman Bharat Sahni in New Delhi and the couple has a daughter named Samara Sahni.
One of the requirements of entrepreneurship is passion. When someone launches a project based solely on the love of their subject, this translates into a truly extraordinary venture. Six years ago, Miguel Zulueta set up the LifeStyle_Miami Instagram page as a hobby. Today, this account has nearly a million followers and 3 million visitors a week. Miguel loves Miami, and he wanted to showcase the citys culture, talent, and diversity.

A single photographer could not capture all facets of this area, so Miguel began the page to consistently post content and work with local photographers and creators to share all aspects of Miami with the world.

LifeStyle Miami has always put out calls to clean up Miamis famous beaches.

Today, it can put out massive notices to achieve this goal while supporting small businesses in the city and surrounding area. Companies took notice of Miguels organic promotion of Miami and wanted to team up with him to organize events. This resulted in a subtle revamp of LifeStyle_Miami as it adapted to an advertising platform combined with a community page. One of Miguels goals has always been to create a brand that would be a contribution to Miami and make the city a better place. Thanks to business partnerships, the page organized more charity events, beach cleanups, and even got city leaders to generate positive changes. Due to this intense community involvement, LifeStyle_Miami has become the citys top promo page on any platform as it covers humor, sports, philanthropy, news, food, nightlife, and events.

Due to Miguels deep love for the city, it is no surprise that the brand has generously given back to Miami. This includes numerous services for the homeless, providing companies with generators, humanitarian aid to hurricane victims (including those in the Bahamas), and offering small businesses 100% free advertising on LifeStyle_Miami during the COVID-19 pandemic. To Miguel, entrepreneurship isnt about making a quick buck. It is an intensely emotional journey and the zeal to leave the world a better place. He defines success as giving back to others, making them feel accepted, valued, and loved. He has directly translated these principles into his business as he strives to make Miami even more extraordinary.

LifeStyle_Miami has become a digital space that brings the city together.

Miguel has exceeded his goal of community collaboration, and even more, projects are in the works, such as assistance for animal shelters and a non-profit to offer hurricane relief to families. What began as a hobby has become the central hub for all things Miami. Miguel has created an unprecedented online guide to his beloved city that is as useful for locals as it is for travellers and tourists. Simply put, LifeStyle_Miami is the place to go if you want to tap into the vibrant heartbeat of this city.

(Disclaimer: This is a Brand Desk Content)
All major and minor cryptocurrencies, including popular coins such as Bitcoin, Etherium and DogeCoin, nosedived in the past 24 hours. Most of the coins plunged by over 40% intraday to their lowest levels in the past few months, creating a panic among investors and the overall crypto market.

While a few coins made a quick recovery, most of the cryptocurrencies are still trading in the red zone. Has the bubble finally burst? No one really knows. Crypto experts are saying that the correction was around the corner after the really long bullish rally.

Anyways, if you were wondering what led to todays fiasco then let us tell you that it has something related to China. Yes, the country that had banned all private coins a few years ago.

Why did the crypto market crash?

On Wednesday (May 19), China finally pulled the last plug on cryptocurrencies by banning financial institutions and payment companies from offering services that may relate to cryptocurrency transactions.

The communist regimen also warned investors against speculative crypto trading in the latest Chinese attack on private digital coins. Recently, cryptocurrency prices have skyrocketed and plummeted, and speculative trading of cryptocurrency has rebounded, seriously infringing on the safety of peoples property and disrupting the normal economic and financial order, Chinas authorities said in the statement.

The statement also pointed out the risks of cryptocurrency trading, saying virtual currencies "are not supported by real value", their prices are easily manipulated, and trading contracts are not protected by Chinese law.

Should you invest in the cryptocurrency market?

If youre planning to cash in on the crypto market crash, we must warn you that most coins are highly volatile and there are many factors that impact their valuation. For instance, one tweet from Teslas founder Elon Musk proved just enough to crash the prices of the most popular cryptocurrency, Bitcoin. He had argued that Bitcoin isnt environment friendly.

Moreover, the future of cryptocurrencies doesnt look really good in India, considering the fact that the Indian government is likely to ban private digital coins, according to various media reports. Therefore, it isnt advisable to risk your life savings in an investment mode that has more risks than rewards

Live TV

#mute
New Delhi: Vodafone Idea (Vi) on Tuesday announced a one-time Rs 49 plan around 6 crore low-income customers to help them stay connected during this pandemic time. The plan will be offered to the customers for free.

Additionally, Vodafone Idea customers in the target group will get almost double benefit on recharging their mobile service account with plan value of Rs 79, the company said in a statement.

The scheme, covering 6 crore customers with Rs 49 recharge plan, is worth Rs 294 crore. The pack offers talktime of Rs 38 and 100 MB data with a validity of 28 days.

Airtel have already announced relief plans for customers in select segments. Bharti Airtel recently announced special benefits for low-income customers on its network to help them stay connected during the ongoing pandemic.

As a one-time gesture, Airtel will give the Rs 49 pack free of cost to over 5.5 crore low-income customers. The pack offers a talktime of Rs 38 and 100 MB data with a validity of 28 days.

Airtel's benefits worth Rs 270 cr to help 55 million low income customers to tide over the impact of Covid-19.

Live TV

#mute
Kolkata: Former West Bengal Chief Minister and eminent Left Front leader Buddhadeb Bhattacharya, who has been suffering from Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) for the last few days and his wife Mira Bhattacharya have tested positive for COVID-19.

Though Mira Bhattacharya has been sent to the hospital, the CPI(M) leader has been advised to stay in home isolation.

"Swab samples of Buddhadeb Bhattacharya, his wife and their attendant were collected this morning and they tested positive for the disease," an official in the health department said.

Mira Bhattacharya was admitted to a private hospital in South Kolkata and a medical board has been formed to monitor her health. Sources in the health department also said that Buddhadeb Bhattacharya`s oxygen level is fluctuating, and the doctors are keeping a close watch on his health condition.

However, he has been advised to stay in home isolation.

West Bengal's former CM Buddhadeb Bhattacharya tests positive for #COVID19. He is under home isolation. (File photo) pic.twitter.com/XJ6NbzuAW5  ANI (@ANI) May 19, 2021

"We are keeping a close watch and if need be, he will also be shifted to the hospital," the official said.

Bhattacharya has been suffering from COPD for a while and was released from hospital care a few months ago after being treated for complications arising from the same. He was advised to stay at home by physicians and could not cast his vote in the recently concluded West Bengal Assembly elections.

The communist leader was also not seen at the left front`s brigade meeting, organised before the polls.

Live TV
KOLKATA: The Calcutta High Court will on Wednesday take up the Narada scam case for hearing in which two cabinet ministers of the Mamata Banerjee government in West Bengal - Firhad Hakim and Subrata Mukherjee  and two TMC senior leaders - Madan Mitra and Sovan Chatterjee - have been arrested by the CBI over their alleged involvement.

The high court will hear the Narada scam case around 2 PM. The matter will come up for hearing by the bench led by Acting CJ Rajesh Bindal and Justice Arijit Banerjee.

Cabinet ministers Firhad Hakim and Subrata Mukherjee will be represented by Congress leader and noted lawyer Abhishek Manu Singhvi. While TMC MLA Madan Mitra and former Mayor Sovan Chatterjee, also accused in the case, will be represented by their counsel Siddharth Luthra

On Tuesday, Madan Mitra and former minister Sovan Chatterjee were hospitalised after they complained of breathlessness. They were admitted to the state-run SSKM hospital where they have been kept on oxygen support.

A day earlier, they were arrested by the CBI along with two state ministers - Firhad Hakim and Subrata Mukherjee. All four leaders were taken to Presidency Correctional Home in Kolkata late on Monday night.

Mukherjee, who fell sick in the correctional home, was also taken to the hospital for a check-up early on Tuesday. He was taken back to jail after the check-up. The official said the minister did not want to get admitted to the hospital.

On Monday, a special CBI court granted bail to all four leaders, however, the bail was stayed by the Calcutta High Court after the CBI challenged the order.

A division bench said that they shall be treated to be in "judicial custody till further orders". The TMC has accused the BJP of a 'witch-hunt' saying that they are protecting their own party leaders allegedly involved in the case such as Suvendu Adhikari and Mukul Roy.

Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, other TMC leaders and supporters had staged a protest at the CBI office in Kolkata following the arrest of the four.

TMC party supporters raised slogans against the BJP- led NDA government, and hurled stones and bricks at security personnel outside Nizam Palace, which houses the CBI office here, protesting the arrests.

Live TV
New Delhi: The Calcutta High Court adjourned the hearing in the Narada sting tape case which involves West Bengal ministers, an MLA and a former mayor of Kolkata till Thursday, May 20.

Leaders of the Trinamool Congress and ministers of the West Bengal cabinet Subrata Mukherjee and Firhad Hakim, MLA Madan Mitra and former city mayor Sovan Chatterjee will continue to remain in judicial custody, in view of the adjournment.

The four TMC leaders were arrested on Monday morning from their residences in the city in connection with the Narada sting case that is being investigated by the CBI on an order by the high court.

On Monday, a special CBI court had granted bail to all four leaders, however, the bail was stayed by the Calcutta High Court after the CBI challenged the order. A division bench said that they shall be treated to be in "judicial custody till further orders".

The CBI prayed before the high court that it transfers all proceedings in the Narada sting tape case to itself.

The Cabinet ministers Firhad Hakim and Subrata Mukherjee are being represented by Congress leader and noted lawyer Abhishek Manu Singhvi. While TMC MLA Madan Mitra and former Mayor Sovan Chatterjee, also accused in the case, will be represented by their counsel Siddharth Luthra.

The TMC has accused the BJP of a 'witch-hunt' saying that they are protecting their own party leaders allegedly involved in the case such as Suvendu Adhikari and Mukul Roy.
New Delhi: The United Kingdom will be reviewing its traffic light system which includes countries listed on the travel red list on 28th June. Further reviews will also take place on 31st July, 1st October.

More than 40 countries have been listed on UK's travel red list, making it difficult for travellers from these countries to enter Western European country.

The includes 5 countries from South Asia - India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Maldives, and Nepal. The red, amber and green list rules for COVID is a system put in place by London to deal with international incoming amid the pandemic.

If a country is on the red list, then travellers have to undergo 10 days in quarantine and two COVID tests.

India was put on the travel red list in April as COVID cases surged. The surge in the COVID cases had led to the postponement of UK PM Boris Johnson's India visit, for the 2nd time in a row.

The UK PM was first scheduled to visit India in January. PM Modi has also cancelled his visit to the UK next month for the G7 Meet due to the pandemic.

The UK reviews its lists every three weeks. The "checkpoint" review on 28 June 2021 will take into account the domestic and international COVID situation and if current measures can be rolled back.

The Green Watchlist and Amber Watchlist will be published on a three-weekly basis to provide an indication as to travellers from which countries can enter the country.

Live TV
New Delhi: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu vowed to continue with the operations against Gaza`s ruling Hamas militants after US President Joe Biden urged for a "de-escalation" on Wednesday as the conflict enters the 10th day.

In a statement Netanyahu said: "I am determined to continue this operation until its objective is achieved - to restore quiet and security to you, the citizens of Israel."

Earlier, the Israeli media quoted Netanyahu as saying: "We`re not standing with a stopwatch. We want to achieve the goals of the operation. Previous operations lasted a long time so it is not possible to set a timeframe."

In response to Biden`s de-escalation call, Hamas spokesman Hazem Qassam said those who sought to restore calm must "compel Israel to end its aggression in Jerusalem and its bombardment of Gaza". Once that happened, Qassam said, "there can be room to talk about arrangements to restore calm".

On Wednesday, the White House in a statement said that President Joe Biden had conveyed message to Israel's prime minister saying the former expected a "a significant de-escalation today on the path to a ceasefire."

Although, the two sides have agreed to a ceasefire, in principle, after help from mediators, but the details are being negotiated in secret amid public denials of a deal to prevent it from collapsing, Reuters quoted an Egyptian security source.

The Palestinian medical officials claim 227 people had been killed in aerial bombardments that have destroyed roads, buildings and other infrastructure, and worsened the already dire humanitarian situation in Gaza.

While Israeli authorities put the death toll in Israel at 12 where repeated rocket attacks have caused panic and sent people rushing into shelters.

Notably, Israeli forces raided the Al-Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem amid eviction protests, which left scores of Palestinians and police officers wounded. Following which Hamas fired long-range rockets toward Jerusalem after days of clashes between Palestinian protesters and Israeli police at the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound.
New Delhi: Israeli President Reuven Rivlin on Wednesday (May 19) spoke to the family of the Indian caregiver who was killed on May 11 in a rocket attack by Palestinian militants from Gaza, and conveyed his condolences.

The details of the conversation between the Israeli President had with the family were not available but an Adviser to Rivlin confirmed to PTI that "it did take place".

Soumya Santosh, 30, who hailed from Kerala's Idukki district, worked as a caregiver attending to an old woman at a house in the southern Israeli coastal city of Ashkelon.

She was talking to her husband Santhosh over a video call in the evening on May 11 when a rocket fired from Gaza directly hit the house where she was working.

The Indian caregiver was living and working in Israel for the last seven years. She has a nine-year-old son whom she had left with her husband in Kerala.

Her 80-year-old elderly charge survived the direct hit on the house and was hospitalised.

The rocket shelter was at least a minute's run away from the woman's home and the pair could not manage to reach it in time. The home lacked a fortified room of its own.

Soumya's mortal remains were sent to India on May 14 in a specially arranged flight and reached her hometown the next day.

Israel's Ambassador to India, Dr. Ron Malka, also spoke to the family last week to express his sorrow over the incident.

On behalf of the state of Israel, I convey heartfelt condolences to the family of Ms. Soumya Santosh, murdered by Hamas indiscriminate terror attack on innocent lives. Our hearts are crying with her 9 years old son that lost his mother in this cruel Terrorist attack, Malka said in a tweet.

"I just spoke to the family of Ms Soumya Santosh, the victim of the Hamas terrorist strike. I expressed my sorrow for their unfortunate loss and extended my condolences on behalf of the state of Israel. The whole country is mourning her loss and we are here for them," he tweeted.

The attack reminded him of little Moshe who lost his parents in the 26/11 Mumbai terror attack, the Israeli envoy said.

"My heart goes out to her 9-year-old son, Adon, who has lost his mother at such a young age and will have to grow up without her. This evil attack reminds me of little Moses, who also lost his parents during the 2008 #Mumbaiattacks. May God give them strength and courage," Malka added.
Saurimo  At least 101 people were arrested since the 10th of this month until today (Tuesday 18), by the National Police in Saurimo, Cacolo and Muconda (Lunda Sul), for violation and disobedience to the Presidential Decree.

The figures were presented today at the end of the weekly briefing on the public calamity situation in the region, led by the second provincial commander for public order, Manuel Lopes.

According to the corporation official, the fines applied amounted to Akz 195,000, deposited in the bank account of the General Tax Administration in Saurimo.

As a result of the actions carried out by the police forces as part of the compliance with the Presidential Decree on the situation of public calamity, five festive events were prevented from taking place, on public roads, in caravans and backyards, while the disobedient saw some resources seized, such as 14 speakers, two amplifiers and a computer.

The figures were presented today at the end of the weekly briefing on the public calamity situation in the region, led by the second provincial commander for public order, Manuel Lopes.

According to the corporation official, the fines applied amounted to Akz 195,000, deposited in the bank account of the General Tax Administration in Saurimo.

As a result of the actions carried out by the police forces as part of the compliance with the Presidential Decree on the situation of public calamity, five festive events were prevented from taking place, on public roads, in caravans and backyards, while the disobedient saw some resources seized, such as 14 speakers, two amplifiers and a computer.
NEW DELHI: The authorities in Singapore have approved the use of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID vaccine on teenagers aged 12 to 15. According to reports, Singapore citys State Health Sciences Authority has cleared the use of the vaccine after reviewing clinical data submitted by the manufacturer.

Till now, the vaccine was only approved for individuals aged 16 and above.

Singaporean authorities "assessed that the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine demonstrated high safety and efficacy for this age group of 12 to 15 years old, which is consistent with what we have observed for the adult population," Health Minister Ong Ye Kung was quoted as saying by media reports.

Kung said that details on plans to vaccinate those in this group will be provided soon. Earlier this month, Canada became the first country to approve the vaccine for children aged 12 to 15, with the US following shortly after.

The city-state tightened restrictions in recent weeks after several new clusters were found, including one linked to a tuition centre. Singapore announced Sunday it will close schools, warning that new coronavirus strains such as the one first detected in India were affecting more children.

In the latest round of restrictions, the city-state limited public gatherings to two and banned restaurant dine-ins. About 1.4 million in the country of 5.7 million have received both vaccine doses, with efforts so far focusing on vulnerable groups, frontline workers, and those above 45.

Starting Wednesday, the time interval between doses will be extended from three to four weeks to six to eight weeks to allow more people to get their first jab, officials said.

Those aged between 40 to 44 will also be invited to get vaccinated. Last year, the coronavirus surged through crowded dormitories housing low-paid foreign workers, infecting tens of thousands.

But by global standards, Singapore's overall outbreak has been mild - officials have reported more than 61,600 cases so far and 31 deaths since the start of the pandemic.

(With Agency Inputs)

Live TV
President Yoweri Tibuhaburwa Kaguta Museveni's work seems cut out over the next five years.

With his experience, thanks to his longevity in power, President Museveni doesn't need a feasibility study to understand the nature and magnitude of what he has to confront in the next five years to shape the economy that works for everybody.

After being sworn in last week on Wednesday, Mr Museveni started in earnest a journey that will see him serve this country as President for 40 years, making him by far the longest serving Head of State Uganda has ever had.

In terms of the economy, he is not expected to "fundamentally" divert from the line which he has been pursuing over the last 35 years of his presidency.

With the exception of harnessing information technology (IT), all the other drivers of growth and development that President Museveni will pursue vigorously, including commercialisation of agriculture, promoting regional integration and trade in addition to harnessing industrialisation (import substitution and value addition), are scribbled in the original National Resistance Army (NRA) 10 point programme, given birth to 40 years ago.

Shifting goal posts

Whereas on paper the aforementioned points are engraved as key issues to be tackled, previous experience indicates otherwise.

According to some analysts, the next five years will be no different from the previous terms.

"National Development Plan II was supposed to usher in the country into middle income status, but that didn't happen," Mr Siragi Magara Luyima, a policy specialist said last week in an interview. So the dream to achieve the per capita income, also known as income per person, in the range of $1,000 (about Shs3m) continues. Currently, Uganda's per capita income is just $733.

He continues: "I hope this happens in the next five years alongside a deliberate move to enhance human capital development which remains a challenge to the government."

With uptake of human capital development, productive utilisation of numerous infrastructure will cease to be an issue as it has been over the last decades.

But President useveni Must find ways of stimulating the economy whose growth has since dropped to 2.9 per cent - the lowest level in 20 years. While doing so, Small and Medium Enterprise (SMEs) should be the key beneficiaries.

Part of the plan should include incentives and funding of the SMEs who make up the biggest segment of the economy in addition to being the largest employers.

The economy had already been growing slowly only to worsen by Covid-19 related effects. Uganda is estimated to have grown by 3.1 per cent by June 30, 2020, slower than the of 5.4 per cent five-year average, according to government statistics.

More efficiency, according to the policy analysts, in utilisation of public resources should be a matter of urgency.

Huge investment in security, he says is not the way to go but rather more returns on investment will be realised if more resources are injected in health, education and trade sectors.

Weak private sector

Although government has been reclaiming its role in economic growth and development as evidenced by the increasing role of Uganda Development Bank and Uganda Development Corporation in driving the economy, the private sector - a substantial number of whom are foreigners (foreign investors) still lead the economy at the expense of the weak domestic investors/entrepreneur.

Ms Jane Seruwagi Nalunga, an expert on trade, tax and investment related issues, want to see President Museveni redefines the aforementioned approach in the next five years.

Ms Nalunga who is also the executive director of Southern and Eastern Africa Trade Information and Negotiations Institute - (SEATINI) Uganda, says a private sector-led economy on its own is incapable of succeeding, something the Private Sector apex leadership in the country concurs with.

Ms Nalunga who has more than twenty years of experience in policy research, analysis and advocacy in addition to authoring a number of policy oriented studies and articles, notes that government must play a more active role in developing the economy than it has done over the last 35 years if it wants to 'secure the future' for Ugandans.

But first, she says, the government must secure its policy space, then use it to grow the economy. It should close the inequality gap that has been widening over the years before being complicated by the Covid-19 pandemic in the last 14 months. The effects of Covid-19 is expected to worsen Uganda's poverty levels, with at least 2.6 million people expected to slip into poverty in addition to the eight million, who had been below the poverty line pre-Covid-19, according to UBOS report.

In the next five years with President Museveni at the helm again, Ms Nalunga expects his government to halt exporting raw produce. While this is being enforced, uptake in adoption of standards in agriculture and trade must be enhanced and linked to industries as well.

Boosting agriculture

Being an agricultural-powered economy, President Museveni should invest in proper storage facilities such as well-ventilated warehouses to attract better prices.

With the Covid-19 effects still weighing heavily on MSMEs, Uganda Development Bank's method of operation should be redirected towards addressing the needs of the sector that provides the biggest employment in the country--in excess of 2.5 million according to available studies.

Ms Nalunga also believes it is time to establish a national bank , arguing that with Uganda Commercial Bank, funding challenges for business will be a thing of the past.

She says: "With our bank, it will be much easier to mobilise resources for onward lending and at cheaper rates than those in foreign commercial banks."

Researcher Paul Corti Lakuma, couldn't agree more with Ms Nalunga. The difference, however, is that the Economic Policy Research Centre (EPRC) senior research fellow thinks that government doesn't have to necessarily own a financial institution, but create an environment where it should be easier for locals to own and run a commercial bank.

Before that, Ms Nalunga warns against ending up as supermarket for the continental market- African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCTA). Ugandans should be active players--with something to offer to the continent.

Public debt

President Museveni who in a way is banking on 'oil money' once commercial oil begins to flow, does not seem worried by the spiraling debt. He is on the record for having said the country's debt is sustainable. He is yet to go slow in huge investment in infrastructure which account for most of the Shs66 trillion debt the country has contracted.

Makerere University School of Economics lecturer and economist Dr Fred Muhumuza, believes there is need to put a stop on heavy infrastructure investment in favour of human capital investment, education and health sector.

As public debt shoots up, revenue collection continues to decline, this time on the account of Covid-19.

With barely 40 days to go before the close of the financial year, Uganda Revenue Authority is in a race to raise Shs6 trillion. It looks like for the second time in as many financial years, the revenue collection accounts could close with a shortage in excess of Shs3 trillion.

The only way to deal with the dwindling revenue collection is by expanding the tax base which remains narrow, burdening formal sector employees as those plying their trade in the informal sector and earning taxable income walk away 'scot free.'

Studies have found that despite Uganda Revenue Authority's (URA) innovations, a small percentage of Ugandans pay tax. A number of commodities in Uganda are under-taxed due to slackness among what President Museveni refers to as "our tax officials and policymakers."

Government has since put in place a five-year domestic revenue mobilisation strategy to raise the tax-to-GDP ratio to 16 per cent by 2023. Some studies indicate that Uganda could raise tax revenue up to 23 per cent of Gross Domestic Product annually if leakages are reduced and revenue administration systems efficiency is improved.

Double Taxation Agreements

Then there are Illicit Financial Flows (IFF). URA is losing millions of US dollars in tax because of aggressive transfer pricing practices and abuse of tax treaties by several multinationals corporations operating in Uganda.

Ms Nalunga believes President Museveni should urgently put this to an end by reviewing the Double Taxation Agreements (DTAs) signed so far especially with tax haven jurisdiction.

Should commercial production of oil and gas begins before government tightens loopholes that drives illicit financial flows (IFFs), the country should expect very little and in some cases nothing in oil revenue.

This is because the oil resource is extremely susceptible to IFFs maneuvers.

This is well exemplified in several studies including one by the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD).

Close Sign up for free AllAfrica Newsletters Get the latest in African news delivered straight to your inbox Top Headlines Uganda Governance By submitting above, you agree to our privacy policy. Success! Almost finished... We need to confirm your email address. To complete the process, please follow the instructions in the email we just sent you. Error! Error! There was a problem processing your submission. Please try again later.

According to the report, IFFs related to the export of extractive commodities (amounting to $40 billion in 2015, which is about Shs147 trillion) remains the largest component of illicit capital flight from Africa.

Illicit Financial Flows which is increasingly becoming a real challenge to revenue mobilisation, refers to movements of money and assets across borders which are illegal in source, transfer or use, according to the report entitled "Tackling illicit financial flows for sustainable development in Africa."

Mostly, IFFs which deny the country its fair share of revenue, are being perpetuated by the multinational companies operating across the country's economic sector, with key amongst which include players in sectors such as oil and gas (extractive), energy, telecommunication, ICT and manufacturing.

Every year, an estimated $88.6 billion (about Shs325 trillion), equivalent to 3.7 per cent of Africa's GDP, leaves the continent of Africa as illicit capital flight, according to UNCTAD's Economic Development in Africa Report 2020.

In Uganda, it is estimated that more than Shs2trillion - about three quarters of the general national budget support by development partners (donors) for this financial year (2020/2021), amounting Shs2.9 trillion, is lost as a result of IFF.

Further, UNCTAD's Economic Development in Africa Report 2020 says stopping illicit capital flight even for the case of Uganda could almost cut in half the annual financing gap of $200 billion (about Shs733 trillion) that the continent of Africa faces to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Mostly, IFFs are being perpetuated by the multinational companies either operating or with presence in the country.

Revenue collection

Widen tax base

With barely 40 days to go before the close of the financial year, Uganda Revenue Authority is in a race to raise Shs6 trillion. It looks like for the second time in as many financial years, the revenue collection accounts could close with a shortage in excess of Shs3 trillion.

The only way to deal with the dwindling revenue collection is by expanding the tax base which remains narrow, burdening the formal sector employees as those plying their trade in the informal sector and earning taxable income walk away 'scot free.'
The Resident State Attorney (RSA) has sanctioned charges of obtaining money by false pretence against former Busiro South parliamentary candidate, Paul Owor alias Hustle King and three others after they allegedly received US$22,000 (about Shs77 million) from a Chinese businessman.

The four suspects including Owor, Emmanuel Wandabwa, Anthony John Wapowo and Muketa Patel are currently detained at Jinja Police Station, Kampala following their arrest last week.

Kampala Metropolitan Police deputy spokesman, Mr Luke Owoyesigyire said Owor is expected to appear in court tomorrow (May 19).

"The Resident State Attorney advised us to charge them with obtaining money by false pretence. Their file has been sanctioned and they will appear in court on Wednesday," Mr Owoyesigyire said.

It is alleged that Owor and his accomplices extorted money from a Chinese businessman promising to secure the release of his colleagues detained on allegations of manufacturing fake agro-chemical products.

Police said Owor claimed that he was one of the best lawyers in Kampala City and would help secure his (Chinese businessman's) colleague's release if he gave them money they would use to beat the police system. Their mission failed.

Factory raid

Last week, police in a joint operation with Ministry of Agriculture raided a factory in Ntinda and seized fake agro-chemicals valued at around Shs500m. They also arrested and detained three people on offences of dealing in expired and unregistered pesticides.

Close Sign up for free AllAfrica Newsletters Get the latest in African news delivered straight to your inbox Top Headlines Uganda Governance By submitting above, you agree to our privacy policy. Success! Almost finished... We need to confirm your email address. To complete the process, please follow the instructions in the email we just sent you. Error! Error! There was a problem processing your submission. Please try again later.

The suspects' colleagues failed to secure their release legally before they were allegedly approached by Owor and his alleged accomplices; Wandabwa, Wapowo and Muketa.

They asked for money, part of which would reportedly be used to bribe police officers.

"Owor and his group attempted to secure the release of the suspects but failed. The Chinese businessman put them on pressure to refund the money or he uses tough measures to recover it. They had already spent part of the money," ASP Owoyesigyire said.

Fearing for their lives, they allegedly went to Jinja Road Police Station where they revealed their dealings and sought help and protection.

However, police detectives arrested them on allegations of extortion, but the offence has been amended to obtaining money by false pretence.

The case file for the Chinese businessman who gave Owor and his alleged accomplice money, has also been forwarded to the RSA to advice.

Related
The tourism industry must co-exist with a future that has been permanently altered, thanks to Covid-19.

The Covid-19 pandemic has taken all countries back to the drawing board to realign priorities to reignite their economies.

As travelers consider safety first before selecting any destination, the tourism sector will have to re-route itself to thrive in the years to come despite the pandemic's disruptions.

According to Ms Babra Adoso, managing director Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Events (MICE) Uganda, the impact of Covid-19 on economic development is arguably the biggest compared to the September 11 terrorist attack against the United States.

Tourism, one of the key sources of revenue International arrivals were intercepted as foreign tourists could not travel because of the travel bans of flights to various destinations last year. Many countries are now developing measures to build a more resilient tourism economy post Covid-19.

Back home (Uganda), tourism growth projections for tourist arrivals are expected to reach 1,250 by the end of 2021, according to an online publication: "Trading Economics Global Macro Models."

However, this could remain a fantasy if the free movement of people is not normalised. The new Covid-19 variant is another threat that is likely to worsen the situation as government plans new restrictions following an outbreak in India.

But how can tourism thrive amidst the pandemic's disruptions?

Industry players have suggested several master actions points to reboot, rebuild and reconnect tourism.

The Mice tourism strategy recently dominated deliberation at the sixth Pearl of Africa expo as the 'magic bullet' to reignite the sector. Mice is primarily an acronym for "Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Events".

Mice are usually single-day events that bring together a group of professionals to address a key challenge or set goals for the organisation by holding meetings, as well as travel rewards incentives and organising events virtually. Mice tourism primarily brings in tourists beyond those who mainly visit for safaris.

Traditionally, meetings have been predominantly face-to-face. However, the pandemic has accelerated a shift towards virtual meetings.

According to Mr Peter Kaggwa, the chairman of Events Association, tourism is two-sided; leisure and business tourism. For example, an event such as Nyege Nyege qualifies for business tourism which Mice strategy seeks to achieve.

To shade more light, he continued: "For example, a conference will bring in about 1,000 people at once and that particular conference can employ hundreds of people, earn government about $100 million because of the logistics used as opposed to leisure tourism that attracts individual tourism.

Meanwhile, incentive travel is another way under Mice to reboot tourism. Incentive travel primarily refers to travel aiming at motivating or rewarding company stakeholders.

Incentive travel caters well to domestic tourism since much of its operation currently is inland travel.

There are different types of incentive travel, including familiarisation trips, team building trips and reward trips.

"Companies normally take their employees to visit a different place in Uganda for either holiday or team building. On such visits, companies are usually given travel discounts. This is what we can bank on to get back to business," Mr Kaggwa says.

What stands in the way, however, is the ability for companies to spend amid the challenging economic times. Already, company restructuring by downsizing is taking a toll is most local companies.

Although economists project stabilisation by the end of 2021, the new Covid-19 variant is posing a threat to the world.

Mice tourism is not exceptional from observing the Covid-19 Standard Operation Procedures (SOPs). Perhaps the main reason why industry players front it as the cure is that it attracts large crowds who are professionals with travel incentives which attract a lot of competition.

Besides, some conferences, events, and meetings are held virtually hence factoring in the SOPs.

In most cases, the latter are must-attend arrangements to business networking and are a prominent part of the business.

Exhibitions also provide an opportunity for businesses to showcase their products or services. They are often in the form of trade shows such as the pearl of Africa expo.

"We need to develop our professional conference organisers, destination management companies, and the different logistical aspects required to support a mice event," Ms Babra Adoso, the managing director Mice Uganda.

Technology

Technology is undoubtedly key in positioning Uganda as a mice destination through using modern technologies such as augmented reality, Internet of Things (IoT), virtual assistants, big data, blockchain, and 5G.

For example, the Uganda Tourism Board (UTB) has already developed the pearl of Africa expo App where they showcase the available tourism opportunities therein the country.

Mr Jean - Philippe Bittencourt, the general manager of Sheraton Kampala Hotel says: "If we have an event coming to Uganda, the opportunity is to virtually showcase the cuisines in the country."

However, the 12% levy on Internet data is likely to hinder technology in tourism.

The pandemic disruptions, the endless political tension, and "bad social media" posts pose another threat for the industry.

In the wake of the pandemic, the government imposed a raft of measures to control the spread of the virus. International arrivals were intercepted as foreign tourists could not travel because of the travel bans of flights to various destinations.

While many view the restrictions as disruptive in the tourism sector, they could be a weapon to reignite the industry.

Close Sign up for free AllAfrica Newsletters Get the latest in African news delivered straight to your inbox Top Headlines Uganda Coronavirus Travel By submitting above, you agree to our privacy policy. Success! Almost finished... We need to confirm your email address. To complete the process, please follow the instructions in the email we just sent you. Error! Error! There was a problem processing your submission. Please try again later.

According to Ms Adoso, there is a need to display these measures to the world to build confidence among travelers that the country is serious about the safety of its people and visitors.

"Showcasing these Standard Operation Procedures (SOPS) to the world to show that we are a safe travel destination is important because people fear going to places that are not safe," she says.

In the mix of the several options, is hybrid tourism that combines both physical and virtual approaches.

Covid-19 hits tourism

Utilising open economies

At the peak of the pandemic, the world closed doors to any foreign travelers. Some countries however did not completely close for various reasons ranging from political to economic interests.

According to Mr Mwanja, there are countries especially in Africa that closed partially hence players ought to take advantage of them.

"Countries in Africa that closed account for 24 per cent. Therefore, the biggest part of Africa (76 per cent) is not closed. We should take advantage of this to reboot tourism," he says.

According to Ms Adoso, tourism players are still counting losses, with more than Shs3 trillion lost in travel and tourism. Mr Jean adds that Sheraton Kampala Hotel has lost $50,000 in bookings in a year.

From the country's perspective, the Ministry of Tourism economic growth forum budget for 2019/20 financial year, tourism is the leading foreign exchange earner for Uganda generating $1.5b in revenue.
As the battle against and for the wearing of hijabs in public schools rages on, the Minister of Civic Education and National Unity Timothy Pagonachi Mtambo has made an impassioned appeal for patience among Muslims who are protesting the decision by public schools to bar their children to attend school in hijab.

The Muslim communities in Machinga recently issued a 21-day ultimatum against Mpiri Catholic Parish, demanding that the church should vacate the 'Muslim territory' for denying female Muslim faith learners their right to education while putting on a hijab--a gear covering the head and the neck worn by Muslim women and girls in public places.

The communities, led by Yusuf Bwanali, described the restriction on hijabs in Christian schools--including Catholic--as "discriminatory and a disgrace" to them considering that they are a mainly Muslim community.

They vowed that they would use whatever means to force the church to vacate the area, especially if it failed to bow down to their demand.

"Islam is like a culture here. If they [Catholic Church] don't want to respect that then they should leave our community," said Bwanali.

But Mtambo assured the Muslim community on Tuesday that the quasi-religious body, the Public Affairs Committee (PAC), is making good progress towards addressing their grievances.

"PAC was tasked to handle this issue and as government, we have full confidence in the capacity of the Committee to address this just like they did on the billboard issue last year. We just need to give them time and support to enable them do their job professionally," he said.

Close Sign up for free AllAfrica Newsletters Get the latest in African news delivered straight to your inbox Top Headlines Malawi Religion By submitting above, you agree to our privacy policy. Success! Almost finished... We need to confirm your email address. To complete the process, please follow the instructions in the email we just sent you. Error! Error! There was a problem processing your submission. Please try again later.

The minister said the government is saddened with the ultimatum the Muslim communities have issued against the Catholic Church, stressing that it runs counter to the spirit of national unity.

He said the ministry is in touch with the leadership of both Christianity and Islam in the Eastern Region in trying to find a lasting solution to their differences; hence, he appealed to the Muslim community to desist from taking the law into their hands.

"Let us wait until PAC finalizes its work. I wish to assure our Muslim brothers and sisters that we have not forgotten them, NO! We are working very hard to have this matter addressed once for all," he said.

PAC publicity secretary Bishop Gilford Matonga said the committee will be finalizing its work soon.

Meanwhile, the Episcopal Conference of Malawi (ECM) General Secretary Father Henry Saindi has called for calm among the Catholic community as the Catholic Church in Malawi has referred the matter to PAC.

Previously, the communities attacked teachers and burnt some property in church-aided public schools for barring female Muslim faith learners from putting on a hijab--a gear covering the head and the neck worn by Muslim women and girls in public places.
South African President Cyril Ramaphosa arrives at the Elysee Palace for a bilateral meeting with His Excellency President Emmanuel Macron ahead of the Summit for the Financing of African Economies in Paris, France on May 18, 2021.

Paris  A Paris summit on supporting African nations hard-hit by COVID-19's fallout wrapped up Tuesday with sweeping calls for massive financial and vaccination support for Africa -- and a broader sea change in relations between donor nations and the continent.

French President Emmanuel Macron called earlier for a new deal for Africa. Among the goals he and other leaders outlined were doubling COVID-19 vaccination targets for Africa by the end of 2021 under the COVAX vaccine-sharing scheme; persuading International Monetary Fund member states to triple so-called special drawing rights monetary reserves for Africa to $100 billion; and giving Africa the ability to produce and distribute COVID-19 shots at home.

Macron said this moment could be seized to respond to broader, long-standing -- and, so far, unaddressed -- challenges facing Africa. He said an economic and strategic new deal with Africa would not happen overnight, but the talks had triggered a new dynamic.

The same message was heard from Senegal's President Macky Sall. He said a paradigm shift is under way in Africa's relationship with richer nations -- from having programs imposed on it to co-constructing what is needed. That offers hope, he said, because Africans know their problems better than anyone.

More than a year in the making, this meeting -- gathering leaders from Africa, Europe and global financial institutions -- was backdropped by a series of bleak statistics on the pandemic's toll on Africa. If the continent has been less hard hit by the pandemic than other places, it is suffering in many other ways, with tourism and other revenues drying up.

Africa's economy is expected to grow just over 3 percent this year -- about half the world average. It faces a nearly $300 billion spending shortfall over the next few years. Experts fear millions more Africans may tip into poverty -- and less than 3 percent of Africans have been vaccinated against the virus.

Close Sign up for free AllAfrica Newsletters Get the latest in African news delivered straight to your inbox Top Headlines Africa Business Coronavirus By submitting above, you agree to our privacy policy. Success! Almost finished... We need to confirm your email address. To complete the process, please follow the instructions in the email we just sent you. Error! Error! There was a problem processing your submission. Please try again later.

There is no durable exit from the continent's economic crisis, IMF Chief Kristalina Georgieva said, without beating the health crisis. She said ramping up the vaccination campaign will generate trillions of dollars in additional output benefiting not only Africa but also richer economies.

"We have worked on the pathway to accelerate the exit from the health crisis, and to sum it up, it would require 40 percent vaccinations of everyone everywhere by 2021 -- that is very important for Africa -- 60 percent vaccinations by the middle of 2022. And then we have a hope of turning this page," Georgieva said.

Democratic Republic of Congo President Felix Tshisekedi, who is also African Union chair, said having Africans manufacture and supply COVID-19 vaccines could help overcome the reluctance among some of being inoculated with foreign shots.

He called for greater debt relief and market access for the continent -- and for international financing to take into account its fight on terror. But he also said African governments need to do their share by establishing good governance, fighting corruption and supporting Africa's youth.

Tuesday's financing summit wraps up two days of high-level talks on Africa. On Monday, IMF members states agreed to clear billions of dollars Sudan owes the institution as part of broader support for Khartoum's democratic transition, and Macron announced scrapping Sudan's $5 billion debt to France.
Nairobi  Kenyan health authorities say they will not be able to give a second dose of COVID-19 vaccines until at least June, due to a shortage of AstraZeneca doses. Kenya has vaccinated less than 2 percent of its people so far, but the Ministry of Health says efforts are underway to acquire millions of doses.

Thirty-six-year-old Willkiss Ivannah helped her elderly father get vaccinated from COVID-19 in March, and now she is worried for his health.

"Now, it's May, and there is no second vaccination," Ivannah said. "We are wondering how long we will wait, and the government promised us it would give us the second vaccine. I am really worried because from my understanding, until you get the second dose of the vaccine, that's when you will be fully safe."

Kenya began vaccinating its population in March after getting 1 million doses of AstraZeneca vaccines from India.

So far in Kenya, 950,000 people have received the jab that gives them protection from the coronavirus.

Kenya was supposed to begin its second phase of vaccination in May. But India, which is fighting a huge wave of COVID-19 cases, has banned the exportation of vaccines.

The chairperson of Kenya's vaccine task force, Willis Akhwale, says the lack of doses has stopped the vaccination process.

"Kenya expected to have got its shipment in April and May," Akhwale said. "We got the information that this was delayed. We were told to expect in May, and even right now in May, there is no real concrete confirmation that we are going to get them. Therefore, for us in Kenya, with this uncertainty, we decided to shift the date of the second dose from eight weeks to 12 weeks. The first people who got their jab at the beginning of March will now be due for their second dose the first week of June. So, we remain hopeful that COVAX will be in a position to deliver some doses."

Close Sign up for free AllAfrica Newsletters Get the latest in African news delivered straight to your inbox Top Headlines Kenya Coronavirus Asia, Australia, and Africa By submitting above, you agree to our privacy policy. Success! Almost finished... We need to confirm your email address. To complete the process, please follow the instructions in the email we just sent you. Error! Error! There was a problem processing your submission. Please try again later.

Grace Kamau, 23, a Nairobi resident, failed to get a coronavirus vaccine for herself and her 50-year-old mother.

"I was informed I could get the vaccine if I do it at a private hospital," said Kamau. "The private hospital was charging between 7,000 to 10,000 Kenya shillings. Coming from an informal settlement, and you tell me to bring 7,000 to 10,000, and that's for one person's dose. It is hard. I don't have that money."

Akhwale told Kenyans not to panic.

"The future is good. We only have this period of May and June and maybe part of early July that we may have a challenge," Akhwale said. "We want to vaccinate more people. We want to make sure all adult Kenyans are vaccinated by the end of next June. That's our target, and we are putting systems and structures in place to ensure that immediately a steady supply of vaccines starts coming through. Then, we will do very intense mass vaccinations of Kenyans."

Last week, Kenyan Health Minister Mutahi Kagwe said the government has ordered 30 million doses of the Johnson and Johnson vaccine. So far, Kenya has recorded 113,000 COVID-19 cases, and about 3,000 deaths.
Dar es Salaam  Tanzania's Inspector General of Police (IGP) Simon Sirro has made changes of police commanders of Mara, Dar es Salaam regions while in Dodoma region he has removed the head of the operation and criminal unit, Camilius Wambura.

In the changes that were made yesterday May 17, 2021 and confirmed today by the police spokesman, David Misime, Wambura now takes over as Dar es Salaam Special Zone Police Commander to replace Lazaro Mambosasa who has been moved to Dodoma.

"Mambosasa has been returned to the headquarters of the intelligence and crime unit in administrative capital Dodoma," said Misime.

In the reshuffle, former Mara Regional Police Commander Daniel Shilla has become the Dar es Salaam Regional Criminal Investigator, replacing Salum Hamduni, who has been appointed director general of Prevention and Combating of Corruption Bureau (PCCB).
Dar es Salaam  Vodacom Tanzania Plc shareholders will not receive a dividend this year after the company announced a net loss of Sh30 billion for the year to March 31, 2021, primarily on account of recalculated taxes.

"Following the net loss after tax for the year, the board of directors has decided not to recommend dividends in relation to the financial year ended March 31, 2021," the company announced in its preliminary financial results. However, the company's managing director, Mr Hisham Hendi, says looking forward, the firm's cost management programme and proactive measures to drive digital and financial growth will improve the profitability of the Group in the new financial year.

"While we continue to make good progress on SIM cards registration, we remain cautious on the impact of Covid-19 and uncertainty about the pace of economic recovery that may weigh on disposable income as a result of reduced economic activities," he says. It is the first time that Vodacom Tanzania has reported a net loss since it was listed on the Dar es Salaam Stock Exchange (DSE) in August 2017.

Vodacom Tanzania chief executive Hisham Hendi said in the firm's financials that the GSM business made a loss during the year. This impacted the basis on which taxation was calculated in the current year, resulting in a higher tax charge compared with the previous year.

He added that the barring of services to 2.9 million customers has had a significant impact on the revenue and profits of the company.

"In addition, subdued economic activity due to the health crisis dampened customer spend," Mr Hendi said.

In the preceding year that ended on March 31, 2020, the telecommunications firm announced a net profit Sh45.76 billion, while during the year ending March 31, 2019, the net profit stood at Sh90.76 billion.

Last year's profit drop was attributed to extra costs that were brought about by the implementation of the biometric registration and Covid-19 expenses along with depreciation (as calculated using the adopted International Financial Reporting Standard 16 (IFRS-16) coupled with continuous investment in network expansion.

With a history of performing well, the company's shareholders have been receiving dividends each year whereby during the year ending March 2020, Vodacom's equity shareholders received a total of Sh54.5 billion as dividends.

In addition, last year, the company also declared a special dividend payout of Sh178.57 a share, totalling Sh400 billion in all for its shareholders.

In 2018, the company paid out a total of Sh38.8 billion in dividends to its shareholders.

But according to the latest financial statement, the company's finances on revenue and profitability would continue to suffer if the ongoing tax disputes with the Tanzania Revenue Authority (TRA) is not resolved favourably.

In its financial statement the company has warned that the ongoing open tax disputes with the authority is reasonably expected to alter the future profitability and revenue.

"The Group's future tax charge, effective tax rate and profit before tax could be affected by several factors including tax reforms conducted in Tanzania and the resolution of open tax disputes with the TRA," the company statement reads in part.

Some of the tax matters include the application and interpretation of some of the tax rules, including the classification to some of the telecommunication equipment, where lack of clear category of it in the Income Tax Act has put the two organisations in a disagreement.

Other tax matters according to Vodacom include the issue of withholding tax on satellite, international roaming and undersea cable services and the dispute that arose on the transfer pricing aspects after an audit done by the TRA.

Moreover, Vodacom Tanzania has revealed to its shareholders that services revenue for the year has fallen by 5.7 percent to Sh966.01 billion from Sh1.02 trillion of 2020.

The decline in the service revenue is attributed to the competitive pricing pressure and subdued economic activities as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic, says Vodacom.

Close Sign up for free AllAfrica Newsletters Get the latest in African news delivered straight to your inbox Top Headlines Tanzania Company By submitting above, you agree to our privacy policy. Success! Almost finished... We need to confirm your email address. To complete the process, please follow the instructions in the email we just sent you. Error! Error! There was a problem processing your submission. Please try again later.

Key revenue generator, M-Pesa declined by 0.4 percent to Sh356.8 billion, as customers' spending fell while 800,000 Sim cards were barred.

Voice and messaging revenue declined by 16.5 percent and 24.8 percent to Sh11.5 billion and Sh31.9 billion respectively. However, revenue from mobile data which is one of the company's key focuses recorded a growth.

Vodacom stated, "Mobile data revenue grew 3.3 percent to Sh186.9 billion despite the intense competitive pricing pressure that led to a 30 percent decline in average price per megabyte while usage per customer grew 47 percent to reach 1.4GB per month".

Regardless of the tough year going forward the company chief executive Mr Hendi has stated optimism in the coming financials.

"Our sustainable cost management program and proactive measures to drive digital and financial growth are expected to improve the profitability of the Group in the new financial year," he said.
Dar es Salaam  An innovation ecosystem consists of multiple interdependent and interconnected stakeholders, including end-consumers, innovators, investors, regulators and educational institutions. In Tanzania, UNCDF has been working with stakeholders to support the development of a vibrant and resilient FinTech innovation ecosystem in line with our strategy to "Leave No One Behind in the Digital Era."

Tanzania has already proven its readiness for FinTech and digital innovations. As of 2019, Tanzania demonstrated high mobile phone penetration (82.2%), the growing number of active mobile money accounts (24 million) and the value of digital financial transactions equated to 50% of total GDP. Also, the Government is committed to building an export-led economy under FYDPIII accelerated by digital interventions. With the expected launch of the Tanzania Instant Payment System and various e-government public services already running, the rails of a digital economy are being established. They need to be promoted through the strengthening of FinTech start-ups and e-commerce players that will in turn catalyse a wider participation in the digital Tanzanian economy.

Despite these developments, there is still a need to understand the current landscape comprising talent, demand, capital and policy and regulation, in order to build a resilient national innovation ecosystem around FinTech in Tanzania.

Our analysis of the current landscape highlights some enablers and inhibitors as well as recommendations on what needs to be done to build a vibrant and resilient FinTech innovation ecosystem. These are not limited to the FinTech industry only, the lessons could be applied to other ecosystems.

Talent: Having relevant skills is the most important ingredient in building an innovation ecosystem. There is limited availability of affordable, skilled local talent in the Tanzanian FinTech sector. Also, FinTech start-up founders want mentors with practical start-up experience to guide them, which are not readily available locally. To address this, Tanzania needs to integrate itself into the global think tank to address the shortage of skills at the intersection of technology and finance. An ecosystem needs to facilitate the exchange of knowledge and skills either by making the country attractive for Tanzanians in the diaspora to want to return or for foreign talent to invest either financial or human capital and develop intellectual property here to address the shortages.

Capital: Funding is necessary for an innovation ecosystem to flourish - innovators need to access early-stage patient capital to develop, test and scale up their solutions.

Similar to other African markets; funding for FinTech start-ups in Tanzania is limited. The role of angel investors, venture capitalists and initial public offerings, which is prominent in mature ecosystems, is quite faint, given the lack of funders in Tanzania. Potential foreign investors are not knowledgeable about the Tanzania FinTech sector, partly due to the fragmented and limited availability of information on the sector, which makes it difficult for them to interpret risks on the ground and make investment decisions. Initiatives such as this FinTech landscape assessment lay the groundwork for creating an up-to-date and easily accessible database of FinTech start-ups, to identify funding gaps and opportunities.

Demand: it takes time for start-ups to build trust with their customers and elicit latent demand for their innovation. In mature ecosystems, evidence has shown the potential for partnership between FinTech start-ups and large institutions to accelerate customer acquisition. In such instances, FinTech start-ups have been able to leverage partner resources to test and refine their products to ensure product-market fit. Consequently, launching products with the right market fit has proven to be a win-win strategy for both the start-ups and their partners, leading to increased demand and customer acquisition. However, the lack of openness between FinTech start-ups and the large corporates, for fear that innovative ideas could be co-opted, has limited the number of partnerships in the sector and the speed at which these partnerships gain traction. Work needs to be done to facilitate increased linkages between FinTechs and large institutions, including financial service providers.

Policy and Regulation: An enabling policy and regulatory environment goes a long way in facilitating innovation. With a clear legal and regulatory framework, innovators and investors operate under certainty and feel comfortable to dedicate their scarce resource towards innovative solutions. In instances where an innovative solution is not under the existing regulatory purview, regulator and policymaker openness and willingness to engage with innovators sends the right signal to the market. In Tanzania, while the regulatory environment is enabling for established solutions, there is limited direct engagement between FinTech start-ups and relevant regulators. Innovators have expressed a desire for a forum that facilitates strategic dialogues between FinTech start-ups and the regulators to ensure that the needs of start-ups are adequately considered as regulation around innovation in Tanzania evolves. These are few of areas that UNCDF Tanzania plans to focus on in the coming years together with other ecosystem facilitators in order to build a vibrant and resilient FinTech innovation ecosystem that can steer the country to an inclusive digital economy.

Close Sign up for free AllAfrica Newsletters Get the latest in African news delivered straight to your inbox Top Headlines Tanzania Innovation By submitting above, you agree to our privacy policy. Success! Almost finished... We need to confirm your email address. To complete the process, please follow the instructions in the email we just sent you. Error! Error! There was a problem processing your submission. Please try again later.

To see full report, go to; https://www.uncdf.org/article/6759/the-fintech-start-up-landscape-in-tanzania
New Braunfels, TX (78130)

Today

Morning clouds will give way to afternoon sunshine. Hot and humid. High 93F. Winds S at 10 to 15 mph..

Tonight

Clear to partly cloudy. Low 73F. Winds S at 10 to 15 mph.
Maputo  After five days in which no deaths were reported from the Covid-19 respiratory disease, on Monday the Mozambican health authorities announced two further deaths from the pandemic.

According to a Health Ministry press release, the latest victims were two Mozambican men, aged 64 and 71. Both died in Maputo city. This brings the total Covid-19 death toll in Mozambique to 828.

Since the start of the pandemic, 537,525 people have been tested for the coronavirus that causes Covid-19, 526 of them in the previous 24 hours. By far the largest number of samples tested - 274 (52 per cent) - were from the central province of Zambezia. There were also 78 from Inhambane, 50 from Maputo city, 41 from Nampula, 27 from Maputo province, 25 from Sofala, 21 from Manica and eight from Tete. No tests were reported from Cabo Delgado, Niassa or Gaza.

505 of the tests yielded negative results, and 21 people tested positive for the coronavirus. This brings the total number of people diagnosed with Covid-19 in Mozambique to 70,463.

Of the new cases diagnosed on Monday, all were Mozambican citizens. 12 were men and nine were women. Three were over 65 years old. No children were found to be infected.

On the basis of Monday's results the Mozambican epidemic can no longer be said to be centred on Maputo. 12 of the new cases (57.1 per cent) were from Zambezia. There were also four positive cases from Maputo city, two from Maputo province, and one each from Inhambane, Nampula and Tete.

The positivity rate (the proportion of those tested found to be infected) for this 24 hour period was just under four per cent. For the previous week, the positivity rates were:

Close Sign up for free AllAfrica Newsletters Get the latest in African news delivered straight to your inbox Top Headlines Mozambique Coronavirus By submitting above, you agree to our privacy policy. Success! Almost finished... We need to confirm your email address. To complete the process, please follow the instructions in the email we just sent you. Error! Error! There was a problem processing your submission. Please try again later.

17 May 2.5 per cent 16 May 3.0 per cent 15 May 2.3 per cent 14 May 2.5 per cent 13 May 1.5 per cent 12 May 3.2 per cent

Over the same 24 hour period, two Covid-19 patients were discharged from hospital (one in Maputo and one in Zambezia), and six new cases were admitted (five in Maputo and one in Zambezia).

The number of people under medical care in the Covid-19 treatment centres rose from 21 on Sunday to 23 on Monday. 14 of these patients (60.9 per cent) were in Maputo. There were four patients in Tete, two in Nampula, two in Sofala, and one in Zambezia.

The Ministry release also reported that on Monday a further six people, all in Cabo Delgado, were declared to be fully recovered from Covid-19. The total number of recoveries now stands at 98,731, or 97.5 per cent of all those diagnosed with Covid-19 in Mozambique.

The number of active Covid-19 cases rose from 887 on Sunday to 900 on Monday. The geographical distribution of these cases was as follows: Maputo city, 345 (38.3 per cent of the total); Sofala, 315; Maputo province, 78; Niassa, 43; Nampula, 41; Zambezia, 22; Manica, 22; Inhambane, 20; Tete 12; and Gaza two. There were no active cases in Cabo Delgado province.
Maputo  The chairperson of the board of directors of the French oil and gas company Total, Patrick Pouyanne, on Monday confirmed that the company remains committed to investing in the Mozambique LNG (liquefied natural gas) project, in the Rovuma Basin, off the coast of the northern Mozambican province of Cabo Delgado.

Pouyanne gave this commitment to Mozambican President Filipe Nyusi, who has been on a working visit to France since Sunday, at the invitation of his French counterpart, Emmanuel Macron.

Speaking to the Mozambican reporters accompanying Nyusi, immediately after the meeting, Pouyanne promised that Total is strongly committed to resuming its Mozambican project.

Total heads a consortium that is building natural gas liquefaction plants on the Afungi Peninsula, in the Cabo Delgado district of Palma. The investment in the project, by Total and its partners, is estimated at 20 billion US dollars.

But Total suspended work on the project and withdrew all its staff, in the wake of the attack by islamist terrorists against the town of Palma on 24 March. The social impact of the terrorist raid was devastating, in that it led over 30,000 people to abandon their homes in Palma town and the surrounding area, and to seek shelter in safe areas.

Asked about resuming the Mozambique LNG project, Pouyanne said "Total is very committed to maintaining its project in Mozambique. There was this incident in Palma, which is a question of security. For security reasons, we have had to take difficult measures, but our commitment remains".

"We want security, particularly for our staff, and that's why we had to withdraw our staff", he added. But as soon as the security conditions in Cabo Delgado are restored, "we shall return".

Pouyanne declared that he has full confidence in the Mozambican government, which is working to restore security.

Close Sign up for free AllAfrica Newsletters Get the latest in African news delivered straight to your inbox Top Headlines Mozambique Company Petroleum By submitting above, you agree to our privacy policy. Success! Almost finished... We need to confirm your email address. To complete the process, please follow the instructions in the email we just sent you. Error! Error! There was a problem processing your submission. Please try again later.

"Natural gas is in great demand throughout the world", he said. "It's an important source of energy, it's a priority for the planet, and so we remain committed to the Afungi project".

Other French business leaders who met with Nyusi expressed similar confidence. Frederic Oudea, of the bank Societe Generale, said that, after speaking with the President, he was sure that the bank will maintain its presence in Mozambique, financing various projects, including the Total development of natural gas.

Arnaud Pieton of Technip Energies, which is building a floating natural gas platform that will be anchored off the Cabo Delgado coast, said he had received government guarantees of the efforts under way to restore security in Cabo Delgado, so that projects there can be developed with much greater speed.

Also on Monday, Nyusi held a private meeting in Paris with his South African counterpart, Cyril Ramaphosa.

On Tuesday, Nyusi is scheduled to meet with Macron, and to attend the Summit on Financing African Economies.
Maputo  The Mozambican Bar Association (OAM) has publicly announced the promotion of legal assistance and counselling, particularly for prisoners from poor social backgrounds whose pre-trial detention periods have expired, but who remain under illegal custody in prisons across the country.

The move, which will be carried out by the Association's Human Rights Commission (CDHOAM), is intended to monitor and control detentions and imprisonments and ensure compliance with the norms applicable for pre-trial detention of inmates, especially in the context of the Covid-19 pandemic.

A press release issued on Monday by OAM said that its legal staff will monitor the effectiveness of "habeas corpus", the judicial mechanism for the defence of the human rights of citizens whose pre-trial detention has expired. The new Mozambican Criminal Procedure Code recognises the importance of habeas corpus writs.

Such writs are used across the world to bring prisoners or detainees before a court to determine whether continued detention is legal.

The Bar Association says it is open to denunciations of illegal detentions to be made either face-to-face or virtually by the inmates, their relatives or through other available mechanisms. Denunciations can also be made during the regular visits by OAM staff to prisons.
CRDB Bank share price has clutched into a rally-mode after the lender proposed 22/- dividend per share.

The dividend proposed in the bank annual report for 2020, is however, subject to approval by the Annual General Meeting (AGM) this weekend. CRDB, one of the largest lenders in the country, paid 17/- a share as dividend in 2019.

Orbit Securities said in its weekly Market Synopsis that the price of CRDB went up 6.52per cent to close the week at 245/- after the bank proposed a dividend share in a released annual report.

"The domestic market had three gainers and one loser as CRDB leads the charging bull" for a week ending last Friday, Orbit said, adding: "At the current price, the dividend yield for the bank stands at 8.98per cent." Vertex International Securities said in its weekly market report that the market echoed their sentiments after recorded positive results in terms of prices, turnover and volume. "The market validated our last week expectations as performance improved.

We expect this momentum to continue next week as investors anticipate dividend announcements," Vertex report showed.

CRDB is expecting to hold its AGM this Saturday in Arusha, and among other things, approve dividing pay-out of 22/- a share.

Bank of Tanzania (BoT) issued a new circular with immediate effect that banks are allowed to offer bonuses and dividends after maintaining cost to income ratio (CIR) below 55 per cent and NPLs not exceeding 5.0 per cent. Zan Securities said Dar es Salaam Stock Exchange (DSE) that equity market continues its bullish streak and they noticed an increase of investors' confidence.

"We anticipate this trend to continue for this [... ] week," Zan said in its weekly Market Wrap-ups. CRDB broke its 2015 record when its net profit jumped to 153bn/- last year from 123bn/- in 2019. In 2015 the lender recorded a net profit of 129bn/-.

Several brokerage firms' reports last week showed that Twiga Cement share price appreciated by 5.0 per cent to close off the week at 2,940/- and NICOL also gained 2.5 percent to close at 205/- per share.

"The gain on NICOL may be associated with the performance and expected dividend payout from NMB Bank," Orbit Securities said.

On the other hand, Jatu was the only domestic loser, with the counter's price falling by 10.96 per cent to close the week at 1,300/- per share.

On top of the domestic gainers, EABL went up by a slight 0.54 per cent on a weekly basis while Jubilee Holdings (JHL) and KCB Bank dropped by 3.28 per cent and 1.1 per cent respectively.

Close Sign up for free AllAfrica Newsletters Get the latest in African news delivered straight to your inbox Top Headlines Tanzania Banking By submitting above, you agree to our privacy policy. Success! Almost finished... We need to confirm your email address. To complete the process, please follow the instructions in the email we just sent you. Error! Error! There was a problem processing your submission. Please try again later.

"EABL was the cross listed gainer that helped push the DSE All Share Index (DSEI) higher, despite two cross listed losers during the week," Orbit said.

DSEI was also on the up rise, after gaining 4.33 points following a 0.22 per cent growth of the total market capitalization.

The DSEI and total market closed the week at 1,915.90 points and 15.93tri/- .

"The total equity turnover grew by almost four times while the volume of shares traded went up more than sixteen times due to a block transaction on the CRDB counter," Orbit said.

The top mover during the week was CRDB, which accounted for 92.6 per cent of the total equity turnover for the week.

CRDB saw a prearranged block transaction involving 5.0 million shares at a price 230/- per share.
TANZANIANS yesterday joined their colleagues in the world to commemorate the global telecommunications day.

The day reminds governments across Africa and all stakeholders to continue attracting investments to enhance efficient communication that reaches more people.

Effective communication is an important catalyst in growing robust economy.

Tanzania has made great strides in investing in the communication sector in view of bringing efficient services to all people, particularly those in the rural areas.

For some years now, the Tanzania government has been promoting communication by ensuring all remote areas, especially locations which do not attract businesses are connected to telecommunication services.

Through the Universal Communications Service Access Fund (UCSAF), the government has managed to connect various areas and millions of Tanzanians to telecommunication network.

Today, Tanzanians who live in remote villages in the southern regions can now communicate with their colleagues in the Lake zone without any problem.

It is through UCSAF efforts Tanzanians in rural areas are capable of participating in various businesses through mobile phones.

Farmers are able to easily know market prices for their produce, including simplifying communication between them and traders.

UCSAF has been throwing its weight in promoting the participation of the public and private sector in the provision of universal communication services to the rural and underserved areas as well as creating a framework for an open and efficient access to and use of communication networks and service in production and availability of competitive market.

Close Sign up for free AllAfrica Newsletters Get the latest in African news delivered straight to your inbox Top Headlines Tanzania Governance By submitting above, you agree to our privacy policy. Success! Almost finished... We need to confirm your email address. To complete the process, please follow the instructions in the email we just sent you. Error! Error! There was a problem processing your submission. Please try again later.

The latest development was in February this year when the Fund revealed that it signed contracts to bring the telecommunications services to 1,057 wards with 3,392 villages in the country by October this year.

Studies from different sources show that Sub-Saharan Africa now has more than 670 million mobile phone subscribers.

Mobile technology is playing a key role in transforming agriculture sector in Africa, meaning that governments in Africa must continue intensifying efforts to avail telecommunication in rural areas where agriculture is practiced to transform the industry.

As it has been argued above mobile phone service has become an important tool through which farmers gain access to vital information about prices of crops before they travel long distances to markets and ensure they negotiate deals with traders and improve their timing of getting crops to the market.

Considering the fact that the country moves towards industrial economy, the telecommunication in rural settings will continue to attract more businesses, meaning that investors in the telecom sector must now exploit the growing business avenue.
THE High Court's Commercial Division has ordered Dar es Salaam Police Special Zone Commander to arrest seven shareholders with Karagwe Estate Limited for failure to honour the contract.

The company failed to pay 600,027.21 US dollars (about 1.4bn/-) and 4,822.27 British Pounds (about 15.6m/-) to Touton SA in a coffee contract business.

According to the arrest warrant issued in execution of the court's decree, the officials to be arrested are Eustace Katagira, Fortunatus Faustine, Sebba Bilakwate, Severine Katabaro, Fulgens Katagira, Rugaimukamu Kalegeya and William Kategaya, who are described as judgment debtors.

"These are to command you to arrest the said judgment debtors unless (they) shall pay to you the said 600,027.21 US dollars and 4,822.27 British Pounds and the cost of executing the process to bring (them) before the court with all convenient speed," reads part of the arrest warrant.

The court further commanded the Zonal Police Chief to return the warrant on June 22, 2021, with an endorsement certifying the day on which and how it has been executed or the reason why it has not been executed.

Such development comes following a dispute that arose between Karagwe Estate Limited, a leading coffee Buyer in Kagera region and Touton SA, the French Registered leading agro-industrial actor, over alleged breach of contract on supply of several metric tons of coffee.

Such dispute was forwarded to the London based Commercial Dispute Resolution Tribunal, which issued an Award in favour of Touton SA, requiring Karagwe Estate Limited to pay such amount.

Touton SA, thereafter, filed an application before the Tanzanian Court for registration of the Award in question.

Judge Patricia Fikirini granted the application, a result of which made the Ward form part of the court decree dated July 28, 2020.

It was then when the court ordered the judgment debtors to satisfy the decree in question by paying to Touton SA the decretal amount.

The dispute between the parties arose in respect of two million US dollars prefinancing and no-delivery of contracted coffee in repayment was referred to arbitration by Touton AS, Claimant, and registered by the British Coffee Association on September 13, 2019, against Karagwe Estate Limited, the Respondent.

In the Arbitration Award, members of the panel of Arbitrators comprising Simon Wakefield, Thomas Blackwall and Agnieszka Krasuska found the pre-finance was made by Claimant to the Respondent to buy coffee and several agreed and confirmed dates of deliveries have not been met by the Respondent.

Close Sign up for free AllAfrica Newsletters Get the latest in African news delivered straight to your inbox Top Headlines Tanzania Legal Affairs By submitting above, you agree to our privacy policy. Success! Almost finished... We need to confirm your email address. To complete the process, please follow the instructions in the email we just sent you. Error! Error! There was a problem processing your submission. Please try again later.

According to the Arbitrators, the Claimant undertook different steps to find a possible solution and fulfill its contractual obligation and extended on several occasions its goodwill to accommodate the Respondent, but the latter could not fulfill his obligations to deliver the coffee on time.

They concluded to award the Claimant a total of 178,406.21 US dollars for several damage costs and that both parties had agreed that coffee valued at 1,578,379.40 US dollars was delivered in part fulfillment of the 2 million US dollars pre-finance, thus leaving a balance of 421,621 US dollars.

The Arbitrators, therefore, ordered that the principal damages of 178,406.21 US dollars be paid by Karagwe Estate Limited to Touton SA plus the agreed final balance of the pre-financing of 421,621 US dollars plus accruing interest on the balance pre-financing at 14 per cent from September 5, 2019.

They further awarded costs of the arbitration of 3,858 British Pounds as fees and expenses of the Tribunal and other 964.27 British Pounds as fees and expenses of the British Coffee Association of registration, thus, making a total of 4,822.27 British Pounds.
Launch workers charter to prepare for 2024 elections

Unions also target 'arrogant' Permanent Secretaries

BDP Govt keen to embrace trade unions - Kentse

BAKANG TIRO

editors@thepatriot.co.bw

Disappointed Botswana Federation of Public, Private and Parastatal Sector Unions (BOFEPUSU) has cautioned President Mokgweetsi Masisi and his ruling Botswana Democratic Party (BDP) government for their anti-workers tactics, such as violation of collective bargaining agreements.

Federation president, Johannes Tshukudu on Friday came with guns blazing taking a swipe at the BDP Spokesperson Kagelelo Kentse who attended BOFEPUSU Workers Charter official launch. Tshukudu decried that the ruling BDP government proved to be an enemy of workers under the tenure of former president Ian Khama, and now his successor is proving to be the same.

Tshukudu said failure by Masisi to deliver promises he made to the labour movement such as the resuscitation of Public Service Bargaining Council (PSBC) shows lack of political will from him. So, BOFEPUSU has vowed to punish Masisi together with his party, particularly for exposing workers to the immense risks under the State of Public Emergency (SoPE), during the Covid-19 pandemic.

"We firmly oppose the current state of emergency and even asked the President and BDP to justify to the nation why it is necessary and they failed. We are wondering if Masisi will during this five years rule through the SoPE. We will meet at the 2024 elections," he warned, classifying Masisi and Khama as birds of the same feather when it comes to frustrating trade unions.

"It is the same BDP government that Masisi is in charge of that derecognized the trade unions while comrade Khama was president with Masisi as his vice at a time. BOFEPUSU reported the government to International Labour Organization (ILO) for violation of workers' rights and we emerged victorious against government," said Tshukudu warning other parties to be careful.

He also said that BOFEPUSU will use the workers charter to assess how all political parties are responding to issues that affect the workers, noting that hit list of anti-workers MPs is coming.

Botswana Teachers Union (BTU) vice president for primary, Bakang Bagwasi also expressed a discontent over how government is mismanaging the Covid-19 pandemic especially in schools.

He noted that teachers have been succumbing to Covid-19 in large numbers but some of the Permanent Secretaries in stakeholder ministries have been arrogant hence need to be dealt with.

"Some Permanent Secretaries have turned out to be obstacle to smooth bargaining and social dialogue. Mr. Kentse we advise you to tell your BDP government to deal with such PSs," he said.

Meanwhile, Botswana Nurses Union (BONU) president Obonolo Rahube also said workers have been vulnerable abused amidst Covid-19 citing suspension of over time for health workers. He cautioned government against not renewing contracts of Covid-19 temporary nurses noting that this will have a negative impact on the vaccination rollout as nurses are being overwhelmed.

Responding to the onslaught from trade unions leaders, BDP mouthpiece Kentse said the party and president Masisi are committed to upholding workers' rights by working with unions. "We have heard all the concerns raised in relation to the government. The BDP has in its 2019 elections manifesto shown commitment to improving conditions of service for workers. I can also assure you that we are doing our best amid Covid-19 to protect workers," said worried Kentse.

Umbrella for Democratic Change (UDC) Secretary for Labour, Justin Hunyepa said the party is committed to address issues affecting all the workers unlike its counterpart in the ruling BDP. Hunyepa said that it was suicidal for BOFEPUSU to have taken a neutral approach during the 2019 elections by not publicly declaring support for party that had interest of workers at heart.

"That was a bad approach and it is now backfiring as we see the workers being abused with the government hiding behind SoPE and Covid-19. There is no workers ideology that is neutral. As, UDC we proposed for living wage which it is today contained in your charter as well," he added.

Workers charter

Tshukudu says that through the workers charter, BOFEPUSU is not going be blowing cold and hot in all political matters especially in the eve of the much important 2024 elections post Covid-19.

Close Sign up for free AllAfrica Newsletters Get the latest in African news delivered straight to your inbox Top Headlines Botswana Governance By submitting above, you agree to our privacy policy. Success! Almost finished... We need to confirm your email address. To complete the process, please follow the instructions in the email we just sent you. Error! Error! There was a problem processing your submission. Please try again later.

"We shall not be running after any political formation but such formations must be the ones that would have to come crawling to the federation seeking for political support, partnership or whatever. This says between now and October 2024 all political parties that shall be contesting for national general elections have to know what workers vote not come cheap shall like it was in 2019," he added.

BOFEPUSU Deputy Secretary General Ketlhalefile said that workers charter is a Blue Print that forms core instrument that the federation will use to strike relationships with political parties.

He noted that the charter focuses on critical aspects such as the position on recognition and national Bargaining Public Service and Private, saying that their absence disturbs the unions.

"Social dialogue is a very important aspect in tripartite bargaining. The workers charter is a weapon that BOFEPUSU and the general labour movement will use to advance welfare and interests of workers. All stakeholders must come to party and embrace the charter," he said.
press release

AfroStory - the Africa-focused reading app first launched in October 2020 - has been rebuilt on an entirely new software platform to give it powerful new features, including read-aloud functionality in multiple languages and accents, a brand new UX, IOS-useability, enhanced security features, as well as additional books.

According to AfroStory Founder & CEO Dr John Ashmore, V1 launched late last year was just a proof-of-concept, while V2 is closer to some better-known, but more expensive, reading apps.

"With our new software infrastructure in place, we are confident of reaching our target of putting one billion digital books onto African smartphones by the end of 2022," he said. "And as our user-base grows, so will our ability to expand our range of books and published materials, and making these as easy-to-access as possible, for the lowest reasonable cost to the end-user."

Ashmore says the company's mission also expects to receive a huge boost from the involvement of award-winning child author & global literacy activist Stacey Fru.

The winner of over 30 Awards and Recognitions for her tireless work to inspire African children to dream bigger dreams for themselves, Stacey has agreed to throw her weight behind AfroStory's efforts to get millions more African children reading not just more books, but ones that are more relevant to their lived experiences.

She has also made her first book, Smelly Cats, available on AfroStory.

Written when she was just seven years old and without her parents' knowledge, the book has since been qualified by South Africa's National Department of Basic Education as supplementary learning material at all primary schools.

About Stacey Fru

Meet Stacey Fru, a South African International Multiple Award-Winning Child Author who was shortlisted for the Global Children's Peace Prize 2020 just after being named a Global Child Prodigy.

She is a philanthropist and activist who was honoured by President El Sisi of Egypt as Africa's Most Promising Youth in 2019 .

The now 14-year-old Stacey wrote her first book Smelly Cats at the age of seven.

She has also written Bob and the Snake (2016), Smelly Cats on Vacation , Where is Tammy? (2019) and Tim's Answer (2019).

Since gaining this early success, Stacey has dedicated a portion of her life to reach out, inspire and edutain people of various ages across the world.

Close Sign up for free AllAfrica Newsletters Get the latest in African news delivered straight to your inbox Top Headlines South Africa Entertainment Book Reviews By submitting above, you agree to our privacy policy. Success! Almost finished... We need to confirm your email address. To complete the process, please follow the instructions in the email we just sent you. Error! Error! There was a problem processing your submission. Please try again later.

With over 31 Awards and Recognitions, Stacey has published 5 International Bestselling children's books and is still writing.

Her first book is approved by the South African Department of Basic Education as suitable for children of all ages through to primary schools.

As the youngest founding member of Wits University's Hub for Multilingual Education in Johannesburg, and the youngest TEDx speaker in Africa, Stacey has made speaking appearances in various capacities in different institutions in Africa, Asia and Europe.

She was the youngest speaker at the World Literacy Summit at Oxford University in Oxford, United Kingdom in April 2020.

A special attribute of Stacey's writings is that one of her books, Tim's Answer, is available in Braille and Daisy formats.

It's also worth noting that Blind SA adopted one of her short stories as their reading for World Read Aloud Day 2020.

Stacey writes stories, essays, poems, speeches and attempts songs. She is a guitarist, a motivational speaker, storyteller, poet, TV talk show host, chairlady, and teacher.
The Senate yesterday faulted the lopsidedness in the appointment of federal board members by President Muhammadu Buhari just as it confirmed the appointment of 12 Board members for the National Human Rights Commission, (NHRC), forwarded to it by the President.

The confirmation of the NHRC nominees followed the consideration of the report of the Senate Committee on Judiciary, Human Rights and Legal Matters, chaired by Senator Opeyemi Bamidele.

The nominees are: Dr. Salamatu Hussaini Suleiman as Chairman; Joseph Onyemaechi Mmamel, Ahmad Abubakar Fingilla, Kemi Asiwaju-Okenyodo, Abubakar Muhammed, Femi Okeowo, Sunday Etim Daniel, Agabaidu Chukwuemeka Jideani, Mrs. Nella Andem-Rabana (SAN), Azubuike Nwakwenta, Jamila Isah and Mrs. Idayat Omolara Hassan, as members of the commission.

In his submission, the ranking Senator noted that the composition of the Governing Council of the National Human Rights Commission as presented to the 9th Senate, did not comply with the provisions of the Constitution as it relates to the Federal Character Principles.

Bamidele maintained that absolute compliance with the provisions of the Constitution was not a choice but a fundamental obligation imposed on individuals, government and all its functionaries, as encapsulated in Section 13 of the Constitution.

"The human rights issues do not only affect a segment, but cut across all parts of the country. As such, all the geo-political zones must be represented in conformity with the provisions of the Constitution, in the light of emerging human rights abuses in the country," he added.

Bamidele stressed need for the Senate do draw the attention of President Buhari to the lop-sidedness in the composition of the Governing Council of the NHRC, pointing out that the Senate and indeed the National Assembly do not only make law but also ensures that the laws are complied with, through the mechanisms of checks and balances.

He said it's the duty of the National Assembly "to draw the attention of the executive who is saddled with the responsibilities of making nominations for appointments into any position in the country to ensure compliance with the Federal Character Principles in line with the Constitution."

In his remarks, President of the Senate, Dr Ahmad Lawan, urged the executive arm of government to always comply with the principles of federal character in future appointments.
The Niger State Governor, Mr. Abubakar Sani Bello has confirmed that three soldiers lost their lives yesterday in an encounter with bandits in Mariga town of Mariga Local Government Area of Niger State.

Two bandits lost their lives in the encounter.

Bello, who disclosed this after a state security meeting held at Government House Minna, said many people escaped with varying degrees of injuries as a result of the encounter.

" The three soldiers were killed by bandits and our security men are trailing them. I can assure you that they will be arrested soon. Some of the bandits were killed as two bodies have been recovered so far. I am very hopeful that in the next few hours or days, we should be able to apprehend them."

Bello stated that though, the state was still faced with serious security challenges, the security forces were working tirelessly to address these challenges especially in communities that recently suffered attacks by Boko Haram and bandits.

"Though, we have a lot of security challenges, I hope very soon it will come to an end. The security forces are doing their best to tackle the situation. Presently, I want to commend our Service Chiefs and Security agencies for a job well done so far".
Nairobi  Jubilee Party Secretary General Raphael Tuju faced backlash on Monday night after suggesting security services offered to judges by the State were a privilege which judicial officers should take into account while issuing decrees.

Tuju, while speaking on NTV Tonight, claimed those celebrating the annulment of the Building Bridges Initiative (BBI) constitutional amendment process by the Constitutional Court on May 13 were, "dancing of the graves of victims of post-election violence."

"Judges should learn the word 'interdependence' because as soon as they finish a ruling, they need policemen to escort them home," the Secretary General of the governing party said in remarks that angered proponents of judicial independence, a key tenet of the Constitution (2010).

In a rejoinder, Law Society of Kenya (LSK) President Nelson Havi dismissed Tuju's assertions as ridiculous saying judges have a right to security.

"Raphael Tuju, hear and get me loud and clear. Your buffoonery seems to know no limit. Judges volunteer to serve in an Arm of Government. Their security is not a privilege but a right. This is not Uganda in the 70s. Cross that line again and you will live to regret it," Havi, who led the petitioners' legal team against BBI, fired back.

His remarks were echoed by Esther Ang'awa, an LSK Council Member, who said the BBI process did not resolve past grievances including manipulation of electoral processes.

"Did BBI open the IEBC servers? Did BBI address the transmission of results debacle?" she posed.

"Raphael Tuju is currently on NTV saying those celebrating the High Court ruling on BBI are dancing on the graves of those who died during post election violence. That marks the end of my viewing tonight," Gabriel Oguda, a columnist on a local daily, said.

Tuju's remarks came on a day the State filed a notice of appeal against the judgment issued by a five-judge Constitutional Court bench which in addition to finding the BBI process unconstitutional, ruled that President Uhuru Kenyatta had violated Chapter 6 of the Constitution.

"Uhuru Muigai Kenyatta has contravened Chapter 6 of the Constitution, and specifically Article 73(1)(a)(i), by initiating and promoting a constitutional change process contrary to the provisions of the Constitution on amendment of the Constitution," the bench declared.

The BBI constitutional review process was found to have fallen short of the Primary Constituent Power, the court holding that the President overreached his mandate in promoting constitutional changes under a popular initiative.

Close Sign up for free AllAfrica Newsletters Get the latest in African news delivered straight to your inbox Top Headlines Kenya Legal Affairs By submitting above, you agree to our privacy policy. Success! Almost finished... We need to confirm your email address. To complete the process, please follow the instructions in the email we just sent you. Error! Error! There was a problem processing your submission. Please try again later.

In a unanimous judgment, Justices Prof Joel Ngugi, George Odunga, Jairus Ngaah, Chacha Mwita and Matheka Mumbua also upheld the basic structure doctrine rendering certain clauses of the Constitution unamendable, a finding fiercely criticized by Tuju.

The court noted that the basic structure of the constitution could only be amended by invoking a four-phased process entailing, "civic education; public participation and collation of views; Constituent Assembly debate; and ultimately, a referendum."

The bench also held that the electoral agency, IEBC, lacked the statutory quorum to verify signatures submitted by BBI promoters in favour of the amendment process.

A BBI steering committee gazetted in January 2020 was also declared an unconstitutional entity, the court holding that it lacked the legal capacity to initiate constitutional changes under Article 257 which sets out conditions precedent for an amendment through a popular initiative.
Lamu  All is set for the official launch of the newly constructed Lamu port, in a function to be presided over by President Uhuru Kenyatta on Thursday this week.

The Kenya Ports Authority said the operationalization of the port will link Lamu to South Sudan and Ethiopia, the main targets of cargo movement.

KPA Board Chairman General Joseph Kibwana said that Berth 1 of the port is complete and can operate.

There are 3 berths in place but storage facilities for Berth 2 and 3 are yet to be completed.

"After the launch, we will start limited operations, then transit to full operation of domestic and transit cargo," said Kibwana.

Kibwana said the port is expected to be fully operational by December this year.

On the day of the launch, there will be two vessels to mark the beginning of the operations.

The main vessel docking will be MV CAP CARMEL and there will be the additional vessel MV SEAGO BREMERHAVEN.

In terms of comparison to the port of Mombasa, he said the Lamu port has been constructed under higher standards.

For instance, the Berths at Lamu are longer that is 400 meters as compared to Mombasa's 300 meters.

In addition, the Berths at Lamu have a depth of -17.5 against -15.5 those of Mombasa.

"This gives Lamu an added advantage as bigger vessels can dock here, bigger vessels translates to bigger volumes of cargo," he said.

Close Sign up for free AllAfrica Newsletters Get the latest in African news delivered straight to your inbox Top Headlines Kenya Transport Infrastructure By submitting above, you agree to our privacy policy. Success! Almost finished... We need to confirm your email address. To complete the process, please follow the instructions in the email we just sent you. Error! Error! There was a problem processing your submission. Please try again later.

The port of Lamu will be run by the Kenya Ports Authority, as opposed to earlier proposal to have the facility run by a private entity.

Kenya Ports Authority General Manager Engineer Abdullahi Samata announced plans to have a high-level delegation to South Sudan and Ethiopia to market the port after the launch.

"The idea is prove that we are reliable partners by showing the advantages of using this port because remember we have competitors like Djibouti," said Engineer Samata.

The Authority Acting Managing Director Engineer Rashid Salim also said as part of measures to attract investors they are working with the Kenya Revenue Authority to come up with incentives, including free storage for a period of 30 days and tax rebates.

On the issues raised by fishermen over disruption of their livelihood due to activities at the port, the Lamu County Commissioner Irungu Macharia said about 4700 fishermen are set to benefit from sh 1.7 billion allocated for compensation.

"65 per cent of the money will go towards cash transfers while 35 per cent will be used for sustainability," said Macharia.

Macharia assured that security has been revamped in the volatile region, noting the deployment of the Navy, Kenya Defense Forces, Coast guard and the Administration Police.

Meanwhile, road links at the LAPPSET corridor are also in the works with the Lamu-Ijara-Garissa expected to be done within a year.

No works have started on the rail network however, with the Kenya Railways Corporation Board Chairman General (Rtd) Omudho Awitta citing 'lack of funding.'

The Lamu port has been associated with a lot of opportunities including creation of jobs, boosting the economy.
The recent reports on teenage pregnancies and marriages in Kenya merits attention. Figures on children especially girls who missed national examinations amidst the COVID -19 pandemic is even worrying.

While poverty is given as among the key reasons behind the menace, we need re-look at the push and pull factors.

Early pregnancy and child marriages just like other harmful traditional practices have been outlawed in the country, but some communities are clinging on them hence frustrating efforts to eradicate them.We need a multi-prolonged approach to deal with these issue, that seem troubling and frustrating efforts to empower and educate the youth.

Many of these harmful practices have stood in the way of the development of children into meaningful adults as they negatively affect the socio-cultural and economic growth of those affected.

Initially, a number of people dismissed the media's focus on the issue of teenage pregnancies within the context of national examinations after it was reported that a number of candidates had delivered within that period. But from data and studies from elsewhere, it is apparent that children must be shielded from harmful traditional practices that are prevalent in the country.

The campaign against such threatening practices such as early pregnancies and immature marriages in Kenya requires not only political will, but also mass social mobilization and changing social norms and mindsets, a role the media can play.

The media has the potential to influence national discourse on the issue, sway public opinion and assist in community mobilisation towards change of behaviour.

Sammy Muraya from Journalists for Human Rights program on voices of women and girls rights is emphatic that media is a critical player in the much needed behaviour change through social mobilization.

"We need to prepare and involve the media in the investigative aspects and civic education that is important to expose the push and pull factors that affect such practices that are a hindrance to the promotion of the rights of women and children.

We must all change the framing and narrative of these vices that many times we use good language to describe yet they are crimes" Muraya notes.

"Media must go beyond mere reporting on these human rights violations especially for girls and women to interrogate, expose, investigate, show trends and how other countries are handling the problem. We must involve media more creative and focused on these human rights violations" he notes.

Close Sign up for free AllAfrica Newsletters Get the latest in African news delivered straight to your inbox Top Headlines Women Kenya Human Rights By submitting above, you agree to our privacy policy. Success! Almost finished... We need to confirm your email address. To complete the process, please follow the instructions in the email we just sent you. Error! Error! There was a problem processing your submission. Please try again later.

The Constitution and in particular the Children's Act outlaws child marriages and criminalizes the practice and provides heavy sanctions while at the same time providing new opportunities for total elimination of the practice.

The government in collaboration with various partners has devised methods devoted to education, community dialogues, engaging the youth, religious and traditional institutions, including other measures such as promotion of girls' education as a protective measure.

The campaign against such traditional harmful practices in Kenya requires not only political will, but mass social mobilization and changing social norms and mindsets, a role that the community radio practitioners are well positioned to play.

Studies by the National Council for Population and Development on the sexual and reproductive health situation among young people and sexuality education made a number of disturbing observations. Studies by the National Aids Control Council indicate that Kenya has made great strides towards bringing the national HIV prevalence from a high of 14 percent down to 5.9 per cent1 in 2016.

Young people however are increasingly those most affected by HIV with 29 percent of all adult new infections occurring among among adolescent girls and young women (AGYW). There are more than 350 000 children and young people living with HIV. According to Kenya's last demographic health survey, only 54 percent of AGYW and 64 per cent of adolescent boys and young men have comprehensive knowledge of HIV. Teenage pregnancy is a further concern with 18 per cent 4 of adolescent girls aged 15-19 years have already started child bearing. Young people also face challenges related to gender based violence.
Nairobi  Kenyans living abroad sent home Sh32 billion (USD 299.3 million) in April 2021, a new data show.

Data by the Central Bank of Kenya reveals that the inflows represent a 43.7 percent increase from remittance sent in April 2020 and 2.9 percent rise in March 2021.

"Remittance inflows increased to USD 299.3 million in April 2021, from USD 208.2 million in April 2020, representing a 43.7 percent increase and 2.9 percent higher than the remittances in March 2021," said CBK in its weekly bulletin.

The cumulative inflows in the 12 months to March 2021 totalled USD 3,308 million compared to USD 2,801 million in the same period in 2020, an 18.1 percent increase.

The United States continues to be the largest source of remittances into Kenya, accounting for 57.2 percent of remittances in April 2021.

Diaspora inflows have remained Kenya's largest source of foreign exchange since 2015.

In 2020, Kenyans abroad sent home Sh341 billion defying the pandemic odds.
Nairobi  Vote tallying is underway for three parliamentary by-election conducted on Tuesday.

As at 7.30pm, ODM and UDA candidates in the Bonchari Member of National Assembly election were neck and neck claiming 34 per cent each of votes tallied from 45 out of 102 polling stations.

Robert Oimeke (ODM) had garnered 3,198 votes, followed closely by Teresia Bitutu (UDA) with 3,180 votes. Jubilee Party's Zebedeo Opore had 3,001 votes.

In Juja, where the electorate also cast ballots to elect a Member of the National Assembly, People Empowerment Party's George Koimburi Ndungu was leading with 8,043, representing 56 per cent of votes tallied from over 100 polling centres.

Jubilee's Susan Waititu had garnered 3,696 votes, 26 per cent of votes tallied.

In Rurii ward, UDA's Francis Muraya had registered 2,280 votes (56 per cent). Jubilee Party's Peter Thinji had 1,750 votes (43 per cent).
Nairobi  Equity Group Foundation and Kenya Forest Service have today joined University of Nairobi in their annual tree planting exercise at a drive to plant 7,000 trees at various campuses as they enhance efforts to mitigate against adverse effects of climate change.

The effort is in line with Equity's ambitious conservation project to plant 35 million trees across the country, and also to support the government's goal of increasing the country's forest cover to 10% by 2022.

The University of Nairobi (UoN), which plants trees annually as part of their environmental rehabilitation efforts received 5,000 seedlings from Equity Group Foundation and 2,000 seedlings from the Kenya Forest Service. The 7,000 trees will be distributed across various campuses based on availability of space including; 2,000 trees at the Wangari Mathai Institute of Peace and Environmental Studies, 200 trees in the students' halls of residence, 400 trees in the College of Biological and Physical Sciences, 500 trees in the School of Law, 200 trees in the School of Business, 700 trees within the UoN estates, 500 trees in the College of Health Sciences, 500 trees at the University's Kenya Science Campus and another 2,000 trees at the College of Agriculture and Veterinary Sciences.

Commenting during the launch of the initiative, University of Nairobi Vice Chancellor Prof. Stephen Kiama said, "As a university, we recognise that each of us has a big role to play in contributing to environmental conservation. What started out as a plan to plant 200 trees has been up scaled 35 times through our collaboration with Equity Group Foundation and Kenya Forest Service. We are proud to work with like-minded partners in this noble tree planting event and urge all Kenyans to plant a tree this rainy season."

The 7,000 trees are estimated to cover at least 5 hectares of land and is a mix of indigenous and fruit trees. A preference selection made based on their ability to survive longer, their resistance to diseases and the low cost of maintenance.

"By planting trees today, we are securing the future, lives and livelihoods of our children and their children. Equity Group Foundation focuses on promoting the conservation of natural resources through expanding forest cover, improving water security and providing renewable energy and energy sufficient technologies as smart alternatives to traditional and polluting energy sources." said Polycarp Igathe, Equity Group, Chief Commercial Officer.

As of April 2021 Equity had planted over 4 million trees and distributed 260,000 clean energy products through EGF's Energy and Environment Pillar and is set to plant another 5 million trees through its branch network of 190 branches by end of year. "We have tasked each Equity branch to collaborate with KFS, the communities and institutions around them to plant trees and achieve this target. We shall also be adopting more forest blocks for rehabilitation and working with communities to reduce reliance on forests as a source of wood-fuel and adopt agroforestry." added Polycarp.

Kenya Forest Service Chief Conservator of Forests, Julius Kamau speaking at the event said, "Today is a testament that when the public and private sector come together, this can be for the greater good of the community. We are making a call to action to all Kenyans to join us in this initiative, let us take advantage of the long rains to each plant one or two trees as this will take us closer to the 10% forest cover." said Julius.

Equity Group has partnered with Kenya Forest Service (KFS) in their 35 million trees, tree planting initiative. KFS will provide technical support including; the identification of hotspots that require urgent tree cover and/or rehabilitation of degraded forests; mapping out agro-ecological zones and identification of suitable tree species for planting; identification of high-quality tree seedlings stocks across the country; and support by KFS officers and staff at local levels to supervise the proper planting and maintenance of the trees.

Close Sign up for free AllAfrica Newsletters Get the latest in African news delivered straight to your inbox Top Headlines Kenya Sustainable Development By submitting above, you agree to our privacy policy. Success! Almost finished... We need to confirm your email address. To complete the process, please follow the instructions in the email we just sent you. Error! Error! There was a problem processing your submission. Please try again later.

Julius Kamau further said, "Planting 7,000 trees in an urban area in one morning is no small feat. We are keen on having a good success rate for the trees that we have planted today by ensuring that these are nurtured to maturity. We appreciate both Equity and the University of Nairobi for taking the bold step to be active players in the conservation of Nairobi's eco-system."

The tree planting exercise was launched at the Wangari Mathai Institute of Peace and Environmental Studies while the other 8 campuses planted their set of trees concurrently with support from KFS and Equity branches.
Nairobi  Kenyan integrated agro-business firm Kakuzi PLC has confirmed plans to strengthen its Avocado smallholder base as part of a shared prosperity business plan.

Alongside the smallholder development plans, the firm is focusing on agricultural production expansion and diversification projects for its Macadamia, Blueberry, Livestock and commercial forestry business lines.

Speaking during the Nairobi Securities Exchange (NSE) listed firms 93rd Annual General Meeting held virtually, Kakuzi PLC Chairman Nicholas Ng'ang'a said the firm will this year invest more than Sh400 million in capital expenditures (CAPEX) while focusing on upscaling its smallholder operations value to complement its production capacities and boost the global positioning of Kenyan avocados. It's critical that the markets only receive good quality fruits from Kenya, and to achieve this, building knowledge of the market requirements amongst farmers is very important, Ng'anga said.

Strategically the Company with a 2,500 strong workforce, he said, continues to invest in developing its core crops of avocado, macadamia, forestry and cattle and experimenting with the new blueberry venture. Investments in technology to reduce our environmental footprint and enhance our product quality are also progressing well. He added that the firm is also exploring value addition opportunities in a number of these crops and hope that further exciting opportunities to diversify our income stream will present themselves when fully appraised.

"The markets for Kakuzi's avocados remained solid, despite the almost complete closure of the food retail sector across our main markets. We expect that there will be some recovery in 2021, but this is not guaranteed. To mitigate this, we continue to trade with our traditional buyers as well as some key new players across 14 different countries," Ng'ang'a said.

At the AGM, the firm's shareholders unanimously voted for a KSh. 18 dividends per share, representing a 28.5% growth from the KSh. 14 dividends paid out the previous year and making Kakuzi PLC one of the best performing return on investment firms at the NSE.

"The global market is responding positively to Kenyan avocados due to their high potential to provide good quality fruits but, we must work tirelessly to secure this market positioning by focusing on the quality aspects," Ng'ang'a said. He added that "to secure this market positioning, Kakuzi will step up its effort to strengthen the capacity of our smallholders to meet the stringent quality and phytosanitary standards required at the global markets."

The Company he added has secured lucrative markets for Kenyan Agri produce such as avocados and macadamia and will continue adopting a shared prosperity approach by integrating smallholders.

Notwithstanding the global Covid19 pandemic challenges, Kakuzi's development strategies, Ng'ang'a said, remain firmly on track to complete the firm's agricultural expansion and diversification projects and advance the sustainability journey. "I am pleased to report that the pandemic did not force us to lay off any staff member, in-fact our employee numbers increased, and we were able to also honour our Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) Commitment with the Kenya Plantations and Agricultural Union to further increase wages," he said.

Last year, Kakuzi, Ng'ang'a disclosed, had further achieved a milestone in its pursuit of corporate governance excellence by publishing its first Environment, Social and Governance (ESG) Report. "As a Board, we acknowledge that such processes are a critically important journey where one strives to reach new standards continuously. The next ESG report will be published later on this year," he assured.

As part of the sustainability and governance journey, Kakuzi has developed an Operational-Level Grievance Mechanism (OGM) to enhance the timely and sensitive resolution of grievances that any of its employees or stakeholders may have with the firm.

The development of the new operating policies and the adoption of globally benchmarked standards, Ng'ang'a said, is part of its commitment to adopt the highest standards possible protocols in its operations.

"The OGM is fully compliant with UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights and will be a fair, transparent and independent means to resolve any complaints connected to Kakuzi's operations. The Board is also working to establishing a high-level Independent Human Rights Advisory Committee (IHRAC) whose role will be to provide independent advice to the Board on matters relating to governance structures and Human Rights," Ng'ang'a said.

Close Sign up for free AllAfrica Newsletters Get the latest in African news delivered straight to your inbox Top Headlines Kenya Agribusiness By submitting above, you agree to our privacy policy. Success! Almost finished... We need to confirm your email address. To complete the process, please follow the instructions in the email we just sent you. Error! Error! There was a problem processing your submission. Please try again later.

As part of its employee and community health promotion programme focusing on preventative health services, Kakuzi last year employed a team of 13 Public Health Officers to assist in protecting its 2900 strong workforce from COVID-19. The team is tasked with interacting with workers, performing health checks, and providing invaluable advice on compliance with public health regulations within all the Company's housing and processing units daily.

Last year, Kakuzi achieved robust results for the year, despite the uncertainty in its main sales markets caused by the COVID-19 Pandemic. The firm posted a Kes. 848 million pre-tax profit representing a 16% drop from Kes. 1,014 billion realized the previous year.

The firm's avocado and macadamia export volumes were higher than 2019 but not sufficient to mitigate a significant reduction of 34% in the price of avocados due to higher global supply.
The federal government is encouraging Royal Dutch Shell Plc to keep its onshore oil and gas business in the country instead of divesting it, as the company seeks to focus more on cleaner energy and offshore production.

Minister of state for petroleum resources, Timipre Sylva, in a report by Bloomberg yesterday, told reporters in Abuja that even as the government is in discussions with Shell about its future in the country, "some actually feel also that Shell should not hurriedly divest and to at least stay" onshore.

"To have a situation where Shell has completely divested from a sector is not good for us," the minister said.

The Anglo-Dutch energy giant has been gradually selling its onshore assets for more than a decade in Nigeria as it seeks to put aside problems related to raptured pipelines and legal battles with local communities.

Shell chief executive officer (CEO) Ben van Beurden said Tuesday that the company was in conversations with the Nigerian government on "a way to move forward" as oil spill risks associated to its onshore were not aligned with its energy transition strategy. However, he did say that it would focus on its deep-water and gas investments in the country.

"Shell has announced their intention to divest from their onshore assets and focus more on the offshore," Sylva said, adding "We are actually in talks with them on how we are going to achieve it."

The federal government and the Public Service Institute of Nigeria (PSIN) have announced a partnership to strengthen fiscal transparency and accountability in the various states of the federation under the Central government/World Bank-assisted States Fiscal Transparency Accountability and Sustainability (SFTAS) Programme for Results.

SFTAS national programme coordinator, Mr Stephen Okon made the announcement at a four-day pilot workshop for curriculum development on public financial management and open government principles organised by the PSIN in collaboration with the West Africa Institute for Financial and Economic Management (WAIFEM).

Close Sign up for free AllAfrica Newsletters Get the latest in African news delivered straight to your inbox Top Headlines Nigeria Petroleum By submitting above, you agree to our privacy policy. Success! Almost finished... We need to confirm your email address. To complete the process, please follow the instructions in the email we just sent you. Error! Error! There was a problem processing your submission. Please try again later.

Mr Okon observed that strengthening fiscal transparency and accountability at the states level through the SFTAS Programme for Results would go a long way in ensuring good fiscal governance for the sustainable development of the Nigerian economy.

He explained that the technical assistance component of the programme requires implementing agencies and partners to deliver capacity building to states on the disbursement linked indicators so that they could be supported to achieve results, which attracts handsome financial benefits to the successful states.

The NPC further disclosed that beside PSIN, other implementing agencies and partners include Office of the Auditor General of the Federation (OAuGF), Debt Management Office (DMO), Nigeria Governors' Forum (NGF) and the Open Government Partnership (OGP).
A Sharia court judge, Alhaji Hussaini Samaila, was yesterday afternoon kidnapped in the Safana Local Government Area of Katsina State.

Bandits reportedly swooped on the judge's court located at Bauren Zakat village in the council and whisked him away.

The spokesman of the Katsina Police Command, Gambo Isah, confirmed the incident last night.

He explained that an investigation had already commenced.

The police spokesman said the court had already been relocated to Safana town due to security challenges at the village.

He also explained that the judge did not request police protection while going to the village.

Isah said, "The court has already been relocated from the village to Safana due to security challenges. Also, the judge did not request police orderly and the necessary security backup that is supposed to be around when courts are sitting. So, nobody was aware of his visit to the court, more so, when there is an ongoing strike by the judicial workers."
press release

The Unity Party-USA & Canada has ended its National Convention by the elections of officials to fill vacant positions alongside the adoption of its draft constitution modeled after that of the mother party. The convention, attended by partisans across the length and breadth of the USA and Canada and graced with the presence of the party leadership in Liberia was characterized by the USA and Canada National Chairman Kerper Dwanyen as a major stepping stone in the party's efforts to strengthen its diaspora participation and contribution to the body politic and development of Liberia.

The positions, National Secretary-General, Treasurer and Chaplain General were declared vacant and opened for elections.

In a powerful display of unity and cohesion, James Saywala Kennedy was elected Secretary-General, Harry Mason Treasurer, and Rev. Theophilus Bracewell Chaplain General, all sailing on white ballots.

In his message delivered via zoom technology opening the convention, Unity Party Standard Bearer His Excellency Amb. Joseph Nyuma Boakai expressed his appreciation and support for the diaspora members of the Unity Party.

The UP Standard Bearer reminded partisans of the challenges facing Liberia and reiterated the need for unity amongst partisans in the march towards national development. He called his fellow partisans to remain committed to the implementation of the mandates of the convention and consider them binding.

National Chairman of Unity Party Amin Modad and National Secretary General Mo Ali in separate remarks, encouraged members of the party to see togetherness as a key factor in the upliftment of the party and a roadmap to Liberia's transformation.

They then encouraged those elected to work within the interest of the party and with Liberia as the center of the Unity Party's blueprint.
Thirteen years of civil conflict nearly destroyed the small West African nation of Liberia in the late 20th century. The period of reconstruction that followed in 2003 has surprisingly resulted in an explosion of local literature, some of it world-class in quality. A nation destroyed by war has suddenly produced writers of world-renown and hope for its literature lies on the horizon. "Usually wars or crises provide a new germination, if you will, like a forest that burns down and where new vegetation sprouts," notes Liberian poet, Cherbo Geeplay. Such a phenomenon is taking place in Liberia today.

As well as established Liberian writers known to the international reading public such as Patricia Jabbeh Wesley, Wayetu Moore and Vamba Sherif, one finds poet Cherbo Geeplay. Geeplay takes after the tradition of those who came before him, like Roland Tombekai Dempster and Bai T. Moore, and Wesley herself-- these writers especially inspired a generation of Liberian literature. Wilton Sankawulo is also worth mentioning; his novella and short stories are popular folktales that have left lasting imprints on the small west African country.

Geeplay also writes short stories and is thinking about writing either a novella or a novel. In time, "all of these can be done", he says, as he frees his "mind" and develops the characters and subjects that he wants to put out there, to enrich the literature of his homeland. If he is one of the stronger and more articulate voices of new Liberian literature, that is because he has humbled himself, studied the art, and received mentorship from veteran authors like Althea Romeo-Mark, editors like Stephanie Horton, and academics like Jackie Sayegh. As a poet, Geeplay's works are rooted in tradition, transcending the particular to reach into the universal, thus becoming serious literature, powerful and relatable to all.

In an interview with Patricia Jabbeh Wesley, an award-winning Liberian poet and writer and an Associate Professor of English and Creative Writing at Penn State University, Geeplay (who regards the author as his "big sister" and mentor) explored the importance of writing poetry and the influences that have inspired his works, the primary influence being his Grebo culture. Aware that one of his heroes and a giant in the literary world, Ngugi wa Thiong'o, wants African writers to write in their native tongues, Geeplay acknowledges that "neo-colonialism "1. has been a cause of concern in places like Liberia, where no efforts have been made to develop nor teach African languages". He states, "I write only in English. But the Grebo language and tradition, like other languages, possess a rich heritage with a lot of cultural heirlooms. You can only draw inspiration from Liberian culture. My Grebo heritage is very important, it is an African and Liberian story and comes with that perspective. A Zulu or Yoruba can only speak about his culture and in the process enrich African literature, and this is what we are trying to do" "2.

It is worth exploring the concept that "the cultural milieu in which we all live is a linguistic construction" "3. When one reads Geeplay's poems, the subtleties of Grebo-Kru sub structural linguistic influences are at once unique to the place and universal. In the poem below, 'Farewell to Ellen', published in both the Adelaide Literary Magazine and Rigorous Literary (based in New York and New Orleans), the Liberian poet writes about love, a city, a nation emerging from war and a poverty that has consumed the nation like in many African countries while corruption is rife amongst the political elite while the masses search for answers. It is this humanistic and deep thinking that he brings to his work and that has won him praise; his work is nothing shy of brilliance, and offers the maturity that many readers seek to satisfy their literary cravings. In this excerpt from 'Farewell to Ellen', the poet writes:

Life comes to a slow twiggy

motion; the forest is breathing

Close Sign up for free AllAfrica Newsletters Get the latest in African news delivered straight to your inbox Top Headlines Liberia Governance By submitting above, you agree to our privacy policy. Success! Almost finished... We need to confirm your email address. To complete the process, please follow the instructions in the email we just sent you. Error! Error! There was a problem processing your submission. Please try again later.

with moisture, like a hut puffing

smoke as a pipe. While the creek

bridged their ledges, there is a

seismic run-down Waterside!

Enough, no more, the sewage

can take! She is in my arms,

listening to the music

pounding the roof. Still,

calm, reading Ebony Dust,

though, with lightning bolts

yelling to be heard. The clatter

is like a rumble--tumbling

falling rockets. The sorry

corrugated zinc holds her

Seams, the bed is dry,

but the room is a puddle.
ED Damazin  Hundreds of civil society activists participated in a protest vigil against rape in the Blue Nile state capital Ed Damazin on Monday. The action was part of a campaign against gender-based violence, organised by Blue Nile civil society organisations.

Following a gang-rape of a woman (30) north of neighbouring Roseires by five young men during the fasting month of Ramadan, various Blue Nile civil society organisations decided it was time to act and call on the authorities to arrange for adequate interventions for victims of sexual violence.

Dr Samia El Torbi, lecturer at the Blue Nile University and social activist, told Radio Dabanga last week that the state is witnessing "an increase in sexual, verbal, and physical crimes against women despite the revolutionary gains and the democratisation". She stressed the need "to immediately prosecute the perpetrators and impose maximum penalties on them".

Preparations for the campaign took place over the weekend, at the office of the Feminist Awareness Initiative in Ed Damazin. The participants also spoke about the situation of the gang-rape victim and ways to provide support to her and her family.

Representatives of the Kafa Development Organisation stated they are willing to provide psychological support in coordination with the Anti-Violence Against Women and Children Unit and the Ed Damazin Centre for Counselling and Psychological Trauma.

Lawyers present pledged to arrange legal support with the help of the Humanitarian Organisation for Legal Aid.

Vigil in front of the Blue Nile state Ministry of Justice (Waleed Ali Adam)

The participants in the meeting further discussed the demonstration that would march to the Ministry of Justice, where a vigil would be held. They would also hand a memorandum to the acting Blue Nile State Governor Jamal Abdelhadi.

The memo urged the opening of prosecution offices in all localities of the state. Public prosecutors should do more to investigate cases of rape and gender-based violence. Psychological and social support must be widely available for survivors of gender-based violence.

The civil society organisations further called for early warning mechanisms in addition to community awareness campaigns "to remove the stigma that causes families to hide the crime" and encourage people to report gender-based violence to the police, and protect them against repercussions from the perpetrators. In addition, the capabilities of people working in the areas of psychological and social support should be enhanced.

Furthermore, the Blue Nile state government must take urgent steps to fight the insecurity in the region. A new law should regulate the public transportation in rural areas (often arranged privately by young men on motorcycles)

Close Sign up for free AllAfrica Newsletters Get the latest in African news delivered straight to your inbox Top Headlines Sudan Legal Affairs Human Rights By submitting above, you agree to our privacy policy. Success! Almost finished... We need to confirm your email address. To complete the process, please follow the instructions in the email we just sent you. Error! Error! There was a problem processing your submission. Please try again later.

After having received the memo, Governor Abdelhadi affirmed "the state government's commitment to address all crimes that threaten the safety of society".

He lauded the role of civil society organisations in "their efforts to eradicate negative phenomena in general, and crimes targeting women in particular".

The activists' delegation emphasised the importance to cooperate with the authorities "in providing the necessary guarantees for the protection of women wherever they are".

Written in cooperation with Waleed Ali Adam, free-lance journalist based in Ed Damazin

'Justice first. Stop rape crimes'

(Blue Nile CBOs)

'Don't tolerate Crime.

Rape is a crime' (Blue Nile CBOs)

'I'm not safe. Rape is a crime'

(Blue Nile CBOs)
Former deputy ombudsman Ephraim Kasuto yesterday said the Office of the Ombudsman should be an autonomous body.

He said the current arrangement compromises the independence of the ombudsman's office. Kasuto made the remarks at the launch of the 30th anniversary booklet of the ombudsman's office in Windhoek yesterday.

The event was among others graced by former ombudsman Bience Gawanas and Hanns Seidel Foundation resident representative Clemens von Doderer.

Kasuto served under the late Fanuel Kozonguizi as the deputy ombudsman from March 1993 to March 1997.

He acted as the ombudsman from 1995 to 1996 after the death of Kozonguizi. Gawanas was the country's ombudsman from December 1997 to September 2002. "It is not my intention to bore you with what the ombudsman needs for its continued existence.

I think the honourable ombudsman and his staff are in a better position to know about that. All I say is that an ombudsman institution can only operate effectively in a system of government where it is properly accommodated," Kasuto said.

He added that for the Ombudsman's office to be independent, it requires to be "delinked" from the justice ministry.

Kasuto's sentiments were also shared by Gawanas, who said while serving as ombudsman, she needed to beg the justice ministry to buy her office computers or even stationery - a situation she said hindered the operations of the office. Speaking at the occasion, outgoing ombudsman John Walters said the booklet tells the story of humble beginnings, a journey of small steps but which left inerasable footprints of the institution and staff.

Close Sign up for free AllAfrica Newsletters Get the latest in African news delivered straight to your inbox Top Headlines Namibia By submitting above, you agree to our privacy policy. Success! Almost finished... We need to confirm your email address. To complete the process, please follow the instructions in the email we just sent you. Error! Error! There was a problem processing your submission. Please try again later.

He said the booklet describes the origin, establishment and development of the office, and also tells the story of how a small office successfully managed to deal with multiple functions.

"Despite the fact that there have been a number of changes in our work environment, the staff remained committed and focused on providing quality services to our people," Walters told the audience, adding that it was important to recognise that the success of the office is the result of the hard work of staff, past and present.

The constitution assigns a range of functions to the ombudsman. These include the duty to investigate complaints about violations of fundamental rights and freedoms, abuse of power, corruption, "unfair, harsh, insensitive or discourteous treatment of an inhabitant of Namibia by an official in the employ of any organ of government", and complaints about the over-utilisation of Namibia's living natural resources, the irrational exploitation of non-renewable resources, or the degradation and destruction of the country's ecosystem, and failure to protect the beauty and character of Namibia.
President Samia Suluhu Hassan on Monday received a Covid-19 report from a committee of experts tasked with evaluating the Covid-19 situation in the country.

The report of the experts was handed over to President Samia by committee chairman, Prof Said Aboud, at State House Dar es Salaam. The report urged the government to scale up public health measures against Covid-19 and take a science-based approach to the response.

Speaking to journalists, Prof Aboud, said the group has made 19 recommendations to the government on pandemic.

The committee suggests that Tanzania is at risk of a third wave of the virus.

Since the first outbreak reported in March 2020 in the country, Tanzania has been hit by two major waves, "now due to the trend of the novel virus in the world there is a threat of a third wave in the country," Prof Aboud said.

Tanzania has not reported any cases of the coronavirus since May 2020, causing the WHO to make a rare statement calling the situation "very concerning."

The committee further urged the government to build local capacity for the detection of coronavirus infections so the country can have accurate data on the disease and be able to tackle it effectively.

The committee supported the use of alternative therapies and natural remedies but said these should be based on scientific principles.

"The government should provide an opportunity for scientists to continue conducting research in accordance with norms and ethics," said Prof Aboud.

Tanzania last released data on the pandemic almost a year ago, which showed that the country had only 509 cases. At the time, the late President John Magufuli said his country was free from Covid-19 while authorities encouraged local remedies such as steam therapy. However, there have been reports that many people have died from the disease.

Close Sign up for free AllAfrica Newsletters Get the latest in African news delivered straight to your inbox Top Headlines Coronavirus Tanzania By submitting above, you agree to our privacy policy. Success! Almost finished... We need to confirm your email address. To complete the process, please follow the instructions in the email we just sent you. Error! Error! There was a problem processing your submission. Please try again later.

Zanzibar Vice President Seif Hamad in February said he had contracted the virus and shortly thereafter died in hospital.

While the country is eligible for free vaccines from Covax, the global Covid-19 vaccine initiative, the late President John Magufuli's administration took no steps to receive doses, instead warning that the public could be used as "guinea pigs."

But President Samia, who took office in March from her predecessor, following a year of denial about Covid-19 presence in the country and scoffing at mask-wearing and other public health measures, has decided to change the country's approach to the pandemic.

On April 6 this year, President Samia announced that she had formed a committee of experts to evaluate the situation and make recommendations that will guide the country on how to tackle the coronavirus pandemic.

"We cannot isolate ourselves as if we are an Island but also, we cannot accept everything brought to us ... we cannot continue just reading about Covid-19 worldwide yet Tanzania is all blank, it is incomprehensible."

According to the President, Tanzania needs to have a clear and understandable position regarding the pandemic so that it can make informed decisions.

In view of that, she said, Tanzania cannot rely on outside reports on the state of the pandemic while it has none.
Gambia Democratic Congress (GDC) has on Monday raised concern over the spike in the cases of crimes including burglary, armed robbery and murder in The Gambia.

GDC in a press release issued by the party's Secretary-General/Party-Leader,

Mamma Kandeh, indicated that the issue of massive tons of illicit drugs or narcotics being intercepted in the country as well as at some of our border posts is not just alarming; but disturbing considering the dangerous consequences of the presence of these drugs in our society. According to GDC, officers of DLEAG recently confiscated more than 2 tons of cocaine with an estimated street value of more than $80-million US dollars (4.5 billion dalasis) at Banjul Seaport on 7th January 2021.

They said: "In another development, large quantities of suspicious medicinal drugs being moved from The Gambia were intercepted and seized at the Keur Ayib, Gambia-Senegal border post."

The release stated narcotics entering the country are capable of engineering violence in our society at an unprecedented rate and, not the least, fostering the breeding of criminal groups, insurgents and terrorists along with the devastating consequences they have on the health and security sectors as has been experienced by some of our sister nations.

"It is a well-known fact that in recent years, the Latin American drug cartels appear to have shifted their attention to supplying the lucrative European market by developing networks in West Africa and our country is now their focal point with the aid of some local collaborators who they pay in both cash and drugs such as cocaine, while creating a local consumer market for the drug," it stated.

"We may not be able to appreciate the social and economic impact as well as the attendant human costs the presence of these drugs in our midst is having on the country's economy. Basically, all the money earned from criminal activities such as drug trafficking has to be laundered. Once the money-laundering channels are created, it is inevitable that they will be used to conceal the gains obtained from all kinds of criminal activities in the future. These economic and financial consequences of the drug trade make any possible economic benefits for the community, other than those the narcotic trade itself may bring, harder to see."

It further stated that presently, in the country, at the social level, domestic drug use is growing, with the resultant addiction and violent crime; addiction to cocaine for instance, and especially crack, is reportedly rampant.

"From a long-term perspective, the attraction of the drug trade for our disenfranchised youth may undermine social control mechanisms that prevent crime and violence. So far, our youth faced with unemployment and few opportunities are being largely drawn to both the drug trade and its attendant use.

In our present-day society where over 65% of the population live below the national poverty line, and 80% of the poor are between 18 and 35 years old, and unemployment is pervasive makes our youth vulnerable to the evil effects of the growing spate of drug entry into the country. And if this is not properly checked, the future of this nation may be doomed.

"Another very worrying scenario is the stunning growth in violent crimes and lawlessness in the country. The 2020 annual report produced by the Overseas Security Advisory Council (OSAC) in conjunction with the Regional Security Office at the U.S. Embassy in Banjul assessed The Gambia as being a HIGH-threat location for crime. But, what is more, troubling is that, since 2020, the growing wave of serious crimes; murder, armed robberies, human trafficking, and drug smuggling in the country has grown astronomically far above the rate identified last year. This provokes a serious cause for concern, especially in the effectiveness of the political will of the government in power to combat crimes and insecurity in the land.

In April and May 2021, there were countless cases of robbery with arms in various locations of the country and it is almost becoming a norm," it stated.

GDC said last April, a grade 12 female student Marie Mendy was gruesomely murdered. In another development, the Gambian Police Force is investigating a case of the suspected murder of one Marang Jaw of Mandinaring Village in the West Coast Region which occurred on the 11th May 2021.

Close Sign up for free AllAfrica Newsletters Get the latest in African news delivered straight to your inbox Top Headlines Gambia Legal Affairs By submitting above, you agree to our privacy policy. Success! Almost finished... We need to confirm your email address. To complete the process, please follow the instructions in the email we just sent you. Error! Error! There was a problem processing your submission. Please try again later.

According to GDC, the rate of crime in the New Gambia is scary.

They said: "This calls for an awakening of the required political will to track the root of these crimes by empowering the nation's national security apparatus particularly at the points of entry into the country with the needed infrastructure and morale, strengthening the cooperation of the surrounding sister-nations to enhance a tighter border control mechanism and above all increasing opportunities of employment for our young people which can help in making the crime rate fall.

"Employment opportunities can be increased by opening the doors to small-scale industries for our youth. It will make them gainfully busy in productive work which will decrease their predisposition towards crime. There is also a great need to combat the menace of poverty in the country which relates to ear-marking deliberate policies for economic empowerment of the masses."

They said they hope that the government of The Gambia will listen to the growing list of outcries from among our people over the painful and pathetic situation that we face today as a people.
RwandAir, the national carrier is set to put more focus on its regional routes as the airline looks to maximise its operational cost that will, among others, boost its financial performance.

This was revealed by Yvonne Manzi Makolo, the airline's Chief Executive, during an exclusive interview with The New Times on Monday.

Makolo was speaking at the margins of the ongoing Union of Central and West African Airport Managers (UGAACO) executive workshop, taking place in Kigali.

Available statistics indicate that RwandAir's financial performance had been relatively promising before the Covid-19 pandemic took its toll, like it did to the entire global air transport industry.

More recently, however, the results have taken a downward trend, making case for stringent measures to recover from the shock.

Makolo said that today, the airline has not recovered at least 50 per cent of its pre-Covid total revenues, which informed the carrier's decision to refocus its routing.

"It is critical that we now focus on our short (regional) hauls, as we remain mindful of the cost of operation," she said.

In addition, "We have also resumed some of our long haul flights like Dubai, a charter flight in China, etc, but to be able to minimise the airline's operational cost, we are focusing on the routes in Africa."

According to Makolo, the airline has most routes in Africa, compared to other regions, and a relatively higher demand.

"Just recently, we resumed our flights to Johannesburg, South Africa, Harare in Zimbabwe, and to Lusaka... " she added, "This is part of our recovery strategy."

Meanwhile, Makolo pointed out that as they recover, they will continue to reintegrate their employees who were furloughed due to the effects of the pandemic.

"It is true that some of our staff were temporarily laid off, but they are a priority as full operation of the airline resumes," she said.

Consequently, Makolo revealed that the government continues to inject relief funds to sustain the airline financially at the same time avoiding massive employment terminations.

Reliable sources told The New Times that the government supported RwandAir operations with a subsidy of Rwf81.3 billion.

Prior to Covid disruptions, RwandAir serviced 25 destinations across 21 countries throughout Africa, Europe, the Middle East and Asia.

The long-haul destinations include Guangzhou in China, London in the UK, Brussels in Belgium, New Delhi in India and Tel Aviv in Israel.

Close Sign up for free AllAfrica Newsletters Get the latest in African news delivered straight to your inbox Top Headlines Rwanda Transport By submitting above, you agree to our privacy policy. Success! Almost finished... We need to confirm your email address. To complete the process, please follow the instructions in the email we just sent you. Error! Error! There was a problem processing your submission. Please try again later.

Rwanda officially joins UGAACO

Meanwhile, during the meeting, the Minister of Infrastructure Claver Gatete revealed that UGAACO has officially admitted the Rwanda Airports Company into the forum.

The Union, established more than a decade ago brings together 17 airports from sixteen countries from central and western Africa.

Member states include Ivory Coast, Mali, Centre Africa, Guinea, Benin, Senegal, Gabon, Burkina Faso, Cameroun, Senegal, Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Chad, Niger, Mauritania, Togo and Guinea Bissau.

Rwanda becomes the latest country to join the union.

"Thanks to the tremendous achievements that UGAACO has accomplished, promotion of the development of airport activity for the benefit of all its members, making all airport managers aware of the deficiencies in airport ICAO compliance and jointly work together to address them,"

Gatete added, "The pandemic has reminded us that there is always going to be a need for working together in order to get the best of everything working together."

During the five-day meeting, officials will hold discussions with an aim to improve skills to efficiently manage airports ensuring an appropriate degree of global standards through experience exchange.
Actor Baha, real name Kamau Mbaya, is in love, even though his fans believe he is still young for a romantic relationship.

This is after the actor, who shot to prominence for his role on the Machachari show on Citizen TV, shared a photo of himself and his girlfriend on social media.

Alongside the photo, he wrote, "Dear ladies (I) am fully booked and taken. Out of market."

This is the first time the actor has gone public about his love life eliciting varied reactions from Kenyans, a majority of whom appeared skeptical.

"Tumwambie ukweli ama tuwache tu (should we tell him the truth or just leave?) asked El Daucho.

"Without your name, hata kwa huyo dame ungekua unanuka tu Kitunguu kwake (If you did not have a name you would have been staying at the lady's house. Take care). Chunga," opined Ella Maina.

"It's his time. Let him enjoy. Sijui mbona wazee wako na uchungu na hii stage wengi walipitia hii stage ya excitement (I do not know why older people here are becoming haters and yet they also passed through this stage)," wrote Majju Jay.

"Almost thought you were acting. How old are you again?? Just enjoy it while it lasts as long as you are babies. And some little advice, you can still do it without shouting. You still have so many years of experience ahead of you young boy," commented Maureene Oteba.

"I would like to take a special moment to remember Samson and how he was warned from marrying Delilah, may he rest in peace," stated Tom John.

"That lady looks older than you. That's one. 2nd, wisdom comes from several women, don't cheat yourself. You are still a kid and know nothing about love. Illusions will go when you get dumped little bro," said Emmanuel Odenyire.
"Security challenges would be significantly solved if the government gives traditional rulers constitutional power."

The Oluwo of Iwo, Abdulrosheed Akanbi, has suggested death penalty for bandits and other gunmen arrested for threatening the security of Nigeria.

Mr Akanbi made this suggestion Tuesday while speaking at a farmer-herder summit held in Iwo Local Government of Osun State.

He said "there must be the death penalty for kidnappers and no Human Rights advocate should kick against that. Government must begin to kill corrupt people irrespective of their ethnicity, be it Fulani Hausa, Yoruba or any tribe.

"If the security forces cannot enforce the law, then there would be anarchy, ritualists, corrupt people, kidnappers should be killed henceforth."

He also charged herders in his local government to work hand in hand with him to ensure that criminals perpetrating abductions and killings in Iwo get arrested.

"I want you to work with me to identify criminals penetrating your ranks so that I would not join those who are calling for your expulsion in the Southwest

"You would chase the criminals always by working with the chiefs, and security agencies. I still stand by my words that Fulani should come and stay in Iwo, but I don't want criminals because we can't identify with them," he said.

The monarch also called for the recruitment of more policemen and community policing.

"Security challenges would be significantly solved if the government gives traditional rulers constitutional power. I also prefer devolution of power, not restructuring. Then we also need State Police.

"Government must recruit more policemen. Nigeria must become a police state," Mr Akanbi said.
The petitioner says the police officers converted the cars they seized from him to personal use

A Portharcout-based car dealer, Emmanuel Okorodudu, has approached the Lagos State Judicial Panel on Inquiry over the brutality meted to him by officers of the defunct Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS).

Mr Okorodudu, 37, while testifying before the panel on Tuesday, said he encountered the officers on May 5, 2015.

The petitioner narrated that the officers arrested him in Delta State and brought him to SARS office, Ikeja, Lagos, where he was detained for three weeks for allegedly stealing cars.

The petitioner said five vehicles were seized from him by the police, including two, which he already sold to customers and were taken back from them.

"I am a car dealer, I sell different types of vehicles in Port Harcourt and I buy most of the cars from Lagos because they are cheaper there. Some are shipped in from outside the country and I have all the papers.

Mr Okorodudu said the last car he purchased from Lagos was delivered to him in Portharcourt by one Dele Olubiyi.

"One day, Dele called me that the car he delivered to me, he has a buyer for it. I said from Lagos? And told him that car is cheaper in Lagos than in Port Harcourt.

"Dele said the person has cash and is serious about buying the car, because I told him I have a buyer already who has picked interest in the car," the petitioner said.

Mr Okorodudu further narrated that himself and Mr Olubiyi, the driver, made an arrangement for him to bring the buyer to Port Harcourt to buy the car.

"He travelled down the next day and I explained that I was going to Delta State. He said they would come to Delta to meet me and I gave them an address, which was an open space."

Arrest and detention

The petitioner said when Mr Olubiyi arrived at the address, there was no other occupant at the front of the vehicle he drove but he was surprised to see someone jump out of the boot of the car.

"I was surprised and said Dele, you told me someone was coming to buy the car, why is the person coming down from the boot? Before I knew it, the person started beating me, other officers came around, they beat me, hit me with their gun, handcuffed me and threw me inside their vehicle.

He said one of the officers, Mr Ogedengbe, collected the valuables on him before he was taken to Abraka Police Station, where he was detained for five days. He was thereafter transported to SARS office, Ikeja, where he spent another three weeks.

The petitioner also identified one Simon Nathaniel, a superintendent of police, as one of the officers involved in his arrest and detention.

While at detention, Mr Okorodudu said the police officers interrogated him on who he sold vehicles to, the location of his mart and other questions about his business.

The petitioner said five vehicles were seized from him by the police, including two, which he already sold to customers and were taken back from them.

Up till the time he appeared before the panel, Mr Okorodudu said the vehicles are yet to be returned despite that he was not found guilty of stealing cars by a competent court.

Mr Okorodudu said the case against him was struck out at the magistrate court following the police refusal to follow up the case.

"After then, I applied for the release of my cars, almost two years later but the magistrate told me to start my life afresh."

The petitioner presented documents of the vehicles to the panel, they were admitted as exhibits.

Close Sign up for free AllAfrica Newsletters Get the latest in African news delivered straight to your inbox Top Headlines Legal Affairs Nigeria By submitting above, you agree to our privacy policy. Success! Almost finished... We need to confirm your email address. To complete the process, please follow the instructions in the email we just sent you. Error! Error! There was a problem processing your submission. Please try again later.

Reliefs

Listing the reliefs he seeks from the panel, the petitioner said the panel should investigate the officers for his unlawful arrest and detention and bring them to book.

"I also want them to return the seized vehicles. I have spent so much since the trouble started. I also want the panel to compensate me for the trauma I suffered," he said.

Meanwhile, the petitioner said after he saw one of his seized cars at a bar in Abraka and when he waited to see who drove it, it turned out to be Simon Nathaniel, one of the officers who arrested him.

"After some time, I also saw Ogedengbe, another officer with another of my vehicles," he told the panel.

Doris Okuwobi, the panel chair, issued summons for the named officers to appear before the panel.

The matter was adjourned till June 8.
The East African Community (EAC) Monday signed a cooperation agreement with the German government worth $65 million for the implementation of projects in the areas of health, digital skills and water resources management.

Part of the amount, $17 million, has been allocated to the University of Rwanda where it will be used to expand its expertise in the areas of digitalisation in health supply chain management, cold-chain management, and quality control and drug safety.

Under the health sector, an additional $30 million will be released for the EAC's immunisation programme with Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, that will contribute to reducing child morbidity and mortality in the region.

The funds will finance the procurement of at least four different types of vaccines - Pentavalent, Rotavirus, Pneumococcal and Measles second dose.

This will be made available for routine immunisation and immunisation campaigns for children in all the six EAC partner states.

Part of the amount will also be allocated to cater for the Integrated Water Resource Management Programme, implemented by the Lake Victoria Basin Commission (LVBC).

The Centre of Excellence for ICT in East Africa based at Nelson Mandela African Institute of Science and Technology (NM-AIST) in Arusha will get $6 million to strengthen digital skills and innovation among East Africans.

NM-AIST is, along with the Inter-University Council for East Africa, manning the centre aimed at promoting embedded and mobile systems training, innovation transfer and entrepreneurship.

Close Sign up for free AllAfrica Newsletters Get the latest in African news delivered straight to your inbox Top Headlines East Africa Health Europe and Africa By submitting above, you agree to our privacy policy. Success! Almost finished... We need to confirm your email address. To complete the process, please follow the instructions in the email we just sent you. Error! Error! There was a problem processing your submission. Please try again later.

"The EAC and the Federal Republic of Germany have enjoyed a long-standing partnership since the EAC inception. It is my intention to continue strengthening this partnership," said Dr Peter Mathuki, the EAC Secretary General, during the signing of the agreement with Germany's Ambassador to Tanzania, Ms Regine Hess.

Ambassador Hess promised that Germany will commit additional funds of up to $6.6 million for pandemic preparedness and response in 2021, to be implemented through existing EAC-German programmes on pandemic preparedness, economic integration and digital skills.

The German government has, since the revival of the bloc about 22 years ago, committed over Euros 516.88 million ($631 million) to EAC integration programmes and projects, focusing on economic and social integration, Dr Mathuki said.

"We're committed to continue this cooperation under your new leadership of the EAC Secretariat," the German envoy assured Dr Mathuki.
press release

With less than four weeks to go to parliamentary elections in Algeria, Reporters Without Borders (RSF) is extremely concerned about the systematic and violent methods now being used by the authorities to prevent journalists from covering the regular "Hirak" anti-government protests, held above all on Fridays.

Many reporters were subjected to physical violence by police trying to keep them at a distance from the latest demonstrations on 14 May, whose participants are calling for more freedom and oppose holding parliamentary elections on 12 June. And many journalists were also arrested without any grounds.

Around 15 reporters were arrested while covering the protest in Algiers. They included three - RadioM's Lynda Abbou, freelance photographer Sid Ahmed Belouchrani (aka Sid Walines) and the Casbah Tribune's Khaled Drareni - who were briefly detained several times in the course of the day before finally being arrested and held for eight hours without any explanation.

Several reporters and photographers, including Agence France-Presse photographer Riad Kramdi, Radio M's Wided Laouedj, the Casbah Tribune's Anis Chelouche and Farida Tayeb Cherrad of TariqNews, were also held for several hours after being arrested to prevent them covering the use of violence to disperse the protesters.

Beaten by riot police

Djaafer Kheloufi, a reporter for the Twala news website, was beaten by riot police for trying to intervene when five policemen used force to arrest Kenza Khattou, a young woman who hosts the politics programmes on Radio M. Khattou was still in police custody yesterday had not been taken before a prosecutor. She bore the marks of blows on her body and her glasses were broken. When she refused to sign a statement (which she could not read without her glasses), she was forced to put her fingerprints on it.

Close Sign up for free AllAfrica Newsletters Get the latest in African news delivered straight to your inbox Top Headlines Human Rights Governance Media By submitting above, you agree to our privacy policy. Success! Almost finished... We need to confirm your email address. To complete the process, please follow the instructions in the email we just sent you. Error! Error! There was a problem processing your submission. Please try again later.

The same determination to prevent media coverage was also visible earlier last week. The Casbah Tribune's Khaled Drareni, freelance photographer Hakim Hammiche, El Watan photographer Sami Kharoum, El Khabar's Mustapha Bastami and Feriel Bouaziz of Interlignes were arrested without any grounds on 11 May and were held for five hours at the Casbah police station. The phones and documents were confiscated and were returned only when they were released.

"The intimidation and harassment of Algerian journalists in the course of their reporting is unacceptable," said Souhaieb Khayati, the head of RSF's North Africa desk. "They are doing their job, which is to publish photos, videos and accounts. We call on the Algerian authorities to immediately cease this brutal crackdown, which is a complete contradiction of Algeria's constitution and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights."

This wave of arrests of journalists has come as the authorities step up their attempts to suppress the Hirak protests. The government announced on 9 May that all demonstrations are henceforth banned unless a permit is obtained in advance, and that permits will only be issued to identified organisers who specify the march's itinerary and the times it will start and end - conditions that the Hirak protests cannot satisfy because they have no leaders and routes are often changed to avoid police cordons.

Algeria has fallen 27 places in RSF's World Press Freedom Index since 2015 and is now ranked 146th out of 180 countries.
analysis

Doctors have raised the alarm about an increasing number of overdose cases in Nelson Mandela Bay, with most incidents involving prescription medicine and painkillers.

At Livingstone Hospital, Nelson Mandela Bay's busiest hospital, doctors have seen 78 cases since January of people trying to commit suicide by overdosing on prescription medication - anything from blood pressure pills to pain pills.

Last month police spokesperson Colonel Priscilla Naidu confirmed an alarming rise in suicides in Nelson Mandela Bay. Between February and April, police in the metro, home to about 1.3 million people, had opened 35 inquest cases of people committing suicide, most of them aged between 20 and 39.

Social worker and founder of Nationwide Treatment Centre, Zarina Ghulam, said she is alarmed by the increase in suicides and suicide attempts and the number of young children taking codeine "to cope with life".

"We do a lot of prevention work," she said. "But Covid-19 and the lockdown had prevented us from doing much last year."

She said there was a serious lack of affordable or free in-patient services for people who have become addicted to prescription medicine.

"The court will refer people to us for life skills training, but we don't have...
Last year, as the world was struggling to cope with the pandemic, Dr Chukwuma Ekwelum and his wife Vanessa Ekwelum decided to pack up their entire lives and moved to Rwanda from the United States with their two children.

Their move was completely by faith, they say. It was inspired by a strong call that they felt to come home to the motherland (Africa) - with a desire to bring with them talent, education, and networks they had amassed in the West in hopes of joining efforts to make a difference in their mother continent.

When the two decided to move, they started looking around the continent for opportunities. They had considered Botswana, Cameroon, Kenya, Ghana and Rwanda for settlement, and ultimately they went with Rwanda because of their prior connection to the country.

"We learned about Rwanda being called the 'Singapore of Africa' and we got very excited and inspired by that and wanted to be a part of it... we had a friend from Rwanda who had studied with my brother and through him, we came to learn that Rwandans are friendly people, and so when we remembered that, we decided to give it a chance," Ekwelum recalls.

Ekwelum is an educationist and Vanessa is a scientist by training. As they set out to settle in Rwanda, their mission was to enhance the education system by establishing a school that would complement and expand the quality of education in Rwanda and Africa in general.

Fully virtual school

As a result, they set up a secondary school - Legacy of Excellence Academy - with hopes of offering students and their families a safer and more affordable option for private schooling while not compromising on quality.

Theirs is the country's first 100 per cent virtual school and the couple expects that with it, the next generation of Africans will be ready to compete on the global market.

"Rwanda is a country that's pregnant with innovation, its itching to become a giant in the digital space. And so with our school we are merely joining the movement," he says.

With the school, they hope to tackle the current challenges in education, especially those imposed by the current pandemic.

"We all know Covid-19 has forced everyone to think out of the box and think of creative ways of doing all aspects of life, education included. In education specifically, while principles of great teaching and learning must remain the same, methods can change to adapt to the times that we are in."

"What parents can expect is character development, our school is very big on developing good people. Our core values are resilience, optimism, accountability, respect and service. We have identified those core values as essential for students to go out there and do wonderful things in their communities," Ekwelum explains.

"Compelled by its design and purpose, MINEDUC has even dubbed it a school for not just the present time (re: Covid-19), but also for the future. We are happy to have the ministry's full backing and support. Should we reach our fundraising goals, our anticipated start date/grand opening will be September 6, 2021,"he adds.

Decision to move

The couple says their decision to move wasn't an easy one since they had spent their entire lives overseas. Ekwelum was born and raised in the US while Vanessa was born in Nigeria but raised in Denmark. (She moved to the US when they got married almost five years ago).

For them, life in the US has been an eye opening. Ekwelum and the wife reveal that at some point they got tired of being seen as black people and wanted to be seen as people, and so they had serious conversations about where they would want to invest the rest of their lives - a place where their children would thrive and not have to go through that type of treatment they had faced.

"And for me being particularly a black man, dark complexion and big size, when certain people see me in the US, I already become a threat on sight without knowing anything about me. That was very hard to deal with and I dealt with it for the whole of my life living in the US. Very often, I would be harassed by police."

Vanessa recalls the hardships that came with the anxiety of her husband going to work and not showing up or not being sure if he was going to come home safe.

"It was difficult because we got to a point where his mental health was deteriorating; even going down the street or going to the supermarket, he had to ask me to go with him or at least go with the kids so that he can be seen as a human being first before he is a black man. It was difficult for us, we had to keep it real to ourselves."

Vanessa reveals that even taking their children to the playground wasn't easy, especially with the shootings.

"You can't really be comfortable going there. But here, our kids run freely, they eat dirt and play with worms. Just watching them thrive, the peace it gives us is incomparable."

'No place like home'

Vanessa is grateful that Rwanda opened its arms and accepted them as a family.

"We love it here, we couldn't have made a better choice. Rwanda has opened its arms to us, welcomed and accepted us. It's really been a blessing, our quality of life is better; we reclaimed our mental health."

She notes that whereas Africa is not perfect, it is growing and those who seek greener pastures abroad should look into the facts before they take the decision.

"There is no place like home. This is one of the things we decided to do when we came here, to shed Africa a good light, to tear down the negative stereotypes that the media has put on Africa. We have this hashtag going on #MakeAfricaGreatAgain - it's our passion to showcase Africa, the Africa you won't see in the media."

For those whose dream of building a successful life is still in the West, Ekwelum recommends being informed and understanding certain facts.

"Here, you might not be seen as just a person; you are part of the majority but be prepared for a cultural shock when you go to the west. Because then you will start to feel different by the way you are treated.

Close Sign up for free AllAfrica Newsletters Get the latest in African news delivered straight to your inbox Top Headlines Rwanda Nigeria By submitting above, you agree to our privacy policy. Success! Almost finished... We need to confirm your email address. To complete the process, please follow the instructions in the email we just sent you. Error! Error! There was a problem processing your submission. Please try again later.

It's dehumanising, and confusing because race is a social constraint. It's not rooted in anything that's genetic or biological, it was created to classify individuals and to justify treating people differently - it's not meant to make sense."

As for Africans in the diaspora looking to come back home, the couple believes all it takes is a leap of faith - it takes coming and seeing for yourself.

"Come home; it's so different and free here, you actually feel appreciated for who you are. Africa is opening its arms, in Ghana for example, they are doing 'A year of return' you can see there is a real sense of yearning. If Americans or people abroad are not willing to see us for who we are, see what we bring then, let's just leave and come where we started. Let's come rebuild Africa that was and still is great.

Their faith

Before they moved to Rwanda, the two were associate pastors at a church in Boston called Destiny Life Centre International.

Their faith is a big part of their lives. "Jesus means everything to us and we wouldn't be where we are now if it wasn't for Him. Everything we have gone through has led us up to this moment," Vanessa says.

"Just like my wife said, it's been all about our faith and God guiding us. Our faith is what grounds us and we would like to say that our school is grounded, authentic and evolving coming from Christian principles. We don't exclude non-Christians though, everyone is welcome," Ekwelum adds.
Keetmanshoop  The fact that the three health districts in //Kharas had a combined average Covid-19 recovery rate of 95.4% by 16 May 2021 is encouraging and commendable, said regional governor, Aletha Frederick.

The districts are Karasburg (98%), Keetmanshoop (94%) and Luderitz (95%).

She revealed this when receiving her second jab against the coronavirus yesterday at Keetmanshoop state hospital.

"This to me is a clear indication that our inhabitants are strictly adhering to the prescribed health protocols," she joyfully remarked. The region's political head said it is very imperative for everyone to be vaccinated.

Of the confirmed cases in the region, Karasburg health district represents 20%, followed by Keetmanshoop health district with 39% and Luderitz with the highest rate of 49% of the confirmed cases.

Frederick emphasised despite being vaccinated, residents should not stop washing or sanitising their hands, wearing masks and maintaining their social distance, as this is imperative to curb further spread of the virus.

"In as much as we attend celebrations, weddings and funerals, we should always make sure to follow these health protocols to contain the virus," she added.

After receiving her second dose of the vaccine, the governor gave the assurance that she is doing fine and did not experience any side effects since getting her first jab.

"Vaccination is a common practice in our region as children are also vaccinated against measles and polio, therefore, it is imperative that the rest should emulate these youngsters by getting vaccinated," she said.

Frederick also called on residents to continue coming in big numbers to get vaccinated against Covid-19.
analysis

The Western Cape legislature has heard that solutions must be devised to help curb accidents related to transporting farmworkers.

There needs to be a concerted effort - and solutions - to curb accidents related to farmworker transport, stakeholders agreed during a session in the Western Cape legislature on Tuesday, 18 May.

Farmworker transport made headlines in January when trucks transporting farmworkers overturned in two separate incidents. On 4 January, a farmworker named Doreen Frieslaar died and 12 people were injured in an accident on the N1 between Worcester and De Doorns. Later that month, 70 people were injured in an accident on the R44 near Klapmuts. At the time, Daily Maverick reported that Western Cape Agriculture MEC Ivan Meyer asked the legislature's agricultural oversight committee to look into farmworker transport.

On Tuesday, at a virtual meeting held with members of the legislature, unions, departmental officials and Agri WC, solutions for the issue were sought.

"Nobody should go to work fearing for their lives," said agriculture committee chair Andricus van der Westhuizen. Committee member Peter Marais said solutions needed to be found quickly, "because the farmworkers are struggling while we play politics".

Malvern de Bruyn, the Cosatu provincial secretary, said it...
Nairobi County Assembly Majority Leader Abdi Guyo has been ranked among the top-performing MCAs in the country.

A poll by Mizani Africa ranked three Nairobi ward representatives among 20 top-performing county legislators.

Apart from Guyo, others are Roysambu MCA Peter Warutere and nominated MCA Anita Thumbi.

The Matopeni MCA scored 88.5 percent ranking seventh overall followed by Warutere with 88.3 percent and Thumbi at 84.7 percent.

Guyo is one of the most vocal Nairobi ward representatives. He is currently serving in his second term as MCA having previously also served as a councilor.

He also as minority leader in the last assembly before rising to the majority leader's position in the current assembly after Jubilee Party garnered majority seats beating ODM to the position.

Warutere on the other hand is Health committee chairperson while Thumbi is one of the most visible female MCAs in Nairobi.

The best performing MCA award went to Biashara Ward MCA Elijah Njoroge Kururia emerging with 89.9 percent followed by Kinoo Ward MCA Samuel Kimani with 89.8 percent and Khalaba Ward MCA Majimbo Okumu closing the top three with 89.6 percent.

Mizani Africa Operations Manager John Benson, said the opinion poll was based on opinions from Kenyans basing their yardstick on the efforts demonstrated by the leaders apart from the duties they have within their normal jurisdiction.

"In the matter of the leading MCA, for example, we looked at how Elijah had spearheaded the impeachment of former Kiambu governor and the BBI in the Mount Kenya region," he said.

Close Sign up for free AllAfrica Newsletters Get the latest in African news delivered straight to your inbox Top Headlines Kenya Governance By submitting above, you agree to our privacy policy. Success! Almost finished... We need to confirm your email address. To complete the process, please follow the instructions in the email we just sent you. Error! Error! There was a problem processing your submission. Please try again later.

Kururia is known for his flamboyance and living on the first lane often displaying his opulence in public driving top-of-the-range vehicles with customized number plates to even gifting vehicles to lucky constituents.

The Kiambu County Assembly made headlines in November 2018 when he resigned from his position as majority chief whip citing unresolved issues with the county government.

He later tabled a motion for the removal of his successor Simon Karema last year accusing him of gross misconduct and rudeness to members, especially women.

Kimani, also a Kiambu MCA, is the Finance and Economic Planning Committee chairperson while Okumu heads Bungoma County Assembly's Public and Administration committee.

The survey was conducted between March 5 and December 5, 2020 with 47,000 respondents interviewed. The poll has a margin of error of +/-3 with a confidence level of 95 percent.

This is the second opinion poll by Mizani Africa after another one last year.
A man reported having stolen 10 chairs at the community policing office in Nairobi has denied theft charges at the Kibera law courts.

Gideon Khaemba was separately charged with assaulting his neighbour, breaking into a house, and causing malicious damage.

He is accused of assaulting Moses Ndung'u on April 30, at the community policing offices.

Khaemba was accused of breaking into the community policing offices with intent to steal and stole the chairs worth Sh7000 on April 30.

The suspect was also accused of wilfully and unlawfully destroying two chairs at Ndung'u's house which sired the charges of malicious damage to property.

Khaemba is said to have assaulted Ndung'u after he reported him to the community policing elders. Ndung'u had reported that Khaemba was threatening him.

Khaemba denied all the charges before chief magistrate Joyce Gandani and claimed that the complainant is humiliating and intimidating him because he is an orphan.

He accused Ndung'u and the community policing officials of calling him a mad man.

Gandani ordered him to be mentally examined.

He was freed on a Sh50,000 bond and an alternative cash bail of Sh30,000.

The case will be mentioned on June 10.
Chief Court Reporter

KADOMA gold mining kingpin Spencer Tshuma is demanding $1 million from DS Mining Syndicate in a civil defamation suit over an allegedly report made to the police and for labelling him a serial mine grabber.

Tshuma, a member of Family Mining Syndicate, is embroiled in a legal wrangle with DS Mining over control of gold-rich Jamcro Mine.

In a letter of demand, Tshuma's lawyers, Mavhunga and Associates, accused DS Mining of attempting to grab Jamcro Mine by making a false report to police Commissioner General Godwin Matanga, while labelling Tshuma a serial mine grabber.

According to the letter of demand, Tshuma is just a member of Family Mining Syndicate which holds the certificate of registration for Jamcro Mine with that the certificate was exclusive and absolute. So Tshuma argues that the letter by DS Mining to the police boss was defamatory and had caused harm to his businesses and potential clients. Now Tshuma is seeking $1 million compensation coupled with a public apology within seven days. "We have instructions to demand the immediate retraction of the statement contained in your letter via public press conference and public notice, coupled with the publication of a written apology to our client signed by each of you personally and on behalf of DS Mining Syndicate," reads the letter by Tshuma's lawyers.

The legal action by Tshuma comes after DS Mining Syndicate, through its lawyers, wrote to Comm-Gen Matanga accusing four police officers of abusing their offices by trying to evict the company from the gold claim at Queensdale Farm in Kadoma.

Close Sign up for free AllAfrica Newsletters Get the latest in African news delivered straight to your inbox Top Headlines Legal Affairs Zimbabwe Mining By submitting above, you agree to our privacy policy. Success! Almost finished... We need to confirm your email address. To complete the process, please follow the instructions in the email we just sent you. Error! Error! There was a problem processing your submission. Please try again later.

In the letter dated April 17, Tshuma was also accused of allegedly conscripting the services of the police to evict DS Mining, who then asked Comm Gen Matanga to probe the four police officers and Tshuma for allegedly threatening its workers with the help of the police, according to the letter.

The police officers accused of misconduct were only identified as Superintendent Karuru, Inspector Chakawa, Detective Inspector Makavi and Detective Assistant Inspector Musende; are all based in Kadoma.The dispute over control of the gold claim came to a head on March 22 when the Officer Commanding ZRP CID Minerals Flora and Fauna Unit and Provincial Mining Director Mashonaland West Ms Sibongile Mpindiwa, called for the crack unit to probe DS Mining Syndicate over claims that the syndicate with application number 178 of 2020 had started mining operations within Jamcro Mines with no valid certificate of registration.

Tshuma and Family Syndicate have won court orders at the High Court against DS Mining Syndicate, whom they accuse of seeking to inspire discord and lawlessness at Jamcro Mine.
Herald Reporter

The cotton marketing season started yesterday amid high expectations from farmers of early payments for the crop upon delivery at the 773 buying points countrywide.

Zimbabwe Farmers Union director, Mr Paul Zakariya said farmers were ready to deliver their cotton bales at the buying points while cotton picking was also progressing.

"Cotton picking is in progress and farmers are ready to deliver to the buying points," he said.

The Government set the price of cotton at $85 per kg.

There are 359 permanent cotton buying points and 413 mobile buying points of cotton established countrywide for buying purposes.

"Outstanding payments from last season remain a concern among producers and cotton farmers await the clearance of these outstanding payments by end of May as has been promised," he said.

Minster of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Resettlement, Dr Anxious Masuka said in terms of the law, cotton must be delivered to designated buyers which include the Cotton Company of Zimbabwe, Southern Cotton Company, Zimbabwe Cotton Consortium, Alliance Gunneries and ShawashAgri.

"Farmers are reminded not to side market and to deliver cotton to their respective contractors and any buyer who has not contracted cotton is warned not to buy cotton." Minister Masuka said the Agricultural Marketing Authority officers will be present at all cotton buying points to monitor and enforce regulations.

"All contractors must be registered with both the GMB and AMA to participate in the purchase of cotton in terms of the AMA Act," he said.

Zimbabwe Commercial Farmers Union president Dr Shadreck Makombe said farmers were ready to deliver their cotton to the market.

"They need time to clear cotton stalks and to also prepare land for the next crop," he said.

He said farmers expected their payments to be made on time in the form of cash and not in kind or goods like what happened last season.

"The delay in the opening of the marketing season has caused the dwindling of the purchase value resulting in less inputs being bought because of high costs and no or less money for other requirements of the farmer," said Dr Makombe.
Agriculture Reporter

More than 4 000 hectares have been placed under wheat and farmers have been urged to intensify planting to beat the May 31 deadline.

Planting wheat after the deadline is not recommended as yields will be compromised by early rains.

According to the latest wheat update from Agritex, 4 132 hectares have been planted under Command Agriculture (CBZ Agro Yield) while inputs distribution has intensified.

"A total of 62 997ha (1 637 farmers) is awaiting completion of the contracting process as farmers' details are being verified and captured by CBZ while co-ordinates have been captured for 61 358 hectares.

"To date CBZ has completed contracting of 49 377 hectares (904 farmers) which is 78 percent of the targeted 60 000 hectares said the Agritex report.

The department recommended that input distribution be expedited and farmers encouraged to plant before the deadline.

According to the report, the Presidential Input Scheme has registered over 7 500 hectares for wheat and farmers are now awaiting inputs.

"Some farmers who had been registered under the CBZ Agro-Yield programme were re-assigned to the Presidential scheme since the Command Programme had registered more than 60 000 hectares already," said the report.

A total of 11 065 hectares have been contracted by private players under wheat, while 7 005 hectares under barley.

Zimbabwe Farmers Union director Mr Paul Zachariah said the planted hectarage was much higher than 4 000 hectares.

"Of course, inputs distribution is still ongoing and planting can continue into the final week of May.

"We urge the contractors to speed up inputs distribution so that farmers do not miss out on the optimum planting window.

"We also continue to pin our hopes on the availability of power throughout the wheat and barley production period. Power interruptions will negatively affect efforts on the ground," he said.

Zimbabwe Commercial farmers Union president, Dr Shadreck Makombe said farmers should not relax, but move with speed to beat their planting deadline.

"We have had meetings with Government and also stakeholders involved in wheat production to iron out some challenges.

"Some farmers who planted early have already done top dressing. We are now encouraging farmers to burn out the midnight candles. Where possible farmers should even extend planting into the evening so that we beat the deadline.

Close Sign up for free AllAfrica Newsletters Get the latest in African news delivered straight to your inbox Top Headlines Agribusiness Zimbabwe By submitting above, you agree to our privacy policy. Success! Almost finished... We need to confirm your email address. To complete the process, please follow the instructions in the email we just sent you. Error! Error! There was a problem processing your submission. Please try again later.

"It is our wish that farmers will be able to plant beyond end of May so that we get high yields. We are now operating under a tight schedule," he said.

The Ministry of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Resettlement intensifying training of farmers on important agronomic practices to boost yields.

A target of 340 000 tonnes of wheat has been set for the coming winter cropping season, the first time since commercial wheat farming started in the 1960s.

Targeted tonnage is going to meet national requirements and rue out imports.

The country requires 360 000 tonnes of wheat annually. The largest single harvest in history was in 1990 when 325 000 tonnes were harvested.

During this season, 60 000 hectares will be produced through a Government guaranteed CBZ Agro-Yield programme, 15 000 hectares will be funded by private contractors and 10 000 hectares will be funded through the Presidential Winter Wheat Scheme.
The Gweru City Council says 200 hectares would be put under winter wheat at its Go Beer Farm as part of efforts to widen revenue base by reviving farming and manufacturing activities.

The local authority has so far invested over US$12 000 in farming equipment support to support the business. Go Beer farms are part of three business entities that were formed following the unbundling of Go Beer Breweries.

The strategic business units are Go Beer Farming (Pvt) Limited, Progress Properties (Pvt) Limited and Progress Manufacturing (Pvt) Ltd. Some of these business units are still to operationalise.

The beer unit ceased operations in 2014 after it had become a financial burden as it was accumulating huge debts, which became a distress to the local authority. Go Beer beerhalls were subsequently rented out and are contributing revenue through rentals.

In an interview, council spokesperson Ms Vimbai Chingwaramuse, said they wanted to take farming seriously as a way of improving cash inflows.

"As Gweru City Council we have set a target of putting 200ha under winter wheat at our Go-Beer Farm. This is expected to increase revenue inflows as we are looking at other ways of making money for the council other than waiting upon residents to pay the bills," she said.

Ms Chingwaramuse said the local authority has purchased farming equipment to be used for the project adding that planting is expected to be completed by June 23.

Close Sign up for free AllAfrica Newsletters Get the latest in African news delivered straight to your inbox Top Headlines Agribusiness Zimbabwe Food and Agriculture By submitting above, you agree to our privacy policy. Success! Almost finished... We need to confirm your email address. To complete the process, please follow the instructions in the email we just sent you. Error! Error! There was a problem processing your submission. Please try again later.

"Purchased already is a disc harrow at US$8 280, viacon spreader US$1 400 and boom sprayer for US$4 825. We hope that this initiative will assist us improve our revenue inflows," she said. "We are looking at putting more land under maize once we are done with winter wheat."

Ms Chingwaramuse said there were 17 permanent and 11 casual employees at the Go Beer Farms. The Midlands province has set a target of planting 11 000ha under winter wheat and barley this year, which will be divided into two schemes.

This year's winter cropping will be rolled out under the agro-yield Government programme on irrigation schemes and the Presidential winter wheat scheme.

Midlands Agritex provincial crop and livestock officer, Mrs Medlinah Magwenzi, has said the province was keen to take advantage of the abundant water resource in dams to open up more land on winter wheat and barley.

There have been calls for local authorities to venture into other sources of income rather than depending heavily on rates, charges and rentals from residents who are already overburdened.

Those in minerals resource rich provinces should likewise interest themselves in mining, while those in good rainfall areas should invest in farming.
OVER 20 companies walked away with different accolades at the Mashonaland West Environment, Responsible Business & Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Awards that were held in Kariba recently.

The Responsible Business Awards, which ran under the theme: Celebrating Sustainability Excellence towards achieving vision 2030, was organised by Corporate Social Responsibility Network Zimbabwe (CSRNZ).

The awards were given to companies that are positively impacting on stakeholders, the lives of communities in which they operate as well as the environments in which they operate in the Mashonaland West Province.

Addressing delegates at the event, Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution Mary Mliswa commended businesses in the province for being proactive around CSR issues.

"As Government we encourage partnerships and stakeholder participation. The partnership between EMA and CSR Network is much appreciated. EMA is not only looking into environmental management through legislative punitive provisions for offenders, but also the positive contribution of responsible business players.

"Hence, the nexus of environmental stewardship and corporate social responsibility.

"I see my portfolio as the Minister of State playing a significant role in respect of enforcing compliance with the legislative and regulatory structure of the business sector. I am, however, elated that the business community has not waited for Government to enact corporate social responsibility legislation but has taken it upon itself to be responsible corporate citizens."

Close Sign up for free AllAfrica Newsletters Get the latest in African news delivered straight to your inbox Top Headlines Company Zimbabwe By submitting above, you agree to our privacy policy. Success! Almost finished... We need to confirm your email address. To complete the process, please follow the instructions in the email we just sent you. Error! Error! There was a problem processing your submission. Please try again later.

CSRNZ chairperson Lucy Marowa said businesses should be bound by one common goal of changing the fortunes of vulnerable communities.

"We want Zimbabwe to be recognised in the region and internationally for its CSR excellence and the leadership position that our businesses take in contributing to a better society."

Some of the companies that walked away with awards at the event include: Caribbea Bay, Rio Zimbabwe, Swift, World Vision, Venice Mine, Patsaka Trust, NSSA Mashonaland West, Carbon Green Africa, AFRI-HYPE Parks & Wild Life, Pan African Resources, NetOne, Great Dyke Investments, Chenai Projects, Lake Harvest, Zimparks, and Nyaradzo Group.

CSRNZ executive director Willard Razawo weighed in challenging companies that CSR is more than a one-off set of initiatives or a glossy report but it is about the purpose of the business".

He added that as a country we need to culture a strong tradition of community involvement regardless of the size of our businesses.
Herald Reporter

Citizen Legal and Funeral Home has pledged to assist artistes and musicians to maintain their status in the event of death and any other issues which need financial assistance.

The development comes after the organisation realised that many artistes faced financial problems in the event of death of their beloved ones or themselves.

Recently, the organisation came to the rescue of former Khiama Boys band member Tauro Miti, who lost his two-month-old baby at Chitungwiza Central Hospital.

Citizens Legal and Funeral Home director Edmore Govere said their organisation was there to help artistes who were in need of financial assistance to repatriate bodies because the profession was looked down upon and it did not have a retirement package.

Govere said they started helping artists and musicians a long time ago and will continue to do so.

"We have been doing this for a very long time, we believe that the music industry is looked down upon so we are there to uplift them," he said.

"We provided the funeralservice for Tongai Moyo and recently we provided financial services to another artiste who lost his baby two weeks ago."

The Founder of Zimbabwe Artiste Trust, Karen Madhake, said they partnered with Citizen Legal and Funeral Home after noticing that many artistes were struggling to stand on their own in the event of a death.

Close Sign up for free AllAfrica Newsletters Get the latest in African news delivered straight to your inbox Top Headlines Legal Affairs Entertainment Zimbabwe By submitting above, you agree to our privacy policy. Success! Almost finished... We need to confirm your email address. To complete the process, please follow the instructions in the email we just sent you. Error! Error! There was a problem processing your submission. Please try again later.

"We are very proud of Citizen Legal and Funeral Home, this organisation is there to uplift the standards of living of artistes through providing financial and burial services," he said.

Miti said the organisation helped him with financial support to process the burial arrangements of his child.

"I am very grateful, l received financial support and all processes were done easily until burial because the organisation was there helping me," he said.

Covid-19, which has hit the world and the region, has also affected Zimbabwean artistes as most of their international tours have been cancelled, leading to loss of business.

The pandemic has significantly impacted arts and culture programming internationally.

Last year, the Government unveiled a $10 million Covid-19 relief fund to cushion artistes from the devastating effects of the global pandemic.

The fund is an initiative of President Mnangagwa.
A man has been charged in court with forging a burial permit of a person who is still alive so as to claim insurance cover.

Solomon Kithuka Chalo denied he received Sh230,000 from Jubilee Insurance after claiming his nephew, namely one Mutisya Muthoka, holder of a family shield cover had died.

Chalo was charged before Milimani chief magistrate Francis Andayi. He faces five counts of forgery, uttering, and cheating.

The prosecution led by Angela Fuchaka told the magistrate the accused committed the offences between October 5, 2020, and November 30, 2020, in Nairobi.

"The accused before court is accused of cheating that a person had allegedly died then paid money for insurance cover," Fuchaka told the court.

She said after investigations the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) filed five counts against the accused which will be presented during hearing.

Chalo was charged that on October 5, 2020 jointly with others not before the court,and with intent to defraud, he forged a burial permit issued in the name of Mutisya Muthoka by the Chief, Kathiani Location in Machakos County.

He presented the said burial permit to Ronald Atogo Mochoge on October 8, 2020 at the Jubilee House along Wabera Street Nairobi.

Solomon was also charged with forging a Jubilee Insurance Certificate of the attending Physician Dr R Kariuki of Kathiani Mission Hospital.

Andayi heard the accused while pretending to be an Uncle to the "deceased" Mutisya Muthoka through fraudulent means and tricks induced Jubilee Life Insurance Limited to pay him (Chalo) Sh 230,000 through pretext Musyoka who was a holder of a Family Shield Cover NoIL202001880986 had died.

Fuchaka said the prosecution will lead evidence to prove that the accused (Chalo) had no blood relationship with Mutisya Musyoka.

The accused applied to be released on bond and the prosecution did not oppose the bail plea hence he was granted a Sh300,000 cash bail.

The case will be mentioned on May 31 for fixing of hearing dates and for the prosecution to confirm whether the accused has been supplied with witness statements to prepare his defence.
Ebonyi State Government has denounced statements by the National Assembly caucus of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) portraying Governor Dave Umahi and Ebonyi youths as involved in criminality and cultistism.

Reacting to a press conference addressed by the former governor of the state, Senator Sam Egwu, the Commissioner for Information, Mr. Uchenna Orji described the allegations as "ridiculous, seditious, baseless, absolutely unfounded, utterly irresponsible and gravely senseless, more so as it is most regrettably coming from people who claim to represent their state in the National Assembly."

He urged the public to discountenance the claims as nothing but a continuation of the consummation of their serial media attacks on the governor with the sole objective of diminishing his celebrated leadership hallmarks and slow down the tempo of his accomplishments.

"But they will not succeed by the power of God," he stated.

"We are not surprised that the Abuja group could be so carelessly petty and partisanly cheap in their falsehood that they could associate Ebonyi youths and the Ebubeagu security outfit with allegations of cultism and armed criminalities, just to reap negative sentiments from the gullible on the security situation in the state."

He said Ebonyi people are rather disappointed in this shameful display of unrepentant urge by the group in Abuja to paint Ebonyi State negatively, to satisfy their political motives

He added that it was even saddening that the group which never showed any concern to the various security challenges that faced the state recently will only dissipate energy and resources in concocting all forms of lies against the government that has made tremendous progress in stemming the tide of insecurity in the state.
Swapo member of parliament (MP) in the National Council, Rocco Nguvauva has urged the urban and rural development ministry to embark on a process of proclaiming settlements such as Epukiro Pos 3, Eiseb 10 and Talismanus in the Omaheke region as villages.

Nguvauva, in his maiden speech in the National Council, on Monday said the move will give the three settlements authority to provide infrastructure and services to their residents that he described as lacking.

Currently, Nguvauva said, these settlements are powerless and do not have resources to provide services like water, sewerage and build houses for their residents.

"It is disheartening that the whole of Omaheke region with a population of close to 80 000 people has only three villages, that is, Leonardville, Witvlei and Otjinene," said Nguvauva who is also the Okorukambe constituency councillor.

Epukiro Pos 3, also known as Omawejozonjanda, is the capital of the Epukiro constituency while Talismanus is regarded as the capital of the Otjombinde constituency.

Eiseb 10, also in the Otjombinde constituency, was established in 1992 as a place where returning Ovambanderu and Ovaherero refugees from Botswana could settle. From 1994 onwards, Ovambanderu and Ovaherero from other reserved areas, such as Epukiro, Otjinene and Otjombinde moved in and made up the majority of the inhabitants today, making a living from subsistence farming.

Furthermore, Nguvauva also appealed to the ministry of higher education to consider setting up the University of Namibia (Unam) and the Namibia University of Science and Technology (NUST) satellite campuses in the Omaheke region.

Close Sign up for free AllAfrica Newsletters Get the latest in African news delivered straight to your inbox Top Headlines Namibia Governance By submitting above, you agree to our privacy policy. Success! Almost finished... We need to confirm your email address. To complete the process, please follow the instructions in the email we just sent you. Error! Error! There was a problem processing your submission. Please try again later.

"It is my humble appeal that the government and also the public universities initiate a process where the youth centre in Okorukambe constituency, which has been dormant for years, is resuscitated and turned into an agriculture and vocational college to cater for youth in the region," Nguvauva said.

He said he is particularly concerned about the youth in the region because according to him, the region has the youngest population group, and worryingly, it has the highest unemployment rate among the youth, which stands, at more than 40% of the national average of more than 20%.

"Isn't that a big concern for us as elected representatives of our people, in particular our youth?" he asked.

He further called on the relevant ministry to establish the land claims commission as per the Commission of Inquiry into Claims of Ancestral Land Rights and Restitution recommendation, saying it is crucial to the question of land and restitution.
Keetmanshoop  More tributes have been pouring in for the late Bishop Emeritus Hendrick Frederick, who passed away on Saturday.

Frederick, who was the third preses and the first bishop of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in the Republic of Namibia (ELCRN), died in Keetmanshoop at the age of 80.

//Kharas governor Aletha Frederick described the death of the man of the cloth as a very sad moment for the region and Namibia at large.

"We indeed lost an icon and legend who, as an individual, played a very important role in the struggle of our country's independence. We salute him, and may his soul rest in eternity", she said.

Funeral arrangements will be communicated in due course by the family. ELCRN presiding Bishop Sageus /Keib also expressed the church's appreciation for the late bishop's vital role in the liberation struggle of Namibia.

"The leadership of the ELCRN furthermore acknowledge and appreciate his role as a former outstanding leader of the church," said /Keib. Frederick's theological formation started in the mid-1950s at the Karibib Paulinum Seminary as an evangelist, and in the early 1960s at Paulinum Otjimbingwe as pastor.

He also attended the Umpumulo Theological Seminary in Natal, South Africa. He was ordained in 1967 at Keetmanshoop, together with late Dean August Matthys.

He served on many ecumenical bodies such as the Lutheran World Federation, World Council of Churches (WCC), United Evangelical Mission (UEM) and the Lutheran Communion in Southern Africa (LUCSA).
The Kenya Defense Forces (KDF) has warned the public to be wary of a new recruitment scam which is reportedly going on online.

In a post via its social media platforms, KDF announced there was no ongoing recruitment exercise taking place at the moment.

"The public is hereby informed that KDF is not recruiting. There is no such thing as replacement or connections. Beware of tricks by conmen and women and continue to expose them," the statement read.

One of the fake posts shared by the scammers indicated the force was recruiting to replace several people who were sent packing during the recent recruitment exercise.

The schemers alleged some recruits had been dismissed on medical grounds and the replacements were asked to remit Sh250,000 in exchange for a chance to join the force.

The latest scam comes months after youth were arrested with fake documents while reporting to join KDF.

Those who were identified to have fake letters were separated from the genuine recruits and later presented to the police.

The same month, officers in Kasarani arrested three people who allegedly obtained money by pretence from a member of the public.

Elisha Onyango, Derrick Nyakundi, and Amos Mutuku were arrested following complaints from members of the public.

According to a police report, the three allegedly pretended to be military officers capable of recruiting aspiring candidates to join the Kenya Defense Forces (KDF).

Further, the police report says the suspects obtained Sh350,000 from Mbabu John to have his son recruited into KDF, and a fake recruitment letter to that effect was found in their possession.
Sebina  Police in Tutume are investigating an incident in which two people were found dead at Phanga fields near Sebina.

In an interview yesterday, Tutume police station commander, Superintendent Jerry Halahala, said the deceased were found by a neighbour on Friday.

The duo, man and woman, was found with severe head injuries.

He appealed to members of the public to help them with information that might lead to arrest of an illegal immigrant, who could assist with investigations on these deaths.

Superintendent Halahala said acting upon the neighbour's report, they rushed to the scene and indeed found the deceased in a bad state and took the bodies to Tutume hospital where they were certified dead.

The station commander stated that their investigations had so far revealed that the deceased man was also an illegal immigrant, who was employed in a farm together with the one they were looking for.

The employer was the deceased woman's sister,.

He said the owner of the farm, who is hospitalised at Nyangabgwe Referral Hospital in Francistown, had sent her sister to deliver food to their disabled brother, who also stayed at the farm.

Superintendent Halahala thus appealed to the public to come forth with information, which could help them solve the case.

<i>Source : BOPA</i>
Gaborone  The Ministry of Environment, Natural Resources Conservation and Tourism says it is aware of reports regarding alleged allocation of a lodge site to Vice President Slumber Tsogwane through the Tourism Land Bank.

Through a media statement, the ministry denies ever allocating a plot to Mr Tsogwane.

It explains that while the Tourism Land Bank was initiated in 2009, the plot in question was applied for through Letlhakane Sub Land Board in 1997 and subsequently allocated by Ngwato Land Board in 2001.

Therefore there is no truth in insinuating that the plot has been allocated through the Tourism Land Bank, says the statement.

It further states that Mr Tsogwane started the development in 2007 with his own resources.

The statement says Mr Tsogwane's lodge is not related to the Mokopi Predator Park development, which is a Mokopi Community Trust project.

The trust's membership is made up of Mokoboxane and Mopipi village representatives, it says adding that the trust is governed through a board of trustees, of which the vice president is not a member.

It also explains that the park was funded through support from different stakeholders including Debswana, Lucara mine and Conservation Trust Fund.

The statement says funds are utilised entirely for the development of the park and none of it was diverted to the vice president's lodge.

Since government promotes utilisation of natural resources by communities to create income generation activities and job opportunities, the development of the park is in line with government's agenda of citizen and community development, says the statement.

It states that Mr Tsogwane is MP for Boteti West covering the villages Mokoboxane and Mopipi hence his interest in supporting and providing guidance to any development projects in his constituency.

The statement indicates that the country has been facing an increase in incidents of poaching of iconic species including rhinos and elephants, therefore the ministry is continuously identifying secure locations for safe keeping of the country's rhinos.

The Mokopi Predator Park is a two hectare plot and as such has never been considered for housing of rhinos as it is not suitable for such an activity, the statement says.

<i>Source : BOPA</i>
Moshupa  Moshupa Sub-council chairperson, Mr Peter Sethibe, has pleaded with councillors to encourage constituents to pay water bills.

Mr Sethibe said this while giving a keynote address at opening of a sub-council session recently.

"As you are all aware that following the outbreak of COVID-19, government took a decision to reconnect all disconnected customers and to halt further disconnections due to non-payment of water bills," he said.

Mr Sethibe said the move was meant to ensure availability of water for all to wash hands to prevent the spread of the disease, but this led to many customers not paying their bills.

He indicated that Water Utilities Corporation was left with no choice but to appoint a debt collector to recover the outstanding debts effective from next month.

"This may not sit well with many of our constituents, who have long outstanding bills," he said.

Mr Sethibe also shared that there would be a water tariff increment from 13.3 to 23.3 per cent effective June 2.

"All these measures are meant to maintain sustainability of the corporation and improved service," he said.

Furthermore, he said Moshupa was mainly supplied from the North/South Carrier (NSC) pipeline scheme, adding that there was high water demand along the NSC corridor, coupled with operational challenges of power interruptions and equipment failure, leading to inconsistency of supply.

Close Sign up for free AllAfrica Newsletters Get the latest in African news delivered straight to your inbox Top Headlines Botswana Water By submitting above, you agree to our privacy policy. Success! Almost finished... We need to confirm your email address. To complete the process, please follow the instructions in the email we just sent you. Error! Error! There was a problem processing your submission. Please try again later.

He said the supply shortages were however, mitigated through Dilokwana/Gasegogwane wellfield.

He said there was critical water shortages at Ralekgetho, Tshwaane and Manyana, adding however that water was bowsed to the villages to mitigate shortage amid limited number of water bowsers.

Mr Sethibe further lamented the rampant misuse of water in most villages within the sub-district.

He said this was mainly due to lack of water resources for agricultural purposes and the inadequate land servicing in almost all the villages, which have resulted in unbalanced water reticulation to the communities.

"The implementation of the Major Villages Network Rehabilitation and Expansion Project for Kanye and Moshupa villages would address the problems, though not in all villages," he said.

Mr Sethibe indicated that, as a national response towards containing COVID-19 pandemic continues, the sub-district was fully aware that capital projects were faced with significant challenges that need to be responded to quickly.

"Implementing departments need to act fast towards tendering processes. A review is also required to check if the funding available would be enough to execute all planned projects," he said.

<i>Source : BOPA</i>
Gaborone  The 20-22 per cent average tax contribution to GDP is a clear indicator that tax revenue is the main driver of the economy, says Botswana Unified Revenue Services (BURS) acting commissioner general, Mr Segolo Lekau.

Speaking at the second BURS media training workshop in Gaborone on Monday, Mr Lekau said the indicator could change for the better with media contribution.

Stating that the media was critical in the advancement of BURS business, he said the fourth estate could contribute by ensuring that the right information was delivered to the public, taxpayers and potential taxpayers, through the right channels and timeously.

Mr Lekula said the media's primary role as information providers helped people to make informed decisions and 'in this case propelling the mandate of the revenue service and related services.'

He said in order for BURS to carry out its mandate of assessing and collecting tax revenue, it needed media support.

Mr Lekau said BURS needed the media to help deliver critical information and education about the organisation's contribution to the broader transformation of Botswana's economic landscape.

He explained that tax, often described as a social contract between a government and its people, its collection or remittance was largely driven by voluntary compliance.

Such compliance was also influenced by peoples' understanding of their obligations and responsibilities, he said.

On the agenda of the two-day workshop was various areas of tax administration, the importance of paying tax and the social aspect of taxation as well as how BURS has fared over the years with respect to revenue mobilisation against set targets.

Mr Lekau revealed that BURS was currently undergoing tax administration diagnostic assessment to measure the effectiveness of its operations against international best practices.

One of the areas being assessed was the organisation's publicity, education and communications initiatives, he said.

Mr Lekau expressed the hope that BURS' continued collaboration with the media would bear fruit by winning the support of Batswana in the drive towards voluntary tax compliance.

<i>Source : BOPA</i>
Gaborone  President Dr Mokgweetsi Masisi will today undertake a one-day working visit to Lesotho.

A Ministry of International Affairs and Cooperation media release says Dr Masisi will meet with King Letsie III of Lesotho to deliberate on issues of common interest including COVID-19 to explore common solutions to the problems presented by the pandemic.

The release says the two heads of state will discuss ways of strengthening cooperation between their countries through the existing bilateral cooperation framework, the Botswana-Lesotho Joint Commission on Economic and Technical Cooperation (JCETC) which was established in 2003.

According to the release, President Masisi will also present Botswana's candidate for the position of SADC executive secretary, Mr Elias Magosi.

It explains that Botswana and Lesotho cooperate on various fields such as judicial matters, education and capacity building for law enforcement agencies.

Botswana, it states, continues to play an active role in support of Lesotho's implementation of its national reforms agenda aimed at consolidating peace and security in the country.

Dr Masisi will be accompanied by Minister of International Affairs and Cooperation Dr Lemogang Kwape, Bangwaketse chief Kgosi Malope II, presidential COVID-19 task force deputy coordinator Professor Mosepele Mosepele and other senior government officials.

<i>Source : BOPA</i>
The health ministry is investigating the matter in which a 62-year-old man died while admitted to a hospital in Windhoek after allegedly receiving his first dose of the Covid-19 vaccine on 17 May 2021.

The ministry's executive director, Ben Nangombe, in a statement yesterday, said the established protocols and procedures were followed before the administration of the vaccine on that fateful day.

"The patient was duly screened for eligibility. In addition, after the administration of the vaccine, the patient was also observed for the required period, before he was released to go back home," Nangombe said.

Although he refused to name the type of vaccination the deceased got vaccinated with, Nangombe explained that the nation will be informed at the appropriate time.

According to Nangombe, the observations revealed that no signs or symptoms suggestive of an occurrence or presence of any adverse events following immunisation.

"Following his release, the deceased drove back home, but it is reported that, sometime after arriving home, he notified relatives that he was not feeling well. He was transported to the hospital for medical attention. Our clinical observations showed that his blood pressure was highly elevated and his pulse and oxygen saturation had dropped below normal levels. The treating medical team immediately administered the appropriate treatment, including intubation and resuscitation. The patient's vital signs started to improve but deteriorated again shortly thereafter. The patient was declared dead at 13h33," he said.

Nangombe noted that the investigation into the actual cause of death has been launched.

"The ministry will keep the nation informed of the outcome of the investigation," he said.

He stressed that the unfortunate death is an isolated incident and should not deter the public from participating in the vaccination campaign.
opinion

Ace Magashule's high court affidavit arguing against his suspension as ANC secretary-general is a mess and advances many nonsensical arguments -- although at least one of his arguments does raise a potential problem for the ANC.

Late last week, Ace Magashule, the suspended secretary-general of the ANC, approached the Gauteng High Court, asking it to nullify his suspension and to declare the rule in terms of which he was suspended unconstitutional and invalid.

While Magashule's founding affidavit -- heavy on political bombast and sparse on legal argument -- is not a model of clarity, it does assist with a preliminary assessment of the merits of his case. The bottom line: the affidavit is a mess and advances many nonsensical arguments -- although at least one of his arguments does raise a potential problem for the ANC.

It is somewhat ironic that Magashule is relying on the 2012 Constitutional Court judgment in Ramakatsa v Magashule (in which Magashule was on the losing side) as the basis for the legal challenge of his suspension. Back in 2012 the Free State ANC -- headed by Magashule -- threatened to take disciplinary action against Ramakatsa and other members who approached the court, invoking a...
A 74-year-old grandmother in Gqeberha is living in poor conditions after she was left out of a recent relocation process for elderly people with disabilities.

Nontombazana April lives alone in Powerline informal settlement, Motherwell. Her shack is badly built and precarious. It is made from rotten wooden boards and plastic sheets. It is cold and the roof leaks when it rains.

April suffers from high blood pressure and her sight is affected. She walks with the aid of crutches. She struggles to carry even a two-litre container of water from the communal tap, a 100 mteres away. She uses a friend's toilet, but it is 500 metres away.

The settlement is built beneath high voltage pylons and the municipality refuses to formalise it, only providing limited communal toilets and water supply.

Last year as the pandemic spread, the municipality embarked on a programme of relocating hundreds of people, prioritising elderly people and those with disabilities.

People were relocated to relocated to serviced stands with wooden bungalows in various areas, including NU30 Motherwell and Gunguluza, Kariega.

April should have been relocated at the time.

Spokesperson for Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality Mthubanzi Mniki said, "She should have benefited from the project long ago on account of her age and poor health."

Mniki could not say why she had been missed.

"We will send our staff, including a social worker to assess her living conditions. The municipality will also liaise with the provincial Department of Human Settlements to ensure she is recorded on our housing waiting list."
The ministry of health expressed concern about the steep spike in the number of new Covid-19 infections around the country.

The executive director in the ministry, Ben Nangombe, said the ministry is worried about large gatherings, especially when the people are not wearing masks or observing social distancing.

"The ministry of health strictly cautions all members of the public to comply with all public health regulations in order to suppress and prevent the further spread of Covid-19," he said.

The ministry furthermore asked that community, traditional and religious leaders and law enforcement agencies assist with the promotion of compliance with public health regulations.

Despite Covid-19 regulations in place to keep gatherings to a maximum of 200 people, NamWater on Monday went ahead with a recruitment process swarmed by a crowd of over 1 500 people at the Walvis Bay rural constituency council's offices.

NamWater was recruiting 11 general workers and three operators to work on the Rooikop water pipeline's upgrading for a period of six months.

To control the crowd and ensure a transparent recruitment process, NamWater staff onsite resorted to issuing tickets to everyone.

Constituency councillor Florian Tegako said it is unfortunate that people have to risk their lives for survival.

"What we saw today is a manifestation that many people are unemployed and are suffering, which is why they came in large numbers. It is very unfortunate that during a time that we are fighting a pandemic, we have such a gathering," said

Tegako.
press release

Monrovia  USAID and the President of the University of Liberia strongly congratulated the Ministry of Posts & Telecommunications for the Launch of the Information Communications Technology (ICT) policy at the celebration of World Posts Day.

On Monday, May 17, 2021, USAID Mission Director in Liberia, Madam Sara R. Walter commended the Minister of Posts & Telecommunications, Cllr. Cooper W. Kruah Sr. and his deputies for the successful completion of the ICT Policy which is aim at creating a technological environment for all Liberians.

Madam Walter made the remark when she served as the Chief launcher at the Launch of the ICT Policy at the Mamba Point Hotel in Monrovia.

The USAID Boss noted that the Ministry's ICT policy promotes ICT development and encourage investment and cooperation in the ICT sector which is key to ensuring that no country is left behind in the push for digital transformation.

"In many ways, the National ICT policy for Liberia that we are launching today fits the bill, it aims to expand existing ICT infrastructure and establish a national fiber optic backbone to connect all 15 counties capitals and enhance cross-border connectivity".

She said the policy is focused on addressing last mile challenges to ensure universal access to voice services and broadband, supported by the adoption of infrastructure sharing.
Monrovia  The Executive Governor of the Central Bank of Liberia (CBL), Hon. J. Aloysius Tarlue, Jr., led a high-level CBL delegation to Abuja, Nigeria on Tuesday, May 11, 2021 for a one-day working visit to the Central Bank of Nigeria.

In his welcome remarks, the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Mr. Godwin I. Emefiele, welcomed the CBL delegation, stressing the need for the two central banks to work together to promote trade between Liberia and Nigeria, as the CBN was doing with the Bank of Sierra Leone. He informed the delegation of progress that the CBN has made in working out modalities with some air and shipping lines for facilitating trade between Nigeria, Liberia, and Sierra Leone.

For his part, Executive Governor Tarlue, Jr. thanked his Nigerian counterpart for the leadership role CBN continues to play in the sub-region for the achievement of the aspiration of the West African Monetary Zone (WAMZ). Executive Governor Tarlue underscored the good working relationship between His Excellency, Dr. George Manneh Weah, Sr. and His Excellency, President Muhammadu Buhari of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

The working visit was intended for the delegation to learn from the experience of CBN with regard to currency reform and management, including infusion, withdrawal and destruction of mutilated and old banknotes, as part of the currency replacement strategy of Liberia which is being implemented by CBL. During the visit, the delegation held an intensive and interactive session with senior officials of CBN, including Deputy Governor for Economic Policy, Dr. Kingsley Obiora, Deputy Governor for Operations, Mr. Folashodun Adebisi Shonubi, and Madam Francisca Okonji, Deputy Director of the Currency Management Department.

Close Sign up for free AllAfrica Newsletters Get the latest in African news delivered straight to your inbox Top Headlines Liberia Nigeria Currencies By submitting above, you agree to our privacy policy. Success! Almost finished... We need to confirm your email address. To complete the process, please follow the instructions in the email we just sent you. Error! Error! There was a problem processing your submission. Please try again later.

The delegation was taken on a guided tour to the Nigerian Security, Printing & Minting Company (NSPMC), which is one of the four (4) state-owned printing and minting companies in Africa, which include South Africa, Algeria, and Egypt. The NSPMC was established since 1963, with De La Rue, a global currency printing company, as one of its shareholders.

At the same time, Governor Emefiele and Executive Governor Tarlue signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for Technical Assistance & Capacity Building (TACB) between the CBN and CBL. The TACB covers a range of focus areas, including but not limited to, (1) Monetary Policy Operations, (2) Currency Management; (3) Statistical and Data Analysis; (4) Macroeconomic Forecasting & Policy Analysis; (5) Collaborative/Joint Research; and (6) AML/CFT and Cyber Security Training, among others.

Meanwhile, the CBN authorities have assured the CBL of their full commitment to share their currency management and operations experience with the CBL's staff, and Executive Governor Tarlue, in his closing remarks, stressed the need for a speedy implementation of the TA program.

The working visit to Nigeria is one of the several planned visits by the CBL aimed at learning from the experiences of currency reforms by other central banks in the sub-region.

Other the CBL delegation comprised of Hon. Nyemadi D. Pearson, Deputy Governor for Operations, Mr. Mussah A. Kamara, Senior Technical Advisor to the Executive Governor, Mr. William Jlopleh, Director of Banking, Mr. Bushanda C. George, Chief-of-Staff and Cllr. Joseph K. Jallah, Senior Legal Advisor to the Executive Governor.
press release

ArcelorMittal Liberia Training Academy has graduated the first batch of students after a 3-year intensive training and the successful completion of international standard exams.

Against a backdrop of festivities, proud parents, joyful friends, and family members, 45 (forty-five) young people were awarded diplomas and certificates of excellence recognizing their newly acquired skill sets in electricity, diesel mechanics, boiler making welding, and plant fitting by the institution formerly known as the ArcelorMittal Liberia Vocational Training Center (AML-VTC).

Unlike three years ago when they had no marketable skills, today the VTC first graduates are super excited that the path to employment and their career advancement seems certain, with the huge prospect of beginning their career at ArcelorMittal Liberia.

Saturday's colorful first graduation of the AML VTC was a milestone accomplishment for the graduates.

"I am very excited because I have achieved what I was hoping for the past three years. It was not easy, I almost gave up, but I said to myself, "No! you cannot give up, be strong." I do not regret the long hours of hard work... it was rewarding. I will practice what I have learned. Not everyone can be an accountant. I am encouraging all young people, including women to take interest in the technical field because it is rewarding. I am extremely thankful to the ArcelorMittal Liberia family, the manager, trainers, and staff at the ArcelorMittal Liberia Training Academy for what they have given us. Without them, I was not going to be here today, so I am grateful to them," explained mechanic Jestina J. Weah, one of only two female graduates.

Close Sign up for free AllAfrica Newsletters Get the latest in African news delivered straight to your inbox Top Headlines Liberia Education By submitting above, you agree to our privacy policy. Success! Almost finished... We need to confirm your email address. To complete the process, please follow the instructions in the email we just sent you. Error! Error! There was a problem processing your submission. Please try again later.

Liberia's Minister of Education, Professor D. Ansu Sonii delivering the keynote address at the graduation ceremony, underscored the need for capacity building through technical vocational education & training (TVET) at the professional level as an effective strategy to empower Liberian youths to lead the industrialization of their beloved country.

Professor Sonii said employers nowadays are searching for more skilled technicians and commended ArcelorMittal Liberia for leading the way through the VTC where young Liberian can enroll for three years and graduate, competent and ready for the job market, something he said supports the government's Pro-poor Agenda for Prosperity and Development (PAPD).

"No education and under-education are equal threats to employment and performance of the economy. The PAPD of the CDC Government, headed by H.E. Dr. George M. Weah has placed a focus on the creation of opportunities for young people. Therefore, we are here to celebrate the first fruits of this ArcelorMittal Liberia initiative. TVET is the corridor to life, now and in the future." Minister Sonii emphasized.
press release

Monrovia  At the New Georgia Estate during his annual visit to the country, Liberian scientist, Dr. Dougbeh Christopher Nyan spoke to a group of predominately neglected and disadvantaged youths (locally known as "Zogos") about the COVID-19 vaccination and engaging in entrepreneurship in order to better their lives.

The event was organized by the Angie Brooks International Center (ABIC) which is conducting a rehabilitation program for youths affected by the country's long-year of civil war, economic displacement, and those involved with the use of drugs and other controlled substances.

The Angie Brooks International Center is an institution focused on promoting peace and security and enhancing women's leadership and their participation in national or international political life. ABIC is currently headed by Counselor Yvette Chesson-Wureh as Executive Director and Former Liberian Foreign Minister, Madam Olubanke King-Akerele as Board Chairperson.

As part of his community engagement, Dr. Nyan, who is also a social activist, narrated his life challenges and successes from childhood to his present professional status as medical doctor and scientist as a way of relating to the situation of the youths and giving them hope.

He told the youths that, "it is difficult, but success comes through determination and persistence," adding that, "you must be discipline, consistent, and patient so as to succeed in the small businesses initiatives you are involved with."
Monrovia  Rep. Yekeh Kolubah (CPP, District #10, Montserrado County) has called on his colleagues at the House of Representatives to stop 'playing blind eye' and act on several petitions they have received from citizens calling for the establishment of War and Economic Crimes Courts in Liberia.

Over the years, there have been a plethora of calls from various spectrum of the Liberian society and the international community for the implementation of Liberia's erstwhile Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) recommendations on the establishment of war crimes court to prosecute individuals that bear greater responsibilities of the Liberian civil conflict.

In 2020, war and economic crimes court advocates Emmanuel Savice and Fubi Henries led a march onto the Legislature on Capitol Hill and presented a petition to the House of Representatives to initiate the process of setting up the court as per the Constitution. Their petition, along with several others, have been sent to committee rooms for review and recommendations for possible actions, but the committees are yet to report.

Against this backdrop, Rep. Kolubah has written the Plenary, the highest decision making body of the House of Representatives to reintroduce two instruments that have overstayed in committee rooms.

He named the "Petition from the citizens of Liberia calling for the establishment of the war crimes Court and the implementation of the Truth and Reconciliation Committee's recommendations" which was submitted to the Legislature on May 24, 2018; and the "Petition from the citizens of Liberia on the establishment of war and economic crimes court that has been in committee room since June 2020.

In his communication, Rep. Kolubah said "The numerous calls for both the establishment of War and Economic Crimes courts, including the full implementation of the TRC's recommendations "point to the fact that Liberians do not only need justice but are striving for deterrence".

He said: "Hon. Speaker and distinguished colleagues, I wish we will not allow the citizens to see us as shielding certain things or people in our governance process for which we are playing blind eye on the numerous calls from our people."

Gov't Blame for 'Laissez-fair Approach'

Although President George Weah continues to renege on his promise of holding those who committed heinous crimes during the war accountable, the call for justice and accountability continue to reverberate throughout every nook and cranny of the Liberian society- from Capitol Hill to city halls, and from coffee shops to street corners.

Long before his election in 2018, and in his capacity as UNICEF Ambassador, President Weah called for creating a court to try crimes committed during the civil war.

At a conference in 2004, Ambassador Weah said, "Those who armed the children and committed heinous crimes against them should be brought to book."

Such a court, Weah said should identify, locate, arrest, and prosecute the warlords who were responsible for crimes against humanity.

And before becoming President, Weah's political party, the Coalition for Democratic Change (CDC), backed the prosecution of people responsible for grave crimes.

Ironically, since his ascendancy as President of Liberia, Weah has not taken any action to ensure justice for past war crimes. Many local and international war crimes court advocates have blamed President Weah's 'lackadaisical' approach to establish the court on his unwillingness to offset former warlord turned Senator, Prince Y. Johnson and majority of his kinsmen of vote rich Nimba, who were instrumental in his election in 2017. Senator Johnson is one of the key figures indicted by the TRC for gross human rights violations during the civil war.

Efforts to initiate the process suffered a major setback in 2019 when the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Bhofal Chambers seized a resolution calling for the establishment of a war and economic crimes court in Liberia.

The resolution had already met the required two-thirds majority signature and was set to be passed when the Speaker took the unprecedented decision, much to the dismay of several lawmakers including Rep. Rustonlyn Suacoco Dennis (District #4, Montserrado County) and Larry Younquoi (District #8, Nimba County) who were among those that championed the legislative piece.

The Speaker, who was once an ardent supporter of a war crimes court, has been blamed by many war crimes court supporters for using his power to block every effort to initiate the establishment of the court.

His latest decision to replace Rep. Dennis as Chair on the Committee on Claims and Petition with Rep. Gonpue Kargon, a stalwart of Senator Prince Johnson's Movement for Democracy and Reconstruction (MDR) Party has been seen by many including some lawmakers as a setback in the fight to secure a legislative approval for the establishment of the court.

Despite these setbacks, significant strides are being made to ensure that justice is served. At the Legislature, several influential lawmakers including former Deputy Speaker Prince Moye and former House Speaker, Edwin M. Snowe before their elections to the Senate backed the move to set up the court in Liberia.

Rep. Sebo, a stalwart of the ruling Coalition for Democratic Change (CDC), is said to have pledged his support to the establishment of the court after he brazenly accused fellow lawmaker, Rep. George Boley of Grand Gedeh County in open session of killing his relatives during the first Liberian civil war. The warlord turned politician has since denied the allegation.

Close Sign up for free AllAfrica Newsletters Get the latest in African news delivered straight to your inbox Top Headlines Liberia Legal Affairs By submitting above, you agree to our privacy policy. Success! Almost finished... We need to confirm your email address. To complete the process, please follow the instructions in the email we just sent you. Error! Error! There was a problem processing your submission. Please try again later.

Earlier, the Liberia National Bar Association (LNBA), had drafted and submitted a bill seeking the establishment of a war and economic crimes court to prosecute individuals accused of gross violations of human rights, serious humanitarian law violations and certain domestic crimes.

Rep. Kolubah Joins Blayhi in Call for Court

Unlike key players of the war including Senator Prince Johnson and Rep. George Bolley who continue to openly denounce the call for a war crimes court, Rep. Kolubah, who also participated in the war has been a staunch advocate of the court. By doing so, he joins former rebel general turned Evangelist, Joshua Milton Blayhi, who was notoriously known as General "Butt Naked" as key ex-fighters backing the establishment of the court. But unlike Evangelist Blayhi, Rep. Kolubah was not indicted by the TRC.

Meanwhile, Rep. Kolubah's letter is yet to be placed on the House's agenda for discussion and possible action. His request came just within days his fellow CPP lawmaker, Senator Abraham Darius Dillon reminded the Senate about the citizens' requests to set up the court. Senator Dillon's comments prompted Senator Prince Johnson to explode in anger, accusing Dillon of taunting him with the establishment of the court.
press release

Monrovia  The ABC Children Aid Liberia Ministry located along the Monrovia- Roberts Field High way has won three successive landmark legal victories beginning from two lower courts and climaxed at the Supreme court of Liberia thereby closing curtain on the long running land dispute between it and the residents of Baptist seminary ABC Community.

Based on the judgments of the Civil Law Court which has rendered judgment in line with that of the Supreme Court, at least 100 plus illegal occupants who had over the years encroached on the property of the ABC Children Aid Liberia Ministry are to be evicted accordingly.

The latest legal pursuit by the illegal occupants held the ABC Children Aid Liberia Ministry by and through its Founder/CEO, Rev. Matthew Sakeuh (defendant) liable for "falsely claiming plaintiff's properties and requested the defendant to pay compensatory damages to the plaintiff in the amount of UDS$1,000,000.00 (one million dollars). The plaintiff called for the eviction or rejection of the defendant from the areas already occupied by the plaintiff, amongst others. Based on the three successive legal conquests in favor of the ABC Children Aid Libetia Ministry, it can be understood from an elementary perspective that the defendant has all rights to celebrate and begin the process of repossession of its property.

For instance, under the signature of Civil Law Court Judge Yamie Quiqui Gbisay on May 6, 2021 the court maintains that "Judgments of the Supreme Court of Liberia shall be final and binding and shall not be subject to appeal or review by any other branch of government." It continues, "Therefore, the court will be in complete error by entertaining the complaint filed by the respondent/ plaintiff. Given the Supreme Court opinions and principles of law enunciated above, this court holds that it has not the subject matter jurisdiction to render any decision in the instant case hence, the movant's motion being sound and legally fit tis hereby sustained and the resistance hereto denied." It emphatically concludes, "Wherefore and in view of the foregoing facts and law cited above, the movant's motion to dismiss is granted and the respondent complaint is hereby dismissed in its entirety, AND IS HEREBY SO ORDERED.

The Supreme Court of Liberia had ordered the eviction of more than 100 illegal occupants who have constructed about 70 homes on the property of the ABC Children Aid Liberia Ministry (appellee) along the Robertsfiled Highway. The property is situated on 72.76 acres of land that the ABC Children Aid Liberia Ministry purchased between 2005 and 2006 from the administrators of Gbangbar's Town Namely: James Brown, Rev. Payne, and Mr. Plakay Garway.

It's reported that after the transaction, youth of the town, headed by one Emmanuel Togar and backed Robert Cooper, Town Chief, began to sell the land illegally. They took the action when a conflict erupted between ABC Children's Aid Liberia Ministry and its affiliate organization, ABC Children's Aid International, based in Iceland and Faroe Islands in Europe in 2012.

During the contention, ABC Children's Aid International accused the Founder and Executive Director of ABC Children Aid Liberia Ministry of stealing US$1 million as development fund. While the case was before the criminal court, Togar and his followers chose to sell the property.

Shortly after ABC Children's Aid International lost the case at the Criminal Court 'C' at the Temple of Justice; it was when Reverend Matthew Sakueh, in 2014, filed the civil suit against his land owners, the administrators of Gbangbar's Town and those who purchased the property. The evidence adduced during the trial was sufficient to support the verdict returned by the trial jury," the court further ruled, adding, "The trial judge was justified when he affirmed the said verdict."

The ruling continues, "The judgment of the trial judge is hereby affirmed and the clerk of this court is hereby ordered to send a mandate to the court below ordering the Judge presiding therein to resume jurisdiction over this case and give effect to the judgment of this court."

The lawsuit arose in 2012 when the ACB Children's Aid-Liberia purchased 72.76 acres of land from the administrators of Gbangbar's Town.

The payment for said property was done in the presence of members of the town, after which the Administrative letter, Decree of Sale and the Mother Deed were given to ABC Children's Aid-Liberia along with the Administrative Deeds of 52.76 Acres and 20 Acres making the total 72.76 Acres. The suit continues that after the transaction, youth of the town, headed by one Emmanuel Togar, began to sell the land illegally.

They took the action when a conflict erupted between ABC Children's Aid Liberia Ministry and its affiliate organization, ABC Children's Aid International, based in Iceland and Faroe Islands in Europe in 2012. During the contention, ABC Children's Aid International accused the Founder and Executive Director of Children Aid Liberia Ministry, Rev. Matthew Sakeuh of stealing US$1 million as development fund. While the case was before the court, Togar and his followers chose to sell the property. Shortly after ABC Children's Aid International lost the case at the Criminal Court 'C' at the Temple of Justice; it was when Reverend Matthew Sakueh, in 2014, filed the civil suit against his land owners and those who purchased it illegally from the youth of the town.

Close Sign up for free AllAfrica Newsletters Get the latest in African news delivered straight to your inbox Top Headlines Liberia By submitting above, you agree to our privacy policy. Success! Almost finished... We need to confirm your email address. To complete the process, please follow the instructions in the email we just sent you. Error! Error! There was a problem processing your submission. Please try again later.

The courts' rulings provoked the excitement of the Executive Director and Founder of the mission Rev. Mathew Targen Sakeuh who described the victories as true work of God whom he said has and continues to be the source of their victories. "As you can see we have lost everything. Our beautiful buildings are falling apart. Our campus with school, dormitories and cafeteria that was a place of hope for 150 orphans is down. The enemy thinks he was winning but he is not greater than God. While in Liberia going through the court process God was working. He provided 38 bundles of zinc to reroof the clinic. The re-roofing project will be complete today Thursday. We bless God, pray for God's provisions for the school chairs, desks and tables that were stolen... ... "

"The joyful Sakueh continues, "The illegal occupants need to know that both the lower and highest court of the land have ruled in our favor and they need to yield to the court order and leave. Those guys need to leave so I can continue my building projects," excitedly noted.
Windhoek High Court Judge Orben Sibeya yesterday declined to grant the prosecutor general office's application to bar local lawyer Sisa Namandje from defending two men on trial for their alleged involvement in the biggest drug bust in Namibia's history.

State prosecutor Salomon Kanyemba asked Judge Sibeya not to allow Namandje to defend Grant Noble (36) and Dinath Azhar (62) who are accused of dealing in, alternatively possession of 412 kilogrammes of cocaine, claiming he was conflicted.

According to the prosecution, Namandje has also represented one of the State witnesses in the High Court during 2013, as such, he is ethically bound to withdraw from the case. Namandje opposed the application.

The judge only gave his order yesterday and said the reasons for his ruling will be available this Friday. Noble and Azhar have been in police custody since 15 June 2018, following their arrest after a container they had imported was found loaded with 412 kilogrammes of cocaine worth an estimated N$206 million.

The cocaine was hidden between copy paper boxes the two ordered from Brazil via Cape Town to Namibia through the port of Walvis Bay. It is further stated in the indictment that during February 2018, Azhar made an outward payment of N$17 895.60 from Zeeki Trading to an entity called Safety Com. Importadora E Exportadora Eireli EPP in Santos Brazil under the pretext of buying A4 printing paper for resale in Namibia.

During April 2018, it is said, Customs and Excise officials received intelligence regarding the importation of illicit goods from Brazil's Port Santos to Walvis Bay port and ran a risk profiling of imports from South America with a specific focus on commodities such as printing paper, tiles, paint, biscuits and sweets.

Close Sign up for free AllAfrica Newsletters Get the latest in African news delivered straight to your inbox Top Headlines Namibia Legal Affairs By submitting above, you agree to our privacy policy. Success! Almost finished... We need to confirm your email address. To complete the process, please follow the instructions in the email we just sent you. Error! Error! There was a problem processing your submission. Please try again later.

Towards the end of May 2018, it is further stated, Customs and Excise identified the shipment of a container with a description of printing paper from Port Santos and the importer was Noble under the name and style of Zeeki Trading. The shipper was a Brazilian entity named Safety Commercial Importadora E Exportadora Eireli, it is stated. It goes on to say that on 9 June 2018, the container arrived at the port of Walvis Bay and placed under surveillance.

It is further stated that the container was still closed and sealed and using a forcible entry tool, Noble broke the seal and the container was opened. Upon search, it contained 480 boxes of A4 printing paper and amongst the boxes of paper, 400 blocks of cocaine were found weighing over 401.52 kg with a value of N$206 million, the indictment states.

It further says that a new seal with the same number was found in one of the boxes. Noble and Azhar were arrested on the scene and the cocaine - a dangerous dependence producing drug was seized, analysed and found to contain 87% cocaine. The main trial will start on 7 June.
Three persons have been arrested by the police for allegedly assaulting personnel of Ghana Immigration Service, at a rented quarters, at Iron City, Amanfro, in the Greater Accra Region, for breaching the ban on noise making.

The suspects, Andylove Adjei Oshippi, Asafoaste Kenyo Razak and Nii Doodoo Bridgate, and other accomplices, are part of a mob that attacked the personnel.

They reportedly assaulted the personnel and destroyed musical instruments when they (immigration officers) were observing one week funeral celebration of a colleague.

The Accra Regional Public Relations Officer of the Police Command,Deputy Superintendent of Police(DSP)EffiaTenge, confirmed these to the Ghanaian Times, in Accra yesterday.

The Ghanaian Times gathered that the immigration officers and the suspects received injuries during the attack.

According to the police, the suspects, who wrote their statements,were granted bail to enable them to attend hospital.
Prudential Bank has established a state-of-the-art Customer Experience Centre in Accra.

The establishment of the centre provides the bank with real-time engagement with its numerous cherished customers across the country during and outside official banking hours.

The 18-hour a-day Customer Experience Centre complements the bank's self-service electronic platforms and thus marks a timely response to the demands of today's customers to access banking support services via effective channels irrespective of time or location, whilst maintaining the personal touch that differentiates the bank's service delivery.

Through the Customer Experience Centre, customers can now contact the bank with their banking emergencies and expect a timely response and/or resolution.

Since its go-live on March 1, 2021, the Centre has handled over 20,000 inbound and outbound calls in respect of customer enquiries and also proactively made product recommendations tailored to the specific needs of customers.

Commenting on the opening of the Centre, the Head of Marketing and Corporate Affairs of the bank, Mrs Akosua Boahen said: "The opening of the centre indicates the high premium that we place on our customers' needs. Our brand promise is to provide efficient, effective and convenient banking services to our cherished customers."

"The service is currently helping our customers to achieve financial independence through the use of our self-service electronic platforms and other services on-the-go" she said. "We are leveraging more on the use of digital platforms to provide convenience and exceptional user experience in line with our digitalisation process and core value of putting our customers first in all we do."

Close Sign up for free AllAfrica Newsletters Get the latest in African news delivered straight to your inbox Top Headlines Ghana Banking By submitting above, you agree to our privacy policy. Success! Almost finished... We need to confirm your email address. To complete the process, please follow the instructions in the email we just sent you. Error! Error! There was a problem processing your submission. Please try again later.

Mrs Boahen said the centre was equipped to offer bespoke support services together with an innovative approach to proactively serve customers with courtesy, integrity and a sound knowledge base.

"The Centre also boasts of first-class technology for monitoring all digital channels to anticipate and identify even the most unlikely system downtime before our customers experience them," she said.

The Centre Manager, Mr Emmanuel Osei said "the ultimate service goal is to deliver fast and reliable solutions to customers in order to boost their confidence and satisfaction whilst improving customer acquisition and guaranteeing their retention."

The centre, he said, will also provide an effective channel for receiving feedback from customers which would contribute to improvements in the bank's product and service offerings. In addition, the centre ensures optimum uptime for the bank's electronic channels.

He added that there are plans afoot to extend the centre's operations to a 24/7 service.
The Deputy Director and Head of Research and Applied Meteology at the Ghana Meteological Agency (GMA) was in the news last week giving some forecast of the pattern of rainfall in the country this year.

Mrs Francis Martey raised several issues that must not be allowed to die off.

On behalf of the GMA, she said rainfall for the period June to August was expected to be below average.

The public can agree that though the year is too young for any conclusion to be made, the rainfall patterns in the year calls for concern.

Already, conversations among farmers in the southern sector of the country go to the effect that some farmers have had their sprouting maize or corn drying up for lack of rain.

This is worrying because it means food crops that are planted alongside the maize would be affected too.

This has implications for food availability or shortage, not because our farmers did not work but because theirs is rain-fed farming, especially the craft of the subsistence farmers.

This is a great concern because even those doing commercial farming and using the irrigation system need the rains to fill their man-made dams and the water bodies for them to draw from these water sources.

If the experts have not thought of harvesting rain water, they should begin now. It is one way of making maximum use of one of the resources nature has endowed us with.

The GMA, however, said there could be rainfalls within the period June to August that could result in flooding in flood-prone areas with all the devastating effects.

This is where the Ghanaian Times is again worried and wishes to ask for how long do we have to look on as floods annually waste lives and destroy property?

We need to fix the drains and also put in place systems to harvest rainwater for use later during the period of lack of rainfall.

The GMA called on the government to work closely with its agencies responsible for flood monitoring, disaster risk reduction and humanitarian aid to sensitise people to the impending dangers.

It called on the Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies and the National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO) to put in the necessary measures to safeguard communities and livelihoods.

The Ghanaian Times would like to commend the Meteological Agency for playing its role by way of putting out that climate and environmentally-important information for the action of the relevant agencies, including the assemblies and NADMO.

Close Sign up for free AllAfrica Newsletters Get the latest in African news delivered straight to your inbox Top Headlines Ghana Climate By submitting above, you agree to our privacy policy. Success! Almost finished... We need to confirm your email address. To complete the process, please follow the instructions in the email we just sent you. Error! Error! There was a problem processing your submission. Please try again later.

NADMO in particular should, this time round, be proactive rather than wait for the avoidable to happen before its officials come to give mats, plastic buckets and other such items as aid to disaster (particularly flood) victims, which is ridiculous.

The Ghanaian Times thinks one important thing was missing from the GMA's information, and this has to do with the cause or causes of the poor and erratic rainfall pattern being experienced in the country.

The paper believes environmental factors are the drivers and these include unbridled environmental degradation activities like deforestation, growth of communities, increased galamsey and chainsaw operations, removal of certain landforms in the name of sand winning and quarrying.

It is about time environmentally-negative activities are checked to save the environment and give space and freedom to nature to give us the rains and rainwater for all the benefits to derive thereof, otherwise the worse situation would arise.
Dr Stephen Kwabena Opuni, the former Chief Executive of Ghana COCOBOD, who is standing trial for allegedly causing financial loss of GH217 million in a fertiliser deal, has filed a notice of appeal and motion to stay proceedings.

The two applications were in respect of the ruling by the Criminal Division "one" of the Accra High Court that ordered him and MrSeiduAgongo, a businessman, and co-accused, to open their defence.

Dr Opuni was expected to open his defence yesterday in accordance with the ruling of the high court.

However, when the case was called, MrSamuel Codjoe, counsel for Dr Opuni, told the court presided over by Justice Clemence Jackson Honyenugah, a Supreme Court Judge sitting with additional responsibility as High Court Judge, that his client was indisposed.

Counsel filed the medical report of Dr Opuni, which stated that the accused was referred by the University of Ghana Medical Centre to see a specialist.

Mrs Yvonne Atakora Obuobisa, the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP), told the court that she had been served with a copy of the notice of appeal and motion to stay proceedings by MrCodjoe.

The DPP said that the counsel for Mr Agongo, Nutifafa Nutstupkui, also gave an indication to file the same applications on Monday.

But, Mrs Obuobisa said the report appeared to be vague because it did not give any time to guide proceedings.

Meanwhile, the case has been adjourned to May 26 for hearing of the motion.

Close Sign up for free AllAfrica Newsletters Get the latest in African news delivered straight to your inbox Top Headlines Ghana Legal Affairs Agribusiness By submitting above, you agree to our privacy policy. Success! Almost finished... We need to confirm your email address. To complete the process, please follow the instructions in the email we just sent you. Error! Error! There was a problem processing your submission. Please try again later.

Counsel for the accused filed separate submissions of no case after the office of the Attorney-General closed its case a few weeks ago.

Dr Opuni through his counsel, MrCodjoe, argued that, he has no case to answer on the "basis that no evidence has been led by the prosecution to establish any or all of the ingredients of the offences for which 1st accused is standing trial."

Seidu Agongo and his Agricult Ghana Limited, the company that entered into the Lithovit transaction and for which reason it has been charged alongside the owner (Agongo), are arguing that, "while there is generally no evidence against the second accused (Seidu Agongo), what little evidence the prosecution purported to have offered against the 3rd accused person (Agricult Ghana Limited) on any of the charges had been very much discredited during cross-examination or otherwise so manifestly unreliable.This renders any such evidence of the prosecution unsafe so that the court cannot reasonably or safely rely on same to convict the applicants herein in the absence of an explanation from them."

In opposing the submissions of no case, made by the accused, Mrs Obuobisa argued that, prosecution adduced sufficient evidence to compel Dr Opuni, and Seidu Agongo, and his Agricult Ghana Limited, to open their defence.

It was the case of the A-G that the state was able to prove all the elements in the 27 charges levelled against Dr Opuni, Agongo and Agricult.

They all pleaded not guilty to the charges and are currently on GH

300,000 self-recognisance bail each.
The Greater Accra Regional Co-ordinating Council (RCC) and the Accra Metropolitan Assembly (AMA) will todaycleanupparts of Accra to rid them of filth and illegal structures.

The exercise, which isexpected to begin at 4:00 a.m. from the Obetsebi-Lamptey-Circle through the Graphic Road to the business centre of Accra will end at 11:00a.m.

It will involve over 800 peopleto desilt choked gutters, clear pavements of hawkers,illegal structures and squatters.

At a meeting with stakeholders in Accra yesterday, the Greater Accra Regional Minister, Henry Quartey, explained that the aim of the exercise was to reduce traffic congestion in Accra.

He said the exercise wouldinstill discipline and ensure citizenry abidedby the sanitation campaign on the theme "Make Accra Work" meant to ease movement and enhance business.

Mr Quartey noted that indiscipline in Accra was affecting lives and movement, and assured of his outfit'sreadiness to make sister assemblies collaborate to enforce the bye laws to make the dwellers responsible.

After the exercise, he stated, security personnel would be deployed in the various areas for a month to maintain disciplineand called for collaborative effort in keeping a clean environment.

Mr Quarteylauded Letap Pharmaceutical, Caitecand Pepsi for supporting the exercise with GHc6000 and 1000 pieces of Pepsi products.

Touching on the preparation to begin the exercise, the Operations Officer of the Clean-up Exercise from Burma Camp, Colonel Kweku Dankwa Hagan, indicated that Zoomlion Company Limited had provided equipment, including tipper trucks, backhoe, rake, long broom and brushes, shovels, wheel barrows, wellington boots, reflectors and tricycles.

He charged corporate institutions within the capital to be responsible and support the exercise and reiterated the commitment of the security services towards it to ensureits success.

Representatives of institutions present who pledged their support towards the exercise included Graphic Communications Group Limited, Rana Motors, Accra Brewery Limited, Franco Parts, and Japan Motors.
Mutare Bureau

INFORMATION, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Minister Monica Mutsvangwa has offered to support one-year-old triplets from Marange abandoned by their South Africa-based father.

Minister Mutsvangwa pledged to provide all groceries and sundries every month needed for the upkeep of the three babies.

The triplets' mother, Ms Olinda Maphosa was forced to relocate back to Marange after the father of the children, Obey Mucheke, had tried to force her to sell one of them.

The gesture from Minister Mutsvangwa touched the hearts of many who attended a Zanu PF Women's League small enterprises exhibition at Bazeley Bridge during the weekend.

In an interview on the sidelines of the exhibition, Ms Maphosa said after giving birth to the triplets, her husband, Mucheke, whom she was staying with in South Africa, demanded that they sell one of the girls since there was no boy child among them.

She said after refusing to sell the child, her husband threatened her with death resulting in her fleeing South Africa.

"My husband demanded that I should sell one of my triplets saying we could not have all girls in our home. I refused to sell any of my children.

"This is something that I found strange. I just could not do that. His only reason was that we could not keep all the girls.

"I do not know where exactly he wanted to sell my child, but he said he could find buyers there in South Africa.

Close Sign up for free AllAfrica Newsletters Get the latest in African news delivered straight to your inbox Top Headlines Legal Affairs Human Rights Pregnancy and Childbirth By submitting above, you agree to our privacy policy. Success! Almost finished... We need to confirm your email address. To complete the process, please follow the instructions in the email we just sent you. Error! Error! There was a problem processing your submission. Please try again later.

"When I refused to sell any of my children, he declared that he would not contribute anything towards their upkeep.

"He said I should shoulder that burden on my own," she said.

Ms Maphosa said she married Mucheke after meeting him in Rukangare Village near Checheche Growth Point in Chipinge South before they both left for the neighbouring country.

When she heard of Ms Maphosa's plight during the pre-exhibition briefing, Minister Mutsvangwa said: "This is disgusting to hear that we still have men who think that a girl child is not equal a blessing as a boy child, worse still when one harbours thoughts of selling an innocent soul. I am touched.

"I am happy for you (Maphosa) for resisting the evil intentions that this man had. I will be providing everything that these children need from porridge, nappies, milk and everything.

"I will be doing that every month and I will also look into ways of assisting them to get decent education as they grow up," said an emotional Minister Mutsvangwa.
Kudzanai Sharara in Dubai, United Arab Emirates

Zimbabwean companies should now focus on exporting value added products to augment mineral and raw products that are largely being exported currently, ZimTrade board chairperson Mrs Clara Mlambo has said.

While Zimbabwe has been growing its exports over the years, they are biased towards mineral and primary products.

But according to Mrs Mlambo Zimbabwe has a comparative advantage in the production of a number of products and should focus on those in its export drive.

Mrs Mlambo mentioned horticulture products, tobacco products as well as exotic leather and leather products as some of the products that Zimbabwean companies can focus on exporting.

Speaking at a ZimTrade organised outward seller mission currently taking place here in Dubai, Mrs Mlambo said once Zimbabwean horticulture exporters penetrate the Dubai market, they have high chances of spreading to other United Arab Emirates countries.

"As ZimTrade, we are cognisant of the fact that UAE is strategically located between the East and West, which makes it accessible to emerging economies in the Gulf region, linking shipping routes and facilitating goods movement between the different regions in Middle East, Asia, Europe and Africa," Mlambo said.

She also highlighted that without production in terms of horticulture, the UAE is becoming a major supplier of horticulture into the Gulf Cooperation Council countries through the concept of re-exports.

"What this reflects is that our Zimbabwean exporters who are able to create solid markets in Dubai will likely find it easy to use UAE as a gateway to land their products in other markets in the Middle East," she said.

ZimTrade's export drive comes at a time Zimbabwe is committed to attaining upper-middle-income status by 2030.

Trade is central and key to achievement of this target, according to Mrs Mlambo.

She said ZimTrade, as a trade development and promotion organisation, has a key role to propel the country to attain economic growth through trade.

There is potential for Zimbabwean farmers to increase exports to UAE if they secure direct exports, which will also improve their foreign currency earnings.

For farmers that can produce more, there are indications that Dubai will remain a viable market considering the total fresh produce bill of the market.

Close Sign up for free AllAfrica Newsletters Get the latest in African news delivered straight to your inbox Top Headlines Trade Zimbabwe By submitting above, you agree to our privacy policy. Success! Almost finished... We need to confirm your email address. To complete the process, please follow the instructions in the email we just sent you. Error! Error! There was a problem processing your submission. Please try again later.

According to Trade Map, the fresh produce import market in UAE were valued at over US$4 billion and of this amount, US$2,3 billion is re-export to Iran, Saudi Arabia, Yemen, Oman and Iraq.

Meanwhile at least 10 Zimbabwean companies are taking part at the outward seller mission.

One of the companies taking part is Intefresh, and executive chairman Mr Mahomed Jassat, said Zimbabwean companies looking to export to Dubai should try to cut corners when exporting to countries like Dubai as this would tarnish the image of the country.

He said while opportunities are abound, everything has to be done in a thorough and professional manner.

"Think about every little detail. If you do the right thing you will have phone calls every single day, of people wanting to buy because Zimbabwe is producing amazing products," Mr Jassat said.

His company Interfresh as well as its sister company Farmgate is currently exporting most citrus products to Dubai and the rest of the Middle East.

"We also export mangoes, stone fruit, pine apples and mangoes," Mr Jassat said.
In less than two years since commencement of operations, Ibom Airlines on Monday the 17th of May, Ibom Air made its 10,000th operated flight.

The Flight QI 104 which departed Uyo for Lagos at exactly 4.15pm Local time, comes a little over two months after the 500,000th Passenger was recorded on the 1st of March 2021, a figure that has since been exceeded.

This milestone was disclosed in a statement by the Group Manager, Marketing and Communication, Ibom Airlines Limited, Aniekan Essienette, made available to our correspondent in Uyo on Tuesday.

"On Monday the 17th of May, Ibom Air's Flight QI 104 departed from Uyo to Lagos at exactly 4.15pm Local time, making it the10,000th operated flight since the inception of Ibom Airlines.

"The 10,000th flight mark comes a little over two months after the 500,000th Passenger was recorded on the 1st of March 2021, a figure that has since been exceeded.

"The Uyo Lagos bound Passengers had the opportunity to have their pictures taken with the banner announcing the flight, just before they boarded. They also had a little extra something in their goodie bag as a way of saying a special thank you".

"The COO of Ibom Air George Uriesi who led the team of Ibom Air staff at the foot of the scheduled flight, was on ground to welcome passengers to the historic flight along with other management staff.

He used the opportunity to thank the flying public for choosing to fly with Ibom Air, an honor the company said it will not take for granted.
Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) leader Raila Odinga has accused some government officials of using the police force to settle political scores in the just concluded by-elections.

Mr Odinga condemned abuse of police powers in Bonchari and Juja constituencies, terming it an arrogant display of impunity by a few overzealous government officials.

"What we have witnessed in the by-elections in Bonchari and Juja is an abuse of police powers and an arrogant display of impunity by a few overzealous and bellicose government functionaries," Mr Odinga said in a Twitter post on Wednesday morning.

What we have witnessed in the by-elections in Bonchari and Juja is an abuse of police powers and an arrogant display of IMPUNITY by a few overzealous and bellicose government functionaries.

- Raila Odinga (@RailaOdinga) May 19, 2021

He pointed out that an election process is an opportunity for the voters to express their will at the ballot and not an avenue to pursue" imaginary and short-legged political interests."

"Security forces exist to serve the people and not the interests of those out to conduct political experiments," he said.

He noted that the peaceful co-existence post-2018 must not be taken for granted by "some rogue elements wanting to confuse the handshake for an excuse to erode our hard-earned liberties."

The 'Handshake' deal between President Uhuru Kenyatta and the ODM leader continues to hang in the balance following the High court ruling that scuttled their Building Bridges Initiative (BBI) course as well as the by election disagreements.

Close Sign up for free AllAfrica Newsletters Get the latest in African news delivered straight to your inbox Top Headlines Kenya Legal Affairs By submitting above, you agree to our privacy policy. Success! Almost finished... We need to confirm your email address. To complete the process, please follow the instructions in the email we just sent you. Error! Error! There was a problem processing your submission. Please try again later.

Brokered on the steps of Harambee House on March 9, 2018, the two leaders settled on a nine-point agenda they sought to address through BBI.

The agenda include; ethnic antagonism, lack of a national ethos, inclusivity, devolution, divisive elections, security, corruption, shared prosperity and responsibility.

But the judgment by a five-judge bench on Thursday last week, which declared the process flawed as well as the hotly contested mini polls, now spells uncertainty on the truce that the two leaders have maintained sought to end cycles of electoral violence in the country.

Tuesday's by-election fall-out between the ruling Jubilee party of President Kenyatta and Mr Odinga's ODM in Bonchari constituency is said to have threatened the camaraderie the two parties have enjoyed since they inked the peace pact in 2018.

On Tuesday, ODM Secretary General Edwin Sifuna expressed his dissatisfaction on how the party was treated during the mini poll, insisting they would review "our relationship with them if this is how they want to treat us."

He also accused some government officials of using the police and national government administrators to undermine them while openly backing the Jubilee candidate Mr Zebedeo Opore against ODM's Pavel Oimeke.

"Even in the past polls, we have seen some government officials want to stump authority. It is happening in Bonchari just as it happened in Matungu. We are not asking for any favour but we can't be in a relationship with people who undermine us," said Mr Sifuna.
Multifaceted people- friendly activities on the field help in building mutual understanding for federated efforts against common enemies of peace and national concord across the country.

In the face of mounting security challenges starring Cameroon in the face for some time now, concerted efforts aimed at solidifying the bond between the population and their defence and security forces are increasingly visible in various hotspots likewise the entire country. Against a backdrop of smear campaign from perpetrators of evil who pit the military against the population, obliging the latter to sometimes believe that the former is against them, the Republican Army, true to its vocation, strives as much as possible to be people-friendly while safeguarding the territorial integrity. In fact, the strength of a Republican Army relies on respect of human rights, working in synergy with the population to provide them assistance, establishing close collaboration with local authorities as well as remaining disciplined. While striving to rise above insecurity winds blowing in the Far North Region; with the Boko Haram insurgencies, kidnappings and ransom takings in the Adamawa Region, Refugee crisis in the East and secessionists tendencies in the North West and South West Regions, Cameroon's defence forces often rely on partnership with the population to succeed.

From construction of schools to equipping them through supply of potable water, healthcare, building of broken bridges and cleaning streets, among others; military actions to make life worth living for the civilian population are many and diverse. In the Far North Region for instance, defence and security forces combating the bestial Boko Haram terrorists have often kept aside their guns to sometimes teach children, reconstruct dilapidating school premises and roads or carry out free screening for some life-threatening ailments. For example, in February 2021, reports from the Far North Region spoke of the Joint Multinational forces equipping over 40 schools with benches to ease teaching and learning. Meanwhile, in the North West and South West Regions where uneasy calm has been reigning for the past four years now, the military has been multiplying efforts to stay closer to the population as much as possible. If it is not cleaning the streets of dirt, defence and security forces are seen distributing food items to the population pushed out of their comfort zone by separatists' activities. In April 2021, the population of Kesham village in Southern Akwaya Subdivi- sion, Manyu Division of the South West Region, saluted the 6th Unit of the Rapid In- tervention Battalion (BIR) for their prompt intervention to rehabilitate three bridges lin- king their village from Mamfe Central that were burnt down a few weeks back by lawless people. The ceremony to hand over the refurbished bridge was a perfect moment to laud cooperation between the population and security forces battling to safeguard life and livelihood. Thanks to the military-population rapprochement facilitated by the wide-ranging field activities, the population is able to denounce some law- less people and their activities which have often led to either their capture or pre-emption of dangerous attacks .
Minister Joseph Beti Assomo decorated the recipients on May 17, 2021 on behalf of the President of the Republic.

Some 84 State military and civilian personnel have been decorated with medals by the Minister Delegate at the Presidency in charge of Defence, Joseph Beti Assomo. They were decorated on May 17, 2021 in the presence of government officials and the Ambassador of Equatorial Guinea to Cameroon.

The decoration follows a Presidential decree of May 7, 2021 which exceptionally awarded the beneficiaries medals after their humanitarian mission to Bata in Equatorial Guinea on March 15, 2021. A violent fire outbreak occurred at a military camp in Bata, Equatorial Guinea on March 7, 2021 and the President of the Republic dispatched a humanitarian mission jointly led by Minister Joseph Beti Assomo and the Minister of Territorial Administration, Paul Atanga Nji.

Those decorated are thus the State military and civilian personnel who were part of the humanitarian mission. Within the category of the National Order of Valour, Brigadier-General Ezo'o Mvondo Simon was raised to the rank of Grand Cordon. Five military officers were elevated to the rank of Commander of the National Order of Merit and two others awarded medals of Officer of the National Order of Merit. 76 persons comprising Officers, Non-Commissioned Officers and civilians were decorated Knight of the Cameroonian National Order of Merit.

The civilians decorated are State media personnel amongst which are three persons of Cameroon Tribune and five pressmen of CRTV. Lieutenant-Colonel Ousmane Abba Waziri, a military medical doctor was posthumously decorated because he died some days ago after a brief illness and was already buried in compliance with Muslim tradition. In his statement after decorating the beneficiaries, Minister Joseph Beti Assomo conveyed the congratulations of the President of the Republic, noting that their work done in their respective capacities was very appreciated by both the Presidents of Cameroon and Equatorial Guinea. The efforts and solidarity displayed by the beneficiaries while in Bata, the Minister said, contributed in strengthening the fraternity that exists between Cameroon and Equatorial Guinea. Minister Beti Assomo encouraged the recipients to continue being examples and an inspiration to colleagues. He added that the reports of media personnel highlighted the importance of mobilisation and brotherhood in a crisis situation. He encouraged all beneficiaries to continue serving the nation faithfully and know that they are considered friends of Equatorial Guinea .
Molalatau  A citrus farmer has called on government to subsidise electricity installation at farms with the aim of assisting farmers to produce enough to feed the nation and even export.

Mr Daniel Magwana, who has 800 citrus plants in the initial phase of his three hectare project, observed that horticulture famers faced serious challenges of electricity owing to high installation fees and monthly tariffs.

Speaking during Assistant Minister of Agricultural Development and Food Security tour of his farm recently, Mr Magwana said farmers spent a fortune on electrifying their farms.He said while some could afford the charges some struggled and hence it affected their production.

Having started his project in 2010 with the first plants put into the soil in January 2011, Mr Magwana said he was required to pay P320 000 for a stretch of 700 metres from his retirement package from Debswana.

Mr Magwana, who is also councillor for Molalatau, said he paid over P5 000 for monthly electricity usage in his farm. He complained that the fee was too hefty for farmers.

The citrus farmer, who plans on planting onions and potatoes, suggested that government could also help farmers with solar electricity, still at subsidised rates.

Part of his argument was that electricity was reliable yet expensive. Consequently, farmers resorted to rationing their watering in order to avoid prolonged electricity usage, a move he observed negatively affected production of quality fruits and vegetables.

Close Sign up for free AllAfrica Newsletters Get the latest in African news delivered straight to your inbox Top Headlines Botswana Governance Energy By submitting above, you agree to our privacy policy. Success! Almost finished... We need to confirm your email address. To complete the process, please follow the instructions in the email we just sent you. Error! Error! There was a problem processing your submission. Please try again later.

Mr Magwana is also planning to plant 50 000 mango trees at his other farm along the Motloutse River with a view of producing mango atchar in the village.

However, he pleaded for land since the current space could only allow for 20 000 trees.

Speaking after the tour, Assistant Minister Beauty Manake said her tour was meant to appreciate successes and challenges faced by farmers with a view to fix where possible.

Ms Manake observed that there was need for farmers to change their mindset towards farming. She noted that it was expensive for Batswana farmers to get citrus seedlings, and that when they did it was expensive.

She said her tour would also ensure that they packaged information appropriately and identify gaps to close in the process.

For his part, Bobonong MP, Mr Taolo Lucas said farmers had informed him that drilling boreholes and equipping them was a daunting challenge.

He said it was paradoxical that farmers in Bobirwa, with ample underground water, could struggle to get water to their farms. He called for financial institutions to be receptive to farmers who seek financial assistance either to start or further develop their farming.

Source : BOPA
Police have arrested six armed robbers who allegedly identified themselves as police officers before committing an armed robbery in Unit O, Seke, Chitungwiza Monday.

Police arrested Unit Mutsure (32), Phibion Taruvinga (24), Malvin Mumvurutse (32), Hazvinei Elton Tambare (36), Kufakunesu Ndima (43) and Theresa Chikwange (30) for committing the crime.

The six suspects stormed a house in the high-density suburb before identifying themselves as police officers and robbing the occupants' cash amounting to US$7 240.

Police spokesperson Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi confirmed the arrests and said a minor alerted a relative who in turn raised alarm with neighbours before confronting the suspects.

The suspects fired three warning shots as they fled in their get-away Toyota Allion. However, one of the suspects was captured by members of the public leading to the arrests of his colleagues.

"During the attack, a minor sneaked from the house and alerted a relative who stays nearby and he in-turn alerted neighbours before confronting suspects. The suspects fired three warning shots in the air to scare people as they fled in their get-away silver Toyota Allion vehicle and one of the suspects was captured by members of the public," said Nyathi.

He added police detectives were later involved in a shootout with the suspects in Mbare, Harare on Friday 14 May at Mupedzanhamo Flea Market leading to the injury of a passerby in the melee. The police recovered a Honda vehicle which the suspects had stolen and repainted from blue to black.

"Police detectives were involved in a shoot-out with some of the suspects in Mbare on 14th May 2021 at Mupedzanhamo Market leading to the injury of a passerby in the melee. Police recovered a Honda Fit vehicle AFL 3532 and investigations so far have indicated that the vehicle was stolen by means of an armed robbery at the 30km peg along Gweru-Bulawayo Road on 11th May 2020. The vehicle had been repainted by the suspects from blue to black colour."

Close Sign up for free AllAfrica Newsletters Get the latest in African news delivered straight to your inbox Top Headlines Zimbabwe Legal Affairs By submitting above, you agree to our privacy policy. Success! Almost finished... We need to confirm your email address. To complete the process, please follow the instructions in the email we just sent you. Error! Error! There was a problem processing your submission. Please try again later.

Nyathi said the suspects have been linked to eight-armed robbery cases and one rape case. One of the suspects has injuries consistent with road traffic accidents indicating he was involved in an accident whilst driving a stolen Honda Fit which they later abandoned at the scene.

"The suspects have been linked to eight-armed robbery cases and one rape case so far. One of the suspects had injuries consistent with road traffic accidents and he indicated that he was involved in a road traffic accident on 11th May 2021 whilst driving a stolen Honda Fit vehicle, AFA 1144 and they abandoned it at the scene."

"The Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) (are) concerned with cases of armed robbery and other offences where the assailants are armed. In some instances, these suspects are reported to be putting on security services uniform or claim to be members of the police, army or other security organisations."
The Regional Centre of Excellence for Vaccines, Immunization and Health Supply Chain Management, located at the University of Rwanda in Kigali has secured $17 million (approximately Rwf17bn) funding to strengthen its capacity.

The funding is part of the $65m financing signed by EAC Secretary General Peter Mathuki and Regine Hess, the German ambassador to Tanzania on May 17 to support health, digital skills and water resources projects in the region.

Hess is also accredited to the East African Community.

The finance is expected to allow the centre to expand its expertise and reputation, especially in the areas of digitalization in health supply chain management, cold-chain management; quality control and drug safety among others.

The vaccines, immunization centre of excellence was launched in February last year and hosted by the University of Rwanda.

Eying self-reliance

Dr. Stephen Karengera, the Head of the centre told The New Times that the support will boost the centre's capacity and brand.

"This funding sustains the RCE into the next decade. It will allow the centre to build its own brand and capacity to generate its own revenue," he said.

He explained generating their own revenues will be through research, innovation, training and technical assistance adding that; "the centre is presently generating about Rwf400 million in school fees annually."

"We target to be 80 percent self-sustaining by 2029," he said.

Since its establishment, he said, the facility has also graduated the first cohort of 25 students and have also second and third cohorts going on with 40 students each from six EAC countries.

He said that short courses in vaccines, immunization and health supply chain management (VIHSCM) were also provided to 785 leaders while small research grants were issued to EAC practicing VIHSCM cadres.

Immunization programme in the region

Also under the health sector, the German funding allocated a $30 million kitty for the EAC's immunization programme with GAVI, the Vaccine Alliance that will contribute to reducing child morbidity and mortality in the region.

The funds, according to a statement, will finance the procurement of at least four types of vaccines namely ntavalent, rotavirus, pneumococcal and measles second dose, to be made available for routine immunization and immunization campaigns for children in all six Partner States.

Close Sign up for free AllAfrica Newsletters Get the latest in African news delivered straight to your inbox Top Headlines Rwanda Health By submitting above, you agree to our privacy policy. Success! Almost finished... We need to confirm your email address. To complete the process, please follow the instructions in the email we just sent you. Error! Error! There was a problem processing your submission. Please try again later.

"We can look back to over 20 years of successful cooperation with the EAC Secretariat. We are committed to continue this cooperation in key areas such as health, trade and economic infrastructure; and technical and vocational education and training," said Hess in the statement.

She said that the cooperation particularly supports the youth in the region, adding that the younger generation in East Africa would benefit from the programmes.

With a view to the current Covid-19 pandemic that also hit hard Eastern Africa, Ambassador Hess promised that Germany will commit additional funds of up to $6.6 million for pandemic preparedness and response in 2021.

This, she said, is to be implemented through existing EAC-German programmes on pandemic preparedness, economic integration and digital skills.

Meanwhile, the regional Integrated Water Resource Management Programme, which was launched in February last year, will get $12 million of the funding to finance additional measures to improve water quality and availability through strategic and sustainable management of the Lake Victoria Basin.

The programme is implemented by the Lake Victoria Basin Commission (LVBC), an EAC institution.
The Pokugara land saga took another twist with land developer George Katsimberis filing an application with the Constitutional Court seeking dismissal of his court case from the Harare Magistrates Court.

Katsimberis is facing fraud charges arising from allegations that during the period between June 2016 and July 2018 defrauded Pokugara Properties by furnishing the company with fake architectural housing plans despite having them approved by the City of Harare.

In an affidavit in support of application of reference of the matter to the ConCourt, Katsimberis argues that he cannot be an accused person and witness in a case with the same set of facts.

"Kenneth Raydon Sharpe and his associates made a false allegation, in their opposing affidavit, that I had constructed the show house without valid architectural plans approved by the City of Harare and that in any event I had used inferior material in the construction of the show house. The allegation by Kenneth Raydon Sharpe and his associates was clearly false and was perjury.

"Disturbed by this perjury, I made a report to the Zimbabwe Republic Police resulting in the arrest of Kenneth Raydon Sharpe's associates that include Michael John Van Blerk, Hosiah Chisango the Town clerk of the City of Harare itself. The above are now being prosecuted in the Harare Magistrate's Court." argued Katsimberis

He adds "However, and to my shock and surprise, in or around June 2020, under Case No. CR303/06/2020 and CRB 2744 I was charged with fraud as defined in Section 136 of the Criminal Code... , the allegation being that I fraudulently misrepresented to Pokugara Properties that I had approved architectural plans when in fact I did not.

Close Sign up for free AllAfrica Newsletters Get the latest in African news delivered straight to your inbox Top Headlines Zimbabwe Legal Affairs Land and Rural Issues By submitting above, you agree to our privacy policy. Success! Almost finished... We need to confirm your email address. To complete the process, please follow the instructions in the email we just sent you. Error! Error! There was a problem processing your submission. Please try again later.

"Thus on the same facts, I now find myself in a position where I am a complaint on one hand and a witness in the case against Michael John Van Blerk. How does an individual become a witness and an accused person on the same set of facts.

"The above constitute an infringement of my right to equal protection and benefit of the law as defined by Section 56 (1) of the Constitution as well as my right to a fair trial codified and protected by Section 69 (1) of the Constitution of Zimbabwe. It is my contention that I cannot stand trial in a matter in which I am an accused and also a witness."

Katsimberis, through a letter of complaint against the proceedings, twice wrote to the Regional Prosecutor without response. He then wrote to the Special Anti-Corruption Unit (SACU) who he said responded professionally.
Study of Utah cancer care-at-home model demonstrates lower costs, better outcomes

SALT LAKE CITY - A new study published in the Journal of Clinical Oncology reports findings on Huntsman at Home, a cancer hospital-at-home model operated by Huntsman Cancer Institute (HCI) at the University of Utah (U of U). The study analyzed aspects of Huntsman at Home acute care--meaning a level of care that is generally provided in an inpatient hospital setting.

In the 30 days after study entry, Huntsman at Home participants had 55% fewer hospitalizations, 45% fewer emergency department visits, and shorter hospital stays by one day. They also had 47% lower health care costs during the same 30-day period as compared with patients who did not participate in Huntsman at Home.

Kathleen Mooney, PhD, RN, Huntsman at Home research director and distinguished professor of nursing at the U of U, led the study, along with a team of nine other investigators. Their evaluation adds to the existing evidence of a reduction in costs and unplanned health care visits among Huntsman at Home participants.

Launched in 2018, Huntsman at Home was one of the first programs in the United States to provide acute cancer care at home. The service combines HCI research and clinical expertise for in-person care, remote patient and caregiver support, and acute-level clinical care provided by nurse practitioners. Huntsman at Home has a variety of home-based services that range from symptom management to acute medical, post-surgical, palliative, and end-of-life care. The publication examines factors related to acute care admissions to Huntsman at Home on health care utilization and costs.

"Acute cancer care in the home had not previously been evaluated," says Mooney. "We sought to create a model that extended the compassionate care of HCI to provide services in a patient's home that otherwise might require urgent or emergency care or a longer hospitalization to resolve. Yet we also knew it had to be sustainable and would require new insurance reimbursement models. Therefore, we evaluated our Huntsman at Home program on health care utilization and costs to determine the value added by the acute care model."

The Huntsman at Home team is led by HCI nurse practitioners working in conjunction with HCI oncologists and is operated in partnership with Community Nursing Services, a home health and hospice agency that provides the program with registered nurses, social workers, and physical therapists. Huntsman at Home was initially offered to patients who lived within a 20-mile radius of HCI's flagship cancer hospital in Salt Lake City.

"We found that emergency department visits and hospitalizations were approximately cut in half for patients who participated in Huntsman at Home," Mooney says.

Mooney and her team plan further studies to evaluate other aspects of Huntsman at Home. They are currently examining patient and family caregiver satisfaction, and potential reductions in symptom severity and caregiving burden.

In alignment with HCI's focus on meeting the needs of rural residents in its catchment area--a geographic region that spans 17% of the continental United States and includes all of Utah, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, and Wyoming--the team also plans to determine whether the model can improve care for patients who live far from a major medical center.

"Huntsman at Home is expanding to three rural counties in southeastern Utah, areas that require a two- to four-hour drive for patients to come to HCI," Mooney says. This will be the first expansion of the Huntsman at Home service area. The HCI cancer care team will partner with local providers and community organizations to provide care through a combination of in-person, remote monitoring, and telehealth approaches. "This important expansion exemplifies HCI's commitment to serve cancer patients where they live," says Mooney.

###

Huntsman at Home is funded by HCI and Huntsman Cancer Foundation. The Huntsman at Home evaluation is supported by the Cambia Health Foundation. The rural expansion is supported by the Huntsman Foundation and the Rita & Alex Hillman Foundation. Other study authors include Karen Titchener, MSc; Benjamin Haaland, MS, PhD; Lorinda A. Coombs, PhD, MSN, FNP-BC, AOCNP; Brock O'Neil, MD; Richard Nelson, PhD; Jordan P. McPherson, PharmD; MSc, BCOP; Anne C. Kirchhoff, PhD; Anna C. Beck, MD; and John H. Ward, MD.

Huntsman Cancer Institute (HCI) at the University of Utah is the official cancer center of Utah. The cancer campus includes a state-of-the-art cancer specialty hospital as well as two buildings dedicated to cancer research. HCI treats patients with all forms of cancer and is recognized among the best cancer hospitals in the country by U.S. News and World Report. As the only National Cancer Institute (NCI)-Designated Comprehensive Cancer Center in the Mountain West, HCI serves the largest geographic region in the country, drawing patients from Utah, Nevada, Idaho, Wyoming, and Montana. More genes for inherited cancers have been discovered at HCI than at any other cancer center in the world, including genes responsible for hereditary breast, ovarian, colon, head, and neck cancers, along with melanoma. HCI manages the Utah Population Database, the largest genetic database in the world, with information on more than 11 million people linked to genealogies, health records, and vital statistics. HCI was founded by Jon M. and Karen Huntsman.

This story has been published on: 2021-05-19. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article.
A Chipinge man was assaulted to death after he sold a dog which he had stolen from a local villager.

Police have confirmed the incident, saying investigations were in progress.

According to the police, the now-deceased Lucky Tsegure (39) of Mukumba Village under Chief Mapungwana is reported to have sold a dog to Clement Chibvepi.

The dog is reported to have been stolen from a local man only identified as Chimene.

Provincial police spokesperson, Inspector Luxson Chananda said on May 12 at around 1700hrs, Tsegure and Solomon Mudimba Mutisi went to Themba Ndambi homestead to partake illicit beer known in the local lingo as sope.

Clement and brother Christopher Chibvepi as well as Martin Chitemera Dube (39) of Mwandipfura Village under Chief Mutema were also at the same homestead drinking illicit brew.

When the trio saw Tsegure, it accused him of selling a stolen dog to Clement.

The buyer realised he had purchased a stolen dog after he was confronted by the owner.

"Clement started assaulting him. Ndambi tried to restrain him but failed," said the police spokesperson.

The other suspects joined the fracas and reportedly dragged the deceased to Budzi River 3 km away.

"Along the way, they assaulted him using sticks and fists calling him a thief," said Chananda.

Close Sign up for free AllAfrica Newsletters Get the latest in African news delivered straight to your inbox Top Headlines Zimbabwe Legal Affairs By submitting above, you agree to our privacy policy. Success! Almost finished... We need to confirm your email address. To complete the process, please follow the instructions in the email we just sent you. Error! Error! There was a problem processing your submission. Please try again later.

Tsegure's body was found the following day around 6 am by Bothell Sithole without his trousers on.

Sithole reported the matter at Chipinge Rural Police Station who attended the scene.

Investigations were done and the three suspects are still missing and they did not return to Ndambi's homestead after committing the offence.

Tsegure's body was taken to Chipinge District Hospital for a post mortem, but NewZimbabwe.com failed to ascertain the cause of his death. However, sticks used to assault the deceased with were found at the site where his body was dumped and taken as taken an exhibit.

Chananda warned members of the public against meting-out instance justice.

"People should not take law into their own hands as this leads to unnecessary loss of life. People should report to the police who have the mandate to arrest suspects," he said.
MILK production in the country is set to increase in the near future following measures being taken to promote supply of high-quality inputs and artificial insemination to smallholder dairy farmers.

The AgResults Tanzania Dairy Productivity Challenge Project in collaboration with the government is currently implementing a four-year project in Dar es Salaam, Tanga, Coast Region and Morogoro to encourage proper feed of animals and improved dairy cow breeds in order to increase milk production.

AgResults Project Team Leader, Ms Neema Mrema told journalists in Dar es Salaam yesterday during induction training to competitors that artificial insemination is the only way of quick breed improvement if done appropriately.

She said that most cows in Tanzania are traditional breeds which do not produce sufficient milk as required.

According to her, traditional cows produce between two to four litres per day, while improved dairy cows produce between five and ten litres per day, although they are supposed to produce more milk.

"We expect that through this project, small holder dairy farmers will be trained on proper ways of taking care of their livestock by ensuring that they are properly fed, based on the kind of breed in order to increase milk production," she said.

She said that her project encourages artificial insemination in order to get breeds which can produce more milk, noting that upon completion of the project, milk production is expected to increase by between 10 and 15 percent in the areas where the project is being implemented.

Close Sign up for free AllAfrica Newsletters Get the latest in African news delivered straight to your inbox Top Headlines Tanzania Agribusiness By submitting above, you agree to our privacy policy. Success! Almost finished... We need to confirm your email address. To complete the process, please follow the instructions in the email we just sent you. Error! Error! There was a problem processing your submission. Please try again later.

She explained that in animal genetics, when you want to have a better breed you have to promote artificial insemination which produce different breeds, but the purpose of the project is to look for better breeds for milk yields.

Ms Mrema noted that last year her organization in collaboration with the Ministry of Livestock imported semen straws from the US, whose breeds can produce between 30 and 40 litres of milk per day.

"The straws were targeted to 1000 cows in Dar es Salaam, and so far 400 semen straws have already been sold.

We anticipate that come next year, we are going to see improved genetic breeds in Dar es Salaam, but also we are trying to lobby so that more semen straws are imported for other regions," Ms Mrema said.

She noted that they have seen a success rate in artificial insemination, adding that plans were under way to work with national artificial insemination centre to ensure farmers get better breeds based on geographical and climatic condition of the area.

Principal Veterinary Officer Department of Veterinary Services East Zone Dr Asenga Severine said that the government works to ensure that small holder dairy farmers have access to quality inputs, including animal feeds, vaccines, veterinary drugs and artificial insemination.

Livestock sector has been growing at 5 per cent annually and contribute 7.4 per cent to the Gross Domestic Product (GDP), according to the 2019/2020 budget report.

Milk production increased by 12.1 per cent, which means that in 2018/2019 milk production was 2.7 billion litres, while in 2019/2020 it increased to 3 billion litres.

Of the 3 billion litres, 2.1 billion litres were produced by traditional cows while 0.9 were from improved dairy cattle.
..Directs security organs to produce uniforms domestically

SECURITY organs have been directed to take advantage of the newly established Police uniform factory to produce their attires to save the huge sums of money being spent in procuring the same outside the country.

President Samia Suluhu Hassan urged the security forces to emulate the example set by the Police Force by participating and contributing in economic activities such as the establishment of industries.

The Head of State issued the directive yesterday after launching the uniform factory at the Police Academy in Kurasini area, Dar es Salaam.

"I am asking other security forces to produce their uniforms here, let's divide the sectors among ourselves... this will help in supporting each other to grow businesswise," said President Samia.

She cited an example of the Prisons Services that owns a similar factory dealing with uniforms and leather goods, calling upon them to direct their focus in leather goods that will enable the goods to secure a market among the forces.

President Samia expressed the government's commitment to create a favorable environment in the establishment of industries including tax and nontax issues.

According to the President, security organs have a major role of contributing and boosting the country's economy while maintaining their core roles.

The move will not only save money but also control the flow of arbitrary entry of police uniforms, hence boosting the security of people and their properties.

She addressed the fact that a section of unscrupulous people who use the chance pretending to be men in uniforms to corn innocent people on the streets.

The Head of State applauded the bold initiative taken by the Police to construct the factory using the force account system which has only spent 666.4m/- instead of 1.4bn/- if the task would have been undertaken by a contractor.

"This is quite recommended and it is anticipated that the police will employ the same system in other projects without jeopardizing the set standards and the quality," noted the President.

She paid tribute to former President the late Dr John Magufuli who laid the foundation stone for construction of the uniform production firm early this year.

In line to creating jobs, she observed that the firm produces 125,200 police uniform sets and those of the Auxiliary Police Services and private security companies.

She urged the police to set an example through wearing the uniforms for other forces to follow suit in producing their own.

The President also pledged to work on their requests and challenges urging them to continue working hard in contributing to the economy of the country.

Earlier, the Inspector General of Police (IGP) Simon Sirro disclosed that the construction of the factory using the Police Force forced account has enabled the government to save over 700m/- which is equivalent to over 100 percent of the value.

IGP Sirro noted that the firm's current capacity is 250 workers instead of the previous 100 and 200 sewing machines can be installed.

"So far we have 70 sewing machines; we are planning to write to you on the possibility of securing the remaining 130 machines"In order for the factory to effectively embark on production, we need 950m/- to achieve its full operation instead of the current state whereby some of the materials are being procured outside the country," he said.

Close Sign up for free AllAfrica Newsletters Get the latest in African news delivered straight to your inbox Top Headlines Tanzania Governance By submitting above, you agree to our privacy policy. Success! Almost finished... We need to confirm your email address. To complete the process, please follow the instructions in the email we just sent you. Error! Error! There was a problem processing your submission. Please try again later.

In line with the factory project which has been completed, the Police is executing two building construction projects in Singida and Shinyanga worth over 1.3bn/-.

He also extended recognition to the President for disbursing a sum of 6.4bn/- which helped in clearing the force's pensioners and other funds in the execution of development projects.

He, however, highlighted some of the challenges facing the force including shortage of personnel, staff houses, and equipment among others.

"If it pleases you to grant approval for some of the police staff to start living at the police residence in Oysterbay," observed the IGP.
THE use of charcoal and firewood in the country leads to the destruction of a total of 48,000 million acres of forests every year, the government has said.

Minister of State, Vice President's Office, Union and Environment Selemani Jafo disclosed the figures yesterday, saying the government is on course to curb the challenge and maintain the country's ecosystem.

He said some of the efforts include embarking on a campaign that will see every local government council plant a minimum of 1.5 million trees per year.

"The 1.5 million trees that are being planted have to be sustained for the country to successfully maintain the ecology," said Mr Jafo as he was addressing members of the media on the upcoming world environment day that is marked every 5th June.

At national level, the day will be marked from June 1-5th in Dodoma's Jakaya Kikwete Conventional Centre, under the theme 'The use of alternative sources of energy for ecosystem restoration', with the vice President Dr Phillip Mpango expected to be the guest of honor.

At the global level, the day will be marked in Pakistan under the theme 'Ecosystem restoration'. The celebration will feature a number of events, including the launch of national cleanness and environmental protection campaign, as well as stakeholder seminars on alternative source of energy for cooking in efforts to stop underprivileged Tanzanians from using firewood and charcoal as a primary source of energy.

"On 3rdJune this year, we shall hold a seminar for environmental officers from all regions and councils across the country," he said, adding that on the 4th of June there will also be a workshop for all stakeholders who will be taken through different topics related to environmental protection.

The day will be marked by tree-planting campaigns across the country and public workshops to discuss the huge challenge facing the nation in terms of deforestation and environmental pollution
PRESIDENT Samia Suluhu Hassan yesterday hinted that one of the criteria she would concentrate on promoting Police Officers is an individual's steady performance record in combating crimes in the country.

The President's statement made in Dar es Salaam came with a warning that some people who are testing the force by indulging in criminal activities, should immediately refrain from such acts as Police are on full alert.

"One of the criteria I will use to promote officers will be their efforts and strategies independently in fighting armed robberies," she stated. The Head of State made the remarks after launching the police first garment factory in the country's commercial capital.

The factory has been constructed with the Force's internal sources to the tune of 666.4m/- instead of 1.4bn/-that could have been spent supposing it was leased to a foreign contractor.

This is the second time the president directed the police force to strengthen security measures to weed out crime that seems to start sprouting in the country.

Recently, while addressing Dar es Salaam's elders, President Samia noted that the city has started experiencing some crime incidences, a situation that was largely controlled in the past.

A day after her concern, Inspector General of Police (IGP) Simon Sirro (pictured) convened a meeting with the top cops to strategize on how to combat the crimes.

"I am happy that following my previous statement the IGP held a meeting with the senior police officers and set up a strategy on how to fight crimes," pointed out Ms Samia.

However, she challenged them to deploy the entire force countrywide and see to it that criminals pose no threat to the citizens and their property.

"I ask you to be tough when facing criminals; you don't have reasons to fail. You should organize yourselves and make sure you arrest whoever tries to make you fail," she added.

Equally, the Head of State noted that gender-based violence (GBV) has continued to be a big problem and asked the police to seriously intervene, saying: "GBV incidences have continued to occur in our communities, and some people do not report them, therefore you must work hard to ensure such issues are addressed.

"I call upon the members of the public to report to the police such crimes in order to succeed in eradicating them."

On road safety, she said the police should introduce a system that would see drivers, who have committed traffic offences repeatedly booked in such a way their data is retrieved in any region he/she commits another road accident.

Close Sign up for free AllAfrica Newsletters Get the latest in African news delivered straight to your inbox Top Headlines Tanzania Governance By submitting above, you agree to our privacy policy. Success! Almost finished... We need to confirm your email address. To complete the process, please follow the instructions in the email we just sent you. Error! Error! There was a problem processing your submission. Please try again later.

In line with this, she raised her concern over the law which requires an accident victim to seek a PF3 (Police Form 3) before getting medical treatment.

"You need to review this law, we are losing many people because they are denied medical attention until they produce a PF3 report, this must be reviewed so that an injured person first gets treatment and thereafter other formalities to follow as required by police," said the Head of State.

On cybercrime, she said apart from biometric SIM card registration, still criminals were able to conduct their illegal activities.

To address it, she directed the police force to liaise with the Tanzania Communications Regulatory Authority (TCRA) and the telecommunication companies to ensure they arrest the criminals.

However, she commended the police force and other security organs for their continued efforts to ensure security prevails in the country.

"The existing security situation is mainly attributed to a good job done by the police force in collaboration with other security organs," noted President Samia.

Narrowing to Prevention and Combating of Corruption Bureau (PCCB) on crime fighting, President Samia directed the officers to ensure they collect strong evidence before arresting any suspects and charging them in the court of law.

That was after it was learnt that PCCB had dropped 147 cases due to lack of substantial evidence.
CRDB Bank, one of the largest in the country, said yesterday it will hold a physical annual general meeting (AGM) in Arusha this Saturday unlike last year's virtual one.

The lender last year staged a virtual meeting and attended by some 1,400 shareholders that live streamed from Dar es Salaam due to Covid-19 challenges.

CRDB Group Managing Director and CEO Abdulmajid Nsekela said the AGM will be live streaming and those who will fail to attend physically will do so virtually.

"This will be an historical AGM to be held using traditional and modernity platforms," Mr Nsekela said told reporters in Arusha.

The bank chief said based on the experience gained during the 25th online conference, shareholders also adopted a resolution to enable the 26th AGM to be held both ways- physical and virtue.

Further CRDB said Minister for Finance and Planning, Mwigulu Nchemba is expected to be the AGM chief guest.

Traditionally the seminar will first come and thereafter followed by the AGM on Friday. CRDB pre-tax profit increase by 15 per cent to 236bn/- last year compared to 175bn/- in previous year.

And the bank has proposed a 22/- dividend a share up from 17/- of previous.

This February, Bank of Tanzania (BoT) issued a new circular with immediate effect that banks are allowed to offer bonuses and dividends after maintaining cost to income ratio (CIR) below 55 per cent and NPLs not exceeding 5.0 per cent.
Namibia has issued travel documents for the twin babies who have been stuck in South Africa because they could not travel to their same-sex parents' home in Windhoek over the past two months.

Law firm Nixon Marcus Public Law Office, which is representing the babies' Namibian father, Phillip Luhl, was informed yesterday that minister of home affairs Albert Kawana had authorised the issuing of emergency travel certificates for the daughters of Luhl and his husband, Mexican citizen Guillermo Delgado.

The certificates should not be regarded as an admission from the ministry that the babies, who were born through a surrogate pregnancy in South Africa on 13 March, are Namibian citizens, a government lawyer also informed Luhl's lawyer, Uno Katjipuka-Sibolile.

Luhl commented yesterday: "We're happy about the decision, but it's madness that it takes so much to arrive at this point.

"It's really sad that it takes so much emotional and financial effort and disruption in our lives to get a simple bureaucratic decision that allows us to be together as a family."

Luhl added that the ministry has also been asked to give a commitment that it would issue "brown passports", valid for only 12 months, to the babies, allowing them to also leave the country when necessary, and that Delgado would be allowed to stay in Namibia and freely travel out of the country until a pending court case about his claim to domicile in Namibia is decided.

The ministry issued a brown passport to the two-year-old son of Luhl and Delgado two weeks ago, with a disclaimer that it was not an acknowledgement that the boy is entitled to Namibian citizenship as the child of a Namibian citizen.

The decision to issue travel documents to the twins was communicated to Luhl a day after Katjipuka-Sibolile filed another urgent application against the minister of home affairs in the Windhoek High Court.

In the application, Luhl asked the court to direct the minister to issue travel documents to his and Delgado's daughters, for them to travel from South Africa to Windhoek.

Luhl applied for Namibian travel documents for the babies on 21 April - two days after a first urgent application through which he tried to compel the then home affairs minister Frans Kapofi to issue travel documents to the twins had been dismissed by High Court judge Thomas Masuku.

The judge dismissed the application after reasoning that the court would be encroaching into the domain of the executive part of the state if it made the orders Luhl applied for, before an application for the travel documents had been submitted to the minister and he had made a decision on it.

Close Sign up for free AllAfrica Newsletters Get the latest in African news delivered straight to your inbox Top Headlines Namibia By submitting above, you agree to our privacy policy. Success! Almost finished... We need to confirm your email address. To complete the process, please follow the instructions in the email we just sent you. Error! Error! There was a problem processing your submission. Please try again later.

In an affidavit filed at the High Court on Tuesday, Luhl said he had received no response on the outcome of the application for travel documents for nearly four weeks after it was submitted.

He also charged that the ministry was violating the babies' rights without any justification: "It is clear that we are being discriminated against because we are a same-sex couple; two fathers parenting our children. There is no other reason why the ministry would so adamantly refuse the twins' entry into Namibia."

The ministry's decision yesterday was welcomed by Equal Namibia, a coalition of people and organisations campaigning for the rights to equality of the LGBTQI+ community to be respected in Namibia.

"No child should be discriminated against based on their parents' status," said Omar van Reenen, a co-founder of Equal Namibia and founder of the Namibia Equal Rights Movement.

Van Reenen added: "This is a victory for democracy and every Namibian who stands for equality should celebrate this day as a message of hope and change."
Brazzaville  The WHO Regional Office for Africa wishes to provide clarification and guidance on the issue of expiry dates of COVID-19 vaccines in general, and specifically on AstraZeneca vaccine doses produced by the Serum Institute of India (SII)  referred to as Covishield, that were delivered to several African countries and have since expired.

Vaccines, like all other medicinal products, come with a date of expiry and shelf-life determined by the manufacturer and approved by regulatory authorities. Given the urgency of the COVID-19 pandemic, initial emergency use authorization on a number of COVID-19 vaccines, including the AstraZeneca Covishield vaccine was given by regulators when only six months worth of data for assignment of the expiration date was available.

For any extension to the shelf-life of COVID-19 vaccines that have received WHO Emergency Use Listing (EUL), the data from manufacturers will be reviewed and the outcomes disseminated to all country's national regulatory authorities for their decision making.

National regulatory authorities oversee all post-approval changes to COVID-19 vaccines including any changes to their shelf-life and expiry dates in their countries. Since reliance on EUL has been a crucial factor in national authorization of COVID-19 vaccines, national regulatory authorities can make decisions based on the EUL assessment of stability data from the vaccine manufacturer and recommended shelf-life.

Shelf life and expiry of Covishield vaccines

In March, the African Union's African Vaccine Acquisition Task Team (AVATT) redistributed 925 000 doses of Covishield vaccine produced by SII to 13 African countries with an expiry date of 13 April 2021. The bulk of these vaccine doses were administered, but some countries have unused doses remaining.

Any vaccine that has passed its expiry date, including Covishield, should not be administered. While discarding vaccines is deeply regrettable in the context of any immunization programme, WHO recommends that these expired doses should be removed from the distribution chain and safely disposed.

The shelf-life of a vaccine is a reflection of how long the vaccine retains its potency and stability at a given storage temperature and therefore its effectiveness. The shelf-life is used to establish the expiry date of each batch of the vaccine product. Expiry dates do not affect the safety of the vaccine, rather are related to the potency or amount of protection the vaccine gives.

The WHO prequalification team is expecting to receive additional stability data for Covishield from SII. This data will enable WHO to do a rigorous review and approve any proposed extension to the vaccine shelf-life.

Any extension in the shelf-life will only apply to vaccines not yet labelled and distributed. Therefore, the expired or near to expire doses in distribution for use will not be affected by the future decision of shelf-life extension. This decision is expected to be communicated to all countries' national regulatory authorities in due course.

Close Sign up for free AllAfrica Newsletters Get the latest in African news delivered straight to your inbox Top Headlines Africa Coronavirus Asia, Australia, and Africa By submitting above, you agree to our privacy policy. Success! Almost finished... We need to confirm your email address. To complete the process, please follow the instructions in the email we just sent you. Error! Error! There was a problem processing your submission. Please try again later.

Safe disposal of expired COVID-19 vaccines

There is no special procedure applied for disposing COVID-19 vaccines. Disposal should follow the existing national guidelines for the safe disposal of vaccines. If a standard protocol does not exist, countries can refer to the 'WHO Guidelines for the Safe Disposal of Unwanted Pharmaceuticals In and After an Emergency' which can be accessed here.

The WHO Regional Office for Africa's 'Standard Operational Procedures for Waste Management to Ensure the Safe Disposal of COVID-19 vaccines' can be accessed here.

Immunization programmes should support health workers with information about the verification and disposal of expired doses. Broader public communications may also be required to reassure that expiry dates issues are more about vaccine potency and performance and are not a safety issue.

Tracking expiry dates
Independent Norton MP Temba Mliswa says the judicial system is now compromised after Justice Minister Ziyambi Ziyambi threatened judges who presided over an independent appeal against ousted Chief Justice Luke Malaba's continued holding of the top court post beyond retirement.

The matter was filed by human rights lawyers and was heard at the High Court last Saturday where the judges ruled it was unconstitutional for Malaba to remain as chief justice.

However, speaking in the House of Assembly Tuesday, outspoken Mliswa urged Ziyambi to resign immediately over the threats he made. He accused the minister of creating a constitutional crisis.

"Mine is on national interest importance. We saw a statement by the Minister of Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs, Hon. Ziyambi Ziyambi on the judges. My understanding is that in the doctrine of separation of powers which we must all understand, the Judiciary is independent, so is the Executive and Parliament," he said.

"Each one of us has a role to play. What I understand and what I think the minister (Ziyambi) should do is to come with a ministerial statement to explain why when a matter is sub-judice, he decided to comment on it. Now that the matter has been appealed, already the judges that are handling this matter are already compromised.

"They are under threat. It has never happened where a Minister of Justice who is the father of justice issues a statement like that and goes political in saying that some judges belong to the opposition. We never knew anything that any judge belongs to the opposition as much as we believe that his discharge of duty as a minister is for the interest of the people of Zimbabwe.

"It is important that the minister comes and issues a ministerial statement because there is now a constitutional crisis in the country pertaining to that and it is important that, that statement will be able to get us to understand. Other than that, he must resign but he must be given a chance because his credibility and that of the justice delivery system of Zimbabwe which must exercise judicial prudence has been failed by one person. I think it is important that he does right for the country, puts the country first, and hence his resignation."

However, Deputy Speaker Tsitsi Gezi told Mliswa to reserve his statements for this Wednesday.

"Honourable Mliswa, I would like to urge you to ask that tomorrow on question time," she said.

Ziyambi has received widespread condemnation for allegedly politicising the removal of Malaba from office by the judges.

The government has since made an appeal to the Supreme Court over the matter.

Justice Elizabeth Gwaunza is now the Acting Chief Justice.
More than 3,800 diploma teachers in secondary schools are set to fight it out for 1,000 promotions advertised by their employer.

It will be a welcome relief for many teachers who have stagnated in their job groups for up to six years compared to their counterparts who hold university degrees.

In a circular to regional heads, the Teachers Service Commission (TSC) Director Of Staffing Rita Wahome said interviews will be conducted next week.

"The interviews will be conducted from May 24 to May 28," she said.

The Kenya Union of Post-Primary Education Teachers (Kuppet) Secretary-General Akelo Misori said unlike degree holders, diploma teachers enter the service under Job Group C1 (T-scale 6), previously referred to as Job Group J.

Degree holders enter the service under Job Group C2 (T-scale 7), previously referred to as Job Group K.

TSC began moving diploma teachers to Job Group C2 under the career progression guidelines as outlined in the 2017-2021 Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA). "For them to be promoted to Job Group C3 (T-scale 8), they must go through an interview process," said Mr Misori.

The previous CBAs relied on Schemes of Service, which led to the stagnation of diploma teachers in one job group for three to six years.

"The guidelines subjected them to work in their entry position for three years before promotion, but the current progression guidelines require them to go through an interview to be moved to the next group," he said.

Close Sign up for free AllAfrica Newsletters Get the latest in African news delivered straight to your inbox Top Headlines Kenya Education By submitting above, you agree to our privacy policy. Success! Almost finished... We need to confirm your email address. To complete the process, please follow the instructions in the email we just sent you. Error! Error! There was a problem processing your submission. Please try again later.

TSC Chief Executive Nancy Macharia said the guidelines consider performance and hard work. The commission is implementing the last phase of the 2017-2021 CBA, which ends on June 30.

TSC was to carry out the promotions in July last year, but interviews were postponed due to the Covid-19 pandemic that had paralysed learning in the country.

The interviews were postponed again last month to allow the administration and marking of the Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education examinations.

In the interviews, teachers must have certificates of registration and good conduct, clearance applications by the Higher Education Loans Board, the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission and from a credit reference bureau. They must also have a Kenya Revenue Authority Tax compliance certificate.

A fortnight ago, TSC promoted 16,152 teachers who had been interviewed between December last year and February.

They filled the positions of deputy principal 1 (T-scale 13- D3), deputy principal II (T-scale 12, D2), senior lecturer I (T-scale 12, D2), deputy principal III (T-scale 11-D1). There were also curriculum support officers (T-scale 10-C5). Others were head teachers (T-scale 10, C5), senior master IV (T-scale 9C4), deputy head teachers II (T-scale 9-C4), senior lecturer IV (T-scale 9-C4) and teachers in senior master I (T-scale 9- C4) job groups.
The National Association of Eritrean War Disabled Veterans (NAEWDV) has in the past 30 years of independence spent 132 million Nakfa in rehabilitation of 6 thousand 110 of its members.

Indicating that the members were rehabilitated with various mid and small scale businesses and plants, the Chairman of the National Association of the Eritrean War Disabled Veterans, Mr. Gebreberhan Iyasu stated that the association has also organized various vocational training programs including weaving, beauty salon, auto mechanics, electronics, basic computing programs among others.

Pointing out that the Association has created micro-credit and saving program aimed at enabling disabled veterans residing in rural areas to become financially self-supportive, Mr. Gebreberhan said that over 51 million Nakfa was distributed to over 5 thousand 200 members.

Regarding the health of members, Mr. Gebreberhan went on to say that the association is exerting strong effort to ensure the health and mobility of the veterans.

He further noted that the association gets financial and material support from branch organizations in Norway, Sweden, Denmark, Holland, Germany, the USA, UK and other nations.

Stating that supporting the war-disabled veterans is not to be left to the association and the Government alone, Mr, Gebreberhan, called for the integrated and reinforced participation of the society and other stakeholders.

The National Association of the Eritrean War Disabled Veterans was established on October 1993.
President Emmerson Mnangagwa has been forced to underscore his government's commitment to respecting court decisions after suffering embarrassment from his minister Ziyambi Ziyambi who brazenly threatened judges for blocking the incumbent's spirited bid to prolong the life of unpopular Chief Justice Luke Malaba within the bench.

In signs the Harare administration was keen to remedy the boob, the justice ministry permanent secretary Virginia Mabhiza also issued an almost similar statement same day Tuesday telling all and sundry government respected court decision.

Writing on his Twitter Tuesday, Mnangagwa said all Zimbabweans must respect court decisions in comments seemed to have been directed at his under-fire minister.

"In Zimbabwe, the independence of our Judiciary is vital to the survival of our democracy. When our courts speak, all Zimbabweans should listen.

"The Government of Zimbabwe wholeheartedly respects the independence of our Judiciary," wrote President Mnangagwa.

On Saturday, High Court judge Happias Zhou and his colleagues braved possible political retribution from an unforgiving system when they ruled against Mnangagwa's unpopular decision to extend Malaba's term of office beyond his 70-year retirement age.

The ruling was not the best of birthday presents for the ousted top jurist who turned 70 a day before.

Under the newly enacted Constitutional Amendment Number 2 Act, the retirement age for judges is now 75 but lawyers argued this new order of the day could not, by the dictates of the law, benefit the incumbent.

Reacting to the judgement, Ziyambi blew his top, hastily issuing a strongly worded statement rebuking the judges for allegedly colluding with the enemy to pass a judgement against government.

Ziyambi made a slew of allegations, most of them political and not related to the legal arguments that were in court papers.

Close Sign up for free AllAfrica Newsletters Get the latest in African news delivered straight to your inbox Top Headlines Zimbabwe Governance Legal Affairs By submitting above, you agree to our privacy policy. Success! Almost finished... We need to confirm your email address. To complete the process, please follow the instructions in the email we just sent you. Error! Error! There was a problem processing your submission. Please try again later.

"We are going to poke the enemy in the eye and confront it," the minister said in the most chilling of parting shots in his statement.

His diatribe invited scorn from both government critics and sympathisers who felt the minister took a layman and roughneck response to due process of the same law whose interest he is employed to protect.

Some have called for the minister's arrest for contempt of court.

In apparent attempts to save face, Ziyambi's junior within the ministry Tuesday issued a statement indicating government respected court decisions.

"The Government of Zimbabwe therefore recognises the importance of the Judiciary as a dependable interpreter of the law where various opinions may arise," Mabiza said.

She said government has, in accordance with the law, filed an appeal to the Supreme Court for the setting aside of the ruling.

She added, "Further, the authority of the judiciary and all its respective offices and structures remains in place with the courts fully functional in discharging their constitutional mandate," she said.
guest column

Three years ago, the Tanzanian human rights activist Vicky Ntetema and I sat down at a quiet Dar es Salaam restaurant to talk about the human rights situation in her country. I ordered a meal, but she didn't. She said she didn't eat at restaurants anymore because she feared she might be poisoned. Things had gotten that bad in the years since then-President John Magufuli came to power.

Ntetema's fears went beyond poisoning. In August 2017, the non-governmental organization registration board threatened to withdraw registration from her group after it submitted a report on human rights for children with albinism in Tanzania to the African Committee of Experts on the Rights and Welfare of the Child.

State officials later visited her office, intimidating her staff and demanding to know her whereabouts. In the midst of this, the authorities questioned her nationality and threatened that they would deport her  a common government tactic to harass activists. To protect herself and her family, she decided to be less public with her human rights work.

Magufuli's harsh crackdown on critics seriously affected Ntetema and other Tanzanian activists. After he was first elected in 2015, Tanzania's human rights record deteriorated dramatically, particularly for freedom of expression and association. Observers initially lauded Magufuli for his aggressive campaign against corruption and for prioritizing economic and infrastructure development. But this soon gave way to concerns about his intense repression of the media, political opposition, and civil society.

It is this legacy of repression and intolerance of criticism that the new president, Samia Suluhu Hassan, needs to redress.

At the beginning of Magufuli's presidency, the government adopted and enforced a series of laws to stifle criticism. The 2015 Cybercrimes Act, which criminalizes offenses related to computer systems and electronic devices, was used to censor opposition politicians, journalists, and activists, through prosecutions for their online posts criticizing the government. The 2015 Statistics Act, which was later amended after pressure from the World Bank , made it a crime to publish statistics not approved by the government.

In 2017, Bob Chacha Wangwe , an activist and then law student, was convicted and fined five million shillings (US$2,185) for publishing false information in a Facebook post about Tanzania's relationship with Zanzibar.

The authorities used the Media Services Act to censor and suspend newspapers and radio stations for publishing or airing material critical of Magufuli's presidency. Last year, after he said that Covid-19 no longer existed in the country, the government fined and suspended licenses of media companies , and summoned media professionals over their coverage of the pandemic.

The repression heightened in the lead-up to the December 2020 elections, which Magufuli won by a landslide. The police arbitrarily arrested and detained journalists, activists, and scores of opposition party leaders and supporters. The authorities suspended television and radio stations, censored mobile phone communication, and blocked social media. We documented killings by Zanzibar security forces of at least three people , with scores more injured, on the night before election day.

The authorities cracked down on individuals and organizations deemed critical of Magufuli's hostile statements about rights issues, notably his outright ban on pregnant students and teenage mothers attending public school, and dissuading the use of family planning services . The authorities subjected lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) people to waves of arbitrary arrests and violations of their right to health and freedom of association .

The impact of this repression has been far-reaching, effectively silencing civil society organizations and activists, like Ntetema, who were critical of the government.

President Hassan has taken some progressive steps. She called for lifting the ban on media outlets, formed a committee of experts to evaluate the Covid-19 pandemic response, and pardoned over 5,000 prisoners to reduce prison overcrowding, which civil society organizations had pressed Magufuli to do last year.

But President Hassan needs to go further. She should ensure the review or repeal of repressive laws like the Media Services Act, the Cybercrimes Act, and the Electronic and Postal (Online Content) Regulations, that among other things, makes operating a blog without a prohibitively expensive license a crime.

She should also issue clear directives to police and all other government officials not to intimidate, threaten, arbitrarily arrest, beat or wrongfully prosecute journalists, activists, and opposition politicians. The Home Affairs Ministry should stop harassing activists under the pretext of investigating their citizenship. Tanzania's economic crimes legislation should not be used to stifle critics of the government.

Close Sign up for free AllAfrica Newsletters Get the latest in African news delivered straight to your inbox Top Headlines Tanzania Governance Conflict By submitting above, you agree to our privacy policy. Success! Almost finished... We need to confirm your email address. To complete the process, please follow the instructions in the email we just sent you. Error! Error! There was a problem processing your submission. Please try again later.

President Hassan should send a strong message about respect for media freedom and the rights of journalists by ensuring a thorough investigation into the abduction of freelance journalist Azory Gwanda . He has been missing since November 2017 when unidentified people picked him up from his home in Kibiti, in southern Tanzania.

The new administration needs to reverse Tanzania's dramatic slide into autocracy in recent years and demonstrate a genuine commitment to fulfilling its human rights obligations under the national constitution and the regional and international treaties that Tanzania has ratified. President Hassan should begin to build her legacy as a leader who will forge a future that promotes the rights and freedoms of all Tanzanians.

Oryem Nyeko is a Tanzania researcher at Human Rights Watch.
Dozens of armed men in the early hours of Sunday morning reportedly stormed the house of one Walid Bourgi, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Bourgi Motor Spare Parts in Old Jeshwang and made away with millions of dalasis, The Point can authoritatively report.

The armed robbers were reported to be in two groups. A group of about six people were alleged to have forced its way into the house where the businessman was staying after breaking one of the windows, while the other group waited downstairs the building where the shop was.

The robbers were also reported to have gone away with five IPhones, gold chains, watches among other valuable items. Mr. Bourgi's daughter who was in the house had her mouth sealed with her hands and got tied up.

Walid Bourgi, the victim who was contacted for comments confirmed the development to The Point, while describing the incident as very unfortunate.

"I wanted to use the restroom and once I entered, I started hearing noise. So, my daughter came next to the door and asked if I was hearing this noise. I asked her if she knew where it was coming from, but she said no. My daughter decided to go and checked where the noise was coming from. Suddenly, I had her screaming and someone opened fire," he narrated, claiming the incident happened at around 2 a.m. of Sunday when his family had just ended watching TV and we wanted to sleep.

"I jumped from where I was and I hear a gun being shot. Unfortunately, when I opened the door, someone who was standing by the door gun pointed at me. Immediately, the armed robbers started hitting me and they opened another round."

Close Sign up for free AllAfrica Newsletters Get the latest in African news delivered straight to your inbox Top Headlines Gambia Legal Affairs By submitting above, you agree to our privacy policy. Success! Almost finished... We need to confirm your email address. To complete the process, please follow the instructions in the email we just sent you. Error! Error! There was a problem processing your submission. Please try again later.

The armed robbers, Bourgi explained, asked him to show them the money or he (Bourgi) would be killed. "They dragged me inside the room and asked me to produce the money or risk being killed. They went away with the safe that was inside my house. They asked me to open the safe but I told them that the key is not with me. He kept on slapping and kicking me. I asked them to take the safe because there was nothing in that particular safe."

The armed robbers, he added, decided to open a bottle of cold water and threw it on him, claiming that three of the armed robbers that entered his house were masked while the remaining were not.

Walid Bourgi further claimed that the robbers went away with an amount between D20, 000 and D25, 000 that was kept in his house, adding that the monies belonged to her daughters for their up-keep.

"When my daughter saw the robbers pointed guns at me and hitting me, she told them that she would lead them to where the money was kept. That was the time my daughter took them to the shop which is downstairs from my house."

"At the moment I don't want to reveal the amount of monies that the robbers went away with as the police are currently doing their own investigation with regard to the case."

"The rampant reports of armed robbery incidents in the country should be a concern to every Gambian. I am urging all Gambians that if they happen to come across these IPhones and the watch on sale at the market let them report it at the nearest police station so that the culprits will be arrested."

Meanwhile, handsome reward awaits anyone who leads police to the arrest of the criminals.
Scorpions striker, Bubacarr Jobe scored his Swedish side, Norrby IF winning goal during their 2-1 away win over Brage in their week-6 fixtures played at the Borlange Energi Arena Domnarvsvallen on Saturday.

The 26-year-old scored his side's second and winning goal in the 63 minute after team-mate Robin Stromberg's leveler in the 14 minute. Ajarni Mark Antonsson gave Brage the lead in the 8th minute.

Jobe has now scored two goals in six games for his Swedish Second Division side, Norrby IF.

The Gunjur-born player began his senior career in the United States where he moved at a young age. He ended up in Sweden through loan from Toronto FC to Skovde AIK 2017.

He later moved to Mjallby AIF after a successful season with Skovde AIK in 2017 in Division 1 (third division).

He was also sent on loan to Orgryte IS before he eventually signed for Norrby IF in the 2021 summer.

Meanwhile, the victory has moved Norrby IF to 4th position with 10 points, while Brage sits bottom (16th) position with 2 points after 6 games.
Alhaji Momodou Senghore, the vice chairman of Banjul Muslim Elders who had served the country in different capacities has raised concerns over hike in prices of basic essential commodities and growing crime rate in The Gambia.

The former managing director of Shell Oil Company raised the concerns last Thursday during a meeting with President Adama Barrow at State House as part of activities making Eid-ul-Fitr.

Government has proposed an across-the-board salary raise but the former chairman of Standard Chartered Bank warns that it will not solve problems surrounding the increasing prices of basic essential commodities because the higher salaries go, the higher commodity prices and taxes to fund the salary will also increase.

According to him, more pressure will be put on taxpayers by any pay rise.

The former National Water and Electricity Company (NAWEC) chairman highlighted that government should not only focus the blame on surging basic essential commodities on the covid-19 pandemic, but finds ways to solve the increasing concern from the public over cost of living rather than choosing to increase salaries of civil servants which will bounce back on tax hikes.

The former Gamtel chairman also told the president and his cabinet ministers that the wisest decision in combating the ever-increasing public concern over price hiking is by ensuring price of commodities are stable and decreased and not increasing staff salaries.

The Banjul elder while acknowledging efforts made by Barrow's government about the prices of basic commodities urged them to do more.

He also highlighted the surging crime rate in The Gambia which government is seemingly silent about at the moment.

He cited several reported crimes about illicit drugs inflow in the country, armed robberies, and gruesome killings over the past days.

He stated that crime rates in The Gambia is becoming unbearable and needs urgent attention.

While President Barrow highlighted the societal ailment in his Koriteh address to the nation, he failed to suggest how his government intends to curb the crime problem, creating public claims that his message fell far short of what is expected of a leader.

Meanwhile, the courts have not successfully convicted any recent murder and/or drug crime and updates from the law enforcement agencies on the investigation processes are unhelpful.
The Nigerian Community in The Gambia on Saturday converged at the Faculty of Law Auditorium at the University of The Gambia for the celebration of Royal Night Award of Honour, as HRH Oba Moshood Abolade was honoured as the Royal Father of Nigerian Community alongside eleven others.

The Royal Night Award is an event to honour distinguished personalities among the Nigerian Community in The Gambia and some people in the host country.

The event was presided over by the special guest of honour His Excellency Eche Abu-Obe Charge d' Affairs, Nigeria High Commission, The Gambia while the Royal Father of The Day was HRH Oba Moshood Abolade. Dignitaries from all work of life graced the event.

Addressing the gathering, Eche Abu-Obe, Charge d' Affairs, Nigeria High Commission, The Gambia applauded Nigerian Community in The Gambia.

He hailed the cordial ties that bind the two countries, saying he cannot hide his feelings on the level of the familial existing between Nigerian Community and the host country, The Gambia.

"As you cannot tell who is from where, who is on which side and which religion you represent. This is very much overwhelming and I thank you all for this."

His Excellency Eche Abu-Obe therefore urged Nigerians living in The Gambia or wherever they find themselves to be good ambassadors, saying it is not the embassy or high commission that is Nigeria, but "it is people that they are meeting, which is you here and everywhere. So with this gladness in my heart at least when I finish my tour of duty here I can go back happily and say the cohesion that I met there was very solid and it will continue, I hope so."

To the awardees, he thanked them for their contributions to the development of the Nigerian Community in The Gambia and the host country, while expressing optimism that the event will act as a springboard for better things to come.

"Because getting an award is the first step and it will change your status quo to a bigger encomium but always remember that it is uneasy life the head that wears crown."

Dr Sam Chima Ochulor, President Nigerian Community expressed delight to be associated with the event. The awards, he added, were given to those who have reached the pinnacle of achievement and in recognition of their accomplishment, hard work and dedication to the community and as well for humanity.

Dr. Ochulor said the Royal Awards has touched all areas of the awardees such as their contributions, strengthening of value of the community and improving the quality of people's lives.

Close Sign up for free AllAfrica Newsletters Get the latest in African news delivered straight to your inbox Top Headlines Gambia Nigeria Governance By submitting above, you agree to our privacy policy. Success! Almost finished... We need to confirm your email address. To complete the process, please follow the instructions in the email we just sent you. Error! Error! There was a problem processing your submission. Please try again later.

He highlighted numerous qualities of Nigerian Community, which he added, are respect for the rules of law and for one and another and for all regardless of our religions, political affiliation, tribes and those are not negotiable values.

"I'm proud of what we have achieved together but there are still more works to be done and we need to find long-term sustainability solution," he said.

He therefore thanked the Nigerian High Commission to The Gambia for having successfully contributed to the development of the community. He commended The Gambia government for providing Nigerians an enabling environment to go about their businesses.

The awardees of the Nigerian Community are His Royal Highness Oba Moshood Abolade received the award of Royal Father of Nigerian Community, Prince Chris Jukpor-Atakata-Agbor, Barrister Azeez O. Yusuf MD, Big Apple - Asiwaju1, Engineer Tony Nwajei MD, Tone Tech Engineering -Ezinwa, Bumi Jushua Ogundar, MD All in One Enterprise -Olu-Omo, Chief Kebba Madi Bojang MD Ginko Real Estate -Nwanne Dinamba, High Elder Raymond Onwubiko, Senior Teacher SOS - Obata Ulo-Adinma, Elder Olatunji Ezekiel Sonibare-Otunba, Chief Michael Eze, Chairman Naspa - Eze Enyi; Chief Gaius Osarewinda, Chairman Happy Hour - Iroko, Chief Alysius Ugo - Dike Diohanma and Chief Martine U.Uzochukwu - OsimiriAtata.
Musa Jobe, a cousin to late Shering Fallou Faal, the man who was allegedly killed by armed robbers at Westfield Monument has called on the authorities to investigate the matter for justice to be served and return all stolen items of the deceased.

He explained that when the information of Shering's death reached him, he became speechless and shocked. According to him, he got the information through a call he received around 9 p.m. from Hadim Faal who was with Sering.

"Hadim told me to join him at the Kanifing hospital where I was told by the paramilitaries at the ground that my cousin was killed at Westfield Monument. I asked who killed him but they replied that the perpetrators were unidentified."

Mr. Jobe said Shering and his brother were out to free up their minds and enjoy the feast at a musical concert at the monument, saying it was so unfortunate that the country's security is less functional. He added that the paramilitaries further told him that the DJ and the man who organised the programme are both apprehended by the police for questioning.

"When the police informed me about the incident, I overreacted because I was unconscious. I complained about where the security was at that moment because the incident wasn't late at night. In that territory people were there, the Trust Bank is there, GAMTEL, Courthouse and other relevant places."

Jobe further stated that if one can be killed in the early hours of the evening, then anybody can be killed in his/her house. He urged the police to tell him who killed his cousin.

"Shering and Hadim were working throughout before the Koriteh and needed to free up their minds, which was the reason they went to Westfield. Shering was having a bag and mobile phones, in fact paramilitaries found 2330 dalasis on Shering's bag but the phones were taken away by the criminals.

Our source who is familiar with the incident told this medium that Hadim returned to Senegal due to unconsciousness he suffered from the incident.
The United Democratic Party (UDP) has described it as senseless and continued Israeli bombardment of Gaza that seems to have devastating consequences for more than two million people who have been "suffering under an illegal Israeli blockade for 14 years."

According to the party, evicting women and children from the homes where their families have lived in for generations brings back painful memories of apartheid South Africa - of forced removals and land dispossession of the last century.

Here reads the full text of release:

"Throughout the EID holidays Gambians and the rest of the world have watched with horror and consternation the violent attacks of the Israeli Defence Forces on Gaza. The escalating situation in Israel and Palestine affirms once more that intractable conflicts can only be solved through peaceful negotiation.

The senseless and continued Israeli bombardment of Gaza will have devastating consequences for more than two million people who have been suffering under an illegal Israeli blockade for 14 years. As is always the case, it is civilians who will bear the brunt, with their homes and livelihoods destroyed. Every effort must be made to dissuade both sides from further escalation, and to end the violence that is causing fear, death and misery on both sides.

The horrific images also demonstrate that unless the root causes of a conflict are addressed, in this case the illegal occupation by Israel of Palestinian land and the denial of the Palestinian people's right to self-determination, there will never be peace.

The latest violence was sparked by an Israeli court decision to evict a group of families from their homes in the Sheikh Jarrah neighbourhood in East Jerusalem to make way for Israeli settlements. The sight of women and children being evicted from the homes their families have lived in for generations brings back painful memories of apartheid South Africa - of forced removals and land dispossession of the last century. Being forced from one's home at gunpoint is a trauma not easily forgotten, and is carried across generations. For all who believe in equality, justice and human rights, UDP cannot but be moved and indeed angered, at the pain and humiliation being inflicted on the Palestinian people.

Israel's actions are a violation of international law. They show a total disregard for successive United Nations Security Council (UNSC) resolutions that call for an end to the occupation of Palestinian land and for the fulfillment of the rights of the Palestinian people. Since Israeli security forces launched assaults on worshippers at Al Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem last week, the violence has now engulfed the Gaza Strip, large parts of the West Bank and a number of Israeli cities. It has claimed the lives of dozens of people, including children.

Close Sign up for free AllAfrica Newsletters Get the latest in African news delivered straight to your inbox Top Headlines Gambia Conflict Middle East and Africa By submitting above, you agree to our privacy policy. Success! Almost finished... We need to confirm your email address. To complete the process, please follow the instructions in the email we just sent you. Error! Error! There was a problem processing your submission. Please try again later.

According to the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) at least 40 children have been killed in Gaza since 10 May. Over half of them were under 10 years old. It is also deeply troubling that Israeli forces last week destroyed a multi-storey building that housed a number of media organisations, such as Al Jazeera AP Reuters etc sending a chilling message to media reporting on the violence.

UDP calls on all parties involved to show restraint, to respect human life, and to cease the current hostilities. Far too many lives have been lost to this intractable conflict. The continued occupation of Palestinian land and the suffering of the Palestinian people is a blight on the conscience of humanity.

As a Political Party UDP is committed to being part of international efforts aimed at reviving a political process that will lead to the establishment of a viable Palestinian state existing side-by-side in peace with Israel, and within internationally recognised borders. The two-state solution remains the most viable option for the peoples of Israel and Palestine, and must continue to be supported.

As firm believers in justice and freedom, UDP stands with the Palestinian people in their quest for self-determination, UDP also support their resistance against the deprivation of their human rights and the denial of their dignity."

Ousainou ANM Darboe

Secretary General & Party Leader
At the request of the Guinea Bissau Maritime Administration, a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with The Gambia Maritime Administration (GMA), has been drawn. The agreement seeks to tackle all forms of illegalities that exist within the two countries' waters.

In an interview with the two parties, the director general of GMA, Bakary Janneh, explained that the MOU will be drawn according to Bissau Guinea's request and to Gambia's interest in order to keep the existing bilateral agreement within the two countries. He added that Maritime safety and security will be higher priority for the agreement.

"Bissau and Banjul are very close and whatever activity that happens in Bissau is likely to happen in Gambia's water. So it becomes our joint responsibilities to work as a team and combat any form of illegal means, either drug trafficking, illegal migration, illegal fishing in our waters and anything that could hamper our community and development."

He further stated that drug is a natural phenomenon in the whole world and every country has its approach to combat it, saying both The Gambia and Bissau's problem is weakness in monitoring in terms of infrastructure, tools and equipment and capacity building training.

DG Janneh clarified that maritime is strictly for the security and safety at the sea and how to control thieves in our waters.

Glyzalde Araujo, an adviser for Bissau Maritime also pointed out that this was the first visit of Bissau, while saying that maritime is one of the priority sectors for Bissau.

He added that one of their priority works is to provide maritime security, civilisation of the sea, management of the maritime public dormant, revenue sources and improvement, monitoring the sea territory and other necessity areas.

"We choice Gambia because we are sister countries and we want to know how to overcome the security challenges. We lack means to patrol to our sea waters because if we could patrol our oceans, we will know the happenings in our seas."
The United Nations Fund for Population Activities (UNFPA) recently held a national stakeholders consultation on its 2022-2025 Strategic Plan.

The convergence, held at the Sir Dawda Kairaba Jawara International Conference Center brought together officials from UNFPA and other top senior government officials.

The new UNFPA Strategic Plan 2022-2025, officials said, is expected to be ambitious, building on the momentum from the 25th anniversary of the international conference on population and development in 2019, the midterm review, strong evaluation evidence, and the lessons learnt and ways countries are adapting in response to the COVID-19 pandemic and in support of building forward better.

The development of the strategic plan premised on the fact that the UNFPA and her partners already know what works, where and why, and how as a collective can transform the lives of women and girls.

Kunle Adeniyi, the UNFPA country representative said: "This strategic plan will be the second of three strategic plans that will lead to the sustainable development goal 2030. Therefore, their major objectives are to ensure that they meet their three transformative results which are to end all preventable maternal death, to end unmet family planning which continues to grow rapidly around the world and to end all forms of gender based violence across the world including all harmful practices."

This, he went on, is an important issue that we need to talk about in the country. "These are issues we are dealing with and we continue to deal with," he added, saying that "The Gambia remains very important in these issues."

Close Sign up for free AllAfrica Newsletters Get the latest in African news delivered straight to your inbox Top Headlines Gambia International Organisations By submitting above, you agree to our privacy policy. Success! Almost finished... We need to confirm your email address. To complete the process, please follow the instructions in the email we just sent you. Error! Error! There was a problem processing your submission. Please try again later.

The absence of family planning, the UNFPA Country representative said, is about 20% to 25%, while gender based violence continues to be highlighted in our societies.

Commenting on the issue of the deeply rooted cultural traditional practice-dubbed Female Genital Mutilation/Cutting (FGM/C), he added that The Gambia Bureau of Statistics (GBOS) has come out with data indicating that about 46% of our girls are cut before their fifth birthday.

The Gambia, he explained, can achieve these three transformative results in demography and working with groups of young people, people with disabilities and women with a view to ensuring that sexual and reproductive health rights are accessed and fulfilled.

He further claimed that this will end gender based violence in our communities, ensure that maternal mortality is reduced and also advance the cause and rise of women.

Senegalese driver who broke PIU officer's leg arrested

Bissau & Banjul Maritimes commit to combat illegalities at sea
Maputo  TANZANIA has reportedly pushed back 1 500 Mozambicans fleeing deadly terror attacks in their country this month.

The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) lamented the development.

A spokesperson said "several thousand" Mozambicans had been pushed back from Tanzania into northern Mozambique since last year.

People are quoted as telling UNHCR they trekked for days to the Rovuma River, crossing it by boat to reach Tanzania, from where they were returned by the authorities.

Many are women and young children.

"UNHCR is alarmed at reports that Mozambicans have been refouled, forcibly returned, and prevented from seeking asylum," said UNHCR spokesperson, Boris Cheshirkov.

"We call on all parties to allow free movement of civilians fleeing violence and conflict, in search of international protection, safety and assistance, including to respect and fully uphold the right to cross international borders to seek asylum."

Hundreds of locals have settled in the border point if Negomano.

Those that have reached Tanzania have reported being detained, transported to a local school and interrogated by Tanzanian officials.

Those unable to provide evidence of Tanzanian nationality were reportedly returned to Mozambique through a different border point from the one used to enter the country.

The conditions at Negomano are dire and needs are acute for food, water and sanitation and health services but only limited humanitarian assistance is reaching the remote area.

UNHCR and its partners have been providing protection and basic assistance to 50 000 people in northern Mozambique last year.

They plan to assist an additional 250 000 people by the end of this year.

Some 724 000 people have been forcibly displaced since the conflict started in the Cabo Delgado province in 2017.
press release

Reporters Without Borders (RSF) calls on the Ethiopian authorities to reinstate the press accreditation of Simon Marks, an Addis Ababa-based reporter for the New York Times and Bloomberg News, and to allow journalists to work freely.

After several semi-official warnings in preceding months, Simon Marks was notified on his return from reporting in the war-torn northern Tigray region in March that the Ethiopian Broadcasting Authority (EBA) had suspended his accreditation for "lacking impartiality" and for disseminating "fake news."

A letter giving the reasons for this decision referred in particular to two articles about the Tigrayan conflict and Ethiopia's border dispute with Sudan that were published early this year by Bloomberg.

Marks, who is an Irish citizen, spent several weeks trying to convince the EBA to reinstate his credentials but was finally told on 7 May that he would not be allowed to resume working until October. He told RSF that this will prevent him from covering the parliamentary elections, which have just been postponed. RSF tried to contact EBA director-general Mohammed Edris but he did not respond.

"This suspension testifies yet again to a desire by the Ethiopian authorities to silence reporters and block access to information," RSF said. "In a region such as Tigray, from where it has become almost impossible to get any information, preventing a journalist from working shows a very clear mistrust of the media. It reflects badly on the EBA, which is supposedly tasked with diversifying the media landscape. We urge the authorities to rescind this disproportionate decision and allow journalists to work freely throughout the country."

Journalism and access to news and information are increasingly endangered in Ethiopia, especially in Tigray, where the federal government has been at war with the local authorities since November.

During the first few weeks of the war, the EBA announced that it had suspended the Reuters correspondent's accreditation because of "misleading" coverage, and that it had sent warning letters to the BBC and Deutsche Welle. A journalist who asked not to be identified told RSF it was deplorable that he and his colleagues were being threatened with losing their accreditation.

After rising in RSF's World Press Freedom Index for three years, Ethiopia has fallen two places in the 2021 Index and is now ranked 101st out of 180 countries.
Tunis/Tunisia  Tunisia is hosting a multilateral naval exercise Phoenix Express 21 from May 16 to 28, with the participation of eleven countries, the Ministry of National Defence announced.

The naval forces of eleven countries participate in maritime training manoeuvres on the coasts of Bizerte, La Goulette and the northern coasts of Tunisia, the department said in a statement.

Several officers from Algeria, Egypt, Libya, Morocco, Mauritania, the United States, Italy, Spain, Belgium, the United Kingdom, Greece and Malta are taking part in this exercise.

The training aims to develop the skills of the military through the exchange of expertise.

In cooperation with the US Army's Africa Command (AFRICOM), five Tunisian and five foreign ships are deployed in the exercise, which will help train these forces to lead and implement joint maritime operations to deal with illegal activities at sea, the ministry added.
Tunis/Tunisia  Interview by Amal Hjiba)-The meetings of the Tunisian delegation with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) officials in Washington had been constructive and we expect to conclude an agreement with the Fund within three months, said Minister of Economy, Finance and Investment Support Ali Kooli in an interview given to TAP.

Kooli headed the delegation to Washington on May 3-8, in an effort to revive relations and negotiations with the IMF officials and reach a new agreement that would allow Tunisia to overcome this difficult period. The delegation also had meetings with the American authorities and the World Bank (WB), as well as with the Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC).

Nearly 7 in-person meetings were held with IMF officials, except that these meetings were limited to 10 persons in compliance with the anti COVID-19 health protocol, so some people followed the meetings by VTC.

This is the first time in a year that IMF officials have received in-person delegations, and Tunisia had been the first country to have been received," said the Minister of Economy.

TAP: Following the latest negotiations that you conducted with IMF officials, are there any signs that a new agreement with Tunisia may be concluded? If so, what is the amount of this financing agreement, its periodicity and its purpose?

Ali Kooli: The meetings we had in Washington with IMF officials had been constructive. After intensive discussions, the IMF officials, including the executive directors of the most influential countries, who are the final decision-makers, the IMF Vice-President and the IMF Director of the Middle East and Central Asia Department, had considered our plan to be realistic and achievable and they had appreciated the fact that the plan had been shared in Tunisia before its presentation in Washington.

We had started technical discussions in Washington and we are continuing them by VTC from Tunisia as of today.

We aspire to conclude an agreement with the IMF within three months. We are counting on a shorter time frame than usual, because technical discussions usually take six months.

Our plan is ready but it is still improvable and we will discuss the progress with our IMF partners as well as with all our partners in Tunisia, namely the political parties that support us, the civil society and the three organisations that had signed agreements with the government; the UTAP, UGTT and UTICA, with which we will continue to coordinate in order to give them the details of these negotiations.

Based on initial feedback, we expect to conclude our discussions in a positive way.

The success of the negotiations is best testified by the statement of US Vice President Kamala Harris last week during her conversation with President Kais Saied, who had affirmed that the Tunisian delegation to Washington had been extremely convincing and that the United States would stand by Tunisia for direct aid and for its negotiations with the IMF.

Today we are starting the technical discussions and according to them we will determine the amount of the agreement.

Whatever the amount of the agreement, it will not be disbursed immediately, because in the discussions with the IMF, the agreement will be set over a variable period of time of two, three or four years, depending on the nature of the agreement and its disbursement will also be by instalments depending on the achievements.

Almost 70% of the IMF agreement had been disbursed in 2013 and almost 55% of the amount of the agreement had been paid out in 2017, owing to the failure to effectively implement all the structural reforms in the 2016-2020 development plan.

In this agreement, we expect the full plan to be implemented, regardless of the amount that will be agreed on.

We are looking for the validation of Tunisia's reform programme and a token of confidence in a serious, committed government that keeps its promises, especially as this image will give us a lot of credibility with other donors and help us improve the country's sovereign rating.

Our objective is to show that Tunisia is on the right track and the periodic reviews will testify to this.

A large part of the financing that is being negotiated with the IMF, the WB or with our American and European partners will be allocated to support the budget.

In the 2021 Finance Law, we have 18 billion dinars of debt to be raised, a large part of which will be used to repay the previous debt, which stands at around 15.5 billion dinars.

The necessary funding will go directly to the State budget to pay off previous debts.

Certainly, we will seek loans from certain donors for equipment projects, but we would also like to have funding for budgetary support to meet the 52 billion dinars of expenditure set out in the 2021 budget.

TAP: Tunisia officially requested the renewal of the American guarantee so that it could borrow on the international market. What was the answer to this request? And what is the amount of the bond issue you plan to launch?

Ali Kooli: The repayment of the loans we had secured in 2013, 2014 and 2015 on the international markets, most of which had been guaranteed by the United States, is due in July and August 2021, i.e. a sum of $500 million to be paid each month.

During our visit to Washington, we had reassured our American partners and expressed Tunisia's willingness to pay its debts and we had undertaken to do so.

In return, we asked them to give us the same support to borrow on the international market. We are going to borrow between $3 and 4 billion up to the end of the year, depending on our capacity to raise resources in Tunisia. Our wish is to secure a part of this amount, with an American guarantee.

We wish that all these discussions will culminate in a new guarantee by the summer, and that we can also have the agreement of our parliament, also concerning the American guarantee, to be able to enter the international market and issue loans, part of which will be carried out with the American guarantee and part without.

Close Sign up for free AllAfrica Newsletters Get the latest in African news delivered straight to your inbox Top Headlines Tunisia Business International Organisations By submitting above, you agree to our privacy policy. Success! Almost finished... We need to confirm your email address. To complete the process, please follow the instructions in the email we just sent you. Error! Error! There was a problem processing your submission. Please try again later.

TAP: Have you finalised the discussions with the Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) on the agreement for a $500 million grant? Have you completed discussions with the Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) on the agreement for a $500 million grant?

When will it be concluded and how will the grant be used?

Ali Kooli: We have finalised discussions on the $500 million grant agreement with the MCC, which have been going on for four years. We discussed all the outstanding issues and we reached an agreement during this visit to Washington. It is a huge success, because when the discussions first started four years ago, the amount was around $200 million, and now we have managed to raise it to $500 million. If the board adopts the recommendations of the team that discussed this agreement, Tunisia will get a $500 million grant, equivalent to 1.3 billion dinars, which is a considerable amount, never got in Tunisia's history.

I hope that an agreement on this grant will be signed by the Prime Minister at the beginning of July 2021, and that it will be used to renovate the transport network, particularly the port of Rades, and to upgrade our irrigation system and water management.

This programme will also support the poor, rural women and the unemployed.

(Translated by Ben D'haou Nejiba)
press release

The Minister of Health and Wellness, Dr Kailesh Kumar Singh Jagutpal, stated that 236,379 samples of PCR RT tests and 160,315 Rapid Antigen tests have been effected in public health institutions on a monthly basis since March 2020 to 31 April 2021.

He was replying to a Parliamentary Question (PQ), yesterday, in the National Assembly. The PQ pertained to the number of PCR RT tests and Rapid Antigen tests carried out for the period from March 2020 to April 2021.

Regarding the laboratory subcontracted for quality assurance of the tests carried out at the Central laboratory in the Queen Victoria hospital, he pointed out that the Central Health Laboratory participated in inter laboratory comparison with National Institute of Communicable Diseases, South Africa. The Central Health Laboratory also participates in WHO External Quality Assessment (EQA) Programme for detection of SARS-CoV-2 RT PCR through Public Health Laboratory Services, Hong Kong and that so far, the results have been 100% concordant, he added.

As for the other three COVID-19 laboratories, namely Airport Health Laboratory, Wellkin and Novalab, he underlined that arrangements have been made by Central Health Laboratory to enrol these laboratories on an EQA organised by Africa Centre for Disease Control, free of charge. Moreover, he stated that the first consignment of EQA samples has reached Mauritius and has been distributed to the laboratories as from 17 May 2021.

Besides International External Quality Assessment scheme, he added that these laboratories participate in inter-laboratory comparisons exercises organised by the Central Health Laboratory. Furthermore, all samples detected positive by them are systematically referred to the Central Health Laboratory for confirmation before daily announcement by the National Communication Committee, he pointed out.

According to the Minister, all these laboratories have been assessed by local audit inspectors, pending foreign team formal assessment in view of World Health Organization accreditation, using World Health Organization Laboratory Assessment Tool (LAT).
Government in partnership with United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) has started rolling solar systems in hospitals and clinics under Solar for Health project, an effort which seeks to upgrade public health service in the country.

The Solar for Health (S4H) project has been implemented through partnership between UNDP and Ministry of Health & Child Care, Ministry of Local Government, Public Works and National Housing and other stakeholders, with funding from the Global Fund.

The initiative started in 2016 with the conceptualisation, approval of budget and contracting of the suppliers.

UNDP resident representative Georges van Montfort told Herald Finance & Business that the aim of the project was to strengthen the national public health system and contribute to increase access to and provision of quality health services with clean and reliable power supply to health facilities across the country.

"UNDP supports approximately 1,2 million people on Antiretroviral Treatment in Zimbabwe. Reliable power supply at the warehouses and health facilities will ensure that storage of ARVs, Lab reagents and consumables are done within the recommended temp to ensure their efficacies; lab equipment are functional to perform testing for proper diagnosis; the health information system is functional and able to transmit timely complete data for reporting and decision-making.

"This project will contribute to greenhouse gas emissions and the achievements of four Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), namely SDG 1 (End poverty in all its forms everywhere), SDG 3 (Ensure health Lives and well-being for all at all ages), SDG 7 (Ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy for all), and SDG 13 (Take urgent action to combat climate change and its impact)," he said.

The project is running in phases, on the first phase the completed installations of 405 was done and it cost US$8,1 million and in the second phase the installations of additional 642 solar systems took place and it cost about US$10,6 million and its still ongoing.

Installing solar systems in rural hospitals and clinics improves the sustainability of livelihoods among the rural poor, answers the call for frequent power cuts and could be a long-term solution for energy requirements within such institutions.

Most health centres especially in rural areas rely on generators for power, which is not sustainable owing to high costs of fuel and uncertainty over the availability of power supplies to run their big machines.

Close Sign up for free AllAfrica Newsletters Get the latest in African news delivered straight to your inbox Top Headlines Zimbabwe Governance Health By submitting above, you agree to our privacy policy. Success! Almost finished... We need to confirm your email address. To complete the process, please follow the instructions in the email we just sent you. Error! Error! There was a problem processing your submission. Please try again later.

Among the hardest hit by worsening electricity shortages across the country are clinics, particularly in marginalised areas.

The crisis forced midwives to use candles, torches and cell phones for lighting in some hospitals.

The country gets much of its electricity from hydropower, but water levels in Lake Kariba, the world's largest man-made reservoir, have plummeted though it rises a bit owing to this year's heavy rainfall.

Kariba is meant to contribute 819 megawatts (MW) towards meeting the country's peak national demand of 1,345 MW, but output from the lake has fallen.

Critically, investment in solar energies will reduce national greenhouse gas emissions - believed to be the biggest driver of global warming and climate change.

At the same time, such strategies will precipitate Zimbabwe's transition into a low carbon energy economy.

Ministry of Health and Child Care acting director Engineer Frank Chiku said installing solar in hospitals ensures guaranteed power shortages which will disrupt services delivery.

"This project will make sure that there is uninterrupted power supply in our health facilities. Health care service will be provided at any time. Waiting mothers will now be housed in shelters with lights instead of candles.

"Establishments like hospitals and other medical institutions have a high demand for power and as such installing solar panels is the way to go for such organisations."
The Federal Government recovered $700 million looted funds in the last four years, even as it just received the 4.2 million taken from Delta State's treasury by an ex-governor of the state from the United Kingdom.

The Attorney-General and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, who disclosed this during a virtual international conference on Illicit Financial Flows, IFF, yesterday, said: "Nigeria, through proactive and collaborative efforts with other countries, has recovered and ensured the return of over $700 million from the US, the UK, Bailiwick of Jersey, Switzerland, and Ireland in the past four years.

"We are still working with our international partners and other countries to ensure that all Nigeria's assets that are identified are recovered."

The minister said the government was using different mechanisms, including voluntary asset declaration process approved by President Buhari in Executive Order 008.

"In this way, we believe that if Nigerians or Nigerian entities come forward to declare their assets wherever located, the government will apply a levy against those assets and also bring the assets within the tax regime.

"We are also considering different ways to apply non-conviction based procedures in asset recovery to make it less cumbersome and reduce the time spent in court," he added.

Malami also said the government of the United Kingdom had repatriated to Nigeria, the sum of 4.2million looted by associates and family members of a convicted former governor of Delta State.

He confirmed receipt of the looted fund in a statement signed yesterday by his Special Assistant on Media and Public Relations, Dr. Umar Gwandu.

The AGF said the money was credited into the designated Federal Government's account, with the naira equivalent value of the amount as of May 10, 2021.

He had earlier signed a Memorandum of Understanding for the repatriation of the loot, on behalf of the Federal Government.

"The development was a demonstration of the recognition of reputation Nigeria earns through records of management of recovered stolen Nigerian assets, in the execution of public oriented projects," Malami said.

The AGF had on May 3, pledged that his office and other relevant government agencies would keep the general public informed once the loot was received and confirmed.

He revealed that transfer of the fund to Nigeria was temporarily delayed by documentation processes.

"Documentations with the banks in different countries often take longer than anticipated.

"We anticipated two weeks but we are not in control of the banks," Malami had stated, assuring that the federal government would ensure that the fund was successfully transferred to Nigeria.

At the illicit financial flow conference, the Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning, Mrs. Zainab Ahmed, had in her address, gave an insight into how illicit finance flowed out of Nigeria and other African nations, saying illegal export of foreign exchange, corruption, abusive transfer pricing, mis-invoicing of services and under-invoicing of natural resources provided avenues for money to leave the continent illegally.

She said that unless checked, the practice would continue to undermine Africa's development efforts.

In the message delivered on her behalf by the Permanent Secretary, Shehu Aliyu Shinkafi, the minister said corporate organizations were responsible for about 65 per cent of IFFs in Nigeria through various forms of financial infractions and tax evasion.

She said: "In Nigeria and across the African continent, we continue to suffer various forms of IFFs, including tax evasion and other harmful tax practices, the illegal export of foreign exchange, abusive transfer pricing, trade mispricing, mis-invoicing of services, illegal exploitation and under-invoicing of natural resources, organized crimes, and corruption.

"The effects are being especially felt given the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and the resultant deepening of fiscal constraints and public financing gaps.

"In particular, commercial activities (particularly aggressive tax avoidance and tax evasion, through trade mis-pricing, abusive transfer pricing, profit shifting and tax arbitraging) account for approximately 65% of illicit financial flows across Africa.

"Illicit Financial Flows, IFFs, unless checked, would continue to significantly erode domestic revenues, enable corruption, threaten economic stability and sustainable development, divert money from public priorities and hamper Government's efforts to mobilize domestic resources and recover better."

In his remarks, the Chairman of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission, ICPC, Prof Bolaji Owawanoye, said illicit financial flows constituted a major threat to the actualization of the Sustainable Development Goals, SDGs, or Agenda 2030.

According to him, his team at the ICPC would continue to work towards ensuring inter-agency collaboration to check corruption in the country and help recover stolen assets, in the interest of the public.

In his goodwill message, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr. Geoffrey Onyeama, charged leaders of IFF destination countries to take every necessary step to stop criminals from finding safe haven in such countries.

The message, which was delivered by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Amb. Gabriel Aduda, also dwelt on the need to ensure the return of IFF assets back to their countries of origin and be utilized for the good of the people.

He said: "Nigeria is working to strengthen institutions to prevent our resources from flowing out illegally. Nevertheless, by far, the most effective deterrent remains ensuring that the proceeds of illicit financial flows are traced, recovered and returned to countries of origin.

Close Sign up for free AllAfrica Newsletters Get the latest in African news delivered straight to your inbox Top Headlines Legal Affairs Nigeria By submitting above, you agree to our privacy policy. Success! Almost finished... We need to confirm your email address. To complete the process, please follow the instructions in the email we just sent you. Error! Error! There was a problem processing your submission. Please try again later.

"In other words, ability to retrieve the stolen assets has the ability to deter perpetrators, rebuild the confidence of the citizenry, and compensate for the damage caused by such crimes.

"It is for this reason that the Government of Nigeria will continue to call on leaders whose countries are the major destinations for illicit financial flows to take concrete steps to prevent and stop the receipt of such funds into their countries, and to assist in tracing, freezing, seizing and returning illicit assets and its proceeds, in their countries.

"Let me also add that any imposition of tough conditions for returning proceeds of illicit origin, in the face of the current financial difficulties and the economic hardship and recession occasioned by the rampaging impact of COVID-19 pandemic, would be counter-productive.

"I, therefore, encourage representatives of countries of destination to consider waiving, or reducing to the barest minimum, the processes and costs of such recovery."

The minister, who described IFF as an international problem that required a global solution, said: "Let me further emphasize at this point, that illicit financial flow is an international problem that must be addressed globally."

Vanguard News Nigeria
Dar es Salaam  Top officials at the Ministry of Health will have a daunting task if the government adopts the recommendations of the team of experts that was set up by President Samia Suluhu Hassan to advise the government on the best approach to take in its war against the Covid-19 pandemic.

The team, chaired by Prof Said Aboud of the Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences (Muhas), submitted its findings to President Hassan on Monday.

It put forward 19 recommendations, including the need for Tanzania to abide by preventive requirements as advanced by regional and global bodies, including the World Health Organisation (WHO).

The team recommended that Tanzania should adopt Covid-19 vaccinations, noting, however, that every Tanzanian should have the freedom to choose whether or not to be vaccinated.

The daunting task ahead for the ministry's top brass will be on how to convince Tanzanians to go for vaccinations, considering the fact that it was not so long ago when they - in an attempt to go with the tune of the late President John Magufuli - publicly rejected vaccinations.

For instance, Health minister Dorothy Gwajima, who is a medical doctor, said in February that the country had no plans to introduce Covid-19 vaccinations.

"We are not yet satisfied that those vaccines have been proven to be safe," Dr Gwajima, who was flanked by unmasked health ministry officials, told journalists.

To add weight to her voice, Dr Gwajima and her lieutenants, under the full glare of press cameras, drank a herbal concoction and inhaled steam from herbs, promoting them as a natural means of killing the virus.

Dr Gwajima went on to warn journalists against reporting "unofficial" figures on Covid-19 or any disease.

While the committee recommends that the government should start releasing accurate Covid-19 data to the public and WHO, Health deputy minister Godwin Mollel, who is also a medical doctor, had repeatedly been quoted in the past saying that releasing data could be counterproductive, and that it only served to spread fear.

His assertion had been that releasing data on "respiratory diseases like Covid-19" was primarily for use by medical personnel to monitor trends and thrash out solutions and not necessarily for public consumption. It is against this background that Dr Gwajima and Dr Mollel will have to make a humiliating about-turn if the governments adopts the recommendations of the panel of experts.

Dr Juma Sembela, a Mwanza-based development analyst said while health ministers in other countries were accustomed to dealing with Covid-19, ministry officials in Tanzania are likely to endure sleepless nights because of how they have been dealing with the crisis.

"The first task is that they will have to change Tanzanians' mindsets in a bid to officially start following up the Covid-19 preventive measures, some of which they themselves were against," he said.

Dr Sembela said many Tanzanians had divided opinions based on their beliefs in some religious leaders and government officials in the country.

"We cannot assume that all people will agree with all the issues that the committee has recommended, as there are those who still believe in the position of the previous regime. Will people come forward to test voluntarily?" he asked, adding that it is the responsibility of the ministry to achieve that if required.

For his part, Dr Richard Mbunda, a lecturer at the University of Dar es Salaam, said there are many things that he believes were in the full documents submitted to the president by the committee which outlined the main task ahead of them.

Close Sign up for free AllAfrica Newsletters Get the latest in African news delivered straight to your inbox Top Headlines Tanzania Coronavirus By submitting above, you agree to our privacy policy. Success! Almost finished... We need to confirm your email address. To complete the process, please follow the instructions in the email we just sent you. Error! Error! There was a problem processing your submission. Please try again later.

"In the press release, we have seen one of the recommendations being vaccination, but we do not know what kind of vaccine is appropriate for Tanzanians. It is the responsibility of the ministry now to address this as well," he said.

For his part, Dr Eranus Simbila, a part time lecturer at the University of Cape Town (South Africa), said there is a great lesson for leaders and academics who are supposed to be supportive in the community but end up hiding their professions.

"You have been given a leadership role to use your professionalism to help the community, you fail to do so. Now those who failed to do it, they have to do it anyway after showing a great weakness as professionals. Their job will be more difficult psychologically as of now," he said.
Last year I attended a course that opened my mind in a big way. It was a belated "Ahaa moment".

Unfortunately, many of my colleagues in the media - where we have had tough discussions on our understanding of the national interest and how it differs from national security - had not been exposed to a similar experience as I wrote this piece, but are expected to deliver on the same regardless.

The course, titled "The Ninth Leaders' Capstone" conducted by the National Defence College (NDC) for senior government officials, media and civil society organisations, aimed at creating a better understanding of two crucial concepts - national interest and national security. What are they? Why do they matter? How are they related?

Military operations

My earlier understanding was that national security matters were those confined to military operations, security of our borders and related issues.

Little did I know that anything that threatens peace and tranquillity amounts to a national security issue. For instance, if the people of a certain country go without food or experience persistent poverty, this may be viewed as a national security matter.

So, it goes beyond going to war with another country as was the case in 1978 when Ugandan dictator Idi Amin declared the annexation of part of Kagera Region, as well as diplomatic disputes resulting from invasion of the economic space of another nation, etc. It can thus be political, economic, cultural, social or religious.

It is from this understanding that one could conclude that information is power. I believe that in a democratic setting, it is in the best interest of any nation to have a stable, strong and independent media.

Informed decisions

It is from making informed decisions, getting to know what is working and what is not, that a nation stands a good chance of progressing both on the domestic and international fronts.

Simply put, it is a leadership challenge, be it in the public, private sector or civil society.

The Director of Studies at NDC, Dr Lucy Shule, hit the proverbial nail on the head at the beginning of the course: "The centrality of leadership to national development is not only a challenge to national leaders, but contemporary global changes also compel leaders to be state-of-the-art as regards national interest and national security."

Having worked as a journalist for 22 years, my assertion is that the media should be fully involved in the equation.

For instance, more often than not, policy formulation processes are kept away from the public, only to be revealed at their launch or implementation. This stifles citizens' input into proposed solutions to what adversely affect their wellbeing.

It is from the background of reducing the media to being mere conveyors of information about everyday events that we miss a crucial piece of the puzzle in our quest for rapid development.

Had we as a nation taken the media's health as a catalyst for national development, we would not have buried our heads in the sand as the industry struggles on the business front without concerted efforts to rescue it.

I can equate the need to have a robust media with being in control of the situation you are in. Parallels can be drawn with the national carrier ATCL, which continued to connect the nation when the Covid-19 pandemic paralysed aviation globally.

Western media

We are all aware of how the Western media reports Africa. They definitely control the narrative. This is partly why the Nation Media Group (NMG), of which Mwananchi Communications is part, crafted the "Media of Africa, for Africa" slogan. We need to tell our own story. Telling our story does not necessarily mean doing PR, but objectively telling success stories to inspire others, as well as exposing the rot and challenges retarding our progress.

On this, it is important to differentiate national interest from personal interest. More often than not, the latter will be hidden in the shadow of national interest.

No wonder the media is always treated with suspicion, and in extreme instances even labelled "enemies of the state", and consequently "disciplined" by way severely limiting access to business opportunities.

The media needs to be engaged and made to understand the national interest, national security and the nation's development agenda.

For quite some time now, debate has raged about Tanzanian journalists - that they fall short of international standards. Sometimes, the criticism comes from well educated, exposed and knowledgeable people.

The surprising thing is that everyone wants a "Class A" omelette from "Class C" eggs. Maajabu!

What we forget is the fact that journalists come from the very society they serve. We forget the fact that these journalists are products of our very own Tanzanian education system.

What we also seem not to know is the fact that, by its nature, journalism - as a profession - always puts its ignorance, mistakes and stupidity public everyday, every hour, every minute!

I am not interested in commenting on other fields/disciplines because that is not the intention of this article, but imagine if engineers, doctors, law enforcers, politicians, accountants, etc, also washed their linen in public. Would we witness world-class excellence? If not, then we need to get to the root cause of why we see the shallowness we are grappling within the media industry.

Deadly mistakes

True. These mistakes can be deadly. They can be embarrassing, to say the least. That is why I think it is important to create a favourable environment that will make the industry vibrant and robust.

And do not get me wrong here. I am not talking about subsidies. We are not talking about handouts. We are talking about creating a favourable operating environment, which includes engagement and nurturing of the sector for the national good.

A robust mainstream media is needed now more than at any other time. These are times that are awash with misinformation, disinformation, and not to mention "infondemic" which we have seen in the recent past.

Media is a business, and it must be run as a business first for it to deliver the service society expects.

And because it is a business, and an industry, there comes a time when the number of players goes down. Mergers and acquisitions, as is the case in the banking industry, might be the way to go.

Close Sign up for free AllAfrica Newsletters Get the latest in African news delivered straight to your inbox Top Headlines Tanzania Media By submitting above, you agree to our privacy policy. Success! Almost finished... We need to confirm your email address. To complete the process, please follow the instructions in the email we just sent you. Error! Error! There was a problem processing your submission. Please try again later.

While this is not necessarily a bad thing - as it signals the sector's maturity - this should be a result of competition and the need to consolidate the industry.

Yes, it is war out there, but there are more benefits in having several major players in that space as it promotes competition, which in turn keeps everyone on their toes - a healthy situation.

What we have now can rightly be viewed as an industry on its deathbed. Some may argue that all this is related to regulation, while another school of thought will go much deeper to appreciate both regional and global trends which point to a much bigger disruption in the name of digital media.

Unpalatable questions

Asking ourselves these tough and at times unpalatable questions that may be contrary to our beliefs and viewpoints could help us address the problem in a way that is both holistic and realistic.

It is thus critical for all stakeholders to have a better understanding of this need. That is, from practitioners to regulators, users, owners, researchers, academicians, development partners, etc.

It is never too late. We need a national dialogue and research to rescue the media. As far as I am concerned, this should be treated as a national security matter.

Bakari S.Machumu is the Managing Director of Mwananchi Communications Limited, publishers ofMwananchi, The Citizen and Mwanaspoti, and content on online platforms, including Mwananchi Digital Twitter: @bmachumu; LinkedIn: Bakari S Machumu
Dar es Salaam  Technology company Star Media (Tanzania) Limited, also a branding name of StarTimes, has lost a three-year legal battle to challenge Sh8.4 billion tax bill made by the Tanzania Revenue Authority (TRA).

The tech firm is largely to blame itself for losing the dispute over failure to observe deadlines set by the law for a firm seeking to challenge tax assessment.

The company is to pay Sh8.4 billion to the taxman after its attempts to challenge the assessment hit a snag for the third time.

The Court of Appeal has confirmed decisions of the Tax Revenue Appeals Board (Trab) and the Tax Revenue Appeals Tribunal which refused to extend time for the firm to challenge the assessment.

StarTimes, a branding name of Star Media (Tanzania) Limited operates in Tanzania as a joint venture with the Tanzania Broadcasting Corporation (TBC). It offers digital services including digital television sets, digital decoders and other value-adding services.

The roots of the dispute can be traced back to a tax assessment that TRA served the technology company on March 31, 2017, raising a demand for Sah8.4 billion.

Star Media strongly objected to the assessment and had paid Sh150 million to the taxman for it to hear and determine its objection to the assessment as per legal requirements.

On June 6, 2017, TRA informed Star Media in writing it had received and determined its objection by refusing to vary the assessment of Sh8.4 billion and that it was intending to confirm the assessment.

By that time, Star Media had the right of appeal against the TRA's rejection to amend the tax figure and was supposed to lodge a notice of appeal within 30 days under Rule 3 (1) and (2) of the Trab. However, the firm failed to do so within time stipulated by the law.

Though late, on August 25, 2017, Star Media lodged at Trab an application for extension of time to file a notice of appeal against TRA's decision. The board dismissed the application for being lodged out to statutory time. The firm's subsequent appeal to challenge the dismissal the Tax Revenue Appeals Tribunal (Trat) bore no fruit.

Having exhausted all the legal avenues unsuccessfully, the firm opted to go to the Court of Appeal to present its case.

It emerged at the hearing of the appeal that prior to the determination of its objection, TRA had written to Star Media requesting the firm to submit its audit reports for the years under scrutiny (2013, 2014 and 2015) within three days.

However, Star Media could not do so within time on the ground that the statements were in the office of the Controller and Auditor General (CAG). This was Star Media's main ground before Trab when it applied for extension of time.

TRA did not dispute to have received Star Media's letter but was categorical that the letter was received after the objection to tax assessment had already been determined. The taxman further submitted that it stipulated the procedure to be followed by the applicant in disputing the assessment.

Trab rejects appeal

At the end of the day, the board accepted TRA's argument that Star Media had not shown reasonable cause for delay to file its notice of appeal as required by section 16 (5) of Trab Act.

The board argument was that at the time the appellant (Star Media) informed the respondent (TRA) that their audit reports were in the CAG's office, the objection had already been determined.

Trat, Court of Appeal hear the dispute

Before the Tax Revenue Appeals Tribunal and the Court of Appeal, Star Media contended that TRA determined the objection without affording it an opportunity to be heard.

It argued that Trat erred in law by holding that TRA had given them an opportunity to be heard before confirming the assessment.

Star Media counsel Stephen Awesso based his argument under section 52 of the Tax Administration Act of 2015, saying that TRA should have responded to every aspect of their objection raised by the taxpayer upon admitting the objection.

He said instead of observing the procedure, TRA demanded audited financial statements, thereby denying them the statutory right of addressing every point as stipulated under section 52 (3) of the Tax Administration Act.

On the other hand, TRA was opposed the appeal. Through Senior State Attorney Harold Gugami, the taxman argued that the appellant did not need the audited financial statement in lodging the intended notice of appeal.

The lawyer took the Court of Appeal through the procedure that it followed and argued that it acted within the law. He submitted that section 51 (2) empowers TRA's Commissioner General, when dealing with objection, to request for further evidence.

He said TRA's demand for submission of audited financial statements was meant to call for further evidence under the provision.

"When the appellant did not comply with the respondent's (TRA's) demand, the respondent issued a letter informing her of its intention to confirm the assessment. In this letter, the appellant was given 30 days within which to make submissions against the intended confirmation. When there were no submissions by the appellant, on 10th July 2017, the respondent confirmed the assessment," argued Mr Gugami.

Appeal court rejects Star Media Appeal

In their decision, Court of Appeal Justices--Stella Mugasha, Winfrida Korosso and Ignus Kitusi--agreed with Mr Gugami that section 52 (1) of the Tax Administration Act empowers TRA to request for more evidence.

Close Sign up for free AllAfrica Newsletters Get the latest in African news delivered straight to your inbox Top Headlines Tanzania Legal Affairs Media By submitting above, you agree to our privacy policy. Success! Almost finished... We need to confirm your email address. To complete the process, please follow the instructions in the email we just sent you. Error! Error! There was a problem processing your submission. Please try again later.

"We have closely read section 52 of the Tax Administration Act as well as the written communications the respondent made to the appellant. It dawns on us that the respondent (TRA) acted within the law and the appellant's insinuation of denial of a hearing is a vain attempt lacking legal support," said the judges.

The justices were also of the view that TRA's request for signed audited financial statements from Star Media was an opportunity for the company to substantiate her objection.

"Even when no statements were submitted, the record shows that the respondent (TRA) did not unilaterally confirm the assessments. Rather, it wrote to the appellant and gave her 30 days to make submissions in opposition to the proposed confirmation.

"While we agree with the appellant's argument that the respondent had a legal duty to determine every aspect of the objection and the appellant had a right to submit on every aspect of the objection, our conclusion from the available material is that since the appellant made no submissions for the respondent to consider, she cannot blame anyone for the self-inflicted injury," said the highest court in the land.
Abuja  President Muhammadu Buhari has called on European countries and global financial institutions to consider reducing the devastating effect of the coronavirus pandemic on African economies by restructuring debt portfolios, opting for complete reliefs.

The President also canvassed for the release of vaccines to the African continent, which he said was still behind in protecting majority of its citizens.

President Buhari made the call on Tuesday at the Financing Africa Summit held at Grande Palais Ephemere in Paris, France, with the theme: "External Financing and debt Treatment"

In a statement issued by the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Mallam Garba Shehu, in Abuja late Tuesday night, the Nigerian leader said the fall in commodity prices as Covid-19 took a toll on the global economy further slowed growth in some countries and strained health facilities.

The statement quoted the President as saying, "It is in this vein that we solicit the support of the French government with its influence in the European Union to lend its voice to the efforts being made to mobilize additional resources for developing economies most especially Africa in order to strengthen the quantum of investments to our economies.

"This financial support should also be extended to the private sector."

President Buhari advocated that the European Union should encourage fair and equitable distribution of the COVID-19 vaccines in less developed countries, and promote the establishment of manufacturing facilities.

Close Sign up for free AllAfrica Newsletters Get the latest in African news delivered straight to your inbox Top Headlines Nigeria Coronavirus Debt By submitting above, you agree to our privacy policy. Success! Almost finished... We need to confirm your email address. To complete the process, please follow the instructions in the email we just sent you. Error! Error! There was a problem processing your submission. Please try again later.

According to him, many African countries were already experiencing debt distress and the Debt Service Suspension by France and G-20 does not go far enough, adding that there was need for more sustainable and affordable financing solutions, including debt relief and further debt restructuring.

On the Paris Agreement for Climate Change, President Buhari noted that African countries would need financial support for green energy investment and COP-26.

He said Nigeria will refocus on gas while adopting a Strategic Revenue Growth Initiative.

On the theme of "Africa Private Sector -- Reforms - Infrastructure", President Buhari said Public Private Partnership (PPP) will be fully explored to ensure more precision in development, cutting down waste and reducing chances of corruption.

"The government intends to leverage on Public Private Partnership to bolster its job creation, and anti-corruption drive. In terms of job creation, Nigeria has an abundant labour force since 30.5 percent of its population is between the ages of 25 and 54." he said.

Vanguard News Nigeria
Tunis/Tunisia  President Kais Saied announced on Tuesday during the summit of African economies in Paris, France, Tunisia's support to international calls to lift patents on vaccines against COVID-19.

The objective is to allow different peoples to enjoy the benefits of these vaccines.

Saied also announced Tunisia's support for the call by African leaders to create production areas for an anti-COVID-19 vaccine, a statement of the Presidency of the Republic reads.

Saied described the situation in the African continent as delicate following the repercussions of the COVID-19 pandemic on various sectors and development.

Such a situation requires a joint effort to put in place a clear and united vision to overcome the challenges, he noted.

The President of the Republic also stressed the importance of adopting a new approach taking into consideration the political and economic changes in the world, finding solutions to the current regional and international issues as well as preserving the dignity of peoples and achieving their development and stability.
Tunis/Tunisia  The Democratic bloc at the House of People's Representatives (ARP) has launched a petition to urgently examine the bill criminalising normalisation with the Zionist entity, MP Zouheir Maghzaoui told TAP on Tuesday.

The bill was filed on December 15, 2020, to the ARP Bureau, but has not yet been examined, he added.

MPs from different blocs agreed, in a plenary on Tuesday, on the urgency to adopt this bill.

They condemned the savage and brutal attacks by Zionist police and colonists against the Palestinian people for nearly ten days in Sheikh Jarrah, East Al Quds.
Tunis/Tunisia  Hundreds of representatives of civil society (organisations, associations and political parties) rallied, Tuesday, in front of the headquarters of the House of People's Representatives (ARP), in Bardo, to demand the accelerated adoption of the draft law on the criminalisation of normalisation with the Zionist entity.

This rally aims to express solidarity with the Palestinian people who, for more than a week, are subject to attacks by the Israeli occupation forces.

The demonstrators raised slogans in support of the Palestinian people and others against normalisation. The Tunisian and Palestinian flags were also brandished.

They criticised the parliament for the delay in the adoption of the bill against normalisation with the Zionist entity, a draft law left in the drawers since 2015.

Journalist Mahmoud Akram Bamia, a Palestinian living in Tunis, expressed his respect for the nationwide protests. He said the massive participation of young people in these movements of solidarity is likely to "prevent Israel's attempts to make the Palestinian cause disappear among new generations."

The Palestinian journalist also welcomed the solidarity campaign launched by Tunisians and largely adopted on social media.

For his part, Abderraouf Bali, member of the executive board of the National Union of Tunisian Journalists (SNJT), expressed, in a statement to TAP, the support and solidarity of Tunisian journalists with journalists and photographers who were targeted by Israeli forces while covering events in Palestine.

This movement of solidarity aims to abort attempts to conceal the situation in the occupied Palestinian territories, including aggression and crimes of genocide against the Palestinian people, he said.

The demonstrators also tried to cross the police crowd control barriers and barbed wire surrounding the main gate of the Bardo Palace before being prevented by the police.

Political parties and national organisations, on Monday, announced the creation of a "unified" National Coordination to support the Palestinian resistance and incriminate the normalisation. This

The Tunisian General Union of Labour (UGTT) has called for a rally Wednesday at Mohamed V Avenue in Tunis to support the movement.
Tunis/Tunisia  A hundred men and women of letters, arts, sciences, culture and media called for "the immediate and unconditional cessation" of the Israeli aggression on Gaza and Eastern al-Quds and expressed their solidarity with the Palestinian people in their just struggle for self-determination.

"The acts perpetrated against Palestinian civilians constitute war crimes and crimes against humanity under the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court," they said in a petition published Tuesday.

They also expressed their dismay at the use by Israel, under the guise of self-defense, of weapons and brutal, unjustified and disproportionate force in disregard of the most basic rules of international humanitarian law and human rights.

The signatories urge the competent international bodies (Security Council, General Assembly, Human Rights Council, ICC,) to exercise their respective prerogatives to stop the aggression and take all necessary coercive measures.

They strongly condemn the acts of deliberate and systematic destruction of civilian property, homes, public facilities and installations which have resulted in hundreds of injuries and more than a hundred deaths, including children and women.

The signatories express, in the petition, their deep indignation at the Israeli policy of colonization of the occupied Palestinian territories, including the willingness of the Israeli occupation authorities to forcibly evict the Palestinian owners of the Sheikh Jarrah neighborhood in Eastern al-Quds to make way for Jewish settlers, in total disregard of the relevant United Nations Security Council resolutions.

"The policy of continuous violation of international law by the occupier of the Palestinian territories places Israel in the category of rogue states and makes the prospects of a negotiated solution to the building of two states in Palestine becomes increasingly difficult to achieve," they said.

The signatories of the petition denounce "the impunity enjoyed by Israel because of the unconditional support it receives from successive U.S. administrations and the absence of sanctions from the European Union.
The much-awaited National Diaspora Policy that will effectively promote and harness the resources and capacity of Nigerians in the Diaspora for the growth and development of Nigeria has been launched in Abuja.

The Minister of State, Ministry of Foreign Affairs Amb. Zubairu Dada, who launched the Policy at the Third Summit of the States Diaspora Focal Point Officers and Standing Committee on Diaspora Matters, explained that the policy will engage, enable and empower Nigerians in the Diaspora as Change Agents for the development of Nigeria.

According to a statement issued yesterday by Gabriel Odu of the Media, Public Relations and Protocol Unit of the Nigerians in The Diaspora Commission ( NIDCOM), the minister noted that the Federal Executive Council, FEC adopted, ratified and approved the National Diaspora Policy, as a Legal framework based on the 1999 Constitution of Nigeria (as amended) which provides for the human rights of all Nigerians, dual citizenship and allows for Nigerians to enjoy all the benefits of citizenship.

Also, the Deputy Chairman, Senate Committee on Diaspora, Civil Societies and NGOs, Sen. Ibrahim Oloriegbe, represented by Senator Abba Moro and the Chairman House Committee on Diaspora Affairs, Hon. Tolulope Akande-Sadipe, expressed their total support and commitment to rolling out pro-diaspora legislations that will constructively engage Nigerians in the Diaspora for sustainable National development.

The lawmakers, who spoke as Special Guests of Honour also commended NIDCOM for the Launch of the National Diaspora Policy as well as holding the Third Summit of States Diaspora Focal Point Officers and Standing Committee on Diaspora.

Close Sign up for free AllAfrica Newsletters Get the latest in African news delivered straight to your inbox Top Headlines Governance Nigeria By submitting above, you agree to our privacy policy. Success! Almost finished... We need to confirm your email address. To complete the process, please follow the instructions in the email we just sent you. Error! Error! There was a problem processing your submission. Please try again later.

Earlier, the Chairman/CEO, NIDCOM Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa noted the financial and technical support of the European Union and the International Organisation for Migration for assisting in the development of the National Diaspora Policy and hosting of third Summit of States Diaspora Focal Point Officers and Standing Committee on Diaspora.

The NIDCOM Boss assured that the Commission will ensure that an enabling environment is provided for exchange of ideas to encourage synergies and collaboration among State Diaspora Focal Point Officers, to promote policy consistency and coherence, with an overall objective of harnessing the potentials of Nigerian Diaspora for National Development.

Dabiri-Erewa, who was represented by the Secretary to the Commission Engr. Dr Sule Yakubu Bassi, said that "it is important to inform on the progress made following the second summit" stating that three additional states have appointed their SDFPOs rounding up the total number of Officers to 31.

He added that two new officers will join the summit, summing up the States Diaspora Focal Point Officers to 33.

The three-day third Summit of States Diaspora Focal Point Officers(SDFPOs) and the Standing Committee on Diaspora Matters, has as its theme: "Strengthening Diaspora Engagement Through States Diaspora Focal Point Officers, the statement said.
President Muhammadu Buhari and his French counterpart, Emmanuel Macron have committed their two nations to working together to fight insecurity bedeviling the Lake Chad basin area and entire stretch of the Sahel region.

According to a statement by presidential spokesman, Garba Shehu, speaking at a bilateral meeting, at which he hosted the Nigerian leader on the sidelines of the Financing Africa Summit in Paris yesterday, President Macron pledged his steadfast support for Nigeria and its people as they confront the security challenges facing the country.

President Macron said the French government will absolutely be there on the side of Nigeria and it is willing to support with everything to assist the country to overcome the security threats.

He also pledged to support Nigeria in confronting the challenges faced with COVID-19 vaccines.

President Buhari, at the meeting, outlined the challenges all round facing the country as well as its neighbours and spoke about the steps he has taken to reignite response to the situation, which he said included the appointment of the new Service Chiefs.

The President expressed the willingness of Nigeria to work with France and all international partners to reign in the security challenges and thanked President Macron for agreeing to intensify the existing partnership with Nigeria.
press release

Your Excellency, Emmanuel Macron, President of the French Republic, My brother, Lieutenant-General Abdel-Fattah Al-Burhan, President of the Transitional Sovereign Council (TSC) of the fraternal Sudan, Your Excellency, Dr. Abdullah Hamdok, Prime Minister of the fraternal Republic of Sudan Ladies and Gentlemen, At the outset, I would like to express my heartfelt appreciation to His Excellency, President Emmanuel Macron for his initiative in cooperation with the brothers in Sudan to hold such important conference to mobilize international support to the brotherly Sudan. This conference, held in this pivotal stage in Sudan's modern history, aims at consolidating the gains of the December Revolution marking the beginning of a new era and raising hope for the brotherly Sudanese people for a better future. Egypt's participation in this notable conference is out of its firm conviction that the security and stability of the Sudan is an integral part of those of Egypt and the whole region. It also reflects Egypt's commitment and steadfast political will to spare no effort to support the sustainability of peace, development and stability, as well as to preserve the territorial integrity of the Sudan. This comes in parallel with the rapid leaps made forward in the bilateral relations to bring about effective integration in a number of vital areas. Ladies and Gentlemen, Today, as we discuss means of supporting the transitional phase in Sudan, let me refer to the following points: First: The Sudanese parties themselves need to lead the efforts of bringing peace and stability to their territories, in accordance with a comprehensive national consensus based on the national priorities of the Sudanese people. In this context, we commend the tangible achievements made by the transitional government; most notably of which is reaching a comprehensive peace agreement last October, which requires the support of the international community to fully implement its obligations. Second: The challenges that many countries in our region have faced during the past period have proven that building the foundations of the state and its various institutions on sound and strong foundations, especially a unified national army is the main pillar for ensuring peace and stability. Thereupon, we call for supporting the efforts of the Sudan in the programs of disarmament, demobilization and reintegration of combatants. Third: Upholding the concept of citizenship based on a national consensus that comprises all sons of Sudan is considered one of the fundamental guarantees to preserve the single fabric of the Sudanese people and face trials of divisionism. Fourth: I would like to commend the comprehensive economic vision presented by the transitional government and how it sought benefitting from the Egyptian experience in economic reform. In keeping with Egypt's commitment towards exerting all efforts to support steps taken by the Sudanese government to achieve economic stability and discharge its accumulated debt and reduce its financing burdens, I announce Egypt's participation in the international initiative to relief Sudan's debts through using Egypt's share in the international Monetary Fund to address doubtful debts. Fifth: The consolidation of peace and stability in Sudan necessarily requires providing a favorable political and security environment in its regional environment. This will enable Sudan to maintain its stability based on the rules of international law and relevant international agreements including the 1902 Agreement. In this regard, I stress the importance of supporting Sudan's right to expand his sovereignty over all of his territories. Finally, there is no doubt that the Nile River can represent a pillar for a more comprehensive cooperation among the Nile Basin Countries if the political will is available to everyone. So that, the desired development is achieved without harming any party including the Sudanese people in a way that enhances stability in the region. Ladies and Gentlemen, To conclude , I would like to reaffirm Egypt's firm commitment to continue supporting its brothers in Sudan to achieve the stability and development that the Sudanese people deserve. I also call upon all Sudan's partners to continue to support the Sudanese efforts within the framework of its national priorities. Thank You
Arusha  CRDB Bank shareholders will know how much they will pocket in dividends for this year at the weekend when the company holds its 26th Annual General Meeting (AGM).

The AGM, to be held on Saturday at the Arusha International Conference Centre (AICC), comes at a time when the lender had published mouthwatering financial results for the year ending December 31, 2020.

Last year, CRDB Bank Plc managed to break its 2015 record when its net profit jumped to Sh153 billion from Sh123 billion in 2019.

Prior to last year, the record net profit to have attained by CRDB Bank was Sh129 billion which was registered in 2015.

In absolute terms, last year's profit before tax - which stood at Sh236 billion - was a 15 percent rise from profit before tax of Sh175 billion that was registered in 2019.

Bank's managing director Abdulmajid Nsekela told journalists at the Mount Meru Hotel here yesterday that those shareholders who will not be able to attend the meeting in person in Arusha will be able to do so via a digital platform.

"Our 25th AGM last year was conducted virtually and it was from that meeting that shareholders recommended that the 26th one be conducted through the normal model but at the same time allow other shareholders to attend virtually," he said.

The AGM will be preceded on Friday by a seminar whereby shareholders will be schooled on a number of issues pertaining to finance and investing in the capital markets.

Finance and Planning minister Mwigulu Nchemba will grace the event where experts in finance, law and investment in capital markets will take CRDB Bank Plc shareholders through a number of presentations.

Last year, over 1,400 shareholders took part in the bank's virtual AGM in line with the national Covid-19 preventive measures.
Arusha  Two groups of youths involved in spice farming in Morogoro Region will this season harvest some 146 tonnes of ginger, one of the popular spices on the dining tables.

That is more than five times of the tonnage produced by Tugende and Twiyuda farmers' groups when they commenced cultivation.

"For 2021 a total of 146 tonnes of ginger will be harvested by the two groups," said Mr Joel Paul, the Sustainable Agriculture Tanzania (SAT) project leader in Morogoro Rural District.

He said cultivation of ginger and other spices was being implemented under the organic agriculture programme now being promoted throughout the country.

A total of 368 youths in Mkuyuni ward on the slopes of Mt Uluguru were cultivating different types of spices, including ginger.

He added that spices produced through organic methods - without the use of industrial chemicals - had a reliable market because of their health benefits.

One of the buyers is SAT, a ten year old local organization which deals with sustainable agriculture in the country.

SAT's foundation was established on the farmers' needs. It's projects are implemented in collaboration with universities, companies and government extension services.

It works with the small holder farmers face-to-face to facilitate exchange to agro-ecological methods and application of research to improve livelihoods.

Since 2011, the organization has brought over 2,000 small scale farmers into the agro-ecological farming movement.

Close Sign up for free AllAfrica Newsletters Get the latest in African news delivered straight to your inbox Top Headlines Tanzania Children By submitting above, you agree to our privacy policy. Success! Almost finished... We need to confirm your email address. To complete the process, please follow the instructions in the email we just sent you. Error! Error! There was a problem processing your submission. Please try again later.

SAT has supported a total of 72 farmers' groups from 52 villages across the country using participatory farmer demonstration farms.

Mr Paul said there were more female youths than male in the farmer groups that they supported, attributing it to deliberate effort to assist them.

SAT executive director Janet Maro said a study carried out in Morogoro and Dodoma indicated the two regions were notorious for early marriages of girls.

She said young women roped in the programme were initially trained on farming and entrepreneurship under Skills for Employment Tanzania (SET).

Youth-in-Agriculture programme coordinator under Agriculture docket Revellian Ngaiza urged the youth to embrace the right agricultural technologies to increase yields and hence improve their livelihoods.
Government is optimistic the targeted 85 000 hectares of wheat this winter cropping season will be met, despite some inputs distribution challenges that have been faced.

Farmers have so far planted more than 4 000 hectares of wheat.

Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Resettlement Deputy Minister Douglas Karoro said measures had been put in place to expedite the movement of inputs to farmers.

"In terms of the area planted so far, we are still below 50 percent, but we have put in place measures to make sure all provinces are conscientised on the importance of meeting their respective targets," he said.

"I want to assure you that by the second week of June, we will have attained our targeted hectarage. We experienced challenges in the delivery of inputs and now we have put in place mechanisms to ensure farmers in all wheat growing areas are reached. Farmers have registered and in most provinces, planting is underway."

Deputy Minister Karoro said although the deadline for planting wheat was May 31, farmers could extend into the second week of June.

There are three major programmes funding wheat production this season.

The major one is the Command Agriculture where CBZ is targeting to fund 60 000 hectares of wheat.

Private investors, joint ventures and self-financed farmers are expected to put 15 000 hectares under wheat, while the Presidential Inputs Scheme will cater for 10 000 hectares.

Farmers under the Presidential Inputs Scheme will receive seed, fertilisers and chemicals on credit against delivery of the crop, but will be expected to pay for electricity and labour.
Following the conclusion of the Third Session of the Fifth Parliament of Sierra Leone, the State Opening of the Fourth Session will commence tomorrow, Tuesday, 18th May, 2021, at the Chamber of Parliament, Tower Hill.

At the height of the corona virus pandemic, the West Minister Foundation Development (WFD) and the Ministry of Information and Communications in May 28th,2020, supported Parliament in holding its first virtual State Opening.

The Speaker of Parliament then asked political party leaders to only accommodate half of their members in the chambers, to avoid congestion and to mitigate the risk of spreading the disease. However, the said decision attracted criticisms from members, who had wanted to be in the chamber. The decision to move to an online state opening was to ensure that the Parliament fulfils an essential constitutional element that maintains the sessions of Parliament as prescribe by the Constitution of Sierra Leone (1991).

Meanwhile, Speaker of Parliament, Dr. Abass C. Bundu, last week informed Members that the State Opening of Parliament for the Fourth Session will be held at the usual location, Parliament Building, Tower Hill in Freetown.

He noted that all efforts were being made for the occasion to take place since renovation is ongoing at the Premises of Parliament.

"I go by the advice given, I just hope and pray that there will be no mistake and on the 18th, we will all be present to witness the State Opening and the introduction of a new beginning of a session," he said.
opinion

As a lateral thinker, the appointment of a Minister of Western Regions (encompassing both the Western Urban and Rural Areas) conjure up a few situations in my inquisitive mind as follows-:

Both the Mayor of the Freetown City and the Chairperson Western Area District Councils automatically now have two layers of supervision - (a) The Minister of Local Government on whose Ministry direct supervision of Councils statutorily devolves per the Local Government Act (LGA) No.1 of 2004 and (b) The Minister of Western Region (MWR), whose remit is yet to be clarified.

Those who fallaciously continue to entertain the view that appointment of a MWR may not seriously impact the two Councils by way of political supervision only need to carefully peruse Sec.22 of the LGA which says and I quote-: "Government Ministries shall in respect of any function devolved to local councils under this Act or any other enactment which relates to them, be responsible for the formulation of national policies, and local councils shall act in accordance with such policies". Full stop. From here we see that no new laws need be passed for the MWR to find direct and or indirect relevance with or to the two local councils, whether or not she is allowed to participate in the Local Council Inter-Ministerial Committee on Decentralization (Re. Sec. 109 of the LGA)

Decentralization - the process by which functions and resources are devolved (ceded) from central government to local councils - is throttled into abeyance overnight, whether or not the functions of the MWR is clarified.

Independent resource mobilization and budgetary controls within the two councils is hampered as local and international partnerships funding inflows for specific projects will now have to be suspended temporarily for clarifications so as to avoid funding duplications to the central government.

Every decision of the two local councils impacting significant development will now have to be first (secretly) cleared via the Local Government Minister with the MWR to ensure their full compliance that will completely subsume both councils and only promote pro-SLPP government development paradigms.

It can now be safely assumed that with a MRW now on seat, the government's dogged determination to have introduced and conduct a One-Party-like Non-Party Local Councils elections come 2022 has, in the face of equally popular and dogged opposition from the electorate been deferred.

"Fet!"

But I have to be very careful how I speculate so as not to give this President who say he acts "intentionally" and is dispassionate about people like us with whom he does not "share work ethics". Pundits however believe that it is the SLPP Local Government Expert who, on account of glaring public loathing for the SLPP within the Western Regions and being under pressure to justify his hire, must have conjured up this tactic of appointing a MWR. They believe it will help their Party create niches in both localities by the forthcoming elections. The fact that the position comes with a Cabinet Rank, unlike as for other areas with a tradition for having Resident Ministers underscores the seriousness they attach to the enterprise, in addition to a desperate desire to clip the wings and clout of particularly the Mayor of Freetown. "Na Dat Geh D Fet"!! .

But as we all know nothing in this life lasts more than is necessary.

Jittery

Honestly appointing Resident Minister for the Western Regions is not a bad concept all. Nigeria has a Minister of the Federal Capital Territory one may want to argue. But in territorial land size and population can you compare Freetown to Abuja? Besides is there a dedicated Minister of the City of London with Cabinet Rank in the UK? The point at this stage is that appointing a MWR has not left this government any smarter, and smirks of their insidious intolerance of alternative political views.

In the midst of persistent scuffles between the central government and both opposition-led Councils jointly or severally, without allowing proper feasibility studies and an understanding of the basis for those confrontations that are the likely obstacles to fostering good working relationships between the central government and both councils that would facilitate the rapid devolution of functions, is suggestive that it was conceptualized in bad faith, chiefly intended to completely subsume both councils outside the governing party's prisms, constrain whatever latitude the two councils now wax, and inhibit their performances so that they do not become as effective and as conspicuous as would ultimately make the political party they represent the preferred choice of the electorate come next elections. The SLPP is overly jittery about that.

Dilute

What people are not seeing or understanding in the desperation of this SLPP government is that they are doing everything to avoid repeating their mistakes of failing to have controlled and contained me as Mayor of Freetown prior to the 2007 Presidential elections which they eventually lost. In my time their first step was to dilute the importance and significance of a single Mayor in the entire country. So they proceeded to change the titles of the political heads of Councils of the major District Townships (Koidu, Bo, Kenema and Makeni) from "Chairpersons" to "Mayors", because quoting the then Minister of Local Government Siddikie Brima: "we don tire wit dis Mayor bo... ..so we don create borku Mayors dem now for dilute Bankole Johnson ihn significance". Upon hearing his basis, I then called to remind him that as Bonthe Mainland was also a part of the Colony, they should also have Mayor, and that was how Mayor Garrick came to be installed as the first mayor of the Bonthe Urban Municipality

But to date can we proudly say having as many "Mayors" has had the desired effect? Just last week the Resident Minister of North-East was on National TV lamenting that fact. The fact is that the policy was not introduced to complement and fast track administration and development for the peoples but to challenge and compete with just one man: Mayor Bankole Johnson. And as usual with undesired and unnecessary comparisons we end up spiting ourselves. In the case of replicating "Mayors" the focus was lost as the very concept was anathema to localities where Town and District Councils administrations have always been more accustomed to.

Unwieldy

Further truth be told the Freetown City spanning from the Orugu Bridge in the East to Cowreh Junction in the Goderich dead West environs has in the last 13 years post my administration become too large (population wise) and unwieldy to be administered by a single Mayor as a single "Metropolis". These were the same challenges that warranted the creation of smaller manageable Municipal "Boroughs" as in London, each headed by their own Mayors but directly reporting to or being indirectly co-ordinated/supervised by the Mayor of London. It is to emphasize their subordinate statuses that those Borough Mayors have to be elected annually, whereas that Mayor of the City of London holds electable office tenure of four (4) straight years. Such a restructuring was under contemplation by the last APC administration and that was honestly what I was expecting this government to have emulated as opposed to appointment of a MWR to overcrowd as it were the administrative landscape of the municipality.

Close Sign up for free AllAfrica Newsletters Get the latest in African news delivered straight to your inbox Top Headlines Sierra Leone Governance By submitting above, you agree to our privacy policy. Success! Almost finished... We need to confirm your email address. To complete the process, please follow the instructions in the email we just sent you. Error! Error! There was a problem processing your submission. Please try again later.

But even where that did not happen and this government was that desperate to appoint a MWR, the logical choice of the sitting Mayor of Freetown for the purpose, someone with a firm grasp of issues, challenges and possible solutions and whom they will fully capacitate would have won the hearts and minds across the political divide. That would have diffused any misgivings about the political intolerance of this government, confused the opposition parties into disarray and posited the SLPP as committed to national reconciliations and peaceful co-existence.

Krios

Perhaps the most intrigued by the appointment of a MWR are the Krios. The political dynamics of the last 15-odd years do not convince us that either of the two major political parties entertain any serious political agenda for us within the only place we know as our home: Freetown. So whereas successive governments have been paying much attention to non-elected Tribal Heads to the point of addressing them as "Chiefs" (without "Chiefdoms"), bestowing them with National Insignias and Awards and or Medals of Office and even placing all of them on government monthly payroll and some of them on the Boards of para-statals as is making them wax authority, Krios have continued to be largely and consistently marginalized both in the Local and National Government administration paradigms within the Western Areas, which is the only place we as "Non-Natives" proudly call our homelands. It is as if we are also not integral to the socio-political dynamics of the Western Areas.

Much as Krios as "Non-Natives" cannot be "Balkanized" into tribes and democracy being a game of numbers, the appointment of a MWR is clearly sounding a "death knell" for Krio political relevance within the Western Regions in the short term, given a preponderance of demographic pressures by "Natives".

And so Oh Lord what then is our hope?
Chief Minister, Jacob Jusu Saffa, who is the outgone Minister of Finance has officially handed over the ministry to his successor,Dr. Dennis Vandi on Wednesday 12th May 2021, at the Ministry of Finance Conference Hall in Freetown.

In his statement, the outgone Finance Minister Mr. J.J. Saffa describes the occasion as a ceremony with mixed feelings. He stated that it's difficult for him to say goodbye but also proud of the progress made in the last three years that resulted in the Ministry of Finance winning the best performing ministry of the year award.

He said despite leaving the ministry, he will continue to provide support in his new capacity, adding that he will ensure that he makes that easier for them especially with regards to reaching international benchmarks and engagement with other Ministries, Departments, and Agencies on budgetary support trigger.

"Mr. Minister, I can assure you that you have a strong team, and this is the strongest team in the public sector. I inherited a system where there was no laydown organogram and where half of the technical staff were contract staff. I have been able to do some structural change to regularize that," he said.

The new Minister of Finance Dennis Vandi in his statement said the caliber of staff in the Ministry is not a surprise to him. "He is the Chief Minister, but he hasn't gone 100%, he is still with me. There are a lot of issues in which we will have to hang heads together to pursue," says Minister Vandi.

He said he is pleased with the programs his predecessor has been supervising over the years and that as one of the authors of the New Direction Manifesto; Mr. J.J. Saffa has been able to touch on all programs and policies that the manifesto promised.

Close Sign up for free AllAfrica Newsletters Get the latest in African news delivered straight to your inbox Top Headlines Sierra Leone Governance By submitting above, you agree to our privacy policy. Success! Almost finished... We need to confirm your email address. To complete the process, please follow the instructions in the email we just sent you. Error! Error! There was a problem processing your submission. Please try again later.

The Minister promised to continue with the programs in the ministry's strategic plan, new direction manifesto, and the mid-term national development plan until such a time when the president gives directives on further vision as to how he wants his government to be financed.

"I think my predecessor will be a better Chief Minister because of his knowledge on the operations of other Ministries Departments and Agencies; he can understand their constraints and have a clear knowledge about their strategic plans and how they intend to implement those plans," he said.

He vouched to be working to offices to see how work will be carryout and encouraged staff to feel free to discuss with him, noting that there will be a better working relationship with him than his predecessor. "My predecessor is a politician and you cannot take that away from him, I am not too much of a political animal, he jokingly said.

The Financial Secretary Mr. Sahr Jusu said that the Minister of Finance is not new to the ministry of Finance because he has previously worked in various capacities in the Ministry. He said that over the past three years the Ministry has done countless reforms and they hope to continue with these reforms.

Sahr Lahai Jusu thank the outgone Minister of Finance now Chief Minister for the leadership and vision he has provided during his tenure as Minister of Finance.

Other senior management staff and deputy ministers 1 and 2 of finance welcome the new minister and provided a brief update on the programs and policies of the ministry and the country's economy.
Sierra Leoneans across the country have overwhelmingly welcomed the extension of time for the civil registration exercise coupled with the addition of centers to the existing ones.

The process supposed to have ended on 15 May 15, 2021, in the Western Area to be followed by other regions, but due to the overwhelming turn-out of people, NCRA extended it from 16th to 22nd May, 2021.

"The general public is encouraged to make use of the extended period to present themselves at the designated centres to either conform their personal information held with the authority or register if they have not done so," the statement reads.

Last week, Concord Times did a random survey at the various centers in the Western region where people called on the government to extend the civil registration process.

Meanwhile, the National Civil Registration Authority (NCRA) has established 88 centres in the Western Rural district and 128 centres in the Western Urban Area for the registration process, but the period stipulated has already ran out leaving many people unregistered.

Civil Society Organisations have also added their voice for more time to be added so that everyone would have the chance to register or confirm their personal details.

The statement says the confirmation and Registration exercise that should have commenced in the North on 22th May, 2021 including details of schedules for the other region will be announced later.

"The Authority wishes to encourage the public, whether children school going, adults, young, old etc. to make use of this opportunity to confirmed their personal information or register if they have not done so. The centers will be opened from 08:00am through 6:00pm daily with roaming teams organised to support static centers" the notice states.

The authority called for on the cooperation of the public including stakeholders to support the successful conduct of the confirmation and registration exercise.
At the end of the EU Week Celebration- Sierra Leone's Minister of Foreign Affairs, Professor David Francis commends the European Union for conducting the #EU&Me RoadShow which uses two characters, Ami and Ahmed showcasing Eu's support to development programs in Sierra Leone.

He says the show was a brilliant idea by the EU delegation to exhibit its support to the government of Sierra Leone.

"EU programs have supported us in diverse areas, in socio-economic development aspiration, including agriculture, food security, public sector management, access to education, youth employment, intervention in the transport sector and the list goes on and on,"

The Bus with Ami and Ahmed left Freetown on 3 May to Porto Loko Makeni, Kenema Bo and returned to Freetown on 7 May showcasing EU's support to development programs in Sierra Leone.

The European Union-EU Ambassador to Sierra Leone, Ambassador Tom Vens has ended the TheEUandMeRoadShow which took place from 3 to 10 May 2021 across Sierra Leone.

On Monday 10-May, Ambassador Tom Vens together with the Irish Ambassador Lesley Ni Bhriain, German Ambassador Horst Gruner and French Charge d'Affaires Romain Vuillaume engaged with the pupils at the Peninsular Secondary School and Methodist Girls High School in Freetown by talking about the origin, purpose and significance of Europe Week and Europe Day celebration.

The Ambassadors explained that the purpose of the #TheEUandMeRoadShow which took place across Sierra Leone, was to take messages about the EU's values and development cooperation with Sierra Leone to a wider audience and to allow the EU to capture feedback from their partners and beneficiaries who have experienced the positive impact of projects the EU is supporting.

At both schools, a discussion followed on 'the role of young people in the EU partnership'. The diplomatic visitors also listened to the pupils debating on issues around climate change, education, skills development and about their personal and professional ambitions.

Pupils in particular cited agriculture and health as priority sectors for cooperation with the EU and expressed the wish that Sierra Leone would be a flagship of development in 20 years' time.

Speaking during the Cocktail event which marks the end of the EU week, Ambassador Tom Vens assured the government and the people of Sierra Leone, that EU will continue invest in education, climate change and good governance in the country.

"We want to continue contributing to the government's flagship priority of providing quality education and preparing youths with the right skills that a stronger economy needs."

He says the EU is aware that this will be a longer-term endeavor, but is ready to be partners because without a better educated population, development will be as peachy as best.

Ambassador Tom Vens says EU will continue to support the government of Sierra Leones' Free Education flagship program and other development programmes that aim to address the gaps in education in the country.

The Ambassador says EU will also beef up its effort with its partners in complementarity with EU member states and in close cooperation with environment actors to protect the environment, promote the use of renewable energy and support sustainable food systems in Sierra Leone.

In promoting democracy and good governance in Sierra Leone, the Ambassador says the EU will continue to work closely with government and other partners to maintain peace and stability.

"This is the substance of what we want to focus on in the coming years and I am very pleased that through consultation over the past month, we received a strong confirmation that these are indeed the right priorities for our future partnership" he says.

He confirms that EU's commitment to continue to supporting the country's development agenda and more broadly sustainable development agenda will be matched with unlimited resources.

Speaking on behalf of the government of Sierra Leone, the minister of Foreign Affairs, Professor David Francis thanked the EU for its countless support to the government and the people of Sierra Leone.

Close Sign up for free AllAfrica Newsletters Get the latest in African news delivered straight to your inbox Top Headlines Sierra Leone Europe and Africa Sustainable Development By submitting above, you agree to our privacy policy. Success! Almost finished... We need to confirm your email address. To complete the process, please follow the instructions in the email we just sent you. Error! Error! There was a problem processing your submission. Please try again later.

He says "EU programs have supported us in diverse areas, in socio-economic development aspiration, including agriculture, food security, public sector management, access to education, youth employment, intervention in the transport sector and the list goes on and on,"

This corporation, he notes, was brilliantly exhibited during the EU& and ME Road Show and exhibition in Porto Loko Makeni, Kenema and Bo of its support to development programs in Sierra Leone.

The Minister reemphasised the government o Sierra Leone's renewed commitment with the EU.

The Mayor of the Freetown Municipality, Yvonne Aki-Sawyer, Speaker of the House of Parliament Hon. Abbas Bundu, the Minister of Planning and Economic Development Dr. Francis Kai Kai, and other dignitaries from the government and civil societies attended the event at the EU residence at Spur Loop.
President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi heads to the French Capital, Paris, to participate in the Paris Conference to support the transition in Sudan and the Summit on Financing African Economies. The two events will be held on May 17 and 18, respectively.

The Spokesman for the Egyptian Presidency stated that the President's participation came in response to the French President Emmanuel Macron's invitation. This reflects the close and growing bilateral relations between Egypt and France as well as Egypt's pivotal role in supporting the transitional phase in Sudan on the regional and international levels. This is in addition to Egypt's leverage in the African continent that contributes to strengthening international initiatives aimed at supporting African countries.

President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi met on Sunday evening 5/16/2021 in the French capital, Paris, with President of the Transitional Sovereign Council (TSC) General Abdel Fattah Al-Burhan.

The Spokesman for the Egyptian Presidency stated that the President praised the strong and long-standing brotherly relations between Egypt and Sudan and the advanced level they reached at various levels during the recent period. The President expressed Egypt's aspiration to deepen and strengthen already-robust relations in a way that contributes to achieving the interests of the two brotherly countries and peoples, especially at the security, military, economic and trade levels.

In this context, the President affirmed Egypt's keenness to participate in the International Conference to Support the Sudanese Transition in a way that helps achieve political, security and economic stability in Sudan. This is encouraged by Egypt's full support for Sudan in all fields and the close link between the Egyptian and Sudanese national security as well as the historical ties uniting the people of the Nile Valley.

The President also indicated that Egypt is committed to making every effort to support the steps taken by the Sudanese government to achieve economic stability, discharge Sudan of its accumulated debts and reduce its financing burdens. Therefore, Egypt will participate in the international initiative for Sudan's debt relief by the use of Egypt's share in the International Monetary Fund to pay off doubtful debts. His Excellency praised, in this context, the courageous steps that Sudan is taking in the direction of the economic structural reform. This reflects a real political will to make the transitional phase successful. The President affirmed Egypt's readiness to transfer the Egyptian experience in economic reform and train Sudanese cadres.

For his part, the President of the TSC expressed Sudan's deep appreciation for Egypt's efforts under the leadership of President El-Sisi to support Sudan during this transitional phase, which was embodied in the President's keenness to personally participate in the current Paris Conference to support Sudan's transition, which consolidates the strong, extended ties binding the two countries, praising, in this respect, the mutual efforts to improve joint cooperation between the two countries and enhance the unlimited Egyptian support through various forums to preserve the safety and stability of Sudan.

Gen Al-Burhan affirmed that there are prospects for developing joint cooperation between the two friendly countries and Sudan's keenness to provide a supportive environment in various strategic development areas. The Sudanese government also relies on Egypt's support for Sudan's efforts to bring down and reschedule foreign debts.

Moreover, President of the TSC asserted that cooperation between the two countries will facilitate the transfer of Egypt's inspiring experience in economic reform, training Sudanese cadres, and providing assistance in overcoming challenges, hence reflecting the depth of relations between the two countries.

The Egyptian and Sudanese bilateral cooperation was discussed during the meeting in which the two parties affirmed their satisfaction of the level of coordination between the two counties, especially with the intensive exchange of political visits during the recent period.

The two sides agreed on the importance of strengthening economic relations and boosting bilateral trade to a level that matches the existing momentum in bilateral relations. This was especially demonstrated in the intensified joint military cooperation showcased in the joint drills, dubbed "The Nile Eagles 2", held at the Merowe air base, thus reflecting the two brotherly countries' firm belief that their national security is inseparable.

The meeting, also, reviewed the latest developments of the regional issues of mutual interest, including the situation at the Sudanese-Ethiopian borders and the developments related to a number of crises in some regional countries. In this context, an agreement was reached on continuing intense consultation and mutual coordination for the common interest of the two brotherly countries and peoples.

President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi received, at his residence in Paris, Mr. Eric Trappier, CEO of Dassault Aviation, the French aerospace company that manufactures Rafale fighter jets.

The Spokesman for the Egyptian Presidency stated that the President affirmed Egypt's pride in the extended and fruitful cooperation with Dassault Aviation. This reflects the depth of defense cooperation between the two friendly countries, Egypt and France, most especially demonstrated in the military parts produced by the French company, which add to the capabilities of the Egyptian Armed Forces.

For his part, Mr. Trappier expressed his honor to meet the President and stressed the keenness of Dassault to enhance existing cooperation with Egypt as it is one of the company's most important global partners. Additionally, Mr. Trappier was interested in the development of cooperation in light of the significance of Egypt's role in strengthening stability and security in the Middle East, the Eastern Mediterranean and the African continent as well as Egypt's prominent role in the international efforts to combat terrorism.

President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi met on Monday morning 5/17/2021 in the French capital, Paris, with the French President Emmanuel Macron.

The Spokesman for the Egyptian Presidency stated that the French President welcomed the President's revisit to Paris, affirming France's appreciation of Egypt on the official and popular levels, and its pride in the historical ties between the two friendly countries as well as its commitment to strengthening the course of joint bilateral relations in various fields, and to support Egypt's capabilities and efforts under the leadership of the President, to combat terrorism and extremist ideology, and to achieve security and stability in the entire region.

For his part, the President affirmed Egypt's keenness to consolidate and deepen the extended strategic partnership with the French Republic, which represents an important pillar for maintaining security and stability in the Middle East region, expressing his aspiration to maximize coordination and consultation with the French side during the coming period on various regional issues, as well as bilateral cooperation files; especially the security and military ones, in light of the great challenges at the regional level, which is characterized by turmoil and conflicts.

The Spokesman stated that the meeting witnessed discussed ways to strengthen the frameworks of bilateral cooperation between the two friendly countries at various levels, especially at the economic and commercial levels by increasing the volume of French investments in Egypt since France is considered one of Egypt's most important partners in the European continent. This is in addition to the great current opportunity to be in the Egyptian market to take advantage of the modern infrastructure and improve the business performance climate.

On his part, the French President praised the successful steps of the comprehensive development process in Egypt and the major national projects underway, stressing France's keenness to support Egypt's development efforts and support in all fields through the exchange of experiences and joint investment.

The meeting, also, discussed on a number of regional files, especially the developments in the eastern Mediterranean, Libya and Syria, where the President emphasized in this regard that there is no way to settle these crises except through political solutions, in a way that preserves the unity of their territories and the integrity of their national institutions to provide the security basis for combating terrorist organizations and besieging their members to prevent their movement to other countries in the region.

President "Macron" expressed France's aspiration to intensify joint coordination with Egypt on Middle East issues, in light of the Egyptian political weight in its regional environment, praising in this context the efforts made by Egypt to reach political solutions to the existing crises.

The two sides also reviewed the developments of the Palestinian issue and ways to revive the peace process in light of recent developments, as the French President expressed his country's great appreciation for the Egyptian efforts, expressing his aspiration to continue consultations with Egypt in this regard. While President Sisi affirmed Egypt's steadfast position in this regard, calling for putting an end to acts of violence as soon as possible, and reaching a just and comprehensive solution that guarantees the rights of the Palestinian people and the establishment of their independent state in accordance with international references.

As for the GERD file, President Sisi affirmed Egypt's adherence to its water rights by reaching a fair and binding legal agreement that guarantees clear rules for the process of filling and operating the dam and achieves the common interests of all parties stating that "Egypt will not accept any harm to its water interests".

President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi met on Monday afternoon 17/5/2021 with a number of African leaders and international figures participating in the Paris Conference to support the transitional phase in Sudan.

Tuesday 18/5/2021

President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi met on Tuesday morning 18/5/2021, at his residence in Paris, today with the Portuguese Prime Minister Antonio Costa.

The Spokesman for the Egyptian Presidency stated that the President expressed Egypt's aspiration to continue advancing Egypt-Portugal relations and to promote joint cooperation at all levels.

The President also commended the current Portuguese Presidency of the Council of the European Union (EU) and its efforts in support of the African issues. His Excellency expressed his appreciation of the close coordination between the two friendly countries on the regional and international issues of mutual interest, stressing the importance of continuing and strengthening the mechanisms of regular and periodic consultation between the two countries.

For his part, the Portuguese Prime Minister expressed his country's appreciation for the close friendship and cooperation between the two countries. He further affirmed Portugal's keenness to strengthen these relations in various fields and to support the Egyptian efforts aiming to achieve comprehensive economic development. According to the Portuguese PM, Egypt has become an example and inspiring model for stability and development for the countries in the Middle East and Africa to follow.

Furthermore, PM Antonio Costa expressed his deep appreciation for Egypt's efforts to prevent illegal immigration across its coasts and for its hosting of millions of refugees on its territory, highlighting that the refugees are granted full rights in Egypt that does not request any support from the international community, which is highly appreciated in Europe.

The meeting, also, discussed ways to strengthen bilateral relations in a number of fields, particularly the tourism and trade sectors. Moreover, the President and the Portuguese Prime Minister had a series of consultations on regional developments in light of the great challenges facing the Middle East, where the two sides agreed to continue coordination between the two countries.

Close Sign up for free AllAfrica Newsletters Get the latest in African news delivered straight to your inbox Top Headlines Egypt Governance Europe and Africa By submitting above, you agree to our privacy policy. Success! Almost finished... We need to confirm your email address. To complete the process, please follow the instructions in the email we just sent you. Error! Error! There was a problem processing your submission. Please try again later.

President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi participated on Tuesday afternoon 18/5/2021, in a tripartite summit on developments in the Palestinian territories, with both French President Emmanuel Macron and King Abdullah II bin Al Hussein, the King of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan. The summit was held virtually via video conference at the Elysee Palace in the French capital, Paris.

The Spokesman for the Egyptian Presidency stated that the President stressed the importance and timing of this summit, which aims to crystallize joint international action by the three countries to stop violence and contain the dangerous escalation in the Palestinian territories that has exacerbated the humanitarian and living conditions inside the Gaza Strip, in addition to its negative repercussions on regional peace and security, appreciating President Macron's initiative to hold this summit consistent with the regular consultations and coordination between Egypt, Jordan and France regarding regional issues, especially the situation in the Palestinian territories.

President El-Sisi affirmed that there is no way to end the vicious circle of chronic violence and the flare-up of the situation in the Palestinian territories, except by finding a radical, just and comprehensive solution to the Palestinian issue that leads to the establishment of a Palestinian state in accordance with international legitimacy resolutions, within which the Palestinian people can live and enjoy all their legitimate rights like all the peoples of the world. The President also stressed the seriousness of the repercussions of the attempts to change the demographic situation in the city of Jerusalem, which are the attempts that require an immediate cessation.

The President, also, asserted that Egypt will continue to do its utmost to stop the current mutual escalation, by intensifying contacts with all concerned international parties, and with the Palestinian and Israeli parties, with Egypt's support for all international efforts aimed at ending the current state of tension, restoring stability and limiting bloodshed, human and material losses.

The President also called for intensifying the efforts of the entire international community to urge Israel to stop the current escalation with the Palestinian factions in the West Bank and Gaza Strip, in order to allow the restoration of calm and to give a chance to international efforts to provide various aspects of support and aid to the Palestinians.

In this context, the President announced that Egypt, on its part, provided an amount of 500 million dollars as an Egyptian initiative allocated for the reconstruction process in the Gaza Strip as a result of recent events, including the participation of specialized Egyptian companies in the implementation of the reconstruction process.

In this respect, the leaders agreed to concentrate their efforts and joint political endeavors by conducting contacts and consultations with international partners in order to reach an end to violence and military escalation in the Palestinian territories.
The Environmental Protection Agency of Liberia (EPA) on Monday, May 17, 2021 quarantined a consignment of expired assorted chemical at RM Group on GSA Road in Paynesville, outside Monrovia. RM Group is a detergent company.

The expired chemicals were quarantined by technicians of the EPA backed by officers of the Liberia National Police assigned at Zone 5 Police station amidst public health threats.In an attempt to conceal the assorted expired chemicals, RM Group denied technicians access to its premises, according to a release from EPA.

The technicians were however given access into the company's premises following EPA Chief Executive Officer, Prof. Wilson K. Tarpeh and the police's interventions.

The EPA said duringassessment and inventory, it was established that the company was operating on an expired permit in blatant disregard to the Environmental Protection and Management Law (EPML) of Liberia.

It was also established that RM Group was discharging without an effluent discharge license as required by law."RM Group never hada chemical registration and an importation license to import chemicals into the country," the EPA said in a release issued last evening.

It was also noticed that the company does not meet its reporting requirement for quarterly monitoring.

Meanwhile, EPA has shutdown RM Group and cited its management to a meeting on Thursday, 20 May 2021.

The exercise is part of a nationwide chemical inventory and effluent quality monitoring which stated on Wednesday, 5 May 2021.

The exercise would target all businesses involved in the sale and use of chemicals and is intended to assess proponents' adherence to the 2020chemical importation, transport, handling and storage guidelines of Liberia and to generate data for the national pollutant registry as required under Part V section 51 of the Environmental Protection and Management Law (EPML) of Liberia.

At the end of the exercise, EPA will develop a registry that accounts for the quantities and locations of all chemical stockpiled in the country so as to ably respond to any future natural or environmental disasters. The exercise will also bring all chemical importers and dealers into full compliance as required under the aforementioned regulatory instrument.
-As seven stores affected

The Liberian Business Association (LIBA), has expressed serious concern about the fire disaster incident that affected seven businesses or stores in the commercial City of Ganta, Nimba County. According to LIBA' president, James Strother, the unfortunate fire incident occurred yesterday, Monday, May 17, 2021 on the Guinea road vicinity in Ganta City, which has huge Liberian and other businesses that are operating there.

He mentioned that four of the seven stores are owned by women, while three stores that were affected are for men who are noted for working tirelessly to stimulate the local economy in Ganta City.

The LIBA president wants the Liberian Government through the Liberia National Fire Service to have an equipped and more functional fire service station in Ganta and other commercial areas in Liberia.

He said, if the fire service station was available in Ganta City and Nimba County at large, adding that the seven stores were not going to be severely damaged by the fire incident.

"The people who arrived to quench or off the fire were using sand and water to bring the fire incident under control, a situation that delayed the fire flames to leave or vanished from the affected structures."

Strother wants the Liberia National Police to join the investigative team headed by Liberia Fire Service because, some unscrupulous individuals who came to secure the stores that were burning, allegedly looted some of the goods that were in those stores.

Meanwhile, he wants Government and other partners to provide support for those businesses that were affected to help stimulate the local economy and fulfill the empowerment of Liberian owned businesses.
The remains of the late commercial motorcyclist Mordecious Nyemah, who was gruesomely murdered on 25th March 2021 in Maryland County have been laid to rest, two months after the killing that sparked violent protests in the county by angry citizens.The deceased was reportedly murdered by suspects Moses Mlarmah and others near Bassiken town between Gand Kru and Maryland. His remains were finally interred on Saturday, May 15, 2021.

The home-going ceremony for the late motorcyclist, also a student, was held at the Maranatha Heritage Assembly of God Church in Pleebo, Maryland County Electoral district#2. Sympathizers included county authorities, representatives of the business community, students and women groups, national security, religious community, Civil Society Organizations, traditional chiefs and elders, among others.

Maryland County Superintendent George A. Prowd applauded citizens for attending the burial of the late Mordecious Nyemah, whose murder he described as worrisome. He assured family of the deceased that justice will be accorded them for the murder of their son.

Superintendent Prowd said the Government of Liberia is committed to protecting lives of citizens and foreign residents, while condemning ritualistic killings across the country.According to him, there have been several death cases since he took office as superintendent, but the case of the late Mordecious Nyemah has drawn attention of both citizens and national government. Superintendent Prowd recalled that in the late 70's, similar situation occurred in the county that involved former superintendent Allen Yancy and other high profile officials, who were tried, adjudged guilty and hanged.

"When you reflect your minds back to Maryland Gboyo history, you will get to know that most of those people, who were involved into ritualistic killings by then, were mostly government officials. I remember, there was a superintendent in Maryland who was caught for ritualistic killing and was hanged and because of this, many citizens look at us as suspects of these current ritualistic acts that are happening in this county", Superintendent Prowd lamented. He expressed excitement that suspects have been arrested and placed behind bars, awaiting court trial in connection to the murder of the late Mordecial.

"We are too happy and thankful to God that one of the suspects, Moses, who was the first to be arrested, without medicine, without threats or torture, he's started calling names of people who are involved into the death of Mordecial", Prowd added. He continued that in as much the suspects are behind bars, there's a strong case, and burial of the late Modecious doesn't in anyway end the case.

The superintendent cautioned citizens to remain law-abiding and assist government in the ongoing hearing rather than staging protests that would disrupt the county and shut down economic activities.

He county authorities, including the Maryland Legislative Caucus have received series of letters from parents and other concerned groups over the release of alleged rioters that are in prison in Zwedru, Grand County.

Prowd disclosed that those letters were sent to national government, and prayed that as soon as the case is being looked into and suspects are found guilty, it would be easy for President Weah to extended executive clemency. He urged parents of those suspects to remain peaceful as government is working out modality to transport at least three members of the bereaved family to Zwedru for the trial.

On April 5, 2021, police arrested and sent to the Zwedru Correction Palace scores of suspects, including Morris Senneh, President of the Pleebo Motorcyclists union, Thomas Kumah, president of Maryland County youth, Mamadou Diallo, Edward Toe, Sieh Gray, Edwin Lawal, Salu Ali, Lawrence Jarbee, and Wilfred Kuoh.

Close Sign up for free AllAfrica Newsletters Get the latest in African news delivered straight to your inbox Top Headlines Liberia Legal Affairs By submitting above, you agree to our privacy policy. Success! Almost finished... We need to confirm your email address. To complete the process, please follow the instructions in the email we just sent you. Error! Error! There was a problem processing your submission. Please try again later.

Also being held for the murder and subsequent rioting are Eugene Koppeh, George Nimely, John Davis, Patrick Wilson, Augustine Navy, Micheal Doblah, Sawo Bedel, Robert Wesseh, Fred Johnny, Peter Bestman, Moses Toe, Mashel Doloson, Thomas Kuma, Joseph Bannie, George Segbeh, Mark Freeman, Michael Tugbeh, Winston Smith, Christopher Dweh Prince Kouh, George Weah, John Collies, Chris Porka and Sham Beyslow.

They are accused of involving in multiple crimes during mass protests in demand of justice that led to the damage of government's properties, including arson attacks on the home of Speaker Bhofal Chambers in Pleebo Sodoken district, Maryland County. The violence led President George Weah to impose a dusk to dawn curfew in the entire county, which subsequently calm the tension.
Kenyan businesswomen have decried the high cost of taxation amidst the Covid-19 pandemic, which has brought their enterprises to their knees.

Seneca East Africa, managing director, Ms Annette Kimitei said the high cost of doing business is a major impediment to the recovery of the enterprises still reeling from the pandemic's economic shock.

"The remaining clients you have, you are trying to hold on to them, but they are unable to pay you on time and here are the escalating costs of doing business," she said during a recent businesswomen's webinar with ANC party leader Mr Musalia Mudavadi.

"We have a new law called the Data Protection Act and we have to pay Sh250,000 for a license to do CCTV configuration. It is so expensive (yet) we are trying to keep the few people we have retained," she added in The Future of Women in Business virtual meeting.

The businesswoman in security business said she suffered a 25 per cent decline in revenues due to cancelled contracts, forcing her to cut down on her workforce.

Gender representation

"We had moved our gender representation (women employed as security officers) from five per cent in 2016 to 24 per cent in 2020.Those numbers reduced and it pains me," she said.

Mr Mudavadi said although taxation is pivotal to a country's development, it should be fair and well spread out to avoid overburdening one sector.

"Tax is necessary in any country, but tax must not be punitive and taxation must not be an obstacle to business," he said.

Close Sign up for free AllAfrica Newsletters Get the latest in African news delivered straight to your inbox Top Headlines Trade Kenya By submitting above, you agree to our privacy policy. Success! Almost finished... We need to confirm your email address. To complete the process, please follow the instructions in the email we just sent you. Error! Error! There was a problem processing your submission. Please try again later.

"We need to review our taxi policy to make it friendlier," he added.

Kenya National Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Women in Business, chairperson, Ms Maria Nato urged businesswomen to collaborate in pushing for reforms in the business sector.

"Solutions are with our leaders but we can determine the course of legislation," she said.

She called for gender responsive policies and cross border structures to enable businesswomen break even in the market.

Last January, African Continental Free Trade Area agreement, which eliminates or lowers tariffs and non-tariff barriers, took effect.

Although Kenya is yet to establish a customs module corresponding to the pact, it is expected to establish modalities in the meanwhile to protect the exporters from bearing the cost of the defunct cross-border procedures and taxes.
Electoral officials on Wednesday morning declared Pavel Robert Oimeke of the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) winner of the Bonchari by-election.

Mr Oimeke garnered 8,049 votes. This was 30 percent of the votes cast.

Bonchari Returning Officer Benson Ambuko declared Mr Oimeke winner after a night-long vote tallying exercise.

Mr Oimeke was followed closely by Zebedeo Opore of Jubilee party who garnered 7,279 votes, which was 27 percent of the votes cast.

UDA candidate Teresa Bitutu came third with 6,964 votes. This was 26 percent of the votes cast.

Ms Bitutu is the widow of former Bonchari MP Oroo Oyioka.

The other 10 candidates got five percent of the votes and below.

There was voter apathy with 26,526 out of 52,955 electorates casting their votes. This translated to 50.09 percent voter turnout.

The rejected votes were 446 in all the 103 polling stations.

While giving his victory speech, Mr Oimeke, who was accompanied by ODM Secretary-General Edwin Sifuna and Kisii Governor James Ongwae, said he was grateful to his leaders for supporting him in his campaigns.

Mr Sifuna and Mr Ongwae said Oimeke's win indicates that ODM is still strong in Kisii and in the larger Nyanza region.
Religious leaders have demanded to be included in the list of essential service providers to enable them to offer services without restrictions during the Covid-19 pandemic.

The leaders, drawn from the Coast Interfaith Council of Clerics (CICC), and led by Malindi Catholic Bishop Willybard Lagho, said that many Kenyans acknowledge the existence of God and worship him, thereby making worship one of their fundamental aspects of life.

Speaking during the interdenominational breakfast meeting at his residence in Malindi attended by 11 religious leaders from Kilifi County, the clergyman noted that even the preamble of the 2010 Constitution of Kenya acknowledges the supremacy of God.

"The Preamble of the Constitution states 'We, the people of Kenya- acknowledging the supremacy of the Almighty God of all creation', but it is interesting that during the Covid-19 pandemic we wondered why worship was left out among the essential services after the government listed matters on security, health and to some extent transport as essential services," he said.

Mr Lagho said religious leaders play an important role in moulding people's behaviours and they have a ready audience, which voluntarily gathers for worship once per week.

His sentiments were echoed by Bishop Amos Lewa of Joy Fellowship Ministries, who is also the CICC general secretary, saying cases of domestic violence leading to murder have been on the rise and the religious could help address the problem.

"For instance, yesterday I returned home at around 11pm after arbitrating a conflict between a husband and his wife who were about to fight. Such cases are on the rise and people are killing one another," he said.

Close Sign up for free AllAfrica Newsletters Get the latest in African news delivered straight to your inbox Top Headlines Kenya Religion By submitting above, you agree to our privacy policy. Success! Almost finished... We need to confirm your email address. To complete the process, please follow the instructions in the email we just sent you. Error! Error! There was a problem processing your submission. Please try again later.

"I had to travel about 40 Kilometers to intervene in a case of domestic violence because I had applied for a permit to allow me to travel during curfew hours. Supposing I had not applied for this permit? It could have been a disaster."

At the same time, the clerics condemned the leaders who are attacking the judiciary over a five-judge bench judgement against the BBI and asked them to use legal procedures to address their grievances.

"It cannot be that the judiciary is good when it rules in your favour and becomes bad when it rules against you," said Mr Lagho, adding, "There is a reason why there are three arms of government in the Constitution and the one in power cannot purport to make law for the people since they might end up making laws to benefit themselves. There was wisdom why the three arms of government exist and there is room to appeal against the ruling."

Mr Lagho also advised leaders to learn to obey court orders and seek better ways to address their grievances through the appeal process.
Medical experts have warned of a possible "India-like situation" in Lake Victoria region after Covid-19 infections surged more than 200 per cent in two weeks amid a shortage of testing kits and community aversion to vaccination and containment measures.

The region, for months spared the ravages of the pandemic, has in recent days become the national hotspot, with positivity rates higher than the national average. In the last six days, for instance, the number of confirmed Covid-19 infections per day surged from less than 50 at the start of the year to an average of 150, indicating a threefold increase.

On Tuesday, a Ministry of Health report noted that 270 people in the region had contracted the virus in the last 24 hours of testing.

The majority of the cases were in Kisumu (102), Kericho (77), Busia (18) and Nyamira (12).

Lake Region Economic Bloc (LREB) is made up of 14 counties that not only share ecological zones but are also closely tied by history and trade.

The counties are Bungoma, Busia, Homa Bay, Kakamega, Kisii, Kisumu, Migori, Nyamira, Siaya, Trans Nzoia, Kericho, Bomet, Nandi and Vihiga.

Among the most affected by the recent surge in infections are urban centres in Kisumu, Kisii, Bungoma and Kericho, as well as the transport corridor running from the Rift Valley town of Nakuru to border towns in Nyamira and Busia.

While infections have generally been low in the more rural counties, recent data shows that the positivity rate is rising as populations ease off containment guidelines such as wearing masks, avoiding crowds and cutting unnecessary travel.

It is not clear yet what is causing this surge in infections and the extent of community transmission, but interviews with medical experts painted a picture of a region waiting to implode.

While previous measures by the national government to stop spread of the virus have been designed to protect upcountry regions from the hotspots of Nairobi, Mombasa, Kiambu and their environs, there are fears that the next lockdown, if it comes, could be to protect the city and the rest of the country from this new pain point.

This concern is informed by the fact that these 14 counties export labour to the city and beyond, and also sit along major transport corridors that extends from the port of Mombasa to the Great Lakes region.

Prof Khama Rogo, chairman of the Committee of Eminent Persons on Covid-19 Advisory, Control and Socio-Economic Impact Mitigation in the LREB, said yesterday that, if nothing is done quickly to reverse the trend, the region -- as well as the rest of the country -- could face a surge in infections that would overrun health facilities and infrastructure.

"This is extremely worrying," said Prof Rogo, a career medic and scholar who has practised in three continents, and who won the Kenya Lifetime Service Achievement Award for Excellence and Quality Health Care in 2019.

"Every surge in infections since the pandemic started has been worse than the previous, but this new wave appears to be running out of control."

It is not clear yet whether a new variant could be causing the surge in infections as doctors were yesterday reluctant to discuss the matter, but it is important to note that the more virulent Indian variant of the virus was discovered here early May.

The common variables for transmission here have been the worrying porous borders, the clogging of the transport corridor, and general indiscipline as far as observance of safety protocols is concerned.

Dr Shem Otoi Sam, a member of the LREB advisory committee and an infectious diseases modelling expert attached to the Covid-19 Recovery Alliance, noted that the Indian variant "appears to be the only new variable" in the greater scheme of things.

However, on May 12, the Ministry of Health said genomic sequencing at the time had shown that there was no community spread of the variant, and that only 20 cases of the strain had been confirmed in the country.

Of the 20, 15 were travellers who had flown into the country from India, where the virus has been ravaging through populations for two months now.

The Asian giant's coronavirus death toll surpassed 250,000 last week, with more than 4,000 people dying daily and cumulative case load rising to more than 23 million, the second-highest after the United States. While the pandemic is easing in major cities, the virus appears to be running unchecked in the country's vast rural hinterland, where two-thirds of its people live.

The AFP reported last week that many experts believe the official numbers of the dead are an underestimate. India's story could be Kenya's story as well in the coming weeks, warned Prof Rogo, drawing parallels between how the two countries on different continents and with different cultures have approached the pandemic. India appeared to be on the cusp of avoiding the worst of the pandemic barely three months ago. But then politicians started holding massive political rallies against the advice of doctors, and soon the vast majority of the 1.3 billion population stopped observing safety protocols and guidelines.

Then, in March this year, hundreds of thousands of Hindu faithful descended upon River Ganges for the Kumbh Mela festival, dipping their bodies in the mighty, iconic river in the belief that its "holy waters" would will cleanse them of their sins and bring salvation.

This annual ceremony had been held for centuries in calmer, safer times, but in the Covid-19 era it was greeted with shock and indignation by the global community.

Majority of those who tested positive of the Indian variant in Kisumu had travelled for the Kumbh Mela festival, sources told Nation.

But, without an express government declaration that the deadly variant is now in community transmission in the LREB region, or even farther afield, it is hard to attribute the surge to it. While the government has indicated that it is conducting genomic sequencing of the virus in target populations in the Kibos neighbourhood of Kisumu where the Indian variant was first detected, the magnitude of the sampling was not clear yesterday.

Also, information on the pervasiveness of this variant remains scant.

"This is extremely worrying," said Prof Rogo of the lack of clarity on the genomic sequencing. "It is unacceptable." Prof Rogo's frustrations stem from the fact that, as chairman of the LREB Covid-19 committee, he is expected to offer guidance to 14 governors on measures to take to contain the virus. But, without adequate, timely and consistent data, he is practically hunting in the dark.

"How many cases have been genomically tested and what are the results?" he posed. Nation suggested to him that, perhaps, the sequencing has happened but the results have not been made public, to which he responded: "It'd be criminal were someone to be hoarding that information."

Apart from genomic examination of virus samples from the region, both Prof Rogo and Dr Shem are proposing a ramping up of testing capacity.

Currently, government facilities are using the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test, which is criticised as being not only slow, but also expensive. The two experts want both the national and county governments to roll out rapid testing as soon as possible.

"A PCR kit costs as much as Sh15,000 while a rapid test one could be as cheap as Sh500," said Prof Rogo. "What's more, the rapid tests give results almost immediately, which make them more viable for random sampling."

In an advisory to LREB, Prof Rogo's committee warns that "laboratory capacity for testing and genomic determination is abysmally inadequate", and that the "insistence and reliance on PCR at the overstretched Kenya Medical Research Institute laboratories in Kisumu is ill-advised".

Close Sign up for free AllAfrica Newsletters Get the latest in African news delivered straight to your inbox Top Headlines Kenya Coronavirus By submitting above, you agree to our privacy policy. Success! Almost finished... We need to confirm your email address. To complete the process, please follow the instructions in the email we just sent you. Error! Error! There was a problem processing your submission. Please try again later.

"Rapid testing is the only affordable option for the region and country. We are not serious when we invoke contact-tracing activities without enhancing our rapid testing capacity," they warn.

On the traffic congestion in the border towns of Busia and Migori that has been linked to the spread of the virus to the surrounding communities, the committee says this is making the border posts "perpetual Covid-19 hotspots".

The committee is also warning that the region and the country, generally, does not have the resources to vaccinate a significant portion of the population in good time, and so the concept of developing herd immunity is "a far-fetched dream".

This matter is compounded by the fact that only 0.3 percent of the globally available Covid-19 vaccines have been sent to developing countries, which means Kenya, like the rest of the continent, could be in the throes of the pandemic for the long haul.

Dr Shem, who has developed an infectious diseases mathematical model that has been trialled in Homa Bay County, is predicting the worst for the region in the coming weeks if the testing capacity is not increased and the public sensitised on the need to observe existing guidelines.

His model, he says, predicts upwards of 800,000 infections nationally by the time the current wave peaks, between June 26 and July 10 this year.

Dr Shem also predicts another peak in October this year, which he says could be far much worse than the current one if recent historical trends -- where the next peak is more ravaging than the previous -- are anything to go by.

Notably, he says, a lot of the current admissions to hospital because of the virus in the LREB are of people aged below 40, which appears to be in line with the experience in India, where younger populations have been devastated by the dominant variant there.
The Sh5.7 million rescue centre project in Vihiga County will be ready in the next three months, officials have said.

The assurance by Gender CAS Rachel Shebesh, Women Representative Beatrice Adagala and County Commissioner Ochillo Oyugi, comes a month after Principal Magistrate Samson Ongeri called for the establishment of the facility.

Mr Ongeri had on April 12, said courts in the county were grappling with more than 156 gender-based violence (GBV) defilement and rape cases, but was concerned most of them did not get to full trial due to intimidation and lack of witness protection. He said a rescue centre would be a safe haven for victims.

"There is need for a rescue centre. Most of the time, defiled children cannot go back home. They need a holding place to enable them not get intimidated during the court process," Mr Ongeri said.

And yesterday, while on a tour of the Vihiga GBV and Rescue Centre under construction at Vokoli in Sabatia, Ms Shebesh, Ms Adagala and Mr Oyugi said funds have been availed to ensure the facility is complete and operational by August.

The project is funded through the National Government Affirmative Action Fund, which is under the patronage of women representatives.

"The centre is 90 per cent complete and we have given a strong undertaking to complete it in three months," said Mr Oyugi.

He noted that the facility will be an avenue to protect victims and help with witness protection.

Ensure justice

Close Sign up for free AllAfrica Newsletters Get the latest in African news delivered straight to your inbox Top Headlines Kenya Legal Affairs Women By submitting above, you agree to our privacy policy. Success! Almost finished... We need to confirm your email address. To complete the process, please follow the instructions in the email we just sent you. Error! Error! There was a problem processing your submission. Please try again later.

"The government policy is that GBV cases be prosecuted to ensure justice is delivered. The fear and intimidation at home make people withdraw cases, leading to dismissal of cases that are winnable," added Mr Oyugi.

He directed chiefs and their assistants, elders and religious groups to help in exposing GBV cases.

Speaking after inspecting the facility, Ms Shebesh warned GBV perpetrators saying the government has raised the red flag.

"We are focused on eliminating the cases. This centre is vital in helping us achieve this. We will not tolerate perpetrators of GBV," she said.

Ms Adagala said the centre that started under her administration, is key in ensuring victims are safe and get justice.

She said increasing cases of social ills in the county had jolted her administration, necessitating the construction of the facility, which sits on two acres of land.

The facility, whose construction commenced in July, 2020, is the first in the county that has largely relied on centres in Kisumu and Kakamega counties to serve its people.

It will house offices, washrooms, dormitories and an ICT centre to meet modern demands. It also has a training hall where victims will learn technical skills.
A family in Nakuru County has been desperately searching for a former police officer who went missing 10 years ago.

Simon Kibet Tonui, a father of two, disappeared from Barut village in Nakuru West constituency on December 16, 2011, and has never been seen to date.

The man, who was born in 1977, went to Barut Primary School, Koilel Boys High School, Moi Secondary and Nakuru Blankets Secondary School - all in Nakuru County.

He later joined the National Police Service after sitting his Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCPE) exams.

"We have searched for him in hospitals, police cells and prisons, but we have not been lucky as no one fitting his description has been booked into the facilities," said Mr Moses Kipngetich Tonui, the former policeman's younger brother.

Speaking to the Nation in Bomet, Mr Kipngetich, who is a medical oncologist at Tenwek Hospital, said they had also checked in morgues around Nakuru and other places for his body, but to no avail.

Ms Ruth Rono, an elder sister, said, "On the morning of the day he went missing, those who saw him said he was smartly dressed in a blue suit, which was unusual for him. But no one we know seems to have come into contact with him thereafter."

Although a report was filed at the Nakuru Central Police Station a week after he disappeared, no one has come forward to say he or she had been in contact with the former policeman.

Mr Kibet is said to have worked for seven years in Moyale, before being transferred to Mwingi Police Station, where he is said to have had problems with his superiors before deserting duty.

His parents, Mzee John Kiptonui Rono and Rael Cheruto, have agonised for the past one decade on the fate of their fourth-born child.

The matter is taking a toll on the elderly couple that has been forced to take up the responsibility of bringing up the man's two children who are now in secondary school.

The children's mother is said to have abandoned them and returned to her ancestral home in Isiolo County two years before Mr Tonui's disappearance.

"I once took him back to his workstation when he deserted duty, where he was put through a disciplinary process and resumed duties. But he later deserted duty again, leading to his dismissal from service towards the end of 2009," said Mzee Rono, a 71-year-old former Kenya Power employee.

Close Sign up for free AllAfrica Newsletters Get the latest in African news delivered straight to your inbox Top Headlines Kenya Legal Affairs By submitting above, you agree to our privacy policy. Success! Almost finished... We need to confirm your email address. To complete the process, please follow the instructions in the email we just sent you. Error! Error! There was a problem processing your submission. Please try again later.

After deserting duty, he frequented busaa dens in the neighbourhood, where his mates said they saw him for the last time two days before he disappeared.

The family realised he was missing two days after failing to take his supper, which would be left behind for him in the family kitchen as he often returned home late from local illicit brew dens.

"It struck me that he had not taken his meals, which was very unusual and when we made inquiries, the people who saw him last said he was smartly dressed while his drinking mates maintained he did not go to the illicit brew den on the material day and has never been heard from to date," said Mrs Rono, the man's mother.

The family has searched for his body in the nearby Ndarugu river, in case he drowned as it was swollen at the time of his disappearance. But that too has not borne any fruits.

"We remain optimistic as a family that he is alive and will one day reappear or be found somewhere out there. That would set us free," said Mrs Rono.
A notorious gang in Murang'a has reportedly been committing sexual crimes against schoolgirls at will.

So brazen are their activities that they even bet amongst themselves as to whom will be the first to deflower certain girls in Ichagaki location. A 14-year-old was in February kidnapped by the gang at 4pm, taken to a house and defiled.

"They are well known in Maragua town. After defiling me, he burnt my private parts with a hot machete. He said he was punishing me for resisting his advances and biting him as I struggled to free myself," she said.

The girl was just about to sit her Kenya Certificate of Primary Examination when it happened.

"She is a strong girl. After the ordeal, she was taken in by a children's home in Kenol town where she was treated. She sat her exams and scored 246 marks. This is how devastating some experiences can be since she was a 400-mark student," Maendeleo Ya Wanawake Organisation (MYWO) chairperson in Murang'a, Lucy Nyambura, said.

Daring gang

MYWO piled pressure on law enforcement officers to crush the gang, which has about six members. Like a sport, the most daring member wins Sh1, 000 raised by the group if he defiles a nominated girl.

"The competition leads to kidnapping and defilement. As a result, many school girls end up being defiled and due to the fear of the gang, such cases go unreported," a detective told the Nation.

MYWO pressure forced the police to take action and the crackdown began on May 2 when a 9.30pm distress call was received at Maragua Police Station. The caller said two panga-wielding male youths had been spotted kidnapping two school girls.

Officers led by station commander Cleophas Juma rushed to the area and encountered the suspects dragging the girls into the bush.

They challenged them to surrender but one charged towards the officers with his panga.

"The officers opened fire and the suspect was shot in the abdomen. He tried to flee but fell a few metres ahead. He was rushed to Maragua Level Four Hospital and later transferred to Murang'a Level Five Hospital for specialised care," said Murang'a South police boss Anthony Keter.

In the melee, the other suspect escaped. One of the girls had sustained a panga cut on the left hand and was rushed to hospital where she was treated and discharged.

The arrested man died on Monday and was identified as David Irungu. Three days later, his accomplice, Macharia Ngure, was arrested and arraigned.

"This is just a mild testimony that we will not be entertaining the rampant cases of sexual offences in Maragua town and its environs. There are several cases of raw sexual violence against minors by panga-wielding criminals. Their days are numbered. We will use lethal force if need be to tame them," said Murang'a South Deputy County Commissioner Mawira Mungania.

Most wanted list

However, Ms Nyambura urged the police to handle such social misfits well, without using excessive force.

"There were no grounds for kidnapping and defilement. He is said to have cut one girl with a panga and that is just a case of assault," said the local Directorate of Criminal Investigations boss David Cheruiyot.

Mr Keter, however, demanded the situational report from Mr Juma, which stated that the deceased was on the police's most wanted list for allegedly being a member of the dreaded Jeshi ya Gaica gang.

"He was also being sought for injuring and threatening the life of an assistant chief. We had three warrants of arrest on him. He was a typical criminal who posed a threat to the society," states the report.

Mr Mungania supported the shooting, saying: "In all fairness, all evaluation of the situation starting from the initial encounter between the officers and the suspects, it is clear there was great restraint and the force that was used was controlled."

As the local police bosses tussled, an anonymous letter was penned to Central Regional Commissioner, Mr Wilfred Nyagwanga, reporting Mr Cheruiyot's action.

"It's widely accepted on the ground that the character the police shot was a thug. No question about that. It's corroborated by witnesses that indeed this character had attempted to attack officers with a machete. Those who believe in progressive police actions to secure the society had no quarrel with the police and the way they acted. It is only one person who appeared to think otherwise," the letter read.

The letter adds that "this is the kind of DCI interference that instils fear among some of our officers to a point they start going easy on criminals", citing the DCI boss as "a liability to the fight against crime in the area".

"In Ichagaki location where this incident occurred, residents rate the government highly. To work in a way that seeks to lower that government's rating in the area leaves one wondering who or what he is working for," the letter reads.

Close Sign up for free AllAfrica Newsletters Get the latest in African news delivered straight to your inbox Top Headlines Kenya Legal Affairs By submitting above, you agree to our privacy policy. Success! Almost finished... We need to confirm your email address. To complete the process, please follow the instructions in the email we just sent you. Error! Error! There was a problem processing your submission. Please try again later.

Mr Nyagwanga said the letter was being evaluated.

Protect our girls

The 2011 National Police Service Act, under the Sixth Schedule, spells out that an officer shall always attempt to use non-violent means first before resorting to use of force in effecting an arrest.

It guides that firearms may only be used when less extreme means are inadequate and for the purposes of saving or protecting the life of the officer or other person and in self-defence or in defence of other person against imminent threat of life or serious injury.

Other instances are in protection of life and property through justifiable use of force; preventing a person charged with a felony from escaping lawful custody; and preventing a person who attempts to rescue or rescues a person charged with a felony from escaping lawful custody.

Mr Mungania insisted that the officers involved acted above board since there was a victim who was about to be hacked to death. He warned that officers "won't hesitate to use lethal force to protect our girls from such cruelty".

He also urged the society not to be passive onlookers when "such filth is being executed against girls".
opinion

Twenty years ago, African heads of states and governments gathered in Abuja to address infectious diseases in Africa. The declarations by the heads of States, popularly known as 'Abuja Declarations', was the meeting's highlight. One of the most popularly referenced portions of these declarations is the pledge by the heads of states to allocate at least 15% of their national budgets to the health sector. This was a lofty goal for all the countries and remains so for many African countries twenty years after.

Since this declaration, some countries have made progress in health financing. Rwanda has achieved Universal Health Coverage; by allocating more than 15% of its annual budget to health and implementing Community-Based Health Insurance in its population. Gabon and Ghana have adopted innovative financing mechanisms for their health systems, earmarking special resources for health; Gabon raises funds to subsidize care for the poor through 10% levy on mobile phone companies' turnover, excluding tax, with an additional 1.5% levy on money transfers outside the country. Ghana earmarks 2.5% on 17.5% VAT for the health sector, paid to her National Health Insurance Fund.

However, many countries have not met the ambitious target of 15%. A World Health Organization review of countries compliance to the 15% benchmark show that only five countries (Botswana, Rwanda, Zambia, Togo and Madagascar) had attained this target, 20 allocated between 10-15%, the remaining countries allocated less than 10% of the budget. Unfortunately, Nigeria is one of the countries that have allocated less than 10% of its national budget to health.

The country's allocation to health has averaged below 5% over the past five years. The country's out of pocket expenditure as a percentage of total health expenditure stands at 76.6%, far above the Sub Saharan Africa average of 33.3%. The non-compliance to the Abuja declaration is a missed opportunity to invest millions of naira in the country's health sector and loss of economic fortunes that would have otherwise accrued to the country due to her investment in health.

The COVID-19 pandemic that has ravaged the world in the past year has shown how vital health is - it is important for sound economies and the stability of nations. We propose three ways to improve health financing in Nigeria beyon just allocating 15% of the country's national budget.

First, improve health Insurance coverage in Nigeria. Health insurance based on the principle of risk pooling and cost-sharing offers a way out for the prevalent out-of-pocket expenditure in Nigeria, which has affected the demand for health services by Nigerians. Though the National Health Insurance Scheme has not performed up to expectation, the decentralization of health insurance through the creation of state health insurance schemes is a step in the right direction.

Respective state governments should strengthen these schemes by ensuring the full implementation of the equity funds  committing 1% of Consolidated Revenue Fund (CRF) to pay insurance premiums for the poor and vulnerable. Innovative sources should be considered for the payment of premiums for members of the informal sector that prove difficult to capture and sustain on the scheme.

Second, focus on getting value for current budgetary allocation. More does not necessarily translate to better For increased budgetary allocations to translate to commensurate health outcomes, efficiency must be prioritized. Efficiency in health budgets can be achieved through public financial management and cost-efficiency. The 2012 high-level dialogue between health and finance ministers in Africa towards and beyond the MDGs recommended concrete measures in all African countries to enhance value for money, sustainability, and accountability in the health sector to reach universal health coverage.

These measures can be summed up in implementing public finance management in utilizing public funds through the budget cycle from formulation to implementation. This will help maximize resources available for health in the continent. It includes measures to eliminate corrupt practices. Furthermore, it is also important that the poorest and most vulnerable in Nigeria are prioritized to ensure that no one is left behind.

Third, let health equity reign in healthcare financing at national and sub-national levels. The crux of the message of the Abuja declaration is for leaders to prioritize the health sector in national budgets. Not much of this has been seen in Nigeria, especially at sub-national levels.

Indeed, the Nigerian government must commit more resources to health to get the best economic returns. It is crucial for politicians and health planners to allocate resources across all levels of governments. States and local councils in Nigeria must take responsibility for financing healthcare within their domains.

Close Sign up for free AllAfrica Newsletters Get the latest in African news delivered straight to your inbox Top Headlines Nigeria Governance Health By submitting above, you agree to our privacy policy. Success! Almost finished... We need to confirm your email address. To complete the process, please follow the instructions in the email we just sent you. Error! Error! There was a problem processing your submission. Please try again later.

The 15% allocation to health remains a laudable goal. However, that is not enough to fund a health system for 200 million Nigerians. An efficient, publicly funded and equitable health insurance system would ensure that every Nigerian has access to healthcare. This would reduce catastrophic health expenditures and unlock the country's economic potential.

Dr. Ifeanyi M. Nsofor is the CEO of EpiAFRIC and Director of Policy and Advocacy at Nigeria health Watch. He is a senior Atlantic Fellow for Health Equity at George Washington University and a senior New Voices Fellow at the Aspen Institute. You can follow Ifeanyi @ekemma on Twitter.

Dr. Toluwani Oluwatola is a dentist, with interests in financing health systems in SubSaharan Africa. He is presently a Research Officer at the Lagos State Health Management Agency. You can follow Toluwani @Tolu_oluwatola on Twitter.
Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun, has suspended his Senior Special Assistant (SSA) on Special Duties, Mr. Abidemi Rufai, following his arrest in New York by Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) over alleged involvement in $350million unemployment benefits fraud in respect of COVID-19 pandemic.

Reacting through his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Kunle Somorin, the Ogun State governor said the news of his aide's involvement in fraud was disturbing.

He, however, said the "governor cannot be held responsible for the actions of a full grown adult."

"We received the very disturbing news of the arrest of one of the governor's political appointees, Mr. Abidemi Rufai in New York over alleged unemployment benefits and fraud in the United States, this morning.

"While the governor cannot be held responsible for the actions of a full grown adult, especially outside the jurisdiction of Ogun and Nigeria, he has since suspended the suspect from office to enable him answer the charges levelled against him.

"The governor wishes to condemn any act capable of undermining his determination to institute an open, transparent, accountable and morally upright behaviour in the State and in governance.

"Governor Abiodun remains committed to his agenda of building our future together and will not condone criminals either in his government or the state in general."

Rufai was arrested Friday evening at JFK Airport in New York on a criminal complaint charging him with wire fraud "for his scheme to steal over $350,000 in unemployment benefits from the Washington State Employment Security Department."

A statement by Acting US Attorney, Tessa Gorman, on Monday disclosed that Rufai who allegedly disguised as 'Sandy Tang' made his initial appearance on Saturday in New York.

He is scheduled for a detention hearing today.

"Since the first fraud reports to our office in April 2020, we have worked diligently with a federal law enforcement team to track down the criminals who stole funds designated for pandemic relief.

"This is the first, but will not be the last, significant arrest in our ongoing investigation of ESD fraud," Gorman was quoted to have said in the statement.

The criminal complaint alleged he used the stolen identities of more than 100 Washington residents to file fraudulent claims with ESD for pandemic-related unemployment benefits.

Close Sign up for free AllAfrica Newsletters Get the latest in African news delivered straight to your inbox Top Headlines Nigeria Governance Legal Affairs By submitting above, you agree to our privacy policy. Success! Almost finished... We need to confirm your email address. To complete the process, please follow the instructions in the email we just sent you. Error! Error! There was a problem processing your submission. Please try again later.

The statement reads in part: "Rufai also filed fraudulent unemployment claims with Hawaii, Wyoming, Massachusetts, Montana, New York, and Pennsylvania.

"Rufai used variations of a single e-mail address in a manner intended to evade automatic detection by fraud systems.

"By using this practice, Rufai made it appear that each claim was connected with a different email account.

"Rufai caused the fraud proceeds to be paid out to online payment accounts such as 'Green Dot' accounts, or wired to bank accounts controlled by 'money mules.'

"Some of the proceeds were then mailed to the Jamaica, New York address of Rufai's relative.

"Law enforcement determined more than $288,000 was deposited into an American bank account controlled by Rufai between March and August 2020.

"Greed is a powerful motivator. Unfortunately, the greed alleged to this defendant affects all taxpayers.

"The FBI and our partners will not stand idly by while individuals attempt to defraud programs meant to assist American workers and families suffering the consequences of the Covid-19 pandemic," said Donald Voiret, Special Agent in Charge FBI Seattle.

Wire fraud is punishable by up to 30 years in prison when it relates to benefits paid in connection with a presidentially-declared disaster or emergency, such as the COVID-19 pandemic.
Abuja  Germany has assured the federal government of its readiness to build a pavilion which will be the centre for the returned Benin objects to enable their storage as well as be a public centre where the returned artifacts will be displayed.

The Director-General for Culture and Communication of German Foreign Affairs, Mr Andreas Gorgen, who led the visiting German delegation made the disclosure yesterday during a meeting between them and the federal government delegation to work out the modalities for the repatriation of the Benin antiquities.

This facility will be built as part of the National Museum complex in Benin, which ultimately will be part of the cultural hub, which European partners and the National Commission for Museums and Monuments (NCMM), the Edo State government and the Royal Palace of Benin, through the Legacy Restoration Trust are constructing.

Gorgen, who noted that Nigeria has one of the most developed museums in Africa, underlined the importance of Benin City and the country to the cultural heritage of humanity.

He acknowledged the significant efforts of the Nigerian government in addition to the leadership role of the Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki in the request for the repatriation of Nigerian artifacts.

"We did not forget that Nigeria has developed through the 1970s and we are here to testify the willingness of the federal ministers concerning the Edo objects. We testify our willingness to restitute the objects, the restitution that will produce their return. The time has come to renovate the museums and we will join forces together with the Nigerian government to co-build centre for the return of archeological artifacts were repatriated artifacts would be kept. The second step is to look at archeology. If we dig deep into the past, we would see that our diversity is our energy," Gorgen said.

Close Sign up for free AllAfrica Newsletters Get the latest in African news delivered straight to your inbox Top Headlines Nigeria By submitting above, you agree to our privacy policy. Success! Almost finished... We need to confirm your email address. To complete the process, please follow the instructions in the email we just sent you. Error! Error! There was a problem processing your submission. Please try again later.

On his part, the Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed lauded the role played by Nigeria's Ambassador to Germany, Yusuf Tuggar, who in 2019, wrote to the German Chancellor requesting for the return of Nigerian antiquities in Germany.

He said before the intervention, Nigeria, through the NCMM had initiated discussions with several European museums, the Royal Palace of Benin and the Edo State Government on the return of Benin Bronzes looted from the Oba of Benin's palace in 1897.

He expressed optimism that after the follow-up visit by an enlarged German delegation, the pace of the much-expected return of Nigerian antiquities from Germany would be quickened
Supermodel Naomi Campbell who doubles up as Kenya's tourism ambassador is the newest mum in town.

Through a post on social media, 50-year old Cambell revealed she'd welcomed her first child.

The announcement is accompanied by a photo of her holding a baby's feet with the caption, "A beautiful little blessing has chosen me to be her mother. So honored to have this gentle soul in my life, there are no words to describe the lifelong bond that I now share with you, my angel. There is no greater love."

Campbell's baby announcement post arrived as a surprise as the supermodel had not even hinted that she was about to become a mother in the past few months.

The supermodel even updated her Instagram bio to share the news with her followers, adding 'Mother' to the bio along with 'Model, Actress, Cultural Innovator, Activist, Privacy Law Pioneer, Founder of Fashion for Relief.'

Her mother, Valerie Morris-Campbell, posted the same picture on Instagram with the caption: "Congratulations to my daughter Naomi on the birth of her daughter; I'm beyond thrilled as I've waited for a long time to be a grandmother."

In 2017 during an interview with the Evening Standard, Campbell expressed her desire to be a mother.

The supermodel split from billionaire Vladislav Doronin in 2013 after five years and said she would wait until she found the right man before having a child.

Close Sign up for free AllAfrica Newsletters Get the latest in African news delivered straight to your inbox Top Headlines Kenya Entertainment By submitting above, you agree to our privacy policy. Success! Almost finished... We need to confirm your email address. To complete the process, please follow the instructions in the email we just sent you. Error! Error! There was a problem processing your submission. Please try again later.

"I think about having children all the time. But now, with the way science is, I think I can do it when I want. I do want a father figure. I think it's important," she was quoted by ES.

Many big shots in the fashion industry congratulated the new mother and wished her and the baby girl well.

Designer Marc Jacobs wrote, "Oh my God!!!!! Today is the day?? How absolutely incredible. How lucky she is and how lucky you are! What a wonderful Mother you will be. Blessings all around."

Belgian designer Diane Von Furstenberg wrote, "God bless you both." And British Vogue Editor-in-Chief Edward Enninful also commented, "Seeing the two of you together made my year. You will bring each other so much joy."

Supermodel Cindy Crawford said, "This put the biggest smile on my face! Congrats to you both, and welcome to the mommy club! It's the best."

Cambell was appointed Kenya's tourism ambassador in January 2021.

The Ministry of Tourism and Wildlife Cabinet Secretary Najib Balala said that she would help promote Kenya as an ideal tourism and travel destination to the world.

Campbell was discovered as a schoolgirl and became the first black British model to appear on the cover of British Vogue.

She is also known for her charity work, and in 2005 she founded Fashion For Relief, a charity merging fashion and philanthropy.
The Ministry of Education plans to maintain initial dates for national examinations for all candidate classes despite previous changes in the second term of the academic year.

The national examinations for all levels; primary, ordinary level and advanced level of secondary education will take place in July.

Following a rather successful first term, the second term especially for schools based in Kigali saw some changes on the calendar after the government imposed a lockdown over the capital.

The lockdown which went underway in Kigali at the beginning of January 2021 was attributed to an upsurge in Covid-19 cases in the capital, after many people are said to have let their guard down during the festive season.

Lasting nearly five weeks, the lockdown affected academic progress of learners with some, especially candidates, proposing amendments to the national examinations calendar.

One of the concerned students, Marie Harerimana, senior six candidate at Lycee de Kigali, said in an earlier interview that while it might be possible to cover the syllabus, there will be little to no time for revision.

"We are still working hard to finish the content of senior six, leaving little to no time for us to revise what we covered in senior four and five so as to be ready for the national exam," she said.

Harerimana fears that the time she spent without studying parallel with her up-country colleagues, might affect her, given that their upcountry colleagues were studying all along.

Like Harerimana, similar concerns emerged from other students who argued that there was need for measures to help them recoup the time lost.

In response however, the government introduced weekend lessons for the Kigali-based schools, primarily focusing on the principle subjects.

Close Sign up for free AllAfrica Newsletters Get the latest in African news delivered straight to your inbox Top Headlines Rwanda Education By submitting above, you agree to our privacy policy. Success! Almost finished... We need to confirm your email address. To complete the process, please follow the instructions in the email we just sent you. Error! Error! There was a problem processing your submission. Please try again later.

This has prompted government to maintain its initial dates for the national examinations, optimistic that no student will be left behind.

Gaspard Twagirayezu, Minister of State in charge of Primary and Secondary Education told The New Times in an interview on Tuesday that preparations for national exams are underway, and that progress made is promising.

Without revealing numbers, he said that students are currently being registered, citing that examination papers have been prepared.

As part of his message to the candidates, Twagirayezu commended efforts demonstrated, and also challenged them to keep the same energy for the final 'papers'.

"Even if you are studying in difficult conditions, study hard. Not only to pass exams, but to acquire base of knowledge that will broaden your chances in your post-secondary life."

Timetable

According to the minister, Primary Leaving Examinations are set to begin July 12 through 14.

For candidates in the ordinary level (Senior Three), examinations will start on July 20 through 27. While Advanced Level candidates will begin examinations on July 20 up to July 27, with practical exams stretching up to July 30.

On the other hand, TVET practical examinations are slated to begin from June 16 until June 25.
Tunis/Tunisia  The House of People's Representatives (ARP) reiterated its full solidarity with the Palestinian people following the aggression perpetrated by the Zionist entity against Palestinian civilians in al-Quds, Gaza and the West Bank.

Meeting at a plenary Tuesday, the MPs condemned the aggressions of the occupation forces described as "barbaric" and "terrorist" and denounced "the segregationist policy" and "colonization" carried out by the Zionist entity against the Palestinian people.

The ARP, in a statement, called for the earliest consideration in plenary of the legislative initiative criminalising normalisation with the Zionist entity.

MPs expressed their full support for the Palestinian resistance and the struggle of the Palestinian people and urged the League of Arab States to support, by all means, the Palestinian resistance so that it can face the Israeli aggression.

They proposed the creation of a committee "al-Quds and Palestine" within the ARP.

The MPs also invited all parliamentarians, free people and human rights defenders to denounce Zionist crimes and support the Palestinian people.

They also invited them to mobilise and act to bring before the International Criminal Court or the International Court of Justice, the Zionist leaders who are responsible (directly or indirectly) for the terrorist crimes committed against the Palestinians.
Tunis/Tunisia  President Kais Saied, on Tuesday evening, held bilateral talks with French President, Emmanuel Macron, at the Elysee Palace.

The two leaders discussed, in particular, "the distinguished cooperation and partnership relations between Tunisia and France, and the prospects for expanding and diversifying them.

They also followed-up on the outcomes of the Summit on the Financing of African Economies that took place on the same day in Paris.

"The two presidents exchanged views on a number of regional and international issues of common interest, the Presidency said in brief press release.

The President of the Republic, who had arrived Monday in Paris, met with a number of his African counterparts and officials of African and European financial institutions.

He announced at his speech to the Summit Tuesday Tunisia's endorsement of international and regional calls to lift the ban on patents for COVID-19 vaccines, likely to help all peoples and countries benefit from these vaccines.

Kais Saied called in his speech for writing off the debts of poor countries or reducing a significant part of them, especially with the high volume of these debts and the interests they generate.
French President Emmanuel Macron, will be on an official visit to Rwanda next week, from May 27 to 28, according to media reports from Paris.

During his 48-hour stay in the country, Macron is expected to visit the Kigali Genocide Memorial - the final resting place for more than 250,000 victims of the Genocide against the Tutsi - to lay a wreath and honour Genocide victims.

He will meet with his host, President Paul Kagame, and both leaders are at some point expected to hold a joint press conference, the media reports indicate.

Yolande Mukagasana, a Genocide survivor and president of the Yolande Mukagasana Foundation whose objectives include fighting against denial and revisionism of the 1994 Genocide, told The New Times that the arrival of President Macron "is one more step in his commitment to sincere relations" between France and Rwanda.

Mukagasana, who is welcoming the French President to Rwanda, said dialogue is "necessary to settle the accounts between our two countries."

Mukagasana added: "It is also proof that our President and the French President want to rebuild a better future for our respective peoples since they open up a space for unequivocal dialogue. We should be proud of it.

"We cannot erase history. But together we can write a new page for the future in mutual sincerity and respect, because Rwanda has looked to the future. This is the new Rwanda. We cannot forget what the French authorities were like at the time during the war of liberation and the 1994 genocide against the Tutsi, even if it is the continuity of the State."

Among the expected outcomes of better ties between both countries is the eventual bringing to justice Genocide masterminds who have found safe haven in France.

France is home to at least 47 indicted Genocide suspects and hundreds of genocide deniers and revisionists that comprise members of the old regime that was involved in backing the 1994 genocidal regime in Rwanda.

Macron will need a lot of courage

Alain Gauthier, president of Collectif des Parties Civiles pours le Rwanda (CPCR), a rights group which has for nearly two decades worked to bring to book Genocide suspects living in France, told The New Times that Macron "will need a lot of courage to oppose the entire French political class if he decides to apologize, to ask forgiveness, not only from Rwanda, but above all from the victims of the genocide perpetrated against the Tutsi, the survivors, who, for more than 27 years, suffer in their flesh and in their heart.

"The CPCR, which has fought alongside them for so many years, would not understand if strong words of truth were not spoken by President Macron," Gauthier said.

Even though there are individuals like Bernard Kouchner, former French Foreign Minister under President Nicolas Sarkozy, who would like to own up and embrace a better mutual relationship, and future, Gauthier is bothered by the fact that some diehard old guards in the French establishment still refuse to accept their role in the 1994 genocide.

These, he said include Alain Juppe, who was French foreign minister during the Genocide, former French Prime Minister Edouard Balladur, and Hubert Vedrine, Secretary General of the French presidency during the Genocide, among others.

The announcement of Macron's upcoming visit came as President Kagame on Monday, May 17, joined Heads of State and Government from across Africa and heads of financial institutions at the International Conference on Sudan, in Paris.

Kagame also met Macron on the sidelines of the conference.

Speaking in an interview with French media outlets on Monday, Kagame said that Rwanda and France are on the path to normalization of ties.

Kagame said he thinks "France and Rwanda have a chance and good basis on which to create a good relationship as it should have been, the rest we can leave behind us."

He said the recent publication of reports by two independent commissions on France's role in the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi in Rwanda was an important step towards establishment of warm ties.

Close Sign up for free AllAfrica Newsletters Get the latest in African news delivered straight to your inbox Top Headlines Rwanda External Relations Europe and Africa By submitting above, you agree to our privacy policy. Success! Almost finished... We need to confirm your email address. To complete the process, please follow the instructions in the email we just sent you. Error! Error! There was a problem processing your submission. Please try again later.

French historian Vincent Duclert in April officially handed over a report commissioned in 2019 by Macron to probe the then French government role in the 1994 Genocide.

The Duclert Commission's 1,200-page report, among others, concludes that France bears heavy and overwhelming responsibilities over the 1994 Genocide but makes no mention of any evidence of French complicity.

The report concludes that France led by Francois Mitterrand during the Genocide, was "blind" to preparations of the massacres but this conclusion was debunked by another report unveiled on April 19, by Robert Muse of the US law firm, Levy Firestone Muse.

The Muse report detailed France's role in the 1994 Genocide and especially indicated that the French Government at the time bears a significant responsibility in failing to prevent a foreseeable Genocide.

The French government, the report shows, saw all the signs and was aware of the planning and execution of the genocide, did not act to prevent it but actually acted in various ways - militarily and politically - to support the mass killers.
Investigations into the drowning of two youths in River Chania in Gatanga Sub County have shifted to the possibility that they were unlawfully handcuffed, tortured and then murdered.

Investigators confirmed that a chief and three assistants are being investigated over the deaths on May 9.

The chiefs, who were in the company of six others, are said to have confronted Nicholas Maithya, 20, and Asman John Kamau, 18, near the river at Rubiro village, handcuffed them, beat them up, before pushing them into the river.

The investigations have also roped in the National Police Service (NPS) following suspicion from witnesses that officers may have interfered with the bodies when they were taken out of the river, with the intention of destroying evidence.

Independent Policing Oversight Authority (Ipoa) chairperson Anne Makori said officers were investigating those claims.

The bodies of the two men were recovered from the river last Saturday after a week's search.

According to Gatanga Directorate of Criminal Investigations boss John Kanda, the inquiry is centering on allegations that the two had been handcuffed before they went into the river, and also whether or not they were pushed into the river as claimed by witnesses.

The incident was reported by Mr Joseph Ndolo Mbatha and Kamau's mother, Ms Beth Mumbua Muya, who said officers on patrol had pushed the two into the river while they were handcuffed.

The two were seeking police help to rescue them.

Police, in a briefing to the media, said the men were criminals who were being sought for brewing chang'aa on River Chania's banks.

Ithanga Police Station had told the media that the two were in a chang'aa den that was being raided by the officers on patrol and in evading arrest, jumped into the swollen river with the hope of swimming to safety.

Mr Kanda told the Nation that he has since recorded statements from the chiefs and it was clear there were no police officers in the patrol party.

He added that the chiefs said they did not seek police escort on the raid for fear that the information would leak. He said they also maintained that the two men were running away from them when they jumped into the river.

"There are interesting facets emerging in this case, which if disclosed, would turn out to be prejudicial to our general investigations," the DCI boss said.

Mr Kanda said there were five people who said they witnessed the incident.

One of the witnesses said he was with seven other youths, among them the two victims, fishing in the river. "We ran out of worms to use as bait on our fishing rods and the two went on higher ground to hunt for some more. They had been gone for 10 minutes when we heard a commotion and upon moving up to see what was happening, we saw the two handcuffed by the officers," he said in his statement.

The other youths ran away, but the witness stayed behind, asking why the two had been arrested.

"The officers were now beating them, asking them to produce the chang'aa that they were brewing. I told the officers that we were only fishing and we had nothing to do with chang'aa ... One of the officers was beating the two handcuffed men with a baton ... another took a stone and hit Kamau at the back of his head and the force pushed him to a free fall (sic) into the river, dragging Maithya with him," he wrote.

The witness said he jumped into the river to try and rescue them, but was overwhelmed by the water.

A storm was to later emerge when the two decomposing bodies were retrieved from the water.

The first body to be recovered was that of Maithya, and it had a circular cut on the left wrist. Witnesses present attributed the cut to handcuffs.

When the second body was found at 8pm by civilians after police had withdrawn from the search, it had handcuffs dangling from the right wrist.

Close Sign up for free AllAfrica Newsletters Get the latest in African news delivered straight to your inbox Top Headlines Kenya Legal Affairs By submitting above, you agree to our privacy policy. Success! Almost finished... We need to confirm your email address. To complete the process, please follow the instructions in the email we just sent you. Error! Error! There was a problem processing your submission. Please try again later.

When police arrived at around 10pm to collect the body, the handcuffs were nowhere to be seen.

Photographs taken by crime scene officers showed the body without the handcuffs, but civilians, who included journalists, had seen and photographed them clearly dangling from the right hand of the deceased.

Mr Kanda says investigations will try to unravel the mystery behind the handcuffs.

"One, chiefs and their assistants are not allowed by law to be armed. It would be illegal for them to go about handcuffing suspects. If it is true that they had handcuffed the two, it is to be expected that the two would be discovered in water handcuffed. This is where we have a major issue. How we have some saying the two had been handcuffed and police collecting the bodies without the handcuffs," he said.

A postmortem is expected to provide crucial information on what happened to the two men before they died.
Drama and indecision yesterday characterised the Attorney-General's efforts to overturn the stinging High Court judgment that scuttled the State-backed constitutional review plans.

At midday, the High Court certified as urgent an application that the AG, through Solicitor General Kennedy Ogeto, had filed on Monday pleading for a stay of Thursday's judgement, pending appeal.

The judges also directed the AG to furnish the other parties in the case with copies of his written arguments by Thursday to give them time to file their responses by the end of day on Friday.

The AG appeared to be making headway in his attempt to restart the constitutional review through the Building Bridges Initiative (BBI).

Four hours later, however, Deputy Chief State Counsel Emmanuel Bitta wrote to the High Court's deputy registrar, indicating that the AG had abandoned the application for stay.

Mr Bitta, who also represented the AG during the hearing of the case, said the AG had resolved to pursue the same relief - suspending implementation of the judgment - at the Court of Appeal.

Ruling on AG's application

"Take notice that the Attorney-General hereby withdraws his Notice of Motion Application dated May 14, 2021 as he is desirous of invoking the concurrent jurisdiction of the Court of Appeal to seek similar reliefs," reads the letter by Mr Bitta.

The five-judge High Court bench comprising of justices Joel Ngugi, George Odunga, Chacha Mwita, Teresiah Matheka and Jairus Ngaah had slated its ruling on the AG's application for Wednesday next week.

In urging the court to grant him stay orders, the AG indicated that failure to do that would subject the State and Kenyans at large to irreparable harm and the intended appeal would be rendered nugatory.

He also argued that the eight petitioners would not suffer any prejudice in the event that the court suspends implementation of the judgment so that he could exercise the right of appeal.

The AG's office did not issue any further statement explaining its turnaround, even as observers pointed to the fact that a Wednesday ruling would have likely delayed the AG's urgent search for justice.

Legal experts have observed that a determination of the appeal could be delayed by the shortage of judges and backlog of cases at the appellate court. The workload and staff shortage has seen less urgent cases slated for hearing as far as 2023.

According to lawyers Ahmednasir Abdullahi, Kamotho Njenga, Waikwa Wanyoike and Dudley Ochiel, the only way the BBI case can be salvaged is to have it certified as extremely urgent, which will see it heard and determined on a priority basis.

Declared illegal

The appellate court currently has 13 judges instead of 30, and as at the end of the last financial year there were 7,598 pending cases.

The process of appeal begins with filing a notice of appeal and, among the documents that accompany the substantive appeal is the disputed judgment and typed proceedings of the trial court. Delay mostly occurs in obtaining the typed proceedings, which often takes more than one month.

"When fast-tracked and without delays, the hearing and determination of the appeal will take three to four months. That goes to the month of August, and the referendum cannot be held less than one year to the General Election. The court can accelerate the case, but people will have suspicion that the government is pushing the judges," said Mr Abdullahi.

He added that in deciding whether to expedite the hearing and determination of the case, the judges will also be dealing with a judicial stigma and reputational risk.

"They do not want to be seen like they are the people who scuttled the BBI or allowed a process that had been declared illegal," he said.

Lawyer Kamotho Njenga noted that if President Uhuru Kenyatta immediately proceeds to swear in the 11 judges, whose appointments to the Court of Appeal have been pending since July 2019, the BBI appeal can be concluded faster without the court appearing to favour the case.

Expedite BBI hearing

"In view of the multiple infractions afflicting the BBI initiative, an application for stay of the High Court decision has remote chances of success. Needless to state, the intended appeal by the Attorney-General and the Secretariat is weak at best and worth abandonment," said Mr Njenga.

He stated that considering the situation at the court, without special treatment, the earliest the BBI case can be determined is 2023.

Close Sign up for free AllAfrica Newsletters Get the latest in African news delivered straight to your inbox Top Headlines Kenya Legal Affairs By submitting above, you agree to our privacy policy. Success! Almost finished... We need to confirm your email address. To complete the process, please follow the instructions in the email we just sent you. Error! Error! There was a problem processing your submission. Please try again later.

Lawyer Waikwa Wanyoike said if the Court of Appeal does not privilege the BBI case, it will take a minimum of three years for it to be fully determined.

"It would be unfair for the Court of Appeal to expedite the BBI hearing. The reason as to why there is such a significant backlog at the court is the President's failure to appoint the 11 new judges. Unlike election matters that have a strict constitutional adjudication deadline, BBI is a regular matter that must take its rightful place in the cue," he said.

He added that the chances of the BBI surviving at the Court of Appeal are minimal.

"The Court of appeal would have to reverse all the findings that the High Court made. Even if the Appeal or Supreme Court upholds only one of the High Court's findings, it would mean that BBI is unconstitutional and cannot go to a referendum. It is also impossible to reverse most of the findings because they were based on uncontradicted facts," stated Mr Wanyoike.
The university banned the press club for three months for allegedly posing a threat "to the security of other students on campus."

The management of <a target="_blank" href="http://www.adsu.edu.ng/">Adamawa State University</a> has failed to reinstate the students' press club operating in the institution one year after banning its operations.

Belmond Benson, the university's spokesperson, told PREMIUM TIMES the case is still being handled by the "appropriate quarters."

"Due process is being followed," Mr Benson said when asked for an update on the lifting of the ban.

"They have written so it's being processed. Before the school went on lockdown they were looking for them and they couldn't reach the students so they left the matter like that until we resume now.

"And there are lots of issues that are coming up again. The matter is being handled by the management," he said.

Mr Benson, however, refused to state when the press club would be reinstated.

<a target="_blank" href="https://www.premiumtimesng.com/regional/nnorth-east/377494-nigerian-university-bans-students-press-club.html">Premium Times earlier reported</a> that the management banned the press club for three months for allegedly posing a threat "to the security of other students on campus."

In a letter forwarded to the president of the press club, signed by the Acting Registrar, Ahmed Ghaji, it stated that "Management has received with dismay the report on the activities of the Press Club and the threat it poses to the security of other students on campus."

According to the statement, the press club was banned from operating on campus for three months with effect from January 27.

Mr Ghaji directed the press club to immediately stop every activity and ensure strict compliance by all members.

Freedom on campuses

During this year's World Press Freedom Day, the National Union of Campus Journalists reiterated its condemnation of the move by the school management and student union government to gag press freedom on campus.

"The union rejects all forms of attacks on campus press organizations and students journalists and other actions that may stifle free press on campus," it said in the statement.

Close Sign up for free AllAfrica Newsletters Get the latest in African news delivered straight to your inbox Top Headlines Education Nigeria By submitting above, you agree to our privacy policy. Success! Almost finished... We need to confirm your email address. To complete the process, please follow the instructions in the email we just sent you. Error! Error! There was a problem processing your submission. Please try again later.

"At NUCJ, we shall continue to promote freedom of the press and protect the collective interests of campus journalists across Nigeria."

In May 2019, a student of Akwa Ibom State University (AKSU), Ikot Akpaden, was suspended indefinitely from the school for allegedly calling the university vice-chancellor 'foolish' on Facebook.

In February 2019, six students of the Madonna University, Okija, Anambra State, were arrested and detained for posting 'offensive' messages on Facebook. They have been released on bail.

In October 2020, PREMIUM TIMES reported how the Taraba State University expelled a first-year student, Joseph Israel, after he repeatedly criticised the state governor, Darius Ishaku, on Facebook.

In November 2020, the management of the Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta, (FUNAAB) in Ogun State, expelled one of its students over a Facebook post drawing the attention of the public to the alleged indiscriminate arrest of his colleagues by the police and incessant robbery attacks on campus.

Last year, the State Security Services (SSS) arrested and charged Ayoola Babalola, a campus journalist, to court for allegedly publishing articles in a campus newspaper called GAPOSA Trumpet in which he served as the editor. Mr Babalola was remanded in Ibara Maximum Prison in Abeokuta and later released on bail.
Governor Bello says 25 displaced communities are returning to their ancestral homes

Niger State Governor Sanni Bello says three soldiers have been killed by bandits in Magama Local Government Area of the state.

Mr Bello added that some of the bandits were killed and two bodies recovered when security agencies were trailing the rest of the bandits.

He said this while addressing journalists after a meeting with security chiefs in the state at the Government House, Minna, on Tuesday.

According to the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Mary Noel-Berje, 25 displaced communities are returning back home.

"Respite has begun to return to communities that were displaced by banditry activities in Shiroro, Munya and Mariga local government areas even as 25 displaced communities are returning to their ancestral homes," she said in a statement on the governor's interaction with the journalists.

Governor Bello, who pointed out that he has monitored the movement of the IDPs, said there was no cause for alarm as everything was moving smoothly.

"I am happy to announce that we have seen tremendous improvement, a lot of IDPs have gradually moved to their villages especially in Shiroro, Munya and Mariga local governments.

"We have at least 25 communities that have relocated back to their various homes", he said.

The governor, however, said security threats remain in some communities, but assured that the security agents were working tirelessly to curtail the situation.

"It doesn't mean we still do not have some challenges, we have a few communities under threat but the security agencies are doing their best to contain the situation", he stated.

Mr Bello said if more security personnel are deployed by the Federal Government to the state, more grounds will be covered.

"The governor allayed the fears of food shortage in the state, stressing that the IDPs that were returned to their homes are major agricultural producing areas believing that they will engage in their farming activities immediately.

"The governor commended the efforts of the service chiefs at the federal and heads of security in the state for their efforts in the fight against banditry activities in the State."
Monrovia  A Liberian-owned diamond mining company; Youssef Diamond Mining Company (YDMC) has announced the discovery of what could turn out to be the largest diamond field in the world.

Mr. Roger Youssef, a Geologist and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of YDMC, disclosed that following findings of large kimberlitic dike deposits in the north-western part of the country by the company, it is safe to state that Liberia may just make use of the opportunity to generate huge revenue generation amid the struggling economy or loses out.

Youssef made the disclosure Tuesday, May 18, 2021 during a consultative forum with authorities of the Liberian government spearheaded by the Ministry of Mines and Energy as well as heads of the Committees on Lands, Mines, Energy and Natural Resources at both Houses of the Liberian Legislature and other key stakeholders in the Energy sector including former Mines and Energy Minister Dr. Eugene Shannon.

The one-day consultative meeting was intended for the company to showcase its resource potential for potential exploration of diamonds from the Alpha Camp in Western Liberia (Northern Lofa near the border with Sierra Leone).

"Evidence from our data shows that Liberia may one day be the largest kimberlite field in the World. I was born and grew up in this country. We want Liberians to be enlightened that there is huge prospect or potential of diamonds and that there is a company called YDMC that is on the forefront of supporting, and funding the fundamental achievement of the discovery from Liberia," Youssef stated.

He pointed out that based on the prevailing economic hardship that has engulfed the nation, any discovery of such is an enormous benefit for the government and the people to make a huge difference in their lives, and as such, all efforts by the company must be supported to allow its operate freely.

"This kimberlite has built nations up there. As I said earlier, evidence we have shown that we have discovered what must be the largest kimberlite field in the entire world. For now, when limited to West Africa, we are 100% guaranteed that we have the highest number of kimberlite in dikes cluster; better than Sierra Leone, better than Guinea, better than Mali, better than Ivory Coast. And we are hoping that in times, we can match the world and come up in rank with the world's producers of diamond," Roger indicated.
Switzerland  Alieu Kosiah, former ULIMO commander, stood trial in Bellinzona, Switzerland, for four weeks in December 2020 and in February 2021 for the crimes he allegedly committed in Lofa County, Liberia, between 1993 and 1996. He is charged with 25 counts of war crimes, including murders, forced transports, looting, rape, and recruitment of a child soldier. The Swiss Federal Criminal Court announced today that the judgment will be rendered on June 18, 2021 at 1.30pm. Alieu Kosiah pleaded not guilty, and the Federal Prosecutor requested a 20 year prison sentence.

This is a landmark case, as the Defendant was the first Liberian national to be tried for war crimes connected to the Liberian civil wars (1989-1997, 1999-2003); it was also the first time that the Swiss Federal Criminal Court held a war crime trial.

Of the seven plaintiffs that testified, four of them were represented in Court by the lawyers of Civitas Maxima, which had filed a complaint against Kosiah in 2014. "Kosiah's trial is the first step towards ending impunity in Liberia" stated Fayah Williams, Deputy Director of the Global Justice and Research Project. "People who allegedly have committed crimes and crimes against humanity during the civil wars have always thought they were above the law. Some of the plaintiffs in the Alieu Kosiah case chose to come twice from Liberia, first during Ebola and later during the COVID-19 pandemic, to share their testimony in Switzerland. Their example will encourage other victims to come forward."
Accra-based Citi FM and Citi TV has petitioned the National Media Commission (NMC) to investigate the arrest and assault of its journalist, Caleb Kudah.

The company asked the Commission to investigate the subsequent invasion of its premises by operatives of National Security.

A letter signed by Samuel Attah-Mensah, Managing Director of CITI FM/TV, to the NMC, on May 14, said Mr Kudah was arrested at the National Security Ministry premesises on May 11, for filming abandoned MASLOC vehicles parked at the premises of the ministry.

Mr Kudah was at the Ministry to verify a claim by an official of MASLOC that all the cars had been given out, after he had complained about wastage of public funds on social media.

However, on his way out of the premises of the ministry, he was accosted by officials of the National Security Ministry, who raised the alarm and accused him of filming national security installations, to foment trouble.

According to the petition, Mr Kudah was immediately surrounded by policemen who seized his phone and roughed him up before sending him into a building in which he met the head of the SWAT Unit DSP Azugu.

It said during questioning, he identified himself to the officials as a journalist from Citi FM/Citi TV, who had come to take photos of abandoned MASLOC vehicles, which was a follow up on a story he had earlier done.

The petition indicated that Mr Kudah was slapped several times and punched indiscriminately by theofficers several times while being questioned by DSP Azugu although he had identified himself as a journalist from Citi FM/Citi TV.

Close Sign up for free AllAfrica Newsletters Get the latest in African news delivered straight to your inbox Top Headlines Ghana Legal Affairs Human Rights By submitting above, you agree to our privacy policy. Success! Almost finished... We need to confirm your email address. To complete the process, please follow the instructions in the email we just sent you. Error! Error! There was a problem processing your submission. Please try again later.

It said one Lt Col Agyeman also gave him a hefty slap and asked him to kneel down, kicked him in the groin and left him lying down.

These actions, according to the company continued for several hours until Mr Kudah was released at 7:00pm.

The company noted that while Mr Kudah was in detention, the operatives illegally seized his phone and proceeded under subterfuge to chat with his colleague, Zoe Abu-Baidoo Addo, to lure her out of the office to be arrested.

The petition said minutes later, about seven or eight fully armed SWAT police officers from the National Security Ministry, led by a plain clothes officer stormed Citi FM/Citi TV in a Rambo-style in 3 pick-up vehicles, to arrest her.

"A chaotic scene ensued amid the cocking of guns and shouts, which was not only unprofessional, but intimidating and dangerous to both Mrs Abu-Baidoo Addo and the members of staff, who had come out in response to the ensuing commotion," according to the petition.

It said the approach adopted by the SWAT team in its bid to arrest Mrs Abu-Baidoo Addo, within the precincts of her own office premises was potentially life-threatening to her and the members of staff present at the scene".

It, therefore, asked the NMC to investigate the matter and recommend appropriate actions thereafter.
Accra Circuit Court adjourned to June 9, the case in which an alleged fake pastor, Saint John Walker, defrauded a businesswoman of GH60,000.

This is because witness in the case could not give evidence as prosecutor, Inspector Eric Pobi, failed to serve the accused who had pleaded not guilty to the charge of stealing, with hearing notice.

Insp Pobi pleaded with the court, presided over by Emmanuel Essandoh, to give him up to the close of yesterday, to serve accused with hearing notice.

The facts are that the complainant, Mrs Darling Tuffour, lent Maame Dufie an amount of GH100,000.00, which Dufie failed to repay.

The failure of Maame Dufie to keep her promise of repaying the loan resulted in a quarrel between the two women to the extent that both of them stopped talking to each other.

Pastor Walker took advantage of the situation and went to the house of Maame Dufie in the company of some policemen and collected GH60,000 from Maame Dufie, claiming complainant asked him (pastor) to take the money.

Later, the complainant, who was tired of waiting for her money to be refunded, asked her son to follow up on the debt, only to be told that Madam Dufie had paid GH60,000.00 in two installments to Saint Walker.

Mrs Tuffour lodged a complaint to the police at East Legon and accused was arrested and arraigned.
Tamale  The Northern Regional Police Command has arrested three persons suspected to be kidnappers, at various locations within the Tamale Metropolis.

They are Yussif Mohammed, 22, a herdsman, from Akwadun, near Koforidua, in the Eastern Region, Sanda Mohammed, 23, a herdsman from Kintampo, in the Bono Region, and Mahammud Umar, 23, also a herdsman, from Bunjai, in the Salaga District of the Savana Region.

The Northern Regional Police Commander, Commissioner of Police (COP) Timothy Yoosa Bonga confirmed the arrest at a press conference, in Tamale, yesterday.

He said that the three are also suspected to be a robbery syndicate, operating in the northern part of county.

COP Bonga said the arrest of the three was as a result of Criminal Investigations Department (CID) intelligence reports received by the Northern Regional Police Command.

He revealed that a machete, seven mobile phones, a cash of GH5,861 and a MoMo amount of GH5,239 were retrieved from the suspects, apart from videos obtained from their phones.

COP Bonga indicated that the suspects could not explained how they acquired the amount neither will they led the police to their residents for further search.

He stated that the Northern Regional Police Command was liaising with the Savannah and Oti Regional Commands, to apprehend all suspects, who harass and kidnap people in the area.

COP Bonga stated that the police were carrying out investigations into the matter, and appealed to the public to volunteer information to aid in the arrest of criminals.

He said that the three suspects would be processed for court as soon as investigations were concluded.
Tema  The Blood Programme Organiser of the Tema General Hospital Blood Bank, John Ahadzi, has warned that if the public does not, as a matter of urgency step in to donate blood to the facility, the repercussions would be regrettable.

As at 11am on Tuesday, the Tema General Hospital Blood Bank had just 40 units of blood, which according to him, was woefully inadequate to meet the needs of the hospital.

According to him, the blood bank had been terribly hit by the outbreak of the Coronavirus pandemic (COVID-19) because individuals and institutions do not donate to them as was the case before possibly for fear of contracting the virus in the process of donating blood.

He noted that also worrying was that religious institutions which used to embark on various activities to get more blood for the hospital had ceased to do so.

In an interview with the Ghanaian Times on Sunday on the state of the blood bank in amid the COVID-19, Mr Ahadzi said "now, we are chasing the churches by writing to them but we are not getting any favourable response. So far, only one church has been consistent".

He said it was worrying that the Tema General Hospital still received accident and other emergency cases, Sickel cell patients and also did various surgeries.

He said because of the services the hospital provided daily, it was important for the public to step in to save lives else more lives might be lost to such situations than the COVID-19.

The Blood Programme Officer assured the public that strict measures were being put in place to ensure that persons who donated blood and staff would not have their health compromised in the process.

"We adhere strictly to the COVID-19 protocol both at the facility and when we go out, so I am inviting everybody to come and support us to save lives," he said.

He appealed to all able persons to go to their facility to donate blood.

Mr Ahadzi said every person who was 17 years and above, male or female, who weighs at least 50 kilogrammes qualified to donate blood.
The Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Mr. Godwin Emefiele, yesterday faulted claims by critics that the bank's agricultural intervention programmes, particularly the Anchor Borrower Programme (ABP), were skewed to favour some sections of the country.

He described the criticism as unfair, especially given all the CBN had done in some states, including the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

Emefiele said during the unveiling of Ekiti State rice pyramid project and the launch of the 2021 wet season rice cultivation in Ado Ekiti that the CBN is working on several fronts to fast-track the domestic production of milk and boost palm oil production in the country.

He added that it is also ready to support cocoa production.

He stated that the pyramid movement served to demonstrate that rice production is viable in all states.

He listed Lagos, Kwara, Kogi, Niger, Edo and Ekiti States among beneficiaries of CBN disbursements for various agricultural projects which are still ongoing.

Emefiele noted that out of about N700 billion that had been disbursed towards its agricultural programmes, over N300 billion had been disbursed either through the ABP, states or companies that are operating in the southern part of the country.

Specifically, he said two companies, Okomu Oil and Presco, which are involved in oil palm production in Edo State had received about N20 billion to boost their ventures while Greenfield, another firm involved in the production of ethanol in the state was also granted N7 million by the CBN.

Emefiele said: "In South-South where I come from, and where I have been personally criticised, in Edo State where Governor Obaseki comes from, we have disbursed over N10 billion. Some of you may have seen some of our programmes in Edo State in 2019 where we asked Edo State to allocate land to companies that are interested in palm plantation as well as in cassava... "

He said: "We disbursed about N7 million to a company called Greenfield that is building an ethanol plant in Edo State. We will be doing anchor borrowers for cassava farmers that will feed the ethanol plant.

"In Edo State, Okomu is there, Presco is there and they know that we have disbursed to the two of them close or more than N20 billion for to expand their palm plantations.

"If you go to the Nigerian Stock Exchange, you will find that today, Presco and Okomu, their profitability and their dividends payout is unassailable among other companies involved in producing palm and palm oil in Nigeria.

"And it is the reason why we decided that because we believe we can produce crude palm oil in Nigeria, we placed palm oil on our FX restriction and today, people are making money producing palm oil and selling and people refining and they are making money."

Stakeholders at the ceremony, including the Governor of Ekiti State and Chairman, Nigeria Governors' Forum (NGF), Dr. Kayode Fayemi, as well as his counterparts from Kebbi, Senator Atiku Bagudu; Jigawa, Muhammad Badaru Abubakar; Osun, Mr. Gboyega Oyetola and Ondo, Mr. Rotimi Akeredolu, commended Emefiele for his support for the agricultural sector as well as working towards achieving food security and poverty alleviation in the country.

The CBN governor said attaining self-sufficiency in food production would not come cheap, but the country could make steady and consistent progress through positive strides in the right direction.

According to him, the right synergy among stakeholders will catalyse the growth process, while the apex bank is always ready to offer an effective partnership to deliver on the critical national mandate of attaining self-sufficiency in food production.

Emefiele said the auspicious event was particularly significant in that it represented the first-ever grain pyramid in the South-west and also the first time the Rice Farmers Association of Nigeria (RIFAN)-CBN paddy pyramid unveiling activity was held in the region.

He expressed confidence that the pyramid project will generate the required momentum to catalyse rice cultivation in the region and provide a sustainable source of paddy for the numerous rice mills springing up in the South-west and environs.

He added that these symbolic events reinforced the CBN's belief in the potential in Nigerian agriculture sector, and the need for more private sector investment in the value chain.

"We believe significant improvements in domestic production of staple food items would help in attaining our price stability goals while reducing our dependence on imported food items," Emefiele added.

He stated that the sustainability of current efforts in agricultural production could only be guaranteed if the youths are attracted to agriculture.

According to him, the youths have the talent, energy, enthusiasm, technological adoption capacity and all the right drive to revolutionise agricultural production in the country.

He said: "We must meet them half-way to ensure that we provide the enabling environment to make agriculture attractive to them."

He said the CBN was ready to support youths willing to engage in agriculture as the sector offered significant benefits for them.

He said the bank had put in place measures to improve access to credit for youths interested in agriculture under the ABP and the Agri-Business Small and Medium Enterprise Investment Scheme (AGSMEIS).

Emefiele stated that from inception to date, the CBN has financed 3,107,890 farmers for the cultivation of 3,801,397 hectares across 21 commodities through 23 Participating Financial Institutions (PFIs) in the 36 States of the federation and the FCT.

He said the implementation of the ABP like any other smallholder financing programme had been challenging due to factors, including the country's landholding system, prolonged poor productivity per hectare, poor adoption of modern agronomic practices, lack of adequate mechanisation support services, post-harvest losses among others.

He said the CBN had continuously improved on its learning experiences and now could effectively tackle the challenges with proper planning, timely execution of plans and synergy among all stakeholders.

He said: "We have added several layers of control to improve on transparency and accountability among all stakeholders, and what you are witnessing today is a demonstration of our growth and a strong indication of the enormous potential in the country's agricultural space.

"It is important to note that we are still a far cry away from achieving our desired objective, but the growth process reaffirms our belief in the potential inherent in our agricultural sector."

Close Sign up for free AllAfrica Newsletters Get the latest in African news delivered straight to your inbox Top Headlines Nigeria Food and Agriculture By submitting above, you agree to our privacy policy. Success! Almost finished... We need to confirm your email address. To complete the process, please follow the instructions in the email we just sent you. Error! Error! There was a problem processing your submission. Please try again later.

The governors took their turns to praise Emefiele whom they described as focused in this efforts to reposition the sector.

Fayemi said one thing that could not be taken from President Muhammadu Buhari was the fact that he put agriculture at the centre of his administration.

He said imports from Thailand had dropped by over 90 per cent because of the CBN- ABP.

While urging farmers in the state to embrace the ABP, he said the CBN interventions had helped to reduce poverty in the country.

Akeredolu said but for the CBN governor's passion and selfless initiatives, little or nothing would have been achieved in agriculture.

He said Emefiele's commitment and support for agriculture was unrivalled, adding that the "CBN under your watch has done extremely well".

He seized the opportunity to seek help from the CBN in the area of land clearing, which he said had "never been so easy" in the region.

He also called on Emefiele to assist Ondo State in developing its palm and cocoa plantations.

Akeredolu added that all the governors are interested in agriculture development, but this could only be actualised through the CBN support.

Bagudu, on his part, while also commending Buhari for setting the stage for the revolution in rice production praised Emefiele for the development in rice production.

He said through policy guidance and CBN support, rice production had been enhanced as well as milled and consumed locally.

Oyetola, on his part, commended the CBN governor for funding the ABP, which he said Buhari had used to enhance food security.
Investor and trade interest in Africa remains strong despite challenges around Covid-19, senior officials from the United States, Germany and the United Kingdom said at the recently concluded annual conference of the African Private Equity and Venture Capital Association.

Representatives of the three nations spoke during a panel session held as part of the conference, held 20-21 April, 2021. The virtual event highlighted some of the recent regulatory and policy changes affecting private equity in Africa. It also discussed the impact of international public policy on trade and foreign direct investment in Africa's private sector.

The panel consisted of UK Trade Commissioner for Africa, Emma Wade-Smith; David Marchick, Chief Operating Officer of the US International Development Finance Corporation; Tania Rodiger-Vorwerk, Germany's Director of Private Sector, Trade, Employment and Digital Technologies; and Nigerian Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Otunba Richard Adeniyi Adebayo. The discussion was moderated by Abdu Mukhtar, Director of the Industrial and Trade Department at the African Development Bank.

Marchick said the US was committed to supporting Africa's production capacity, particularly when it comes to vaccines. The latter has become a burning issue in light of the Covid-19 pandemic.

"We average somewhere between $4 billion to $5 billion of investment a year. We want to increase that. Somewhere a little north of 20% of our allocation has been going to Africa, which we want to increase. So, if you take $5 billion a year, and 20% of that, that is a billion. I would like to see that substantially increased in the next few years in climate, in health, in technology and in infrastructure," Marchick said.

Wade-Smith said Africa was definitely on the UK's radar. "We are working really closely with governments to create that enabling environment, spotting whether there might be regulations that need updating or implementing more concretely and regularly, and I am really working with investment promotion agencies across the continent to help to create the right projects in the right way that will inspire those investors to come flooding back into Africa," she said.

On the home front, Adebayo said Nigeria was "doing quite a lot" to enhance investment prospects. He cited the country's newly-launched Presidential Enabling Business Environment Council, which has been driving reforms such as those related to the energy industry. The government of Africa's largest economy is also digitalizing trademarks and patents.

"We want to go beyond just exporting crude oil and agricultural products. What we intend to do is we try to set up special agro-industrial processing zones, the idea being to add value to our products before exporting. We invite investors to come and set up processing companies in Nigeria," Adebayo said.
Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El Sisi on Wednesday 19/5/2021expressed appreciation for efforts by the French Finance Ministry for boosting economic cooperation between the two countries.

At a meeting with French Minister of Economy and Finance Bruno Le Maire, president Sisi added that there are many investment opportunities in Egypt for the French investors especially in the fields of transport, energy, water and health, said Egyptian Presidential Spokesman Ambassador Bassam Radi.

The French minister underlined that France is keen on boosting joint cooperation with Egypt and offering modern technology in all fields, the spokesman pointed out.

The meeting took up means of increasing French investments in Egypt and efforts for expanding the current French investments in the Egyptian market, added the spokesman.
Tunis/Tunisia  President Kais Saied, on Tuesday evening, held bilateral talks with French President, Emmanuel Macron, at the Elysee Palace.

The two leaders discussed, in particular, "the distinguished cooperation and partnership relations between Tunisia and France and the prospects for expanding and diversifying them.

They also followed-up on the outcomes of the Summit on the Financing of African Economies that took place on the same day in Paris.

"The two presidents exchanged views on a number of regional and international issues of common interest, the Presidency said in a press release. Regarding the situation in the Middle East, the two leaders "underscored the absolute necessity to put an end to hostilities," the Elysee Palace said in a statement. They also agreed to work together, notably within the United Nations Security Council.

The two sides discussed the COVID-19 pandemic and its impacts. The French President in this regard, announced that France will deliver in June autonomous oxygen production units to three Tunisian hospitals. He assured him that France would make sure that Tunisia will receive additional deliveries of vaccines as soon as possible within the framework of COVAX, to which France is actively contributing, the same statement reads.

The two heads of State also discussed Tunisia's financial and economic situation and the reforms underway. Macron affirmed on this occasion, France's ongoing support to Tunisia at the bilateral as well as the international levels.

They talked about fight against terrorism and ways to boost bilateral cooperation to counter this phenomena.

Close Sign up for free AllAfrica Newsletters Get the latest in African news delivered straight to your inbox Top Headlines Tunisia Governance Europe and Africa By submitting above, you agree to our privacy policy. Success! Almost finished... We need to confirm your email address. To complete the process, please follow the instructions in the email we just sent you. Error! Error! There was a problem processing your submission. Please try again later.

The two Presidents also discussed the situation in Libya, expressing support to the ongoing political process under the United Nations' auspices and to the full implementation of the ceasefire agreement.

They also reviewed the preparations for the next Summit of the Francophonie to be hosted by Tunisia in November, the Elysee statement added.

The President of the Republic, who had arrived Monday in Paris, met with a number of his African counterparts and officials of African and European financial institutions.

He announced at his speech to the Summit Tuesday Tunisia's endorsement of international and regional calls to lift the ban on patents for COVID-19 vaccines, likely to help all peoples and countries benefit from these vaccines.

Kais Saied called in his speech for writing off the debts of poor countries or reducing a significant part of them, especially with the high volume of these debts and the interests they generate.
Okey Ifejoku, a community leader in Idumuje-Ugboko village in Delta State has been in police detention since March 26.

A situation that has stirred serious agitations on social media in recent times as many keep wondering why the President of the Idumuje-Ugboko Development Union (IUDU) is being held for so long without trial.

How the social media crusade started

Twitter user, @pa_melanin (Pamela Ifejoku) has initiated the hashtag #freeOkeyIfejoku over the detention of her father, Okey Ifejoku and 9 other community leaders of Idumeje Ugboko village in Delta state for years, allegedly on the order of former House of Representatives member, Ned Nwoko.

Vanguard gathered that Ifejoku who is the elected President-General of IUDU was arrested by the Delta State Police Command on the alleged order of Nwoko in 2017.

The former lawmaker had accused him of sponsoring the indigenes of Aniocha North Local Government Area to protest against him and kick against his bid to forcefully acquire additional 90 hectares of land from an area earmarked for all indigenes of the community.

Pamela Ifejoku, in a viral video on her page to help demand freedom for her father, accused Nwoko and the police of malicious destruction of property, disobedience to the order of the court, assault occasioning harm, abuse of public office, unlawful arrest, false imprisonment and conduct likely to cause a breach of peace.

'Ned Nwoko not party to the matter'

Reacting, Ned Nwoko through his media aide, Ifetayo Adeniyi, denied all the allegations levied against him claiming "he has paid about 200million in compensation as mandated according to the MoU that were signed and ceded 40% equity to the community on the income of Star University".

"It was all lies. Ned is neither a complainant nor defendant in any way to the matter. It was the victims of the act of terrorism and arson that were committed led by the lady's father in 2017. The victims (Iyese of Idumuje kingdom and others) with Nigeria Human Rights Commission instituted the case and those that were involved were arrested and charged to court."

"Ned has paid about 200million in compensation as mandated according to the MoU that were signed and ceded 40% equity to the community on the income of Star University (No rich man will do that to his community, I stand to be corrected). The lady, her parents and Prince Nonso are just clout chasing.

Close Sign up for free AllAfrica Newsletters Get the latest in African news delivered straight to your inbox Top Headlines Nigeria Legal Affairs By submitting above, you agree to our privacy policy. Success! Almost finished... We need to confirm your email address. To complete the process, please follow the instructions in the email we just sent you. Error! Error! There was a problem processing your submission. Please try again later.

"She is not staying in the village so I will advise her to easily go to the village, plead with Iyese (the prime Minister of Idumuje) and other victims to drop the case or plead for out of court settlement. Once again sir, Ned is neither a complainant nor defendant to the case that led to the trial of Ifejokwu and others," Adeniyi told Vanguard.

Detainee 'll be arrainged soon - Police

When contacted on telephone, a police source at the State CID, Okpanam road, Asaba, who spoke on condition of anonymity confirmed that the suspect (Mr. Ifejoku) and 9 others are in their custody and would be arraigned as soon as court resumes hearing.

When asked who ordered the detainment of Mr. Ifejoku, the source claimed it was a directive from the police headquarters, Abuja.

"The case is in Abuja. They (Mr. Ifejoku and others) were only bought here for detention only. So, it's an Abuja case. They want them to be prosecuted here in Asaba pending when court resumes hearing," he said.

All efforts to reach the Public Relations Officer at police headquaters, Abuja proved abortive as of the time of filing this report.

Vanguard News Nigeria
Mr Isah accuses Peter Nkanga, the reporter who shot the documentary of "trying to set him up with his wife".

A Nigerian broadcaster and self-styled human rights advocate, Ahmed Isah, popularly known as Ordinary President, who anchors the popular Berekete family show on <a target="_blank" href="https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.radio.humanrights&hl=en&gl=US">Human Rights radio Abuja,</a> has publicly apologised for hitting a lady on his show.

Mr Isah on Wednesday during the show apologised to Nigerians for his actions. He was joined by several listeners, some of whom called in to apologise on his behalf.

A <a target="_blank" href="https://youtu.be/qN5sINAjyYM">BBC</a> documentary which premiered on May 17, 2021 showed Mr Isah, losing control and slapping a lady identified as Susan who was accused of burning her little niece's hair who she claimed is a witch. From the documentary, the little girl had suffered a major burn on the head.

Following this documentary, many Nigerians flayed Mr Isah for his violent reaction while interviewing the suspect on his show. Some, however, commended Mr Isah for his many humanitarian works.

Apology, allegations

Mr Isah, while apologising on his show on Wednesday, however, accused Peter Nkanga, the reporter who shot the documentary of "trying to set him up with his wife".

"Peter Nkanga, because he knows I like women, it appeared he wanted to set me up with his wife who at a time called me continuously saying 'some kind things' and when I asked she told me she was his wife and a lawyer... "

Close Sign up for free AllAfrica Newsletters Get the latest in African news delivered straight to your inbox Top Headlines Entertainment Nigeria By submitting above, you agree to our privacy policy. Success! Almost finished... We need to confirm your email address. To complete the process, please follow the instructions in the email we just sent you. Error! Error! There was a problem processing your submission. Please try again later.

Mr Isah also announced that the show will no longer continue after this month.

"... I do not know how this will sound to you all, I did not consult with anyone but by the first of next month we will stop the programme; since the programme is their problem."

He, however, 'rescinded' his decision of stopping the show after listeners pleaded with him not to give 'the enemy' what they wanted.

When this reporter tried to reach Mr Nkanga for comments, he continuously declined calls. He also did not respond to a text message sent to his mobile number as of the time of filing this report.

Meanwhile, while apologising on the show, Mr Isah accused some unnamed persons of "plotting to kill him".

According to him, "... I got a security call from someone in Anambra asking me not to come, that the people who were pressuring me had planned to kill me... "

Mr Isah made these comments in response to a story of eight young boys who were allegedly taken from their homes in Anambra State 20 years ago by a one time senator of Anambra North.

According to a BBC report, "these boys were taken from their homes for allegedly throwing fireworks at the ex-senator who responded by sending vigilantes to round them and since 2001 no one has seen them".
press release

Reporters Without Borders (RSF) condemns in the strongest possible terms the defamation verdict today against investigative journalist Moussa Aksar, author of an investigation into one of the most serious political and financial scandals in Niger's history.

Moussa Aksar, editor of the newspaper L'Evenement, was fined 200,000 CFA francs (approximately 305 euros) and ordered to pay 1 million CFA francs (1,525 euros) in compensation over an investigation into the misappropriation of funds which broke last year in Niger.

In his story, published last September, he disclosed how tens of millions of euros were misappropriated by senior officials, in the army and close to the government, by overbilling for military equipment, supplying faulty weapons and in unfulfilled contracts.

Intimidated and threatened with death in the course of his investigations, he was eventually sued for defamation by a Niger citizen living in Belgium whom the investigation alleged had set up a shell company.

Aksar has appealed the verdict.

"The system for misappropriation of funds disclosed by this journalist is bad enough and to it we must now add his conviction for carrying out his outstanding investigative work," commented Arnaud Froger, the head of RSF's Africa desk. "This decision will serve to encourage bad governance and is an attack on investigative journalism in Niger. The message it sends out is a disaster. RSF pledges its full support for this editor and demands his acquittal at the appeal hearing."

Aksar is chairman of the Norbert Zongo Cell for Investigative Journalism in West Africa (CENOZO) and a member of the International Center for Journalists (ICFJ), with which he worked on the investigation. Contacted by RSF, he said he would continue his work on "this matter of state". At the time of his conviction he was still awaiting a response to his complaint about threatening messages he received from Niger arms dealer Aboubakar Hima Massi, nicknamed "Petit Boube".

Niger fell two places in the 2021 World Press Freedom Index published by RSF and now lies in 59th position out of 180 countries.
Four persons have died while three others sustained varying degrees of injuries on Tuesday when oxyacetylene gas exploded at the Conference Hotel, in Abeokuta, Ogun State.

The palatial hotel located near the State Secretariat at Oke Mosan, Abeokuta, is owned by former Governor, Otunba Gbenga Daniel.

Our correspondent gathered that the incident occurred during routine maintenance of the Automatic Revolving Door at the entrance of the hotel's reception.

It was further gathered that the oxyacetylene gas being used to weld the door triggered an explosion, killing about four people.

Witnesses told our correspondent that the technician, his assistant and two workers of the hotel died during the incident.

According to an eyewitness, the victims' bodies were badly severed by the impact of the explosion and could barely be identified.

However, the hotel management confirmed two dead and three injured during the incident.

A statement by the Hotel Facility Manager, Engr Tunde Osinubi, described the incident as regrettable.

It read: "A routine maintenance of the automatic revolving door at the entrance of the hotel reception, which involved the use of oxyacetylene gas to weld the door hinges was being carried out.

"The oxyacetylene gas cylinder suddenly exploded, killing the technician and one other person yet to be identified.

"Three other people were injured and were immediately taken to the hospital. They are responding to treatment.

Close Sign up for free AllAfrica Newsletters Get the latest in African news delivered straight to your inbox Top Headlines Nigeria Legal Affairs Urban Issues By submitting above, you agree to our privacy policy. Success! Almost finished... We need to confirm your email address. To complete the process, please follow the instructions in the email we just sent you. Error! Error! There was a problem processing your submission. Please try again later.

"So far, no sabotage is suspected. It is, however, suspected that the gas cylinder purchased at the open market may be fake and unable to withstand gas pressure.

"The incidents of gas explosions as a result of fake cylinders being sold have become worrisome and of great concern as similar incidents have been reported in several locations in Abeokuta recently with casualties.

"The management of the hotel sympathises with the families and friends of the deceased and wishes to warn the general public of the presence of fake gas cylinders in the market.

"This incidence is however greatly regretted."

Daily Trust reports that this is the third explosion recorded in the last one week in the state.

The two previous occurrences of gas explosion claimed the lives of an infant and four others.
The Nigerian Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) has threatened to close oil facilities nationwide over the ongoing Kaduna protest as it warned against hurting any labour leader.

Daily Trust reports that President of the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) Ayuba Wabba yesterday said armed thugs attacked the protesting union members.

According to a statement by the National President and General Secretary, Comrade Williams Akporeha, and Comrade Afolabi Olawale, "The union reiterates that no labour leaders or workers as the case may be, be harmed, harassed, maimed, humiliated or victimized during this 5-day peaceful protests in the state.

"Our union is raising this alarm following the very reliable report of the clandestine move of Governor Nasir El-RUfai to hurt and put the lives of NLC President, Comrade Ayuba Wabba and other labour leaders to danger.

"NUPENG, therefore, warns that if any harm is inflicted on any of the members of organized labour, the leadership of the union will not hesitate to call on all our members throughout the nation for a total shutdown of all our services in the upstream, midstream and downstream sectors of the oil and gas industry," NUPENG stated.

The union has put all oil workers on red alert saying within a five hour notice at any time, members could be called upon to begin strike, if there is need for that.
press release

President Cyril Ramaphosa successfully concludes the working visit to Paris, France, where he participated in the Summit on the Financing of African Economies hosted by President Emmanuel Macron.

African Heads of State and Government were joined by leaders of Financing Institutions such as International Monetary Fund, World Bank, Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) and representatives of G7 and G20 countries.

Discussions centred on external funding and debt treatment, as well as African private sector reforms and expansion, and infrastructure development.

These discussions reinforced the role played by President Ramaphosa during South Africa's 2020 tenure as Chair of the African Union to secure a strong and inclusive economic recovery in Africa.

The President appointed Special Envoys of the African Union to mobilise international support for Africa's efforts to address the economic challenges African countries will face as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Summit leaders stated their ambition to act together and fight the great divergence occurring within and between countries.

The summit recognised the role of extensive immunisation against COVID-19 as global public good and committed to ensure and accelerate equitable access in Africa to safe and affordable vaccines, treatments and diagnostics through the ACT-Accelerator and its COVAX facility.

The Summit called for a swift decision on and implementation of an unprecedented general allocation of the International Monetary Fund's Special Drawing Rights (SDRs) which is expected to amount to 650 billion US dollars, of which 33 billion US dollars will be used to increase reserve assets of African countries.

The Summit expressed support for African national strategies on growth and jobs , and welcomed the ambition to develop an Alliance for Entrepreneurship in Africa, with a broad pan- African reach and strong business focus.

The Alliance will help mobilise all partners ready to support, through financial and technical resources, the development of the private sector on the continent.

During the two-day visit , President Cyril Ramaphosa held bilateral talks with African Union Chairperson President Felix Tshisekedi of the Democratic Republic of Congo ; President Joao Lourenco of the Republic of Angola ; President Alassane Ouattara of the Republic of Ivory Coast ; President Filipe Jacinto Nyusi of the Republic of Mozambique ; President Macky Sall of the Republic of Senegal ; President Paul Kagame of the Republic of Rwanda, and President Faure Gnassingbe of the Republic of Togo to enhance South Africa's diplomatic relations.

Close Sign up for free AllAfrica Newsletters Get the latest in African news delivered straight to your inbox Top Headlines South Africa Governance External Relations By submitting above, you agree to our privacy policy. Success! Almost finished... We need to confirm your email address. To complete the process, please follow the instructions in the email we just sent you. Error! Error! There was a problem processing your submission. Please try again later.

Ahead of the start of the Summit earlier today, President Ramaphosa and President Macron of the French Republic met for bilateral talks at the Elysee Palace.

The leaders' discussion paved the way for the State Visit that President Macron will undertake to South Africa at the end of May 2021.

The leaders also discussed vaccine production and distribution, with President Ramaphosa emphasising the importance of the temporary waiver of the World Trade Organisation regulations on intellectual property, to enable Africa to expand its capability to independently produce vaccines that will combat COVID-19 and future pandemics.

In anticipation of the State visit, President Macron expressed interest to establish a partnership with South African vaccine - producing institutions, to enhance manufacturing capacity.

South Africa and France relations spans across areas of cooperation in energy, education, science and technology, as well as trade and investment among others. The relations extend to the European Union, making South Africa a key trading partner.

President Ramaphosa was accompanied by Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Dr Naledi Pandor and Acting Minister in the Presidency ,Ms Khumbudzo Ntshavheni.
Luanda  National Assembly (AN) elects Wednesday the new Ombudsman and his deputy.

This will be at its 8th Ordinary Plenary Meeting of 4th Legislative Session of National Assembly.

For the position, the Parliamentary group of the ruling MPLA party proposed the jurist Florbela Araujo, who will take over Carlos Alberto Ferreira Pinto, in the office since January 2018.

For deputy Ombudsman, MPLA appointed jurist Aguinaldo Guedes da Costa Cristovao, who will replace Florbela Araujo.

Carlos Alberto Ferreira Pinto recently sent a resignation letter to the National Assembly Speaker, Fernando da Piedade dos Santos, alleging personal grounds.

Draft Law on Volunteer will also go to the Parliament for the final global vote.

The session is also set to discuss and vote for the proposal on Insurance and Reinsurance Activity.

Likewise, the MPs will discuss and vote for Draft Treaty Resolution for the Ratification of the Agreement on the Extradition and Transfer of Persons Sentenced to Private Prison Sentences between Angola and Namibia.

The National Assembly will debate and vote for the Draft Resolution for the replacement of members appointed by MPLA in the provincial electoral commissions of Benguela, Cuando Cubango, Lunda-Norte, Namibe and Zaire, as well as 331 representatives in municipal commissions.

This will be at its 8th Ordinary Plenary Meeting of 4th Legislative Session of National Assembly.

Close Sign up for free AllAfrica Newsletters Get the latest in African news delivered straight to your inbox Top Headlines Angola Governance By submitting above, you agree to our privacy policy. Success! Almost finished... We need to confirm your email address. To complete the process, please follow the instructions in the email we just sent you. Error! Error! There was a problem processing your submission. Please try again later.

For the position, the Parliamentary group of the ruling MPLA party proposed the jurist Florbela Araujo, who will take over Carlos Alberto Ferreira Pinto, in the office since January 2018.

For deputy Ombudsman, MPLA appointed jurist Aguinaldo Guedes da Costa Cristovao, who will replace Florbela Araujo.

Carlos Alberto Ferreira Pinto recently sent a resignation letter to the National Assembly Speaker, Fernando da Piedade dos Santos, alleging personal grounds.

Draft Law on Volunteer will also go to the Parliament for the final global vote.

The session is also set to discuss and vote for the proposal on Insurance and Reinsurance Activity.

Likewise, the MPs will discuss and vote for Draft Treaty Resolution for the Ratification of the Agreement on the Extradition and Transfer of Persons Sentenced to Private Prison Sentences between Angola and Namibia.

The National Assembly will debate and vote for the Draft Resolution for the replacement of members appointed by MPLA in the provincial electoral commissions of Benguela, Cuando Cubango, Lunda-Norte, Namibe and Zaire, as well as 331 representatives in municipal commissions.
The Commission for Gender Equality (CGE) has welcomed the six life terms handed down to a man who murdered his girlfriend and five children.

Zimbabwean national, Nowa Makula aged 32, was sentenced to six life terms in prison by the Elliotdale Magistrates Court for murdering his girlfriend Nomzamo Mhlanti and five children, including a toddler with an axe in their home at Elliotdale in Eastern Cape.

The murders took place in 2020, when the country was commemorating the 16 Days of Activism for No Violence against Women and Children Campaign.

Commission's spokesperson, Javu Baloyi said CGE has been monitoring the case and they are satisfied with the speed in which the verdict was delivered.

"We are aware that cases of gender-based violence (GBV) take long to be completed in the courts, with many others not getting a conviction. The CGE trusts that this sentence will serve as a benchmark in speedily addressing GBV cases.

"As the institution empowered by the Constitution 'to promote respect for gender equality and the protection, development and attainment of gender equality,' this places upon the commission, the burden to ensure that our country observes the right of women and children to be protected against gender-based violence," Baloyi said.

In a statement on Tuesday, the commission reiterated its appeal to both the public and private sector as well as society to take a stand against perpetrators of gender-based violence.

Meanwhile, the commission will, through its outreach and legal programmes, continue to educate and raise awareness.

"We urge members of the public with information about acts of gender-based violence and abuse to call our toll-free number 0800 007 709 to report such cases or contact the nearest office of the Commission of Gender Equality," Baloyi said.
NAMIBIA is expecting to receive 43 000 doses of AstraZeneca vaccine from the Anagni plant in Italy through the Covax facility on Friday.

Health deputy director Petronella Masabane revealed this to The Namibian on Tuesday.

These doses are part of 108 000 doses allocated to the country.

This comes at a time where there are fears that the current stock of vials of the vaccines might not suffice and jeopardise Namibia's target of herd immunity.

The first batch of 24 000 doses of AstraZeneca from the facility arrived in the country on 16 April.

By yesterday, at least 53 578 had been administered the first doses while the second stood at 3 418.

Namibia has been administering the Chinese produced Sinopharm vaccine, which was donated by the country in March.

The Gavi Alliance who runs the Covax facility with the World Health Organisation has admitted that despite the scale-up and scale-out of vaccine manufacturing, there has been bottlenecks in the supply of raw materials and trade barriers impacting the supply chain cannot be resolved swiftly.

One of the countries that had a massive manufacturing scale of the vaccine, India, is currently battling a deadly wave of a new variant.

As a result, this has paralysed the country's ability to provide the Covax facility with doses.
THE 8th phase government started on 3rd November last year when President Hussein Ali Hassan Mwinyi took an oath of office mentioning reforms to improve tax administration as among his priorities.

Dr Mwinyi has since his first speech as a president of Zanzibar vowed to improve tax collection, directing both the Tanzania Revenue Authority (TRA) and the Zanzibar Revenue Board (ZRB) to be innovative and find more sources of revenue without causing burden to taxpayers.

"Zanzibar still has many unexploited areas which can increase revenues. The responsible authorities must think outside the traditional sources of income," Mwinyi has repeatedly argued.

Formalizing the small and middle business enterprises like vendors (Machingas or Jua kali) and motorbike taxis (Bodaboda), and also encourage people to register their business and services and pay tax is likely to increase collection highly needed to fund different development projects.

Mwinyi says plans are underway to formalize the Machingas by providing them with special IDs similar to the IDs used in the Tanzania mainland after it was introduced by late President John Pombe Magufuli.

"I do not prefer collecting more money by increasing tax frequently, I only want all who are supposed to pay tax to do so willingly, because it is the only way the government can plan and implement its development programs," Dr Mwinyi says.

However, some members of the business community continue to complain against taxes they are supposed to pay, "For example importer has to pay different institutions to clear goods/import at the entry sea port."

"An entrepreneur manufacturing soap or food items locally has to pay taxes to TRA, ZRB, Zanzibar Bureau of Standards (ZBS), Tanzania Bureau of Standards (TBS,) and other institutions before his or her goods reach the market.

Some producers are discouraged or resort to cheating to avoid paying many taxes," Mr Hassan Omar, a businessman says.

Talking to the members of the business community, President Mwinyi promised to review challenges facing them including unnecessary multiple taxes when clearing goods at entry points or from factory.

Mr Jamal Kassim- Isles Minister for Finance and Planning says already the Machingas IDs and the electronic invoicing are in-offing as the transformation of Tax administration goes on.

Although it has taken relatively too long for the enforcement of use of certified electronic devices in sales and services, since the 2017 when it proposed, the Minister says the government is now fully committed to control frauds.

"We aim to reach onehundred percent through digital communication with taxpayers and this rests entirely on appropriate IT systems," Mr Kassim says as some few traders start using EFD machines in payments.

However, many people, companies, and institutions engaged in businesses and services still perform transaction manually, a room for frauds and evasions, denying the government millions of shillings as revenue.

Many businesses and NGOs are also not registered or not paying appropriate tax to the government, along with continued gaps in tax compliance and corruption in the country.

The Minister says that strengthening compliance, and addressing the challenges is now a priority to the government "Because addressing non-compliance and other challenges can raise significant amounts."

In promoting compliances part of its campaign to increase revenue collection, TRA in collaboration with ZRB have renewed public awareness that targets to reach different groups.

So far the TRA and ZRB officers have organized meetings with some members of the Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs), Savings and Credit Co-Operative Society (SACCOS), and some secondary schools.

Dr Shuweikha Salum Khalfan from TRA said "We have been running series of programs including media and workshops to ensure majority people who are taxpayers understand the importance of paying tax."

At a meeting held at the 'Rahaleo artists' Studio hall' in the city, the TRA officer for tax education/awareness Ms Khalfan said the NGOs in the country play an important role in compliance, asking the all people to ensure they pay tax.

"Practice the culture of voluntary tax payment of what you are required to pay without attempts to cheat or dodge. The government relies heavily on tax collections to meet development goals. Everyone has a role to play," she said.

She was flanked by her counterpart from Zanzibar Revenue Board (ZRB) Mr Makame Mohamed who also emphasized to the NGOs the importance of paying tax and risks of penalty including fines which ranges between 100,000/- and 500,000/- for the implicated tax payers.

Close Sign up for free AllAfrica Newsletters Get the latest in African news delivered straight to your inbox Top Headlines Tanzania Governance By submitting above, you agree to our privacy policy. Success! Almost finished... We need to confirm your email address. To complete the process, please follow the instructions in the email we just sent you. Error! Error! There was a problem processing your submission. Please try again later.

Both revenue experts explained to the participants about different taxes they are supposed to pay and also ensured that they give receipts after selling goods or provide services to customers along with proper keeping of records to avoid complaints during tax payment verification.

They said that they are optimistic that the ongoing reforms in tax administration which include public awareness, employing technology or digitalization (use of virtual fiscal devices-VFD, and promoting compliance will improve and increase tax collection.

For example the current ZRB monthly collections is expected to rise from the current average of 46bn/- to 55bn/- and that the government is fully committed to ensure collection rise is realized.

According to the International Monetary Fund (IMF), although different nations have been taking measures to improve tax collection, much remains to be done in many countries to build effective tax administrations.
ON Monday at State House in Dar es Salaam, President Samia Suluhu received the Coronavirus assessment report from the committee she had formed under Prof Said Aboud as the chairperson. Congratulations Prof Aboud for the professional and fast-prepared report!

It was noted that she had set up the committee to help fight the virus that is globally a threat not only to human lives, but also socio-economic fabrics of development of any country, Tanzania inclusive.

This move with recommendations, which include the government being urged to give Covid-19 updates and put in place measures to prevent a third wave from hitting the country is a clear manifestation that as citizens, we must all take necessary precautions seriously as advised by the health professionals against the diseases.

This is an area that requires no politics and name calling, because it rips off several economies, especially the tourism sector that employs thousands of the citizens directly and indirectly apart from being a major source of revenue to the government.

It is worth praise that the committee also recommended no lockdown for the country for the nationals to freely go about their businesses, because majority depends on daily wages and petty businesses as a way of eking out a living.

However, this should not be reversed to mean recklessness in handling the pandemic that has no boundary and taking it for granted.

In reality, the virus is not a myth, but kills and should not be taken as a radio disease (only heard and discussed in the media).

Equally, it is worth praise that the committee also recommended that health workers should concentrate a lot on informing and educating the public on how to prevent and treat Covid- 19, because prevention in many ways is better than curing.

Close Sign up for free AllAfrica Newsletters Get the latest in African news delivered straight to your inbox Top Headlines Tanzania Coronavirus By submitting above, you agree to our privacy policy. Success! Almost finished... We need to confirm your email address. To complete the process, please follow the instructions in the email we just sent you. Error! Error! There was a problem processing your submission. Please try again later.

Though it has been more than 17 months since the novel coronavirus, SARS-CoV-2, caused an outbreak of respiratory disease (COVID-19) and pneumonia in Wuhan, China.

Since then, SARS-CoV-2 has spread around the world, sickening more than 161 million people, implying that Tanzania, as recommended by Prof Aboud's proposal should join other organs involved in decision making and adhere to resolutions that are being used in the East African Community, the South African Development Community, the African Union, and the World Health Organization, because we can't live in isolation.

It is wise that the report also considered religious leaders as a force to reckon with, including the private sector, and the media to join the government in spreading awareness about the virus.
President Samia Suluhu has swapped work stations for the two Regional Commissioners (RC's), Mr John Mongela and David Kafulila.

Announcing the changes shortly after administered oaths of 10 regional commissioners and some heads of government institutions at the State House in Dar es Salaam on Wednesday, the head of state sent Mr Mongela to be Arusha Regional Commissioner and RC Kafulila's working station is Simiyu.

She pointed out that her decision for the changes was made in consideration of leadership experience between Kafulila and Mongela.

According to the President, Mongela is more experienced than his counterpart hence it was rational for her to transfer the RC to another City.

"Since Mr Mongela was in Mwanza [already grown city], I have decided to relocate him to Arusha which has the same status... therefore, Mr Kafufula will now go to Simiyu... since this is his first assignment (as RC) after served as the Regional Administrative Secretary (RAS) for Songwe region," she said.

Before the changes, Kafulila was named as Arusha Regional Commissioner.

Kafulila is going to fill the vacuum left by Mr Antony Mtaka who has been reallocated to Dodoma.
ADDIS ABABA- Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed (PhD) announced that this year's green legacy program has embraced the East African countries and Ethiopia has prepared over one billion seedlings to its neighbors with a view to ensuring a shared prosperity in the region. The Premier's remark came yesterday while launching the 2021 green legacy program which was held under the motto 'Let's make Ethiopia Greener.'

Noting Ethiopia's intertwined fate with its neighbors, Abiy said that the country purses the principle of cooperation, not competition in relations with the East African nations. The plan to expand the green legacy to East Africa also showcases Ethiopia's vision to prosperity would be cascaded to its neighbors.

Agriculture Minister Omar Hussein said on the occasion that 7.7 billion seedlings are prepared to this year's Green Legacy initiative whilst 6.6 billion are going to be planted in home. According to him, over one billion seedlings are made available to Eritrea, South Sudan, Somalia, Sudan and Kenya.

In his tweet prior to the launching event, the PM said that "As Ethiopians, our lives are strongly intertwined with trees and forest. Preventing flooding, food insecurity, environment-related conflicts, and other adverse effects is in our hands." "When I call upon all Ethiopians to 'Adorn Ethiopia' the call is to cover our nation green to see beyond lines of divisions-region, ethnicity, religion sex, and in unity let us dress Ethiopia with prosperity and dignity the people of this great nation deserve," he added. Over 25 million people are expected to partake in this year's Green Legacy program that runs from May to September 2021, it was learnt.

BY MENGISTEAB TESHOME
Study led by NTU Singapore finds that microbes work as a network in causing lung infection

Traditionally, an infection is thought to happen when microbes - bacteria, fungi, or viruses - enter and multiply in the body, and its severity is associated with how prevalent the microbes are in the body.

Now, an international research team led by Nanyang Technological University, Singapore (NTU Singapore) has proposed a new way of understanding infections. Their study of close to 400 respiratory samples from patients with bronchiectasis, a chronic lung condition, has shown that microbes in the body exist as a network, and that an infection's severity could be a result of interactions between these microbes.

Through statistical modelling of data from these respiratory samples, the scientists found that flare-ups of coughs and breathlessness (known as exacerbations) occurred more often when there were 'negative interactions' between communities of bacteria, viruses and fungi in the airways. A negative interaction occurs when the microbes compete rather than cooperate with one another.

These findings, published in one of the world's leading scientific journals Nature Medicine in April, bring the scientists one step closer to developing a new way of tackling infections, by targeting microbial interactions rather than the specific microbes.

Assistant Professor Sanjay Haresh Chotirmall from the NTU Lee Kong Chian School of Medicine, who led the study, said: "Our current understanding of infections is that they occur when harmful microbes enter our bodies. This model of understanding, however, fails to account for resident microbes or explain why some patients with infection respond to antibiotics to which the microbe is resistant in laboratory testing. We are therefore proposing that microbes exist as networks, where interactions happen and that the resistant antibiotic in this case targets another microbe with which the culprit is interacting. We therefore can potentially improve clinical outcomes by breaking such crosstalk.

"The findings of our study are the first steps in providing a more holistic view of how infections occur. While our study looked at patients with bronchiectasis, we believe this concept applies to all forms of infection - whether skin, lung, or a gastrointestinal infection. This way of looking at infections potentially changes our understanding of infection and may offer fresh ways of treating them."

Associate Professor John Abisheganaden, co-author of the study and Head of Department of Respiratory & Critical Care Medicine at Tan Tock Seng Hospital, said: "By applying an integrated and holistic method, this study provides a new and fresh approach to our understanding of respiratory infection. Applying this precision-medicine approach can help the managing physician better understand and choose the most appropriate antibiotic or other therapy to confer clinical benefit - in short, to guide us to the right treatment at the right time, and for the best outcome."

Microbial interactions and infection

For their study, the scientists looked at patients with bronchiectasis, a disease of high Asian prevalence, where airways dilate irreversibly and, where infection promotes progression. Targeting bacteria with antibiotics reduces bacterial load and accompanying inflammation, which in turn alleviates symptoms and improves clinical outcomes.

To investigate interactions between microbes in the airways of patients with bronchiectasis, the team collected respiratory (sputum) samples from 383 patients from Singapore, Malaysia, Italy, and Scotland, including samples before, during and after bronchiectasis flare-ups.

After analysing the genetic material from bacteria, fungi and viruses in the samples, the scientists assessed for possible microbial interactions and found that patients with frequent flare-ups had more negative interactions, where microbes compete rather than cooperate, and that the number of such negative interactions increased even further during a flare-up. While changes to interactions between microbes during flare-ups was detected, there was surprisingly minimal change to the type and quantity of microbes present during a flare-up, and even after antibiotics were administered.

New treatment possibilities

The scientists believe that these findings suggest that microbial interactions potentially drive frequent flare-ups in patients.

Using these findings, the scientists have developed an online tool to help other researchers and physicians analyse microbial interactions in their own patient samples through the microbes' genetic sequences.

Asst Prof Chotirmall, who is also NTU Provost's Chair in Molecular Medicine, said: "We are proposing a fresh way to view infection, as networks rather than individual microbes. Targeting microbial interactions within an established network may promote more judicious antibiotic use and help curb rising antimicrobial resistance."

The team is currently exploring the use of probiotics to treat bronchiectasis by regulating microbiomes within the air passages.

###

The interdisciplinary team includes researchers from Singapore's NTU LKCMedicine, Tan Tock Seng Hospital, Changi General Hospital, and Singapore General Hospital; the University of Malaya in Malaysia, Italy's Fondazione IRCCCS Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico and the University of Milan; the University of Sydney in Australia; the University of Dundee in Scotland; and the University of Exeter in the UK.

Note to Editors:

Paper titled "Integrative microbiomics in bronchiectasis exacerbations" published in Nature Medicine, 5 April 2021. DOI: https:/ / doi. org/ 10. 1038/ s41591-021-01289-7

Media contact:

Foo Jie Ying

Manager, Corporate Communications Office

Nanyang Technological University

Email: jieying@ntu.edu.sg

About Nanyang Technological University, Singapore

A research-intensive public university, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore (NTU Singapore) has 33,000 undergraduate and postgraduate students in the Engineering, Business, Science, Humanities, Arts, & Social Sciences, and Graduate colleges. It also has a medical school, the Lee Kong Chian School of Medicine, established jointly with Imperial College London.

NTU is also home to world-class autonomous institutes - the National Institute of Education, S Rajaratnam School of International Studies, Earth Observatory of Singapore, and Singapore Centre for Environmental Life Sciences Engineering - and various leading research centres such as the Nanyang Environment & Water Research Institute (NEWRI) and Energy Research Institute @ NTU (ERI@N).

Ranked amongst the world's top universities by QS, NTU has also been named the world's top young university for the past seven years. The University's main campus is frequently listed among the Top 15 most beautiful university campuses in the world and has 57 Green Mark-certified (equivalent to LEED-certified) buildings, of which 95% are certified Green Mark Platinum. Apart from its main campus, NTU also has a campus in Novena, Singapore's healthcare district.

Under the NTU Smart Campus vision, the University harnesses the power of digital technology and tech-enabled solutions to support better learning and living experiences, the discovery of new knowledge, and the sustainability of resources.

For more information, visit http://www. ntu. edu. sg .

This story has been published on: 2021-05-19. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article.
Press Release

May 19, 2021 SPONSORSHIP SPEECH Senate Bill No. 2203 / Committee Report No. 255

Midstream Natural Gas Industry Development Act

Tuesday, May 18, 2021

Delivered by the Honorable Win Gatchalian, Senator of the 18th Congress: Mr. President, distinguished colleagues, the legislation we are sponsoring today aims to develop a critical component of one of the Philippines' most important energy industries - natural gas. 19% of the country's power is generated from natural gas, making it the third-most utilized source after coal at 57% and renewable energy at 21%. The importance of natural gas is even more pronounced in Luzon, where more than a quarter of the island's power is sourced from natural gas plants. This is second only to coal. Significantly, natural gas plants generated 56% of the 2.5-billion-kilowatt-hours purchased by MERALCO in April 2021, making natural gas the single most impactful electric power source in Metro Manila - the national center of economic productivity and wealth creation. In a nutshell, we can say that Philippine energy security largely depends on the available supply of natural gas. Despite the prominence of natural gas in the Philippine energy mix, there is only one natural gas field operating in the country to supply our energy needs: the Malampaya Gas Field located off the coast of Palawan. Unfortunately, the Malampaya service contract is set to expire in 2024. Even if the service contract is extended, the Department of Energy projects that the estimated 858,834 million standard cubic feet remaining in the Malampaya field as of September 30, 2020 would be completely exhausted by the first quarter of 2027. This implies that we could be facing a major energy crisis less than six years from now unless we find alternative sources to supply Philippine demand for natural gas. Sa madaling salita Ginoong Pangulo, ang kinatatakutan nating malawakang brownout sa Luzon ay maaaring mangyari kung tuluyan nang masaid ang isinusuplay ng Malampaya. Apektado dito hindi lang ang mga sambahayan, kundi pati ang mga industriya na maaaring mag-iwan ng malaking puwang sa ekonomiya ng bansa. Another point to consider is the understated role of natural gas in promoting Philippine energy sustainability. Natural gas plays an important role in our energy mix as a complementary fuel to variable renewable energy sources. Model scenarios contained in the draft National Renewable Energy Plan or NREP 2021-2040 show that meeting the country's target of 35% share for renewables in the power generation mix by 2030 would involve utilizing an increasing share of natural gas. The draft NREP envisions the building of an additional 5,505 MW of natural gas capacity by 2030, increasing to a total of 9,801 additional installed capacity by 2040. This would require increasing the total installed capacity of natural gas at an average annual growth rate of more than 15% between 2022 and 2040. It should also be noted that, generally speaking, natural gas produces only one-third of the emissions of coal. Additionally, research indicates that investing in natural gas today will result in long-term consumer savings tomorrow. While coal technology still produces a significantly lower global Levelized Cost of Electricity or LCOE compared to combined cycle gas turbine or CCGT technology, BloombergNEF estimates the LCOE of CCGT will catch up to coal by the first half of 2028. After that point, it is expected that CCGT technology will produce consistently cheaper electricity than coal moving forward. However, the results of MERALCO's recent competitive selection process for a 1,800 MW power supply agreement expected to deliver electricity by 2024 suggest that cost parity between natural gas and coal might come earlier than expected. Natural gas-based Excellent Energy Resources Inc. beat out five other coal-based bids with the lowest LCOE at 4.1462 Php/kWh. The LCOE of the five coal projects ranged from 4.2605 to 5.4426 Php/kWh. As we can see, Mr. President, natural gas is poised to play an important role in promoting Philippine energy security, sustainability, and consumer savings in the coming years and decades. However, the question remains: How will we be able to source our natural gas needs after Malampaya meets its inevitable end? Part of the solution, of course, lies in exploring and extracting new natural gas fields found in Philippine waters and the Exclusive Economic Zone. In our experience, however, it may take several years for new gas fields to become commercially viable. Thus, it would be wise of us to diversify and complement our natural gas supply through alternative means while continuing to develop potential indigenous sources. This is where liquified natural gas or LNG comes in. LNG is natural gas which has been cooled to a cryogenic temperature, thus converting it into a liquid state. From a logistical standpoint, LNG is much easier to convey to power plants and other midstream end- users because it can be shipped on ships and trucks, while natural gas in its original form can only be transported via pipeline. LNG is already a high-demand energy source worldwide, with an expected global demand of more than 300 million metric tons per annum in 2021. Demand is steadily growing with an average annual growth rate of 3%. The vast majority of demand comes from the Asian market, especially high-consumption powerhouses Japan, Korea, Taiwan, and China. From the Philippine perspective, the main drawback of LNG at the moment is that it requires a complex infrastructure which have yet to be developed in-country. LNG must be received at an LNG terminal and regasified into its original state before it is transported via pipeline to midstream end-users such as power plants. It also requires bunkering facilities for marine vessel fuel. LNG can also be transported through virtual pipelines using trucks and vessels to transport it throughout the Philippines. All these are part of the Midstream Natural Gas Industry: aggregation, supply, importation, exportation, onloading/offloading, processing, storage, regasification, transmission, bunkering, and transportation of natural gas, whether in its original or liquified form. It covers LNG terminals, dedicated natural gas pipelines, natural gas transmission systems, storage facilities, bunkering facilities, virtual pipelines, and motor vehicles and marine vessels transporting natural gas. Essentially, the midstream industry encompasses everything between the extraction of gas upstream and its delivery downstream to retail users. The gross underdevelopment of this important NatGas sub-industry needs to be addressed as soon as possible so that the Philippines can begin supplementing its indigenous supply with LNG imports. Mr. President, the legislation we are sponsoring today will foster the development of the Midstream Natural Gas Industry in a bid to strengthen Philippine energy security by diversifying our primary sources of energy and promoting the role of natural gas, especially LNG, as a complementary fuel to variable renewable energy. The Midstream Natural Gas Industry Development Act seeks to create a legal and regulatory framework that would govern the promotion and development of the NatGas industry, foster a competitive market for NatGas, encourage the flow of investments for industry development, and protect midstream end users by mandating transparent and fair rates, fees, and charges. Allow me to discuss the important features of the industry framework established by this legislation. The first thrust of this legislation is to develop an infrastructure of LNG terminals nationwide. LNG terminals are all facilities, whether onshore or offshore, used to import, receive, unload, load, process, store, and regasify natural gas in any form from local or foreign sources. The Department of Energy will be the main agency in charge of LNG terminals. However, LNG terminals are not public utilities under this Act, consistent with the treatment of comparable facilities in other energy industries. Therefore, the fee for their use is not regulated. While LNG terminals are not public utilities, their use and access shall be regulated by DOE rules concerning Third Party Access or TPA. TPA allows additional industry players to use natural gas facilities which are owned or operated by other players. This will inject more competition into the midstream industry by allowing for the participation of smaller firms that may not yet have LNG facilities of their own. Third party rights will be determined through a competitive selection process to minimize the risk of potential sweetheart deals between industry players as well as other anti-competitive behavior. Another salient feature of this bill is its treatment of transmission pipelines. Natural gas can be conveyed either through a dedicated natural gas pipeline or through natural gas transmission systems known as NGTS. A dedicated pipeline is used exclusively by a single player to transport natural gas between various facilities. Meanwhile, an NGTS is a network of pipelines and other facilities used by multiple industry players to transport natural gas to power plants and other industrial or commercial establishments that use them. Natural gas transmission systems are considered public utilities under this bill, while dedicated pipelines are not. Transmission systems shall be operated by utility companies which shall also require congressional franchises to construct, own, and operate an NGTS. They shall also be subject to third party access according to rules to be promulgated by the ERC. After some time, the growth of NGTS will allow for their interconnection. At that point, this bill provides that the DOE will select a single independent NGTS operator or NGTSO to operate and manage the interconnected transmission system. The bill prohibits cross- ownership of the NGTSO by any existing midstream industry player, thus guarding against monopolies and other anti-competitive behavior among industry players. This legislation also contains provisions to foster transparency and fairness in the operation of major components of the midstream industry. One important aspect of this bill is the enforcement of provisions attempting to curb anti-competitive behavior. The Philippine Competition Commission will be tasked to decide competition cases arising from this bill, subject to complementary powers of investigation and recommendation exercised by the DOE and ERC, respectively. LNG terminals with regulated third party access, NatGas transmission utilities, and the eventual NGTSO shall be required to publish an unbundled breakdown of their fees online. Mr. President, the Midstream Natural Gas Industry Development Act is an important piece of the legislative agenda of the Senate Committee on Energy three years in the making. It was drafted in close consultation with public and private industry stakeholders over a series of 10 formal technical working groups as well as numerous other consultation sessions and meetings. I would like to thank all of the stakeholders and members of the Senate who contributed to the crafting and refining of this bill. To reiterate, Mr. President, the legal and regulatory framework to be established by the Midstream Natural Gas Industry Development Act is necessary to unlock the untapped potential of natural gas, especially LNG, in line with the overarching 3S vision of the Committee on Energy to achieve greater Philippine energy stability, sustainability, and savings. Increasing our supply of natural gas from LNG sources will help prevent an energy security crisis from happening when Malampaya operations close for good in the near future. As discussed earlier, LNG will also play an important role in bridging the gap for variable renewables as we build a more sustainable power generation mix. Last, but certainly not least, LNG will unlock new potential for consumer power savings as natural gas steadily catches up to coal as the most cost-efficient dispatchable power source. Panahon na para kumilos at isantabi ang lahat ng pag- aalinlangan. Ang higit na mahalaga ngayon at sa hinaharap ay ang mabigyan ng sapat na suplay at murang halaga ng kuryente ang ating mga kababayan. Mr. President, nothing less than the future of the Philippine energy sector is at stake here. Therefore, I am respectfully soliciting the support of this esteemed chamber for the swift passage of this landmark energy legislation. Thank you, Mr. President, distinguished colleagues.
ADDIS ABABA - Some contending parties that are running in the 6th General Elections said that the Electoral Board of Ethiopia's (NEBE) decision to postpone polling day is justifiable, whilst expressed their concern that the extension might come up with another difficulties. Approached by The Ethiopian Herald, Enat Party Acting President Seife-Selassie Ayalew (PhD) stated that the technical delay of the polling date does not have such significant influence on the effectiveness of the election.

Seife noted that NEBE needs to be cautious not to push the polling day to the rainy season as it may affect the farmer voters as they would be busy in sowing and other farming activities in the summer. Balderas for True Democracy Party Communication Officer Bekalu Atnafu said on his part that the reason for the extending the polling day for a short time

would be appropriate as the NEBE has been facing some logistical and technical difficulties. As to him, further extending the polling day; however, may have adverse effect on the stability of the country and complicating the election process. On the discussion forum with political parties, NEBE announced its plan to extend the polling day by no more than three weeks. Insufficient ballot papers, logistical setbacks, as well as limited

number of employees for the expanding election officers are contributed to the extension. Some parties supported the push of polling day expressed their views on a few considerations they would like the NEBE to make whereas others claimed to expect the extension as the Board has been busy in organizing consultation forums.

The Board's decision to hold the election of the two city administrations on the same day as the national election is also well-received by the opposition camp. The extension helps to avoid a black mark on the credibility of the election, by designing a new plan and providing additional training to address operational difficulties, the political parties claimed. On the follow up discussion with Abiy Ahmed (PhD), state governments reported an overall progressive increase in number of voter registration, training and readiness to take on their duty.

BY GETAHUN LEGESSE
Though Developing countries including Ethiopia are known by their natural resources possession, they utilize uneconomically because of lack of knowledge, finance and technology. Besides, currently, due to population pressure, farmers are forced to invade forest areas, wetlands and parks in search of farmland. As a result, the ecosystem is being disturbed and water bodies are getting shrank. Soils are also highly exposed to erosion due to overgrazing of grass lands. These again aggravate desertification that contributes to poverty.

To avert this onerous situation, the Global Monitoring of Environment for Security (GMES) provided training to professionals here in the capital recently on how to mapping the locations of vulnerable natural resource areas based on geo-spatial information obtained from satellites so that utilizing the resource sustainably will be realized.

According to the plan, application of the information on areas exposed to degradation and monitoring assessment on wetlands are underway to prepare open geographic reference vector data base for water and agro- ecological zonation.

While approached by The Ethiopian Herald, Tulu Beshah (PhD), Director of the Ethiopian Geospatial Information Institute said that the Kenyan based Regional Center for Mapping of Resources for Development is established by the African countries and mainly focusses to reach the Southern and Eastern African Countries through geospatial information to achieve sustainable development.

As to the director, its products are crucial to be utilized as inputs by decision makers to reach on sounding decision regarding the economic usage of the natural resources.

Besides, the geospatial information helps to maintain and protect the ecosystem and to get knowledge regarding the status of land and water bodies whether they are degraded or not.

It is also vital to the end users such as farmers and pastoral communities to benefit from the resource economically. As it is boldly known, farmers plow their farm lands in order to meet the need for food for their families. However, according to the director, when they find the land becomes infertile due to an uninterrupted plowing and the reduction of the precipitation of soil, they resort to change forest lands in to farm lands. This measure of cutting trees in turn exacerbates soil erosion.

As a result, the rain water, instead of going to underground, will be changed into flood. The situation, thus, negatively affects crop productivity. The geospatial information obtained from satellite indicates the size of the cleared forest areas from time to time and based on the information decision makers decide to halt the invasion of forest land by farmers through intensive discussions with the community members.

The same is true to pastorals. In many countries, pastorals have a cultural value of owning excess number of animals beyond the caring capacity of the land. As a result, the overgrazing practiced in wet lands in most countries is shrinking the areas and some places are totally destroyed. The geo special information indicates how the areas are shrinking from time to time. And the pastorals, as the end users of the land, should be informed to take various measures to protect the ecosystem that include reduction of the number of their animals for their own survival so that it goes in line with the available resources.

Degineh Sendabo is working in the Nairobi based Regional Center for Mapping Resources for Development. As to him, the program began based on the agreement between the European Union and the African Union.

Adding he said that, the geo spatial information helps to mitigate the impacts of climate change and global warming on natural resources. It also indicates what kinds of crops can be grown in various agro-ecological zones such as in arid, mild and cold mountain areas which in turn support the effort ensuring food security.

It also enables to identify areas suitable to use for the purposes of urban development, agriculture and forest among others.

Degineh further said that, the major objective of his organization is providing the necessary geo special information for the end users such as farmers and pastoral communities.

As to Degneh, 20 years ago, the size of Lake Metehara was very small. But today, it engulfed the town and if extreme rainy weather condition occurs, it will bring devastation on property and human and animal lives. To mitigate such natural calamities utilizing geospatial information is vital.

In fact, obtaining the information and utilizing it properly are not one and the same. Thus, timely application of the information is as valuable as its reception. Unless there are efficient institutions with well qualified human resources, getting the information by itself is meaningless. The expansion of Lake Metahara is posed by geological and anthropogenic activities. Since long ago, geo spatial information regarding the expansion of the lake has been provided to the pertinent officials but because of reluctance and negligence, they failed to utilize the information in the way they can mitigate the problem. Currently, therefore, the town is in a critical situation because of the underground water easily reachable under the top surface of the ground.

On the contrary, the drying up of Lake Haromaya had been aggravated by human activities. The Water used to be drained away from the lake by about 120 water pumps to the nearby chat farms. The geo spatial information with regard to the water was available to the pertinent institutions but their effort to save the water from demolishing was not successful.

Close Sign up for free AllAfrica Newsletters Get the latest in African news delivered straight to your inbox Top Headlines Ethiopia ICT Sustainable Development By submitting above, you agree to our privacy policy. Success! Almost finished... We need to confirm your email address. To complete the process, please follow the instructions in the email we just sent you. Error! Error! There was a problem processing your submission. Please try again later.

Steven Sandy is working for Regional Center for Mapping for Development. For his part, he said that field observation brings good opportunities to protect natural resources from devastation caused by human activities and natural phenomena. The reason is it enables to do analysis on various ecological zones based on their level of ecosystem and the areas of land degradation. Since the information is timely, it helps decision makers to utilize it in appropriate manner.

Obtaining, processing and disseminating the information requires knowledge, capital and technology. In this regard, the regional office, with the support of the African union commission and in collaboration with the Ethiopian Geospatial Information Institute has engaged in capacity building of the member countries, professionals and relevant stake holders.

Through matching the field- observation data of the ground, trainees will be able to process the data and produce information. But ultimately, it is the decision makers who have the mandate to utilize the information as an input and implement it in collaboration with the end users, Sandy stressed.

BY ABEBE WOLDEGIORGIS
Academic centers have a key role to realize development if they invest on both theoretical and practical trainings. Technical Vocational and Educational Training (TVET) is an engine to foster development. In this regard, The Ethiopian Herald has taken time with Teshale Berecha, General Director of Ethiopian Technical University (ETU).

ETU has been providing advanced vocational training in TVET sector. It has been promoted into Ethiopian Technical University (ETU) recently. With this promotion, the university aims to provide vocational training for both advanced trainee and newly enrolled student who pass national entrance examination. However, ETU is not new institution but it has got new name and structure following the promotion and this doesn't mean it has discontinue providing training it has been offering in previous years, he underscored.

"Right now ETU prepared to receive qualified students who will pass entrance exam given by ETU additional to National Entrance Examination. This will enable the university to receive students that are fit enough to meet the national demands, in the sector before and after the vocational training. This will also contribute its share for assuring ETU target in cultivating qualitatively and quantitatively skilled, and disciplined human capitals."

"ETU is working to allow chances for interest and qualified candidates that meet the university standard. There is an experience in some universities to examine students before they commence their professional science study. Hence, ETU is following to apply such experience in more qualified manner because the country needs qualified and productive graduates that put theoretical aspects in place to solve the existing and expected problems across the country."

ETU has commenced accepting student to provide trainings at BA degree level and above and we are working to make ETU a center of excellence that produces skilled human power, as to him. ETU is also working to provide sufficient, skilled human capitals for the growing industry in the country. To be called TVET center are a center of knowledge, skill and attitudes are working together without separation. These are the basic inseparable elements for TVET graduates.

"It is difficult to take a name of TVET. Due to this, we have built good culture of TVET practice in both theoretical and practical sides. Workshops are strongly structured and organized in ETU since it established and it has also strong contact and experience with various firms and industries to run practical workshops."

The Director addressed that ETU has been lecturing only 20 students in a class. This is really supportive for enabling the student in both theoretically and practically aspects. In this regard ETU is effective enough but more is expected because as the number of trainee are increasing, it requires more effort to address all appropriately.

The university has machines more than the trainees' number. Hence, no difficulties will occur to provide practical vocational training in each department. Trainees at ETU have been following project based vocational trainings. Therefore, the trainees would be graduated after completing practical project workshops. This shows how the trainee proofed their skill and qualification before they got certified but this doesn't mean there is no limitation.

The university has been striving to address practical vocational training gaps. Many of our trainees are employed and they aren't unemployed after upgrading the academic status, he explained. Adding that, when our institute opened new department, it has assessed well labor market opportunities because the graduates have to employed or join industry in their certified profession which overcome challenges graduates are faced after graduation. ETU has pending railway training due to unsatisfactory job opportunities as planned. In general, the university has tracer study to make sure the graduates are employed or started their own business or not. This enables ETU to identify and evaluate market demands of each department.

Besides, the reform activities taken in the sectors, newly Education roadmap and ways it enable TVET center to have its own national policy remarkably helping the centers to be competent in both quality and quantity matters. This is not enough. This is just one step forward move. Hence, all actors should join hands to make the center effective and productive like as its name, he said.

Close Sign up for free AllAfrica Newsletters Get the latest in African news delivered straight to your inbox Top Headlines Education Ethiopia Sustainable Development By submitting above, you agree to our privacy policy. Success! Almost finished... We need to confirm your email address. To complete the process, please follow the instructions in the email we just sent you. Error! Error! There was a problem processing your submission. Please try again later.

"Previously, TVET has unable to provide vocational training above level five due to the old education roadmap. The newly roadmap has solved this problem and allow TVET to provide vocation up to high academic level. This year ETU potential of receiving new student is not that much large due to the impact of the pandemic and other factors. In the coming ten/five years, the university will branding and working to be one of the top and preferred center by industries in providing efficient and qualified human capitals for industries. But this will not be an easy job. It demands the effort and collaboration of all concerned bodies."

ETU have 15 TVET centers right now. It has been providing instructors for all TVET institutes found in the country. As a result, we are in charge to train more trainees. The contribution of TVET is still visible. Forwarding this potential into another high spot is a joint project of all concerned bodies because it takes great share in supporting the country's development agenda.

BY MULATU BELACHEW
Recently, The Federal Supreme Court signed a memorandum of understanding with the Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Science and Higher Education to conduct a nationwide program of enhancing public legal consciousness as part of the education system in the country and for promoting legal awareness among the general public in the country.

According to Susanne Epple and Getachew Assefa, 2020, The prevalence of cultural and linguistic plurality, diverse system of beliefs and the corresponding provisions stated in the 1995 constitution makes the prevalence of social and legal consciousness more pronounced as citizens are entitled to their constitutional rights including the basic human rights.l Through the Constitution, each ethnic group has been given the space to promote its own culture and language, and legal pluralism is officially recognized.

Today, conflicts in the areas of family and civil law can legally be resolved using local laws, procedures and mechanisms, as long as the Constitution is not contradicted, international humans rights standards are not violated and all the parties in conflict have agreed. The same rights and respect have been given to religious laws, so that Sharia law and courts have received a special place in contemporary Ethiopia.1 the existing legal arrangement seems to offer many advantages, as it seeks to combine the diverse interests of its inhabitants and the government.

The Ethiopian legal system recognizes some very important aspects of traditional laws and regulations that do not contradict with the provisions of the legal system of the country. General practices in traditional conflict resolution methods also play an important role in increasing the level of legal consciousness among the population because these traditional methods of conflict resolution add value to social norms and standards of public behavior on special events like the next national election.

The prevalence of a nascent political pluralism in Ethiopia needs to be backed with the necessary public legal consciousness that is expected to accommodate different views and outlooks. But, what is legal consciousness? In a popular understanding of the concept, legal consciousness is an important component of social consciousness and determines normative legal relations between citizens and institutions operating in a country. In this sense, promoting legal consciousness is a tool that can be used to enhance the rule of law among citizens of any country wherever they might be.

Legal consciousness is a collection of understood and/or imagined to have understood, legal awareness of ideas, views, feelings and traditions imbibed through legal socialization; which reflects as legal culture among given individual, or a group, or a given society at large. The legal consciousness evaluates the existing law and also bears in mind an image of the desired or ideal law.

Legal consciousness is a state of being; legal socialization is the process to Legal consciousness; whereas legal awareness & legal mobilization are means to achieve the same. Why is promoting public legal consciousness so important in Ethiopia? One can suggest several reasons but more importantly unless citizens are well aware of their legal duties and their rights, they cannot exercise their rights both as human beings and citizens of a country. Although the Ethiopian law provides that the ignorance of the law is no excuse, legal consciousness does not come out of the blue or simply through mere intuition.

It citizens are aware of their rights and obligations through formal and informal legal trainings, peace, social harmony and mutual solidarity and protection of the rights of those who cannot defend themselves will prevail. Besides, the current crisis and ethnic based conflicts we observe in the country could have at least been reduced if not avoided through well targeted promotion and enhancement of public legal consciousness.

If we take the current 6th National Election that is just at the corner, if citizens were aware of their legal responsibilities and rights in electing and being elected, they should not have wasted a lot of time to register for voting. Quite a few strata of the Ethiopian society understand the importance of the law only in general terms but fail to perceive how the law applies to their daily life of affect their behaviors in their relations with each other.

Election is a constitutional obligation for all who qualify in the electorate. It demonstrates how people determine their future legal and social life by engaging in elections. This means that the voters cast their ballots for a party not in mechanical terms but also as a means of passing a verdict on deciding which party shall rule the country on their behalf over the next five years.

I have noticed that some persons post anti-election statements and gossips relating to the next election. Such level of emotionalism and irresponsibility demonstrates very poor level of legal consciousness even among those who claim they are educated.

Registering and voting in elections is not only a political raison deter for assuming political power but is also a legal precondition or the legitimacy of any elected government. Those who are working round the clock to disrupt the coming election in this country are inviting total public lawlessness and chaos that cannot be reversed easily and in the short run.

Promoting public social consciousness is to be conducted in a continuous manner by mainstreaming elementary legal education throughout all the stages of the educational system in Ethiopia. I have the opinion that civic education that is being provided in schools in this country needs to be reviewed from the perspective of increasing the awareness of the current generation in all aspects of socio-legal relations including the conduct of elections.

Millions of people in Ethiopia, including those who have not taken formal legal education are not so sure of their legal obligations and rights because concerned stakeholders have failed to discharge their responsibilities to carry out public legal education. As stated earlier, most of the crimes and trespassing of standard norms of social behavior manifested in Ethiopia as all forms of crimes, hooliganism, addiction triggered crimes, juvenile delinquency could have been avoided if social legal consciousness was cultivated among all stratum of the Ethiopian population.

Close Sign up for free AllAfrica Newsletters Get the latest in African news delivered straight to your inbox Top Headlines Ethiopia Governance By submitting above, you agree to our privacy policy. Success! Almost finished... We need to confirm your email address. To complete the process, please follow the instructions in the email we just sent you. Error! Error! There was a problem processing your submission. Please try again later.

Primary legal consciousness is to be in a child's mind as part of the mental development process that a boy or a girl child should pass through. This means that although not its formal legal sense, legal consciousness among children should be promoted starting from a preschool level. Parents shoulder the major role in enabling children to grow in a legal conscious mindset.

The next election I expected to be conducted under strict observance of the rule of law. The CSOs who were selected in training voters can help to increase the legal consciousness of citizens starting with the fundamentals of the Ethiopian constitution. Such trainings should continue at the national level even after the 6th National Election has taken place. This will put a cornerstone for the creation of a legal conscious society which would fit into the creation of social harmony amidst the diversity among the public.

The fact that the date for the national election has been postponed creates an additional opportunity for promoting voter education and enhancement of general public social and legal consciousness with particular emphasis on the deliberations of the upcoming election.

BY SOLOMON DIBABA
East Africa consists largely of plateaus and has most of the highest elevations in the continent. The two most striking highlands are in Ethiopia and Kenya, respectively, where large areas reach elevations of 6,500 to 10,000 feet (2,000 to 3,000 metres). Twin parallel rift valleys that are part of the East African Rift System run through the region. The Eastern, or Great, Rift Valley extends from the Red Sea's junction with the Gulf of Aden southward across the highlands of Ethiopia and Kenya and continues on into Tanzania. The Western Rift Valley curves along the western borders of Uganda and Tanzania. Between the two rift valleys lies a plateau that comprises most of Uganda and western Tanzania and includes Lake Victoria. The volcanic massif of Kilimanjaro, the highest mountain in Africa, reaches 19,340 feet (5,895 metres) in northeastern Tanzania. The Horn of Africa, a major peninsular extension of the African mainland into the Arabian Sea, contains the vast lowland coastal plains of Somalia.

The climate of Eastern Africa is generally tropical, though average temperatures tend to be reduced by the region's high elevations. Precipitation also is affected by varying elevation: Uganda, Tanzania, and western Kenya receive plentiful rainfall, while Somalia, eastern Ethiopia, and northeastern Kenya receive far less. The region's vegetation ranges from woodlands and grasslands in the wetter regions to thorn bushes in semiarid areas. The grasslands of Tanzania and Kenya are renowned for their wildlife, in particular large migratory herds of ungulates. Eastern Africa is populated by 160 different ethnic groups or more, depending on the method of counting.

In a recent article Linda Ogallo has discussed policy issues that the region should adopt to secure food and endure climate change realities on the ground.

Vulnerability in Eastern Africa has been largely linked to poverty, with 40 per cent of the population in sub-Saharan Africa reportedly living below the poverty line, and thus lack the financial capacity to react and adapt to climate shocks. The region has also received frequent and recurring extreme climate events giving member states short recovery periods. For instance, in 2020 the region faced multiple unprecedented threats which were further compounded by the COVID-19 pandemic. As a result the World Bank projected a 3.3 per cent economic decline.

In order for local communities to effectively adapt to climate change, Eastern Africa needs an inclusive policy and legal framework that is operational at both the national and sub-national levels to effectively adapt and mitigate climate change. Member states in the Eastern African Community have a regional climate change policy, an example which IGAD member states should model. National Determined Contributions (NDCs) of the Paris Agreement are the primary instruments through which member states in Eastern Africa have committed to limit warming to between 1.5 to 2 degrees above pre-industrial levels. Most of the member states in the region were unable to meet the 2020 deadline to communicate or update their climate pledges. However, both Kenya and Ethiopia submitted their revised NDCs within the time frame, with Kenya increasing its emission reductions targets from 30per cent to 32per cent, while Ethiopia is committing to reduce economy-wide greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) by 220.59 MtCO2 eq by 2030. Some of the commitments made in the NDCs are contingent on availability of external financing.

While all member states in Eastern Africa submitted their first round of climate pledges, varying challenges exist in the implementation of the submitted NDCs. African Development Bank identified lack of appropriate legislation as a limitation in the implementation of NDCs for African countries [2]. Member states are lacking in or have outdated legal framework in key sectors to ensure successful achievement of the climate targets. Gaps further exists in the appropriate legal framework to fund proposed initiatives. Without the legal framework across sectors, implementation of national commitments becomes impossible even with increased access to financing.

Effective delivery of the climate change commitments by the region requires both institutional and technical capacity. Member states need to have the capacity to coordinate actors from government and non-government agencies and mobilize public participation. In addition, governments need to be able to integrate their priorities and policies in all relevant sectors. This consultative process requires a multi-sectoral technical team that is able to advocate the NDC priorities to all relevant actors, as well as increase buy-in from all stakeholders. Training and sensitization of all actors including consultative engagements is required to mainstream and streamline regulations with actions that enable counties to achieve their commitments. Countries also need the ability to collect data to monitor, re-evaluate and strengthen frameworks that have been put in place to achieve national commitments to the Paris Agreement.

The capacity limitation in Eastern Africa has been well documented, particularly in post-conflict countries, in fact all counties in Eastern Africa stated a need for institutional and technical capacity building to help track and report mitigation and adaptation priority actions [3] [4]. For most of the region, the institutional capacity gaps are in the areas of quantifying the gaps and needs; measuring and reporting of GHG emissions; and coordination and mainstreaming of existing policies.

Close Sign up for free AllAfrica Newsletters Get the latest in African news delivered straight to your inbox Top Headlines Climate Governance Legal Affairs By submitting above, you agree to our privacy policy. Success! Almost finished... We need to confirm your email address. To complete the process, please follow the instructions in the email we just sent you. Error! Error! There was a problem processing your submission. Please try again later.

While great strides have been made by the region in its commitments in response to the climate crisis, the connection between the commitments and implementation remains a critical gap. Sector-level policies required to meet the commitments are lacking. The technical capacity to develop multi-sectoral transformative policy frameworks is also inadequate.

The East African region continues to face multiple threats as a result of climatic impacts and the willingness to address the climate crisis is shared by both the society and political leaders. The opportunity therefore exists to enact laws and policies that increase the adaptive capacity of local communities, ensure sustainable development and implement a sustainable long-term climate strategy.

BY MENGISTEAB TESHOME
It is said the people you surround yourself with tell a lot about your worth.

This was best exemplified when friends of Kieni MP Kanini Kega raised more than Sh5 million in minutes during an impromptu fundraiser at his son's party last weekend.

The friends, mostly politicians, were attending a party that Mr Kega hosted at his residence in Naromoru, Nyeri County for his son Imani Mathenge to mark his initiation ceremony.

Amani National Congress (ANC) party leader Musalia Mudavadi was the chief guest at the ceremony that attracted four cabinet secretaries, four governors, 15 Members of Parliament and a battery of senior government officials.

The initiation ceremony coincided with the celebration of the performances of Imani and his 'adoptive' brother Dennis Ngatia in their respective national examinations.

Imani scored 408 marks in KCPE while Dennis managed an A of 81 points in KCSE.

While Imani was the man of the moment, it was Dennis' performance in the KCSE that made the fundraiser happen.

In 2017, Dennis, a bright student from Kieni constituency, was on the verge of missing admission at Kagumo High School despite scoring 403 marks in the 2016 KCPE.

His parents could not raise the fee and the desperate situation of the family saw Mr Kega step in to sponsor him through high school.

Sponsoring his tuition fees

Close Sign up for free AllAfrica Newsletters Get the latest in African news delivered straight to your inbox Top Headlines Children Education Sustainable Development By submitting above, you agree to our privacy policy. Success! Almost finished... We need to confirm your email address. To complete the process, please follow the instructions in the email we just sent you. Error! Error! There was a problem processing your submission. Please try again later.

But it was more than just sponsoring his tuition fees. The MP took up the role of mentoring Dennis throughout the period.

And Dennis did not disappoint his sponsor, going on to post impressive marks in his KCSE exams.

Mr Kega could not hide his pride in his 'adoptive' son once the results were out and at his son Imani's banquet, the MP made sure that Dennis was a part of it.

Dennis's results saw the MP set up a fund where more than Sh5 million was raised even before the foundation was registered.

Even though the foundation will be named Imani Mathenge Foundation, after his son, it is in honour of Dennis and it aims to benefit bright students who, like him, come from poor backgrounds.

"Looking at how Dennis performed and where he came from, I cannot help but imagine how many other students we can help reach their potential by directly sponsoring their education," Mr Kega announced.

As soon as he called on his political friends to dig into their pockets for "a worthy cause", they heeded and raised millions in minutes.

Cash donations and pledges made during the impromptu fundraiser ranged from Sh100,000 to Sh1 million per person.

"Imani Mathenge Foundation was founded yesterday with a singular purpose of assisting bright but less privileged children in Kieni Constituency pursue their education. We raised over Sh5 million in an impromptu funds drive, which will be used to educate needy children to pursue their dreams," Mr Kega said.

nkomu@ke.nationmedia.com
Kenya and other African countries waiting to receive their second doses of the AstraZeneca vaccine can now breathe a sigh of relief after the United States committed to provide at least 80 million Covid-19 vaccines to Covax -- the global Covid-19 vaccine equity scheme -- before the end of June.

In a statement on Tuesday, White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki said the US would donate 80 million US vaccines, including the 60 million doses of AstraZeneca vaccines previously announced, and an additional 20 million doses of US-authorised vaccines.

"The United States will work with Covax and other partners to ensure these vaccines are delivered in a way that is equitable and follows the science and public health data. The United States will not use its vaccines to secure favours from other countries," Ms Psaki said.

"The US will continue to donate from our excess supply as that supply is delivered to us. Today's announcement is the administration's next step as we ramp up our efforts to respond to Covid-19 around the world."

The Biden administration further said that over the coming weeks, it will use its leadership working with the G7 partners, the EU, Covax, and others to coordinate a multilateral effort focused on ending the pandemic.

"Specifically, we seek to garner concrete, deliverable commitments from other governments and private sector partners to make available more vaccines, spur production and manufacturing for vaccines and raw materials, get shots into arms around the world, and provide health security assistance to save lives, stop the spread of Covid-19, reduce the lifespan of this pandemic, and recover economically," said Ms Psaki.

Share vaccine doses

The news from Washington comes as a relief for a majority of African counties, Kenya included, that were depending on the Covax facility to administer their second shots of the vaccines, but which now remain unavailable, after India blocked exports. US now joins France and Sweden in donating shots to Covax, having vaccinated most their priority populations.

In April, Kenya revised the duration between the first and the second does from eight to 12 weeks in line with the World Health Organization (WHO) recommendation, as it sought to buy more time to receive the second dosage from Covax.

On Monday, Unicef Executive Director Henrietta Fore, whose agency distributes vaccines for Covax, urged EU states and G7 nations to share their doses.

"G7 nations and 'Team Europe' group of European Union member states could donate around 153 million vaccine doses if they shared just 20 per cent of their available supply over June, July and August. Sharing immediately available excess doses is a minimum, essential and emergency stop-gap measure, and it is needed right now," said Ms Fore.

G7 leaders are due to meet in the UK next month. By then, Covax will find itself 190 million doses short of its planned target, according to Unicef.

"The soaring domestic demand in India has meant that 140 million doses intended for distribution to low- and middle-income countries through the end of May cannot be accessed by Covax. Another 50 million doses are likely to be missed in June. This, added to vaccine nationalism, limited production capacity and lack of funding, is why the roll-out of Covid vaccines is so behind schedule," Ms Fore said.

On Friday, the WHO also urged rich countries to reconsider plans to vaccinate children and instead donate these shots to the Covax scheme that shares them with poorer nations.

"I understand why some countries want to vaccinate their children and adolescents, but right now, I urge them to reconsider and to instead donate vaccines to Covax," WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus told a virtual meeting in Geneva.

The Covax scheme has so far delivered more than 60 million doses, but is currently struggling to meet supply targets, mostly due to the Indian export restrictions on the AstraZeneca vaccine as Delhi battles its deadliest wave yet of the pandemic.

Administer second dose

On Friday, the Health ministry said the country would start administering the second dose of the AstraZeneca vaccine in the first week of next month.

"The ministry has revised the interval period for the administration of the AstraZeneca vaccine to 12 weeks. This means the country will begin administering the second dose of the vaccine in June," the ministry said in the statement, adding that to secure the second dose of the vaccine as fast as possible, the government was "closely working with Covax."

Close Sign up for free AllAfrica Newsletters Get the latest in African news delivered straight to your inbox Top Headlines Coronavirus Africa U.S., Canada and Africa By submitting above, you agree to our privacy policy. Success! Almost finished... We need to confirm your email address. To complete the process, please follow the instructions in the email we just sent you. Error! Error! There was a problem processing your submission. Please try again later.

Kenya indicated that it was going to run out of the first batch of the Covid-19 vaccines before the first week of June. In March, it received 1.25 million doses of the AstraZeneca vaccine, out of the 3.6 million it was expecting.

"We have used up 91 per cent of our doses, and will run out by the first week of June," said Dr Willis Akhwale, the chair of Kenya's vaccine task force.

Doctors in Kenya say a vaccine shortage will cost lives. Kenyans eager to get vaccinated have been turned away from vaccine centres in recent weeks, after a number of hospitals ran out of doses. The country has recorded more than 3,000 Covid-19 deaths.

As a result of the shortage, the government is working on securing 30 million Johnson and Johnson doses by August.

Though the first African countries started vaccinating their populations in early March, the WHO says fewer than 1 per cent of global vaccinations had been carried out on the continent and that at least eight African countries have exhausted their supplies from Covax.
The Kenya Magistrate's and Judges Association (KMJA) has condemned the recent verbal attacks on members of the judiciary by the political class over the unfavourable judgment involving the Building Bridges Initiative (BBI).

In a statement to newsrooms, the association said it has been alarmed by the daily attacks directed at the individual judges who sat on the bench that nullified the proposed referendum under the BBI.

"Such attacks are an affront to the decisional independence of the judges and the rule of law. What is surprising is that even high ranking and powerful officials in the Republic of Kenya have openly threatened the judges who participated in the petitions," said the Association.

Through its Secretary-General Derrick Kuto, the association noted that there are past and documented incidences where judges and judicial officers as well as their associates have been attacked in their line of duty.

He described the utterances made by political class against the Judiciary as ancient, irresponsible and retrogressive.

'Veiled threats'

Mr Kuto called on the Inspector General of Police to investigate the said utterances with a view to prosecuting the culprits.

"The Cabinet Secretary in charge of the Ministry of Interior and Coordination of National Government should immediately assure Kenyans that our judges and judicial officers are safe given the sensitive nature of their assignments," said Mr Kuto.

Close Sign up for free AllAfrica Newsletters Get the latest in African news delivered straight to your inbox Top Headlines Governance Legal Affairs Kenya By submitting above, you agree to our privacy policy. Success! Almost finished... We need to confirm your email address. To complete the process, please follow the instructions in the email we just sent you. Error! Error! There was a problem processing your submission. Please try again later.

He stated that the 'veiled threats' will not dissuade the judicial officers from boldly dispensing our duties independently and within the law.

"Kenyans would recall that in 2007-2008, this country plunged into chaos partly because there was no faith in the Kenyan courts then. The loud voice of Kenyans on the independence of the Judiciary in the Constitution of Kenya 2010 cannot therefore be ignored," said the SG.

In his view the many petitions filed in court over the BBI case and that many Kenyans generally litigate their issues in court, is testament of their faith in the Judiciary.

Independent Judiciary

"This is what entails the rule of law as opposed to anarchy and impunity. The Kenyan judiciary is respected globally for its decisions. We should be proud of our Judges for offering jurisprudential leadership worldwide," said Mr Kuto.

He further explained that an independent judiciary means having judges who can make decisions purely based on the facts before them, the law and the Constitution.

"Wanjiku should therefore be concerned at those who wish to take us back to the 80's and 90's where the judiciary was perceived to be an appendage of the Executive. KMJA calls upon all Kenyans of goodwill to frown upon those who wish to castigate judges for doing their work and ultimately bring down the judiciary for their selfish interests," said Mr Kuto.

He said those dissatisfied with any court decision to follow the correct procedure of lodging an appeal or seeking a review.

jwangui@ke.nationedmedia,com

rmunguti@ke.nationmedia.com
5 Senators ask Malacanang to withdraw EO 135 lowering tariff on rice

SENATORS Nancy Binay, Leila De Lima, Franklin Drilon, Risa Hontiveros, and Kiko Pangilinan urge Malacanang to withdraw Executive Order 135 lowering tariff on rice from 40 and 50 percent to 35 percent.

In Proposed Senate Resolution 726, they said there is "no reasonable and sufficient basis to reduce the tariff rates on rice and it will only cause more burden to our local rice farmers, further increase our import dependency, and cost the government millions in foregone revenues."

The Senators cited farmers' groups, the Tariff Commission, and the Philippine Statistics Authority's reports as bases for their resolution.

The Federation of Free Farmers (FFF) questions the basis of lowering tariffs on rice mainly because Agriculture Secretary William Dar had previously stated that there is an ample supply of rice in the Philippines following a record harvest in 2020.

The FFF also said that the Philippines has been consistently importing from nine other countries, including the so-called most favored nations (MFN) of India and Pakistan, and more recently, China.

Aside from dependence on importation, the government can lose a significant amount of revenue with lowering rice tariffs.

According to the Tariff Commission, the Philippine government stands to lose at least 60 million pesos in revenue per year if the MFN tariff rates on rice are reduced to 35 percent. However, the FFF estimates that the lowered tariffs could cost the government around 548 million pesos in foregone revenue.

Lower tariffs means lower revenue collection and lower Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund (RCEF), effectively lowering appropriations for rice farmer financial assistance, titling of agricultural rice lands, expanded crop insurance program on rice, and/or crop diversification program under Republic Act 11203.

These programs depend on the excess of the 10-billion-peso tariff revenues collected from rice importation.

Pangilinan, who was former food security secretary and former head of the National Food Authority Council, is principal author of the resolution. He encourages Filipinos to buy local, especially agricultural products, to increase productivity and farmers' incomes.

"Bilhin natin ang bigas ng PIlipinas, bilhin natin ang baboy ng ating mga local hog raisers dahil 'pag kumikita sila, gaganahan sila magtanim, dadami ang supply sa merkado at bababa ang presyo para sa lahat," he said.
An M-Pesa operator in Naivasha lost Sh60,000 to a fraudster on Saturday in a common trick that has baffled the police and left thousands in financial pain.

Ms Grace Wambui's employee was tricked into giving out her personal mobile phone to a regular customer, despite having been warned not to do so.

The man was a frequent client at the shop, which also has a cyber cafe, gaining the confidence of the employee.

"My employee had saved my contact as 'Madam Boss'. Which the con man blocked and saved his own number as 'Madam Boss', without the knowledge of the employee," Ms Wambui narrated.

The man then sent the employee a message directing her to send cash. Since she assumed it was from 'Madam Boss', she immediately complied.

He directed the employee to transfer cash to two different numbers, totalling Sh60,000. As she was about to send the remaining Sh27,000, the owner showed up and stopped the transaction.

"They are so polished; a deceitful lot on top of their game. They are using identity cards of innocent victims to steal from mobile money lenders. Many people end up losing their cash, with minimal chances of ever recovering it," said a detective.

"They are so efficient that it's becoming impossible for M-Pesa operators to flag them out," he added.

Efforts to track them have many a time hit a dead end, with some of the money being traced to correctional facilities.

In the latest incident, the money was traced to a Nairobi prison, with the syndicate being linked to convicts.

Close Sign up for free AllAfrica Newsletters Get the latest in African news delivered straight to your inbox Top Headlines Kenya Legal Affairs By submitting above, you agree to our privacy policy. Success! Almost finished... We need to confirm your email address. To complete the process, please follow the instructions in the email we just sent you. Error! Error! There was a problem processing your submission. Please try again later.

Naivasha Sub-county police commander Samuel Waweru said they were on the trail of the fraudsters but cautioned M-Pesa operators against falling victim to the criminals.

"We have continuously asked M-Pesa operators to be alert at all times but some of them are just too casual," said Mr Waweru.

He said the conmen use almost similar tricks to steal from the outlets, with some spending considerable time spying on their targets.

"After identifying a target, they spend time discovering loopholes and areas that they would capitalise on before they strike," said the police boss.

Mr Waweru said they were yet to establish whether it was the same group that has been scamming Kenyans across the country.

"What we have been able to discern is that they have a similar modus operandi," said Mr Waweru. "We are mot resting on our laurels as we have our feet on the ground. Soon we are going to dismantle the cartel."

In the meantime, they have urged operators to be vigilant while conducting their business and report any suspicious persons to the police.

In August last year, detectives from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) arrested three suspects who had been defrauding M-Pesa operators across the country with 3,000 Sim cards.

The trio approach M-Pesa agents pretending to sell Sim Cards and other products at discounted prices. In the process, they switch the agents' M-Pesa phones before flushing the float.

Machariamwangi2008@gmail.com
Tourism CS Najib Balala has made a U-turn on a controversial plan to privatise game parks and national reserves.

Instead, Mr Balala said leasing out the spaces within the parks was the way to go in order to improve business.

His response comes after stakeholders in the hospitality industry condemned a statement by Mr Balala in a webinar last week that the government was looking into new business models as a recovery plan after Covid-19.

The stakeholders argued that allowing private entities to take charge of national parks showed the government's inability to maintain the reserves.

However, Mr Balala on Wednesday morning said that the government was instead looking into Public-Private Partnerships with the private sector, communities, research institutions to be applied in park infrastructure, digitisation, and technology.

"There are no plans to privatise or sell any parks. What we want is to partner. For instance, the anti-snaring campaign that we are doing with the Sheldricks (Trust), is Sheldricks doing it because it's them? No, we are partnering with them," he said during a morning show on Citizen TV.

He added that other infrastructures like roads and facilities such as lodges and restaurants are already being managed by the private sector.

According to Mr Balala, despite Kenya having more than 50 national parks and reserves, only a few of them are generating reasonable income to the Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) while the rest remain 'paper parks', hence the need to include private firms to assist in managing them.

"We have 58 national reserves and parks. The ones that generate money for us are only six to seven of them who are generating 85 percent of revenue to KWS. Some of them are called paper parks because we don't even have the capacity to manage them," he said.

In support of the CS's statement, Kenya Tourism Federation chairperson Mohamed Hersi said the plan is to, instead, help bring in private sector efficiencies.

"(The) government has no business running government facilities and they can make good landlords while they leave the running in national parks in thousands of professional groups," he said.

"Try and compare simple road network, water pans and other projects are managed in government-run outfits then compare with private conservancies."

Close Sign up for free AllAfrica Newsletters Get the latest in African news delivered straight to your inbox Top Headlines Kenya Governance Sustainable Development By submitting above, you agree to our privacy policy. Success! Almost finished... We need to confirm your email address. To complete the process, please follow the instructions in the email we just sent you. Error! Error! There was a problem processing your submission. Please try again later.

He recommended that the government should form a trustee for each of the leased-out parks, which must include the local community, and enact a law that ensures that host communities benefit.

KWS Strategy Director Edward Wanyonyi explained that the Ministry was also looking to improving its services and applying technology in the various ways of operations as a means of boosting its conservation efforts.

Through a project called the Kenya Parks Initiative, KWS is planning to use technology to save time on visitors getting into the park by doing away with the old ticketing system.

"Through the initiative, we want to see how to improve accessibility, viewing of wildlife, and the experience of somebody coming into the parks. You should be able to go online, register your own details, and have your own information so that when you come to the gate we will scan a QR code to allow you in," he explained.

He added that the parastatal was also moving from analog to digital radio systems to enable rangers to send information when locating animals in the park.

Additionally, the government is planning to install Wi-Fi in parks, starting with the Nairobi National Parks to enable visitors to share their experiences live on social media.

However, as efforts are put into improving the national parks, the human-wildlife conflict remains one of the major challenges the tourism ministry is currently facing.

According to Mr Balala, the Tourism ministry has a Sh14 billion outstanding human-wildlife conflict compensation bill.

Only Sh2 billion has been paid so far to those affected. Snakes, death, elephants, and crocodiles are the biggest challenges.

scece@ke.nationmedia.com
Cashew nut farmers can breathe a sigh of relief after the National Assembly passed the Crops (amendment) Bill, which seeks to include coconuts and cashew nuts in the first schedule of the Crops Act.

The Bill tabled by Kilifi North MP Owen Baya seeks to open up cashew nut and coconut sectors like other cash crops such as tea, coffee and sugarcane.

"There has been no adequate government support to the sector because of lack of legislative framework," said Mr Baya.

Read: From grace to grass: Once wealthy cashew nut women now wallow in poverty

According to the MP, once cashew nuts and coconuts are categorised as scheduled crops, the government will be able to conduct marketing, research on production, provide seeds and engage in outreach services.

The Bill, which is yet to pass through senate before being assented into law by the President, will see the government provide funds and marketing to the cashew nut and coconut farming sectors.

Mr Baya is also currently planning to table in Parliament the Coconut and Cashew Nut Bill, which seeks to provide regulation of the industry, establish Coconut and Cashew Nut Board of Kenya, Coconut and Cashew Nut Research Institute and the Coconut and Cashew Nut Exchange.

The MP said he seeks to have coconuts and cashew nuts identified as industrial crops with value addition being a key component to attract more revenue.

"I want to revive the sector, the Bill will be a game-changer," said Mr Baya who is optimistic that the cashew nut and coconut sectors will contribute immensely to the economy of the coastal region and the country.

Close Sign up for free AllAfrica Newsletters Get the latest in African news delivered straight to your inbox Top Headlines Governance Legal Affairs Kenya By submitting above, you agree to our privacy policy. Success! Almost finished... We need to confirm your email address. To complete the process, please follow the instructions in the email we just sent you. Error! Error! There was a problem processing your submission. Please try again later.

Read: How brokers drove cashew nut farmers into poverty

According to the Bill, which is set to be tabled in the National Assembly, the Coconut and Cashew Nut Board of Kenya will have its headquarters in Kilifi.

The role of the board as highlighted in the Bill will include regulating production, processing, grading, storage, collection, transportation and warehousing of produce or products from cashew nuts and coconuts.

The board will also have the mandate to register, license and regulate a person who undertakes any activity relating to coconut and cashew nuts.

It will also advise the Cabinet secretary (for Agriculture) on levies, fees and duties relating to the crops.
press release

Journalist Paul Chouta has been sentenced to 23 months' imprisonment and ordered to pay several million CFA francs in fines and damages after being held for two years awaiting a trial verdict in Cameroon. Reporters Without Borders (RSF) deplores this excessive and unjustified penalty which is a serious attack on press freedom.

The judge's verdict was finally issued yesterday after being postponed 27 times. Paul Chouta, a reporter for the Cameroun Web media outlet and a whistleblower critical of the government, was the subject of a complaint brought by the novelist Calixthe Belaya alleging defamation and the publication of fake news.

The judge sentenced him to 23 months in prison and ordered him to pay a fine of 160,000 CFA francs and a further 2 million CFA francs in damages (a total of some 3,200 euros).

He was alleged to have posted online a video of her in a heated argument with a man without seeking her permission. The video lasted just a few minutes and as a result he was held for two years in pre-trial detention, the maximum sentence for the charges against him.

The time he has already served in prison is more than the sentence but he must still raise the funds to pay the financial penalties to secure his release from Yaounde's main jail, normally reserved for the most serious offenders.

"Not only has Paul Chouta had to face court proceedings and a long period of detention, but he must now pay an exorbitant sum to be able finally to leave prison," said RSF. "The verdict is the culmination of a farcical case. There is no justification for such a long detention and final verdict unless it is an attempt to silence a troublesome voice. We call on Cameroon's justice authorities to take firm action to protect freedom of news and information and to ensure that journalists have the right to fair treatment by the judicial system in the country."

Close Sign up for free AllAfrica Newsletters Get the latest in African news delivered straight to your inbox Top Headlines Human Rights Legal Affairs Cameroon By submitting above, you agree to our privacy policy. Success! Almost finished... We need to confirm your email address. To complete the process, please follow the instructions in the email we just sent you. Error! Error! There was a problem processing your submission. Please try again later.

Before his detention the journalist had been the target of threats over stories that were critical of the government. In January 2019, a few months after his arrest, he was the target of a knife attack by three unidentified assailants. After his arrest, several of his close associates were also subjected to repeated intimidation attempts by the police.

Several journalists are in prison in Cameroon, where press freedom has been eroded in recent years. Amadou Vamoulke, 71, the former head of the state-owned national radio and TV broadcaster CRTV, has been held for almost five years in Kondengui prison in Yaounde awaiting trial. The journalist Emmanuel Mbombog Mbog Matip was arrested and arbitrarily detained in August 2020 accused of publishing fake news. He has announced he will start a hunger strike from tomorrow.

Cameroon is ranked 135th out of 180 countries in the 2021 World Press Freedom Index compiled by RSF.
The area of Abyei, on the border between Sudan and South Sudan, has been disputed since 2011.

The United Nations Interim Security Force for Abyei (UNISFA) has deployed forces in Dunguop village of Abyei town after an attack on civilians left at least 11 people dead and seven others injured, according to the area deputy administrator.

Speaking to The EastAfrican on Tuesday, Kon Manyiet said one person is missing following the attack.

"The attack happened on Sunday... They did random shooting on the civilians," he said.

Calm returned to the area after UNISFA deployed its troops there, he said.

"We have issued a statement and I assume the Juba administration is now aware of the issue," Manyiet added.

Past events

In January last year, an attack on the Dinka village in Abyei left at least 19 people dead and dozens others injured, according to UNISFA.

After days of negotiations, six children who were reportedly abducted during the clashes were returned.

Days after the incident, activists urged Juba, Khartoum, UN and the African Union to fast track the designation of Abyei to avoid future conflict.

In the following month, South Sudan and Sudan agreed to form a joint team to look into violent clashes.

The consensus was reached after President Salva Kiir met with Sudan's deputy leader of the Transitional Sovereign Council Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo in Juba over the matter, in response to an outcry over the incident.

They later announced the two had agreed to form a joint team of investigators, as well as a response force made up of soldiers from both countries, to protect civilians. However, the findings of the committee are yet to be made public.

Close Sign up for free AllAfrica Newsletters Get the latest in African news delivered straight to your inbox Top Headlines South Sudan Conflict International Organisations By submitting above, you agree to our privacy policy. Success! Almost finished... We need to confirm your email address. To complete the process, please follow the instructions in the email we just sent you. Error! Error! There was a problem processing your submission. Please try again later.

Disputed area

Abyei is a contested border town between Sudan and South Sudan. The two countries are yet to agree on the flow of the border since secession of South Sudan from Sudan in 2011.

Last year, the UNISFA warned of the possibility of renewed clashes despite the ongoing peace efforts in the area.

UNISFA was deployed in June 2011 to protect civilians under imminent threat of physical violence, and protect the area from incursions by unauthorised militants. Civil society groups, however, said the area was attacked mostly because the UN forces did not counter it.

There are 3,550 soldiers, 640 police personnel, including 148 individual police officers and three formed police units deployed in Abyei. As is tradition with most blue helmets, they are non-combat troops meant to defend civilians and prevent occurrence of violence.

The UNISFA, whose headquarters are located in Abyei town, operates in three Sectors; Sector North, Sector Central and Sector South with Sector headquarters at Diffra, Abyei town area, and Athony, respectively.

South Sudan and Sudan are yet to agree on a joint administration, including a police force, for the Abyei area.

The area has faced occasional violence and cattle rustling incidents.

In 2019, the Undersecretary of the UN Peacekeeping Operations, Jean-Pierre Lacroix, called on South Sudan and Sudan to use their cordial bilateral relations to resolve the status of the Abyei region.
Maputo  The Mozambican health authorities reported on Tuesday a further 22 cases of the Covid-19 respiratory disease, but there were no Covid-19 deaths that day.

Thus, in the past week six days have been free of Covid-19 deaths. Mozambique's total Covid-19 death toll remains 828.

According to a Health Ministry press release, since the start of the pandemic, 538,679 people have been tested for the coronavirus that causes Covid-19, 1,154 of them in the previous 24 hours.

Of the samples tested, the majority were from the far south - 448 from Maputo city and 283 from Maputo province. There were also 165 tests from Inhambane, 99 from Tete, 73 from Nampula, 26 from Cabo Delgado, 25 from Sofala, 18 from Gaza, 12 from Manica, three from Zambezia and two from Niassa.

1,132 of the tests yielded negative results, and 22 people tested positive for the coronavirus. This brings the total number of people diagnosed with Covid-19 in Mozambique to 70,485.

All the new cases reported on Thursday were Mozambican citizens, 12 were men and 10 were women. Two were children under the age of 15 and a further two were over 65 years old. 12 of the cases (54.5 per cent) were from Maputo city and province. There were also four cases from Nampula, four from Tete, one from Cabo Delgado and one from Inhambane. No positive cases were reported from any of the other five provinces.

The positivity rate (the proportion of those tested found to be infected) for Tuesday was 1.9 per cent. This compares with rates of four per cent on Monday, 2.5 per cent on Sunday, three per cent on Saturday, and 2.3 per cent on Friday. It can thus be stated that, in general, positivity rates have fallen to below five per cent.

Close Sign up for free AllAfrica Newsletters Get the latest in African news delivered straight to your inbox Top Headlines Coronavirus Health Mozambique By submitting above, you agree to our privacy policy. Success! Almost finished... We need to confirm your email address. To complete the process, please follow the instructions in the email we just sent you. Error! Error! There was a problem processing your submission. Please try again later.

The Ministry release also reported that on Tuesday four Covid-19 patients were discharged from hospital (two in Sofala and two in Tete) and three new cases were admitted, all in Maputo.

As of Tuesday, 22 people were receiving medical treatment in the Covid-19 wards (down from 23 on Monday). 17 of these patients (77.2 per cent) were in Maputo. There were also two in Nampula, two in Tete and one in Zambezia. There were no patients in the Covid-19 treatment centre in the other seven provinces.

The Ministry release also announced that, in the same 24 hour period, a further 18 people were declared to be fully recovered from Covid-19 (12 in Nampula, three in Inhambane, two in Tete and one in Gaza). This brings the total number of recoveries to 68.749, or 97.5 per cent of all those diagnosed with Covid-19.

The number of active Covid-19 cases rose from 900 on Monday to 904 on Tuesday. The geographical breakdown of these cases was as follows: Maputo city, 352 (38.9 per cent of the total); Sofala, 315; Maputo province, 83; Niassa, 43; Nampula, 33; Zambezia, 22; Manica, 22; Inhambane, 18; Tete, 14; Cabo Delgado, one; and Gaza, one.
Maputo  France has shown "complete willingness" to provide whatever is necessary for Mozambique's fight against terrorism in the northern province of Cabo Delgado, according to President Filipe Nyusi after his meeting in Paris with his French counterpart, Emmanuel Macron, on Tuesday.

Cited in Wednesday's issue of the independent newssheet "Mediafax", Nyusi said "we discussed in detail the situation of terrorism. The matter is unavoidable. France has shown great willingness, but it has left sovereignty in the hands of Mozambicans".

This appears to mean that any French assistance in the fight to defeat islamist terrorism will take into account the lines of intervention laid down by the Mozambican government.

To follow up French declarations of intent, Nyusi said, the two countries must advance quickly to sign the agreements which will define exactly the type of support to be granted by France.

Nyusi also mentioned the meeting he had with Portuguese Prime Minister Antonio Costa, in which the Portuguese government also stressed its readiness to assist Mozambique in the fight against terrorism. Some Portuguese troops are already in Mozambique, providing the Mozambican defence and security forces with technical assistance and training.

Nyusi told the reporters that, rather than foreign military intervention in Cabo Delgado, the key issue was to build up the capacity of Mozambique's own forces, to guarantee a sustainable fight against terrorism.

During his visit to Paris, Nyusi also had meetings with the South African and Rwandan Presents, Cyril Ramaphosa and Paul Kagame, and with the Ethiopian Prime Minister, AbiyAhmed Ali.

Close Sign up for free AllAfrica Newsletters Get the latest in African news delivered straight to your inbox Top Headlines Mozambique By submitting above, you agree to our privacy policy. Success! Almost finished... We need to confirm your email address. To complete the process, please follow the instructions in the email we just sent you. Error! Error! There was a problem processing your submission. Please try again later.

All these meetings, he said, discussed the summit on financing African economies, called by France, terrorism in Cabo Delgado and the situation of the Covid-19 pandemic.

"We reaffirmed our openness to support in the fight against terrorism, by empowering our defence and security forces", said Nyusi.

In the economic and financial area, he added, the Portuguese government is considering suspending Mozambique's debt servicing.

On Monday, Nyusi had met with Patrick Pouyanne, the chairperson of the French oil and gas company, Total, who assured him that Total is not abandoning its liquefied natural gas (LNG) project in the Afungi peninsula, in the Cabo Delgado district of Palma.

Total withdrew all its staff from Afungi, in the wake of the terrorist attack against Palma town on 24 March. But Pouyanne promised that, once the security situation improves, Total will resume work on the LNG project.

"It was good to hear from Total that it stands with Mozambique", said Nyusi. "It expressed solidarity and showed a certain admiration for the efforts the country is making to restore security".

Other French companies with interests in Mozambique had told Nyusi that they intend to continue with their investments. Air France, which dropped its Paris-Maputo route decades ago, told Nyusi that it intends to resume flights to Mozambique.

Only the constraints imposed by Covid-19 had held up the resumption of flights, but this is now scheduled for October.

"Although I don't like to speak before things happen, on this occasion I will say - mission accomplished. A lot is going to happen", pledged Nyusi.
Maputo  The United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR) has protested at Tanzania's practice of deporting Mozambicans fleeing over the border to escape from terrorist violence in the northern province of Cabo Delgado.

Speaking at a press briefing in Geneva on Tuesday, UNHCR spokesperson Boris Cheshirkov said the UNHCR and its partners have received alarming reports, including eye-witness testimony, that several thousand Mozambicans have been denied refuge in Tanzania. This includes reports of over 1,500 returned from Tanzania this month alone.

A mission from the UNHCR and its partners visited the Negomano border post in the Mozambican district of Mueda in April, and found that the Mozambicans sheltering there had hoped to be granted refuge in Tanzania, after fleeing from the jihadists who attacked the town of Palma on 24 March.

Survivors of the Palma attack fled northwards to the Rovuma river, which forms the border between Mozambique and Tanzania. But when they crossed the river by boat, the Tanzanian authorities, far from welcoming them, simply sent them back.

A UNHCR press briefing said that that in Negomano, "people told UNHCR they had become separated from family members while fleeing from their villages in Mozambique, while some were separated upon arrival in Tanzania. Many reported being detained, transported to a local school, and interrogated by Tanzanian officials. Those unable to provide evidence of Tanzanian nationality were returned to Mozambique through a different border point from the one used to enter the country - including individuals or families of mixed nationalities".

Close Sign up for free AllAfrica Newsletters Get the latest in African news delivered straight to your inbox Top Headlines Tanzania Mozambique By submitting above, you agree to our privacy policy. Success! Almost finished... We need to confirm your email address. To complete the process, please follow the instructions in the email we just sent you. Error! Error! There was a problem processing your submission. Please try again later.

The UNHCR added that "the situation is particularly desperate for single mothers, now staying in Negomano without family support. The conditions at Negomano are dire and needs are acute for food, water and sanitation, and health services, but only limited humanitarian assistance is reaching the remote area".

While some people said they wanted to stay in Negomano or move further south to Montepuez or Pemba (the two main cities in Cabo Delgado), "most of the people interviewed told us they wanted to go back to Tanzania for safety".

The UNHCR says it is alarmed at the reports that Mozambicans "have been forcibly returned, and prevented from seeking asylum", the briefing continued. "We call on all parties to allow free movement of civilians fleeing violence and conflict, in search of international protection, safety and assistance, including to respect and fully uphold the right to cross international borders to seek asylum".

The UNHCR says it has been providing protection and basic assistance to 50,000 people in northern Mozambique since last year and plans to assist an additional 250,000 people by the end of this year. It puts the numbers of people displaced by terrorism in Cabo Delgado at 724,000.
Maputo  The World Bank's Managing Director of Operations, Axel von Trotsenburg, on Tuesday told reporters the bank "will not abandon Mozambique".

Speaking after a meeting in Paris with Mozambican President Filipe Nyusi, von Trotsenburg, cited by the German agency DW Africa, described terrorism as "a terrible challenge", and one of the problems most difficult to solve in terms of its impact on economies, but he promised that the World Bank's support for Mozambique "is total".

"The relationship between Mozambique and the World Bank is strong", he said, "and I think we can continue to build relations of trust and good partnership".

He stressed that any solution to the crisis caused by terrorist violence in the northern province of Cabo Delgado must be built by Mozambicans themselves.

"It's important that Mozambique finds a solution between Mozambicans", sad von Trotsenburg. "They know their own country and its dynamic, but we can give complementary support".

The jihadist groups known locally as "Al Shabaab" have been carying out raids since October 2017, and are now loosely affiliated with the self-styled "Islamic State", or ISIS. Latest estimates are that the violence has claimed over 2,500 lives, and has driven some 724,000 people from their homes.
press release

To support tourism recovery in the Western Cape we are working hard to find innovative ways to attract visitors by embracing new forms of global travel that have emerged with the Covid-19 pandemic.

And so, today (19 May 2021), the Western Cape Minister of Finance and Economic Opportunities, David Maynier, wrote to the Minister of Tourism, Mmamoloko Kubayi-Ngubane, and the Minister of Home Affairs, Aaron Motsoaledi, with a submission to request that national government urgently introduce a 'Remote Working Visa' to allow international visitors to stay longer and work remotely while travelling in South Africa.

The Western Cape has everything it takes to be the best remote working location in the world if we remove the red tape and roll out the red carpet for digital nomad tourists.

For that reason, we have also written to the Deputy Minister of Finance, David Masondo, in his role as part of Operation Vulindela, because removing regulatory barriers such as this one will be key to driving investment in South Africa and stimulating overall economic recovery and growth.

Globally, many countries are competing to capture the market for the longer-stay tourist who can work online from anywhere in the world while earning and spending foreign currency in the country they are visiting.

This is an important market right now, as this type of tourist is more resilient to the challenges that traditional tourism is facing given ongoing travel restrictions. Such tourists will also remain an important source of sustainable tourism long after the Covid-19 pandemic.

Announcing his support for the 'Remote Working Visa', Premier Alan Winde said: "I am pleased that today we are able to deliver on a promise I made in my State of the Province Address earlier this year and submit our request to national government to urgently introduce a 'Remote Working Visa'. Given the severe impact that Covid-19 has had on the tourism sector in South Africa, this innovative visa would be a great contribution to our recovery. The Western Cape is a great place to live and to work and we are ready to welcome these visitors and provide them with a great place to explore while they work."

In addition, to ensure that digital nomads are considering the province as a destination for remote work, Wesgro will launch a dedicated portal that curates and promotes a range of accommodation establishments and services across multiple locations to guide those looking for longer-stay options in the Western Cape.

This follows a successful campaign run in partnership with Airbnb to promote remote working domestically, encouraging South Africans to take advantage of the flexibility that working from anywhere brings.

Cape Town has made the 2021 list for the 50 "Best Cities for Remote Working" according to Big 7 Travel, but many of our small, coastal towns such as Langebaan and Hermanus are also proving very popular with those looking for destinations that offer good connectivity and a great outdoor lifestyle.

With family-friendly options in the city as well as a world of activities to explore across the province, the Western Cape is perfect for those who want more out of their day - a meeting on the mountain, a dip in the ocean during screen breaks or the joy of working from the many breath-taking wine farms and quaint towns. The region has everything a remote worker needs for one day, three months, or even longer, and promises experiences that are wallet-friendly and world-class.

"Introducing a 'Remote Working Visa' makes business sense," said Minister Maynier, "Not only will it attract a significant number of long-term, financially independent travellers to South Africa during this period of economic uncertainty, and in the long term, but remote workers are also more likely to invite their family and friends to visit in the future. This could also have positive spin-offs for foreign direct investment, and the promotion of South African goods and services exports as travellers get to know and love all the great things about our country."

Close Sign up for free AllAfrica Newsletters Get the latest in African news delivered straight to your inbox Top Headlines Travel Governance South Africa By submitting above, you agree to our privacy policy. Success! Almost finished... We need to confirm your email address. To complete the process, please follow the instructions in the email we just sent you. Error! Error! There was a problem processing your submission. Please try again later.

It is hoped that Minister Kubayi-Ngubane and Deputy Minister Masondo will both see the clear value in this regulatory change and will both be able to work with their counterpart, Minister of Home Affairs, Aaron Motsoaledi, to fast track the necessary changes to the Immigration Act 13 of 2002 Regulations.

To view this statement and the submission online please visit: https://www.westerncape.gov.za/news/wcg-calls-introduction-remote-working-visa-help-tourism-recovery
President of Syria Meets de Facto President of Abkhazia, Reinstates Syrias Support For Republics Sovereignty

By Veronika Malinboym

On May 17, de facto president of Abkhazia Aslan Bzhania arrived in Damascus on an official visit, and earlier today he held a meeting with President of Syria Bashar Assad. During the meeting, President Assad reaffirmed Syrias unwavering support for the sovereignty of Abkhazia and underscored the importance of Bzhanias visit, which, according to him, will provide a new impulse to the partnership between the two countries in various different fields.In turn, Bzhania thanked President Assad for recognizing the independence of the Republic of Abkhazia and establishing diplomatic ties between the two countries:This is our first meeting, which is why I would like to personally thank you for recognizing the independence of the Republic of Abkhazia and establish diplomatic ties with it, your decision is of historical significance to us. I am confident that the relationship between our countries will continue to develop and grow stronger in the future, President Bzhania stated.The de facto leader of Abkhazia added that he admires the courage of President Assad and the heroism of the Syrian people in their struggle for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of their country.Following the meeting with Assad, Bzhania said that the two leaders discussed the possibility of cooperation in the fields of agriculture, economy, and tourism. Bzhania also emphasized that the sizeable Cherkess and Abkhaz diasporas which currently reside in Syria will facilitate the strengthening of intercultural ties between the countries.Syria recognized the independence of Abkhazia in 2018, along with Venezuela, Nicaragua, Russia, and Nauru, after the opening of the Abkhazian embassy in Damascus, and Syrias decision was later condemned by the UN General Assembly in May 2018. Bzhania was elected one year ago in early presidential elections held following the political crisis that escalated in the country in 2020.
opinion

The most telling lesson of the coronavirus pandemic is that "no one is safe until everyone is safe." It is an indisputable proof of our biological connectedness which is even more consequential for life and livelihood than the digital connectivity that is the buzz word of the millennials.

As it happens in any pandemic, the coronavirus does not respect geo-political boundaries; neither is it restricted by socio-economic and cultural divides. The virus infects the poor and the rich alike. It overwhelms developed countries and underdeveloped countries despite the sophistication of the healthcare system of the industrialised countries. Yet humanitarian disasters loom in some parts of the world because this obvious lesson seems to be currently lost on mankind.

The Politics and Economics of Vaccines

About this time last year, no fewer than 140 world leaders and experts issued an unprecedented joint statement calling for equity and humaneness in the distribution of the vaccines meant to stop the spread of the coronavirus. It was indeed a battle cry for "people's vaccines." The essence of the call was to ensure a global arrangement to guarantee the provision of COVID-19 diagnostics, tests, vaccines and treatments to everyone on earth.

Among the signatories to the statement were President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo of Ghana, President Cyril Ramaphosa of South Africa and Chair of the African Union, the President of the Republic of Senegal, Macky Sall, and the Prime Minister of Pakistan, Imran Khan. Notable economists including Nobel Laureate Joseph Stiglitz and public health experts join the political leaders in signing the statement. Their motivation was obvious: the pandemic is a tragic reminder of our shared humanity which some members of the global elites and establishments seem to have forgotten. They are immersed in their myopic and selfish pursuit of polices defined by unbridled competition instead of cooperation and isolationism rather than multilateralism. The world leaders and experts argued as follows:

"It is time for Health Ministers to renew the commitments made at the founding of the World Health Organization, where all states agreed to deliver the 'the highest attainable standard of health as a fundamental right of every human being.

Now is not the time to allow the interests of the wealthiest corporations and governments to be placed before the universal need to save lives, or to leave this massive and moral task to market forces. Access to vaccines and treatments as global public goods are in the interests of all humanity. We cannot afford for monopolies, crude competition and near-sighted nationalism to stand in the way."

It is also worth noting that President Ramaphosa in a separate statement added an African note to the clamour for the equitable distribution of vaccines:

"Billions of people today await a vaccine that is our best hope of ending this pandemic. As the countries of Africa, we are resolute that the COVID-19 vaccine must be patent-free, rapidly made and distributed, and free for all. All the science must be shared between governments. Nobody should be pushed to the back of the vaccine queue because of where they live or what they earn."

Since the May 14, 2020 statement, the epicentre of the coronavirus pandemic has shifted from China to Europe, the Americas and now back to Asia, in India, where more than 230,000 persons have died. More than 5,000 human beings die daily in India! Watching the grim footages on television today of the havoc being wreaked by coronavirus in places as diverse on the planet as India, Brazil and Turkey you would not believe that that statement was ever made in the sober moment of May 2020 when the whole world was on a virtual lockdown.

The sad story is that of the resurgence of vaccine nationalism with all its perils for our shared humanity. The current battle is not only against coronavirus; it is also a war against vaccine inequality. The trend is a portrayal of the huge deficits in the global consciousness about our collective humanity. Intriguingly, these deficits are not on the part of the poor people who continue to exude immense humanity despite their sordid conditions. The deficits are noticeable more on the part of the selfish poltical and economic elites who make decisions in the rich countries.

Some countries are stocking vaccines more than their urgent needs while some countries lack vaccines to save the extremely needy sections of their populations. In Nigeria, a country with a population of more 200 million people, only about a million persons have been vaccinated. Meanwhile, it was reported at the weekend that the highly virulent South African variant of coronavirus has been found in Ghana and Togo. The proximity of the variant to Nigeria suggests a greater need for vaccination with the population. This should be treated as a matter of emergency because of the porous borders. Corruption has rendered the surveillance at the airports ineffective.

The story is more pathetic in some African countries such as Malawi, Mozambique and Zimbabwe. Men and women of good conscience should join in the campaign against vaccine inequality because of its destructive implication for mankind. The reputable British News Agency, Reuters, made a review of about a dozen contracts involving major suppliers of vaccines in the United States. The revelations put into serious question the consciousness about our collective humanity.

The richest and most powerful nation on earth has been stockpiling finished vaccines as well as the ingredients and equipment desperately needed by other countries such as India, Brazil and Turkey to manufacture vaccines. Employing selfish policy instruments, the U.S. only grants access to American manufacturers to make the jabs. Less developed countries in dire need of vaccines have been pushed into looking for alternatives. As a matter of fact, this trend began during the tenure of President Donald Trump who would rather lure vaccine manufacturers into the United States from other countries instead of establishing supply chains with those countries.

There is a global debate about the patent for COVID-19 vaccines. Some countries being ravaged by the pandemic are requesting the richer countries to grant them waivers on the patent for the existing vaccines. They need the waivers on intellectual property so that enough could be produced to check the explosion of infections in those countries. Although President Joe Biden of the United States expressed support for the waiving of patent for COVID-19 vaccines only last Wednesday, the problem could still persist without addressing the hidden question of the universal access to the ingredients and equipment for making vaccines.

The United States controls the supply of those items such as tubing, special disposable bags and filters. If the World Trade Organisation (WTO) accepts the waiver on patents, the gate may be opened for a faster production of vaccines to reduce significantly the number of infections. But the access to the ingredients would still be a hurdle to scale by manufacturers in other countries. Surprisingly, the United States is invoking a law made during the Korean War of the early 1950s to justify this vaccine inequity. The law is called the Defence Production Act (DPA). Agencies of the federal government are empowered by the law to decide the priority of items related to national defence. Like defence items, America is restricting ingredients for making vaccines.

So the most powerful nation on earth is treating the fight against COVID-19 as a geo-political war by this application of the 70-year old law to restrict the democratisation of the distribution of vaccines. A false equivalence is being drawn between military supplies and materials needed to make vaccines! Trump invoked the same law to give American manufacturers priority over those in other countries. The same Trump took his isolationism to the outrageous level when the United States stopped funding the World Health Organisation (WHO) amid the pandemic last year.

Meanwhile, Americans have access to full doses of the vaccines while the country's pharmaceutical companies are making a lot of money in the process. It took weeks of appeals before the Biden administration granted waivers to the Indian vaccines manufacturers, the Serum Institute of India (SII), to import filters needed for making vaccines. The net result is that more than 45% of the American population has been vaccinated while less than 1% of the population of Guatemala, Thailand or Nigeria has received the jabs.

The foregoing is the ugly picture of vaccine inequality.

Talking about the political economy of COVID-19 in relation to a sense of our common humanity, let us contrast the role of Cuba in the crisis with those of the western capitalist countries. Whereas the United States and some other capitalist countries have been largely selfish in the approach to the pandemic, Cuba has heroically demonstrated humanism. At the height of the lockdowns last year, some British voyagers infected with coronavirus were stranded in a ship. No western ally of the United Kingdom allowed the ship to berth because of the travel bans imposed by countries around the world. Europe was then the epicentre of the virus infections. It was only Cuba that welcomed the infected passengers and ensure that they returned to the UK. It was another teachable moment for the whole world. In a highly compassionate tone, the Cuban foreign ministry put the matter like this: "Given the urgency of the situation and the risk to the lives of sick people, the Cuban government has decided to allow the docking of this ship. "The passengers will be repatriated by air to the UK and their home countries... These are times of solidarity, of understanding health as a human right, of reinforcing international cooperation to face our common challenges, values that are inherent in the humanistic practice of the Revolution and of our people... "

That was a practical demonstration of our shared humanity! The significance of the Cuban gesture even becomes more conspicuous when you remember that in the course of the 60-year old callous economic blockade that the United States has imposed on the Cuban people, the UK and other western capitalist have never risen even in moral defence of Cuba or shown any compassion. At the request of the Italian government, Cuba doctors armed with their drug, interferon, were in Italy when that country's healthcare system was overwhelmed by coronavirus infections last year. Cuba doctors were on ground also in other countries in different continents of this world to battle coronavirus.

The reputation of the Cuban social medicine is legendary. The conscious investment in its healthcare system as a social good has paid off for the tiny Caribbean country. The investment is so huge in public health and primary healthcare that no one is left behind. It is an exemplary policy of social inclusion. The result: lifespan in Cuba is higher than that of any of the U.S. and all the other members of the G7. Apart from India, Cuba is the only country that's not a member of the G7 but is actively involved in production of vaccines. Cuba already has five candidate vaccines. The heroism of the Cuban nation in this crisis is firmly hinged on the assertion of our common humanity in words and action.

Now, I like to draw a particular attention to the philosophical underpinnings of the difference in the response of socialist Cuba and western capitalist countries. Internal and foreign policies of Cuba are determined by an ideology that makes man the object and subject of development. And one other lesson of this pandemic is that issues of healthcare cannot be inclusively resolved by market forces. The excluded members of the society in healthcare provision are more vulnerable during this pandemic in advanced capitalist societies.

The present situation in which some national policies are informed by low humanity is not due to lack of efforts by multilateral institutions. For instance, about a year ago, the WHO created the Covid-19 Technology Access Pool for sharing of intellectual property, information and the technology needed to manufacture Covid-19 vaccines. Surprisingly, nothing has been put into the pool despite the fact that the Director-General of the WTO, our own Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, has called on vaccine makers to share their technology knowhow with others.

Those hoarding vaccines as if they are oblivious of a common humanity should be reminded of history. To make penicillin available during World War II, the British government waived the intellectual property on the anti-biotic needed to treat wounds during war. The anti-biotic was discovered in 1928 by Alexander Fleming, but it was not until 1941 that some Oxford University researchers demonstrated its anti-bacterial effectiveness. Rather than make a fetish of intellectual property, the Oxford researchers went to the United States to share their knowledge and American manufacturers began to make about 100 billion units of penicillin in a month. The same knowledge was shared with India with the support of WHO and UNICEF. India became a big manufacturer of penicillin. The principle then was exchange of knowledge because untreated wounds constituted a global health problem. That same principle could still be applied to as mankind battles this pandemic.

One thing is crystal clear from the global debate on the central factor of intellectual property in the production of coronavirus vaccine: the capitalist logic rules the policies of the advanced countries. The priority of the big pharmaceutical companies is profit and not saving humanity from the pandemic. Western governments are giving a political and ideological stamp to this approach to the problem. But the approach to a global public health emergency is not only selfish, it is also scientifically myopic. As long as the virus exists in any country, it could spread to other countries. One other lesson of the pandemic is that public healthcare system cannot be developed by applying the logic of market forces. Public health services should be treated as social goods because a pandemic is a challenge to the common good. The implication is that government should invest more in public health.

Nigeria, for instance, devotes less than 5% of its budget to healthcare. Little surprise that the response of Nigeria to the pandemic has been extremely weakened by the manifestation of poverty in the healthcare system. Most of the states are yet to comply with the law on universal healthcare coverage. Health insurance still remains essentially an idea whose time is yet to come in Nigeria. In fact, the chairman of the presidential steering committee on COVID-19 and secretary to the government of the federation, Mr. Boss Mustapha, said last year that he never knew that the condition of healthcare system was so derelict until he was given the assignment. Health is still not yet a budgetary priority in Nigeria. In a culture that is bereft of humanism, members of the political and economic elite are content with the situation in which they pay exorbitant fees in private hospitals at home and abroad. Here we are talking of less than 1% of the population. Policy makers are not losing their sleep because the 99% cannot afford quality healthcare.

Close Sign up for free AllAfrica Newsletters Get the latest in African news delivered straight to your inbox Top Headlines Nigeria Coronavirus By submitting above, you agree to our privacy policy. Success! Almost finished... We need to confirm your email address. To complete the process, please follow the instructions in the email we just sent you. Error! Error! There was a problem processing your submission. Please try again later.

It is, therefore, shocking that with all the billons garnered by the private sector Coalition Against COVID (CACOVID) last year, the federal and state governments are yet to report noticeable improvements in healthcare infrastructure. Not enough molecular laboratories have been built. Ventilators are not in adequate supply in hospitals and isolation centres. Even with all the warnings that the pitiable situations in India, Brazil and Turkey are presenting to the world, Nigeria is not getting prepared for the possibility of another virulent wave with massive production of medical oxygen and other essential materials to save lives.

In this respect, I like to call on African governments not to wait naively and irresponsibly on those who may not have compassion on the poor African countries. They should fund the health sector as a public good. For instance, Nigeria was producing vaccines in the 1980s. How come we are not talking of Nigeria's own vaccines against coronavirus in 2021? The challenge of the hoarding of vaccines by the developed countries is that Africa should begin to prepare for future pandemics by producing its own vaccines.

Meanwhile, the little quantity of vaccines available in Nigeria came from India through the facility of the COVID-19 Vaccines Global Access (COVAX). Now, India itself has now run of stock of vaccines for its population being ravaged by coronavirus. So the vaccine situation for Nigeria like other third world countries is precarious. This is despite the great efforts of the Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunisations (GAVI) which has been nudging the American government to remove the restriction to the production of vaccines by manufacturers located in other parts of the world. The alliance comprises governments, international organisations, drug companies and non-governmental organisations.

In sum, the response to the crisis should, therefore, be based on the principles of compassion, cooperation and multilateralism. In fact, apart from the pandemic other global issues such as climate change, social inequality, drugs and identity crisis require cooperation and multilateral approaches because they constitute dangers to our common humanity. Those who for profit motives, power and other considerations ignore these issues of common humanity while pursuing recklessly selfish private interests are really short-sighted. They are like fleas; the parasites inflict so much pains on their dog host forgetting that the death of the host would be their own end too.

All told, there is a basis for optimism.

Humanism can find expression at the global level. It can also manifest at the national level. Contrary to the cynical viewpoint of bourgeois theorists, humanism could be expressed in moments of crisis as it happened last year in Nigeria. The coronavirus unmasked the grave inequality in the Nigerian society during the lockdown imposed to cut the chains of the virus. Most of those working depended on daily incomes. Millions of others are jobless. The pressure was such that some starved members of the society hid behind the placards of the legitimate #EndSARS protests to loot warehouses full of foodstuffs. The good news was that food items were provided by a coalition of private businessmen for the benefit of the most vulnerable people.

Another piece of good news is that people living in middle class and upper middle class estates supplied their poor neighbours in slums with food. Many individuals also quietly assisted others with provisions and money during the lockdown. No, all these kind gestures did not address the systemic question of the poverty of the majority. However, they pointed to the realisation of our common humanity. The trend provides a basis for hope as we ponder the future of mankind.
The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) command in Borno has arrested one Abubakar Mohammed, for allegedly impersonating an army captain.

Mr Abdullahi Ibrahim, the state NSCDC Commandant, said this when he addressed newsmen on Tuesday in Maiduguri.

Ibrahim said the suspects were arrested for various crimes in Maiduguri.

"The fake army captain was arrested in army uniform by a patrol team on Damboa Road, Maiduguri. He was impersonating an army captain.

"He was arrested along with one Garba Audu who equally claimed to be a member of Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF) attached to Sector 5.

"We also arrested one Ibrahim Mohammed, a bus driver, trying to transport a large quantity of petrol to an unknown destination.

"We also arrested one Fantami Bukar, the owner of Fantami Sachet Water Company, for using the brand name of another company," he said.

The commandant said there were growing incidents of criminals using military uniforms to commit crimes within Maiduguri, and cautioned residents on the need to be on the alert.

He said the 10 p.m. to 6a.m. curfew in Maiduguri and environs was still in place.

NAN
press release

Government Releases Auto Green Paper on the Advancement of New Energy Vehicles in South Africa

The Department of Trade, Industry and Competition (the dtic) has released today a Green Paper on the advancement of new energy vehicles in South Africa as part of a series of policy papers accompanying the 2021 Budget Vote for the Department.

The purpose of the Green Paper is to establish a clear policy foundation that will enable the country to coordinate a long-term strategy that will position South Africa at the forefront of advanced vehicle and vehicle component manufacturing. The strategy is complemented by a consumption leg, and a focus on increasing competitiveness in the global race to transition from the internal combustion engine era into electro-mobility solutions and technologies.

In August 2019, the Minister of Trade, Industry and Competition Mr Ebrahim Patel set the large auto-makers in South Africa a challenge: to help develop a roadmap to the local production of electric vehicles. The various workstreams of the auto industry's Master Plan were launched shortly thereafter, which included one focussed on technology changes and on deeper localisation. During 2020, the importance of this work was emphasised and more recently, a number of developments in key export markets has helped to step up the pace of work.

This Draft Green Paper seeks to develop a framework upon which a comprehensive and long-term automotive industry transformation plan on new energy vehicles can emerge, with specific focus on:

creation of a high-yielding business environment, including an appropriate fiscal and regulatory framework, that makes South Africa a leading and a highly competitive location, not only within the African continent but globally, for electric vehicle production;

support and investment in the expansion and development of new and existing manufacturing plants to support the production of new energy vehicles and components within South Africa and to grow the level of employment in the sector;

development and investment in new energy vehicle component technology and expansion of the fledgling electric supply chain, by increasing support and investment in a set of unique NEV components;

reinvestment and support towards reskilling and upskilling of the workforce to ensure the right skills are available for the design, engineering and manufacturing of electric vehicles and related components and systems;

the transition of South Africa towards cleaner fuel technologies available globally;

adoption of new and sustainable manufacturing processes to significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions and improve our environmental wealth; and

ensuring that that Research and Development investment is strategically targeted at activities that are likely to give South Africa a competitive advantage.

"We must step up efforts to build electric vehicles in SA, to keep our auto industry at the cutting edge of new market developments and to maintain our export capacity for key markets such as the EU and UK. They have both set new targets and deadlines to reduce the number of fossil fuel reliant vehicles on their roads. We need charging infrastructure - and must expand the existing 200 charging points for electric vehicles in SA using the agreed SABS standard," Minister Patel said as part of his Budget Vote address to Parliament.

"We are seeing some progress in our efforts to green the economy and to position South Africa as a centre for advanced green manufacturing. For example, in November, the first units of the new Toyota Corolla hybrid vehicle are planned to roll off the production line in SA," Minister Patel told parliament today.

Close Sign up for free AllAfrica Newsletters Get the latest in African news delivered straight to your inbox Top Headlines Energy South Africa Africa By submitting above, you agree to our privacy policy. Success! Almost finished... We need to confirm your email address. To complete the process, please follow the instructions in the email we just sent you. Error! Error! There was a problem processing your submission. Please try again later.

The Green Paper is released to invite substantive comments from all stakeholders including members of the public. This is the beginning of a crucial public discourse that will define electro-mobility in South Africa. The roadmap to implementing the new energy vehicle policy will entail the following steps:

Gazetting the draft policy for public comments by the end of May 2021

Submitting the policy proposals to Cabinet for consideration by October 2021

The Green Paper may be found on the dtic's website http://www.thedtic.gov.za/wp-content/uploads/EV_Green_Paper.pdf

Comments on the draft Green Paper may be forwarded to electricvehicle@thedtic.gov.za by no later than 4 June 2021.
Two men were detained for eight months for murdering a family. They didn't do it.

In 2005, police tortured Johannes Mahlunga into confessing to murders he did not commit.

He and his neighbour Phanie Mtsweni, who was also tortured, were imprisoned for eight months before being released.

After winning compensation for the torture, but not the wrongful imprisonment, the two men appealed against a High Court judgment, first to the Supreme Court of Appeal and finally the Constitutional Court.

The Constitutional Court ordered the Minister of Police to compensate the men for both torture and wrongful imprisonment.

It came too late for Mtsweni who has died.

The Constitutional Court has ordered the Minister of Police to pay R500,000 compensation to Johannes Mahlangu and Phanie Mtsweni for their unlawful eight month detention and torture by the South African police in 2005. Mtsweni died before the judgment was delivered.

In 2005, a family was brutally murdered in their Middleburg home in Mpumulanga. A young girl was raped before she was killed. Her three-year-old sister was the only survivor.

A few days later, the police entered Johannes Mahlangu's home without a warrant and arrested him for the crimes in front of his family. He was taken to the Middleburg office of the Serious Violence and Organised Crime unit for interrogation.

Read the judgment

After he denied any involvement in the crimes, the police tortured him for several hours until he made a false confession. His confession also falsely implicated his neighbour, Phanie Mtsweni, who was arrested without a warrant the same day.

It later emerged that the police had no evidence to implicate Mahlangu or Mtsweni in the crimes and did not explain their constitutional rights to them before their arrest.

The following day, they were taken to the Middleburg magistrate's court for their first appearance. Neither was represented by a lawyer but both asked to be released on bail.

But before the court proceedings began, the investigating police officer, Lieutenant Mthombeni, handed the prosecutor Mahlangu's false confession. He did not tell him it was obtained through torture, which made it inadmissible in court.

Based on the false confession, the prosecutor asked the magistrate to postpone the hearing because he wanted to oppose the bail application. The magistrate postponed the case and ordered that Mahlangu and Mtsweni remain detained until their next appearance. Mahlangu later testified that the magistrate did not tell them they had a right to oppose the prosecutors request for a postponement.

Over the next eight months, they appeared in court 14 more times. On each occasion the magistrate ordered their continued detention. Mahlangu never applied for bail. Mtsweni appears to have applied for bail but it seems that his request was refused.

They were later released once the true perpetrators of the crimes were arrested and the Director of Public Prosecutions declined to prosecute them.

Following their release, they started proceedings in the High Court to hold the Minister of Police liable for the violation of their constitutional rights, for psychological trauma and loss of income arising from their wrongful arrest, torture and eight month detention.

History of the case

In the High Court, Lieutenant Mthombeni admitted the police had no evidence to implicate Mahlangu or Mtsweni apart from the false confession. He also admitted that he knew the prosecutor would rely on the false confession to request their continued detention.

Mahlangu explained in court how the police continued to assault and torture him and Mtsweni during their continued incarceration. He also said they were assaulted and threatened by other prisoners who believed they were guilty of murdering the Middleburg family. They were later put into solitary confinement for two months to be protected from other prisoners, he said.

The High Court accepted that the constitutional rights of Mahlangu and Mtsweni were violated by the police and that their arrests were unlawful.

The court did find, however, that the Minister of Police was not liable for their eight month detention. This was because their detention ceased to be unlawful when the magistrate ordered their continued detention at their first court appearance the day after their arrest. The High Court therefore said the Minister was not liable for their lost income and any psychological trauma they suffered after the magistrate ordered their continued incarceration.

Appeals

Mahlangu and the executor of Mtsweni's deceased estate took the judgment on appeal to three judges in the High Court arguing the Minister should be liable for the eight months they were detained. After their appeal was rejected, they went to the Supreme Court of Appeal.

The majority judgment of the Supreme Court of Appeal said the High Court was correct.

According to the majority judgment by Acting Justice Petrus Koen, Mahlangu's false confession was the reason the magistrate ordered their continued detention after their first appearance. However, had they applied for bail at their next appearance, they most likely would have been released as it would have emerged the confession was false and obtained through torture. The fact they never made a proper bail application meant the false confession was not the legal cause for their continued detention after their first appearance.

In a minority judgment, Justice Xola Petse and Justice Christaan van der Merwe disagreed. They said the false confession was the only reason the prosecutor wanted to oppose bail and requested continued detention. The minority judgment therefore said the Minister should be liable to compensate Mahlangu and Mtsweni for the entire eight months they were detained.

Why the Concourt held the Minister liable for the whole detention

A unanimous Constitutional Court judgment by Justice Zukiswa Tshiqi said the High Court and Supreme Court of Appeal incorrectly found that the Minister was not liable for the entire period of detention.

Close Sign up for free AllAfrica Newsletters Get the latest in African news delivered straight to your inbox Top Headlines South Africa Governance Legal Affairs By submitting above, you agree to our privacy policy. Success! Almost finished... We need to confirm your email address. To complete the process, please follow the instructions in the email we just sent you. Error! Error! There was a problem processing your submission. Please try again later.

According to the judgment, Lieutenant Mthombeni knew there was no evidence (aside from the false confession) to justify keeping Mahlangu and Mtsweni in detention. He had a duty to disclose to the prosecutor that he knew the confession was obtained through torture and that Mahlangu and Mtsweni had been unlawfully arrested. His decision to keep this information from the prosecutor was unlawful.

The duty to disclose this information existed for the entire period that Mahlangu and Mtsweni were kept in detention. His failure to inform the prosecutor of the false confession while they were detained was the sole reason why they continued to remain in jail, Justice Tshiqi said.

The failure of Lieutenant Mthombeni to disclose this information meant that the Minister should be held liable to compensate Mahlangu and Mtsweni for their entire eight month detention.

Justice Tshiqi also said that the Supreme Court of Appeal was wrong to criticise Mahlangu and Mtsweni for not making a bail application after their first appearance. This was because their right to claim compensation from the Minister arose from the moment it was established that their detention was unlawful. The fact they did not apply for bail after their first appearance did not change the fact there was never a lawful reason to detain them in the first place.

The Minister was therefore ordered to pay Mahlangu and Mtsweni R 500,000 as compensation for the entire period of their eight month detention and violation of their constitutional rights. The Minister was also ordered to pay their legal costs.
analysis

As power within the ANC ebbs and flows from one faction to another, the actions of some individuals can serve as a useful indicator of the shifts in this power. One such precision instrument could be Sihle Zikalala, the leader of the ANC in KwaZulu-Natal and the premier of the province.

On Monday, KwaZulu-Natal Premier and leader of the ANC in that province, Sihle Zikalala, showed his apparent backing for Jacob Zuma, addressing the former president's supporters from a stage.

Up until at least halfway through 2017 Zikalala's support for Zuma appeared rock solid. Then, after Nasrec, it appeared that he was slowly moving towards the faction of President Cyril Ramaphosa.

How, then, do we read this week's actions?

To start, it is important to consider Zikalala's long history in the ANC.

In 2007, at Polokwane, he was the secretary-general of the ANC Youth League, and was one of those who objected to the use of electronic voting systems to count votes in the leadership election.

Then, he backed the wrong leader in trying to get Saki Mofokeng to succeed Fikile Mbalula as leader of the ANC Youth League in 2008, in an election that was overshadowed by the unfortunate...
President Cyril Ramaphosa has concluded a successful visit to Paris, in France, where he participated in the Summit on the Financing of African Economies hosted by President Emmanuel Macron.

In a statement, the President said Summit leaders stated their ambition to act together and fight the great divergence occurring within and between countries.

"The summit recognised the role of extensive immunisation against COVID-19 as [a] global public good and committed to ensure and accelerate equitable access in Africa to safe and affordable vaccines, treatments and diagnostics through the ACT-Accelerator and its COVAX facility," said the President in a statement on Tuesday.

The Summit, said the Presidency, called for a swift decision on and implementation of an unprecedented general allocation of the International Monetary Fund's Special Drawing Rights (SDRs).

The SDRs are expected to amount to 650 billion US dollars, of which 33 billion US dollars will be used to increase reserve assets of African countries.

At the Summit, leaders expressed support for African national strategies on growth and jobs, and welcomed the ambition to develop an Alliance for Entrepreneurship in Africa, with a broad pan- African reach and strong business focus.

The Presidency said the alliance will help mobilise all partners ready to support, through financial and technical resources, the development of the private sector on the continent.

During the two-day visit, President Cyril Ramaphosa held bilateral talks with African Union Chairperson and Democratic Republic of Congo President Felix Tshisekedi; Angola President Joao Lourenco; Ivory Coast President Alassane Ouattara; Mozambique President Filipe Jacinto Nyusi; Senegal President Macky Sall; Rwanda President Paul Kagame, and Togo's President Faure Gnassingbe to enhance South Africa's diplomatic relations.

Close Sign up for free AllAfrica Newsletters Get the latest in African news delivered straight to your inbox Top Headlines South Africa Governance External Relations By submitting above, you agree to our privacy policy. Success! Almost finished... We need to confirm your email address. To complete the process, please follow the instructions in the email we just sent you. Error! Error! There was a problem processing your submission. Please try again later.

Ahead of the start of the Summit last night, President Ramaphosa and President Macron of the French Republic met for bilateral talks at the Elysee Palace.

State Visit

The leaders' discussion, paved the way for the State Visit that President Macron will undertake to South Africa at the end of May 2021.

The leaders also discussed vaccine production and distribution, with President Ramaphosa emphasising the importance of the temporary waiver of the World Trade Organisation regulations on intellectual property, to enable Africa to expand its capability to produce vaccines that will combat COVID-19 and future pandemics.

In anticipation of the State visit, President Macron expressed interest to establish a partnership with South African vaccine - producing institutions, to enhance manufacturing capacity.

South Africa and France's relations spans across areas of cooperation in energy, education, science and technology, as well as trade and investment among others. The relations extend to the European Union, making South Africa a key trading partner.

Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Dr Naledi Pandor and Acting Minister in the Presidency, Khumbudzo Ntshavheni, accompanied President Ramaphosa.
press release

MEC for Cooperative Governance, Human Settlements and Traditional Affairs, Mmoloki Cwaile has welcomed the North West High Court ruling which directs the Kgetlengrivier Concerned Citizens to immediately hand over back the water treatment plants to Magalies Water as per the court order issued on 12 January this year.

The court has further ordered interdicted the Concerned Citizens from blocking the entrance and egress of the water and waste water treatment plants situated in Koster and Swartuggens and directed that neither the department nor the municipality will not be liable for the operational costs incurred by the Concerned Citizens as a result of their unlawful conduct of retaking the plants.

In reaction to today's court judgement, MEC Cwaile said, "the Kgetlengrivier Concerned Citizens reneged on an arrangement which all parties agreed on that they will hand over the water and waste treatment plants to Magalies Water as an implement agent. We have been vindicated because we said from the onset that we cannot allow a situation where the infrastructure is managed and controlled by private people. We can't allow our safety of the community of Kgetlengrivier compromised by having the plants controlled by unauthorised people", he said.

The Concerned Citizens's re-took over the plant in March after it was handed over to Magalies Water as per the agreement of all parties (Concerned Citizens included), lamenting non-payment by the department for the work done while they occupied the plants between January and February.

"They denied the officials of Magalies Water access to the plants raising an issue of non- payment by the department, in spite of their lawyer having been informed about the delay in payment due to the closure of the financial payment systems at the end of the financial year 2020/21", said MEC Cwaile.

Close Sign up for free AllAfrica Newsletters Get the latest in African news delivered straight to your inbox Top Headlines South Africa Governance Legal Affairs By submitting above, you agree to our privacy policy. Success! Almost finished... We need to confirm your email address. To complete the process, please follow the instructions in the email we just sent you. Error! Error! There was a problem processing your submission. Please try again later.

The department has since paid over R15 million for the operations and maintenance of the plants as well as their legal costs which was one of the conditions contained in the settlement court order.

Meanwhile, MEC Cwaile has called on the municipality of Kgetlengrivier to make sure they accelerate service delivery to the community and urged Magalies Water to occupy the plants as a matter urgency to avoid water services disruptions. "We call on the rate payers to work with government in adding a positive impetus to our people's desire for a better life and redress on any other concerns". The Provincial Executive Council has resolved to provide an increased support to Kgetlengrivier and other municipalities, through the District Development Model, working with the national government.
Defence Minister Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula says the national defence force deployed more than 8 000 personnel to the frontlines of the COVID-19 pandemic over the past year.

The Minister said this when she tabled the department's budget vote during a mini plenary of the National Assembly on Tuesday.

She said the SA National Defence Force has been progressively asked to do more for less for several years now.

The past year, however, was unprecedented. It was, however, a challenge the members who make up this proud national asset, accepted and met with enthusiasm, Mapisa-Nqakula said.

"We were tasked to provide the largest deployment since our democracy in support of the State of National Disaster.

"Not only did we focus on ensuring that citizens adhered to social distancing and the wearing of masks, but we also delivered in many other ways that were unseen.

"The SANDF deployed 8 119 personnel, made up of members of the regular force, reserve force and auxiliary services, in support of other government departments to mitigate and combat the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic.

"The SANDF conducted 12452 road blocks, 7800 vehicle-check-points and 35000 patrols," she said.

Mapisa-Nqakula said the department also responded urgently where needed, providing drinking water and building bridges in remote areas.

Medical professionals were also deployed to areas that were buckling under the strain of the pandemic.

Close Sign up for free AllAfrica Newsletters Get the latest in African news delivered straight to your inbox Top Headlines South Africa Governance Coronavirus By submitting above, you agree to our privacy policy. Success! Almost finished... We need to confirm your email address. To complete the process, please follow the instructions in the email we just sent you. Error! Error! There was a problem processing your submission. Please try again later.

"Notwithstanding this, the department has suffered its own challenges with COVID-19. We have recorded a number of COVID-19 positive cases and fatalities during this pandemic."

The Minister said it was important to recognise the enormous contribution of the Cuban medical team.

"They conducted just over 79 298 total procedures, significantly improving our ability to save the lives of our members in uniform.

"We will continue to support the Department of Health in the roll-out of the vaccine program. We have availed our air transport and airport facilities to assist in this endeavour," she said.

Constrained fiscus

Mapisa-Nqakula said, meanwhile, that the department's budget vote was delivered under a severely constrained fiscus.

"Nonetheless, we must inform this house of the negative impact our declining allocation has had and will continue to have on the Department of Defence in general - our military capabilities in particular and our ability to meet our operational responsibilities assigned to us as well as our international obligations.

"The reduction of over R15 billion over the MTEF has placed us in a very difficult position. Our capital budget has effectively been reduced to a trickle and the operating budget is under extreme pressure," she said.

She said that under these conditions, the department was finding it very difficult to improve the serviceability of prime mission equipment.

"Whilst we are fully aware of the fiscal challenges that South Africa has, the reduction to our allocation has a devastating impact, not only on the Defence Force, but also our defence industry and defence related industry and the many SMME's in the supply chain."
press release

Theme: "Championing Digital Economy for Societal Transformation".

Hon. Madam Speaker,

Hon Deputy Minister, Ms Pinky Kekana

Chairperson of the Portfolio Committee on Communications, Mr Boyce Maneli

Hon Members of Parliament

Esteem Guests

Ladies and gentlemen

Comrades and friends

Since the beginning of time humanity has always had the edge to reach out and communicate, from smoke signals,rock art and the sounds of beating drums. SA has evolved with speed with each generation of telecommunications infrastucture better and faster than the previous. From the 1st use of telecommunication with a single line of telegraph connecting CT and Simon's town,to the first telegraph launched in 1859, telephones in May 1882, radio in the 1920s, Post office in the 1970s, Television in 1976 and the 1990s with the introduction of cell phones with 1991 seeing the first IP in South Africa. Who can forget the iconic "Mholo Mhlobo wam"in 2000. The department celebrates the evolution of telecommunications and creation of an inclusive information society in South Africa. Yesterday I had an opportunity to address the celebration of the World Telecommunication and Information Society Day (WTSD) under the theme: WTISD "Accelerating Digital Transformation in challenging times". Honourable members, there is a silent revolution, the world is changing before our eyes. Science and technology has created an opportunity for our continent to leapfrog and enter international affairs as an equal.

Hon Members,

I take this platform at the time of convergence between two opposing forces namely, the crisis and despair, brought about by the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic and the advent of the Fourth Industrial Revolution.

We must AGREE that every crisis brings shock and new opportunities. While the pandemic has brought about social and economic shock in our country and our people, we must look into the need to navigate these difficult times through identification of opportunities to take our country and our people to a greater pedestal.

2019 COMMITMENTS

Honourable House Chairperson, in 2019 during our Budget Vote debate we made several commitments to this house. It is therefore my pleasure to provide progress on the work we have done thus far.

Presidential Commission on the 4IR PMO

As honourable members would remember, Cabinet approved the report on the PC4IR. I am now pleased to inform you that the Project Management Office has developed the Consultative Strategic Implementation Plan (SIP) in order to ensure that the recommendations of the Report are implemented by all critical stakeholders to position South Africa globally.

Policy Review for the Digital Economy

Honourable Chairperson;

We also made a commitment to overhaul our policies and legislation in order to enable digital transformation. We have since reviewed the following:

- The Electronic Communications Amendment Bill

- South African Broadcasting Corporation SOC Ltd Bill

- The South African Postbank Amendment

- Data and cloud policy

- Audio- and audio-visual policy

In 2019 we were tasked with creating a new department to drive digital transformation. In this regard, a new 5 year strategy, a Service Delivery Model and new organisational structure has been developed.

We further undertook to reconfigure the State-Owned Entities under our portfolio to be in line with our new mandate.

We have commenced with the establishment of the State Digital Infrastructure Company through which we have developed its Business Case and the draft Bill which is in the consultation stages.

Similarly, we have progressed with the reconfiguration of State Information Technology Agency (SITA) into forming the State Digital Infrastructure Company. Likewise, the Business Case and the draft Bill has been developed and are in consultation stages.

Broadband Rollout - Connecting South Africa

House Chair, on Broadband rollout, which is a critical project in trying to eliminate digital divide, we committed to connect additional 400 government sites to make 970 in overall. We are pleased to announce that all have been connected and we continue to monitor them. The feasibility study for Phase II has been conducted to explore funding models for connecting the remainder of the government sites across the country.

High Demand Spectrum Licensing

We also committed to issue the Final Policy and Policy Direction on high demand spectrum to ICASA.

Indeed, the policy direction was issued. ICASA subsequently issued Invitation to Apply (ITA) for licensing of the High Demand Spectrum and WOAN.

Hon Chairperson of the house as we begin our second year under Covid19 way of life we have set ourselves 7 ambitious priorities namely.

1.Fastracking the Broadcasting Digital Migration

2. Release of Spectrum

3. Infrastructure Investment & mass employment programme

4. Re-Industrialisation of economy with focus on SMMEs

5. Digital economy Masterplan & it's implementation

6.Digital & Future skills

7. Repurposing of SOCs

Honourable Speaker,

1. BROADCASTING DIGITAL MIGRATION (BDM)

The Analogue Switch off (ASO) process commenced in March as planned following the President's announcement during the SONA in February. We started with the Free-State, then progressed to the Northern Cape and the Northwest provinces.

Honourable members, to-date, we have switched-off a total of 32 sites in the three priority provinces, this is 40% of the planned sites in the 3 Priority provinces.

On each of the 3 provinces our progress is as follows;

- Achieved 96% ASO progress in the FS province, which is 22 of the 23 planned sites

- Achieved 26% ASO in the Northern Cape province, which is 7 of the planned 27 sites.

- Achieved 10% ASO in the North- West province, which is 3 of the planed 29 sites

We are targeting to have majority of sthe ites in the three provinces switched off by the middle of July this year.

Digital Dividend:

The ASO process is targeting to release the much-needed 700MHz and 800MHZ digital dividend spectrum. The spectrum will be released in a phased provincial manner across the country towards our goal of end of March 2022. This process combined with the Digital-to-Digital migration will make available a total of 168MHz spectrum in each of the provinces.

Finally,

We are working with the TV broadcasting industry to ensure that the target of March 2022 is realised . This will allow spectrum availability for IMT(International Mobile Telecommunications) services on Broadband which ICASA is in the process of licencing .The remaining 5 provinces will have a voucher-system model. We are looking forward to the effective partnership with the industry and support when we begin to rollout the voucher system towards realising successful migration process. We call upon everyone across the country to rally behind us when we pave a way for the better South Africa for ourselves and the future generation.

2. SPECTRUM

The release of spectrum has major economic and social benefits. As government, our focus is on economic recovery, building on the successes to restart the economy and stimulate employment by leveraging on the ICT network, digital platforms, and data analytics capabilities to deliver economic value for society. It must be stated that spectrum, like the land question in SA is a highly contested space. In our policy and policy direction we tried to address some of the challenges like competition, transformation, and opening space for new entrants in the industry.

The current litigations on spectrum auction and licensing of WOAN, hamper our determination to re-build our economy. We have, and continue to implore parties involved, including the regulator (ICASA) to find amicable solution to the ongoing impasse. I believe that it is within the industry's ability to find an out of court Dispute Resolution mechanism and avert the delays and stagnating economic impact.

3. INFRASTRUCTURE INVESTMENT AND MASS EMPLOYMENT PROGRAMMES

We believe that Partnerships and collaborations are key to taking our sector to greater heights. I am therefore pleased to announce that R27 billion is being pledged collectively by the operators and vendors to expand the 4G network and to deploy the 5G and fibre technologies in South Africa of which has been tested by some operators.

This network expansion is also extending to rural and underserved areas, which will benefit communities and create jobs. As such, I hope that the licensing of the WOAN and the High-Demand Spectrum will complement these roll-out plans.

In line with the government's vision of connecting 80% of public buildings by 2024, our entities will connect 6687 sites across the country.

Household Broadband Connectivity:

As part of the Presidential Employment Stimulus Initiative, we have in collaboration with the Presidency submitted a bid for funding to support digital access for low-income households and stimulate job creation and economic growth through household broadband connectivity and public WiFi access. It is hoped that the funding of R340 million can be made available for the programme to commence in the current financial year, and we will roll out in both township and rural areas.

USAASA will proceed with the connectivity of OR Tambo and as such an amount of R60m has been allocated.

Job Creation

Through investment in digital infrastructure expansion, 5920 jobs have already been created by the sector and it is envisaged that there will be an increase of at least 25% of this target.

4. Re-Industrialisation of economy focusing on growing small business.

The Department and its entities always endeavour to support SMMEs through various procurement opportunities. To this end our Department has supported 393 SMMEs. Furthermore, our entities are as equally committed to support our SMMEs hence an amount of R2.6bn is committed.

Soon the ICT Sector Council will publish its sector code to provide for 50% target procurement from majority Black Owned suppliers, an increase from 40% in the current code.

ICASA has recently announced new regulations aimed at promoting historically disadvantaged South Africans in the ICT sector. Amongst the changes is the requirement for licences to comply with the mandatory equity ownership requirement of 30% by black people and level 4 BBBEEE status.

5. Digital Economy Masterplan

The Department's vision is to see all South Africans digitally empowered to create and participate in tech-enabled opportunities that drive inclusiveness, employment and economic transformation across our cities, towns and provinces. To this end, the Department has finalised a digital economy masterplan and is currently engaging various stakeholders in the development of the implementation plan. Chairperson, it is envisaged that the implementation of the Digital Economy Masterplan will see the achievement of economic contribution upwards to 4.5% of GDP per annum, creation of 1 million jobs over the next 10 years, create massive opportunities for SMMEs.

6. UNDERSERVICED AREA LICENSES (USAL)

In line with the drive for transformation of the ICT industry and reduction of digital divide we will revisit the now obselete USAL policy with the aim to facilitate access to internet even in the far remote areas.

In this regard a policy and policy direction will be developed for ICASA to further develop relevant regulations to guide implementation.

7. DIGITAL & FUTURE SKILLS

The speed of change in science and technology demands an equal speed in acquiring the skills that the industry demands. We have since developed the National Digital and Future Skills strategy whose objective is to establish an education and skills development ecosystem that provides all South Africans with the required skills to create and participate in the digital economy.

We are partnering with both public and private sector, with the intent to bridge the digital divide. For this reason, our training programmes will be conducted everywhere in South Africa including the remote areas.

Chairperson,

we are partnering with the Department of Higher Education and Training to train

- 20 000 young people in 4IR and related skills.

- 6 TVET colleagues situated in the Eastern Cape, Mpumalanga, Limpopo, North West and KwaZulu-Natal will be targeted this year. We are deliberate in exposing and stimulating the young minds in these TVET colleges to be innovators and not just end users of technologies. Google through Google For Education Program will be training teachers in digital teaching.

We are also working with the Department of Employment and Labour to train 73 000 unemployed youth. Our model pools together a given craft, skill and entrepreneurship such that every leaner finishes their training already having exit strategy.

Digital Council for Africa has also heeded our call and committed to train young people from Eastern Cape, Mpumalanga and Limpopo in fibre splicing. Never again, shall our youth be only trench diggers. Already we have trained 12 young people, and the Council is in a process of placing them in various companies. More of these young people will be benefiting from this partnership. Watch the space!

The Department has partnered with Huawei. So far, 50 students from disadvantaged Universities have been trained through the Seeds of the Future Programme. These young people are trained in IoT, 5G, AI and have been exposed to various technologies in Shenzhen and Beijing. Today the company has commenced with a training of 1000 ISPs in partnership with the ICT youth council. The partnership continues, and we are getting more students participating because these trainings are now held virtually.

With NEMISA and COURSERA we will offer 60 000 free online training opportunities; additionally we also have 82 000 slots available in the co-labs situated around the country

Through the partnership with GIZ estimated at R49 million, the Department will train 3000 young South Africans and support 150 SMMEs for Future of Work

Through our partnership, Microsoft has launched the Microsoft Artificial Intelligence University wherein the curriculum will develop the skills employers' value by teaching them to explore, transform, model, and visualize data, and to create the next generation of intelligent solutions.

Ericson is also rolling out Digital Labs. Ericsson continues to support the digital lab program in Diepsloot (Ericsson and Wot-if Trust roll out Digital Lab Program to children from Johannesburg).

The Department has allocated R9.5 million for this digital skills programme.

8. DELIVERY OF SOCS - SAPO AND ITS CRUCIAL ROLE IN SERVICE DELIVERY

Honourable Members,

We know that the State Owned Entities have not been performing as desired: however we remain committed to address this.

As part of the income generating strategy, SAPO has partnership with the US e-commerce giant WISH. Over and above, the Post Office continues to successfully pay Social grants to citizens despite the Covid19 pandemic challenges.

Over 10 million SASSA social grants beneficiaries get paid monthly and this includes the SRD grants. The financial sustainability of SAPO remains our top concern, the department is putting a team of experts to assist with strong business plan for SAPO.

COST TO COMMUNICATE

As part of the enabling environment to attract investment,

The Department is working closely with Competition Commission, ICASA and MNOs to monitor and reduce the cost to communicate, especially data. There has been a reduction of data by all mobile operators by 33%, with the average 1 GIG data costing R99 rands or less. The Department will continue to monitor this, to ensure not only further reduction of costs but also ensure good quality of services.

The Department has allocated R3 million for the Cost to Communicate programme.

ICASA published draft regulations on mobile broadband services inquiry on 26 March 2021.The closing date for submission of representations on the draft regulations is 28th MAY 2021. The Authority will, upon consideration of various stakeholder representations, aim to promulgate the final Regulations by end of Q2 of the current FY.

ENABLING POLICY ENVIRONMENT

Hon Chairperson of the House to conclude my address, I would like to refer to some of the regulatory and legislation reviews we will submit in the course of this year. It is imperative we should keep our prescripts in line with the global changes especially on matters relating to the fast changing ICT sector.

Close Sign up for free AllAfrica Newsletters Get the latest in African news delivered straight to your inbox Top Headlines South Africa Business Governance By submitting above, you agree to our privacy policy. Success! Almost finished... We need to confirm your email address. To complete the process, please follow the instructions in the email we just sent you. Error! Error! There was a problem processing your submission. Please try again later.

This year we published the draft Data and Cloud Policy, which is aligned to government's objectives of economic inclusion. The policy seeks to enable South Africans to realise the socio-economic value of data through the alignment of existing policies, legislation and regulations, as well as ensuring that there is a conducive enabling environment for the data ecosystem to thrive through skills enablement and the establishment of a supportive regulatory environment.

The sourcing of locally manufactured products remains key priority focus under the Department's Digital Economy Masterplan and the 4IR Programme. Together with the industry, we have identified a number of products that can be locally produced: these include phones and accessories; manufacturing of components for infrastructure / 5G network expansion; sensors and telematics which includes lidar, smart metres for water and electricity and other tracking applications; and satellites and drone components.

As part of the implementation of these programmes, the Department is working with the DTIC to facilitate the establishment and operationalisation of an ICT Special Economic Zone (SEZ). To date, a suitable land has been identified where this SEZ will be situated. The two Departments are working towards the digital products I mentioned for local manufacturing, with government procurement capacity being utilised as a lever to enable the sector.

One of the most critical projects relates to ensuring that the sector is able to deploy rapid infrastructure to enable digital communications. There is an urgent need to avoid duplication and frustrating processes that slow down infrastructure deployment that is meant to South Africa to be amongst the best in 5G and other digital infrastructure deployment. In this regard, the policy on Rapid deployment of electronic communications facilities is in final stages. This follows on the memorandum of understanding entered into between the Department of Communications and Digital Technologies (DCDT) and the Department of Co-operative Governance and Traditional Affairs (COGTA) finalised in July 2020 which allows and facilitates rapid deployment of electronic communications infrastructure necessitated by the COVID-19 crisis.

Chairperson and Honourable Members, currently Public hearings on the Draft White Paper on Audio and Audiovisual Content Services Policy Framework: A New Vision for South Africa 2020 started on 10 May and will end on 14 June 2021. The proposed policy

- promotes capital investment in the audio and audiovisual content industries and infrastructure;

- repositions the industry for further skills development; modernises the South African broadcasting landscape;

- ensures access to broadcasting services by all the citizens, including people with disabilities; and

- strengthens the public broadcaster.

The Draft Audio and Audiovisual Content Services Policy will ensure universally accessible broadcasting services in all official languages and across the country.

We are currently finalising the South African Broadcasting Corporation SOC Ltd Bill, which will amend the Broadcasting Act of 1999. The Bill will ensure that the Public Broadcaster is aligned to terrain of PaaS (Platform as a Service) in development of digital content; enhance productivity and functionality of SABC in supporting people centred service delivery and supports good governance. I am now confident that the Bill continues to protect the independence of the SABC in line with our Constitution.

In the face of the challenge of the fiscal constraints it is necessary that we should devise innovative ways of realizing some of programmes we are charged with. It is this regard that we have decided to enter into partnerships with the private sector for the execution of some of these programmes.

ANNOUNCEMENTS: DIGITAL ECONOMY INVESTMENT CONFERENCE

In closing allow me to announce that in the second half of this year, the DCDT will host a Digital Economy Investment Conference. To grow this sector, we need to attract partnership and investment to support the priorities mentioned above.

BUDGET ALLOCATION

Hon Members I am pleased to present to you the Budget vote for the department for the financial year 2021/22 which is R3, 7 billion.

I Thank you!
The Kenya Power Company (KPLC) says Kenyans are to blame for rising cases of deaths caused by electrocution.

Kenya Power Safety Health and Environment Manager, John Guda, noted that a total of 345 people had died due to electrocution in a period of three years.

As we increase our connection, we have also seen an increase of electrocutions in the country which is a concern for us and that is why we are sensitizing the public on electrical safety, he said.

In the 2018/2019 fiscal year 104 deaths were recorded while 148 people were electrocuted in 2019/2020. In the current financial year 93 people have lost their lives so far, said Guda.

He said over 70 percent of the cases were caused by Kenyans who were careless while handling electric products at home and at work. The unsafe public practices include illegal connections, poor wiring, vandalism, and wayleave encroachments.

74 percent of electrocution cases are because of unsafe public practices. We insist that the people have to safely use electricity.

The other 26 percent can be attributed to Kenya Power operations, contractors and non-compliance standards, the KPLC manager said.

Guda noted that rampant illegal power connection is a dangerous practice that can claim the lives of an entire family.

He said highly affected counties in terms of electrocution are Nakuru, Kiambu, Uasin Gishu, Kisii, Nyamira, Makueni, Busia, Siaya and Kwale counties.

The issues around Makueni County are tree cutting and issues to do with our own power lines falling which we are addressing by replacing the poles, the Kenya Power official said.

Guda was speaking in a hotel in Wote town during a sensitization workshop for National Government Administrative Officers (NGAOs).

He said Kenya Power in collaboration with the Ministry of Interior and National Coordination had so far conducted similar workshops in 13 other counties to create awareness on electrical safety.

We are also asking Kenyans to contract licensed technicians and electricians to avoid shoddy wiring, especially in homesteads, said Guda.
When Petrus Hoaeb (64) started working at the Rossing Uranium mine in 1976, he was hoping to escape poverty and to lay the foundation for a better life.

However, Hoaeb's dream turned into a nightmare when he got sick in 2000 after he was allegedly exposed to radiation.

"That place is toxic and dangerous. Every day you were exposed to chemicals, acid and uranium," he says.

At the time, the mine - in the middle of the vast Namib Desert near Arandis - was ranked the third largest in the world.

Hoaeb says he was recruited when Rossing Uranium was looking for employees across the country, and was discovered at Khorixas in 1976.

"Rossing then took us to Arandis, taking us through the induction process for the first week, and the medical process to see if we were fit," Hoaeb says, recalling his first days at the mine.

His first job was that of a clerk.

That was the same year Rossing became operational.

Workers at the time dug uranium ore used for bombs and civil nuclear power by the British and United States military forces.

Some former workers say exposure to radiation from the mine has left them with life-long illnesses.

Hoaeb says this has left him with pneumonia, and that he was confined to a wheelchair in 2004.

He became so ill that he was sent on sick leave for 12 years until he was fired in 2012.

"[My] breathing has become difficult. I frequently collapse," Hoaeb says.

He says he is currently in this situation because the mine lacked protective gear and other safety measures.

He feels neglected by Rossing and wants compensation to foot his medical bill of about N$6 000 a month, he says.

"No one from Rossing ever visited me after I was fired in 2012," he says.

In 2013 Hoaeb took his case to the Labour Court.

His lawyer, Sisa Namandje, said in court papers that Rossing ordered Hoaeb to return to work despite his health condition, and without prior counselling.

Hoaeb was fired for being absent without leave after he failed to return to work because of his illness.

"This is the same place of employment which almost cost him his life and in fact bound him to a wheelchair," Namandje said in court documents.

Hoaeb says other complications he suffers from include "blood on the kidneys and broken cells", which has left him unable to drive his car.

At the time of dismissal Hoaeb was employed as a laboratory technician, earning N$11 000 a month.

Dr Mkhukuli Dlamini is quoted in the court papers as saying that "Mr Hoaeb's illness has been complex and its occupational relatedness difficult to ascertain with the limited information we had at our disposal".

Namandje challenged the decision to fire Hoaeb, but the case was dismissed during the 2013 Labour Court hearing.

TOXIC HISTORY

Hoaeb is among many former Rossing employees who complained about being exposed to radiation at the mine.

The impact of mining operations on workers has haunted Rossing for decades.

In 2015, the company commissioned a study through the University of Manchester to investigate if working at the Rossing mine is linked to a higher risk of developing cancer.

At least 76 cases were detected.

These include 32 cases of lung cancer, 18 other airway cancers, eight cases of leukaemia, nine cases of brain cancer and nine cases of kidney cancer.

The study warned that employees may breathe in radioactive dust and radon gas, which can escape from the rock.

The study was completed in 2019.

Rio Tinto has since sold its 68% stake in the mine to Chinese state-owned China National Uranium Corporation Limited for N$1,5 billion.

The study identified 7 901 people who had worked at least one year at the mine between 1976 and 2010.

It concluded that workers may also have inhaled other non-radioactive substances, such as acid mist.

The study identified those who had developed cancer by using the National Cancer Registry for both Namibia and South Africa, as well as information from the records of the mine's occupational health service.

RIO TINTO CONFLICTED

Earthlife Namibia - a non-profit organisation - said Rossing Uranium is not being truthful with the study.

Earthlife Namibia's Bertchen Kohrs told The Namibian this month that Rossing is not revealing all the content mentioned in the study.

"Professors of the University of Manchester approved the access to the full study; it seems it is Rio Tinto who is not interested in sharing it," she said.

Kohrs said they sought scientists' opinion when evaluating the PowerPoint presentation.

"We request a public admission from the Centre for Occupational and Environmental Health, the University of Manchester, Rio Tinto and Rossing Uranium that this study is of little value and cannot be used publicly as evidence that uranium mining is safe," she said.

Kohrs also said the study is not correct because of the conflict regarding financial sponsorship to the University of Manchester by Rio Tinto.

"Rossing's own data influenced the outcome of the study and controls how data should be released. This severely undermines the independence of the study," she said.

SECRECY

Rossing Uranium spokesperson Daylight Ekandjo insisted that the University of Manchester study is legitimate.

"The final conclusion of the study conducted by the University of Manchester further supports that there is no greater risk to Rossing employees developing cancer than to anybody else working outside the mine," she told The Namibian earlier this month.

She said the university found no strong evidence that radiation or other exposure increased the risk of developing cancer while working at the mine.

Some former employees have said the company has kept the study away from them.

Ekandjo said the findings were shared with "key stakeholders" and released publicly on Rossing's website in January 2021, following delays because of Covid-19.

Ekandjo also revealed that the company is not in contact with former employees who may have developed illnesses because medical records are confidential.

"Compensation for workers claiming occupational diseases are determined following a process of individual case evaluation under the relevant legal and technical frameworks," she said.

Close Sign up for free AllAfrica Newsletters Get the latest in African news delivered straight to your inbox Top Headlines Namibia Company Mining By submitting above, you agree to our privacy policy. Success! Almost finished... We need to confirm your email address. To complete the process, please follow the instructions in the email we just sent you. Error! Error! There was a problem processing your submission. Please try again later.

'I STILL FEEL THE EFFECTS'

While Rossing is being secretive on publicly releasing the full report on the impact of its operations, some former workers continue to feel the pinch.

One of them is Otto Narib (65), who worked at the mine from 27 August 1979 to 26 September 1991.

He said the uranium from the mine affected him and caused health side effects, such as a stroke, which led to him being temporarily paralysed on one side of his body.

Narib recalls a period of sustained pain that led to Rossing Uranium mine's in-house doctor booking him off for three weeks.

When Narib returned to work, he was eventually fired - because he was operated on, he believes.

"Years later my body became prone to sickness. Even today, I still feel the effects," he said.

Narib said Rossing's management has never visited him since 1991.

Sam Gaseb (64), who worked at the mine from 1978 to 1999, is partially paralysed.

He said he was retrenched after the company rendered him unfit for work.

"I was happy because I thought my life would change," the former senior operator said.

He was earning N$15 000 a month.

Gaseb's life changed, but not for the better.

"All that excitement vanished. I got a stroke and the left side of the body is now paralysed. I am unable to work."

- This article was produced by The Namibian's investigative unit.
The clinical branch chief for the US Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in Namibia Dr Steven Hong said the public health guidance in other countries of not wearing a mask after being fully vaccinated would not be appropriate to apply locally.

The CDC last Thursday said fully vaccinated people in the USA no longer need to wear a face mask or stay 1.8 metres away from others in most settings, whether outdoors or indoors. In an interview with New Era yesterday, Hong said that guideline is developed for the USA, based on vaccine efficacy, vaccination coverage and number of cases.

"Other countries may use this guidance to consider changes to their guidance, but it will depend on the vaccination rates and the number of cases in each country. At this stage, it would not be appropriate to apply this guidance to Namibia," he stressed. The CDC believes there will be a time when fully vaccinated people do not have to wear masks, but that will require many more people to get vaccinated. "We can end the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic, but we all have to do our part.

The current percentage of Namibia's population that has been vaccinated is low, but I am hopeful that with concerted efforts, the country will be able to achieve the target. We must not give up," said Hong.

He added that Namibia is likely to achieve herd immunity with its target of 60-80%.

"We need individuals to speak up and encourage their friends and family. We trust those around us. If you have been vaccinated, encourage those around you to as well. It might be as simple as offering someone a lift to a vaccination centre, or someone might want to talk about their concerns, and hear your response," he stated.

Hong said although there is no evidence that the B.1.617 variant that was detected in India is already in Namibia, it is not impossible that this variant is present because of the high amount of cross-border travel in the SADC region.

"Whether or not this variant is in Namibia, it is important to remain vigilant with public health measures - wear a mask, wash hands, keep our distance, and get vaccinated. We all must prevent the spread of infection.

The health services are there to care for people who are ill. As individuals, we all have a responsibility to stop the spread of the virus," he urged. Health minister Dr Kalumbi Shangula this week said there are enough vaccines in the country, with another consignment expected soon.
The health ministry in the Erongo region has vaccinated over 5 000 people since the start of the Covid-19 vaccination campaign in March this year.

This was announced by Erongo health director Anna Jonas who hosted governor Neville Andre when he received his second dose of the vaccine on Monday morning.

During his vaccination, Andre encouraged the rest of the public to take the vaccination, as this is the only way to protect their communities and families.

"Of course, Covid-19 is still with us, it has not been defeated. The only way is for all of us to take the vaccine. We should not be misinformed that something will happen to you. I have seen elderly people such as the Founding Father Dr Sam Nujoma who has taken it and many other young people have also taken it and they are still strong. It is just the motivation," said Andre.

He continued that his vaccination was not motivated by his status as a governor, but by the urgency to protect himself and his family. Senior medical officer in the region, Marita Mouton also implored the public to get vaccinated.

"The needle we are using is very small and, in the end, you are doing it for your own health and your family. The vaccine can help you from being admitted into ICU or to be admitted into the hospital. We are urging the communities to please come and take your vaccine."

Despite public doubt, the ministry has said that many citizens have started to respond to the vaccination pleas as the ministry is now conducting between 100 and 150 vaccinations per day.

Additionally, the ministry has a mobile team that has been going to the mines in the region in order to bring the vaccinations closer to the mineworkers.
ANNA Nikanor (73) was left reeling in shock after six of her 29 head of cattle were recently brutally slashed by unknown assailants.

Nikanor says she was at home in Hochland Park in Windhoek when she received a call from one of her cattle herders at Groot Aub, who told her six of her cows were gashed with a sharp object.

She says her animals were attacked on 27 April while grazing at an isolated homestead, but managed to get away and survive the brutal attack.

"I don't understand why someone would do this to me. I suspect the person had the intention to kill them, but did not manage," she says.

Nikanor says her cattle are everything to her as a pensioner and she cannot imagine her life without her animals, but realises they are no longer safe.

She says she sells her cows to pay her water and electricity bills.

"I have spent over N$9 000 just to get vets to treat my cattle. I'm advising every person who has cattle at Groot Aub to be cautious of people who do this to animals," she says.

Nikanor says she has been pleading with the government to provide her with a farm since 2001.

"I have had my plot there for over 20 years, and this is the first time I have ever encountered something like this," she says.

Khomas regional police commander commissioner Ismael Basson says a case has been opened and investigations are ongoing.

He says the incident is nothing new at Groot Aub, and that the perpetrators ususally sell the meat they steal.

"Cruelty to animals happens now and then. The suspects usually shoot the cows, and the one that falls is the one they slaughter," he says.
Rundu  Kavango West Ncuncuni constituency councillor Leopoldine Nseu says more elders have gone to be vaccinated than young people in her constituency.

She attributed the low youth turnout to the lack of radio service.

"More elders are turning up for vaccines. The youth are reluctant maybe because there are a lot of misleading information going on, especially on social media, saying negative things about the vaccines but we needed the radio to convince them to get the vaccine," Nseu said.

The radio station that the Kavango West communities rely on, Radio Wato, is part of the ongoing strike at NBC which started on 22 April.

In Kavango West, Covid-19 vaccination was launched on 20 April and by Sunday, about 1 169 have been vaccinated with the first dose of Sinopharm and AstraZeneca vaccines.

The councillor said it is important that young people get vaccinated as they are the most active members of society and the vaccine is there to help Namibia as a nation fight the Covid-19 virus that has been causing mayhem globally.

"The vaccine has been approved and it will prevent us from getting infected with the coronavirus and this is the way to go. Look at what is happening in the world.

"I got vaccinated on Friday and health workers informed me about the low turnout which is alarming because government wants to save lives through this vaccine programme," she said.
Socio-economic justice advocacy group, the Zimbabwe Coalition on Debt and Development (ZIMCODD) has called on the Government to reverse ongoing measures to partially privatize the People's Own Savings Bank (POSB).

In a statement, ZIMCODD said privatisation of the savings bank is not in the nation's best interests.

"Privatisation entails the transfer of parastatal ownership and control from the public to the private sector and threatens the public interest. This goes against the POSB Act which states that it is a people's bank that must remain in the hands of the State. The Act's intention is for government to defend citizens' long-term financial interests in a volatile market economy through mechanisms such as a Bank dedicated to serving the public interest," read the statement

The Parliament of Zimbabwe, ZIMCODD says should safeguard the autonomy of the POSB and provide critical oversight to ensure that the Bank remains faithful to its public mandate.

"Instead of privatizing POSB, government should increase the autonomy for this state-backed bank and enforce strict regulatory oversight by the banking supervisor. Selling off the Bank is not the only way to enhance the POSB's 'capacity to underwrite more business to the productive sectors, or access expertise and technology to improve banking operations and competitiveness," ZIMCODD said.

The coalition says the Government should justify the need for selling off the bank since it is among the profitable state owned enterprises.

Close Sign up for free AllAfrica Newsletters Get the latest in African news delivered straight to your inbox Top Headlines Zimbabwe Governance Banking By submitting above, you agree to our privacy policy. Success! Almost finished... We need to confirm your email address. To complete the process, please follow the instructions in the email we just sent you. Error! Error! There was a problem processing your submission. Please try again later.

"Government of Zimbabwe must present clear evidence of the proposed benefits of the sale for public scrutiny and Parliamentary debate. There is no justifiable need to sell off the POSB. It is presently one of the few profitable and efficiently managed, State-owned Enterprises. The Bank posted a net profit of ZWL$24,7 million during the six months ended June 30, 2019, compared to the ZWL$8,11 million recorded during the same period in 2018.

"This objective fact undermines Government's argument that privatization would foster increased competition, which would reduce the cost of financial intermediation and improve bank profitability. Why should the People's Own Savings Bank become profitable in the hands of other owners not the people of Zimbabwe?

"Instead of selling off the Bank, ZIMCODD calls upon the Government to invest in further capitalizing the Bank's expansion and modernization for improved efficiency and competitiveness. Just as Government has deployed taxpayer's money to assume debts and rescue preferred industries, it is time that Government deploys public money to safeguard the only remaining banking Institution created in the public interest." the coalition added.

POSB is wholly owned by the Government on behalf of the people of Zimbabwe and has over 400,000 customers countrywide.

African Forum and Network on Debt and Development (AFRODAD)POSBZimbabweZimbabwe Coalition on Debt and Development (ZIMCODD)
Global consumer goods producer, Unilever has donated personal protective equipment and multiple purpose cleaners to Parirenyatwa Group of Hospitals to help the fight against Covid-19 pandemic.

Speaking during the handover ceremony Thursday morning, Unilever Zimbabwe Managing Director Tendayi Mashingaidze said they felt compelled to throw their weight behind global and national efforts to protect lives and livelihoods from the Covid-19 pandemic.

"Through our brands that include Domestos and Lifebuoy, we aim to improve hygiene and sanitation at Parirenyatwa which often experience high human traffic. We felt compelled to play our part to assist Parirenyatwa Group of Hospitals, one of the Covid-19 designated treatment centres with the resources they need," said Mashingaidze.

Unilever Zimbabwe also donated 10 ventilator machines used to treat chronic conditions that affect breathing.

"We donated ten ventilators and some personal protective equipment in readiness to the anticipated third wave, which we pray should not come, but should that happen, there is a need to stay prepared.

"As a company, we encourage all citizens to adhere to the government and World Health Organization's Covid-19 requirements, including but not limited to, regular handwashing, sanitization, wearing of face masks and physical distancing," he added.

The donation includes 10 ventilators, 20 cases of each hygiene and sanitation products Domestos, Lifebuoy soap, Lifebuoy hand sanitizers and 500 personal protective equipment.

The Finance Director for Parirenyatwa hospital Mercy Sanzira thanked Unilever for the timeous donation promising to put everything to good use.

"Parirenyatwa is one of the COVID-19 designated treatment Centers in Harare and we have had a hard time financing the isolation center and with this donation ,we know service delivery will run smoothly. There could be a possibility of a third wave and if it comes, we are ready, Thanks to Unilever!"
HAI//OM San from five regions of the country on Monday demonstrated at Outjo, demanding the removal of their chief Dawid Khamuxab.

The group, of about a hundred, also called on the minister of rural and urban development Erastus Uutoni, to remove the traditional council.

"We ask the government to degazette the entire traditional authority council of the Hai//Om San community," Leon /Aib said when reading the petition.

/Aib said the Hai//Om San are empowered by the Traditional Authority Act chapter 8 to call for the removal of the Khamuxab and his entire leadership in the absence of the Hai//Om San customary law.

During the handover of the petition, /Aib said they are dissatisfaction with the way the traditional authority was administering the affairs of the community.

In the petition, which was handed over at the Outjo constituency office on Monday, it was alleged that due processes were not followed when electing, nominating, appointing Khamuxab as the chief.

Khamuxab does not promote peace and welfare amongst the Hai//Om community as well as unity, the petition claims.

According to the petition, there is no transparency in the traditional leadership set up, and that the composition of traditional councillors is made up of those close to Khamuxab's relatives.

No community consultation takes place, according to the petition.

The petition also claims Khamuxab and his council were said to have resettled those who are not from the Hai//Om community on the resettlement farms because they are paid large sums of money.

Close Sign up for free AllAfrica Newsletters Get the latest in African news delivered straight to your inbox Top Headlines Namibia Governance By submitting above, you agree to our privacy policy. Success! Almost finished... We need to confirm your email address. To complete the process, please follow the instructions in the email we just sent you. Error! Error! There was a problem processing your submission. Please try again later.

Community trust funds are allegedly being misused on a daily basis and no financial reports and audits are given to the community.

The petition also said the eadership has failed to draw up a customary law as well as failed to uphold and promote their culture and norms.

Senior headman of the Hai//Om Traditional Authority, John Hanneb, when contacted, said last year there was a meeting and a financial report was given and only those who did not attend the meeting are complaining.

On the issue of nepotism, he said he was not aware and that /Aib, who spearheads the demonstration, was also a close relative.

Hanneb denied that non-Hai//Om people were settled on the farms where they pay the traditional authority a fee.

"I don't know about people who have plots at the farms. maybe those who stay at the farms might have people who pay, but the leadership is not aware," he said.

Hanneb however said that at Mooiplaas, there was an agreement with the agriculture ministry to have some plots rented out in 2016 during the drought.

He said the leadership will only explain themselves better once they see the petition.

Asked if the Hai//Om Traditional Authority will open their bank accounts to the Anti-Corruption Commission or the government if requested to do so, he said: "We are open."

Hanneb claims there was political interference in their affairs, but could not say who or which political party is involved.
A week after he declared he will be running for the Westlands parliamentary seat in 2022, Nelson Havi has unveiled his political party of choice.

The Law Society of Kenya (LSK) President is officially a member of the Amani National Congress (ANC) party.

The Musalia Mudavadi-led political outfit welcomed Nelson Havi into its fold on Monday at the ANC party headquarters in Lavington.

The Law Society of Kenya President @NelsonHavi earlier today officially joined @anc_party. He was received by the Executive Director madam Margaret Ndanyi, the ANC party announced on Monday.

Havi is also backing his party leader Musalia Mudavadi for the top seat in 2022.

While declaring his bid for the Westlands seat, Havi said he was approached by constituents to run for the post.

I have accepted the request of the people of Westlands Constituency to serve them and the nation in that capacity of an MP effective August 2022 or earlier in the event Parliament is dissolved, Havi said.

The lawyer further demonstrated his understanding of the duties of a Member of Parliament as set out in the constitution. He exuded confidence that he is up to the task.

The constitution enumerates functions and duties of a Member of National Assembly thus: making laws and protecting the constitution; determining the allocation of national revenue and oversight of its expenditure; reviewing the conduct of State officers and oversight of State organs; and infrastructural development, wealth creation and poverty alleviation at the constituency level, he stated.
Incidents of bank clients being robbed of hard cash straight after withdrawing money inside a bank are often reported.

Some of these incidents have allegedly taken place at First National Bank Namibia and Standard Bank Namibia at Ondangwa in the Oshana region, among other places.

This type of robbery is known as 'knocking' and typically occurs soon after a client has withdrawn a large amount of money inside a bank or at an ATM.

Early in 2020 Sofia Elifas and her husband, who were planning on buying a new vehicle, withdrew a sum of N$60 000 from Standard Bank Namibia's Ondangwa branch.

They subsequently got into their vehicle and drove to Omashaka at Ondangwa.

While travelling, Elifas says he noticed a vehicle following them at full speed.

He says they slowed down to allow the vehicle to pass, upon which the driver of the vehicle also slowed down, shouting to Elifas that one of his tyres was flat.

Elifas says he immediately pulled over, leaving his wife and a bag of cash in the vehicle while he checked the alleged flat tyre.

Before long he heard his wife screaming and saw the same people grabbing the bag of money from their vehicle and speeding off.

The incident was reported to the police, which Elifas says was to no avail.

Lucia Shiweda, a resident of a village outside Ondangwa and a client of the same branch, says she drove to Onethindi after withdrawing N$50 000 at the beginning of the year.

Upon arriving home, there was a knock at the door, she says.

She opened the door, was hit on the head, and came to finding the money she had withdrawn was missing.

"I still don't understand how those people knew I had money on me. Something is seriously going on that needs to be investigated. Clients are suspecting that some bank employees are working with criminals and are informing them when a client has withdrawn a large sum," she says.

Shiweda says she had applied for a N$50 000 loan to pay her daughter's university fees in India.

She says she had to wait for almost an hour before the bank teller gave her the cash.

"I don't understand why the teller had to make me wait. I just sat there for a long time, and eventually I was called up to get my money. I suspected something serious was happening there," she says.

Several other similar incidents have been reported last year, clients claim.

Banks respond

FNB spokesperson Elzita Beukes says the bank is aware of incidents of customers being accosted after visiting a branch, "however, we have not been presented with any evidence concerning the potential involvement of any of our employees in this regard".

"As always, we encourage our customers to make use of our many digital offerings to transfer, deposit and make payments via online banking, the FNB app, cellphone banking, E-wallet or Cashplus.

"However, we urge customers to not draw cash routinely, but to rather make use of different ATMs and to never carry large sums with them, to follow precautions recommended at all banks, and to be aware of their surroundings," Beukes says.

She says the bank encourages affected customers to report incidents to law-enforcement authorities.

Standard Bank's spokesperson, Isack Hamata, says: "Standard Bank has no recollection of customers being robbed after withdrawing money at our Oshakati branch. We, however, advise clients to resist the temptation of withdrawing and handling large amounts of money, but rather to use the digital channels at their disposal to do transactions. We also want to advise clients against sharing confidential details which may result in theft of money from their accounts."

Close Sign up for free AllAfrica Newsletters Get the latest in African news delivered straight to your inbox Top Headlines Namibia Legal Affairs Banking By submitting above, you agree to our privacy policy. Success! Almost finished... We need to confirm your email address. To complete the process, please follow the instructions in the email we just sent you. Error! Error! There was a problem processing your submission. Please try again later.

Many incidents

Oshana police regional commander, commissioner Rauha Amwele, said many such 'knocking' incidents are regularly reported to the police, but they have not been able to fully determine the modus operandi of the culprits.

"I have heard of many similar reports and we have many such cases filed with us. We are aware that certain individuals go and queue up at banks just to observe people who are making large withdrawals, but we cannot determine if such people are working in cahoots with bank employees.

"We have cautioned people to avoid withdrawing large sums of money through even radio announcements.

"It would help further if banks could make all their cubicles private, so that people can do their business away from prying eyes," Amwele added.
Employees of the Namibian Broadcasting Corporation in the Zambezi region have, like their colleagues in other regions, marched to the office of the regional governor to hand over a petition last week.

At its Katima Mulilo office, which hosts Nwanyi FM and the public broadcaster's television news reporters in Zambezi, the NBC has 10 contributors, of whom only two are permanent employees.

The rest have been attached to the broadcaster on a contract basis - like Juliet Sibeso, who has been a contract employee as a radio producer since 2015.

"I have been on a monthly contract basis since I joined the NBC," Sibeso says.

"It doesn't sit well with somebody who wants to plan their future nicely. I can't even afford to buy a house or even put my kids on medical aid," she says.

Veteran television news reporter Sililo Mubiana is one of the NBC's permanent employees in Zambezi.

He says the NBC has not paid over employees' social security contributions as well as funeral covers and other insurance policy premiums, although these were deducted from their salaries.

"The strike will go on as long as the management and government as a stakeholder don't adhere to our demands, but as soon as they give us a salary increment, they employ our people permanently - we have more than 100 contract workers countrywide - we'll be free to return to work," Mubiana says.

NBC employees have been on strike for three weeks. Some employees, however, have not joined the strike, or have returned to work after the industrial action started.
Defence lawyer Sisa Namandje will not be compelled to withdraw from the case in which two Walvis Bay residents are charged with importing a record quantity of cocaine into Namibia three years ago.

This is the effect of a ruling which judge Orben Sibeya handed down in the Windhoek High Court yesterday.

Sibeya declined an application in which the state asked the court to order Namandje to withdraw from the case in which he is representing alleged drug smugglers Grant Noble (39) and Dinath Azhar (65), who are due to be prosecuted in the High Court on a charge of dealing in or possessing cocaine, and a count of money laundering.

Announcing his ruling, Sibeya said the reasons for his decision would be available by Friday.

State advocate Salomon Kanyemba asked the judge to order that Namandje should withdraw from the case because he has also represented one of the prosecution's prospective witnesses in the matter.

Kanyemba argued that because he has previously represented the witness, Namandje has a conflict of interest and is ethically obliged to withdraw from representing Noble and Azhar.

Namandje opposed the prosecution's application, and argued it would infringe his clients' constitutional right to be represented by a lawyer of their choice if the court compelled him to withdraw from their case.

Noble and Azhar are charged with dealing in or possessing a Namibian record quantity of 412 kg of cocaine, with an estimated street value of N$206 million, at Walvis Bay between February and 15 June 2018.

Close Sign up for free AllAfrica Newsletters Get the latest in African news delivered straight to your inbox Top Headlines Namibia Legal Affairs By submitting above, you agree to our privacy policy. Success! Almost finished... We need to confirm your email address. To complete the process, please follow the instructions in the email we just sent you. Error! Error! There was a problem processing your submission. Please try again later.

The state is alleging they imported the cocaine into Namibia by having it shipped from Brazil to Walvis Bay in a shipping container, in which police and customs officers on 15 June 2018 discovered the drugs hidden in boxes supposedly containing printing paper.

The two men also face a count of money laundering in connection with the transaction through which the consignment in which the cocaine is alleged to have been found was shipped to Walvis Bay.

The prosecution is alleging that during February 2018 Azhar made a payment of US$17 895 - then the equivalent of about N$215 000 - from the bank account of a close corporation of Noble to an entity in Brazil under the pretext of buying printing paper for import into Namibia.

During April 2018 customs and excise officials allegedly received information about the importation of illicit goods from Brazil to Walvis Bay, and during the next month identified a container with printing paper sent to Noble's close corporation, the state is also alleging in the indictment on which the two men are due to be prosecuted.

Their trial is scheduled to start on 7 June.

Noble and Azhar have both been held in custody since their arrest on 15 June 2018.
A man accused of committing several rape offences is a danger to women and children and should not be released on bail for "the good of the community", the State has argued.

Deputy prosecutor general Innocencia Nyoni yesterday implored Windhoek High Court Judge Herman January to keep alleged serial rapist Gavin Gawanab in custody pending the finalisation of his trial.

According to her, Gawanab is a danger to women and children as is characterised by his past conduct. She said he has been released on bail on several occasions in the past and every time he has repaid that kindness by attacking another vulnerable person.

Nyoni further told the judge Gawanab is not "safe" to be released on bail, as there is a real danger that he would strike again. She expanded that even though he denies knowing any of the remaining State witnesses, they all live in the Havana area, which is where he indicated he will reside if released.

She further said it would be unwise for the court to grant him bail as he has shown a propensity to commit further offences. Nyoni was submitting in the bail application Gawanab launched through his State-funded lawyer Mbanga Siyomunji.

The judge reserved his ruling on the bail application until 8 June. Gawanab is facing 23 counts, including rape of minors, attempted murder, assault with intent to do grievous bodily harm, assault, attempted rape, alternatively indecent assault, kidnapping, housebreaking with intent to rape and rape as well as crimen injuria.

He pleaded not guilty to all charges at the start of his trial and put the onus on the State to prove each and every allegation against him.

His crime spree of allegedly sexually assaulting under-aged girls allegedly started in December 2012 until he was arrested in November 2018, after he allegedly raped a 10-year-old girl and cut open her genitals. He was out on bail on the previous charges when he pounced on the victim in 2018.
analysis

The City of Cape Town has been accused of negligence and causing ecological damage in its approach to the recent clearing of invasive plants from the Princess Vlei wetland in Grassy Park. The City has responded that it is investigating the complaint. The green area has a long history and is a treasured part of the city, serving as the gateway to the wetlands in the area.

When Zoe Poulsen, a botanist and Fairway resident, noticed a large, long-reach excavator unearthing part of the Princess Vlei shoreline on Thursday, 6 May her knee-jerk reaction was to stand in front of it and bar the machine from causing further ecological damage to the area.

Poulsen was aware that the digger was destroying an area of shoreline that had recently been restored by the Princess Vlei Forum, as part of a community-led fynbos restoration project.

The area, according to the Princess Vlei Forum, contained about 38 different plant species, including the critically endangered Serruria foeniculacea and 14 Erica verticillata, many of which had been ripped from the soil in a matter of minutes and lay in heaps along the eastern embankment.

A pile of vegetation and soil from a section of the...
Blog

In Africa and elsewhere, COVID-19 dominates media attention. Yet malaria has probably killed four times as many as COVID-19 over the last year in Africa.

The disease is caused by a parasite, plasmodium, not a virus or a bacterium. The disease confers no immunity and an individual can catch it repeatedly; in parts of Africa, individuals catch malaria on an annual basis. Europeans had no immunity to malaria, and the disease killed so many that it, in effect, closed West Africa to them.

The good news is that early trials of a new vaccine, R21, show an effectiveness rate of 77 percent. Still to be determined is how long the vaccine will be effective. Work on a vaccine against malaria has been underway for years, with remarkably little success. Part of the difficulty is related to the parasitic nature of the disease--parasites are more complex than viruses or bacterium. Part of the answer has been relatively low investment in the search for a vaccine by pharmaceutical companies; the disease mostly affects the poor in lower-income countries.

The new vaccine is a further development of Mosquirix, a vaccine with a 56 percent effectiveness after one year, falling to 36 percent after four years. Mosquirix was developed by GlaxoSmithKline in collaboration with the (U.S.) Walter Reed Army Institute of Research and PATH, a nonprofit health organization.

To spread, the disease requires an insect vector--a female Anopheles mosquito--and human blood. In humans, the parasite migrates to the liver and from there to the bloodstream. A mosquito can bite an infected human and then spread the disease by biting another human. In adults, the disease is rarely fatal, except among pregnant women and those with weak or compromised immune systems, and the severity of the symptoms decreases as individuals age. Fatalities are primarily among infants and children, not the elderly.

Among adults, the disease resembles influenza, with fever, chills, and fatigue. In terms of loss of human participation in the economy, malaria is a huge burden on Africa. Up to now, malaria prevention has been centered on the mosquito: insecticide-treated bed nets are an effective, low-cost intervention, while various prophylactics can also blunt the disease's progression following infection.

Blog posts represent the views of CFR fellows and staff and not those of CFR, which takes no institutional positions.
document

New York  Following are UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres' remarks to the Security Council open debate on peace and security in Africa  "Addressing root causes of conflict while promoting post-pandemic recovery in Africa"  held today:

Thank you for the opportunity to brief the Council on the important subject of addressing the root causes of conflict while promoting post-pandemic recovery in Africa.

Since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, I have warned of the risks it poses to people and societies around the world, especially in countries affected by conflict. The series of policy briefs I issued last year included one that focuses only on the impact of COVID-19 on Africa. This was the backdrop to my appeal for a global ceasefire to enable us to focus on our common enemy: the virus.

My call was welcomed by many Governments and armed groups, including many in Africa, and is more relevant than ever as we face continued chronic violence in some countries and the re-emergence of old conflicts in others.

Violent extremist groups in Western and Central Africa and Mozambique, including those associated with Al-Qaida and Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant (ISIL/Da'esh), have continued and even increased their heinous attacks on civilians, creating additional major challenges for societies and Governments. The recent attacks in Cabo Delgado, [Mozambique], and the increasing insecurity caused by the Allied Democratic Forces in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo are tragic reminders of this serious threat.

Since the start of the pandemic, my special representatives and envoys across the continent have stepped up their efforts to enhance conflict prevention and advance peace negotiations in line with the African Union "Silencing the Guns" initiative. Last month, for example, my Special Representative for Central Africa, Francois Louceny Fall, travelled to N'Djamena and met key Chadian and regional stakeholders to promote peaceful, inclusive and consensual processes for a return to constitutional order following the death of President Deby Itno. In Libya, the United Nations Support Mission in Libya's (UNSMIL) outreach through virtual meetings with women, young people and civic leaders was central to our support for the ongoing political dialogue.

Throughout the past year, the Peacebuilding Commission has worked closely with the African Union and regional economic communities to create space for national and regional leaders to share their experiences and seek support to build back better from the pandemic. My Peacebuilding Fund has adjusted its work in response to the pandemic, to support national crisis management efforts, social cohesion, dialogues and inclusive approaches, and to counter hate speech and disinformation.

Many communities and countries on the African continent already face a complex peace and security environment. Risk factors include long-standing inequalities; poverty and food insecurity; environmental degradation; urbanization and demographic pressures.

Climate disruption is a further crisis multiplier. Where climate change dries up rivers, reduces harvests and destroys critical infrastructure, it displaces communities, leaves people susceptible to recruitment by criminal gangs, violent extremists and armed groups, and raises the risks of instability. Some countries are in a vicious cycle in which conflict breeds poverty and fragility, which in turn decreases the resilience of these societies and the prospects for peace.

One year into the COVID-19 pandemic, as we face the possibility of an uneven recovery, it is clear that the crisis is feeding many of these drivers of conflict and instability. The severe economic fallout of the pandemic is already aggravating tensions. Globally, the crisis has pushed an additional estimated 114 million people into extreme poverty. Economic growth on the African continent has slowed, estimated at 3.4 per cent in 2021, compared to 6 per cent globally. Remittances are drying up and debt is mounting.

In the name of fighting the crisis, some Governments have restricted democratic processes and civic space. In several countries, the pandemic has gone hand in hand with divisive rhetoric, hate speech, incitements to violence and harmful misinformation, which has exacerbated divisions and further eroded trust.

The severe impact of the pandemic on young people  especially in Africa, the youngest continent  is contributing to increased risks. Loss of opportunities for education, employment and income drive a sense of alienation, marginalization and mental health stress that can be exploited by criminals and extremists.

The pandemic continues to deepen existing gender inequalities. Women account for more than 50 per cent of the lowwage, labour intensive jobs in retail, hospitality and tourism that may never come back, as companies embrace automation. COVID-19 threatens hard-won gains on women's full, equal and meaningful participation in all areas of social, economic and political life, including peace processes. I urge Member States to make proactive efforts to include women and young people when shaping post-pandemic recovery.

Guaranteeing equal opportunities, social protection, access to resources and services and inclusive and meaningful participation in decision-making are not simply moral and legal obligations. They are a necessary condition for countries to exit the conflict trap and get firmly on the pathway of peace and sustainable development.

Recovery from the pandemic offers an opportunity to address the root causes of conflict, put prevention at the forefront of our efforts, and implement the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the African Union's Agenda 2063. The entire United Nations system across the African continent is working to support these goals.

African Governments themselves have shown great commitment to fight the pandemic by establishing an Africa Taskforce for a unified continent-wide approach. However, limited supply and access to vaccines and insufficient support for the pandemic response are now hampering and delaying the recovery. Out of 1.4 billion doses administered around the world today, only 24 million have reached Africa  less than 2 per cent.

Equitable and sustainable vaccine rollout worldwide is the quickest path towards a fast and fair recovery. This requires sharing of doses, removing export restrictions, ramping up local production and fully funding the [World Health Organization's Access to COVID-19 Tools] ACT Accelerator and its COVAX Facility.

The United Nations is advocating everywhere for a coordinated global effort on vaccines, and for measures to alleviate the debt burden that threatens to cripple the recovery in many low- and middle-income developing countries, and particularly in Africa.

I welcome the record allocation of special drawing rights by the International Monetary Fund (IMF). This must come with a reallocation, so that liquidity reaches countries that are in need and avoid additional problems. I also commend the extension of the G20's Debt Service Suspension Initiative and the Common Framework for Debt Treatments. But, eligibility must be expanded to all vulnerable developing countries, including middle-income countries, which still borrow at premium rates and risk debt distress. In the longer term, we urgently need to strengthen and reform the international debt architecture.

Close Sign up for free AllAfrica Newsletters Get the latest in African news delivered straight to your inbox Top Headlines Africa Conflict Coronavirus By submitting above, you agree to our privacy policy. Success! Almost finished... We need to confirm your email address. To complete the process, please follow the instructions in the email we just sent you. Error! Error! There was a problem processing your submission. Please try again later.

Our United Nations country teams and peacekeeping and political missions are working closely with national Governments, the African Union, regional economic communities and international financial institutions to counter the spread of the virus and put inclusion, resilience and climate action at the forefront of efforts to rebuild economies and societies.

In January, I appointed a Special Coordinator for Development in the Sahel. His efforts will address the important nexus among peace, security and development. In Central Africa, we are working with Governments and the Economic Community of Central African States (ECCAS) to implement the regional strategy to address the COVID-19 pandemic and alleviate its socioeconomic impact.

Our communications campaigns and peacekeeping missions are helping to address rumours and disinformation. For example, in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, the United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo's (MONUSCO) Radio Okapi is providing factual information about COVID-19 in local languages.

Across the continent and around the world, our "Verified" initiative is providing science-based narratives to help people stay safe, stay hopeful and help one another.

This pandemic has shown that we are only as strong as our weakest link and will only achieve recovery in solidarity. A sense of shared vulnerability must translate into common purpose as we strive to overcome fragmentation and nationalism; address the roots, drivers and sources of conflict and crisis; shape a strong recovery; and build a better future for all. No other continent is more important in this effort than Africa and we rely on the Security Council's support. Thank you.
Geneva  The UN refugee agency is reiterating its appeal to Tanzania to stop forcibly deporting asylum seekers fleeing violence in Mozambique's volatile Cabo Delgado province.

Reports say Tanzania has turned back more than 4,000 Mozambican asylum seekers since September. The UN refugee agency says this includes more than 1,500 people who have been forcibly returned in the last month. They currently are sheltering in dire conditions in the Negomano border point in Mozambique.

The UNHCR participated in an interagency mission to this remote, hard-to-reach area in April. Agency spokesman Boris Cheshirkov says the deportees told mission members they had hoped to find refuge in Tanzania after fleeing deadly attacks by armed groups in the town of Palma in March.

UN: 30,000 People Have Fled Recent Attacks in Northern Mozambique

Dozens of people reportedly have been killed by Islamist militants who began assault on oil- and gas-rich coastal town of Palma March 24

However, they said they were forcibly returned by authorities after trekking for days in difficult terrain and crossing a river by boat to reach Tanzania. Cheshirkov says many women and young children were among them. He adds a-number-of families became separated while fleeing their villages or upon arrival in Tanzania.

"Many reported being detained, transported to a local school, and interrogated by Tanzanian officials," Cheshirkov said. "Those unable to provide evidence of Tanzanian nationality were returned to Mozambique through a different border point from the one used to enter the country--including individuals or families of mixed nationalities."

Cheshirkov says the situation is particularly desperate for single mothers living in Negomano without family support. He says people are in dire need of food, water and sanitation, and health care. But providing humanitarian aid is hampered by difficulties in accessing this remote area.

"We have appealed to the government of Tanzania for cooperation to enable us to have access to the border areas," Cheshirkov said. "And we are standing ready to support the government to receive the refugees in line with their international obligations. What we are doing is we are reiterating our call for all parties to allow free movement of civilians fleeing violence and conflict and searching for safety and assistance."

About 724,000 people have been forcibly displaced since the start of the conflict in northern Mozambique's gas-rich Cabo Delgado province in October 2017. Aid agencies have been providing protection and basic relief to 50,000 people. The UNHCR says plans are underway to assist an additional 250,000 people by the end of the year.
Even after President Museveni dissolved Cabinet on May 12, a section of ministers remain in offices.

While addressing a news conference at the weekend, ICT and national guidance minister Judith Nabakooba said ministers continue performing their duties until formally stopped even as legal minds described their actions as illegal and warned of "dire consequences".

"What has been taking place is that they appoint and we hand over. What we are waiting for is the appointment. If there is any need for guidance, the Attorney General or Prime Minister will guide us formally, but as of now, I will still continue with my role of informing the public," minister Nabakooba said.

"I cannot leave that vacuum, we haven't received any written directive but once we receive it, then we shall definitely have to comply," she added.

Deputy Attorney General Jackson Kafuuzi, however, gave a legal opinion that contradicts minister Nabakooba's briefing.

Mr Kafuuzi told Daily Monitor yesterday that once the term of office of Cabinet expires, the ministers should wait for a temporary instrument if they are to continue working, otherwise, their continued stay amounts to an illegality.

"Ideally speaking, unless the President issues an instrument of temporary extension of our stay in office, which he has been issuing in the past, permitting ministers to do official work in the absence of the same instrument, the permanent secretaries should instead be doing the ministers' work now. We can only remain in office to hold meetings but cannot sign statutory contracts that bind the ministry and can be challenged in office," Mr Kafuuzi said by telephone yesterday.

"There is a loophole in our Constitution about our transition. We are lucky it is the same President, how about if it was a new President? Some of my colleagues are not comfortable with them being out of office but that is the position of the law," he added.

The deputy chief government legal adviser also revealed that they have since written to the Prime Minister about the expiry of Cabinet.

He added that core to their prayers is for a temporary instrument to extend the Cabinet's term of office as they wait for the new instruments of appointment.

"I have been arguing with some of my colleague ministers that if the Cabinet was dissolved and we are no longer holding meetings as ministers, so why are we insisting that we are still in office legally? So apparently, we are in office just to clear our desks as we await for the announcement," Mr Kafuuzi said.

President Museveni, who sworn in for the sixth elective term last week, is expected to appoint a new Cabinet any time from now after the previous Cabinet tenure expired on May 12.

It is upon this backdrop that city lawyer Hassan Male Mabirizi has since instituted a private prosecution against four ministers for allegedly continuing to work despite their term of office expiring last week.

The ministers in the spotlight are; Matia Kasaija (Finance), Edward Katumba Wamala (Works), Jeje Odongo (Internal Affairs) and Benny Namugwanya (Kampala Affairs).

In his affidavit, Mr Mabirizi argues that on May 12, the five-year term of the last Cabinet expired and that accordingly, all ministers' offices became vacant.

He adds that Gen Katumba on May 14, held a press conference at the Uganda Media Centre, impersonating the minister of Works and Transport.

Mr Mabirizi also accuses Mr Kasaija of having spoken in the capacity of Finance minister at the same media briefing yet he was no longer holding the same position.

Mr Mabirizi accuses Ms Namugwanya of having held a press conference on May 14, whereby she allegedly impersonated Kampala Affairs minister and gave updates on the swearing-in of new Kampala Capital City Authority elected leaders.

Gen Odongo's case is that he officiated at the taking of office of the new executive director of the National Identification and Registration Authority.

"I know that the above constitute offenses of impersonation, contrary to Section 381 (1) of the Penal Code for which the accused should be charged," Mr Mabirizi argues.

He adds: "The said offenses were committed in Kampala, within the criminal geographical jurisdiction of this court. I affirm to this affidavit in support of a complaint against the accused (the four ministers) so that warrants of arrest are issued and the accused prosecuted for the alleged offenses."

When contacted, Gen Katumba and Ms Namugwanya laughed off the matter. They also denied being in office following the expiry of the Cabinet.

"I am not even aware that Mabirizi has instituted private prosecution proceedings against me. I think Mabirizi just likes the name Katumba. I am home waiting for the swearing-in at Parliament on Thursday," Gen Katumba said in a telephone interview yesterday.

"In this transition period, I can work if the President calls me and gives me instructions but as per now, I am home not doing any official work," he added.

Likewise, minister Namugwanya said: "Who told you that I am in office working? I am home enjoying my holiday after working non-stop for 10 years. I have since cleared my desk and waiting for the matching orders."

Legal experts weigh in

Constitutional lawyer Michael Aboneka explained that the Constitution is not clear on when the tenure of the ministers expires, apart from them resigning or dying, meaning their tenure expires also when that of their appointing authority does so.

"Now until a new Cabinet is appointed, they (old ministers) are supposed to return all the Cabinet documents and hand them over to permanent secretaries. Ideally, that is why we have permanent secretaries who continue to work since they are not politicians," Mr Aboneka said in a telephone interview yesterday.

Close Sign up for free AllAfrica Newsletters Get the latest in African news delivered straight to your inbox Top Headlines Uganda Governance By submitting above, you agree to our privacy policy. Success! Almost finished... We need to confirm your email address. To complete the process, please follow the instructions in the email we just sent you. Error! Error! There was a problem processing your submission. Please try again later.

"Now there is a new government, with the principal who is supposed to either renew the term of the old ministers or appoint new ones. Therefore, whatever, the ministers do now without full instruments of appointment is a nullity," he added.

Shadow attorney general Wilfred Niwagaba had similar thoughts.

"Their term of office expired under the government they were appointed. So as they are acting illegally and unconstitutionally," Mr Niwagaba said.

Constitutional lawyer Peter Walubiri said if there is a formal dissolution of Cabinet, then the ministers are in office illegally.

"Since their service is not regulated by any law, as long they continue sitting in office, guarded by a police officer, driven in big cars, their decisions are still binding," Mr Walubiri said.

The president of the Uganda Law Society, Ms Pheona Wall Nabasa, on the contrary, said in order to avoid a vacuum in political leadership, the ministers should continue being in office.

However, she was quick to warn the outgoing ministers: "Do not sign statutory instruments that can be challenged in court".

Likewise, Mr Elison Karuhanga, a private lawyer from Kampala Associated Advocates, explained that during the transition period, ministers should mainly be preparing handover documentation.

"Certainly, the government cannot be left to operate in a vacuum. Ministers should mainly be preparing handovers. It is advisable that legally-binding decisions during this period are avoided, otherwise, it can cause legal challenges."
President Uhuru Kenyatta has proposed several new approaches to financing Africas Covid-19 recovery efforts saying the private sector should be supported to play a more central role.

Alongside private sector participation, the President advocated for enhanced recovery packages from Africas development partners, debt swaps and restructuring, and accelerated access to alternative sources of financing such as the Green Climate Fund.

Innovative financing solutions that crowd in the private sector. These would include the issuance of private sector-backed financial instruments such as green bonds, supporting the issuance of local currency instruments, structuring guarantees to lower financing costs; and, developing and deepening public-private partnership opportunities, the President proposed.

We need to move beyond traditional measures and implement truly transformational financing options that are commensurate with the enormity of the crisis, he added.

President Kenyatta spoke Tuesday at State House, Nairobi in his virtual address to the summit on the financing of African economies hosted by President Emmanuel Macron of France, and attended by several leaders among them President Felix Tshisekedi of DR Congo who is also the current Chairperson of the African Union.

At the same time, the Head of State emphasized the need to upscale African countries access to Covid-19 vaccines.

With regard to access to vaccines, we talk about economic recovery but there cant be any recovery without access to vaccine and Africa is desperately lacking in vaccines, President Kenyatta said.

He said Kenya will continue opening up its vibrant economy for private sector participation saying the country had strengthened its Public-Private Partnership (PPP) regime.

We commit to augment our limited fiscal space by revitalizing Public-Private Partnership (PPP). In Kenya, we have put measures in place to leverage on PPPs to provide greater operational efficiency and reduce pressure on fiscal space, he said.

The President cited the Nairobi-Nakuru-Mau Summit Road, a PPP project financed by French investors as an example of the huge financing potential held by the private sector and invited more investors to Kenya and the continent.

Opportunities abound for private sector investments and Joint Ventures, in virtually all sectors. To close the infrastructure and development deficits. We welcome the private sector to invest in Africa, he said.

At the same time, President Kenyatta welcomed ongoing efforts by development partners to cushion the continent from adverse effects of Covid-19 saying Africa needs more resources to fight the pandemic, tackle debt vulnerabilities, and address poverty among other pressing needs.

Kenya appreciates the extraordinary efforts from development partners to finance economic recovery and reduce debt vulnerability.

Kenya welcomes commitments from bilateral and multilateral agencies to support emerging and low-income countries in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the President said, adding that despite its devastation, Covid-19 presents an opportunity for African economies to bounce back stronger.

The President also spoke about the key role played by Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) in supporting livelihoods in Africa, and welcomed the establishment of the Alliance for Entrepreneurship in Africa (AEA) as a special instrument for mobilizing finances for the sector.

In Africa, most livelihoods are supported by the Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), which have not been spared by the impact of the pandemic.

Kenya, therefore, welcomes the launch of the Alliance for Entrepreneurship in Africa to support mobilization of financial and technical resources for MSMEs, the President said.

In his address, President Macron called for a change of tack in financing African development by enhancing the Special Drawing Rights (SDRs) to boost the continents capacity to combat the Covid-19 pandemic as well as recovery efforts.

The French President also underscored the need for debt cancellation to accord African countries the requisite liquidity to build better post-Covid.

We should turn this emergency into an opportunity to boost Africas economic growth, President Macron said.

On his part, President Tshisekedi said African leaders expect a swift and bold action from the international community especially the G7 and G20 to accelerate Africas economic growth.
Lungu Seeks Re-Election in Crucial Test of Democracy in Zambia

Zambian President Edgar Lungu has filed his nomination seeking re-election after a court petition to block him failed. Lungu's critics still argued he was not eligible to contest the election as that would amount to a "third term." Earlier, Zambia's Constitutional Court ruled that he was eligible to run for president again. Critics had argued that he became head of state following the death of President Michael Sata in the middle of his term in office. Sata died in 2014 after three years in power, which necessitated an election in which Lungu was voted in in 2015. Lungu has picked a 70-year-old university professor of microbiology, Nkandu Luo, as his running mate. Zambia is scheduled to hold presidential elections on August 12, 2021 and voter verification is underway. For the first time, digital platforms have been used for both voter registration and verification, necessitating an assessment and review of this strategy once the entire process has been completed.
Tanzania's President Suluhu Needs to Focus on Human Rights - HRW

Tanzania's late president John Magufuli's harsh crackdown on critics affected many activists. When he was first elected in 2015, Tanzania's human rights record deteriorated dramatically, particularly for freedom of expression and association. Observers initially lauded Magufuli for his aggressive campaign against corruption and for prioritising economic and infrastructure development. But this soon gave way to concerns about his intense repression of the media, political opposition, and civil society. Magufuli's presidency adopted and enforced a series of laws to stifle criticism. The 2015 Cybercrimes Act, which criminalises offences related to computer systems and electronic devices, was used to censor opposition politicians, journalists, and activists through prosecution for their online posts criticising the government.

The 2015 Statistics Act, which was later amended after pressure from the World Bank , made it a crime to publish statistics not approved by the government. It is this legacy of repression and intolerance of criticism that President Samia Suluhu Hassan needs to redress. Suluhu has taken some progressive steps thus far, including her call for the ban on media outlets to be lifted, forming a committee of experts to evaluate the Covid-19 pandemic response, and pardoning over 5,000 prisoners to reduce prison overcrowding - a move which civil society organisations pressed Magufuli to do in 2020. However, the president needs to go further. She should ensure the review or repeal of repressive laws like the Media Services Act, the Cybercrimes Act, and the Electronic and Postal (Online Content) Regulations, that among other things, makes operating a blog without a prohibitively expensive license a crime, writes Oryem Nyeko, a Tanzanian researcher at Human Rights Watch.
El Presidente del #JNE, Jorge Luis Salas Arenas, informo a los miembros de la Mision de expertos electorales de la Union Europea (UE) sobre la coyuntura politico-electoral del pais y los avances de la institucion respecto de la #SegundaVuelta electoral.?? https://t.co/8XWrbBfqCV pic.twitter.com/cEOP798c61
?? La titular de la PCM presidio la ceremonia por los 240 anos del martirologio de Tupac Amaru II y Micaela Bastidas, donde rindio homenaje a hombres y mujeres que luchan por el reconocimiento de sus derechos.



Mas informacion, aqui. ?? https://t.co/TC4l0CMWBa




Peru is participating at the International Tourism Fair - FITUR 2021 which takes place in Spain with a delegation led by Foreign Trade and Tourism Minister Claudia Cornejo and PromPeru's Tourism Director Maria del Sol Velasquez. Besides, it comprises tour operators, travel agencies, and entrepreneurs.





The World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) represents the global private sector of Travel & Tourism and as the global authority in this sector promotes sustainable growth and works with governments as well as international institutions to create jobs, generate prosperity, and drive social impact.





"It is an honor to welcome PromPeru as a member of the WTTC, where it now shares a place with presidents, chairs, and chief executives of leading companies in the Travel & Tourism private sector," WTTC Acting CEO Maribel Rodriguez stated.

PromPeru is a specialized technical agency attached to the Ministry of Foreign Trade and Tourism (Mincetur) , which is responsible for promoting international tourism to Peru, as well as for active promotion of exports and the attraction of foreign investment.





It is described as a dynamic entity that has the backing of the private sector in order to boost economic recovery to overcome the COVID-19 pandemic, which has caused a social and economic impact around the world.





"I ratify this agreement, convinced that it will be beneficial for all. Peru is a dream destination for millions of tourists from around the world. Our vast geography offers wide open spaces for nature, adventure, culture, and history tourism," Minister Cornejo pointed out.





"Peru constitutes an ancient culture that looks to the future, that is eager to receive visitors with the best of our gastronomy, crafts, dances and, above all, with the joy and warmth for which we are widely known," she added.

(END) NDP/VLA/RMB/MVB

Peru received good news during its participation at the International Tourism Fair - FITUR 2021, as the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) has welcomed the country's Exports and Tourism Promotion Board (PromPeru) as a Destination Partner.Published: 5/19/2021
YEREVAN, MAY 19, ARMENPRESS. 86,524 tourists visited Armenia in the first three months of 2021, according to official statistics. The number of inbound tourists dropped 71,9% compared to 2020s same period, the data of the Statistical Committee shows.

Breaking down the 2021 Q1 figures, statistics shows that most (30,213) tourists were Russian nationals. 26,633 of the international tourists were Armenian citizens, mostly expats.

Third most visitations came from Iran, with 9394 Iranian tourists traveling to Armenia in the first three months of 2021.

In the reporting period 8911 Georgian, 2094 American, 2018 Ukrainian, 1185 French, 731 Belarusian, 578 German citizens visited Armenia. Other nationalities of foreign travelers to Armenia are Belgium, UAE, Lebanon, Italy and Spain. Despite the coronavirus pandemic-related drop in tourism, inbound tourism from certain countries recorded some growth, for example  in 2020 Q1 only 6 tourists from Iceland visited Armenia, while in 2021s same period this number stood at 46.

Outbound figures stood as follows: in January-March of 2021 a total of 44,574 Armenian tourists departed, compared to the 2020s 274,435.

Editing and Translating by Stepan Kocharyan
Jane Muthoni, the former principal of Icaciri Secondary School in Kiambu, will have to wait a little longer to know her fate over the murder of her husband Solomon Mwangi Mbuthi.

Muthoni, who was found guilty of murder alongside her co-accused Isaac Nganga last month, was to be sentenced on Tuesday, May 18.

The convicts were following the court proceedings from different locations on Tuesday when the presiding judge postponed their sentencing to next month.

Push for Death Sentence

During the final submissions in court, the prosecution sought a death sentence for the pair, arguing it would translate to justice done after a five-year trial.

This is a case that meets the threshold of a death penalty, said State Prosecutor Catherine Mwaniki.

We are looking at the seriousness of the acts that led to Solomon Mwangis death. In our conclusion, we pray that this court finds that the element of the statutory premeditation was satisfied in this case, she added.

Lawyer Wokabi Mathenge, who represented Solomon Mwangis family in the case, backed the Prosecutions recommendation, terming Mwangis killing as murder most foul.

He was defenseless while being killed, said Mathenge, adding that Jane Muthoni did not express any remorse over Mwangis murder.

The first accused (Muthoni), being a teacher, was expected to impart ethics to learners. In this case, she was the mastermind of her husbands death. She, therefore, conducted herself in a manner not expected of a person of her stature, said Mathenge.

We urge the court to find that a death sentence will suffice. Mwangis death was premeditated and well-planned.

Daughters Plea for Leniency

The court also heard from the daughter of the slain Kiru School principal and the first accused. Ms June Mbuthi pleaded with the court to show leniency to her mother in its sentencing.

She asked the court to consider the plight of her siblings saying the four of them have suffered both as victims whose father was murdered and as children of the first accused.

June urged High Court judge Joel Ngugi to consider the financial, emotional and psychological torture theyve endured over the five years their mother was in remand.

We do not have anyone we can rely on for our family needs. We have been depending on our relatives and it has been so tough. We have school fees arrears and also crave for parental love, said the final-year student at the University of Nairobi.

Real Killers Still Roaming Free

Meanwhile, Jane Muthoni maintained her innocence in her submission, saying her husbands killers were roaming free.

Im the only hope and surviving breadwinner in my family. It is my prayer that the court considers the fact that my family and I have gone through a traumatic experience since 2016 amid threats and attempted assault on my daughter. My children have continued to suffer yet the people who committed these crimes are out there walking free and celebrating the fruits of injustice, said Muthoni.

The second accused and convicted Isaac Nganga, alias Gikuyu, on his part pleaded for leniency saying he has been absent in the lives of his children for the five years the case has been in court.

The accuseds lawyer, Francis Njanja, opposed a death sentence saying the two have cooperated with the courts thus far.

Njanja maintained that even though the courts found the pair guilty of murder, they were still innocent.

Justice Ngugi said he would deliver his sentence ruling on Thursday, June 3 after considering the submissions of all parties.
YEREVAN, MAY 19, ARMENPRESS. The ministry of emergency situations reports that roads are passable across Armenia.

The Georgian side informed that the Stepantsminda-Lars highway is open for all types of vehicles.

Editing and Translating by Aneta Harutyunyan
DUSHANBE, MAY 19, ARMENPRESS. The session of the CSTO Council of Foreign Ministers kicked off today in Dushanbe, Tajikistan.

The session is taking place in a narrow format, Armenian foreign ministry spokeswoman Anna Naghdalyan reported on social media.

According to the session agenda, the CSTO Foreign Ministers will also discuss the current situation on the Armenian-Azerbaijani border.

The CSTO Council of Foreign Ministers is holding the first offline session since the start of the coronavirus pandemic.

The Russian, Armenian, Belarusian, Kazakh, Kyrgyz and Tajik foreign ministers will discuss the international situation and its development prospects, as well as its possible impact on the security of the CSTO member states. They will also discuss the Israeli-Palestinian crisis and the recent border tension between Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan.

Editing and Translating by Aneta Harutyunyan
YEREVAN, MAY 19, ARMENPRESS. The Armenian military says the situation at the border with Azerbaijan remains unchanged.

The situation created after the May 12 and 13 provocations committed by the Azerbaijani Armed Forces in some border sections of the provinces of Syunik and Gegharkunik did not undergo any significant changes as of the morning of May 19. In all directions where the provocations took place, the terrain, the Azerbaijani troops and their potential supply lines remain under the complete control of the Armenian forces. Moreover, in the last two days additional units of the Armenian military were deployed in the area, completely depriving the Azerbaijani troops even from theoretically taking any action, leaving their withdrawal to their original positions as their only reasonable solution to the situation. Nevertheless, negotiations over a peaceful resolution of the issue are still ongoing. The Armenian Ministry of Defense is hopeful that these talks will give desirable result and the situation will be resolved peacefully. At the same time, as announced before, in the event of absence of a solution in reasonable timeframes the Armenian Armed Forces reserve the right to solve the issue by another option, including by force, the Armenian Defense Ministry said.

Editing and Translating by Stepan Kocharyan
YEREVAN, MAY 19, ARMENPRESS. Eoghan Murphy, Head of the OSCE/ODIHR election observation mission, has commented on the possible influence of the current Armenia-Azerbaijan border tension on the holding of the upcoming early parliamentary elections in Armenia.

During a press conference today in Yerevan, asked how the elections will take place in such tense situation on the border, what obstacles can emerge, Eoghan Murphy said its just the second day they are in Armenia.

We will observe the ongoing developments from the day we arrived in Armenia up to the election day and after it. In particular, we will observe how the legislation requirements are applied in Armenia. We will observe to what extent Armenia, being as a member state of the OSCE, fulfills its commitments and obligations in the election process. We will observe all this process. I cant now make assumptions what can happen. Our team is here, and we are working, he said.

Armenia will hold snap parliamentary elections on June 20, 2021.

Recently, on May 12, the Azerbaijani armed forces have illegally crossed into Armenias territory, in particular the Sev Lake in Syunik province. Thanks to the actions of the Armenian side, some of the Azerbaijani forces have returned back to their initial positions, but some Azeri troops still remain in some border sections of Armenias Syunik and Gegharkunik provinces. Negotiations over the withdrawal of the Azerbaijani forces are taking place.

Editing and Translating by Aneta Harutyunyan
YEREVAN, MAY 19, ARMENPRESS. The OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) today opened an election observation mission for the 20 June early parliamentary elections in Armenia.

Mission leader Eoghan Murphy said at a news conference in Yerevan that the OSCE/ODIHR mission will observe the legal framework and its implementation, the campaign activities, and the work of the election administration and relevant government bodies.

Murphy added that the OSCE/ODIHR mission has arrived upon the invitation of the Armenian authorities to assess to what extent the elections are held in line with OSCE obligations.

The mission consists of 11 international experts from nine OSCE countries. Weve also requested OSCE participating states to send 24 long-term observers, to be deployed throughout the country from 26 May. We also plan to request 250 short-term observers from OSCE participating states to follow events on election day, he said.

However, the possibility of sending the short-term observers remains dependent on developments in connection with the COVID-19 pandemic, including health concerns, travel and border restrictions across the OSCE region, and related regulations within Armenia.

Our mission will assess to what extent the elections are held in line with international obligations and standards for democratic elections, including the commitments agreed to by all OSCE countries, as well as with national legislation. Observers will look closely at the legal framework and its implementation, and will follow campaign activities, the work of the election administration and relevant government bodies, including voter registration, and the resolution of election disputes. Media monitoring will also form an integral part of the observation.

Meetings with representatives of federal and state authorities, political parties, as well as with representatives from the judiciary, civil society and the media will take place throughout the observation. On election day itself, the ODIHR mission will join efforts with a delegation from the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly (OSCE PA).

An interim report will be published to update the public and the media during the course of the observation. The day after the elections, a statement of preliminary findings will be presented at a press conference. A final report summing up the observation of the entire electoral process will be published approximately two months after the election process has ended.
YEREVAN, MAY 19, ARMENPRESS. A report-resolution over Turkey will be put up to voting in the European Parliament on May 19, according to which the EP reaffirms it calls for recognizing the Armenian Genocide. It also calls on Turkey to refrain from any anti-Armenian propaganda and hate speech and fully respect its commitments on preserving the Armenian culture, the Armenian Embassy in Belgium told Armenpress.

On May 19, during the plenary session the European Parliament in its report relating to Turkey is reaffirming its calls for recognizing the Armenian Genocide. It also calls on Turkey to refrain from any anti-Armenian propaganda and hate speech and fully respect its commitments on protecting the Armenian culture. The report also makes several references to Turkeys negative role in the Nagorno Karabakh conflict, the Armenian Embassy said in a statement.

The report-resolution condemns the fact that Turkey, instead of stopping the hostilities and calling for resumption of peaceful negotiations under the OSCE Minsk Group, has unconditionally supported Azerbaijans military actions, contributed to their continuation, thus leading to the escalation of tension. It also condemns the transfer of foreign militants by Turkey from Syria and other sites to Nagorno Karabakh.

The resolution calls on the Turkish government to protect the rights of ethnic and religious minorities living in Turkey, including ethnic Armenian citizens and Christians, and to immediately adopt a comprehensive legislation that will ban discrimination.

The voting will take place today in the evening.

Editing and Translating by Aneta Harutyunyan
YEREVAN, MAY 19, ARMENPRESS. In response to Russias proposal to launch delimitation and demarcation works, Armenia has emphasized the necessity of the Azeri troops withdrawing from Armenian sovereign territory before starting that work, and then only the conditions will be created for such discussions, the Secretary of the Security Council of Armenia Armen Grigoryan told ARMENPRESS when asked to present Armenias position on Russias proposal to start the delimitation and demarcation work between Armenia and Azerbaijan.

We highly appreciate the Russian sides efforts for contributing to the resolution of the situation, by expressing readiness to continue close cooperation, at the same time we underscore that the complete preservation of territorial integiry cannot be subject of discussion for the Republic of Armenia. We note that the Azerbaijani sides latest actions are explicitly aimed at not implementing its own obligations assumed under the 2020 November 9 and 2021 January 11 statements by the leaders of Armenia, Russia and Azerbaijan, he added.

Editing and Translating by Stepan Kocharyan
YEREVAN, MAY 19, ARMENPRESS. Armenias caretaker foreign minister Ara Aivazian participated today in both the narrow and extended format sessions of the CSTO Council of Foreign Ministers in Dushanbe, Tajikistan, the ministry told Armenpress.

In continuation of the discussions held yesterday, the caretaker FM presented the security situation in the CSTO Caucasian region, keeping in spotlight the escalation of the situation caused by the incursion of the Azerbaijani armed forces into Armenias border provinces. The incursion of the Azerbaijani armed forces into Armenias sovereign territory is a direct threat to the security, territorial integrity and sovereignty of the CSTO member states, which is a challenge for the Organizations collective security system, he said.

Ara Aivazian told his colleagues that in such conditions the CSTO emergency situations response procedure is becoming relevant.

Touching upon the Nagorno Karabakh conflict, Ara Aivazian said the use of force by Azerbaijan can in no way lead to the solution of the conflict, adding that the conflict must be solved exclusively in political-diplomatic platform under the auspices of the OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairmanship and based on the joint and comprehensive implementation of the principles developed by that mediation mission.

The session agenda also covered issues relating to the regional and the international situation and its impact on the security of the CSTO member states, the cooperation of the member states with international organizations, etc.

Based on the results of the session the Foreign Ministers adopted and approved a number of documents aimed at the cooperation between the CSTO member states in different dimensions.

Editing and Translating by Aneta Harutyunyan
YEREVAN, MAY 19, ARMENPRESS. Ucom has provided SIM-cards with mobile internet access as well as modems to the pupils of the basic school No. 2 in Dilijan, which is located in Takhta region to support their educational process. The school is one of the beneficiaries of Seroond Schools program by Teach For Armenia educational foundation.

"We are convinced that the potential of our communities is boundless, and the school is the key to discovering that potential, especially these days, when many families are experiencing a post-war tragedy, and there hangs a danger of pandemic. In this context, it is very important to introduce both existing and online tools so that our children have equal educational opportunities. We could not succeed in this work alone. We are very happy that our partner Ucom shares our vision, contributing to the education of our children, which, without any reservation, is a direct contribution to the future of our country," said Larisa Hovannisyan, Founder and CEO of Teach For Armenia.

At Ucom we give importance to the accessibility of education through technology for all regions of Armenia. We have readily responded to the "Teach For Armenia" offer, as it is a reliable and our long-term partner organization. I am glad that during this academic year the pupils of Dilijans basic school number 2 have had the opportunity to benefit from the thousands of educational platforms and materials available on the internet, especially via the fastest mobile network in Armenia, said Ara Khachatryan, Director General at Ucom.

It should be noted that "Seroond Schools" is a pilot program of innovative learning, which is implemented as a result of cooperation between the Ministry of Education, Science, Culture and Sport of the Republic of Armenia and the world network of Kizazi" schools. It is a school that creates a new educational culture, which views education as an opportunity to develop students' cognitive, personal and social abilities. The activity of the school is based on the development of competencies. Moreover, today the number of students in this public school has doubled to about 80, despite its geographically problematic accessibility.
YEREVAN, 19 MAY, ARMENPRESS. The Central Bank of Armenia informs Armenpress that today, 19 May, USD exchange rate down by 0.83 drams to 520.72 drams. EUR exchange rate down by 1.38 drams to 635.85 drams. Russian Ruble exchange rate down by 0.01 drams to 7.07 drams. GBP exchange rate down by 3.16 drams to 737.65 drams.

The Central Bank has set the following prices for precious metals.

Gold price up by 169.01 drams to 31252.26 drams. Silver price up by 13.75 drams to 476.72 drams. Platinum price down by 133.20 drams to 20441.41 drams.
Some victims of the August 7, 1998, U.S embassy bombing have filed a petition at the Milimani Law Courts seeking compensation from the Kenyan government.

The petitioners, a Non-Governmental Organization (NGO) named Legal Advice Centre (Kituo cha Sheria) and five others, say they lost their loved ones while some sustained serious injuries following the terror attack.

They argue their lives have never been the same since the bombing as they undergo pain, sadness, anger, stress, and trauma.

The petitioners lament that while the U.S pursued compensation from Al-Qaeda assets and the BNP bank for its citizens, the government of Kenya has been unwilling to pursue compensation for its citizens leaving them disgruntled.

While some of the victims including the United State Government employees killed or injured in the August 7 attack have been compensated and awarded, (we) have been excluded from the compensation on grounds that (were) neither American citizens, employees or contractors, read court documents seen by Citizen Digital.

The petitioners further claim the State and its machinery were negligent and failed to stop the smuggling of money into Al-Qaeda cells within the country, which they say was ultimately used to finance the attack.

This comes after it was announced in March that Sudan had paid $335m (244m) as compensation for victims of past attacks against US targets.

The deal, however, only includes punitive damages to families of victims or those injured who are US nationals or US embassy workers.

This means a majority of the estimated 5,000 people injured in the twin bombings to hit the American embassies in Nairobi and Dar es Salaam on 7 August 1998 will not be compensated.

I felt awful [to hear about the compensation deal] We were affected because of the enmity between the US and the attackers. They should give us consideration, Kenyan civil servant Diana Mutisya told the BBC last month.

The 60-year-old civil servant said one of her lungs no longer functions and she has to use an orthopaedic chair while at work.

Im spending over Ksh80,000 ($750; 545) monthly on therapy alone, she said.

Adding: Americans cannot be superior, we are all human beings If anything were innocent, this thing happened because of them. They [the attackers] were targeting the American embassy where they knew American citizens were.

The US media reported that each American victim or family of the US embassy attacks will receive $3m, while locally employed staff will receive $400,000. A total of 85 survivors or families of victims will be compensated.
YEREVAN, MAY 19, ARMENPRESS. President of Armenia Armen Sarkissian issued a statement, calling on the Defense Ministry, the General Staff of the Armed Forces and the National Security Service to make all possible efforts and take the toughest measures against the encroachments on Armenia's territorial integrity and border violations.

ARMENPRESS reports, the statement runs as follows,

''Dear compatriots,

During these days, for obvious reasons, we are all focused on our borders. The Azerbaijani armed forces violated the Armenian border in Syunik and Gegharkunik Provinces and it's already a few days they are illegally situated in our country.

In the current situation, the unconditional responsibility of the state and state structures to bring the country out of the crisis is especially important, particularly, in terms of ensuring security.

I call on the Defense Ministry, the General Staff of the Armed Forces and the National Security Service to make all possible efforts and take the toughest measures against the encroachments on Armenia's territorial integrity and border violations.

No less important is the use of our diplomatic arsenal with all its might. Strengthening Armenia's international preputation, cooperation with international partners and deepening allied relations are a necessity. These relations must be built on a realistic, targetted agenda. It is necessary to launch the whole toolkit of both traditional and public diplomacy, to involve the Diaspora, to use all the resources.

The existing situation and our approach and response must be understandable to our international partners.

The society must be timely and accurately informed about the processes taking place, being sure that they are protected, that the state, regardless of political or other factors, carries out its functions.

Dear compatriots, In the current situation, national unity is again imperative: Armenia, Artsakh, Diaspora. Only then can we solve security, economic, domestic and all other problems. We must realize that we have one border, the border of the Homeland.

As a state and nation, we must have one and the same national agenda. Each of us, in Armenia, Artsakh and the Diaspora, must act within the framework of that common agenda. Only a strong, stable, united, Armenia can represent and defend the interests of Armenia, Artsakh and the Armenian people''.
YEREVAN, MAY 19, ARMENPRESS. The European Parliament confirmed a resolution-report on Turkey a while ago, where the institution reaffirms its call for recognizing the Armenian Genocide. The resolution also urges Turkey to refrain from anti-Armenian propaganda and hate speech, ARMENPRESS was informed from the Armenian Embassy in Belgium.

The reports also makes a number of references to the negative role of Turkey in Nagorno Karabakh conflict.

The fact that Turkey decided to unconditionally support Azerbaijans military operations and contributed to its continuation instead of making calls for stopping the military operations and resuming peace talks under the auspices of the OSCE Minsk Group Co-chairs' format was condemned.

The fact that Turkey sent Syrian and other mercenaries to Nagorno Karabakh, which has been confirmed by the OSCE Minsk Group Co-chair countries is condemned.

The report once again calls on Turkey to refrain from any action or rhetoric that can further escalate the situation in the South Caucasus.

In addition, the reports calls on the EU and EU member states to think about including ''Grey wolves'' extremist movement in the EU list of terrorist organization and ban the activities of its branches in the EU member states, as well as to attentively monitor their activities and countermeasure their possible actions which are mainly a threat for the citizens of Armenian, Kurdish or Greek origin.
When we focus on deep understanding and engaged learners, we dont spend much time with multiple choice questions. We develop projects that require students to work alone or in teams to solve real problems and issues. We put materials in their hands and let them explore, and we take the time to have meaningful conversations and discussions. We take learning at a natural, student-led pace and we find ways to challenge preconceived ideas and set students up to arrive at new, and often collaborative discoveries. Humans enjoy learning because it is inherently fun to master new ideas and solve problems. As scientists have studied the brain, new findings have found that learning not just alongside, but in community with others triggers a dopamine response in the brain. In turn, the dopamine helps to solidify the learning by making it more memorable and engaging. Its easy to see how this creates a cycle that leads to successful outcomes.

Lifelong learning

Humans are born learning, and as the old saying goes, the moment we stop learning is the moment we start dying. Rather than setting children up to see learning as a segmented portion of their lives, started each September and capped with a test in January or June, we should all strive to look for ways to make learning feel accessible, ongoing and fun. There are many strategies that teachers can use to foster a lifelong love of learning, but they all require time and space to be successful. Walks to the public library, baking recipes that coincide with a culture or time period studied, viewing photographs or watching video clips from an historic event  these things all take time, energy and patience, which are all easier to find when we are free to focus on the children in front of us more than state standards and benchmarks. Are these tools useful? Of course. Are they the goal? Not really. Healthy and happy adults are always the real goal, and we are able to focus on that end when we take testing off the table and replace it with fostering curiosity, exploring problems, building skills and relationships, and having fun together.
The National Breast Cancer Coalition, which has state and local groups, is supporting the bill.

Fran Visco, the coalition's president, said the organization's members have worked for years to address these waiting periods. She added that it will "make a significant difference for those who face this terrible situation."

That sentiment was echoed by Holly Anderson, who is the executive director of the Breast Cancer Coalition of Rochester. The local organization serves residents in Katko's district.

Anderson said immediate access to benefits is necessary so people with metastatic breast cancer can receive uninterrupted care.

"Those living with metastatic breast cancer want to live full, meaningful, vibrant lives while they are able. And they do," Anderson said. "They walk among us, hardly noticed, raising families, caring for others, working in careers they love, but when they can no longer work, when they are nearing the end of life, they can't endure the required waiting period for disability insurance benefits and Medicare."

The bill's cosponsors include 19 Democrats and 18 Republicans. Seven New York members of Congress are supporting the bill, including Democratic U.S. Rep. Kathleen Rice and GOP U.S. Rep. Lee Zeldin.

It has been referred to the House Ways and Means Committee for review.

Politics reporter Robert Harding can be reached at (315) 282-2220 or robert.harding@lee.net. Follow him on Twitter @robertharding.

Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0

Get Government & Politics updates in your inbox! Stay up-to-date on the latest in local and national government and political topics with our newsletter. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy.
U.S. Rep. John Katko wants to boost the mental health care professional ranks by offering an appealing incentive: Work in an underserved area and the federal government will repay your student loans.

Katko, R-Camillus, is reintroducing his bill that would establish a loan repayment program for mental health care workers. Psychiatrists, school psychologists, social workers and other professionals would be eligible to have up to $250,000 in student loans repaid if they work in communities affected by mental health care shortages.

The program proposed by Katko would repay one-sixth of the mental health care professional's eligible student loans for each year of service.

Katko, who co-chairs the Mental Health Caucus, said the bill would help address "the dire shortage of mental health professionals" in underserved communities across the country, including central New York.

"The ongoing pandemic has taken a devastating toll on the mental health of millions of Americans," he continued. "We have to ensure there is a sustainable workforce of mental health providers in every community able to deliver care and support to those in need."
Ralph Battista, a member of the health board, inquired about the health department's strategy to get more students vaccinated. He referred to a news story about Hamilton County in upstate New York and how it has a high vaccination rate. The county has a total population of more than 4,400 people and 60% of its residents are fully vaccinated.

Local leaders in Hamilton County credited a community-wide effort that educated residents and provided access to vaccination clinics. Purdy thinks there is a similar explanation for why there is growing interest in the vaccine among Cayuga County-area students.

"When I talked to the nursing staffs (on Monday), they know these students and they know these parents," she said. "We have some educators working within in the school on the same wavelength. By interaction, we can influence and I think we're seeing that."

Purdy explained that the vaccination clinics next week are a "first swing" to get students their first doses of the vaccine. With Pfizer, a second dose is required three weeks after the first is administered. For students who get their first dose at an upcoming clinic, they will be due for their second dose in mid-June  before the school year ends.
As we all know, Liz Cheney was ousted by the Republican Party because she does not support lying Donald Trump. I don't support a lot of her policies but I support her on this issue. The do-nothing Republican Congress got Elise Stefanik to replace her, just because she supports Trump. Elise Stefanik is an upstate New York Republican. Stefanik supports the big lie about a rigged election, and says Donald Trump is the leader of the Republicans. Kevin McCarthy, Ted Cruz, Steve Scalise and Lindsay Graham all do, as well. To all Republicans: No one found any wrongdoing in the election. When are we all going to accept this? Get on with the business of our country.

There are also Republican members of Congress who still believe there were no Trump supporters who attacked the Capitol on Jan. 6. That, my friends, is a big lie and a joke. Tell that to security police who were beaten and killed. Donald Trump is the leader of the big lie and won't stop until he runs for president again. He has divided the party so bad and our great country.

Remember this, all of Congress on Jan. 6 was in grave danger of being killed or seriously hurt, Republicans, Democrats and independents. Wake up, Republicans, search yourselves and start governing. For John Katko, how did you vote on Liz Cheney? You sure did vote for Elise Stefanik. All the Republicans want is power. Kevin McCarthy wants to be speaker of the House.
Hyundai Motor Groups Kia brand debuted the first of eleven all-electric vehicles to be made over the next five years on a dedicated battery-powered car platform: a crossover sport-utility vehicle that arrives in US showrooms in early 2022.

The South Korean automakers new EV6 will jostle with other new electric crossovers including the Mustang Mach-E and Tesla Model Y. The launch is part of an industry-wide shift toward EVs in anticipation of higher demand and tougher carbon-emissions standards.

(Also read: In just one day, Kia gets 21,000 reservations in this country for its latest EV)

Kia Corp. currently sells its battery-electric Niro crossover SUV, which starts at about $40,000, alongside cheaper hybrid gas-electric and plug-in hybrid versions. The EV6 wont offer a hybrid option -- a sign of confidence Kia buyers are ready to go electric-only.

In the past, the EV adoption rate has been so low because people like gas-powered engines, the range was so low and people didnt want to pay the premium," Russell Wager, vice president of marketing for Kia America, said in an interview Tuesday.

Kia EV6 demands soar in Europe with more than 7,000 bookings.

Things are changing -- and a recent gasoline shortages due to the Colonial Pipeline Co. disruption could be a tipping point, he said. Look at what happened in the past couple weeks with the pipeline issue. People are realizing maybe they should give it a look."

Kias parent company, which also owns Hyundai Motor Co., last week announced plans to build EVs in the U.S. as part of a $7.4 billion investment. Those battery-powered vehicles will be made at a Hyundai plant in Montgomery, Alabama. Kia has a factory in West Point, Georgia.

The EV6, which will be made in South Korea, is as long as Kias Telluride mid-size SUV and will have more cargo and passenger space than the Niro, Wager said. With DC fast-charging capability, drivers can top up from 10% remaining battery life to 80%, which is enough to go 218 miles, according to Kia.

When fully charged, the new car -- which will cost less than $60,000 -- can go more than 300 miles. Ford Motor Co.s Mach-E and Tesla Inc.s Y have maximum ranges just over 300 miles and start at about $40,000.

The EV6 is the first new model from Kias Plan S, which will bring almost a dozen EVs to market globally. General Motors Co. plans to sell 30 globally by 2025 and go completely electric by 2035. Ford has announced three all-electric vehicles, including the Mach-E and that went on sale late last year, and is expected to unveil a more detailed strategy later this month.

Kias Wager said the company believes consumers are ready for the coming shift to EVs.

Were not going down the road of if the market doesnt materialize," he said. Were going down the road of how quickly it materializes. This is not a fad."

This story has been published from a wire agency feed without modifications to the text.
Bugatti has retired its Chiron 4-005 hypercar prototype after eight years of service. The French automaker introduced the Bugatti Chiron back in 2016. By then the Bugatti Chiron 4-005 had already toured the world.

(Also Read: Bugatti is the other name for breaking speed records over the years)

The Chiron 4-005 is one of the eight prototypes of the fastest and one of the most exotic cars from the French hypercar manufacturer, developed to fine-tune the performance.

Usually, the prototypes designed and developed by every auto manufacturer are meant for the pre-production development of a particular model. However, the Bugatti Chiron 4-005 was built primarily to help in software development for the final production model. These software-related developments included infotainment systems, powertrain functions etc.

The Chiron 4-005's 4 indicates towards the prototype built and 005 is the chronological number. The particular Chiron prototype was one of the very first ones to scorch the roads in the United States. This one had appeared for high-speed laps at Nardo, heat tests in South Africa, snow testing in Scandinavia. All of these test runs have left scars across its exterior.

Many of the Bugatti Chirons has scorched more than 1,600 kilometres with their ultra-high performance. But this 4-005 model, being a prototype, has covered more than 80,000 kilometres. Bugatti says that it even had to bear the heat of the roaring afterburner of a Eurofighter Typhoon fighter jet.

The prototype has gone through tons of software upgrades for delivering optimum allover performance across all locations.

While the automakers usually crush the prototypes to avoid them landing into public hands. It is not sure what will happen to the Bugatti Chiron 4-005. Bugatti has said that the prototype is going into its well-earned retirement, which indicates that we might see this car again someday.
Royal Enfield on Wednesday announced a recall of its bikes including Meteor, Classic, and Bullet over a defective ignition coil. The recall affects close to 2,36,966 units of motorcycles.

Apart from India, units exported to international markets such as Indonesia, Philippines, Thailand, Australia, New Zealand, and Malaysia, are also part of the new recall.

In a press statement rolled out earlier today, it was informed that Royal Enfield has discovered a 'defect in the ignition coil' of some motorcycles that can, in turn, lead to misfires, reduced vehicle performance, and an electric short circuit in some rare cases.

(Also Read: Royal Enfield - Knox CE certified Vamos glove review: Safety with good looks)

The Chennai-based retro bike maker added that the defect was discovered during routine internal testing and is isolated to specific batches of material sourced from an external supplier between December 2020 and April 2021. Thus bikes affected by the recall include Meteor manufactured between December 2020 and April 2021, and the Classic and Bullet manufactured and sold between January and April 2021.

Also, what's worth noting is that Royal Enfield said that the 'issue is rare' and doesn't impact all motorcycles manufactured in the said period.

The recalled bikes will undergo inspection and the defective part will be replaced, if required. The company estimates that 'less than 10%' of the recalled bikes will require the replacement service.

Royal Enfield dealerships will get in touch with the customers whose motorcycle Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) matches the ones of the affected units. Also, customers can get in touch with the local dealerships to verify if their bikes fall under the defective range.

(Also Read: Fat and the Furious: Royal Enfield fitted with tractor tyres)

"We are committed to swiftly implement the recall action, and customers will be proactively contacted through respective local dealerships," Royal Enfield noted.
One of the perils from stand-up news reports is the potential for badly-behaving passersby, whether thats with actual physical contact on a reporter or with offensive chants.

The latest case of some poor behavior came from a report on Philadelphia ABC affiliate WPVI on the Ocean City, New Jersey (around an hour away from Philadelphia) boardwalks reopening plans, which saw a jogging passerby moon the camera. But the camera operator had a smart response, zooming in on the guy after he pulled up his pants and was walking away.

Heres that clip, via Dan McQuade:

Shoutout to the Action News cameraman for zooming in on the guy who mooned the live shot pic.twitter.com/YgsKaiskCt  Dan McQuade (@dhm) May 18, 2021

This is interesting for a couple reasons. For one, the way its done doesnt really detract from the intended story. The reporters able to carry on with her commentary, and this pan fits with the if you take a look down the boardwalk line. Of course, it makes sense that that led into shots of passersby. If you didnt see the mooning in the first few seconds here, you might not notice anything odd about the follow-up shot.

But zooming in on this guy in particular gives a better look at him and the people hes with. And while identification still might be hard (no faces are visible), the zoom-in makes it more possible than it would have been just from his run-by mooning. So maybe this leads to some consequences for him, and maybe it sends a message to others not to do this.

[Dan McQuade on Twitter]
The Ministry of Industry and Trade (MoIT) said that, while most sub-industries are covered by laws, activities in the processing and manufacturing industry have not had specific regulations.

The Ministry of Industry and Trade wants to create a boost for the manufacturing industry of Vietnam. Photo: Luong Bang

MoIT, thus, has proposed a new law, the Law on Industrial Development.

Although guidelines and policies on industrial development have been available, industrial development has not met the requirements of the countrys industrialization. Vietnam has not made good use of the advantage of the golden population and of being a latecomer in industrialization. The country is facing the risk of de-industrialization too soon and is in a disadvantageous position in the face of the 4th Industrial Revolution.

The Resolution of the 13th Party Congress in 2021 sets out orientations and targets for the development of the processing and manufacturing industry in the countrys process of industrialization and modernization. By 2025, the proportion of the processing and manufacturing industry in Vietnams GDP will reach over 25% (16% at present).

Despite the important role of the processing and manufacturing industry, the MoIT said that so far this sector has no specific law, like other sub-industries, covering it.

This leads to a lack of legal framework for management and solutions to support this area from the central to local levels and between relevant ministries and agencies. Policies and guidelines have not been effectively institutionalized for the processing and manufacturing industry and the country's industrialization and modernization in general.

Development strategies and plans for specific sub-sectors (electronics, textiles, footwear, automobiles, tobacco, paper, ...) have been approved, but they are not legal documents, so enforcement mechanisms are absent. Therefore, relevant agencies have spent a lot of time and effort to propose strategies and plans, which have not been implemented.

The Ministry said that a separate law with specific mechanisms is needed to promote the development of the processing and manufacturing industries.

When this proposal was made, some commented that it is necessary to re-evaluate the need for a law on industrial development, because the field is already managed by many laws. More laws are unlikely to solve the current problems of the manufacturing and processing industries, they said.

An official from MoITs Department of Industry told VietNamNet that the proposal will certainly be controversial because there are already many laws on industrial development. But he said that the Law on Industrial Development is different from other laws on industry, such as the Law on Electricity, the Law on Petroleum, and the Law on Chemicals, among others.

Previously, the laws in Vietnam's industrial sector were mainly of a state management nature, and there were no development solutions in them. The Law on Minerals is about management and licensing. Same goes for the Law on Chemicals and the Law on Oil and Gas, he said.

Therefore, creating a law on industrial development will be different. That is, it will reduce the state management function, and at the same time promote development and create conditions for society to participate in the industrial sector.

"The Law on Industrial Development restricts the issuance of licencing," he said.

Under this law, if an agency fails to reach the goals on industrial development, it will be punished.

Luong Bang

Strong supply keeps pouring into the industrial market: JLL The supply of industrial property in the South is expected to rise further in the next five years to capitalise on the increasing demand in the region, and further strengthen its leading position in terms of supply, according to JLL Vietnam.
For full access, please log in, register your subscription or subscribe.

Try for 99 a month for two months, cancel or pause anytime.
2021 Honda Odyssey Review By Larry Nutson

2021 Honda Odyssey

With a bit of a Makeover

By Larry Nutson

Executive Editor and Bureau Chief

Chicago Bureau

The Auto Channel

Before the Covid-19 pandemic gripped us all about 400,000 minivans were sold in the U.S. each year. You might ask: With the popularity of utility vehicles (UV) who is buying a minivan?

Well! Families with children under age 12 make up a big portion of minivan buyers. Minivans are also purchased by active lifestyle empty nesters. Today there are just four minivans on the U.S. marketthe Chrysler Pacifica, Honda Odyssey, Kia Sedona (being replaced by the Carnival) and Toyota Siennathats it.

Honda says the Odyssey is Americas best retail-selling minivan for 10 years running. American consumers have purchased more than 1.1 million Odyssey minivans during that time.

Minivans of today have evolved in design. They have a more refined look with more style and pizzaz. Theyve morphed to have some of the looks of a UV. Theres a longer hood, less-boxy side profile and slightly tapered rear.

The Honda Odyssey has been refreshed for 2021 with numerous updates to styling, along with upgraded technology and safety features. On the outside the grille and front bumper fascia both have a new design, to go along with new front LED headlights and fog lights. In the rear, black trim under the rear window is new. Wheel designs are also new.

In the cabin, the second-row seats now fold nearly flat for easier removal as well as improved cargo carrying. Restyled seats and new tri-color floor mats are on EX trims and above. EX-L trims and above receive a power lumbar support for the front passenger seat and contrast seat stitching. Odyssey Touring and Elite get new piano black trim on the dash, doors and front door handles.

A rear seat reminder comes on all trims and Cabin Watch and Cabin Talkso you can see and talk to those young ones in the way-back, are equipped on Touring and Elite trims. All trims now have Honda Sensing driver-assist safety features as standard.

The Odyssey is offered in LX, EX, EX-L, Touring and Elite trims. All are powered by a 280-hp 3.5-liter V6 mated to a 10-speed automatic transmission. The engine is equipped with Variable Cylinder Management (VCM) that seamlessly switches between three- and six-cylinder operation for reduced fuel consumption. EPA fuel economy ratings are 22 mpg combined with 19 city mpg and 28 highway mpg.

The LX seats seven while all other trims seat eight. The Odysseys Magic Slide Multi-function second-row seats on these higher trim levels can be configured in five different arrangements to provide best seating and cargo carrying ability to suit different situations. The standard three-across mode offers enough room to fit three child seats, and each second row position is equipped with lower anchors and upper tethers.

2021 Odyssey pricing for the EX starts at $31,790 and rises to $47,820 for the Elite trim, plus a $1,120 destination charge.

For my drive experience in the Odyssey I drove an Elite trim finished in Forest Mist Metallic for $395 additional bringing the total to $49,335 including destination charge.

As it turned out my wife and I would be road-tripping in the Odyssey from our Chicago home around the southern end of Lake Michigan and across lower Michigan to the Detroit suburbs to visit our daughter and her family.

It was just the two of us plus some weekend luggage and a few items for the grandchildren, of course. We had plenty of room. Traffic was moderate so I made good use of the adaptive cruise control as well as lane keep assist systems. We enjoyed having Sirius XM for some good music listening and also Apple CarPlay to catch a couple podcasts.

The V6 engine is nicely responsive with a good torque curve for quick acceleration and highway merging. The 10-speed automatic is well calibrated for good up- and down-shifts and keeps the engine in an efficient range. I was actually nicely surprised by the real-world fuel economy on this trip. I hoped to get near the EPA highway rating of 28 mpg and actually was above it in the range of 29 to 30 mpg, in spite of actual highway speeds being well higher than the EPA lab test.

Our daughter and her husband have three toddlers. She drives a full-size SUV with a three-across center bench fitted with three child safety seats. She wishes she had power opening rear side doors on her daily-driver to ease getting her three children into place.

Im convinced, and not alone in the thinking, that a minivan is the best vehicle to have if a family has toddlers. It is the most user-friendly and versatile vehicle for transporting those children. The low step-in height and low rear load floor are both more friendly than those of a high-riding utility vehicle.

More details on the Honda Odyssey can be found at www.honda.com. The 2022 Odyssey is already arriving in dealers with a newly available Radiant Red Metallic II color and a slight price increase on some trims.

The four minivans I mentioned earlier offer their own mix of equipment and features. They provide a lot of the same features and benefits found in a utility vehicle. V6 power, a hybrid drive train for low fuel consumption, all-wheel drive, seating for 6 or 7 or 8, a large flat cargo area, a large rear liftgate for easy loading, and an elevated seating position for good outward visibility. Young families today have lots of good choices. It is forecasted that minivan popularity will continue to rise.

 2021 Larry Nutson, the Chicago Car Guy
GAZA CITY, Gaza Strip (AP)  Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu vowed Wednesday to press ahead with a fierce military offensive in the Gaza Strip, pushing back against calls from the United States to wind down the operation that has left hundreds dead.

Netanyahu's tough comments marked the first public rift between the two close allies since the fighting began last week and could complicate international efforts to reach a cease-fire. His pushback also plunges the pair into a difficult early test of the U.S.-Israel relationship.

Israel continued to pound Hamas targets in Gaza with airstrikes, while Palestinian militants bombarded Israel with rocket fire throughout the day. In another sign of potential escalation, militants in Lebanon fired a rocket barrage into northern Israel.

After a visit to military headquarters, Netanyahu said he appreciated the support of the American president, but he said Israel would push ahead to return calm and security to Israeli citizens.

He said he was determined to continue this operation until its aim is met.

He spoke shortly after U.S. President Joe Biden told Netanyahu that he expected "a significant de-escalation today on the path to a cease-fire, the White House said.

Biden had previously avoided pressing Israel more directly and publicly for a cease-fire with Gaza's Hamas militant rulers. But pressure has been building for Biden to intervene more forcefully as other diplomatic efforts gather strength.

Egyptian negotiators have also been working to halt the fighting, and an Egyptian diplomat said top officials were waiting for Israels response to a cease-fire offer. The diplomat spoke on condition of anonymity in line with regulations.

Moussa Abu Marzouk, a top Hamas official, told the Lebanese station Mayadeen TV that he expected a cease-fire in a day or two.

Meanwhile, German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas said he would fly to the region Thursday for talks with Israelis and Palestinians.

Israels Foreign Ministry said the foreign ministers of Slovakia and the Czech Republic would join him after being invited to express their solidarity and support for Israel.

Earlier in the day, the Israeli military said it was widening its strikes on militant targets in southern Gaza to blunt continuing rocket fire from Hamas. At least nine people were killed Wednesday in the Gaza Strip.

The current round of fighting between Israel and Hamas began May 10, when the militant group fired long-range rockets toward Jerusalem after days of clashes between Palestinian protesters and Israeli police at the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound, a flashpoint site sacred to Jews and Muslims. Heavy-handed police tactics at the compound and the threatened eviction of dozens of Palestinian families by Jewish settlers had inflamed tensions.

Since then, Israel has launched hundreds of airstrikes that it says have targeted Hamas infrastructure, and Hamas and other militant groups embedded in residential areas have fired some 4,000 rockets at Israeli cities, with hundreds falling short and most of the rest intercepted or landing in open areas.

At least 227 Palestinians have been killed, including 64 children and 38 women, with 1,620 people wounded, according to the Gaza Health Ministry, which does not break the numbers down into fighters and civilians. Hamas and Islamic Jihad say at least 20 of their fighters have been killed, while Israel says the number is at least 130. Some 58,000 Palestinians have fled their homes.

Twelve people in Israel, including a 5-year-old boy, a 16-year-old girl and a soldier, have been killed.

The rockets fired by militants in Lebanon into northern Israel threatened to open up a new front in the fighting. The rocket attack, which drew Israeli artillery fire in response but did not cause any injuries, raised the possibility of dragging Israel into renewed conflict with the powerful Lebanese militant group Hezbollah to its north.

No one claimed responsibility for the attack, and Hezbollah, which fought a monthlong war against Israel in 2006, has stayed out of the fighting for now. The rockets were widely believed to be fired by Palestinian factions based in south Lebanon.

But they cannot operate without Hezbollahs tacit consent, and the barrage appears to be carefully calibrated to send a political message that the group, which has tens of thousands of missiles, could join the battle at any time. Israel considers Hezbollah to be its most formidable threat and has threatened widespread destruction in Lebanon if war were to erupt.

In Gaza, one of the Israeli airstrikes destroyed the home of an extended family.

Residents surveyed the piles of bricks, concrete and other debris that had once been the home of 40 members of al-Astal family in the southern Gaza town of Khan Younis. They said a warning missile struck the building five minutes before the airstrike, allowing everyone to escape.

Ahmed al-Astal, a university professor, described a scene of panic, with men, women and children racing out of the building.

We had just gotten down to the street, breathless, when the devastating bombardment came, he said. They left nothing but destruction, the childrens cries filling the street. ... This is happening, and there is no one to help us.

Another strike in nearby Deir al-Balah killed a man, his wife and their 2-year-old daughter, witnesses said. Iyad Salha, a brother of the man who was killed, said the family had just sat down for lunch when the missile hit.

Among those killed Wednesday were a reporter for Hamas-run Al-Aqsa radio and two people who died when warning missiles crashed into their apartment.

The Israeli military said it was striking a militant tunnel network in southern Gaza, with 52 aircraft hitting 40 underground targets.

Military officials, meanwhile, said a mysterious explosion that killed eight members of a Palestinian family on the first day of the fighting was caused by a misfired rocket from Gaza. "This wasnt an Israeli attack," said Lt. Col. Jonathan Conricus, a military spokesman.

Since the fighting began, Gazas infrastructure, already weakened by a 14-year blockade, has rapidly deteriorated. Medical supplies, water and fuel for electricity are running low in the territory, on which Israel and Egypt imposed the blockade after Hamas seized power in 2007.

Israeli attacks have damaged at least 18 hospitals and clinics and destroyed one health facility, the World Health Organization said. Nearly half of all essential drugs have run out.

Among the buildings leveled by Israeli airstrikes was one housing The Associated Press' Gaza office and those of other media outlets.

Netanyahu has alleged that Hamas military intelligence was operating in the building. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said Tuesday that Israel had given the U.S. information about the bombing, without elaborating.

The AP has called for an independent investigation. The news organization's president, Gary Pruitt, has said the AP had no indication Hamas was present in the building.

The fighting, the worst since a 2014 war between Israel and Hamas, has ignited protests around the world and inspired Palestinians in Israel and the occupied territories to call a general strike Tuesday. It was a rare collective action that spanned boundaries central to decades of failed peace efforts. Israel captured the West Bank, east Jerusalem and Gaza in the 1967 Mideast war, territories the Palestinians want for their future state.

___

Krauss reported from Jerusalem. Associated Press writers Bassem Mroue and Zeina Karam in Beirut, Isabel DeBre in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, Samy Magdy in Cairo and Frank Jordans in Berlin contributed to this report.
Pune, May 19, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Sandwich Panels Market Analysis

Market Research Future (MRFR) projects the global sandwich panels market to exhibit a 8.1% CAGR from 2020 to 2027 (forecast period)

Sandwich panels are a form of construction material that is made by joining layers of covering metals with insulating materials and binding agents. Its ability is to defend against sound, severe weather, and unexpected fire outbreaks. Furthermore, its reliability and ease of installation due to its simple design make it a viable alternative to conventional roof panels.

The global sandwich panel market is expanding as a result of high demand from real estate developers. Increase in infrastructure projects in both developed and emerging economies are expected to drive market demand during the forecast period. Furthermore, as a result of rapid industrialization, the development of special economic zones and commercial buildings is projected to increase market size in the coming years.





Get Free Sample PDF Brochure

https://www.marketresearchfuture.com/sample_request/1563







COVID-19 Impact on the Global Sandwich Panels Market

The COVID-19 pandemic is having a significant negative effect on the construction industry, but the legal ramifications vary by region and contract. On the contractual side, there is a greater emphasis on international consulting firms that have guidelines and specifications, such as FIDIC (International Federation of Consulting Engineers) and NEC. The present stage of the pandemic has made it impossible to complete construction projects. The COVID-19 outbreak is delaying the construction industry's growth, causing disruption and delay, which can be linked to several disrupted supply chains. A few governments have even ordered the closure of specific companies across regions. The majority of residential and non-residential construction projects have been forced to halt. Sandwich panel manufacturers and the overall construction industry are likely to face a number of problems, with the majority of housing projects expected to be left unfinished due to supply chain delays, cash flow constraints, and production shutdown. The almost complete lack of construction activity at project sites has further strained the financial condition of many manufacturers and developers. Despite the fact that demand for affordable sandwich panels in single-family and multifamily housing has risen in recent years, the COVID-19 pandemic has caused a significant setback for the sandwich panel market. Laborers have returned to their home countries in the midst of the COVID-19 outbreak. As a result of a labor shortage, sandwich panel manufacturers have found it difficult to complete projects on time. Furthermore, as manufacturing units close due to supply chain instability and contractual consequences, many manufacturers are having difficulty obtaining low-cost raw materials.

Aside from the factors listed above, consumer buying behavior is expected to have an effect on the overall sandwich panel market, as consumers are hesitant to invest in housing projects due to low per capita incomes and unemployment fears. As a result, sandwich panel buyers are forced to postpone their buying decisions for as long as possible, resulting in an accumulation of unsold stocks. As a result, given the current situation, sandwich panels are unlikely to remain affordable to stakeholders.





Browse In-depth Market Research Report (111 pages) on Sandwich Panels Market

https://www.marketresearchfuture.com/reports/sandwich-panel-market-1563







Market Segmentation

The global sandwich panels industry has been segmented into type and application.

Based on type, the global sandwich panels market has been segmented into glass wool, expanded polystyrene (EPS) sandwich panels, rock wool, polyurethane (PR)/polyisocyanurate (PIR) sandwich panels, and others.

Based on applications, the global sandwich panels market has been segmented into residential buildings, commercial buildings, industrial buildings, and cold storage.

Regional Analysis

The global sandwich panels industry covers the latest trends and opportunities across numerous regions, including North America, Europe, Asia Pacific (APAC), and the Rest-of-the-World (RoW).

Europe is regarded as one of the most valuable regions in the global sandwich panels industry, and it is predicted to rise at a 7.13% CAGR over the review period to reach a significant market value of USD 851.4 million by 2023.

Competitive Landscape

The sandwich panel market is fragmented, with the presence of many players sharing the market demand for sandwich panels.





Share Your Queries:

https://www.marketresearchfuture.com/enquiry/1563







Key Players

Notable players in the global sandwich panels market include DANA Group of Companies (UAE), INVESPANEL SL (Spain), Kingspan Group (Ireland), Building Component Solutions LLC (Saudi Arabia), Nucor Corporation (U.S.), Assan Panel A.S. (Turkey), Hoesch Siegerlandwerke GmbH (Germany), ArcelorMittal S.A. (U.S.), MANNI Group (Italy), Zhong Jie Group (China), Romakowski GmbH & Co. KG (Germany), Tata Steel Limited (India), NCI Building Systems Inc. (U.S.), Multicolor Steels India Pvt Ltd. (India), and Sintex (India).







Discover More Research Reports on Construction Industry , By Market Research Future





Browse Related Reports:

Global Recycled Construction Aggregates Market Research Report: Information by Product Type (Crushed Stone, Sand & Gravel, Cement Concrete and Asphalt Pavement Debris), End-Use [Residential, Commercial, Infrastructure, and others (Industrial and Monumental)] and Region (North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, Middle East & Africa and South America) - Forecast till 2027

Global Metal cladding Market Information: by Type (Aluminum Cladding, Galvanized Steel, Cladding, Zinc Cladding, Copper Cladding, Titanium Cladding, Brass Cladding, and Bronze Cladding), Application (Residential, Commercial and Industrial) and Region (North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, Middle East & Africa and South America) - Forecast till 2027

Global Green Concrete Market Research Report: by End-Use (Residential, Commercial, Industrial and Infrastructure) and Region (North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, Middle East & Africa and South America) - Forecast till 2027

Global Plywood Market Research Report: Information By Grade (MR Grade, BWR Grade, Fire Resistant Grade, BWP Grade and Structural Grade), Wood Type (Softwood and Hardwood), Application (Furniture, Flooring & Construction, Automotive Interior, Packaging, Marine and Others) and Region (North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, Middle East & Africa and South America)  Forecast till 2027

Global Laminated Veneer Lumber Market Research Report: Information By Product (Cross-Banded Laminated Veneer Lumber and Laminated Strand Lumber (LSL)), Application (Concrete Formwork, House Beams, Purlins, Truss Chords, Scaffold Boards and Others), End-Use (Residential, Commercial and Industrial) and Region (North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, Middle East & Africa and South America) - Forecast till 2027

Global Aluminum Doors and Windows Market Research Report: Information By Product (Exterior Door, Patio Door, Sliding Window, Bi-Fold Window and Other), Application (Residential and Commercial) and Region (North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, Middle East & Africa and South America)  Forecast till 2027

Global Medium Density Fiberboard (MDF) Market Research Report: By Product (Standard MDF, Moisture Resistant MDF and Fire Resistant MDF), By Application (Cabinet, Flooring, Furniture, Molding, Door and Millwork, Packaging System and Others), By End-user (Residential, Commercial and Institutional) and Region (North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific and Rest of the World) - Forecast till 2027

Global Composite Insulated Panels Market Research Report: Information by Product [Expanded Polystyrene (EPS) Panel, Rigid Polyurethane (PUR) and Rigid Polyisocyanurate (PIR) Panel, Glass Wool Panel and Others], Application (Building Wall, Building Roof and Cold Storage) and Region (North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific and Rest of the World) - Forecast till 2027

Global Exterior Insulation And Finish System Market Research Report: by Type (Polymer-Based and Polymer Modified), Insulation Material (EPS (Expanded polystyrene), MW (Mineral Wood) and others), Component (Adessives, Insulation Board, Base Coat, Reinforcement, and Finish Coat) and Region (North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, Middle East & Africa and South America) - Forecast till 2027





About Market Research Future:

Market Research Future (MRFR) is a global market research company that takes pride in its services, offering a complete and accurate analysis with regard to diverse markets and consumers worldwide. Market Research Future has the distinguished objective of providing the optimal quality research and granular research to clients. Our market research studies by products, services, technologies, applications, end users, and market players for global, regional, and country level market segments, enable our clients to see more, know more, and do more, which help answer your most important questions.
Joe Biden, sporting aviator sunglasses, looked out from the driver's seat of Ford's new electric truck and delivered a presidential proclamation: "This sucker's quick."

The battery-powered Ford F-150 Lightning is due to be unveiled on Wednesday as the auto giant's new big bet on the emerging electric auto market. But avid car enthusiast Biden not only got a sneak preview Tuesday -- he managed a test drive.

Streaking across the enormous tarmac expanse of Ford's proving grounds in Dearborn, Michigan, with just a Secret Service agent in the passenger seat for company, Biden appeared to be living his dream.

The pickup truck, almost silent, flashed across the hot, hazy surface before turning back to journalists accompanying the president.

At 78, Biden is the oldest person ever elected to the White House but at the wheel he acted more like a giddy teenage driver.

The Lightning can hit 0-60 mph in about 4.4 seconds, he marveled, prompting a moment of consternation among Ford executives who had wanted to keep details like that secret until launch day.

When queried by a journalist whether she could ask him a question about ongoing fighting in Israel, Biden snapped in a mock rebuke: "No you can't. Not unless you get in front of the car as I step on it."

How fast had he managed to go? Now that did interest him.

Biden said he'd show everyone.

"Ready?"

Journalists, Ford executives and White House staffers hurriedly got out the way.

Biden floored the accelerator to disappear across the tarmac a second time.

Biden was racing around in a yet-to-be-sold Ford truck to promote his $2 trillion infrastructure plan. In addition to rebuilding standard stuff like roads and bridges, Biden's package would pour $174 billion into electric vehicle development.

Getting to Michigan required a 10-minute flight in a helicopter, 90 minutes of aviation fuel in Air Force One and 15 minutes riding in a gas guzzling motorcade comprising dozens of non-electric cars.

But Biden had no doubt about what the future should look like.

"We're at a great inflection point in American history," he said in a speech on the floor of Ford's shining factory. "The future will be built right here in America."

Biden talked about the fight to "save the planet" from global warming. But he was just as worried, if not more so, by China and what he sees as a contest for electric supremacy.

"The only question is whether we will lead or fall behind," he said.

"They think they're going to win," he said. "Well I've got news for them: They will not win this race."

Most politicians court car owners and auto union workers. In the United States, iconic companies like Ford and cars in general are even more important, serving as patriotic backdrops for speeches about American independence and exceptionalism.

But Biden's trajectory really is bound up in cars.

A 1972 crash that killed his first wife and baby daughter would overshadow the rest of his life.

An affinity for automobiles has also been integral to the way Biden presents himself -- a "regular Joe" who, despite being a senator for four decades and a vice president for eight years, remains happy to discuss the finer points of tires or torque.

As president, his main ride is the heavily armored "Beast" limousine. Secret Service protocols -- Tuesday's joy ride aside -- mean he can no longer get behind the wheel.

Nevertheless, Biden still refers frequently to his treasured 1967 green convertible Corvette Stingray, a wedding present from his father, who was a car dealer.

The Corvette is a muscle car, a noisy, throbbing statement about as far as you can get from the quiet, environmentally responsible electric movement.

But it is part of the Biden brand -- and perhaps Biden soul.

"I like speed," he told Jay Leno during a 2016 television auto show when he was vice president.

During the Ford plant tour, Biden got an opportunity to go full car nerd, exclaiming things like "amazing," "absolutely astounding," and "pretty damned cool."

Touching the huge battery installed in the F-150's low-slung chassis, he said: "fascinating." He sounded like he meant it.

When it was time to go to the podium and address Ford workers, executives and Democratic politicians, the president began with a self-introduction.

"My name is Joe Biden," he said, "and I'm the car guy."


remaining of

Thank you for reading! On your next view you will be asked to log in to your subscriber account or create an account and subscribepurchase a subscription to continue reading.
VANCOUVER, British Columbia, May 18, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- (CSE: REO)  Reservoir Capital Corp. ("REO" or the "Company") announces that it continues to work closely with its auditor to overcome delays as a result of complexities caused by COVID-19 in Nigeria, Mauritius and Canada in preparing its financial statements for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2020 (the "Annual Financial Statements") and related MD&A and officer certifications (collectively, the Annual Filings). On May 4, 2021, the Company announced that it would miss the filing deadline of April 30, 2021 for its Annual Filings as prescribed by National Instrument 51-102  Continuous Disclosure Obligations (NI 51-102). A management cease trade order (MCTO) was issued by the British Columbia Securities Commission (the BCSC), effective as of May 4, 2021, in connection with the filing delay.



During the MCTO, the general investing public will continue to be able to trade in the Companys listed common shares; however, the Companys Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer and such other directors, officers and persons as determined by the applicable regulatory authorities, will not be able to trade the Companys shares.

The Company currently expects to file the 2020 Annual Financial Statements on or before June 30, 2021 and will issue a news release announcing completion of such filings at such time. Until then, the Company intends to comply with the provisions of the alternative information guidelines as set out in National Policy 12-203  Management Cease Trade Orders for as long as it remains in default, including the issuance of bi-weekly default status reports, each of which will be issued in the form of a news release. The Company confirms as of the date of this news release that there is no other material information concerning the affairs of the Company that has not been generally disclosed.

About Reservoir Capital Corp.

REOs asset portfolio comprises minority indirect economic interests in clean power assets (currently 4 hydro power plants) representing 46.3MW of net operating capacity.

REOs 2019 Financial Statement (year ended Dec. 31, 2019) shows dividend income from the Companys investments of $1,756,152 during the twelve-month period.

REOs Vision & Mission is to assemble a balanced portfolio of producing and near-production clean energy assets (with a current focus on Hydro & Geothermal) in growing economies (with a current focus on Africa).

REOs strategy to achieve its Vision is to approach shareholders of privately held quality assets and offer them diversification, liquidity and exposure to a growing portfolio assembled following a disciplined investment policy.

REOs investment policy consists essentially in taking carefully selected minority economic interests in quality clean power assets in key geographies, targeting regular dividend income over long periods, while offering the potential for capital gain in the medium term.

Further Information

For more information on the Company, please visit www.reservoircapitalcorp.com. Investors are cautioned that trading in the securities of REO should be considered highly speculative. Additional information on these and other factors that could affect the operations or financial results of REO are included in REO's CSE Listing Statement and most recently filed quarterly report, each of which is filed with applicable Canadian securities regulators and may be accessed through the SEDAR website (www.sedar.com). The CSE have neither approved nor disapproved the contents of this news release.

For any clarification, one may contact:

Lewis Reford

CEO, Reservoir Capital Corp.

Telephone: 416-399-2274

Email: ceo@reservoircap.team

NEITHER THE CSE NOR THE INVESTMENT INDUSTRY REGULATORY ORGANIZATION OF CANADA ACCEPTS RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE ADEQUACY OR ACCURACY OF THIS RELEASE.

Forward Looking Statements

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements: This news release contains forward-looking statements, and forward-looking information under applicable securities laws. Forward-looking statements relate to future events or future performance and reflect the expectations or beliefs regarding future events of management of REO. This information and these statements, referred to herein as "forward looking statements", are not historical facts, are made as of the date of this news release and include without limitation, statements as to management's expectations and the possible completion of intended future investments. These statements generally can be identified by use of forward-looking words such as "may", "will", "expect", "estimate", "anticipate", poised to, hope, "plans," "intends", "believe" or "continue" or the negative thereof or similar variations.

The reader is cautioned that assumptions used in the preparation of any forward-looking information may prove to be incorrect. Events or circumstances may cause actual results to differ materially from those predicted, as a result of numerous known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors, many of which are beyond the control of the Company. The reader is cautioned not to place undue reliance on any forward-looking information. Such information, although considered reasonable by management at the time of preparation, may prove to be incorrect and actual results may differ materially from those anticipated. Forward-looking statements contained in this news release are expressly qualified by this cautionary statement. The forward-looking statements contained in this news release are made as of the date of this news release and the Company will update or revise publicly any of the included forward-looking statements as expressly required by applicable law.
Ryanair notched up the first wins in its campaign to topple billions of euros of Covid-19 bailouts for rival carriers after EU judges faulted EU regulators for failing to properly check whether aid was justified.

The EU General Court, the second-highest court, overturned the European Commissions approval of a 3.4bn Dutch subsidy to Air France-KLM and 1.2bn offered by Portugal to TAP.

But rather than order the repayment of subsidies, judges gave regulators the chance to re-examine the cases and fix any procedural flaws.

Ryanair lost a separate challenge to a 10bn fund for local carriers.

Ryanair has filed more than two dozen challenges to EU approvals for pandemic aid doled out by governments to carriers, including Lufthansa and Air France-KLM.

The carrier, which has lost five of the challenges so far, argued that the aid for selected airlines creates an unfair advantage and will help rivals to emerge stronger, slash fares and swallow up others.

Ryanair said in a statement that the two rulings in its favour were an important victory for consumers and competition, calling the EUs aid approvals discriminatory, risking distortion to markets for decades to come.

The airline claims the EUs competition regulator is not living up to its task of preventing governments from unfairly helping favoured companies at the expense of others.

The European Commission has been under pressure to approve unprecedented state aid to save the pandemic-struck European economy.

KLM said the court decision does not have any consequences for KLM and the aid it has received at this moment.

Daniel Ferrie, a spokesman for the commission, said it would reflect on the rulings and consider its next steps.

The illegality that has been found is a failure to state reasons and not a substantive error, the court ruled in the case concerning TAP. On KLM, the court also said the EU decision was annulled because of its reasoning.

EU judges said the court would not order any aid repayment pending a new decision from the commission, due to the potential further harm to economies amid the pandemic.

The court said the immediate calling into question of the receipt of the sums of money envisaged by the aid measure at issue would have particularly damaging consequences for the Netherlands.

Likewise, the court also pointed to the harmful effects of the disruption caused by the Covid-19 pandemic on Portugals air services and its economy and of TAP Air Portugals importance for those services and the economy of that member state.

The Dutch finance ministry said the ruling will have no direct consequences for the support for KLM.

Portugals prime minister Antonio Costa also said the decision will not have any consequences.

Its merely a preliminary decision that aims to get more information from the commission", Mr Costa said.

Given the crisis in the aviation sector, it would be totally unthinkable for the EU commission not to have lifted the limits on state aid that practically all EU airlines have resorted to, Mr Costa said.
Paxton, IL (60957)

Today

Partly cloudy skies. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. Low 67F. Winds ESE at 5 to 10 mph..

Tonight

Partly cloudy skies. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. Low 67F. Winds ESE at 5 to 10 mph.
4,800 migrants expelled from Ceuta to Morocco, says Spain PM Some left enclave voluntarily

(ANSAmed) - MADRID, MAY 19 - Some 4,800 migrants have already been sent back to Morocco from the Spanish enclave of Ceuta of the approximately 8,000 that managed to enter illegally between Monday and Tuesday.



The announcement was made by Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez on Wednesday during the day's session for monitoring government activities at the Chamber of Deputies and reported on by Spanish media.



Spanish media say that some of the migrants that entered Ceuta have returned voluntarily to Morocco after finding that they have neither a place to sleep nor food in Ceuta for them.



Over the night almost no irregular entrances were made since, according to the news agency EFE, the few who tried were almost immediately accompanied to the border with Morocco.(ANSAmed).




COMPANIES

Inside Raytheon's four-year blueprint for growth

One year on from its creation, Raytheon Technologies is turning the page on portfolio transformation and is now looking at how to achieve what the companys chief executive called operational transformation.

That second and really just beginning transformation as described by Greg Hayes was the overarching topic of Raytheons four-hour investor day event on Tuesday to share its four-year blueprint for success.

One more divestiture is on the horizon for Raytheon though as the company is planning to sell its global training and logistics unit that generates roughly $1 billion in annual sales, Hayes said.

Here are some broad themes from Tuesday that warrant consideration for Raytheon and its market peers.

Office of the future

Future of work is an item Raytheon and substantially all companies are looking hard at given the large number of employees not going to their offices regularly during the coronavirus pandemic.

Raytheon has been looking hard at its physical footprint to begin with given the push to achieve $1.3 billion in gross cost synergies by 2024.

Michael Dumais, Raytheon chief transformation officer, said the companys envisioned office of the future will likely see less than half of employees be onsite full-time with the majority shifting to a hybrid model or be permanently remote.

Fifty projects are ongoing to help Raytheon figure out how to revamp its highest-cost sites whether they be factories, offices or other locations. But that is only just part of the review of Raytheons 32 million square feet of office space, according to Dumais.

We see that generating $80 million in annual synergy, and thats just about halfway on our plan to reduce 25 percent of all the office space across the company, Dumais said.

Physical assets are one aspect of the integration process to help Raytheon make the most out of the merger. Dumais said Raytheon is also moving to common operating system and implementing digital twins of factories and products before breaking ground on a project.

Increased use of cloud computing infrastructures underpin those shifts. Dumais said the company is pushing to get half of its data into a cloud environment from the current rate of 25 percent.

One-stop tech shop

Perhaps the biggest rationale behind the merger to create what Wall Street calls RTX in shorthand is envisioned technology and revenue synergies across the defense-government and commercial aerospace businesses.

Raytheon recorded $65 billion in pro forma revenue last year and pegs its research-and-development spend at approximately $8 billion per year: $3 billion on the companys own dollar and the other $5 billion customer-funded.

That government-commercial rationale has been put to the test during the pandemic that saw air travel plummet last year and slowly trickle back up since.

Hayes said that Raytheon sees slow, steady growth in global defense spending amid expectations the U.S. portion will remain large but hold flat.

Whether its in space-based systems, whether its in joint command and control, sensing systems and propulsion, we think were in the right markets, Hayes said.

To date, Raytheon has identified 300 separate projects they see as revenue synergy opportunities that feed into a potential $10 billion pipeline over the full lifetime. Hayes said Raytheon has booked $150 million in awards under that category with more to come on the pipeline front.

One early test of that thesis will come when the Federal Aviation Administration awards the recompete of its $3.5 billion telecommunications services contract known as FENS, which a team of Raytheon and MetTel is bidding for to try and unseat longtime incumbent L3Harris Technologies.

Right bets by RTX?

The longer-term test for Raytheon will see whether the company is indeed placing the right technology bets for itself amid expectations that U.S. defense budgets will not grow significantly over the next few years and perhaps decade.

Does that mean Raytheon may have to put more resources into advanced technology R&D so it can keep its defense business growth going, particularly with what the likes of Russia and China are doing?

Hayes believes Raytheons focus on the technologies that augment the larger platforms represents a good overall bet.

As we think about the (2023) and out budget, I think the DOD is going to be forced to make some choices in terms of legacy programs versus future programs, Hayes said.

The good news is we dont have a single program out there that is more than 3 percent of our total revenue. I think some of those old legacy programs will probably be cut to fund some of this newer technology thats emerging.

Raytheons plan is to see revenue growth of between 5 and 7 percent on a compound annual basis through 2025 from this years expectation of $63.9 billion-to-$65.4 billion in sales. Segment margin is seen as improving to between 13.4 and 14.4 percent by 2025, up from 7.9 percent last year.

All of that aided by expanding the defense business and riding the ongoing recovery in air travel, the latter of which youll have to go elsewhere for more.
Description

Join Jewish National Fund-USA IsraelCast host Steven Shalowitz and author Francine Klagsbrun for a live Q&A session about her book, Lioness: Golda Meir and the Nation of Israel. The definitive biography for one of Israels greatest leaders, Lioness covers Golda Meirs life from her birth in tsarist Russia to her rise as an iron-willed, chain smoking Prime Minister as well as life after her political career. Author Francine Klagsbrun covers Meirs entire life, with a particularly astute analysis of her participation in the Yom Kippur War using newly available documents from the time period. Available for purchase on Amazon. Purchasing the book prior to the event is not required, but recommended
* Username

This is the name that will be displayed next to your photo for comments, blog posts, and more. Choose wisely!
Galveston, TX (77553)

Today

Mostly cloudy. Low around 80F. Winds S at 10 to 20 mph..

Tonight

Mostly cloudy. Low around 80F. Winds S at 10 to 20 mph.
Eliza Felos, C21, has been awarded the Huayu Enrichment Scholarship (HES) by the Taiwan Ministry of Education. This international award will fund 12 months of language training in Mandarin Chinese at the National Cheng Kung University in Tainan, Taiwan, and includes a stipend of 25,000 NTD (about $894 USD). Felos is the first-ever Mount recipient of this scholarship.

I was able to find this scholarship with the help of the Fellows, said Felos, who studied political science, international studies and history. Her long-term goal is to work for the United States Foreign Service or serve in international humanitarian work in eastern Asia. I am incredibly fortunate to have advisors and mentors who encouraged me to apply for a variety of scholarships and helped me in the application process. Dr. Blackshaw and Dr. Gianoutsos spent many a weekend helping me polish my essays and applications to where they would be competitive.

Hailing from Lebanon, Tennessee, Felos came to the Mount as a transfer student and quickly took leadership roles as captain of the NCAA Division I swimming team and founder the Mount Democrats Club. Both of these roles emphasized her sacrifice, preparation and grit. She was also a finalist for the Luce Scholarship, a nationally competitive fellowship program that provides scholars with resources, language training and immersive experiences in Asia. In 2019, Felos was one of 10 students nominated for the Training Ms. President program, which works to encourage women to run for political office and connect with inspirational women in politics.

Few individuals are as well-rounded as Eliza, performing admirably in academics, in sports, in service and in leadership, commented Director of the Office of Competitive Fellowships and Professor of History Jamie Gianoutsos, Ph.D. What comes through all of these activities is Elizas tenacity, eagerness and determination. She has spent the last two years trying to study in Taiwan, and when hampered by the pandemic spent her time studying Mandarin Chinese with a tutor. This scholarship will provide Eliza the distinctive opportunity to be immersed in the Chinese language and Taiwanese culture, aiding her long-term goal of working in international diplomacy.

According to the HES website, Taiwan is the only place in the world where traditional Chinese writing is widely taught and used. A mastery of traditional Chinese characters provides access to an enormous body of ancient Chinese literature, key to understanding the origins of Chinese culture.

Felos learned Mandarin Chinese from Adjunct Professor Dorothy Trench-Bonnet for two years, working diligently to overcome various obstacles to continue pursuing her interest in mutual understanding, language and culture.

In the first day of the first course Eliza took with me, she indicated that she aspired to pursue a career in international affairs and diplomacy, said Allison Berland, Ph.D., a lecturer in the Department of Political Science who wrote a recommendation letter for Felos. Her maturity and focus stood out to me from the outset.

Professor of Political Science Michael Towle, Ph.D., also wrote Felos a letter of recommendation. I am thrilled that Eliza is receiving this scholarship! She is a fantastic student and a delightful person. One of her goals has been to master Mandarin Chinese, and this program in Taiwan is perfect for herand the Mount gets to send one of ours around the world to learn and share experiences, he said.

This weekend Felos graduated summa cum laude. During her time at the Mount, her efforts, advocacy and conduct influenced fellow students, faculty and administrators. Her willingness to listen and lead by example have served her well. I hope that other students in the future will be able to take advantage of the amazing resources this University offers that, I have no doubt, will help shape my future career, she said.

The HES award period is between September 1, 2021, and August 31, 2022.
Local News, Community, Charity & Cause, Press Releases

By Chris Boyle Published: May 19 2021

The AAPI community of Nassau County will be honored in a series of cultural and informational events.

Throughout the month of May, Nassau County is hosting a series of events to celebrate Asian American Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Month. Nassau County Executive Laura Curran and the Office of Asian American Affairs (OAA) will honor the AAPI community of Nassau County in a series of cultural and informational events as well as a social media campaign featuring community youth organizations.

This Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, Nassau County is recognizing the contributions, culture, and achievements of Asian Americans and Pacific Islander Americans, while highlighting the many services and resources available for residents. I thank Executive Director Farrah Mozawalla, the Office of Asian American Affairs, and our OAA Council for putting together this informative program of events, said Nassau County Executive Laura Curran.

We are excited to not only highlight and celebrate our AAPI community but also provide resources to uplift the community, said Executive Director of the Office of Asian American Affairs, Farrah Mozawalla.

The Office of Asian American Affairs is hosting the following events in May to further support local businesses, provide County resources and showcase the incredible heritage, diversity and resilience of Nassaus AAPI community.


Thank you for reading! On your next view you will be asked to log in to your subscriber account or create an account and subscribepurchase a subscription to continue reading.
Washington D.C., May 19, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The American Association of Suicidology (AAS) is happy to announce a partnership with New Zealand charity, Live for Tomorrow, a technology-based nonprofit that launched its free Find A Helpline tool in New Zealand in September. The tool, available at findahelpline.com, is the worlds largest resource of mental health and crisis helplines, offering over 1,600 services in 66 countries that provide immediate emotional support over phone, text or web chat. Live for Tomorrow works directly with helplines to ensure their data remains accurate and reliable. From today, people seeking access to crisis support through AASs website will be bridged to Find A Helpline. This partnership is being announced in recognition of the first-ever Mental Health Action Day, an open-source movement of more than 1000 brands, organizations and cultural leaders to drive culture from mental health awareness to mental health action.

Were very excited to partner with Live for Tomorrow on such a critical resource, said Colleen Creighton, AAS CEO. Allowing our members and visitors to instantly and easily connect with the help they need will save lives. This tool and partnership are directly representative of our mission of suicide prevention.

AAS has a long history of leadership in helplines and the crisis line space. AASs founder, Ed Shneidman, alongside Norman Farberow, founded the Los Angeles Suicide Prevention Center, the first phone-based crisis center in the US in 1958. AAS is currently the premiere provider for crisis center accreditation, with accredited centers across North America, including centers that make up the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline and nationally recognized organizations like the Veterans Crisis Line, and The Trevor Project.

AAS also continually supports and enhances the infrastructure of crisis centers throughout the US by providing funding and project support, legislative advocacy, representation through an entire division in the association, and a Crisis Services chair position on its Board of Directors.

This partnership is an example of the impact that can be achieved when organizations come together, says Elliot Taylor, Executive Director of Live For Tomorrow. Every day, people across the United States use Find A Helpline to seek immediate emotional support. By partnering with the American Association of Suicidology, more people in crisis will be able to access help, when and where they need it.

This partnership could not be established at a better time, given the increasing rates of mental health concerns, especially in youth, in the US over the duration of the COVID-19 pandemic. AAS and Live for Tomorrow are committed to increasing access to free, personalized, and confidential support for anyone who needs it.

For the Media: Responsible reporting on suicide, including stories of hope and resilience, can prevent more suicides. Please visit the Suicide Reporting Recommendations for more information. For additional information, please visit SuicideReportingToolkit.com.

About AAS: The American Association of Suicidology is the worlds largest membership-based suicide prevention organization. Founded in 1968 by Edwin S. Shneidman, PhD, AAS promotes the research of suicide and its prevention, public awareness programs, public education and training for professionals and volunteers. The membership of AAS includes mental health and public health professionals, researchers, suicide prevention and crisis intervention centers, school districts, crisis center professionals, survivors of suicide loss, attempt survivors, and a variety of laypersons who have in interest in suicide prevention. You can learn more about AAS at www.suicidology.org.

About Live for Tomorrow: Live for Tomorrow is a New Zealand based charity working globally to build better crisis support for the digital era. Born out of a deep frustration of how hard it can be to access help when youre struggling, Live for Tomorrow works to make it easier for everyone to receive emotional support, when and where they need it. They built the worlds first proactive social media helpline, supporting teens in over 50 countries, and are the creators of Find A Helpline, the worlds largest and most accessible resource of free mental health and crisis helplines. You can learn more about Live For Tomorrow at livefortomorrow.co

###
TORONTO, May 19, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) --

WHAT: Maaza Mengiste, award-winning author of The Shadow King, will deliver the 8th Annual Pluralism Lecture via livestream on May 19, 2021, about approaching difficult history in ways that can promote belonging over division. Co-presented by the Global Centre for Pluralism and the University of British Columbia, this years lecture features an introduction by Princess Zahra Aga Khan, Global Centre for Pluralism Board Member, reflecting on how the pandemic has created an urgency for building respect, empathy, and a more equitable, just and prosperous future for all. WHERE: Livestream can be viewed at: https://www.pluralism.ca/event/maaza-mengiste-8thannual-pluralism-lecture WHEN: Wednesday, May 19, 2021 12:00 p.m. EDT WHO: Ethiopian novelist and 2020 Booker Prize finalist, Maaza Mengiste CONTACT: Calina Ellwand, Manager Communications and Public Affairs Global Centre for Pluralism media@pluralism.ca +1-613-688-0137 OPPORTUNITIES: Audience Q&A with Maaza Mengiste, hosted by Nahlah Ayed (CBC Ideas) Media may submit questions in advance to media@pluralism.ca Lecture videos, transcript, and images available upon request

Maaza Mengiste

Maaza Mengiste, a critically acclaimed novelist and essayist, examines the individual lives at stake during migration, war, and exile. She was born in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, and lived in Nigeria and Kenya before moving to the United States. Mengistes debut novel, Beneath the Lions Gaze (2010), was named one of The Guardians 10 Best Contemporary African Books. Her latest novel, The Shadow King (2019), was called one of the most beautiful novels of the year by National Public Radio and was a 2020 Booker Prize finalist. Winner of the 2020 Literature Award from the American Academy of Arts and Letters, Mengistes honours include the Creative Capital Award, a Fulbright Scholarship, and fellowships from the National Endowment for the Arts and Puterbaugh Festival of International Literature & Culture.

Global Centre for Pluralism

The Global Centre for Pluralism, founded by His Highness the Aga Khan and the Government of Canada, works with policy leaders, educators and community builders around the world to amplify and implement the transformative power of pluralism.

University of British Columbia

The University of British Columbia is a global centre for research and teaching, consistently ranked among the top 20 public universities in the world. Since 1915, UBCs entrepreneurial spirit has embraced innovation and challenged the status quo. UBC encourages its students, staff and faculty to challenge convention, lead discovery and explore new ways of learning.
Jewel collection fetes 100 yrs of Chanel N.5 perfume Necklaces, earrings and rings bearing the lucky number

(ANSAmed) - ROME, MAY 19 - To celebrate the 100th anniversary of the Chanel N. 5 profumo, the Studio Creativo Joaillerie Chanel has created a collection of jewelry with the "lucky number".



The House's iconic fragrance has chosen gold and diamonds to trace the contours of Mademoiselle's favourite number, giving birth to a line that symbolises good fortune. The essence of eternity in a lucky number.



The line includes Eternal n5 necklace (18K white gold, diamonds), Eternal n5 transformable earrings (18K white gold, diamonds), Eternal n5 necklace (18K white gold, diamonds), Eternal n5 ring (18K white gold, diamonds).(ANSAmed).




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

Five New Mexico Regal movie theaters will reopen on Friday.

According to Regal, Albuquerque locations Cottonwood, High Ridge and Winrock 16 are on the list to open.

Regal Santa Fe Place, 4250 Cerrillos Road, and Regal Santa Fe, 3474 Zafarano Drive are also slated to open.

Reopening plans include a wide range of health and safety measures that adhere to the CinemaSafe protocol and guidelines. Guests will be required to wear a face mask at all times while in the theater lobby, auditoriums and restrooms.

The theater will provide masks to guests who arrive without one.

ADVERTISEMENTSkip



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

Masks can be removed only while eating and drinking while seated in an auditorium. Employees will monitor auditoriums throughout each performance as a standard practice.

The auditorium capacities will be reduced to 50%.

And the reservation system will maintain two empty seats between groups to maintain proper social distancing throughout the movie.

Regal movie theaters have been closed since mid-March 2020.
English Estonian

With on-demand services, taxis, food and grocery deliveries on the rise, other location-based platforms are catching more and more attention of people searching for fast solutions. A real-time mobile marketplace for local help Skillus announces their expansion to further counties. Previously available in Harju county, it enables clients to book service providers across Tartu, Ida Virumaa and further.

As reported by Unemployment Insurance Fund (Tootukassa), registered unemployment rose from 5.8 percent to 8.7 percent on year to the end of the first quarter of 2021. Skillus team aims to provide an opportunity to earn additional income working part time or easily establish full self-employment and get back on track. Starting to work as an independent service provider might seem difficult and confusing to some. However, with no barrier to entry, no fees, flexibility of work and possibility to earn around 750 eur/month working part time on average, Skillus has attracted 2600 independent contractors across a variety of categories ready to provide their services. According to Skillus co-founder Mihhail Pitjem, it has been helping people start a side or full-time job and to be in charge of pricing and working hours, even if they lack marketing or technical acumen. Supported in three languages, it ensures equal participation of Estonian, Russian and English speaking users.

Simultaneously, Skillus made the cumbersome process of searching and hiring help for daily tasks efficient and organised. The way Skillus works is that it connects clients with freelance professionals offering a wide range of services varying from IT, tutoring, beauty services, photography to domestic tasks (cleaning, repair, installation), construction, car repair, etc.

Our goal is to make life more convenient and achieve maximal productivity by delegating tasks to professionals in minutes, says Pavel Ivanov, co-founder and lead product designer, former lead designer at Bolt and Pipedrive. With recently updated user interface, the platform becomes more convenient and user-friendly. Through the user experience-first approach, the app aims to reduce time spent on the search and communication to a minimum.

More people than ever have been relying on the location-based services to deliver food and groceries. The same applies when it comes to daily tasks. With increased time spent at home, people are more willing to improve their surroundings and book home improvement services. The most in-demand services include apartment cleaning, language tutoring, help with installation, repair and various beauty services.

Around 11% of the EUs workforce (24 million people) is estimated to have provided services through digital platforms at least once, according to the data by European Commission in February of 2021. The digital transformation and expansion of platform business model have been accelerated in Estonian market as this growing phenomenon creates new opportunities for self-employed, customers and businesses alike.

Skillus team has recently joined Tehnopol Startup Incubator, a programme of Tallinn Science Park Tehnopol for tech startups. This collaboration will accelerate business growth in Estonia and other markets.

About Skillus

Skillus is a free real-time mobile marketplace that connects freelancers with local demand across Estonia. With nearly 6500 users onboard, its mission is to make search for local help easy and to give people an opportunity to start working as independent service providers and earn additional income.

Skillus OU

Website: www.skillus.app

Email us here

Visit us on social media:

Facebook

LinkedIn

Twitter

Crunchbase

Attachment




Dublin, May 19, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The "Internet Data Center Market in China and Hong Kong - Industry Outlook and Forecast 2021-2026" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.



In-depth Analysis and Data-driven Insights on the Impact of COVID-19 Included in this China and Hong Kong Data Center Market Report



The China and Hong Kong data center market by investment is expected to grow at a CAGR of approx. 4% during the period 2020-2026.



The emergence of the 5G network has been a significant boost to the China & Hong Kong edge data center market. China and Hong Kong governments have been actively supporting the improvement of networking infrastructure in their countries. The implementation of 5G has boosted the digital economy, leading to the increased demand for high bandwidth networking infrastructure. Chinese telecom operators in the region are incredibly active in the implementation of 5G infrastructure. Operators such as China Telecom, China Unicom, and China Mobile are the major players in the 5G landscape. Over 700,000 5G sites were built by these three operators in 2020 and are likely to add 600,000 base stations in 2021 for the implementation of 5G network. China Unicom has deployed edge data centers in the region.

Turbidite, an edge data center platform, launched in March 2021, develops international-standard edge data centers across APAC countries, including China and Hong Kong. The company is in the process of acquiring and developing carrier-neutral edge data centers that will support enterprises and hyperscale data center developers to establish their presence in the APAC region. It is expected that the number of connected devices will triple by the end of the forecast period, and smart city growth will involve data centers nearer to customer locations. These deployments will continue to drive innovations in the data center power space, with increased modular infrastructure offerings.



The following factors are likely to contribute to the growth of the China and Hong Kong data center market during the forecast period:

Implementation of 5G driving Edge Data Centers

Smart Cities fueling Data Center Demand

Renewable Energy reducing Power Cost

The rise in AI, Blockchain & Quantum Computing Investment

The study considers the present scenario of the China and Hong Kong data center market and its market dynamics for the period 2020-2026. It covers a detailed overview of several market growth enablers, restraints, and trends. The report offers both the demand and supply aspects of the market. It profiles and examines leading companies and other prominent ones operating in the market.



China and Hong Kong Data Center Market Segmentation

The China and Hong Kong data center market research report includes a detailed segmentation by IT infrastructure, electrical infrastructure, mechanical infrastructure, cooling systems, cooling technique, general construction, tier standards, geography. The China & Hong Kong IT Infrastructure market expects to reach over USD 28 billion in 2026, growing at a CAGR of over 3%. Servers are the major revenue contributor to the market as the growth in data generation is fueling demand for fast processing efficient servers. Servers comprising AI-enabled features such as data analytics, development of AI-enabled applications, flexible deployment of data expect to increase the demand during the forecast period.



The electrical infrastructure market in China & Hong Kong is likely to grow at a CAGR of approx. 4% during 2020-2026. In China & Hong Kong, data centers are designed to be of Tier III and Tier IV standards, with the high deployment of 2N redundant UPS systems, coupled with generators and other infrastructure adopting N+N redundancy. The adoption of Diesel Rotary Uninterruptible Power Supply (DRUPS) systems is growing in the Hong Kong market. DRUPS solutions are likely to witness high demand among data centers, with multiple modules having a total capacity of up to 2 MW and N+N or 2N redundant configurations. The adoption of intelligent PDU solutions such as metered and monitored PDU dominates in terms of investments. The adoption of modular infrastructure solutions in prefabricated data center deployment is increasing, continuing to grow and contributing to the market investment by the end of the forecast period.



In China, most facilities are colocation and adopt a combination of air and water-based cooling techniques to cool facilities; however, a few are built to support free cooling techniques. In Beijing, a majority of data centers are colocation based and adopt a combination of air and water-based cooling techniques to cool down the facility. Most facilities have installed chilled water-cooling systems. The increased use of rack scale converged infrastructure systems in data centers will impact the rack market, affecting rack adoption. In 2020, the China and Hong Kong data center market witnessed a rack capacity of over 1,00,000. Vendors are constantly innovating rack designs to provide airflow perforation (80%), enhance cabling channels, and support more weight capacity.



Several data centers use CRAC and CRAH units to supply cold air and exhaust hot air from the data hall. With data centers now built to handle over 10 MW of IT load, the use of multiple CRAC and CRAH units split across data halls is growing. The market will continue to grow among data centers that use DX or chilled-water cooling solutions. The adoption of chiller units expects to be higher in the market. All high-density data centers in the region depend on chilled water to cool their facilities. Hence, the use of free cooling systems is partially viable in these locations. Data centers in China & Hong Kong are developed to derive benefits from free cooling techniques. The use of evaporative coolers is also gaining traction in these countries, along with the adoption of evaporative cooling systems.



China is leading the greenfield construction of data centers. Hyperscale developments expect to increase the demand for engineering services in China. Most data centers in Beijing have 24X7 onsite support, including security, maintenance, smart hands teams. In addition, facilities are equipped with disaster recovery systems. Due to the limited availability of land, brownfield construction has witnessed growth in Hong Kong, and this trend is likely to continue during the forecast period. Most facilities in China prefer at least four layers of safety, with few engaged in implementing five-layer ones due to the increasing demand for colocation services.



Several mega data center projects are designed to be of Tier III and Tier IV standards in China. Tier III and Tier IV facilities dominate the China and Hong Kong data center market share, expecting to account for USD 4 billion and USD 2 billion, respectively, by 2026. Around 30 data centers in China & Hong Kong fall under the Tier III category. Equinix, GDS Services Ltd, Global Switch, and China Unicom are major vendors developing Tier III standards facilities. Several facilities in China have received Tier IV Certification for design from the Uptime Institute. These facilities generate more revenue for the market, with focused investment on highly efficient cooling systems. Tier IV facilities involve the adoption of 2N+1 cooling units.

INSIGHTS BY VENDORS

China & Hong Kong is one of the most developed data center markets. The data center market in China and Hong Kong is still witnessing growth in terms of investment from global and local data center operators. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the data generation significantly increased this derived investment in data centers. Vendors are offering innovative solutions for data centers to improve efficiency of data centers. The market is likely to witness the entry of new players that provide DCIM solutions, installation & commissioning services, and physical security services. The success of new entrants mainly depends on their market expertise and understanding of local regulations. The Princeton Digital Group, GDS Services, and BDx invested in the region in 2020. These providers are either building data centers or acquiring existing facilities to create a foundation for expansion in the future years.



Key Data Center Critical (IT) Infrastructure Providers

Hewlett Packard Enterprise (HPE)

Cisco Systems

Dell Technologies

Hitachi Vantara Corporation

Huawei Technologies

IBM

Inspur

Lenovo

Quanta Cloud Technology (Quanta Computer)

Key Data Center Support Infrastructure Providers

ABB

Vertiv

Caterpillar

Cummins

Delta Electronics

Eaton

Fuji Electric

Schneider Electric

HITEC Power Protection

Mitsubishi Electric Corporation

Legrand

Rittal

Rolls-Royce Power Systems

AIRSYS

Shenzhen Kstar Science and Technology

Key Data Center Investors

Apple

AirTrunk Operating

Amazon Web Services (AWS)

21Vianet

BDx

Chayora

China Unicom

Chindata

CITIC Telcom International Holdings

Equinix

GDS Services

Global Switch

OneAsia Network

Telekomunikasi Indonesia (Persero)

PCCW Global Solutions

Princeton Digital Group

SUNeVision (iAdvantage)

Shanghai AtHub

Shanghai Qnet Networking Technology

Tencent Holdings

Tenglong Holdings Group (Tamron)

Key Construction Constructors

Arup Group

Aurecom Group

AWP Architects

BYME Engineering (HK)

Chung Hing Engineers Group

DSCO Group

Faithful+Gould

Gammon Construction

ISG

Studio One Design

NTT Global Data Centers

KEY QUESTIONS ANSWERED

1. How big is the China and Hong Kong Data Center market size?

2. What is the growth of Tier III data centers in China and Hong Kong?

3. What is the growth rate of the China and Hong Kong Data Center Market?

4. What are the new investment opportunities in the data center market?

5. Who are the key players in the China and Hong Kong data center market?





Key Topics Covered:



1 Research Methodology



2 Research Objectives



3 Research Process



4 Scope & Coverage

4.1 Market Definition

4.2 Base Year

4.3 Scope of The Study

4.4 Market Segments

4.4.1 Market Segmentation by Infrastructure

4.4.2 Market Segmentation by IT Infrastructure

4.4.3 Market Segmentation by Electrical Infrastructure

4.4.4 Market Segmentation by Mechanical Infrastructure

4.4.5 Market Segmentation by Cooling Systems

4.4.6 Market Segmentation by Cooling Techniques

4.4.7 Market Segmentation by General Construction

4.4.8 Market Segmentation by Tier Standards

4.4.9 Market Segmentation by Geography



5 Report Assumptions & Caveats

5.1 Key Caveats

5.2 Currency Conversion

5.3 Market Derivation



6 Market at a Glance



7 Introduction

7.1 Overview



8 Market Opportunities & Trends

8.1 5G Implementation To Drive Edge Data Centers

8.2 Smart Cities Fuel Data Center Demand

8.3 Renewable Energy To Reduce Power Cost

8.4 Rising Investment In AI, Blockchain & Quantum Computing



9 Market Growth Enablers

9.1 Data Center Investments Continue To Rise

9.2 Impact Of COVID-19 On Data Center Investments

9.3 Growing Demand For Hyperscale Data Centers

9.4 Increased Adoption Of Cloud Services

9.5 Big Data & IoT Spending To Drive Data Center Investment



10 Market Restraints

10.1 Regulatory Hurdles For Doing Business

10.2 Land Scarcity In Hong Kong Impacts Data Center Growth

10.3 Air Pollution Restricts Free Cooling



11 Market Landscape

11.1 Market Overview

11.2 Investment: Market Size & Forecast

11.3 Area: Market Size & Forecast

11.4 Power Capacity: Market Size & Forecast

11.5 Five Forces Analysis

11.5.1 Threat of New Entrants

11.5.2 Bargaining Power of Suppliers

11.5.3 Bargaining Power of Buyers

11.5.4 Threat of Substitutes

11.5.5 Competitive Rivalry



12 Infrastructure



13 IT Infrastructure



14 Electrical Infrastructure



15 Mechanical Infrastructure



16 Cooling Systems



17 Cooling Technique



18 General Construction



19 Tier Standards



20 Geography

20.1 Market Snapshot & Growth Engine

20.2 Area: Snapshot & Growth Engine

20.3 Power Capacity: Snapshot & Growth Engine



21 China



22 Hong Kong



23 Competitive Landscape

23.1 Competition Overview

23.1.1 Infrastructure Providers

23.1.2 Construction Contractors

23.1.3 Data Center Investors



24 Prominent It Infrastructure Vendors



25 Prominent Support Infrastructure Providers



26 Prominent Construction Contractors



27 Prominent Data Center Investors



28 Report Summary

29 Quantitative Summary



30 Appendix

30.1 Abbreviations

For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/w0zf4c
.......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... ..........

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M.  A technology firm with operations in Albuquerque laid off more than 260 workers earlier this year, according to a notice filed with the state of New Mexico.

Earlier this month, the New Mexico Department of Workforce Solutions published a notice that Science Applications International Corp. laid off 269 employees in Albuquerque, in compliance with the federal Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification Act. The layoffs took effect April 9, according to the notice.

SAIC, a Virginia-based technology company with a focus on engineering and information technology support, declined to answer questions related to the layoffs. SAIC spokesman Brad Bass provided a statement by email affirming the companys continued support for its employees.

We are dedicated to helping our employees remain with SAIC and find their next assignment within the company, to the extent possible, Bass said.

Albuquerque Business First reported that the layoffs were tied to the expiration of an IT services contract with Sandia National Laboratory. Business First reported that the majority of affected employees were expected to be brought onboard by another firm, Encantado Technical Solutions, that received a contract from the lab.

ADVERTISEMENTSkip



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

We are committed to assisting our customers at Sandia National Laboratories with the transition to minimize disruption to the community, Bass said.

The WARN notice was the first of its kind posted by DWS in 2021, following a spate of such notices the year before.

All told, 28 companies with operations in New Mexico, ranging from 505 Southwestern to Freeport-McMoRan Inc., filed WARN notices in 2020, more than the previous three years combined, according to data from the state workforce agency.
Min Brophy announces Irelands commitment to increase funding for Global Partnership for Education

Press release

Colm Brophy, T.D., Minister of State for Overseas Development Aid and Diaspora, today announced Irelands renewed commitment to the vision of a quality education for every child, pledging 60 million to the Global Partnership for Education for 2021-2025.

Through this pledge Ireland will contribute to getting 88 million more children into school, ensuring that 140 million students are taught by qualified teachers and that 175 million children receive a quality education.

Over the next five years, the Global Partnership for Education will help governments to transform education systems, implementing key reforms, to accelerate progress on inclusion, equity and learning. Reaching the most marginalised children is a priority for GPE and for Ireland. This includes children with disabilities, those from poor and vulnerable households and internally displaced and refugee children.

Minister Brophy made the pledge during a milestone event on girls education featuring Malala Yousafzai, Julia Gillard, GPE Board Chair and Former Prime Minister of Australia, and Maria Flachsbarth, Parliamentary State Secretary of Germanys Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

I am earmarking 10 million of Irelands pledge for GPEs Girls Education Accelerator.

Girls education is essential if we are to tackle the worlds major challenges. Last year Ireland launched the Drive for Five initiative. This called for transformative actions to get all adolescent girls into school and learning in supportive, safe and healthy environments.

The Girls Education Accelerator can provide the extra support needed for overcoming barriers where girls are lagging furthest behind.

On Thursday, in an event hosted by the Irish Forum for Global Education, Minister Brophy will meet with second-level students from Cork Educate Together, Loreto High School Beaufort, Rathfarnham and John Scotus School, Rathmichael, to discuss their global citizenship education projects and Irelands support for the education globally, including the Global Partnership for Education.

I am looking forward to meeting with students who have participated in Irish Aids WorldWise Global Schools programme and discussing Irelands efforts to support children across the world, especially the most marginalised, to access quality and equitable education.

ENDS

Press Office

19 May 2021

Notes for Editors - The Global Partnership for Education is the only education partnership and fund dedicated to achieving quality education in lower-income countries. It is seeking to raise USD 5 billion over the next five years to support its work in up to 90 lower-income countries and territories. - In lower income countries, girls have poorer education outcomes compared with boys or with girls in higher income countries. - In February 2020, Ireland organised a special meeting at the United Nations on how to get all adolescent girls into school and learning in supportive, safe and healthy environments and launched a global call to action  the Drive for Five. - The Irish Forum for Global Education (IFGE) is a voluntary network of civil society actors, academics and individuals committed to promoting Sustainable Development Goal 4 - ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all. The Forum is aligned to the Global Campaign for Education  the global civil society movement to promote and defend education as a basic human right and a common good. - The WorldWise Global Schools is Irelands national Global Citizenship Education (GCE) programme for post-primary schools. It aims to contribute to increased knowledge and understanding of global justice issues and increased engagement and action by post-primary students as active global citizens.

 Previous Item | Next Item 
 OF all the places you could get stuck in during a pandemic, being in Cork is a luxury, says Dario Cascio, who is from Palermo in Sicily.

His video project, The Sicilian Wanderer, tells stories about Ireland and Sicily with beautiful visuals. Its Darios passion, a week-end activity that he does without sponsorship.

I am just a guy with a camera, roaming around Cork, making videos, he said.

Dario has made a video of The Lough with a fascinating accompanying folk tale that not everyone will be familiar with. He has also filmed UCC from various perspectives as well relating the story of Thaddeus McCarthy and his connection with the North Cathedral. Other subject matter includes the story of the wrestler, Danno OMahony from Ballydehob.

Dario, 38, a father of two, first came to Ireland in 2010. Prior to that, he studied international relations at university. He was in a power metal band and had done three European tours.

I thought my life was going to be in music but that didnt happen. I failed miserably! But we made some albums that sold well enough. However, I was looking for a job because there was no money in the music.

Dario got a job in Montreal in Canada working as a video games tester.

I was 25 when I went to Canada and I stayed there for two and a half years. Then I decided to go back to Europe and worked in Germany for a while.

When I got the opportunity to move to Ireland, I absolutely fell in love with the country.

Dario Cascio who is from Palermo in Sicily. He has a video project called 'The Sicilian Wanderer'.

Initially, Dario worked in Dun Laoghaire which he describes as a little paradise right outside Dublin city.

My fiancee (an Italian) and I decided to get married there. We had a Sicilian style wedding in an Italian restaurant there. We now have two beautiful children aged seven and four. They speak with strong Cork accents.

Before moving to Cork, Dario was posted to Galway and stayed there for three years.

I love the west, he adds.

After that , Dario and his wife moved to Cork and live in Blackpool.

I absolutely love the people. I love the city when it rains and when its sunny, he says.

Theres that beautiful feeling of living in a city that has everything but without the feeling of being lost in a major city.

I can go to work without having to wait hours and hours in traffic. Its something I prioritise.

Dario isnt bothered by the weather, which can manifest every season within a short space of time.

After two winters in Montreal where it was minus 35 degrees, Im not really scared of anything. Cork can be a bit problematic when you have a week without any sun. But its a lovely place to raise a family.

We absolutely adore the school the kids go to (North Presentation Primary School). Its absolutely fantastic the way the kids are treated there. Were very happy here.

Appreciative of Corks cuisine culture, Dario says he is not a classic Italian complainer who says Italian food is the only food.

He adds: I love Irish cuisine and with Cork being the culinary capital (of Ireland), there is so much on offer.

Dario likes to cook, mainly Sicilian food. His favourite dish is arancine which is fried rice balls. He also likes to cook pasta and fried aubergine.

Dario is a fan of Casanova, the gelato parlour on Corks Georges Quay, which is run by Italians. Proper gelato has a creamy beautiful taste rather than the more icy ice-cream masquerading as gelato, he says.

Dario with his family wife Marina and children Alice and Lorenzo, aged seven and four, who speak with strong Cork accents.

There are similarities between the history of the islands of Sicily and Ireland, says Dario. Sicily he said, has had a lot of different dominations and kingdoms that came and left. A lot of us, me included, just left.

After graduating, there was no real chance for me in Sicily. My story is similar to a lot of other people. I wasnt actually forced out. It was a choice.

There is a huge history of diaspora with 100 million Irish people living outside of Ireland and about the same number of Sicilians living outside of Sicily. Both countries emigrants went to the same places; the U.S, Canada and Australia.

Dario collects stories about special places in Cork that are not necessarily widely known. The legend of the Lough concerns King Corc who had a castle where the Lough is now. People came from all over but the king built a wall to keep the water for himself.

Dario explained: Guests at the castle complained there was no water so the king got his golden jug and asked his daughter to open the gates and get water for the guests. But she fell into the water because the jug was so heavy. No-one died. Theyre still there.

Book fairs are invaluable for Dario who buys old volumes about Ireland and does the same when hes in Sicily.

Im trying to connect Sicily and Ireland. We share similar values and have a similar history as well as beautiful places and stories.

Dario is interested in making videos about historical Cork businesses for free to help them with their marketing.

He has in his sights Lenihans Sweet factory in Shandon and Meitheal Mara in Cork city.

Irish drinking habits are different to those of Sicilians.

The Irish pub culture doesnt exist anywhere else. I love Irish pubs but they can be problematic. Im from more of a wine culture. Wine is taken with food rather than just opening a bottle and drinking it on its own. My favourite drink and pub in Cork is rebel red at the Franciscan Well.

Check out EchoLive.ie where we will share a video that Dario has made all about Danno OMahony.

Statue of Ballydehob born wrestler Danno O'Mahony. Getty Images.

ABOUT DANNO OMAHONY

Danno, from Ballydehob, a wrestler who was a world heavyweight champion, was born in 1912.

He worked on the family farm until he enrolled in the national army, says Dario.

He was brought to the U.S in 1934 by Paul Bowser, a wrestling promoter, who was looking for the next Irish star wrestler.

Danno lost his first fight but went on to win 49 in a row. It made him one of the biggest stars worldwide.

He fought for and won the world title in Boston and was the first Irish heavyweight champion.

After a while, Dannos popularity waned. He was double-crossed by another promoter. He went on to fight for a few years to make money. Then he decided to move to LA where he opened a restaurant and continued to fight when he had time.

When World War II started, Danno enlisted in the U.S army and left for Europe. Later, he came back to Ireland but he died tragically in a car accident in 1950, said Dario.

There is a statue of this famous wrestler in Ballydehob.

For more on Darios work see www.thesicilianwanderer.com.
The cyberattack on the HSE has proven to be an unwelcome wake-up call for the entire country. But it should come as no surprise: The HSE has been warned before, most notably, as reported in this paper, by Bruce Schneier at the Web Summit in December 2020.

There is a saying, attributed to former FBI director Robert Mueller, that there are two types of companies, those that have been hacked and those that will be hacked. So, why was the HSE caught napping? And is it the HSEs fault?

To answer these questions requires discussion of three factors that led to this cyberattack: The way the HSEs IT systems are funded, the sheer diversity and age of its computer systems, and the behaviour of the cyberattackers.

HSE's IT budget

The first factor is IT budgeting. The news is rife with stories about IT budget overspend and projects foundering due to requirements creep and poor planning and financial control. Two notable cases are the 12.7bn NHS electronic patient record project, abandoned in 2011, and the 130m PPARS project abandoned by the HSE in 2007.

One might assume that far too much money is already wasted on information technology. This is not the case.

The HSE National Service Plan budget for 2021 is 20bn, up from 17bn in the previous year, including provisions for Covid-19 costs. The total HSE IT budget for 2021 is 120m of this overall budget, again including Covid provisions. This is 0.6% of the overall budget.

Of that, there is a specific project allocation of just over 2m for cybersecurity. But while these seem very big numbers, they fall below what is considered the norm in industry.

The industry norm for IT spend as a percentage of annual turnover is between 2% and 6%, varying by sector. Calculating then what HSE IT spending should be: 2% of an annual budget of 20bn is 400m to spend on IT, over three times the current allocation.

At the 6% level, the annual IT budget would be 1.2bn. IT security typically comes in at about 3% of overall IT budgets, yielding a nominal budget range of 12m to 36m. Clearly the HSE falls far short of these annual budget figures.

The HSE's Frankenstein IT system

The problem is worse than the figures suggest, however, and this is where the second factor comes in. The HSE has grown from separate regional health boards, assimilating a large and diverse range of IT systems in all its hospitals and primary care centres.

These systems number in the low thousands, with many thousands of entry points. Merging these into a smaller set of less diverse systems is time-consuming and expensive, even when IT budgets meet industry norms.

When this happens in any company, the IT manager and her staff frequently have to make do, applying sticking plaster solutions to legacy systems, when better thought out but more expensive solutions are needed.

The HSE is not unusual in this respect: There are countless cases of this sort of growth by aggregation in industry, with the resulting Frankenstein IT systems taking years to harmonise and sort out. The costs associated with this will go beyond the normal annual allocation.

Cyberattacker behaviour

Which brings us to the third factor: The cyberattackers. Budgetary constraints and a diverse network of legacy IT systems left the HSE particularly vulnerable to last weeks cyberattack. The Wizard Spiders, an Eastern European/Russian hacking gang, unleashed Conti ransomware on the HSEs network.

Conti is a human-operated ransomware, of considerable sophistication and disruptive power. The HSE was unlucky in that this is a zero-day attack, utilising a version of Conti not seen before and therefore difficult to defend against.

It is likely that the attack was opportunistic. The HSE was not sought out for special treatment, but just happened to be a suitable target.

The HSE is not particularly at fault here. Its woes must be seen against a general backdrop of a lack of understanding in Ireland of the cost of IT, a tenuous grasp of what IT does and general complacency about the security of IT.

This flawed thinking extends to government policy on health IT investment and cybersecurity. There is wishful thinking that everything will be all right and nothing too serious will happen to a small country like Ireland. Recent events  Ophelia, Covid-19, and notably this cyberattack  demonstrate that this sort of thinking is wrong. New thinking is needed.

Naas General Hospital which has been affected by the ransomware attack. Picture: Niall Carson

Academics talk about information technology as part of an information system that encompasses people, processes, and technology. This provides clues as to the role of the technology with which we are all familiar.

Though the technology is important, we are more interested in how it helps the people in the HSE carry out their work (processes), that allows them to deliver treatments to patients so that they make a full recovery. This is what we teach students on our MSc in cyber-risk for business.

Seeing the HSEs IT systems through the lens of an information system allows us to answer some questions raised about the cyberattack. Why doesnt the HSE use paper backups when caring for patients? Because that would involve double entry or repeatedly printing everything out. Both options are inefficient.

Why wasnt the HSE able to defend against this attack? Because that requires a sophisticated multi-layered defensive system which is expensive both to build and maintain. Isnt recovery just a matter of wiping and restoring the affected systems? This is only part of the solution and the bigger problem remains, which is how to recover patient data.

Time to get serious about cybersecurity

All is not lost, however. Backups exist, GP practices and their unaffected systems hold patient histories and, yes, pen and paper will be used while the IT systems are sorted out. The problems of restoring the data are not insurmountable, but they require huge effort from the HSE and all the organisations that are currently assisting.

The HSE has risen to the challenge of Covid-19; it will rise to the challenge of the cyberattack also.

But this will happen again, and again, and again. The only solution is to address this at government policy level by properly funding the HSEs IT infrastructure and by funding cybersecurity in general.

Future HSE running costs might be reduced by seeking efficiencies and rationalising existing systems.

But the will has to exist at government level to invest now in the HSEs future. Also, cybersecurity needs to receive more attention and funding. The currently vacant position of the director of the National Cyber Security Centre is a telling reminder of how much work remains to be done.

Its time to get serious.

Read More HSE hack may have happened due to something as simple as an employee clicking on a link
Angola, IN (46703)

Today

A few clouds. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. Low near 65F. Winds light and variable..

Tonight

A few clouds. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. Low near 65F. Winds light and variable.
In a major announcement, the Prime Minister says his administration is looking at greener way of producing electricity in Trinidad and Tobago as he also says "oil may be up against a clock with less time on it."
Close Get email notifications on {{subject}} daily!

Your notification has been saved.

There was a problem saving your notification.

{{description}}

Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items.
FORD celebrates the outdoor spirit of Black women in a new ad campaign

DEARBORN, Mich., May 17, 2021  Ford Motor Company is celebrating the outdoor spirit of Black women in a new ad campaign for the 2021 Bronco Sport. In We Do, Black women embrace the great outdoors in the all-new Bronco Sport, going off-roading, biking and hiking  all while reveling in a feeling of triumph as they honor their connection to nature and their sense of adventure.

Staying true to the DNA of the first-generation Bronco  designed by a team that included McKinley Thompson, Jr., the first African American automotive designer to work at Ford  the all-new Bronco Sport SUV pays it forward with modern, heritage-inspired style, available agile off-road architecture and G.O.A.T. Modes to go over any type of terrain.

Our We Do campaign challenges the perception of outdoor enthusiasm, said Dibrie Guerrero, multicultural marketing manager, Ford Motor Company. Over this last year of pandemic living, many Black women have doubled down on or discovered a love of the outdoors. Whether its solo time to convene with nature or a weekend retreat with the girls, Black women are relishing the joy and freedom of the outdoors, and the Bronco Sport is the vehicle to get them there.

The We Do campaign will appear across all digital and social channels, with TV, radio and print activations. It features members of Black American outdoor organizations such as Outdoor Afro, Black Girls Do Bike and Black Girls Run. The campaign is the latest effort from UWG, the longest-standing multicultural advertising and marketing agency in the United States.

The all-new Bronco Sport is part of the new outdoor brand of Built Wild Ford SUVs. With off-road performance at its core and standard 4x4 across the lineup, Bronco Sport lives up to its G.O.A.T. (goes over any type of terrain) heritage with Built Wild Extreme Durability Testing, Capability and Innovative Design. The Bronco Sport is made for the trails with water-fording abilities and available features like obstacle protection, unsurpassed ground clearance and class-first Trail Control Technology.

Bronco Sport is designed for life on the trails and includes a safari-style roof that provides class-leading second-row headroom. It also has a cargo area* high enough to hold two 27.5-inch-wheel mountain bikes. More than 100 factory-backed and aftermarket accessories are available to transport gear such as kayaks, surfboards, skis and camping equipment. Bronco Sport is a gateway to the outdoors for the adventurer, the sightseer and the day-tripper.

To learn more about Fords newest products and services, including the 2021 Bronco Sport, visit ford.com.

# # #

*Cargo and load capacity limited by weight and weight distribution.
An everyday squabble over screen time escalated into an unspeakable tragedy  the killing of three young children in their family home, the Central Criminal Court has heard.

Deirdre Morley, 44, has pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity to the murder of her three cherished, impeccably behaved young children, Conor McGinley, 9, Darragh McGinley, 7, and Carla McGinley, 3, at their home in Parsons Court, Newcastle, Co Dublin, on January 24, 2020.

Detective Sergeant Dara Kenny, from Clondalkin Garda Station, told the court that Ms Morley, an advanced practitioner nurse, told gardai she first tried to kill her children the night before their deaths. Her husband, Andrew McGinley, was away for the night on a work trip so she believed this was her time to kill them all.

She crushed between six and eight morphine tablets and put them in the two boys cereal, and put Tylex in Carlas purple sippy cup.

Ms Morley said she had attempted to sedate the children to make killing them less painful, but the boys did not like the taste of the drugs in the cereal and so did not eat it.

She said she felt relieved going to bed that night that she had not killed them.

Argument broke out

But the following day, Darragh was off sick from school and an argument broke out because he wanted more screen time.

At around 12pm, I just had to end our suffering, Ms Morley told gardai. "I got some tape, brown tape, brown thick tape, and a plastic bag and I suffocated Darragh in the front room in the tent. I think I just reached for the tape and put it on his mouth. He started to try and scream.

"He struggled under me for a couple of minutes. I was thinking I wanted to stop, but I couldn't. I didnt want to do it, but I had to. Because I had started to do it. Something was telling me that I had to do it. But I didnt want to.

"I had to kill Carla then."

Carla, who had stayed home from creche that day, was watching Trolls in the dining room.

Im not sure if I put tape over her mouth or not, I put a bag over her head and a cushion over her mouth and smothered her," said Ms Morley. "I brought her upstairs and she was still breathing. So I held her nose until she wasnt breathing anymore."

Ms Morley then collected Conor from school early, signing him out for "family reasons". She admitted to gardai that she intended to kill him because we all had to go".

But she said she was already regretting what she had done.

When she got home she put tape over his mouth, pretending it was a game.

I put it on my mouth first like it was a game," she said. "He put it on his mouth and tried to talk through it. I put a bag over his head. I turned him over and pulled the bag tighter.

He said: Mum, stop!

I said: Im sorry, Conor.

He struggled a bit, but didnt jump up because I was on top of him. I twisted the bag and held him down until he stopped moving.

"Its horrific. I just want them back."

Returned from work

When Mr McGinley, Ms Morleys husband and the childrens father, returned from work he found Conors feet poking out from the childrens play tent.

A note left by the stairs said: Dont go upstairs, phone 911. Another note left beside Conor said: Im so sorry, I can see no future I had to take them with me. Im broken and couldnt be saved or fixed Im so sorry.

Ms Morley had tried to kill herself but was rescued by passers-by.

The court heard how Ms Morley had been admitted to St Patricks psychiatric hospital months earlier.

She said that she had improved in hospital, but her mental health started deteriorating in the weeks before the killings.

Prosecuting counsel Anne-Marie Lawlor SC said it is for the prosecution to prove that Ms Morley did not just kill her three children, but had the capacity to intend to do so.

She said the jury's primary concern would be the accused's mental state on January 24, when the deaths occurred, and there was no issue in the case as to what happened to the children and how they died.

The trial in front of Justice Paul Coffey at the Central Criminal Court continues.
We call on all political parties of Armenia to set aside their differences for a while at this crucial moment for Armenia, gather around a round table and prepare a roadmap to solve the countrys security issues, viewing this as the supreme goal for everyone. This is stated in the statement issued by President of the Union of Armenians of Russia Ara Abrahamyan. The statement also reads as follows:

During the election campaign, the most important issue of Armenians isnt in our focus, and that is security.

The security issues facing the country must be primary for all political parties with potential.

Today, more than ever, the Republic of Armenia is in need of consolidation.

Taking into consideration the alarms sounded by international organizations and diplomatic missions about security on the borders of the Republic of Armenia, as well as the lack of exhaustive information from the responsible authorities of Armenia, we call on the authorities of Armenia to fulfill the duty of the state to ensure security of all citizens of Armenia and provide the public with full and comprehensive information about the borders of the Republic of Armenia and security.

We call on all political parties of Armenia to set aside their differences for a while at this crucial moment for Armenia, gather around a round table and prepare a roadmap to solve the countrys security issues, viewing this as the supreme goal for everyone.

The powerful Armenian Diaspora must be ready to stand with Armenia and the citizens of Armenia in these difficult times and use all of its resources for one goal, that is, the goal to ensure security of the homeland.
MONTREALGayVN Performer of the Year and Noir Male contract star DeAngelo Jackson is slated to make a headlining appearance during Dallas Southern Pride's Juneteenth Unity Weekend June 18-20, 2021, along with gay adult brand Noir Male, an official sponsor of the DSP Pool Party and VIP experience at the DSP Mega Party.

I am very excited to celebrate Juneteenth with Dallas Southern Pride and Noir Male," Jackson said. "I am doing so much to bring more visibility to BIPOC. It's very exciting to work with likeminded individuals and organizations. I celebrate being a Black gay man every day ... Black History and Pride Month is 365 days a year. Let's continue to highlight our community positively.

Dallas Southern Prides Juneteenth Unity Weekend is a three-day event hosted at Sheraton Suites Market Center in Dallas, Texas, beginning May 18. The main festivities kick off on Juneteenth as Jackson, together with adult stars August Alexander and Elijah Wilde, grace Noir Males booth at the star-packed DSP Pool Party, featuring a performance by Lil Kim. Noir Male will then premiere its new movie This Is Noir Male, plus a meet and greet with the stars, as part of the VIP experience at the DSP Mega Party Sat. June 19 at Gilleys Dallas.

The full line up of DSP events and tickets can be found at dallassouthernpride. com
You are the owner of this article.
Do you have a news tip?

Want to share good news story, or do you have information that should see the light of day? Then we want to hear from you.

More here
Local News, Business & Finance, Press Releases, Politics

By Chris Boyle Published: May 19 2021

Under Currans proposed plan, approximately 300,000 homeowners in Nassau County would receive a payment of roughly $375.

Nassau County Executive Laura Curran has proposed that Nassau County dedicate $100 million to provide direct cash relief to County households. Nassau Countys projected budget surplus of $75 million and incoming federal funding from the American Rescue Plan (ARP) make todays announcement possible. Nassau County, which experienced unprecedented negative economic impact from the COVID-19 pandemic, is receiving $385 million from the federal government -- $200 million in 2021. Under County Executive Currans proposed plan, approximately 300,000 homeowners in Nassau County would receive a payment of roughly $375.

I have heard a resounding message from homeowners across the County that relief is needed. The program Im proposing would provide direct cash assistance to about 300,000 households. Nassau County has navigated the pandemic without layoffs or cuts to programs that keep our communities healthy and safe. Having achieved a hard-earned budget surplus and with federal money coming in, we must now provide direct relief to homeowners in Nassau County. I am calling on the County Legislature to support this important program and will work with my Economic Advisory Council to get this done, said Nassau County Executive Laura Curran.

The Nassau County Homeowner Assistance Program would provide direct relief to County households. Nassau County has seen unprecedented job losses, food insecurity and other negative effects from COVID-19. This program would seek to utilize Basic and Enhanced STAR data in order to determine eligibility. The Countys plan for allocation of ARP funding must be approved by the County Legislature.
MKH Ventures Profit Sharing Contracts Begin Generating Returns to Company

Sheridan, Wyoming--(Newsfile Corp. - May 19, 2021) - Critical Solutions, Inc. (OTC Pink: CSLI) announces it has begun the harvest and processing of over 1,000 pounds of cannabis worth a wholesale value of $1.2 million. Mr. Sam Barraza, CEO of MKH Ventures, states: 'We are excited to announce that our 'Profit Sharing Contract' with Across the OC, LLC, a cannabis distribution company with sales of over $24.5 million annually is beginning to generate returns, which we estimate to be worth a minimum of $5.5 million over next 3-5 years. We're now even more confident that our most recent signed Profit-Sharing Contract with 770 Washington LLC, a cultivation cannabis management company with over $20.7 million under grow in the Los Angeles Licensed District, will provide the same results. We expect this contract could add $2.3 million in additional revenue stream over the next few years. Our vision to create a highly profitable holding company for our shareholders is happening right now."

Mr. Munck, Vice President of Business Development, adds: "The 'Profit Sharing Contracts' are extremely profitable to our balance sheet and the most important part of these key acquisitions is that these companies we have teamed up with have proven to be cash flow positive year after year. The returns on this first contract are confirmation that MKH Finance is a highly profitable division of MKH Ventures. We look forward to introducing several other key strategic partners, as well as unveiling new divisions of MKH Ventures very soon."

About MKH Ventures, LLC

MKH Ventures is a diversified holding company. MKH Ventures acquires and invests in emerging growth and profitable companies in the Cannabis, Crypto, and Real Estate markets.

To subscribe to company updates, please visit the Company's website at www.MKH-Ventures.com.

Also note the company has updated its Twitter address to https://twitter.com/MKHVentures.

Contact Information:

CSLI Shareholder/Investor inquiries can be directed to:

MKH Ventures, LLC

1-800-395- 6811

ir@mkh-ventures.com

Safe Harbor Statement: In addition to historical information, this press release may contain statements that constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Securities Act of 1933 and the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended by the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements contained in this press release include the intent, belief, or expectations of the Company and members of its management team with respect to the Company's future business operations and the assumptions upon which such statements are based. Prospective investors are cautioned that any such forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance, and involve risks and uncertainties, and that actual results may differ materially from those contemplated by such forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause these differences include, but are not limited to, failure to complete anticipated sales under negotiations, lack of revenue growth, client discontinuances, failure to realize improvements in performance, efficiency and profitability, and adverse developments with respect to litigation or increased litigation costs, the operation or performance of the Company's business units or the market price of its common stock. Additional factors that would cause actual results to differ materially from those contemplated within this press release can also be found on the Company's website. The Company disclaims any responsibility to update any forward-looking statements.

SOURCE: MKH Ventures, LLC.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/84512
LOS ANGELESAdult mental health resource Pineapple Support will host a webinar about borderline personality disorder (BPD) Thursday, May 20 at 5 p.m. ET.

Hosted by licensed mental health counselor Rachael Wells the Borderline and StrongMyth-Busting BPD webinar will explore the disorder, its origins and development, as well as the many misunderstandings in the mental health community about this condition. Wells will also cover treatment options and support to encourage healing.

"Borderline personality disorder affects not just your behaviour and your relationship with others, but also how you feel about yourself," Wells said. "The most important thing is that we do recover! Many with BPD can learn to live fulfilling lives with time, treatment and support. Accessing sex-positive and stigma-free support for BPD as a sex worker is paramount for treatment."

Pineapple Support was founded by British performer Leya Tanit in 2018 after a string of losses in the adult industry from depression and other mental illnesses. The organization, which is a qualified 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization in the United States, has so far connected over 2,000 adult performers to mental health services, including free and low-cost therapy, counseling and emotional support.

"This webinar isn't only for performers with borderline personality disorder," Tanit said. "Rachel will also educate industry workers about the disorder, as well as providing useful insight and knowledge for those who live with or spend time with people with borderline personality disorder."

The Borderline and StrongMyth-Busting BPD webinar will take place via Zoom. It is scheduled to last one hour but may extend. For more information and to access the webinar link, visit pineapplesupport.org/webinars.
HOUSTON, May 19, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Oil States International, Inc. (NYSE: OIS) announced that it was presented with a Spotlight on New Technology Award by the 2021 Offshore Technology Conference (OTC) for its Merlin Deepsea Mineral Riser System. The award recognizes Oil States for their technological advances in support of the developing deepsea minerals industry. Oil States has adapted its Merlin riser and connection system technology to support this rapidly developing industry of deepsea minerals gathering.



Oil States President and Chief Executive Officer, Cindy B. Taylor, stated,

"We are proud and honored to receive a Spotlight on New Technology Award from OTC. Our Merlin Deepsea Mineral Riser System provides a robust, fast make-up, hands-free, automated system capable of withstanding extreme operating conditions in the remote deepwater regions of the world. We would like to thank the OTC for this award and the associated recognition it brings for our technology supporting the emerging renewable energy industry. We look forward to supporting the growing demand for future deepsea minerals gathering required for the advancement of clean energy technologies."

OTCs Executive Director, Leigh Ann Runyan, stated,

"Through the 2021 Spotlight on New Technology Award, the Offshore Technology Conference recognizes companies that have made a significant contribution to advancing the offshore energy sector. Oil States Merlin Deepsea Mineral Riser System has done just that, helping make deepsea operations, often located in remote locations, safer and more reliable."

In addition to the recognition associated with this award, Oil States continues to be the recipient of very positive industry feedback with the following renewable energy project awards received in the last year for deepsea mineral riser gathering systems, including:

Cosmos Shoji Co Ltd, Japan award to supply a Deepsea Minerals Riser System (first quarter 2020)

Allseas Deepsea Minerals Riser System award for ultra-deep water (first quarter 2021)

Front-end Engineering & Design (FEED) Study for Green Minerals AS (Norway) Harsh Environment Deepsea Minerals Gathering System (first quarter 2021)



About Oil States

Oil States International, Inc. is a global provider of manufactured products and services to customers in the energy, industrial and military sectors. The Company's manufactured products include highly engineered capital equipment and consumable products. Oil States is headquartered in Houston, Texas, with manufacturing and service facilities strategically located across the globe. Oil States is publicly traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol "OIS".

Forward Looking Statements

The foregoing contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Forward-looking statements are those that do not state historical facts and are, therefore, inherently subject to risks and uncertainties. The forward-looking statements included herein are based on current expectations and entail various risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those forward-looking statements. Such risks and uncertainties include, among others, the level of supply of and demand for oil and natural gas, fluctuations in the prices thereof, the cyclical nature of the oil and natural gas industry, the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on our Company and our customers, the other risks associated with the general nature of the energy service industry and other factors discussed in the "Business" and "Risk Factors" sections of the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2020, and the subsequently filed Periodic Reports on Form 8-K and Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date hereof, and, except as required by law, the Company undertakes no obligation to update those statements or to publicly announce the results of any revisions to any of those statements to reflect future events or developments.

For more information on the Company, please visit Oil States Internationals website at www.oilstatesintl.com.

Company Contact:

Lloyd A. Hajdik

Oil States International, Inc.

Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer

713-652-0582

SOURCE: Oil States International, Inc.
Armando Franca/AP

BRUSSELS (AP)  A top European Union court on Wednesday annulled the EU's approval of 3.4 billion euros ($4.1 billion) in state aid for the Dutch carrier KLM but suspended its immediate application because of the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the industry.

In a similar ruling backing a challenge from Irish air carrier Ryanair, the court also overturned the EU's decision to back state aid to the TAP Portuguese carrier for a potential total of 1.2 billion euros, but also suspended its application pending a new EU decision.
ASTON-based film director and Jo Southwell will be in conversation with Gareth Ellis-Unwin, the Oscar-winning producer of The Kings Speech, next Tuesday (May 25) at 2pm.

The pair will be appearing in front of a live audience of students at Berkshire College of Agriculture to discuss their latest projects and share their stories of filming during covid and how the industry has adapted.

But film fans interested in hearing what they have to say are invited to enjoy the event on YouTube afterwards.

Jo Southwell, who runs Aston Productions, will share her lockdown story and how during the pandemic as a freelance creative she was faced with a challenge  wait or adapt. She chose to adapt.

As a result, over the past year Aston Productions has moved into a new territory of production.

Becoming established as a co-producing company has provided opportunities to work as a producing partner on high-profile projects for Lion Television and the BBC.

Jo and Gareth first met when Jo was a female director taking part in the Berlin Film Festival.

She was runner-up in a 1 million film fund for feature film directors.

Following this event, Jo was asked to direct the new VR Immersive film series for Screenskills / BFI.

First Day on Set won the Production Guild Award for Innovation in 2020.

Gareth Ellis-Unwin will be talking about his latest film project, Cheetah the Movie.

Inspired by true events, the dramatic thriller follows a poacher turned conservationist who fights to protect the rare Asiatic Cheetah, of which fewer than 50 remain in the deserts of northern Iran.

The producer, who grew up in Slough, is also known for his work on Steel Country and Kajaki.

He said: Cheetah the Movie showcases the plight of these beautiful creatures that are nearly extinct, the struggle of those that are charged to protect them and gives opportunity to all of us to play an active part in their conservation.

A Kickstarter crowd-funding campaign for Cheetah launched in April and the production team have been running fortnightly insight sessions between the filmmakers and supporters, who can follow the progress of the project throughout the production process.

For more information, visit www.cheetahthemovie.com

 Following Tuesdays event, a video of it will be available to watch on Cheetah the Movies YouTube channel at https://youtube.com/channel/UCbMagwTW8QcvmbNxO0lUndw
This humble Victorian home hides an impressive interior fit for a middle eastern sheik.

The house has hit the market for $700,000 but the sale includes $50,000 of furniture imported from Dubai.

The interiors of the 91 square metre home at 17 Akoona Way in Wyndham Vale include oriental rugs, huge draped curtains and golden sofas.

The house in the outer west of Melbourne can be bought with $50K worth of furniture

The furniture was imported from Dubai by the original owner-builder, who was a UAE sheik

The price guide for the home is between $640,000-$690,000, with the movables available for an extra $50,000.

Real estate agent Prince Singh from Augment Real Estate told Daily Mail Australia the vendor selling the home bought the furniture from the sheik with the house.

He said the style of the property matched the fittings, which includes a giant gold vanity and chair, thick curtains and lush lounges.

'[The] furniture is very expensive and gives that rich look to the house,' he said.

'Curtains of the house compliment the furniture, and there is no carpet in the house as it is all timber laminate and porcelain tiles.'

Furniture includes heavy draped curtains and golden chaises, all in a middle eastern style

The spacious residence has three living rooms, three of four bedrooms and two bathrooms.

The master bedroom has an ensuite and walk-in-robe and connects to an outdoor alfresco area.

There is a massive kitchen with stainless steel appliances and a stone bench top, and extra level security with screens on windows and a high steel fence.

The house in the outer suburbs of Melbourne resembles a humble cottage from the outside

Mr Singh said the size of the block made it ideal for large families.

'It is a massive corner block ... and has two entrances, and you can park your cars using the front entrance and also at the back using the side entrance,' said Mr Singh.

He said most interested buyers have been owner occupiers around the area and young families, although none have taken up the offer of the extra furniture.
Establishing a village where farmers can work and live in the urban areas is the dream of those who work at a software company in HCM City.

Organic vegetables are planted at the experimental zone of information technology application in agriculture of HCM City-based Quang Trung Software City.  VNA/VNS Photo

Quang Trung Software City, which was founded in 2001, is the first and largest software park in Vietnam. Located in a total area of 43 hectares, it has been assigned to develop the Vietnam software industry and start-up community.

The Smart Village model is the new model of Quang Trung Software City, combining village life and high-tech agricultural production. It has been piloted in a 5,000 square metre area.

It is designed for farmers to live and work at the same place. The cultivation process is organic, chemical-free farming.

The model will take advantage of successful projects of Quang Trung Software City, such as automated hydroponic system, tropical green house, irrigation monitor, mushroom greenhouse, and industrial microwave dryer system for agricultural production activities.

The crops grown are common vegetables and flowers. Currently, between eight and 10 types of vegetables have been planted in the village.

The model is expected to be implemented at the end of this year.

Lam Nguyen Hai Long, director of Quang Trung Software City said this was the new trend of applying high technology in agriculture, creating a network of agricultural technologists and creating commercial products.

Smart Village, according to Long, would be an upgraded model helping farmers to easily apply high technology to each product.

It will be a place worth living for people with a technology platform for sustainable development. Waste will be treated and recycled to continue serving agricultural production, he said.

High technology applied in the project includes biotechnology (plant varieties, soil improvement, irrigation water treatment), organic technology (enriching soil nutrients, killing pathogens, increasing plant resistance), nanotechnology (caring and providing nutrients and micronutrients for plants by means of mist spray controlled by digital technology), and cold plasma technology (soil and water treatment and preservation of products after harvest).

IoT technology with sensors will help measure the growth of crops, the production environment, and monitor automatic systems of irrigation, mixing organic nanocomposites as well as detecting and repelling insects.

Digital and blockchain technologies will also be applied for traceability of goods, management of production processes and chain link by value.

Quang Trung Software City director Hai Long said the company started implementing the experimental zone three years ago.

We came from the countryside and witnessed farmers working hard all year round but gaining low profits, so we came up with the idea to bring information technology into agriculture, he said.

Many models have been studied and piloted, however, most are not efficient and commercial as farmers found it unaffordable and difficult to apply.

Software is just software if it is not applicable, he said.

The model of Smart Village, with 90 per cent of domestic technology, would be a new hope for both experts and farmers.

To serve the goal of building a Smart Village, the company has built a Research and Development Zone with the help of science and technology experts and enterprises. At least ten enterprises, all Vietnamese, have joined the project.

Tran Anh Tuan, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Sao Bac Dau Technology Joint Stock Company and one of the founders of the model, said the village would be piloted and assessed before transferring to localities.

In Smart Village, high technology-applied agricultural production and tourism development would be implemented at the same time. The main goal was to increasing income for farmers. Tuan cited the model of planting flowers in the Netherlands as an example, saying 40 per cent of farmers income was from tourism development.

VNS

HCMC-based Quang Trung Software City passes preliminary round of Smart City Awards The solution 'Administration and Monitoring System for Quang Trung Software City' by Quang Trung Software City has entered the list of 57 prominent projects for 'Smart City Asia Pacific Awards 2019', held by IDC Organization.
TORONTO, May 19, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- PIMCO Canada Corp. (PIMCO Canada) is pleased to announce today that it has declared monthly distributions on its Class A Units (the Units) of the PIMCO Canada closed end funds (the Funds). The distributions will be paid on June 14, 2021 to the holders of record at the close of business on May 31, 2021.



Details of the distribution amounts are as follow:





Fund Name Ticker Cash Distribution per Unit Change from Previous Month Percentage Change from Previous Month PIMCO Global Income Opportunities Fund PGI.UN $0.05688 - - PIMCO Tactical Income Fund PTI.UN $0.05208 - -



Unitholders are reminded that each Fund offers a distribution reinvestment plan (DRIP) which will provide unitholders with the ability to automatically reinvest their distributions. Eligible unitholders are encouraged to contact the institution through which they hold their Units to confirm enrollment procedures and timelines. A copy of the DRIP is available at www.pimco.ca.

The Manager, PIMCO Canada, retains Pacific Investment Management Company, LLC (PIMCO), to provide investment management services to the Funds.

About PIMCO

PIMCO was founded in 1971 in Newport Beach, California and is one of the worlds premier fixed income investment managers. Today we have offices across the globe and 3,000+ professionals united by a single purpose: creating opportunities for investors in every environment. PIMCO is owned by Allianz S.E., a leading global diversified financial services provider.

This is not an offer to sell Units and not a solicitation of an offer to buy Units in any region where the offer or sale is not permitted. Before you invest, you should carefully read the Funds disclosure documents and consider carefully the risks you assume when you invest in the Units. There can be no assurance that a Fund will achieve its investment objectives or be able to structure its investment portfolio as anticipated. Copies of the Funds disclosure documents may be obtained from your financial advisor.

Forward-Looking Statements

Certain statements included in this news release constitute forward-looking statements, including, but not limited to, those identified by the expressions expect, intend, will and similar expressions to the extent they relate to the Funds. The forward-looking statements are not historical facts but reflect each Fund, PIMCO Canada and/or PIMCOs current expectations regarding future results or events. These forward-looking statements are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results or events to differ materially from current expectations, including, but not limited to, market factors. Although the Funds, PIMCO Canada and/or PIMCO believes that the assumptions inherent in the forward-looking statements are reasonable, forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and, accordingly, readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on such statements due to the inherent uncertainty therein. The Funds, PIMCO Canada and/or PIMCO undertakes no obligation to update publicly or otherwise revise any forward-looking statement or information whether as a result of new information, future events or other factors which affect this information, except as required by law.

You will usually pay brokerage fees to your dealer if you purchase or sell Units on the Toronto Stock Exchange (the TSX). If the Units are purchased or sold on the TSX, investors may pay more than the current net asset value when buying Units and may receive less than the current net asset value when selling them. There are ongoing fees and expenses associated with owning Units. An investment fund must prepare disclosure documents that contain key information about the fund. You can find more detailed information about the Funds in these documents. Investment funds are not guaranteed, their values change frequently and past performance may not be repeated.

Each Fund is a closed end exchange traded investment fund. Closed end funds, unlike open end funds, are not continuously offered. After the initial public offering, shares of closed end funds are sold on the open market through a stock exchange. For additional information, contact your financial advisor.

For a summary of the risks of an investment in each Fund, please see the Principal Risks of the Fund section of the prospectus. Units of closed end funds frequently trade at a discount to their net asset value, which may increase risk of loss. Distributions are not guaranteed and are subject to change and/or elimination.

PIMCO as a general matter provides services to qualified institutions, financial intermediaries and institutional investors. Individual investors should contact their own financial professional to determine the most appropriate investment options for their financial situation. This material contains the current opinions of the manager and such opinions are subject to change without notice. This material has been distributed for informational purposes only and should not be considered as investment advice or a recommendation of any particular security, strategy or investment product. Information contained herein has been obtained from sources believed to be reliable, but not guaranteed. No part of this material may be reproduced in any form, or referred to in any other publication, without express written permission. PIMCO is a trademark of Allianz Asset Management of America L.P. in the United States and throughout the world. 2021, PIMCO

The products and services provided by PIMCO Canada Corp. may only be available in certain provinces or territories of Canada and only through dealers authorized for that purpose.

PIMCO Canada has retained PIMCO LLC as sub-adviser. PIMCO Canada will remain responsible for any loss that arises out of the failure of its sub-adviser.

PIMCO Canada Corp. 199 Bay Street, Suite 2050, Commerce Court Station, P.O. Box 363, Toronto, ON, M5L 1G2, 416-368-3350

Contact:

Agnes Crane

PIMCO  Media Relations

Phone: +212 597.1054
.......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... ..........

President Joe Bidens efforts to persuade Benjamin Netanyahu to halt military strikes against Hamas in Gaza are plunging the two leaders into a difficult early test of the U.S.-Israeli relationship.

The two have had other moments of tension over the years, and their current differences over the war in Gaza create a challenge that Biden was trying mightily to avoid.

Biden told Netanyahu in a telephone call Wednesday that he expected significant de-escalation of the fighting by days end, according to the White House. But the prime minister came right back with a public declaration that he was determined to continue the Gaza operation until its objective is achieved.

ADVERTISEMENTSkip



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

Netanyahu did allow that he greatly appreciates the support of the American president, but said nonetheless that Israel would push ahead.

This is not where Biden had hoped to expend his time and energy.

Early in Bidens term, foreign policy has taken a back seat. The president has tried to avoid getting bogged down in an interminable effort to establish an elusive Mideast peace that many of his White House predecessors have dedicated precious time to without much success.

This is not the first time Biden and Netanyahu have been publicly at odds.

As vice president, Biden kept Netanyahu waiting for a dinner meeting after the Israeli leader embarrassed President Barack Obama by approving the construction of 1,600 new apartments in disputed east Jerusalem in the middle of Bidens 2010 visit to Israel.

Netanyahu sought to patch up hurt feelings at the dinner. But after the meal, Biden admonished the prime minister in a statement, saying the move undermined a U.S. effort to persuade the Palestinians to resume peace talks.

Later, Obama and Netanyahus relationship cratered as White House aides questioned the Israelis willingness to find accommodations with Palestinians and Sunni Arab countries to build a lasting peace in the region. Netanyahu, for his part, was furious about White House efforts to reach a nuclear deal with Iran.

Amid the tension between Obama and Netanyahu, Biden went out of his way during a 2014 speech before the Jewish Federations of North America to say that he and Netanyahu were still buddies, albeit with a somewhat complicated relationship. Biden noted that he had once inscribed a photo for Netanyahu with Bibi I dont agree with a damn thing you say but I love you.'

In late 2019, during a question and answer session with voters on the campaign trail, Biden called Netanyahu counterproductive and an extreme right leader. But he also accused Palestinian leaders of fomenting the conflict and baiting everyone who is Jewish. And he suggested that some on the U.S. political left give the Palestinian Authority a pass when criticizing Israeli leadership.

Netanyahu had a notably better relationship with President Donald Trump, whom he praised for moving the U.S. Embassy to Jerusalem from Tel Aviv and brokering a normalization of relations between Israel and Gulf neighbors Bahrain and the United Arab Emirates as well as Morocco and Sudan.

Bidens call on Netanyahu to de-escalate the fighting came as political and international pressure mounted on the U.S. president to intervene more forcefully to push for an end to the hostilities. Biden, until Wednesday, had avoided pressing Israel more directly and publicly for a cease-fire, or conveying that level of urgency for ending Israeli airstrikes targeting Hamas in the thickly populated Gaza Strip.

His administration has relied instead on what officials described as quiet, intensive diplomacy, including quashing a U.N. Security Council statement that would have addressed a cease-fire. The administrations handling opened a divide between Biden and some Democratic lawmakers, dozens of whom have called for a cease-fire.

Egypt and some others have worked without success to broker a halt to fighting, while Hamas officials indicated publicly they would keep up their rocket barrages into Israel as long as Israel continued airstrikes.

Netanyahu, in his statement, made clear he had no plans to immediately wind down Israeli strikes targeting Hamas leaders and supply tunnels in Gaza, a 25-mile by 6-mile strip of territory that is home to more than 2 million people.

With every passing day we are striking at more of the terrorist organizations capabilities, targeting more senior commanders, toppling more terrorist buildings and hitting more weaponry stockpiles, Netanyahu said.

The White House did not respond directly to Netanyahus statement but said top Biden advisers continued to be in hour by hour contact with their Israeli counterparts.

The State Department said Secretary of State Antony Blinken spoke Wednesday with Israeli Foreign Minister Gabi Ashkenazi and reinforced the message that the U.S. expects to see de-escalation on the path to a ceasefire.

Bidens relationship with Netanyahu could be further complicated for the president by a shifting tide on Israel among some congressional Democrats. Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez of New York has called Israel an apartheid state, and Rep. Ilhan Omar of Minnesota has labeled Israeli airstrikes terrorism. Biden, during a visit to a Michigan on Tuesday, had an animated conversation about the ongoing fighting with Rep. Rashida Tlaib, who has family in the West Bank. Tlaib told Biden that his administration must do far more to protect Palestinian lives, according to a person familiar with their conversation,

Soon after Netanyahu announced he planned to continue operations, Reps. Ocasio-Cortez, Tlaib and Mark Pocan of Wisconsin introduced a resolution opposing the sale of $735 million in military weaponry to Israel thats already been approved by the Biden administration. Separately, 138 House Democrats on Wednesday signed a letter, organized by Rep. David Price of North Carolina, urging Biden and his administration to boldly lead and take decisive action to end the violence.

The fighting, the worst Israeli-Palestinian violence since 2014, has killed at least 219 Palestinians and 12 people in Israel.

Top Biden administration officials have stressed to the Israelis in recent days that time is not on their side as international objections mount to their operations and domestic pressure builds on Biden, according to a person familiar with the ongoing discussions,



Associated Press Writers Alexandra Jaffe in New London, Connecticut, and Lisa Mascaro in Washington contributed reporting.
Controversy over the alleged Congress "toolkit" to defame Modi deepened on Wednesday with BJP claiming to have identified its author and shared tweets of those supposedly close to Rahul Gandhi having "tacitly accepted" it.

AICC research department Chairman Rajeev Gowda, who had on Tuesday lodged a police complaint against BJP chief J P Nadda and other senior leaders of the ruling party, trashing the alleged "toolkit" as a "forgery", went hammer and tongs saying "the BJP ecosystem indulges in the worst form of cynical politics.'

'Its dirty tricks dept extracted a colleagues name from our genuine Central Vista document & attributed it to its FAKE toolkit. She deactivated her SM accounts after online harassment. Shame! Take me on, not my team!," Gowda said hours after the BJP repeatedly raised questions.

BJP ecosystem indulges in the worst form of cynical politics. Its dirty tricks dept extracted a colleagues name from our genuine Central Vista document & attributed it to its FAKE toolkit She deactivated her SM accounts after online harassment Shame! Take me on, not my team!  Rajeev Gowda (@rajeevgowda) May 19, 2021

"Lets be clear. We made a research note on Central Vista for the party. It's genuine & fact-based. I tweeted yesterday that Covid-19 toolkit" is FORGED & is a MADE in BJP product. Patra is showing metadata/author of a real document & attributing it to a FAKE one," he said.

Patra earlier said that the alleged 'toolkit' was designed by Congress and authored by Saumya Varma, who, he said, works at the office of Congress MP MV Rajeev Gowda.

"Friends yesterday Congress wanted to know whos the Author of the toolkit. Pls check the properties of the Paper. Author: Saumya Varma Whos Saumya Varma ...The evidence speaks for itself: Will Sonia Gandhi & Rahul Gandhi reply?," he tweeted along with photos of Saumya with Rahul Gandhi and other Congress leaders.

Friends yesterday Congress wanted to know whos the Author of the toolkit.

Pls check the properties of the Paper.

Author: Saumya Varma

Whos Saumya Varma ...

The Evidences speak for themselves:

Will Sonia Gandhi & Rahul Gandhi reply? pic.twitter.com/hMtwcuRVLW  Sambit Patra (@sambitswaraj) May 19, 2021

BJP IT Cell head Amit Malviya tweeted, "In another tell all development, Saumya Varma, whose name figured as the author of the Congress toolkit has deleted her Twitter and LinkedIn accounts. It is getting murkier as Congress rushes to erase digital footprint of their anti-India activities."

He said that Gowda, head of Congress research wing, must explain who Saumya Varma is and her role in drafting the toolkit.

"Congress denies the toolkit to be theirs. They disowned digital footprint of Saumya Varma, whose name figured as author of the toolkit but Sanjukta Basu, part of Rahul Gandhis SM team, openly admits that the toolkit is theirs and hails the initiative!," Malviya said tweeting a photo of Sanjukta with Rahul Gandhi in which she says "it is the birthright of a political party to run campaigns to ruin the image of the opponent. Modi is crying because Team Congress is finally doing a good job..."

Congress denies the toolkit is theirs. They disowned digital footprint of Saumya Varma, whose name figured as author of the toolkit but Sanjukta Basu, part of Rahul Gandhis SM team, openly admits that the toolkit is theirs and hails the initiative!#CongressToolKitExposed pic.twitter.com/GtnGEt32IO  Amit Malviya (@amitmalviya) May 19, 2021

National Coordinator of Congress social media Hasiba Amin, however, slammed the attempt to drag in Saumya.

The "toolkit" controversy was triggered on Tuesday as BJP's Sambit Patra mounted a massive attack on Congress accusing it of having made a detailed plan to tarnish the image of Modi by using the pandemic and roping in foreign media. Putting out screen shots of the purported document, which he called "Congress toolkit", Patra cited how Congress workers were instructed to call the mutant strain as Modi strain and how Congress allegedly asked the workers to call the Kumbh Mela as the "Super Spreader Kumbh''.

As scores of BJP leaders attacked the Congress over the issue, Congress lodged a police complaint, accusing the BJP of propagating a "fake" document and "shamelessly concocting forgeries."
English French

CHALK RIVER, Ontario, May 19, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Atomic Energy of Canada Limited (AECL), a federal Crown corporation with a mandate to enable nuclear science and technology, and Canadian Nuclear Laboratories (CNL), Canadas premier nuclear science and technology organization, are pleased to congratulate Global First Power (GFP) on achieving an important milestone for their small modular reactor (SMR) project. Yesterday, the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission (CNSC), announced that GFPs application for a Licence to Prepare Site for an SMR project at the Chalk River Laboratories has completed preliminary evaluations, and is now moving on to formal licence review.



This is a major development towards achieving Canadas climate change goals, commented Fred Dermarkar, President and CEO at AECL. Nuclear energy and SMRs will have to be part of our energy mix if we want to meet our objective of reaching net-zero by 2050. As pioneers of innovative nuclear technology in this country, it is exciting to see continued progress towards the deployment of this promising clean energy technology at our Chalk River site.

Since its inception in the 1940s, AECLs Chalk River Laboratories has hosted several first-of-a-kind nuclear reactors and technologies. The campus is home to world-leading experts in nuclear engineering, chemistry, physics and environmental protection, and offers a full complement of other nuclear support services.

I would like to congratulate the team at Global First Power on reaching this significant milestone, commented Joe McBrearty, President and CEO at CNL. The licensing of a new nuclear reactor must be underpinned by a robust scientific understanding, and sound environmental research. The acceptance of this licence application into formal review is evidence of the viability and safety of this project, and the diligence of the GFP team in preparing their application.

Both AECL and CNL have identified SMRs as one of several strategic initiatives the company is pursuing, with the goal of siting a demonstration project on one of AECLs sites, which are managed by CNL. Together, both organizations are working to demonstrate the commercial viability of SMRs and have positioned Canada as a global leader in SMR prototype testing and technology development support. As part of the program, CNL issued an invitation in 2018 to SMR developers to apply to site an SMR demonstration reactor at a CNL-managed site. GFP is in stage three of CNLs four-stage process, and with this recent CNSC announcement, GFP is the most advanced concept towards demonstration.

For more information on CNL, including its SMR program, please visit www.cnl.ca/smr.

About AECL

Atomic Energy of Canada Limited (AECL) is a federal Crown corporation with an objective of driving nuclear innovation and cleaning up legacy wastes. AECL delivers its mandate through a long-term contract with Canadian Nuclear Laboratories (CNL) for the management and operation of its sites.

About CNL

Canadian Nuclear Laboratories is a world leader in nuclear science and technology offering unique capabilities and solutions across a wide range of industries. Actively involved with industry-driven research and development in nuclear, transportation, clean technology, energy, defence, security and life sciences, we provide solutions to keep these sectors competitive internationally.

With ongoing investments in new facilities and a focused mandate, Canadian Nuclear Laboratories is well positioned for the future. A new performance standard reinforced with a strong safety culture underscores every activity.

For more information on the complete range of Canadian Nuclear Laboratories services, please visit www.cnl.ca or contact communications@cnl.ca.

AECL Contact:

Maude-Emilie Page

Director, Communications and Government Reporting

343-303-5345 or mpage@aecl.ca

CNL Contact:

Patrick Quinn

Director, Corporate Communications

CNL, 1-866-886-2325
Manchester Center, VT (05254)

Today

Thunderstorms - some may contain locally heavy rain, especially this evening. Low around 65F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 100%. Rainfall near an inch..

Tonight

Thunderstorms - some may contain locally heavy rain, especially this evening. Low around 65F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 100%. Rainfall near an inch.
Kenya's Lamu seaport built by a Chinese firm that is set to be launched on Thursday will pave way for seamless movement of goods in the greater Horn of Africa region, officials said Tuesday.

The first phase of the Lamu port project consisting of three berths, constructed by the China Communications Construction Company, is located in the coastal county of Lamu in northeast Kenya.

Rashid Salim, acting managing director of Kenya Ports Authority (KPA), said the ultra-modern port that is part of Lamu Port-South Sudan-Ethiopia Transport Corridor is ready for major shipping operations.

"The new port has a huge potential for business since it sits right in the middle of major shipping routes for global trade," Salim told Xinhua during a recent interview.

President Uhuru Kenyatta is expected to receive the first large cargo ship to dock at the completed Lamu port's Berth One on Thursday amid a quest to elevate Kenya's status as a regional transport and logistics hub.

Salim said that operationalization of Lamu port, which is a Vision 2030 flagship project in the country, will transform regional economies through increased trade, integration and connectivity.

He said that Kenya's second commercial seaport will facilitate the transportation of bulk cargo to landlocked South Sudan and Ethiopia besides stimulating the growth of the local manufacturing sector.

KPA has already dispatched crucial equipment like cranes, tag boats, trailers, forklifts and rail chains to Lamu port to support cargo transfer from large vessels to trucks for transportation to the mainland, said Salim.

He clarified there will be no competition or duplication of roles between Lamu port and the country's Mombasa port since each will be serving a different trade route.

Salim said that Lamu port will have the capacity to handle large vessels from international shipping lines that ply the Indian Ocean, the Mediterranean Sea, and the Red Sea.

He said that state agencies were working on modalities of rolling out fiscal incentives to international shipping lines keen on utilizing the Lamu port.

Abdullahi Samatar, general manager of Lamu port, said it is expected to attract bulk cargo transport business from Ethiopia and South Sudan, generate new jobs, and spur the growth of local start-ups.

Samatar said the Lamu seaport can handle large vessels with a carrying capacity ranging from 12,000 to 18,000 twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs).

Samatar said the port will also open up the vast northern Kenyan region for investments in key sectors like livestock, tourism, and fisheries.

Omudho Awitta, board chairman of Kenya Railways Corporation, said that operationalization of Lamu port will be accompanied by the construction of an oil refinery, a modern railway line, and resort cities in northern Kenyan counties of Isiolo and Turkana.
Masan Group billionaire Nguyen Dang Quang is considering a billion-dollar deal in an area that is Vietnam's strength but has been controlled by large foreign corporations for the past decade.

According to Bloomberg, Masan Group (MSN) plans to raise US$1 billion by selling its shares to strategic partners to invest in animal feed production through its subsidiary Masan MeatLife (MML).

According to this source, Masan is also thinking about organizing an initial public offering (IPO) for the animal feed business of Masan MeatLife, as it believed that Masan MeatLife (MML) is undervalued by the market.

Currently, the price for MML is VND61,000 per share, with a market capitalization of nearly VND20 trillion (about $850 million).

This price is said to be lower than the business value. In 2017, KKR spent $150 million to buy a 7.5% stake in Masan MeatLife, equivalent to a business valuation of about $2 billion.

The agricultural sector has seen interest from Vietnamese tycoons after a decade of being dominated by foreign firms. Many large private groups in Vietnam have poured money into this field, such as Masan, Dabaco (DBC) of Mr. Nguyen Nhu So, or Hoa Phat Group of the billionaire Tran Dinh Long.

Masan Group currently holds a 79.32% stake in Masan MeatLife. A subsidiary of Masan Group, Masan Vision Co., Ltd owns 7.95% and Consumer Meat II Pte.Ltd holds 7.14% of Masan MeatLife shares.

Masan MeatLife was formerly known as Masan Nutri-science (MNS) and its name was changed in July 2019. Masan MeatLife now owns two feed brands Anco and Proconco. The appearance of Masan MeatLife is seen as a good sign for the Vietnamese business community in the battle against foreign rivals in the domestic market, even in agriculture, Vietnams strong field. This market segment is forecasted to have potential value of more than $10 billion.

More than a decade ago, Thai investors began investing in the Vietnamese agricultural market. Charoen Pokphand Group (C.P. Group) of Thai billionaire Chearavanont has strongly invested in production of animal feed, chickens, pigs, eggs and agricultural produce processing.

After four years of establishment, Masan MeatLife has earned huge revenue. Its distribution system has grown by more than 10 times to nearly 500 units after a short period of time.

In late 2019, Masans Chairman Nguyen Dang Quang shocked the market when acquiring Vingroup's retail and agriculture segments, creating a billion-dollar retail "empire" in Vietnam.

Vinmart's retail chain has the largest coverage in Vietnam with nearly 100 supermarkets and 2,500 Vinmart/Vinmart+ stores in cities across the country.

In the latest news, Masan Group Corporation and a consortium, including Chinese e-commerce giant Alibaba Group and Baring Private Equity Asia, on May 18 announced the signing of agreements for the acquisition of a 5.5 percent stake in The CrownX for a cash consideration of $400 million.

The CrownX, founded in 2020, is valued at $6.9 billion, equivalent to $93.50 a share. Parent company Masan will hold 80.2 percent of the retail unit. The company is Masans integrated consumer retail arm that consolidates its interests in Masan Consumer Holdings (MCH) and VinCommerce (VCM).

As a part of the transaction, VCM will enter a strategic cooperation agreement with Lazada, Alibabas Southeast Asian e-commerce platform. It will be the grocery retailer of choice on Lazada in Vietnam.

Over the years, big investors from South Korea, Japan and China have poured billions of US dollars into Vietnams banking and finance, real estate, consumer goods and pharmaceutical industries.

Previously, investors saw two outstanding deals: SK Group spent $1 billion to purchase a 6% stake in Vingroup of billionaire Pham Nhat Vuong and $470 million to buy a 9.4% stake in Masan Group.

Hanwha Group - the 7th largest economic group in South Korea  in late 2019 expanded in the Vietnamese market. After investing in insurance and investment sectors, the Korean giant jumped into the securities sector with the appearance of Pinetree Securities.

Another Korean investor - STIC Investments - has poured capital into large enterprises in Vietnam. Some Korean funds and corporations are also reported to invest in Vietnam such as KIM fund, JB Financial Group, KB Financial Group Inc, Mirae Asset...

V. Ha

Vietnam earns $17.1 billion from agricultural, forestry and aquatic products As the US and China markets recently promoted the purchase of agricultural, forestry and aquatic products, Vietnam earned $17.15 billion of export revenue from these products in January-April 2021, a rise of 24.2% year on year.

Rising material and feed costs bridle husbandry companies Husbandry companies are being squeezed on two fronts, with prices for poultry and cattle stagnating and falling in some cases while animal feed material prices have been surging, pushing many to halt production or even declare bankruptcy.
EBRD- and EU-backed fund makes first investment in Armenias renewable energy sector

Solis LLC to build and operate 4 MW solar power plant in the Aragatsotn region

Ameriabank will provide a tailored financing for realization of the project

Private equity fund Amber Capital Armenia, supported by the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) and the European Union (EU), has acquired Solis, an Armenian solar plant operator, to build and operate a 4 MW photovoltaic (PV) solar power plant in Aragatsotn, western Armenia.

The facility is expected to be operational by the end of 2021 and generate 7.5 GWH of clean energy per year, resulting in 3,200 tonnes of avoided CO 2 emissions annually. The power plant will contribute to Armenias green recovery and create around 50 jobs in construction and plant operations.

Ecoville LLC, a leader in the development and construction of commercial ground-mounted solar power plants and rooftop PV systems in Armenia, has been awarded the engineering and construction contract for the project in a competitive tender process.

This is the first project financed by EU-Armenia SME Fund, managed by Amber Capital; the private equity fund seeks to invest in viable small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Armenia. Ameriabank provided financing towards this first project.

Anushavan Simonyan, CEO of Amber Capital Armenia, highlighted the importance of the project for both the country and the fund, emphasising that renewable energy is one of the funds priorities. The investment in this solar project is the first step in our strategy to develop a market-leading renewable-energy assets portfolio, adhering to the highest environmental, social and governance standards, he said. We see a great potential and continue to seek investment opportunities in the renewables space, with the goal of contributing to Armenias green energy potential, environmental improvement and job creation. We are very pleased to partner with Ameriabank and Ecoville to make this important project happen.

Artak Hanesyan, Ameriabank CEO, underscored the potential of Armenias renewable energy sector and noted that Ameriabank has been supporting a series of projects in the renewable energy sector. We are delighted to be part of key investment projects in Armenia that contribute to the development of the countrys strategically important economic sectors, he said. We are committed to the delivery of our green policies, and the partnership with Amber Capital is yet another important contribution to a more efficient and environmentally friendly energy system in Armenia.

Dimitri Gvindadze, EBRD Head of Armenia, said: Increasing the production of clean energy is an important step in reducing carbon emissions in Armenia and addressing climate change. This is yet another step in boosting the solar capacity of the country. One of the core objectives of the EBRD is the transition towards a low-carbon economy.

Andrea Wiktorin, Ambassador of the European Union to the Republic of Armenia, said: The EU Armenia SME Fund is key for the countrys business environment and investment climate, in line with Comprehensive and Enhanced Partnership Agreement standards. We are glad and proud that the Funds first investment is in the renewables sector, which signifies the potential for sustainable finance and investments in Armenia. The EU is committed to supporting the country and its private sector on the path to green recovery, economic growth and job creation. The green transition is on its way and unstoppable.
Min Byrne announces grants for 2021 Communicating Europe Initiative scheme

Press release

105,000 in grants awarded to community and voluntary organisations to help promote understanding of the EU and Irelands place in Europe

The Minister of State for European Affairs, Thomas Byrne TD, today congratulated 28 NGOs, local community groups, educational institutes and local media organisations who have been awarded funding under the Department of Foreign Affairs 2021 Communicating Europe Initiative scheme.

Projects funded this year include several local radio series on the EUs impact on Irish communities being produced by Dublin City FM, Radio Kerry and KCLR, an EU TV Junior Youtube channel for primary schools created by University College Cork, a research event on lessons from EU peacebuilding organised by the Irish Association for Contemporary European Studies, a Future of Europe podcast series hosted by The European Network, an interactive online EU Policy map produced by the DCU Brexit Institute, as well as a number of 2nd and 3rd level EU education and community projects in counties across the country.

Commenting on the initiative, Minister Byrne said As we engage with the Conference on the Future of Europe, Im very excited about the range of projects put forward this year under the Communicating Europe Initiative, including the impressive numbers of counties involved. Last year, the virtual nature of CEI projects allowed us to reach out to much greater numbers of Irish citizens from diverse backgrounds than in the past. I am confident this level of engagement will continue as we initiate our national discussions on the role of Europe in our lives, and our communities, in the years to come.

Minister of State Byrne also added As key beneficiaries of EU support, our communities and civil society groups, from the grassroots to the national level, are very well placed to communicate the significant impact that our EU membership has had in shaping our society. I am looking forward to meeting some of our CEI partners this year and getting involved with their exciting projects.

The Communicating Europe Initiative (CEI) was established in 1995 to raise awareness about the European Union and to improve the quality and accessibility of public information on European issues. The programme is administered by the Department of Foreign Affairs. This year, funding of 105,000 has been provided for 28 Communicating Europe Initiative funded projects.

The full list of successful projects is as follows  Local community groups - Ballinderreen Community Centre (Galway), Inniscarra Twinning Association (Cork), IRD Duhallow (Cork) and Portlaoise Community & Family Resource Centre (Laois) and Twilight Community Group (Kilkenny). primary and 2nd level schools projects - European Youth Parliament Ireland (Regional Youth Debates), Gaelcholaiste na Mara (Wicklow), Ionad Naomh Fionnan (Donegal), Junior Achievement Ireland (Galway/Mayo), Our Ladys Secondary School (Monaghan), Corran College (Sligo) and Waterford SLi (European Unity: Lessons from Folklore creative workshops). 3rd Level projects/Education & training - Audrey Galvin/University of Limerick (Journalism course and competition for UL media students) and Cork Education and Training Board (Promoting the EUs impact on Education and Training). Local radio EU programmes - Dublin City FM and Radio Kerry are producing are series of programmes/podcasts on what has the EU done for their regions. Kilkenny/Carlow Local Radio will produce a radio series on the EU and the environment. Media projects - Aine Ryall/University College Cork (podcasts on EU Environment Policies), Design and Crafts Council Ireland (podcast series on the New European Bauhaus), The Mayo News (Mayo and the EU) and Emmanuelle Schon-Quinlivan/University College Cork (EU TV Junior  YouTube videos on EU for primary schools). Future of Europe/EU policies  Cork Chamber of Commerce (Corks Place in Europe  Youth survey and outreach event), DCU Brexit Institute (interactive map of the EU), The European Network (Future of Europe podcast series), Irish Council for Civil Liberties (Defending the Rule of Law: The role of the EU), Kids Own Publishing Partnership/Childrens Rights Alliance (Youth Responses to the EU Strategy on the Rights of the Child). EU Peacebuilding and NI  International Association for Contemporary European Studies (Relationship on these Islands  EU Peacebuilding Experiences). Regional bodies  The Irish Regions European Office (Connecting the EU policies and funding with local communities  outreach events). Further information is available from www.dfa.ie

 Previous Item |
Family businesses employ more than 700,000 people in Ireland, generating up to 50% of the countrys wealth. Approximately three-quarters of all Irish-owned enterprises are family businesses  a sector which has proven very resilient in its response to challenges such as the pandemic and Brexit.

Small business owners were quick to engage with national supports helping them navigate these challenges, in addition to prioritising questions around succession planning.

Family-business owners have been quick to seek out qualified and experienced advice. Here are leading business people with advice very relevant to the current business environment.

Glandore is a family business which is thriving at its co-working office spaces in Dublin, Cork and Belfast.

Glandore

It is a real joy for my three daughters and myself to be working together in the business, and getting to spend time with each other more than a typical family would

When Michael Kelly looks to the most satisfying achievements of his professional life, steering Glandore, his family business, through the challenging waters of recent years ranks very high on the list.

Founded in 2001, Glandore is very much a family firm, with Michael as managing director and his three daughters  Fiona, Clare and Rebecca  deeply invested in the business which provides private office and hot-desk space to a large client base in Dublin, Belfast and Cork. Glandore also owns Suesey Street restaurant and private reception and dining facility, Fitzwilliam Hall, in Dublin.

It wasnt planned that all of my three daughters would work in the business, a process that began when my oldest daughter joined me in 2005 when we opened Fitzwilliam Hall. When we first saw the building in 2003, we knew right away it was something that we should buy. It was the point where Glandore really took off as we moved it from a building with 4,500 sq ft to one of 30,000 sq ft.

Very much ahead of the curve in creating the shared workplace concept, Glandore had only one international competitor in that space at the time. We felt that we could do a better job and went for it, he recalled of the then-fledgling enterprise that transformed from an entity with just one employee to over 80 today.

I remember the day we officially opened Fitzwilliam Hall, in which Tom Kitt deputised for Bertie Ahern, we had our first five members in attendance  and Im very happy to say that four of that five are still with us today, all these years later.

Deciding that serviced offices need not be just a stop-gap, as the concept was generally viewed at the time  Glandore saw it as a long-term solution.

We decided right from the start that if you were offering a pleasant, good quality space with first-class services, there would be no reason why people would not stay with you - and happily, that how it has worked out, he adds.

It is a real joy to have all of us working together in the business, and getting to spend time with each other more than a typical family would, Michael explains of the fertile family dynamic that has made Glandore a success down the years.

We genuinely enjoy each others company and laugh a lot, which makes work all the more enjoyable.

Maintaining the same business and operational philosophy right from the start has created an enterprise where both clients/members and staff have stayed loyal to Glandore as it grows and transforms.

It is not just the family, we have great longevity with our senior managers and staff as well. They are all part of a team who have bought into our ethos.

In terms of inspirational business figures, Michael lists the late Fergal Quinn and his famous book as top of his list. His great book, Crowning The Customer, was an inspiration to me, and I insist now that all of our staff read it. Fergal believed in giving superior service, and looking to improve it all the time.

Michael also lists Isadore Sharp, creator of The Four Seasons hotel chain as another influence.

They are two of my idols in terms of their dedication to providing the customer with the best possible service at all times  such as we do at Glandore.

One of the key advantages of family businesses is that the family can take the long-term view, and can make decisions very quickly. We have a meeting of our senior managers once a month, and problems are dealt with there and then  not pushed on to a sub-committee as would be the case in larger companies.

The question of succession can be a challenge for family businesses, Michael adds, a process that can be difficult.

In our case here at Glandore, all of my daughters wanted to come into the business  there was never any influencing on my part. We run the business as partners  and while I may be the senior partner, I am still just a partner  not a dictator, he laughs. Listening is very important because I certainly dont have all the answers. It is a business that we run together, each of us with the best interests of Glandore at heart.

Aidan McLoughlin, Group MD, Independent Trustee Company.

Independent Trustee Company

When it comes to passing on the business to the next generation, serious thought needs to be given to ensure your financial independence by keeping your pension scheme independent from the business

A family business can generally be defined as a concern that the founder has created and built up over many years - but the failure rate of these businesses is significant when it gets to the third generation.

When it comes to third generation, only 5% of them continue to survive - so the process of transferring along is a very serious one, explains Aidan McLoughlin, Group Managing Director, Independent Trustee Company.

A fair amount of effort has been put in over the years by the Government in trying to ensure that transfer occurs as smoothly as possible. The vast bulk of businesses in Ireland are family-owned, and are not alone important to the families and the communities in which they operate, but also to the State.

Independent Trustee Company specialises in the provision of retirement and investment structures and related advisory services. Established in 1993, the business addressed a gap in the market for individualised pensions. Aidan went on to set up other related companies, namely Independent Trustee and ITC Consulting, which together comprise the ITC Group.

Financial independence

One of the ways these companies remain successful is by keeping the money within the business to ensure it survives, he says.

The net effects of that and one of the things that tends to get neglected is personal pension funding for the principal. And when it comes to passing on the business to the next generation, that is often one of the fundamental that has to be addressed.

Serious consideration needs to be given to ensure that they have financial independence through their pension scheme, independent from the business.

He adds that the State has ensured that pensions are ring-fenced from the business, so that any possible subsequent failure of that business will not come back to bite them.

Pensions can also help financial planning via certain tax reliefs available, but what happens on the balance sheet can dilute those tax breaks. Moving them into a pension fund not only allows the owner a secure retirement, but also ensures that the transfer is more tax-efficient.

A graduate of UCD, Aidan qualified as a solicitor and a tax consultant in 1987. He is a Fellow of the Institute of Taxation in Ireland and a member of the Law Society of Ireland, the Society for Trust and Estate Practitioners, the Association of Pension Lawyers of Ireland and is a Fellow of the Irish Institute of Pensions Management.

The fact is that businesses do fail, and that can happen in the first, second or third generation. Failure can occur for a variety of reasons, and it is not necessarily down to the skillset of any following generation. In many cases, it can be down to diversifying away from what the business was good at in the first place.

In terms of how pension funds can impact on national economies, Aidan cites the Australian model: The Australian economy has enjoyed 25 years of growth, helped in no small way by 80% of that money being invested back into their economy. In an Irish context, a significant amount of pension funds are invested outside of Ireland, in shares of companies across the EU, the UK and the US.

These funds are not being invested into Irish enterprises, roads, hospitals or social housing. With all of the consultations that have taken place, where the money goes is not focused on. Allowing pension fund trustees to invest 10% locally, in effect wearing the green jersey, would release up to 15 billion into the Irish economy. The opportunities are there, but are not being recognised.

James McMahon, Head of Tax, Grant Thornton, Cork.

Grant Thornton

Irish businesses are quick to respond to change and quick to take note of observations from suppliers and customers. Their entrepreneurial spirit and innovation help them find a competitive advantage

Entrepreneurship and innovation are synonymous in business, and you rarely have one without the other, according to James McMahon of Grant Thornton.

In Ireland, the entrepreneurial spirit and innovation go hand in hand in helping businesses find an advantage over their competitors, he explains.

James leads Grant Thorntons Innovation Tax team providing advice to a wide range of clients from SMEs to large multinationals. His experience includes a broad range of sectors including financial services, manufacturing, food & beverages and technology.

In addition, Irish businesses are incredibly quick to respond to change and quick to listen and take note of observations from suppliers and customers.

Because they are smaller than the larger corporations, there is less red tape internally and thus they can get new products and services out to the market without any of the bureaucracy that exists in bigger companies, he says. Smaller businesses are close to their customers can respond more readily to changing market conditions.

The combination of that responsiveness to change allied to the agile nature of indigenous Irish business very much lends itself to innovation.

Irish indigenous businesses, when they do focus on innovation, invest seriously in R&D, James notes. Innovation should be risky, but not too risky, and that kind of realism encourages the kind of innovation that develops new products and services that customers want.

Smaller companies dont have huge amounts of money to invest in R&D, but when they do it is done for a particular reason. Bigger companies and organisations have large R&D budgets and can do more blue sky type of research, whereas smaller enterprises with less resources have to be meticulous as to how this kind of money is spent. Small companies take risks, but are conscious of limiting the amount of those risks.

The government recently introduced a 30% tax credit for SMEs, in effect assisting indigenous Irish businesses who undertake R&D and innovation.

However, while such a credit is geared to assisting small business and signals the Governments intention to support the sector, unfortunately the legislation has not yet been signed off which means companies cannot avail of the 30% as it currently stands.

Certainly when Covid happened in 2020 various obstacles were put in place, but this 30% credit is important to support innovation for indigenous businesses and needs to be put in place as soon as possible.

Succession planning is another area of concern for family businesses, James points out, an area that is quite cumbersome from a tax perspective.

We are finding more often recently that family businesses are being sold as opposed to being passed onto the next generation. There is significant venture capital money going around, which is good news to a certain degree.

The concern would be that there are many Irish businesses now switching hands, which would traditionally have switched on a lineal generational path through second, third and fourth generation.

While many businesses are now being bought earlier by foreign multinationals and realising their value, it would be great if there were other incentives for family businesses to remain within the family.

When withdrawing funds from a family business, money is taxed through income tax, USC and PRSI which can lead to a tax rate in excess of 50%, whereas selling the business will incur considerably less tax at CGT rates of 10% and 33%.

Eamon Dwyer of Invesco Cork and Miceal Gunning of Invesco Dublin.

Invesco

Pension funds, if appropriately managed, can assist a smooth transition as the principal moves to a financially secure retirement

Proper succession planning is always a key challenge in every family business, and one that Invesco Senior Financial Planning Consultant, Eamon Dwyer has assisted clients with throughout his career.

Coming from a family business myself, I saw first-hand the importance of this aspect of planning. Experience has demonstrated time and again that when it comes to the succession process, passing a business from parent to child, the parent might not be in a financial position to complete the process, particularly if it cuts off an income stream in retirement.

Invesco celebrates 30 years in business this year. Central to its longevity and success has been its ability and experience in guiding family businesses and SMEs over those three decades through succession, the transition and exit process. Eamon is a Certified Financial Planner and joined Invesco in 2019 following Invescos acquisition of City Life, which itself was a 2nd generation family business.

One of the great tools when planning for succession is the pension fund, a facility which, if appropriately managed, can assist a smooth transition as the principal moves into a financially secure retirement.

The pension fund is a vital tool, particularly for small and medium-sized family businesses, greatly assisting in the successful transfer of an enterprise from one generation to another.

It can truly make the first generation business owner financially independent of the business which he or she founded from scratch.

There is a final point on this, which in effect resembles a well-planned circle of life. When mum or dad retires the pension rules in Ireland allow for the remaining pot of money in the pension fund to be divided amongst other children, who are perhaps not in the business, when that owner eventually passes away.

This way of passing assets to the next generation is important to consider when deciding on succession in family business. It can facilitate transferring the business to just the one key child, rather than handing it to a collection of family members who might not be interested or capable.

However, it is an unfortunate commercial reality that the current owner of a family business  the companys most important asset  is often the most forgotten about in this financial planning process.

Owners are so anxious to grow the business, devoting time to nurturing customers, safeguarding employees and maintaining the facilities, they often forget about the key to the whole operation  themselves, explains Miceal Gunning, Invesco Wealth Management Director.

We always try to highlight to owners various what if? scenarios, and these are best discussed at least 10-15 years before a founder director is considering handing over the reins. Issues such as  considering what might happen in the event of serious illness or incapacity, or indeed should the owner unexpectedly die. Is there someone in the family capable of then stepping up, should a critical health event happen when the next generation are too young, and what effect would this have on the business? These are basic financial protection issues that owners will often not think about, be they sole traders, partnerships or limited companies.

Miceal joined Invesco in 2000 having previously held positions with Ulster Bank and Bank of Ireland. A Certified Financial Planner, he leads the Invesco Financial Planning Team, specialising in providing holistic and goal-based financial planning to business owners, company executives and families.

Another area of importance is making sure that Wills are up to date, and that a necessary Power of Attorney is in place, a document which outlines the owners wishes on the continued running of the business in the event of incapacity or inability to do so themselves.

We see time and again situations where owners take the view that wont happen to me  but unfortunately it does. CSO statistics underline the reality that, in a three-person business, there is a 50% chance that one will suffer a serious illness between the ages of 45 and 65, and a 30% chance that one of them will die.

Our advice is of course to focus on the positive, but to also keep an eye on the rearview mirror by taking care of basic housekeeping issues. Make sure those key-person insurances are properly in place for the owner and the key management team in the business. Without the appropriate business protection in place, the best laid financial plans can come unstuck.
The use of violence in opposition to the Northern Ireland protocol is a last resort but not off the table, a member of the Loyalist Communities Council has said.

Representatives from the LCC appeared before the Northern Ireland Affairs Committee (NIAC) on Wednesday, as part of its inquiry into the Brexit protocol.

Committee chairman Simon Hoare MP questioned the LCC representatives on their past comments on the use of violence.

Joel Keys, 19, was asked about a post he made online on April 12, that stated: To say violence is never the answer is massively naive, sometimes violence is the only tool you have left.

Asked if he stood by the comments, Mr Keys replied: I would stand by the comments.

You know there are certainly certain circumstances where violence is the only tool you have left.

For example, I dont think the people living under Kim Jong Uns sort of dictatorship is going to get anywhere with peaceful protests anytime soon.

He was then asked specifically about the use of violence were the Northern Ireland protocol to become embedded and deemed to be working by the UK Government and the EU.

He said: I am not sure if and when and violence will be the answer.

Im just saying that I wouldnt sort of rule it off the table.

Put to him that his answer was incredibly worrying and dispiriting, Mr Keys replied: Well, let me make it clear.

Im no fan of violence, I think that it has to be an absolute last resort.

But it worries me that we could potentially reach a point in this country, or in any country, where the people feel that they do have to defend themselves.

You kind of have to have that willingness to back up what you say and back up what you believe in, and fight for what you believe in, he said.

But he added: I want to emphasise I dont think were anywhere near that point at the minute.

I think that the political process is one that we all have to use and take advantage of.

LCC chairman David Campbell (left) and former Ulster Unionist MLA and Ukip NI leader David McNarry (right) during a small loyalist protest against Brexits Northern Ireland Protocol outside the Irish Secretariat offices in Belfast (David Young

Chairman of the LCC and former UUP member, David Campbell was then also asked about his past comments on the protocol made on Radio Ulster, when he said: If it comes to the bit where we have to fight physically to maintain our freedom within the UK, then so be it.

Mr Campbell replied: The question they asked essentially was are there circumstances where the physical force is justified?.

And I said yes, if our freedoms within the United Kingdom are threatened, for example by a tyrant like Adolf Hitler or Joseph Stalin.

He complained that his comments had been selectively edited by the broadcaster.

LCC member Jim Wilson, formerly of the UUP, told the Committee: I believe that were living in a society now where the greater threat of violence seems to win the day.

We met the Irish Government over the protocol, on three or four different occasions, with Simon Coveney and others.

And they never listened to one word we said.

We said we dont want a border on the island of Ireland, but we sure didnt want a border in the sea.

Jim Wilson of Red Hand Commando (RHC) at Linenhall Library, Belfast (Niall Carson/PA)

I think its disgusting disgraceful that we have politics in our own society that are constantly running about and using the threat of violence to attain a political decision.

The Irish government have done that, politicians in the North have done that.

We live in society where the threat of violence wins the day.

That is a disgusting situation to be living in and for political people to use those threats to win and argument, its not the type of society that we should be living in.

The Loyalist Communities Council is an umbrella group that represents three outlawed paramilitary groups: the UVF, the UDA and Red Hand Commando.
The Navajo Nation, which already has by far the largest land mass of any Native American tribe in the US, now has the largest enrolled population, too.

Navajos clamoured to enrol or fix their records as the tribe offered hardship assistance payments from last years federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act.
English French

MONTREAL, May 19, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Xebec Adsorption Inc. (TSX: XBC) (Xebec), a global provider of clean energy solutions, is pleased to announce Jim Vounassis will be appointed as Chief Operating Officer (COO) and Mike Munro will join as the companys first Vice President Global Operations effective May 31, 2021.



Mr. Vounassis is a transformational senior executive with strong international experience and a proven track record in driving organizational performance. He was most recently COO at Bombardier Transportation (TSX: BBD.B), now part of Alstom, which is one of the world's largest rail equipment manufacturing companies. Mr. Vounassis was responsible for the operations aspects of the $8 billion revenue business and empowered over 15,000 employees to deliver innovative rail solutions across global markets.

Xebec is an exciting cleantech growth company that is looking to solidify and expand its global operations. I believe we should all be doing our part to address climate change and the renewable gas opportunity is a compelling vision. I look forward to contributing my decades of experience in procurement, operations and transformation in order to help develop a solid manufacturing and operational footprint to further Xebecs continued success, said Jim Vounassis, Incoming COO of Xebec Adsorption Inc.

Before being appointed COO at Bombardier Transportation, Mr. Vounassis held the position of Chief Transformation and Procurement Officer at Bombardier Corporation. Previous to that, he held positions as Vice President Global Operations at Pharmascience, Vice President Global Manufacturing and Strategic Sourcing at Baker Hughes and Vice President Global Strategic Sourcing at Pratt and Whitney.

As the incoming Vice President Global Operations, Mr. Munro is an award-winning senior executive with a record in managing North American based businesses with strong expertise in business development, operations and strategic planning. He was most recently the Canadian General Manager at GE Power Conversion. Mr. Munro had a longstanding career at GE as a Vice President and General Manager in several business units and was recognized for his skill at turning around poorly performing divisions and restructuring business lines generating over $200 million in revenues.

We are excited to have Jim and Mike join us for our next chapter of growth as we build out our worldwide presence. Both of them bring a proven background in organizational performance which will help us achieve our long-term strategic vision to become a world leading renewable gas leader. I would like to give them a warm welcome on behalf of the Xebec team and the Board of Directors, stated Kurt Sorschak, Chairman, CEO and President of Xebec Adsorption Inc.

Mr. Vounassis is a graduate of University of Waterloo with an Honours Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering. He also completed an Executive MBA at the Smith School of Business at Queen's University.

Mr. Munro is a graduate of Southern Alberta Institute of Technology with an Honours Diploma in Electrical Engineering and is completing his Master of Business Administration at York St John University.

Related links:

https://www.xebecinc.com

About Xebec Adsorption Inc.

Xebec is a global provider of clean energy solutions for renewable and low carbon gases used in energy, mobility and industrial applications. The company specializes in deploying a portfolio of proprietary technologies for the distributed production of hydrogen, renewable natural gas, oxygen and nitrogen. By focusing on environmentally responsible gas generation, Xebec has helped thousands of customers around the world reduce their carbon footprints and operating costs. Headquartered in Quebec, Canada, Xebec has a worldwide presence with six manufacturing facilities, eight Cleantech Service Centers and four sales offices spanning over four continents. Xebec trades on the Toronto Stock Exchange under the symbol (TSX: XBC). For more information, xebecinc.com.

Cautionary Statement

This news release contains forward-looking statements and forward-looking information (together, forward-looking statements) within the meaning of applicable securities laws. All statements, other than statements of historical facts, are forward-looking statements, and subject to risks and uncertainties. Generally, forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of terminology such as plans, seeks, expects, estimates, intends, anticipates, believes, could, might, likely or variations of such words, or statements that certain actions, events or results may, will, could, would, might, will be taken, occur, be achieved or other similar expressions. Forward-looking statements, including statements concerning future capital expenditures, revenues, expenses, earnings, economic performance, indebtedness, financial condition, losses and future prospects as well as the expectations of management of Xebec with respect to information regarding the business and the expansion and growth of Xebec operations, involve risks, uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual results, performance, prospects and opportunities to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are subject to business and economic factors and uncertainties, and other factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from these forward-looking statements, including the relevant assumptions and risks factors set out in Xebec's public documents, including in the most recent annual management discussion and analysis and annual information form, filed on SEDAR at www.sedar.com. Furthermore, should one or more of the risks, uncertainties or other factors materialize, or should underlying assumptions prove incorrect, actual results may vary materially from those described in forward-looking statements or information. These risks, uncertainties and other factors include, among others, the uncertain and unpredictable condition of global economy, notably as a consequence of the Covid-19 pandemic, Xebecs capacity to generate revenue growth, the availability to Xebec of financing and credit alternatives and access to capital, Xebecs capacity to meet all its other commitments and business plans, Xebecs limited number of customers, the potential loss of key employees, changes in the use of proceeds relating to the loan, share price volatility, and other factors. Although Xebec believes that the assumptions and factors used in preparing the forward-looking statements are reasonable, undue reliance should not be placed on these statements, which only apply as of the date of this news release, and no assurance can be given that such events will occur in the disclosed times frames or at all. Except where required by applicable law, Xebec disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.
New York, May 19, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Reportlinker.com announces the release of the report "South Pacific Islands - Telecoms, Mobile and Broadband - Statistics and Analyses" - https://www.reportlinker.com/p06038587/?utm_source=GNW





In particular, the demand for mobile broadband is increasing due to mobile services being the primary and most wide-spread source for internet access across the region.



Mobile technology will play a pivotal role in the digital transformation of the Pacific Islands by giving the population access to services such as e-government, health, and education. Mobile technology will also act as a catalyst for innovation and economic growth.



The three largest countries in terms of population include Papua New Guinea, Fiji, and Solomon Islands. While Papua New Guinea has the largest population by far, it provides opportunities for significant growth considering its mobile penetration is still low, at just over 30%. However, there are challenges to be overcome before significant growth can occur.



Internet penetration in the region is among the lowest in the world. However, an increase in international connectivity will improve penetration, coupled with an increase in 4G connections.



Submarine cable build-outs and the expansion of satellite services have bolstered international connectivity for the region in recent years, with more submarine cables due for completion in the next two years.



Fiji, the second largest island in the region, is one of the key markets to watch due to it having an advanced economy and holding the highest mobile and internet penetration rates. It is also leading in terms of preliminary 5G readiness.



Solomon Islands still relies upon 3G mobile and satellite services as its primary means of both communication and internet access. It will benefit from submarine cable and satellite developments occurring within the region.



While there are many local operators, there are also regional players including Digicel, which has operated in the Pacific for some years. Recently, the Fiji-based Amalgamated Telecom Holdings (ATH) has expanded regionally, completing a number of acquisitions.



International organisations such as United Nations, the World Bank, and the Asian Development Bank have taken a special interest in seeing the general living conditions as well as communication services improve in the Pacific region. It is well recognised that access to broadband services can vastly improve the economic and social conditions in these emerging markets, many of which are prone to natural disasters and rising sea levels.



This BuddeComm annual publication provides valuable information, analyses and current statistics on the telecom markets of the seven largest countries in the Pacific region. It focuses on the markets of Papua New Guinea, Fiji, Solomon Islands, Vanuatu, French Polynesia, New Caledonia and Samoa. The report includes a regional overview, identifying the key trends and leading operators. It provides insights into the mobile market of each country including mobile subscriber and mobile broadband statistics. Information on the fixed broadband market and statistics is also included with a particular focus on submarine cable and satellite developments.



Key Developments:



Kacific-1 satellite improves the regions international connectivity;

Additional submarine cables come online, with more due in the next two years;

GSM services still in widespread use in many Pacific Island countries;

Fiji leading the way in both LTE deployment as well as 5G readiness;

Australian government considering financial support to local bidders interested in acquiring the struggling Pacific operations of Digicel.
.......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... ..........

Copyright  2021 Albuquerque Journal

LAS VEGAS  The trial of former Las Vegas mayor Tonita Gurule-Giron got underway Tuesday, despite a bumpy start with some last-minute jury issues.

Gurule-Giron, 63, is accused of using her position as mayor to give her then-boyfriends construction company, Gemini Construction, city contracts in exchange for kickbacks. Fourth Judicial District Judge Abigail Aragon is presiding over the trial, which is expected to last until Friday.

ADVERTISEMENTSkip



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

Gurule-Giron is charged with engaging in an official act for personal financial gain, violation of ethical principles of public service, soliciting or receiving an illegal kickback, conspiracy to commit making or permitting a false public voucher, unlawful interest in a public contract  each fourth-degree felonies  and demanding or receiving a bribe by a public officer or employee, a third-degree felony.

According to the original criminal complaint, Gurule-Giron pressured city employees to violate procurement codes by ordering them to give contracts to Gemini Construction. Often, those employees had to remind the mayor that they couldnt just give out contracts without undergoing a competitive bidding process. And once the contracts were awarded to the company, the invoices were marked up to amounts well over Geminis original bid without approval or undergoing a competitive bidding process, the complaint said.

In her opening statement, defense attorney JoHanna C. Cox asserted Gurule-Giron was innocent, and the only thing she did wrong was to have a bad relationship with her boyfriend.

A single woman dating a single man is not a crime in New Mexico, rather the Attorney General is going to put their tumultuous relationship on trial for you, Cox said. Youre going to hear that it was not the best relationship. Even not having the best relationship, ladies and gentlemen, is not a crime in New Mexico.

She said Gurule-Giron was in bed, heard a knock outside the door and then law enforcement burst in and started rummaging through the house as she stood outside in her pajamas. Cox said the allegations against her arent true and appealed to jurors to use their common sense as they listen to the evidence.

Yesterday you were asked, is cutting corners OK? Cox told jurors, who were selected to the panel the day before. Ladies and gentlemen, no corners were cut. Use your reason, use your common sense.

Assistant Attorney General Andrew Coffing said the prosecution intends to prove Gurule-Giron used her position, information and influence to unlawfully sway the bidding process in her boyfriends favor.

She used information she gained as mayor to give him an unfair advantage in the bidding process, he said. And when Gurule-Giron did this, she received financial benefits.

The types of gifts that were talking about are going to seem occasionally like everyday items. Its roses, its an expensive dinner, its a phone, its occasionally help with utilities, Coffing said. These are all items that you might consider would be part of a normal dating relationship.

The boyfriend, Marvin Salazar, 53, is also charged with offering or paying an illegal kickback and making or permitting a false public voucher. His case is currently being appealed over evidence disclosure issues.

The criminal trial began outside public view with a closed-door hearing to discuss last-minute changes to the jury instructions. The Journal was told by court staff that Judge Aragon had discretion about who to allow in the courtroom.

Matt Baca, chief counsel for the New Mexico Attorney Generals Office, said the office respects the judges discretion, and to his understanding, there was closed access due to juror paneling issues.

Our perspective is the public should have as much access as possible, Baca said.
Watertown, NY (13601)

Today

Partly cloudy skies this evening will become overcast overnight. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. Low near 65F. Winds light and variable..

Tonight

Partly cloudy skies this evening will become overcast overnight. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. Low near 65F. Winds light and variable.
Washington, D.C., May 19, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- New research assessing the state and local government workforce finds jurisdictions are facing acute challenges recruiting employees in several critical areas. Health care positions are identified as hard to fill by 60-75% of survey respondents, followed by positions in corrections and policing, both at 64%. Other positions identified as hard to fill include skilled trades (57%) and engineering (52%), which are professions in direct competition with the private sector.

The research also shows that the COVID-19 pandemic is triggering a higher rate of retirement among the state and local workforce. The percentage of respondents indicating that retirement-eligible employees are accelerating their retirement plans was at 38%, the highest rate observed since this research began in 2009. The retirement spike comes as employers anticipate a high number of future retirements among Baby Boomers.

These findings are in a new report from the Center for State and Local Government Excellence at ICMA-RC (SLGE at ICMA-RC), Survey Findings: State and Local Government Workforce 2021, by Gerald Young, Senior Research Analyst and lead on the survey at SLGE at ICMA-RC. Download the research.

Since 2009, SLGE at ICMA-RC has partnered with the International Public Management Association for Human Resources (IPMA-HR) and the National Association of State Personnel Executives (NASPE) to conduct this annual study on state and local workforce issues. The 2021 survey asked many of the questions from the original survey, with additional detail around emerging issues.

SLGE at ICMA-RC will host a webinar today, Wednesday, May 19, 2021, at 3:00 p.m. Eastern Time to review the findings and respond to questions. Register here at no charge.

The 2021 survey was conducted online from February 25, 2021, to April 6, 2021, and the results are based upon the responses of 288 public human resource professionals who are members of IPMA-HR and/or NASPE.

Clearly, the pandemic is having a tremendous impact on the state and local workforce, which was already facing long-term challenges, Young said. Overall, the data shows that recruiting and retaining workers is only getting harder at a time when the pandemic is accelerating retirement. On the upside, we are seeing increased telework and other flexible scheduling arrangements. This can help with employee recruitment and retention for employers who cannot offer higher salaries.

Selected key findings are as follows:

Recruitment has remained difficult, with more than half of respondents indicating challenges filling positions in health care, corrections, policing, skilled trades and engineering. For organizations recruiting registered nurses, about four in five said they received fewer qualified applications than the number of positions available.

A looming challenge is the retirement of experienced employees as the Baby Boom generation prepares to leave the workforce. This survey finds that most of the impact is still to come, with 52% of respondents responding that the largest share of potential retirement is anticipated in the next few years.

Hiring for full-time and part-time positions was lower for more than 42% of respondents in the past year, while retirement was higher for 30% of respondents.

The share of respondents reporting furloughs (19%) and layoffs (15%) remained lower this year than in the aftermath of the 2007-2008 recession.

Overall, 28% of respondents indicated a decline in their full-time workforce size over the past year, with another 47% indicating no change.

The most common workforce action in 2021 was to hire new staff, which 74% of jurisdictions did, even if they may have cut staff in other areas. The greatest change in the past year was the implementation of travel or training restrictions, which increased from 21% of respondents in the March 2020 survey to 67% in 2021.

Most jurisdictions did not implement cuts to health or retirement benefits in the past year. But among those that did, there was a reduction or elimination of cost-of-living adjustments, or certain costs were shifted from the employer to the employee.

The percentage of respondents who feel their wage is competitive with the labor market is 60%. By comparison, with pensions still much more prevalent among public agencies than private, 92% rate their benefits as competitive.

Amid the COVID-19 pandemic, flexible work arrangements became much more common. The percentage reporting regular telework for eligible positions (53%) has almost doubled since 2020, with the practice more common in state agencies than local ones (64% vs. 19%).

Sought-after skills have been a survey topic since 2015, with non-technical skills topping the list every year. In 2021, the most sought-after skill is analytical/critical thinking, at 74%.

SLGE at ICMA-RC will continue to track these and related issues, both as part of this survey series and related polling of state and local government employees. SLGE at ICMA-RC gratefully acknowledges the participation of IPMA-HR and NASPE in this research, as well as the dedication of state and local government employees during these extraordinary times.

The Center for State and Local Government Excellence at ICMA-RC

The Center for State and Local Government Excellence was founded in 2007 by ICMA-RC, and in 2021, the two organizations formally joined forces to form the Center for State and Local Government Excellence at ICMA-RC. SLGE at ICMA-RC helps local and state governments become knowledgeable and competitive employers so they can attract and retain a talented and committed workforce. It identifies leading practices and conducts research on public retirement plans, health and wellness benefits, workforce demographics and skill set needs, labor force development, and topics facing the not-for-profit industry and the education sector. Additionally, the center brings state and local leaders together with respected researchers. For more information, access to all research and publications, and to sign up for the centers newsletter, visit slge.org and follow https://twitter.com/4GovtExcellence on Twitter.

ICMA-RC previously announced that it will change its name to MissionSquare Retirement, effective in June 2021.
Its been a year since MacMurray College announced its closing, but the schools alumni have no intention of letting their alma mater be forgotten.

A small group of alumni and former trustees formed the independent MacMurray Foundation and Alumni Association to preserve, maintain and continue the colleges legacy.

Archives from the college, memorabilia and artifacts will get their own wing in the Jacksonville Area Museum being developed in the old post office building.

We also hope to digitize some of those artifacts so people will be able to see them digitally anywhere, said David Ekin, board chair for the foundation.

The foundation also will award scholarships to former MacMurray students  freshmen, sophomores and juniors who were displaced by the closing and still are in college  and relatives of MacMurray alumni. Ekin said. The goal is to give out at least $15,000 in scholarships this year, possibly $30,000.

Another focus of the foundation is to continue alumni engagement, and gatherings and reunions are in the works, including one already set for Oct. 15-17, Ekin said.

The gathering will be on the former MacMurray campus, and organizers are working with new owners in hopes of holding activities in the former chapel and dining hall, he said.

The event is expected to include a homecoming parade and a 50-year reunion for the classes of 1970 and 1971 after the Class of 1970s reunion was canceled by the pandemic.

A graduation ceremony for the Class of 2020 also is a possibility for the October event, Ekin said, noting that it was the colleges last graduating class and its graduation events also were canceled by the pandemic.

We do also hope to have annual gatherings there in Jacksonville, Ekin said.

Tiffany Warmowski, a MacMurray alumna and chair of the foundations History and Museum Committee, is working on the MacMurray exhibits for the Jacksonville Area Museum.

Warmowski attended MacMurray from 1994 to 1998, graduating with a degree in deaf education. She credits the school with giving her leadership opportunities.

Besides the deep and enduring friendships I developed at Mac, I am most grateful for the leadership opportunities I had while there, she said. I was involved in student government, was treasurer of my dorm and was head fool of the Christian clown organization, Holy Fools.

The MacMurray Collection is being loaned to the city through the Jacksonville Area Museum.

My hope is that the MacMurray College exhibits at the Jacksonville Area Museum will give people who once called campus home a place to remember their time at Mac, grieve that their alma mater no longer exists and renew friendships with other alumni, Warmowski said. I hope that when community members see the MacMurray exhibits, they learn about the lasting effects the 174-year-old institution had on the local community and the world.
ONE of the joys of WFH (working from home) is the sheer liberation of not having a boss breathing down your neck as you stroll into the kitchen for your fourth mug of coffee in the morning and load up the washing machine.

Its not that youre a procrastinator, putting off the work that actually pays the bills and instead catching up with domestic chores. Rather, your ability to multi-task means that you can go from laptop to Hoover (or even bed for a restorative afternoon snooze) while all the time keeping your eye on the bottom line  in other words, getting your job done.

But suspicious employers could spoil your working day in your home if they are to adopt artificial intelligence (AI) tools that could, for example, be used to track time spent on social media.

The Irish Congress of Trade Unions (ICTU) has raised concerns that remote workers could be forced to accept technology that monitors the amount of mouse clicks they make in a minute.

Wouldnt that be an absolute pain? It would make you neurotic and paranoid, resentful and cross.

Remote workers are not necessarily dossers. They just value not having to do a daily commute, trying to find a parking space or a seat on public transport and putting up with office politics and crotchety bosses.

As someone who has been working from home for aeons, I appreciate the ten seconds it takes me to get to my office and the freedom of being able to down tools when, for example, the sun shines.

Of course, meeting deadlines takes precedence, but once Im on top of the workload, I value being able to go out for a walk or listen to the radio (daytime TV is for tracksuit-wearing laggards).

Or I might fancy making home-made soup for lunch. (That would, of course, be on a particularly slow news day.)

The pandemic has proven that its perfectly possible to be productive, working from home. Heck, newspapers have been produced by editorial staff working from kitchen tables, tuning into Zoom meetings.

Bringing out a newspaper has always been something of a daily miracle. Whod have guessed that it could be done from home? In our Brave New World, anything is possible.

However, none of us would welcome Big Brother in our homes. In a submission to the department of employment on the introduction of the right to request remote working, ICTU has asked the Government to develop clear guidelines on how employers can monitor employees working from home or from hubs.

Counting keystrokes and emails or even using photographic records taken via webcam are all on the table as possible ways of keeping a tight check on workers. It stinks.

An employer is already allowed to monitor activities such as the use of the companys phone and email. But wide-scale monitoring should be resisted by all freedom and privacy-loving individuals.

As ICTU points out, trust is crucial for remote working arrangements to be effective.

And besides, surveillance would sound the death knell for one of the great pleasures enjoyed by people who work from home. Im talking the afternoon nap. (Oh yeah  no doubt Ill be agitating for an afternoon snack break as well to facilitate the 4pm sugar dip, you might say).

But theres nothing quite as luxurious as sliding under the duvet, away from the desk, in the middle of the day, to catch up on sleep. Many of us dont get enough slumber at night with more and more people complaining about sleeping problems since the pandemic entered our lives.

However, it doesnt take a pandemic to justify daytime kipping. There are sound health benefits to napping. A study of Greek adults in 2007 found that those who took an occasional siesta had a 12% lower risk of dying from heart disease. Daily nappers had a substantial 37% lower coronary mortality rate.

As University College Londons Professor Vincent Walsh, who researches the human brain, said in the Sunday Times recently, the industrial revolution is the reason for this mad idea of sleeping at night. What weve been doing in our working lives is pretty unnatural for a lot of people.

In case you think Im pleading for deep sleep during the working day, fear not. All thats recommended is a 20-minute nap, which seems about right.

And ideally, it should give you renewed energy and the impetus to get through the rest of the working day with vitality.

Now that some employees are back in the office as pandemic restrictions ease, maybe they could plead with their employers to facilitate a little bit of light napping?

After all, workers at Nike and Google HQ have access to a sleep pod.

Which reminds me, its time for a snoozzzze...
The Fauquier Times is honored to serve as your community companion. To say thank you, we are excited to offer 4 weeks FREE Digital & Print access to all subscribers new and returning alike.

We are dedicated to continuing providing reliable, high quality journalism. This is possible with the trust and support of our subscribers in the community we are proud to serve.
LAST week was a big week for better breastfeeding support in Ireland.

On Tuesday, the HSE announced 1.58m to fund much needed lactation consultant posts in maternity hospitals, after sustained campaigning by advocacy groups highlighting the inequalities women have in accessing breastfeeding support.

On Wednesday, the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health discussed breastfeeding support, or the lack of it, for more than two hours.

It was momentous to see politicians recognising breastfeeding as important for robust public health, and that the majority of women initiate breastfeeding but are let down by an overstretched and under-resourced maternity service.

Then, the Royal College of Physicians in Ireland published a position paper committing to greater breastfeeding education for physicians and the ending of infant formula industry sponsorship of conferences, study days and educational events. This is important because the marketing tactics of baby food companies goes far beyond shiny TV ads. Fostering relationships with doctors and nurses is a long established marketing move by baby food companies.

This is all very timely because Friday marks the 40th anniversary of the signing of the WHOs International Code of Marketing of Breastmilk Substitutes.

Better known as the Code, this international framework, if fully implemented and legislated, has the potential to transform global health and protect all babies, whether they are breastfed or formula fed.

The Code is not about making those who need or choose formula feel bad or guilty. Infant milks are required for babies who cannot be breastfed or who require specialist feeding. The Code is about ending the inappropriate marketing of breastmilk substitutes that undermine breastfeeding and unregulated practices that commercialise infant feeding.

The Code was created after allegations in the mid-1970s about the aggressive promotion and sales of baby milks by multi-national companies in Third World countries. Published in 1974, the book The Baby Killer claimed formula companies used sales reps dressed as nurses, gave free or discounted samples to new mothers, and disseminated branded educational materials to health clinics to increase sales, and that these promotional tactics in impoverished communities led to malnutrition and death.

Nestle sued the German publishers of the book, and after a two-year trial the court found in favour of the company, but it was considered a moral victory by the defendants, who were given a small fine, with the judge warning that Nestle needed to modify its marketing methods.

The negative publicity surrounding the trial led to a Nestle boycott which continues to today.

In 1978, U.S Senator Ted Kennedy held the Kennedy Hearings and put the baby food industry under the spotlight. Health advocates from the Philippines, Peru, Venezuela and Jamaica were flown to the U.S Senate and gave evidence of the damaging health effects of formula feeding on their communities. Industry representatives argued that the hearings were an attack on the free worlds economic system and that it was simplistic and dangerous to contend that more breastfeeding and less formula feeding will solve the nutritional and health problems of infants in the developing world.

The hearings illustrated that what babies are fed in their first years of life is so important for individual and global health that the usual commercial rules of advertising and marketing should not apply.

The WHO and UNICEF convened a series of meetings with stakeholders, culminating in the signing of the Code in 1981. It states there should be no advertising of formula to the general public, no engagement by industry with healthcare professionals or with parents, and many other recommendations. Ireland is a signatory but we have few provisions of the Code enacted in legislation and much formula marketing industry here remains unregulated.

On Friday, the WHO and UNICEF are hosting an online global event to mark the anniversary and to strengthen country-level implementation of the Code. It is not being billed as a celebration because the Code has struggled to resist the marketing might of the baby food companies. The global formula industry is growing, and is now worth $70 billion, with billions being spent on marketing annually, the cost of which is passed onto consumers/parents. No promotion would mean cheaper formula for families.

The need for the Code is as great as ever. NGOs such as the International Baby Food Action Network (IBFAN) monitor Code violations. As well as the obvious ongoing advertising of products, more subtle examples include making unfounded health claims about products and ingredients which have often been shown to have no proven efficacy, or using technological innovations to influence consumers through social media e.g. using mummy bloggers, peer to peer promotion through the recruitment of parents, celebrity endorsements and endorsements by influencers.

The WHO has a 2025 target of 50% of the worlds children to be exclusively breastfed at six months. Globally, the rate currently stands at 44%. In Ireland just 6% of babies are exclusively breastfed at six months.

Ireland has substantial skin in the baby milk game with a third of Irish dairy exports leaving our shores as infant formula, much of it destined for China. Irish infant formula is a billion dollar business.

Pushback from the agrifood industry to any regulations that would curb business would be considerable. But the argument for protecting public health by rewriting the rules and tightening legislation is strong.

At the Oireachtas Health Committee, a few male TDs expressed their discomfort talking about the subject, feeling, as males, that they didnt have a valid opinion on breastfeeding. How babies are fed matters to everyone.

Infant feeding is a deeply political issue that has wide implications for our health, economy and environment. If the government is genuinely interested in supporting and protecting infant, maternal and public health, its time to legislate the Code.
Sea Island, GA, May 19, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Young Women In Bio (YWIB) is thrilled to announce applications for the 2021-2022 YWIB Ambassador Program are now open. A YWIB Ambassador is a high school student who identifies as female with a passion for STEM who demonstrates leadership among her peers and encourages others in their quest to make a difference by promoting STEM within her school, local community, nationally, and online.

YWIB launched this initiative in 2020 for high school students who identify as female and are interested in championing and supporting YWIBs efforts to create educational and leadership opportunities in STEM for young girls, both locally and nationally. In its inaugural year, YWIB welcomed 22 Ambassadors who had the opportunity to engage with and interview experts in STEM, organize and lead YWIB events at their local chapters, launch YWIB Clubs at their school, establish a YWIB Ambassador Instagram Page, and support YWIB diversity and inclusion efforts.

They also attended virtual events with speakers from the Broad Institute, Biotech Pioneers in Gene Therapy, Girls Who Code, and more. I am so grateful to have had this opportunity and to have met all the incredible women engaging in the program. This experience solidified my passion for life sciences and my desire to pursue research in the future said one YWIB Ambassador. YWIB helped me get inspired and to take action on my ideas instead of just ignoring them, said another about her experience.

We are excited to continue to grow the YWIB Ambassador program and inspire and encourage more young women as they explore careers in STEM said Sarah Odeh, YWIB National Vice Chair. Our inaugural year was a huge success and we are not only looking forward to our second class of YWIB Ambassadors, but also to continue supporting our YWIB Ambassador Alumni as they progress through high school and college.

YWIB encourages high school students to apply to become a YWIB Ambassador among its 14 chapters across the United States and in Canada (www.womeninbio.org/YWIBAmbassadors). Completed applications must be submitted to YWIB by June 30, 2021. Each of the 14 YWIB Chapters will review applications from their local students and appoint one or two YWIB Ambassador for their region by August 1, 2021. The YWIB Ambassador Program will kick-off in September 2021. Please visit www.womeninbio.org/YWIBAmbassadors for more information.

ABOUT YOUNG WOMEN IN BIO (YWIB)

Young Women In Bio (YWIB) gives girls today the inspiration and support they need to become tomorrow's leaders in science, technology, engineering, and math. We strive to provide education and mentoring, as well as share our passion for scientific fields. Through 14 chapters across the United States and Canada, YWIB partners with leading companies, universities, hospitals, and other organizations to host highly engaging, educational, and motivational programs for young girls interested in STEM. To learn more, visit: www.womeninbio.org/ywib.

ABOUT WOMEN IN BIO (WIB)

Founded in 2002 to support all women employed in the field of life sciences from the classroom to the boardroom, Women In Bio (WIB) is a multifaceted organization with 14 chapters in North America. It offers an array of professional educational programs, peer to peer learning, mentoring and networking opportunities and is the only organization for women that integrates all career levels and life sciences fields. WIB is funded by sponsors and partners dedicated to supporting women of all ages in their lifelong journey in the life sciences and beyond. Please visit www.womeninbio.org.

Attachment
FINO MORNASCO, Italy, May 18, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- D-Orbit, a space logistics and transportation company, today announced that it has successfully completed the deployment phase of its ongoing PULSE mission. As part of this phase, D-Orbits ION Satellite Carrier (ION), the companys proprietary space transportation vehicle, successfully deployed all 20 satellites hosted inside, including eight SuperDoves from returning customer Planet, the US-based Earth imaging company. In addition to the deployment of customer satellites, ION also executed several orbital maneuvers.



The PULSE mission began on Jan. 14 with the launch of ION aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 launch vehicle from the Space Launch Complex 40 (SLC-40) at Cape Canaveral, Florida. The deployment phase was completed on May 11, when the remaining satellites onboard were released. Over the weeks leading to the conclusion of the deployment phase, D-Orbits operations team fired six Dawn Aerospace's B20 thrusters, validated attitude and orbit control strategies and algorithms, analyzed post-firing changes of orbital parameters, and performed flight dynamics processes.

The resulting orbit-changing maneuvers succeeded in changing the altitude by up to 10km, while also demonstrating IONs ability to change the local time of the ascending node (LTAN).

When we realized that we achieved this new milestone and successfully executed a series of orbit-changing maneuvers, we felt an incredible surge of pride, said Renato Panesi, CCO of D-Orbit. Pride for our technical team, for our operations team, and every single individual in our company who has contributed to this mission.

These tests, which barely scratched the surface of what ION can do, qualified the platform as a full-fledged space transportation vehicle with the ability to deploy satellites in multiple orbits different from the one which ION itself was originally released by the launcher. This milestone marks an important shift from precise deployment  already a proven company capability  to orbital transportation. While the mission continues, the operations team will perform additional tests on ION to push the performance envelope further.

This is yet another validation of our approach to spacecraft deployment, said Luca Rossettini, CEO of D-Orbit. While we celebrate this milestone and the people who made it possible, we keep looking to the future for ways to build on our technology. We want to contribute to the creation of a solid space logistics infrastructure that will truly enable the sustainable exploration of space and its resources. This is just the beginning.

PULSE is the second flight of ION Satellite Carrier, an orbital transportation vehicle designed, manufactured, and operated by D-Orbit to ferry a batch of satellites in space and deploy each one individually into its own distinct orbit. The vehicle used in this mission, called ION SCV Laurentius, is an upgraded version of the one used in the ORIGIN mission launched in September 2020, with enhanced maneuvering capabilities and larger cargo capacity. In the case of satellite constellations, the ability to precisely deploy each spacecraft, combined with a careful mission analysis and design, can lead to deployment strategies that accelerate the time from launch to operations by up 85% while reducing the launch costs of the entire constellation by up to 40%.

ION SCV Laurentius also features an innovative plug-and-play system for hosted payloads, streamlining the integration of instruments and experiments developed independently by third parties. The mission has entered the in-orbit demonstration (IOD) phase, consisting of a series of experiments on ARGO 1.0, a fully autonomous star tracker developed by EICAS Automazione, and DRAGO, a shortwave infrared space camera for Earth observation developed by the Instituto de Astrofisica de Canarias (IAC).

While the PULSE mission proceeds, D-Orbit is debriefing the deployment phase of the mission in preparation for its next mission, called WILD RIDE, which is scheduled for June 2021.

About D-Orbit

D-Orbit is a market leader in the space logistics and transportation services industry with a track record of space-proven technologies and successful missions.

Founded in 2011, before the dawn of the New Space market, D-Orbit is the first company addressing the logistics needs of the space market. ION Satellite Carrier, for example, is a space vehicle that can transport satellites in orbit and release them individually into distinct orbital slots, reducing the time from launch to operations by up to 85% and the launch costs of an entire satellite constellation by up to 40%. ION can also accommodate multiple third-party payloads like innovative technologies developed by startups, experiments from research entities, and instruments from traditional space companies requiring a test in orbit.

The company successfully delivered 44 commercial payloads into space while developing advanced products and services for the needs of tomorrow.

D-Orbit is a space infrastructure pioneer with offices in Italy, Portugal, UK, and the US; its commitment to pursuing business models that are profitable, friendly for the environment, and socially beneficial, led to D-Orbit becoming the first certified B-Corp space company in the world.

For more information, do not hesitate to get in touch with:

Corbin Mihelic, CSG

cmihelic@wearecsg.com

Elena Sanfilippo Ceraso  Media Manager

elena.sanfilippo@dorbit.space

Caterina Cazzola  Head of Communications

caterina.cazzola@dorbit.space

+39 340 2840 792

Follow us on:

LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/d-orbit Facebook: facebook.com/deorbitaldevices/

Twitter: twitter.com/D_Orbit Instagram: instagram.com/wearedorbit/

Photos accompanying this announcement are available at

https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/8cef08f5-3996-46da-a17e-5522c143bf47

https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/2116c239-7b3a-4d5d-8256-18097964eb05
TORONTO, ON, May 19, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Realstar Hospitality is thrilled to announce that Days Inns Canada has been named a recipient of the CFA Franchisees Choice Designation. This prestigious recognition is presented to CFA member franchise brands whose franchisees voluntarily took part in an independently administered survey and rated their franchisor across many points of service.

This accolade is especially meaningful, as it is a direct result of feedback from our valued owners. Achieving high satisfaction ratings from our franchisees is a tribute to the dedication of our entire team of hospitality professionals, said Irwin Prince, President & COO, Realstar Hospitality. Our franchise owners are what set us apart; they are the best in the business.

Franchisees evaluated Days Inns Canada in many areas, including the franchisee selection process, franchisee information package, corporate leadership, business planning and marketing, training and support, ongoing operations and the relationship between the franchisor and franchisee.

We are truly honoured to receive the 2021 Franchisees Choice Designation, and we thank the Canadian Franchise Association for their continued support and recognition of our dedication to our franchise family, added Prince.

In the due diligence process of investigating a franchise opportunity, speaking with existing franchisees about the opportunity being explored is essential. For prospective franchisees, the Franchisees Choice Designation identifies that a franchise brand has received a solid endorsement through its satisfaction ratings from its franchisees. The 2021 Franchisees Choice Designees are representative of the diversity of franchise opportunities and the standard of excellence of CFA members.

Everyday Canadians sharing success and Growing Together is one of franchisings core principles and what we celebrate year after year when we honour our Franchisees Choice Designees, says Sherry McNeil, CFA President & Chief Executive Officer. We extend our congratulations to Days Inns Canada along with all of this years Franchisees Choice Designees on receiving this remarkable vote of confidence from their franchisees.

For more information about the Franchisees Choice Designation and a complete list of winners, visit www.cfa.ca/cfa-awards.

-30-

About Days Inns Canada

Part of Realstar Hospitality, Days Inns Canada is one of the country's leading hotel chains with over 110 independently owned and operated properties and over 8,945 rooms. Its franchises cover a wide range of urban, airport and resort properties in primary and secondary markets across Canada. Every Days Inn by Wyndham in Canada participates in the Wyndham Rewards guest reward program. Part of Wyndham Hotels & Resorts (NYSE: WH), Days Inn by Wyndham is a globally recognized hotel brand with over 1,800 properties worldwide. Wyndham Hotels & Resorts is the worlds largest hotel franchising company by number of properties with approximately 9,300 hotels across approximately 90 countries on six continents. For more information about Days Inns - Canada, to make an online hotel reservation or to become a Wyndham Rewards member, visit daysinn.ca or call the bilingual reservations hotline at 1 800 DAYS INN (1-800-329-7466). Like us on Facebook, facebook.com/daysinncanada, follow us on Twitter, twitter.com/daysinncanada and follow us on Instagram, instagram.com/daysinncanada.

About the Canadian Franchise Association

The Canadian Franchise Association (CFA) helps everyday Canadians realize the dream of building their own business. CFA advocates on issues that impact this dream on behalf of more than 700 brand members and over 40,000 franchisees from many of Canadas best-known and emerging franchise brands. Beyond its role as the voice of the franchise industry, CFA strengthens and develops franchising by delivering best-practice education and creating rewarding connections between Canadians and the opportunities in franchising. Canadian franchises contribute over $100 billion per year to the Canadian economy and create jobs for more than 1.9 million people. Learn more at www.cfa.ca or www.FranchiseCanada.Online.

CFA Media Contact: Laura DAngelo, Fishman Canada Inc. | Tel: (647) 725-9735 | E-mail: laura@fishmancanada.com

Attachments
.......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... ..........

Copyright  2021 Albuquerque Journal

SANTA FE  New Mexicos reopening of public schools last month triggered far fewer COVID-19 infections than state officials had expected based on statistical modeling  a welcome surprise they attributed to effective vaccines and low transmission rates.

The bulk of the new cases are among students, not teachers, according to figures released by the state.

ADVERTISEMENTSkip



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

Some of the success, state officials said, is due to COVID-19 vaccines proving to be even more effective at preventing disease than initially projected, in combination with the pace of vaccinations among teachers, and students old enough to get the shot, among other steps that have slowed on-site transmission.

The trajectory is also positive: The number of school cases fell 41% over the past week to just 192 infections, 158 of which were in students. Eleven teachers were among the cases.

Public Education Secretary Ryan Stewart said teachers throughout New Mexico deserve credit for handling a mix of in-person and remote students at the same time, all while maintaining health standards. Families had the option of keeping their kids in distance learning even after schools opened April 5.

With the right practices in place, Stewart said Wednesday, we have what it takes to operate our schools safely and effectively.

Stewart was one of three Cabinet secretaries under Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham to deliver an online briefing Wednesday updating New Mexicos pandemic response.

Human Services Secretary David Scrase said statistical modeling reviewed by state officials earlier this year warned them to prepare for as many as 100 new cases of COVID-19 a day after reopening schools. But the new cases have instead hovered around 20 to 25 a day, he said.

Efforts to offer the vaccine to teachers before schools reopened  in combination with subsequent expansion to students 16 and older in April  have helped keep cases low, officials said. Over the past week, they also have seen families sign up nearly 24,000 kids aged 12 to 15 for the Pfizer vaccine, following a federal decision to make younger students eligible.

New Mexico is also beating its vaccination targets. About 53% of the state residents 16 and older are now fully vaccinated, putting the state on pace to reach its goal of 60% by the end of next month  a threshold that will trigger the lifting of capacity restrictions on businesses.

Were making great progress, Scrase said.

Breakthrough cases

Health Secretary Tracie Collins and Scrase, both of whom are physicians, said the state has seen relatively few breakthrough cases of COVID-19 in individuals who are fully vaccinated.

New Mexico has had about 500 positive cases among 889,000 fully vaccinated residents  a case rate so low that it rounds down to 0%.

The breakthrough cases include one fatality attributed to COVID-19 and another death in which the cause is not yet clear and remains under investigation, Collins said.

Scrase said about 20% of the breakthrough cases involve people with immune disorders. In many cases, the person who tested positive has no symptoms.

Fully vaccinated people who test positive, Scrase said, have a way lower risk of hospitalization compared to unvaccinated people and a very, very low risk of death.

I think were seeing a higher level of effectiveness than expected, Scrase said of the vaccines. Every day, we get even more evidence that the vaccines we have are amazingly effective.

Inflammatory syndrome, variants

But unvaccinated residents face new risks, Scrase said.

The coronavirus variants now circulating in New Mexico are more transmissible than earlier ones, making it all the more important, he said, for people who arent vaccinated to wear a mask.

I think the rest of the pandemic in New Mexico, for the most part, is going to be occurring in unvaccinated individuals, Scrase said.

Mask-wearing also remains important, officials said, in such group settings as schools, and for children  many of whom arent even eligible to receive the vaccine yet.

Collins said New Mexico has had 23 cases of multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children about two to six weeks after a COVID-19 infection. About 60% to 70% of patients with the syndrome, she said, are admitted to intensive care and 1% to 2% die.

We need to continue with our COVID-safe practices for our youngest children to keep them safe, she said.

3 counties advance

The state as a whole now meets all of its goals on disease spread, the share of residents who test positive and availability of hospital beds.

The state reported 160 new cases Wednesday  below its target of 210 or fewer  and four more coronavirus-related deaths, pushing the statewide death toll to 4,122.

The Department of Health on Wednesday continued easing public health restrictions county by county as part of its color-coded system. Every county but one  Chaves County in southeastern New Mexico  is now at the turquoise level, the least restrictive category.

Two counties  Valencia and Catron  advanced from green to turquoise in Wednesdays map update, a change that allows restaurants, breweries and a host of other businesses to operate at higher capacity.

But Scrase warned that a handful of counties  especially communities concentrated in eastern New Mexico  are at risk of backsliding in the next map update.

Their ultimate designation in the June 2 update will depend on statistical criteria on new cases per capita, the share of adults fully vaccinated and the percentage of tests that come back positive.

Chaves County  the only area not already at turquoise  would have qualified if more of its residents were fully vaccinated. It may advance in two weeks anyway if its case and test positivity rates remain low.

In Wednesdays map update, the county progressed from yellow to green, falling just short of turquoise.

Sen. Cliff Pirtle, R-Roswell, accused the Lujan Grisham administration of treating the county unfairly.

Despite continually outperforming other counties in key COVID-19 metrics, he said, our county remains singled out as the most restricted in the state. This underscores what many of us have known for months  there is no rhyme, reason and definitely no science behind the continued lockdown.

The color-coded framework itself is expected to end some time next month if the state as a whole reaches full vaccination of 60% of its 16-and-older population.

The state is 7 points away from reaching the threshold.

A little over 63% of New Mexicans 16 or older have already received at least one dose, putting the state on track to clear the 60% target if everyone returns for their second dose.

Younger children are just now starting their vaccinations. About 7% of the states population of 12- to 15-year-olds has received one of the two Pfizer doses required for full vaccination.
You have permission to edit this article.

Edit Close
THERE have been calls for action from Government to assist the aviation sector following the devastating announcement that almost 200 Aer Lingus staff in Cork are to be temporarily laid off.

Aer Lingus yesterday confirmed that 198 cabin crew and ground staff in its Cork base are to be laid off for two months as the airline announced the closure of its base at Cork airport from September until November. The airline also announced the permanent closure of its cabin crew base at Shannon airport.

There are approximately 60 ground staff and 138 cabin crew in the Cork base who will be laid off from early September until late November.

Following the announcement, Sinn Fein TD for Cork South-Central, Donnchadh O Laoghaire criticised the lack of action by the Minister for Transport, Eamon Ryan, and called on him to engage with Aer Lingus immediately to try and save as many jobs as possible.

In a statement, Aer Lingus confirmed to staff that the airline will emerge smaller from the pandemic, and that there will be a requirement for redundancies.

They warned that there is potential for more layoffs.

Lord Mayor of Cork, Fine Gael councillor Joe Kavanagh, expressed his disappointment following the news of the temporary closure of the Cork base.

He said that he is disappointed for the loyal workers of Aer Lingus.

Its so disappointing for the local economy, he said.

Its so disappointing for our people and for the many families that will be adversely affected by this. Im absolutely devastated, to be honest.

He also noted the importance of tourism for the southern region.

To have Cork Airport affected by this, and Shannon, the whole region is going to be hit badly, and I think its something that the Government are going to have to take on board, he said.

The staff will be laid off without pay from September 12 to November 22, and the airport will be closed while an upgrade of its main runway is carried out.

The announcement comes after the airline revealed a loss of 103m in the first three months of 2021, on top of a loss of 361m in 2020.

Siptu, which represents the 60 ground staff at Cork Airport who will be impacted by the temporary closure, said members are devastated by the news.

The main runway at Cork Airport, the second-busiest in the country that is set for significant resurfacing work.

Speaking to The Echo, Siptu sector organiser Neil McGowan said: This layoff is only due to come into effect on September 12, so people are obviously still digesting the news and devastated by what they have been told, but there is further uncertainty in regards to what that is going to mean for them by the time the layoff comes.

This is all against the backdrop of 12 months of people not taking home a full weeks wage.

Mr McGowan said that the workers in Cork Airport are currently earning 60% of what they would usually be paid before Covid-19.

This announcement is just a further blow to people, he said.

Meanwhile, Forsa has called for urgent Government action, including a bespoke aviation income support scheme.

The union met Aer Lingus management yesterday on foot of what the union described as devastating announcements.

Ashley Connolly, who heads Forsas Services and Enterprises division, said the news might have been avoided if the Government had moved faster to implement supports and provided a clearer roadmap on the resumption of international travel.

The Government needs to decide if the crisis in this vital industry is to be permanent or temporary, she said.

Only the State has the power and resources to preserve Irelands vital international connectivity  the connectivity that supports thousands of businesses and hundreds of thousands of jobs.

Sinn Fein TD Donnchadh O Laoghaire said that the transport minister has taken an unacceptable hands-off approach to aviation.

The Governments lack of action now risks costing jobs in Cork, he said. We still have no commitment to long-term additional operational and capital funding for the airport. He said he sees no reason why Aer Lingus cannot keep these workers on the books, with the Employment Wage Subsidy Scheme, supporting them as required.

They have a duty to their workers, and they should stick to it, he said. It is very worrying for the airport, for the region, but more importantly for workers and their families.

He called for the transport minister to engage with Aer Lingus immediately to try to save as many jobs as possible, and to keep them employed for this period.

The Government needs to seriously wake up when it comes to aviation  it cannot recover without a plan and supports, he said.

Fianna Fail TD James OConnor said the announcement was avoidable.

He said: I think the Government must now heavily reflect on the fact that these decisions were not taken from the perspective of a lack of demand being there, its because of current Government policy. This situation is still retrievable if the Department of Transport are serious about tackling it.

The Joint Committee on Transport and Communications Networks will meet today with Willie Walsh, the director general and CEO of the International Air Transport Association.
A Cork man carrying almost 70,000 worth of heroin from Dublin was so intoxicated when stopped by gardai on his journey back the only excuse he could think of was that he had been drinking at Temple Bar.

Gardai immediately became even more suspicious of Gary Coleman as the date was March 31 2020 and the pubs of Temple Bar and elsewhere were closed due to the first Covid-19 lockdown.

Garda Aidan Riordan said a garda check on traffic was taking place due to Covid restrictions when they saw a taxi travelling on the M8 motorway towards Cork.

Gary Coleman was a front seat passenger returning from Dublin to Cork. He said he was socialising in Temple Bar. With the lockdown we found that unbelievable, Garda Riordan said.

They became suspicious of drug activity and when they searched him they found four individual plastic bags of Diamorphine (heroin) with a total street value of almost 70,000.

The officers were satisfied the taxi driver had nothing to do with the incident.

Gary Coleman co-operated in relation to his part in the crime but did not know others involved or was in fear of supplying any information.

He had collected four envelopes of cash and gone to Ballyfermot in Dublin to meet a person at a contact point where he was given bags of heroin. Coleman told gardai he had made a similar trip previously by train.

The accused explained that he did this to get some reduction on a drug debt.

Judge Sean O Donnabhain said at Colemans sentencing at Cork Circuit Criminal Court that this unfortunate drug addict was being used by unidentified drug dealers in Cork to transport heroin to them to be dealt on the streets of Cork.

The judge remarked that the drug dealers who used him deserved to have their drugs confiscated when they were using a drug addict who came up with an excuse like drinking in Temple Bar when he was stopped by gardai.

Siobhan Lankford, defence senior counsel, said the accused was definitely making progress, moving from homelessness to an apartment at Cove Street in Cork and beginning to deal with his addiction issues.

The judge imposed a four-year sentence and suspended the last two years of that sentence.
Applying IT in practice and developing people-centered smart cities, the government of Thua Thien-Hue province has encouraged active feedback from its residents.

On the morning of July 12, 2020, a group of 120 people taking part in the procession of Ham Nghi Kings tablet from Thua Thien-Hue to Quang Tri province stopped at the O Loi Vermicelli Shop on Le Huan street in Hue to have breakfast.

But they were overcharged by the shop: they had to pay VND60,000 for a bowl of vermicelli instead of VND25,000-30,000.

One of the group complained about the overcharge on his Facebook page, hoping that the local authorities would investigate the case and punish the behavior.

Soon after receiving the information from the interactive system at the Hue Smart City Monitoring Center, the provincial Market Management Department sent officers to the site to verify the case and fined the shop VND750,000 for "not listing the prices of goods and services at the price listing points as required".

I made the complaint on July 12 and the case was settled just three days later. We were really satisfied about this, the man who filed the complaint said.

Two years ago, traffic on the streets in the central area of Hue was a constant source of concern for people.

Thua Thien-Hue was one of the first localities to develop e-government. Director of the Thua Thien-Hue Information and Communications Department Nguyen Xuan Son said that e-government allows people and businesses to promote their own roles in the city.

The pavements of streets were occupied by many people who had set up shops. The streets were in chaos because of uncontrolled shops, vehicles and pedestrians, which disfigured the face of the former royal capital city.

A campaign to reestablish urban order was launched by the Thua Thien-Hue provincial authorities. A smart city monitoring system with hundreds of cameras were installed on streets to collect data and assist the local authorities in dealing deal with violations.

This is just one of the examples of solutions that have occurred during the process of building a smart city in Hue and the Thua Thien-Hue province.

People put at the center

Thua Thien-Hue was one of the first localities to develop e-government. Director of the Thua Thien-Hue Information and Communications Department Nguyen Xuan Son said that e-government allows people and businesses to promote their own roles in the city.

Thua Thien-Hue first set up an IOC (intelligent operation center) on a trial basis on the Hue-S app. The IOC, located at the provincial Department of Information and Communications, is considered the nerve center in charge of deploying services, receiving input information, and analyzing, verifying and transferring the information to appropriate agencies for settlement.

The Hue-S app includes site reporting; surveillance camera images; warning information; local press monitoring; electronic cards for civil servants; supervision of public administrative services; electronic advertisement monitoring; environment monitoring, information security monitoring, and fishboat monitoring.

People can use smartphones to send images and videos about problems via the Hue-S app. Personal information is kept secret.

The information from different sources is analyzed and classified before it is sent to appropriate agencies for settlement.

The process is implemented under a tracking mechanism which doesnt allow any intervening data. Since the information is made public on official websites for peoples supervision, problems are settled in a transparent way.

Roadmap for smart city

Deputy Minister of Information and Communications Nguyen Huy Dung said at the 2021 Digital Transformation Week in Hue City, which opened on April 27, that Thua Thien-Hue should consider itself a "miniature country" and draw up suitable strategies and set reasonable goals and solutions.

Thua Thien-Hue needs to become the destination of national and international technology events with the dual goals of developing tourism and technology, and becoming a model of digital transformation, Dung said.

Thua Thien-Hue ranked second out of 63 cities and provinces in readiness for IT development and application in the Vietnam ICT Index 2020 in terms of technical infrastructure and human resource infrastructure.

Similar moves are being taken throughout the country. The project on developing smart cities in Vietnam in the 2018-2025 period identifies major issues, including building a legal foundation for smart city development; creating management tools for smart cities, and creating specific regulations and standards for construction works in smart cities.

It is expected that by 2030 smart city chains will form in the northern, central and southern regions and the Mekong Delta, with Hanoi, HCMC, Da Nang and Can Tho serving as the "nucleus" to connect smart city chains.

The results of the smart city plan deployment will increase peoples confidence in authorities. And it will also encourage authorities to improve their performance.

In Thua Thien-Hue, there are 300 surveillance cameras. The figure is expected to rise to 1,500. To date, cameras have discovered 4,300 violations, of which 3,600 cases have been settled. The other 700 are being handled. The IOC has received 30,425 complaints, including 20,000 complaints that meet the criteria to be accepted. As many as 214 agencies in the province have settled 18,500 complaints, while the other 1,500 complaints are currently being considered.

Quang Thanh - Bao Lam
36 more Covid-19 infections confirmed in Wednesday noon report

An additional 36 more Covid-19 infection cases have been confirmed in Vietnam, raising the total number of patients in the country to 4,579, the Ministry of Health reported at noon on Wednesday.















Illustrative photo





According to the ministry's report, all of the 36 newly-confirmed patients are locally-transmitted cases most of whom were detected in quarantine sites or areas under lockdown in some northern provinces, including 10 in Bac Ninh,10 in Bac Giang, 10 in Hanoi, three in Hai Duong, and one each in Dien Bien, Thai Binh, and Vinh Phuc.



The 10 cases in Bac Giang were recorded at some industrial parks of Van Trung, Dinh Tram, Song Khe-Noi Hoang, and Quang Chau which have reported a large outbreak over the last few days. Local authorities have decided to temporarily close these four industrial parks since Tuesday morning for Covid-19 prevention and control.



As of Wednesday noon, 1,538 locally-transmitted cases have been reported since the new outbreak occurred in the country on April 27. The outbreak has so far spread to 28 cities and provinces nationwide.



With these new infection cases, the number of Covid-19 patients in Vietnam has increased to 4,579, including 3,108 locally-transmitted cases.



As of 6 pm on May 18, a total of 2,687 Covid-19 patients had recovered and been discharged from hospital.



So far there have been 37 deaths, most of them being the elderly with serious underlying diseases.



At present, over 121, 000 people who had close contact with Covid-19 patients or returned from virus-hit areas are being monitored at hospitals, quarantine facilities, and at home.



Also on May 18, an additional 5,979 people were given Covid-19 vaccine in Vietnam, raising the total number of vaccinated people in the country to 1,011,395 including 28,852 people having received two doses.
Viet Nam will buy 31 million Pfizer vaccine doses in Q3, Q4 .  Illustrative image

HA NOI  Viet Nam is expected to receive 31 million COVID-19 vaccine doses developed by US-based firm Pfizer in the second half of 2021, said the Ministry of Health (MoH).

The MoH and relevant agencies have taken measures to accelerate negotiations towards signing an agreement to purchase the vaccine.

According to Health Minister Nguyen Thanh Long, the ministry has coordinated with the Government Office, the Ministry of Planning and Investment, and the Ministry of Justice, to consult Cabinet members on the purchase of the Pfizer vaccine, and prepare to sign an agreement for 31 million doses as soon as possible.

The negotiation process for this agreement has been continuously promoted by the MoH, focusing on terms related to liability, payment, reimbursement and risks when implementing the agreement on the principle of ensuring compliance with the law of Viet Nam and international law.

The MoH has also negotiated with many COVID-19 vaccine manufacturers such as Astra Zeneca, Moderna, Gamelaya with the goal of having enough COVID-19 vaccines to serve the country.

It is also working with foreign partners on the transfer of vaccine production technology.

Viet Nam began its COVID-19 inoculation drive on March 8, using the AstraZeneca vaccine from the UK. More than one million shots were given to frontline medical workers and members of community-based anti-COVID-19 groups as of 4pm on May 18.

Currently, four Vietnamese vaccines are under development, produced by Nagogen Pharmaceutical Biotechnology JSC, the Institute of Vaccines and Medical Biologicals (IVAC), Vaccine and Biological Production Company No. 1 (Vabiotech) and the Center for Research and Production of Vaccines and Biologicals (Polyvac).  VNS
Min Coveney announces 1.5 million in humanitarian funding for people in Gaza

News

The Minister for Foreign Affairs, Mr. Simon Coveney, T.D., today announced 1.5 million in emergency support for people in the Gaza Strip in response to the deteriorating humanitarian situation.

Minister Coveney said:

I am deeply concerned by the terrible humanitarian consequences of the ongoing violence in the occupied Palestinian territory. Two million people in Gaza, who were already suffering extreme hardship, including poverty and food insecurity, are now in the midst of another cycle of violence. The impact on the civilian population has been devastating.

Todays announcement of Irish Aid funding will support the UN in delivering emergency humanitarian supplies to those in acute need. The plight of children in this conflict is shameful and our support for UNICEF seeks to alleviate the brutal situation they are facing.

At the UN Security Council on Sunday, I called for an immediate ceasefire and the protection of civilians before even more lives are lost and homes destroyed. I urge Israel to ensure unimpeded, regular and predictable access for humanitarian goods and personnel. I urge Hamas and other militant groups to ensure that humanitarian corridors can be agreed within the Gaza Strip. The UN and humanitarian partners must be permitted to bring in vital food, fuel and medical supplies, and to deploy humanitarian personnel safely.

The Minister of State for Overseas Development Aid and Diaspora Colm Brophy, T.D., added:

Ireland is deeply concerned about the severe humanitarian consequences resulting from the shocking escalation of violence in Gaza. This allocation of 1.5 million is in response to emergency appeals from UNRWA and UNICEF. It will allow UNRWA and UNICEF to carry out vital work in support of vulnerable civilians.

"I pay tribute to staff from the UN and other humanitarian agencies who are providing support under very dangerous circumstances.

1 million will be provided to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA), which provides services to Palestine refugees, for emergency food, water and sanitation supplies and health and psychosocial services for 50,000 people sheltering in UNRWA-run schools.

UNICEF will receive 500,000 for child protection, medical and sanitation services to thousands of children in acute need. This includes emergency psycho-social services to 5000 children suffering trauma as a result of the hostilities.

UNICEF, which is operating in Gaza and the West Bank, launched an emergency appeal yesterday (18 May) seeking support for the provision of emergency services to children and families impacted by the crisis. UNRWA today launched an appeal for 38 million.

In March 2021, Ireland provided 6 million to UNRWA for its ongoing work with Palestine refugees in the occupied Palestinian territory, Jordan, Lebanon and Syria.

UNRWA reports that as of 18 May, 47,000 people who have been displaced by the hostilities in Gaza are now taking refuge in 58 schools. Fifty educational facilities, including 45 schools, have been damaged in Gaza. Six hospitals and eleven primary health care centres have been damaged, with one centre suffering severe damage. Water, sanitation and hygiene, and power infrastructure has also been severely affected, impacting the safe water supply for over 800,000 and reducing power supply to 3-4 hours a day.

Minister Coveney addressed the UN Security Council on Sunday, 16 May. He called for cessation of hostilities, protection of civilians and humanitarian access, and emphasised obligations that all sides have under international humanitarian law. At an extraordinary meeting of the EU Foreign Affairs Council on 18 May, Minister Coveney underlined the need for an immediate ceasefire and the urgent facilitation of humanitarian assistance.

| Next Item 
Dublin, May 19, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The "Baby Monitor Market - Global Outlook and Forecast 2021-2026" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.



The global interactive baby monitor market by revenue is expected to grow at a CAGR of approx. 15% during 2020-2026.



Baby monitors are increasingly marking their presence among end-users worldwide. The penetration of these devices is growing rapidly in the overall baby safety and convenience products market across the world. Advanced smart baby monitor models with innovative technology can now keep an eye on the baby from anywhere via smartphones. Thus, the demand for these devices is increasing rapidly among end-users.



Global Interactive Baby Monitor Market Segmentation

The audio & video segment by volume accounted for over 53% share in 2020. The APAC region is expected to be a major revenue contributor to the audio & video segment. It is expected to pose an absolute growth of over 125% during the forecast period in terms of unit shipments with high scope for innovation.

Audio and video baby monitors are the largest revenue contributors to the market. The increasing preference for real-time interaction among parents is boosting the growth of video monitoring features. However, the cost of ownership is higher, which hinders their acceptance among end-users, especially in developing economies.



The digital segment by revenue constituted over 81% market share in 2020. North America and Europe accounted for the most significant share in the digital segment. A majority of baby monitors available in the market using digital transmission. It is expected that digital baby monitors with eco-mode could be in high demand as they are designed to emit radiation only when activated by a sound or motion. With the expected rise in disposable income, spending power, and affordability, digital baby monitors in emerging economies expect to gain momentum during the forecast period.



By revenue, the conventional segment accounted for over 65% in 2020 and is expected to pose an absolute growth of 110% during the forecast period. However, the segment estimates to lose its share to the booming smart category due to enhanced audio and video quality, security, voice integration, and portable nature. The affordable cost of conventional baby monitors is likely to drive the momentum in emerging economies where the parents' requirements are confined to monitor within a specific range.



In 2020, the retail segment was the highest revenue contributor to the global interactive baby monitor market. Despite the high growth momentum for the online segment, it faces intense competition from the retail segment because of the entry of traditional security product manufacturers and camera vendors, which has increased the visibility of baby monitors on store shelves across the world.

The availability of counterfeit versions has also increased concerns as monitors are associated with babies' health and security. However, the growth in online sales is set to increase by over 13% YoY in terms of shipments during the forecast period because they offer various options to choose from compared to retail stores.

INSIGHTS BY GEOGRAPHY

The North American interactive baby monitor market has been experiencing high challenges over the past few years due to the decrease in birth and fertility rates. The falling birth rates have led to a shift in the population of the region. In 2020, the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic skyrocketed the savings rate in the region. It witnessed a peak of over 32% in April 2020, up from 12.7% in March. It was also estimated that consumer spending declined by around 12.6% in the same period with the rise in the unemployment rate.

However, the region expects to generate steady demand during the forecast period owing to new births from the increasing young immigrant population. Vendors have capitalized on the booming smart home penetration, and smart monitors act as the leverage for enhancing the market share of vendors.

Thus, the region is likely to witness higher growth from digital and smart monitors. It also expects to witness high demand for baby monitors because of their reliability, ease of installation, and convenience. With rapid advances in technology, they deliver high performance and have become user-friendly.

INSIGHTS BY VENDORS

The global interactive baby monitor market is witnessing an increase in the influence of digital consumerism on retail sales. Dorel Industries, Motorola Mobility, VTech, Lorex Technology, and Summer Infant are the major companies.

There is a broad scope for vendors to increase their profitability by adopting e-commerce as a business platform. With the increasing internet penetration, several online websites have come to serve parents that seek convenience and easy accessibility to get these products. E-retailing of several innovative childcare products, including baby monitors, is gaining popularity.

Currently, many customers prefer to shop online for the convenience that online shopping offers. This trend has encouraged many companies to focus on the internet-savvy customer segment and venture into the omnichannel retail format. Moreover, this business model saves operating costs as the online retail format requires lesser operating costs, thereby increasing profitability.



Prominent Vendors

Dorel Industries

Motorola Mobility

VTech

Lorex Technology

Summer Infant

Other Prominent Vendors

Koninklijke Philips

Samsung Electronics

Foscam

iBaby Labs

Hanwha Techwin

The Holding Angelcare

Hisense

Mayborn Group

Snuza International

iBabyGuard International

infanttech

Jablotron

MonDevices

Nanit

Owlet Baby Care

Respisense

Safetosleep

Evoz

Eufy

Miku

Infant Optics

MOBI

Panasonic Corporation

Procter & Gamble

Levana

Baby Delight

Invidyo

FaceLake

HelloBaby

Eastman Kodak Company

Arlo

Lollipop

Cubo Ai

CasaCam

Wyze Labs

Key Topics Covered:



1 Research Methodology



2 Research Objectives



3 Research Process



4 Scope & Coverage

4.1 Market Definition

4.2 Base Year

4.3 Scope of The Study



5 Report Assumptions & Caveats

5.1 Key Caveats

5.2 Currency Conversion

5.3 Market Derivation



6 Market at a Glance



7 Introduction

7.1 Overview

7.1.1 Macroeconomic Factors Enabling Market Growth

7.1.2 Per Capita GDP in Developing Markets

7.1.3 Dual-income Households in Developed Markets

7.2 COVID-19 Impact



8 Market Opportunities & Trends

8.1 Growing Demand For Smart Baby Monitors

8.2 Increase In Tech-Savvy Millennial Parents



9 Market Growth Enablers

9.1 Reduced Infant Mortality Rates

9.2 Growing Awareness on Infant Safety

9.3 Influence of Internet on Consumer Purchase Decisions

9.4 Growth in Nuclear Families & Women's Employment



10 Market Restraints

10.1 Health Hazards Due to Electromagnetic Radiation

10.2 Changing End-User Sociography

10.3 Low Penetration Rate in Emerging Economies



11 Value Chain Analysis

11.1 Overview

11.1.1 Raw Materials

11.1.2 Manufacturers

11.1.3 Distributors/Dealers

11.1.4 Retailers

11.1.5 End-users



12 Market Landscape

12.1 Historical Data 2015-2019

12.2 Market Size & Forecast 2020-2026

12.3 Five Forces Analysis



13 Product

13.1 Market Snapshot & Growth Engine (Revenue & Unit Shipments)

13.2 Market Overview

13.3 Audio & Video

13.4 Movement Monitor

13.5 Audio Only



14 Transmission

14.1 Market Snapshot & Growth Engine (Revenue & Unit Shipments)

14.2 Market Overview

14.3 Digital

14.4 Analog



15 Type

15.1 Market Snapshot & Growth Engine (Revenue & Unit Shipments)

15.2 Market Overview

15.3 Conventional

15.4 Smart



16 Distribution

16.1 Market Snapshot & Growth Engine (Revenue & Unit Shipments)

16.2 Market Overview

16.2.1 Manufacture, Production, and Distribution

16.3 Retail Stores

16.4 Online

For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/wocqe1
Local News, Arts & Culture

By Ls Cohen Published: May 19 2021

Legend has it that in the 1600s Richard Smith rode a bull around the area to claim land that eventually became Smithtown.

First unveiled on May 10, 1941, Whisper the Bull, the iconic statue that sits at the fork in the road where Route 25 splits off from Route 25a.

Perhaps youve seen the big bull and wondered about the backstory.

Legend has it that Richard Smith had been given the land now encompassing Smithtown after he helped rescue the kidnapped daughter of a Montauk Chief. The limit of this land gift was said to be determined by the distance he could ride Smith bull over the course of one day. Historians say that this makes for a nice local myth but is not the actual truth of the matter. According to the Town of Smithtown, Lion Gardiner received a primary portion of the land now known as Smithtown from Grand Sachem Wyandanch, for helping to arrange the safe return of the chief's daughter, who was kidnapped on her wedding night. Gardiner later transferred the rights to the land to Richard Smith, confirmed by a patent granted on March 3, 1665.

The bull myth sustained and became a primary symbol of Smithtown. In the early 20th century, Lawrence Smith Butler proposed the idea of the statue to his friend, Long Island Sculptor Charles Cary Rumsey. The Town says that Whisper the Bull was originally designed in France by Rumsey. The casting of the statue was completed in 1923.

After spending some time in front of the Brooklyn Museum, it was placed in storage. Rumseys heirs donated the statue to the Town after his death. In 1941, Butler swayed the Smithtown Town Board to construct a concrete pedestal and raised the $1,750 needed to cover the cost of the move. Butler arranged for the transport of the fourteen-foot, five-ton bronze bull, by way of trucking and rail and on May 10, 1941, the daughter of sculptor Charles Cary Rumsey, Mary Rumsey, presented the statue to the people of Smithtown, set on its pedestal at the Head of the Nissequogue River.

Recently, Town officials joined others, including the Smithtown Historical Society, and direct descendants of Richard Bull Smith; Mayor Richard Smith and cousin Jennifer Smith, to celebrate the 80th anniversary of the unveiling of Whisper the Bull on its pedestal in its current location.

In 2019, the Town completed renovations to the monument. Revitalization efforts included the restoration of the concrete base, a new freestanding wall, complete with a Town of Smithtown sign, landscaping, and energy efficient lighting. The Town Parks Department is expected to add seasonal plantings surrounding the bull later this month. James Cress Florist in Smithtown created and donated the bow placed on the monument to commemorate the occasion.

Our hope is that parents will share with their children this little piece of our history today, maybe even share in some fond memories, said Town Supervisor Ed Wehrheim.

Wehrheim said that the statue has survived more than a few car accidents and plenty of teenage pranks.

Whisper has not had it easy, he joked.
USABC PICKING WINNERS AWARDS $7.5 MILLION PRE-LITHIATION EV BATTERY CELL TECHNOLOGY DEVELOPMENT CONTRACT TO APPLIED MATERIALS







SOUTHFIELD, Mich., May 19, 2021  The United States Advanced Battery Consortium LLC (USABC), a subsidiary of the United States Council for Automotive Research LLC (USCAR), today announced the award of a $7.5 million technology development contract to Applied Materials, Inc. in Santa Clara, California for an advanced lithium-ion battery based on pre-lithiated silicon-graphite technology for electric vehicles (EV).

The contract award, which includes a 51.2 percent cost share, funds a 24-month project that began earlier this year. The programs goal is to develop a roll-to-roll (R2R) pre-lithiation system for high-volume manufacturing. As part of the program, Applied Materials will work with battery manufacturers to demonstrate the technology for use in EVs.

Enabled by a cooperative agreement with the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), USABCs mission is to develop electrochemical energy storage technologies that support widespread commercialization in vehicle applications. In support of its mission, USABC has developed mid- and long-term goals to guide its projects and measure its progress. For more information, visit http://www.uscar.org/usabc.

This pre-lithiation EV battery cell technology development contract award with Applied Materials is part of USABCs broad battery technology research and development program, said Steve Zimmer, executive director of USCAR. Programs like this are critical to advancing the technology needed to meet both near- and long-term goals that will enable broader scale vehicle electrification.

About DOE The U.S. Department of Energys overarching mission is to advance the national, economic and energy security of the United States. DOEs Vehicle Technologies Office works with industry, academia and national laboratories to develop advanced transportation technologies that improve energy efficiency, increase energy security, and reduce operating cost for consumers and business. Electrochemical energy storage has been identified as a key enabling technology for advanced, fuel-efficient, light and heavy-duty vehicles.

About USCAR Founded in 1992, the goal of USCAR is to further strengthen the technology base of the domestic auto industry through cooperative research and development. For more information, visit www.uscar.org.

All USCAR Member companies have joined in becoming signatories of the Responsible Raw Materials Initiative (RRMI, now part of the Responsible Minerals Initiative, RMI) Declaration of Support.
.......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... ..........

GAZA CITY, Gaza Strip  Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu vowed Wednesday to press ahead with a fierce military offensive in the Gaza Strip, pushing back against calls from the United States to wind down the operation that has left hundreds dead.

Netanyahus tough comments marked the first public rift between the two close allies since the fighting began last week and could complicate international efforts to reach a cease-fire. His pushback also plunges the pair into a difficult early test of the U.S.-Israel relationship.

Israel continued to pound Hamas targets in Gaza with airstrikes, while Palestinian militants bombarded Israel with rocket fire throughout the day. In another sign of potential escalation, militants in Lebanon fired a rocket barrage into northern Israel.

ADVERTISEMENTSkip



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

After a visit to military headquarters, Netanyahu said he appreciated the support of the American president, but he said Israel would push ahead to return calm and security to Israeli citizens.

He said he was determined to continue this operation until its aim is met.

He spoke shortly after U.S. President Joe Biden told Netanyahu that he expected a significant de-escalation today on the path to a cease-fire, the White House said.

Biden had previously avoided pressing Israel more directly and publicly for a cease-fire with Gazas Hamas militant rulers. But pressure has been building for Biden to intervene more forcefully as other diplomatic efforts gather strength.

Egyptian negotiators have also been working to halt the fighting, and an Egyptian diplomat said top officials were waiting for Israels response to a cease-fire offer. The diplomat spoke on condition of anonymity in line with regulations.

Moussa Abu Marzouk, a top Hamas official, told the Lebanese station Mayadeen TV that he expected a cease-fire in a day or two.

Meanwhile, German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas said he would fly to the region Thursday for talks with Israelis and Palestinians.

Israels Foreign Ministry said the foreign ministers of Slovakia and the Czech Republic would join him after being invited to express their solidarity and support for Israel.

Earlier in the day, the Israeli military said it was widening its strikes on militant targets in southern Gaza to blunt continuing rocket fire from Hamas. At least nine people were killed Wednesday in the Gaza Strip.

The current round of fighting between Israel and Hamas began May 10, when the militant group fired long-range rockets toward Jerusalem after days of clashes between Palestinian protesters and Israeli police at the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound, a flashpoint site sacred to Jews and Muslims. Heavy-handed police tactics at the compound and the threatened eviction of dozens of Palestinian families by Jewish settlers had inflamed tensions.

Since then, Israel has launched hundreds of airstrikes that it says have targeted Hamas infrastructure, and Hamas and other militant groups embedded in residential areas have fired some 4,000 rockets at Israeli cities, with hundreds falling short and most of the rest intercepted or landing in open areas.

At least 227 Palestinians have been killed, including 64 children and 38 women, with 1,620 people wounded, according to the Gaza Health Ministry, which does not break the numbers down into fighters and civilians. Hamas and Islamic Jihad say at least 20 of their fighters have been killed, while Israel says the number is at least 130. Some 58,000 Palestinians have fled their homes.

Twelve people in Israel, including a 5-year-old boy, a 16-year-old girl and a soldier, have been killed.

The rockets fired by militants in Lebanon into northern Israel threatened to open up a new front in the fighting. The rocket attack, which drew Israeli artillery fire in response but did not cause any injuries, raised the possibility of dragging Israel into renewed conflict with the powerful Lebanese militant group Hezbollah to its north.

No one claimed responsibility for the attack, and Hezbollah, which fought a monthlong war against Israel in 2006, has stayed out of the fighting for now. The rockets were widely believed to be fired by Palestinian factions based in south Lebanon.

But they cannot operate without Hezbollahs tacit consent, and the barrage appears to be carefully calibrated to send a political message that the group, which has tens of thousands of missiles, could join the battle at any time. Israel considers Hezbollah to be its most formidable threat and has threatened widespread destruction in Lebanon if war were to erupt.

In Gaza, one of the Israeli airstrikes destroyed the home of an extended family.

Residents surveyed the piles of bricks, concrete and other debris that had once been the home of 40 members of al-Astal family in the southern Gaza town of Khan Younis. They said a warning missile struck the building five minutes before the airstrike, allowing everyone to escape.

Ahmed al-Astal, a university professor, described a scene of panic, with men, women and children racing out of the building.

We had just gotten down to the street, breathless, when the devastating bombardment came, he said. They left nothing but destruction, the childrens cries filling the street.  This is happening, and there is no one to help us.

Another strike in nearby Deir al-Balah killed a man, his wife and their 2-year-old daughter, witnesses said. Iyad Salha, a brother of the man who was killed, said the family had just sat down for lunch when the missile hit.

Among those killed Wednesday were a reporter for Hamas-run Al-Aqsa radio and two people who died when warning missiles crashed into their apartment.

The Israeli military said it was striking a militant tunnel network in southern Gaza, with 52 aircraft hitting 40 underground targets.

Military officials, meanwhile, said a mysterious explosion that killed eight members of a Palestinian family on the first day of the fighting was caused by a misfired rocket from Gaza. This wasnt an Israeli attack, said Lt. Col. Jonathan Conricus, a military spokesman.

Since the fighting began, Gazas infrastructure, already weakened by a 14-year blockade, has rapidly deteriorated. Medical supplies, water and fuel for electricity are running low in the territory, on which Israel and Egypt imposed the blockade after Hamas seized power in 2007.

Israeli attacks have damaged at least 18 hospitals and clinics and destroyed one health facility, the World Health Organization said. Nearly half of all essential drugs have run out.

Among the buildings leveled by Israeli airstrikes was one housing The Associated Press Gaza office and those of other media outlets.

Netanyahu has alleged that Hamas military intelligence was operating in the building. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said Tuesday that Israel had given the U.S. information about the bombing, without elaborating.

The AP has called for an independent investigation. The news organizations president, Gary Pruitt, has said the AP had no indication Hamas was present in the building.

The fighting, the worst since a 2014 war between Israel and Hamas, has ignited protests around the world and inspired Palestinians in Israel and the occupied territories to call a general strike Tuesday. It was a rare collective action that spanned boundaries central to decades of failed peace efforts. Israel captured the West Bank, east Jerusalem and Gaza in the 1967 Mideast war, territories the Palestinians want for their future state.

___

Krauss reported from Jerusalem. Associated Press writers Bassem Mroue and Zeina Karam in Beirut, Isabel DeBre in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, Samy Magdy in Cairo and Frank Jordans in Berlin contributed to this report.
Minister Coveney addresses UN Security Council meeting on Peace and Security in Africa

Press release

The Minister for Foreign Affairs, Simon Coveney T.D., today spoke at a UN Security Council open debate chaired by China on addressing root causes of conflict while promoting post pandemic recovery in Africa.

Speaking at the meeting, the Minister underlined how the COVID-19 pandemic has affected the most vulnerable in Africa  particularly those who are already grappling with the effect of conflict on their lives and livelihoods, and the need for the UN and international community to support African efforts to promote peace, security and recovery:

The COVID pandemic demonstrates our global fragility and our shared responsibility to act. It reminds us that the challenges facing African countries due to conflict and fragility are not theirs alone. We must renew our efforts to put in place a strong, global response to the pandemic, while working together to tackle the root causes of conflict.

The Minister outlined Irelands support for global vaccine efforts and recalled the need to invest in health systems, particularly those in conflict settings. He also recalled the need to address the underlying causes and drivers of conflict including the impact of climate change and the illegal exploitation of natural resources. Ireland is currently chairing the Security Councils working group on Climate and Security.

The Minister emphasised the importance of upholding established international principles and responsibilities in the pandemic recovery process.

The promotion and protection of human rights for all, gender equality, and the rule of law must be meaningfully integrated into pandemic recovery strategies. This is key to addressing the root causes of conflict and supporting sustainable development.

The Minister also noted that:

Transforming our post-pandemic world demands us to silence the guns and amplify the voices of women peacebuilders. The meaningful participation of civil society in peacebuilding is also essential for its long-term success.

In conclusion, the Minister emphasised the need for shared solutions to address the complex challenges posed by pandemic recovery in Africa, particularly in areas of conflict.

ENDS

Press Office

19 May 2021

Notes to Editors:

The is one of the signature events of Chinas Presidency of the Council in the month of May.

The meeting took place via VC and was chaired by H.E. Wang Yi, State councillor and Foreign Minister of China.

The briefers included the UN Secretary General, Antonio Guterres, UNDP Administrator Achim Steiner and the AU Commission Chairperson, Moussa Faki.

The meeting is available to view on UN Web TV: http://webtv.un.org/

 Previous Item | Next Item 


Native Title Endorsement Received for Kat gap Project

Perth, May 19, 2021 AEST (ABN Newswire) - Classic Minerals Limited ( ASX:CLZ ) is very pleased to announce yet another significant production milestone with the achievement of Native Title endorsement over the mining area at Kat Gap.The Company has executed a Noongar Alternative Heritage Agreement with the South West Land And Sea Council, ICN 3832 on the behalf of the Ballardong Agreement Group which covers the whole Kat Gap mining project.This is an extremely important milestone to the Company, and we would like to thank our long term employee Mr Jacob Doutch for his "above and beyond" efforts in actively engaging and managing the Native Title endorsements with the West Australian Government and the Ballardong Agreement GroupThe Chairman, John Lester said "We are excited to enter into this agreement with Ballardong Agreement Group, a group who we respect, and we have a strong relationship with. We believe this agreement lays the strongest foundation for the Kat Gap mining project and allows the company to proceed whilst respecting the heritage and culture of the area.Gratitude must be given to our long term employee Jacob Doutch for his significant & tireless efforts in actively engaging and managing the Native Title endorsements with the West Australian Government and the Ballardong Agreement Group."To view images, please visit:About Classic Minerals Ltd

Classic Minerals Ltd (ASX:CLZ) is an exploration and development company focused on gold deposits in Western Australia's famous Goldfields region. In March 2017, Classic acquired the Forrestania Gold Project, with seven tenements stretching across 450km2. Strategically located in a very prospective region, the FGP is an underexplored package surrounded by multimillion ounce deposits such as Bounty (2Moz) and Yilgarn Star (1.5Moz).
LOS ANGELES (AP)  Multimillionaire Robert Durst lived a life of such privilege and ease that he didnt bother keeping track of the many lies he told over the years and it could be his downfall, a prosecutor said Tuesday during a new round of opening statements at his murder trial.

Deputy District Attorney John Lewin wove a combination of Dursts statements  what he said were truth and lies  to outline evidence that will show the New York real estate heir killed his best friend and a neighbor to cover up the mystery of his wifes disappearance.

One of the hallmarks of Bob Durst is that despite all the lies he tells, he doesnt take or use the mental energy to even remember them because his life has been spent privileged in getting away with whatever he wants, Lewin said. The evidence is going to show thats going to be his undoing in a lot of ways in all three of these cases.

Durst, 78, is only charged with one count of murder  in the killing of his best friend, Susan Berman, in 2000 in her Los Angeles home.

Durst has pleaded not guilty and his lawyer said he doesnt know who killed Berman, who was his longtime confidante and once an unofficial spokeswoman when Kathie Durst vanished in New York in 1982.

But Lewin said the killing of Berman, who was shot in the back of the head at close range, and Dursts admission that he fatally shot and dismembered a drifter in Texas in 2001 are both tied to the mystery of Kathie Durst.

Everything starts with Kathie Dursts disappearance and death at the hands of Mr. Durst, Lewin said.

Durst, who suffers from myriad maladies, was slumped in a wheelchair dressed in a blue sportcoat, white dress shirt and tan pants. His gray hair was disheveled and he appeared to show no emotion behind a white mask as he followed the proceedings on a tablet computer that provided a real-time transcript because he has impaired hearing.

Lewin provided an abbreviated opening statement to refresh jurors on what they last heard over six days in March 2020 before the case was recessed an unprecedented 14 months because of the coronavirus pandemic.

Defense lawyers will present their own summary of the evidence on Wednesday. Last year, they stunned the audience when they said they would put Durst on the witness stand.

Durst was acquitted of murder in a Texas court after testifying he killed Morris Black when the man pulled a gun on him and they wrestled for the weapon in the Galveston rooming house where they both lived.

Durst had gone into hiding in Texas after New York prosecutors reopened the investigation into Kathie Dursts suspected death. He killed Black because he had discovered Durst's identity and was trying to leverage the wealthy scion to buy a house for the two of them, Lewin said.

Durst killed Black about nine months after Berman was found dead in her Benedict Canyon home in December 2000. Police were directed to the home by a note with only her address and the word, CADAVER written in block letters.

Durst told the makers of The Jinx: The Life and Deaths of Robert Durst in 2010 and 2012 that he didnt write the note. He told the filmmakers and investigators in 2015 that whoever wrote the note had to have been Bermans killer.

Youre writing a note to the police that only the killer could have written, Durst said.

Lewin said that now amounts to a confession after defense lawyers conceded before trial that Durst wrote the note. Evidence had shown he once penned a note to Berman in identical handwriting, with her address similarly misspelled Beverley Hills instead of Beverly.

The defense argues Durst found Bermans body, panicked and ran. He sent the note to police so shed be found, though her body was discovered before police got the note.

Durst killed Berman to keep her from talking to police about how she helped him cover up his wifes disappearance, Lewin said.

Lewin played a clip of testimony from Nick Chavin, a mutually close friend of the defendant and victim, who said Berman once told him that Durst had killed Kathie. He said Durst told him he killed Berman after the two had dinner in New York in 2014.

I had to, Durst said on the sidewalk, according to Chavin. It was her or me, I had no choice.

Lewin said Berman, the daughter of a Las Vegas mobster who never would have turned her back on a stranger, had no idea Durst had come to kill her when she let him in her home just before Christmas.

She turned around because because she trusted him, because he was her close friend, because he was not somebody to fear, Lewin said. She turned around, she took a few steps and he basically blew her brains out.

Lewin showed a photo of Berman lying on her back, her raven hair spread out on the floor and dark blood pooled under her head.
 June 23  24, 2021: Unique digital conference and matchmaking event for investors and PropTech startups sets the stage for the future of real estate industry

 Event focused on transactions: founders meet venture capitalists - venture capitalists meet fund-of-funds (LPs)

 Recruiting event for 100 selected students from 10 world-renowned universities and business schools

Brussels, 19 May 2021 - RELEVATION, currently one of the world's most important events for prop tech start-ups and investors, will take place on June 23 and 24, 2021. This is where the players of a booming young market segment meet, which has received further impetus from the current pandemic. The PropTech market offers attractive opportunities for smart financial engagements beyond industry-focused investors. In this context, RELEVATION will set the stage for the future of building environments from construction to urban planning.

Opportunities for future-oriented investments

As a purely digital fundraising event, RELEVATION is designed for concrete transactions and effective networking to facilitate investments in the PropTech sector and to bring together founders with venture capitalists and investors (LPs) with venture capital. The organizer PropTech Lab, the real estate innovator network, expects around 400 real estate startups at different stages of development and around 200 leading venture capitalists to participate, including a/o proptech, Round Hill Ventures and Camber Creek. Around 50 Fund-of-Funds (LPs) will be present, looking for a PropTech fund to allocate their capital. Finally, RELEVATION offers participating companies a recruiting fair for more than 100 students from 10 globally renowned universities or business schools such as Oxford, Stanford or IESE Barcelona.

The event's largest partner is CREtech, one of the world's largest PropTech platforms. This gives participants an opportunity to access the US-market and offers RELEVATION the chance to position itself as the leading event to accelerate the global growth of the PropTech segment.

The quality standard is high: the startups are carefully pre-selected according to investor-ready criteria. "RELEVATION is the right event at the right time. The PropTech market is pointing steeply upwards and many innovative new founders are waiting in the wings. It is important to bring them together with investors to take advantage of the momentum. Efficiency and transparency are our top priorities. With RELEVATION, we also want to set new industry standards, for example through IT-supported targeted matching of the ideal future partners and by producing in-depth industry reports about valuation trends, deal references and exit multiples," explains Idriss Goossens, CEO of PropTech Lab and founder of RELEVATION.

More information on registration can be found on www.relevation.org.

Press contact

Meike Hansen

FleishmanHillard Germany GmbH

Meike.hansen@fleishman.com

+49 152 01680885
Weve known for some time that 2021 would be an important and impactful year for direct-to-consumer (DTC) legislation, but as state sessions are starting to close, its remarkable how active the year has been already. As we mark 16 years since the Granholm v. Heald Supreme Court decision, a catalyst for DTC legislation, it's clear DTC legislative activity wont be slowing down anytime soon.

Heres a quick rundown of 2021s most important developments to date:

Avalara AvaTax for Beverage Alcohol helps businesses of all sizes manage licensing and tax requirements to mitigate compliance risk. Come to Avalara CRUSH Virtual to see AvaTax for Beverage Alcohol in action.
Blinken: 'Hundreds' of US sanctions against Iran to remain in effect

Armenia MOD: Official investigation launched against 2 military unit commanders who were dismissed today

Armenian serviceman who was captured today has been returned

UN Security Council endorses Antonio Guterres who is running for Secretary-General for the second time

Armenia Prosecutor General's Office launches case on Armenian serviceman beaten by Azerbaijani soldiers

US is ready to provide technical support for delimitation of border between Armenia and Azerbaijan

Armenia 3rd President to Nikol Pashinyan: I'm giving that depraved 24 hours

"Armenia" bloc calls on Central Electoral Commission to respond to Nikol Pashinyan's calls for violence

Armenian National Congress Party member: People who talk about peace achieve the greatest victories

"Armenia" bloc member: Pashinyan dismissed regiment commanders because they refused to advocate for him

Armenia MOD: Incident between Armenian and Azerbaijani soldiers took place a week ago

Armenia ruling Civil Contract Party holding campaign meeting in Ashtarak, led by Nikol Pashinyan (LIVE)

Soldier ends up on Azerbaijan territory, Baku starts trial against Armenia POW, Jun 8 digest

Head of Armenia's Geghamasar village endorses Robert Kocharyan, to manage bloc's territorial headquarters

"Armenia" bloc representative: I call on law-enforcement authorities to get ready to perform their duties

Armenia President receives acting high-tech and economy ministers and CEO of FAST

Armenia 2nd President says his bloc is against vendettas, supports justice

Armenia opposition party's candidate for PM Samvel Babayan makes call to citizens

Armenia ex-officials registration on "I have the honor" bloc electoral list is declared invalid

Karabakh President grants high state awards to relatives of policemen who fell in the war

Karabakh President meets in Yerevan with heads of communities of Kashatagh region

Armenia Central Electoral Commission: Advertisement of Robert Kocharyan's book is associated with campaign posters

Edmon Marukyan: Bright Armenia Party is only one that can become axis of government of national accord

Armenia former President Kocharyan on incumbent authorities: Psychology of flawed people

Armenia applies to ECHR to ensure respect of rights of Armenian POW captured today

Armenia opposition party's candidate for PM and citizen get into dispute

One dollar drops below AMD 520 in Armenia

Armenia 2nd President on the reason for country's defeat in the war and return of Armenian POWs

Armenia 2nd President: People will give evaluation during the elections

Three more remains retrieved during search in Artsakh

Homeland of Armenians political party members meet with Netherlands Ambassador

Armenia acting PM to voters: Prepare for civil revenge

Armenia ex-President Kocharyan: Authorities clumsiness, unprofessionalism, treachery brought current situation

Official: 3 deputy FMs of Armenia dismissed

Armenia MOD: Soldier ended up in area under Azerbaijan army control due to fog

Russia's Putin, Armenia 2nd President hold phone talks

Azerbaijan state prosecutor demands sentencing Lebanese Armenian Euljekjian to 20 years in prison

Search for remains of fallen soldiers continues in Artsakh

Armenias Pashinyan: Today I see more opportunities to resolve Artsakh issue with our ideas than 4 years ago

Azerbaijan MOD informs about capture of another Armenia soldier

Lavrov discusses Armenia-Azerbaijan border situation with France, Germany FMs

Armenia acting premier: Our captives again would have been returned late if they had been returned earlier

Lightning strikes kill 27 people in eastern India

Bright Armenia Party leader: We will remove Azerbaijan troops from our territory through negotiations

Armenia 2nd President Kocharyan proposes 3 steps to citizens

Rose petals are sprinkled on Armenia acting PM at Aragatsotn Province village

Stoltenberg says cooperation between Russia, China is challenge for NATO

UN resident coordinator in Armenia meets with families displaced from Karabakh (PHOTOS)

One new case of coronavirus reported in Artsakh

Armenia acting premier makes new appointment

Armenia permanent representative is elected UN General Assembly 76th session committee chairman

China facing trade boom

World oil prices falling

73 new cases of COVID-19 confirmed in Armenia

Captive Lebanese Armenian man is being tried in Azerbaijan

Embassy: US ambassador did not meet with Armenia acting PM during her visit to Syunik

Texas woman opens fire at nail salon because of manicure-pedicure cost

Newspaper: City hall employee fired for liking Facebook news about Armenia former President Sargsyan

Trudeau calls for end to Islamophobia in Canada after Muslim family road accident

Newspaper: Queues are formed to become Armenia ex-President Kocharyan political team member

Catastrophically rapid melting of ice discovered in Arctic

Armenia Gegharkunik Province village head: I heard that Azerbaijanis have brought equipment, are digging trenches

Newspaper: Second round of snap parliamentary elections expected in Armenia?

Newly appointed Ambassador of Italy presents Letters of Credence to Armenia President

Armenia Prosecutor General holds consultation with law-enforcement officers of Syunik Province

Armenia acting Deputy PM receives Masdar representatives

Biden, Erdogan to discuss Nagorno-Karabakh during meeting on the sidelines of NATO summit

Armenia Ombudsman: Azerbaijani soldiers are busy stealing cattle of Armenian residents

Armenia opposition party leader terminates election campaign, calls on canceling snap elections

Maldives foreign minister elected UN General Assembly president

Armenia acting PM: Captives will forgive us for staying in Baku prisons for another month or two months

Armenia 2nd President: "Property for debt" deal is a de facto $100,000,000 investment made by Russia

Robert Kocharyan: If Armenia wants to be respected, it needs to have its Armed Forces

Baku sentences 13 Armenian POWs

Armenia acting PM holding march in Armavir town with a large number of security officers

Karabakh emergency situations service: Remains of 2 more servicemen found and removed from Jrakan (Jabrayil)

Opposition Prosperous Armenia Party leader: War showed that Russia is only country that supported Armenians

Snap elections campaign kicks off in Armenia, treason case against Armenia exposed, Jun 7 digest

Vladimir Putin, Charles Michel discuss situation in Nagorno-Karabakh

Armenia MFA confirms that all deputy FMs have resigned

Karabakh emergency situations service: Cluster munition found in park near house in Stepanakert

Levon Ter-Petrosyan says upcoming elections will be most embarrassing and most dangerous ones in Armenia's history

Armenia 1st President says why he felt sorry for Nikol Pashinyan

Levon Ter-Petrosyan: Armenia doesn't have allies with regard to Karabakh issue

Armenia Ombudsman sends task force to Syunik Province for fact-finding to develop concept paper on buffer zone

"I have the honor" bloc of Armenia: We must kill the enemy first if it came to kill us

Jerusalem Joint Commission to provide funding for reconstruction of kindergarten in village of Karabakh

Acting PM on Armenian casualties in Artsakh war: Official death toll is close to 3,700

Armenia 2nd President makes call ahead of snap parliamentary elections

Dollar holds steady in Armenia

3 citizens apprehended during Armenia acting PM's campaign meeting in Armavir Province

Armenia 2nd President Kocharyan: Asymmetric confederation was built with Karabakh

Armenia opposition party leader: Clashes can be prevented, if we garner majority of votes of 40% of undecided voters

Police forcefully apprehend woman who spoke out against Armenia acting PM in Etchmiadzin

ARARAT Nairi brandy won a gold medal in Tokyo Whisky and Spirits Competition

Armenia's Pashinyan grants himself a leave, to be substituted by acting Deputy PM Tigran Avinyan

Armenia opposition "I Have the Honor" bloc to officially launch election campaign today at 6 p.m.

Robert Kocharyan: Leading negotiations over other issues unacceptable so long as captives are in captivity

Search for remains of war casualties continues in Artsakh

Armenia, Georgia to restore railway communication starting from June 15
MADRID - Europe will not "be intimidated by anyone on the subject of migration", European Commission Vice President Margaritis Schinas said during an interview with Spanish radio Wednesday on the issue of Ceuta.



Thousands of migrants have crossed the border from Morocco into the Spanish enclave in recent days.



He warned that "no one can blackmail the EU".

Morocco steps up border control near Ceuta

MADRID - Following two days of high tension along the border between Morocco and the Spanish enclave of Ceuta, the situation on Wednesday appeared calm. Moroccan police have stepped up their efforts to stop attempts by migrants to cross into Spanish territory illegally. Many are nonetheless still trying, according to sources on the ground.

5,600 migrants back in Morocco from Ceuta

MADRID - Some 5,600 migrants of the approximately 8,000 that arrived in the Spanish enclave of Ceuta between the early morning hours of Monday and Tuesday are now back in Moroccan territory, El Pais quoted Spanish interior ministry sources as saying.

The number includes both those that were expelled after illegally crossing the border and those that left Ceuta voluntarily.
Farm produce should be sold in a competitive market, rather than through a "market of compassion" or rescue campaigns, experts have said.

In April 2021, A Chau Food JSC opened its vegetable and fruit processing plant in Muong Khuong, the pineapple and banana metropolis in Lao Cai province. The event helped change the fate of the land, where there are 1,200 hectares of pineapples and 1,800 hectares of bananas.

About 4,600 tons of canned pineapple, 1,600 tons of pineapple juice concentrate, 800 tons of dried bananas, 1,000 tons of sweet corn and 250 tons of vegetables will be produced there every year.

Son La province now has eight high-capacity farm produce processing plants. Passion fruit, pineapple, mango, banana, avocado and longan are processed into canned goods, juice and dried products for domestic sale and export to the most demanding markets in the world.

There are also 200 farm production chains taking shape in the province, which provide materials to processing plants.

In Ben Tre, coconut is not only sold as fresh fruit and used to make candies or activated carbon, but also to make next-generation processed products.

Cuu Long Coconut Processing Co Ltd creates 20 cosmetic products from coconut, including makeup and functional food and environmentally friendly straw.

In the province with 73,000 hectares of coconut growing area, the coconut processing industry is taking shape. As many as 150 products are made of coconut and are exported to many markets, including choosy markets like US, Canada and Australia.

In 2020, coconut and coconut-made products brought turnover of VND5.88 trillion to the province, including export turnover of $346.91 million.

No more rescue campaigns

Farm produce should be sold in a competitive market, rather than through a "market of compassion" or rescue campaigns, experts have said.

Ben Tre has developed a modern processing industry which puts out competitive products from coconut. The enterprises in the province have large scale and use advanced technologies.

With its great advantages, Ben Tre is striving for $1 billion worth of turnover from coconut products. Ben Tre farmers never have to call on people to rescue their coconuts because of oversupply, and even import materials from other countries for domestic processing.

As for Muong Khuong, thousands of households there will change their production mode because of the processing plant in the locality.

They will no longer grow bananas and pineapples in the old way, but will join production chains. The tragic images of farmers throwing pineapples away because of no buyers and bargaining bananas away will no longer occur.

Building processing plants in material growing areas to create farm production chains as in Muong Khuong has been seen in many provinces, but the number of such plants is still modest.

This explains why farmers are unhappy when they have bountiful crops, and why they still have to call for help to buy farm produce.

Son La, considered a poor province, has emerged as a phenomenon in the last five years. From a province which only grew maize and cassava, Son La has become the second largest fruit production center of the country and the largest fruit processing center in the northeast.

In 2020, when the Covid-19 pandemic broke out and disrupted the distribution chain, Son Las products still sold well, which brought a stable income to farmers.

Purple passion fruit and avocado alone brought turnover of VND600 million per hectare, mango VND500 million, and custard apple nearly VND1 billion. There are more and more dong billionaire-farmers in the province.

Former Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Nguyen Xuan Cuong predicted that by developing production chains and organizing deep processing of farm produce, Son La will be able to earn $1 billion a year from farm exports after a short time.

Developing production areas in association with deep processing will not only help stop the oversupply, but also create higher added value.

Nguyen Lam Vien, chair of Vinamit, a well known dried fruit producer, said the gap in profits can be seen in the material section phase. Processing plants dont need to choose expensive fruits with beautiful appearance, but just use fruits with low prices.

The products that dont have good appearance cannot be exported as fresh fruits, but can be used for processing if they have high quality. Therefore, processed products can bring higher profits.

One kilogram of onion, for example, is sold for VND5,000-6,000. But one kilogram of onion, after being processed into different products, has the value of VND350,000. As for fruit, the value of processed products may be 10-20 times higher than fresh fruit.

New value for farm produce

According to MARD, Vietnams vegetable and fruit export turnover has increased from hundreds of millions of dollars to billions of dollars. In 2020, the country earned $3.26 billion despite Covid-19.

However, only 8-10 percent of vegetables and fruits are used for processing.

Meanwhile, experts believe that exporting processed products is the optimal solution, because processed exports can bring 3-4 times higher value than fresh exports.

Under the plan on developing farm produce processing in 2021-2030, Vietnam aims to export $8-10 billion worth of vegetables and fruits a year, 30 percent of which would be from processed exports.

Tam An

Online stalls help rescue farm produce in North Hai Duongs first farm produce, including cabbage and chicken eggs, are being sold on voso.vn, an e-commerce website, while an online stall distributing Hai Duongs produce has been set up.
The military are setting up two temporary hospitals to provide care for COVID-19 patients in Bac Ninh and Bac Giang provinces, which are the two provinces affected the worst by the current COVID-19 resurgence in Vietnam, on May 19 afternoon.

Medical staff conduct COVID-19 testing in a lab. (Photo: Ministry of Health)

The two facilities, one located on the ground of the Political Officers Colleges No.2 campus in Bac Ninh city and the other at Regiment 831 of the Bac Giang Military Command in Viet Yen district, are scheduled to begin receive patients from 5pm on May 19.

Each has 300 beds and close to 120 medical workers. Their capacity can be raised to 500 beds if required.

According to the Ministry of National Defences General Department of Logistics, the hospitals are designed to offer emergency care and treatment for COVID-19 patients in a bid to help the two provinces swiftly keep the coronavirus at bay.

In a meeting with the ministrys steering committee for COVID-19 prevention and control on May 16, Minister of National Defence Phan Van Giang said his ministry will deploy more officers and vehicles to support pandemic-hit localities in fighting the fourth COVID-19 wave.

Meanwhile, the National Institute of Hygiene and Epidemiology on May 19 announced that B.1.617.2  the Indian variant of coronavirus  has been found in 29 samples collected in Vietnam. They include 10 in Hanoi, five in the Vietnam National Cancer Hospitals Tan Trieu facility, nine in Bac Giang, two in Bac Ninh, two in Vinh Phuc and one in Hai Phong.

The UKs B.1.17 variant, meanwhile, were detected in two samples collected in Hai Duong./.VNA

300 mobile police officers support Bac Giang in fight against Covid-19 On the morning of May 17, nearly 300 officers and soldiers of the Mobile Police Command left Hanoi to go the northern province of Bac Giang to help prevent and control the Covid-19 outbreak.
Prison Communications

May 19, 2021

People serving time in prison or jail in the United States, which has the highest incarceration rate in the world, are almost constantly being monitored. The surveillance even stretches into communications between inmates and their relatives.

You gotta be careful what you say, said a relative of an incarcerated person, who was interviewed in a new study authored by Carnegie Mellon University CyLab researchers.

The study, which explores peoples understandings, attitudes, and reactions to prison surveillance, received an Honorable Mention award at this weeks Association for Computing Machinery (ACM) Computer-Human Interaction (CHI) conference, held virtually.

Family members of incarcerated people are forced to make a choice between being surveilled or not communicating with their loved ones at all, says Kentrell Owens, who conducted this work with Lorrie Cranor and Camille Cobb as a Carnegie Mellon Electrical and Computer Engineering M.S. student and is currently a Ph.D. student at the University of Washington. We wanted to investigate if and how this surveillance affected their communication.

The researchers conducted structured interviews of 16 family members of people incarcerated in Pennsylvania. The researchers did not interview currently incarcerated people for several reasons, including the fact that the interviews themselves would be surveilled, which could bias results or introduce risk to participants.

You cant really be open and honest, said one participant.  its just difficult to communicate with somebody when you know that their communications are being tracked and being monitored and  of course  can be used against them, said another.

Participants were generally aware that their communications with their incarcerated family members were not private. In fact, 12 of the 16 participants discussed privacy or surveillance before the researchers explicitly brought either topic up. However, their understanding of more technologically-advanced surveillance methods, such as voice-printing (i.e. the ability for a call recipient to be identified by their voice) and location tracking for calls received on a cell phoneboth of which are commonly used surveillance methodswas limited.

Fourteen of the 16 study participants who sent physical mail said they were aware that the letters they sent would be read by people other than the intended recipient before delivery. One of the participants said their letter was rejected because they only used their first initial instead of their full name. Based on policies at the facilities in this study, the researchers believed these claims were accurate.

Many of the participants shared their privacy-preserving strategies, such as using what they personally perceive to be the most private methodwhether it be writing a letter, visiting in person, or talking on the phone  or avoiding certain topics in the conversation. Some even claimed to use euphemisms and nicknames or speak in code to keep their conversation private.

Some participants noted that discussing the events leading up to their relatives arrest could help them gain closure, but because they are being monitored, doing so is risky. Others were aware that parts of their conversation could be used to strengthen an ongoing case or open a new case against their relative.

While prison communication companies already have the technical capabilities for change, there is little evidence that they will change surveillance practices without being forced by regulators, the researchers say. Thus, the authors make a number of recommendations for policymakers.

First, prison communication companies should be limited in the amount of data they can collect, as the systems that store those data are vulnerable to attack. If compromised, those data can cause substantial harm on an already vulnerable population. Secondly, these companies should be required to increase access to data controls, just as regulation has recently given more control to individuals over their personal information online.

Lastly, the researchers urge policymakers to require more transparency about prison communications.

Surveillance without transparency inherently creates risks of abuse, discrimination, and selective enforcement because there is no public oversight and accountability, says Owens.

For those currently communicating with incarcerated relatives, the researchers recommend choosing the most private communication method that fits their needs and goals. If one wishes to protect their identity, sending a letter is probably their best bet. If one wants to have a conversation without having every word recorded, perhaps an in-person visit would be best, as long as they dont mind the possibility that someone nearby may overhear parts of their conversation.

Moving forward, the researchers hope that this study is a step in the right direction towards change.

We hope this study encourages others to critically examine surveillance and the risk of harm in carceral systems, says Owens.

As part of this research, the authors drafted an example handout that advocacy groups could distribute to relatives of incarcerated people to provide information about communication options and privacy issues.

Story originally published here.
Please enable cookies on your web browser in order to continue.

The new European data protection law requires us to inform you of the following before you use our website:

We use cookies and other technologies to customize your experience, perform analytics and deliver personalized advertising on our sites, apps and newsletters and across the Internet based on your interests. By clicking I agree below, you consent to the use by us and our third-party partners of cookies and data gathered from your use of our platforms. See our Privacy Policy and Third Party Partners to learn more about the use of data and your rights. You also agree to our Terms of Service.
.......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... ..........

Copyright  2021 Albuquerque Journal

Sen. Martin Heinrich is asking the Biden administration to prohibit future leasing of all minerals on federal land in a 10-mile area surrounding Chaco Culture National Historical Park.

In a May 7 letter to Interior Secretary Deb Haaland, the New Mexico Democrat said an administrative action would protect the region until permanent protection can be secured legislatively.

ADVERTISEMENTSkip



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

As you know, the Greater Chaco Landscape is home to innumerable sacred sites and cultural items of critical importance to pueblo, Navajo, and Apache communities, Heinrich wrote.

A federal moratorium on new leasing in the Chaco region expired at the end of 2020.

New Mexicos congressional delegation has introduced legislation in past sessions to make the moratorium permanent.

The Bureau of Land Management has been amending a resource management plan for the Farmington area for several years.

It is time to move from short-term policies that shift every year to the long-term certainty provided by an administrative withdrawal of the federal mineral resources in the vicinity of the park, Heinrich said.

In January, President Biden paused new fossil fuel leasing on federal lands.

The Interior Department is reviewing the program, and will release a report with recommendations this summer.

Environmental groups said that the current leasing pause accomplished what Heinrich is seeking, and the administration should think bigger.

Kendra Pinto, who grew up in the Counselor Chapter of the Navajo Nation and serves on a committee analyzing oil and gas impacts in the Greater Chaco area, said protections for the 10-mile buffer zone wouldnt do enough for air quality in northwest New Mexicos patchwork of state, private, tribal and federal land.

Withdrawing federal minerals directly around Chaco Park is a good start, but politicians need to remember the lives of those outside the buffer zone, Pinto said. The buffer is a Band-Aid to the problems at large, and fracking across the region needs to finally address environmental justice and the health of all people across the landscape.

The president or interior secretary can sign an administrative mineral withdrawal.

Presidential proclamations under the Antiquities Act, congressional legislation, or Federal Energy Regulatory Commission actions can also remove minerals from future leasing.

Theresa Davis is a Report for America corps member covering water and the environment for the Albuquerque Journal.
Columbia, MO (65201)

Today

A few clouds. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. Low 67F. Winds E at 5 to 10 mph..

Tonight

A few clouds. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. Low 67F. Winds E at 5 to 10 mph.
President Ho Chi Minh signs with the French Government a modus vivendi with one of the principal contents that both sides would refrain from all actions of conflicts and force, and negotiations would resume, September 14, 1946. This document was signed to give the young government more time to prepare for a long-held revolution. (Photo: Archives/Published by VNA)
5,600 migrants back in Morocco from Ceuta Spanish govt sources quoted by El Pais

(ANSAmed) - MADRID, MAY 19 - Some 5,600 migrants of the approximately 8,000 that arrived in the Spanish enclave of Ceuta between the early morning hours of Monday and Tuesday are now back in Moroccan territory, El Pais quoted Spanish interior ministry sources as saying.



The number includes both those that were expelled after illegally crossing the border and those that left Ceuta voluntarily.(ANSAmed).




The cyber attack suffered by the Irish health service could see the HSE fined 1m for GDPR failings  the maximum amount allowable under Irish law.

The Data Protection Commission has confirmed it received notice of the massive breach from the HSE within 72 hours of it occurring, as required by law.

While the DPC will not officially make a decision as to whether or not to initiate an inquiry before the end of next week at the earliest, an investigation is inevitable given the extent to which the HSEs technology and systems have been compromised.

Under Article 32 of the GDPR, controllers have a responsibility to encrypt and preserve personal data as confidential, and must have the ability to restore the availability and access to personal data in a timely manner in the event of a physical or technical incident.

The HSE has acknowledged it is likely to be some weeks before its systems are fully restored.

Given how outdated the HSEs systems are, this whole situation is an opportunity for them to get their house properly in order, a senior privacy source said.

Daragh OBrien, managing director with Wexford-based data consultants Castlebridge, said he believed the HSE breach may see the DPC utilise the full extent of its fining powers on a State body for the first time.

Even the most benign parent will eventually lose their patience, he said of the DPCs tolerance for State bodies intransigence on GDPR compliance.

He said the context is a decision by the Data Protection Commissioner Helen Dixon last month to fine the Irish Credit Bureau 90,000 for a 2018 data breach which saw 1,062 incorrect account records disclosed to financial institutions. It was at the time the largest individual fine applied to an Irish company under GDPR.

That figure had been reduced from 220,000 due to mitigating circumstances  specifically the speed with which the ICB had rectified the errors in its own records.

However, such mitigation does not appear to be available to the HSE, both due to the ongoing nature of the crisis, and the fact that personal data may have been stolen by the cyberattackers.

The Credit Bureau involved 15,000 records, affected 1,000 people and saw a fine of 220,000, and it wasnt a ransomware attack. The failings of the HSE are at the very least five times as bad as that, Mr OBrien said.
NAPA, Calif.Vibratex, exclusive North American importer of the Magic Wand brand, has official launched its inaugural Pleasure as Art artist commission search.

The company is now accepting applications from individual artists and collaborative teams looking to create art works with up to 100 decommissioned Magic Wand Originals.

Interested artists must complete an entry form and submit descriptions and sketches of their proposed design. One entry will be selected by a panel of judges to receive a $10,000 commission to then bring their design to life. Once complete, the finished art piece will be put on tour and featured in prominent locationsincluding adult retailersaround the United States.

More information about Magic Wands Pleasure as Art initiative, including entry requirements and a detailed description of the selection process, can be found at magicwandoriginal.com/art.

Although weve intentionally established a long entry period, we cant help but watch the inbox like were waiting for party guests to arrive! Vibratex CEO Ken Herskovitz said.

Launching this competition has presented a few challenges, the company divulged.

Sadly, we did experience some pushback from art collectives who felt uncomfortable with our project, Herskovitz continued. This was surprising even though it shouldnt have been. Its certainly not the first time this industry has faced mainstream resistance.

The brand plans to discuss this situation in greater detail in the near future. In the meantime, interested individuals or teams of artists may submit proposals now through June 30. Additional competition details will be announced soon, including tour dates and locations. Interested parties may submit contact information via the Pleasure as Art website to receive updates and announcements.

For all Vibratex and Magic Wand sales questions and inquiries, contact Eddie Romero, director of business development, at [email protected].

For more on Magic Wand, visit magicwandoriginal.com and follow the brand on Instagram @truemagicwand.
.......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... ..........

Copyright  2021 Albuquerque Journal

A federal judge said Tuesday he is contemplating sealing the transcript of what could be a mini-murder trial of the man charged in the fatal shooting of Jacqueline Vigil in Albuquerque in her driveway in late 2019.

This is a very, very unique and extraordinary case, U.S. District Judge Jason Pulliam said during a pretrial hearing in San Antonio, Texas, where Luis Talamantes-Romero was scheduled to be sentenced next week on a charge of entering the U.S. illegally after deportation. That hearing has been delayed until early September.

Federal prosecutors hope to enhance Talamantes-Romeros prison sentence for illegal reentry to the maximum 20 years allowed by presenting evidence related to Vigils slaying, which occurred several months after he returned to New Mexico after being deported back to Mexico.

ADVERTISEMENTSkip



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

But although an initial murder charge has been filed in New Mexico, Talamantes-Romero hasnt been arraigned nor has he been appointed a criminal defense attorney in New Mexico. The case is on hold while state prosecutors in Albuquerque wait for the federal case to play out.

Second Judicial District Attorney Raul Torrez has pledged to take the state murder case to trial. He recently announced his candidacy for state attorney general.

The federal court in Texas is being asked to determine, based on evidence to be presented by the government and the defense, whether Talamantes-Romero committed the murder. That would be tantamount to a mini-murder trial that is not relevant to his immigration case, his attorney said in court records.

For prosecutors, introducing the murder case at the immigration sentencing could be an easier way to ensure Talamantes-Romero remains in prison for a lengthy period, considering a lower standard of proof is needed  only a preponderance of the evidence. Fewer witnesses might need to testify, and hearsay is allowed, unlike in state court.

Talamantes-Romeros defense attorney, Angela Saad Lindsey, has objected to the murder allegation being considered at all,

What is particularly troubling is the difference in the legal standards from preponderance of the evidence and beyond a reasonable doubt for that future jury pool (in New Mexico), she said.

Pulliam told both sides, We are sort of in uncharted territory here.

The court is very, very concerned about tainting any potential jury pool in New Mexico, Pulliam said. The question is going to come up from both the state prosecution and the state defense teams, Have you heard anything about this matter, have you read anything in the newspaper?

And I can see somebody raising their hand, saying, Yes, I read an article about a federal judge in San Antonio who said he did it. 

A criminal investigation by Albuquerque police, the FBI and the DAs Office concluded that Talamantes-Romero fled to San Antonio, Texas, in the days after Vigil, the mother of two State Police officers, was killed, court records show.

Authorities say he and another man were lurking in a Jeep near her home before dawn on Nov. 19, 2019, and Talamantes-Romero jumped out to approach Vigil after seeing her get into her Cadillac on her way to the gym.

Her car door was locked, and nothing was taken. But before leaving, the assailant shot her dead.

Talamantes-Romero was arrested on Jan. 21, 2020, after APD officers received a Crime Stoppers tip alleging he was the gunman and he had fled to San Antonio. He was picked up on an illegal entry charge, his fourth.

But Talamantes-Romero was never identified publicly as a suspect until the FBI in Albuquerque entered the investigation in late July 2020, and the details of the murder investigation became public in an affidavit filed in his immigration case.

Fred Federici, acting U.S. attorney for New Mexico, appeared in person at the San Antonio hearing, as did Talamantes-Romero, who has been held in federal custody on the immigration violation in Texas since January 2020. A Journal reporter was permitted to watch the hearing remotely.

Federici told the judge Tuesday that he objected to the proposed transcript sealing, which he said is against Department of Justice policy.

The DOJ, Federici said, opposes sealing of the courtroom except in extraordinary cases, this not being one of them.

What could be more extraordinary than this? Pulliam asked.

This is a matter of public concern, the federal prosecutor replied. Federici said he believes jurors in the state murder trial will follow instructions to disregard press accounts and to base their verdict only on evidence presented in court.

Federici said that contrary to defense assertions, Its not disingenuous for us to be fighting for this. Weve got a robbery problem in Albuquerque; weve been dealing with out-of-control crime rates in our city for a long time.

Is that a federal judicial matter for a San Antonio judge? Pulliam asked.

Its a matter for everybody involved. Its a matter of who we have on the streets of this country, Federici said.

To continue to come back to our country, he said, and continue to revisit this country when youre told to stay out and youve been deported or removed, it matters what you do here.

Defense attorney Lindsey said her client will be facing a 57- to 71-month prison sentence on the illegal entry charge if the murder allegation isnt considered.

Talamantes-Romeros defense team in the past has noted that he has lived most of his life in the United States and has family in Albuquerque. He is currently charged in Albuquerque with murder, aggravated burglary, tampering with evidence and more.

Is he the guy who came back to visit his family, to work and lead an otherwise law-abiding life? Federici asked the judge. We say no. We say wed like to present you the proof  this man came back as a predator, robbing people.

People on the streets of Albuquerque, but it could be your city, judge.
Our website uses cookies

We are always working to improve this website for our users. To do this, we use the anonymous data provided by cookies.

Learn more about how we use cookies
BEIRUT - The Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) on Wednesday opened fire on civilians in northeastern Syria, killing five people including a child.



Seven others were injured during the shooting, which occurred during protests against the Kurdish-led authorities' decision to increase fuel prices amid a generalized lack of essential services such as drinking water and electricity.



Reports were from Syrian media, which noted that the Kurdish-led forces had opened fire during a protest by inhabitants of two small towns near the al-Shaddadi district south of Hasakah in an Arab-majority area.



Two days before, the Kurdish authorities - which Turkey claims are the Syrian branch of the outlawed PKK - announced the decision to increase prices for petrol and fuel for home use, used for generators and cooking, by 300%.



The Kurdish-led authorities are directly supported by the US and indirectly by Russia. They operate in an area where in addition to the Kurdish-led forces there are also US, Russian, Turkish, and Syrian government forces.



Following Turkish military operations in the border area and a resulting periodic interruption of water from the Alluk pumping station, the Kurdish-led authorities have been under pressure from the population due to their difficulties to provide basic services.



Social tension has been rising, especially in areas where the Arab communities live close to Kurdish ones and in Arab-majority ones controlled by the Kurdish-led forces after the military defeat of the Islamic State in eastern Deir al-Zor in the spring of 2019.


In dreams, there are landscapes like a Tom Climent painting: composite realms constructed of places we remember, imbued with surreal qualities. In reality, we can finally go and stand in front of artworks again. It still feels quite surreal to be standing with the Cork artist in the Lavit Gallery, in front of one of his highly-coloured canvases, A Fertile Land.

Up close, the texture is slightly rough in places; Climents media include sand and plaster alongside oils. Stand back, and its an abstract landscape populated with geometric forms in brilliant hues.

Im not sure Id call myself a landscape painter, but Ive used landscape as a way of grounding the paint, providing a way into the paintings, says Climent, who cuts a contrastingly monochrome figure against his work in dark jeans, jacket and matching black face mask.

Im trying to invite people into these places, through colour and planes and perspective.

To me, this one is a little like the Beara peninsula, where I spent time last summer. I do take photographs and have them in the studio, but I dont try to use them in a representational way: the paintings act a sponge and absorb places Ive seen and places Id like to go.

Climents father is Spanish and he lived there briefly as a child, maintaining a connection to Spain throughout his life. His vivid-hued paintings are hardly reflective of the Irish palette of greens and greys: is he painting Spain, too?

I think it has a definite impact on my relationship with light and colour: that intensity of light you see in the Spanish landscape, says the artist who mainly grew up in Beaumont and Douglas, and attended St Francis College in Rochestown.

I can see the imprint of places that Ive been to, but really Im trying to capture something thats just out of reach, thats kind of magic as well. These things exist that we cant put words on but that we all feel is there. Something spiritual that theres no explanation for.

Tom Climent at work.

He talks about the idea of a prism, about splitting light into colours. In earlier iterations in his career as a painter, Climent spent long periods absorbed in perfecting painting techniques used by the old masters; like all painters he is, he says, essentially concerned with capturing light.

These geometric shapes represent the prism to me, and are a way to explore light through colour, he says. I always imagine that Im trying to capture light itself, by splitting it and using the colour spectrum as a representation of light.

If this sounds like a rather scientific approach for a painter who often describes his practice as largely intuitive, its a duality Climent readily acknowledges.

I loved science when I was school, and I think that order and structure is coming out in my work now. Both things are there: structure, logic and order, but also chance and accident.

Alongside Climents prismatic shards of colour, theres also his frequent use of gold.

Its symbolic of the sun, and to do with alchemy and change, he says. I see it within the work as this power source, this gateway to something else, to a sense of magic.

This is the second time hes mentioned magic. Does he believe in magic?

When you work creatively, I think you have to, he says. Youre opening yourself up to things that you cant control. Its not necessarily related to being an artist, but I think people experience these things in their lives that are a connection to something else. In my working day, I try to let that be there all the time, to create the space to allow it to come in.

This show, Forgotten Shores, features a series of paintings that make up a definite epoch in Climents career, a move away from earlier more figurative work, with a more muted palette.

Eden, one of his large canvases in this vein, has recently been purchased by the Crawford Art Gallery, as part of a 400,000 spend on expanding the national collection. Climents painting will soon grace the walls of Corks National Cultural Institution, and be seen by its many annual visitors.

For the artist, its an affirmation: Its like recognition that youve been doing this for a while now, and that its accepted of you. Having a piece in a public collection means a lot more people will see it. Its an honour, in a sense.

But Climent has been quietly working away for a quarter of a century, managing to pull off the rare feat of having worked as a full-time professional artist ever since his graduation from the Crawford College of Art and Design 25 years ago. His studio is in Cork city centre, near Sullivans Quay.

Climent studied engineering in Cork Regional Technical College (now MTU) when he left school. But he took night classes in the Crawford College of Art and Design and eventually found himself immersed in art and made the switch, ditching his engineering degree in favour of Fine Art with the support of his parents.

Tom Climent, and fellow artist Debbie Godsell, stand by his piece Eden, which was recently purchased by the Crawford Art Gallery in Cork. Picture: Michael Mac Sweeney/Provision

Since graduating in 1995  he returned and completed a Masters a decade later  he has had varying degrees of commercial success. It hasnt always been a perfectly smooth path, he acknowledges.

Its been up and down at times, he says. You have to be resilient in some way, and stubborn too. You have to feel that if things are not going that well with the work or financially, it will improve. And you have to keep thinking like that. Its like tightrope walking: just dont look down, its one step at a time."

Climent credits his family and other people around him for their support through the years.

There are people who have encouraged my work and bought it and held exhibitions, and you need that support. Now, through the Crawford, theres more interest in my work. Its like a spotlight is put on your work for a while.

The additional exposure since the Crawford acquisition may well add to Climents growing reputation as an artist, and ultimately, to the prices he can command for his work. Which currently range from 14,000 for A Fertile Land, the largest canvas on display, down to 800 for some of the smallest. Is additional commercial clout welcome?

He shrugs. I dont really think about them selling, but they have to sell too, or I wouldnt be able to keep doing it, he says. Its there and I cant avoi

d it, but I dont worry about it too much. One thing hes not going to do is allow recent recognition to force him to reproduce more of the same, or to cement his style. Hes still changing, and moving forward, and the paintings are right there with him.

For me, the sense of being on a journey with the paintings is very true: you dont feel alone, he says. Im in a relationship with the work that I make.

Im introducing more organic shapes now. I wanted to make a change from the very geometric shapes and I got thinking about the shapes of leaves and flowers and the shape of trees, and that kind of softness I wanted to bring in: something to do with growth and regrowth.

Ive always embraced change and I dont even have much control over it. Im happy to work like this for a while, but it will evolve and move and grow.
.......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... ..........

Copyright  2021 Albuquerque Journal

SANTA FE  The editor of a conservative media outlet has filed an ethics complaint accusing Gov. Michelle Lujan Grishams reelection campaign of improperly spending campaign funds on her daughters beauty business.

The complaint focuses on a $1,040 payment in October last year to Beauty By Erin Grisham, an expense the governors reelection campaign described as for media preparation.

But in his complaint, conservative activist John Block said Erin Grishams business focuses on cosmetology, not media preparation, and isnt a permissible campaign expense.

ADVERTISEMENTSkip



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

He cited a state campaign finance guide published in 2019 that listed hair, nail and makeup services as personal  not campaign  expenses.

Jared Leopold, a spokesman for the Lujan Grisham campaign, said the governors media-preparation spending was related to her appearances before the Democratic National Convention last year  an expense he said is clearly tied to campaign activity, not personal, and allowed under state law.

He noted that Lujan Grishams predecessor, Republican Susana Martinez, had reported a similar campaign expenditure for styling in 2010.

These routine political expenses were for the governors speech and 14 other events she addressed for the Democratic National Convention in August 2020, Leopold said. This type of event preparation expense is a common and necessary political expenditure for politicians of both parties.

He called the ethics complaint frivolous and sexist.

Block, a conservative activist and campaign volunteer who lives in Alamogordo, is founder of the Pinon Post, an online publication. He filed the complaint Thursday.

No public servant in New Mexico should be above the law regardless of what office they may occupy, Block said in the complaint.

He isnt related to Jay Block, a Sandoval County commissioner who is seeking the Republican nomination to challenge Lujan Grisham next year.

Regulations issued by the Secretary of States Office allow campaign funds to be spent for purposes reasonably attributable to the candidates campaign but not for personal use or living expenses.

Spending is prohibited if the expense would exist even in the absence of the candidacy, according to state rules.

Block filed his complaint with the State Ethics Commission, which notified him that it was referring the issue to the Secretary of States Office. A spokesman for the office, which shares jurisdiction over campaign rules, said he couldnt comment until theres a ruling.
To continue, please log in, or sign up for a new account.

We offer one free story view per month. If you register for an account, you will get two additional story views. After those three total views, we ask that you support us with a subscription.

A subscription to our digital content is so much more than just access to our valuable content. It means youre helping to support a local community institution that has, from its very start, supported the betterment of our society. Thank you very much!
Westerly, RI (02891)

Today

Cloudy with showers. Low 63F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 50%..

Tonight

Cloudy with showers. Low 63F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 50%.
Page Content

Charlotte, N.C.  (Thursday, May 20, 2021)  Detectives with the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department's Central Division have charged 43-year-old Cecil Orelefant Oxner for the recent shooting at the Babylon Hookah Lounge and are continuing to request any information the public may have about the incident.

On May 19, 2021, Cecil Orelefant Oxner, DOB: 03/01/1978, was interviewed by detectives about his involvement in this case. Detectives determined Oxner was the driver of one of the vehicles involved in this shooting, so Oxner has since been charged with attempted first-degree murder and transferred to the custody of the Mecklenburg County Sheriff's Office.

Central Division detectives are continuing their investigation to identify additional suspects and are asking anyone with information about this case to provide it by calling 911. The public can also provide this information anonymously by contacting Crime Stoppers at 704-334-1600 or http://charlottecrimestoppers.com/. For more information about this case, please refer to the report: 20210517-0223-01.

###



Charlotte, N.C.  (Tuesday, May 18, 2021)  Detectives with the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department's Central Division are requesting any information the public may have concerning a shooting involving several rifles and pistols.



Shortly after 2:20 a.m. on May 17, 2021, officers responded to reports of a shooting at the Babylon Hookah Lounge located at 520 College Street. Officers arrived and located an adult male with an apparent, life-threatening gunshot wound. The victim was transported to the hospital by MEDIC. Officers determined the suspects had fled the scene in a vehicle, so notice was sent out to units across the city to look for a Nissan NV200. Officers located more than 55 rifle and pistol shell casings and discovered four vehicles and one structure had been struck by the gunfire. Crime Scene Search responded to process the scene and collect physical evidence while detectives conducted the investigation.

During their investigation, officers located the suspect vehicle and attempted to stop the vehicle. The driver refused to stop, and a vehicle pursuit ensued. The pursuit ended near the 1800 block of Pegram Street where all occupants fled from the vehicle on foot. CMPD's Canine Unit responded to assist with locating the suspects, leading to the detention of five subjects. Two of these subjects, Damajae Williams, 10/30/2002, and Mudullahi Mohamed, DOB: 12/18/2001, were arrested for warrants unrelated to this incident. Williams had an outstanding arrest warrant for shooting into occupied property, and Mudullahi had an outstanding arrest warrant for possession of stolen property. No one has been charged for the shooting at Babylon Hookah Lounge; however, the investigation is ongoing.

A search of the Nissan NV200 resulted in the seizure of an AK-47 and a 9mm pistol with an extended magazine. Surveillance video from a nearby business captured the incident, and detectives are releasing this video to the public for any information they may have about the incident.

As more information about this case becomes available, it will be released by the CMPD's Public Affairs Office. Anyone with information about this case is asked to call 911, immediately. The public can also leave information anonymously with Crime Stoppers at 704-334-1600 or http://charlottecrimestoppers.com/. For more information about this case, please refer to the report: 20210517-0223-01.

###






Englewood, Colo. , May 19, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The Craig Foundation , which supports Craig Hospital, a renowned acute neurorehabilitation and research hospital that specializes in spinal cord and/or brain injury, in achieving its goals through philanthropy, announced today it has appointed Serena Bruzgo as its new president. Bruzgo will formally begin her role on June 16, 2021.

Bruzgo assumes the role after Mary Feller, who served as the Foundations executive director for nine years, stepped down as leader in December 2019 to take a part-time role. Shannon Lowe has been serving as interim executive director since Feller stepped down.

Bruzgo comes to the Craig Foundation from the Denver Museum of Nature & Science, where she served as vice president of marketing and development. She has a celebrated career in the nonprofit sector where she has held leadership roles at organizations such as the Colorado School of Mines & Alumni Association Foundation and the U.S. Air Force Academy Association of Graduates, to name a few.

Serena is the perfect person to fill the role of president of the Craig Foundation, with her extensive experience leading several non-profit organizations in an incredibly purposeful way, said Jennifer Hopkins, Craig Foundations board chair. She will be a perfect fit within the Craig culture, and we are excited to enter this new chapter of the Foundation with her at the helm of this organization that significantly improves peoples lives.

Bruzgo will assume leadership of the Craig Foundation, which exists solely to support Craig Hospital . As the only stand-alone, not-for-profit hospital in Colorado, Craig Hospital relies on donor support to provide cutting-edge, holistic care. In 2020, the Craig Foundation raised over $9 million to support Craig Hospital programs, research, equipment, and patient financial assistance, and more.

Serving in this role is incredibly important to me, both personally and professionally, and I am excited for the opportunity to make an impact on the lives of patients and their families, and finding new ways to support this amazing community, said Bruzgo. Im looking forward to working closely with the Foundation staff to build lifelong relationships with contributors, raise funds and dedicate its resources to further advancing the needs of Craig and those it serves.

# # #



About Craig Foundation

As the only stand-alone, not-for-profit hospital in Colorado, Craig Hospital relies on donor support to provide cutting-edge, holistic care. The Craig Hospital Foundation is an independent 501 (c)(3) that exists solely to support the hospital, its programs and patients.

Operating in accordance with the philosophy of Craig Hospital, the Foundation builds lifelong relationships with contributors, raises funds and dedicates its resources to further advance the needs of Craig Hospital and those it serves. Guided by a dedicated and civic-minded board of directors, the Craig Hospital Foundation offers members of the community a number of meaningful ways to support the hospitals work helping people rebuild their lives. craighospital.org/foundation .

About Craig Hospital